- 7 hours ago
Abandoned At The Altar — This Time, I Walked Away Forever
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before my wedding, I walked in on my fiancé entangled with his savior's younger sister.
00:05The woman was wrapped in my wedding blanket, a lingering look of passion still in her eyes.
00:09I threw the pregnancy test result in his face and asked,
00:12Do you still want this child?
00:14He smoked half the night.
00:16At dawn, stubbing out his cigarette, he said,
00:19I have a duty to her, but I love you.
00:22Hearing that, I put on my wedding dress, deciding to give him one last chance.
00:26However, what I got was,
00:28Sorry, Mrs. Southwheel, Mr. Vox says the wedding is cancelled.
00:32Mrs. Woods has suffered a heart attack and is undergoing emergency resurgitation.
00:36My bouquet dropped to the ground, my dignity shattered.
00:39I ran outside just in time to see his car speeding away.
00:43Julian! If you dare to go to her today, I'll be at the hospital tomorrow.
00:47You'll lose your child!
00:49He was silent for a moment, and then hung up.
00:52Only the dial tone remained in my ear.
00:54I stood at the hotel entrance, still in my wedding dress.
00:58The guests around me whispered as they stared.
01:01The host froze on stage, unsure what to say.
01:04Julian's mother, Lydia Finch.
01:07Sophia, go inside first. Don't let them see it.
01:11The wedding is off.
01:14The wedding is off.
01:14Nonsense!
01:15Julian just had a momentary merry lapse of judgment.
01:18Vivian's situation is critical.
01:20He couldn't ignore her.
01:22So he could ignore me?
01:24You're going to be his wife.
01:26Don't make a scene.
01:31I'm done being his wife.
01:34Leave today and forget being a Borg ever again!
01:42In the dressing room, I took off the wedding dress and changed into my own clothes.
01:47The makeup artist carefully removed all hair accessories.
01:50Mrs. Southweal, your makeup...
01:52Leave it.
01:53I picked up my bag and left.
01:55Outside the hotel, the sky was overcast.
01:58I hailed a taxi.
02:00Trinity Hospital, please.
02:02My phone vibrated in my bag.
02:04It was Julian's assistant, Daniel Bright.
02:06I didn't answer.
02:08I knew what he would say.
02:10Mr. Voight is handling an emergency.
02:12Mr. Voight didn't mean it.
02:14Mr. Voight will explain to you later.
02:16Such words sounded in my mind.
02:19I'd heard excuses like this for 10 years.
02:21Vivian had been Julian's responsibility ever since her brother, Leonard Woods, died saving him 5 years ago.
02:28This responsibility had weighed on Julian for 5 years.
02:32I used to think it was right for him to take care of Vivian.
02:35Today, I realized just how far he'd let that responsibility go.
02:39The taxi stopped at the hospital entrance.
02:42I paid and walked into the emergency building.
02:44Julian was sitting on the long bench outside the emergency room.
02:48Head down, elbows propped on his knees, hands dug into his hair.
02:52He sat there with his suit jacket tossed carelessly to one side.
02:56Hearing my footsteps, he looked up and stood up when he saw me.
03:00Sophia, why are you here?
03:02I'm sorry.
03:04How is she?
03:05The doctor said it was acute heart failure.
03:07They're still trying to stabilize her.
03:09She's in critical condition.
03:15I see.
03:18Sophia, please don't be like this.
03:21Leonard died because of me.
03:24I can't abandon Vivian.
03:26She has no family in this world.
03:31Julian, I'm not doing anything.
03:33I just feel our wedding doesn't seem as important as a girl you've known for 5 years.
03:38No! Sophia, you're the most important to me!
03:41The doctor didn't say she's dying.
03:43But she's dying!
03:46Just then, the emergency room door opened.
03:50Family of Vivian?
03:52I am.
03:54The patient's heart rate spiked due to excitement.
03:56It's stable now, no danger.
03:58She'll be transferred to a regular vord for observation for two days.
04:03Julian heaved a sigh of relief.
