- 8 hours ago
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00:00I spent ten years chasing the woman who would burn me alive, my wife, all because she was
00:05afraid I'd expose what she'd done with my half-brother.
00:07As the flames consumed me, I saw a stranger rush into the fire.
00:11She pulled me into her arms.
00:12Her tears burned hotter than the flames on my skin.
00:16Ethan, if there's a next life, can you choose me first?
00:21My soul scattered, but I saw her before I died.
00:24This woman, Serena Vance.
00:26She built me a gravestone, my beloved husband.
00:29She destroyed Rose and Julian without mercy.
00:31Then she took her own life.
00:33When I opened my eyes again, I'd been reborn.
00:35I broke off my engagement to Rose Miller.
00:37I married Serena instead.
00:39Two years later, Rose was on her knees in front of me.
00:41She'd been reborn too, apparently.
00:43But I'd already sworn to love Serena in this life.
00:45So why was everything falling apart?
00:47Serena started going to clubs with Julian.
00:49My stomach ulcer flared up.
00:50I collapsed at home, alone.
00:52She was having dinner with my brother.
00:53When Julian ran over the stray dog we'd adopted together, she did nothing.
00:57I held the small body in my arms, shaking.
01:00Why?
01:01My voice cracked.
01:02Why are you doing this to me?
01:04Serena looked at me like I was pathetic.
01:06Do I need a reason to stop loving someone?
01:11I told Mrs. Vance I wanted a divorce.
01:15Please don't tell Serena yet.
01:17I begged.
01:18She squeezed my hand.
01:19I'm so sorry, Ethan.
01:21I took the divorce papers and went to find Serena myself.
01:24I found her at a private club.
01:26Through the VIP booth window, Isaware wrapped around Julian.
01:30Her chin rested in the curve of his neck.
01:35Who let you in?
01:36I held out the papers.
01:37My arm stayed frozen in there.
01:39Five seconds.
01:39Ten.
01:40My shoulders started to ache.
01:41Finally, she pinched Julian's waist.
01:43Julian leaned into her like a cat, flipping through the papers lazily.
01:48What's this?
01:50What?
01:51Nothing.
01:51Serena?
01:52I think Ethan brought you some company documents.
01:55You should sign them so he can leave.
01:56My blood went cold.
01:57You sign.
01:58I'm giving you full authority.
02:00Wait.
02:01Serena, don't you want to re-
02:02He speaks for me.
02:03What, afraid I'll go back on my word in front of all these people?
02:06She used to check every document.
02:07I gave a hair.
02:08Every single one.
02:09Now she trusted Julian Morath and me.
02:11Julian handed myth-assigned papers.
02:13I turned to leave.
02:13I hand-grabbed my arm.
02:15Hold on.
02:16What?
02:17She smiled.
02:18It didn't reach her eyes.
02:19Come home with us.
02:20I'm pregnant.
02:21Julian's moving in to help me through it.
02:23And Ethan?
02:24Make him that chicken soup he likes so much.
02:27While Rosen myth wrote,
02:28I won't do it.
02:29It's okay, Serena.
02:31Don't force him.
02:32Shut up.
02:33You'll do what I tell you to do.
02:35Now let's go.
02:36She didn't wait for an answer.
02:38She dragged me back to the villa.
02:47Serena dragged me straight to the kitchen.
02:50She watched me take out the chicken and Vigate Abel's.
02:53Fill the pot with water.
02:55Only when the flame was lit did she finally leave.
02:58I stared at the bubbling broth.
03:00This was pathetic.
03:02My dear brother,
03:04you must be so disappointed.
03:06Serena didn't even look at those divorce papers, right?
03:09The woman who used to love you so much,
03:12now her heart belongs completely to me.
03:15That's just how women are, I guess.
03:16He laughed.
03:17But wow, you're so obedient.
03:20You were about to leave,
03:21but she told you to make soup,
03:23and here you are.
03:25You're such a good little dog.
03:30Are you done?
03:31My voice was flat.
03:32Julian's smile vanished.
03:33His eyes landed on the pot of boiling soup.
03:36Before I could react,
03:37he grabbed the handle and swung it at me.
03:38The scalding liquid hit my face,
03:40my chest,
03:41my arms.
03:42Then Julian started screaming instead.
03:43Help! Help!
03:45The door burst open.
03:47Serena ran in.
03:50For just a second,
03:51when she saw me,
03:52something flickered Harry's concern.
03:55Serena!
03:55I tried to help Ethan carry the soup,
03:57but he tried to throw it on me!
03:59You're lying.
04:00Check the security camera.
