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