Divorce Contract C97

Chapter 97

Two minutes remained. The ten minutes of visitation had flown past like an arrow. Go Daesik, his eyes wet as though he had just heard the unthinkable from Seo Dohyeon, begged him not to go that far. He had the gall to wail that his children had done no wrong, then abruptly changed his expression and raised his voice.

“Did Igyeol say not to pay it back? Huh? Did Igyeol say that? That bastard? That son of a bitch doesn’t even know the grace I gave him. How I… how I raised him—!”

“Go Igyeol would never say that. Do you really not know him? And besides, you didn’t raise him well at all, so I don’t know why you act as if you deserve credit.”

“If it’s not even Igyeol saying it, then why, Executive Director Seo? Hm? We’re not enemies, are we? Why should we clash like this? Help me out here. Pull me out right now—”

“I don’t help you because I don’t want to. Even if I did, you’d never thank Go Igyeol. You’d just scheme to come back for more, looking for money again. You’ve called him stupid to his face, cursed him, hit him.”

At the low, quiet words, Go Daesik’s mouth gaped open. He seemed to mutter something in slurred tones, but the words came out unclear. Seo Dohyeon’s brows drew together in distaste.

“You don’t help Go Igyeol’s life in any way. None. If you had half a brain, you might at least feel gratitude.”

“W-wait—”

“One minute. Say what you want to say.”

“If… if you call Igyeol to me, I’ll… I’ll apologize for everything I did—!”

Seo Dohyeon looked at his watch, and as soon as the minute hand shifted, he rose. The expensive timepiece caught the light, gleaming. Daesik’s eyes, unable to hide their greed, fixed themselves hungrily on Seo’s wrist.

“It’s far too late for that. There’s no time, either. It’ll take you years to get out. Instead of grasping at straws, reflect. Think about your children.”

“You— you bastard!”

“Bastard? You keep forgetting boundaries because I’ve humored you with ‘Father-in-law’ this and that. You don’t know your place, do you.”

At the sardonic words, Daesik fell silent. He was the type who crumbled before the strong and trampled the weak. Pathetic. His short neck shrank back even further, his bloodshot eyes glaring upward before they dropped again.

Seo Dohyeon was heir to one of the nation’s most powerful corporations, while he himself was nothing more than a parasite clinging to Go Igyeol to scrape by. He knew his own social station well enough. He had always used Go Igyeol to his advantage, and now, he knew, was the time to tuck his tail.

Whether it was genuine defeat or mere playacting, it was revolting all the same. Seo Dohyeon clicked his tongue.

“If you flap your mouth and spout nonsense, you’ll make your entire sentence hell. Remember that well. And just so you know, when you do get out, don’t even think of going near Go Igyeol. If you turn up shamelessly again, it won’t end this easily or comfortably.”

“…What?”

“Domestic abuse, assault, intimidation. Every crime you committed against Go Igyeol, I’ll present as evidence and see that the law wrings you dry. I’ll make sure you don’t have the time to trouble him again. Legally.”

Go Daesik stared, uncomprehending. Everything had already happened; where could the evidence be? His voice grew brazen once more, blustering with false confidence, daring Seo to try.

“Go ahead? Try it? Let’s see how far you get, then.”

“……”

“Just don’t get so desperate you try to kill yourself in here. That would only trouble the family you’ve left behind.”

If he truly died, at least they could renounce the inheritance of his debts. The low murmur of that thought made Daesik’s eyes widen. Seo Dohyeon smirked, mocking the man who lacked even the courage for death. Without a farewell, he turned his back.

Go Daesik clung to the glass, pleading for help just this once, vowing it would be the last, but when it failed, he ended by threatening that he would not leave Go Igyeol alone. Do it, if you can. Seo Dohyeon left him, a man with no means to act, behind in the visiting room.

Outside, Seo Dohyeon stepped into the waiting car. He said only that they should head for the company, then fell silent. A mere ten minutes wasted, yet he regretted the time. Leaning back against the headrest, he shut his eyes against the filth he had just seen.

