"Chanyeol," Baekhyun gathered all his courage, "I am... I am not the person you think I am."

Chanyeol narrowed his eyes without saying a word as if he'd notice how hard it was for Baekhyun to continue. Instead, he gently held Baekhyun's hand, making sure the younger knew he was there. He wasn't running away.

"My real name... it's not Do Kyungsoo," Baekhyun confessed.

„I'm confused," admitted Chanyeol.

"The person you're supposed to marry, I'm not him. I'm not Do Kyungsoo," Baekhyun told his husband.

"Is this some kind of bad joke, Kyungsoo?" Chanyeol emphasized the name he thought belonged to the person in front of him, "because it's not funny."

The way Chanyeol's eyes keep focused on him increased Baekhyun's guilt with every second. His body moved on its own as he lowered his head, looking down to escape Chanyeol's eyes.

"It's a long story," he began to explain. Once he started, his mind stopped recording anything happening around him.

"That's impossible. Father's colleagues picked you up from the airport and escorted you directly to the wedding." Chanyeol refused to believe.

"I'm sorry, Kyungsoo didn't want to appear at the wedding, so he gave me his cap. I didn't know it was his symbol of recognition. The police thought I was him," Baekhyun explained, still not being able to look at Chanyeol.

"But why would you pretend to be someone you're not. You could just tell us from the beginning."

"I was...," Baekhyun stuttered, realizing how dumb and unreal his story sounded, "also running away from someone and I needed a ride. I didn't know they were cops until it was too late." Baekhyun had played this moment for hundred times in his head. He'd thought he'd be anxious, yet he was rather at ease. At this moment he realised what a huge burden this secret was. While telling Chanyeol the truth, Baekhyun hadn't noticed the older letting go of his hand.

"Whom were you runny away from?" Chanyeol questioned.

"I," Baekhyun looked up as if he owned Chanyeol to look at his "husband" in the eyes when he told him the truth, "I was running away from my own wedding."

"You were engaged?" Chanyeol shouted. "No, you are engaged?"

"I... I don't know how to tell you this."

The older didn't say a word, still Baekhyun understood Chanyeol demanded an explanation. And Chanyeol deserved the truth.

"I too have a father who doesn't accept a 'No'. I had no other choice. I knew if I was going against his will, I'd need to hide very well."

"Who are you?" Baekhyun couldn't help but noticed the change in Chanyeol's voice.

"My name is Byun Baekhyun," he told Chanyeol. Introducing his true self to Chanyeol felt so surreal.

"Byun Baekhyun?" Chanyeol repeated, "the son of Byun Taeksoo?"

Baekhyun kept silent which they both knew was a confirmation. By that Chanyeol's body moved on its own as he backed away, growing the gap between Baekhyun and him.

Chanyeol was only two steps away, but Baekhyun wanted to chase after the older. He wanted to embrace Chanyeol, just to make sure Chanyeol wouldn't leave. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to say so many things, but he understood Chanyeol needed time right now. Watching Chanyeol walking in circle and placing his hand on his forehead, Baekhyun patiently waited until Chanyeol finally spoke.

"Where is Kyungsoo? What have you done to him?" If words could hurt, Baekhyun believed he'd feel every single word Chanyeol said cutting his skin.

"Nothing," Baekhyun struggled to answer. "Do you really think I would harm him?"

Please deny it, Baekhyun begged inside.

"Do you expect me to believe the heir of the Black Lotus coincidently met a billionaire's son and unintentionally took his place to live with a minister's son who is leading an investigation against his own father?" Now that Chanyeol spoke it out loud, Baekhyun admitted it sounded like the plot of a ridiculous amateur movie. Just then he realised how little the chance was that Chanyeol would forgive him.

"But I'm not lying," Baekhyun fought the tears that were threatening to fall.

"How am I supposed to believe you again?" Chanyeol shook his head.

"So, now what?" Baekhyun questioned, fearing the answer he was asking for.

