The Weight of Obedience

“You’ve worked hard today.”

“No, ma’am.”

“Lately, I’ve been hearing good things about you. It’s helping my reputation quite a bit.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“But… while it’s good that you’re doing your job well, you must never forget your true duty. Understand?”

“Of course.”

As soon as Jaekyung answered, the director handed him a card.

It was a hospital card—specifically from an Omega-specialized medical center.

“I’ve scheduled your regular check-up. You’ll also receive a hormone injection.

They need to test for infertility and check your heat cycle, so make sure you go on the appointed day.”

Hormone injections…

From what Jaekyung knew, this was another product developed by NI Pharmaceuticals.

It was said that with consistent treatment, a recessive Omega could sometimes become a normal one.

It could even treat infertility in Omegas.

Since its effects had already been proven, each injection cost a fortune—but that wouldn’t matter to the people who had developed it.

The director herself had said that taking the first shot would be enough for now.

“And in a month, your younger sibling will receive the second stage of the medication. I’ll inform you of the progress.”

Did it really need to go this far?

Jaekyung had even thought that being infertile might be better.

But the director’s next words snapped him back to reality.

Yes—don’t forget why you’re here.

Face reality, Park Jaekyung.

“I understand. Thank you.”

Jaekyung bowed deeply to the director and left the office.

He shoved the card into his pocket and returned to where he belonged.

◆

The smell of hospitals was always unpleasant.

That sharp scent of disinfectant made him feel sick, as though he might fall ill just by breathing.

Still, he came as the director had ordered.

He handed over his card, and after it was scanned, he was guided to the fifth floor.

The entire fifth floor was dedicated to Omegas.

There were separate sections for male and female Omegas, since their physical structures differed.

Each section even had its own specialized medical departments—it was clear why this hospital was called an Omega-specialized center.

After a brief orientation, Jaekyung sat down in the waiting area.

There were quite a few people, so he prepared himself for a long wait—

until he heard his name.

“Mr. Park Jaekyung.”

A nurse holding a chart called for him.

Jaekyung quickly gathered his belongings and stood up.

The nurse led him into a room where a young-looking doctor was waiting.

“Welcome.”

“Hello.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you from Director Ji. I’m Kim Jae-hak.”

“I’m Park Jaekyung.”

The doctor extended his hand, and Jaekyung politely shook it.

“There are about ten tests the director requested. It should take one to two hours.

Do you have any other plans afterward?”

“No, I don’t.”

“You’ll also be receiving a hormone injection. Have you eaten anything in the past three hours?”

“I was told over the phone not to, so I haven’t.”

“Good. Then please follow the nurse. I’ll see you again after the tests.”

“Yes, thank you.”

He bowed slightly and followed the nurse out.

The first tests were routine—blood draw, urine test, blood pressure.

Then came the ultrasound.

He lay on the bed, and when the cold gel touched his lower abdomen, his body flinched instinctively.

It was an unfamiliar sensation.

“I’ll need to press down a bit. Let me know if it hurts.”

He nodded.

The doctor moved the probe across his abdomen, spreading the gel evenly.

Soon, gray shadows formed on the monitor.

The doctor pressed deeper at one spot and took a picture.

“This is your uterus.”

“Yes…”

Seeing it on the screen was both familiar and strange.

He’d first seen it when he awakened as an Omega—burning up from his first manifestation heat.

That was when he learned he could carry life inside him.

It had been overwhelming.

Back then, he hadn’t expected to feel any emotion about it.

Yet today, seeing it again made his chest tighten.

Maybe it was because this was the first time he’d seen it after marriage.

If he’d gone through his heat with Taeseok back then, perhaps today he wouldn’t be here for a check-up—but for a pregnancy test.

The thought made his heart ache.

“Your uterus looks healthy. Please discuss the details with the doctor.”

After taking several images, the ultrasound ended.

Jaekyung followed the nurse for the remaining tests.

Afterward, he waited about thirty minutes before being called back into the consultation room.

The doctor reviewed the results carefully.

“Your uterus is in good condition.

There’s some instability due to you being a recessive Omega, but with consistent exposure to Alpha pheromones, that will stabilize.

You shouldn’t have any major issues with conception.”

“Thank you.”

Jaekyung already knew that, but hearing it again brought a small sense of relief.

The doctor flipped through the rest of the file.

“Hmm… I see you haven’t been marked yet.”

Jaekyung’s face drained of color.

His heart dropped.

Of course—the imprinting test.

Why hadn’t he thought of it?

Director Ji hadn’t mentioned imprinting in so long that he’d almost forgotten.

“What should I do now…?”

Everything would be reported back.

“It’s not mandatory, but imprinting significantly improves fertility for recessive Omegas. I recommend it.”

“Um… will today’s results be sent to Director Ji?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then… the imprinting status…”

“Excuse me?”

There was no way out.

Trying to hide it would only make things worse.

“It’s nothing,” he muttered.

But he needed a plan.

“Your stress levels are quite high. Please be careful.

Come every three months for follow-ups and continue the injections.

Have you been informed of the side effects?”

Jaekyung nodded absently.

He wasn’t really listening anymore.

He barely registered leaving the room, the needle piercing his arm, or the nurse’s instructions.

Only the pounding of his heart remained.

“Please rub the area gently. You should rest today. If you feel lighthea—oh!”

Jaekyung tried to stand, but his vision spun.

He collapsed back onto the bed.

The nurse hurried to steady him.

“You need to sit for at least five minutes before moving.”

“…Okay.”

Should he call Han Taeseok?

Even just to ask what to do?

He took out his phone—then stopped.

What was the point?

That man wouldn’t help.

He’d probably say, Do as you please, Mr. Park.

If he answered at all.

Jaekyung put the phone away.

He got dressed and left the hospital.

His steps felt heavier than when he’d arrived.

◆

“You—come here.”

That night, as expected, Director Ji came to the house.

Jaekyung had been lying down, dizzy from the injection, when the doorbell rang.

In the living room, the director stood holding the medical report.

“You lied to me, didn’t you?

You said you were marked when you’re not!”

Jaekyung couldn’t lift his head.

He stayed silent.

“My goodness… how long have you even been here, and you’re already lying—to me of all people!”

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t think you were this kind of person. You’re more frightening than I expected.”

“I’m sorry.”

“How did you hide it? Suppressants?

So that’s why you couldn’t conceive!

Do you not want to get pregnant?

You haven’t forgotten the marriage contract, have you?”

There was nothing he could say.

No excuse would be accepted.

Each word was like a blade, cutting deeper and deeper.

Jaekyung bit his lip and endured it.

It would pass—like everything else.

Maybe it was the injection, or exhaustion, but his body suddenly gave out.

His vision blurred, his legs shook, and cold sweat drenched him.

He collapsed to the floor.

The director only clicked her tongue.