Chapter 1 Prepare to Head Home

I transmigrated into a novel and became the replacement for the male lead's idealized lover. Ronald Foster was the name of that male lead.

The system had given me a mission: make Ronald fall for me. However, the plot wouldn't develop further until that woman showed up.

Fortunately, my best friend was the author of this novel, which made my system a close buddy of mine. And so, it switched my original mission to an escape protocol, and the trigger condition was Ronald's betrayal.

When Ronald came home with his idealized lover, I thought I was finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Thunder roared outside, and the downpour drenched the trouser legs of Ronald and his true love.

For once, I made the first move and quickly approached them to show my concern. "Oh, Ronald, you're back. It's raining heavily out there. Are you drenched? And this is…"

I sized up the innocent, beautiful woman and thought to myself, 'Yeah, that's why she's his idealized lover. She really is beautiful.'

Ronald was surprised by my enthusiasm, but he quickly frowned and looked at my bare feet. "You should've worn some slippers."

I had hopped right out of the couch the moment I heard he had returned with his idealized lover.

So, it took him bringing it up for me to finally feel the cold draft brushing against my feet, but I waved it away. "Oh, I just got a little excited hearing you come home. So, who's the gorgeous lady?"

A small smile curled Ronald's lips, and something tender flickered in his eyes. Yep, that was his idealized lover, alright. I could finally go home tonight.

The woman was going to introduce herself, but Ronald held me in a princess carry. "I'll do the introductions later. Now, wear some shoes."

I pouted and grunted softly in protest.

Ronald was a gentle soul. It had been three years since I was thrown into this world, and I'd been mucking around all that time.

I thought the aloof Ronald would treat me like a pet who was at his every beck and call, but he had given me respect. He told everyone I was his girlfriend just so no rumors would spread.

Also, he cared for me meticulously; perhaps he had done all of that because I looked like his idealized lover. He would sign up for cooking classes just to make something that could alleviate my gastric pain.

He would take a flight back home in the dead of the night just to take care of sick little old me, even if it meant he wouldn't get any sleep. He would do everything in our daily lives if it meant I didn't have to go through the hassle.

If he couldn't do it, he would hire someone to do it for me.

I loved all of his gestures, but I knew that he was only doing it because I somewhat resembled someone else. I wrapped my arms around Ronald's neck and furtively observed that woman, who was trailing behind us.

The water didn't even make her look bad. If anything, it made her look fragile, like something that needed to be protected.

Ronald placed me on the couch and covered my icy soles with the warmth of his hands. Then, he turned to her and said, "Get a hot bath. You don't want to get a cold now."

He was very gentle when he spoke to her. "Jessica doesn't like having outsiders at home, so I've dismissed all the servants. You'll have to fill the tub up yourself. And your clothes…"

I paused.

"You can wear Ronald's," I finished the sentence and put on an "I don't care" look. After all, I knew my place. I was just a replacement.