- 9 minutes ago
Reversal On The Marriage Journey 🍀 🍀 🍀
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the wedding day, the bride resolutely refused to step into the hotel and insisted we play a
00:04little game, telling me to meet them outside the hotel. Every step in the hotel, from the
00:09ground floor to the top, must be covered with $50 bills. I didn't think it's much, just a silly
00:14bit of fun for the occasion, but when we completed it, that money on the floor is for passers-by.
00:18The fees to my daughter is separate. Stuff $100 into each one. She gestured at the balloons
00:26filling the hotel. There are 999 balloons in total. That added up to $100,000 in cash.
00:32I pleaded relentlessly and ended up transferring the last $50,000 I had in my account. By then,
00:38I was a little angry, but the worst was yet to come. Mom says we're family once we're married,
00:42and my brother's name has to be added to the wedding house deed. My parents bought that house
00:47with their own money. Why would I do that? No name on the deed means you're not serious
00:51about this marriage. You can just marry the heir instead.
00:57Marry the heir? I stared at the woman in front of me, gorgeous in her wedding dress,
01:01but her face twisted with cruelty. This was Alice, the woman I'd loved for 5 years. To marry her,
01:07my family had drained all our savings to buy a wedding house, just to give her a comfortable
01:11home. And now, just because I refused to add her brother's name to the deed, she was telling me to
01:16marry the heir. Margaret kept fussing with her handbag, looking as if this was all perfectly
01:20reasonable. Carter stood nearby. Yes. Marry the heir. Julian, don't think that $50,000 is enough.
01:28I'm not stepping inside for the wedding unless his name's on that deed. My parents bought this house
01:33with every penny they had. Their retirement money, what's it got to do with your family?
01:38Of course it does. We're family once we're married. Why are you being so petty? Besides,
01:42Carter's your brother-in-law. He's going to take care of you when you're old.
01:47Rely on him? Rely on him to blow through every penny I own?
01:51Julian, watch your mouth! Are you going to apologize or not if you don't? This wedding's off!
01:56The bouquet hit my chest, sharp and painful, but the ache in my heart was a thousand times worse.
02:01You're sure? No name on the deed, no wedding? I'm sure.
02:06We're not just adding his name. We're getting it notarized, too. Carter gets half this house.
02:12Fine.
02:14I nodded and pulled out my phone.
02:19Should have done this earlier. Hurry up and call the property office.
02:22That's right, Julian. We're already a family.
02:26Julian, I live in the master bedroom!
02:29I ignored them all and dialed the number I knew by heart.
02:32Hey, Mom.
02:34Julian, are you coming in? All the guests are seated. Everyone's waiting.
02:40I'm sorry, Mom. I'm not getting married.
02:43With that, I hung up and turned to leave. I left the three of them frozen in shock.
02:48Julian! Don't you dare walk away! If you leave today, I'll never marry you, not even if you beg me
02:54in the future!
02:55I paused for a split second and turned around.
02:58Alice, you're right. I'd rather marry the heir than be with you. And I'll get that 50,000 back through
03:02legal means. You're on your own.
03:04I walked without looking back into the elaborately decorated hotel. I stepped on the steps covered with $50 and walked
03:10up step by step. Every move I made was unshakable.
03:18Julian, where's your wife?
03:19No wife anymore.
03:22My phone started blowing up. It was all texts from Alice.
03:26Julian, you think you're tough now? Embarrassing me in public?
03:29I'm telling you, get back here right now. Get on your knees and apologize to my mom and Carter.
03:34And bring me $20,000 for emotional damage, or this isn't over.
03:37You really think I won't call off the wedding? Guys chase me all the way to France!
03:41I stared at the words flashing on the screen, and the last bit of warmth in my heart died.
03:47Andrew, help me to check the status of that $50,000 transfer I just made.
03:51Just sent it. What's wrong?
03:54It was a scam transfer. Can you freeze it?
03:57Scam? I thought you were getting married.
03:59Wedding's off. They blackmailed me for it.
04:02Got it. If it hasn't hit their account, or they haven't withdrawn it yet, I can hold it.
04:05Call the police right away and bring me the receipt.
04:09I hung up and let out a long breath.
04:11That $50,000 was my hard-earned cash, made from working day and night for years.
