The system fell silent for a moment before a sudden chime echoed in my mind.

[Plot anomaly detected… Recalculating…]

A bad feeling crept over me. "What are you trying to do now?" I asked.

[New quest issued: The host is required to maintain both their marriage and relationship with Rafael and Xavier until the plot has been automatically repaired.]

[Reward: Homeward progress +10%]

I sprang up from the bed. "Are you crazy? I can't even dump either of them, and now you're telling me to maintain both relationships?"

"This is the best solution I could come up with. Neither of them is following the plot anyway, so why don't we just go along with it? Who knows, we might just trigger a hidden storyline," the system explained.

"Hidden my ass," I gritted out through clenched teeth. "Do you have any idea what I look like right now? I'm basically just an unlucky damsel caught between two psychos!"

That said, my thoughts drifted to the extra 10% on the progress bar. In the end, I still decided to endure it.

By the time I headed downstairs the next morning with dark circles under my eyes, Rafael was already seated at the dining table, reading the financial news.

He was dressed in a light gray shirt today. The sleeves were rolled up all the way to his forearms, revealing his well-toned wrists.

I had to admit, he certainly had the looks to be the male lead. Too bad something wasn't quite right with his head.

"Did you get a good sleep last night?" Rafael glanced up at me when he spoke. His tone was so casual it sounded like he was asking about the weather.

I forced out a fake smile. "It was great—so great, in fact, that I spent my dreams contemplating the meaning of life."

Rafael gave a small nod. Then, he slid a file in front of me. "There's a charity gala that I need you to attend next week."

I flipped it open and took a look. It was a fundraising event for children, with Cortez Group listed as the primary sponsor.

"And what identity should I use here?" I raised an eyebrow and asked. "Your wife in name only, or the cheating partner you couldn't care less about?"

He adjusted his glasses before replying, "You'll be there as Mrs. Cortez. As for that 'friend' of yours… I hope you can take care of him."

"How exactly should I handle it?" I deliberately asked. "By your logic, that's my own business. It has nothing to do with you."

There was a long pause before he spoke up again. "There's a limit to my tolerance, Irene."

I was just about to snap back when my phone rang.

The caller ID on the screen read "Doormat Xavier".

I glanced over at Rafael. Although he gestured for me to answer, a chill had crept into his gaze.

I walked over to the balcony to take the call. "Are you coming over today?" Xavier's voice was still heavy with sleep. "I just learned a new dish that I wanted to make for you," he continued.

"Xavier… I think we should give each other some space," I muttered.

"You're trying to break up with me, aren't you?" His voice instantly broke. "I knew it! I couldn't sleep at all last night. I kept wondering if there was something I didn't do well enough…"

"It's not your fault—"

"So your husband's the one who forced you to break things off with me, wasn't it?" he gritted out. "Just you wait, I'll confront him now. I'll tell him we're truly in love with each other!"

My scalp prickled. "Don't do anything rash!"

"I don't care. I can't live without you," he choked out through sobs. "Do you know how miserable I was yesterday? I hugged your pillow and cried the entire night…"

I was at a loss for words. His acting was starting to get out of hand.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Listen to me, Xavier. We both need time—"

"I'll give you some time!" he cut in instantly. "But I'm begging you, please don't break up with me…"

I felt utterly drained the moment I hung up. When I turned around, Rafael was already standing by the balcony door.

He fixed his gaze on me with his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Looks like your 'friend' is quite attached to you." His tone gave nothing away.

I forced out a dry laugh. "It's not as bad as you make it out to be."

After a brief pause, he said, "I hope you'll be punctual at the gala next weekend. And remember to dress appropriately. Ms. Lloyd will be there."

My heart stopped beating for a second.

Here she came. This was the part where his first love made her grand entrance!

"Of course. I won't let you down," I replied with a smile. In my mind, I was already scheming how I could "accidentally" play matchmaker for the two of them that day.

Surely my work here would be considered done as long as their story fell back into place, right?

…

Over the next few days, I found myself being plunged into a life of constant tug-of-war.

By day, I played the role of Rafael's perfect wife, attending one event after another by his side as Mrs. Cortez.

At night, I was Xavier's sugar mommy, listening to his tearful confessions while he put on an endless display of…

Well, let's call it wardrobe aesthetics.

At that moment, Xavier was lounging against the couch in a sheer shirt. The chains draped across his chest glinted under the lights.

"Do you think this choker looks good on me?" His seductive gaze lingered on me as he spoke.

I stared at the diamond-studded choker around his neck. "It does, but it looks like something a pet would wear," I answered truthfully.

His smile froze for a split second before he slipped back into his pitiful act. "You don't like it? Then I'll change it—"

"No, there's no need for that," I interjected before stopping him from undressing. "This is fine. Just keep it on."

