All Chapters of Counterfeit Affection: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

Claire's Point-of-ViewI 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

Chapter 2

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 resu

Chapter 3

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 foun

Chapter 4

Henry felt an enormous crash resonate in his mind, and for a moment, everything before him dissolved into nothing. He could vaguely sense Renee and William calling his name behind him, but he registered nothing except the direction of the emergency room, toward which his body unconsciously raced.He spotted that the door to the emergency room was ajar and lunged forward in a single stride, using both hands to shove it violently and causing it to open with a loud bang."Hold on! You can't go in there, Mr. Stone!"There were a handful of nurses who quickly surrounded him, attempting to hold him back. Henry, however, was too distraught to notice any obstruction. He easily pushed them aside with both his hands and continued to rush in.He lurched and staggered to the edge of the bed. His hands were shaking violently as he slowly drew back the white cloth covering the person's face. He instantly froze for a moment. "I-It's not Claire?"It was then that Renee rushed in, panting heavily

Chapter 5

Henry's arm, however, was accidentally fractured by one of the ruffians in the staged confrontation.Claire immediately began to weep uncontrollably when the doctor came to him with the medical report for his broken arm. Her sadness far eclipsed his own. She apologized repeatedly, believing that she was a harbinger of bad luck who had brought misfortune into his life.Henry observed her tear-streaked, sorrowful face and found, to his own surprise, that he harbored no resentful thoughts for her. He even quipped, "You have to take care of me from now on, then."He never expected Claire to actually take him seriously. Claire nodded solemnly and then spent several months working triple shifts every single day. He was both shocked and amused when Claire handed him the savings she had accumulated over several months, chuckling at her naivety and her endearing foolishness.He was 18 years old when Claire suddenly sent him a long message, every line overflowing with expressions of her lo

Chapter 6

In the end, my hands were trembling uncontrollably, and it took all the strength I had to etch an unassuming wish onto the surface of the plaque. "If there is a next life, I wish to learn to cherish myself and live wholeheartedly for myself just once."I had been far too cowardly in this life. I spent my brief 20-odd years desperately and relentlessly pursuing love due to a childhood starved of affection.I resolved that in my next life, I would not repeat these mistakes; I would live with reckless freedom, expressing myself fully, and let my own unique brilliance shine.In the very last minute before my demise, I finished engraving the plaque, took a steadying breath, and carefully hung it on the branch. I had no strength left, and the moment the plaque was hung, my vision went black, and I stumbled, falling down the hill.I thought I heard Henry's voice, but I concluded it must be a mere auditory hallucination triggered by the approach of death.I resolved that in the life to co

Chapter 7

I smiled faintly, saying, "I had already realized that you were secretly paying attention to Renee a long, long time ago, Henry."Henry froze in shock, then hurriedly tried to justify himself, stammering, "T-That's not it, Claire. How could I—"I cut him off by saying, "You suddenly became overwhelmingly busy during our second year of university, quietly gathering all sorts of materials that we never once needed."I recalled questioning him back then, asking, "Why are you organizing all these materials for the financial assistance program when you don't even need them, Henry?"Henry replied calmly back then, "I got curious, so I'm just taking a look at them."I saw the instantaneous panic in his gaze, and since I knew that Renee, the protagonist of the novel, was known to be struggling financially, a suspicion took root in my mind. I still chose to suppress it and trust him, though, because I had always believed I was his one true love.In the end, reality hit me hard. Henry ulti

Chapter 8

I fully intended to cut Henry out of my life forever after I had said my piece last time. I just hadn't foreseen such relentless tenacity on Henry's part.Henry sat across the table from me. His fingers were anxiously stroking the cup before him as his gaze darted nervously around the room. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked incredibly pale. He was the picture of complete, crushing exhaustion.He kept probing me with disconnected questions, jumping from inquiries about my current residence to details concerning my job.I couldn't take it anymore, so I cut straight to the point, saying, "You should just get to the point."Henry took out a delicate, exquisite box from his coat pocket and carefully opened it, revealing a diamond necklace inside that sparkled brilliantly under the restaurant lights and exuded an undeniable value. "I knew it was meant for you the moment I first laid eyes on this necklace, so I bid for it without a second thought at the auction."I possesse

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