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Short filmTranscript
00:00It was the first year of Gabriel Anderson and Serena Lynch's busyness marriage.
00:05Gabriel had jumped from the third-story balcony,
00:08breaking his leg just to prove a point.
00:10Clutching his parents' hands, he'd hissed through the pain.
00:13I will only ever love Chloe Shaw.
00:17No one else.
00:20That night, Serena, my best friend, cried with me the entire time.
00:24She whispered reassurances, telling me not to worry.
00:27Once we took control of our family companies,
00:29she'd give him back to me.
00:30She'd keep an eye on him, protect me, make sure he never hurt me.
00:34I believed her, without a single doubt.
00:37Everyone said I was the luckiest girl alive.
00:39I had a boyfriend who would die for me and a best friend who treated me like a sister.
00:43But that was five years ago.
00:45Now, I stood in our living room and handed Gabriel Serena's positive pregnancy test.
00:49We're done.
00:50I said, he let out a dry, mocking laugh.
00:55Serena is my fiancée, Chloe.
00:57Isn't it normal for her to be pregnant?
00:59Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and snapped my ring finger.
01:03I gasped in agony as he ripped the engagement ring off and tossed it into the trash.
01:11Stop using these pathetic breakup stunts to get my attention.
01:17It's getting old.
01:19I looked down at my hand, trembling as I pulled it away from his grip.
01:22The pain was blinding, but I didn't scream.
01:25For five years, I had screamed.
01:27I had cried until my throat was raw.
01:29Yet all my pain did was fuel the fire between him and Serena.
01:33Every tear I shed only drew them closer together.
01:36Gabriel, you told me to wait.
01:38I waited five years for this.
01:42I'm done wasting my life on you.
01:45It's over.
01:48He didn't even look at me.
01:50He walked casually into the living room.
01:52I saw the look on his face the moment he spotted my packed suitcases.
01:56Pure derision, like I was putting on a show.
01:59He thought everything in those bags was his.
02:01That I couldn't bear to leave without the things he bought.
02:04He was so certain I'd stay used to me folding.
02:07Used to me accepting his excuses.
02:09He always said he owed Serena that her fake engagement was a sacrifice for us.
02:13Until that sacrifice turned into hugs, kisses, and her in his bed.
02:18Every photo felt like a knife to my chest.
02:20And every time he begged, I forgave him.
02:23Even when he made me stain my dress with his blood.
02:25I fought him, screamed at him, said it was over a thousand times.
02:29Until his terror turned to indifference.
02:31I didn't want anything he gave me.
02:32All I needed was my freedom.
02:34Everything else could stay with him.
02:36I looked him dead in the eye, and I told him the truth.
02:39Your things?
02:40You can keep them.
02:42I don't want a single reminder of you.
02:44And Gabriel?
02:46There isn't a person on this earth I can't live without.
02:49Especially not you.
02:54Gabriel's smug grin vanished instantly.
02:57Just then, the front door swung open.
03:00Gabriel's cold expression shifted in a heartbeat as he deliberately shoved past me.
03:04He rushed to the door to catch Serena Lynch.
03:06Serena, what are you doing here?
03:08This place is a mess.
03:09Be careful, you might get hurt.
03:10When she noticed me staring, she pulled her hand away in a panic.
03:14He pulled her hand back and kissed her knuckles.
03:18He glanced at me, saw no reaction, and slammed the door shut, leaving me alone.
03:25My broken finger throbbed with a dull ache.
03:27I picked up my documents slowly, my movements stiff from the pain, and headed to the hospital.
03:32As I stepped into the hospital lobby, and then, I saw them sitting, laughing, as if I wasn't even in
03:38the same room.
03:41Gabriel, a man so obsessed with cleanliness he used to avoid public benches, was kneeling on the floor, gently massaging
03:48Serena's calves.
03:49He looked like he was handling a priceless artifact.
03:52I had no desire to watch.
03:54I turned toward the orthopedic wing.
03:56While waiting at the door, Serena also came to the hallway, and upon seeing me, walked toward me.
04:03Chloe, I think it's best if you don't see Gabe while I'm pregnant.
04:07The baby needs his father's full attention.
04:10You love Gabe so much.
04:12I'm sure you wouldn't want anything to happen to his child, right?
04:15Then she pulled out a thick stack of cash.
04:18In front of the crowded hallway, she shoved the money into my arms.
04:22She didn't lower her voice.
