Kiss the Scumbag Chapter 3

"That’s a great idea. Yujin won’t even have ti to pull any stunts. If it works, it’ll be good for everyone."

George agreed eagerly. As everyone turned to look at Callia with hopeful expressions, she let out a short cough, clearly not displeased, and paused deliberately before speaking.

"Not bad."

"Great. Then let’s get on with it."

The mont she spoke, Gordon jumped in, already excited. He began firing off ideas about how and when to arrange a eting between Evelyn and Winston, who should reach out first, and so on—as if just getting them in the sa room would magically solve all their problems. While listening to the noisy optimism, Callia thought to herself:

I never thought that thing would co back.

She clenched her jaw in secret. All of this was Harold Campbell’s fault. Ever since learning that he had included that thing’s na in his will, she’d suffered constant migraines. This entire ss had begun the day her husband brought a boy—practically a child—into the family as a lover. When she thought about it, there was only ever one source to bla for every disaster. She hoped, from the bottom of her heart, that Harold wouldn’t end up in heaven.

3

The train slowed as it approached the platform. Yujin watched the familiar yet unfamiliar landscape beyond his daughter’s small head pressed against the window. Just being back in this city made cold sweat break out across his back and his breathing turn shallow.

I swore I’d never co back.

The mont he saw the na of the station in the distance, dizziness hit him. He closed his eyes and leaned the back of his head against the seat, taking deep breaths. When his heartbeat finally steadied, clarity returned to his mind. As he slowly opened his eyes, his daughter had already turned from the window and was watching him.

“Daddy, is your head hurting again?”

Her worried face was filled with concern. Yujin forced a smile and shook his head.

“No, I’m okay now.”

“Don’t push through it. You should take your dicine. It’s bad to hold it in.”

Angela, always sounding far too mature for her age, scolded him gently. Yujin nodded.

“I will. Once we get off the train.”

Right then, the train ca to a stop at the platform and the announcent played. Yujin stood up, reached for the small suitcase on the overhead rack, then extended a hand to his daughter, who waited quietly.

“Co on, let’s go, Angie.”

“Okay.”

The little girl clasped his hand tightly and walked with him. When they reached the stairs, Yujin lifted the suitcase in one hand and scooped his daughter into the other, carrying her down onto the platform.

The mont his feet touched the ground and he breathed in the open air, a small sense of release hit his chest. He set the girl down, took one deep breath, and reached for her hand again.

There were a fair number of people passing through the station, but of course, no one recognized him. Still, every ti soone brushed past him carelessly, he flinched. He couldn’t help it—no matter how many years had passed, the mory of how he left this place resurfaced as vividly as if it had happened yesterday.

It’s fine.

He looked straight ahead and repeated the words in his mind.

It’s been five years already. I’ve forgotten everything.

He took a step forward, holding Angela’s hand, reminding himself of his vow: he wouldn’t be hurt again. He’d made that promise to himself countless tis. Things were different now. He had a child to protect. For her, there was nothing he wouldn’t do. That had been his one and only belief since the mont she was born and placed in his arms.

The only reason he had stepped foot again in this place he swore never to return to was for Angela. If it weren’t for her, he would’ve let himself rot on the street, starve to death—whatever. He never would have co back. But now, he needed money. And if Harold, who had cruelly cast him out, had left behind a shred of kindness at the end, then Yujin was willing to accept it. He had no pride left to keep him warm.

Two months ago, a fire broke out {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} in the old, crumbling apartnt where Yujin lived. It started in the unit below and spread rapidly, leaving black soot on the walls before it was finally extinguished. Several families were forced out onto the street.

Yujin’s ho suffered the second-worst damage. He had jolted awake in the middle of the night, grabbed his daughter, and ran out with nothing. Just like that, he’d lost everything. He suffered minor burns on his back, but they had escaped with their lives. That it was him, not Angela, who had been hurt—he was endlessly grateful for that. But their luck ended there.

As if cursed, the restaurant where he worked laid him off soon after, citing financial trouble. Misfortune had co in waves, crashing over him without end. Forced to plead with a church for help, Yujin had curled up with his daughter in an empty sanctuary, sleeping on the floor. That night, he cried—for the first ti in a very long while.

He saw a flicker of salvation when he returned to the burned-out apartnt, hoping by so miracle sothing had survived. He was digging through the soaked ash when soone approached and spoke.

“Um, hello. Are you by any chance... Mr. Yujin Seol?”

It was Seol, not Sol, but Yujin hadn’t bothered correcting anyone about that in years. Nor did he have the energy now. Straightening his back, he looked the man in the eye.

“That’s . What’s this about?”

“Ah, I thought so! I wasn’t sure, but—yes!”

The man bead with relief and quickly fished out a wallet from his pocket, pulling out a business card.

“My na is Joseph Brown. I’m a lawyer. Wow, this has been tough. I thought I finally tracked you down, and then I find out your whole place burned down—I had no idea what to do next. I just took a chance and ca back, and look! Lucky !”

He laughed heartily, but Yujin only stared at him with a blank face. The man’s laughter tapered off awkwardly, and he cleared his throat. Yujin finally spoke.

“I don’t know why you were looking for , but as you can see, I’m in no position to give you any money.”

“No, no! You’ve got it all wrong, Yujin. It’s the opposite.”

Still smiling, the man waved his hands. Seeing Yujin’s wary expression, he continued quickly.

“You know Harold Campbell, right? He passed away recently, and... he left a will.”

Yujin froze. The mory of the last ti he saw Harold ca crashing back. His heart began to pound.

He’s dead.

Should he feel indifferent? Regretful? For a mont, Yujin didn’t know what he was supposed to feel. That final mory still tornted him—but it was also true that Harold had once been his savior. He had taken Yujin in when he was a lost orphan with nowhere to go. Harold had cared for him deeply, and Yujin had returned that affection.

At least... until that happened.

He pushed away the bitter mory and forced himself to stay calm, waiting for the lawyer to continue. The man looked around but couldn’t find anywhere to sit. With an awkward smile, he asked,

“Is there a café or sowhere nearby we could talk? Or maybe hop in the car and look for a place?”

“There’s no need. Just tell here.”

Yujin cut him off. The lawyer looked like he’d wanted a mont of silence, maybe to offer condolences. But Yujin didn’t have the ti or the reason. Angela was waiting for him at the church. If this man wasn’t offering money, then Yujin had no interest in wasting another second. Seeing this, the lawyer cleared his throat again and shifted to a more businesslike tone.

“Your na is in the will. We need you to attend the reading, which will take place a few days after the funeral. We’d like you to co to Delight within three days.”

Yujin’s expression flickered. Delight. The proper na of the estate was The Most Perfect Delight. It referred to the main mansion, the largest building on the Campbell grounds—but also to the entire estate.

Going back there...

Yujin’s mind reeled at the idea. A scenario he had never imagined. He struggled to gather his thoughts.