"WHAT DID you just do, Gong Hanseo?!"

"I called Kyungmin Hyung and tattled on him," Gong Hanseo said after ending the call with Seong Kyungmin. After he told his lover that his mother-in-law was there to break him up, he immediately ended the call. He didn’t have to hear Seong Kyungmin’s answer because he knew what his lover would do. "I’m sure Kyungmin Hyung is already on his way, Mother-in-law."

Seong Kyungmin would be there in less than ten minutes, five minutes if his lover beat all the red lights on the way.

That I’m sure he will.

Seong Kyungmin chose that house because it was near the hospital where he worked.

"Are you really trying to destroy my relationship with my son?"

"With all due respect, you’re the one who’s ruining your relationship with your son, Mother-in-law," Gong Hanseo said. He was saying harsh things, so he was trying to sound as polite as possible. "Kyungmin Hyung is old enough to decide for himself. Plus, whether we stay childless or adopt a child later, it’s up to us."

"You don’t know what you’re talking about since you came from a normal family, and you’re a Beta. My son’s superior genes will be futile if he doesn’t reproduce."

"If I were Kyungmin Hyung, I’d be sad hearing those words from you, Mother-in-law. You talk as if Hyung’s sole purpose in life is to continue your husband’s bloodline."

His mother-in-law flinched, and then she glared at him.

But he wasn’t done yet.

"Mother-in-law, why are you obsessed with continuing the bloodline that isn’t yours in the first place?" Gong Hanseo didn’t want to be harsh and mean, but he had to. "Does Father-in-law think the same? To be honest, I don’t think so."

Gong Hanseo had already met Seong Kyungmin’s father several times.

His father-in-law was a reserved man, but he never asked Gong Hanseo intrusive questions like his mother-in-law often did. Hence, he couldn’t help but think that only his mother-in-law was bothered by the fact that Seong Kyungmin was dating a Beta.

Which got him thinking...

"Mother-in-law, I can tell that you’re one of those infamous "mom boys,"" Gong Hanseo said. Admittedly, his voice sounded mocking. He couldn’t help it, though. After all, he endured quite a lot of his mother-in-law’s nagging for the past seven years. "I understand that you care deeply about Kyungmin Hyung. But Kyungmin Hyung is already in his mid-forties. He knows what he’s doing— he chose me knowing that I can’t give him a child."

"That’s what Kyungmin thinks right now. But he still might change his mind later!"

"I’ve already given Kyungmin Hyung seven years to change his mind, Mother-in-law. But during the entirety of our relationship, he has never once mentioned wanting to have a child of his own. He never even expressed jealousy towards his friends who have kids now."

"That’s just my son being considerate of you!"

"Mother-in-law, why can’t you accept the fact that Kyungmin Hyung is no longer a child? And he has his own life to live, so you can’t just tell him what to do. Even if I disappear from Hyung’s life, he still won’t magically listen to you again."

"Are you saying that my son doesn’t need me anymore?"

"Kyungmin Hyung will always love and respect you, Mother-in-law. I’m not saying that he doesn’t need you anymore— I’m just saying that he’s living well even without your meddling."

At this point, Gong Hanseo was aware that his words were painful.

Hence, he accepted the slap that his mother-in-law gave him.

The slap was so hard that he found his head facing the other side, his cheek stinging so badly. Hence, he already expected to see a handprint if he looked in the mirror.

"I really don’t like you, Gong Hanseo."

Gong Hanseo faced his mother-in-law with dead eyes. "I already know that, Mother-in-law."

Fortunately, he didn’t have to listen to his mother-in-law’s hurtful words any longer. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Seong Kyungmin finally arrived, panting as if he had run with all his might to get there faster.

Hyung definitely beat all the red lights on his way home.

Gong Hanseo expected his lover to greet his mother first, and that should have been fine with him.

However, Seong Kyungmin’s gaze immediately fell on Gong Hanseo...

... and his lover frowned as soon as he saw the state of his swollen cheek.

"Hanseo-ya, let’s get inside," Seong Kyungmin said, gently pushing Gong Hanseo inside the house. Yes, everything happened on the front porch. "Let’s put ice on your cheek first."

Gong Hanseo nodded and was about to move, but...

"And now you’re ignoring me?" Seong Kyungmin’s mother asked, scoffing. The ahjumma was clearly upset. "Kyungmin-ah, can’t you see that your lover is driving a wedge between us?"

