- 2 days ago
Lover in the twilight - FULL EP 2026
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:20Lawrence, I have something to tell you.
00:45Something important...
00:47What's more important than what I want to do now?
00:50I...
00:53Got any news?
00:54Yes, we found her!
00:56Where is she?
00:57Are you sure it's her?
00:58It's confirmed.
00:59I've sent the material to your email.
01:01I'm on my way.
01:05Who is she?
01:07Where are you going?
01:08Our deal is over.
01:09Fill in any amount on the check on the table, and move out by tomorrow.
01:14You think I'm only after your money, so we are only bound by the contract, huh?
01:19Fine.
01:23I don't want your money.
01:24I'm pregnant, and it's yours.
01:27You know the agreement.
01:30Take your medication on time.
01:32Don't worry.
01:33I won't disturb your wedding.
01:39Why do you feel heartbroken?
01:52Is it you?
01:58Mrs. Veronica, if you don't pay the hospital fees, we'll have to discharge your mother.
02:03I know.
02:03I get it.
02:04I'll get the money soon.
02:10Dad, about my mom's medical expense.
02:16Those seem like my shoes.
02:19Mr. Roy, you're right.
02:21Wait.
02:21It's my daughter who saved you.
02:23This is my daughter.
02:31Listen, we have guests now.
02:32If you still want money, keep your mouth shut, and go back to your room.
02:39Who's that?
02:40She sounds familiar.
02:42Sorry, Mr. Roy.
02:43It's just a servant's child.
02:44Let's continue.
02:46Miss, are these shoes yours?
02:47Yes, Mr. Roy.
02:49I'm Elena.
02:50These are the shoes I lost when I saved you.
02:52Did you get hurt?
02:53When you saved me?
02:56I remember that on your call of a tone, there's a-
02:59Oh, right.
03:00There's a birthmark on her call of a tone.
03:02Yes.
03:02But you're not asking to see it now, right?
03:05I won't be so rude.
03:06Thank you for saving my life.
03:08Please tell me what do you want.
03:10I'll make it happen.
03:11You're too nice.
03:12I don't really need anything.
03:13Please, give me a chance to thank you properly.
03:18Then, marry me.
03:20That figure seemed familiar.
03:28Aren't those shoes the ones I lost five years ago?
03:32We found some old stuff in the storage room.
03:34Who cares whose they are?
03:35Anyway, let me tell you some good news.
03:37Your sister is getting married soon.
03:39That's right.
03:40My dear sister, be my bridesmaid.
03:43Congratulations, Elena.
03:45Oh, sister, are you back this time?
03:47To jay money for your mom's trialed?
03:50Don't feel embarrassed.
03:52Here.
03:53Take it.
03:57I'm throwing an engagement party here tonight.
04:00Dance for us.
04:01And the money is yours.
04:02Alright.
04:03What time is it?
04:05Eight sharp.
04:06Oh, besides, my fiancé will be here.
04:09Looking forward to it.
04:10She doesn't know who Lawrence is, right?
04:13It doesn't matter.
04:16I have the shoes.
04:20He'll believe me.
04:28I heard Elena's sister is performing tonight.
04:31Exotic dancer.
04:37Veronica, come and meet my fiancé.
04:41This is my fiancé, Mr. Lawrence Roy.
04:48Darling, this is tonight's surprise.
04:51Veronica.
04:53It's a pleasure to meet you.
04:56A pleasure to meet you?
04:58I've heard so much about you.
05:01Mr. Roy.
05:05Wait.
05:06These shoes are filthy.
05:07They'll ruin my father's marble floor.
05:09Without the ballet shoes, I can't dance.
05:12True artists don't need fancy tools.
05:22Think about your mother's medical fee.
05:24Dance.
05:25Or piss off.
05:28Fine.
05:29Stop wasting time.
05:31Dance.
05:51Enough, Veronica.
05:56I said enough!
05:58Are you trying to ruin my banquet?
06:01Why bother?
06:27Why are you dancing ballet here?
06:30I'm a ballet dancer.
06:31I only dance ballet.
