Kiss the Scumbag-Chapter 42

"Move rooms? Why? To where?"

Startled, Yujin fired off the questions, and Angela, nestled in his arms, clung even tighter as if frightened. Yujin pulled her even closer, as if they were the only two left in the world. Watching the way they held each other so tightly, the butler responded with a blank face.

"It’s Mr. Campbell’s order. He also said to close this room off from further use."

Yujin’s face turned pale the moment he heard those words. A flurry of thoughts passed through his mind in an instant, but none could be spoken aloud. After swallowing dryly, he carefully chose his words and asked,

"Then... where are we supposed to go?"

There was a good chance they’d be moved to an even worse room. Yujin didn’t mind for himself, but he was worried about the child.

If it came to it, he’d have to at least ask for a decent room for Angela...

The thought of confronting Winston made fear rise in his chest, but he forced himself to stand firm. If he ran away now, who would protect Angela?

As Yujin looked at him with a determined expression, the butler simply said, "This way," and turned to lead them without further explanation. Angela clung even tighter to Yujin at the gesture.

"Daddy."

"It’s okay, Angie. Daddy’s right here."

Hearing the tremble in her voice, Yujin smiled brightly on purpose and kissed her on the cheek. Angela nodded and murmured “mm,” but her arms still wouldn’t let go. Yujin, too, held her tightly as they followed behind the butler. The man naturally led them toward the central staircase, occasionally glancing back to make sure Yujin was still following. But Yujin didn’t hesitate or pause, steadily walking at the same pace.

...Huh?

As they reached the topmost floor of the mansion, Yujin blinked in confusion. From what he could tell, this level was mostly made up of bedrooms or similar resting areas. Was there really a room up here they were allowed to use...?

"This is the room."

His unease ballooned with each passing second, especially as he still couldn’t make sense of the situation. Suddenly, the butler stopped and turned to them. Yujin’s mouth fell open, a silent gasp escaping. The room he opened was right next to Winston’s — the very last one at the end of the corridor.

No way. It couldn’t be...

Still unable to believe it, Yujin hesitated as he stepped forward. Even as he passed the butler, who had opened the door and stepped aside, he remained dazed.

"Wowww!"

At that moment, the arms wrapped tightly around Yujin’s neck lost their grip. Angela’s wide-eyed shout of wonder rang in his ears.

The room was incomparably larger than the one they had been using until now. The bed alone was massive — proportionate to the room — and what caught their attention even more was the grand canopy hanging above it. The bed’s four corners were surrounded by a luxurious, delicate fabric that looked like something out of a fairy tale. For a three-year-old, it was more than enough to spark a deep sense of wonder.

"Daddy, are we really living here now? For real?"

Angela whispered in Yujin’s ear with a cupped hand. Her voice was hushed, but the excitement in it was impossible to hide. Before Yujin could answer, the butler responded from behind.

"This is your daughter’s room."

Yujin and Angela turned to look at him at the same time. Separate from Angela? Yujin’s face paled instantly — but Angela’s reaction was completely different.

"My roooom?"

Angela shouted even louder than before, and the butler nodded. Surprisingly, a faint smile crossed his aged face as he looked at her. Yujin, caught off guard, couldn’t find anything to say, while Angela began squirming in his arms and shouted,

"Daddy, Daddy! Put me down! Hurry, quick!"

"Angie, Angie! It’s dangerous!"

Yujin, alarmed by her frantic squirming, quickly set her down before she could fall. The moment her feet touched the ground, Angela ran around the room, shouting "Wowww! Wowww!" with joy. Her reaction was only natural — for the first time in her life, she had a room of her own. And it was perfect. She loved it instantly. It might just be the kind of room every child dreams of.

Each wall was painted a different color, all bright and cheerful, lifting the mood just by being there. Even more surprising was the adjacent small living room, filled with toys and playsets any child would adore.

What stole Angela’s heart the most was a tiny house, just her size. It was designed like a studio apartment, with a whimsical exterior like the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel. Behind the candy-shaped front door was a miniature sofa and kitchen, perfectly crafted. For Angela, it was her own perfect little world.

