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Hot drama 2026
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00:20Lawrence, I have something to tell you.
00:45Something 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 and 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 you feel heartbroken?
01:41Why do you feel heartbroken?
01:52Is 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.
02:09Dad, about my mom's medical expense.
02:16Those seem like my shoes.
02:19Mr. Roy, you're right.
02:21It's my daughter who saved you.
02:23This is my daughter.
02:30Listen, we have guests now.
02:32If you still want money, keep your mouth shut and go back to your room.
02:39Who's that?
02:40She sounds familiar.
02:42Sorry, Mr. Roy.
02:43It's just a servant's child.
02:44Let's continue.
02:45Miss, are these shoes yours?
02:47Yes, Mr. Roy.
02:49I'm Elena.
02:49These are the shoes I lost when I saved you.
02:51Did you get hurt when you saved me?
02:56I remember that on your call of a tone, there's a...
02:59Oh, right.
02:59There's a birthmark on her call of a tone.
03:01Yes, but you're not asking to see it now, right?
03:05I won't be so rude.
03:06Thank you for saving my life.
03:08Please tell me what do you want.
03:09I'll make it happen.
03:11You're too nice.
03:12I don't really need anything.
03:13Please, give me a chance to thank you properly.
03:16Then...
03:18Marry me.
03:19That figure seemed familiar.
03:28Aren't those shoes the ones I lost five years ago?
03:31We found some old stuff in the storage room.
03:34Who cares whose they are?
03:35Anyway, let me tell you some good news.
03:37Your sister is getting married soon.
03:39That's right.
03:40My dear sister, be my bridesmaid.
03:43Congratulations, Elena.
03:45Oh, sister, are you back this time?
03:47To jay money for your mom's trialed?
03:49Don't feel embarrassed.
03:52Here.
03:53Take it.
03:57I'm throwing an engagement party here tonight.
04:00Dance for us.
04:01And the money is yours.
04:02All right.
04:03What time is it?
04:05Eight sharp.
04:06Oh, besides, my fiancé will be here.
04:08Looking forward to it.
04:10She doesn't know who Lawrence is, right?
04:13It doesn't matter.
04:16I have the shoes.
04:20He'll believe me.
04:28I heard Elena's sister is performing tonight.
04:31Exotic dancer.
04:37Veronica, come and meet my fiancé.
04:40This is my fiancé, Mr. Lawrence Roy.
04:47Darling, this is tonight's surprise.
04:50Veronica.
04:53It's a pleasure to meet you.
04:55A pleasure to meet you?
04:58I've heard so much about you.
05:01Mr. Roy.
05:04Wait, these shoes are filthy.
05:07They'll ruin my father's marble floor.
05:09Without the ballet shoes, I can't dance.
05:12True artists don't need fancy tools.
05:22Think about your mother's medical fee.
05:25Dance.
05:25Or piss off.
05:28Fine.
05:28Stop wasting time.
05:31Dance.
05:51Enough, Veronica.
05:56I said enough.
05:58Are you trying to ruin my banquet?
06:01Why bother?
06:27Why are you dancing ballet here?
06:29I'm a ballet dancer.
06:30I only dance ballet.
06:33Don't work here.
06:35From now on, you'll dance only for me.
06:38How silly of me.
06:41To think he would do the same.
06:51What are you doing here?
06:54You've ruined my engagement party!
06:57I danced.
06:58Give me the money.
07:00Money?
07:01After you ruined everything and totally embarrassed me?
07:05Your mom should have died long ago.
07:07You two deserve to go to hell.
07:22Mom, I'm sorry.
07:24Mom, I'm sorry.
07:24I fucked up again.
07:26And 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.
07:36And 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, I'll get you transferred.
07:46Let's find a place where no one knows us.
07:59Find her.
08:00She's not going anywhere without my permission.
08:10Are you sure you want an abortion?
08:15Yes.
08:16A family member needs to sign.
08:21I'll sign it.
08:34Get out.
08:39Why are you here?
08:47I own this hospital.
08:50Move.
08:52Listen.
08:53Without my permission.
08:56Don't even think about getting rid of it.
08:58Why?
08:59You're going to get married.
09:01This is my child.
09:02And you...
09:04must deliver it.
09:09Before that, you're not allowed to go anywhere.
09:13You have no right to...
09:15From now on, you're my personal assistant.
09:1824-7.
