hNamama

CHAPTER 1 :

The morning sunlight pierced through the thick glass walls surrounding the living room of the Park residence. From the top floor of this lavish penthouse, standing proudly in the most elite district of Seoul, the view of the awakening cityscape was nothing short of breathtaking. Yet, beneath its sleek modern architecture, that aesthetic beauty was directly proportional to its level of security. The glass walls were crafted from specialized anti-radiation layers, and behind the luxurious interior of Kai and Sehun’s bedrooms, Chanyeol had installed military-grade bulletproof steel panels.

Possessive? Absolutely. Chanyeol would never allow even the slimmest margin of danger near the two people he considered his own blood. The weight of the past secrets he carried was far too heavy to be shattered by a single moment of negligence.

"Yoo. Good morning," Kai greeted, his voice deep and rough with sleep as he stepped into the dining area. The tall dancer was dressed in a loose gray casual t-shirt, his dark hair still delightfully disheveled.

Kai’s eyes lit up as the rich, savory aroma filled the air. Neatly set upon the long teak table was an array of warm breakfast dishes. "Woah, there's so much food already. Did you cook all of this, Hyung?"

Chanyeol, who was sipping his unsweetened black coffee while reviewing stock market reports on his tablet, cast a brief glance over. "No. I ordered it from our usual restaurant at six this morning. Where’s Sehun?"

"Still passed out in his bed," Kai replied, pulling out a chair and instantly grabbing a piece of chocolate toast. "Probably has a night shift at the hospital later. Are you heading straight to the agency today, Hyung?"

"Of course. I need to monitor the trainees' progress ahead of their mid-season comeback," Chanyeol said, placing his tablet down. His gaze shifted toward Kai with an unshakeable glint of pride. "How is your new choreography coming along? The artists under Loey Entertainment are practically queuing up for your work."

Kai chuckled softly, natural confidence radiating from his eyes. "Ready as always, Hyung. I’ve prepped three new choreo concepts that are guaranteed to blow up the charts."

"You never fail to deliver," Chanyeol praised sincerely. The sharply dressed man stood up, fastening the button of his tailored black suit jacket. "I’m taking off now. Please wake Sehun up before nine. He needs to feed Vivi before that tiny dog ends up as lunch for my Toben."

Kai laughed at Chanyeol's signature humor. "Got it. Drive safe, Hyung."

The atmosphere at Kai’s dance studio was always charged with electric energy. The heavy thud of music reverberated off the clean, polished wooden floors. Mirrors lining the walls reflected the sweat-glistened figures of dozens of young dancers.

"Good morning, everyone!" Kai greeted warmly as he stepped into the main studio, slinging a small towel over his neck.

"Good morning, Kai Hyung!" shouted a dozen teenagers, already drenched in sweat and busy warming up.

"Look at you all, ready for battle," Kai chuckled, setting his gym bag in the corner of the room. "Sorry I’m a bit late. Let’s start with the formation drills. The national competition is right around the corner, we can’t waste a single second!"

"Yes, Captain!" his students chorused in unison.

Kai clapped his hands twice to draw the room’s attention. "Oh right, almost forgot. Since we’ll be pushing our practice sessions late into the night this week, I’ve prepared two large dorm rooms on the top floor, right next to my office. You’re all welcome to stay there during this prep period."

Kai’s studio had been intentionally designed with proper lodging facilities—two spacious dorm areas holding up to fifty people each for male and female students, complete with private bathrooms and air conditioning.

Ten, one of his most theatrical students, immediately stepped forward with dramatic flair, bowing low like he was greeting royalty. "Wow! What a tremendous honor, Prince Kai!"

"Hahaha, you are way too dramatic, Ten," Kai burst out laughing, shaking his head. "Alright, enough theatrics. Everyone, take your initial positions! Jeno, organize the back row! Seulgi, lock onto the beat!"

Instantly, the room reverted into a space of high discipline and artistic passion. Kai guided every movement with meticulous precision. To Kai, dancing wasn't just physical exercise; it was the sacred ground where he expressed every emotion he couldn't put into words.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the grand Loey Entertainment building, Chanyeol stared at the unusual fluctuations in his company’s stock charts. His long fingers tapped rhythmically against the expensive teak desk. Remembering the anonymous threat sent to his personal phone last night, a familiar knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. Chanyeol didn't fear physical terror—not in the slightest. What terrified him was the safety of the two people he had left at home.

