To Fall In Love Again [JEONGKYU FF]

Chapter 55

The Park Manor stood like a silent sentinel, its grandiose structure stretching elongated silhouettes across the meticulously kept gardens. Despite the numerous servants, cooks, gardeners, and guards bustling about, the estate maintained an air of tranquil order. There were only three occasions that broke this stillness: when Mr. and Mrs. Park returned from a trip, when they expected important guests, and when more than two Park siblings arrived at once.

Today was one of those rare occasions.

JeongWoo stood in front of the mansion he once called home, observing the flurry of activity. The sudden visit from him and Rose had thrown the staff into a mild panic. A few years ago, JeongWoo found humor in these moments—the scurrying servants, the hushed but urgent commands—but now, as he watched the scene unfold, it felt hollow. The once lively chaos now seemed like just empty noise.

The butler approached with a practiced grace that disguise his haste. He bowed slightly before speaking.

"Master JeongWoo, Madam Roseanne," he began, his voice steady despite the surprise. "To what do we owe this visit?"

"Where's Jihoon?" Rose's tone was brisk, cutting through formalities.

"In his wing, Madam," the butler replied without missing a beat.

"And Hyunsuk?"

"Also in his wing, Madam."

"Soi?" Rose's question carried an edge of concern that didn't escape JeongWoo's notice.

"Miss Soi is at school," the butler informed them.

Satisfied with the answers, Rose nodded curtly and led the way inside, Loren trailing close behind her like a shadow. JeongWoo followed, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors of the grand entrance hall.

As they made their way to Jihoon's family's wing—a secluded part of the manor reserved for Jihoon, Hyunsuk, and their children—the usual splendor of the house seemed muted to JeongWoo. The rich tapestries and ornate chandeliers held little allure compared to what weighed on his mind.

The wing was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to its usual vibrancy. JeongWoo noted the absence of Hyunsuk's cheerful hums and the playful giggles of Hajun. Their private living room lay empty, devoid of its usual warmth and liveliness.

JeongWoo shot a questioning look at the butler.

"Master Hyunsuk is most likely inside Hea's nursery," the butler explained, sensing his confusion. "Master Hajun is having his homeschool session in his bedroom."

Loren, standing slightly behind Rose, felt a sudden tug in his chest. His omega instincts flared to life, guiding him with an unspoken urgency.

"I want to see Hajun," Loren said, an undercurrent of worry threading through his words.

Rose glanced at him, her brows furrowing slightly before she nodded. She knew better than to question an omega when it came to the children. They dismissed the butler and turned towards Hajun's bedroom, their footsteps barely making a sound on the plush carpets.

As they approached the door, a muffled cry reached their ears. JeongWoo's heart tightened at the sound of his nephew's cries. Loren's face reflected a similar concern as he quickened his pace, reaching for the door handle without hesitation.

Inside the room, Hajun sat hunched over his desk, his small frame trembling with each sob that escaped his lips. His palms lay open on the wooden surface, red and raw from previous strikes. A tutor stood before him, his face a mask of stern disapproval, the punishment stick frozen mid-swing.

The abrupt entrance of Loren, followed closely by Rose and JeongWoo, brought the tutor to a halt. The man's eyes widened in shock as he took in the formidable figures now standing in the doorway. He dropped the stick as though it had burned him.