- 17 hours ago
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:01At the party, my fiance's best friend, Ashley Porter, switches out the milk I always drink
00:06from my hangover with Lou. Something tastes wrong. By the time it hits me, I've already
00:10swallowed. My stomach twists, burning like I've gulped down powdery acid. Ashley's laughing
00:15so hard she can barely breathe.
00:17Oh my god, you actually drank it! Can't even tell milk from love!
00:22Thaddeus Wild, my fiance looks at me like I'm something disgusting he stepped in, like
00:26I'm the one embarrassing him. I told Ashley to apologize. She rolled her eyes.
00:31God, Lavinia, it's just a joke. Don't be so uptight.
00:34I grabbed the bottle and dumped the rest over her head. Thaddeus' hand cracks across my face
00:38before I can blink. After I leave the party, I pull out my phone and make a call.
00:48Will you marry me? Three days from now?
00:55The moment I pour that bottle over Ashley's head, everyone in the room goes dead silent.
00:59Every single person turns to look at Thaddeus.
01:02Thaddeus! What the hell is Lavinia's problem? It was just a joke!
01:07His hand hits my face before I can say a word.
01:15What's wrong with you, Lavinia?
01:18He turns away to help Ashley wipe the liquid out of her hair. Doesn't even glance at me again.
01:23My stomach churns violently. That slick chemical taste coats my mouth and my throat keeps trying
01:28to heave. I press my hand over my mouth, gagging. Thaddeus shoots me a look of pure fury.
01:34If you're gonna puke, go do it somewhere else. Don't gross everyone out.
01:38I grab a glass of water off the table and drink it down.
01:40It helps a little. Ashley keeps wiping at her face while she accuses me.
01:44Thaddeus, I was just trying to have fun with Lavinia, and look what she did. Her voice breaks.
01:50She must hate me. Why else would she do this to me?
01:57It's all Lavinia's fault.
01:59That soft voice. I can't remember the last time he used it with me after he finishes.
02:03Thaddeus turns to me. His voice is ice cold.
02:05Apologize to Ashley. Now!
02:07I wipe the blood off my lip and refuse to back down.
02:10Thaddeus, do you even hear yourself right now? I'm the one who got tricked into drinking
02:15lub. I barely fought back and you lose it?
02:19I catch guilt flicker across his face, but the next instant, Ashley's eyes go red and
02:23she starts her drama.
02:25Nobody has ever treated me like this before.
02:30She humiliated me in front of all those people. How am I supposed to face anyone after this?
02:35She turns to Thaddeus with tears in her eyes.
02:37Maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore. Your fiancé clearly hates me.
02:41She dramatically turns to leave. Thaddeus panics and grabs her arm, shouting at me.
02:47Apologize! Now!
02:48The resolve in his eyes leaves me no choice. I won't be getting out of here unless I say
02:53it. The lube churns in my stomach. I fight back the nausea as I force the words out.
02:59I'm sorry.
03:00Goes back to comforting Ashley.
03:02It's okay. It's all her fault.
03:08Get up tomorrow.
03:12I don't know what he means by that, but the smug look in Ashley's eyes tells me it won't
03:16be anything good. The music starts up again.
03:19Thaddeus and Ashley spin around in the center of the dance floor. They leave me sitting alone
03:24at the table, thinking about the marriage I'm about to enter. Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots
03:28through my stomach. I've had stomach problems since I was a kid. The lube must have triggered
03:32it. The pain hits like knives, twisting in my gut. I try to stand up and call for help,
03:36but my voice gets swallowed by the music. Nobody hears me. Thaddeus. I reach my hand toward him,
03:42desperate for him to notice, and take me to the hospital. Thaddeus doesn't see me, but Ashley does.
03:47She uses the dance to spin in front of him, blocking his view. Nobody's coming to help.
03:51I force myself through the pain and dial 911, my hands shaking so badly I can barely hold my phone.
03:57As I stumble out the door, I catch sight of Thaddeus kissing Ashley on the lips.
04:01Something inside me goes numb. My chest aches worse than my stomach ever could.