"Tell them everything you know. Tell them the truth." Chanyeol's advice brought a cold wave that hit Baekhyun hard. Every single inch of his body screamed "Run", but he knew it was too late. He knew his instinct was relatable again because just seconds later the door flung open and three cops rushed in the house. As fast as they came, faster was the way they dragged Baekhyun with them.

"When did you...? Chanyeol?" Baekhyun couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't know how. How could Chanyeol do this to him?

"Chanyeol," he shouted after that one person whom he thought he could trust while the men pushed him in a car. Yet, Chanyeol didn't move. That was the moment he gave up. He gave up on holding those tears. He gave up on fighting those cops. He gave up on Park Chanyeol.

-------

"So, you didn't tell him?" Seulgi asked and Baekhyun could hear disappointment in her tone. After all the troubles he was going through, his best friend could have been more sensitive. But Seulgi wasn't the sensitive type.

"How can I tell him after that nightmare?" Baekhyun replied, leaning against the cold window in his bedroom.

"It was just a dream. Stop being a coward."

"You don't understand. I can't tell him. Everything will be over once he knows it."

"And? How long are you gonna lie? Forever?" Seulgi pointed out the fact Baekhyun was trying to ignore.

"If you're scared, then be prepared before telling him. Have an exit strategy."

"You don't get it. That's not what I'm afraid of." Baekhyun raised his voice.

"Then what's the problem?" Seulgi asked. After a few seconds of silence, she realised.

"Oh... you meant it. You're having feelings for him." She stated.

"I think...I," Baekhyun added, "love him."

"Baekhyun, this isn't a Disney film. You're not Cinderella. There won't be a happy end. I know it's hard but get out before you're hurt." Seulgi yelled on the phone.

"I'm hanging up," Baekhyun replied. The anger that was growing in him, he knew it wasn't a response to her advice for he knew she was right. No, the anger he was feeling was caused by the lack of comprehension of his situation or his feelings. However, who was to blame? Who could understand what he was feeling? Who could know what he was going through? Thus, he called the only person who could understand his dilemma. Kyungsoo.

"Hyung," greeted the younger with joy. Three days after they saved Kyungsoo, Suho arranged a meeting for Kyungsoo and Baekhyun, since Kyungsoo wouldn't stop asking to meet his lifesaver. First, Baekhyun didn't want to meet Kyungsoo. He didn't want to tell mom's golden boy they were half-siblings either for he thought it'd be easier to hate that person. But he was wrong. It was impossible to hate Kyungsoo. The way Do Kyungsoo was – humble and warm-hearted – changed his mind. Thus, he befriended the fact that he had a brother. And he enjoyed being a big brother. The moment he told Kyungsoo they were related, he believed he saw the younger's eyes shined. Since that day, Kyungsoo was the only person who knew everything. After laughing at their own stupid mistakes, the two realised they needed each other. Baekhyun told Kyungsoo everything the younger needed to know about the Black Lotus, while Kyungsoo told Baekhyun all about being a billionaire's son.

"Hey, Kyungsoo, how is it to be protected by the inner circle?" Baekhyun asked.

It's been a while since Woobin kidnapped the younger. A lot had happened since then. Suho had gained Jongin's trust by getting back the contract the boss singed from Woobin. Of course, the older hid the fact that he arrested Woobin. Thus, Jongin still believed his half-brother escaped. Since then Suho was Jongin's most trusted one, the boss' right hand. 'Baby-sitting' Kyungsoo wasn't his mission anymore. Jongin kept his words when he said he'd protect Kyungsoo for Suho was replaced by 'the inner circle'. As Suho explained to the younger, he himself hadn't believed the rumors about 'the inner circle' as well. He was also surprised to find out that it really existed. It was said that the Kim family had their own bodyguards who had been trained since birth only to protect no one other than the Kim family members. Those elite soldiers – as Suho called them, but Kyungsoo was aware they were killers - were supposed to be orphans, living for one mission: giving their lives for the Kim. They knew nothing but loyalty to the Kim. Though they only protected blood-related family members.

Kyungsoo was the first exception.

