- 14 hours ago
Reversal On The Marriage Journey Ep
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Short filmTranscript
00:00On the wedding day, the bride resolutely refused to step into the hotel and insisted we play a
00:04little game, telling me to meet them outside the hotel. Every step in the hotel, from the ground
00:09floor to the top, must be covered with $50 bills. I didn't think it's much, just a silly bit of
00:14fun
00:14for the occasion, but when we completed it, that money on the floor is for passers-by.
00:18The fees to my daughter is separate. Stuff $100 into each one. She gestured at the balloons
00:25filling the hotel. There are 999 balloons in total. That added up to $100,000 in cash.
00:32I pleaded relentlessly and ended up transferring the last $50,000 I had in my account. By then,
00:37I was a little angry, but the worst was yet to come. Mom says we're family once we're married,
00:42and my brother's name has to be added to the wedding house deed. My parents bought that house
00:47with their own money. Why would I do that? No name on the deed means you're not serious
00:51about this marriage. You can just marry the heir instead.
00:57Marry the heir? I stared at the woman in front of me, gorgeous in her wedding dress,
01:01but her face twisted with cruelty. This was Alice, the woman I'd loved for 5 years. To marry her,
01:07my family had drained all our savings to buy a wedding house, just to give her a comfortable
01:11home. And now, just because I refused to add her brother's name to the deed, she was telling me to
01:15marry the heir. Margaret kept fussing with her handbag, looking as if this was all perfectly
01:20reasonable. Carter stood nearby. Yes. Marry the heir. Julian, don't think that $50,000 is enough.
01:27I'm not stepping inside for the wedding unless his name's on that deed. My parents bought this house
01:32with every penny they had. Their retirement money, what's it got to do with your family?
01:37Of course it does. We're family once we're married. Why are you being so petty? Besides,
01:42Carter's your brother-in-law. He's going to take care of you when you're old.
01:45What? Rely on him? Rely on him to blow through every penny I own?
01:50Julian, watch your mouth! Are you going to apologize or not if you don't? This wedding's off!
01:56The bouquet hit my chest, sharp and painful, but the ache in my heart was a thousand times worse.
02:01You're sure? No name on the deed, no wedding? I'm sure.
02:06We're not just adding his name. We're getting it notarized, too. Carter gets half this house.
02:12Fine.
02:14I nodded and pulled out my phone.
02:18Should have done this earlier. Hurry up and call the property office.
02:22That's right, Julian. We're already a family.
02:26Julian, I live in the master bedroom!
02:29I ignored them all and dialed the number I knew by heart.
02:32Hey, Mom.
02:33Julian, are you coming in? All the guests are seated. Everyone's waiting.
02:39I'm sorry, Mom. I'm not getting married.
02:43With that, I hung up and turned to leave. I left the three of them frozen in shock.
02:48Julian! Don't you dare walk away! If you leave today, I'll never marry you, not even if you beg me
02:53in the future!
02:55I paused for a split second and turned around.
02:58Alice, you're right. I'd rather marry the heir than be with you. And I'll get that $50,000 back through
03:02legal means. You're on your own.
03:04I walked without looking back into the elaborately decorated hotel. I stepped on the steps covered with $50 and walked
03:10up step by step.
03:11Every move I made was unshakable.
03:17Julian, where's your wife?
03:19No wife anymore.
03:21My phone started blowing up. It was all texts from Alice.
03:26Julian, you think you're tough now? Embarrassing me in public?
03:29I'm telling you, get back here right now. Get on your knees and apologize to my mom and Carter.
03:33And bring me $20,000 for emotional damage, or this isn't over.
03:37You really think I won't call off the wedding?
03:39Guys chase me all the way to France!
03:41I stared at the words flashing on the screen, and the last bit of warmth in my heart died.
03:47Andrew, help me to check the status of that $50,000 transfer I just made.
03:51Just sent it. What's wrong?
03:53It was a scam transfer. Can you freeze it?
03:56Scam? I thought you were getting married.
03:59Wedding's off. They blackmailed me for it.
