By Zephyria 
Seo Baek-han paused for a moment at the absurd question, and Choi Yeon-jun, misinterpreting his reaction, started to act up.
“Hey, you bastard! I knew it. I knew it from the moment the guy who said he didn’t like men suddenly declared he was marrying Tae-hyun!”
“…Taeging?”
“Huh? You don’t know this meme? It’s a combination of Tae-hyun and baby(agi).”
Choi Yeon-jun, excited to tease Seo Baek-han, puffed out his chest, but he belatedly noticed the chilling gaze sweeping over him and quietly shrank back.
“No, it’s just that, when you think about it, you’re subtly nice to Tae-hyun…”
“How long has it been since the Joo Tae-hyun affair rumors started, and you’re already talking about babies?”
“…Huh?”
“Talking about babies and stuff to someone else’s spouse is a great way to cause misunderstandings, so cut it out.”
Is he really making a fuss because I called Joo Tae-hyun ‘Taeging’? Choi Yeon-jun, dumbfounded, loaded up a string of curses, but in the end, he only puffed out his lips like a grumpy horse from an animation as a small act of protest.
“Joo Tae-hyun and I are a package deal, so am I just supposed to sit back and do nothing?”
“No, aren’t you getting a divorce anyway?”
“I’m not getting a divorce. Secretary Nam, are you outside?”
No longer wanting to respond to Choi Yeon-jun’s stupid questions, he raised his voice, and as if on cue, the door clicked open.
“Yes, Director. I received an urgent call…”
“And unless I specifically ask you to, there’s no need to deliberately leave your post. I don’t have time.”
“Ah, yes… I’m sorry, Director.”
“Oh, and is there any reaction from DH? Did they admit Tae-hyun to the hospital, or request test data from us?”
Choi Yeon-jun’s mouth dropped open.
“Hey. So… Tae-hyun is really pregnant? Isn’t he?”
“I said I don’t have time. I have to go to Seoul a little later.”
“Shit, is it real? You crazy bastard! To that kid! Wow, I’m more shocked that there was even a chance for you and Tae-hyun to get pregnant than Tae-hyun being pregnant. Wow…”
“Say one more thing that makes me have to tell you it’s not true, and see what happens.”
Only then did the chattering Choi Yeon-jun shut his mouth, and Seo Baek-han was finally able to look at the data. However, he was only mechanically reading the letters and couldn’t concentrate at all.
The fact that he had acted uncharacteristically sharp when Choi Yeon-jun had mentioned ‘Taeging’ earlier, and that he had acted somewhat childish when he barely managed to catch up with Joo Tae-hyun as he was about to leave for Seoul…
Ever since Imprinting on Joo Tae-hyun, he keeps repeating things that are unlike him.
It’s true that he deliberately hurt Joo Tae-hyun while being swept away by emotions. But Joo Tae-hyun started it first, didn’t he? It was Joo Tae-hyun who brought up the word ‘divorce’ in front of the camera without saying a word to him.
‘There’s something I want to ask Hyung before that. I’m not trying to test you, I’m just really curious.’
Every time he closed and opened his eyes, the afterimage of Joo Tae-hyun sitting in this spot last Friday flickered before him.
‘Hyung, how do you feel about… children?’
Seo Baek-han ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, carefully mulling over the words he had casually dropped as if testing him. He had been puzzled by the sudden talk about children. He had even asked if he was thinking of having children with someone else. Was that when it started? Was that when he decided to insist that he was carrying my child?
“Hey, Seo Baek-han. I’m not trying to tease you, I’m asking seriously. You always said you didn’t like men, even if they were Omegas.”
“Choi Yeon-jun, you’re off the Kim Seung-jun case from now on. If even you get involved here, it’ll look like the entire Prince Lee faction is deliberately stepping in.”
“Looking at how this bastard is changing the subject, he must have something to feel guilty about.”
“If you want to chat idly, get out.”
“Wow… Are you really Seo Baek-han? No, judging by your nasty temper, you’re definitely Seo Baek-han, but…”
It seemed like a random romance to Choi Yeon-jun, who didn’t know anything, but the relationship with Joo Tae-hyun was clearly a product of Pheromones.
The Imprinting with him was like an accident caused by Pheromone disruption. An unavoidable disaster, or something like that.
Do I like Joo Tae-hyun? Yes, I like him. Who would go this far for someone they dislike? It was comfortable and enjoyable to be with Joo Tae-hyun, who knew me well. I grew fond of him like clothes getting wet in a drizzle.
But wouldn’t it be the same no matter who the other person was? It’s disappointing even when a researcher you work with resigns, so it would be strange if you didn’t become attached to someone you live with.
Holding Joo Tae-hyun’s hand and putting my arm around his shoulder in front of people? I could do that with Choi Yeon-jun right now. I do it with other guys all the time.
Sex… Even I was surprised that it was possible.
