He is not given time to think

Nathan barely had time to register what had just happened when ‘Jessica’ latched onto his arm, her warm breath tickling his neck.

"Come on, babe," she cooed, leading him toward his room. "It’s been, like, forever since we’ve had alone time."

Her grip was firm, nails lightly grazing his wrist, her body pressing against his side as she dragged him along. He couldn’t see any traces of the woman she used to be every time she hesitated even a little, her mind seemed to overwrite itself, settling into the identity Selene had given her.

Inside his room, she immediately pulled him closer, her hands tracing his chest, lips parting expectantly.

"Nate, why are you acting all weird? Don’t tell me you’re nervous." She giggled, tilting her head. "That’s so cute."

Nathan backed up, palms raised. "Jessica…I mean, Margaret—you’re not—"

"Ugh, don’t be boring." She rolled her eyes before reaching for him again, her lips capturing his in a deep kiss.

For a moment, he forgot everything.

She tasted sweet, like strawberry lip gloss. Her body melted against his, warm and needy, fingers tangling in his hair. His instincts betrayed him, responding before his brain could catch up.

Then a moment of clarity suddenly struck him.

He shoved her back, breathing hard.

"This isn’t right!" he snapped, wiping his mouth. "You’re not my girlfriend—you’re Margaret! You don’t even belong here!"

Jessica blinked. Kicking her trendy pink slippers off nonchalantly before walking towards Nathan.

"Nate, babe," she whined, stomping her feet like a petulant child. "Why are you being like this?" Her lips puffed into a pout. "We were just starting to have fun!"

Nathan didn’t stick around to argue.

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. His mind was racing, trying to grasp the sheer wrongness of everything, but as soon as he stepped into the hall, his thoughts screeched to a halt.

Standing there, perfectly composed, was his mother. Or rather—Selene, inside his mother’s body.

She was smiling. Resting a hand on Sienna’s head.

Nathan’s stomach twisted. "What are you doing?"

Purple smoke curled from Selene’s fingers, creeping around Sienna’s body like living tendrils. The moment it touched her skin, she gasped—eyes fluttering, body stiffening. The changes weren’t as dramatic as Margaret’s had been. Instead, they were subtle. Her hair darkened slightly, styled itself into the familiar, pristine bun their mother always wore. Her casual party clothes shimmered, morphing into a modest blouse and skirt, her nails manicured into a shape that felt too elegant for her usual taste.

But the most terrifying change was in her eyes.

Because when she looked up at Nathan, she didn’t see a brother.

She saw her husband.

Her entire face lit up. "Oh! There you are, darling!" She practically beamed, stepping forward with a warmth that made his skin crawl. "I was just about to call you in for dinner!"

Nathan took a step back, his pulse pounding. "Sienna—"

"Sienna?" she repeated, puzzled. Then she laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, sweetheart, you must be tired—why are you calling me by our daughter’s name? I’m Cassandra, your wife, silly bun!"

Nathan turned to Selene, fury boiling beneath his skin. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Fix this!"

Selene just smirked.

"Oh, come on," she purred, tilting her head. "You didn’t like my first gift, so I thought I’d give you a second one. A wife and a girlfriend—I figured that should be enough to keep you entertained while I go out and explore."

She stepped forward, leaning close, voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Unless, of course… you’d rather join me instead?"

Nathan clenched his fists, but before he could answer, Selene chuckled, stepping back.