04:16I'd saved it to start our family.
04:17But I'd been forced to send it to Margaret.
04:20Want to take my money? Dream on.
04:22I walked into the hall.
04:23My parents were looking around anxiously.
04:25When they saw me alone, no bride, their faces turned pale instantly.
04:30Dad, Mom.
04:31I'm sorry.
04:33Our family is definitely going to be shamed today.
04:38Julian, what happened? Did they ask for more money again?
04:41They said, if I want to marry their daughter, I have to add her name to my housetip.
04:46Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Ridiculous.
04:48This marriage, cancel it.
04:50Let's go inside. We're still having the feast.
04:52Just treat it for all I'm chent up in front.
04:54The three of us walked to the ceremony area.
04:56Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared straight at us.
04:59Groom, where's the bride? It's time for the wedding.
05:01I took the microphone from his hand and stepped onto the stage.
05:04The spotlight hit me, bright and harsh.
05:06The room went dead silent.
05:08I took a deep breath.
05:10Dear all, I'm so sorry.
05:14Today's wedding is cancelled.
05:18I just bowed deeply.
05:20Just then, a stream of shouts came from the hall entrance.
05:24Julian! You bastard!
05:26Alice stormed in, still in her wedding dress, hair messy, fuming with rage.
05:31Margaret and Carter stumbled in behind her, out of breath.
05:35Everyone! This heartless man left us outside the hotel and came here to enjoy himself!
05:39He played with my daughter's feelings and dumped her!
05:43Julian! You don't give my sister an explanation today! I'll wreck this hotel!
05:46Everyone was watching me.
05:48Some whispered and pointed, others looked confused.
05:51I stared at the three clowns in front of me and suddenly laughed.
05:53How did I ever think they were just straightforward?
05:56They're just plain shameless.
05:57I held up the microphone, my voice cold.
06:00Since you're here, let's make it clear in front of everyone.
06:06Alice rushed onto the stage, trying to snatch the microphone from me.
06:09The $100,000 of cash, and the $50,000 transfer, and the house name.
06:15The big screen in the banquet hall suddenly lit up.
06:17I told Connor to get it ready.
06:19On the screen were my chat logs with Alice, plus the audio recording from outside the hotel earlier.
06:24$100 per balloon, $999 total.
06:27My brother's name has to go on the house deed.
06:29No name on the deed means no commitment.
06:31Go marry the heir!
06:33The clear recording echoed throughout the hall.
06:35My God, this isn't a marriage.
06:37So greedy.
06:38Not even hiding it.
06:39This family's crazy for money.
06:40The murmurs grew louder, filled with mockery.
06:43Alice's face turned bright red with shame and rage.
06:45Alice pointed at me, her fingers shaking.
06:48You- you're shameless!
06:50I'm shameless?
06:53You weren't shameless when you demanded an extra $100,000?
06:56When you forced me to drain my savings?
06:58When you tried to take my parents' house?
06:59Julian, stop slandering us!
07:01So what if we asked for money?
07:03Raising a daughter, Otter, isn't easy.
07:05We need more to make sure she lives well after marriage.
07:08You wanted the money for her?
07:09It's for your son to buy a house and a car.
07:11Those designer clothes he wears, the car he drives, all my money.
07:15I put up with it before because I loved Alice.
07:18But you should never have targeted my parents.
07:20I turned around and looked at my parents in the crowd.
07:23They were angry.
07:24Today, in front of all our family and friends, I announced this.
07:28The wedding is completely off.
07:30I will get that $50,000 back no matter what.
07:34As for you, get out.
07:37You telling me to get out?
07:39How dare you hurt my sister and mom?
07:41I'll kill you!
07:45Let go of me!
07:46You can't hit me!
07:48I'm calling the cops!
07:53Carter thrashed wildly like a trap turtle.
07:56Go ahead and call.
07:58Perfect time to tell the police about the $100,000 you owe from gambling?
08:01How are you going to pay that back?
08:05How do you know about that?
08:07Alice and Margaret froze too.
08:09What are you saying?
08:10You think you were extorting me for what?
08:11To pay off his debts, right?
08:13You had no clue, did you, Alice?
08:15Your brother owes a fortune out there.
08:17They said they'd break his arm if he didn't pay today.
