By Zephyria Even in retrospect, Song Hae-seop was the worst partner. So much so that Seo Jeong-won didn’t even want to sugarcoat it. Unlike Seo Jeong-won, he was quick to look after his own interests. That’s why Seo Jeong-won didn’t expect him to take business manners as sexual expressions and develop feelings.
“Private stories started to increase as I was preparing for the wedding, but I didn’t think it was strange. I thought it was a sign of intimacy.”
Kwon Tae-hee checked the electrocardiogram monitor between words. He was worried that Seo Jeong-won might not be able to withstand the shock of hearing his story and show an abnormal reaction. Fortunately, the graph continued at a constant speed without drawing a large drop.
“I met Seo Gyu-won every few days as if I was doing work, and I responded appropriately to what he said. I didn’t realize how he had been treating me until I heard a direct confession from his mouth. If I had known he had feelings, I would have ended the relationship immediately.”
“……”
“What I needed was someone who would take care of his own interests and move according to my demands, not a person who craved affection… Ha, not a suitable partner.”
Seo Jeong-won easily guessed the word Kwon Tae-hee had swallowed a moment ago. He was the man who had used the expression “bought” when he first encountered Song Hae-seop at his house. As if he could buy as many as he wanted like objects.
His Hyung who belonged to a place that sold Omegas, and Kwon Tae-hee who bought such a Hyung. At that time, was his Hyung happy that he was finally living the life he wanted? After his movements were restricted and he could do nothing but lie down, Seo Jeong-won constantly thought of Seo Gyu-won.
“It’s true that I decided to end the relationship. Seo Gyu-won argued that liking an Omega who was about to get married wasn’t enough to end the relationship, and when that didn’t work, he asked for time.”
“……”
What kind of time.
Kwon Tae-hee, who noticed the question in Seo Jeong-won’s eyes, continued in a low voice.
“He said he needed time to sort out his feelings.”
“……”
“After a few days of silence… he started threatening to kill himself. He kept sending pictures of himself trying something. I only told him not to do that, but I think he thought it was attention.”
The more Seo Jeong-won listened to Kwon Tae-hee’s story, the more he doubted whether the protagonist of the story was really his Hyung. The Hyung he knew wasn’t the kind of person who would do that, not the kind of person who would threaten someone with his life. The more he heard, the more miserable he felt.
“I should have pretended not to know from the beginning, that’s what I thought then.”
His low voice was quite pathetic. Seo Jeong-won unknowingly raised his head, which he had tilted to avoid him, and looked at Kwon Tae-hee. Their eyes met immediately.
“Since I didn’t react anymore… I got a call saying he was going to jump off the officetel.”
Kwon Tae-hee’s eyes were distorted as if he felt pain as he dragged out the disgusting memory. Seo Jeong-won’s expression also hardened as he learned about what had happened between the two.
“It’s true that I didn’t think it was serious. I thought a person who was trying to die wouldn’t make a call.”
“……”
“…As I told Jeong-won, I don’t think I did anything wrong then or now. But… I regret it. I should have gone to see him that day.”
His calm voice was full of guilt. Kwon Tae-hee slowly blinked his eyes and continued slowly.
“If I had, many things would have been different now.”
“……”
“I wanted to hide it from Jeong-won until the end. It’s not a good story, and I thought Jeong-won would push me away more after hearing it.”
Kwon Tae-hee carefully reached out his hand. He cupped his face, which had become more slender, and sighed softly.
“I want to lie and say that we were nothing, but as I said, we weren’t nothing. But it wasn’t anything that Jeong-won would reject.”
“……”
“I’m sorry for deceiving you. At that time, I didn’t know that I would want Jeong-won this much.”
Tears fell from Seo Jeong-won’s eyes at the quiet apology. Kwon Tae-hee was always kind, but he had a stubborn side. No matter how much he talked, he dismissed everything as if it were nothing with his unique soft and gentle tone, saying, “Is that so?”
