My husband, Caleb, can't forget his "first love," the one that got away. Drunk in a VIP lounge, he spilled his guts to his friends: "I’ve loved her for years. Back then, it was a pity she got married. Now, it’s a pity I got married." I didn't get angry. I stayed by his side, just like always. Caleb hates me. He thinks I'm a spineless doormat, an obstacle between him and his true love. He wants a divorce desperately. Every time he asks, I refuse. What he doesn't know is that he's just a target in my mission. I just need to refuse the divorce three times, and the System will let me leave this world forever. 1 I rushed to the club in the pouring rain, arriving just in time to hear Caleb’s confession through the half-open door. "I’ve loved her for years," he slurred. "But before I could tell her, she got married." "Now she’s divorced, and I’m the one stuck in a marriage." His friend laughed. "So get a divorce, man." Caleb scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "That woman is obsessed with me. She'd never agree to sign the papers." "You guys don't know... seeing her hover around me all day makes me sick. She has no personality, no spine." "She can't even compare to Chloe's pinky finger." I froze outside the door. Behind me, the click-clack of high heels announced the arrival of the "white moonlight" herself, Chloe. "Ava, why are you standing out here?" Chloe smiled brightly, her beautiful eyes hiding a sharp malice. "Eavesdropping?" The men inside froze. They looked at Caleb, guilty. Caleb’s face flashed with panic, then hardened into ice. "You heard that?" I played dumb to save his face in front of his friends. "What? I just got here." Caleb sneered, turning away in disgust. I walked in to help him up. "It's late. Let's go home." He shoved me away. "I told you I wasn't coming home tonight! Why are you here? Do you know how annoying you are?" Drunk Caleb didn't bother hiding his contempt. His face twisted into a scowl I barely recognized. Actually, no. I recognized it. He'd been like this ever since Chloe announced her divorce. "Caleb, don't talk to Ava like that," Chloe said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "She came all this way because she cares about you. How about this? Ava and I will drive you home together." Caleb looked at Chloe, and his expression softened instantly. "Okay." So, I drove while Caleb and Chloe sat in the back. Whether he was drunk or doing it on purpose, Caleb laid his head on Chloe’s lap. They looked like a couple deeply in love. It burned my eyes. "Ava, don't misunderstand," Chloe said from the backseat. "Caleb is just drunk. Don't fight because of me." I didn't respond. Arguing with a pick-me girl is a waste of energy. But she wouldn't stop. "You really are boring, aren't you? No wonder you guys haven't built any real connection in five years." 2 That comment stung. Years ago, I fantasized about a "marriage first, love later" romance with Caleb. But in the end, the first love always wins. When we arrived at the villa, Chloe helped Caleb inside without waiting for me. I didn't stop them. I sat in the car and looked at the photo I had just taken. The next morning, when Caleb sobered up, I showed him the picture: him sleeping on Chloe's lap, her gazing at him with love. Caleb stared at it, then smiled. He was clearly enjoying the fact that Chloe still had feelings for him. So I threw a tantrum. "What is going on between you and that homewrecker Chloe?" Caleb frowned. "Ava, watch your mouth. Have some class." "Even if I have no class, I'm your wife! I have the right to question you and that shady woman!" My words were harsh. Caleb’s face went cold. "Is that so? You think being my wife gives you that right?" "Let's divorce then," he said, looking bored. "Ava, I want a divorce." I screamed, "I don't agree! Caleb, I won't divorce you!" Caleb looked like he expected this. He looked at me with pure exhaustion and slammed the door as he left. As soon as he was gone, I dropped the angry act and sat down calmly. Finally. He said it. Six years ago, the System pulled me into this world. My mission: Make Caleb fall in love with me. I spent six years playing the devoted wife. I even fell in love with him for real. But Caleb never loved me. Mission failed. Now, the exit clause: If Caleb asks for a divorce three times and I refuse, the mission terminates, and I go home. One down. Two to go. When Caleb returned, I was in the study organizing my portfolio. In this world, I was a housewife, but secretly, I was also a popular webcomic artist. I was working on my debut graphic novel, a project two years in the making. I planned to take it back to my original world. Hearing the door, I closed my sketchbook and smiled. "You're back?" Caleb looked stiff. I walked toward him. "I made your favorite soup. I'll get you a bowl." When I walked out, I saw why he was acting weird. Chloe was in the living room with a suitcase. "Ava," Chloe smiled apologetically. "I have a stalker fan harassing me at my apartment. Can I crash here for a few days?" I stared at her blankly. Caleb spoke up, his voice quiet with guilt. "It's true. Someone found her address. I can't leave her in danger." Seeing my silence, Caleb got