09:19What did you say?
09:21Don't forget.
09:22You still owe me a penalty fee.
09:25Lee will send you the address.
09:278 tomorrow morning.
09:28Meet me at the office.
09:33This is what he called a personal assistant?
09:36There's nothing I can do.
09:42Postpone this afternoon's meeting to 4 a.m.
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.
10:06Do it again.
10:06I didn't put sugar in it.
10:14Don't move.
10:15Let go.
10:17Are you doing this on purpose?
10:21You think I'd throw myself into the arms of a man who's about to get married?
10:53Sir.
10:54Sir.
10:55Miss Elena is coming this way.
11:07Don't let her see me.
11:22Don't let her see me.
11:26Please.
11:28You don't want anyone to see us together?
11:32Are you insane?
11:33Your fiancé is outside the door right now.
11:36So?
11:43Miss Elena, Mr. Lawrence is...
11:45He's busy. Please wait.
11:49So you don't want her to find out that her fiancé is having an affair with another woman, right?
11:53An affair?
11:57Remember, you're pregnant with my child first.
12:07Busy? I have to wait to meet him?
12:09I'll go in and talk to him myself. Open the door!
12:17Darling!
12:18Do you miss me?
12:20What brings you here?
12:21I'm here to see you. Secretary Lee said you were busy. What's keeping you occupied?
12:25Schedule is a bit tight recently.
12:27You'll keep me company at the charity gala tomorrow, right? I don't want to face those annoying things socialers on
12:32my own.
12:33Sure.
12:35That's more like it.
12:37Oh, can I use your lounge?
12:39Why?
12:40I've been shopping the whole afternoon. I'm exhausted.
12:43I want to rest on your bed before I leave.
12:48No problem.
12:51What's that sound?
13:06Miss Elena!
13:07Mr. Lawrence prepared a gift for you. It's in the car downstairs. Would you like to take a look?
13:13A gift? What gift?
13:15It's the limited edition you pecked the last time necklace. Mr. Lawrence ordered it from Paris.
13:20You're such a sweetheart. Show it to me.
13:33Why didn't you want her to find you?
13:36If I tell you, can you advance me six-month salary?
13:39Are you qualified to negotiate with me?
13:42I said, can you?
13:44What leverage do you have?
13:46Never mind.
13:48Tell me.
13:50Fine. Starting tomorrow, you're fired.
13:52Don't forget that you still owe me the penalty fee.
13:56If you don't come to work, just wait to pay back the money.
13:59You-
14:00I'm giving you three seconds.
14:02One.
14:03Two.
14:04She's my sister.
14:05What did you say?
14:08Elena is my sister.
14:11Five years ago, your daughter saved my life at West Horry Tunnel.
14:15You're from the Crower family?
14:23So, you're George Crowdy's daughter?
14:26What does it have to do with you?
14:32Can you give it to me?
14:34The money?
14:34Why do you need money?
14:36Find a father for my child.
14:38It deserves a dad.
14:42There's no need to upset me.
14:44After you give birth to the kid, you'll get your payment.
14:48What if I want it now?
14:50Then prove yourself.
14:52Finish this today, and I'll pay you.
14:56Deal.
15:06Miss Veronica, here's your drink.
15:08No, thanks.
15:10Mr. Roy, he doesn't mean it that way.
15:13He's just-
15:13You don't need to speak for him.
15:15I know perfectly well what he thinks of me.
15:17Miss Veronica.
15:18It's done.
15:20Remind your boss to keep his promise.
15:26Sir.
15:27Miss Veronica has finished her cinch.
15:29Well, transfer the money to her.
15:31Sir.
15:32Miss Veronica is also Mr. Crowett's daughter.
15:35Could she be the one who saved you five years ago?
15:37Those shoes belong to Elena.
15:41Wait.
15:41Make an appointment with Elena.
15:44Tell her to wear the dress from five years ago.
15:48Darling.
15:49Thank you for making time to choose my wedding dress.
15:52Why didn't you wear that dress?
15:54It's been five years.
15:55There's no way I'm still keeping it.
15:57But as I recall, you didn't wear a dress then.
16:00You seem to have a lot of secrets.
16:02I don't remember.
16:03What secrets could I possibly have?
16:06Haven't you investigated everything?
16:09If that's true, I wouldn't have just figured out that Veronica is your sister.
