Everyone in the mercenary group knew just how deeply Liam Smith loved me and feared losing me.

He even suppressed his dark desires to make sure I felt truly safe.

No matter how dangerous the mission, he made sure to check in every single day.

Worried for his safety, I hid my identity and secretly became his team’s hacker.

However, after one mission, I overheard the others joking over the radio: "Chief was in such a rush to pick that lock and go after Wendy. What's so irresistible about her?"

Through an unattended monitor, I caught Liam glancing at the camera with a teasing smile.

"Didn't I tell you guys that she nearly wrung me dry the last time we did it?"

It felt like I had fallen into an ice-cold abyss. My heart shattered, and I summoned the system.

[I want to leave this world.]

The cold, mechanical voice replied without delay: [Once you leave, all traces of the host in this world will be erased.]

[Starting the countdown: Seven days left.]

I snapped back to reality, the live feed from the camera still rolling.

Liam Smith had totally forgotten that he was on camera.

All he saw was Wendy Gordon, whom he was kissing fiercely.

"Little wildcat, did you miss me as much as I missed you?"

My hand was gripping the phone so tightly that it turned pale, my nails digging into my skin.

I was such an idiot.

The apartment where they were wrapped up in each other was our first place together.

I was kidnapped there, and I have never wanted to go back since.

That was why he felt safe hiding Wendy there.

It was not until late at night that their passion finally calmed down.

"So, who makes you feel better, me or your fiancee?"

Wendy looked at him with eyes full of allure, holding on to him.

Liam stroked her waist.

However, his voice was cold as ice. "You're not even worthy of carrying her shoes.

"I don't want to hurt her. You're just my way to let off steam."

Liam was always so angry and rough after his missions.

He could not handle his emotions and did not know his own strength. He had hurt me before while in one of these moods.

Wendy was upset, and her eyes filled with tears.

Liam just watched her without any warmth or sympathy.

"Sabrina's birthday is in three days. I need to get ready.

"Don't contact me until then."

Before he left, Liam warned Wendy not to cause any trouble in front of me.

However, the moment he was gone, she sent me a text.

[Liam just left. He almost broke me.]

[Ms. Lynch, you're so good at cleaning. Why don't you come over and clean up this mess?]

In everyone's eyes, I was just running a small jewelry design studio. Nobody knew I was secretly the team's hacker.

Three years ago, after an accident, I somehow ended up connected to a system.

My mission was to win over Liam, the leader of Moravia's top mercenary group.

I had been through thick and thin with Liam in a far-off land, and it made him start to really like me.

I had finished what I came here to do, but I could not bring myself to say goodbye to this place.

I was hoping to put it off for as long as I could.

However, I finally had a reason to leave now.

Wendy sent me a bunch of pictures.

The floor was littered with condoms and ripped-up lace underwear.

My heart hurt, but I tried to stay cool. I could not stop my hands from shaking as I saved the security camera footage.

"Sabrina, I'm almost home, and I've got your favorite cake," Liam said over the phone, his voice so warm and deep.

I used to love his voice so much. My heart used to skip a beat whenever he spoke to me.

However, all I could think about now was how he told Wendy to get into bed with that same voice. I felt sick to my stomach, shaking all over with disgust.

Liam grew worried, asking what was wrong, and started driving faster than ever.

Liam got back just after I unplugged the USB drive.

"Sabrina!"

Liam's coldness had killed all my warm feelings for him.

I told him I had a stomachache and pushed him away. Even though it was a lie, he was super worried.

He picked me up, tucked me into bed, got me some warm water, and found some medicine. "You always forget to look after yourself when I'm not here."

He looked at me, and I could tell he was distraught by how pale I was.

I did not say anything and just acted like I was not feeling well. Liam rubbed my stomach to try to soothe it. I was not sure how much time had passed when I was about to fall asleep. Suddenly, I heard a message come in. Liam checked it immediately without thinking.

"Liam, I can't find my underwear.

"You can't just take them because you like them! I still need to wear them."

The message suddenly cut off. Liam froze, looking over at me with a scared expression.

After he noticed I was not reacting, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Holding his phone tightly, he stepped out onto the balcony. "Didn't I tell you not to contact me anytime soon?"

Wendy's voice was whiny and sweet, trying to lure him in. "You've ruined so many pairs, and I haven't had a chance to buy new ones...

"Do I have to deal with everything without any help?"

Liam's breathing grew heavy and fast. "Just wait. I'll bring some over tomorrow."

I gripped the sheets, my tears dampening the pillow.

I kept whispering to myself, 'It's going to be okay. Just seven more days, and I'll be free.'

After that, Liam could search high and low, but he would never find me.

With that thought, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to find a bowl of cereal on my nightstand.

Liam was sitting by the bed, gently touching the redness under my eyes.

"Did it hurt a lot last night? Your eyes are all puffy from crying."

He tried to feed me with a spoon, but I turned my face away, not wanting his touch.

