After a long time weighing what could go right—or terribly wrong—Rachel finally made up her mind. She packed her things in silence.

If it’s a trap, I can always use the magic to burn everything around me and run, she thought.

Before stepping out of her room, she noticed her box of savings and decided to take it along. As soon as she walked into the hallway, she came face to face with her parents.

“You finally decided to crawl out of that cave of yours?” her mother said with mockery in her voice.

“And where exactly do you think you’re going on your own?” her father added, his tone full of false authority. He had always been like that—two-faced. Pretending to be her protector, calling himself her father, yet the moment trouble appeared, he was the first to blame her for it.

Rachel didn’t answer. She simply walked past them toward the front door. But her mother stepped in her way.

“Who do you think you are? Acting as if we were dead?”

They were dead to Rachel. She had no protector in this house. Nothing left to lose. She called on the crystal’s power, letting it sweep the obstacle aside, and kept walking.

Her mother’s voice rose sharply. “If you step out of this door, there will be no coming back! I will not allow a disappointment like you to ruin our family’s name. What will people think?”

Let the people talk, Rachel thought bitterly. I’m going to bring Vivare back.

She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes glowing faintly. “So be it.”

And with that, she walked away without looking back.

Meanwhile, in another part of the world, a young man in a sharp business suit closed a billion-dollar deal. He walked out of the boardroom with the quiet satisfaction of someone who knew his worth. Despite his young age, he carried himself with the confidence of a seasoned businessman.

Dark-skinned, broad-shouldered, and fit like an athlete, Alexander was still a college student, but already far ahead of his peers. Just as he settled into his office chair, his personal phone buzzed. It was his uncle.

Alexander answered immediately. “Hey, Uncle. Everything alright? Do you need me to send the driver? Is Aunt okay?”

His uncle’s tone was slightly shaky. “About that… you remember my trip to meet Miss Wilde?”

“The magic girl? Yeah,” Alexander replied.

“She’s arriving soon. But your aunt’s water just broke, and I can’t leave her side. I need you to pick Rachel up from the airport.”

Alexander understood. Knowing his uncle, there was no point suggesting he send someone else. Brad Brown trusted family for matters like this—especially with someone as unpredictable as Rachel.

Alexander sighed. “Alright, Uncle. I’ll handle it.”

It was a long nine hours on the plane. Rachel stretched as soon as she stepped off, relieved to be done with the hassle of airport checks. With her suitcase in hand, she pulled out her phone and texted Brad to let him know she had landed.

His reply came quickly: I can’t make it. Something urgent came up.

Rachel frowned. Seriously? She tried to calm herself. Okay, don’t panic, Rea. You’ll figure it out.

A second message came through: My nephew will pick you up in my place.

That wasn’t much better, but at least Brad hadn’t abandoned her entirely. She sent a short, “Alright,” along with her live location, hoping it wouldn’t take long to find each other.