Second Chance

23

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the villa as Jisoo and Lisa prepared for the day. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean breeze. Jisoo moved through the kitchen with purpose, her mind already running through the details of their plan.

"Are you ready?" Lisa asked, her tone serious as she sipped her coffee.

Jisoo nodded, glancing toward the bedroom where Chaeyoung was still getting ready. "As ready as I'll ever be," she replied. "Chaeyoung has no idea. She thinks this is just a vacation."

Lisa frowned. "Let's keep it that way. The less she knows, the better."

Jisoo agreed, though her heart ached at the thought of deceiving Chaeyoung. She pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the mission ahead. They needed to be sharp today.

Later, they arrived at the resort where the party was being held. The lavish decorations and lively music created a festive atmosphere. Jisoo and Chaeyoung walked in hand-in-hand, while Lisa hung back, scanning the room for any signs of Jisoo's family.

"This place is beautiful," Chaeyoung said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"It is," Jisoo agreed, forcing a smile. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to stay focused on the plan.

After a few minutes, Lisa approached them. "I need to check on something. I'll catch up with you later," she said, giving Jisoo a meaningful look before slipping away.

Left alone, Chaeyoung turned to Jisoo with a bright smile. "Do you want to dance?" she asked, gesturing to the couples swaying on the dance floor.

Jisoo hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, let's dance."

They joined the dancers, moving to the rhythm of the music. Jisoo tried to relax, allowing herself to enjoy the moment. The warmth of Chaeyoung's touch and the joy in her eyes made it easy to forget, even if just for a little while.

Meanwhile, Lisa was at the bar, texting Jennie. She took a sip of her cocktail, her eyes constantly scanning the room. When she saw Jisoo's sister and her husband walk in, she choked on her drink, barely managing to keep it down. She quickly typed a message to Jisoo before rushing over to the dance floor.

"Jisoo!" she called, catching her friend's attention. She gave a discreet signal, alerting Jisoo to their presence.

Jisoo's heart raced as she saw Lisa's signal. She leaned in close to Chaeyoung, whispering, "I'll be right back. Lisa needs me for something."

"Is everything okay?" Chaeyoung asked, concern etching her features.

"Just a small fashion emergency," Jisoo lied with a reassuring smile. "I won't be long."

Lisa swooped in, taking Jisoo by the arm and leading her away, leaving Chaeyoung standing alone on the dance floor. They walked casually toward the bar where Jisoo's sister and Soo Ho were mingling.

"Hello, Soo Mi," Jisoo greeted her sister, ignoring Soo Ho's attempt to speak with her.

Soo Mi smiled, though there was a glint of surprise in her eyes. "Jisoo, what a pleasant surprise!"

Lisa stepped in smoothly, "Why don't you both join us at our table?"

Soo Mi and Soo Ho exchanged glances before agreeing. As they made their way to the table, Jisoo saw her chance. She excused herself, claiming she needed to freshen up, and slipped away from the group.

Moving swiftly and silently, Jisoo made her way to her sister's room. She picked the lock with practiced ease, slipping inside and closing the door behind her. The room was immaculate, but she knew where to look. She rifled through the drawers until she found a notebook hidden under a stack of clothes.

Flipping through the pages, Jisoo's breath caught as she read the details of Soo Ho and Soo Mi's plan. The words were like a punch to the gut: their plot to get rid of her, leading to the coma she had barely survived. Her hands trembled as she read the cold, calculated steps they had taken to ruin her life.

The realization hit her like a tidal wave. It was exactly how she had ended up in a coma.