04:05Well, guess we can cancel that damn wedding in three days. At the hospital,
04:09they pump my stomach, and the doctor discovers it's not just lube. Ashley mixed paint into the
04:14drink, too. They have to pump my stomach three times to get everything out. My stomach's already
04:19a mess, and after all that, it's completely wrecked. Late that night, every breath I take burns.
04:24The pain gets so bad, I finally break down and call Thaddeus, begging him to come stay with me.
04:28I try calling him three times, but no one picks up. Then I see Ashley's Instagram story.
04:33They move the party to my house, my villa. The video shows my stuff scattered all over
04:38the floor. My figurines are in the trash. My first ever award-winning robot design from
04:43college. Someone ripped his head off and the pieces are rolling around under the table and
04:47there's Thaddeus, drinking from the same glass as Ashley, making out with her while everyone
04:51cheers them on. I call him one more time. He finally picks up. His voice drips with irritation.
04:56Jesus, it's the middle of the night, Lavinia. What do you want?
04:59Thaddeus, I'm not doing well. They just pumped my stomach. I feel terrible right now. Can you
05:07please come to the hospital? Just for a little bit?
05:10I hate how desperate I sound. Thaddeus hesitates. I think he can hear how much I'm hurting.
05:15But then Ashley cuts in.
05:16Thaddeus, come here. I just peeled an apple for you.
05:20His hesitation vanishes. His voice goes cold and annoyed.
05:23You've got doctors for that. I'm busy. Can you stop blowing up my phone? Just take some
05:28Tums or something and don't call me again.
05:31My throat closes up. I can't get a single word out. Ashley grabs the phone from him,
05:36her voice smug.
05:37Lavinia, wow, you sound terrible. Still dying over there?
05:41There's this satisfied laugh in her tone. I grit my teeth and snap back.
05:45Ashley, get the hell out of my house and fix my figurines!
05:48Oh, your little robot thing? I had the cleaning lady sweep it up. It's probably at the bottom
05:54of the dumpster by now. Trash belongs with trash, you know?
05:57That was my life's work. How could you just-
06:00A sharp pain rips through my stomach. I curl into myself, cold sweat breaking out all over
06:05my body.
06:06Okay, Lavinia, enough with the drama. Tonight's Thaddeus' bachelor party. He says he's got a big
06:12surprise planned for me, so stop trying to ruin it.
06:17Thaddeus doesn't have time for you right now. He's busy setting up the champagne tower.
06:21And all that junk in your room? Thaddeus told us we could mess with it, so we did.
06:26We broke everything and tossed it. Must be nice being so loaded. All those collector's
06:32editions and limited runs? They're in a dumpster somewhere now. Good luck with that.
06:36I'm furious and panicking, but my stomach twists so violently I can't even fight back.
06:41At some point, the call drops.
06:45When I open my eyes again, morning light floods the room. My phone buzzes with a message from
06:51Ashley. It's a photo of Thaddeus completely naked. The gift Thaddeus mentioned turns out
06:58it was him. That's the bedroom I prepared for Thaddeus. Our bedroom, I picked out every piece
07:03of furniture, every decoration, every detail, and now they're doing this disgusting shit on
07:08my wedding bed. I remember back in college, during the robotics competition, when I won,
07:13Thaddeus held my project in his arms and cried. Actually, cried, because he was so happy for me.
07:18I don't know when he turned into someone I don't recognize anymore. Maybe it started when Ashley
07:23showed up. Maybe it was even earlier than that. The bridal shop calls me.
07:27Mrs. Gray, your custom suit and rings are ready for pickup.
07:32Just throw them out. I don't want them anymore. Just throw them out.
07:38When I get home from the hospital the next day, I expect the place to still be a disaster.
07:42But when I push the door open, everything's spotless, except all my figurines and art prints
07:47are gone. My room is completely stripped bare. Thaddeus stands in the kitchen making breakfast
07:52like nothing happened. Hey, you're back. Sorry I didn't come see you yesterday. Something came
07:59up. How's your stomach feeling? Ashley's just immature, you know? She was playing around with
08:06you. I know the difference between a joke and pure malice from another woman. She did it on
08:11purpose, Thaddeus. She made my stomach condition worse. You know I can only eat liquids now, right?
