After I Chose Death, They Finally Loved Me

[Detected: Affection levels of the Hayes brothers and the male lead have reached 95%! The marriage mission with the male lead, Julian Hart, has been completed! Congratulations, host!]

[Once the body dies, you may return to the real world. The reward will be a hundred million dollars and a full recovery from bone cancer!]

I suppressed the surge of wild joy rising in my chest. I could finally go home!

My eldest and third brothers stayed behind with Elena, while my second brother was sent to escort me back.

I glanced instinctively at the man beside me—my second brother, Noah Hayes. He had been scowling ever since we got in the car, clearly unwilling to be here.

It was only when a message from Elena came through that his expression finally softened into a smile.

Sensing my gaze, he immediately locked his phone and frowned. “What? Still not over it? Thinking of going back to ruin things between Julian and Elena? Elena’s young. She’s been through a lot. Why can’t you just leave her alone?”

I dug my nails into my palm and let out a self-mocking laugh. If we were talking about age, I was actually a year younger than Elena.

Perhaps he noticed how pale I looked, but he suddenly let out a sigh. “Just apologize to her when we get back. Stop being childish.”

He reached out to pat my head. I leaned away slightly and asked, “Why should I apologize? What did I do wrong?”

Noah’s hand froze, and he replied with an impatient tone, “Maya, don’t push your luck!”

I closed my eyes. Even if it began as part of the mission, after all these years, some of it had become real. I had truly been hurt by their indifference.

It would soon be all over.

“After Elena’s competition, you’re coming with us to apologize.”

I said nothing. Instead, I spoke to the system in my mind. "Once this body dies, I can go back, right?"

[Yes.]

I let out a slow breath and glanced out the window, taking in my surroundings. Once I was sure no one else would get hurt, I unlocked the door and yanked it open.

Noah, who had been lecturing nonstop, suddenly yelled, “Maya! What are you doing?!”

I ignored him and jumped without hesitation. The cold wind howled past my ears as a terrifying sense of weightlessness swallowed me.

I shut my eyes, not feeling a trace of fear in me.

The next second, an arm wrapped tightly around my waist. Someone pulled me into their arms, shielding me as we crashed toward the roadside brush. The world spun violently, and I heard a muffled groan.

We rolled several times before finally stopping. The person holding me was slashed and bleeding from the branches, while I remained completely unharmed.

I looked up and met Noah’s terrified eyes. My voice was calm. “Let go.”

He stared at my indifferent face and roared, “I only said a few things to you! And for that, you jumped out of a moving car? We’ve spoiled you rotten! This is just another stunt to get our attention, isn’t it? Drop the act!”

I ignored him, prying his hands off me. I pushed myself up and scanned the area, quickly spotting a black car speeding straight toward us.

“I’ll take the hit myself. Remember to pay for their repairs.”

Leaving that behind, I rushed straight toward it.

“Maya!”

Noah’s desperate shout tore through the air. He struggled to get up, but he was too late.

I rushed forward, filled with hope as I welcomed death. I did not want to stay here for even one more second.

The screech of brakes split the air. The black car stopped just in time.

I stumbled backward and fell into Noah’s arms as he rushed forward.

“Are you insane? Maya, have you completely lost your mind?!” His eyes were red as his hands moved frantically over my face and my shoulders. “Did it hit you? Are you hurt? Say something!”

Still, I did not die. I lowered my gaze as disappointment flooded in. My gaze fell on Noah’s leg. His pant leg was already soaked through with blood.

If this had been before, I would have been sobbing uncontrollably, wishing I could take his place. Now, I simply looked away.

“What? Do I need your permission just to die?”