04:06See?
04:08She's so pitiful.
04:10Can't you be a little understanding?
04:14I said nothing.
04:15The hospital bed was wheeled out.
04:18Vivian was lying on it, pale and with her eyes closed.
04:21As she passed me, her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes opened a slit.
04:25Seeing me, she soon got tears welling up.
04:28Julian immediately held her hand.
04:30Vivian, don't be afraid.
04:32I'm here.
04:36I turned and walked out of the hospital.
04:38The cold wind hit my face.
04:40Only then did I realize my heart was pounding wildly.
04:49The next day, Julian didn't come home.
04:52The house was deathly silent.
04:54I called a real estate agent to list the house.
04:57Yes, we need to sell it right away.
04:59In the afternoon, Julian came back.
05:01Sofia, I apologize on Vivian's behalf.
05:05She didn't mean it yesterday.
05:08Can't she apologize herself?
05:12She's still very weak.
05:13Julian, don't talk about her.
05:15Let's talk about us.
05:17What about the wedding?
05:18How do we explain to our relatives and friends?
05:21He was silent for a while.
05:24Once things settle down, we can have the wedding again.
05:28Again?
05:30You think there's something that can be done again?
05:33Then what do you want me to do?
05:34It already happened.
05:37Sofia, I know you have endured a lot,
05:40but Vivian just came back from the brink of death.
05:42Can't we be a little more understanding?
05:47Again, understanding.
05:49I went into the bedroom,
05:50pulled out a suitcase,
05:52and started packing.
05:53What are you doing?
05:58His face darkened,
06:00folding my clothes neatly into the suitcase.
06:02I'm selling this house.
06:04Sofia, have you had enough of this scene?
06:07I'm not making a scene.
06:08I just don't want to live here anymore.
06:11Don't you dare sell it!
06:13This is our home!
06:15He is right.
06:17The moment you abandoned it for another woman,
06:20it stopped being our home.
06:22You're being utterly unreasonable!
06:26At this moment, his phone rang.
06:28He answered, and soon his tone shifted.
06:31What's wrong?
06:32Another nightmare?
06:33Don't be scared.
06:34I'm coming right now.
06:36After hanging up,
06:37he released me with impatience on his face.
06:40Sofia, stop this.
06:41Vivian's still shaking.
06:45I need to check on her.
06:46We'll talk when I get back.
06:48He thought I would compromise like before.
06:51If you leave,
06:52then don't come back.
06:58Sofia,
06:59my patience has limits.
07:02Then he left anyway.
07:03Listening to the door slam shut,
07:05I placed the last item in the suitcase and zipped it shut.
07:13I moved back to my studio.
07:15A small loft, design work downstairs, living space upstairs.
07:20Julian never contacted me again.
07:22I didn't contact him either.
07:24A week later, Lydia asked to meet me.
07:27In a coffee shop, she slid a check across the table.
07:3210 million.
07:34Leave Julian.
07:36Lydia, it's not about money between him and me.
07:40I know.
07:41You two have been gathered for 10 years,
07:43but you must understand,
07:44the Vogue family needs a wife who is understanding
07:47and can share Julian's burdens,
07:49not a troublemaker who only causes trouble.
07:52Vivian is understanding?
07:54Vivian is simple and kind.
07:56Her brother saved Julian's life.
07:59It's only right Julian protects her.
08:02As his fiancée,
08:03you should support him, not oppose him.
08:05I understood.
08:07In their eyes,
08:08all my grievances were causing trouble.
08:11I don't want the money.
08:13And I don't want Julian either.
08:15May he and Vivian have a lifetime of happiness.
08:20Stepping out of the coffee shop,
08:22I blocked all the Vogue's contacts.
08:24The world grew quiet.
08:30I began focusing on preparing
08:32for Milan Jewelry Design Competition
08:34three months later.
08:35That was my highest aspiration as a designer.
08:38My days were fulfilling and peaceful.
08:40Until that day,
08:42an uninvited guest showed up at my studio.