08:17Thaddeus frowns and I can see he's already losing patience. Enough! Ashley just likes to have
08:22a little fun. Why are you being so petty about it? I freeze. My stomach starts to throb with a
08:28dull
08:28ache. Fine. Let's say the lube thing was a joke. What about my stuff in my room? You remember,
08:35right? We built that robot model together for our first competition. And that painting on the wall?
08:43My mom gave it to me for my birthday before she died.
08:48My voice shakes. I can't control it. Were those jokes too? Thaddeus slams his plate down on the
08:55table. The crash echoes his irritation.
09:00That's ancient history. You're hoarding a bunch of junk that takes up space.
09:06You should be thanking Ashley for clearing it out. And that awful painting? Why are you still keeping
09:12something from a dead person in the house? It's gross. The word gross stabs straight into my chest
09:18like a blade. The pain in my stomach surges up all at once. I grip the doorframe and bend over.
09:24Cold
09:24sweat dripping down my temples. I grit out through clenched teeth. My voice so coarse I barely recognize
09:29it. That was my mom. He acts like he doesn't see me falling apart. So what if it was your
09:37mom?
09:38She's gone. What's the point of keeping all this junk around? Ashley was trying to help and you just keep
09:44bitching about it. That was my stuff. She had no right to touch it. I can't hold back anymore. The
09:51tears
09:52threaten to spill as I force the words out. You're being ridiculous. Ashley was trying to help you and you
10:00can't even be grateful. All you do is stand here and complain. You're obviously not thinking
10:08straight. As he's yelling, I hear the door lock click. The sound of it turning makes my blood run
10:14cold. Even the fingerprint reader now recognizes Ashley's print. Wow, your stomach's already better?
10:21Guess I didn't use enough. Ashley! I lunge forward to grab her arm but Thaddeus blocks me.
10:32He shoves me backward and I stumble into the wall. The pain in my stomach crashes into the ache spreading
10:39across my back and everything goes dark around the edges. Ashley was trying to help. Stop acting
10:45crazy. I look at him and laugh. I don't even mean to but it comes out anyway. The tears
10:51follow right after and I can't stop them. So this is what all those years mean to him. Our entire
10:56relationship is just something he can throw away whenever he feels like it. Forget about her. I
11:02made shrimp and grits. Your favorite. He pulls Ashley away and they sit down at my new dining table.
11:09The one I just bought for our home and start eating breakfast. He sets the plate down like I'm just
11:13some
11:13guest he's being polite to. But he clearly forgot that I've been allergic to shellfish for years now.
11:20He even scooped some into a plate for me but his voice is still annoyed when he says,
11:25You should eat some too. It'll help your stomach feel better.
11:29Back in college, the first time he ever cooked for me, he made shrimp and grits. I didn't want to
11:34hurt his feelings after he'd worked so hard so I ate a small plate anyway. I went into anaphylactic shock
11:40right there in his dorm room and almost didn't make it. He was so scared that day. After that,
11:46he memorized everything I couldn't eat and even stopped eating shellfish himself just to be safe.
11:51But now, because Ashley likes it, he's forgotten all of that. Forgotten us.
11:57I watch the food slowly cool on the table and I feel my heart doing the same thing.
12:02The night before the wedding, Ashley says she wants to give a speech as Thaddeus' close friend
12:06during the reception and she wants to pull some wedding pranks too. Thaddeus looks uncertain
12:11about it but I don't hesitate.
12:14Sure, go ahead. Do whatever you want.
12:17I must sound different because Thaddeus just stares at me.
12:20Lavinia, you're acting weird. You really don't mind?
12:27But don't worry. Ashley's just my friend. She'll keep things appropriate.
12:34I pick up my water and take a sip.
12:38Why would I mind? Wedding pranks are supposed to be fun. As long as you two enjoy yourselves.
12:46Ashley's whole face lights up. She was clearly expecting me to fight her on this.
12:50She moves closer and pats my shoulder and her voice is full of smug satisfaction.
12:54I knew you'd be cool about it.
12:56Don't worry. Tomorrow's gonna be amazing.
