PO 46

From dawn Woojeong started to run a slight fever, and he couldn’t regain his strength. Han Jaegang forced him awake when he only slept all day, and he asked him where he felt pain, but Woojeong only muttered that his stomach hurt, and he fell asleep again.

“There doesn’t seem to be any particular abnormality. His stamina has fallen a lot, and fatigue has piled up, so that can happen, and another possibility is…….”

On his day off, Kim Junghyun had been called even to the Snow Reflection Residence to check Woojeong’s condition, and he gave a dry cough with an awkward face.

“Another possibility?”

From the first day Woojeong lived in the new room, he started to fall ill, and Han Jaegang grew extremely nervous. He urged for an answer with a rigid face. Kim Junghyun pointed to the living room, and only after they stepped outside did he speak.

“……It may be knotting aftereffects.”

Han Jaegang squinted his eyes as he heard those words for the first time in his life. He crossed his arms and looked down at him to demand that he explain what he meant.

“After knotting, symptoms like that often appear. It is difficult to assert what the cause is. It may be because the Executive Director’s pheromones are especially strong, or it may be because the patient’s constitution is weak from birth.”

Han Jaegang furrowed his brow as he recalled last night. The knotting felt as if instinct drove reason away and seized that place.

When he thought of how he had held Woojeong again and again even as he went limp from exhaustion, it was clear he hadn’t been in his right mind.

“What are the original symptoms?”

“If knotting happened when he wasn’t prepared, his body couldn’t help but suffer. Usually lower stomach pain, headaches, or body aches appear.”

“What is the solution?”

At the urgent question, Kim Junghyun took Han Jaegang’s hand and patted the back to calm him.

“For now, calm down. If he takes medicine, he will gradually get better. And for the time being…….” Kim Junghyun pointed at the closed door and gave an awkward smile.

“Avoiding sex will help his recovery. And Executive Director, make time tomorrow or another day to come by the center. Get an examination.”

Feeling that the state of the patient he had long overseen wasn’t normal, Kim Junghyun felt the necessity of a checkup and urged him several times. But the very person concerned did not pay heed to his words.

Han Jaegang carried the tray Madam Kwak had prepared and went into Woojeong’s room. Woojeong lay at the end of the wide bed.

“You will fall off like this.”

“Mm…….”

Woojeong, who seemed to be in deep sleep, shifted his body. He groaned a few times and clutched his stomach, and he curled up. Soon only his faint breath could be heard as he had gone back to sleep like that.

Han Jaegang put the tray down on the nightstand, and he sat quietly on one side of the bed. Then he gently stroked Woojeong’s sleeping face.

Unlike Kim Junghyun’s words who had said it was knotting aftereffects, Woojeong’s sleeping face looked peaceful, and that was a relief.

Han Jaegang was a man who had never once had deep affection for anyone from the start. Naturally, he was clumsy at caring for others, and his consideration was awkward.

But when he saw Woojeong sick or struggling, his chest grew heavy. When there was no way he could do something for him, he would only get angry.

<I donor know if it is right for me to just keep receiving like this. Thank you.>

<…. Because Executive Director Han is a kind person.>

<If I hadn’t met Executive Director, how would I be living right now? Sometimes, I am afraid this might not be reality. What if it is a dream?>

<Why are you so good to me. I have nothing to give you…….>

When Woojeong spoke like that, Han Jaegang always felt lost as to how he should answer.

From the beginning, the reason he became interested in Lee Woojeong was because of his pheromones. After he realized that Woojeong’s pheromones had a positive effect on him, he intentionally drew him closer.

At some moment his body, which had reached its limit, desperately wanted Lee Woojeong. Han Jaegang tried to tame Woojeong well and hold him at his side. He thought there was no reason to mix emotions into it.

Woojeong, who once tried to push him away because of the guilt that he was his brother’s blind date, eventually remained at his side as he intended. Han Jaegang watched Woojeong gradually trust him, rely on him, and grow special feelings.

Even while he worried about Woojeong and fretted over him, he didn’t properly realize how his own heart was changing.

Han Jaegang lightly shook Woojeong’s shoulder and woke him. He carefully sat up the still drowsy Woojeong and handed him the medicine he had brought.

“…….”

