Chapter 3: The Darkness Meter Hits One Hundred

“Ring ring ring—” My phone shrieked in my ear.

“Host, I’m back!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin. After a year of silence, I just ground my teeth.

“Did you go on vacation or something? Weren’t you supposed to find a way to help me? Then you disappeared for a whole year!”

The system whined, sounding way too innocent:

“I really was trying to help! You said you didn’t like being this cannon-fodder heiress, so I went to find a way to swap your role. I’m here to take you out now!”

But hearing that, I suddenly fell silent.

Actually, after a year together, I realized Chase wasn’t so bad at heart. He only turned dark because the book’s world drowned him in malice. But now, after spending so much time with me, he’d become gentle and caring. He remembered what I liked to eat, carefully saved every drawing I made, and even took the initiative to do my laundry and fold my blankets.

He was just so sincere. I couldn’t help but be moved.

So, I couldn’t bring myself to leave him so suddenly.

“Maybe… forget it.”

I hesitated, then explained, “Honestly, Chase is pretty nice. He’s not nearly as scary as in the book. See? His darkness meter is at zero now, so I’m actually pretty safe with him. There’s really no need for me to go, right…?”

“It’s at one hundred.”

The system cut me off, sounding like I was crazy. My stomach dropped.

“What are you talking about? Chase’s darkness meter has always been at one hundred—it’s never gone down.”

A chill ran straight through my heart. I stared in disbelief. Before I could even react, the system went on:

“It’s just that before, his darkness was aimed at the world. Now, it’s all twisted up into love for you.”

“And did you provoke him today? His darkness meter is off the charts right now. If you don’t run, you might end up locked in a dark little room tonight…”

The more I listened, the more creeped out I got.

Right. I’d gotten cocky. In the original, Chase was a total psycho. How could a few days with me turn him into a harmless little flower?

But twisted love and being locked up… what did that mean?

I hadn’t figured it out yet, but the system’s alarms were blaring. Urging me to run. Still dazed, I took a step toward the door.

But as soon as I looked up, my heart stopped.

Chase was leaning against the doorframe. No telling how long he’d been standing there. When our eyes met, he was smiling—but his gaze was filled with bottomless darkness.

“Running?”

He tilted his head, his smile never wavering, but his eyes sharp as a knife. “Where do you think you’re going, Riley? Why not take me with you?”

The door clicked shut behind him, and suddenly, the room felt a whole lot smaller.

Too late.