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00:20Lawrence, I have something to tell you.
00:44Something important.
00:47What's more important than what I want to do now?
00:50I...
00:53Got any news?
00:54Yes, we found her.
00:55Where is she?
00:57Are you sure it's her?
00:58It's confirmed.
00:59I've sent the material to your email.
01:01I'm on my way.
01:05Who is she?
01:06Where are you going?
01:08Our deal is over.
01:09Fill in any amount on the check on the table and move out by tomorrow.
01:13You think I'm only after your money?
01:15So we are only bound by the contract, huh?
01:19Fine.
01:22I don't want your money.
01:24I'm pregnant.
01:25And it's yours.
01:27You know the agreement.
01:30Take your medication on time.
01:32Don't worry.
01:33I won't disturb your wedding.
01:39Why do and feel heartbroken?
01:52Is it you?
01:54Is it you?
01:58Mrs. Veronica, if you don't pay the hospital fees, we'll have to discharge your mother.
02:02I know.
02:03I get it.
02:03I'll get the money soon.
02:05I know.
02:06I know.
02:07I know.
02:10I know.
02:11About my mom's medical expense.
02:15Those seem like my shoes.
02:18Mr. Roy.
02:20You're right.
02:21It's my daughter who saved you.
02:22This is my daughter.
02:30listen we have guests now if you still want money keep your mouth shut and go back to your room
02:39who's that she sounds familiar sorry mr roy it's just a servant's child let's continue
02:45miss are these shoes yours yes mr roy i'm elena these are the shoes i lost when i saved you
02:51did you get hurt when you saved me i remember that on your call of a tone there's a oh
02:59right
02:59there's a birthmark on her call of a tone yes but you're not asking to see it now right i
03:05won't be
03:05so rude thank you for saving my life please tell me what do you want i'll make it happen you're
03:11too
03:11nice i don't really need anything please give me a chance to thank you properly then
03:18marry me that figure seemed familiar
03:27aren't those shoes the ones i lost five years ago we found some old stuff in the storage room
03:33who cares whose they are anyway let me tell you some good news your sister is getting married soon
03:39that's right my dear sister be my bridesmaid congratulations elena oh sister are you back
03:46this time to j money for your mom's trialed don't feel embarrassed here take it
03:57i'm throwing an engagement party here tonight dance for us and the money is yours all right
04:03what time is it eight sharp oh besides my fiance will be here looking forward to it
04:09she doesn't know who lawrence is right it doesn't matter
04:16i have the shoes
04:20he'll believe me
04:28i heard elena's sister is performing tonight exotic dancer
04:37veronica come and meet my fiance this is my fiance mr lawrence roy
04:47darling this is tonight's surprise veronica
04:53it's a pleasure to meet you
04:55a pleasure to meet you i've heard so much about you
05:01mr roy
05:04wait these shoes are filthy they'll ruin my father's marble floor
05:09without the ballet shoes i can't dance true artists don't need fancy tools
05:22think about your mother's medical fee dance or piss off
05:28fine stop wasting time dance
05:51enough veronica
05:56i said enough are you trying to ruin my banquet
06:01why bother
06:27why are you dancing ballet here
06:29i'm a ballet dancer i only dance ballet
06:33don't work here from now on you'll dance only for me
06:38how silly of me
06:41to think he would do the same
06:50what are you doing here
06:54you've ruined my engagement party
06:57i danced
06:58give me the money
06:59money?
07:01after you ruined everything and totally embarrassed me?
