Switching My Target to the Billionaire's Cousin

I had spent six years trying to win Sienna Ashford's heart. My mission was simple: get her to propose to me.

After my progress stalled at ninety-nine percent for a full year, she finally asked the question. But that was the day I decided to switch my target to someone else.

In my previous life, I ignored the system's warnings and accepted her proposal without hesitation. I was delusional, thinking she might actually love me.

Ten minutes before the ceremony, she swapped me for a different groom. My affection score crashed to zero instantly.

As she watched the system erase my soul, she looked at me with nothing but contempt.

"I only stayed by your side to siphon your luck for Gavin's recovery," she said. "A lowly creature like you was never meant to marry me."

The system felt sorry for my pathetic end and gave me a chance to do it all over again.

In this life, I'm done playing her games. I've changed my target.

1.

"Host, are you certain you want to switch your target to Sienna's cousin?"

The system's mechanical voice echoed in my head. I didn't hesitate for a second. "Confirm."

"Understood. The system requires three days to reset. After that, your connection with Sienna Ashford will be severed."

Three days.

That number pounded in my head like a drum.

Sienna's voice snapped me back to reality. She shot me an annoyed look, her chin tilted up in that familiar, arrogant way.

"Zale! Are you even listening to me? The wedding is in three days. It's settled."

She was always like thisDcold and commanding. Even when she was technically proposing, it sounded like a business order.

She didn't care about my opinion. She was convinced I'd keep chasing her no matter how badly she treated me.

In my last life, I made excuses for her. I told myself it was just her personality.

Seeing that haughty look again, I felt sick. I had spent six years being her loyal dog, and for what?

This time, I'm letting go.

I nodded, playing the part of the obedient partner one last time. "Sure. Whatever you want."

Sienna narrowed her eyes, looking at me with suspicion.

She probably expected me to cry or jump for joy because she finally chose me. My calm reaction clearly bothered her.

She reached into her coat pocket and tossed a men's ring onto the table. It rolled toward me like a scrap of food thrown to a stray.

"Put it on. We're getting married, after all. You should at least have a ring."

I tried to put it on, but it was way too small. It wouldn't even go past my knuckle.

She watched me struggle until my finger turned bright red. There wasn't a hint of sympathy in her eyesDonly mockery.

She stood up and crossed her arms, a cruel smirk dancing on her lips.

"Forget it, you idiot. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. It wasn't bought for you anyway."

She snatched the ring back and tucked it into her pocket as if it were a precious treasure. Then she checked her watch.

"Go to the hospital and get your pre-marital checkup done now."

In my last life, she scheduled these full-body exams for me every single month. She told me she cared about my health.

It wasn't until the moment I died that I realized the truth. She wanted me near Gavin Grant so he could drain my life force and wake up from his coma.

She always claimed she was waiting in the hallway during my exams. In reality, she was in Gavin's room.

The memory made my chest ache. She had endured six years next to a man she hated just for Gavin's sake.

She barked out another order. "Wait for me at the hospital when you're done. Don't you dare go anywhere without my permission."

The old me would have waited until sunset. Not this time.

After the exam, the doctor told me to pick up my results from the inpatient wing. By a twist of fate, I ended up right outside Gavin's room.

2.

Sienna was sitting by the bed, clutching Gavin's hand. Tears were streaming down her faceDa look of pure devotion I had never received.

"Gavin, we can finally be together forever," she whispered, stroking his face.

"I feel nothing but disgust for Zale. I'm just using him. My love belongs only to you."

I had heard those words before, right before the system erased me in my past life.

Yet, the pain was still sharp. It felt like I had been dropped into a frozen lake.

She took the ring from her pocket and slipped it onto Gavin's finger. It was a perfect fit. She smiled through her tears.

"I've had this ready for you for so long. See? We have matching sets now."

Of course. The ring was for him.

I looked at my red, irritated knuckle and let out a silent, bitter laugh.

For a split second when she gave me that ring, I actually thought she might care. Even when she said it wasn't for me, I tried to lie to myself.

Now, I knew for sure. Sienna never loved me.

That ninety-nine percent affection score? It was all an act for Gavin's benefit.

Gavin reached up and ruffled her hair, kissing her hand repeatedly.

"You've worked so hard, Sienna. But are you sure he'll be... gone... at the wedding? I don't want any loose ends."

Sienna tucked the blanket around him, her smile turning dark. "Don't worry. I've planned everything. He'll die in agony while he watches us walk down the aisle."

So, the wedding was a trap to trigger the system's execution. She had planned my death from the start.

I turned to leave, but the doctor spotted me. "Zale Sterling? Here are your reports."

The door flew open. Sienna charged out, her face twisted in a mask of pure rage.

"Zale! Did you put a tracker on my phone? Have you been following me!?"

I met her furious gaze with a blank expression. "The doctor told me to come here. I was just passing by."

The doctor chimed in, confirming my story and asking if there was a misunderstanding.

