Chapter 1

It was the tenth year since Chloe, my best friend, and I transmigrated to this world.

She told me that if she died, she could return to our original world.

With those words, she jumped from the top of a skyscraper.

Blood splattered all over her husband.

The man who'd been cursing her as shameless just moments before let out a guttural wail.

I, on the other hand, watched impassively as my husband, the Godfather of this mafia empire, stood next to his first love.

I think it's time for me to go home too.

When Chloe plunged to her death in front of me, I had actually prepared myself.

But the sheer amount of blood still stung my eyes.

That night, Chloe's face haunted my dreams.

She smiled beautifully, then tears of blood streamed down her face.

I woke up with a gasp, my shirt drenched in cold sweat, clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

A maid waiting outside the bedroom stepped forward to help me change, but I waved her off.

"Get me some hot water. I need a bath."

I remembered when we first arrived in this world, Chloe always complained about how primitive bathing was here. Not like back home, where a quick shower got you clean in minutes.

Now, she was gone clean, too.

Chloe and I were childhood best friends, so close our parents once suspected we were a couple.

Little did they know, we both had our own crushes and often shared dating tips.

One day after work, we met up to go to a bar. We got into a car accident on the way and woke up here.

We had been chosen by some mysterious force, thrown into this trial of fate.

The rules of this world told us that as long as we fulfilled the mission given to us, we could go home.

It even gave us a chance to choose our destiny.

Chloe, at the time, was so charmed by Arthur, dressed in his crisp white suit, that she insisted on making him her target.

I was left with no choice but to pursue Dante, the struggling second young master.

We went through countless hardships, Chloe and I nearly died several times.

Fortunately, Arthur and Dante were best friends, and our goals aligned.

When we finally helped Dante seize control of the family, I gave up my title as chief operative, content to assist him by his side.

Chloe also married Arthur. They opened the most popular dessert shop in the main district, becoming the financial backbone of the entire organization.

We both thought our mission was accomplished.

But that mysterious force simply said, "The trial continues."

As Chloe and I wondered what was next, Dante's and Arthur's idealized first love, Seraphina, returned to the main district.

Neither Chloe nor I had ever heard of this Seraphina.

We asked that force, and only then did we learn she was a childhood playmate of our partners.

Apparently, Seraphina had been gravely injured saving Dante, almost dying, and was sent abroad by her family to recuperate. She hadn't appeared in the main district since.

That force didn't know why Seraphina suddenly returned either.

"The trajectories of fate hold deep meaning. The chosen need only follow the natural course. When all debts are paid, and all fates resolved, then, and only then, will you return."

That cold, emotionless voice immediately grabbed my attention.

Even then, I felt Seraphina's appearance would turn our lives upside down.

Chloe, however, naively thought it was no big deal.

She continued to revolve around Arthur every day, paying no mind to Seraphina.

I remembered Chloe's agonizing eyes at the end.

She hated pain more than anything since she was a child. The moment she jumped without hesitation, I was genuinely terrified.

I never expected her to choose such a desperate path.

In truth, I had no idea if Chloe's method could actually return us to our original world.

That voice had never told me that death was an escape from this trial.

If Chloe couldn't go back, I didn't even want to think about it.

But I knew one thing: this score, I would settle it, sooner or later.