Dad Only Needs a Daughter
Dad only needs a daughter. ……………
A few hours before Han Sol went to find the father she loved most in the world. Her phone rang noisily. Han Sol set down the circuit board of the drone on her workbench and took off her gloves. Unknown number. Probably a survey call. High chance it was spam, but just in case, she answered.
"Hello?"
"Sol, it's Mom."
Han Sol's movements froze abruptly. It was a woman's voice. Aged, but still carrying that frivolous tone that hadn't faded with time.
"……Who is this?"
"I said it's your mom. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Han Sol nearly dropped her phone.
"My mom is dead."
That's what Han Sol had believed her whole life. No, truthfully, she wished it were so. What reason did a mom who abandoned her daughter and fled overseas have to live? Wouldn't it be justice for her to drop dead? Shot by a gun, mauled by a bear, struck by lightning—whatever.
"Ha, that's how you're gonna play it? You've grown up, my girl."
Her mom's speech hadn't changed. There was even a hint of laughter, like she'd decided to brazen it out even more.
"Anyway, I called because I have something to say to you."
Han Sol said nothing.
"Your dad, that guy—he's still got money. His salary's not bad either."
"So?"
"Don't you think it's a waste? We could squeeze more out of him. You and him don't share a drop of blood anyway, so it's fine, right?"
"What……did you say?"
"Oh, he didn't tell you?"
Joy seeped through the middle-aged woman's voice over the phone. She was clearly mocking both Han Sol and her father.
"You have a different real dad. I cheated with another guy and had you. Sorry, but don't take it too hard. It's all in the past, isn't it? What can you do? People who live must keep living."
Her tone was so shameless it made Han Sol question if the person on the other end was even human. There wasn't a shred of sincerity in her apology.
"So anyway—we could split that guy's fortune, just you and me? He's not your real dad anyway. No need for you to feel guilty."
Han Sol clenched her free fist so tight it nearly drew blood.
"Sol, you listening?"
"……I'm listening."
"Then think about it. It's good for you, good for me. That guy anyway—"
"Shut up."
"What?"
"Shut the fuck up, you trash bitch."
"Hey! You little—"
She hung up. Han Sol slammed her phone onto the workbench. It hit with a bang, cracking the screen.
Fucking worm of a cunt.
Her clenched fist trembled. She hated her. The fact that this trash was her biological mother. The fact that the trash who played around with her was her biological father. The fact that she herself was born from their blood.
And then……a feeling even more horrific than hatred welled up from the depths of Han Sol's heart.
Dad.
Does Dad……think of me as his daughter?
It was fear, pure and simple. That trash woman had said it. Dad already knew the truth. Then had Dad……never seen her as a daughter to begin with? Had he just raised a pitiful orphan out of duty?
[No. You're not my daughter.]
Was she about to hear those words? It terrified her. So much so that hearing them for real might shatter her mind.
But on the flip side, she couldn't hold back. She had to confirm Dad's thoughts right now, or she'd go insane.
Han Sol picked up her phone. The screen was cracked, but it still worked.
……………
It was warm.
Dad's shoulder was broader and firmer than she'd imagined. She could vividly feel her skin touching the man's solid muscles. Han Sol closed her eyes and soaked in his warmth. His body heat seeped through their clothes. Slowly, bit by bit.
Feels good……
She loved this warmth. More precisely, she needed it. A daughter needs her father's warmth. That was natural.
But Han Sol had rejected this warmth for so long. She'd distanced herself on purpose.
Why did I do that?
She already knew the answer. Because she was scared. Of her blue hair.
Han Sol's hair was blue. Mom didn't have blue hair. She remembered from photos—brown hair. Dad didn't have blue hair either. Black hair. So where did this blue come from?
She'd wondered since childhood. Asked sometimes. Dad's answer was always that it was from her maternal grandfather's genes. But Han Sol had never seen her maternal grandfather. No photos either. And Dad's responses were always evasive.
No way.
Han Sol had vaguely sensed it. That maybe she wasn't Dad's biological daughter.
But—
I didn't want to know.
If it was true. If Han Kang wasn't her biological father. Then she'd be nothing to him. Not a daughter—just an orphan raised out of obligation and pity. The mere thought terrified her to death.
So Han Sol had consciously, desperately avoided the topic.
Don't think about it. Don't think.
Every time she saw her blue hair, she'd repeat it to herself.
