After He Confessed His Affair, the System Began the Erasure Countdown

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On the eve of the wedding, Gabriel came clean with me.

Zoe and I slept together. Right here.

He patted our wedding bed. I kept myself pure for you for three years, and only now did I finally get some release.

I stood frozen in place, unable to come back to myself for the longest time, while he just smiled like none of it mattered.

"Don't make such a big deal out of it. Didn't your ex-husband in that other world have five concubines? I only cheated once."

Three years ago, my husband took five concubines into the household. In utter despair, I threw myself into the river, and when I woke, I was here.

It was Gabriel who saved me. He taught me the modern language, showed me everything I didn't know.

He said that here everyone practiced monogamy, and that he would never betray me.

But our wedding was three days away, and now he was telling me he'd slept with the only friend I had in this world.

It took me a long time before I could speak, my voice trembling. "Have you forgotten what the System said? If you betray me, I'll disappear completely."

Gabriel's tone was impatient. "Stop spinning that nonsense. The doctor said there's nothing wrong with you at all. How long are you going to keep milking this for attention?"

I lowered my eyes. Attention?

There was no need to keep at it anymore. The System had just alerted me: I hadn't found a man who was devoted to me within the time I was given.

In three days, the System would erase every trace of me in this world.

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After a long silence, Gabriel finally spoke, slow and deliberate. "Alright, I've owned up to it on my own, so let it go."

Tears welled up before I could stop them. "But you once said it would be the two of us, together, for the rest of our lives."

I really thought I'd found the right person, that I was about to break free of the System's hold and stay here forever.

Three days. I was only three days from finishing the quest.

Gabriel rubbed his brow, irritated. "You can sleep with two men, your ex-husband can take five concubines, but when it's my turn, suddenly it's betrayal?"

"You're so old-fashioned. I never get enough with you. Zoe's different. She always finds ways to surprise me."

"That's one thing where you just can't measure up to her."

At the mention of my ex-husband, I flinched back hard.

I never imagined he'd rub salt into my deepest wound just to excuse his own cheating.

Three years ago, I didn't belong here. In that world, the husband who had promised himself to me alone took five concubines, one after another, at the very moment I loved him most.

Faced with my crying and my questions, all he said, coldly, was, "I'm tired of you."

At the worst of it, he stripped the clothes off me in front of everyone, made me endure the shame and the jeering.

Unable to bear it, I threw myself into the river, and when I woke, I had already arrived in this world.

And out of nowhere I was given a quest by the System: as long as I found a man who was devoted to me within three years, I could stay here forever.

It was around then that I, so out of place in this world, met Gabriel.

He said I was special. He patiently taught me the language here and everything I didn't understand. He became my salvation.

He even swore it would be me and me alone, for the rest of his life.

I truly believed I would be able to finish the quest the System had given me.

Until today, when he confessed he'd been fooling around with my only friend.

Two lives, the same ending. I was too foolish, believing their lies about loving me forever.

The tears fell despite myself, but Gabriel only watched, indifferent, not tenderly wiping them away the way he used to.

"You're secondhand goods, and I slept with someone else, so by rights we're even."

"Even?"

I practically screamed it. "If you care so much about my past, then what gave you the right to make that promise in the first place?"

"And I was stupid enough to think I was about to be free of the System."

"Don't bring up the System with me anymore. I played along with you for three years. I'm honestly done."

I lifted my head and looked at him, lost. Somewhere along the way, he'd stopped believing a word I said.

"So even if I disappear, you won't care. Is that it?"

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

He put it on speaker, and a familiar voice came through.

"I got the large-sized ones. How about we do it in the car tonight?"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow at me and answered her.

"You heard that. I've got plans tonight. It'll be exciting."

He grabbed his coat to go. Before he left, as if to soothe me, he said,

"It's just a little fun before the wedding. Once we're married, I'll settle down and come back to you, alright?"

Watching his retreating back, and the room decked out with wedding decorations, I closed my eyes in despair.

I wouldn't make it to the wedding. Three days from now, there would be no trace left of me in this world.

The next day I started sorting through the things from these three years, and when I really thought about it, almost nothing was actually mine.

Aside from the shift dress that had come into this world with me, everything else was a gift from Gabriel.

He'd even arranged my ID for me.

On a sudden impulse I wanted to look at myself in my wedding dress one more time, only to find that it was gone.

Gabriel had spent half a year designing it and another half a year having it made. I loved it.

