The highway stretched endlessly before Eugene as he drove, the hum of the tires a steady rhythm beneath the soft thrum of the engine. The afternoon light shimmered across the asphalt when his phone began to buzz on the dashboard. Glancing at the screen, he frowned slightly — the caller ID read their surnames.
He hesitated for a moment, then pressed his Bluetooth earpiece. “Hello?”
There was a brief silence, followed by the familiar, gentle voice of the woman, trembling slightly with emotion.
“Eugene… It's been a long time. We heard that you’ve been taking care of our daughter… Valerie. Is she with you?”
Eugene’s expression softened as he adjusted his grip on the wheel. “Not right now, ma’am. But she’s safe. I’ve made sure of that.”
A deep sigh echoed on the other end, then the man’s voice came through — low, tired, but steady.
“We’ve been trying to reach her for months. She won’t answer our calls. We just… we want to see her, Eugene. It’s been years since we’ve even looked her in the eye.”
Eugene exhaled slowly, glancing at the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip low. “She’s been through a lot. Valerie doesn’t talk much about the past… but she still thinks about you. I can tell.”
Her voice wavered, full of guilt and longing. “Please… we only want to talk to her. Just once. There are things she deserves to know — things we should have told her long ago.”
There was a moment of silence as the sound of the road filled the air again. Eugene nodded to himself, though they couldn’t see it.
“Alright. I’ll speak to her. You deserve that chance — and maybe she does too. But you’ll need to be patient. Valerie’s not the same girl you remember.”
Mr. Lockhart let out a shaky breath, a tone of gratitude and relief in his words. “Thank you, son. We don’t expect her to forgive us… we just want her to know the truth.”
Eugene gave a faint, bittersweet smile as he drove past the fading skyline. “Then I’ll make it happen. I’ll let you know when and where. Just… don’t lose hope. Valerie’s been searching for answers — maybe it’s time she finally hears them from you.”
When the call ended, Eugene’s eyes lingered on the empty passenger seat beside him. The wind brushed through the open window as he thought of Valerie — her silence, her scars, and the longing she tried to hide. This meeting, he realized, could change everything.
At the moment, Valerie remained inside the dimly lit hideout, still unsure why she had been brought there in the first place. The atmosphere felt tense, and every small sound echoed a little too loudly in the quiet space. As she sat on the edge of the bed, she replayed the earlier moment in her head—Kain stepping away to take a call from Eugene, speaking in a low, clipped voice she couldn’t fully hear or understand. Whatever they discussed, it clearly wasn’t something they wanted her to know.
A few minutes later, Kain walked back into the room with a composed but firm expression.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cdDyazOY7
“Valerie,” he said, crossing his arms, “get ready. We’re having dinner with important guests tonight.”
Valerie blinked, confused. “Dinner? With who? What’s going on?”
Kain didn’t answer her directly. He just sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just trust me. It’s important. Wear something presentable.” His tone wasn’t harsh, but it was final—he wasn’t giving her options.
Still puzzled, Valerie stood up slowly. “Kain… earlier, on the phone… What were you talking about with Eugene?” she asked, trying to read his expression.
He paused for a moment, eyes flicking away. “Nothing you need to worry about right now,” he replied. “I’ll explain later.”
Valerie wasn’t satisfied with the answer, but pushing him further felt pointless. There was a heaviness in the air she couldn’t quite place, something secretive and urgent. So she simply nodded, deciding to follow his instructions for now.
“Alright,” she murmured, heading toward the small closet. “I’ll get ready.”
As she began preparing herself, the uncertainty only grew. She had no idea who these “important guests” were or why she needed to meet them—but one thing was clear: whatever situation she had fallen into, it was far from normal.
Eugene’s phone rang again, cutting through the quiet. When he saw Bryan’s name on the screen, he answered immediately.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR24lj2QtOE
“Bryan,” Eugene said, “what’s wrong?”
Bryan’s voice came through strained and worried. “Eugene… are you and the others able to meet up?” he asked. “We’re all getting really concerned. We haven’t heard from Valerie, and it’s not like her to disappear like this.”
Eugene’s expression tightened at the mention of her name. “Yeah,” he replied slowly. “We’ve noticed it too. No calls, no messages.”