04:02Check it.
04:03The camera will show everything!
04:04Enough!
04:05I believe Julian.
04:06You tried to hurt him and burn yourself instead.
04:09You deserve this.
04:10Serena, it hurts.
04:11Let's get you to the hospital.
04:13She didn't look at me again.
04:15A dull ache spread through my chest.
04:16What an idiot I was,
04:18thinking she might actually care about me.
04:19Ethan!
04:20Her heart only had room for Julian.
04:22As I fell,
04:23I thought I heard Serena running toward me.
04:24But I was probably imagining it.
04:27When I woke up,
04:28I was in a hospital room.
04:29My blood was draining into Julian's arm.
04:31I tried to pull out the IV.
04:33Serena grabbed my wrist.
04:37Don't even think about it.
04:39You're giving Julian your blood
04:40whether you like it or not.
04:41This is your fault.
04:43He fell because of you.
04:45Her eyes were cold.
04:46You should be grateful
04:47your worthless blood can save him.
04:48The room spun.
04:50My burn screamed.
04:51The needle in me.
04:52Arm kept sucking Medri.
04:53I passed out again.
04:55Before I lost consciousness,
04:56I heard Serena's angry voice.
04:57I told you to take 20 ML to scare him.
05:00Not 2,000 ML, you idiots.
05:02Do you want to kill him?
05:03When I woke up again,
05:05Serena was sitting by my bed.
05:06She tapped her fingers on the table.
05:08Her eyes were ice.
05:09Stop pretending to be dead.
05:10We're going to the old manor this afternoon.
05:13I don't know what kind of spell
05:14you put on my mother,
05:15but she's throwing you a networking party.
05:17How manipulative.
05:18I tried to speak,
05:19but my throat was Tudri.
05:21So I was right.
05:22That worried voice I heard
05:23was nothing but my imagination.
05:25Why would Serena ever care?
05:26I was a fool to hope for even a second.
05:31My burn shed in Thielad yet.
05:32Serena didn't care.
05:33She brought me Totham and her anyway.
05:36Mrs. Vance walked toward us.
05:38Panic shot through me.
05:39What if she mentioned
05:40the divorce?
05:41I was about to signal her
05:42when Serena's phone rang.
05:46Whatever it is,
05:47tell me when I get back.
05:48Mrs. Vance tried to stop her.
05:49I know who's calling.
05:50Let her go.
05:53She already signed the divorce papers.
05:55She's pregnant with Julian's child now.
05:58The baby needs a family.
06:00Ethan, you're such a good boy.
06:03We failed you.
06:04Mrs. Vance's eyes filled with tears.
06:06My composure shattered.
06:08I hadn't cried when Julian burned me.
06:10Hadn't cried when Serena
06:12forced metadonate blood.
06:14But Mrs. Vance's kindness broke me.
06:17Tonight,
06:17I wanted to introduce you to some people.
06:20It might help your future.
06:23I wanted to refuse.
06:24But seeing her tears,
06:26I couldn't.
06:27Mrs. Vance chose
06:28and suit for me.
06:29When the party began,
06:31she introduced me to her circle with pride.
06:33After an hour of networking,
06:35I escaped to a quiet corner.
06:36That's when I saw her.
06:38Rose Miller.
06:41My body went cold.
06:43Every kill screamed
06:43at Mederan.
06:45Even thought
06:46this wasn't the first time
06:47since my rebirth.
06:48Seeing Rose always brought back
06:49the memory
06:49of burning a live.
06:51Ethan, come with me.
06:52Rose, I've told you before.
06:54We're both reborn.
06:55Let's just leave each other alone.
06:57After my rebirth,
06:58the first thing I did
06:59was break our engagement.
07:00Rose hadn't been reborn yet.
07:02She agreed easily.
07:03But two years into my marriage
07:05with Serena,
07:06Rose showed up at my door
07:07on her knees,
07:08begging me to take her back.
07:09I refused.
07:11Told her I loved Serena.
07:13She didn't stop.
07:14Texts every day.
07:16Calls every night.
07:17Two years, Rose.
07:18I've rejected you for two years.
07:21How much clearer can I be?
07:23I don't want to know
07:24how sorry you are,
07:25so please, stop.
07:27Ethan, I swear,
07:29if you come with me
07:30just this once,
07:31I'll never bother you again.
07:34Fine.
07:37Ethan, I swear,
07:38if you come with me
07:40just this once,
07:41I'll never bother you again.
07:42Maybe it could finally
07:43be free of her.
07:44Fine.
