Chapter 2

Willow POV

On the fifth anniversary of my marriage to Daniel, that system-assigned pursuer Quinn appeared once more.

Today marked her ninety-ninth death threat.

A massive love confession banner hung from the rooftop terrace of Daniel's skyscraper. She stood outside the railing, threatening to jump if he did not come to see her.

It was the same staged performance as every time before.

The first ninety-eight times, Daniel either had his security team handle it with blank efficiency, or simply ignored it altogether.

But this time, I heard him grit out, "I'll go see her."

My heart dropped. I didn't stop him.

Daniel left. He was gone all night. His phone went from ringing out to powered off completely.

When I found the private club suite and stood before the half-open door, the sight inside froze the blood in my veins.

There was the billionaire, always depicted in the media as distant and ascetic, hailed as the industry's most untouchable tycoon...

Now letting Quinn, who was barely dressed, straddle his lap, her hips moving, her eyes glazed.

Quinn's coquettish voice drifted out.

"You know, Willow still thinks you've been ignoring me all this time. If she knew you've secretly come to me every single time since the tenth attempt, her face would be priceless."

"Her..." Daniel let out a contemptuous laugh. "She acts clever, but she's the easiest to fool. I used to think that cold front of hers was special. Now I see it's just boring."

So all his devotion, and his public disdain for Quinn-it had all been an act from the very beginning.

I'd been played for a fool, watching them carry out nearly ninety secret affairs in corners I never noticed.

Nausea instantly surged up my throat.

I used every ounce of strength to shove the door wide open.

The two tangled figures inside started, both looking toward the door in unison.

I caught a flash of undisguised panic in Daniel's eyes, but almost instantly, it transformed into irritation at being interrupted.

"Daniel," my voice came out hoarse, my whole body trembling so much I could barely stand. "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Daniel unhurriedly straightened his shirt. "If Quinn fails her pursuit, the system will erase her. I can't just stand by and watch her die..."

Before he could finish, a sharp crack rang out-I'd used all my strength to slap him across the face.

Daniel's face jerked to the side. When he turned back, the last trace of warmth had vanished from his eyes.

"Willow, I do love you."

"But we've been together for ten years. Ten years. Just looking at you exhausts me. You can't expect me to eat only one dish for the rest of my life-I'd get sick of it."

His gaze swept over Quinn hiding behind him. "She's different. Young, vibrant, knows how to cry and make a fuss... like you used to be."

After speaking, he looked at my instantly pale face and added, as if bestowing charity:

"Don't worry, the position of Mrs. Daniel will always be yours. When I've had my fun and dealt with her situation, I'll naturally come home to you."

I felt frozen to my core. "I can't accept this. Either you cut ties with her completely, or we get divorced!"

Daniel laughed derisively. "Divorce? Willow, where would you even go without me?"

"Don't forget-you gave up your only chance to go home for me."

His cruel words were like salt poured on my bleeding heart.

Unbidden, scenes from many years ago flashed through my mind.

Fifteen years ago, when I first came to this world, the first person I met was the teenage Daniel, sitting in a wheelchair with nothing to his name.

I healed his legs, accompanied him from having nothing to where he is now, helping him become a top-tier tycoon.

The day the mission succeeded, I was supposed to leave.

It was Daniel who knelt on one knee in front of a church in the pouring rain, his eyes burning as he promised me before that ring:

"Willow, I, Daniel, swear that I will never love another in this life. If I break this vow, may God punish me."

I was cold-natured by disposition, and trust in human hearts was what I believed in least.

But facing that Daniel, I softened. For the first time, I wanted to take a gamble and gave up my chance to go home.

Later, Daniel did indeed pamper me into someone everyone envied.

He would use snow machines to cover the entire estate in the blazing summer just because I mentioned wanting to see snow.

He would bankrupt and destroy an entire family because I was mistreated.

He wanted to announce his favoritism to the whole world, holding me in the palm of his hand every moment.

But now, he casually told me he was bored.

I don't know how I escaped that suffocating place.

On New York's streets, cars came and went. I walked aimlessly, feeling my heart ache as if a piece had been carved out, my vision blurred.

The next second, the harsh sound of brakes and a violent impact came simultaneously.

My body was thrown up and fell heavily down, finally sinking into darkness.

When I regained consciousness, the strong smell of disinfectant filled my nose.

I heard the doctor's anxious voice. "The patient is awake. Have we contacted her family?"

"Called several times, but they all got hung up on..."

The doctor cursed under his breath, then turned to look at me.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to inform you that when you were brought in, you had suffered impact trauma. We couldn't save the baby."

Baby?

My eyes flew open, my hand instinctively moving to my abdomen.

I was pregnant?

Without my knowledge, a life had come and quietly left.

Even the baby didn't want to stay here anymore?

This thought was the final straw that crushed all my attachment to this place.

I closed my eyes and called out silently in my mind. "System, I want to go home."

A long-absent, cold, mechanical voice responded at once.

"Command received. Per world rules, departure now requires the Target, Daniel, to personally terminate your life."

"However, Daniel will also suffer rule backlash, forfeiting all health and wealth bestowed by you. Does the Host confirm execution?"

Images of Daniel and Quinn together flashed before my eyes.

I did not hesitate. "Confirm."

"Acknowledged. Departure in ten days."

"Countdown begins."