04:23I felt the weight of a dozen judgmental stares.
04:26I even heard someone whisper mistress under their breath.
04:29Serena flinched at the murmurs, lowering her voice to a theatrical whisper.
04:33Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for them to hear.
04:36She grabbed my hand, just like she used to in college when she wanted a favor.
04:40Grace, just stay away from Gabe for a while.
04:44The baby needs a father.
04:46I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.
04:48Serena, aren't you tired of playing the victim?
04:51You stole him. Just enjoy the prize and shut up.
04:56Heavy footsteps thundered behind me.
04:59Serena collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face instantly.
05:03Chloe, I'm sorry. I said the wrong thing.
05:06Gabriel rushed over, calling her up.
05:09Chloe Shaw, are you a literal animal?
05:12Putting your hands on a pregnant woman?
05:14Get on your knees and apologize to Serena right now.
05:17Or I promise you, this time, I won't let you off easy.
05:25This was the thousandth time.
05:27The thousandth time Gabriel Anderson blindly took Serena's side without a second thought.
05:32If this had been a year ago, I would have fought tooth and nail.
05:35Arguing until I proved my innocence.
05:37But now, I just felt an all-consuming exhaustion.
05:40Don't talk to Chloe like that, Gabe.
05:42It was my fault.
05:44I just tripped.
05:46You don't need to cover for her, Serena.
05:49We both know exactly what kind of person she is.
05:53Chloe, if you want to walk out of this hospital in one piece,
05:56you'd better apologize for Rina to Serena right now.
06:00The truth is right there.
06:02Watch the footage yourself.
06:04I tried to step past him, but a hand suddenly clamped onto the back of my head.
06:08Gabriel yanked my hair back with such force.
06:11Gabe, stop!
06:12Let her go!
06:13My scalp felt like it was being torn open.
06:15Stop acting.
06:17You aren't a pampered princess like Serena.
06:21You expect me to believe this actually hurts?
06:23I struggled to break his grip, but he moved faster,
06:27slamming his foot into the back of my knee.
06:29I hit the floor hard.
06:33Looking up at his face, I felt a strange sense of vertigo.
06:37I thought back to him at 18 wild, reckless, always in trouble.
06:41I'd even taken a knife for him once.
06:43I remembered how he'd held me then.
06:47His eyes bloodshot and his voice breaking,
06:50as he promised he would never let anyone hurt me again.
06:53But now, every bit of pain I felt came straight from him.
06:56I closed my eyes and breathed unsteadily.
06:58I refused to apologize for something I hadn't done.
07:01Serena begged him to let it go,
07:02but Gabriel held her back.
07:04Then he slapped me, hard enough to snap my head to the side.
07:07Serena cried out in shock,
07:08but Gabriel only pulled her protectively against him,
07:11staring at the red marks swelling on my face without a single trace of remorse.
07:15We warned me that we owed Serena for the mess this relationship has caused her.
07:18If you're angry, take it out on me.
07:20But if you touch her again,
07:22I will make you pay dearly if I so much as thousands touch times over.
07:25I forced myself up from the floor,
07:27my legs shaking.
07:28You already gave her your body and your soul as payment, Gabriel.
07:34What exactly do I still owe her?
07:36Then I slapped him back just as hard.
07:38He stumbled back in stunned disbelief, shouting my name.
07:41Chloe Shaw!
07:42But I didn't stay to listen to the rest of his anger.
07:45I just turned and walked away.
07:51That night, I checked into a hotel,
07:53lying awake staring at the ceiling until dawn.
07:56The silence was deafening,
07:57and my mind was flooded with what had just happened.
08:00My phone buzzed in the dark.
08:02It was Serena, apologizing for Gabe.
08:04I didn't bother finishing the message.
08:06Apologies felt empty, meaningless.
08:08I didn't reply.
08:09I just turned the phone off,
08:11cutting off all contact.
08:12The next morning,
08:13I took a taxi straight to the airport
08:15and called Evan, a university senior.
08:18Simone who knew the old me,
08:19the girl before Gabe.
08:20I told him I was at the airport,
08:22coming back to Rivercliff,
08:23and to the research project I'd abandoned for Gabe.
08:26I'd once been top of my class.
08:27A girl with a bright future.
08:29One I'd sacrificed to keep him warm.
08:31I was finally ready to reclaim myself,
08:33to get back the life I'd lost.
