Chapter 5: The Wedding
Two weeks later, the day before the wedding.
The ceremony was to be held in a small chapel near Haeyoung’s home.
Because the marriage had been arranged so suddenly, a formal wedding wasn’t feasible.
Moreover, since both the bride and groom were still teenagers, a grand wedding felt meaningless.
They agreed to hold a proper ceremony later—after college graduation or once they started working.
Even though Boksun knew she wouldn’t live to see that day, she was happy.
She was simply relieved to know that Haeyoung wouldn’t be left alone after she was gone.
That night, as the hours grew late, Boksun’s bedroom door opened without warning.
“Grandma.”
Haeyoung, in her pajamas, clutched her pillow tightly and came into her grandmother’s room.
Boksun, who had been watching a music program, turned off the TV in surprise.
“Oh dear, can’t sleep, my little sweetie?”
“Mm…”
Haeyoung laid her pillow beside her grandmother and crawled under the covers.
“I’m going to sleep next to you tonight. You know, in dramas, the bride always sleeps next to her mom the night before the wedding.”
With a playful wink, Haeyoung teased, and Boksun pulled her into a warm embrace.
“Oh my, how can I send off my little girl to get married?”
When Boksun gently patted her back and spoke with concern, Haeyoung quickly caught on.
“Then should we call it off?”
“As if.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll do it. I’ll get married!”
Afraid her grandmother would keep nagging, Haeyoung quickly changed the subject.
Boksun, who had drawn in a shaky breath, exhaled calmly and continued patting Haeyoung’s back with her time-worn hands—just as she had done when Haeyoung was a little girl afraid of nightmares.
“Haeyoung, once you’re there, make sure to listen to the chairman, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Eat well, sleep well, study hard. And don’t get sick.”
“Okay.”
“Even so, thinking that I’m sending you off to get married makes me feel a little more at ease.”
After her conversation with Chairman Joo, Haeyoung had tried to understand her grandmother—and eventually, she did.
She understood why Boksun didn’t want to cling to meaningless treatments as she approached death.
“Grandma, did you pack everything?”
“Yes, I did. I double-checked everything.”
She also understood that her grandmother wanted to spend the last part of her life not as Haeyoung’s guardian, but as Kim Boksun the person—traveling the country with her old friend.
After the wedding tomorrow, Boksun planned to leave on a nationwide trip with her lifelong friend Jeomsun.
Of course, they’d be accompanied by Jeomsun’s son, Cheolsu, who would act as their guide.
This was the first and last item on Boksun’s bucket list.
She had married at nineteen, lost her husband early, never traveled, raised her children, and then her grandchildren.
Boksun had sprinted through life without rest, and now she wanted one final break.
But Haeyoung wanted to be with her grandmother until the very end.
When Boksun told her of the plan, they cried, argued, and wrestled emotionally.
After days of crying, Haeyoung finally agreed to let her grandmother go.
Because she knew better than anyone how suffocating Boksun’s life had been.
“I saw the car Cheolsu uncle remodeled. It looked super comfortable.”
“Sure. That boy, he’s never been one to earn big money, but he’s always had a knack for tinkering.”
“Yeah, I remember he used to modify my toys when I was little.”
Haeyoung smiled faintly at the memory.
If she didn’t force a smile, she felt she might cry at any moment.
Then, Boksun spoke while gently patting her back.
“Haeyoung, you must resent Grandma, huh?”
“…Huh?”
Haeyoung pressed down her watery voice, pretending not to understand.
“For marrying you off without asking… and then just going off on a trip.”
“Tch… Why say that now?”
When Haeyoung grumbled playfully, Boksun held her tighter.
“Think of it as practicing for saying goodbye, Haeyoung. Even if you resent me now, this will make things a little easier later.”
“Okay… So just have fun on your trip, Grandma. Enjoy it, alright?”
Moonlight spilled into the room, and tears rolled silently down Haeyoung’s cheek.
She had come to understand a heavy truth of life far too early.
Feeling the subtle tremor of her granddaughter’s sobs, Boksun pulled her even closer.
“My sweet girl… I’m sorry. I won’t be around long. I’m really sorry.”
“What do you have to be sorry for, Grandma…? I’m the one who’s sorry.”
Haeyoung fought to hold back her tears and speak in a bright voice.
“I… I wanted to become a famous drama writer and buy you nice clothes, delicious food, a house… I wanted to take care of you.”
“Haeyoung. I’ve already received it all—from your heart.”
“Grandma…”
Haeyoung buried herself even deeper in Boksun’s embrace and took a deep breath, hoping to remember her grandmother’s familiar scent for a long, long time.
And so, the bittersweet night before the wedding deepened.