"Haahh... my head is splitting," Chanyeol muttered, leaning his back against the leather headrest and squeezing his eyes shut.

SLAM!

The door to his private office swung open unceremoniously without a knock. A tall young man in casual attire sauntered in, looking completely unbothered.

Chanyeol opened his eyes, his expression instantly darkening. "Oh Sehun! You broke my strict order not to come to the office!"

"Sorry, Hyung," Sehun interrupted blithely, sinking into the plush sofa in Chanyeol's office. "But this is a real emergency."

Chanyeol let out a heavy sigh, trying to massage away the throbbing pain in his temples. "What is it this time? If your reason isn't valid, I'm personally having security throw you out of the building."

"I forgot my wallet, and my phone died during lunch," Sehun stated nonchalantly, resting his head back. "I haven't paid my food bill downstairs."

"And you expect me to go down to the restaurant and cover your tab? Is that it?"

Sehun flashed an innocent, shameless smile. "Spot on, Hyung. You really know me best."

"Excuse denied. Please leave my office, Doctor Oh."

"Not happening."

"On the count of three, Sehun."

"One..."

"Two..."

Chanyeol glided his eyes toward his youngest, who remained seated with a fake pout. "...Three."

KNOCK! KNOCK! SLAM!

The door flew open again. A middle-aged man in a sharp suit walked in, his face a portrait of barely suppressed frustration. "Good afternoon, President Park. I am the Manager from the Fresh Taste restaurant downstairs. I am here to collect the payment under Mr. Sehun's name."

Chanyeol crossed his arms over his chest, giving the manager a frosty look. "Who gave you permission to walk directly into my private office?"

"I sincerely apologize for the intrusion, Mr. President," the manager said politely yet firmly. "However, Mr. Sehun himself made a written agreement: if he failed to settle his bill within twenty minutes, we were permitted to collect it directly from you."

Chanyeol pinched the bridge of his nose as his headache intensified. "What is the total?"

"Fifteen million won, Sir."

Chanyeol’s eyes widened instantly. "What?! Did he eat the restaurant's entire kitchen equipment along with the tables and chairs?!"

The manager cleared his throat awkwardly. "My apologies, Mr. President... that is his accumulated tab over the past month."

Sehun sat up straight, whispering loudly at the manager, "Hey! You don't need to spell out the details in front of this old man!"

Chanyeol narrowed his gaze. Without another word, he grabbed a notepad. "Write down your restaurant's bank account number. I will wire the transfer immediately."

The manager bowed in relief. "Thank you very much, President Park. Apologies for the commotion. Have a good day."

As soon as the door closed, an icy, tense silence enveloped the room. Chanyeol swivelled his executive chair, eyeing Sehun, who was currently pretending to be fascinated by the ceiling tiles.

"I don't think going without a wallet for an entire month is normal, Oh Sehun," Chanyeol said coldly. "Your salary as a trauma surgeon at the hospital couldn't possibly just vanish into thin air."

Sehun winced slightly, scratching the back of his neck. "Err... it's pretty normal for me, Hyung."

"Give me the real reason."

"Honestly, my savings are wiped out," Sehun muttered, his tone shifting into something serious and defensive. A genuine shadow of exhaustion crossed his eyes.

"No other defense?"

Sehun exhaled softly. "My monthly savings went into covering the entire medical bill for an elderly patient with no family. She came into the emergency room last week with acute renal failure, no insurance documents, and was turned away everywhere else. Could you really look me in the eye and tell me to throw her out to die on the streets?"

Chanyeol stared at Sehun in silence. A subtle flicker of pride stirred deep in his chest at his brother's humanity, yet he maintained his stoic composure to keep his authority intact. "Perhaps I'd feel sympathy if you were starving alongside the people you helped. But seeing as you managed to dine at a five-star restaurant for a month on my tab, I hold zero pity for you."

Sehun instantly beamed, reverting back to his annoying self. "Bottom line, I’m extremely lucky to have a walking ATM as handsome as you, Chanyeol Hyung."

Chanyeol immediately picked up his intercom receiver. "Security? There's a trespasser in my office. Please escort him out immediately."

"Hey! Hyung! I'm your brother! Aish!" Sehun grumbled as two burly security guards entered and respectfully, yet forcefully, dragged the young doctor out the door.

