-
Episode 14: Sick
"No... he doesn't know I'm the one," I said quietly, still curled into Taeyang's embrace. He didn't let go—he just kept soothing me with gentle pats on my back, like I was the most fragile thing in the world.
"What about the Woo family?" he asked after a while.
"I've been freeloading their wealth... and lying to them," I confessed, guilt twisting in my chest.
He didn't flinch. "You can count on me. I promise not to tell anyone," he said firmly.
"Thank you, Tae…" I murmured. He just hummed, his lips finding their way to my head again and again until I drifted into sleep.
---
Woo Mansion
When I opened my eyes, I was on our bed, wrapped in soft sheets, and Taeyang—my gorgeous, shirtless boyfriend—was still beside me. He looked like a fallen god.
I was starving. Like, hunger-pain-level starving. I slowly peeled the blanket off, trying not to wake him. But just as I swung my legs off the bed—
"Where are you going?" he mumbled sleepily, hugging me from behind.
"I'm—" grrrrrrrrhhhh! My stomach answered for me.
We both laughed.
"Got some naughty stomach, huh?" he teased, already getting out of bed. "No one's home. I'll cook something quick for you."
I blew him a kiss as he walked out. He caught it with a smirk, winked, and disappeared to the kitchen. Gosh, I'm so lucky.
When he returned, it was with a tray full of heaven.
"You're staring at this tray like you're about to eat it whole," he teased.
"I might," I muttered. Then the aroma hit me. "Bibimbap and kimchi-jjigae!"
"Your favorites." He ruffled my hair.
"I'm not a kid," I pouted.
"But you're my baby," he said, grinning.
"Yes, I am your baby," I replied proudly before digging in.
He didn't eat, though. He just watched me like I was the most fascinating show ever.
"Why aren't you eating?" I asked, offering him a spoonful.
"I don't want this kind of food," he said with an innocent voice that had a not-so-innocent meaning.
I nearly choked. He handed me water, amused.
"Eat slowly, baby," he said, all mischievous smiles. I pretended not to be affected. I failed.
After I finished eating, he cleared the tray and returned… only to find me throwing up in the bathroom.
"Baby?! Are you okay? Was something wrong with the food?"
I rinsed my mouth and shook my head. "It was perfect... I just... felt nauseous."
"Should I call the doctor?"
I shook my head again. "I can't be a regular patient... I'll just sleep a bit."
He helped me tuck back in, fingers brushing my hair until I fell asleep again.
---
Later in the Evening
I woke up to find Tae beside me, sitting against the headboard, scrolling through his phone.
"Baby..." I called.
He looked up instantly. "You're awake!"
I leaned in and kissed his neck.
"You okay now?" he asked.
"Much better... thank you for taking care of me."
"I'd do anything for you, babe."
Just then, my stomach growled. Again.
He sighed with a smile. "Guess I'm making food again."
"I want sushi. And mochi. And ramen," I said with sparkles in my eyes.
He gave me a look.
"Na na~" I sang, giving him my best puppy eyes.
"I can never refuse you, but all of that will be takeout."
He ordered everything for me, then took my hand in his.
"What's with all these cravings, huh?"
I shrugged. "I just... want it."
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and kissed me gently.
I deepened the kiss, sliding my hand inside his shirt.
"Don't be naughty," he whispered, pulling back. "That was supposed to be innocent."
I blushed, but just then the food arrived.
Excited, I opened the sushi box first—and eww. My stomach flipped.
I ran for the bathroom again.
Tae was right behind me. "Kim! Baby, what's wrong?"
I had no idea. After I finished throwing up, I sat on the bathroom floor, head spinning.
"We're calling the doctor," he said without waiting for me to object.
---
At the Hospital
The family doctor arrived, examined me thoroughly, and looked confused.
"Is it serious?" Tae asked, worried.
"You'll need to come in for proper tests. I can't really diagnose anything from just this."
So Tae helped me get dressed, and off we went.
The doctor ran some tests himself. Then, when the results were ready, he asked to speak to me alone.
"Why can't my boyfriend be here? He's literally part of me," I protested.
Tae gave me an encouraging smile, but I wasn't backing down.
"Please understand," the doctor insisted. "It's better I speak with you privately. If you want to share it with him afterward, that's up to you."
I gave Tae a kiss on the cheek before following the doctor.
---
Doctor's Office
He handed me a file. "Go through it," he said.
I stared. None of it made sense. "Uhm... I'm not a doctor, so I don't know what I'm looking at."
He sighed gently. "Kim, there are rare cases—very rare—where men are born with the ability to conceive."
I froze.
"You're one of them," he said softly. "You're pregnant."
I blinked. "W-what?"
Pregnant?
No... this can't be.
My heart thundered.
What would Tae think? I'm... I'm a man who can give birth?
The world tilted. I stood up and stormed out, tears brimming.
I found a quiet corner and collapsed, my back sliding down the wall. My head rested on my knees. Silent sobs wracked through me.
Then I felt someone beside me—warm, familiar.
His scent calmed me before he even spoke.
"What's wrong?" Tae asked.
"I'm sick."
"Is it serious?"
I just looked up at him with red eyes.
He hugged me.
"It's okay," he whispered. "We'll get through it together."
Should I tell him? Could I?
"Baby?" he asked again, brushing my cheek.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"Shhh... just tell me."
I took a breath. "I'm pregnant."
He froze. His arms dropped.
And just like that... my world shattered.
I stood to leave, but he caught my wrist and pulled me back.
"Kim... baby... are you sure?"
He still called me baby.
I nodded.
Then he pulled me into his arms.
"I love you," he said, holding me like he'd never let go.
---