The System Patched the Bug, Sending Me Home and Leaving Him in Ruin Chapter 02

The System Patched the Bug, Sending Me Home and Leaving Him in Ruin Chapter 02

I locked myself in the bathroom, and the resentment I’d held in for years finally spilled over.

“Celebrating early? You’re a real star employee for your boss, aren’t you?”

The system got all riled up right back at me.

[This is YOUR fault! Why’d you have to remind him it’s your birthday? Can’t men just let go of their worthless, fleeting guilt?]

I was throbbing with a splitting headache. Back-to-back overtime work these days had sapped me of all my energy.

I leaned against the sink, barely standing.

The system ventured carefully.

[What if you asked him to sleep with you instead?]

I laughed bitterly.

“As if I’d stoop to asking him to kick the bucket or something.”

It was never going to be that easy.

The game’s creator had ruled out every possible loophole from the very beginning. Words like “sleep together” or “die” were restricted.

Moreover, I was prohibited from repeating the same request. Being rejected in marriage proposals had been one of the few viable options I’d had over these seven years.

I was stuck.

Water ran in the sink as I sat on the toilet, racking my brain for the next rejection-worthy request.

My phone buzzed with an unknown number. I picked up.

A gentle voice came through, “Ms. Hale, this is Renee Lane.”

My grip tightened on the sink.

When I didn’t respond, Renee laughed softly, her tone dripping with smug satisfaction.

“You might not know all that much about me, but I’ve got your whole life figured out down to the smallest detail.”

“I’ve eaten the lunches you made for Finn. I’ve worn the shirts you ironed for him.”

“And last year, when he left your birthday party early to come see me, he still had one of your hairs caught on his collar.”

I leaned against the bathtub’s edge, my voice flat.

“And?”

Renee’s laugh turned sharper.

“Are you genuinely this oblivious, or are you just playing dumb on purpose?”

“Last year, on your birthday, I slept with him for the first time. And this year, I chose to come back on the exact same day—and he didn’t even remember it was your birthday. Do I really need to spell out who he truly loves?”

I stared at my own reflection in the mirror. Seven years had etched fine crow’s feet at the corners of my eyes.

The same eyes that used to light up at the sight of Finn now looked hollow and tired.

I took a slow breath.

“You don’t need to. Because Finn and I are getting married.”

There was a pause on the line.

Then Renee’s voice turned sharp and cutting, “You don’t have to say such things just to provoke me. You’re never going to come out on top against me.”

A knock came at the bathroom door—Finn.

I tucked the phone behind my back, pulled the door open, and forced a soft tone.

“Would you come wedding dress shopping with me tomorrow?”

Finn blinked, then pulled me into a hug, his voice unusually warm.

“Of course you can. You’re gonna make the most stunning bride on our wedding day.”

I hung up the phone mid-call and let him kiss me, swallowing the nausea rising in my throat.

[Renee. I hope you can step up and prove yourself..

Don’t let me down.]