Chapter 2

An hour later, the bedroom that held five years of memories between Julian and me was completely empty.

Julian began rearranging the furniture he had personally selected.

He said these were all to Naomi’s taste.

Julian actually had severe OCD. Once, just because I had turned his toothbrush the wrong way, he gave me the silent treatment for three days and nights.

Yet now, he was changing all his living habits just to make Naomi happy.

I carried the few, pathetic memories of Julian outside, planning to burn them all.

Just as I sparked the fire, I ran into Julian, who was hurriedly walking out while on a phone call.

His expression was incredibly gentle. He gestured a "shh" to me and rushed past.

I felt a pang of disbelief.

I remembered when I was in a major car accident and called Julian ten times, only for him to hang up every single time because "he hated answering the phone while walking."

Now, he broke his rules again and again for Naomi.

The smoke from the fire was too thick, making my eyes sting and water.

I called out to the System.

"System, how much time is left before I leave? I think... I really miss home."

[Host, there are six days, one hour, and four minutes left. Please be prepared.]

After a long silence, the System suddenly answered the question I had asked two days ago.

[Host, according to our database, you are indeed the only host who has achieved 0% favorability after five years of effort.]

I smiled bitterly.

"Then I really am a useless host."

Suddenly, my phone vibrated with a loud notification.

It was an Instagram update from Julian.

The picture showed two people kissing at the highest point of the London Eye. The matching rings on their fingers were exceptionally eye-catching.

The caption was simple: [Us.]

There was a legend that if you kissed at the highest point of the Ferris wheel, you would stay together forever.

For five years, my anniversary wish every single year was to ride the Ferris wheel and kiss Julian at the top.

He always excused himself, saying he was too busy with work. But now, he was kissing Naomi there.

At midnight, the memories between Julian and me were completely turned to ashes.

Along with the vibration of my phone, the night sky was suddenly illuminated by countless fireworks.

The fireworks spelled out: Naomi, I love you.

I looked down at my phone and suddenly realized today was our fifth wedding anniversary.

Right then, Julian sent me a message: [Happy Anniversary!]

I stared at those words in disbelief, reading them over and over.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing and deleting. My heart fluttered with a pathetic hope.

But in the next second, the message was quickly retracted.

[Oh, sorry Audrey! Julian meant to send that to me. Today is our first official day of being back together.]

[It’s because our profile pictures are too similar, Julian got confused. I’ll change mine right away!]

Naomi’s profile picture didn't change, but I received another text from Julian.

[Audrey, you've always been obedient. Change your profile picture.]

My profile picture was a photo of the cat Julian and I had raised together. Ever since the cat died, I had never changed it.

After a moment of hesitation, I changed it anyway.

As soon as I did, Julian replied:

[I knew you wouldn't disappoint me.]

[So, Naomi wants to experience the grooming methods you used on those girls over the years. You won't refuse, right?]