Martin Taylor Charles Facebook ad: “Until Her Love Expired”

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"System, I've decided to give up on Adrian King. I want a new target. Erase every trace I ever left beside him." Alice Hart had chased Adrian for five years. Five years of patience. Five years of devotion. Five years of swallowing every grievance because the system had told her that if she could make Adrian fall in love with her, the cancer inside her body would disappear. She had almost succeeded. They had been engaged. Their wedding was close enough for her to touch. One more step, and the mission would have been complete. Then Adrian changed his mind. He said he was going to marry his ex-girlfriend. Alice no longer wanted to waste herself on him. A moment later, the system answered. [Request accepted. The marriage partner arranged by your sister can be selected as your new target. If you make him fall in love with you, your cancer can still be cured.] "Good." Alice took out her phone at once and called her sister. "Clara," she said quietly, "I agree to the arranged marriage." On the other end, Clara Hart almost cried with relief. "Alice, thank God you finally came to your senses. I told you Adrian King was never worthy of you. I'll book your flight right away. One week from now, you'll fly to Paris and go straight to the wedding as the bride." "All right," Alice said. "I'll be there on time." Unlike Clara's excitement, Alice's voice remained calm. Too calm. There was barely any emotion in it. After hanging up, she tilted her head back and forced the wetness in her eyes to retreat. Only when she had steadied herself did she leave the window. Just then, the front door clicked open. Adrian came in. He was still wearing his white doctor's coat. After stepping inside, he took it off and handed it to her as naturally as if she had been born to serve him. He seemed to be in a good mood today. Even his usually cold eyes held a faint smile. The moment the coat fell into Alice's arms, a heavy perfume scent rushed toward her. Roses. Celeste Vale's perfume. His ex-girlfriend. Alice's eyes, which had only just dried, reddened again. For five years, she had never dared to wear perfume. Adrian had once told her he hated the smell of it. If she wore any, she had to stay at least ten feet away from him. Now she understood. It had never been the perfume he hated. It had been her. Adrian did not notice her expression. He changed his shoes and said casually, "Celeste and I have set the wedding date. It's in a week. You'll be her bridesmaid." Pain pricked Alice's heart. What a coincidence. In one week, she would be getting married too. For the first time in five years, she looked up and refused him. "I'm not going." Adrian paused. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze turned cold enough to make her chest ache. "Haven't I already explained this to you?" he said. "I'm only marrying Celeste for three months. It's just to fulfill one of her wishes. It's a fake marriage. Nothing will actually happen between us." He continued, as if he were doing Alice a favor. "Don't be so petty. After three months, I'll divorce her and marry you immediately. She won't take the position of Mrs. King from you." A fake marriage? Alice gave a bitter smile. "Then can you not register it legally?" Adrian's face darkened. She stared at him and could not stop herself from pressing further. "If it's fake, why do you have to make it legal? And Celeste betrayed you back then. She almost destroyed your family. Now she comes back, says that she's sorry about that what happened, and you forgive her? You're even marrying her. Don't you think that's ridiculous?" "Enough." Adrian snatched the coat back from her hands. He had barely come home, yet he was already leaving again. "I don't want to hear you speak about Celeste like that ever again. You need to calm down. I'm not coming back tonight." The door slammed shut. The apartment fell silent again. Whenever Adrian was displeased with her, he ignored her. In the past, after hurting for a while, Alice would comfort herself. Then she would buy him a gift, cook him a meal, and lower her head first. She would apologize. She would coax him. She would pretend she had never been wounded by him. His friends all said she was like clay in Adrian's hands. Soft. Spineless. He could shape her however he wanted. But this time, Alice would not apologize. She lowered her head, quietly straightened the slippers he had kicked aside in the entryway, and returned to her room. Five years ago, when she had been dying from cancer, the system bound itself to her. As long as she completed the romance mission and made the assigned target fall in love with her, she would live. She had fallen for Adrian at first sight. Without hesitation, she had chosen him as her target. But five years of loving him like a fool had lost to one sentence from Celeste. "I'm sorry." Alice had lost so miserably. Like a clown. 