In the tenth year of my pursuit of Henry Stone—the profoundly devoted deuteragonist in the novel—he arranges a lavish, extravagant wedding on my behalf.

I still feel uneasy even though Henry continues to love me deeply after we get married. This is because the mission progress bar displayed by the system has never moved past zero.

On our wedding anniversary, I happen to stumble upon a hidden diary in Henry's desk drawer, which reveals a very shocking truth—Henry has been reborn. He possesses full knowledge that this world is a novel and that I am the antagonist who poses a threat to the protagonist, Renee Schmidt.

He puts on a careful act of profound love toward me, strictly for the purpose of shielding Renee, the person he truly cares for.

I have just gotten the gist of the whole situation when the system's warning goes off. "You have failed your romance mission. Your existence will be terminated within 48 hours."

Claire's Point-of-View

I closed the diary in a daze, and my hands were trembling slightly. I finally realized then that Henry Stone's years of tender devotion had been nothing more than a constant surveillance, a tactic to ensure I never acted against Renee Schmidt, the woman he truly loved.

It made perfect sense why his immense affection and indulgence of me had never moved the mission progress; the entirety of his interaction with me was nothing more than a calculated performance.

I accidentally brushed against Henry's phone on the table, and after a brief hesitation, I picked it up and checked it, immediately finding a second social media profile.

I noticed a conversation history between Henry and the novel's protagonist, William Johnson, who, judging by their messages, had also realized that the world they were living in was part of a novel.

William said, "I recall that in the plot of the novel, Claire's infatuation with me led her to constant rivalry with Renee, so much so that she even had people torment her, driving Renee into depression.

"You married such a spiteful woman and still had to feign affection before her. It must have been so exhausting for you, Henry.

"I can see that Claire has changed and is much better now; she seems to be falling deeper in love with you as well. If she later learned the actual circumstances behind your marriage, she would undoubtedly be devastated. Are you sure you won't regret it, Henry?"

Henry replied firmly, "I won't regret it. I'm willing to sacrifice everything as long as Renee is happy."

I instantly felt a buzzing in my head as I read the messages, and a deep, paralyzing cold instantly permeated my body, settling in my bones.

I put down the phone, spun on my heel, and bolted out the front door. It was snowing heavily outside as I walked aimlessly through the streets, and it was only when sheer fatigue overwhelmed me that I found a bench nearby and sank onto it.

I was suddenly tormented by uncontrolled flashbacks of my time with Henry; with each recollection, the pain in my heart intensified.

I had no idea how much time had passed until an umbrella was abruptly held over my head, followed by a familiar, deep voice. "I finally found you. Why are you sitting here in the snow like this? You should have worn more layers, or you'll catch a cold, Claire."

I looked up and saw Henry, looking immaculate in his straight-cut trench coat, while his eyes were brimming with distress. I was utterly incapable of discerning if his actions were purely theatrical or if they contained some degree of sincere emotion since his performance was so flawless.

Upon seeing my lack of response, Henry's frown intensified. He quickly reached out to feel my face and forehead before saying, "You're burning up, Claire. Do you feel unwell? Come on. Let's go home."

He wasted no time, shoving the umbrella firmly into my grasp. He then swept me into his arms, lifting me effortlessly, and began moving quickly, making his way straight back home.

He immediately helped me strip off my wet clothes and change into my pajamas once we reached home. He then stated firmly, "I'll call for a doctor right away."

I instinctively grabbed his hand and said, "I'm fine. It's just a slight cold, so I'll definitely get better after drinking some chicken noodle soup."

It was only after hearing my words that the tension in Henry's brow eased marginally. "I'll head to the kitchen to prepare some chicken noodle soup for you, then."

I grabbed the hem of his trench coat just as he started to turn away. I then stared fixedly at him and asked, "Are you happy being with me, Henry?"

In the novel, Henry's love for Renee was utterly unrequited, which manifested as acute heartbreak whenever he witnessed her and William together. He was so devoted to protecting Renee that he chose to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life.

I was aware that Henry knew that he was just a character in the novel, yet that didn't change the fact that he took me as his wife solely for Renee's safety.

I was still consumed by the urge to find out if, over the past four years, Henry had felt any genuine happiness with me, even for a single, brief instant.

Henry froze for a beat. He then deliberately looked away from my burning gaze before he offered a slight, dismissive chuckle. "It was my dearest wish to marry you, so I'm absolutely happy, Claire. What brought this question on so abruptly?"

I noticed the flicker of avoidance in his gaze and felt a sharp, sudden pang in my heart. I knew, without a doubt, that he was lying.

I realized that it made sense, though. Henry, the profoundly devoted deuteragonist, who sacrificed his life's happiness to protect the protagonist, could never genuinely develop feelings for me.

