The Stand-In Walks Away

Emily looked at me guiltily and handed me two sets of keys.

"You can smash the car for fun. You can burn the house if you want…"

Back when I smashed her car and burned her house, those were missions assigned by the system.

The goal was to win Emily's affection and make Kyle jealous, thereby pushing their relationship forward.

I never expected Emily to see it as a way for me to blow off steam.

Without the system controlling me, I'm not that crazy.

I know who to blame. If I wanted revenge, I'd only go after the one responsible.

"Where's Kyle?"

Hearing this, Emily completely panicked and quickly explained, "He just acted out of impulse. He didn't mean to hurt you. And he was seriously injured too. He even asked me to apologize to you on his behalf.

"Chris, since he's shown such a positive attitude in admitting his mistake, can you forgive him?"

She looked flustered, as if I were some kind of unforgivable monster.

But the one who beat me to a pulp was Kyle.

I looked at Emily speechlessly.

"I just want him to come apologize to me in person. I'm not going to do anything to him."

Emily still refused.

"What do you want me to do to make you leave him alone?"

He was the one who hurt me, yet she made it seem like I was the one targeting him.

When I let out a dismissive laugh, Emily sighed heavily.

"Chris, remember how I saved your life back then? Let me cash in that favor for your forgiveness, alright?"

I froze and stared at her.

Three years ago, I got into a bad car accident. I was seriously injured and nearly died on the operating table.

Emily stood outside the operating room, so grief-stricken she almost fainted from crying.

To save me, she donated 1,000 milliliters of her blood.

If she hadn't passed out, she would have kept going and nearly lost her own life.

I once promised that she could use that favor to ask for anything.

Back then, she just smiled and shook her head.

"All I want is for you to be safe and well. I don't want anything else."

She didn't ask for it, but I never forgot that debt.

I had even planned to use half of my system rewards after I left to help her rise to the top of the world's richest list.

But I never expected this.

Just to keep Kyle from having to lower his head and apologize, she used up that favor.

Right. I almost forgot. Emily loved Kyle so pathetically that she spoiled even me, his stand-in.

I nodded and agreed.

Emily breathed a sigh of relief, a happy smile finally returning to her face.

"Don't worry. I punished him with house arrest. He's gotten what he deserved. If you want anything else, just say it. As long as I can do it, I will.

"I also promise I won't kick you out anymore. I can't give you the title of husband, but I'm willing to give you one-tenth of my love."

She looked as if she were granting me a great gift.

I just smiled and said nothing. I don't want anything less than one hundred percent of someone's love.

When Emily saw that I wasn't talking, she assumed I had agreed. She said cheerfully, "You're badly hurt. Just focus on resting in the hospital. I've cleared my schedule for the next few days. I'll stay here with you."

I was about to leave soon. I didn't want any more ties with her. I was just about to refuse when Emily's phone rang.

It was Kyle's special ringtone. I knew it well.

Emily answered excitedly. But not long after, her face changed completely.

"What? You got into a car accident? Don't be scared. I'll be right there!"

Without a second thought, she turned to leave, completely forgetting the promise she had just made.