Married For Now-Chapter 100: PRELUDE TO TRAGEDY

"YOU’RE DONE taking a smoke, Hyung?"

"I tried, but it seems like I already forgot how to smoke," Sohee said, returning the pack of cigarettes and the lighter that Kim Heedo lent to him earlier. "The smell of cigarettes in the smoking area helped me calm down, though."

Kim Heedo accepted the pack and the lighter with a scowl. "Hyung, second-hand smoke is worse than smoking."

"Nah, that’s not true. But breathing it in and smoking it is bad for our health."

"Should I quit smoking, too?"

"That’s for you to decide," Sohee said, shrugging. "But I think I’ll quit smoking for good."

He stopped smoking when he couldn’t afford a pack of cigarettes anymore during his broke days. But he noticed that his health improved after quitting. Even his complexion looked better now.

Moreover...

I used to get tired easily before, but not anymore.

Well, maybe except during sex.

But it’s not my fault! My stamina is normal. It’s Kim Heedo who’s a monster in bed.

"Maybe I’ll consider quitting, too," Kim Heedo said, tilting his head to one side while thinking. "I don’t want Hyung to breathe in second-hand smoke from me."

Sohee smiled, and then he patted Kim Heedo’s head. "Quitting isn’t easy, so take your time deciding."

"Okay, Hyung."

Sohee glanced at Han Raehyun who looked like his soul had already left his body.

The poor boy was sitting on the floor while hugging his legs, his forehead pressed against his knees.

Kim Heedo whispered in Sohee’s room. "Sera kicked him out."

Oh, deserve.

"I’ll check on Sera," Sohee said, patting Kim Heedo’s arm. "Are you coming with me?"

"Oh, I’ll stay here, Hyung," Kim Heedo said. "I need to send Han Raehyun and Baek Jeho back to Seoul on their own."

***

"I’M SORRY, OPPA. We need to fly back to Seoul using my family’s private plane. I would have booked a commercial flight, but my family already sent the plane here."

Ah.

Sohee felt bad for criticizing Kim Heedo and Hong Sera’s lifestyle when the two brought up using a private plane for a short trip.

I guess it’s time for me to be a hypocrite.

"Well, using a private plane for a short trip is still bad for the environment. But since I’ll be using one soon, I’ll shut up about it from now on," Sohee said, shrugging. "Anyway, at this moment, I care about you more than I care about the environment."

I’ll just donate more money to the environmentalists.

Or maybe Sohee should look for activities that he could do to help Mother Earth recover.

"Thank you for understanding, Oppa," Hong Sera said, pausing for a moment. "Sohee Oppa, I know you’re curious about what you’ve heard from Heedo. But can you wait a bit? I don’t want Cho Euntak to feel left out."

"Of course," Sohee said, nodding. "You can talk to us anytime, Sera-ya."

***

SOHEE was impressed.

Hong Sera’s private plane was so classy and luxurious.

It was like a flying apartment with a full dining room, a full-size kitchen accompanying a suite dedicated to the crew flying with them, a multimedia theater room, and a cabin.

And Kim Heedo is currently in the cabin— sleeping.

Well, his husband deserved it since he worked hard all night.

First, Kim Heedo took care of everything in the hospital where Hong Sera was confined all night. Then, early in the morning, he sent Baek Jeho and Han Raehyun back to Seoul the way his friend group got there: via the SUV, with Shin Kang as the driver.

Hence, at the moment, Sohee was spending time with Hong Sera and Cho Euntak in the "living room."

The seats were very comfortable, and the macarons prepared by the staff were delicious.

It was still too early to drink— not that they’d let Hong Sera drink— so they paired the tasty pastries with tea.

They barely touched the food and the drinks, though.

After all, Hong Sera told the story about what happened to Jin Minki that put a crack on her relationship with Han Raehyun.

It’s really tragic.

Sohee was just relieved that the rapist was already in jail.

If not, I would look for him and kill him myself.

"It happened when Jin Minki was in heat. That evil man took advantage of the situation and used his pheromones to subdue Jin Minki," Hong Sera said in a soft and sad voice. "That’s why I can’t say anything whenever Jin Minki wants Han Raehyun close to him during his heat. I thought I’d be fine as long as Han Raehyun didn’t sleep with Jin Minki."

Oh, god.

Our Sera is settling for less because of guilt.

"Noona..." Cho Euntak, teary-eyed, looked like he wanted to console Hong Sera. But it also looked like the kid didn’t know what words to say. "You endured well, Noona..."

Hong Sera looked confused by what Cho Euntak said, and then she smiled while shaking her head. "I had to. That’s the least thing I could do. If I didn’t force Han Raehyun to meet me that day, none of that would have happened."

"Sera-ya, I understand why you feel guilty for what happened," Sohee said, sighing. "I sympathize with Jin Minki, too. But you know what? He needs therapy and not Han Raehyun alone. After all, he needs to work on his trauma. I know it’s hard, but he can’t depend on someone else forever— especially not on someone else’s boyfriend."

