After I Returned to My World, My Target Went Mad With Regret

The years I spent working to win over Fabian Delgado cost me more pain than I can say.

His childhood friend pushed me into the water three times.

She tried to run me over with a car five times.

And after she finally drugged me and caused my miscarriage, Fabian at last drove her out of the city.

Just as Fabian and I were starting our new life together, just as we were expecting our child again, Athena Lawrence reappeared. She stood before him, weeping, confessing her sins.

"Fabian, I was wrong. I really do know I was wrong."

She only had that one line, said over and over, and yet Fabian's face changed.

"Winona Sanders, Athena knows she was wrong. She's suffered so much, and she's been punished for it."

"And besides, our child has come back to us."

"Winona, give her one more chance. Please?"

These two years I'd thought of as sweet came crashing down in that single moment.

I tugged at the corner of my mouth and summoned the System.

"I want to leave this world."

The System's cold voice answered.

"If the host leaves this world, the original body dies automatically. The child in your womb will die as well."

"Is the host certain?"

"I'm certain!"

"Program initiated. In three days, the host returns to the original world."

1.

The instant I saw Athena Lawrence, my hands clenched tight, my eyes filling with hatred.

Without thinking, Fabian shielded her behind him.

"Winona, Athena really does know she was wrong."

"Stop nitpicking over every little thing."

My body went rigid, and I stared at Fabian, unable to believe it.

He was frowning, his whole face full of disapproval.

For a moment, I felt as if I'd been dragged back three years.

Every time Athena hurt me, Fabian would say the same thing.

He'd say Athena was still young, that she didn't know any better.

He'd say Athena was only joking with me.

He'd say I should endure it, for his sake.

Even when I nearly drowned in that water.

Even when the car broke three of my ribs.

Even when I lost the child Fabian and I had made.

Every time, he told me to endure it.

Only that last time, I refused to endure it anymore.

Ignoring the body that had only just miscarried, I took a knife and pressed it to Athena's throat.

Back then, Fabian's eyes went bloodshot as he pulled me into his arms.

"Winona, she isn't worth it."

"Athena will be punished!"

"We'll have another child!"

...

He drove Athena out of the city.

Under fireworks that filled the whole sky, he gave me the grandest wedding.

And we had our child.

Until this moment, with Athena back and Fabian defending her.

It made these two sweet years feel like bubbles that could burst in an instant.

The fight went out of me all at once, as if every ounce of strength had been drained from my body.

Looking at the man in front of me, I felt like I didn't know him at all.

Just the night before, he'd held me, his palm resting on my belly, talking with me about names for our child.

Now every trace of that gentleness and care was gone, and his face had turned hateful to me.

"Fabian, I said no!"

I rarely spoke so sharply, and for a moment it left him stunned.

I didn't give him time to react. I kept my eyes fixed on him and said it flatly, without room for argument.

"I won't forgive her!"

"You said you'd never take her side again!"

"You promised me, Fabian."

His eyes were unreadable. He opened his mouth, but no words came.

I looked at him, then lifted the hem of my dress, baring the leg still scarred from the steel plate they'd put in.

I was shaking with emotion.

But Fabian only sighed, avoiding my eyes, his voice low.

"Winona, it's all in the past."

"It's been two years. Athena has suffered plenty too. You have to move on. Stop clinging to the past."

The scars that had long since healed seemed to throb faintly now.

I looked at Athena, hiding behind Fabian.

She was no different than before. If anything, she'd filled out a little.

And yet Fabian said she'd suffered.

While my body was covered in scars, and all Fabian could say was, stop clinging to it.

I felt like a joke.

"Fabian, I will never forgive someone who hurt me and killed my child!"

The words had barely left my mouth when Athena flung herself down at my feet, her face streaked with tears, swearing to me.

"Winona, I didn't know any better before."

"I truly understand my mistakes now."

"These two years I've done nothing but repent. I'm begging you, let me come back."

