[After a few days . . .]
Hana's phone vibrated softly against the wooden bedside table, cutting through the silence of her small room.
The name flashing on the screen was familiar, yet distant—Grandparents. Her maternal grandparents, who lived across the ocean in England. They called often, their voices warm and kind over the line, always inviting her to come home.
"Come to us, Hana," they'd say, each time. "We will take care of you. You deserve better than this."
Rumors swirled around them—whispers that they belonged to a royal lineage, that their family had centuries of noble blood.
But it was more than that. Their kindness, their genuine concern, was something Hana hadn't felt in years.
Still, she always refused.
"No," she had told them each time. "I have to take back what's mine here."
Even as she said it, a part of her knew it was a lie. There was nothing left for her to reclaim—no treasure, no family warmth, no place she could truly call home.
Yet, the stubbornness wouldn't let her accept it. Not yet.
But tonight was different.
When the phone buzzed again—her grandparents' voices calm and reassuring—something in her broke.
"Please, Hana," her grandmother whispered softly. "You're not alone anymore. We want to give you a fresh start. You don't have to fight alone in there. Come home with us."
The words settled over her like a fragile promise.
For the first time, Hana didn't refuse.
"I'll come," she said quietly, the weight of her decision heavy in her chest.
Her grandparents were shocked at first, stunned into silence by Hana's unexpected decision. For a few heartbeats, neither of them spoke.
Then, as the truth of her words sank in, joy lit up their voices.
"You're really coming?" her grandmother breathed, her voice trembling.
"Yes," Hana said softly. "I'm ready."
"Oh, darling," her grandfather exclaimed, emotion thick in his throat. "Pack your things quickly. We'll make all the arrangements. We've waited so long for this moment—we can't wait to have you here in England."
Their excitement was contagious, and for the first time in a long while, Hana felt like someone was truly waiting for her. Someone wanted to be with her.
The moment she hung up, a small part of her felt relief. Another part was full of determination. She would kept this secret from everyone—her father, her stepmother, even Jin.
She wouldn't tell them she was leaving.
Her thoughts raced late into the night. She tried to sleep, but rest wouldn't come. When sleep finally claimed her, it was fragile and shallow.
When Hana awoke, darkness enveloped her senses.
Her head was heavy; something soft yet firm covered her eyes. The fabric was cool and rough—a black cloth tied tightly enough to block all sight but loose enough not to choke.
She tried to move but found her wrists bound, the ropes biting into her skin.
Panic flared in her chest.
"Where am I?" she whispered, voice trembling.
No answer.
Her mind spun, heart pounding louder with every passing second.
Then—a voice.
Cold, sharp, unmistakable.
"How dare you slap Yuna in front of me."
Her blood ran cold.
It was none other than Jin.
She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to scream. Instead, she stayed silent.
She knew he was there. She recognized his voice perfectly—the cruel edge beneath his calm tone.
"I didn't mean to—" she started, but the words caught in her throat.
"I know what you're thinking," Jin said, stepping closer. "You're trying to justify it. That Yuna broke your necklace."
Her chest tightened, a deep ache spreading as she stared at the cracked necklace—her mother's final gift, now ruined by Yuna's careless hands.
"I didn't lie," Hana whispered, her voice trembling, the words barely making it past the lump in her throat. "Yuna broke it. It was important to me . . . it was all I had left of her."
She didn't bother to reveal that she knew who he was, even with the blindfold covering her eyes, she could tell Jin just from his voice.
Jin didn't seem to care whether she knew it was him or not.
There was a pause.
Then a cold laugh.
"You expect me to believe that?" Jin spat. "You, the girl who attacked Yuna? You think your lies will save you?"
Before she could react, his hand struck her cheek.
The slap was sharp and stinging, burning through her skin like fire.
One.
Her head snapped sideways.
Two.
Pain exploded on the other side.
Three.
Her vision blurred.
Four.
The final blow knocked the breath from her lungs, and the world went black.