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