07:04your mom should have died long ago
07:06you two deserve to go to hell
07:21mom i'm sorry
07:23i fucked up again and i didn't get the money
07:28mom i'm pregnant with lawrence's baby
07:33i don't want to have anything to do with him
07:35and he's intending to hold me accountable for a breach
07:39i can't drag this baby into our mess
07:42when i finish everything here
07:44i'll get you transferred
07:46let's find a place where no one knows us
07:59find her
07:59she's not going anywhere without my permission
08:10are you sure you want an abortion
08:15yes
08:16a family member needs to sign
08:20i'll sign it
08:33get out
08:39why are you here
08:46i own this hospital
08:50move
08:52listen
08:53without my permission
08:55don't even think about getting rid of it
08:58why
08:58you're going to get married
09:00this is my child
09:02and you
09:03must deliver it
09:08before that
09:10you're not allowed to go anywhere
09:13you have no right to
09:14from now on
09:15you're my personal assistant
09:1724 7
09:19what did you say
09:21don't forget
09:22you still owe me a penalty fee
09:24lee will send you the address
09:278 tomorrow morning
09:28meet me at the office
09:32this is what he called a personal assistant
09:35there's nothing i can do
09:41postpone this afternoon's meeting to 4am
09:44re-revise the merger and acquisition document
09:46yes sir
09:51sir here's the background information you requested
09:53inform the security team that elena will be there tomorrow
09:59coffee
10:04too sweet
10:05do it again
10:06i didn't put sugar in it
10:13don't move
10:14let go
10:16are you doing this on purpose
10:20you think i'd throw myself into the arms of a man who's about to get married
10:52sir
10:55miss elena is coming this way
11:07don't let her see me
11:21don't let her see me
11:26please
11:28you don't want anyone to see us together
11:32are you insane
11:33your fiance is outside the door right now
11:36so
11:43miss elena mr lawrence is
11:45he's busy
11:46please wait
11:49so you don't want her to find out that her fiance is having an affair with another woman right
11:54an affair
11:57remember
11:58you're pregnant with my child first
12:07busy
12:08i have to wait to meet him
12:09i'll go in and talk to him myself
12:11open the door
12:17darling
12:18do you miss me
12:20what brings you here
12:21i'm here to see you
12:22secretary lee said you were busy
12:24what's keeping you occupied
12:25schedule is a bit tight recently
12:27you'll keep me company at the charity gala tomorrow right
12:29i don't want to face those annoying things socialers on my own
12:33sure
12:34that's more like it
12:36oh can i use your lounge
12:39why
12:40i've been shopping the whole afternoon
12:42i'm exhausted
12:43i want to rest on your bed before i leave
12:47no problem
12:50what's that sound
13:05miss elena
13:06mr lawrence prepared a gift for you
13:09it's in the car downstairs
13:11would you like to take a look
13:12a gift
13:14what gift
13:15it's the limited edition you pecked the last time necklace
13:18mr lawrence ordered it from paris
13:19you're such a sweetheart
13:21show it to me
13:33why didn't you want her to find you
13:36if i tell you
13:37can you advance me six months salary
13:39are you qualified to negotiate with me
13:41i said can you
13:44what leverage do you have
13:45never mind
13:48tell me
13:49fine
13:50starting tomorrow
13:51you're fired
13:52don't forget that you still owe me the penalty fee
13:55if you don't come to work
13:57just wait to pay back the money
13:59you
13:59i'm giving you three seconds
14:01one
14:02two
14:04she's my sister
14:05she's my sister
14:06what did you say
14:07elena is my sister
14:11five years ago
14:12your daughter saved my life
14:14west for eternity
14:15you're from the crower family
14:23so
14:24you're george crowdie's daughter
14:26what does it have to do with you
14:32can you give it to me
14:33the money
14:34why do you need money
14:35find a father for my child
14:37who deserves a dad
14:42there's no need to upset me
14:43after you give birth to the kid
14:45you'll get your payment
14:48what if i want it now
14:49then prove yourself
14:51finish this today
14:52and i'll pay you
14:56deal
15:06miss veronica
15:07here's your drink
15:08no thanks
15:10mr roy
15:11he doesn't mean it that way
15:12he's just
15:13you don't need to speak for him
15:15i know perfectly well
15:16what he thinks of me
15:17miss veronica
15:18it's done
15:20remind your boss
15:21to keep his promise
15:26sir
15:26miss veronica
15:27has finished her cinch
15:28well
15:29transfer the money to her
15:30sir
15:31miss veronica
15:33is also mr crowett's daughter
15:34could she be the one
15:36who saved you
15:36five years ago
15:37those shoes belong to elena
15:40wait
15:41make an appointment
15:42with elena
15:43tell her to wear the dress
15:44from five years ago
15:47darling
15:48thank you for making time
15:50to choose my wedding dress
15:51why didn't you wear that dress
15:53it's been five years
15:55there's no way