07:45I followed her toward the door
07:46and walked straight
07:47into Serena.
07:48She was radiating fury.
07:49When she saw me
07:50standing next to Rose,
07:51something flashed in her eyes.
07:52Serena!
07:52I quickly pulled away
07:53from Rose.
07:55Where did you take Julia?
07:58My heart sank.
07:59I don't know where-
08:00The door slammed open.
08:01Julian burst in.
08:02Ethan, please!
08:04I'm still your brother!
08:06Even if I have a child
08:08with Serena,
08:08you didn't have to hire
08:09someone to rape me!
08:10The room exploded
08:11into whispers.
08:12I didn't.
08:13Serena walked toward me slowly.
08:14Her face was a mask of rage.
08:16You disgust me.
08:18Her hand rose to slap me.
08:20Rose tried to block her,
08:21but Mrs. Vance was faster.
08:23She stepped in front of me.
08:25Serena's eyes flickered
08:26with something dark.
08:27She said coldly,
08:29You make me sick.
08:30Before she left,
08:31she turned to the guests.
08:33If anyone speaks about tonight,
08:35you're an enemy
08:35of the Vance family.
08:40I don't remember
08:41getting home.
08:42I lay in bed,
08:44staring at the ceiling.
08:45My brain was empty.
08:47Tears ran down.
08:48My face.
08:48The beadroom door flew open.
08:50Serena's hand
08:50closed around my throat.
08:52I couldn't breathe.
08:53You're that jealous?
08:54So jealous of me and Julian
08:56having a baby
08:56that you'd do this?
08:57If you want a baby so badly,
08:59I'll give you one.
09:00No.
09:01Hard.
09:02Blood ran down my chest,
09:03soaking the sheets.
09:05Serena froze.
09:05For a moment,
09:06her voice softened
09:07with something
09:08that sounded like regret.
09:10Why didn't you resist?
09:12I'd received confirmation
09:14last night
09:14that everything was ready.
09:15All my accounts closed.
09:17My arrangements made.
09:18Knowing this was almost over,
09:20I suddenly needed to ask
09:21the question
09:22that had haunted me all this time.
09:24Serena, tell me.
09:26After you were reborn,
09:29why did you suddenly
09:30stop loving me?
09:33Serena froze.
09:34Pain flickered across her face
09:35before anger took over.
09:37Rebirth?
09:38What rebirth?
09:39I don't know what you're talking about!
09:41But you loved me before.
09:43You really did.
09:44Enough!
09:44You have no right to ask me that!
09:48Serena stormed out.
09:50The servants whispered
09:51that she'd gone into early labor
09:52from the anger.
09:53The baby weighs in intensive care now.
09:55I went to the stage death company
09:57and sit every thing
09:58for five days from now.
09:59Our wedding anniversary.
10:01I would die in her arms that day.
10:03My love began in her embrace.
10:05It wouldn't there too.
10:06When I got home,
10:07Julian was lounging
10:08in the living room
10:09with Hatzmogluck on his face.
10:11I went straight to my bedroom.
10:13I had nothing to say to him.
10:14But he followed Maine,
10:16cradling the premature infant
10:17in his arms.
10:18The satisfaction in his eyes
10:19told me everything.
10:21Last night's scene
10:22had been another one
10:23of his performances.
10:24I ignored him
10:25and started packing.
10:27I'd leave tonight.
10:28Then Julian set the baby down
10:30next to me on the bed.
10:31Before I could react,
10:33he grabbed a pillow
10:34and pressed it
10:34over the infant's face.
10:36Are you out of your mind?
10:38My shouts brought Serena running.
10:40The fury in her face
10:41made everything
10:42click in topless.
10:43This washes plain all along.
10:44The sheer cruelty of it
10:46stunned me.
10:47Even wild animals
10:47protect their babies.
10:49My hands shook violently
10:50as I gripped the pillow.
10:51Julian!
10:52You're willing to kill
10:53your own child
10:54just to frame me?
10:54How dare you!
10:55That's a human life!
10:58Which hand did you use?
11:00Both of them?
11:01Julian was sobbing dramatically
11:02and calling for a doctor,
11:03which only fueled
11:04her anger more.
11:05Serena dragged
11:06me downstairs to the kitchen.
11:07She pulled it open
11:08drawer after drawer
11:09with frightening determination.
11:11Serena, what are you doing?
11:14Serena, what are you doing?
11:15You hurt what's mine.
11:16Now you pay the price.
11:18The rolling pin
11:18came down hard.
11:19The crack of breaking bone
11:21echoed through the kitchen.
11:22Agony shot up my arm.
