Divorce Contract C143

Chapter 143

Go Igyeol’s eyes flew wide open. Bewildered by what he had just heard, he looked up at the nurse. The nurse, who had been smiling as she peeked into the ward, realized she had phrased things poorly when she saw his gaze trembling helplessly.

“So… you mean Mr. Seo Dohyeon might also be with another— another omega…?”

“Oh— no, no! Absolutely not! That has never happened in this hospital, not once! I only gave that example to explain why the doors need to be reinforced. You truly don’t have to worry about anything like that. During the patient’s rut period, the ward is completely sealed off. Even alpha and omega medical staff are restricted from entering.”

“Ah… haah…”

“I should’ve explained properly. I’m sorry.”

The nurse bowed and apologized to Go Igyeol, then turned to Yoon Jaeseon behind him and gave another polite nod. Relieved that the misunderstanding was cleared, Yoon Jaeseon smiled warmly, as if to reassure her it was fine.

Go Igyeol stared at Seo Dohyeon for a long time before a strange thought struck him. If several people were gathered at the window like this, anyone would normally glance over at least once. Yet Seo Dohyeon only kept looking out the window or checking the clock.

“Is it impossible to see outside from inside?”

“Yes, that’s right. When family visits, emotions tend to… fluctuate.”

Before she even finished speaking, Seo Dohyeon’s eyes snapped open, and his head turned sharply. As if he already knew who was out there, his gaze bore relentlessly into Go Igyeol. Startled by his reaction, the nurse waved her hands quickly as though to correct herself.

“Um— i-it should look like a mirror from the inside. Strange. He really shouldn’t be able to see out… The patient still looks stable. Would you like to see him for a moment before you leave?”

“…Is that alright?”

“Yes, of course. I’ll still check with the patient first, though. Please wait here for a moment.”

Go Igyeol remained in front of the glass, watching Seo Dohyeon. The man briefly furrowed his brows, as if a headache struck, then sat upright when the phone beside him rang. Lifting the receiver, he looked directly at where Go Igyeol stood. There was no way he could see him from inside. Embarrassed, Go Igyeol quietly cleared his throat.

As soon as the call ended, Seo Dohyeon walked straight to the glass. He stared through the thin barrier with unwavering intensity. He shouldn’t be able to see anything except his reflection, and yet he approached, tapping lightly on the pane with his fingertips. After hesitating, Go Igyeol tapped back. Seo Dohyeon’s faint smile at the returned sound made his heart stir at the sight of that unguarded expression.

Finally, the nurse returned. She opened the door with practiced ease, allowing Seo Dohyeon to step out. Yoon Jaeseon, who had been standing at a distance, approached when Seo Dohyeon beckoned. Leaning in, he listened to Seo Dohyeon request something for Go Igyeol to drink. Meanwhile, the nurse explained the location of the rest area and why they could not meet inside the ward.

“There are purification systems in the rooms, but pheromones don’t disappear perfectly. And during rut, the pheromones an alpha emits can trigger heat in an omega.”

“Of course. I understand. Thank you.”

With a gentle smile, she excused herself. Yoon Jaeseon left as well, leaving only Seo Dohyeon and Go Igyeol in the corridor.

“Shall we go?”

“…Yes.”

Their footsteps echoed softly in the quiet hallway. When they entered the lounge, an unexpectedly luxurious space unfolded before them — far too refined for a hospital. Sofas, tables, and an enormous dining table were arranged like a high-end furniture showroom.

“It’s… really nice.”

“Is that so.”

“…Should we sit over there?”

The sofas felt too close, so Go Igyeol suggested the dining table instead. Seo Dohyeon nodded and pulled out a chair for him. When Go Igyeol murmured a small “thank you,” Seo Dohyeon simply placed a hand briefly on his shoulder in acknowledgment before taking the seat across from him.

“Is your forehead alright?”

He recalled the moment he’d been unable to go with him and asked. Go Igyeol sheepishly touched the taped area and replied.

“Thanks to your concern, I was treated properly. I’ll get the stitches removed next week.”

“It didn’t hurt?”

“No, I’m… fine. Did it hurt for you?”

Seo Dohyeon let out a low laugh and shook his head. Relief softened Go Igyeol’s expression. Silence once again settled. Unable to decide what to say, Go Igyeol struggled, and noticing his unease, Seo Dohyeon spoke again.

“How’s Ihyeon’s cold?”

“…He took medicine and he’s almost better. No more runny nose, and he stopped coughing.”

“That’s good.”

