After Loving You for Ten Years

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I loved Ethan deeply for ten years, yet I had to watch him play the husband to my brother-in-law's widow, Selene.

Selene publicly called me a homewrecker and infuriated my critically ill mother to death.

Yet in his office, he told his friend he'd fallen for Selene, and our ten-year marriage now held only duty and compensation.

I endured, I compromised, and even when Selene tried to murder me with a knife, he still protected her and locked me in the attic.

On the day of my mother's funeral, I publicly filed for divorce and exposed everything.

Later, Selene gave birth to a bastard child, Ethan went mad, kidnapped me, then became a vegetable in a car accident.

I boarded a plane to Europe, Adrian holding my hand, asking softly, "From now on, can I be your first priority?"

I nodded with a smile, and from then on walked alongside him toward my new life.

Tara's POV

I'm Tara, Ethan's wife, yet I had to watch helplessly as he played the husband to his brother Eric's widow, Selene.

All because after Eric's death, Selene suffered a severe shock, became mentally unstable, and insisted Ethan was her husband.

And she was pregnant with Eric's child.

Ethan's parents knelt and begged him to temporarily impersonate his brother to keep Selene stable until she gave birth.

"It's just an act. I absolutely won't touch her," Ethan swore to me.

"Once the baby's born, everything will end."

But the act became more and more real.

He moved into Selene's bedroom, took meticulous care of her, and the two looked exactly like a real couple.

What I couldn't accept even more was that Selene publicly accused me of being a homewrecker.

My mother was already critically ill, couldn't withstand the shock, and died on the spot.

I knelt on the ground, crying my heart out.

With trembling hands, I dialed Ethan's number once, twice, three times... but no one answered.

Like a wandering ghost, I walked to his office, only to hear him say with a bitter smile to his friend, "What do I do? I think I've gotten too deep into the role. I've really fallen for Selene."

That single sentence shattered my entire world!

Sharp pain shot from my heart straight to the top of my head, and I could barely stand.

Why?!

Wasn't he the one who said it was just an act, that once the baby was born, everything would end?

Could all these years of feelings not compare to his few months with Selene?

I endured, I yielded, my mother even died because of this...

Now, was I going to lose my husband too?!

I refused to accept this!

I was unwilling!

I had to ask him face to face!

Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard his friend ask, "What about Tara?"

My movement suddenly froze.

I wanted to hear what Ethan would say.

Would there be even a trace of attachment? Would he be reluctant to see me hurt? Would he turn back in time?

Ethan was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Tara and I have been together for ten years. I should be responsible for her."

"But do you understand? Ten years might really be too long. Touching her is like touching myself."

"Now I don't even want to answer her calls. Just hearing her name annoys me."

"I can only let her continue being Mrs. Lancaster as compensation for her."

I leaned against the cold wall, tears flooding out.

Ten years-a whole ten years!

I gave my entire heart, and in his eyes, it only earned me 'duty' and 'compensation'!

What about love?

Had all that intense love between us died?!

Outside the window, rain poured down.

I thought of that reckless rainy night so many years ago...

Ethan and I were high school classmates.

I hadn't wanted any entanglement with this man.

After all, Ethan was so unreachable.

Distinguished family background, excellent grades, and devastatingly handsome looks.

But unexpectedly, this dazzling Ethan had secretly loved me for three whole years.

I remember that night. Ethan stood in the pouring rain downstairs from my house, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Tara! I love you!"

On the day we chose universities, he didn't even look at other options, directly choosing the same school as me, and said with a smile, "Wherever you are, that's where my future is."

After entering university, we were a famously model couple, and even now the school still tells stories about our romance.

After graduation, I went to Europe for further studies, while Ethan went to North America for his MBA.

But not even the entire Atlantic Ocean could separate our love.

Ethan frequently flew to my school. Even with only one day free, he had to see me.

After graduate school, Ethan defied family pressure and decisively proposed to me.

This year marks our tenth year together, our third year of marriage.

I had been so certain we would be happy forever.

I never expected that the boy who once professed his love in the rain would never come back.

Through the crack in the door, I saw Ethan's profile.

