Chapter 1

I failed the mission to capture the villain's heart.

The System granted me one last chance to choose.

I chose Zale Sterling, the man who had been chasing me relentlessly.

Many people mocked me, bringing up my past of desperately following another man like a lost dog.

Zale only looked at me with deep heartache.

He said I had simply met the wrong person and blamed himself for not finding me sooner.

He swore he would never let me cry or feel sad.

But eight years later, I stood outside a room and heard him bragging to his new lover.

"Quinn is old and can't even have kids. Honestly, if she leaves me, who else would ever want her?"

I didn't scream or fight with him this time.

I simply chose to leave this world forever.

1.

During a rehearsal, my face was slashed by a prop sword.

My manager, Janet, was so furious she slapped the rising star, Chloe Pierce.

"Zale, I didn't mean it! I was just too into the character, I really didn't think this would happen..."

Chloe was currently hiding in Zale's arms, weeping like a victim.

I let out a cold laugh. Into the character?

She had aimed that sword directly at my face.

I saw the smug grin on her lips the moment she saw the blood.

"I know, I know," Zale said, patting her back soothingly.

"You were just trying to do a good job. Everyone will understand."

He looked at her with such tenderness.

"Go on, just give Quinn a quick apology and it'll be fine."

"Quinn, I'm so sorry. You're such a big star, surely you can forgive a mistake?"

Her tone was flippant, and there wasn't a hint of regret on her face.

It was a blatant provocation.

The people around us whispered, but no one dared to speak up.

Everyone knew Zale was famous for being overprotective of me.

In the past, if I suffered even a tiny bit of injustice, he would go to war for me.

But this time, he was defending the girl who scarred my face.

I finally couldn't help but speak.

"Zale, is this really how you're going to handle this?"

He looked at me with visible impatience.

"Quinn, Chloe is still young and doesn't know better. Don't be so petty."

I stared at him, my heart feeling like it was being shredded.

"You weren't like this before..."

"Quinn, stop making a scene! I have things to do. We're leaving."

He didn't even look at my wound.

He pulled Chloe close and walked away without a backward glance.

I suddenly remembered the recent rumors.

They said Zale had a new little pet he was obsessed with.

I realized now that the rumors were true.