IRIN VICTORIA

To the rest of the world, Irin Victoria is the definition of success, a woman who seemingly leads a perfect, happy life. However, beneath the surface lies a different reality. One evening, under a dark, cloudy twilight, Irin finds herself walking along a riverbank. Her eyes fall upon a quote carved into the side of a tree:

"If you lose what makes you happy, you lose everything."

Seeing those words sends her spiraling into the past. She remembers her school days, where she was labeled a "dumb" student. She had no interest in academics, finding joy only in arts and sports. Because of her rebellious nature, she felt unloved; her teachers constantly complained about her character, and she felt like an outcast.

In that same class was a quiet boy named Georgy. Everyone liked him, and Irin secretly admired him, wishing she could possess his quiet innocence. Unlike Irin, however, Georgy did not come from a wealthy background.

Their paths finally crossed during a class assignment. The class was split into teams, and Irin and Georgy were paired together. Georgy quickly realized that Irin wasn't going to contribute; she spent the time idling while he did all the work. Later, when the teacher Berated Irin for her irresponsible behavior, she remained silent.

The turning point came on a rainy twilight. Irin was standing alone, waiting for her grandfather to pick her up, when Georgy approached and shared his umbrella with her. In that moment, Irin felt a deep connection-she realized she wanted Georgy in her life. But Irin carried a secret burden; a hidden problem was the true reason she acted "dumb" and pushed others away.

To be continued...