Divorce Contract C144

Chapter 144

Even on Christmas, and on the day the year turned over, Go Igyeol remained preoccupied with taking care of Seo Ihyeon. Kwon Seunggyu, noticing how Igyeol was visibly overexerting himself, joked that if he kept watching over the child like that, he’d soon be out of a job.

“Take it slow. Ihyeon’s fine now. You haven’t been sleeping properly for days because you’ve been putting him to bed yourself every night.”

“…I just can’t help it.”

“Raising a child is a long-term battle. If you exhaust yourself in the beginning, you’ll burn out and won’t be able to really take care of him when it matters. And right now, you need rest. A lot has happened.”

Patting Igyeol’s shoulder, Kwon Seunggyu gently lifted Seo Ihyeon, who had been cradled in his arms all day. As Igyeol sat and watched his child, visibly reluctant to let him go, Seunggyu suggested he take a short walk before carrying the baby into the nursery.

Left alone in the living room, Go Igyeol stared for a long time at his now-empty arms. If he didn’t pour everything into caring for his child, then what was he supposed to do? His mind went blank. Seunggyu was right — he needed rest — but when left alone, intrusive thoughts flooded his head. Maybe some cold air would help. But since that day, going outside terrified him.

Ever since returning from seeing Seo Dohyeon, he hadn’t taken a single step out of the house. He knew logically nothing would happen, yet the moment he stood near the front door, he froze. Even imagining stepping outside made his heart pound as if it would burst. So instead of going out, he slipped onto the terrace. Curling himself into the farthest corner, as small as possible, he withstood the cold wind for a long time before finally going back in. Only then did he feel slightly better.

“Haa…”

Sitting on the sofa, knees pulled up and chin resting atop them, Go Igyeol stared blankly at the Christmas tree still standing even after the new year began. On Christmas Eve, Yoon Jaeseon and Kwon Seunggyu had arrived with boxes overflowing with ornaments and decorated the tree together. When Yoon Jaeseon climbed down after placing a large golden star on top, he glanced at little Ihyeon sleeping in Igyeol’s arms, then randomly asked if he believed in Santa.

It seemed like a question asked either to fill silence or out of festive mood, but Igyeol didn’t attempt to dodge it. He answered honestly — he thought he had believed when he was young, but once he entered elementary school, he learned Santa was just parents. Jaeseon laughed, saying it was the same for everyone.

‘I was the same. But now, I believe in Santa for adults.’

The plain tone drew Igyeol’s attention.

‘The Santa I wait for isn’t an old man in a red suit with half his face covered in white beard.’

‘…Then?’

‘It’s the Santa who deposits year-end bonuses into your bank account right at Christmas. Once the weather starts getting cold, all I do is wait for him.’

Jaeseon had shrugged playfully then. Igyeol hadn’t understood at first, but later, he did — and had let out a small laugh. The Santa he’d meant was Seo Dohyeon. Seeing him so giddy from anticipation, Igyeol felt a little jealous. Whether Santa for adults existed or not, Igyeol had believed he wouldn’t receive any gifts. He was certain of it. And yet…

On Christmas morning, after checking on Ihyeon as usual and stepping into the living room, Igyeol froze at the sight of the tree. The space beneath it was packed with gifts. The night before, it had been empty — but now it was filled to the brim with brightly wrapped presents.

Confused and blinking from a distance, Igyeol had been nudged forward by Kwon Seunggyu, who had just come out and urged him to go open them. But Igyeol couldn’t bring himself to unwrap a single one. On Christmas, it felt wrong — as if they weren’t meant for him. Then days passed, and by the time he thought to do it, the moment felt gone. One day, then two. Even after the new year, the presents sat untouched, exactly as they had been placed.

Seunggyu asked if he wasn’t curious what was inside, but Igyeol only wanted to keep looking at them — like that. Imagining Dohyeon carrying in armfuls of gifts at dawn felt nice. He pictured the man stacking them like a tower beneath the tree while the house slept. That image alone soothed him.

Before being discharged, Seo Dohyeon discussed the matter of Yoon Jaeseon and the security guards’ negligence. Despite having slept most of the rut period save one day, he looked weary, rubbing his eyes as he spoke.

“I stationed three men just to ensure he wouldn’t get hurt — and what did they do? Stood there like scarecrows. Every time I think of the black box footage, of what those three grown men were doing while Igyeol was being dragged by that bastard, my blood boils.”

“The security firm wishes to visit personally and apologize to you, Director.”

“Personally visit? Unbelievable. Forget apologies. Tell them to speak to our attorney. We can terminate the contract early for breach, right? Pull every single guard assigned to headquarters and affiliated branches.”