"You're all I have, Fabian."

Fabian watched her, and something in his eyes softened, unwilling to see her like this.

He turned to me, his tone impatient, with an edge of anger in it.

"Winona, Athena has already begged you. What more do you want?"

Athena couldn't hide the challenge and the smugness in her eyes.

But Fabian saw none of it.

Two years, and they counted for nothing against the single moment she came back.

I looked at him, my chest full of disappointment and something bitter.

"Fabian, forget it."

With that, I turned and walked away.

Athena tried to come after me and grab my arm, but Fabian caught her by the elbow.

Athena, don't beg her.

I've already given her plenty of face, and she's still putting on this act.

I'm the one who spoiled her. Let her cool off on her own.

Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one would dare touch you.

My steps didn't slow. I went straight upstairs.

The bedroom that used to feel warm now made it hard to breathe.

Our wedding photo still hung on the wall.

The woman in it had smiled so sweetly back then. Now that smile just looked ridiculous.

Tears ran down my cheeks without a sound.

I covered my face and slid down to the floor.

After I married Fabian back then, I completed the mission. The target was won.

The System had given me two choices.

Leave with the ten-million bonus, or choose to stay in this world.

At the wedding, the way Fabian promised me, so focused, so full of feeling, moved my heart.

Under a sky full of fireworks, I threw myself crying into his arms and chose to stay.

I'd worked on winning Fabian over for so long. Even if it started out as a mission, somewhere along the way it became real.

I truly wanted to spend my whole life with him.

......

Just then the door was pushed open, and Fabian walked in.

He rubbed the space between his brows, looking at me with exhaustion.

Winona, you shouldn't have acted like that just now.

Athena has nowhere to go now. Stop pushing her.

He came closer, meaning to pull me into his arms.

I quietly moved aside.

Fabian, do you still remember what I told you on our wedding day?

If you don't treasure me, I'll leave.

His body went stiff, and he stared at me as if he couldn't believe it.

Winona, you're an orphan. Where could you even go if you left me?

Besides, you're my wife. You went through so much to marry me, and now we even have a child.

Stop making a scene. You could never bear to leave.

He smiled the way he always did and reached out to ruffle my hair.

I turned my head away, a sneer on my face.

You see, he knew everything.

He hurt me without a shred of restraint precisely because he was certain I would never leave.

Watching me, Fabian drew his hand back, his expression turning cold.

Winona Sanders, so now you'll use these kinds of threats too, just to drive Athena out?

Don't forget, everything you have now, this life of silk and comfort, the name of Mrs. Delgado, I'm the one who gave it all to you!

What more could you want?

He turned and left, and the slam of the door echoed through the room.

My chest felt like it was being gripped by a huge hand, aching in tight, wringing pulls.

So in Fabian's eyes, all of it was a gift he'd bestowed?

But it was me who stayed by his side while he built everything from nothing, who made the Delgado Group into what it is today.

He didn't even know that the reason the Delgado Group stood at the front of the industry, crushing every other company,

those patents he was so proud of, I was the one who begged the System to bring them to him!

It was all so absurd.

My heart was completely dead.

Firmly, I spoke to the System.

I want to leave.

I don't want Fabian anymore.

I don't want the child either.

The System answered coldly.

In three days, the host may leave.

At that time, the host may choose her own method of departure.

Good.

The next morning, laughter was already drifting up from the living room when I came downstairs.

Fabian and Athena sat at the breakfast table, eating.

Fabian was carefully picking out food and setting it on Athena's plate.

They sat close together, and Athena was in my chair.

The moment I appeared, the room went quiet for a beat.

Fabian's hand froze in midair.

Athena dabbed at her mouth and greeted me with a smile.

"Winona, you're up?"

"Come sit, have some breakfast."

She gestured to the seat across from her, as natural as if she were the woman of the house.

Fabian gave a cold snort.

"Athena was thinking of you. She dragged me out first thing to buy breakfast."

"And here you are, only coming down now."

