Chapter 80
Kim Ji-han handed over his phone for Cheong-yeon to check. The article stated that Alpha heir A of a certain group, known to have recently divorced, had been on a blind date with Omega museum director B.
Cheong-yeon’s brow furrowed deeply as he examined the captured image.
Anyone would know this is talking about Moon Do-heon and Jeon Jun-ho. …Or is it?
In truth, well-bred Omegas involved in art were surprisingly common, so unless one was directly involved, it was impossible to know the exact details from such a vague article.
“Well, he might have gone on a blind date. He’s single now,” Cheong-yeon muttered, trying to appear calm despite his complicated feelings.
“True. Without children, remarrying would be easier. Looks like he’s trying to pick a proper family this time. …Are you okay with this?”
Kim Ji-han, who had been chattering insensitively, belatedly checked Cheong-yeon’s expression to see if he was alright.
Cheong-yeon coolly shrugged as if it didn’t bother him at all.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay? He’s no longer relevant to me, so let’s not talk about this anymore.”
“Hey, hey! If you’re okay, why are you drinking soju straight from the bottle? You crazy bastard!”
“Leave it, I’m fine.”
“You lunatic, put down the bottle and talk.”
“I said I’m fine…”
Despite Kim Ji-han trying to stop him, Cheong-yeon gulped down the remaining soju straight from the bottle.
Eventually, Kim Ji-han, feeling anxious, said it was best to go home early and arbitrarily called a taxi.
Since Cheong-yeon was talking nonsense—saying he was perfectly sober so why take a taxi, and that he would take the KTX instead because it was cheaper—the two argued for quite some time while standing at the pojangmacha.
However, shortly after the taxi arrived, Kim Ji-han forced Cheong-yeon into it, bringing their dispute to a quick end.
Suddenly confined in a taxi heading home, Cheong-yeon crossed his arms sullenly while reeking of alcohol.
“…”
In truth, he had somewhat anticipated this situation. From the beginning, Do-heon needed a well-bred Dominant Omega.
His marriage to Cheong-yeon had been a decision that went against his values from the start. Cheong-yeon had nothing to boast about—not his education, his traits, or his family background.
On top of that, he became unable to fulfill his only duty and use—pregnancy.
It was a natural progression for Do-heon, after divorcing someone like him, to meet another Omega.
While his mind understood this, Cheong-yeon’s emotions couldn’t accept the tabloid-like article Kim Ji-han had shown him.
He was confused because Do-heon’s recent behavior didn’t align with the current situation at all.
Did Do-heon really go on a blind date? If so, why had he been treating Cheong-yeon so well, investing his time? Was it merely habit, as he claimed?
But even if it was simply behavior stemming from their time as a married couple, Do-heon shouldn’t have acted that way with him.
He and Cheong-yeon were in a sponsorship relationship, and this situation was very disrespectful to both Cheong-yeon and the Omega he had met for the blind date.
At the very least, if he was going to go on blind dates, he should have completely settled things with Cheong-yeon first.
Perhaps the effects of carelessly downing soju were finally hitting him, as his vision became all wobbly. Cheong-yeon pressed his forehead and lowered his head.
“Ah.”
After a moment, an exclamation escaped Cheong-yeon’s lips as he realized something.
Could it be that the postponed appointment was because of the blind date?
His rational mind was shouting that Do-heon, as terrible as he might have been as a husband, wasn’t this unreasonable, but once planted, the suspicion refused to fade.
Perhaps due to the alcohol, his thoughts were jumping to more extreme conclusions than usual.
It was also strange that Do-heon had been hard to reach lately. Could it be that the officetel and car gifts meant “take this and leave”? Because he was planning to remarry someone else?
…If so, he’s truly insane. To cut ties so cowardly without a proper explanation—this really wasn’t like him. He should have at least met face-to-face and given a proper explanation.
Cheong-yeon glared out the window with cold eyes, and finally, unable to hold back, called the person in question for an explanation.
However, the call didn’t go through at all, as if Do-heon had turned off his phone. Or had he blocked Cheong-yeon?
Cheong-yeon looked down hopelessly at his darkened phone screen.
What was a way to communicate with Do-heon when he couldn’t be reached?
He considered asking Secretary Shim directly. But he wasn’t the type to freely discuss Do-heon’s private life.
No, was Do-heon really on a business trip to the United States in the first place? He might have just used it as an excuse to avoid Cheong-yeon.
Moreover, if he was in the United States, would he have his phone turned off when he’d be busy with work? As far as Cheong-yeon knew, Do-heon didn’t use a separate phone for business.
