Dad, Why Won’t You Save Me- Drama FULL MOVIES ENGLISH SUB

Cosmic.Coded

Transcript

00:00:00My son died in a hotel fire.

00:00:02My husband was on that rescue team.

00:00:04He's a firefighter, but he ran past our room.

00:00:08He went straight to his first love in the next room.

00:00:11Right before my son died, he looked at me and said,

00:00:14Dad saves strangers?

00:00:16Why won't he save me?

00:00:18I had no answer.

00:00:20At my son's funeral, I called my husband.

00:00:23He picked up.

00:00:24Sounded annoyed.

00:00:26Lauren and her son got burned.

00:00:27They're in the hospital.

00:00:28Can you just stop making everything about your jealousy?

00:00:31Don't call me unless it's important.

00:00:33Then he hung up.

00:00:34I sat in my wheelchair, my skin burning under the bandages.

00:00:38My son's name was carved into the stone right in front of me.

00:00:41That was when I knew my marriage was over.

00:00:43I'll never forget that night.

00:00:46Dad, I'm here.

00:00:51Nate, cover your mouth.

00:00:53Don't talk.

00:00:54By the time my son and I realized the house was on fire,

00:00:56it had already spread across half the floor.

00:00:58We were trapped in the room.

00:01:00My husband, Gavin Reed, was the captain leading the response that night.

00:01:04When I saw him down below, I thought we were safe.

00:01:06So did my son.

00:01:08Before this trip, I had texted Gavin the hotel name and the room number.

00:01:12So he knew exactly where we were.

00:01:14But when he came upstairs, he didn't stop at our door.

00:01:17He passed us.

00:01:18He went next door to save Lauren Blake and her little boy.

00:01:20That was when my son broke down.

00:01:22He started crying so hard he could barely get the words out.

00:01:25Mom, Miss Lauren is here too.

00:01:28Dad only cares about them, right?

00:01:30He's leaving us again.

00:01:32I, I, I can't breathe.

00:01:35It hurts so much.

00:01:38Mom, I, I don't want to go.

00:01:40The room was full of smoke.

00:01:42My boy was only five.

00:01:44His tiny body was giving out.

00:01:46My hands were shaking.

00:01:47I grabbed a wet towel and pressed it over his nose and mouth.

00:01:50Then I picked him up and stumbled to the door.

00:01:53Gavin, Nate can't breathe.

00:01:55Please save us.

00:01:57Gavin, please.

00:01:58I begged him, please, just this time.

00:02:01But he passed right by our door.

00:02:03I screamed until my throat tore open.

00:02:06He didn't even stop.

00:02:07Over the fire, I heard his voice, soft, tender.

00:02:11Don't worry, Lauren.

00:02:12I got you.

00:02:13You and your boy are going to be fine.

00:02:15Okay.

00:02:16The smoke was thick.

00:02:17My head stopped working right.

00:02:19I tried to cover Nate's ears.

00:02:21His eyes were full of tears.

00:02:23His pupils were starting to drift.

00:02:24My little boy murmured in desperation.

00:02:27Dad, why, why won't you see me?

00:02:29I yelled so loud.

00:02:31I tried.

00:02:32Mom, I'm so scared.

00:02:34I, I can't stay.

00:02:36Please, next time.

00:02:38Can you get me a different dad?

00:02:40That was the last thing my son ever asked me.

00:02:43Then his little hand dropped.

00:02:45Just like that.

00:02:46I lost him forever.

00:02:48Something inside me blew apart.

00:02:50My brain went blank.

00:02:52My chest felt like someone was driving nails into it.

00:02:55I forced myself up and held him tight.

00:02:57Okay.

00:02:58Okay, my boy.

00:02:59I hear you.

00:03:01Nate, don't fall asleep.

00:03:03Stay with me.

00:03:04Please, I'm getting you out.

00:03:06I swear I'm getting you out.

00:03:07The smoke got thicker.

00:03:10I couldn't even see his face anymore.

00:03:12The floor was burning.

00:03:13The door handle too.

00:03:15Then the fire hit me.

00:03:16My arms.

00:03:17My legs.

00:03:18Then it caught on him too.

00:03:20My poor boy.

00:03:21He must have suffered a lot.

00:03:23I beat at the flames with my hands.

00:03:25I cried and begged and hit and clawed.

00:03:27But the smoke got heavier.

00:03:29The heat got worse.

00:03:31I couldn't walk anymore.

00:03:32So I dropped to the floor and crawled.

00:03:34But that hallway would not end.

00:03:36It just kept going.

00:03:37And going.

00:03:38By the time another crew came through to clear the floor.

00:03:41Nate and I were barely there.

00:03:43They pulled us out.

00:03:44Took us to the hospital.

00:03:46Gavin was in the room next to mine.

00:03:48Lauren and her son were with him.

00:03:50And just like in that fire.

00:03:52There was only one wall between us.

00:03:54One wall.

00:03:55Still, he never came to see us.

00:03:58His whole world was still Lauren.

00:04:00Her and that child.

00:04:02The doctors tried to take me away to treat my burns.

00:04:05I dropped to my knees and begged them not to.

00:04:07Please save my son.

00:04:09He's just tired.

00:04:11He just passed out.

00:04:12Please.

00:04:13You have to save him.

00:04:14They took Nate into the ER.

00:04:16They shocked him again.

00:04:17And again.

00:04:18And again.

00:04:19His little body jerked every time.

00:04:22But he never opened his eyes.

00:04:24Finally, the doctor looked at me and said.

00:04:26He suffered enough while he was alive.

00:04:28Don't make his body suffer more.

00:04:30He was right.

00:04:31My boy hated pain.

00:04:33I should let him rest in peace.

00:04:35I had burns all over my body.

00:04:37Bad ones.

00:04:38I called my brother to handle the funeral.

00:04:41And the divorce.

00:04:42The papers were drafted the same day I got burned.

00:04:45I signed them.

00:04:46But Gavin wouldn't pick up.

00:04:47Just like that night in the fire.

00:04:49He had blocked me again.

00:04:51Every time he was with Lauren and her son.

00:04:54He blocked my number.

00:04:55He said my calls were annoying.

00:04:57Then when he felt like it.

00:04:59He'd unblock me.

00:05:00Like I was a notification he could mute.

00:05:03I lived like that for 6 years.

00:05:05But this time.

00:05:06Something in me was done.

00:05:07Not angry.

00:05:09Not screaming.

00:05:10My brother had gone to the funeral home to make arrangements for Nate.

00:05:14Only the aid was with me.

00:05:15I asked her to help me into my wheelchair.

00:05:18Then I rolled myself next door.

00:05:20Toward Gavin.

00:05:21The man I should have left years ago.

00:05:23This marriage was a joke.

00:05:24I was done with it.

00:05:26The room next door was private too.

00:05:28My family has money.

00:05:30And I made good money on my own.

00:05:32I never needed Gavin to support me.

00:05:34On his salary alone.

00:05:35He could barely cover his own life.

00:05:37There was no way he could afford a private room for Lauren and her son.

00:05:41They came out of that fire with soot on their faces.

00:05:43And a few small blisters.

00:05:45That was it.

00:05:46But Gavin looked at them like they'd been through war.

00:05:48Like one more scratch might break them.

00:05:51Then I thought about Nate.

00:05:52About what was left of my little boy's body.

00:05:55And my chest caved in all over again.

00:05:57That's the difference.

00:05:59Love.

00:05:59Or none at all.

00:06:01Gavin?

00:06:01I said his name through my teeth.

00:06:03He turned and looked at me.

00:06:05The second he saw me, the smile dropped off his face.

00:06:08His brows pulled tight.

00:06:10Claire, why are you here?

00:06:11Get out!

00:06:12I had on a hat and a mask.

00:06:14I didn't want to scare anybody with my burns.

00:06:16But I was in a hospital gown.

00:06:18In a wheelchair.

00:06:20Gavin saw none of it.

00:06:21He got up at once.

00:06:23Grabbed my wheelchair.

00:06:25Shoved me straight into the hallway.

00:06:27Lauren and I are just friends.

00:06:28I've told you a hundred times.

00:06:30Her husband's dead.

00:06:31She has nobody.

00:06:33She's been through enough.

00:06:35I'm just giving her a little support.

00:06:36I'd heard that speech a hundred times before.

00:06:39I was sick of it.

00:06:40Lauren didn't have a husband.

00:06:42But she had Gavin.

00:06:44I had a husband.

00:06:45And somehow I was the one alone.

00:06:47When a pipe burst at home, he was fixing Lauren's light.

00:06:51When I got in a car crash, he was shopping with her.

00:06:54When Nate had a fever, he stayed with her son.

00:06:57That was my marriage.

00:06:59A complete joke.

00:07:00When I looked at the shameless bastard standing in front of me, I felt sick.

00:07:05I didn't want to waste another breath on him.

00:07:07Sign the divorce papers, and I'm out of your life.

00:07:10I held the papers out.

00:07:13He didn't even take them.

00:07:14He thought I was bluffing again.

00:07:16You done yet?

00:07:17Once Lauren and Liam are better, I'll come home.

00:07:19He'd said that before.

00:07:21A hundred times.

00:07:22And stupid me, I always believed him.

00:07:25Not anymore.

00:07:26If you won't sign, my lawyer will file.

00:07:28I looked straight at him.

00:07:30Nate's funeral is in six days.

00:07:33You.

00:07:33From inside the room, Lauren let out this soft little cry.

00:07:36Gavin, it really hurts.

00:07:38He turned fast.

00:07:40All panic.

00:07:42All tenderness.

00:07:43That was it.

00:07:44He walked right back into the room.

00:07:46I stared at the closed door.

00:07:48It felt like something was tearing through my chest.

00:07:51I don't even remember how I got back to my room.

00:07:54I just know I couldn't breathe.

00:07:56Like the air had left the world.

00:07:58Up until the day of the funeral.

00:08:00Gavin never asked about Nate once.

00:08:02When the service was about to start.

00:08:04The boy's own father still wasn't there.

00:08:06Guests had started whispering.

00:08:09Where's his dad?

00:08:10I heard he's at the hospital with some woman and her kid.

00:08:14His ex, right?

00:08:15Even so, missing his own son's funeral?

00:08:18What a bastard!

00:08:20People looked at me with pity.

00:08:22A few came over and tried to comfort me.

00:08:24But my mind was all about Nate.

00:08:26The way he used to wait by the window for his dad.

00:08:29The way his whole face lit up over the smallest promise.

00:08:32My throat felt full of thorns.

00:08:34I clenched my hands so hard my nails tore open the blisters in my palms.

00:08:38The pain helped.

00:08:40Barely.

00:08:40Today was my son's goodbye to the world.

00:08:43I would not let Gavin ruin that too.

00:08:45I turned to my brother.

00:08:47Call him.

00:08:48He blocked me again.

00:08:49My brother's face went dark.

00:08:51He pulled out his phone and called.

00:08:53Gavin picked up fast.

00:08:55Gavin!

00:08:56My brother said.

00:08:57Today is Nate's funeral.

00:08:59But Gavin cut him off.

00:09:01Claire, are you serious?

00:09:02Lauren and her son were hurt in that fire.

00:09:05They're infected.

00:09:05Still in the hospital.

00:09:07I'm here taking care of them because someone has to.

00:09:10And now you're saying Nate is dead?

00:09:12Wow.

00:09:13You've really crossed the line.

00:09:15Then he hung up.

00:09:16Suddenly it all made sense.

00:09:18That day, when I told him Nate was gone, he barely reacted.

00:09:22Not because he didn't hear me.

00:09:24Because he thought I was making it up.