15:56i'm still keeping it
15:57but as i recall
15:58you didn't wear a dress
15:59then
15:59you seem to have a lot
16:01of secrets
16:02i don't remember
16:03what secrets
16:04could i possibly have
16:06haven't you investigated
16:08everything
16:08if that's true
16:10i wouldn't have just
16:11figured out that
16:11veronica is your sister
16:12well i don't think that's relevant
16:14she not important
16:17elena
16:18i hope you didn't hide anything from me
16:38you
16:38you
16:39why are you here
16:44it'd be ideal to choose
16:46the wedding dress
16:47with family
16:48so i invited your sister
16:50you wouldn't mind
16:51let me try this one first
16:59why don't you pick a bridesmaid dress
17:01instead of standing here
17:03sister
17:17what are you doing
17:18do you want a wedding dress too
17:21have you found anyone with the money
17:23have you lost your mind
17:25elena is still here
17:29answer me
17:30let go
17:30is there anything i can do
17:32that can help you
17:41i i'm gonna try this
17:47psycho
17:57you
17:57how can you get in here
17:59leave
18:01do you think you can escape from me
18:07i've never noticed that you have a birthmark here
18:09you never cared about these details
18:16stop
18:16stop it
18:17darling
18:18where are you
18:24everyone listen
18:24this whole thing is a mistake
18:26i'm the harman bride
18:29the day before the wedding
18:30i just found out that my fiance
18:31is already married
18:33not the past
18:34but now
18:35the bride is his closest friend
18:37i didn't cry
18:38nor did i make a scene
18:39i just suddenly wonder
18:41if marriage can be a joke
18:42then what were these six years of mine
18:43i photographed it and texted him
18:45explain this
18:46i figured it was some kind of prank
18:48then his friend's voice message came through
18:5060 seconds
18:52hey i'm so sorry
18:54we were at a bar last night
18:55had a stupid idea
18:56got a little drunk
18:57and just
18:57went and did it
18:58don't worry
18:59once the 30 day waiting period is up
19:00we're filing for divorce immediately
19:02we'll give him right back to you
19:03i was quiet for two seconds
19:05then i blocked her
19:06three hours later ethan came home
19:08i was already at the bottom of the stairs luggage in tow
19:11he glanced at the certificates
19:12sitting on the coffee table and pressed two fingers to his temple
19:16it's not a big deal
19:18she was just messing around
19:19you're really gonna hold this over everyone
19:21you've been waiting for this wedding for six years
19:23you can't wait one more month
19:25i smiled
19:25i didn't deny it
19:26no
19:28i can't
19:29ethan blinked
19:30he stepped in front of me on instinct
19:32mia stop
19:33don't do this
19:35the invitations are already out
19:37if you leave now
19:38what are our families supposed to do
19:40i moved his hand aside and kept walking
19:42his voice finally went cold
19:44you're gonna throw away six years over something this small
19:46i stopped
19:47i turned around
19:48six years
19:50ethan
19:51when you signed that certificate with her
19:53did you think about those six years at all
19:55he had nothing
19:56he forced out something useless
19:58the bar was loud
20:00the guys kept pouring drinks
20:01she took a lot of them for me
20:03she was pretty out of it herself
20:04everyone was egging us on
20:05i wasn't thinking straight
20:06they basically dragged us there
20:11it was a joke
20:12we'll fix it
20:13i looked at his unbothered face
20:15and didn't even have the energy to argue
20:17a joke
20:18if marriage could be a joke
20:19what in this world was actually serious
20:21i turned away
20:22his phone rang
20:25he looked at it
20:26it's cassie
20:26she knows she's screwed up
20:28she wants to apologize to you
20:29i ignored him and opened the door
20:32cassie was already standing outside
20:33keys dangling from one hand
20:38you're actually leaving
20:39i wheeled my suitcase around her
20:41cassie clicked her tongue
20:41and grabbed the handle
20:42really
20:42i said i'd apologize
20:44isn't that enough
20:45i'm the one who talked him into it
20:47i'm the one who kept pouring
20:48if you're mad
20:49be mad at me
20:50don't take it out on ethan
20:52cassie
20:53be respectful
20:54give her the bag
20:55cassie didn't give it back
20:56she pulled it further behind her
21:03if i do
21:04who's he gonna swap rings with tomorrow
21:06air
21:08look
21:09unlike you
21:10i don't spend my whole life
21:12orbiting some guy with zero career of my own
21:14but even i know
21:15a guy like ethan
21:16the dinners
21:17the schmoothing
21:18the situational flirtation
21:20that's just business
21:22we grew up together
21:23i helped him fight his battles
21:25you weren't even the picture back then
21:28getting all dramatic over one little joke
21:30can't you act like a grown-up
21:32since you're so mature
21:33and so concerned about him
21:36then you go
21:38tomorrow
21:39to the wedding
21:42you be the main event
21:43that certificate becomes the real thing
