o38 || resolve
the pursuit of happiness
38
resolve
“It’s the day,” Jaehyun smiled.
Yerim smiled back, giving Jaehyun’s hand a gentle squeeze as they walked inside Seoul’s District Office.
Yerim smiled back, giving Jaehyun’s hand a gentle squeeze as they walked inside Seoul’s District Office.
“Hello, welcome to Seoul’s District Office. How may I help you?” a woman greeted them as soon as they went inside.
“Ah, we’re here to register our marriage,” Jaehyun said sheepishly as he took out a folder filled with the required documents.
“Okay, have you filled out the registration forms?” The woman asked.
“Yes, yes. Here it is.”
“Ah, we’re here to register our marriage,” Jaehyun said sheepishly as he took out a folder filled with the required documents.
“Okay, have you filled out the registration forms?” The woman asked.
“Yes, yes. Here it is.”
The woman read the form slowly as she filled in the data into her computer.
“The witness from the husband’s side, is your brother correct?”
“Yes.”
“And the one from the wife’s side, is your close friend?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, wait a minute.”
“The witness from the husband’s side, is your brother correct?”
“Yes.”
“And the one from the wife’s side, is your close friend?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, wait a minute.”
Yerim looked up to Jaehyun. In a matter of minutes, this man will officially be her husband. That’s wild. She reached for his hand, grasping it tightly as they both watched the woman work with anticipation.
“Excited?” Jaehyun whispered.
Yerim nodded her head excitedly.
“Excited?” Jaehyun whispered.
Yerim nodded her head excitedly.
“Excuse me, is it correct that the husband has had kids before?” The woman inquired hesitantly as she looked up Jaehyun's background on her computer.
“Ah, yes. They are both adopted kids. Do you need to see the documents?”
“Sure.”
“Ah, yes. They are both adopted kids. Do you need to see the documents?”
“Sure.”
Jaehyun took out Jeno and Sungchan’s adoption documents, presenting them to the woman.
“They were adopted in China?”
“Yes. But I have processed their legal Korean adoption too,” Jaehyun said, pointing at the documents.
“Did the wife know of them?”
“Yes, I knew them already,” Yerim nodded.
“Okay, just making sure!” The woman smiled kindly.
“They were adopted in China?”
“Yes. But I have processed their legal Korean adoption too,” Jaehyun said, pointing at the documents.
“Did the wife know of them?”
“Yes, I knew them already,” Yerim nodded.
“Okay, just making sure!” The woman smiled kindly.
Jaehyun rubbed Yerim’s knuckles comfortingly as they waited patiently.
“Alright, I have filed for your registration. Can you please sign here, and here?”
“Alright, I have filed for your registration. Can you please sign here, and here?”
The two of them signed the document giddily, and they both couldn’t hold back their smiles as the lady gave them back the document.
“Congratulations Mr. Jung Jaehyun and Ms, Kim Yerim, you are now officially registered as Mr. and Mrs. Jung. These are the legal documents, and the official marriage certificate can be picked up in around two- or three-days’ time. Once again, congratulations!”
The lady stood up and shook their hands.
“Congratulations Mr. Jung Jaehyun and Ms, Kim Yerim, you are now officially registered as Mr. and Mrs. Jung. These are the legal documents, and the official marriage certificate can be picked up in around two- or three-days’ time. Once again, congratulations!”
The lady stood up and shook their hands.
“Wow… it’s… it’s official now?” Yerim asked, still in disbelief as she pinched her own cheeks.
Jaehyun chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his now wife, “It is, Mrs. Jung. Now, all there’s left to do is for the ceremony and the reception next week. Just a little bit more.”
Yerim couldn’t help but to laugh, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
“Just a little bit more. Shall we go home to your parents and the kids? They must’ve been waiting.”
“I’m sure eomma had already cooked up a feast at home. We still have to call our friends too, especially Sicheng since he’s the one who signed as your witness,” Jaehyun smiled.
“He’s going to be flipping tables if he’s not the first one to know. He was so mad when he wasn’t the first one being told when you proposed to me,” Yerim giggled.
“Alright. Let’s go home, and then we can give him a call. And maybe Ten too, after that, the others. How’s that sound, wife?” Jaehyun raised a brow playfully.
Jaehyun chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his now wife, “It is, Mrs. Jung. Now, all there’s left to do is for the ceremony and the reception next week. Just a little bit more.”
