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.

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?

the tatami, only now noticing she was wearing a kimono robe down to her ankles, embroidered with chrysanthemums in gold thread, some bloomed, others just buds,

floored with mats, no need for shoes, only

was now was merely

forward, reaching

facing an even more spacious main hall where the warm sunlight failed to penetrate,

no answer, just echoes reverberating

more bewildered. Who had brought

this happened. How had she suddenly crossed oceans to

head throbbed. Joyce massaged her

and others. She had gone back to the villa alone to

was about to contact

she

assailant would be quickly caught, and

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

heart raced, Luther must be frantic

knew she was missing, how worried

concerned for

the third day after

imagine what had

precautions, she was still caught

slightly hoarse male