"The cruelest absence… is the one that comes without farewell, and is followed by no reunion—only a void that fills the soul, reminding you that some faces were never meant to be forgotten." — Nikos Kazantzakis
We feel each other's presence at all times…
But when one of us disappears—without warning, slipping out of sight—
their existence becomes nothing but memories that once stood before our eyes…
only to vanish like a mirage.
How cruel it is… when death snatches away those we love most.
And how unbearable… when it comes without warning.
Another shock struck them.
Used to it?
Since she was five?
What did she mean?
Did she really live like that…?
Confusion. Denial. Sympathy.
Questions flooded their minds,
and fear slowly crept into the hearts of the five friends—
What if… they had been hurting someone innocent all along?
Once again, Serene regained consciousness.
She stared at the pale ceiling of her room—
a ceiling that had not yet grown accustomed to the lifeless emptiness in her eyes.
She forced herself to sit up, her body aching—
her mind racing with one thought:
How to end this.
His anger had reached the point of publicly torturing her—
all because of the losses she caused him.
And how could she not?
He had trusted her with every deal, every operation—
and she turned that trust into her weapon.
A perfect opportunity for revenge.
An hour passed.
Then she stood up.
Despite the pain tearing through her body,
she got dressed and headed to the company—
There was an important meeting today.
A meeting to analyze deals…
with the parents of her friends—
who now worked under her request,
until their properties were returned to them.
She arrived on time.
Mr. Lee:
"You should rest after what happened this morning. Go back—we'll postpone the meeting."
Serene (coldly):
"No. We don't have time for rest.
What happened is just another reminder to continue…
a clear sign that there's no turning back."
She walked past him.
Steady. Unshaken.
And entered the meeting room.
Serene:
"Good morning, everyone. How are you today?"
Shock filled the room.
Linda's father:
"You shouldn't be here. You need rest."
She smiled—faintly.
Mockingly.
Serene:
"Really? I think you should've said those words to your daughter long ago…
the one you neglected while drowning in your own selfishness."
Silence.
His past came rushing back—
That day… that party…
when everything fell apart.
Linda's father:
"I thought you were rational… composed. You've disappointed me.
Fine—you'll get what you want. From this moment on… you have no parents."
Linda's mother:
"And I tried to show you that you could move on…
but you chose that traitor over your own family.
From now on—we have no relation to you."
Their eyes widened—
Not in shock.
But in relief.
Happiness.
Freedom.
Then Linda's grandparents spoke:
"It seems you're both happy to end everything.
Don't worry—we'll take Linda.
From now on, we are her family.
Sign the divorce papers…
and the documents cutting all ties."
"I thought I raised a daughter to be strong and kind…
but it seems both of you only care about yourselves and illusions.
You deserve what's coming."
The family shattered.
A girl orphaned—
while both her parents still lived.
They ran.
Toward the ones they once loved—
Only to be met with a bitter truth:
Those people had moved on.
Married.
Happy.
Without them.
They disappeared for a while…
seeking forgiveness for what they had lost.
Back in the present—
Mr. Lee (firmly):
"Serene, stop this—"
Serene (cold, sharp):
"Stop what, Mr. Lee? Telling the truth?
Since we've reached this point…"
Dina's father:
"We know we made mistakes… but we're not like your father—"
Serene (cutting him off):
"Really?"
"Sometimes, those we love don't die…
we die within them slowly, every day." — Unknown
"When the past is opened, no one walks out completely innocent." — Paulo Coelho
Serene:
"Weren't you the one who despised Dina… just because she was a girl?"
His expression faltered.
Memories flooded back—
His anger…
His words…
"She's just a girl…"
His wife's slap.
Her leaving.
Taking the children with her.
And only then—
He realized their worth.
And begged for forgiveness.
Serene turned to John's father.
Her gaze alone made him uneasy.
Serene:
"What about you?
Have you forgotten how you blamed your son for his illness…?
How you weren't there when he needed you most?"
Her words cut deep.
Like blades.
The hospital.
The fear.
The doctor's warning—
"He might not survive… next time."
And yet—
His father had said:
"Why was I given a weak, sick child…?"
A slap.
From a mother's broken heart.
Linda (voice trembling):
"He's afraid… afraid his operation will fail.
Afraid you'll hate him forever."
He broke.
Collapsed under the weight of truth.
But Serene didn't stop.
She turned to Shawn's father.
Serene:
"You want to fix things?
Can you fix a broken heart?"
Silence.
Then—
Memories again.
His shouting.
His son—sick, exhausted.
His wife defending him.
Leaving him.
And him realizing—
Too late—
That what he had was worth more than money.
Finally—
Jane's father.
He said nothing.
Because he knew—
He was guilty too.
Neglect.
Misunderstanding.
Punishment for things his son never did.
Serene brought them all back—
With one cold question:
Serene:
"How is the subsidiary company doing?
And how are your children adapting?"
John's father (nervous):
"E-Everything is going smoothly… they've adapted well…"
Mr. Lee:
"They've shown remarkable improvement lately—
especially in analysis and—"
"Everything we try to bury… returns one day.
Not to take revenge… but to remind us that we never truly healed." — Elif Shafak