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00:00My footsteps stopped, as if nailed to the floor.
00:02I gripped the glass so tightly I thought it would shatter,
00:05because I knew the men's laughter laced with contempt for a women's spell trouble.
00:09Beckett, you're getting married in two weeks.
00:11What about the sugar baby you've got tucked away?
00:14Keep your mouths shut, Sage Hollis won't find out as long as none of you run your mouths.
00:18Undor separated me from the man I loved for years.
00:21In that thin space, my whole life became light as a feather.
00:24He not only cheated, but also carefully planned all this,
00:27turning me into a secret he could control.
00:30Humiliation came first, hot and suffocating.
00:32Then something colder settled.
00:34Something that didn't cry, didn't beg, and didn't compromise.
00:37I didn't knock, nor did I burst in.
00:39I turned and walked away to book a service to erase myself.
00:43Miss Hollis, I need to confirm.
00:45Once we start, it takes about two weeks.
00:48Your legal name change and relocation documents will go through.
00:52No one who knows you will be able to track you again.
00:55I'm sure.
00:56All right.
00:56Your new documents and transition plan will be ready once completed.
01:01I hope this gives you a fresh start.
01:03A fresh start.
01:04I wanted to believe it so badly it hurt.
01:06I hung up, put my phone in my pocket, and walked to the curb to hail a cab,
01:10as if there was nothing broken inside me.
01:13I'd just showered and was about to climb into bed when the door opened.
01:16First came the scent of whiskey, then Beckett himself, warm, familiar, confident.
01:21Wifey, why didn't you come get me?
01:22I was waiting, I swear.
01:23You smell so good.
01:24His hands began to wander, greedy and at ease, as if my body was already his consolation prize.
01:29I stared at the ceiling, letting him cuddle against me.
01:33My thoughts went back to the beginning, to the man I trusted with my life.
01:37Damn, I'm tired tonight.
01:38You look a little thin.
01:40Guess I'm good sleep, okay?
01:42I'm here.
01:42I didn't answer.
01:43I closed my eyes and pretended I was already gone.
01:46The next morning, I woke to him dressing in his closet, as if nothing had changed.
01:50Good morning, wifey.
01:52It's Christmas Eve.
01:52I'm taking you out.
01:53Get up and get dressed.
01:54He said it like a decision already made for me, then left before I could refuse.
01:59Madam, you're awake.
02:01I'll prepare breakfast for you.
02:03We weren't married, but Beckett always ordered his staff and friends to call me Madam.
02:07Because he liked the pretense, he liked molding me into his, quietly, privately.
02:12In two weeks, he would have a real public wife.
02:14I lowered my eyes, exhaled softly, the taste of irony filling me.
02:18Then I ate breakfast, as if swallowing glass.
02:21After breakfast, he sent the driver away because he wanted just us.
02:26He drove me through the city.
02:27He took me to a garden cafe, then to the aquarium.
02:30He kept staring at my face as if tracking my emotions.
02:33Every time I looked a little tired, he would immediately slow down, make me sit, buy me
02:37something, and ask if I was okay.
02:40That's where he was dangerous.
02:41He could take such good care of you, making you forget he was also the one hurting you.
02:45That night, I thought we were going home, but he drove the car up the mountain.
02:49You once said the fireworks would be great from there.
02:51I saved this surprise.
02:53Shall we go see if you were right?
02:55It was something I'd casually said while scrolling YouTube, so casually, I'd almost forgotten
02:59it.
03:00If somehow he hadn't forgotten, he remembered every little detail that made me happy until
03:04it became inconvenient.
03:06I didn't answer.
03:07He didn't seem to care.
03:08He kept talking, trying to coax me out of my silence, filling the space like he always
03:12did.
03:13About half an hour later, we reached the scenic overlook.
03:16The city lights below twinkled like glitter on black velvet, and for a moment, I could
03:20almost pretend this was still my life.