By late afternoon, Sehun was back in his white doctor's coat at Seoul Central Hospital. The distinct scent of antiseptic greeted his steps in the VIP ward hallway. Though his demeanor around Chanyeol seemed reckless and carefree, in front of his patients, Sehun was a brilliant, deeply respected trauma surgeon.

"Doctor Oh, Grandma Kang’s condition in Room 402 has stabilized after the pericardiocentesis procedure this afternoon," a senior nurse reported, handing over the medical chart.

Sehun accepted the file, reviewing it carefully. "Good. Ensure her antibiotic dosage is strictly on schedule. We don't want her experiencing unnecessary anxiety."

Sehun stepped softly toward Room 402. Through the glass door, an elderly woman lay resting weak, an IV line hooked to her hand. She was the reason Sehun’s bank account was completely drained. The frail woman offered a weak smile as she saw Sehun walk in.

"Doctor Oh... thank you again," the old woman whispered softly. "The nurse mentioned all my lab bills were settled..."

Sehun smiled warmly—a genuine, gentle smile he rarely displayed at home. He pulled up a chair beside her bed, gently checking her pulse. "Don't worry about the costs, Grandma. Your only job right now is to breathe well and recover quickly. Besides, I have a 'wealthy older brother' who loves nothing more than spending his money on good causes."

Grandma Kang's sweet smile broadened. Sehun patted her wrinkled hand softly, ensuring she was comfortable before taking his leave. However, the moment Sehun stepped out into the corridor, the warmth on his face instantly evaporated. At the far end of the hallway stood two unfamiliar men in black suits, watching him intently. The moment Sehun turned his head, the two figures turned sharply and vanished down the emergency stairwell.

Sehun’s sharp surgeon instincts instantly picked up on a chilling premonition. Something dangerous was lurking in the shadows.

Back at the Loey Entertainment headquarters, night had fallen. The bustling building had grown quiet. Chanyeol remained seated at his desk, staring at his reflection in the dark glass window.

The door opened softly. This time, it wasn't Sehun, but a broad-shouldered man in a sharp suit wearing a specialized ID badge at his hip. Suho—Chanyeol’s longtime friend and the head of a private intelligence firm.

"Still haven't left, Chanyeol?" Suho’s heavy voice resonated as he pulled out a chair opposite Chanyeol.

"What are the results, Suho?" Chanyeol asked without preamble, his tone cold and laced with tension.

Suho placed a thick manila folder on the desk. "Your suspicion was correct. Mr. Yang from Yang Entertainment has begun his move. He’s not just targeting your company's market shares; he’s successfully tracked down Kai and Sehun’s whereabouts."

Chanyeol clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned stark white. "What about Kris?"

Suho let out a long sigh, dropping his voice lower. "Kris returned to Seoul two weeks ago. He's using a fake identity and rented a condo unit in the exact same complex where Kai lives. Kris and Mr. Yang are working together. They are aiming for the encrypted data chip left by your late family that you keep in the vault."

The room’s atmosphere plummeted to a freezing halt. The decade-old secret—the bloody tragedy that forced Chanyeol to induce traumatic amnesia in young Kai and Sehun—was now on the verge of exposure.

"They cannot be allowed to touch Kai and Sehun," Chanyeol whispered, his eyes flashing with suppressed rage. "If Kris tries to go near them, I will personally destroy him."

"You can't act recklessly, Chanyeol," Suho warned sternly. "Kai is performing at the national competition tomorrow with his students. That arena will be packed with the public. Mr. Yang and Kris will definitely exploit that vulnerability."

Chanyeol closed his eyes tightly. His mind drifted to Kai, who was pouring his heart out teaching his students, and Sehun, who selflessly drained his own savings for strangers. The two souls he had sacrificed everything to protect from their past trauma were once again standing on the edge of a cliff.

"Tighten security at the competition venue tomorrow," Chanyeol commanded softly, yet undeniably. "Do not let a single stranger near the stands where Kai and Sehun are seated."

Suho gave a solemn nod. "Understood. But you have to be ready, Chanyeol. The lie you built to protect them... won't hold forever."

Chanyeol didn't answer. He simply stared out into the vast night sky of Seoul, letting the darkness swallow the guilt and fear consuming his chest.