12:59We'll make sure your wedding isn't boring.
13:02Thaddeus and I go way back so obviously we're gonna make it really memorable.
13:06You won't get all weird about it, right?
13:09I should thank you in advance then.
13:11I look up at her and put on a sincere smile.
13:15Oh, and by the way, I've got a little surprise planned for you two at the wedding tomorrow.
13:22Thaddeus frowns.
13:23What kind of surprise?
13:24You'll find out.
13:27Ashley digs through my closet and pulls out one of my reception dresses,
13:31then just holds it up against herself without any shame.
13:34Hey, Lavinia. This dress would look great on me.
13:38How about I wear it tomorrow instead?
13:40She's already slipping the dress on and then she pulls out some dirty old dress
13:44from God knows where and tosses it at me.
13:47This cheap thing suits you way better anyway.
13:50She even pins my bridal brooch to her chest and for a second she actually looks like she's
13:54the one getting married. If this were a few days ago I would have lost it, but today I just
13:59watch it all happen with nothing but cold in my chest.
14:02Sure, wear whatever you want.
14:04Thaddeus stares at me for a long moment like he wants to say something but he never does.
14:09It's getting late. I've got work to finish up so you two can do whatever you want.
14:15As I turn and head into the study, Ashley leans close to Thaddeus and whispers,
14:21What's up with her? She used to fight us on everything.
14:24Did we finally break her or something?
14:27She's just being so obedient now, just doing whatever we say without arguing back.
14:32I think Lavinia's finally learning her place.
14:35Thaddeus shakes his head, but I can tell something about this doesn't sit right with him.
14:39I don't know, but she already agreed to everything. She can't back out now.
14:44Just try not to go too crazy with the pranks tomorrow, okay?
14:48Ashley just rolls her eyes and doesn't answer, but I can see the barely contained excitement in
14:52her expression. Meanwhile, I lock the study door behind me and pull two folders out of my desk
14:57drawer. These are the gifts I'm planning to give them at tomorrow's wedding. Outside, Ashley keeps
15:02trying on my dresses one by one, throwing the one she doesn't like on the floor and stepping on them.
15:07Thaddeus is right there helping her like she's the one getting married tomorrow instead of me.
15:11When she thinks I'm not paying attention, she even takes my custom gold brooch and pins it to her
15:15own chest. Seeing her like that cheap and desperate, I almost laugh out loud. It is pathetic,
15:20but I don't care anymore. Tomorrow, this all ends. The next morning, I get dressed early and head to
15:25the reception hall first. When Thaddeus wakes up, he calls me right away. Liv, the bridal shop says my
15:34wedding suit is missing. What's going on? I told them to throw it out. I don't care what they do
15:38with
15:39it. The wedding's off. I hang up before he can respond and signal the officiant to keep going
15:43with the ceremony. And now, let's welcome the groom. I stand at the entrance and push open the doors.
15:51The man walking toward me looks stunning. He's wearing a brand new custom suit that fits him
15:56perfectly, and he moves with this quiet confidence that makes everyone stare. Long time no see, Liv.
16:03But it's not admiration I hear from the guests. It's shock, because the groom isn't Thaddeus.
16:08It's Alaric Foster, the son of my father's oldest friend. He stops in front of me with an easy smile.
16:13When was the last time we ran into each other? Six months ago? And now, here we are at our
16:19wedding.
16:19This is absolutely insane.
16:22What, you having second thoughts?
16:24Are you kidding? I couldn't ask for a better surprise.
16:30He takes my hand and leads me toward the altar, and he doesn't even glance at all the confused faces
16:34watching us. Thaddeus's parents, Charlie Wilde and Judith Wilde, are the first ones to snap out
16:41of it. They rush over. What is this? Where's my son? I look at them, at the way their faces
16:48have
16:49gone pale and tight with worry. Thaddeus? I don't know. Probably on his way here.
16:53The words land like a slap. Judith grabs my arm, and her hand is shaking.
16:57Lavina, what are you saying? What did Thaddeus do wrong?
17:03What did he do wrong?
17:04I let out a soft laugh and let my eyes drift over the guests below us, all of them whispering
17:09to each other and craning their necks to see what's happening.
