Ch 54

Based on the timing Rowoon mentioned, it seemed that the child was conceived that day, but the imprinting itself was difficult to explain. Regardless, Ji-an was now completely his. He couldn’t be without Ji-an, and Ji-an couldn’t be without him. On top of that, there was a child.

What could be a more perfect situation than this? A faint smile lifted the corners of Ideun’s lips. The obsessive nature of a dominant alpha and the overwhelming euphoria wrapped around him simultaneously.

Now, he had a legitimate reason to keep Ji-an by his side, no matter what. Ji-an, being frail, required someone’s care… Ideun exhaled a long sigh, sorting through only the information that was favorable and necessary for him.

This was how he felt, but what about Ji-an? Before meeting him, Ji-an had already been in love with someone he had imprinted on, and he had no desire to break that bond.

Even before considering Ji-an’s emotions and thoughts, Ideun felt nothing but joy and happiness. Ji-an was now completely his. Their bond was absolute, and no one could say otherwise.

But then, what about the person Ji-an had imprinted on? Ji-an had been unwilling to break that imprint. And now, not only had that imprint been severed, but he had also formed a mutual imprint with Ideun and was carrying his child. If Ji-an despised the idea of breaking an imprint, then perhaps he wouldn’t want the child either.

Regardless, Ji-an was going through all of this alone, unaware of any of it. His constitution was extreme heat type, and yet, due to Ideun’s nature, a child had been conceived. With unstable pheromones and an already weak body, he had been enduring each day while carrying the instability of pregnancy.

Before Ideun arrived, Ji-an had been eating meals and talking with that old woman. Apparently, the moment Secretary Baek, who had arrived before him, appeared, Ji-an had fainted. Just from catching a glimpse from afar, he had run away like that—so seeing that person right in front of him must have been too much for his exhausted body.

“His body is weak, and most of all, his extreme heat type makes the situation dangerous.”

Ideun, who had been gripping his head with his eyes closed, slowly opened them at Rowoon’s voice.

“The patient’s health comes first. I can’t guarantee the child’s survival.”

“I don’t understand, so explain it again, doctor.”

“…Ji-an carrying a child is nothing short of a miracle. When he was first admitted to this hospital, even I had no reason to doubt the correction that labeled him a beta. But in the recent test results, trace amounts of the suspect hormone were detected, and there was a slight shift in his omega pheromone levels. That’s why I told you to bring him to the hospital as soon as possible. And in last night’s examination… both his omega pheromone levels and pregnancy-related hormone levels were higher than before.”

“But now, you’re saying Ji-an’s condition is so critical that he might miscarry?”

“…Yes.”

“And the imprint?”

“It’s mutual. After I told you, I ran the data again to reconfirm.”

“Can you determine when it happened?”

“…I can’t tell when Ji-an imprinted on you.”

“What if… what if I was the one Ji-an imprinted on from the beginning?”

“That’s a possibility.”

“What does that even matter now? What do we do next?”

Ideun slowly rose from his seat.

“We wait.”

“Ji-an is on the verge of life and death, and you’re telling me to just sit here? Be reasonable. There must be something I can do—for Ji-an, for the baby. No, for both of them. Don’t tell me to give up.”

At Ideun’s firm words, Rowoon found himself unable to respond immediately.

“Then pray. And believe in Ji-an.”

As those words left his mouth, Ideun silently watched the hospital room through the small window. Ji-an was barely visible, obscured by the medical staff moving frantically inside.

“Believe. Seo Ji-an will never give up.”

No sooner had Ideun spoken than the steady beeping of a machine filled the room. A sigh of relief passed through the medical team, who began cleaning up.

As the last of the medical staff left, Ideun remained in the now-quiet hospital room, gazing at Ji-an’s peaceful face.

