By Zephyria During the flight, Yu-jin had countless fantasies. A strict but affectionate father, a gentle and kind mother, grumpy or aloof siblings, maybe even a lovely younger sibling. Family photos with family members of different hair colors and skin tones, all gathered together, smiling brightly.
He vaguely hoped that he too could have the dreamlike family he had only seen in books and movies, but unfortunately, that hope was shattered before long. No one welcomed him at the mansion. He couldn’t even stay in the mansion called Delight. Yu-jin lived in a small annex located at the far end of the vast estate. He had to live there alone, and no one visited except for the employees who occasionally came and went to provide the various services necessary for living. He was completely alone, except for the very rare occasions when Harold Campbell, the owner of the mansion and the man who had brought him here, called Yu-jin to him.
The only people who spoke to him were the employees and Harold, but the employees only occasionally uttered the bare minimum of necessary words, so Harold was actually the only person he talked to. Occasionally, when he took the time to call Yu-jin to his room, Yu-jin would be very excited to go and meet him. At the time, Yu-jin only thought about how to make Harold happier. He was so lonely and craved affection. And the attention of the only person who paid attention to him was so desperately needed. Yu-jin could do anything. Anything Harold wanted, in order to be loved by him. Harold was everything to Yu-jin at the time.
That was why he stayed up all night memorizing and studying to learn a language he couldn’t understand. Thanks to that, Harold was amazed and pleased by his surprisingly improved language skills whenever he met Harold. Pleased by his reaction, Yu-jin devoted himself even more diligently to his studies. He was able to speak English quite fluently in less than a year, thanks to his efforts to save even the time he spent sleeping all day.
But Harold was too busy. He hadn’t seen him for almost two months at that point, and Yu-jin was very dejected. Harold gave him anything he wanted materially, but Yu-jin needed human warmth more than that.
Of course, he never said that out loud. He was afraid that Harold would dislike him if he made unnecessary complaints, so he always said he was fine.
But he couldn’t even act when he was alone. Yu-jin was lonely and always felt lonely. He was already twelve years old, but he was still too young to endure loneliness. Eventually, while doing the trivial task of looking for four-leaf clovers alone in the garden, he ended up shedding tears.
Winston appeared in front of Yu-jin.
* * *
It sounded like birds were singing in the distance. Yu-jin blinked blankly as he lay in bed. He gradually woke up and his mind cleared. Then, the memory he had been ignoring came back to him all at once.
‘Don’t worry, Yu-jin. You just have to give birth to my child. Then the secret will be kept.’
When he remembered what Winston had said, he felt a pain in the pit of his stomach again.
What should I do?
Cold sweat ran down his back. Even if he got married, no matter how much they slept together, the will could not be fulfilled. Winston couldn’t possibly imagine.
That after giving birth to Angela, Yu-jin could no longer have children.
A groan flowed out of his throat on its own. Yu-jin covered his mouth with one hand and gasped for breath so that the child sleeping next to him would not wake up.
Hoo, hoo.
As he took slow, deep breaths through the narrow opening, his breathing gradually calmed down. When his breathing calmed down, leaving a slight dizziness, he lowered his hand and looked to his side. His daughter was fast asleep. Looking at the child’s peaceful face, he couldn’t help but hug her tightly. The child’s gentle breathing gradually calmed Yu-jin down.
When he opened his eyes, Yu-jin’s expression had changed. I will protect you, no matter what it takes.
If he finds out that Angie is his child.
Yu-jin couldn’t rest easy at all. Above all, they lived under the same roof. He firmly believed that Angela was Harold’s child now, but if even a little bit of doubt sprouted, everything would be revealed immediately. Just imagining that day made his heart ache and his breath quicken.
There is no choice.
He must never be found out. If the worst were to happen, if it were revealed that Yu-jin could not have children, and to make matters worse, if he found out that Angela was his child.
Winston would take Angela away by any means necessary.
In order to inherit the fortune.
There was no doubt about the skills of McCoy (the) Lawyer, who had won trials with numerous sophistries. Also, Yu-jin could never win against them.
What needs to be done is clear.
Yu-jin focused his thoughts as much as possible.
To take Angie and run away when he gets the chance. Until then, to hide the fact that he can’t have children.
Those two things were all he had to do.
* * *
The gentle aroma of coffee lingered in the breakfast room, where the early morning sunlight streamed in brightly. The Butler poured a cup of strong black coffee into his master’s empty teacup, then quickly scanned the table with his eyes. After keenly checking that nothing more was needed, he quickly retreated without disturbing his master’s quiet mealtime.
Winston was alone with several documents in his hand. It was the prenuptial agreement that Yu-jin had signed the day before. He had signed his name without even reading the contents properly.
The contract also included a clause stating that he would not claim Angela’s inheritance under any circumstances in the future. Yu-jin would regret this to the depths of his bones when he found out about this later. Of course, Winston did not bother to tell him the contents of the contract.
With this, the family’s assets could be perfectly protected from the unscrupulous swindler. Yu-jin might abandon the child once he was no longer useful.
Of course, Winston didn’t care about that at all. His interest was elsewhere entirely. Yu-jin’s face was constantly on his mind. To be exact, it was the sight of him trembling in fear the day before, knowing that he might lose the child.
It would be difficult for Winston if it was revealed that the child was his father’s child. But now he had no choice but to gamble. It would be ideal if Yu-jin refused the DNA test and got married, and if he agreed to the test and confirmed that she was his half-sister, he had a backup plan.
Above all, who would refuse a gamble with a certain victory?
The unexpected variable was Yu-jin’s reaction.
…Could he be serious?
Winston frowned as he recalled his thoughts, then shook his head. No way.
He didn’t expect to see him so pale and trembling at the words he had thrown out as a test. He was genuinely terrified that he might lose the child. Furthermore, Yu-jin seemed to want to hide the fact that the child was Harold’s child in the future.
Could it be that he really loved his father?
The thought alone was unpleasant. It couldn’t be. Yu-jin was just a male prostitute who would do anything for money, wasn’t he?
No, it had to be. Winston was not wrong. He had only sold his body to his father for money. That was all.
What if it wasn’t?
Suddenly, his thoughts stopped. Winston tried to ignore the assumption he never wanted to admit, but doubt was already raising its head in a corner of his mind.
What if he really loved his father…
“Mr. Campbell.”
Winston returned to reality at the familiar voice. He quickly buried his ominous thoughts and turned his gaze to the Butler. The Butler continued politely, with the same attitude as usual.
“Mrs. Campbell has arrived. Shall I show her in?”
It was already expected. Winston nodded briefly and brought the coffee to his lips. The Butler returned with his mother as he was buttering his second piece of bread.
“Winston.”Camellia, or Mrs. Campbell, called his name before she even sat down. Her expression was urgent, perhaps even angry. After sitting in the chair the Butler pulled out for her, she opened her mouth only after confirming the Butler had discreetly disappeared.
“Is it true that you’re marrying that thing?”