AOA 77

I was a little aroused by Baek Mugyeong’s pheromones, but as soon as I faced other people, I snapped out of it. I took a few deep breaths in the hallway before going back inside.

The man, still standing in the living room with a cold expression, turned his gaze to me.

“Jeong Minchae.”

“That wasn’t exactly mild. Don’t you think you went too far?”

I complained from a distance, keeping away from Baek Mugyeong. Sure, another Alpha’s pheromones could be bothersome, but there had to be better ways than this.

“I couldn’t control it. Sorry.”

His offered a stiff-toned excuse, glaring at me like he wanted to curse me out with his eyes. He still didn’t seem to be in a good mood. It was hard to get angry when he said it was a mistake.

You could’ve just left me alone.

I grumbled silently. At least I wasn’t aroused anymore, so I let it go.

“Well, fine. I guess that happens.”

“Wait, your cheek is swollen.”

Baek Mugyeong, who had been staring at me, suddenly changed the subject. I rubbed my sore left cheek with my hand.

“I got hit a bit during the scuffle. It’s fine. Nothing’s broken.”

“Where did you get hit?”

I’d fought back hard, which meant I got beaten up all over. Nothing was broken, but the spots that took the brunt of the blows were throbbing.

Baek Mugyeong’s face suddenly turned fierce, as if he’d punch someone right then and there if the culprits were in front of him.

“My head and stomach.”

“Let me see.”

Startled by how quickly he strode toward me, I flinched.

“See what?”

“Your injuries.”

He was already right in front of me. He’d moved fast. Instead of pushing him away, I obediently let him inspect my face. His hands touched my cheek, eyelid, forehead, and head.

His touch was gentle, but when he pressed my head, I couldn’t help but groan. It felt like he was pressing down on a bruise.

“Ah…”

“Does it hurt?”

“Yes.”

“Once the bodyguard arrives, we’re going to the hospital.”

“But it’s Saturday.”

“That clinic we went to before, the one with night services, is open on weekends.”

Baek Mugyeong’s demeanor was still grim. I felt like he’d drag me there even if I said I was fine, so I just agreed.

“If you’re done, can you move? I want to sit on the couch.”

Somehow, I’d ended up wedged between the wall and Baek Mugyeong. With his large frame, it felt like I was stuck between two walls.

When I looked up at him, he frowned slightly and stepped back a few paces. I slipped past him and sat on the couch.

Baek Mugyeong didn’t sit across from me, he stood far away instead.

As the awkward silence dragged on, he was the one to break it.

“Were you scared?”

“…Yes. I was scared.”

The blunt question made me hesitate, but I answered honestly. My heart felt like glass, there was no point in pretending to be tough.

I never imagined something like this would happen. Maybe I’d let my guard down. I made a lot of money with stocks, and Baek Mugyeong even attended my biological father’s birthday party. I thought everything was going to be fine.

I forgot how many people hated me. Things like this can happen any time in this world.

If I hadn’t talked to Baek Mugyeong midway, I would’ve walked right into their trap. Just imagining what could’ve happened made my mind go blank again.

Even though I was in a safe place, my hand shook as I held my phone. My heart pounded uncontrollably.

I told myself I had to stay sharp and act quickly, but it was hard to suppress the fear. I gripped my hands together tightly so Baek Mugyeong wouldn’t notice.

“They were clearly targeting you.”

“I think so too. They didn’t find my wallet, they stole it. Like I said earlier, they said they were going to film a video and spread it.”

“They said that…?”

“Seems like someone wants me divorced.”

If a video showing my face got out, divorce would be inevitable. Baek Mugyeong might deal with it calmly, but Baek Jinseok would never let it slide. I didn’t know who was behind this, but they clearly wanted that outcome. I wanted the divorce, sure, but not to be socially annihilated.

Anyway, it ended as a failed attempt. Whether someone from the Baek family or the Jeong family orchestrated it, Baek Jinseok wouldn’t stay quiet.

Trying to rape and film the granddaughter-in-law he paid so much for was like flipping him the middle finger.

If Baek Jaehan or Im Songyoon or Baek Yeongseop was behind it, they’d settle it quietly. Even if he were desperate for an Alpha great-grandchild, blood sticks together.

