Chapter 1

I, Irene Houston, was cast as the female antagonist from the very start. But unlike other transmigration stories, the entire plot of this novel depended on me to keep it moving.

So, I followed the storyline diligently for the sake of returning home.

By day, I played the role of Rafael Cortez's gentle, well-mannered wife. By night, I became Xavier Dawson's thoughtful confidante. The constant role-switching got to the point where I almost forgot my own name.

For three whole years, I lived on thin ice. That was, until the quest progress bar finally hit 99%.

I took a sip of my espresso as I fixed my gaze on Xavier's sculpted features. Just a few minutes ago, I'd overheard him telling his friends that he'd grown tired of being a sugar baby.

I stood there with my hands on my hips as I laughed loudly to myself. Everything seemed to be going as planned.

I'd already memorized my breakup lines by heart. "Let's end things here, Xavier. After all… Rafael's still my husband."

A frown crossed his face. "I refuse."

"Alright then—wait, what?"

I froze in place at his words. By right, I was supposed to grab my bag and leave.

Wasn't he supposed to wish me happiness, walk away, and then bump into the female lead?

Instead, Xavier grabbed me by the wrist as tears brimmed in his eyes. "What has he given you that I haven't? He can't even tolerate my presence. Isn't love all about acceptance?" His voice trembled as he spoke.

"I don't even mind that you have a husband, yet he can't even accept the fact that you have a side piece. Between the two of us, can't you see who loves you more?" he exclaimed.

I was struck speechless.

All I could see was that he was acting out of character.

Even the system could sense that something unusual was going on. "Wasn't he supposed to return to being single and fall in love with the female lead instead? Why are his lines completely off?"

Resentment flashed across my gaze as I looked at Xavier.

That was exactly the point! How was I supposed to go home if he didn't fall in love with someone else?

…

As the wife who'd supposedly cheated on her husband in the story, I was well aware of my place. No matter how well-built and sculptured Rafael was, I wasn't allowed to spend the night with him.

But surely I could still find a college guy to date around, right?

That was when I set my sights on Xavier, who'd been handing out flyers near the shopping mall.

I offered him five thousand dollars every month to get into a relationship with me. I even promised to take care of his college internship.

As for the corporate seal, well, I'd stolen that from Rafael.

However, I didn't expect the system to suddenly appear just when I'd met up with Xavier at a hotel.

"I can't believe you've already found the second male lead… Wait, where are you touching him?" All of a sudden, the system's excitement had shifted into sheer panic.

I looked at the well-toned man lying on the bed before letting out a sigh.

"Put your clothes back on. I'm not in the mood anymore," I said.

Sure enough, all the good men belonged to the female lead. A female antagonist like me didn't have the right to defile them.

From that day on, it felt like a switch had flipped inside me.

I was Rafael's devoted wife by day, and Xavier's confidante at night. Every day, I lived like a dysfunctional wife while I drooled helplessly over the sight of the latter in shirt garters and a chest chain.