The day of the class reunion, my CEO husband deliberately lost a game. With his buddies egging him on, he was ready to get his marriage license with his first love and post about it on SnapChat. Everyone in the room started cheering, and my husband impatiently pulled out the divorce papers, demanding my cooperation. “It’s just a game, don’t take it too seriously.” I stayed silent for a long time. Everyone thought I was about to explode. Instead, I took the divorce papers and said calmly, “A divorce is fine, but I need you to do three things.” He agreed instantly, rushing me to sign, even eagerly promising, “Forget three things, I’ll do three hundred if you just sign. And when we get remarried, I’ll give you a lavish wedding!” But he had no idea. The moment he decided to divorce me, my mission had already failed, and I was about to be eradicated by the System. Only by completing the three tasks the System assigned could I survive. Watching me sign, my husband, Jackson Hayes, gleefully put away the divorce papers. Everyone exchanged glances, a smirk of satisfaction playing on their faces. It was only then that I understood. This class reunion was an elaborate trap, set just for me. On the virtual screen behind Jackson, four blood-red words screamed: “CONQUEST FAILED.” The System’s electronic voice drilled into my mind: “Host, only by remaining married to your conquest target for seven years can you offset the cost of a life-for-a-life deal. You are now an hour and a half short of seven years. In 48 hours, you will be eradicated.” Its tone shifted. “However, seeing your pathetic state, if you complete three tasks within the deadline, you can survive.” “Now, initiating Task One.” “Make Jackson Hayes confess his love to you in public.” I let out a laugh. I’d just signed the divorce papers, and now the System wanted him to confess his love to me? Ashley Miller stood up, her pretty face tight. “Jackson, if you agree to Chloe’s unreasonable demands because of me, then I’m willing to be punished! I’ll drink three shots of tequila!” Jackson’s eyes were filled with heartache. “It’s fine. She can’t cause any trouble.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. Seven years ago, on our wedding day, Jackson had planned to run away for love, but Ashley had run off with all his savings. After that, he became convinced I was behind it, and we’d been at odds ever since. Childhood sweethearts turned bitter rivals. I thought that if I just truly loved him, I could eventually win him over. In the last two years, he had almost accepted our situation. He even knew to come home early to celebrate our wedding anniversary. But then, Ashley came back. That’s when I realized he’d never forgotten her. He even orchestrated this whole setup just to marry her. He’d even forgotten that today was our seventh wedding anniversary. Now, the seven stolen years were finally to be returned. But I still wanted to live. I spoke up. “Jackson Hayes, the first thing I want you to do is confess to me.” “Confess to me exactly how you confessed to Ashley Miller back then.” Jackson froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. The private room erupted. “Chloe, don’t be ridiculous! You’ve already signed the divorce papers, there’s no need to be so petty and embarrass Jackson!” “Jackson, don’t listen to her nonsense! She’s just trying to cause trouble!” It was ironic. These people had received countless favors from me, and now, seeing the Hayes Corporation’s growing influence, they wouldn’t stop mocking me. Ashley’s face was flushed with indignation. “Chloe, you really are just messing with him! Jackson, I won’t let you suffer this humiliation!” My nominal husband confessing to me was a humiliation in her eyes? I coldly surveyed the room, then yawned. “I’m talking to Jackson Hayes. Is it your place to interrupt?” “Jackson Hayes, if you don’t confess, I’m leaving. I won’t even bother getting the divorce certificate.” Having been together for years, I knew his temper. His brows furrowed, and he said impatiently, “I thought you were being sensible today. Turns out you just came up with a new trick. If I confess, you’ll obediently go get the divorce certificate?” It seemed he was truly desperate to marry Ashley and make it official. “Yes.” Jackson’s face darkened. He spoke as if bracing for death. “Chloe, be with me. I’ll buy you two bottles of milk every day and warm them with my body heat, so you always drink them at room temperature…” Ashley’s eyes welled up with tears. She murmured, “Jackson, you