Book 1, Chapter 25
𝖤𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖥𝗈𝗋 𝖸𝗈𝗎, 𝖠𝗅𝗅 𝖡𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝗈𝖿 𝖸𝗈𝗎
Jisu couldn’t stop the incessant tapping of her fingers against her lap, each motion betraying the storm of fear and anxiety brewing inside her.
“Eonni,” Chaeryeong said gently, her concern evident. “Take a breath. You’re going to wear yourself out like this.”
“How can I possibly relax, Chaeryeong?!” Jisu snapped, her voice cracking as she dragged her hands through her hair in frustration.
Three excruciating days had passed since that unexpected run-in with Yeji, and for every single one of those days, Ryujin had been completely unreachable. No calls. No texts. Just a deafening, maddening silence. Jisu’s heart clenched tighter with each passing hour, her thoughts spiraling toward worst-case scenarios.
Ryujin knew who she wasㅡhow easily Jisu made friends, how her personality naturally drew people in. She had always been upfront about her jealousy and her protective streak. But none of that explained why Ryujin would vanish without a single word. Without an explanation.
The conclusion was unbearable. Ryujin was doneㅡending their relationship not with words, but with silence.
“I’m really sorry, eonni,” Yuna said softly, breaking the heavy quiet. “I’ve used every connection I could think of, but there’s just no sign of her. Even Auntie came up empty.”
Jisu let out a long, heavy sigh, burying her face in her hands. The despair that clung to her was palpable. Chaeryeong and Yuna exchanged worried glances, their unease growing when Jisu suddenly shot to her feet. She turned away, her back to them, her eyes fixed on the wall ahead.
“Damn it,” she muttered, her voice low and trembling. Then, without warning, she balled her hand into a fist and slammed it into the concrete wall. Pain exploded through her knuckles, but she didn’t stop. Again and again, she struck the wall, each punch a desperate release for the torrent of frustration and anguish swirling inside her.
“Eonni! Stop it!” Chaeryeong cried, rushing to wrap her arms around Jisu from behind, but Jisu pushed her away, continuing her assault. Blood smeared the wall, but still, she didn’t stop.
Her anguished cries filled the room, raw and unfiltered, as her fists pounded against the unyielding surface. But it was no use. The pain in her hand couldn’t drown out the pain in her heart.
Chaeryeong, unable to watch Jisu hurt herself any longer, shoved her with all her strength. Jisu stumbled, collapsing to the floor. She cradled her bloodied hand, her breaths coming in sharp, ragged gasps.
“Choi! Open this damn gate, Choi Jisu!”
The voice thundered from outside, sharp and commanding. Jisu froze, her heart skipping a beat.
“Is that...” she murmured, her voice trembling.
Yuna’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh no. It’s her.”
Before Jisu could fully process what was happening, a deafening crash echoed through the house.
“She broke the gate!” Yuna shrieked.
YOU ARE READING
Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)
FanfictionIn a world that seemed straight out of a film, Jisu found herself caught in a delicate yet dangerous dance of love. Ryujin entered her life like a rose, beautiful yet fragile, wrapped in the uncertainty of chance. Both women were marked by the scars...
