In my seven years of being married to my husband, Mark Chapman, he always gives me whatever I ask for and prioritizes me in everything.

This goes on until he keeps sending food coupons to a female college student named Hayley Larkson. Not only that, he stands up for her and beats up some thugs on her behalf. One time, he even takes her to the hospital to get treatment.

Holding a toy, my daughter asks Mark innocently, "Dad, Ms. Larkson is so gentle and pretty. She's not as strict and mean as Mom, who always makes me do homework. Can you ask her to move in and be my teacher?"

Mark smiles and replies, "Sure."

I stand frozen in a corner, my lips trembling.

Just then, the system's cold voice speaks in my mind. It asks if I want to go home.

I close my eyes and reply, "Take me home."

"18 hours from now, your body will experience destruction mode. You will then be returned to the 21st century."

Hearing the system's mechanical voice, I felt a brief daze wash over me. Softly, I murmured, "Okay. I'll wait for you."

After clearing the mission, I chose to stay behind in this other world—in its version of the 1980s—for my husband, Mark Chapman.

I had thought I wouldn't hear from the system until the day I died of old age, so it had come as a surprise that it would show up so soon.

Just then, Mark walked in, still in his military uniform, holding our daughter, Joanne Chapman's small hand. His posture was straight as ever, his features sharp and handsome.

He looked at me, confusion in his eyes. "Honey, who did you say you were waiting for?"

"It's nothing. Just talking to myself," I answered, lowering my gaze.

The dishes on the table had already gone cold. I took a few casual bites of the birthday cake and quietly wished myself a happy 30th birthday. At that, both Mark and Joanne's faces dropped.

He grabbed my hand, guilt written all over his face. "I'm so sorry, honey. Work was overwhelming today. I forgot your birthday. I'll buy you a brand new cake right now. Just wait for me!"

Joanne piped up right away in her soft, childish voice. "Happy birthday, Mommy!"

She held out a forget-me-not—a dainty blue flower—to me. I used to dote on her the most, but this time, I didn't take it. I also stopped Mark just as he was about to head out.

"Forget it. I'm not hungry, and it's getting late. Let's just go to bed early."

Mark pressed his lips together, then leaned in and kissed my cheek. Guilt lingered in his eyes. "Today's all on me. I got too caught up with work and forgot your birthday. Please don't be mad at me.

"Tomorrow, let Joanne and me make it up to you. We still have some food coupons left at home. Let's eat at House of Wish. It's your 30th birthday, after all. We must make it an occasion."

Joanne cheered, her face lighting up as she hugged my arm. "Mommy, I'll sing you a birthday song tomorrow, okay?"

My gaze drifted, unfocused. House of Wish was where Mark and I held our wedding reception.

The day we got married, he looked at me with so much tenderness in his eyes. "Eunice, in this life, only you will have my heart. I'll protect you, love you, and take care of you. I'll never leave your side, not even till the end of time."

Even after all these years of marriage, I had never forgotten those words. Not long ago, though, our village was hit by a once-in-a-century mudslide. Everyone was calling for their families, scrambling to escape.

Everyone except Mark. He ran against the fleeing crowd, not caring about the danger at all, just to look for Hayley Larkson.

Only after confirming that Hayley was safe did he remember me, working right below the path of the mudslide. He rushed over in a panic to check if anything had happened to me.

At the time, I didn't think much of it. In a crisis, it made sense that he would put the people first. It was only now that it truly sank in.

In his heart, and in Joanne's too, my place had long since stopped being important.

Mark asked again to make sure I didn't want another birthday cake. After I nodded, he said, "I'll take Joanne to bed first. You should turn in early once you're done, okay?"

I watched as he led her into the room. The moment they disappeared, the smile on my face faded. I turned back and began packing my things.

Since I had already decided to leave, there was no reason to leave any trace of myself in this home. I didn't have many belongings to begin with. One woven bag was enough to pack everything I owned.

