PO 66

“Cheating?”

“Yeah. I overheard people talking about it. He’d set up a whole other household and was living there until it all blew up. So they say he got kicked out penniless.”

Hearing this unexpected news, Woojeong, who had been sitting blankly, gave a weak laugh. Wasn’t this marriage one he wanted to protect so badly he pretended not to see his child suffering? But hearing that he hadn’t even been faithful in that marriage, that he’d cheated, left him speechless.

“It might just be a rumor. Don’t worry too much about it.” Seo Junho, perhaps feeling he had shared unnecessary news, apologized and tried to comfort Woojeong.

That evening, after meeting Seo Junho, Woojeong asked Han Jaegang about his father. He listened, then sat beside him and took his hand.

“Do you want to know how your father is doing?”

“…..Yes.”

“Your friend was right. He got caught cheating, got divorced, and was practically kicked out with nothing. The work he did for Kang Eonju’s father’s company was also full of problems, so he got called in all over the place over that and suffered greatly. Of course, the affair with the other woman ended. Now he lives alone in a one room apartment. With no one to take care of, he just has to look after himself. He’ll manage somehow.”

Han Jaegang, who seemed to have been keeping tabs on Lee Iljun’s situation, explained it to Woojeong without hesitation. After staying silently by his side for a moment, giving him time to think about his father, he asked again.

“Do you want to forgive him?”

Woojeong, who had been stroking his belly, leaned his head against Han Jaegang’s shoulder and shook it silently. Han Jaegang rested his head against his and added a few more words.

“If you change your mind, tell me anytime. Even if you want to help your father, that’s not wrong either. What matters most to me is that you feel at ease. I want you to do whatever you want to do.”

Only after moving far away from that spot did Woojeong realize how painful and difficult that time had been for him. He might change his mind later, but for now, he didn’t want to see his father. Nothing mattered more to Woojeong right now than Han Jaegang and the baby growing inside him.

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As winter approached, Snow Reflection Residence was busy preparing to welcome the new family member. He tidied every corner of the house and brought in necessary items. Han Jaegang’s grandparents, eagerly awaiting their soon-to-be-born great-grandson, sent Woojeong food they thought he’d like and baby essentials almost daily.

The baby’s room was chosen as the one closest to their bedroom. They brought in low furniture and a crib, and hung curtains in warm colors. One wall was covered in colorful wallpaper, and Han Jaegang personally hung a spinning mobile above the crib. The small room, bathed in the most sunlight, became the coziest space in the Snow Reflection Residence.

Wearing Han Jaegang’s cardigan, Woojeong headed to the baby’s room. He visited the nursery several times a day to spend time there, he discovered an unfamiliar object on the crib. Approaching the crib, Woojeong picked it up. It was a doll with a round face and long limbs, looking perfect for a baby to hug. Examining the doll dressed in a yellow baby duck-patterned outfit, Woojeong marveled at the meticulous stitching.

“Do you like it?”

Han Jaegang, who had followed him in, asked softly as he embraced him from behind. Woojeong rested his head against his chest and moved the doll’s arms.

“You really finished it?”

“Yeah, stuffing it was trickier than I thought.”

The doll was handmade by Han Jaegang using a doll-making kit Han Jaehee had brought. He had taken it home and worked on it whenever he had a moment, clutching fabric and needles. True to his meticulous nature, the stitching was as neat as if done by machine, with the pattern on the seams aligning perfectly. The baby could now fall asleep with the doll his daddy had lovingly stitched together, one stitch at a time.

“I think I’m dreaming.”

“About what?”

“Just that everything is so wonderful.”

Han Jaegang, whose lips had been resting on his neck, smiled. Having now learned how to pour affection into someone, he often found himself feeling the same happiness just seeing his joy.

“I’ve already thought about everything to do after the baby is born.”

“Things to do with the baby?”

“No. With what Woojeong want to do. Study, work, whatever you want to do.”

