HIDDEN 137

For the next ten months—no, since it’s been eight weeks, for the remaining eight months—I had to visit the hospital, give birth, and continue visiting afterward, so I changed hospitals.

Since I had originally gone to a nearby, conspicuous OB-GYN clinic, I had no regrets, but I honestly didn’t know if I needed to come to such a full-scale, enormous hospital.

The hospital I went to, introduced by a doctor known to the Kwon Yi-kang family physician, was a specialized hospital where the entire large building was dedicated to obstetrics and gynecology. When I heard it was the most professional and famous hospital regarding Omega pregnancy and childbirth, my shallow heart fluttered again.

I’m sure the reservations were backed up, but when I was able to receive treatment immediately, skipping the entire queue, I realized once again why having good connections is so useful.

“Now, you can see it here. The head, and the hands and feet like this.”

Soft lighting and a moderate indoor temperature. Lying in the unobtrusive consultation room, I stared at the black screen I had seen once before.

Kwon Yi-kang’s gaze, staring intently at the monitor as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world, looked as if he might fire lasers at any moment.

With that kind of focus, he must have been good at studying. Because he was good at studying, he must have graduated from university. Didn’t he even say he went to a university abroad? They say children take after their parents, so I hope the baby is born smart, taking after Kwon Yi-kang’s brain if possible.

“You can hear the heartbeat, right? It’s in a very healthy state.”

Thump-thump or pit-a-pat. It wasn’t similar to either. It was more like a mechanical sound ringing steadily. Yet it wasn’t irritating; focusing on the sound made me feel peaceful, as if I might fall asleep.

I turned my gaze from the monitor to Kwon Yi-kang’s face. An expressionless face. It was also similar to a slightly dazed look. I didn’t know what he was thinking, but it was certain that he was fully focused on the child visible on the monitor.

For a long time, the doctor’s lecture continued regarding what symptoms occur during this period and what precautions should be taken.

“As I mentioned, this is a period where you must be as careful as possible with your body. For the time being, it’s better to refrain from exercise. You should also avoid vigorous sexual activity, right? Naturally, knotting is forbidden.”

“Oh, I know about that. That’s when the thing gets really big, right? Like it’s diseased.”

“It’s not a disease, but yes, I think I know what explanation you’re trying to give. Knotting is forbidden.”

When I raised my hand and spoke, claiming I finally had an answer I knew, the doctor nodded while suppressing a laugh. See? I roughly know what’s what now. As I looked at Kwon Yi-kang boastfully, a faint smile flickered across his lips and disappeared.

“As you know, knotting is an act attempted to increase the probability of pregnancy, but there are rare Alphas who feel a sense of conquest and satisfaction from the act itself. Therefore, there are those who attempt knotting even though the partner is pregnant. Of course, I’m not saying the patient’s guardian is like that, but I’m mentioning it just in case. Please keep in mind that knotting is an act that can be burdensome for an Omega, and please be careful, and careful again.”

“Yes.”

When I answered obediently, the doctor looked at Kwon Yi-kang, as if my answer wasn’t the one he wanted. Only after confirming that he nodded did the doctor satisfy himself and end the conversation.

After finishing the consultation, I stood up. The ultrasound photo and the pregnancy handbook were today’s spoils.

Before getting into the car after leaving the hospital, I turned toward Kwon Yi-kang, who was following behind. I kicked him squarely in the shin with the toe of my shoe, and a surprised Kwon Yi-kang jumped back.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’d forgotten, but hearing the doctor’s words suddenly reminded me. You knotting however you pleased.”

You’ve confessed your sins? As I crossed my arms and glared, Kwon Yi-kang stealthily shifted his gaze to the side.

“I was surprised that you actually got pregnant after saying let’s make a baby like a joke. I thought you had amazing abilities, but then again, since you came in so much, it would be stranger if I didn’t get pregnant. But what? Knotting? You were moving systematically and planned on your own from the start?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not just once, you kept doing it, didn’t you? What’s the point of knotting, anyway? It’s the same as coming in until pregnancy happens.”

“You didn’t say you hated the idea of a child, either. And it’s not like one time guarantees a hundred percent pregnancy, so I had no choice but to keep doing it until it became certain…”

“Shut up.”

This guy is making excuses without reading the situation. When I glared, letting my expression show that I was angry, he stole a glance at me and slowly approached.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? If you’re truly sorry, tell me in great detail exactly what, how, and why you’re sorry.”

If he can’t say that, he’s just trying to play a trick and brush it off with a single “I’m sorry” without even thinking that he did something wrong.

At my demand, Kwon Yi-kang agonized, frowning as if squeezing out every last brain cell.

