Chapter 2: The More He Runs, The Worse It Gets
Miller did not sleep.
Not because of stress.
Not because of fear.
But because his brain had officially given up on logic.
"…She invited me to dinner," he whispered to himself for the 47th time.
He stared at the ceiling.
"This is how villains die."
Dinner With the CEO (Aka: Funeral Rehearsal)
The restaurant was expensive.
No—too expensive.
The kind of place where even breathing felt like it had a service charge.
Cloe sat across from him, calm and elegant as always.
Miller sat like a man awaiting judgment.
"Order," she said.
"…Water?"
She looked at him.
"…And food," he added quickly.
She closed the menu.
"Bring everything."
The waiter bowed and left.
Miller blinked.
"…Everything?"
"Yes."
"…Are we feeding an army?"
"No."
She looked at him.
"I want to see what you like."
Miller: I like surviving.
Awkward Silence Level: Maximum
Cloe watched him.
Not casually.
Not politely.
No.
Intensely.
Like he was a business project she planned to acquire.
"…Is there something on my face?" he asked carefully.
"Yes."
"…What?"
"Expression."
"…That's not removable."
"I disagree."
Desperate Attempt #3: Create Distance
Miller cleared his throat.
"Miss Cloe, I think this is inappropriate."
"…Explain."
"As your assistant, I should maintain professional boundaries."
"Why?"
"…Because you're married?"
She didn't even blink.
"It's a contract."
"…Still."
"He doesn't matter."
Miller's soul left his body for a second.
Meanwhile… The Real Husband
Back at the mansion…
Andro sat quietly at the dining table.
A simple meal.
Two plates.
One untouched.
He looked at the empty chair across from him.
"…She's late today," he murmured.
He picked up his phone.
Paused.
Then put it down again.
"…She must be busy."
A small smile.
Gentle.
Hopeful.
"…I'll wait."
Back to the Restaurant – Disaster Escalates
Food filled the table.
Too much food.
Miller stared at it like it was evidence in his murder case.
"Eat," Cloe said.
"…Yes."
He took a bite.
Then another.
Then—
"This is good."
Cloe leaned slightly forward.
"…You like it?"
"Yes."
"Then eat more."
She started placing food onto his plate.
More.
More.
More.
"…I can't finish all this."
"You can."
"…I physically cannot."
"You will."
Miller: This is not dinner. This is training.
Desperate Attempt #4: Talk About Andro Again (Bad Idea)
"Your husband might be waiting for you," Miller tried again.
Cloe paused.
"…Why do you keep mentioning him?"
"Because he exists."
"I know."
"…Then—"
"I choose not to care."
Miller pressed his temples.
"…But what if he cares about you?"
Silence.
A brief one.
Then—
"That's his problem."
Critical Damage to Male Lead: +10
Miller's Internal Panic
This is exactly how it starts.
Neglect → Suffering → Tragedy → Death → My execution
"Nope," he whispered.
"I refuse this script."
Desperate Attempt #5: Be Unlikable
Miller straightened.
Time to act like a villain.
Cold. Arrogant. Annoying.
"…Honestly," he said, "this food isn't that great."
Cloe froze.
"…It isn't?"
"Yes. Very average."
"…Then why did you say you liked it?"
"I lied."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Miller braced himself.
Yes. Hate me. Distance yourself. This is survival.
Then—
Cloe smiled.
A small one.
Dangerous.
"…Interesting."
"…That's not the reaction I wanted."
Unexpected Counterattack
"You're the first person who speaks to me like that," she said.
"…Rudely?"
"Honestly."
She leaned back slightly.
"I like it."
Miller: I should've stayed quiet.
The Bill Arrives
The waiter placed it down.
Miller glanced.
His soul ascended.
"…This costs more than my previous life."
Cloe picked it up without looking.
"Put it on my account."
"…Of course you will."
She stood.
"Let's go."
Outside – Night Air & Regret
They stepped out.
Cool breeze.
City lights.
Romantic atmosphere.
Miller: I hate everything.
Final Attempt of the Day
"Miss Cloe," he said seriously, "you should go home."
"…I am."
"Alone."
"…Why?"
"…Because your husband is waiting."
She looked at him.
Long.
Quiet.
Then asked—
"…Do you want me to go to him?"
"…Yes."
"…Or do you want me to stay with you?"
"…Go to him!"
"…I see."
She turned.
"…Then come with me."
"…???"
Back at the Mansion
The door opened.
Miller froze.
No.
NO.
Inside—
Andro stood up from the table.
Relief flashed across his face.
"…You're back."
His eyes shifted.
To Miller.
Just for a second.
Then back to Cloe.
"…Welcome home."
The Most Awkward Scene in History
Cloe walked in calmly.
"I had dinner."
"…I see," Andro said softly.
"…You should eat."
"I already did."
He didn't.
Everyone knew he didn't.
Miller's Guilt Damage: +100
Final Blow
Cloe removed her coat.
"Miller will stay for a while."
"…Of course," Andro nodded.
No anger.
No complaint.
Just quiet acceptance.
Miller clenched his fists.
This man is too good for this story.
Miller's Realization (Too Late)
The more I try to fix things…
The worse they become.
He looked at Andro.
Then at Cloe.
Then at himself.
"…I'm not the villain anymore," he whispered.
"…I'm the disaster."
To Be Continued…