Tired of Playing

After I Woke Up in a Novel, I Discovered I Had the Same Name as the Heroine It was a safe assumption, I thought, that I was the heroine. So, leaning on the impenetrable shield of plot armor, I found the male lead back when he was still broke and living in a shithole apartment, and I completely forced myself on him. Even when he looked at me with red-rimmed eyes and told me he hated me, I thought it was just part of the game. It wasn't until the real heroine showed up that I realized he wasn't playing. He really, truly hated me. Heartbroken, I packed my bags to run for my life. The next second, he had me pinned against the wall. "Running so soon?" he murmured, his voice a low growl. "Tired of playing with me already, baby?" 1 The bed in the cramped studio apartment was never meant for two people. It forced me to sleep pressed right up against Caleb, which, secretly, I loved. It was the perfect excuse to feel the hard lines of his muscles under my hands, to tuck myself into the curve of his body. There was, however, one drawback. The cheap wooden frame was old, and any significant movement would make it groan and squeak in protest. Like right now. My vision was blurred with tears as he held me tight against him, the sound of the squeaking bed and his ragged breaths filling my ears. Sweat plastered the dark hair to his forehead, and his black, fathomless eyes were locked on mine. With the slightest shift, a drop of sweat would fall from his temple to my neck, and he would follow it with his lips, kissing it away. It should have been a tender gesture. But right now, I was so exhausted I just wanted to curse him out. Wasn't the male lead in the book supposed to be gentle?! Where the hell did Caleb get this kind of raw, relentless strength? It’s been two years since I woke up in this romance novel, a story about a beloved small-town girl and the man who builds an empire for her. The good news was, my name was the same as the heroine’s. According to the unwritten laws of transmigrating into novels, that had to mean I was her. In the book, the male lead starts from nothing, creates a business empire, and falls for the heroine at first sight. When I arrived, they weren't supposed to have met yet. This version of Caleb was still just a broke kid working construction. But I didn't want to wait. It was supposed to be love at first sight anyway, right? So I found Caleb’s rundown apartment and launched a full-blown, relentless campaign of seduction. Bolstered by my supposed status as the cherished female lead, I was demanding and difficult, making him cater to my every whim. I even convinced myself that when I’d first pushed him down onto this very bed and he’d looked at me, eyes red with something I couldn't decipher, and told me he hated me… it was just foreplay. And now, two years later, I had successfully worn him down. We were living together. My mind was drifting when a sharp sting on my lip pulled me back. Caleb was watching me, his expression laced with displeasure. "What are you thinking about?" Before I could answer, a look of dawning comprehension crossed his face, followed by a cold sneer. "Oh, right. The milk. That explains why you're burning up. You put something in it again, didn't you?" "Ava," he said, his voice flat. "It’s been two years. Is this still the only trick you know?" I couldn't argue. He was right. Back when he didn't fall for me at first sight—when he was, in fact, cold to the point of cruelty—I had resorted to desperation. I’d slipped something into his drink. It was the only way I finally got him into my bed. But arguing about it now was pointless. I gave his calf a weak kick. "How much longer? I'm so tired." I don't know how much time passed, but through a drowsy haze, I felt myself being lifted, carried to the tiny bathroom, washed gently, and then placed softly back in bed. Yawning, I mumbled an explanation. "I didn't put anything in the milk." Caleb’s movements stilled. He raised an eyebrow. "Then why do I feel so hot?" I thought about it for a second. "Well… it was hot milk." Caleb just stared at me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, calling his bluff without a shred of mercy. "Just admit you like me in this silk slip." "But you ripped it the very first time I wore it," I pouted. "That was real silk, you know. It's totally in style right now." He turned his head away, avoiding my gaze, but not before I saw the tips of his ears turn a suspicious shade of red. "Who… who said I liked you in a slip?" Too tired to argue, I closed my eyes and let sleep pull me under. After a long moment, I felt him shift, adjusting his body so I could rest more comfortably in his arms. "Fine," he whispered into the darkness. "I'll buy you a new one." 2 Caleb worked construction during the day, which left me with nothing to do. I eventually found a boring bookkeeping job in a warehouse office to kill time. The pay was terrible, but it wasn't demanding, and I could chat with the other girls. During a lull, one of them, Sarah, leaned over her desk. "Ava, you're still with your boyfriend?" I nodded. "Yep." Her face scrunched up in pity. "A girl as pretty as you… why are you wasting your time on a construction worker? You could find someone with so much more money." I just shook my head. "He's a good person. We're happy." Aside from Caleb’s infuriating habit of saying the