I didn't want to become a stranger to Mitch. Even though I had foolishly offered to pay off his debt because I liked his body, now that I couldn't embrace him, I still didn't want to leave him.Despite knowing that Mitch had tried to deceive me, all I wanted right now was to make him comfortable."Come here."As I entered the funeral hall, Mitch was placing new incense before the old ones burned out. I put the envelope down on the table and called to him."You're here? I'm not really hungry right now.""Just pretend to eat something. You can't keep starving yourself."Mitch didn't argue further and did as I said.My gaze followed Mitch as he approached with somewhat sluggish steps, then shifted to his right foot. That leg seemed to have less strength, causing a subtle imbalance in his gait."What's wrong with your foot?""Just twisted it a bit.""When?""...Why did you buy so much? I won't be able to eat it all anyway."Mitch changed the subject. Though I noticed and was about to poin
What was his intention in asking? He probably wanted Mitch to terminate the pregnancy, right?Mitch stared at Douglass with fear in his eyes. Contrary to his expectations of a cold, sharp expression, Douglass's face was surprisingly calm. It might be a crazy thought, but it seemed as if he was waiting for Mitch to say he wanted to keep the baby.After a moment of silence, Mitch carefully nodded."Yes.""Good."Douglass accepted calmly. Unlike before, he wasn't ignoring what Mitch said."And you? Did you get tested?"Mitch asked about the vasectomy test."I will. Soon.""...""Are you still certain I'm the father?"Despite having already argued about this question once, Mitch wasn't flustered. Perhaps because he had experienced even more miserable situations, he felt no particular agitation."I'm certain."Douglass silently stared at Mitch for a moment. His lips opened slowly."Alright. We'll find out with a paternity test later."Mitch swallowed dryly while gauging Douglass's mood. Th
"No, I meant you don't need to eat this too. Just eat your regular food.""How can I eat something nice in front of someone who can't even smell? Forget it."Douglass snapped as if he'd heard something absurd. Then he turned his attention to the food set in front of Mitch.A thick soup was served alongside freshly toasted, warm rye bread. There was also an appetizing cold noodle dish in a medium-sized bowl."Please try it," the housekeeper said.Mitch picked up his spoon. At least there was almost no smell, which seemed fine, but he was nervous about how it would taste."..."He already felt pressured, worried that spitting out food that had been specially prepared would be impolite.The potato soup he carefully tasted under the watchful eyes of Douglass and the housekeeper was just the right lukewarm temperature. It had no strong spice flavors and was mild. Though ordinary people might find it bland, it suited Mitch's current palate."How is it, sir?""It's delicious."Mitch smiled a
And the questions about who Mitch Forbes was began to fit together like puzzle pieces."So he was supposed to receive various things from my mother. Simply in exchange for breaking up with me."Then coincidentally, he lost his memories in an accident and there was even a child whose father was unknown. All the promised compensation must have vanished, and it would've been too much to let go.It seems Mitch judged that claiming the child was Douglass Brady's would yield more benefits."So this is what he wants."With a cigarette in his mouth, Douglass's lips curved into a distinct arc.It was so obvious that it was actually fortunate. This was something he could easily provide, except for arranging an alpha.Tossing his now-shortened cigarette out the window, Douglass gestured for his secretary to leave.As he crumpled the documents in his hand, the image of Mitch at the funeral lingered in his mind.His swollen eyes from crying and his frighteningly thin appearance. The shock he felt
"..."It was a bit embarrassing, but since Mitch had already agreed to do whatever Douglass wanted, it wasn't surprising that he would make such a request. It wasn't an unreasonable demand either.If anything, since pregnancy had prevented him from properly fulfilling their contract, Mitch had no right to complain even if Douglass got angry."I think that should be fine... I'll do it."And though somewhat pathetic, Mitch desperately needed Douglass's goodwill right now. As long as there was hope that he might accept the child as his own, Mitch didn't want to go against his wishes."Good. Well, we need to go for a checkup soon anyway, so we can confirm it again then."Pleased with Mitch's answer, Douglass wrapped his hand around Mitch's thin, long nape and rubbed it subtly."Ah. And change your phone number."Just as Mitch thought he might kiss him again, Douglass spoke as if something had suddenly occurred to him. Mitch looked up."Why?""Cut off contact with all those other alphas. I
"I wish you would end things with Douglass now."Douglass's mother cut straight to the point before Mitch even had a chance to touch the teacup in front of him.Mitch's hand froze mid-air, shocked. He hadn't expected her to know about his relationship with Douglass Brady."How... How long have you known?""Is that important?"She was exactly as Mitch remembered her—calm and elegant. Her gestures and voice matched perfectly with the sophisticated classical music playing in the background."..."Mitch swallowed dryly, not knowing what to say. He had prided himself on successfully keeping their relationship secret all this time. Perhaps dating the youngest son of a famous corporate chairman was impossible to hide after all."Given the years you've spent together, you'll need some time to sort things out."She maintained her composure despite facing Mitch Forbes, someone far beneath her preciously raised son. Every movement—lifting her teacup, sipping her tea, fixing her hair—exuded dignit
