10 "...Condition change," Julian murmured under his breath, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Then his gaze sharpened, locking onto my face. He had noticed my reaction. A slow smile spread across hi lips. "What is it, darling?" he asked, his voice soft and warm. That single word, darling, sent a chill down my spine. Paired with the robotic voice I'd just heard, it set ever alarm bell in my head ringing. I pulled my hand from his. I met his searching gaze, then looked down. "I'm tired," I whispered. "I want to res He studied me for another moment. Seeing the genuine exhaustion on my face, he seemed to relax. He gently tucked the covers around me and thoughtfully drew the curtains, plunging the room into shadow. From that day on, Julian moved into my hospital room. He was a patient himself, yet he insisted on taking care of me, doing everything himself. The nurses tried several times to intervene, to tell me about his condit- ion, but Julian always cut them off. He was clearly hiding something from me, and his kindness was sc overwhelming it felt suffocating. It was as if the man who had kissed Lana in front of me and told me not to regret my decision had never existed. If I didn't know something was terribly wrong, I would have thought I was losing my mind. I chose to play dumb, remaining cool and distant toward him. Finally, one night, I got the answers I was look- ing for. The room was dark and silent. Julian, thinking I was asleep, got up and went out to the balcony for a cigaret- That's when I heard the voice again. Julian was talking to it, his tone impatient. 6/17 "System, what's Monica's current affection level for me?" The system replied: [61%.] Julian clicked his tongue in frustration. "No wonder she's been like a different person ever since I mentioned the divorce," he muttered. "I guess I moved too fast." He was silent for a moment. 'That idiot Zack," he continued, his voice low. "I don't know what he did to her behind my back, but to think she'd sacrifice her own child just to use me for revenge..." A jolt of fear shot through me. He knew. He had seen right through my plan. The system's voice cut in abruptly: [Host, mission time remaining: 25 days.] Julian stubbed out his cigarette. "I know. Don't rush me," he growled. He started walking back into the room. The only sound was his footsteps on the tile floor, yet his voice echoed in my mind as clearly as if he wer whispering in my ear. The female lead and the side characters are useless. I'll have to do this myself.] 've built a soundproof room in the basement at home. I have plenty of ways to make her die for me willing 1.] And hey, if she's too scared of the pain to kill herself...] ...Does it count as mission completion if I kill her with my own hands?] he mattress dipped beside me as he got back into bed. he system's voice was so close now, it felt like it was inside my own head. I said- Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!