08:46Sophia,
08:47I came to apologize.
08:50On the wedding day,
08:51it was my fault.
08:52I shouldn't have get to the point.
08:56Julian has been in a terrible mood
08:58these past few days,
08:59drinking heavily.
08:59I know it's all because of me.
09:01Sophia,
09:01this is the card Julian gave me.
09:03I've saved all the money,
09:04never used it.
09:05I'm giving it back to you.
09:07Please don't be angry with him anymore,
09:08okay?
09:09Please?
09:11Vivian,
09:11do you think this is funny?
09:13I don't know what you're talking about.
09:16Vivian's still shaking.
09:17I'm coming right now.
09:18Every time you got sick
09:19or had an accident,
09:20it coincided with crucial moments
09:22for him and me.
09:24Vivian,
09:25you planned this,
09:26didn't you?
09:27I didn't.
09:29Take your card
09:30and get out of my place.
09:34Sophia,
09:34I know you hate me,
09:36but if the person who died
09:38five years ago
09:39was Julian instead of my brother,
09:40what would you have done?
09:41Believe it or not,
09:42I never meant to break you two up.
09:44I'm just so terribly lonely.
09:46She left.
09:47I threw the card in the trash.
09:49Sophia,
09:50what did you do to Vivian?
09:55Sophia,
09:56what did you do to Vivian?
09:58She slid her wrist after she went home.
10:00If the housekeeper hadn't found her in time,
10:01she'd be dead.
10:02Are you satisfied now?
10:03I did nothing to her.
10:05Still lying.
10:05She's so kind,
10:06even giving you all her savings
10:07to pay you back.
10:08Why did you still provoke her?
10:10Julian,
10:10do you believe her or me?
10:15I'm taking you to the hospital.
10:17Apologize to her.
10:18I'm not going.
10:19You have no choice.
10:21Julian,
10:22you're crazy.
10:23You're the crazy one.
10:24You weren't like this before.
10:26When did you become so vicious,
10:27so unreasonable?
10:29Yeah,
10:29I wasn't like this before.
10:31The old me believed his every word,
10:33understood his every difficulty,
10:34and took his responsibilities as my own.
10:37When did I change?
10:38Probably from the moment
10:40he kept choosing another woman over me.
10:42He dragged me all the way downstairs.
10:44His car was parked right at the door.
10:47He opened the door,
10:48trying to shove me inside.
10:50I used all my strength to break free.
10:53We're over.
10:55What did you say?
10:56I said we're breaking up.
10:58From now on,
10:58you and Vivian have nothing to do with me.
11:00Sophia,
11:01don't regret this.
11:02The thing I regret most is pulling you out of the mind ten years ago
11:05and spending another ten years watching you push me back in.
11:07I went upstairs,
11:09locked the door,
11:10and then leaned against it,
11:11listening to him pounding on the door.
11:14Then the car's engine started.
11:16He left.
11:17I slid to the floor,
11:19hugging my knees.
11:20A sharp pain stabbed through my lower abdomen.
11:22I looked down.
11:24Blood was trickling down my thigh.
11:29Seven weeks pregnant.
11:30Signs of threatened misnarrriage.
11:32Your emotional state is too volatile.
11:34Can my baby be saved?
11:35You need to be hospitalized for observation.
11:38As for saving your baby,
11:39we need a family member's consent.
11:41Where is your husband?
11:42He's away on business?
11:44Then have another relative come.
11:45I had no relatives.
11:47My parents passed away when I was very young.
11:50I was raised by my grandfather,
11:52who had also passed away five years ago.
11:55In this world,
11:56I thought I still had Julian.
11:58Now,
11:58I had no one.
12:00I sat on a bench in the hallway for a long time.
12:02My phone lit up.
12:04It was a photo from Daniel.
12:06Miss Southwield,
12:07Mr. Vox says he will come find you
12:09once Ms. Wood's condition stabilizes.
12:11Then I stood up and walked back to the doctor's office.
12:14Doctor.
12:17Made a decision?
12:18I don't want this child.
