Divorce Contract C126

Chapter 126

Even at a slow pace, the villa’s walking path was far shorter than that of any apartment complex or park. Before long, they found themselves back where they had started.

Go Igyeol, who had few pleasant memories of Seo Dohyeon to recall, thought perhaps this small, fleeting moment could at least be one. Meanwhile, Seo Dohyeon silently wished the path would never end. Their first walk together left them both with a quiet, aching sense of regret.

“Would it be all right if we sat for a bit?”

Though phrased as a question, his voice carried little confidence. Go Igyeol glanced toward the house where Seo I-hyeon awaited, then followed Dohyeon’s lead toward a bench ahead. The snowfall had stopped. The air was cold, but his clothes were warm enough to stave off the chill.

Seo Dohyeon removed his coat and draped it across Go Igyeol’s knees.

“I’m… really fine.”

“…I did it so I could feel better.”

He couldn’t tell what that was supposed to mean—it was a vague response. Sitting slightly apart from him, Seo Dohyeon set the plastic bag between them. The snacks Igyeol had chosen could hardly be called a proper meal.

“It might be better to eat properly once we’re back inside.”

“Ah… I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

Go Igyeol fidgeted with his fingers resting on his thigh, then turned his head slightly, forcing a small, awkward smile. Sitting side by side like this felt strange.

In an effort to continue the fragile thread of conversation, Seo Dohyeon spoke first about the gummy candy Igyeol had picked.

“I didn’t know you liked things like that.”

“…They’re sweet and tasty. Don’t you like them?”

“To be honest, I’ve never tried one, so I wouldn’t know.”

At that, Go Igyeol reached into the bag, rummaging until he pulled out the pack of gummies. The gold wrapper crinkled as he tore it open, releasing a burst of sugary scent. Reaching in, he picked out a small red bear-shaped piece.

“…Would you like to try one?”

He half-expected refusal, but Seo Dohyeon silently held out his palm. Gently, Go Igyeol placed the gummy in the center of that soft hand. Dohyeon stared at it for a moment before tossing it into his mouth.

As he chewed, the gummy clung to his teeth, its syrupy sweetness spreading across his tongue. It was almost too sweet—cloying, even. And yet, knowing Igyeol liked it made it taste oddly pleasant.

“It’s very sweet.”

“…It’s candy.”

“What else do you like? I don’t think I’ve ever asked, or heard you mention it.”

The question came riding on the chill of winter wind, and Igyeol paused with a piece of candy halfway to his lips.

“Do you like all sweets, or just gummies?”

“…Chocolate and candy too… I like those.”

“What about cake or cookies?”

“No. Those I don’t really like.”

Like a game of twenty questions, Seo Dohyeon gathered fragments of information until he reached a conclusion: Go Igyeol had a taste for simple, easy-to-eat junk food. He himself confirmed it, saying he wasn’t fond of desserts that took effort—cakes, cookies, pies, macarons.

“I’m curious what else you like.”

“……”

“It would’ve been nice to know earlier. There’s still so much I don’t know about you, and that makes me angry.”

“…Even if you’d known, would it have changed anything? If what we faced was truly a crisis, that kind of detail wouldn’t have helped us overcome it. I think… it would have been the same, no matter what.”

Knowing such trivial things about each other would never have made a difference. Their marriage hadn’t been one built on shared struggles or trust formed through overcoming hardships. From the beginning, their foundation had been different—unlike any ordinary couple. Even the obstacles they faced had been far from ordinary.

“…Shall we head back?”

With a faint, bitter smile, Igyeol crumpled the now-empty bag and spoke cautiously. Seo Dohyeon gazed at him wordlessly for a long moment before nodding. His eyes, reflecting the glow of the streetlight, were calm—as though the only one trembling was himself. He tried to maintain composure, but it felt as though he could break at any second. Afraid that Igyeol might see through him, he turned his gaze away first.

“Yes. Let’s go.”

His voice wavered. He hoped Igyeol hadn’t noticed. Rising, Igyeol handed back the coat draped across his knees. Dohyeon took it silently, then placed it over Igyeol’s shoulders as he stood.

“…You should wear it.”

“I know.”

Seo Dohyeon masked his unease with a small smile. Guessing the reason for his subdued tone, Igyeol chose not to refuse his gesture and began to walk. When they reached the entrance hall, Dohyeon stopped him.

“Here.”

“Ah… thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

“I’ll be upstairs. The meal I set out on the table only needs reheating. Don’t let it bother you—just eat. I won’t be coming down again tonight.”

