My Escape From the System Drove Them Mad

Before it's our turn to get our marriage registered, I beam brightly as I scoot closer to Charles Scott for our commemorative photo-taking session. But he suddenly darts away from me for no reason.

"I saw you when your team was in action yesterday."

I freeze momentarily. "How is that even possible? This week is filled with secretive prostitution-busting campaigns…"

Charles nods lightly.

"When you led your team to inspect the venue next door, I was in the middle of pinning her against the wall while screwing her brains out.

"She was so nervous that she shook even more than the first time we slept together. Later on, you were summoned to another place. Only then did she have the guts to keep moaning."

After following Charles' line of sight, I find myself looking at the young woman, who's currently taking photos of us with her camera. That's when my mind buzzes loudly.

It's Samantha Wood, the hostage whom my dad has taken seven stabs for just to save her in a kidnapping case.

Just now, Samantha was all tears and snot as she swore to me, "Nat, if he dares hurt you in any way, I'll definitely exact revenge on him, even at the cost of my life!"

Charles moves to shield Samantha from my gaze, though his tone remains gentle.

"It's your choice now. Do you want to continue with the process? Or do you want to take some time off to cry your heart out, and we can do this another day?"

I feel my blood turning to ice at that moment. The system's warning blares loudly in my mind.

"Warning—you have failed in registering your marriage with the target. The eradication protocol will be activated soon. You now have a 48-hour countdown."

I froze on the spot, my blood instantly turning cold.

A wave of nausea washed over me, and my vision went black for a moment.

Charles Scott caught me just in time, then gently wiped the tears from my face. "You're going to be a mother soon. Why are you still so reckless?"

Overwhelmed by resentment, I stared intently at him. "Why… Why does it have to be today?"

Stunned, Charles looked past me and glanced at Samantha Wood, his voice soft. "I never wanted to tell you the truth.

"But she's been taking photos for us from the side. She always forces a smile, so I suddenly feel bad."

After a momentary pause, he continued, "I've wronged her terribly. As for you, I've made it up to you by giving you a child."

My sanity finally shattered. "What… What do you mean that you've made it up to me?"

Charles revealed nonchalantly, "You had a miscarriage last time because we accidentally spilled some lubricant on the stairs."

That revelation struck me like a bolt from the blue.

I thought I had lost the baby because I was rushing for my mission.

After the miscarriage, I had been crying every day. Every time, Charles would hold me in his embrace and comfort me.

It turned out that everything had been nothing but a lie.

I bit my lip so hard that the metallic taste spread in my mouth. I raised my arm and threw a tight slap across his face.

Having been slapped, Charles seemed relieved rather than furious.

"I finally got to confess everything today. I don't want to hurt Sammy anymore.

"She's still young. Just come at me if you're mad."

I lost it and pulled off the veil.

His eyes were red, and he sounded relieved when he said, "It seems like you've made up your mind. Let's register our marriage next time. I've waited for ten years anyway."

Just then, the system's sound rang out, blending with his receding footsteps.

"Tenth anniversary. The deadline for the marriage registration has now expired.

"Mission failed.

"The elimination program will be activated.

"Counting down. 48 hours left."

The next instant, Samantha set her camera down and looked at me. "Nat, why won't you smile? You're the prettiest today!"

She swept her gaze around and finally fathomed the situation. Her voice was trembling as she asked, "Nat… did you find out about everything?"

I forced a bitter smile with red-rimmed eyes.

Samantha raised her arm and threw the camera at Charles.

But he didn't even budge a bit.

Samantha's eyes were bloodshot as she cried out, "I told you I never needed you to make our relationship public. How could you tell her everything today? How could you hurt her?"