Still so young, so handsome. Time seemed to have left no trace on him.

But his eyes were so unfamiliar, so cold, they made me tremble all over.

His next words plunged me straight into hell.

"These days with Selene, I've experienced a joy I've never felt before."

"Once Selene gives birth, I'll send her abroad, then continue taking care of her under Eric's identity."

His friend asked, "Will Tara agree?"

"What right does she have to disagree?"

Ethan was dismissive.

"Her mother's still in the ICU. Several hundred thousand a month in expenses, and follow up treatment will cost even more. How could she afford it?"

"Besides continuing as Mrs. Lancaster and playing deaf and dumb, what other choice does she have?"

Word by word, each one pierced my heart.

I felt the air around me growing thin, couldn't catch my breath no matter what.

I stumbled out, rushing into the rain.

So it turned out my critically ill mother was, in his eyes, just leverage to control me!

The heavy rain soaked me through, but couldn't extinguish the flames of revenge in my heart.

Ethan, you don't know yet, do you? My mother is already gone.

She was driven to death by you and your beloved, working together!

There's nothing left to hold me back now...

I stopped in my tracks, pulled out my phone, and dialed a number.

"Transfer five million to my account. I need the best lawyer! I want a divorce!"

Tara's POV

The next evening, I forced down my nausea and stepped into the Lancaster house.

The lawyer told me that if I wanted a smooth divorce, I'd better have solid evidence of Ethan's infidelity.

I decided to hide my mother's death for now and pretend everything was normal.

I'd barely crossed the living room when Selene's sickeningly sweet voice latched onto me.

"Miss Tara, you're finally back~ I've been craving the cake you make!"

Ethan had truly been taking excellent care of her.

Six months pregnant, she looked rosy-cheeked with innocent eyes.

As if the person who had shrilly accused me of being a homewrecker and infuriated my mother to death at the hospital yesterday wasn't her at all.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms, almost drawing blood.

The pain barely helped me maintain my composure, forcing down the bone-deep hatred as I said hoarsely, "Hire a chef. I'm tired."

"But I want yours," Selene pouted, rubbing her belly.

"The baby inside wants it too."

Ethan's mother immediately chimed in, "Selene's carrying a precious child. Tara, can't you show a little consideration?"

Ethan's father frowned too, glancing at me with displeasure.

The study door opened. Ethan walked out, his gaze passing over me without the slightest warmth.

"If Selene wants it, go make it. Don't keep her waiting."

"Eric," Selene cooed, leaning toward him. "Don't be so harsh with her."

Ethan looked down at her, the ice in his eyes melting instantly, becoming tender enough to drip water. "Alright, whatever you say."

When he turned back to me, cold and distant again. "Hurry up."

That sentence was like a sharp knife, stabbing my most painful spot.

This was clearly my husband, yet he brazenly played another man in front of me, being sweet with another woman.

But right now, I couldn't act rashly.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, then turned and walked into the kitchen.

Last night I'd been drenched in rain all night. A low fever made me dizzy and lightheaded, my vision going dark in waves.

As I mixed the batter, images of my mother's pale face at death and the Lancaster family's cold expressions flashed alternately, tearing at my nerves.

My eyes burned hot. I forced the tears back.

I couldn't cry. At least not now. I still had more important things to do.

Nearly exhausted, I worked for almost two hours before the cake was barely finished.

But Selene only lazily tasted half a bite before pushing it away, pouting coquettishly, "I waited too long. I'm sleepy now. Don't want it anymore."

Ethan carefully helped her up, not even glancing back as he tossed at me, "Be faster next time."

He supported Selene and headed straight to their room.

Selene gave me a faint glance, a trace of triumph flashing in her eyes.

I stood frozen, my chest heavy and cold, as if weighed down by ice.

I remembered how before, if I just had a slight loss of appetite, Ethan would chase after me to feed me, doing everything he could to coax me.

And now, all that tenderness and care had gone to another woman.

Love never disappears. Love only transfers.

Leaving me alone in the same place, foolishly waiting.

My vision began to blur, my head splitting with pain.

I knew I had a high fever and should take medicine quickly.

But I felt cold all over, couldn't muster any strength.

