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Checked Into My Marriage, Stole My Life - full movie
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00:00The hotel just alerted me that a condom charge from the previous night had been posted to my bill.
00:05When I confronted my husband, Rex Dillon,
00:08he stared back at me with a look of utter bewilderment plastered across his face.
00:13Sweetheart, this has got to be a system glitch,
00:16or someone keyed in the wrong membership number.
00:18I'll call and lodge a formal complaint first thing tomorrow.
00:22Little does he know, the hotel's lead investor is my ride-or-die best friend.
00:28Hey, can you pull up who Rex checked into the hotel with last night?
00:31I'm gonna catch them red-handed.
00:33The card was linked exclusively to my personal information, meaning no one else could use it.
00:38Yet the hotel had called,
00:40claiming I'd checked into the presidential suite the night before and used the condoms in the room.
00:45I asked three times to confirm, and the person on the line insisted it was Leela Ruth herself who'd checked
00:50in.
00:51I couldn't swallow this humiliation.
00:53What made it worse was that once, when I'd mentioned using the card,
00:57What do you want me to say?
00:58Rex had looked utterly annoyed and snapped.
01:00Is our home not good enough for you? Why would you rather sleep elsewhere?
01:03I'm so sick of your ridiculous spending habits!
01:06I didn't get it.
01:07Why was he so pissed off just cause I wanted to use a free card?
01:11The angrier I grew, the faster I drove.
01:14Heading straight for the hotel.
01:16Hello, I'm Leela Ruth.
01:18You called me this morning.
01:20My anger simmering just beneath the surface.
01:23The receptionist looked up, her face clouding with confusion.
01:27Mrs. Ruth?
01:28I thought you just went back to your room.
01:30You made it clear that no housekeeping service was needed a moment ago.
01:34My face darkened instantly.
01:36The reception went on.
01:38Just ten minutes ago, Mrs. Ruth called and activated the Do Not Disturb service.
01:42I was so furious that I trembled all over.
01:46That woman had the nerve to check in under my name.
01:50Grinting my teeth.
01:52But I am the real Leela Ruth.
01:56The receptionist eyed me up and down impatiently.
02:00Madam, if you don't have a reservation, please leave.
02:03We have many guests today.
02:05Please don't cause a scene here.
02:07It hit me like a bolt of lightning.
02:09My husband had become someone else's husband?
02:13The irony was bitter enough to choke on.
02:17At that moment, the elevator dinged open.
02:20Tiffany Butler stepped out, clad in the latest Chanel suit of the season.
02:23The diamond necklace around her neck was the one I bought at auction for $1.8 million as far as
02:27I knew.
02:28She was just my husband's newly graduated junior, the receptionist's.
02:31Face lit up as if she'd spotted a savior.
02:34She pointed straight at Tiffany and said to me.
02:36This is the real Mrs. Ruth, the rightful one.
02:38I suggest you leave immediately and stop making trouble.
02:41Tiffany's face blanched the second she saw me.
02:43But she recovered fast, forcing a sickly sweet smile.
02:46What a coincidence.
02:48Are you staying here too?
02:50I coldly shook off her outstretched hand.
02:52Tiffany, don't you think you owe me an explanation?
02:55Why did you check in under my name?
02:57And why were the condoms you used charged to my account?
03:02Also, why are my shoes on your feet?
03:05And when did my husband become yours?
03:08My voice cut through the lobby, and the previously noisy crowd fell dead silent.
03:12Every pair of eyes locked onto Tiffany.
03:14Tiffany glanced around nervously, then her eyes immediately welled with tears.
03:19What are you talking about?
03:20My husband gave me this card because he felt bad about my frequent business trips,
03:24and he bought me these shoes as well, as for the condoms.
03:28She feigned shyness and lowered her head.
03:30What's wrong with me using them with my husband?
03:33Are you upset because your husband doesn't treat you well?
03:36Need my help to get you a psychiatrist?
03:41Look at her haggard face.
03:43Her husband must not want to touch her.
03:45A card like that starts at $300,000.
03:47She doesn't seem like someone who could afford it.
03:50Are they seriously letting in just anybody at such a high-end place?
03:55I was only wearing casual clothes today, hardly the shabby mess they made me out to be.
03:59I never realized you were so good with words.
04:07Did you verify her identity when the co-called Mrs. Ruth checked in?
04:11The receptionist hesitated, her face flushing.
04:14She said she didn't have her ID, but Mr. Dylan is a regular, so...
04:19So you just broke the rules?
04:20Your hotel security is a joke.
04:25She's just a receptionist.
04:27Why are you picking on her?
04:29People stay at hotels they can't afford.
04:32Don't make a scene here.
04:40Answer it.
04:41Put it on speaker.
04:42Let's hear how Rex is going to spin this.
04:46As she tapped the speaker button, she burst into fake, heaving sobs.
04:50Honey, come to the hotel, quick!
04:52There's a crazy woman saying I'm not your wife and trying to kick me out!
04:56She wailed dramatically, and Rex's furious voice exploded from the phone at once.
05:01A crazy woman?
05:03Dare she belly you?
05:04Don't be skied.
05:05I'm on my way.
05:06A crazy woman?
05:07So that was what I was to him now.
05:08The onlookers stared at me with open disdain,
05:11some even stepping forward to comfort Tiffany.
