Divorce Contract C148

Chapter 148

Yoon Jaeseon fell silent at the ambiguous reply. As expected, he thought with a sigh. So they only looked fine on the surface. The atmosphere had softened back at the hospital, but Go Igyeol wasn’t a saint — of course things could not truly be alright.

“…Right… of course. Even if he’s gentle by nature — soft-hearted, even — living with you like this must be impossible for him. Surely it’s better for you to move out first? Continuing to live together is far too harsh on Go Igyeol-ssi. And the divorce confirmation hearing is at the end of the month, isn’t it? The sooner you separate, even by a day—”

As Jaeseon’s voice rose higher and higher, Seo Dohyeon pressed his fingertips firmly into his brow. It was painfully obvious who he was worrying about. And yes — Dohyeon understood that this reaction was natural, and just how generous Igyeol’s promise to stay had been. But watching Jaeseon get worked up over it felt incomprehensible. The gratitude — the awe — he felt toward Igyeol for choosing not to leave overwhelmed him.

“Yoon Jaeseon-ssi.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Shut your mouth and drive quiet.”

“…Yes.”

Chastened by the sharp tone and heavy atmosphere, Jaeseon shrank and stared straight ahead. Soon, they arrived. Valet staff stood waiting and opened both the driver’s and passenger doors.

In the elevator on the way up, Dohyeon buttoned his jacket, adjusted his cufflinks, and smoothed back any stray hair, ensuring nothing was out of place.

“The Chairman seems very displeased about what happened.”

“I’m aware.”

“He sent people several times, as you know?”

“How could I not.”

Already exhausted, Dohyeon rubbed at the corner of his eye. He wanted to skip this breakfast meeting entirely, return home, and eat with Igyeol — or even just watch him eat. The elevator chimed. Reaching the entrance, Jaeseon opened the door and bowed.

“I’ll be waiting, sir.”

Dohyeon walked away, back straight, while Jaeseon bowed deeply behind him.

Bzz— bzz. The vibration at his bedside finally stopped. It was late in the afternoon, almost past morning entirely, by the time Go Igyeol opened his eyes. He didn’t get up right away, blinking blankly. He couldn’t grasp time. He wanted to check the clock, but even lifting his arm felt difficult. His fingers were heavy. His body felt feverish — alternating chills and heat like a flu.

After lying still awhile with an aching skull, he slowly pushed himself upright. Even that small movement broke a sweat and flushed his cheeks. Is this a heatsycle? It wasn’t unusual for his cycle to be irregular, but devoting every moment to caring for Seo Ihyeon meant this sudden onset caught him off guard.

The moment he focused on his condition, pheromones surged uncontrollably — a thick rush. He needed suppressants, but stepping outside like this… he could imagine the consequences. He covered his burning face with a burning hand and reached shakily for the phone still buzzing from earlier.

It was Shin Eunsook. He realized he hadn’t contacted her since coming here — so much had happened.

“Yes, Auntie.”

— Igyeol-ah? My goodness, why haven’t you contacted me? I nearly died worrying.

“I’m sorry. I meant to call — things have been hectic.”

He tried to keep his tone even, speaking as if nothing was wrong while cold sweat dampened his brow and his hand trembled.

“Have you been well?”

— The same as always. We had heavy snow here — it reminded me of you.

“That must be beautiful.”

— As beautiful as our baby Ihyeon. Everything’s white, just like him.

Her voice was thick with longing, and Igyeol managed a faint smile. She said she would visit Seoul soon — her firm tone forced him to accept that he needed to speak before she arrived. The heat building in his body tangled with confusion and dread.

“Auntie, I… have something to tell you.”

— What kind of thing makes your voice shake like that, hm?

“You might… be disappointed.”

Before he even finished, she already understood. She knew his heart had changed — but she didn’t react dramatically.

“…I’m not going to get divorced.”

— Mm. I see.

“After all that fuss, I’m sorry…”

— Don’t apologize, Igyeol-ah. People’s feelings change — it’s not some terrible crime. Why would you apologize to me? This is between you and Seo Dohyeon-ssi. If you chose this, you must have had your reasons. Isn’t that right?

At her gentle tone, a knot in his chest loosened. Yet doubt still gnawed. What if it wasn’t love but mere attachment? What if he was staying out of fear of loss instead of hope?

Her voice cut through his spiraling.

— Sometimes longing outweighs anger. Sometimes the depth of affection matches the depth of resentment.

“How… did it come to this? Why am I like this…?”

If only he could return hurt for hurt — perhaps separating wouldn’t feel impossible. Perhaps they both could’ve walked away easily. The fever of his heat cycle mixed with his emotions, tightening every breath. Then her voice came soft and steady:

— I once heard something: love is a privilege of the brave. Maybe this isn’t the perfect context, but unlike me — who only hates him — you feel many things for him. That in itself is courage, isn’t it?

He immediately understood her meaning.

— All feelings have reasons. The fact you can face them now — it tells me you’ve grown. I’m proud of you. Though I still dislike him very much, hmph. I don’t think he’ll ever look good to me. And you’ll just have to accept that.

He laughed — genuinely — at her attempt to lighten the mood.

— I miss you and Ihyeon so much. When the snow melts, I’ll come. We’ll talk more then.

“…I’ll wait, Auntie.”

— Your voice sounds off — are you sick?

“I just woke up. Please take care of your health too. It’s cold — don’t catch a cold.”

She laughed grandly, insisting she was fine, and hung up. The heat that had briefly calmed flared back sharply. He listened for movement outside — it was around Ihyeon’s nap-ending time, and he wanted to hold him — but he feared his pheromones would overwhelm the baby.

He needed cold water — something to break the fever building into pleasure and discomfort both.

Buried under reports and meetings all day, Seo Dohyeon knew he would never make it out by six at this rate. The thought alone made his skin crawl. He shut the documents and stood abruptly. As he reached for his jacket, a knock sounded.

After the breakfast meeting, the Chairman had cornered him for nearly an hour. He didn’t answer the knock — simply waited. Once granted permission, Yoon Jaeseon entered, holding freshly brewed coffee — only to freeze at the sight of Dohyeon dressed to leave. Is the office cold? he wondered blankly. Why else would he be wearing a jacket?

“…Should I raise the temperature?”

“There’s no point heating an empty office.”

“Empty? But you’re—”

“I’m going home. I reviewed most of the files, and my injured hand hurts too much to hold more.”

He waved his perfectly healed hand as if in pain. With a ridiculous excuse hanging in the air, he swept past Jaeseon, stride quickening the moment he left the executive floor. He jabbed the elevator button repeatedly, tension written all over his face — he only wanted to go home. To him.

Jaeseon called after him, but the elevator arrived first. Dohyeon stepped inside, smiled, and pressed the close button firmly.

“Good work today.”

The doors shut faster than Jaeseon could reach them. The elevator dropped without delay.