I Can Hear His Betrayal

My name is Jasmine Lloyd, and right now, I'm sitting on the high-speed train to Y City. The man beside me is Brad Lowell, my boyfriend. We've been together since college. Brad gently tucked the stray hairs behind my ear, his eyes full of tenderness. If this were before, my heart would have raced, and I'd feel like the happiest woman in the world. But now, I only felt a chill spreading deep inside my heart. Because just now, I was reborn. Reborn during this Y City trip that we had planned for so long. What shattered me even more was hearing Brad's inner voice—and a cold, mechanical sound alongside it. "System, how much time is left before the life exchange ritual?" That was Brad Lowell's true feelings, with a tone full of urgency I had never heard before. "Brad, the target Jasmine Lloyd's willing sacrifice of her life for Ingrid Lloyd still requires further guidance. Current progress: 30%." The mechanical voice responded without any emotion. Ingrid Lloyd, my own younger sister—the one suffering from leukemia. I always thought Brad was kind to Ingrid because he loved me, and by extension, cared for her too. But in the end, the one he truly loved was Ingrid all along. I was nothing more than a tool he used to keep Ingrid Lloyd alive. That realization pierced my heart like a sharp knife, leaving me in so much pain I could barely breathe. I held back my tears, not daring to let Brad Lowell see any sign of it. He kept pretending to care, asking if I was tired. I shook my head and forced a smile. I didn't know what to do next, but one thing was clear—I couldn't keep being the fool like in my past life, giving everything only to end up drained and broken. The high-speed train slowly pulled into Y City Station. Brad carried his luggage carefully, cautiously escorting me out. Because of her health, Ingrid Lloyd didn't join us on this trip, but Brad Lowell kept talking about her the whole way, saying he wanted to bring her a gift when we got back. I used to think he was thoughtful; now it just feels unbearably ironic. When we arrived at the hotel, Brad gave me a room with an amazing view. He helped me with my luggage, reminded me to rest well, then went downstairs to buy some food. After Brad left, I collapsed onto the bed, my mind replaying the conversation between Brad and the System over and over. Life exchange ritual? Using my life to exchange for Ingrid's health? How exactly did I die in my past life? Could it really be that I "willingly" gave up my life to restore Ingrid Lloyd's health? I couldn't bear to think any further; fear overwhelmed me like a rising tide. Before long, Brad Lowell returned carrying bags full of food. As he set the food on the table, he smiled and said, "Jasmine, look—I bought your favorite strawberry cake, and the dried mango that Ingrid likes. I'll bring some back for her when I go." I looked at the gentle smile on his face and felt nothing but an overwhelming unfamiliarity. I picked up the fork and took a symbolic bite of the cake—it tasted like chewing wax. "Jasmine, why aren't you eating? Is it not good?" Brad Lowell asked with concern. "No, maybe I'm just too tired from the trip and don't have much of an appetite," I said. I replied perfunctorily. Brad didn't doubt me and said gently, "Then you should rest for a while. Later, I'll take you to some sights in Y City." I nodded but inside, I was already plotting how to break free from Brad's control. That evening, after we returned from sightseeing and got back to the hotel room, my phone rang. It was Ingrid Lloyd calling. I answered the phone, and Ingrid's sweet voice came through from the other end: "Jasmine, I miss you so much. Are you and Brad having fun in Y City?" "We're having a great time. I'll bring you a gift when we get back." I tried to keep my voice sounding as normal as possible. "Thank you, Jasmine!" Ingrid paused, then said, "I'm so scared being home alone. I want Brad to talk with me too." I glanced at Brad Lowell beside me and handed him the phone. Brad took the phone, his voice instantly softening: "Ingrid, don't be afraid. When Jasmine and I get back, we'll keep you company." "You have to eat well and take your medicine on time, okay?" They talked for a long time. After Brad Lowell hung up, a gentle smile still played on his lips. "It's really tough for Ingrid to be home alone. When we get back, we should spend some quality time with her." Brad Lowell said to me. I didn't say a word; I just nodded.