Love Born of Pity Chapter 107

Kwon Jiho’s condition was not that of an expectant mother, but of a patient whose illness was in plain sight. Even knowing that weight loss could occur due to morning sickness, the fact that the subject was Kwon Jiho made him feel like he was going crazy.

Chief Kim’s words now made perfect sense. Kwon Jiho had been forced into an unwanted pregnancy, and just to make himself comfortable, Do Yeonjae had confined and monitored Kwon Jiho. In their always one-sided relationship, Kwon Jiho’s will was not considered in the slightest, and this had a profound effect on his presentation and his health.

The way he always grabbed his body carelessly and casually tossed out taunts, the way Kwon Jiho’s attitude was always fearful and cowed. It was all because of him that Kwon Jiho, unable to bear having to remain by his side, had ultimately made the decision to harm himself.

“…It’s because of me.”

“…”

“So… it’s not that I don’t want to take responsibility, but I want to know what Mr. Kwon Jiho is thinking—.”

“…Do you not want it?”

His slightly parted lips let out a question that was hard to hear. Do Yeonjae moved a little closer. Then, just as Kwon Jiho had done once before, he stared intently at the slightly opening lips. Even with the window slightly open, his voice was exceptionally quiet. To not miss it, he had to hold his breath whenever his mouth opened.

“Now that it’s come to this… I was wondering if you’ve come to hate everything…. Or maybe you’re just tired of me.”

“No, no. It’s not like that. What in the world are you…”

“You said you’d let me have the baby…. Don’t you want the baby anymore? Ah, or is it that you don’t want me to be the one having it?”

The quiet question was tinged with an air of resignation. Of course, I knew it would be like this, that sort of thing.

“It’s because your morning sickness is so severe, I thought it would just be painful for you. It wasn’t a pregnancy you wanted, either.”

“…I thought that, like a fool, I had once again believed a promise that wouldn’t be kept…”

“Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

“When you say things like that, Director… I don’t really know what you mean. But I felt like you’d get angry if I asked… and that would be scary, so I just said I understood. So this time, too, I was going to say I understood… but then I thought you’d… get rid of the baby. I thought you would come here when no one was around and take me to a clinic, so I asked.”

Because he couldn’t even swallow water properly, his voice broke into several different directions. The metallic sound was so painful to listen to that Do Yeonjae’s brow furrowed on its own.

“Marriage… you’re not going to do it, I heard that from your grandfather, too. Why, Director… do you never tell me anything? Is it because it’s something I don’t need to know… so there’s no need to tell me?”

“Back then…”

It had been a poor judgment, but he had intended to tell him after Kwon Jiho’s health had recovered a little.

“Is it because they’re all things you can do as you please, Director…? Because my thoughts or answers aren’t necessary…?”

“…”

“…Why don’t you apologize to me? Is it not something you’re sorry enough for…”

It wasn’t like that, he was about to make the excuse that he had wanted to apologize, when a thunderous roar came flying from the side.

“You, you, you! You climbed over the wall again, didn’t you? I’ll have to put iron bars on the wall, this won’t do!”

Thump, thump, thump, the sound of approaching footsteps was heard urgently. Kwon Jiho’s gaze, which had been on Do Yeonjae, turned toward the source of the sound. Do Seungtae, holding something like a broom, came running like an angry bull.

“I heard your car was here and thought something was strange, so I came out, and you’re here, again, again, again?”

Whoosh, along with the sound, something long was swung. It wasn’t a broom but a leaf rake with tines at the end. The tool for gathering leaves that he had seen in the morning.

Do Seungtae blocked the front of the window. He warned him not to enter his house without permission again. He said that if he showed up unannounced and pushy like this again, it wouldn’t end with just being chased away.

At the shouted words to get the hell out if he didn’t want to be dragged away, accompanied by a pointed finger, Do Yeonjae moved his feet. He stared intently at his grandfather with an annoyedly crumpled face, then turned his body as if there was nothing more he could do.

“You were trying to open the door and come in, weren’t you? That crazy bastard…! That damn…”

Quickly remembering that curses were not good for an expectant mother to hear, Do Seungtae covered his own mouth. He carefully examined Kwon Jiho with a worried gaze. The area around his eyes was damp, so he must have been crying, and he was certain that bastard had said something nasty again.

“As soon as the sun rises, I’ll have iron bars installed on the wall. I told them to patrol every hour, but how did he manage to avoid that time and get in, honestly.”

Do Seungtae’s head turned to look behind him. He clicked his tongue while looking at the retreating Do Yeonjae.

