He should’ve denied it immediately—but Yu-jin froze, caught off guard, and missed the timing.
Winston, noticing his wandering gaze, spoke casually.
“Just joking. Don’t worry about it.”
Even though it wasn’t a joke.
Yu-jin thought that to himself but, thankfully, didn’t say it out loud. Still, he couldn’t stop the heat rising to his cheeks in embarrassment.
“This is my first Christmas like this… Angie’s just really excited, that’s all.”
He tried to offer an excuse as he felt the flush spreading across his skin. But it wasn’t enough. No matter how he looked at it, this magical Christmas had only been possible because of Winston’s efforts—and now he felt guilty, like they’d taken it for granted.
“…Thanks. For today.”
Yu-jin mumbled as he averted his gaze. When had it become so difficult to express how he truly felt? Hah… He let out a short sigh and found his thoughts drifting to his daughter’s face.
Of the mountain of gifts, Angela’s absolute favorite had been the “Princess Set.” Named by Angela herself, it included the dress, tiara, shoes, and every single piece of the outfit she’d only ever seen in pictures or on screen. Dressed head to toe in glittering, flashy accessories, the child refused to take it off all day—whether at mealtimes or even when going outside the mansion.
Thankfully, as if someone had anticipated that exact scenario, the gifts had also included a winter coat straight out of an old fairy tale, something a princess might’ve worn in snowy weather. Angela had happily put it on and gone off to see the horses.
She’d spent the entire day in a dreamlike daze, and it was only when she fell asleep that she finally let go of the “Princess Set.” She had insisted on wearing it to bed, but Yu-jin quickly pulled out the princess-themed pajamas Santa had left behind, and just like that, Angela gave up her stubbornness and changed into them with glee.
Thinking of how purely happy she had been filled Yu-jin with gratitude. Pushing aside his usual defensiveness, he lifted his eyes—and Winston, true to form, responded with indifference.
“As long as she liked it, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry about it.”
That was it.
Yu-jin stared quietly up at his face for a moment. Why did Winston’s expression look so… hollow? His face was the same as always, and yet to Yu-jin, it looked unbearably desolate. All day long, Winston had watched over Yu-jin and Angela—what had he been thinking, left outside their little world?
Yu-jin tried to recall the expression Winston wore while watching them, but nothing came to mind. Of course. He hadn’t noticed at all—his attention had been solely on his daughter. The realization left him unsettled.
Suddenly, a sweet scent drifted into the air.
Startled, Yu-jin’s eyes flew open wide.
Winston had suppressed his pheromones all day, probably for Angela’s sake—but now, things were different. The faint trace of pheromones made Yu-jin’s heart race wildly, his palms damp with sweat. It was far too soon for the suppressant to have worn off. Maybe the heat cycle was approaching. There would be no putting it off much longer.
The thought struck him like instinct.
If I… right now…
“Yu-jin?”
Winston suddenly called his name.
Yu-jin hurriedly pulled himself together and deflected the tension with a change of subject.
“What made you want to do all this? Is this how you normally spend Christmas?”
I’m still okay. Desperately trying to ignore the pounding in his chest, he forced the question out casually.
Winston let out a quiet chuckle.
“No way.”
Pouring himself a drink as naturally as breathing, Winston continued,
“Angela said she’d never gotten a proper Christmas gift before, so I just put this together for her.”
“You did all this just for Angie?”
Yu-jin’s voice had risen slightly, partly from the tension. But Winston misunderstood, frowning like he couldn’t see what the issue was. Yu-jin quickly cleared his throat with a deliberate ahem and added,
“It must’ve taken a lot of time to prepare everything… and the whole Santa thing, too.”
“If you’ve got money, it’s not that hard.”
Winston gave the answer without hesitation again. Hearing that, an image surfaced in Yu-jin’s mind like a painting. Winston must have heard what Yu-jin had ordered as Angela’s gift. Then he’d matched everything to that, setting up the presents and playing Santa accordingly. He probably made sure to be seen on purpose—so that Angela wouldn’t suspect a thing.
“You really went all in. You deserve some praise.”
