“I did it,” you whisper, disbelief trembling through your voice.

“Of course you did, my love,” Jacks says, holding you tighter. “But we need to leave. Now.”

You glance back—Scarlett lies slumped against the Fallen Star’s lifeless body. “Wait, my sister—”

“Look at me, Donatella.” He grips your shoulders, forcing you to meet his eyes—sea-glass blue, wild and desperate. “Do you still want to spend the rest of your life with me?”

He looks so broken, so beautifully ruined, and something inside you aches. You want him exactly as he is—fractured, chaotic, unfixable. “You’re the only thing I want right now,” you breathe.

A faint, genuine smile flickers over his lips. “Then come with me before someone tries to stop us.”

He pulls you through the wreckage—shattered glass, spilled wine, ghostly laughter still clinging to the air. You run until—

“Tella!”

Legend’s voice cuts through the night like thunder.

Your steps falter. You hate that you still react to him. You don’t want to want him. You want Jacks. You chose Jacks.

“Don’t stop,” Jacks hisses, tugging your hand. But your body won’t obey. Legend is closer now—burned, torn, his eyes fractured with pain and starlight.

“Why can’t you leave us alone?” you cry. “Haven’t you hurt me enough?”

“Undo whatever you’ve done to her!” Legend yells at Jacks.

“He hasn’t done anything,” you snap. “You’re the one who keeps breaking me!”

Jacks smirks. “I think that’s her way of asking you to leave.”

“Tella, listen to me,” Legend pleads. “You can fight what he’s done to you.”

“I only want to fight you!” you shout—and as your hand slips from Jacks’s, he vanishes.

The world twists. The glass courtyard melts into glowing moonstone steps, and behind Legend rises the Temple of the Stars. Fireworks blaze above, red and gold, re-creating the night he walked away.

“Undo this illusion!” you demand. “Bring back Jacks!”

“I know you think you want him,” Legend says softly, stepping closer, “but he’s controlling your feelings.”

“You’re jealous!” you snap. “You don’t want me—but you don’t want anyone else to have me!”

Legend’s mouth lifts in a sad smile. “You’re the one holding on to me, Tella.”

You look down—your fingers clutch his torn shirt. His warm hands settle on your shoulders, anchoring you. You should move, but you can’t.

“I’m not jealous,” he says, voice breaking. “I’ve wanted you for so long. I’ll never stop wanting you.”

His touch trails down your spine, familiar and dangerous. “Do you still want to know why I walked away that night?”

“No—yes—” The word betrays you.

“I was falling in love with you,” he confesses.

Your breath stutters. “You told me you couldn’t love.”

“I didn’t think I could.” His hand cups your cheek. “But I love everything about you—your lies, your secrets, your fire. I love that you never stop fighting, even for people like me. I love you, Donatella Dragna. And I’ll never stop.”

His lips meet yours—soft, trembling, endless. You melt into him, lost in the warmth—until you shove him away, shaking.

“You need to leave,” you say, voice breaking.

“What’s wrong?” he whispers.

“You have to go before you stay like this.”

“It’s too late.”

“No, it’s not!” you cry, trying to run. But he catches your wrist, pulling you back into his arms.

“Tella,” he murmurs, holding you as if you’re all he has left.

“Let me go,” you plead. “If you don’t, I won’t be able to fight you anymore.”

“Good,” he says with a trembling smile. “Because I don’t want to fight you. I just want to love you.”

He presses one last kiss to your lips—soft, final, devastating.

“This is my choice,” Legend whispers. “And I choose you, Donatella. I don’t need immortality. You’re my forever.”