"I never thought 'love at first sight' actually existed in this world.We met in the most beautiful way possible, but we spent our time together in the worst way imaginable...I knew he didn't love me, but he had no choice but to marry me.That's why I can understand why he treated me so coldly the way he did…"
"I guess he must have had a lot on his mind—dreams, poems, songs, ambitions, the girl he loved...everything but me.Even so, I still cried tears of joy when we exchanged vows in front of the priest and put the ring on each other's fingers.I fantasized about the day I'd finally find a place in his heart...even if just a tiny part! "I cried my lungs out.He was petrified when he saw me in that state.Although he was disgusted, he still wiped my tears away and put the ring on my finger.He was cold yet gentle...At that moment...I started falling."
Chapter Three, The Long Wait.
"I've imagined us doing things together after getting married ..watching variety shows on the couch, building complicated castles from Lego bricks, playing games together as a team, feeding kittens together, and even watching him eat all the food I make.
After all that, we'd hold each other's hand and fall asleep in each other's arms.
Little did I know, he would always say, 'Wait"
Wait for him to come home.
Wait for him to have a meal together.
Wait for him to be free...
Sadly, I could count on my fingers the times we actually did something together.
"On countless seemingly endless lonely nights, I fell asleep on my own.
Life was slowly slipping through my fingers, and so was my love for him.
Whenever I felt the love was drying up, he'd suddenly smile at me or call out to me.
It might even be a micro-expression on his face.
That was enough to make my heart race again.
I was too weak.
I loved him too much!"
Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six...
Ace maintained the same posture as he read on.He was like a statue.
As he flipped through the pages, his heart began to ache.His vision was turning blurry too...He never knew Joanna was capable of writing in such detail.
In just a few words, she managed to describe their cold marriage with great accuracy.
It was evident how much she loved him from the way she wrote.It was a one-woman show about her selflessly giving, repeatedly getting hurt by him, and continually healing herself! "Bulls*it!"
Ace couldn't resist cursing halfway through the novel.It wasn't surprising that this novel became so popular.
The fans would all shout, "This is torture!"
The storyline was too realistic, and the characters were very well-developed.
Even though Ace knew he was the male lead and he was the one who did all these awful things, he still clenched his jaw and felt sorry for the female lead! Fortunately, the story took a sweet turn after that.
The male and female lead had sex, and the female lead became pregnant.
After the baby was born, the male lead gradually started developing feelings for the female lead while they raised their child...
"After the baby fell asleep at night, I decided to make myself something to eat in the kitchen since it was still early.I bumped into him when I opened the door.It was dark, but his cheeks were red.He was probably out drinking.I was in shock.Before I even said a word, he pressed both hands against my cheeks and began kissing me passionately.I..."
Ace's lips felt dry while he read this part.He even became a little excited.
Although it was only a kissing scene, Joanna's writing made it feel so realistic.
Ace could totally picture it happening.He quickly turned the page, hoping to read even more exciting content.
It turned out this was where the novel ended! "Damn it! Why isn't there more? Did she hide the rest of the novel?"
Ace was hooked.He kept flipping through the notebook.He was afraid he'd miss any 'restricted' content.
Unfortunately, the novel had, in fact, come to an end.
Joanna didn't write anything else.
Ace closed the thick notebook.It felt like he'd just experienced four different seasons of the year.
The novel had taken him on an emotional roller-coaster ride...He had no idea Joanna loved him so much.He also had no idea he used to be such a detestable person.
Just as it took time for the sun to set, it would take time for human emotions to fade.
Suddenly, Ace understood why Joanna could move on so quickly...
"Ace, I've got news for you!"
Ethan suddenly barged in and exclaimed excitedly.
"Are you serious?" Ace looked at Ethan with a cold gaze.His eyes instantly lit up.
"My men just sent me a message.They said they saw your wife at an antique market in Water Dock.Here are the photos they sent me," Ethan gushed.He quickly switched on his phone and zoomed in on a photo for Ace.
This was a photo taken from the side.
The woman's tall nasal bridge and collar bones looked perfectly identical to Joanna's.
That wasn't all.She even had on the same white dress Joanna once wore.
This unclear photo of her face from the side was enough to ignite Ace's passion and hope! He didn't even hesitate for a split second before standing to his feet.
"Let's have a look."
The two drove to Water Dock.
Meanwhile, Christopher stayed at Moran Villa in case of an emergency.
Ethan saw Ace clinging tightly onto a notebook.He couldn't help but feel curious.
"Ace, is your notebook a confidential document? Why won't you put it down?"
"It isn't," Ace replied coldly.He looked out the window and refused to explain further.
Ethan was bent on getting to the bottom of it.
"If it isn't a confidential document, what is it? Why do you seem so nervous? Can I see it?"
He tried to reach for the notebook, but Ace's glare made him retract his hand.
"This notebook clearly belongs to a girl.It even has a lock, but you picked it..."
Ethan began to murmur.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to him.
"I know.This is a diary, isn't it? Does it belong to your wife? "Oh my god! Ace, you actually peeked at her diary.That's so tasteless of you.Do you know it's illegal to violate someone's privacy like that? You're a righteous man—why would you do something so dark? Are you so in love with her that you've lost all sense of reason?"
"Shut up!"
Ace frowned unhappily.He felt the urge to sew Ethan's lips together.
"How could you do something so tasteless on your own? Show it to me too.I'll be your partner-in- crime.When we see your wife, I'll keep it a secret for you!"
"It's not a diary.Countless people have seen it.You don't have to keep it a secret for me," Ace said coldly.
"If it's not a confidential document, and it's not a diary, what is it?" Ethan was extremely curious.He continued to beg Ace.
"Come on, Ace.Show it to me.If other people can see it, why can't I? Aren't good things meant to be shared? Let me see it!"
Ace turned to look at Ethan.
"Do you really want to see it? "Yes!"
"Promise me something."
"What is it?"
"I'll tell you after you read it."
Ace handed the diary to Ethan.
Ethan quickly flipped through it.
"Damn.This male lead is such a jerk.What's wrong with his brain? Why can't he just die?"
"Woah! It's so sweet.They already have a baby!"
"They kissed.They kissed.They finally kissed!"
Ethan couldn't stop reading the novel.He was completely immersed in the story.He was sometimes happy, sometimes angry, and other times like a teenage boy whose heart would flutter.