Yerim couldn’t help but to laugh, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
“Just a little bit more. Shall we go home to your parents and the kids? They must’ve been waiting.”
“I’m sure eomma had already cooked up a feast at home. We still have to call our friends too, especially Sicheng since he’s the one who signed as your witness,” Jaehyun smiled.
“He’s going to be flipping tables if he’s not the first one to know. He was so mad when he wasn’t the first one being told when you proposed to me,” Yerim giggled.
“Alright. Let’s go home, and then we can give him a call. And maybe Ten too, after that, the others. How’s that sound, wife?” Jaehyun raised a brow playfully.
Yerim looked up and smiled before nodding, “Okay, husband.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you?” Jaehyun furrowed his brows worriedly.
“I’m a hundred percent sure, Jaehyun. I can handle this alone. I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment my whole life. I know what I’m about to deal with isn’t going to be pretty and fun, but I have to. And I’m looking forward to it,” Yerim assured him.
The two of them had just picked up their marriage certificate from the District’s Office. As if impatient to immediately kick her out of the family lineage, Yerim’s aunts had summoned the family lawyer and family members to discuss her grandfather’s will. Yerim didn’t mind it. The quicker she gets over this, the quicker she will escape her mess of a family. Her wedding is in two days, and it’s probably better if the problems have been resolved before the celebration.
“I can still come and wait for you inside,” Jaehyun said again. He felt uncomfortable at the thought of Yerim facing her family alone. He knew about her family, and he knew that basically, nobody’s on her side.
“Jae, I’ll be okay. Here’s what you can do. You’ll go to your parents’ house to fetch the kids, and then probably in an hour…? Maybe an hour and a half, you’ll pick me up here again. And then we’ll go home, and everything’s going to be fine. Okay?” Yerim bargained, patting Jaehyun’s cheeks.
Jaehyun sighed dejectedly, “Fine. I’ll be back here after an hour. Take care, okay?”
“Of course. Love you,” Yerim smiled, letting Jaehyun press a kiss on her lips before she got out of the car. She waved her hand before entering her father’s house.
“Jae, I’ll be okay. Here’s what you can do. You’ll go to your parents’ house to fetch the kids, and then probably in an hour…? Maybe an hour and a half, you’ll pick me up here again. And then we’ll go home, and everything’s going to be fine. Okay?” Yerim bargained, patting Jaehyun’s cheeks.
Jaehyun sighed dejectedly, “Fine. I’ll be back here after an hour. Take care, okay?”
“Of course. Love you,” Yerim smiled, letting Jaehyun press a kiss on her lips before she got out of the car. She waved her hand before entering her father’s house.
It’s been quite some time since she last stepped foot here. The last time was last month, when she dropped her wedding invitation to her father. This house holds many beautiful childhood memories back when her mother was still alive and her father was still a loving man. At the same time, this house holds so many nightmares and traumatic incidents that Yerim would love to erase from her memories.
“Young Miss! How are you!”
Yerim smiled at the middle-aged maid that had worked at her house for several years already.
“I heard you’re finally married?”
“I did! The ceremony’s in two days. I have sent the invitation, right? Make sure you come, okay, ahjumma?” Yerim giggled.
“I will definitely come on your happy day, Miss. Ah, finally. I feel bad when you were forced to meet men you didn’t want to back then. It’s relieving and consoling to know that you found someone as nice as Jung seobang, and especially his two kids! Come, everyone is already gathered at your father’s study upstairs!”
Yerim smiled at the middle-aged maid that had worked at her house for several years already.
“I heard you’re finally married?”
“I did! The ceremony’s in two days. I have sent the invitation, right? Make sure you come, okay, ahjumma?” Yerim giggled.
“I will definitely come on your happy day, Miss. Ah, finally. I feel bad when you were forced to meet men you didn’t want to back then. It’s relieving and consoling to know that you found someone as nice as Jung seobang, and especially his two kids! Come, everyone is already gathered at your father’s study upstairs!”
Yerim followed the ahjumma upstairs, taking a few deep breaths before entering the room.
She held her head up high as she took a seat, bowing her head lightly at her relatives. She could see her father sitting right across her, alongside his sisters—in this case, her aunts. There’s also a few of her cousins whom she’s not very close with. All of them were staring at her as she sat down.
