Yujin felt his chest tighten again as he took out clothes for Angela to wear after washing up.
She didn’t have many outfits to begin with, and all of them were old and had holes here and there.
After a brief hesitation, he decided to prepare the new clothes he had bought before coming to the estate.
"I don’t want to wear this."
Suddenly, Angela shook her head and snatched the clothes from him, stuffing them back into the suitcase.
Yujin, puzzled by his normally uncomplaining daughter’s reaction, asked softly.
"Why not? You don’t like it?"
Given how careful Angela had been during the train ride, worried about dirtying or damaging the new clothes, this reaction felt even stranger.
"I do like them. They’re really pretty."
"Then why?"
When Yujin asked again, Angela spoke firmly.
"We should save them. They’re new. What if they get torn or ruined if I wear them whenever?"
Hearing this, Yujin felt as though his heart plumted.
She was only three years old, yet she understood their difficult situation far too well.
Realizing that broke him inside.
He wanted to cry, but showing weakness would only make Angela anxious.
Instead of letting the tears fall, Yujin hugged his daughter tightly.
"It’s okay, Angie. You can wear them. I’ll buy you more later."
Suppressing his emotions, Yujin spoke as gently as he could.
Angela pouted as she answered.
"But we don’t have any money."
"We do."
Yujin pulled her back slightly, smiled at ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) her, and looked into her face.
"I told you, rember? I’m going to receive an inheritance."
He thought this would ease her worries, but Angela remained serious.
"Then save that money and buy us a house. We don’t have a house, Daddy."
Her words were sharp and mature for her age, and though it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, Yujin felt heavy-hearted knowing he was the reason she thought this way.
"It’s enough to buy a house and new clothes for you too. Don’t worry."
He forced a smile and gently stroked her cheek.
Angela’s eyes lit up instantly.
"Really? That much? Does that an we’ll be rich?"
"Of course. Definitely."
It wasn’t exactly a lie.
According to the will, they would be provided for during the contract period and would receive enough money to live decently.
While staying here, Yujin planned to raise Angela more comfortably and quietly save up cash for when they eventually escaped.
"Okay? Let’s wear the new clothes now."
"Okay!"
When Yujin held up the clothes again, Angela bead and nodded enthusiastically.
Seeing her so happy as she put on the dress lifted so of the heavy burden in his heart.
Yeah. Sleeping with Winston... it’s nothing.
It wasn’t the first ti, and it wouldn’t be anything new.
All he had to do was lie there quietly and wait for it to end.
The Winston in his mories had been incredibly persistent, but Yujin decided to ignore that.
It had been over five years ago. People change.
"All done."
After neatly tying the ribbon around Angela’s waist and braiding her long hair, she looked like a character straight out of a fairy tale.
"Thank you, Daddy."
Angela hugged him tightly and gave him a kiss on the cheek before spinning around gleefully, singing as she twirled.
Yujin hurried to tidy up the room, change his clothes, and head down to the kitchen.
He prepared sandwiches from the fridge, packed them into a basket, and held Angela’s hand as they stepped outside.
None of the busy staff paid them any attention.
Yujin walked out of the mansion confidently.
"Wow!"
Angela was thrilled by the fresh air and chatted more than usual as they walked.
Yujin responded to each word affectionately.
Paths stretched out in every direction, each leading to a different part of the estate — tennis courts, greenhouses, saunas.
Where should they go first?
For now, confirming the way out took priority.
Rembering how far it had been from the main gate when they had arrived by car, he knew walking out would be impossible.
There’s no way we can escape on foot.
Yujin grimaced, recalling how massive Delights was.
Without a car, it was hopeless.
Can I even drive...?
As anxiety gripped him, a black sedan slowly pulled out from the garage.
It was the chauffeur.
Seeing the car approach, Yujin’s face instantly went pale.
His heart pounded violently, and cold sweat ford on his palms.
His body froze.
It felt like that giant, pitch-black monster from his nightmares had appeared before him again.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
Angela’s voice snapped him out of it.
He looked down to see his daughter shaking his hand urgently.
"Are you okay? Does it hurt again?"
"...Ah."
Yujin blinked belatedly.
His whole body was drenched in cold sweat.
If not for Angela, he might have passed out right there.
"No, Angie."
He forced a smile to reassure her.
"I’m fine."
But though he could fake a smile, he couldn’t hide his pallor.
His face had gone completely white, and Angela’s face filled with worry.
"Daddy, let’s go back. Lie down."
Seeing his daughter tugging at his hand, Yujin felt pathetic.
Angela had been so happy to finally go outside, and now she was the one asking to go back because of him.
Get a grip, Seol Yujin. Are you even a father like this?
Instead of slapping himself, he scolded himself harshly inside.
Then, he smiled genuinely for his daughter.
"I’m fine, Angie. I just felt a little dizzy for a mont. I’m all better now."
"Really?"
"Really."
To prove it, Yujin bent down and lifted Angela into his arms.
She looked closely at his face, inspecting him carefully.
As if satisfied with what she saw, she smiled brightly and hugged his neck tightly.
At last, Yujin smiled naturally too.
"Shall we walk over to the garden now?"
"Yeah, let’s go!"
With Angela’s happy approval, Yujin started walking again, deliberately avoiding glancing behind him.
As though he knew nothing about the black monster crouching quietly in the shadows behind him.
It had been less than five minutes after they left when Winston ca out of the mansion.
Passing by the car waiting for his mother, he headed toward the stables where the caretaker stood by.
By then, Yujin and Angela were already gone without a trace.
"Ah, Lancelot. You must have been so frustrated."
Winston’s lips curved softly as he approached his restless horse, which was stamping its hooves impatiently, eager to run.
He gently stroked the horse’s nose and mounted swiftly.
The horse, as if waiting for this mont, beca excited imdiately.
Winston cald it and tugged the reins to change direction.
A lap around the garden and a shower afterward would ti perfectly before McCoy’s visit.
Guiding the horse at a trot, Winston soon urged it into a gallop.
The clear weather made the wind brushing against him feel exhilarating.
Nothing cleared his head like riding.
He had been riding horses since he was young, always turning to it when troubled.
Had he not inherited the company, Winston might have beco a professional equestrian.
He truly loved riding, and his environnt allowed him to have anything he wanted — which was both a privilege and a blessing.
The familiar scenery of Delights swept past him as he galloped.
His blocked mind slowly began to clear.
Feeling liberated, he raced through the estate for so ti.
As expected, his tangled thoughts faded quickly.
Before he knew it, he had gone quite far from the main mansion.
Realizing this, Winston decided to turn back.
But he made a mistake.
In his carelessness, he took the wrong path.
By the ti he realized he had led his horse astray, it was too late.
A small annex ca into view — a place he hadn’t visited for years.
The sa place that had once completely changed the course of his life.
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