Assuming that Igyeol couldn’t eat peacefully knowing he might appear at any moment, Dohyeon’s voice was quiet, almost apologetic. Igyeol neither agreed nor disagreed.

“All right.”

“…Good night.”

Dohyeon moved first, passing him and heading up the stairs until he disappeared from sight. Left alone in the living room, Igyeol clutched the lapel of the coat still draped over his shoulders, then lowered his gaze to the opaque white bag in his hands. Standing motionless, he pressed it against his chest. The crinkle of the plastic echoed faintly. His heart ached.

The first few days back in Seoul passed uneventfully. Life felt smooth—peaceful, even.

Until the day arrived when it would be just him and Seo Dohyeon caring for Seo I-hyeon.

As planned, Oh Sontae had resigned, and today was Kwon Seunggyu’s first day off.

“If at any point you feel it’s too much, please call me. Really, I mean it—don’t hesitate. Call even for small things, or if you’re unsure about something, anytime at all.”

He had reassured them that he had no family to care for, that his parents were healthy, and his hometown too far to visit often anyway. He said it lightly to ease their minds—but most of his words barely registered in Igyeol’s anxious head. Only one stuck: that the executive director had arranged a nearby place for him to stay.

“…Yes, yes. Of course.”

Already, Go Igyeol’s hands were trembling. When Seunggyu mentioned that I-hyeon had been fed and was asleep, he nodded faintly. The man grasped his shaking hand gently, meeting his eyes.

“I-hyeon’s been doing well. Slept soundly through the night, ate properly this morning, played happily. He didn’t fuss or cry much before falling asleep again. Lately, he’s been sleeping well at night too.”

“…Yes, yes.”

Perhaps because of his anxiety, faint pheromones began to seep from Igyeol. Seunggyu glanced briefly at Seo Dohyeon standing a short distance behind him. When Dohyeon stepped closer, his eyes softened with concern. He reached out and, through the fabric of his sleeve, clasped Igyeol’s delicate wrist, gently drawing his gaze.

“It’s all right.”

“……”

He did not release his hand until Igyeol’s pheromones gradually calmed. Once the tension eased, Seunggyu continued speaking.

“There’s no need to be nervous. You remember how we practiced pushing I-hyeon’s stroller indoors all week, right? Around the living room and bedroom, to help him get used to it?”

“…Yes.”

“The weather forecast says it’ll be warmer than usual today. It’d be a good day to take him outside. Just make sure the stroller cover’s secure, and dress him warmly for some fresh air.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in. After Seunggyu pointed out where the stroller and winter cover were kept, Igyeol finally nodded.

“A walk, yes… I’ll take him for a walk. When he wakes up.”

“Good. And please, call me if anything at all happens—or even if you’re just unsure. All right?”

“…Yes. Thank you very much.”

Bowing his head, Igyeol murmured his thanks. Dohyeon, who had been quietly watching and listening, also nodded politely.

Seunggyu left with a worried expression, and Igyeol remained frozen until the door shut behind him.

The house fell silent. Only the faint sound of breathing filled the air as they sat at opposite ends of the sofa.

“Go Igyeol-ssi.”

“…Yes?”

His shoulders jumped. Startled by the sudden call of his name, he looked almost embarrassed. Turning stiffly to face Dohyeon, he found the other man looking just as awkward.

“I just wanted to ask what you’d like for lunch.”

“Oh… lunch. I think… I’ll just have whatever’s around. If it’s uncomfortable to eat together, you can eat first—”

“No, I don’t mind. I just didn’t know how you felt. I was worried you might be uncomfortable.”

Before he could finish, Dohyeon’s words tumbled out in haste. Nodding awkwardly, Igyeol agreed that anything was fine. Dohyeon told him to rest while he prepared the food.

Though the silence between them was heavy, the idea of being left alone was strangely relieving.

“Haah…”

Every second spent alone with Seo Dohyeon felt suffocating. This isn’t the right way, he thought. It would’ve been easier if I-hyeon were awake—even his fussing would’ve been a distraction. But before the thought could finish, Dohyeon reappeared.

Igyeol lowered the hand rubbing at his eyes and turned toward the sound of footsteps.

“It’d be better to eat before I-hyeon wakes up, don’t you think?”

“…Yes. Yes, that’s probably best.”

“Come in about ten minutes.”

Igyeol nodded. Secretly, he wished the baby would wake early—if only to spare them from another meal alone together.