After They Chose Her, I Chose to Leave This World

On the day my husband welcomed another woman into our home, my sons stood beside herand watched me fall into the river without stopping me.

For eighteen years, I held this family together.

I changed a mans fate, raised children not born of my body, and sacrificed everything to keep them from destruction.

Yet the moment she returned, my devotion became a crime, and I was cast as the villain who deserved to disappear.

When everything finally collapsed, the System told me I was allowed to leave this world.

I leaned forward, letting myself fall into the icy, bone-chilling river.

I was a strategist, tasked with saving the antagonist and his family from tearing themselves apart over the heroine.

What was tragic was that once the original male lead was gone, my husband and sons were eager to bring the widowed heroine into our home.

The System's voice chimed in: [Master, the mission has failed. Once your physical body in this alternate universe perishes, your real-world body will awaken. However, your time there is running short. Are you sure you want to leave here?]

I nodded slightly. With the little time remaining, I just wanted to spend it with my family and friends.

But the expected suffocation didn't come. A strong hand grabbed my arm from behind and pulled me up.

"What are you doing? Today is Sister Serena's special day, and you're pulling this stunt?"

I turned around to see my stepson, Ethan, panting heavily, his bright eyes aflame with anger.

He was one of my targets in this world and later became the most fervent antagonist in the story.

He would become obsessed with the heroine, turn against his family, and ultimately become someone everyone shunned.

When I became Victor's second wife, Ethan was just six years old.

His birth mother had passed away, and his father was always busy with work. As a child, he caused trouble in the streets, seeking attention but often ending up bullied.

I brought him home, cleaned him up, and planned his future.

Ethan wasn't interested in studying, so I encouraged him, saying a man could achieve great things in business.

For the first time, young Ethan had a dream. His eyes reddened, and he asked, "Can I call you Mom? They all laugh at me for not having a Mom, saying I'm a wild child..."

With my permission, he hugged me gently.

"Mom, when I grow up and make a lot of money, the first thing I'll do is buy you a big house and give you a good life."

But when he actually achieved his dream, his first request was to make Serena his new mom.

He stopped calling me Mom. He even hated me because Serena said it was my fault she got kidnapped by bad people and couldn't come back to see him.

The handsome young man in front of me overlapped with the child who used to call me Mom, but his eyes were now filled with coldness.

"Stop pretending. You're just trying to get our attention, right? If you really wanted to die, why choose the road where I'd be coming home from work, perfectly timed?"

I was speechless. I just wanted to find a not-too-ugly way to leave, in a place with a nice view. I never expected to run into Ethan.

Seeing that I didn't reply, Ethan mocked, "If you really want to die, find a place further away. Sister Serena loves this river. She takes walks here when the weather's nice, so don't..."

He suddenly stopped.

I quickly dashed to the other end of the broken bridge and jumped off.

Serena likes this river, right?

Then I hope she never comes here again. Every time she does, I hate it more.

My body grew heavier, and in a daze, I heard the instruments ticking in the hospital room.

Dad, Mom, wait for me!

Your daughter will be home soon!

Just when I thought I would succeed, a powerful force dragged me back to the shore.

Ethan was soaked, his eyes misty with tears or water, I couldn't tell.

Looking at Ethan, I jokingly teased him, "You don't want me dead, huh?"

Ethan's face twisted awkwardly, "You're overthinking it. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me. Even if you want to die, I wouldn't stop you, but not today! I don't want Sister Serena thinking of you and being unhappy on her anniversary!"

Of course, it was for Serena.

Seeing I didn't respond, Ethan dragged me home.

"Let's go back. Today, you can't die. If you really want to, find a place further away, at least where I won't see you!"

Ethan was strong, and I couldn't break free. When we reached the Victor Family's door, we ran into my biological son, Lucas, in this world.

He wore a neat suit, looking incredibly handsome.

He had rushed back from school, and upon seeing Ethan and me drenched, he gave me a quick glance but greeted Ethan, "Big Brother."

Ethan nodded in response.

Lucas then remarked, "Why are your clothes wet? Be careful not to catch a cold. Big Brother, change your clothes quickly. Sister Serena and Dad's wedding is about to start."

Throughout, he didn't look at me once, as if I wasn't his real mom but a stranger on the street.

In the original story, Lucas was lost by the original character at birth and grew up in an orphanage, developing an extremely gloomy personality. The heroine would be the only light in his life.

But now that I'm here, I gave birth to him myself, and I have high hopes for him.

In my vision, he and I were connected by blood, not merely characters in a story.

He didn't need me to "strategize" him, he would naturally be on my side.

I cherished Lucas like my own eyes, afraid he might get lost like in the book. I did everything myself to ensure his safe upbringing.

Lucas indeed grew up to be a cultured gentleman, unlike the delinquent in the book.

