Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 | somewhere safe

Book 1, Chapter 30
𝖲𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖲𝖺𝖿𝖾

Jisu let out a heavy sigh, her expression clouded with worry. It had been two days since the breakup, yet she couldn’t summon the courage to tell her mother. The thought of sharing the news twisted her insides with dread. Her mother had always held Ryujin in the highest regard, imagining a future for Jisu with her. They had a close bond, and Jisu couldn’t help but fear that their separation would tarnish her mother’s view of Ryujin.

For now, she sought refuge at Chaeryeong’s house. Home felt like a distant, suffocating place, each glance at its walls reminding her of the painful memory of that day. It was as though the house itself had become a prison, the air thick with the remnants of everything she had lost. Just the thought of returning there felt like being consumed by flames.

──⇌••⇋──

Shaking her head in a futile attempt to dispel the relentless thoughts swirling in her mind, Jisu found herself lost in a haze of memories. Her thoughts drifted to Ryujinㅡher captivating face, those expressive eyes that had once looked at her with such tenderness, the softness of her lips, and the warmth of her touch. The laughter they had shared echoed in her mind like a haunting melody.

A bitter chuckle escaped Jisu’s lips. She hadn’t anticipated that loving someone like Ryujin could bring this kind of painㅡthis unrelenting ache that clawed at her chest, a constant reminder of the love she had lost.

Desperate to escape her spiraling thoughts, Jisu reached for the television remote, hoping for a brief distraction from her turmoil. But as she switched on the TV, the news report that flashed across the screen immediately caught her attention.

TRUAN NEWS

Shin Ryujin, the heir to the globally influential Shin family empire, has reportedly ended her relationship with Choi Jisu just two days ago.

“The ‘Faceless Heiress,’ as she was once dubbed, captured the public's attention when she stepped into the spotlight. Her magnetic presence quickly won her widespread admiration and praise.”

All Jisu wanted was a moment of peace. Fine, I’m shutting this damn TV off. But just as she reached for the remote, an image of herself and Ryujin flashed across the screen.

“In an unexpected twist, Shin Ryujin, heir to the powerful Shin family legacy, has publicly revealed Choi Jisu, the university's top scholar, as her partner. The announcement took many by surprise.

As of now, Mrs. Shin, the matriarch of Shin International University, has not commented on the developing scandal. Our team is diligently seeking her perspective on the situation. Now, let’s return to the studio.”

Jisu entertained the idea of seeking revenge, not only for Ryujin but also for the damage done to their reputations. Countless schemes filled her mind, each one more elaborate than the last, to strike back at the crude, unprofessional journalist. Yet, amidst her thoughts, a sobering realization took hold.

They were no longer together, were they?

The thought lingered, and it was as if a memory sparked something within her. She began searching for her phone, her mind racing. Chaeryeong had left early, and Jisu suspected her friend had hidden it, perhaps to prevent her from obsessing over things. Recently, Chaeryeong had seemed distant, her focus elsewhere. That unease gnawed at Jisu.