06:33Don't work here.
06:35From now on, you'll dance only for me.
06:39You're so silly of me.
06:42To think he would do the same.
06:51What are you doing here?
06:54You've ruined my engagement party!
06:57I danced.
06:58Give me the money.
07:00Money?
07:01After you ruined everything and totally embarrassed me?
07:05Your mom should have died long ago.
07:07You two deserve to go to hell.
07:22Mom, I'm sorry.
07:24I fucked up again.
07:26And I didn't get the money.
07:28Mom, I'm pregnant with Lawrence's baby.
07:33I don't want to have anything to do with him.
07:36And he's intending to hold me accountable for a breach.
07:39I can't drag this baby into our mess.
07:42When I finish everything here, I'll get you transferred.
07:46Let's find a place where no one knows us.
07:59Find her.
08:00She's not going anywhere without my permission.
08:10Are you sure you want an abortion?
08:15Yes.
08:16A family member needs to sign.
08:21I'll sign it.
08:27Enough?
08:31You...
08:33Get out.
08:38Why are you here?
08:41It's not going anywhere.
08:46It's not going anywhere.
08:48I own this hospital.
08:50Move.
08:52I own this hospital.
08:52Move.
08:52Yes.
08:52Listen, without my permission, don't even think about getting rid of it.
08:58Why? You're going to get married.
09:01This is my child, and you must deliver it.
09:09Before that, you're not allowed to go anywhere.
09:13You have no right to...
09:15From now on, you're my personal assistant, 24-7.
09:19What did you say?
09:21Don't forget, you still owe me a penalty fee.
09:25Lee will send you the address, 8 tomorrow morning.
09:29Meet me at the office.
09:33This is what he called a personal assistant?
09:36There's nothing I can do.
09:42Postpone this afternoon's meeting to 4am.
09:44Re-revise the merger and acquisition document.
09:46Yes, sir.
09:51Sir, here's the background information you requested.
09:54Inform the security team that Elena will be there tomorrow.
09:59Coffee.
10:05Too sweet.
10:06Do it again.
10:07I didn't put sugar in it.
10:14Don't move.
10:15Let go.
10:17Are you doing this on purpose?
10:21You think I'd throw myself into the arms of a man who's about to get married?
10:52Sir?
10:55Ms. Elena is coming this way.
11:07Don't let her see me.
11:22Don't let her see me.
11:24Hmm.
11:27Please.
11:29You don't want anyone to see us together?
11:32Are you insane?
11:34Your fiancé is outside the door right now.
11:36So?
11:43Ms. Elena! Mr. Lawrence is...
11:45He's busy! Please wait!
11:49So you don't want her to find out that her fiancé is having an affair with another woman, right?
11:54An affair?
11:58Remember, you're pregnant with my child first.
12:08Busy? I have to wait to meet him? I'll go in and talk to him myself. Open the door!
12:18Darling! Do you miss me?
12:20What brings you here?
12:21I'm here to see you. Secretary Lee said you were busy. What's keeping you occupied?
12:26Schedule is a bit tight recently.
12:27You'll keep me company at the charity gala tomorrow, right? I don't want to face those annoying things socialers on
12:32my own.
12:33Sure.
12:35That's more like it.
12:37Oh, can I use your lounge?
12:39Why?
12:40I've been shopping the whole afternoon. I'm exhausted. I want to rest on your bed before I leave.
12:46No problem.
12:51What's that sound?
13:06Ms. Elena!
13:07Mr. Lawrence prepared a gift for you. It's in the car downstairs. Would you like to take a look?
13:13A gift? What gift?
13:15It's the limited edition you pecked the last time necklace. Mr. Lawrence ordered it from Paris.
13:20You're such a sweetheart. Show it to me.
13:33Why didn't you want her to find you?
13:36If I tell you, can you advance me six-month salary?
13:40Are you qualified to negotiate with me?
13:42I said, can you?
13:44What leverage do you have?
13:46Never mind.
13:48Tell me.
13:50Fine. Starting tomorrow, you're fired.
