Seol Yu-jin let out a dazed sound, his eyes widening at the unexpected words. The butler, maintaining his professional demeanor, continued speaking.
“I will prepare and bring the child’s meal myself. Is there anything else you need?”
Yu-jin blinked in confusion before replying, “No, that’s all.”
After hearing his response, the butler concluded politely, “Understood. Then please wait in the lounge.”
Without further delay, he turned and strode into the kitchen. Unlike Yu-jin, who had hesitated at the threshold, too intimidated to push his way in, the butler navigated the busy space effortlessly. Weaving through the flurry of movement with practiced ease, he quickly reached a cupboard, retrieved the necessary tableware, and completed his task with swift, precise motions. Watching the butler’s efficient movements, Yu-jin found himself momentarily mesmerized.
“Whoa, that’s amazing.”
Beside him, Angela let out a series of awed exclamations, utterly captivated. Her gaze remained glued to the butler, as if she had been completely entranced by him. Yu-jin felt a strange mix of emotions at her reaction.
***
The ceremony didn’t take long. A priest from a church long supported by the family officiated the proceedings. After exchanging formal vows, they slipped on the rings prepared by the secretary. There wasn’t even a vow-sealing kiss. Whether he had been informed in advance or simply read the room, the priest skillfully skipped over that part. It was a small mercy for Yu-jin. If he had been ordered to kiss Winston in front of all these people, he would have recoiled in horror and refused outright.
But in any case, it was over. Yu-jin looked down at the unfamiliar ring now resting on his finger. He had only attended a handful of weddings in his lifetime, but he was certain none could have been as dreary and awkward as this one. To an outsider, it might have seemed more like a funeral than a wedding. That was how utterly lifeless the atmosphere had been.
No one smiled, no champagne was raised, no toasts were made. Not a single photo was taken. Considering that, the entire elaborate ceremony felt all the more baffling.
If the whole point of this was to show me I don’t belong in their world, they needn’t have bothered.
Yu-jin cast a dispassionate glance at the people surrounding Winston. The moment the ceremony ended, the guests flocked to Winston’s side. Of course, it was only natural—Yu-jin had not a single guest of his own. But even so, their ability to so thoroughly ignore the other half of the wedding party was impressive in its own way.
Then again, it was only ever about securing an inheritance.
These were people who had never once shown him the slightest respect. He had spent his life being disregarded by them, so this was nothing new. Right now, his only concern was his daughter’s whereabouts.
Kane said he would take responsibility earlier…
Yu-jin recalled the butler’s words just before the ceremony began, but he had no idea what had happened after that. Unease creeping in, he decided to find Kane first. Since Kane was involved in the wedding and reception, most people would likely know his whereabouts.
“Yu-jin.”
As Yu-jin hurriedly moved forward, someone suddenly grabbed his arm. Forced to stop, he turned around—only to find Winston looking down at him with a scowl.
“Where do you think you’re going? You need to greet the guests.”
“Me too?”
The unexpected remark slipped from Yu-jin’s lips before he could stop himself. Winston’s frown deepened further. Yu-jin flinched slightly but quickly remembered his priority and shook his head.
“Sorry, but I’m busy right now—”
Before he could finish, Winston yanked his arm. Yu-jin stumbled, and in an instant, Winston pulled him into a firm embrace, smiling as he did so.
“You have something more important than this?”
Winston’s voice was lower and quieter than usual. To onlookers who couldn’t hear their exchange, it might have seemed as if they were whispering sweet nothings to each other.
“I need to find Angie.”
Yu-jin instinctively lowered his voice as well. Winston’s lips curled into a smile—one that sent a chill down Yu-jin’s spine. Of course, to anyone else, it would likely seem perfectly charming.
“Darling, you need to think of the guests first.”
Winston’s voice was honeyed as he leaned down, brushing a mock kiss against Yu-jin’s cheek while whispering into his ear.
“This is part of your duty too. You need to blend in and socialize—just like every other spouse.”
Lifting his head, Winston added, “Like all married couples do.”
“But we’re not like other couples,” Yu-jin protested, his brows furrowing.
Winston, however, was unmoved.
“Then at least try to be.”
It felt like talking to a brick wall. Was Winston always this impossible to reason with? Dumbfounded, Yu-jin had no words left. Winston simply smiled at him.
“Shall we go? Everyone’s waiting.”
“We could greet them at the reception instead—!”
Yu-jin made one last attempt at resistance, but it was useless. As Winston began walking, Yu-jin had no choice but to follow, his gaze reluctantly turning toward the waiting crowd. Winston wrapped an arm naturally around Yu-jin’s waist as they approached. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a light display of affection between newlyweds, but Yu-jin knew better—Winston was securing his grip, making sure he couldn’t escape.
There was only one way to end this quickly: comply and get it over with.
Forcing a smile, Yu-jin greeted the guests.
“Hello, thank you for coming. It’s a pleasure to meet you…”
Why the hell am I doing this?
None of it made sense. Everyone here—no, probably the entire North American population—knew they weren’t a real couple. So why go through this charade?
Tuning out the idle chatter around him, Yu-jin silently berated himself. But then, Madam Campbell suddenly inserted herself into the conversation.
“Winston, just look who’s here! My goodness, it’s been ages.”
Madam Campbell’s voice was unusually high-pitched, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor. Yu-jin instinctively turned his head at the unexpected tone—and then froze.
Standing beside Madam Campbell was a tall woman, someone he had seen before. How could he ever forget her? The memory of the day he had hit rock bottom was still seared into him.
Winston, who had also turned to look, showed no particular reaction. He merely let out a quiet Ah before calling her name.
“Evelyn.”
“Hello, Winston. It’s been a while.”
Her deep, dark hair framed her sun-kissed skin, and long lashes fluttered as she smiled beautifully. From head to toe, she radiated grace, unmistakably someone from an esteemed family. She looked so perfectly suited to be standing beside Winston that for a moment, Yu-jin thought—Shouldn’t it be her there, instead of me?
It had been her, once.
A forgotten wound suddenly ached deep inside him. Just as the sting of it settled in, Winston spoke again.
“Let me introduce you. This is Evelyn Bennett, an old friend of mine—and my mother’s friend as well.”
Madam Campbell’s face flickered with brief surprise at Winston’s addition, but she quickly masked it with a composed smile.
“Oh, Winston, don’t be ridiculous, Evelyn was—”
“This,” Winston interrupted smoothly, completely ignoring his mother’s words, “is my spouse as of today. Yu-jin Campbell.”
He tightened his grip around Yu-jin’s waist, pulling him closer as he smiled. For a moment, it felt as if the entire room had gone silent. But the atmosphere wasn’t uncomfortable.
Of course it wasn’t.
Nothing was more entertaining than a spectacle like this.
Yu-jin let the thought sink in. A former fiancée and a newly wedded partner, face to face—who wouldn’t find this amusing?
Madam Campbell and Evelyn remained expressionless, standing still in the tense moment. The only one smiling was Winston.
Yu-jin had thought it was just a contract.
He had imagined it would be simple, easy. But things were already unraveling far differently than he had expected.
For a fleeting second, he wanted to turn on his heel and escape. But Winston’s firm arm around his waist made that impossible.
What do I do?
Yu-jin lowered his gaze, unable to mask his unease. A deep, gnawing dread about what lay ahead began creeping in.