“That’s why I’m asking,” Bryan continued. “She’s our friend. We’re missing her, and none of this feels right.”
Eugene leaned against the wall, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “Alright,” he said after a brief pause. “I’ll gather everyone. We’ll meet and talk this through.”
Relief was evident in Bryan’s voice. “Thank you. I just… I don’t want to wait until it’s too late.”
“We won’t,” Eugene assured him. “We’ll figure this out together.”
After the call ended, Eugene stood there for a moment, the unease settling deeper in his chest. He knew agreeing to meet meant questions would be asked—questions he might not be ready to answer. But knowing that Bryan and the others were already feeling Valerie’s absence made it impossible to stay silent.
Jiyoo’s phone buzzed while he was sitting with the other K-East members, the room filled with easy laughter and idle conversation. He glanced down at the screen and saw Bryan’s name, along with a detailed invitation for dinner that evening. As he read it, his brow furrowed slightly, sensing there was more to the gathering than a simple meal. He typed back, “Dinner sounds good. Who else is coming?”
Bryan replied almost immediately. “A few close friends. Everyone’s welcome—bring K-East too.”
Jiyoo smiled faintly and locked his phone. “Looks like we’ve got plans tonight,” he said, looking around at the group. “Bryan’s hosting a dinner and wants all of us there.”
One of the members raised an eyebrow. “Is this a business thing or just friends?”
“Just friends, apparently,” Jiyoo replied with a shrug. “Nothing serious.”
What Jiyoo didn’t know was that Valerie and Eugene had already been included in the guest list, their presence quietly setting the stage for an unexpected encounter. As K-East began talking about what to wear and when to leave, the mood remained light—completely unaware that the dinner would soon blur the lines between coincidence and fate, and that old connections were about to resurface in ways none of them could predict.
Concurrently, Bryan sat alone at his desk, staring at the screen long after he had finished attaching the files. After everything that had happened to Valerie—everything she didn’t know—he decided she deserved the truth, even if it had to come anonymously. He typed carefully, keeping his words precise and unemotional, then hovered over the send button.
“You need to see this,” he muttered to himself. “Whether you’re ready or not.”
With one final breath, he sent the email.
When Valerie later opened the anonymous message, her confusion quickly turned into dread. The email detailed how Ryung had been involved in Mr. Bong Si-woo’s plans from the very beginning, working alongside Chul-Duri. Attached were photos and videos—grainy but unmistakable—showing the vehicle used in the hit-and-run accident, time-stamped footage placing Ryung and Chul-Duri at the scene, and messages linking them directly to Si-woo. Valerie’s hands trembled as she scrolled.
“This can’t be real…” she whispered, her chest tightening as the pieces began to fall into place.
The final attachments were the most disturbing. Hospital security footage showed a doctor and a nurse entering her room late at night while she was still unconscious, their movements suspicious and rushed. Another document explained that both had been secretly hired by Si-woo to ensure she never woke up. Valerie felt her breath catch.
“They tried to kill me,” she said in her mind in disbelief.
She leaned back, staring at the screen, realizing that her accident had never been an accident at all—and that the people she once trusted had been part of a much darker plan.
Valerie was completely taken aback, left staring at the screen in stunned silence. The weight of the truth pressed down on her, rendering her speechless as every detail sank in. There were no tears, no immediate reaction—only a heavy stillness as her mind processed what had been done to her. The shock settled deep, hollow and cold, before slowly giving way to something far more intense.
Rage surged through her, sharp and consuming, followed closely by a deep resentment that burned in her chest. The memories of the accident, the hospital, and the betrayal replayed themselves relentlessly, each one fueling her anger. What hurt most was not just the pain she had endured, but the realization that it had all been planned. By the time she finally looked away, the silence around her felt charged, as if the calm had broken for good—leaving only fury and bitterness in its wake.
Later that evening, the restaurant buzzed softly with conversation and clinking cutlery as Eugene, Bryan, Sally, Ava, Chia, and the K-East members gathered around one long dinner table. Valerie’s parents sat among them, their presence lending the evening a quieter, more serious tone. What was meant to be a simple dinner felt layered with unspoken tension, every seat filled yet somehow incomplete. As everyone settled in, polite smiles were exchanged, but concern lingered in their eyes.
