Chapter 37: Shadows of Healing

Seoul Dongjak Police Station, overseeing the security near Noryangjin.

Chun Nayoung’s biological mother had brandished a dangerous weapon in broad daylight and was arrested immediately by nearby officers who responded swiftly to the scene.

Chun Nayoung and I were summoned to the station as both the victims and witnesses of her mother’s outburst.

Fortunately, my thick jacket had softened the blow, so my injury was shallow. After getting first aid at a nearby hospital, I accompanied Chun Nayoung to the station.

Even though I was technically the victim, I couldn’t let only Nayoung and her mother be questioned. The thought of it weighed on me.

A young officer with a firm build and a conflicted expression sat across from Nayoung, asking carefully.

“Hmm, so the perpetrator is your mother, Ms. Chun Nayoung?”

“Yes, that’s right. She’s my mom.”

Nayoung, with her hat pulled low and a mask covering her face, nodded timidly as she answered, her voice subdued.

“How long has your mother been like this?”

“I haven’t seen her in years. She ran away from home. But… she’s gotten worse than before.”

“This is categorized as a special assault since the act involved a weapon and was caught in the act.”

“I… understand.”

The officer, hinting at the severity of the crime, turned his gaze toward me.

“Are your injuries all right?”

“Yes, it was just a scratch.”

“That’s a relief. We’ll help you proceed in whichever way you decide.”

To be honest, I wanted to press charges immediately.

But despite how violent she had been, she was still Chun Nayoung’s mother.

It didn’t feel right to say I wanted her punished in front of her daughter.

“What’s the usual sentence for a special assault?”

“Normally, it carries imprisonment for more than one year and less than ten.”

The officer stopped typing for a moment, rubbing his head in thought.

“She appeared intoxicated, and her mental condition seemed unstable. There’s a good chance she’ll be deemed legally incompetent.”

“What would that mean in practice?”

“She’d likely be sent to a psychiatric facility for treatment, rather than serving time in prison.”

Since my wound was minor and her mental instability was apparent, the police suggested that legal punishment might not address the underlying problem.

‘A simple legal outcome won’t fix this.’

Even if Nayoung obtained a restraining order, her mother, in her current state, might break it without hesitation.

After what happened, worse could easily follow if nothing changed.

Seeing Nayoung look so defeated despite being the victim made me sigh silently.

“Nayoung!”

A middle-aged man suddenly rushed into the station, calling out for her.

Hearing his voice, Nayoung instantly stood up.

“Dad.”

The man hurried over, his face pale, checking her over as though to confirm she was unharmed.

“You’re not hurt anywhere?”

“No, the writer protected me, so I’m fine.”

Relief washed over the man’s face. He then turned toward me, bowing deeply in gratitude.

“I’m Chun Jinman, Nayoung’s father. I heard you were hurt because of my daughter. I’m so sorry—and thank you.”

“It was nothing serious, just a scratch.”

“Still, if you need anything for treatment or recovery, please let me know. I’ll take full responsibility.”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I don’t intend to press charges or escalate this any further.”

“Even so, I owe you. You saved my daughter.”

“Rather than compensation… I think what’s needed is a solution.”

“A solution?”

I glanced at Nayoung, who sat in silence, then looked back at him.

“Shouldn’t we prioritize protecting Ms. Chun Nayoung from her biological mother?”

“You’re absolutely right.”

“Your wife seems to need treatment more than punishment.”

Chun Jinman fell silent for a while, then nodded firmly.

“I understand. It’s time I made a decision.”

A short while later, his expression hardened as he approached the officer.

“May I see my wife?”

“She’s being held downstairs. I’ll allow a brief visit.”

After reassuring Nayoung, Chun Jinman followed the officer out of the interview room.

In Nayoung’s eyes, as she watched her father leave, a storm of emotions flickered—fear, sorrow, and resignation all tangled together.

Downstairs, in the holding cell, Nayoung’s mother was still screaming.

Even from the floor above, her voice—harsh, grating, and desperate—echoed like a jagged blade against steel walls.

When the iron door opened, Chun Jinman entered with the officer.

“I’m her mother! Bring me my daughter! Let me out!”

The woman, disheveled and wild-eyed, jumped up from the floor as soon as she saw him.

Chun Jinman looked at her coldly, his voice flat.

“I heard you threatened Nayoung with a weapon.”

“Yeah, that brat didn’t even recognize her own mother! Hanging around with some man—so I tried to discipline her! And you, what kind of father are you?”

“I didn’t press charges because you’re still her mother. I was hoping you’d come to your senses.”

“I’m not the problem—she is! Do you know how much actresses make these days? Tens of millions per episode, and she’s wasting her life!”

“You still see her as a tool for money.”

He sighed deeply, his face empty of emotion.

“I’ve made up my mind. I won’t let you hurt her anymore.”

“I poured everything into her dream! I deserve something in return!”

“No. You’ll be sent to a psychiatric hospital until you recover.”

At those words, she grabbed the bars, her eyes blazing.

“A psychiatric hospital? What right do you have?”

“You never signed the divorce papers. Legally, we’re still married.”

“Of course! If people knew we were divorced, her reputation would be ruined!”

“That’s right. Because of that, with both my and Nayoung’s consent as your guardians, we can commit you to treatment. That’s the law.”

“Ha! You think you can just lock me up? I’m not insane!”

“You are. What kind of mother attacks her daughter?”

With that, Jinman’s tone turned colder.

“I tolerated you because of Nayoung. But that ends now.”

Turning away, he addressed the officer.

“The visit’s over.”

A month later.

November’s chill had settled over Seoul, yet the streets buzzed with young people full of life.

‘Probably because the college entrance exams are over.’

Yeouido Park was crowded with students laughing, celebrating the end of their exams.

Watching them, I entered Omega Coffee.

I felt sluggish and slightly feverish, so instead of my usual iced Americano, I ordered a hot one and took a seat inside.

The warmth of the cup revived me a little.

The morning part-timer’s coffee had improved; it almost matched Nayoung’s skill now.

As I drank quietly, memories surfaced.

‘Life never runs out of surprises.’

They say everyone has their own story. Lately, I was starting to believe it.

Nayoung’s mother had been committed to a psychiatric hospital with both her and her father’s consent.

Her condition—schizophrenia compounded by alcoholism—left no room for objection.

‘Better treatment than prison, at least.’

Now Nayoung no longer had to live in fear of sudden attacks.

She told me she regretted not doing it sooner, realizing they’d both been clinging to a hopeless affection.

My own arm had healed completely, leaving only a faint mark.

Before we parted, Nayoung told me earnestly:

If I ever needed her help, I should just say so.

Now that exams were over, she had free time aside from her part-time job.

This time, I planned to take her up on that offer.

I pulled out my phone and called her.

-Yes, mister!

“Hey, Nayoung. How did the exam go?”

-Ugh, who knows? Probably okay. Geez, you’re not my teacher—why are you even asking that?

Her tone was casual, teasing now—proof that the wall between us had vanished.

I chuckled.

“The exams are done, so… are you free this evening?”

-Yeah, I finish work at six. Nothing planned after.

“I could use your help. Things are hectic on set. I’ll pay you properly.”

-I’d come even if you didn’t pay, but if you’re offering, sure!

“Good. I’ll text you the address and time.”

After ending the call, I sent her the message.

[6:30 p.m. 30, Bangulnae-ro 9an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul]

That was the filming location for the next project.