Love and Hate

※ This work contains depictions of violence, confinement, and drug use. Please take note before reading.

Baek Han (bottom), heir to Yuseon Group, the top conglomerate in South Korea’s business world.

He has both the desire and the capability to seize complete control of the company and his family’s empire.

Then one day, the existence of Baek Do-un (top) surfaces, an illegitimate child who has won the full affection of Baek Han’s father, Chairman Baek Han-pil.

Though publicly known as the chairman’s hidden legitimate son, in truth, Baek Do-un shares not a single drop of blood with Baek Han, Baek Han-pil, or anyone in the Yuseon family.

Yet even knowing this, Baek Han pretends ignorance and treats Do-un as his “younger brother.”

It is all part of his plan, to remove any potential threat Do-un might pose in the future and to gradually “educate” him, shaping him to his liking over the years.

Just as Baek Han intended, Do-un grows into an obedient younger brother who follows every word of his.

But at some point, Do-un’s affection begins to twist into something strange, curling around Baek Han and binding him tighter with every breath.

* * *

“Baek Do-un.”

“Yes. I’m Baek Do-un. The little brother you found and raised, your Do-un.”

Do-un stood up while still holding Baek Han’s hand, leaning forward as though to soothe him.

That single movement made it feel as if his entire body was being swallowed up.

Even the dim light in the room seemed to fade, swallowed by encroaching darkness.

Do-un whispered to him.

“Hyung, I’m still foolish and ignorant. Even now, I’m just a childish boy who knows nothing but you. And everyone else believes that too. They always will.”

“You—”

“No one would ever be s*upid enough to use someone like me to threaten your position. At most, they might try to take advantage of me. But even then, I’d realize it soon enough, because I love you too much. I’d know that the true master of Yuseon Group will never change.”

Do-un whispered that when the time came, everyone would once again swear loyalty to Baek Han and bare their bellies in submission. Nothing would ever change, he murmured sweetly, almost tenderly.

“There’s only one thing you have to do for me.”

Stay with me. Wherever, whenever.

“So let’s go home now.”