I was imprisoned in Nathaniel's private villa.
He and Orion were completely different people.
I've always been able to distinguish one from the other.
If Orion was the moon high in the sky, then Nathaniel was a wild, untamable lone wolf.
He locked me in a room, and except for delivering meals, the door was always tightly shut.
At first, I refused to eat.
Nathaniel squatted in front of me, holding a photograph of Orion and me between his fingers, pulling out a lighter from his pocket and flicking it on.
Flames licked at the edge of the photograph.
"After this, every time you refuse to eat, I'll burn one."
"Until all the photographs are burned."
I lunged forward in a struggle, but my wrist was firmly grasped.
Nathaniel followed through with his threat.
I watched helplessly as several photographs turned to ashes.
Those were my only mementos
I didn't dare to defy Nathaniel anymore.
I don't know if it was my imagination, but after I started eating regularly, I could visibly see him relax.
Occasionally, he would graciously take me out.
But at those times, other women would surround Nathaniel.
If you looked closely, you'd notice that they all bore some resemblance to me.
As if...
...he was punishing me for using him as a substitute.
I had to pretend not to notice.
Days passed, and calculating the dates, Mia would be returning today.
The "choices game" scenario was about to start again.
But this time, I was truly exhausted.
I lay on the cold floor, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
I wondered, if Nathaniel chose Mia again, could I meet Orion after I die?
Could we be together again?
Then I might as well die.
When this thought came to me, I was surprisingly calm.
The only regret I had was for the system
It sacrificed itself, but I was so useless.
The sound of a car engine revving echoed from downstairs.
Following that, there were the light cooing sounds of a girl and a man's indulgent replies.
A bolt of lightning struck outside the window, splitting the dense tree canopy in two.
The door to the room was pushed open.
Mia walked over, kicking me with her toe and mocking me.
I looked out the window with an empty gaze.
Until lightning struck the villa, the lights went out, and thick, choking smoke began to pour in.
The beams crashed down, trapping Mia and me in a corner.
I realized, I finally knew how I was going to die this time.
The fire raged.
In a daze, I seemed to see Nathaniel rushing into the room.
His clothes were disheveled, and he was in a panic.
After glancing at me, he didn't pause, heading straight for the barely alive Mia.
The last choice.
He still chose her.
I closed my eyes in despair, and it seemed someone was turning around to come towards me.
A pair of hands firmly supported my waist.
"Elara."
"Why do you have to be a player?"
"Why do you have a partner who died in the line of duty?"
"Dring this time, I've tormented you."
"I feel like I'm going crazy myself."
Nathaniel patted my face, and I wanted to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt heavy.
"Your lover is named Orion, right?"
"Really, I'm jealous of him."
"Just now, I was thinking, if it were him..."
"He would definitely rush to you at the first opportunity."
"Right?"
The man's fingers brushed my neck and touched my face.
After a moment, he sighed softly,
"You're safe now."
"I should go back and save Mia."
"The fire is quite big. What if I can't make it out?"
He laughed softly, continuing on his own,
"That would be fine too."
"By the way, will you miss me like you miss him?"
"Sigh, it doesn't matter anymore."
I could smell the scent of the wind, the scent of freedom.
A warm sensation touched my lips.
Gentle as a drip skimming water.
In the end, he said, "Be a little happier, Elara."
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the villa not far away.
Fierce flames engulfed it.
Ding-!
Earphones rang with a mechanical electronic sound:
"Congratulations, host, the mission is successful."
"The mission rewards are being redeemed..."
