Chapter 1

I’m a drama queen.

In the middle of the night, I absolutely had to have strawberries. I forced my boyfriend, who was running a high fever, to brave a storm to buy them for me.

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. I opened the door, about to ask for the strawberries.

Then I saw the pop-up comments.

"Strawberries? Dude got hit by a car on the way. The guy at your door is a real ghost."

"This evil female lead is really going to kill herself. When does she finally die?"

"Don’t worry, soon, soon. In three days, the anomalies descend, and the male lead becomes the King of Anomalies. He’ll go after the evil female lead first."

I trembled like a leaf. I grabbed a towel from the table and draped it over my boyfriend’s head.

Softly, I said, "You’re drenched! It breaks my heart to see you like this."

1

Under the dim yellow light, Liam’s face was as pale as paper. His hair was soaking wet, drops of water dripping from the strands onto the floor. The towel in my hand was soaked with rainwater, and his palm felt icy.

The comments section exploded:

"Wait, isn’t the next scene supposed to be the female lead, furious about not getting her strawberries, slapping the male lead across the face?"

"Why is Sarah suddenly having a conscience?"

"Probably realized she’s about to die. Trying to make amends, a last-ditch effort."

…

Those dense, scrolling comments sent shivers down my spine. Yes, I was Sarah, the "evil female lead" they were talking about.

Outside, it was pitch black, as if the darkness itself was trying to swallow everything. This wasn't normal. Combined with the comments about anomalies descending in three days, it seemed this was really happening.

2

I carefully used the towel to dry Liam’s rain-soaked hair. He remained utterly still, unreactive, letting me do as I pleased. Just as I wondered why, a comment popped up, explaining:

"Male lead’s first day as an anomaly, consciousness not back yet. Just acting on instinct."

"Sarah only has three days to run wild. Once Liam’s consciousness and memories return in three days, good luck to her."

I shivered in fear. My wrist was suddenly grabbed. Liam’s hand was icy, and his voice was cold. He said, "I couldn’t get the strawberries."

The moment he said that, I was filled with regret. Idiot! Why did you ask for strawberries?! Now his life is gone!

Before I could speak, Liam had already gathered his bedding. "I’ll sleep on the living room couch."

This was my usual punishment for Liam. Any slight deviation from my wishes, and he’d either be on his knees or subjected to my yelling and hitting. The couch was a standard punishment.

Sarah, Sarah, I cursed inwardly, you really are a monster!

My heart softened, but then I remembered Liam was now… not human. It was probably better to keep my distance. Thinking this, I yawned and went to bed.

When I opened my eyes, those persistent comments were still there. I didn’t expect them to invade my mind even when I closed my eyes. The comments section was buzzing, all about how tragic my fate would be. They showed absolutely no consideration for me, the person experiencing it.

Comments:

"This female lead gets it rough later. When the anomalies descend, she’s repeatedly attacked by the anomalies Liam sends. She barely clings to life, only to encounter the black-hearted Liam. She thinks he’s still in love, slaps him, and he just chops off her hand."

What the hell?!

My eyes, which had been closed, snapped open. I quickly touched my perfectly intact hand.

Comments:

"Wait, why did Sarah suddenly open her eyes? Scared me."

I’m the one who’s scared stiff! Isn’t my fate supposed to be miserable? Although I was a bit of a beast before, I didn't deserve that, did I?

But thinking back to my time with Liam, I had never shown him a kind face, always yelling or hitting him. Before, perhaps because I hadn't "awakened" and was just a paper doll following a predetermined plot, I hadn't felt anything. But now that I was aware, recalling my actions…

Yes, I was a terrible person. But did I deserve such a tragic death? Thinking of this, tears streamed down my face.

Question: How do I reverse my tragic ending in just three days?

The comments were still buzzing with activity.

"Don’t even get me started on how satisfying it gets later. And Liam doesn’t kill her immediately. Instead, he locks her up and tortures her daily. It takes almost a month for Sarah to finally die."

"OMG, the male lead is so ruthless! Doesn’t he have any humanity left?"

"Ruthless? He’s an anomaly now, of course he’s lost most of his humanity."

"You’re right. It’s all Sarah’s fault. She’s getting what she deserves."

The more I read, the more terrified and shaky I became. The more I read, the colder the room felt.

Finally, I abruptly sat up in bed. These cursed comments were chilling me to the bone. No, I couldn’t sleep alone; it was too terrifying.

3

So I quietly slipped out of bed. I pushed the door open just a crack. It was dark outside; Liam must have been fast asleep. I tiptoed to the sofa. Using the faint light from my phone, I illuminated Liam’s face. He lay peacefully, like a corpse.

Well, he was one.

Okay, sleeping next to a corpse right now wasn't the smartest idea. But I really didn’t want to fall asleep alone, trembling with fear. So I quietly lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped in. Thankfully, the sofa I bought was large enough. Otherwise, it wouldn't have fit two people.

I turned over, coming face to face with a pair of dark eyes. The surprise made me lose my balance, almost falling off. Thankfully, Liam caught me by the waist. His voice was devoid of emotion. "Why are you sleeping out here?"

I didn’t know how to explain, so I just buried my face in his chest. "I missed you."