16:12Well, I don't think that's relevant.
16:15Well, I don't think that's relevant.
16:15She not important.
16:17Elena.
16:18I hope you didn't hide anything from me.
16:38You?
16:39Why are you here?
16:44it'd be ideal to choose the wedding dress with family so i invited your sister you wouldn't mind
16:51let me try this one first
16:59why don't you pick a bridesmaid dress instead of standing here sister
17:17what are you doing do you want a wedding dress too
17:21have you found anyone with the money have you lost your mind elena is still here
17:29answer me let go is there anything i can do that can help you
17:41i i'm gonna try this
17:47psycho
17:57you how can you get in here leave
18:01do you think you can escape from me
18:07i've never noticed that you have a birthmark here you never cared about these details
18:16stop stop it darling where are you
18:24everyone listen this whole thing is a mistake i'm the harman bride
18:29the day before the wedding i just found out that my fiance is already married
18:33not the past but now the bride is his closest friend
18:37i didn't cry nor did i make a scene i just suddenly wonder if marriage can be a joke
18:42then what were these six years of mine i photographed it and texted him
18:45explain this i figured it was some kind of prank then his friend's voice message came
18:49through 60 seconds
18:52hey i'm so sorry we were at a bar last night had a stupid idea got a little drunk and
18:57just
18:57went and did it don't worry once the 30-day waiting period is up we're filing for divorce
19:02immediately we'll get him right back to you
19:03i was quiet for two seconds then i blocked her three hours later ethan came home i was already
19:09at the bottom of the stairs luggage in tow he glanced at the certificates sitting on the coffee
19:14table and pressed two fingers to his temple it's not a big deal she was just messing around you're
19:19really gonna hold this over everyone you've been waiting for this wedding for six years you can't
19:24wait one more month i smiled i didn't deny it no i can't ethan blinked he stepped in front of
19:31me
19:31on instinct mia stop don't do this the invitations are already out if you leave now what are our
19:38families supposed to do i moved his hand aside and kept walking his voice finally went cold you're
19:44gonna throw away six years over something this small i stopped i turned around six years ethan
19:51when you signed that certificate with her did you think about those six years at all
19:55he had nothing he forced out something useless the bar was loud the guys kept pouring drinks
20:01she took a lot of them for me she was pretty out of it herself everyone was egging us on
20:06i wasn't
20:06thinking straight they basically dragged us there
20:11it was a joke we'll fix it i looked at his unbothered face and didn't even have the energy to
20:16argue
20:17a joke if marriage could be a joke what in this world was actually serious
20:21i turned away his phone rang he looked at it it's cassie she knows she screwed up she wants
20:28to apologize to you i ignored him and opened the door cassie was already standing outside
20:33keys dangling from one hand
20:38you're actually leaving i wheeled my suitcase around her cassie clicked her tongue and grabbed
20:42the handle really i said i'd apologize isn't that enough i'm the one who talked him into it
20:47i'm the one who kept pouring if you're mad be mad at me don't take it out on ethan
20:53cassie be respectful give her the bag cassie didn't give it back she pulled it further behind her
21:03if i do who's he gonna swap rings with tomorrow air
21:09look unlike you i don't spend my whole life orbiting some guy with zero career of my own
21:14but even i know a guy like ethan the dinners the schmoothing the situational flirtation
21:20it's just business we grew up together i helped him fight his battles you weren't even the picture
21:27back then getting all dramatic over one little joke can't you act like a grown-up
21:32since you're so mature and so concerned about him then you go tomorrow to the wedding
21:42you be the main event that certificate becomes the real thing
21:49i pulled my suitcase back cassie's expression cracked her chest rose and fell twice
21:55then she smirked fine she dug into her bag pulled out her copy of the certificate
22:03this little thing bothers you that much then i'll just tear it up
22:08consider it my apology the certificate split straight down the middle
22:12cassie dropped both halves on the floor done happy now if you can't take a joke you can't
22:19take a joke this is so boring ethan's expression went dark cassie what are you doing
22:26fixing your problem certificate's gone she can calm down now right she turned to me satisfied
22:33then she shot me a look eyes already going red and ran then i looked at ethan
22:42that's her apology he watched the spot where she disappeared rubbed his forehead irritated
22:47she's impulsive she was trying to let you vent let me vent i nearly laughed
22:53she tore up the marriage certificate before you two can file for divorce you'll have to go replace
22:58it ethan she wasn't letting me vent she was rubbing salt in the wound on purpose she didn't think that
23:05far right she didn't have to because in the end it's not her problem i stopped looking at him grabbed