She held her head up high as she took a seat, bowing her head lightly at her relatives. She could see her father sitting right across her, alongside his sisters—in this case, her aunts. There’s also a few of her cousins whom she’s not very close with. All of them were staring at her as she sat down.
“You came, finally,” her oldest aunt said.
Yerim nodded curtly.
“Okay, we may proceed. Lawyer Yang, you can start.”
Yerim nodded curtly.
“Okay, we may proceed. Lawyer Yang, you can start.”
The family lawyer stood up and bowed before taking out his grandfather’s will.
“I will read the will written by the late Mr. Kim Wonsang before he passed away. First of all, his assets will be distributed to all his descendants with the following specifications. The main company, Hanwoo Group Corporation, will be handed down to his only son, Mr. Kim Muwon. Mr. Kim Muwon will receive 50% of the shares that the late Mr. Kim Wonsang owned, besides the shares that he already has. The remaining 50% shares will be distributed equally to Mr. Kim Wonsang’s three daughters: Ms. Kim Sukwon, Kim Jiwon, and Kim Haewon.”
“The next thing on his will is regarding the subsidiary companies. Mr. Han Yongheum, the first and only son of Ms. Kim Sukwon will have the major shares of Hanwoo Fisheries, while Mr. Yeon Daewoo, the first son of Ms. Kim Jiwon will have the major shares of Hanwoo Dairy. The shares of Hanwoo Garment and Hanwoo Fashion will be distributed equally to the granddaughters, Ms. Kwon Yina, Yeon Jiwoo, Yeon Siwoo, and Kim Yerim.”
“Regarding his properties, his ancestral home in Central Apgujeong will be given to his eldest child, Ms. Kim Sukwon. The property in Seongbuk will be given to Mr. Kim Muwon. The two penthouses in Gangnam will be given to Ms. Kim Jiwon and Ms. Kim Haewon respectively. The plot of land in Jeju will be given to Mr. HanYongheum. The plot of land in Incheon will be given to Mr. Yeon Daewoo. The four apartments in Hannam will be given to his granddaughters, Ms. Kwon Yina, Yeon Jiwoo, Yeon Siwoo, and Kim Yerim. And then, the plot of land in Yangcheon including the properties there is solely given to Ms. Kim Yerim.”
“I will read the will written by the late Mr. Kim Wonsang before he passed away. First of all, his assets will be distributed to all his descendants with the following specifications. The main company, Hanwoo Group Corporation, will be handed down to his only son, Mr. Kim Muwon. Mr. Kim Muwon will receive 50% of the shares that the late Mr. Kim Wonsang owned, besides the shares that he already has. The remaining 50% shares will be distributed equally to Mr. Kim Wonsang’s three daughters: Ms. Kim Sukwon, Kim Jiwon, and Kim Haewon.”
“The next thing on his will is regarding the subsidiary companies. Mr. Han Yongheum, the first and only son of Ms. Kim Sukwon will have the major shares of Hanwoo Fisheries, while Mr. Yeon Daewoo, the first son of Ms. Kim Jiwon will have the major shares of Hanwoo Dairy. The shares of Hanwoo Garment and Hanwoo Fashion will be distributed equally to the granddaughters, Ms. Kwon Yina, Yeon Jiwoo, Yeon Siwoo, and Kim Yerim.”
“Regarding his properties, his ancestral home in Central Apgujeong will be given to his eldest child, Ms. Kim Sukwon. The property in Seongbuk will be given to Mr. Kim Muwon. The two penthouses in Gangnam will be given to Ms. Kim Jiwon and Ms. Kim Haewon respectively. The plot of land in Jeju will be given to Mr. HanYongheum. The plot of land in Incheon will be given to Mr. Yeon Daewoo. The four apartments in Hannam will be given to his granddaughters, Ms. Kwon Yina, Yeon Jiwoo, Yeon Siwoo, and Kim Yerim. And then, the plot of land in Yangcheon including the properties there is solely given to Ms. Kim Yerim.”
Yerim could feel her female cousins looking at her pointedly, because she was clearly given more assets than them. But she didn’t care. The land in Yangcheon was where her clinic, her café, and her shelter are located. She’s not going to give them up. She waited patiently for the lawyer to finish reading the will.
