Author's Note: Diverging Paths (Please Read)

Hello, everyone. Sheppard here. I wanted to clarify how to navigate the structure of this story.

This story is designed with a singular narrative path that can be experienced from two different perspectives: Emma's or Derek's. The intended way to read this story is to choose one character—either Emma or Derek—and read through their perspective of the moment first. After completing one perspective, you then read from the other character's viewpoint of that moment.

Alternatively, you can read the entire story (start to finish) from just one character's perspective, restart the story, and then experience it from the other character's perspective.

A note on the erotica part of this erotic story: There will be sex, I promise. But it won't be for quite some time. This story is intended to focus on how the characters grow and adapt to their situation. I didn't set out to write a story where Derek, on day two, forces Emma to walk around in a miniskirt and blow him at every opportunity.

As the author, I designed this story to look at the impact that individual perceptions have on our understanding of reality. Do we truly possess free will? If so, can it be influenced or even manipulated? Is there comfort in the predictability of behavior, or does it bind us to a predetermined path?

Please comment or send me a message with feedback if things need to be clarified. I'd also love to hear your ideas, whether smutty or narrative.