Douglass Brady and Mitch Forbes, who seemed to have nothing in common, first met in middle school.Due to his father's alcoholism and gambling that left no money for living expenses, Mitch's mother began working as a caregiver early on. Thanks to her youth and competence, after a few years, many people requested her specifically as their caregiver.Through coincidental opportunities, she cared for people from wealthy families, which led to more work through referrals. Douglass was one of the children she cared for.Douglass had manifested as an alpha earlier than average, and unfortunately, his pheromones were so strong compared to his peers that they needed to be regulated with medication. This caused him frequent illness.Pheromone imbalances during adolescence, if not treated at the right time, could become a lifelong condition. The doctor advised minimizing pheromone contact with others until his condition stabilized. Following this recommendation, Douglass was isolated at his fam
"Today was your rehabilitation appointment. I cleared my schedule to go with you."Mitch paused while fastening his seatbelt in the passenger seat.Oh. He had completely forgotten.With a shocked face, Mitch checked the date. It really was his scheduled rehabilitation day.During college, Mitch had fractured his right ankle while doing a labor-intensive part-time job. Being young, it healed quickly, but he returned to work before fully recovering and suffered lingering effects.When Douglass later found out, he angrily registered Mitch for rehabilitation therapy. Now, while Mitch could carry out daily activities without major issues and even do basic exercise, his ankle area still felt stiff if he overexerted himself or was physically active all day. In severe cases, he would even limp.Rest usually helped, but it was important to stay within reasonable limits of activity."Where is your mind these days?"Douglass frowned, giving a disapproving look at Mitch sitting in the passenger s
"..."It was a bit embarrassing, but since Mitch had already agreed to do whatever Douglass wanted, it wasn't surprising that he would make such a request. It wasn't an unreasonable demand either.If anything, since pregnancy had prevented him from properly fulfilling their contract, Mitch had no right to complain even if Douglass got angry."I think that should be fine... I'll do it."And though somewhat pathetic, Mitch desperately needed Douglass's goodwill right now. As long as there was hope that he might accept the child as his own, Mitch didn't want to go against his wishes."Good. Well, we need to go for a checkup soon anyway, so we can confirm it again then."Pleased with Mitch's answer, Douglass wrapped his hand around Mitch's thin, long nape and rubbed it subtly."Ah. And change your phone number."Just as Mitch thought he might kiss him again, Douglass spoke as if something had suddenly occurred to him. Mitch looked up."Why?""Cut off contact with all those other alphas. I
And the questions about who Mitch Forbes was began to fit together like puzzle pieces."So he was supposed to receive various things from my mother. Simply in exchange for breaking up with me."Then coincidentally, he lost his memories in an accident and there was even a child whose father was unknown. All the promised compensation must have vanished, and it would've been too much to let go.It seems Mitch judged that claiming the child was Douglass Brady's would yield more benefits."So this is what he wants."With a cigarette in his mouth, Douglass's lips curved into a distinct arc.It was so obvious that it was actually fortunate. This was something he could easily provide, except for arranging an alpha.Tossing his now-shortened cigarette out the window, Douglass gestured for his secretary to leave.As he crumpled the documents in his hand, the image of Mitch at the funeral lingered in his mind.His swollen eyes from crying and his frighteningly thin appearance. The shock he felt
"No, I meant you don't need to eat this too. Just eat your regular food.""How can I eat something nice in front of someone who can't even smell? Forget it."Douglass snapped as if he'd heard something absurd. Then he turned his attention to the food set in front of Mitch.A thick soup was served alongside freshly toasted, warm rye bread. There was also an appetizing cold noodle dish in a medium-sized bowl."Please try it," the housekeeper said.Mitch picked up his spoon. At least there was almost no smell, which seemed fine, but he was nervous about how it would taste."..."He already felt pressured, worried that spitting out food that had been specially prepared would be impolite.The potato soup he carefully tasted under the watchful eyes of Douglass and the housekeeper was just the right lukewarm temperature. It had no strong spice flavors and was mild. Though ordinary people might find it bland, it suited Mitch's current palate."How is it, sir?""It's delicious."Mitch smiled a
