AOA 97

“While looking into where your mother’s ashes were enshrined, I found out that your maternal grandmother and aunt are in the United States.”

I froze at the completely unexpected news. I had asked him to check where my birth mother’s ashes were, but I never imagined he would track down her side of the family too.

I hesitated, wondering if I should say I already knew, when Baek Mugyeong continued.

“I received the official report last night. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was worried you’d be disappointed if we couldn’t find your grandmother.”

“It’s okay.”

“Your grandmother searched for you a lot after you went missing. She immigrated to the U.S. and settled there. I’ll give you her contact information. It might be good to look into a lawyer too. When the time comes to decide what to do next, don’t try to figure it out on your own. Consider asking her for help.”

“Yes…”

Going abroad was something I had vaguely considered as a last resort. I had only been thinking, maybe I should, but now that Baek Mugyeong warned me, I felt a sense of urgency.

I wanted to stay in Korea if possible. Just like my brother said, I didn’t want to go to a place where I didn’t know anyone, where everything was unfamiliar, where I couldn’t even speak the language. But if my life was at stake, I couldn’t afford to be stubborn.

The divorce would take time. Sending my brother to study abroad right away was unrealistic, but just like Baek Mugyeong had tried to do for me, it was possible to send him on a long overseas trip.

If my next stock investment worked out, I wouldn’t have to worry about money. I could use that time to slowly convince him and prepare for studying abroad.

“If Jeong Minchae’s brother decides to study abroad, I’ll cover the tuition. That offer stands even after the divorce. I was planning to do it anyway, so don’t feel burdened.”

I was too shocked to speak. He had practically forced the idea of studying abroad on my brother, but to say he would still support us even after we divorced was a huge gesture.

I couldn’t bring myself to say I had money too. More than that, this might not just mean covering tuition.

“So… is it okay for me to think of that as becoming my brother’s sponsor?”

“If you want to.”

I only asked on the off chance, but Baek Mugyeong answered without hesitation. Once we divorced, his position would no longer be the same. If he ended up on Baek Jinseok’s bad side for returning to the U.S., he might not be able to help much after all.

However, being prepared was everything. And Baek Mugyeong was the kind of person who kept his word. Even if something happened to me, as long as he had the means, he would be my brother’s sponsor.

“Thank you.”

“I hope you’re able to convince your brother. Safety comes first.”

He was meticulous to the end. As I nodded, a question filled my head.

“I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why are you being so kind to me? I’m just curious. Even if you were planning to help with studying abroad, you don’t have to. It costs a lot. I’m not trying to reject your offer. It’s okay if you don’t want to answer. I just want to say again that I’m really grateful you’re willing to support him.”

I had asked casually, but then it felt like I needed to explain myself, so I rambled on. The more I said, the more it felt like a disaster. I ended it with another thank-you.

I couldn’t even look at Baek Mugyeong, who had on an unusually puzzled expression. Just imagining how red my face must be made it worse.

I really should’ve kept my mouth shut.

“I’m doing what I want.”

“…?”

I looked up at him, surprised by the unexpected answer. What was that supposed to mean?

“Didn’t you tell me to do as I please?”

“I did…”

Yesterday, when he insisted on escorting me, I’d told him to do whatever he wanted. But I didn’t think he’d apply it like this.

If he was doing it because he wanted to, it felt weird to ask why. This time, I forced my brain to stay quiet and kept my mouth shut.

In any case, nothing Baek Mugyeong said was wrong. Even knowing how cold and calculated people in this world could be, I hadn’t been thorough enough.

I thought it’d be fine as long as I knew my biological father’s weaknesses, made money through stocks, and avoided having a child. But if things really went south, I could be ruined without a chance to act.

I had to prepare thoroughly so I could act immediately if the worst happened. First, I needed to start convincing my brother tomorrow.

“The sherbet is melting.”

I was clenching my fists, burning with determination, when Baek Mugyeong gave me a look. Just like he said, the sherbet dessert was melting.

I picked up my spoon right away. It was delicious, so I was going to finish all of it.