13:52Don't forget that you still owe me the penalty fee.
13:56If you don't come to work, just wait to pay back the money.
14:00You-
14:00I'm giving you three seconds.
14:02One.
14:03Two.
14:04She's my sister.
14:06What did you say?
14:08Elena is my sister.
14:12Five years ago, your daughter saved my life at West Foritone.
14:16You're from the Crower family?
14:24So, you're George Crowdy's daughter.
14:27What does it have to do with you?
14:32Can you give it to me? The money?
14:35Why do you need money?
14:36Find a father for my child.
14:38It deserves a dad.
14:42There's no need to upset me.
14:44After you give birth to the kid, you'll get your payment.
14:48What if I want it now?
14:50Then prove yourself.
14:52Finish this today, and I'll pay you.
14:57Deal.
15:06Miss Veronica, here's your drink.
15:08No, thanks.
15:10Mr. Roy, he doesn't mean it that way.
15:13He's just-
15:13You don't need to speak for him.
15:15I know perfectly well what he thinks of me.
15:18Miss Veronica.
15:18It's done.
15:20Remind your boss to keep his promise.
15:26Sir, Miss Veronica has finished her cinch.
15:29Well, transfer the money to her.
15:31Sir, Miss Veronica is also Mr. Crowett's daughter.
15:35Could she be the one who saved you five years ago?
15:38Those shoes belong to Elena.
15:41Wait.
15:42Make an appointment with Elena.
15:44Tell her to wear the dress from five years ago.
15:48Darling, thank you for making time to choose my wedding dress.
15:52Why didn't you wear that dress?
15:54It's been five years.
15:55There's no way I'm still keeping it.
15:57But as I recall, you didn't wear a dress then.
16:00You seem to have a lot of secrets.
16:02I don't remember.
16:04What secrets could I possibly have?
16:07Haven't you investigated everything?
16:09If that's true, I wouldn't have just figured out that Veronica is your sister.
16:13Well, I don't think that's relevant.
16:15She not important.
16:17Elena, I hope you didn't hide anything from me.
16:38You?
16:39You?
16:40Why are you here?
16:41You?
16:43Why are you here?
16:45It'd be ideal to choose the wedding dress with family.
16:48so i invited your sister you wouldn't mind right
16:54let me try this one first
17:00why don't you pick a bridesmaid dress instead of standing here sister
17:17what are you doing do you want a wedding dress too have you found anyone with the money
17:23have you lost your mind elena is still here
17:29answer me let go is there anything i can do that can help you
17:42i i'm gonna try this
17:57you how can you get in here leave do you think you can escape from me
18:07i've never noticed that you have a birthmark here
18:09you never cared about these details
18:16stop stop it darling where are you
18:24everyone listen this whole thing is a mistake i'm the harman bride
18:29the day before the wedding i just found out that my fiance is already married
18:32not the past but now the bride is his closest friend
18:37i didn't cry nor did i make a scene i just suddenly wonder if marriage can be a joke
18:42then what were these six years of mine i photographed it and texted him
18:45explain this i figured it was some kind of prank
18:48then his friend's voice message came through 60 seconds
18:53hey i'm so sorry we were at a bar last night had a stupid idea got a little drunk and
18:57just
18:58went and did it don't worry once the 30 day waiting period is up we're filing for divorce
19:02immediately we'll get him right back to you i was quiet for two seconds then i blocked her
19:07three hours later ethan came home i was already at the bottom of the stairs luggage in tow
19:11he glanced at the certificates sitting on the coffee table and pressed two fingers to his temple
19:16it's not a big deal she was just messing around you're really gonna hold this over everyone
19:21you've been waiting for this wedding for six years you can't wait one more month
19:25i smiled i didn't deny it no i can't ethan blinked he stepped in front of me on instinct
19:33mia stop don't do this the invitations are already out if you leave now what are our families supposed
19:39to do i moved his hand aside and kept walking his voice finally went cold you're gonna throw away
19:45six years over something this small i stopped i turned around six years ethan when you signed that
19:52certificate with her did you think about those six years at all he had nothing he forced out
19:57something useless the bar was loud the guys kept pouring drinks she took a lot of them for me she
20:03was pretty out of it herself everyone was egging us on i wasn't thinking straight they basically
20:07dragged us there it was a joke we'll fix it i looked at his unbothered face and didn't even have
20:16the energy to argue a joke if marriage could be a joke what in this world was actually serious
