Chapter 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
That morning, I, Caroline Bergling, had just gotten a marriage certificate with a scion of Heidorot\u2019s elite. But on that same. afternoon, he took me straight to get a divorce.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There I was, stiff and speechless with the papers in hand. Meanwhile, his friends laughed freely at my expense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSeriously, Nathan? All it took was one word from Eveline for you to marry the heiress and dump her on the same day?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHah, look at her. She\u2019s as white as a sheet. Do you think she\u2019ll break down in tears?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Nathan Rodgers wrapped an arm around his adoptive sister, Eveline Garrix. \u201cNow that both certificates are here, will you finally smile at me?\u201d he gently said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing that, Eveline let out a soft laugh. The cold, aloof look on her face bloomed into a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to step forward and confront them, but my three brothers wouldn\u2019t let me go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eldest brother Martin, the CEO, frowned. \u201cNathan is the only one who brings Eveline joy. Do the right thing,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An A-list actor, my second brother Oscar, knocked me off my feet. \u201cShe\u2019s had it rough. You have a good background, so let this one go,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My third brother, Albus, a biology professor, saw his face turn grim as he sternly said, \u201cNathan should have married her years ago, so let this go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, they forced me into the car. They refused to let me ruin their beloved muse\u2019s happiness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At that moment, the dormant system finally rebooted. Its voice suddenly echoed clearly, \u201cHost, mission accomplished! Initiate return sequence to the real world?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seated in the back seat, I gaze out the window pensively, barely holding back a smirk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s it. The tragic act required by the mission was over. I\u2019m done with their soap opera for good!\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCongratulations, host! You\u2019ve secured 95% favorability from the Berglings brothers and the male lead, Nathan. Mission objective of marrying the male lead has been achieved!\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cExit protocols are as such. Host body expiration required. Your reward upon returning to the real world is 100 million dollars and complete bone cancer remission.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Barely containing my excitement, I focused on one thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s it, I\u2019m going home!\u00a0<\/p>\n
With Martin and Albus keeping Eveline company, my second brother was ordered to send me back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instinctively, I glanced at my second brother, Oscar Bergling. Ever since we\u2019d entered the car, he wore a dark and unwilling expression on his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When Eveline sent him a text, he finally smiled. Noticing my gaze, he immediately turned off his phone and frowned. \u201cWhat? Are you still clinging to hope? Are you planning to go back and destroy what they have? Eveline\u2019s suffered enough for\u00a0<\/p>\n
someone so young. Why can\u2019t you just let her be?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I dug my nails into my palms and smiled cynically.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The irony wasn\u2019t lost on me. I was, after all, a year her junior.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My pallor must have been obvious, because Oscar heaved a sigh, then said, \u201cJust apologize to Eveline. Don\u2019t keep this up.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
He reached out to pat my head, but I pulled away gently.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/2\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should I apologize? What did I do wrong?\u201d I countered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At that, his hand stilled. His tone turned sharp with annoyance as he said, \u201cCaroline, that\u2019s enough! Don\u2019t push your luck!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shut my eyes for a moment. Mission or not, I couldn\u2019t spend years here without feeling something.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I used to get genuinely hurt by the way they treated me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But now? It didn\u2019t matter anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oscar added, \u201cWe\u2019ll apologize to Eveline once her match ends,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hearing that, I stayed quiet. Silently, I checked with the system. \u201cAs long as this body dies, then I can go home?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Slowly, I let out a breath and observed my surroundings through the window. After making sure no one else would be harmed, I opened the door and yanked it open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oscar, who had been chatting nonstop, screamed in alarm, \u201cCarol! What are you doing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I ignored him. Without hesitation, I jumped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A biting gust whipped past my face as I fell with the pull of gravity. Eyes shut, I wasn\u2019t scared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But then, an arm clamped around my waist. I was swept into someone\u2019s hold, and together we fell toward the grassy margin of the pavement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The world spun violently, and I heard a muffled groan. We rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Branches tore into the arms wrapped around me, leaving them bleeding, yet not a single mark touched me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up and met Oscar\u2019s terrified gaze, my voice calm as I said, \u201cLet me go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Eyes locked on my expressionless face, he roared, \u201cYou jumped out of the car just because I got on your case a little? God, we\u2019ve spoiled you rotten! Is this all another attention-seeking stunt? Cut it out!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I ignored him, prying his fingers off me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After I stood up, I scanned the area and quickly spotted a black car speeding straight toward us. \u201cI jumped into it myself. Remember to pay for their damages,\u201d I remarked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that, I lunged straight toward the vehicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol!\u201d Oscar screamed, struggling to get up, but it was too late.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I longed for the end. Even though I knew my time back in the real world was short, anything was better than remaining here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the shriek of tires ripped through the air as the black car slammed to a stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Off balance, I stumbled backwards and fell right into Oscar\u2019s embrace, as he lunged forward to reach me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you lost your mind? Caroline, have you really gone mad?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes reddened, and his hands shook as they skimmed my face and arms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWere you struck? Where does it hurt? Answer me!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once again, death had evaded me. At that, I looked down briefly in defeat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My gaze fell on Oscar\u2019s leg. His pants were stained a deep, spreading red.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wound was clearly grave as fresh drops continued to fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before, I would\u2019ve broken down in tears, desperate to suffer in his place. Now, I looked away without a word. \u201cWhat? Since when did I need your consent to die?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 1\u00a0 That morning, I, Caroline Bergling, had just gotten a marriage certificate with a scion of Heidorot\u2019s elite. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-only-when-i-gave-up-did-they-care"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/459\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}