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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 80 — The Bridal Trousseau
80.1 A Moment with Wonderful Women.
The day before the wedding, the Choi and Kang families were having lunch at the Haon estate,
surrounded by laughter and light conversation.
Zayra was home, and Ryu noticed it; everything felt warm and close, so different from what he was used to.
Even his parents chatted with Zayra's parents naturally, like old friends.
He found it deeply comforting.
At the end of the meal, Zayra's mother took Ryu's hand and announced with a tender smile.
"Tonight, your fiancée will be staying with us."
Ryu nodded calmly.
"I understand."
He said with a firm voice, though he avoided looking at Zayra.
For a brief moment, the thought of not sleeping beside her that night tightened his chest,
before he stepped away, leaving a heavy silence behind.
Camila intervened, her tone soft but direct.
"It's a Bolivian tradition."
She explained.
"The bride spends the night with her family,
and the groom cannot see the dress before the ceremony, it's bad luck."
Zayra's mother added serenely.
"Some things are better prepared among women.
Relax, everything will be ready."
Ryu let out a short exhale, accepting the inevitable.
Still, a part of him had already grown accustomed to sleeping with her.
Zayra approached him and smiled sweetly.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I promise it will be worth the wait."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"I have no doubt about that."
In the parking lot,
making sure no one was watching, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and then got into the car with Camila and her mother.
He stayed behind for a moment,
lingering in the warmth of Zayra's kiss.
In that instant,
a brief flash of vulnerability crossed his eyes before he masked his deep emotions behind his usual firm composure.
Later night, the living room was lit with a warm, dim light.
Somó, cuñapés, and scented candles created a cozy atmosphere.
Zayra, reclining in her mother's lap, received caresses just like when she was a child.
"Mom, you have no idea how much I needed this."
She whispered, closing her eyes.
"You'll always be my little girl, even after you're married."
Her mother replied, never stopping her stroking.
Zayra smiled,
letting that warmth etch itself into her chest a memory she could return to when everything changed.
Camila appeared from the hallway, carrying several carefully wrapped boxes.
"Ready for your surprises?"
She asked with a grin.
Zayra sat up slowly, a moved expression on her face.
"What have you two done?"
Her mother stood up, walked over to a mannequin, and delicately pulled back the cloth covering it.
"Here is your wedding dress."
She announced, her eyes sparkling.
Zayra caught her breath.
The dress was white, elegant, with clean lines and no exaggerated ornaments,
featuring embroidery inspired by the Toborochi flower along the tulle that cascaded to the floor.
Sober.
Perfect.
So her.
"Mom… it's beautiful. It's exactly how I imagined it."
She said emotionally.
"I knew you didn't want anything over the top; they made it with great care. It was finished this week."
Her mother said proudly.
Camila approached with a second box.
"And this is the dress for the party, so you can dance comfortably."
She explained, showing a short, white dress,
simple and comfy, with the same embroidery.
Zayra laughed with excitement, her eyes beginning to shimmer.
"You've thought of everything."
"There's still more."
Camila said, lifting another box.
"This is your bridal trousseau."
Zayra opened it carefully.
Inside, wrapped in tissue paper, was white lace lingerie delicate and fine,
with floral embroidery and subtle details on the straps.
"The women of the community made all of this for your special night."
Her mother said proudly.
Zayra looked at the garments embroidered with the Toborochi flower, crafted with love and delicacy.
She knew the women of her community were skilled,
but these pieces conveyed more than just beauty; they carried the deep love of her land.
hey weren't just clothes;
they were a fragment of home accompanying her into a new life.
Zayra looked down, moved.
"Thank you... I truly appreciate it."
"Daughter, you know we all love you."
Her mother said, sitting beside her again.
"We just want you to enjoy your moment."
Camila wasn't finished.
"Oh, and just in case..."
She added, pulling out one more bag.
"Here is your Arabic costume, like you asked."
Zayra's eyes widened in surprise.
From inside, she pulled a red belly dance costume with fine beadwork,
delicate transparencies, and a veil soft,
almost ethereal, made of a light fabric that floated with the slightest movement.
Camila looked at her tenderly.
"I can't believe you're going to dance on your wedding night."
She laughed softly, with nostalgia and excitement.
"Neither can I."
Zayra hugged her sister tightly.
The night had been perfect.
Between laughter, confessions, and secrets shared among women, she felt at peace… ready.
Or so they thought.
She put away her dance costume in silence, smiling inwardly with a heart full of promises.
Meanwhile, far from that calm,
someone crossed the doors of the building with an erratic step and memories that hadn't asked permission to return.
80.2 Zayra, I Can't Lose You
The night was warm. Zayra, her mother, and Camila shared Somó and Cuñapé amidst laughter and memories.