2:2 At three o'clock that afternoon, Alice received a message from Clara, reminding her of the premarital check she had arranged. After Alice finished the examination at the hospital, she found herself walking toward Adrian's office without meaning to. He was one of the hospital's best surgeons. When she realized where she was, she turned to leave. But through the half-open door, she heard a woman's laughter. "Dr. King," Celeste said playfully, "during the screening just now, the nurse said I'm very fertile. She even said our baby would definitely be adorable." There was a pause, then Celeste's voice became softer. "You already gave me ninety-nine roses to confess your love. So when are you going to let me carry your child?" Alice froze. Through the crack in the door, she saw a huge bouquet of blazing red roses on Adrian's desk. Adrian had taken off the gold-rimmed glasses he always wore. He was holding Celeste in his arms. His narrow eyes, usually cold and restrained, were burning with desire. His voice was low, hoarse, almost urgent. "Now." The elegant and distant Dr. King, who always looked untouchable in front of others, had completely surrendered himself to Celeste. His eyes were red. His expression carried a possessiveness Alice had never seen before. He gripped Celeste's waist and pressed her hard against the door. The door slammed shut under their weight. A moment later, muffled breaths and intimate sounds seeped through. He said it was a fake marriage. But they were doing things only real lovers did. Alice could not remember how she got home. She sat alone on the couch, staring blankly as the sunlight outside, faded little by little. Eight o'clock. Ten o'clock. Midnight. The clock kept moving. Adrian never came back. Only the alarm on her phone broke the silence. Alice lowered her head in a daze. A reminder appeared on the screen. [Adrian wakes at six in the morning. Prepare breakfast.] So it was already the next day. At the same time, the system spoke in her mind. [Host, your target has been changed. Please leave the country in six days and marry your new target.] Alice sat there for a while, then slowly moved her stiff hands and feet. Adrian was going to marry someone else. She was going to marry someone else too. This twisted fate would end in six days. She had to learn to dig Adrian out of her heart, little by little. She had to stop letting him control her emotions. Just as she reached out to turn off the alarm of her phone, the front door opened. Alice looked up and met Adrian's tired eyes. He was holding a bouquet of roses in his arms. The flowers were already wilting. He changed his shoes, walked in, and placed the bouquet on the counter. "Alice," he said casually, "these roses are for you." Alice did not move. "You gave them to the wrong person," Alice said. "I like jasmine, not roses." For five years, whether it was fresh jasmine bouquets or jasmine tea, she had given them to him more than once. She had told him she loved jasmine. Because jasmine's flower language meant, [purity and eternal nature of love.] Clearly, Adrian had never remembered. Just like now. He only looked surprised for a moment before frowning. "If you don't like them, throw them away." He walked to the dining table and paused when he saw it was empty. "Why didn't you make breakfast today?" Adrian was picky about food. For breakfast, he only drank shrimp porridge. For five years, every morning, whether it was freezing cold or unbearably hot, Alice had prepared it for him. This time, she rubbed her cold arms and said lightly, "I'm a little tired today. So I didn't make it." Adrian looked surprised for a second. But he did not ask why she was tired. He simply turned and went into the bedroom. Alice noticed that his clothes were badly wrinkled. There were fresh red marks at the back of his neck. She paused. Then she looked away as if she had seen nothing. After all, in six days, she and Adrian would be completely over. Who he slept with, who he had children with, none of it would have anything to do with her anymore. From the bathroom, Adrian's voice sounded. "Celeste's birthday dinner is tonight. She had invited you. Be there on time." It was not a request. It was an order. Alice inhaled quietly and walked into his room with a document in her hand. The water soon stopped. Adrian came out slowly, but his eyes