“Why did you choose her?” Sandra asked, her voice sharp with curiosity. She was eighteen, with short pink hair that fell to her shoulders and striking blue eyes. She leaned against a rock, watching Aurora as she sat on a large stone by the river. Aurora idly tossed another stone into the water, her eyes fixed on the ripples it caused.

Beside Sandra stood Hari, the same age but taller. Her long green hair cascaded down her back, and her blue eyes gleamed with intensity. Her lips were as dark as charcoal, and her figure was slender, almost boyish, like a twig standing in contrast to the roundness of Sandra’s frame.

They both leaned casually against the rock, the soft hum of the trees around the hill blending with the gentle steam rising from the river. The air was crisp and fresh with the earthy scent of water.

Aurora bent down, selecting another stone with deliberate care. With focused precision, she hurled it into the river, the stone splashing with a soft plop.

“She’s the perfect choice,” Aurora said with a sly smirk. “The Whites are loaded, and that’s exactly what I need for my mission.” She picked up another stone, turning it over in her hand. “I’ll start with the White witches—introduce them to technology. I know some crave it, but it’s always been out of reach. For that, I need money and influence.” She clicked her tongue, her eyes narrowing. “And she’s connected to the people Kate cares about the most.”

“But do you think they’ll listen to you?” Hari asked, crossing her arms in a challenge. “They’re all after you. What’s your plan?”

Aurora's lips curled up slightly, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Killing two birds with one stone, Hari,” she said, tossing another stone into the river. A sinister smile tugged at her lips as the stone made a satisfying plop, sending ripples in all directions.

“I only gave her just a month to live,” Aurora continued her voice low and cold. “Which means—I’m going to take her wealth and her body.”

Sandra and Hari exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

“Are you saying you will shift your soul into her body?” Hari asked, her voice filled with incredulity.

Aurora nodded, her gaze fixed on the water, lost in thought. “That’s it. Concealing my identity.” A sly grin spread across her face.

Sandra let out a breath of relief. “Finally. We can leave the boring life behind and become active,” she said, spreading her arms wide and closing her eyes, letting out a slow exhale.

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“Aren’t you going to see her, hun?” Jason said, giving Jeff a light nudge on the shoulder.

Sitting on the arm of a chair, Jeff lowered his head, his grip tightening around the bottle of liquor in his hand.“Go see her?” Jeff snorted, his hollow eyes lifting to meet Jason’s. His hair was a tangled mess, and dark circles marred his face beneath his eyes, a reflection of sleepless nights and endless guilt.

How will I face her? How... The thought lingered in his mind like a curse. He scoffed and looked away, his grip on the bottle tightening as if the bottle itself could offer him solace. “The thought of it terrifies me, Jason,” he muttered, his voice raw.

You’ll die in pain, Jeff... Her voice echoed in his mind, trembling with both rage and sorrow. Even when I’m gone, my ghost will haunt you...

“I can’t,” Jeff whispered, shaking his head. His voice cracked as he fought to hold back tears, but they welled in his eyes. Jason saw the struggle and knew how deep the pain went.

Jason sighed, placing a hand on Jeff’s shoulder and gently squeezing it. “She doesn’t remember her last memories anymore, Jeff. The doctor confirmed it. Listen, Jeff,” he added, sitting down beside him. His expression grew serious, his voice heavy. “This is your chance to make things right. You can win her back. Make her fall in love with you again, then you can tell her everything.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I’d rather die than make her fall in love with me again,” Jeff spat bitterly, the thought festering inside him like poison. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t let her love me. She wouldn’t have suffered this much... A dry, bitter laugh escaped his lips.

Jeff struck his chest with a trembling fist, his voice breaking like a dam barely holding back a flood. “I can’t... I can’t even stand before her. Not anymore.” His head dipped low, his shoulders curling inward as though the weight of his grief was suffocating him. His lips quivered, parted, but the words he sought to say dissolved into silence.

Flashes of Alicia filled his mind—a radiant smile that outshone the darkest days, laughter that seemed to chase away every shadow. He could still hear her voice, soft yet firm, like a song etched into his soul. But then came the other memories: her sharp glare when he faltered, the sting of her scolding words, her tear-filled eyes staring at him with a pain he couldn’t soothe.

