Divorce Contract C27

Chapter 27

She left Go Igyeol standing in the shade and quickly slipped into the house. While he waited for Shin Eunsuk to come out, tapping at the ground with his foot, Igyeol suddenly remembered something and moved. He went into the room, pulled out a generous amount of cash from his bag. He wanted to eat good food with her, buy fruit to share with the pension guests, and get her a new straw hat since her old one was falling apart.

He began humming without realizing it. Humming a song where he only knew the melody, he stepped back outside—only to find Shin Eunsuk already standing in the very spot where he had been waiting for her.

“When did you come out?”

“Just now. The sun’s strong, isn’t it?”

“I’m fine, but…”

“Here, wear this.”

Unlike her own worn-out hat, she pressed a wide-brimmed, perfectly intact one down over his head. She even pulled the long strap dangling below and tied it firmly for him.

“It’s too hot. You’ll burn.”

“…Thank you.”

“Let’s go.”

Igyeol trailed behind Shin Eunsuk as she strode briskly ahead. Her car was an SUV, but quite an old model. As soon as she turned the key, the engine roared to life with a clattering racket.

“This pile of junk. Still, I can’t live without it. If I didn’t have this, I’d feel suffocated.”

“As long as it runs, it’s fine.”

“Exactly. Sometimes I drive guests to the terminal, and everyone’s always amazed. They say, ‘This thing still moves?’ Should I turn on the AC?”

“No, I want the windows down. The weather’s so nice, it feels like we’re going on a picnic, Auntie.”

Her hand paused on the air-conditioning button, then withdrew. She rolled down all the windows, front and back, and turned up the radio volume. The reception was poor in the mountain’s shadow, so the old pop song came through with static. But Eunsuk’s humming along, voice mixing with the crackling melody, filled Igyeol’s ears. Today was strangely peaceful. Perhaps it was the weather, but he felt lighter than on any other day he’d spent here.

“This is wonderful, Auntie.”

“Isn’t it? The weather’s beautiful, Igyeol.”

They drove for a while, taking the long way around, until at last, blocks of squat buildings came into sight, breaking the monotony of mountains and water.

“You’ve never been to a five-day market before, have you?”

“This is my first time. There are so many people. And so much food—it all looks delicious.”

Seeing his eyes sparkle and hearing the excitement in his voice, Shin Eunsuk affectionately rubbed his cheek.

“We’re almost there. If we drive in further, there won’t be anywhere to park, so let’s leave it here… over this way, and walk a little.”

She parked on the shoulder, got out first, and Igyeol followed. He pushed his hair back to put on the hat he had taken off in the car, exposing his clear, delicate face. The warm breeze rustled through his hair before drifting away.

“It’s hot.”

“Then we should buy sunscreen too. Can’t let that pretty face burn.”

Her rough hand brushed across his cheek before pulling away, and Igyeol’s lips curved gently. His cheeks flushed pink, his even teeth showing as he smiled brightly. The charming sight caught the eyes of people passing by.

His fair face, kissed by spring sunlight, drew even the gaze of a suspicious man who had been squinting against the premature heat as he scanned the area. The man tore off his sunglasses, eyes widening.

“Huh?”

The private investigator, visiting this small provincial town, pulled out the photo given by his client and compared it. Then, with practiced ease, he lifted his phone and snapped several pictures. A month had passed since he’d been hired to find this person, and now he had spotted someone matching the description exactly.

“Vice President.”

“……”

“Vice President?”

“I hear you. Go on.”

Seo Dohyeon, who had been still as if asleep, pressed his hand more firmly against his eyes as he answered. Secretary Yoon, standing beside him, awkwardly rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand before speaking again.

“The Chairman’s secretary’s office reached out. He wishes to have a meal with you next week.”

“What a damn nuisance. Does he have some ghost clinging to him that starved to death because it couldn’t eat with me?”

