By Zephyria The next day, Winston woke up at the usual time and had breakfast in the breakfast room as if nothing had happened. Yu-jin, who had asked the Butler just in case, was surprised to hear that and hurriedly left his room and headed to the breakfast room. He was dumbfounded to see Winston sitting in a chair as the Butler had said. Yu-jin stood there for a moment, staring at him, but he came to his senses thanks to the Butler, who was coming in with a tray, and stepped aside.
“Ahem.”
Yu-jin deliberately cleared his throat to attract attention and glanced at Winston, but he didn’t react. Yu-jin was discouraged by his behavior of not even looking at him, still keeping his eyes fixed on the newspaper, and he trudged over and sat across from Winston.
“Thank you.”
Yu-jin habitually greeted the Butler, who immediately set the table in front of him, and he asked about the egg preference and bacon crispness with his usual expressionless face. After confirming the same order as always and he disappeared, Yu-jin was finally left alone with Winston.
In the uncomfortable silence, Yu-jin carefully examined his face. It was difficult to read his emotions because he had his eyes lowered, but his unusually pale skin was no different from the day before. Moreover, there was no hint of color on his lips either. Even a three-year-old could easily tell that his complexion, like a wax doll, was not good. Very much so.
“I’m fine.”
Winston suddenly spoke. Yu-jin, who had been staring intently at him, blinked in surprise. Regardless of Yu-jin’s reaction, Winston continued in an indifferent voice.
“It’s just a regular seizure. Nothing special.”
That’s a lie.
Yu-jin thought to himself. As if to prove it, Winston dropped the butter knife at just the right moment. Yu-jin had clearly seen his fingers tremble slightly just before. Winston glanced at the butter knife that had fallen on the floor, then turned his gaze back, put down the bread, and drank his tea instead. He was clearly still in pain. Yu-jin was convinced by the wrinkles around his mouth and his tired eyes.
“Why don’t you rest today?”
“I have a meeting.”
Yu-jin suggested cautiously, and Winston replied briefly. As if he felt that his answer was harsh, he added.
“It’s an important meeting, I can’t miss it.”
Of course, it would be.
Yu-jin retorted inwardly. He felt the urge to say more, but he ignored it. What does it matter if Winston gets worse? It’s not my responsibility anyway.
“Okay.”
Yu-jin replied briefly and lowered his gaze. Just then, the Butler came and placed a plate in front of him, and Winston, who had wiped his mouth with a napkin, got up from his seat.
“I’m done, so take care of Yu-jin.”
He gave simple instructions to the Butler, who was reflexively about to move, and left without looking back. Yu-jin stared blankly at his back, then turned his head and broke the omelet with a fork and put it in his mouth. Repeating to himself that it had nothing to do with him.
* * *
“Ugh…”
“Mr. Campbell, are you in pain?”
The driver asked urgently at the groan that leaked out from between his clenched teeth. Winston, who had buried himself deep in the seat, turned his body from the driver’s seat to check on him, and answered, panting roughly.
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
He said voluntarily and started the car, but Winston didn’t say anything. He didn’t have the leeway to instruct the driver to change the destination. He just panted roughly, closed his eyes, and leaned his head against the window, his consciousness flickering in and out. His head was a mess.
This is all.
He repeated between his faint consciousness. All of this is karma. The price I brought upon myself.
Then I have to endure to the end, I have to bear it.
The pain Yu-jin suffered is nothing compared to this. How did I live while he was starving and rummaging through trash cans? I enjoyed everything so abundantly, how dare I now.Winston felt his chest ache with ragged breaths, recalling beyond his fading consciousness.
So, this is nothing.
* * *
The courtroom was silent. In the solemn atmosphere, Gordon watched the prosecutor and lawyer’s tedious arguments. After all, this was all just a show. The lawyer would create a certain atmosphere and then negotiate with the prosecutor behind the scenes, and at best, the matter would end with a suspended sentence. He had been sued or committed crimes several times before, but each time Gordon was acquitted or ended up with a light fine. This time would be the same.
Gordon yawned widely, not even bothering to straighten his slumped body, and blinked his sleepy eyes. In his blurred vision, he saw the lawyer returning to his seat. Following him, the prosecutor came forward. Even as he requested an additional witness, Gordon didn’t change his posture. His mind was only filled with thoughts of buying and enjoying women to his heart’s content after the trial. He smiled, determined to indulge himself as much as he had been holding back, when it happened.
The woman sitting in the witness stand looked somehow familiar. Frowning and blinking, he searched for someone’s face in his old memories. The moment she hesitantly glanced at Gordon, an exclamation burst from his mouth, “Ah!”
“You, how, how could you!”
“Defendant, sit down.”
The judge sternly warned Gordon, who had unknowingly jumped to his feet, shouting. The lawyer next to him also grabbed his arm, flustered. Forced to sit down, Gordon was still bewildered. How could this woman? Was she still alive? Wasn’t she dead? As he blankly blinked, he heard the prosecutor’s voice.
“Witness, could you please introduce yourself?”
“Yes.”
She opened her mouth with a trembling voice.
“I am Sarah Watts, the defendant’s wife’s sister… in other words, his sister-in-law.”
“You, you bitch! How dare you come here!”
Gordon, regaining his senses at her voice, shouted and cursed. He rose from his seat again, trying to rush towards the witness, but was restrained from all sides. The judge did not let his behavior go unpunished.
“One more outburst and you will be detained. Lawyer, restrain your client’s actions.”
“Understood, Your Honor. I apologize.”
The lawyer hurriedly apologized and whispered to Gordon.
“Calm down, a bad attitude won’t help with negotiations. We’re the only ones who will lose out.”
Gordon knew he was right. But that didn’t mean he could just sit back and watch. He knew too well what was about to come out of her mouth. Gordon gritted his teeth and glared at Sarah, as if threatening to kill her if she said one more word. Noticing his threat, the prosecutor stepped in front of Gordon.
“Now, witness. Your relationship with the defendant isn’t just that, is it? What else happened?”
Sarah’s shoulders heaved as if she were having trouble breathing. Everyone in the courtroom held their breath, listening to her words. After taking several deep breaths as if trying to calm herself, she finally confessed.
“Before marrying my sister, this man raped me and tried to kill me.”
The courtroom buzzed loudly, and the flustered lawyers looked at their client. Gordon cursed under his breath and rubbed his face roughly with both hands.
* * *
Charlotte, who had been pacing in the living room, was startled by the loud crash and widened her eyes.
“Oh, you’re back.”
She rushed to greet her husband, but stopped in horror when she saw Gordon’s face. Gordon’s face was flushed red with anger, and the veins in his temples were prominent. Why was he so angry? Charlotte was terrified and couldn’t move from her spot. Gordon approached her with large strides, as if he had been waiting for this. Seeing him familiarly unbuckling his belt, Charlotte screamed and ran away. Gordon immediately started chasing after her. Knowing full well what would happen next, Charlotte tried to escape him, but she couldn’t get far. Gordon grabbed her hair and threw her down violently. He swung his leather belt at Charlotte, who had fallen to the ground screaming. Horrific sounds mixed with screams echoed through the air.
The brutal violence ended after the police arrived, alerted by someone’s report. Charlotte, covered in blood and unconscious, was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital, while the police arrested him. The lawyer, who was immediately contacted, couldn’t say anything when he learned that domestic violence had been added to his client’s charges.