Soyu asked calmly, “Will you be coming?”

Soyoung made a troubled expression. “I…”

“Couldn’t just you come, Mother?”

“What?”

“I sincerely hope Father and Jinwook reconcile. But I believe that’s something neither you nor I can force. How long would a reconciliation last if it doesn’t come from the heart? Still, I wish you would at least come for Jinwook’s sake.”

At Soyu’s words, Soyoung gave a weak smile.

“You’re right. I couldn’t manage it all these years, so I’m sorry for pushing it on you. I thought Jinwook might listen to you since he seems to love you. Don’t take it to heart. And about the wedding, I’ll think about it more and let you know.”

“Please come. Father is Father, and you are you. I don’t think a married couple necessarily needs to think and act as one.”

Soyoung looked at her daughter-in-law with gentle eyes.

“Jinwook is my son, but he has his clumsy sides. I feel much better knowing he’s found someone as capable as you for a partner. Thank you.”

“I learn a lot from Jinwook. I’m not really a social person by nature.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Soyoung took out a white envelope from her bag and placed it on the table.

“Use this for the wedding preparations.”

“No, we don’t need much money.”

“Still, take it because an elder is giving it to you. I’ll be hurt if you don’t accept it. Don’t tell Jinwook and use it for whatever you need.”

Normally, she wouldn’t have accepted it. But feeling her mother-in-law’s sincerity, she took the envelope and bowed.

“Thank you.”

“Are you making other preparations?”

“Yes. All our classmates are helping out.”

“Taeseop and Hyunwook?”

“Not just those two, but all our high school classmates. Everyone stepped up when they heard Jinwook was getting married.”

“Really?”

“Mother, Jinwook did well in school. Everyone really came forward when they heard he was getting married. This isn’t easy to achieve, and it means Jinwook has been a good person. He’s truly a wonderful person. You can trust him.”

Soyoung’s eyes reddened as she looked at Soyu.

“Why couldn’t we trust such a child…”

If parents don’t trust their child, who will? But Soyoung held back her words.

“I’ll try to persuade his father again. But I should attend the wedding regardless.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard. You might get hurt too.”

“My heart is already burnt black. What more could be scorched?”

Soyoung took her daughter-in-law’s hand.

“Live well. Thank you. Next time, let me see the child too.”

“We’re moving to Jinwook’s house at the end of this month. Would you like to come then?”

“The house Jinwook bought?”

Her mother-in-law knew the details of Jinwook’s recent life. Even at their first meeting, she already knew about her. It wasn’t pleasant, but Soyu didn’t show it.

“Yes.”

“Will your mother be living with you too?”

“Yes.”

“Then it might be better if I don’t come, to avoid any awkwardness. Just send me news occasionally.”

“Please don’t say that. Come visit us. My mother won’t mind. You should see your grandchild too.”

The look in her eyes as she gazed at Soyu was profound. Soyoung reached across the table, took her daughter-in-law’s hand, and patted it gently.

“When Jinwook met his father, it was the first time I saw them not fight. You’re right. Eventually, things will work out. I’ll come once before the wedding. I’ll see your child then too.”

“Thank you.”

After meeting her mother-in-law and returning to the office, Soyu’s phone rang. It was Jinwook. When she pressed the answer button, an energetic voice came through.

[Wifey! What are you doing?]

Soyu laughed.

“What’s with ‘wifey’?”

[Saying ‘wife’ sounds too old-fashioned, right? I came up with a nickname. Have you eaten lunch?]

“Yes, I ate earlier. Where are you?”

[I’m at the office. It’s absolute chaos here.]

The door opened, and as Soyu walked down the corridor, she confirmed no one was around and spoke softly.

“Wook-ah. Let’s live well together.”

[Hmm. When you say that, I get so moved I want to fly straight to Gwacheon.]

Smiling, Soyu said tenderly, 

“I love you, Kim Jinwook.”

After a moment of silence following her words, Jinwook’s urgent voice came through.

[Wait. I’m coming.]

“Hey, where are you coming? Go back to work.”

[I’m coming. After hearing you say you love me, how could I focus on anything else? I’m leaving now. See you soon.]

Looking at the disconnected call, Soyu smiled brightly, clearly pleased. If Jinwook was coming, she should finish her work quickly too. She entered the office, sat at her desk, and concentrated.

