Legal Disclaimer
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 22: A Deadline and a truth that comes to light
22.1. The Terrace, the Clock, and a Warning
Ryu left the dining room, his shoulders tense, as if each step was a battle against himself.
His hands opened and closed at his sides, as if searching for an answer that wasn't in his pockets.
The warm morning air didn't help.
He walked aimlessly, trying to organize the thoughts swirling in his head...
When a carefree voice stopped him.
"Hyung, what's up? You look worse than you do after a shareholders' meeting."
He turned and saw Min-Jun leaning against a column, chewing gum like he was in a high school movie.
He was smiling, of course, he always was.
"Is Zayra the one making you frown like that?
Because that's not business, that's your heart."
He asked, giving him a look that only brothers know how to give.
Ryu didn't answer. He didn't even look at him.
Min-Jun followed him with calm steps.
***
"I saw everything; you know?"
he added with a raised eyebrow.
"Zayra, she has character. But the other one, Enay, wow.
She looked at you like she wanted you to stay out of her territory. I loved it."
Ryu finally looked at him, with a stern expression.
"Can you not make this more ridiculous than it already is?"
"Hyung, you were sitting there like a president at a meeting, but she wouldn't even look at you.
You looked like a statue... and she was laughing with someone else.
Didn't your blood pressure go up a little?"
Ryu clenched his jaw but didn't respond.
A muscle in his temple pulsed, the only sign that his brother's words had hit their mark.
***
Min-Jun patted his shoulder.
"Alright, jokes aside... Dad is waiting for you on the terrace."
Ryu looked at him with some surprise.
"Now?"
"Yep. And he looks like he doesn't want to talk about jewels. Good luck."
Min-Jun walked away with a shrug, with the lightness of someone who never takes anything seriously.
***
Ryu took a deep breath and went up the stairs to the hotel terrace, where the blue sky stretched out like a broken promise.
On each step, he felt the weight of something invisible.
It wasn't the heat; it was the certainty that at the end of those stairs, a verdict was waiting for him.
His father stood with his hands behind his back, looking out at the dense jungle of Santa Cruz.
He didn't turn when he heard him arrive. He spoke without looking at him.
"In Korea, everything is measured in figures and deadlines.
I have lived by measuring results.
But not even the most solid contracts can control the heart."
Ryu held his breath, not daring to interrupt.
"I've talked to Zayra's father,"
He continued.
"He told me she already knows about Sebastian. That she needs time. And so do you."
Now he turned to him.
His father approached and put a hand on his shoulder.
His voice was firm, but not cold.
"Ryu, I'm not here to impose a marriage. Not on you or her.
We are not a family that negotiates like in the past.
But I expect you to use your judgment."
He stepped back and looked at him with calm eyes.
"We return to Seoul tomorrow. All of us. You will stay.
Consider this both an order and an opportunity.
You have one month to decide."
Ryu opened his mouth, but his father raised a hand.
The air scraped his throat; for a moment, he wanted to object, but his father's authority left him rooted to the ground.
"One month for you to get to know each other, to face each other and decide.
If after that, nothing is clear, you will return, and we will end everything.
No scandals or reproaches."
He held his gaze.
"But if you want to be with her... you'll have to win her over.
As a man. As I convinced your mother with actions, not words."
Ryu swallowed, in silence.
His father continued,
"I don't want your wife to respect you only because of the Kang name or the company.
I want her to recognize you as a man, not as an heir.
Only then will she be worthy of walking by your side."
Time seemed to stretch between them.
"Understood?"
Ryu nodded slowly.
"Understood."
His father gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
"Then, let the clock begin to run."
He turned, without drama,
and went down the stairs with the silent dignity of someone who doesn't need to repeat their words.
Ryu remained on the terrace, looking at the sky.
"One month..."
He brought a hand to his chest, where the pressure was almost physical,
as if an invisible clock had started to beat beneath his skin.
And for the first time... he was alone.
But not defeated.
Chapter 22.1. Truths in a Sealed Envelope
While Ryu carried the invisible weight of the clock on the terrace,
in another part of the hotel, Zayra faced a discovery that would change everything.
She said goodbye to Yandé with a tired smile.
Despite their talk, the air still felt heavy in her chest.
She arrived at the porch of her cabin and saw a thick, yellow envelope by the door.
It had no sender. No name. Nothing.
Just the color of the opaque paper and an uncomfortable presence.
She frowned, looked around.
No one.
She bent down with effort, picking up the envelope with distrust, and went inside, holding it in her hands.
She closed the door, stood still for a few seconds, as if the room itself were holding its breath.
Then she walked to the bed, sat down, and opened it.
***
Photographs, screenshots, printed chats, a USB stick.
Explicit messages. Repeated conversations from Sebastian with different women.
Dates. Times. Years. More than five years of documented infidelities.
It was all there. Organized. Raw. Irrefutable.
She felt a lump in her throat, as if each image was stealing her breath.
Her stomach churned with a mixture of rage and disgust; she had to lean on the bed so as not to lose her balance.
She opened one photo.
Then another.
Her fingers trembled.
"How ridiculous!"
She exclaimed with a bitter, incredulous laugh.
"What a level of cynicism!"
Caught between anger and laughter, she chose to laugh.
But her laughter was ironic, dry. Almost sad.
"So you had it all planned out to be with your little doll... and with me at the same time."
She threw the envelope on the bed as if it were burning her hands.
"And you still had the nerve to come with proposals and guitars the other day?"
She put a hand to her forehead, as if to clear her vision.
Walked to the window, yanked the curtains open.
She needed air, light, reality.
"I'm not going to forgive you, Sebastian. Not this time."
She closed her eyes. Her heart was racing.
She didn't want to admit that a part of her still trembled at his name.
And suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Knock. Knock.