Divorce Contract C124

Chapter 124

The woman who had once claimed to dislike even the smallest touch, who would hardly shake hands, now gathered the carefully leaning Go Igyeol fully into her arms and stroked his thin back. She scolded him with affectionate reproach that no matter how much she fed him, he never seemed to gain weight, then at last released him from her tight embrace.

“You can come anytime, Igyeol-ah.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“Lately I’ve begun to think that families can take many forms. Families like ours. To me, you truly feel like my own child now.”

She laughed it off as ridiculous, given she had never even married, but after a pause she continued, hesitatingly.

“You might think this childish, but saying it aloud is very different from keeping it locked in my heart.”

“…Pardon?”

“Whatever you do, I’ll always be on your side. Don’t forget that.”

“Ah.”

No words could have been sturdier. On my side. With no one left beside him, Shin Eunsuk remained—the only one, his only ally.

“Hurry, get in. It’s cold.”

“Please, go back inside first. I’ll go once I’ve seen you enter….”

“And I’ll only go in after I’ve seen you leave. I need to wave, after all. Come now, or you’ll catch a chill.”

Opening the back door herself, she made sure Go Igyeol was seated before closing it. Outside, Seo Dohyeon had not entered the car; he bowed slightly when Shin Eunsuk’s fierce gaze bore into him.

“I don’t know if this is right, but since you both decided this together, I’ll let him go.”

“Yes.”

“But if you hurt Igyeol’s heart, when you’re already parting ways, I will not stand by.”

“That will never happen.”

At his firm reply, she gave a sharp laugh. If only intentions always came true—but with his history, she found it hard to believe.

“I’ll keep in touch.”

“Do that.”

Her curt response did not hide her suspicion. Inside the car, Go Igyeol, his face trembling with unhidden emotion, sniffled softly.

“Let’s talk often, all right?”

“Yes, I’ll be off.”

“Good. Call me the moment you arrive, hmm?”

“I will.”

Reaching through the window, she cupped his cheek, then rubbed at her reddened nose with the back of her hand. It wasn’t as though she would never see him again; Seoul was only an hour’s drive away. Yet her heart refused to ease. As the car pulled away, Go Igyeol, his eyes rimmed with red, urged her once more to go inside, but she stubbornly watched until the vehicle vanished from sight.

The villa, returned to after a month away, was unchanged from the day Go Igyeol had left. Only traces of Seo Dohyeon’s pheromones lingered in the bedroom, as if he had been staying there. With a hollow look, Go Igyeol sank onto the bed and exhaled—then a knock came at the door.

“Go Igyeol-ssi.”

“…Yes.”

At his reply, the door opened at once. Seo Dohyeon did not step inside, waiting instead as though for permission.

“…You can come in.”

The moment the words left his lips, Seo Dohyeon entered. He hesitated before pressing the door closed softly.

“I used the bedroom while you were away. I cleared everything before you returned and changed the sheets, but if it’s uncomfortable, you can take another room—”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to mind.”

“All right. If it does bother you, just tell me… For now, rest well tonight.”

Lingering a little longer, Seo Dohyeon finally turned away. Sharing the same house with Go Igyeol felt strange, almost unreal. At the door, he looked back once more, taking in the sight of Igyeol sitting just as before, then left the room.

Only when the door closed did Go Igyeol collapse onto the bed, exhausted. With a soft thud, he shut his eyes. He wanted to know what Seo Ihyeon was doing, how much formula he had taken, whether the change in environment had made him cry—but he could not lift a finger. He had done nothing, and yet he felt utterly drained. Sliding one hand beneath his head, he blinked sluggishly until his eyelids refused to lift. Consciousness slipped away, and so deeply did he sleep that the worries he might spend sleepless nights here proved unfounded.

He did not know how long he slept. He awoke gradually to the sensation of someone stroking his hair. Opening his eyes, he met the gaze of another. The hand paused mid-motion.

“……”

“……”

Blinking at the man sitting by his bed, Go Igyeol’s thoughts moved slowly, dulled by sleep. Why is he here?

“Here… um… what are you… what are you doing here…?”

Too weak to rise, he remained lying down, while Seo Dohyeon answered quietly.

“I knocked to call you for dinner, but when there was no reply, I grew worried and came in.”

Unsure what to say to such intrusiveness, Igyeol forced himself upright. It felt improper to speak while lying down. Supporting himself on his arm, he shook his head faintly, trying to clear the last remnants of sleep.

“From now on… please don’t come in without permission.”

“……”

“I’ll take care of my meals on my own. We won’t be dining face-to-face anyway… it would only be uncomfortable.”

Seo Dohyeon’s expression froze, as though struck, before he quickly composed himself. Silence stretched, awkward and heavy. Still he lingered, though he seemed to have nothing left to say. Finding it strange, Go Igyeol cleared his throat and glanced meaningfully at the door, silently urging him to leave.

“The baby, Ihyeon, fussed a little, but drank his formula and fell asleep. I thought you’d want to know.”

“…Thank you. I was just about to wash up.”

A dismissal veiled in courtesy. With a reluctant nod, Seo Dohyeon finally rose. It was fortunate Go Igyeol did not see the lingering regret shadowing his face as he stepped out. He had promised himself, before returning together, that he would not harbor expectations. Yet the resolution crumbled like sand.

“Ha…”

It was maddening—nothing ever went as intended. Though Igyeol’s request was not unfair, Seo Dohyeon could not suppress the sting of rejection. At least he had hidden it from him. Leaning against the firmly shut door, he lingered before slowly moving away.

Why am I so pathetic? They had agreed to let each other go, and yet neither had done so. Could he disguise his own failure, appear composed while Igyeol worked through his heart? Finding himself incapable of masking his emotions, Seo Dohyeon stood by the table where the untouched dinner had gone cold.

Igyeol, watching his departing back until the door closed, finally exhaled the breath he had been holding. He could still feel the hand that had softly stroked his hair. Running his fingers through the strands pressed to one side, he covered his face entirely with his palm.

He was wavering. Even here, where he had returned in order not to waver, he was shaken without end. Even a fleeting glimpse of Seo Dohyeon’s hurt face was unbearable. He repeated to himself, again and again: they were not living together to begin anew. He had to remind himself, or else he would forget.

“…Ha.”

Sitting dazed for a while, he finally rose and retreated into the bathroom. He showered long, dried his hair thoroughly, and by the time he finished, much time had passed. Too late to rummage through the house for food, he decided to go out, buy something light to eat, and take the chance for a walk, to clear his mind.

The living room lights were on, but no one was there. From the nursery across the hall came faint laughter. His hand lingered on the doorknob, hesitating. What if Seo Ihyeon had just been put down, and his entry woke him? What if his presence became a disturbance? The thought weakened his grip, and he let go entirely.

But just as he stepped back, a sound stirred behind him—footsteps on the stairs. Startled, he turned. Seo Dohyeon approached with a puzzled expression.

“Why are you standing here like this? Aren’t you going in?”

“I wanted to, but it’s so late… I thought I’d wait until morning.”

“He doesn’t seem to be asleep. Why not go in now?”

“…Later. I might disturb him if I do.”

Watching him retreat a step, lowering his voice as though afraid to intrude, Seo Dohyeon recalled his earlier conversation with Shin Eunsuk.

“I hired a babysitter so that raising him would never weigh on you.”

“Yes, I know.”

“But Ihyeon is your son. If you wish to see him, whether it’s dawn or midnight, you should be able to. Always.”

 

TL – i just realised Ihyeon is I(gyeol)+(Do)hyeon now i gotta go and cry for a moment