opposite of what he meant, everything really was good. The day dragged on until evening. I was buried in a mountain of ledgers, pretending to work while waiting for the clock to hit five, when our manager walked in with a new girl. "Everyone," he announced with a wide grin, "I'd like you to meet our new colleague, Eva. She'll be starting with us tomorrow." For a second, I thought I’d misheard. "...What's her name?" "Eva," the girl said, her voice bright. "E-V-A." Her eyes sparkled, and she had this magnetic warmth that made you want to be near her. She instantly charmed everyone, blending in with the group as if she’d always been there. The rest of the office staff crowded around her, welcoming her enthusiastically. Watching my usually grumpy manager and my cynical colleagues suddenly turn so warm and friendly, a cold, dawning horror crept over me. This was the "beloved" female lead. Eva looked over at me, her smile genuine and kind. "Hi there! What's your name?" I forced a laugh that sounded like a strangled cough. "Ha, Ava. A-V-A." Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, our names sound so much alike! What a coincidence." Yeah. A real coincidence. Especially since, up until thirty seconds ago, I thought I was you. 3 I was screwed. It was all over. I stumbled home from work in a daze, my mind a chaotic mess. Once inside the apartment, I started pacing, waiting anxiously for Caleb to get back. I’d listened to the book on audio, so I never knew how the heroine’s name was spelled. I’d just heard the sound and assumed. Who could have imagined my name was just a homophone of the real heroine’s? I thought I’d finally gotten to be the main character, only to find out I was just some random, insignificant side character. And what had I done for the past two years? Wielding my nonexistent plot armor, I’d made the male lead serve me hand and foot. I’d created a list of ridiculous rules for him: a good morning kiss was required upon waking, a goodbye kiss before he left for work. I’d forced him to call me all sorts of embarrassing pet names—baby, darling, sweetheart. I wasn’t just a side character. I had actively written myself into the role of the villain. So when Caleb had looked at me with those red-rimmed eyes and told me he hated me… …it was because he really, truly hated me. And what happens to the villain in these stories? I didn't dare to think about it. All I knew was that when the male lead finally rose to power, the first person he would crush would be me. 4 Click. The lock on the door turned. Caleb walked in, shrugging off his dusty work jacket. He was wearing a plain black tank top underneath. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a strong, solid back. The muscles in his arms were lean and powerful. He caught me staring, and his dark eyes met mine. I looked at the coiled strength in his body and had a terrifying thought: I probably didn't have to wait for him to get rich to get his revenge. With his physique, he could probably take out ten of me with a single punch. The next second, the fresh scent of soap mixed with something purely masculine washed over me. Caleb stopped right in front of me, his hand cupping the back of my neck as he leaned down to kiss me. It was too deep, too hard. I was too stunned to react. His other hand tightened on my waist, pulling me closer, and just as he tried to deepen the kiss, my brain finally rebooted. I shoved him away, scrambling back to put some distance between us. The charged atmosphere evaporated instantly. Caleb slowly lifted his head, his voice still rough with desire. "What are you hiding for? You're the one who told me we have to kiss the second I get home." His tone shifted, becoming a low, coaxing murmur. "Come here. We're not finished." A cold sweat broke out on my skin. "Let's… let's not kiss today," I stammered. He noticed my resistance, and his voice went cold. "Not kiss?" He let out a harsh laugh. "So you get to kiss me whenever you want, and push me away when you don't? Am I a dog you’re training, Ava?" I scrambled for an excuse. "I have a canker sore, so we shouldn't—" Before I could finish, he closed the distance between us, his fingers gripping my chin. His thumb pressed against my lips, forcing my mouth open. "Where? Let me see." I never expected him to call my bluff like that. I jerked my head away. His hand froze in mid-air. The warmth in his expression vanished, replaced by an icy fury. He spoke through gritted teeth. "Fine. You've learned how to lie to me now, too. Good for you, Ava. That's just great." The book described him as a gentle, devoted husband. But looking into his eyes, simmering with rage, I finally understood. His gentleness was always reserved for the real heroine. And I was just an imposter who had stolen her place. 