03:22As the last hour of December 24th began to tick away, Beckett's phone buzzed.
03:27He glanced at the screen, then shot me a quick, wary look.
03:30When he saw I was looking out at the view, he exhaled softly, then turned sideways and
03:34started typing.
03:35I barely had to tilt my head to see.
03:37Beckett, honey, I'm so lonely tonight.
03:39Can you come be with me?
03:41Don't start.
03:42Please, Raina's scared of the dark.
03:44I want my baby with me.
03:45Be good.
03:46Wait for me.
03:47Before he looked up, I turned my face to the city as if I hadn't seen anything.
03:51Sage, there's an urgent company matter.
03:53I have to go back.
03:54I'm sorry.
03:55I can't count down with you.
03:56Hmm.
03:57Beckett didn't even linger.
03:58Less than a minute passed from his words to the disappearance of his taillights.
04:02He was so eager that he forgot one small thing.
04:04He drove away the only car.
04:06My chest tightened as if someone clutched my heart, squeezing until breathing hurt.
04:10The countdown hit zero.
04:12Fireworks exploded over the city.
04:14Huge.
04:14Bright.
04:15Magnificent.
04:16He planned it all for me.
04:17My phone vibrated in my palms, small and innocent.
04:20As if it didn't know, it was about to finish.
04:22What Beckett started.
04:23It was a number I didn't recognize.
04:25I should have ignored it, but my finger still swiped.
04:28The second the message opened, I knew Raina Ransom.
04:31Beckett's arm was around her waist, his head bent.
04:33Looking at her with the same tender smile he once reserved for me.
04:37The text below the picture left me breathless.
04:39We're getting married.
04:40Beckett thinks you're worthless.
04:42Be smart.
04:43Leave before you embarrass yourself.
04:45My fingers tightened, the phone creaking in my hand.
04:48Worthless.
04:49The fireworks were gone.
04:50The cheers in the distance had faded.
04:52The mountaintop was silent and dark.
04:54My phone died in my hand as if it refused to witness anymore.
04:57No light, no signal, just the sliver of a moon, a path, and the kind of darkness that
05:02allowed imagination to turn on itself.
05:05Snow began to fall, softly at first, then thicker.
05:08A brutal truth quickly surfaced.
05:10If I stayed they'd be cleaning up my remains by morning.
05:13So I started walking.
05:14The moment I stepped fully into the darkness fear crawled up my spine, slow and ugly.
05:18Beckett knew I was afraid of the dark.
05:20He used to tease me for it, then hold me close.
05:23Yet tonight, he left me here.
05:25I walked and walked, the cold air burning my lungs, my hands stiff in my sleeves.
05:29It was four hours before I made it to a road where cars passed.
05:33I was pale, my lips blew from the cold.
05:35The house was dark, silent.
05:37Beckett was with his fiancée.
05:39I worked my mouth into a semblance of a smile as if I were joking, as if my dignity wasn't
05:43shattered.
05:44I was just the part of his life he kept in the shadows.
05:47The next thing I knew, I was being shaken awake.
05:49I opened my eyes to Beckett's anxious face.
05:52Sage, you have a fever.
05:53We're going to the ER now.
05:54I was too hazy to argue.
05:56He lifted me as if I weighed nothing.
05:57My mind kept circling.
05:59Why are you here?
06:00Aren't you supposed to be with her?
06:02By the time I was lucid enough to see past the windshield, the sun had painted the road
06:06in bright light.
06:07At the hospital, he wouldn't let me walk.
06:09He carried me straight into the emergency room.
06:11He answered questions, asking what to look out for.
06:14What could be wrong?
06:15He looked like a man who was afraid to lose something.
06:18As they gave me an IV, the doctor smiled at me and said,
06:20You have a good boyfriend.
06:22You have a good boyfriend.
06:23Hold on to him.
06:24The words almost made me laugh.
06:26Beckett leaned closer, his scent filling my nostrils.
