Divorce Contract C128

Chapter 128

A cry broke the silence.

Seo I-hyeon had finally awakened—sooner than expected.

When Go Igyeol bolted upright, Seo Dohyeon pressed a steadying hand to his shoulder, urging him to sit. Then Dohyeon moved quickly, striding to the nursery. Moments later, he returned with I-hyeon in his arms, the baby’s tearful face still flushed from crying.

As soon as I-hyeon saw Go Igyeol seated on the sofa, he wailed again, his small voice trembling and loud. But to Igyeol, even his son’s cries were unbearably endearing. Just the sight of that tiny, reddened face made the dull ache in his chest fade away. He felt only wonder—that even a child’s fussing could be this precious.

“I’ll hold him.”

“You’re still not feeling well.”

“I’m fine now.”

“I’ll calm him down. Go lie down and rest.”

Crossing the living room, Dohyeon stood by the wide window, rocking the child in his arms. Though I-hyeon’s gaze clung longingly to Igyeol, it soon shifted to the world outside, curiosity overtaking distress.

The momentary relief was replaced by the return of the ache in Igyeol’s stomach. It truly wasn’t gone. After a brief hesitation, he obeyed Dohyeon’s earlier suggestion and rose. Resting would help him recover sooner—for both Dohyeon’s and I-hyeon’s sake.

He moved quietly, careful not to make a sound that might draw the baby’s attention back to him.

Leaving the bedroom door ajar so he could still hear them, he lay down. The bed was soft, warm, and comforting. Closing his eyes, he focused on the distant sounds—the gentle rhythm of Dohyeon’s voice calling I-hyeon’s name, pointing out things like birds and branches, his footsteps pacing slowly.

After a while, their voices faded briefly—then returned. They had come back inside. He heard wheels rolling softly across the floor and I-hyeon’s bright laughter, closer now. Opening his eyes, he saw Dohyeon entering with the stroller.

“Did I wake you?”

“No. I just had my eyes closed.”

“…We’re going for a walk. I found his clothes and dressed him. Do you think he needs more layers?”

Peering inside the stroller, Igyeol examined the baby nestled within. I-hyeon was smiling brightly, strapped snugly in the padded seat, his tiny hands waving toward a caterpillar toy dangling from above.

“…No, but… isn’t that a bit too thick? He might get hot.”

“I looked it up—most people dress their babies like this in winter.”

Looked it up? The thought crossed his mind immediately. Maybe that was right—after all, it was cold out.

I-hyeon was bundled in the padded snowsuit Shin Eunsuk had bought, lined with soft fleece that would let no wind through. A red knit hat covered his head, and the stroller’s cover was sealed tight on all sides. It looked stifling, but… at least he’d be warm. Better to be too warm than risk catching a chill.

Igyeol nodded slowly.

“You’re sure… you can manage alone?”

“Are you worried?”

“…Yes. Of course… because of I-hyeon.”

“Ah.”

A faint flicker of disappointment crossed Dohyeon’s expression, quickly masked.

“Don’t worry. Do you want me to bring anything back for you?”

“No. I think I’ll just rest for a while.”

His quick refusal hid his unease, and Dohyeon simply nodded. His “I’ll be back soon” felt awkward, unfamiliar.

Watching him go, Igyeol couldn’t help the anxiety twisting in his chest. Maybe he should go with them—how could he sit still, worrying like this?

“Um…!”

“Don’t worry too much. Just rest. If I-hyeon doesn’t feel well, we’ll come straight back.”

“…All right.”

The stroller wheels rolled away so smoothly they made no sound. Igyeol lay back down, closing his eyes. The faint click of the front door opening and shutting followed.

Will this really be okay? His heart pounded hard. He had been terrified at the thought of being left alone with the baby, and yet Dohyeon had gone out with him so calmly. Didn’t he feel afraid?

He blinked, the residual ache in his stomach finally easing. Turning onto his side, he stared at the open doorway until the turmoil in his chest settled. Yes. Resting is better. He closed his eyes.