A message popped up on Liam's phone, giving me an out.

He quickly covered the screen with his hand, but I managed to catch a glimpse.

[I'm in the bar bathroom. You have fifteen minutes.]

Liam's anger started to show, and he slammed his phone down hard.

"Sabrina, there's a bit more to do for the last job.

"I promise it won't get in the way of your birthday."

I knew all about our team's missions.

There was nothing left to finish.

His Adam's apple bobbed, a sign he was worked up.

Seeing how he could not sit still, I pushed down my disgust.

"Go. You've got important things to do."

He rushed off, only saying, "Wait for me. I'll be back soon."

I knew all too well that he did not want to leave the comfort of the bed he shared with Wendy.

For the next three days, he hardly came home at night.

It was the perfect chance for me to work on the video.

Right after I finished editing it, Wendy sent me a message: [He told me he was going to bake you a birthday cake, but he got cream all over me instead.]

[You don't mind, right?]

Then, a video came through.

Liam was making a mess with the cream.

I ignored it and pulled up the countdown on my system.

[Countdown: 4 days left.]

Tonight was my birthday.

Liam went all out and booked the whole clubhouse.

I was not really excited, and I was just there to show my face. I had to make sure Liam did not notice anything was off before I left.

When the evening came, Liam drove over to take me to the party.

"Good evening, Mrs. Smith!"

Everyone greeted me all at once, careful to show respect.

Liam smiled down at me and handed me a gift.

It was an obsidian ring.

He had found it on a dangerous mission in Lacoria last year.

He got down on one knee and kissed my hand with such sincerity.

"Sabrina, I've made up my mind to leave it all behind.

"After this last job, we'll live a simple, happy life together."

Liam's life as a mercenary was always risky.

Him quitting had been my one birthday wish since I came into this world. However, now that it was about to come true, I could not find any happiness in it—just irony.

I barely glanced at the ring and did not put it on.

I just gave him a small smile and said, "Okay."

I would be there for his last job, even if it meant the end of our time together.

At the loud party, Liam sang a heartfelt love song for me.

He looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.

When the song was over, someone knocked on the door.

Liam was closest, so he got up to answer it.

Under the soft light, I heard a flirty voice.

"Liam, I'll be in the bathroom waiting for you," she whispered.

"I've got on your favorite black stockings, and I've got another surprise for you too."

Liam was a master at making up excuses.

I did not bother calling him out and just let him go.

His team members played along, pretending to be his backup and covering for him.

They cranked up the music and giggled to each other. "The chief and that girl are gonna set the night on fire, aren't they?"

"Wendy's got moves, and man, our chief can keep up!"

I did not want to stick around for another minute.

I grabbed my purse and slipped out of the room without anyone noticing.

As I walked by the bathroom, I heard a woman's flirty voice.

"Liam, did you bring the ring?

"Come on, put it in..."

Liam muttered something rude. Then, there was a sound that made me want to gag.

Stumbling out the front door, an icy breeze snapped me back to reality. I touched my chest, feeling nothing but numbness.

I wandered the streets without thinking, ending up by the river.

My phone read 00:00.

"Happy Birthday, Sabrina Lynch."

I gazed at the moon, clasped my hands, and made a silent wish.

All I wanted for my birthday was to get out of here.

There were only three days left.

They said Liam came back at midnight.

He left Wendy, exhausted, hoping to catch me blowing out candles.

However, he had missed me.

He tore through the place, calling my name like he had lost his mind.

"Sabrina!"

I was at the bar's terrace by the river when I heard his scratchy voice behind me.

I turned and saw his red, tired eyes.

Sweat dripped down Liam's neck as he asked, shaky, "Why are you out here by yourself?

"Do you like the view? How about we come back here for your next birthday?"

I just watched him quietly, not saying a word.

He turned whiter and whiter. "Sabrina..."

Liam was scared.

The tough mercenary chief, whose hands were stained with the blood of many men, was actually scared.

He could not admit it, not even to himself.

I gave him my usual smile. "Okay."

That one word seemed to really make everything okay for him.

Liam wrapped me in a big hug. "Don't go away again, Sabrina. If you do, I'll really lose it."

I just nodded along.

I patted his back lightly, telling him it was time to let go.

"Don't you have a mission tomorrow? You should go get ready."

The mission was located in Sand City, situated beside Mystic City. It was a place so dangerous that people said no one would take the job.

However, Liam was willing to risk it for the big reward.

Back at my apartment, I was checking the cameras when I saw someone I did not expect.

It was Wendy.

Liam had taken her to Sand City.

They stuck together like glue, never apart.

"Liam, I'll be waiting for you to come back as a hero.

"When you're done, we can have some fun together."

It all seemed so silly to me.

Liam squinted, telling Wendy to hide, and got ready to fight.

"Nightingale."

I snapped back to attention, turned on the voice changer, and said. "I'm here. Everyone, be ready."

Time ticked away until a bright screen lit up in front of me.