Bryan cleared his throat lightly, breaking the silence. “Thank you all for coming,” he said, glancing around the table. “I know it was short notice, but it really means a lot.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMRLj5KYvo
Valerie’s mother nodded, folding her hands together. “We appreciate everyone being here,” she added gently. “It’s comforting to know Valerie has so many people who care about her.”31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAYBZWVIKR
Eugene shifted in his seat. “Of course,” he replied. “We’re all worried.”
Across the table, quiet conversations sparked up. Sally leaned toward Ava and whispered to her. “This feels heavier than just a dinner, doesn’t it?”
Ava nodded slightly. “Yeah… like something’s about to come out.”
Meanwhile, the K-East members exchanged glances among themselves, sensing the unusual atmosphere. Chia tried to lighten the mood with a small smile. “At least we’re all together,” she said softly. Yet beneath the shared meal and polite words, everyone felt it—the sense that this gathering was only the beginning of a much larger truth waiting to unfold.
Valerie stood just outside the restaurant entrance, her hand reaching for the door before she suddenly froze. Through the glass, she saw them all gathered at one long table—familiar faces, worried expressions—and then her eyes landed on Jiyoo and Chia sitting together.
The sight hit her harder than she expected. Her chest tightened instantly, and she whispered under her breath, “No… I can’t.” Her fingers curled tightly around her purse, her other hand gripping her phone as if it were the only thing anchoring her to reality.
…
FLASHBACK:
The memory rushed back to Valerie without warning, the first crack in what used to be an easy friendship. She and Chia stood in an empty practice room, the air thick with tension instead of music.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6DRCL1n0w
“You went behind my back,” Valerie said, her voice low but shaking. “You knew how important that was to me.”
Chia crossed her arms defensively. “I did what I had to do,” she snapped. “You don’t own every decision I make.”
“That wasn’t just a decision,” Valerie shot back. “That was betrayal.”
Chia scoffed, turning away. “You’re always making yourself the victim, Valerie.”
The words cut deeper than Valerie expected. That was the moment she realized something had shifted—trust fractured, replaced by resentment neither of them was ready to admit out loud.
END OF FLASHBACK
…
FLASHBACK:
Another memory followed, sharper, louder. This time they were surrounded by others, voices overlapping as accusations flew freely. Valerie’s hands trembled as she pointed at Chia.31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgwwuDngeo
“You lied,” she said. “You let everyone believe it was me.”
Chia’s eyes flashed with anger. “Because you would’ve done the same,” she fired back. “You always act like you’re better than me.”
“I never said that!” Valerie yelled.
“But you think so,” Chia replied coldly. “I can see it every time you look at me.”
Silence fell between them, heavy and humiliating. The damage was no longer private—it was public, and irreversible. Whatever friendship they once had was now buried beneath pride and bitterness.
END OF FLASHBACK
…
FLASHBACK:
"I knew you were a cheap skamp coming all the way here to South Korea. You've taken my fiance's attention and most importantly, you've spread your filthy presence in our lives. Every time you're inducing your little misfortunes, you just had to drag him into it," Chia reprimanded in resentment as they were surrounding themselves in a circle.
Valerie pointed out, saying. "I never had any motives and neither had the thought of doing so. I'm sorry you felt that way."
"Don't fucking lie to me. You're the one who wanted him and his friends to get back together as a group. Here's my news for you, bitch. That dream is long gone and you are going to be next on the list," Chia emphasized in derision. She pulled the triggers twice, but she missed them.
Valerie ducked her head as she rolled forward and sprinted. Then, she hid behind the interior columns and raised her weapon close to her chest.
Chia huffed and clicked her tongue. "The moment you set your foot at Spring Gala Fest, Jiyoo had to dance with you because you look pitiful and in that awful dress of yours. You even took your chance to be a hero to save him. I'm supposed to be the one out there! Not you!"
Valerie held her breath and turned around to face her as she fired her gun a few times towards her.