‘Hyung, just a little, hng, just rest for a little bit…’
‘You don’t like it?’
‘…It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just too…, ugh!’
There was no great connection beyond insertion and ejaculation. I was just indulging in low-quality pleasure, bound by a cursed constitution.
Seo Baek-han tapped the ID photo of Joo Tae-hyun in the printout. It was only natural that a mere piece of paper wouldn’t react at all, but even if he actually touched his cheek, he would probably just stare blankly at him like this.
Do I like Joo Tae-hyun?
Yes, I like him. Even though the feelings Joo Tae-hyun has for me are different, it’s true that I like him, and it’s also true that he is mine.
Seo Baek-han smiled without realizing it, but he quickly erased the smile, feeling strange about himself.
“A child, a child…”
The probability is low, but if it’s really true.
It might be convenient. Pheromone abnormalities are unlikely to result in a normal pregnancy, and stabilizing Joo Tae-hyun’s condition would require even more of the partner’s Pheromones.
“Hey, you’re scary…”
Choi Yeon-jun, completely frightened, clung to Secretary Nam and mumbled. Of course, Seo Baek-han didn’t care.
No, really. Joo Tae-hyun’s pregnancy… That wouldn’t be bad.
I was momentarily distracted and didn’t have time to think calmly, but the more I thought about it, the more it seemed beneficial to me. It would dispel all the dirty suspicions of the past, and I could use it as an excuse to push for the domestic improvement of the Switch, and the position of Royal Hospital would be solidified overseas. As a research institution whose head is a living witness to a rare case, what better opportunity could there be?
“Actually, it’s not bad even now. It would be an interesting picture to release that the previous rumors were just the ramblings of a drug-addled guy. However, in this case, the Prince’s name would be buried.”
“In that case…”
“It means that Kim Seung-jun caused an accident that was even worse than using drugs, so let’s use our imagination a little more. Money laundering, illegal lobbying… Seeing as the trail of the drug dealer Thomas has completely disappeared, he may have commissioned an assassination somewhere.”
“What are you talking about? Is this Hollywood? You’re not writing a movie scenario, your imagination is going too far… Huh? Where are you going?”
As Seo Baek-han got up from his seat, grabbing his coat, Choi Yeon-jun, who was about to object as if he had caught something, awkwardly stood up as well.
“Director, I’ll escort you.”
“No, I prefer to move alone. Secretary Nam, please just focus on what I asked you to do.”
“Seo Baek-han, you bastard, why do you keep throwing out whatever you want to say and then leaving? You need to properly share the situation so I can prepare! You said it yourself, you don’t want to drag my family in-“
“Seoul.”
“…Huh?”
Choi Yeon-jun, who was stomping his feet in frustration, asked back in a dazed voice.
“Where are you… going?”
“Seoul, I’m going to Joo Tae-hyun’s family home,” Seo Baek-han replied in an indifferent voice, opening the airline app.
* * *
“So, our Tae-hyun is, for sure, pregnant…”
CEO Yoo was repeating the same words as if he couldn’t believe it, and Chairman Joo was about to bury his nose in the test results.
Joo Tae-hyun felt embarrassed for some reason and kept clearing his throat.
It was me who requested the blood test from Doctor Woo in front of all the family members. I didn’t want to hide anything anymore. Since they used me after I collapsed with a fever when I was three years old, claiming it was a change in my constitution, I have to atone to my family for the rest of my life. I won’t tell a single lie from now on.
“As you know, it’s very early, and given the situation, I think we should prioritize the Young Master’s health over the baby in the womb,” Doctor Woo said apologetically, saying that he was giving a truly honest answer since they had asked for his honest opinion.
“No, Doctor Woo is a hundred times right. We have to think about Tae-hyun first.”
“But is Tae-hyun’s body that bad? Apart from the pregnancy, I mean.”
“Yes. I would like to recommend hospitalization immediately. All the numbers are hitting rock bottom. I’m worried because I’m not sure which department and which treatment would be best, but I hope he can be hospitalized as soon as a conclusion is reached.”
CEO Yoo tightly gripped the hand of her youngest son, who was sitting propped up in bed. There was a round bandage on the arm of the mother, who was at a loss with worry for her child. It must be the mark of the IV she had gotten yesterday.
Looking at his mother, who was only worried about our youngest, our youngest, without even thinking about taking care of herself, his throat felt parched and sore. Even saying ‘I’m sorry’ felt too sinful, so he couldn’t say it anymore.
“…Mom, I’m okay so-“
“Excuse me.”
A troubled-looking nanny peeked her head over the open door. It was surprising to see someone who had been in this house for a long time and wouldn’t bat an eye at most things looking so flustered.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, that person outside, um, has come… He’s asking to open the door. What should I do?”
“That person? Who?”
“Director Seo Baek-han… is asking to open the door. What should I do?”