Chapter 1 When the news broke that Mason and Hailey were getting married, the internet exploded with joy. Everyone expected me to have a meltdown. After all, I’d spent the last ten years chasing Mason like a pathetic, love-struck puppy. Everyone thought I was obsessed with him. Nobody knew that I’d been waiting for this day. For ten long years. I wanted them to get married more than anyone. At the wedding, hundreds of cameras were set up, and top influencers were live-streaming the event. “Finally! Mason and Hailey are tying the knot. That other girl must be dying right now, LOL.” “It hasn’t been easy for Mason and Hailey. My girl Hailey finally got her happy ending.” “If it wasn’t for that toxic witch, Mason would have married my goddess ages ago. But hey, at least her existence made Hailey realize her true feelings.” “Sobbing! Mason, please take care of Hailey!” “I hope that psycho doesn’t ruin today.” The comments scrolled by in a blur. I read a few and lost interest. They were either blessing the couple or cursing me out. A decade ago, I would have been in the comments fighting for my life. But after ten years of this, I was immune. I stood in a corner, scanning the venue. Please, I prayed silently. Let this wedding happen. It has to happen. To blend in, I wore a dress completely unlike my usual style. For one day, I would play the role of a sophisticated lady. The venue was buzzing. I saw Mason’s parents in the front row, Hailey’s parents, and then… my father and stepmother. And plenty of other familiar faces from our social circle. On the massive screen above the altar, a slideshow of Mason and Hailey played. Their smiles—smiles I used to beg for—were plastered everywhere. The music swelled. The officiant took his place. The wedding began. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I was more nervous than the bride and groom. This moment determined my entire future. I was done being the hated, desperate ex. Call me a villain? Fine, I’ll own it. But call me a simp? Absolutely not. Mason stood at the altar in a sharp tuxedo, his posture perfect. He watched his bride walk down the aisle with deep, unwavering affection. “Look at his eyes! He’s so in love.” “OMG, Mason’s gaze is killing me.” “Hailey is so beautiful.” Hailey was an A-list actress, the nation’s sweetheart. Mason had generously opened up 100 spots for her fans to attend the wedding. The people standing next to me were probably some of the lucky few. “Look! They’re exchanging rings!” My attention snapped back to the stage. Mason had already slid the ring onto Hailey’s finger. Now it was her turn. I held my breath as she lifted Mason’s hand. Just a second before the ring touched his finger, she froze. Her gaze cut through the crowd and landed straight on me. I knew it. She saw me. I hadn’t expected her to let me off easy, not even on her big day. Sure enough, Hailey picked up the microphone. Chapter 2 “Thank you all for coming to our wedding,” Hailey said, her voice trembling slightly. “But I also want to thank someone special. Someone you all know.” Everyone followed her gaze until it landed on me. It took a moment for the crowd to realize who I was. “You all know it wasn’t easy for Mason and me to get here. We faced so many obstacles.” Yes, obstacles I created. Not just to fulfill my mission, but because I wanted to. “Bella, I know you’re not happy about this,” Hailey continued, staring right at me. “But I want you to know that true love doesn’t care who came first. You’ve been by Mason’s side for a long time, but he’s only ever seen you as a sister. I hope one day you find someone who truly loves you.” “And thank you, Mason, for always choosing me.” I felt the hostile stares burning into me. A few people even moved closer, glaring at me with undisguised hatred. This was exactly what Hailey wanted. To drag me out and publicly humiliate me one last time before she put that ring on. She finally turned back to Mason and slid the band onto his finger without hesitation. My heart finally settled back into my chest. “Mason and Hailey are married now,” a girl next to me hissed. “If you try to ruin their relationship again, Mason won’t let you off the hook.” I looked at her and nodded earnestly. “Don’t worry. I wish them a lifetime of togetherness. Locked down. Forever.” DING— 【Congratulations, Host! Mason and Hailey are officially married. Mission accomplished. Happy Ending achieved!】 【Confetti! Confetti!】 【Host, your mission is complete. I’m leaving now.】 【Where will you go?】 This was a voice only I could hear. It belonged to the System—a voice I’d been hearing for ten years, ever since it first appeared. Hailey was its Host. From the System, I learned that I was the “villainess.” I tried to change my fate, but nothing worked. So, I leaned into the role. I played the villain. I waited for the plot to end. I waited for it to leave. 【I’m going to another world!】 【Okay, 1807. Thank you for giving me a new life.】 