Divorce Contract Extra 17

Extra 17

Side Story Ⅶ

Seo Dohyeon sensed the changes occurring in Go Igyeol even more quickly than the person himself. Igyeol had begun sleeping far more than usual—dramatically so. His appetite had diminished, he had become sensitive to smells, his pheromones had weakened, and he clung desperately to Seo Dohyeon’s scent.

“Executive Director… is something worrying you?”

Yoon Jaeseon cautiously addressed Seo Dohyeon, who had worn a grave expression the entire day. Seo Dohyeon listlessly tapped at his tablet, then finally raised his head with a long sigh.

“Executive Director?”

After combing through the internet for days and receiving medical consultation from Dr. Kwon, he had realized that the symptoms of omega pregnancy overlapped with the changes he was seeing in Igyeol. Had something gone wrong with contraception during their rut? In the blur of those feverish days, with Igyeol’s heat overlapping his own frenzy, there was every possibility something had happened to the condom. The hospital had said natural conception would be difficult, but if—by some chance—he really was pregnant… Even if he conceived, they had said it would be hard to maintain.

“…I need to go.”

“Sir? All of a sudden—go where…?”

“Postpone the afternoon schedule. We’ll reschedule.”

Yoon Jaeseon stared blankly as Seo Dohyeon abruptly announced he would be leaving, then snapped back to himself.

“I’ll prepare the car immediately.”

“Also, make a hospital appointment.”

“Are you feeling unwell, sir?”

“…At an omega-specialized obstetrics clinic. Tomorrow morning—no, afternoon. Around one or two.”

At that, Yoon Jaeseon’s eyes widened. Obstetrics? Even as a third party, he harbored unpleasant memories of that place; that Seo Dohyeon would return there…

“Executive Director.”

“I won’t know until we check, but Igyeol’s symptoms lately are unusual. The hospital said natural pregnancy would be difficult, but… we need confirmation.”

“…Good heavens!—I apologize.”

His voice burst out uncontrollably. He clamped his mouth shut, then bowed, flustered.

“No, it’s understandable. Igyeol is recessive, and after everything he went through… his body hasn’t been well. I’m praying it isn’t that. Damn it… I don’t know what’s so great about dominant traits.”

With a devastated expression, Seo Dohyeon exhaled sharply and muttered to himself as if losing his mind.

“That I may have put him through this again…”

“…We don’t know anything yet, so perhaps try not to assume the worst…”

Yoon Jaeseon tried to comfort him, but there wasn’t much he could say. He repeated only that they would know for certain once they visited the hospital, that it might not be pregnancy, that they might simply be worrying over nothing.

Seo Dohyeon dragged his hands down his face and stared blankly out the window in frustration. How was he supposed to bring up the subject of going to obstetrics again? His mind was chaos. If, by some chance, Igyeol really was pregnant, he would be startled—he would cry, he would grieve. It would be entirely his fault, and he feared Igyeol might misplace the blame again.

“I’ll take care of the hospital reservation.”

“And the restaurant reservation as well.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll reserve the usual place.”

Yoon Jaeseon quietly left, hoping to give his superior space to gather himself. He closed the door gently, casting one last sympathetic glance at Seo Dohyeon. After everything they had struggled to rebuild, he feared their relationship might shatter again. Even as a third party, he could not suppress the mounting anxiety.

It was far too early for him to be home. Seeing Seo Dohyeon unexpectedly return, Kwon Seunggyu widened his eyes. Little Seo Ihyeon, nestled in his arms, yawned loudly before lifting his head. The child instinctively reached both arms toward Seo Dohyeon.

“Why are you home so early, sir? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Seo Dohyeon smoothly transferred Ihyeon into his own arms, planted a firm kiss on the child’s plump cheek, and scanned the air. Faint traces of Igyeol’s pheromones lingered nearby, and his gaze immediately shifted toward the bedroom. Seunggyu hurried to reclaim the baby.

“He seemed really tired today. He skipped meals and just kept sleeping. He didn’t even go to school.”

“I see.”

“I’m worried he’s been unwell lately.”

