The Hundred Missions Were Just Their Love Game Chapter 03

The Hundred Missions Were Just Their Love Game Chapter 03

I sat outside the county clerk’s office all afternoon, determined to put an end to our eight-year relationship.

I scrolled through my social media feed. Every mutual friend’s post was about today’s wedding.

The post with the most likes was a fifteen-second video. In it, Joel lifted Nina’s chin and gazed deeply into her eyes, with everyone around them chanting, “Kiss her! Kiss her!”

Nina blushed and rose onto her toes. After hesitating for half a second, Joel lowered his head and kissed her.

My thumb trembling, I tapped the like button. Then I opened a blank chat and typed: [I think I’m ready. Will you marry me?]

The other person took a long time to answer: [Are you sure?]

[Yes. Three days from now. I’ll meet you at the county clerk’s office.]

Joel, I’d waited long enough for you. I was done waiting.

By the time I sent the message, the county clerk’s office had already closed.

I sat there in the cold wind until dawn. I couldn’t go home.

Because that home was no longer mine to return to.

The night before, Joel had thrown a wedding party. His friends had left him alone with Nina in the bridal suite.

Later, Nina sent me messages and a photo of her resting beside Joel, a victorious smile on her face.

[I’m sorry, Valery. The System gave me another mission last night. It said the only way to complete the quest was for Joel and me to start a family.]

[But don’t worry. Everything is already decided. Once this is over, I’ll leave. I won’t bother you anymore.]

I couldn’t be bothered to reply, then hailed a cab and went straight back to my condo.

The moment I opened the door, I stood there for a long time, wondering if I’d walked into the wrong place.

Everything looked completely unfamiliar. The slippers Joel and I had kept by the entrance were gone. In their place sat a brand-new pair of matching slippers.

Every trace of me had been removed from the living room. In their place were boxes of new belongings and a newly furnished corner.

The bedroom door was half open. My mom and my younger cousin were struggling to move my suitcases out.

“Move faster. Put Valery’s things and all the junk in the guest room and storage room.”

“Change the sheets in the master bedroom to Nina’s favorite blue. She’ll be much happier there.”

I stood in the doorway, silently watching them move in and out.

My mom turned around and jumped when she saw me. Then she quickly recovered and acted as if she had done nothing wrong.

“How do you walk so quietly? You startled me! What are you standing around for? Get over here and help!”

“The guest room doesn’t get enough light,” she added. “The master bedroom is perfect. It’ll be much better for her.”

I walked over and took the suitcase from her hands. “This is my house. Why should she be living here?”

My mom planted her hands on her hips. “Nina’s your cousin, your family. Your things belong here too!”

I pointed toward the door, my voice shaking with anger. “I own this place. If you don’t leave, I’m calling someone to deal with this.”

My mom scoffed and went into the bedroom. She came back with the ownership papers and dropped them in front of me.

I looked down.

The house was registered in Nina and Joel’s names.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I’d spent years building a home with Joel. Even when he tried to stop me from taking responsibility for it, I’d insisted on doing my part.

The day we got the house, we’d held hands all the way there. When everything was finalized, I even took a picture.

And now, the house belonged to someone else.

I stood frozen, tears streaming down my face. Then the lock turned. Joel walked in carrying shopping bags.

The moment he saw me, the bags slipped from his hands, sending the new things rolling across the floor.

I picked up the papers and threw them down in front of him. “You’ll be hearing from me about this.”

He panicked. “Valery, please. Let me explain.”

I laughed coldly. “Explain what? That everything was for one of Nina’s missions?”

Before he could answer, Nina suddenly paused and pressed a hand to her side.

“Joel… I don’t feel well.”

Joel released the breath he’d been holding and immediately turned toward her.

As he passed me, he knocked my purse to the floor. A confirmation of my marriage appointment slid out.

My mom picked it up, and when she saw what it was, her face darkened.

“Who are you meeting three days from now?”

The four of us froze.

Joel looked at me, his expression complicated. “That day, I have to stay with Nina…”

I gave a cold laugh, closed the door behind me, and walked away without looking back.