Chapter 1

Everyone in their social circle knew that Alastair Croft was Ophelia Blackwood's devoted admirer.

He had voluntarily married Ophelia in place of Caspian Thorne, the runaway groom, and stood by her side through the most difficult years of her life.

However, just when things were finally looking up, Caspian - the man who had abandoned Ophelia at the altar years ago - suddenly returned.

For Caspian's sake, Ophelia forced Alastair to kneel, locked him in a dog cage, and even compelled him to give blood to Caspian...

But what Ophelia didn't know was that Alastair wasn't actually from this world. When his seven-year agreement with the mysterious "system" was complete, Alastair chose to leave this reality without hesitation.

Upon seeing his "corpse," Ophelia went mad with grief.

...

Alastair took a cab to the Mirage Club. Under the mocking gazes of the crowd, he handed a pack of condoms to Ophelia.

Ophelia didn't take them. "You're four minutes late," she said, clearly displeased.

"There was traffic..." Alastair started to explain, but was interrupted by a teasing male voice.

"Ophelia made a bet with her friends that you'd definitely show up within 30 minutes with condoms in hand."

"Little Alastair, you're four minutes late and cost Ophelia a villa. Better drink four glasses as punishment!"

Caspian leaned against Ophelia, looking at Alastair with feigned reproach.

Alastair's gaze fell to his glass. Did the one who fell in love first always have to be treated this way?

He wasn't actually from this world.

Seven years ago, his brother had been hit by a car and left in a vegetative state. Devastated, Alastair had somehow awakened a mysterious "system" - an otherworldly power that offered him a deal. If he agreed to accompany Ophelia for seven years, the system would revive his brother as a reward.

For these seven years, Alastair had taken meticulous care of Ophelia, helping her rise from rock bottom back to the top. Gradually, he had even developed genuine feelings for her.

Just when Alastair was planning to ask the system if he could stay with Ophelia permanently, Caspian - the man who had abandoned her years ago - returned from abroad.

With Caspian's return, Alastair's seven years of devotion seemed to become a joke overnight.

But it didn't matter. There were only ten days left until his contract with the system expired. Then he could return to his brother's side.

Alastair looked up at Ophelia and said, "I have stomach problems. I can't drink alcohol."

Ophelia casually picked up a glass and said, "Alastair, your stomach issues were cured ages ago. Don't be a killjoy."

That had just been an excuse he'd made up so she wouldn't worry about him. Now it had become Ophelia's reason to hurt him.

A bitter smile tugged at Alastair's lips.

"Fine. If you want me to drink, I'll drink."

Because of the system's restrictions, he could never refuse Ophelia's demands.

Alastair lifted the glass and downed it in one gulp. With a sense of reckless abandon, he decided that as long as Ophelia didn't tell him to stop, he would keep drinking.

After all, once he left, this body would die anyway. It didn't matter if it was healthy or not.

Someone joked, "That's all hard liquor. Can he really handle drinking like that? Ophelia, aren't you worried about him?"

"This is nothing. Alastair is famous for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Back in the day, he secured so many business deals for Ophelia at the drinking table!"

"That's right, everyone knows Alastair is Ophelia's loyal lapdog. If she tells him to go east, he wouldn't dare go west."

"Ophelia, you've got to share your secrets for keeping a man so obedient!"

Ophelia's eyes narrowed slightly as she shot an annoyed glance at the person who had just spoken. They immediately fell silent.

She looked at Alastair, remembering the first time he had drunk alcohol.

Back then, half a glass of wine was enough to make him tipsy.

He had hugged her shoulders, telling her how beautiful she was and that he wanted to stay and be her husband.