Lyla had made her choice.
And the world shifted around her because of it.
She wasn’t sure what she had expected relief, certainty, resolution.
But all she felt was a strange, hollow ache spreading in her chest, as if something important had been severed.
She could still hear the echo of Eli’s voice, pleading with her not to do this.
She could still see Mason’s hardened stare, Jonas’ anger, Dani’s disbelief.
But none of them stopped her.
None of them reached for her.
And that hurt more than she was willing to admit.
The silence that followed her choice was unbearable.
Until the Marked Ones finally spoke.
“Welcome home.”
Dani was the first to step back, her face blank but her shoulders stiff.
Jonas muttered something under his breath and turned away, his hands clenched into fist