05:14Don't take it to heart.
05:15She's insane.
05:16Tiffany murmured her thanks,
05:18then turned to me with a look of feigned concern.
05:20My husband will be here soon.
05:22He has a terrible temper.
05:24You better leave fast.
05:25Who knows what he might do to you?
05:27He just gave me that $300,000 VIP card, you know?
05:30Shows how much he spoils me.
05:32If he gets here, who knows what he might do to you?
05:34It sounded like a warning, but it was nothing but a slap in the face, a bare-faced provocation.
05:39I trembled with rage.
05:40Every fiber of me screaming to tear off her hypocritical mask right then and there.
05:44Rex arrived faster than I'd expected and he burst through the hotel doors.
05:49The second his eyes landed on me, they turned cold and vicious.
05:52He roughly shoved me aside, then pulled Tiffany into a tight, protective embrace.
05:57Don't be afraid I'm here.
05:59The way he gently stroked Tiffany's hair was so tender it hurt to watch.
06:03Pushed by him, I stumbled backward, my waist slamming hard into the sofa arm behind me.
06:07If not for the furniture, I would have crashed straight to the ground.
06:10Meanwhile, Tiffany stood on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck,
06:14and the two locked in a long, wet, lingering kiss.
06:17You're so good to me, honey.
06:19Tiffany panted, her voice thick with coquetry.
06:21You need to set this woman straight.
06:22She won't believe I'm your wife.
06:25Only then did Rex turn his gaze to me.
06:27There was no flicker of guilt.
06:30Only pure disgust.
06:31He released Tiffany and strode over, then slapped me hard across the face.
06:36Tiffany, have you no shame?
06:37Just cause I turned you down when you tried to hint for a permanent position,
06:40you've held a grudge ever since.
06:42Now you dare to bully my wife in public?
06:44I clapped a hand to my cheek, which flared red, swollen, and burning hot.
06:48I stared at him in disbelief.
06:50The man before me was a stranger, terrifyingly unfamiliar.
06:54Before I'd come to the hotel, he'd feigned ignorance on the phone,
06:57using his usual gentle patience to tell me not to have a thing.
07:00Yet, in the blink of an eye, he could twist the truth without batting an eye and even hurt me.
07:05He'd always had two faces, it turned out.
07:08Now that I thought back, the signs had been there all along.
07:11He'd only lit up at the latest gaming console I'd bought him,
07:14but dismissed my painstakingly developed scientific research as nothing but scrap.
07:18His so-called concern had always circled.
07:20Back to my bank card, maybe he'd never loved me.
07:23Maybe he'd never even tried to understand the real me out of strange sense of calm rose from the depths
07:27of my chest,
07:28drowning out all the anger.
07:30I lowered my hand from my face and looked straight at him,
07:33my voice shockingly steady, even to myself.
07:35Rex, repeat what you just said.
07:38Tell me who am I, and who is she?
07:41A flicker of panic crossed Rex's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
07:45You really are crazy! Wasn't I clear enough?
07:48She is my lawfully wedded wife, Lila.
07:51And you?
07:52You're just some intern who failed to climb the ladder, Tiffany.
07:56He raked his eyes over me.
07:58His voice cold and cruel.
08:02Look at yourself.
08:04You're pushing 40, aren't you?
08:06How could I possibly marry someone like you?
08:09Don't embarrass yourself, okay?
08:11Can't get a man herself, so she's jealous of others' happiness.
08:15I told you she must be crazy.
08:18Didn't think she'd start having delusions, too.
08:20That's really scary.
08:21Poor couple.
08:22They're so unlucky to run into a nutjed like this.
08:25I stayed quiet, just watching their little show.
08:28Rex was clearly dead set on protecting Tiffany,
08:30even if it meant grinding me into the dirt.
08:32But did he really think he could twist the truth with just a few lies, slowly?
08:36I pulled my ID card and marriage certificate out of my bag.
08:41These should be enough to prove who I am.
08:43Rex and Tiffany's faces froze at once,
08:45but Tiffany's eyes went wide with shock.
08:48Rex lunged forward,
08:50snatched the ID and marriage certificate out of my hand,
08:52and without even glancing at them,
08:54hurled them straight out the hotel's revolving glass door.
08:57Will you just stop?
08:58Last time, you waved a fake ID at me to disgust me,
09:01and now this new trick?
09:03Forging an ID and a marriage certificate?
09:06Tiffany, have some shame.
09:37Do you think I won't call the cops
09:38by your husband that you've lost your mind?
09:40I can introduce you to a good psychiatrist,
09:43and a top divorce lawyer if you need.
09:45She stressed the word divorce extra hard.
09:48After all, once I was gone,
09:50she could step right into the role of Mrs.
09:52Dylan to ASA response,
09:53Rex kissed her forehead,
09:55then turned back to me,
09:56his eyes as cold as ice.
09:57Get out of here now,
09:59or I'm calling the police immediately!
10:01He snapped at the receptionist.
10:02Never here,
10:03if noodley it,
10:04call security to drive this crazy woman out.
10:06Who knows what else she might do?
10:07What if she hurts other guests?
10:16She grabbed her walkie-talkie
10:17and called for security at once.
10:19Two tall guards marched over,
10:21grabbed my arms from either side,
10:23and began dragging me roughly towards the exit.