【You’re welcome, Host. Take care of yourself. I won’t be coming back.】 【Mhm!】 Silence followed. It seemed System 1807 was truly gone. Now that 1807 had left, the real villainess could finally take the stage. Before I turned to leave, I caught Hailey’s eye on stage. I gave her a small smile. Your good days are officially over. Chapter 3 The first thing I did when I got back to my apartment was throw out everything from my past life and call movers. Then, I unpinned a chat on WeChat and sent a single message. By the time I was done, it was past midnight. For ten years, I had dutifully played the role of the villain. The male and female leads needed conflict to deepen their love, and I was happy to be the tool that provided it. But now, the story was over. Without the plot controlling me, who knew what would happen next? Everything I had given away as a plot device, I was going to take back. Piece by piece. Starting with Mason’s position. Three days later, the hype around Mason and Hailey’s wedding was still dominating the headlines. It was being called the “Wedding of the Century.” Hailey used the buzz to break into international markets, expanding her fame even further. On the third day after the wedding, the traditional “homecoming” visit, I went back to the family house too. I could hear laughter from inside before I even opened the door. I could imagine the warm, happy family scene. But I was here to ruin the mood. Hailey was the first to react. “Bella’s back! We were just talking about you. It’s been so long since we all sat down for a meal together.” “Since you’re here, join us.” “Sure,” I said. Watching their forced smiles made the air taste sweeter. “Since you’re back, try to get along with your sister,” my biological father, Simon, said sternly. “Don’t start any drama. They’re married now. If you try to interfere, you’re just a homewrecker.” I looked at him. It was hard to believe a father could speak to his child like that. But I’d heard worse from him. I didn’t care anymore, so it didn’t hurt. “Don’t worry. I have no interest in doing something so low-class when someone already has a family.” Simon’s face darkened visibly. Just then, the housekeeper announced dinner was ready, breaking the tension. But as soon as I sat down, Hailey spoke up. “Mom usually sits there. Bella, would you mind moving?” I gave Hailey a look that was half-smile, half-sneer. She returned it with a gentle, saintly smile. Only I knew how rotten she was on the inside. Lauren, my stepmother, laughed it off. “If Bella likes that seat, let her have it.” Even Mason frowned at me disapprovingly. “Bella, you really haven’t changed.” Chapter 4 SLAM. I slapped my hand on the table. “This is my house. Who told you I have to watch outsiders’ moods to eat in my own home? Eat if you want, otherwise get out!” The sound made everyone jump. No one expected me to fight back—especially not against Mason. Everyone knew I was the girl who couldn’t get over him. Back when I was a rebellious teen, I only listened to Mason. He used it to brag: Look, she’s a rich heiress, but she does whatever I say. So they all assumed I wouldn’t fight back. They forgot that I used to have claws. I’d been a simp for ten years, but my edges hadn’t disappeared. I’d just hidden them. Now that I was free, I wasn’t going to suffer in silence anymore. “Bella, have you lost your mind?!” Simon roared, slamming the table even harder than I had. My hand throbbed in sympathy. “Do you want me to kick you out?” I rubbed my palm under the table. It felt good to be fierce, but it hurt my hand. In the past, I would have been crying and apologizing by now. Villain Rule #1: Lack of love. Specifically, fatherly love. The thought of being kicked out used to terrify me. When the plot controlled me, Simon held all the cards. But the plot was gone. “Dad, you seem to have forgotten something. The name on the deed to this villa is Bella Shen.” Simon froze. Lauren saw the mood shift and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Bella, stop joking. The deed is locked in the safe. Your father can’t take a joke like that.” Simon seemed to snap out of it, banging on the table again. “You ungrateful brat!” Fine. My friendly reminder fell on deaf ears. “Martha, serve dinner!” “Coming, Miss Bella!” “Don’t call me Miss Bella. Call me the Second Miss!” Martha ignored me and went back to the kitchen. Martha’s cooking was as delicious as ever. Hailey looked pale. Being called the “Second Miss” clearly struck a nerve. “Dad, are you planning to put Hailey on the family registry?” Hailey was Simon and Lauren’s daughter, born three months before me. “Dad, need I remind you? The ‘Shen’ in Shen Family stands for Shen Ci—my mother. Not Simon Shen.” Shen Ci. My mother. A gentle woman, but too love-struck. She fell for Simon, a gold-digger from a poor background, and paid for it with her life.
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