Chapter 1

Joanne sighed. “We can never let Asher find out that both of our affection levels for Julian maxed out a long time ago.”

Serena nodded. “Don’t worry. He trusts us completely. We can tell him anything, and he’ll believe it.”

My hands and feet went ice-cold.

I didn’t even know how I managed to walk away.

A year ago, I had somehow switched bodies with my driver, Julian.

I’d been trapped ever since in his short, heavyset body, while he wore my face and enjoyed everything that should’ve been mine.

Joanne brought in exorcists. Priests prayed late into the night.

Every day, they reassured me that they were still looking for a way to get me back into my own body.

It had all been a lie.

My nails dug deep into my palm, but I barely felt a thing.

These hands were thick and rough, covered in calluses.

At breakfast, Joanne affectionately ruffled my hair.

“Asher, eat some more. I had Mrs. Warren make those little cakes you like.”

But I clearly caught the flash of disgust in her eyes.

I couldn’t stop myself from speaking.

Even after a year, I still hated how deep and rough this voice sounded.

“I had a dream last night. I dreamed Julian and I switched back.”

Julian’s face went pale.

“Are you still blaming me, Asher?” he asked, looking hurt. “I didn’t mean to take over your body.”

My fingers curled tightly.

I turned to Serena.

“I just want to know if there’s anything I can do.”

She looked at me with a complicated expression.

“The system’s rules are complicated. It’ll take more time before you can switch back.”

I pressed my lips together.

“How much more time? A day? A week? A month?”

Joanne frowned.

“Julian’s a victim too. Why are you getting so worked up? Watch your tone.”

I stared at her.

My own sister was scolding me for the sake of the man who had taken over my body.

Julian reached for Joanne’s arm.

“Joanne, don’t be mad at Asher.”

Then he looked at me with such earnest sincerity that anyone would’ve believed him.

“Just hang in there a little longer. As soon as the mission is complete, we’ll switch back right away!”

Joanne affectionately pinched his cheek.

“You’ve had it rough too, Julian.”

Cold spread through me.

What exactly had Julian suffered?

He had my body, my status, and everyone’s love.

Meanwhile, because of the restrictions imposed by his so-called system, I was forced to live in a cramped, damp room meant for household staff.

People ordered me around like a servant.

I couldn’t even tell anyone who I really was.

I wanted desperately to tell them that if I didn’t get my body back within three days, I would die.

But the system immediately warned me.

[Disclosure to anyone is prohibited. Violation will result in immediate annihilation.]

I swallowed the pain twisting through my chest and could only nod.

After breakfast, Julian walked Serena to the door.

He leaned down and kissed her red lips.

Serena didn’t pull away.

Instead, she rose onto her toes and kissed him back.

“Wait for me to come home.”

Only then did I notice the love in her eyes.

It was exactly the same way she had looked at me when she confessed her feelings to me at eighteen.

My stomach turned.

Joanne’s voice came coldly from beside me.

“Stop staring. Serena’s only doing this to fool the romance system.

“And don’t get any ideas about taking your anger out on Julian. He’s using your body right now.”

My chest tightened.

Was that really what she thought of me?

That I was so unreasonable I’d hurt him out of spite?

I turned to her.

“Joanne, do you remember what you promised me when I was ten?”