Chia dodged them and ran to the side to counterattack. Every bullet had been discarded onto the floor, making clunking noises. She pointed her gun at the right angle at where Valerie is, remarking sharply. "I don't know why Jimin invited you and your misfit friends on our trip to Jeju Island. What does he see in you? You're just a poor girl who has nothing to do in life and knows nothing about relationships."
Valerie stared at her composedly, saying. "If you think I'm one, then you're mistaken. I always respected what you and Jiyoo have. I really do, but if you think I'm a liar... Then I don't need to seek validation from you because frankly, there's nothing for me to prove to you no longer, nor to the people."
"You talk so highly of yourself like you even know what respect means. You're a home-wrecker! Who are you to him, anyway?! He loves me and only me! He and I were about to get married in five months and share half of his wealth and property," Chia snarled boldly.
Chia started to shoot once again, whereas Valerie shot her on the arm. She hissed in pain and fumed as she attempted to shoot, but no bullets left.
She pulled another revolver out of her pocket and triggered it at Valerie, whose eyes widened when she instantly dashed and spin kicked across Chia's legs.
Valerie swiftly plucked the weapon away from her hand and elbowed her with full force through the stomach.
Henceforth, Chia stumbled back on the floor with a yelp. "Argh!"
"Do you love him?" Valerie wondered as she pointed the revolver down onto her.
"No need to ask me that question," Chia scoffed and rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"If you do, you wouldn't be seeking after his belongings. Instead, you would be understanding what he is doing for you. It's normal for women to have certain types of emotions, but lacking empathy in our lives will lead us astray and find other things that catch our eye. Therefore, we end up hurting our loved ones. Do you think jealousy, greed, anger, and hate will solve your problems with Jiyoo? Do you think he's happy with what you've just done?" Valerie chided.
"How should I know? He didn't want to spend more time with me because of his business projects, especially of you and your friend dealing with these useless fucking cases. Now, I'm with Kain. He's my one and only true lover. Thanks to him, he hacked the system in Jiyoo's mansion. The two of us will kill you and everyone else," Chia smirked sadistically.
"You're a monster..." Valerie clenched her teeth and gripped onto her gun firmly, holding back from her anger.
"Aww, am I? To tell you honestly, I'm looking at one. Your eyes say it all, Valerie," Chia giggled malevolently and urged on. "You have the desire that you are not able to unveil."
Valerie narrowed her eyes further in a daze and her fingers were slowly placed on the trigger, holding it in thought. "What is she talking about?"
END OF FLASHBACK
…
Memories crashed into her all at once—laughter, trust, pain, betrayal—good and bad moments blurring together until she couldn’t separate them anymore. Her breathing became shallow as panic rose in her throat.
“Why now?” she murmured, her voice breaking. “Why all of you… all at once?” A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she struggled to inhale, her vision wavering.
Overwhelmed, Valerie turned away from the entrance, her steps unsteady. She staggered to the corner of the building, her back pressing against the cold wall as her legs finally gave out. She slid down slowly into a slump, clutching her purse to her chest. “I can’t do this,” she cried softly, then louder with sobs shaking her entire body. Hidden from view, she buried her face into her arms, her breath hitching uncontrollably as the weight of everything she had endured finally spilled over in the quiet corner of the night.
Taeyun noticed a small gift box lying on the ground near the entrance, its ribbon slightly undone as if it had been dropped in a hurry. He picked it up carefully, and a quiet realization settled in his expression—it had to belong to Valerie. “She was here…” he murmured under his breath, concern was tightening in his chest.
Glancing over his right shoulder, Taeyun’s eyes landed on Jiyoo, who sat motionless at the table, his gaze fixed downward, his despondent expression revealing more than words ever could. He then looked toward Chia, who avoided everyone’s eyes, her hands clasped tightly together. Guilt weighed heavily on her face, silently betraying her regret over what she had done to Valerie before. The small gift box felt heavier in Taeyun’s hands as the unspoken truth lingered—Valerie had been close, yet had chosen to disappear once again.
Eugene tried calling her again and again, his phone pressed tightly against his ear as it rang unanswered each time. Valerie never picked up, not even once, and with every failed attempt, the knot in his chest tightened. The silence on the other end felt deliberate, final—leaving him with nothing but the echo of an unanswered call and a growing sense of dread.
