For a moment, Yujin felt his heart drop. Realizing his expression had twisted into a mess, he barely managed to utter a sound, unable to recover quickly.
“No, it’s not like that... that can’t be true.”
He severely blamed himself for only being able to say that, but frustratingly no other words came to mind. Watching Yujin’s face, Angela shrank back with a thoroughly intimidated expression, stealing glances. Yujin felt as if his chest was collapsing. He hurriedly pulled Angela into a hug and spoke.
“Angie, that’s not true. That kind of thing could never happen.”
Trying desperately to soothe his daughter’s wounds, he continued.
“Both Winston and I know very well that you’re not that kind of kid. What he said is true in one way — I really was unwell and was in the hospital for a while.”
It was almost absurd that he found himself defending Winston. But right now, nothing was more important than Angela not getting hurt. Calming himself, Yujin spoke to the child in as gentle a voice as possible.
“Everyone knows how much Angie cherishes her little sibling. Winston knows it too. Because of that, he’s even more careful. So don’t have those thoughts, okay?”
Yujin expected her to nod in agreement, but the child silently remained unresponsive. Trying hard to think of what else to say, Angela, who had been tightly shutting her lips, hesitated before speaking.
“...That’s not it.”
“What?”
Yujin asked with curiosity, but Angela fell silent again, then squeezed her eyes shut before finally confessing.
“Actually, I thought I didn’t want a little sibling.”
Taken aback by the unexpected words, Yujin was momentarily stunned. He just blinked and watched as Angela stammered out the difficult confession.
“If there’s a baby, I wondered if Daddy might like that baby more... And Mr. Campbell would only care about that baby, right? That’s okay — it’s Mr. Campbell’s baby. But Daddy, Daddy is my Daddy...”
Angela couldn’t finish the sentence and shut her mouth. Only then did Yujin realize for the first time how anxious the child had been.
Why hadn’t he thought of it before?
He had failed to notice because the child was unusually mature for her age. But after all, Angela was still only a four-year-old.
“Angie, don’t think like that.”
Yujin’s heart ached as he hugged the child tightly, kissing her on the head and cheek in turn.
“You’re the most precious thing to Daddy. No one could ever replace you.”
“...But.”
Angela muttered in a hesitant voice.
“Does Mr. Campbell treat me well because he thinks I might do something bad to the baby...?”
“Absolutely not.”
Yujin firmly denied the child’s words. He nearly swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue: there’s no such thing, so you don’t have to ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) think that way. The truth would have to wait a little longer. Winston probably knew the truth — that there was no pregnancy.
Thinking about how Winston had even smoked in front of him, maybe that was his way of testing him.
Bitterly, Yujin pondered. After all, Winston had drunkenly claimed he was pregnant, so it had been fragile from the start.
Anyway, if Winston wants to keep up this act, it’s better to play along. Yujin resolved and instead comforted the child in another way.
“Winston really wants to become close to you. It has nothing to do with the baby.”
Angela’s eyes visibly wavered. Yujin smiled at his daughter, urging her to trust him. Encouraged by that smile, Angela blinked cautiously and asked.
“Really...?”
“Really. Of course.”
Without hesitation, Yujin answered and rubbed his forehead against hers with a smile.
“Who in the world wouldn’t love you? Have confidence, Angie. You’re the most lovable child in the world.”
At those words, Angela’s face slowly brightened. Fortunately, sensing the earnest wish had reached her, the child smiled brightly, hugged Yujin’s neck, and rubbed her cheek against his.
“Daddy, I love you.”
Yujin laughed, embraced her tightly, and kissed her repeatedly.
“I love you too, Angie. I love you more than anyone in the world.”
Inhaling the long-missed scent of his child deeply into his chest, tension melted away and peace came. As he smiled widely and kissed her again, suddenly something flashed like lightning through his mind.
Yes, that’s how it should be written.
The solution to the scene he had agonized over appeared like a revelation. Surprised, Yujin’s eyes widened and he froze for a moment. Angela tilted her head and asked.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
“Uh, uh?”
Coming back to himself, he quickly blinked and then beamed at the child.
“Nothing, nothing. I just thought of a funny story.”
“Another new story?”
Angela’s curiosity quickly surfaced, her eyes sparkling. Yujin replied with a smile and hugged her tightly.
“It’s all thanks to you, Angie. Thank you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
Yujin gently pinched Angela’s nose and released it, then said.
“You’re my guardian angel.”
At those words, Angela chuckled and snuggled deeper into Yujin’s arms. Feeling lighter, Yujin patted her back.
No more delays.
He hurriedly spun thoughts. He could now do some movement. Running was difficult, but walking was not. Though still a bit early, he had to hurry for Angela’s sake. Yujin made up his mind.
Yujin put Angela to bed early and waited for Winston, but the man, who usually came home at about the same time every day, was three hours late that day. Yujin, who had been nervously preparing what to say, was completely exhausted by the time Winston returned.
“...You’re late.”
That was all he could say. Winston casually replied that he had been busy. But the waiting didn’t end there. Winston immediately went to the bathroom, and Yujin had to wait again until he finished washing and was ready to talk.
When Yujin suddenly sensed movement and opened his eyes, Winston was standing by the window, pouring a glass of liquor.
“...Drinking again?”
He asked without thinking. Winston turned his head, eyes wide as if startled, and the sight unsettled Yujin.
“Sorry, did I scare you?”
Winston was silent for a moment before muttering, “No.”
Yujin waited a moment, then opened his mouth.
“I was waiting because I had something to talk about.”
“Talk?”
“Yeah.”
Taking a deep breath, Yujin finally spoke.
“I want to go out.”
Did his voice tremble? Did it sound nervous? Was there anything suspicious or unusual about it?
“Go out? Suddenly?”
As expected, Winston frowned and asked. Yujin nodded as casually as possible.
“I promised Georgina before. We’re going shopping together.”
He had deliberately called Georgina during the day to make the appointment. Of course, the promise was made then. At first, Georgina looked noticeably flustered and tried to refuse, but Yujin persistently persuaded her. He didn’t even hesitate to hand the phone to Angela to embarrass Georgina.
In the end, Georgina couldn’t resist and made plans with Yujin. He felt a little sorry for using a teenage girl but buried the guilt deep. Right now, Angela was the most important thing. His daughter was so hurt — what was there to hide?
“...With Georgina?”
Winston frowned and repeated the words. Yujin deliberately raised his voice exaggeratedly.
“You’ve been cooped up here all this time. It’s frustrating. I want to go out, choose things for myself, and shop. It’s been too long since I spent money.”
Would that be believable?
Winston thought Yujin was a money-obsessed materialist. So this was the perfect excuse. Watching Winston’s serious expression, Yujin inwardly confirmed his guess.
“Why do you want to meet her?”
The sudden question made Yujin blink in surprise. This was not a question he had anticipated.
