Returning to Her Madness

"Host, I'm begging you. You're the only one who can save this world now." The glowing orb trembled in front of me nervously. "Jessica has gone insane and is attempting to blow up the world's core. She said that if she doesn't see you, she'll take everyone down with her."

I sat in the void as I watched the flickering lines of data on the verge of collapse.

Two years ago, I had given up all my emotions for a chance to leave this place and return to my own world after I failed the mission. Now, I felt neither joy nor anger, neither love nor hate. My heart was like a cup without a bottom. Anything that was poured into it would simply go through.

"I can go back," I said slowly in a calm voice. "But she has gone mad, and I don't have any emotions. I can't give her the response she wants."

"It's fine! As long as you're around! Just keep her calm for three months. Once the world's firewall is repaired, I'll send you away immediately! Not only will I return your emotions, but I'll even give you five million dollars for retirement!" The system quickly threw out the bait.

I considered it for a moment. Five million dollars was enough for me to live a worry-free life. And so, I agreed.

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in front of that familiar villa halfway up the hill. The front door was open, and Jessica stumbled out.

After two years, her face was filled with bitterness and malice. But the instant she saw me, the madness in her eyes immediately turned into disbelief.

"Wil?" She mumbled as she reached out for me with a trembling hand, but she was too scared to touch me, as if I were a mirage that would vanish the moment she did.

I looked at her, and the memory of her leaving me for Henry Gibson two years ago flashed through my mind.

I knew I should have hated her or felt hurt, at the very least. But at that moment, all I felt was a blank, confused emptiness.

I gave her a faint smile, just like I used to, according to my memory, and said softly, "Jessica, I'm back."

She jumped into my arms right away as she held me so tightly that her whole body was shaking, and her tears instantly soaked through my collar. She desperately whispered my name into my ear repeatedly, "You finally came back... I knew that if I forced your hand, you'd show up... Wil, don't leave me again. Please..."

I let her hug me, and my hands slowly rose and patted her back.

My movements were steady, and I dutifully comforted her, but deep down inside, I couldn't sense anything at all. My body was in her arms, but my soul seemed to be floating above us in mid-air, watching this emotional reunion coldly.