(The theme of this story is dark)
The afternoon sun hung lazily above the city, casting a dull golden glow over the restless streets.
A crowd had gathered in the middle of the road, forming a tight circle—whispers, gasps, and murmurs blending into an unsettling noise.
"How did this happen…?"
"Poor girl…"
"Wait—I think I know her. Isn't she that new actress?"
A wave of shock rippled through the onlookers.
At the center of it all lay Nayun.
Her body was motionless against the rough asphalt, her clothes stained, her skin bruised and broken.
Blood spread beneath her like a cruel painting, and yet—no one moved. No one stepped forward.
They only watched.
Judged.
Whispered.
"Whose fault is this?"
"This is so tragic…"
And still, no one called for help.
Then suddenly
"Excuse me! Move!"
A voice cut through the air, sharp and desperate.
A young man pushed his way through the suffocating crowd, his breath uneven, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.
It was Ziyan.
The moment his eyes fell on Nayun, something inside him shattered.
"CALL THE AMBULANCE!!" he roared, his voice trembling with rage.
The crowd flinched.
"Oh… right…"
"Who's going to call?"
Ziyan's expression twisted in fury. His eyes darted toward a man holding up his phone, recording the scene.
"You bastard—stop recording this and call the ambulance! And the police too!"
Silence fell.
This time, someone finally moved.
Ziyan dropped to his knees beside her. His hands trembled as he gently lifted her head, placing it on his lap as if she were something fragile… something he was afraid to lose.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm really… really sorry…"
But the apology—was it for the accident?
Or something far deeper?
The soft clinking of cups and quiet chatter filled a luxurious café.
"Hey, did you see the news yesterday?" a man said casually.
"That woman who claimed to be Nayun's best friend… she disappeared right after Nayun left."
Someone nearby listened in silence, taking a slow sip of coffee.
A notification flashed across his phone screen:
9:36 A.M. — 17 October 2023
He didn't react.
Across from him sat Thian.
"How have you been, Mr. Yejin?" Thian asked with a polite smile.
The man—Yejin—returned it just as calmly. "I've been well."
This café wasn't for ordinary people. Wealth, power, and influence lingered in every corner.
"What about you and your brother?" Yejin continued.
"We're doing great," Thian replied smoothly. "Thanks for asking."
There was a brief pause before Yejin spoke again, almost casually
"Aren't you planning to get married? You are thirty-eight now, Mr. Thian."
The question caught him off guard.
For a moment, Thian said nothing.
Then he exhaled softly.
"I've never really thought about it," he admitted. "Maybe… I just don't want to."
Elsewhere, Ziyan sat alone, an invitation card resting between his fingers.
A faint smile curved on his lips as he read it again.
"On the 2nd of November… Mr. Andrew's engagement with Ms. IU…"
His eyes softened.
"I'm sure Hayuel will be there too," he murmured. "Which means… Roselia might come as well."
That thought alone made his heart stir.
He stood up and walked toward the window,
the same window from where he often gazed at Roselia's house.
Sitting there, he whispered quietly—
"Roselia… I hope you're doing well."
Inside a grand, luxurious house, tension filled the air.
Youshell sat stiffly on the couch as Jain entered, his expression unusually serious.
"So," she said, her voice firm, "explain what happened to Nayun."
Jain sighed deeply, as if the weight of his words burdened him.
"I don't know how to say this… but Nayun is suffering from memory loss."
Silence.
Then—
"What?!"
"It's… like amnesia," he continued. "She's forgotten everything about her past. She doesn't even remember me."
His jaw clenched.
"The only person she remembers… is that bastard."
Youshell's eyes widened. "But how? Why?"
Jain hesitated.
"You remember the accident five years ago?"
Her breath caught.
"Don't tell me…"
He nodded slowly.
"It started from that day."
His voice lowered.
"The doctor said… it's not just physical. She doesn't want to live in this world. She's trying to forget everything… everyone."
A chill ran down her spine.
"Have you tried telling her the truth?" she asked.
"I have," Jain replied bitterly. "Again and again."
"And?"
"She forgets everything the next day."
The room fell silent.
"It's that bad?" she whispered.
Jain nodded.
"The doctor said… there's no cure. It all depends on her… whether she wants to remember or not."
Meanwhile, in a high-end boutique, elegance masked underlying tension.
Nayun stood before a mirror, draped in luxury, her reflection cold and distant.
"Is there any special occasion?" the owner Aru asked sweetly.
Jain answered instead. "She's preparing for Mr. Andrew and Ms. IU's engagement."
Aru's gaze sharpened.
"But that's weeks away. Why now?"
"She'll be busy later."
Before the conversation could continue,
Nayun's voice cut in
"I'm buying all of these."
She pointed to the workers of the boutique stood there with holding fourteen dresses.
Aru stared in disbelief.
"But you'll only wear one, won't you?"
Aru asked.
Nayun turned slowly, her expression unreadable.
"It doesn't matter," she said coldly, stepping closer to Aru until only inches separated them.
"If I like them… they're mine."
Her eyes locked onto Aru's.
"You should feel honored."
Nayun's mean and arrogant voice pierced in her ears.
Breaking all the ego of her.
Aru smirked faintly. "How rude."
"Make the bill," Nayun ordered.
Minutes later
"The total is 3,498,289 rupees."
Without hesitation, Jain paid.
Nayun walked out first, slipping on her sunglasses as if shielding herself from the world.
A bodyguard opened the car's door, and she entered without looking back.
But just before leaving
She glanced at the boutique.
And waved.
Aru watched the car disappear, her expression darkening.
"She's even worse than I thought," she muttered.
The manager chuckled lightly. "She's beautiful though. You should be happy she came."
Aru scoffed, her eyes burning with disdain.
"Why should I be? Celebrities and billionaires come here all the time."
Her voice dropped, filled with venom.
"She acts like she owns the world… I hate her attitude."
Her lips curled into a bitter smile.
"I want that girl to apologize to me."
To be continued…