10:25I struggled desperately,
10:26my elbows throbbing from the rough tugging.
10:28Amid the chaos,
10:30Tiffany had somehow slipped close to me.
10:32Seizing the split second
10:33when everyone's attention was elsewhere,
10:35she tripped me.
10:36Already off balance,
10:37I crashed hard to the marble floor.
10:39Oops,
10:39Tiffany gasped in feigned innocence.
10:41I just wanted to help you up,
10:43and you deliberately fell to blame me?
10:46Unbelievable!
10:47My ankle swelled into a painful lump instantly,
10:50and a wide patch of skin was scraped raw on my knee,
10:53blood seeping out at once.
10:54My face paled with agony as I tried to stand,
10:57only to collapse back down.
10:58Rex stood there,
10:59watching coldly,
11:00as if I were a total stranger.
11:02My heart turned to ice at that moment.
11:04Any last shred of hope for him was snuffed out,
11:07with trembling hands,
11:08I fumbled in my pocket for my phone,
11:10desperate to call 911.
11:12But the second I unlocked it,
11:13Rex lunged forward and snatched it away.
11:16What are you trying to do?
11:17Call the police?
11:18He accused me falsely.
11:19Let me tell you,
11:21everyone here saw clearly
11:22that you fell on purpose.
11:24Don't even think about framing my wife and the hotel!
11:27I have a bleeding disorder!
11:29Call an ambulance now!
11:30I shouted through the pain,
11:31but Rex remained indifferent.
11:33Instead hurling my phone forcefully across the lobby,
11:36left alone,
11:37I endured the searing pain.
11:38Using my uninjured leg to prop myself up
11:40and crawl towards my phone,
11:41just then,
11:42a delicate high heel stomped down hard on my palm.
11:44Tiffany looked down at me condescendingly.
11:47Sign a statement and admit everything today was your fault,
11:49then I'll call an ambulance for you.
11:51Otherwise?
11:52She paused for effect.
11:53She pressed down harder.
11:55The excruciating pain in my hand,
11:56mixed with the agony from my knee and ankle,
11:59nearly made me black out.
12:00I could barely speak,
12:01trembling violently from both pain and rage,
12:03my consciousness growing hazy.
12:04Just as I thought I would pass out,
12:06a series of rapid, sharp high heel clicks
12:08echoed from the hotel entrance.
12:11My best friend Vivian was striding in.
12:13Lila, I found out.
12:14Rex really did cheat.
12:16He's checked into this hotel more times
12:17than you have in the past few years.
12:19He even dared to use the exclusive membership card
12:21I gave you with that mistress.
12:22Her voice, however, cut off abruptly
12:25the moment she saw me kneeling on the ground
12:27in such a miserable state.
12:30The receptionist,
12:31who had been so arrogant just moments ago,
12:33now turned pale,
12:34her voice trembling as she timidly called out,
12:37Dear Director Carter,
12:38affirmed Vivian's identity
12:39as the hotel's investor beyond any doubt.
12:42What?
12:43So she wasn't lying after all?
12:45The husband really brought his mistress
12:47to impersonate the real wife?
12:48Is this guy even human?
12:49My God!
12:50He helped the lover bully his own wife
12:52and even hit her!
12:53What a piece of trash!
12:54This disgusting pair is truly repulsive!
12:57Public opinion flipped on a dime.
12:59Anyone traveling with family or a partner
13:01instinctively recoiled at infidelity,
13:03and their words grew sharper by the second.
13:05Awkwardly, the security guards let go of me,
13:07not daring to lay a finger on me anymore.
13:09Vivian's face crumbled with pity
13:11as she tried to squat down and help me,
13:13but before her hand could touch me,
13:15Rex grabbed it.
13:16His face was plastered
13:18with a sip-o-forshick,
13:19panic-o-smile
13:20as he shook her hand roughly.
13:22Miss Carter,
13:22I'm so sorry for causing trouble at your hotel.
13:24Don't worry,
13:25I'll take this troublemaker away right now.
13:27She just has a habit of acting crazy.
13:29Please don't mind her.
13:29He even pretended to be chummy,
13:31leaning in like they were old friends.
13:34By the way, Miss Carter,
13:35who's your friend here?
13:36We'll all look out for her
13:37when you're not around.
13:40Tiffany chimed in fast,
13:41putting on a sickly sympathetic face.
13:43Yeah, Mrs. Carter,
13:44your friend is really pitiful,
13:45running into a man like him.
13:46It's so sad that she's betrayed.
13:49I froze for a beat,
13:50before realizing that these idiots
13:51still didn't believe
13:52the best girl Vivian was talking about was me.
13:55What are you waiting for?
13:56The investor's here,
13:57and you still haven't dragged
13:59this crazy troublemaker out?
14:02The guards exchanged nervous looks,
14:05glancing back and forth
14:06between Vivian and me,
14:07unsure what to do
14:08but Vivian was absolutely livid.
14:10With a sudden, sharp motion,
14:11she wrenched her hand free
14:12from Rex's grip.
14:13Her voice was glacial.
14:16Stay away from me.
14:18But Rex held on stubbornly.
14:20He planted himself directly
14:21in front of Vivian,
14:22blocking her view of me,
14:23and continued his tirade
14:24without an ounce of shame.
