- 10 hours ago
Welcome to Focal.Point. This is a Dailymotion channel dedicated to sharing Boy Love drama episodes and romantic short films. We focus on emotional storytelling, meaningful relationships, and beautifully crafted moments that explore love, connection, and youth. Whether you are a fan of BL series or romance stories, Focal.Point aims to be a place where heartfelt stories come into focus.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00New Year's Eve. My husband's junior resident called me at midnight.
00:04Thank you for being so understanding, Mrs. Hayes.
00:07If Marcus hadn't rushed to be with me tonight,
00:10if he hadn't bent the rules to get my mother that kidney,
00:13I don't know how I would have survived this.
00:16I froze. The phone felt cold against my ear.
00:21You must be confused. Marcus had an emergency surgery in Boston tonight.
00:25He left before we could celebrate New Year's together.
00:28My father. My voice came out steadier than I felt.
00:32Besides, he's always been ethical. He would never break protocol, not even for you.
00:38Zoe's voice was confident, almost smug.
00:41No, Mrs. Hayes, I'm not confused.
00:44Marcus saw my Instagram story, the one where I was begging for a kidney donor for my mom.
00:49He was at the airport. He turned around and came straight to the hospital.
00:54Took him less than five minutes to make the call.
00:58The line went dead.
00:59I stood there, staring at my phone.
01:02That's when I heard it.
01:04Keys turning in the lock.
01:05I looked up as my husband walked through the door.
01:08Still in his coat, his hospital badge clipped to his chest.
01:11My voice came out barely above a whisper.
01:14You said, you said, you had a surgery tonight, in Boston.
01:19Marcus froze for two seconds, just two.
01:23Then his shoulders dropped.
01:24I did have plans, but when I saw Zoe's post about her mother, I couldn't just leave her.
01:31He paused.
01:32His voice got quieter.
01:34The kidney that was supposed to be yours.
01:36I redirected it.
01:38To Zoe's mom.
01:40Another pause.
01:41You're younger.
01:42You can wait a little longer.
01:44Tears filled my eyes so fast, I couldn't blink them away.
01:48I have stage four kidney cancer.
01:51He knows how rare it is to find a match.
01:54He knows I've been on the transplant list for three years.
01:57When my parents begged him to use his connections as chief of nephrology, just once, he'd lectured
02:03them about ethics.
02:05Life is equal, he'd said.
02:07I won't play favorites.
02:08That's not who I am.
02:10But now, now he'd stolen my kidney, the one with my name on it, and given it to his 24
02:16-year-old
02:17protege.
02:18It took me a full minute to find my voice.
02:20Marcus, I want a divorce.
02:22My hands were shaking, and I'm reporting you to the medical board.
02:27Tonight, I turned toward the door.
02:29Marcus grabbed my wrist.
02:30His grip was tight.
02:32His expression hard.
02:34Sienna, stop being dramatic.
02:36His voice was cold.
02:38Clinical.
02:39I know you're in pain.
02:41I know you're frustrated.
02:42As your husband, I'm more frustrated than you are.
02:45But Zoe's mother is 72 years old.
02:48She's out of time.
02:49Can't you have a little compassion?
02:51I stared at him like I'd never seen him before.
02:54Then I screamed.
02:56She's out of time?
02:57What about me, Marcus?
02:59My voice cracked, raw and desperate.
03:02I'm on dialysis three times a week.
03:04I'm dying.
03:05I have one foot in the grave already.
03:08Who's showing me compassion?
03:10Tears streamed down my face.
03:12You know if I don't get this surgery soon, I'm going to die.
03:16Marcus frowned, irritation flickering across his face.
03:19Marcus, don't ridiculous.
03:21You know I won't let you die.
03:23His tone was so calm, so controlled, like I was a hysterical patient he needed to placate.
03:30We'll get you the next kidney.
03:32You just need to be patient.
03:34I felt something inside me die.
03:36Marcus, I've been waiting for three years.
03:40My voice dropped to something flat, empty.
03:43When my parents came to you crying, begging you to do something, what did you tell them?
03:49I could still see it.
03:50My mother on her knees.