He was humble, respectful to his parents, cared for his brothers, and even became a school leader.

I never doubted I could handle my own son.

But once Serena appeared, my always considerate Lucas turned into a different person.

He began doing all the things I disapproved of to show his dissatisfaction and rebellion against me.

"Why does Mom always have to go against Sister Serena? Clearly, Mom is in the wrong!"

I never expected that after reading so many books with Lucas, all those principles would become weapons he used against me.

"Mom is jealous of Sister Serena, so she let her be kidnapped by bad people, showing no kindness. How can you be my Mom?"

At the time, I stood there holding the nourishing soup I had gotten up early to make for him, feeling like I didn't recognize the son I raised.

He knocked the soup from my hands, saying he'd never eat anything I made again.

My heart ached beyond words, and I slapped him. His eyes turned on me with hatred.

Since then, we haven't spoken a word to each other.

Hearing Lucas's question, Ethan looked uncomfortable. "Just now... she really jumped."

Lucas's handsome brow furrowed slightly, his cold voice devoid of emotion. "Big Brother, don't be fooled by her. With you there, how could she die? She's just using women's tricks, seeking death because Sister Serena is entering the family. Do you think she could really give up the wealth and prosperity here..."

Before Lucas finished, I slammed my head against the doorpost.

I sighed inwardly, hoping to die with some dignity, but these two boys were too noisy.

Hot blood ran down my cheek, and the world went black.

Before my consciousness completely faded, I seemed to hear someone scream "Mom" in agony.

When I opened my eyes again, my forehead throbbed. Above me was a modern and luxurious chandelier. I realized I had once again failed to leave this world.

Every night, I teetered on the brink of death. This meant my time with my family in the original world was growing shorter.

Time was incredibly precious to me. I stared at the chandelier, wondering if I could use it to end everything.

Just as I moved, a hand tightly gripped mine.

"Elena, stop fooling around, okay? Luckily, you're weak, so you didn't hit too hard. Otherwise, you'd have scared the two kids to death."

The speaker was my husband in this world, the company CEO, Victor.

At this moment, his brow was furrowed, his eyes locked on the bandage wrapped around my forehead. His gaze was deep, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

In the original story, Victor was the heroine's most passionate admirer. Unable to attain his love, he eventually turned dark, even betraying the company and harming others to get closer to the heroine.

When I first arrived, I drugged Victor to prevent him from pursuing the heroine, cutting off the source of his later crimes.

Victor woke up wishing he could end me right there.

I knew the story inside out, so I was sure the heroine wouldn't be harmed.

In the original story, Victor was the heroine's most ardent admirer. Unable to win her love, he eventually succumbed to darkness, even betraying the company and harming others just to be near her.

The first thing I did upon entering this world was to incapacitate Victor with a drug, preventing him from pursuing the heroine and cutting off the source of future crimes.

When Victor woke up, he was furious, wishing he could end me on the spot.

I knew the plot of the book inside and out and was confident the heroine would not be harmed.

It wasn't until he saw the heroine and the male lead happily together that Victor began to let go of his resentment towards me.

He tried to understand me, cared for me, and even stood up for me during a difficult time when he mistakenly thought I was being bullied.

During those challenging days, our hearts quietly drew closer.

Later, I softened my demeanor, managed household affairs for Victor, cared for the family, and raised the children.

Victor, like any ordinary husband who loves his wife, stayed by my side, promising to be together in the next life.

The system informed me that the strategist's favorability was steadily increasing and that my mission was nearing completion.

At that time, my terminal illness in the real world would be cured, and I could choose to pause time in the real world to accompany the Victor family through this happy life.

However, an unexpected change came without warning. One stormy night, the heroine returned alone.

She threw herself into Victor's arms, weeping and recounting the inhuman torment she had suffered over the years.

Usually calm and composed, Victor was moved to tears.

When he learned of my actions that had maliciously hindered him, pushing her into a predicament, the Victor family was furious.

They carefully tended to Serena at home and ignored me.

On Lucas's birthday, I prepared a table full of dishes that the family loved, but no one returned even late into the night.

It turned out they were out entertaining a despondent Serena, just to cheer her up.

When I gave birth to Lucas, I endured pain all night before delivering.

At that time, Victor promised to celebrate with the children every year because I hadn't left them.

But now, they've all broken their promises.

When the Victor family returned, they merely said, "Serena doesn't like the dishes you made, so there's no need to make them again."

Recalling these events, I coldly withdrew my hand from Victor's grip and calmly said, "I'm not being unreasonable. I just don't want to live anymore..."

Victor suddenly became somewhat annoyed, leaning over to hold me tightly. I couldn't break free, so I just let him.

After a moment, he finally spoke, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Elena, stop saying things like that, and don't use death to threaten me and the kids. Our feelings won't change, and I'll discipline the boys. You're forever the mistress of this house."

