บท 85: Chapter 79
ROBIN'S POV
We're on the road. Nasu's driving, looking like he's auditioning for Fast and Furious: Discount Drift Edition. Jasper's riding shotgun, probably wondering if he made a mistake getting in the car. Meanwhile, Alice and I are in the backseat. She's trying to act like the moral support team, but I'm not exactly easy to cheer up right now.
I just kept staring out the window, zoning out at the blurry scenery. Honestly, I wasn't even paying attention to what I was seeing. My mind? A chaotic mess. My emotions? Oh, they're worse—like fusing a woman who's hungry and on her period. Yeah, imagine that volatile combo. Congratulations, you now have me.
At first, they all tried their best to cheer me up. Distract me. Help me forget everything that just happened, what I left behind, and everything Alice told me. But, honestly? Not even a motivational speech from Shia LaBeouf could fix this mood. 'Just do it!'? Nah, bro, I can't. I've lived two lives, seen a lot of stuff, and yet, somehow, this hit harder than a YouTube ad you can't skip.
Sometimes, my mind wanders to this old TV show. Well, not old—future-old. From my last life. It was called The Originals. You know, that show about vampires who could flip their emotions on and off like a light switch. They called it 'turning off their humanity.' I didn't watch all of it, but I saw enough. Like that time Hope flipped her switch and went full-on 'no fucks given.' Murdery as hell, but honestly? That 'I don't care' energy feels weirdly appealing right now.
Not that I'd ever want that skill. Let's be clear, in case some cosmic ROB is watching this like it's his personal Netflix series. Don't get ideas, okay? We don't need Robin's Emo Arc.
Oh, and I know some of you are probably wondering about Olivia. Did I erase her memory? How? When? Relax, Sherlock. I had already set up a failsafe. Just in case she ever decided she wanted out, I planted a keyword in her mind. Like a magic password for a reset button. If she ever wished she'd never met me, BAM—her memories of the supernatural stuff would poof away. She'd still remember me, though. Just in a 'we broke up mutually' kind of way. Her brain would fill in the gaps with logical reasons, like a bad fanfiction plot trying to make sense.
But I'm more worried about NJ. My little princess. Well, not so little anymore. She's all grown up now, modeling and getting into movies. But to me? She'll always be my cute, manipulative little schemer. I haven't seen her in a while, mostly because I've been procrastinating—or let's be real, running—from the whole 'situationship' with her mom. Still, I made sure Nasu kept an eye on her. No shady deals, no predatory contracts, no scummy industry vultures.
Haaah… I sighed inaudibly, trying to convince myself for the hundredth time: This is for the best. I keep repeating it, like a broken record or one of those motivational Instagram reels. Does this count as self-brainwashing? Or maybe hypnosis? Either way, it's not working.
My other children were basically adults when I met them—including Nasu. So, technically, NJ is the first kid I've actually raised from a young age. The older ones were already handling their business, and they'd been part of the supernatural world long before I showed up. Less drama, fewer headaches. Easy mode parenting.
But NJ? Whole different ballgame.
And before you judge me, thinking I had choices, let me tell you—I didn't. You seriously think turning them was the best option? Eliminating Olivia's mate? Breaking their bond? Nope. Take a seat and think it over. I'll wait.
Let's break it down. Suppose I turned Olivia, and then later NJ. Sure, I'd have them with me forever. Sounds sweet, right? Wrong. I've got a mate already—Rosalie. Bonded by fate itself. That's not something you just delete. Olivia would have her own mate, and if we cut that bond to keep her around me... oh boy. Imagine the therapy bills.
You remember what I said about mates, right? How it feels when you're bonded? Being a vampire means living forever, and eternity's a loooong time to stew in resentment. Picture this: Olivia sees me and Rosalie together, happy and all lovey-dovey. Sure, she gets to be with me in some way, but deep down, she knows it's not the same. Resentment grows. She hates me. She hates herself. We all hate Mondays.
And let's be real—parents can pretend they don't have favorites, but we all know they do. Looking at you, bio Mom from my past life, I saw how you saved the last cookie for my sibling. My love wouldn't be equal for Olivia and Rosalie. Not even close. Fate sealed the deal with Rosalie, and Olivia would always feel second place.
Now factor in Alice's warnings about the future. Yeah, those weren't just spooky fortune-teller vibes. They were serious. Sure, I could try to change the future. Do my best, be a flawless hero, and avoid all the dark outcomes. But spoiler alert: I'm not perfect. Shocking, I know. I'm not about to live my immortal life second-guessing every move, tiptoeing around Olivia and Rosalie, trying not to mess up. That's a one-way ticket to anxiety city, population: me.
And let's not forget Rosalie. Maybe she's the reason for the dark future. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's Maybelline. Who knows? What I do know is that I'm not gambling on eternity blowing up in my face.