Just as I was about to call and ask, Gabriel pushed the door open and walked in.

When he saw me, he didn't explain why Zoe was trailing behind him. Instead he asked, "What are you looking for?"

"My wedding dress," I blurted out before I could think.

Zoe hid behind Gabriel and spoke up sheepishly.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. Gabe got the dress dirty while I was wearing it."

As she said it, she gave a little punch to Gabriel in front of her.

"It's all his fault, he just had to get all frisky."

"But don't worry, it's already been sent out to be cleaned. It definitely won't affect the wedding."

My whole body gave a violent shudder, and my heart felt like it stopped for a couple of seconds.

I could hardly believe the Zoe in front of me was my only friend in this world.

Back then, apart from Gabriel, only Zoe believed I was from another world.

She'd even said I would definitely be able to finish the System's quest.

For three years, apart from Gabriel, she was the only one I trusted.

I never imagined that in the end the two people I loved most would both betray me.

Seeing how upset I was, Gabriel broke the silence.

"Enough, it's not a big deal. Even if it can't be salvaged, we'll just rent another dress."

He led Zoe over to sit on the sofa, as if I were the outsider here.

"Zoe's pregnant, so before the wedding she'll stay here, where it's easier to look after her."

I clutched the hem of my clothes tightly, my voice choked.

"Didn't you say you were going to end things with her?"

Gabriel brushed it off. "Well, now there's a baby, so I have to take responsibility for her."

"You lived with your ex-husband for a year too. Me supporting Zoe for another year isn't too much, is it?"

Maybe it was the System acting up, but my body seized with a stab of pain.

Zoe got up to take my arm, whispering softly in my ear, "If I hadn't wanted to get close to Gabriel, who would ever want to be friends with a mental case like you?"

Fury slowly swallowed my reason, and I shoved Zoe hard away from me.

"Don't touch me, it's disgusting."

Gabriel steadied Zoe from behind. Without asking if I was all right, the first thing out of his mouth was an accusation.

"Are you insane, Bella? She's pregnant."

I pressed a hand over my heart and sat down in a chair.

"When did this happen?"

Gabriel answered idly, "She was there the day you picked out your wedding dress."

"It's just that her bridesmaid dress was too sexy. So we did it right there in the fitting room, right in front of you."

Zoe linked her arm through his, her face all bashful.

"Bella, I really didn't expect you had it this good."

Over these three years I'd long grown used to the way people talked in this world, but hearing these words come out of their mouths made me sick.

"Since she's living here, then I'll go."

The moment I stood up, Gabriel waved my phone at me. "It's so late, and it's raining out there. You're not going anywhere."

I looked out the window at the thunder and rain, and had no choice but to shrink back into the guest bedroom.

I kept telling myself, only two days left, just hang on a little longer.

Late that night the wind howled, and rain pounded against the windows without letting up.

I huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling nonstop.

Ever since I was little, I've been terrified of thunder and rain. After I came here, every time the weather turned like this, Gabriel would hold me and comfort me.

Even pulling the blanket over my head couldn't keep the sound of their panting from reaching my ears.

"Louder."

"No wonder you wouldn't let Bella go outyou wanted her to hear it. You're so wicked."

I tore frantically at the tissues, trying to block out the filthy sounds, but it was no use.

I grabbed the sleeping pills Gabriel had bought me because of my insomnia from the bedside table and stuffed them into my mouth by the handful.

He'd once warned me I mustn't take too many of them, or they'd kill me.

But right now I was only afraid it wouldn't be enough. Better to die earlythen I wouldn't hurt this much.

I don't know when the sounds next door finally stopped.

Gabriel glanced out the window. "I'll go check on Bella. She's terrified of this kind of weather."

The moment he opened the door and saw me, he froze. I was convulsing all over, already unconscious.

He snatched me up in his arms like a madman and carried me through the pouring rain to the hospital.

Faintly, I could still hear him telling me not to die, begging me not to leave him.

After a whole night of it, I was still pulled back.

The first thing I heard when I opened my eyes was Gabriel complaining.

His face was worn outclearly he hadn't slept all night.

"The doctor said if you'd come in ten minutes later, you'd be dead. Are you trying to threaten me with your life? You think I'll feel guilty if you die?"

His tone was icy. "Isabella Clark, did I owe you in some past life? You just can't stand to see me happy. What a mood-killer."

I knew he meant my suicidethat I did it to steal the spotlight, to ruin his and Zoe's good time.

