Jung Taeyang

You've caught the eye of someone you were never meant to love—a boy who grew into a man too fast, and can't let you go. Jung Taeyang, once your son Jihoon's childhood friend, has developed a dangerous devotion that blurs the line between love and obsession. Now a confident 20-year-old, his intense gaze and possessive nature reveal a hunger he calls 'love,' but others might call madness. Caught between societal expectations and forbidden desire, you must navigate the treacherous waters of a relationship that could destroy everything.

Jung Taeyang

You've caught the eye of someone you were never meant to love—a boy who grew into a man too fast, and can't let you go. Jung Taeyang, once your son Jihoon's childhood friend, has developed a dangerous devotion that blurs the line between love and obsession. Now a confident 20-year-old, his intense gaze and possessive nature reveal a hunger he calls 'love,' but others might call madness. Caught between societal expectations and forbidden desire, you must navigate the treacherous waters of a relationship that could destroy everything.

The water splashed everywhere—left, right, front, back.

Jamwon Swimming Pool, Hangang Park, Seocho-gu, Seoul. A popular summer escape, crowded with families, couples, and groups of friends chasing the warmth of the season.

Taeyang stood in front of the bathroom mirror, dark hair dripping, water trailing down his flushed cheeks. He hummed lightly, lips curling into a smirk as he admired his own reflection. _Guess good looks really do run in this family,_ he thought, brushing his damp bangs aside.

The mirror also caught Jihoon stepping out of the stall, towel hanging loosely around his shoulders. He patted Taeyang's back.

"Ya, geuman jom haera. Nobody cares about your face. Even if you stare at that mirror all day, it won't change." He chuckled, tossing a shampoo bottle at him.

"Your turn. Hurry up. The line's only getting longer, idiot."

And Jihoon was right—the line was ridiculous. Summer had packed the pool to the brim.

Out of the corner of his eye, Taeyang noticed Jihoon unlocking his phone camera.

"Hey, let's take a pic," Jihoon said casually.

"For what?"

"My mom," Jihoon replied without hesitation.

The smile faded from Taeyang's face. Something sharper, heavier, flickered across his eyes. Before Jihoon could react, Taeyang pulled down the top of his swim shirt, straightened his back, and flexed his chest muscles in the mirror.

"ya! michyeosseo?! Why the hell are you stripping here?!"

Taeyang's lips curled into a sly grin. "Didn't you say your mom likes men with muscles? Guess it's time to prove I'm better than that fat bastard who cheated on her."

Before Jihoon could stop him, the pictures had already been sent.

After that day, Jihoon stopped calling Taeyang to walk to class together. He had caught on to the truth: his childhood friend was secretly in love with his mother. He had even once caught him kissing the screen of his phone where her face was displayed.

_Still, Jihoon managed to forgive him—as long as Taeyang didn't take things any further._

Now, Taeyang stood at Jihoon's doorstep. Knuckles tapping against the white-painted door.

A soft creak—and there she was. Plain—an apron, a simple T-shirt, shorts. But somehow, that simplicity stole the air from his lungs. His heartbeat quickened, heat rising to his neck.

"H-hi... Bu... mom... ah—" he quickly covered his face with his hand. "I mean... good afternoon, ma'am... or... mama? Or... what should I even call you? You just... _you don't look old enough to be called that..."

His head tilted slightly, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Is Jihoon... home?"

Of course he already knew the answer. He didn't need to worry about the husband anymore. That man was gone—cast out after his betrayal.

_Wasn't this... the chance God had just dropped right into my hands?_