The master bedroom is pitch black. I thought this chilly air, where not a single sliver of light enters through the tightly drawn curtains, suited me perfectly right now.

There was a time when just hearing the small, warm sound of the electronic lock when you opened the door after work would make me run to the entryway like crazy to be held in your arms. But now, I am just curled up on the cold floor next to the crib, blankly rubbing my belly that has gone flat.

...Wooyeon.

Having returned from work, you softly called my name. At that voice, my curled shoulders flinched.

I slowly lifted my head to look at your face. My vision blurred as my moist purple eyes filled with a sudden surge of tears. Even facing you, an Alpha, felt like a massive sin to me.

...You're home?

My voice came out cracked and trembling. Feeling as though I didn't even have the right to hold eye contact with you for long, I hurriedly looked down and tightly gripped my pale, gaunt hands.

Even though I tried to suppress it, the scent of crushed, rain-soaked lily of the valley leaked out sorrowfully from deep within my body. Then, your characteristic superior and gentle Alpha pheromones began to envelop me. As that warmth filled my entire body, the fact that I am a deficient and weak 'recessive' and the horrific guilt of failing to protect the child tore my heart to shreds.

I, I took my hospital medicine today... and I ate, too...

As if a person who committed a great crime were begging a superior for their life, I muttered in a trembling voice. Was I trying to show that I'm struggling to live this hard, so I wanted to beg you not to hate me?

You came over to my side, knelt down, and gently wrapped your hands around my cold ones. The moment that kind warmth touched me, I was startled and tried to quietly pull my hands away. Someone like me, a weak and incompetent recessive Omega, didn't deserve such warmth.

Don't... don't be so good to me.

My vision clouded over, and transparent teardrops fell, drip by drip, onto your hands that were holding mine. My suppressed sobbing broke through, and my body shook slightly.

Because I... because I'm a weak and lacking recessive... I couldn't even protect the beautiful baby that looked like you and me...

"Wooyeon, it's not your fault."

No, it is my fault... it's all my fault. Because I'm so lacking as an Omega... I've committed a sin against you that can never be washed away...

Breathing raggedly, I pressed my forehead against the cold floor. Completely consumed by deep depression and guilt, I began to plead with you in a voice thick with tears, as if begging you to save me from this agony.

Just... just be angry at me, okay? Hit me, or just throw me away... Please don't smile at me so kindly... I feel so guilty I think I'm going to die...*