06:29Good boyfriend?
06:30Fresh from his fiancé's bed and he had the audacity to stand there.
06:34The nurse swabbed my arm.
06:35Beckett pulled my head to his chest, stroking my shoulders.
06:38Hey, it's okay.
06:39Just a little pinch.
06:40I'm here, baby.
06:41You're fine.
06:41I wanted to tell him I wasn't afraid of needles.
06:44I wanted to tell him it wasn't this pain that was destroying me.
06:47But I didn't give him the satisfaction of a performance.
06:50I just stayed still, letting him perform for the room.
06:53He hovered, tucking me in, asking if I was dizzy, if I needed anything.
06:57As if he could make up for abandoning me that night.
07:00By playing the hero during the day, I closed my eyes, refusing to appease him.
07:05Eventually, exhaustion pulled me into a deep sleep.
07:07When I woke up, he was gone.
07:09The IV bag was almost empty.
07:11I pulled out the needle myself, pressed a hand to the spot, and dragged my heavy head
07:15and weak body to the bathroom.
07:17I told myself I just needed a minute, a breath, a space to keep my heart from shattering completely.
07:22As I stepped out, I saw them.
07:24Beckett, his hand on Raina's waist, walking out of the OBGYN office.
07:28As if she were a fragile treasure.
07:30As if he'd done it a thousand times.
07:32I rushed back into the bathroom, but their voices drifted down the hall.
07:36It's been two months.
07:37You're a mom now.
07:37You can't be reckless.
07:38Then you'll have to watch me, Beckett, darling.
07:41And the baby needs a daddy, right?
07:43Of course, the wedding's in less than two weeks.
07:45Don't worry, I don't want you and the baby to be tired.
07:47Their footsteps faded.
07:49I stood there stiffly, tears hot and fast, soaking my cheeks.
07:52As if my body was leaking all the emotions I'd been suppressing.
07:56They were having a baby.
07:57Two months along, maybe more.
07:59How long would I have lived in this lie if I hadn't heard that conversation?
08:03Calling myself his wife while he was planning a real wedding with someone else?
08:06I scrubbed at my face as if I could scrub the humiliation off my skin.
08:10Something clinked against the sink.
08:12I looked down.
08:13A ring.
08:15It was Beckett's ring.
08:17He'd slipped it onto my finger.
08:19Sage, will you stay with me forever?
08:20I'm serious.
08:21I love you.
08:22I'm not marrying anyone but you.
08:23Not in this life.
08:24I believed it anyway.
08:26The difference between then and now was cruel.
08:28I forced my breathing steady.
08:30I walked out of the hospital.
08:31The ring itself sat on the counter.
08:33Beckett didn't come home until around ten.
08:35The door swung open, hurried.
08:37He dropped to one knee in front of me.
08:39He slid it back onto my finger.
08:41He kissed the back of it.
08:43Wifey, you didn't even notice you lost it?
08:45Babe, you can't be this careless, okay?
08:46This is our promise.
08:47You're my future.
08:49His eyes still looked full of love but I couldn't feel it.
08:51Something in it was contaminated now.
08:54No sweetness could filter it out.
08:55Where were you today?
08:57I caught a flicker of guilt.
08:58Work, something urgent came up.
09:00I handled it.
09:00When I went back, you were gone.
09:02The lie landed like dust.
09:04Baby, let's go ride in tomorrow.
09:05There's a ranch up north.
09:06You've always wanted to, right?
09:08Doctor said you need sunlight.
09:09You'll feel better.
09:10He didn't ask if I wanted to.
09:12He never really did.
09:14I just let it pass.
09:14I was done fighting a man.
09:16Who could lie with a straight face and still call it love?
09:19I only needed to hold out.
09:20The next day, he drove me out and Raina was there.
09:23Seeing her in person was different.
09:25She looked polished, expensive.
09:27Standing near Beckett, she made sense.
09:29He wrapped an arm around my waist.
