Chapter 1
It was my fourth time trying to save the tragic second male lead, but I still couldn't change his fate. He always gave up his life for the female lead.
After putting on a brave face at the main couple's wedding, he took a knife and climbed into the bathtub without a second thought.
When I rushed home, blood was everywhere.
Caspar Lane raised his head from the bathtub filled with blood and managed a sad smile at me.
He said, "Winnie's married. This time, I really can't hold on any longer.
"But seeing her happy, I'm really happy for her..."
As I watched his face lose color so quickly, my eyes were filled with tears, and my voice trembled. "What about me?"
Hearing that, he gently closed his eyes and let out a sigh as his last words slipped out.
He murmured, "I'm sorry..."
My pregnancy test result fell from my trembling hand.
He had no idea I'd heard those words four times before.
But this time, everything was different. This time, I was carrying his child.
Just last night, he was gently caressing my belly and softly kissing my ear.
He asked softly, "Honey, do you think our baby will be a boy or a girl?"
But sadly, that question would never be answered.
Just as the System's alarm went off, my world was forced to restart all over again.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw eighteen-year-old Caspar being blocked by a group of people at the entrance of that all-too-familiar alley.
Blood stained the corner of his mouth, and through the crowd, his eyes directly found mine.
*****
Caspar was just quietly leaning against the wall with bruises on his face. His school uniform had been washed so many times that it was almost white.
A bunch of thugs with hair dyed every color of the rainbow had him surrounded, shoving him around and cursing him out.
He didn't fight back or even try to protect himself. He just kept his eyes locked on me, never looking away.
I'd been through this scene so many times before.
Every single time, I'd rush over without a second thought, jump in front of him, shout those punks down, and protect him.
But this time, my feet felt like they were glued to the ground.
Because last time around, I accidentally saw his diary.
Turned out, through all that bullying, what he was really hoping for was for the heroine to save him from the darkness.
He never wanted me to be the one to step in.
He really was the gentlest second male lead in the story. His whole existence was about protecting the heroine.
Even when he was just a kid, he hid his feelings so well that no one had ever even noticed.
The System kept blaring alarms in my head, urging me to do something.
I took a deep breath and finally forced myself to move.
The thugs spotted me and started snickering.
One with bleached hair and a crooked grin sneered, "Well, the simp is back."
Another scoffed. "Think you're a hero or something?"
I ignored them, strode right up to Caspar, and crouched down in front of him.
He looked up at me, not surprised at all. There was just a look that showed he already knew how things would go, and he'd given up fighting it.
He looked like he'd known I'd be here.
I reached out toward him.
But instead of helping him up, I picked up the sandwich that had fallen in front of him and brushed off the dust.
"Good thing it's not dirty," I muttered under my breath, and then took a bite.
The sandwich was still warm, with a fried egg and fresh lettuce inside, things I'd made sure to add for him early that morning.
He never ate breakfast, so I was always switching things up and bringing him something to eat every morning.
Chewing away, I glanced up at the thugs and mumbled, "Sorry, wrong delivery. You guys carry on."
For a split second, the whole alley went dead silent, and the only sound left was me munching away.
Caspar just stared, and his gentle eyes were suddenly full of surprise for the first time.
His face turned ghostly pale, his lips tight, and he quickly looked away.
I didn't pay him any mind and just kept chomping on my sandwich as I walked right past him.
Caspar slipped into the classroom right as the bell rang, his shirt drenched in big patches.
He glanced at me, and his lips parted like he was about to say something.
I dodged his gaze and raised my book like a shield between us, lost in thought.
Back when I first got the System's mission, I didn't even hesitate. I went straight for the one that looked like a breeze: [Save the gentle second male lead].
I was so naive, thinking saving a soft-hearted guy would be a walk in the park.
The first time around, I just tried to be his friend.
I shielded him from his drunk father's violence, paid his mom's hospital bills, stood by his side through all the dark times, and watched him step by step turn into a renowned scientist.
The night before his big award ceremony, I was bursting with pride as I brought him flowers, but then I only received his funeral invitation.
The last thing he left me was, "I'm sorry."
But for Winnie, the heroine, he left behind a full three-page letter.
In that letter, he didn't just send his blessings for her wedding, but he also mapped out every birthday present she'd get for years to come. He even made arrangements for the full moon celebration of her future child.