Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On my first day transmigrating into this angst-filled novel, I chose to win over the male lead by becoming the stand-in for his beloved ex.

I copied her style, mimicked her hobbies, and even crippled my own legs just to mirror her completely.

Just as my affinity score was about to hit ninety-nine percent, his true love returned to the country and got hit by a car right in front of him.

On the brink of death, she cried and confessed that she had loved him all along.

In that exact moment, I watched his affinity score plummet to absolute zero.

The system asked in my mind.

"This is your ninety-ninth failed attempt. Do you want to continue?"

I gave a bitter smile and shook my head.

"No. I want to go home."

I was done trying to save him from being ruined by his so-called white moonlight.

1.

Chloe Linwood's family had gone bankrupt, leaving her with nowhere to turn, so she finally came to Holden Cross with tear-filled eyes.

Inside the bridal boutique, she clutched the faded hem of her shirt, standing timidly by the door while keeping her eyes locked onto Holden.

I pretended not to notice the face that looked so much like mine, keeping my head down as I smoothed his cuffs.

Holden glanced back at her, his voice freezing cold.

"Why are you here?"

Tears instantly spilled down Chloe's cheeks.

Just then, several burly men barged in, the leader wearing a greasy smirk.

"Miss Linwood, what's the point of hiding here? You were the one who dumped Mr. Cross back then, and now you come running back, thinking he still wants you?"

"You'd be better off coming with us to the club to pay off your father's debt. Don't worry, we'll be gentle with you."

He reached out to grab Chloe by the arm.

Chloe shrank back in terror, crying harder as she looked desperately at Holden.

"What does that have to do with me? I'm not the one who owes you money!"

"I've already given you everything I have!"

The man scoffed and dragged her toward the door.

"A father's debt is a daughter's duty. That's just how the world works!"

Holden stood motionless.

Yet standing beside him, I could clearly see his hands clenching into tight fists, his knuckles turning pale white.

I gave him a gentle nudge, smiling as I held up my phone.

"Holden, look at the photo I just took. Does it look good?"

He took the phone and casually wrapped an arm around my shoulder out of habit, but his gaze drifted straight toward the entrance.

In that very second, the glowing number above his head, visible only to me, began to plummet rapidly from ninety-nine.

Chloe was dragged outside, screaming her heart out.

"I'd rather die than do that!"

"Holden, I know I shouldn't have come to you, but I have nowhere else to go. Please, just save me this once…"

Before she could finish her sentence.

A screech of tires and a chorus of screams erupted from the street outside.

"Accident! Someone got hit!"

Someone shouted in panic.

Holden shoved me aside and sprinted out like a madman.

I rushed out after him, only to see Chloe lying in the middle of the road with a pool of blood spreading beneath her.

The debt collector waved his hands wildly, shouting in defense.

"It wasn't me! She refused to come along and threw herself right in front of the car!"

Weakly, Chloe reached her hand toward Holden, her breath fading.

"Holden, I think I'm dying…"

Holden dropped to his knees, pulling her tightly into his arms, his eyes rimmed with red.

Chloe forced a faint smile.

"Coming back to you… part of it was asking for help, but in my heart, you've always been the only one…"

"I'm sorry…"

With that, her hand fell limp, and she passed out cold.

I stood frozen in place, watching the number above his head instantly reset to zero.

Holden scooped Chloe into his arms and dialed emergency services right away.

The system's mechanical voice echoed in my head.

"The ninety-ninth attempt has failed. Would you like to continue?"

I looked down at the wedding dress I had just put on, gripping the fabric tightly as tears finally fell from my eyes.

"No. I want to go home."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Holden pause for a fraction of a second, but he walked away without ever looking back.