To surprise my boyfriend for Christmas, I custom-ordered a scandalous, three-piece Santa-themed lingerie set. I planned to gift myself to him on Christmas Eve. But the day the package arrived, I received a text from his "one who got away." It was a mirror selfie. She was wearing the lingerie I bought, wrapped tightly in Lucas’s arms. "Hey sis, sorry I messed up your place. You don't mind cleaning up, do you?" That night, when I got home, Lucas pulled out a velvet box, dropped to one knee, and looked at me with eyes full of devotion. "Chloe, you are the only woman I have ever loved. Will you marry me?" I accepted the ring with a smile full of joy. Once he fell asleep, I summoned the System. "In seven days, send me back to the real world." 1 The System was surprised, its mechanical voice tinged with mockery. [Didn't you just throw a tantrum about staying in this world to marry Lucas? If you change your mind now, you’ll take the penalty for nothing.] I gave a bitter laugh. I didn't have the energy to explain. The System sighed, compromising. [Fine. The extraction process takes a minimum of seven days. Use this week to say your goodbyes.] Goodbyes? I looked at Lucas, sleeping peacefully with his arms locked around me like a vice. Subconsciously, I reached out and brushed his eyelashes. Sensing my touch, he woke up. His deep voice was thick with concern. "Chloe? What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick? I’ll take you to the hospital right now." I interrupted him, shaking my head as I turned over. "Lucas, let’s move the wedding up. Let’s do it on Christmas Day." He pressed against my back, wrapping me up again. His warm breath tickled my neck as he chuckled. "Christmas is only seven days away. You’re that eager to be Mrs. Miller? Alright. Whenever you say. I’m stuck with you for life anyway." Lines I had heard a thousand times suddenly tasted like ash. A wave of nausea hit me. I cut off his whispering. "Did you see my package? I bought some clothes. The tracking said delivered, but I can't find it." Lucas stiffened. He instinctively loosened his grip. "I didn't see it. If it’s lost, just buy another set. Your husband is rich now; don't be afraid to spend money." He tried to deflect with a joke, but I was done playing along. "But the concierge said you signed for it personally. Maybe it’s just misplaced. I’ll check the security cameras tomorrow." "Don't!" As expected, he panicked. He climbed over me, nuzzling his face into my collarbone like a puppy. "Okay, Chloe, look... I saw the package. I threw it away." "I promised you. You are so pure, so perfect. I swore I wouldn't touch you until we were married." "Besides, your health has been fragile. The priority is getting you healthy, then we can do... other things. Be a good girl, okay?" I nodded blindly, but my mind was stuck on that photo. In the picture, Lucas’s eyes were heavy with lust. One hand gripped Bella’s bare waist, the other choked her neck. It looked intense. Once upon a time, I loved Lucas to the point of madness. I took the System’s punishment, accepting a body riddled with chronic illness just to stay in this fictional world with him. But in just a few days, he had cheated, brought a woman into our home, let her wear my clothes, and lied to my face. Earlier today, I had secretly gone for a treatment. While at the hospital, I received that explicit photo from Bella. The shock and grief nearly killed me right there on the table. Now, looking into his "deeply affectionate" eyes, I kind of wished I had just died on that table. Six days left. The first thing I did was go to the company to liquidate my assets. As a "Player" in this world, I had the advantage of future knowledge. In just five years, I had turned Luxe Inc. into the city's leading conglomerate. I had made Lucas a king. Originally, Lucas was just a tragic background character. I chose him. I saved him. I gave him luck, strategy, and power. My love had nothing to do with the System’s mission. I just wanted him to be happy. But now? He didn't deserve it. I drafted a donation agreement. The moment I left this world, every cent of the company’s assets would be donated to local orphanages and nursing homes. Nothing would be left. As I was signing the papers, Lucas appeared at my office window, briefcase in hand. When our eyes met, his smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. He walked in and kissed my forehead naturally. I smirked, a little maliciously, and handed him the contract. "Don't you want to see what I came in to sign?" He