KTS 28

His voice was utterly cold. Thanks to that, Yu-jin was also able to face him without being bound by the shadows of the past.

Get a grip, it’s all in the past.

“I just came out for a walk and ended up here. …What about you?”

This time, there would be no escape. Yu-jin realized as he spoke that Winston had cleverly avoided answering his question. He really was quick-witted.

Winston replied in a voice still devoid of emotion.

“I was looking for you because I have something to say.”

“Something to say? To me?”

Yu-jin’s eyes widened, unaware that Winston had used the time he bought with his question to come up with an excuse.

“It’s not about calling off the contract.”

As if seeing through Yu-jin’s momentary hope, Winston coldly denied it. Of course not. Yu-jin’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. After all, there was no chance the will would be changed.

As Yu-jin was about to listen to him again, he suddenly frowned. Although they were a distance apart, Winston was already huge, and being on horseback made him seem even taller. Before Winston could speak, Yu-jin made a plaintive request.

“Hey, could you get off the horse? Unless you’re planning to break my neck.”

He even added a forced smile as if asking for understanding, but Winston’s expression didn’t change. *He’s not even listening to me, as usual.* Even as he thought that, Yu-jin was unexpectedly calm. *Maybe I expected it all along,* he thought.

Suddenly, Winston moved. Yu-jin watched with wide eyes as he nimbly swung his long legs and dismounted. After lightly patting the horse’s neck, Winston walked towards him, still expressionless. His gaze was fixed on Yu-jin. Winston stopped just a few steps away from him and spoke.

“McCoy is coming today to review the documents and take charge of the legal proceedings. The wedding and reception will be held at the mansion.”

Yu-jin was already stunned that Winston had listened to his request and dismounted to stand face to face with him, but what he said now left him even more dazed.

So, I really am getting married.

Winston and I.

“Oh… okay.”

Still unable to believe it, Yu-jin answered awkwardly. It didn’t feel real at all. Neither the fact that Winston was in front of him, nor that he had agreed to marry him.

Maybe I’m just having an overly realistic dream?

Yu-jin’s reaction was lukewarm due to his bewilderment, but Winston continued to speak indifferently.

“My secretary will take care of the preparations, so you just have to do as you’re told. I set the date arbitrarily, but I assume that’s okay?”

“You’ve already set the date?”

Didn’t he just say he was going to file the paperwork?

Winston muttered casually at the surprised Yu-jin.

“Is there any reason to drag it out? Our goal is clear.”

“That’s true, but…”

Yu-jin reluctantly agreed and asked with a sigh.

“So, when is it…?”

He felt daunted at the thought of explaining it to the child, but the answer he received completely emptied his mind.

“Two weeks from now.”

“Two weeks from now?”

The moment he unconsciously repeated his words, Winston twisted his lips in a sneer.

“Yes. What’s the problem? It would be better for you to finish this as soon as possible.”

He was talking about the execution of the will. It was clear that Winston wanted to quickly fulfill his obligation, get Yu-jin out of the mansion. Of course, Yu-jin would run away before that.

“No, nothing.”

After a pause, Yu-jin shook his head, and Winston soon concluded the conversation.

“If you need anything, tell Cain. He’ll pass it on to my secretary.”

“…Okay.”

Yu-jin reluctantly replied to the businesslike tone. He could feel reality gradually approaching, but Yu-jin wasn’t ready yet.

Two weeks from now.

A stifled sigh escaped involuntarily.

“Is that all you wanted to say? About the wedding?”

Yu-jin asked listlessly, running a hand through his hair as if he had lost all his energy. Winston didn’t answer. Yu-jin became flustered by his reaction, as he just stared at his face, and cautiously called his name.

“Winston?”

Suddenly, Yu-jin felt Winston flinch. Puzzled, he looked at him and saw a flash of embarrassment in his eyes for some reason. *Maybe it’s just my imagination.* No, it definitely was. There was no reason for Winston to react like that.

The lips that had been tightly shut until then slowly opened.

“How long are you planning to keep taking that garbage drug?”

“Huh?”

Winston continued with a cold face, seeing Yu-jin make a dumbfounded noise at his unexpected words.

“I don’t know what you’re scheming, but I told you it won’t work on me, didn’t I? Take properly verified drugs. I don’t care if you ruin your body with the side effects, but you’ll have to be prepared if you become infertile.”

In that instant, Yu-jin felt his heart sink. If, by any chance, he was found out to be infertile, could he make the excuse that it was because he took illegal drugs?

After being kicked out of Delights, Yu-jin hadn’t taken any suppressants. The reason was simple: he didn’t have any money. With the money to buy suppressants, he could feed the child one more meal. Spending it on his own medication was an absurd waste.

But even if he explained it in detail, Winston wouldn’t believe him, and he didn’t want to embarrassingly list his pathetic circumstances. Winston was misunderstanding that taking illegal suppressants was for Yu-jin’s pride, but in reality, pretending to take illegal suppressants was what protected his pride.

“…I won’t take them anymore.”

At his docile answer, Winston stared intently at his face for a while. As if he couldn’t trust him for being so compliant.

“I’ll be watching.”

As expected, Winston didn’t trust him at all. The conversation was over. Yu-jin could tell instinctively. Seeing him turn around and leave, Yu-jin desperately reached out his hand.

“Hey!”

Winston, who had paused, slowly turned his head. Seeing his furrowed gaze turn downwards, Yu-jin lowered his eyes as well and was startled.

“S-Sorry.”

Yu-jin, who had unknowingly grabbed his sleeve, hurriedly withdrew his hand and apologized. Winston silently flicked the sleeve that Yu-jin had grabbed twice, as if shaking off something unclean. Yu-jin was hurt by the action that seemed to be brushing off something dirty, but he hid his true feelings and confidently raised his chin. *No matter what you do, I won’t even bat an eye.* That’s what Yu-jin wanted to say.

“When can I get the money?”

Winston’s brow furrowed slightly. Even though he clearly noticed it, Yu-jin continued to speak without hesitation.

“I have somewhere to use it. I’d like it as soon as possible, if possible.”

After all, that man sees me as a money-crazed male prostitute, doesn’t he? In that case, it’s better to move according to my own purpose. Winston’s expression became stern, as if he was disgusted by Yu-jin’s brazen attitude.

“A checkbook in your name will be issued after you marry me.”

Winston, who spoke in a mechanically dry voice, looked down at Yu-jin arrogantly and advised him.

“You seem desperate to spend money right now, but people usually pay a price to get money. Whether it’s labor or something else.”

Of course, he knew. He was keenly aware of how hard it was to earn even a dollar every day.

But he didn’t bother to correct Winston’s misunderstanding. He wouldn’t believe him no matter what he said, and he didn’t have the energy to waste on such a useless act.

“I think I’m paying enough of a price? I have to marry you and even have sex with you.”

Yu-jin, who had blurted it out without thinking, belatedly held his breath. He belatedly praised himself for saying it so well, but he was afraid of the aftermath. Right now, he was alone with Winston. There was no one to help him.

*I should have held back a little longer.*When he was lost in thought, paralyzed by the fear of a future he couldn’t handle, Winston spoke. An undeniable sneer was etched on his face.

“Is that all your whore price is? Aren’t you overestimating yourself a bit?”