Look, I get it. I seem like a failure as a reincarnator. Not collecting women like Pokemon? Unforgivable, right? Don't @ me. But here's the thing—I'm trying to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, especially the kind that leads to permanent deaths. So to all you backseat reincarnators out there, feel free to choose differently when it's your turn. This is my ride. Hands off the wheel.
That doesn't mean my feelings just magically vanish, though. Logic doesn't fix emotions. I've got to vent. And, yeah, there's only one way I know how to do it.
For now, I need to calm down and clear my head. We've got a destination to reach, and I can't afford to mess up.
~~
ALICE'S POV
She hasn't been interacting much with us ever since we left her ex-lover's home.
I feel sorry for Olivia—I really do. But even if she were Rosalie, I would still prioritize Robin's well-being, and right now, she's not doing well.
I glance at Jasper, silently asking him with my eyes what he's picking up through his empathic gift. Like every other time I've asked, he subtly shakes his head, confirming that my big sister is still struggling. With how much he's frowning—and sometimes even wincing—I can imagine just how strong and negative her emotions are right now.
We've all tried to distract her, to take her mind off things, but nothing worked. It's like she's completely shut down. She's sitting by the window, staring out with a blank expression, her eyes unfocused. She's clearly lost in her thoughts, probably replaying everything that happened over and over again.
The three of us decided to give her some space to process it on her own since she's unresponsive. Jasper assured us it was okay and even a bit of a blessing—his gift lets him monitor her emotions and give us a heads-up if anything changes.
So here we are, sitting quietly in the car. The three of us exchange concerned looks for her, while the boys in front occasionally glance back at us through the rearview mirror. It's been like this for a while now.
Then, out of nowhere, I get a vision. A small smile forms on my lips.
I still feel sorry for Olivia and Rosalie, and I'm deeply worried about my beloved big sister Robin. But right now? I can't help but feel excited. I try not to let it show on my face, but Jasper picks up on it immediately and sends me a questioning look.
I don't respond to him. Instead, I turn my attention to Nasu, who's driving.
"She needs a secluded place, far away from humans," I say. "There's a forest nearby. Hurry, please."
~~
THIRD PERSON'S POV
The forest was an ocean of shadows, moonlight streaming through the canopy in fragmented beams. Robin stood alone in the heart of the clearing, the damp earth cool beneath her bare feet. Her chest rose and fell with deep, steady breaths as the tension in the air thickened, waiting to be shattered. Far back, Alice, Jasper, and Nasu lingered near the trees, their presence silent but steadfast, giving Robin the space she needed to bare her soul.
="I Will Always Love You"
(originally by Dolly Parton)
(from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack)=
🎶If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
You
My darling, you
Mmm-mm🎶
Her voice, rich and haunting, pierced the quiet. The words carried the weight of resignation, and the trees around her seemed to bow in reverence to the sorrow she released. Alice stiffened, the words tugging at her mind as flashes of potential futures unraveled—fractured timelines of heartache, paths paved with longing. Jasper's empathic gift surged to life, pulling Robin's grief into his own chest. He stumbled slightly, clutching a tree trunk to steady himself.
🎶Bittersweet memories –
That is all I'm taking with me
So good-bye
Please don't cry
We both know I'm not what you, you need🎶
The melody deepened, each note painting the clearing with her raw emotions. Jasper closed his eyes, his own breath hitching as the ache in Robin's heart became his. Nasu growled low in his throat, his wolf instincts clawing at the edges of his control as he felt the pull of her voice, the magic in her song brushing against his soul.
🎶And I... will always love you
I... will always love you
You, ooh🎶
Robin's voice soared, filling the forest with its resonance. A ripple of energy moved outward, stirring the leaves and causing faint tendrils of shimmering light to coil around her like a protective aura. Alice's gaze softened as she watched the scene, her hand brushing Jasper's as if grounding both of them in the moment. Jasper could only nod, the words embedding themselves deeply in his empathic heart, leaving behind an ache of bittersweet love.
🎶I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I'm wishing you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love🎶
Her voice broke slightly, a crack of vulnerability shining through. Robin pressed a hand to her chest, as if physically holding herself together. The trio felt the shift in her Gift—painful but beautiful, a lament and a farewell. Nasu shifted slightly, his claws extending briefly before he forced them back, his wolf agitated but subdued by the shared sadness.
The clearing felt unbearably quiet between her words, as though the forest itself mourned. A single tear slid down Robin's cheek, catching the moonlight before falling to the earth. Alice inhaled sharply, visions of Robin walking away alone, and Olivia eventually moving on, playing in her mind's eye, but she kept them to herself, knowing this moment wasn't for interference.
The refrain was a wave of emotion, crashing over the three who listened. Jasper gritted his teeth, his empathy making him feel as though he were drowning in Robin's grief. Alice placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "She needs this," she whispered, her voice soft yet unwavering.
