SPOILER ALERT
I’m not quite sure if it’s that but from what I remember, basically the stepdad was actually in love with someone else I don’t remember who it was but it was someone related to the ML and the stepdad was using the ML too get closer to that one person, in fact the stepdad hated the ML but was only pretending to love him.
Regarding the MC and the ML don’t worry they will start to like each other
The step-dad was in love with the ml’s mom. He bought them as a “pretend” family but was actually in-love with her. Even a young Muyeon(ml) knew that but he still liked or cared about the step-dad. The old boss of that brothel knew the step-dad liked that woman so he used her to keep the step-dad from running away because he would do that often. She was a maid that worked there, I believe. I think she died. Of what? Idk. But she’s no longer around so the step-dad ended up taking in muyeon at a young age.
WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! Ok maybe I just need to read more but nobody told me how fucked up both ML and MC are acting. Also someone please spoil everything with the stepdad and if they start to actually like each other