Chapter 2

Maggie frowned at the photo. "He's good-looking, but he looks mean."

"And..." She pouted and tapped my arm. "Did you forget? I like Timothy!"

Timothy Stewart. This name made my throat twist. He was Maggie's fiancé.

She had begged my mom for months to arrange that engagement.

She said he was the boy she had secretly had a crush on since they were kids at the equestrian center.

Maggie said, "I fell off my horse when I was little, and he carried me to the hospital."

"You know what, Jessica? He doesn't really remember me, but he said I was the prettiest girl he had ever seen, like a doll."

Every time she talked about him, her eyes sparkled.

I called her silly. "You're beautiful. Why do you hold onto a random compliment?"

"So what?" Maggie huffed. "I like him. I only told you!"

Later, Timothy showed her fake photos of him in bed with me.

"Stop clinging to me. I'm with Jessica now. You're not my type. I wouldn't even talk to you if you weren't her sister," Timothy said to Maggie.

I couldn't imagine what Maggie had thought at that moment.

Timothy courted me in the most spectacular way, and it was known to everyone in town.

My refusals were all taken as kindness toward Maggie.

"Jessica's turning him down for Maggie's sake. Every girl likes Timothy."

In the end, Maggie smiled and wished me well. "Jessica, if you like him, too, I'll be happy for you."

From that moment on, Maggie and I could never look each other in the eye again.

Right then, I grabbed her hand and gritted my teeth. "Let's go now. Forget about Timothy. You'll see what real love is when you meet Roland."

Roland was the one who helped Maggie burn down our family. He was the one who tied me up and took me to the sea. But he truly cared for her.

When Timothy couldn't win me over, and Maggie brushed him off, he finally realized he had always liked the little girl who used to steal glances at him at the equestrian center.

He went after Maggie. When he didn't find her, Roland broke his arms and legs.

Roland was cold and ruthless. He only cared deeply for the person he loved. As Maggie's best friend, I approved of him.

"Why aren't you going after him?" the system asked.

I ignored it. I told Maggie to listen to me, walk into the café, and sit next to the man in all black.

"Then what?" she asked, confused. "Jessica, you said you'd introduce him to me. Don't you know him?"

"Uh..." I hesitated. She pressed her lips together and laughed. "Fine. If you like him, I'll get his number for you."

"No," I said firmly. "I don't like him. He's not my type at all. I found him for you. Go for it!"

I rambled an explanation and pushed her through the door, letting out a breath.

Fate was set. Now, the main character's plot armor would kick in.

The system sneered, "The main characters get together, and a villainess like you dies sooner or later anyway.

"You're the most disappointing host I've ever had. Do you know how many people would beg for this second chance?"

The café was packed. I watched Maggie talk to Roland. He eyed her cautiously.

I stared at the tall buildings in the distance and smiled, "Maggie won't let me die."

The system raged. "You've only known each other eight years. Haven't you figured her out? She hurt you badly last time, and she'll do it again. She never really saw you as a friend!"

"Oh, really?"

"Of course! You think introducing her to a guy will make her soft? Your parents still favor you. Your brother's flying back tomorrow to force her to sign over all the family assets to you. You can't escape that!"

The system and I argued.

It said Maggie was the heroine, but everyone had a dark side. She had been jealous and hateful, not a perfect kind person. She would get her revenge sooner.

But it wasn't that easy for me to turn against Maggie with a few simple words.