A -
26
A +
Chapter 1
My boyfriend Caleb Hamilton is the target I must complete.
The System stipulates that as long as he agrees to marry me before my 25th birthday, my mission is considered successful.
But he doesn't love me.
Caleb only sees me as a substitute for the woman he loves, Phoebe Hunter.
The position of wife in his heart is forever reserved for Phoebe.
I know the whole truth, so I’m afraid of making him angry. I just casually mention marriage and don’t dare say more.
Until my 25th birthday, this is my last chance.
I knelt on the ground covered with roses, trembling as I handed the ring to Caleb.
I begged him, "Caleb, will you marry me? Even if it’s fake, even if you’re lying to me, please marry me."
"I’m begging you. Otherwise, I’ll die."
But Caleb just sneered, then picked up a bouquet nearby and slammed it to the ground.
He said, "Know your place! You're just a stand-in, how dare you have such thoughts?"
"Listen up. Phoebe is coming back today. Pack your things and get out of here."
"Even if you want to die, do it far away. Don't let me see it."
Watching Caleb's resolute departing figure, I slowly revealed a smile.
I thought, "Alright. Then I'll do as you wish."
The System anxiously said in my mind, "Host, hurry and chase after him. This is your last chance."
"If Caleb doesn't accept your proposal, you really will be erased."
But I just stood there numbly, staring at the door Caleb had slammed shut.
I smiled faintly and said in a hoarse voice, "Chase? What's the point of catching up?"
The System said, "But..."
I interrupted it, "No buts. He won't agree. From start to finish, his heart has only ever had Phoebe."
I know this all too well.
Caleb's phone wallpaper is a photo of Phoebe, and his lock screen is a picture of him with Phoebe.
All his passwords contain Phoebe's initials and birthday.
Sometimes, even in intimate moments, Caleb holds me and murmurs the name "Phoebe."
I, the official girlfriend, live completely like a shadow.
I bent down and picked up the ring buried under the rose petals.
The cold touch of the ring feels just like my heart right now.
Caleb must be on his way to pick up Phoebe right now.
Sure enough, not long after, my phone screen lit up with a breaking news alert: [Billionaire CEO Caleb spotted at the airport, intimately picking up his first love!]
Another headline read: [Caleb's romance revealed, the two share a kiss at the airport. Caleb openly admits, "She is the love of my life!"]
The news included a high-definition photo and a short video.
Caleb, dressed in a sharp suit, wore a gentle smile I had never seen before, tightly holding a woman with a great figure.
That woman was Phoebe.
Caleb openly admitted it in front of the reporters' cameras without any hesitation.
He said, "That's right, she is the woman I've loved for ten years."
"Years ago, we had to part ways due to reality. Now, I will never let go of her hand again."
Looking at their tightly held hands in the photo, the comment section completely exploded.
[They are such a perfect match! Only such an outstanding woman deserves Mr. Hamilton.]
[I heard Ms. Hunter is Mr. Hamilton's true love. He stayed unmarried for so many years because of her. After waiting so long, he's finally with her.]
Some questioned: [But, how do I remember there was a woman by Mr. Hamilton's side before, seemed like his girlfriend?]
Someone immediately refuted his statement: [What nonsense are you talking about? Everyone knows Mr. Hamilton is devoted and loyal. Even if there were women, they must have been the ones pestering him. They're disgusting.]
This skeptical comment was quickly deleted amid numerous rebuttals.
Looking at those harsh words and images, my heart ached deeply.
I remembered before, I had cautiously asked him, "Caleb, can we post something on Instagram to let others know we're together?"
Caleb immediately frowned, his tone full of irritation.
Caleb said, "Isabella, are you being childish? What's the point of posting this? My social circle doesn't need to know about these private matters." Isabella Ferguson is my name.
I tried to explain, "But..."
Caleb interrupted me, "Alright, stop. I don't like this. Don't bring it up again."
Turns out, it wasn't that he disliked making the relationship public; he just disliked the fact that the person was me.
Turns out, the difference between loving someone and not loving them can be so cruel, so obvious.
Caleb could stand in front of the camera without hesitation for Phoebe, declaring his love to the whole world.
But he wouldn't even spare me a tiny, insignificant corner.
The System is still trying to make a final effort.
It said, "Host, maybe there's still a chance."
I closed my eyes wearily.
Then I said, "Forget it. Let it be."
