He Dumped Me Before Deadline

At our class reunion, my husband, Calvin Vance, threw the game on purpose so his friends could "force" him to get a marriage certificate with his ex, Molly Rowan, and post it online.

Everyone piled on.

Calvin was already pulling out the divorce papers, practically shoving them at me.

"It's just a game. Don't make a big deal out of it."

I stayed quiet for a long moment. They all looked like they were waiting for me to lose it.

Instead, I took the papers.

"Divorce is fine. But you have to do three things for me."

He agreed without hesitation and pushed me to sign.

"Three things? Forget that. Three hundred, whatever. Just sign it. When we get remarried, I'll make it up to you with a huge luxury wedding."

What he didn't know was that the second he chose to divorce me, my mission had already failed.

The System would erase me.

The only way to survive was to complete the three tasks it gave me.

After I signed, Calvin quickly tucked the divorce papers away.

The others traded looks, grinning like their little plan had paid off.

That was when I finally got it.

Tonight's reunion had been set up for me.

On the screen behind Calvin, something flashed across the display. Only I could see it.

Two red words:

[Mission Failed.]

The System's voice slammed into my head.

[Target has initiated divorce intent.]

[Marriage duration required to clear life debt: seven full years.]

[Current shortfall: one hour and thirty minutes.]

[Erasure countdown activated.]

[You will be erased in forty-eight hours.]

Then the voice changed.

[Exception granted due to your pathetic status. Complete three tasks within the time limit to survive.]

[Task One: Make Calvin publicly confess his feelings for you.]

I laughed.

I had literally just signed the divorce papers, and now the System wanted him to confess to me?

Molly suddenly stood up, her face tight.

"Calvin, if you have to agree to Rhea's unreasonable request because of me, I'll take the punishment. I'll do the three shots."

Calvin looked at her, concern all over his face.

"It's fine. She won't make a scene."

I gave a quiet, bitter smile.

Seven years ago, on our wedding day, Calvin had planned to run away with Molly.

Then she disappeared with all his savings.

After that, he became convinced I was the one behind it. We went from childhood friends to enemies.

I kept thinking that if I treated him sincerely, he'd eventually change his mind.

Over the past two years, he had almost accepted reality. On our anniversary, he'd even leave work early to celebrate with me.

Then Molly came back.

That was when I realized he'd never let her go.

He even set all this up just so he could marry her.

And he'd forgotten that today was our seventh wedding anniversary.

The seven years I stole were finally being taken back.

But I still wanted to live.

I looked at Calvin.

"Calvin, the first