I'm just Dad's daughter. That's enough.
But in the end, the truth came out. Revealed by the person she hated most. The trash mom who'd abandoned her and fled overseas.
Dad hadn't said why he'd hit that bitch, but Han Sol could guess why she'd deserved it. She'd probably provoked him after screwing up somehow. Maybe got caught cheating. Then acted all self-righteous about it.
………
A storm of emotions churned in Han Sol's heart. Fear. What if Dad rejected her? Relief. But he hadn't.
You're my daughter. He'd said it.
Guilt. Her only family in the world, and she'd avoided him out of selfish fear.
And finally—longing.
I wish he'd pet my head……
When she was very young, Dad would sometimes stroke her hair. The memory lingered. His big, rough palm on her head, gently petting. She wanted that now.
But Han Kang didn't move. He just let her lean on his shoulder. No hug.
……Can't be helped.
Dad had no choice. She'd put the distance there first. Left home as soon as she was an adult. Contacted him once or twice a year, brief greetings only. No way a dad would approach such an awful daughter first.
……It's my fault.
Leaning on his shoulder, Han Sol glanced at his profile. Tired face. She thought even that was handsome, but……the deep fatigue was unmistakable.
I'm sorry.
Unspoken apologies rose in her throat. Sorry for leaving you alone. For not calling. For being cold. For doubting you.
Deep regret crushed her chest. She had to fix it now. Never let go of this warmth again.
From now on……
Han Sol closed her eyes.
From now on, we'll never be apart. Forever.
Her only family in the world. Blood or not, it didn't matter. That was enough.
I'll never let go. Ever.
With that vow, Han Sol buried her face deeper into Dad's shoulder.
……………
In Dad's warmth, a sudden thought surfaced.
Dad had said earlier:
"What girlfriend? A guy like me couldn't have one."
Hearing that had eased something in her chest. Relief, maybe.
And it was perfectly justified for Han Sol to feel relieved.
Dad's already been tricked once. No guarantee he won't fall for it again.
Yes. Han Sol's father, Han Kang, had been duped by that trash woman and nearly lost all his money. In short, he was a gullible soft-ear ajusshi—too naive, too easy to fool. And handsome to boot, which made him dangerous. If some weird woman ensnared him again, it'd be a disaster.
As his daughter, she had to protect him. Keep any woman from getting close. Logical and reasonable.
But—
What if……
Han Sol's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
What if Dad got a really kind, wise girlfriend?
Not some bitch like Mom, but someone who truly loved him. Then Dad could be happy—
The thought hit a wall. Nausea surged. Something writhed inside, clawing up her throat. She really felt like vomiting.
Intense disgust. And revulsion.
No.
The thought came reflexively, crystal clear. Why?
Because I hate it.
And the reason?
……I don't know.
No reason needed. She didn't even know why herself. But one thing was certain—
I just hate it. Hate it so much.
Just imagining it made her blood run backward. Another woman standing by Dad. Dad smiling at her. Dad holding her hand.
Her stomach twisted. No matter how kind or wise that woman was. No matter how sincerely she treated Dad.
It didn't matter. She wanted to kill her.
……Kill her?
Han Sol flinched at the sudden thought.
What am I thinking……
But she couldn't deny it. Her own heart. If another woman clung to Dad……
She'd never forgive it.
No, no. I'm just protecting Dad.
Yeah, that's right. Protecting her too-naive, easily tricked Dad from bad women. A daughter's natural duty. Nothing more, nothing less.
……………
"Be careful going in."
Han Kang saw her off to the front door.
"Yeah. You take care too, Dad."
Han Sol slipped on her shoes and stepped out. Truthfully, she wanted to stay longer. By Dad's side, with Dad, together with Dad.
But leaving now was right. She needed time to sort her feelings. Too much had happened today. The trash woman's call, confirming the truth, Dad's answer.
I need to visit more often.
Descending the stairs, Han Sol thought. She had to look after Dad. Couldn't leave him alone. He might drink himself unconscious, die alone, or some weird woman might approach……
Especially not that last one.
She didn't know why, but absolutely not.
Cold night air hit her cheeks as she stepped outside. Han Sol looked toward her officetel. Not far. Twenty minutes on foot.
She hadn't told Dad, but from the start of her independence, she'd chosen a place close to him. So she could visit easily, often.
The woman by Dad's side……that's enough with just me.
Han Sol clenched her fist tight.
Only me.