17:12He's so close with his female friend, but he still wants to marry me? Does he think I'm blind?
17:18I let my voice carry across the room, and every head turns toward me.
17:22There are plenty of men out there. I don't need one who's already in love with someone
17:26else. And you two knew all about them, didn't you? I saw the photos Ashley posted of you
17:34cooking for her. You all looked like a happy family.
17:36The room erupts. Guests start whispering to each other, and Judith's face goes pale,
17:41then bright red. She opens and closes her mouth a few times before finally managing to speak.
17:46But I still thought you were the better choice for him. That's why I told Thaddeus to marry you!
17:52I laugh, but there's no humor in it. If I hadn't overheard that conversation
17:56between Thaddeus and Judith before the wedding, I might have actually believed her.
18:03Mrs. Gray, I heard every word you said to Thaddeus before the wedding.
18:08You told him the Gray family would be a good connection,
18:10that marrying me would help support your household.
18:15Judith doesn't say anything this time. She just stands there crying while everyone stares at her,
18:19trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I ignore all the shocked faces and turn to
18:23Alaric standing beside me.
18:26Sorry, you have to see all this.
18:31Alaric gives my hand a quick squeeze.
18:33Are you kidding? This is better than reality TV.
18:37It really expands my understanding of human behavior.
18:40Plus, I get to marry you out of it, so I'm calling this a win.
18:46The wedding coordinator inches toward me, looking like he might pass out.
18:50Mrs. Gray, what do we do about the rest of the ceremony?
18:52We're sticking to the original plan.
18:54I cut him off and hold Alaric's hand tighter, keeping my voice steady and clear.
18:58The only change is that Alaric is the groom now, my legal husband.
19:03The truth is, my family wants me to marry Alaric from the start,
19:05but I insisted on Thaddeus back then, and my father respected my decision,
19:09even though he knew better.
19:11Only now do I realize just how right he was.
19:13Dad saw through Thaddeus from day one, but he let me make my own choice anyway.
19:18I glance back at Judith and her husband, who are still standing there on the stage, looking lost.
19:24Mr. and Mrs. Gray,
19:26you're welcome to take a seat and watch the ceremony if you'd like,
19:29but you need to get off the stage.
19:31You're blocking our way.
19:32Charlie and Judith completely collapse on the floor, mumbling,
19:34we're done over and over.
19:36Eventually, someone has to carry them to their seats.
19:38I'm pulling out the diamond ring and about to say,
19:40I do, when an uninvited guest burst through the doors.
19:43Stop!
19:51Thaddeus shows up in a cheap, badly fitted suit and rushes toward the altar,
19:55completely out of breath.
19:56Lavinia!
19:57What the hell is this?
20:02His voice is sharp and accusing, like I'm the one who betrayed him.
20:05This is supposed to be our wedding!
20:07What are you doing bringing some other guy here?
20:09I squeeze Alaric's hand tighter and give him a reassuring look.
20:15He's my legal husband.
20:16Today is my wedding to Alaric, not you.
20:20You should go be with your best buddy, Ashley.
20:23Honestly, you two make a great couple.
20:25Thaddeus's face drains of all color and his mouth falls open.
20:28Maybe he didn't think I'd actually embarrass him like this in front of everyone,
20:31or maybe he just assumed I'd never really leave him.
20:34But either way, he brought this on himself.
20:36Lavinia, what are you saying?
20:38We've been together for five years.
20:40How can you just throw that away and choose someone else?
20:45At a wedding, no less.
20:46I point at Ashley, standing right behind him in my dress.
20:49You and Ashley have been acting like a couple for months now,
20:51and you've hurt me over and over again because of her.
20:54Did you forget all of that?
20:58Ashley's face turns bright red, and she tries to back away.
21:01But Thaddeus grabs her arm and holds on tight.
21:03That's not true, Lavinia.
21:04She's just my friend.
21:06His voice is shaking, and he won't even look me in the eye.
21:08Instead, he keeps glancing nervously at the guests,
21:11who are all starting to whisper to each other.
21:13The murmuring gets louder and louder,
21:15and Thaddeus's face goes from white to completely red.