Soon I collapsed onto the sofa, losing consciousness.

When I woke again, the entire Lancaster household was in chaos.

Apparently Selene had broken out in hives and was having difficulty breathing.

Ethan's face was ashen. He scooped Selene up horizontally and rushed out the door, heading straight to the hospital.

He completely failed to notice me on the sofa, my face deathly pale.

I went to the hospital myself and registered for emergency care.

My name was called over the loudspeaker. I forced myself to stand up, about to go for treatment.

But a figure blocked my path, gripping my wrist hard.

"You knew perfectly well that Selene is severely allergic to peanuts! Why did you still put peanuts in the cake?!"

It was Ethan.

He stared at me, his eyes bloodshot.

I was burning with fever, dizzy, and he was shaking me until I could barely stand.

"There weren't any peanuts... I didn't put any in..."

"Liar!"

Ethan shoved me away. I stumbled backward, hitting the cold wall, my whole body swaying, yet it earned not a trace of his sympathy.

"The doctor said it was food allergy! Who else but you? Tara, how did you become so vicious? That's Eric's only flesh and blood in her belly!"

I took a deep breath and asked back, "Eric's only flesh and blood. What does that have to do with me?"

He looked at me with disappointment, saying coldly, "If I hadn't let Eric take that business trip to spend your birthday with you, he would never have been on that flight!"

"The one who should have been in the plane crash was me! The one who should have lost her husband was you!"

"Tara, you owe Eric a life! Yet you harm his wife and child. Do you have any conscience at all?!"

With a buzzing sound, my world fell completely silent.

The high fever and heartbreak dulled my senses. I could only see his lips moving.

His emotionless gaze was like a dull knife, slowly torturing my already mangled heart.

Eric's death was an accident. Why should I atone for it?!

I'd already yielded my husband, even lost my mother whom I depended on-wasn't that enough?!

I desperately wanted to question Ethan, but my throat was so dry and painful, I couldn't make a sound.

Sliding down the cold wall to sit on the floor, I closed my eyes.

Before losing consciousness, I saw Ethan panic and rush toward me, calling out, "Tara, what's wrong?"

But my heart was already completely numb.

In the last second before losing consciousness, I murmured, "Ethan, don't call my name..."

You don't deserve to.

In the darkness, I thought hazily.

Less than seven days until my mother's funeral.

That day, I would hold a grand memorial service for my mother.

And that day, I would bring everything to an end. I would give my mother closure.

Tara's POV

When I woke, my fever had broken.

Ethan sat by the hospital bed. Seeing me open my eyes, he reached out to feel my forehead, but I turned my head away.

His hand hung awkwardly in midair before slowly withdrawing.

"Tara," he sighed, somewhat wearily.

"Selene has less than three months before giving birth. For my sake, for this family's sake, just endure a bit longer. Stop fighting with her, okay?"

Seeing my silence, he coaxed gently, "Once the baby's born, everything will return to normal. I promise."

Return to normal?

I laughed coldly inside.

I knew he was lying to me.

Once the baby was born, he would just keep Selene abroad, enjoying happiness.

I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse. "I'm tired. Get out."

Just then, a man in a black suit with a white flower pinned to his chest walked in and bowed to me.

"Ms. Tara, we've handled everything according to your requirements. Have you confirmed the time for the funeral?"

The air instantly froze.

Ethan turned his head, his sharp gaze shooting straight at me. "Funeral? What funeral? Who died?"

My heart raced wildly.

This was a funeral home employee. He was handling my mother's arrangements.

I couldn't reveal my hand now.

If Ethan realized he no longer had anything to hold over me, he'd surely be on guard.

I casually lied, "A family member."

Ethan wanted to press further, but urgent footsteps sounded outside the room. The butler appeared breathlessly at the door, his face full of anxiety.

"You must come quickly! The lady woke up extremely agitated, crying and calling for your brother's name. No one can calm her down, and the doctor says it's very bad for the fetus!"

Ethan stood up almost instantly, completely forgetting about me and the suspicious farewell ceremony, striding out after the butler.

For most of the rest of the day, I lay alone in the hospital bed, listening to the gossip in the corridor.

