FINDING A SOLUTION!

Returning to the Present.

Lena sat on the edge of the bed in the cold apartment, staring at the suitcase she hadn't even unpacked.A few hours earlier, Seo Joon had left.Without a word.Without any more words than what was necessary to throw the truth in her face.Her plan, everything she had schemed, had collapsed in an instant.But it didn't hurt the most that she didn't get what she came for.What hurt the most was losing him.And she never even had him.She lifted her trembling hand and ran her fingers over her lips.She could still feel his kiss.His touch.His voice.He was serious, often pensive, but there was something in him…Something warm. Something that had slowly begun to awaken in him, thanks to her.And now, she had crushed it.On her own.Stupid.She lifted her hand and covered her eyes, but the tears were already sliding down her cheeks.She felt the weight in her chest, as if someone was standing on her, not allowing her to breathe.This wasn't how it was supposed to end.Not like this.She…She fell in love.Unplanned. Without permission.This wasn't supposed to be like this.The plan was clear.Find a rich man. Make him fall in love. Take the money.But Seo Joon wasn't just a rich man.He was attentive, kind.And she…She was the damn monster.She looked at her phone.There were several missed calls on the screen.People she owed.People who were waiting for her.She had no choice anymore.She had to go back.Empty-handed.And without him.Seo Joon sat in the private jet, staring out the window at the endless white silence of the Swiss mountains.Emptiness.That's exactly what he felt in his chest.He was sure the anger would pass.That he would stop thinking about her as soon as the plane took off, as soon as he returned to his world, to the frantic pace of Seoul where there was no time for emotions.But it didn't stop.His hand clenched into a fist as the scene from the villa replayed in front of his eyes."I'll make her stay longer…"Her voice was light, mischievous, seductive.And he, how foolish he was, thought those words were sincere.But they were just part of the plan.He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the seat back.How could he be so naive?His whole life, he had been careful with the people around him.He didn't trust anyone easily.And with her…He trusted her.He let her slip under his skin, made her make him feel again, reminded him of what it was…To be alive.And what did he get in return?Lies.Manipulation.He had made a fool of himself while she was playing the game.For the first time in his life, he wished he hadn't overheard that conversation.That he could have continued living in ignorance for just a few more days.But now…Now it's over.He rubbed his palm across his face, trying to erase the feeling of her hands on him.The warmth of her kisses.The sound of her laughter.But it didn't work.Damn it, it didn't work.He opened his eyes and coldly told the steward:"How much longer until Seoul?""About ten hours, Mr. Seo."He nodded.Ten hours to forget her.Ten hours to return to his life.Ten hours to erase Lena from his mind.But deep inside…He knew he wouldn't be able to.Lena unlocked the door to her small, modest apartment and stepped inside, feeling as if she was carrying the whole world on her shoulders.Silence.It was so loud now, after a few days filled with laughter, kisses, his voice…Now she was alone.She let the suitcase fall beside the door, then took off the thick ski jacket. It wasn't even hers. Between all her problems, she had barely managed to scrape together enough money to rent it.She gently folded it and put it in a plastic bag. She had to return it immediately. Any extra charge would just push her further into debt.And just as she was heading toward the exit, there was a loud knock on the door.Lena froze.She knew who it was.She knew why they had come.Slowly, she approached the door and cracked it open.In front of her stood a tall man in a black coat, with cold eyes and a hard expression on his face.Viktor.One of the people she owed.His gaze slid over her and then entered, as if checking if she was alone."Lena." His voice was low but sharp. "Did you bring the money?"Lena swallowed hard."I'm working on it," she said, trying to sound confident. "I just need a little more time."Viktor raised an eyebrow and ran his hand over his chin."A little more time?" he repeated slowly.Lena nodded."I'll figure it out, just… give me a few more weeks. Please."There was silence for a few seconds, then Viktor laughed.But there was nothing warm in that laugh."Lena, Lena… Do you think this is some kind of game?"He stepped forward, and she instinctively pulled her arms close to herself."You know how this works. We gave you a deadline. And that deadline has passed."Lena felt her heart race."I know… but…"Viktor raised his hand to silence her."I don't care how you're going to get the money. All I know is that you'll bring what you owe by next week."His eyes narrowed."Or you'll have a much bigger problem."Lena felt her body tremble.She had no choice.She had no way out.As the door closed, as Viktor's footsteps faded down the hall, she realized the painful truth.No more delays.No more waiting.She had to find a solution.And she had to do it now.