never left his phone. He came from the King family, one of the most prominent families in the city. His upbringing made him disciplined and restrained. He rarely indulged in electronic devices. Sometimes, he could go an entire day without glancing at his phone. Now, however, he was staring at it as if he could not look away. Alice stepped closer. Celeste's profile picture flashed across the screen. After a moment of silence, Alice said, "I can't attend your wedding with Celeste. I've agreed to my family's arranged marriage. It's also in six days." Adrian kept typing. "Mm." Alice had not expected him to be so perfunctory even about this. It seemed she had overestimated her place in his heart. She continued, "The share transfer agreement your mother gave me a few days ago—I don't think it's appropriate for me to keep it. You can give it to Celeste." Adrian was replying to Celeste's message asking what he wanted for breakfast. He did not even look back. "All right. Leave it there then." Alice placed the document on the table. Beside it was a photograph. She had begged Adrian for half a year before he finally agreed to accompany her to the east coast to watch the sunrise. In the photo, his thin lips were pressed together, and his eyes stared coldly at the camera. He looked unhappy. Alice laughed at herself. Back then, to make him place this photo in his bedroom, she had stayed up late acting sweet, coaxing him for an entire month before he finally agreed. She picked up the frame and turned it face down inside the drawer. The system would erase every trace of her. By the time Celeste moved in, she probably would not have to see anything annoying. Adrian opened another drawer and took out a small lady wallet. Seeing Alice still standing there, he asked, "Anything else?" Alice shook her head. Adrian looked away, as if remembering their argument from yesterday. His tone turned serious. "I'll have someone pick you up tonight. Celeste is looking forward to the dinner. She specifically asked for you to come. Don't ruin her mood." Adrian had always been a stubborn man. He was stubborn when he loved someone. He was just as stubborn when he did not. Alice did not want to fight him during the last six days. So she simply agreed. Adrian was satisfied and said no more. After drying his hair, he did something rare. Instead of choosing his usual simple outfit, he spent a long time selecting clothes. In the end, he picked a bright-colored suit he would once have despised. Celeste was bold and flamboyant. She loved bright colors. For the woman he loved, Adrian had even changed his taste. Only now did Alice finally understand. Trying to win over a man who already had someone in his heart - was a problem without solutions. 3:3 At eight that night, Alice arrived at the private dining room of the hotel. Inside, everyone was cheering for the birthday girl to make a wish. Celeste stood in the center like a princess surrounded by her court. Yet her eyes were fixed only on Adrian. "My wish," she said sweetly, "is to be spoiled by Adrian for the rest of my life. Can my wish come true Adrian?" Adrian's gaze had never left her. His gaze was brimming with affection. "Of course," he said. "My little princess." Watching them, Alice suddenly felt she should not have come. She turned to leave. But someone in the room spotted her. "Alice, you're here. Why aren't you coming in?" The room went quiet at once. Alice met Adrian's gaze as he turned around. She had no choice but to walk in with the gift. "Sorry," she said. "I'm late." Adrian's expression did not change. He only nodded. Then he stopped looking at her. He stood and walked to Celeste's side. "Don't just stand there. It's time to cut the cake." But Celeste looked in Alice's direction. "Alice came late. I haven't heard her wish me happy birthday yet." Everyone's eyes fell on Alice. Some were excited. Some were mocking. Celeste stood among them, her face full of pride and provocation. Alice walked forward slowly and handed her the gift. "Happy birthday," she said. "I hope your wish comes true." Your wish comes true. After hearing that, Celeste turned to Adrian. Adrian's lips curved faintly, and he nodded at her. They were so familiar with each other. So sweet. So natural. Alice did not want to keep watching. She found an excuse to step outside for air. It took a long time before she calmed herself enough to return. When she reached the door again, the people inside were playing truth or dear. By coincidence, the loser was Adrian. His punishment was to answer truthfully. "Adrian," someone asked with a grin, "all these years, you refused to get married. Was it because you were still