08:19That's why you rushed so hard for the $100,000, the $50,000, even the house.
08:23The crowd erupted in shock.
08:25Everyone stared at Carter.
08:26Carter, is it true?
08:28Alice, don't listen to him!
08:29He's trying to split us up!
08:32Check his phone if you don't believe him.
08:35I nodded at the phone on the floor.
08:36The screen lit up, showing a clear debt collection text.
08:40Carter, last two hours.
08:41No money.
08:42Get a wheelchair ready.
08:43Alice picked up the phone, glanced at it, and staggered back.
08:47Mom, did you know about this?
08:49Alice turned to Margaret.
08:50Margaret looked panicked.
08:52Carter was tricked!
08:54We're family!
08:54We have to help him!
08:56Help?
08:56So you used my marriage to fill this bottomless hole?
08:59Alice, you only have one brother.
09:01Who else will help him if you don't?
09:03Besides, Julian's family is rich.
09:06This is nothing to them.
09:08A loud, sharp slap.
09:10It was Alice.
09:11She slapped Carter hard across the face.
09:13Then she slapped herself.
09:18I'm an idiot.
09:19A complete and utter idiot.
09:21She stared at me, tears streaming uncontrollably.
09:24Julian, I was wrong.
09:25I really didn't know it was for his gambling debt.
09:29I thought, I thought mom just wanted a better life for me.
09:34Julian, I won't ask for the house anymore.
09:36I won't take the money.
09:37I'll make him return the money to you.
09:39Let's get married, please.
09:41I love you.
09:42Looking down at her, I felt nothing.
09:44Once, even a frown from her would have wrecked me.
09:48Love me?
09:49Love me by trampling my dignity?
09:51Love me while your family bleeds me dry?
09:53Alice, your love's too expensive.
09:55I can't afford it.
09:56No, that's all change!
09:58I won't listen to mom anymore, just you!
10:01Too late.
10:02A broken mirror can't be fixed without cracks.
10:04And with them, you'll never change.
10:07The second you soften, they'll lash back on like leeches, sucking me dry.
10:11Julian, you heartless bastard!
10:14You slept with my daughter for years, and now you'll just walk away?
10:18That 50,000's already in Carter's account.
10:20Sue us if you dare, and Al is pregnant!
10:22Abandon your wife and child, and I'll ruin you!
10:25Banners at your office, your reputation, gone!
10:29My parents paled.
10:30Mom, Mom, what are you...
10:32Shut up!
10:33Yes, two months.
10:34Julian, if you're any kind of man, marry her, add Carter's name to the deed,
10:39or watch your life burn.
10:42I stared at her twisted face and laughed.
10:44Pregnant?
10:45Perfect.
10:46I've got something to show everyone.
10:48The doctor had called me aside privately.
10:50I'd kept it secret, not wanting to hurt Alice.
10:53Now, read it yourself.
10:57I tossed it at Alice.
10:58She picked it up, trembling.
10:59One glance, and her face went ghost white.
11:04This...
11:04This can't be...
11:06Fake!
11:07You're lying!
11:10Bilateral fallopian tube blockage.
11:12Extremely low natural conception probability.
11:14You forged this to escape responsibility!
11:17Fake?
11:18A hospital can confirm it.
11:20In these past months, I've been too busy planning this wedding to even sleep with her.
11:23Where'd this two-month pregnancy come from?
11:26Did air knock her up?
11:27Alice collapsed, hollow-eyed.
11:29Mom, how could you?
11:33You're killing me.
11:35I'm doing this for Carter!
11:37Who cares how we get the money?
11:40Enough!
11:41Money, money, money!
11:43That's all you see!
11:44If you want it so badly, die for it!
11:48Alice!
11:49Stop!
11:50I'm sorry.
11:52Next life, I won't scam you for my brother.
11:55I'll just be your wife.
11:59Alice!
12:00You're insane!
12:02Drop the weapon!
12:04Now!
12:05Connor had called them earlier.
12:07They tackled her, disarming the glass.
12:11Carter?
12:12You're under arrest for illegal gambling.
12:15No, I didn't.
12:16Mom, help!
12:19You can't take him!
12:20He's innocent!
12:21Arrest him!
