From Divorce to Dusk Chapter 1.2

Jaekyung’s body trembled. So suddenly… marriage… He thought he was finally gaining his father’s approval, but he was wrong. Jaekyung clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t because his mother was watching his father’s expression.

「Father.」

As soon as they arrived home, Jaekyung followed his father and called out to him, but Chairman Park didn’t answer and went into his room, slamming the door. When he tried to open the door, his mother stopped him, just like before.

「Mother.」

「Jaekyung.」

「Do I have to get married?」

「Yes.」

「When was this decided?」

「…The talks have been going on for a few months. The company was struggling… I heard NI Company helped out.”

「The company was struggling? I never heard anything about that.」

Not only had he never heard about financial difficulties from his father, but even though he didn’t know the detailed financial status, based on what he knew from working as an employee and various circumstances, the company was not in a bad situation at the moment. On the contrary, its stock price and overseas reputation were on the rise, and sales were up several percent compared to last year, so the company was even being evaluated as still growing.

「There’s no need to tell you.」

After changing his clothes, Chairman Park clicked his tongue, came out to the living room, and sat on the sofa.

「Father.」

「You are an Omega. An Omega is bound to leave the family someday. Why would I tell someone who is to become an outsider about the company’s financial state?」

「Father-!」

「That’s enough. Start preparing for the wedding from tomorrow. You’ll be busy.」

「Are you really… telling me to marry Han Taesuk?」

「Though he’s young at 25, he’s already completed his Ph.D. in business administration in the US, and he’s such an incredible talent that he started a business while there and grew it to a value of one billion dollars in just one year. Moreover, he’s a Dominant Alpha, so he lacks nothing. Do you have any idea how much effort I put into getting you married to Director Han?」

So you used your son as a bargaining chip. So that’s what it was….

「He’s a man who is too good for you. So just shut up and get married.」

You can’t see your son’s happiness, nor your wife’s.

「Whatever the NI side says, just say yes, yes, and follow their lead. Make sure I don’t hear even the slightest complaint.」

Having said all he needed to say, Chairman Park went into his study, and his mother tightly held her speechless son’s hand.

「I looked into it… they say he’s a good person. He has a good personality and is said to be kind and affectionate…」

Mother. Don’t say that. You saw him too, Mother….

In the hour I sat across from that man, he didn’t look at me even once. That man thinks of me as a bargaining chip too.

「I promise you. Our Jaekyung will be happy. You will be happy. Jaekyung.」

No. I see my father’s reflection in that man. I will surely live the same life as you, Mother. You are pushing me down that path too, Mother….

◆

Things proceeded quickly. Just as Jaekyung’s opinion wasn’t needed from the start, the same was true for how things progressed. However, since contracts requiring personal verification had to be handled by the individuals themselves, he met Han Taesuk again a week after that day, in a lounge room of a hotel owned by NI Company. As soon as they saw each other for the first time, they only exchanged a silent greeting, sat down, and only the lawyers spoke to each other. Han Taesuk and Jaekyung didn’t even look at each other’s faces, only drinking tea. And even then, while Jaekyung refilled his tea several times, Han Taesuk took only one sip and kept his gaze lowered. Just by looking at his straight back, neat posture, long fingers, and wrinkle-free clothes, one could tell what kind of personality this man had.

Moreover, his appearance… would anyone believe it if he said the reason he remembered him was because he was so handsome? Even when he first saw him in elementary school, he thought he had an unusual appearance, and even more so now that he was grown up. With deep eyes, a high nose bridge, and full lips, he had no double eyelids, which made his eyes look sharp, but not fierce. On top of that, his skin was good, and the line from his sharp jaw to his earlobe was very smooth, giving him a good impression. He had a face that anyone would find appealing. Furthermore, his physique was formidable. It wasn’t clearly visible because of the clothes he was wearing, but it was obvious that he had a well-exercised body. He was also much taller than Jaekyung, who was 178cm, so he seemed to be around 188cm? Almost 190cm. And a Dominant Alpha on top of that… He didn’t know why NI Company wanted to marry him to a Recessive Omega like himself. They must have been dying to marry him off to a politician’s family, or a renowned family from overseas. What kind of deal did they make?

「We would like to confirm the agreed-upon terms with both of you.」

After a long discussion, the lawyers drew up the agreement on a tablet PC and presented it to Jaekyung and Taesuk. The lawyers, taking turns reading and explaining each clause, pointed to one section. It was Article 4, regarding the fulfillment of the relationship.

「For this part, please discuss and inform us of your agreement.」

It was awkward. Fulfilling the relationship surely meant… things related to their sex life. The fact that he had to discuss that in front of complete strangers, and imagine and talk about having a sexual relationship with a person he had never made eye contact with or exchanged a single word with, was so incomprehensible to Jaekyung that he was confused.

However….

「Clause 1: The marital relationship shall be conducted on a mutually agreed upon date.」

As if he had been waiting, Han Taesuk tossed out the words bluntly, as if talking about work.

「Clause 2: The children shall be one son and one daughter. If two sons are born, they will continue to have children until one daughter is born.」

It was an order. Jaekyung clasped his hands, which were on his lap. His hands were sweating. His opinion was not needed here. Even Jaekyung’s lawyer nodded and wrote down what Han Taesuk said. While discussing the deepest aspects of a marital relationship, he didn’t look at him. Jaekyung felt like he was going to throw up. He wanted to run away from this place, but he didn’t want to show such a weak side. Out of pride and stubbornness, Jaekyung endured it, suppressing his feelings.

