TEW 40

chapter 40

“Ms. Woo Yeon-seo, please come in.”

The wait was less than ten minutes. Following the nurse’s guidance, Yeon-seo entered the consultation room.

“Hello. What symptoms bring you here today?”

Inside sat a female doctor, who looked to be around forty. She had a petite build, and her short, jet-black hair suited her well.

“Well… I came to check if I might be pregnant. I’ve missed a period, I keep feeling nauseous, and the dry heaving has been really bad. I also feel like I’ve been dozing off more than usual.”

“I see! You came at the right time. We’ll do an abdominal ultrasound first, so please lower your pants a little and lie on the bed. If the ultrasound can’t confirm it, we’ll also do a transvaginal scan and bloodwork.”

“Yes.”

Yeon-seo followed the doctor’s instructions and lay down. Soon, a cold sensation spread across her slightly bloated belly.

The doctor moved the ultrasound device and clicked the machine.

The room was filled only with white noise, but Yeon-seo felt no calmness. Her mind was blank, waiting only for the doctor to speak.

“Okay, do you see the screen here?”

After staring at the monitor for a while, the doctor turned the machine toward her and pointed with a smile.

At the sight of the doctor’s expression, Yeon-seo’s chest dropped heavily.

“This is the gestational sac. You’re just about six weeks along now. Congratulations.”

“I’m… really pregnant?”

Her mouth fell open in shock.

She thought she had taken precautions, yet a child had come into her. Memories of being entangled with Do-heon, losing herself in his arms, flickered past like film strips.

“Yes, and you came at a good time. You can usually only see the sac on ultrasound after six weeks. Now I’ll let you hear the heartbeat.”

Then, the sound of a rhythmic thumping filled the room. A strong, pulsing beat that announced the beginning of life.

“At six weeks, there’s still a risk of miscarriage, so it’s best to avoid climbing stairs or doing strenuous exercise. And you’ll need to visit the hospital regularly.”

But Yeon-seo could barely hear the doctor. Dazed, she left the obstetrics office and cradled her stomach.

Now that she knew there was life inside her, every movement felt delicate.

Until now, she had only struggled to manage her own body. To take responsibility for someone else—a tiny being fragile enough to shatter at the slightest touch—was something she had never imagined.

It felt like a dream. She looked blankly at a passing pregnant woman near the hospital.

Could this really be happening…? What was she supposed to do now?

Should she tell him? Or keep it to herself?

At that moment, a call came in from Do-heon—someone who rarely contacted her unless it was urgent.

She hadn’t decided anything yet, but now she had to speak to him? Her head felt like it might explode.

Yeon-seo stared at the screen, hesitated, and finally pressed the call button.

“…Hello, Mr. Do-heon.”
– “Where are you? Did you go to the hospital?”
“Yes, but not the one you mentioned. I went to another hospital.”
– “I see. So what did they say?”

For a moment, she was tempted to tell him the truth. What would his reaction be if she did?

‘What about you, Ms. Woo Yeon-seo? How do you feel about carrying my child?’

He had once said that.

Would he smile sweetly at her again, like he had then? A tiny spark of hope flickered in her chest.

But she couldn’t tell him yet. No, it seemed better not to.

He had never clearly stated what he truly wanted. Thinking that he might want her to keep the child was just her own wishful thinking.

Do-heon had always drawn a line between them. Whenever she tried to step closer, he stepped back. Even when they shared a body as though they were one, he would quickly pull away into the cold definition of their contract.

Their relationship was, after all, a contract made for mutual benefit. Would he want a child from such a relationship? More likely, he’d want to erase it. He might even think she was trying to tie him down with the baby.

That thought alone sent chills down her spine. She didn’t even want to imagine it.

She was relieved she hadn’t gone to the hospital where his personal physician worked.

“They said… it’s acid reflux. With some medicine and rest, I should be fine.”
– “Ah, that’s good to hear.”

He let out a small sigh of relief. She knew it was out of concern, but somehow, it felt bitter.

– “I have important news.”
“What kind of news?”

What could possibly be more important than a pregnancy? Yeon-seo swallowed back her words again and again. His buoyant voice ran parallel to her fear, never crossing.

– “It’s all finished. The equity transfer is confirmed. It’ll be processed step by step this month.”
“…I see.”

Though she knew this would happen eventually, her heart still sank. His words marked the end of their contract.

After a long pause, he whispered gently:

– “It’s all thanks to you. Thank you.”

Why didn’t those words make her happy?

It was just a plain expression of gratitude—nothing she should have taken issue with. But though her mind understood, her heart felt hollow.

After hanging up, Yeon-seo stood frozen for a long time. She couldn’t imagine walking into her house and pretending nothing had happened.

Staggering, she stepped into a café next to the hospital. A signboard at the entrance read: Americano 2,000 won!

Inside, the café bustled with uniformed students, women with young children, and elderly people in hiking clothes.

“One citron tea, please.”

She handed her card to the cashier with a polite nod.

“Hello! Would you like that iced?”
“No, hot please.”
“Okay, processing your payment.”

A few minutes later, a steaming cup of citron tea was placed on her tray.

She sat on a small wooden chair and took a few sips. The dizziness eased a little.

‘Did you really think you’d spend your life with him? Or were you just hoping he’d notice your pregnancy and congratulate you?’

She sighed softly, scolding herself for feeling disappointed at his simple thank you.

With cautious hands, she touched her stomach.

Inside was her and his child. Everything was happening so suddenly that it didn’t feel real.

Just then, her phone chimed.

It was the KD Bank app, which she had installed when they signed the contract. She scanned her fingerprint and checked her account balance.

“…Ah.”

Startled, she dropped her phone. Picking it up again, she reread the transaction over and over, unable to believe it.

[Deposit: 10,000,000,000 KRW – Sender: Seo Do-heon]

Her chest dropped with a thud.

A hundred billion won. An unreal amount for someone who once trembled even spending ten thousand.

She had actually received it.

It felt like a notice from Do-heon himself.

A notice that their contract was over.

Their agreement had been clear: she would stay until he safely received his shares in Seo Group, after which she would receive 100 billion won and they would divorce.

Now what? Since she had the money, was divorce all that remained?

In truth, this was his way of stating his will—through alimony. The contract was fulfilled, and now Yeon-seo was to return to her original place.

Her thoughts naturally jumped to the next step. The fingertips resting on her lower belly trembled.

‘So this child… will be born without a father.’

Her vision blurred as she lowered her head.

Imagining her child growing up fatherless made her chest ache. Even if she gave birth safely, the loneliness she had suffered would be passed on.

Her mind swirled with undecided choices. What would this tiny being inside her want her to do?

“Mommy!”

She looked up at the clear, bright voice.

At a nearby table sat a mother and her young son. Judging by the preschool backpack, the boy was about three or four.

“So, Channie, what do you want to eat today? Should we get red bean shaved ice? Or mango bingsu?”
“Egg tart! I had it before—it was yummy!”
“Oh, just look at these cheeks! My cute boy! How can you be so adorable? Okay, I’ll get you an egg tart!”
“Yay! Mommy’s the best!”

The boy raised his tiny hands, and the woman beamed at him as though she had the whole world.

Her hair was rough, her skin bare of makeup, her T-shirt stretched out and worn. She looked shabby—but her expression overflowed with happiness.

‘Could I… ever be that happy too?’