If he could only see Go Igyeol, perhaps it would ease him.

“To the hospital entrance.”

“You wish to stop in?”

“No, only to watch them return.”

Yoon Jaeseon asked no further. Seo Dohyeon’s mercurial moods were nothing new; he assumed it meant the man simply wanted a glimpse.

“…Hah.”

The sigh made Yoon twitch at the wheel. Seo Dohyeon turned his face from the roof of the car to the passing world outside, opening his eyes to order his tangled thoughts.

Go Daesik was a first-time offender, but the law would not be lenient; he would be sentenced. By the time he was released, he would not even know where Go Igyeol lived. Even if he wanted to appear before him, he would not be able. Still, should the impossible happen and he dared to harass him again, Seo would pursue him through civil suits for abuse, assault, intimidation. His prison term would be torment enough to make him wish for death. Afterward, the memory of it would keep him from ever seeking Go Igyeol.

Now that Daesik’s feet were shackled, the next would be Kang Mijin. Being of the same ilk, she would no doubt hunt for Go Igyeol with fire in her eyes once her husband was imprisoned. If not, then to repay his debts she and her children would have to labor endlessly. Likely she would discard him soon enough. How long would that take, Seo wondered.

“We’ll see… in time.”

There was no home left for Go Daesik. Even once released, the only things awaiting him would be debt, not family — not Go Igyeol.

While Seo Dohyeon brooded, they reached the hospital. Yoon stole glances in the rearview mirror. He ought to ask whether to go down to the parking garage or stop along the main road, but the atmosphere was heavy. He flipped on the hazard lights, clearing his throat.

“Executive Director, shall I take it down to the garage?”

“No, it should be about the end of care now. Let’s stop here a while.”

“Yes, understood.”

Yoon fretted that the luxury sedan, hazards blinking at the curb by the hospital’s front entrance, might look suspicious to Go Igyeol. He thought of asking, but remembered how volatile Seo had been of late and kept quiet.

How long they waited, Seo did not know. His gaze had been empty, then it sharpened suddenly. From the hospital doors came Shin Eunsuk and Go Igyeol, walking side by side. Whatever she was telling him, his face was solemn, his eyes fixed tightly upon her. Then, slowly, his pale cheeks flushed. A small smile broke forth, like a cherry blossom blooming against the cold.

Watching that curve of lips, Seo Dohyeon raised his hand, pressing it to the window, stroking it softly as if it were skin. The fine brown hair of Go Igyeol was tousled by the wind, and his brows knit faintly. Wasn’t he cold? What if he caught a chill? That light clothing stoked Seo’s helpless worry. He had only just regained his health; what if he fell ill again?

Nervousness touched Go Igyeol’s features as he handed Shin Eunsuk the new phone. Seo Dohyeon’s breath caught, not knowing what words passed between them. He alone knew the number; even so, he feared. His hand gripped the door, half-risen to get out, when Shin Eunsuk’s small exclamation made his body slacken.

“Beautiful.”

He read her lips, silently forming the word, and could not help but smile. Of course it was beautiful. The baby resembled Go Igyeol. Seo Dohyeon had transferred the photos and videos to the phone himself, seeing the child’s face, and now nodded inwardly.

Shin Eunsuk halted to peer closely at the screen, laughed brightly, agreed with Go Igyeol’s words, then moved on. A sudden gust made him squint. She stopped again, unwound her scarf, and, despite his refusal, tied it around his neck.

Her eyes flicked toward the car idling on the main road. She stared fixedly, suspicious. When Go Igyeol began to turn his head, she quickly caught his hand and pulled him along. He, bewildered, glanced briefly at the car before letting his gaze slip past.

“Executive Director, shall we depart?”

“…Let’s wait a little longer.”

His eyes followed after them, then emptied. Staring at a place where no one remained, Seo Dohyeon lifted his hand and covered his eyes. He longed to seize the phantom flickering before him.