still remember.” Everyone in the room couldn’t help but applaud, marveling at Jackson’s deep affection, how after eight years, he still remembered the moment he confessed to Ashley. As the two stared into each other’s eyes, their gazes growing more intimate, I felt my stomach churn. I left my seat. “I have to go. Something came up.” Behind me, the room erupted in laughter, mocking me for digging my own grave. As I walked out, my best friend, Sarah, who had somehow heard the news, found me at the restaurant. She immediately started yelling. “Did you really sign the divorce papers with Jackson Hayes? Are you crazy? You gave up a marriage with a billionaire’s son to marry him, kneeling until your knees were raw. And now you’re just divorcing him, letting that scumbag Ashley take advantage?” I stayed silent. Back then, the Hayes family was on the verge of bankruptcy. To help Jackson, I abandoned the billionaire’s son and resolutely married him. My parents were furious and disowned me. I was ostracized by my family. As the wife, I couldn’t interfere in any Hayes family affairs, leaving me in an awkward position. But when Ashley returned, Jackson immediately arranged for her to be Vice President, even entrusting her with billions in funds. Love and dislike were truly obvious. My killer heels had chafed my heels raw, and I shifted uncomfortably. I couldn’t help but mock myself. “You think she’s a scumbag, but Jackson treats her like a treasure. What can I do?” Sarah sighed, supporting me and giving me strength. “Men are like shoes. If they don’t fit, we change them!” As she spoke, Jackson came downstairs, lovingly rubbing Ashley’s head. “Ashley, let’s go take our wedding photos first, then buy rings. When we get the license, I’ll pick you up with a thirty-car convoy!” His gaze met mine, and Jackson’s lips thinned into a tight line. His voice was icy. “Chloe, two more things. If you’re playing games, I won’t go easy on you!” I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter laugh. He didn’t know I’d wanted to avoid him for ages. I was only in contact with him to stay alive. Watching him walk away, I called out to the System in my mind. “Is this task completed?” “Barely satisfactory,” the System’s tone remained unchanged. “Now, initiating Task Two.” “Go on a date with Jackson Hayes for one day.”
My foot slipped. “Are you serious? It’s a miracle Jackson can even tolerate me today. If I ask him to go on a date with me, he’ll think I’m just messing with him!” The System was cold. “Host has no right to question. You may choose to abandon the task and be eradicated.” In the dead of night, I tossed and turned, thinking about the System’s task. *Bang!* Jackson kicked open the door, dragging me off the bed. In the darkness, his furious eyes glowed eerily bright. “Are you happy now? Because of the scene you caused today, Ashley went home sick. I took care of her until past midnight before her fever broke!” I pried his hand off me and forced a smile. “It was just a game. Couldn’t you have called it off? Who would actually take a CEO like you seriously?” Jackson choked, then sighed softly. “It was just a game. Why wouldn’t you cooperate?” I said carelessly, “The second thing is, tomorrow, you cancel all your work and spend the day with me.” Jackson’s face instantly turned cold. “Chloe, are you pushing your luck? You’re really taking advantage!” He slammed the bedroom door shut and left. My mouth felt bitter. I knew this would be the outcome. The next morning, he still knocked on my door with a scowl. “I lost a million today because of you. What do you want? Hurry up and say it.” Because of me? More like because he wanted to get his marriage license with Ashley as soon as possible. The System told me the date wasn’t important; the key was for Jackson to spend six continuous hours with me. I took Jackson to the mall to kill time. All the way, he was glued to his phone, never looking up. Occasionally, he would stop at women’s clothing stores or luxury boutiques, waving his hand to buy a lot of things. All of them were for Ashley. In seven years of marriage, he had never bought me anything. The dress I was wearing was pilling from too many washes. To retaliate against me, he even competed with my family’s business. My dad called me a traitor, and the industry blacklisted me. No one knew that despite my outwardly glamorous appearance, I lived on a meager salary from online freelance work. By midday, Jackson was visibly impatient. I quickly took him to a hotpot restaurant. Just as