Woojeong, who had already vomited up all the porridge he had been forced to eat, shook his head weakly.

“If you take the medicine you will calm down a little.”

On Han Jaegang’s palm lay a painkiller and a morning after pill. Woojeong put one of the two pills in his mouth and swallowed it. Barely managing to swallow the pill, Woojeong slowly steadied his breath and covered his mouth.

“What’s wrong?”

“My stomach…….”

Woojeong, who even found it hard to speak, finally vomited. Along with the water he had swallowed, the pill that had only partly dissolved flowed back out.

Han Jaegang waited for him to calm down for a moment so that he could give it again, but Woojeong shook his head weakly and said he couldn’t take it.

“Fine, then rest a little and take it later.”

Han Jaegang laid Woojeong down again, pulled off the wet blanket, and held him in his arms. He was about to go out to ask Madam Kwak for a new blanket, but he suddenly stopped his steps.

Woojeong was holding his hand. Unable to eat food or medicine, only holding tightly onto two of his fingers to rely on, his figure felt pitiful and dear.

Instead of leaving the room, he put the blanket down on the floor and climbed onto the bed.

“Come here.”

He slid his arm under Woojeong’s neck and slowly pulled him, and the thin body fell weakly into his arms. Han Jaegang quietly patted Woojeong’s thin back.

Not long ago he had never even imagined such a situation, but now it had become a familiar daily life.

“Mm…….”

In his arms, Woojeong rubbed his forehead against his neck and hugged his waist tightly. Han Jaegang gladly embraced Woojeong even tighter.

Han Jaegang focused on the warmth in his arms and Woojeong’s scent that had now become so familiar. Woojeong’s breath also calmed.

•••

A few days later, Woojeong, who had fully recovered, left the Snow Reflection Residence in the middle of the day at Han Jaegang’s call. It was strange that he called him out when it was the time to be working at the company, but Han Jaegang said nothing and quickly drove after picking him up.

“Where are we going now?”

“You will know as we go.”

It was exactly as Han Jaegang said. As the car went on, the street scenery that grew more and more familiar came into sight, and Woojeong could guess where he was heading.

The car arrived at Woojeong’s family home as expected. Han Jaegang did not park the car near the house, and he naturally opened the garage door with his phone and drove in to park.

“Let’s go in.”

For a moment Woojeong’s head became complicated. Why could he open the door of this house, and why had he brought him here? Not knowing the reason made him anxious.

Woojeong, who followed him into the entrance, froze in surprise. When he had walked past the garden, he had somehow felt that the house was disorderly, and only after stepping inside did he understand the reason.

Whatever had happened in the meantime, the house was empty without a single piece of furniture or household item.

Since Kang Eonju had liked this house very much and had no thought of moving, it was all the more strange.

“Why is the house…….”

Woojeong asked as he looked at the white dust settled in the places where furniture had been. Han Jaegang, who entered with his shoes still on, carried over the one chair left in a corner of the living room, set it down, and answered.

“They moved.”

Although he had thought he wouldn’t see his family again for a long time, Woojeong couldn’t hide startled expression at the sudden situation.

“By any chance…… did Executive Director make them move?”

“In a way, yes. I bought this house.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t want to see those people living here any longer.”

Woojeong blinked rapidly and asked.

“Do you know where my family went?”

Han Jaegang put his hand in his pants pocket, and he slowly walked around inside the house as he looked. He moved his steps toward the wall, and he picked up a small framed picture left on the shelf.

“Your family? ……Whose story should I tell first?”

He set down the picture frame that showed Kang Eonju and Lee Doyoung holding each other affectionately, and he spoke.

“First, Kang Eonju is hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital.”

“……..”

“I didn’t put her in there, so there is no need for you to make that face. She is in treatment because her alcohol addiction is severe. Her father is very angry, so she won’t be able to come out for some time. Even if she comes out, hard days will be waiting. As for Lee Iljun…….”

Han Jaegang trailed off and stepped closer to Woojeong. He brushed Woojeong’s cheek lightly, and he continued.

“Your father is staying at his wife’s parents’ house now. Since Kang Eonju is not beside him, he has become a scarecrow. But there are not many days left for him to live comfortably like that.” While he was telling Woojeong about Lee Iljun’s recent state, the sound of the doorbell rang. The unusually loud sound echoed like a reverberation in the empty living room.