03:52My father, a man who'd never asked anyone for anything, breaking down in your office.
03:57You let them kneel on the floor and beg.
04:00You didn't even look at them.
04:03Tears blurred my vision.
04:05You told them they were asking you to compromise your integrity.
04:09That all lives are equal.
04:11That you couldn't, wouldn't bend the rules.
04:14You said they were trying to make you into a bad doctor.
04:18My voice shook with rage.
04:20I believed you.
04:21I told myself you weren't heartless.
04:24You were just principled.
04:25You were a good doctor.
04:27I was proud of you.
04:29I stepped closer, my voice rising again.
04:32But Zoe posts one Instagram story, and suddenly you can steal a kidney off the transplant list?
04:39Where's your all-lives-are-equal speech now?
04:43Marcus looked away.
04:45Guilt flickered across his face for half a second.
04:47And Zoe, and her mother, they only have each other.
04:52If her mother dies, Zoe will be completely alone.
04:56He swallowed.
04:57I'm a doctor.
04:59I had a moment of weakness.
05:01I couldn't let that happen.
05:04I felt like I'd been slapped.
05:06So you used my life to save hers?
05:09My whole body is shaking now.
05:11Your moment of weakness is going to kill me, Marcus.
05:15Marcus, I'm going to the hospital.
05:17Right now, I'm getting my kidney back.
05:20Don't!
05:20He slapped me across the face.
05:22The force of it whipped my head to the side.
05:25Pain exploded across my cheek.
05:27I looked at him, my vision blurring.
05:29Marcus stared at his own hand, his face pale with shock.
05:33Sienna, I didn't mean...
05:35He reached for my face.
05:37I jerked away from him.
05:38I tried to slap him back.
05:40But my body gave out.
05:41I collapsed.
05:42Marcus caught me before I hit the floor, panic flooding his face.
05:47Sienna, Sienna, I'm sorry.
05:49He laid me on the couch, his hands shaking as he fumbled for my medication.
05:54That's when his phone rang.
05:56He glanced at the screen and answered immediately.
05:59After a few quiet words, his face went grim.
06:03Sienna, Zoe's mother is having a rejection episode.
06:06I need to go.
06:08Now.
06:09He grabbed his keys, already halfway to the door.
06:12Stay here.
06:13Don't do anything.
06:15He didn't even find my pills.
06:17The door slammed shut.
06:19I was alone.
06:20I dragged myself off the couch and crawled to the medicine cabinet.
06:24My hands shook so badly, I dropped the pill bottle twice.
06:29Tears dripped onto the floor.
06:30This time, I finally understood.
06:33Marcus was never coming back.
06:35Marcus didn't come home for three days.
06:37He didn't call.
06:38Didn't text.
06:40Nothing.
06:40But I knew exactly where he was.
06:43Because Zoe's Instagram kept me updated.
06:45While I lay in bed, barely able to move, Marcus was spending every night at the hospital with Zoe and
06:52her mother.
06:52She posted a photo of their hands intertwined.
06:56She says,
06:57Because of you, I have the courage to fight fate.
07:01When I forced myself to the kitchen to choke down stale bread, Marcus was taking Zoe to a high-class
07:08restaurant.
07:09Nine photos.
07:10All gourmet dishes.
07:12She says,
07:13I mentioned I never went to restaurants as a kid.
07:16He said he'd take me to taste the whole world.
07:19When the pain got so bad, I was rolling on the floor, biting down screams.
07:25Zoe posted pictures from a temple.
07:27She says,
07:28He came with me to pray for my mother's recovery.
07:31But I'm more grateful to God for sending me this guardian angel.
07:35That's when I realized.
07:37I'd missed my dialysis appointment.
07:39Marcus was too busy with his protege to remember.
07:43I thought about the day he found out about my cancer.
07:46His eyes had filled with tears.
07:48He'd buried his face in my chest and said,
07:50If you gone, I cannot live alone.
07:54He'd never bent the rules for me.
07:56But he'd cared.
07:57Or so I thought.
07:58He used to remind me to take my pills, check my vitals, hold my hand during dialysis.
