Divorce Contract C10

Chapter 10

Wasn’t that the kind of question one shouldn’t ask while walking down the street? Go Igyeol turned his head from staring into empty space to look at Na Seonwoo and let out a hollow laugh. It was a laugh that rang lightly, as if to say it was absurd.

“Doing it too early… I mean, it’s natural you might feel that way—.”

“I don’t regret it. Let’s go.”

Go Igyeol replied flatly and moved his feet. Even though he didn’t know the way, he managed to walk a few steps ahead. Na Seonwoo let out a faint sigh, rubbed his reddened ear, and resumed walking.

“Just a little further.”

“How much?”

“Right after the intersection.”

“By the way, is this your office?”

Go Igyeol pointed to the black sign hanging above them as he asked. “Na Seunghui Law Office.” Looking at the neatly written name, Go Igyeol recalled his meeting with Na Seunghui.

He hadn’t noticed it clearly the first time because of his nerves, but when he met him again, his feelings were unmistakable. Even without paying close attention, his emotions were plain to see. How could anyone not notice, when he was so openly showing that he liked Seo Dohyeon?

“Oh, yeah. This is it. Want to stop by later for a bit?”

“No. I only asked because I saw it while passing.”

“My brother’s at court for a trial, so the office is empty. He said he wouldn’t be back today.”

“…Maybe later.”

As Go Igyeol resumed walking, Na Seonwoo moved closer beside him and began asking how he had been these days. His mouth didn’t stop until they arrived at the restaurant. Go Igyeol answered earnestly with words and nods, doing his best not to make things awkward. If not for Seonwoo, he wouldn’t have had an excuse to visit the hospital.

“Go on in. It was a bit chilly to be walking, right?”

“No, I’m fine. The weather felt rather mild today.”

With his cheeks flushed red from the cold, Go Igyeol stepped through the door that Seonwoo held open, murmuring his thanks. It was lunchtime, and since many companies were nearby, the hall was full of office workers. At the staff’s request to wait a little, the two took a number slip and went into the small waiting room.

“Sorry. It’s way too crowded.”

“That’s how it always is at lunch hour.”

Perhaps it was the mix of so many different Chinese dishes, but while he’d been fine outside, inside he felt his stomach turn. Go Igyeol wrinkled the bridge of his nose and exhaled short breaths. Seonwoo, meanwhile, was preoccupied scanning the hall, trying to guess when a table might open.

“Ah, wait a second…”

“Huh? Bathroom?”

“Yeah, just…”

Covering his mouth, Go Igyeol floundered, not knowing where to go, until Seonwoo grabbed his shoulder to guide him. When he couldn’t hold back a retch and his back jolted with heaves, it was Seonwoo, not Igyeol, who jumped in fright.

“You okay? Quick, here, this way!”

Pushing through a red door and into an open stall, Go Igyeol vomited up the nuts he had eaten earlier. The sounds of gagging and retching echoed, leaving Seonwoo pacing anxiously outside the door. Just as he was knocking frantically, Igyeol, having emptied his stomach, pressed the lever of the toilet and straightened his exhausted body. After pressing his eyes shut with drained strength, he opened the door and stepped out, only to see Seonwoo, his face pale as paper, stepping back a pace.

“You alright?”

“…I’m fine.”

“Your stomach’s really bad, huh?”

“A little.”

At the sink, rinsing his mouth, Go Igyeol cast a fleeting glance in the mirror at Seonwoo standing behind him. Had he realized?

“Why are you watching my face like that?”

“…Sorry.”

“I thought you were going to collapse. You scared me.”

Wiping his damp lips with a paper towel, Go Igyeol thought it would be hard to eat here. But he felt bad suggesting they change venues. As if reading his mind, Seonwoo spoke up.

“The wait’s too long anyway. Let’s go somewhere else.”

“……”

“You still want noodles?”

“…Not really hungry.”

As if he had thought of an alternative, Seonwoo pressed his thumb and forefinger together with a snap and smiled.

“This place is usually for a drink after work, but…”

“……”

“But it happens to be open now. It’s a bit shabby, but there’s never a wait. Let’s go.”

Seonwoo draped an arm over Igyeol’s shoulder and pulled the sleeve of his sweatshirt, worn under a thin padded jacket, long over his hand. Muttering something unintelligible, he suddenly covered Igyeol’s nose and mouth with his hand. He even raised and lowered his eyebrows in jest and gave a light laugh. As soon as they stepped outside, he removed his hand from Igyeol’s face.