"It's creepy. I don't see them, but I can feel their dark aura." Kyungsoo joked and for a long time, Baekhyun truthy laughed again.

"I have something to disc-" Baekhyun hung up immediately as someone slammed the door open. The noise caused him to back down. For a split second, the scene of that nightmare flashed back in his mind. As Chanyeol rushed through the door, Baekhyun should be breathing out, but he wasn't. Something about Chanyeol was off. The tension in his expression couldn't be missed.

"We gotta to go," grabbing Baekhyun's wrist, Chanyeol said.

"Where?" Baekhyun asked, allowing Chanyeol to pull him outside.

"To the hospital," Chanyeol answered briefly.

"The hospital?" Baekhyun stopped, "Are you hurt? Are you ok?"

"It's not me," Chanyeol said, "it's ... a family member."

"Your father?" Chanyeol shook his head.

"Your sister? Isn't she in South Africa?" Again, the older denied.

"It's your father. He is stabbed." Chanyeol told the younger.

"Kyungsoo's father?" Baekhyun thought? "He is in Korea? I need to call Kyungsoo."

"My dad is in New York. Mom is with him."

"I'm talking your father," Chanyeol emphasized the word 'your' in a way that gave Baekhyun a chill.

"Your father. Byun Taeksoo," Chanyeol added as Baekhyun didn't respond. Immediately, Baekhyun ripped himself from Chanyeol's grip. Backing away, he did the one thing he could do best. Lying.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Sighed, Chanyeol held Baekhyun's both hands and he held them tighter when Baekhyun protested.

"This isn't how I planned it to be, but we don't have time," Chanyeol mumbled to himself before looking up to Baekhyun.

"I know you're not Do Kyungsoo. I know you're Byun Baekhyun, Byun Taeksoo's son. Your father was attacked in his cell. He is brought to the hospital right now. We need to hurry if you want to see him." Baekhyun listened to every single word that escaped Chanyeol's lips, but his mind rejected to believe what he heard.

"You... I...," he failed expressing what was going inside him.

"Kyungsoo, no, Baekhyun, we need to hurry," Chanyeol rushed.

"When? Since when do you know?"

"Since our first date," Chanyeol answered. Baekhyun's eyebrows lowered.

"But that's the third day since we've met," Baekhyun tried to figure out the unreal situation he found himself in.

"How?"

"You asked the waitress where the toilet was." Chanyeol patiently explained.

"Do Kyungsoo was born in London, but he grew up in the US. He speaks American English."

"Wait," Baekhyun cut off, "you knew I wasn't Do Kyungsoo because I said 'toilet' instead of 'restroom'?"

"At that time, it was only a hunch." Knowing how smart his husband was, Baekhyun shouldn't be so surprised by this. Still, he was.

"But, how could you know I was Byun Baekhyun?"

"My father asked me to compare your DNA to Kyungsoo's mothers. I almost believed I was wrong the whole time when I saw the test was positive until I found a match in the police database."

"Hold on, your father had my DNA tested? And you knew that?"

"I knew it after I ran the test."

"But my DNA isn't in any database." Sure, Baekhyun was arrested several times in high school. Public and underage drinking, fake ID, some fights, the list was long. However, his father's corrupt cops had always settled everything. There wasn't a single record about Byun Baekhyun.

"Your father's DNA is. I checked for relatives."

Taking a moment to handle all the information, Baekhyun soon realised that meant Chanyeol knew Kyungsoo was his half-brother. He knew everything when they were looking for the missing Kyungsoo. He knew everything all along. And Baekhyun realised something else.

"You checked my DNA in a police database after mine and Mrs. Do's DNA matched?" Baekhyun forced a smile for he felt a ridiculous pain since he didn't have the right to play the victim. Still, it hurt.

"I guess you did the right thing. You couldn't trust me after all," Baekhyun bit his lower lips. What he said was true, but how came it sounded so wrong?

"So, now what?" Baekhyun questioned. In his mind, he could see the nightmare he was so afraid of becoming real.

"Are you gonna turn me in?"