20:21i turned away his phone rang he looked at it it's cassie she knows she screwed up she wants to
20:28apologize to you i ignored him and opened the door cassie was already standing outside keys dangling
20:34from one hand you're actually leaving i wheeled my suitcase around her cassie clicked her tongue and
20:42grabbed the handle really i said i'd apologize isn't that enough i'm the one who talked him into it
20:47i'm the one who kept pouring if you're mad be mad at me don't take it out on ethan
20:53cassie be respectful give her the bag cassie didn't give it back she pulled it further behind her
21:03if i do who's he gonna swap rings with tomorrow air look unlike you i don't spend my whole life
21:12orbiting some guy with zero career of my own but even i know a guy like ethan the dinners the
21:18schmoothing
21:18the situational flirtation that's just business we grew up together i helped him fight his battles
21:26you weren't even the picture back then getting all dramatic over one little joke can't you act
21:31like a grown-up since you're so mature and so concerned about him then you go tomorrow to the wedding
21:42you be the main event that certificate becomes the real thing
21:50i pulled my suitcase back cassie's expression cracked her chest rose and fell twice then she
21:56smirked fine she dug into her bag pulled out her copy of the certificate this little thing bothers you
22:04that much then i'll just tear it up consider it my apology the certificate split straight down the
22:12middle cassie dropped both halves on the floor done happy now if you can't take a joke you can't
22:19take a joke this is so boring ethan's expression went dark cassie what are you doing fixing your
22:27problem certificate's gone she can calm down now right she turned to me satisfied then she shot
22:34me a look eyes already going red and ran then i looked at ethan that's her apology he watched
22:44the spot where she disappeared rubbed his forehead irritated she's impulsive she was trying to let you
22:49vent let me vent i nearly laughed she tore up the marriage certificate before you two can file for
22:57divorce you'll have to go replace it ethan she wasn't letting me vent she was rubbing salt in the wound
23:03on purpose she didn't think that far right she didn't have to because in the end it's not her
23:09problem i stopped looking at him grabbed my suitcase turned around the driver helped load it into the trunk
23:19ethan caught up pressed his hand against the door before it closed he leaned down to look at me
23:25mia go to your parents place cool off think about whether you're being unreasonable but tomorrow
23:30every guest and every reporter will be there you know how to show up as a proper bride our family's
23:36reputations are not yours to throw around i slowly lifted my head there it was again our family's reputations
23:43friends six years every time cassie crossed a line in the name of best friends
23:48because he was sure i couldn't leave not emotionally not financially he never once thought about putting
23:53distance between himself and cassie i did believe nothing physical had happened between them i spent
23:58six happy months planning a wedding and then a marriage certificate a bar her name on it next to his
24:05first it was all the small things now she'd even slipped herself into the legal definition of his spouse
24:09as a joke our family's reputations i repeated it softly you keep them that's your job the wedding
24:18i'm not coming as for the bride i pulled the door shut marry whoever you want the car pulled out
24:28miss where to the airport my phone vibrated the whole way there ethan my mom his mom mutual friends
24:37i declined every call turned it off for the first time i was not being good and i felt something
24:44i
24:44hadn't felt in years light but just when i thought i was free that lightness shattered the moment we
24:50pulled up to the terminal my parents were there my brother jamie and the family's adopted daughter
24:55sierra jamie grabbed my suitcase handle mia what is wrong with you if you leave what happens to us
25:00the comp is on on life support waiting for the harman group investment my mom took advantage of the
25:04distraction and snatched my purse sweetheart i heard everything just wait for them to divorce in a month
25:09and it's like it never happened stop causing a scene sierra drifted over sis i know you're hurting
25:17but we're family can't you think of us just this once just this once was that really what it was
25:24at 18 i signed over grandpa's shares to her at 21 when she had her eye on someone i stepped
25:29aside
25:29from the engagement grandpa had arranged for me an old money family the yates at 22 i drank until i
