Chapter 2

2.

I looked in the mirror at the long gash stretching from my eye to my mouth.

It was hideous and terrifying to look at.

Janet hesitated before speaking.

"Quinn, with your face like this, we might have to drop the lead role. I've talked to the producers, but the penalty fee..."

I gave a bitter smile. For an actress, her face was everything.

Janet stayed silent for a long moment before whispering.

"Zale's office called. He said... he wants you to drop this. No police reports allowed."

My heart sank into an icy abyss.

No police? He was protecting Chloe Pierce from the law.

I dialed Zale's number.

There was no answer for a long time.

Just as I was about to give up, the call connected.

Before I could say a word, Chloe's bratty voice came through the speaker.

"Zale, baby, I want Quinn's lead role in her new drama. Can you give it to me? Please?"

My breath hitched, and my knuckles turned white as I gripped the phone.

Zale's voice was lazy and full of affection.

"Stop kissing me, honey. Be good, don't cause trouble."

"No! If you don't give it to me, I'll keep bothering you."

Then, I heard the sound of intimate kissing followed by her giggling.

My heart felt like it was being torn into pieces.

I could barely breathe through the pain.

"Haven't you caused enough trouble today?"

A burst of laughter erupted in the background.

Someone teased him.

"Mr. Sterling, you spoil Chloe so much. Aren't you afraid Quinn will be heartbroken if she finds out?"

Zale gave a careless chuckle.

"So what if she knows? Quinn is old and can't even have kids."

"What's the point of being beautiful if she's broken inside? Honestly, if she leaves me, who else would want her?"

"Then what about me?" Chloe asked in a sugary voice.

"You're my little sweetheart," Zale said softly.

"You're much more interesting than Quinn."

I couldn't listen anymore. The phone slipped from my hand.

I was three years older than Zale.

When he first pursued me, he was like a devoted puppy.

I had asked him if he minded the age gap.

He told me back then that no one was allowed to call me old.

He said I was perfect.

I thought I was smart enough to keep my heart safe while doing my mission.

But Zale was different.

He used to drive for hours in the middle of the night just to bring me hot soup on set.

He used to spend weeks planning our anniversaries just to see me smile.

I thought he loved me more than anything in the world.

I suddenly remembered that the System gave me one chance to regret my choice.

"System, I regret it. I want to leave this world now."

"Understood, Host. You can leave the mission world at any time."

"Seven-day countdown to departure initiated. You can cancel this at any moment."

As the System finished speaking, a metallic taste filled my mouth.

I coughed up a mouthful of bright red blood.

My vision went black, and I collapsed onto the sofa.