But if Kim Heeyoung or Jeong Guhyeon was behind it, things could get complicated. Baek Jinseok might either destroy my family out of fury, or label us too low-class and force me and Baek Mugyeong to divorce.

Now that there was a real chance of divorce, my heart started racing – not from fear this time, but from hope. I’d struck gold in the stock market. If I got divorced, I’d be free.

I hadn’t gotten my hands on proof of my biological father’s corruption yet. But just knowing about it gave me enough leverage to pressure him. It was fine.

Please, let it be Kim Heeyoung or Jeong Guhyeon.

I prayed hard in my heart.

“I’ll find out who ordered it, no matter what.”

“Okay.”

Baek Mugyeong’s voice was full of steel, like he’d take down whoever it was himself. He really was reassuring when we were on the same side.

“I’ve called the bodyguards. My grandfather will hear about this, and so will my uncle. For now, avoid going out.”

“Well… I think I need to go to school. It’s exam period.”

“Then you’ll need to be accompanied by a bodyguard.”

“Sure. That’s fine.”

I trusted Daesong Group’s security team. They’d protect me.

While we were talking, the doorbell rang. The bodyguards we’d been waiting for had arrived. There were more than ten of them.

“Let’s go. Jeong Minchae? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. My stomach just hurts a bit. I’m okay.”

I tried to stand, but pain shot through my stomach and I curled up, groaning. They’d kicked me in the stomach multiple times. I didn’t even need a mirror to know there’d be bruises all over my stomach and sides.

I said I was fine, but Baek Mugyeong took it seriously.

“You need to be hospitalized.”

“No. I really don’t want that. It’s just some bruises.”

Worried he might insist, I shook my head firmly. Bruises and swelling would heal with rest. No need for hospitalization.

“Jeong Minchae.”

“I really hate being hospitalized. It’d be weird to get admitted for something this minor.”

If nothing else, I hated IVs the most. So I held my ground, staring back with determination. Baek Mugyeong frowned, clearly displeased, and I got nervous.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Because it doesn’t hurt that much?”

I pouted. I bit back the part about him being just as stubborn. We stared each other down for a few seconds.

Then Baek Mugyeong slowly raked a hand through his hair. It was a sign he was holding back his anger, but I wasn’t scared.

I didn’t want to go to the hospital, but if he insisted, I’d have no choice. Still, I had to speak my mind or I’d explode.

“Let’s at least get a doctor to examine me first, then decide.”

“Alright.”

Baek Mugyeong offered a compromise and held out his hand. I took it and stood up slowly.

His large, firm hand was warm. Just holding it lightly made me feel a little safer.

*

Surrounded by bodyguards, I traveled from the hotel to the hospital, then home. It was awkward, this had never happened before, but I couldn’t avoid it.

As expected, the doctor said I didn’t need to be hospitalized. Baek Mugyeong tried to pressure him, but the middle-aged doctor respected my opinion.

When we got home, Baek Mugyeong acted like a full-on caretaker. There was a housekeeper for the weekend, but he fetched water and an ice pack himself.

He watched to make sure I took my painkillers and even helped me take off my jacket. Even though I could’ve done it alone, he was insistent. He didn’t leave the bedroom until I was lying down with the ice pack on my head.

Once I was alone, I finally relaxed. But the memory of what almost happened chilled my chest and made my hands shake.

I told myself over and over that I was safe now, but fear still surged in waves and my heart pounded unevenly. Strength would suddenly enter my limbs, then leave again.

Being powerless and overwhelmed by violence brought back memories of the moment I was almost killed by Jeong Guhyeon.

“Is this what PTSD feels like?”

The nightmares had mostly stopped. Counseling helped. But I still wasn’t over it completely.

My racing heartbeat thudded in my ears. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh on purpose. I mumbled to myself that everything ended well, there were no problems, and everything would be fine. After a while, the cold sweat subsided and I came back to my senses.

I needed to shower and change clothes, but I felt too lazy. I told myself I’d just close my eyes for a moment, and ended up falling asleep.

When I opened them again, it was almost nine o’clock.

“Ow…”

I jumped up in surprise, then doubled over from the pain in my stomach. My whole body ached like I’d been beaten to a pulp. Which, honestly, I had – but still, it was too much.