「The wedding preparations will be handled by each company. The two of you just need to show up at the wedding hall.」

「We will also prepare all the news articles, so please be careful not to let any separate articles get released.」

The two lawyers said as they stood up after the contract, which contained none of Jaekyung’s wishes, was completed. It was a warning to behave themselves until the wedding. The lawyer from NI Company and Han Taesuk left together, followed by Jaekyung’s lawyer, who stood up. He immediately called the chairman of Jaewang Group to report.

Left all alone in the room, Jaekyung could finally cry. He felt the person named Park Jaekyung slowly disappearing.

◆

“Mr. Park… Jaekyung?”

“Ah…”

Jaekyung was startled back to his senses by the voice calling him. In front of him, a Beta man in his 40s was looking up at him. On his chest, along with the name ON Store, was written ‘Manager’. In the manager’s hand was his resume.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Do you really want to do this?”

The manager looked at Jaekyung with a displeased expression. Jaekyung nodded his head.

“Yes! I want to do it. I may be lacking in many ways, but please let me work here! I will work hard!”

“Your voice is booming, so that’s good. But you’re a bit old, so the night shift might be tough… and you’re an Omega….”

The manager glanced at Jaekyung again with a displeased look.

“Ah, no. I can do the night shift well too. And as for being an Omega… I take my suppressants regularly. Besides, I’m a Recessive and… the imprint hasn’t been broken, so for now… it’s fine.”

“Imprint? Are you married?”

The manager asked as he scanned the resume again, since Jaekyung’s marital status wasn’t written on it.

“Yes, I was married, but I’m divorced. But the imprint is still maintained.”

That was one of the conditions of the divorce. Maintaining the imprint.

The manager had a look of incomprehension. Usually, when people divorce, it’s common to break the imprint. Knowing why he had such a bewildered expression, Jaekyung could only smile. Even during a job interview, they couldn’t possibly dig into such deeply personal matters.

“Well, alright. We’re a bit desperate, so can you start tomorrow? We’ll have you work from midnight to 7 AM.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Jaekyung bowed deeply and, upon leaving the convenience store, clenched his two fists. It was the first interview he’d had based on his own strength and resume, and he had passed. It was a small convenience store at a street corner, no bigger than about 10 pyeong, but to the current Jaekyung, it was bigger than any major corporation. Let’s start slowly with small things. And let’s become independent and be someone I’m not ashamed of. Jaekyung hummed a tune and walked briskly, then saw his reflection in the mirror of a darkened storefront. His shoulders were held back confidently, and his head was held high. His eyes were sparkling, and though his clothes were a simple cotton t-shirt and cotton pants, it was the best he had looked in 5 years.

Whenever he walked behind him, he always had to bow his head low, his shoulders would be slumped powerlessly, and his clothes felt heavy and difficult. In the reflection in the glass back then, Park Jaekyung was not there. But now, Park Jaekyung is here. It’s just that the man who used to be by his side is gone.

Seeing the manager looking at his resume earlier reminded him of the lawyers. Thinking about that time was still difficult and painful. He belatedly regretted that he should have overturned everything back then, saying he couldn’t go through with the marriage. After that, too, things that he would regret kept happening. So from now on, I have to live without regrets. Jaekyung headed back to his small studio apartment. On the way, he bought a heaping armful of his favorite fruits and walked, holding them tightly. In this moment, he was just happy.

◆

「Hello.」

「Welcome.」

At Director Ji’s voice, Jaekyung’s body instinctively stiffened. He didn’t want to, but there was something in that person’s voice that made people feel intimidated. Above all, her sharp gaze… Han Taesuk must have inherited his mother’s eyes. Today, Director Ji was wearing a purple dress with purple shoes, and a pearl necklace around her neck. She boasted a slender figure unbecoming of her age and walked with a clacking sound, and Jaekyung followed cautiously behind her.

Three days ago, he had received a sudden call from Director Ji. It was a summons to come to Hanart Gallery at a specific date and time. It was a day he had kept free to hand over his work duties, but without being able to make a peep of protest, Jaekyung had rushed to the gallery.

「From now on, as the person who will be the partner of Director Han of NI Company, be mindful of your attire.」

She said as she walked ahead. He had quickly neatened his disheveled clothes while running over, but it seemed to have caught her eye. In a small voice, Jaekyung said, “I’ll be careful.”

「Are you interested in art?」

「Ah… well…」

「Speak honestly.」

「I’m not.」

「Alright, then from today until the wedding, come to the gallery every day to work and study art.」

「What?」

「What is it?」

When Jaekyung expressed surprise, Director Ji stopped walking and turned around.

「Is there a problem?」

「I, I’m sorry. I have to hand over my work at the company before the wedding.」

「You can do your company work during the day and come here at night. Surely you don’t work overtime, do you?」

「Ah, no, I don’t. I will do that.」

「Good. The partners of NI Company have traditionally run the gallery. If you get along well as a married couple with Director Han, this is a place I will hand over to you. So you must know about it, mustn’t you?」

「Yes….」

He felt suffocated again. Although it was a wide and open space, Jaekyung knew that the air in this place did not suit him.