Even a child’s illness felt like his fault, and his face grew clouded. Despite being born with superior genetics, the child’s health was weak. Because he hadn’t been carried to full term. Had the baby remained safely inside Go Igyeol for ten full months, he wouldn’t be catching colds like this.

“It’s because it’s winter.”

“……”

“In seasons like this, babies don’t meet many people, and we don’t take them outside much, so it’s common for them to get sick often.”

“…Are you really not angry with me?”

If their positions were reversed, Seo Dohyeon doubted he could behave the way Go Igyeol did — worrying, comforting, trying to lessen his guilt. He felt grateful, yet could not understand it. No matter how kind someone was— was this possible? His questioning gaze fixed on Go Igyeol. After holding that gaze a moment, Go Igyeol whispered quietly,

“How… could I not be angry. I’m human too.”

“……”

“When Ihyeon coughs even once, I resent you. But… hating you doesn’t make his cold go away.”

A hollow laugh escaped him. His lips trembled as though more words pressed behind them; he closed his mouth, then opened it again.

“Sometimes I wonder if Ihyeon is sick because I had wicked thoughts. I wonder about everything. Maybe it’s because I hated you too much… because I held such ugly feelings.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Babies around his age usually don’t get sick often since they don’t meet people or go out much. I think he’s sick because I didn’t take good enough care of him.”

Yet again, it all circled back to self-blame. With a bitter expression, he whispered as though confessing a secret.

“I want to hate someone… but I just can’t.”

“Igyeol.”

“I should resent you. Just like you did to me, I should blame everything on you. Ihyeon is sick because of you, so I should throw it all at you and say it’s your fault. But in the end… I just think this happened because I’m me. Because I’m Go Igyeol, and I’m the one who gave birth to him.”

Go Igyeol bit his full lower lip hard, his eyes scrunching as he let out a distorted laugh.

“I told you. I’m stuck in the past and I can’t move forward.”

“……”

“I don’t know what to do. I just keep blaming myself. Everything feels terrifying.”

Seo Dohyeon stood. He would have moved to him anyway — he regretted not sitting beside him from the start. Rounding the table, he pulled Go Igyeol’s small shoulders close and wrapped him in his arms.

“Start with hating me slowly. There’s no need to rush. For today, blame me for whatever made you feel bad. It’s easier than you think.”

“……”

“I’ve been thinking a lot while I was admitted.”

Seo Dohyeon stroked the delicate back of his head gently.

“I want you to prepare to return to school.”

“…What?”

“Go back to campus, meet your friends, rebuild the life you had to abandon. Have boring, ordinary days. Study at the café near campus. Meet new people — it might not be bad.”

A bit calmer now, Go Igyeol lifted his head. Seo Dohyeon tried hard to keep any longing or sadness from showing as he met his gaze.

“We don’t have much time left together. You know the divorce hearing is soon, right?”

He had almost postponed hospitalization just to stay by him longer. Christmas and even the last day of the year — they wouldn’t spend them together. So many plans had collapsed. A tender, aching gaze settled over Go Igyeol.

“…I know.”

“I was hoping you’d forgotten. What a pity.”

At the half-joking, half-bitter remark, Go Igyeol’s eyes trembled. Seo Dohyeon reached to smooth the crumpled skin beside his eye and cupped his bruised cheek gently.

“Go Igyeol…”

He refused to call those trash his family. His tongue rolled in his mouth before he spat out their names like distant strangers.

“Kang Mijin and Go Heeju have decided to work and repay Go Daesik’s debt. They won’t come near you again.”

“……”

“I’m telling you so you won’t worry anymore. I don’t want them appearing even in your dreams.”

“…Minjun…”

When Go Igyeol asked with wavering eyes, Seo Dohyeon’s hand grazed the bandage near his brow.

“Should I settle with him?”

“……”

“I told you — I’ll do anything you want.”

“…I just… I don’t want you to be too harsh. Or… honestly… I don’t know.”

Conflicted, he admitted he didn’t know what to do. Seeing the near-tears in his eyes, Seo Dohyeon nodded.

“I’ll handle it. Not too harsh — like you asked.”

“…Thank you.”

He was absurdly kind — kind even to those who had ruined him. Seo Dohyeon pulled him close again to hide his expression, speaking in a soft, reassuring voice.

“Don’t worry.”

He would pursue every legal measure against Go Minjun. For longer than Minjun had even lived, he would rot in prison. Burying him quietly would have been easier — he was restraining himself. This was the compromise.