04:02Got it. If it hasn't hit their account, or they haven't withdrawn it yet, I can hold it.
04:05Call the police right away and bring me the receipt.
04:09I hung up and let out a long breath.
04:11That $50,000 was my hard-earned cash, made from working day and night for years.
04:15I'd saved it to start our family.
04:17But I'd been forced to send it to Margaret.
04:19Want to take my money?
04:20Dream on.
04:21I walked into the hall.
04:22My parents were looking around anxiously.
04:25When they saw me alone, no bride,
04:27their faces turned pale instantly.
04:29Dad, Mom.
04:31I'm sorry.
04:33Our family is definitely going to be shamed today.
04:38Julian, what happened?
04:39Did they ask for more money again?
04:41They said,
04:42If I want to marry their daughter,
04:43I have to add her name to my house tent.
04:45Ridiculous!
04:46Ridiculous!
04:47Ridiculous!
04:48This marriage, cancel it!
04:49Let's go inside.
04:50We're still having the feast.
04:52Just treat it for all I'm chent up in front.
04:53The three of us walked to the ceremony area.
04:55Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared straight at us.
04:58Groom, where's the bride?
05:00It's time for the wedding.
05:01I took the microphone from his hand
05:02and stepped onto the stage.
05:04The spotlight hit me, bright and harsh.
05:06The room went dead silent.
05:08I took a deep breath.
05:10Dear all,
05:11I'm so sorry.
05:14Today's wedding is cancelled.
05:18I just bowed deeply.
05:20Just then,
05:20a stream of shouts came from the hall entrance.
05:24Julian!
05:24You bastard!
05:26Alice stormed in,
05:27still in her wedding dress,
05:28hair messy,
05:29fuming with rage.
05:31Margaret and Carter stumbled in behind her,
05:33out of breath.
05:34Everyone!
05:35This heartless man left us outside the hotel
05:37and came here to enjoy himself!
05:39He played with my daughter's feelings
05:41and dumped her!
05:42Julian,
05:43you don't give my sister an explanation today!
05:44I'll wreck this hotel!
05:46Everyone was watching me.
05:47Some whispered and pointed,
05:49others looked confused.
05:50I stared at the three clowns in front of me
05:52and suddenly laughed.
05:53How did I ever think they were just straightforward?
05:56They're just plain shameless.
05:57I held up the microphone,
05:58my voice cold.
05:59Since you're here,
06:01let's make it clear in front of everyone.
06:06Alice rushed onto the stage,
06:07trying to snatch the microphone from me.
06:10The $100,000 of cash
06:11and the $50,000 transfer
06:13and the house name.
06:14The big screen in the banquet hall
06:16suddenly lit up.
06:17I told Connor to get it ready.
06:19On the screen were my chat logs with Alice,
06:21plus the audio recording
06:22from outside the hotel earlier.
06:24$100 per balloon,
06:25$999 total.
06:26My brother's name has to go on the house deed.
06:28No name on the deed means no commitment.
06:30Go marry the heir!
06:32The clear recording echoed throughout the hall.
06:35My God, this isn't a marriage.
06:36So greedy.
06:37Not even hiding it.
06:38This family's crazy for money.
06:40The murmurs grew louder,
06:41filled with mockery.
06:42Alice's face turned bright red
06:44with shame and rage.
06:45Alice pointed at me,
06:46her fingers shaking.
06:47You,
06:48you're shameless!
06:50I'm shameless?
06:53You weren't shameless
06:54when you demanded an extra $100,000?
06:55When you forced me to drain my savings?
06:57When you tried to take my parents' house?
06:59Julian, stop slandering us!
07:01So what if we ask for money?
07:02Raising a daughter,
07:03Otter isn't easy.
07:05We need more to make sure
07:06she lives well after marriage.
07:07You wanted the money for her?
07:09It's for your son to buy a house and a car.
07:11Those designer clothes he wears,
07:13the car he drives,
07:14all my money!
07:15I put up with it before
07:16because I loved Alice.
07:17But you should never have targeted
07:19my parents.
07:20I turned around
07:21and looked at my parents in the crowd.