00:09:26He had accused me of a lot over the years.

00:09:28But this time?

00:09:29This time I shook so hard that I couldn't speak.

00:09:32My brother had heard every word.

00:09:34He grabbed my phone.

00:09:36Found Nate's death certificate photo.

00:09:38And sent it to Gavin.

00:09:40Then he called him back.

00:09:41When Gavin answered, my brother's voice came out low and raw, like each word had to rip its

00:09:46way free.

00:09:47Do you see it now?

00:09:48Nate's been dead for a week.

00:09:50You're his father.

00:09:52But you never even showed up.

00:09:53Then he snapped.

00:09:54What kind of man does that, Gavin?

00:09:56What kind of father ignores his own son's funeral?

00:09:59But Gavin cut him off.

00:10:01Claire, are you serious?

00:10:02Lauren and her son were hurt in that fire.

00:10:05They're infected, still in the hospital.

00:10:07I'm here taking care of them because someone has to.

00:10:10And now you're saying Nate is dead?

00:10:12Wow.

00:10:13You've really crossed a line.

00:10:15Then he hung up.

00:10:16Suddenly it all made sense.

00:10:18That day, when I told him Nate was gone, he barely reacted.

00:10:22Not because he didn't hear me.

00:10:24Because he thought I was making it up.

00:10:26He had accused me of a lot over the years.

00:10:28But this time?

00:10:30This time I shook so hard that I couldn't speak.

00:10:32My brother had heard every word.

00:10:34He grabbed my phone, found Nate's death certificate photo, and sent it to Gavin.

00:10:40Then he called him back.

00:10:41When Gavin answered, my brother's voice came out low and raw, like each word had to rip its

00:10:46way free.

00:10:47Do you see it now?

00:10:48Nate's been dead for a week.

00:10:50You're his father.

00:10:52But you never even showed up.

00:10:53Then he snapped.

00:10:54What kind of man does that, Gavin?

00:10:56What kind of father ignores his own son's funeral?

00:10:59My brother said it clearly.

00:11:01I thought Gavin would finally get it.

00:11:03I thought once the truth hit him, he'd say he was sorry.

00:11:06He'd feel something.

00:11:08Guilt.

00:11:09Shame.

00:11:10Regret.

00:11:11But he said nothing.

00:11:13He just hung up.

00:11:14I held myself together the whole time.

00:11:16Or maybe I didn't.

00:11:18People came.

00:11:19People hugged me.

00:11:21But I don't remember any of it.

00:11:23I just remember sitting there in my wheelchair, staring at Nate's picture carved into stone.

00:11:27In my head, all I could hear was his voice.

00:11:30Mom.

00:11:31Miss Lauren.

00:11:32Right?

00:11:33He's leaving us again.

00:11:35I, I can't breathe.

00:11:37It hurts so much.

00:11:40Mom.

00:11:40I, I don't want to go.

00:11:43And his last words.

00:11:44Dad.

00:11:44Why?

00:11:45Why won't you see me?

00:11:46Can you get me a different dad?

00:11:48Those words kept looping in my mind.

00:11:51Again and again.

00:11:52Like a endless nightmare.

00:11:54When the funeral was over, my brother took me straight to the ER.

00:11:58I had burns all over my body.

00:12:00The infection got bad.

00:12:02My fever shot up.

00:12:03Everything after that blurred.

00:12:05Dreams.

00:12:06Voices.

00:12:07Needles.

00:12:08White lights.

00:12:09I couldn't tell what was real anymore.

00:12:12I only remember one thing for sure.

00:12:14Somebody kept holding my hand.

00:12:16Over and over.

00:12:18I heard a voice saying.

00:12:20Claire, stay with me.

00:12:22Don't fall asleep.

00:12:24When the fever finally broke and they moved me to a regular room, 10 days had passed.

00:12:29Gavin was sitting by my bed.

00:12:31Dark circles under his eyes.

00:12:33Stubble all over his jaw.

00:12:35Clothes wrinkled.

00:12:36He looked wrecked.

00:12:38Nothing like himself.

00:12:39The second he saw my eyes open, his whole face changed.

00:12:42Claire.

00:12:44You're awake.

00:12:45The second I saw him, everything came back.

00:12:47The fire.

00:12:48Nate's voice.

00:12:50That closed door.

00:12:51That empty seat at the funeral.

00:12:53All of it hit me at once.

00:12:55Like my chest was being crushed from the inside.

00:12:58I sat up and slapped him.

00:13:00Hard.

00:13:00How dare you show your face here.

00:13:03His cheek turned red right away.

00:13:05He looked at me with this hollow, bitter kind of pain.

00:13:07Gavin's voice was quiet.

00:13:09I should have been at Nate's funeral.

00:13:10I know.

00:13:11I screwed up.

00:13:12Then Lauren rushed in.

00:13:14Pale.

00:13:14Wide-eyed.

00:13:15Like always.

00:13:16She dropped to her knees beside my bed like we were in some cheap TV drama.

00:13:20The second she blinked, tears spilled.

00:13:22Claire.

00:13:22I'm so sorry for what happened.

00:13:25This is all my fault.

00:13:27Liam had a heart episode that day.

00:13:29I panicked.

00:13:31Gavin was worried about us.

00:13:32That's why he missed the funeral.

00:13:34Please don't blame Gavin.

00:13:36Don't divorce him because of me.

00:13:38She grabbed my hand and pressed it to her cheek.

00:13:41Eyes wide and trembling.

00:13:42The same trick she'd used before.

00:13:44Daring me to hit her.

00:13:45Playing weak.

00:13:46Playing helpless.

00:13:47Setting the trap.

00:13:48Before, I used to freeze.

00:13:50But this time, I slapped her.

00:13:52Hard.

00:13:52Then I hit her again.

00:13:54Still not enough.

00:13:55You shameless bitch.

00:13:57What's wrong with you?

00:13:59There are millions of single men out there.

00:14:01So why do you keep going after someone else's husband?

00:14:05You got no shame?

00:14:06No self-respect?

00:14:08I raised my hand again.

00:14:10Gavin grabbed my wrist.

00:14:11His face went cold.

00:14:12Enough.

00:14:13I told you.

00:14:15Lauren and I are just friends.

00:14:16She's alone.

00:14:17She has a kid.

00:14:18Her life is hard enough.

00:14:20He glared at me.

00:14:21Do you have to twist our relationship?

00:14:23I yanked my hand free.

00:14:24I didn't even want to fight anymore.

00:14:26I pointed at the door.

00:14:28Get out.

00:14:33Claire, how can you talk to Gavin like that?

00:14:35He...

00:14:36I grabbed everything I could reach and hurled it at both of them.

00:14:39A cup.

00:14:39A tissue box.

00:14:41A remote.

00:14:42Get out!

00:14:43Both of you!

00:14:45Get the hell out!

00:14:46Gavin took a glance at me.

00:14:48A second later, he turned and pulled Lauren behind him.

00:14:51Then he walked her out.

00:14:52There was a time that would have destroyed me.

00:14:54Watching him choose her.

00:14:56Now, I felt nothing.

00:14:57I was born with doors that opened for me.

00:15:00Private schools.

00:15:01Summer houses.

00:15:02A last name that mattered.

00:15:05Gavin had none of that.

00:15:06He's just a firefighter from a normal family.

00:15:09A man who should have stayed out of my world.

00:15:12Gavin and I met by accident.

00:15:14One night, my best friend got dumped and dragged me out drinking.

00:15:17The bar caught fire.

00:15:19In the worst moment of my life, when I thought I was going to die on that filthy floor, Gavin

00:15:24found me.

00:15:25He carried me out.

00:15:26He nearly died doing it.

00:15:28He was handsome.

00:15:29Calm under pressure.

00:15:31And he saved my life.

00:15:33I fell for him hard.

00:15:35I found out he was single.

00:15:36I went after him.

00:15:38Persistent.

00:15:40Relentless.

00:15:41Finally, he said yes.

00:15:43Then, he proposed.

00:15:45Gavin was a gentle man.

00:15:47Always smiling.

00:15:48Steady and calm.

00:15:49When you first met him, he felt warm and easy to talk to.

00:15:53But the longer you knew him, the more you realized something.

00:15:56He was polite to everyone.

00:15:58Even to me.

00:15:59Everybody said I'd married a good man.

00:16:02That I'd hit the jackpot.

00:16:03After we got married, he gave me every paycheck.

00:16:07He cooked.

00:16:08He cleaned.

00:16:09He handled the house.

00:16:11They didn't live in my marriage.

00:16:12They didn't feel the distance.

00:16:14The politeness.

00:16:16Even in bed, he felt elsewhere.

00:16:19Like a man finishing a task.

00:16:21There is a wall between us.

00:16:23Invisible.

00:16:24Unbreakable.

00:16:25At first, I thought that was just who he was.

00:16:28Quiet.

00:16:29Closed off.

00:16:30Then Lauren came back.

00:16:32She had just gotten divorced and moved back with her son.

00:16:35The day she returned was our anniversary.

00:16:37Gavin took the day off.

00:16:39Not for me.

00:16:41For her.

00:16:42He didn't go to work.

00:16:43He didn't come home that night either.

00:16:45That's when I found out, Lauren wasn't just a friend.

00:16:49She was his ex.

00:16:51They'd been together since middle school.

00:16:5310 years.

00:16:54First love.

00:16:56Their families forced them apart.

00:16:58That was the story.

00:16:59Gavin told me he helped her.

00:17:01We're just friends.

00:17:02I'll never betray you.

00:17:04Because she was a single mom.

00:17:05He looked me in the eye and said.

00:17:07I believed him.

00:17:09A big mistake.

00:17:10After he left my hospital room, Gavin started texting me.

00:17:14Long messages.

00:17:15I didn't read a single one.

00:17:17I blocked his number.

00:17:19Then I called my brother and told him to fire Lauren.

00:17:22Before all this, I didn't know she was Gavin's ex.

00:17:25I'd only heard she was a divorced mom with one kid, trying to start over, and that she worked in

00:17:30media.

00:17:30My family owns the company.

00:17:32I was the one who got her the job.

00:17:35Looking back, I'm sure people laughed behind my back the whole time.

00:17:39The rich wife.

00:17:40The fool.

00:17:41Lauren got fired the next day.

00:17:43And Gavin showed up right after.

00:17:45He walked in already angry.

00:17:47Jaw tight.

00:17:48Brows down.

00:17:49It's my fault, okay?

00:17:51I'm sorry.

00:17:52But that's none of her business.

00:17:54I stared at him.

00:17:55We're just friends.

00:17:56She has a little boy.

00:17:57That's it.

00:17:59And you had your brother fire her?

00:18:01Why are you being so harsh to a single mom?

00:18:03I gave her the job.

00:18:04Of course I can take it back.

00:18:05Listen, that's not the end.

00:18:06Every single dollar you spent on her, I'm taking it all back.

00:18:10Being harsh to a single mom?

00:18:12I nearly ended up letting her sleep in my bed.

00:18:15Gavin's face went dark.

00:18:16Claire, I'm saying this one more time.

00:18:18I've never done anything to betray you.

00:18:23Yes, she's my ex.

00:18:25But now, just a friend.

00:18:28A fucking friend.

00:18:29I was so sick of this cliche.

00:18:32And the hypocrite in front of me.

00:18:34I ground out through my teeth.

00:18:36Friend more important than your wife and your son?

00:18:39Nate's?

00:18:40Nate's funeral was ten days ago.

00:18:42If you cared even a little about me or your son,

00:18:45you'd know he died just next door to Lauren.

00:18:48Gavin didn't move.

