Chapter 1

It was the night before my husband's childhood sweetheart was getting engaged. She threw a wild bachelorette party.

Someone shouted over the music, "Any regrets?"

Her eyes turned red as she stared at my husband, Caleb. She choked back a sob.

"We met at the wrong time... I was too young when you were ready, and now we've missed our chance."

The air turned thick with tension. The light dimmed, letting the flirtatious energy spread through the room.

My fingertips turned cold. I tried to keep my temper in check.

Then, fueled by the wine, she stumbled right into Caleb's chest. Her lips were inches away from his.

And he didn't push her away!

His eyes were filled with a messy mix of emotion. Guilt, regret... and even a spark of desire.

I was about to stand up when a small, soft hand tugged at my hem.

My six-year-old daughter, Luna, looked up at me with confusion.

"Mommy, I'm seeing so many comments on a screen in front of me..."

"They're saying Daddy and that lady are the real main characters. They say we're just side characters meant to be discarded."

"They said we'll be kicked out soon and die in the street."

The rage inside me exploded instantly.

I didn't want the trashy man anymore.

But my daughter?

If anyone touched a single hair on her head, I would rewrite this pathetic script entirely!

Ding―The Ultimate Cherished System has been activated.

1.

The vibe at the party got more suffocating by the second. Serena Vance kept her eyes locked on my husband, Caleb Reed.

The people around them started chanting.

"Caleb, don't let a girl like that go!"

"It's not too late to change your mind!"

Caleb didn't argue. He just stared at Serena with a look of longing and hesitation that made my heart ache.

Then I remembered Luna's innocent voice.

"Mommy, are we really just side characters meant to die?"

The fury in my chest broke loose. I couldn't hold it back anymore.

"Ding―Ultimate Cherished System awakening."

"Heh, I told you to activate me ages ago. Regret it now?"

The familiar, cold mechanical voice sounded almost mocking.

"Yes, I regret it."

Once, I thought having Caleb and Luna was enough. I thought I could live a simple life as an orphan.

I never expected this simple life to be so full of holes and lies.

"System activating. Current progress: 1%."

"Activation will take 36 hours. Once complete, you will receive―"

Before the system could finish, I saw the two of them on the sofa. Serena was leaning weakly into Caleb's arms, her red lips brushing against his jaw.

I couldn't take it. I stepped forward and yanked Caleb back!

Serena nearly fell over, grabbing the edge of the table to steady herself.

She looked up at Caleb with wet, deer-like eyes. "Caleb..."

Caleb finally seemed to snap out of it.

He remembered he was a married man. He remembered his wife and daughter were in the room.

He frowned at me, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Elena, what is wrong with you now?"

I let out a cold laugh. "What's wrong with me? If I hadn't stopped you, were you going to kiss her in front of everyone?"

Serena shook her head quickly, tears welling up. She tried to force a smile.

"Elena, you've got it all wrong... I've just had too much to drink. It was an accident."

"Oh?" I looked at her with pure disgust.

"You sure are unlucky. Why do you always accidentally fall into my husband's arms?"

Her face turned pale. She looked embarrassed and bit her lip like a victim.

"I... I really didn't mean to..."

The tears fell perfectly. She looked so fragile it made everyone else's heart ache.

Caleb's face darkened. He glared at me with pure loathing.

"Elena, don't be so cruel. It was just a joke. Do you have to be so aggressive?"

Serena's eyelashes trembled. She grabbed Caleb's sleeve and gave a pained smile.

"Caleb... don't fight with her because of me. It's okay, really."

Then, she let out a soft moan and slumped toward the floor.

"Serena!" Caleb shouted, catching her in panic.

The crowd gasped around us.

"Is she okay? Is it low blood sugar?"

"Elena, she's drunk. How could you be so heartless?"

I watched it all like a movie I hated.

Suddenly, a small, tiny voice broke the silence.

"She's faking it."