5 I've always been two things: selfish and a coward. From the moment I was inexplicably dropped into this book, my only goal has been survival. So, when I realized the male lead would probably want to destroy me, my first instinct was to run. If I could run fast enough, hide somewhere he could never find me, maybe he’d forget all about revenge once he finally met the real heroine. I immediately started planning my escape. "What are you spacing out for? Come and eat." Caleb's anger hadn't subsided. His face was a thundercloud as he served a simple dinner of three dishes and a soup. Say what you will about him, but the man could cook. My stomach rumbled traitorously. I swallowed and crept over to the table. Normally, I would have directed him to pick out the best pieces of food for me, to blow on my rice until it was cool enough to eat. But tonight, I didn't dare act up. I just meekly picked up my chopsticks and started eating, silently cursing my past self for being such a brat. As we ate, I could feel the atmospheric pressure in the room dropping even lower. Huh? Why did he seem even angrier now? I thought about it for a frantic second and decided to try and leave a good impression before I disappeared forever. I sidled up next to him and poked his arm. Poke, poke. "Dinner was delicious! Thank you for making it." He ignored me. I kept poking. "I shouldn't have lied to you earlier. Please don't be mad, okay?" God, how the tables have turned. He used to be the one coaxing me. I’d never been this subservient in my life. The icy tension in the room finally thawed a little. The hard line of his jaw relaxed, and he glanced down at me. "Why are you being so obedient all of a sudden?" he asked, his voice suspicious. "Alright, what is it you want to buy this time?" What?! Was that really how he saw me? As some materialistic leech? I thought, defeated: Forget trying to redeem myself. Just run. 6 Caleb eventually calmed down. His good mood made him much more agreeable. He even consented when I told him I just wanted to sleep, no funny business. The next morning, he gave me my mandatory good morning kiss and made breakfast, just like always. The second the door closed behind him, I leaped out of bed and started putting my escape plan into action. Even though I’d been in this world for two years, I had never really left Caleb’s side. I didn't know anywhere else. I had to call a friend I trusted for advice. The cell phone from this era was clunky, with limited functions, and incredibly expensive. Caleb had saved for a long time to buy it for me. With my friend’s suggestions, I quickly picked a destination and started packing. There wasn’t much to take—just a few changes of clothes and enough cash for a bus ticket. The most valuable thing I owned was the phone. I could probably get a good amount of money if I sold it. I thought about it, then placed it on the most conspicuous spot on the table, with a short goodbye note tucked underneath. And just like that, I said farewell to the apartment I’d lived in for two years. It all happened so fast; it wasn't even noon yet. Our building opened onto a dilapidated back alley. To avoid being seen, I decided to leave through the rear exit instead of the main street. The alley twisted and turned. I walked faster and faster, trying to catch the earliest bus out of the city. The doors of the houses were all shut tight. The lane was silent and desolate. The thought of my successful escape, of saving my own skin, put a spring in my step. I rounded another corner. And then I looked up, my cheerful mood evaporating. Leaning casually against the wall was Caleb, a cigarette glowing between his fingers. He was tall and imposing, even when he was just standing there. He looked up calmly, smoke blurring the sharp lines of his face, and his cold gaze landed on me. I had no idea how long he’d been waiting. 7 Before I could even process what was happening, a figure darted out from behind Caleb. "See, Caleb? I told you! She was just going to take your money and run!" I looked closer. It was the "friend" I had called for advice just this morning. My vision went black for a second. "That's not true! I didn't!" I tried to defend myself. She wasn't listening, just piling on the accusations. "I warned you, Caleb! Ava just uses her pretty face. Did you really think she would settle down and build a life with you?" "She's the type to just take your money and leave!" she spat, reaching out to grab my bag. Even though I was running away, I hadn't stolen any money! My guilt warred with my indignation as I clutched the bag to my chest. "I didn't take any money! You have no proof, you're just slandering me!" "Then open your bag and let us check!" "Shut up," Caleb said, his voice dangerously low. My heart sank. He wasn't even going to let me explain. My friend looked at me triumphantly. "You heard him. Open the bag." "I was talking to you," Caleb clarified, his voice dropping another ten degrees. "Caleb?" His eyes narrowed, and his gaze, sharp and dismissive, fell on my so-called friend. "You can go now." She was furious. "Caleb, I'm trying to help you! Don't be an ungrateful idiot!" She wanted to say more, but one look at the thunderous expression on Caleb's face sent her scurrying away. Suddenly, it was just the two of us in the alley. My mind was still reeling from the accusation. I had to clear my name. "Caleb, I swear I didn't steal your money. You know me better than that, right? You can check if you don't believe me—" "Why were you running?" he cut me off, his voice like ice. "…What?" He didn't even glance at my bag. He just backed me up against the grimy brick wall, his presence overwhelming, and asked again. "Why were you running?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper, laced with something I couldn't identify. "Tired of playing with me already, baby?"

? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "384813", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel