StepLeft's answer (2)

destroying a character (frequently the second lead) just to give incentive to the readers to root for a particular character (case in point: the main love interest); especially if the so-called second-lead is so much more interesting as a character than the main one. e.g. the second lead used to be kind, gentle, always by the protagonist's side, ......   reply

OMNIPOTENCE. BOW TO ME. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧   reply