Ch#58
58. Shameless Audacity
Professor Kim Yun-jeong looked at Na-eun and Min-ho before speaking slowly.
"It's an unconscious reaction from the child. It's likely a defense mechanism that appears when he feels uncomfortable or fearful. Moving forward, it will be important to gradually approach through counseling and create an environment where Min-ho can feel secure. It would also help if you, Teacher, could subtly change some of his daily behavior patterns to assist him."
Na-eun nodded, absorbing Professor Kim Yun-jeong's words intently. Min-ho remained quietly seated beside her, still holding her hand tightly.
After leaving the counseling room, Na-eun held Min-ho's hand and skimmed through the questionnaire the nurse had given her. The nurse had asked her to fill it out in detail regarding the child's behavior, emotions, and habits.
The questionnaire had various detailed items. The first section covered basic information and daily habits, like sleep patterns or eating routines. The next focused on behavior, such as signs of anxiety or fear in specific situations, or emotional states when he refrained from speaking.
Turning the page revealed densely packed questions on social interactions and more. Na-eun thought to herself as she flipped through it. The treatment process wouldn't be easy.
After submitting the questionnaire, a few weeks later there would be a session with Kang-hyeok, and perhaps the whole family would need individual counseling sessions with the professor. It might even extend to Chairman Choi Hoe-jang.
She let out a small sigh, and Min-ho pointed at something with his hand, looking up at Na-eun.
Na-eun smiled, following where his finger pointed.
"Yeah, Min-ho. Want a donut?"
"Yes."
Only then did Na-eun feel her mind ease upon hearing Min-ho's response. He hadn't spoken a word during the counseling session. Since it was in the afternoon, Na-eun took Min-ho back to the kindergarten. The director greeted them warmly.
"Oh, Teacher Han, did you go to the hospital with Min-ho?"
"Yes, we did."
"I see. Our Min-ho."
Na-eun glanced at the director stroking Min-ho's head and looked for Ji-ho, who was in class with the other children.
"Min-ho, let's go inside and sit next to Ji-ho."
After sending Min-ho in, she stepped out to the kindergarten yard and sighed. That's when a red sports car pulled into the kindergarten. Ha-young stepped out confidently in her pitch-black high heels.
"You're right here."
Ha-young approached Na-eun.
"You know, I thought you were just watching your nephew at his house, but you're going back and forth to Chairman Choi's place? Why didn't you tell me?"
The red sports car she'd glimpsed in front of the house yesterday was indeed Ha-young's.
"Get in my car first. Don't shout where everyone can hear."
As Na-eun got into her car, Ha-young climbed into the passenger seat again. Annoyed by Na-eun's stiff attitude every time, Ha-young said.
"Why is your car so small? Buy something bigger."
"Where would I get money for a car? Anyway, did you tail me yesterday?"
Ha-young fiddled with her ring nonchalantly.
"Not tailing, just following."
Na-eun explained to Ha-young, who was brushing it off casually.
"That's what tailing is called, in case you didn't know."
"Why didn't you tell me then?"
Na-eun shot back without yielding to Ha-young, who tilted her head defiantly.
"What was I supposed to tell you?"
"That you're visiting that house to teach the kid. And that you see Kang-woo every day."
"Since when did you start calling the CEO so casually by name?"
Ha-young swallowed hard at Na-eun's words and glared at her sideways.
"That's my business. To me, all men are the same. CEO this, CEO that—what's the difference?"
Na-eun furrowed her brows and warned her.
"Stop coming to find me like this."
A flicker of subtle anger crossed Na-eun's face.
"It's been a while since I last saw you, so why do you keep showing up lately? And this is my workplace."
Ha-young tossed her hair back and scoffed.
"Because you're holding what I want. And you're off work now, aren't you?"
Na-eun sighed and looked straight at Ha-young. Exhaustion was evident in her eyes.
"What is it you want, Sis?"
Ha-young's eyes sparkled as she sneered.
"Set up a meeting with CEO Choi Kang-woo. We need some encounter to make progress, right?"
Na-eun frowned. She shook her head in disbelief and spoke.
"Sis, no one in your situation would just hand over rice cakes, yet you're already sipping kimchi soup."
Irritation flashed across Ha-young's face momentarily.
"Don't make me laugh. Sipping kimchi soup means rice cakes will fall too. What if I say I'll take Ji-ho back and raise him myself?"
Na-eun's eyes widened for a moment, but she replied coldly.
"I'll sue."
Ha-young's eyes bulged. Her face paled instantly.
"Sue? I'm his biological mom—how dare you sue?"
Na-eun responded quietly but firmly.
"Have you ever done anything as his biological mom?"
Ha-young bit her lip and narrowed her eyes.
"What?"
Na-eun's gaze turned icy cold. There was no hesitation in her voice.
"Legally, you gave up custody, and Ji-ho is my son. Now you want to take him back? Then I'll sue to protect my child."
Ha-young's eyebrows shot up. She glared at Na-eun, a mix of anger and fluster.
"You're something else. Is introducing me to that CEO so hard? Do you really think a single mom with a kid like you has any future with him?"
Na-eun fell silent at Ha-young's words. But her eyes remained steady.
This was shameless audacity. She'd given birth to the child and now was calling the one raising him an unwed mother.
"Even if others say that, you shouldn't. I won't stay quiet either. So stop coming to find me like this."
Na-eun gripped the steering wheel tightly and spoke firmly. Ha-young smirked mockingly and glanced out the window. A suffocating silence filled the car.
"Fine. I won't ask you for anything anymore. But I called dibs on that man. I'm the type who can't live without what's mine. No one touches him until I get bored and toss him aside."
Ha-young's voice carried a threatening tone. Na-eun seethed at her brazen attitude but forced herself to calm down and asked back.
"You talk like the CEO is your property."
Na-eun's gaze didn't waver, and Ha-young sneered at her.
"Say whatever you want!"
Ha-young's face held unpleasant confidence. Na-eun sighed in exasperation and shook her head. The tension in the car grew thicker.
"Just one thing. Does the CEO have to like you unconditionally just because you like him?"
Na-eun asked in a trembling voice. Ha-young leaned back leisurely, examining her nails.
"All men are like that. They all fall for me when I want them. That's why I just asked for a little help, but since you're acting like this, I'll handle it myself. Just don't get any funny ideas about the CEO."
As Ha-young finished, Na-eun's eyes flashed coldly.
"Funny ideas?"
Ha-young burst into laughter. It was close to mockery.
"Know your place. I'm a celebrity, after all. An MC with a known face, and men want women like me. Sure, someone like Choi Kang-woo might have met plenty like me."
Na-eun clamped her mouth shut briefly before uttering one word.
"Does he seem like that kind of person?"
Ha-young sneered exaggeratedly and tossed her hair.
"All men are the same. You think there are exceptions? So naive. Then again, you've just been raising Ji-ho—have you even dated, let alone know men?"
Na-eun's face flushed red instantly. Anger and sadness mixed in her expression.
"Don't ever come to the chairman's house again."
Na-eun said firmly. But Ha-young scoffed and shook her head.
"Got it. I was just curious about your side gig. Next time, I'll go to your house."
"What?"
Na-eun shot Ha-young a cold glare. Ha-young seemed determined to provoke her. What did she even gain from this? Na-eun let out a long sigh.