Cho Euntak nodded eagerly in agreement with what Sohee said.

"Thank you, Oppa and Euntak-ah," Hong Sera said, smiling. "And I’m sorry for not telling you about my medical history. Don’t feel bad for asking me to drink in the past. I know my limit, and I’m fine. I didn’t get liver disease because of alcohol. But I’ll be more careful from now on and limit my drinking. I’m sorry for making you worry."

"You don’t have to apologize, Noona," Cho Euntak said while shaking his head. "We’ll take better care of you from now on."

"Right," Sohee said, nodding. "Tell me if you want me to give Han Raehyun a piece of my mind, Sera-ya. You’re too soft on that boy."

Hong Sera just smiled and nodded, then she changed the topic. "Euntak-ah, how are you?"

Ah, right.

We have to console our baby, too.

"I’m not fine," Cho Euntak said and he tried to laugh it off. But he soon burst into tears. "I confessed to Baek Jeho, and then I ended my friendship with him."

Aigoo.

Sohee and Hong Sera hugged Cho Euntak, letting the baby cry his heart out.

***

"YOU’RE the mastermind, but you’re the only one who got away with a slap on the wrist, huh? You lucked out, Heedo-ya."

Kim Heedo thought Park Sohee really said the most confusing things.

He was busy exchanging messages with Seong Kyungmin— his doctor— when Park Sohee joined him on the sofa.

They got home this morning.

Hong Sera didn’t want them at the hospital since she was worried they were tired from the trip. So, after greeting Hong Sera’s parents who were already waiting when the private plane landed, Heedo and Park Sohee went home.

Ah, we also sent Cho Euntak home, of course.

After that, Heedo and Park Sohee slept all day.

In fact, he had just woken up.

He was about to order dinner when Seong Kyungmin sent him a message. So, he ended up having a full conversation with the doctor.

That was when Park Sohee woke up and joined him on the sofa.

So, now two of us are lazing around.

"Heedo-ya, you’re lucky I have a big heart." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

"That’s true, but what’s this about, Hyung?"

"Hong Sera is giving Han Raehyun the cold shoulder, while Cho Euntak ended his friendship with Baek Jeho," Park Sohee finally explained what he was talking about. "But you only got a sex ban even though you were the mastermind behind this stalking incident."

Ah.

"Well, I didn’t force Han Raehyun and Baek Jeho to come with me. In fact, they had the same idea. I just provided the transport and the accommodation," Heedo said, shrugging. "Hyung, it’s unfair that you compare my "crime" to those two. I know stalking you is bad, but it’s not as bad as the "crimes" that Han Raehyun and Baek Jeho committed towards Hong Sera and Cho Euntak, respectively. Plus, unlike Han Raehyun and Baek Jeho, I know fully well what I did wrong. That’s why I was able to apologize to Hyung properly."

Park Sohee raised an eyebrow at him. "You should have taken up Law and not Business Administration, Kim Heedo."

"I’ll take that as a compliment, Hyung. But I have one more case to appeal."

"What now?"

"The sex ban as my punishment wasn’t a slap on the wrist, Hyung," Heedo complained lightly. "I’d rather you beat me to a pulp than give me the sex ban. But since I know that I deserve this, I accepted your punishment wholeheartedly. I’m not complaining— I just don’t want Hyung to think that the sex ban is easy for me."

"I know it wouldn’t be easy for you since you like sex so much."

"To be precise, I like making love with Hyung and only with Hyung. I can live without sex, but I can’t live with just a platonic relationship with you."

Park Sohee blushed, which was a rare thing to happen. "You should really switch to Law, punk. Your sweet words are making me want to lift the ban earlier than planned."

Aww.

Heedo wanted to tease Park Sohee more, but his phone rang.

It was a message from Seong Kyungmin.

<"I’d like to test your pheromones level again, Heedo-ya. Come to my office as soon as possible.">

Heedo wasn’t hiding it from Park Sohee, so he let his husband read the message.

"Are you feeling sick, Heedo-ya?" Park Sohee asked worriedly. "Why does Dr. Seong need to check your pheromones level?"

Ah, I guess it’s time to come clean.

"Hyung, Kyungmin Hyung and I are actually conducting a little experiment."

"Experiment? I don’t like the sound of it, Heedo-ya."

"According to Kyungmin Hyung, my pheromones level isn’t normal— and so is my physical strength," Heedo said carefully. "Nothing is wrong with me. But Kyungmin Hyung thinks I’m a Hyper-Dominant Alpha now."

As expected, Park Sohee looked shocked. "I thought you didn’t believe in the existence of Hyper-Dominant Alphas..."

"I still don’t, that’s why I agreed to conduct the experiment with Kyungmin Hyung. I want to know whether I’ve really "evolved" or I’m just sick."

