ONE MONTH.
It had been that long since Wonyoung left Sowoon Hospital— the hospital owned by Lee Heeju’s family.
I paid nothing.
That was a relief since he had to be smart with his money from now on.
I have 3 billion won in my bank account. Yes, it’s not a small amount. But that won’t be enough either once I start raising An Baekya.
Plus, he had already made big purchases.
First, he found a two-bedroom apartment with a two-year lease in a middle-class neighborhood.
It’s very pricey.
Wonyoung could have found a cheaper place in a more affordable neighborhood, but he had to prove that he was capable of raising a child in a decent environment despite being single.
I’ll just buy a house later when I get my alimony from Dujun Sunbae-nim.
After that, he had to buy himself everything that he needed to survive.
Phone, clothes, groceries.
Wonyoung didn’t even ask Lee Heeju about his relatives’ whereabouts because he had no energy left in him to be mad.
He had no intention of begging them to give what they had ’stolen’ back to him either.
Dujun Sunbae-nim must have his reasons for entrusting my money and properties to those greedy bastards.
So, he didn’t dwell on it that much.
He had more important things to do anyway.
"An Baekya, five years old at the moment, born on May 5 XXXX, in Busan," the middle-aged man, who only introduced himself as Mr. Seo, repeated all the pieces of information that Wonyoung shared while writing in his little notebook. "Did I get everything correct, sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Seo," Wonyoung said, sipping the green tea that Mr. Seo served for him earlier. "That’s all the information I have. I know those are not enough. But can you still work on finding the child for me?"
He only remembered those details because they were mentioned in Chained to You a few times.
An Baekya ran away from Yun Yuhyun on his 25th birthday (May 5, while the country was celebrating Children’s Day), then Yun Yuhyun found An Baekya in his hometown in Busan (because An Baekya’s relatives sold his details to Yun Yuhyun).
The age was easy to remember since An Baekya and Yun Yuhyun were the same age.
"I’ll do my best to find the child with the information you shared, sir," Mr. Seo said in a calm and serious tone. "But it will take time."
"I trust you, sir."
After all, Han Myung recommended the ’ Lost&Found Agency ’ to Wonyoung before the two of them parted ways, after he mentioned that there was someone he wanted to find desperately.
Oh, speaking of that person...
I wonder where Han Myung is now.
***
NOW THAT Wonyoung was done hiring a private detective to look for An Baekya, he focused on preparing for an adoption.
Hence, he called an orphanage to ask about the adoption process.
It’s better to talk directly to the organization in charge of adoptions instead of looking things up on the internet.
But he was shocked by what the agent on the other line said.
"I’m sorry, Bae Wonyoung-ssi— but you have to be married in order to adopt a child."
For real?
I thought the process was lenient for Omegas!
So, now, Wonyoung was shocked by the realization that hit him.
I need to stay married to Dujun Sunbae-nim if I want to adopt An Baekya?
Why did he find out after signing the divorce papers?
I mean, I’m not sure if Dujun Sunbae-nim has already signed them. But I’m sure he will, won’t he?
"Ma’am, I thought single Omegas could adopt children?"
"The government changed the law two years ago. Apparently, many Alphas complained because more and more Omegas would rather adopt an orphan than marry them and give birth to their child. That’s why the government created a law that forbids single Omegas from adopting."
Wonyoung clenched his hands tightly. "Fucking Alphas... oh, I’m sorry for cursing, ma’am."
"It’s alright, Wonyoung-ssi. As a fellow Omega, I understand your frustration. If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask."
"Then can I share my current dilemma, ma’am?"
"Go ahead, Wonyoung-ssi."
"Actually, the child I want to adopt isn’t an orphan. He has a family, but that family is abusive and neglectful. I want to rescue and adopt him, ma’am."
"Oh. If that’s the case, then you should get in touch with the Korea Welfare Services and make a report. They will send social workers to check on the child. Once they confirm that abuse is really happening, then they will take custody of the child and get in touch with the National Shelter for the Rights of the Child— aka NSRC. It’s the agency that oversees the Child Welfare Act. After that, the NSRC will transfer the child’s custody to a qualified relative. If the child doesn’t have a decent adult around them, then NSRC will put them in an unrelated foster home. The child can stay with their foster parents until they get adopted."
Oh!
If that was the case...
"Can I be the child’s foster parent then?"
"It’s possible for a single Omega to be a foster parent, but if you’re single, it may take six months to one year before you get accepted into the program."
"That long?"
"The process involves training and home visits by social workers. I can email you the requirements to be eligible as a foster parent, as well as the application process."
"Thank you, ma’am. But is there a way to quicken the process of becoming a foster parent?"
"The application process for a married Omega is one month— and it can be as short as two weeks if the said Omega is married to an Alpha. However, you must be at least three years married already."
Haaah.
Wonyoung pinched the bridge of his nose.
It seems like I really need to stay married to Dujun Sunbae-nim— at least until An Baekya is in my custody...
***
WONYOUNG read the email that the orphanage staff had sent to him regarding the qualifications and the application process to be a foster parent while at work.
Yes, he got a job even though he had enough money in his bank account.
He needed to prove that he could raise a child, after all.
Fortunately, the convenience store that hired him as a part-timer quickly promoted him to manager status after the previous manager resigned.
The elderly couple who owned the convenience store promoted him because, apparently, their sales had skyrocketed ever since he started working there two weeks ago. And it was all because the customers wanted to see his face, even for a moment.
