Where the Stars Fall Chapter 1

The moment I succeeded in winning over the brooding male lead, I chose to exit the world.

I didn't hesitate for a second, not even when he begged me, broken and humbled, to stay.

Later, back in the real world, my life fell apart.

The System found me again. It offered me five million dollars to go back into the book and win him over one more time.

Just as I was about to agree, a stream of comments flashed across my vision:

"Holy crap, the ex who ditched Aidan is back."

"LOL, does she seriously think he's still in love with her?"

"The second 'Tasker' not only got his Darkness Value down to negative one hundred, but she also chose to stay, giving him the family he always wanted."

"The happy couple is about to get married. Can the ex-wife please have some self-respect and not bother them?"

* * *

It took me a long moment to process it.

The "ex-wife" they were talking about… was me.

Beside me, the System was still buzzing in my ear, trying to sell me on the deal. "All you have to do is make Aidan Sterling fall for you again, and you'll get five million dollars. Even if you fail, you'll get fifty thousand for your trouble. How about it? It's a bargain, right?"

It was a bargain.

And right now, I desperately needed the money.

But the comments echoed in my head.

I stayed silent for a moment, then said I needed to think about it.

So, the System decided to send me back into the book first. To be precise, it sent me back to the home Aidan and I once shared.

The tiny apartment, old but filled with a familiar warmth, was exactly as I’d left it three years ago. Aidan hadn’t moved a single thing. Even the dress I’d accidentally stained just before I left was now hanging in the closet, clean and pristine, as if waiting for me.

I remembered that dress. It was from a famous designer, all the rage at the time. When Aidan had secretly bought it for me, I’d chewed him out for spending so much money. He didn't argue, just lowered his gaze, his long lashes shadowing his cheeks, and waited for my anger to fade. Then, he’d coaxed me, in that soft, gentle voice of his, to try it on.

I looked down, the silky fabric cool against my fingers. I took a deep breath.

If Aidan had truly forgotten me… then why was this apartment still here?

I looked up again, my eyes scanning the small room. My gaze was suddenly caught by a white piece of paper taped to the window.

A few large, scrawled words were visible through the glass.

FOR SALE. PRICE NEGOTIABLE. URGENT.

The sharp, decisive strokes were unmistakably Aidan’s.