Fates Entwined: The Cost of Second Chances

Chapter 26

Breaking Ties and Binding Fates

The air in Miri's apartment was heavy with unspoken words as Risha paced back and forth, her usually composed demeanor crumbling. She had barely arrived before Miri started speaking, her voice laced with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Rish, listen. Last night... Aaron and I... we decided to be together," Miri said, her cheeks tinged with color. But her voice faltered as she noticed Risha's face. "What's wrong?"

Risha stopped, her shoulders trembling. "I've made another mistake," she whispered, her voice breaking. "And this time, I can't undo it."

Miri's smile faded instantly, and she reached out to her sister. "I was afraid of this Rish"

Tears welled up in Risha's eyes as she finally confessed, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. "I've broken the laws of the immortal realm again. I let myself... care for someone—deeply—and now my punishment has been decided. Even if I complete the third phase and help one more human, I can never go back to the immortal realm. I'm... I'm becoming mortal."

The words hung in the air, heavy and irreversible. Miri gasped, her heart twisting for her sister. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, there has to be a way to fix this. I won't let this happen to you."

Risha collapsed onto the couch, her sobs breaking through the fragile facade she had been holding. Miri knelt beside her, wrapping her arms around her. "We'll figure it out," she murmured, her voice fierce despite the fear gnawing at her. "I promise you, Rish. We'll find a way."

Later that day, with Risha resting fitfully, Miri turned to Aaron. "I need your help," she said, her voice trembling but resolute.

Aaron listened carefully as Miri explained the situation, his brow furrowing in deep thought. "I don't know what to do," he admitted after a long silence. "But my father, Lord Siamese, might. He's... wise about things like this. I'll ask him."

Miri nodded, her hope flickering to life. "Thank you, Aaron."

That evening, Aaron returned with news. "There is a way," he said, his voice steady but grave. "But it requires a sacrifice from the family. A bond stronger than most—something only a soul sister could offer. That's you, Miri."

Miri's eyes widened, and she searched his face for answers. "What kind of sacrifice?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Aaron hesitated. "It's not something you'll recover from easily. But it will save her. And... only you can do it because of the connection you share. Father didn't tell me everything, he will tell your mother and she will send the message via Aunt Ursula. You might have met her already"

Without a moment's hesitation, Miri nodded. "Yes, aunt was warning me about Risha the other day. I'll do it," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for doubt. "If it's for Risha, I'll do it, I promised aunt Anastasia that I'll protect the lil one."

Aaron looked at her with admiration, his hand brushing hers. "You're incredible, Miri. But you need to think this through. Once it's done, there's no going back."

Miri's gaze was steady. "We may not have same mothers, Aaron, but she's my sister. No more thinking."

Later that night, Miri met Neil to tell him the truth. They sat in a quiet café, the tension palpable. Miri spoke first, her words coming out carefully. "Neil, I've met someone else. It's Aaron, he's a childhood friend but now more than a friend."

Neil's face fell, but he nodded slowly, his expression calm yet pained. "And?"

Miri's voice was thick with guilt. "I didn't plan for this to happen, but... it did. And I can't lie to you."

Neil looked away, his jaw tightening before he finally met her gaze again. "I appreciate your honesty, Miri. I really do. And I hope he treats you well."

Tears stung Miri's eyes. "I'm so sorry, Neil. You've been nothing but good to me."

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "I'll be okay. You deserve to be happy, Miri. Just... don't forget what we had."

"I won't," she promised, her voice barely above a whisper.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, Ashan and Sol sat together, sharing a quiet drink after their shift. The tension between them had grown since Risha's absence.

"She hasn't been herself lately," Sol said, her voice wavering. "And now, she's gone for three days. What's going on with her?"

Ashan frowned, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "I don't know, Sol. But something's definitely wrong."

Before either could say more, Sol froze, her body stiffening as her mind was overtaken by a sudden, sharp memory—Eron's doing. It was the night she and Risha had shared, vivid and undeniable.

Her glass shattered as it slipped from her hand. "Oh my God," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Ashan... Risha... she erased my memory. But I remember now."

Ashan stared at her, his own heart racing. "What are you saying, Sol?"

"She... she made me forget what happened that night. But why would she do that?" Sol's voice cracked as the emotions flooded back. "Ashan, what kind of person does that?"

Ashan leaned back, stunned into silence. The Risha he thought he knew was shrouded in mystery. "I don't know," he said finally, his voice low and uncertain. "But we need to find out."

As they sat in the echoing quiet of their confusion, both realized they were only beginning to uncover the depth of Risha's secrets. And neither of them knew what it would mean for the fragile connections they had shared.