I was in the study when the call came through. My phone buzzed, pulling me out of the papers I’d been reviewing. I glanced at the screen—an unfamiliar number.
I wasn’t in the mood for another nuisance call, but something nagged at me. I picked it up.
“Baek Seunghyun,” I said curtly.
“Mr. Baek,” the nurse’s voice was rushed, almost breathless. “This is Seoul General. Kaori—your surrogate. She’s gone into labor. It’s time. She’s asking for you.”
I froze.
Kaori.
The woman living in my house for the past eight months. The woman carrying my child, a child I’d agreed to have for the sake of carrying on my family name. But… Kaori?
I wasn’t sure why my chest tightened, but it did. My stomach churned. Was I ready for this? A baby... with her?
I stood quickly, legs moving without thought. "I’m on my way," I said, not waiting for her response.
Hades, my dog, was watching me, sensing the shift in the air. His tail wagged, but I didn’t have time for him. I grabbed my coat and rushed out the door.
The drive was a blur. I couldn’t stop thinking about Kaori. Over the past few months, we’d gotten used to each other’s company—her in the guest bedroom, me trying to act like this was a business arrangement. But every time I saw her—when she would laugh, or joke about the baby kicking—something stirred in me.
It wasn’t that I liked her. This was a business arrangement, a necessity. She was here to carry my child, and once it was over, we’d go our separate ways.
But now... now she was giving birth to the child I’d been waiting for. I was... nervous. Not about the baby. About her. Kaori.
By the time I arrived at the hospital, I was lost in thought. I rushed through the halls, following signs to the delivery room. When I walked in, Kaori was already there, her face pale and sweaty, breathing shallow but steady.
She looked smaller now, fragile almost. Not like the confident woman I’d gotten used to. This was real.
"Kaori," I said softly, stepping closer to the bed. I wasn’t sure what I expected from her, but when I saw her face, I felt a strange twinge of guilt. She was in pain. She was the one enduring this, not me. And she was doing it for me.
She turned her head slowly toward me, eyes searching mine, exhaustion written all over her face. She smiled weakly. "You came."
"Of course I came," I said, trying to sound calm. "How are you holding up?"
"I’m fine. Just a little—" she grimaced, then winced. "It’s happening."
I nodded, trying to control the rush of thoughts in my head. This was it. My son was coming into the world.
The nurse entered, quickly assessing Kaori’s condition.
"Mr. Baek, it’s time. We need to move forward," she said. "Are you ready?"
I wasn’t sure what I was feeling. I nodded, forcing myself to be calm.
Kaori reached out for my hand, her grip weak, but she clung to me like I was the only thing holding her together. "Stay with me," she whispered, and I felt a lump in my throat.
"I’m not going anywhere," I replied, squeezing her hand.
The room was a whirlwind as the nurses and doctor moved in. I stood by Kaori’s side, helpless but determined. I hadn’t realized how much I’d grown to care for her—the woman carrying my child. It wasn’t just gratitude anymore. It was something else.
She kept her eyes on me, and I felt her steadying herself with every breath.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, a small, sharp wail filled the room.
"Congratulations, Mr. Baek," the doctor said with a smile. "It’s a boy."
My son.
For a moment, everything stopped. I felt something deep in my chest shift. I looked at Kaori, breathing heavily, covered in sweat, but smiling at me, exhausted and relieved.
It was over.