12:20Then I lay on the operating table.
12:22The anesthesia coursed through my body.
12:25In the last second before my consciousness faded,
12:27I thought,
12:28Julian,
12:29we're even now.
12:33The day I was discharged,
12:35it was raining.
12:36I didn't return to the studio.
12:38Instead,
12:39I went to the airport.
12:40I bought a one-way ticket to Milan.
12:43Before leaving,
12:44I sent Julian a final text.
12:46My lawyer will send you the divorce papers.
12:49I don't want the house or the car.
12:51Just sign it.
12:52After sending it,
12:53I deactivated my phone number.
12:56As the plane took off,
12:58watching the city grow smaller beyond the window,
13:00I told myself,
13:02Sofia,
13:03you are reborn.
13:04you are reborn.
13:05I just got a job in back Washington.
13:07Language barrier,
13:09no friends,
13:09no money.
13:10I lived in the cheapest apartment,
13:12ate the simplest food.
13:14By day,
13:15I audited classes at a jewelry institute,
13:17and by night,
13:18I washed dishes in a small restaurant.
13:21It was tough,
13:22but my heart was at peace.
13:24I devoted all my energy into designs.
13:27I poured all the love and pain of those 10 years into the drawings.
13:30Three months later,
13:32I stood on the stage of the Milan jewelry design competition with my entry,
13:36Caged Bird.
13:36I got the gold medal.
13:39That day,
13:39under the spotlight,
13:41I smiled at the sea of flashbulbs below.
13:43I was no longer the Sofia who needed Julian to survive.
13:47Now I was a designer,
13:48Sofia Safla.
13:49Three years later,
13:51I returned to my country with my personal brand,
13:53Glimmer Snow.
13:54My first major show was set in Rivermore.
13:57The runway was star-studded.
13:59Backstage,
14:00I watched models wearing my jewelry creations step onto the stage.
14:04My assistant,
14:05Anna,
14:06approached and handed me a glass of champagne.
14:08Mrs. Southdale,
14:09Julian Voth,
14:10the president of Voth Group,
14:11is here too.
14:12I swirled the liquid in my glass without responding.
14:15He's in the front row.
14:16Hasn't taken his eyes off you.
14:19Is that so?
14:21He's lost a lot of weight.
14:24Looks haggard.
14:26I took a sip of champagne.
14:28Anna,
14:29go prepare the showstopper.
14:32Yes,
14:32Mrs. Southwell.
14:35Ladies and gentlemen,
14:36let's put our hands together for the jewelry designer of tonight's show,
14:39Sophia Southbury.
14:52Our gaze is locked for three seconds.
14:54I gave him a faint smile,
14:56then left the stage.
14:58Backstage,
14:59Anna told me Julian wanted to see me.
15:01Tell him I'm busy.
15:04He says he'll wait.
15:06Then let him wait.
15:08I changed out of the dress.
15:10I left through a side entrance and got into my car.
15:13Thanks,
15:13Mia.
15:15Hello,
15:15miss.
15:16Hi.
15:16As we drove away,
15:18I glanced back.
15:19He was still standing there.
15:21Anna was right.
15:22He was thinner and older,
15:24no longer the vibrant man I remembered.
15:26The car radio played an old song.
15:28I finally learned how to love,
15:32but sadly you,
15:34you had long vanished into the crowd.
15:39I turned off the radio.
15:43My brand became an overnight sensation domestically.
15:47Orders poured in like snowflakes.
15:49I was swamped with work.
15:51Julian tried many ways to see me.
15:53He bought the coffee shop downstairs from my studio and sat by the window every day.
15:58He purchased the billboard opposite my company, displaying my photos 24 hours a day.
16:03He bought every single one of my designs.
16:05I ignored him completely.
16:07The more he acted like this,
16:09the more ridiculous I found it.
16:11Hindsight was always 20-20.
16:13One day,
16:14I had just finished a meeting when Anna came in.
16:18Miss Southwield?
16:19There's a lady downstairs asking to see you.