14:25Miss Carter,
14:26please don't be upset.
14:26This woman is clearly
14:27trying to extort money.
14:29Her injuries may look serious,
14:30but she's perfectly fine.
14:32I said,
14:33stay away from me.
14:35Someone clean this up immediately.
14:36It's an eyesore.
14:37Are you deaf?
14:38I said,
14:39stay away from me.
14:40If anything happens to Leela,
14:42I will make sure you regret it.
14:44With that,
14:45she shoved both Rex and Tiffany aside
14:47and rushed to meet AT
14:48the sight of the blood
14:48staining my skirt
14:49and my deathly pale complexion.
14:51Her voice wavered.
14:52Blood loss was clouding my vision.
14:54I clung to the last shreds
14:55of consciousness
14:56and gripped her wrist.
15:00Call an ambulance.
15:02Without hesitation,
15:04Vivian dialed emergency services
15:05around us.
15:06The whispers among the onlookers
15:07grew louder.
15:08So this guy hasn't even met
15:10his wife's best friend?
15:12Unbelievable.
15:13He brings his lover here
15:14to bully his wife
15:15and now they targeted her friend,
15:18the hotel investor.
15:19Miss Carter,
15:20just teach them a lesson.
15:21They disgusting.
15:23Rex was really embarrassed,
15:25but he still refused to accept
15:26what was unfolding before him.
15:28Tiffany tugged at his sleeve,
15:29unwilling to back down.
15:30Rex,
15:31something's not right.
15:32If she really is
15:33Miss Carter's best friend,
15:34why don't any of the hotel staff
15:36recognize her?
15:37Miss Carter owns this place.
15:39It doesn't make any sense.
15:41Sensing the cracks
15:42in Rex's confidence,
15:43Tiffany leaned in,
15:44pressing her point
15:45with growing boldness.
15:46Besides,
15:47I went through
15:47Miss Carter's social media recently.
15:50There wasn't a single post
15:52or mention
15:52of anyone named Lella.
15:55Do you think
15:56Leela might have fooled
15:57Miss Carter somehow?
15:59Rex's gaze darkened
16:00with renewed suspicion.
16:01Turning back to Vivian,
16:02he said with certainty,
16:03Miss Carter,
16:04surely you've been misled.
16:05This woman knows exactly
16:07how to play the victim.
16:08She's mastered
16:09the art of manipulation.
16:10You have to see that.
16:11You have to see.
16:12No way she's your friend.
16:14The reinforces point,
16:15he gestured to Tiffany.
16:16Miss Carter,
16:17this is Miss Tiffany Burtler.
16:19She's the heirate
16:20to Ruth Group,
16:20Mr. Ruth's daughter.
16:21I'm sure you've crossed paths before.
16:23She'll vouch
16:24that you've never met Lella.
16:26His words landed like a slap.
16:27I blinked in disbelief.
16:28Even Vivian looked
16:29momentarily speechless,
16:30caught between disbelief
16:31and fury.
16:32The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:33I was the only daughter
16:34of the Ruth family.
16:36After choosing to pursue
16:37a career in science
16:38rather than take over
16:39the company,
16:39I'd fallen out with my father
16:40and stepped away
16:41from the public eye,
16:42keeping my identity
16:43Get the hell out of my office!
16:44And yet,
16:45this imposter
16:45had the nerve to claim it.
16:47Oh?
16:48The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:49Then why does she have
16:50the last name Butler?
16:52It's due to a complicated
16:53family matter.
16:54But make no mistake,
16:55Tiffany truly is
16:56Ruth Group's heiress.
16:58Vivian let out
16:59a cold,
16:59sharp snort.
17:00She immediately
17:01pulled out her phone,
17:02dialed my father's number,
17:03and tapped the speaker button
17:05for the entire lobby
17:06to hear.
17:07Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:09Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:10I heard you suddenly
17:11have a daughter
17:12named Tiffany.
17:13Are you aware
17:14she's the mistress
17:14of Lila's husband
17:15and they're
17:16bully Nicolette together?
17:17Vivian!
17:18What nonsense
17:18are you talking about?
17:20I only have one daughter,
17:21Lila.
17:22Where did this Tiffany
17:23come from?
17:25Who's spreading laws
17:26about my girl?
17:29Where are you?
17:30I'm on my way.
17:31The lobby fell
17:32into a deathly silence.
17:33Rex, who'd been oozing
17:34smutness moments earlier,
17:36froze mid-step.
17:37He whirled around
17:38abruptly,
17:39snatching Tiffany's arm
17:39as she tried
17:40to slink away unnoticed.
17:45Tiffany, come on,
17:46call your father
17:47right now.
17:47What the hell
17:48is going on here?
17:50I, I,
17:51I never said
17:52I was the heirate
17:53of Ruth Group.
17:53You just assumed
17:54it yourself.
17:55Rex looked
17:56as if he'd
17:57been struck
17:57by lightning.
17:58What?
17:59But when I pressed
18:00you about your background,
18:01you never denied it.
18:02You even hinted
18:03you could help me
18:03land that cooperation
18:04project with Ruth Group.
18:05Mocking laughter
18:06erupted around them,
18:07cutting through
18:08the tense air.
18:08A cold chill
18:09seeped into my bones.
