The Contract Wife Tries to Leave - Chapter 15
Only then did Johanna’s anger dissipate, and her mind cleared as she opened her eyes wide. A chill ran down her spine, freezing her body.
Before she knew it, the man had approached her, now standing right in front of her. As her shoulders trembled pathetically, he lowered his head towards her and took a deep breath.
“It’s real pheromone.”
A smile spread across his lips.
“It smells like fruit, or maybe flowers… Where have I smelled this before? What could it be?”
Her heart pounded so loudly it felt like it would leap out of her chest. Johanna clutched the brick in her bag so tightly that her hand hurt and held her breath. Ilian, lifting his head, locked eyes with her from up close. His silver-gray irises flickered with a fierce impulse.
“You’ve manifested as an omega?”
He whispered with certainty and smiled like a devil.
“Do you remember what I said? That I would buy you if you manifested as an omega?”
In the next moment, Johanna simultaneously pulled the brick out of her bag and pushed him with all her might.
Pretending to lose to her feeble strength, he stepped back compliantly, maintaining a relentless gaze at her from a couple of steps away.
Johanna gripped the brick so tightly her knuckles turned white and shook violently. If he came any closer, she was really going to smash his head in.
“……”
As if he could read her mind, the corners of the man’s mouth lifted slightly. The arrogance on his face disappeared completely as he arrogantly raised his chin.
The air around him seemed to grow heavier, and soon, the alpha’s pheromones spread thickly like oil paint.
“Ah…”
The scent, reminiscent of strong alcohol, hit her, causing Johanna to gasp. Her breathing became labored, and her senses became acutely sensitive. Her entire body trembled and weakened. Holding her neck with one hand, she struggled to breathe, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Anyone could see she was an omega overwhelmed by the alpha’s pheromones. Ilian’s long, slender eyes narrowed slightly.
“Please, don’t come any closer.”
“What are you going to do with that? Hit me?”
He mocked her with a voice laced with amusement, running a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. Then, he suppressed the pheromones in an instant.
As the concentration of pheromones thinned, the air cleared again. Breathing became easier, and Johanna gasped for air, stumbling weakly. Her entire body shook with fear and humiliation.
“You know when the day to pay back the interest is, right? It’s the 31st of this month. With the overdue interest, the total is 2700 rubles.”
Looking down at her as she collapsed to the floor, Ilian spoke in a dry tone. Catching her breath, Johanna jerked her head up, disbelief etched on her face.
“2700…? You said the interest was 900 rubles a month.”
“I told you, the interest is doubled if it’s overdue. So it’s a total of 2700, including this month’s interest.”
It was an absurd amount. Double the interest if it was overdue? No matter how high the interest was, where in the world was such a calculation method valid?
“We agreed to that from the beginning. If you’re doubtful, should I show you the contract at the office right now?”
He extended his hand as if inviting her to grab it. Johanna ignored him and stood up on her own. Her grip was weak, and she dropped the brick.
Ilian kicked the brick away. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and asked Johanna,
“Want one?”
Johanna was so taken aback that she couldn’t respond, her mouth opening and closing in silent astonishment. He grinned mischievously at her stunned expression, lit a cigarette, and took a drag.
A puff of smoke escaped his lips and rose into the sky. Ilian reached out and lightly touched Johanna’s platinum blonde hair, clicking his tongue in disappointment.
“It would be so much easier if you were more compliant.”
“……”
“The 31st. I’ll be waiting.”
Chuckling, he turned his back to her. Johanna stood there, frozen in place, then slumped her back against the wall, lowering her head.
She buried her face in her hands, feeling like the darkness filling her vision was a glimpse of her future.
* * *
The next day, Johanna met with the newspaper company president and politely asked if he could increase her freelance fee.
They had known each other for over three years, and Johanna had always delivered her illustrations on time, so she hoped he would consider her situation.
“That’s not possible…”
However, the president, not hiding his displeasure, flatly refused. He explained that they were already paying the industry average and couldn’t afford to pay more.
“We can’t help it. We’re short on wages for our employees as it is. How can we raise the freelance fee for illustrations? It’s not just here; other places are in the same situation.”
Johanna then visited other newspapers, publishers, and magazines, but while they all sympathized with her situation, none were willing to help.
With no success, Johanna wandered aimlessly through the streets until she ended up in a park.
Sitting on a cold bench, pigeons approached her, pecking around for food. However, Johanna had nothing to give.
“Sorry…”
