That weekend, Soyu stood in front of the mirror wearing a two-piece outfit. Her makeup was light and her accessories modest. The door opened and Jeongeun entered.

“You look beautiful.”

“Does it look okay?”

Jeongeun smiled, took her daughter’s arm, and said, 

“You shine brightly just by being yourself. Your in-laws will acknowledge you when they see you.”

“They acknowledged me before too.”

“You said his mother was friendly when you met her last time. Do well this time too. Will your father-in-law be there?”

“Yes.”

“Jinwook may seem cheerful, but he must have been lonely inside. You should fill that void for him.”

“I think I’m already doing a good job of that.”

“If they ask you to move in with them, say yes.”

Soyu frowned. Her mother kept saying this. Claiming she could live alone. But she didn’t want that. And Jinwook had told her not to say such nonsense. She had explained this many times, but her mother kept repeating the same thing. Soyu spoke indirectly.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

“Just make sure not to upset the elders.”

“What’s there to worry about? I’m just greeting them. I’ll be back soon.”

When Soyu and Jeongeun left the room, Yeoul’s eyes widened.

“Wow. Mom, you look pretty.”

“You think so?”

“You’re going to meet grandfather, right?”

“Yes. Next time, let’s take Yeoul with us too.”

“Okay. Have a safe trip.”

Soyu left the house after receiving her mature son’s farewell. Jinwook’s car was waiting outside. He got out when he saw her and opened the passenger door, but his face looked somewhat tense. Once inside the car, Soyu asked, 

“Are you nervous?”

“It’s not nervousness—I just don’t want to go.”

“We still need to go.”

She took his hand and spoke in a gentle but firm voice. Jinwook sighed and nodded.

“Whatever Father says, just let it go in one ear and out the other.”

“I will.”

Looking at her, Jinwook said once more with sincerity, 

“I’m not joking. Really, just ignore it. When it comes to finding weaknesses and hurting people, he’s number one in Korea.”

Soyu laughed.

“Jinwook, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Can you let me handle the conversation with your father?”

“Father isn’t someone you can handle. Honestly, I don’t even want to see him today, and you know this meeting was your idea.”

“Please leave it to me. I’m asking you.”

Jinwook sighed and said reluctantly, 

“Fine. But if things go south, I’m just walking out.”

“Okay. That’s fine. Also, let me decide when and how to tell him about Yeoul.”

“Are you planning not to tell him?”

“We’ll see. I’d prefer if your father changed because of you, his child, not because of Yeoul.”

After thinking for a moment, Jinwook said in a subdued voice, 

“I understand what you mean. Alright. I’ll just observe.”

“Thank you. Let’s go now.”

Soyu’s smile as she faced forward seemed somehow confident.

As the car started moving, Jinwook asked, 

“Yu-ya.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really want to have the wedding next year? Is there any chance you might change your mind or move it up because you love me so, so much?”

Soyu chuckled. Before, this kind of talk would have been burdensome, but now it was different. Cute, even. So this is how he expresses his love. She could read the feelings mixed in with Kim Jinwook’s playful manner of speaking.

“When would you like to have it?”

“Next month. I start filming in November. I want to live with you in the same room before that. We should also go on our honeymoon.”

“Will the filming take long?”

“With post-production, a bit over a year. Honestly, it’ll be hard to find time then. SoYu-ya… Please? Think of it as saving a life. Hmm?”

Soyu laughed. She wanted to do that too, but they needed to meet the parents first, and there were procedures to follow.

“Let’s meet your father first.”

“You’re marrying me, not him.”

“Shouldn’t your father be at the parents’ table during the wedding?”

“Don’t expect too much. We might be better off checking on each other through the news.”

“Is it that bad? Haven’t you tried to reconcile?”

“Don’t you remember when I had that accident in Hapcheon? Only Mom contacted me.”

Soyu looked at Jinwook with sympathetic eyes. Children grow up and become independent from their parents. But that’s physical and mental independence—blood ties aren’t so easily severed. How does the bond between parent and child get cut off like this? With each word he spoke, she could sense his wounds and loneliness. She reached out and covered his hand with hers. When he looked at her, she smiled.

“You have me and Yeoul.”