08:35But fate had other plans.
08:36When I approached the boarding gate and was waiting,
08:39four men in black suits appeared beside me.
08:41No explanations,
08:43just forced me into a car.
08:44I knew where they were taking me.
08:46The Anderson estate.
08:47The ride was silent.
08:48I sat in the back seat,
08:50staring out the window,
08:51knowing whatever waited for me at the estate
08:53would be worse than anything I'd faced.
08:55When we arrived,
08:56Gabriel's mother was in the drawing room.
08:58She used to think I was sensible,
09:00someone who'd never step out of line.
09:02But that was before I refused to let them control me.
09:04Then she said it,
09:05when you do something wrong,
09:07you face the consequences.
09:08In that moment,
09:09I knew there was no escaping.
09:11Serena Lynch stood timidly behind Gabriel's mother.
09:14When I was dragged in,
09:15she didn't look surprised at all.
09:16When our eyes met,
09:17she looked away for a split second
09:19before her lips moved silently.
09:20It was a game we used to play in college,
09:22reading each other's lips across a crowded room.
09:25I knew exactly what she was saying.
09:27I'm sorry, Chloe.
09:28You wouldn't give him up,
09:29so I had to fight dirty.
09:31Don't blame me, okay?
09:32The guards forced me onto my knees.
09:34I felt a wave of pure exhaustion.
09:36I once believed Serena was my sister
09:38in every way that mattered.
09:40Now,
09:40I realized her betrayal had no bottom.
09:42Gabriel's mother signaled the butler,
09:44who brought out a long, barbed whip.
09:46She looked at me as if I were a stray insect.
09:49Using the family's discipline on a girl like you
09:52is honestly too much of an honor.
09:54I broke up with him!
09:56Gabriel and I are over!
09:57Gabriel Anderson walked down the stairs,
09:59his expression like stone
10:00as he moved to stand beside Serena.
10:02Lying just to dodge responsibility?
10:04Typical.
10:05You've been spoiled for too long, Chloe.
10:08A little discipline will be good for everyone.
10:10It might finally teach you some manners.
10:13I clenched my fists so hard my nails drew blood.
10:15These two cheaters were standing there in their ivory tower,
10:18framing me as the villain in their twisted triangle.
10:21Gabriel, listen to me!
10:23I said we are done!
10:25Do you not understand English?
10:27Why was I the one being punished?
10:30I had done nothing but love the wrong people.
10:33It was as if my words never reached them at all.
10:35A woman of your status doesn't just walk away from a golden goose.
10:39Breakup?
10:40Who are you trying to kid?
10:41She didn't wait for another word.
10:43A servant raised the whip and lashed it across my back.
10:46The world turned white.
10:47The barbs tore through my skin.
10:49And soon my back was a bloody mess.
10:51Cold sweat drenched my clothes.
10:53Serena turned pale,
10:54looking like she might faint at the sight of my blood.
10:57She made a move to stop them.
10:59But Gabriel's mother was determined to break me
11:01and ordered the servant to strike harder.
11:03I tasted iron.
11:05A spray of blood hit the polished floor.
11:07Serena finally broke,
11:09sobbing as she threw herself in front of me to block the next strike.
11:12Gabriel panicked.
11:13He lunged forward, catching Serena in his arms.
11:16Are you trying to get yourself killed for her?
11:19She isn't worth it!
11:20They stood there, locked in an embrace.
11:22While Gabriel looked at me with pure resentment,
11:25resenting me because Serena had almost gotten hurt.
11:28Gabriel grabbed the whip himself.
11:30Why can't you just be quiet?
11:32Serena is pregnant!
11:34She can't handle this kind of stress!
11:36I thought I was too numb to feel anything else.
11:38But as his whip landed on my shredded back,
11:41I felt my soul finally shatter.
11:43Chloe!
11:44I swear!
11:45I really, really...
11:47Serena reached up and covered his mouth before he could finish.
11:50I knew what he wanted to say.
11:52He wanted to say he regretted ever loving me.
11:54I closed my eyes and let out a hollow, bitter laugh.
11:58Gabriel fueled by a manic energy dragged me to his car.
12:01He drove like a madman to his private coastal villa.
12:05Intending to lock me away,
12:06he hauled me inside and threw me onto the floor.
12:09Ignoring the screaming pain in my body,
12:11I forced myself up and ran toward the floor.