“Knotting without your permission, not explaining it to you beforehand, trying to get you pregnant without you knowing… and the fact that I’m just happy with the current situation without any regret despite having done wrong. All of it.”

As he spoke calmly, I clenched my fist, thinking this bastard had really done a lot wrong, but I let out a hollow laugh at the words that followed after a beat. It was absurd, yet I felt I understood Kwon Yi-kang’s heart and why he would say such a thing.

“When you first knotted, we hadn’t even brought up the topic of marriage. Unless your mindset was to just get me pregnant first and see, your actions can’t be explained. It’s only a good result in the current situation; otherwise, you’re trash.”

“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

“You were wrong, and you’re reflecting, but you still don’t regret it, do you?”

“…Yes.”

Ugh, what on earth should I do with this guy?

I grabbed him by the collar intending to hit him, but seeing his face looking down mournfully, the urge to hit him vanished like a lie. I didn’t like any of Kwon Yi-kang’s father’s words or actions, but the fact that he produced a child with this quality of face was certainly commendable.

“You really have to be grateful for your face.”

“I’ll try to maintain a grateful heart from now on.”

“Don’t joke. I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

Even if the child only resembles half of Kwon Yi-kang’s face, it’s a winning deal. If the child resembles him more than half, they’ll be born with a destiny to live a very comfortable life.

“If you get caught doing something shady like this again, be prepared to actually get beaten. Just crawl and behave until the baby comes out. I’ll decide whether to forgive you or not after seeing the baby.”

“…I’ll do well. For you, and for the child.”

“Of course you should do well. You went as far as deceiving me to make it in secret; did you think you’d ignore it after making it?”

I let go of his collar and brushed off the heavily wrinkled shirt collar. The man, who had been stealing glances, approached and slowly wrapped his arm around my waist.

“If you were going to be that planned about it, you should have made it after getting married. I’m going to be walking around with a swollen belly without even being married.”

“….”

Perhaps not intending to chatter even in this situation, Kwon Yi-kang kept his mouth shut. Noticing his sullen mood, I poked him hard in the side.

“What are you doing? Get in. Let’s go home.”

He was still sullen, but at my words, Kwon Yi-kang served me by personally opening the car door.

∞ ∞ ∞

The few books the doctor recommended would be delivered to the house today via Kwon Yi-kang, and I was quietly transported home, escorted by black cars in front and behind like a president.

After washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, I came out to find Kwon Yi-kang, who hadn’t yet returned to the company, waiting for me.

Is he still reflecting?

I asked in a disinterested voice while shaking my wet hair dry with a towel.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“In a little bit.”

“’In a little bit’ sounds like it’ll be time to clock out?”

Does Kwon Yi-kang slack off like this because he expects to be fired soon? Is the talk of recommended resignation already happening? Or maybe he’s already been fired.

As I looked at him with suspicious eyes, Kwon Yi-kang pulled me down to sit on the bed and abruptly lifted my top; I pushed the top of his head away.

“What are you doing?”

“Let me see.”

“See what?”

“The baby.”

What’s there to see? It’s not like he has X-ray vision, and my belly isn’t bulging out yet. Nevertheless, Kwon Yi-kang kept pulling at my clothes like a desperate man.

“Fine. Look, look.”

As I lay back on the bed and pushed my clothes up, my pale belly, devoid of any muscle, revealed itself. Breakfast had already been digested, and since I hadn’t eaten lunch due to the hospital visit, it was pitifully flat.

Come to think of it, I should eat.

Suddenly, I really want a sweet and sour pork and jajangmyeon set. When I was Min Jae-hee, I trembled at the thought of spending money even on jajangmyeon, let alone sweet and sour pork, and after becoming Cha Soo-kyung, I hadn’t even thought about ordering delivery food.

“Is there… really a baby in here?”

Kwon Yi-kang asked in a tone of disbelief, carefully feeling my sunken belly with his hand. Even if he asked that, I was the one who found it unbelievable.

Unlike me, who was staring up at the ceiling thinking about sweet and sour pork, Kwon Yi-kang looked overwhelmed, biting his lip hard. He looked moved, and he looked like he was about to cry. No, it was both—a face on the verge of tears because he was so moved.

“You’re going to cry once the baby is actually born.”

“Maybe.”

“We’ll see about that in eight months. For now, I’m hungry.”

“Is that so? You shouldn’t be hungry. I should have fed you before coming in. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Sweet and sour pork. Jajangmyeon too. Actually, tray-style jajangmyeon would be better.”

Tray-style jajangmyeon is more expensive than regular jajangmyeon, but I heard it tastes better. Come to think of it, I’ve never even tried tray-style jajangmyeon. Suddenly, I felt sorry for my past life. I should ask him to order the beef sweet and sour pork, too.