25:34was hospitalized to smooth over a business dinner for the family at 25 i took the fall for jamie's
25:39embezzlement to protect the air's clean record every single time written off as family and it is what you
25:44do since the day i was brought into this so-called home had anyone ever thought about me my parents
25:48warmth and favoritism had always flowed straight to sierra the good daughter the one they'd raised from
25:52childhood jamie had been carried his whole life he was a leech and he knew it if it hadn't been
25:57for ethan
25:57walking into my world like a light through a window i wouldn't have lasted this long he saw
26:01through my silence understood the things i couldn't say with him there sierra's digs and my parents
26:05favoritism had stayed in check i fell in love with him depended on him i held on like he was
26:09a life
26:09raft i pushed so hard for him to marry me sooner convinced myself that once i had my own home
26:13i
26:14could finally leave this suffocating place behind for that i told myself cassie's boundary crossing was
26:18something i could tolerate but now even that last stupid hope was gone give me my bag i held out
26:23my hand
26:24to my mother come home first we'll talk when you've settled down jamie groaned and stamped his
26:29foot mia i'm begging you just get through this one thing once the funding comes in after that you can
26:35do whatever you want i looked at this brother who'd been pampered his whole life how much money would it
26:39take to save this family so it doesn't have to sell off another daughter jamie flinched he gave me a
26:44number it was staggering pulled out my phone found an unsaved number pressed call it rang five times
26:50before someone picked up three million in cash as a wedding gift if you agree we get married
26:55tomorrow three million in cash as a wedding gift if you agree we get married tomorrow the breath on
27:03the other end paused agreed okay three million it'll hit the account jamie stared at me mia are you
27:11serious my parents faces went from desperate to flooded with relief my mom moved to grab my hand
27:16sweetheart you can't just talk money with ethan over the phone like that it damages things
27:22sis-in-law will think less of you people will call you a gold digger all right all right the
27:29amount
27:29doesn't matter what matters is that it's settled the original agreement with the harmons was five
27:34hundred thousand up front this time he's offering three million it means he values mia mia
27:42i don't want to hear you say selling daughters again embarrassing you and sierra are both our
27:48girls we love you the same you and sierra are both our girls we love you the same if it's
27:55the same why
27:55didn't you offer sierra for this one the yates are older money than the harmons stronger by a mile
27:59sierra went white the yates were more prominent and because of it stricter about bloodline when they
28:05come to discuss the engagement they looked at me the whole time sierra hadn't even been formally
28:10introduced at that meeting the yates hadn't wanted to enjoy everyone in that room knew it
28:16why bring up old history then we won't the money's coming problem solved let's go home you want me
28:22walking down the aisle tomorrow don't you i left without waiting for an answer
28:28back in the car my phone buzzed once but at this hour there was only one person it could be
28:32a location pin then a second message tomorrow i'm looking forward to seeing you in a white dress
28:39back at the house the air was thick i went straight upstairs the harman side had already
28:44been told the bride has returned wedding is on satisfied presumably the crisis was over
28:50the ceremony would proceed that was enough whether or not the bride was willing no one thought to ask
28:56the next morning the house had none of the warmth the wedding day should carry no bustle no joy just
29:02a
29:02cold and indifferent quiet my parents only changed into appropriate clothes when the housekeeper
29:07reminded them ethan's motorcade arrived on time his suit was immaculate his expression composed the
29:14groomsmen surrounded him the energy among them was easy and warm but no one from the bride's side came to
29:19block the door they were just awkwardly ushered in my mom held a practice smile jamie looked like he
29:25hadn't slept ethan scanned the room no family friends no laughter where is she still getting
29:33ready oh probably still upstairs doing her makeup go check is she ready relax a bride's supposed to
29:43make you wait ethan's brow stayed locked he pulled out his phone and opened mia's messages a red
29:48exclamation point his fingers went still she still has you blocked the ceremony's about to start
