홈 / Imagination 단편 작품 & 소설 / Perfect Until I Disappeared / 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Perfect Until I Disappeared의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

10 챕터

Chapter 1

When Gloria Lawton walked in, she smelled like some other guy's cologne.She was smiling at her phone, recording a voice message."Be good, okay? Listen to me."I was on the couch watching TV. The second she saw me, her face went cold. The warmth in her voice vanished."Why are you still awake?"I nodded toward the TV."This."On the screen, I was surrounded by a swarm of reporters, microphones practically shoved in my face."Mr. Moore, did you see what was blowing up online yesterday? Are the rumors true? Is your wife having an affair with rising actor Damian Keane?""Your wife was spotted meeting Damian Keane late at night. Any comment?"...Yesterday, footage of Gloria and Damian showing up together at a charity gala had blown up online.In the video, Damian was wearing a red suit while Gloria held onto his arm, glowing beside him in the crowd.But Gloria supposedly hated guys wearing red.Back then, she'd cleaned every red thing out of my closet."What kind of guy we

Chapter 2

She only had two words for me."You're insane."I walked home in the rain for three hours, soaked and looking pathetic, feeling like the road would never end.Long enough for five years to replay in my head.Long enough for something warm to go completely cold.Gloria froze for a second, like she'd remembered what happened last time too.But she didn't say anything. She just pulled a delicate diamond brooch from her pocket."This is for you."I glanced at it. It looked familiar.Two months ago, on my birthday, Gloria had her assistant deliver this exact brooch.Back then, her assistant had said—"Ms. Lawton's been really busy lately, but she still went out and picked this out for you herself."Picked it out herself.And now, two months later, she was giving me the exact same thing.The old me would've lost it.But I can't do that anymore.I'm Gloria's perfect partner. Everything revolves around making her happy.So I took the brooch and looked it over like I'd just got

Chapter 3

By the time we got to the Lawton estate, Gloria and Damian were already there.They were being treated like royalty, surrounded by people.Jennifer was fastening an antique bracelet around Gloria's wrist."This has been in our family for years. I didn't give it to you before because you weren't pregnant. But now, thanks to Damian..."Her face was all smiles.Then she saw me.Her smile disappeared instantly."What are you doing here?"The disgust on her face wasn't even subtle. She looked ready to kick me out on the spot.Around us, the guests turned to stare, obviously waiting for drama.Gloria leaned against Damian's chest, her eyes half-lowered, like she was waiting for me to react.Damian had this smug look in his eyes as he pulled her closer.I smiled. "Jennifer, what are you talking about? You've always wanted a grandchild. That's on me. Five years of marriage, and I never got Gloria pregnant. Now she and Mr. Keane are expecting, and your wish finally came true. That's

Chapter 4

At one in the morning, Gloria dragged me out of a dead sleep.She stormed into the bedroom and yanked me out of bed.Still half asleep, I rubbed my eyes and forced myself awake."Weren't you staying with Mr. Keane?"The anger on her face only got worse."I thought you'd really changed. Turns out you're still the same. Jealous, petty, and willing to pull any dirty trick."The disgust in her voice wasn't even hidden.My chest tightened with hurt and guilt.Why couldn't I ever make her happy, no matter what I did?I reached for her hand. "What happened?""You seriously have the nerve to ask?"Gloria shoved me away.My forehead slammed into the corner of the bed. Pain shot through me, making my eyes water.I pushed through it and looked up at her. "I really don't know.""Still pretending?"Gloria slammed a bottle of cologne onto the floor.Glass shattered everywhere. The strong scent instantly filled the room, making me cough."You knew Damian was allergic to this brand, a

Chapter 5

Gloria stared at me like she couldn't believe what she was hearing and took a step back.She looked blankly at the divorce papers in my hand.Like I hadn't noticed her reaction, I pushed them a little closer."Whether I bought the cologne or not, Mr. Keane almost getting hurt is still true. I was careless. I don't deserve to be your husband."Gloria stayed quiet for a long moment before turning away, her jaw clenched."Playing hard to get? Taking a step back so I'll chase you? Looks like you've learned some new tricks."Then she looked right at me."Do you really think I wouldn't divorce you?"I shook my head, confused."I don't get what you're saying. You're carrying Mr. Keane's baby now. Him becoming your husband makes the most sense."Something shifted across Gloria's face.Too many emotions, too fast to make out.She looked at me with an expression I couldn't read, like she was staring at someone she'd never seen before."Do you really mean that?"I nodded without hes

