At our class reunion, my husband, Calvin Vance, threw the game on purpose so his friends could "force" him to get a marriage certificate with his ex, Molly Rowan, and post it online.

Everyone piled on.

Calvin was already pulling out the divorce papers, practically shoving them at me.

"It's just a game. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I stayed quiet for a long moment. They all looked like they were waiting for me to lose it.

Instead, I took the papers.

"Divorce is fine. But you have to do three things for me."

He agreed without hesitation and pushed me to sign.

"Three things? Forget that. Three hundred, whatever. Just sign it. When we get remarried, I'll make it up to you with a huge luxury wedding."

What he didn't know was that the second he chose to divorce me, my mission had already failed.

The System would erase me.

The only way to survive was to complete the three tasks it gave me.

After I signed, Calvin quickly tucked the divorce papers away.

The others traded looks, grinning like their little plan had paid off.

That was when I finally got it.

Tonight's reunion had been set up for me.

On the screen behind Calvin, something flashed across the display. Only I could see it.

Two red words:

[Mission Failed.]

The System's voice slammed into my head.

[Target has initiated divorce intent.]

[Marriage duration required to clear life debt: seven full years.]

[Current shortfall: one hour and thirty minutes.]

[Erasure countdown activated.]

[You will be erased in forty-eight hours.]

Then the voice changed.

[Exception granted due to your pathetic status. Complete three tasks within the time limit to survive.]

[Task One: Make Calvin publicly confess his feelings for you.]

I laughed.

I had literally just signed the divorce papers, and now the System wanted him to confess to me?

Molly suddenly stood up, her face tight.

"Calvin, if you have to agree to Rhea's unreasonable request because of me, I'll take the punishment. I'll do the three shots."

Calvin looked at her, concern all over his face.

"It's fine. She won't make a scene."

I gave a quiet, bitter smile.

Seven years ago, on our wedding day, Calvin had planned to run away with Molly.

Then she disappeared with all his savings.

After that, he became convinced I was the one behind it. We went from childhood friends to enemies.

I kept thinking that if I treated him sincerely, he'd eventually change his mind.

Over the past two years, he had almost accepted reality. On our anniversary, he'd even leave work early to celebrate with me.

Then Molly came back.

That was when I realized he'd never let her go.

He even set all this up just so he could marry her.

And he'd forgotten that today was our seventh wedding anniversary.

The seven years I stole were finally being taken back.

But I still wanted to live.

I looked at Calvin.

"Calvin, the first thing I want is simple. Confess to me. However you confessed to Molly back then, do the same thing for me."

He froze, disbelief flashing across his face.

The whole room exploded.

"Rhea Reid, seriously? Don't be ridiculous. You already signed the divorce papers. Stop being petty and making Calvin look bad."

"Calvin, don't listen to her. She's obviously trying to start something."

How pathetic.

These were the same people who used to benefit from me. Now that the Vance family was on top, they didn't even bother hiding their mockery.

Molly looked like she'd just been slapped.

"Rhea, you're doing this on purpose. Calvin, I won't let you go through this humiliation."

Humiliation?

My legal husband confessing to me was humiliation to her?

I swept a cold look across the room and yawned.

"I'm talking to Calvin. Since when was this your conversation?"

I kept going.

"Calvin, if you don't do it, I'm leaving. Good luck getting me to court to finish the paperwork."

After all these years, I knew him too well.

Right on cue, he frowned.

"I thought you were actually being reasonable today. So this is your new move? If I do it, you'll finish the filing?"

He really couldn't wait to make things official with Molly.

"Yes."

His expression darkened.

Like he was heading to his own execution, he forced the words out.

"Rhea, be with me. I'll buy you two bottles of milk every day and warm them up for you. What you drink will always be the perfect temperature..."

Molly's eyes instantly turned red.

"You still remember."

The room burst into applause.

Everyone praised Calvin for being so devoted, saying that even after eight years, he still remembered the way he'd confessed to Molly.

The two of them stared at each other while my stomach twisted.

I stood up.

"I've got something to do. I'm leaving."

Laughter followed me out the door.

People said I'd just embarrassed myself.

***

Outside, Sasha Selby, my bestie, came running over the second she heard.

"You actually signed the divorce papers with Calvin? Are you insane? You gave up your engagement to Mike Mercer and went against your family until you lost everything just to marry him. And now you're divorcing him like it's nothing and letting trash like Molly slide right in?"

I stayed quiet.

Mike Mercer.

The heir to the richest family in the country.

Back when Vance Corp was about to go under, I gave up Mike and married Calvin to save him.

My parents were so disappointed they cut me off completely.

And even then, the Vance family pushed me aside. I was Calvin's wife, but I wasn't allowed anywhere near family business. My place in that house was awkward at best.

After Molly came back, Calvin didn't hesitate for a second. He made her the COO and handed her control of ten billion dollars in company funds.