12:23He's the gambling fraud mastermind!
12:25But when the police saw me, his face froze.
12:30I'm a shadow operative in the Red Organization, specializing in cybersecurity at home and abroad.
12:35Three months ago, I secretly worked with a few polices to take down an illegal wildlife trafficking ring.
12:40Long before that operation, they'd already vetted me inside out.
12:43When the officers saw me, they exchanged knowing glances, then ignored Margaret's screams and hauled Carter away.
12:49Standing on the stage, watching the circus, I just felt exhausted.
12:53Alice looked at me one last time, her eyes full of regret, despair, and something like relief.
12:58The police took all three of them, Alice, Margaret, Carter.
13:01Disorderly conduct charges for the scene they caused, plus Carter's gambling and fraud.
13:05As the key witness, I gave my statement.
13:08By the time I left the station, it was night.
13:10Connor waited outside, handing me a cigarette.
13:12Julian, you good?
13:14I took a deep drag.
13:15Yeah, just... what a joke.
13:18Five years of love, ending in this trash fire.
13:20What about the 50,000?
13:22Frozen.
13:23Andrew moved fast.
13:24They hadn't transferred it yet.
13:26Good.
13:26That's your hard-earned cash.
13:28Connor clapped my shoulder.
13:30The guys are taking you drinking.
13:32I got obliterated that night.
13:34Dreams flickering between Alice's gentle past and Margaret's snarling face.
13:39Woke up with a skull-splitting hangover.
13:41Dozens of missed calls, all unknown numbers.
13:44Frowning, I answered one.
13:47Julian, you scoundrel!
13:49You sent that family to prison!
13:50You have no mercy at all!
13:52Alice loved you so much, but you ruined her!
13:55You will not get away with this!
13:56A woman's voice, screeching obscenities.
13:58I hung up.
13:59So, Alice's side had launched their smear campaign.
14:02Checked social media.
14:04Sure enough, trending number one.
14:05Heartless groom cancels wedding, drives bride to suicide, frames brother.
14:09The edited clip showed only Alice's glass-to-throat moment and Carter's arrest.
14:14The caption painted me as a cruel, rich playboy.
14:16Comments were a hate tsunami.
14:18Death penalty for this trash.
14:20Rich men think they own the world?
14:22Poor girl deserved better.
14:24I smirked.
14:25Expected this.
14:26Instead of reacting, I texted Connor.
14:28Compile the full wedding footage and audio.
14:30Add Carter's gambling evidence and the loan shark texts.
14:33If they want war, we'll give them war.
14:35That afternoon, I went to the hospital, not as a patient, but to see Alice.
14:40Minor cuts from her meltdown, under observation.
14:43Two cops stood guard.
14:44They let me in after I explained.
14:46Alice lay in bed, bandaged wrists, face pale.
14:49Her eyes flickered when she saw me, then dimmed.
14:52Here to glow.
14:53I pulled up a chair.
14:55No.
14:56I'm here for what's mine.
15:00The 50,000's frozen, but the jewelry, bags, and car I bought you, no marriage means they
15:06get returned.
15:08Julian, after everything, you're counting this?
15:12I almost died.
15:15Your choice.
15:16My voice stayed flat.
15:18Alice, drop the act.
15:20That edited video online, you're doing.
15:23Her gaze darted.
15:24I don't know what you mean.
15:27Really?
15:27I played the clip.
15:28This angle's from your aunt's table.
15:29And the bot comments?
15:31Identical scripts.
15:33You're trying to pressure me into dropping charges against Carter.
15:37Julian, he's my only brother.
15:40A prison record ruins his life.
15:43Just forgive him this once.
15:45Sign a waiver saying it was a gift, not fraud.
15:49Please.
15:50She tried to kneel.
15:51I stopped her, I see.
15:52Alice, wake up.
15:54You ruined him.
15:56You and Margaret, enabling his bullshit.
16:00And it's not just fraud.
16:03Cops found drugs in my system from that family dinner where I blacked out.
16:08What drugs?
16:09It was Carter who put the drug in my drink.
16:12Just before you forced me to add your name.
16:16This is a criminal offense.
16:18It's not something I can just forgive.
16:20Alice collapsed against the pillows.
16:21Someone will inventory the items.
