The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 13
After a short while, it was Johanna’s turn. She followed the procedures, changing clothes in the dressing room and undergoing various tests. The equipment, which emitted a faint magic power that Johanna could sense, was all a product of magical engineering.
She waited in the patient gown, as additional tests might be needed, before seeing the doctor. The bespectacled doctor, who had a stern expression, glanced at Johanna and then looked down at the test results.
“You’ve manifested as an omega? A dominant one, too.”
“Oh… I’m dominant?”
“Yes, according to the test results. Being dominant means you shouldn’t have much trouble controlling your pheromones. Only take suppressants when absolutely necessary. During heat, it’s recommended to take two or three pills at a time, but don’t exceed nine pills in a day. Overuse can cause severe side effects and quickly lead to tolerance.”
“Yes…”
“And… you have a peculiar constitution that’s less affected by alpha pheromones. Occasionally, we see omegas like Lucerne. It’s not a common case.”
“A peculiar constitution?”
“Yes, but still, be cautious because you might encounter an alpha with strong pheromones.”
The doctor provided a few more precautionary notes and then added,
“We have a matching system supported by our institution. It helps find someone with an opposite trait who is compatible with you. It’s hard to endure the heat period only with suppressants. Let us know if you’re interested.”
“Ah, I…”
Johanna hesitated for a long time, and the doctor patiently waited, his demeanor suggesting that this was a common occurrence for him.
After much deliberation, Johanna made her decision.
“Then, please… register me.”
“Alright, then.”
Although she didn’t need a compatible alpha immediately, she decided to register as a kind of insurance.
She would dismiss any unrealistic hopes of meeting someone through the matching system and getting married… She wasn’t sure if she could ever truly love such a person, even if she did meet a “good person.”
“Then come back in a month.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Thanks to the national support for medical expenses, the cost of the consultation and tests was minimal. After completing the payment, Johanna collected her prescribed medication from the pharmacy and stepped outside. The cost of the medication was also low. She considered it a small blessing in her misfortune as she stuffed the bag of suppressants into her coat pocket.
The wind was chilly.
‘Daniel’s school exams should end the day after tomorrow…’
She wasn’t too worried, knowing that Daniel was likely being well cared for. Daniel’s friend’s mother was very fond of him, treating him almost like her youngest son whenever he stayed over.
So, her main concern was different. It was about where to find the money to pay off their debts.
She had tried explaining her situation and asking for help from her father’s or mother’s old acquaintances, but they all awkwardly turned her away. It made sense, considering even her own aunt wasn’t willing to help. What could she expect from others?
The world was truly harsh. Instead of continuing to search for money, it might be faster to find her father. Not that he would have any money, but it would be better than struggling alone.
‘Maybe I should visit the newspaper office where I work as an illustrator tomorrow. I’ve known the boss there for quite a long time…’
She gazed absently at the bare branches stretching sparsely into the pale winter sky, then lowered her head and sighed deeply.
Burdened by the worries that weighed heavily on her shoulders, she eventually found herself in front of her house. But there was a dark figure standing by the wall. Johanna stopped dead in her tracks and stared at the unwelcome visitor.
It was a face she couldn’t forget, burned into her memory by its intense impression. Her body tensed up, turning to stone.
Should she run away? Alarm bells rang in her head. She took an unconscious step back, and the man, who had been tapping the wall with the tip of his black shoe, turned his head as if sensing her presence.
Their eyes met, his were the color of cigarette smoke, and interest sparked in his previously bored eyes in an instant.
A sly smile crept up the man’s lips. He looked at Johanna and lazily squinted his eyes as he smiled.
“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”
The voice, deceptively sweet and feigning kindness, sent chills down the skin of her neck.
Johanna had looked into this man, Ilian Rediess, right after the funeral.
As she expected, he was quite a notorious figure in the underworld where all kinds of illegal schemes took place.
She had only heard a few bits of information from a journalist she knew, but it was enough to realize that the man was not just a simple loan shark but a big shot in organized crime.
