The wife intends to undergo artificial insemination for her beloved husband who is suffering from cancer

Three years into our arranged marriage, Olivia wanted to have a baby with her dying ex-boyfriend, Luke. Through artificial insemination.

I said no. I told her if she went through with it, Id die.

She threw divorce papers at me, her face twisted with disgust. Hes dying, Daniel! Can you just stop being so selfish and dramatic for once?

I failed the mission. The systems punishment: jump from the 18th floor.

...

Daniel, its just artificial insemination! Im not sleeping with him! Cant you be a little less selfish? Lukes an only child. Do you want his family line to end?

"Luke has cancer! Hes dying! I want to give him a child, give his parents something to live for! Whats so wrong with that?! If you can't handle it, well get a divorce!"

Olivias face was flushed, her voice trembling with anger. I stared at her, stunned she would even say the word divorce.

"Olivia," I said, desperation creeping into my voice, "if you leave, I'll die."

"Then die," she hissed, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. What was I to her? Eight years of marriage, and she wouldnt have a child with me. But for her dying ex? Shed do anything. How pathetic. How clich. And I was stuck playing the cuckolded husband.

"Host, if you cannot dissuade the target from artificial insemination, you will fail the mission." The systems voice was cold, emotionless.

Right. If I failed, Id be taking a swan dive off the balcony. That was the systems idea of a punishment, not mine. I hadnt been serious about dying.

I racked my brain. Had I done something to deserve this? Why did she hate me so much?

Oh, right. Shed married me on a rebound, to spite Luke. Then, when it became clear they werent getting back together, she'd blamed me for ruining her chances.

I clung to a sliver of hope and called her. Three rings, then voicemail. Probably driving. Id told her a million times not to answer the phone while driving. I'd call back later.

Thirty minutes later, I tried again. Same result. The hospital was close. It shouldnt have taken her that long.

Unless

I pushed the thought away and frantically redialed. After a dozen unanswered calls, it hit me: shed blocked me.

The system propelled me towards the balcony. I looked down. Eighteen stories. Surprisingly, my legs didnt shake. Id always been afraid of heights, but thisthis was exhilarating. This would definitely kill me. No chance of ending up a vegetable, or worse, crippled and even more repulsive to Olivia.

Ready, host? The systems voice was a monotone. Shall I commence the countdown?

I smiled. I'd rehearsed this moment a thousand times. "No need," I said, and jumped.

The sickening thud. The screams. My soul detached from the mangled mess that had been my body. I watched as paramedics loaded me onto a stretcher.

...

The paramedics barely flinched at the sight of my remains. Theyd seen it all before. Suddenly, my phone rang. A young female paramedic answered.

Hello, this is

Olivias enraged voice cut her off. Daniel! If youre going to die, just get it over with! Stop with these pathetic attempts to manipulate me! You want to die so bad? Then do it!

I wish you were dead! Youre so selfish! You never appreciate anything anyone does for you!

"Youve probably forgotten that Luke almost got crippled saving you from those thugs! Well, I haven't! I'll never forget!"

If you want to die so bad, just do it! Then you wont be around to make our childs life miserable!

A male paramedic snatched the phone. Hes dead, lady! he yelled.

Oh, really? Another one of your little games, Daniel? Fine! Keep it up! Just dont let me see you alive again! She hung up.

The paramedics exchanged bewildered looks. The older one took the phone and dialed Olivias mothers number. Maam, this is Springfield General Hospital. Were not joking. Your son-in-law, Daniel, has committed suicide. Please come to the

Olivias mother hung up on him, too.

"Host," the system said, its voice devoid of inflection, "you are the most pathetic failure I've ever encountered."

I couldn't argue with that. Olivia's words echoed in my mind: Luke almost got crippled saving you. The irony was almost comical.

Luke, the golden boy, had transferred to our high school in sophomore year. Hed been a troublemaker, picking on Olivia relentlessly. She'd come to me, upset, and Id confronted him. Wed fought D a lot. It turned out he'd been using those fights as an excuse to get close to her. The classic bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold routine. He started bringing her breakfast, orchestrated fake rescues, and started walking her home, taking my place.

I knew I couldnt compete. He was the protagonist, after all. My mission was to marry Olivia when their relationship inevitably imploded, ensuring my survival.

And it had worked. They'd gotten together, but hed treated her like crap. "That's what you get for messing with me," hed smirked, after one particularly brutal fight. It turned out hed been punishing her all along.

One afternoon, I overheard some guys planning to jump Olivia. They were doing it for a girl who had a crush on Luke. I called Olivia, warning her to take the back way home.

...

I hung up, but they caught me. They beat me with metal pipes, demanding to know where Olivia was. I curled up, protecting my head, refusing to talk. Then, for some reason, Olivia and Luke walked out the front gate. She screamed, throwing herself on top of me. Luke joined in, shielding her.

We ended up in the hospital. Me in the ICU, Luke with a fractured arm. And that, apparently, was Olivias version of almost crippled. Hilarious.

I watched as they wheeled my body into the morgue. A paramedic scrolled through my contacts, looking for next of kin. She found "Mom," but it wasnt my mother. It was Olivias. Id been raised by my grandmother. After she died during my freshman year, Olivias parents had taken me under their wing. We were neighbors. My grandmother used to bring them vegetables from her garden. Theyd share their leftovers with us. Olivia always shared her lunch, her allowance, her new clothes. She'd been so kind. Until Luke

The paramedics cursed under their breath and called Olivias mom.

Daniel, honey, stop messing around! Your mom and I are too old for this drama! Just make up with Olivia already!

The paramedic rolled her eyes. Maam, this is Springfield General. Your son-in-law, Daniel, has committed suicide.

Oh, that boy! Just like Olivia said! Faking his own death! She told me youd call! Well, Im not falling for it!

Daniel, stop this nonsense! Olivia told me not to answer, but I did anyway. Now stop playing games and come home for dinner. Olivias coming, too. She hung up.

I watched as they took my body to the crematorium.

Back at Olivia's parents house, everyone was having dinner. Olivia, her parents, Luke. One big happy family.

Olivias mom piled Lukes plate with food. Eat up, dear! You need to regain your strength!

Lukes father was a successful businessman. Olivia's mom had always been impressed by that. Lukes such a good catch, shed gushed to Olivia, right in front of me. So successful, such a nice young man, and he adores you! Youd be so lucky to marry him!

And yet, shed married me. An orphan. Her dad had never approved. But Olivia had been stubborn. She'd insisted. Theyd known me all my life, so theyd eventually relented.

Olivia picked at her food, silent, probably still fuming at me. Finally, she put down her fork. "Mom, I want a divorce."

Her mother sighed, as if expecting this. "Well, if itll make you happy, dear. Thisthis isnt healthy."

"Mom, thank you for understanding. Daniel would never accept this baby. I cant be selfish and drag him down with me.

Luke sat there quietly, a smug look on his face. They'd clearly discussed this.

A knock on the door.

Are you Daniels family? Im here to deliver his urn.