didn't even glance at the text. He flipped to the last page, put the pen in my hand, and wrapped his fingers around mine to guide the signature. "Chloe, you're my lucky star. With you by my side, I can't fail. I trust you." He was right. I was his lucky star. I was willing to do anything for him. But that era was ending. He held my hand as we walked through the building. Employees whispered about what a perfect power couple we were. If this were yesterday, I would have believed them. Then, Lucas’s phone buzzed. I saw the screen. It was Bella. Two words: “You coming?” Lucas kissed my cheek and grabbed his jacket. "Chloe, finish up here. I have to go home to prepare a surprise for you. I'll send the driver to pick you up later." Thirty minutes later, I accessed the hidden cameras in our villa. Some surprise. Bella and Lucas were tangled together on the balcony, naked, indulging in the thrill of being caught. "Lucas, who do you like better? Me or Chloe?" He didn't answer, just covered her mouth roughly. Bella broke free, turned around, and lit a cigarette, leaning against the railing. "If you won't say you like me, we're done." Lucas glared at her. Then, Bella transformed into a clingy bunny, rubbing against him. "Break up with her. Marry me. I’ll do whatever you want. Chloe is practically an invalid; can she even handle you?" Slap. Lucas struck her across the face. "Shut up. You don't deserve to say her name." Yet, even as he defended my honor, he flipped her over and pressed against her again. I watched the whole thing as the sky turned dark. When cars started passing on the road below, Lucas finally got dressed. There was a fresh burn mark on Bella’s lower back. Lucas had pressed her lit cigarette into her skin. He said, "Chloe hates the smell of smoke. Don't smoke here again." Bella laughed, triumphant. "Lucas, I’m your first love. Your white moonlight. I’ll get rid of her eventually." He didn't look back. "You’re a rotter, Bella. Black to the core. You're no moonlight." As he kicked her out of the villa, naked, he warned her: "If you let Chloe know about this, I will make you beg for death." A second later, I received a photo from Bella. A close-up of the cigarette burn. "Sis, your fiancé is so rough. It hurts~ But you probably wouldn't understand. It’s a kink. You should try it sometime." I took a screenshot, saved it to a hidden folder, and went back to watching the feed. The maid cleaned up the mess. Lucas showered, put on an apron, and started making a stew for me. When I got home, his text arrived: "Babe, come home for dinner." It was the first time he’d ever cooked for me. I had once mentioned wanting a domestic husband, so he learned. The table was full. But I couldn't eat. Bella texted again. "Sis, Lucas's cooking is delicious. We're having the same dinner tonight!" He had sent a portion to her. The woman he called a "rotter" was eating the same meal prepared by his hands. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to get out of here. When Lucas came out of the kitchen, he saw me standing there with a suitcase. Panic flooded his eyes. "Chloe? Where are you going?" I stared at him. "My mom misses me. I'm going to stay with my parents for a few days." It wasn't a lie. I was going home. He hugged me. He smelled like soap. His hands were shaking. "I've never met your parents. We're getting married... let me come with you." I pushed him away. "Luxe Inc. shares are tanking. You need to stay here and fix it." Without me, the business was crumbling. He couldn't leave. On Christmas Eve, there was a crucial negotiation. He had to be there, or the company would go under. He hesitated, but eventually let go. "Okay. Come back soon. I'll be waiting at the altar, wifey." That last word dripped with deep affection. I felt nothing. I checked into the Presidential Suite at a five-star hotel nearby. It was the same hotel where our wedding was scheduled in six days. Lucas had rented out the entire top floor for a week. The Christmas decorations were already up. It was beautiful. What a waste. I blocked Lucas. Christmas Eve arrived. The city was glowing with red and green lights. By now, Lucas should be at the negotiation table. I lay in the bathtub by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the fictional skyline one last time. My phone buzzed. It was Bella. "Chloe. Before you leave, let's talk." I frowned. She set the meeting at a noisy bar near the hotel. "Aren't you supposed to be with Lucas at the business dinner?" I asked as I sat down. My assistant had told me