“Yes, sir.”

While changing clothes, Dohyeon casually asked what Igyeol had been doing lately. Jaeseon hesitated — the way he paused made it suspicious. Dohyeon stopped buttoning his shirt and looked at him. Jaeseon awkwardly forced a smile.

“He’s… not doing well. At least, that’s how it seems to me.”

“Did someone show up again? Is Ihyeon sick? Or—”

“No, no. Nothing like that… I think he’s waiting for you.”

Dohyeon’s eyes narrowed. That couldn’t be. Why would Igyeol wait for him? Hearing it wasn’t enough — he wanted to see for himself. His fingers moved faster, buttoning in haste.

“Oh, and from what Mr. Kwon said — he hasn’t been able to leave the house at all. I think it’s because of… that incident.”

“…Ha. They keep tormenting him to the end. I regret not going harder on them.”

Grinding the curse between his teeth, he shrugged on his jacket. Jaeseon, already prepared, handed him a coat and scarf almost immediately. They were headed straight to the parking lot — there was no need for so many layers.

As soon as discharge paperwork was complete, they headed down to the car, just as Dohyeon expected. When Jaeseon asked if they were going to the office, he replied they were going home, then fell silent. The words “not doing well” lingered heavily in his chest. He wanted to rush home immediately — but he also didn’t want to show up empty-handed. Unable to decide what to bring, he stared absently out the window — when a black sign caught his eye.

“Assistant Yoon.”

“Yes, Director?”

“Let’s stop there.”

“…There? You mean — the convenience store?”

At the cautious guess, Dohyeon’s brows furrowed sharply.

“The flower shop. Flower House.”

“Oh — a flower shop. Yes, sir.”

When Jaeseon pulled over and turned on the hazard lights, ready to get out, Dohyeon stopped him. He said to wait, stepping out of the car himself.

He entered the brightly lit shop, and a bell chimed. A man sitting at a small table looked up. Rough around the edges but handsome, he lifted a finger to his lips. He didn’t look like the owner — and certainly not a customer.

“I’m here to buy flowers.”

“Not possible right now.”

The man answered lazily, finger still at his lips, adding he hadn’t slept well since yesterday. Dohyeon wondered what that had to do with him.

“Please wake him.”

“If he isn’t waking up despite being such a light sleeper, he clearly doesn’t want to sell flowers. Goodbye.”

The absurd rudeness made Dohyeon scowl. He almost turned to leave — but then the slumped man suddenly sat up, looking disoriented before jolting to his feet.

“Ha… hyung.”

At the soft call, the cheeky man snapped his head around. The real shop owner — brown hair, black apron — bowed to Dohyeon. One cheek was flushed where he’d been sleeping. When Dohyeon stared at the mark, the owner rubbed his cheek in embarrassment.

“Is there something you’re looking for?”

“I’d like to buy a bouquet as a gift.”

“For whom? Do they have a favorite flower?”

“He’s my spouse. And… I’m not sure what flowers he likes.”

Hmm. The florist hummed, brushing his neat brown hair back as he moved to the display case. His round eyes darted over the flowers before deciding. He opened the case and took out fluttery pale-lavender blooms. Removing one stem, he handed it to the man who had been staring at him longingly, then pulled a few other flowers and began trimming them.

The man at the table smelled the lavender blossom, stroked its petals, then occasionally shot glances at Dohyeon. When Dohyeon met his stare as if asking “And?”, the man sniffed loudly and looked away.

Hearing the rustle of wrapping paper, Dohyeon approached the table. The florist was choosing ribbon for the completed bouquet. After considering several, he chose a thin white ribbon and tied it gracefully before handing the bouquet over.

“This is sweet pea. It’s very popular — the scent is especially sweet, true to its name. And this is lisianthus, astrantia, snow-drops. Too many sweet peas in a bouquet doesn’t look elegant.”

Dohyeon nodded, following the florist’s pointing finger as each flower was explained.

“But… if you want it fuller, I can add more. Shall I?”

“No. Thank you.”

Holding the bouquet carefully, Dohyeon pulled out his card and handed it over. As the florist said, the scent was sweet — richly so.

“It’ll be fifty thousand won. If it’s kept somewhere too warm, the flowers will bloom too quickly. Store them somewhere cool to enjoy them longer.”

Swiping the card and handing it back, the florist asked for a signature. The other man swiveled the flower he’d been playing with and grinned mischievously when their eyes met. “Darling,” he called softly. Feeling he’d interrupted something private, Dohyeon declined the receipt and turned to leave.