09:31Sage, come on.
09:32I'll teach you.
09:32He picked out a gentle horse.
09:34He helped me up, guiding me.
09:36For half an hour, I almost forgot.
09:37I'm tired.
09:38Beckett stopped immediately.
09:40I saw Raina walk away.
09:41Stay here, baby.
09:42I'm gonna grab you water.
09:43That small ripple in my chest went flat.
09:46My body finally understood.
09:47I stood up quietly and followed him.
09:49Raina was already there.
09:51What did I tell you?
09:52Until the wedding, act like strangers.
09:54If Sage makes a scene, it'll hurt us.
09:56But the baby misses you.
09:57And she hasn't found out anyway.
09:59Beckett's expression softened.
10:01Then he kissed her.
10:02Something in my chest ripped.
10:04My nails bit into my palms.
10:05Nausea surged up my throat.
10:07I walked away on unsteady legs.
10:09Beckett came back with water.
10:10Sorry, wifey.
10:11I had to take a call.
10:12You didn't wait long, right?
10:13Wifey.
10:14The word hit.
10:15I took a drink fast.
10:16Beckett's eyes dropped to my hand.
10:18What happened?
10:19Why are you bruised?
10:20Dark purple crescents.
10:21I couldn't even process.
10:22My body had been hurting itself.
10:24Just to keep from making a sound.
10:26Pulled the reins too hard.
10:28No, babe.
10:28Let me.
10:29I stepped away.
10:30Smile.
10:30Minimize.
10:31Swallow it.
10:32It's fine.
10:32I'm gonna ride.
10:33I want to ride alone.
10:34He stopped.
10:35Just like that.
10:36A small pocket of air that belonged only to me.
10:40My body moved mechanically.
10:42But my thoughts drifted far away.
10:44Raina Ransom's horse hit mine.
10:46And my horse instantly got spooked.
10:48Before the horse dragged me, I let go of the reins.
10:51Fell to the ground, covered in dirt.
10:53Shoulder and hip ached.
10:54But none of that mattered.
10:55Because Raina Ransom had also fallen.
10:57And Beckett Northcott already held her in his arms.
11:00So fast.
11:00So instinctive.
11:01His body knew who to choose.
11:03Beckett Northcott's gaze finally found me.
11:05The baby.
11:06Beckett Northcott froze.
11:07I watched him make his decision.
11:09Watched him embrace Raina Ransom.
11:11Sage, she's pregnant.
11:12She can't take a fall like that.
11:14Let me take her to the hospital first, okay?
11:16Something bitter rose in my throat.
11:18Hmm.
11:18He immediately picked up Raina Ransom and hurried away.
11:21I sat alone in the dirt.
11:22My hands trembling.
11:24Ma'am, are you hurt anywhere?
11:25I'm fine.
11:27The pain in my chest seemed permanent.
11:29I limped towards the parking lot.
11:30The car was gone.
11:32I called a rideshare and went home alone.
11:34I didn't wait for Beckett Northcott.
11:36Exhaustion quickly put me to sleep.
11:38The next day, I woke up to Beckett Northcott sitting by the bed.
11:41He saw the coldness in my eyes and his smile froze.
11:44He took out the box from the nightstand and retrieved a bracelet.
11:47He carefully placed it on my wrist and kissed my hand.
11:50Sorry, wifey.
11:50I shouldn't have rushed Raina Ransom first.
11:52I should have checked you right away.
11:54But she's pregnant and she's carrying my friend's baby.
11:56I had to make sure she was okay.
11:58You get that, right?
11:59I lowered my head and let out a faint laugh.
12:01Not worth it.
12:02What did you say?
12:03What's not worth it?
12:04Baby, don't talk like that.
12:05You're the most worth it person.
12:07You deserve everything.
12:08The whole world's good stuff.
12:10I saw something on TV yesterday.
12:11A couple.
12:12The guy thought they were together.
12:14But the girl got engaged.
