Chapter 1Erasing the Substitute: A Script Unwritten

The plot had finally run its course.

I went home, thrilled to celebrate, only to accidentally overhear my son say: "Daddy, do we still have to pretend for Mommy?"

"I want Auntie Chloe to be here for real."

Arthur stood nearby, his face showing a kind of relaxed relief I had never seen before.

"Yeah. Let's just get rid of Mommy, okay?"

My son nodded emphatically.

I turned around and threw the celebration gift I had bought right into the trash.

I was even more thrilled.

After all, the only reason I came to this world to play the role of the tragically abused female lead...

Was to save my real husband and daughter back in my own world.

* * *

Holding the cake box, I stood just outside the half-open door of the nursery.

The crack in the door couldn't block out the conversation happening inside.

"Daddy, am I really not going to get sick anymore?"

My son, Leo's, voice drifted out.

"No." Arthur only ever softened his tone when speaking to Leo. "The plot is over. There's no risk of deviation anymore, so you won't be punished with illness."

"What about Auntie Chloe?" Leo asked eagerly. "It's all Mommy's fault that Auntie Chloe always had to sneak around!"

"If we didn't have Mommy, we wouldn't have to do things we hate."

"And you could be with Auntie Chloe for real, Daddy."

"Daddy, now that the plot is over, can you divorce Mommy?"

The thin ribbon of the cake box was digging painfully into my hand.

In the gift bag, there was a discontinued Lego set I had spent an entire month hunting down for him.

The nursery was quiet for a moment.

Arthur seemed to be considering it.

"Okay. I'll divorce your mother."

"Today is your birthday, so let's just celebrate. Daddy will talk to her in a few days."