Robin's tone shifted, carrying a fragile hopefulness that mingled with the pain. The faint glow of her Gift flared briefly, illuminating the forest in ethereal light. Nasu's eyes followed the threads as they dissipated into the night, his wolf quieting, understanding the depth of the farewell. It was amazing, how her gift can manifest enough for us to be able to see these phenomenon.
🎶 And I... will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I, I will always love you
You
Darling, I love you
I'll always
I'll always love you
Ooh
Ooh🎶
Her voice softened, the last word trembling like a fragile promise. Alice felt Venom prick her eyes but held them back, while Jasper inhaled deeply, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions pressing against his gift. Nasu crossed his arms, his jaw tight, though his eyes betrayed his own sorrow
The final notes filled the clearing, lingering in the air long after her lips had stopped moving. Robin's knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, her hands sinking into the mossy earth as she trembled, the weight of her own magic leaving her spent and vulnerable.
The trio moved almost in unison, stepping into the clearing. Alice reached her first, kneeling beside her and placing a hand gently on her other shoulder. "It's okay," Alice murmured, her voice laced with understanding.
Jasper crouched beside Robin, his empathic heart aching. He didn't know what to say, he could only reach out to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze, letting her know that he's there for her.
Nasu stood behind them, silent but steady, his broad figure a reassuring presence. When Robin finally looked up at them, her jewel like pink eyes shimmering with tears, Nasu offered her a hand. And like Jasper, he didn't say anything, but unlike Jasper, his reason was different, he just feels it's better to not say anything at the moment and just be there for here.
Robin took his hand, and as the four of them stood together under the quiet embrace of the forest, the echoes of her song seemed to linger.
~~
ROBIN'S POV
My heart was racing like I just drank six cups of coffee and chased it with a Red Bull. Excited? Yep. Nervous? Definitely. Pissed off? Oh, absolutely—though I'll deal with that part later. Lessons will be taught.
*Tell Nasu, to stop the car,* I told Alice, cutting through the tense silence.
He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, probably wondering what my deal was this time. "We're still miles away," he pointed out.
*I know,*I replied, already opening the door before the car fully stopped. *This works.*
The cold hit me as soon as I stepped out, my outfit glaringly inappropriate for the weather. Thanks, Past Robin, for ignoring Alice when she tried to style me. I vaguely remembered her fussing over my clothes earlier, but I'd been too deep in my feels to care. So here I was, standing in snow with soaked feet and looking like I missed the memo on the dress code.
But honestly? It didn't matter. The cold never bothered me anyway. Cue Frozen soundtrack, if you must. Between my supernatural body and my hyper-focused mind, I didn't even notice the chill.
I walked a few steps forward, leaving the others behind me. They didn't follow. Smart move—they knew better than to interrupt when I got into one of these moods.
How should I do this?
Then I felt it—a surge of presences on the edge of my senses. Just as I expected, they were coming. And, of course, he was the fastest among them. Typical.
A grin spread across my lips, the kind that said, Oh, you're about to regret this. My fists clenched in anticipation. Good timing. Perfect timing, even. The first punishment is always the most satisfying.
Soon enough, I spotted his silhouette cutting through the snow, closing the distance with supernatural speed. The closer he got, the clearer his expression became—pure joy, radiating like a puppy seeing its owner come home. His smile was warm, welcoming, the kind that made you forget all the stupid things he'd done. Almost.
I smiled back, letting my emotions mirror his. My arms opened wide, a gesture that screamed big, loving reunion hug incoming! He mirrored me without hesitation, his arms spreading to receive.
But just before we collided, my smile shifted into something a little too mischievous. My right hand, balled into a fist, shot out like a missile. It connected with his face hard, the impact halting him in his tracks and burying his head into the snow like a rejected snowman.
"Missed you, big brother Edward," I said, my voice as sweet as honey. Then, leaning down with a still-too-innocent smile, I added, "You've got some explaining to do."
~~
AN: Another chap dooooooown! wooo hooo! as promised, one chap a week, unless I had to or had too much time. I finnaly caved and discovered that it's faster to have chat gpt to fix the spelling and grammar, making it all more legible to read, rather than doing it manually through grammarly on my phone. haaaah... all that time wasted.
Does it feel like i'm dragging? well, kinda. Cos the next chap would have the start of the long awaited scene. he he he. It'll be available for some tiers in my patreon. you can read it in advance, or you can wait for next week's update.
As always, thanks for those who support me by sending power stones, commenting and not being mean to me. I always appreciate it.
Life update, my phone actually broke down, since as I said, it's an old model, and has been with me a while. Had it fixed again, but I'm working hard to replace it soon. cheer me on! I can do this!
So heres the links to my ko-fi and patreon. If y'all wanna join our discord, where you can also reach out to me and hangout to play with bots and stuff, just comment that you want to join, since the link expires.
https://ko-fi.com/emphie
https://www.patreon.com/emphie
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