Life in the 1980s wasn't easy for anyone. Whenever we had extra food coupons, I would use them to get clothes and daily necessities for the two of them.

Mark worked for a government unit, after all. He couldn't go around looking too worn out.

Yet, he used those extra coupons to exchange for nutritional supplements for Hayley, taking extra good care of her. The thought of it was almost laughable. How bitterly ironic.

After packing everything, I finally went into the room to rest. Mark and Joanne were already fast asleep.

I had just taken off my coat and was about to lie down when I suddenly heard Mark talking in his sleep. His voice was faint and slurred. "Happy anniversary, honey…"

My body jolted. I turned to look at his sleeping face.

The corners of his lips were curved slightly, his expression relaxed and gentle, just like the day he married me—a tenderness I would never forget.

It had been forever since he last said those words to me. A sharp pain pierced through my chest. I stood there for a long while, then let out a silent laugh.

Lowering my head, I checked the countdown. Only 15 hours left.

Nothing he said could stop me from leaving.

Have a good life with Joanne, Mark.

…

Early the next morning, Mark woke me up. He had already made breakfast.

With a hint of curiosity, he asked, "Honey, why did you pack up all your things? Are you going somewhere far?"

My expression stayed calm as I gave a casual excuse. "Our place is small. If I put my things away, it frees up some space for you two."

Not just space, but I was also giving away my place as his wife, too. Normally, with his position, a divorce would require reporting to the military higher-ups. But becoming a widower required no approval at all.

Mark didn't notice anything unusual. His eyes were full of warmth as he leaned in and kissed my lips.

"You're so thoughtful, honey. After work today, just head to House of Wish. I'll take Joanne there in the afternoon and wait for you. We'll celebrate your birthday today."

Since it would be my last meal, I didn't refuse.

The countdown dropped to four hours. I went to House of Wish, but there was no sign of Mark or Joanne. I frowned slightly.

A server walked straight up to me. "Are you Ms. Jensen? Mr. Chapman asked that you wait here for a bit. He has something to take care of and will arrive with your daughter shortly."

"Thanks."

And so, I sat down on a nearby stool and began to wait. It was peak dining hour, so people came and went, most of them families. I watched their laughter and warmth, my gaze turning distant.

Once, I had been one of them. Mark would pick food for me. I would wipe his mouth with a napkin. There was affection in every glance, respect and reliance woven into the smallest gestures.

I would cut up steaks for Joanne. She would beam with happiness, her little face messy, leaning in to kiss my cheek. "Thank you, Mommy! You're so nice! I want to be with you forever!"

Unfortunately, things were no longer the same.

I waited for a full two hours. By the time most of the diners had left, Mark finally rushed in with Joanne. He looked at me with immense guilt.

"I'm sorry, Eunice. Hayley got hurt. I took her to the hospital for a check-up. Have you been waiting long?"

I had thought they were late because they were picking out a gift for me. So, it was because of Hayley again. I looked at him and, after a long silence, asked, "How's she?"

Mark hesitated, clearly troubled. "She's badly injured. She's still at the hospital without anyone looking after her. I only came to let you know—I'll have to head back to the hospital soon.

"How about we have this meal another time? Once Hayley recovers, Joanne and I will make it up to you again—I swear."

Joanne looked just as anxious, her little face tense. "Mommy, Ms. Larkson is so pitiful being all alone. We'll take care of her first, okay? Later, we'll celebrate your birthday again. What do you say?"

As she spoke, she tugged on Mark's hand. "Daddy, let's hurry back. Ms. Larkson is still waiting for us to bring her food. She must be starving!"

"Yeah," he quickly replied. He asked the staff to pack a few dishes, then turned back to me. "You should head home, Eunice. Joanne and I will be back later tonight."

They had come in a rush and left just as quickly. From the start, not once did they ask if I had eaten or whether I was hungry.

I lowered my head and looked at the countdown. Two hours left. It seemed that even my last meal with my family was something unattainable.

