Chapter 2
Over the next ten days, I got a front-row seat to just how much Nathan doted on Charlotte.
One little cough from her, and he'd go into full-on panic mode, like the world was ending.
If she mentioned feeling slightly off, he'd fuss over her all night.
She never had to ask for anything—Nathan anticipated her every need.
All of this used to be mine.
But now, it felt like a knife stabbing straight into my chest.
And then twisting, over and over again.
*****
Time slipped by. Before I knew it, day ten had arrived.
As midnight approached, I watched Nathan hold Charlotte close, his gaze filled with tenderness.
Charlotte looked shy. "Nathan, stop staring at me like that."
"Why? I love looking at you." Nathan kissed her softly. "I'm scared that after tonight, I won't get to see you like this again."
Charlotte's cheeks flushed as she burrowed her face in his chest.
Nathan kept her tight in his arms, but his gaze shifted toward the clock.
He had no clue I was standing right there in front of him.
I watched his lips move, silent but clear. "Three, two, one. The world resets."
World reset?
Like hell the world was resetting!
Nathan, just like you wanted—you'd get to be with Charlotte forever now!
I expected him to look excited, maybe even overjoyed.
Instead, he just frowned, confusion clouding his eyes.
"Is something wrong with the time?" he muttered.
He pulled out his phone, checking the clock.
Already past midnight.
Charlotte looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"
Nathan's expression cleared, and he forced a smile. "Nothing. Go to sleep. I'll be back in a bit."
He gently set Charlotte down and strode out of the room.
I followed him, watching as he kept checking the time over and over.
"What the hell? It's been ten days, and it's already past midnight. Why hasn't the world reset?" he muttered.
Maybe I was imagining it, but for a split second, I saw panic flash across his face.
But he quickly pulled himself together.
"Maybe it's just delayed. As long as she needs to complete her quest with me, this world will keep resetting," he said.
If I could speak, I would've answered him.
You were right, but I didn't need to complete my quest with you anymore.
When I opened my eyes again, morning had broken.
Nathan stood by the window, staring into space.
Charlotte glanced at the empty glass on her nightstand and whined sweetly, "Nathan, I'm thirsty."
Nathan instantly moved. "I'll get you some water."
He poured her a glass, but Charlotte didn't take a sip.
"Nathan, you seem really distracted today. What's on your mind?" she asked.
Nathan ruffled her hair. "You're just imagining things."
I stood there, watching them with cold indifference.
This scene used to make my heart ache, but now I could just grab some popcorn and watch the drama unfold.
They were just my personal soap opera now.
Night fell.
Charlotte lay in bed, giving Nathan those big, pleading eyes. "Nathan, I'm cold."
Nathan seemed lost in thought, and for once, he didn't climb into bed to hold her like he usually did.
"I'll turn on the heater," he said, actually going over to switch it on.
I saw Charlotte's face instantly darken.
I couldn't help but laugh.
It was only the eleventh day, and Nathan was already slipping up on his devoted boyfriend act.
Back then, seeing a scene like this would've made my chest ache.
But now, all I could do was laugh.
Laugh at the fool I used to be.