07:23They were angry.
07:24Today, in front of all our family and friends,
07:26I announce this.
07:28The wedding is completely off.
07:30I will get that $50,000 back
07:32no matter what.
07:34As for you,
07:36get out.
07:37You telling me to get out?
07:39How dare you hurt my sister and mom?
07:41I'll kill you!
07:45Let go of me!
07:46You can't hit me!
07:48I'm calling the cops!
07:53Carter thrashed wildly like a trap turtle.
07:56Go ahead and call.
07:58Perfect time to tell the police
07:59about the $100,000 you owe from gambling?
08:01How are you going to pay that back?
08:05How do you know about that?
08:07Alice and Margaret froze too.
08:08What are you saying?
08:09You think you were extorting me for what?
08:11To pay off his debts, right?
08:13You had no clue, did you, Alice?
08:15Your brother owes a fortune out there.
08:17They said they'd break his arm
08:17if he didn't pay today.
08:19That's why you rushed so hard
08:20for the $100,000, the $50,000,
08:22even the house?
08:23The crowd erupted in shock.
08:25Everyone stared at Carter.
08:26Carter, is it true?
08:28Alice, don't listen to him!
08:29He's trying to split us up!
08:32Check his phone if you don't believe him.
08:34I nodded at the phone on the floor.
08:36The screen lit up,
08:37showing a clear debt collection text.
08:39Carter, last two hours.
08:41No money.
08:42Get a wheelchair ready.
08:43Alice picked up the phone,
08:45glanced at it,
08:45and staggered back.
08:47Mom, did you know about this?
08:48Alice turned to Margaret.
08:50Margaret looked panicked.
08:52Carter was tricked!
08:53We're family!
08:54We have to help him!
08:55Help?
08:56So you used my marriage
08:58to fill this bottomless hole?
08:59Alice, you only have one brother.
09:01Who else will help him if you don't?
09:03Besides, Julian's family is rich.
09:05This is nothing to them.
09:08A loud, sharp slap.
09:10It was Alice.
09:11She slapped Carter hard across the face.
09:13Then she slapped herself.
09:17I'm an idiot.
09:19A complete and utter idiot.
09:21She stared at me,
09:22tears streaming uncontrollably.
09:24Julian, I was wrong.
09:25I really didn't know.
09:27It was for his gambling debt.
09:29I thought...
09:30I thought Mom just wanted
09:31a better life for me.
09:33Julian, I won't ask
09:35for the house anymore.
09:36I won't take the money.
09:37I'll make him return
09:38the money to you.
09:39Let's get married, please.
09:41I love you.
09:42Looking down at her,
09:43I felt nothing.
09:44Once, even a frown from her
09:46would have wrecked me.
09:47Love me?
09:48Love me by trampling my dignity?
09:51Love me while your family
09:52bleeds me dry?
09:53Alice, your love's too expensive.
09:55I can't afford it.
09:56No, that's all change.
09:57I won't listen to Mom anymore.
09:59Just you.
10:00Too late.
10:02A broken mirror can't be fixed
10:03without cracks.
10:04And with them,
10:05you'll never change.
10:06The second you soften,
10:08they'll lash back on like leeches,
10:09sucking me dry.
10:11Julian!
10:12You heartless bastard!
10:14You slept with my daughter
10:16for years,
10:16and now you'll just walk away?
10:18That 50,000's already
10:19in Carter's account.
10:20Sue us if you dare,
10:21and Al is pregnant.
10:22Abandon your wife and child,
10:24and I'll ruin you.
10:25Banners at your office,
10:26your reputation, gone.
10:28My parents paled.
10:30Mom, Mom, what are you?
10:31Shut up!
10:33Yes, two months.
10:34Julian, if you're any kind of man,
10:36marry her,
10:37add Carter's name to the deed,
10:39or watch your life burn.
10:41I stared at her twisted face
10:43and laughed.
10:43Pregnant?
10:44Perfect.
10:45I've got something to show everyone.
10:48The doctor had called me aside privately.