we ordered, his expression changed as he looked at his phone. He made a call, his voice filled with worry and urgency. “How can you not eat? You don’t have an appetite without me there? Okay, I’m coming back now!” He turned, grabbed his jacket, and rushed to leave. “Urgent company matter. I’m heading out.” I knew this had to be Ashley’s doing. “Will you come back?” My task wasn’t finished yet. He thought for a moment, then nodded. “I will.” But I didn’t expect him to come back with Ashley. Jackson carefully looked after Ashley, feeding her and wiping her mouth, like he was nursing a bedridden patient. They looked like an affectionate couple, and I was just a random person sharing their table. Whatever I wanted to eat next, Ashley would point to and demand for herself. I had no appetite and set down my forks. She looked triumphant, saying with exaggerated sweetness, “The dishes Jackson feeds me taste exceptionally sweet…” Under the table, she deliberately stepped on my foot. I hissed in pain, but Jackson ignored it. Fortunately, we only needed to watch a movie to complete the six hours, so I endured her. Who knew there were only two tickets left at the movie theater? Ashley spoke first, her eyes red-rimmed. “Jackson, you and Chloe go watch. I know she’s deliberately using the divorce as an excuse to spend time with you, but it’s okay, I won’t be a third wheel! I’ll leave now!” Jackson panicked, quickly pulling her back. “What are you talking about? Forget this stupid movie. I’ll spend the whole afternoon with you instead. How about I make it up to you?” I said patiently, “Jackson Hayes, just watch one movie with me, and I’ll let you go. I promise I won’t bother you anymore.” But Jackson pushed me away violently, and the popcorn I was holding scattered everywhere. “Chloe, stop acting! I’ve told you I could never like someone as selfish and conceited as you. Ashley is generous and kind and doesn’t blame you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll indulge you. I’ve already been more than generous by spending time with you at the mall today!” He took Ashley’s hand and turned to leave. “Warning! Host is neglecting mission. Electric shock punishment. Please persuade Jackson Hayes to return within one minute.” The next second, a powerful current coursed through my body. I instantly collapsed, my knees hitting the ground with a loud thud, my whole body convulsing. Almost biting through my tongue, I pleaded with all my might, “Jackson Hayes! Please, watch the movie with me, or I’ll die, please…” Jackson whirled around, seeing me on my knees. His pupils contracted, and he instinctively took a step forward. “Jackson, you go. Chloe is usually so healthy, but she suddenly fainted. She must be really sick. Go with her, don’t mind me.” Ashley suddenly spoke. Jackson’s steps halted, his expression turning cold. “Chloe, now you’re faking falls? Don’t pretend to be weak. Don’t make me look down on you even more.” He abandoned me. No matter how I called out, he never looked back. After a long time, the System’s punishment ended. My face was deathly pale, like I’d just been pulled from water. Many people gathered around, offering to take me to the hospital. The System warned me sternly, “Task Two completion is only fifty percent. If Task Three is not perfectly completed, Host, you will still be eradicated.” The panel changed, displaying only one line of text: “Make Jackson Hayes propose to you.” I gave a desolate laugh, losing all strength and collapsing to the ground. This was an impossible task. When I opened my eyes again, I was in the hospital. Sarah rushed to bring me water, her eyes full of sympathy. “The doctor said your organs are failing, and you won’t live more than three days. Does Jackson know? Is this why you’re divorcing him?” I knew this was a side effect of the System’s punishment. Three days? Only twenty-four hours left. I didn’t want to beg and have Jackson pity me. After all, I was once a privileged heiress; I had my pride. I shook my head. “No, Sarah. As a best friend, I want to ask you something. After I die, just tell everyone I went abroad to travel and settle down. Don’t let anyone see how miserably I died.” Sarah’s eyes turned red. She wiped her face. “When the avalanche happened, you saved Jackson Hayes’s life, but he thought Ashley saved him. He misunderstood and tormented you for all these years. You—” My phone on the table rang urgently. It was Jackson. Sarah answered, unable to help but blurt out, “Jackson Hayes, do you know Chloe is sick!”
