Just Getting Started

"Anna, you know those two creeps? They were actually coming for me," Grace sighed, putting on her best tragic face. "But I got stuck in the bathroom with the runs, and, well, fate switched things up—they went after you instead. And then..."

"Is that true?" Anna bit her lip so hard it almost bled.

"Anna, listen! The General said yes—he's marrying me! Soon, I’ll be the General’s wife! I swear, I won’t let your future in-laws look down on you or bully you, not on my watch!" Grace puffed up proudly, like she’d just won the lottery.

"What! The General agreed to marry you?" Anna shrieked. "He actually wants to marry you?"

"Yeah..." Grace said, blushing. "I got drugged, and the General swooped in to save me..."

Anna clapped a hand to her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks like rain.

"I've already decided!" Grace grabbed Anna’s hand, looking all solemn. "You’re my bestie for life—no take-backs, no refunds!"

No way!

Just go as far away from me as possible!

"Come on, sis, don’t cry! I checked out your future hubby—he’s only about forty, not ancient, and honestly, he’s not a troll. Just has a little bump on his face. Plus, he’s got a dozen concubines, so the main wife must be super chill. Once you marry in, you’ll totally—"

"Ugh! Stop it!" Anna shrieked.

"Alright, alright! I’ll zip it!" Grace popped up. "Don’t freak out! Want me to check your pulse? You know, after something like this, you might end up with a bun in the oven! If you do, better get rid of it, or else—who knows who the real dad is—"

"Get out!" Anna finally exploded, totally losing it.

"Okay, okay! I’m leaving!" Grace backed out, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she closed the door.

Grace figured Anna’s marriage was going to be a total train wreck.

But hey, she brought it on herself.

Feeling like she’d totally crushed the day, Grace hummed a tune and skipped off to hunt for breakfast...

After breakfast, Grace sneaked into Evan Xiao’s study, snatched up some brush and ink, ready to scribble a note—and then make her grand escape!

But as soon as she picked up the brush, she just sat there forever, not writing a single word.

Honestly, she still had a tiny bit of a conscience left.

Honestly, she just wanted a one-night stand with Evan Xiao, but oops—looks like she accidentally stole his heart, too.

Grace could totally tell Evan Xiao was a straight-shooter when it came to feelings.

She was just a nobody, totally looked down on by everyone, but he said he wanted to marry her. He even insisted their first time should wait for the wedding night...

He really was into her, wasn’t he?

Grace—Chloe Zhu, really—had lived two whole lives, and honest people? She could count them on one hand.

Now that she’d found someone real, she had to ditch him and run.

She really did feel awful for him—what was she supposed to do now?

And... she just couldn't bear to leave him behind...

But with only a few days left before her month was up, she had no choice—she had to go.

In the end, she sucked in a breath and stuck to the plan—leave a note and make a run for it.

But how was she supposed to write this goodbye note?

Should she write, "Evan Xiao, I’m gone. Just pretend I’m dead! Forget me."?

That sounded way too cold...

Or maybe: "Evan Xiao, I really like you, but I’ve got my own reasons—I have to leave for now. Don’t come looking for me. Someday, I’ll come find you."

After thinking it over and over, she decided the second option was way softer—and would probably hurt him less.

Plus, maybe someday their families would bury the hatchet, and she really could go find him?

So she spread out the paper and started writing.

But just as she got started, the door burst open!