29:54a cold unease expanded in his chest ma'am the young miss isn't in her room we checked everywhere
30:01she's gone what by the time they pulled the security footage they found she'd left hours ago
30:09ethan's chest went airless he told her to come back she'd still pulled this ethan look at the group chat
30:15someone posted a video wait isn't that mia ethan grabbed the phone the video was from the same
30:22seven star hotel where their ceremony was booked a woman was led toward the bridal suite by a staff
30:28member see i told you she just wanted a dramatic entrance she's there that's what counts this girl
30:39couldn't say a word gave us all a scare let's get to the hotel don't miss the timing
30:44the motorcade reached the hotel ethan exchanged brief greetings with arriving guests wonderful night
30:49it's a beautiful party i'm so glad you could make it thank you i need to go to the restroom
30:52excuse me
30:53the efficient was ready he turned and headed for the bridal suite he stopped at the flower decorated
30:57door knocked me it's time are you ready silence his expression tightened he turned the handle
31:10the room was bright and empty and then the thing that turned his blood to ice cassie was standing in
31:14the
31:14middle of the room ethan you can't just come in what are you doing in here where's mia
31:21his temper surged hard why are you yelling at me the ceremony was about to start and she wasn't out
31:26yet
31:26i came to check if she needed help she wasn't here the dress was just hanging there i just it's
31:35so
31:35beautiful i couldn't help it i tried it on the vein in his temple jumped take it off now if
31:44mia sees
31:44this cassie's lip pressed together then someone knocked mr harman the ceremony start time has passed
31:49the officiators asking if the bride is ready to enter also mr harman the ballroom next door has just
31:55begun an unscheduled ceremony the timeline is quite tight on their end if your side is unable to start
32:00just yet would you consider briefly yielding the corridor we'd hate to disrupt the other event
32:06it's a yates carter wedding
32:10a yates carter wedding
32:13which carter i'm not entirely sure of the details a nameless unease moved through him but he had no
32:20time to chase it he dialed the groomsmen group mia's not in the suite split up and find her
32:27then he turned back to the manager this wedding was booked six months ago we're not moving mr
32:32harman the timing really is no conflict let my fiancee hear that her aisle is being cleared for someone
32:37else his voice dropped she won't be happy his phone buzzed a photo from one of the groomsmen a slender
32:45figure in a wedding gown half turned on a call the dress was simpler elegant she was stunning all the
32:52tension melted away he would marry her he would have a home with mia maybe children soon don't
32:58you think i looked better in it looks like she didn't love the one i picked fine he pocketed his
33:04phone and turned to go find her ethan cassie grabbed his arm she asked the question that broke through
33:09every layer of best friends and it means nothing when you walked in just now and saw me in the
33:14dress
33:15what did you feel he looked at her red rimmed eyes at the expensive gown on her body the faint
33:20warmth
33:20the photo had put in his face drained away cassie in a wedding gown was undeniably striking there was
33:25something arresting about it what he felt toward cassie was closer to a man's possessiveness over
33:29someone who belonged in his orbit liked feeling needed admired but he liked more the ease of holding
33:34two women in careful balance he'd never imagined having to choose cassie's tears her question they tore the
33:40paper screen open he was still for a moment not now his throat moved he looked past her eyes
33:46cassie not now this isn't the moment change out of the dress he turned and walked out toward mia
33:51i was on the terrace outside the ballroom finishing a call i turned to go inside
33:58mia you're here
34:03the groomsmen and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway
34:06sis-in-law you're something else gave us a serious scare wandered over to the next venue
34:13right is this a location comparison didn't like the decor on our side cassie stepped to my side
34:18you nearly gave ethan a heart attack she laughed and scanned my gown that's pretty too
34:24but the star of today isn't here for someone else's party come on everyone's waiting by the way
34:30you'd technically be the other woman right now but don't stress about it
34:35we know the truth congratulations on the wedding though i looked at her thank you
34:40her smile stalled ethan stepped in front of me done with your call let's go back we've lost time but
