Chapter 14:The Choice Is Hers

The following morning, Rose woke up with a singular purpose burning in her chest. There was something—anything—that she could uncover to help her escape this world and the tangled emotions it had ensnared her in. If she could find a way to break free, to reclaim control, it would be worth any cost. The only way to start was to investigate the beginning: the strange portal that had thrust her into Sylus's world.

The day stretched on, the hours creeping by slowly, each moment feeling heavier than the last. By evening, Rose had made her decision. She left work earlier than usual, ignoring Sylus's disapproving gaze as she stepped out the door. There was something she needed to do, something she could no longer ignore. The weight of her discovery, of the cryptic message that had appeared before her eyes, demanded her attention.

She ventured toward the outskirts of the city, where the old abandoned courtyard stood, just as it had the day her reality had been upended. The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the silent, deserted area. The air was crisp, biting at her skin as she walked through the courtyard, her boots crunching against the gravel underfoot.

As she stood there, her mind spiraled back to the moment she'd first entered this world. The strange hum in the air, the blinding light, the sudden disorientation as she fell through the portal. All of it was so vivid in her memory, and yet she couldn't make sense of it. Not yet.

Her fingers brushed against the cold stone walls, tracing the cracks and imperfections, her mind racing. There had to be something here, something she missed, a clue hidden just beneath the surface. She walked carefully around the site, her eyes scanning every inch of the area. She was so focused that it took her a moment to notice something out of place.

There, on the wall, faint etchings caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat as she stepped closer, brushing away the dust and debris that had accumulated over time. As the symbols slowly became visible, she realized they were words—written in a language that seemed both alien and somehow familiar.

She leaned in, her breath catching in her throat. The words seemed to pulse with meaning, as though they were calling to her, trying to reveal their significance. She reached out, her fingers trembling as they traced the symbols. The feeling was almost electric, as if the words themselves had power.

"Two hearts bound,

One stays, one free.

The choice is hers,

But beware the fee."

The blood drained from Rose's face. The words were simple, yet they carried a weight far beyond their simplicity. It was clear now—this wasn't just a game. It was a test. And the stakes were higher than she could have ever imagined. The choice between staying and leaving, between freedom and sacrifice, was hers. But what was the cost? What was the fee?

Her heart pounded in her chest as she repeated the words over and over in her mind. Two hearts bound—this had to mean her and Sylus. One stays, one free—only one of them could remain, and the other would be forced to leave. The choice was hers—but what did that mean? What price would she have to pay?

She couldn't bring herself to dwell on it any longer. There were too many unknowns, too many questions that she didn't have answers to. All she knew was that the path ahead was fraught with danger, and the closer she got to the truth, the more terrifying the consequences seemed.

---

Later that night, back in her apartment, Rose poured herself a cup of tea, her mind swirling with confusion. She had written the words down in her journal, staring at them for hours, dissecting each line, trying to understand. But the more she thought about it, the less sense it all made. How could she possibly make a decision when she didn't even know what the "fee" would be? And why did it feel like the consequences of choosing either path would be devastating?

The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. If Sylus truly fell for her, would she be able to leave him behind? And if she left, what would happen to him? Would he be trapped in this world without her? The thought twisted her stomach into knots, and she struggled to keep the tears at bay.

The next day, Rose walked into the office feeling like a stranger in her own life. Every glance from Sylus felt like a heavy reminder of the impossible decision she now had to face. His presence was like an anchor, weighing her down, even though she had tried so hard to push him away.

As she sat at her desk, she heard him call her name. "Kitten."

She glanced up, her heart racing. "Yes?"

"Can I see you in my office for a moment?" he asked, his tone neutral but with an edge of something she couldn't quite place.

Rose hesitated, her stomach tightening. She followed him down the hallway, dreading what would come next. The door clicked shut behind them as he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on her.

"You've been acting strange," he observed, his voice sharp, cutting through the tension between them.

"I'm fine," she said quickly, her voice too loud in the quiet office. She refused to meet his gaze, afraid he would see the turmoil inside her.

Sylus narrowed his eyes. "You're lying again," he said softly. "What are you hiding, Rose?"

Her breath caught in her throat. The walls she had built around herself were starting to crumble. She couldn't tell him the truth, not when she wasn't even sure what the truth was.

"I'm not hiding anything," she insisted, but even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming as always. His fingers brushed her arm, sending a jolt of warmth through her skin. "Whatever it is, you don't have to carry it alone. Let me help you," he said, his voice low, sincere.

Her heart ached at his words, at the warmth of his touch. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to let him in, to let him help her. But the stakes were too high, and the consequences too uncertain.

"I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She took a step back, the distance between them feeling unbearable.

Before he could respond, she turned and walked out of the office, her chest tight with emotions she couldn't quite grasp.

---

That evening, Rose sat alone in her apartment, staring at the journal in her hands. The words she'd uncovered, the promise of a choice, echoed in her mind, louder than ever. She had a decision to make, but the cost was unclear.

The choice is hers, she repeated in her mind, her heart aching with uncertainty.

But how could she make that choice when the price was unknown? How could she leave when it meant leaving Sylus behind? How could she stay when it meant being trapped in this world forever?

She closed her eyes, and Sylus's face filled her mind. His voice, his touch, his smile—they were all so real, so vivid.

Her breath hitched in her chest. She had come into this world determined to leave, but now she wasn't so sure. Because leaving meant breaking the bond between them. And that might be a price she wasn't willing to pay.

Her heart broke as the realization settled in: she was falling for him.

And the cost of her freedom might be more than she could bear.