"What the hell was that?" I screamed at the White Rabbit. In response, she stepped forward and morphed into an exact copy of me—except with my original white hair.
"I just wanted you to see that your chosen path isn't the only one," she said calmly.
I glared at her. "I got murdered in one of those paths!"
She giggled. "That was because of your folly, not mine. Everyone has a choice, but your options are infinitely wider. Also, I would not let you die— even if you chose that timeline, I'd simply move you to a safer place before any true harm came. You're even free to retry. You might do better next time."
A chair appeared in the room ahead of me. She strolled over and sat down.
"There's no way... I could go on with these memories," I muttered, feeling defeated.It's going to be hard interacting with RJ, knowing he could kill me if he wanted to... Even if he failed, the attempt was still real.And Valin... I felt things so intensely for him that I couldn't even think of anyone else. The idea of hurting him terrified me so much, it made any lingering feelings I had for Zai just... vanish. I never thought that was possible.
"Oh... you're feeling indecisive. Are you surprised?" she teased.
I bit my lip.
"In two lives, YOU chose the same person... yet the third life stops you from going back to them?" The Rabbit mocked, grinning eerily wide.
I wish she'd stop rubbing it in. Even now, my heart races for someone I never imagined falling for. She has me questioning everything.
Why did I ask Valin to be my friend?Why did I insist our friendship remain, even after I moved?Why wasn't I disgusted when he admitted to having impure thoughts about me?Why do his expressions affect me, no matter what he says?Why was I so adamant about him not being with Lisa?Was I always interested in him?
Am I really that weak-minded?
"I should return to the natural path I was on... with Zai," I said after some deliberation. "But I don't want to remember... any other world but that one."
I only ended up with Valin because the Rabbit delayed my chance to talk to Zai.Still... I'm erasing a whole reality.And even though the life was small... the child that came from it...
My feelings for Zai are intense, of course—but for some reason, a child never resulted from our intimacy. My eyes were always red when I looked at Zai.I wonder what color they'd be if I powered up now and looked at Valin.
"So foolish," she laughed. "Zai is not your natural path, sweetheart. You're only in this time because I brought you here. I transported you a hundred years into the future—near a place where you could achieve your happiest ending."
She leaned forward, her expression darkening.
"Your natural path? That would've been getting raped by Qon to completion. You'd live in shame, refuse to talk about it, and become a continuous victim. He'd push you along a path to fame, yes—but that would also be the chain tethering you to him. That life was too miserable for my master, so I altered it."
Her words made me tremble with fear. I wept for the version of me that would have had to endure that reality.
"How awful," I whispered, rubbing my eyes dry.
"What you should be saying is thank you," she said. "I spared you from any memories of that life. He would've made you burn all your bridges, and not many believe corruption exists in Infaniya. Plus, Qon was quite beloved—who would take your word over his?"
I sniffled, then looked up at her. "Thank you... I'm sorry. I should have said that to you before."
She sighed. "I shall forgive you—once, and no more." Then she grinned. She looked like me, but her aura was far more mature than anything I believed I exuded.
"I'll do you a favor. I will erase the timeline where your life is at risk... but allow you to remember your life with Valin for seven more days. If you don't summon me within that time, I'll take it as confirmation that you're sure about Zai, and I won't interfere again... unless, of course, you need me."
"Summon you...? How would I even do that?" I asked shakily.
"You'll figure it out. Let's just hope there's no need."
I was sent back to the timeline I'd grown used to—the one with Zai, asleep in the bed beside me.
I jolted upright and gasped. Zai sat up too, gently rubbing my back.
"Snowe, are you alright?" he asked, his voice sounding muffled, like we were underwater.
"I'm fine," I lied. Zai continued stroking my back, then pulled me into a hug and said,
"It was just a dream. If talking about it will help, I'm here to listen. And if you'd rather not, I'm still here."
His voice was soothing, and I could feel myself beginning to relax.
"…If for some reason… I was with someone else when we met… what would you do?"
He hugged me tighter.
"I would win you over."
"What if… it was your brother?" I added.
Zai pushed me back slightly and squinted at my face.
"You dream about Rai or something?"
I shook my head no.
"Well… my brothers and I have a… special relationship. But… you're the only person in the world my heart responds to. I could live without romance… but only if I didn't know you."
So… if I were with Valin, he'd try everything to steal me away…
"I understand…"
"No. All of my siblings have fallen in love—or at least been attracted to someone before. You're far more precious to me than they could ever imagine. Seeing you with one of them… that would be the most annoying thing in the world. I don't know what I'd do."
He said the last part quietly.
"I… had a nightmare that you and I never dated. So I ended up with someone else… and you were really upset."
Zai sighed and kissed my cheek.
"That sounds… really accurate. Did you pity me?"
