Take Back the Points

I transmigrated into a tragic romance novel and spent five years trying to win over the female lead.

I fell in love with her when she weighed two hundred pounds.

I didn't hesitate to spend every single one of my system points to make her thin and beautiful.

I really thought we would make it to the end together.

But we have had five weddings, and she ran away from every single one of them because of her first love.

At the fifth wedding, she even kissed him passionately right in front of the guests.

Everyone expected me to go crazy or have a complete breakdown.

But I didn't. I simply told the system in my mind, "I want my points back. Let Gia go back to being two hundred pounds."

1.

Our fifth wedding was interrupted by her first love, Zane Miller, just like all the others.

"You only love Gia for her looks!" Zane shouted.

"But I love everything about her. Do you have any idea how much I stayed by her side when she was at her lowest?"

He stood below the altar in a white suit, looking indignant.

Gia let go of my hand, exactly as she had done the four times before.

"I'm sorry, Xander. I can't let a man as good as Zane down."

After saying that, she rushed off the stage and kissed Zane passionately in front of everyone.

As the groom, I watched my bride lock lips with another man.

The entire venue erupted into whispers and gasps.

They all expected me to collapse or scream in rage.

But I just stood there, my expression completely calm.

I was exhausted. I didn't want to waste any more emotion on someone who wasn't worth it.

When their kiss finally ended, Gia and Zane stood there with their fingers interlocked.

There wasn't a hint of guilt on Gia's face. She just said coolly, "Xander, Zane stayed with me during my darkest days. I can't marry you."

The darkest days she was talking about were when she weighed two hundred pounds and everyone treated her like trash.

Everyone believed she got thin because Zane stayed by her side and encouraged her to work out until she became a beauty and moved abroad.

To anyone listening, it sounded like a beautiful story of a loyal first love.

But Gia only had what she had today because I, the transmigrator, traded all my points for it.

The system just made everyone believe Zane was the one who helped her to keep the world stable.

"Fine," I said softly into the microphone.

"I wish you both the best."

I looked into her bright eyes. I used to love her more than my own life.

But now, I was truly done.

Her pupils flickered with surprise.

Even Zane and the guests looked shocked.

Based on my past behavior, this wasn't the reaction they were expecting.

2.

At our first wedding, Zane called her, and she left immediately.

I had held her hand and begged her to stay, but she still walked away.

The second time, Zane stood at the door and shed a single tear. She tore her wedding dress right then and there to run to him.

I was left alone in the hall to clean up the mess.

The third time, Zane just had a common cold, and she abandoned me again.

I actually knelt on the ground and begged her, but she just sneered, "Can you stop being so disgusting? Zane is sick!"

The fourth time, she didn't even show up at the venue. Later, I saw a post on her social media.

She was in the mountains with Zane, watching the snow.

She posted a photo of them together with the caption: "Watching the snow with the person I love most."

And the final time was today. Gia had finally pushed me past my limit.

Every time she ran away, I told myself it was because Zane was the male lead of this world and she was influenced by the plot.

But the system just told me that my mission actually ended two years ago.

The system was preparing to leave. I asked if the leads were still influenced by the script.

It told me, "When you succeeded two years ago, everyone gained free will. There are no more leads. Nobody is influencing anyone anymore."

So, for the past two years and these five weddings, Gia didn't leave because of some invisible force.

She left because she wanted to.

Every time she said she loved me, it was a lie.

Suddenly, a guest shouted, "Mr. Sterling, I've paid five wedding gifts already! When are you actually going to marry this girl?"

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks. Consider this my divorce party with Gia. I won't be marrying her again."

"I'll have my assistant organize the gift money and return every cent to you."

Gia and Zane looked even more stunned.

Gia's expression relaxed into a smirk. "Xander, at least you're being sensible for once. Thank you for stepping aside."

They walked out hand in hand.

In the past, every time Gia ran away, she would come crawling back after a few days.

She would always say, "Xander, you're the only one in my heart. I only left because I felt I owed Zane."

"Trust me, I won't run away next time."

But time after time, she did the same thing.

She made me the biggest joke in the entire city.

Even the system couldn't stand it anymore and asked, "Are you really staying for a woman like this? You could just go home."

I looked out at the clear blue sky.

Back in my original world, I was happy and free.

After coming here, I had lost myself in the name of love.

Suddenly, I just wanted to go home.

3.

"System, are you still there?"

After getting home, I called out in my mind.

I didn't know if it had left yet. I could only hope.

"I'm still here, Host."

