KISS THE SCUMBAG Chapter 29

Yujin struggled to turn his head and direct his eyes toward the boy. He was staring straight at Yujin. Yujin was momentarily tense under that unwavering gaze, but unexpectedly, his heart was filled with excitement. He opened his lips, which had been hesitating, with difficulty. Yujin spoke in a voice as shaky as the boy’s, or perhaps even more so.

I am….

Yujin.

Winston secretly repeated the name in his mouth. The name remained on the tip of his tongue, so sweet that it felt as if his tongue would melt and disappear the moment he spoke it aloud. He just looked at Yujin without saying a word. In the silence, which felt both the same as and different from back then, Yujin didn’t rush to open his mouth either. A cool breeze blew, shaking the wind chime and letting a clear sound resonate between them. As if it were awakening him to reality, the sound cutting through the space between them finally brought Yujin to his senses.

Where is Angie? She shouldn’t be wandering around on her own.

Anxiety and worry washed over Yujin. He had never imagined he would run into Winston here. He had been so careful to avoid any chance of an encounter with the child, yet here he was, in such an absurd situation. His heart pounded wildly, fearing that Angela might return at any moment.

“What are you doing here….”

Unlike back then, this time Yujin spoke first. His voice did not shake. Winston, who had been looking down at him while still sitting on the horse, spoke to Yujin, who was inwardly sighing with relief.

“You’re the one who should be asked why you’re here. Did I not say this place is no longer in use?”

His voice was endlessly cold. Thanks to that, Yujin was able to face him without being shackled by the shadows of the past anymore.

Get a grip, it’s all in the past.

“I just came out for a walk and found myself here. …What about you?”

This time, he wouldn’t be able to avoid it. Yujin realized mid-sentence that Winston had skillfully dodged his own answer. How quick-witted of him.

Winston replied in a voice still devoid of emotion.

“I only sought you out because I had something to discuss with you.”

“Something to discuss? With me?”

Yujin opened his eyes wide, never guessing that Winston had used the time gained by turning the question back on him to fabricate an excuse.

“It’s not to say that the contract is off.”

Winston coldly denied it, as if piercing through Yujin’s inner hope. Well, of course. Yujin soon let his shoulders drop in disappointment. After all, the will wouldn’t change.

Just as Yujin was about to listen to him again, he suddenly furrowed his brows. Even though they were standing apart, Winston was already massive, and sitting atop a horse, his height was immense. Before Winston could speak, Yujin made a complaint-filled request.

“Hey, would you mind getting off that horse? Unless you’re trying to break my neck.”

He even added a forced smile as if asking for a favor, but Winston’s expression did not change. As expected, he doesn’t even pretend to listen to me. Even as he thought that, Yujin was surprisingly calm. Perhaps, he thought, he had expected as much deep down.

Suddenly, Winston moved. Yujin watched with wide eyes as he agilely lifted his long legs and dismounted the horse. Winston patted the horse’s neck lightly and walked toward him, still expressionless. With his gaze fixed straight on Yujin. Standing before him after just a few steps, Winston opened his mouth.

“McCoy is coming today to verify the documents and handle the legal proceedings. The wedding ceremony and reception will be held at the mansion.”

Yujin was already bewildered that Winston had complied with his request and dismounted to stand face-to-face with him, but his words left Yujin even more dazed.

So we really are getting married.

Winston and me.

“Uh… okay.”

Yujin answered awkwardly, still unable to believe it. It didn’t feel real at all. The fact that Winston was in front of him, and the fact that he had agreed to marry him.

Could it be that I’m having an overly realistic dream?

Yujin, who only gave a lukewarm response due to his bewilderment, was ignored as Winston just carelessly continued.

“My secretary will take care of the preparations, so you just need to do as you’re told. I’ve chosen the date arbitrarily, but that doesn’t matter, does it?”

“You’ve already picked the date?”

Didn’t he say he was just now filing the paperwork?

Winston said dismissively to the shocked Yujin.

“Is there any reason to drag this out? Our objective is clear, isn’t it?”

“That may be true, but.”

Yujin, who admitted it reluctantly, asked with a sigh.

“So, when is it…?”

Thinking about how to explain it to his child made him feel overwhelmed, but after hearing the answer, his mind went completely blank.

“Two weeks from now.”

“Two weeks from now?”

As he repeated his words involuntarily, Winston twisted his lips in a sneer.

“Yes. What’s the problem? It would be better for you as well to finish this as soon as possible.”

He was talking about the execution of the will. It was clear that Winston wanted to finish his obligation quickly and kick Yujin out of the mansion. Of course, Yujin would have run away long before that.

“No, no problem.”

After a pause, Yujin shook his head, and Winston ended the conversation.

“Tell Caine if you need anything. He will pass it on to my secretary.”

“…All right.”

Yujin answered reluctantly to the business-like voice. He knew reality was approaching, but Yujin was not yet prepared.

Two weeks from now.

A stifled sigh escaped him.

“Is that all you have to say? About the marriage?”

Yujin, who brushed his hair back as if he had run out of energy, asked weakly, but Winston did not answer. Confused by his reaction of just quietly looking at his face, Yujin carefully called his name.

“Winston?”

Suddenly, he felt Winston hesitate. As he watched curiously, for some reason, a look of confusion flashed across Winston’s eyes. Maybe it was his imagination. No, it must be. There was no reason for Winston to have such a reaction.

The lips that had been firmly shut until then slowly opened.

“How long do you intend to keep taking that garbage medicine?”

“Huh?”

Watching Yujin let out a foolish sound at the unexpected question, Winston continued with a cold face.

“I don’t know what your scheme is, but didn’t I tell you it wouldn’t work on me? Take properly verified medicine. I don’t care if you ruin your body due to side effects, but you’d better be prepared if you become unable to conceive.”

For a moment, Yujin felt his heart sink. If, by any chance, his infertility were discovered, could he just use the illegal medicine as an excuse?

After being kicked out of Delights, Yujin hadn’t taken suppressants. The reason was simple: he didn’t have the money. If he had money to buy suppressants, he could feed his child one more meal. Spending it on his own medicine was a waste that made no sense.

But if he explained the trivial details, Winston wouldn’t believe him, and he didn’t want to drag out his miserable circumstances. Winston misunderstood that Yujin took illegal suppressants for the sake of his pride, but in truth, pretending to take illegal suppressants actually protected his pride better.

“…I won’t take it anymore.”

As he answered submissively, Winston stared fixedly at his face for a while. As if he couldn’t trust that he was being this obedient.

“I’ll be watching.”

As expected, Winston didn’t trust him at all. The conversation was now over. Yujin knew it instinctively. Seeing him about to turn and walk away, Yujin reached out his hand urgently.

“Hey!”

Winston, who had hesitated, slowly turned his head. Seeing Winston’s frowning gaze directed downward, Yujin followed his eyes and was horrified.

“I, I’m sorry.”