I'm Letting Go of the Wife I've Known for a Decade

Sophia and I had married for ten years. One day, she walked in on me talking to the System.

I panicked and lied. I told her I was only here to win her over, part of some mission.

After that, she didn't come home at night. All the love was gone and vanished.

Our anniversary rolled around. I ordered a cake and waited up past midnight.

But Sophia didn't show up.

Instead, her assistant Kyle texts me.

He send me a picture of him and Sophia and said, "Sorry, it's my birthday. Your wife is busy with me tonight."

"Oh, and she just gifted me this sweet $300K watch. Hope you don't mind."

I texted back, "I don't mind at all. Have fun." Then blocked his number.

My phone rang instantly. It was Sophia screaming,

"He's my assistant! A damn good one! What's the big deal about a watch? Why do you have to be such a petty, pathetic excuse of a man?"

Pathetic? Seriously?

Truth is, I'm pretty damn generous. I'm ready to walk away from the woman I've known for a decade. A watch was nothing.

....................................

By this world's clock, I'd spent ten years with Sophia Sterling.

On our anniversary, I ordered a cake and waited up until midnight. But my wife didn't show up.

But I saw her pictures on social media instead. She was tagged in pics with Kyle, looking utterly smitten.

I knew the truth, but I texted her anyway. "Coming home tonight?"

Kyle replied.

He send me a picture of him and Sophia and said, "Sorry, it's my birthday. Your wife is busy with me tonight."

"Oh, and she just gifted me this sweet $300K watch. Hope you don't mind."

I texted back, "I don't mind at all. Have fun." Then blocked his number.

My phone rang instantly. It was Sophia screaming,

"He's my assistant! A damn good one! What's the big deal about a watch? Why do you have to be such a petty, pathetic excuse of a man?"

Pathetic? Seriously?

Truth is, I'm pretty damn generous.

I'm ready to walk away from the woman I've known for a decade. A watch was nothing.

Sophia Sterling was this world's destined CEO heroine.

My job was to get her to billionaire status before she met her fated hero.

When I first found her, she was just a broke college student, scraping by on scholarships and part-time gigs.

That poverty messed with her head, making her insecure and twisted.

Even back in that crappy studio apartment, I could see it.

This girl was gonna be one intense, obsessive boss lady someday.

Did she ever truly love me? It's hard to say. Back then, I was just focused on ticking the System's boxes.

I became her boyfriend to speed things up.

Then, a month ago, when the system reminded me of my initial decision, she happened to see it.

Afraid of exposing the mission, I lied and told her I was here to pursue her.

Overnight, she completely changed her attitude towards me.

A month ago, Sophia was the perfect wife who was attentive and loving. People envied me.

Now, she cut me deep, publicly. Even her friends looked at me with pity.

She never come back home anymore. When I call her, I always heard some guy's voice in the background.

It was a lie saying it didn't sting.

I'm a man. We shared ten years, so feeling something real was inevitable.

I just don't understand. A ten-year relationship, and she changed just like that.

Even if she thinks I was only here for the mission, after everything I did for her She should have given me a decent goodbye at least.

Instead, she picks the most gut-wrenching way.

But luckily I'm almost out. And thank god I never told her the whole truth.

My phone buzzed. It was Sophia's voice call.

"Come pick me up."

I thought, at least she's still my wife in name, and I won't just hand her over to that assistant.

When the male lead appears tomorrow, my mission should finally come to an end.

One last time. Just suck it up, Adrian.

I found her at a private booth in some downtown bar. The place was thick with smoke.

People were practically glued to each other. They should get a room.

Her so-called friends spotted me and grinned.

"Well, look who it is! Her husband was here. Good man like him could bear this situation."

The whole pack chuckled. It wasn't friendly.

Sophia didn't even glance up.

Their eyes crawled over me. Mocking and taunting.

My skin prickled. I frowned. "When are you wrapping up?"

She finally looked at me with a dismissive smirk.

Then turned right back to Kyle, nuzzling his neck. Left me standing there like a damn coat rack.

I stood there, awkward as hell.

I raised my voice. "It's our anniversary. Remember?"

"So?" She arched an eyebrow, dripping disdain.

A bitter smile touched my lips.

I was such an idiot. What was I hoping for?

"If you're not leaving, I am." I couldn't stomach this toxic air another second.

"Hey, Adrian, chill out!" someone jeered.

"Sophia hasn't called it yet. You just got here! What's the rush?"

"Yeah, staying for a little longer won't kill you."

"He was always so impatient."

"Barely walked in and already running? Party's just starting!"

"Don't be a stranger, Adrian. Come on, join the fun! Sophia, you don't mind, right?"

One of the women slithered towards me, eyes heavy-lidded.

I clenched my jaw, listening to the taunts, and my gaze fixed on Sophia.

She ignored it all, just pretended I wasn't there.

Ice flooded my veins.

Who the hell did she think she was, making decisions for me?

What gave her the right?

The woman leaned in, her body swaying towards mine. I stepped back sharply.

"Ooh, you are so shy, Adrian." Another woman purred, leaning closer.

I grabbed the nearest bottle off the table. Smashed it hard against the marble top. Glass exploded.

"Jesus!" someone shrieked.