thinking about Celeste?" Alice's hand froze on the door handle. Amid the noise, she heard Adrian's low answer clearly. "Yes." The room erupted. "Second question. That black hair tie you wear before every surgery—it isn't some blessed bracelet from a priest, is it? It's actually the strap from the blindfold Celeste wore the first time you two slept together, right?" "Yes." The room exploded with cheers and laughter. Outside the door, Alice's fingers tightened until her nails dug into her palm. She had once been curious about that bracelet and tried to touch it. Adrian had pushed her hand away with a cold face, and warned her not to touch his things. So that was the truth. "Third question. Since you already broke your promise to Alice and decided to marry Celeste, why not just dump Alice completely? Have you ever loved her?" Adrian was silent for a moment. "That's two questions." Someone laughed. "Celeste wants to know. Are you answering or not?" Then Adrian's voice came clearly through the door. "I truly don't love Alice." Alice went numb. Adrian continued. "Back then, Celeste accidentally leaked the company's confidential information. Alice appeared and invested money to save the King family's business. My parents agreed to let me marry her. I thought Celeste would never come back. Marrying anyone was the same, so I accepted the engagement." Alice could not listen anymore. She had once thought that since Adrian had agreed to marry her, perhaps there had been at least a little fondness between them. Now she realized it had all been wishful thinking. She left the hotel. On the drive home, she rolled down the window. Cold wind poured into the car, slowly cooling the suffocating weight in her chest. These five years with Adrian had begun because of the system's mission. But her love had been real. She had truly liked him. She had given everything she had without holding back. Now, to pull Adrian completely out of her heart would not be easy. But she believed that day was not far away. When she finally reached home, she washed up and lay in bed. She emptied her mind and forced herself not to think of the people and things that hurt her. But even at home, peace did not last. Two in the morning, Adrian came back. He knocked on her bedroom door. When Alice opened it, he said directly, "Celeste drank too much. I didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone at the hotel, so I brought her home." "She'll stay here for now. Her appetite hasn't been good lately. Help adjust her meals. I remember you're good at that." "And don't tell my parents about this." Alice paused. For a second, she wondered if she was still having a nightmare. "You want me to be her maid, and take care of Celeste?" It was absurd. But Adrian looked completely matter-of-fact. All her sleepiness vanished. Expressionless, Alice refused. "I'm not qualified to be her maid. Why don't I move out, and you can hire a housekeeper or take care of her yourself?" After saying that, she turned to go back into her room to get change. But Adrian grabbed her wrist and dragged her into the hallway. "Are you still bothered by Celeste?" Alice looked up and saw his brows tightly furrowed. "I told you. I'm only marrying Celeste to fulfill a wish she's always had. She's only staying here temporarily. After three months, I'll keep my promise and marry you." "Mrs. King will only be you." As he spoke, Alice suddenly remembered the sentence she had heard in the hotel. [I truly don't love Alice.] She was quiet for a moment. Then she asked, "When you say you'll marry me, what kind of marriage do you mean?" For five years, he had never even let her touch him. They had lived under the same roof for five years, yet he had never stayed in the same room with her for more than five minutes. How was she supposed to believe he would marry her? Suddenly, she stepped forward and hugged him. "After we marry, will we hug? Will we kiss? Will we do what husbands and wives do? Can I carry your child?" "What are you doing?" Celeste's sharp voice suddenly rang out. In the next instant, Adrian shoved Alice away. The world spun. With a heavy thud, Alice rolled down the stairs. Darkness flooded her vision. Before she lost consciousness, she saw Adrian standing with his back to her, explaining anxiously to Celeste. "Celeste, she hugged me first. I haven't touched her in five years. Believe me. I'm not dirty." Then Alice passed out completely.

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Until Her Love Expired

"System, I've decided to give up on Adrian King. I want a new target. Erase every trace I ever left beside him." Alice Hart had chased Adrian for five years. Fi