16:23Expect court papers soon.
16:25Good luck.
16:27I didn't look back.
16:28Fake tears deserve no pity.
16:32When I got home, I posted all the evidence I'd put together online.
16:36The title was simple.
16:37The truth about the heartless groom scandal.
16:39The video was unedited, showing everything exactly as it happened.
16:43From them demanding more money outside the hotel, to the confrontation inside, to the text messages proving Carter's gambling debts.
16:49I also included a blurred version of the premarital checkup report, and the police notice about Carter drugging me, with
16:55key information redacted.
16:56As soon as the video went up, public opinion flipped completely.
16:59Everyone who had been bashing me started deleting their comments and turning against them.
17:03Holy shit.
17:04This is the real truth.
17:05This whole family is just a bunch of leeches.
17:08Drugging the groom?
17:09That's attempted murder.
17:10The bride was playing the victim.
17:12She was in on it.
17:13Anyone who marries someone who spoils her brother like this is screwed.
17:16The story blew up.
17:17Netizens dug up everything about Alice's family.
17:20A video of Margaret getting beaten for stealing vegetables at a market years ago resurfaced.
17:24Footage of Carter gambling illegally was also exposed.
17:27Someone even found out that Alice had paid off Carter's debts several times when they were in college.
17:31Under public pressure, the police sped up the investigation.
17:35Carter was charged with fraud, poisoning, and gambling.
17:37With combined sentences, he'd be locked up for at least 8 to 10 years.
17:42Margaret was detained for provoking trouble and covering up a crime.
17:45As for Alice, she didn't directly take part in the poisoning.
17:48But she hid what she knew and was involved in the fraud.
17:51The 50,000 yuan had gone into her bank account.
17:53She was also facing prosecution.
17:56A few days later, Alice's father Charles came to see me.
18:00Who'd never had a say in the family looked like he'd aged 10 years overnight.
18:04He held a bag of fruit, stood at my door, and didn't dare come in.
18:07Julian.
18:08Looking nervous.
18:09I'm begging you for something.
18:11Could you drop the charges?
18:14If you do, we'll pay back the 50,000 right away.
18:17We won't claim the house either.
18:20Alice, she can't go to jail.
18:22Looking at this pitiful, ordinary man, I sighed inwardly.
18:26In this family, he was a victim too.
18:28He'd been pushed around by his wife his whole life and drained by his son.
18:31Uncle, it's not I won't drop them.
18:34It's a public prosecution case.
18:36I can't.
18:37What Carter did broke criminal law.
18:39The light in Charles's eyes died.
18:41He squatted down, held his head, and cried bitterly.
18:45I told her again and again not to spoil Carter, not to...
18:49Now look what happened.
18:50Our family is destroyed.
18:52I just watched quietly.
18:53Those who seem pitiful must have their own faults.
18:55If he'd stood up for himself and controlled his wife and son earlier, none of this would have happened.
19:00After I sent Charles away, Connor called me.
19:03Julian, uh, Alice wants to see you one last time.
19:07I hesitated for a moment.
19:09I'll go.
19:10I need to end this properly.
19:14We were in the visiting room at the detention center, separated by thick glass.
19:18She picked up the phone, looked at me, and tears rolled down silently.
19:21Alice was wearing a prison uniform, her hair cut short, and she'd lost a lot of weight.
19:25Without her fancy makeup, she looked completely worn out.
19:28Julian, I'm sorry.
19:30That was the first thing she said to me.
19:31This time, I could hear she actually meant it.
19:34It's all in the past now.
19:36I said calmly.
19:37I know I'm done for.
19:38Alice gave a bitter smile.
19:39Carter got 12 years.
19:41My mom got one year.
19:42I'll probably get three.
19:44My dad sold our old house and is raising money to pay you back.
19:49Julian, I really did love you.
19:52But I was raised to believe my brother was everything to the family, that I had to help him no
19:56matter what.
19:56I thought that was family love.
19:58Until that day, when he tried to hit you on stage and grab my phone.
20:01To him, I wasn't his sister.
20:03I was just an ATM.
20:07Alice wiped her tears.
20:10Thank you, Julian.
20:11I looked at her, my heart full of mixed feelings.
20:14The girl who used to smile so brightly had finally been eaten alive by her own family.
