Part 1I Quit the Love Game

Sadie White abandoned me for the 99th time on my birthday to find her old crush, who was threatening suicide.

I told the System that this was the last straw. I was done trying to win her heart. I had spent 12 years giving it everything I had, hoping to win her over and bring some light into her world, yet it had all been for nothing.

The System told me that if I died here, I could return to my original world.

The first time, I tried to slit my wrist. Sadie kicked down the door and rushed me to the hospital, then angrily accused me of trying to manipulate her emotionally and get her attention.

The second time, I overdosed on sleeping pills. She broke into my room just in time, wrapped her arms tightly around me, and told me she was sorry.

Well, there was always gonna be next time.

* * *

It was a rare occasion for Sadie to find time to spend with me, and the fact that it was my birthday made it even more special. Just as I was about to cut the cake, her phone rang.

She smiled at me.

"I'm just gonna take this real quick," she said sweetly.

I nodded.

"Hello?" Casey Bankman's tearful voice shrieked through the phone. "It's my brother! He's about to jump! He says he wants to see you, and only you! No one else can get near him!"

A burst of ear-splitting chaos drowned her out before Kermit Bankman's hysterical shouting came through.

"Sadie, are you with Flynn right now? Are you abandoning me? You don't want me anymore, do you?!" His voice rose to a shriek. "I knew it! I knew that bastard was trying to take you away from me!"

Sadie turned pale. "No! Calm down, Kermit! I'm... I'm on m—"

I quickly caught her wrist. "Sadie, the Bankmans have therapists on call 24/7. They have state-of-the-art security..."

Kermit suddenly screamed, and the sound of shattering glass cut through the call.

"What right does he have to steal you away from me?! Today is supposed to be the 15th anniversary of the day we met!" he bellowed.

"Don't tell me that asshole is stopping you from saving my brother!" Casey cried. "He's about to die, and that selfish man..."

Sadie frowned. "Let go of me right now, Flynn. Kermit's in danger. This is not the time."

Her expression softened slightly. "Listen. I'll be back soon."

She reached out to caress my face, but I pulled away.

"You have to come here right now, Sadie! He's... He's already standing on the ledge! He says he's gonna... If you don't come soon, h-he's gonna..."

Sadie's eyes reddened. "Let's set this aside for now, Flynn. Kermit's more important right now. If anything happens to him... I don't think I'd be able to live with the guilt."

She sighed and rubbed her temple. "I promise I'll make more time for you next time."

I sneered. "That's what you said last time. And the time before that."

"I mean it this time." She grabbed my shoulders, but her gaze had already drifted toward the door. "Once Kermit finally stabilizes, we can get out of here. We can go to a beautiful tropical beach..."

"Flynn, you shameless piece of shit! Why are you doing this when my brother's in crisis?!" Casey shrieked.

A coughing fit followed. "Sadie... My head... It hurts..."

"Kermit! Listen to me! Hang on!" Sadie shouted into the phone as her composure finally crumbled.

"He cut his wrists! There's blood everywhere!" Casey screamed.

"Help me... Sadie... Where are you?" Kermit's weakening voice finally came through.

Sadie took a deep breath. "Stay here. I'll be back when this is over!"

The door slammed shut behind her.

Only I heard my quiet reply. "Don't even bother coming back."

The only response was the ding of the elevator as it descended toward the lobby.

I glanced at the mess on the table. "System Bot or whatever, you there? I give up."

Sadie used to feel guilty about breaking her promises when she stood me up. She used to come running back to me at midnight just to apologize.

Now, she didn't even care enough to pretend.