“The Queen’s Tear? I’ve heard of that!” another woman chimed in.

“It’s one of only three in the world, and the other two are kept in museums. I read that it’s incredibly valuable,” she continued.

“Oh my gosh, so that rare diamond is the one she’s wearing?”

As the women whispered in awe, the nearby tables took notice. Curious, the women at the adjacent table began eavesdropping, and soon one of them opened her social media app to check for herself. Before long, others at the next table followed suit, pulling out their phones to look up the ring everyone was talking about.

The buzz about the rare diamond spread quickly, and soon everyone in the hall was fascinated by the breathtaking treasure that Seol-ah now wore.

“And now that the ring exchange is complete, we will proceed with the final part of the ceremony: the vows. Groom, please read the vows you’ve prepared.”

Hwi-gang received a deep blue velvet folder from the wedding hall staff. He had spent over an hour the previous night writing and rewriting these words. Now, he opened the folder and began to read aloud. His deep, resonant voice filled the vast 200-pyeong wedding hall with sincerity.

“First of all, I thank Heaven for bringing Jin Seol-ah into my life as my wife. For someone like me who never believed in love, you came into my life like fate and taught me how to love wholeheartedly. There may come a day when it feels like our love has faded, but when that day comes, it won’t be because my love for you has faded – it will be because you have gotten used to it.

As Hwi-gang spoke, many of the older guests nodded in understanding, while the younger women in the audience looked on with admiration, their hands clasped together.

“Love doesn’t change. People do.”

With this thought, Hwi-gang looked down at Seol-ah with gentle eyes and spoke.

“Jin Seol-ah, my love for you is as unshakable as a thousand-year-old rock, so don’t worry. No matter what kind of natural disaster occurs, my love for you will be as steadfast as that ancient rock, unshaken until the day I die. Do you understand what I mean?”

Hwi-gang spoke this out of concern for the possible trauma she might still carry from Jung-jae’s betrayal. Tears already welling up in her eyes, Seol-ah met Hwi-gang’s gaze and slowly nodded.

“I love you, Jin Seol-ah.”

At Hwi-gang’s heartfelt confession, many of the female guests were moved to tears, wiping their eyes discreetly.

“I wish I could marry a man like that,” one woman murmured, and the others beside her nodded in agreement.

“Wow, that was truly an emotional vow from the groom. Now, let’s hear the bride’s vows, shall we?”

At those words, Seol-ah’s heart began to pound. She had also spent the entire night carefully preparing her vows. They had written them in separate rooms to keep them a surprise for each other.

“Ahem.”

Seol-ah cleared her throat, trying to calm her nerves. Her eyes were still red from the emotional impact of Hwi-gang’s earlier vow. Noticing this, Hwi-gang raised his hand and gently wiped the corner of her eye with his thumb.

“Oh my, how charming,” murmured the young female guests, their admiration audible throughout the room.

“Take a deep breath.”

Hwi-gang whispered. Seol-ah nodded, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

“Bride’s vow. Life is truly unpredictable. To think that I would marry someone as noble as you—I still can’t believe it. Sometimes I wonder if I must have saved the country a hundred times in a past life,” Seol-ah said, drawing smiles from the guests.

“If your love for me is like an eternal rock, then I am the earth that supports that rock.”

Seol-ah closed the blue folder she had been holding. Then, locking eyes with Hwi-gang, she began to speak softly, letting the words come to her naturally in that heartfelt moment.

“The earth may change its appearance, but its essence remains the same. I will embrace all of you, just like this. I will be the wide, comforting place where someone like you, who does great things, can find rest. You can cry in front of me. You can get angry or pour out all the thoughts you’ve been holding inside. I am the unchanging ground that holds the eternal rock. I love you, Hwi-gang.”

Hearing Seol-ah’s words, Hwi-gang’s eyes filled with emotion, turning red. Overcome by feelings he couldn’t control, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Many guests watched them with misty eyes, moved by the touching moment.

“Haha, I knew I had a good eye for people. I’ve certainly gained a wonderful granddaughter-in-law,” Chairman Kang said, quietly wiping the corner of his eye as he thought of his late son and daughter-in-law.

* * *

One month later, an unusual tension filled the air inside Chairman Kang’s villa in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province.

“Why hasn’t there been any news about a child yet?”

“Chairman, you’re being too impatient. These days, it’s not as easy to get pregnant as it used to be. There’s so much electromagnetic radiation and environmental hormones affecting things,” the chief secretary replied.

“I’m aware of that much, but something needs to be done.”

“What… what are you planning to do?”

The chief secretary asked, his heart sinking at the thought of Chairman Kang scheming something again. Although he had been the one to initiate things in the beginning, the situation had now spiraled so far out of control that he desperately wished for it to stop.

The secretary had been losing sleep, terrified that Hwi-gang would uncover everything. And now, the chairman was planning something else.

“Let’s arrange another hospital stay. Get things ready.”

Chairman Kang ordered, and the secretary felt the blood drain from his face.

“I’m planning to collapse. Call an ambulance and tell the hospital ahead.”

“But Chairman, they’re still in their honeymoon phase. If you deliver such shocking news now…”

“Just do as I say. It’s too late to turn back now. Hwi-gang will be upset no matter what when he finds out later, so I might as well have a great-grandchild sooner.”

“Understood, Chairman.”

With no choice, he made the call to the hospital, feeling as if he were being forced into a corner with no way out.

* * *

“Hah… ahh!”

He twirled it gently. The desire to give his grandfather a grandchild before he died was as strong as his own. So they make love two or three times a day on their honeymoon and every day afterward.   

He hoped that the heavens would be impressed by his devotion and give him a new life.   

“Ahhhhh, Hwi-gang!”   

Finally, Seol-ah cl*maxed and scratched her nails on Hwi-gang’s forearm. Their n*ked bodies, intertwined below, were drenched in sweat. Their ragged breathing, their unfocused pupils, and their longing for each other combined to bring them to their climax.   

“I love you.” 

“I love you too, Hwi-gang.”

“How about we change our names?” 

‘!’  

After pouring his hot cum deep into Seol-ah’s body, Hwi-gang got off her, lay down next to her and said.   

“We should change our nicknames. We should have special names for each other. At the office, you call me ‘Executive Director’ and at home, it’s ‘Hwi-gang’. I understand the formal tone at work, but don’t you think it’s a bit too formal at home?”