11:23I screamed.
11:24She didn't stop.
11:25She brought it down again
11:26on the other hand.
11:27Another crack.
11:28Another wave of unbearable pain.
11:30The bones were broken.
11:31Twisted at unnatural angles.
11:33Serena, don't!
11:33Every slight movement
11:34sent fresh waves
11:35of agony through me.
11:37Serena stood over me,
11:38breathing hard.
11:39Now you can never leave me.
11:40The words sounded
11:41almost tender.
11:42Like she actually believed
11:44she was keeping me safe.
11:45But all I felt
11:46was the betrayal.
11:47The woman I'd chosen
11:48in this second life
11:49had just destroyed me
11:50more thoroughly
11:50than the woman
11:51who'd burned me
11:52in the first.
11:53When I woke up
11:54in the hospital,
11:54both my hands
11:55were in casts.
11:56I looked down
11:57at the heavy casts.
11:58The doctors
11:59said the brakes
12:00were severe.
12:01Multiple fractures.
12:02It would take months
12:03to heal,
12:03and it might never
12:04regain feluse of my hands.
12:06Something inside
12:06my shattered company.
12:07Get out!
12:08I said get out!
12:10After a few days,
12:11my appointment
12:11with the staged
12:12death company arrived.
12:14I called Serena
12:15and asked her
12:15to meet me on the yacht.
12:17She sounded surprised
12:18that I decontacted her.
12:19But she came.
12:21Fireworks exploded
12:22across the night sky,
12:23reflecting off
12:23the dark ocean.
12:25Every anniversary,
12:26you used to bring me here
12:27to watch the fireworks.
12:29Today is our anniversary.
12:30It's okay that you forgot.
12:32Today,
12:33I wanted to...
12:37Julian's not doing well
12:38emotionally.
12:39I need to go
12:39take care of him.
12:40Are you sure
12:40you want to leave?
12:41It's fine.
12:42We have our whole lives
12:43ahead of us.
12:44Now it ain't...
12:45I thought.
12:46I watched her
12:47disappear into the night
12:48with nothing but
12:49bitter mockery
12:50in my heart.
12:51I'd wanted to end
12:52things in her arms,
12:53the same way
12:53this love had begun.
12:55But she couldn't
12:56even give me that.
13:03Miss Vance,
13:04your husband
13:05jumped in the ocean
13:05right after you left.
13:07We found his body.
13:07When can you come
13:08identify the remains?
13:09What are you talking about?
13:11Ethan wouldn't kill himself!
13:20Miss Vance,
13:21your husband
13:22jumped in the ocean
13:22right after you left.
13:24We found his body.
13:25When can you come
13:25identify the remains?
13:26What are you talking about?
13:28Ethan wouldn't kill himself!
13:29Serena, what happened?
13:30You're upsetting the baby!
13:34If something happened
13:35to Ethan,
13:36you and I are finished.
13:38Julian went pale.
13:39He'd never seen
13:40this side of her before.
13:41He watched,
13:41nervously,
13:42as she made a call-after call.
13:43Her expression grew darker
13:44with each conversation.
13:46Dread pooled in his stomach.
13:47He held the baby,
13:48tighter and tried
13:49to quietly slip away.
13:54Going somewhere?
13:54His heart nearly stopped.
13:56She grabbed his collar
13:57and jerked him backwards so
13:58hard as tumbled.
13:59The look in her
13:59ice terrified him.
14:01Pain shot through his abdomen
14:02where she'd kicked him before.
14:04Serena,
14:04the baby can't breathe properly.
14:06We need to go to the hospital.
14:08But Serena didn't rush to help
14:09like she always did.
14:10She smiled.
14:11It was the most frightening smile
14:12he'd ever seen.
14:13Why would I care about that?
14:16Julian grabbed her hand
14:18and pressed it against the baby,
14:20desperate to trigger
14:20some maternal feeling.
14:21Serena, please.
14:23This is your child.
14:24We need a doctor.
14:25Are you absolutely certain
14:26this is my child?
14:28All the blood drained
14:28from Julian's face.
14:30Of course.
14:31Why else would you bring me
14:33into your home?
14:34You think I'm an idiot?
14:36Serena's laugh was humorless.
14:37You think I didn't know
14:37you switched my real baby
14:38with this one?
14:40You replaced my child
14:41with some bastard
14:42you had with another woman
14:43and expected me to raise it?
14:44What made you think
14:45you could fool me?
14:46I carried that baby for months.
14:48You think I wouldn't recognize
14:49my own child?
14:49His face was turning purple.