“He doesn’t listen to his grandpa’s words at all, does he. That wicked boy. Should I have hit him with this? Did that bastard say something bad to you, Jiho? Should I go chase him down and give him a good beating?”

“…No, it’s not like that. He didn’t say anything bad.”

“That can’t be right…? Are you sure? You can be honest with me. That boy, he’s so predictable. There’s no need to protect him.”

“Really, he didn’t.”

At his utterly certain words, Kwon Jiho burst into laughter through his tears. As he rubbed his eyes and shook his head, Do Seungtae, finally a little relieved, put down the tool he was holding.

“Why are you crying when you didn’t even hear anything bad, making yourself tired. Crying saps your energy, child. Stop crying now. If anyone should be crying, it’s that Yeonjae boy, what will you do if you cry. What did you do wrong. Hm?”

“I don’t want to cry either… but it’s not easy. Hiccup, the tears just come first.”

“Is it because you’re scared of that Yeonjae boy? You got frightened, didn’t you?”

“No, it’s not that I’m scared of the President…. It’s just that I keep thinking about the things that hurt my feelings…”

“That boy hurt your feelings? What, was it with money? I have more money, so I’ll make sure you never have to feel hurt about money again. What else is there? Did that blunt boy act cold to you too? Should I make him sleep alone for the rest of his life! Tell me what else hurt your feelings. Until you feel better, I’ll just take that Yeonjae boy and!”

Do Seungtae, saying he shouldn’t have put it down, grabbed the long pole again and turned around. He moved his feet as if he was going to chase after Do Yeonjae, who was no longer in sight. Kwon Jiho, who was inside the house, quickly went out onto the wooden veranda and stepped onto the floor with his bare feet. He grabbed onto the clothes of Do Seungtae, who had already strode far ahead, and shook his head.

“I should have hit him a few times with this, my thinking was short-sighted. I should have given him a rude awakening!”

“No, no. Really, it’s not that.”

Just having someone on his side was enough to make his sorrow subside. Wiping the moisture from his eyes with the back of his hand, Kwon Jiho gently asked Do Seungtae what he was doing here at this hour.

The fuming man immediately spoke up as he looked at the now-calm Kwon Jiho. It was because he didn’t want to be misunderstood, not even by a single grain of rice.

“I came because I was told that the car Yeonjae drives was parked below the wall. I certainly promised that I would not let him in without your permission, but I was worried that bastard would come in on his own and upset you…. Tsk. So don’t misunderstand, by any chance. There is absolutely no one in this family who would open the gate to let that boy in.”

At Do Seungtae’s words, which he hammered in firmly, Kwon Jiho waved his hands, saying he hadn’t thought that. Seeing his reaction and the way he treated Do Yeonjae, it didn’t feel like a lie. Besides, Do Seungtae was genuinely angry.

“Seeing how your hair is sticking up, you must have just woken up, right?”

At his pointing it out, Kwon Jiho combed his hair with his hand. It didn’t seem like the part sticking up towards the sky would settle down just by doing that, but Do Seungtae found it cute and just watched.

“…Yes. I woke up from a nap and was just looking outside.”

“If I had known this would happen, I should have had a pond built in front of here.”

“The garden is so beautiful even without a pond. I find myself watching the leaves rustle in the wind, losing all track of time.”

“Still, it would have been better if there was something more for you to feast your eyes on. Next spring, I’ll have to do some work on this area in front.”

A large, thick hand gently patted his shoulder. He already treated him as if he had welcomed him into the family. That’s why Kwon Jiho often found himself lost in the thought, ‘Are these people really okay with me?’

Do Yeonjae had a partner for an arranged marriage. Compared to Kang Gyumin, who lacked nothing in any aspect, he was a shabby, insignificant, half-baked omega. He didn’t even have the pheromones that all people with traits possessed.

“Why. Why the sad face.”

“…”

“You have to speak up, child. Both you and Yeonjae don’t speak, and that’s why the situation keeps getting worse. Don’t think about the other person, just say what you want to say. That’s how you’ll avoid getting sick with worry later. You don’t want to get sick again like now, do you?”

“…If you don’t mind, would you… take a short walk with me?”

At the words he finally managed to get out after hesitating, Do Seungtae smiled gently. As if it were such a difficult request. He said he would wait, so he should go get an outer garment. Kwon Jiho moved busily. As he quickly went inside to grab something to wear and came back out, Do Seungtae worried out of habit, saying he might fall.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“No, I’m okay. Are you cold, Grandfather?”

“I don’t feel the cold. Thick outerwear feels stuffy.”