Athena patted Fabian's arm, the gesture easy and familiar.

"Winona's pregnant!"

"It's only normal she'd sleep in a little."

Only then did Fabian go quiet, though the look he gave me stayed sour.

I couldn't be bothered to argue.

"I'll pass on breakfast."

The words were barely out when Athena's eyes went red.

Fabian's face darkened. He slammed his chopsticks down.

"Winona, how much longer are you going to keep this up?"

"Do we all have to walk on eggshells around your moods?"

"Athena went to all that trouble to buy you a good breakfast. What more do you want?"

I laughed.

Not one dish on that table was something I liked.

The porridge had already gone stone cold, and floating on top of it was cilantro. The thing I'm allergic to.

"Fabian, I'm allergic to cilantro."

"This is from the Sunnyside Corner Store, isn't it?"

"That is a real trek. Must be almost ten miles out there."

"And all of it is what Athena likes."

Fabian had nothing to say.

Athena's voice filled with hurt.

"Winona, I didn't do it on purpose."

"I just got back, and the Sunnyside place was all I could think of."

"Next time. Next time I'll buy what you like, I promise."

I didn't answer. I turned to leave.

Then Athena's voice came again from behind me.

"Winona."

"I just got back, and I don't have anywhere to stay."

"So Fabian had the room next to yours cleaned out for me."

"You don't mind, do you?"

I stopped dead and stared at Fabian, unable to believe it.

That was the nursery. The one we'd set up for the baby.

We'd started getting it ready when the first child was on the way.

After we lost that baby, the room was locked up.

It stayed locked until this pregnancy, when the door was finally opened again.

Everything inside it, the two of us had chosen piece by piece for our child.

I turned and hurried up the stairs, and pushed the door open.

Inside, every single thing that had belonged to the baby was gone.

There was a brand-new bedding set on the bed.

Athena's clothes lay tossed across it in a heap.

I rushed to the head of the bed.

In the nightstand was the protective charm I'd prayed for, for my baby.

So that in his next life he could be happy.

But the drawer was empty. There was nothing left.

Eyes burning red, I looked at Athena behind me.

"Where is it?"

Athena let out a little "oh."

"That little red pouch, you mean."

"I threw it out."

"It was kind of ugly, just sitting there in the way."

"Fabian said I could do whatever I wanted with this room."

I whipped around to Fabian.

"You know what that was!"

After we lost the baby, I couldn't sleep for nights on end.

It was Fabian who stayed with me, who climbed the mountain all night to be the first one at the temple, and prayed for that charm.

And now Athena had thrown it away.

Fabian remembered. The color drained from his face, but he still faced me down, refusing to back off.

"Winona, don't make a mountain out of nothing."

"It's just a charm."

"It was all so long ago. Enough is enough."

I looked at Fabian, so utterly indifferent,

and at Athena beside him, gloating, and I laughed until the tears ran down my face.

All I'd wanted was to leave quietly.

But now, I would make sure Fabian and Athena were left with nothing.

I stumbled out of the room.

When I passed Fabian, he reached out to steady me. I slapped his hand away.

Back in my own room, I changed my clothes and got ready to leave.

Fabian and Athena were already gone from the house.

I didn't give it a second thought. I drove straight to the company.

The Delgado Group was something Fabian and I had built together, from nothing.

I went straight to my office.

But my computer and my desk were already gone.

Athena was sitting behind the desk instead, leaning back in the chair, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

When she saw me, she rose slowly. No alarm on her face at all, only the urge to show off.

"Why are you here?"

Her voice was dripping with satisfaction.

Her hand drifted lightly across the desk.

"Fabian didn't want anyone giving me a hard time, so he made me vice president outright."

"I hear this used to be your office?"

"Pity. It's mine now."

I lowered my eyes.

"Where are the things that were in this office?"

Athena's voice curled with disdain.

"That stuff was hideous. Not fit to use."

"Who knows where it got thrown out."