Woojeong lifted his head and looked at Han Jaegang. They were quietly locked in a gaze when he gently kissed him.

“Ah.”

Woojeong let out a short moan. Holding Han Jaegang’s arm as he looked at him questioningly, he blinked rapidly and brought his hand to his stomach. Sensing something was wrong, Han Jaegang quickly supported him.

“What should I do? My stomach hurts…”

•••

The beach, tucked away between small cliffs, was quiet, as if cut off from the world. Fine sand sparkled like jewels in the sunlight, while the sound of waves rolling in and breaking, and the salty breeze, drifted busily.

Large parasols stood tall on the beach, which barred outsiders. A rustling sound came from the picnic mat spread beneath the deep blue umbrella shade. The baby, who had been sleeping soundly, had awakened. Crawling all the way to the edge of the mat, the baby reached out toward the sand. Finally able to touch the sand without adult interference, the tiny hands wiggled.

The baby watched the fine sand slipping through his tiny fingers with wonder, occasionally giggling to himself. Eyes as black as go stones scanned the surroundings. Spotting a small shovel nearby, the baby began scooping sand with clumsy hands and filling the cargo bed of his favorite toy truck.

So absorbed in the task, beads of sweat began forming on the baby’s nicely tanned forehead, darkened from days of playing at the beach. Lifting the barely filled truck bed and spilling the sand, the child clapped excitedly. The baby, who had briefly cringed from the sand flying everywhere, spotted a familiar figure not far away on the beach.

“Ah…”

His lips, still unable to form words properly, fluttered. The baby, pushing up from the sand, hesitated for a moment before taking a step onto the sand. Forgetting where he had been headed, he wiggled his toes buried in the sand before turning his head at the sound of waves in the distance.

The baby began walking toward the distant figure seen from behind. Yoon Hyunjun, who had been nodding off under the parasol, sensed the empty spot, opened his eyes, and witnessed the baby’s escape.

“Hey, you little rascal. Where are you going?”

Hearing the call, the baby stopped, turned around, pointed with his adorable little hand toward the distance, and started walking again.

“Where are you going?! It’s hot, come to Uncle.”

Yoon Hyunjun tried clapping his hands and waving a toy to lure the baby back, but soon gave up, covering his mouth with his hand.

“Hey! The kid’s gone!”

The man standing alone on the beach turned at the loud voice. His eyes softened when he spotted the toddler toddling toward him.

“Come here.”

Instead of walking to the baby, he sat down and spread his arms wide. The beach sunset, just beginning to dip, illuminated the baby’s bright, smiling face.

After walking quickly and stumbling once, the baby lay on his stomach and lifted his head. Hesitating whether to cry, the baby soon bravely stood up again. He began walking toward the arms before him, kicking at the sand. A bright smile filled his dark eyes.

“Da..d!”

Finally reaching close to the man, the baby spread his arms just as he had.

“Good job!”

The man slipped his hands under the baby’s armpits, lifted him up, and swung him high in the air. Spinning him round and round, he cooed at the baby, who laughed so hard he seemed to gasp for breath. At the sound of the baby’s laughter, like rolling beads, the man couldn’t help but smile too.

“My son came to Daddy.”

Han Jaegang, joyfully reunited with his son, held the baby securely with one arm. The baby, who knew how to be held by his big dad, placed his arms on his shoulders. The soft skin touching his bare chest felt warm and cozy.

Though he had confidently predicted a girl due to his peach pregnancy dream, contrary to Han Jaegang’s expectations, the baby in Woojeong’s womb was a spirited boy. It was the first new life born into the family in far too long.

His grandmother, who had come to see the newborn, was moved to tears, saying it reminded her of Han Jaegang as a child. His grandfather, delighted to hear the great-grandson bore a striking resemblance to his grandson and was a dominant male alpha, asked Woojeong if there was anything he wanted.

Han Jaegang, carrying the baby, walked over to the parasol where Yoon Hyunjun lay and tossed a handful of sand onto the mat.