But I really couldn't hold on anymore.

"Gabriel, do you remember what I said the day you proposed?"

Gabriel's brows knit together, his tone impatient.

"You're going to say it againthat the System is going to erase you."

"Bella, can you be realistic for once? How could a living, breathing person just vanish for no reason? Stop living in your fantasies."

I looked at him and gave a bitter little laugh.

The day he proposed, he knelt on one knee. "I swear I'll never fail Bella in this life. I'll make sure Bella finishes her mission and gets to stay here."

Back then he believed me, he loved me, and his vows were sincere and burning.

I don't really understand it eitherhow a person can change so suddenly.

"Gabriel, I really did come from another world. The System really exists. I'm about to disappear."

"Enough."

Before I could finish, he cut me off sharply.

"I consulted a psychologist. What you have is called delusional disorder. If it gets bad enough, it turns into schizophrenia."

He took out his phone and glanced at the time.

"I've still got tomorrow's wedding to deal with. Zoe will be done with her prenatal checkup soonshe'll take you to the psychiatric hospital for treatment."

My whole body jerked, and it hit me: he wanted to send me to a psychiatric hospital.

When I first came to this world, so many people said I was insane. Only Gabriel believed me.

I'd looked it up behind his back, so I knew what kind of people ended up in that hospital. I only had one day left, and I didn't want to spend it in there.

"I'm not sick, Gabe. I don't want to go there."

I pulled the IV needle out of my hand and forced myself to sit up.

"Isn't our wedding tomorrow? How can the wedding go on without the bride?!"

I looked at Gabriel, pleading with everything I had. I would go anywhere except a mental hospital.

But Gabriel only looked at me indifferently.

"Fine, you don't have to go to the mental hospital. But then we have to switch the bride. Otherwise, if you have an episode, the wedding will turn into a joke."

"It just so happens that Zoe is your best friend. Let her take your place."

For a moment I froze. I had thought through every possible outcome, except that he would come up with the idea of swapping brides.

"Bella!"

Zoe had been standing behind the door for who knows how long.

"Just listen to Gabe. Honestly, all that stuff you talk aboutthe System, time travelit's all just something you made up in your head. You're just sick, that's all."

"I'll reluctantly take your place at the wedding. Once you're better, Gabe can make it up to you."

I looked into her eyes and felt my heart go cold.

So they had never believed me at all.

A passing nurse peered in at the commotion, and someone whispered.

"Did you hear? Something's wrong with this woman's head. She's always going on about systems and time travel."

"Her fianc has had it rough too, taking care of a mental patient for three years."

"I heard she even threatened suicide last night."

Those words poured into my ears like a flood.

Just then the System began its final countdown in my mind.

Twenty-three hours until the host is erased.

I had no strength to answer. I only felt exhausted to the bone.

Gabriel stood before me with a faint, unreadable smile, and it was as if I finally understood.

He hated that I'd been married before, that I'd cheatedswapping the bride was just a way to satisfy his twisted mind.

I closed my eyes numbly. "Fine. Then have it your way."

I only hoped he wouldn't come to regret it.

Seeing that I'd agreed, Gabriel sat down by my bed, satisfied.

"Bella, Zoe only wants to keep the baby. She doesn't want any title. Think of this wedding as making it up to her."

"After the wedding, she'll go abroad to carry the baby. You'll still be my only wife. That way I'll be keeping my original promise that you're the only one, okay?"

I opened my mouth, but a thousand words stuck in my throat, and in the end they all became a very soft "okay."

On the wedding day, Zoe stood beside Gabriel in a wedding dress.

The dress was well tailoredclearly it had been prepared long in advance.

No one noticed me standing in the corner.

The System's cold countdown was still ticking.

"One hour until the host is erased."

Gabriel held a glass of red wine and looked me up and down. "Don't make a scene. Once today is over, from now on I'll have only you."

I looked up at him, and his face seemed utterly unfamiliar.

"Gabriel, are you really not going to regret this?"

Over the noisy music, Gabriel looked puzzled. "What did you say?"

I shook my head, smiled, and said nothing more.

The countdown went on, and my body slowly began to turn transparent.

Ten, nine, eight...

The ceremony formally began, and the officiant loudly asked the bride if she was willing to marry the groom.

Zoe said shyly, "I do."

And standing below the stage, I watched them and mouthed silently, "I don't."

Three, two, one.

Time's up. All traces of the host in this world have been erased.

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