The next morning, Soyu and Jinwook woke up. Jinwook’s head, still not fully recovered from the alcohol, looked like a bird’s nest. Seeing him, Soyu spoke in a rough voice.

“Is this how a groom drinks himself to death the night before his wedding?”

Jinwook clutched his head in pain and groaned.

“Ugh… my head…”

Soyu got up, took a hangover remedy from the refrigerator, and handed it to him.

“Drink this. You need to be clear-headed for the ceremony.”

Jinwook took the remedy with a look of gratitude.

“You’re truly an amazing wife.”

“Are you planning to drink today too?”

Of course, both of them and their friends would stay one more day here. Under the pretext of having an after-party.

“I probably won’t drink today. We’ll just have some clean conversations.”

Soyu glared at him with intimidating eyes as he blatantly lied. She sighed and got to the point.

“Did you call your mother?”

“Huh? No, I didn’t.”

Soyu sighed again.

“If Yeoul grows up to be like you, I’d feel really hurt. She came all the way here for us.”

Jinwook scratched his head with an “Ah!”

“I’ll do it.”

Soyoung hadn’t just left home—she had declared divorce. When her husband wouldn’t budge even after learning Yeoul was his biological grandson, Soyoung, disillusioned with their marriage, acted swiftly and boldly. After leaving home, she immediately purchased her own place and moved in the day after meeting Yeoul. She delivered her divorce intentions to her husband through a lawyer and threatened to formally submit it to court if he didn’t attend the wedding.

When the call connected, Jinwook spoke cheerfully.

“Mom. Hello. How are you feeling? It’s your son’s wedding day today.”

[Kid. Can’t you be a little more mature?]

“I’ve lived like this my whole life, why change now? What time will you arrive?”

[I’ll arrive around eleven. The chefs just called to say they’ve arrived.]

Originally, they had planned to prepare food like a village feast with cauldrons in the yard. But when Soyoung heard this, she furiously objected and arranged for chefs from a luxury hotel instead. Jinwook laughed sheepishly.

“Mom. Thank you. How’s the new house?”

[A house is just a house.]

“Father won’t be coming, right?”

[If he doesn’t come, he’ll only hear about us through the news.]

Jinwook’s eyes widened.

“Are you really getting divorced?”

[What, should I fake a divorce?]

“Why? Do you really need to go as far as divorce? Because of me?”

[Didn’t you stop seeing your father because he hit you?]

“That’s not it.”

[It’s the same for me. I’ve endured enough for a lifetime. See you later.]

Looking at the disconnected call, Jinwook raised his head and said to Soyu.

“It looks like Mom is really going through with the divorce.”

“That’s her decision.”

“But at that age, is it really necessary?”

“I respect your mother’s decision. Whether your father accepts her wishes or not, we shouldn’t interfere in their divorce.”

Jinwook flinched.

“Wow… you’re so cold-blooded… so Jang Soyu-like…”

When she glared at him with piercing eyes, Jinwook jumped and headed for the bathroom.

“I should wash up. I’ll go first.”

As he entered the bathroom, Soyu left the room and knocked on the adjacent door.

“Mom.”

The door opened, and Jeongeun appeared.

“Did you get some sleep? You seemed to come in late last night.”

“Jinwook was completely wasted. Why would he want to do that the night before our wedding?”

Jeongeun laughed at her daughter’s complaint.

“He’s probably excited to see his friends after so long.”

“He’ll drink today too. They’re all determined.”

“He doesn’t usually drink, though.”

Soyu crossed her arms, her eyes fierce with anger. She looked at Yeoul, who was still sleeping.

“When Yeoul wakes up, have breakfast together. I made reservations at the restaurant next door.”

“Don’t worry about us. You need to get ready now.”

“Yes, I should. I wonder if Yeonsu is awake.”

Her friend Oh Yeonsu had agreed to do the bridal makeup.

“Did you bring the dress?”

“Yes. I just need to wash up and get ready.”

“What about Mrs. Sa?”

“She said she’ll arrive around eleven.”

“And your father-in-law… isn’t he coming?”

“I don’t know.”

Jeongeun sighed.

“He should at least give in for his child’s sake…”

“Father-in-law must have his own stubbornness.”

“Are you okay with your father-in-law not coming?”

