Fake marriage, real feelings

That offer caught me off guard. I shook my head, declining. "No need. I can manage."

He didn't press the matter. He gave a sharp nod and made a clean exit.

I watched his retreating figure, feeling a wave of appreciation. Trystan had a truly flawless face. I used to think Miles was the best-looking man I’d ever met until Trystan came along and proved there is always a bigger fish in the sea. Even the mole on Trystan’s chin looked better than Miles's. I’m not even joking.

He never lacked admirers, and he was the most capable man in his social circle. For the past two years, our paper marriage had acted as a wall, shielding him from countless romantic advances, yet I’d still seen women try their luck with him.

Recently, Trystan had suddenly mentioned that the time was right. He’d probably realized he was wasting his youth. He couldn't keep building this bridge just for me forever.

I thought about it and realized I couldn't keep wasting his time either.

When I got home after work, I showered and sat on the sofa wrapped in a towel. I popped a potato chip into my mouth and picked up the remote to find something to watch. I’d just settled on a variety show when the phone on the table vibrated.

Perhaps the one thing people want most in life is a regret pill. For instance, right now, I deeply regretted not putting my phone on Do Not Disturb the moment I finally had a chance to relax.

I paused the show and picked up the device. It was a text.

— It’s Miles.

Great. More trouble.

I was debating whether to tell him to get lost or just block him when a second message arrived.

— I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I think I understand why you’re so angry. Is it because I went abroad with Lilah? I was too impulsive back then. I didn't realize until later that while I was overseas, you were always the first person on my mind.

I gave a cold laugh and typed out a reply. "I still vividly remember what you said the night you got back."

About two minutes later.

— I was only testing your reaction, Theresa. We can resolve the issues you’re worried about in time.

— No need to resolve anything. I don't care anymore.

— Why? Because you feel the outcome is the same? You and Lilah actually have a few things in common.

I replied. "Not a thing."

He asked. "?"

— She is Lilah, and I am your father.

...

Miles didn't text back. Mainly because I didn't have the patience to wait for a reply, and blocked him immediately.

Throughout our four years of university, I had always followed Miles around. Consequently, in the eyes of everyone we knew:

Me = shadow = lovesick fool = Miles’s exclusive devotee.

Back then, I used to sigh and wonder why people didn't just call me a romantic instead. Fine, the truth is I wasn't even romantic. I stayed by his side for a reason—a reason so tragic it would make the Grim Reaper weep.

Miles and I had known each other since the tenth grade. My first impression of him was that he had a nice face but a very brooding personality. He was actually quite gloomy because his grandfather had been bedridden with a serious illness for a long time. His time was running out, and Miles was the person closest to him.

Our houses were near each other, so whenever I was free, I would accompany Miles to visit his grandfather.

During the final three months before our senior year exams, Miles started dating a girl from our class. One Friday, the girl coaxed him into going shopping with her, so Miles asked me to head to the hospital first.

On the way, I kept trying to think of an excuse to explain his absence, but when I arrived, Mr. Hollingsworth had already figured it out for himself. He said he knew his grandson was in love because Miles was often distracted while sitting by his bedside, sometimes even smiling to himself like an idiot.

I felt conflicted. "Mr. Miles will be here soon..."

He cut me off, his voice weak, though he forced a smile. "I’m... running out of strength. You’re a good girl. My biggest worry is Miles. So, I hope that after I’m gone, you can take my place by his side. Watch over him so he doesn't lose his way during the important moments. Will you?"

...

I gave a solemn nod.

Miles arrived twenty minutes late and collapsed by his grandfather’s bed. His face was stone-cold, but tears streamed down his cheeks incessantly. You could tell he was riddled with regret because he broke up with that girl shortly after.

The girl clung to him, sobbing piteously, but Miles seemed to have suddenly grown a heart of stone. He remained completely unmoved.

I happened to be there at the time, and that’s how the rumors started—that I had sabotaged them and caused the breakup.

Later, Miles and I got into the same university. By then, influenced by the friends around him, he had begun to vaguely believe that I had feelings for him. I didn't bother to explain because my mission was essentially complete.

Now, he annoyed me to death.

Until he met Lilah.

Lilah was beautiful and gentle. There wasn't a man alive who wouldn't like her, and Miles was no exception. I felt relieved. I figured this time he would definitely use his pursuit of Lilah as a reason to keep his distance from me and take the initiative to cut ties. After all, in his eyes and the eyes of our friends, I was still the one who had pined for him for years, content even without being loved back.

At that point, I planned to play the part of the heartbroken soul and leave in disappointment. My plan was perfect.

But reality always has a few surprises in store.

Miles relied on his good looks and casually pursued Lilah for quite a while. The result? He was rejected.

He was devastated. He went out drinking until he lost his mind. I got a call and went to pick him up. I was in a foul mood and had just woken up, so my head felt like it was going to explode. I just wanted to smash a bottle over his head to wake him up.

"Are you sick? Why did you drink so much? And if you’re going to drink, why call me out of all the people you know? Are you doing this just to keep me from sleeping?"

My voice was incredibly irritable.

So when Miles looked up dizzily and asked, "How long have you liked me?"

I was stunned. "?"

He nodded. "Fine. Let's date."

"..."