Ji-an, who claimed to love his rut partner. Ji-an, who said he couldn’t accept Ideun. Ji-an, who had once told him that the person he imprinted on was everything to him. Ji-an, who had clung to him, saying they should go to hell together. Ji-an, who had tried to draw a clear line, insisting that they were nothing more than sex partners, while keeping silent about the one he truly loved.

Then why? Why was the person you imprinted on me? How?

Ji-an was hiding something. Who exactly was Ji-an’s rut partner? Could it really be… me? That’s impossible.

F*ck.

The face that came to mind at that moment was Secretary Baek’s. Ideun crushed the curse rising in his throat.

His mind raced through multiple scenarios, trying to organize his thoughts. But instead of dwelling on them, he pulled his phone from his pocket.

For now, before getting lost in deep thought, there was something he needed to do.

***

A sharp sting at his toe made Ji-an’s eyes snap open. What should have been a brief pain came again, this time with a soft “Meow!” Something was energetically moving on top of the blanket covering his feet. It was pouncing as if his toes were prey, nibbling just enough to sting…

Bobo. Bobo?

Ji-an abruptly sat up and looked toward the foot of the bed. A tiny, scruffy-furred ginger kitten was playing there. Just like always, it lowered its front body, raised its little hindquarters, wiggled slightly, then leapt straight toward his feet.

“Bobo.”

His voice came out strange and hoarse, but the kitten, busy playing by itself, turned to look at him. The moment he saw that adorable face, Ji-an couldn’t help but smile brightly.

Recognizing him, Bobo hopped excitedly across the bed and jumped into his arms. Ji-an gently cradled the small, soft body in his hands, pressing his face into Bobo’s fluffy belly.

“Meooow!”

Bobo let out a tiny, protesting mewl, but Ji-an didn’t let go. He had missed this—missed it so badly. Whenever he was exhausted or struggling, he had always wanted to do this.

Bobo, knowing this was just play, flailed its tiny paws in protest, attempting to swat at him, but it didn’t unsheathe its claws.

After holding Bobo against his face for a long time, Ji-an finally loosened his grip slightly, still hugging the kitten close, and slowly looked around the room.

A mattress with just the right amount of plushness for a good night’s sleep, a soft and lightweight blanket that clung comfortably to the skin. Though dark blackout curtains were drawn, the space was illuminated here and there by dimly lit lamps. It was an unfamiliar place. However, knowing the scent that filled the room, Ji-an let out a small sigh instead of feeling startled or flustered.

After all, he had run away on his own feet, only to return on his own feet.

He had fled as soon as he saw Secretary Baek at the marketplace, but he knew the man would find him. He had expected to be caught eventually, just not this quickly. To think he’d been captured while indulging in the food he wanted to eat. There was no greater fool than this.

Moreover, recalling the new facts he had learned about his grandmother, Ji-an groaned and flopped back onto the bed. He had failed to keep all the promises he had made. To his grandmother, to Haneul, and even to Secretary Baek, to whom he had sworn never to be entangled with again, never to see again. And lastly… to that man as well.

“Ah, whatever.”

Feeling unsettled and overwhelmed with thoughts, Ji-an curled up and closed his eyes. It seemed like he had been left here to rest, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do just that until someone came looking for him. More than anything, he felt at ease surrounded by the musky scent that lingered in the blanket, pillow, and air itself. To think something so simple could make him feel good.

Would he really be able to stay away from that man at this rate? Pheromones, bonds—what did they even mean? While he had been away, he ate well, slept well, and rested under the care of his grandmother and grandfather. Yet, his poor condition had hardly improved. But now, he felt as if his completely drained battery had been fully recharged.

The headache, the faint stomach pain, the occasional coughs, the sniffles, and the heavy, aching body—everything that had weighed him down had vanished as if they had never been there. The sheer relief of waking up with such clarity put him in a good mood. When was the last time he had felt this refreshed?

On top of that, the lively movements and tiny sounds of Bobo, who was scampering around his body, filled Ji-an with happiness. Did happiness have to come from something grand? Even these little things were happiness.

