KISS THE SCUMBAG Chapter 23

He had held a vague hope that he, too, would be able to have the kind of dream-like family he only saw in books or movies, but unfortunately, that expectation was shattered before long. There was no one in the mansion to welcome him. He was not even allowed to stay in the grand mansion called “Delight.” The place where Yujin lived was a small annex located at the edge of the vast estate. He had to live there alone, and there were no visitors other than the servants who came and went occasionally to provide various necessary services. He was completely alone, except for the very rare occasions when the master of the mansion and the man who had brought him here, Harold Campbell, would call for Yujin.

The only people who spoke to him were the servants and Harold, but the servants only spoke very occasionally to say the bare essentials; therefore, Harold was, in fact, the only person with whom he could hold a conversation. Every once in a while, when he took the time to call Yujin to his room, Yujin would go to meet him, brimming with excitement. At that time, Yujin only thought about what he could do to make Harold happier. He was so lonely and starved for affection. Furthermore, the attention of the only person who acknowledged him was something he desperately needed. Yujin would do anything. If that was what Harold wanted, then he would do it to be loved by him. At that time, Harold was Yujin’s whole world.

That was the reason he memorized and studied throughout the night to learn a language he couldn’t understand. Thanks to that, whenever he met Harold, which was very rare, Harold would be surprised yet satisfied by his surprisingly improved language skills. Happy with his reaction, Yujin threw himself into his studies even more diligently. The fact that he was able to speak English quite proficiently in less than a year was thanks to his efforts, saving even the time he should have spent sleeping all day.

However, Harold was too busy. Back then, too, Yujin had been dejected because he hadn’t been able to see him for nearly two months. Harold provided him with anything material, but Yujin needed human warmth more than that.

Of course, he had never voiced that aloud. He always just said he was fine, afraid that if he complained pointlessly, Harold might end up disliking him.

However, he couldn’t keep acting even when he was alone. Yujin was lonely, and he always felt a sense of desolation. Even though he was already 12, he was still too young to endure such solitude. In the end, while he was doing the trivial task of searching for a four-leaf clover in the garden by himself, he eventually shed tears.

That was when Winston appeared in front of Yujin.

∞ ∞ ∞

It felt like he had heard the sound of birds in the distance. Yujin blinked while lying blankly on the bed. As he gradually woke from his sleep, his mind cleared. Following that, the memory he had been ignoring also came back to him all at once.

“Don’t worry, Yujin. You just need to bear my child. Then the secret will be kept.”

As Winston’s words came to mind, the pit of his stomach felt like it was aching again.

What do I do.

Cold sweat ran down his back. Even if they married, and no matter how many times they slept together, the will could not be fulfilled. Winston wouldn’t even be able to imagine it.

That after giving birth to Angela, Yujin could no longer have children.

A groan escaped his throat involuntarily. So that the child sleeping next to him wouldn’t wake up, Yujin covered his mouth with one hand and gasped for air.

Hoo, hoo.

As he took slow, deep breaths through the narrow airway, his gasping gradually subsided. Once his breathing calmed down, leaving behind a slight dizziness, he lowered his hand and looked to the side. His daughter was fast asleep. Seeing the peaceful face of the child, he couldn’t help himself and pulled her into a tight hug. The sound of her soft, steady breathing gradually calmed Yujin down.

When he opened his closed eyes, Yujin’s expression had changed. I will protect her, no matter what it takes.

What if he finds out that Angie is his own child?

Yujin couldn’t feel at ease at all. Above all, they were living under the same roof. For now, Winston firmly believed that Angela was Harold’s child, but the day even the slightest bit of doubt sprouted, everything would be revealed immediately. Just imagining that day made his heart ache and his breathing heavy.

I have no choice.

He must never be found out. In the worst-case scenario, if the fact that Yujin couldn’t bear children was exposed, and to make matters worse, Winston found out that Angela was his child.

Winston would take Angela away by any means necessary.

In order to inherit the estate.

The ability of the lawyer, McCoy, who had led trials to victory with countless sophistries, was beyond doubt. And it was also certain that Yujin could never win against them.

What I need to do is clear.

Yujin concentrated his thoughts as much as possible.

Wait for an opportunity and run away with Angie. Until then, hide the fact that I can no longer bear children.

Those two things were everything he had to do.

∞ ∞ ∞

The breakfast room, filled with early morning sunlight, was permeated with a subtle aroma of coffee. The butler poured dark black coffee into the master’s empty cup and quickly checked the table with his eyes. Having keenly observed if there was anything else needed, he quickly stepped back without disturbing his master’s quiet mealtime.

Winston, left alone, held a few documents in his hand. They were the prenuptial agreement that Yujin had signed the previous day. He had written his name without even reading the contents properly.

The agreement also contained the clause that Yujin would not claim any part of Angela’s inheritance in any situation in the future. If he found out about this later, Yujin would regret it to the marrow of his bones. Of course, Winston did not bother to inform him of the agreement’s contents.

With this, he had perfectly protected the family’s wealth from a shameless swindler. Yujin might throw away the child who had become useless. Of course, as far as Winston was concerned, it didn’t matter. His interest was currently entirely elsewhere. Yujin’s face was constantly on his mind. To be exact, the way he looked, trembling with fear upon learning that he might have the child taken away the previous day.

It would be a problem for Winston, too, if it were revealed that the child was his father’s offspring. However, he had no choice but to gamble now. If Yujin refused the DNA test and they got married, that would be ideal; and if he agreed to the test, and they confirmed the child was his half-sibling, he had already prepared alternatives.

Above all, who would turn down a gamble where victory was certain?

The unexpected variable was Yujin’s reaction.

…No way, was he being sincere?

Winston, who had been thinking with a furrowed brow, soon shook his head. No way.

He hadn’t expected to see him look so deathly pale and tremble just from a test remark he’d tossed out. He had been genuinely terrified of possibly having the child taken away. Moreover, Yujin seemed to want to keep hiding the fact that the child was Harold’s offspring in the future as well.

Could it be that he actually loved my father?

The thought alone was unpleasant. It was impossible. Wasn’t Yujin just a male hustler who was obsessed with money?

No, he has to be. Winston was not wrong. He only sold his body to my father for money. That is all.

What if it’s not?

Suddenly, his thoughts came to a halt. Winston tried to turn away from the speculation he never wanted to admit, but deep in one corner of his heart, doubt had already raised its head.

If he really did love Father…

“Mr. Campbell.”

At the familiar voice, Winston returned to reality. He quickly buried the ominous thoughts and turned his gaze to the butler. Seeing his master’s attitude, which was no different than usual, the butler spoke politely.

“Mrs. Campbell has arrived. Shall I show her in?”

It was something he had already anticipated. Winston nodded briefly and brought his coffee to his lips. When he was buttering his second piece of bread, the butler returned, escorting his mother.

“Winston.”

Camilla, that is, Mrs. Campbell, called his name even before she sat down. Her expression was clearly urgent, and she even looked as if she might be angry. After sitting in the chair the butler pulled out for her, she only opened her mouth after confirming that the butler had quickly disappeared.

“Is it true that you’re marrying that thing?”