The fifty-million-dollar mission was complete, and another fifty million appeared in my system account. The next mission: one hundred million. For the first time, I felt a flicker of pressure. At the same time, James's app, Echo, officially launched. Thanks to its unique design and the buzz from its beta test, Echo was an instant phenomenon. Its user base grew explosively. One hundred thousand on day one. Half a million by day three. Three million within the first week. James and his team became overnight celebrities. He was the new wonder boy of the tech world, featured in every major publication: young, handsome, and brilliant. Girls everywhere were obsessed with him. Brittany was, of course, drowning in regret. She tried to contact James several times, crying that she'd been a fool and begging for a second chance. He never even took her call. One day, however, she cornered me in the parking garage. She blocked my car, her face pale and haggard. "Carol, please, give James back to me," she begged, tears streaming down her face. I rolled down my window. "He was never mine to 'give back."" "No! It's you! If it wasn't for you, he would have taken me back!" she shrieked, banging her fists on my car door. "You bought him with your mo- ney! He doesn't love you!" "Whether he loves me or not is my business," I said calmly. "But one thing is certain. He doesn't love you." The words struck her like a dagger to the heart. She stumbled back, her face ashen. I rolled up the window and drove away. That evening, I got an unexpected call. It was Jessica's mother. Her voice sounded tired and aged. "Carol... can you... can you come see Jessica?" I paused. "What's wrong?" "She's... she's not going to make it," she said, her voice breaking into a sob. "She locked herself in her room, wouldn't eat or drink, wouldn't see anyone. We had to break the door down... and we found her... she's just a skeleton, Carol." I fell silent. So the day had finally come. "The doctors said it's severe malnutrition, and her... her mental state has collapsed. She just keeps muttering about saving money, about rewa- rds... Carol, I'm begging you. You were her best friend. Please, come talk to her." I closed my eyes. In my last life, they beat me at my wedding and called me a murderer. In this life, they were begging me to save their daught- er. The irony was suffocating. "Alright," I said. I went to the hospital. In a private VIP suite, I found Jessica. She was lying on the bed, hooked up to a tangle of tubes, barely breathing. The vibrant, beautiful girl I once knew was gone, replaced by a withered husk. When she saw me, a faint light flickered in her cloudy eyes. She struggled to sit up, a hoarse rasp escaping her throat. "Mon...ey..." Even at the end, all she could think about was the ever-growing number in her system, a fortune she could never spend. I walked to her bedside and leaned down. "Jessica, look at what you've become," I said softly. "Was it worth it?" Tears instantly welled in her eyes. She grabbed my hand, her grip as weak as a kitten's. "Help... me..." she rasped. "How?" I asked. "By spending all your money?" She nodded frantically. She finally understood. Money that couldn't be turned into life was just a meaningless number. "It's too late," I said. I took out my phone and opened my system interface. [Account Balance: $51,200,000] [Current Mission: Spend $102,400,000 within 24 hours.] I held the screen in front of her face. "See this? This is my task for today. Meanwhile, you couldn't even bring yourself to spend a dollar on a bottle of water." "You thought you were stealing my destiny, Jessica. But all you did was choose a more elaborate tomb for yourself." Her eyes were glued to the astronomical figures on my screen. The faint light in them slowly faded, dimming until there was nothing left but a dead, gray emptiness. Her hand, holding mine, went slack. The heart monitor beside the bed, which had been tracing the weak, faltering line of her life, suddenly went straight. It let out a long, piercing, singular tone. From the hallway, I heard the heartbroken screams of her parents. I stood up straight, my face devoid of emotion as I looked down at the still, young face. It was over. Jessica's two lives had both been consumed by her own greed. In the latest episode titled "ReelTalk EP24-Surviving Bullying & Navigating Mental Health" by CrushReel, a poignant narrative unfolds between Autumn Noel and her confidante Amanda Liguori as they delve into the depths of mental health struggles. Autumn bravely shares her journey of overcoming bullying, shedding light on the impact of online harassment and the resilience needed to navigate such challenges. This raw and authentic conversation not only resonates with those facing similar adversities but also highlights the importance of seeking support during vulnerable times. As the story unfolds in this ongoing romance series, the bond between Autumn and Amanda deepens, showcasing the power of friendship in confronting personal battles. Through their candid exchange, themes of courage, empathy, and self-discovery resonate strongly, adding layers of depth to this heartwarming narrative. The unique blend of vulnerability and strength portrayed by the characters sets this episode apart, offering a refreshing take on mental health awareness within the romance genre. What sets this episode apart is its genuine portrayal of complex emotions and its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Available to read at CrushReel, this compelling exploration of resilience and friendship serves as a beacon of hope for readers navigating their own struggles.