Thanks to the medication and supportive IV fluids, Eun Woo’s body temperature gradually began to fall. His face, which had been flushed as though it were burning, slowly regained its natural color, and his painful, wheezing breaths gradually became more stable.
Only after seeing him sleeping more peacefully than when he’d first been found did Ju Heon finally feel some of the weight lift from his chest.
However, he still couldn’t completely relax until the results of the full examination came back. Since Eun Woo was pregnant, every examination had to be carried out with extreme caution. Naturally, any complicated equipment that might pose a risk to the fetus had been ruled out.
Instead, the doctors conducted blood tests and pheromone tests to gather as much data as possible, along with an ultrasound examination. Under the circumstances, that was all they could do.
Unlike Ju Heon, who had been consumed with anxiety because he had no idea where Eun Woo was hurting, the doctor seemed to have identified the root cause almost as soon as he saw him. The decision to conduct a pheromone test so promptly had also been based on his recommendation.
A little while later, the doctor looked down at the results in his hands and gave a small nod, as though everything had gone exactly as he’d expected. Then he began explaining the situation.
—“As I suspected, this is exactly what I thought. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary fever or cold, but the actual cause is completely different. Baek Eun Woo’s high fever isn’t being caused by a virus or elevated inflammatory markers.”
“…It’s not a cold? Then what’s causing it? Is there something seriously wrong?”
Ju Heon had mentally prepared himself for a severe case of the flu, so the doctor’s diagnosis left him stunned. He glanced once more at Eun Woo, who was sleeping peacefully, before turning back and pressing for an answer.
The doctor replied with a rather stern expression.
—“I explained this very carefully during the previous examination. It’s a pheromone-related issue. Your condition and Mr. Baek’s aren’t the same as those of ordinary couples, which is why I emphasized that he needed regular pheromone replenishment. Did you not listen carefully to what I told you?”
The doctor frowned slightly, as though reprimanding Ju Heon for his negligence.
And the moment the word pheromone was spoken, Ju Heon’s heart seemed to skip a beat.
He looked back at Eun Woo with the expression of someone who had just realized he’d made a catastrophic mistake.
“…Ah. Pheromones…”
—“Good grief, Director! Why are you saying that as though you’re only remembering it now?”
Even while being scolded by the doctor, Ju Heon could only remain silent. There was nothing he could say in his defense.
After the previous examination, he had indeed paid some attention to the matter. But afterward, with both of them busy and one thing after another happening, he’d neglected to scent Eun Woo with his pheromones.
That was the truth.
And Ju Heon was left speechless.
The doctor continued, emphasizing every word.
—“For a pregnant omega, the pheromones of a compatible alpha are extremely—extremely—important. I can’t stress this enough. In cases where a surrogate only lends her womb, she isn’t affected by the intended alpha’s pheromones because her genes have no connection to the child. In those cases, we prescribe separate pheromone medication. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I understand…”
—“But Mr. Baek Eun Woo isn’t like that. He isn’t merely lending his body. He is the child’s mother. The baby carries both his genes and yours, which means that in this case, your alpha pheromones are absolutely essential.”
Ju Heon silently nodded at the doctor’s firm explanation.
—-“This isn’t unheard of. It’s rare, but it does happen from time to time. For example, when a pregnant omega breaks up with or divorces their partner. This is a typical case of pheromone imbalance caused by a lack of an alpha’s protective pheromones.”
—“There is no treatment. The only option is to terminate the pregnancy. If the condition continues, both the omega and the fetus will be in danger.”
“…What?”
Ju Heon had uttered more stunned sounds today than he probably had in his entire life.
He couldn’t help being shocked to hear that the same thing could happen to his own contract partner.
—“If the omega receives no alpha pheromones at all, the baby must be terminated for the mother to survive. Do you understand how serious this is now? I emphasized this point, so how could the two of you have been careless enough to let things get this far?”
“…I admit I haven’t been paying as much attention lately, but I’m sure I’ve been releasing pheromones. I have.”
—-“Then the amount was still far too little. The pheromones you’ve been releasing weren’t nearly enough. This is much more serious than you realize. If you’re careless, the lives of both the mother and the fetus could be at risk. Baek Eun Woo could die.”