Secretary Yoon hesitated, not sure whether to laugh at the sardonic reply. Just as he thought perhaps it was meant as a joke, Seo Dohyeon’s voice continued.

“I’ll refuse myself. Don’t bother responding further.”

The cold tone made Yoon swallow dryly before he spoke again.

“The elder madam has been asking why she can’t reach Go Igyeol. What should we do about that?”

“She contacted you too?”

“Yes. I barely managed to dissuade her from coming here in person.”

His solemn tone made Seo Dohyeon chuckle lightly. “And you want credit for that?” Still, he smiled faintly.

“She could have called me directly. I’ll handle her as well.”

“Understood.”

“Still no word on Go Igyeol?”

This time, the voice that had been calm and flat until now carried an edge of emotion. Straightening his posture, Seo Dohyeon skimmed the papers Yoon had set down as he asked.

“…I’m sorry.”

“I’m dragging myself to work in this fucking state, doing everything you tell me, but why is it that you can’t find him? Is it because it wasn’t your spouse who ran away?”

“I’m unmarried, sir. I’ve been cautious in choosing who to approach, which has delayed things. But please be patient, I’ll bring news soon.”

“I gave you plenty of money to keep it hidden from my grandfather’s eyes and ears. I told you to use as much as you need. Did you not understand me?”

Signing the approval line on the document, Seo Dohyeon lifted his gaze to Yoon. The man stood stiffly, sweat beading on his forehead, his posture steeped in apology.

“I’ll report back again soon.”

“Seems I’m the only one desperate here. You, Secretary Yoon, look far too relaxed. Is it because you’re unmarried, without a spouse?”

“My apologies.”

“Leave.”

Receiving the document, Yoon bowed deeply. Seo Dohyeon turned back to his monitor, opening the mountain of emails and replying one by one. But his concentration never lasted. Whether tapping the keyboard or flipping through a file, his mind always returned to Go Igyeol.

Was he dead? If he were, Seo Dohyeon would’ve been the first to hear. Then was he living a second life somewhere? If so, why hadn’t Na Seonwoo shown any sign? His life was dull—school, study group, café, drinks, home. Into that tedious routine had dropped something like Igyeol, so naturally he’d been tempted. Maybe with youthful recklessness, he acted first and thought later.

But if so, did he not want to take responsibility? That might explain why Igyeol chose to leave alone, without Seonwoo. So soft-hearted, yet somehow he had managed an affair? The more Seo Dohyeon thought, the filthier it felt.

“……”

Once, the thought of Igyeol had sent a ticklish warmth rushing through his entire body. Now, there was only revulsion. Seo Dohyeon let out a deep sigh at the unfamiliar weight of it. Was it disgust? Loathing? Or sheer contempt? To realize that the clinging, desperate behavior—acting as though Seo Dohyeon was the only one in his world—was nothing more than a need for an Alpha to give him pheromone showers in place of a lover… it made Seo Dohyeon understand there was anger in this world he could not control.

He was still lost in bitter thoughts when a knock sounded. Before he could answer, the door burst open and Yoon rushed in.

“Vice President.”

“……”

“Vice President!”

“…Yes. Speak.”

Seo Dohyeon lifted his gaze at Yoon’s loud call. His secretary’s face was flushed with excitement—so unlike the man who had stood there earlier, meek under sharp words.

“What is it.”

“I received a photo from the investigator. Would you look at this?”

Instead of a lengthy explanation, Yoon thrust his phone forward. Seo Dohyeon’s indifferent eyes sharpened instantly. He rose from his chair at once. It was Igyeol. Even from a distance, even through the grainy lens, it was unmistakably him.

“Where is this?”

“Is it really him?”

“It’s him. His belly’s grown. He finally looks like a proper expectant parent.”

“It seems we’ve found him.”

Relief at last was short-lived. He looked far too well. While one of them couldn’t even function, the other looked healthy, cheeks rosy under the brim of a hat. The sight churned betrayal in his gut.

“Bring him to me. At once.”