By Zephyria 
Seo Yi-kyung curled his fingertips. His palms, which had been gripping Han Seung-jae’s firm shoulders, were slick with sweat. His heart was pounding so violently that it felt as if it would leap out of his mouth the moment he spoke. The sound of his heart echoing through his entire body was all that filled the air. The surroundings were that silent.
Unlike before, there was no reaction from Han Seung-jae, who had been clinging to him so obsessively. Had he not heard? That couldn’t be. He had clearly spoken. There was no way he hadn’t heard. But seeing as he remained motionless…
Rustle. At that moment, Han Seung-jae lifted Seo Yi-kyung by the waist. Han Seung-jae’s thigh slid between them, pushing Seo Yi-kyung’s legs, which had been spread wide, off the sofa.
Seo Yi-kyung pulled the gown draped over his arms to cover his shoulders. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Han Seung-jae’s face. He hadn’t expected to have a child either. Nowhere in the original work was there any mention of ‘Seo Yi-kyung’ becoming pregnant.
Perhaps that was why he had been so complacent.
However, Han Seung-jae was not someone who could be deceived. It wasn’t anyone else; though there might be a time difference, he was bound to find out eventually. Therefore, Seo Yi-kyung decided it would be better if he were the one to say it.
“If… if we go to the hospital together next week, you’ll be able to see.”
Seo Yi-kyung grabbed the shaking tie and tied it loosely. It was difficult to tie it tight like before. The strength naturally drained from his fingertips. Knowing Han Seung-jae’s nature—preferring clear, visible evidence above all else—Seo Yi-kyung had no choice but to say that. For all he knew, Han Seung-jae might not believe his words.
Moreover, he was currently just perched on the sofa, neither asking anything nor attempting to verify. It was somehow unlike him.
“…….”
A long silence followed. It might not have been that much time, but to Seo Yi-kyung, it felt that way. The silence was so oppressive that it felt like an eternity.
Seo Yi-kyung lifted his head. His eyes met Han Seung-jae’s. Han Seung-jae’s abdominal muscles were glistening, stained with the fluids that had leaked between their fingers when Seo Yi-kyung had climaxed moments ago.
Han Seung-jae’s cold face seemed similar to usual, but perhaps because he had been rubbing his body and pressing his genitals against him until just now, his upper body was moving slowly. He seemed to have no intention of adjusting his open gown.
Suddenly, Han Seung-jae reached out with a hand smeared in fluids and pulled the gown tie at Seo Yi-kyung’s waist.
Before the gown could even fall open, Han Seung-jae’s hand dove inside. Seo Yi-kyung flinched. His spine stiffened as Han Seung-jae’s large hand touched his stomach. Because of that, he couldn’t even think about stepping back or pushing the hand away.
Slowly, Han Seung-jae lifted his head. His eyes were remarkably piercing.
As expected, does he think I’m lying? Seo Yi-kyung unconsciously swallowed hard. Just as he was about to open his mouth—
Withdrawing the hand that had been caressing Seo Yi-kyung’s stomach, Han Seung-jae stood up. He gazed down at Seo Yi-kyung for a moment before parting his lips.
“Was that the reason you said you were going to the hospital today?”
Seo Yi-kyung recalled visiting Han Seung-jae’s study the previous day and using Butler Do as an excuse to say he had to go to the hospital. Han Seung-jae had maintained a gentle demeanor while looking at Seo Yi-kyung, who had brought in the teacups. That was why he had told him to go to the hospital.
In the first place, it was practically the same as deceiving Han Seung-jae. Furthermore, if one intended to deceive Han Seung-jae, they shouldn’t have been caught. Seo Yi-kyung was well aware of that fact.
“It wasn’t because I wanted to lie.”
It was just that he wasn’t sure. The image of the test strip showing one line and two lines flickering before his eyes.
However, before Seo Yi-kyung could finish his sentence, Han Seung-jae’s gaze turned cold.
“You don’t trust me at all, do you.”
Seo Yi-kyung couldn’t readily bring out the words lingering in his mouth. He couldn’t say he trusted Han Seung-jae. Because that would be a lie.
Han Seung-jae brushed past him just like that.
* * *
“Yi-kyung.”
Seo Yi-kyung paused. He had been standing in front of the work table in the painting studio, lost in thought. Jin Seon-yu, who approached him, tilted his head. Seo Yi-kyung was wearing a turtleneck, but a few faint red marks were slightly visible beneath his chin.
“Is it because of your visit to the hospital yesterday?”
Jin Seon-yu looked back to check if the studio door was properly closed. As he did, he picked up a teacup and took a sip.
“The blood test came back definitive. Don’t worry too much.”
Jin Seon-yu seemed to think that Seo Yi-kyung was discouraged because the baby wasn’t visible yet. However, Seo Yi-kyung didn’t have the energy to correct him.
