Flashback: The Bewildering Husband
What the hell is that bastard doing? He'd finished sorting everything and asked if there was anything else he could help with. I tossed him some random task, and he was happily working on it.
What the...? It was confusing. I couldn't figure out his intentions at all, which only made him scarier. He'd taken complete control of me, yet he wasn't laying a hand on me...
She glanced at the clock. It was past 10 p.m. He should be getting tired by now, but his eyes were still sharp, and his movements showed no sign of fatigue.
Does he work out or something? Even through his clothes, his thick muscles made it clear he had stamina to spare.
Then no wonder he's not tired... Huh? What am I doing right now? I should want to kill the bastard, but here I am checking out his body? Pathetic.
Fuck! Move! Move, damn it!!! But my body wouldn't even twitch a finger on command.
What the hell did he do to my body...! I'd never even heard of something like this. It was some freakish trick straight out of a comic book.
"All done with this too."
"Ah, just leave it there."
He set the documents where I pointed and asked if there was anything else. What was his game? Was he forcing this husband act just to play the hypocrite?
"When do you finish work?"
"Huh? Um... well... in about an hour, I think."
"Ah... so you'd be getting home around midnight?"
"Yeah. But... luckily tomorrow's the weekend."
Lies. I was cursing him out in my head, but nothing hostile came out of my mouth. My body wasn't mine anymore.
"Even so, that's too late. Do you always stay until this hour?"
"No, not usually. I head home early most days."
Don't pretend to care. You're just like that bastard who abandoned me in middle school. No matter what trick you used to snag Euna, you think I'll fall for it?
"Tired? Want some coffee?"
No. I don't want coffee from a bastard like you.
"I'm fine."
I spat curses internally as I refused, but my voice came out soft and polite. He shrugged like it couldn't be helped and got back to work.
"Don't you drink coffee?"
I wanted to sew my mouth shut. You? What the fuck do you mean by 'you'?!
"Haha, I didn't want to drink alone."
Don't fucking laugh. It's annoying. Fine, he was handsome—I'd give him that. But what good was a handsome piece of trash who controlled me like a puppet? His smile just pissed me off.
"Nngh..."
I'd finally finished sorting everything. Samples back in place, revised formulas separated from the originals. That should do it. I stretched, packed up my things, and headed out.
"Eek."
The night air was chilly. Even with my coat on, the wind seemed to seep right through.
"Cold?"
"No, not that bad, but it's pretty brisk."
His jacket draped over my shoulders. He'd taken it off and put it on me.
What the hell?
"This is when people catch colds the most. Can't let your guard down just because winter's over."
It was still warm from his body heat. There was a faint masculine scent too. Disgusting. Annoying. I hate it. Get it off me! I don't need it—take it away!
"I'm okay..."
But no curses or firm rejections escaped my lips.
"Give it back when you get home."
What? Home... together? I desperately tried to resist, but my body ignored me. Here I was, driving him in my car, heading to my place like it was his too.
"Oh, right—wanna go have some fun later?"
Who the hell is 'we'?
"Have... fun?"
"Yeah. Ever tried bowling? Bowling."
I shook my head. People usually say they could count such experiences on one hand. But for me, going out for fun? I didn't even need fingers—I'd never done it once. Every spare moment went to research and study. If there was any time left, it was exercise. Games, movies, outings—those were just distant stories to me.
"Never have, huh. Then this is your chance. Oh, before that! Any big schedules next week? Like exams?"
Yes! I do! Research! Say it!!!
"Not really..."
Fuck!
"Perfect."
Say no. Say you're busy.
"Yeah."
I really wanted to sew my mouth shut. Fuming inside, we finally arrived at my place. He looked around the room like it was his own and tilted his head.
"This is just... a place to sleep."
What business is it of yours, you psycho bastard! But what came out was:
"Well, it's just home. Grab any blanket and use it."
Annoying. Who asked him about the blankets?
"Gonna wash up?"
Hold on. This bastard had used his weird power to set himself as my husband. So... while I was showering...?
Chills ran down my spine. This pervert... So that's why he held back all this time?
But my body moved against my will. I showered obediently, then emerged with just a towel around me, drying my hair. He had his back turned, texting someone on his phone.
"What're you doing?"
"Ah, nothing much. You go ahead and sleep."