Flashbacks surged through Valerie’s mind, unbidden and relentless, each memory hitting her like a physical blow. She pressed her hands against her chest, trying to steady her racing heart as fragments of the past collided with the present—the laughter, the betrayals, the moments of trust shattered. For a fleeting, painful second, she wondered if this gathering had been meant as a reunion, a chance to reconnect. But the weight of everything she had endured made that thought almost unbearable, leaving her torn between longing and the searing sting of resentment.
The rest of the K-East members sat at the table, unaware that the special guest they were all anticipating was none other than Valerie herself—alive, well, and just beyond the entrance. Only Eugene, Bryan, and a few others knew the truth, their eyes occasionally flicking toward the door with a mixture of anticipation and concern.
Ryung leaned slightly toward Chia, whispering, “Who do you think it could be?” His curiosity was genuine, though he sensed that the answer wasn’t something they were supposed to know yet.
Chia shook her head subtly, her expression tight. “We just have to keep it low key,” she murmured back. “No one can know until the right moment.”
The tension lingered in the air as the group continued their conversations, laughter and casual chatter masking the secret that Valerie, the center of their concern, was already present—quietly watching, unseen, and unknowingly about to change the course of the evening.
When Valerie finally returned to her own apartment, she fumbled with her keys, her mind still heavy from the evening’s chaos. As she pushed the door open, she froze in disbelief. Her parents were there, seated quietly in the living room, their expressions a mixture of worry and relief. Beside them sat Eugene and Bryan, along with several of her friends.
Valerie’s eyes widened, and her hands tightened around the doorframe. A flush of dismay and frustration washed over her. She hadn’t expected anyone to be here—not tonight, not like this. Her chest tightened as the reality of their presence hit her, leaving her momentarily speechless. She could feel her pulse quicken, caught between the shock of seeing them all and the lingering emotions that had been building all evening. She barely had time to react before her parents were already moving toward her.
Mrs. Lockhart reached her first, wrapping her arms tightly around Valerie’s shoulders, while Mr. Lockhart was looking back and forth between them. “Oh, sweetheart,” her mother whispered, her voice trembling. “We were so worried about you.”
Valerie didn’t return the hug. She stood frozen in place with her arms stiff at her sides and her body unresponsive as their warmth surrounded her. Her eyes stared ahead, unfocused, as if she were somewhere far away. “You’re home,” her father said softly, resting his hand on her back. “You’re safe now.”
Behind them, Eugene and the others watched in silence, the room heavy with emotion. Valerie’s breath hitched, but she still didn’t move, caught between the comfort she had missed for so long and the overwhelming weight of everything she had endured.
Once the initial shock settled, the Lockhart parents gently guided Valerie to sit down, their concern evident in every movement. Her mother leaned forward, holding Valerie’s hands tightly. “Valerie, please talk to us,” she said, her voice filled with worry. “Do you have any idea how scared we’ve been? We didn’t know if you were safe.”
Her father nodded, his expression serious but soft. “All we care about is your well-being,” he added. “If someone is hurting you, or if you’re in danger, we need to know. We can’t protect you if you shut us out.”
Valerie lowered her gaze, her shoulders tense as she struggled to find her words.
Around them, Eugene, Bryan, Ava, and Sally stayed quiet, giving her space.
“We’re not here to pressure you,” her mother continued gently. “We just want you safe. That’s all that matters.”
The room fell into a heavy silence as their concern settled over her, unmistakable and sincere, making it impossible for Valerie to ignore how deeply loved and worried she truly was.
Valerie’s silence finally broke, and when she spoke, her voice carried a sharp edge that startled everyone in the room. She pulled her hands back, her eyes flashing as she looked from her parents to Eugene and the others. “Are you really worried about me,” she demanded, “or are you worried about the mission?”
Her mother’s breath caught. “Valerie, that’s not—”
“No,” Valerie interrupted, standing up. “Because every time something happens to me, it’s always tied to something bigger. Plans. Secrets. Goals I’m never fully told about.” Her hands trembled as she gestured around the room. “So tell me—am I your daughter, or am I just part of this operation?”
Her father rose slowly, his voice steady but pained. “We are worried about you,” he said firmly. “Your safety comes before anything else.”