18:11Settling deep
18:11in my chest,
18:12IT turned out
18:13that Rex
18:13had believed
18:14all this time
18:14that his shot
18:15at that crucial
18:15Ruth Group partnership
18:16came from Tiffany.
18:18He had no clue
18:18it was me,
18:19pulling strings
18:20and smoothing paths,
18:21who'd paved the way
18:22for every opportunity
18:23he'd gotten.
18:23AT that moment,
18:24the wail of an ambulance
18:25grew louder,
18:26echoing closer to the hotel,
18:28blood loss blurred my vision,
18:29and a violent shipper
18:30racked my body.
18:31As the paramedics
18:32lifted me onto the stretcher,
18:34I stared up at the hotel's
18:35opulent crystal chandelier,
18:36its light refracting
18:37into a dizzying haze.
18:38The whole scene felt like
18:40an absurd,
18:40cruel nightmare.
18:42Rex made a move
18:42as if to rush over,
18:44seemingly he had
18:44nothing to say,
18:45but Vivian stopped
18:46him sharply.
18:47The last thing I heard
18:48before darkness
18:49swallowed me
18:49was Vivian's
18:50unyielding promise.
18:51I'm here,
18:52this time,
18:52I'll make sure
18:53they pay for
18:53everything they did.
18:54The hospital room
18:55reeked of sterile
18:56disinfectant,
18:57and four drip
18:58trickled slowly
18:59from the blood
18:59transfusion bag
19:00into my veins.
19:01I stared out the window
19:02at the gray,
19:03overcast sky,
19:04my heart feeling
19:05far colder than my body.
19:06Giving my love
19:07to a man like Rex
19:08had been the cruelest
19:09irony of my life.
19:10Vivian sat beside me,
19:12holding my uninjured
19:13hand gently.
19:13Her voice soft
19:14with comfort.
19:15He's not worth
19:16your tears,
19:17Leela.
19:18You deserve better.
19:20I forced a faint smile,
19:22but before I could
19:22say anything,
19:23the ward door
19:24slammed open
19:25with a crash.
19:25Rex stood in the doorway.
19:27His face livid
19:27with rage.
19:28There was no trace
19:29of guilt in his eyes,
19:31only raw,
19:31bitter accusation.
19:32He strode to the bedside,
19:34jabbing a finger
19:34inches from my nose.
19:35His voice a snarl.
19:37Leela,
19:37why didn't you tell me
19:38earlier your parents
19:39ran Ruth Group?
19:39If you had,
19:40how could I have offended
19:42both Ruth Group
19:43and Carter Group?
19:45Now look what you've done!
19:46I've been fired
19:47from the company,
19:48and everything I've worked
19:49for is ruined!
19:50Are you satisfied?
19:51His shamelessness
19:52disgusted me.
19:53I told you,
19:54more than once.
19:55You were just
19:56too impatient to listen.
19:58Too busy,
19:58disglistings,
19:59my family affairs
20:00as trivial.
20:01Rex,
20:01you based
20:02by cameling a loafer.
20:03You did this
20:04to yourself.
20:05You deserve it.
20:06Stung by my words,
20:08he flew into
20:08a more hysterical rage.
20:10Blame me?
20:11If you hadn't spent
20:12all your time
20:12in that lab,
20:13neglecting yourself
20:14and turning into
20:15someone who no longer
20:15fit your expectations,
20:17would I have strayed?
20:18You never cared
20:19if I was tired
20:20after work.
20:21Even with all
20:22these family resources,
20:23you never once
20:23lifted a finger
20:24to help me.
20:25You never cared
20:25if I was tired
20:26after work.
20:27Even with all
20:27these family resources,
20:28you never once
20:29lifted a finger
20:30to help me.
20:30At that moment,
20:32Tiffany walked in.
20:33Yeah,
20:33Leela,
20:33to become
20:34one flesh
20:35in marriage.
20:36Rex's love
20:36for you
20:36faded a long
20:37time ago,
20:38but he still
20:39stayed with you
20:39out of duty.
20:40Yet you schemed
20:41against him
20:41like this.
20:42His layoff
20:43was your doing
20:44too,
20:44right?
20:45That's so mean.
20:46Rex was such
20:47a fool.
20:48Immediately,
20:48he was emboldened
20:49by her few words,
20:50and his gaze
20:51towards me
20:51turned even
20:52more venomous.
20:53I looked at
20:53this dramatic
20:54pair with utter
20:54scorn.
20:55I didn't help you.
20:57Why do you think
20:57your little company
20:58could manage to
20:59connect with Ruth
20:59group?
21:00All on your own?
21:01Or was it
21:02through Tiffany's
21:02fake identity
21:03as the Ruth
21:03Arnress?
21:04Rex,
21:05the resources
21:05you stole
21:06from me
21:06didn't just
21:07feed you.
21:07They inflated
21:08your greed
21:09and your audacity.
21:10Rex's face
21:11paled,
21:11and he fell
21:12silent.
21:13I pressed on,
21:14my voice
21:14trembling with
21:15barely suppressed
21:16rage.
21:16You claimed
21:16to stay with
21:17me out of
21:17duty.
21:18Then why
21:19did you cheat?
21:21Why did
21:21you let others
21:22call me a
21:22lunatook
21:23and hit me,
21:24your legitimate
21:24wife?
