Chapter 1

Stella's POV

I gasped heavily for air, raising my hand in terror. I instinctively reached for the glass of water beside me to support myself, but my hand went straight through the solid glass. With a sharp crash, the glass hit the floor and shattered into pieces.

[Warning! Samuel's affection level has dropped below the critical threshold!]

[Contract violation detected! Penalty in effect! Destruction protocol initiated!]

[Time Remaining Until Death: 71 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds...]

I could see a row of crimson countdown numbers materialize out of thin air above me. I fell weakly onto the tiles covered in glass, letting the pieces cut into my calves as my entire body shook violently.

It had been seven years, and I had thought I would never see that warning again. I still remembered how Samuel Hudson, my husband, got down on one knee to propose to me, his eyes brimming with tears as he said, "You, out of all the people in the world, are the only one for me in this lifetime, Stella."

Yet now, the system had coldly informed me that Samuel no longer loved me.

I forced myself through the unbearable pain, feeling as if my organs were being crushed, and used my trembling left hand to take out my phone and call Samuel. It rang for a long time before someone finally picked up.

I then heard a young, coquettish female voice come through the phone, speaking with a playful, sleepy drawl that held an obvious note of provocation. "Who's calling?"

I instantly felt my blood run cold. I recognized that voice. It belonged to Xena Baker, the supporting female lead in Samuel's new show—a young woman who had just turned 20 years old, with facial features that looked remarkably like mine when I was young.

"Get Samuel on the phone," I said flatly, my voice hoarse.

I heard the rustling sound of clothing come from the other end of the line, followed by Samuel's familiar and somewhat annoyed voice.

"What exactly are you trying to do when the production team and cast are having a dinner gathering, Stella? Why do you have to call me repeatedly? Do you really distrust me this much?"

I looked up at the crimson countdown ticking away in midair, a bitter feeling washing over me. "Can you return home tonight, Samuel? You see, I've made your favorite soup, and today is our—"

Samuel cut me off before I could finish. "I'm busy right now. You used to be so cooperative, Stella. You know I've never liked explaining myself, so don't push my buttons. Xena is drunk, so I'm merely looking after her.

"I was going to return home once she's fine, but seeing how unreasonable you're being, I won't come back tonight after all. You should take this time alone to reflect on your behavior, Stella."

He instantly ended the call, the busy tone echoing through the empty villa.

I sank onto the floor as my phone screen lit up with a push notification for the latest entertainment headline.

"Samuel Hudson, the Award-Winning Actor, Spotted Shielding Xena Baker, a Rising Actress, From Cameras Late at Night. He Even Took off His Haute Couture Suit Jacket to Cover Her, Sparking Major Romance Rumors!"

In the photo, Samuel held Xena securely in his embrace, the anxiety and devotion in his eyes looking exactly the way he used to look at me seven years ago.

It was then that the system stated flatly, "You ought to see reality for what it is, Stella—Samuel betrayed you long ago."

I stared at the photo, then at the splash of necrotic blood on the table, my tears finally falling silently.