Valerie shook her head, bitterness seeping into her tone. “Then why does it never feel that way?”
The question hung heavy in the air, leaving no one untouched by the hurt behind her words.
“Generational curses. You compared me to others because they're doing so much better in their life,” Valerie stated, much to their bewilderment.
Eugene and the others fell into stunned silence, none of them able to find the right words to step in. They exchanged uneasy glances, silently agreeing that this was something Valerie and her parents needed to face on their own. Eugene slowly stepped back, his jaw tightening as he looked away, giving them space without saying a word.
Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart spoke with a quiet but unmistakable intensity, making it clear that they believed the Park family should be held accountable for everything Valerie had suffered. To them, justice felt incomplete without retaliation, and the pain etched into their voices revealed how deeply the betrayal and attempted murder had wounded them as parents. They wanted Valerie to reclaim her power, to stop being the one who endured in silence while others walked away unpunished.
As the weight of their words settled, Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart’s expressions slowly shifted from anger to remorse. They admitted, with trembling voices and downcast eyes, that they had played a part in shaping the resentment that now lived in Valerie’s heart. In their desperation to protect her and control the narrative, they had pushed their own anger onto her, convincing themselves it was the only way to keep her strong.
They spoke of how, over time, their influence had quietly turned into pressure—how their constant reminders of betrayal and injustice had planted bitterness where healing should have been allowed to grow. The realization pained them deeply. They now saw that instead of freeing Valerie, they had burdened her, warping her sense of peace and blurring her ability to trust. Regret filled the room as they acknowledged that the anger she carried was not hers alone, but something they had helped create.
As they spoke, their words carried the weight of anger, protection, and unresolved grief. They framed revenge not as cruelty, but as a form of balance—something they believed Valerie deserved after losing so much. Yet beneath their insistence was a desperate fear of losing her again, a belief that striking back might finally close the chapter of harm inflicted on their family.
The room grew quiet except for the strained breaths between Valerie and her parents. Bryan lowered his gaze, Sally and Ava shifting uncomfortably where they stood, while the rest remained respectfully still. No one interrupted. No one interfered. They understood that this wasn’t about plans or explanations anymore—it was a deeply personal family moment, raw and unresolved. All they could do was watch from a distance and hope that, in time, Valerie would feel heard.
At that moment, Valerie realized that her long-lost treasure had never been an object or a victory—it was her family, standing right in front of her despite everything that had happened. Their worry, their fear, and their unwavering presence reminded her that she had been loved even when she felt most alone. For a brief instant, that truth grounded her, offering a sense of warmth and safety she thought she had lost forever.
“I didn’t want to do this anyway… I only did this because I’ve loved you. Do you think I disobeyed you? I’ve been doing these things for all of you, but I never wanted to do them. I only wanted to be at peace,” Valerie explained softly, but the tone of her voice was beginning to quiver in anger. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsmAwNFDZb
“And whom are you going to be serving for? Hm? The people or yourself?” Mrs. Lockhart asked in worry. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJiU5a4upv
“Where would you go? Hm?” Mr. Lockhart asked sternly. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCOdRKU5S6
Valerie glanced back and forth between her parents when she was on the verge of her tears. “I don’t know, okay… I’ll be back. I have to go to work.” 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWixvblgBq
Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart looked at their daughter once more as she slammed the door behind her, leaving them distraught. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfyepsOKGU
“Yon-hae!” Mr. Lockhart called out. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazcSuj8FJ4
“Best to leave her alone. At least, she’s doing well now, isn’t she?” Mrs. Lockhart said. 31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMIxLF3ifF
“I know, but the thought of losing her again. I don’t want that to happen. She almost died…” Mr. Lockhart emphasized, massaging his temples.
Yet as the night wore on and the room grew quieter, an uneasy emptiness settled in her chest. Even with her family reunited, something still felt incomplete, as if another piece of her life remained out of reach. She began to question whether family alone was enough, or if there was something deeper she was meant to confront—truth, closure, justice, or perhaps a part of herself she had yet to reclaim. That lingering sense of absence followed her, reminding her that healing was not just about finding what was lost, but also understanding what was still missing31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlSmSYxkT1
and then Add to home screen.