I released the hem of his trench coat before I tugged my mouth into a semblance of a smile, replying, "I just got curious. I just want you to know that regardless of everything, I genuinely hope you're happy, Henry."

Henry's expression was one of genuine bewilderment. He smiled and affectionately squeezed my cheek, saying, "I'm happy as long as you're by my side. Is there a reason why you're acting so strange today, Claire?

"I'll talk to you later since I need to go make that chicken noodle soup of yours; otherwise, you'll genuinely catch a bad cold."

I watched him walk away, and the desperate smile I had managed to construct instantly crumbled. I lowered my head in desolate silence, thinking that despite the shocking discovery, I was utterly incapable of hating Henry. He didn't love me, but he had, in every other way, been truly good to me.

I inhabited this physical body, which was only eight years old, when the system transferred me here. Henry and I could be considered childhood friends, having grown up together.

I was 16 years old when a group of street ruffians cornered and harassed me in a passageway, and he had rushed in fearlessly to shield me, sustaining an injury to his arm as a result.

I was 18 years old when my parents separated and both established new households, leaving me unwanted. Henry was the one who had welcomed me into his home, assuring me tenderly that he would be my new source of strength and stability.

I carried the weight of being an orphan from the real world, and my time here was marked by parental neglect, making my existence suffocatingly painful. Henry represented the sole source of genuine warmth I had ever secured.

I could tolerate that his love was a pretense because the assistance he rendered was absolutely authentic, and my gratitude for him was boundless.

I suddenly felt a crushing, sharp ache in my chest that tore me from my painful memories. I clutched at my chest, fully aware that the system was draining away my life force. I then murmured to myself, with an uncanny calmness, "I suppose with the antagonist dying now, everyone in this world will be happy about that."

Henry could finally stop living in dread, constantly afraid that I would become vengeful and hurt the woman he cherished. He would no longer be required to sacrifice his whole life, maintaining a false, deceitful marriage with a woman he held no affection for.

…

It was the following day when I was roused by a stabbing, twisting pain. I tried to stand, leaning heavily on the table, but I was so unsteady that I almost lost my footing.

I got lucky as Henry, who had just walked into the room, caught me in his arms. He noticed my ghastly, pale complexion and immediately furrowed his brow. "Your condition seems rather serious, so it's probably more than just a cold now. I'll take you to the hospital, so we can have you examined, Claire."

I shook my head in refusal, knowing that it was the system actively withdrawing my life force; therefore, any medical examination at a hospital would be useless, as they could never identify the true source of my condition.

Henry locked his arms securely around my waist, his demeanor hardening into one of uncharacteristic resolve. "You're going no matter what."

He carried me to the hospital. His brow furrowed deeply with anxiety throughout the journey. His public display of concern once again made me mistakenly believe that he was truly concerned for me.

I was waiting for my medical consultation when I suddenly looked up and spotted William rushing into the hospital, carrying Renee in his embrace. Renee's forehead was slick with cold sweat, clearly indicating that she was in severe pain.

Henry spotted Renee, too, and his expression suddenly shifted. He grabbed the nearby nurse and asked urgently, "What's wrong with that young lady?"

"That young lady presented with a sudden onset of gastroenteritis. Her boyfriend is currently discussing the treatment plan with the doctor."

I suddenly felt my heart constrict when Henry turned to look at me. I whispered, "I'm feeling much better now, so you should go check on Renee. I mean, she's my friend too."

Henry appeared visibly torn, yet he ultimately agreed, saying, "I'll go check on her since her condition seems more critical than yours. If you need me, just call, and I'll come back immediately, Claire."

Having said that, Henry rushed toward Renee.

I sat silently, watching Henry and William attend to Renee, noting the look of heartbreak on their faces with a surge of deep envy. I finally understood that this was the true power of the protagonist, to command the unwavering devotion of both men, who were ready to give up everything for her.

I snapped out of my daze as the doctor called for me. I went into the consultation room and was told that I was suffering from multi-organ failure; my life was nearing its end.

I had fully expected this outcome, yet hearing the diagnosis spoken aloud still brought a wave of profound sorrow. I sat there, paralyzed for a few moments, before the stark realization hit me—my time was running out, and I had made no arrangements for what came after.

I considered Henry's demanding schedule and his obvious lack of true affection and chose not to inflict the trouble of my funeral and final affairs upon him.

I hailed a cab and went straight to the crematorium. I had just selected a tombstone when I was approached by an attendant holding a clipboard for the final details. "What is the deceased's name, and what is your relationship to them?"

I replied, "It's Claire Jensen, and the tombstone is for myself."

That attendant immediately raised his head, giving me a look of deep astonishment. "You're still so young. Did you come here by yourself? Why isn't your family with you?"

