- 10 hours ago
Twice Burned - FULL EP 2026
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I spent ten years chasing the woman
00:01who would burn me alive, my wife
00:04all because she was afraid I'd expose
00:05what she'd done with my half-brother
00:07as the flames consumed me, I saw a stranger
00:10rush into the fire, she pulled me
00:11into her arms, her tears burned hotter
00:14than the flames on my skin
00:16Ethan, if there's a next
00:18life
00:19can you choose me first
00:21my soul scattered, but I saw her before
00:24I died, this woman, Serena Vance
00:26she built me a gravestone
00:27my beloved husband, she destroyed
00:30Rose and Julian without mercy, then
00:32she took her own life, when I opened my eyes
00:34again, I'd been reborn, I broke
00:36off my engagement to Rose Miller, I married
00:38Serena instead, two years later
00:40Rose was on her knees in front of me, she'd been
00:42reborn too apparently, but I'd already sworn
00:44to love Serena in this life, so why was
00:46everything falling apart, Serena started going
00:48to clubs with Julian, my stomach ulcer flared
00:50up, I collapsed at home, alone
00:52she was having dinner with my brother, when
00:54Julian ran over the stray dog we'd adopted together
00:56she did nothing, I held the small body in my arms
00:59shaking, why
01:00my voice cracked, why are you doing
01:02this to me, Serena
01:04looked at me like I was pathetic
01:05do I need a reason to stop loving someone
01:11I told Mrs. Vance I wanted
01:12a divorce
01:16please don't tell
01:16Serena yet, I begged
01:18she squeezed my hand, I'm so sorry
01:20Ethan, I took the divorce papers
01:22and went to fend Serena myself
01:24I found her at a private club
01:26through the VIP booth window
01:27Isaware wrapped around Julian
01:29her chin rested
01:30in the curve of his neck
01:35who let you in?
01:36I held out the papers, my arm stayed frozen in there
01:38five seconds, ten
01:40my shoulders started to ache, finally
01:42she pinched Julian's waist, Julian leaned into her like a cat
01:45flipping through the papers lazily
01:48what's this?
01:50what?
01:51nothing
01:52Serena
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
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 me the signed papers
02:12I turned to leave
02:13I hand grabbed my arm
02:15hold on
02:16what?
02:17she smiled
02:17it didn't reach her eyes
02:19come home with us
02:19I'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
02:26file Rosen Mithrote
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 him back to the villa
02:45the car pulled up to the villa
02:47Serena dragged me straight to the kitchen
02:50she watched me take out the chicken
02:51and Vigate Abel's
02:52fill the pot with water
02:55only when the flame was lit did she finally leave
02:58I stared at the bubbling broth
02:59this 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
03:18you're so obedient
03:20you were about to leave
03:21but she told you to make soup
03:22and 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
03:35before I could react
03:36he grabbed the handle and swung it at me
03:38the scalding liquid hit my face
03:40my chest
03:41my arms
03:41then 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
03:53concern
03:54Serena!
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
04:01check it
04:02the camera will show everything
04:04enough!
