Chapter 1Late-Blooming Love Is Too Late

On the sixth anniversary of our marriage, the junior colleague who had been secretly in love with my husband for eight years knelt before me.

She told me that the world we were living in was nothing more than a novel.

And that she and my husband were the destined main characters.

Because of my interference, she claimed, the plot had gone off course, and our world was on the verge of collapse.

Only by setting things right—by them holding a wedding—could everything be restored.

I asked my husband, Paul, if he actually believed such a ridiculous story.

His brow furrowed instantly, and his voice was raw.

"This is just to fix the plot, Cici. Why are you making a scene?"

I nodded, turned around, and handed him a divorce agreement.

Attached was a corporate resolution to remove him from his position.

* * *

Our sixth wedding anniversary also happened to be my birthday.

That evening, as I was in the kitchen preparing a celebratory dinner for Paul and me, I heard the front door open.

"Paul, you're home! Go wash your hands—"

The rest of the words caught in my throat.

Because Paul was standing there, hand in hand with Sophia, the junior colleague who had been obsessed with him for eight years, their fingers intertwined.

The intimacy of the gesture stole my breath. The welcoming smile I hadn't had time to retract froze on my face, making me look utterly foolish.

"What... what is the meaning of this?"

Paul looked down, about to speak, when Sophia suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me.

"Cici, please, let me explain."

She held out a small, leather-bound book, her voice choked with emotion. "The truth is, our world isn't real. We're living inside a novel."

"And in this novel, Paul and I are the main characters. We're the ones who are meant to be together."

"I never wanted to destroy your relationship, but the plot has deviated so much. If we don't correct it, the world will collapse..."

A wave of absurdity washed over me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "What did you say? A novel?"

I took the book from her and began to flip through it.

To my shock, the story inside was a perfect reflection of the three of us.

Even the most private, secret moments between Paul and me were documented in meticulous detail.

The only difference was the ending.

In the novel, Paul and Sophia lived happily ever after, while I remained unmarried for the rest of my life.

On the very last page, a single paragraph was written in stark, bold letters.

[WARNING: If the plot has been derailed, Paul must hold a wedding for Sophia and embark on a honeymoon with her, as a real married couple would.]

[Failure to do so will result in the collapse of this world, and all will be annihilated.]

I snapped the book shut, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.

Paul looked at me, the love and deep affection that once filled his eyes now replaced by an endless, chilling indifference.

His tone was cold enough to freeze water. "Cici, you have to accept reality."

"I have to marry Sophia. You and I... we were the mistake."

A fire ignited in my chest, scorching my insides until I could barely breathe.

"Don't tell me you actually believe this garbage." I couldn't stop myself from screaming. "Paul, have you lost your goddamn mind?"

"Then you tell me!" he roared back, his voice suddenly sharp. "How else could every single private detail of our lives be written in here so perfectly?"

I froze, unable to find a single word in my defense.

Seeing my silence, Paul scoffed. He helped Sophia to her feet and wrapped a protective arm around her.

"Whether you can accept it or not, this is the truth."

"Sophia is my fated wife."

He started to lead her toward the door. The simple action was like a tiny, sharp needle, plunging directly into my heart.

"Paul!"

I lurched forward, my voice a raw cry. "If you walk out that door with her today, I will divorce you!"

He turned back, his gaze dark and heavy as he stared at me.

Then, he spat out two words, cold and final.

"You're being completely irrational."

And with that, he left with Sophia, never once looking back.