Chapter 1
The gunshot echoed through the cold night.
For a moment, the world on the hospital rooftop went completely silent. The city lights below flickered in the distance as the wind moved across the edge of the building.
Zubii stood near the railing, her body trembling.
"Don't do this, Zubii," Nehan said, his voice shaking as he slowly stepped forward. "Please… just put the gun down."
Zubii's eyes were filled with tears, but there was a strange calm in them.
"You don't understand, Nehan," she whispered.
"Then help me understand!" he begged.
"I promised them," Zubii said softly. "And I never break my promises."
"What promise? Zubii, we can fix this together."
Zubii slowly shook her head.
"No. Some things can only be fixed this way."
Before Nehan could reach her, another shot rang across the rooftop.
Zubii staggered backward toward the edge.
"Zubii!" Nehan shouted.
The wind carried her last breath.
Then Zubii fell backward from the rooftop into the darkness.
Zubii was known as a lawyer who always stood with innocent people.
She never lied in court and was respected for her honesty and strong sense of justice. People believed she was one of the most righteous lawyers of her time. Her cases were often famous because she defended those who were weak, innocent, or falsely accused.
She was loyal to justice and believed that truth should always win. Society respected her not only because she was a skilled lawyer but also because she was a person of integrity.
After her death, her final case became one of the most talked-about legal cases. Many people discussed whether justice was truly served. Some admired her sacrifice, while others questioned the tragedy that forced such an ending.
The tragedy was connected to Lerah.
Lerah had been accused of throwing acid on one of her classmates at the academy.
The accusation was false.
But public pressure and strong evidence were against her.
Lerah and Zubii were orphans. After their parents died when they were very young, their grandmother Zubi raised them with love and care.
Before their parents died, their mother and father made Zubi promise that she would always protect Lerah and take care of her.
Zubii never forgot that promise.
Zubii was a famous lawyer known for defending innocent people and promoting justice.
When society turned against Lerah, Zubii faced a terrible choice.
If she continued defending Lerah openly, social pressure and the victim's family could destroy Lerah's future.
So Zubii made a secret agreement with the victim's family.
Lerah would be removed from the case and allowed to live safely.
In return, the family would forgive her.
But there was one final condition.
Zubii believed her own death would end the conflict.
That night, she went to the hospital rooftop.
Not because she wanted to die, but because she believed Lerah's life was more important than her own.
And so, Zubii sacrificed herself.
The funeral was quiet.
Lerah stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the coffin.
She did not cry outwardly.
But inside, her heart was breaking.
Zubii had been more than a sister.
She had been the only family Lerah truly had.
After staying there silently for a while, Lerah disappeared into the crowd.
No one noticed her leaving.
Now Lerah was living a different life.
She studied quietly at the university, ate simple meals, and spoke politely to people.
To the outside world, she looked normal.
But inside, she felt empty.
Life felt like breathing without truly living.
She remembered Zubii often—the rooftop, the promise her grandmother made to her parents, and the day everything ended.
Nehan had been Zubii's childhood friend.
They grew up together and shared small dreams. Over time, Zubii and Nehan developed feelings for each other, though they never confessed clearly.
Zubii dreamed of becoming a lawyer who always defended justice.
But the tragedy changed everything.
Nehan believed Lerah was responsible for Zubii's death.
Hatred slowly replaced the warmth he once felt.
For the next three years, Nehan searched for Lerah.
He walked through crowded streets, checked old records, and followed every small clue.
In his heart, Zubii's smiling face was still alive.
And Lerah was the person he believed destroyed it.
Meanwhile, Lerah changed her identity and started living as Naiiyraa.
To the world, Naiiyraa was just another student.
But inside, she felt like a shadow of her former self.
Three years passed slowly.
One afternoon, Naiiyraa met her friend at a large shopping mall.
The mall was busy with people talking, walking, and laughing.
Naiiyraa stood near a clothing store, waiting.
Then she saw him.
Nehan.
He was standing across the corridor, talking on his phone, his expression cold and tired.
Naiiyraa's heart suddenly felt heavy.
She quickly turned her face away.
Nehan was searching for Lerah.
But he had never seen Naiiyraa's face clearly before.
And Naiiyraa had changed her name and identity.
The past stood quietly between them.
Like a secret waiting to be revealed.
End of Chapter 1