Jinwook hummed a tune while rhythmically tapping the steering wheel. Perhaps because it was a weekday, the roads weren’t congested. As he passed by Soyu’s office, he spotted a flower shop on the roadside and parked his car. Soyu had seemed to like the bouquet she received before. He got out of the car and entered the flower shop. The inside was filled with the fragrance of flowers. The owner greeted him kindly.

“Welcome. Are you buying flowers?”

“Yes, for my fiancée.”

The refrigerator was full of flowers. Even though he wasn’t particularly fond of flowers, just looking at them made him happy.

“Please make it as beautiful as possible.”

“Does your fiancée prefer something extravagant?”

“Make it simple yet romantic, please.”

“Alright. Please wait a moment.”

While waiting for the bouquet to be made, Jinwook smiled as he imagined Soyu’s reaction when she received it. Then, a small potted plant on the floor caught his eye. It had white petals with a light pink circle around them like a plate. He asked, “What’s the name of this one?”

“It’s a dianthus. Small and pretty, right? Its flower language is also beautiful. It means ‘love’.”

Jinwook’s eyes sparkled.

“Love?”

“Yes.”

“Can you wrap this one too?”

“Yes, I can. Would you like the dianthus pot as well?”

“Yes, please.”

A short while later, when he left the flower shop, he was carrying a light pink bouquet and a small potted plant.

Soyu, who had received Jinwook’s message while working, finished up her task, packed her bag, and stood up.

“I’ll be leaving early today. I’m sorry. With the wedding just around the corner, things are hectic.”

“It’s fine. Take care on your way home.”

“Thank you, Boss. They say this is the most chaotic yet happiest time.”

“How does someone who’s not even married know that so well?”

“I have a married friend. Please go ahead.”

“Alright, I’ll be going then.”

Leaving the office, Soyu chuckled to herself. She had changed a lot. She used to live as if leaving work at this hour would be a disaster. Entering the café on the first floor, she approached Jinwook, who was waving at her. A buzzer was already on the table, suggesting he had ordered in advance.

“Did you order for me too?”

“Yes, a yogurt smoothie.”

“You didn’t order coffee?”

“You should cut down on coffee.”

Soyu’s face, sitting across from him, was radiantly bright. She opened her mouth to speak.

“I just met your mother here earlier.”

Jinwook’s eyes widened.

“My mom?”

“Yes, she came by.”

When Jinwook slightly frowned, Soyu scolded him.

“You don’t need to be like that with your mother. She left very worried about you.”

“What did she say? Did she ask you to persuade me?”

“She did at first, but when I refused, she apologized.”

At the mention of an apology, Jinwook’s expression softened.

“I asked her to at least come to the wedding.”

“Did she say she would?”

“She said she’d think about it.”

“She probably won’t come because of Father. She’s never defied Father in her life. The first time she did was when she helped me go to Parsons.”

“She seemed conflicted.”

“She would be. I feel sorry for Mom too.”

Soyu took out the envelope her mother-in-law had given her and handed it to Jinwook.

“Your mother left this.”

“What is it? Money?”

“She said to use it for the wedding preparations.”

“Didn’t she give it to you?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you giving it to me?”

“I still think you should know about it. That way, you’ll feel less resentful toward your mother, right?”

Jinwook chuckled.

“How much did she give?”

“I haven’t looked yet. You check.”

“My mom isn’t stingy, but…”

As he opened the envelope, Jinwook’s eyes widened in shock.

“W-what is this? How many zeros are there… Whoa!”

After counting the zeros, Jinwook showed the check to Soyu in astonishment. Her eyes widened too.

“Twenty million?”

Soyu blinked. She had expected 50,000 at most. But this amount was far too large.

“Should we return it?”

At her words, Jinwook grimaced.

“Hey, why would we return it? She gave it for you to use, right?”

Soyu gave him a sharp look.

“This didn’t come from your father’s pocket, did it?”

“I suppose not?”

“This could be money your mother saved her entire life.”

“Hey, she’s still the wife of Mirae Group’s vice chairman. The wealthy have much more money than you think. And if I had held the wedding my parents wanted, they would have spent several times this amount. This is probably just what she felt was proper to give. If we return it, wouldn’t your mother feel insulted?”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do. My mom might tolerate a lot of things, but she becomes scary when her pride is hurt. Just accept it gratefully and either use it for what you need or set it aside for Yeoul. Didn’t you mention Yeoul to her?”

“Not yet. If I tell your mother, your father will find out too. If you want to reconcile with your father that way, I’ll tell her. Just let me know whenever.”