21:50i pulled my suitcase back
21:52cassie's expression cracked
21:53her chest rose and fell twice
21:55then she smirked
21:57fine
21:58she dug into her bag
21:59pulled out her copy of the certificate
22:02this little thing bothers you that much
22:04then i'll just tear it up
22:08consider it my apology
22:10the certificate split straight down the middle
22:12cassie dropped both halves on the floor
22:15done
22:15happy now
22:17if you can't take a joke
22:18you can't take a joke
22:19this is so boring
22:21ethan's expression went dark
22:22cassie
22:23what are you doing
22:26fixing your problem
22:28certificate's gone
22:29she can calm down now right
22:30she turned to me
22:31satisfied
22:33then she shot me a look
22:35eyes already going red
22:36and ran
22:38then i looked at ethan
22:42that's her apology
22:43he watched the spot where she disappeared
22:45rubbed his forehead
22:46irritated
22:47she's impulsive
22:48she was trying to let you vent
22:49let me vent
22:50i nearly laughed
22:53she tore up the marriage certificate
22:55before you two can file for divorce
22:57you'll have to go replace it
22:59ethan
22:59she wasn't letting me vent
23:01she was rubbing salt in the wound on purpose
23:03she didn't think that far
23:05right
23:06she didn't have to
23:07because in the end
23:08it's not her problem
23:09i stopped looking at him
23:10grabbed my suitcase
23:11turned around
23:14the driver helped load it into the trunk
23:18ethan caught up
23:19pressed his hand against the door before it closed
23:21he leaned down to look at me
23:24mia
23:25go to your parents place
23:26cool off
23:27think about whether you're being unreasonable
23:28but tomorrow
23:29every guest and every reporter will be there
23:32you know how to show up as a proper bride
23:35our family's reputations are not yours to throw around
23:38i slowly lifted my head
23:39there it was again
23:40our family's reputations
23:43six years
23:44every time cassie crossed a line in the name of best friends
23:48because he was sure i couldn't leave
23:49not emotionally
23:50not financially
23:51he never once thought about putting distance between himself and cassie
23:55i did believe nothing physical had happened between them
23:57i spent six happy months planning a wedding
23:59and then
24:00a marriage certificate
24:02a bar
24:03her name on it next to his
24:04first it was all the small things
24:06now she'd even slipped herself into the legal definition of his spouse
24:10as a joke
24:10our family's reputations
24:12i repeated it softly
24:14you keep them
24:16that's your job
24:17the wedding
24:18i'm not coming
24:19as for the bride
24:22i pulled the door shut
24:24marry whoever you want
24:26the car pulled out
24:28miss where to
24:30the airport
24:31my phone vibrated the whole way there
24:32ethan
24:33my mom
24:34his mom
24:35mutual friends
24:37i declined
24:37i declined every call
24:38turned it off
24:39for the first time
24:40i was not being good
24:42and i felt something i hadn't felt in years
24:45light
24:46but just when i thought i was free
24:48that lightness shattered the moment we pulled up to the terminal
24:51my parents were there
24:52my brother jamie
24:53and the family's adopted daughter sierra
24:55jamie grabbed my suitcase handle
24:56mia what is wrong with you
24:58if you leave what happens to us
25:00the comp is on on life support waiting for the harman group investment
25:02my mom took advantage of the distraction and snatched my purse
25:05sweetheart i heard everything
25:07just wait for them to divorce in a month
25:09and it's like it never happened
25:10stop causing a scene
25:11sierra drifted over
25:13sis
25:14i know you're hurting
25:16but
25:17we're family
25:19can't you think of us just this once
25:21just this once
25:22was that really what it was
25:23at 18
25:24i signed over grandpa's shares to her
25:26at 21
25:26when she had her eye on someone
25:28i stepped aside from the engagement
25:29grandpa had arranged for me
25:31an old money family
25:32the yates
25:32at 22
25:33i drank until i was hospitalized
25:34to smooth over a business dinner for the family
25:36at 25
25:37i took the fall for jamie's embezzlement
25:39to protect the heir's clean record
25:40every single time
25:41written off as family
25:42and it is what you do
25:43since the day i was brought into this so-called home
25:46had anyone ever thought about me
25:47my parents warmth and favoritism
25:49had always flowed straight to sierra
25:50the good daughter
25:51the one they'd raised from childhood
25:52jamie had been carried his whole life
25:54he was a leech
25:55and he knew it
25:56if it hadn't been for ethan walking into my world
25:57like a light through a window
25:58i wouldn't have lasted this long
26:00he saw through my silence
26:01understood the things i couldn't say
26:03with him there
26:03sierra's digs
26:04and my parents favoritism
26:05had stayed in check
26:06i fell in love with him
26:07depended on him
26:08i held on like he was a life raft
26:09i pushed so hard for him to marry me sooner
26:11convinced myself that once i had my own home
26:13i could finally leave this suffocating place behind
26:15for that
26:16i told myself cassie's boundary crossing was something i could tolerate
26:19but now
26:20even that last stupid hope was gone
26:21give me my bag
26:22i held out my hand to my mother
26:24come home first
26:25we'll talk when you've settled down
26:27jamie groaned and stamped his foot
26:28mia
26:29i'm begging you
26:30just get through this one thing
26:32once the funding comes in
26:34after that
26:34you can do whatever you want
26:35i looked at this brother
26:36who'd been pampered his whole life
26:38how much money would it take to save this family
26:40so it doesn't have to sell off another daughter
26:42jamie flinched
26:43he gave me a number
26:44it was staggering
26:45pulled out my phone
26:46found an unsaved number
26:48pressed call
26:49it rang five times before someone picked up
26:51three million in cash as a wedding gift
26:53if you agree
26:54we get married tomorrow
26:56three million in cash as a wedding gift
26:59if you agree
27:00we get married tomorrow
27:01the breath on the other end paused
27:03agreed
27:04okay
27:06three million
27:07it'll hit the account
27:08jamie stared at me
27:10mia
27:10are you serious
27:11my parents faces went from desperate to flooded with relief
27:14my mom moved to grab my hand
27:15sweetheart
27:16you can't just talk money with ethan over the phone like that
27:20it damages things
27:21sis-in-law will think less of you
27:24people will call you a gold digger
27:26all right
27:27all right
27:28the amount doesn't matter
27:29what matters is that it's settled
27:31the original agreement with the harmons was 500,000 up front
27:35this time he's offering three million
27:36it means he values mia
27:40mia
27:42i don't want to hear you say selling daughters again
27:45embarrassing
27:46you and sierra are both our girls
27:48we love you the same
27:51you and sierra are both our girls
27:53we love you the same
27:54if it's the same
27:55why didn't you offer sierra for this one
27:56the yates are older money than the harmons
27:58stronger by a mile
27:59sierra went white
28:00the yates were more prominent
28:02and because of it
28:03stricter about bloodline
28:04when they'd come to discuss the engagement
28:06they'd looked at me the whole time
28:08sierra hadn't even been formally introduced at that meeting
28:11the yates hadn't wanted her
28:13everyone in that room knew it
28:15why bring up old history
28:17then we won't
28:17the money's coming
28:18problem solved
28:20let's go home
28:21you want me walking down the aisle tomorrow don't you
28:23i left without waiting for an answer
28:27back in the car my phone buzzed once
28:29but at this hour there was only one person it could be
28:32a location pin
28:34then a second message
28:35tomorrow
28:36i'm looking forward to seeing you in a white dress
28:39back at the house
28:40the air was thick
28:41i went straight upstairs
28:42the harmons side had already been told
28:44the bride has returned
28:46wedding is on
28:47satisfied presumably
28:48the crisis was over
28:49the ceremony would proceed
28:51that was enough
28:53whether or not the bride was willing
28:54no one thought to ask
28:56the next morning
28:57the house had none of the warmth
28:58the wedding day should carry
28:59no bustle
29:01no joy
29:01just a cold and indifferent quiet
29:03my parents only changed into appropriate clothes
29:06when the housekeeper reminded them
29:07ethan's motorcade arrived on time
29:09his suit was immaculate
29:11his expression composed
29:13the groomsmen surrounded him
29:14the energy among them was easy and warm
29:17but no one from the bride's side came to block the door
29:19they were just awkwardly ushered in
29:21my mom held a practice smile
29:23jamie looked like he hadn't slept
29:26ethan scanned the room
29:27no family friends
29:29no laughter
29:31where is she?
29:32still getting ready?
29:33oh
29:33probably still upstairs doing her makeup
29:35go check
29:36is she ready?
29:40relax
29:41a bride's supposed to make you wait
29:43ethan's brow stayed locked
29:44he pulled out his phone
29:46and opened mia's messages
29:47a red exclamation point
29:49his fingers went still
29:50she still has you blocked?
29:52the ceremony's about to start
29:53a cold unease expanded in his chest
29:58ma'am
29:59the young miss isn't in her room
30:00we checked everywhere
30:01she's gone
30:02what?
30:04by the time they pulled the security footage
30:06they found she'd left hours ago
30:08ethan's chest went airless
30:10he'd told her to come back
30:12she'd still pulled this
30:13ethan
30:14look at the group chat
30:15someone posted a video
30:16wait
30:17isn't that mia?
30:19ethan grabbed the phone
30:20the video was from the same
30:22seven star hotel
30:23where their ceremony was booked
30:25a woman was led toward
30:26the bridal suite
30:27by a staff member
30:32see?
