Chapter 3The Substitute's Exit Strategy

Since Sarah returned from abroad seven days ago, Ethan had barely been home.

At first, he just lied about working overtime.

Even if he came back, one call from Sarah and he'd leave me immediately.

Later, I saw his messages with Sarah and learned everything.

That day I got angry and made a scene. Ethan just left me with a cold sentence:

"You should know your place."

Then he slammed the door and left me in confusion.

He hadn't been back since.

Until this morning.

Sarah updated her Instagram:

【Loved ones get walnuts without shells.】

The picture showed Ethan's office background, and she was holding a jar of shelled walnuts.

The jar I peeled for Ethan a while ago because I was worried he was working too hard.

I stared for a long time.

Looking at my scarred hands.

Finally, I saw this relationship clearly.

The female lead is always the female lead. Even if I stayed by Ethan's side for seven years, it couldn't compare to the seven days since she returned.

...

I came to this world after a car accident.

The System told me my mission was to redeem the second male lead.

But when I approached Ethan, he was cold and disgusted by me.

Back then, he wore a faded T-shirt, his messy hair slightly covering his eyes.

Since he wasn't willing, I gave up.

Even if the System told me giving up meant I couldn't return to my own world, it didn't matter.

I was an orphan anyway. It was the same everywhere.

But later, I became Ethan's junior in college.

When someone drugged him, I was the one who took him to the hospital.

That day, Ethan actively pursued me.

I agreed immediately.

Two people who hadn't had it easy being together... life seemed to have a taste of happiness.

When I worked part-time during holidays, Ethan got off work earlier than me and waited at the door to pick me up.

The year we graduated, he started a business, and I stayed by his side.

Just like that, I followed him for seven years.

Even knowing he was the "devoted second male lead," I firmly believed everyone had a past.

Besides, the female lead was already happily with the male lead.