08:04When did it all change?
08:06When Zoe showed up.
08:07At first, Marcus used to complain about her.
08:10She's useless.
08:11Cries at the drop of a hat.
08:12Can't do anything right.
08:14Then his complaints turned softer.
08:17She only has her mom.
08:19She worked her way up from nothing.
08:20It's tough.
08:22Then he started smiling when he talked about her.
08:25My junior resident is kind of clumsy, but she's got grit.
08:29One night, he looked at me with this distant expression.
08:33You know what I admire most about Zoe?
08:36Her vitality?
08:37I spend all day around dying patients, and she's just...alive.
08:42He caught my expression and backtracked.
08:45I'm not talking about you, Sienna.
08:47Don't take it personally.
08:49Once you get better, you'll be just like her.
08:52Full of life.
08:54But he started coming home later and later.
08:57And then, not at all.
08:59Always too busy.
09:00Too busy to celebrate New Year's with me.
09:03But not too busy to steal my kidney for Zoe's mother.
09:08I drifted in and out of consciousness.
09:10At some point, I thought I heard Marcus's voice, asking if I was okay.
09:15But when I opened my eyes, there was a woman standing behind him.
09:19This wasn't a dream.
09:21Marcus had come home, and he'd brought Zoe with him.
09:24This was the first time I'd ever seen Zoe in person.
09:27She stood at the foot of my bed, holding onto Marcus's sleeve.
09:31Her voice was soft, timid.
09:33Mrs. Hayes, thank you for letting my mother have your kidney.
09:37She looked up at Marcus.
09:39He smiled at her, warm, affectionate, like she was something precious.
09:44She smiled back, then turned to me.
09:47I told Marcus I wanted to take care of you, to repay your kindness.
09:51And he agreed.
09:53I gripped the sheets so hard my knuckles went white.
09:57If I let go, I'd lose control completely.
10:00I didn't give your mother anything.
10:02If you want to repay me, give me back my kidney.
10:06Marcus's expression darkened.
10:09That's enough, Sienna.
10:10His voice was sharp, cutting.
10:13Zoe is trying to do something nice.
10:15Why are you being so difficult?
10:18He didn't even look at me.
10:20He just put his arm around Zoe, who was tearing up now, and guided her out of the room.
10:25Don't cry, Zoe.
10:26This isn't your fault.
10:28His voice was gentle, soothing.
10:30If she wants to blame someone, let her blame me.
10:35Half an hour later, Zoe reappeared, carrying a bowl of soup.
10:39Mrs. Hayes, you should eat something.
10:42Her voice was sweet, concerned.
10:44Don't be mad at Marcus.
10:46Marcus, he just cares about me so much.
10:49I heard the smugness buried in her words.
10:51The soup bowl flew from her hands and shattered on the floor.
10:55Get out, Marcus stormed in, his face red with anger.
10:59What the hell is wrong with you?
11:01He grabbed Zoe's hand.
11:02Her fingers turned red due to the heat, and brought them to his lips, blowing softly.
11:08Does it hurt?
11:09God, it looks very badly injured.
11:12Zoe pulled her hand back shyly.
11:14They looked at each other.
11:16The gaze shows how they care for each other.
11:19Marcus cleared his throat, suddenly awkward.
11:21Come on, Zoe, let's get some cold water on that.
11:25He glanced back at me with pure disgust.
11:28Let the crazy woman cool off.
11:30The door slammed.
11:32I sat in the wreckage of the soup bowl, my body trembling violently.
11:37At some point, I passed out.
11:40When I woke up, the pain was back, worse than before.
11:44I fumbled for the pills on my nightstand, swallowing them dry, sweat dripping down my face.
11:50That's when Zoe walked in again.
11:52She set a glass of water on the nightstand.
11:55Mrs. Hayes, you should drink something.
11:57I didn't open my eyes.
11:59Get out.
12:01She didn't move.
12:02Mrs. Hayes, I need to tell you something.
12:05My chest tightened.
12:07Do you know why your parents haven't contacted you?
12:10I opened my eyes.
12:12What are you talking about?
12:13Zoe spoke slowly, like she was savoring every word.