12:14To ceiling windows outside,
12:16the ocean stretched into an endless dark void.
12:19Gabriel watched me, a mocking smirk on his face.
12:22What now, Chloe? A suicide threat?
12:25You think you're still a child?
12:27I looked at him one last time.
12:29I whispered the words he hadn't finished earlier.
12:32Gabriel, I really, truly regret ever loving you.
12:37If this is what it takes to end this,
12:40then I'm ready.
12:42Seeing the dead look in my eyes,
12:44Gabriel's smugness vanished.
12:46Replaced by a sudden, jagged panic,
12:48he took a step toward me.
12:49You don't get to say that!
12:51Serena and I have sacrificed everything for you!
12:54You don't get to give up!
12:55I felt a ghost of a smile.
12:57It's my life.
12:58I'm the only one who gets a vote.
13:00I turned and vaulted over the railing.
13:02The last thing I saw was Gabriel's face.
13:04Contorted in a scream at Kiltai.
13:05Chloe, die! No!
13:08The dark water swallowed Chloe's figure in an instant.
13:11Gabriel stood frozen at the window,
13:13his body rigid.
13:14It was as if his brain refused to process
13:17what his eyes had just seen.
13:18The dark water swallowed Chloe's figure in an instant.
13:22Gabriel stood frozen at the window,
13:24his body rigid.
13:25It was as if his brain refused to process
13:27what his eyes had just seen.
13:29Serena arrived at the villa moments later.
13:31She burst into the room
13:32only to find Gabriel balanced precariously on the edge,
13:35looking like he was about to dive into the abyss below.
13:38Gabe!
13:39Are you insane?
13:40Get down from there right now!
13:42For the first time,
13:43Gabriel didn't react to her voice.
13:45He remained hyper-focused on the churning waves below.
13:48His eyes were shot through with blood,
13:50and a single tear traced a path down his pale face.
13:53Serena demanded, her voice trembling.
13:55What happened?
13:57You said you were going to keep her here
13:59until she calmed down.
14:00Where is she?
14:01Where's Chloe?
14:02Gabriel turned his head slowly.
14:04He looked at Serena as if seeing her for the very first time.
14:07He pointed a trembling finger toward the vast, empty sea.
14:11Chloe.
14:12She's gone.
14:14Serena felt the world tilt.
14:15Her vision blurred.
14:17She had only wanted Chloe to see
14:18that she and Gabriel were the perfect match.
14:21She wanted Chloe to give up and leave voluntarily.
14:24She never wanted her dead.
14:25You're joking, right?
14:27Chloe is strong.
14:29She'd never kill herself.
14:30Gabe, tell me you're lying!
14:32Serena's voice went shrill.
14:33She searched his face,
14:35desperate for any sign of a cruel prank.
14:37But she found only a hollow, haunting silence.
14:40Gabriel's eyes were rimmed red.
14:43Serena, it was us.
14:44His voice was hoarse as he spoke.
14:46Our betrayal.
14:47We pushed her over that edge.
14:49Serena's legs gave out,
14:50and she collapsed onto the floor.
14:52That's not true.
14:53It can't be.
14:54Serena's legs gave out,
14:56and she collapsed onto the floor.
14:57No, that's not true. It can't be.
14:58Chloe was her best friend.
15:00How could she have been the one to kill her?
15:03As she sat on the cold floor,
15:04a sudden thought sparked in her eyes.
15:07She played us, Gabe?
15:09Don't you remember?
15:11Chloe is a strong swimmer.
15:13This is just another one of her stunts to force us apart.
15:15She lunged forward,
15:16grabbing Gabriel's arm like a lifeline.
15:18Call everyone.
15:19We have to find her before her little plan succeeds.
15:22We can't let her win like this.
15:23A glimmer of desperate hope flickered in Gabriel's dead eyes.
15:27Right. Right.
15:29Chloe has a temper.
15:31She's just trying to scare us.
15:32We just need to find her and bring her back.
15:34Gabriel hired every search team available.
15:37Deep down,
15:38both he and Serena forced themselves to forget one crucial detail.
15:41Chloe was severely injured when she hit the water.
15:44They refused to accept the brand of murderer,
15:47and they certainly didn't want to live with the soul-crushing weight of the truth.
15:50For an entire month,
15:52they obsessed over the search,
15:53scouring the coastline.
15:55But as the days turned into weeks,
15:56the hope began to rot.
