By Zephyria Seo Jeong-won opened his mouth, preemptively assuming that blame would follow.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
Shin Mi-hee quickly waved her hand at the apology that had come out like a habit.
“No, it’s not that. We were just joking amongst ourselves, calling Tae-hee a thief. But after seeing Seo Jeong-won, I think I understand why Tae-hee was so desperate, so I have mixed feelings. Tae-hee is my son, but I also feel bad for Seo Jeong-won. You’re too young and beautiful to be a father.”
Seo Jeong-won, who had been looking down, raised his eyes at the gentle words. As she said, Shin Mi-hee was looking at him with a complicated and confused look. The warmth of the affection within was fully conveyed.
“I heard you’re having severe morning sickness. If there’s anything you want to eat but feel uncomfortable asking Tae-hee to buy it for you, feel free to tell me or our Yi-i. Okay?”
“…Yes, thank you.”
“Oh my, you’re like a baby. Like a baby. But also so beautiful. I wanted to give birth to a beautiful baby like Seo Jeong-won too. But when I gave birth, Tae-hee was lying there.”
She told the story in a slightly exaggerated voice, as if trying to lighten the mood. Seo Jeong-won focused on Shin Mi-hee’s voice, sipping the warm tea in front of him. She explained how she felt when she gave birth to Kwon Tae-hee, and subtly glared at him.
Kwon Hyun-seok also showed more interest in Seo Jeong-won than in Kwon Tae-hee. He twisted his body completely and tried to join the conversation in any way he could.
“I heard you ran a flower garden in Seonam.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Goodness, how admirable. I also enjoy gardening as a hobby.”
“Ah.”
“It’s not like I’m asking you to go buy flowers together, and definitely not to grow them together, so don’t misunderstand. It’s just a hobby. If you come to visit later, just take a look.”
Shin Mi-hee smiled with a girlish face. Kwon Hyun-seok praised his wife, saying that even though her fingertips were soft, she was very capable. A pleasant and cheerful atmosphere continued. Then the topic of the wedding came up.
“Of course, we want to have a grand one. Because of what people see. But that’s just our desire, and it might be burdensome for Seo Jeong-won.”
“……”
“Do whatever you two want. Just decide and tell us. We will never interfere or meddle.”
Shin Mi-hee said firmly, looking at Kwon Tae-hee. She was just happy to have two new family members, rather than just hearing about her son’s marriage.
“Seo Jeong-won is having a hard time with morning sickness right now, and his belly is also starting to show, so we’re planning to have it after the birth.”
Shin Mi-hee and Kwon Hyun-seok both looked at Kwon Tae-hee with an admirable expression.
“Yes, that’s right. That’s the way to do it. It’s right to match with Seo Jeong-won.”
The eyes of the two widened for a moment at the word that came out of Kwon Tae-hee’s mouth. It was clearly a word referring to the baby, but he was calling it so naturally. It was as if he would be disgusted by the question of what the baby had to do with the pregnancy and the name.
“Danpung… that’s the baby’s nickname?”
“Seo Jeong-won gave it. Because the baby came in the fall.”
“Oh my, that’s so romantic. The nickname is also pretty.”
Shin Mi-hee stared intently at Seo Jeong-won with sparkling eyes. He was pretty, his attitude was neat, and his personality was calm, so she liked him very much. Besides, it was obvious that her son was completely smitten. It seemed that Seo Jeong-won was also holding the reins of the relationship. On the other hand, the Omegas her son had met before had something a little unsettling about them, but Seo Jeong-won gave her the conviction that he was the real person her son liked.
“That’s so great. I like you even more after seeing Seo Jeong-won. But… shall we get up soon? Seo Jeong-won is not in his normal body, so it’s hard to sit for a long time.”
“Yes? I’m fine… I’m fine.”
“Of course, we’re so happy to see Seo Jeong-won too. We like you so much that we want to keep seeing you, but Seo Jeong-won, you don’t have any energy right now. Come to our house later when the morning sickness subsides. I’ll make you something delicious. Okay?”
“…Yes, thank you.”
Shin Mi-hee and Kwon Hyun-seok told Seo Jeong-won to contact them if he had any discomfort until the moment they left the tea house and got into the car. They handed each of their business cards to Seo Jeong-won and urged him not to hesitate to tell them if Kwon Tae-hee made him feel upset.
It was only right before parting that Seo Jeong-won smiled.
“Thank you.”
“We’re the ones who are grateful. Tae-hee doesn’t have a very affectionate personality, but Seo Jeong-won, you’re amazing for deciding to marry him. Go in carefully, and let’s meet again. Tae-hee, take good care of Seo Jeong-won’s health. Got it?”
“Don’t worry.”
Kwon Tae-hee helped Seo Jeong-won into the car before his parents’ car even left the parking lot. He soothed Seo Jeong-won, who said he would see them off, saying there was no need, and even fastened his seat belt tightly. As soon as he got into the driver’s seat, he didn’t forget to give the exhausted Seo Jeong-won a Pheromone shower.
Before leaving, the smile was still on Seo Jeong-won’s lips as he glanced at him. He was relieved that his parents seemed to like him, even if he didn’t like him.
¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸
As much as his belly was growing, the check-up day also came quickly. It was fortunate for Kwon Tae-hee, and it couldn’t have been a more annoying thing for Seo Jeong-won.
“You’ve lost weight again.”
Kwon Tae-hee’s expression became serious at the weight loss that was even greater than yesterday. It was natural since he was having days where he couldn’t even swallow water comfortably, but he didn’t understand.
“I heard there’s something called morning sickness Intravenous drip, so it would be good to get that today.”
“Executive Director.”
“……”
“I’m okay.”
Now, it wasn’t a false pretense, but his stomach felt queasy whenever he saw Kwon Tae-hee’s face. Strangely enough, he kept gagging whenever he saw his face. So, even after calling him, he looked at the floor and continued to speak.
“They said the baby is okay even if I have morning sickness. At the hospital. So I’m okay.”
“That’s because Danpung is okay.”
“Isn’t it okay as long as the baby is okay, Executive Director?”
So, he didn’t have to take care of him like this. Seo Jeong-won covered his mouth with his hand and moved. Really, he didn’t have the energy to even put on his shoes himself. Kwon Tae-hee chased after him with an angry face and turned him around, but he didn’t force Seo Jeong-won to lift his head. Because he couldn’t make him throw up even the few spoonfuls of rice he had eaten with barley tea.
“I never said it’s okay as long as the baby is okay.”
“……”
“I think you’re misunderstanding, but I want to get along well with Seo Jeong-won. The three of us together with Danpung.”
Seo Jeong-won looked down at Kwon Tae-hee, who had softened his attitude and lowered himself to put shoes on his feet, and realized that the anger that had been rising had finally overflowed.
How can we get along? How can the younger sibling who is pregnant with the child of the man who was going to marry his Hyung not go crazy?
“Just think good thoughts. You have to take care of Danpung’s prenatal care too.”
Kwon Tae-hee, who had zipped up the thick padding as the season entered winter, put gloves on his exposed hands. Then he held his hand and slowly left the entrance.
Even after arriving at the hospital, Kwon Tae-hee’s overprotection continued. He took care of Seo Jeong-won more preciously than a glass bead that would break if touched. As always, he checked the ultrasound together, listened to what he should be careful about at this time, and then sent only Seo Jeong-won out of the examination room, saying he had something to talk about with the doctor.
Seo Jeong-won, sitting blankly in the waiting area, slowly looked around. All the Omegas similar to him were stroking their bellies with happy expressions. Are they happy because they’re pregnant? I think I’m unhappy right now. He habitually put his hand on his belly, but he never stroked it with affection. The baby was like a precious guest to him, but also like an uninvited guest.
He sighed softly, lowered his head, and waited for Kwon Tae-hee, when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Jeong-won?”
“…Oh.”
“How are you here, no… are you pregnant? Crazy, I thought you were a Beta.”
It was Song Hae-seop. Seo Jeong-won moved his lips as he saw him in an unexpected place, then closed them tightly again.
“What on earth is going on… No, I was sorry back then. That person was your Hyung. But why are you here now?”
He continued to speak, but then became incoherent with a crumpled face as if he was confused. He stared intently at Seo Jeong-won with a stiff expression, and finally sighed deeply.
“Is Hyung okay?”
“He died. And the Executive Director is inside.”
“……What?”
Song Hae-seop’s lips gaped at the speechless answer and the hint that Kwon Tae-hee was here. He couldn’t help but say he was crazy. He wanted to ask in detail what had happened, but it didn’t seem like the situation to do so.
“I changed my contact information? If you write it down, can I take it?”
Seo Jeong-won hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.
“Then memorizing it? Can you do it?”
Song Hae-seop wrote his contact information on his phone screen and held it out to Seo Jeong-won. His black eyes stared at the number, and soon met his eyes.
“Contact me later, even if you’re marrying Tae-hee, I don’t know what kind of help you’ll need in this situation, but you never know what might happen. If you need help, contact me, anytime.”
With those words, Song Hae-seop walked away without even saying goodbye. The moment his figure completely disappeared around the corner, the examination room door opened.
“Shall we go now?”
Kwon Tae-hee naturally supported Seo Jeong-won. He didn’t know what he had heard in the examination room, but he seemed to be in a good mood. Even while protecting Seo Jeong-won, who was getting an Intravenous drip after paying the medical bill, his expression was consistently soft.
Instead of making eye contact, Seo Jeong-won fixed his gaze on the back of Kwon Tae-hee’s hand, which was holding his hand, and opened his mouth.
“…Executive Director, can I ask why you’re in a good mood?”
“Seo Jeong-won is also entering a stable period, and they said there’s almost no chance of miscarriage now.”
“Then the baby… will really be okay now.”
“That’s also true, and I heard that marital relations will also have a good effect on Danpung, so they said it would be good to try.”
The added words were vicious. Marital relations. Seo Jeong-won closed his eyes and hid his hateful eyes. It was difficult to distinguish whether the rising nausea was morning sickness or disgust towards Kwon Tae-hee.