30:33i told you
30:33she just wanted a dramatic entrance
30:35she's there
30:36that's what counts
30:37this girl
30:38couldn't say a word
30:39gave us all a scare
30:40let's get to the hotel
30:42don't miss the timing
30:44the motorcade reached the hotel
30:45ethan exchanged brief greetings
30:47with arriving guests
30:48it's a wonderful night
30:48it's a beautiful party
30:49i'm so glad you could make it
30:51thank you
30:51i need to go to the restroom
30:52excuse me
30:53the efficient was ready
30:53he turned and headed for the bridal suite
30:55he stopped at the flower decorated door
30:57knocked
30:59me it's time
31:00are you ready?
31:02silence
31:02silence
31:02his expression tightened
31:03he turned the handle
31:09the room was bright and empty
31:11and then the thing that turned his blood to ice
31:13cassie was standing in the middle of the room
31:15ethan
31:15you can't just come in
31:17what are you doing in here?
31:20where's mia?
31:21his temper surged hard
31:22why are you yelling at me?
31:24the ceremony was about to start
31:25and she wasn't out yet
31:26i came to check if she needed help
31:29she wasn't here
31:30the dress was just hanging there
31:32i just
31:34it's so beautiful
31:35i couldn't help it
31:36i tried it on
31:38the vein in his temple jumped
31:40take it off
31:42now
31:43if mia sees this
31:44cassie's lip pressed together
31:45then someone knocked
31:46mr harman
31:47the ceremony start time has passed
31:49the officiator's asking if the bride is ready to enter
31:52also mr harman
31:53the ballroom next door has just begun an unscheduled ceremony
31:56the timeline is quite tight on their end
31:58if your side is unable to start just yet
32:01would you consider briefly yielding the corridor?
32:04we'd hate to disrupt the other event
32:05it's a yates-carter wedding
32:09a yates-carter wedding?
32:13which carter?
32:15i'm not entirely sure of the details
32:17a nameless unease moved through him
32:19but he had no time to chase it
32:20he dialed the groomsmen group
32:22mia's not in the suite
32:23split up and find her
32:26then he turned back to the manager
32:28this wedding was booked six months ago
32:30we're not moving
32:31mr harman the timing really is
32:32there's no conflict
32:33let my fiancee hear that her aisle
32:35is being cleared for someone else
32:37his voice dropped
32:38she won't be happy
32:41his phone buzzed
32:42a photo from one of the groomsmen
32:44a slender figure in a wedding gown
32:46half turned on a call
32:47the dress was simpler
32:49elegant
32:50she was stunning
32:51all the tension melted away
32:53he would marry her
32:54he would have a home
32:55with mia
32:56maybe children soon
32:57don't you think i looked better in it?
33:00looks like she didn't love the one i picked
33:02fine
33:02he pocketed his phone
33:04and turned to go find her
33:05ethan
33:05cassie grabbed his arm
33:07um
33:07she asked the question
33:08that broke through every layer of best friends
33:10and it means nothing
33:11when you walked in just now
33:13and saw me in the dress
33:15what did you feel?
33:16he looked at her red rimmed eyes
33:18at the expensive gown on her body
33:19the faint warmth the photo had put in his face drained away
33:22cassie in a wedding gown was
33:23undeniably striking
33:24there was something arresting about it
33:26what he felt toward cassie was closer to a man's possessiveness over someone who belonged in his orbit
33:30liked feeling needed, admired
33:32but he liked more
33:33the ease of holding two women in careful balance
33:35he'd never imagined having to choose
33:37cassie's tears
33:38her question
33:39they tore the paper screen open
33:41he was still for a moment
33:42not now
33:43his throat moved
33:44he looked past her eyes
33:45cassie
33:46not now
33:46this isn't the moment
33:48change out of the dress
33:49he turned and walked out toward mia
33:51i was on the terrace outside the ballroom finishing a call
33:53i turned to go inside
33:57mia
33:58you're here
34:03the groomsman and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway
34:06sis-in-law
34:07you're something else
34:08gave us a serious scare
34:09wandered over to the next venue
34:12right
34:13is this a location comparison?
34:15didn't like the decor on our side?
34:17cassie stepped to my side
34:18you nearly gave ethan a heart attack
34:21she laughed and scanned my gown
34:22that's pretty too
34:24but the star of today isn't here for someone else's party
34:27come on
34:27everyone's waiting
34:29by the way
34:30you'd technically be the other woman right now
34:33but
34:33don't stress about it
34:35we know the truth
34:37congratulations on the wedding though
34:39i looked at her
34:40thank you
34:40her smile stalled
34:41ethan stepped in front of me
34:43done with your call?
