Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Parker's little face turned chalk white. He lifted his chin stubbornly. "Hmph, who cares! I have Auntie Lorelei anyway!"

"Daddy, hurry up and say yes!"

Seeing my unyielding posture, Garrick felt his pride wounded. After all, I had never once stood my ground against him before.

"Fine, Leah. I'll have the lawyers draft the settlement papers first thing tomorrow morning. Just don't come crawling back in regret!" I curled my lips slightly, offering no reply.

The moment the conversation ended, a sudden deafening roar tore through my mind, followed by blaring alarm sirens.

"Emergency alert! The story ending has severely deviated from the original plot parameters. Host, please repair the storyline immediately, or the simulation will be terminated forcefully in three days!"

A wave of excruciating agony ripped through my nervous system, causing me to collapse onto the hardwood floor.

"System, didn't you say the novel was over? Why is this happening?" I frantically called out internally.

"Apologies, Host. The full novel concludes at chapter 1,957, written from your perspective and including side stories. Your current progress has not cleared the side stories yet, and initiating a divorce caused a critical plot deviation…" The robotic voice echoed in my head.

"You never told me there were mandatory side stories!" I gasped through the burning pain.

"I am deeply sorry, Host. This was an oversight on my end…" The system sounded genuinely guilty. "However, I will take responsibility. Even if the storyline fails to reset within three days, all your accumulated rewards will still be transferred to your real account."

Hearing that promise, the heavy weight on my chest lifted slightly.

When I opened my eyes, Parker and Garrick were hovering over me, looking visibly anxious.

"What's wrong with you? Is the system acting up again?! Didn't you swear the plot was finished?" Garrick's voice was laced with panic. Then, as if realizing something, he pulled Parker tightly against his chest. "Is Parker going to be penalized again?!"

Both of them looked terrified, but I knew perfectly well that none of that concern was for me.

"No, he won't," I forced a faint, weary smile, stood up, and walked straight into the bedroom to pack my bags.

"Yay! That's awesome! Mommy is leaving, and I never have to look at her again! Daddy, bring Auntie Lorelei home tonight, okay?" Parker's joyful cheering echoed from the hallway.

A child's worldview is painted purely in black and white. Their uninhibited cruelty often cuts the deepest.

I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood, keeping the rising grief locked behind my teeth.

When I walked out with my suitcase, Garrick stepped in front of me, grabbing my wrist with tightening force.

"Leah, your little games are truly disgusting."

"Since you chose to walk away, don't you dare regret it. Don't come crying back to beg me later."

I pulled my wrist out of his grip and met his gaze evenly. "Don't worry. That day will never come."