21:22I've seen that woman before.
21:23She's always hanging around.
21:24Yeah, didn't Thaddeus buy someone a sports car last month?
21:27I think it was for her.
21:28Wow, I never would have guessed.
21:30This guy's a total player.
21:32I raise an eyebrow and pull out my phone,
21:35then connect it directly to the venue's sound system.
21:38Thaddeus and Ashley's conversation fills the entire hall crystal clear.
21:45Thaddeus, does that idiot Lavinia actually believe you only love her?
21:48Once we get our hands on the Gray family's money, we're out of here.
21:52Relax, babe.
21:54After the wedding ends, she'll be my legal wife.
21:57And then her money becomes our money.
21:59Right?
22:01...and dust, and he looks absolutely pathetic sitting there.
22:04I recorded that conversation last night.
22:06Turns out it's coming in handy already.
22:08When Thaddeus' mother realizes they've been exposed,
22:11she charges at him and slaps him hard across the face.
22:13The sharp crack echoes through the silent ballroom.
22:16How did I raise such a useless son?
22:18We almost had everything, and you let it slip away.
22:21Do you have any idea what the Gray family represents?
22:23Do you know how hard we worked to make that connection?
22:26And you turned the wedding into this disaster.
22:28I should have never had you.
22:30Mom, you hit me?
22:32Tears streamed down his face and through his fingers,
22:35and his voice cracks with disappointment.
22:38Lavinia's the one who betrayed me.
22:40She's the one who wanted to switch grooms.
22:44Betrayed you?
22:44You've got some nerve.
22:45You and that homewrecker schemed to steal the Gray family's money?
22:50The recording just played for everyone to hear,
22:52and you still want to act innocent?
22:53Then she turns to me, and her whole tone shifts.
22:56Suddenly, she sounds sweet, almost pleading.
22:59Mrs. Gray, please be the bigger person here.
23:02Don't hold this against my stupid son.
23:04Thaddeus knows he made a mistake.
23:06Just give him one more chance.
23:07The wedding...
23:08The wedding can still happen.
23:10I laugh and loop my arm through Al Arons,
23:11then walk toward the stage without even glancing her...
23:13Mrs. Wilde, the Gray family isn't desperate enough to pick up someone else's left.
23:16You probably don't know this yet,
23:18but you already son slept with Ashley at the bachelor party.
23:20I wouldn't normally care about something like that,
23:22but when someone shoves photos in my face,
23:24I can't just pretend I don't know.
23:26How do you know about that?
23:29You'll have to ask your good friend Ashley about that.
23:34You're making this up!
23:35When did I ever tell you anything?
23:37Thaddeus, don't believe her!
23:38I swear I didn't say anything!
23:42Thaddeus just stares at her,
23:43and his face fills with disbelief.
23:46Ashley, you drugged my drink that night.
23:47That's the only reason anything happened between us.
23:49I was going to let it slide since we were friends,
23:50but I didn't think you'd go around bragging about it to everyone.
23:52Looks like I need to call the cops after all.
23:54You need some time in jail to think about what you did.
23:56Ah!
24:00Thaddeus, just listen to me!
24:01I got carried away that night, okay?
24:03I didn't mean for it to happen!
24:05Got carried away?
24:07You drugged me, slept with me,
24:09and then showed Lavinia the photos just to rub it in her face,
24:12and you call that getting carried away?
24:14The 911 operator picks up while he's still talking,
24:17and I just stand there watching this whole train wreck unfold.
24:20After Thaddeus finishes explaining everything to the dispatcher,
24:23Ashley's last hope dies right there.
24:26She collapses on the floor,
24:28all the strength draining out of her body.
24:33Thaddeus, please don't press charges.
24:35If you just write a victim statement saying you forgive me,
24:38we can settle this privately.
24:40Don't you remember?
24:41You asked me to test whether Lavinia really loved you,
24:44and I did everything you wanted.
24:46Just let me off the hook this once, please!
24:49So that's what all of this was.
24:51Everything that happened before was just Thaddeus testing whether I loved him or not,
24:54but his little test tore me apart and left me with permanent stomach damage.
