CHAPTER 57: COME CLEAN

TO BE FAIR, Garam wasn’t surprised to know that Song Sihyuk had an ex-lover.

After all, he had always known that the Alpha led a life of debauchery as a bachelor.

It’s actually a miracle that he stayed abstinent these last five years.

Song Sihyuk did, right?

Anyway...

"Hyung, I know that you were promiscuous before we got married," Garam said bluntly, making Song Sihyuk laugh. "But I don’t care about your past. That’s none of my business. Do I really have to hear about your ex-lover..." He trailed off, and then he gasped. "Hyung, are you going to dump me and get back with your ex?"

"Are you crazy, Lim Garam?"

Oh.

The sudden release of Song Sihyuk’s stinky pheromones was proof that the Alpha was offended by Garam’s assumption.

Dr. Seong told me that Alphas’ pheromones turn stinky when they’re upset.

"I misspoke, Hyung. I’m sorry."

Song Sihyuk let out a sigh.

Thankfully, the stink in his pheromones disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

Now it’s back to the scent I love.

"Come here, brat."

Garam pouted, and then he acted like he was dragging his body.

But he actually liked the fact that he was now lying on top of Song Sihyuk. He buried his face against the Alpha’s chest, enjoying his sweet and spicy scent.

It’s addictive.

"Do you like my scent that much, Garam-ah?" Song Sihyuk asked teasingly while wrapping his arms around Garam’s waist. "I’m glad."

Garam was too relaxed now that he was basking in Song Sihyuk’s scent to care about getting caught sniffing the Alpha like a dog. "Does Hyung also like the scent of my pheromones?"

"’Like’ is an understatement— I’m obsessed with you and your scent, Lim Garam."

"Does someone who’s obsessed with his husband normally bring up their ex-lover unprovoked?"

"Aww. Are you jealous, babe?"

"I’m pissed," Garam corrected the Alpha, and then he lifted his head just to glare at Song Sihyuk. "Hyung, we agreed to respect our marriage. You better have an acceptable reason for bringing up your ex."

"Yes, babe. I understand, so don’t be upset."

"I’m not upset."

"I can tell by your pheromones, though."

Garam gasped a little. "Do my pheromones also turn stinky when I’m mad?"

"No, I lied."

Tsk.

Garam tried to get up, but Song Sihyuk just hugged him tighter while laughing.

"Hyung, you think this is funny?"

"No, but you’re cute."

"One day, I’m really going to start talking to you informally."

"Do it— I don’t care."

Oh?

That was different from what Song Sihyuk said about their age gap in the past.

He used to be strict about how I talked to him before.

"Yah, Song Sihyuk."

"Now that’s a bit too much, Lim Garam."

"Sorry, Hyung."

Song Sihyuk just laughed, and then his hands settled on Garam’s soft mounds, giving his butt cheeks a firm squeeze. "Can we talk now?"

"Yes, Hyung."

"My ex’s name is Cho Dongpyo, and he’s an Omega."

Oh.

"He’s also the youngest son of Hanmi Chem."

Hanmi Chem?!

Garam almost choked on his saliva. "The biggest pharma in the country?"

"Yes, them."

"The very pharmaceutical company that made the inhibitor that Dr. Seong prescribed to me?"

"Yep. Hanmi Chem is the company responsible for almost every medicine that all Alphas and Omegas in our country take. They pretty much have the monopoly over it."

"They also own Hanmi Drug Corporation, the leading pharmacy chain in our country..."

"Correct."

"How long were you together, Hyung?"

"Just almost a year. We dated during our senior year in college."

"When did you break up?"

"After we graduated. I went back to Korea while he stayed in the US."

Oh.

So, Sihyuk Hyung got his degree overseas.

Garam had just realized that he didn’t know much about Song Sihyuk.

"Cho Dongpyo and I had been separated for six months when we met, Garam-ah. So, rest assured, I’ve been faithful to you ever since we got married."

"Hyung, you downgraded when you married me."

"Yah, Lim Garam. Don’t belittle yourself."

"I’m not belittling myself, Hyung— I’m just stating the truth," Garam said bluntly. "You went from dating the youngest son of Hanmi Chem to marrying a struggling eighteen-year-old high school student. What’s wrong with you five years ago, Hyung?"

"And here I thought you’d be jealous."

"Well, I know my place. Realistically speaking, a rich kid like that suits a chaebol like you better, Hyung. Even if I’m a successful idol now, I’m sure the wealth I’ve accumulated doesn’t come close to his..."

"I don’t need a rich wife since I’m already rich, so don’t worry about that," Song Sihyuk said, and then he paused for a moment. "I did say that we dated since we lasted for almost a year. But, honestly, our relationship was closer to being fuck buddies than an actual couple. Plus, we were only together back then because we were beneficial to each other, not because we were actually in love."

"You didn’t have to tell me all of that, Hyung."

"No, I need you to understand the nature of my relationship with Cho Dongpyo."

"Oh, okay. Carry on then."