“They arrived right on time. You can check for yourself how Lee Doyoung is.” He walked to the intercom, looked at Lee Doyoung’s face on the screen for a moment, pressed the button, and opened the door. After enough time passed for him to cross the garden, the sound of knocking at the front door was heard.

It felt very strange that Lee Doyoung rang the bell of this house and carefully knocked on the door as if he were visiting someone else’s home. To Woojeong, it had always been familiar that he threw the door wide open and walked in confidently.

This time too, Han Jaegang himself opened the door. At the sight of Lee Doyoung entering behind him, Woojeong stepped back.

Lee Doyoung’s complexion didn’t look good. Han Jaegang went back to Woojeong’s side, stood together with him, and greeted him.

“Welcome. Did you finish the police investigation?”

At Han Jaegang’s unexpected words, Woojeong looked up at him. He explained flatly as if it were nothing.

“Our side reported Lee Doyoung for aggravated assault. Since he hit the head of an unguarded person with a weapon and injured him, of course he must pay for his crime.”

Lee Doyoung looked at the two standing side by side with a face that showed he couldn’t believe it. But he unusually kept his mouth tightly shut and couldn’t speak.

“So, did your lawyer say it would be difficult to get a suspended sentence?” Han Jaegang asked in a cold voice.

“Our lawyer sees the possibility of a prison sentence as high. Since you hit the victim with a weapon and caused serious injury, and since you locked the victim who had fainted while bleeding in a small room and left him there, interfering with rescue, just that fact alone makes the crime judged as very serious.”

“…….”

“Besides, since it happened inside a closed space like a house, if the situation is proven properly, it can also be applied as a domestic violence crime.”

“Jaegang-ssi. I didn’t do it intentionally. I really…….”

“I’m not in the mood to leisurely listen to excuses, so what now? Did you bring what you needed?” With a crestfallen face, Lee Doyoung hesitated and then pulled a white envelope out of his pocket. Han Jaegang explained the situation to Woojeong.

“Right now Lee Doyoung came to ask you for a petition. Lee Woojeong, what do you think. Do you want to write it for him?”

Woojeong quietly looked at Lee Doyoung, who stood with his eyes down. He didn’t know what to do, so he couldn’t answer.

“If it were me, of course I would refuse, but since Lee Woojeong is kind, you might grant it. What do you think, Lee Doyoung? If you want to get a signature on the papers you brought, make some effort.”

“What…….”

“If it were me, I would start with a proper apology. As polite and respectful as possible.” At Han Jaegang’s words, Lee Doyoung lowered his gaze. Standing vacantly in the space that had once been the most comfortable home for him, lost in thought, he finally raised his head as he had decided.

He looked at Woojeong with determined eyes, different from when he faced Han Jaegang, and he spoke quickly.

“I am sorry. I guess I was not in my right mind.”

Han Jaegang let out an exaggerated sigh and slowly sat down on the chair he had placed, then he took out his phone.

“Do you think you can get a signature on the petition like that?” Lee Doyoung looked back at him with a face that seemed to say he was being unfair. Han Jaegang turned away indifferently.

As Woojeong fidgeted between the two, Han Jaegang took his hand to reassure him. That action comforted Woojeong, and at the same time it became an effective means of pressure on Lee Doyoung.

At this moment, nothing that Lee Doyoung possessed could give him strength. That petty power was useless in front of the bigger and stronger force called Han Jaegang.

Not only Lee Doyoung, but the entire family was suffering from bad events. Even his maternal grandfather’s company, which had managed to run without major problems, had no quiet day because of all sorts of issues.

It was not hard to guess that behind it stood Han Jaegang. But since no one knew how far his hand would reach to cause trouble, they lived in fear.

“Don’t you know what to do?”

“…. I will apologize. Properly.”

“Good. Then start by kneeling.”

Lee Doyoung looked down at the dust-covered floor. His eyes welled with tears at the miserable feeling that was hard to describe.

Clenching both hands and biting his lips until bled, Lee Doyoung slowly collapsed on his knees.

Looking only at the floor, he bowed his head to Woojeong.