12:16Everyone argued if he should forgive her.
12:18What do you think?
12:19He shouldn't forgive her.
12:20Not a chance.
12:21I agree.
12:21He shouldn't.
12:22I'm hungry.
12:23Then I'll cook.
12:24Go wash up, wifey.
12:25I'll call you when it's ready.
12:27He hurried downstairs as if the problem was solved.
12:29I watched his retreating back.
12:31Then slid off the bracelet and put it down.
12:33I would no longer let him pretend to sacrifice for me.
12:37My birthday was two days later.
12:39Beckett Northcott celebrated early.
12:41No, I told you I'll celebrate with you every year.
12:43We're doing it.
12:44I smiled faintly to myself.
12:46All right, let this be the last time.
12:48He brought out the cake, lit the candles, and sang for me.
12:51I closed my eyes and silently made a wish.
12:53Please let me start anew and live with dignity.
12:55What did you wish for?
12:57I calmly cut the cake.
12:58In my heart, I answered him, leave you.
13:02By the time Beckett Northcott came back, there wouldn't be anything left of us.
13:06He wasn't home that night.
13:08I moved through the rooms without turning on extra lights, packing only what was actually
13:12mine.
13:13Then I dug out the photos we'd taken.
13:14I struck a match.
13:15I fed the fire one photo at a time and watched our memories collapse into ash because whatever
13:20those pictures used to mean was already dead.
13:23I didn't take a single gift Beckett Northcott had ever given me.
13:26If it wasn't mine, I didn't touch it.
13:28And once Beckett Northcott stopped belonging to me, I stopped reaching for him too.
13:33After I cleaned up, I went out and bought a new SIM card.
13:35When I left, I wasn't taking my old number.
13:38I didn't have anyone I needed to call anymore, and I didn't want anyone calling me.
13:42Later, I sat in the garden with my phone in hand.
13:44I wasn't even paying attention until a live stream popped up.
13:47Raina.
13:48She stood under bright studio lights in a wedding dress, glowing like she'd already won.
13:52And from just off camera, a man's arm wrapped around her waist, possessive, intimate, holding
13:57her like she belonged to him.
13:58The groom doesn't want to show his face.
14:01So how did you two get together?
14:03Our families matched us.
14:05It was an arrangement.
14:06An arrangement?
14:07You two look way too sweet for that.
14:10Just because it started as an arrangement doesn't mean it can't turn into real love.
14:14You're right.
14:15You're right.
14:16Okay.
14:17When's the wedding?
14:18Four days.
14:19It'll be the biggest wedding the city's seen.
14:21You'll all see.
14:22I stared at that half profile, at that one eye full of love, and my chest tightened, like
14:27a fist had closed around my heart.
14:29The sunlight on my skin should have felt warm.
14:31Every blessing in the chat landed on me like a blade.
14:34I let out a dry little laugh I didn't recognize.
14:36No title.
14:37No name.
14:38No place.
14:39Just the woman kept out of sight.
14:40That night, Beckett Northcutt came home carrying a box.
14:43Inside was a dress.
14:45I didn't even have to think.
14:46It was the kind of pale, pretty dress you put bridesmaids in.
14:49What is this?
14:51You want me standing beside you at your wedding?
14:53Come on.
14:54That's a bridesmaid dress.
14:56What?
14:56Oh, baby.
14:57No.
14:57I'm sorry, wifey.
14:58Why would you ever be a bridesmaid?
14:59My bride can only be you.
15:01He always talked like that.
15:02Beautiful sentences that sounded like love.
15:05I stayed quiet in his arms and finished the thought in my head.
15:08Of course, Rayna would be your bride.
15:10Beckett Northcutt stayed home with me constantly.
15:12Rayna, I'm handling it.
15:14I've got to keep her calm, all right?
15:15If she acts up on the wedding day, it'll blow up.
15:18Just listen to me and behave.
15:19I'll come to you when I can.