“You should be watching the baby properly.”

“Hey. When he was following me around saying he liked me, where were you? He just ran off the moment he saw you. I don’t need any of that.”

“Isn’t that obvious? Whose son is he?”

At Han Jaegang’s words, Idam rested his head on his shoulder and wiggled his tiny fingers. It was their private, agreed-upon gesture.

The baby, who had eaten well and slept soundly since infancy, was gentle and smiled often, monopolizing the adults’ affection. Of course, his angelic, beautiful appearance, which drew attention wherever he went, played a big part too. Every time Han Jaegang held the small, infinitely adorable child in his arms, his heart swelled.

Idam still couldn’t even say “Daddy” properly, but when they quietly locked eyes, he could feel how much the baby depended on him.

“Hey. Let’s go eat dinner. ……Guess today’s our last day here too.”

Yoon Hyunjun checked his phone, stood up, and brushed sand off his clothes. The dad, busy playing with the baby in his arms, only tidied up after Yoon Hyunjun had walked away.

Han Jaegang had rented a secluded, detached villa-style resort in Namhae for their summer vacation. With multiple rooms available, he invited anyone with time to join. Yoon Hyunjun and Yoon Ijun, Han Jaehee and Seo Junho had come to visit and were spending the vacation together.

Shouldering the bag containing the baby’s belongings, Han Jaegang handed the baby his most cherished toy, a dump truck, and headed for the resort.

Outside the accommodation, preparations for dinner were in full swing on the terrace. Staff bustled back and forth setting tables, while delicious aromas wafted from the barbecue grill set up in one corner.

“Ah. I’m starving. Honestly, taking care of kids is the hardest thing in the world.”

“Are you sure you took care him? Maybe it was the baby taking care of you?”

“Of course, noona. You know how much Idam likes me.”

“Idam, come to Auntie! Oh, you’re so pretty.”

When Han Jaehee, who had come to greet them, held out her arms, the docile Idam moved toward her. Unable to move an inch, she responded to every babble and gently brushed the sand off the child’s body.

“Is Idam thirsty? Shall I get him some water?”

At her words, Idam mimicked drinking water. While she fetched water and fed it to the baby, Han Jaegang, who had been looking around, asked,

“Where’s Woojeong?”

“He went in a moment ago to rest. Go get him. We need to feed him dinner.”

“Okay. I’ll take a quick shower and come out with you.”

As Han Jaegang entered the villa, he spotted Yoon Ijun and Seo Junho engrossed in a game in the first-floor playroom. Though they had met here for the first time, being the same age, they had bonded easily. With Woojeong joining in, the three of them were often seen playing together.

Han Jaegang walked straight up to the third floor where his family lived. Woojeong was asleep on the quiet living room sofa. After spending the morning playing in the water with the baby for a long time, he must have been exhausted; he didn’t stir even at the sound of footsteps.

Han Jaegang muffled his footsteps as he headed for the bathroom. Holding the cold showerhead, he let the water run over his warm body and fell into thought for a moment.

It had been an incredibly long time since his parents passed away that he had spent a vacation like this. As a child, he had had no interest in trips like this, and after starting work, he had been so busy he hadn’t even considered taking a vacation. Even when he did get a chance to rest, his memories were only of boringly holing up alone at home, catching up on sleep or reading books.

A vacation spent with friends gathering and making noise wasn’t as bad as he had imagined. Moreover, since Idam was good with people, he could enjoy a rare moment of leisure with his friends.

After washing up, Han Jaegang shook his hair dry and stepped out of the bathroom. Whether he had woken up sensing movement or not, Woojeong was sitting blankly on the sofa.

Seeing Han Jaegang approach, Woojeong spread his arms wide. The sight reminded him of Idam running towards him just moments ago. The two looked exactly alike, utterly adorable.

“Did you rest well?”

