CHAPTER 177: INFORMAL INTRODUCTION

"DAD, how do I look?"

You look like your daddy’s mini-version...

Garam almost blurted that out.

Fortunately, he was able to stop himself.

Why do I keep thinking about Sihyuk Hyung these days? I’m irritated whenever I see him. But when he’s not around...

"Dad?"

"You look great, baby," Garam said, smiling at his son. "You look like a professional golf player."

After all, it was Lee Wonjae who chose Gunwoo’s outfit for the party.

Visor, polo shirt, shorts, socks, and dedicated golf shoes.

The ones with soft spikes.

"We’re matching, Dad!" Gunwoo said cheerfully, his eyes sparkling. "We look like twins!"

Garam chuckled, but he couldn’t deny that.

Since golf was the theme of the party, he was dressed like Gunwoo.

"Dad, where is Daddy?" Gunwoo asked, now pouting. "I miss Daddy."

Right.

It had been days since Gunwoo had seen Song Sihyuk.

Garam would send the Alpha a text message from time to time, letting him know about the party.

But Song Sihyuk would only send short replies like ’yes, I understand.’

Now that I think about it, it’s kinda annoying, huh?

"Gunwoo-ya, I’m sorry I’m late."

Hmm?

Both Garam and Gunwoo turned to the door.

It was Song Sihyuk— looking so damn handsome in his golf outfit.

Ah, it doesn’t look like Hyung is sick anymore.

"Daddy!"

Gunwoo immediately ran to his Alpha father, and Song Sihyuk immediately picked up the child effortlessly.

Yep, it looks like Hyung has finally recovered.

It had been days since he had last seen Song Sihyuk.

Garam thought the Alpha looked fine.

Except that Hyung seems to have lost a little weight?

"I’ve missed you, Daddy!" Gunwoo said, wrapping his arms around Song Sihyuk’s neck. "Did you miss me?"

"Of course, son. I’ve missed you," Song Sihyuk said, his gaze actually focused on Garam. "You and your dad."

Aigooya.

Why is he saying that he missed me when he barely replied to my messages?

"Are you fine now, Hyung?" Garam asked. "Are you sure you should be carrying Gunwoo? Our son isn’t exactly light."

Song Sihyuk scoffed. "Garam-ah, you’re hurting my pride. I wasn’t that sick."

"Daddy, you were sick?" Gunwoo asked worriedly, cupping Song Sihyuk’s face between his tiny hands. "Daddy should have called me. I would have taken care of you!"

Pfft.

Garam was annoyed at Song Sihyuk, but Gunwoo’s cute words were melting his anger.

When did my son learn how to say such things?

"Aigooya. I made a mistake," Song Sihyuk said, going along with Gunwoo’s cute comment earlier. "You’re right, Gunwoo-ya. The next time I get sick, I’ll call you and your dad. You’ll take care of me, right?"

"Of course, Daddy!" Gunwoo answered cheerfully. "But getting sick is not good. You should always stay healthy!"

"Right. I won’t get sick again."

"Pinky promise me, Daddy," Gunwoo said, holding out his pinky finger to Song Sihyuk. "Promise me that you won’t get sick again."

"Alright," Song Sihyuk said, hooking his pinky finger with Gunwoo’s. "I promise I won’t get sick again."

Garam rolled his eyes.

Liar.

***

GARAM was busy checking the group chat that he had with the parents of Gunwoo’s classmates.

The party would start in an hour, so everyone was already on their way.

Thankfully, all of his son’s classmates could make it.

I guess the parents are curious about my husband’s family.

"Daddy, these are my drawings!"

"Yes, son. I’m glad you recognized them."

What are they talking about?

Curiously, Garam looked at Song Sihyuk and Gunwoo.

The Alpha was sitting on the sofa while their son was on his lap.

Song Sihyuk was showing a few golf balls to Gunwoo.

"Dad, look!" Gunwoo said, showing a golf ball to Garam. "These golf balls have my drawings on them!"

Oh, Gunwoo was right.

Our son loves drawing our family, and he’ll give Song Sihyuk most of our family portraits.

And, now, those cute family portraits served as markers for the golf balls.

"That’s nice, Gunwoo-ya," Garam said, smiling at his son. "You won’t lose your golf balls since they have markers."

Gunwoo just grinned, now distracted while looking at the other marked golf balls.

"Hyung, when did you have time to have those golf balls marked?"

"I had them made the moment I noticed that Gunwoo enjoys golf. I’m glad that the golf balls arrived just in time for the party, and the party happens to be golf-themed."

Ah, so Song Sihyuk had prepared those gifts in advance.

I was wondering how he could take care of it when he was sick.

"Dad, Daddy, I’ll show these to my grandpas," Gunwoo said while getting off Song Sihyuk’s lap. "Bye!"