16:21She says her name is Vivian Woods.
16:23My pen paused.
16:25Let her come up.
16:26Years had changed Vivian a lot.
16:28She wore exquisite makeup and a designer suit with a hint of malice in her eyes.
16:33No longer the delicate, pitiable girl she once was.
16:37Sophia, long time no see.
16:39She sat down in my office.
16:41What do you want to say?
16:43I come to ask you to leave Rivermore.
16:48I laughed.
16:49Why?
16:51Julian loves you now.
16:53Ever since you came back,
16:55he changed.
16:55He wants to send me away and break up with me.
17:00Isn't that good?
17:02You two never should have been together.
17:05No.
17:08It's me who stayed by his side these past three years.
17:12I took care of him at his lowest.
17:15How dare you take him away from me?
17:17I looked at her,
17:19feeling ridiculous.
17:20Vivian, have you forgotten?
17:22He was originally mine.
17:23You gave up on him.
17:25He gave up on me first.
17:28She was speechless with her face flushed red.
17:31Finally,
17:31she pulled a stack of photos from her bag and slammed them onto my desk.
17:36Sophia, don't get cocky.
17:38You think he really loves you?
17:40It's just guilt.
17:41Look at this.
17:44I picked up a photo.
17:46It showed a tombstone.
17:48The name on it was Leonard Woods.
17:50Next to it stood a smaller tombstone, bearing no name.
17:54Only a date.
17:55The date of my surgery.
17:57Below it was engraved two words,
17:59my son.
18:00With the signature,
18:01father, Julian Voigt.
18:03My mind exploded.
18:05He had actually set up a tombstone for our unborn child.
18:08Seeing my deftly pale face,
18:10Vivian laughed triumphantly.
18:12He told me the child was his greatest regret,
18:14so he wanted to make amends.
18:15He wanted to get you back.
18:17Sophia, you're just a tool he's using to compensate for that child.
18:21My hands shook so badly that I couldn't hold the photos.
18:25They scattered all over the floor.
18:27Get out!
18:28Get out?
18:31Sophia, you can't win against me.
18:32As long as my brother's favor remains,
18:35Julian can never truly ignore me.
18:37I walked up to her and slapped her face.
18:39She covered her face, staring at me in disbelief.
18:42You dare slap me?
18:44This slap is for my unborn child.
18:48I picked up the phone.
18:50Security, throw this person out.
18:52Being held by two security guards.
18:55Sophia!
18:56Sophia, just wait!
18:57I'll make you pay!
18:58Yeah, the office door closed.
19:01I crouched down, picking up the photos one by one.
19:05Looking at that small tombstone, my tears finally fell.
19:12I fell ill with a persistent high fever.
19:15Anna took me to the hospital.
19:17Lying in a hospital bed, I drifted in and out of consciousness.
19:21It felt like I was back in that cold operating room three years ago.
19:24I kept having nightmares.
19:26A tiny infant was crying out to me.
19:29Mommy, why didn't you want me?
19:31I woke up sobbing.
19:32The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Julian.
19:35He sat at my bedside, holding my hand, with his jaw shadowed by rough stubble and his bloodshot eyes.
19:42Sophia, you're awake.
19:44His voice was hoarse.
19:45I pulled my hand back and turned away, not wanting to see him.
19:49He said behind me,
19:50I'm sorry about the child.
19:53I'm sorry.
19:55Back then, I thought you ended the pregnancy because you hated me.
20:00I didn't dare ask, didn't dare look for you.
20:02I was afraid you'd hate me even more.
20:06I visit him every year.
20:08I named him Sasha Valk.
20:10My body stiffened.
20:12I looked for you for three years.
20:14Sophia, I know I was wrong.
20:16Give me another chance, please.
20:18I didn't turn around, nor did I speak.
20:21I'll handle things with Vivian.
20:22I swear, from now on, my world will only have you and the child.
20:26The child he spoke of was the one long gone.
20:30How laughable.
20:33Julian, leave.
20:39I won't.