15:20I didn't react.
15:21I just let the corner of my mouth lift, silent and cold.
15:24So that was it.
15:25He wasn't spending time with me.
15:27He was managing me, keeping me quiet.
15:30They really thought I'd fight for him.
15:32They didn't know me at all.
15:33The night before the wedding, Beckett Northcutt held me.
15:36Sage, tomorrow you're going to stay home, okay?
15:39Be good.
15:39Don't go anywhere.
15:40Tonight, I'll come back with a surprise for you.
15:42Okay, I didn't argue.
15:43I didn't smile.
15:44The next morning, he got up early.
15:46Before he left, he kissed my forehead like a blessing.
15:49When the engine sound faded down the street, I opened my eyes.
15:52I didn't get out of bed.
15:53I stayed on my side.
15:55When I reached for my phone, nothing loaded.
15:57No signal.
15:58No data.
15:58I went downstairs, picked up the remote, turned on the TV.
16:02No service.
16:03That's when the housekeeper came over.
16:05Ma'am, the neighborhood internet is being repaired.
16:09Might be out all day.
16:10That's fine.
16:11I'll go out for a bit then.
16:13Uh, sir, told me.
16:15He said, you should stay home and wait for him.
16:19My eyes sparkled with a stronger resolve, my escape plan entering its final stage.
16:23I looked past her through the window and saw two men in black.
16:26They stood too still, watching too closely.
16:29Not for the house.
16:30For me.
16:30So this was Beckett's solution.
16:32He'd lock the door and call it protection.
16:34You can't hide the truth forever.
16:36He just wanted to control when it reached me.
16:39Okay, I'm gonna rest upstairs.
16:41Don't worry about me.
16:42Back in the bedroom, I packed the last few things that were actually mine.
16:46I laid the ring and bracelet inside like returned property.
16:48Then I slid in a note.
16:50Congratulations on your wedding.
16:52Then I tore the bedsheets into strips, knotted them together, and tossed the rope out the second
16:56floor window.
16:58Beckett could cage a lot of things.
16:59He couldn't cage me.
17:01I climbed down, slipped off the property like I'd never belonged there.
17:04Then I popped out my old SIM card and flicked it into a flower bed.
17:07The new one clicked into place and it felt like cutting a wire inside my chest.
17:11I went straight to the agency and picked up the new ID they'd prepared.
17:15A plane ticket sat in it, printed under a name that wasn't mine anymore.
17:19I walked outside, lifted my hand to hail a ride.
17:22Someone nearby gasped,
17:23Oh my god, that's so romantic.
17:25Across the street, a giant outdoor screen was streaming a wedding live.
17:28Beckett's wedding.
17:29Raina stood in white and Beckett stood beside her, hand resting on her waist.
17:34They looked made for each other, if you didn't know the truth.
17:37People around me smiled and sighed like they were watching a love story.
17:40Beckett had taken off the ring he used to wear.
17:43The pale line was erased.
17:44As the officiant spoke, the crowd held its breath.
17:47Then came the kiss.
17:49I lowered my aching neck and tugged my baseball cap down, hiding my eyes.
17:53I wiped the single tear that slipped out, then turned and walked to the curb.
17:57I flagged a cab and gave the airport address.
17:59At the terminal, I sat in the waiting area, checking the time.
18:02Then a breaking entertainment alert popped up on my phone.
18:05My name was right there, wedged between photos of the newlyweds like a stain.
18:09The post called me a mistress, said I'd sabotaged their perfect love story.
18:14Nearby voices rose loud and disgusted.
18:16What a trashy homewrecker.
18:18The words hit my skin like heat.
18:19They didn't recognize me.
18:21I didn't defend myself.
18:22I kept walking toward the gate.
18:24Wait, why's the groom leaving the ballroom?
18:26He just ditched the bride?
18:27I didn't slow down.
18:28I kept walking toward the new life.
18:30When the plane lifted off, the city shrank under the clouds.