20:18Reform well.
20:20When you get out, live for yourself for once.
20:24Don't be anyone's accessory ever again.
20:26I will.
20:29Julian, I wish you happiness.
20:32Find a good girl.
20:34Not someone like me.
20:36She couldn't finish speaking.
20:38She was sobbing too hard.
20:39A guard walked over and signaled that time was up.
20:42Alice hung up the phone, gave me one deep look, then turned and left.
20:45I watched her figure disappear behind the iron gate.
20:48A huge weight finally lifted off my chest.
20:50This five-year relationship had ended in the worst way possible.
20:53But I didn't regret it.
20:54Because I kept my bottom line.
20:56And I kept my dignity.
20:59Three years later, my company went public.
21:02That same day, I got married again.
21:04My bride was Chloe, my business partner.
21:07She was independent, confident, and generous.
21:10Most importantly, she had a reasonable, understanding family.
21:13No one kept asking me for money non-stop.
21:15And certainly no criminal brother.
21:17The wedding was simple, held at the same hotel.
21:19No fancy formalities, just sincere blessings.
21:22During the toast, Connor came over sneakily.
21:25Julian, look who's here.
21:27I followed his gaze and saw a figure at the hotel entrance.
21:30She was wearing plain work clothes and a mask.
21:32But I recognized her at once.
21:33Alice.
21:34She held a bag, as if she wanted to come in but didn't dare.
21:37When you saw me, she quickly lowered her head,
21:40left the bag on a table near the door, and ran off.
21:42I walked over and picked up the bag.
21:44Inside was a painting.
21:45It was a portrait of Chloe and me.
21:47The style was a little rough, but it could tell she'd put her heart into it.
21:50Beneath it was a note.
21:51Wish you two be together forever.
21:53This time, I've learned to love myself, Dot.
21:57I handed the painting to Chloe.
21:59Yes.
22:00Chloe asked curiously.
22:01A gift from an old friend.
22:03I took Chloe's hand.
22:05Let's go.
22:06The guests are still waiting for us.
22:08Good.
22:08The sun shone down on us, warm and bright.
22:11I thought, this is what life is supposed to be like.
22:14No more dealing with cold, empty relationships.
22:16No more leeches.
22:18Just a steady, honest life with the right person.
22:21As for the past, let it go with the wind.
22:23After all, people have to move forward.
22:25What should keep rising isn't money on some staircase, but our lives.
22:29Three years later, outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the river flowed endlessly.
22:34And the air smelled faintly of agarwood.
22:36I sat on a handmade wool carpet, holding a pink rattle.
22:40My two-year-old daughter Eliza lay on my lap, her dribbles soaking my pants.
22:43Say, Daddy.
22:44I shook the rattle.
22:46Eliza blew a bubble and mumbled,
22:47Mommy.
22:48On the sofa not far away, Chloe was wearing silk loungewear, a slim laptop on her lap.
22:53She heard us but didn't look up.
22:55The first word Eliza utters is definitely Mom.
22:58Chloe typed away, the screen showing data for the company's second-half acquisition plan.
23:02I lifted Eliza up and wiped her drool with a tissue.
23:05Taking care of a baby was harder than reading stock charts.
23:08The doorbell rang.
23:09The maid went to open the door.
23:11Connor walked in with two fancy gift boxes.
23:13He was now the company's vice president, dressed in a suit,
23:15with a belly a bit bigger than three years ago.
23:18Julian.
23:19Chloe.
23:19Connor set the boxes on the coffee table.
23:21Candy from a client in South Africa.
23:23Chloe closed her laptop and picked up her coffee cup.
23:26Connor.
23:27How is the project The South City Logistics Player coming along?
23:30They had originally intended to negotiate the price.
23:33But after seeing our financial chain report, they immediately signed it.
23:38After a bit of business talk, Chloe took Eliza upstairs to bathe her.
23:42Only Connor and I were left in the living room, his face turning strange.
23:45He glanced toward the stairs and lowered his voice.
23:48Julian, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.
23:52I leaned back on the sofa and picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table.
23:55Yesterday, I went to inspect the Old City Renovation Project, and I saw Alice.
24:01I paused for a second and lifted my eyes to look at him.