04:05I believe Julian
04:06you tried to hurt him and burn yourself instead
04:08you deserve this
04:10Serena, it hurts
04:11let's get you to the hospital
04:13she didn't look at me again
04:14a doll aches
04:15spread through my chest
04:16what an idiot I was
04:17thinking she might actually care about me
04:20her heart only had room for Julian
04:21as I fell
04:22I thought I heard Serena running toward me
04:24but I was probably imagining it
04:26when I woke up
04:27I was in a hospital room
04:29my blood was draining into Julian's arm
04:31I tried to pull out the IV
04:34Serena grabbed my wrist
04:37don't even think about it
04:38you'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
04:54before I lost consciousness
04:56I heard Serena's angry voice
04:57I told you to take 20 ml to scare him
05:00not 2000 ml you idiots
05:02do you want to kill him
05:03when I woke up again
05:04Serena 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 too dry
05:20so I was right
05:21that worried voice I heard
05:23was nothing
05:23but my imagination
05:24why would Serena ever care
05:26I was a fool to hope
05:27for even a second
05:31my burn shed in the lid yet
05:32Serena didn't care
05:33she brought me to them and or anyway
05:35Mrs. Vance
05:36walked toward us
05:37panic shot through me
05:38what 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
05:54the divorce papers
05:55she's pregnant
05:56with Julian's child now
05:58the baby needs a family
06:00Ethan
06:01you're such a good boy
06:02we've failed you
06:04Mrs. Vance's eyes
06:05filled with tears
06:06my composure shattered
06:08I hadn't cried
06:09when Julian burned me
06:10hadn't cried
06:11when Serena
06:12forced metadonate blood
06:14but Mrs. Vance's
06:15kindness broke me
06:17tonight
06:17I wanted to introduce you
06:19to some people
06:20it might help your future
06:23I wanted to refuse
06:24but seeing her tears
06:26I couldn't
06:26Mrs. Vance chose
06:28and suit for me
06:29when the party began
06:31she introduced me
06:32to her circle with pride
06:33after an hour of networking
06:34I escaped to a quiet corner
06:36that's when I saw her
06:37Rose Miller
06:41my body went cold
06:42every kill screamed
06:43at Metarin
06:45even thought
06:46this wasn't the first time
06:47since my rebirth
06:47seeing Rose
06:48always brought back
06:49the memory
06:49of burning a live
06:51Ethan come with me
06:52Rose
06:52I've told you before
06:53we're both reborn
06:55let's just leave each other alone
06:56after my rebirth
06:57the first thing I did
06:59was break our engagement
07:00Rose hadn't been reborn yet
07:02she agreed easily
07:03but two years
07:04into my marriage
07:05with Serena
07:05Rose showed up
07:07at my door
07:07on her knees
07:08begging me to take her back
07:09I refused
07:10told her I loved Serena
07:12she didn't stop
07:14texts every day
07:15calls every night
07:17two years Rose
07:18I've rejected you
07:19for two years
07:20how much clearer
07:21can I be
07:23I don't want to know
07:24how sorry you are
07:25so please
07:26stop
07:27Ethan
07:28I swear
07:29if you come with me
07:30just this once
07:31I'll never bother you again
07:34fine
07:37Ethan
07:37I swear
07:38if you come with me
07:40just this once
07:40I'll never bother you again
07:42maybe it could finally
07:43be free of her
07:44fine
07:44I followed her
07:45toward 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
07:51in 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
08:09hire someone to rape me
08:10the room exploded
08:11into whispers
08:12I didn't
08:13Serena walked
08:13toward me slowly
08:14her face was a mask
08:15of rage
08:16you disgust me
08:18her hand rose
08:19to slap me
08:20Rose tried to block her
08:21but Mrs. Vance
08:22was faster
08:23she stepped in front of me
08:25Serena's eyes
08:25flickered with something dark
08:26she said coldly
08:29you make me sick
08:30before she left
08:31she turned to the guests
08:33if anyone speaks
08:34about tonight
08:35you're an enemy
08:35of the Vance family
08:40I don't remember
08:41getting home
08:42I lay in bed
08:43staring at the ceiling
08:44my brain was empty
08:46tears ran down
08:47my face
08:48the bead room door
08:49flew open
08:50Serena's hand
08:50closed around my throat
08:51I couldn't breathe
08:53you're that jealous
08:54so jealous of me
08:55and Julian having a baby
08:56that you'd do this
08:57if you want a baby
08:58so badly
08:59I'll give you one
09:00no
09:01hard
09:02blood ran down my chest
09:03soaking the sheets
09:04Serena 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
09:16my arrangements made
09:18knowing
09:18this was almost over
09:19I suddenly
09:20needed task
09:21the question
09:22that had haunted me
09:23all 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
09:40what you're talking about
09:41but you loved me before
09:43you really did
09:44enough
09:44you have no right
09:45to ask me that
09:49Serena stormed out
09:49the servants whispered
09:51that she'd gone
09:51into early labor
09:52from the anger
09:53the baby weighs
09:54in intensive care now
09:55I went to the stage
09:56death company
09:57and sat ever
09:58geething for five days