Love and indifference couldn't have been more obvious.

My heels had rubbed my skin raw. I shifted and let out a bitter laugh.

"You think she's trash. Calvin treats her like she's priceless. What exactly am I supposed to do?"

Sasha sighed and steadied me. "Men are like shoes. If they hurt, throw them out and upgrade."

Just then, Calvin walked downstairs. He gently ruffled Molly's hair.

"Molly, we'll do wedding photos first, then pick out the rings. Once we get the license, I'll send a thirty-car convoy to bring you home."

Then his eyes landed on me.

His mouth tightened.

"Rhea, you've got two things left. If you're playing games, I won't go easy on you."

I lowered my eyes and smiled bitterly.

He had no idea I already wanted to be as far away from him as possible. I was only staying around him because I wanted to survive.

After he left, I called out to the System in my head.

'That counts, right?'

The System's cold voice didn't change.

[Barely acceptable.]

[Task Two: Go on a one-day date with Calvin.]

I almost tripped.

"Seriously? He could barely stand me today. If I ask him on a date, he'll think I'm messing with him."

The System stayed cold.

[You have no right to question it. You may choose to give up and be erased.]

***

I spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, thinking about the task.

Bang.

Calvin kicked the door open and yanked me out of bed.

In the dark, his eyes burned with anger.

"Happy now? After the stunt you pulled today, Molly got sick the second she got home. I spent half the night taking care of her before her fever finally went down."

I pulled his hand off me and forced a smile.

"It was just a game. Couldn't you have stopped it? Who's gonna argue with the CEO?"

Calvin went quiet for a second, then let out a sigh.

"It was just a game. Why couldn't you just go along with it?"

I answered casually.

"The second thing—clear your schedule tomorrow and spend the day with me."

His face instantly darkened.

"I've been way too nice to you, haven't I? You're really pushing it."

He slammed the door on his way out.

Bitterness filled my mouth.

I already knew this was how it'd end.

The next morning, Calvin still showed up. He knocked on my door with a sour look on his face.

"I lost a hundred grand because of you today. Whatever you want, make it quick."

Because of me?

More like because he couldn't wait to marry Molly.

The System told me the date itself didn't matter. I just had to keep Calvin with me for six straight hours.

So I took him to the mall to kill time.

The whole time, his eyes never left his phone.

Every so often, he'd stop outside a clothing store or luxury shop and casually buy a few things.

All for Molly.

Seven years of marriage, and he'd never bought me anything.

The dress I was wearing had been washed so many times it was pilling.

Just to get back at me, he'd gone after my family's business too. My dad called me a traitor, and I got blacklisted across the industry.

No one knew that behind the polished front, I was barely getting by on side gigs online.

By noon, Calvin was already getting impatient, so I quickly took him to a restaurant.

We'd barely ordered when his expression changed at whatever popped up on his phone.

He immediately made a call, worry all over his face. "How are you skipping meals? You can't eat without me? Fine. I'm coming right now."

He grabbed his coat. "Something came up at the company. I have to go."

I knew Molly was behind it.

"Are you coming back?"

My task still wasn't finished.

He paused, then nodded. "Yeah."

But when he came back, Molly was with him.

Calvin fussed over Molly the whole time—feeding her, wiping her mouth, acting like she couldn't do anything herself.

They looked like a happy couple.

I was just the extra person at the table.

Every time I tried to order something, Molly would point at it first.

My appetite disappeared, and I set my fork down.

She looked way too pleased with herself.

"Calvin, food tastes so much better when you feed me..."

Under the table, her foot came down hard on mine.

I sucked in a breath from the pain.

Calvin acted like he didn't notice.

Thankfully, I only needed to get through a movie to hit the six-hour mark. I forced myself to put up with her.

But when we got to the theater, only two tickets were left.

Molly spoke first, her eyes already turning red.

"Calvin, you and Rhea should go. I know she's using the divorce as an excuse to spend time with you. It's okay. I won't be the third wheel. I'll leave."

Calvin instantly panicked and grabbed her.

"What are you talking about? Forget the movie. I'll spend the whole afternoon with you instead, okay?"

I kept my voice calm. "Calvin, just watch one movie with me. After that, I'll let you go. I won't bother you again."

Instead, he shoved me.

The popcorn slipped from my hands and exploded across the floor.

"Rhea, cut the act. I've already told you—I could never like someone as selfish and self-righteous as you. Molly's kind. She's generous. Just because she doesn't blame you doesn't mean I'll keep giving in to you. I already did more than enough by shopping with you today."

Then he took Molly's hand and walked away.

[Warning. Passive task behavior detected. Electric shock penalty. Persuade Calvin to return within one minute.]

The next second, a brutal surge ripped through my body.

I dropped instantly.

My knees slammed into the floor with a sharp crack as my whole body started convulsing.