“Uh... ah... yes.”
Georgina couldn’t bring herself to meet Yujin’s eyes, averting her gaze and stammering her words. Her heart fluttered uneasily. She feared that her true feelings—wanting to run away pretending to know nothing about Yujin until just moments ago—might be revealed. Unaware of Georgina’s inner turmoil, Yujin continued speaking.
“You must be very busy, and I’m sorry for being so stubborn.”
His awkward smile carried guilt. Of course, there was another reason Georgina didn’t know, but unintentionally, Yujin’s words touched her guilt.
“Ah, no... don’t worry about it.”
Georgina quickly turned her head and stammered on. Blushing with embarrassment, she hurriedly continued.
“Th-then shall we go in? What did you say you wanted to buy?”
Seeing Georgina take Angela’s hand and start walking back together, Yujin silently apologized.
I’m sorry, Georgina.
Deceiving an innocent teenage girl weighed heavily on him. Now, even Georgina—the only person among the Campbells who had been kind to him—might come to hate him. But Winston wouldn’t blame Georgina. In a way, she was a victim too, and after all, a member of the Campbell family.
Winston would just blame all the faults on Yujin. He might bitterly regret trusting a scumbag like him. Thinking so eased Yujin’s heart somewhat.
“Daddy, come quickly!”
Angela waved her arms excitedly from beyond the wide-open door. Yujin forced a smile and stepped toward the child. His heart started pounding wildly for a different reason.
“You look great, Angie. Let’s try this on, too.”
Before long, Georgina, excited and forgetting her worries, brought out another outfit with admiration. Dressed in white stockings, Mary Jane shoes, and a sky-blue dress adorned with abundant frills, Angela looked like an adorable fairy. Georgina sighed deeply and placed her hand on her flushed cheek.
“I’ve never seen anyone as cute as Angie.”
Saying this, she glanced at Yujin unintentionally and then nodded in agreement. Of course, it was natural since the child was Winston and Yujin’s.
She would probably grow into a stunning beauty. Georgina already looked forward to that day.
“I heard Angie is going to kindergarten soon. Are you prepared well?”
At Georgina’s question, Yujin hesitated briefly then gave an awkward smile.
“Ah, yes... probably...?”
He soon trailed off in his answer.
“To be honest, I don’t really know. I left it to Winston.”
That made sense. Georgina passed over the topic without much thought. Yujin probably knew nothing about private kindergartens. It was much easier to leave it to the butler and Winston.
The territoriality there must be terrible...
The thought came suddenly. Yujin smiled and spoke again.
“Wait a moment, can I go help Angie change clothes?”
“Ah, yes. Of course.”
Georgina nodded readily and silently watched Yujin walk toward the fitting room. Left alone, she sighed deeply. The usually enjoyable shopping was so exhausting today. She didn’t even want to imagine what it would have been like without Angela.
Since I came out because of Angie, I guess that’s what it all comes down to?
Frowning, pondering whether the chicken or the egg came first, Georgina glanced at her wristwatch. Nearly thirty minutes had passed since Yujin went into the fitting room. Still no sign? Feeling curious, she fumbled with her phone waiting for them to come out, but after over an hour, boredom became unbearable.
“Yujin, this is Georgina. Are you alright for a moment?”
She knocked on the fitting room door and called out, but there was no answer. Georgina tilted her head, then cautiously grabbed the doorknob.
“Angie, Yujin...”
Calling their names carefully, she opened the door and immediately widened her eyes. The large fitting room was empty.
“Wh-what is this...?”
Too shocked to speak properly, Georgina just blinked repeatedly.
Listening to the dull sales report, Winston’s mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t get the image of Yujin lying naked on the bed out of his head.
Why did I even come to work?
He chastised himself belatedly. It would have meant more to just hold Yujin. Wasn’t it okay to skip a day staring at numbers?
There were still several hours until quitting time. Winston wanted to cancel all subsequent schedules but couldn’t. He had to get through all his tasks somehow. As Yujin said, it was better to enjoy pleasures slowly and leisurely.
I’ll wait for him completely naked.
Just thinking about Yujin’s sweet voice heated his lower body. He could even tell his pheromones were stronger now. He wouldn’t masturbate. He would pour all the accumulated semen into Yujin inside him. Yujin would cry out ecstatically beneath him. He would lick and suck every inch. Yujin’s whole being was his.
My love, my life, my bride by my side.
Just then, a forgotten poem came to mind. His silent phone suddenly started ringing. Even before answering, a chill of premonition came over him. Winston didn’t want to take the call but had to. Reluctantly, he answered, and an extremely anxious voice on the other side delivered a report that should never have come.
Yujin was missing. Took the child.
For a moment, Winston almost dropped his phone.
Dear Santa,
Bursting loudly through the door, no one was inside the room. Winston’s shoulders heaved with ragged breaths as he scanned the empty space. Only countless dolls and toys remained, lonely and unattended; the owner was nowhere to be seen.
Hello. I’m Angela.
Returning to the bedroom, Winston found signs of Yujin. Most of the things he brought were there, but one thing was missing—his suppressant. Staring briefly at the empty spot in the cabinet, he hurriedly turned and went downstairs.
I thought Grandpa didn’t come because I’m a poor kid.
Mr. Campbell said it was because I’m a patient child who could wait that Santa didn’t come.
“Have you reported the disappearance?”
At Winston’s harsh voice, the butler answered immediately.
“I just did. But since Angie is Mr. Yujin’s child, it can’t exactly be called kidnapping...”
“Find them immediately, no matter what!”
Unusually, Winston shouted. The butler shut his mouth and withdrew. Winston broke out in cold sweat and gasped for breath.
I °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° thought Santa wouldn’t come again this year.
Because I’m still a poor girl, and I’ve had bad thoughts.
The Christmas tree still stood grandly in its place. The star that had topped it was still there too. It made Winston feel like he had been dreaming—about Yujin, about herself, and their child.
Too sweet a dream.
Grandpa, I didn’t want a little sibling.
If I had a little sibling, Daddy wouldn’t love me anymore. Then I’d be alone.
Yujin left.
He left taking only the child.
But I don’t want Daddy to be sick. Daddy has struggled too much because of me.
He abandoned me.
So I decided to welcome my little sibling.
Winston collapsed where he stood.
Yujin abandoned me.
Grandpa, I’m ready to be a good sister now. So please, this year, give me a present.
Haah, haah.
His trembling breaths shattered in his hands. Winston covered his face with both hands and closed his eyes.
Please make Daddy happy this Christmas. I’m begging you.
Haah, haah. Haah, haah.
His breathing grew heavier until it felt dizzying. The once perfect routine vanished in a single moment. Just like that, so absurdly.
When the image of Yujin walking away with the child right before his eyes appeared like a ghost.
Angela, the poor girl temporarily living off a rich family.
“Ahhhhhh...!”
An uncontrollable scream burst from his mouth like a cry.
