Chapter 37: A Multiverse Revelation

"James, I know this is hard to believe, but I have to tell you the truth," Victoria said, her voice filled with a mix of desperation and conviction. She took a deep breath and continued, "I'm not from this world, James. I'm from another universe, one that's similar to this one, but with differences." James's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the implications. "What do you mean?" he stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper. Victoria's expression turned somber, and she took another step forward. "In my universe, the same events took place. I was with my James, the one I loved, and... and my throat was slit. He found me, just like you did," she said, her voice cracking as she recalled the painful memory. James's gaze fell to the scar on her neck, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion. Victoria's eyes locked onto James's, and she reached out to take his hand. "I was rescued by Doc and Myra, who have been working on a way to traverse the multiverse. They found me and brought me here, to this world." James's mind was racing with questions, but one stood out above the rest. "Why did you leave him behind?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of emotions. "Why did you leave your James behind, if you loved him?" Victoria's expression turned sorrowful, and she squeezed James's hand. "I didn't leave him behind by choice, James. I was brought here, to this world, and I couldn't take him with me. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that my James... he's still back there, in my universe. He's still grieving for me, still wondering what happened to me." James's eyes widened in shock, and he felt a pang of guilt. "Why?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why would you leave him behind, if you loved him?" Victoria's eyes filled with tears, and she pulled James into a tight hug. "I didn't, James. I didn't leave him behind. But I had to come here, to this world, to find answers. And I need your help to do that." As James held Victoria close, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was caught in a web of complexities, with no clear escape route in sight. He had so many questions, but one thing was certain: his world had just become a lot more complicated.