12:16Your mom and dad have been coming to the hospital every day.
12:20Begging for a kidney.
12:21On New Year's Eve, your mother left the hospital and got hit by a car.
12:26My blood turned to ice.
12:28What?
12:28What did you say?
12:30Zoe looked at me with wide, innocent eyes.
12:33Why would I lie, Mrs. Hayes?
12:36Your father is back home right now, planning her funeral.
12:40He didn't tell you because he didn't want you to feel guilty.
12:43Her voice dropped.
12:44Your mother signed an organ donor card before she died.
12:47Her last words were, give my kidney to my daughter.
12:52My mind is on the verge of collapse.
12:55You're lying.
12:56Why would I lie?
12:58Zoe tilted her head.
12:59I posted a story about needing a kidney.
13:02Marcus saw it and rushed to the hospital.
13:05I cried a little, and he made the call right there.
13:08She paused.
13:09Even though he knew whose kidney it was.
13:12All the color drained from my face.
13:15My body started shaking uncontrollably.
13:18Zoe watched me with something like pity.
13:20It's such a shame.
13:21Your mother died smiling.
13:23She thought she was saving you.
13:25I screamed.
13:25A raw, animalistic sound I didn't recognize as my own.
13:30I grabbed the water glass and hurled it at Zoe's head.
13:33It shattered against her temple.
13:35Blood poured down her face.
13:37She stumbled backward, covering her head, whimpering.
13:40Marcus burst into the room.
13:42He saw the blood.
13:43Saw Zoe trembling on the floor.
13:45His eyes went wide with horror.
13:47He scooped her up and ran for the door.
13:50I'm taking you to the ER.
13:52Don't worry.
13:53You're okay.
13:54Before he left, he turned back.
13:56His face was twisted with hatred.
13:58Sienna, why don't you just die already?
14:01The door slammed.
14:03I stared at the empty room and laughed.
14:06A broken, hysterical sound.
14:08You're right, Marcus.
14:10I should be the one who's dead, not my mother.
14:13A sharp pain tore through my chest.
14:16I tasted copper.
14:18Blood poured from my mouth.
14:19The room went dark.
14:21Hours later, Marcus came home.
14:23The apartment was silent.
14:25He walked into the bedroom.
14:26The sheets were covered in blood.
14:28Sienna?
14:29His voice cracked.
14:31Panic flooded his chest.
14:32That's when the door burst open.
14:34Police officers swarmed in, surrounding him.
14:37The lead officer stepped forward, flashing his badge.
14:40Dr. Marcus Hayes?
14:42Marcus nodded, his throat tight.
14:45Someone filed a complaint against you for abuse of power and medical malpractice.
14:50You need to come with us.
14:52Marcus's face went white.
14:54Did Sienna file the report?
14:56Is she okay?
14:57Where is she?
14:58The officer's expression was grim.
15:01Your wife is in the ICU.
15:03Acute kidney failure.
15:04She's in critical condition.
15:07Marcus staggered backward, his legs nearly giving out.
15:10He grabbed the officer's arm, his voice shaking.
15:14That's impossible.
15:15She was fine when I left.
15:17One of the younger officers scoffed.
15:19Fine?
15:20We found Mrs. Hayes barely alive.
15:23The doctor said she was severely malnourished, dehydrated, and showed signs of extreme psychological distress.
15:30His voice was cold.
15:31You call that fine?
15:34Marcus opened his mouth.
15:36No words came out.
15:37That's when it hit him.
15:39He'd been gone for three days.
15:41Three days with Zoe.
15:43Helping her mother recover.
15:44Comforting her.
15:45Taking her to dinner.
15:46Hiking with her to that stupid temple.
15:48He hadn't thought about Sienna once.
15:51She'd been alone.
15:52In pain.
15:53Dying.
15:54And he'd just, uh, forgotten about her.
15:56He'd even forgotten her dialysis appointment.
15:59As a nephrologist, he knew exactly what missing dialysis meant.
16:03Marcus's whole body shook.
16:05He'd been so focused on Zoe's tears, Zoe's needs, Zoe's vibrant energy.