34:44let's go back
34:45we've lost time but we can still make it
34:46if you actually like this room set up
34:49i'll talk to the yates
34:50we might be able to switch
34:52whatever makes you happy
34:54he said it so naturally
34:55his groomsman watched
34:56certain waiting for me to do what i'd always done
34:58he reached for me
34:59palm up
35:00i looked at his face
35:01the handsome face with its faint impatience
35:03in front of everyone watching
35:04i turned slightly and spoke quietly to the hotel attendant at my side
35:07could you please let the oficioner know we're ready to begin?
35:10of course mrs yates
35:11mr yates has been ready
35:12mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open
35:16he looked at her red rimmed eyes
35:17at the expensive gown on her body
35:19the faint warmth the photo had put in his face drained away
35:21cassie in a wedding gown was
35:23undeniably striking
35:24there was something arresting about it
35:25what he felt toward cassie was closer to a man's possessiveness
35:28over someone who belonged in his orbit
35:29liked feeling needed admired
35:31but he liked more
35:32the ease of holding two women in careful balance
35:34he'd never imagined having to choose
35:36cassie's tears
35:37her question
35:38they tore the paper screen open
35:40he was still for a moment
35:41not now
35:42his throat moved
35:43he looked past her eyes
35:45cassie
35:45not now
35:46this isn't the moment
35:47change out of the dress
35:48he turned and walked out toward mia
35:50i was on the terrace outside the ballroom
35:52finishing a call
35:53i turned to go inside
35:57mia
35:57you're here
36:02the groomsman and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway
36:05sis-in-law
36:06you're something else
36:07gave us a serious scare
36:09wandered over to the next venue
36:12right
36:12is this a location comparison
36:15didn't like the decor on our side
36:16cassie stepped to my side
36:17you nearly gave ethan a heart attack
36:19she laughed and scanned my gown
36:21that's pretty too
36:23but the star of today
36:24isn't here for someone else's party
36:26come on
36:27everyone's waiting
36:28by the way
36:29you'd technically be the other woman right now
36:32but
36:33don't stress about it
36:34we know the truth
36:37congratulations on the wedding though
36:38i looked at her
36:39thank you
36:40her smile stalled
36:41ethan stepped in front of me
36:42done with your call
36:43let's go back
36:44we've lost time but we can still make it
36:46if you actually like this room set up
36:49i'll talk to the yates
36:50we might be able to switch
36:51whatever makes you happy
36:53he said it so naturally
36:54his groomsmen watched
36:56certain waiting for me to do what i'd always done
36:58he reached for me
36:59palm up
36:59i looked at his face
37:00the handsome face with its faint impatience
37:02in front of everyone watching
37:03i turned slightly and spoke quietly to the hotel attendant at my side
37:07could you please let the officiner know we're ready to begin
37:09of course mrs yates
37:10mr yates has been ready
37:12mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open
37:15he was betting on the last six years
37:17betting i'd soften
37:18betting that none of this was real enough to hold
37:20somewhere the music had stopped
37:21every person in the room was watching me
37:23i lifted my eyes
37:24i looked at the man i had loved for six years
37:26and waited on for six years
37:28he looked in this moment very far away
37:30i didn't look at ethan
37:31i just said it
37:32one word at a time
37:33ethan
37:34look carefully
37:35i turned slightly
37:36this dress
37:37you didn't choose it
37:39this ring
37:40you didn't give it
37:42i looked past his pale face
37:43today
37:44standing here
37:45marrying nathan yates
37:46that's me
37:47mia carter
37:48i paused
37:49one breath
37:49then the last sentence
37:50the one that severed everything
37:52your wedding
37:52your bride
37:53none of that was ever mine
37:54i didn't look at his face go gray
37:56i placed my hand steadily into the curve of nathan's arm
37:59let's continue
38:00nathan looked at me for a moment
38:02then nodded at the officiant
38:03the next second
38:04the wedding march filled the hall again
38:05fuller than before
38:06it swept over everything
38:07nathan walked me forward
38:09step by steady step toward the altar at the end of the aisle
38:11on both sides guests began to clap
38:13my family's composed expressions had long since collapsed
38:15none of them had seen this coming
38:17that the man i was marrying today had nothing to do with the harmons they'd spent years courting
38:21that it was the yates
38:21who operated on an entirely different level
38:24who wouldn't have thought twice about the harmons
38:25as for how i'd gotten nathan yates to put three million on the table
38:28that was my business
38:29it had nothing to do with their scheming
38:31nothing to do with the hollow shell my family had become
38:33the guests who had been invited by my family
38:35who were supposed to be here for the wedding on the other side
38:37every single one of them had drifted to this room instead
