Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 33

“Cain!”

At the loud call of his name, the butler — who seemed to be giving instructions to another servant — turned around. Yujin hurried over, skipping any preamble and getting straight to the point.

“Where’s Angie? Where is she right now?”

Cain, unbothered as usual, started walking without answering. Yujin had managed to escape using the excuse that he needed to change clothes for the reception. Most guests had already moved into the main hall where the banquet was being held, leaving few people behind. Not long after, Yujin spotted Cain and couldn’t suppress his growing anxiety, quickly falling into step behind him.

Thanks to the reception already being in full swing, all the doors surrounding the hall were wide open, connecting the garden and the ballroom into a single open space. The mansion, designed to allow people to freely move between indoors and outdoors, had been Harold’s pride.

Yujin passed by the guests dancing to music in the hall and rushed up the stairs after Cain.

The central staircase?

He’d never used it before. A strange feeling washed over him as he glanced back. Around the massive chandelier that hung from the ceiling, smaller chandeliers were suspended in evenly spaced intervals. The polished marble walls and floor below shimmered under the light, reflecting a soft glow. The paintings and ornate decorations only visible from the side of the central staircase were each breathtaking. In that moment, Yujin felt just how beautiful Delight truly was — but he quickly snapped out of it and hastened his steps, which had slowed without realizing.

I’ll take a proper look with Angie later.

For some reason, it felt like he was allowed to do that now. Like he wouldn’t have to keep scurrying around the servant staircases anymore.

“This way.”

Cain stopped in front of a door and addressed Yujin, turning the handle and opening it. Yujin, panting heavily, rushed inside.

“Angie!”

“Daddy!”

As soon as he saw his daughter playing alone in the parlor, he lit up and pulled her into a hug. Angela, equally thrilled, threw her arms around him and immediately started chattering.

“Daddy, daddy. Guess what, I ate crawfish! It was this big. Really fat! Shrimp’s only this big, right...”

She stretched out both arms wide, comparing it to the frozen cocktail shrimp they’d occasionally splurged on. His chest swelled with love at the sight.

“And what else? What did you eat?”

“Cookies and chocolate and juice and...”

She counted them out on her fingers, each item something they’d never even dreamed of affording. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

“You must’ve really liked it, huh, Angie.”

“Mm-hmm! I want to eat it every day.”

Angela confessed honestly. Since she usually kept her desires to herself out of consideration for their ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ circumstances, her candidness only made Yujin happier.

“I’m so glad. Thank you, Cain. Really.”

He turned to the butler and expressed his gratitude. Cain replied simply, “It’s nothing.”

“I only did what I’m supposed to.”

His tone and expression were still as blunt as ever, but to Yujin, at least in this moment, he looked like the kindest, most thoughtful man in the world. When Yujin thanked him again, Cain repeated his usual “It’s nothing,” asked if there was anything else needed, and stepped out of the parlor.

Yujin turned his attention back to his daughter.

“Were you bored being alone? What did you do?”

“I read fairy tales. Cain brought them.”

Sure enough, a few books lay scattered on the floor. Yujin felt an unexpected warmth rise in his chest at the butler’s thoughtfulness.

Maybe I’ve misunderstood him all this time.

Rationally, he’d known Cain was just doing his job. But at the time, circumstances had made it impossible for Yujin to see him in a good light. Bitterness and old wounds had distorted his view — but now, some of that seemed to have eased.

Yujin kissed Angie gently on her soft cheek and set her back down on the floor. It was time to go. The wedding wasn’t over yet. The more important part — the reception — was still to come.

“Angie, want to go outside? The reception’s starting. It’ll be fun.”

There were other children who’d been brought along, so maybe Angela would get to make a friend. Yujin hoped she’d take home at least one happy memory today. But his daughter had other thoughts.

“I’m okay, Daddy. There are still a lot of books I haven’t read yet.”

She picked one up and hugged it proudly. The cover showed a fairy tale about animals — her favorite. Yujin smiled and held out his hand.

“Want Daddy to read it to you?”

“Yes!”

She lit up instantly. Yujin sat on the couch with her in his lap, checked the cover, and opened the book to the first page.

“Once upon a time in a village, there lived an abandoned puppy...”

Off to a heavy start. Yujin flipped to the last page just in case. Sure enough, it didn’t end well.

“Mm.”

Clearing his throat, Yujin returned to the beginning. He’d make up a different ending this time, too. One that was happy — so his daughter would smile.

Creeeak. The door let out a harsh sound as he pushed it open with his shoulder. Yujin returned to their small room and gently laid the sleeping child on the bed.

Angela had started nodding off as he read to her. Once he was sure she was fully asleep, he carefully picked her up and left the parlor.

He hadn’t managed to give her a bath, but at least he’d changed her clothes. Though the pajamas were old, they were soft and comfortable. It felt like the day’s work was finally done.

He wanted nothing more than to fall asleep beside his daughter — but that wasn’t possible. A butler, already waiting outside the door, spoke.

“Mr. Campbell is asking for you.”

That was the third time he’d heard it. He couldn’t put it off anymore. After stroking his daughter’s head one last time, Yujin stood up.

“I’ll go now. Sorry again for the delay.”

His apology came easily, perhaps because his emotions were so dulled. Cain again responded only with, “It’s nothing.” Yujin carefully shut the door so Angela wouldn’t wake and turned away.

From downstairs, the sound of the party spilled up into his ears. Strangely, when he’d climbed the stairs earlier, he hadn’t noticed the music or the noise. Human senses really were strange.

He changed into the outfit the butler had prepared ahead of time and, this time, naturally headed for the central staircase. As he descended, step by step, his pace slowed.

It’s just a symbolic wedding — so why does all this matter?

He didn’t know. But he decided not to dwell on it. Best to get unpleasant things over with quickly. After all, he couldn’t avoid it.

The real problem comes after that.

Yujin had tried to push the thought away, but it surfaced uninvited, dragging a deep sigh from him. Part of him wished the reception would never end.

...Oh.

That was when Yujin spotted Winston.

There were a lot of people at the reception, but finding him wasn’t hard. Winston was much taller than most, and Yujin had always found him first in any crowd.

But this time, that wasn’t the only reason.

When he’d chased after the butler earlier, the dance floor had been crowded with couples. Now, it was almost empty. Only one couple remained, waltzing in the center of the floor — Winston and Evelyn.

Yujin had no idea what led to this. Maybe there was a reason. Maybe they just wanted to. It wasn’t his business. But the man who had insisted Yujin come to the reception was now doing this? It was laughable.

He should’ve just stayed and napped with Angela.

Yujin frowned involuntarily as Winston leaned in and whispered something to Evelyn. She laughed out loud, and Winston smiled too. Evelyn rested her head on his shoulder. The two were far too close. Whatever they were doing now, it was no longer a waltz.

That’s when Winston turned his head — and locked eyes with Yujin.