Margaret’s POV
We stepped through the portal, unsure where it would deposit us. The sensation was disorienting at first, a rush of air and light that tugged at every sense, leaving me dizzy for a heartbeat. When the world steadied again, I found myself in a place that looked almost unreal—like a scene painted by a master artist, vibrant with impossible colors and scents that seemed to awaken every nerve ending. Lush greenery stretched in all directions, dotted with flowers whose petals shimmered like sunlight trapped in crystal. A gentle breeze carried the scent of jasmine and honeysuckle, and in the distance, I could hear the soft murmur of waterfalls cascading into turquoise pools.
I felt a strange ache in my chest, a tugging emptiness that I couldn’t quite explain. Part of me had stay