00:18:50I could feel every nerve in my body screaming.

00:18:52Nate screamed for you!

00:18:54He gasped, he choked, he begged!

00:18:56And you?

00:18:57You stood there!

00:18:59Broke every rule!

00:19:00Passed our door!

00:19:01Picked her and her kid over us!

00:19:04I shouted.

00:19:05My hands shook.

00:19:06My chest burned.

00:19:07My son is dead because of you.

00:19:09I'm not asking you to save us as first.

00:19:11You wanted to save her first, fine.

00:19:13But when you dragged her out, carried her son out?

00:19:16Did it ever cross your mind your wife and son were trapped in the same damn hotel?

00:19:19Did you tell your crew to check?

00:19:21Did you even care?

00:19:23If you thought for one second, my boy wouldn't have died in that fire!

00:19:29My voice turned raw.

00:19:30I was screaming by then.

00:19:32Years of rage.

00:19:34Humiliation.

00:19:35Grief.

00:19:36All of it came out at once.

00:19:38Gavin just stood there.

00:19:39For the first time, the anger drained out of his face.

00:19:42He looked wrecked.

00:19:44His lips parted, but no sound came out.

00:19:46Every time Gavin ever lost control, it was over Lauren and her son.

00:19:51This was the first time I had ever seen that much pain on his face because of me and Nate.

00:19:55He stared at me, lost, pale, shaking.

00:19:58Claire, I'm sorry.

00:20:02I didn't know.

00:20:04I swear to God, I didn't know you and Nate were there.

00:20:07I didn't mean it.

00:20:11I texted you everything.

00:20:13The hotel.

00:20:14The room number.

00:20:15More than once.

00:20:17You texted Lauren what to pack.

00:20:19You reminded her to be careful.

00:20:21But me and Nate going on a trip?

00:20:23You completely forgot about us?

00:20:26His face turned pale.

00:20:28He grabbed his phone and started scrolling through our messages with shaking fingers.

00:20:32I used to text him everything.

00:20:34Photos.

00:20:35Updates.

00:20:36Bits of life.

00:20:37But he hardly answered.

00:20:39The night before Nate died, he said he missed his dad.

00:20:42He wanted to FaceTime him.

00:20:44But Gavin was on a video call with Lauren's son, Liam.

00:20:47So he declined Nate's calls for three times.

00:20:50I couldn't stand seeing that look on his face.

00:20:53So I told him we'd make a little video for dad instead.

00:20:56I said, he'll watch it.

00:20:58He'll love it.

00:20:59Nate lit right up.

00:21:00He smiled into the camera and showed off every place we'd been that day.

00:21:04Then he gave the hotel name.

00:21:06The room number.

00:21:07And in the sweetest voice, full of hope, he said dad should come join us if he had time.

00:21:12Gavin opened the video.

00:21:14He watched it.

00:21:15His eyes went red fast.

00:21:17Then the tears came, just poured down his face.

00:21:20His throat made this awful broken sound, like he was choking on it.

00:21:25I had never seen him look like that.

00:21:27But his tears can't bring my boy back.

00:21:29Gavin held the phone so tight his knuckles went white.

00:21:32His voice was wrecked.

00:21:34It's all my fault.

00:21:35I failed Nate.

00:21:36I'm not a good dad.

00:21:39But please, don't blame Lauren and Liam.

00:21:42They didn't do anything wrong.

00:21:43I grabbed the water glass by my back and it hit his forehead.

00:21:48I was shaking so badly I could barely breathe.

00:21:51You want to protect the ones you love?

00:21:54Then you better see if you're man enough to pull it off.

00:21:57Get out!

00:21:59I was done.

00:22:00Done talking.

00:22:01Done explaining.

00:22:02He didn't deserve to be Nate's father.

00:22:05The room got loud enough that people came running.

00:22:07My brother came in with Wes and a couple of nurses.

00:22:10They pushed Gavin out.

00:22:12I had just gotten out of ICU.

00:22:14My body was wrecked, but my head was clear.

00:22:17My brother had barely been to the office for two weeks.

00:22:20Left Wes with me and rushed back downtown.

00:22:22Wes is his best friend.

00:22:24A smartass who never seemed to grow up.

00:22:26Then he became a lawyer.

00:22:28Shocked all of us.

00:22:30Now he was handling my divorce.

00:22:32He dropped into the chair by my bed, grabbed an apple off the tray, took a bite, and looked at

00:22:37me.

00:22:37Tell me how far you want to take this.

00:22:40Every dollar Gavin spent on Lauren and her son while he was married to me, I want it traced and

00:22:44clawed back.

00:22:44He used all of his income on them, and he used 200 grand of mine.

00:22:48I want the money back.

00:22:49And the divorce.

00:22:50Done.

00:22:51Now.

00:22:51And file a complaint with his department.

00:22:54He broke rescue protocol.

00:22:56He delayed help to our room.

00:22:58That delay?

00:22:58It killed Nate.

00:23:00And it left me burned half to hell.

00:23:02I was dizzy from the fight.

00:23:04But my mind was sharp as a blade.

00:23:06This wasn't about the money.

00:23:08I wanted Gavin and Lauren to feel my pain.

00:23:10And his team?

00:23:12They deserved to know the truth.

00:23:14That his negligence cost a life.

00:23:16That this was the kind of man he really was.

00:23:18Wes didn't waste time.

00:23:20He said he'd start on the financial claim and the filing that day.

00:23:24That night, Gavin came back.

00:23:26Bandage wrapped around his forehead.

00:23:28Thermos in one hand.

00:23:30Sorry I'm late.

00:23:31Got caught up at work.

00:23:33I made some food for you.

00:23:35Easy on your stomach, but still good for you.

00:23:37He opened the lids one by one.

00:23:40Soup.

00:23:41Rice.

00:23:42Soft vegetables.

00:23:43Gavin got 10 vacation days a year.

00:23:45Nine went to Lauren and her son.

00:23:48The last half?

00:23:49He saved it for them too.

00:23:51I looked at the food.

00:23:52It actually looked good.

00:23:54For one second, I just stared at it.

00:23:57Then I shoved the tray.

00:23:59Everything hit the floor.

00:24:00Food.

00:24:01Broth.

00:24:02Containers.

00:24:03All of it.

00:24:04I looked at him and felt sick.

00:24:06You bring over all this food here for what?

00:24:08So I dropped the claim?

00:24:10So you can keep sending money to your side spit?

00:24:12Gavin stared at the food on the floor.

00:24:14His face went hard.

00:24:16Claire, can you quit talking like that?

00:24:18Nothing ever happened between me and Lauren.

00:24:21That money was just a loan.

00:24:22His voice sharpened fast.

00:24:24I don't get why you hate her so much.

00:24:25I had heard that speech so many times it made me choke.

00:24:28A cough tore out of me before I could stop it.

00:24:31Gavin froze.

00:24:32The anger dropped right out of his face.

00:24:34He came over and reached for my back, trying to steady my breathing.

00:24:38Before Lauren came back into his life, people thought we were the perfect couple.

00:24:43So sometimes I caught myself wondering, how did we end up here?

00:24:47Gavin let out a slow breath.

00:24:49You're weak right now.

00:24:50Can we not fight?

00:24:52When he spoke again, his voice was softer.

00:24:55You're a mom.

00:24:56You get how tough this is for Lauren, right?

00:24:58I just stared at him.

00:24:59He kept going.

00:25:01She lost her job.

00:25:02If I make her pay that money back now, what does that make me?

00:25:06Try putting yourself in her shoes.

00:25:08That was the moment I knew there was nothing left to say.

00:25:11I was too tired to argue.

00:25:13Get out.

00:25:14My voice was flat.

00:25:15If you don't want to leave here with more injuries, get out now.

00:25:19He frowned, acting like I was crazy.

00:25:21Then his phone rang.

00:25:23Lauren.

00:25:23Wait, any Lauren?

00:25:24Of course.

00:25:25He picked up, and I heard enough to know what it was.

00:25:28Liam kept calling for him.

00:25:30Just like that, he was done fighting with me.

00:25:32Claire, you're upset right now.

00:25:34Calm down.

00:25:35We'll talk later.

00:25:36That was always his move.

00:25:37Whenever I got angry over Lauren, he never fixed it.

00:25:41He'd blame me for getting upset.

00:25:43Then leave me alone with the damage.

00:25:45He probably thought this would go the way it always had.

00:25:48That eventually I'd stop pushing.

00:25:50Move on.

00:25:51What he still didn't understand was this.

00:25:53The second Nate died, whatever was left between us died too.

00:25:57That same evening, I completed the procedures for transferring to another hospital.

00:26:01I wasn't going to stay there another day and let him and Lauren keep circling my room like vultures.

00:26:06The next morning, Gavin couldn't reach me, so he started asking our mutual friends to check on me.

00:26:11Hey Claire, you just got out of the hospital.

00:26:14Where are you?

00:26:14Gavin's been freaking out about you.

00:26:17Ask Gavin this.

00:26:18If he was so worried about me, why did he pick a fight the day I left ICU just to

00:26:23defend his ex?

00:26:24And ask him this too.

00:26:26If he was so worried, why did he spend less than 10 minutes in my room before running back to

00:26:31Lauren?

00:26:32One of them called and said,

00:26:33I hung up.

00:26:35Then I went into the group chat we all shared, friends, co-workers, the whole fake little group, and tagged

00:26:40both Gavin and Lauren.

00:26:41Stop pretending everything's fine.

00:26:45Stop asking me to help you two play this game.

00:26:48Do you really think no one sees it?

00:26:51Gavin, just admit it.

00:26:54You're still in love with your ex.

00:26:57At least be honest about it instead of this crap.

00:27:01And ladies, I typed.

00:27:03The group chat went dead.

00:27:05No one replied.

00:27:06Silence in public.

00:27:08Chaos in private.

00:27:09A little later, Gavin texted me from a new number.

00:27:13You can hate me all you want.

00:27:15You can take it out on me.

00:27:16Leave Lauren and Liam out of this.

00:27:18They didn't do anything.

00:27:20How many times do I have to tell you?

00:27:22Didn't do anything?

00:27:25Ridiculous.

00:27:25I used to keep quiet.

00:27:27Out of pride.

00:27:29Out of mercy.

00:27:30But now my son was gone.

00:27:32All my mercy was buried with him.

00:27:34I called Gavin right away.

00:27:36When he answered, I didn't wait.

00:27:38Don't worry.

00:27:40You're on the list too.

00:27:41Do you really have to do this?

00:27:43No doubt.

00:27:44Yes.

00:27:44No pause.

00:27:45You're acting so crazy I don't even know you anymore.

00:27:48He said something that almost made me laugh again.

00:27:51I closed my eyes.

00:27:52Funny.

00:27:53I guess I never knew you at all.

00:27:55If I had known what he really was.

00:27:57How weak.

00:27:59How blind.

00:28:00How messed up inside.

00:28:01I never would have married him.

00:28:03Nate wouldn't have been compared to Liam.

00:28:06He wouldn't have been called too sensitive, too clingy, not enough.

00:28:09He wouldn't have had to shrink himself for a father who always chose someone else.

00:28:14And maybe, he wouldn't have died still hoping that man would change.

00:28:17Wes moved fast.

00:28:19The money case came through first.

00:28:21The court ordered Lauren to pay me back 1.85 million.

00:28:24Wes warned me.

00:28:26He said the divorce wouldn't be easy.

00:28:28I didn't have hard proof Gavin had physically cheated.

00:28:31Without that, the court said the marriage was not legally beyond repair.

00:28:35So they denied the divorce.

