Soo-jin, hearing the constant coughing and hiccuping, came to her senses.
Looking at both the old priest and Ji-eun one by one in confusion, not knowing what had happened here, the old priest and Ji-eun, seeing Soo-jin's inquiring gaze, looking at both of them in turn.
They both averted their gazes, not wanting to look her in the eye, as they suppressed their coughing and hiccuping, doing their best to dodge her eye contact, embarrassment vivid on their faces.
Soo-jin, feeling everyone's gaze on her and Joon-ho hugging, wanted to get out of this embarrassing situation quickly as she tried to release her hug but was unable to do so because Joon-ho was tightly holding her without letting her go.
Soo-jin, seeing Joon-ho peacefully closing his eyes, enjoying their hug unknowingly, smiled. Sighing, she tapped on Joon-ho's chest, silently signaling him to release her. But how could Joon-ho release her? He was in his own world, daydreaming about Soo-jin.
Soo-jin, embarrassed, tried to wiggle out of his hug but couldn't, as his strong hands were firmly holding her delicate body.
Not knowing what to do, she placed her hand on her forehead and thought she could never escape from Joon-ho—not in the past and not right now.
Annoyed, she banged her heel on his shoe hard.
"Aaaaaaa..."
As the loud cry of pain sounded from Joon-ho's mouth, he immediately released the hug, slumped down, and grabbed his aching toe, pain written all over his face.
His leg still hurting, he looked up at Soo-jin with a resentful gaze, not knowing what he had done to deserve this.
Soo-jin, seeing Joon-ho's pained face, felt bad but secretly regretted that Joon-ho was not hugging her anymore. Looking into his eyes, she thought, It was your fault for not releasing me sooner.
Joon-ho, hearing Soo-jin's words in his head, had dark lines forming on his face. He said to her in his mind, But it was you who ran to me and hugged me.
Soo-jin, hearing him in her head, embarrassed, dodged his eye contact, tilting her head sideways as she hummed.
"Hmm."
Joon-ho, looking at her angry face, felt wronged. Sighing as the pain slowly faded away, he stood up. Seeing the tears still staining her face, he offered her his handkerchief.
Soo-jin, wiping her face with his handkerchief, heard the old priest speak in a resentful tone.
"You there, Joon-ho, can't you hold back a little? You are going to get married right now. Why must you waste everyone's time like this?"
The old priest, not wanting to take any more embarrassment, spoke to Joon-ho in spite. Joon-ho, hearing the old priest, had a blank look on his face, not knowing what he did wrong this time.
Opposite to him, Soo-jin, hearing the old priest's words, furrowed her brows, looking at him with dangerous eyes. She wanted to scold him harshly.
The old priest on stage suddenly got chills, goosebumps forming on his neck. Looking around and rubbing his neck silently, he felt like someone was watching him from the shadows, that someone would bite his neck off anytime, as he trembled in fear.
Soo-jin wanted to tear his mouth off—ah no, I mean, she wanted to gently educate him, just wanted to give him a piece of her mind, to tell him to keep his mouth shut, but regretfully for her and fortunately for the priest, she didn't get her chance to give him a piece of her mind—of course, gently.
Joon-ho, holding her hand, led her towards the stage. Unknown to him as he led her on the stage on time, his beastly wife was saved, her gentle, kind, and virtuous woman image was preserved.
Soo-jin, letting go of the grudge, sliding her hand into Joon-ho's arm, now faintly recalling there was something in her hands.
As a lightning strike hit her mind, looking down and seeing the flowers in her hand fine and not ruined by their hug, she sighed in relief, realizing fortunately they were fake flowers.
In a traditional wedding, the bride is typically escorted by her father, but Soo-jin, hating her parents to the core, loathing them to her bones with their estranged relationship, firmly refused to be escorted by her biological father.
In the previous timeline, Soo-jin was escorted by her long-time old friend Ji-eun. Remembering Ji-eun and what she had done to her, Soo-jin regretted hurting Ji-eun and acting too aggressively.
Soo-jin thought she would apologize to her after this wedding ended, feeling fear that she would lose her one and only friend.
Soo-jin, when running towards the hall earlier, thought this time she would be alone, not even Ji-eun there to escort her onto the stage.
But she was wrong, looking beside her as she climbed the stairs of the stage, she realized never once was she alone.
Looking at his genuine smile, she thought, I never needed to tell him. He would always be there beside me whenever I needed him, as they both walked onto the stage together, smiling widely.
The old priest, still trembling, cleared his throat, and calming down, he started his job of welcoming the bride and groom, though it was too late anyway.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God, family, and friends to witness and celebrate the union of Kim Soo-jin and Kim Joon-ho in holy matrimony.
This is a sacred occasion, where two souls are joined together as one, surrounded by the love and support of those dearest to them.
As we come together to honor their commitment, let us take a moment to reflect on the beauty of love, the importance of faith, and the journey that Kim Soo-jin and Kim Joon-ho are about to begin.
Let us open our hearts to the joy of this moment, and may God's blessings be with us all.
Let us now bow our heads in prayer."
As everyone stood up bowing their heads in prayer towards the Lord, Joon-ho and Soo-jin were happy for the fact that they were getting married again. Joy was vivid on their faces.