“Lastly, Mr. Kim Wonsang’s monetary assets. Mr. Kim Wonsang had decided to equally divide his assets, 40% for his children, 40% for his grandchildren, and the remaining 20% would be given as a donation for the research of Cancer Treatment by Korea Cancer Association. The last thing noted on his will is that all of the mentioned assets will be given only after all of his grandchildren have been married. I will now review each document provided by all of you, to ensure your eligibility to receive the inheritance.”
“Lastly, Mr. Kim Wonsang’s monetary assets. Mr. Kim Wonsang had decided to equally divide his assets, 40% for his children, 40% for his grandchildren, and the remaining 20% would be given as a donation for the research of Cancer Treatment by Korea Cancer Association. The last thing noted on his will is that all of the mentioned assets will be given only after all of his grandchildren have been married. I will now review each document provided by all of you, to ensure your eligibility to receive the inheritance.”
Yerim tapped her fingers against her thigh as she watched the lawyer and his team review each document, including her newly acquired marriage certificate.
“Okay. I have assessed everything, and it seems like everyone is eligible to receive the inheritance. Transfer of assets will begin next week, and it will take probably three to five working days to finish everything. Is there any question?”
Yerim raised her hand.
“Yes, Ms. Kim Yerim, am I right?”
“Correct, Lawyer Yang. I’m just here to inform that I will not be taking any of harabeoji’s assets, be it the shares, the money, or the apartments, apart from the land and the property in Yangcheon, because that’s harabeoji’s personal gift to me, and it’s where my clinic, café, and shelter are located. So, I repeat, I will be taking only the land and properties in Yangcheon.”
The lawyer team looked at her in perplexity before nodding, “O-okay, Miss. And, uh, will you be giving them to anyone specific, or will you be making a donation, or…?”
Yerim smiled, “The money, I have promised harabeoji that if I get them, I will donate them to Korea’s ChildFund Alliance. The shares and the apartments… I’ll donate them to my family. Looks like they need them more than I do. I’ll let you deal with the distribution, Lawyer Yang. Now, where do I have to sign?”
“Okay. I have assessed everything, and it seems like everyone is eligible to receive the inheritance. Transfer of assets will begin next week, and it will take probably three to five working days to finish everything. Is there any question?”
Yerim raised her hand.
“Yes, Ms. Kim Yerim, am I right?”
“Correct, Lawyer Yang. I’m just here to inform that I will not be taking any of harabeoji’s assets, be it the shares, the money, or the apartments, apart from the land and the property in Yangcheon, because that’s harabeoji’s personal gift to me, and it’s where my clinic, café, and shelter are located. So, I repeat, I will be taking only the land and properties in Yangcheon.”
The lawyer team looked at her in perplexity before nodding, “O-okay, Miss. And, uh, will you be giving them to anyone specific, or will you be making a donation, or…?”
Yerim smiled, “The money, I have promised harabeoji that if I get them, I will donate them to Korea’s ChildFund Alliance. The shares and the apartments… I’ll donate them to my family. Looks like they need them more than I do. I’ll let you deal with the distribution, Lawyer Yang. Now, where do I have to sign?”
To say that everyone was surprised would be an understatement. Yerim doesn’t care. Aside from her workplace property, she doesn’t need all that money. Lawyer Yang’s team scrambled to type and print a procuration letter, and Yerim signed them quickly.
“It’s done, isn’t it? I’ll take my leave then. And oh, before I leave… I know there has long been discussions about removing me from the family registration. Like I’ve always said, feel free to do so. My wedding ceremony will be in two days. I think all of you still want to come for business related issues, yeah? Feel free to come. I don’t mind if you don’t come either. I will appoint a lawyer regarding my removal from the family lineage. My lawyer will contact you soon, Lawyer Yang. Now, since everything is already settled, I will be taking my leave from this place, and from this family. Thank you.”
Yerim bowed before leaving immediately.
She felt light. It’s as if the burden that has been resting atop her shoulders for 20 years has now been lifted. She had a huge smile on her face as she skidded down the stairs, and out of the house.
A grin decorated her face when she noticed her family—the real one, of course, not the money-greedy one upstairs—already waiting outside. Jeno was busy examining the flowers on the front garden, Sungchan was toddling around trying to catch a butterfly, and Jaehyun watched them from the side while conversing amiably with the house guard.
Yerim bowed before leaving immediately.