"You’re the one forcing me to cut you out of my life, Eomma," Seong Kyungmin said coldly while looking at his mother with empty eyes. "If it weren’t for Hanseo, I would have severed all communications with you the first time you told him to break up with me. But even though you said hurtful words to him that day, Hanseo still convinced me not to completely cut you out of my life because you’re still my mother."

"That’s the least thing he can do for our family," his mother-in-law said, scoffing. "That Beta can’t give you a child already. If he has a conscience, he wouldn’t let our relationship turn sour just because—"

"For the first time, I regret listening to Hanseo instead of following what I knew would be the best for us," Seong Kyungmin said, cutting off his mother rudely. "Eomma, I should have cut you off my life the first time you disrespected my fiancé. Had I done that, then you wouldn’t have gotten the chance to hurt him again and again."

"Seong Kyungmin! I’m still your mother!"

"Not anymore," Seong Kyungmin said coldly. "Eomma, you’re not invited to our wedding— and this will be the last time you’d be able to come near my fiancé."

His mother-in-law looked shocked when she realized that Gong Hanseo was serious.

Gong Hanseo, on the other hand, didn’t stop Seong Kyungmin from severing his ties with his mother this time.

***

GONG HANSEO flinched when the ice pack touched his swollen cheek.

"Sorry," Seong Kyungmin said, but he continued pressing the ice pack against Gong Hanseo’s cheek. "Does it sting?"

"A little," Gong Hanseo admitted. "But I’m fine. So..." He straightened the lines on Seong Kyungmin’s forehead with his finger. "Don’t make that face, Hyung."

"How can I not when my mother did this to my beloved?"

Aww.

I’m Hyung’s beloved...

"I’m sorry, babe," Seong Kyungmin said, his voice full of guilt. "I should have been firmer with my mother. She crossed the line several times because I let her. And now she even laid a hand on you. I’m really sorry."

"No, I should be the one saying sorry," Gong Hanseo said. "Because of me, your relationship with your mother... became like that."

"It wasn’t your fault, Hanseo-ya. After all, it’s my mother who can’t respect my autonomy. For fuck’s safe, I’m already in my mid-forties. I’d understand her concern if I were in my teens. But not when I’m this old."

Right?

"And Eomma is already in her mid-sixties. She should be enjoying her retirement instead of worrying about me."

"I think Mother-in-law is more concerned about the fact that I can’t give you a child, Hyung."

"Hanseo-ya, even before I met you, I have no opinion on whether I want a child or not," Seong Kyungmin said carefully. "I’ve always believed that having a child is up to my partner."

"But I’m not an Omega, so I can’t get pregnant..."

"If you want a child, we can adopt, babe."

"Your mother said that even if we adopt a child, she won’t consider them as her grandchild because they don’t have your blood..."

Seong Kyungmin’s face darkened. "Babe, the child we decide to raise together is our child— other people’s opinions don’t matter. So, forget about what my mother said. I promise I’ll make sure she won’t be able to hurt you in any way again."

"Hyung, are you really going to cut off your family?"

"You are my family now, Hanseo-ya," Seong Kyungmin said gently. "I will prioritize your happiness and safety."

Aww.

Gong Hanseo didn’t have it in his heart to feel bad for his mother-in-law.

It may be bad of him, but he reveled in the fact that Seong Kyungmin chose him and their peace of mind.

"Is it really okay if we don’t invite Mother-in-law to our wedding, Hyung?"

"Of course," Seong Kyungmin said while nodding. "As I said before, you’re the boss, babe. You can invite anyone you want, and you can also not invite anyone you dislike, regardless of my relationship with them."

Again, aww.

"Thank you, Hyung."

Seong Kyungmin smiled, but his smile faltered when he looked at Gong Hanseo’s swollen cheek.

Anger even crossed his eyes as if he wanted to run after his mother to scold her again.

"Hyung?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about adoption?"

"It’s fine with me," Seong Kyungmin said without missing a heartbeat. Even so, Gong Hanseo felt his lover’s sincerity. "Do you want to adopt a child, babe?"

"I’m not sure. To be honest, I’m already happy with just the two of us, Hyung."

"I feel the same, Hanseo-ya."

"But I’m open to adoption," Gong Hanseo said, suddenly feeling shy while talking about it. After all, it felt like their relationship was getting to another level. "If we meet a child whom we will be drawn to..."

"Then we’ll adopt them," Seong Kyungmin said, hugging Gong Hanseo. "We’ll do whatever you want, Hanseo-ya."

***

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