Chapter 1

He was a dazzling movie star, adored by millions, and I was the wife he claimed to love above all else. But lately, I'd grown quiet.

A month ago, at his biggest award ceremony, he left me alone to dine with his widowed sister-in-law. I took a cab home, and for once, I didn't argue.

Two weeks ago, he forgot my birthday—too busy cooking pasta for her. I lit the candles, ate my cake, and went to bed.

Two days ago, he rushed to care for his injured sister-in-law—leaving behind his wife, who was battling a painful stomach ulcer. His wife, once known for craving the spotlight, went to the hospital alone. No cameras. No husband.

It was as if their vows were nothing but whispers lost in the wind, and the happiness of their once picture-perfect family had dissolved into a memory no one dared to mention.

Now, he said he wanted her to live with us. Forever.

And so I whispered to the System that had once given me this life. "I'm ready to leave."

"I have other matters to attend to for now. In three days, when you're gone, I'll come take you home." The familiar mechanical voice sounded.

My gaze became distant, and I managed a faint, bitter smile, "I'll be waiting for you."

Seven years ago, I chose to stay, thinking I could grow old with Jairo Harmon and never see the System again. But in the end, it took less than seven years for reality to shatter that dream.

As the door opened, Jairo, who had just finished filming, returned home.

He looked handsome and poised, and his usually aloof face broke into a warm smile the moment he saw me.

He strode over to me and gently pulled me into his arms.

"Lorelai, why didn't you come to pick me up today? I kept waiting for you," Jairo said.

His voice carried a trace of dissatisfaction. "You always used to be the first to show up after every shoot."

I gazed at his slightly furrowed brows, a sense of guilt rising in my heart.

I lowered my head and softly replied, "I forgot."

On screen, Jairo was a dazzling superstar who often worked late into the night.

Years of hard work and pressure had left him struggling with insomnia.

Every time I came to meet him, I would bring a cup of calming brew I made myself, just so he could sleep well.

I ached for him, couldn't stand to see him in even the slightest discomfort. And so I kept coming, through storms and silence, for seven long years. But today, I didn't remember it.

Forgetting to pick him up was just the least of it; I'd forgotten so many other things.

Back then, the System told me that no Strategist could ever spend a lifetime with their Target, but I refused to believe it and insisted Jairo was different.

So, the System made a bet with me. If Jairo changed his heart, all memories of him would be erased from my mind, and my body would wither away—until death.

In fact, my memories started to fade long ago. Now I finally realized Jairo's love belonged to someone else.

Jairo lowered his gaze, pressed his forehead to mine, and looked at me. "Did you really forget? Or are you upset because I took care of Gloria at the hospital two days ago and neglected you, so you deliberately didn't come for me?"

I shook my head. "I truly forgot, because my memory was affected by the System..."

"Enough." Jairo looked helpless and sighed as he stood up. "Lorelai, we've been married for seven years. Haven't I treated you well? Whether your so-called System exists, I know everything. So please don't use the System as a threat to leave me."

When I heard this, I sat there frozen, staring at him in a daze.

So he never truly believed me. He thought I was lying about forgetting and leaving him.

If it were the old me, I might have tried desperately to explain. But now it didn't matter anymore. I was leaving in three days, so whether he believed me or not didn't matter.

Jairo gently placed an exquisite, delicate gift box in my hand. When I opened it, I saw a pair of dazzling ruby earrings.

He said, "Darling, don't be mad at me. I know I was wrong.

"These earrings are a limited edition handcrafted by Belvoire just for you. There is no other pair like them in the world. They truly suit your style.

"Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Let's take Morgan and go for a picnic in Maplewhisper Grove. What do you think?"

His eyes revealed a hint of pleading, and his voice softened.

I examined the earrings. They were elegant and luxurious, and the rubies sparkled brightly under the light—clearly valuable at first glance.

I asked, "Are these custom-made for me, or did you give them to someone else as well?"

Jairo's gaze was gentle.

He said, "This is my apology gift, and of course, it belongs to you alone."

He was lying.

I once spotted the exact same earring right by Gloria Patton's ear

A dull ache stirred in my heart, not as sharp as before, but the heaviness in my body grew stronger with each passing moment.