24:04Connor sighed.
24:04She's living a terrible life.
24:06I didn't reply.
24:07I set the cigarette pack aside and didn't light one.
24:10She said she'd start over.
24:12Connor shook his head.
24:13She hooked up with some loser running a fake company.
24:16The guy talked big, said he'd make her rich and give her a home.
24:19She believed him.
24:20All the money she'd saved from working tens of thousands, she poured into it.
24:24She even took out online loans behind his back.
24:26Then she got pregnant.
24:27When he saw she was no use to him, he took what was left and ran off.
24:31Connor's voice was full of pity.
24:32She had a premature baby last month, heavy bleeding.
24:35They treated her at a small clinic.
24:37She lived, but they had to remove her uterus.
24:40The baby was born unhealthy, stayed in an incubator for a few days, and didn't make it.
24:44When I saw her yesterday, she was cornered outside her rental by loan sharks.
24:49She's skin and bones.
24:50I listened, then picked up my coffee cup and took a sip.
24:53The coffee was warm, just right.
24:55Done.
24:55I set the cup down.
24:57Julian, you're not responding at all?
24:59What kind of reaction should I have?
25:01The lewd was fans of Verti.
25:04Ten years ago, I thought her to be a mirror beer independence.
25:08But she didn't know it changed her mind.
25:10Yes, dogs can never stop eating feces.
25:12She will always rely on others throughout her life.
25:15First it was you, then her brother, and now it's that man who deceives and manipulates women's emo.
25:20She brought all this upon herself.
25:22Alright, let's not talk at her anymore.
25:24Just stay and have dinner.
25:25No, I have a business meeting with a partner tonight.
25:27I have to go.
25:29After Connor left, the villa went quiet again.
25:31I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out at the river.
25:34I felt nothing at all.
25:36Some people, once they're gone, are gone for good.
25:38Even if they rot in the mud, it has nothing to do with me.
25:41At 10pm, Eliza was asleep.
25:44Chloe and I leaned against the headboard.
25:45I was going through tomorrow's meeting schedule, and she was reading a management book.
25:49My private phone suddenly vibrated.
25:51The screen showed an unknown number, local area.
25:54I pressed answer and held it to my ear.
25:58Hello?
25:59No sound came from the other end.
26:01Only heavy breathing and the creaking of a cheap fan spinning in the background.
26:05Who's this?
26:05A voice so hoarse and weak it could barely be heard choked with tears.
26:09Julian.
26:09My fingers tightened around the phone.
26:11My voice turned cold.
26:13What do you want?
26:14Julian, help me.
26:16I'm gonna die.
26:18I'm really gonna die.
26:21Wrong number.
26:22I was about to hang up.
26:23Don't hang up!
26:24Please don't!
26:25Her voice tearing.
26:26It hurts.
26:26My stomach hurts so bad.
26:28My wounds is infected, and I have no money for medicine.
26:31The landlord's kicking me out tomorrow.
26:32Julian, I have nothing left.
26:34I lost my baby.
26:35My body's broken, and they're gonna cut my hand off.
26:38I'm so sorry.
26:39I really am so sorry.
26:41He lied to me.
26:42He said he'd take care of me forever.
26:44He took all my money.
26:46Julian, I thought he'd be nice to me like you were, but no one in this world will ever
26:50treat me as well as you did.
26:52Alice rambled and cried, every word full of pain.
26:55I listened quietly, my eyes growing colder.
26:58Alice.
27:00The line went silent for a second, only sobbing left.
27:03You thought he'd treat you like I did?
27:05So you went to him just to find a replacement?
27:08Someone else you could leech off?
27:10No.
27:11I was just so lonely.
27:13I was scared to be alone.
27:14You never learn to love yourself.
27:16You just keep looking for someone to cling to.
27:18First me, then your brother, now this liar.
27:21You ended up like this, not because you met the wrong people.
27:25Violent coughing came from the phone.
27:27Julian, for the sake of the five years we had, lend me $500.
27:32Just $500.
27:33I'll buy antibiotics.
27:35I don't want to die in my rental room.
27:38I'm married.
27:41I looked at Chloe beside me.
27:43I have a wife and a daughter.
27:45Every penny I own belongs to my family.
27:47I'm not giving you a cent.