38:40nod out of loyalty to the carters
38:41out of instinct for the more valuable alliance
38:43their applause built into something that filled the entire hall
38:46behind me silence like a held breath
38:48i didn't need to turn around to picture ethan's face
38:50but that was no longer mine to carry
38:53the ceremony reached the moment that mattered most
38:55the officiant's voice was warm and measured
38:58mia carter
38:59do you take nathan yates to be your husband
39:01to have and to hold
39:02in sickness and in health
39:04for richer or poorer
39:05for as long as you both shall live
39:07the room held still every eye on me
39:09i do
39:11no
39:14ethan's voice cracked across the room
39:20his eyes were red
39:21fixed on me
39:25mia
39:26i won't allow it
39:27you're mine
39:28you are leaving with me right now
39:30he lunged toward the altar
39:31two security guards caught him before he made it two steps
39:33locking his arms
39:34get your hands off me
39:35do you know who i am
39:37mia
39:38look at me
39:38i'm the one you're supposed to marry
39:41nathan
39:42let go of her
39:44the yates family elders in the front row frowned faintly
39:46but didn't seem alarmed
39:48they had clearly planned for disruption
39:51then a figure in white burst from the side of the crowd
39:53cassie
39:54she'd put the gown back on
39:55she pushed to the front
39:57held her phone high with the screen facing out
39:58and screamed
40:01everyone listen
40:02this whole thing is a mistake
40:04i'm the harman bride
40:08look at this
40:09we already have a marriage license
40:14her hands were shaking as she angled the screen toward the guests
40:16the efficient
40:17the yates family
40:18on the screen
40:19a marriage certificate
40:20open to the interior page
40:23look at her
40:23she's the one who went behind my back
40:25she got caught
40:25and now she's running to someone else
40:27i don't care how powerful the yates are
40:29you can't change the fact that she's the other woman
40:31she will always be a joke
40:32the room erupted
40:34gasps
40:34whispers
40:36eyes moving rapidly between cassie's phone screen and me
40:38my family's faces had gone from blank to ash
40:41everyone was holding their breath
40:42waiting for the yates to react
40:43waiting for me to fall apart
40:45cassie stood tall
40:46certain she'd just played the card that turned the game
40:48but the first person to crack was not the yates family
40:51it was not me
40:52it was ethan
40:54cassie shut up
40:55what are you saying
40:56he wrenched his head toward her
40:57still held by the guards
40:59voice ripped raw
40:59i'm not lying
41:01you won't even admit i'm your wife
41:03right here in front of everyone
41:04it's not real
41:05it was a bar stunt
41:06it doesn't count
41:08he couldn't admit it
41:09not here
41:10not in the yates house
41:11not in front of mia
41:13nathan who had been silent spoke
41:15if it doesn't count
41:16we can just check the county records
41:18he leaned slightly toward an assistant
41:20and said something low
41:21the assistant nodded
41:22and left quickly
41:23ethan and cassie were escorted from the room
41:25the officiant lifted his voice
41:28let's ask everyone to settle
41:30we'll continue with the ceremony
41:33toasts
41:33for receiving love
41:35farewells
41:35everything moved to the quiet mutual warmth
41:37the room felt like what it was supposed to feel like
41:40two families joining
41:41genuinely
41:41by the time the last guests felt it out
41:43i sat down in one of the private rooms the hotel had reserved
41:46and let out the first real breath i'd taken all day
41:49nathan handed me a glass of water
41:50tired
41:51his voice was attentive
41:52not intrusive
41:56today
41:56thank you
41:57it was agreed to
41:59the yates keep their word
42:00as for your family and the harmans
42:02before he could finish
42:03the hotel manager stepped in and addressed nathan quietly
42:06sir
42:06mr harman is still outside
42:08he's insisting on a few minutes with mrs yates
42:11do you want to see him
42:13i looked at my reflection in the floor to ceiling window
42:15still in the dress
42:16i shook my head
42:20everything that needed to be said
42:22i said
42:25tell mr harman my wife needs to rest
42:27she's not receiving visitors
42:30if he continues to linger
42:32you know what to do
42:33yes sir
42:38i knew the yates had the reach to make ethan walk away tonight
42:40and keep him from getting close again
42:42that was part of why i chose nathan
42:43part of why i chose this
42:45i needed somewhere safe
42:46i needed something sharp enough to cut through every knot i tied myself into
42:51i changed out of the gown
42:52put on something comfortable
42:53settled into the car
42:54it pulled away from the hotel slowly
42:56the city lights meek past the window
42:57i leaned my head back and closed my eyes
42:59not the flood of relief i'd imagined
43:01not grief even
43:01a flat open calm and somewhere under it something faint and new
43:05like the first edge of wanting something again
43:07i knew ethan wouldn't let go easily
43:09but this time i was not standing still
43:11i had married someone else
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