- 1 hour ago
Too Late For Her Love - Chinese Drama
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:08Five years after leaving the country, I returned to attend Mrs. Sterling's birthday gala at the plaza.
00:15My former fiancé Sierra Sterling, I'd been engaged to since we were eight pulled out of custom,
00:20designed Tom Ford Tuxedo, and proposed to me in front of everyone.
00:31The ballroom erupted.
00:36They all expected me to fall to my knees in tears of joy.
00:40Say yes, beg her to take me back.
00:43After all, I'd love Sierra Sterling with the kind of desperate, embarrassing devotion that became Manhattan society legend.
00:51But they seemed to have forgotten something.
00:53Five years ago, at our wedding, she ripped the custom Armani suit off my body in front of 300 guests,
00:59stomped on it with her laobao teens.
01:02For another man, she publicly accused me of academic fraud, scientific misconduct.
01:08The wedding was cancelled.
01:10I stood there in front of everyone, judged, mocked, destroyed.
01:14That day, I left for Europe alone.
01:16But now that I am back, Mrs. Sterling grips my shoulder, Des.
01:20Ethan, Sierra missed you terribly these past five years.
01:24Even after what you did, she never forgot you.
01:26After you left, she spent a fortune burying those scandals.
01:29If you're willing to give her another chance, the Sterling family will give you an even grander wedding than before.
01:35Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
01:37When I don't answer, Sierra repeats her proposal.
01:40Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
01:42Mrs. Sterling watches me with expectant eyes, like I am a charity case who should be grateful.
01:48I thought seeing Sierra again would make me angry.
01:50But standing here, looking at her holding that tuxedo like a peace offering,
01:54I feel nothing.
01:56Absolutely nothing.
01:58The ballroom falls silent.
02:01Some curious, most waiting for the drama.
02:04When I left New York five years ago, I never came back.
02:08They don't know I am married, that I have a daughter.
02:10So I don't know if Sierra orchestrated this public proposal herself.
02:15Or if she is planning to humiliate me again for sport.
02:18A flash of mockery crosses my expression.
02:20But I keep my face polite, detached.
02:23Thank you for the honor, Ms. Sterling.
02:24I was young and foolish back then.
02:25I don't have those feelings anymore.
02:29What?
02:29He rejected her?
02:30Is he insane?
02:31Didn't he literally beg her to marry him for years?
02:33Now she's proposing and he said no?
02:38Everyone stares at me like I've lost my mind.
02:41Because five years ago, I did more than a few foolish things for Sierra Sterling.
02:45I made waves that rippled through all of Manhattan's elite circles.
02:48Like the time I spent nine million dollars on fireworks at the Brooklyn Bridge.
02:52Spelled out Sierra Sterling in the sky for her birthday.
02:55Or when I hired drones to fly over Times Square for an entire month.
02:59Displaying Sierra 30 Ethan on continuous loop.
03:01Two weeks before our wedding, I bought every digital billboard in Manhattan.
03:05Had our engagement photos rotating Fidernum.
03:07At 25, I loved her like a man possessed.
03:10Wanted the whole world to witness our perfect love story.
03:13Never imagined she'd betray me.
03:15After all, this was Sierra Sterling.
03:17My first constant.
03:18My childhood promise.
03:19She learned my name before she learned most words.
03:21Learned how to spell.
03:22Ethan long before she cared about spelling her own.
03:25Growing up, she was always just there reminding me to take care of myself.
03:28Quietly fixing the things I forgot.
03:30Folding my shirts without being asked.
03:31Like it was simply part of loving me.
03:33For 20 years, we were closer than siblings.
03:36More in sync than most married couples.
03:38Even when I became the notoriously strict Professor Quinn at MIT.
03:41With her, I was still the little boy who called her Sierra Bear.
03:43And chased her around with flowers.
03:45Always tender.
03:46Always devoted.
03:47Always hers.
03:48The year our love burned brightest, we stood at the Love Lock Bridge in Paris.
03:51And vowed to be together forever.
03:53I believed love like ours was eternal.
03:55Until one month before the wedding.
03:56When Liam Carter was brought into the Sterling household as their ward.
04:01Supposedly, he was the orphaned son of Mr. Sterling's old army buddy.