After the events of yesterday, Butler Do had come to the hotel. He said he had been contacted by Secretary Park and had come to escort Seo Yi-kyung. Butler Do’s face had been full of worry.
Seo Yi-kyung hadn’t stopped Han Seung-jae or tried to explain himself until Han Seung-jae left the hotel. Even when Han Seung-jae looked back just before exiting the door, Seo Yi-kyung simply sat blankly on the sofa. It felt as if everything that had been so heated on that sofa just moments ago had been nothing more than a fleeting dream.
“Since you said we’d be able to see next week…”
Buzz— Jin Seon-yu, who was speaking, pulled his phone from his back pocket. His expression changed instantly, and with narrow eyes, he pressed the decline button.
Seo Yi-kyung slowly turned his head.
“If there’s something going on at home, you can go. I’m not in the mood to paint today.”
He didn’t even have the strength to hold a brush. More than anything, Jin Seon-yu’s phone had been ringing repeatedly for a while now.
“It’s not an important call. If you don’t want to paint today, shall we go out? You couldn’t even go to the Ivory Pavilion yesterday. Do you want to go and eat today?”
After thinking for a moment, Seo Yi-kyung took off the work apron he was wearing. He felt it would be better to get some fresh air.
If he stayed alone like this, the look in Han Seung-jae’s eyes at the hotel yesterday would likely never leave his mind. As if he had been waiting, Jin Seon-yu put down his teacup and did the same.
As Seo Yi-kyung left the painting studio, Butler Do, who was passing by, approached.
“Do you need anything?”
“No. I’m going out for a bit, so please prepare the car.”
“Just take my car.”
Seo Yi-kyung turned his head. Jin Seon-yu was grinning. Seo Yi-kyung went into the dressing room and grabbed an outer garment.
The two of them walked through the garden side by side. The weather was nice, but the autumn breeze touching the tip of his nose was a bit chilly.
“Have a safe trip.”
With Butler Do seeing him off, Seo Yi-kyung climbed into the passenger seat. Jin Seon-yu sat in the driver’s seat.
“The driver had something to do today, so I brought my own car.”
As he pulled the seatbelt across and fastened it, Seo Yi-kyung stared blankly at Jin Seon-yu, who had a personality completely opposite to his own. The car started and entered the bustling downtown area. While stopped at a red light, Seo Yi-kyung looked around and spoke.
“You were right, coming out makes me feel a bit better.”
Even Han Seung-jae’s face, which hadn’t left his mind all night, was beginning to blur.
“Why? Did you feel sick?”
Seo Yi-kyung looked beside him and answered.
“No, I’m fine now.”
“Then, let’s go fill your stomach first.”
“No.”
He had just said he was fine. Ignoring Seo Yi-kyung’s words, Jin Seon-yu’s first destination was the department store.
* * *
Myungjun Financial Group, Director’s Office.
Secretary Park, after knocking and entering the room, walked toward Han Seung-jae, who was seated at his desk. Even when he placed the approval documents down, Han Seung-jae gave no word. Han Seung-jae’s face was filled with nothing but extreme displeasure. It was to the point where even Secretary Park found it difficult to speak carelessly.
Secretary Park had stopped by the house once in the morning to bring the suit Han Seung-jae would change into. Han Seung-jae had not returned home the previous day. Since he had taken up his time in the evening, it was possible, but…
Secretary Park knew that wasn’t all.
“It seems he went to the hospital yesterday. Check into it.”
Even though the subject was omitted, Secretary Park caught on quickly.
“Understood. I will check and let you know.”
“Fine. You may leave.”
Han Seung-jae opened the approval documents in front of him. He seemed to poise his pen, then flipped a page. The voice of Seo Yi-kyung, mixed with heated breaths leaking out, flashed through his mind.
—I… Seung-jae, I’m having your baby.
At that time, Seo Yi-kyung had his head bowed, so he hadn’t seen what kind of face he was making. And when he had looked at Seo Yi-kyung’s face as he stood before him after moving away from his thighs, he had looked desperate. Like someone who knew the end. He acted as if he already knew what Han Seung-jae would say.
No matter how he looked at it, it was clear he didn’t trust him.
Knock, knock. After the sound of knocking, Secretary Park entered.
“Did you find out?”
Han Seung-jae signed the document in a fluid hand. However, unlike his usual self, he asked before Secretary Park could even approach. Secretary Park approached cautiously and leaned forward. Unlike before, there was no certainty on his face.
“I thought he would have gone to Haseon Hospital, but there was no record of a visit there.”
The fingertips of the hand gripping the pen tapped, tap, tap on the documents. Soon, he lifted his head and looked at Secretary Park. Han Seung-jae’s eyes had turned ice-cold.
“Go and find out everything he’s been doing.”