The system's voice made me breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank god it was still here.

"System, I want my points back. Make Gia go back to being two hundred pounds."

"Then, I want to use those points to return to my world."

As long as I had those points, I could buy my way back home.

"You've finally come to your senses. I always knew Gia wasn't right for you."

The system's mechanical voice actually sounded a bit happy.

"It's a good thing I haven't left yet, or you'd be stuck here forever."

"Love makes you blind," I sighed.

"I kept making excuses for her, thinking it was the plot's fault."

"But I'm awake now."

"It's good that you're awake. It's not too late."

"However, Host, there is some bad news."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Five years ago, you spent all your points on Gia's transformation. Because five years have passed, those points cannot be refunded directly, and she won't change back automatically."

"Unless you choose to complete another mission to earn points. Then, I can revert her to her old self as part of the process."

"Fine. I'll do it."

I didn't hesitate for a second.

Five years ago, when I first arrived, Gia was a shut-in who could barely walk a few steps without panting.

She had no skills and never left the house.

I stayed with her for so long. I took her to work out every day and taught her everything I knew.

Even though my mission was just to make her love me, I took it seriously. I wanted her to be better.

I wanted her to lose weight and gain the ability to support herself.

But her weight was stubborn. It wouldn't budge.

So, I made the bold choice to use all my points to give her a perfect body.

The system was shocked back then.

Those points took me a very long time to save up.

They were like currencyDhard to earn, easy to spend.

But I loved her back then. I was willing to give her everything.

Once she got thin, the system altered the world's memory.

She didn't remember me being the one by her side; she thought it was Zane.

To her, I was just a guy who treated her well later on.

I kept chasing her, and she eventually agreed to my proposal.

The mission was a success.

I thought that even if she didn't remember our history, she would appreciate how well I treated her.

I gave her all the money I earned.

I paid for her to study abroad and helped her become a famous star.

Everyone envied her for having such a devoted husband.

I truly believed she loved me back.

But today, I finally realized she never did.

4.

The system gave me a new mission: Win over Gia's sister, Gwen Hart.

The difficulty wasn't high.

I just had to get her to agree to be with me, and I'd have enough points to go home.

I really wanted to leave this miserable world as soon as possible.

The next day, I started my move.

Gwen was a big movie star and was filming on set today.

I happened to be an investor in her movie, so I planned to "accidentally" bump into her.

On my way there, I saw Gia's latest post.

In the photo, she was being kissed by Zane on a huge lawn.

The caption read: "With the universe as our witness, we are married!"

It was hilarious. We weren't even legally divorced yet, and she was already "married" to Zane.

I took a screenshot and sent it to my lawyer. I was going to sue her.

I used to love her.

But now, my heart was dead.

Actually, Gia was quite good to me at the beginning.

Before we got our marriage license, we lived together.

We went shopping after work and traveled on weekends.

But everything changed the moment Zane returned from abroad.

She stopped coming home and ignored my texts.

She always claimed she was out with friends.

Now, I didn't care anymore.

She could play as much as she wanted.

When I arrived at the set, I saw Gwen acting a scene with a male lead. She was very professional.

She and Gia were half-sisters.

They never got along, which is why she didn't come to our weddings.

I had only met her once. That was when Gia was bullying her online, claiming Gwen had slept her way to the top.

Gwen had come to our house to confront Gia. She was shaking with rage, her eyes bloodshot.

"I never did anything to you! Why are you lying about me?" Gwen had cried.

Gia had just smirked. "Because you deserve it. I can't stand seeing you successful."

Back then, I knew Gia was wrong, but because I loved her, I stayed silent.

I really regretted not helping Gwen back then.

5.

"Xander Sterling?"

Gia's voice suddenly appeared behind me.

She was holding Zane's hand tightly.

"What are you doing here?"

"None of your business," I said coldly.

The sight of her made me sick. I wasn't going to be nice to her.

I tried to walk away, but she grabbed my arm, hissing through her teeth, "You knew Zane was filming here today, didn't you? You came to cause trouble!"

"Let me tell you, Xander, don't think you're so great just because you have some money."

"Don't forget, I'm a famous star too. If you try anything, I'll have my fans destroy you!"

I turned to look at her. She looked like she hated my guts.

I suddenly felt so stupid for ever being good to her.

Setting everything else aside, those five weddings cost me nearly fifteen million dollars.

I just wanted her to have a day she'd never forget.

But she didn't cherish a single one of them.

"Don't be so disgusting. I'm not as petty as you," I said, shaking her hand off.

Her touch made my skin crawl.