Han Jaegang asked as he approached, then lifted Woojeong into his arms and sat down on the sofa. Now accustomed to this, Woojeong rested his head on Han Jaegang’s shoulder just as Idam had done.

“Yes. What about Idam?”

“He’s with my sister.”

After giving birth, Woojeong struggled for a while, his recovery slow. Despite being so unwell he had collapsed while walking, he stubbornly insisted on caring for the baby himself. It seemed he had developed a strange obsession, unable to bear even a moment without seeing the baby, overcome by anxiety.

At first, Han Jaegang understood his feelings and accommodated him. But seeing Woojeong struggle for days on end, he made a decision. He entrusted the baby to professionals and began caring for Woojeong himself.

“The baby is fine. Experts are watching over him 24/7, so there’s nothing to worry about. You’re only worried about the baby, but I’m more worried about you. You need to recover first before you can see the baby.”

Even when Woojeong pleaded, even when he cried that he wanted to see the baby, he absolutely refused to let him. Unable to break his resolve, Woojeong could only see the baby again after several days of eating well, resting deeply, and regaining his strength.

“Did you rest well?”

“Yes. I like it here. People come together, and Idam is excited too.”

“I hope Woojeong enjoys it too.”

“I really like it too.”

“……Kiss me.”

Han Jaegang’s whispering lips were already almost touching his. Woojeong wrapped his arms around his neck and lowered his head, meeting his soft, plump lips.

Woojeong’s skin tasted sweet. Han Jaegang slipped his hand inside his loose T-shirt and caressed his bare skin. He had intended to pull away quickly, but the soft sensation made it hard to move his hand.

“Haa…….”

“Should we go to the room?”

It was then Han Jaegang whispered teasingly.

“Woojeong. Come down, dinner’s ready……My God.”

Yoon Hyunjun, climbing the stairs, turned in disgust and ran back down. Han Jaegang grabbed the flustered Woojeong as he tried to get up and pulled him back into his embrace.

“We have to finish the kiss first.”

Han Jaegang held Woojeong close and began kissing him. He showered tender kisses not just on his lips, but on his forehead, cheeks, the corners of his eyes, the tip of his nose, and even his earlobes. Smack, smack, the sound of skin touching and parting mingled with Woojeong’s laughter.

“Abu!”

When Woojeong came down to the outdoor terrace, Idam, who had been sitting quietly in Han Jaehee’s arms, screamed and squirmed.

“Kyaa!”

“Oh dear, I know. He takes after his daddy, such a little sweetheart.”

As she carefully set him down on the floor, Idam began toddling toward Woojeong.

“Idam, did you have a good time?”

Though they had only been apart for a few hours, Idam seemed to have much to say, his voice sweet and adorable. After babbling for a while, Idam burrowed into Woojeong’s arms. Then, he fiddled with Woojeong’s arm and burped. It was his habit when sleepy.

Maybe he had been waiting for Woojeong while fighting sleep, Idam fell asleep instantly at the soothing touch. His soft, peaceful breathing was adorable.

“Should I hold him?”

“It’s okay.”

“Here. Come sit down.”

People brought over plenty of food for Woojeong, who was holding the baby. Thinking it was already the last day of vacation, people began sharing drinks, feeling regretful.

Han Jaegang, carrying two glasses of cold beer, took a seat next to Woojeong. The laughter and chatter of the gathered group sounded cheerful. Amidst the noise, Han Jaegang rested his chin on his hand and quietly watched Woojeong.

“Woojeong.”

Woojeong, who had been smiling while watching Yoon Yijoon and Seo Junho bickering, turned his head. It still sometimes felt unbelievable that Woojeong, with his still-youthful face, was smiling so happily right beside him like this.

Whenever something joyful happened, Woojeong would say, “It feels like a dream.” Han Jaegang felt that same sensation now.

“…It really does feel like a dream.”

Though the final night of their vacation deepened, Han Jaegang felt no regret. For him, there was Woojeong, Idam, and the happy home they would return to together.

『Pheromone Obsession』

Complete