I struggled to get up and stop her. On the other end of the line, Jackson paused for a second, then scoffed coldly, “Did Chloe tell you to play along? What’s a fall going to do?” “Tell her to hurry up and say the last thing she wants so we can get it over with. I don’t have time for her drama.” Seeing how impatient he was, I took the phone and said seriously, “The third thing is very simple. You just have to propose to me.” *Crash!* A harsh noise came from the other end of the phone, as if something had fallen. Jackson panicked. “Ashley, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!” The next second, he lashed out at me. “Chloe, are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? I’m not playing with you anymore. Go get the divorce certificate or don’t, I don’t care. Anyway, in thirty days, we’ll be automatically divorced. I’m not like you, I’m not desperate to live. I can wait!” He hung up. My heart ached. I knew Jackson wanted to get rid of me, but I never knew he loathed me so much. The System was still urging me to complete the task. But now, I didn’t even have leverage over him. What else could I do? Fatigue washed over me like a tide. Even if I knelt and begged Jackson, he would just think I was pulling stunts. If that was the case, I might as well die with dignity. With that thought, I called him. He answered impatiently. “If you’re still talking nonsense about wanting me to propose, just go die!” He didn’t know he would speak a prophecy. My voice was flat. “I was just kidding. See you tomorrow morning at the courthouse.” Jackson sounded surprised. “That’s it? You’re being so straightforward? Are you really that kindhearted?” “Don’t want to? Fine then.” “No! You better not be playing games!” He agreed hastily. Nine o’clock in the morning, in front of the courthouse. Jackson started yelling at me for being one minute late. “Chloe, what are you pulling now? You really were faking yesterday. They say bad apples never spoil, you’ll probably live to be a hundred!” His buddies all looked on with mocking expressions. They were all waiting for Jackson and Ashley to get their marriage license, specifically holding confetti ready to celebrate. I found it amusing. In the past, when Jackson and I had agreements, he was never on time, repeatedly breaking promises and intentionally watching me flounder for his amusement. Today, I was only one minute late, and he was so agitated. “Yes, I was on purpose. I’ve changed my mind. The third thing is, I want you to carry me inside to get the divorce certificate!” It was less than a hundred yards from the entrance. Jackson looked at me suspiciously. “That simple?” Ashley still rushed out to object, as if I were committing some heinous crime. “Jackson is a CEO! How can you treat him like a servant and make him carry you? We don’t need this divorce certificate, I’ll wait for Jackson forever!” Everyone else’s faces also turned ugly. “Chloe, you’re too shameless! This is clearly a deliberate obstruction! I think you just don’t want the divorce certificate!” I curved my lips into a smile, perfectly at ease. Jackson, however, said decisively, “Fine. But if you pull any more stunts once we’re inside, I’ll make your life a living hell.” He walked up to me. I jumped onto his back without a second thought. Jackson let out a surprised “Hmm.” I was too light. Frighteningly light. Back then, I had a bold personality. I loved racing, hiking, rock climbing, and my muscle mass was not to be underestimated. He subconsciously asked, “Are you starving yourself?” I said faintly, “Just disgusted by you and Ashley to the point of losing my appetite.” Jackson twisted his lips. “That’s enough, Chloe.” When we got married, he was held down by ten bodyguards as he was dragged into the courthouse, forced to get the marriage certificate, his face filled with disgust. Now, he walked steadily towards the courthouse, step by step, but it was to divorce me. In a daze, I remembered seventeen years ago. Jackson got caught in an avalanche while skiing. I rushed into the snowfield regardless of the danger, my throat raw from shouting, until I finally found him. At that time, he had snow blindness, and his leg was injured, making him unable to stand. I half-carried, half-dragged him down the mountain for a day and a night, even cutting my wrist to feed him my blood to help him regain strength. In a blur, Jackson’s hot tears dripped onto my neck. “You’re so good to me. I’m going to marry you!” I chuckled, coaxing him not to break his promise. By the time we reached the bottom of the mountain, I should have frozen to death from hypothermia. That’s when the System bound itself to me. It said that my love for Jackson was truly great. As long as I could stay married to him for seven years, it would grant me health and longevity. I agreed, secretly thrilled, thinking it was a free pass, and that we would surely be happy. But I didn’t expect that when I woke up again, I would see him confessing to Ashley in front of the entire school. He said he would marry me. But what I waited for was his endless gratitude towards Ashley. I tried to explain, but he didn’t believe me. “The one who saved me was gentle like a goddess. You’re so crude and overbearing, how could it be you!” Snapping back to reality, I whispered into Jackson’s ear, “Jackson Hayes, we’re even now.” He stopped walking. “What did you say?”