16:10He'd let his wife suffer alone.
16:13He slammed his fists against his head.
16:16How could he forget something so critical?
16:18Being a caretaker had exhausted him.
16:21Watching Sienna waste away, year after year, it had drained him.
16:25That's why Zoe's energy felt so intoxicating.
16:28With her, he felt alive again.
16:30But if Sienna gone, he couldn't bear it.
16:34That day at the hospital, when Zoe cried and begged him to save her mother,
16:38something inside him snapped.
16:40He'd thought, Sienna's been waiting three years.
16:43She can wait a little longer.
16:45The next kidney will be hers.
16:47But when he found out the kidney came from Sienna's mother, he'd frozen.
16:52But the surgery was already scheduled.
16:54Stopping it would raise questions.
16:55So he went through with it.
16:57He promised Sienna's father he'd get her a kidney soon.
17:00But the kidney was already gone.
17:03Marcus felt crushed under the weight of his guilt.
17:05He hadn't gone home because he couldn't face her.
17:08And now she was dying.
17:09The officer's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.
17:13Let's go.
17:14Marcus took one step.
17:16Then his vision went black.
17:17He collapsed.
17:19A hundred meters away, in the hospital, the surgery light was still on.
17:22Sienna's father paced the hallway, his eyes red and swollen.
17:27He prayed, hands clasped, voice trembling, that his daughter would survive.
17:32After burying his wife, he'd rushed to check on Sienna.
17:36What he found made his heart stop.
17:38His baby girl, unconscious, lying in a pool of blood.
17:42He couldn't lose her too.
17:44Please, he whispered to the ceiling.
17:46To his wife.
17:47To God.
17:48Please let her live.
17:50When I slipped into unconsciousness, it felt like drowning.
17:54Cold.
17:55Dark.
17:56Endless.
17:57I stopped fighting.
17:58I let myself sink.
18:00I could hear my father's voice.
18:01Faint.
18:02Desperate.
18:03Calling my name.
18:04Then I saw her.
18:05My mother.
18:07Standing in the darkness ahead of me.
18:09Her face twisted with worry.
18:11I smiled.
18:12Mom, I know you hate the dark.
18:14I sank deeper.
18:16It's okay.
18:17I'm here now.
18:18We can go together.
18:19I reached for her.
18:21She started crying.
18:22Sienna, go back.
18:24Please, go back.
18:26She shoved me away, sobbing.
18:28Your father is waiting.
18:29You both need to live.
18:31Live.
18:32Mom!
18:33I screamed as I woke up.
18:35My father's face hovered above me.
18:37His eyes red and swollen.
18:39He looked ten years older.
18:41His hair had gone gray.
18:43Grief had aged him overnight.
18:45I tried to speak.
18:46My voice cracked and raw.
18:48Dad!
18:49He grabbed my hand, his grip desperate.
18:51You're awake.
18:53Oh God, you're awake!
18:55Tears streamed down my face.
18:57I'm sorry, Dad.
18:58I'm so sorry.
18:59I'll be better, I promise.
19:01I'll fight.
19:02I'll stay with you.
19:04He held my hand like I might vanish if you let go.
19:07That's my girl.
19:08You have to keep fighting.
19:10His voice broke.
19:12You're all I have left.
19:13Maybe it was Mom watching over me.
19:16Because two weeks later, a kidney became available.
19:19It was a perfect match.
19:21My kidneys were failing completely.
19:23I had days left at most.
19:25The transplant surgery went perfectly.
19:28No rejection.
19:29No complications.
19:31I started getting stronger.
19:33My father told me that when he took Mom's body back home for the funeral,
19:37Marcus had promised him, sworn to him, that he'd get me a transplant immediately.
19:42That he'd give me Mom's kidney.
19:44But when Dad found me half dead in that apartment, he realized Marcus had given Mom's kidney to someone else.
19:51He called the police, filed a formal complaint.
19:54Marcus was arrested on charges of medical fraud and abuse of power.
19:58He was being held pending trial.
20:00Dad told me all this while I sat in the hospital courtyard, soaking up the sun.
20:05I nodded.