I thought, "I'm tired.
I'm really tired."
The System stipulates that as long as he agrees to marry me before my 25th birthday, my mission is considered successful.
But he doesn't love me.
Caleb only sees me as a substitute for the woman he loves, Phoebe Hunter.
The position of wife in his heart is forever reserved for Phoebe.
I know the whole truth, so I’m afraid of making him angry. I just casually mention marriage and don’t dare say more.
Until my 25th birthday, this is my last chance.
I knelt on the ground covered with roses, trembling as I handed the ring to Caleb.
I begged him, "Caleb, will you marry me? Even if it’s fake, even if you’re lying to me, please marry me."
"I’m begging you. Otherwise, I’ll die."
But Caleb just sneered, then picked up a bouquet nearby and slammed it to the ground.
He said, "Know your place! You're just a stand-in, how dare you have such thoughts?"
"Listen up. Phoebe is coming back today. Pack your things and get out of here."
"Even if you want to die, do it far away. Don't let me see it."
Watching Caleb's resolute departing figure, I slowly revealed a smile.
I thought, "Alright. Then I'll do as you wish."
The System anxiously said in my mind, "Host, hurry and chase after him. This is your last chance."
"If Caleb doesn't accept your proposal, you really will be erased."
But I just stood there numbly, staring at the door Caleb had slammed shut.
I smiled faintly and said in a hoarse voice, "Chase? What's the point of catching up?"
The System said, "But..."
I interrupted it, "No buts. He won't agree. From start to finish, his heart has only ever had Phoebe."
I know this all too well.
Caleb's phone wallpaper is a photo of Phoebe, and his lock screen is a picture of him with Phoebe.
All his passwords contain Phoebe's initials and birthday.
Sometimes, even in intimate moments, Caleb holds me and murmurs the name "Phoebe."
I, the official girlfriend, live completely like a shadow.
I bent down and picked up the ring buried under the rose petals.
The cold touch of the ring feels just like my heart right now.
Caleb must be on his way to pick up Phoebe right now.
Sure enough, not long after, my phone screen lit up with a breaking news alert: [Billionaire CEO Caleb spotted at the airport, intimately picking up his first love!]
Another headline read: [Caleb's romance revealed, the two share a kiss at the airport. Caleb openly admits, "She is the love of my life!"]
The news included a high-definition photo and a short video.
Caleb, dressed in a sharp suit, wore a gentle smile I had never seen before, tightly holding a woman with a great figure.
That woman was Phoebe.
Caleb openly admitted it in front of the reporters' cameras without any hesitation.
He said, "That's right, she is the woman I've loved for ten years."
"Years ago, we had to part ways due to reality. Now, I will never let go of her hand again."
Looking at their tightly held hands in the photo, the comment section completely exploded.
[They are such a perfect match! Only such an outstanding woman deserves Mr. Hamilton.]
[I heard Ms. Hunter is Mr. Hamilton's true love. He stayed unmarried for so many years because of her. After waiting so long, he's finally with her.]
Some questioned: [But, how do I remember there was a woman by Mr. Hamilton's side before, seemed like his girlfriend?]
Someone immediately refuted his statement: [What nonsense are you talking about? Everyone knows Mr. Hamilton is devoted and loyal. Even if there were women, they must have been the ones pestering him. They're disgusting.]
This skeptical comment was quickly deleted amid numerous rebuttals.
Looking at those harsh words and images, my heart ached deeply.
I remembered before, I had cautiously asked him, "Caleb, can we post something on Instagram to let others know we're together?"
Caleb immediately frowned, his tone full of irritation.
Caleb said, "Isabella, are you being childish? What's the point of posting this? My social circle doesn't need to know about these private matters." Isabella Ferguson is my name.
I tried to explain, "But..."
Caleb interrupted me, "Alright, stop. I don't like this. Don't bring it up again."
Turns out, it wasn't that he disliked making the relationship public; he just disliked the fact that the person was me.
Turns out, the difference between loving someone and not loving them can be so cruel, so obvious.
Caleb could stand in front of the camera without hesitation for Phoebe, declaring his love to the whole world.
But he wouldn't even spare me a tiny, insignificant corner.
The System is still trying to make a final effort.
It said, "Host, maybe there's still a chance."
I closed my eyes wearily.
Then I said, "Forget it. Let it be."
I thought, "I'm tired.
I'm really tired."