Reimbursed Husband | JC

Chapter 17. Two favs

The dinner proceeded with surprising tranquility, much less chaotic than Jeonghan had anticipated. His breath remained caught in his throat throughout the meal, but he couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief whenever Sohee leaned in to whisper something to him.

After dinner, Seungcheol's mother and grandmother left the room, followed closely by Jihyun. Jeonghan let out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding, his gaze fixated on the door with wide eyes.

"Damn, that was intense," he muttered under his breath, hoping his words would go unnoticed. However, he heard a soft snicker beside him and turned to see Sohee chuckling. "You'll get used to it eventually," she said, rising from her chair. "Come on, let's go for a tour of our house."

Jeonghan nodded, then turned to Seungcheol, who was still picking at his last bite of food. "Hey," Jeonghan called out, placing a hand on Seungcheol's shoulder. Seungcheol snapped out of his trance and looked at Jeonghan. "Yeah?"

"I'm going on a walk with Aunt Sohee, is that okay?" Jeonghan asked. Seungcheol nodded. "Just give me a call if you need anything," he said, returning to his meal. Jeonghan sighed, stood up from his chair, and followed Sohee out of the dining room.

"He is coming back tomorrow" Vernon's voice echoed in the room, causing Seungcheol to lift his head and fix his gaze upon the chair positioned directly across from him. His eyes bore into the seat, filled with a mixture of determination and frustration.

"So?" Seungcheol responded in a monotonous tone, his voice devoid of any emotion. He heard his brother sigh in response.

"This will only escalate into major conflicts, hyung. We need to put an end to it before things get worse," Vernon pleaded, his voice rising slightly before Seungkwan intervened, placing a calming hand on his arm.

"Sol," Seungkwan interjected, his tone laced with warning. Vernon rolled his eyes, but Vernom continued, "You know how Mom is, hyung. Did you see how she treated you when you arrived? She didn't even bother to prepare anything for you. She didn't even greet you or ask how you've been—"

"Vernon," Seungcheol's voice cut through the air, laced with a clear warning as he shot his brother a stern look. Vernon stared back at Seungcheol, his brows furrowed in frustration.

"You know exactly why I'm doing this," Seungcheol stated firmly, rising from the table and exiting the room without another word.

"Fucking hell!" Vernon slammed his hands down on the table, startling Seungkwan and Chan, who glanced at him with concerned eyes.

Jeonghan's eyes widened in awe as he took in the sight of the enormous antique pieces that adorned the hall. The intricate carvings and delicate details of each piece were a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the artisans who had created them. Sohee led him through the hall, pointing out each piece and sharing stories of their history and significance.

As they made their way through the mansion, Jeonghan couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and amazement at the sheer opulence and grandeur of the place. The rooms were spacious and beautifully decorated, with ornate furnishings and exquisite artwork adorning the walls.

Sohee led him to the evening garden, a serene oasis of greenery and tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

"Most of the plants here are medicinal," Sohee explained, plucking a herb flower from a nearby shrub and holding it up for Jeonghan to see. "This garden has been a sanctuary for our family for many years. It's a place where we come to relax, reflect, and find peace amidst the chaos of the world."