23:11my
23:11suitcase turned around the driver helped load it into the trunk
23:18ethan caught up pressed his hand against the door before it closed he leaned down to look at me
23:25mia go to your parents place cool off think about whether you're being unreasonable but tomorrow
23:30every guest and every reporter will be there you know how to show up as a proper bride
23:35our family's reputations are not yours to throw around i slowly lifted my head there it was again
23:41our family's reputations six years every time cassie crossed a line in the name of best friends
23:48because he was sure i couldn't leave not emotionally not financially he never once thought about putting
23:53distance between himself and cassie i did believe nothing physical had happened between them i spent six
23:58happy months planning a wedding and then a marriage certificate a bar her name on it next to his
24:05first it was all the small things now she'd even slipped herself into the legal definition of his spouse
24:10as a joke our family's reputations i repeated it softly you keep them that's your job the wedding
24:18i'm not coming as for the bride i pulled the door shut marry whoever you want the car pulled out
24:28miss where to the airport my phone vibrated the whole way there ethan my mom his mom mutual friends
24:37i declined every call turned it off for the first time i was not being good and i felt something
24:44i
24:44hadn't felt in years light but just when i thought i was free that lightness shattered the moment we pulled
24:50up to the terminal my parents were there my brother jamie and the family's adopted daughter sierra
24:55jamie grabbed my suitcase handle mia what is wrong with you if you leave what happens to us the comp
25:00is on on life support waiting for the harman group investment my mom took advantage of the distraction and
25:04snatched my purse sweetheart i heard everything just wait for them to divorce in a month and it's like it
25:09never happened stop causing a scene sierra drifted over sis i know you're hurting but we're family
25:19can't you think of us just this once just this once was that really what it was at 18 i
25:25signed
25:25over grandpa's shares to her at 21 when she had her eye on someone i stepped aside from the engagement
25:29grandpa had arranged for me an old money family the yates at 22 i drank until i was hospitalized to
25:35smooth over a business dinner for the family at 25 i took the fall for jamie's embezzlement to protect
25:39the heir's clean record every single time written off as family and it is what you do since the day
25:44i was
25:45brought into this so-called home had anyone ever thought about me my parents warmth and favoritism
25:49had always flowed straight to sierra the good daughter the one they'd raised from childhood
25:53jamie had been carried his whole life he was a leech and he knew it if it hadn't been for
25:57ethan walking
25:57into my world like a light through a window i wouldn't have lasted this long he saw through my
26:01silence understood the things i couldn't say with him there sierra's digs and my parents favoritism had
26:05stayed in check i fell in love with him depended on him i held on like he was a life
26:09raft i pushed so hard
26:10for him to marry me sooner convinced myself that once i had my own home i could finally leave the
26:14suffocating place behind for that i told myself cassie's boundary crossing was something i could
26:19tolerate but now even that last stupid hope was gone give me my bag i held out my hand to
26:24my mother
26:24come home first we'll talk when you've settled down jamie groaned and stamped his foot mia i'm begging
26:30you just get through this one thing once the funding comes in after that you can do whatever
26:35you want i looked at this brother who'd been pampered his whole life how much money would it take
26:39to save this family so it doesn't have to sell off another daughter jamie flinched he gave me a number
26:44it was staggering pulled out my phone found an unsaved number pressed call it rang five times
26:50before someone picked up three million in cash is a wedding gift if you agree we get married tomorrow
26:56three million in cash is a wedding gift if you agree we get married tomorrow the breath on the other
27:03end
27:03paused agreed okay three million it'll hit the account jamie stared at me mia are you serious my
27:12parents faces went from desperate to flooded with relief my mom moved to grab my hand sweetheart you
27:17can't just talk money with ethan over the phone like that it damages things sis-in-law will think less
27:23of you people will call you a gold digger all right all right the amount doesn't matter what matters is
27:31that it's settled the original agreement with the harmons was five hundred thousand up front this
27:35time he's offering three million it means he values mia mia i don't want to hear you say selling
27:43daughters again embarrassing you and sierra are both our girls we love you the same you and sierra are
27:52both our girls we love you the same if it's the same why didn't you offer sierra for this one
27:56the yates
27:57are older money than the harmons stronger by a mile sierra went white the yates were more prominent