20:07Absorbed the information without emotion.
20:09I'd been given a second chance at life.
20:11I wasn't going to waste it on anger.
20:13The people who hurt me would face consequences.
20:16I didn't need to carry that weight anymore.
20:19I held my hand up to the sunlight.
20:21The sun is warm.
20:22For now, I just wanted to heal.
20:25And take care of my father.
20:26He'd given me everything.
20:28It was time to give back.
20:30As for Marcus, whether he lived or died, whether he loved me or Zoe, I didn't care anymore.
20:36While Marcus was held in custody, he couldn't sleep.
20:39He wasn't worried about his own future.
20:42He was terrified he'd hear that Sienna had died.
20:45Now he understood.
20:47Sienna was the only thing that mattered.
20:49If she gone, nothing else would mean anything.
20:53Marcus confessed everything to the investigators.
20:55How he'd abused his position as chief of nephrology.
20:58How he'd manipulated the transplant list.
21:01How he'd stolen Sienna's kidney and given it to Zoe's mother.
21:05Zoe was called in for questioning.
21:06She denied everything.
21:09I'm just a junior resident.
21:10How would I know anything about transplant logistics?
21:13Her voice was small.
21:15Innocent.
21:16Dr. Hayes told me there was a kidney available.
21:19I agreed to the surgery.
21:21That's all I know.
21:22Marcus stared at her in disbelief.
21:25What are you talking about?
21:27You begged me.
21:28That is why I agreed to give you the kidney.
21:31His voice rose.
21:32You said Sienna was next on the list, but your mother might not have time.
21:38You cried and said if your mother died, you'd kill yourself.
21:42Zoe's eyes went wide with fake fear.
21:44Dr. Hayes, I don't know what you're talking about.
21:48She teared up on cue.
21:50I'm grateful for everything you did, but you can't blame me for your choices.
21:55Marcus felt like he'd been punched.
21:57This girl, the one he thought was pure and innocent.
22:01She'd been manipulating him the whole time.
22:03He thought about Sienna's rage.
22:05Her desperation.
22:07Had she been right all along?
22:09One of the officers smirked.
22:11Save the act, Miss Laurent.
22:13We pulled the security footage from Mrs. Hayes' apartment.
22:16He held up his phone.
22:17Want to watch what you said to her?
22:19Or should we just play it for the court?
22:23Zoe's face went white.
22:25The officer pressed play.
22:26Marcus watched in horror as the video unfolded.
22:30Zoe, standing over Sienna's bed, telling her about her mother's death,
22:34savoring every moment of Sienna's pain.
22:37Marcus shot to his feet.
22:39You bitch!
22:40His voice shook with rage.
22:42You got the kidney.
22:44You mother is still alive.
22:46Why did you have to torture her?
22:47Sienna was in so much pain.
22:49And you told her her mother was dead.
22:52He was crying now.
22:54No wonder she hemorrhaged.
22:55No wonder she almost died.
22:58He lunged for Zoe.
22:59The officers held him back.
23:01Zoe scrambled behind them, her mask finally slipping.
23:05I was confused.
23:06I made a mistake.
23:07Her voice turned desperate.
23:10I...
23:10I was in love with him.
23:12I wanted Mrs. Hayes to leave so I could...
23:14She caught herself.
23:16I'll stay away from Dr. Hayes.
23:18I swear, just don't press charges.
23:21Everyone in the room saw through her.
23:23She didn't love Marcus.
23:25She loved his title, his status, his power.
23:28Now that he was ruined, she wanted nothing to do with him.
23:32Marcus glared at her, his voice low and venomous.
23:35I will never forgive you.
23:37Marcus's verdict came down quickly.
23:39Criminal abuse of power.
23:41Medical malpractice.
23:43Endangering a patient's life.
23:45He was stripped of his medical license and sentenced to five years in prison.
23:51As for Zoe, her actions were morally reprehensible but didn't technically break any laws.
23:57She walked away with a warning.
23:59When Marcus heard, he nearly lost his mind.
24:02But what kept him sane was the news that Sienna had survived.
24:06That she'd gotten a kidney.