I looked at her for a long moment, then turned to go.

Athena stepped in front of me.

"Winona, I've been using this office for three months now."

"The moment I came back, Fabian gave me everything."

"Oh, right. Did you know?"

"Those two years, honestly, I did just fine."

"Fabian wired me money every single month."

"It just got dull being on my own, so I decided to come back. Fabian agreed the instant I said it."

"There's a big company meeting tomorrow. Fabian is going to introduce me to everyone himself."

"If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own."

She finished and stared at me, daring me to react.

So that was it.

There had never been any two years away. No punishment. No hardship.

Fabian had taken care of Athena the whole time.

The only one being deceived was me.

And now he wanted to hand everything I had at the company over to her too.

Just then Fabian came jogging over.

"Winona, why are you suddenly here at the company?"

He shot Athena a nervous glance, and only once he was sure she was fine did he turn to explain himself to me.

"Winona, now that Athena's in the company, she can stand on her own from here on. I won't have to look after her anymore."

"I promise you, we'll live our own life, just the two of us."

There was sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were wary as they watched me, terrified I'd make a scene in front of everyone.

I looked at that hypocritical face and gave a careless nod.

The Delgado Group wasn't going to exist much longer anyway.

Company, no company, I couldn't have cared less.

I turned and walked toward the storage room.

The company's core patents were registered under my name.

Everything it ran on depended on those patents.

I dug out my old computer and plugged in a flash drive.

Fabian. The things that were never yours.

I was taking them back.

...

The next day.

Fabian stood in my dressing room with Athena.

"Winona, you won't mind if I borrow your necklace, will you?"

Fabian looked at her.

"It's fine, Athena. Take whatever you like. Today you're the star."

He turned his head toward me.

"There's a company party today. Athena has to look the part."

"Don't be petty about it. Worst case, I'll just buy you another one."

I cut him off.

"Fine."

Fabian froze. The words came out of him before he could stop them.

"Winona, you really don't mind? That was the one I gave you when we got married..."

I dropped my gaze. It was almost funny.

"Whatever she wants to wear, she can take it herself."

Then I turned and walked out.

None of it was going to exist much longer anyway.

...

That night, the empty mansion held only me.

The System spoke.

"Host, it's time."

I nodded.

"Burn it."

"Let none of it be left here."

I watched my soul lift free of my body.

The whole mansion began to burn, starting from this room of mine.

The System spoke again.

"The passage is about to open. There's still a little time."

"I can take you to see the party."

"Do you want to go?"

I nodded.

At the company party, Athena stood there in a gown and jewels, radiant.

She had her arm looped through Fabian's, all smiles and laughter.

"Now, everyone, let me introduce our company's new vice president."

"Athena Lawrence!"

"I hope you'll all give her your full cooperation going forward."

Applause filled the room.

Fabian looked at Athena, dazzling and lovely, and yet it was my face that surfaced in his mind.

Winona's manner seemed to have changed.

She hadn't cared about the company. She'd even given up the necklace she treasured most.

He felt suddenly restless, an uneasiness rising in him from nowhere.

Then his assistant came rushing over, drenched in sweat.

"Mr. Delgado, it's bad, the company's stock is crashing!"

Fabian frowned.

"What's the panic?"

"The market fluctuates. That's normal."

But the assistant looked ready to weep.

"It's gone. Completely gone."

"The company's patents have been released to the public for free. Everyone knows them now!"

"Mr. Delgado, the company is finished!"

Fabian's face went ashen.

Only he and Winona knew the key to the company's patents.

What was she playing at?

To think he'd just been standing there worrying about her.

This time he was going to punish her properly. No more indulging her.

His face black, Fabian pulled out his phone.

Before he could dial, the phone rang first.

"Am I speaking with Mr. Fabian Delgado?"

"Your mansion at Evergreen Estates is on fire. A woman's body has been found inside."

"We've made an identification. It's your wife, Ms. Winona Sanders."