After taking a shower, Taekyun stepped out of the bathroom.
His hair was still slightly damp.
He changed into his night clothes calmly.
Without making any noise,
he opened his bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.
The house was quiet.
He walked toward Haneul's room.
His footsteps were slow.
He stopped in front of the door and gently pushed it open.
(Inside)
The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow across the room.
Haneul was sitting on the bed, his head pressed against the headboard.
His eyes were closed, his face still pale from earlier.
Beside him, Haru was already asleep.
Her small hand was wrapped tightly around Haneul's belly, as if afraid to let go.
Taekyun walked closer to the bed.
He looked down at them.
For a moment, his expression didn't change.
Carefully, he reached down and slowly removed Haru's hand from Haneul's stomach, laying her arm gently by her side so she wouldn't wake up.
Haneul's eyes fluttered open slightly.
His vision was blurry at first
Then he saw Taekyun leaning over, his body partly shielding Haru.
Startled, Haneul immediately closed his eyes again, pretending to be asleep.
Taekyun straightened slowly.
His gaze shifted to Haneul's face.
Haneul's breathing was uneven but his eyes were closed.
Taekyun watched him for a few seconds.
Then, quietly, he moved his hand behind Haneul's back and slowly laid him down properly on the bed.
He adjusted the pillow.
Pulled the blanket up over his shoulders.
Smoothed it down gently.
For a second, he just stood there.
Looking at him.
Haneul's heart was beating fast.
He was fully awake now.
He could feel Taekyun's presence close.
Just when Haneul thought Taekyun would leave.
He felt Taekyun's fingers on his belly.
Haneul's breath hitched internally.
Taekyun's palm pressed lightly against his lower abdomen.
Slowly and carefully.
As if checking something.
His hand moved slightly feeling, assessing before pressing a little more firmly against the lower curve.
Haneul's heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Why?
What was he doing?
The touch wasn't rough.
It wasn't inappropriate.
It was deliberate.
After a few silent seconds, Taekyun slowly removed his hand.
He straightened his posture again.
Without saying a single word, he turned and walked toward the door.
The door clicked softly as it closed behind him.
Haneul opened his eyes.
His breathing was still uneven.
"What was that?"
He whispered faintly.
Why did Taekyun touch him like that?
Slowly, he placed his own hand over his lower belly.
There was nothing unusual.
Just soft curve of his body beneath the blanket.
He leaned back against the pillow, confused.
His mind replayed the moment again and again.
Then he turned slightly toward Haru.
She was still sleeping peacefully.
Haneul gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
[Noon/Taekyun's Office]
A knock echoed against the door.
"Come in,"
Taekyun said calmly without looking up from the file in his hands.
The door opened.
Lihan entered, followed by Taekyun's secretary.
Taekyun lifted his gaze.
The secretary glanced briefly at Lihan.
Lihan gave her a small nod, signaling her to proceed.
She stepped forward slightly.
"Sir, we have a meeting at 2:30 PM with Department JV.
And at 3:30 PM, there's a combined meeting of Department Nam and Department Seok."
Taekyun gave a short nod.
"Okay."
The secretary bowed politely and left the office.
The door closed.
Taekyun looked at Lihan.
"Yes?"
Lihan straightened.
"Sir, I found a doctor."
Taekyun's eyes remained steady.
"He's currently working at Seoul Gam Hospital.
He's experienced especially with omegas."
He paused briefly.
"I spoke to him.
He's ready to take Haneul's case."
Taekyun's brows slowly furrowed.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Haneul's case?"
Lihan hesitated for a moment under that sharp gaze.
"Ohhh....Sir…. actually"
He swallowed.
"In case.… if he's pregnant."
Taekyun stared at him silently for a long moment.
His expression didn't change but the silence felt heavier.
Lihan continued quickly,
"He'll be going at 2 PM for Haneul's checkup. I'll personally take him to the residence afterward."
Taekyun leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Tell Bora to stay with Haneul during the entire checkup."