21:25Rex,
21:26you destroyed
21:27your bright future
21:28with your own
21:28hands.
21:29I'd already
21:30prepared the
21:31documents to
21:32promote you
21:32to vice
21:33president of
21:33the company.
21:35Now,
21:36you don't
21:37deserve it.
21:42Tiffany
21:43shrieked in
21:43defense.
21:44We didn't
21:45hit you.
21:46You fell on
21:46your own.
21:47Yeah,
21:48right,
21:48Leela,
21:49don't be so
21:49dramatic.
21:49I stared at him,
21:51a crushing
21:51sense of sadness
21:52washing over
21:53me.
21:54I have a
21:55bleeding disorder
21:56and you're
21:56aware of it.
21:57A small cut
21:58while chopping
21:59vegetables can
22:00make me bleed
22:00uncontrollably,
22:01yet you never
22:02cared.
22:04I lost so
22:05much blood this
22:05time,
22:07and you call
22:08me delicate.
22:09Do you know
22:09what I'm most
22:09grateful for now?
22:10That we don't
22:11have children.
22:13Otherwise,
22:14how pitiful
22:14they would
22:15be.
22:17I didn't
22:18mean it.
22:18Whether
22:19intentional or
22:20not,
22:20it doesn't
22:20matter anymore.
22:21Vivian spoke
22:22coldly,
22:23holding up her
22:23phone screen
22:24for us all
22:24to see.
22:25I found
22:25something
22:26interesting.
22:27Rex,
22:27the luxury
22:27goods you've
22:28given Tiffany
22:29over the
22:29years far
22:29exceed your
22:30legitimate
22:30income.
22:31You stole
22:32many of
22:32the gifts
22:32Leisha's
22:33father and
22:33I gave
22:34her to
22:34please
22:34that
22:34woman.
22:35As for
22:36the money
22:36you spent,
22:36I stared
22:37at the
22:37clear transfer
22:38records on
22:38the screen,
22:39stunned
22:39by Rex's
22:40audacity.
22:42You
22:43dared to
22:44embezzle
22:44company
22:45funds?
22:45I didn't.
22:46My father
22:47stood there
22:47with a
22:48stern face,
22:48two uniformed
22:49police officers
22:50behind him.
22:50Whether it's
22:51a false
22:51accusation,
22:52we'll find
22:53out soon.
22:55His gaze
22:56swept over
22:57Rex and
22:57Tiffany,
22:58finally resting
22:58on me with
22:59a look of
22:59tender concern.
23:03Officers,
23:04the evidence
23:04has been
23:05handed over.
23:05Go ahead
23:06and deal
23:06with them.
23:07The facade
23:07of hypocrisy
23:08on his face
23:08collapsed
23:09instantly,
23:10replaced by
23:10sheer terror.
23:11He lunged
23:12at Tiffany,
23:13frantically
23:13trying to
23:13tear off
23:14the diamond
23:14necklace
23:14around her
23:15neck and
23:15the luxury
23:16watch on
23:16her wrist.
23:17His movements
23:17were so rough
23:18that he almost
23:19knocked her
23:19over.
23:22Lila,
23:23Lila,
23:23believe me,
23:24I didn't
23:25know anything.
23:27I didn't
23:28do any
23:28of that?
23:31Leave.
23:31What's
23:32knocked her
23:32on?
23:33I do
23:33any of
23:33that?
23:34I only
23:34gave her
23:34these pieces
23:35of jewelry
23:35because I
23:35thought they
23:36were cheap
23:36replicas.
23:37They're
23:37yours.
23:37Here,
23:38I'm giving
23:38them back
23:38to you.
23:39Rex,
23:39what are you
23:40doing?
23:40You're
23:40hurting me.
23:41The bodyguard
23:42beside my father
23:42reacted instantly,
23:43stepping forward
23:44and hitting Rex's
23:45neck out hard.
23:46With a sickening
23:47thug,
23:47Rex crumpled to
23:48the ground,
23:49letting out a
23:49sharp cry of
23:50pain.
23:51Daring to bully
23:51my daughter.
23:52My father's voice
23:53was like ice.
23:54Do you take me
23:55as nothing?
23:56He took a step
23:57forward,
23:57looking down at the
23:58cowering man on
23:59the floor,
23:59then took a folder
24:00from his assistant
24:00and threw it
24:01directly into Rex's
24:02face.
24:11Papers scattered
24:12across the floor,
24:13revealing clear
24:13bank statements
24:14and account
24:15details that
24:15left Rex's face
24:16drained of all
24:16color.
24:17He looked up
24:18in panic,
24:19his gaze darting
24:19wildly to Tiffany,
24:20who was pale-faced
24:21beside him,
24:22and shouted,
24:23Mr. Ruth,
24:24it's not my fault.
24:24It's all Tiffany.
24:26She told me to
24:27do it all.
24:28She claimed to
24:29be your daughter,
24:30saying that it
24:31didn't matter if
24:31we use the
24:32company's money,
24:33but might as
24:34stand I didn't
24:34they got a
24:35maver this
24:35money's money.
24:36I were thought
24:37it you and
24:37really.
24:38No one would
24:39dare question
24:40it.
24:41She deceived
24:42me.
24:43Her lips
24:43trembled,
24:44but no sound
24:45came out.