15:58Gabriel spent hours staring at the horizon.
16:00The image of Chloe's face,
16:02not the angry version,
16:03but the girl who once loved him,
16:05began to haunt him.
16:06The thought that she might never return spread through his mind like a virus.
16:10He began to shake uncontrollably.
16:12For years, he had balanced himself between two women.
16:15He felt guilty towards Serena,
16:17so he gave her everything,
16:19his time,
16:20his money,
16:20his body.
16:21He knew he was hurting Chloe,
16:22but he let his heart drift anyway.
16:24He figured Chloe was easy to please.
16:26She loved him too much to ever truly leave.
16:29In his twisted mind,
16:30Serena was the thrill.
16:32But Chloe was the one he intended to grow old with.
16:34Now he realized she had seen right through his shallow heart.
16:37She would rather die than spend another minute by his side.
16:40The villa was constantly filled with a thick suffocating cloud of gray.
16:44Serena walked into the room.
16:45Her eyes read from the smoke.
16:48I'm pregnant,
16:49Gabriel.
16:50Can't you at least try to control yourself?
16:57Serena's words,
16:58Gabriel Anderson slowly shifted his gaze to her slightly rounded stomach.
17:02That child was the living evidence of their betrayal,
17:05a physical witness to their sins.
17:07Serena,
17:08once you have this baby,
17:09we're done.
17:10I'll give you whatever you want,
17:12money,
17:12property,
17:13whatever.
17:14Just don't ever show your face to me again.
17:18If Chloe comes back and sees you here,
17:20she won't be happy.
17:21Serena's face went bone white.
17:23Over the past few weeks,
17:25she had secretly made peace with the fact that Chloe was never coming back.
17:28She had even begun making quiet arrangements for a memorial service.
17:32Whenever she looked at Chloe's photo amidst the performative grief,
17:35there was a flicker of dark relief.
17:37To her,
17:38Chloe had been a thorn wedged between her and Gabriel.
17:41Now that she was gone,
17:43Serena thought they could finally be together in the light.
17:46But now,
17:47Gabriel was ending it before it even truly began.
17:50Why?
17:52We fought so hard to get to this point, Gabe.
17:55This baby needs a mother and a father together.
17:58Have you forgotten who we are?
17:59You were her best friend.
18:01I was her boyfriend.
18:03How could I possibly stay with you?
18:05He turned away,
18:06staring back out at the ocean.
18:07Drop it.
18:08Once the baby is born,
18:09I'm calling off the engagement.
18:10The title of Mrs. Anderson always belonged to Chloe.
18:13I treated her like an afterthought for too long.
18:16When she comes home,
18:18I'm going to make it up to her a thousand times over.
18:20Serena bit her lip,
18:21staying silent.
18:22She knew arguing with him in this state was useless.
18:25But as soon as she was alone,
18:27she picked up her phone and retreated into the shadows.
18:30She began making calls to the very people
18:32Gabriel had hired to find me.
18:34She gripped the phone so hard,
18:36her knuckles turned white,
18:37whispering into the darkness.
18:39I'm sorry, Chloe,
18:40but you're dead.
18:42I have to look out for my own happiness now.
18:45Please,
18:45don't hate me for this.
18:48Chloe, seriously,
18:49stop sneaking snacks.
18:51In our small rented apartment,
18:52Evan Carlson,
18:54my senior from the lab,
18:55was glaring at me,
18:56exasperated.
18:57I wiped the grease from my fingers
18:59and drifted back toward my bed.
19:00All right, all right,
19:02I'm done, happy.
19:02Evan followed me,
19:03still lecturing.
19:04You can't be eating greasy, spicy junk.
19:07It's bad for your recovery.
19:09Or do you want to end up back in the ER?
19:11Okay, okay.
19:13Don't be so dramatic.
19:14I learned my lesson.
19:15Seeing the genuine worry in his eyes,
19:18I ducked my head guiltily.
19:20Satisfied,
19:20Evan finally left the room.
19:22I lay back and stared out the window.
19:24Three years ago,
19:25when I jumped from that villa,
19:26I had already activated the GPS tracker on my watch.
19:29It was a little gadget, Evan,
19:30and I had developed back in college
19:32so he could always find me if I was in trouble.
19:34The moment Gabriel's guards grabbed me,
19:36I had sent Evan a distress signal.
19:38He had tracked me to the coast
19:40and pulled me out of the water after I jumped.