She felt light. It’s as if the burden that has been resting atop her shoulders for 20 years has now been lifted. She had a huge smile on her face as she skidded down the stairs, and out of the house.
A grin decorated her face when she noticed her family—the real one, of course, not the money-greedy one upstairs—already waiting outside. Jeno was busy examining the flowers on the front garden, Sungchan was toddling around trying to catch a butterfly, and Jaehyun watched them from the side while conversing amiably with the house guard.
“Oh, there’s Young Miss Kim!” the guard perked up and quickly excused himself.
Yerim grinned before running, throwing her arms around her husband and hugging the life out of him.
Jaehyun let out a small oof before wrapping his arms around Yerim, chuckling a little, “Hey.”
Yerim grinned before running, throwing her arms around her husband and hugging the life out of him.
Jaehyun let out a small oof before wrapping his arms around Yerim, chuckling a little, “Hey.”
“Jaehyun, it’s done. It’s all coming to an end. I’m free now. I’m free!” She giggled.
“Whoa, whoa, what do you mean?”
Yerim grinned, “I’ve settled everything. They’re all now off my backs. We don’t have to worry about anything now. I’m really free from them!”
“Whoa, whoa, what do you mean?”
Yerim grinned, “I’ve settled everything. They’re all now off my backs. We don’t have to worry about anything now. I’m really free from them!”
Yerim’s happy smile was so infectious that Jaehyun couldn’t help but to smile and laugh along, pulling her into a hug, nearly lifting her off the ground. After 20 years of misery and despair, his Yerim is finally off of her family’s hold. No more hatred, prejudice, hostility, and injustice. She’s free.
“Eomma, me too! Me too! Hug!” Jeno ran towards her with his arms spread out.
“Sungchan hug, Sungchan hug!” the toddler followed his older brother, waddling towards his mother.
Yerim grinned as she bent down, opening her arms for her sons.
“Come here, babies. Hug eomma, okay? Eomma is really happy today!”
Jaehyun smiled fondly at his family, joining them for a hug.
“She seemed really happy to have her name deleted from our family.”
“She was never really a part of us, anyways. She brings bad luck. It’s good that she’s leaving for good now.”
“Her wedding should be the last time we’ll contact her. She has a Jung on her side now, that’s why she’s cocky. Good for her, and good luck on the Jung kid’s part.”
“Well, at least we got her shares. It’s unfair that harabeoji gave her her own land and properties aside from the inheritance.”
“Yeah, harabeoji also paid for her college and living expenses abroad, didn’t he?”
“Good to know she’s going to go away now.”
Yerim’s father watched as his sisters along with his nephews and nieces jabbered by the window. He stepped closer, watching as his daughter was being engulfed in a hug by her husband and sons.
“Yerim has got her own family now. And all of you have gotten abeoji’s money. So now, please stop bothering her,” he said shortly.
“Since when did you care about her, Muwon-ah?” his sister asked pointedly.
“Since when did you care about her, Muwon-ah?” his sister asked pointedly.
He smiled as he looked at the happy family from the window, “Actually, I always care.”
A/N
they are finally married!!! i repeat, after 37 chapters, they finally tied the knot! let's wait for the proper ceremony, okay? usually, in Korea, people will file for their marriage licence first before holding a wedding ceremony, and that's exactly what our couple did in this chapter.
and yes! yerim is finally free from her family after god knows how many years. and as you can see, her father actually care for her, and he has realized his mistakes towards her. whether he choose to properly mend their relationship or not..... let's see ;))
the wedding is coming up next, and the next chapter will also be the last chapter, but i'm working on an epilogue to make the chapter numbers even.
hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter! thank you to those who still tuned in to read my story, leaving comments, and even upvotes. thank you to those who subscribed as well. i hope everyone has a great week, don't forget to stay safe, healthy, and also happy!
and yes! yerim is finally free from her family after god knows how many years. and as you can see, her father actually care for her, and he has realized his mistakes towards her. whether he choose to properly mend their relationship or not..... let's see ;))
the wedding is coming up next, and the next chapter will also be the last chapter, but i'm working on an epilogue to make the chapter numbers even.
hope everyone enjoyed reading this chapter! thank you to those who still tuned in to read my story, leaving comments, and even upvotes. thank you to those who subscribed as well. i hope everyone has a great week, don't forget to stay safe, healthy, and also happy!
Love, btfg <3
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