24:58The whole thing is almost funny now.
25:00Ashley keeps begging on her knees,
25:02but Thaddeus won't even look at her anymore.
25:04His eyes find mine instead, and they're full of regret,
25:06but I'm already holding tight to Alaric's hand.
25:09I don't care what Thaddeus feels anymore.
25:11Charlie and Judith turn to me next,
25:12their voices practically begging.
25:14Thaddeus knows he messed up.
25:15Just give him one more chance.
25:17Please, sweetie.
25:19I laugh coldly and look at both of them.
25:21Let's be honest here.
25:22I can see exactly what they're thinking.
25:23Let's be honest here.
25:24Are you really doing this for me,
25:25or are you doing this for yourselves?
25:28Your other two sons are disasters.
25:32One's drowning in gambling debts,
25:33and the other one can't stay out of trouble.
25:36You think I'm going to let the Gray family keep bailing them out?
25:39You just want me to marry into your family
25:41so I can pay off their mess, don't you?
25:44No, no, we genuinely love you!
25:47This is all Thaddeus' fault!
25:50He's the one who doesn't know how to act right!
25:53She drags Thaddeus over and starts slapping him across the ice,
25:57one hit after another.
25:58Alaric looks disgusted and reaches out to stop her.
26:01Mrs. Wild, if you want to discipline your son,
26:03do it somewhere else.
26:04Don't make a scene at our wedding.
26:05Mind your own business!
26:07You stole Livia from him,
26:08and now you think you can tell me what to do?
26:10Who the hell do you think you are?
26:12My expression hardens,
26:13and I pull Alaric behind me.
26:15My voice comes out ice cold.
26:18Mrs. Wild, watch your mouth.
26:20Alaric is my husband.
26:21What makes you think you can just show up here and start shit?
26:26Judith flinches at my tone,
26:28but she keeps pushing.
26:30Husband?
26:30He's just a homewrecker who stole someone else's woman.
26:34If it weren't for him,
26:35my son wouldn't be in this mess,
26:37and you wouldn't be so dead set against marrying my son!
26:41Oh, really?
26:44His voice stays calm,
26:45but every word hits hard.
26:47Thaddeus was the one who schemed
26:48to get his hands on the Grey family fortune.
26:50Ashley drugged him and did God knows what.
26:53You guys did this to yourselves.
26:54None of this has anything to do with me.
26:56Besides,
26:57Lavinia should have married me from the start.
26:59We just gave Thaddeus a five-year chance,
27:01and he blew it.
27:02That hits Thaddeus like a knife to the chest.
27:05Alaric!
27:05Don't get too cocky!
27:07Lavinia used to love me!
27:09She'll come back to me eventually!
27:11Besides,
27:11you're just taking over our wedding venue for yours!
27:14Aren't you embarrassed when people find out?
27:17A booming voice calls out from the doorway.
27:30I turn toward the voice
27:32and see Alaric's dad,
27:33Logan Foster,
27:34standing at the entrance
27:34with my father right beside him.
27:38Dad?
27:39Mr. Grey?
27:40What are you doing here?
27:41You little punk!
27:42Were you seriously planning to get married in this dump?
27:44Good thing I showed up!
27:48Of course I invited them.
27:50What kind of wedding doesn't have family there?
27:53My dad had seen right through the Wilde family from the start,
27:55and he'd been so angry with me
27:57that he'd refuse to come to the wedding at all.
27:59Oh, Mr. Grey!
28:00I'm so sorry we never came to visit you properly,
28:02and we didn't even invite you
28:03to be part of the kids' wedding plans.
28:05That was terribly rude of us.
28:06But since you're here now,
28:07maybe you could help us officiate the ceremony.
28:09Now that you're here,
28:10we can finally settle this.
28:12Charlie spots my father
28:14and immediately rushes over
28:15with an oily smile
28:16and clasping on his face,
28:18hand extended for a shake.
28:20Rick, I'm sorry you had to deal with this circus.
28:24It's nothing, Mr. Grey.
28:26Getting to marry the woman I love
28:28makes all of this worth it.