28:02because of it stricter about bloodline when they come to discuss the engagement they looked at me
28:07the whole time sierra hadn't even been formally introduced at that meeting the yates hadn't wanted
28:12to enjoy everyone in that room knew it why bring up old history then we won't the money's coming problem
28:19solved let's go home you want me walking down the aisle tomorrow don't you i left without waiting for an
28:27answer back in the car my phone buzzed once but at this hour there was only one person it could
28:32be
28:33a location pin then a second message tomorrow i'm looking forward to seeing you in a white dress
28:39back at the house the air was thick i went straight upstairs the harman side had already been told
28:44the bride has returned wedding is on satisfied presumably the crisis was over the ceremony would
28:51proceed that was enough whether or not the bride was willing no one thought to ask the next morning
28:57the house had none of the warmth the wedding day should carry no bustle no joy just a cold and
29:02indifferent quiet my parents only changed into appropriate clothes when the housekeeper reminded
29:07them ethan's motorcade arrived on time his suit was immaculate his expression composed the groomsmen
29:14surrounded him the energy among them was easy and warm but no one from the bride's side came to block
29:19the
29:19door they were just awkwardly ushered in my mom held a practice smile jamie looked like he hadn't slept
29:26ethan scanned the room no family friends no laughter where is she still getting ready oh probably still
29:34upstairs doing her makeup go check is she ready relax a bride's supposed to make you wait ethan's brow
29:44stayed locked he pulled out his phone and opened mia's messages a red exclamation point his fingers
29:50went still she still has you blocked the ceremony's about to start a cold unease expanded in his chest
29:58ma'am the young miss isn't in her room we checked everywhere she's gone what
30:05by the time they pulled the security footage they found she'd left hours ago ethan's chest went airless
30:11he told her to come back she'd still pulled this ethan look at the group chat someone posted a video
30:16wait isn't that mia ethan grabbed the phone the video was from the same seven star hotel where their
30:23ceremony was booked a woman was led toward the bridal suite by a staff member
30:32see i told you she just wanted a dramatic entrance she's there that's what counts this girl couldn't
30:39say a word gave us all a scare let's get to the hotel don't miss the timing the motorcade reached
30:45the hotel ethan exchanged brief greetings with arriving guests wonderful night it's a beautiful party
30:50i'm so glad you could make it thank you i need to go to the restroom excuse the efficient was
30:53ready
30:53he turned and headed for the bridal suite he stopped at the flower decorated door knocked
30:59me it's time are you ready silence his expression tightened he turned the handle
31:09the room was bright and empty and then the thing that turned his blood to ice cassie was standing in
31:14the middle of the room ethan you can't just come in what are you doing in here
31:20where's mia his temper surged hard why are you yelling at me the ceremony was about to start
31:25and she wasn't out yet i came to check if she needed help she wasn't here the dress was just
31:31hanging
31:31there i just it's so beautiful i couldn't help it i tried it on the vein in his temple jumped
31:40take it
31:41off now if mia sees this cassie's lip pressed together then someone knocked mr harman the ceremony
31:48start time has passed the officiator is asking if the bride is ready to enter also mr harman the
31:54ballroom next door has just begun an unscheduled ceremony the timeline is quite tight on their end
31:58if your side is unable to start just yet would you consider briefly yielding the corridor
32:04we'd hate to disrupt the other event it's a yates carter wedding
32:09a yates carter wedding
32:13which carter i'm not entirely sure of the details
32:17a nameless unease moved through him but he had no time to chase it he dialed the groomsmen group
32:23mia's not in the suite split up and find her
32:26then he turned back to the manager this wedding was booked six months ago we're not moving
32:31mr harman the timing really is there's no conflict let my fiancee hear that her aisle is being cleared
32:36for someone else his voice dropped she won't be happy his phone buzzed a photo from one of the
32:44groomsmen a slender figure in a wedding gown half turned on a call the dress was simpler elegant she
32:51was stunning all the tension melted away he would marry her he would have a home with mia maybe children
32:57soon don't you think i looked better in it looks like she didn't love the one i picked fine he
33:03pocketed his phone and turned to go find her ethan cassie grabbed his arm um she asked the question
33:08that broke through every layer of best friends and it means nothing when you walked in just now
33:13and saw me in the dress what did you feel he looked at her red rimmed eyes at the expensive
33:19gown
33:19on her body the faint warmth the photo had put in his face drained away cassie in a wedding gown
33:23was