impatient. "There's nothing going on between us. We're just old friends. She's in trouble." "Ava, stop being unreasonable. Grow up. Don't be the same jealous girl you were years ago." "Fine," I said, cutting him off. "She can stay." 3 Why not let her stay? If she lives here, conflicts will escalate. Caleb will ask for a divorce sooner. The faster he asks, the faster I leave this hellhole. Caleb looked surprised, suspicious even. "You agree?" "Are you unhappy that I agreed?" He frowned. "Don't try anything. If I find out you're bullying Chloe, I won't let it slide." I wanted to laugh. He's my husband, yet he defends an outsider like a guard dog. Caleb ignored me and carried Chloe's bags to the guest room. "Ava made some soup. I'll bring you a bowl later. Her cooking is the only thing she's good at." I laughed out loud. Caleb, do you think marriage made me your servant for life? I can't wait to see your face when I vanish. I went to the kitchen, drank a bowl of soup myself, and poured the rest down the drain. I'm not feeding that adulterous pair. I went back to the study. Soon, Caleb burst in. "Where's the soup?" "Poured it out." "What?" Caleb exploded. "Ava, what is wrong with you? If you didn't want her here, just say no! Why act passive-aggressive?" "If I said no, would you have been happy?" Caleb stared at me, silent. I waited. Say it. Ask for a divorce. But he didn't. He slammed the door and left. That night, I went to bed early. Caleb and Chloe were drinking and laughing downstairs. In the middle of the night, I felt someone hugging me from behind. It was Caleb. He smelled of alcohol. He kissed my neck. Disgusted, I pushed him away. "What are you doing?" Caleb sobered up a bit. "You're my wife. What do you think I'm doing?" Seeing my resistance, his face darkened. "It's your duty. Ava, if you're going to be like this, get out of my house." Since I found out about Chloe, I hadn't let him touch me for three months. "Your house?" I asked. Caleb smirked. "You married me with nothing. This house is mine. Did you forget you begged me to marry you?" "If you won't put out, get out!" 4 I laughed. Yes, I begged him. It was for the mission. I didn't expect the man I once loved to weaponize that against me. "Fine. I'm leaving." I grabbed a small bag. I paused at the door, waiting for him to threaten me with divorce. Instead, he sneered. "Go ahead! Leave!" He thought I was bluffing. I needed more chaos. I marched to the guest room and pounded on the door. Caleb rushed over and grabbed me. "Ava, are you crazy?" "Let go! You love Chloe, right? Let me ask her if she loves you back!" I thought this would trigger the divorce talk. Instead, Caleb slapped me. The sound echoed in the hallway. I went silent. Caleb looked at his hand, stunned. He opened his mouth to apologize but stopped. "Go back to your room." I looked at him, eyes burning. Caleb couldn't meet my gaze. "Ava, if you keep acting crazy, I really will divorce you." Bingo. Even though I wanted to jump for joy, I forced out a tear. "I don't agree." I turned and walked out of the villa. Just one more time. One more refusal, and I'm free. I walked aimlessly through the streets. Six years in this world, revolving around Caleb. I had no life of my own. Luckily, I had my art. I checked into a hotel. Days passed. Caleb didn't call. I didn't want to waste time, so I planned to go back and force the third divorce request. But then, disaster struck. Chloe posted my comic on her art account. She traced my hand-drawn panels into digital art, copying the characters, plot, everything. I was furious. I called Caleb. He didn't pick up. He turned off his phone. I went online and exposed Chloe for plagiarism. Chloe was an influencer artist. She denied it, claiming I was slandering her. She demanded an apology. My original drafts were at the villa. I couldn't prove anything yet. Her fans swarmed my account, sending death threats. 5 I called Caleb again while taking a cab home. This time, he picked up. He sounded guilty. I hit record. "Did you give my drafts to Chloe?" "Where are you?" he deflected. "Answer me! You know that comic is my life's work!" "I'll compensate you," Caleb said impatiently. "What do you want? A new apartment?" "Why did you give my work to her?!" "I said I'd pay you! Once Chloe monetizes it, she'll pay you too. Delete your posts. If you do, I promise I won't bring up divorce again." "Ha." I laughed. Never bring up divorce? That's the only thing I want from you. "Dream on. I'm taking back what's mine." I hung up and posted the recording. The internet exploded. I arrived at the villa. Caleb and Chloe were in the living room. Chloe was crying on his shoulder. "Where are my drafts?" I demanded. Caleb marched over, grabbed my wrist, and smashed my phone on the floor. "Ava, you disappoint me. You said you loved me, but you won't sacrifice a few drawings for me? You posted our call online?" "Do you want to ruin me? You used to be so obedient." "I've lost all interest in you." "Let's divorce, Ava." Caleb stared at me, expecting me to beg, to refuse, to cave. He didn't know this was the magic number. Three strikes. Mission complete. I can leave.
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