The comments exploded:

"Wait, why are they suddenly getting intimate?"

"Upstairs, they’re a couple. This is normal."

"Not normal at all! Zero people want to see their love story."

I was buried in the crook of Liam’s neck, barely daring to breathe. After all, the current Liam was no longer the same. There was no trace of a living person about him.

4

The comments started chatting again:

"Honestly, this female lead is such a stereotype. Facing a boyfriend with an eight-pack and top-tier looks, she just keeps her heart locked up, treating him like a spinning top all day. So abstract, she practically has ‘I’m the evil female lead’ written on her face."

"Agreed with the above. I was so confused when I watched. They clearly had no real conflict, and the male lead never did anything overboard, but she just acted like a lunatic, finding ways to torment him all day."

"That’s normal. The author got lazy, just wanted a character to boost the male lead’s dark evolution. The interaction between the male and female leads later will definitely be shippable, looking forward to it!"

These comments actually reminded me. That’s right, what was it about Liam that I used to dislike so much?

His face? Liam’s face was top-tier. If he hadn’t been with me, he probably could have found a rich older woman and never worried about money again.

His body? His body was also top-notch: an eight-pack, smooth and refined skin.

Thinking about it like that… Oh my God! I’ve been set up!

The old me was practically blind! Having such beauty and not indulging, just focusing on acting like a drama queen—this plot was truly harmful!

As I thought this, my eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The sofa, though not small, was still a bit cramped for two people. As I relaxed slightly, I felt myself starting to drift downwards. Liam’s hand was resting on my waist, occasionally pulling me closer. His fingers were terrifyingly cold, even waking me from my drowsy state.

I instinctively frowned. "Take your hand away, your hand is so cold…"

But then I suddenly remembered my tragic fate. I quickly grabbed his hand instead. "Why is your hand so cold?"

Liam moved a little closer, our breaths mingling. "I don’t know."

Perhaps it was lust emboldening me. I, possessed, placed his hand on my chest, then pressed it against my neck. "I’ll warm you up, and it won’t be cold anymore," I said.

The veins in my slender neck pulsed with heat and strength. His cold, large hand trembled slightly. Liam froze. His dark eyes watched me unblinkingly, as if trying to swallow me whole.

The comments section nearly erupted into a brawl.

"What the hell? Why did they suddenly get all lovey-dovey?"

"Gotta say, it’s kinda shippable."

"Upstairs must be starving for content, shipping anything? Are you a Stockholm Syndrome victim?"

"Seriously, look what the male lead went through. Just let the female lead die already, okay?"

"But I actually feel like the male lead is kinda enjoying it right now…"

5

I slept soundly through the night. Early in the morning, before I was even fully awake, I smelled the aroma of food. I twitched my nose, then rolled over and fell off the sofa.

Liam had woken up early and, driven by instinct, had prepared a table full of food. All my favorites. I was delighted. I picked up my fork and tasted a bit of the roasted chicken. Enjoying it, I praised him, "Today’s meal is so rich and delicious!"

Comments:

"Of course! It’s her last meal; it has to be grand."

"Let the female lead enjoy this last bit of happiness. Later, on the run, she won’t even have a cracker. The one piece of bread she finds will be moldy."

"Thinking about it like that, she’s pretty miserable, isn’t she? Serves her right, she brought it on herself."

I quietly put down my fork. Damn these comments, they can’t even let me eat in peace.

Liam noticed my action. "No appetite?" he asked. Perhaps because he was now not human, his voice was still cold, utterly devoid of emotion.

I forced a bitter smile. "Maybe it’s because I didn’t sleep well last night; I’m a bit under the weather."

Liam tilted his head. His voice finally held a hint of emotion. "Is it because I couldn’t get the strawberries?"

Why is he bringing up strawberries again?!

Comments:

"Poor male lead, dead and still trapped in the past, still thinking it’s his fault."

"Everyone, just one more day, and Liam awakens! It’ll be so satisfying when his memories return!"

"Argh, I really hate this female lead! She caused his death just over some strawberries!"

The comments made my nose sting. I couldn’t even remember why I had insisted on strawberries last night. Perhaps, as the comments said, the author just needed an excuse to drive the plot.

But the strawberries were ultimately my request, and I was the one who caused Liam’s death. Thinking this, guilt washed over me like a tide. I stood up and, under Liam’s watchful gaze, hugged him.

Liam’s body was stiff, like a cold wall. I mumbled into his shoulder, "I’ll never eat strawberries again."

Strawberries aren’t delicious at all!

Liam didn’t move, letting me embrace him. "Why? Don’t you like them?"

I hugged him tighter. "Because I don’t."

Liam said, "Then what do you like? I’ll get it for you."

I said, "I like you."

Liam said nothing more. His body subtly shifted for a moment. Then he raised his arms and hugged me tightly.

Comments:

"Wait, I’m actually starting to ship them. What’s going on, the male lead seems to be regaining consciousness?"

"Liam isn’t going to awaken early, is he? If he does, fine, just kill Sarah already. I don’t want to see their romance."

"How does this feel both sweet and angsty? Also, does this relationship line really need to be written in such detail?"