Homecoming Countdown Chapter 1

I had been married to Carlos for 20 years.

My long-absent system finally reappeared, telling me that my task was complete and I could go home.

So, I let Carlos and his son hand over the last of our ration coupons to the heroine, allowed our son to give up his university admission to her daughter, and simply smiled when the neighbor asked why I seemed so carefree.

"Because I'm going home," I replied with a smile.

Little did I know that my departure would drive them mad.

"Dear Host, congratulations. Your 'Villainess Supporting Role' series mission is now complete. The portal to return to your reality will open in five days. Please prepare accordingly."

Hearing the mechanical voice again after so long, I froze in disbelief.

It had been twenty years since I first arrived in this world.

Back in my senior year of college, while searching for a job, I had unexpectedly been transported here and bound to a system.

Like any romance novel protagonist, I'd assumed my mission was to save the male lead or woo the devoted second male lead.

But the system had told me otherwise. My task was simply to ensure the plot progressed smoothly, creating obstacles for the main characters along the way.

Once that was clear, the system had vanished, leaving me to fend for myself.

If not for its sudden reappearance, I might have forgotten about the task altogether.

"You're daydreaming again. That water's about to drown the vegetables."

Emma, my neighbor, snapped me out of my trance, snatching the ladle from my hands.

Apologizing sheepishly, I crouched down to dig a channel to drain the excess water.

After finishing, I took back the ladle and resumed watering.

"You look so happy. Is it because Bruce is heading off to university? I'd be over the moon, too, if my son had that opportunity. But, alas, my boy can't compare to yours. Smart parents, smart kids, huh?"

Emma teased as she worked, her laughter infectious.

My smile faltered slightly, and I paused for a moment before continuing.

"It's not that. As for university... Bruce told me yesterday he's not going."

"What?!"

Emma gaped at me in shock.

"Bruce got into a school that most people could only dream of attending! Why on earth would he not go? Is something wrong at home? You have to talk some sense into him! If you're struggling, just tell us. We'll help however we can," she said earnestly, her concern genuine.

Her kindness warmed my heart, but I couldn't bring myself to explain the real reason.

I let out a barely audible sigh.

Seeing my silence, Emma furrowed her brow and finished the last ladle of water.

"Don't tell me... it's because of Molly."

She clicked her tongue in frustration, muttering under her breath. "That Molly and her mother are nothing but trouble. The mother ruined your husband, and now the daughter's after your son. Shameless, both of them."

In the past, I might have joined in her tirade, venting about my frustrations. But after what the system had just revealed, my mind was elsewhere.

Apparently, I had only been meant to stay here for four years. But due to a system malfunction that extended my time, I was now being compensated with a ten-million-dollar reward and a wish upon my return.

The thought of such a windfall made my head spin with excitement. With freedom so close, how could I care about the petty dramas of Carlos and his son?

So, I politely excused myself from Emma's complaints and went straight to the team leader to exchange my accumulated labor points for ration and cloth coupons.

Catching the last bus into town, I exchanged the coupons for fine fabric and had the shop tailor me a new dress. I even treated myself to a meal at the restaurant I'd always deemed too expensive, relishing every bite. Finally, I strolled home leisurely, carrying a few vegetables and a small piece of meat.

After all, I was leaving soon. There was no point in saving my labor points. They'd only end up benefiting Molly and her mother, Zanya.