## Chapter 9: Threads of Destiny
The city of Paris shimmered under the golden hues of the setting sun. Y/N walked along the Seine, her heart weighed down by the realization that her time in this world was reaching its crossroads. She had spent weeks learning to navigate this life, growing closer to Luka in ways she never imagined. But fate was an unpredictable force, and she knew better than anyone that happiness often came with a price.
Luka found her at their usual meeting spot, the rooftop of a quiet café where the music of street performers always echoed in the background. He carried his guitar, the same one she had grown accustomed to hearing in the late hours of the night. His eyes, deep and searching, reflected a quiet understanding-one that made her chest tighten with emotions she could barely contain.
"You've been avoiding me," Luka said softly, strumming a few chords absentmindedly.
Y/N sighed, forcing a small smile. "I wasn't avoiding you... I was just trying to figure things out."
"Like what?" he asked, setting his guitar aside.
She hesitated, her fingers clutching the fabric of her jacket. "Like what happens next. What if I'm not meant to stay here?"
Luka took a step closer, his presence grounding her in the moment. "You don't have to decide that alone."
Y/N looked up at him, eyes filled with uncertainty. "Luka... if you knew that the person you love wasn't supposed to be here, that they belonged somewhere else... would you let them go?"
His breath hitched, and for a long moment, he didn't answer. The music from below filled the silence between them. Finally, he reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I would never hold you back from what's right. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't fight for you."
Tears welled in her eyes, and she leaned into his touch. "I don't want to leave," she admitted. "Not when I finally feel like I belong somewhere."
Luka cupped her cheek, his voice gentle yet firm. "Then stay."
But before she could respond, a sudden chill ran down her spine. A familiar, dark presence loomed nearby, and she turned just in time to see a shadow flicker against the buildings. The remnants of her past-the world she thought she had left behind-had come to find her.
Y/N's fingers tightened around Luka's. "Something's coming."
Luka followed her gaze, his protective instincts kicking in. "Then we face it together."
As the winds shifted and the night deepened, Y/N realized that no matter what destiny had planned, she wasn't alone. Not anymore.