09:59from now
09:59our wedding anniversary
10:01I would die
10:02in her arms that day
10:02my love began
10:04in hair embrace
10:04it wouldn't there too
10:06when I got home
10:07Julian was lounging
10:08in the living room
10:09with
10:09hat smug look on his face
10:11I went straight
10:12to my bedroom
10:12I had nothing
10:14to say to him
10:14but he followed main
10:15cradling the premature
10:17infant in his arms
10:18the satisfaction
10:19in his eyes
10:19told me everything
10:21last night's scene
10:22had been another
10:23one of his performances
10:24I ignored him
10:25and started packing
10:27I'd leave tonight
10:28then Julian
10:29set the baby down
10:30next to me on the bed
10:32before I could react
10:33he grabbed the pillow
10:34and pressed it
10:34over the infant's face
10:36are you out of your mind
10:37my shouts brought
10:39Serena running
10:39the fury in her face
10:41made everything
10:42click in topless
10:42this washes plain
10:44all along
10:44the sheer cruelty
10:45of it stunned me
10:46even willed animals
10:47protect their babies
10:48my 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
10:59both of them
11:00Julian was sobbing
11:02dramatically
11:02and calling for a doctor
11:03which only fueled
11:04her anger more
11:05Serena dragged
11:06me downstairs
11:06to the kitchen
11:07she pulled it up
11:08in drawer after drawer
11:09with frightening determination
11:10Serena what are you doing
11:14Serena what are you doing
11:15you hurt what's mine
11:16now you pay the price
11:17the 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
11:26again on the other hand
11:27another crack
11:28another wave
11:29of unbearable pain
11:30the bones were broken
11:31twisted at unnatural angles
11:33every slight movement
11:34sent fresh waves
11:35of agony through me
11:36Serena 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
11:51than the woman
11:51who'd burned me
11:52in the first
11:52when 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 feluce of my hands
12:05something inside
12:06me shattered
12:07get out
12:07I said get out
12:09after a few days
12:11my appointment
12:11with the stage
12:12death company arrived
12:13I called Serena
12:15and asked her
12:15to meet me on the yacht
12:16she sounded surprised
12:18that I decontacted her
12:19but she came
12:20fireworks exploded
12:22across the night sky
12:23reflecting off
12:23the dark ocean
12:25every anniversary
12:26you used to bring me
12:27here to watch
12:28the fireworks
12:29today is our anniversary
12:30it's okay that you forgot
12:32today
12:32I wanted to
12:37Julian's not doing
12:38well emotionally
12:38I 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
12:54this love had begun
12:54but she couldn't
12:56even give me that
13:03Miss Vance
13:04your husband
13:05jumped in the ocean
13:06right after you left
13:06we found his body
13:07when can you come
13:08identify the remains
13:09what are you talking about
13:10Ethan wouldn't kill himself
13:25what are you talking about
13:27Ethan 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
13:43after call
13:43her expression
13:44grew darker
13:44with each conversation
13:45dread
13:46pooled 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
13:58so
13:58heart has stumbled
13:59the look in her
14:00ice terrified him
14:01pain shot through his abdomen
14:02where she'd kicked him before
14:03Serena
14:04the baby can't breathe properly
14:06we need to go to the hospital
14:08Serena didn't rush to help
14:09like she always did
14:10she smiled
14:10it was the most frightening
14:12smile he'd ever seen
14:13why would I care about that
14:16Julian grabbed her hand
14:18and pressed it against the baby
14:19desperate 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
14:27all the blood drained
14:28from Julian's face
14:29of 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
14:47for months
14:48you think I wouldn't
14:48recognize my own child
14:49his face was turning purple
14:50if you knew
14:52then why did you
14:53bring me home
14:55because you're
14:56Ethan's brother
14:57if it weren't for him
14:58you would have died
14:59the night you tried
14:59to drug me
15:00Julian stared up
15:01at her from the floor
15:02understanding dawned
15:03through his fear
15:04so you knew
15:05from the start
15:06his voice cracked
15:06you knew I was only
15:07seducing you
15:08to hurt my brother
15:09obviously
15:10Serena's lip curled
15:11in disgust
15:11you're not worth
15:12a single strand
15:12of Ethan's hair
15:13if you hadn't
15:14manipulated me
15:15into coming home
15:15tonight
15:16Ethan would be
15:16fine right now
15:17she stepped closer
15:18pray nothing
15:18happened to him
15:19because if he's hurt
15:20I'll make sure
15:21you experience
15:22every kind of pain
15:22imaginable
15:23before you die
15:24Serena walked away
15:25without looking back
15:26Julian lay on the floor
15:27blood seeping
15:28through his shirt again
15:29the 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
15:43all day
15:44when Julian's call
15:45came through
15:48Rose
15:49you have to save me
15:50where is Ethan
15:52you want to know
15:53come to the suburban villa
