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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.
Chapter 17 – What isn't spoken also hurts
Part 17.1. An Unexpected Encounter.
The heat continued to rise as the group arrived at the hotel.
The air was thick and humid, like a hot blanket clinging to the skin.
At the entrance, a line of cars was blocking traffic.
Zayra's mother, behind the wheel, made a quick decision.
"Let's do this," she said.
"Camila and Ryu, get out with Zayra. Go through the lobby.
Min-Jun, his mother, and I will go to the parking lot."
Camila, with her phone to her ear, gave a thumbs-up, half-distracted by an urgent call.
Ryu held Zayra with natural ease, his jaw tensing slightly when he noticed she was trying not to lean on him too much.
"She's always trying to seem strong."
She was struggling not to show her discomfort.
Her ankle hurt, but her pride hurt more.
The lobby was a small festival of suits, laughter, and camera flashes.
A wedding was underway. Camila moved a few steps away to talk in private.
Ryu, ever watchful, supported Zayra.
And then...
***
"Zayra?" a clear, firm male voice with a nostalgic vibration cut through the air.
She lifted her head.
And time stood still.
Sebastian, over six feet tall. Broad shoulders, an upright posture.
His dark hair fell naturally, a little disheveled from the heat.
Zayra swallowed. He hadn't changed... and at the same time, he had.
The black eyes that once seemed sweet to her now carried a different, heavier story.
His chiseled chin, his toned arms, his white shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
"Why did he look even more handsome now? Why was it more painful?"
"It can't be... you're here," he said, in that warm voice that had once made her tremble.
Zayra felt a blow to her chest.
Her legs shook. Her mind raced.
"Put me down," she whispered to Ryu.
"What?"
Ryu froze for a moment, longer than usual.
Then he carefully lowered her, almost in slow motion, as if he feared she might break upon touching the ground.
His brow furrowed slightly, and his fingers tensed an imperceptible gesture to those around them.
"Thank you." Her voice was tense, clipped.
Sebastian approached with determined steps,
like someone who has dreamed of this moment many times.
***
Zayra took a deep breath. But it was as if the air couldn't get in.
"No. Not now. Not here."
The memories hit her without permission.
"I'll come back. I swear, Zayra..."
The memory of the hospital room, an eternal hug... and then, the emptiness.
"Zayra... you're more beautiful than ever."
She looked down... and took Ryu's hand. Not out of affection.
Out of necessity. To keep from falling into the void.
Ryu narrowed his eyes, surprised, but held his hand firm, a subtle adjustment that only he knew to interpret as presence.
He didn't understand what was happening, but something inside him ignited.
It wasn't jealousy. It was something more uncomfortable, a pang of anger he couldn't explain.
Sebastian noticed.
He looked at him for the first time.
"Hi," he said, extending his hand.
"I'm Sebastian Kuntur."
"Ryu Kang. It's nice to meet you," he replied, measuring each word.
Ryu held the handshake for a second longer than was necessary.
He didn't break eye contact, and when he finally let go, he let out a slow,
imperceptible breath for anyone but Sebastian.
The grip was firm. The kind that hides silent wars.
Camila appeared, her voice drier than usual.
"He's Zayra's fiancé."
Sebastian blinked. He smiled. But it was a sharp smile.
"Oh, really?" He raised an eyebrow, as if to provoke.
"So you're getting married..."
"Is that a problem?" Zayra replied, crossing her arms.
"No, not at all," he said, with the lopsided smile of someone pretending it doesn't hurt.
***
"My love!" A high-pitched voice broke the moment. "The music has started!"
A blonde with straight, ironed hair, artificial lashes, and exaggeratedly red lips came running up.
Too perfumed. Too cheerful. Too out of place...
Although her enormous ring and the confidence with which she displayed it made it clear she wasn't just any companion.
"This is Agata," Sebastian said, still looking at Zayra, wrapping an arm around the blonde's waist.
"My fiancée."
"So nice to meet youuu!" Agata chirped, oblivious to the atmosphere.
"Come on, honey," she said. "I want to dance!"
"Yes, I'm coming." And before leaving, Sebastian gave Zayra one last look.
One that hurt, that screamed everything that had been left unsaid.
Part 17.2. The second betrayal.
Zayra let go of Ryu's hand as if it were burning her.
"I need air," she said, walking slowly toward the entrance, not waiting for a response.
Ryu followed her.
Outside, among the cars, the heat hit them like a slap.
And then Zayra saw it, Sebastian's old car.
It was the same one she remembered.
And on the rear window, a sticker.
A reminder that some battles weren't just in Zayra's heart but also on the country's streets.
She froze.
***
"It can't be..." she murmured.
"God made them, and the devil brought them together...."
Sebastian knew what Ivor Amaro had done.
He knew what that history had cost her and her best friend. And now he had chosen to join him.
The blow was clean, betrayed twice by the same person.
A real, gut-wrenching pain that broke her from the inside, without warning.
"I didn't even know you could still disappoint me more."
Ryu watched her. Confused and intrigued.
"Who was that?" he asked.
Camila appeared just in time, lowering her voice.
"Her ex-boyfriend."
He looked down and clenched his jaw for just a moment, containing what even he didn't want to admit.
His hand went to the back of his neck, a gesture he couldn't hide.
His gaze fixed on the sticker, an almost invisible action, but the tension that ran through his shoulders said it all.
It wasn't just Zayra's past that was returning. It was something more.
Something that could change everything.