*

Even with my eyes closed, the world kept shaking.

My thoughts wouldn’t connect properly. Every sensation coursing through my body stoked the heat in my blood.

The hot breaths, the hands gripping my waist, the sheet beneath my back, the heavy weight pressing down from above, the strain between my spread thighs, the thick cock thrusting deep inside, the pheromones so dense they filled the entire bedroom like they would smother me.

When pleasure pushes past its limit, you fall into conflicting desires. You want the moment to last forever. You also want to be free from the unbearable intensity of it.

I didn’t even know how many times I moaned as I rocked my hips, clinging tightly to Baek Mugyeong’s neck and back. When the promised climax hit, the brilliant world seemed to blur into the distance.

“Ngh, haa. Hh…”

When my mind returned, the first thing I registered was the rough sound of my own breathing. Every time I gasped, I could feel my heart pounding like crazy.

With my dazed head, I tried to remember why I was having sex with Baek Mugyeong even though it wasn’t Friday. There had been no issues through dinner, or the ride home in separate cars.

Kim Juhyeon had already gone home, so the house was empty. We went upstairs without much conversation. I’d been thinking about taking digestive medicine because I overate, when the man in front of me stopped at the top of the stairs.

It took me a moment to realize what he was looking at. It was the spot where we’d had sex last winter, when Baek Mugyeong had lost control during a sudden rut. It was awkward and I was embarrassed.

While I cleared my throat, our eyes met. Under the bright lights, his sheepish expression made me want to laugh. And then I felt like doing it.

The thought became action in an instant. Next thing I knew, I was naked in bed.

Everything after that was a blur.

I must be crazy.

I finally understood Baek Mugyeong growling that he was crazy once. I could now understand what it meant to be swept away by pheromones.

I blinked, breathing out a sigh, my vision still foggy. As my view slowly cleared, I found myself locking eyes with Baek Mugyeong.

The light was behind him, casting a shadow on his face. Even so, I could see the sweat on his forehead, the red flush on his cheeks, and the strange expression on his face.

I was probably wearing the same expression. This whole situation was funny, bizarre, impossible to navigate.

“Ha.”

I tried to hold back a laugh, but a weird sound came out instead. Baek Mugyeong gave me a look that said, what was that? I covered my face with both hands.

“What is it?”

His voice came from above my head.

“I… find this situation funny.”

I answered without lowering my hands. I’d once sworn that even if we got married, I wouldn’t have sex with him. But we’d done it several times now, and just yesterday, we had agreed to do it every Friday. And yet it wasn’t even close to Friday. We had sex just from making eye contact.

It was embarrassing, but also funny.

“It’s not funny.”

He sighed. But I could hear the faintest trace of laughter too.

Of course he’d be stunned.

While I was grumbling to myself, the cock inside me slowly slid out. That sensation, one I’d never get used to, made me groan involuntarily.

The heavy weight pressing me down disappeared, and I finally moved my hands away and opened my eyes. The heat dripping out between my thighs felt weird, so I crossed my legs. Sex was great, but this part was always a problem.

Baek Mugyeong had already stepped down from the bed. He was unfastening his watch, a faint frown on his brow.

From where I lay, I had a slightly upward view of him. Watching the man who had just had sex with me stand there naked with such confidence, my eyes got stuck on him.

Baek Mugyeong had a great body. He wasn’t bulky, but not a trace of fat could be seen. His well-defined muscles were firm–I’d experienced that firsthand. I felt a wave of envy.

I was confident in how I moved my body. When I learned boxing, people said I had good instincts. When I played soccer with friends, I moved like lightning. But natural physique was a different matter.

Someone like Baek Mugyeong, with a tall frame and long limbs, looked good doing anything.

And on top of that, he was big. It looked good too. Honestly, the fact that something like that could even fit inside was nothing short of a miracle.

Maybe he noticed me staring. He turned his head toward me after removing his watch. I suddenly felt too obvious, my cheeks heating up. But instead of turning away, I propped myself up halfway and looked at him, asking if something was wrong.