The lab trembled again, harder this time. Sparks flared across the walls, wires snaking like living things, and the shadows of the fractured timelines twisted against the metal like predators. My pulse hammered, chest tight with fear, jealousy, and pride. Every nerve screamed, move, act, survive.
Vorde’s hand gripped mine so hard it ached. His blue eyes were sharp, unblinking, scanning every shadow, every flicker of the monitors. “Veronica, this is worse than we thought.” His voice cracked with fear, but underneath it, a thread of pride clung tightly. Trust. I need you to make it right.
“I know,” I snapped, voice raw. “I’ll fix it. I have to.” Every instinct screamed that if I hesitated, everything would collapse. My mind raced through timelines, betrayals, all the mistakes I had made an
