My 10-Year “Love” Was His 10-Year Performance Novel – After ten years of trying to win over the devoted second male lead, he finally gave me a lavish wedding. After we got married, Evander Hayes treated me as if I were the center of his world. Yet unease never left my heart. Because the System showed that my progress was still zero. It wasn’t until our wedding anniversary that I found a diary hidden in the drawer of his study. That was how I learned the truth.
Evander had awakened. He knew this world was a novel. He knew I was the vicious female supporting character. He knew I would eventually hurt the female lead, Sophia Reed. To protect the woman he truly loved, he had only pretended to be deeply in love with me all these years. The moment I realized this, the System’s notification sounded in my head. “Mission failed. You will be erased in forty-eight hours.” — Dazed, I closed the diary. My hands were trembling.
So all of Evander’s gentleness and careful devotion over the years had only been a way to keep watch over me, to make sure I never harmed the woman he loved. It made sense why nothing ever really changed, no matter how much he indulged me. Everything he did had been calculated. My fingertips brushed against the phone he had left on the desk. After hesitating for a moment, I picked it up. As expected, I found another social media account hidden on it.
The account was filled with chat records between him and the novel’s male lead, James Bennett. Their conversation made it clear that James had also awakened to the truth about this world being a novel. James wrote: [According to the book, Liora had a thing for me and was always jealous of Sophia.] [She even had her bullied, which led to Sophia’s depression.]“Marrying such a vicious woman and having to pretend you’re head over heels for her… that’s got to be exhausting.” “But she does not seem that bad now, and she is falling more and more in love with you.” “If she ever finds out why you married her, she will be devastated. Are you sure you will not regret it?” Evander’s reply was calm and detached. [I will not regret it.
As long as Sophia is happy, anything I give up is worth it.] The words sent a buzz through my mind, followed by a chill that spread to my very core. I set the phone down and ran out of the house. Snow was falling heavily outside. I wandered the streets without direction. I didn’t know how long I walked before exhaustion finally forced me onto a bench. Moments I had shared with Evander kept resurfacing in my thoughts. Each memory tightened the ache in my chest. I didn’t know how much time passed before an umbrella suddenly opened above my head.
A familiar, low voice came from above. “There you are. What are you doing sitting out here in the snow? And you’re not even dressed for it. You’ll catch a cold.” I looked up. Evander stood there in a tailored coat. His dark eyes were filled with concern. His acting was flawless. I couldn’t tell if it was all an act, or if there was a shred of genuine feeling behind it. When I didn’t respond, his brows furrowed even tighter. He reached out and touched my cheek, then my forehead. “You’re burning up. You must feel awful.
Let’s get you home.” He pressed the umbrella into my hands and lifted me into his arms, carrying me all the way back. Back home, he helped me into my pajamas. “I’ll call the doctor.” I grabbed his hand without thinking. “It’s nothing. Just a little chill. Some hot cocoa will do.” Hearing me speak, the tension in his brow eased a little. “Then I’ll make you some.” As he turned to leave, I tugged at the hem of his coat again. I held his gaze and asked softly, “Evander… are you happy with me?”