Tapping his phone with his fingertips as if pondering, Cheong-yeon soon turned the screen back on. Then he called Do-heon’s house, where he used to live.
—Yes, I’ve answered the phone.
A familiar employee’s voice came through the earpiece. Cheong-yeon cleared his throat smoothly and opened his mouth.
“Hello. Could I possibly know where Director Moon Do-heon is right now?”
—Who is this suddenly… Oh my! Mr. Cheong-yeon?
The person on the other end seemed to recognize Cheong-yeon’s voice and asked with surprise.
“Have you been well? I’m in a bit of a hurry, so where is the Director now?”
—The Director? N-now… that’s… Probably… I believe he’s at the company.
“The company?”
For a moment, wondering if he’d misheard due to the alcohol, Cheong-yeon questioned again to confirm.
—Yes.
“…That’s strange. Secretary Shim told me Moon Do-heon went on a business trip to the United States.”
—Pardon? Ah, well, that is… Oh my, I must have confused his schedule.
The employee trailed off before offering a weak excuse.
Quietly watching the urban scenery flashing by outside the taxi window, Cheong-yeon suddenly felt dizzy and closed his eyes tightly. It seemed like the heightened emotions while drunk were making him carsick.
Despite the churning in his stomach, Cheong-yeon mentally calculated the possibility of the employees confusing Do-heon’s business trip schedule.
When Do-heon left the house for a trip, the employees had to prepare his carrier before departure, and there was no need to prepare breakfast and dinner since no one would be eating. Therefore, it made no sense for the person on the other end of the phone to forget Do-heon’s schedule.
Was Do-heon in Korea right now? If so, why had Secretary Shim lied about him being in the United States?
Even after making a contract, did he really want to cut ties with Cheong-yeon so rudely? Because of a blind date?
If that was the case, this was truly an uncharacteristically cowardly method for Do-heon. It would have been more like him to appear with his usual arrogant face and inform Cheong-yeon directly.
“Ma’am.”
—…Yes?
“I don’t have the luxury to pretend to be well-mannered like before.”
—M-Mr. Cheong-yeon?
The employee stammered at the low voice that contrasted starkly with what she had heard over the past three years.
“Please tell me honestly. Moon Do-heon is at home right now, isn’t he?”
—…
The employee who answered the phone suddenly fell silent, trying to figure out what was happening. She seemed to have instinctively realized something was wrong.
“Ma’am? Won’t you answer me?”
—As you already know, this is something I cannot freely discuss regarding the Director…
“Ah. That’s true. You shouldn’t talk about it carelessly.”
—I’m sorry.
“…”
But why did you carelessly tell me that day that Moon Do-heon seemed to be meeting another Omega?
For a moment, words he had kept inside almost burst out in anger. Cheong-yeon bit his lower lip firmly with his upper teeth, swallowing the sharp interrogation.
After a brief silence, Cheong-yeon hung up the phone without another word.
Then, leaning toward the taxi driver who was holding the steering wheel, he said:
“Driver, please change direction to Cheongdam.”
There was no need to go through the trouble of asking around. He could just go and check for himself.
Why hadn’t he thought of this from the beginning? Cheong-yeon clicked his tongue, blaming his slow thinking.
The driver glanced worriedly at Cheong-yeon, whose cheeks were flushed red, through the mirror and tried to reason with him.
“I can definitely change direction, but are you sure you’re okay, young man? You seem quite drunk. How much have you been drinking since early evening?”
“I’m not that drunk. Hehe.”
Cheong-yeon gave a subtle smile with his eyes uncomfortably wide open to prove he was fine. However, with the strong smell of alcohol emanating every time he spoke, the taxi driver simply couldn’t be at ease.
He was certain that Cheong-yeon was slightly off his rocker.
“Young man. I’m saying this because you remind me of my son, so don’t take it too personally. You’re thoroughly drunk right now, so how about going home today? Even if you’re young, you should take care of your body while having fun.”
“Ah. Don’t worry. That place is my home too. Not now, but I used to live there in the past.”
“Are you sure?”
The driver asked with a skeptical voice. Cheong-yeon nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“Of course. I know it so well. Although I was kicked out, I did live there together for three years… Ah, maybe I wasn’t kicked out. I left on my own.”
Unlike his confident first words, Cheong-yeon’s voice grew progressively quieter.
“…I’m just, so dumbfounded. I just want to check and leave. Don’t I have that much right?”
Just that much right.
Feeling a tightness in his solar plexus as he spoke, Cheong-yeon pressed his palm firmly against his chest.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