00:28:37Gavin was furious that I forced Lauren to pay.

00:28:40He tried to borrow money and cover it for her himself.

00:28:43I shut that down immediately.

00:28:45I had Wes pass the message straight to him.

00:28:47Gavin.

00:28:48Want to raise your mistress and her kid?

00:28:50Fine.

00:28:51Once we're divorced, do whatever you want.

00:28:54But every dollar you spent on her?

00:28:56That's my money.

00:28:58So get it back.

00:28:59Now.

00:29:00I thought he'd agree.

00:29:02I thought there was no way he'd let Lauren suffer if he could stop it.

00:29:05But I was wrong.

00:29:06Gavin asked to meet.

00:29:08I said no.

00:29:09Wes came back later and told me.

00:29:11He won't sign.

00:29:13He says the marriage is fine.

00:29:14He says you're overreacting.

00:29:16He says you don't get him.

00:29:17I almost laughed.

00:29:19I realized I never really knew Gavin.

00:29:21For years, he gave everything to Lauren and Liam.

00:29:24His time.

00:29:24His care.

00:29:25His patience.

00:29:26And me.

00:29:27Shorter.

00:29:27Colder.

00:29:28Meaner.

00:29:28Some days, he treated strangers better than his own wife.

00:29:32I couldn't figure it out.

00:29:34Why drag this out?

00:29:35Why hold on?

00:29:36Then I stopped trying.

00:29:38I was done playing nice.

00:29:39He wanted to drag this out?

00:29:41I'd make him beg for the divorce.

00:29:43The complaint letter was already in.

00:29:45The review was moving.

00:29:46A few days later, someone from internal review called.

00:29:49I said yes.

00:29:50They showed up in a group.

00:29:52Too many suits.

00:29:53Too many fake smiles.

00:29:54They even brought health supplements.

00:29:56Like that would fix any of this.

00:29:58What I didn't expect.

00:30:00Gavin walked in with them.

00:30:01One of the senior men gave me a grave little smile.

00:30:03Gavin has already explained the situation.

00:30:06He knows he made a serious mistake.

00:30:08Then he turned to Gavin.

00:30:09Go on.

00:30:10Apologize now.

00:30:11Gavin looked thinner.

00:30:12Dark circles.

00:30:13Hollow cheeks.

00:30:14Like grief had finally found his address.

00:30:16He stepped up to me.

00:30:18His voice was rough.

00:30:19Claire, I'm sorry.

00:30:21I promise this will never happen again.

00:30:23I stared at him.

00:30:24My hands were clenched so tight it hurt.

00:30:26And what good is that now?

00:30:28Nate is dead.

00:30:29Does saying sorry bring him back?

00:30:31You didn't even show up to your own son's funeral.

00:30:33What kind of man does that?

00:30:36What kind man if you bout?

00:30:38Gavin swallowed hard.

00:30:39For once, he didn't look calm.

00:30:41He wasn't steady.

00:30:42He looked scared.

00:30:44I failed Nate.

00:30:45I know that.

00:30:45But Liam had a cardiac episode that day.

00:30:47He doesn't have a dad.

00:30:49Lauren didn't know what to do.

00:30:50I couldn't just leave.

00:30:51I...

00:30:52I cut him off so fast he flinched.

00:30:54Was she the only person in the world?

00:30:56She's 35, Gavin.

00:30:57Not a kid you have to babysit.

00:30:59If you didn't want to come, just say so.

00:31:00I looked around the room.

00:31:02The suits.

00:31:03The fake smiles.

00:31:04The men hoping I'd make this easy.

00:31:06You all came here to talk me out of this, didn't you?

00:31:09You really think that sounds okay?

00:31:11Nobody answered.

00:31:13Because nobody could.

00:31:14Once I got so caught up in all this, I even ran paternity tests.

00:31:18More than once.

00:31:19Gavin and Liam.

00:31:20Never father and son.

00:31:22Then it hit me.

00:31:23Love someone.

00:31:24You take everything with them.

00:31:26That was Gavin.

00:31:27He loved Lauren so much.

00:31:28He treated her kid like a saint too.

00:31:30The room went stiff.

00:31:32Everybody looked embarrassed.

00:31:33Finally, one of the leaders cleared his throat and tried again.

00:31:37Claire, you gotta think this through.

00:31:39Gavin's one of our top guys.

00:31:41People are already talking promotions.

00:31:43He's got a huge future ahead.

00:31:45And if you push this, you could ruin it for him.

00:31:49Gavin, you still think you deserve to wear that uniform?

00:31:51When you ran off with your girlfriend and grabbed Liam, did you know my son was a doorway?

00:31:56Crying for you?

00:31:58Saying, Daddy, it hurts over and over?

00:32:00If anyone else had been on that call, he'd still be alive.

00:32:04You're the only one who let this happen.

00:32:07Gavin went white.

00:32:08He opened his mouth.

00:32:09Nothing came out.

00:32:10Then he turned and walked out.

00:32:12Ran.

00:32:13Almost.

00:32:13I looked past the window.

00:32:15The sky was dark and heavy.

00:32:17Storm colored.

00:32:18Like rain was coming.

00:32:19The next day, the department called.

00:32:21Their decision was in.

00:32:23Major disciplinary mark.

00:32:25Demotion.

00:32:26Removed from command.

00:32:27By then, my body had started to heal.

00:32:30Enough that I could go see Nate.

00:32:32It had only been a month since he died.

00:32:34One month.

00:32:34But it felt like years.

00:32:36Time had gotten strange after him.

00:32:38At night, I still woke up from dreams of him crying.

00:32:41Once I was up, I couldn't go back to sleep.

00:32:44Every minute dragged.

00:32:45I brought flowers to the cemetery.

00:32:47When I got there, I saw I wasn't alone.

00:32:50Gavin was already there.

00:32:51Flowers lined Nate's grave.

00:32:53A superhero figure.

00:32:54A little cake.

00:32:56Candy.

00:32:57Snacks.

00:32:57I kicked them all aside.

00:33:00Claire, whatever your problem with me, take it out on me.

00:33:03Don't do this here.

00:33:04He was my son too.

00:33:06No.

00:33:07That's not what Liam likes.

00:33:09I pulled out Legos, a Rubik's Cube, and Nate's favorite spicy snacks.

00:33:13Nate hated sweets.

00:33:14He didn't care about superheroes.

00:33:16I'm sorry.

00:33:17I thought all boys liked this stuff.

00:33:19If you don't care, don't fake it.

00:33:21Doesn't this embarrass you?

00:33:23He could remember Liam.

00:33:24Not Nate.

00:33:25Not one favorite toy or snack.

00:33:27Indifference.

00:33:28I just wanted more time with him.

00:33:30I was busy.

00:33:31I didn't get enough time.

00:33:33But Nate said he wanted a different dad next life.

00:33:35Gavin staggered.

00:33:36Kneeled.

00:33:37He whispered.

00:33:38It felt empty.

00:33:39Fake.

00:33:40Too late.

00:33:41If you really feel sorry, honor his wish.

00:33:44Stop showing up in front of him.

00:33:45His phone rang.

00:33:46Lauren.

00:33:47He answered.

00:33:48Face changing instantly.

00:33:50Gil.

00:33:50Claire.

00:33:51Lauren and Liam are innocent.

00:33:53Blame me.

00:33:54Not them.

00:33:55You're a mother too.

00:33:56How can you be this cruel?

00:33:57You wouldn't even leave them the house?

00:33:59Don't worry.

00:33:59I'm coming.

00:34:00Lauren knew Gavin had her back.

00:34:02Even with cash in hand, she refused to pay.

00:34:05I had Wes file for court enforcement.

00:34:07The property under Lauren and Liam's name was put up for forced sale.

00:34:10This morning, they were evicted.

00:34:12Gavin kept hovering, trying to calm her down, anxious and tense.

00:34:16I knew the truth.

00:34:17He wasn't sorry.

00:34:19Later, I remembered how he once risked his life to save me.

00:34:22He said that's the job.

00:34:23I asked if he was scared.

00:34:25Maybe it's how I grew up.

00:34:27His father, a firefighter, died when Gavin was 7.

00:34:30His mother sick.

00:34:31Died when he was 15.

00:34:33Crew and friends kept him alive.

00:34:35He grew up giving, helping, optimistic.

00:34:37That was the part one loved most.

00:34:39And the part one came to hate.

00:34:41Every time Lauren called, he answered.

00:34:44Always softer.

00:34:45Faster.

00:34:45More completely than me.

00:34:47I stayed calm at first.

00:34:48Then uneasy.

00:34:49Then furious.

00:34:50He never got it.

00:34:53You've never complained when I helped other people.

00:34:56So why are you obsessing over Lauren and Liam?

00:34:58I've never crossed a line with them.

00:35:00Stop making this about jealousy.

00:35:03Then I came back from the memory, empty.

00:35:05I stayed with Nate for over an hour, then left.

00:35:08Not sure if it was just my luck today, or some cosmic joke.

00:35:11Later, outside downtown, I saw them again.

00:35:14Lauren on the roof ledge.

00:35:16Liam in her arms.

00:35:17Police.

00:35:18Firefighters.

00:35:18Gavin trying to calm her.

00:35:20A crowd had gathered.

00:35:22Cameras flashing.

00:35:23She saw me.

00:35:25Screamed.

00:35:26Claire!

00:35:27Will you only stop when me and my son are dead?

00:35:29My phone rang.

00:35:30Blocked number.

00:35:31Gavin.

00:35:32Borrowed someone else's phone.

00:35:34Stop.

00:35:35Don't push her.

00:35:36Whatever you need to say, not her.

00:35:37Say it to me.

00:35:38I gripped the phone.

00:35:40Enough.

00:35:41Then I looked at Lauren on the ledge.

00:35:42At the hotel, she knew I was next door.

00:35:44So did Liam.

00:35:46We need to do in sakes there, but they's never responding.

00:35:51They knew we were there, but they never told you.

00:35:55Gavin froze just for a second.

00:35:57Then he said, too fast, too panicked.

00:35:59That's not possible.

00:36:01Lauren would never do that.

00:36:03She has a good heart.

00:36:04Of course, men like him only believe what they want to.

00:36:07I hung up and shouted at Lauren on the ledge.

00:36:10You want to jump?

00:36:11Then jump.

00:36:12Can't do it with your kid?

00:36:14Fine.

00:36:14Go by yourself.

00:36:16Cops and firefighters rushed toward me immediately.

00:36:18Hands raised.

00:36:19Voices loud, trying to stop me.

00:36:21The crowd stared.

00:36:22I laughed.

00:36:23A megaphone appeared.

00:36:24Wes.

00:36:25He raised an eyebrow.

00:36:26Use this.

00:36:27Save your voice.

00:36:28Your brother made me promise I'd keep you in one piece.

00:36:30I took it.

00:36:31She's not jumping!

00:36:33She wasn't leaning, shaking, or letting go.

00:36:36Wes muttered about my height, then brought a chair.

00:36:38I stepped up, lifted the megaphone higher.

00:36:41Since we're all watching, here's the truth.

00:36:43That woman up there, my husband's side swash.

00:36:47The guy behind her, my husband.

00:36:49My husband gave her $1.85 million during our marriage.

00:36:52I sued.

00:36:53She refused to pay.

00:36:55So the court moved to sell her house.

00:36:58She doesn't want to pay.

00:36:59Doesn't want to lose the house.

00:37:00Today, she pulled this stunt, hoping you'd pressure me into backing down.

00:37:04Still recovering from major burns.

00:37:07My son is dead.

00:37:08And now I'm supposed to be the cruel one?

