Flashback: Seo Euna and Han Ga-eun (19)
Having finished her long tale of the past, Han Ga-eun quietly looked up at me. Her eyes said, 'I've told you, so that's that.'
So she had a past like that. The trauma from the man who ruined her life ran so deep and vast that it went beyond not loving her daughter—it had twisted into profound hatred. No matter how successful her daughter became, she could never feel any pride in her. Not only had she given her body to a thug in a moment of folly, but she'd gotten pregnant with his child, given birth as an unwed mother, and seen her dream of becoming a professor shattered because of him. What should have been an easy path if she'd grown up normally had been a gauntlet of hardships. She'd succeeded in the end, but that didn't erase the suffering, change the past, or heal the wounds.
The emotional scars from Euna's father were so deep that they'd evolved into hatred for her innocent daughter. So, did I understand? A little—very slightly—I could see how it might be possible. But I didn't fully get it. Ga-eun had her reasons, but Euna was a pitiful child too. What crime had she committed? Raised without a father, she'd charged forward solely on the desire to earn her mother's approval, reaching the pinnacle of success. After all that effort, shouldn't her mother at least acknowledge her?
"So?"
"What?"
"I get that you have your circumstances, Professor, but Euna's done nothing wrong. You don't even know how hard she worked. She's been a good kid since she was little, always wanting to be the daughter her mom could love."
"No matter how coldly you treated her, she wanted to get closer to you—so much that she even wished for it. She threw herself into acting day and night, thinking that if she made it to the top, you'd finally see her."
"So?"
"Euna's a really good kid. I understand you can't love your daughter because of your trauma, but couldn't you change your mind just a little? I'm not saying you have to be a perfect mom right away. Slowly, bit by bit..."
"But who the hell are you to butt in? Be honest. You got some ulterior motive, don't you?"
What the hell kind of nonsense is this?
"Pardon?"
"Seeing you next to that girl—what do you think that made me feel? It reminded me of that man. Hiding behind a pretty face, pretending to be a good guy."
"Are you in your right mind right now?"
"That's just how you look to me. You expect me to do something about it? Acting this pure and devoted? Why? What's in it for you?"
"Do you think people only move if there's something in it for them?"
"Then why else would you do it if there's nothing?"
This was getting irritating. Should I just hypnotize her?
"Ah, think whatever you want. Anyway, even after hearing all that from you today, Euna was still worried about you. She said she'd try even harder. Does that make sense? That's the kind of kid she is. Kind and good-hearted."
"You think I don't know that? That's why it pisses me off even more—before we even get to right and wrong. Every time I see Euna, the anger surges up and chases away any good mood. She carries half that man's blood, and on top of that, she looks like me. It all just makes me want to scream. You wouldn't understand."
"……"
Her eyes blazed fiercely as she glared at me, declaring she would never change her mind. Han Ga-eun wanted to cut ties to escape the trauma that had tormented her. There was no way she'd budge.
"Whatever she does, it's none of my business."
Ah, fuck this for real. It felt like talking to a wall. This woman was basically Lee Jintae, season two.
"None of your business? You've worked hard yourself, Professor—you know what it takes. You studied enough to become a professor, so you get it. To reach the top in any field, you need the effort to match. Euna's drive came from one thing: wanting to mend things with her mom, to be happy with her only family. That's what got her to the top. I understand your situation, but isn't this too cruel?"
"So what the hell do you want me to do!!!?"
Han Ga-eun bellowed, leaping to her feet and glaring at me like she wanted to kill me. But I didn't flinch—I stepped closer, locking eyes with her and shouting back.
"Just treat Euna a little better! I know you can't smile and get along right away! I get it's hard! But approach her gradually..."
"Get out."
"What?"
"I don't want to hear it—get out!!!"
I shut my mouth. Even after explaining how Euna had reached her position and the feelings behind it, she was being so stubborn. How could a professor act like this? I'd always thought professors had this elite aura—and they usually did, so it wasn't a wrong impression—but now that image was shattering.
Just being smart and studious wasn't enough...
Euna, no matter how hard you try, it's no use.
"Get out. I don't want to talk anymore. No matter what you say, I'm not changing my mind. Expose me, do whatever—your call."
"……"
So that's how it is? Fine... no choice then.
"Take a look at this."
"What..."
I shoved the Hypnosis App in Ga-eun's face. As always, she froze blankly, her murderous glare turning vacant and lifeless. Should've done this from the start—wasted so much time.
"Euna is your proud daughter. From now on, you won't hate Euna anymore. You'll completely shake off the past where her father hurt you. Limit your resentment to him alone, and etch in your heart that your daughter did nothing wrong."
I redirected the hatred that had targeted both the unwanted child and her father squarely onto him.
"You'll gradually approach Euna, doing your best to give her everything you couldn't as a mother. In time, you'll build an ideal, happy family. And no more abusing your power or lashing out. You'll reflect and restrain yourself. At school, you'll be the ideal professor to your students; at home, the ideal mother."
"Euna... my... daughter..."
"And as for me..."
I paused there. Making her an ideal mother was great, but I hadn't thought about how she'd perceive me. Just say boyfriend or family friend? But for some reason... why didn't "boyfriend" come to mind? Why was Euna's line popping up now—'I'll introduce you to a good man for Mom~'? This should be enough, so why did I have this gut feeling that I needed to become her new husband to fix everything? I'd never had instincts this strong before... what the hell?
Ah, the nutrition pills.
I popped one of Dahyeon's pills dry, without water. Then I continued.
"I am... Euna's close family friend and at the same time, your newly wed husband. My name is Yun Geon-woo, and..."
I slowly recited my personal details.
"Remember all that? When I snap my fingers, you'll wake from the hypnosis."
Snap!
Her vacant eyes regained their spark.
"Oh? You're back?"
"Yeah."
The Ga-eun who'd glared like she wanted me dead was gone, replaced by one beaming radiantly. The hypnosis never failed.
And damn, she was gorgeous when she smiled. Her beauty could crush top college girls. 36? She'd pass for 26 easy.
"What brings you here when you're so busy?"
"Just... wanted to see you."
"What's that supposed to mean... Ah, but perfect timing. I'm free tonight—wanna eat out?"
"With Euna too?"
"Euna...? Oh."
Her expression darkened. I reached out and took her hand.
"It's okay. Euna still loves her mom."
"I... I... said such awful things to Euna... I don't even know what that man said to her."
Han Ga-eun started to tear up. The power of hypnosis was incredible.
"I said it's fine. Just do better from now on."
She nodded. I let go of her hand and offered her the watch case Euna had given me.
"A gift from your proud daughter."
"……"
Ga-eun took the watch and began sobbing. I turned away instead of watching—she clearly didn't want to be seen crying.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Is it okay if I pick the dinner spot?"
"Just send me the address."
"Got it."
I unlocked the door and stepped out. Wiping the smile from my face, I shoved my hands in my pockets and left the Korea University main building.
I let out a long sigh. Am I actually insane?
Fine, breaking my pinky promise with Euna was one thing, but husband? We looked close enough in age, but she was a professor and I was over ten years younger. Putting that aside, why husband of all things...
"What the hell am I even doing?"
Part of me thought about going back to tweak the hypnosis, but I doubted it'd make things better.