Chapter 1
661words
After a full five years... I can finally go home.
But I can't bring myself to be happy.
Bailey Wright, Simon Summers' unattainable love.
Back then, for her first love, she abandoned everything, including her fiancé Simon Summers, and left for distant lands.
She said: "This is a new era. I don't accept arranged marriages, even if you are the crown prince of the Summers Family."
After Bailey left, he became disheartened, numbing himself with alcohol daily, never recovering his spirits.
When his life hung by a thread, I, an unfortunate soul bearing some resemblance to his unattainable love, was forcibly bound to him by the system.
The system made me stay by Simon Summers' side as a substitute until his unattainable love returned to the country.
Now that the real one has returned, it means my task is over.
The two men in the private room were still arguing.
Simon Summers rubbed his temples in frustration: "Don't tell Aria about this yet, I'll handle it properly."
"Simon, who has been by your side all these years? Who helped you step by step out of the darkness? You know damn well. Don't make your brother lose respect for you!"
Hector Hayes slammed the door in anger, but then met my gaze. He opened and closed his mouth, caught off guard.
I calmly raised my index finger to my lips, signaling for silence.
That night, Simon Summers used working overtime at the company as an excuse, telling me to go to sleep first and not wait up for him.
The moment after he hung up the phone, Bailey Wright posted on social media.
A grid of nine intimate photos, with the caption: "Today's progress: 50％".
They went to the aquarium today, set off fireworks together, made couple rings, and kissed by the seaside...
As if to announce to the whole world that after all their twists and turns, they still belonged together.
The hundred little romantic things they had pledged to do when they were young were now being fulfilled one by one after many ups and downs.
All because after Bailey Wright lost her memory in a car accident, her memories remained stuck at when she and Simon Summers were eighteen.
That year, the two were still in that awkward "almost dating" phase. The eighteen-year-old Simon Summers was too insecure to confess his feelings, which allowed a senior from another class to make the first move.
The senior was charming and witty, quickly winning the beauty's heart, and the two soon became official.
Though Simon Summers was heartbroken, he could only watch from the sidelines, nursing his wounds in silence.
So when Bailey Wright cautiously asked if the two of them were together...
Looking at this second chance lying in the hospital bed, Simon Summers unhesitatingly held her hand.
He promised: "We will be together."
He disregarded my wishes and insisted on helping her recover her memory.
And the timid, shy girl gradually returned to her former bright and vibrant self with Simon Summers' help.
From my apartment in the city center, I could see the entire skyline. On a massive screen at a downtown concert, two familiar faces appeared.
They kissed amidst the cheers and blessings of the crowd; she shyly hid in his embrace, while he looked at her adoringly.
I turned around and liked Bailey Wright's social media post.
How strange, even knowing I'm just a substitute, why does my heart still ache?
Only at dawn did I hear the sound of a key turning in the lock.
Half-asleep, I was drawn into a warm embrace.
"Aria." Simon's gentle, pleasant voice sounded by my ear. "I brought you your favorite cupcakes, they're on the table."
No longer sleepy, I quietly allowed him to hold me.
Just as Simon was about to fall asleep, I abruptly asked: "Simon, if I were to leave, would you be sad?"
