Chapter 2

2

Because I died in such a brutal way, the agonizing pain followed me even after my soul left my body.

Since my last life was gone, the System abandoned me as a failure. My lingering spirit was now tethered to Jude.

I watched him stay by Bianca's side every second of her recovery. I remembered our marriage; he had never been this kind to me.

He used to treat me with nothing but disgust and boredom. Even when I bought him expensive gifts, he would just mock me.

"I'm fine, Jude. It's just... the hospital bills..." Bianca said, playing the victim.

"Don't worry about that. I've already paid for everything," Jude replied.

"If Cora hadn't insisted on going to that remote restaurant, we would have been closer to a hospital when your water broke."

"When you're discharged, I'm going to have a serious talk with her!"

Jude finally remembered that I had been taken away. I watched him take out his phone and send me a text.

"Finish up whatever you're doing and get to the hospital to apologize to Bianca!"

I laughed at the absurdity of it all. I wondered why I had chosen to complete my mission with this man.

I ended up losing everything for someone who hated me.

Jude knew Bianca owed money, but he believed I was invincible. He turned off his phone and continued to comfort her.

"Don't worry, Bianca. If she doesn't show up to apologize, I'll divorce her. I'll treat your daughter as my own, as long as you marry me."

Bianca's eyes lit up at the mention of marriage. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

They started making out right there in the hospital room.

I watched the heated scene, feeling a sharp sting in my non-existent chest. Tears fell from my ghostly eyes.

It turned out that even a soul could feel heartbreak.

In the middle of their kiss, Jude's phone vibrated. He pulled away, thinking I had finally replied.

He looked at the screen and saw my name. A smug smile touched his lips as he showed the screen to Bianca.

"See? I told you. she can't live without me."

He answered the call with a cold, arrogant tone.

"Get back here and apologize, or I'm filing for divorce!"

A rough, gravelly voice came from the other end.

"Listen, asshole. We already sold this bitch's organs, but we're still three million short."

"You're her husband, right? Send the rest of the money now, or you won't even get her corpse back!"

Jude's grip on the phone tightened. He paused for a moment, thinking.

"Who is this? Is this another one of Cora's pathetic games to get my attention?" he sneered.

"Tell her that unless she bows down to Bianca, I'm never forgiving her!"

It was the loan sharks calling, but Jude didn't believe a word of it. He insulted them and hung up the phone.

After he ended the call, a flicker of unease crossed his face. The voice didn't sound like an actor.

Could something have actually happened to Cora?

But then he remembered the System. He was convinced I couldn't die, so he decided this was all just a show I put on.

"Hah! Nice try, Cora! You're getting desperate for my attention!"

He blocked my number and ignored every call that followed.