Chapter 4

Almost biting through my lip, I forced the words out.

"Calvin! Please, just watch the movie with me. If you don't, I'll die. Please..."

Calvin turned around, startled.

The second he saw me on the floor, his eyes widened, and he instinctively took a step toward me.

Then Molly spoke.

"Calvin, go ahead. Rhea's always been healthy. If she suddenly collapsed, it must be serious. Stay with her. Don't worry about me."

He stopped.

His face went cold.

"Rhea, now you're faking a collapse too? Stop acting weak. Don't make me look down on you."

He walked away.

No matter how many times I called after him, he never looked back.

After a long time, the punishment finally ended.

My face was ghostly pale, like I'd just been dragged out of water. People started gathering around me, offering to take me to the hospital.

The System's voice cut in, cold and sharp.

[Task Two completion rate: fifty percent.]

[If Task Three is not completed perfectly, you will still be erased.]

The panel shifted.

Only one line remained.

[Make Calvin propose to you.]

A hollow smile tugged at my lips as I sank to the floor.

This was impossible.

***

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital room.

Sasha quickly handed me some water.

"The doctor said your organs are failing. You probably don't have more than three days left. Does Calvin know? Is that why you're divorcing him?"

I knew it was the aftermath of the System's punishment.

Not more than three days?

I only had twenty-four hours left.

I still didn't want Calvin's pity.

I used to be the daughter of an old-money family. I still had my pride.

I shook my head.

"No. Sasha, for the sake of our friendship, I need you to do one thing for me. After I die, tell everyone I moved overseas and settled down. Don't let them see me die like this."

Sasha's eyes turned red. She wiped at them.

"Back during the avalanche, you were the one who saved Calvin. He thinks it was Molly. He misunderstood you and put you through hell all these years, and you—"

My phone started ringing on the table.

Calvin.

Sasha answered, and this time she couldn't hold back.

"Calvin, do you even know Rhea's sick?"

I struggled up and tried to stop her.

There was a pause on the other end.

Then Calvin let out a cold laugh.

"Did Rhea tell you to play along? She just fell down. What's supposed to happen? Tell her to hurry up and say the last condition so we can get this over with. I don't have time for her games."

Hearing the impatience in his voice, I took the phone and spoke seriously.

"The third thing is simple. I just need you to propose to me."

Crash.

Something slammed into the floor on the other end.

Calvin's voice instantly changed.

"Molly? What's wrong? Molly, don't scare me!"

The next second, he snapped.

"Rhea, are you out of your mind? I'm done playing along. Finish the court filing with me—or don't. I don't care anymore. My lawyer already has everything ready."

Then he hung up.

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.

I knew he wanted me gone.

I just never thought he'd hate me this much.

The System kept pushing me to finish the task.

But I had nothing left to use against him.

What else could I even do?

Exhaustion hit me all at once.

Even if I begged Calvin, he'd just think I was acting.

If that was the case, I'd rather die with some dignity left.

With that thought, I called him again.

He answered immediately, irritation clear in his voice.

"If you're calling to bring up that proposal crap again, then go die."