The Invisible Chains

I took several deep breaths and slowly calmed myself down. Then, I looked at Alice indifferently and asked, "What system? You've been reading too many novels, Alice. I really never thought you'd be someone who steals your best friend's boyfriend!"

Everyone around us heard our voices and turned to look. Their eyes were filled with disdain as they glared at Alice.

"No, it's not like that. I don't want this either. I'm being controlled! You have to believe me!" Alice's eyes filled with tears as she kept trying to defend herself.

I immediately cut her off. "Enough! I was so wrong about you! From now on, I don't have a friend like you."

With that, I turned around and walked away, pulling out my phone to delete Alice's contact information as I left. This time, I made a clean break and cut ties with her completely. There was no way she could find out who I was dating or use the so-called system on me again.

When I got home, Colin was in the kitchen making dinner.

I met him at work, and since this was my first real relationship, I was extremely cautious. I spent a long time getting to know him before deciding to date him. From what I could see, he was always sincere and reliable.

I could not help but think that maybe I really had bad judgment and misjudged people. Nonetheless, now that I have completely cut ties with Alice, maybe the things that happened in my past life would not repeat themselves this time.

A few days later, Colin and I went out to the mall together. However, we ran into Alice there. I instinctively tried to pull him away from her, but she walked straight up to us.

"So, this is your boyfriend? You actually broke off our friendship over him? Don't tell me you've gone full lovesick."

I kept a blank expression and did not say a word. However, cold sweat broke out across my back because I could clearly feel that Colin's expression had changed.

"Let's just go. I have nothing to say to her," I said as I grabbed Colin's hand and tried to leave.

He yanked his hand away from mine and replied, "Lauren, let's break up."

My eyes widened, and what I felt more than anything was fear. I was afraid that my past life was repeating itself.

"Why are we breaking up? This is way too sudden."

"I don't like you anymore. I realized I've fallen for your friend. It's love at first sight."

Alice had a triumphant smile on her face, though she pretended to reject him. "Don't say that! I'm Lauren's best friend. We can't do this."

Colin left the mall, while I stood there frozen, unable to move.

Alice leaned close to my ear. "I told you, I have a system. Now you believe me, right?"

I clenched my teeth and still did not say a word.

Alice could see the fear in my eyes, and her smile grew even brighter.

When I got home, I immediately went online to search for information about systems. Every source said the same thing: systems did not exist in real life. They were nothing more than fictional plot devices made up for novels.

I was not willing to give up, so I posted about it online. All the internet users just made fun of me, saying the breakup made me lose my mind and that instead of admitting I was not attractive enough, I was blaming Alice for having a system.

I kept researching until late at night. When my stomach started growling loudly, I realized I had not eaten all day.

Oddly, the breakup did not make me feel sad. Instead, I was only terrified of this unknown system.

I ordered some takeout for myself, and when I saw the delivery guy, an idea suddenly popped into my head.