The Omega Is Pregnant-Chapter 58

Tae-seo tapped his fingernail against the glass. The delicate vibration and clear sound were the only things filling the awkward silence, making it at least somewhat bearable.

"Did I... surprise you by calling you all of a sudden?"

At the question coming from across the table, Tae-seo lifted his head. Sitting opposite him, fidgeting with his own glass, was Seo Da-rae.

After going up to his room last night, Tae-seo had received a message from Da-rae asking to meet. Without dragging it out, he had agreed, and now, early in the morning, they sat across from each other in a café.

Tae-seo glanced at the drink in front of him. He used to find the citrusy flavor refreshing, but today, it was just sour and unappealing. After staring at the drink for a moment, he looked back at Da-rae.

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"No, I was actually thinking of reaching out to you too."

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why were you going to contact me?"

Even though Da-rae was the one who had called for this meeting, the atmosphere had suddenly shifted, making it seem like Tae-seo needed to explain his own reasons for wanting to meet. He was caught off guard for a moment, but since it was something he had to say anyway, there was no point in avoiding it.

"I... I tormented you a lot in the past."

Now that he had fully accepted the past of Yoon Tae-seo, there was no trace of resentment left in his expression. If anything, he was just grateful that he had become Tae-seo right before Da-rae took that drug.

"I was the one in the position of causing harm, so I don’t remember everything. That makes me feel even guiltier... but I haven’t forgotten entirely. I remember the cruel things I said to you, and I even remember what I almost did but shouldn’t have."

"Yoon Tae-seo, you..."

"I apologized before, but I don’t think I ever did it sincerely."

Tae-seo watched Da-rae’s expression and took a deep breath. The original Tae-seo had acted out of inferiority, resenting the fact that he couldn’t be an Omega and consumed by jealousy over Kang In-hyuk’s feelings for Da-rae. If Da-rae refused to accept his apology, Tae-seo had no right to demand otherwise.

Even if Da-rae didn’t forgive him, his past actions wouldn’t disappear. That’s why Tae-seo decided to be honest, even about the things Da-rae hadn’t known.

"That night at the party... I drugged the champagne. I was planning to make you drink it. But I realized too late that I shouldn’t, so I took it away. I’m sorry."

"...You’ve really changed."

Da-rae’s voice was filled with disbelief. It wasn’t just a surface-level apology meant to ease his own conscience—Tae-seo was genuinely remorseful. Da-rae had never expected an apology, especially not one like this. He had assumed Tae-seo would rely on his wealthy parents or simply feign ignorance.

"Did I misjudge you before? Or... is this the real you?"

Da-rae muttered, seemingly speaking more to himself. Tae-seo shrugged. If he said his nature had changed, would Da-rae believe it?

"But I still don’t trust you. And even if your apology is real, I can’t forgive you. You..."

Da-rae trailed off, biting his lip in frustration. It seemed like he had something he wanted to say, but he cut himself off before finishing. Even as Tae-seo continued looking at him, Da-rae remained silent.

Since it didn’t seem like he was going to continue, Tae-seo decided to move the conversation forward.

"I’m not asking for instant forgiveness. I don’t expect anything to change right now, so don’t feel pressured."

"Even so... that doesn’t mean I..."

Da-rae struggled to finish his sentence. Tae-seo simply watched him, wondering if what he had said had thrown Da-rae off balance. After a moment, Da-rae turned his head away.

"You... your presence keeps..."

"I can’t hear you. What?"

"Never mind."

Da-rae shook his head, and Tae-seo didn’t press further. Instead, he absentmindedly stirred his drink with the straw. The ice had melted, returning the drink to nearly the same amount it had been when first served. Earlier, it had tasted too sour; now, it was probably too diluted to be enjoyable. Either way, he had no desire to drink it anymore.

"Did you have something you wanted to say?"

It was Da-rae’s turn now. Tae-seo was ready to listen, and once he did, he planned to leave without delay.

"After hearing you out, I don’t really have anything to say anymore. Sorry."

"...I see."

If it had been Park Han-soo, he probably would have pressed for more answers. But since it was Seo Da-rae, Tae-seo simply shifted his gaze away.

Even though he was the one who had tormented Da-rae in the past, it was still uncomfortable for them to sit face-to-face like this. Maybe Da-rae had originally wanted to say something, but now he was regretting even reaching out. No matter how much Tae-seo apologized, it wouldn’t erase the past.

"Then let’s go."

Tae-seo stood up first, and after a brief hesitation, Da-rae followed. Ever since he had started struggling with his words earlier, he had noticeably stopped making eye contact.

Until now, Da-rae had always been someone who faced things head-on, fighting back against anything he found unfair. Tae-seo understood that it was his way of enduring. That’s why his behavior today seemed so out of character.