Screaming and running in and out of her house over and over, Angela finally raced across the room and climbed onto the giant bed. Rolling around and shouting “Wowww!” on the neatly made blankets, she raised her arms high.

"Daddy, come here! Hurry! It feels like we’re on a cloud!"

"Ah, okay. Just a sec."

Yujin, unable to tear his eyes away from his daughter’s joy, turned a hesitant gaze toward the butler. He should be happy just seeing Angela like this — but a troubling suspicion still lingered in his chest.

"Cain, if this is Angie’s room... does that mean I have to sleep somewhere else?"

He asked, steeling himself. The answer was obvious. He’d already braced for a room even worse than the last. That was fine. At least Angela had a good room now. What worried him was just how far away he might be placed.

Surely they’re not planning to send me out of the mansion...

Could they be trying to keep me from seeing Angela at all? The thought made him go pale with fear. Then the butler spoke.

"Of course. Your belongings have already been moved to the room next door."

"...What?"

Yujin, his mind clouded with terrifying possibilities, was blindsided by the unexpected answer and stared in disbelief. The butler added, in his usual professional tone,

"You’ll be sharing a room with Mr. Campbell. Since you’re married, after all."

His words left Yujin stunned. Technically true, and yet completely unexpected. He had indeed married Winston — but sharing a room with him? That hadn’t even crossed his mind.

"No, why... I mean, why...?"

The words fumbled out of his mouth, unable to form a proper sentence. Just then, a maid appeared at the door.

"Mr. Cain, could you come for a moment? We have a problem."

Cain turned to glance back at Yujin.

"If you’ll excuse me? I need to go."

"Ah, yes."

Yujin nodded hastily. The butler was just following orders. The one giving them was someone else entirely.

"Wait, just a moment."

Yujin called out, stopping the butler before he could leave, and swallowed hard.

"So... Winston ordered all of this? The room change, and sharing his room with me?"

"Correct. Partners should share the same room."

Cain replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. With that final confirmation, Yujin had nothing more to say.

"...Understood. Thank you for your time."

"I was only doing my job."

Cain, who had spoken so flatly, turned toward Angela — still bouncing on the bed — and a brief, satisfied expression crossed his face. But he quickly wiped it away and added,

"If there’s anything else you need, please let us know. Pick up the receiver on the phone and press 1 — someone will answer."

He gestured to the phone on the side table, gave a brief nod, and stepped out. As the door closed behind him, Yujin and Angela were finally alone. Only then did /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Yujin slowly take in the room again. A couch and sofa sat invitingly nearby, as if beckoning them to relax. And by the window, basking in sunlight, was a tiny tea table — perfect for Angela’s pretend tea parties.

Drawn as if in a trance, Yujin walked to the window. He unlatched the lock and gently opened the large, latticed glass door. A refreshing breeze swept in at once.

"Wowww! Daddy, this is amazing!"

Angela, who had suddenly run up beside him, burst out laughing as she dashed onto the balcony. Yujin, too, was frozen in awe at the view. Beyond the balcony stretched the vast grounds of Delight. Past the lush green forest, the city skyline gleamed in the distance. At night, it would shine like stars scattered across the ground. The thought alone made it hard to breathe. It must be beautiful.

"Daddy, I love my room!"

Angela shouted from where she clung to the railing. Seeing her glowing face, tears welled up in Yujin’s eyes. The night they first arrived at the mansion, when he had to sleep apart from his daughter — the dream he’d desperately wished for had come true in a way he couldn’t believe.

"Daddy? Daddy?"

Angela kept calling to him, but Yujin couldn’t respond. Overwhelmed, he covered his mouth with one hand and took a deep breath. He didn’t want to cry in front of her — but the sting in his nose was impossible to ignore.

"Sorry, Angie. I’m just so happy you’re happy."

He bent to hug her tight, and Angela hugged him back. As if telling him not to cry, she gently patted the back of his head, then said softly after a moment’s pause:

"Daddy... we still have to leave this place someday, right?"