14:50If you knew,
14:52then why did you bring me home?
14:55Because you're Ethan's brother.
14:57If it weren't for him,
14:58you would have died
14:59the night you tried to drug me.
15:00Julian stared up at her
15:01from the floor.
15:02Understanding dawned
15:03through his fear.
15:04So you knew from the start?
15:06His voice cracked.
15:06You knew I was only seducing you
15:08to hurt my brother?
15:09Obviously.
15:10Serena's lip curled in disgust.
15:11You're not worth
15:12a single strand of Ethan's hair.
15:13If you hadn't manipulated me
15:15into coming home tonight,
15:16Ethan would be fine right now.
15:17She stepped closer.
15:18Pray nothing happened to him.
15:19Because if he's hurt,
15:20I'll make sure you experience
15:22every kind of pain imaginable
15:23before you die.
15:24Serena walked away
15:25without looking back.
15:26Julian lay on the floor,
15:28blood seeping through
15:29his shirt again.
15:30The pain was overwhelming.
15:31He fumbled for his phone
15:33with shaking hands
15:33and dialed the only person
15:35who might still help him.
15:37Rose,
15:38you have to save me.
15:41Rose had been searching
15:42frantically for me all day
15:44when Julian's call came through.
15:48Rose,
15:49you have to save me.
15:51Where is Ethan?
15:52You want to know?
15:53Come to the suburban villa
15:55and take me to the hospital first.
15:57Then I'll tell you.
15:58She arrived ten minutes later.
15:59Julian was crumpled on the floor,
16:00clutching his stomach.
16:01Blood seeped through his fingers.
16:03Take me to the hospital.
16:04Where is Ethan?
16:06You're all the same!
16:08None of you care
16:09if I live or die!
16:10Why should I tell you
16:12where that waste of space went?
16:15Tell me where he is.
16:17Now.
16:18Something in Julian's eyes
16:19turned manic.
16:20The pain,
16:21or the hatred,
16:22or both,
16:23finally broke something
16:24inside him.
16:25I regret it!
16:26He screamed.
16:27I regret choosing you
16:28in my past life,
16:29you witch.
16:31But you know what?
16:32You did do one thing right.
16:34Burning that useless
16:36brother of mine to death
16:37was perfect.
16:39Too bad in this life
16:40he died because of Serena instead.
16:42But either way,
16:43I win!
16:43I always win!
16:46But either way,
16:47I win!
16:48I always win!
16:50What did you do?
16:51What did you do to Ethan?
16:53It's your fault!
16:54Why did you suddenly abandon me
16:56to chase after that worthless Ethan?
16:57You loved me in the past life.
17:00I had to take everything
17:01from him again.
17:02I had to grind him
17:03into the dirt
17:04where he belongs.
17:05And Serena?
17:06She killed him for me
17:07just like you did before.
17:09Men like Ethan exist
17:10to be stepped on!
17:11What happened to Ethan?
17:12Tell me!
17:13But Julian just laughed harder,
17:14the sound echoing off the walls.
17:16Rose's assistant called
17:17at that moment.
17:17Hello?
17:18She'd finally gotten information
17:19about my whereabouts.
17:21Rose dropped Julian
17:22and ran for her car.
17:25Rose.
17:27She drove like a demon
17:28toward the coastline.
17:30By the time she arrived
17:32at the dock,
17:32Serena was already there.
17:33A body lay on a stretcher.
17:35The rescue team
17:36had covered most of it,
17:37but Rose could see enough.
17:38The rocks
17:39had torn the corpse apart.
17:40The face
17:41was unrecognizable.
17:42This can't be him.
17:44This isn't Ethan.
17:45Tell me this isn't him!
17:47The rescue workers
17:48looked away.
17:49They couldn't meet her eyes.
17:50The night was eerily quiet.
17:52Serena fell to her knees
17:53beside the stretcher,
17:54her hands hovering over the body
17:55like she was afraid
17:56to touch it.
17:57Then she saw it.
17:58Around the corpse's neck
17:59was a silver chain.
18:00Hanging from it
18:01was a ring.
18:02Our wedding rings.
18:02The ones she'd personally designed
18:04and had made
18:05at a small silversmith shop.
18:06There was only one set
18:07in the entire world.
18:08Serena's world collapsed.
18:10Ethan, I'm sorry.
18:12Please don't do this to me.
18:14You're not dead, are you?
18:16You're just hiding.
18:19You're punishing me.
18:20But the ring told the truth.
18:22That mangled,
18:23unrecognizable body was mine.
18:24Serena carefully removed
18:25the ring from the chain
18:26and clutched it in her fist.