The system clicked its tongue in my head. "Have you realized that Xavier's been getting more provocative lately? He keeps asking about Rafael, too. Say, do you think he's actually trying to take Rafael's place?"

I sighed inwardly. "Who knows? Maybe he's been stuck in the second-male-lead role for so long that he wants to try his hand at being the male lead."

Just then, Xavier leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder. "Are you free next week, Irene? I want to take you somewhere."

His words stirred a sudden sense of unease within me. "Where are we going?"

"It's a charity gala," he explained.

A charity gala next weekend… wasn't that the exact same event Rafael was taking me to?

I was just about to speak when the system erupted into frantic screaming. "No, you can't accept it! It'll be an absolute disaster if the two male leads meet now. Forcing the plot to take place before we've even reached that point would get us erased!"

A chill crept down my spine as my tone shifted instantly. "No, you can't go—"

"Why not?" he cut me off. "Is it because I'm your side piece? Am I so shameful that I can't even be seen in public?"

A sudden wave of diffidence washed over me when I saw the hurt in his eyes.

If I were being completely honest, Xavier had treated me very well. He showed up whenever I called, never once lost his temper, and often went out of his way to shower me with surprises.

I might have been moved if I hadn't overheard the conversation he'd had with his friends.

But no matter how well he'd treated me, nothing was more important than my life.

"The relationship we have shouldn't be exposed to the public. Whether it's you, me, or even Rafael, things wouldn't end well for any of us." I chose my words carefully.

He stared at me for a long moment before finally letting out a sigh.

"Fine, I won't make things difficult for you. But once the gala's over, you're coming with me," he declared.

I let out a breath of relief. "Alright."

"Pinky promise," Xavier insisted, hooking out his little finger.

I couldn't help feeling both amused and exasperated as I hooked pinkies with him. At the same time, a strange sense of unease stirred within me.

Just how far had the plot veered off track?

In the blink of an eye, the day of the charity gala had arrived.

I was dressed in a champagne-colored gown, and my hair swept up to reveal my neck. Rafael's gaze lingered for a brief moment when he saw me.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile.

Deep down, I couldn't wait for his true love to finally make her appearance. I'd already made all the preparations to set the stage for them.

The gala was held at a five-star hotel. Glasses clinked as impeccably dressed guests mingled across the hall.

As the main sponsor, Rafael naturally became the center of attention. People constantly approached him to exchange pleasantries.

"It's been a while, Mr. Cortez." A gentle voice echoed out behind us.

At the sound of her voice, Rafael and I turned at the same time.

The woman, Evelyn Lloyd, was clad in a white mermaid gown. Her long hair fell in soft curls, framing her delicate features. There was something almost otherworldly about her presence.

A faint smile curved her lips when her gaze settled on Rafael. For a fleeting moment, a hint of melancholy crossed her face.

Here it came!

I perked up at once. I was more than ready to watch the drama unfold.

Rafael visibly stiffened for a moment.

"How have you been, Evelyn?" His voice carried a gentler note than usual when he spoke up again.

Evelyn's gaze landed on me. "And this is…"

"This is my wife, Irene Houston," he introduced.

I held out my hand. "Hello, Ms. Lloyd. I've heard so much about you."

Those were my heartfelt words. In the story, Evelyn was the woman Rafael had carried in his heart for years.

Evelyn shook my hand with an impeccable smile in place. "You're beautiful, Ms. Houston. The two of you make a wonderful match."

After a few polite exchanges, Evelyn turned back to Rafael.

"There are a few things I'd like to ask you about, Mr. Cortez. Would it be convenient for us to speak somewhere else?"

"Of course," he replied. Then, he glanced at me before adding, "Why don't you take a look around, Irene? I'll be back in a while."

"Sure, take your time." I smiled sweetly, looking every bit the gracious wife.

I cheered inwardly as I watched the two of them walk away side by side. The plot was finally about to get back on track!

I slipped onto a quiet balcony to get some air. Just as I took out my phone to scroll through Instagram, a familiar voice spoke from behind me.

"So this is what you look like in a gown."

I was so startled that I nearly dropped my phone.

I spun around, only to see Xavier dressed in a waiter's uniform. He held a tray in one hand as he fixed a dark, inscrutable look on me.

"What are you doing here?" I lowered my voice as I glanced around nervously.

"I told you, didn't I? I wanted to come and take a look too."

Xavier stepped closer as he trapped me between himself and the balcony railing.

His lips brushed against my ear as he murmured, "You look stunning tonight, Irene. Too bad you're dressed up for another man."

"That's enough, Xavier. There are too many people here."

"Then let's go somewhere quieter. Come with me." He grabbed my hand as he spoke.

"No, I can't. My husband could come back at any moment."

His expression darkened at my words. "Do you care about him that much? Then what about me? What am I to you then?"

How could I not care? If those two ever ran into each other head-on, I'd be done for!

I was still scrambling for an answer when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed nearby.