What was his intention in asking? He probably wanted Mitch to terminate the pregnancy, right?Mitch stared at Douglass with fear in his eyes. Contrary to his expectations of a cold, sharp expression, Douglass's face was surprisingly calm. It might be a crazy thought, but it seemed as if he was waiting for Mitch to say he wanted to keep the baby.After a moment of silence, Mitch carefully nodded."Yes.""Good."Douglass accepted calmly. Unlike before, he wasn't ignoring what Mitch said."And you? Did you get tested?"Mitch asked about the vasectomy test."I will. Soon.""...""Are you still certain I'm the father?"Despite having already argued about this question once, Mitch wasn't flustered. Perhaps because he had experienced even more miserable situations, he felt no particular agitation."I'm certain."Douglass silently stared at Mitch for a moment. His lips opened slowly."Alright. We'll find out with a paternity test later."Mitch swallowed dryly while gauging Douglass's mood. Th
I didn't want to become a stranger to Mitch. Even though I had foolishly offered to pay off his debt because I liked his body, now that I couldn't embrace him, I still didn't want to leave him.Despite knowing that Mitch had tried to deceive me, all I wanted right now was to make him comfortable."Come here."As I entered the funeral hall, Mitch was placing new incense before the old ones burned out. I put the envelope down on the table and called to him."You're here? I'm not really hungry right now.""Just pretend to eat something. You can't keep starving yourself."Mitch didn't argue further and did as I said.My gaze followed Mitch as he approached with somewhat sluggish steps, then shifted to his right foot. That leg seemed to have less strength, causing a subtle imbalance in his gait."What's wrong with your foot?""Just twisted it a bit.""When?""...Why did you buy so much? I won't be able to eat it all anyway."Mitch changed the subject. Though I noticed and was about to poin
"When does the funeral procession start?""Later at 6 PM."As much as he wanted to tell him to lie down and rest, it would be difficult for Mitch to leave his position as chief mourner for long."If you don't eat this, I'm throwing it away."Douglass began clearing the food in front of Mitch. He knew keeping it there would only make Mitch feel worse."No, I'll do it.""Just sit down, I've got this."He seated Mitch in a chair and quickly cleaned up the table. But Mitch seemed quite uncomfortable with Douglass's actions."You must be busy, you can go back now."In the end, without properly sitting to rest even for a minute, Mitch got up and approached him. He threw away some trash that had fallen on the floor and then handed Douglass his jacket that he had taken off. It was practically asking him to leave.You're in this state and you're telling me to go?Though Mitch probably said it out of consideration, Douglass felt fiery anger rise within him. At the same time, he was greatly dist
Mitch briefly stared at his profile before awkwardly approaching. He hadn't expected to come this far, so he wasn't sure how to interact with him. Feelings of gratitude, embarrassment, and the desire to avoid the situation were all tangled together."Where's your mom?""She said she felt stuffy and went out for some fresh air.""I see."Mitch nodded. Douglass surveyed the modest and inadequate funeral hall. The whole facility was disorderly. The memorial portrait of Mitch's father was poor quality, somehow blurry and faint. And in the midst of it all stood Mitch."You should have told me about this."Douglass spoke with a surge of emotion that he didn't bother to hide. Mitch lowered his head."It was chaotic. I had to leave right after I got the call..."Thick fatigue had seeped into Mitch's voice. Hearing this excuse made Douglass's anger rise even more, though he knew this wasn't the time or place."Even so, does it make sense to be absent for more than three days without saying any
How many times had he come here? More than one hundred and fifty visits. Douglass found his past self pathetic. It was also ridiculous that he had accumulated coupons without using them.What a fool he'd been. No wonder someone would take advantage of him and make up absurd lies about being pregnant with his child. Douglass clicked his tongue in disapproval."I'll just pay."Despite saying this, he simply handed over his card. It wasn't like he was trying to squeeze every last penny out of someone. Remembering how the other had scurried around the kitchen so diligently, he didn't particularly want to get free coffee."Yes. I'll prepare it right away."Douglass watched the part-timer head to the kitchen, then leaned forward slightly to peek inside. But Mitch didn't appear until his coffee was ready."One iced Americano."Douglass immediately picked up the coffee from the pickup counter."Excuse me, customer. Is there anything else you need?"The part-timer cautiously addressed Douglass
"Ugh... What about your father? What are we going to do...?" Mother's crying grew louder as she also noticed what was inside the envelope.Mitch touched the faded old banknotes with his hand and stared at his father lying covered with a white cloth.Why did he still keep this?Even while gambling, cutting off contact with family, being chased by loan sharks, and accumulating countless debts—why did he still have this?It was frustrating that he couldn't ask anymore. Mitch put the money back into the tattered envelope.'Look, Mitch. " Mitch" means to help. Your name means to help people.''That's difficult.''I'll teach you every day until you memorize it.'He resented his father. He was angry at him for dying so absurdly in the end.Why was he selfish until his dying moment? It would have been better if he could just feel nothing, only a sense of liberation. He torments people to the very end."What's the procedure for the funeral?"Only after a long while was Mitch able to clear his