Andrew, who had fled in a panic, returned a few days later to visit Yujin’s house where he was alone. When Yujin saw his face through the intercom, he was so shocked he almost fainted. Frozen with fear, Andrew began speaking.
“Uh, sorry to bother you all of a sudden... I have something to say. I won’t do anything weird, so can we talk for a moment?”
Before Yujin could refuse, Andrew quickly added,
“You don’t have to come inside. I’ll stand at the door and talk. If anything happens, you can press the emergency bell right away... okay?”
Andrew clung so desperately it was almost pitiful. Yujin had rarely been begged like that by anyone, so this attitude weakened him greatly. In the end, he couldn’t help but agree.
“Talk standing there.”
When Andrew came up in the elevator, Yujin immediately said this. Andrew stood hesitantly just outside the door’s inner gate, watching Yujin closely. Yujin, tense and hunched over, had his hand on the emergency button on the wall, ready to press it at any moment. Andrew lowered his head deeply, then finally spoke.
“I must have been crazy.”
With a thoroughly dejected face, Andrew said,
“I thought you liked me. I’m sorry. You’re Winston’s lover... I misunderstood because I thought you were just being nice to me.”
Yujin was secretly surprised at Andrew’s formal apology. He never imagined a Campbell family member bowing his head to him. Even though Andrew was completely at fault, Yujin never expected him to come apologize like this. He thought Andrew would just babble excuses, but Andrew pinpointed the situation clearly and apologized, which confused Yujin. With hostility somewhat deflated, Andrew continued.
“You treated me like a friend, but I did something stupid... I regret it so much.”
He sighed deeply, then looked up earnestly at Yujin.
“Can we please just go back to being friends? I promise I’ll never be rude to you again.”
After everything that happened, how could Yujin agree? His immediate reaction was resistance. But another part of him thought it would be cruel to be cold to someone who had gone through the trouble to apologize. Despite being immature for his age, Yujin couldn’t decide what was the right thing to do. Hesitating to speak, Andrew saw this and made an awkward face.
“I know what you’re worried about. Of course you’d be uneasy.”
Then, as if chased by something, he hurriedly added,
“But you can trust me. Think about it—if I did anything again, you’d tattle to Winston right away, wouldn’t you? Knowing that, how could I dare do that? Winston will believe you no matter what.”
Looking back, that desperate attitude seemed suspicious, but Yujin didn’t have the experience to see through it then. He was just overwhelmed and startled by the sudden situation and had no room in his head to think further.
That’s true...
Yujin trusted Winston and didn’t doubt their love even a bit. Andrew obviously knew this, so why risk it? Besides, Yujin had seen how Andrew ran off in a panic just by hearing Winston’s name.
Winston will always believe me first.
Yujin was certain. And that belief and love led him into a trap.
“...Alright.”
Yujin spoke reluctantly and hurriedly continued.
“But you can never drink or do drugs again. You can be free anywhere else, but not in this house. And next time you visit, get Winston’s permission first. Then I’ll always welcome you. It’s even better if you come when Winston is here.”
“Okay, I’ll try to do that.”
Andrew nodded and gave a bitter smile.
“Thanks, Yujin.”
Though what he was thankful for was unstated, Yujin assumed it was a thank you for forgiving him.
“Just don’t do it again.”
Yujin said thoughtfully and added a smile. Andrew also smiled, though at the time Yujin didn’t realize it was the nervous, uneasy smile of a guilty man.
Later, Yujin would realize how foolish Andrew had been. At that time, Andrew had lived all his life isolated in a separate annex and was like a chick just hatched from an egg, newly out into the world. Moreover, Winston’s blind love made him even more defenseless. So when it finally happened, Yujin was helplessly caught in the mess.
Bang—A thunderous roar echoed right by his ear. Yujin instinctively covered his ears and closed his eyes. When he tried to open them again, the chilling noise pounded his head repeatedly.
His mind rang and dizziness swept over him for a moment. Blinking frantically at his shaking vision, Yujin barely regained consciousness. As he desperately looked around, his face turned pale. His bloodied lover sat gasping, leaning against one wall.
“Winnie!”
Tears burst out and he screamed. Yujin frantically ran to him, calling his name repeatedly and searching his body. There was so much blood that his overflowing tears blurred his vision, and he couldn’t tell where the bleeding was coming from.
“What should I do, what should I do... Winston, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault, I’m sorry...”
Though he apologized repeatedly, Winston only looked bewildered.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
His face pale as if all the blood had drained, Winston asked.
“You’re not hurt anywhere, honey?”
Panting, Winston stroked Yujin’s face, then frowned in confusion. His hand, which had touched Yujin’s cheek hesitantly, slowly dropped as he muttered.
“Why won’t the blood... come off? Honey, where are you hurt?”
“Idiot, that’s your blood...!”
Only then, as Yujin sobbed loudly, did Winston smile.
“Oh, is that so.”
He weakly lifted the corners of his mouth and whispered last words.
“Thank God it’s not you who’s hurt.”
“Open your eyes, Winston! Wake up! No...!”
Yujin shouted at the top of his lungs, but Winston soon lost consciousness. Holding him tightly, Yujin could only cry endlessly.
“Gasp...!”
Taking a harsh breath, Winston suddenly opened his eyes. He blinked blankly while lying down. He had awakened but was not fully conscious yet. For a while, Yujin just breathed heavily in confusion, before barely recalling what happened and sighing bitterly.
Weeks had passed since Winston, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) seriously injured by a stranger who suddenly broke into the house, was hospitalized. During that time, Yujin had been kept strictly isolated from him, desperately waiting and suffering. The curse Mrs. Campbell had shouted at Yujin when she met him in the hospital’s emergency room was still vivid in his ears.
‘You should have died! Why is my son lying there? It’s all your fault, you should have died, you should have...!’
She shouted repeatedly and slapped his face mercilessly, but no one stopped her. Yujin just cried and begged for forgiveness. Since then, he had been endlessly blaming himself. Why had they decided to live alone, just the two of them? Why hadn’t he tried harder to please Mrs. Campbell? If it had been at Delight, none of this dangerous stuff would have happened. Winston wouldn’t have been attacked by a robber or been in critical condition.
“Winnie...”
As the memories came back, Yujin broke down crying again. He sobbed, soaking his pillow. The cruel self-blame and endless days continued. His only lover and everything to him—the man whose fate he did not know—was gone, and he had to live these meaningless days like this.
If I really lose Winston...
His mind went completely blank. He suddenly jumped up, trembling all over and blinking rapidly. This was no time to be dazed. If Winston died, Yujin had no reason to stay here either. Without thinking, he rushed outside in desperation.
