Chapter 3 Stolen Luck

LILITH

Maybe it was because everything had been laid out so plainly, but I felt more comfortable with the mechanical voice in my head.

"By the way, do you have an actual name besides 'system'? Calling you that every time feels too impersonal."

"We're stuck together for the foreseeable future, so I'd prefer something... less formal."

[I don't have one.]

It replied matter-of-factly.

"Then I'll give you one," I decided.

It made a mechanical hum, as if agreeing.

I pursed my lips thoughtfully, brows furrowed. Moments later, my frown smoothed out and I clapped my hands together in delight.

"Got it! I'll call you May."

[Why May?]

"Because thanks to you, I was reborn in the month of May. Coincidentally, it also happens to be my birthday month. It feels... meaningful and significant."

[Understood. The choice is yours.]

"It's settled then."

With that, I straightened my back, letting my voice take on a sharper edge.

"Now, let's get down to business."

[What business?]

My eyes glinted with coldness.

"The business of stopping my engagement with Brandon, of course."

[But it's already scheduled for tonight. How do you plan to stop it from happening?]

May paused, then added thoughtfully,

[Just so you know, revealing my existence or disclosing future events is strictly prohibited. Both actions violate system regulations.]

I chuckled good-naturedly. "Don't worry. None of those were ever within my consideration."

[Then what's your plan? Sweet-talking your parents into annulling the engagement?]

[Actually, I think it'll be better to go along with it first and then think of countermeasures later on. That'll give you enough time to prepare.]

I couldn't help but smile faintly.

It was clear that although May had told me to make different choices, it still thought of me as the same person I used to be-passive, powerless, and prone to compromise.

Although the second part was still very much true, I would never again allow the other two to define me.

From now on-

My eyes blazed with confidence and determination.

I wouldn't compromise. Not even an inch.

[I'm sorry.]

May said suddenly.

Confusion flashed in my eyes. "What are you sorry for?"

[You're right. I still don't understand you.]

In that instant, realization struck me, making a chill crawl up my spine. "Wait... can you read my thoughts?"

[Yes.]

May admitted, then quickly added.

[But I don't do it unless necessary. I only heard you just now because your emotions spiked.]

Even with the explanation, I felt unsettled. Uneasy.

"Then let's make the first ground rule: in the future, you're not allowed to read or pry into my thoughts without my explicit permission. Do you agree?"

[Yes.]

I exhaled in relief. The idea of someone having free access to my mind and thoughts felt absolutely horrifying and suffocating.

My voice softened. "Don't hold it against me for reacting this way. I don't think there's a single human alive who would be comfortable knowing their thoughts were laid bare."

[It's fine. I understand.]

With that, I finally relaxed.

"You said you could provide me with helpful information. Does that still stand?"

There was a brief pause.

[Yes. As long as it's within controllable limits.]

My tone turned razor-sharp.

"Then tell me-when did Brandon and Claire's affair begin?"

I had married Brandon one year after our engagement. Around the same time, I got pregnant. For the baby switch to go unnoticed, Claire's child had to be of similar age. If the baby were older, no matter how dumb I was, I would've sensed something off.

Which meant those two snakes had been together for far longer than I realized.

[They've been involved for five years now.]

My fingers curled into tight fists.

Five years? That meant the affair started during our first year of college.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"That was just one year after Claire came to live with us."

How could I have been so blind? That for over thirty years, I hadn't suspected a thing?

Something so absurd could only be a side-effect of the corrupted system Claire possessed. I had been manipulated.

A new thought struck me.

"When did that corrupted system bind with her?"

[Around the same time she joined your household. That's why I said your family was her starting point.]

"No wonder I never noticed anything," I muttered. Then my face paled.

"So... she's been stealing my luck for close to six years now?"

[Yes.] May's voice sounded heavy.

[Fortunately, her system's absorption rate is slow, so she's only taken a quarter so far.]

[But as long as you do as I instructed, you'll gradually reclaim everything she's stolen from you.]

My gaze darkened.

A quarter might not sound like much to others, but after the life I'd lived... I knew better.

Even a single strand of luck could change everything.

This new life of mine-there's no way I'd allow anyone to ruin it again, I thought, my jaw clenched tightly.

Perhaps May felt sorry for me, because it chimed in with something unexpected.

[Today is one of the days Brandon and Claire meet in private. Do you want to catch them in the act?]

My eyes sparkled. This was exactly the kind of information I needed.

For a second, I was tempted to go personally. To catch them red-handed.

But I quickly shook off the thought.

In my previous life, I'd learned the hard way: getting directly involved with those two always ended badly-especially when it came to Claire.

Better to send someone else. Someone skilled. Someone professional.

A private investigator, for example.

But...

I frowned. I had no idea how to find one.

Whether in my past life or this one, I'd never been exposed to that sort of profession. And asking my family?

No way.

Though I'd told myself I didn't blame them for being deceived, pretending I held no resentment would be a lie.

I... couldn't fully trust them anymore. Or anyone else, really.

I closed my eyes, heart heavy. When I opened them again, they were calm. Cold.

"May, I have a question. Would giving me the contact info of a reliable private investigator fall under 'controllable limits'?"

[...I think so. Probably?]

A small smile tugged at my lips. It probably never expected to be used as a phone book.

Not that I gave it time to reconsider.

A moment later, a message appeared on my phone from an unknown number, containing the contact information for a Langston Consulting Services.

"Thanks, May. You just saved me a lot of trouble." I flattered it sweetly.

[You're welcome. It's what I should do.]

The sly smile at the corner of my lips deepened.

I didn't waste time. After saving the number, I opened my messaging app and reached out.

I forwarded Brandon and Claire's names, along with other relevant details and the meeting place May had revealed.

Shortly after, I received a response requesting a million deposit, with the balance due upon delivery of the results.

I wired the money without blinking.

{I need the information before 6 PM today. The more detailed, the better. Can you deliver?}

{Don't worry, ma'am. Our agency's reputation is built on discretion and speed. With the details you've provided, this case will be easy.}

{Then I look forward to your good news.}

{Happy to be of service.}

With the chat coming to an end, I leaned back and smiled, satisfaction gleaming in my eyes.

"Brandon. Claire," I whispered.

"I'm coming for you. Are you ready?"