"That Mrs. Lancaster in the VIP room is so blessed. Mr. Lancaster has been watching over her the whole time."

"I heard Mr. Lancaster even contacted a top nutritionist to create a custom pregnancy plan for her. He treasures her like she'll melt in his palm."

"Different people, different fates. Look at that room. That woman passed out from fever, and not a single person came to check on her..."

These voices were like fine needles, piercing me full of holes.

I remembered five years ago when I was alone in Europe, had an appendicitis attack, and passed out from pain.

When I woke, Ethan's eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, holding my hand and calling my name.

Later I learned that Ethan had flown over overnight, not sleeping for more than ten hours.

Back then I thought that I want to be with this man for a lifetime, never to part.

But lifetime was still so far away. How had everything changed?

I stared at the stark white ceiling as the last bit of warmth in my chest dissipated...

As night fell, a nurse walked in. "Ms. Tara, there's one more test. Please come with me."

I didn't think much of it and followed the nurse through the corridor, turned several corners, and stopped outside a hospital room.

"Wait a moment. I need to get something."

The nurse said this, then turned and quickly walked away.

I was left there alone.

The door was ajar, and from inside came the faint sound of a woman acting coquettish and a man's low, suppressed breathing.

Tara's POV

I quickly recognized them, Selene and Ethan.

I instinctively wanted to flee, but those obscene sounds surrounded me with crystal clarity.

"Eric, I'm scared. Hold me tight, okay? Just like before..."

"Selene, don't do this... You're pregnant..."

"The doctor said we're past the dangerous period. It's fine... I know you want it too..."

The sound of clothes rustling, mixed with a woman's moans.

The man laughed helplessly. "I really can't do anything with you... Just for a little while. Be careful of the baby."

Outside the door, I leaned against the wall, barely holding myself up.

Every coquettish moan, every gasp inside tortured what little dignity I had left.

Intense pain instantly swallowed all my senses, even breathing hurt.

Ethan, is this what you meant by 'absolutely won't touch her'?!

You not only gave her your heart, your body betrayed me too!

I bit down hard on my lower lip, the taste of blood spreading between lips and teeth, barely suppressing the sobs threatening to burst from my throat.

I couldn't cry, couldn't collapse. At least not now.

Intense hatred drove me to lift my heavy arm, pointing my phone camera at that half-open door.

Those images and conversations were clearly recorded.

I don't know how long passed before the intense sounds inside gradually ceased.

I withdrew my phone and silently retreated to my own hospital room.

The moment the door closed, I slid to the floor.

My heart belatedly sent a sharp, twisting pain that made me curl up, gasping for air.

When I raised my head again, my eyes were bloodshot.

I had to recover quickly.

I would make that pair who deceived me, humiliated me, and killed my mother pay the price!

I struggled to climb up, collapsed onto the bed, and forced myself to sleep.

But the peace I expected didn't come.

As dawn approached, a familiar perfume scent invaded my nostrils.

I jolted awake with a start.

I tried to move, but my limbs were firmly bound to the hospital bed.

I looked up in terror, and what met my eyes was Selene's face wearing a bizarre smile.

"You're awake."

Selene toyed with a sharp scalpel, cold light flowing between her fingers.

"Selene?! What are you doing? Let me go!"

I struggled desperately, but to no avail.

"What am I doing?"

Selene tilted her head, her smile innocent yet cruel.

"Killing you, of course!"

"Why?! Haven't you taken enough? You want my life too?"

"You're too composed. Watching Ethan and me together, you can actually pretend nothing happened."

Selene leaned down, the cold blade sliding across my hospital gown.

"So I have no choice but to kill you. Only when you disappear will Ethan belong completely to me."

I looked at her in shock. "You... you've been pretending all along? You're not crazy at all! You know Eric is dead. You know he's Ethan!"

"That's right."

Selene smiled even more happily, undisguised triumph in her eyes.

"The one I've always loved is Ethan! If he hadn't only had eyes for you back then, why would I have settled for marrying Eric? Now Eric's dead. This is fate giving me a chance!"

"Calm down! Selene, murder is illegal! You'll go to prison!"