15:55and take me to the hospital
15:56first
15:56then I'll tell you
15:57she arrived
15:58ten minutes later
15:59Julian was crumpled
16:00on the floor
16:00clutching his stomach
16:01blood seeped
16:02through his fingers
16:03take me to the hospital
16:04where is Ethan
16:05you're all the same
16:07none of you care
16:09if I live or die
16:10why should I tell you
16:12where that waste
16:12of 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
16:24something inside him
16:24I 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
16:37to death
16:37was perfect
16:39too bad in this life
16:40he died because of
16:41Serena 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
16:52to Ethan
16:53it's your fault
16:54why did you suddenly
16:55abandon me to chase
16:56after that worthless
16:57Ethan
16:57you loved me
16:58in the past life
17:00I had to take
17:01everything from him again
17:02I had to grind him
17:03into the dirt
17:04where he belongs
17:04and Serena
17:06she killed him for me
17:07just like you did before
17:08men like Ethan
17:10exist to be stepped on
17:11what happened to Ethan
17:12tell me
17:13but Julian just laughed
17:14harder
17:14the sound echoing
17:15off the walls
17:16Rose's assistant
17:16called at that moment
17:17hello
17:18she'd finally gotten
17:19information about
17:19my 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 to touch it
17:57then she saw it
17:58around the corpse's neck
17:59was a silver chain
18:00hanging from it was a ring
18:01our wedding rings
18:02the ones she'd personally designed
18:04and had made at a small
18:05silversmith shop
18:06there was only one set
18:07in the entire world
18:08Serena's world collapsed
18:09Ethan I'm sorry
18:12please don't do this to me
18:14you're not dead are you
18:17you're just hiding
18:19you're punishing me
18:20but the ring told the truth
18:21that mangled unrecognizable body
18:23was mine
18:24Serena carefully removed
18:25the ring from the chain
18:26and clutched it in her fist
18:28her whole body shook
18:29please
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
18:44in my past life
18:46she loved me enough
18:47to die for me
18:47in this life
18:48she 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
19:13Ethan 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
19:22thinks you're gone
19:23can't you give me a chance
19:24can't you choose me
19:25Rose stop
19:26it's over
19:28leave me alone
19:29just seeing her face
19:31brought back the memory
19:32of flames
19:32consuming my skin
19:33the smell of my own
19:34flesh burning
19:35the sound of her
19:36and Julian laughing
19:37as 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
19:45relationship in this life
19:46Rose
19:46stop pretending we did
19:48through the peephole
19:49I watched her
19:49crumple against the wall
19:50I'd never seen Rose
19:51cry like this
19:52not in either lifetime
19:53maybe I owed her
19:54an explanation
19:54maybe it would finally
19:55make her leave me in peace
19:56Rose I need to tell you
19:57something
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
20:11I survived that
20:12but then I discovered
20:14you and Julian together
20:15I tried to record it
20:16as evidence
20:16you caught me
20:17and 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
20:25done those things
20:26in this life
20:26I can't forget
20:27I can't trust you
20:28we need to let each other go
20:32we need to let each other go
20:33how could you dream
20:34something like that
20:36that's impossible
20:36it 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
20:41please 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
20:50Rose kept talking to herself
20:51words I would never hear
20:52it wasn't a dream
20:54it was real
20:54I did all those things to you
20:56and when Serena
20:56burned 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
21:03broken our engagement
21:04you were already in love
21:05with Serena
21:05so I worked with Julian
21:07we sent her photos
21:08of you and me together
21:09we made her think
21:09you 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
21:15she'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
21:21right there by the door
21:22too exhausted
21:23to make it to bed
21:24Rose eventually left
21:26my life returned to quiet
21:28until I got a message
21:29from the rescue captain
21:30Mr. Sterling
21:31I'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
21:39on the street below
21:40staring up at my apartment
21:41even from this distance
21:43I could see the devastation
21:44in her eyes
21:47Serena stood on the street below
21:48looking up at my building
21:50even from five floors up
21:51I could see the grief
21:52carved into her face
21:53our eyes met through the glass
21:55she didn't move
21:56didn't wave
21:57just stared at me
21:58with 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
22:05for a long moment
22:05those digits were burned
22:07into my memory forever
22:08Serena's number
22:09I deleted the text
22:10and 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
22:17from checking the window again
22:18she was still there
22:19the weather forecast
