The Truth That Shattered Me

Haejin and Beomwoo had regularly been intimate out of obligation to have a child.

Although they were a business couple without love, having a child was also one of their marital duties.

Entrusting my body to someone who holds no affection for me was sad and miserable.

But Haejin liked him.

He accepted him, consoling himself that perhaps one day, feelings might develop in return.

The only small mercy was that Beomwoo had no strange sexual preferences and was gentle during intimacy, never forcing things.

He was good at guiding Haejin, who was often as clueless as a block of wood, so the act itself wasn’t entirely unbearable.

Eventually, despite being a recessive Omega, no child was conceived, leading to hospital tests…

But if he never wanted a child in the first place, shouldn’t he have avoided even that effort?

At first, I was just curious why he said that, but voicing it made me realize his words seemed inconsistent, deepening my confusion.

“Is that all you wanted to say to me?”

“……Yes.”

When Haejin asked, Beomwoo looked at him with an incomprehensible expression, as if wondering why he would ask such a thing.

But Haejin nodded firmly.

He had been curious about the meaning originally, and now that doubts had arisen, he couldn’t stop.

As Haejin unusually maintained eye contact and persisted with his question, Beomwoo stayed silent for a moment before letting out a small, belated sigh.

“It means exactly what I said.”

“I never thought a child between us was absolutely necessary.”

“But…… we tried, didn’t we?”

“And I heard children are important in chaebol families.”

“Did you hear that from my mother?”

“Ah, no… It’s not like that.”

When Haejin pointed out the inconsistency, Beomwoo narrowed his eyes sensitively and asked.

He seemed to think she was the only one who would say such things to Haejin.

Since Haejin had overheard that conversation yesterday when he went downstairs upon hearing his mother had arrived, he couldn’t bring himself to admit it.

Although Haejin denied it, Beomwoo seemed convinced she was the only one who would say such things, his face growing tense as he replied.

“They are important.”

“If you heard, you should know: having an heir makes it easier to protect the company and avoids disputes.”

“Beyond that reason, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.”

Beomwoo didn’t dismiss the necessity of a child.

His reasons were calculated, not out of liking children or wanting one that resembled them like other people.

How could he want a child for such reasons…?

Their values were different, but his world was beyond Haejin’s understanding.

As Haejin hesitated but nodded, Beomwoo continued.

“And even if an heir is needed, it doesn’t strictly have to be a child born between us.”

“That’s why I said your infertility isn’t such a critical issue.”

“……What?”

What is this person saying right now…?

The moment he heard those words, Haejin’s mind went blank.

The implication that his infertility was just another nuisance was one thing, but the suggestion of having a child with someone else was even more shocking.

If this was the plan, why did he marry me?

……No, it was a marriage of convenience from the start.

Just as Haejin felt deeply disappointed, he remembered again that their relationship had never been more than a marriage, and clenched his jaw.

It was a marriage in name only, so it probably didn’t matter to him whether the child was Haejin’s or someone else’s.

For a man like him, any Omega’s child would suffice as long as it was his own.

He knew it was a loveless marriage.

He knew he shouldn’t expect anything.

But it seemed he had secretly harbored hopes as his Omega.

The depth of his disappointment proved it.

At Beomwoo’s words, Haejin lost track of what expression he was making, or how he was looking at him.

He knew he should calm his shocked heart, but Haejin couldn’t steady his agitated feelings and asked with a trembling voice.

“So…… are you…… saying you want a divorce…?”

“I don’t understand why your words keep going there…”

“If we can find someone to bear a child, there’s no need for change in our married life.”

“……”

He clearly said he wouldn’t divorce me, yet Haejin felt just as dizzy as if he had.

He knew Beomwoo had married him out of duty, without a shred of affection, but realizing it anew was painful.

He always knew of his indifference, but that didn’t make moments like this hurt less.

Rather, having deliberately ignored it made it hurt more.

As Haejin remained speechless, Beom-woo continued.

“You can stay exactly as you are, just like before.”

“……”

Stay exactly like that, like a flower in a greenhouse. Remain still…

He said it as if it were simple, but Haejin couldn’t bring himself to nod.

Throughout his life, he had never expected his feelings to be reciprocated.

It would be wonderful if feelings were mutual, but that was just a beautiful fairy tale.

He could hardly expect such a dreamlike thing to happen to someone like him.

But at the very least… Was it too much to ask for a little care, even without love?

Even in this harsh moment, his foolish heart that still liked him remained.

But… staying by his side like before had become too difficult now.

So what should I do…?

****

That night, Haejin continued the dream from the previous night.

It was a dream that picked up from the day he first met Beomwoo.

Beomwoo was the kind of person whose appearance seized one’s attention at first glance.

His demeanor, posture, and the weighty aura he exuded even before speaking resembled his eldest brother.

His striking features and sharp eyes resembled his second brother.

It was as if he were crafted from only the best traits of each.

Haejin had never considered himself someone easily captivated by looks alone, but that day was different.

He was the most handsome person Haejin had ever seen in his life, enough to make him stare blankly.

Without realizing it, Haejin stared up at him dazedly, only belatedly realizing his rudeness for staring at his face, and hurriedly replied.

[I-I’m Jeong Haejin.]

As he introduced himself, Haejin habitually lowered his gaze.

He hadn’t been like this as a child, but as he grew older, making eye contact became increasingly difficult.

He wasn’t originally this timid, but growing up under his aunt’s family’s disdainful eyes made him fear others’ gazes and become overly cautious about everything.

As Haejin remained rigid, unable to meet his eyes like a convicted criminal, Beomwoo furrowed one brow, showing his displeasure.

[Lift your head.]

[Are you going to stare at the floor when we’ve just met?]

[……Sorry.]

[Don’t apologize, lift your head.]

[Make eye contact.]

Although he had only told him to lift his head, his voice and expression were so intimidating that Haejin unconsciously bowed his head further toward the floor.

Even though he’d been criticized for not lifting his head, the feeling of having done something wrong made him even more self-conscious, making it harder to comply.

And above all, although his features were sharp, he didn’t look like a vicious gangster.

Perhaps it was because he was too handsome—Haejin found it even more difficult to look at his face than others’.

As Haejin apologized but still struggled to lift his head, Beomwoo let out a small sigh and muttered as if exasperated.

[You actually brought a child here….]

[……]