AOA 85

“You need to know whether Baek Yeongseop is using you.”

“Using me how?”

“Are you really that clueless? You’ve been passing my information to Baek Yeongseop.”

“What information? I don’t even know anything about you. And it’s true that you want to go back to the US. If Vice President Baek Jaehan knows that, he won’t try to keep you in check anymore. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Angrily, I fired back with everything on my mind at Baek Mugyeong’s nonsense. I didn’t know what kind of misunderstanding he had, but I couldn’t just sit quietly.

“How do you know that?”

His tone shifted back to how he usually spoke, and for the first time, an expression appeared on his stiff face. His eyes widened slightly, as if my words had caught him off guard.

“How could I not know?”

“Go on, then.”

“I’m not stupid. Vice President Baek Jaehan didn’t want to hand DS Motors over to you, so he married you off to me. I don’t know if my father ever told you, but when I went in for the full medical checkup Baek Jaehan suggested, I got an inhibitor injection without my consent. To keep me from manifesting. I even have the test report as proof. You gave me birth control pills for the same reason, didn’t you? Anyone with half a brain could figure that out. And for the record, I really hate Baek Yeongseop. The way he talks disgusts me, and I can’t stand the sight of him. And like I said, I don’t know anything about you, so there’s nothing to pass along to that bastard.”

As I explained everything in detail, my anger welled up to the point that my eyes started to sting. But I didn’t cry. I couldn’t show tears in front of Baek Mugyeong again.

“Fine. Think whatever you want.”

I hated that I even had to prove my innocence to him. It’s not like we were a real married couple anyway. We didn’t even see each other once a week, how was that a marriage?

We were already scheduled to divorce in three years, when he moved to the US. Until then, I had hoped to maintain a decent relationship, but I wasn’t going to let myself be walked over like an idiot. If we had to spend three years in a lousy relationship, so be it.

Having said everything I wanted, I turned around. Huffing with anger, I started walking away when Baek Mugyeong stepped in front of me.

“What now? Do you have something to say?”

“You’re just going to walk away like this?”

“You’re the one who made me angry. Over a stupid business card.”

“……”

He looked like he was about to say something but stopped. His face twisted with frustration, and he let out a heavy sigh, shoulders rising with the force of it. Then he ran a hand through his hair, like he was trying to calm himself.

I was about to walk past him when I stopped. He used to apologize so easily before, but this time his lips were sealed like a clam. It was like he was holding something back.

Just wait. If you don’t apologize, it’s over.

Determined, I hardened my expression and glared at him. It wouldn’t intimidate Baek Mugyeong, but I still wanted him to see that I was angry.

Honestly, I really wanted to kick him in the shins.

“You’re standing in my way. Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Jeong Minchae.”

“Yes?”

“Will you go to the US?”

Caught off guard by his unexpected suggestion, my eyes widened. The US? Out of nowhere? I had no idea what he was getting at.

“Me? The US?”

“Jeong Guhyeon is on the west coast, so the east would be better. If you don’t like the US, Europe is fine too. Just think of it as an extended trip abroad.”

“Wait… what trip? All of a sudden?”

“It would be safer for you to leave Korea.”

I was at a loss for words. Just moments ago, he’d acted like I was some kind of villain for accepting a business card from Baek Yeongseop, and now he was talking about my safety? My head was spinning.

Still, the idea of leaving Korea sent a chill down my spine. I knew exactly what kind of person Baek Jaehan, Baek Yeongseop’s father, was. If Baek Mugyeong was saying this, something was definitely going on.

“Wait. Is something bad going to happen?”

“If you don’t have a child, your father will threaten you. If you do have a child, my uncle will. And there’s still the issue with Baek Yeongseop. You’ll be safer living overseas and only returning occasionally. I’ll cover your travel expenses and your brother’s medical bills.”

He was deadly serious. Mentioning travel costs and my brother’s treatment made it clear that he meant it.

“You’ll pay for the treatment?”

“If you’re abroad, Chairman Jeong is likely to cut off support for your brother’s care.”

