Flashback: Euna and Her Mother
Past flashback: What the hell should I tell Euna?
I straddled a park bench and racked my brain for ages, but nothing solid came to mind. Euna likes me. Sure, it was manipulated by hypnosis, but that's obvious. Still, after I broke our promise and turned her mom into that, I couldn't imagine her just sitting quietly if she found out. It'll come out eventually, though. Better to rip the Band-Aid off now—they say it's better to strike first. So I squeezed my eyes shut and dialed Euna.
"Uncle?"
"Yeah. Wanna grab dinner tonight?"
"Not hungry. Sorry."
"……"
"I just wanna be alone today."
Fair enough. Even after busting her ass, all she got was inexplicable verbal abuse and cold glares. No wonder food wouldn't go down. I knew her mental state was wrecked, but damn, it was worse than I thought. My bad—I was thinking short-term. In her shattered state, picturing me as her mom's husband? She was lucky not to crumble completely.
"Okay…"
"Thanks."
I'd planned to ask what she wanted and book accordingly, but that was out. I hung up and pondered dinner spots when ding—a notification chimed.
Coffee shop meant no dinner—looked like her research had her swamped. But I was slammed too.
A long silence followed. No typing indicator, just radio silence. Good she didn't pry like last time, but the quiet made me uneasy anyway. Dahyeon was a genius. The kind who could outthink every professor at Korea University combined. What gears were turning in that brain? It bugged me.
Another long pause. My heart tightened for no reason. Then finally:
She backed off without a fuss. Thank god she didn't dig deeper. I sighed in relief and picked a spot for dinner.
Evening. I'd booked a solid restaurant—decently upscale, professional vibe.
"You're already here?"
"Ah, yeah!"
Han Ga-eun approached our table with a smile, still in her skirt, blouse, and coat from campus. But she seemed fresher somehow—probably that radiant smile and warm gaze.
"Have a seat."
"Okay."
I pulled out her chair; she settled in gracefully.
"What'll you have?"
"Beef steak sounds good. Wine?"
"No thanks. Gotta head back right after—grading, tomorrow's lecture prep…"
"Ah, did I drag you out for nothing…?"
She looked swamped; I felt bad for stealing her time. The drive here alone must've taken a chunk.
"Not at all. A husband's gotta eat with his wife sometimes."
So considerate. Hypnosis or not, the change was unreal—I still couldn't believe it. Maybe it just unlocked her potential. If Euna's dad had been normal, she could've lived happily like this.
"How's… Euna?"
Ga-eun asked cautiously after some chit-chat. I played it cool.
"She's fine. I talked to her."
"I see."
But her face darkened anyway. The perfectly grilled steaks arrived soon. I'd gotten good at this from dinners with Heena and Yuna, slicing neatly. Ga-eun? Total noob.
"First steak?"
"Embarrassing… yeah."
"Gimme your plate."
She resisted, but I snatched it and cut it up nice—juicy, perfect bites.
"Here."
"Th-thanks."
She bowed and dug in. Even from the knife work, her fancy-lady image felt like a facade.
"Good?"
"Delicious."
"Phew."
Meal wrapped quick.
"Thanks—it was great. I should head back to campus…"
"I'll go with you."
"Huh?"
"You're busy, right?"
"Oh, no… you don't have to."
She was my hypnotized wife now. New husband duty: help out. Felt right.
What. The. Fuck.
I stared at the phone screen that guy shoved in my face, frozen solid. Couldn't twitch a finger.
"Euna is your proud daughter. From now on, you won't hate Euna. You'll wipe away the past wounds her father inflicted—direct all resentment at him alone, imprinting deep that your daughter did nothing wrong."
What?
He ignored my panic and kept going.
"You'll gradually approach Euna, making up for every moment you missed as a mom. You'll build an ideal, happy family. No more abusing power or yelling. Reflect, restrain yourself. At school, the perfect professor; at home, the perfect mother."
"Euna… my… daughter…"
That wasn't my voice. Not my words…!
"And I am… Euna's close uncle, and your new husband. Name's Yun Geon-woo, and…"
Huh? What insane bullshit is this?
But it was just an empty echo in my head. No matter how I cursed or damned him inside, my mouth stayed sealed. My body, my lips—puppets to his script. Not a gram of my will. Just controlled.
Smiling like I'd never smile at him, addressing him politely instead of curses. Like a wife respecting her husband…
Urk…!
Revolting! Nauseating! I wanted to slit my throat with the steak knife, but my hands clumsily started cutting meat instead. So inept, he took the plate and prepped it perfectly. I screamed obscenities in my mind, but out came "thanks." Chills. Fuck! Die, you bastard! Even suicide crossed my mind. But self-harm? Off-limits.
Ended up bringing him to Korea University—my office. TA had clocked out; just us.
No, please…
Soundproofed perfectly. Top lab, top office—standard feature. He approached. Arm's reach. Stopped to hang his coat on the rack by me. Memories hit: middle school, when he coerced and sweet-talked my first time away, stripping just like that…
No!!!
Again… just like back then…!
But nah—he just hung it up. No groping, no touching. Clap clap. Two claps.
Eh…?
"So, what first?"
Grinning. Wanted to slap that smirk off, but my body smiled back, grabbing a stack of exams.
"TA mixed these by subject. Mind resorting?"
"Sure."
I sat, sorted intently.
What… the hell…?
I hadn't expected assault, but that would've been less shocking—might've just died. Instead, pure help? Confusing as hell.
No! He hasn't shown his hand yet!!!
Checked samples under microscope, tweaked formulas, jotted notes. Still, watched his every move warily. Rustle rustle. Just sorting papers.
"Ah!"
His voice startled me—figured restraint snapped.
"Science paper in the math pile."
Sour smile, resorted. Eyes never on me. Tension deflated. What was this guy's deal?
Damn, so many. Sorting these one by one is a grind. Without me, Ga-eun would've juggled this on top of her work. Gotta help with more after this. Forced husband via hypnosis or not—feels like the right thing.