Chapter 2

Chapter 2

After Harlan left, the System's cold, mechanical voice echoed in my head.

"Host, I must remind you. If you divorce, your mission will be marked as a failure. Your memory will be wiped. You cannot agree to this."

I sat at the table, staring into the empty, quiet room. My phone chirped with a notification. It was Harlan's latest Instagram post.

In the photo, he was holding a cake with a huge smile. In the corner, you could see half of a woman's face.

The caption read: "The best times are spent with the best person." He had tagged her. He wanted me to see it.

Even with only half her face showing, I knew it was Celine.

I don't know what I was thinking, but before I knew it, I was on my way to the hospital.

I knew which room she was in because Harlan had mentioned it before.

I walked to the door and hesitated. I pushed it open just a crack, and their voices drifted out.

"Harlan, I heard today is your anniversary. You came to see me for my birthday anyway. Isn't Sienna going to be mad?"

Harlan was sitting there, peeling an apple. At the mention of my name, his face darkened. "Don't bring her up. She's a buzzkill."

"If you hadn't left me back then, I never would have agreed to marry her."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. So, our entire marriage was just his second choice.

Harlan gently fed a slice of apple to Celine. Then he wrapped his arms around her and leaned into her embrace.

Celine had a sly look in her eyes as she tested him. "Harlan, do you... do you still love me the most?"

Harlan paused for a second. "Celine, no matter who I married or where I am, my heart will always belong to you."

The pain in my chest was so sharp I could hardly stand it.

I forced myself to stay calm and dialed Harlan's number.

He saw his phone light up and looked annoyed. He went to decline the call, but Celine was faster. She tapped the screen to answer.

"Harlan, where are you?" I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Didn't you see my post? I'm with Celine. Stop bothering me," he snapped.

I felt a chill go through my body. He wouldn't even offer me a simple lie.

Across the room, Celine flashed me a triumphant smirk. She knew I was there. She had seen me the whole time.

She leaned down and whispered something to Harlan. He whipped his head around and saw me at the door.

"Sienna! What the hell are you doing here? You're disgusting. Are you seriously stalking me now?" He wasn't even embarrassed. He was angry.

My heart was breaking, but I couldn't help but let out a bitter, hollow laugh.

"So, being with me was just settling for less? Did you feel that sorry for yourself?" I stared him down, demanding an answer.

Harlan blinked, seemingly thrown off by my tone. He looked suspicious for a moment.

Celine saw the shift and chimed in perfectly. "I'm so sorry, Sienna. I didn't mean to come between you two. I should have never come back."

"Harlan, this is all my fault. Don't be mad at Sienna. If you're angry, take it out on me." She actually bowed to me, looking like a kicked puppy.

It was pure fuel for the fire. Harlan immediately stepped in front of her to protect her. "Yeah, marrying you was a mistake. I never loved you."

"Now that Celine is back, I can't wait to get away from you. Are you happy now?"

He was so angry his eyes were bloodshot. He spat those words out with total venom.

My ears started ringing. The last bit of hope I had finally collapsed. His words were enough to kill any remaining feelings.

"Host, the target's affection level is plummeting. You should back down and apologize," the System urged.

But I was already done. I took a few steps back and forced a grim smile.

"I agree."

"Whenever you're ready, send me the papers."

I turned and walked away without looking back. For a split second, I thought I saw a flash of panic on his face.

But it didn't matter. I wasn't waiting for him anymore.