"The cruelest thing about betrayal is that it comes from those we gave the power to destroy us."
— Oscar Wilde
Hearts die, yet fragments of their fragrance remain, making people believe they are still alive and thriving—when in truth they are flowers watered by the cruelty of life. Nothing remains to bring them back to life or restore their brightest colors, for they have come to hate everything without exception.
As a violent storm raged in the minds of those friends—wondering what would happen and where they would live—the heavy silence that blanketed everyone was broken by a hesitant yet calm voice:
"Alright then. Since we're all gathered here, let's go. It's late, and the kids have school. They need some rest."
Jane's father spoke, trying to calm the situation and halt the flood of questions swirling in the minds of those lost in thought, still unable to comprehend what had happened to them.
John said despairingly, "Where are we going, uncle? We don't even have a single coin to stay in a hotel."
"Don't worry. It's true we lost everything, but we still have a place to stay. We'll all live together in one house. A friend of mine helped us—he lent us his large house since he's abroad with his family and won't return to Korea for three years. So we'll work hard to make up for what we lost. Come on."
Shawn's father spoke with confidence and enthusiasm, prompting Jane to comment thoughtfully:
"But three years—will they really be enough to recover what we lost? Given the current market conditions, it'll take more than three years to return to where we were. Besides, housing prices keep rising every year. We need to think carefully about how to get through this quickly."
Dina followed, saying, "Don't forget we did everything we could to help our parents improve our situation, after Jane and I lost an entire year. It wasn't easy—especially with increasing competition in the market and the rising prices of basic necessities. We need a solid strategy and a careful study of our situation."
Shawn added quietly, "Everything Jane and Dina said is true…"
"That's enough, kids. It's late. Are you going to stay up like bats talking all night? Let's go—we'll discuss everything later. Staying here like this will only raise suspicions."
John's mother snapped impatiently, trying to stop their overthinking. Linda's mother added calmly:
"I know you're shocked, disbelieving, and worried—but that doesn't mean we let this destroy us. Let's be optimistic that tomorrow will be better. With time, things will improve. For now, let's go rest. Stay strong, my children."
They all left, carrying mountains of questions and tons of thoughts about how to escape their situation within three years—before the house owner returned and they were forced into the streets. Despite their exhaustion, they gathered what strength they had left and eventually arrived at the house. Each chose a suitable room—the house was large enough for all of them. The parents went straight to sleep, while the friends remained in the living room, trying to gather their scattered thoughts.
Elsewhere, darkness covered every corner of another house. In a dimly lit spot lay a trembling body, crimson staining the white floor, while a mocking voice shattered the silence:
"What a farce… How will I get rid of them now? There has to be a way that benefits me as quickly as possible. I'm tired of everything— even this life has become unbearably heavy… suffocating…"
Serene muttered her bitter words, adorned with a false coldness and rigidity. She didn't know what to do, what had happened, or whom she was supposed to get rid of. Meanwhile, her companions continued speaking, their voices soaked in regret, betrayal, and confused hope—that she might be a victim, not a criminal, as their parents claimed.
Linda said angrily, "Is this really happening? We've known each other for so long. Did she really never see us as friends—were we just prey waiting for her to strike? Even now, if it weren't for what our parents said, I wouldn't believe it. But why? Is this really who she is? Is she and her father truly that despicable?"
Dina whispered, "I didn't expect this either. I'm in shock. My feelings are all mixed up—I don't even know what they are. We were best friends… we shared moments that couldn't have been fake."
John clenched his fists. "This is complicated… unbelievable. Despite everything, she's smart—she hides her true self perfectly. She's a damn good actress. Part of me still can't believe it, but these proofs crush any doubt… Damn it."
He stormed off, his trembling voice gradually turning into fury, punching the wall beside him. Dina spoke sadly:
"How did all this happen? Is this real, or just a nightmare? If this truly is her nature… how vile she is—and how brilliant at faking emotions."
Jane said quietly, "I'm like you—I can't believe it. But what we're going through proves her bitter truth. Maybe we could've endured it if we were just insignificant to her, but what about John? How could she betray us like this—how could she do this to him?"
Shawn sighed, "You're right. His feelings for her were deep. After this shock, he can't accept it yet. Let's rest now. Tomorrow we'll think of a solution."
Linda worried, "Will he be okay? I'm really concerned."