? I was barely covered by a single towel. Yet he barely glanced my way.
"You're tired. Put some clothes on and rest first."
He didn't touch me. No contact at all. Not even sneaky peeks. It only grew more confusing. Was he planning to pounce while I slept...?
That's when it hit me. This makes me look like the pervert...! Pouncing during a shower? While sleeping? Who was the real creep here?
I wanted to bite my lip, but my body refused. Not even a finger would obey.
"You asleep?"
I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep because of you, you damn bastard.
"......"
Thankfully, no response. Was it my will breaking through, or was he too tired to speak? I didn't know.
"This might sound random, but... Euna really loves her mom."
Euna. I hated that name. Every time I heard it, I thought of that trashy man—and the pathetic me who'd given my body to him. It twisted my guts. When I heard his spawn, who looked just like me, had succeeded as an actress, I thought I'd finally be free of him forever. No more memories.
But this damn bastard had ruined it all. The nightmare dragged on.
"But she knows her mom hates her, so she wants to stay away. That's just how she is. Just saying."
His bitter smile said he'd tried convincing Euna and failed. Probably what he'd been doing on his phone earlier.
"Euna's in a new movie. A family one. She likes other genres too, but family movies especially—loves how they fight but end up connected. Says it's warm."
What am I supposed to do about it? What do I care if she likes family movies?
"I know you're hurt, Ga-eun."
What do you know?
"But that doesn't mean you should hurt others the same way."
Scratching his head.
"Tch, what am I even saying to someone who's asleep. Anyway, don't take it too seriously. You've got more days ahead than behind, right? Just do better from now on... Good night."
His soft voice pulled the blanket up to my shoulders. Then he grabbed one from where I'd mentioned, laid it on the floor, and lay down.
What... the hell? No moves at all? No demanding my body like a horny dog, no peeking at my chest, no sleazy lust. He just covered me with a blanket and quietly slept on the floor—while I was in the bed.
I couldn't understand it. That's why it scared me. No, maybe not. I kept my eyes cracked open, senses on high alert for any movement. Even though there was nothing I could do.
"......"
My body was exhausted. But sleep wouldn't come. Strangely, his words lingered in my mind.
How much time passed? A savory smell woke me. Blinking sleepily, sunlight stabbed my eyes as I turned my head. I'd dozed off after all.
"Ah?"
"Oh, you're up?"
He smiled, placing a fried egg on steaming kimchi fried rice in the pan.
"Breakfast."
"Breakfast...?"
"Yeah. So we can go out and have fun today, right?"
"Have... fun?"
What the fuck is this bastard saying?
"Come on, time to get up~"
Gently, like handling fragile china, he took my hand, helped me off the bed, and led me to the table.
"......"
Strangely, no disgust or chills came even after sitting. I realized it too late.
What the hell is your angle...?
I looked up at him, and he held out chopsticks.
"Try it. Tell me what you think."
"Huh? Oh... sure."
I took a bite as he said. It was average. Nothing great or bad—just basic, the kind anyone could make.
The trash who'd only seen me as a sex object couldn't even manage that much.
"How is it?"
"Mm... it's decent enough."
"Good. I was worried it wouldn't suit you, with your fancy tastes."
He smiled like it was a real relief. His smile only deepened my confusion.
Why? Why was he doing this? What did he want? My body? Then why not last night? Money? He had plenty of chances to steal it.
"Why... why are you being like this to me?"
For a moment, control slipped, and I asked the question I'd wanted to but couldn't.
"Because I'm your husband."
"Because I'm your husband."
Han Ga-eun's face went completely blank at my answer. She blinked, staring at me. What? Why? If hypnosis made me her husband, shouldn't I act like it? Leave my wife working alone? Eat without serving her? No way. You think I wanna get laid or something? Fuck, am I some horny monkey? Hypnosis doesn't mean whip it out and fuck right away. She hasn't even shown she wants it—what, jump her?
Okay, fine—her body's hot as hell. I'll admit it. When she came out in just a towel last night, it took real effort to look away. Killer figure. But if I gave in and did whatever(?), wouldn't I be no better than the bastard who knocked her up and bailed? So I forced myself to ignore it. Even rambled about Euna to distract myself.
Now, breakfast done—time to head out and play.