19:42My body was a wreck though.
19:44It took a full year of intensive hospital care
19:46before I could even walk out on my own.
19:48To cheer me up,
19:50Evan kept me updated on the happy couple.
19:52Apparently,
19:53the fallout was spectacular.
19:55Gabriel never stopped looking for me,
19:57but Serena was secretly sabotaging the search.
20:00When Gabriel finally found out,
20:02they had a massive blowout.
20:04During the struggle,
20:05Serena fell against the sharp edge of a table.
20:08She miscarried her seven zen month,
20:10then old baby,
20:11and lost the ability to ever have children again.
20:14After that,
20:15Gabriel didn't care about the family alliance anymore.
20:18He called off the engagement,
20:20nearly giving his mother a heart attack.
20:22Serena tried to win him back,
20:24but Gabriel was cold as ice.
20:26Eventually, her love turned into pure hatred.
20:28The two people who couldn't stop cheating behind my back
20:31had ended up tearing each other apart
20:33the moment I was gone.
20:35Talk about karma.
20:37Those two backstabbers finally got what they deserved.
20:41God really does have eyes.
20:42Evan had laughed when he told me.
20:44Hearing his schadenfreude zen-filled laughter,
20:47I felt a touch of helplessness.
20:49Evan, don't laugh so loudly.
20:52The professor is resting.
20:53Honestly, hearing about them felt like hearing news about strangers.
20:57I realized long ago that Gabriel and Serena
20:59didn't actually love each other that much.
21:01They just loved the thrill of the affair.
21:03The high of betraying me.
21:05I was the catalyst for their passion.
21:07Without me to hide from,
21:08their flame just died out.
21:10Once I was healthy enough,
21:11I threw myself back into our research projects.
21:14I was so busy that the past felt like a dream.
21:16I never expected to see Gabriel again.
21:19It happened at a high-end gala.
21:20Our professor didn't want to go.
21:22So he practically kicked Evan and me out of the lab
21:24to represent the project.
21:28He just didn't want to get dressed up,
21:30so he sent us his tribute.
21:31Cool.
21:32At least let us eat first.
21:34There's literally a mountain of food right there, Evan.
21:36Fill your boots.
21:37Evan tapped my forehead.
21:38I'm worried about you.
21:39You're still recovering.
21:40You can't just survive on appetizers.
21:42He picked up a small piece of cake
21:44and playfully held it to my lips.
21:45Open up.
21:46Suddenly, a hand shot out from the crowd.
21:48Before I could react,
21:50I was jerked away from Evan
21:51and pulled hard into a familiar chest.
21:53The cake fell and splattered on the floor.
21:56That scent,
21:56the one that used to make me feel so safe,
21:59now made my stomach churn with disgust.
22:01Let go of me!
22:02I struggled to wrench my hand away,
22:04but Gabriel Anderson held on like a vice.
22:07Gabriel hissed, his eyes darting to Evan.
22:10Is he the reason?
22:12Is he the new guy?
22:14Did you leave me back then just so you could run to him?
22:17I bristled at the accusation.
22:19Don't dare talk about things you don't understand.
22:23Let go of me.
22:24Gabriel acted as if he couldn't hear me.
22:28I've been looking for you for so long.
22:31Chloe,
22:33I'm never letting you out of my sight again.
22:36Never.
22:37Before I could get a word out,
22:39Gabriel let out a muffled groan
22:40and crumpled to the floor.
22:42Evan stood over him,
22:44his face a mask of pure disgust.
22:47Keep your filthy hands off her.
22:50You don't deserve to even speak her name.
22:52Gabriel looked up from the floor,
22:54his eyes dark with malice.
22:55And who the hell are you?
22:57Chloe is my girlfriend.
22:59This is between us.
23:00Stay out of it.
23:01I picked up a glass of wine from a passing waiter
23:04and threw it directly into Gabriel's face.
23:06Gabriel's eyes locked onto where Evan was holding my hand.
23:09For him?
23:10You're doing this for him?
23:11What exactly is he to you?
23:13That's none of your business, Gabriel.
23:15You lost the right to ask me questions
23:17the moment you chose Serena.
23:19I didn't wait for the despair in his eyes to shatter.
23:21I pulled Evan away from the party
23:23and headed to a nearby pharmacy.
23:24As I sat on a bench,
23:26carefully applying ointment to the red marks
23:28Gabriel had left on Evan's hand.