I recalled my estranged parents and Henry, who was preoccupied with his true love. I replied softly after a moment of silence, "I'm sorry, but I don't have any family."

That attendant ultimately remained silent. Instead, he quietly met my gaze with deep compassion as he processed and completed all the necessary formalities.

I had just walked out of the crematorium when Henry called me to explain his absence, saying, "I was held up because I waited with Renee while she was getting her IV treatment. I just went to look for you, but you weren't there. Where are you, Claire? I'll come get you right now."

I replied softly, "I just went out to buy Renee some fruits. I'll be right back."

I could hear Renee's voice audible in the background on the phone as Henry said hurriedly, "You should hurry back and stay safe, Claire."

I didn't even have time to respond before the call ended. I stood frozen for two minutes, then went to a nearby shop to print the divorce agreement, bought some fruit, and made my way to Renee's hospital ward.

Renee saw me, and her expression instantly shifted to one of delight and astonishment. "It's been a while, Claire! You actually brought something for me? That's so thoughtful of you! Thanks, Claire!"

I set the fruit down, and her radiant, sun-like smile was so infectious that I found myself genuinely smiling in return. "It has certainly been quite a while. You feeling any better now, Renee?"

"I'm feeling much better now since William and Henry came to take such good care of me!" Renee exclaimed, moving excitedly to embrace me. Yet, the movement sharply triggered her still-aching stomach, resulting in a sudden shout of pain as she quickly bent over.

Henry swiftly moved to support her. "You're still hooked up to the IV, so stop moving so much."

Renee smiled sheepishly, while Henry regarded her with an expression of complete helplessness.

I merely lowered my gaze. My heart was aching slightly.

Renee pulled me to sit beside her, wanting to chat with me.

I was just about to sit down when a searing pain struck my chest. I swayed, losing my footing, and in my stumble, I unintentionally yanked out Renee's IV. In that instant, blood instantly gushed from the back of Renee's hand, causing Henry's expression to turn cold as he forcefully shoved me aside.

I was completely caught off guard as I was suddenly pushed to the ground. I hit my arm on the ground hard, and the resulting pain was so intense that cold sweat immediately beaded on my forehead.

Henry instantly grasped Renee's hand, and when his eyes registered the blood welling on her hand, his gaze hardened considerably as he turned to face me. He demanded coldly, "What exactly was your intention, Claire?"

I met his accusatory gaze, even as a wrenching pain seized my heart. I still rushed to explain despite the agony, saying, "I didn't mean to; I accidentally—"

"How could one 'accidentally' do something like that?" Henry snapped, instantly cutting off my explanation. He then decisively pulled Renee away to locate a nurse outside, prioritizing the immediate treatment of the injury on her hand.

I fought through the agony and stood up, wanting to walk over to apologize to Renee.

I heard Renee muttering, "You shouldn't be so harsh, Henry. Your glare was absolutely terrifying earlier. Claire obviously didn't mean to do that. In addition, she seems to be in terrible condition, possibly ill, so please be sure to take good care of her. You should apologize to her once you return to the hospital ward, Henry."

Henry pursed his lips, suppressing a surge of annoyance. He still couldn't help but say, "I know exactly what kind of person she is, Renee. You should stop being so indiscriminately kind; otherwise, someone malicious could easily take advantage of you, and you wouldn't even recognize the danger."

I slowly came to a halt as I overheard their conversation through the walls. I had forgotten the fact that I was the antagonist in the novel, so everyone had always feared I might hurt Renee—and just now, by yanking her IV, I had confirmed that cruel image.

I retreated into the hospital ward, and my eyes dimmed. I then placed the divorce agreement on the table before I took a piece of nearby paper and carefully wrote a single sentence.

…

Henry's Point-of-View

Claire was no longer in the hospital ward by the time Henry and Renee returned.

Renee asked in surprise, "Where did Claire go?"

Henry furrowed his brow. He immediately noticed the two out-of-place sheets of paper on the table. That sight alone sent a disquieting sense of dread and confusion surging through him.

It was a divorce agreement and a single white sheet of paper that read, "I have already signed the divorce agreement; I sincerely wish you a life of peace and great joy, and that you may never know loneliness again."

Henry's fingers curled into fists, and his mind was seized by abject panic. He sprinted out of the hospital ward without a single word. He saw a throng of people clustered by the entrance, and as he ran toward them, a chorus of murmurs and exclamations reached him.

"It's such a tragedy. It seems like she died suddenly right after leaving the hospital. Even though a massive medical team rushed to save her, they still failed to do so. I heard that it was because she was suffering from multiple organ failure and nothing could have been done about it."

"I know that case. That young woman had a check-up with me this morning. I mean, she was really young and beautiful. I think her name was Claire or something."