Episode 17: The Final Thread
676 Words
The Awakening—And the Man Who Won’t Let Go
Claire woke up to the feeling of Ethan’s lips on her skin.
Soft. Lingering. Possessive.
She shuddered.
Because even now—
Even after everything—
Her body still responded to him.
He felt it.
He always felt it.
Ethan’s lips curled against her shoulder.
"You’re thinking too much again, sweetheart."
Claire swallowed hard.
"I—"
His hand slid down her waist.
"You don’t have to say anything," he murmured. "I already know."
Her heart pounded.
Because that was the problem, wasn’t it?
Ethan always knew.
Knew exactly how to make her stay.
Knew exactly how to keep her his.
But last night—
Last night, Ryan had almost broken her free.
And Ethan?
He knew it.
His grip on her tightened.
"Stay with me," he whispered.
And Claire?
She didn’t know if she had the strength to say no.
Ryan’s Desperate Attempt to Reach Her
Ryan was running out of time.
The cracks in reality were widening.
If he didn’t pull Claire out soon…
Ethan would trap her forever.
He closed his eyes.
Pushed against the fabric of the illusion.
And suddenly—
He was there.
Standing beside Claire’s bed.
Watching her sleep in Ethan’s arms.
His chest tightened.
Because even now—
Even after remembering what Ethan did to her…
Claire was still choosing him.
Ryan’s voice was rough.
"Claire."
The Dream That’s Not a Dream
Claire gasped.
She wasn’t in bed anymore.
She was standing somewhere else.
Somewhere cold.
Somewhere real.
A hospital room.
Machines beeping.
A body lying in the bed.
Her body.
Claire’s heart stopped.
Because this—
This wasn’t a dream.
This was the truth.
Ryan was beside her.
His voice urgent.
"Look."
Claire’s breath shook.
Because she wasn’t just looking at herself.
She was looking at Ethan.
Older.
Sitting beside her hospital bed.
Holding her hand.
Whispering words she couldn’t hear.
Tears burned her eyes.
Because now, she finally understood.
Ethan hadn’t just rewritten this world.
He had rewritten her fate.
And the worst part?
She had let him.
Ethan’s Control Slips—And He Fights Back
Claire woke up gasping.
Ethan was watching her.
His eyes dark.
"You saw something," he said quietly.
Her throat tightened.
He knew.
Of course, he knew.
She tried to pull away—
But Ethan’s hand clamped around her wrist.
"Tell me," he murmured.
Claire’s pulse pounded.
She wanted to lie.
She wanted to pretend.
But Ethan’s grip tightened.
And for the first time—
She saw it.
The fear in his eyes.
Ethan was scared.
Because he knew.
He was losing her.
Adrian Makes His Move—And Claire’s Future Changes
Claire didn’t go to class.
She needed to breathe.
Needed to think.
So she went to the engineering lab.
The one place Ethan never followed her.
And when she got there—
Adrian was waiting.
His jaw tightened when he saw her.
"You look like hell," he muttered.
Claire let out a shaky breath.
"Thanks."
Adrian exhaled.
"Sit."
She did.
And for a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then—
Adrian leaned forward.
"You don’t have to tell me what’s going on," he murmured.
Claire’s fingers curled into fists.
"But if you need an out," Adrian continued, "I can give you one."
Her breath caught.
An out.
A way to escape.
And for the first time, she realized—
She wanted it.
The Moment That Changes Everything
Claire stared at her phone.
Her hands shaking.
A message.
Adrian: I have an offer for you. A job after graduation. In another city. Think about it.
Her lungs tightened.
A way out.
A way to finally leave Ethan behind.
A way to start over.
But the moment she thought it—
She felt him.
Ethan.
His presence loomed behind her.
Slow. Unyielding. Dangerous.
Her body went rigid.
"Leaving me, sweetheart?"
Claire’s breath stalled.
Because now?
Now, she knew—
If she tried to leave, Ethan wouldn’t let her.
And she didn’t know if she was strong enough to fight him.
(To Be Continued…)
- Writer