24:08That she was recovering.
24:10For the first time in weeks, he could breathe.
24:13Prison was brutal.
24:15But Marcus didn't complain.
24:17He knew he deserved it.
24:19One day, a guard told him he had a visitor.
24:22Marcus's heart nearly stopped when he saw who it was.
24:26Sienna.
24:27He stumbled into the visiting room, his hands shaking.
24:30Sienna, you look so much better.
24:33God, you look...
24:34His voice cracked.
24:36I've missed you so much.
24:38Sienna's expression was blank.
24:40She slid a document across the table.
24:42Sign this.
24:44Marcus looked down.
24:45Divorce papers.
24:46His face went white.
24:49You...
24:49You want to divorce me?
24:51Sienna frowned like the question was absurd.
24:54Why wouldn't I?
24:55Her voice was flat.
24:57Cold.
24:58You stole my mother's kidney and gave it to your mistress's mother.
25:02You left me to die while you played house with a 24-year-old.
25:07You brought her into our home to humiliate me.
25:10And the last thing you said to me was,
25:12Why don't you just die?
25:14Why don't you just die?
25:15She leaned forward.
25:16So, yes, Marcus.
25:18I want a divorce.
25:19Marcus shook his head frantically, tears spilling down his face.
25:23Zoe isn't my mistress.
25:25I swear.
25:26Nothing physical ever happened between us.
25:28I was stupid.
25:30I made terrible mistakes.
25:32But I love you, Sienna.
25:33Only you.
25:34He grabbed the edge of the table.
25:37Please.
25:38I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.
25:41I won't sign this.
25:42I love you.
25:43I can't lose you.
25:45Sienna laughed, sharp and bitter.
25:47You love me?
25:49You loved me so much you gave away my mother's kidney?
25:53You loved me so much you forgot I existed?
25:56She pushed the papers closer.
25:59Sign.
25:59You know I can file for divorce without your consent.
26:02Let's both walk away with some dignity.
26:05Marcus's hands trembled as he picked up the pen.
26:08He signed.
26:09As Sienna stood to leave, he choked out one last question.
26:13Do you hate me?
26:15Sienna paused, turned back.
26:17No.
26:18Her voice was soft, almost kind.
26:21You're already paying for what you did.
26:23I don't need to hate you.
26:24You're just...
26:26Nobody to me now.
26:27She looked at him one last time.
26:29I'm living on borrowed time.
26:31I don't want to waste it on hatred.
26:33I just want to be alive.
26:35And grateful for every single day.
26:38Goodbye, Marcus.
26:40I hope we never see each other again.
26:42After she left, Marcus buried his face in his hands.
26:46And sobbed.
26:47Several years later,
26:48Marcus was released.
26:49Prison had destroyed him.
26:51He was gaunt.
26:52Hollow-eyed.
26:53Nothing like the confident surgeon he used to be.
26:56The first thing he did was ask about Sienna.
26:58When he heard she was healthy and happy,
27:01relief flooded through him.
27:03Marcus had no family left.
27:04His parents were dead.
27:06Sienna had been his only family.
27:08And now she was gone too.
27:11Autumn wind cut through his thin jacket.
27:13He shivered and walked faster.
27:16He still had one thing left to do.
27:18Using an address he'd tracked down,
27:20Marcus arrived at a small townhouse.
27:23He rang the bell.
27:23Zoe opened the door.
27:25Her face went white.
27:27She tried to slam the door shut.
27:29Marcus shoved it open and forced his way inside.
27:32Zoe stumbled backward, her voice shaking.
27:35What do you want?
27:37Marcus looked around the house.
27:39Expensive furniture.
27:40Designer decor.
27:41He smiled bitterly.
27:43Nice place.
27:44I heard you got fired from the hospital.
27:47Then you found some rich old man to take care of you.
27:50His voice turned cold.
27:52Were you planning to do the same thing to me?
27:55Zoe backed toward the stairs.
27:57You're crazy.
27:58Get out or I'm calling the police.
28:01Marcus grabbed her by the throat.
28:03I lost everything because of you.
28:05His grip tightened.
28:07My career.
