Love Born of Pity Chapter 141 - Epilogue

Chairman Do Seungtae, Do Geonho, and Jang Hyunsu could not hide their disappointment even as they understood Kwon Jiho’s desire to move out of the main house. Kwon Jiho spent the remaining weekend with them.

They ate delicious food in the main quarters, took naps in the bedroom where Do Yeonjae had stayed since he was young, and shared trivial, constantly flowing daily conversations. Even when the family members scattered, they naturally gathered back in the living room.

Do Geonho politely apologized for not being able to see Kwon Jiho off on Monday morning because he had a breakfast meeting. Instead, he asked to be invited to the new house, promising he would visit with a good gift.

When Kwon Jiho nodded at his request to give him a hug, he embraced the thin frame very carefully. He asked him several times to be sure to let them know if he had any worries or if Do Yeonjae upset him. They were truly kind people. The more he talked with them, the more he wondered how their kindness had combined to create Do Yeonjae.

Monday morning was busy. After placing the luggage he had packed the night before in front of the front door, Kwon Jiho entered the dressing room. He opened the closet and looked at the clothes hanging densely, worrying for a moment. Could he really take these with him?

“Is there anything left to pack?”

“Ah, the clothes. The ones Grandfather bought for me……”

“They don’t look like things you’ll wear even if you take them.”

Do Yeonjae shook his head, carelessly glancing at the clothes that were significantly far from his own taste. They just take up space, those things. Since he was the type whose satisfaction only came when he personally picked out every single thing Kwon Jiho wore—right down to the pair of socks—it was clear that these would never be taken out.

“I liked… all of them. Everything was warm and comfortable. I think the clothes at your house, Director, might be uncomfortable for me now. The ones Grandfather bought have comfortable waistlines.”

“Are you saying… what I dress you in is uncomfortable?”

He looked shocked by the honest answer delivered so lightly. Flustered by the meaning that had been conveyed differently than he intended, Kwon Jiho waved his hands.

“Ah, no, they are good, of course they are good, but my belly has grown now. Because everything you pick out, Director, is too small in the fit. Since my body has gotten bigger, it doesn’t cover my belly……”

Most of the clothes Do Yeonjae usually picked out were the type that fit closely to the body. Basically, he didn’t like wearing large, loose clothing. He thought the clothes prepared at the new house would be the same, so he had just spoken his mind, but he felt nervous, fearing he had ruined the atmosphere.

“Let’s take all of them.”

“……Are you angry? That wasn’t what I meant.”

“I’m not angry. Looking at them, the waist parts are all bands. And the tops have wide fits. I always wondered why you only bought such big things when I thought it was pretty to dress you in clothes that fit perfectly.”

His grandfather, who chose clothes for comfort to match the physical changes of a pregnant woman, versus himself, who chose clothes that were pretty when Kwon Jiho wore them. It was a complete defeat. Thinking that he still had a long way to go, Do Yeonjae instructed Chief Kim to pack all the clothes left in the annex as well.

“Let’s go now. If you forgot anything, you can come back and get it, but we have to go now. We’ll be late.”

It was finally the day of his regular checkup. Leaving the final clean-up to his father and Chief Kim, Do Yeonjae hurried his steps with Kwon Jiho. They wouldn’t be late, but he wanted to confirm the baby’s gender even one minute sooner. After seating Kwon Jiho in the passenger seat and meticulously fastening his seatbelt, Do Yeonjae quickly got into the driver’s seat.

“Are you not busy these days, Director?”

“I’m busy. There really is a lot to pay attention to. Since the baby is being born. From baby clothes, formula, and diapers, to even wet wipes, there are one or two things I need to look into. Yesterday, when you were sleeping, I looked up how to burp a baby, and their back was so small that I was worried if I could even do it.”

“No, that… not the baby, I mean work at the company.”

“Ah, that. I’m busy. Were you worried because I didn’t look busy?”

That wasn’t the case, but since he had been staying with him almost every day instead of going to the office, he was concerned. In the past, he would bring work home and stay in the study all day, or use his tablet and laptop in the living room until it was time to sleep. As if reading his thoughts, Do Yeonjae continued.

“My priorities have changed. Right now, you and the baby are more important than the company.”

Having left the residential area and merged onto the road, Do Yeonjae felt his nerves becoming increasingly sensitive. Even though he was driving perfectly well, anger flared up just from another vehicle cutting in front of him. It was terrifying, as if it would surely lead to an accident.

What if he was okay but Kwon Jiho got hurt? What if something happened to the baby? Such imaginations grew uncontrollably. He barely restrained himself, fearing he might start cursing if he opened his mouth.

“You didn’t go to the company at all last week.”

“There are days like that.”

Feigning composure, Do Yeonjae shrugged. Although the distance from the main house to the hospital was far, it was a quiet time of day, so they arrived at the hospital parking lot safely. Letting out a long sigh of relief, he finished parking neatly, let Kwon Jiho out, and walked slowly.