Only then did Jinwook smile brightly.

“Yes. I have you both. Let’s live well together.”

“Yes.”

The two comforted each other with smiles. Sometimes, a single smile or holding hands can be more comforting than grand, elaborate words. Their hands firmly comforted each other.

The meeting place was a traditional Korean restaurant. Following an employee’s guidance, they stood in front of a private room when the sliding door opened. Through the opening door, they could see Jinwook’s stern father, Kim Sangpil. Soyu entered the room with Jinwook and politely greeted him with her hands together.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jang Soyu.”

Sangpil had the same facial features as Jinwook, but his aura was completely different. He exuded authority and dominance.

“Sit down.”

Soyu knelt down across from him and greeted his mother, Yoon Soyoung.

“Hello, Mother.”

“Yes, hello.”

Soyoung seemed somewhat awkward.

“Let’s eat first.”

At Sangpil’s words, the door opened and an employee bowed.

“We’ll prepare the meal now.”

Sangpil nodded. After the door closed again, he asked, 

“I hear you have a child.”

Soyu met Sangpil’s eyes and answered, 

“Yes.”

“And you live with your widowed mother.”

“Yes. My father passed away.”

“If you marry, will the child take Jinwook’s surname?”

“Yes, that’s our plan.”

Sangpil’s eyebrows twitched.

“That child won’t be included in the will.”

Soyu asked, 

“By will, do you mean yours, Father? I think it might be too early to discuss wills.”

“Even if you marry our son, your child is not of Kim blood.”

“Father.”

As Jinwook tried to intervene, unable to hold back any longer, Soyu remained calm.

“I understand.”

Despite her compliant attitude, Sangpil’s eyes were full of disapproval.

“You were high school classmates?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“The boy’s mother only had good things to say about you. That you were a friend who kept him grounded when he was going astray. But I don’t understand why such a friend would neglect him like this.”

As Jinwook tried to speak, Soyu stopped him. Then she turned to Sangpil and asked with respectful but firm eyes, 

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I’m saying it’s a shame you didn’t help him when he was going astray like this.”

“I see you consider it going astray—him following his own path.”

“What else would you call it? What is he doing with his life? He can’t even support himself.”

“If I may be so bold, I believe Jinwook is admirably forging his own path in life. He may speak lightly, but that doesn’t reflect his true character. I believe he’s a person worthy of respect.”

Sangpil’s eyes flashed coldly.

“You two are just alike.”

“I used to think I didn’t need friends. I lived believing I didn’t even need to discuss my problems with anyone. But Jinwook changed my shallow thinking. Your son is a much better person than you might think. I respect Jinwook.”

At Soyu’s calm and composed words, Sangpil’s gaze softened slightly.

“So you should support him well and help him find his place.”

“I won’t force anything on him. I’m not marrying him to raise him, but to help each other become better people. And I love him deeply. I don’t think we’re the kind of couple who would be swayed by what others say.”

Sangpil understood what Soyu was trying to say.

“So you’ll go ahead with the wedding even if he cuts ties with his parents.”

“How easily can the bond between parent and child be broken? I think this issue will resolve naturally with age. Until then, I don’t plan to interfere in any way.”

Sangpil’s narrowed eyes deepened. As he pressed his lips together, his frown lines deepened. Soyoung, who had been watching from the side, grew restless. She’s supposed to be appeasing Jinwook’s father, but instead, she’s adding fuel to the fire. Sangpil spoke.

“I was willing to overlook that you’re raising a child with a widowed mother in difficult circumstances. I was even willing to overlook my son’s shortcoming in choosing to marry a single mother. But I see you won’t be any help to our family. From what you’re saying, you two will proceed with the marriage even if we oppose it?”

“Yes. That’s our plan.”

When Sangpil stood up, Soyoung grabbed her husband with a tearful face.

“Honey.”

“Get up. I have nothing more to say.”

As Sangpil stormed out, both Soyu and Jinwook stood and bowed their heads. After her husband left, Soyoung became angry.

“Why couldn’t you just go along with him? Did you have to talk back to everything he said?”

Soyu said, 

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

After looking at Soyu with resentful eyes, Soyoung sighed and left the room. Jinwook took Soyu’s hand.