33:23undeniably striking there was something arresting about it what he felt toward cassie was closer to
33:28a man's possessiveness over someone who belonged in his orbit liked feeling needed admired but he
33:32liked more the ease of holding two women in careful balance he'd never imagined having to choose
33:37cassie's tears her question they tore the paper screen open he was still for a moment not now his throat
33:44moved he looked past her eyes cassie not now this isn't the moment change out of the dress he turned
33:50and walked out toward mia i was on the terrace outside the ballroom finishing a call i turned to
33:54go inside mia you're here the groomsmen and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway sis-in-law
34:07you're something else gave us a serious scare wandered over to the next venue right is this a location
34:14comparison didn't like the decor on our side cassie stepped to my side you nearly gave ethan a heart
34:20attack she laughed and scanned my gown that's pretty too but the star of today isn't here for someone
34:26else's party come on everyone's waiting by the way you'd technically be the other woman right now
34:33but don't stress about it we know the truth congratulations on the wedding though i looked
34:39at her thank you her smile stalled ethan stepped in front of me done with your call let's go back
34:45we've lost time but we can still make it if you actually like this room set up i'll talk to
34:50the
34:50yates we might be able to switch whatever makes you happy he said it so naturally his groomsmen
34:56watched certain waiting for me to do what i'd always done he reached for me palm up i looked at
35:01his face
35:01the handsome face with its faint impatience in front of everyone watching i turned slightly and spoke
35:06quietly to the hotel attendant at my side could you please let the official know we're ready to begin
35:10of course mrs yates mr yates has been ready mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open
35:16he looked at her red rimmed eyes at the expensive gown on her body the faint warmth the photo had
35:20put
35:20in his face drained away cassie in a wedding gown was undeniably striking there was something arresting
35:25about it what he felt toward cassie was closer to a man's possessiveness over someone who belonged in
35:29his orbit liked feeling needed admired but he liked more the ease of holding two women in careful
35:34balance he'd never imagined having to choose cassie's tears her question they tore the paper
35:40screen open he was still for a moment not now his throat moved he looked past her eyes cassie
35:46not now this isn't the moment change out of the dress he turned and walked out toward mia
35:50i was on the terrace outside the ballroom finishing a call i turned to go inside
36:02the groomsmen and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway sis-in-law you're something
36:07else gave us a serious scare wandered over to the next venue right is this a location comparison
36:15didn't like the decor on our side cassie stepped to my side you nearly gave ethan a heart attack
36:20she laughed and scanned my gown that's pretty too but the star of today isn't here for someone else's
36:26party come on everyone's waiting by the way you'd technically be the other woman right now
36:33but don't stress about it we know the truth congratulations on the wedding though i looked
36:39at her thank you her smile stalled ethan stepped in front of me done with your call let's go back
36:44we've
36:45lost time but we can still make it if you actually like this room set up i'll talk to the
36:49yates we
36:50might be able to switch whatever makes you happy he said it so naturally his groomsmen watched certain
36:56waiting for me to do what i'd always done he reached for me palm up i looked at his face
37:00the
37:01handsome face with its faint impatience in front of everyone watching i turned slightly and spoke
37:05quietly to the hotel attendant at my side could you please let the official know we're ready to begin
37:09of course mrs yates mr yates has been ready mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open
37:15he was betting on the last six years betting i'd soften betting that none of this was real enough
37:20to hold somewhere the music had stopped every person in the room was watching me i lifted my
37:24eyes i looked at the man i had loved for six years and waited on for six years he looked
37:29in this moment
37:29very far away i didn't look at ethan i just said it one word at a time ethan look carefully
37:35i turned
37:36slightly this dress you didn't choose it this ring you didn't give it i looked past his pale face today
37:44standing here marrying nathan yates that's me mia carter i paused one breath then the last sentence
37:50the one that severed everything your wedding your bride none of that was ever mine i didn't look at his
37:56face go gray i placed my hand steadily into the curve of nathan's arm let's continue nathan looked
38:01at me for a moment then nodded at the officiant the next second the wedding march filled the hall
38:05again fuller than before it swept over everything nathan walked me forward step by steady step toward
38:10the altar at the end of the aisle on both sides guests began to clap my family's composed expressions