“That’s true, but… I still don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

After a brief pause, I asked the question that had been on my mind the most. He wasn’t wrong about what he said, but I couldn’t figure out why he suddenly wanted to help me.

Our relationship had improved somewhat compared to before my regression, when we were practically strangers. I’d manifested as an omega, which had led to us sleeping together a few times. We’d talked more, argued, and had emotional clashes.

But even so, we weren’t close enough for him to suddenly worry about my safety, offer to send me abroad, and cover all the costs.

I looked at him with suspicion, and Baek Mugyeong fell silent.

Silence was familiar between us. As we stared at each other, our usual standoff resumed.

It was late April, springtime, and the weather was clear. With the trees and flowers of the museum garden behind him, I met his gaze head-on.

After a long standoff, he finally sighed and spoke again.

“I’m worried about you.”

So it was pity after all. He was worried I’d return to my abusive family after the divorce. This wasn’t as miserable as back then, but it still left me feeling crumpled inside.

“Are you pitying me?”

I immediately regretted asking that. Baek Mugyeong frowned deeply.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s fine. I mean, it makes sense. But going abroad isn’t that easy for me.”

“Jeong Minchae.”

“Just… live your life like before. Stop telling me what to do.”

I tried to sound indifferent, but it wasn’t easy. I hated nothing more than yelling out of emotion, so I fought to stay calm. My eyes stung again, but not enough to cry.

“I’d like to stop caring too. But I can’t. That’s why I’m doing this.”

“That’s…”

I almost asked what the hell that meant. Before and after my regression, it had always been Baek Mugyeong who insisted we not interfere in each other’s lives. So why was he saying this now?

By nature, he was cold. Sure, we’d gotten tangled up emotionally since the regression, but it wasn’t like we’d grown close.

Over the past few months, I’d barely seen his face more than a few times. We lived like strangers. And now, all of a sudden, this?

Baek Mugyeong wore an unreadable expression, one too complicated to describe. He let out another long sigh, running his hand through his hair again.

“I get aroused by you.”

“What… what are you talking about?”

“You heard me right. I said I get aroused.”

I was so shocked I couldn’t even speak.

He definitely said he got aroused. And then he confirmed it again, just in case I’d misunderstood.

Before we got married, Baek Mugyeong had made it clear that even if I were an omega, he didn’t sleep with men. And although we’d ended up sleeping together three times anyway, the last time had been months ago.

Suddenly, memories of those moments came rushing back. Sex with Baek Mugyeong had been terrifyingly good. Just remembering how I panted from the pleasure made a shiver run down my spine.

Most of all, meeting Baek Mugyeong’s unwavering gaze made me feel naked, like I was back in bed with him.

Even though there was no physical contact, my cheeks flushed hot. Under the spring sunlight, I could only hope my red face wasn’t too obvious.

“I hate nothing more than losing control to my impulses. I realized that if we’re alone indoors, I can’t guarantee what might happen. So before that happens, I want you out of my sight.”

“So now you want to pick a fight?”

His conclusion was absurd. Out of sight? Telling someone to disappear wasn’t just cold, it was practically starting a fight.

“I’m warning you that I might end up having sex with you even if you don’t want it. You’re an omega, and I’m an alpha.”

“That’s not a warning. That’s a threat.”

“You can think what you want. My grandfather’s birthday is next month. You can leave after that. Italy would be better than the US, it’s a tourist destination with lots to see. If you don’t like Italy, let me know your preferred country by next week.”

“You’re just deciding everything by yourself…”

I was at a complete loss. Telling me to go to Italy out of the blue was disorienting.

Baek Mugyeong, who now wore a stone-cold expression, stepped closer. He stopped just a few steps away and looked down at me steadily.

“Then will you have sex with me? Right now?”

His pheromones began to leak. Since we were outside, they dispersed quickly, but I still had to take a step back.

Goosebumps rose across my skin as I snapped back to reality. Baek Mugyeong’s calm eyes were dead serious.