Bound by Blood, Broken by Fate
Alternate Ending: The Living Curse
Chapter 20 (Rewritten): The Moment That Should Have Been the End
The blade drives forward—
—but Justin is faster.
He twists, taking the strike across his side instead of his heart. Blood spills, but he doesn't fall.
Tristana screams.
"Justin!"
Cristoff snarls, ripping the blade free, preparing to strike again—
—but Shea steps in.
"Enough!" her father commands.
Everything freezes.
Justin staggers but remains standing, shielding Tristana with what strength he has left.
"This ends now," Shea says coldly.
Tristana shakes her head, terror flooding her veins. "Please… don't do this…"
But her father isn't looking at her.
He's looking at Justin.
"At him."
The threat.
The problem.
The bond.