Zayra let herself be pampered, like a child on her last night as a single woman.
"You're getting married tomorrow."
Her mother murmured.
"Though it hurts, I'm happy you've found your life partner."
"It hasn't been easy. But I know he's the one."
Zayra whispered with her eyes closed.
***
Suddenly… Knock, knock, knock!
A cracked voice, barely recognizable but deeply familiar, broke the peace.
"Zay! Zay, please! Open up! I need to talk to you…"
Zayra sat up straight, her heart clenching.
Why do I feel like this? Without a word, she got up and took refuge in the bedroom.
Camila frowned, stood up slowly, and went to the door. She looked through the peephole and let out a bitter sigh.
"Mom… it's Sebastián."
"Oh, my God…"
Her mother said, hand to her chest.
"This is the last straw. I'm calling the police."
Camila said, reaching for her phone.
"Are you sure?"
Her mother asked, unsure what to do.
"Yes, he's drunk and it's just us."
Camila dialed firmly.
The police promised to come… but didn't say when.
Meanwhile, in the room, Zayra breathed deeply and took her phone with trembling hands.
She texted Ryu:
>Ryu… please, I need your help. Sebastián is here. <
Ryu's jaw tightened.
The CEO was now facing a delicate personal conflict. In seconds, he replied:
>I'm on my way. Wait for me. Don't do anything, please. <
The minutes felt like an eternity. Sebastián pounded on the door, his voice breaking.
The smell of alcohol seemed to seep through the wood, mixed with clumsy words and poorly contained rage.
He kept repeating.
"I'm not leaving! I know you don't love him! I'm the one who knows you!"
Ryu heard the man's voice, took a deep breath,
and analyzed how to protect her without escalating the conflict.
From inside, Zayra clenched her fists and approached the door.
Ryu's voice, clear and serene, was heard from the other side.
"Sebastián, you need to leave.
She doesn't want to see you."
"Zay let Ryu handle it…"
Her mother whispered, worried.
Zayra shook her head.
She looked at her mother with determination and said.
"No, Mom, he came to fight.
If I don't go out, Ryu is in danger."
On the other side of the door, Sebastián, visibly intoxicated, could barely articulate coherent sentences.
"Shut up! She's mine!
I was her first love and she'll never love you!"
Ryu felt a wave of discomfort; he never thought he'd witness something like this.
He listened without getting agitated, understanding he wasn't facing a rival,
but someone who had lost all dignity.
Zayra felt a rage she couldn't describe.
"God… who does he think he is? This isn't a soap opera."
She took another step.
"Zay! Come out already!
Tell this guy you love me!"
Ryu didn't respond; he simply stood his ground. Meanwhile, Min-Jun, who was nearby, was just analyzing the situation.
This beats any drama I've ever seen.
He sighed,
wondering at what point a wedding had turned into a Latin American telenovela episode.
***
Zayra opened the door and looked at him coldly.
Sebastián tried to approach her.
When he tried to touch her, Ryu stepped in between them,
looking at him without raising his voice a silent warning.
Sebastián, annoyed, tried to grab Ryu by the shirt, but Ryu dodged him.
At that moment, Min-Jun took a small step forward with a lopsided smile that softened the firmness of his words.
"Hyung, accept it. She doesn't want you."
Ryu realized he wasn't alone; the respect for his brother gave him brief relief.
Sebastián froze, breathing heavily, his eyes darting between Ryu and Zayra, unable to accept reality.
Then, his legs gave out.
He sat on the floor, defeated by his own weight.
Even though she didn't love him, Zayra felt pity. She sighed, gestured to Ryu, and approached Sebastián.
She knelt to his level and said.
"Sebastián, I don't love you.
I want you to be happy, but let me go, please."
He looked down, touched by her words.
Ryu looked at her with pride and tenderness, admiring her strong, silent courage.
Min-Jun looked away for a moment, as if to keep from laughing in front of Ryu, and muttered to himself.
"Wow, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to deal with this."
***
Minutes later, the police arrived.
"Sir, come with us."
Sebastián stood up without resistance, clenching his teeth as he was led away.
One idea persisted in his mind.
"She is mine. I'm not giving up."
The alcohol kept him trapped in an absurd stubbornness,
the kind born in a drunken stupor that deflates with the shame of the next day.
He left without looking back.
Ryu felt that this wouldn't end today… he was already planning how to protect Zayra from the past.
Zayra stood there, feeling her hands shake.
She clenched her fists to control the trembling.
Ryu hugged her tightly without saying anything, as if his body were the only answer she needed at that moment.
A hug that, without words, was a refuge and a promise to be her rock in the storm.