Chapter 3

The system fell silent for a moment before a sudden chime echoed in my mind.

[Plot anomaly detected… Recalculating…]

A bad feeling crept over me. "What are you trying to do now?" I asked.

[New quest issued: The host is required to maintain both their marriage and relationship with Rafael and Xavier until the plot has been automatically repaired.]

[Reward: Homeward progress +10%]

I sprang up from the bed. "Are you crazy? I can't even dump either of them, and now you're telling me to maintain both relationships?"

"This is the best solution I could come up with. Neither of them is following the plot anyway, so why don't we just go along with it? Who knows, we might just trigger a hidden storyline," the system explained.

"Hidden my ass," I gritted out through clenched teeth. "Do you have any idea what I look like right now? I'm basically just an unlucky damsel caught between two psychos!"

That said, my thoughts drifted to the extra 10% on the progress bar. In the end, I still decided to endure it.

By the time I headed downstairs the next morning with dark circles under my eyes, Rafael was already seated at the dining table, reading the financial news.

He was dressed in a light gray shirt today. The sleeves were rolled up all the way to his forearms, revealing his well-toned wrists.

I had to admit, he certainly had the looks to be the male lead. Too bad something wasn't quite right with his head.

"Did you get a good sleep last night?" Rafael glanced up at me when he spoke. His tone was so casual it sounded like he was asking about the weather.

I forced out a fake smile. "It was great—so great, in fact, that I spent my dreams contemplating the meaning of life."

Rafael gave a small nod. Then, he slid a file in front of me. "There's a charity gala that I need you to attend next week."

I flipped it open and took a look. It was a fundraising event for children, with Cortez Group listed as the primary sponsor.

"And what identity should I use here?" I raised an eyebrow and asked. "Your wife in name only, or the cheating partner you couldn't care less about?"

He adjusted his glasses before replying, "You'll be there as Mrs. Cortez. As for that 'friend' of yours… I hope you can take care of him."

"How exactly should I handle it?" I deliberately asked. "By your logic, that's my own business. It has nothing to do with you."

There was a long pause before he spoke up again. "There's a limit to my tolerance, Irene."

I was just about to snap back when my phone rang.

The caller ID on the screen read "Doormat Xavier".

I glanced over at Rafael. Although he gestured for me to answer, a chill had crept into his gaze.

I walked over to the balcony to take the call. "Are you coming over today?" Xavier's voice was still heavy with sleep. "I just learned a new dish that I wanted to make for you," he continued.

"Xavier… I think we should give each other some space," I muttered.

"You're trying to break up with me, aren't you?" His voice instantly broke. "I knew it! I couldn't sleep at all last night. I kept wondering if there was something I didn't do well enough…"

"It's not your fault—"

"So your husband's the one who forced you to break things off with me, wasn't it?" he gritted out. "Just you wait, I'll confront him now. I'll tell him we're truly in love with each other!"

My scalp prickled. "Don't do anything rash!"

"I don't care. I can't live without you," he choked out through sobs. "Do you know how miserable I was yesterday? I hugged your pillow and cried the entire night…"

I was at a loss for words. His acting was starting to get out of hand.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Listen to me, Xavier. We both need time—"

"I'll give you some time!" he cut in instantly. "But I'm begging you, please don't break up with me…"