22:20said 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
22:27two hours later
22:28snow was falling
22:29Serena hadn't moved
22:30white flakes collected
22:31on her shoulders and hair
22:34damn it
22:35she'd saved me
22:36in my past life
22:37rushed into the flames
22:38for a stranger
22:39avenged my death
22:40and then followed me
22:41into the grave
22:42I owed her something
22:43for that didn't I
22:44even if she'd destroyed
22:45me in this life
22:46I unblocked her number
22:47and stared at my phone
22:48typed and deleted
22:50half a dozen messages
22:52another text from her
22:53came through
22:53it was the way she asked
22:55the same soft pleading
22:56she used to use
22:57when we'd fight
22:57in the early days
22:58of our marriage
22:58back when she still loved me
23:00I hated that it still worked
23:01I hated myself more
23:03for caring
23:03before I could change my mind
23:05I texted back
23:06five minutes later
23:07she was at my door
23:10Serena stepped inside
23:11bringing the winter cold
23:13with her
23:13tomorrow morning
23:14you're gone
23:14I mean it
23:20sorry
23:21I didn't mean to touch you
23:23without permission
23:24Serena
23:24why are you doing this
23:25just pretend I'm dead
23:26wouldn't that be easier
23:27for both of us
23:28I can't
23:31please forgive me
23:33Ethan
23:34please
23:35get up Serena
23:36this is pointless
23:37it's not
23:38I was only trying
23:39to make you jealous
23:39I was insane with it
23:41I saw those photos
23:41of you with Rose
23:42and I
23:42so you tortured me
23:43you broke both my hands
23:45because 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
23:50what I was feeling
23:51and it worked
23:53congratulations
23:54Ethan I love you
23:55I've always loved you
23:57from the moment
23:58I met you
23:58at the orphanage
23:59when we were children
24:00stop
24:01just stop
24:02you want to know
24:03the truth
24:04I didn't marry you
24:05because I loved you
24:06Serena
24:08I didn't marry you
24:09because I loved you
24:10Serena
24:10I married you
24:11because I owed you
24:12a debt
24:12in my past life
24:13you died for me
24:14a stranger
24:15you built me a grave
24:16and destroyed yourself
24:17getting revenge
24:18for someone you'd
24:18never even met
24:19so when I woke up
24:20in this life
24:20I thought I could
24:21repay that kindness
24:22by choosing you first
24:23I thought we could be happy
24:24I really did try to love you
24:26but you're not the same person
24:27who saved me
24:27that Serena died in the fire
24:29trying to pull me out
24:30now
24:30you're the one who broke me instead
24:33no
24:34that's not true
24:36I am that person
24:37I remember everything
24:38from before
24:39do you
24:40that woman wouldn't have
24:41shattered my hands
24:42for a crime I didn't commit
24:43that woman wouldn't have
24:43left me alone
24:44on our anniversary
24:45to comfort my brother
24:46you're right
24:47you're right about all of it
24:48so please
24:49let 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
24:56harder outside
24:57visible through the window
24:58behind Serena's shaking form
25:00she looked up at me
25:01one last time
25:01her face destroyed
25:03by tears and regret
25:04then she stood on trembling legs
25:06and walked to the door
25:07I'm sorry
25:08for everything
25:09the door closed
25:10softly behind her
25:11I stood alone
25:12in my apartment
25:13listening to the silence
25:14and wondered why
25:16doing the right thing
25:17felt so much like
25:17dying all over again
25:20the news came a week later
25:22Julian was dead
25:23he'd bled out
25:24in the villa
25:24by the time Rose
25:25finally called an ambulance
25:26it was too late
25:27I felt nothing
25:28when I heard
25:29no satisfaction
25:30no grief
25:31just emptiness
25:32Rose never contacted me again
25:34after that night
25:35in the hallway
25:35I realized then
25:37that she must have been
25:38reborn too
25:38everything made sense
25:40suddenly
25:40why she'd begged me
25:41to take her back
25:42why she knew
25:43I wasn't really dead
25:44why she found me
25:45so easily in London
25:46twenty years of marriage
25:48in our past life
25:49meant she knew
25:50everything about me
25:50the 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
26:01on a bench
26:01near my building
26:02leaves would fall
26:03on her shoulders
26:04while she sat smoking
26:05and staring up
26:06at my window
26:07winter returned
26:08and she'd stand
26:08in the snow
26:09until her hair
26:10turned white with frost
26:11sometimes she'd text me
26:12we're standing
26:13under the same snow
26:14does that count
26:15as growing old together
26:16I never replied
26:17just watched from my window
26:18as she appeared
26:19and disappeared
26:20like a ghost
26:21haunting the street below
26:22one day in late autumn
26:24I came home
26:25to find her sitting
26:25on the steps
26:26outside my building
26:26she looked thinner
26:28there were dark circles
26:29under her eyes
26:30that makeup couldn't hide
26:32I'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
26:39who saved you anymore
26:40so I'm going to become her again
26:41what are you talking about?