He had just begun to drift into a shallow sleep when—

Bang!

A violent crash jolted him awake. Had someone kicked the door? Or was it the sound of it slamming open?

Blinking dizzily, he turned his head—just in time to see a man storm across the living room and into his room.

Go Daesik.

Still wearing shoes, he strode in without a word and, before Igyeol could react, snatched up the sleeping I-hyeon from beside him.

“Wait—!”

Igyeol lunged, grabbing for him, but Daesik wrenched away easily. He fell, crashing hard to the floor, pain shooting through his knees.

By the time he scrambled up, the man—and the baby—were gone.

Gone.

I-hyeon was gone.

How… how could this happen?

Was it a dream? Or was it real? His mind couldn’t tell the difference.

His eyes, wide with terror, darted to the empty crib. No one. Nothing.

As though struck by lightning, he leapt to his feet, pulling on the nearest coat, and ran. His legs tangled, sending him sprawling with a loud thud. Ignoring the pain, he scrambled up and sprinted down the hall.

He shoved his feet into his shoes, flung open the door, and dashed toward the building’s exit.

The automatic doors slid open too slowly. Impatient, he squeezed through the gap and burst outside, breath ragged.

He didn’t know which way to go. He just ran.

At the main road, he stopped, spinning frantically left and right. Which way had Daesik gone? This way? That? He couldn’t have gotten far.

Each exhale puffed out white in the freezing air. His thoughts scattered. His lungs burned. No matter how deeply he breathed, it wasn’t enough.

Where? Where should I go? How do I find them?

Tears he hadn’t even realized were there spilled down his face. Turning again, he ran—forward, anywhere, as fast as he could.

He didn’t know how long he’d been running when his shoulder collided with someone’s, sending him sprawling.

“Are you all right?”

A voice rang out, a hand reaching toward him. Through blurred vision, he saw a stranger’s face, but there was no time.

Mumbling an apology, he staggered up again. He couldn’t stop. He had to find Go Daesik. He had to find his son—his only family.

But his legs buckled, sending him crashing to the hard pavement again. His palms and knees stung sharply, but he barely felt it. His vision swam.

He wiped his tears with the back of his hand and stumbled forward once more.

The man carrying the baby was nowhere in sight.

A choked sob escaped his throat. “What do I do… I-hyeon…”

Then, just as he was about to run again, someone caught him.

“Go Igyeol-ssi.”

“Let me go—!”

Tears streamed freely down his cheeks. Trembling eyes lifted to the one who held him.

And then recognition hit him like a blow. That voice—

“Igyeol.”

“Th-the baby… the baby’s gone. I-hyeon—he’s gone. He’s not at home. He’s gone!”

Shaking violently, he clutched at Dohyeon’s sleeves. He was the only person left—his only hope. His words came out broken, swallowed by sobs.

“He came—my father. He came and took I-hyeon. What do I do? What do I do? We have to—find him—quickly—please!”

Rambling, panicked, he tried to pull away, but Dohyeon held him close, one hand stroking his trembling back.

A dream? Dohyeon’s heart sank as realization struck—he had never told Igyeol that Go Daesik was already imprisoned.

He exhaled heavily, tightening his arms around him.

“Igyeol.”

“H-he’s gone, he took him…”

“Breathe. Calm down. It’s not real. Listen to me—it’s not. I-hyeon was with me. The whole time. I’ve been with him.”

The frantic resistance in Igyeol’s body slowly ebbed.

“I-hyeon… really? With you…?”

“Are you all right? You’re freezing—why did you come out dressed like this? Was it a bad dream?”

“He came… my father… he came home.”

“No. That wasn’t real. Go Daesik is in prison, serving his sentence. He can’t leave.”

At those quiet words, all strength drained from Igyeol’s body.

Dohyeon cupped his cheeks, forcing him to meet his gaze, searching for clarity in those tear-filled eyes. When he finally saw recognition return, he exhaled in relief.

And then Go Igyeol collapsed into his arms, voice breaking into a faint, shuddering breath.

“…Ah… ah…”