It felt like being hit with cold water mixed with shards of glass.

“What do you mean, not?”

Lajin, holding the hem of her dress tightly, made eye contact with him with great effort.

“The child’s father is someone else.”

“…What?”

When Jaehun let out a short breath, as if in disbelief, Lajin flinched.

Seeing her stiffen considerably, he realized that his words might not be believed.

“I realized it too late. I apologize for surprising you.”

Jaehun looked at her stiff figure and spoke softly, attempting a gentle tone.

“It was something I never thought of. We were always careful. Both I and the secretary.”

“You don’t need to apologize. It has nothing to do with the Director.”

Jaehun, finding words in her cold voice and expression, hesitated for a moment.

Taking a shallow breath, Lajin immediately spoke.

“The child’s father is someone else.”

When Jaehun smirked, Lajin’s heart sank to the ground.

It seemed like he believed her, but at the same time, it seemed like he didn’t.

“Even if you say it’s not, it’s fine. I know it’s the truth.”

Lajin bit her lower lip tightly. She had unknowingly found relief in his words just now.

She was unconsciously thinking that maybe during Jaehun’s meeting with him, he might believe that she had met another man. Please don’t think like that; there’s only you in my life. Recognize my heart—she was asking for something like that.

She felt pathetic. Even though she had resolved to prioritize the baby, her body stiffened due to fear caused by Jaehun’s words.

“All the children you give birth to are mine.”

Ah, Lajin sighed lowly.

“I think it’s a truth like the sun rising in the morning and setting in the evening.”

Then her face turned pale.

‘No, no…!’
‘No, this can’t be…!’

For a brief moment, there was a faint joy in her own foolishness, and self-disgust overwhelmed her.

Only then did Lajin realize that it would have been better if he didn’t believe her, thinking that she had met another man during the contract period.

It meant that he would consider and handle the child as his own, regardless of who the father was.

As Lajin staggered, the desperate Jaehun quickly approached and grabbed her.

“Are you okay? Where does it hurt?”

“I promise, I promise!”

She grabbed his lapel, trembling and desperately pleading.

“I will never do anything to trouble you from now on.”

“What’s suddenly…! Let’s go to the hospital first.”

“I won’t appear in front of you again.”

For a moment, Jaehun’s thoughts came to a halt.

It felt like someone was strangling him with a thick and tough rope, cutting off his breath.

“I will hide. I promise, I won’t tell anyone, I won’t get caught. If you want, I’ll even write a contract. I won’t ask for anything, and I promise never to appear again, so please…!”

“Stop!”

Pale-faced Jaehun, holding her shoulders as if relying on her, breathed heavily.

“Stop, don’t say anything more.”

He couldn’t bear to listen any longer. Just the thought of Lajin disappearing from his sight again made it hard for him to breathe.

“I was abandoned from birth, and I don’t know the faces or names of my parents. I’m going through the process of being adopted by a family now, and if the results come out soon, I’ll be alone in the world. Without anyone, really alone.”

Seeing Lajin trying hard to hold back tears, her eyes turning red, Jaehun felt something breaking in his mind.

“This child is my only family. My only family in the world. Without this child… I don’t exist.”

She didn’t believe in herself at all. Instead of believing, she was afraid. What on earth did she think he would do?

What was she portraying in her mind…?

“I’ll live flat as if dead. I’ll live quietly as if we never met from the beginning, so please…”

Lajin, who weakly released his clothes, bowed her head.

“I beg you. I’ll raise it as my own child. I’ll live as a person unrelated to you, Director, so please…”

“Sarajin.”

Calling her name, Jaehun frowned. Something hot rose in his mind as if something was breaking.

“Look up.”

Trembling all over, Lajin managed to lift her face. Tears were flowing endlessly on her cheeks.

Jaehun felt like his heart was tearing apart. No, it might actually be torn, and blood might be flowing. Otherwise, it wouldn’t hurt this much.

When Jaehun raised his hand to wipe away the tears, Lajin flinched, leaning back. Her hands were wrapped around her belly protectively.

Looking at her large pupils filled with childish fear, Jaehun forced a bitter smile and slowly withdrew his hand.

“I must be a monster to you.”

In a mutter, his voice was low, filled with shock, self-blame, and sadness.

Then suddenly, Jaehun’s gaze became intense.

“Even if that’s what you say, I can’t help it. I won’t let you go.”