04:04His father had saved Mr. Sterling's life.
04:06So they took Liam in out of obligation.
04:08At first, Sierra and I were both kind to him.
04:12I even took him to Knicks games and taught him to golf.
04:14But somehow, somewhere along the way, Sierra started spending more and more time with Liam.
04:19She started bringing him on our dates.
04:22Our private dinners for two became dinners for three.
04:24On Valentine's Day, Sierra promised to come with me for the final fitting of the custom tuxedo she designed for
04:31our wedding.
04:32I called her a hundred times.
04:34Waited in our penthouse for two hours.
04:36All I got was a text.
04:37Something came up.
04:38Rain check.
04:39Frustrated, I went to the tailor alone.
04:41And found Liam Carter standing there wearing my custom tuxedo.
04:45Sierra adjusting his collar.
04:46Her cousins circling him like vultures.
04:49Calling him brother-in-law.
04:50Their praise and laughter made it seem like Liam and Sierra were the engaged couple.
04:54And I was the outsider.
04:55Rage and humiliation burned through me.
04:57My vision went red.
04:59Do you even remember I'm your fiancé?
05:00I demanded, voice shaking.
05:02Sierra finally looked up from Liam.
05:04No guilt.
05:05No shame.
05:06Just... annoyance.
05:07I told you something came up.
05:09Why are you here?
05:12Can you stop being so paranoid and jealous all the time?
05:16You're acting pathetic.
05:17Like a child.
05:19I'm Ethan Quinn.
05:20Son of Wall Street legend Marcus Quinn.
05:23Meet he his youngest tenured professor.
05:25I don't take disrespect from anyone.
05:27Sierra Sterling.
05:28Who gave you permission to talk to me like that?
05:30You're something.
05:31Was spending time with Liam?
05:33Making him wear my tuxedo?
05:35My voice cracked.
05:36By the time I finished speaking, I'd crush my phone screen in my fist without realizing it.
05:41Sierra instinctively grabbed my bleeding hand.
05:44But her tone was still accusatory.
05:45Ethan, stop making a scene.
05:47You always do this.
05:48I'm tired of plaviting you.
05:50I just had Liam try on the tux for sizing.
05:53Why are you throwing a tantrum over something so small?
05:56I was so shocked.
05:57I forgot to respond.
05:59Sierra Sterling was lecturing me.
06:01Blaming me.
06:02For 20 years, no matter what I did,
06:04she never said a harsh word to me.
06:07Spoiled me rotten.
06:08But now she is calling me unreasonable in front of all these people.
06:12Like she has forgotten that she is the one who made me this way.
06:15My silence stretches too long.
06:17Sierra's expression softens with regret.
06:20Ethan, I'm sorry.
06:21I shouldn't have said that.
06:23But you accused Mimi without knowing the full story.
06:26That hurt.
06:27I force myself to stay calm.
06:30Decide to hear her explanation.
06:33Then explain.
06:35Why did you cancel on me today?
06:37Sierra soothes me by squeezing my fingers.
06:40Kisses my cheek.
06:41Then launches into her story.
06:44Didn't you notice the sapphire cufflicks on the tux came loose?
06:47The original technique wasn't securing them properly,
06:50so I switched to a new method.
06:51I needed a model to test if they'd hold,
06:53but my usual model canceled.
06:55So I grabbed Liam as a last-minute substitute.
06:57Her tone is earnest, gentle.
07:00It sounds reasonable.
07:02My anger cools.
07:03But I am still not satisfied.
07:06Then what about your cousins calling him brother-in-law?
07:10Oh, Ethan, you're so spoiled.
07:14My cousin, talking about getting a tux for the brother-in-law,
07:18meaning you,
07:20you're taking it out of context.
07:23She puts on a wounded expression,
07:25teasing me with her eyes.
07:26I'm already embarrassed about my outburst.
07:29Now I just want to grab her hand and leave.
07:31But before I can touch her,
07:33Liam steps between us.
07:36Ethan, this is all my fault.
07:39I offered to be Sierra's model.
07:43Please, hit me if you want.
07:45Just don't be angry at her.
07:48Liam stares at me like a kicked puppy.
07:51The people around us glare at me like I am a monster.
07:55Even Sierra reaches out to comfort Liam
07:58while gently suggesting I leave.
08:04Later, Liam bought me an expensive watch as an apology.
08:07Mrs. Sterling came to our penthouse
08:09to explain everything personally.
08:11But something felt off.
08:13They were apologizing to me.
08:15Sure, but their words were laced
08:17with protectiveness toward Liam.
08:19Sorry, Ethan.
08:20Liamly sorry, he just got a little carried away.
08:23Ethan, you know Liam is the son of the man
08:25who saved my husband's life.
08:26His father is gone now, and Liam's alone.
08:29We have to take care of him.
08:31Sierra nodded along eagerly.
08:32Mm-hmm.
08:34Exactly, Ethan.
08:36Liam's young.
08:36We should be looking out for him.
08:38Plus, you're about to marry me.
08:40You'll be his brother-in-law soon.
08:42Why fight with a family?
08:44Sierra looked so sincere.
08:46I let it go.
08:48Sierra smiled, took an emerald ring from a velvet box
08:51and slid it onto my finger.
08:53There.
08:53Is Mr. Quimmon done being grumpy now?
08:56I felt the warmth of her touch and finally relaxed.
08:59I handed her a folder.
09:02Sterling Industries wants to expand into tech, right?
09:05This is my latest research from MIT.
09:07Ethan, I love you.
09:09Before I could finish, Sierra threw herself into my arms.
09:13Her enthusiasm made me blush.
09:14I was so focused on our future together.
09:18I didn't realize her love wasn't exclusive,
09:20that it was quietly shifting toward Liam Carter.
09:28Her Instagram became a shrine to Liam.
09:30Photos of them together every single day.
09:32Rumors started spreading through Manhattan's elite circles.
09:35The Quinn-Sterling engagement was off.
09:37The Sterling family was planning to marry Sierra to their ward instead.
09:40I heard the whispers and wanted to confront the Sterlings immediately.
09:43But before I could, Liam showed up at my MIT office.
09:47Gone was the scared, timid boy from a week ago.
09:49Now his expression dripped with smug satisfaction.
09:52Ethan, you've heard the rumors, right?
09:54That's not just the Sterling family's intention.
09:57It's Sierra's, too.
09:59If you don't want to embarrass yourself,
10:02cancel the engagement.
10:02I clenched my fists to control my rage.
10:06I promised Sierra I'd be patient with Liam.
10:08But Liam misread my silence's weakness.
10:11His smile widened.
10:12Still in denial, Ethan?
10:15Don't worry.
10:16You'll see Sierra's choice soon enough.
10:19I snapped.
10:20My fist connected with his jaw.
10:23Get out!
10:24Liam stumbled backward, shocked that I'd actually hit him.
10:27He fled.
10:28Furious, I opened my phone and sent Sierra the audio recording of Liam's taunts.
10:32Waited for her to apologize.
10:34But instead of apologizing, she questioned me.
10:38Ethan, is there some misunderstanding?
10:41Liam's always been kind and thoughtful.
10:43He'd never do this.
10:44Are you sure someone didn't trick you?
10:46I stared at the screen in disbelief.
10:4820 years of history.
10:50Audio evidence.
10:50And she still chose to believe Liam over me.
10:52She doubted me for a kid she'd known less than a month.
10:55I threw my phone across the room.
10:57Decided I was done trying.
10:59That night, Sierra flew five hours from a conference in London to New York, just to smooth things over.
11:05When I saw her exhausted face at my door, I couldn't turn her away.
11:09The moment I opened the door, she kissed me, deep and desperate.
11:12We didn't pull apart until we were both breathless.
11:15Ethan, I only see Liam as a brother.
11:17I'd never have feelings for him.
11:19You believe me, right?
11:20But he's my father's savior's son.
11:22There are things I can't control.
11:24You understand, don't you?
11:25Besides, we're getting married next week.
11:27You wouldn't abandon me now, would you?
11:30She looked up at me with those wide, pleading eyes.
11:32So careful.
11:33So vulnerable.
11:33My resolve crumbled.
11:35I chose to believe her unconditionally.
11:36I didn't know that trust wasn't mutual.
11:38That she was about to push me into hell with her own hands.
11:44On our wedding day, I stood outside the Sterling estate in my tuxedo for hours.
11:49Sierra never came out.
11:50When I finally checked my phone, the internet had exploded.
11:54The number one trending topic.
11:56Number Ethan Quinn academic fraud.
11:58I was about to click.
12:00When Sterling Industries project manager called.
12:03Mr. Quinn, the press is destroying us.
12:06Can you explain why the research data you gave us is fraudulent?
12:10I froze.
12:11That is impossible.
12:12The data was from months of sleepless nights in my MIT lab.
12:16Every number meticulously recorded.
12:18I'd already produced working prototypes.
12:20There was no way it was wrong.
12:22I wouldn't have given my research to Sterling Industries if Sierra hadn't asked me to help
12:26expand their tech division.
12:28Mr. Quinn, we want to believe you.
12:31But Liam Carter pointed out errors in your formulas.
12:35The truth crashed over me like ice water.
12:37I'd given my research to Sierra first.
12:39Kept it confidential.
12:41Didn't publish it yet.
12:43How would Liam?
12:44College dropout with a sports management degree.
12:47Even get my research.
12:48Let alone find errors in advanced quantum physics equations in a matter of days.
12:52Eliminate the impossible.
12:53And whatever remains, however painful, is the truth.
12:57Sierra gave my research to Liam.
12:59Let him claim it as his own.
13:01Accused me of stealing from him.
13:04But I still couldn't believe it.
13:06I made excuses for her in my head.
13:08This was Sierra Sterling.
13:09My Sierra.
13:11The girl I'd loved for 20 years.
13:13I couldn't accept it.
13:17I raced to the Sterling estate in my wedding tuxtado, not even stopping to change.
13:22When I arrived, I found Sierra standing protectively in front of Liam, facing a crowd of reporters.
13:27Sterling and industry vouches for Liam Carter.
13:28The research he published yesterday is entirely his own work.
13:33Her words were a knife to my chest.
13:35The final confirmation.
13:37This was my fianchi.
13:39The woman I'd loved for two decades.
13:41And I'd never truly known her at all.
13:44The reporters spotted me and swarmed.
13:45What's your response to the academic fraud allegations?
13:49Ms. Sterling just confirmed Liam Carter's research is legitimate.
13:52Does that mean you plagiarized his work?
13:56Before I could answer, Liam spoke to the cameras with fake tears in his eyes.
14:02Ethan did threaten me while I was working on this research.
14:05But I don't believe he'd steal my work.
14:10He pulled out his phone and played the video.
14:12I looked at Liam coldly, then turned to Sierra.
14:16Ms. Sterling, what's your opinion on all this?
14:19Sierra couldn't meet my eyes.
14:22After a long pause.
14:28Ethan, even though you're my fiancé, I can't lie for you.
14:34Her words were a public execution.
14:37Not only did she confirm I was a fraud,
14:39she wanted Liam to build his reputation on my corpse.
14:42The last shred of hope died.
14:44I closed my eyes.
14:51I'll hold a press conference later to prove my innocence.
14:55As for the Quinn-Sterling engagement,
14:57it's over.
14:58I turned to leave, but Liam wasn't satisfied.
15:01He grabbed my arm, crying dramatically.
15:02Ethan, I didn't want this to go public.
15:04Please stop sending people to hurt me.
15:06I'm sorry.
15:07I'm so sorry.
15:08Ethan, I tolerated your jealousy before,
15:10but Liam is innocent.
15:11You've done enough damage.
15:12Are you really going to use the Sterling family's power to destroy him too?
15:15Wedding decorations still hung in the Sterling windows.
15:17I still wore the tuxedo Sierra designed for me,
15:19but none of it mattered anymore.
15:21It only made me look more pathetic.
15:24I looked Sierra in the eye.
15:26Saw her clutching Liam's hand protectively.
15:28Saw Liam mouth something in Mandarin.
15:31Idiot.
15:38In the age of social media, spreading lies takes seconds.
15:41Disproving them takes forever.
15:43I held press conference after press conference to clear my name.
15:46Nothing worked.
15:47The internet had decided I was a fraud.
15:50A thief.
15:50A rich boy using his family's power to cover up crimes.
15:53Everywhere I went, people whispered, pointed.
15:57No amount of evidence could change their minds.
15:59So when I received an offer from Europe's top research institute a week later,
16:03I didn't hesitate.
16:04I left the country.
16:05Five years passed.
16:07I returned with groundbreaking research that made headlines worldwide.
16:10The fraud accusations evaporated overnight.
16:13Ethan, are you still angry at me?
16:15Sierra's voice pulls me back to the present.
16:17I look at her holding that tuxedo,
16:19face full of manufactured longing.
16:20It is laughable.
16:22I had my reasons back then.
16:23You have to believe me.
16:25Daddy!
16:25A small voice interrupts her.
16:27I catch my daughter as she runs across the ballroom floor.
16:30Boop her tiny nose.
16:31Ava, were you naughty again?
16:33Didn't mommy tell you to stay home?
16:35Ava pouts, dodging my hand.
16:37Ava was good.
16:38But mommy missed daddy, so she brought Ava here.
16:41Our conversation isn't loud.
16:43But in the silent ballroom, everyone hears.
16:45Shock ripples through the crowd.
16:47Daddy?
16:48That's his daughter?
16:49Ethan Quinn got married?
16:51But didn't he swear he'd never love anyone but Sierra?
16:54Is this real?
16:55Maybe it is fake.
16:56Even Sierra looks like she's been struck by lightning.
16:59You're married?
17:01I smooth Ava's soft hair, genuinely confused.
17:05Isn't it obvious?
17:06How else would I have a daughter?
17:08Sierra stares at our joined hands like they're betraying her personally.
17:11Her voice cracks.
17:12You need to say it out loud.
17:15I sigh.
17:16Five years ago, the wedding was in Switzerland.
17:19We didn't invite anyone from New York.
17:20The ballroom erupts again.
17:22Five years ago?
17:23He got married right after leaving?
17:25No way.
17:26He loved Sierra Sterling for years.
17:27He can't have moved on that fast.
17:30This has to be fake.
17:31Remember the fireworks?
17:32The billboards?
17:32He's probably just trying to make her jealous.
17:34Exactly.
17:35Sierra Sterling is Manhattan's most eligible bachelorette.
17:38Ethan would never give that up unless...
17:41Wait, the only woman in New York who could compete would be Celeste Whitmer from the Old Money Families.
17:46But she got married five years ago, too.
17:47The gossip swirls around me, but I am calm.
17:50Focused on peeling an orange for Ava.
17:52Time is rain.
17:53It washed away all the rage and pain.
17:54When I look back now, there is nothing left but clean pavement.
17:58But no one else seems to understand that.
18:00They're all still living in five years ago.
18:02Sierra stares at me with a complicated expression.
18:04Her voice turns pleading.
18:07Ethan, stop this charade.
18:09I admit I was wrong.
18:10I'll apologize.
18:11You can punish me however you want.
18:13Just stop pretending you're married.
18:15It...
18:15It hurts.
18:17Before I can respond, Ava speaks up in her adorable little voice.
18:21Miss, can't you understand Daddy?
18:23Mommy really is married to Daddy.
18:25And they have a love fruit.
18:27That's me.
18:28Ava puffs out her tiny chest proudly.
18:31I give Sierra an apologetic smile.
18:33Ava's still young.
18:35Please forgive her bluntness, Miss Sterling.
18:38But as for the past,
18:40I've forgotten all of it.
18:43The ballroom explodes into chaos again.
18:45I have no interest in being gossip fodder.
18:47I take Ava's hand to leave.
18:49But Sierra won't let it go.
18:50She grabs my arm and pulls out the tuxedo again.
18:53Eyes shining with fake devotion.
18:55Ethan, I've thought about you every single day for five years.
18:58I don't care that you're a divorced man now.
19:00I still want you.
19:01Will you wear this tuxu for me again?
19:02I look at her performance with disgust.
19:04Yank my arm away.
19:06Miss Sterling, this tuxedo was specially designed for Liam Carter, wasn't it?
19:09I wouldn't dare wear it.
19:11After all, I'll never forget how you testified against me for his sake.
19:14Sierra's face lights up.
19:16Ethan, you're jealous.
19:17You still care about me.
19:19I know what I did was wrong.
19:20But I had my reasons.
19:22Give me one more chance.
19:23I'll treat you right this time.
19:24I am exhausted by her meaningless excuses.
19:27My voice turns cold.
19:28Miss Sterling, I don't forgive trash.
19:31And I don't take out garbage.
19:33Please have some dignity and stop harassing a married man.
19:36My wife and I are very much in love.
19:38I don't want her getting the wrong idea.
19:40Sierra's mask cracks.
19:41She loses it.
19:42Ethan, are you seriously still playing this game?
19:45You chased me for 20 years.
19:47We have hundreds of love locks hanging in Paris with our names on them.
19:51And now you're pretending you're married?
19:52Who's going to believe that?
19:54If you're really married, where's your wife?
19:57When she meets my calm, indifferent gaze, panic crosses her face.
20:01She softens again.
20:03Ethan, please.
20:04I'm begging you.
20:06Stop being angry at me.
20:07The people around us start to waver.
20:09Wait.
20:10Didn't Sierra reject him at their wedding five years ago?
20:13Now it looks like he's the one who rejected her.
20:16Yeah, Ethan looks completely unbothered.
20:18Sierra's the one who can't let go.
20:20Sierra looks at me desperately.
20:22Then she does the unthinkable.
20:23She kneels, right there in the middle of the plaza ballroom, holds up the tuxedo like
20:27an offering.
20:28Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
20:30He won't.
20:31An icy voice cuts through the room.
20:33Everyone turns.
20:34A woman in a tailored black evening dress stepped into view.
20:38He doesn't.
20:39She said, her voice sharp and steady.
20:41Because he is already married with me.
20:44She'd only gone to the bathroom for five minutes, and someone was already trying to
20:48steal her husband.
20:49Whoever this woman was, she had some nerve.
20:51Celeste Whitmore reaches me and wraps her arm possessively around mine.
20:54Honey.
20:55Simone in the crowd gasps.
20:56That's Celeste Whitmore.
20:58From the old money Whitmores.
20:59What's she doing here?
21:00Wait.
21:00Did she just call Ethan Quinn her husband?
21:02I feel Celeste's grip tighten dangerously on my arm.
21:05I sigh internally.
21:06I've dealt with her jealousy before.
21:07This won't end well.
21:08Who has been getting impatient with Sierra's dramatics?
21:11Immediately tattles.
21:12Mommy!
21:12You took so long!
21:14The bad lady almost stole daddy!
21:16Celeste glares at Sierra like she wants her dead, and she looks at me with big, wounded eyes.
21:21Ethan, I got worried when you didn't come home after three hours.
21:24Ava said she missed you, so I brought her to find you.
21:27You're not mad, right?
21:29I squeeze her hand gently to reassure her.
21:31I try to lead her toward the exit before she starts a fight, but before we can leave,
21:34Sierra's broken voice stops us.
21:36Ethan!
21:36I feel the chill radiating off Celeste.
21:39Against my better judgment, I turn around.
21:41Miss Sterling, you've seen my wife now.
21:43I hope that proves I'm married.
21:45If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving.
21:47Sierra stares at our intertwined hands, sways like she might faint.
21:51Her face is sheet, white.
21:52Celeste adds smugly.
21:53That's right, Miss Sterling.
21:54My husband and I have things to do.
21:56We can't waste time here.
21:58That pushes Sierra over the edge.
22:00She loses all composure.
22:01Husband?
22:02You have no right to call him that.
22:04He's been engaged to me since we were eight.
22:07Celeste's fingers twitch.
22:09She stays silent for a beat.
22:10I've been with Celeste for five years.
22:12I know her biggest insecurity is my past engagement to Sierra.
22:15Before I can comfort her, Celeste yanks two marriage certificates from her purse and slams
22:20them on the table.
22:21This is what gives me the right.
22:24And who cares if you were engaged at eight?
22:27Do you sign a marriage license?
22:29Have a wedding?
22:30No legal documents.
22:32No ceremony.
22:33Nothing.
22:33I glance at Sierra's devastated expression.
22:36Then at the marriage certificates on the table.
22:37I have to admire my wife's possessiveness.
22:39Who carries their marriage certificate around like it is a frequent flyer card?
22:44Ethan, we have 20 years of history.
22:47All those promises we made at the Lovelock Bridge.