He remained still, merely blinking as he relaxed, even when he heard approaching footsteps.

The sound of slippers drew closer before stopping, followed by a soft knock on the doorframe. Yet, Ji-an neither feigned sleep nor moved to look at the visitor.

“When did you wake up?”

A low, gentle, and warm voice softly tickled his ears.

…He really did like that man. He liked him a lot. Even though it was the same familiar voice as always, a surge of emotion welled up inside him, making him press his lips together even tighter.

“Are you feeling okay?”

The bed dipped as the other person sat down, causing the blanket to rustle. Ji-an remained motionless. Instead, it was Bobo who made a fuss, darting back and forth excitedly as if delighted to see the two people who had taken care of him in the same space. The small creature clambered onto Ideun’s thigh, nudged him once, then quickly scampered over to Ji-an, pressing his tiny, damp nose against Ji-an’s forehead and the tip of his nose.

“I made beef porridge. Want to try a little?”

Don’t say things like that while stroking my head with such warmth.

“If you don’t want porridge, there’s rice too.”

This man, always telling him to eat the moment he wakes up.

Ji-an wanted to keep ignoring Ideun, but the moment he heard “beef porridge,” his mouth started watering. He turned his head slightly to glance at Ideun.

Dressed in comfortable loungewear, his hair still slightly damp from a wash, left unstyled in its natural state. And that face—still annoyingly handsome. His eyes held no trace of negativity, only calmness.

“You always tell me to eat.”

All the things Ji-an had thought he might say upon meeting Ideun again felt meaningless now. Instead, the first words that slipped out were unfiltered and raw.

“That’s because you’re always sick, always collapsing, and you’re way too skinny.”

“Aren’t you mad at me, don’t you hate me? I really do whatever I want. I don’t listen to a single thing you say.”

“Do you hate Bobo?”

“Huh? Why would I hate Bobo? He’s just cute and adorable.”

Ji-an sniffed and pulled Bobo into his arms as the small creature hovered near his nose. How could anyone hate something this cute, this lovable?

“You’re just like that.”

Ji-an turned his gaze back to Ideun. Bobo, seemingly displeased with being suddenly hugged, wiggled and playfully nipped at Ji-an’s fingers.

“Even when Bobo nibbles and scratches sometimes, he’s still cute and adorable. That’s how you are to me.”

As he spoke, Ideun reached out, gently grasping Ji-an’s hand—the one holding Bobo. It was only then that Ji-an noticed the IV line taped to the back of his hand.

Wait. Why was he getting an IV at home instead of a hospital?

As the tape was removed and the needle was carefully pulled out, Ideun pressed an alcohol swab against the spot with practiced ease. Watching him, something clicked in Ji-an’s mind, and he blurted out,

“Ahjussi, am I dying?”

“What?”

Startled by the sudden question, Ideun raised his voice, making Ji-an wIdeun his eyes in surprise.

Otherwise, why was Ideun treating him so kindly and gently, knowing everything?

His grandmother and Ideun must have found out by now that he had a rut partner. They were certainly capable enough to dig up that much information. And the one who would have been ordered to investigate would be Secretary Baek.

But would they know that Ji-an had been Ideun’s rut partner? Ideun was convinced that he always took sleeping pills during his ruts.

Then, what about his grandmother? Though she spoke in a formal and rigid manner and valued etiquette and propriety, she wasn’t a bad person. More than anything, Ji-an still remembered the sight of her as he was crying. Though she had sighed, she had also tried to offer him a handkerchief.

Would someone like that have permitted what Secretary Baek had done—kidnapping, confinement, and even violence?

Grandmother had always been busy; she wouldn’t have been able to oversee everything. If Secretary Baek had handled things on his own…

Then, there was a high chance Secretary Baek had deliberately kept certain things from her—especially those that could be used against him.