Lin Wei reclined on her cream leather sofa, an island of modern luxury in her high-rise apartment. The panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the glittering city below, a skyline awash in hues of orange and pink as the sun set. Minimalist and pristine, the space reflected her personality: a monochrome palette of whites and grays, unadorned by personal touches. A single black-and-white painting hung on the wall a gift from a business partner. Her spotless glass coffee table held nothing but her phone, a sleek remote control, and a barely-touched glass of sparkling water.
She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "A forced vacation," she muttered to herself, glaring at the ceiling as if it were to blame. Her employees had staged what could only be described as an intervention, pleading with her to take a break. "You're going to burn out," they had said, concern evident in their eyes. Lin thought it ridiculous. Work was her lifeblood, her purpose. Without it, what was she supposed to do?
Minutes crawled by, the silence in her apartment oppressive. For someone who thrived on endless meetings, rapid-fire decisions, and the buzz of ambition, this stillness felt unnatural. Lin picked up her phone, scrolling aimlessly through messages until she remembered a suggestion from one of her employees.
Why don't you try reading something? It'll help you relax.
They had even recommended a novel. What was it called again? Ah, right Sylphina's Redemption. A romance-fantasy, apparently. Lin hesitated. She wasn't one for frivolous entertainment, but boredom outweighed her disdain. With a few taps, she found the book online, cringing slightly at the saccharine cover art of a glowing princess and a dashing hero. Five dollars later, the story was hers.
She settled deeper into the sofa, legs stretched out as she began to read.
The world of Sylphina's Redemption was every bit as cliché as Lin had feared. It followed the life of Sylphina, a delicate Omega princess who lived a charmed life in a utopian kingdom until tragedy struck. Her kingdom was razed by the tyrant Alpha Empress Valeria, a cruel ruler with unmatched power and a penchant for bloodshed. Well, that's a bit more interesting, Lin thought, her eyes scanning the lines with mild curiosity.
As the story progressed, Lin's interest waned. The tyrant captured Sylphina and subjected her to torment, an unnecessarily dark turn for what was supposed to be a love story. Then, as if on cue, the gallant male hero arrived, rescued Sylphina, and defeated Valeria through the power of love.
Lin rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might get stuck. "Unrealistic garbage," she muttered. The ending was as predictable as it was unsatisfying. Despite being touted as the most powerful being in the land, Valeria somehow lost to the male lead because... he believed in love? "What a joke."
She closed the app, glancing at the clock on her phone. 7:00 PM. She hadn't realized how much time she'd spent reading the drivel. As if on cue, her stomach growled, a sharp reminder that she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
With a reluctant sigh, Lin rose from the sofa and made her way to the kitchen.
If the living room was pristine, the kitchen was a modern masterpiece of functionality. White marble countertops gleamed under the glow of recessed lighting. Stainless steel appliances lined the walls, their surfaces so polished they mirrored her reflection. A state-of-the-art gas stove occupied the center, flanked by an island where she sometimes ate when she didn't feel like sitting in the dining room.
Lin opened the fridge, scanning its contents. She wasn't much of a cook, but her housekeeper always kept the fridge stocked with essentials. Her eyes landed on a pack of chicken thighs. Simple enough. She decided to pair it with stir-fried vegetables and rice.
As she prepped the ingredients, the rhythm of chopping vegetables and the hiss of oil heating in the pan felt almost meditative. Lin's mind wandered back to the novel. For all its flaws, the premise had a certain charm. A powerful Alpha ruler hated by all, destined to lose to love it wasn't a bad concept, just poorly executed. If she were Valeria, things would've gone differently.
She smirked at the thought. I'd never lose to some cliché hero with a deus ex machina.
The sound of sizzling chicken brought her back to the present. Lin adjusted the heat and reached for the spice rack, adding a generous pinch of seasoning. The aroma was promising, and her stomach growled louder in anticipation.
Then it happened.
As she turned to grab a knife, her foot slipped on a stray drop of oil. Lin barely had time to gasp before her head collided with the marble countertop. The world tilted, her vision dimming as a sharp pain radiated from the back of her skull. She collapsed onto the cold tile floor, her mind struggling to piece together what had just happened.
Am I... dying?
The thought was absurd, but the darkness creeping in from the edges of her vision felt all too real. Her fingers twitched uselessly at her sides, the faint smell of burnt chicken filling the air. As her consciousness faded, one final, bitter thought crossed her mind:
What a stupid way to go.
And then there was nothing.