27:49Don't call this number again.
27:50I was about to hang up when a pale hand reached over and took my phone.
27:54She put her book down at some point and had been listening quietly.
27:57She put the phone on speaker.
27:59Alice, is it?
28:00Chloe's voice was calm and cold, with the quiet confidence of someone who held power.
28:05You're Chloe?
28:06Chloe leaned back against the headboard.
28:07I'm Julian's wife.
28:09Connor told me about you.
28:11Alice said nothing.
28:12Only heavy breathing.
28:14You could almost feel her shame and helplessness through the line.
28:17Send me your bank account number.
28:19I turned to Chloe.
28:20She gave me a reassuring look.
28:22You-
28:22You're gonna lend me money?
28:24Alice's voice trembled in disbelief.
28:26Not lend.
28:27Give.
28:28I'll send you $1,000.
28:30This $1,000 isn't from Julian.
28:33It's from me.
28:34I feel sorry for what you're going through.
28:36And I thank you for not marrying him back then, so Julian could find me.
28:40Take the money, go to the hospital, fix your wound, pay your landlord.
28:43The rest will be enough for a ticket back to your hometown.
28:44Chloe's words were like a cold scalpel, cutting through Alice's last hope.
28:48But listen carefully, Alice.
28:49Chloe's voice turned sharp, authoritative, and unarguable.
28:52This is the first and last time.
28:54This $1,000 buys every last connection you have with Julian.
28:58From now on, if you dare call this number again, or show up near Julian or my family,
29:02the company's legal team will charge you with blackmail and harassment.
29:04You just got out three years ago, you don't want to go back, do you?
29:08Complete silence on the line.
29:09Only the creaking fan echoed.
29:11Send the account.
29:13Half a minute later, my screen lit up.
29:15A text with a string of numbers.
29:17Chloe picked up her own phone, opened the banking app, entered the account, and transferred $1,000.
29:22She did it smoothly without a single pause.
29:25Ding.
29:25The transfer success sound played.
29:28Chloe hung up immediately and blocked the number right away.
29:31The whole thing took less than two minutes.
29:33She tossed my phone back onto the nightstand and picked up her management book again.
29:36I stared at her and smiled.
29:38You're cool, Mrs. Chloe.
29:40I leaned in and kissed her cheek.
29:42$1,000 for peace and to cut off all future trouble.
29:45Good investment.
29:46Talking sense to people like her is useless.
29:48Hit them with money to kill their hope.
29:50Warn them with the law, that's what works.
29:52You're not mad?
29:54Why would I be?
29:58Chloe finally looked up at me.
30:00Mad over a loser calling for help?
30:03Julian, I'm better than that.
30:05She's just a pathetic woman stuck in a rental who can't even afford antibiotics.
30:09I'm a business partner.
30:10Your wife.
30:11We were never in the same world.
30:13Chloe closed her book and turned off the bedside lamp.
30:16Sleep.
30:17We have a meeting with the South City Project investors tomorrow morning.
30:20I lay down and pulled her into my arms.
30:22The river wind blew outside.
30:23But inside the villa it was warm like spring.
30:25I closed my eyes.
30:26The last thing I thought of was what Connor had described.
30:29The shabby rental, the paint splattered door, the woman lying on a moldy bed.
30:32The world is cruel.
30:33But it's also fair.
30:35Everyone pays for their choices.
30:36Alice chose to cling to others and in the end she was drained dry.
30:40I chose to stand up and that's why I have this good life now.
30:43The next morning.
30:45Eliza sat in her high chair, waving her tiny spoon and clinking it against her bowl.
30:49I wore a tailored suit and stood in front of the mirror tying my tie.
30:53Chloe walked over, took it naturally, and fixed my collar.
30:56Your tie clip's crooked.
30:58The South City Project signing is today.
31:01There might be media.
31:03Legal and PR are all set.
31:05Ready for your new battlefield, Julian?
31:08Absolutely.
31:09I held her hand.
31:10We walked out the front door.
31:11The driver had already opened the Maybach door.
31:13And we drove toward the downtown CBD.
31:16As for the woman in that rental room, that late night phone call.
31:19They were like falling leaves flashing past the car window.
31:21Gone with the wind.
31:22Never to be seen again.
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