Hope🤞

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Felix's heart was pounding in his chest as he slowly climbed down the grand staircase of the Hwang mansion. The encounter with Hyunjin upstairs left him feeling both flustered and confused. His mind kept replaying the moment when Hyunjin had wiped away his tears and hugged him, the warmth of the alpha's arms still lingering on his skin. Yet, despite the brief moment of comfort, Felix couldn't shake the feeling of rejection he had experienced just minutes before.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs, Felix took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves to face his parents. He was still trying to make sense of Hyunjin's behaviour. Why had the alpha been so cold at first, only to turn around and show such tenderness? Why? Younger was confused. He had been raised with love and care all his life, surrounded by people who adored him, so this back-and-forth behaviour left him feeling unbalanced.

The moment they walked into the sitting room where both families were gathered, Felix could feel all eyes on him wanting to read his expressions. The tension in his body returned, and he quickly forced a small smile onto his face. He had always been good at masking his emotions when necessary, a skill he had learned to avoid causing his parents any unnecessary worry. But this time, it felt heavier—more forced.

"Ah, there you are!" Mrs. Hwang greeted them warmly, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Felix. "We were just about to start without you two."

Felix managed to mumble a polite reply, his eyes darting to the table laden with a variety of snacks. It was clear that Mrs. Hwang had gone out of her way to prepare an impressive spread, but Felix's appetite had disappeared entirely. He could feel Hyunjin's presence beside him, and it only made him more aware of the awkwardness between them.

"Please, help yourself, Felix." Mrs. Hwang urged, gesturing to the table.

Felix hesitated for a moment before reaching for a small pastry, trying to keep his hands from shaking. He could feel the alpha's gaze on him, but when he glanced at the alpha, Hyunjin was already looking away, his expression unreadable. The tension was palpable, and Felix felt like he was on the verge of tears again. But he pushed it down, knowing this wasn't the time or place to show any weakness. He had to be strong just to prove that he had matured, but inside his heart, he was breaking into pieces from the alpha's behaviour.

Mrs. Lee, sensing the atmosphere, leaned over to Mrs. Hwang, a smile on her face as she tried to lighten the mood. "I must say, you've raised a fine young man, Mrs. Hwang. Hyunjin is very impressive." Hyunjin visibly tensed at the compliment, guilt gnawing at him. How could he accept praise from Mrs. Lee, when he had already caused Felix pain? The memory of the omega's tears haunted him, and the thought of Felix's gentle heart breaking because of him was unbearable. He knew he didn't deserve the kind words, not when he had failed so miserably in their first meeting.

Mrs. Hwang beamed at the compliment, unaware of his son's inner turmoil. "Thank you, Mrs. Lee. Felix is such a lovely young omega. I'm sure the two of them will get along splendidly."

Felix forced another smile, nodding in agreement, even though his heart wasn't in it. He stole another glance at Hyunjin, hoping for some sign of reassurance, but the alpha was staring intently at his phone, seemingly engrossed in something else. Felix's stomach tightened. Had he done something wrong? Did Hyunjin not like him? Was he not attractive enough? Not interesting enough? What was it about him that Hyunjin found so easy to dismiss?

The two papas continued their light-hearted conversation, discussing the wedding plans in a way that made Felix feel like he was just a bystander in his own life. He could feel the weight of expectations pressing down on him, and it was suffocating.

"Felix," Hyunjin's father, Mr. Hwang Namjoon suddenly addressed him, breaking Felix out of his thoughts. "What do you think of our home?"

Felix blinked, taken aback by the question. He didn't expect Mr. Hwang to speak up so suddenly. He quickly composed himself and smiled politely. "It's beautiful, Mr. Hwang. Everything is so elegant and well-decorated."

Mr. Hwang nodded approvingly, but Felix could see a flicker of something in his eyes—was it pride? Or was it scrutiny? Felix couldn't tell, and it made him even more uneasy.

Hyunjin remained silent beside him, not offering any support. Felix had hoped that after their moment upstairs, Hyunjin would try to make an effort, but it seemed like the alpha had retreated back into his cold shell. It hurt more than Felix wanted to admit. Every single and little action of the alpha affected his emotions. It was inevitable for him to stop feeling like a stray kitten who got lost on its way back home. He never thought he'll be in this kind of a situation, and he doesn't know how to face it. He was doubting himself whether he's doing the right thing or not. 

After a while, Mrs. Lee excused himself and Felix to go freshen up before they continued with the discussions. Felix was grateful for the escape, needing a moment to clear his head. As they walked toward the guest bathroom, his papa leaned in, whispering softly.

"Are you alright, darling? You seem a bit quiet." he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Felix forced a smile, nodding. "I'm fine, Papa. I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

Mrs. Lee gave him a knowing look but didn't press further. He squeezed his hand gently, a gesture that always brought Felix comfort. "It's natural to feel this way, sweetheart. Just remember, we're all here for you. If something is bothering you, speak it out, baby, don't keep it to yourself. I'm here for you always, baby."

Felix nodded again, his heart warming at his papa's reassurance. But as they returned to the sitting room, the dread in his chest returned. He knew he had to face Hyunjin again, and he wasn't sure he could handle more cold indifference.

The families continued their discussions, but Felix remained quiet, his mind racing with doubts and fears. What if Hyunjin never warmed up to him? What if their marriage was destined to be nothing more than a cold, distant arrangement? The thought made his chest ache, and he had to bite his lip to keep from crying.

After what felt like an eternity, the meeting finally came to an end. As they said their goodbyes, Felix caught Hyunjin's eye one last time. For a brief moment, Felix thought he saw something in the alpha's gaze—a hint of regret, or maybe even an apology—but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. Hyunjin turned away, his expression blank once more, and Felix's heart sank.

As Felix walked out of the mansion with his family, he felt a heavy weight settle over him. The day that was supposed to mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life had left him feeling more uncertain than ever. He had dreamed of meeting his future alpha, of feeling a connection that would make everything feel right, a feeling that books he read explained beautifully. Instead, he was left with a gnawing emptiness, wondering if he had made a mistake in agreeing to this marriage just to seek freedom for himself.

He glanced back at the grand mansion one last time before getting into the car, hoping that maybe, just maybe, things would change once they were married. But deep down, Felix couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a future filled with more coldness and loneliness than he had ever known. It was too much to handle, especially when he was treated with utmost care all his life, like he was a fragile doll to a point he hoped someone would treat him differently. But, he never expected that someone to be his future partner or them to treat him this coldly as if he didn't have feelings. He felt like his life was so unfair.

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Short update! 

I got my first SE internship offer from one of my dream companies🙈💫. Wrote this chapter to celebrate. Bye!!✨️

We Are A Happy Family! | Hyunlix | Omegaverse Where stories live. Discover now