And, just like that, Gunwoo had already bolted out of the mansion.

Of course, his son’s nannies and bodyguard quickly followed the child.

His grandparents are in the garden, checking the setting one last time.

Garam offered to help his in-laws, but they just ushered him back inside the mansion to rest.

They still think I’m sick, even though I assured them that I’m fine already.

"Garam-ah, you invited your former group members?"

"You’re not going to throw a tantrum, are you?" Garam asked carefully. "I’m not trying to pick a fight with you, Hyung. I genuinely want my friends to be a part of Gunwoo’s life. If you don’t like it, then that’s your problem."

"Yeah, I don’t like it," Song Sihyuk said bluntly. "But I won’t throw a tantrum. If you want your friends to be a part of our son’s life, then I won’t stop you."

Oho?

"Your friends are good people like you, so I’m sure our son is in good hands."

Huh?

"Actually, the only person I don’t like among your friends is Gong Hanseo. And it’s only because I’m jealous of him. You trust him, and you depend on him a lot, after all."

What?

"But, like you said, this is my problem," Song Sihyuk said, sighing. "Don’t worry, I won’t ruin our son’s first party."

Hmm?

It was surprising how Song Sihyuk was being amicable.

"Hyung, are you dying?"

"Are you picking a fight with me now, Lim Garam?"

"It’s your fault for acting strange, Hyung," Garam complained lightly. "I’m not used to you acting like that."

"I’m a dad now, Lim Garam. I have to pull myself together."

Aigooya.

"And didn’t I promise you that I won’t do things you don’t like anymore?"

"You didn’t listen to me when I told you to stop giving your pheromones to Cho Dongpyo."

Song Sihyuk cleared his throat while avoiding Garam’s gaze guiltily. "It’s for your sake."

Aigooya.

I feel like Sihyuk Hyung is hiding something.

"Anyway, I’ll behave today, so you don’t have to worry," Song Sihyuk assured Garam. "This party is Gunwoo’s informal introduction to high society, after all."

"No," Garam denied firmly. "This party is just for Gunwoo and his friends to play golf and watch the koi fish in Abeoji’s pond."

"Yes, that may be the purpose of this party. But, after today, the parents of our son’s will know that Gunwoo is the heir to SG Group. It’s only a matter of time before it spreads in our social circle."

Garam already knew that.

But I’m running away from reality.

"I didn’t announce our marriage back then, so people will definitely be surprised that I have a son now," Song Sihyuk said. "Of course, I’ll make sure that this won’t get leaked to the reporters and the general public. But I can’t stop the news from spreading within our social circle. Gunwoo’s status as my heir will be known soon."

Yes, Garam was aware of that as well.

I thought I was ready for that, but I’m getting nervous now.

Having said that, he still believed he was doing the right thing.

It’s not like I can hide Gunwoo’s background forever.

"Garam-ah, I can only protect our family’s privacy for so long," Song Sihyuk said. "People will eventually know that the idol Lim Garam had a son with SG Group’s Song Sihyuk. Are you ready for that?"

"I have nothing to lose now, Hyung," Garam said bluntly, looking straight into Song Sihyuk’s eyes. "You’ve ended my idol career a long time ago."

He didn’t mean to sound bitter, but his old feelings resurfaced all of a sudden.

Of course, Garam had long accepted the fact that his idol days were over.

He loved Gunwoo, and loved being Gunwoo’s mother more than being an idol.

But, sometimes, I still wonder what could have been if Song Sihyuk hadn’t gotten me pregnant.

After all, being an idol was Garam’s first love.

"I don’t think I’ve properly apologized to you yet for ruining your career," Song Sihyuk said calmly, getting up from his seat. And then he stood in front of Garam, looking down at him with a profound look in his eyes. "Garam-ah, I’m sorry— I’m sorry for ruining your life as an idol, and for getting you pregnant when you were clearly wasn’t ready at the time."

Oh.

Garam wanted to be sarcastic and tell Song Sihyuk that his apology was already five-year late.

However, he couldn’t do it.

He didn’t want to admit it, but he could feel Song Sihyuk’s sincerity in his words.

And his eyes— they look remorseful.

In short, Garam unexpectedly received a sincere apology from Song Sihyuk.

Why now?

"I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But please allow me to apologize to you, Garam-ah," Song Sihyuk said, still speaking in that unusual soft voice full of remorse. And the deep look in his eyes never left. "I know I can’t bring back what I’ve taken away from you, but I’ll still do my best to make it up to you."

Haaah.

Garam couldn’t believe this.

I can’t believe Sihyuk Hyung is capable of this kind of apology.

For some reason, that only made him feel more bitter.

"You want to make it up to me?" Garam asked, smiling bitterly. "What if I tell you that you can only do that when you completely disappear from my life, Hyung?"

Who would have thought it would come true later?

***

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