I Rise, You Fall, That'S The Rule

To repay her biological parents, Sara Cole leaves her foster family—the wealthiest in Xonos—to reunite with the Rowes, only to face neglect, bias, and even a false three-year sentence. But her struggles don't end there. Upon release, she is forcibly taken away. Even when she returns to the Coles, they still expect her to beg for acceptance.

I Rise, You Fall, That'S The Rule

To repay her biological parents, Sara Cole leaves her foster family—the wealthiest in Xonos—to reunite with the Rowes, only to face neglect, bias, and even a false three-year sentence. But her struggles don't end there. Upon release, she is forcibly taken away. Even when she returns to the Coles, they still expect her to beg for acceptance.

Rain stings my face as I step off the transport, the barcode tattoo on my wrist still glowing faintly from the release scan. Three years. Gone. Erased. And now I’m back in Xonos, standing outside the Cole estate gates, soaked and shaking—not from cold, but from the weight of what I gave up.

I left their wealth. Their name. Their protection. All to honor the Rowes, my blood parents. And how did they repay me? With lies. A forged trial. A black-site sentence for theft I never committed.

Now I’m free—but not welcome. The Coles’ AI gate scans me, hesitates, then flashes red. 'Access denied. Subject requires petition for re-entry.'

Petition? After everything?

A voice crackles through the intercom—Lysander. 'Sara… you have to say you’re sorry. They won’t let you in unless you apologize for leaving.'

My breath catches. Apologize? For choosing them?

The gate remains shut. My past stands on the other side. And I have to decide: do I beg… or walk away forever?