Winston paused mid-motion. He stayed silent, as if dumbfounded. Seeing that, Yu-jin purposely cracked a joke to cover up his sincerity.
“Since you were a good boy, Santa will visit you next year.”
He forced a smile as he said it, but Winston only gave a crooked smirk and shook his head. Without even bothering to reply, he poured more liquor into his glass, then finally spoke.
“It wasn’t difficult. I just followed the letter Angie wrote.”
Yu-jin had already heard from Angela herself that she’d written a letter to Santa. He just hadn’t imagined it would lead to all… this.
As Yu-jin stayed quiet, Winston muttered like he was talking to himself.
“It’s a beautiful thing—wishing for someone else’s happiness.”
Then, setting down his now-empty glass without a second’s hesitation, he added offhandedly,
“And a lovely one, too.”
There was no emotion in Winston’s voice.
But maybe because of that—Yu-jin’s chest grew even heavier.
“…Then what about you?”
Yu-jin spoke slowly. He knew exactly what he was trying to ask, but he couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t even try to hold it back. The words slipped through his lips on their own.
“Who wishes for your happiness?”
Winston froze and turned to look directly at Yu-jin.
For a while, the two simply stared at each other in silence.
Yu-jin braced himself, expecting some kind of snide remark in return. That was how it always went—sharp words, mutual blame, cold shoulders, and falling asleep back-to-back. It felt like watching a movie he already knew the ending to. But then, Winston spoke.
“I’ll take care of that myself.”
…What?
Yu-jin blinked, stunned by the unexpected reply. What was with this guy? Was he softening because of the holiday spirit? Just as curiosity welled up in him, Winston’s profile came into view.
He had turned away, gaze fixed distantly on the window. His sharply defined side profile was flawless—without a single imperfection to find. Hair neatly combed back, wearing a comfortable sweater, he looked every bit the image of a man who had wealth and success in the palm of his hand. And yet, to Yu-jin, he had never appeared lonelier.
You’ve got it all… and no one to share it with.
Suddenly, a memory of something Harold had once said came rushing back. It had been during a time when Harold cared for him like a son, and Yu-jin had looked up to him like a father. Back then, Harold had let slip something rare—something personal. Yu-jin hadn’t understood it at the time and had forgotten about it since. But why did it come to mind now, of all times?
This man is alone, too.
Just like Harold. Or maybe, even deeper in his solitude than Harold had ever been. At least Yu-jin had Angela. But Winston… he had no one. The thought alone shattered the last wall still standing in Yu-jin’s heart.
Yu-jin took a step toward Winston.
He knew exactly what he was about to do. But even so, he didn’t stop.
The thick carpet muffled his footsteps, and Winston didn’t notice him approaching—maybe lost in some deep thought of his own. Whatever it was, it didn’t matter to Yu-jin.
It’s because of the heat cycle.
The thought drifted in through the haze clouding his mind. It made perfect sense. His sudden vulnerability, his irrational actions—everything could be explained by the oncoming heat. There was no other reason for this. None at all.
I don’t love this man. And I don’t pity him either.
He gently took hold of Winston’s loosely hanging hand. Startled, Winston turned to face him.
The way his eyes flew wide confirmed it—he’d been caught in his thoughts. Somehow, that made Yu-jin feel a flash of petty satisfaction, and a cynical smirk tugged at his lips.
It’ll all be over by tomorrow anyway.
With that thought, Yu-jin reached up and cupped Winston’s cheek, softly pulling him in. Winston still looked shocked, but he didn’t resist. Was he confused? Maybe. But Yu-jin no longer let himself think. He closed his eyes, and the moment their lips met, all thoughts vanished.
Then Winston wrapped an arm around Yu-jin’s waist—tight.
Ah… A soft gasp escaped, but it quickly disappeared into the space between their mouths. Winston took the opening without hesitation, plunging his tongue recklessly into Yu-jin’s slightly parted lips.
The hand that had been cupping his cheek slid instinctively around Winston’s neck, pulling him in tight.
At the same time, a dull ache bloomed deep in his abdomen, and his heart began pounding like crazy.