Garam didn’t interrupt because Song Sihyuk looked serious.

Too serious, to be precise.

"At the time, being with Cho Dongpyo just made sense because we started planning and making the miracle pills back then."

Garam let out a gasp. "The miracle pills were your ’little experiment,’ Hyung? I mean, I know your goal was to turn me into an Omega. But I didn’t know you were involved with the process of making the pills."

"Well, not really. I was just the financier and the supplier of whatever they needed to make the drug. It was Cho Dongpyo and his two siblings who were heavily involved in creating miracle pills."

Song Sihyuk’s story was quite interesting.

But Garam still didn’t understand why the Alpha had to share that with him. However, he decided to be patient. So, he kept his mouth shut and continued listening without interrupting his contract husband.

"Before I returned to Korea, I actually had a fall-out with the Cho Triplets."

"Cho Triplets? Your ex is a triplet?"

"Yeah. He has two older sisters— Cho Dasom and Cho Darae. They’re actually a mixed triplet since Dasom and Darae are identical."

"I don’t understand, but their birth sounds amazing."

Song Sihyuk chuckled, and then he quickly went back to their earlier topic. "Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I had a fallout with the Cho Triplets. And they hold grudges."

"May I know the reason behind your fallout with them?"

"It’s a bit complicated. But the gist is Cho Dongpyo wants me back."

"Hyung, it’s not your ego talking, is it?"

"I wish, but Cho Dongpyo did something awful to me. I’m not comfortable talking about it. But I can share it with you if I have to."

"No, you don’t have to talk about things you’re not comfortable sharing with me, Hyung."

Song Sihyuk just ruffled Garam’s hair affectionately. "I actually retaliated, so I’m expecting the Cho Triplets to hit me back when I least expect it."

Oh.

Now everything made sense.

"Am I in danger, Hyung?" Garam asked cautiously. "Am I, like, a weakness to you or something?"

"I like how quick-witted you are, babe."

"You seem to like everything about me anyway."

Song Sihyuk chuckled. "That’s true."

"So, I’m in danger."

"Could be. I’m not so sure myself either," Song Sihyuk said, staring at the ceiling as if he were thinking deeply. However, his hands didn’t stop wandering on Garam’s body. The Alpha would pat his head, rub his back, and occasionally give his butt a few light squeezes. "But if Cho Dongpyo or his sisters approach you, let me know. If they talk shit about me, give me a chance to explain. I know that I’m a bad person who has done a lot of things I’d rather not let you know, but I assure you that I remained faithful to our marriage for the last five years that we were apart."

Hyung keeps saying that he’s been faithful to me again and again.

Could it be...?

Garam raised an eyebrow. "Why does it make me think that if ever the Cho Triplets approach me, they’re going to sabotage our marriage? Do they know that we’re married, Hyung?"

Song Sihyuk finally looked at Garam’s face again after staring at the ceiling. "Well, I call you my wife every chance I get."

Right.

Garam remembered that Song Sihyuk also called him his wife when they were dealing with Oh Hyunju and the fake Song Sihyuk. "Hyung, you should be more careful next time. Our marriage is supposed to be a secret."

Song Sihyuk chuckled. "I can buy mouths, babe."

Garam just rolled his eyes before changing the topic. "So, is this the reason you brought up your ex. You want me to be wary of him."

"Yes. But I’ll make sure he won’t be able to approach you in the first place. I just told you about him in advance since I don’t want you to misunderstand my relationship with my ex."

"I get that, Hyung. But can you show me a picture of Cho Dongpyo so I know who to avoid?"

"Uhm, let’s just sleep. You have just gotten out of the hospital, so you still need to rest."

"Hyung, you’re being sus."

Song Sihyuk just chuckled, and then he got up— carrying Garam in his arms effortlessly. "It’s time for my baby to sleep."

Garam just scoffed.

It was obvious that Song Sihyuk changed the topic because he didn’t want to show him Cho Dongpyo’s picture.

I’ll look your ex up on the internet later, Hyung.

***

WHILE SONG Sihyuk was in the bathroom that morning, Garam spent his time looking up Cho Dongpyo on the internet. He thought he would have a hard time looking for him since high-profile individuals usually didn’t have a digital footprint.

Just like how Sihyuk Hyung doesn’t have a social media account.

But he was wrong.

Cho Dongpyo was active on different social media platforms, and it seemed like he was even an influencer, judging by how big his following was.

But, to be fair, Garam would also follow Cho Dongpyo even if the Omega wasn’t rich.

After all...

His face...!

"Garam-ah, are you headed to your dorm today?"

Garam raised his head and glared at Song Sihyuk, who had just gotten out of the shower— handsome, fresh, and sexy.

But he was still annoyed, even though his anger almost melted because of the Alpha’s good looks. Even so, he didn’t let Song Sihyuk’s sexy ’I-just-took-a-shower’ look distract him. There was something that needed to be said.

"Hyung, Cho Dongpyo is so pretty!"

No wonder Song Sihyuk didn’t want to show Garam his ex’s picture!

***

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