The Hundred Missions Were Just Their Love Game Chapter 06

The Hundred Missions Were Just Their Love Game Chapter 06

“No… That’s not true.” Joel watched helplessly as I walked past him with Gavin. This time, he didn’t have the

strength to reach for me.

Because deep down, he knew every word I’d said had struck a nerve, forcing him to face the very truths he’d

been too afraid to admit.

Again and again, Nina had used “completing a mission” as an excuse to pull him away from me.

Again and again, she’d crossed every line with him.

He had suspected that the mission might have been fake. It was just that he hadn’t wanted to admit it.

His own desires had gotten in the way.

He’d been waiting for Nina’s so-called “quest” to end, waiting for this ridiculous game to be over so he could return to me without having to answer for any of it.

The progress was already at ninety-nine percent. Almost there. He’d waited for that final one percent.

Unfortunately for him, I didn’t want him anymore.

His phone rang. Nina called ninety-nine times and sent message after message, each one more desperate

than the last.

He stared at the screen for a long time before finally shutting his phone off.

Whatever.

He’d never felt such a strong urge to smash his phone against the wall.

Nina found Joel at a bar at three in the morning.

He was drunk out of his mind, slumped over the counter and mumbling the same name over and over. Only

when Nina leaned closer did she make out the words.

“Valery… Valery…”

Her heart sank. She grabbed Joel by the collar and hissed through her gritted teeth, “Valery, Valery, Valery! Is there anyone else in your head besides Valery? She’s married now. She doesn’t want you anymore. Wake up!”

Joel lifted his head. In the dim light, Nina’s face blurred with Valery’s. He suddenly pulled her into his arms, hot tears sliding down her neck.

“Valery… I was wrong… I’m sorry… Please don’t leave me. Don’t marry someone else… I can’t live without you… Valery…”

Nina went rigid in his arms, a dull ache spreading through her chest.

She couldn’t understand why, even after she and Joel had gotten married, done everything couples did

together, and even had a child on the way, his heart still didn’t belong to her.

She took a deep breath and took him back to the apartment.

It wasn’t until noon the next day that Joel woke up. He opened his eyes and saw Nina lying beside him, his

brows immediately drawing together.

They’d slept together so many times, yet he still sat up on instinct and hurriedly pulled on his clothes.

Nina leaned against the headboard with a cold laugh and pointed to the framed wedding photo sitting on the nightstand. “Honey, we’re married now. So why do you still act like we’re having an affair?”

Joel said nothing and kept putting on his clothes. Once he finished dressing, he grabbed his jacket and

headed for the door.

Nina rushed after him and caught his arm. “Where are you going? You’re staying with me today.”

Joel shook her off. “Where I go is none of your business.”

“Are you going to see Valery? She’s already married. Why are you still going to see her?” Her voice rose

sharply.

Joel opened the door and was about to step out when Nina suddenly wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Joel, don’t go. You know what happens. Every time you leave, the System punishes me. I feel

awful…” she pleaded.

Joel remembered what I’d said and stopped. The truth he’d refused to acknowledge was suddenly impossible

to ignore.

He’d never wanted to ask.

Between two adults, sometimes it was better to leave certain things unspoken. But Nina had used that lie to control him again and again, and now he was done giving her the benefit of the doubt.

He turned around, his voice cold. “Nina, tell me the truth. Was this whole thing about you being from another world a lie? There was never a System, was there?”

Nina froze for a moment, then hurriedly shook her head. “Of course it’s real. Why would I lie to you?”

Joel stared into her eyes. “I want the truth.”

Nina clenched her teeth. “It’s… real!”

Joel took a deep breath and suddenly laughed. There was no warmth in it, only a cold resolve.

“Fine. I believe you. If you say the System will kill you for breaking the rules, then we’ll wait. Let’s see if you

die.”