The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 104: Ch : Rose Grayson- Part 3

Rose’s hopeful expression faltered.

His shoulders slumped, and he raised his hands in a gesture of peace.

"I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Miss Shadow. I just... I wanted to talk."

Rose Grayson tried to appear as harmless as possible, but Zara had other plans to make him go away.

"Then talk and go. She doesn’t need this."

Zara snapped in a clearly annoyed voice, and that earned her a glare from Rose. Thankfully, the man did not try and fight Zara.

Selene could feel the tension rising. She knew Zara was only moments away from attacking Rose if he did not back off. She took a step forward, gently touching Zara’s arm.

"It’s okay. Let me handle this."

Selene said softly. A fight was the last thing she wanted. Especially when there was such a big rank difference between Zara and Rose.

Zara hesitated, her eyes darting between Selene and Rose.

She nodded slowly, but she did not relax.

Selene faced Rose, wanting him to back off.

"I’m giving you a chance. But if you try anything, I won’t hold back next time and I will make sure it will be the last time you see me."

Rose’s lips pulled into a weak smile.

"I understand. I don’t want to hurt you."

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.

"Miss Shadow, wait."

She paused, not looking back.

"What is it?"

"Do you... feel it too? Our connection?"

He asked. His voice trembled with something close to desperation.

Selene finally turned around.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

Rose bit his lip, a small bead of blood welling up.

"You’re my soulmate. I can’t live without you."

Zara let out a harsh laugh.

"Soulmate? Are you serious? Soulmates aren’t real, dude. Get a grip."

But Rose didn’t flinch. His gaze remained locked on Selene.

"Nothing about our world feels real anymore. The apocalypse, the system, dungeons... Why not soulmates too?"

Zara opened her mouth, then closed it. She had no argument for that.

Selene sighed, rubbing her temple.

"Mister Rose Grayson, I don’t care what kind of destiny you think we have. I know one thing for sure—we’re not soulmates. There’s someone else out there for you. You’re just confused."

His expression twisted with a mix of hurt and stubbornness.

"You’re wrong. You’ll see. We’re meant for each other."

Selene chuckled as she walked away.

"I doubt it."

She felt his eyes on her back until they turned the corner. Even then, a shiver crawled up her spine.

Zara kept close, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade.

"You okay? That was... a lot."

Selene forced a smile.

"Yeah, I’m fine. He’s just delusional. There’s no way I’m his soulmate."

But the word stuck in her mind. Soulmate.

She had heard about Rose Grayson in her past life.

The leader of ’Justice’ had gone mad when his ’partner’ was killed. Back then, she had thought it was just grief.

But what if it was more?

Her mind raced with possibilities, but she forced them away.

"It doesn’t matter. I’m not his partner. I have my own path."

Zara studied her face.

"You’re sure?"

Selene nodded.

"Absolutely. Let’s go home. I’m done with today."

They walked in silence, but Selene’s mind remained restless.

The city around them buzzed with life. Survivors moved through the streets, carrying supplies and chatting in small groups.

The apocalypse had forced humanity into tight-knit communities.

It was rare to find someone alone, and Selene could not help but wonder if that was why Rose clung to his belief in soulmates.

Loneliness did strange things to people.

Zara kept a watchful eye as they moved. She still seemed ready to strike at any danger.

"I know you said you’re fine, but... if he tries anything again, I’ll break his nose."

Selene let out a genuine laugh.

"Thanks, Zara. I might let you."

The tension lifted a little. They reached their home without further trouble, and Selene felt the weight of the day settle on her.

Inside, the house was warm and welcoming.

Orion was already there, his hands covered in oil as he tinkered with a small gadget. He looked up when they entered.

"Hey. You two look... well, not great."

He said.

Zara dropped onto the couch.

"You won’t believe who we ran into."

Orion wiped his hands on a rag.

"Who?"

"Rose Grayson,"

Selene said, her tone flat.

Orion’s expression darkened.

"What did he want?"

"He thinks Selene is his soulmate. And he won’t leave her alone."

Zara said with a roll of her eyes.

Orion set the gadget down with more force than needed.

"That’s not good. Should we tell Ethan?"

Selene hesitated. She could imagine how Ethan would react.

He was not known for his calmness, especially when it came to her safety. Thankfully, he was not here...yet.

"Not yet. I don’t want him rushing back and abandoning his mission."

Orion frowned but nodded.

"Okay. But if he tries anything, we’ll handle it."

"Yeah. Next time, I will break his nose."

Zara agreed.

Selene felt a warmth in her chest. Despite everything, she had people she could rely on.

"Thank you. Both of you. But I must remind you that violence is not the answer."

The evening settled into a quiet routine. They shared a simple meal, and Selene tried to focus on the present.

She pushed thoughts of Rose and his strange words to the back of her mind.

But when she lay down to sleep, the unease returned.

Her dreams were a blur of twisted vines and soft whispers. She saw Rose’s face, older and more worn, as he reached out to her. His eyes were filled with something dark and unyielding.

Selene woke up with a start, her heart racing. She sat up, running a hand through her hair.

It was just a dream. Nothing more.

But the echo of his words lingered.

"You’ll see. We’re meant for each other."

Selene clenched her fists. She would not let him get to her.

She had her own story to write, and Rose Grayson would not change that.

Not now. Not ever.