John returned after splashing cold water on his face, trying to collect himself. Hearing Linda, he replied weakly:
"I won't lie—I'm not okay at all. I can't believe any of this. We need to talk to her and understand why she did all this, so we don't regret our actions later. Shawn, you're right—we'll discuss everything tomorrow, then start looking for work to support each other. As for that girl… believe me, if it turns out she had a hand in what happened, I won't show her any mercy. I'll make her live the worst days of her life. I'll erase every last feeling I ever had for her."
"We're with you. We won't spare her either."
Linda, Jane, Shawn, and Dina spoke with voices filled with hatred and a desire for revenge—despite a faint inner voice whispering that she might be innocent. But their painful past and fear of returning to darkness blinded them, feeding their rage.
They eventually went to sleep, exhausted by inner battles. Night passed, and the sun rose, announcing the beginning of a day whose fate remained unknown.
"Good morning…" Serene said softly.
John replied coldly, "Just one question—did you really conspire with your father to ruin us and make us lose everything?"
Dina pleaded, "Please tell us this is all a lie—that you had nothing to do with it."
Linda snapped, "Why are you silent? Answer us! We're bankrupt because of your father. Were you really working with him? Did you deceive us?"
Their accusations pierced her ears. Each trembling word struck her soul like a broken melody. A sly smile slowly formed on her lips.
"Really? You're bankrupt?" Serene smirked. "I didn't expect it to happen so fast, Jo—"
She was cut off by a hard slap from John, rage blazing in his eyes, extinguishing any remaining hope of her innocence.
"I never expected this from you. You disappointed me. I thought you were our loyal friend. We'll never forget your betrayal."
Pain, heartbreak, and shattered love filled his voice—the love he had hidden, now crushed mercilessly.
"What? Surprised?" Linda sneered. "Don't worry—you haven't seen anything yet. What's coming is worse."
"Did you really think it was over?" Dina laughed coldly. "There's much more waiting for you."
"So my sweetheart is a villain after all?" Shawn mocked bitterly.
At lunchtime, Serene carried her food. As she approached a table, the hot meal spilled all over her.
"Oh look, we've got a child here. Don't you know how to carry a plate, or did your luxurious life make you forget?" Linda laughed.
"Ah! Damn it—it hurts!" Serene screamed.
"Oh, does it hurt?" Linda mocked. "It was nothing."
Later, as classes resumed, Shawn whispered to Jane, "She's coming."
They set a nearly invisible string at the classroom door. Serene tripped and fell hard.
"Don't you watch where you're going?" Linda laughed. "Did it hurt? Probably not that much."
"We'll take revenge on you and your father," Shawn growled.
"Why are you acting like this?" a class supervisor protested. "Weren't you friends just yesterday—"
John cut him off, gripping Serene's hair. "Friends? Do friends destroy each other, steal their money, get them thrown out of their homes?"
Shawn shouted, "Our parents never let us live in peace. We were insulted every day. We finally found relief when we became wealthy—then she and her father destroyed everything. Is that friendship to you?"
Dina added tearfully, "My mother and I were abused because I was a girl. Now we're poor again because of them. So stay out of what you don't understand."
Jane laughed cruelly, "And after we're done with you, we'll deal with your father too."
"Don't—don't touch him!" Serene screamed. "Please!"
"Oh, you're afraid for him too?" Dina smirked. "That'll make this more fun."
"I beg you… you don't know anything," Serene sobbed.
"We won't show mercy," John said as he left with the others.
All of this happened before their classmates' stunned eyes. No one could believe how those friends—inseparable since their first year—had fallen apart, or that Serene had supposedly destroyed their lives.
After classes ended, Serene returned home—only to see her father holding a gun, shooting one of his men for defying him.
"What are you waiting for?" her father roared. "Take him away. Anyone who disobeys me will meet the same fate!"
The head maid rushed Serene to her room before her father noticed her.
"What just happened?" Serene whispered.
"He refused… to make an electric chair… for you," the maid stammered.
"So another person died because of me today too?" Serene laughed bitterly. "Why all this? Just because I'm a girl? What's my fault…?"
Her words trembled with pain and suffocation.
At that moment, John's father received a call and put it on speaker.
Caller: "...…"
Events escalate… What will happen next? And what is Serene's true nature?
Is she really what everyone believes?
All this will be revealed in the coming chapters.