Unexpectedly, it was Winston who broke the tension between them. Relaxing against the back of his chair, he smoothed the crease on his forehead and asked, “So, you’re not going to call me a bastard this time?”
A chill ran down Yu-jin’s spine as he recalled the insult he had hurled at Winston once before. Back then, he had momentarily lost control, but now, his mind was perfectly clear, and he wasn’t nearly as angry. He wasn’t bold enough to throw out such a curse while sober, so he hesitated, his lips parting slightly without saying a word.
Winston simply regarded him with narrowed eyes, as if he had expected this reaction all along. That look, full of knowing amusement, made something burn inside Yu-jin. He clenched his fists in frustration. But then, unexpectedly, Winston let out a quiet chuckle.
Yu-jin froze at the unexpected reaction, and Winston spoke in a relaxed tone.
“You used to try so hard not to lose to me.”
A faint smile lingered on Winston’s lips as he murmured, almost to himself, “Even though you were trembling like a little kitten.”
His expression wasn’t mocking like before. Instead, it was strangely peaceful, as if he were recalling a genuinely pleasant memory. The sudden shift in demeanor left Yu-jin bewildered. What’s with this guy all of a sudden?
He pondered for a moment before arriving at a possible conclusion.
Could this be his way of offering a truce?
It wasn’t an unreasonable assumption. No matter how temporary their arrangement was, they were bound together by fate. And from Winston’s perspective, they needed to have a child. Yu-jin had no intention of getting along with him, and he was already thinking about escaping. But if Winston was proposing peace, he had no reason to refuse.
It would make running away even easier.
“I don’t intend to fight on purpose. I think we just need to be a little considerate of each other,” Yu-jin said, mustering his courage.
Am I still trembling like a kitten? Winston’s words gnawed at him, making it difficult to maintain his composure. He shut his mouth, determined not to make another mistake, and waited for Winston’s response.
Winston tilted his body slightly to one side and shrugged his opposite shoulder. Was that a sign of agreement? Still uncertain, Yu-jin carefully asked, “So, you’re agreeing?”
“Do we have any other choice?” Winston lifted a hand in a casual gesture. There was no trace of sarcasm in his voice this time.
Yu-jin knew better than to let his guard down, yet a small part of him felt at ease. Only then did he set down Winston’s teacup and adjust his posture.
The butler, who had been watching the exchange, swiftly approached and began arranging Yu-jin’s utensils in order before finally placing a plate in front of him. When the lid was lifted, a warm egg dish awaited him.
Now that he noticed it, Yu-jin was actually hungry. He picked up his fork and started eating. Meanwhile, the butler set down an empty teacup in front of each of them and poured warm tea before placing Winston’s previous cup back onto the tray.
“Do you require anything else?”
A maid entered just in time, setting a basket full of freshly baked bread on the table before stepping back. After slightly adjusting the positions of the basket and the butter, the butler glanced between the two of them.
Winston silently brought his tea to his lips, and Yu-jin, meeting the butler’s gaze, offered a small nod.
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
When Yu-jin offered his thanks, the butler gave a short bow before silently stepping back. He disappeared from sight almost immediately, but Yu-jin was certain the man was waiting just outside the breakfast room, ready to respond the moment his master called for him.
His actions made it clear—he had left to give them privacy to talk. Now, Yu-jin was sure Winston would finally get to the point. As expected, Winston set his teacup down and spoke.
“I’m hosting a party.”
Yu-jin blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected statement. Meanwhile, Winston casually spread butter on his bread and continued in an indifferent tone.
“It’s next weekend, so get yourself ready. If there’s anything you don’t know, ask Kane. It’s nothing too difficult—you just need to memorize the guest list properly.”
“Wait—hold on, hold on!”
Yu-jin was so flustered that he cut Winston off in a panic.
“What do you mean, I have to prepare for the party? Me?”
“Yes.”
That was all Winston said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Yu-jin was at a complete loss.
Of course, it’s a problem! A huge one!
“How am I supposed to do that? I’ve barely even attended any parties before!”
The number of parties Yu-jin had been to in his entire life could be counted on one hand. And the only formal one was the reception from before—the rest weren’t even worth mentioning. And now he was supposed to host one?
“You can do it,” Winston stated firmly.
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to do it anyway. You married me, and as long as you’re living in this estate, it’s your responsibility.”
“Well, I mean… that’s true, but—”
But so suddenly? Yu-jin scrambled to think of a way out.
“This wasn’t a pre-planned event, was it? Why the rush? Is there a reason for it?”
“There is.”
That was all Winston said.
His curt response made it clear that pressing further wouldn’t get Yu-jin any answers, but he still couldn’t bring himself to just accept it. Shaking his head, he mumbled to himself.
