CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Kiss of Doom

"It's the time traveler!" I gasped, my heart pounding with anticipation.

---

Meanwhile, Heaven sat in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her once-long hair, now brutally chopped, made her feel like a different person—someone unfamiliar. She despised it.

Rafaal appeared behind her, his dark aura seeping into the air.

"My love," he whispered, his voice smooth and intoxicating. "You look beautiful."

Heaven turned, her eyes flashing. "Thanks," she muttered. But in truth, she no longer identified as Heaven. The name sounded too pure, too righteous.

Her memories had returned—she was Aurora, the lover of Rafaal. In every lifetime, she had sworn to destroy Rockie, and now, the time had come again.

Rafaal's smirk deepened. "Our job isn't finished. Rockie has found the Time Traveler. We must stop her before she alters the past."

Aurora grinned, a dark thrill surging through her veins. "Then let's not waste time."

She stepped toward her wardrobe, pulling out a sleek black gown that hugged her body like shadows in the moonlight. A black veil draped over her face, giving her an air of ominous elegance. She adorned herself with silver jewelry that gleamed like curses waiting to be cast.

"Now it's time," Rafaal said, appearing beside her once more.

This was it.

If Rafaal kissed her, the world would fall into darkness. The kiss would awaken the full extent of her powers—she would become more monstrous than Rafaal himself.

Aurora stepped closer. Her lips parted.

"Yes, my love… it's time… Rockie will pay."

Their lips met, sealing the doom of the world.

---

A Betrayal Unfolds

"No way... I can't believe it..." I whispered, my voice shaking.

Raiden—Redrick—the man I once loved in another life, had betrayed me. Why? Why would he do this to me?

I clenched my fists, my heart torn apart by the weight of the past.

Just then, Amelia burst into the room.

"I couldn't find Velvet," she panted, her eyes filled with frustration.

I turned back to the machine, my hands trembling as I set the coordinates—2022.

Suddenly, I felt it.

Dark magic.

The air thickened, and the room darkened.

Heaven appeared.

"Heaven!" Amelia exclaimed in relief. "Thank goodness! I've been trying to find you! You're alive!"

She ran toward her, arms outstretched for a hug.

But then—Amelia froze midair.

Heaven lifted her with a flick of her fingers, her magic tightening like an invisible noose around Amelia's body.

"Heaven! What are you doing?!" I screamed, horror clawing at my throat.

She smirked, her eyes gleaming with malevolence.

"I have no sister," she spat. "In fact, I have no family at all. And my name… isn't Heaven."

She took a step forward, her power radiating from her in dark waves.

"I am Aurora."

A chill shot through me. I knew that name. Aurora—the lover of Rafaal.

"No... No way..." I whispered in disbelief.

The Kiss of Death had already been initiated. There was no stopping it now.

I turned to the Time Traveler. If I could make it back to 2022, I could still fix everything.

I sprinted toward the machine, but as I reached the doorway, I spotted Amelia—crumpled on the floor, sobbing.

"Amelia! Get up! Let's go!" I shouted, reaching for her.

Her tear-streaked face lifted. "I… I can come with you?" she asked, hope flickering in her eyes.

"Of course you can! I won't leave you behind!"

She scrambled to her feet, and together, we ran toward the glowing machine.

I stepped inside first, hitting the activation button.

Amelia was just about to follow when—

Aurora's magic struck.

A surge of dark energy yanked Amelia back, hurling her toward the window.

My heart dropped.

"NO!!!" I screamed.

The building was twenty stories high. We were on the top floor. If she fell—

I lunged forward, trying to reach her, but the Time Traveler's doors slammed shut.

The machine activated.

The last thing I saw was Amelia's body being flung out the window—her scream swallowed by the night.

Then—

Everything vanished.

The Time Traveler spun wildly, knocked off balance by Aurora's final blast of magic.

I was being pulled through time, but something was wrong.

Oh no… why can't things ever go right?