"Yes, sir,"
Lihan replied.
"I'll be there as well."
Taekyun's eyes hardened slightly.
"During the checkup, you stay outside the room."
Lihan nodded.
"And check over every servant,"
"Yes, sir."
Lihan turned slightly, preparing to leave.
"Tell Haneul,"
Taekyun said calmly,
"that it's just a normal checkup.
That I asked for it."
Lihan nodded.
"Understood."
He reached for the door handle.
"And."
Lihan stopped and turned back.
"Yes, sir?"
Taekyun's voice lowered slightly.
"Look after Haru. Don't let her see Haneul during the checkup."
Lihan nodded immediately.
"Yes, sir. Anything else?"
Taekyun shook his head once.
"You can go now."
Lihan bowed slightly and left the office.
The door closed softly behind him.
Taekyun remained seated.
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
His gaze slowly lowered to the file in front of him
But his thoughts were no longer on work.
[2:30 PM / Residence]
Bora stood in the hallway, her arms crossed.
"Why didn't you tell me at first?"
Lihan looked at her calmly.
"Sir only told me yesterday."
She frowned.
"But we were at dinner late last night.
You didn't mention anything."
Lihan glanced toward the doctor, who was seated nearby, waiting patiently.
"Let's finish the checkup first,"
Lihan said quietly.
"I have to return to the office as well."
Bora exhaled.
"Okay. Wait here. I'll talk to Haneul first."
She paused slightly.
"Even Haru is with him"
"Ahhhh"
Then she turned and walked upstairs.
She knocked gently on Haneul's door.
Inside, Haneul was sitting beside Haru while she played a game on her iPad.
He looked up as Bora entered.
"Haneul."
"Yes?"
He replied.
Bora forced a small smile.
"Sir sent a doctor for your checkup."
Haneul blinked.
"My checkup?"
"Yes"
"But I'm fine."
Haru looked up from her iPad toward Bora.
Bora continued gently,
"It must be because of your vomiting.
The doctor is in a hurry, so it's better if you get checked quickly."
Haneul glanced at Haru, then back at Bora.
"Ahhh, okay"
Bora shifted her gaze to Haru.
"Haru-ah, let's go.
The doctor will check umma, then we'll come back."
Haru shook her head immediately.
"Haru, listen to me,"
Bora said softly.
"It's just a normal checkup."
She opened the door slightly.
"If you don't listen, your abba will scold you."
Haneul quickly got up from the bed and walked to Haru.
"Haru I'm fine. See?
It's just a normal checkup."
Haru stared at him silently.
"Please,"
Haneul said gently.
Haru slowly nodded and walked out of the room.
Just outside, Lihan was standing with the doctor.
"Haru-ah,"
Lihan called softly.
Haru walked past him without responding.
Lihan blinked.
"Huh…. again?"
The doctor chuckled lightly.
"She seems like an alpha. Strong energy."
Lihan nodded slightly.
"Yes."
The doctor then entered the room.
Haneul was standing near the bed, nervously gripping the sleeves of his shirt.
He bowed politely.
The doctor bowed back.
"You're the patient, right?"
Bora stepped forward.
"Yes, this is Haneul."
The doctor nodded and approached him.
Haneul sat down on the bed as the doctor prepared his equipment.
"First, we'll do a general examination," t
he doctor said calmly.
"If needed, we'll proceed with further tests."
Then he looked at Haneul.
"Please lie down."
Haneul hesitated for a moment and looked at Bora.
She gave him a small, reassuring though slightly tense smile.
Slowly, he lay back on the bed.
"Your shirt,"
The doctor said gently.
Haneul's fingers tightened.
He looked at Bora again, embarrassed.
The doctor carefully lifted his shirt just enough to examine his abdomen.
Haneul kept his eyes fixed on Bora.
His heart was beating unusually fast.
His cheeks slowly turned red from embarrassment.
He had never allowed anyone to touch him like this.
Except Taekyun.
And the memory of last night's touch suddenly resurfaced in his mind.