You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Chapter 2036: Could This Be Time Travel?

Rohomes.

Joyce felt groggy, unable to fully awaken. Her eyelids were heavy, and she struggled vainly to open her eyes. At times, she felt cold, at other times, unusually hot. Sometimes her body felt unbearably heavy, then oddly weightless. She knew she had to wake up. Finally, with a strong exertion of will, she forced her eyes open.

For a moment, everything seemed blurred as if covered by a layer of fog, slowly clearing. The first thing she saw was the ceiling's pure solid wood mortise and tenon structure, aged and tinged with a sense of history. The brown beams were partly painted in red, elaborately carved with various animals and flowers, and chrysanthemums appeared frequently, as if they were symbols, totems, or perhaps a clan emblem?

As Joyce's gaze drifted downward, she noted the fine wooden lattice windows and the frosted glass, complemented by black curtains embroidered with golden chrysanthemum threads.

In an instant, Joyce felt as though she had traveled through time.

She seemed to be in an ancient building filled with exotic charm. Had she died? She shook her head vigorously. No, she couldn't be dead!

Attempting to sit up, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck, forcing her to lie back down. Turning her head, she realized she was lying on a deep blue straw mat. Rather, the entire room was covered in blue mats, her spot slightly elevated like a tatami platform. At the bedside, a low table held a miniature bonsai, vibrant green bamboo shoots next to it, and a daruma doll dressed in a black kimono matched the surroundings.

The quilt covering her was soft silk, embroidered with chrysanthemums.

Such decorations? This setting? Could it be?

Joyce turned on her side, supporting herself with her arm, and slowly sat up. She pinched herself; it hurt. She was alive and certainly not dreaming.

When she surveyed her surroundings, she confirmed she was abroad, the decor reminiscent of Rohomes.

Struggling to the window, she pushed it open forcefully, letting in the cold winter air.

Outside, the view further convinced her.

walls and golden roofs under which lay a glistening sea of golden ginkgo leaves scattered on the ground, reflecting off the golden tiles in the sunlight. Turning

Where was she exactly?

ankles, embroidered with chrysanthemums in gold

mats, no need for

now was merely

forward, reaching a sliding

tried it; it wasn't locked. Pushing the door aside, she found herself facing an even more spacious main hall where the warm sunlight failed to penetrate, making it feel both majestic and eerily cold. "Hello?! Is anyone

was no answer, just

grew more bewildered. Who had brought her here?

at South Island when this happened. How had she suddenly crossed

head throbbed. Joyce massaged her

Anderson, Aaron, Kane, and others. She had gone back to the

she was about

she had

would be quickly

imagined waking up in a foreign land. How was it possible? What had they

Luther must be frantic by

Iris... if they knew she was missing, how worried they must

she was concerned

Joyce spotted a calendar on a long desk. It was the third day after her

couldn't imagine what

all precautions, she was still caught

hoarse male voice came from