They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 341: Deep Feelings

Chapter 341: Deep Feelings

But her words didn’t help. Instead, her actions pushed them further away.

She let her dislike for Nnenna than ever, loud, clear, and unfiltered. She told herself it was a strategy, another excuse, a cover up. But part of her wasn’t sure anymore.

They all thought she was being unreasonable. That she was jealous, petty, or just scared. In truth, she was none of those things, or maybe all of them.

She wanted them to see the truth. That she had made a huge sacrifice. That she was the one trying to save them from death. But she couldn’t say a word about the deal. Couldn’t reveal what the man had told her.

Because if they knew…

They would never look at her the same way again.

So instead, she made sure to cover her tracks. She reached out to the strange man’s contact. She kept her head low. Told him everything. She followed all the rules he gave her.

And in return, he promised one thing

She would never be exposed.

But promises like that… don’t always last forever.

——————

Present Day

Karen smiled, a cold, mocking smile.

She had given them everything. Every detail King Eglon needed. Every twist and turn of the rescue mission. She had made sure it would fail, but in a way that no one would suspect her.

That was the key.

Look like a hero, act like a friend, betray them in silence.

She had done it perfectly.

Even when the mission collapsed, even when they were captured, she showed just enough fear, just enough shock… just enough to blend in.

Because according to the plan, the next day she, John, and Ekene would be released unharmed. A deal made in the dark, sealed by secrecy.

And then?

Then she would twist the story. She would say she negotiated. That she used her intelligence and bravery to save the others. That she was the true hero.

Not Nnenna. Not Abuchi. Her.

But now…

King Eglon had turned the tables.

He exposed her in front of John, and very soon, the whole team. The reactions she feared most were now on her. John’s eyes. Judging. Burning. Disbelieving.

So this was what betrayal felt like.

Not when she did it. No.

But when it was done to her.

She clenched her fists tightly, a fire rising inside her.

And for the first time… she began to wonder

Was she just a pawn in someone else’s bigger game?

Karen looked up at John, her voice trembling.

“I did it for the team,” she said.

But John didn’t react. Not even a blink. He just stood there, silent, his face still etched with the same cold disappointment.

Nothing had changed.

“I… I did it for the team,” she repeated, her voice smaller this time, as if trying to convince herself just as much as him. “He was going to kill us all. If I hadn’t done that, we would’ve died on the way here. He could’ve killed us even tomorrow morning! I had to do it!”

She raised her voice, desperate now.

“I did it for us!”

“No,” John said quietly, but it silenced the entire room.

His voice was steady, but the anger beneath it was sharp.

“You did it for yourself.”

Karen flinched.

“I knew you had your flaws. I saw them. But I still loved you anyway,” John said, a bitter laugh slipping from his lips. “I believed you were a good person. That maybe… you would change. That if I stood by you long enough, you would finally see me.”

He smiled, but it wasn’t warm. It was broken.

“You never loved me back. You never even gave me the decency of rejecting me. You just… played along.”

He looked away for a second.

“But it’s fine. I let myself be played. That’s on me. I don’t blame you.”

Karen’s lips trembled. Her fingers curled. She knew John loved her though she wasn’t sure. But she didn’t want to be sure. That way, she could reap the benefits without any guilt.

But now, she could feel the full weight of the guilt she was avoiding for years. Guilt was clawing its way up her throat, but no words came out.

And then John looked back at her, eyes dark, but calm.

“But now… the game’s over, Karen.”

“And also…” John’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, “we don’t need your heroics.”

He didn’t even spare Karen another glance as he turned to face King Eglon.

“Tomorrow morning, do me a favor,” he said, voice calm but firm. “Execute me.”

Gasps echoed around the throne room.

“I don’t want her buying my life with her betrayal. Not with her blood… her lies… or anything that reeks of guilt. I would rather die with a clean conscience than live thanks to a traitor.”

Karen’s eyes widened. “John…”

He turned back toward her, his voice softening, but not weakening.

“I had feelings for you. Deep ones. I still do.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“But now…” he continued, “I’m going to spend every day working to let those feelings go. Even if it takes the rest of my life or till tomorrow morning, I’ll use that time to erase what I once felt for you.”

Karen’s lips trembled, but John wasn’t done.

“I’ll let the others decide for themselves… after they hear the truth.”

Karen stepped forward, her voice rising in panic.

“What do you mean?” she asked, eyes wide with fear.

“You’re just going to throw me away like that? After everything I did for all of you?!”

Her voice cracked. “You’re selfish!”

John turned his head slightly, not meeting her gaze. His silence stung more than words.

“You don’t love me,” Karen said, her voice shaking now. “You said you did… but if you did, you wouldn’t just toss me aside like I’m nothing!”

John finally looked at her.

“No,” he whispered. “I’m not tossing you aside. You did that to yourself.”