Sienna didn't believe a word of it. "Whatever. You've always been a desperate, creepy stalker."

I thought I was numb, but that word still stung.

She was referring to the times I researched her favorite restaurants or waited to pick her up after work events.

Back then, those actions made her affection score jump from fifty to eighty.

She had even cried while drinking the soup I made for her, telling me I was the only person who had ever been so good to her.

But now that Gavin was back, my kindness was labeled as "creepy."

I forced a smile. "You're right. I'm a pathetic person."

I had debased myself just for a glance from her.

Sienna looked back into the room and blew a kiss to Gavin, her eyes softening. Then she turned back to me, her face turning back into ice.

"What are you standing there for? Go get the car. Now!"

People in the hallway were staring at me with pity. I had no dignity left in her presence.

I wasn't going to take it anymore. "Take a cab. I'm going home on my own."

She screamed at me as I walked away. "How dare you walk away from me! Fine! Go! I don't want you near me anyway!"

I felt a flash of bitterness, but I suppressed it.

Only two days left. It wasn't worth the argument.

3.

Sienna did what she always did when I didn't play alongDshe gave me the silent treatment.

She didn't come home that night. Her social media location showed she was still at the hospital.

I knew exactly who she was with.

I remembered when I first arrived in this world. The system gave me a list of targets, and I chose Sienna.

She was an orphan who had fought her way to the top of the corporate world. I admired her strength.

The system warned me she was the hardest target because of her obsession with Gavin.

I thought I could change her. I thought my devotion would eventually outweigh her past.

There were moments where she seemed real. When her score was at fifty, she actually seemed to like me.

She bought me an expensive watch for my birthday. She rented a yacht and spent a whole week with me, ignoring her work.

"I wish time would stop right here," she had whispered in my arms.

Now I realized she only said that because she knew she could never give me a future.

Her heart belonged to Gavin. She only gave me the leftovers because she felt a momentary spark of pity.

That pity led me to my death in the previous timeline.

4.

On the final day, I sat watching the clock.

The wedding planner called me to check the venue decorations. When I arrived, I realized they had called the wrong groom.

Gavin was already there.

Sienna was clinging to his arm, laughing for the cameras. At the photographer's request, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

Flash. A perfect moment captured forever.

"I'm going to save this one," Sienna said, glowing with excitement. "We can look at it when we're old and gray."

Old and gray. She had never used those words with me. No "future," no "forever."

I remembered a night when we were intimate. I had held her hand and asked, "Sienna, do we have a future together?"

She had pushed me away instantly, her face turning cold and dark. "Don't ever ask me that again."

I was heartbroken but too scared to push. I thought she just had commitment issues.

Now I knew she just didn't want a future with me.

Gavin noticed me first. He smirked and walked over, holding out a hand.

"You must be Sienna's fianc. We grew up together. Thanks for taking care of her these last six years."

He was marking his territory. Sienna didn't even let go of his arm while he said it.

I was the fianc, yet I felt like the intruder.

When I didn't speak, Sienna's temper flared. "Are you deaf? Gavin is talking to you!"

I let out a dry, mocking laugh. "So? Should I thank him for giving me the privilege of being your doormat?"

Sienna clenched her fists. "Do you think because we're getting married, you can talk to me like that? I'm doing you a favor by marrying you! One more word and I'll call the whole thing off!"

She glared at me, but then her face paled. She looked like she was about to be sick and ran toward the restroom.

Gavin looked me up and down. "Six years of hard work and she still doesn't love you. Must hurt. Honestly? She's only with you because of me. You're just a tool."

He winked at me. "There's a big surprise waiting for you tomorrow. Try not to miss it."

I felt a wave of nausea. I headed toward the sinks to splash some water on my face.

That's when I heard them in the large, private restroom stall.

"Gavin, I have news. I'm pregnant. It's your baby!"

"Really? Sienna, that's amazing! We need to get rid of him as soon as possible so we can start our life."

My hands shook so hard I could barely stand. I stumbled away, her words echoing in my skull.

How could she be so heartless?

When Sienna came out, she actually had a smile on her face. She grabbed my arm gently.

"Zale, come with me. Let's go try on wedding dresses."

I was a ghost. I let her lead me to the bridal shop. I watched her try on gown after gown. She asked if she looked beautiful.

She looked like an angel, but I couldn't say a word. I had to look away to keep from crying.

She knelt in front of me, her voice soft and sweet.

"I'm sorry for my attitude lately, Zale. I was wrong."

"Since we're getting married tomorrow, can you forgive me?"

"I promise to take care of you after the wedding. I'll give you all the love I have."

I stared at her and nodded like a puppet.

When I got home, the system's voice finally returned.

"Host, resetting in three seconds. Target changed to Lyra Langley."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

"Target updated. Please proceed to the airport to meet your new targetDLyra Langley."

I didn't look back. I grabbed my keys and hailed a cab to the airport.