Heavy Rain Chapter 13

At the mention of a lawsuit, Haejin unconsciously let out a self-deprecating smile. Legal action against the Vermouth family—one’s quality of life would be far better if one were dropped into a jungle holding nothing but a single stone.

As expected, he shouldn’t have made such a meaningless protest out of a momentary flare of temper. Haejin felt it keenly once again. Even if they were bound by a contract, he was the absolute underdog.

Nothing would change, no matter how much he voiced his grievances.

“…”

Lyle, who was running a hand through his hair in annoyance, could not take his eyes off Haejin’s lips. It was as if his body had frozen in place.

The smile that had briefly surfaced and vanished like his pheromones remained like an afterimage. The fellow’s lips were now still, as if they had never moved at all. Lyle chose his words carefully, conscious of the heat burning deep in his throat since moments ago. Haejin, having let out that self-deprecating smile, somehow looked even more exhausted.

Because he looked as if he might disappear just like that, it was somehow difficult for Lyle to speak.

“Chairman. I have brought it.”

“…”

Just then, the secretary who had been waiting below came up carrying something. Having looked at the secretary listlessly, thinking it might be another contract, Haejin threw a glance at Lyle when he saw the syringe in the man’s hand.

As those eyes turned toward him, Lyle felt his mouth grow even heavier. However, cold reason recited to him what needed to be done.

“I need to do a blood test.”

“…”

“…Because we did a knotting at the end, a test is necessary for confirmation.”

Originally, this was something that should have been checked as soon as the rut ended. He had forgotten because of the sudden incident involving Haejin.

Lyle eventually felt a sense of confusion. He had forgotten, but since recalling that he had knotted with Haejin, the question had not left him.

Knotting was an act that was only possible if the Alpha had a firm will. It cannot be drawn out simply by instincts being stimulated. Whether the goal was mere pleasure or pregnancy, the Alpha’s will was paramount.

And naturally, Lyle had no intention of knotting with anyone.

“Sigh…”

Haejin let out a sigh and reached out his arm. The secretary, who had taken his cue and positioned himself, collected Haejin’s blood with the syringe he was holding.

Even though the fellow was behaving compliantly, Lyle somehow received the impression that it was difficult to endure that gaze. That sigh was so heavy it felt as if it were physically striking him.

From Haejin’s perspective, it was only natural to be angry at this unilateral act. Therefore, if he wanted compensation, Lyle was willing to grant as much as he wanted.

“Is that enough now?”

“…Yes.”

However, rubbing the arm where blood was seeping out, Haejin spoke calmly. As expected, it was as if there was nothing to be received from Lyle. Faint bruises still remained on his wrists. Some marks had been bound and released repeatedly for so long that they did not seem likely to disappear easily.

Lyle’s gaze lingered obsessively on Haejin’s arm. Calculations were in full swing in his head. For now, it would be better to withdraw for a moment.

He nodded and took a step back. As if he had been waiting for this, Haejin closed the door.

“…”

Even after closing the door, Haejin stood before it for a long time, lost in thought. For some reason, it was troubling because he felt this wouldn’t be the end.

He was curious as to why Lyle was acting that way. When he recalled the knotting he had forgotten, those actions made no sense at all.

But did he really need to know?

Just as he couldn’t find a reason to remain in that mansion, the will to solve this question did not rise within him. There was only one thing Haejin wanted. He only hoped to sink away peacefully.

Having thought this far, Haejin moved his body for the first time in a very long while.

Tossing the blood-stanching cotton into the trash can with a thud, Haejin picked up the wallet he had left carelessly on the small dining table. He took out the thickest clothes from his suitcase and put them on, spreading the rest out everywhere as if for show. He intentionally set aside the family photo he carried most precious and placed it inside his clothes.

Without packing any other luggage, Haejin walked out of the room with light steps. Since it had been so long, going down the stairs was a bit taxing on his strength. After reaching the first floor, he first extended his stay in the room. Most of the money he had left disappeared again.

After that, without a hint of hesitation, he headed for the grocery store in the building next door. There had been nothing to eat in his room since yesterday anyway.

However, upon entering the store, Haejin glanced at the groceries for a moment and then headed straight for the back door. This was because there was a bus stop right outside the back door, and he heard the sound of a bus pulling in just at that moment.

Exiting the back door, Haejin boarded the bus naturally. It was a movement so smooth that even if someone had been watching, there wouldn’t have been enough time to follow him.

“…”

Sitting on the bus, Haejin silently gazed at the city that smelled of winter. Because he had moved after so long, his ankles throbbed again.

He felt a lingering regret for the luggage he left behind, but he intended never to return to that room.

“…It really was there.”

Carefully examining the contract, Lyle clicked his tongue. Just as the fellow said, there was a clause stipulating that Haejin must be notified immediately if news came from the hospital.

Of course, it was a hollow promise with no compensation plan in case of violation. If linked with other clauses below it, Lyle’s lawyer would be able to resolve this matter with even a one-line letter of insincere apology. Even if he had no intention of going that far.

Come to think of it, when the first contract was made, Haejin hadn’t even brought a lawyer. As he vaguely recalled, it was said there had been an accident. And the fellow had been in a situation where he was going around trying to borrow money here and there right after being discharged from the hospital. He wouldn’t have been in a position to be picky.

It was Lyle who had watched that clearly and ignored it.

The image of Haejin with a slightly more youthful face than now comes to mind. Also, the white hands that were trembling while signing the contract.

“…”

It’s a comment made with the benefit of hindsight, but with things turning out like this, Lyle’s heart wasn’t very comfortable either. Looking at the words that came out along with the emotional reaction he had barely drawn out, it seemed Haejin had been relying on each and every one of these clauses quite a bit. In fact, Lyle had also demanded every time that the clauses be well observed.

“Chairman.”

“Speak.”

Just then, the secretary who had entered his office spoke up. He was holding a mobile phone in his hand as if he had received an urgent contact.

“First of all, the results of Mr. Bright’s blood test have come out. The thing you were concerned about did not happen.”

“…I see.”

In order for an Alpha and an Omega to conceive, the process called knotting was absolutely necessary. Doing a knotting doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, but without it, it is impossible to the point of being 100%. However, during a rut or heat cycle, the probability rises, however slightly.

It was a good thing Haejin was a recessive type with low pregnancy potential, or a troublesome situation might have occurred. He had no thoughts of marriage or succession yet. Furthermore, he loathed the idea of his genes leaking outside. He would rather give up on marriage altogether than behave dissolutely.

So, it was something he should rightfully be happy about, yet for some reason, he didn’t feel very good. Tucking away the strange emotion, Lyle gestured to the secretary. Since it seemed there were more words left to say.

However, he couldn’t help but be surprised by the words that flowed out calmly.

“And they say Mr. Bright’s whereabouts are unknown.”

“…What?”

“According to the guard who was periodically reporting Mr. Bright’s location, it has been two days since he failed to return to his room.”

“Two days?”

It was two days ago that Lyle had gone to meet Haejin. A sudden unpleasant feeling strikes him as to why there was no contact when his whereabouts were unknown on the first day.

The secretary, who read his expression well, added simply.

“We checked on the first day, but we were told he went out while extending his room stay. That’s why we waited one more day before making the report.”

“Even so, why…!”

Lyle, who had spoken this far, shut his mouth tight. Because he couldn’t understand his own behavior.

Haejin was a subject for negotiation, but not a subject for close surveillance. The guard tracking his location once a day was merely a minimum measure for future negotiations. Therefore, their judgment was correct.