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