Alexander's Fifth Avenue mansion swallowed me whole.

He barked, "Any Emma lead, we're out," then vanished down the hall like a shadow.

I sank into the sofa, Ethan's weird-ass line looping in my head.

"This world's not what you think."

What's that even mean?

A chilled glass nudged my hand.

I snapped out of it.

A curvy woman lounged across from me, silk shirt tight, eyes glinting like I was fresh prey.

"Hey, Sophie Taylor," she purred, grinning slow.

My fingers grazed the cold glass, blinking. 

"Uh... you are?"

"Mandy Lane, fresh off Paris," she said, voice teasing. 

"Alexander's... old spark."

I sipped my sparkling water and choked, coughing like an idiot.

Mandy Lane—the kidney-fail psycho ex who snags Emma's kidney later? 

She's early!

I wiped my mouth, testing her.

"Last checkup... all good?"

She laughed, smooth as velvet.

"Who kicks off with that? I'm golden—nabbed fifth in the Tour de France."

My cheeks burned. 

I forced a grin. "Just... curious."

Silence hit, only my drink fizzing. 

Awkward as hell.

Night crashed in, no Alexander. 

Mandy stretched, nodding me to the guest room.

I rubbed my stiff neck, agreeing, muttering.

"He better spill Emma's deal when he's back. "

Mandy's just vibing —doesn't seem in on this.

***

Sleep slammed me like a truck.

Next thing I knew, I woke in a red Ferrari's shotgun seat, wrists raw from rope burns.

Emma Sullivan gripped the wheel, cool as ice. 

"Chill, just a road trip."

"You say 'kidnap' like it's a latte order," I snapped, tugging the ropes.

She glanced over, chuckling low. 

"You're a riot. No wonder Ethan's hooked on you."

I frowned, fists clenching. "Hooked? I barely know the guy."

Her eyes darkened.

"Your system—drain Alexander's cash to ditch this world, right?"

My throat locked. "How do you know that?"

"I'm reborn," she said, flat.

I shivered. "My system didn't mention that."

"Of course not," she scoffed. 

"Spill that, and who'd fix this glitchy dumpster fire of a story?"

She paused, chest heaving.

"Woke up with a trashed romance novel at my feet. Ending? Alexander carves out my kidney, and I still drool over him."

I winced, recall that crap. 

That plot's a train wreck.

"Readers trashed it—author rewrote it," she said, voice shaking. 

"Now Mandy's got a new soul, like you—finish her villain gig, she's free. Alexander picks her, I'm trash."

I squinted. "But nothing's shifted yet."

"It flipped when Mandy landed," she said, tapping the wheel, eyes cold.

"So why snag me?" I pressed. 

"I'm just the chick looting Alexander's wallet."

Her laugh cut sharp. 

"You're Ethan's bait. But do you really wanna bounce?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I snapped, chest blazing. 

Someone's waiting—someone I can't lose!

Her red lips curled, eerie. "Trust me, the truth would glue you here."

***

The Ferrari parked by the sea, windows down, salty wind slapping my face.

She stared at the waves, voice low. 

"It started here. Ends here too."

I ignored my stinging wrists, locking eyes.

"You're torching this story, huh?"

She stiffened, then grinned, a wild spark flaring. 

"Yep. Without me, the system force-resets anyway."

She yanked a pearl-handled pistol from her bag, stroking it like a lover.

"Kill you all. Reset everything." she said, eyes unhinged.

I slumped back, too tired to fight. 

"So, kidney round two? This plot's garbage—no wonder it's scrapped."

"You don't get it," she glared. 

"Rewrite hurt worse."

"Let's think," I said, steadying my voice. 

"This world could fix itself."

Her gun hand shook, eyes icing over. 

"Your brain's a circus."

I paused. 

A boy's voice cut through—"Your brain's a circus. Learn calculus." 

Ethan's face flashed, fog lifting.

I sighed. "Emma, you doubt yourself? Alexander's broke for you. One new chick breaks that? Cheap love."

"Shut it," she growled, jamming the gun to my forehead. 

Cold metal bit my skin, sweat beading.

I steadied, eyes shut. 

Pieces clicked.

If Ethan's coming, I matter to him.

Her breath hitched, finger twitching on the trigger.