00:37:10Because I won't let my husband's mistress bully me in public?

00:37:14If you still think I'm the villain here, fine.

00:37:16The crowd erupted.

00:37:18Voices from all directions.

00:37:20Shameless!

00:37:21Arrest her!

00:37:22The wife is the real victim.

00:37:23That's outrageous!

00:37:25Wes studied me and drove me home.

00:37:27By nightfall, the story was everywhere.

00:37:29Lauren had made too much noise.

00:37:31Reporters dug into the fire.

00:37:32Fire captain altered rescue order to save ex-girlfriend and her child first.

00:37:36Delay allegedly led to death of five-year-old son and severe burns to wife.

00:37:40Dead child identified as captain's son, wife, and child in room next to ex-girlfriend.

00:37:44Gavin and Lauren were dragged online.

00:37:46Lauren couldn't rent anywhere.

00:37:48Gavin's career took a hit.

00:37:49If he failed his own child, what could people trust him with?

00:37:52Gavin tried to contact me repeatedly.

00:37:55No luck.

00:37:56Finally, he hired a lawyer.

00:37:58He wanted a divorce.

00:37:59Wes handled the back and forth.

00:38:01He says, Lauren panicked and forgot you and Nate were next door.

00:38:04He thinks you misjudged her.

00:38:06He's disappointed in you and wants a divorce.

00:38:08I looked at Wes.

00:38:09Tired.

00:38:09Done.

00:38:10I didn't care to untangle excuses anymore.

00:38:12Come with me.

00:38:13I want the divorce done face-to-face.

00:38:16Today.

00:38:16At my house.

00:38:17After Nate died, I couldn't go home.

00:38:19His shoes.

00:38:20His cups.

00:38:21His half-built toys everywhere.

00:38:23I couldn't live under the same roof as Gavin.

00:38:25But now the house was mine.

00:38:27Every memory of Nate stayed.

00:38:28Gavin would take only himself out.

00:38:30We arrived.

00:38:31Opposing counsel called.

00:38:33House not ideal.

00:38:34Move to coffee shop.

00:38:35Fine.

00:38:36I just wanted it done.

00:38:37Since I was already there, I wanted Nate's favorite Lego set.

00:38:41I keyed the door.

00:38:42Wrong code.

00:38:43Again.

00:38:43Wrong.

00:38:44Then a voice.

00:38:45Who is it?

00:38:46My blood ran cold.

00:38:47The door opened.

00:38:48Lauren.

00:38:49Lauren was in my house.

00:38:51Wearing pajamas.

00:38:52Liam was right behind her.

00:38:54Dressed like you lived there too.

00:38:56One look past the door and I knew.

00:38:58The furniture had been moved.

00:38:59The decor was different.

00:39:01Their things were everywhere.

00:39:03They had settled in.

00:39:05But this was my house.

00:39:06My house with Gavin.

00:39:08We weren't even divorced yet.

00:39:10How the hell did he let another woman move in here with her kid?

00:39:13My blood went hot so fast my vision blurred.

00:39:16Lauren saw me and panicked.

00:39:18She tried to slam the door.

00:39:19Wes gave an annoyed click of his tongue and kicked the door back open.

00:39:23You can't go in there.

00:39:25Out of my way.

00:39:26I shoved her aside and went in.

00:39:28Then I saw the bedroom.

00:39:30Clean.

00:39:31Reset.

00:39:32Different.

00:39:33There was nothing left of Nate.

00:39:35My mind went blank.

00:39:36I turned and grabbed Lauren by the shirt.

00:39:39Where are Nate's clothes?

00:39:41His shoes.

00:39:43His toys.

00:39:45His pictures.

00:39:46Where are they?

00:39:47I was one second from falling apart.

00:39:50Lauren wouldn't look at me.

00:39:51But Liam answered for her.

00:39:53Mom said keeping dead people's stuff is creepy.

00:39:56So she threw it out.

00:39:57I screamed and grabbed a fistful of Lauren's hair.

00:40:00Then I hit her.

00:40:01Once.

00:40:02Twice.

00:40:03Over and over.

00:40:04She fell.

00:40:05I went down with her and kept swinging.

00:40:08I wanted to tear her apart.

00:40:10My son was already dead.

00:40:12Wasn't that enough?

00:40:13Why did she have to erase every trace of him too?

00:40:16Gavin kept saying Lauren and Liam were innocent.

00:40:20Then what about Nate?

00:40:21What about me?

00:40:22Claire!

00:40:23What the hell are you doing?

00:40:24He tried to yank me off her.

00:40:26Wes stepped in front of him.

00:40:28Let's not do that.

00:40:29Breaking up a fight between women?

00:40:31Bad look for you.

00:40:32Wes looked lean.

00:40:33But he could fight.

00:40:34He'd competed at the national level.

00:40:36Gavin couldn't get past him.

00:40:38So he did what men like him always do when they lose control.

00:40:41He called the cops.

00:40:43Lauren didn't do anything to deserve that.

00:40:45She let the last time slide.

00:40:46And now you're attacking her again?

00:40:48I know you're hurting Claire.

00:40:49But that doesn't give you the right to go after her.

00:40:53I have never met a lower man than you.

00:40:55When the police got there, I didn't say much.

00:40:58Wes had already called a lawyer who specialized in cases like this.

00:41:01Lauren's injuries were minor at best.

00:41:04A few thousand dollars, maybe.

00:41:06So I had Wes go to the nearest ATM.

00:41:08He came back with cash.

00:41:10I threw it straight at Lauren.

00:41:12There.

00:41:13You've been paid.

00:41:15Now let's talk about unlawful entry into my home.

00:41:18Lauren burst into tears.

00:41:20Gavin stepped in front of her at once.

00:41:22I gave her permission to be here.

00:41:24You seem to have forgotten something.

00:41:27I own this house.

00:41:28Gavin didn't come from money.

00:41:32You called the police, Gavin.

00:41:34You helped kill Nate.

00:41:35You let them throw away every last thing he left behind.

00:41:39Now you say I'm going too far?

00:41:41You two are the ones who crossed the line.

00:41:44You threw Nate's things away?

00:41:45I told you not to touch anything in this house.

00:41:50Everything she threw out was worth at least 50 grand.

00:41:54Unlawful entry, destruction of property.

00:41:56That's enough to press charges.

00:41:57I was done wasting oxygen on them.

00:42:00I turned and walked out.

00:42:02Gavin ran after me.

00:42:03For once, he looked scared.

00:42:06Claire, I'm sorry.

00:42:07I moved out after she moved in.

00:42:09I was trying to avoid any appearance of-

00:42:12You better pray I get Nate's things back.

00:42:15Because if I don't, I'll make your lives hell.

00:42:17My brother had already handled it.

00:42:19He hired a crew to dig through the landfill for Nate's things.

00:42:23Wes and I drove out there fast.

00:42:25You're still recovering, Claire.

00:42:27Go home.

00:42:29Get off your feet.

00:42:30I'll find everything.

00:42:32I swear to God I will.

00:42:33I didn't even spare him a glance.

00:42:35Wes handed me a pair of work gloves.

00:42:38I pulled them on and climbed into the mountain of trash.

00:42:40If Nate had anything left in this world, I was the one taking it home.

00:42:43Gavin just stood there, useless.

00:42:46Looking like a man who'd shown up too late and knew it.

00:42:49What exactly are we looking for?

00:42:51That almost broke me.

00:42:52Because there was a time he knew every single thing that mattered.

00:42:56When Nate was born, before Lauren came back, Gavin showed up.

00:42:59For those first three years, he was all in.

00:43:02He changed diapers, made baby food, sat on the floor for hours building block towers that always ended in laughter.

00:43:09When he wasn't on shift, he was all about Nate.

00:43:12People used to tell me I was the lucky one.

00:43:14They said I'd married the best man in the world.

00:43:17And Nate?

00:43:18Nate adored him.

00:43:19Then Lauren came back.

00:43:21After that, Gavin was never really home.

00:43:23He was either at the station or at her place.

00:43:26If you asked him about Liam, how tall he was, what snacks he liked, what size shoes he wore, he'd

00:43:32talk for days.

00:43:33But ask him where Nate went to preschool?

00:43:36Silence.

00:43:37Ask him which toy Nate couldn't sleep without.

00:43:40Blank.

00:43:40It was over a hundred out.

00:43:42The stink from the landfill hit like a wall.

00:43:45I kept digging.

00:43:47I didn't say a word.

00:43:48At one point, Gavin had to ask the crew what Nate's things even looked like.

00:43:52They had to show him pictures.

00:43:54That told me everything.

00:43:56He wasn't there for my son.

00:43:58He was there to quiet his own guilt.

00:44:00By early afternoon, the heat took him down.

00:44:03He collapsed right there in the middle of the trash.

00:44:06EMS had to take him out.

00:44:07Later, after they got him stable, he came back.

00:44:11Still pale.

00:44:12Still shaky.

00:44:13Still digging.

00:44:15Claire, Lauren wants to make a deal.

00:44:17She'll pay for all of it.

00:44:18She just doesn't want criminal exposure.

00:44:20Tell her this.

00:44:21If she wants mercy, she can start by saying my son's name in public.

00:44:25She can stand in front of every camera she's been dodging and admit what she did.

00:44:28She can do it at his memorial.

00:44:30And she can stay there until every last thing that belonged to him is found.

00:44:33If she agrees, I won't do anything to keep this in the headlines.

00:44:36Her lawyer can take the rest up with the DA.

00:44:39Lauren crossed a line this time.

00:44:42What she did was wrong.

00:44:44But...

00:44:45But she didn't mean...

00:44:46You can stand right beside them.

00:44:48You go with them.

00:44:49Or she goes to jail.

00:44:50As for Nate's things, I didn't need Gavin.

00:44:53He'd already missed the last two years of my son's life.

00:44:56And now Nate didn't need him anymore either.

00:44:59I shoved past him and kept digging.

00:45:01For the next two days, Wes kept me updated.

00:45:04I meant every word I said.

00:45:06If they did what I told them to do, they were staying there.

00:45:10Day and night.

00:45:11Whether their bodies could take it?

00:45:13Not my problem.

00:45:14It wasn't even a fraction of what my boy went through.

00:45:17It took two full days to find everything.

00:45:20When the last box was finally pulled out, my knees nearly buckled.

00:45:23I held it in my arms, filthy, stinking, covered in ash and rot.

00:45:28I cried so hard I could barely see.

00:45:30Come on.

00:45:31Let's go home.

00:45:33Nate would hate seeing you like this.

00:45:35When I got back to the house, I wanted to throw up.

00:45:38Everything Lauren had touched felt contaminated.

00:45:41I hired a crew on the spot.

00:45:43I told them to haul every single thing they'd brought into that house out to the curb.

00:45:47The furniture.

00:45:48The decor.

00:45:49The kitchen junk.

00:45:51All of it.

00:45:52Anything that smelled like them.

00:45:54They'd been out there for two days and two nights.

00:45:56Gavin, too.

00:45:58Lauren saw her things being hauled out and almost lost it.

00:46:01How?

00:46:02How could you do this?

00:46:05Gavin, do something!

00:46:06Her voice bored straight into my skull.

00:46:09I grabbed a framed photo and hurled it at her.

00:46:11It shattered right by her feet.

00:46:12In this city, money buys more than just silence.

00:46:15It buys me the pleasure of watching you crawl.

00:46:18And I've got very deep pockets.

00:46:22She just stood there, teary-eyed, looking at Gavin like he was going to save her.

00:46:29We did what you asked.

00:46:30You can drop the case now.

00:46:32Right?

00:46:34Of course.