20:40He came to face me and tried to hug me.
20:43I avoided him.
20:45Sophia.
20:46You're right.
20:48I ended the pregnancy because I hated you.
20:51I hated you for abandoning our wedding,
20:53for abandoning our ten years,
20:55for choosing her again and again,
20:57so I abandoned your child.
20:59No, that's not true.
21:01You're not that kind of person.
21:02I am that kind of person.
21:03So it's impossible between us now.
21:07The person you see now is not the fool
21:09who loved you enough to give up everything.
21:13That fool died on the operating plate three years ago.
21:16The hospital room door opened.
21:19Anna entered with medicine.
21:21Seeing Julian, she paused.
21:25Mrs. Southwin, time for your medication?
21:29I nodded and told Julian.
21:32I need to rest.
21:33Please leave.
21:34He stood there, lips trembling.
21:37Finally, he gave me one last deep look before walking out.
21:40His back was hunched, looking ten years older.
21:46After I was discharged from the hospital,
21:49Julian didn't come to bother me again.
21:51He must have finally given up.
21:53I poured myself into work.
21:55My brand grew larger and larger, expanding worldwide.
21:59I spent most of my time abroad.
22:01My returns to Rivermore were brief and hurried.
22:04News of Julian came from financial reports,
22:07resulting in heavy losses.
22:08Vogue Group's investment failed,
22:10and it stopped that.
22:11Several major investments failing.
22:13It seemed his luck ran out after I left.
22:15Anna once shared some gossip with me.
22:17I heard Julian kicked Vivian out,
22:20didn't give her a cent.
22:23Vivian isn't an easy person either.
22:26She's been telling the media Julian is ungrateful,
22:28even that he has a love child.
22:30But no one believes her.
22:32She's in a bad way now.
22:33I just listened, having no feelings.
22:36None of it concerned me anymore.
22:38A year later,
22:39my retrospective exhibition opened at Rivermore Art Museum.
22:42All my representative works from my debut
22:45until now were on display.
22:46Many people attended the opening ceremony.
22:49I was preparing my speech in the lounge.
22:52Anna suddenly rushed in.
22:53Miss Southfield, something's happened.
22:56What happened?
22:57Vivian is here.
22:58She's making a scene in the exhibition hall
23:00saying your breakthrough work is a copy of hers.
23:02Is she mad?
23:03She showed the so-called original design draft,
23:05almost identical to yours,
23:06with just minor difference.
23:08Now the reporters are all gathered around.
23:10This piece was just designed in my brother Leonard Woods.
23:13It's his final work.
23:14Sophia was an assistant in my brother's studio.
23:16She stole my brother's draft.
23:20Mrs. Woods, do you have any evidence?
23:22The evidence is my manuscript.
23:24It has my brother's signature.
23:27Vivian.
23:29Sophia, you thief.
23:31How dare you show up?
23:33You say this work was designed by you and your brother together?
23:36Yes.
23:36When?
23:37Six years ago.
23:40Everyone,
23:41the inspiration for this work did come from one person,
23:44but it wasn't Leonard Woods.
23:45It was Julian Vaught.
23:46I created this work during the most painful period after our breakups.
23:49It symbolizes my trapped love and my longing for freedom.
23:52As for Mrs. Woods' evidence,
23:53if I'm not mistaken,
23:54it was drawn by Julian, right?
23:55You're lying.
23:56Whether I'm lying or not,
23:57a handwriting expert can verify it.
23:59Julian has been painting for 10 years.
24:01I can recognize his brush strokes even with my eyes closed.
24:04I don't know what you're talking about.
24:05This is my brother's.
24:06Is this?
24:06A deep voice came from behind the crowd.
24:09Julian walked in.
24:10He wore a black suit,
24:12looking more gone than the last time I saw him.
24:14It was drawn by me,
24:15not by Leonard.
24:16I drew it to atone to Sophia.
24:17I gave it to you to pass to her,
24:19not for you to frame her with.
24:22I didn't,
24:23I really was unloved.
24:24Enough.