Yeah, pretty privilege really exists, and it applies to me most of the time.
Anyway, Wonyoung was eligible to be a foster parent.
First, age and health.
The minimum required age to be a foster parent was 25.
I’m already 27, so I’m qualified.
An applicant must be in good physical and mental health to meet the demands of caring for children.
I’m also healthy, at least physically.
Second, he had a two-bedroom apartment. Hence, it was proof that he could provide a space for the child in his home.
Third, he had a decent-paying job. That was proof that he could support himself and the child he’d foster. But since he would be a working parent, appropriate childcare arrangements needed to be made once he got accepted into the program.
Well, now I only have to worry about two things.
First, Wonyoung was hoping Mr. Seo would find An Baekya soon.
Second, he needed to convince Yun Dujun to stay married to him for a few more months.
I haven’t received a letter from the court yet granting our divorce, so maybe he hasn’t signed the divorce papers yet.
Now that he was thinking clearly, being An Baekya’s foster parent was better than adopting the child.
Because if I adopt An Baekya while being married to Dujun Sunbae-nim, then Dujun Sunbae-nim could steal An Baekya’s custody from me after the divorce. Plus, if I become An Baekya’s foster parent, then An Baekya and Yun Yuhyun won’t have to be adoptive siblings.
"Wonyoung-ssi, do you really have no intention of working in my bar?"
Tsk.
This perverted ahjussi is here again.
The middle-aged man was a regular customer and a known troublemaker in the neighborhood.
Stereotypes were bad, but this ahjussi was making it obvious that he was a gangster by wearing Hawaiian shirts and dark sunglasses all the time. It was the ’trademark fashion’ of the gangsters in that neighborhood.
Plus, the gangster wasn’t even trying to hide his neck and sleeve tattoos.
According to our part-timer, this ahjussi owns a private entertainment bar.
Aka a brothel.
Apparently, the bar’s main clients are Alphas.
"Wonyoung-ssi, a pretty Omega like you shouldn’t be working as a mere part-timer in a small convenience store like this. If you come to my bar, I’ll make you a star. I’m sure my Alpha clients will love you..."
Blah-blah-blah.
Wonyoung dissociated by staring at Yun Dujun’s face behind the yapping ahjussi.
To be honest, he chose to work at that convenience store because it was full of Yun Dujun’s posters and life-size standees.
Dujun Sunbae-nim endorsers the most famous ramen and soju brand in the country.
Actually, it must be hard living in Korea as a Yun Dujun hater.
After all, wherever you go, Dujun Sunbae-nim will follow you. His face is plastered all over Seoul alone— from billboards to even buses and subway stations.
"Kid, you should be listening when an elder is talking to you."
Wonyoung flinched not because he was scolded, but because the fucking gangster stabbed a syringe in his arm.
What the fuck?
"I’m sorry, kid," the gangster said, grinning. "I need you to be submissive, so..."
Wonyoung’s body instantly felt like it was on fire while his pheromones were suddenly going crazy.
Oh.
It was a feeling that he had almost forgotten.
I’m in heat.
So, this damned gangster hit me with a heat-inducing chemical!
"Huh? Why is it not working?" the gangster ’whispered’ to himself, confused. "You should have fainted by now..."
If Wonyoung were an ordinary Omega, then yes, that should have happened already.
However...
"I’m a Dominant Omega, you fucking bastard."
Wonyoung then grabbed the wireless barcode scanner— it was the nearest thing he could grab— and threw it at the gangster.
It hit the ahjussi in the forehead, causing him to back away from the counter while cursing.
Serves you right!
Wonyoung used that chance to press the panic button under the counter, then he grabbed the box of candies and threw it at the gangster.
Actually, he grabbed everything his hands reached.
Yes, even the wireless credit card reader and computer screen. Those two heavy objects hit the gangster on the forehead, causing him to bleed and get dizzy.
But Wonyoung was merciless and didn’t stop.
This time, he began throwing the boxes of candies on the counter.
The gangster could only block the attack with his arms.
I guess this ahjussi really got hurt when the devices hit him hard earlier.
Wonyoung didn’t stop throwing things at the damned ahjussi because he wanted to stay focused.
He hated to admit this, but the heat-inducing chemical was starting to hit him hard now.
His legs were shaking, his arms were losing their strength, and he was feeling faint already.
No, I can’t faint— not until the police get here, at least.
But he was really about to reach his limit.
In fact, his vision was already blurry.
Oh, no.
Just when Wonyoung thought he was about to collapse, a refreshing scent hit his senses.
If he had to describe it, then he’d say it had an earthy smell: light, sweet-woody scent, to be precise.
The scent wasn’t just refreshing— it was also calming.
I can smell the Iris notes, too.
Wonyoung suddenly felt a boost in his strength, so he grabbed the last display stand on the counter and threw it at the gangster.
"You brat!"
The gangster actually ducked successfully this time...
... and an unfortunate customer was almost hit.
Almost because the handsome and tall man dressed in a sophisticated manner blocked the display stand with one hand, catching one box of the item that was displayed there originally.
Oh?
"Is this your welcome gift for me?" the new customer asked, lifting his head while showing Wonyoung the box of condoms in his hand. "Should we use this tonight, Hoobae-nim?"
Wonyoung let out a soft gasp. "Dujun Sunbae-nim..."
Pictures really don’t do him justice, huh?
Yun Dujun was really, really, reaaally more handsome and sexier in person.
No, this is just my hormones talking...
***
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