23:29It's so funny.
23:30We're going to get an earful from the professor
23:31for leaving early.
23:32I've wanted to clock that jerk for years,
23:34but you were so set on loving him
23:36that I never had the chance.
23:37Evan didn't seem to care.
23:38Now that I've finally settled the score for you,
23:40I'm pretty happy, Chloe.
23:42His bright eyes held only my reflection.
23:44You're an idiot.
23:45I stopped caring about those things a long time ago.
23:47He suddenly squeezed my hand.
23:49But I care.
23:50He held my gaze for a heartbeat.
23:52His ears turned a bright shade of red.
23:54But he didn't look away.
23:56I care.
23:57He repeated.
23:57His voice small but steady.
24:00My heart,
24:01which had been dormant for so long,
24:02gave a sudden sharp thud.
24:04Just as he began to lean in,
24:06a shadow fell over us.
24:07Serena Lynch was standing under a nearby streetlight.
24:10She looked pale and drained.
24:13A far cry from the poised, gentle girl she used to be.
24:16Can we talk?
24:19Chloe, can we talk?
24:21I didn't want to say yes,
24:23but seeing the raw desperation in her eyes,
24:26we sat in a quiet cafe.
24:28Serena gripped her coffee cup,
24:30lost in a long, heavy silence.
24:32Back in the day, we were inseparable.
24:34I used to think we'd grow old together.
24:37Her and Gabriel and me.
24:38When I first found out about the affair,
24:41I was devastated.
24:42But a part of me actually wanted to step aside
24:44so they could be happy.
24:45But Serena wouldn't allow that.
24:47She didn't want the guilt of being the friend betrayer.
24:50So she played both sides,
24:51promising me she just wanted to experience an engagement
24:54while sending me videos of them together to twist the knife.
24:57She had systematically dismantled years of friendship,
25:00brick by brick, I said.
25:02If you have nothing to say, I'm leaving.
25:04We were past the point of being civil.
25:06Serena lunged forward and grabbed my hand,
25:08but flinched and let go when she saw my cold expression.
25:11Chloe, I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
25:12I'm so sorry.
25:13She looked at me with those big, mournful eyes.
25:15Are your injuries okay now?
25:16I simply nodded and stood up to leave.
25:19Is that man your boyfriend?
25:20Serena's voice followed me toward the door.
25:22Does he love you?
25:23I paused my hand on the handle.
25:25But he loves me more than Gabriel, a Gabriel ever could.
25:27Serena Lynch nodded slowly.
25:28That's good, Chloe.
25:29I'm glad you're finding happiness.
25:31Really.
25:31She spoke with a tenderness that suggested
25:33we were still the best of friends.
25:35But we both knew the truth.
25:37Some bridges don't just burn, they vaporize.
25:39There was no going back.
25:41On the day Evan and I prepared to head back to the city,
25:43Gabriel Anderson appeared out of nowhere.
25:45He caught up to me at the station, breathless and frantic.
25:49Chloe...
25:50Are you leaving me again?
25:55Chloe...
25:57Are you leaving me again?
25:59He looked haggard, his face sunken.
26:01I stood there, letting out a tired sigh.
26:04Gabriel, in everything that happened between us,
26:06I can honestly say I never did you wrong.
26:08So why do you insist on hurting me over and over again?
26:11He flinched as if I'd struck him.
26:13I...
26:14I broke up with Serena, Chloe.
26:15I just want to make it up to you.
26:17I want you back.
26:18He reached into his pocket with trembling fingers and pulled out a ring.
26:21It was the same diamond he had snapped off my finger and tossed into the trash years ago.
26:26I found it.
26:29I kept it, Chloe.
26:31Please, can we just start over?
26:33He looked at me with such pathetic hope.
26:35I reached out, took the ring from his palm,
26:38and without a word, tossed it directly into the sewer grate nearby.
26:44Every time I look at you, all I feel is the ghost of the pain you caused.
26:47If you have even a shred of a conscience left, you'll stay for me for the rest of your...
26:50I didn't wait for a response.
26:52I turned my back on him.
26:54Gabriel's raw broken sobs drifted on the wind behind me,
26:58growing fainter and fainter until they were finally drowned out by the sound of the world moving on.
27:03I reached out and gripped Evan's hand.
27:05He squeezed back steady and warm.
27:07Together, we walked toward the future I had finally reclaimed for myself.
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