Or maybe... was it simply because Tae-seo was no longer tormenting him?

When he had read the novel, it had been easy to understand Da-rae’s emotions because they were explicitly written out. But now, in real life, his thoughts were impossible to read. The uncertainty felt like wandering through a thick fog, and Tae-seo decided to stop trying to decipher them.

"Oh, by the way, In-hyuk..."

Just as they were about to part ways, Tae-seo mentioned Kang In-hyuk’s name. The moment he did, Da-rae flinched so visibly that it caught Tae-seo off guard. The reaction was so blatant that he momentarily lost his train of thought.

Da-rae’s expression grew complicated as he stared at the ground, then finally lifted his head to look at Tae-seo. But when Tae-seo remained silent, Da-rae’s patience wore thin first.

"...What about In-hyuk? Did you two meet again?"

"He came to see me, so yeah, we met."

Since Da-rae had asked, Tae-seo answered. But that wasn’t what mattered to him.

"More importantly, I apologized to him too—the day we finished our assignment."

Tae-seo wanted to tell Seo Da-rae.

"So, just be happy together. I won’t act like a fool anymore."

Now, they just had to write their own love story.

"In-hyuk really likes you, so give it a chance."

It felt like a pointless thing to say, but he had wanted to say it at least once. Not in a "Why would In-hyuk like someone like you?" kind of way, but in a completely ordinary, supportive way.

For the first time, the villain Yoon Tae-seo was offering his blessing to Kang In-hyuk and Seo Da-rae’s relationship.

Of course, Tae-seo didn’t expect Da-rae to smile and accept it. But as the silence dragged on longer than expected, it was Tae-seo who started feeling awkward instead.

"Do you... really think that?"

"What? Oh, yeah. I mean, it’s obvious to everyone that In-hyuk likes you."

Tae-seo nodded. He didn’t expect Da-rae to believe him. It didn’t really matter.

"You don’t have to believe me. Either way, we won’t be seeing each other at school anymore..."

"Are you...?"

Da-rae’s question made Tae-seo meet his gaze. The usually soft expression on Da-rae’s face had hardened. He stared at Tae-seo, as if trying to figure something out.

"Have you really changed?"

"You keep saying the same thing. I told you, I’m not the Yoon Tae-seo you remember."

"You’ve really changed?"

Da-rae’s voice was almost a whisper, as if he were talking to himself. Tae-seo nodded again.

"Really...? Or..."

The conversation was going in circles, but something about it felt different.

"You can stop asking now."

Since there was no way to show him what was inside, Tae-seo decided to give up trying to convince Da-rae. Instead, he pulled out his phone.

Seeing a message from Kang Se-heon, Tae-seo was about to say goodbye when—

He almost collided with Da-rae.

Da-rae had suddenly stood up to leave, but since Tae-seo was standing near the aisle, he became an obstacle.

They bumped into each other. The impact made Da-rae stumble, and Tae-seo felt a sharp, sudden pain in his chest where their shoulders had hit. But just as quickly as it came, the pain disappeared. He took a breath, testing whether the discomfort lingered, and then turned to look at Da-rae.

Since he had only staggered slightly, he worried that the smaller Da-rae might have been hit harder. When he saw Da-rae with his head bowed, clutching his clothes, Tae-seo reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Are you okay?"

"...I’m leaving."

Da-rae slapped Tae-seo’s hand away and straightened up. Then, without looking back, he walked out of the café. He was unsteady, swaying slightly, but somehow, he didn’t fall.

Was talking to me really that difficult for him?

Tae-seo instinctively reached out, wanting to support him. But in the end, he gave up.

Holding onto Seo Da-rae was never his role.

****

Seo Da-rae barely managed to stay on his feet as he returned home, gripping the doorknob tightly and gasping for breath. Even as his breathing steadied, his strength did not return. Slowly, he let himself slide down against the door, collapsing to the floor.

"What... did I just do?"

Curling his legs up, he buried his face in his hands, gripping his head as if trying to make himself smaller—as if he were hiding from someone who knew exactly what he had done.

"I just wanted to know... that’s all. That’s all it was. So, there’s no need to feel guilty. No guilt at all."

He muttered to himself, over and over. It felt like if he didn’t keep saying it, someone—someone unseen—would condemn him.

"I’ve been on the receiving end of this for so long. One apology doesn’t erase everything. And now, In-hyuk..."

The guilt that had been clouding Da-rae’s expression slowly faded, replaced by something else—resentment.

"...likes Yoon Tae-seo."

"What are you saying?"

A voice suddenly cut through the silence.

Da-rae’s eyes snapped open. His entire body trembled as he looked down ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) at the feet standing in front of him. His shaking hand fell from his face.

Slowly, he lifted his head.

And when he saw who was there, his face twisted with pure terror, as if he were staring at a demon.