Chapter 3I had given up

The funny thing is, Julian and I met in college. And he was the one who fell for me first.

His family was practically medical royalty. Generations of brilliant doctors, a prestigious private hospital bearing their name. And Julian was the crown prince. A child prodigy, a state scholar who went straight from his undergrad to a Ph.D. program at a top university. He was beautiful, in a cool, detached sort of way. A picture of him in his white coat went viral online.

Everyone said that for a man who seemed so emotionless, he was hopelessly in love with me. They said marrying him was a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.

In college, when I dropped our promise ring in the campus lake, he dove in after it without a second thought. When I got a paper cut, he'd fuss over it for days. I used to stay up late, a bad habit that sometimes made my chest ache. He was terrified I was going to die young. At 11 PM on the dot, he'd confiscate my phone. If I protested, he'd pin me to the bed, his voice a low growl. "I heard about a method to help people sleep. It's called… marital duties. We could try it. Or, you could be a good girl and go to sleep before I make you cry."

Once, I had to have a minor surgery. He was more nervous than I was. He held my hand before they wheeled me in, his voice soft and reassuring. "Don't be scared. It's just a little monster we have to fight. I'll be right here. Always."

When we fought, he was always the first to apologize. "Nora, please talk to me. If you're unhappy, I'm unhappy. I can't stand it when you're mad at me."

I thought he would always choose me. As long as he chose me, I could survive in this world.

But then, he became Ivy's doctor.

He didn't care what time I went to bed anymore. He was too busy. Busy reading bedtime stories to Ivy over the phone, his voice a low, soothing murmur until she fell asleep, no matter how late it was. I'd sit next to him, watching him smile at his phone, the familiar ache in my chest a dull, constant throb.

"Julian," I'd whisper, tugging on his sleeve. "It's late. Let's go to sleep."

He'd press a finger to his lips. "Shh. Ivy's not asleep yet."

And now… now he would rather I hate him than hold a grudge against her.

*I don't want to play this game anymore,* I told the System. *I want to go home.*

*Are you sure, Host?* the System replied. *In this world, you have a family. A husband. If you succeed, you can stay here forever.*

*I'm sure,* I said.

The mission was simple. All I needed was for one person, just once, to choose me over Ivy. I had been so hopeful, so confident. I had tried so hard to please them, remembering their birthdays, their favorite foods, their little quirks. I thought if I was just sincere enough, they would love me back.

But in the end, no one came. My family, my husband… they always chose her. This time, next time, every time.

I think it's time for me to go home. Back to my real home.

The System sighed. *Host, when Ivy pushed you down the stairs, you sustained severe internal injuries and massive soft tissue damage. In seven days, your stitches will rupture, and you will die from a massive hemorrhage.*

Just as it said, a network of pain spread through my body.

I wonder, I thought, a strange sense of calm washing over me. I wonder what his face will look like when he realizes that I died from a surgery performed by his own genius hands.