18:28Her whole body shook.
18:30Please.
18:31Please come back.
18:32I watched the video feed
18:34in my apartment in London.
18:35The rescue captain
18:36had sent it as proof
18:37that the staged death
18:38had worked.
18:39Seeing Serena's breakdown
18:40should have felt satisfying.
18:42Should have felt like justice.
18:43But all I felt was empty.
18:45In my past life,
18:46she loved me enough
18:47to die for me.
18:48In this life,
18:49she destroyed me
18:50for my brother.
18:50I thought choosing her
18:52would lead to happiness.
18:53I was wrong.
18:54I removed the SIM card
18:55from my phone
18:56and snapped it in half.
18:57Then I threw the phone
18:58into the ocean
18:58outside my window.
18:59Goodbye to my past.
19:00Goodbye to everything.
19:01But Rose found me anyway.
19:03It didn't take her long.
19:06A knock came at my door
19:07a week later.
19:08I looked through the peephole
19:10and my blood ran cold.
19:11Rose stood in the hallway,
19:12her eyes red and swollen.
19:14Ethan, please.
19:14I know you're in there.
19:16Can we just talk?
19:17I know you're not dead.
19:18I never told anyone.
19:20I just want to see you.
19:21Now that Serena thinks you're gone,
19:23can't you give me a chance?
19:24Can't you choose me?
19:25Rose, stop.
19:27It's over.
19:28Leave me alone.
19:29Just seeing her face
19:31brought back the memory of flames
19:32consuming my skin,
19:33the smell of my own flesh burning,
19:35the sound of her
19:36and Julian laughing as I died.
19:38Why?
19:39We were engaged once.
19:41You threw me away.
19:42Why can't you forgive me?
19:44We never had a real relationship
19:45in this life, Rose.
19:47Stop pretending we did.
19:48Through the peephole,
19:49I watched her crumple
19:50against the wall.
19:50I'd never seen Rose cry like this.
19:52Not in either lifetime.
19:53Maybe I owed her an explanation.
19:55Maybe it would finally
19:55make her leave me in peace.
19:56Rose, I need to tell you something.
19:59I had a dream once.
20:02In that dream,
20:02we were married.
20:04But you only married me
20:05to get close to Julian.
20:06In that dream,
20:07you and Julian
20:08were having an affair.
20:09You even tried to kill me
20:10by setting me up
20:11with another woman.
20:12I survived that.
20:13But then I discovered
20:14you and Julian together.
20:15I tried to record it as evidence.
20:17You caught me.
20:18And you burned me alive
20:19to destroy that recording.
20:20So I'm terrified of you, Rose.
20:22I'm scared of living
20:23through that nightmare again.
20:24Even though you haven't done
20:25those things in this life,
20:26I can't forget.
20:27I can't trust you.
20:28We need to let each other go.
20:31We need to let each other go.
20:33How could you dream
20:34something like that?
20:36That's impossible.
20:37It doesn't matter
20:37if it was real or not.
20:38You're not the one
20:39I should hate.
20:40I know that.
20:40But I can't be around you.
20:42Please understand.
20:44I'm so sorry, Ethan.
20:45I'm so sorry.
20:46I didn't hear her confession
20:48and closed my eyes.
20:49Outside, Rose kept talking to herself.
20:51Words I would never hear.
20:53It wasn't a dream.
20:54It was real.
20:54I did all those things to you.
20:56And when Serena burned me alive for it,
20:58I thought it was justice.
20:58I thought I deserved it.
21:00Then I woke up in the past.
21:01I got a second chance.
21:02But you'd already broken our engagement.
21:04You were already in love with Serena.
21:05So I worked with Julian.
21:07We sent her photos of you and me together.
21:09We made her think you still loved me.
21:10I wanted to break you two apart.
21:12I thought if she rejected you,
21:13you'd come back to me.
21:14I never thought she'd hurt you like this.
21:16I never thought.
21:17I'm sorry.
21:18I'm so sorry.
21:19But I heard none of it.
21:20I fell asleep right there by the door,
21:22too exhausted to make it to bed.
21:25Rose eventually left.
21:26My life returned to quiet
21:28until I got a message from the rescue captain.
21:30Mr. Sterling, I'm sorry.
21:32Miss Vance threatened my family.
21:33She made me tell her everything.
21:35She forced me.
21:35I didn't need to read the rest.
21:37I looked out my window.
21:38Serena was standing on the street below,
21:40staring up at my apartment.
21:42Even from this distance,
21:43I could see the devastation in her eyes.