And yet, amidst it all, he could still feel her gaze softening, her eyes locking with his, whispering, I love you, Jeff. A bitter curve tugged at his lips, a ghost of a smile, fragile and fleeting, burdened by memories too vivid, too beautiful, and too unbearable.

Jason’s heart sank at the sight of Jeff’s self-loathing. He parted his lips severally before he finally found his voice again. But now his voice was more challenging, a contract to his heart ache.

“Are you really going to ignore her, even knowing she’s still in danger? I thought you loved her, Jeff. You promised her you wouldn’t run away, no matter what happened between you two. If you hadn’t been so hung up on Alena, Alicia wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Now, you’re going to make things worse by running away? Do you even realize that Alicia is probably waiting for you to come to her? Do...”

The trembling of the bottle in Jeff’s hands cut Jason off. Jason froze, biting his lip. Maybe I pushed too far...

Jeff gripped the bottle harder, his knuckles turning white. His jaw clenched, and the bottle shook in his hands, sending a quiet jingle through the room. The silence between them grew thick with unspoken words.

Jason looked away, unable to bear seeing Jeff in such torment. Running a hand through his hair, he muttered, “This is your moment to protect her. If you let guilt stop you now, you’ll die of regret if she dies. You’ll blame yourself for not doing something, anything. Don’t let that happen, Jeff.”

Jeff’s lips parted, but no sound emerged. His throat tightened as if the words had turned to stone. Jason’s voice echoed in his mind, each syllable rippling through him like a cold wind. Alicia... She must not die... She must not... His chest heaved, his frantic breathing mirroring the storm raging within him.

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Rose gently closed the door as she entered Mr White’s ward. She froze when she saw Alena sitting by his bed, tenderly wiping his hands with a damp cloth. Rose’s gaze darkened, her eyes narrowing as she observed Alena’s soft, focused expression—an expression that was strangely out of place.

What’s going on with her? She’s acting so strange lately. What’s that look on her face? Rose’s lips curled into a sneer.

“What’s wrong, Alicia?” Rose asked, her voice sharp as she stepped forward.

“Oh, mother,” Alena said softly, placing Mr White’s hand back beside him and looking up at Rose with a faint smile.

Rose tilted her head, narrowing her eyes as she sat down on the bed across from Alena. “You’ve been acting strange. Or am I wrong? From Alicia’s room to here, you’ve been showing an unusual concern. It’s unlike you.”

Alena’s lips curved into a sly smile. I won’t let you control me anymore…

“That’s how you win an enemy’s heart, isn’t it?” Alena said with a glint in her eye. “Now that Alicia has lost her last memory, why not take advantage of it? It’s time to end everything once and for all. I’ve waited long enough.” Her eyes flickered toward Mr White’s frail face.

“He doesn’t have much time left,” she continued, her voice dripping with cold intent. “Wouldn’t it be better to spend that time with him before his funeral?”

Rose’s lips curled into a satisfied grin, though her expression remained calm. “I see,” she said, her eyes flickering toward Mr White’s pale face. “Then what’s your plan?”

Alena leaned back, crossing her legs, her gaze never leaving Mr White as a sinister smile danced across her lips.

“Since Alicia won’t remember anything about Jeff or me, she’ll get close to him again. I’ll use her to find out what Jeff is planning. I know he's planning something dangerous about us and I have this feeling he knows where Alison is. I’ll find Alison, ruin her, ruin Jeff, and then finish off Alicia. No one will be left to threaten me.”

Rose’s lips curved into a faint smile, the kind that hid more than it revealed. Her eyes glimmered with a flicker of pride, though a shadow of skepticism lingered beneath the surface. She tilted her chin, letting out a soft, dry chuckle that seemed to echo a silent judgment. “You’ve grown,” she murmured, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with the unspoken sharpness of her thoughts. Her hands cupped Alena’s face gently, her touch tender despite the faint tension in her fingers. “If this is your plan,” she added, her tone now smooth and steady, “I’ll be by your side. Always.”

Alena’s lips curled into a sweet, innocent smile. “Thanks, Mom,” she said, her voice soft and laced with gratitude. But beneath the surface, her heart coiled tight, her mind alive with simmering resentment. Her fingers brushed against her side, almost as if steadying the sharp thought that cut through her. Just wait, Rose… The smile lingered on her face, deceptively warm. Your end is coming.