18:33For the first time in weeks, my lungs took in air that didn't feel borrowed.
18:37Then my phone vibrated in my palm.
18:39A message had come through.
18:40It's a video, without captions or warning.
18:43Just a file name stamped with a date, 1230.
18:46My thumb hovered over it and something inside me went ice cold.
18:49I knew what that date meant.
18:51Beckett always had a way of reaching for control.
18:55Beckett and Raina had just walked off the stage, a perfect couple ready to toast.
18:59Even on his wedding day, he couldn't stop managing risks.
19:02Just then, he saw the post, and his face turned ashen.
19:05He called me immediately, but my phone was off.
19:08Beckett, darling, it's time for our toast.
19:10He shook off Raina's arm and headed straight for the exit.
19:13Beckett, where do you think you're going?
19:15You're humiliating Raina and our entire family.
19:19He didn't hear her words.
19:21Only one thought in his mind.
19:22She saw it.
19:23She knew it.
19:24He still walked out and got into the car.
19:26He told the driver to drive straight home.
19:28Before the car even stopped, he jumped out.
19:30He didn't even slow down, rushing inside.
19:33He burst into the living room, scanning it.
19:35Where is Sage?
19:36Madam Shi.
19:38She's resting upstairs.
19:40He didn't wait for the housekeeper and rushed upstairs.
19:42He burst into the bedroom.
19:44The bed was empty.
19:45His gaze went straight to the window.
19:47Rage burned in him.
19:48Easier to face than fear.
19:49I told you to watch her, and you couldn't keep one person?
19:52What am I paying you for?
19:53Go, find her now.
19:54He gasped for air, panic spreading.
19:57He couldn't stop imagining what I might have seen.
19:59This was why he cut the internet, TV, and stationed guards at the door.
20:03He thought he could hide it one more day, but I still escaped.
20:06His gaze swept the room again, landing on a gift box.
20:09He walked slowly, as if anticipating pain.
20:11His hand trembled as he opened the box.
20:13Congratulations on your marriage.
20:15Beneath the paper were the ring and bracelet he gave me, returned as if I were a stranger.
20:20In that moment, everything rearranged in his mind.
20:23I looked at the dress, stopped arguing, became quiet.
20:26That wasn't submission, but resignation.
20:28I wasn't suspicious, I knew.
20:30Beckett agonizingly replayed the last two weeks, until a scene from one night flashed clearly.
20:34That night, he called me to pick him up.
20:37He thought I was just throwing a tantrum, punishing him.
20:40Playing hard to get.
20:41He always liked to interpret my silence this way.
20:43Now, a different question arose in his mind.
20:46Was I there all along?
20:47His blood ran cold, his fingers numb.
20:50Send me the quarter of surveillance outside the private room, on December 23rd.
20:53A minute later, the video arrived.
20:55I stood outside the door.
20:57Sounds from inside the private room came through the recording.
21:00When the words not worth it were uttered, I flinched.
21:03I didn't rush in, didn't cry, didn't beg.
21:05I just stood there, silently enduring.
21:08A dull ache spread across Beckett's chest.
21:10Damn it.
21:11He slapped himself twice hard, as if pain could reboot his brain, as if punishment could rewrite
21:16time.
21:16He finally saw through all the excuses and promises.
21:19Those lies that bound me like reins.
21:21And I, all along was watching his performance.
21:24He remembered the ring from the hospital.
21:26Maybe I didn't lose it, but threw it away.
21:28The pain in his chest grew sharper.
21:30He tore the room apart, searching for any trace of me.
21:34Nothing.
21:34None of my personal belongings.
21:36As if I had erased myself.
21:38I only left that message and the abandoned ring.
21:40Cold and resolute lying in his palm.
21:42Beckett finally understood the truth.
21:44I'm not coming back.
21:46His phone vibrated.
21:47Aitat
21:49a
21:49a
21:51a
21:51a
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