All your hypotheses are interesting. I ask myself the same questions and imagine scenarios that could come true. But it doesn't really matter. We'll see what happens.
I do believe, however, that a story that is updated so rarely cannot end a chapter in this way. This matters much more to me. Ending chapters in this way, making me feel a lot of negative emotions (anger, discouragement, frustration, hatred, etc.) is not a good way to end chapters. Now, for a year, when I think back on this game, I will remember all the negative feelings I had at the end of the chapter.
The chapter could have ended a little earlier. At Brianna's push, for example. And the next chapter could have begun with the consequences of the fall. That way, I wouldn't have ended up feeling all the negative things I felt.
As I said, this way, for the next year, I will think about this game and remember all the negative things I am feeling right now.