“I am sorry, Woojeong-ah. I did something I should not have done to you. I was really wrong.” Woojeong silently looked down at Lee Doyoung kneeling before him. He felt something strange and hard to describe.

Until now, Lee Doyoung had been like the king of this house. Having monopolized Kang Eonju’s affection, he was the one who held the power, and Woojeong was always the weak one who could do nothing but endure whatever he suffered.

From childhood, he had always been a fearful presence to Woojeong. Since he could be laughing just a moment before and suddenly turn angry and torment him, Woojeong could never know when he would change.

But that man was now kneeling before him. Was receiving an apology something so easy?

Woojeong felt bitter and empty.

Of course, Lee Doyoung kneeling wasn’t an action that came from sincerity. He yielded before Han Jaegang’s strength, and it was nothing but a means to get what he needed.

“……What are you sorry for?”

“What?”

“Are you sorry that you hit my head with the flower vase? Or are you sorry that you tormented me from childhood?”

Lee Doyoung looked up at Woojeong with a stunned face. He hadn’t expected Woojeong to say that.

Woojeong couldn’t forgive him like this. To Lee Doyoung, who did not even know what he had done wrong, he did not want to give any help. Woojeong held tightly onto Han Jaegang’s hand to rely on and spoke again.

“The reason this house was like hell was because of you more than because of mother. You knew well how to make me suffer and struggle. Why did you go that far? Did you hate me that much? I was only a powerless child…… Why did you hate me and torment me like that?”

“Hey. Lee Woojeong…….”

Woojeong’s voice, which revealed the feelings he had been repressing for the first time in front of Lee Doyoung, trembled. Unlike Kang Eonju, who was always busy and rarely at home, Lee Doyoung, who spent much time with him, knew better than anyone about Woojeong.

He clutched his younger brother who couldn’t even resist in his grip, and he tormented him by swinging him around however he pleased as if he was playing with a toy. Memories that never faded no matter how much time passed flashed in his head, and Woojeong’s breath quickened.

“I won’t forgive you, hyung. I don’t care what happens to you. So…… never appear before me again.”

Woojeong made his will clear as he looked at Lee Doyoung. Though he couldn’t hide the trembling in his voice, he no longer avoided his eyes or trailed off like before.

When he turned his head after finishing his words, Han Jaegang, who had been watching with a calm face, nodded to say he had done well. Woojeong turned with a rigid face and headed to the second floor. He no longer wanted to face Lee Doyoung.

As Woojeong slowly climbed the stairs, Han Jaegang’s voice reached his ear.

“Since he himself says he doesn’t want to sign the petition, I cannot help it either. It’s a pity.”

“But you said if he came here and apologized and begged, you would grant it.”

“You must listen to people’s words correctly. I said I might grant it, I never promised that I would. Anyway, it is something I cannot write for him.”

“Why on earth are you going this far in Woojeong’s matter?”

“Stop and get up.”

Han Jaegang quietly rose from the chair, grabbed Lee Doyoung’s arm, and pulled him up. He dragged him roughly to the entrance, opened the front door, and shoved him outside.

“Isn’t it a little embarrassing to ask that?”

“…….”

“When you tormented Lee Woojeong, it wasn’t as if you had some particular reason either.” Han Jaegang smirked and closed the front door. As the door lock clicked, he heard the sound of Lee Doyoung pounding the door and shouting in rage, but he ignored it and went up to the second floor.

Woojeong was in his own room at the end of the hallway. Even though they had moved out and taken all the things in the house, it seemed that only this room had not been touched, and it looked the same as when he had lived there. Han Jaegang stepped closer to Woojeong and asked.

“Do you have anything you want to take?”

Woojeong, who had been sitting quietly on the bed, lifted his head. After he looked slowly around the room at the old furniture and familiar belongings for a long time, he quietly shook his head. He didn’t want to take anything that might remind him of painful memories.

“Then, shall we go now?”

Woojeong quietly looked at the hand Han Jaegang extended to him. The fact that beside him there was someone who understood him, acknowledged him, and wanted to resolve things together made him feel full.

“Thank you.”

Woojeong took the hand that Han Jaegang extended and stood up, and he buried his face in his chest. As Woojeong hugged his waist tightly and murmured thanks several more times, Han Jaegang stroked his nape softly to say he understood.

“There is no need for thanks.”