“Well, I didn’t expect Mother-in-law to come either, so that’s enough.”

Jeongeun suddenly wiped away a tear.

“If your father were alive, he would have walked you down the aisle…”

Soyu looked at her crying mother with understanding eyes, hugged her, and patted her back.

“Mom. You’ve been through so much. Thank you.”

“What hardship is there in a child’s matters… Mom is so grateful to you…”

Soyu smiled at her mother and said,

“I love you, Mom. I’m grateful that you’re my mother.”

Jeongeun burst into tears at her typically cold daughter’s heartfelt words.

The wedding ceremony began. The autumn sky was exceptionally clear. White, round tables were set up in the spacious courtyard of the well-maintained hanok, and on one side, chefs in uniform moved with precision at a temporary cooking station. A flower path, prepared by their classmate Wonwoo, was laid out for the bride to walk on. It was a simple but beautiful wedding.

Taeseop and Hyunwook stood at the master of ceremonies’ podium, while film director Choi Hajun stood at the officiant’s position. Director Choi was the only film industry figure present, and no staff from either Mirae Production Company or Soyu’s company Yeoul attended. Instead, the tables were filled only with Jinwook and Soyu’s classmates.

Taeseop and Hyunwook’s fathers, considering their relationship with Jinwook’s father Kim Sangpil, did not attend but sent generous wedding gifts through their sons. Taeseop’s expression suddenly brightened as he watched the gate. Hyunwook’s sister Hyuna and Hyein, who had accompanied them to Anmyeondo, entered through the gate. Dressed in civilian clothes, the two women looked like young ladies their age rather than soldiers. Taeseop nudged Hyunwook.

“Hyuna’s here.”

Hyunwook looked at the gate with a sour expression.

“Why is she here instead of guarding the country like she’s supposed to?”

Taeseop hit Hyunwook’s back with force. Startled, Hyunwook yelled.

“Ouch! Why did you hit me?”

“Watch what you say.”

Taeseop left the MC’s podium and approached Hyuna.

“You came.”

“Yes. Hyein came too.”

Taeseop greeted Hyein shyly.

“You came? Was the journey difficult?”

Hyein smiled shyly and replied,

“It was fine coming with the Captain. Are you hosting the ceremony?”

“Yes. I’ll arrange seats for you.”

Hyuna made an “oho” expression at the pink atmosphere between the two, while Hyunwook, directly observing this, looked shocked with his mouth hanging open. Shortly after, Soyoung entered through the gate wearing a hanbok in shades of blue. Jeongeun, recognizing her, approached and took her hand.

“Thank you, Mrs. Sa.”

Soyoung smiled gently and said,

“I came alone. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. We’re grateful that you came.”

The two mothers-in-law smiled at each other. Soyoung asked,

“I don’t see Yeoul.”

“Yeoul is the flower boy. He’s practicing now.”

Soyoung looked pleased. The two mothers-in-law sat side by side at a table, chatting amicably.

Meanwhile, outside the gate, Yeoul was receiving special training from his father. Holding a basket filled with flower petals, Yeoul asked,

“Do I scatter them like this?”

The child raised his hand slightly and sprinkled the petals as if letting them fall. Jinwook responded seriously,

“That’s not dramatic enough. It should be more spectacular.”

“What does spectacular mean?”

Jinwook swung his arm widely.

“If you scatter the petals while doing this, it would be more dramatic.”

Yeoul grabbed some petals and followed his father’s example. Jinwook laughed loudly and clapped.

“Great! Good! Cut!”

“Is that okay now?”

“Yes! Well done! Son!”

“But why isn’t Mom coming?”

“She’ll be here soon. Women take longer to get ready than men.”

“Is Mom a woman?”

Jinwook laughed awkwardly.

“Well, what else would she be if not a woman?”

“Mom is just Mom.”

After thinking for a moment, Jinwook bent down, placed his hands on his son’s shoulders, and said seriously,

“To you, she’s Mom. To me, she’s a woman. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Just then, a luxury car slowly approached. Jinwook straightened up, and his face hardened as he watched the car. He seemed tense and hid Yeoul behind him. The car stopped in front of them, and a chauffeur got out from the driver’s seat and opened the back door. The person who emerged was Kim Sangpil, Jinwook’s father.