“Better, right?”

“…Yeah.”

“Let’s go. This place makes absolutely amazing udon. And it’s close.”

Seonwoo strode quickly toward the udon shop not far from the Chinese restaurant, keeping pace with Igyeol’s slower steps and pointing out the old sign that hung over it.

“There. We’re almost there.”

Igyeol’s gaze followed the line of his finger. The aged sign looked partly dark where some bulbs had burned out. Still, it certainly looked less crowded than the restaurant earlier.

“This is one of those hidden gems only regulars know.”

“Really?”

“They only serve udon here. So the only smell is that savory broth.”

Following Seonwoo into the entrance of the low building, Igyeol climbed the stairs. Looking up, he had expected a musty stench, but there was none at all—it was almost surprising. When he pushed open the black wooden door, the old hinges creaked.

“Hyungnim!”

Seonwoo called warmly to the man working in the kitchen.

“Oh? Oh, Seonwoo? Here for lunch?”

“Brought a friend. Told him this place kills it with udon.”

The boisterous-looking man came out to greet them, wiping his wet hands on an apron tied tight around his waist, and showed them to their seats.

“I normally don’t offer this kind of service, but since this is the first time Seonwoo’s ever brought someone, I’ll make an exception.”

“Thank you.”

“Wow, your friend’s really handsome. Here, sit here—this spot’s nice and warm. The heater blows right down here.”

Fetching a portable heater from behind the counter, he fixed the airflow toward Igyeol and told them to wait just a bit before heading back to the kitchen.

“He seems like a really nice guy.”

“He is. Great personality, and even better at cooking.”

With nothing else to add, Igyeol simply nodded and turned his gaze to the window. The street was filled with office workers, unusually crowded. Each carried a cup of coffee with a green sleeve—it must mean lunchtime was ending.

“But… you have time, right?”

“Time? Oh, lunch? Of course. I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“You’re not skipping work because of me, are you?”

“Seunghui hyung’s not here today, so I can just slack off. I’ve finished most of the paperwork anyway, so really, it’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Waving both hands vigorously, Seonwoo urged him not to mind. Igyeol brushed back his fallen bangs and gave an awkward smile. That was when an unexpected question slipped out.

“So… earlier, that was morning sickness, wasn’t it?”

“…What?”

“Wasn’t it? I’ve seen my brother go through it a few times when his wife was pregnant. He couldn’t even eat properly, his morning sickness was so bad.”

“…Na Seunghui?”

“No, my actual brother. Seunghui hyung’s my cousin.”

Seonwoo gave a laugh, as if realizing how absurd that must have sounded, but quickly straightened his expression and continued cautiously.

“It just looked exactly like when my brother’s wife had morning sickness. And, well, your pheromones… they were really—really only your spouse’s scent. You didn’t do that on purpose? My brother said that’s what you should do for someone who’s pregnant.”

Go Igyeol learned for the first time that when one is too shocked, words won’t come. His mouth wouldn’t move, as if frozen. What could he possibly say to deny pregnancy and move past this? That was all that ran through his mind.

“Go Igyeol?”

“…How did you—”

“Well, at a restaurant, wouldn’t that naturally be the first thought? You’re married, you’re an Omega—so it’s just the natural assumption, isn’t it?”

Seeing the anxious flicker in his eyes, Seonwoo sensed something was off. Should he not have mentioned it? Or maybe he wasn’t pregnant? If not pregnancy, then what else? Indigestion? Or if not that, then…

“…Na Seonwoo, listen.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“…No one knows yet, so, could you maybe…”

“……”

Licking his dry lips, Go Igyeol spoke haltingly. Unsure of how exactly to ask, he kept glancing nervously at Seonwoo. His large eyes trembled as though shaken by an earthquake.

“It might sound strange, but… could you pretend not to know? No one knows yet, no one at all.”

“…No one? But at the very least, shouldn’t your spouse know right away? Or am I wrong? When my brother’s wife tested positive, he called every single relative immediately. But… my only example is my brother, so maybe I don’t know for sure. Still, even if you don’t tell others, your—your spouse should be the first to know.”

“…It’s still early. It’s not stable yet, that’s why we’re keeping it secret. Of course I’ll tell them. They’ve been waiting for this child for so long—everyone in the family has been waiting for this baby.”