:

The system received my request and was silent for a moment.

[Host, you are an excellent employee of the Crossgate Agency, but three years ago, you exchanged all your points for the right to live in a small world. Out of humanitarian concern, this system is visiting you again. May I ask, host, are you sure you want to leave the small world?]

My heart was a mix of emotions, but in the end, I fiercely wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes.

"Confirm! I request to leave the world!"

[After leaving the world, the host will need to work for the Crossgate Agency again for twenty years to repay the exit points.]

"I know! I want to leave!"

No matter what the system said, I only had one thought left in my mind.

I want to go.

I never knew I was a cowardly person, but today, I found out.

I couldn't face Daniel Grant directly, and I couldn't face the fact that the person I loved suddenly became so rotten overnight.

The man who once vowed to love me for a lifetime betrayed me and had an affair, even with... an illegitimate child about to be born...

My dream shattered.

I chose to escape.

Escaping doesn't solve the problem, but at least it allows me to never have to face it again.

The system was silent for another moment, then seemed to sigh.

[The request from former excellent employee Lily Walton has been confirmed, initiating small world exit procedure.]

[Countdown: Three days.]

[Host, cherish your remaining time.]

The system left after saying that, yet I smiled through my tears as if I had been reborn.

All around me are luxurious villas, splendid clothes, gourmet food, brand-name jewelry, everything one could wish for.

Except Daniel Grant is not here.

Today is my birthday, and he didn't keep me company.

Looking at the grandeur surrounding me, a phrase echoed in my mind.

"The story draws to a close, leaving only petty trifles."

:

Twelve years ago, I met Daniel Grant.

I was an outstanding employee at the Crossgate Agency, and this was my final mission. As long as I succeeded in capturing Daniel Grant's heart, I could earn the reward points needed for a chance to return home.

I gave it my all, striving to heal the wounded Daniel Grant who had lost his parents and was bullied, standing by him as he grew and assisted him in climbing the ranks.

You could say that his current company, his glory, his achievements, all owe much to my contributions.

After nine years of exhausting my mind and energy, I transformed Daniel Grant from a helpless little pity into the president of a company that controls an economic lifeline.

I could have left with achievements fulfilled, yet I was trapped in the sweet illusion Daniel Grant gave me.

I fell in love with him.

I accepted his marriage proposal—using all my points to redeem the opportunity to stay.

For three years, Daniel Grant fulfilled his promise.

Everyone knew how much Mr. Grant loved his wife, cradling me in his palms and caring for me with utmost tenderness.

And I thought the same.

Until I saw this message on Daniel Grant's phone.

[I am willing to live for you, and also willing to die for you. Stop pushing me away. You know, without you, I would die.]

[Okay.]

He said, okay.

It was as though I was possessed, madly searching for clues in secret.

Who is she?

What is their relationship?

How far have they progressed?

I never doubted Daniel Grant, much less investigated him, but now, my dreams have collapsed, forcing my hand.

The evidence in my hand shattered my already fragile heart once again.

Olivia Lowder, Daniel Grant's assistant.

On social media, she posted blurry photos and ambiguous captions. Others might not know, but I could tell at a glance that the person beside her was Daniel Grant.

He celebrated her birthday with her.

Valentine's Day, the Qixi Festival.

They went to amusement parks together.

Visited night markets together…

When Daniel Grant was young, he developed a serious stomach ailment. I had always been careful about his diet, but I never learned to cook, so I had to hire professional housekeepers and chefs to take care of his meals.

Three meals a day, with balanced nutrition, were bland but beneficial for his health.

Olivia Lowder liked to make video vlogs.

In the videos, there was always a male protagonist who never appeared on camera.

She took him to food stalls, cheerfully asking, "How is it? Is it good? It must be your first time eating this, right?"

A low but gentle male voice came from the video.

Straightforward and concise.

"Mm, it's delicious."

Delicious.

The family's descendant of imperial chefs only ever received a mere "not bad."

And the porridge cooked by Olivia Lowder herself, she presented it like treasure, "Try it, this is my first time cooking for someone!"

"If you like it, I'll cook for you every day!"

It seemed that person took a couple of bites, speaking softly and indulgently, "No need to trouble yourself, leave it to the chef in the future."

I checked the video's date.

Three months ago.

During that time, Daniel Grant, who never liked porridge, often asked Uncle Reed to prepare porridge to take to the company.

As I watched, my eyes welled up, and my body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Sorrow engulfed me.

The future.

Daniel Grant talked about the future with her.

What about my future?

Just yesterday, the information the private detective I hired uncovered completely broke me.

Olivia Lowder was pregnant.

Daniel Grant accompanied her for a prenatal check-up.

In the photos the detective gave me, standing outside the hospital, Daniel Grant's gaze was gentle, focused on Olivia Lowder's belly.

On the eve of my birthday.

The husband I loved had died.

"Clack."

The light in the living room was turned on.

When Daniel Grant came back, he saw me curled up on the living room sofa in a daze. His heart skipped a beat, and with worry and tenderness in his eyes, he quickly walked over.

"Why are you sitting here? Baby, you... why are you crying?"

I leaned against his chest, suddenly coming back to my senses, belatedly realizing the wet traces on my face.

I had been crying.

I wiped away the tears and, as usual, said, "I was lost in thought. Whenever I think about having kids someday, and having to share your love with them, it makes me sad."

Daniel burst into laughter.

With helplessness in his eyes, he tapped my nose affectionately and said, "You, how can you still get jealous of our future children at your age?"

"Silly, the one I love the most is only you. No matter how adorable our children might be, I will only love you."

Normally, I would be satisfied and coquettishly ask him what interesting things happened today.

But today, I stared into his eyes intensely, asking over and over again.

"Really? Do you really only love me? You won't love anyone else? Swear it!"

"Really, I only love you. I, Daniel Grant, love only Lily Walton. If I break this vow, may I be struck by lightning." Daniel, indulging my childishness, was both tender and sincere.

He never gets impatient.

When he coaxes me, it feels like I am the only one he loves in the world.

For a moment, I smiled—extremely bitter, extremely forced.

Bitter tears welled up in my eyes.

Daniel, oh Daniel.

I found that, in the end, I still don't understand him.

How can someone lie without even blinking?

I covered his mouth and leaned against his shoulder, whispering softly, "Spit, don't say such things, it doesn't count. I don't want you to be struck by lightning; you should say, if you break this vow, you will lose Lily forever!"

Daniel said nothing.

He straightened my body with concern and asked me, "Baby, you seem a bit off today."

I acted as usual, pouting and playfully swaying his arm.

"What's off? I don't care, you have to listen to me. Say it, hurry up and say it!"

He, having no choice against my pestering, laughed again, holding me close with stifled laughter.

"Alright, alright, little ancestor, stop swaying. I swear, if I break this vow, let me lose my beloved Lily, okay?"

My head rested on his shoulder, and tears finally flowed down.

Daniel, you're too good at lying.

I can't make it so that you're struck by lightning; that's nature's business, not mine.

But I can make you lose me forever.

I closed my eyes, thoroughly concealing the emptiness and despair within them.