Lucas brought Bella to the event. They looked like a power couple. But without my intel, Lucas was eaten alive. He was kicked out of the deal in the first round. Bella smirked. "You don't care about that. I'll tell you the truth if you drink with me." It turned out Bella was a Player too. This was a high-freedom sandbox world. She had chosen Lucas, a target I had already "conquered," because she was lazy. "I know you cancelled your residency here," she said, her eyes full of ambition. "But why leave him empty-handed? The company is tanking. He can't run it." "You leave, I step in. I run the business, I get the guy, and you... well, your body is failing anyway. Why not let us be happy?" I realized why she was desperate. If Lucas failed, she got no rewards from her System. She was a leech, and her host was dying. She stood up, pointing a manicured finger at me. "It's your fault! You're ruining him! You can't just leave!" I was about to laugh at her delusion when the world spun. Drugged. Before I blacked out, I felt her heel crushing my hand. "You think you've won, Chloe?" "I have one chance left. If Lucas chooses to save me over you today, your mission fails. You get wiped from existence." "The extraction portal takes seven days. It's only day six. You're not going anywhere." I woke up in the hotel penthouse. I was naked, bound with rope, with a black bag over my head. Two small holes were cut for my eyes. In front of me was a massive screen showing a video call. On one side was Bella, also naked and masked. On the third screen was Lucas. He looked haggard, sitting in a bar, drinking alone. A digitally altered voice boomed. "Lucas Miller. Sign over Luxe Inc., or one of these women dies tonight." Lucas didn't hesitate. "Impossible. That company is Chloe’s legacy. I won't give it up." Then he squinted. "Why are you torturing women? Let them go." Suddenly, seven or eight men rushed into my room. A hand choked me. Pain exploded all over my body. "Mr. Miller, we heard you have high stamina. So we prepared a show. Two women. One is your fiancée. One is your mistress. Fate is funny, isn't it?" Lucas scoffed. "My Chloe is a saint. She never goes to bars. She’s with her parents. You grabbed the wrong girl." The voice continued. "They are in the penthouse suites. Room 888 and Room 999. In two minutes, the bombs strapped to them will detonate. Pick one." Lucas frowned. "I'm calling the police." "Lucas! Help me!" Bella screamed on her feed. "It's real! I don't want to die!" Lucas looked away from her and stared intently at my screen. "Chloe? Is that you?" He had never seen my naked body. He didn't know it was me. I tried to scream for help. "Lucas..." But my voice was a ruined, guttural rasp. The drug had burned my vocal cords. Lucas sighed in relief. "I knew it. Chloe wouldn't be here. She’s safe." I struggled violently, biting at the bag, trying to rip it off. Just as I managed to tear the mask, Lucas’s phone dinged. Someone had used my stolen phone to text him: "Babe, wait for me. I'm coming home for Christmas Eve." Lucas looked down at his phone with a smile, missing the moment my face was revealed. By the time he looked up, the bag was back over my head. Beep. Beep. Beep. One minute left. "Lucas! I'm in 999! Save me!" Bella shrieked. Lucas finally realized this wasn't a prank. He started running up the stairs. On screen, I saw him torn. He hesitated between the floors. But then, the signal jammers kicked in. He realized he couldn't call for help. I lay in the dark, listening to the countdown. My System was silent. I used the last of my strength to croak out, "Lucas... help..." Lucas stopped in the hallway outside my door. He tried to kick it open. It held. "Miss," he shouted through the door. "I am sorry you got dragged into my business war. If you die, I promise I will take care of your family." Lucas, you are my only family here. "Bella is... she's my woman. I have a duty to save her. I'm sorry." Footsteps faded. Then, a crash on the screen as he broke into Room 999. Bella threw herself into his arms, sobbing. Three seconds left. Bella looked at the camera and mouthed: I win. The kidnapper ripped the bag off my head. In the final second, I looked into the camera. I saw Lucas’s eyes widen in absolute horror as he recognized me on the screen. He screamed, a sound of pure agony, and sprinted back toward my room. 3... 2... 1. The Christmas bells rang. Fireworks exploded outside the window. A wave of heat swallowed me. Darkness took over.
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