28:29Charlie's hand freezes in midair,
28:31and his face goes through
28:32about five different shades of red and white.
28:34He still tries to push his way forward, though.
28:36Mr. Grey, please, just listen.
28:38Thaddeus knows he messed up.
28:39These kids have five years together.
28:41You can't just throw that away.
28:43Five years together?
28:45Your family's scheme to steal money from us,
28:47and you helped some outsider cheat on my daughter.
28:50That's what you, after five years of relationship?
28:53Charlie sees my dad isn't backing down,
28:55so he actually tries to threaten him instead.
28:58Mr. Grey,
28:59your daughter just swapped out the groom
29:01at her own wedding.
29:03If word gets out about this,
29:04it's not going to look good for you either.
29:06People might even start saying
29:07she's the one who cheated,
29:09and that could really hurt
29:10the company's reputation.
29:11My father's heard threats like this
29:13a thousand times before.
29:14Take a good look.
29:16I've got proof of everything,
29:18so nothing you say is going to hurt the Grey's.
29:20My dad spots the hospital paperwork
29:22from when I had to get my stomach pumped,
29:23and his eyes immediately go red.
29:25He gets even angrier.
29:26Your son put my daughter in the hospital.
29:28I think it's time I took back
29:29all those resources I gave your family.
29:31That shopping center in the West District,
29:33the storefront on the East Side,
29:34my daughter gave you all of that.
29:36And the house we bought for you two?
29:38Give it all back.
29:39Oh, and while we're at it,
29:40let's let the police deal
29:41with your two younger sons
29:43and their gambling
29:45and assault charges.
29:47Charlie and Judith both collapse to the floor
29:49like their strings just got cut.
29:50They look completely defeated.
29:52Ashley hears the sirens and tries to run,
29:54but she doesn't even make it out of the banquet hall
29:56before my security team grabs her.
29:58Let go of me!
30:00Lavinia, stay out of this!
30:02Stay out of it!
30:03You planned to steal from my family,
30:05you wrecked my marriage,
30:06and you think I'm just gonna let that slide?
30:08She grabs a glass that hit its teeth
30:09off the floor and hurls it at me.
30:11Then she snatches up a sharp fragment
30:12and charges straight at Thaddeus.
30:15This is all your fault!
30:16You're sending me to jail!
30:18Go to hell!
30:19And the glass slices across his face.
30:22Ashley doesn't stop there, though.
30:23She drags it across his skin again and again
30:25like she can't get enough.
30:28By the time everyone snaps out of their shock,
30:30Thaddeus is on the ground screaming
30:31and his face is covered in bloody gashes.
30:34Ashley's still trying to go at him
30:35when the cops burst in and grab her,
30:37even as they haul her away.
30:38She's screaming obscenities the whole time.
30:40After they take Ashley out,
30:42Thaddeus is lying in a pool of his own blood
30:44and the cuts on his face are so deep
30:45you can see bone.
30:47He's definitely going to be scarred for life.
30:49And Charlie and Judith?
30:50They just stand there watching their son suffer
30:52without even calling 911.
30:54When the ambulance finally arrives,
30:56Thaddeus is barely conscious,
30:57but right before they load him in,
30:59he grabs my arm.
31:01Lavinia,
31:02can we go back down if things work?
31:04I gently pull his hand away.
31:06I don't need to say anything.
31:07He already knows the answer.
31:09After everything's finally settled,
31:11the wedding venue looks like a war zone.
31:13I watch them haul everyone away
31:15and let out this long breath.
31:16Then I turn to Alaric,
31:17and I can feel the warmth spreading through my chest
31:19when I look at him.
31:20My dad pats me on the shoulder.
31:22See?
31:23See?
31:23I had a good judgment.
31:24I had a good judgment.
31:25Logan laughs.
31:26Now that's settled.
31:27We need to throw these kids a proper wedding.
31:29I already booked the grand ballroom
31:31at the Westmore Hotel,
31:32the best one they've got.
31:34We'll pick a good date
31:35and do this thing right.
31:36Sunlight streams through the floor
31:38to ceiling windows
31:38and falls across our joint hands,
31:40warm and steady.
31:41My happiness with Alaric...
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