Part 2The Heartbeat Paradox

The first to reach me were my parents. They shoved a stunned Adrian aside and pulled me from the coffin, hugging me tightly, their tears streaming down.

"Mel! You're alive! Our daughter is alive!"

The air was squeezed from my lungs. I felt like a wooden doll, my gaze fixed on Adrian, who was still standing where he'd been pushed. The ring was clutched in his hand. His dark eyes were lowered, his perfect features lost in shadow. A fresh gash marred the back of his hand from the shove, a thin line of crimson welling up.

He calmly wrapped a handkerchief around the wound and turned to leave.

I lifted a hand, my voice barely a whisper. "I… I want Adrian."

The room fell silent. Adrian’s eyelids twitched. He slowly looked up at me.

I pulled away from my parents and threw my arms around him, a dam of years of unspoken feelings finally breaking.

"Don't go," I cried, burying my face in his chest. "Don't leave me."

Adrian went completely still.

And in my head, I heard the notification: 「Mission progress: 11%.」