“Just attending a charity party is stressful enough… I can’t do this. Absolutely not.”
Was this his way of humiliating him?
The thought sent a shiver down his spine. The mere idea of making a fool of himself in front of so many people was terrifying.
Just then, Winston’s hand, which had been smoothly spreading butter, came to an abrupt halt. He lifted his head. His face remained expressionless, but his reaction was different from before.
For a brief moment, Yu-jin thought he caught a flicker of surprise—or maybe even confusion—in Winston’s gaze.
“A charity party? What are you talking about?”
The quiet tone of Winston’s voice only deepened Yu-jin’s confusion.
Wait… does he not know about it?
“I… I heard there’s a charity party coming up. From Kane,” Yu-jin stammered, struggling to piece his words together properly before pulling himself together to respond.
“A couple has to attend together, so I was told I had to go. That’s why I needed to get fitted for an outfit… Someone was supposed to come for that,” Yu-jin explained hesitantly.
“Kane was mistaken. You’re not going to that party.”
The firm tone in Winston’s voice left no room for argument. Yu-jin blinked, instinctively meeting his gaze. Winston’s expression was cold as he continued, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
“I have no intention of taking you to an event like that. Not this time, not ever. You will never accompany me to any party.”
For a moment, Yu-jin’s mind went completely blank. It wasn’t just his thoughts that stopped—he even forgot to breathe as he stared at Winston.
What… does that mean?
It was the first question that sluggishly formed in his head, but he already knew the answer.
He’s ashamed of me.
There was no other explanation. The realization was so absurd that it didn’t even make him angry. Instead, it left him feeling strangely cold. His lips twisted unconsciously, and a quiet scoff escaped him.
“So,” he said in an eerily calm voice, “you don’t want to be seen with me in public, is that it? And yet, you’re still throwing a party? What, just to humiliate me?”
Winston didn’t answer right away. He only stared at Yu-jin with slightly narrowed eyes, his expression unreadable yet tinged with something… displeased.
Yu-jin was about to press him for an answer when a knock suddenly echoed through the room. The butler entered, offering a polite bow to them both.
“Mr. Campbell, Mr. Yu-jin,” he addressed them formally before delivering his message.
“Madam Campbell has arrived. Shall I bring her here?”
Yu-jin nearly jumped out of his seat. He sucked in a sharp breath as if he had been caught off guard by an explosion.
Winston, catching his reaction, finally spoke.
“Take Yu-jin to his room first, then bring her in.”
“I-I can go by myself!” Yu-jin blurted out in a panic. Then, without waiting for anyone to escort him, he bolted from the breakfast room as if running for his life.
Winston silently watched his retreating figure until he was completely out of sight. Only then did he speak again.
“Now, bring my mother in.”
“Understood.”
The butler, who had been about to leave, paused when Winston added one last order.
“Cancel Yu-jin’s attendance at the charity party. Remove it from his schedule.”
“…Yes, sir.”
There was a brief hesitation before the butler responded. He then exited swiftly, leaving Winston alone.
Unbothered, Winston finished spreading the butter on his bread and took a bite. He chewed methodically, his mind elsewhere.
“You don’t want to be seen with me in public, is that it?”
Of course, that wasn’t the reason. But it didn’t matter.
Yu-jin’s trembling voice and his unsteady breaths lingered in Winston’s mind. His brows furrowed slightly.
There was no pheromone scent coming from Yu-jin, which meant he must have been taking his medication properly. And yet, just by looking at him, Winston still felt as if his composure was slipping.
Damn it, what the hell is the problem?
Cursing himself, Winston put down the half-eaten bread and reached for his wine glass. He emptied it in one go, then set the glass back on the table just as the butler escorted his mother into the room.
“Winston!”
Madam Campbell greeted him with obvious delight. Before even taking a seat, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to both of his cheeks. Winston remained still, letting her do as she pleased, watching impassively as she settled into the very seat Yu-jin had been occupying just moments ago.
“So, what brings you here at this hour?”
As the butler refilled his empty glass with wine, Winston spoke in an even tone. His words carried an unspoken message: Let’s get to the point. I have work to do.
Madam Campbell, however, remained completely unfazed as she got straight to the reason for her visit.
“I heard you’re hosting a party soon.”
Of course. Winston barely reacted.
The fact that she already knew, despite him only deciding it the night before, meant someone in the household had reported it. Perhaps the butler, or perhaps someone else—it didn’t really matter.
She looked positively thrilled, her face alight with excitement as she continued.
“As the lady of the house, I should be the hostess, don’t you think? And while we’re at it, why not invite Evelyn?”