"What kind of experiment are you doing? Please tell me it’s not dangerous."

"Don’t worry, Hyung. So far, I just need to report to Kyungmin Hyung whenever I feel like my pheromone level is spiking up. I noticed that whenever I’m upset, I feel the urge to be violent. And then my physical strength increases."

"No wonder you broke Kim Hanhae’s shoulder and dislocated Song Sihyuk-ssi’s shoulder with just one squeeze..."

"Right?"

Park Sohee fell silent for a moment. "I don’t mind if you’ve become a Hyper-Dominant Alpha, Heedo-ya. As long as you don’t hurt me. Not that I think you would."

"I’ll never hurt you, Hyung. And I’m trying my best to stop the violent urges I feel whenever I’m upset. I don’t want to be a violent person just because my pheromones are getting out of control."

"Can you bring me with you the next time you visit Dr. Seong?"

"Of course, Hyung," Heedo said, nodding. "But may I know why you want to see Kyungmin Hyung?"

"Hyper-Dominant Alphas— if they truly exist— are rare," Park Sohee said, getting serious all of a sudden. "I have to make sure that Dr. Seong will keep his mouth shut, and that he won’t sell you out to some weird researchers that might want to dissect you."

What?

Hyung’s imagination is really wide— and wild!

And it was adorable.

Heedo couldn’t help but laugh while gently squeezing Park Sohee’s cheeks. "You really say the silliest things, Hyung."

Park Sohee suddenly fell silent.

And Hyung looks serious again.

"What’s on your mind, Hyung?"

"Heedo-ya, about my half-brother..."

"Yes?"

Park Sohee gulped before asking: "Can you ask Mr. Shin to look into my half-brother’s situation in more depth? And see how we can help?"

Heedo wasn’t surprised because he had already expected that from Park Sohee.

Hyung is really kind.

"Of course, Hyung," Heedo said, wrapping an arm around Park Sohee’s waist. "Anything for you."

***

"BABY!" Sohee gushed after a cute baby boy "video bombed" the screen while he was having a video call with Lim Garam. "Hyung-nim, is that...?"

Well, the "baby" wasn’t actually a baby— it was a child aged six already.

But whatever.

<"This is Gunwoo, my precious baby boy.">

Sohee smiled when Lim Garam put Baby Gunwoo on his lap, and then Lim Garam moved Baby Gunwoo’s arm to wave at him.

How cute!

<"Gunwoo-ya, say ’hi’ to your Sohee Hyung.">

<"Hello, pretty Hyung.">

Aigoo.

Sohee, who was originally lying down on the bed while having a video call with Lim Garam, got up and greeted the child properly.

"Hello, handsome Gunwoo-ya."

It was weird to call a child ’handsome,’ yes.

But Sohee meant it objectively.

Baby Gunwoo’s face card, despite being a child, already met the Korean beauty standards 100%.

"Hyung-nim, your baby has the face of an actor."

<"I know, right? To be honest, I’m already worried. I won’t stop him if he wants to be a celebrity in the future. But, for now, I’ll make sure he won’t be exposed to the public. My husband’s power and influence are handy when it comes to things like this.">

That was probably why the news of Lim Garam having a child hadn’t been leaked yet.

Sohee was about to say something, but Baby Gunwoo suddenly got up and ran out of the room while yelling for a certain ’Brian.’

<"Ah, he’s looking for his favorite plushie. He named it ’Brian.’">

Sohee couldn’t help but smile. "That’s a random name."

<"Most of his father’s business partners are foreigners, so Gunwoo names his toys after the names he usually hears his father call.">

"Aww, that’s so cute."

Lim Garam smiled and nodded, and then he finally said the reason he called.

<"Sohee-ya, my husband is going on a business trip this weekend. Would you like to hang out with me and Gunwoo? I’ll book a lounge at my favorite café. They’re child-friendly, and we can talk there in private.">

"I’d love that, Hyung-nim," Sohee said, nodding eagerly. "There’s something I want to ask you, after all."

Sohee only had one thing to ask Lim Garam.

If I want to help my half-brother while waiting for the result of Mr. Shin’s investigation, I need to gather as much information as I can about those ’miracle pills.’

***

"JUNSU-YA, our preparation is complete."

Argh.

Lee Junsu was still feeling sick, so he listened to Sangwoo’s report while lying on the bed. "What preparation?"

"We got our hands on Lim Garam’s schedule this week. He’s meeting a friend in a café, and he’ll be bringing his son," Sangwoo said cheerfully. "Moreover, Jin Taejoon accepted our request— he and his men will handle the kidnapping."

Lee Junsu scoffed. "The loan shark is now a kidnapper, huh?"

"What can he do?" Sangwoo smirked, shrugging. "He was kicked out of the succession line because of Kim Heedo and Park Sohee, so he’ll now do any kind of errand work that brings in money."

***

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