Even though he knew what was making him suffer, he said that it was strange that he was suffering because of it. After the pregnancy, even more bizarre actions followed. He notified him that he would try to like him because he had a child, and even introduced him to his parents. As if he had set a sequence, his actions were unstoppable.
From some point on, Seo Jeong-won felt suffocated when he was with Kwon Tae-hee. He felt like he was going to die because he couldn’t breathe properly. Every moment he was facing him was like hell, and he was miserable.
He thought that all that was left was ruin. Only after he reached a point where he couldn’t even have a conversation with him did Kwon Tae-hee slowly change. As he felt his condition worsen, Kwon Tae-hee also withered like a fading flower.
He was desperate every time he confirmed that he was not getting better even though he was taking care of him with all his heart. He held his sleeping hand, called the baby’s nickname affectionately, and asked in a plaintive voice. To help his father. The weak side that he could not even imagine when he was awake was only revealed when he was asleep.
“While watching Jeong-won, who wasn’t getting better and kept getting worse…”
“……”
“My mind changes several times a day.”
Seo Jeong-won anticipated the words that would follow. His calm expression was full of resignation.
“You said you wanted to break up.”
“……”
“I’ll do as Jeong-won wants. I’m sorry I couldn’t decide sooner. I knew too well that it was a relationship that would end if I just let go, so I couldn’t let go.”
Kwon Tae-hee’s hand constantly stroked his soaked cheeks. As he wiped away the wetness, tears streamed down again.
“I’ll be busy for a while, so I probably won’t be able to come often. If you need anything, talk to Chief Jung.”
“……”
“The baby… how much is appropriate for child support, how many times a month do you want to show the baby, if you decide on those things and let me know, I’ll match everything.”
Kwon Tae-hee’s words were all too sudden. He couldn’t think properly. He was scared and afraid of everything, wondering if he really wanted this kind of ending.
“Jeong-won is still young and smart, so he’ll be able to do anything well on his own. But if there’s anything I can do to help, tell me anytime.”
“……”
“I’d be happy if you gave me a chance to help.”
The palm of his hand, which he had always felt was softer than a tender leaf, constantly rubbed his face. He spoke of the end calmly, with a face that wanted to cling.
An unbelievable thing happened.
¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸
After that day, Kwon Tae-hee kept his word. He slowly reduced his visits and then cut them off completely at some point. The only good news was that Lee Ye-rim had reached the 32 weeks that she had vowed to protect at least. His discharge was postponed, but he didn’t continue to lie down like he did at first.
A caregiver was always by his side, and he was allowed to take short walks using a wheelchair. Seo Jeong-won went around the sky garden on the hospital rooftop or the park on the first floor once a day.
“It’s too cold, should we go in?”
“……Is Christmas this week?”
“Oh, yes. The date is already that close. That’s right. I see a big tree in the hospital lobby every day, so I don’t really feel excited when it’s approaching.”
“Maybe it’s because I can’t hear carols…”
The caregiver slowly pushed the wheelchair, replying that it might be so to his quiet mutter.
“They said they’re going to do the surgery as soon as I reach 34 weeks. Did you hear?”
“……Yes, I heard.”
“The baby will be born as soon as the new year begins. It’ll be so pretty.”
Lee Ye-rim said to Seo Jeong-won, who was lying down, that it was impossible to give birth after filling the weeks. However, she comforted him with a blank face, saying that 34 weeks was okay for the baby to be born. She added that a fetus at that stage is capable of self-respiration, so it does not need medication or an incubator.
When he worried that he was giving birth too early, she replied that in the case of male Omegas, most surgeries are performed around that time. She explained that it is difficult for male Omega pregnancies to be maintained until full term, and since there is only one method of delivery, it is common to schedule surgery when the delivery is possible.
“Did you hear the gender?”
“……Ah.”
Seo Jeong-won recalled the gender that had been subtly hinted at. Danpung is a girl. It was as Go Jin-hee had predicted, seeing that she ate fruit well.