Sangpil looked at his son with an expressionless face and then at Yeoul hiding behind him. Yeoul, peering out with just his eyes visible, asked,

“Dad, who is that?”

Jinwook brought Yeoul forward and said,

“Yeoul, this is your paternal grandfather.”

Yeoul looked up at him with round eyes, but Sangpil’s stern face didn’t soften. Yeoul politely bowed from the waist.

“Hello, Grandfather. I’m Kim Yeoul.”

Seeing the clear voice and sparkling eyes, Sangpil approached his grandson.

“Are you Yeoul?”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you, Grandfather.”

Sangpil’s eyes curved slightly at the child’s unusually mature speech.

“You look just like your father when he was young.”

“Grandmother said the same thing last time. Grandfather, does that mean Dad looks like you too? Are the three of us all the same?”

Sangpil’s eyes widened slightly at the cheeky child’s words, and the corners of his mouth turned up.

“You’re quite clever.”

“Yes. Everyone says I’m smart. Is that why you became a vice chairman of a big company, because you’re smart too?”

“How do you know that?”

“Mom told me. She said to behave respectfully when I meet Grandfather.”

Just then, the car carrying Soyu arrived. It stopped behind Sangpil’s car, and Soyu, wearing a wedding dress, got out with the help of her friend Yeonsu. Seeing her father-in-law, Soyu approached and bowed respectfully.

“You came, Father.”

Sangpil looked at his daughter-in-law for a moment and asked,

“Did you expect me to come?”

“No. But I was hoping you would.”

“You’ve raised the child well.”

“He takes after Jinwook.”

Sangpil looked at his son. Seeing Jinwook’s awkward expression, Sangpil said,

“He’ll give you a lot of trouble in the future. I’m sorry and thankful.”

Jinwook’s lips quivered at his father’s words. As Jinwook was about to speak, Soyu warned him with her eyes and said,

“Please go in, Father.”

“I’ll take Yeoul in with me.”

“Yeoul will be the flower boy. I’ll have him sit next to you afterward.”

Sangpil bent down and smiled at his grandson. Jinwook’s eyes widened as he saw his father smile.

“Yeoul, will you play with Grandfather when you return from your trip?”

“Yes! Grandfather, can I brag to my friends?”

“About what?”

“That I now have a grandfather and grandmother.”

Sangpil’s eyes curved into circles.

“Yes. Brag all you want. Do your flower boy duties well, and then sit next to Grandfather.”

“Yes!”

As Sangpil went inside, murmurs could be heard from within. Jinwook grumbled to Soyu,

“What’s this? He never smiled at me like that.”

Soyu laughed incredulously.

“Are you jealous of a child?”

“Well, yeah. Tsk.”

Just then, Yeoul tugged at his father’s pants.

“Dad, act like a grown-up.”

“What?”

“When Grandfather offers to make peace, you should accept it. Understand?”

Jinwook looked dumbfounded.

“Huh?”

“I’ll be watching to see if you’ve matured.”

As Jinwook’s face grew complicated, Taeseop’s voice came from inside.

“The flower boy role will be performed by the couple’s son, Kim Yeoul. Flower boy, enter!”

Yeoul, holding his flower basket, gave his father a “fighting” gesture and stood at the gate. As his son turned to look back, Soyu maintained her smile and said quietly,

“Do well, Kim Jinwook. If you mess up, I’ll be upset for the rest of my life.”

Jinwook flinched at Soyu’s threat. Yeoul led the way, scattering flower petals, with the couple following behind. As the family of three appeared, friends whistled and shouted,

“He’s so handsome, just like his father!”

“Live well, Jang Soyu! Kim Jinwook!”

Both Soyu and Jinwook smiled brightly. As they entered, Soyu’s eyes widened. On a screen set up at one side of the venue, their photos were being displayed. There were pictures of the three of them at the Paju museum and photos that Jinwook had been so diligently taking but never showing. Surprised, Soyu blinked, and Jinwook whispered,

“My wedding gift. I love you, Soyu.”

Tears welled up in Soyu’s brightly smiling eyes. She felt so fortunate to become Jinwook’s wife. The couple entered amid the blessings of their friends. And so began a memorable wedding that would never come again.