“It feels colder today than yesterday, are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m not really cold. It was hot in the car.”

Kwon Jiho’s cheeks, wrapped in his outer coat and muffler, were red. It seemed the remark about being hot was true. Do Yeonjae’s hand cupped his warm cheek. He wanted to kiss him right now. How could he be this cute even when dressed like this? Whether the scales had fallen from his eyes, or the evil spirits that had possessed him had finally been lifted, he couldn’t tell.

Afraid he wouldn’t see the floor beneath his feet because of his clothes and belly, he gripped his warm hand tightly and moved. Every time they climbed a shallow step or staircase, his worries followed, telling him to be careful. Just like any other day, Kwon Jiho waited for a moment in front of the clinic, where only Do Yeonjae had arrived after countless twists and turns.

“Mr. Kwon Jiho. We’ll go in now.”

Exchanging glances with the nurse, Kwon Jiho took the lead. Do Yeonjae followed with a serious face. The doctor headed inside as usual.

Once Kwon Jiho stripped off his outer layers and lay on the bed, Do Yeonjae pulled the thin blanket that had been pushed to his feet and covered him up to his thighs.

“Are you cold?”

“No, I’m warm.”

He worried that he would be cold because his belly was exposed. The doctor smiled and picked up the gel. They started confirming the baby’s condition in the womb while having a casual conversation about how he had been doing. He measured the circumference of the baby’s head and the length of his limbs, checking the same parts several times.

“Hmm……. The baby is on the larger side compared to the weeks of pregnancy. We should schedule the surgery for January, shouldn’t we?”

“He moves a lot these days.”

“That’s to be expected. When they get a bit bigger, it can be painful because of the movement. There are often mothers who get cracked or broken ribs, so if you ever feel severe pain, you must visit the clinic immediately.”

Do Yeonjae’s expression grew grave. The fetal movement, which he had only thought of as cute, felt terrifying because it could cause harm to Kwon Jiho’s body.

“And… it’s a princess. Congratulations.”

“Wow.”

Even though he had just said he hoped for a boy, Kwon Jiho let out an exclamation without realizing it. Do Yeonjae was staring fixedly at the rounded belly with shaking eyes.

“You can start preparing baby clothes now.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Then wipe off and come out slowly.”

Do Yeonjae, who had naturally taken the warm towel from him, bowed his upper body. Even while meticulously wiping the gel scattered on Kwon Jiho’s belly, he had a stiff expression, unable to recover from the shock of the baby’s gender. When his hand, which was wiping the moisture with a dry tissue, was suddenly grabbed, Do Yeonjae frowned slightly.

“Director, are you alright?”

“……No.”

He wasn’t alright, not even a little bit. Do Yeonjae began to worry about how he could make the world into a safe place for the baby to be born into and live in.

I have to take her on our honeymoon. Leaving her alone would be even more dangerous. Even if I leave her at the main house, it’s the same—I’m anxious if she isn’t right in front of me. I need to hire guards immediately. It’s inconvenient to have them if you aren’t used to it, but if they were there from the moment she was born, she wouldn’t even be able to feel the inconvenience, would she?

The two confirmed what they should be careful about at his current stage and when the next checkup was, and then left the clinic.

“Director.”

“Yes.”

“……Are you upset because it’s a daughter?”

Kwon Jiho, sitting in the waiting area before paying, hesitated before barely asking aloud. He even hugged and covered his swollen belly, terrified of hearing that the baby wasn’t welcome.

“Me?”

“You keep… having a bad expression on your face…….”

“No, ha……. It’s because I feel like I won’t even be able to set her down on the floor once she’s born. That’s my only worry, did it look like I didn’t like it? How could I ever let a girl who resembles you out into the world? A child who looks exactly like you, I… I don’t think I’ll even be able to set her down from my arms. I’m going crazy, Jiho. Seriously……. I’m going crazy.”

Do Yeonjae let out a trembling breath and hugged Kwon Jiho. He buried his face in his shoulder and quietly confessed his worries.

“I want to build every kindergarten our daughter will attend, every elementary, middle, and high school she will go to. I want to build the entire world she will pass through with my own hands. How can I explain this feeling? Anything outside my fence is too dangerous. The world is full of things harmful to you and my daughter.”

“Ah……. D, Director.”

“What if our baby plays the piano? Wouldn’t that be too cute? I’m going insane. She’ll already be cute, but she’ll be even cuter. Does that make sense?”

“…….”

“I can only think of such crazy things, so you’re asking if I dislike it? I’m so happy I could die, but I’m going out of my mind with worry. I suppose I have to build an alternative school or a private school. And I’ll put you in charge as the chair of the foundation. Ha, there’s only 8 years left until she starts elementary school. Why does time go by so fast? It’ll be the entrance ceremony in the blink of an eye.”

Listening to the voice ringing quietly against his chest, Kwon Jiho slowly stroked Do Yeonjae’s back.

“Director, the baby… hasn’t even been born yet.”

“I’m in a hurry.”

“Please calm down.”