6
405words
Damien’s look plagued me.I wouldn’t relive that nightmare.
I planned a trip—not luxury hotels or malls,but unusual adventures Julian hadn’t tried.
We stayed in a cozy B&B,roamed food truck alleys,and revisited places he knew,but differently.
At a riverside pub,he listened,childlike,to strangers’travel tales,fascinated by ordinary lives.
His affection climbed.I calculated the time of our return.
At the beach,he proposed,affection hitting 98%.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I accepted his ring.“Sophia,don’t cry.We’ll always be together.With me,you can do what you love.”
My tears were for my distant real world.
Chloe wasn’t faring well.
Lounging,I scrolled her late-night party posts,likely to grab Damien’s attention.
But Damien,jaded,would see disloyalty.He craved absolute devotion.
I knew he’d been spying on Julian and me,sending“sister-in-law”gifts that disrespected me.
Chloe wasn’t trying hard enough.
As I brainstormed ways to help her win Damien,she called,livid.“Sophia,you lied!You’re reborn too.”
Her voice cracked.“Julian’s not disabled,and Damien’s obsessed with you.You’re ruining me!”
I sighed.“You didn’t plan strategically.How’s that my fault?”
“You chose first both lives!”
She sobbed.“Please,let me go.”
Laughable.I’d done nothing,yet she begged mercy.
“For our childhood friendship,I’ll share Damien’s key.”
A risky move,my last life’s breakthrough.
“In days,Damien’s enemy will attack him with a knife.Rush in and take the hit.”
She hesitated.
“I did it last life—minor scratch.Miss this,and he’s too guarded for another shot.”
“No other way?You’re not tricking me?”
I hung up.
News came fast:Chloe took the knife,but deeper than the scratch I got.
This time, I’d hired Zane first.
Still,Damien’s affection rose.
Days later,Chloe texted:Damien proposed.
“You helped me,despite last life.I’m sorry.”
“Of course,we’re childhood besties.”
Our weddings were set for the same day.
Media buzzed with the Grant brothers’ weddings.In my gown,like last life,I stood on stage.Julian approached with flowers,kneeling.
Chloe sighed,“We planned to be each other’s maids of honor,not marry the same day.”
I smiled silently.As Julian slid on the ring,his affection hit 100%.
The system beeped:“Would the player exit the world?”
“Can I stay a few years,exit later?”
“Love Julian?”
“No,Chloe’s still here.”
“Approved.Enjoy your life.”
Post-wedding,Julian and I built our life.His tall,lean frame was mine to enjoy.
I never saw Chloe outside interviews after the wedding.
One afternoon,she called,cautious.“Sophia,last life with Damien—did you hide something?”
I sounded sincere.“No.What’s wrong?”
She paused.“Damien’s too clingy.He drags me everywhere.I have no time.”
I soothed,“Normal.He was neglected,so he craves you.Julian’s the same,always with me.”
She relaxed,but I knew Damien was monitoring her.