I held the neck of the bottle, pointing it straight at Sophia. My voice was ice.

"Sophia Sterling. I am not your plaything. You don't get to decide anything for me."

"Ooh, hubby's pissed!" someone crowed.

"Enough!" Sophia's voice cut through the noise. "Hands off. He's mine."

Her shout silenced the room.

I stared at her, stunned. Since she despised me, why did she step in?

Maybe because I'm her property.

Her pride wouldn't let anyone else touch her things.

"Well? What are you waiting for? An invitation? Get out!" she snapped.

I snapped back to reality, turned, and walked out.

She followed like a dark shadow. The others trickled out behind her.

Back in the car, frustration churned inside me.

I tried. "Sophia, since you clearly hate me let's get a divorce."

"Divorce?" She laughed, cold and sharp.

"You'd bail on your mission, aren't you scared of what the System will do?"

My heart lurched and I frowned. What did she mean?

"You've persisted through all these years, and now you want to give up? That would undo all your efforts. Are you playing hard to get?"

Play hard to get? That's what she came up with?

Did she really think I was doomed to grovel at her feet forever?

I was speechless.

Sophia leaned closer and gave me a warning.

"Adrian Quinn, forget about divorce. You're not leaving. And you're sure as hell not winning me over. I'm going to make you watch me love someone else."

The pain was raw in my voice.

"Why torture me? Why not just end it clean?"

"Clean?" She scoffed.

"You don't get to ask for anything. From the very beginning, you only approached me to complete your mission, right? You should know me best. Those who lie to me never end well."

I couldn't argue that. She wasn't known for mercy. That's how she got where she was.

Panic flared, and I tried to explain.

"Okay, fine, the mission was the reason I showed up. But I did help you, Sophia. For ten years. Doesn't that count for something? Don't bite the hand that fed you."

She leaned back against the seat, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Scared, Adrian? Beg me."

I clenched my jaw, opened my mouth nothing came out.

She was hell-bent on humiliating me, punishing me.

Not a shred of the past mattered? Ten years of my life poured into her meant nothing?

Ten. Long. Years.

I stared out at the passing city lights, chanting inside: Just a little longer. Almost done. Almost free.

Silence stretched. She pulled out her phone.

Made a point of putting it on speaker. Called Kyle. Started cooing.

"Thanks, sweetie Kyle. Love youuuu."

Her voice was sickeningly sweet.

"Love you too, babe! Mwah!"

God, gag me.

I shuddered.

She looked unbearably smug.

This woman who used to blush at a kiss? When did she turn into such a smooth-talking player?

My chest felt tight. I slammed my foot down on the accelerator.

This woman she was never meant to be mine forever.

She felt the surge. Snapped. "Are you insane? Slow down!"

I sucked in a sharp breath, eased off the gas, forcing calm.

Insane?Yeah, maybe. Try wearing these invisible horns, Sophia. See how it feels.

Home. She saw the cake on the table.

The dinner I'd made. Walked straight past it. Slammed the bedroom door shut.

I ate the cake alone. Tasted like ashes and salt.

Thought about the chasm between us.

Thought about the hero showing up soon. My mission ending. Tears just fell.

Sweet and salty on my tongue.

I swore to myself: No more hope. No more caring what she does. No more imagining the woman she was.

Just let it end. Finish the mission.

Get out of this world that was never mine.

Next morning. Company tech meltdown. Sophia had to call me.

Ex-CTO, remember? Swallowing my pride, I went back.

Took all morning to untangle the mess. Tech PUA, my ass.

Kyle, meanwhile, acted like he was the CEO. Pure little weasel on a power trip.

"Adrian, you sure you fixed it all? Because if it crashes again? Sophia will be pissed. You know how she gets."

He'd been yapping non-stop beside me.

I was trying to keep the peace. But enough was enough.

"If you don't trust me, don't call me," I said flatly.

"Sophia! Look at him! He's being so" Kyle pouted, actually pouted, whining like a toddler. Wow. Male white lotus. A new low.

Sophia glared at me. "Apologize."

Pfft.

Just a mission objective. Thinking she runs my life?

Not happening. Apologize? Dream on.

I gave a thin smile, sat back down. "Fine. I'll just undo the fix then."

Free tech support wasn't enough? Now I take her abuse? Screw that.

Sophia's voice turned icy. "You bastard."

Her phone rang. She grabbed Kyle and practically sprinted out, buzzing with excitement.

Driving home, the System pinged: "CONGRATULATIONS PLAYER! Mission parameters achieved. Initiate world exit within 72 hours. Failure to choose will trigger auto-eject."

Ah. Sophia must have closed that big deal. Payment cleared fast. Smooth.

Nice of the System to give me three days. A goodbye window.

Home. Started packing. Stuff. Meaningless junk in the grand scheme. Better to ditch it.

Didn't expect Sophia to show up with Kyle in tow that evening.

She saw the bags. Her face darkened instantly.

Fire flashed in her eyes. "In such a hurry to ditch me, Adrian? Think again.

You're not going anywhere. Kyle," she snapped, "watch him."

Kyle looked pissed but cowed under her glare. Nodded.

Sophia stormed out, heels clicking like gunshots.