I understood then. No amount of meals with a family who didn't love me could change anything. I ordered a few dishes for myself and ate alone.

Just then, the system's cold voice rang out in my ears. "One hour remaining before destruction begins. The death sequence will begin shortly. Please prepare."

My heart trembled. Yet, for some reason, a faint sense of excitement crept in.

"Okay."

After dinner, I went to the crematorium. After hearing what I said, the staff looked at me with clear pity in their eyes. "Miss, you look so young… Are you really arranging your own funeral?"

I nodded calmly. "Yeah. For myself. My time of death is in one hour. You can go to Community Hospital to collect my body directly. After cremation, just scatter the ashes wherever."

They looked stunned, confused by how clearly I spoke about my own death. After a moment, they asked hesitantly, "Shouldn't you… inform your family about something like this?"

Since I had already decided to cut ties with Mark and Joanne, how could I trouble them with handling my corpse? If it delayed their time with Hayley, that would be rather inconsiderate of me.

Besides, I didn't think they would have time to care whether I lived or died.

My expression stayed calm. "I don't think so… It'll only trouble them. Anyway, thank you for your help. I do need one more favor, though. Please prepare 300 copies of a congratulatory card.

"It should read, 'Wishing Mark and Hayley a lifetime of happiness together. From: Eunice Jensen.' After I die, please deliver them to every household in Cooperville. Thanks."

After arranging my affairs, I stepped onto the street. Before I could even react, a runaway truck came barreling straight at me. The impact was crushing.

For an instant, it felt as if every organ inside me had shattered. The pain was unbearable, but I didn't pass out. This was the system's punishment, the cost of staying for the mission target.

Everyone panicked and rushed me to the hospital. I lay on the stretcher, bleeding and barely clinging to life.

And yet, amid the rushing footsteps, I caught sight of Mark walking down the hospital corridor, holding Joanne's hand, laughing and chatting with Hayley.

Hayley looked fine, except for a thick bandage wrapped around her finger. I forced a smile through the pain. According to Mark, this was the so-called serious injury.

Joanne clutched her doll, her face joyful and eager. "Thank you, Ms. Larkson. I wish you could be my mommy."

Mark's expression immediately tightened, and he scolded her softly. "Do not say that, Joanne."

Hayley just laughed, patting Joanne's head. "Kids say what they feel. I wouldn't mind… Though I'm not sure I'd ever get the chance."

He suddenly looked up, meeting her eyes. There was a softness in his gaze that screamed intimacy. Then, he straightened up solemnly.

"Military marriages are legally protected. Divorce isn't an option. I love my wife, and I mean it. So, please don't say things like that again. It's getting late. You should head back.

"I need to buy my wife a gift to make up for her birthday. She's been waiting all day, and I won't make her wait any longer."

Hayley glanced at the darkening sky outside, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You two go on. You've spent the whole day with me. It's not even fully dark yet, so I should be able to go on my own."

She had a severe night-vision problem. After dark, she could barely see.

Mark hesitated, clearly torn. "Your eyesight gets poor at night. It's not safe. Let Joanne and me walk you home. My Eunice has a kind heart—she'll understand. Tonight, I'll explain everything to her."

With that, he took Hayley's arm and led her toward the hospital exit.

Joanne immediately grabbed Hayley's other hand, guiding her with a bright smile. "Daddy and I are your personal guards, Ms. Larkson. We'll see you home safely!"

Hayley's face bloomed into a warm smile. I passed by them on my stretcher, close enough to hear every word, but not enough to grab their attention.

A self-deprecating smile curved my lips as I murmured, "They're going home… But so am I."

It felt right. We each had our own place to belong. I hoped we never had to see each other again.

Just then, the system's voice rang sharply in my ears. "Final ten seconds on the countdown. Your body will now shut down, fully detaching from the mission world. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…"

Their figures grew smaller and fainter until they disappeared entirely. I closed my eyes with peace, a smile of release curling my lips.

When the system counted down the last number, my heart stopped—not another beat heard.