Alden's eyes snapped open.
He was still inside a memory. And this time it was his own.
He was in a room… a warm room. Familiar.
Photo frames sat beside the bed.
Pictures of family. Graduation day.
Smiles frozen in time.
And her.
Her face haunted him—soft, yet pale.
He understood it was just a dream. Still, it all felt too real.
This was his–Damien's room.
Then the memory twisted.
He found himself holding her in his arms.
It was the same scene which had haunted him in his previous life.
Perhaps experiencing Gravius's trauma had jolted Alden's own back.
Blood seeped through his fingers, warm and sticky.
Her breaths were shallow and fading fast.
A fragile and pained smile touched her lips.
"Damien, please…" She whispered, her voice trembling, "Live a life free of regret. Please be happy… I will… I will always be with you…"
Her eyes slowly closed.
Alden's mouth opened unconsciously.
