The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 35: Ch : The Vale Mansion- Part 2

Selene helps the trio slip into the mansion through an emergency exit, staying silent as they listen for any signs of movement.

The place is already in chaos.

Distant shouts, the clanging of weapons, and the horrifying screeches of monsters echo through the grand halls.

Fires flicker in the corridors, casting eerie shadows that dance along the walls.

Selene tightens her grip on her weapon, her mind sharp despite the weight of memories pressing on her.

Once inside, they pause briefly.

Ethan adjusts his gloves, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes. Zara exhales, her expression tense but determined.

"This is where we split up. You two can handle yourselves, but I need to check on my younger siblings."

Selene says, her voice steady. She might not have a good relationship with her siblings, but she constantly worried about them.

Zara gives her a concerned look that made her feel like a fool.

"Are you sure? We can help—"

Zara offered to help her out, but Selene was quick to turn her down.

"No," Selene cuts in. "This is something I need to do alone."

Ethan shrugs, not bothering to argue. "Fine. We’ll meet back at the exit if things go south."

With that, they each head their separate ways.

Selene moves quickly but carefully, avoiding any security or stray monsters that have managed to infiltrate the mansion.

She knows the layout well, and her feet carry her through the familiar halls with ease.

As she approaches the hallway leading to her siblings’ rooms, she hesitates.

Something feels off. She knew that she should be heading toward her sibling’s room, but her feet refused to move.

Her instincts tell her to be cautious. Instead of heading straight to their rooms, her gaze falls on her own bedroom door.

A strange feeling tugs at her chest, telling her to check inside. It made her face twitch.

’I need to stop with this wistful thinking. Those pride-filled demons have never entered my room willingly. I need to stop myself before I hurt myself any further.’

Her brain told her this, but Selene’s heart made her reach out and grab the handle in front of her and twist the knob open.

Slowly, she pushes the door open, staying alert.

Just as she steps inside, she senses movement—someone on the other side of the door. Selene immediately steps back, creating distance.

The door swings open violently, and a figure rushes toward her. On pure reflex, Selene catches the attacker’s wrist mid-air and twists it just enough to stop them.

"Noah?"

She mutters in shock, staring at her younger brother’s enraged face. The red-haired child was quick to yell at her.

"Let me go!"

Noah yells, struggling in her grip.

Selene frowns but releases him, watching as he stumbles back. The boy glares at her with unfiltered suspicion.

"That’s no way to treat your older sister. Even I will get hurt if you behave like this toward me."

Selene spoke in shock, but the one who seemed to be more shocked was the male twin in front of her.

"You’re not my sister! You’re an imposter! You came here to kidnap us, didn’t you?! My sister has been missing for some time. You are not her-!"

Noah accuses, his eyes wild. If she looked closely, she could even see tears. But Selene decided she did not want to look closely. She could not let her heart be swayed like this.

Selene’s chest tightens at his words.

The accusation feels unfair, but as she looks closer, she realizes something is wrong.

Noah and Nora both look terrified. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Their faces are pale, their small hands clenched into fists. More than that, they are in her room—not their own.

A knot forms in her stomach.

’Why are they here?’

Selene shakes her head, pushing away her thoughts. This isn’t the time for questions. She came to check on them, and now that she sees they’re alive, she should leave.

"I need to go,"

She says firmly, stepping back toward the door.

Noah suddenly grabs the fabric of her sleeve, his grip tight despite his trembling hands.

"Where are you going?"

He demands.

"I came to see if you two were safe. Now, I have to go."

She replies, keeping her tone even.

Noah’s eyes blaze with frustration.

"You just got here, and now you want to leave again? No! You can’t just come and go whenever you want! You owe us!"

His voice rises in anger.

Selene stiffens at his words. Two months ago, she might have flinched, guilt twisting in her gut. But now... now she feels nothing but exhaustion.

She sighs and pulls her arm free with ease, surprising even herself.

It’s too easy.

Noah stares at her in disbelief.

His grip—once strong enough to hold her down in the past—can no longer restrain her. He knows it too.

Selene meets his gaze and finally understands something important.

The guilt that had kept her bound to her twin siblings for so long is gone.

She has changed. She has grown beyond the girl who used to take their harsh words and let them dictate her life.

"Noah, you and Nora need to learn to survive on your own. I won’t be here to help you anymore"

She says, her voice calm but firm.

Nora, who had been quiet this entire time, suddenly steps forward.

"What do you mean?"

She asks, her voice trembling.

Selene doesn’t answer. If she explains everything, they won’t believe her anyway. Instead, she takes a slow breath and makes her decision.

"I’ll do you both one last favor. I’ll take you somewhere safe this time."

She finally says. Selene was truly too soft on her siblings.

Noah and Nora exchange glances. They look unsure, hesitant. But they don’t argue.

Deep down, Selene knows this won’t be the last time she sees them. They are her family, no matter how much distance she tries to create. But this time, things will be different. She will not let them dictate her life anymore.

For now, she just needs to make sure they survive.