21:47Serena stood on the street below,
21:49looking up at my building.
21:50Even from five floors up,
21:51I could see the grief carved into her face.
21:54Our eyes met through the glass.
21:55She didn't move,
21:56didn't wave,
21:57just stared at me with an expression
21:58that held so much sorrow.
22:00I almost looked away.
22:01My phone buzzed.
22:02An unknown number.
22:03I stared at the message for a long moment.
22:06Those digits were burned into my memory forever.
22:08Serena's number.
22:09I deleted the text and blocked her.
22:11Why won't she just let me go?
22:13I already died for her.
22:15What more does she want?
22:16But I couldn't stop myself from checking the window again.
22:19She was still there.
22:20The weather forecast said it would snow tonight.
22:22I tried to ignore her,
22:23made dinner,
22:24took my medication,
22:25attempted to read.
22:26When I looked out again two hours later,
22:28snow was falling.
22:29Serena hadn't moved.
22:30White flakes collected on her shoulders and hair.
22:34Damn it.
22:35She'd saved me in my past life,
22:37rushed into the flames for a stranger,
22:39avenged my death,
22:40and then followed me into the grave.
22:42I owed her something for that, didn't I?
22:44Even if she'd destroyed me in this life.
22:46I unblocked her number
22:47and stared at my phone,
22:49typed and deleted
22:50half a dozen messages.
22:52Another text from her came through.
22:53It was the way she asked,
22:55the same soft pleading she used to use
22:57when we'd fight in the early days of our marriage,
22:59back when she still loved me.
23:00I hated that it still worked.
23:01I hated myself more,
23:03for caring.
23:04Before I could change my mind,
23:05I texted back.
23:06Five minutes later,
23:07she was at my door.
23:10Serena stepped inside,
23:12bringing the winter cold with her.
23:13Tomorrow morning you're gone.
23:14I mean it.
23:19Sorry.
23:21I didn't mean to touch you without permission.
23:24Serena, why are you doing this?
23:25Just pretend I'm dead.
23:26Wouldn't that be easier for both of us?
23:28I can't.
23:32Please forgive me, Ethan.
23:34Please.
23:35Get up, Serena.
23:36This is pointless.
23:37It's not.
23:38I was only trying to make you jealous.
23:39I was insane with it.
23:41I saw those photos of you with Rose and I...
23:42So you tortured me?
23:43You broke both my hands because you were jealous?
23:45The baby isn't real.
23:46I was never pregnant.
23:47I just wanted to hurt you back.
23:49I wanted you to feel what I was feeling.
23:51And it worked.
23:53Congratulations.
23:54Ethan, I love you.
23:55I've always loved you.
23:57From the moment I met you at the orphanage
23:59when we were children...
24:00Stop.
24:01Just stop.
24:02You want to know the truth?
24:04I didn't marry you because I loved you, Serena.
24:08I didn't marry you because I loved you, Serena.
24:11I married you because I owed you a debt.
24:13In my past life, you died for me.
24:14A stranger.
24:15You built me a grave and destroyed yourself
24:17getting revenge for someone you'd never even met.
24:19So when I woke up in this life,
24:21I thought I could repay that kindness
24:22by choosing you first.
24:23I thought we could be happy.
24:25I really did try to love you.
24:26But you're not the same person who saved me.
24:28That Serena died in the fire trying to pull me out.
24:30Now, you're the one who broke me instead.
24:33No.
24:34That's not true.
24:36I am that person.
24:37I remember everything from before.
24:39Do you?
24:40That woman wouldn't have shattered my hands
24:42for a crime I didn't commit.
24:43That woman wouldn't have left me alone
24:44on our anniversary to comfort my brother.
24:46You're right.
24:47You're right about all of it.
24:48So please, let me go.
24:50Stop coming here.
24:51Stop calling.
24:51Let me have some peace.
24:52We tried this.
24:53It didn't work.
24:54Let's just let it end.
24:55The snow was falling harder outside,
24:57visible through the window behind Serena's shaking form.
25:00She looked up at me one last time,
25:02her face destroyed by tears and regret.
25:04Then she stood on trembling legs
25:05and walked to the door.
25:07I'm sorry for everything.
25:09The door closed softly behind her.
25:12I stood alone in my apartment,
25:13listening to the silence,
25:14and wondered why doing the right thing
25:17felt so much like dying all over again.
25:20The news came a week later.
25:22Julian was dead.
25:23He'd bled out in the villa.
25:24By the time Rose finally called an ambulance,
25:26it was too late.
25:27I felt nothing when I heard.
25:29No satisfaction.
