Chapter 153: IRRATIONAL JEALOUSY
"HOW ARE you feeling, dear?"
"I already feel better, Appa," Garam said. He had already changed into his casual clothes because he was ready to leave the hospital now. "Thank you for looking after me all night, Appa. You didn’t have to."
"It’s not something you need to thank me for, dear," Lee Wonjae said, waving his hand casually. "You’re already a son to me."
Aww.
Garam was touched.
His father was a good man, but his father left the world early.
Plus, I kinda resent my father for choosing an awful woman to be my stepmother.
That was why Garam was grateful for Lee Wonjae’s existence.
His Omega father-in-law was the best father figure he could ever ask for.
Ah!
That reminded him...
"Appa, has Sihyuk Hyung told you that we’re living with you temporarily?"
Lee Wonjae turned serious as he nodded. "Yes, my son has mentioned it to me and your abeoji. Of course, you are all welcome to stay with us. In fact, we’d love it."
"But you don’t look happy, Appa."
"It’s not that I’m not happy— I’m just worried about you, dear. I’m sure you’re not okay with living with my son, even if it’s only temporary."
"It can’t be helped, Appa. I need to be near Sihyuk Hyung to increase my pheromone level," Garam said, smiling bitterly. "But it should be fine. Once I recover, my son and I will move out. I don’t want Gunwoo to get used to having Sihyuk Hyung around. It will be hard on my baby once we move into our new house without his daddy."
Lee Wonjae let out a sigh. "If only I could help you more, dear."
"Appa, you’ve done more than enough for me and Gunwoo."
It looked like his Omega father-in-law had something to say, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
A few moments later, the door opened and Dr. Seong Kyungmin entered the room.
The doctor greeted them politely.
"Garam-ssi, remember when I told you to conceal your pheromones using a specific perfume?"
Oh.
Dr. Seong Kyungmin didn’t hold back even in front of Lee Wonjae.
It’s probably because he knows my Omega father-in-law is on my side.
"Yes, Doc," Garam said, nodding. "But it slipped my mind, so I haven’t ordered one yet."
"Perfect, then," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said, handing a fancy paper bag to Garam. "Here, I got it for you. This should fit you since it’s safe for most Omegas."
"Thank you, Doc," Garam said when he accepted the paper bag. When he took a peek inside, he saw a full bottle of perfume. It looked expensive. Hence, when he raised his head, he immediately asked the doctor: "How much do I owe you, Doc?"
"Oh, you don’t have to pay me," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said while shaking his head. "Consider it a gift from me, Garam-ssi."
"Are you sure it’s okay to accept this as a gift, Doc? This looks expensive."
"Don’t worry about it, Garam-ssi. It’s really fine, so please don’t feel burdened."
It looked like Dr. Seong Kyungmin wouldn’t change his mind, so...
"Thank you, Doc."
Yeah, Garam just accepted the present.
It should be fine since I’ve known Dr. Seong for quite a while now. Plus, I know he has no hidden agenda behind this gift. He’s just kind and generous like that.
"You’re welcome, Garam-ssi," Dr. Seong Kyungmin said, and then he quickly shifted to professional mode. "That perfume is long-lasting, so spraying it once a day should suffice. And the scent isn’t strong. Hence, it shouldn’t pose a danger to Gunwoo’s sensitive nose."
"Thank you for the explanation, Doc," Garam said politely. "I’ll use this well."
***
"DADDY, we forgot my books!"
Heh.
Song Sihyuk wanted to smirk, but he didn’t want to hurt his son’s feelings.
Hence, he faked a gasp.
"Oh, you’re right," Song Sihyuk said while Gunwoo was busy rummaging his backpack for the missing children’s books. "I’m sorry, Gunwoo-ya. It seems like daddy forgot to pack your books."
That was a blatant lie, of course.
The children’s books that Gunwoo was looking for now had probably turned to ashes by now.
Yes, Song Sihyuk asked his subordinates to burn the books.
Why would my son need books given by a stranger?
Anyway, Song Sihyuk and Gunwoo were seated in the backseat of the car that was being driven by Jung Han.
They were headed to the hospital to pick up Lim Garam and his Omega father.
"I know those books are irreplaceable, but let Daddy buy you new ones," Song Sihyuk said. "You want to learn about Alphas and Omegas, right? There are kid friendly books explaining Secondary Gender for children your age. Do you want me to get you those?"