38:14had long since collapsed none of them had seen this coming that the man i was marrying today had nothing
38:19to do with the harmons they'd spent years courting that it was the yates who operated on an entirely
38:23different level who wouldn't have thought twice about the harmons as for how i'd gotten nathan
38:27yates to put three million on the table that was my business it had nothing to do with their scheming
38:31nothing to do with the hollow shell my family had become the guests who had been invited by my family
38:35who were supposed to be here for the wedding on the other side every single one of them had drifted
38:39to
38:39this room instead not out of loyalty to the carters out of instinct for the more valuable alliance
38:44their applause built into something that filled the entire hall behind me silence like a held breath i
38:48didn't need to turn around to picture ethan's face but that was no longer mine to carry the ceremony
38:54reached the moment that mattered most the officiant's voice was warm and measured mia carter do you take
39:00nathan yates to be your husband to have and to hold in sickness and in health for richer or poorer
39:05for as
39:06long as you both shall live the room held still every eye on me i do no ethan's voice cracked
39:15across the room
39:20his eyes were red fixed on me
39:26mia i won't allow it you're mine you are leaving with me right now he lunged toward the altar two
39:31security guards caught him before he made it two steps locking his arms get your hands off me do you
39:36know who i am mia look at me i'm the one you're supposed to marry nathan let go of her
39:43the yates family
39:45elders in the front row frowned faintly but didn't seem alarmed they had clearly planned for disruption
39:51then a figure in white burst from the side of the crowd cassie she'd put the gown back on she
39:56pushed to
39:56the front held her phone high with the screen facing out and screamed everyone listen this whole thing is
40:03a mistake i'm the harman bride look at this we already have a marriage license her hands were shaking as
40:15she angled the screen toward the guests the efficient the yates family on the screen a marriage certificate
40:20open to the interior page look at her she's the one who went behind my back she got caught and
40:26now she's
40:26running to someone else i don't care how powerful the yates are you can't change the fact that she's
40:30the other woman she will always be a joke the room erupted gasps whispers eyes moving rapidly between
40:37cassie's phone screen my family's faces had gone from blank to ash everyone was holding their breath
40:42waiting for the yates to react waiting for me to fall apart cassie stood tall certain she just played
40:47the card that turned the game but the first person to crack was not the yates family it was not
40:52me it was
40:57not me i'm not lying you won't even admit i'm your wife right here in front of everyone it's not
41:05real
41:05it was a bar stunt it doesn't count he couldn't admit it not here not in the yates house not
41:12in
41:12front of mia nathan who had been silent spoke if it doesn't count we can just check the county records
41:19he leaned slightly toward an assistant and said something low the assistant nodded and left quickly
41:23ethan and cassie were escorted from the room the efficient lifted his voice let's ask everyone to
41:30settle we'll continue with the ceremony toasts for receiving love farewells everything moved to the
41:36quiet mutual warmth the room felt like what it was supposed to feel like two families joining genuinely
41:42by the time the last guests filtered out i sat down in one of the private rooms the hotel had
41:46reserved and let out the first real breath i'd taken all day nathan handed me a glass of water
41:50tired his voice was attentive not intrusive
41:56today thank you it was agreed to the yates keep their word as for your family and the harmons before
42:03he could finish not the hotel manager stepped in and addressed nathan quietly sir mr harman is still
42:08outside he's insisting on a few minutes witnesses yes
42:12do you want to see him i looked at my reflection in the floor to ceiling window still in the
42:16dress
42:16i shook my head everything that needed to be said i said
42:25tell mr harman my wife needs to rest she's not receiving visitors if he continues to linger you know
42:33what you want to do yes sir i knew the yates had the reach to make even walk away tonight
42:40and keep
42:41him from getting close again that was part of why i chose nathan part of why i chose this i
42:45needed
42:45somewhere safe i needed something sharp enough to cut through every knot i tied myself into
42:51i changed out of the gown put on something comfortable settled into the car it pulled away from the hotel
42:55slowly the city lights moved past the window i leaned my head back and closed my eyes not the flood
43:00of relief
43:00i'd imagined not grief even a flat open calm and somewhere under it something faint and new like
43:05the first edge of wanting something again i knew ethan wouldn't let go easily but this time i was not
43:11standing still i had married someone else
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