Zayra Choi Yaritú is no ordinary young woman: the daughter of an Indigenous Chiquitana mother and a Latino-Korean father, she bears the mark of two opposite worlds. She grew up between the magic and wisdom of the rainforest… and the relentless discipline of an education abroad.

But when she returns to her homeland, she finds her people on the brink of losing everything. Greed for the resources of the Red Forest has unleashed a silent war—political corruption, hidden threats, and a danger that doesn’t distinguish between allies and enemies.

Haunted by a past mistake, Zayra agrees to a marriage of convenience with Kang Ryu, a brilliant, cold, and principled Korean CEO. He comes to Bolivia seeking to save his family’s company… but what he doesn’t know is that he’s also stepping into a game where power and loyalty are traded with the same cold precision as the gemstones he hopes to export.

What begins as a calculated deal will become a story of unlikely alliances, secrets burning beneath the surface, and a love that could change the fate of an entire people.

In the Red Forest, every decision has a price… and not everyone is willing to pay it.

How far would you go to save what you love… even if it means losing yourself?

This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.


 I was a bit worried, first because of you, because you called me a thief and that annoyed me. 


Second, because your entire family was there, your parents and siblings.


 I didn't want them to misunderstand anything I did.


When your sister tested me, I understood why she was doing it. 


I admit that I've done the same thing to my brothers' girlfriends. 


That didn't bother me, but it did make me concentrate and measure every gesture. 


I just wanted them to see me as I am, but without being disrespectful.


That's why when I told her she had earned my respect, 


My intention was never for anyone to dislike me, 


just to act with fairness and show what I was feeling at that moment. 


I hope your sister wasn't upset by what I said.


And I never asked you... so now here's my question. 


Was your sister upset by what I said back then?


Because I was left with that floating in the air, unanswered, and I wanted to ask you about it.


Oh, and since this diary is also for you to learn a little about my world, I want to leave you with some words we use a lot in Bolivia. 


That way, when you hear them, you'll already know what I'm talking about:


Yucca: In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, yucca refers to a starchy root or tuber that is widely consumed. It's also known as cassava. It's a very important food in the region's cuisine, as it's one of the main sources of carbohydrates, similar to a potato. It's grown in large areas of Bolivia, including the Santa Cruz department. It's eaten boiled or fried and can even be made into flour.


Somó Drink: A traditional and very popular drink in Santa Cruz and throughout the eastern region of Bolivia. It's known for being very refreshing, ideal for the area's hot climate. It's made from corn, which is a type of cracked or ground corn.


That's what I wanted to tell you today. 


And even though I might not say it out loud when we're face to face... 


there's something else I need to confess. 


But I'll save that for the next time I write to you.


At first, I thought your words had been too direct. 


In Korea, they are often interpreted as arrogance. 


But then I understood that you said it without arrogance, with honesty. 


On the contrary: from that moment on, she began to look at you with respect.


Chapter 17 - Chapter 12.1 — Shared Diary