“Eek...”
Yujin let out an embarrassing scream and hastily raised his other hand to cover his mouth. Winston glanced briefly at the clearly flustered Yujin and spoke downward.
“Angie, Daddy needs to rest a bit. Would it be okay if the two of us decorated the tree?”
At that, Yujin quickly looked down at the child. Angela, pale as if shocked, stared up at Winston. The words Angela had said earlier immediately came back to mind—it was obvious she thought Winston was trying ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) to separate her from Yujin again. Seeing the pure emotion on the child’s face, Yujin felt his heart break.
“I’m fine...”
“Kane.”
Just as Yujin tried to speak hurriedly, Winston called the butler. Before he could say anything else, the butler appeared from somewhere and answered, “Yes.” Winston continued, still holding Yujin.
“Prepare a resting place for Yujin, somewhere close enough to watch Angie.”
Both Yujin and Angela’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected command. Without changing his expression, the butler replied, “Understood,” then busily directed the servants to bring a vintage rocking chair, prepare cushions, cover it with a blanket, and so forth, creating a place for Yujin to sit and rest.
“Here.”
Winston gently helped Yujin sit in the chair and spoke.
“This should do, right?”
Still stunned by the sudden turn of events, Yujin blinked. Angela shared the same confused expression. Yujin watched the child looking between him and Winston with the same expression and awkwardly spoke.
“Uh... yeah, it’s fine.”
Watching Angela’s reaction, Yujin answered, and Winston soon looked toward the child.
“You okay, Angie? Would you like the chair closer?”
When Angela nodded, Winston seemed ready to comply immediately. Though there was no guarantee, Yujin felt a quiet confidence. Angela blinked blankly and hesitantly nodded. Seeing her doubtful look, Winston moved without delay.
“...Whoa!”
Suddenly, he lifted the chair with Yujin sitting in it and took a few steps straight to right in front of the child.
“How’s this?”
Angela’s eyes widened again. She looked back and forth between Winston and Yujin, then nodded unintentionally.
“Uh... y-yes.”
With those words, Winston carefully and gently set Yujin down.
Meanwhile, Yujin’s heart was pounding fiercely as he took heavy breaths. He realized for the first time how much stability came from having his feet on the floor.
He hadn’t felt this anxious when Winston held and carried him.
Shaking off the thought that had suddenly come to mind, he quickly turned his head.
What am I thinking? It’s better that Winston carry me?
“Daddy?”
Snapped back by the child’s voice, Yujin found Winston and Angela looking at him with curious faces. His face instantly flushed red, and he gave an awkward smile.
“Oh, nothing. It’s nothing.”
To avoid the awkwardness, he hurriedly said,
“How about finishing decorating the tree? I’ll watch from here.”
Winston studied Yujin’s face as if trying to read the truth but didn’t linger long.
“Alright then.”
Straightening his back, he looked at Angela as if urging her to hurry and finish. Only then did Angela regain energy and look up at Winston with a flushed face. When she fluttered her small hands, Winston leaned toward her, and Angela whispered something. Then Yujin witnessed an unbelievable sight—Winston smiled at the child for the first time. It was a smile full of affection, joy, and happiness, as if he could not help himself.
Yujin watched them silently, his feelings tangled as he sat still.
Once they were alone, Yujin finally asked the question he had held back. Even after decorating the tree, they spent a long time together—eating in the greenhouse, chatting about the flowers that would bloom in the garden, and talking about plans for the new year. It was an extremely peaceful time, but Yujin couldn’t believe such peace was possible. Peace between Winston and himself was unimaginable.
Never let your guard down.
Lying down on the bed back in his room, Yujin asked with a wary tone. Winston tilted his head incredulously.
“What do you mean? We talked so much I don’t know what you’re asking.”
Yujin, annoyed by his feigned ignorance, was about to press further when Winston leaned toward him. Suddenly, a sweet scent washed over Yujin. Startled, he flinched. Winston narrowed his eyes and asked,
“Sweetheart, why are you so anxious?”
The low whisper seemed to tickle his skin. Unable to speak, Yujin blinked. Winston reached out and stroked Yujin’s arm. His long, firm fingertips gently brushed his skin, causing Yujin’s breath to grow ragged. Winston intertwined his fingers with Yujin’s and slowly toyed with them as he continued.
“We just enjoyed Christmas Eve, like any other family.”
The subtle nuance of the word family made Yujin feel a deep alienation. They were a real family, but only Yujin knew it. What if Winston really found out Angela was his daughter?
That’ll never happen.
Confidently, Yujin shook off Winston’s hand. He knew this man would never believe him.
“Don’t mess around. That’ll never happen between us again.”
Winston tilted the corner of his eyes and smiled at the cold words.
“What’s wrong?”
Annoyed by his cheeky response, Yujin angrily grabbed a pillow and swung it. It hit Winston with a thud.
Gasp.
Yujin was shocked even at what he’d done. He couldn’t believe he had hit someone.
“I thought you’d dodge.”
Muttering as if wronged, Winston laughed and asked,
“Didn’t you hit me on purpose?”
“Don’t act like I let you win.”
Yujin snapped sharply but knew deep down that was the truth. The only opponent he couldn’t avoid was a corpse already dead. Finally, Yujin showed his true feelings.
“Why do you keep letting me win?”
Winston tilted his head, confused.
“Me?”
“Yeah. I’m no fool. What are you up to?”
Winston was silent for a moment, and Yujin didn’t know whether he was choosing words or was dumbfounded. After several seconds of silence, Winston nonchalantly changed the subject.
“How’s your body? The fever seems to be lingering.”
That was the truth. The suppressant he took in the morning had already worn off. His body was still hot, and Winston’s pheromones were driving him crazy. Dealing with Winston this far had already used up all the strength Yujin had left.
“Yeah, I’m going to sleep now. Don’t bother me.”
Yujin spoke coldly, more than usual, then turned his back on him. Watching Yujin’s back for a moment, Winston turned and left. As he headed to the bathroom, the sound of him humming a tune reached Yujin’s ears.
What is he scheming now?
Feeling an inexplicable unease, Yujin lay alone on the bed and reflected on the day’s events. Bitter as they were, he could not deny he had enjoyed them too. Even though he knew it was all an illusion.
Just one more day to endure.
He thought and forced himself to sleep. Though he expected it to be hard, he unexpectedly passed out quickly. When Winston returned, Yujin was sound asleep, breathing evenly.
Deeply asleep, Angela suddenly opened her eyes. She felt something strange. The child blinked her sleepy eyes while lying down, then casually turned her head. A few seconds later, she realized something was crouching in the darkness.
...Huh?
Rubbing her eyes, Angela sat up on the bed unsteadily. What was that? A faint question arose in her still groggy mind. Rubbing both eyes again, Angela blinked. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, she began to make out the shape.
It was a person.
...Gasp!
Angela covered her mouth with her hands, eyes wide with fright.