28:08My wife.
28:09My whole life.
28:11And you walked away without a scratch.
28:14How was that fair?
28:15Zoe clawed at his hands.
28:17Her face turning red.
28:19Marcus.
28:20Please.
28:21I'm sorry.
28:22You know what your biggest mistake was?
28:24His voice was a whisper now.
28:27You shouldn't have gone to Sienna that day.
28:29You shouldn't have told her about her mother.
28:32She almost died because of you.
28:35Zoe's eyes bulged.
28:36Tears streaming down her face.
28:38I was desperate.
28:39I was poor.
28:40I had a hard life.
28:42She gasped for air.
28:44My mother needs me.
28:45Please.
28:46Don't kill me.
28:48Marcus's grip loosened.
28:49Just for a second.
28:51Zoe grabbed a knife from the coffee table and plunged it into his chest.
28:55Marcus staggered back.
28:56Blood pouring from the wound.
28:58Zoe stabbed him again.
29:00It's self-defense.
29:01She hissed.
29:02You tried to kill me first.
29:04If I let you live, you'll ruin everything I've built.
29:07I will not allow this to happen.
29:10But she underestimated him.
29:12With the last of his strength, Marcus ripped the knife from her hand and drove it into her throat.
29:17It severed her carotid artery.
29:19Blood sprayed across the room.
29:22Zoe's eyes went wide with shock.
29:24She collapsed.
29:25Marcus dropped the knife and crawled toward the door.
29:28In his final moments, all he wanted was to see Sienna one more time.
29:33He regretted everything.
29:35If he'd just been loyal.
29:37If he'd just loved her properly.
29:39They'd still be in their little apartment.
29:42Her body would grow healthy.
29:43And they would have the happy, fulfilling life they were meant to have.
29:47Marcus dragged himself forward, inch by inch.
29:50But he didn't make it more than a few feet.
29:52He died in the hallway, alone, full of regret.
29:56Several miles away, in a small coastal town, I was walking home.
30:00After my recovery, Dad and I moved back to our hometown.
30:04We opened a little coffee shop.
30:06It didn't make much money, but it was peaceful.
30:08When business was slow, I'd curl up on the couch with a book.
30:12Sometimes I'd get so absorbed I wouldn't hear customers come in.
30:16They'd call my name and I'd laugh, jump up, and make them their order.
30:20When Marcus and I divorced, he gave me everything.
30:24All his assets.
30:25His savings.
30:27The apartment.
30:28I didn't refuse.
30:29He owed me that much.
30:30I put the money in a savings account for emergencies.
30:33When I die, I'll donate whatever's left.
30:36I didn't plan to remarry.
30:38Money and love didn't matter much to me anymore.
30:41I just wanted to stay healthy.
30:43And spend as much time with my father as I could.
30:46The doctors said the transplant was a success.
30:49If I took care of myself, I could live another 30, 40, maybe 50 years.
30:54I felt so lucky.
30:56I'd already died once.
30:57Every day after that was a gift.
30:59I walked down the street, listening to the crunch of leaves under my feet.
31:03My phone rang.
31:05It was Dad.
31:06Sienna.
31:07I just heard some news.
31:09His voice was strange.
31:11Strained.
31:12Marcus got out of prison.
31:14He went to Zoe Laurent's house.
31:15He paused.
31:17They killed each other.
31:19Stabbed each other to death.
31:21I stopped walking.
31:23For a moment, I didn't feel anything.
31:25Then I felt... confused.
31:28They hated each other that much?
31:30I thought they were in love.
31:31Guess I was wrong.
31:32Oh well.
31:34All of this was none of my business.
31:36I kept walking.
31:37That was when I smelled it.
31:39Fresh baked bread.
31:40Warm.
31:41Just out of the oven.
31:43I stepped up to the bakery counter.
31:45Two loaves, please.
31:46The clerk smiled and slid them into a paper bag.
31:49The heat seeped through the thin paper, warming my palms.
31:53I held it close and breathed in deeply.
31:55The smell was perfect.
31:57I smiled.
31:58It's good to be alive.
31:59It's good to be alive.
Comments