34:46we can still make it if you actually like this room setup i'll talk to the yates we might be
34:51able
34:51to switch whatever makes you happy he said it so naturally his groomsmen watched certain waiting
34:57for me to do what i'd always done he reached for me palm up i looked at his face the
35:02handsome face
35:02with its faint impatience in front of everyone watching i turned slightly and spoke quietly to
35:06the hotel attendant at my side could you please let the officiner know we're ready to begin
35:10of course mrs yates mr yates has been ready mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open
35:16he looked at her red rimmed eyes at the expensive gown on her body the faint warmth the photo had
35:20put
35:20in his face drained away cassie in a wedding gown was undeniably striking there was something arresting
35:25about it what he felt toward cassie was closer to a man's possessiveness over someone who belonged in
35:29his orbit liked feeling needed admired but he liked more the ease of holding two women in careful
35:34balance he'd never imagined having to choose cassie's tears her question they tore the paper
35:40screen open he was still for a moment not now his throat moved he looked past her eyes cassie not
35:46now
35:46this isn't the moment change out of the dress he turned and walked out toward mia i was on the
35:51terrace
35:51outside the ballroom finishing a call i turned to go inside
35:57mia you're here
36:03the groomsmen and cassie poured in behind him filling the doorway
36:05sis-in-law you're something else gave us a serious scare wandered over to the next venue
36:12right is this a location comparison didn't like the decor on our side cassie stepped to my side
36:18you nearly gave ethan a heart attack she laughed and scanned my gown that's pretty too
36:23but the star of today isn't here for someone else's party come on everyone's waiting by the way
36:30you'd technically be the other woman right now but don't stress about it we know the truth
36:37congratulations on the wedding though i looked at her thank you her smile stalled ethan stepped in
36:42front of me done with your call let's go back we've lost time but we can still make it
36:46if you actually like this room set up i'll talk to the yates we might be able to switch
36:52whatever makes you happy he said it so naturally his groomsmen watched certain waiting for me to do
36:57what i'd always done he reached for me palm up i looked at his face the handsome face with its
37:02faint
37:02impatience in front of everyone watching i turned slightly and spoke quietly to the hotel attendant at
37:07my side could you please let the officiner know we're ready to begin of course mrs yates mr yates has
37:12been ready mrs yates the certainty on ethan's face split open he was betting on the last six years
37:17betting i'd soften betting that none of this was real enough to hold somewhere the music had stopped
37:22every person in the room was watching me i lifted my eyes i looked at the man i had loved
37:26for six
37:26years and waited on for six years he looked in this moment very far away i didn't look at ethan
37:31i just said it one word at a time ethan look carefully i turned slightly this dress you didn't
37:39choose it this ring you didn't give it i looked past his pale face today standing here marrying
37:46nathan yates that's me mia carter i paused one breath then the last sentence the one that severed
37:52everything your wedding your bride none of that was ever mine i didn't look at his face go gray
37:57i placed my hand steadily into the curve of nathan's arm let's continue nathan looked at me
38:01for a moment then nodded at the officiant the next second the wedding march filled the hall again
38:06fuller than before it swept over everything nathan walked me forward step by steady step toward the
38:10altar at the end of the aisle on both sides guests began to clap my family's composed expressions had
38:15long since collapsed none of them had seen this coming that the man i was marrying today had nothing
38:19to do with the harmons they'd spent years courting that it was the yates who operated on an entirely
38:23different level who wouldn't have thought twice about the harmons as for how i'd gotten nathan
38:27yates to put three million on the table that was my business it had nothing to do with their scheming
38:31nothing to do with the hollow shell my family had become the guests who had been invited by my family
38:35who were supposed to be here for the wedding on the other side every single one of them had drifted
38:39to
38:39this room instead not out of loyalty to the carters out of instinct for the more valuable alliance
38:44their applause built into something that filled the entire hall behind me silence like a held breath i didn't
