Chapter 82

* * *

Damn bastard.

Despite emptying two cans of beer, his insides were still boiling. Rights, of all things? Where does he get off saying such things? When he's never had any sense of responsibility...

Meow, Darling made a small cry. Dane realized that he had been pouring out pheromones in his anger and contained the scent. As the pheromone scent faded, the cat seemed comfortable again and lay down with her head resting on her front paws.

Dane walked to the cat tower with a beer can in one hand. The cat was practically his only healing companion. When he gently stroked Darling's head as she rested peacefully, the cat raised her head and then flipped over. Seeing Darling licking his hand, rubbing her head against it, and tapping it with her front paws as if it were a toy, his mood improved.

As he relaxed his lips into a smile, the sound of his mobile phone ringing was heard. After checking the caller, he soon pressed the call button. Immediately, a voice continued from the other end.

- Dane, did you get back well? When I went to the hospital, they said you had taken Darling. I wanted to call earlier, but I couldn't find the time, I'm sorry for contacting you so late...

"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

Dane ran his fingers through his hair and added.

"Thank you for taking care of Darling in the meantime, Yeonwoo."

- No, thank you for trusting me and entrusting your precious Darling to me.

Yeonwoo added in his usual affectionate tone.

- Please contact me anytime. If I can be of any help, I'd be happy to...

"Yes, I'll remember that."

There shouldn't be such an occasion again.

Dane ended the call after a brief greeting. If he were to examine why he had come this far in the first place, the cause was clear. Anyway, the commission had failed, so he needed to think about that too. Issues like returning the fee he had received, and so on.

"Health checkup fee..."

After muttering while standing blankly, Dane pressed his forehead irritably. Damn, why did the money he had saved to buy that damn cat tower exactly match that amount?

No, even if I had that money, I couldn't have done the health checkup.

Considering the waiting order, it could have taken years. Anyway, he just needed to return the money, so he hadn't lost anything.

It's me who will feel dirty every time I see that cat tower, not Darling.

He reached a rational conclusion as always. Of course, his mood was far from good.

* * *

Why did I do such a petty thing?

Deeply buried in the sofa, Greyson recalled the thoughts he had been ruminating on all the way home.

Rights, do I have such a thing? Even if I did, have I ever cared about such things?

Dane's words weren't wrong. It was his body, his choice. However, from Greyson's perspective, if he had pointed out that it was something that happened regardless of his will, Dane would have agreed as well.

But a child?

If a child were conceived and Dane decided to have it, am I prepared to take responsibility? Why did I even mention rights? What if Dane said he would have the child but not raise it? Would I say I would raise the child alone?

Why did the conversation even go that far in the first place?

Dane had taken the morning-after pill in front of Greyson. That clearly showed his intention, and the whole conversation should have ended there. But now, suddenly bringing up that topic? It's no wonder Dane was bewildered.

...But.

Still, it didn't make sense. Why did Dane show such extreme aversion? If he rejected it to that extent, there must have been something in the past...

"Family..."

Greyson softly repeated the word in his mouth. He wanted to know more about Dane. But there was neither a way nor a reason to know. What was that guy to him anyway? What would he do with that knowledge?

It's not like we're on good terms again.

<Why are you being so clingy in such an old-fashioned way? Didn't you say you don't sleep with someone you've already slept with?>

"Haa."

A sigh escaped involuntarily, and Greyson covered his face with one hand. He had lived with those words on his lips until now. He had ridiculed and toyed with countless Omegas who begged to sleep with him just one more time. That had been a given in his life until now...

Do I just want to sleep with that man again?

Greyson fell into serious contemplation with furrowed brows. And until late into the night, he couldn't find an answer.

* * *

Greyson, who had never felt fatigue even after partying all night and rolling around with several people, was experiencing it for the first time. When he looked in the mirror in the morning and discovered an unfamiliar man with a haggard face, he unconsciously turned around and then realized with an "Ah." So that's my face.

"...Haa."

He rubbed his face with one hand, accompanied by a deep sigh.

Going to work on a day like this.

Greyson truly understood the phrase "the sorrow of office workers" for the first time. It was absurd to have to go to work on a day when his condition was so terrible. Fortunately, Greyson was different from ordinary people. One phone call to the chief, and he would be told to rest immediately. But after a brief contemplation, he gave up and headed to the shower. Feeling the contradictory emotions of not wanting to face Dane but wanting to see him, he sluggishly prepared to go out, slower than usual.

* * *

When he forced his heavy body to go to work, there was a somewhat unsettled atmosphere within the station. As he looked over the employees gathered in small groups with puzzlement, Valentina, who had just spotted him, greeted him.

"Greyson, hello! ...You look a bit different today."

She greeted him cheerfully but then looked him over once with a strange expression. When her gaze returned to his face, she was smiling as usual, but Greyson clearly saw the momentary flash of confusion that had crossed her face.

It was no wonder, as his hair, which was always neatly combed back, was flowing down carelessly today, and his always clean-shaven face was covered with stubble. It was clear that he had come to work without even shaving. Moreover, he, who always greeted everyone with a bright smile, today only raised his hand lightly without smiling, with a tired complexion.

"Just couldn't be bothered. More importantly, is something going on? The atmosphere seems strange."

"Ah, well."

Valentina glanced behind her and then said with a worried expression.

"Ezra's wife has cancer. It was confirmed in this examination, and it seems quite serious. The treatment costs are enormous, from what I hear, it will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars at minimum... Everyone is worried right now."

"Oh, that's unfortunate."

Though he wasn't interested at all, Greyson acted as he was accustomed to. Just then, Dane, who had been standing around Ezra with other guys, patted his shoulder. The moment he saw that, Greyson unconsciously frowned deeply.

Fortunately, that reaction misled Valentina. After turning her head to follow his gaze and seeing Dane comforting Ezra, she made her own assumption.

You must be very worried about Ezra. Well, you two have been getting along well lately.

Thinking that, Valentina provided another piece of information.

"So the chief said we should hold a charity party among ourselves. We'll raise money for Ezra there. You'll come, right?"

"What? Ah..."

In fact, he had barely heard Valentina's words as he was only looking at Dane. Barely remembering the words 'party' and 'will you come,' Greyson carefully asked back.

"Is everyone going?"

"Yes," Valentina answered.

"Of course we should go. Everyone will participate except for the staff on duty."

"...I see."

Greyson muttered, still keeping his gaze fixed on Dane.

"I'll go if I can make it."

After checking if Dane is on duty.

To Greyson, who had inwardly added this, Valentina said with a smile.

"Alright then. See you later."

After a light farewell, she returned to the group.

Greyson came to know the exact purpose of the party only after heading to the office to check the exact date and who would be on duty that day.