24:46A cold dread
24:46crept from the
24:47soles of my
24:48feet to the
24:48top of my
24:48head when I
24:49heard that.
24:50It dawned on
24:50me that this
24:51man, no matter
24:52who stood
24:52beside him,
24:53could be so
24:54utterly selfish,
24:55so quick to
24:56discard anyone
24:56without a second
24:57thought.
24:58The love he
24:58once claimed
24:59Randy,
25:00in his heart,
25:01it likely weighed
25:01less than the
25:02empty promises
25:02scribbled on
25:03paper, Rex was
25:04still scrambling to
25:05prove his loyalty.
25:06He even dropped
25:07to his knees and
25:08moved toward my
25:08father.
25:09Dad, we're
25:11family.
25:11Please forgive me
25:12this once.
25:13I'll treat Lila well
25:14from now on, I
25:15swear.
25:16His gaze suddenly
25:17fell on the blood
25:17transfusion bag beside
25:18my hand, and as it
25:20struck by a wonderful
25:20idea, he blurted out
25:22urgently.
25:22Lila has lost too
25:23much blood.
25:24Then let Tiffany
25:24make up for it with
25:25her blood.
25:26She can give blood
25:26instead.
25:28She's young.
25:29She should be able
25:30to handle it.
25:31I shuddered all over,
25:32a wave of nausea
25:33crashing over me.
25:34How could he suggest
25:35something like that
25:36so casually?
25:36It was as if Tiffany
25:38weren't a living,
25:38breathing person,
25:39but just an object
25:40to be tossed aside
25:41whenever he pleased.
25:42We're not family.
25:43My voice was cold,
25:45frayed with the
25:45exhaustion of having
25:46used up every last
25:47ounce of strength.
25:49Rex, we're getting
25:50a divorce.
25:51No, we can't!
25:52He struggled to push
25:53himself up from the
25:54ground.
25:55I won't agree,
25:57Lila.
25:57I know I messed up.
25:58I'm sorry.
25:59Just give me another
26:00chance.
26:01It doesn't matter
26:02whether you agree or
26:02not.
26:03I closed my eyes,
26:04no longer able to
26:05bear the sight of his
26:06repulsive face.
26:07It's not your call to
26:08make.
26:09Later, Rex and Tiffany
26:10were taken away by the
26:11police.
26:12During my stay in the
26:13hospital, my parents and
26:15Vivian took turns
26:15looking after me.
26:16They were careful
26:17around me and never
26:18once mentioning Rex's
26:19name.
26:20They tried everything
26:21to lift my spirits,
26:22terrified that the
26:23ordeal would leave a
26:24permanent mark on me.
26:25Then came the day I
26:26was discharged.
26:27My mother took my
26:28hand, her eyes
26:29glistening with unshed
26:30tears.
26:32Lila, come home and
26:33live with us.
26:35Your father, he misses
26:38you terribly.
26:41What do you say we
26:42have a family reunion
26:43dinner?
26:46Life had been easy
26:47for me since childhood
26:49because they got
26:49everything taken care
26:51of.
26:51Their only wish had
26:53always been for my
26:53safety and happiness.
26:55But as I got older, I
26:57became headstrong, devoting
26:58myself entirely to the
26:59world of scientific
27:00research.
27:01Sometimes, research could
27:02be dangerous.
27:03When they'd objected, I'd
27:05simply left home for five
27:06years, even refusing to
27:08invite them to my wedding
27:09out of sheer stubbornness.
27:10I'd known they were only
27:11afraid I'd get hurt, but
27:13I'd been too willful back
27:14then.
27:15They'd said that if I
27:16found someone reliable to
27:17marry, they'd let me
27:18continue my research without
27:19pressuring me to quit.
27:21Without a second thought, I'd
27:23married Rex, who'd seemed
27:24gentle and thoughtful at
27:25the time, but after we got
27:26married, my mother-in-law
27:27despised me for not having
27:29a child in five years, and
27:30Rex grew colder towards me
27:31with the passing year.
27:33I realized then that the
27:34only people who truly loved
27:36me unconditionally were my
27:37parents.
27:38I hadn't dared tell them
27:40what I'd been through,
27:40afraid to see the
27:41disappointment in their
27:42eyes and terrified they'd
27:43blame me for not following
27:44their advice.
27:45Rex owed his so-called
27:46triumph with the Ruth
27:47group entirely to me.
27:49I was the one who
27:50persuaded Vivian to pull
27:51strings for him when he
27:52had nothing to offer.
27:53But that very act of mine
27:55had stoked Rex's ambition
27:56and, in the end, revealed
27:57what kind of person he
27:58truly was.
27:59Back in the early days of
28:00our marriage, he had
28:01indeed been kind to me,
28:03caring and attentive.
28:04But everything changed
28:05after Tiffany appeared.
28:06Although my parents had
28:08never approved of my
28:08involvement in scientific
28:09research, they still
28:11pulled me into a proud
28:12hug whenever I won an
28:13important award.
28:14Rex, by contrast, always
28:16found a way to downplay my
28:17achievements.
28:17This time, I couldn't
28:19bear to break my
28:20parents' hearts again.
28:21I squeezed my mother's
28:22hand in return, my voice
28:24thick with emotion.
28:25Mom, I'm willing to go
28:27home.
