“Haah, haah. Haah, haah.”
Yujin couldn’t remember how he had gotten all the way to Delight. His shoulders heaved as he gasped for breath. His face was soaked with tears, flushed red all over. No way. Inside his mouth, Yujin repeated over and over the words he had said countless times before. There was no way my Winnie would do that. He wouldn’t abandon me # Nоvеlight # for someone else... There was absolutely no way!
“Please, let me see him.”
Yujin pleaded desperately to the guard standing by the main gate.
“Please, just once... Tell Winston. If you tell Winston that Yujin is here, he’ll definitely see me. I beg you, please...!”
Until that moment, Yujin believed it. He thought there must be some mistake. Winston wouldn’t abandon him.
No matter what misunderstanding there was, if they just met and talked, Winston would surely believe him.
The guard looked at Yujin with a troubled expression but reluctantly made a call to the main mansion. During those few seconds, Yujin felt like his blood was drying up as he waited for the response. Finally, the guard hung up the phone and spoke with clear reluctance.
“He’ll come out to meet you soon. He can spare about five minutes... so wait.”
“Thank you, thank you!”
Without even finishing the guard’s words, Yujin frantically thanked him over and over. Finally, he could meet him. Just the thought of seeing his one and only love filled him with endless joy. As the car that came to pick him up sped across the wide garden, Yujin imagined countless scenarios in his head. How was Winston’s body? He must have gotten better, right? What should I say first? Tell him I missed him, and then... and then...
When he absentmindedly touched his own belly, he felt the car slow down. At last, having arrived at Delight, Yujin took a deep breath and followed the butler inside.
The butler led him to the very same parlor where he had waited for Harold before and soon disappeared, leaving Yujin alone, pacing anxiously inside. The house had a strangely unsettled atmosphere. Luxury cars kept arriving in a steady stream in front of the mansion, and the mingled laughter and voices created a constant hum. The excited mood clearly showed that something good was happening, but Yujin’s anxiety only grew.
I want to see Winston soon.
That was the only way to shake off his unease. The newspaper headline must be some misunderstanding. There was no way this was an engagement ceremony. Winston wouldn’t be engaged to someone else, absolutely not...
When he unconsciously wiped the cold sweat off his palm on his pants, he heard the door handle turn. Startled, Yujin turned his head as the door opened and a faint sweet scent drifted in.
Ah.
His mouth relaxed naturally and his face brightened. Heart pounding and eyes wide open, Yujin waited for the person to appear, and when the man finally came into view, tears suddenly spilled out.
“Winnie...!”
He wanted to run forward and hug him immediately, but then he stopped short at an unfamiliar sight. Winston was still using crutches. So his body still wasn’t well. Feeling a heart-breaking sadness, Yujin couldn’t bring himself to speak words of comfort easily. Winston’s expression as he looked at him was so cold. That cold gaze rooted Yujin’s feet to the spot. Feeling a chill run down his spine, Yujin forced himself to speak.
“How’s your body... how are you feeling?”
“Good.”
At the flat tone, Yujin felt relief and breathed easier, then cautiously asked,
“What happened to the crutches...? You’re still...?”
“It’s fine. Soon I’ll be able to walk without them.”
Again, a reassuring answer, but Yujin couldn’t just feel happy. Winston’s attitude was so indifferent that he hesitated to speak to him like before.
“...Hey.”
Feeling his tongue stiffen, Yujin barely made a sound.
“Are you... really angry at me...?”
“Me?”
Yujin had to take a deep breath to say what came next. Otherwise, he would have just burst into tears.
“Because of me... you almost... d-died.”
Remembering that day made him want to cry uncontrollably right then and there. Thinking of Winston bleeding and losing consciousness before his eyes, his heart still ached beyond words. It would have been better if he had been the one hurt. Recalling the endless self-blame again, he asked.
“I’m sorry, Winston. You were in a lot of pain... weren’t you?”
Trying desperately to steady his trembling voice, he managed only that far before Winston finally spoke.
“Yujin.”
“Yeah.”
Breathing hard and listening closely, Winston quietly asked,
“Is that all you want to say?”
Tense silence passed. Only then did Yujin remember why he had come here. Though he thought it impossible, he had to say it. Swallowing dryly and feeling as if his vocal cords were about to tear, he barely uttered,
“The engagement... it’s true? With Evelyn?”
Winston said nothing but just stared at Yujin. Yet that expressionless face seemed to give a clearer answer than a thousand words.
“How...”
Tears welling up uncontrollably, Yujin protested vehemently.
“How can you do that? You left me... You said you loved me, you said I was yours!”
His whole body trembled so much he could barely stand, but Winston’s attitude remained cold. Showing no reaction, he turned away, and Yujin ran after him in a panic.
“W-Wait! Don’t go!”
Thinking Winston would leave forever, Yujin couldn’t think of anything else. He dropped to his knees and grabbed Winston’s legs, clinging desperately.
“Don’t go, Winston. Marry Evelyn if you want. I’ll endure it. Just let me be by your side, I’ll be okay!”
Winston’s brows furrowed deeply, and his once cold expression suddenly hardened even more.
“You prefer the mistress? Then what was all that jealousy over Evelyn before?”
Had he said something wrong? Yujin’s heart chilled, but he didn’t know what the right answer was. So he offered what he thought was the best solution.
“I don’t care if it’s a mistress... I won’t be jealous. Evelyn suits you better anyway.”
Just let me be near you.
That was all Yujin wanted, but all he got in return was Winston’s exasperated sigh.
“W-Wait, Winston! It’s my fault, whatever happens it’s all my fault, please forgive me!”
“You’re the only one for me,” Yujin said as he clung with all his strength to his lover who was trying to leave, looking up at him. His face was soaked with tears and a complete mess. Back then, even a single tear from his lover would leave Winston helpless, but now, with no emotion, the man simply looked down at him.
“What?”
At the low voice, Yujin couldn’t answer immediately. What answer did Winston want? His mind spun wildly, and Winston asked again.
“What did you do wrong?”
What should he say to make Winston feel better? Yujin could think of nothing but holding onto him.
“...Me.”
He opened his mouth with difficulty and swallowed dryly. This was all he had left.
“I’m pregnant.”
When he barely confessed, Winston silently looked down at him. Yujin continued confessing.
“It’s your child.”
“Hah.”
Winston let out a short, bitter laugh. At the low chuckle, Yujin was dumbfounded. When he slowly released his grip on Winston’s legs, Winston still looked down at him with that lingering laugh on his face.
“You brought me a child who might not even be yours and expect what from me?”
For a moment, Yujin thought he had misheard. Blinking blankly, he only understood Winston’s words late and opened his eyes wide.
“What are you saying? I told you it’s your child!”
Yujin hurriedly stood and protested toward Winston. He had never imagined anything like this. Winston denying his own child. But that was also reality. Winston ground his teeth and glared fiercely at Yujin.
“Don’t lie.”
“It’s true!”
Unable to contain his injustice, Yujin shouted.
“It’s your child, the one in my womb is your child!”
Eventually choking up, he pleaded.
“I love you, Winston... Please, why won’t you believe me?”
Just as he reached out his hands in desperate appeal, Winston glared at him with terrifying eyes and shouted in a harsh voice,
“You slept with my father!”
