ことの方が？

かつては熱々だった相手と冷め果てた関係を延々と持続することの方が、寒々しく耐え難いように思われた。

Hi, can I ask what does the phrase ことの方が means??

I have been trying to figure this out for weeks already, but I cant still seem to understand it.

Also, the 延々と持続する, I am not too sure about the combination of various grammars here. Because, I can only find 延々in my dictionary, but not 延々と持続する. Anyway, from my interpretation, I guess it could mean 'continuing to drag', right??

And does ように思われた means 'being made to feel in such a way'??

Any form of help is greatly appreciated!!!

Thank You!!!

Very nice. And quite difficult too

About ことの方が, I think, just like another ～方が, it means "than" (comparison function). Like in A is .... than B. Some times B can be hidden like the above sentence.

延々 function is to emphasize the 持続する, so it means keep continue without any interruption. I like this phrase type. another example, ゆらゆらと歪んだ空.
Ehm, not sure about 思われる、～ように思われる. I think, it shows people opinion in general.

due to my english, I can't help with the translation. But I hope add some phrase can help you understand the meaning.
For example,
（全く知らない人と仲良くやることよりも）
かつては熱々だった相手と冷め果てた関係を延々と持続 することの方が、寒々しく耐え難いように思われた。

or
かつては熱々だった相手と （そのまま別れるよりも）冷め果てた関係を延々と持続 することの方が、寒々しく耐え難いように思われた。

Ehm, the second interpretation makes more sense.
lets wait Native comments.

Ah! Now I understand 延々と持続する!
Thank You So Much for your help!!

How about the rest??