My throat tickled, and I coughed up blood. The System’s punishment yesterday had ruined my internal organs. Even as I covered my mouth, a drop of blood splattered onto Jackson’s neck. He roared with rage. “Chloe, are you trying to die? Coughing on my neck, how disgusting! Wipe it off!” I wiped the blood from the corner of my lips, pushed his head back to face forward, and said calmly, “Look straight ahead, don’t look at me.” Jackson quickened his pace, approaching the divorce registration window. Before he could put me down, I jumped off myself, grabbed a tissue, and wiped his neck. He still looked unsatisfied, pulling out tissue after tissue, as if he’d touched something filthy. I couldn’t help but speak. “Jackson Hayes, since you’ve decided to be with Ashley Miller, then don’t let her down.” Jackson frowned, finally looking at me properly. “What are you talking about? It’s only been one day, and you’re already so petty you can’t stand it? Don’t worry, when this game is over, I’ll give you a lavish wedding. I won’t break my promise.” I curved my lips into a weak smile. On the divorce agreement, I fumbled to find the spot to sign. My eyesight was the worst of all my failing organs. Jackson took my finger and pointed to the spot, scoffing, “What’s wrong with your eyes? Are you so sad about divorcing me that you cried yourself blind?” I snorted. “I just got a sty from being exposed to you and Ashley’s sickening display.” Since Ashley returned, I hadn’t bickered with him like this in a long time. Jackson angrily shoved me. “Chloe, you still have such a sharp tongue!” I groaned, taking a moment to recover. His expression suddenly changed. “Are you really sick?” I pretended nothing was wrong. “No. Hurry up and finish the paperwork. I’m planning to travel abroad for a few days. There are plenty of fish in the sea, why obsess over one flower?” Everyone hearing this couldn’t help but snicker, looking at me with expressions that screamed, “Stop acting,” full of disdain. Jackson’s face remained ugly. He suddenly stood up. “No divorce.” “No divorce?” Ashley gasped in surprise, then her eyes welled up with tears, and she said plaintively, “Jackson, if you can’t bear to, it’s okay. I’m willing to be punished. I just have a slight alcohol allergy, I won’t die. I’ll go buy the tequila now!” I was speechless, not understanding what Jackson meant. I deliberately provoked him. “Don’t bother. Or are you really reluctant to let me go?” Jackson, as expected, couldn’t stand the provocation and quickly signed the papers. “If it weren’t for your sickly, pathetic face, I…” He stopped speaking. Then, with a grim face, he took the divorce certificate, turned, and sat down with Ashley at the marriage registration window. Everyone gathered around them, their faces joyful. My business here was done. I turned to leave, but Jackson suddenly called out to me. “Don’t go, wait until Ashley and I get our license and post on SnapChat. Then I’ll marry you again right away!” Divorce then remarry, did he think this was a game? I perfunctorily acknowledged him and walked out of the courthouse. On the virtual screen, the countdown showed thirteen hours left, enough time for me to handle my affairs. But I didn’t expect my vision to turn blood-red. “Host Chloe Davis, mission failed. Detected official divorce. Countdown reset to zero!” I never imagined the System had this up its sleeve. I leaned against the courthouse doorframe and crumpled to the ground.
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