The countdown had only one day left.
On the sixth night of seven, Emerie sat in the hallway outside the editing room, her form fainter than on the first day.
Her soul’s outline was growing unstable.
Every time she neared the light, she felt her consciousness drifting slightly, as if the air was peeling her existence away bit by bit.
Sean had warned her: “Until your obsession is fulfilled, you still have form. But once you approach the edge of your wish, you’ll fade away.”
“When you stop sensing him, touching objects, or casting a shadow–that’s when everything resets to zero.”
She touched her fingers that couldn’t reflect in mirrors, a sudden chill gripping her heart.
That day, Andrew locked down the entire office. Carrying his laptop, camera, and Emerie’s script, he holed up in the abandoned editing room for twenty hours straight.
His assistant called him insane. The investors said he was finished.
Only she knew he was filming the final footage for her ending.
He turned her words into narration, editing the commercial short film she’d never completed in her lifetime.
The frames showed blue seas, twilight, blooming roses, and unsent letters.
She sat beside him, watching him color–correct frame by frame. His hands shook, yet he redid it repeatedly–even producing six versions of the audio track.
For the first time, she saw him love someone like this.
At 11 PM,
he collapsed, asleep on the desk.
She drew near, slowly reaching to brush the stray hair from his forehead.
The moment her hand touched his skin, she jerked back as if electrocuted.
She’d started passing right through him.
Not an illusion.
She truly couldn’t stay much longer.
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Chapter 12
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On the seventh and final morning,
dawn paled the sky. The wind howled across Initial Media Corporation’s rooftop.
Emerie stood by the railing, gazing at the familiar city.
Andrew pushed open the door. Still wearing the same unwashed shirt from the editing room, unshaven stubble shad- owing his jaw, eyes bloodshot.
He didn’t see her.
But she watched him, smiling softly.
“You came.”
He stood where she’d stood, staring at the distant light, murmuring:
“If you’re still here, see me off today.”
“After this, I’ll stop searching.”
“I’ll let you go.”
She froze.
He sensed her presence.
Tears surged without warning.
Step by step, she closed the distance. Knowing he couldn’t see her, she still needed to be nearer.
Wind lifted the hair by her ear. Standing behind him, she whispered:
“Andrew, I have to leave.”
“I came to say goodbye, not to stay.”
“Live for me. Live well.”
“Just remember me.”
He seemed to truly hear. Eyes shut, tears traced his temples.
“If you’re here… give me a sign.”
She raised her hand, swinging her arm with all her strength one last time.
A sudden gust swept the rooftop, snatching the loose page beside him. It slapped against his cheek.
He opened his eyes, smiling through tears. “Emerie… it’s you, isn’t it?”
She stood motionless, her lips curving gently.
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00:06
Chapter 12
Then she stepped backward.
Her footsteps grew weightless, her edges turning translucent.
She couldn’t speak anymore.
Could only watch him.
One last look.
She wanted to say, “I love you.”
But her voice failed her.
The wind scattered her form bit by bit, and she closed her eyes.
Just like that. Goodbye.
Andrew suddenly turned around.
No one there.
Yet he knew she’d come.
Just moments ago.
She truly had come.
He knelt at the rooftop’s edge, breaking down in sobs.
This farewell held no touch, no embrace, not even a goodbye.
But he felt her presence with aching clarity.
She had finally let go.
While he never would.
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