26:43I'm donating everything
26:44to charity
26:44the money
26:45the properties
26:45all of it
26:46I'm going to work
26:47at the orphanage
26:47where we first met
26:48maybe if I become
26:49the person you needed me
26:50to be you'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
26:58who you want to be
26:58not because you think
26:59it'll change my mind
27:00I know
27:01I know you'll never
27:01forgive me
27:02but I need to forgive
27:03myself somehow
27:04she left
27:05I watched her go
27:06and felt something
27:07twist in my chest
27:11months passed
27:11a year
27:12then two
27:14I heard through
27:15mutual acquaintances
27:16that Serena
27:17had kept her word
27:18she'd given up
27:19everything
27:19and was working
27:20with orphaned children
27:21now
27:21sometimes I'd get
27:22a photo from
27:23Mrs. Vance
27:23Serena teaching
27:24kids to paint
27:26Serena reading
27:26stories at bedtime
27:28Serena looking
27:29peaceful in a way
27:30I'd never seen
27:30she asks about you
27:32Mrs. Vance
27:33told me once
27:33but she never
27:34asks me to tell
27:35you anything
27:35she just wants
27:36to know if
27:37you're happy
27:38am I?
27:39I hope someday
27:40you will be
27:41sweetheart
27:42five years
27:42after my
27:43staged death
27:43I visited
27:44the cemetery
27:44there was a grave
27:45with my name
27:46on it
27:46the headstone
27:47read
27:48beloved husband
27:49just like
27:50in my past life
27:50fresh flowers
27:51sat in front
27:52of it
27:52someone had
27:53been here
27:53recently
27:54I knelt down
27:55and traced
27:55my fingers
27:56over the
27:56carved letters
27:57I don't know
27:57if you can
27:58hear me
27:59but I wanted
28:00to say
28:00thank you
28:01for saving
28:02me in that
28:02other life
28:03for loving
28:03someone you'd
28:04never met
28:05I'm sorry
28:06I couldn't
28:06be what you
28:07needed in this
28:07one
28:07I stood
28:08to leave
28:09and saw
28:09her
28:10Serena stood
28:11at the cemetery
28:11gates watching
28:12me
28:12she looked
28:13older now
28:13calmer
28:14there was
28:14grey in her
28:15hair that she
28:15hadn't bothered
28:16to die
28:16our eyes
28:17met across
28:17the distance
28:18she raised
28:19her hand
28:19in a small
28:19wave
28:20not approaching
28:21not asking
28:21for anything
28:22just acknowledging
28:23that we were
28:24both here
28:24both alive
28:25both somehow
28:26still tied
28:26to this grave
28:27between us
28:28I nodded back
28:29then I turned
28:30and walked away
28:31behind me
28:32I heard her
28:33footsteps going
28:34in the opposite
28:34direction
28:35this was our
28:35ending
28:36not together
28:37not enemies
28:38just two people
28:39who'd loved each
28:40other badly
28:40in all the wrong
28:41ways
28:41maybe in another
28:42life
28:43we'd get it
28:44right
28:44but for now
28:45this distance
28:46between us
28:47was the kindest
28:47thing we could
28:48offer each other
28:49I never saw
28:50Serena again
28:50after that day
28:51and somehow
28:52that felt like
28:53the closest thing
28:54to peace
28:55either of us
28:55would ever find
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