“You didn’t keep your promise with me.”
Suddenly, the words of an older woman he had long forgotten came to mind. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brow as Sam’s voice echoed in his ear like a phantom whisper.
“Didn’t you agree to listen to that child? I trusted that promise and persuaded her. But what did you do? Yujin leaving you was all your own doing.”
Her words spilled out with undisguised hostility, deepening the wrinkles between Winston’s brows.
“To have trusted you was my foolishness. There’s nothing I can do—live your life full of regret, just like me.”
Then, as if a curse, she added:
“Just like me.”
Leaving behind the cold final words, Sam turned and walked away right before his eyes. Winston did not try to stop her. For some reason, he didn’t have the nerve to.
Me? At fault?
That was absurd. Everything was Yujin’s fault. Betraying me, leaving me again. I even said I would forgive her.
“Damn it.”
He cursed, rubbing his face with his hand, when suddenly a book on the table caught his eye.
Children of November
The title, written in cute letters with round fonts, stood out especially, fitting for a book about children. Since bringing it, he had never opened it once. It was as if some imagined monster lurked beneath the bed, making it hard to reach out. He vaguely knew why but deliberately looked away. Still, despite himself, the phrase printed on the back forced itself into his eyes.
“Child of November, child of Thanksgiving, child of all the year’s harvest—everyone envies that child. The child who knows no lack sets out on a journey. Which month’s child will be the first to meet on the long road?”
A strange feeling stirred in him. As far as Winston knew, Yujin was the person who had nothing. No proper education, always alone waiting for the only visitor at the remote annex.
Recalling that person was his father, a cynical smile twitched at Winston’s lips. Once again, he realized he had been mistaken. Yujin did have a father. And many men besides. The idea that he had nothing was his own illusion—but even knowing that, his heart still wavered like this.
That was why he didn’t intend to read that book. After all, novels were all lies, weren’t they? How dazzlingly people deceive others with words. Then this must be a well-written book indeed.
“Winnie.”
Don’t waver.
He clenched his teeth and shook his head. It was all his insomnia making his mind strange. Maybe it was the pheromones. I will never be fooled by you again. Never, ever.
I will never get hurt again.
Then, what was there to fear about reading that book?
Suddenly, a rebellious thought flashed like a provocation inside his head. Winston glared at the book for a moment. After all, he would not waver. No matter what Yujin said, he was sure he wouldn’t weaken. Never, never would he fall for Yujin’s words and suffer that miserable fate again.
Slowly, Winston reached out. His fingertips trembled faintly, like a child checking that there was nothing under the bed, but he was an adult. Soon, Winston snatched up the book and opened the cover. A single sentence written on the very first page appeared clearly before his eyes.
“To my beloved daughter, my whole world, Angela.”
For a long while, he froze and stared intently at it. For some reason, he could not turn the page. After a few more seconds of silence, he slowly opened the next page. Skimming roughly through the formal introductory pages, the book finally began. From that moment, Winston spent several hours reading without moving an inch. When he closed the last page, it was well past midnight, approaching dawn.
Sigh. He rubbed his tired eyes with his fingers and sighed. His fingertips were wet with moisture—he realized he had been crying.
The child who had everything. But also the child who had nothing.
Yet the child of November finally became happy. Could the real one also find happiness?
The child of November was unhappy because there was no peanut butter to put in the milk. Just because of that. How simple it would be if Winston’s life were so straightforward.
He had nothing.
He let out a hollow sigh. I have nothing.
That was when he noticed the large teddy bear staring at him.
Winston quietly stared at it and slowly reached out. The bear in his arms felt like he was holding a child.
Yujin, her, and Angela.
Thinking so, he buried his face in the bear and suddenly felt at ease. Even though no scent remained. Winston sat holding the teddy bear for a long time.
A few hours later, the butler cautiously came into the room and was shocked. The master who had suffered insomnia for years was asleep on the sofa, clutching the large teddy bear.
For some reason, he had not felt well since morning. Forcing himself to endure growing fatigue, Yujin prepared to leave. With almost no money left, he would soon be in trouble if he didn’t make plans. Of course, the only place money would come from was obvious. Shamelessly, he would have to ask Grant to advance more royalties. Yujin went to the front desk and asked if he could use the phone. Just in case, since he had left behind a prepaid phone before leaving.
“Of course you can.”
Grant answered cheerfully. Yujin expressed gratitude with joy, then told him the motel address where he was staying. Grant quickly wrote it down and continued.
“Yujin, I have good news. Your book is selling like crazy. It’s been number one bestseller for over a month now.”
“Really?”
Yujin accidentally raised his voice and quickly lowered it, asking again.
“Is that true, Grant?”
“Of course. Why would I lie?”
Grant laughed heartily and added,
“You’ll be surprised when you get the check. I was actually worried about how to get the payment to you. Is Angela doing well?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
Yujin smiled in reply. Grant said, “Alright,” then sighed briefly.
“Sorry about my daughter’s mistake.”
“Oh, no. I’m the one bothering you...”
“No, no. This is money I must pay you.”
After exchanging multiple polite denials and apologies, Yujin finally ended the call. He did not forget to thank the motel owner for letting him use the phone.
When he got the check, he would go to the bank to cash it...
“Daddy, are you okay?”
Back in the room, Angela asked worriedly as Yujin sighed. He smiled faintly and nodded. Being sick would be a disaster. They couldn’t even go to a hospital now. Watching Angela draw in her sketchbook, Yujin lost himself in thought.
Running away like this forever was nonsense.
Only a few months remained in the will’s timeframe. He just had to keep avoiding them until then.
But how?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. If he kept heading north, could he make it to Canada?
It was such a good idea. Why hadn’t he thought of it earlier? If only he had left for Canada from the start...
He’d have been caught right away.
Yujin stopped bitterly. Anyway, it was a relief the book was selling well. Maybe more money than expected would come his way. Then he could find a new place for Angela and him to live...
“Daddy?”
Angela, who had been coloring flowers for a while, turned around in puzzlement. Somehow, Yujin had fallen into a deep sleep. Seeing him breathing peacefully and softly, Angela tilted her head and pulled the sheet over him.
“Sleep tight, sleep tight.”
Patting Daddy’s arm gently, Angela watched him for a moment before turning away. The door remained firmly closed. Suddenly, she felt as if a huge man would come through that door, accompanied by a sweet scent.
But no matter how long she waited, that didn’t happen, and finally Angela gave up, lying down beside Yujin. Two days later, the check arrived.
“Mr. Campbell!”
Repeatedly called and shaken awake by the sensation, Winston opened his eyes. ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Bright sunlight flooded the room and he shielded them with his arm. Still groggy, his mind wasn’t fully alert. Blinking several times, he groaned softly. The butler quickly spoke up.
“They found it. Shall we depart immediately?”
It took Winston a few more seconds to comprehend the butler’s words. The moment it registered in his mind, Winston sprang up like a spring.
“Oh no.”
The teddy bear he was holding almost fell to the floor, and he hurriedly caught it. The butler’s gaze shifted to the large bear, then back to Winston.
