Sophie stands trembling, her golden hair tousled by the wind as she looks between Keefe—whose blue eyes search hers with vulnerability—and Fitz, his jaw clenched, hope flickering and dying in his gaze. The hush is broken only by the distant song of bells. "I’m sorry, Fitz. I choose Keefe. I always have." Fitz's hands curl into fists, his face blanching as the words settle into the silence. Keefe steps forward, wrapping Sophie in a trembling embrace as the last sunlight slips away.

Fitz sits hunched over, breath ragged, eyes wild. Shadows flicker across the walls as he rocks, clutching a locket that once belonged to Sophie. "She was supposed to be with me," he whispers, voice breaking. The locket slips from his grasp and clatters to the floor, echoing in the emptiness. His grief twists, darkening into something desperate.

Fitz moves silently, face drawn and eyes fever-bright, as he lifts the sleeping child—Elior, Sophie and Keefe’s son—from the cradle. The baby stirs, sighing softly. "You should have been mine," Fitz murmurs, voice trembling. The storm outside mirrors the chaos in his heart as he disappears into the night.

Fitz[/@ch_3] as he holds Elior, his hands shaking.] Fitz stands at the edge of a ravine, the baby’s cries echoing through the trees. He raises the child, eyes burning with anguish, but his arms falter. Elior looks up at him with trusting blue eyes, and shame floods Fitz's face. "What am I doing? I can’t—" Sobbing, he stumbles away from the edge, clutching the child to his chest.

Biana[/@ch_5], Fitz’s sister, who opens the door to find him pale and shaking.] Biana gasps as Fitz thrusts Elior into her arms. "Take him. I can’t… I can’t do this," he chokes out, collapsing to his knees. "Fitz, what happened? What did you do?" Her arms close protectively around the child as Fitz buries his face in his hands, shuddering with regret and shame.

Elior[/@ch_4], now a bright-eyed three-year-old, runs toward a pair waiting beneath a willow.] Sophie drops to her knees, arms wide as Elior flings himself into her embrace. Keefe stands over them, tears streaking his cheeks, as Biana watches from a distance. "You’re safe now. We have you back," Keefe whispers, voice hoarse with emotion. Sophie holds her son tightly, promising silently to never let him go again.

Keefe[/@ch_2] confronts Fitz, whose face is haggard, eyes hollow with regret. The sky is darkening, thunder rolling in the distance.] "You stole my son. You almost destroyed us," Keefe hisses, fists trembling. Fitz lowers his head, silent, unable to meet his gaze. With a cry, Keefe lashes out, anger and grief pouring into the blow that knocks Fitz to the ground. "If you ever come near my family again—" he growls, tears streaming down as the weight of years of pain and betrayal settles between them, heavy as the coming storm.