00:46:36But Gavin?

00:46:38I changed my mind.

00:46:40I'm not divorcing you.

00:46:41Not yet.

00:46:43I'm going to drag this out for as long as I can.

00:46:45And I'm going to make sure all three of you know what it feels like to live inside a nightmare.

00:46:50I had their things thrown out.

00:46:52Gavin's, two, clothes, shoes, tools.

00:46:56Every last trace of him.

00:46:58Then I changed the door code.

00:47:00Before he could speak, I hit him where it hurt.

00:47:03You borrowed 200 grand from me.

00:47:05And you promised to pay it back.

00:47:06You were ready to chaff up nearly 2 million for Lauren.

00:47:10So don't even think about dragging your feet.

00:47:12You were payment successful!

00:47:15He transferred the money.

00:47:17Every cent he had.

00:47:18Then he tried one last time.

00:47:20You can hate me, Claire.

00:47:22I deserve it.

00:47:23But Lauren and Lemus, all they did was take the help I offered.

00:47:26They didn't do anything wrong.

00:47:28There it was again.

00:47:29The same blind spot that killed my son.

00:47:31I walked inside and slammed the door in his face.

00:47:34Hard.

00:47:35Wes was waiting.

00:47:36The reporters still want that interview about the fire.

00:47:38You want me to cancel?

00:47:39No.

00:47:40Let him come.

00:47:42I'd spent weeks covering for him.

00:47:44Staying quiet while people online came up with excuses for why he wasn't there.

00:47:48Where's Nate's grave?

00:47:49While he was alive, you barely acted like a father.

00:47:52Now that he's dead, don't you dare taint his rest.

00:47:56I will never let you see him again.

00:47:58I'm sorry.

00:47:59I swear I didn't mean to.

00:48:02Don't break yet.

00:48:03We're just getting started.

00:48:05That afternoon, the reporters came.

00:48:08I sat in front of the cameras.

00:48:10He knew exactly where we were.

00:48:11He just chose to stop listening.

00:48:14But he had blocked me.

00:48:15He wouldn't answer my calls or my son's because he was busy.

00:48:20Busy with work, with Lauren and with her son.

00:48:26He didn't want us bothering him.

00:48:32When he pulled them out, he walked right past our door.

00:48:39My boy, Nate, was screaming for his dad.

00:48:43He marked that floor clear while my son was still inside.

00:48:47He didn't make a mistake.

00:48:49He made a choice.

00:48:51And that choice killed my son.

00:48:56It's so good to talk it with make.

00:48:58We will end day that I didn't need to rambley.

00:49:00The I'm is horrible.

00:49:02The snails group are so better and fly to let you.

00:49:04The rest of the train, you're gonna do it.

00:49:05The video exploded.

00:49:07The department put him on leave first.

00:49:09Then the investigation started.

00:49:11By the end of the week, his position, his reputation, his future there, gone.

00:49:16I pulled every mutual contact into one group chat.

00:49:19This is Claire, Gavin's wife.

00:49:21If he asks for money, it's for Lauren Blake.

00:49:24I am no longer his safety net.

00:49:26He has no savings, no assets, and now, no future.

00:49:31I was done paying for the other woman.

00:49:33People backed off.

00:49:35Fast.

00:49:36Whenever they moved, I found them.

00:49:38And once I did, they got the message.

00:49:41Filth at the door.

00:49:42Funeral flowers.

00:49:44Red words across the walls.

00:49:45Rotten food.

00:49:47Public shame.

00:49:48Fear.

00:49:49Everywhere they went, it followed.

00:49:51Grief had hollowed me out and left something mean in its place.

00:49:54By then, I wasn't trying to be good.

00:49:57I was trying to make them hurt.

00:49:59I knew what I was becoming.

00:50:01I just didn't care.

00:50:02Rotten hell, you home-wrecking bitch.

00:50:05A life for a life.

00:50:06Watch your son pay for your sins.

00:50:09Gavin, can you feel his eyes on you?

00:50:11They called the cops.

00:50:12I didn't care.

00:50:14As long as I had resources, they were never going to outrun the consequences.

00:50:18If they moved, I followed.

00:50:20New house.

00:50:20Same nightmare.

00:50:22Every week, Wes gathered the proof.

00:50:24Every cent Gavin spent on them, we filed to claw back.

00:50:27If Lauren didn't have cash, we took her car.

00:50:30We froze her accounts.

00:50:31Gavin used to say I was going after her.

00:50:34That I was being cruel.

00:50:36Fine.

00:50:37He hadn't seen cruel yet.

00:50:38Wes usually handled the-

00:50:40He was spending his days tearing my marriage apart.

00:50:42One filing at a time.

00:50:44It felt like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

00:50:47Your brother and his wife, they're still torn up about Nate.

00:50:51They feel like they failed him.

00:50:54They told me, don't let anyone pick on Claire again.

00:50:57If I even think about walking away, they'll have my head.

00:51:01Besides, big law is exhausting.

00:51:03Helping you tear these two down?

00:51:05It's the most fun I've had in years.

00:51:07One month.

00:51:08That's all it took for Lauren to break.

00:51:10Her son's condition got worse with every scare.

00:51:13The ER visits piled up.

00:51:15She couldn't even pay the bills.

00:51:17Leon was a child.

00:51:18I knew that.

00:51:19I just didn't have mercy left for anyone connected to her.

00:51:27Do you have any idea what you're doing?

00:51:31You keep pushing like this, Claire.

00:51:33And you're gonna have blood on your hands.

00:51:36Is that what you want?

00:51:39Why would I be scared, Gavin?

00:51:42Because if someone dies, Claire, that's it.

00:51:47You're looking at prison time.

00:51:49Real time.

00:51:50Then I'll just go.

00:51:54Nate is gone.

00:51:56What's the difference to me now?

00:51:57Let's be real.

00:51:59All I did was lean on Lauren.

00:52:01If something happens to her kid, that's on her.

00:52:04Maybe one day I pay for how far I've gone.

00:52:07At that point, I didn't care.

00:52:10But if that buys you and Lauren a lifetime of pure hell,

00:52:15totally worth it.

00:52:17Claire, how could you do this to me?

00:52:19You made me.

00:52:20You made me.

00:52:21That was the God honest truth.

00:52:23He helped kill my son.

00:52:25I was stuck in a hole I couldn't climb out of.

00:52:28So why should he and Lauren get to find peace?

00:52:30Why do they get to sleep?

00:52:32Why do they get to eat and breathe and have a life?

00:52:35Gavin opened his mouth to speak.

00:52:38Nothing.

00:52:38Just that same hollow, pathetic look.

00:52:41When he finally turned to go, he looked heavy.

00:52:44Like every step was a goddamn chore.

00:52:52I wanna see you.

00:52:55Fine.

00:52:56The coffee shop then.

00:52:57When she walked in, she looked old.

00:53:00Not years damaged dot eye.

00:53:02Like life had just worn her face down.

00:53:04The second she saw me, her eyes turned sharp.

00:53:07Pure hate.

00:53:10You know, I really did envy you.

00:53:13I didn't say a word.

00:53:15I just let her keep digging her own grave.

00:53:18You had everything I didn't.

00:53:19The money.

00:53:21The family.

00:53:22The kind of life that always has a safety net.

00:53:25I had none of that.

00:53:27You were born with a silver spoon, Claire.

00:53:29I had to scratch and claw for every scrap of attention Gervin gave me.

00:53:36I'm not here for the sob story, Lauren.

00:53:38That shut her up.

00:53:40For a second, anyway.

00:53:42See, that's the thing.

00:53:43Her parents might have been monsters.

00:53:46But that had nothing to do with me.

00:53:48I wasn't Gavin.

00:53:50She wasn't going to cry and watch me fold.

00:53:54I've been holding this in a long time.

00:53:57I've loved Gavin since middle school.

00:53:59Even after my divorce, I thought he'd hate me for marrying someone else.

00:54:05But he was so damn good to me.

00:54:07And I started thinking, maybe he still loved me too.

00:54:15Sometimes I'd say things.

00:54:17Little things.

00:54:18Just to set you off.

00:54:20Just to see what happened.

00:54:22And when he'd get pissed at you, get pissed at you.

00:54:25Because of me.

00:54:26Because of Liam.

00:54:27God, that felt good.

00:54:29Look, Claire.

00:54:31Gavin never actually cheated.

00:54:33He just felt sorry for me.

00:54:35That's it.

00:54:36I tried.

00:54:38God, I tried.

00:54:38But he never let it happen.

00:54:43We've both paid enough now.

00:54:44I'm leaving town.

00:54:49So...

00:54:49Stop.

00:54:50Just stop going after him.

00:54:53He's hurting too, Claire.

00:54:55After what happened to the kid, he's suffering.

00:54:58She kept talking.

00:55:00She kept talking.

00:55:27I didn't even look back.

00:55:29I just walked out.

00:55:31She made my son's life hell for two years.

00:55:33Fine.

00:55:34Now she can live inside my revenge for two.

00:55:37If the stress wrecks her kid.

00:55:38If she never sleeps again.

00:55:40Not my problem.

00:55:42What would Gavin do when he saw it?

00:55:44I got my answer sooner than I thought.

00:55:46Both of them were catching hell for weeks.

00:55:49No sleep.

00:55:50Harassment.

00:55:51What the problem is?

00:55:52Runs for Liam.

00:55:53You're damn right.

00:55:53Lawyers.

00:55:54Pressure.

00:55:55Gavin looked wrecked.

00:55:56He didn't just look tired.

00:55:58He looked used up.

00:56:00He smelled like whiskey.

00:56:02Bloodshot eyes.

00:56:08Claire.

00:56:10Claire, listen to me.

00:56:11I swear.

00:56:12I didn't know Lauren felt that way.

00:56:13I didn't know.

00:56:15I just thought your brother had your back.

00:56:17Your friends were there.

00:56:18You were the strong one.

00:56:20And she had nobody.

00:56:21Her parents used her.

00:56:22She had nothing.

00:56:23No one.

00:56:24I thought she needed the help more.

00:56:27That's all it was.

00:56:29I swear.

00:56:31I never loved her.

00:56:33I never betrayed you.

00:56:34I crossed lines.

00:56:35I messed up.

00:56:36I know that now.

00:56:38But I never slept with her.

00:56:39I never touched her.

00:56:41From now on, she's dead to me.

00:56:43Cut off.

00:56:44Completely.

00:56:44I'll do whatever you want, Claire.

00:56:46Anything.

00:56:46Please.

00:56:47Just one more chance.

00:56:49From the day we met, Gavin was the center of my universe.

00:56:52I was the one giving.

00:56:54He was always the one in control.

00:56:56But this?

00:56:57This was the first time I'd seen him this low.

00:57:00This desperate.

00:57:01This small.

00:57:03Okay.

00:57:05What did you say?

00:57:06She said okay, man.

00:57:07If you're hearing shots, see a specialist.

00:57:09You're too young for this.

00:57:11I'm dying of thirst, by the way.

00:57:13You gonna let me in for a drink or what?

00:57:15Come on in.

00:57:16I walked in right beside him.

00:57:18Gavin followed us fast.

00:57:19His hands were shaking as he poured the water.

00:57:22It was only two in the afternoon.

00:57:24I took a sip and set the glass down.

00:57:26Wes has been helping me nonstop.

00:57:28He's staying the night.

00:57:30You're a good cook, aren't you?

00:57:31Then cook?

00:57:32Depends.

00:57:33Does the husband mind?

00:57:35No.

00:57:36Fridge is empty.

00:57:37Can you grab some groceries?

