Game Over, NPCs

That night, I got a call from Kaden.

His little face, bearing some resemblance to mine, looked in distress.

“How many times do I have to tell you, Dad? Don’t ruin Mom’s chance at a happy life. Why won’t you stop making everybody miserable?”

Kaden fell into contemplation, seemingly weighing his options on what to do with me before letting out a sigh.

“Grow up, Dad. Mom is getting married next week.”

I nearly burst out laughing when Kaden mentioned the wedding. The wedding was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

My disappearance at the right time would push Silvia to devastation. By going through the raw heartbreak, Silvia would then learn to love and cherish.

Oblivious to my plans, Kaden simply grew frustrated with my long silence.

“Did you hear me? Can you have some self-respect? You’re making me look bad.”

Kaden fired off one angry line after another.

“Yeah, sure, of course.”

I brushed him off with a nod before blocking his number.

Life was bliss without the presence of the idiotic mother and son.

Before I knew it, the day of Silvia’s wedding arrived.

Just to be petty, Silvia went out of her way to send me an invitation.

I put on my best suit with a smile and took my assigned seat at the venue.

Kaden looked dapper in his little white tuxedo. As the ring bearer, he led Silvia down the aisle to their idea of a happily-ever-after.

Everyone else was beaming with well-wishes and excitement while I was nothing but derision.

Two strangers kept their eyes on me. I caught them glancing at me at least a dozen times since I showed up.

I knew that Silvia had hired the duo to keep watch over me. She was dying to see me miserable. At the same time, she couldn’t have me ruin the wedding.

As I shrugged in resignation, the officiant began his speech on the couple’s tumultuous but sweet love story.

“Hear that, Dad? The prince and the princess live happily ever after in the story. You’re not even a knight in shining armor. The best you’ll ever be is the villain.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

My half-hearted response stood out against Kaden’s discolored face.

“Mr. Simon Barone, you may now kiss your bride.”

“Player, the exit portal is now open. Ten-second countdown initiating.”

Amid the overlapping voices, Kaden’s eyes widened, and he shrieked out loud.

He shouted the same way when the System went away the other day.

It was a glitch that Kaden could hear the System, but it didn’t change the fact that I was going home.

“What are you on about, Calvin? Are you playing these sounds to mess with me? Mon said that you’ve stayed behind in the world for us. There’s no way you’re leaving. Stop pretending!”

Driven by rage, Kaden clutched me and sank his teeth into my skin.

“Five, four…”

With the countdown nearing an end, Silvia emerged in a hurry. Assuming that I had hurt Kaden, she unleashed hell with her heel.

“Three, two…”

“Stop him, Mom! He’s trying to leave! He has no right to leave.”

The wedding turned into total mayhem. Pulling an anxious look, Kaden clung to my neck as if his life depended on it.

“One.”

As reality sank in, Silvia grabbed my wrist.

Unfortunately for them, the pull of zero gravity ripped me free as my soul left my body, leaving them with only a lifeless shell to hold.