Victor's words sounded sincere, as if he still loved me as before.

But then he cautiously observed my expression and mentioned Serena.

"I've already promised, Serena won't take your place. You were unfair to her before; now she just wants a place to stay... So, where did you hide her? Tell me, and we can pretend nothing happened and continue living our simple life, okay?"

I laughed coldly inside.

Serena has disappeared again? Victor still thinks I did it?

Seeing me laugh, Victor could no longer feign indifference, his tone becoming urgent.

"Elena, stop pretending. I've searched, and Serena's jewelry is clearly hidden in your room's closet. Both of you disappeared early this morning... Tell me, where did you hide Serena?"

It seems Serena can't wait to drive me away, even using her wedding as a ploy.

After all, as the heroine, she craves attention and can't share a man with another woman.

What she wants is to be the only one in the hearts of the Victor family.

I suddenly burst into laughter, "Ha, yes, I did it. Serena is dead! I'm just jealous of her, so I killed her. Do you want to avenge her? Then kill me unless you can't bear to."

Victor would do anything for Serena. As long as he kills me, I can go home.

Victor was clearly enraged and lost his mind, gripping my neck with his hands.

"Elena! How did you become like this... Serena has suffered enough, why do you keep tormenting her?"

In reality, it wasn't me who changed, but them, the father and sons.

I didn't resist, letting my breath gradually weaken.

Finally, everything will end.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Ethan and Lucas helped Serena inside.

4.

"Dad, Sister Serena is fine."

This sleep felt like it lasted a long, long time.

I vaguely thought I was lying on a hospital bed, waiting for mom to come with a thermos to wake me up, gently saying, "Elena, come have some porridge. I made your favorite flavor."

But when I opened my eyes, what I saw was Victor's red-rimmed eyes, Ethan and Lucas's bewildered faces, and Serena looking particularly pitiful behind them.

Unfortunately, these were the people I least wanted to face.

Seeing me awake, Victor first sighed in relief, then furrowed his brows again, "Elena, quickly apologize to Serena!"

Serena hid behind Ethan, tears falling like broken beads.

"Sister, I just want a complete family, nothing else. Please don't let anyone treat me like this anymore..."

Lucas had clearly reached his limit, shouting at me, "How long are you going to pretend to be innocent? Do you think pretending to commit suicide to make us feel guilty will offset what you did to Sister Serena?"

I was completely confused by what Serena said.

Seeing my unresponsive look, Victor slowly said, "Elena, you lured Serena to a secluded place, intending for those bad guys to bully her. Luckily, someone passed by and saved her. This time, I must give Serena an explanation."

In my exclusive view, Serena was defiantly winking at me, unable to hide her smug smile.

What a well-staged act, and the Victor family just falls for it.

Ethan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, "It's impossible that she did it. She wouldn't use such methods to take revenge on a woman, and you all saw it. She genuinely wanted to end her life today."

Hearing this, Serena's expression instantly became uncomfortable.

I looked at Ethan in surprise. He remembered I told him as a child that a woman's dignity is important and using such means is the lowest.

But what difference does it make if he remembers?

This time, Serena's scheme just happened to hit a small crack in Ethan's memory, and he forgets even more.

As long as Serena performs a new act, he might fall into it again.

Lucas sneered disdainfully, "Big Brother, you business people are so single-minded. When did she ever succeed in dying with us watching? But the harm Sister Serena suffered is real, and so many people outside were talking about Sister Serena! If you trust her, how can you face Sister Serena?"

Ethan fell silent.

Whenever it involves Serena, the Victor family always unconditionally sides with her.

But this time, Ethan's persistence surprised me a little, "Mom, I'll call you mom one more time. As long as you apologize to Sister Serena, I'll still acknowledge you as my mom."

Lucas didn't speak but didn't refute either, and his eyes showed a hint of hope when he looked at me.

I laughed coldly.

Now it's not that you don't acknowledge me, but that I have no interest in this "family" anymore.

"I won't apologize, not even if I die."

Suddenly, a loud shattering sound echoed in the room. Victor had smashed our family photo.

Those four smiling faces representing me, Victor, Ethan, and Lucas used to be displayed in the most prominent place in my room.

Now they've become a pile of shattered pieces on the ground, lying quietly.

"Elena, you've let me down too much. Reflect on your actions until you realize your mistakes, then come out of this room."

The Victor family left with red eyes, and the door was locked tightly.

From that day on, I refused to eat.

Victor sent my favorite meal, which was delivered and taken back untouched every day.

Until the fourth day, when the maid opened the door to deliver food, her scream echoed through the room.

5.

Blood started to gush continuously from my nose and mouth.

The young maid pushed the door open, and when she saw me lying in bed covered in blood, she was so scared that her soul almost flew away.