Ch 3

It usually took less than half a day to resolve an Alpha’s rut. But the Alpha wouldn’t let this one go so easily. The overwhelming pheromones hadn’t dissipated, and the Omega’s cries and sobs, which had ceased for a while, started again.

A full day passed, and only when the house was finally rid of the suffocating pheromones did Sanghoon head to the bedroom, where he was met with an unexpected scene.

He was used to retrieving unconscious Omegas after they had been thoroughly used by an Alpha. But this time, the Omega was nestled in the Alpha’s arms. Even in a deep sleep, the Alpha refused to let go of the Omega easily.

Only after the attending doctor administered a sedative to the Alpha could they finally pull the Omega free.

“It seems like you’ve found a suitable partner, so I’ll leave them in your capable hands, Dr. Kang.”

“Secretary Baek.”

“The young master seems to be in good condition, and he appears to be pleased. Is there any issue? Ah, please make the usual note in the report.”

Though the doctor was as tight-lipped as he was, Sanghoon found the situation hard to accept.

Was it fortunate that nothing was broken? The condition of the Omega’s skin, marked with countless bite marks, made it difficult to say such words. Had it not been for the anti-bonding necklace, the Alpha would have undoubtedly bonded with the Omega. Sanghoon would have bet everything on it.

The marks around the necklace, far more intense than elsewhere, were proof of that.

“Get as much treatment as you want and take some time to think about it.”

“I said I’m not doing it.”

“I’ll contact you again.”

Sanghoon slowly got up, straightened his clothes, and left the hospital room with a faint smile on his face. It had been tiring to constantly find a suitable omega and make sure they stayed quiet, but at least while this kid was around, he could save himself some of that effort.

Ji-an threw everything within reach at the man who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed a single drop, but nothing hit him.

“Annoying bastard.”

Ji-an wiped his wet face roughly with his sleeve and let his legs dangle off the side of the bed. ‘Get as much treatment as I want?’ He had heard of people dying from exhaustion, but never from being worn out after sex.

It was clear that the other side had planned this from the beginning. There wasn’t a single sign of surprise or explanation for the wrecked state Ji-an was in. It felt like this was something they did mechanically, as if it were routine. Ji-an didn’t want to stay in a space created by that bastard any longer. There was no hesitation in his hand as he pulled out the IV needle from the back of his hand.

Even such a small act of forcibly removing the IV caused his whole body to ache. Determined, Ji-an got up, but as soon as his feet touched the ground, he wobbled and collapsed, a helpless sound escaping from his mouth, halfway between a laugh and a sob.

Not wanting to stay down just because of the pain, Ji-an gritted his teeth and, using both hands to brace against the bed, barely managed to stand. Staggering to the closet in the room, he found his clothes and bag before leaving the hospital room. Ji-an’s life hadn’t changed much after that.

He followed his class schedule and worked part-time jobs in his spare time. After the surgery, his aunt, who had received proper care in a private room, returned home. Ji-an didn’t want to have anything more to do with them.

The only thing he was willing to accept from them was his aunt’s surgery and the post-op care. Even at home, it was hard dealing with his aunt, who kept apologizing and saying things like, *I’m sorry. I should just die quickly.* On top of that, every time he checked his bank account and saw that 20,000,000 won, it made him feel stifled.

*Why did I ever agree to it?* Now, the scariest thing in the world to Ji-an was the deep darkness, and the most horrifying scent had become musk. When he slept on his stomach, it felt like someone was pressing down on the back of his neck, and even the coldest touch would startle him.

“Haa, this sucks.”

A sigh escaped Ji-an’s mouth as he pushed open the metal handle of the convenience store door. The cold touch of the metal against his palm reminded him of the door that wouldn’t open, no matter how hard he pulled and pushed. *Yeah, I started hating the sound of doors closing and locked doors, too.*

Ji-an set the heated convenience store meal on the table outside and opened his phone to check the part-time job site, looking for something he could do.

“Another convenience store meal?”

At Haneul’s comment from across the table, Ji-an nodded absentmindedly while picking at a side dish and clicked on a job for parcel sorting.

“Is something going on?”

“What could possibly be going on? My aunt is still home, I still need to make money for the hospital bills, and my scholarship for next semester is gone. So, I have to work more. Money doesn’t just fall from the sky.”

“Why did you lose your scholarship?”

“My midterms were a disaster.”

“Oh, right. Didn’t you skip, like, three of them? Why didn’t you come?”

“I was dead.”

One day turned into two, and then five. He’d been in the middle of studying for his midterms at the library when he got a call and had to leave. They said it would only take a day, but when Ji-an woke up in the hospital, five days had already passed. He missed several of his finals, so naturally, he lost his scholarship.

“You really live a tough life. What are you doing this weekend?”

Ji-an checked the pay and hours for the parcel sorting job and pressed the back button.

“Looking for more part-time work to make money.”

“Then, can you cover for me at the cafe? The owner said it’s busy this weekend, and he needs someone to take over.”

“Where?”

“Over in the downtown area.”

“How much?”

Haneul offered 50,000 won more than the weekend parcel sorting job Ji-an had been looking at, which was an indication of how desperate he was. Ji-an put down his phone.

There’s no such thing as easy money. Every penny I earn through sweat and hard work is the only real money I have.

* * *

Because the pay for closing shifts was higher than evening shifts, Ji-an always applied for them, no matter how tiring it was. After hastily cleaning the hall, he sat down heavily on an empty chair. At least today, there had been no one causing a drunken scene, so it was better than usual. Still, he was exhausted, so he slumped into the chair.

“123,230 won.”