24:25I come here to tell you a thing.
24:27Leonard did not die saving me.
24:33The entire exhibition hall was deathly silent.
24:35Everyone was stunned into speechlessness.
24:38What,
24:39what did you say?
24:40I've been investigating the car crash from five years ago.
24:44I found several people to recover the dash cam footage at that time.
24:48A car was driving along a winding mountain road.
24:51Julian was the driver,
24:52and Leonard was sitting in the passenger seat.
24:55Suddenly,
24:56a large truck feared toward them.
24:58A second before impact,
25:00Leonard unbuckled his seatbelt
25:01and killed Julian with his own body.
25:05See it clearly?
25:07That truck had brake failure.
25:08It wasn't a premeditated murder.
25:11As for Leonard,
25:12he was drowning in 30 million in gambling debt.
25:16He couldn't go on living anyway.
25:18He didn't die saving me.
25:20He just wanted to use his life to give you a secure future.
25:23He wrote it all clearly in his will,
25:25asking you to live well with my guilt,
25:27not to use that guilt to hurt the one I love the most.
25:30I was held hostage by this so-called kindness for five years.
25:34I lost my love,
25:35my child.
25:36I've become a laughing doc.
25:38Vivian,
25:39if your brother could see you now,
25:41would he get peace?
25:47No!
25:48It's not true!
25:49It's not!
25:51Ah!
25:51Ah!
25:52Ah!
25:53Ah!
25:54Ah!
25:54Ah!
25:54Ah!
25:55Ah!
25:55Ah!
25:56Ah!
25:56Ah!
25:56Ah!
25:58Ah!
25:58He turned to look at me.
25:59Sophia,
26:00the truth is finally out.
26:03I no longer owe anyone anything.
26:07Can we
26:09start over?
26:11Julian,
26:11it's too late.
26:15With that,
26:16I walked back to the lounge,
26:18leaving everything behind me.
26:22After that day,
26:24Julian vanished.
26:25Void group announced bankruptcy liquidation,
26:27liquidation he dismissed all employees liquidated all assets and paid off all debts then he left
26:33rivermore alone no one knew where he went my life finally returned to calm my brand went public in
26:40paris becoming truly international i lived mostly in paris occasionally anna mentioned julian she
26:48said someone saw him doing volunteer work and someone saw him teaching in a mountain village
26:53he seemed to be punishing himself like an ascetic while listening i felt nothing we ultimately took
27:00different paths in life five years later i returned to my country and settled down i bought a house with
27:06a garden in rivermore i adopted a little girl named ava she was adorable with two dimples when she
27:12smiled i loved her dearly we lived happily together one winter afternoon i took ava to a park it was
27:21snowing heavily ava was building a snowman i sat on a bench watching her not far away a man in
27:28a
27:28janitorial uniform was sweeping snow slowly and laboriously he wore a hat and mask his face obscured
27:35he seemed to have a leg issue a slight limp ava's snowball rolled to his feet she ran over to
27:42retrieve
27:42it the man stopped sweeping bent down and picked it up for her when he looked up his mask slipped
27:49down
27:49slightly i saw his face it was julian his hair was much grayer his face weathered seeing me he froze
28:01the
28:01snowball fell from his hand and was shattered ava looked up asking in a babbish voice sir what's wrong
28:08he didn't answer and just looked at me with so many emotions in his eyes i stood up and walked
28:13toward
28:13them while waving to ava ava come here we're going home ava ran to me taking my hand mom he's
28:22crying
28:22i glanced back julian remained motionless where he stood his tears rolled down his face mingled with
28:30snowflakes and fell to the ground a man nearing 40 cried like a child holding ava's hand i didn't look
28:37back we walked into the snow getting further and further away i knew he was watching until we vanished
28:43from sight just like many years ago i watched him leave without hesitation we both had stood at
28:49life's crossroads he chose his so-called responsibility and i chose myself now the dust had settled
28:56we keep moving forward ava's laughter filled the way the sun was shining and the breeze was gentle
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