CHAPTER 106: THE BITTER TRUTH

"BABE, why are you glued to your phone?"

Garam heard Song Sihyuk, who was just sitting beside him in the backseat of the car, but he didn’t raise his head.

I’m busy.

Hence, he just continued checking the fan account that was keeping track of his albums’ sales record.

"Lim Garam."

Haaah.

"I’m just checking my album sales, Hyung," Garam said, finally lifting his head to look at Song Sihyuk. "Can’t I use my phone anymore?"

"I didn’t say that," Song Sihyuk said, raising an eyebrow, "Why are you suddenly snapping at me, Lim Garam? Did I do or say something wrong?"

Garam had to use all the remaining self-control in his body not to snap.

To be honest, he thought he could still tolerate Song Sihyuk.

But after watching the morning news earlier— the news that confirmed that Park Yoona, his attacker, was put in jail not because of assault but because of drug use.

I can tell that it’s Sihyuk Hyung’s doing.

To be fair, Garam was relieved that his attacker was punished.

But there was a part of him that felt a little guilty.

Maybe the punishment was a bit too harsh because Sihyuk Hyung meddled.

"Lim Garam, if you have a problem with me, then say it now."

You won’t like it if become honest, Hyung. And it’s not yet the right time to reveal what I already know.

Fortunately, Garam had a real reason why he was upset while glued to his phone.

"I’m upset and disappointed, Hyung."

"Why?"

"I just checked the account that’s keeping track of my album sales," Garam explained. And, yes, he was speaking the truth this time. "I found out that my mini-album had sold 370k plus copies on the day of its release."

"Congratulations."

"Do not congratulate me, Hyung. After a whole week, my album sales only reached 450k copies."

"It’s a huge number, isn’t it?"

"It is, but I could have done better," Garam insisted. "My fans noticed that my album sales keep declining even though they are actively buying in bulk because they want to give me at least 700k album sales for my solo debut. That’s how they found out that my albums are all sold out in official stores."

"What’s the problem then?"

"The problem is that the company didn’t release enough copies because they weren’t confident that my album sales would exceed 300k copies," Garam said, clenching his hands tightly. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. "And the company didn’t even inform me that they wouldn’t make enough copies. They assured me that they would release copies base on the demand of my fans. But, clearly, they underestimated me and my fans’ buying power."

He actually found out that the company didn’t make enough copies from CEO Myung Hyesu. But he had a feeling that if he didn’t confront the CEO recently, then she wouldn’t have told him the truth.

"Should I call the board of directors and scold them for you?"

Haaah.

If Garam didn’t know better, he would have been touched by Song Sihyuk’s words.

But not anymore.

I have a feeling that it’s Sihyuk Hyung’s order not to make enough copies of my album.

He asked CEO Myung Hyesu if Song Sihyuk ordered the company not to make enough copies, but his boss didn’t give him a direct answer.

But that was already the answer that he was looking for.

And that broke Garam’s heart.

I know that Sihyuk Hyung wants me to rely on him forever, but I don’t think I can forgive him if he keeps doing things like this behind my back.

"Garam-ah, you still did well for your first solo album," Song Sihyuk said, consoling Garam while gently grabbing his face. "Don’t worry. I’ll invest in your company again and fund your next solo project. So, don’t be too disappointed by the result of your solo debut."

Haaah.

Garam could only smile bitterly.

He couldn’t believe that Song Sihyuk could still act like he was a supportive husband after everything he had done.

Sihyuk Hyung is really a shameless bastard, huh?

"Should I buy a 100k copies of your album to increase your album sales?"

"Hyung, I could have done better had the company released an appropriate number of copies of my album."

Had Garam not discovered the bitter truth, he would have believed that his album sales didn’t reach his expected sales, all because he was lacking. That his fans didn’t have the buying power to exceed 500k sales because he was the least popular member of the group.

He would have believed that it was his fault his first solo album didn’t perform well in terms of charts and sales.

But not anymore.

"Even without Hyung’s help, I know that I would have done well had the company been competent," Garam said, clenching his jaw tight. He couldn’t confront Song Sihyuk directly, so he only made a sarcastic remark. "Should I start looking for a new company now?"