00:57:39And Wes and I need some private time to unwind.

00:57:42I bought those ties for you.

00:57:44And the cufflinks.

00:57:45They should be here in a day or two.

00:57:48Usually that's girlfriend territory.

00:57:52Ties and cufflinks.

00:57:54You sending a message, Claire?

00:57:55You're my brother's best friend.

00:57:57You're family.

00:57:58Didn't you say you had a headache?

00:57:59You look exhausted.

00:58:01Lean back.

00:58:02It's easier this way.

00:58:04Your husband's standing right there.

00:58:06So?

00:58:07If you've got a dirty mind, Gavin, that's your cross to carry.

00:58:10Don't project your filth on us.

00:58:11Gavin just stood there, watching, still, silent.

00:58:16His face was a wreck, flickering between shock, pain, and pure jealousy.

00:58:20He looked exactly the way I used to look.

00:58:25If you don't want to make dinner, just say it.

00:58:30Wes and I can just head out.

00:58:31We can afford it.

00:58:32No.

00:58:33It's fine.

00:58:34I'll go.

00:58:36Between the store and the stove, he was gone four hours.

00:58:39By the time he came back, Wes and I were in the living room, laughing over some messy

00:58:44divorce case he'd handled.

00:58:45Gavin brought the food out like it was glass.

00:58:48Everything looked perfect.

00:58:50Too bland.

00:58:51Wes won't like this.

00:58:52We're going out.

00:58:54I didn't even look at the expression on his face.

00:58:56I just grabbed Wes's arm and walked out.

00:58:58Like Gavin wasn't even in the room.

00:59:01We didn't get back until late.

00:59:03The house was spotless.

00:59:04Clean counters.

00:59:06Folded blankets.

00:59:07Dishes done.

00:59:09For a split second, it felt like the start of our marriage.

00:59:12Back when Gavin made everything feel safe.

00:59:15I killed the thought.

00:59:16It's late.

00:59:17Just crash here tonight, Wes.

00:59:19Look at you.

00:59:20All grown up.

00:59:21Taking care of people.

00:59:23You take such good care of me, Wes.

00:59:26Someone's got to appreciate you, right?

00:59:28And you know I always look after my favorites.

00:59:32Claire!

00:59:32Are you doing this to get back at me?

00:59:34Get back at you?

00:59:36Hilarious.

00:59:36He's staying because driving late sucks.

00:59:39Why are you making it weird?

00:59:41Come on.

00:59:41You're finishing the show with me.

00:59:43Gavin never watched anything but the news.

00:59:45I'd try to tell him about a series I loved.

00:59:48He'd just nod.

00:59:50Uh-huh.

00:59:50Never heard a word.

00:59:52Wes was different.

00:59:53He lived for the drama.

00:59:55Half his job was divorce law, and he always had a story that topped the script.

00:59:59We sat there for hours, laughing, talking, completely tuned in.

01:00:04Gavin tried to jump in once or twice.

01:00:06Nobody bit.

01:00:08He just sat there.

01:00:09Getting quieter.

01:00:11Smaller.

01:00:12By midnight, he gave up and went to the master bedroom.

01:00:15Alone.

01:00:16I waited a few minutes.

01:00:18Then I went to my room, changed, and came back out in silk.

01:00:22Gavin was still awake.

01:00:24The second he saw me, he flinched.

01:00:27Where are you going?

01:00:28Wes is taking the guest room.

01:00:30He's had a long day.

01:00:31Don't make it ugly just because that's where your mind goes.

01:00:33You're going in there dressed like that?

01:00:35He's a man, for God's sake.

01:00:37You really think this is appropriate?

01:00:39Gavin, we're practically siblings.

01:00:41Don't make it weird just because your mind goes there.

01:00:43Everything I did that day, I'd already lived through the original version.

01:00:47He'd said those exact words to me.

01:00:49About Lauren, boundaries, my crazy jealousy.

01:00:53About how gross it was that I'd even think such a thing.

01:00:56I was just returning the favor.

01:00:58That wasn't cruelty.

01:00:59That was consequence.

01:01:01Honestly?

01:01:02I thought Gavin would last longer.

01:01:05A month, maybe two.

01:01:06He was always too stubborn, too proud to break.

01:01:09But it only took two days.

01:01:12Two days.

01:01:13That was it.

01:01:14He showed up with the divorce papers.

01:01:16Dark circles under his eyes.

01:01:18No sleep.

01:01:19No fight left.

01:01:21He looked like absolute hell.

01:01:23He held the papers out, his hand trembling slightly.

01:01:26He said sorry.

01:01:27Then he stopped.

01:01:29Because the rest of the words just wouldn't come.

01:01:31For years, he acted like as long as he didn't sleep with her, he was a saint.

01:01:36Like I was being dramatic.

01:01:38Like Nate and I were just too much.

01:01:40Too needy.

01:01:41He thought all his choices lived on the right side of the line.

01:01:44Now?

01:01:45He couldn't even say the words.

01:01:47Good.

01:01:48At least shame finally caught up with him.

01:01:50I looked over the papers.

01:01:52He was giving me everything.

01:01:54No fight over the assets.

01:01:56No claim on the house.

01:01:58Nothing.

01:01:58I signed.

01:02:00Fast.

01:02:01Clean.

01:02:02No second thoughts.

01:02:03We filed, waited the mandatory days, and finalized it.

01:02:07Just like that.

01:02:08I was free.

01:02:10Gavin used to be a guy who never touched a drop.

01:02:13Now?

01:02:13He drank like it was his job.

01:02:15Every single night.

01:02:17He looked wrecked.

01:02:18Nothing like the man I married.

01:02:20After the ink dried, he told me he was quitting the department.

01:02:24Said he was heading out to some rural district to teach.

01:02:27He called it doing something for Nate.

01:02:29Trying to balance the scales, I guess.

01:02:32He said he was leaving the next day.

01:02:34From the second I met him, fire defined us.

01:02:37He saved my life in one.

01:02:39Then he took my son in another.

01:02:41Fire was what made me love him.

01:02:43It was also what took everything from me.

01:02:45Now the revenge was done.

01:02:47I won, if that word even means anything in a story like this.

01:02:51And still.

01:02:52Looking at him, all hollow and half gone.

01:02:55I didn't feel a thing.

01:02:56Not satisfied.

01:02:58Not even a little.

01:02:59Just heavy.

01:03:00Because once, before the world broke, we were real.

01:03:04A real family.

01:03:05A real life.

01:03:07A real love.

01:03:08I didn't say any of that.

01:03:10I just turned around and got in the car.

01:03:12Lauren and Liam?

01:03:14The world hounded them for a long time.

01:03:16Their life turned ugly.

01:03:18Small.

01:03:19Hard.

01:03:20Gavin went off to the middle of nowhere, living on pennies.

01:03:23Later, I heard he tried to help some woman out there.

01:03:26She'd been trafficked into a forced marriage.

01:03:29The locals beat him so bad they snapped his leg.

01:03:32The woman got out, eventually.

01:03:34Gavin had to leave and start over again somewhere else.

01:03:37Everyone who hurt Nate paid for it, one way or another.

01:03:40But it didn't lift the weight.

01:03:42His death stayed in me.

01:03:44Heavy.

01:03:45Permanent.

01:03:46I couldn't sleep.

01:03:48Couldn't focus.

01:03:49So I started volunteering.

01:03:51Charities.

01:03:52Shelters.

01:03:53Disaster relief.

01:03:55Anything to keep moving.

01:03:56Sometimes, helping someone else gave me a second to breathe.

01:04:00A moment where the emptiness didn't swallow me whole.

01:04:03Maybe one day, I'll be able to put Nate down gently in my heart.

01:04:07Instead of carrying him like an open wound.

01:04:10Maybe one day, I'll have a life that isn't just grief.

01:04:13I'm not there yet.

01:04:14But maybe one day.

01:04:16Saving Claire was an accident.

01:04:18Meeting her?

01:04:19An accident, too.

01:04:21She was gorgeous.

01:04:22Sharp.

01:04:23Warm without even trying.

01:04:25The kind of woman people notice the second she walks into a room.

01:04:29I never meant to get close.

01:04:30A girl like that?

01:04:32From a family like hers?

01:04:33She wasn't supposed to be for a guy like me.

01:04:36I was just a guy in a uniform with a hero complex and an empty bank account.

01:04:41No money.

01:04:42No family.

01:04:43No safety net.

01:04:44Even Lauren's family.

01:04:46And they were regular people.

01:04:47Thought I wasn't good enough.

01:04:49So a woman like Claire?

01:04:51No shot.

01:04:52That's what I told myself.

01:04:54Didn't matter.

01:04:55The more time I spent with her, the harder it got to stay away.

01:04:58Lauren and I, we'd been together forever.

01:05:01Years.

01:05:02What we had was real.

01:05:03But she used to say the same thing, over and over.

01:05:07Save more.

01:05:08Think about us.

01:05:09Stop giving your money away.

01:05:11She wasn't wrong.

01:05:12There are too many people in this world who need help.

01:05:15You can't save them all.

01:05:16You just end up broke and alone.

01:05:18But after my dad died, people carried us.

01:05:21When I was 15, my mom died too.

01:05:24After that, everything I had came from the kindness of strangers.

01:05:28Food.

01:05:29Clothes.

01:05:30A place to sleep.

01:05:31People just stepped in.

01:05:33Did right by me.

01:05:34Asked for nothing.

01:05:35My mom used to tell me.

01:05:37You're a kid right now.

01:05:39Your job is to study.

01:05:40But when you're grown, you give back.

01:05:43That's how you honor the people who kept us alive.

01:05:46So that stuck.

01:05:47When I got older.

01:05:48When I finally had a job and some skin in the game.

01:05:52Helping people didn't feel optional.

01:05:54It felt like a debt.

01:05:55I tried to ignore it.

01:05:57Tried walking away.

01:05:58But I couldn't do it.

01:06:00If I knew someone was hurting and I turned my back, I wouldn't sleep that night.

01:06:04Later, Lauren's family made demands I couldn't even touch.

01:06:08Money I didn't have.

01:06:09That was the end for us.

01:06:11I figured that was the lesson.

01:06:13Maybe a man like me wasn't built for marriage.

01:06:15Maybe I was never going to be enough for it.

01:06:18And then, Claire showed up.

01:06:20She started coming with me.

01:06:22Helping kids who couldn't even afford a backpack for school.

01:06:25Dropping off groceries to seniors living all by themselves.

01:06:29Writing checks for people drowning in medical bills.

01:06:32The longer I knew her, the worse it got.

01:06:35I wanted her.

01:06:36Bad.

01:06:36But I also knew I didn't belong in her world.

01:06:39Not in a million years.

01:06:41So before we got in too deep, I laid it all out.

01:06:44My family.

01:06:45My past.

01:06:46The fact that I gave away half of every paycheck.

01:06:49And the fact that I probably always would.

01:06:52I thought that would be.

01:06:53The catch.

01:06:54I thought she'd finally see the real me.

01:06:56The guy with nothing.

01:06:58And walk.

01:06:59Instead, her eyes lit up.

01:07:00Like I just told her she'd won the lottery.

01:07:03Do you know how rare that is, Gavin?

01:07:05Most people can't see past their own front door anymore.

01:07:09How is that a flaw?

01:07:11My family has money.

01:07:13I'm doing fine on my own.

01:07:15So go help people.

01:07:17I'm not stopping you.

01:07:18Claire's parents were already gone.

01:07:20It was just her brother and his wife.

01:07:22They weren't exactly thrilled about me.

01:07:24I got it.

01:07:25But they loved her.