What was meant as a simple expression of worry made Seo Dohyeon’s face harden. Seunggyu regretted speaking, bowed awkwardly, and rushed outside with Ihyeon, chattering about the nice weather and playing in the yard.

“…Ha…”

As the front door closed, Seo Dohyeon let out a long breath. He held the bedroom doorknob, paused, then slowly pushed it open. The bed was empty.

“……”

Stepping inside, his eyes darted quickly. Had Igyeol woken up? He moved toward the dressing room, straining his ears for any sound from the bathroom. Passing beneath the arched entrance, he approached the bathroom door—

—and abruptly stopped.

His gaze fixed on a single spot.

Curled up on the floor lay Go Igyeol.

He had pulled out every one of Seo Dohyeon’s clothes, arranged them in a heap like a nest, and nestled himself inside, buried in the scent-soaked fabric. In one hand, he clutched Seo Dohyeon’s tie—the one he had been wearing most recently. Seo Dohyeon stared for a long moment before slowly approaching.

“…Go Igyeol.”

He knelt and gently stroked Igyeol’s hair. The tightly shut eyelids fluttered. Seo Dohyeon brushed the trembling lashes with his thumb and called his name again.

“Igyeol.”

“……”

As if responding to the call, the eyelids gradually lifted, revealing drowsy eyes. He looked bewildered—unable to believe Seo Dohyeon stood before him at a time he shouldn’t be home. His hazy gaze swayed dreamily. After a moment, he let out a small sound.

“…It’s not time yet. What time is it…?”

“I came home early today.”

“…Why…?”

“Because I missed you.”

The fog lifted from Igyeol’s eyes, turning everything clear. Hearing those sweet words linger in the air, he smiled faintly.

“…It makes me happy.”

“I heard you skipped lunch again.”

Seo Dohyeon cupped his warm cheeks. Igyeol leaned into the touch, his slender fingers subconsciously wrapping protectively around his own abdomen—an unintentional gesture.

“I was sleepy. I wanted to eat dinner with you…”

Hearing the mumbled reply, Seo Dohyeon gently said he’d done well coming home early.

But then Igyeol suddenly appeared startled, as if realizing something was wrong.

“…Oh…”

“What is it?”

The previously softened gaze stiffened. Igyeol pushed himself upright in confusion. Seo Dohyeon helped him, but Igyeol could not find the words to explain what he himself didn’t understand. Why had he been lying there? Why had he made a nest out of Seo Dohyeon’s clothes? Even he didn’t know.

His eyes filled with unease, confusion twisting his expression. Seo Dohyeon gently pried open his hand, freeing the tie from his grip, then lifted him carefully. He carried Igyeol to the bed and laid him down, releasing a soft wave of pheromones. Even then, Igyeol trembled so violently he couldn’t let go; Seo Dohyeon held him tightly, rubbing his thin back until the trembling eased.

“It’s all right.”

“……”

“Hmm? It’s all right.”

Igyeol pressed his face into Seo Dohyeon’s neck as though trying to burrow inside. His cheeks were wet. Tears clung to his lashes and fell in drops. When a sob escaped him, Seo Dohyeon gathered him close, kissing his damp cheeks and the temple darkened with sweat.

His watery eyes shifted upward. Before he could even blink, more tears spilled over. Without sound, Igyeol wept with a helpless, wounded expression. It was clear he had the same fear in his heart that Seo Dohyeon did, but neither dared voice the word.

Nothing was certain. But even the possibility was enough to turn both their minds blank. If they were to relive the very memories that had scarred him so deeply, if that nightmare were to return—it was unbearable. Watching Igyeol tremble like a leaf, Seo Dohyeon felt the world tilt into darkness.

Was this what it felt like to fall from a cliff? Even comforting him felt like a terrible sin.

Seo Dohyeon barely slept that night, waking repeatedly whenever Igyeol jolted in his sleep. Each time, he soothed him back into slumber. Now, in the examination room, Igyeol lay on the ultrasound bed, gripping Seo Dohyeon’s hand so tightly he nearly cut off the circulation. Seo Dohyeon stared at the black-and-white monitor, tension carved deeply into his features. Igyeol couldn’t even look; he shut his eyes tightly.