Fortunately, hearing about ’Secondary Gender’ piqued Gunwoo’s interest quickly.
Of course, Song Sihyuk mentioned that on purpose.
I know my son is curious about Alphas and Omegas, after all.
Thanks to that, Gunwoo seemed to have forgotten about his ’missing’ books.
"Yes, Daddy. I’d love to read those books."
"My son is smart, huh?" Song Sihyuk said proudly while gently patting Gunwoo’s head. "You already know how to read when you’re only four years old. As expected of my son, you’re also an early reader like me."
According to Lim Garam, Gunwoo started getting interested in books when he was 3 years old.
My wife also did well because he’d always read a book to our son every single night.
That early development could only mean one thing.
"I know it’s too early to say, but I believe you’re going to manifest as an Alpha, Gunwoo-ya."
"Just like Daddy?"
"Yes, just like me and your granddaddy."
"But Dad said I could be an Omega, too."
Oh.
To be honest, the thought of Gunwoo being an Omega didn’t cross Song Sihyuk’s mind.
The moment I saw my son, I just knew that he’d manifest as an Alpha later.
But what if he were wrong?
"Dad said it’s okay to be an Omega, too," Gunwoo said cheerfully. "Dad and Grandpa are Omegas, so it’s okay if I become an Omega like them."
"That’s going to be a problem if you become an Omega, son."
"Why, Daddy?"
"Because I might end up killing all Alphas near you if that happens."
Gunwoo, naturally, looked clueless as the child tilted his head to one side.
"Vice Chairman Song, please watch your language around the young master," Jung Han scolded Song Sihyuk. His right-hand man rarely meddled in his personal affair. The fact that he did this time could only mean that Song Sihyuk had gone too far. "Lim Garam-nim won’t be happy if he hears you talk like this in the young master’s presence."
Ah, right.
I shouldn’t upset my wife.
"My bad, Gunwoo-ya. Forget everything I said just now," Song Sihyuk said, gently patting his son’s head again. "And let’s keep this a secret from your dad, okay? I’ll buy you toys if you promise not to tell your dad."
Gunwoo’s face beamed. "I want an airplane toy, Dad!"
Heh.
Song Sihyuk pretended not to hear the ’toy’ part.
A plane it is, then.
***
"DAAAD!"
Garam smiled widely when he saw his son running towards him as soon as the door burst open.
And then Gunwoo almost tackled him.
My son is only four, but he’s really strong.
"I’ve missed you, Dad!"
Garam leaned down and picked up Gunwoo. "Heave ho."
Whew.
Gunwoo seemed to have gained weight.
Is it because his grandfathers kept feeding him snacks, especially when I’m not looking?
"I’ve missed you, too, baby," Garam said, showering his son’s face with kisses. "Did you have fun at your daddy’s house?"
Gunwoo’s face beamed while nodding eagerly. "I like Daddy’s house! It’s big! And it has a pool!"
Right.
Sihyuk Hyung’s penthouse has an indoor pool.
"But Daddy didn’t let me play in the pool, Dad."
Aigooya.
"It was already late last night, Gunwoo-ya. Of course, I would keep an eye on you. But I didn’t want you to catch a cold since the weather is still too cold," Song Sihyuk explained. "Plus, give me time to renovate the pool to make it safer for kids."
Gunwoo remained pouting.
Garam, on the other hand, couldn’t help but think that Song Sihyuk’s overprotectiveness had extended to their son.
"We can go visit a resort if you want to go swimming, Gunwoo-ya."
Gunwoo’s face immediately beamed at Song Sihyuk’s offer. "Really, Daddy?"
"Yes. I’ll plan it soon," Song Sihyuk said while gently patting Gunwoo’s head. And then he turned to Garam with a serious look on his face. "Lim Garam, why do you smell like an Alpha?"
Garam was startled by Song Sihyuk’s question. "Huh?"
"Did an Alpha visit you?"
There was only one Alpha who visited Garam, though.
"It was Dr. Seong Kyungmin."
"Why did Seong Kyungmin visit you when you weren’t here for him?"
Garam furrowed his brows, annoyed at Song Sihyuk’s questions. "Why are you interrogating me, Hyung?"
"I don’t like," Song Sihyuk said bluntly. "I don’t like the scent of other Alpha on you, Lim Garam."
***
Please add <SECRETLY MARRIED TO A CHAEBOL ALPHA> to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :>