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