3 Paths to Love

Chapter 52

Taeyong peered out at the view. He could see the Han river from here, and the people on the streets looked like tiny ants.

"Your tea, sir," the waitress said and went to place his cup on the coffee table in front of him. Taeyong cleared his throat.

"Could you place it here," he said, tapping against the glass side table next to his seat, pressing his lips into a thin line. "Please."

She nodded and hurried to correct her mistake before bowing and scurrying off. Shaking his head, Taeyong picked up his cup and saucer and glanced around the hotel lounge. Low seating, lounge chairs, a few tables were taken, but it was mostly empty.

The glass door opened, and Taeyong snapped up. He took a deep breath and sat up as Insoo looked around and made his way to him.

"Hello, Taeyong-nim," he said with a quick bow, his hands laced together, picking at his nails.

Taeyong gestured to the seat in front of him and waited for Insoo to settle. The waitress came back without a sound, and Taeyong watched them over his rim.

"Can I have a mocha, please," Insoo asked. "With extra sugar." The same order he always got at the cafe. The waitress nodded and as quickly as she came she left.

Insoo fidgeted in his seat, Taeyong dragging the silence as he took a long sip of his tea.

"Um," Insoo started, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can I ask why you wanted to meet with me?"

Straight to the point.

Taeyong set his cup down, and took a deep breath, facing the window. The Han river sparkling under the sun and as blue as the sky. His heart squeezed, but he ignored it. His chest hurt more often these days. The more the baby grew, the more they pushed up against his lungs, his spine, everything. He took another breath.

"You're a Cheung, correct?"

Insoo paused, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Yes, that's right."

Taeyong frowned as he hung his head. "And your family is only made up of alphas, right?"

Insoo nodded, his mouth moved but his voice was too quiet to be heard. Taeyong curled his fingers, stopping himself from digging into the leather seat.

"Do you know the Bu family, Insoo?" Taeyong asked. Insoo's eyes flicked up and Taeyong continued. "Bu Hyunwoo? Bu Jaejin?"

There was a moment where the gears in Insoo's mind turned and his eyes widened. Taeyong was impressed that he connected the dots this quickly. That way he wouldn't have to spell it out.

Insoo slowly sat up, his mouth hanging ajar. "I would never do that to Myungsuk," he said with surprising force.

"Really?" Taeyong raised his eyebrow, focusing on keeping his pheromones neutral. "Somehow I don't believe you."

Insoo pressed his lips together and gulped. "I might have known Hyunwoo for a long time, but I'm not like him. I would never do what he did."

"Is that why you convinced Myungsuk to share his heat with you?"

Insoo stared at him, blank. Completely caught off guard.

"I found his collar," Taeyong explained. He sat his cup down and sat up, glaring. "Do you think heats are a joke?"

Insoo shook his head. "Of course not," he blurted out and placed his hand on his chest. "I'd never convince Myungsuk to do something he wouldn't want to do. We made that decision together." Insoo lowered his voice, his face pleading to be believed. "We love each other."

Taeyong gritted his teeth and his chest asked. Insoo wasn't harsh or twisted like Hyunwoo. He did see omegas as inferior and a toy. He was optimistic and naive.

And that made him weak. And Taeyong couldn't help but feel sorry that Insoo lived with rose-tinted glasses.

But the moment of pity dissolved into venomous anger. "Do you think love is enough?"

Insoo furrowed his brows. "What-"

"Do you think love will protect Myungsuk?" Taeyong snapped and Insoo flinched.

"Does your father know you're seeing an omega? Because from what I've heard, he doesn't. Do you think you can just tell him one day and he'll accept Myungsuk with open arms?"

Insoo struggled to find an answer. "I-I don't know."

"Do you really not know?" Taeyong growled. "Or you pretend that he's actually nicer than he is."

"I'm sure-" Insoo's eyes darted around, panicking to grab an answer. An alpha like him, sinking into himself, so unsure. Like a shield made from sand. Myungsuk will have nothing to protect him.

"Just like how the Bu's abused Jaejin. Your family will do the same to Myungsuk," Taeyong said, ignoring his pounding heart. "And you won't be able to do anything to stop it. Because you can't." He gestured to Insoo.

"You're struggling for words, against me. An omega. How do you think you'll stand up against your father?"

"I'd do anything for Myungusk," Insoo said and lifted his head. "I'll talk to my father. I'll convince him. He'll approve of Myungsuk, I'll make sure of it," he rambled.

"How are you going to do that?" Taeyong snapped. "Myungsuk is an omega. He isn't flashy, conventionally beautiful, he doesn't understand social rules," he listed.

"That doesn't matter to me," Insoo insisted and sucked in his breath. "Myungsuk is special to me. I love him more than anyone in the world." Insoo's eyes welled up with tears. "Please, believe me."

Taeyong's heart ached. No matter how much he loved him, the world didn't care. "I'm sorry," Taeyong said softly with pity. "But I can't let you keep seeing Myungsuk."

Insoo's breath trembled and he cradled his head in his hands, hiding his face, but Taeyong could hear his sniffles.

"Please, it'll break his heart. I can't break up with him."

"Then you're just being selfish," Taeyong said, and Insoo's shoulders shook. "If you love Myungsuk, then you have to admit that your life will tear him apart."

Carefully, he pushed himself up and grabbed his bag, setting a few bills for both their drinks. He walked around and placed his hand on Insoo's trembling shoulder, his pheromones soaked in pain. "Make good choices."

And with that, Taeyong walked away, forcing himself not to look back. When the elevators closed, Taeyong leaned against the back wall. He held his bump and gently rubbed over its curve.

"It's better to hurt now than to suffer later," Taeyong whispered and looked up, watching the floor numbers descend.