I honestly couldn't remember. I think seeing him at the door annoyed me more than anything.
"I'm just glad it was only a dream," I murmured, lying back down to face him as he lay with me.
Zai's fingers slid along my waist and his face nuzzled into my neck, but my stomach felt knotted, so I pulled away.
"I'm still really tired… I'm sorry."
He frowned. "Is that a no?"
I nodded. He sighed again. "Fine… I'm just going to take a shower. I'll be back."
I fell asleep before he returned.
The next morning, I had a text from Valin:
"Hey, make yourself useful. Come with me to get coffee."
I snorted, imagining his voice, and replied:
"Changed your mind on hanging out, fast."
He didn't reply for several minutes, which made me anxious. Then Zai walked into the room and said,
"Why are you staring at your phone like that?"
I quickly dropped it and sat up.
"Oh? No reason. Valin wants to meet us for coffee again."
"Did he say something weird? You looked upset."
I pondered for a second, then shook my head.
"No, not today…"
"Are you going?"
"Yeah… I need to get dressed first. Are you coming too?"
Zai raised an eyebrow, then laughed.
"Sounds annoying, so I'll wait for you to get back. But text me as soon as you arrive, and let me know if he says something that bothers you."
Knowing Zai wasn't coming suddenly made me nervous.
"I will… You must trust Valin a lot," I noted. For someone as possessive and calculating as Zai, it was strange that he'd never acted weird about Valin being close to me.
"I do. Valin wouldn't try anything. Well, not with family. You're his sister now."
I thought about that as I got dressed.
As soon as I stepped outside, Valin finally texted me back:
"I just don't feel like going alone today."
I smiled at my phone… and had to slap myself to snap out of it.
We met at the same café as last time. Valin wore a hoodie that matched his red hair, a black tank top underneath, and stood waiting by the door with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"What took you so long? Did you walk?" he teased with a grin.
I flicked his forehead. He pretended to be hurt.
"You should just be glad I showed up!"
He laughed and held the door open for me.
"Zai's not coming this time?"
"Oh, he said he trusts you not to try anything… even if you might say some things."
Valin gave me a serious, thoughtful look, resting his fist under his chin as he stared ahead.
"…Oh."
When it was our turn in line, my heart jumped—it was the same girl who'd taken our order last time. What if she was still holding a grudge after how Valin treated her?
"Hey, Kim… I have a mobile order," Valin said calmly, pulling out his phone.
"O-oh… welcome back, Valin…" she stammered, brushing her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks were pink. Totally smitten. She processed his order and added:
"Don't forget to contact me later… I get off at 6."
He smiled. "Sure."
Then he walked over to the bar area to wait for his drink.
"What was that about?" I whispered.
"What was what?" he asked, absorbed in a Sudoku puzzle on his phone.
"That girl! I thought she'd hate you—what the freak happened?"
"Oh… You seemed embarrassed last time, so I came back alone to apologize."
My heart melted. I didn't know he could be so considerate.
"…And we f**ked."
My jaw dropped. "What?! How… did it lead to that?"
He shrugged. His drink was ready, so he grabbed it.
"Let's sit and talk… I want to hear all about it," I whispered.
Valin looked around and visibly cringed. "Ugh… people."
I dragged him to a quieter corner table. He still looked displeased but didn't complain.
"Okay. I need context." I stared into his eyes. Valin grinned and leaned closer, making my heart flutter.
"I didn't know you were so nosy. Fine. Want the long story or the short one?"
The long one might hurt.
"Short, please."
"Alright. Like I said, I came to apologize. I didn't order anything—just called her to the side. She didn't accept it at first. Apparently, she holds grudges. I told her I'd make it up to her by buying her a meal anywhere she wanted after her shift. She hesitated, then asked if I meant anywhere. I said yes. She told me when she'd get off work. I picked her up, took her shopping 'cause the place she chose had a dress code, then we ate. She ordered a lot. I took her home, planned to leave—but she begged me to come in."
He went quiet.
"…Is that the end?" I whispered.
Valin poked my forehead. "That's the short version."
So… he did sleep with her. I thought he was bad with women, but apparently, when he tries, he doesn't have any issues.
"So… why did you flirt with Lisa if you already have a girlfriend?" My voice came out more bitter than intended. Hopefully, he thought I was just upset for my friend.
"I don't have a girlfriend," he corrected.
I gasped and looked around to make sure no one was listening. Then I whispered,
"…But you slept with her."
Valin's eyes lit up momentarily. Then he looked at me with the same fondness he used to. He patted my head.
"You're really naive, Snowe…"
His voice was cold, almost irritated. He leaned back and quietly sipped his drink. I glanced toward the cashier girl who was clearly stealing glances at us.
Her admiration was obvious.
He probably gave her the best night of her life.