01:07:27And they respected her enough to let her choose.

01:07:29So we got married.

01:07:30And for a while, it felt like a dream.

01:07:33Like I'd somehow slipped into someone else's life by mistake.

01:07:37I married the woman I loved.

01:07:39She believed in me.

01:07:40She backed me.

01:07:41She saw me as a hero.

01:07:43Even when I felt like a ghost.

01:07:45I didn't know what to do with that much happiness.

01:07:47So I did the only thing I knew.

01:07:50I tried to earn it.

01:07:51I worked.

01:07:52I cooked.

01:07:53I cleaned.

01:07:54I handled every little detail at home.

01:07:56If I wasn't on shift, I was with her.

01:07:59I figured if I loved her hard enough.

01:08:01If I just showed up and carried the weight.

01:08:04Maybe I could become the kind of man she deserved.

01:08:07Then Nate came.

01:08:08And for a little while, life got even better.

01:08:11Just the three of us.

01:08:12Quiet mornings in our tiny apartment.

01:08:15Late night feedings.

01:08:16Baby toys scattered everywhere.

01:08:18That was happiness.

01:08:20Real, bone deep happiness.

01:08:22But it didn't stay simple.

01:08:23The first couple of years were good.

01:08:25And then the shift started.

01:08:27Little things at first.

01:08:29People cracked jokes.

01:08:31Friends.

01:08:32Coworkers.

01:08:32The guys down at the station.

01:08:34They'd see me helping someone or hear where my paycheck went and just laugh.

01:08:39So, all your cash just goes out the door, huh?

01:08:42Guess it's easy when your wife's loaded.

01:08:45Must be nice.

01:08:46The wife bought the cars.

01:08:47The whole setup.

01:08:48No pressure.

01:08:50Man, I'd do community service too if I married as well as Gavin.

01:08:53They laughed.

01:08:55I laughed too.

01:08:56Sometimes.

01:08:57But those comments, they stuck.

01:08:59Not all at once.

01:09:01Just bit by bit.

01:09:02Like sand in a shoe.

01:09:04Everyone meant it as a joke.

01:09:05But after a while, something started to turn inside me.

01:09:09I'd come home to Claire and I could feel it.

01:09:11This weird edge.

01:09:13Something ugly I didn't want to name.

01:09:15Sometimes I'd be trying to figure out how to help someone.

01:09:18How to cover a bill.

01:09:19And I'd realize I was short.

01:09:22Claire would just smile.

01:09:23Are you really stressing over that, Gavin?

01:09:25If you need the cash, just ask me.

01:09:28I've got it.

01:09:29She meant it.

01:09:30At first, I loved that.

01:09:32That generosity.

01:09:33That ease.

01:09:34That total, unshakable faith in me.

01:09:37But later, it started landing differently.

01:09:40It felt harder.

01:09:41Like every time she solved a problem I couldn't solve myself.

01:09:45I shrank.

01:09:46I got a little smaller.

01:09:47And then, there was her family.

01:09:50Especially her brother.

01:09:52Every time I went over there, it was only a matter of time.

01:09:55He'd pull me aside.

01:09:57I get it.

01:09:58You want to save the world.

01:09:59That's great, Gavin.

01:10:00But even people like us can't save everyone.

01:10:04And you?

01:10:05You're not us.

01:10:06You're just a firefighter.

01:10:09A man living in a house he didn't pay for.

01:10:11You have a wife.

01:10:13A kid.

01:10:14Start thinking about your own for once.

01:10:16You can't keep leaning on Claire forever.

01:10:19Other people had said it, but from her brother, it burned.

01:10:23Because some part of me knew he was right.

01:10:26I tried to stop.

01:10:27Tried to look away when people were hurting.

01:10:29I couldn't do it.

01:10:31At night, I'd just stare at the ceiling, feeling like I was rotting from the inside out.

01:10:36So I tried to fix it.

01:10:37Make more money.

01:10:39Be more useful.

01:10:40Be enough.

01:10:41But I was just a firefighter.

01:10:43That was it.

01:10:44I still came home.

01:10:45I still cooked her favorites.

01:10:47Still cleaned.

01:10:48From the outside, I probably looked the same.

01:10:51Inside, I was gone.

01:10:53By the time Nate turned three, I was coming apart at the seams.

01:10:57And then, Lauren came back.

01:10:59She showed up bruised and shaking, holding Liam.

01:11:02Everything in me snapped to attention.

01:11:04Claire was beautiful.

01:11:06Strong.

01:11:07Successful.

01:11:08She could solve anything.

01:11:09She didn't need me.

01:11:11Not really.

01:11:12But Lauren?

01:11:13She was a wreck.

01:11:14She cried.

01:11:15She froze up.

01:11:16She needed help with every little thing.

01:11:18And the sick part?

01:11:20Being needed felt good.

01:11:21I got used to being needed by her.

01:11:23Then I started needing it.

01:11:25The pressure in my chest started to ease.

01:11:27The shame faded.

01:11:29The feeling of being useless.

01:11:30It just went away.

01:11:32And Claire got angry.

01:11:33At the time, I honestly didn't get it.

01:11:36I told myself I was just being me.

01:11:39Just helping people.

01:11:40I told her again and again.

01:11:42I'm not cheating.

01:11:43I haven't crossed any lines.

01:11:45I knew Lauren was trying.

01:11:47The looks.

01:11:48The timing.

01:11:49The touches that lasted a second too long.

01:11:51But I told myself it didn't count if I didn't pull the trigger.

01:11:55As long as I didn't sleep with her, I was clean.

01:11:58I didn't understand then that you can betray your family without ever touching.

01:12:02Another woman.

01:12:03I lived inside that delusion for two years.

01:12:05While my family slowly bled out.

01:12:08Then Nate died.

01:12:09And Claire just broke open.

01:12:11Maybe she had let too much slide for too long.

01:12:14Maybe I had just gotten too used to being forgiven.

01:12:17Because when she finally blew up, I understood something way too late.

01:12:21You don't have to cheat to tear a family apart.

01:12:24I knew Nate died because of me.

01:12:26After that, the nightmares came every night.

01:12:29But even then, some sick part of me thought we could survive it.

01:12:32That if I just stayed.

01:12:34If I apologized.

01:12:36If I suffered enough.

01:12:37Maybe.

01:12:38Then I watched her in that house with Wes.

01:12:41Two days.

01:12:42That was all it took for me to feel like I was losing my mind.

01:12:45And then it hit me.

01:12:47Pain doesn't care about your excuses.

01:12:49Or your reasons.

01:12:50Or what you say you didn't do.

01:12:52I finally understood what I'd put her through.

01:12:55Every single day.

01:12:56For two damn years.

01:12:58By then, it was already over.

01:13:00Nothing I said mattered.

01:13:01Nothing I gave up mattered.

01:13:03Not even how much I hated myself for all of it.

01:13:06I lost my boy.

01:13:08And Claire.

01:13:09I'd lost her too.

01:13:10After that.

01:13:11I couldn't look at fire the same way.

01:13:13Every flame turned into that hallway.

01:13:15That door.

01:13:16I could still hear his voice.

01:13:18Dad.

01:13:19I still hear it.

01:13:21I started freezing up on calls.

01:13:23Every time I smelled smoke.

01:13:25Every time I felt the heat.

01:13:26I just stopped.

01:13:27So I quit.

01:13:28I wanted to do something for Nate.

01:13:31So I tried to pay a blood debt with community service.

01:13:34Thought if I saved enough strangers.

01:13:36The universe would forgive me for the one person I actually owed.

01:13:40In the 10th year.

01:13:41I tried to get a woman out of a forced marriage.

01:13:44The men there didn't like that one bit.

01:13:46They beat me so badly my leg broke in three places.

01:13:49I don't regret helping her.

01:13:51Not for a second.

01:13:52I only regret.

01:13:54I spent my whole life saving strangers.

01:13:56And I still couldn't save my own son.

01:13:58I couldn't save my marriage.

01:14:00I heard Claire stayed on Lauren and Liam for two years before finally backing off.

01:14:05Later, Lauren got involved with another guy.

01:14:08His wife found out.

01:14:09Things turned ugly.

01:14:11Liam got so scared his heart just gave out.

01:14:14Right there in the hospital.

01:14:15He didn't make it.

01:14:17Lauren lost the house, the money, and eventually, her mind.

01:14:21She ended up exactly where she started.

01:14:23Screaming at a world that no longer cared if she existed.

01:14:27In the 11th year.

01:14:28I heard Claire was getting married again.

01:14:30Not to Wes.

01:14:32Some guy I'd never met.

01:14:33I took two weeks off and just started moving.

01:14:36Bus.

01:14:37Train.

01:14:38Whatever was headed her way.

01:14:4058 hours straight just to get back to the city.

01:14:43I told myself I just wanted to give her my blessing.

01:14:46To wish her well.

01:14:47That was true.

01:14:48Mostly.

01:14:49Maybe another part of me just wanted to see her in the light one last time.

01:14:53I got lucky.

01:14:54I saw her almost the second I hit town.

01:14:57She was outside.

01:14:58Laughing with a man in a dark coat.

01:15:01He was handsome.

01:15:02Put together.

01:15:03Easy.

01:15:04He looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered in the room.

01:15:07No hesitation.

01:15:09No divided loyalty.

01:15:10He was the man I was supposed to be before I traded my soul for a hero complex.

01:15:15He reached out and tapped the tip of her nose.

01:15:18She smiled up at him.

01:15:19And the look in his eyes.

01:15:21It was soft.

01:15:22Warm.

01:15:23Full.

01:15:24The kind of look I should have given her.

01:15:26Claire!

01:15:27I shouted her name.

01:15:28But I was too far away.

01:15:30She didn't hear me.

01:15:32She got into the car with him.

01:15:33I started after them.

01:15:35Fast as I could.

01:15:37I never hated my bad leg more than I did in that moment.

01:15:40Then a car cut across the street.

01:15:42Way too fast.

01:15:44I didn't even see it coming.

01:15:45Just the impact.

01:15:46The ground came up hard.

01:15:48Pain everywhere.

01:15:50White hot and blinding.

01:15:51Then the sound of something small skidding away.

01:15:54The ring box.

01:15:55It rolled right out of my hand and into the gutter.

01:15:58I'd saved for ten years to buy that ring.

01:16:00The one I should have given her the first time.

01:16:03The one she was never, ever going to wear.

01:16:06I reached for it.

01:16:07Couldn't move.

01:16:08I couldn't feel my hand and my leg.

01:16:10Blood filled my mouth.

01:16:12Everything just stopped.

01:16:14She'll never know about the ring.

01:16:15She'll never know I finally tried to be the man she deserved.

01:16:19Through the blur.

01:16:20I watched her car keep going.

01:16:22Smaller.

01:16:23Farther.

01:16:24Gone.

01:16:25And for the first time.

01:16:26I felt it in my bones.

01:16:28That horrible ache.

01:16:29That awful longing.

01:16:31That desperate need to do something.

01:16:33When Claire begged me in that fire.

01:16:35When Nate called out for me.

01:16:37Is this what it felt like?

01:16:38I coughed and tasted copper.

01:16:40The sky started to bleed into black.

01:16:43Nate.

01:16:44Then a whisper.

01:16:45Claire.

01:16:45Maybe I'm finally going to see my boy again.

01:16:48I just hope Nate doesn't look at me the way his mother did at the end.

01:16:52And Claire.

01:16:53I hope your new life is beautiful.

01:16:55I hope someone loves you the way I should have.

01:16:58You deserve that much.

01:16:59Claire.

01:17:00I hope your wedding day is everything you wanted.

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