22:50Did you forget everything?
22:51Sierra's eyes are red, like I am the one who betrayed her.
22:54But this isn't five years ago.
22:55I won't be manipulated by her crocodile tears.
22:57I carefully pocket the marriage certificates, take Ava's hand in my left, Celeste's hand
23:02in my right.
23:02Walk toward the exit without looking back.
23:04Miss Sterling, our history ended five years ago.
23:06Don't bring it up again.
23:07We have nothing more to say to each other.
23:09My words dissolve into the air.
23:10The engine of our car hums to life.
23:12In the car, Celeste grips my hand anxiously.
23:16Ethan, have you really let go of everything from before?
23:20I hear the fear in her voice.
23:22Suddenly understand why she always carries our marriage certificate.
23:26No matter who I married, my 20-year history with Sierra is real.
23:31Undeniable.
23:33Like everyone at the gala said, how could anyone let go of that much history so easily?
23:38But only I know the truth.
23:40I've let go completely.
23:42Besides, I am too proud to fall for the same person twice.
23:45I run my thumb over our marriage certificate.
23:49Ask a narcissistic question with a smile.
23:52Celeste, did you fall in love with me while I was still with Sierra?
23:56Her eyes fill with indulgent warmth.
23:58She sighs.
24:00You have the right to remain silent.
24:02But resist.
24:03And there will be consequences.
24:06Her expression freezes for a split second.
24:08I know I am right.
24:10I can't help but grin.
24:11Slide my hand to her waist threateningly.
24:14Ethan, do you remember?
24:15When you were 16, you saved a girl in a narrow alley.
24:18That day I just escaped from kidnappers.
24:21If you hadn't saved me, I'd be dead.
24:22People walked past me that day.
24:24No one helped.
24:25Then you came.
24:26I fell in love with you at first sight.
24:27But you only had eyes for Sierra.
24:29I didn't want to force you.
24:30So I kept my feelings in for nine years until I finally invited you to Europe.
24:35I listened to her story, marveling at fate.
24:38Nine years ago, I saved her from death.
24:40Planted the seed of connection.
24:43Nine years later, in the winter, when the internet crucified me,
24:46she pulled me out of the abyss.
24:48That night, our bedroom light stayed on for hours.
24:51Confessions and passion intertwined.
24:53When someone knocked on the door the next morning.
24:56I had to answer with dark circles under my eyes, the size of dinner plates.
25:01The person at the door looked like a disaster.
25:04I almost didn't recognize Sierra Sterling.
25:07I made myself clear yesterday.
25:09We have nothing to discuss.
25:11I accidentally exposed the hickeys on my neck.
25:16Sierra's eyes turned bloodshot.
25:18Ethan, I was wrong.
25:19But I had my reasons.
25:21Liam said if I didn't help him, he'd release the video of you hitting him online.
25:25I had no choice.
25:26I just wanted to help you.
25:28I laughed bitterly.
25:29So you are saying you were being noble.
25:31After all, a slap that didn't even leave a bruise
25:34is definitely worse than destroying someone's entire career with fraud accusations.
25:38I still have the security footage from that day.
25:41By the way, should I release it?
25:43Let everyone judge whether a homewrecker who shows up at his target's house to gloat deserves to be hit.
25:49Sierra panics.
25:50I only ever loved you.
25:52All these years, I only saw Liam as a brother.
25:57Nothing in a breed ever happened between us.
25:59I am running on three hours of sleep.
26:01This conversation is a waste of my time.
26:03I start to close the door.
26:05Sierra shoves her hand into the doorframe.
26:07I have to stop or I'll crush her fingers.
26:09Now I am actually angry.
26:14Sierra Sterling, are you insane?
26:18How long are you going to keep lying to yourself?
26:21Nothing happened.
26:22You have the audacity to say that.
26:24If you two were so innocent, why did your cousins call him brother-in-law?
26:27Why did he come to my office to gloat?
26:29In 20 years, I never saw you treat any guy that well.
26:32But suddenly Liam gets the family label and you are planning to spend your life with him.
26:37I am going to keep you on the same way.
26:38I am going to keep you on the same way.
26:38I am going to keep you on the same way.
26:38I am going to keep you on the same way.
26:38I am going to keep you on the same way.
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