Chapter 6

The thought left a bitter feeling in my chest.Then the pain in my foot took over.I carefully lifted it and looked at the torn-up sole, wondering how I was supposed to make it to the living room and grab the first-aid kit.While I was still lost in thought, the bedroom door opened again.It was the house doctor, Dr. Harper.He carefully cleaned my wound and wrapped it up. "For the next three days, don't let it get wet."I nodded. "Sorry for dragging you out this late."He hesitated before putting his things away. "Gloria asked me to come."I froze.I thought back to her walking away earlier. I'd figured she would've just left me here and ignored me.After a moment, he spoke again. "No matter what people say, I think Gloria still cares about you."I looked at him."She's a good person."That's why I needed to be a good husband. No blame. No complaints.I just had to figure out what my wife needed most.So I picked up my phone and texted Gloria:[Come back. I know I was

Chapter 7

"Mason, are you actually stupid, or are you pretending?"I froze, not understanding what he meant."You seriously can't be this clueless. I came here to take your place as Gloria's husband."Of course I knew.I saw it perfectly clearly.I wanted to tell him that the second Gloria said the word, I'd pull out the papers and divorce her immediately.But she wouldn't say it.Every day, Gloria and Damian were all over each other right in front of me while she treated me like I wasn't even there.I couldn't figure out what Gloria wanted.And I was scared of making her upset, so I didn't dare push it.I answered honestly."Why don't you ask Gloria?""Mason!"Damian's face changed instantly.He knocked over the fresh bowl of chicken soup.The hot soup splashed across my leg, burning like boiling water.I sucked in a sharp breath.Back then, I would've lost it and demanded Gloria explain herself.But now...I didn't even feel like I had the right to get mad.Gloria told me t

Chapter 8

I carefully opened my eyes and looked at her.The expression on her face was strange.Like she was smiling and crying at the same time.Then, out of nowhere, she laughed and threw herself into my arms."I knew it. I just knew it..."Knew what?I was even more confused."Mason, I knew you still had feelings for me. You were jealous. You couldn't stand how I treated Damian. I'm so happy."Three short sentences. My scalp crawled.She sent Damian to me just to see if I still loved her.She'd just lost her child, and grief wasn't even her first reaction. She was happy because she finally saw me get jealous.Looking at the smile on her face, she looked like a damn devil.I should've shoved her away.But something in my head kept forcing me to obey. I couldn't go against her.Gloria brushed a soft kiss against the corner of my lips. "Mason, I know you've been hurting these past few days. Don't worry. Damian won't get between us anymore. You'll always have me."Her voice was gen

Chapter 9

The second I pulled my hand back, I froze.I could resist Gloria now?The system said this body couldn't support the Perfect Partner Program anymore, so it automatically unlinked.Which meant I wasn't far from dying.I got thinner every day. Gloria saw it, and her panic kept growing.She stopped going to the office and stayed by my bedside all day.Jennifer stormed in one day, pointed at me on the bed, and called me a walking disaster.Gloria threw her out. Even upstairs, I could hear them arguing.Sometimes the pain dragged me awake in the middle of the night, and I'd look over at Gloria asleep beside me.For a second, it almost felt like we were back to how we used to be. Back when we loved each other.But the betrayal was real. The hurt was real.Truth and lies twisted together until I couldn't tell them apart anymore.If her love for me was real, then why had she whispered sweet words to Damian? Why had she treated him the way she used to treat me?And if it was all fa

Chapter 10

I looked at Gloria's bloodshot eyes, dropped my gaze, and asked the system, "Can I talk to her?"Ever since I woke up that day, it felt like something had locked up my throat. I hadn't been able to say a word.The system agreed.The next second, I called her name."Gloria."Her whole body went still. Then she looked at me, shock and relief crashing across her face."Mason... y-you can talk?"I nodded.She pulled me into a tight hug, happy tears falling again.That night, Gloria and I talked about the past.She said the first time she saw me, I'd been curled up in a corner.She said she'd never forget the day she proposed. It had been the happiest day of her life.Gloria got lost in those memories. She held me like she wanted to keep me with her forever."Mason, I love you so much."She fell asleep holding me, still smiling.The system kept whispering in my ear.[If you stay, your mission reward will restore your health. Then—]"No need." I cut it off and looked away fr

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