Song Sihyuk now looked visibly uncomfortable. "All of a sudden?"

"My contract with the company is about to end anyway."

"And where do you plan to go if you leave your company?"

"Maybe I’ll go with a big company."

The Big 3 agencies at the moment are agencies that not even Sihyuk Hyung can meddle with easily.

"Garam-ah, have you received offers from other companies? Are you being poached?"

To be honest, Garam hadn’t received an offer yet from other companies.

But it could also be because Song Sihyuk was blocking opportunities for him again.

Hence, he decided to bluff.

"Yes, Hyung. I’ve received a few love calls from other companies."

"Which companies?"

"I’m not telling."

"Lim Garam."

"Why are you concerned about that, Hyung?" Garam said. Of course, he tried to ask as nonchalantly as possible. But he wasn’t confident that he appeared as calm as he wanted to be. "You’re no longer a boss in my company. Plus, even if I leave them, why should you care?"

"I’m your husband, Lim Garam."

"Yes, but my work is none of your business. Or do you think you still own my career because of our previous contract?"

The Alpha remained silent.

Sihyuk Hyung looks pissed now.

Garam was actually starting to get scared because Song Sihyuk’s pheromones were starting to smell funky.

But he couldn’t stop himself from snapping.

"Hyung, if that’s the case, then should I start paying you back the amount of money you spent on my group’s debut?" Garam asked. Yes, he was aware that Song Sihyuk really spent a lot of money on his group debut. He wouldn’t deny that the Alpha’s financial support helped him succeed at the beginning of his career. Hence, he was offering to pay him back. "Don’t let the kids know— I’ll pay their trainee debts on their behalf."

"Don’t insult me, Lim Garam."

Oh.

Garam flinched when Song Sihyuk spoke in a cold voice.

Yes, the Alpha was a bit intimidating at the moment.

Funnily enough, I still don’t think Hyung would hurt me physically.

"I’ll never accept your money, Lim Garam. Do you think I would make you pay for your debut? What’s wrong with you?"

Garam just avoided Song Sihyuk’s gaze.

Okay, I’ve been carried away by my feelings.

Now that he was ’sober,’ he suddenly felt scared.

Sihyuk Hyung won’t snap here, will he?

Jung Han was driving the car, and when Garam glanced in his direction earlier, he saw that the bodyguard also looked nervous.

Note to myself: don’t pick a fight with Siyuk Hyung in a moving vehicle.

Song Sihyuk let out a frustrated sigh.

Garam flinched as a result.

"I understand you’re frustrated because of the result of your album sales, babe."

Hmm?

Garam was surprised when Song Sihyuk used a gentle and patient tone as if he were talking to a child.

I thought Hyung would be mad because I was being a bitch.

"I’m sorry for being insensitive," Song Sihyuk said apologetically, wrapping an arm around Garam’s waist— pulling him closer to him. And then the Alpha kissed Garam’s forehead. "I’ll be more careful so I won’t worsen your mood, babe."

Haaah.

Garam could only sigh and shake his head.

Why are you being this sweet when you’re stabbing me in the back, Hyung?

***

"WELCOME, DEAR."

Garam smiled when Lee Wonjae, his Omega father-in-law, welcomed him with a warm hug. "Thank you, Appa."

He finally arrived at his parents-in-law’s mansion.

And, yes, it also looked like a museum.

I’m afraid to touch anything from this house.

"It’s only been a few days, but I think you’ve lost weight, dear," Lee Wonjae said while gently squeezing Garam’s arms and looking at him from head to toe. "You don’t have any work schedule in the next two weeks, right?"

"Yes, Appa," Garam answered politely while nodding. "Dr. Seong advised me to rest in the meantime."

"Good. That means you don’t need to go on a diet, right?"

"Yes, Appa."

"Very well. I’ll feed you starting today," Lee Wonjae said. "Would you like to learn how to play golf from me, dear?"

Garam beamed, and then he nodded. "I’d love that, Appa."

***

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