The next morning.
Though it was a chilly January day, the sky was brilliantly clear, as if blessing the young couple.
Wearing the white dress Chairman Joo had sent, Haeyoung went to her usual salon to have her hair styled into a low bun.
The salon owner, who usually gave her tidy trims, excitedly tried a new look she’d found online—saying it might be the only time someone in the countryside gets to do wedding hair.
Her hands, used to curling perms, finally had the freedom to create something elegant.
Cheolsu, Jeomsun’s son, arrived in a 20-year-old car decorated with flowers to pick up Haeyoung and Jeomsun.
A few villagers came to give Haeyoung warm wishes, holding her hands and hugging her in congratulations.
And so, Haeyoung boarded the car, ready to become a nineteen-year-old bride.
Chairman Joo had arrived early in Pohang with Taesung.
With a makeup artist and personal shopper, he rented out a small café beside the chapel to finish preparations.
Though this marriage had been hastily arranged due to an old promise, appearances still had to be kept.
Through his connections, he hired florists and planners from the renowned J Hotel, famous for weddings.
Normally, outside work wasn’t allowed, but Chairman Choi—an ally—happily lent his staff.
Thus, the most humble yet luxurious wedding venue was born.
As he was being updated on the preparations, Taesung emerged from a makeshift dressing room inside the café and approached Chairman Joo.
“Grandfather.”
Now in formal wear with proper shoes and styled hair, Taesung looked the part of a groom.
He was on the border between boyhood and manhood—fresh and quietly striking.
“Well, what a fine-looking grandson I have.”
Chairman Joo muttered gruffly.
Though it should’ve been a joyful day, he was still displeased with Taesung for leaving Boksun alone last time.
“That’s because I take after you.”
Trying to make amends, Taesung threw in a charming tone, and Chairman Joo’s lips twitched.
But he quickly composed himself and spoke sternly.
“Apologize properly to the bride’s grandmother when she arrives.”
“Yes, yes, I know.”
“And be kind to Haeyoung.”
“……”
Unlike how Taeseong immediately answered when told to apologize, he remained silent when told to be kind to Haeyoung.
“Is this guy for real?”
“…I said I got it already.”
Reluctantly responding, Chairman Joo cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.
“Listen carefully. Since you, Taeseong, were born as the grandson of this Joo Hakseok, you never had the freedom to marry whoever you wanted. So don’t make Haeyoung bear any unnecessary resentment.”
When Chairman Joo made him face reality, Taeseong slightly pursed his lips and retorted.
“So, I don’t even have the right to love?”
“That’s why instead of the right to love, I gave you the freedom to pursue your dreams. So love the bride your grandfather chose for you. Haeyoung is a decent girl—pure and deep inside.”
“Grandpa seems warm and kind, but sometimes he really acts like a businessman.”
“Tsk. Director Kim, fix Taeseong’s hair again. The right side is sticking out.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Chairman Joo ignored the comment and dismissed Taeseong from the room.
Taeseong had only understood that the reason for this marriage was a promise to a close friend.
It was because Mrs. Kim Boksoon wanted to keep her illness a secret.
“There’s really no need to worry Taeseong. It’s better if he doesn’t know.”
Of course, he would naturally find out when her life ended, but there was no need to tell him beforehand.
Although opinions differed, Chairman Joo agreed with her.
Since this marriage was happening in a rush, they needed time for the two to grow closer.
He hoped their relationship would not be based on pity.
‘Since they’re getting married anyway, I hope they get along well.’
Chairman Joo’s frown deepened like a canyon as he looked at Taeseong adjusting his outfit.
He prayed to the heavens, the gods, and his friend in the sky that Taeseong and Haeyoung would get along well.
At 1 p.m., the wedding ceremony time approached.
Inside the church, where some relatives and villagers had gathered, only a gentle murmur could be heard.
Cheolsu, who not only drove Haeyoung here but was also the MC, shouted toward the end of the virgin road:
“Groom, enter!”
At that signal, soft music played, and Taeseong walked down the virgin road.
When he reached the altar, Cheolsu shouted, “Bride, enter!”
At that moment, Haeyoung stepped onto the virgin road.
Her graceful figure drew praise and exclamations from the adults.
“Oh my, how beautiful.”
“She’s so pure and lovely.”
At those words, Taeseong turned around and looked at Haeyoung walking toward him.
“So, love the bride your grandfather chose for you.”
Normally, the bell of joy rings at a wedding, but in Taeseong’s ears, his grandfather’s advice echoed loudly.
‘Me, loving that super loser? No way.’
Taeseong stared at Haeyoung and arrogantly twisted one corner of his mouth into a sneer.