The moment the words could die left the doctor’s mouth, Ju Heon’s eyes trembled violently.
Right.
The reason they would have to terminate the pregnancy was because his life could be in danger.
Ju Heon realized that he’d made an unforgivable mistake.
He had nearly pushed Eun Woo toward death.
—-“Let me repeat this one more time. For a pregnant omega, the corresponding alpha’s pheromones are essentially a matter of life and death. The same applies to the fetus. If the mother’s body is deficient in pheromones, the fetus has nothing to absorb either.”
“…It’s because I was too ignorant.”
—“Ordinary couples or married partners naturally release and absorb large amounts of pheromones through intimacy and displays of affection. That’s why they don’t experience deficiencies. But in cases involving recessive traits or circumstances like yours, failing to pay attention can lead to the worst possible consequences.”
“So, to put it simply, Eun Woo became like this entirely because of a lack of my pheromones?”
—-“That’s right. There is another life growing inside him now. His requirements for both pheromones and nutrients have increased tremendously. Just as a person may crave nutritious food when their body needs it, his body is craving pheromones even more desperately. If that need isn’t met, I can’t guarantee what will happen. Just as no one can survive without water or blood, a pregnant omega deprived of pheromones can develop recurring fevers as though their very life force is being drained away. If he keeps fainting like this, an accident could happen at any moment.”
“I understand… Then when can I start replenishing his pheromones? If I do it right now, will Eun Woo get better?”
Ju Heon asked as though he were ready to release his pheromones immediately.
But the doctor shook his head.
—“No. In his current condition, even if you release a large amount of pheromones, his body won’t be able to absorb them properly. First, we need to use medication and injections to stabilize his pheromone levels until tomorrow. After that, you should gradually release your pheromones to soothe him. That’s the best approach.”
Ju Heon nodded in agreement with the treatment plan.
Although he felt as though his heart were on fire, he understood that there was nothing more he could do at the moment.
All this time, instead of focusing on his pheromones, he should have been paying attention to them rather than merely worrying about driving Eun Woo to and from his part-time job or reminding him about various peripheral matters. This chapter was copied from novelping . com without permission.
Because Ju Heon had never had a serious relationship with an omega before, releasing his pheromones onto someone else still felt awkward to him. He wasn’t accustomed to doing it, and, frankly, he frequently forgot altogether.
Simply leaving a trace of pheromones on a handkerchief or an object was obviously nowhere near enough to make up for the deficiency.
He had once criticized Eun Woo for refusing to quit his job, accusing him of acting recklessly and violating the contract…
But now that he thought about it, the person who had failed to uphold the contract wasn’t Eun Woo.
It was him.
Ju Heon himself was the one who had violated that clause.
Whether the reason was his clumsiness in dealing with an omega or his ignorance about pheromones, he had no excuse.
Even though he hadn’t done it intentionally, his negligence had pushed Eun Woo to the brink of death.
—“It’s fortunate that Mr. Baek Eun Woo is a dominant omega. That’s the only reason he managed to hold out until now. That really is a blessing. We need to find an appropriate method to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
An appropriate method…
What could they do?
Replenishing pheromones wasn’t something that could be solved in a day or two.
Eun Woo would need Ju Heon’s pheromones until the baby was born, perhaps even until every trace of Ju Heon’s pheromones had completely disappeared from his body.
To make sure the process went smoothly, they needed a more thorough solution.
After the doctor left, Ju Heon remained there, watching Eun Woo in unconsciousness.
He had even canceled his entire remaining schedule so he could stay.
He didn’t know whether he was doing it out of his obligations to his contract partner or because of the belated guilt he was feeling, but he knew he had to stay.
Only then could he feel even slightly at ease.
A wave of guilt washed over him when he realized that he’d wanted the baby so desperately that he’d signed the contract, yet he’d neglected the very person who most needed to be cared for.
“…At least we found the cause before things got any worse.”
As he replaced the damp cloth on Eun Woo’s forehead, which was still slightly warm, Ju Heon murmured to himself.
Eun Woo showed no response to his remorseful monologue.
Ju Heon sank into deep thought.
After a long while, as though he’d finally made up his mind, he quietly spoke.
“After all, living together really is the best option.”