She looked stunned for a moment, then clenched her fists. "Good. Zane is my man now. If you hurt him, I'll make you pay."

It was pathetic.

She ran away from our wedding yesterday without a single apology, and now she was threatening me.

I wondered what color her heart really was.

I didn't want to waste time on her. I'd just let the lawyers handle the divorce.

I walked away without another word.

The director saw me and immediately started kissing up to me.

Zane and Gia followed behind me, their faces sour.

Gwen finished her scene and walked over. She was surprised to see me and Gia there.

She didn't say hello. She just went straight to the director to discuss the script.

Gia rushed up with a fake smile. "Sister, you don't even say hi? You're too busy flirting with the director?"

The director's face darkened instantly.

For the first time, I realized how stupid Gia was.

She was attacking Gwen in public like a total amateur.

Zane tried to pull her back, telling her to stop, but she wouldn't listen.

"Sister, you look like you've put on some weight. Is it because you've been getting too much 'attention' from men lately?"

Gwen's fists tightened. She looked like she was about to explode.

I stepped in before she could and shoved Gia aside.

"I just recorded everything you said. I wonder how your fans will react when they see how you treat your own sister?"

"Xander, are you crazy?" Gia shrieked, her face turning pale.

"You're my husband! Why are you taking another woman's side?"

I laughed. It was truly ridiculous.

Now she remembered I was her husband.

"I thought you just said Zane was your man," I said, looking her in the eye.

"Besides, I've already filed for divorce. We won't be husband and wife for much longer."

"You're divorcing me?" She looked like she couldn't believe her ears.

"Yeah. You want to be with Zane so badly, I'm making it happen."

Zane's eyes flashed with triumph.

He had disrupted our weddings specifically to get me to leave her.

He had finally reached his goal.

I expected Gia to be happy too, considering how much she supposedly loved him.

She had run away five times and spent my money on cars and houses for Zane.

But instead, she lunged forward and grabbed my clothes, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You are not allowed to divorce me!"

6.

I was genuinely confused by her reaction.

Zane was also shocked. "Gia? We agreed we were going to be together properly."

Gia ignored him and stared at me, tears streaming down her face.

"Xander, we've been together for five years."

"You can't just be this irresponsible."

I really couldn't follow her logic.

She didn't want a divorce, yet she wouldn't stop messing around with Zane.

I pushed her away.

"We both know who's the irresponsible one here."

I grabbed Gwen's hand and walked away.

When we got to the elevator, she shoved me off.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't touch me."

She didn't trust me at all.

In her mind, Gia and I were the same kind of people.

"I just wanted to help you," I said quietly.

"I didn't help you in the past, and I regret it. I let Gia get away with too much."

She looked at me, her guard dropping slightly.

"I've already forgotten about that. Just tell your wife to stop harassing me."

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside.

I didn't stop her. I knew I couldn't rush this.

I needed to finalize the divorce with Gia first so I could pursue Gwen properly.

That evening, I texted Gia to come home at eight.

I wanted to have a serious talk and get her to sign the papers at the courthouse.

I had originally planned to take her for everything she had, but I just wanted to leave so badly.

I was willing to settle just to get it over with.

Usually, she'd be late or wouldn't show up at all, but this time, she was early.

She even brought a gift.

"Xander, look! I bought you a watch."

I looked at the Rolex in the box.

Early this year, we had a huge fight over this exact watch.

It was my birthday, and I found the box in her drawer.

I was so happy, thinking it was for me.

But the next day, I didn't get the watch, and she didn't even come home for my birthday.

Later, I saw a photo of her and Zane in Florida. Zane was wearing that watch.

When I asked her about it, she lied and said it was just a prop for a shoot.

I didn't take the gift.

Instead, I threw it straight into the trash can.

For years, she had treated me like thisDslapping me and then giving me a piece of candy to shut me up.

It was nauseating.

My action immediately set her off.

"Xander, are you freaking kidding me?" she screamed.

"I drove an hour to get you that watch, and you just throw it away?"

"I don't like it anymore," I said calmly.

"Gia, some things come too late for me to care about them."

My words seemed to take the wind out of her sails.

She knew exactly what I was talking about.

"I explained that to you! Zane helped me with work, so I bought him a gift."

"I know you're still mad about the wedding, but I just feel so guilty toward Zane. I can't just ignore him."

"He was the only one there for me when everyone else hated me."

"But I swear, it's just guilt. I only said those things to make him happy. I won't do it again. From now on, weD"

"Can you just shut up?"

%%%