If this can complete the task, then I'm willing.

I nodded. "Okay."

Jack looked at me with approval. "This is what suits being my Mrs. Stephens."

He pulled me back to the dining table and gently wiped my hands for me.

Chloe stomped her foot. "Jack, let the nanny do it. Getting it on your hands is so disgusting."

"Enough." His voice turned cold. "You talk too much."

Chloe froze. Then she bit her lip, shot me a hard glare, and ran off.

Back in the room, I asked the system, "What task did that fake system issue?"

[Chloe also has a system.]

[She tried to hypnotize you into a tasker who just came over.]

[The task is still to win over Jack Stephens.]

[Then on the wedding day, it will tell you the task failed, and the target will ruthlessly abandon you.]

[In the end, it will strip you of your identity and make you an undocumented person in this world.]

[Speaking of it, the punishment for the host—I also borrowed it from them.]

A chill ran through me.

Stripping a person of her identity would make her unable to find a job. Even survival would become a problem.

When I was so hungry I was dizzy and seeing stars, the owner of a small diner took me in. Meals included—the food left over by customers. But even then, I didn't dare eat too much. Afraid that if I ate one more bun, I'd be kicked out.

Whenever I think of those days, I feel like living was worse than dying.

Jack Stephens, you're ruthless enough.

My determination to go back became even firmer.

Jack returned to the room, staring at me without blinking. "I've noticed you've changed a lot."

I met his gaze calmly. "Isn't that good?"

"Very good. Only like this are you worthy of being the mistress of the Stephens family." He stepped closer. "The previous you was too unsteady. If you hadn't made Chloe lame her foot, I wouldn't have agreed to her treating you like that."

"I've said many times, she fell down herself." My voice stayed even. "If you don't believe it, you can check the security footage from back then—"

He cut me off, his expression turning cold. "You're still lying. You targeted her for so long—if it wasn't you, who was it? Would a young girl really bet one of her legs just to frame you?"

I opened my mouth and realized there was no way to argue. When someone doesn't believe you, even if you put the truth in front of him, he still won't believe it.

He stood up. "Looks like this past year, you still haven't suffered enough."

[Ding, affection value 75%.]

I panicked. No, I have to go home.

I grabbed his sleeve. "I was lying. I'm sorry. It was all me. I was jealous that she was getting too close to you. I know I was wrong. Don't kick me out."

His expression eased. "Don't worry. I won't kick you out."

[Ding, affection value 80%.]

I let out a breath of relief.

The next day, Chloe started cooking—unusual for her—saying it was to celebrate my return.

I became wary. What was she up to?

She handed me a knife. "Rebecca, come help me chop vegetables."

Jack watched with a smile from the side. I could only take it.

While I chopped, his phone rang. He turned away to answer.

Chloe leaned in, her voice turning vicious. "Why didn't you die out there? Jack doesn't love you anymore. If you know what's good for you, get lost."

I smiled. "Whether he loves me or not isn't up to you."

"Is that so?" Chloe laughed smugly.

I tensed.

She swiped my knife across her own hand in one quick motion.

Then came the wail: "Ah, Rebecca, what are you doing?!"

By the time I thought to drop the knife, it was too late.

Jack crossed the room in two strides and pulled her behind him.

His expression was ice-cold. "Rebecca, what the hell are you trying to do?"

"I really misjudged you."

"Apologize to Chloe. Now."

I nodded. "Sure. I'll apologize."

Then, without flinching, I dragged the blade across my own palm.

Sharp pain flared. Chloe's sobbing cut off mid-breath.

I looked up. Jack's pupils contracted to pinpoints.

Ding. Affection value: 95%.

I smiled. This time, I'd won.

One step left.

Jack cradled my bleeding hand like it was made of glass, fury blazing in his eyes. "Are you insane? Why would you hurt yourself like this?"

"I hurt Chloe," I said flatly. "So I apologized."

"You—" He choked on his own anger, then swept me toward the door. "Hospital. Now."

After the wound was bandaged, he sat on the edge of my bed.

"Don't ever do that again."

His voice was rough. "I've been thinking. I'll have Chloe move out as soon as possible. That way you two won't keep clashing."

I blinked. He'd always refused to budge on this before.

But it didn't matter anymore.

"There's a banquet tonight," he continued. "You're coming with me."

He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear with unexpected gentleness.

"I want everyone to know you're my wife."

"Okay," I said.

My chance had arrived.

Chloe was already at the banquet hall when we walked in.

Her entourage eyed me with open disdain. "This is what Mr. Stephens is into? She's way worse than you."

Chloe just smiled.

A year of suffering had left me gaunt and sallow—nothing compared to her pampered glow.

She leaned close, voice a blade wrapped in silk. "Tonight, I'll make you disappear for good."

My heart stuttered, but I kept my face blank. "Go ahead."

After today, I'd be gone anyway.

Jack cut through the crowd toward me. "Come with me."

He led me onto the stage. Below, hundreds of faces turned up—envy, curiosity, calculation.

I felt nothing.

A year ago, I would have been breathless for this moment. My reasons for getting close to him were never pure, but somewhere in those endless days together, something had shifted. Sometimes I'd imagined abandoning my mission world identity entirely. Staying with him forever.

I think I did love him.

But love that was never pure to begin with couldn't survive his blind favoritism. He'd worn it down to nothing.

Now I just wanted to finish the mission, go home, and see my family again.

I scanned the room. Chloe was gone.

Jack took my hand and addressed the crowd.

"Thank you all for being here tonight."

"The guest of honor is the lady beside me."

"After everything we've been through, I've finally confirmed that she is my—"

"Something's wrong! Miss Quinn is missing!"

Jack's head snapped toward me.

He studied my calm expression. Hesitation flickered across his face.

Then he looked away and roared, "Why are you all standing around? Go find her!"

Ten minutes later, Chloe walked in with her evening gown torn down the side, a man's jacket draped over her shoulders.

She locked eyes with me, tears brimming. "Rebecca. I didn't expect you to hate me this much."

Her voice cracked. "Do you know what almost happened? Those men you hired—" She choked back a sob. "If you didn't want me near Jack, I would've left. You just had to ask."

Jack turned to me. Disappointment flickered across his face. "Was this really you?"

I didn't bother explaining. I walked to the window and climbed onto the ledge.

His expression shattered. "Becca, what are you doing? Get down!"

"I believe you," he said, voice raw. "It wasn't you!"

I gave him a hollow smile. "Let's just say it was. She can have my life as payment."

I leaned back and let go.

"No!" Jack's scream tore through the air as I fell.