After checking his balance, Ji-an collapsed onto the table. After subtracting the necessary expenses, this was the amount he had left to survive on for the next two weeks. Since he could walk to both school and his part-time job, he didn’t need to factor in transportation costs. As long as no unexpected events required extra money, he could just about scrape by.

Scrolling through the app while lying face down with his arm as a pillow, Ji-an’s eyes caught on the 20,000,000 won again. He had been gritting his teeth, trying not to touch that money. It wasn’t for any specific reason—it just felt wrong to even think about using it.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Thinking about next semester’s tuition and the heating bills for the now-chillier weather, Ji-an let out a scream, burying his face in the table.

“What’s wrong now? Your shift’s over, so go home. Aren’t you tired?”

“Boss.”  

“Don’t call me that, it’s scary. Just call me hyung.”  

“Hyuuung~”  

“What?”  

“Why is life so hard? I’m really trying to live a good life, but the world doesn’t help.”  

“Oh boy, our Ji-an is already lamenting about life? Well, it won’t change even when you get to my age. That’s just how life is.”  

“Then that’s just so messed up. Some people do all sorts of crazy stuff with money.”  

“Drink this and go home. You don’t look good.”  

Hearing the clink of a bottle, Ji-an turned to see a fatigue recovery drink placed beside him and let out a small laugh. After a sigh, Ji-an stood up and opened the drink, pouting as the boss lightly tapped his cheek.  

“Okay. I’ll drink this and show up tomorrow to work hard until closing.”  

Listening to the boss telling him to dress warmly as mornings and evenings were getting colder, Ji-an bit his lower lip as he stepped into the night streets. It was late, but the bustling city was filled with people enjoying the night, and bright lights pushed back the darkness.  

Ji-an, with his hands in his pockets, trudged along when his phone started buzzing incessantly. Seeing that the call was from the hospital, his heart sank. After ending the call, Ji-an immediately hailed a taxi from the street.  

In an instant, 12,300 won disappeared from his balance.  

Walking alongside his aunt, who was being transferred to a room with an oxygen mask on after the emergency room, Ji-an bit his inner cheek. I’m trying to live positively, brightly, and diligently, so why is this happening to me? I told her just to stay home! I made it possible for her to have surgery, so why…?  

Ji-an, who had never blamed or hated anyone before, clenched his fist as he looked at the unconscious face of Eunhee.  

I told you to stay home. Before leaving, I even made all your meals for today. I might not be able to heat the place, but I told you to use the electric mat and rest. What were you doing out in this weather trying to earn money!?  

Feeling like his head was going to explode, Ji-an pressed his fingers to his temples as the nurse gave him a long explanation in his capacity as the guardian. So, in the end, she’s sick again, right? It means more money is needed.  

Unable to return to the room, Ji-an slumped down onto a chair in the hospital hallway. Inside, the hospital was brightly lit, but outside the window, it was dark. After staring at the darkness for a while, Ji-an leaned back into the chair, tilting his head backward.  

Soon there would be final exams, and once vacation started, he would take on more part-time work… Should I just take a leave of absence? It was fine when I was attending on a scholarship, but thinking about having to pay full tuition next semester made the future look bleak.  

When other people get transmigrated, sure, they go through some hardships, but they end up loved, happy, eating well, and living well. Why is my life like this? Damn it. Ji-an’s eyes welled up as he felt a surge of frustration. He raised a hand to cover his face.  

It’s not even my real family. Just a character in a novel, a minor one at that. Why do I care if they die or not…? He took a slow, deep breath to calm his raging emotions. Still, he couldn’t abandon someone who could live if treated.  

Fine, I’ll take a leave of absence. You don’t need a degree to make a living. I can go back later when things settle down, and college isn’t everything anyway. Ji-an struggled to rein in his plummeting emotions and finally managed to think positively, lowering the hand that had been covering his face.  

Thud. Thud. Thud.  

The sound of approaching footsteps sent shivers down his spine. Ji-an, who had been slumped in the chair, quickly straightened up and bit his lower lip.  

The footsteps grew closer. It wasn’t strange for people to walk around in a hospital, but if they stopped in front of him, that would be a different story.  

“Seo Ji-an.”  

His breath caught as he stared at the white wall and the railing designed for safety.  

“Have you been well?”  

It was a voice he never wanted to hear again.  

“You left your phone in the hospital room. You know it’s useless, right? Well, shall we go?”  

Ji-an didn’t look, didn’t respond, didn’t react in any way, but the other person kept saying whatever he wanted.  

“A semi-basement won’t be good for the patient. How about a 32-pyeong place?”  

“Screw off.”  

“I’m offering something beneficial to both of us.”  

“I said screw off.”  

Jumping to his feet, Ji-an shouted at the man.  

Suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind, and he felt a sharp pain in his arm. His body went limp almost instantly.  

“I’ll take that as your agreement.”  

Sanghoon smiled as he watched Ji-an’s body go slack.  

“Make sure he’s comfortable.”  

Cradling Ji-an in his arms, Sanghoon walked ahead of the man following him, a light whistle escaping his lips. He had planned to take drastic measures if necessary, but everything had fallen into place before he even needed to.  

It was late at night. A nurse working the night shift at the hospital recognized him and paused, bowing her head as Sanghoon walked by without slowing his pace. He barely acknowledged her with a nod.  

Only after getting into the elevator did Sanghoon pull out his phone and make a call.  

“This is Baek Sanghoon. I’ll arrive in about 30 minutes. Yes, don’t worry. He volunteered for this. I’ll be sure to address any concerns the chairman has. Yes, I’ll contact you again once it’s done.”  

Sanghoon’s gaze never left Ji-an, who was unconscious in the guard’s arms, as he spoke on the phone.