MORE THAN I ASKED FOR

MORE THAN I ASKED FOR
Alda’s POV

I took one look at how pale Xender was and couldn't bring myself to step any closer. My gaze drifted toward another figure sitting by his bedside.

It was Mike, and he was in a hospital gown, too. What happened to him?

“What… what happened to you?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Alda, you came back. You really came back,” he said, a flash of relief crossing his face. But I was far too overwhelmed by everything crashing down around me to process one shock after another.

I turned toward Charles, who seemed to be the only one willing to speak.

“He was stabbed,” Charles said simply, stepping further into the room.

His words did nothing to ease the weight pressing against my chest. Guilt groaned and twisted inside my heart. As I tried to walk toward Xender, my legs went so weak and heavy it became difficult to even lift my feet.

I never knew he was carrying on my battles for me, risking his life while I was gone. My gaze shifted back to Mike, who still had his eyes fixed on me. Not knowing what else to say, I muttered a quiet, “I'm sorry.”

Before he could answer, the door burst open. A doctor walked in, followed by a few other people accompanied by Xender's sister and her daughter. I immediately recognized Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong alongside two middle-aged women.

“Charles, what are they doing here?” Mike asked, and I instantly realized they were family.

With one last look at Xender, I took a step back, unable to face them. Ignoring Mike calling after me, I kept walking until I reached the main hallway. I collapsed onto a waiting bench, burying my face in my hands, and sobbed until I had no tears left to cry.

“Miss Barnard?”

A voice called out. I lifted my head, met first by the white coat, then by the gentle gaze of a doctor looking down at me.

“Yes—oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing anyone,” I muttered, hurriedly wiping my cheeks. “I didn't mean to. I'll see myself out.”

“No, that's not why I'm here,” he replied with a soft smile, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to me. It took a second, but his face began to register. I was sure I had seen him around before, though I couldn't remember where or when.

Muttering a quick thank-you, I wiped my drenched face.

“I haven't seen you around in a long while. I hope everything is okay—your parents have been waiting for you,” he said warmly.

I sat there, staring at him in total confusion.

“I'm sorry I didn't recognize you right away. I'll come find you soon to claim their bodies" I said, surprised by how easily the words came out. Maybe because Seth had finally gotten what he deserved. I just hoped Xender would wake up so this nightmare could end.

“Bodies?” The doctor repeated, looking at me as if I had spoken a foreign language. “What do you mean by claiming their bodies?”

“My parents are dead, so it should—”

“Your parents, dead? I'm sorry, Miss Barnard, but your parents are very much alive and kicking in Ward 204. Why would you say something like that?” The doctor let out a short, nervous chuckle.

I sat frozen, staring at him as if he had completely lost his mind.

“I'm sorry, but what do you mean? My parents died—” I paused, taking in his serious expression, and realized he wasn't joking.

Wait a minute. This couldn't be happening.

Before I could ask another question, the doctor gave me a reassuring nod and walked down the hall, leaving me stranded on the bench. My mind raced into a tailspin. How was any of this possible?

Did I really return at the right time? Or had the portal thrown me into a completely different timeline where my parents never died?

I was so deeply lost in my thoughts that I failed to notice the shadow moving past me, or the presence quietly sitting down right beside me on the bench.

“I can't believe you already look like it's the end of the world within a few hours of arriving back in your realm.”

My head snapped up in shock. That voice...

I stared at the person beside me, my breath catching in my throat as my mind struggled to reconcile what my eyes were seeing. “E-Elba...?”

Elba opened her arms wide, a soft, familiar smile gracing her features as she called out my name. “Alda.”

“Is that... is it really you?” I whispered, fresh tears welling in my eyes.

She nodded, and without a second thought, I threw my arms around her, holding her tightly as if she might disappear if I let go. When we finally pulled back, Elba reached out and gently wiped the stray tears from my cheeks.

I still couldn't wrap my head around it. How was she sitting right here in the hospital? I thought she was bound to the sea back in Álfheimr because of Almaruda's power.

“I don't understand,” I stammered. “How are you here? I thought... I thought you couldn't leave!”

“Well, it seems the Mother Gem really blessed us,” Elba beamed softly. “My Almaruda curse was lifted. And you, on the other hand... got your parents' fate twisted.”

Her words left me even more bewildered. “Twisted? Are you saying the Mother Gem twisted the fate of my parents?”

Elba nodded. “I knew you’d be confused if I left you to figure it out alone.”

Suddenly, Nymeria's unfinished words right before I stepped through the portal echoed sharply in my mind: The Gem also...

A sharp wave of panic seized my chest. My parents' fate was twisted—but with whose? My mind immediately jumped to the worst possible outcome.

“Wait!” I grabbed Elba’s hands, my voice laced with terror. “Does that mean I get my parents back?”

Elba nodded.

“Then what about Xender? I know I sound selfish, but can't he be saved, too? Can't I just have everyone by my side? I really can't lose one just to get another,” I pleaded. The thought of never seeing Xender again made the joy feel hollow. I didn't even realize when he had become so vital to me, but I couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

Elba gently shook her head, placing a calming hand over mine. “No, Alda. Xender is going to be fine. The two souls whose fates were swapped with your parents... were the ones who brought all of this upon you.”

“Do you mean my parents' fate was swapped with Seth and Anna’s?”

“They both got a taste of their own medicine.”

A breath I didn't realize I was holding burst from my chest. Relief, shock, and unimaginable joy crashed over me all at once. My parents were alive!

Without wasting another second, I stood up and dashed down the hallway toward the room the doctor had mentioned. When I reached Ward 204, I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart pounding frantically against my ribs. Taking a trembling breath, I pushed the door open.

And just like the doctor said... my parents were right there.

My father sat at the edge of the bed, carefully feeding my mother fresh fruit. It was a simple, quiet moment—a scene I thought had been stolen from me forever. Tears spilled over my eyelashes before I could stop them.

“Mum...? Dad...?” I called out softly, terrified that if I spoke too loudly, the vision would shatter like glass.

They both turned toward the door. A warm, glowing smile immediately lit up my mother's face.

“Alda! Where have you been that you haven't come to see us in a whole week?” my father asked, setting the bowl down.

I didn't answer. I rushed across the room and threw myself into their arms, wrapping them both in the tightest hug I could manage. A loud, sobbing cry broke from my lips—but this time, it wasn't out of grief.

It was pure, overwhelming joy. I had finally recovered the piece of my heart I thought was lost forever.