25:30No grief.
25:31Just emptiness.
25:33Rose never contacted me again
25:34after that night in the hallway.
25:35I realized then
25:37that she must have been reborn too.
25:39Everything made sense suddenly.
25:40Why she'd begged me to take her back.
25:42Why she knew I wasn't really dead.
25:44Why she found me so easily in London.
25:47Twenty years of marriage in our past life
25:49meant she knew everything about me.
25:51The cities I loved.
25:52Where I'd hide.
25:53How I thought.
25:54But it didn't matter anymore.
25:56None of it did.
25:57I still saw Serena sometimes.
25:59Spring came,
26:00and I'd spot her on a bench near my building.
26:02Leaves would fall on her shoulders
26:04while she sat smoking
26:05and staring up at my window.
26:07Winter returned,
26:08and she'd stand in the snow
26:09until her hair turned white with frost.
26:11Sometimes she'd text me.
26:12We're standing under the same snow.
26:14Does that count as growing old together?
26:16I never replied.
26:17Just watched from my window
26:18as she appeared
26:19and disappeared like a ghost
26:21haunting the street below.
26:22One day in late autumn,
26:24I came home to find her
26:25sitting on the steps outside my building.
26:27She looked thinner.
26:28There were dark circles under her eyes
26:30that makeup couldn't hide.
26:31I'm not here to bother you.
26:33I just wanted you to know
26:34that I'm selling the company.
26:36Why?
26:37Because you were right.
26:38I'm not the person who saved you anymore,
26:40so I'm going to become her again.
26:42What are you talking about?
26:43I'm donating everything to charity.
26:44The money,
26:45the properties,
26:45all of it.
26:46I'm going to work at the orphanage
26:47where we first met.
26:48Maybe if I become the person
26:50you needed me to be,
26:51you'll...
26:51Never mind,
26:52it doesn't matter.
26:52Serena.
26:53She turned back,
26:54hope flaring in her eyes.
26:56Don't do this for me.
26:57Do it because it's who you want to be,
26:59not because you think
26:59it'll change my mind.
27:00I know.
27:01I know you'll never forgive me,
27:02but I need to forgive myself somehow.
27:04She left.
27:05I watched her go
27:06and felt something twist in my chest.
27:11Months passed.
27:12A year.
27:13Then two.
27:14I heard through mutual acquaintances
27:16that Serena had kept her word.
27:18She'd given up everything
27:19and was working with orphaned children now.
27:22Sometimes I'd get a photo from Mrs. Vance,
27:24Serena teaching kids to paint.
27:26Serena reading stories at bedtime.
27:28Serena looking peaceful
27:29in a way I'd never seen.
27:30She asks about you,
27:32Mrs. Vance told me once.
27:33But she never asks me
27:34to tell you anything.
27:36She just wants to know
27:37if you're happy.
27:38Am I?
27:39I hope someday
27:40you will be, sweetheart.
27:42Five years after my staged death,
27:43I visited the cemetery.
27:45There was a grave
27:45with my name on it.
27:46The headstone read,
27:48Beloved Husband,
27:49just like in my past life.
27:51Fresh flowers sat in front of it.
27:53Someone had been here recently.
27:54I knelt down
27:55and traced my fingers
27:56over the carved letters.
27:57I don't know if you can hear me,
27:59but I wanted to say thank you
28:01for saving me in that other life,
28:03for loving someone you'd never met.
28:05I'm sorry I couldn't be
28:06what you needed in this one.
28:08I stood to leave
28:09and saw her.
28:10Serena stood at the cemetery gates
28:11watching me.
28:12She looked older now,
28:13calmer.
28:14There was gray in her hair
28:15that she hadn't bothered to die.
28:16Our eyes met across the distance.
28:18She raised her hand in a small wave,
28:20not approaching,
28:21not asking for anything,
28:22just acknowledging
28:23that we were both here,
28:24both alive,
28:25both somehow still tied
28:26to this grave between us.
28:28I nodded back.
28:29Then I turned
28:30and walked away.
28:31Behind me,
28:32I heard her footsteps
28:33going in the opposite direction.
28:35This was our ending,
28:36not together,
28:37not enemies,
28:38just two people
28:39who'd loved each other badly
28:40in all the wrong ways.
28:42Maybe in another life,
28:43we'd get it right.
28:44But for now,
28:45this distance between us
28:47was the kindest thing
28:47we could offer each other.
28:49I never saw Serena again
28:50after that day,
28:51and somehow,
28:53that felt like the closest thing
28:54to peace
28:55either of us would ever find.
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