38:49need to turn around to picture ethan's face but that was no longer mine to carry the ceremony reached
38:54the moment that mattered most the officiant's voice was warm and measured mia carter do you take
39:00nathan yates to be your husband to have and to hold in sickness and in health for richer or poorer
39:06for as long as you both shall live the room held still every eye on me i do no
39:14ethan's voice cracked across the room
39:20his eyes were red fixed on me
39:26mia i won't allow it you're mine you are leaving with me right now he lunged toward the altar two
39:32security guards caught him before he made it two steps locking his arms get your hands off me
39:36do you know who i am mia look at me i'm the one you're supposed to marry
39:42nathan let go of her
39:44the yates family elders in the front row frowned faintly but didn't seem alarmed
39:48they had clearly planned for disruption
39:51then a figure in white burst from the side of the crowd
39:54cassie she'd put the gown back on
39:55she pushed to the front held her phone high with the screen facing out and screamed
40:01everyone listen this whole thing is a mistake i'm the harman bride
40:09look at this we already have a marriage license
40:14her hands were shaking as she angled the screen toward the guests the efficient the yates family
40:18on the screen a marriage certificate open to the interior page
40:23look at her she's the one who went behind my back she got caught and now she's running to someone
40:27else
40:28i don't care how powerful the yates are you can't change the fact that she's the other woman
40:31she will always be a joke
40:32the room erupted
40:35gasps whispers eyes moving rapidly between cassie's phone screen and me
40:39my family's faces had gone from blank to ash
40:41everyone was holding their breath waiting for the yates to react
40:43waiting for me to fall apart
40:45cassie stood tall
40:46certain she'd just played the card that turned the game
40:49but the first person to crack was not the yates family
40:51it was not me it was ethan
40:55cassie shut up what are you saying
40:56he wrenched his head toward her still held by the guards
40:59voice ripped raw
41:00i'm not lying
41:01you won't even admit i'm your wife
41:03right here in front of everyone
41:04it's not real it was a bar stunt it doesn't count
41:08he couldn't admit it not here
41:10not in the yates house not in front of mia
41:14nathan who had been silent spoke
41:16if it doesn't count we can just check the county records
41:19he leaned slightly toward an assistant and said something low
41:21the assistant nodded and left quickly
41:23ethan and cassie were escorted from the room
41:25the officiant lifted his voice
41:29let's ask everyone to settle
41:30we'll continue with the ceremony
41:33toasts
41:33the receiving line
41:35farewells everything moved to the quiet mutual warmth
41:37the room felt like what it was supposed to feel like
41:40two families joining
41:41genuinely
41:42by the time the last guest filtered out
41:44i sat down in one of the private rooms the hotel had reserved
41:46and let out the first real breath i'd taken all day
41:49nathan handed me a glass of water
41:51tired
41:51his voice was attentive
41:53not intrusive
41:56today
41:57thank you
41:58it was agreed to
41:59the yates keep their word
42:00as for your family and the harmons
42:03before he could finish
42:04the hotel manager stepped in and addressed nathan quietly
42:06sir
42:07mr harman is still outside
42:08he's insisting on a few minutes with mrs yates
42:12do you want to see him
42:13i looked at my reflection in the floor to ceiling window
42:16still in the dress
42:17i shook my head
42:20everything that needed to be said
42:22i said it
42:25tell mr harman my wife needs to rest
42:28she's not receiving visitors
42:30if he continues to linger
42:32you know what to do
42:34yes sir
42:38i knew the yates had the reach to make even walk away tonight
42:41and keep him from getting close again
42:42that was part of why i chose nathan
42:44part of why i chose this
42:45i needed somewhere safe
42:46i needed something sharp enough to cut through every knot i tied myself into
42:51i changed out of the gown
42:52put on something comfortable
42:53settled into the car
42:54it pulled away from the hotel slowly
42:56the city lights moved past the window
42:57i leaned my head back and closed my eyes
42:59not the flood of relief i'd imagined
43:01not grief either
43:02a flat open calm
43:03and somewhere under it
43:04something faint and new
43:05like the first edge of wanting something again
43:08i knew ethan wouldn't let go easily
43:09but this time i was not standing still
43:11i had married
43:12someone else
43:13you
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