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Join the Server“Did you know about this?”
“…Yes.”
“Ha…”
Seeing Seung-hyuk nod silently, Hyeon-woo let out a disbelieving laugh.
The fact that they were bonded was shocking enough—
But what frustrated him even more was that Seung-hyuk tried to avoid him even knowing that.
Hyeon-woo frowned and glared.
“You knew, and still…!”
“No, I thought it was just one-sided imprinting on my part.”
“…What?”
“I didn’t know you had changed into an omega, so I figured I’d finally lost my mind and even imprinted on another alpha…”
“……”
He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
He clearly knew his own behavior hadn’t been normal.
And honestly, his reasoning made sense—
Without knowing Hyeon-woo’s trait had shifted, the deterioration from separation could easily be mistaken for instability born from obsession or madness.
His chest tightened, but he was getting used to Seung-hyuk’s strange logic by now.
Hyeon-woo exhaled slowly, forcing down his temper.
“If you’re in a bonded state, there’s a high chance your condition will continue to improve.”
“Your vitals are very stable right now.”
“…I see.”
“Your pheromone levels are extremely low, but if we can raise them gradually, you may be able to deliver safely.”
“……”
Hyeon-woo unconsciously touched his still-flat abdomen.
He still couldn’t fully believe a child was there—
But he knew he needed to start thinking seriously.
“…Understood.”
“Please focus on recovery for now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
The doctor, who had been stiff and professional until now, offered a faint smile before leaving the room.
Left alone together, the air grew heavier between them.
Because as time passed, their unresolved past came creeping back.
Before regression, he’d spent their entire marriage convinced he was hated.
Now he understood some of that had been misunderstanding—
But those memories were still painful, and forgiveness wasn’t something that came easily.
Then, before he could even organize his feelings—this happened.
A pregnancy.
Bonding.
There would be no more “living like strangers.”
And now… even imprinting.
How had it happened?
That night was intense, yes—but he didn’t remember any feeling of bonding.
…Ah.
He remembered.
They had even knotted that night.
His body must have still carried traces of alpha pheromones then, making him respond like an omega in heat—
Maybe in the middle of that, the imprinting happened.
He grimaced.
“Hyung.”
“Mm?”
“Does anything hurt?”
“……”
His expression was serious.
Hyeon-woo sighed.
“I told you I’m fine. How many times do I have to say it?”
“But now is when you could start hurting.”
“Ha…”
Exasperated, he lowered the bed’s backrest.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“We ate earlier.”
“Are you digesting well?”
“Yes.”
“Does your body ache from lying too long?”
“……”
Is he a question-mark machine?
Hyeon-woo stared at him in disbelief—
But Seung-hyuk looked ready to fire another question, so he snapped first.
“Shut up and release pheromones.”
“…Okay.”
Finally, he quieted.
Even for a dominant alpha, maintaining a gentle, continuous pheromone shower required concentration.
Hyeon-woo closed his eyes, letting his body relax.
His condition improved noticeably whenever he received Seung-hyuk’s pheromones.
His vision dimmed pleasantly.
Bzzz… bzzz.
“…Hm?”
His phone vibrated.
He looked around, confused—he had been taken straight to the hospital after collapsing, so he didn’t know where his phone even was.
“Here.”
“……”
Seung-hyuk handed it over naturally.
Hyeon-woo blinked at him before taking it.
“This is Joo Hyeon-woo speaking.”
— Sir, it’s me.
“Yes, Jung-hoon.”
— Are you feeling alright?
“I’m much better now.”
— …Thank goodness.
His voice trembled with relief.
He must have been terrified—Hyeon-woo collapsed at work, after all.
And Hyeon-woo hadn’t even contacted him afterward.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
— No, sir. I should’ve been more attentive.
“It was my own lack of self-care.”
— Haha…
An awkward round of apologies followed.
Then Jung-hoon hesitantly asked—
— When do you think you’ll be able to return to work?
“Ah… well…”
He froze.
He had no idea when he’d be discharged.
And if he wasn’t discharged soon… he’d need to explain why.
He couldn’t just say, I’m pregnant.
He hesitated, and Jung-hoon’s worried voice came again.
— Sir?
“I… well…”
— Did you… perhaps receive a serious diagnosis?
“No, no! Nothing like that.”
He rushed to deny it.
He needed an excuse—fast.
But his brain refused to cooperate.
As he struggled, a hand appeared.
“……?”
“Give it to me.”
“……”
Something in Seung-hyuk’s voice made him obey without thinking.
He handed over the phone.
“This is Lee Seung-hyuk.”
— …?
“Hyeon-woo hyung’s condition worsened, so he’ll need to stay hospitalized for several days. We’ll inform you when he’s discharged.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
He ended the call smoothly.
Hyeon-woo stared at him, stunned by how effortlessly he handled it.
“About a week should be fine.”
“Ah… thanks.”
“It’s nothing.”
He returned the phone, and Hyeon-woo thanked him again without thinking.
Sometimes, Seung-hyuk’s cold, efficient personality was incredibly useful.
“Try sleeping again.”
“I’m not sleepy.”
“Do you want fruit?”
“……”
He immediately pulled out a fruit basket.
When did he even get that?
Hyeon-woo watched suspiciously as Seung-hyuk peeled an apple with surprising skill.
“What about Hyun-jin?”
“Who knows.”
While slicing neatly, he replied in a flat tone.
Hyeon-woo kept staring.
“…Bunny ears?”
“Try one.”
“……”
He had carved the apple slices into rabbit shapes.
Just like in dramas.
“Go on.”
“…Fine.”
He reluctantly accepted.
One bite—crisp, juicy sweetness spread across his tongue.
He hadn’t realized how long it had been since he’d eaten an apple.
Memories flickered—Seung-hyuk’s ABC juice often tasted faintly of apple too.
He kept chewing.
“Apple peels have the most nutrients.”
“Really?”
“Yes. So make sure to chew the peel as well.”
“…Mm.”
Pretending not to care, he chewed diligently.
Piece after piece disappeared.
He didn’t usually like apples this much—
But today they tasted strangely delicious.
“Want another?”
“No, I’m full. You eat some.”
“I’m fine.”
“Then stop peeling.”
“Yes.”
He put the fruit basket away immediately.
But who brought that fruit basket?
Seung-hyuk never left the room.
Unless he sneaked out while he slept—but then the pheromone shower should’ve stopped.
He tilted his head in confusion.
“Aren’t you sleepy now?”
“Don’t sleep right after eating.”
“Then want to take a short walk?”
“…Maybe.”
He hadn’t been forbidden from leaving the room, so it should be fine.
He nodded and began to rise—
SLAM!
“Yah! Lee Seung-hyuk! Where the hell did you even get strawberries at a time like this—”
“…?”
The door burst open and Hyun-jin stormed in.
Hyeon-woo froze mid-motion, startled.
And their eyes met.
The excitement doesn't stop here! If you enjoyed this, you’ll adore Jinho's Story. Start reading now!
Read : Jinho's Story
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