28:28When I arrived at the
28:29house, I hadn't stepped
28:29foot in for five years.
28:31Everything felt just as it
28:32had been.
28:32My father, once so imposing
28:34in the business mark,
28:35teared up the moment he
28:36saw me walked in.
28:37He stepped forward, pulled
28:38me into a tight embrace,
28:39his shoulders trembling
28:40slightly, and finally let
28:42his tears fall freely.
28:43It's good you're back.
28:44I'm so glad.
28:45With my parents in my
28:47arms, the grievances I'd
28:48bottled up for five years
28:49burst forth like a flood.
28:51They didn't mention Rex at
28:52all, not a word.
28:53They just gently patted my
28:54back, wordlessly telling me
28:56this place would always be
28:57my safe haven.
28:58Later, the verdict was
28:59finally delivered.
29:00Rex was sentenced to seven
29:01years in prison for
29:02embezzlement and related
29:03charges, and Tiffany, as
29:04his accomplice, received a
29:05five-year term.
29:06Most of the jewelry Rex had
29:07stolen and gifted to Tiffany
29:08was recovered.
29:09Before the sentencing, Rex sent
29:10a message through his
29:11lawyer, begging to see me
29:12one last time.
29:13I refused flatly.
29:14The very thought of laying
29:15eyes on him now made my
29:17stomach churn.
29:17I once asked my father how
29:19much of the embezzled funds
29:20could be recovered.
29:21He sighed and shook his
29:22head.
29:22It can't be recovered.
29:23I share part of the blame.
29:25If I hadn't opened those
29:26doors for him, handed him
29:27control of the key projects
29:29for your sake, he never
29:31would have been able to
29:32siphon off the money so
29:34smoothly.
29:36He looked at me, his eyes
29:38gentle yet resolute.
29:39But it's okay.
29:40The foundation of Ruth group
29:41won't be shaken by this
29:42amount, but I want you to
29:44know this.
29:44I'll support you continuing
29:46your scientific research.
29:47Feel free to do whatever you
29:49want, sweetie.
29:50I've got your back.
29:51Later, I threw myself back
29:53into my scientific research,
29:54diving headfirst into a new
29:55project and leading my team
29:57with renewed focus.
29:58Vivian later told me that
29:59after the incident, the hotel
30:00had overhauled its entire
30:02security system and implemented
30:03stricter identity verification
30:05procedures.
30:06Around that time, my mother
30:07started showing up at my lab
30:09almost daily with homemade
30:10lunches.
30:10She knew how easily I lost
30:12track of time once I was
30:13immersed in research, so she
30:14appointed herself my personal
30:15alarm clock.
30:16Every day at mealtime, she
30:18appeared right on schedule,
30:19gently nudging me away from my
30:20microscope and reminding me to
30:22nourish myself.
30:23Later, I led my team in
30:24developing an automated
30:25intelligent medical device.
30:27Soon after it hit the market,
30:28it sent shockwaves through the
30:29industry, hailed as a
30:30groundbreaking innovation.
30:31Standing on stage at the
30:32product launch, I explained our
30:34achievements with confidence
30:35and calm, facing countless
30:36astonished and admiring glances.
30:38As soon as I finished my speech
30:40and stepped off the stage, a
30:41tall, elegant man with a
30:42refined comminer stopped me.
30:44He wore a well-fitted dark
30:45suit, his bright eyes filled
30:46with undisguised admiration.
30:48Dr. Ruth, your presentation
30:49was truly wonderful.
30:51Handing me his business card.
30:52I'm Darnell Pansy, head of
30:54Cory Medical.
30:54I was wondering if I might have
30:55the honor of getting to know
30:56you better.
30:57I took his card and, meeting
30:58his clear, sincere gaze, nodded.
31:01Of course.
31:01From then on, we crossed
31:03classes at various industry
31:04events and academic conferences.
31:06He always took the initiative
31:08to talk to me, offering
31:09insightful opinions and showing
31:10great respect and passion for
31:11scientific research.
31:13Later, at a charity gala, he
31:14invited me to dance.
31:15In the ballroom, he was graceful
31:17and courteous, his steps steady
31:19and his gaze warm.
31:20After the gala, he confessed to
31:21me, saying he admired my talent
31:23and felt sympathy for my past
31:24experiences, hoping to have the
31:26chance to take care of me.
31:27I didn't drown in the new
31:29romance and replied calmly,
31:30Thank you for your kind offer,
31:32but it's too early to talk about
31:33this now.
31:34He showed no sign of frustration
31:35or pressure, only quiet
31:37understanding.
31:38And though he kept his distance,
31:39his concern was constant, but
31:41we kept it that way for two
31:42years.
31:42In the sterile world of her lab,
31:44his quiet presence was a
31:45gentle androsian, a reminder
31:46that she was not alone.
31:47He would bring her tea when she
31:49was lost in her research, and
31:50tidy her desk when she was too
31:51focused to notice.
31:52My parents met him a few times
31:54and spoke highly of him, saying
31:55he had his eyes set on me,
31:57genuinely, not for status or
31:58gain on a sunny afternoon.
32:00He formally asked me to date
32:01again, looking into his eyes,
32:02as sincere as ever, and
32:04thinking of his quiet vigilance
32:05over these two years, I smiled
32:07and nodded.
32:08Okay.
32:08Okay.
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