Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 74

"Ah."

The soft exclamation made Yujin pause mid-conversation with another guest. He looked up. Winston was smiling at him as he spoke.

"Angie looks really sleepy. I should get her to bed."

Night had long since fallen, and midnight was approaching. Yujin, caught up in the party, suddenly realized he’d completely lost track of Angela’s bedtime. A wave of guilt rushed over him.

"Here, let me—"

"I’ll put her to sleep. You stay here."

Winston gently adjusted the sleeping child resting against his shoulder. Then, as he leaned in—seemingly to kiss Yujin on the cheek—he whispered something in a low voice.

"Don’t drop your guard. You need to finish this cleanly."

Yujin’s eyes widened at the hushed warning, but Winston raised his head again as if nothing had happened and addressed the guests around them.

"Please excuse me. The little one has fallen asleep."

He offered a polite nod to those nearby. Everyone returned it with warm smiles.

"How thoughtful. I never expected that side of Mr. Campbell."

Someone said it aloud as Winston walked away. That was when Yujin realized what Winston had meant.

They really believe we’re a loving, happy family.

It was a bitter truth. But he had to play along. It was the best way to protect Angela—and himself.

"You must really adore your child."

Yujin replied with a smile, but inside he was unsettled.

What exactly is Winston trying to gain from this...?

Everything Winston had done tonight was shocking. From publicly declaring Angela and Yujin as his family, to standing by Yujin’s side the entire night, holding Angela, interacting with people, handing her drinks before Yujin could, even taking her to the restroom. Everyone saw it. How much Winston appeared to care. Even Yujin almost fell for it.

As the party wore on, Yujin found himself adapting to the atmosphere. That was thanks to Winston’s constant presence. He was warm, respectful, supportive—

Just like before.

He knew it was pointless to dwell on the past, but memories kept bubbling up. So did long-forgotten emotions, catching Yujin off guard.

I promised myself I’d never be shaken again.

And yet, Winston had made it clear. This was all a performance. That whisper earlier—maybe it was a warning, not to forget.

But still...

A bitter taste crept into Yujin’s mouth. Even knowing it was all fake, he couldn’t help being moved by Winston’s tenderness.

So this is how weak a heart can be.

Watching Winston cradle and care for Angela stirred him.

What if things had turned out differently? If nothing had gone wrong back then. If Winston knew Angela was his daughter. If Angela knew he was her papa...

Would that scene have been our everyday life?

Even as he spoke with others, part of Yujin’s mind drifted somewhere else.

Creeeak—the door opened with an eerie sound. Winston pushed it open with his shoulder and strode across the room. He didn’t turn on the light, but the moonlight spilling through the window was enough to illuminate the bedroom.

He gently laid Angela on the bed, removed her shoes, and placed them beneath it. Standing over her, he let out a slow breath. Something felt odd.

This was the same girl who had shouted at him to stay away earlier. But not once during the party had she cried. Sure, he’d noticed her often glancing at Yujin for reassurance, but he’d pretended not to see it.

Most likely, the presence of her daddy had been what gave her the strength to endure.

...She looked about three.

If she was Father’s child, that age made sense. Possibly older—if Yujin had already conceived before meeting Winston again.

Isn’t she kind of small?

He didn’t know much about kids, so he couldn’t be sure. Maybe she just looked smaller next to him. Regardless, he found it oddly admirable that such a tiny child had held herself together so well.

He reached out and gently stroked her hair. Then, after watching her face for a moment, he stepped back. His footsteps were slow and silent as he crossed the room and carefully closed the door.

Click.

After the soft sound of the door shutting, Winston lingered for a second, hand still on the doorknob. Then he turned to go back downstairs.

But stopped. Someone was standing in the hallway.

As soon as their eyes met, the man flashed a knowing grin—as if he’d been waiting.

"Man, that speech earlier? That was something."

Winston stared expressionlessly as his older brother Gordon approached, his gait casual and lazy, a smirk plastered across his face.

"Bringing in some low-born Omega and his kid into the Campbell family—Mother would’ve lost her mind. Lucky she didn’t come. Might’ve fainted on the spot."

"I never said she couldn’t."

Winston replied flatly. Gordon shrugged.

"Guess she saw it coming. She always knows everything, doesn’t she?"

Winston wondered if his brother was drunk. He had no interest in dealing with a drunkard and was about to walk away—when Gordon suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

Winston frowned, visibly annoyed. Gordon leaned in and murmured low.

"You really don’t want to get bewitched by that bastard again."

He was still smiling, but his eyes were serious. Winston shook off his hand and answered coldly.

"I know enough about Yujin."

"Do you?"

Gordon narrowed his eyes, voice sharp with meaning. As Winston turned to leave, Gordon’s next words hit like a blow.

"You know he has a record, right?"

Winston froze. Gordon waited, enjoying the moment. Winston slowly turned his head. After a pause, he spoke.

"...What?"

Huuu...

Yujin’s forced smile had worn thin. Exhausted, he politely excused himself and slipped to a quiet corner of the room. He sipped a glass of water and let himself breathe. Slowly, the buzz in his head began to clear.

Things had gone smoothly so far. The night was late. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Guests were starting to leave. Just a little longer now—he could make it.

He downed the last of the water and took a deep breath. That was when someone appeared in front of him without warning.

"Hi!"

The cheerful voice belonged to a girl who looked no older than a teenager. Who—?

Panic flickered in Yujin’s eyes. He racked his memory, but nothing came up. And of course, it had to happen when he was alone. He froze, unable to react. The girl, now eye-level with him thanks to her heels, beamed and continued.

"This is our first time meeting. Or maybe second? We said hi at the wedding, but you probably don’t remember. It was really quick, like a passing glance."

She didn’t seem offended that he didn’t recognize her. Smiling, she extended a hand.

"I’m Georgina. Lady Katherine’s daughter. Winston’s niece, I guess."

Yujin’s eyes widened. A child of the Campbell family? And she was speaking to him so casually?

He instinctively glanced around. Georgina noticed.

"I’m the only one who came. Technically, I came with Uncle Gordon. My parents didn’t."

"Ah..."

He was starting to piece it together, but still felt off balance. But why come to me? Georgina seemed to read his mind and continued easily.

"I’ve been waiting for the right time to come say hi. It got so late, though. I really wanted to meet Angela too."

She pouted slightly, then reached out again. This time, Yujin took her hand. Georgina gave it a firm shake with a bright smile.

"I really wanted to meet you, Yujin."

Her face glowed with curiosity.