I tried to awaken her reason.

"Prison?"

She tapped my face with the blade's back.

"Don't forget, Ethan loves me now. Even if I kill someone, he'll cover for me."

"Besides, everyone knows I'm a lunatic who suffered trauma. If I have an episode and accidentally kill someone, do I need to take legal responsibility?"

She straightened up, raising that gleaming scalpel and aiming it at my chest.

The smile faded from her face, leaving only bone-deep coldness.

"Don't be afraid. Soon... you won't have any more troubles."

Tara's POV

The hospital room door burst open.

Ethan froze in the doorway, horrified. "What... what are you doing?!"

Seeing the knife in Selene's hand pointed at my chest, he rushed forward, snatched away the blade, and fumbled to cut the ropes binding me.

In an instant, the murderous madness drained completely from Selene's face.

As if waking from a dream, her body swayed. She clutched her head, looking around in terror.

"Ah! Where... where am I? What am I doing?"

Large tears immediately flooded out, like a frightened child.

"Eric? Eric, I'm so scared... I had such a terrible dream... In it, there was a woman who wanted to steal you away! And harm our baby... I'm so afraid..."

She sobbed, her whole body trembling, tears streaming down her face as she reached out to Ethan.

Ethan's pupils constricted. In one swift movement, he rushed forward and pulled Selene tightly into his arms, patting her back gently.

"It's alright, Selene. I'm here. No one can hurt you or the baby."

Forgotten on the hospital bed, I watched this absurd scene unfold, a fury capable of burning everything down finally overwhelming my reason.

"Ethan! Open your eyes! She just tried to kill me! She's faking it all! She's not crazy at all!"

"I didn't... Why are you saying this about me... And why are you calling him Ethan... Where's Eric? Isn't Eric here?"

Selene cried even more pitifully, suddenly struggling and screaming hysterically.

"Where did Eric go? They said Eric is dead. Is it true? If Eric's dead... then I don't want to live either! Eric's gone anyway, everyone hates me..."

As she spoke, heavily pregnant, she actually tried to ram herself into the wall.

"Selene! Don't do anything foolish! I am Eric! I'm right here!"

Ethan panicked and held her, repeatedly soothing her.

Once she quieted down and collapsed in his arms, when he turned back to me, only fury remained in his eyes.

"Tara! That's enough! Look at her condition! You're still provoking her! What is your heart made of?"

The commotion attracted others too.

Ethan's mother rushed in, shrieking, "Tara! Won't you be satisfied until you drive Selene to death?"

Ethan's father also wore a stern expression, scolding, "You can't have children yourself, so you can't stand others carrying the Lancaster family's child? You're simply unreasonable!"

They swarmed around her, comforting the nearly fainting Selene.

Then they surrounded her, protecting her like precious porcelain, and quickly left the hospital room.

And Ethan held Selene tightly the entire time, not sparing even a glance for me, who had just faced life and death.

I watched his resolute back, tears silently sliding down my cheeks.

Ethan's father's words still echoed in my ears. "You can't have children yourself..."

Can't have children?

My heart was bleeding.

I had a child too, two years ago.

I had the ultrasound photo printed, wanting to surprise Ethan.

But before I could show it to him, we were in a car accident together.

At the critical moment, I threw myself over him, using my body to shield Ethan.

The baby was just... gone.

Not wanting Ethan to be heartbroken, I had the doctor hide this fact.

After that, I could never get pregnant again.

Later, Ethan and I didn't even have opportunities to be intimate.

Perhaps it was for the best. I closed my eyes, forcing back the surging tears.

From now on, that heart that once loved Ethan without reservation would no longer beat for him.

With a cold expression, I pulled out a small, delicate voice recorder from the inner pocket of my hospital gown.

Pressing play, after some static, Selene's voice rang out.

"The one I've always loved is Ethan! If he hadn't only had eyes for you back then, why would I have settled for marrying Eric? Now Eric's dead. This is fate giving me a chance!"

This was enough.

I gripped the recorder tightly, my eyes gradually becoming resolute.

Mom, wait just a little longer.

At your memorial service, I will expose them for what they really are!