10:50I'd kept it secret,
10:51not wanting to hurt Alice.
10:53Now?
10:55Read it yourself.
10:56I tossed it at Alice.
10:58She picked it up,
10:58trembling.
10:59One glance,
11:00and her face went ghost white.
11:03This,
11:05this can't be
11:06fake!
11:07You're lying!
11:10Bilateral fallopian tube blockage.
11:12Extremely low natural conception probability.
11:14You forged this
11:15to escape responsibility!
11:17Fake?
11:18A hospital can confirm it.
11:19And these past months,
11:21I've been too busy planning this wedding
11:22to even sleep with her.
11:23Where'd this
11:24two-month pregnancy come from?
11:25Did air knock her up?
11:26Alice collapsed,
11:28hollow-eyed.
11:29Mom,
11:30how could you?
11:33You're killing me.
11:35I'm doing this for Carter!
11:37Who cares how we get the money?
11:39Enough!
11:41Money, money, money!
11:42That's all you see!
11:44If you want it so badly,
11:46die for it!
11:48Alice!
11:49Stop!
11:50I'm sorry.
11:52Next life,
11:53I won't scam you for my brother.
11:55I'll just
11:56be your wife.
11:59Alice!
12:00You're insane!
12:02Drop the weapon!
12:03Now!
12:05Connor had called them earlier.
12:07They tackled her,
12:08disarming the glass.
12:11Carter,
12:12you're under arrest
12:12for illegal gambling.
12:14No,
12:15I didn't!
12:16Mom,
12:17help!
12:18You can't take him!
12:20He's innocent!
12:21Arrest him!
12:22He's the gambling fraud mastermind!
12:25But when the police saw me,
12:26his face froze.
12:29I'm a shadow operative
12:31in the Red organization,
12:32specializing in cyber security
12:33at home and abroad.
12:35Three months ago,
12:36I secretly worked
12:37with a few polices
12:37to take down
12:38an illegal wildlife
12:39trafficking ring.
12:40Long before that operation,
12:42they'd already
12:42vetted me inside out.
12:43When the officers saw me,
12:45they exchanged
12:45knowing glances,
12:46then ignored Margaret's screams
12:48and hauled Carter away.
12:49Standing on the stage,
12:50watching the circus,
12:51I just felt exhausted.
12:53Alice looked at me
12:54one last time,
12:55her eyes full of regret,
12:56despair,
12:56and something like relief.
12:58The police took
12:58all three of them,
12:59Alice,
13:00Margaret,
13:01Carter.
13:01Disorderly conduct charges
13:02for the scene they caused,
13:03plus Carter's gambling
13:04and fraud.
13:05As the key witness,
13:06I gave my statement.
13:07By the time I left the station,
13:09it was night.
13:10Connor waited outside,
13:11handing me a cigarette.
13:13Julian,
13:13you good?
13:14I took a deep drag.
13:15Yeah,
13:16just,
13:16what a joke.
13:18Five years of love,
13:19ending in this trash fire.
13:20What about the 50,000?
13:22Frozen.
13:23Andrew moved fast.
13:24They hadn't transferred it yet.
13:25Good.
13:26That's your hard-earned cash.
13:28Connor clapped my shoulder.
13:30The guys are taking you drinking.
13:32I got obliterated that night,
13:34dreams flickering between Alice's gentle past
13:36and Margaret's smiling face.
13:39Woke up with a skull-splitting hangover.
13:41Dozens of missed calls,
13:42all unknown numbers.
13:44Frowning,
13:44I answered one.
13:47Julian,
13:48you scoundrel!
13:49You sent that family to prison!
13:50You have no mercy at all!
13:52Alice loved you so much,
13:53but you ruined her!
13:54You will not get away with this!
13:56A woman's voice,
13:57screeching obscenities.
13:58I hung up.
13:59So,
14:00Alice's side had launched their smear campaign.
14:02Checked social media.
14:03Sure enough,
14:04trending number one.
14:05Heartless groom cancels wedding,
14:07drives bride to suicide,
14:08frames brother.
14:09The edited clip showed only Alice's
14:11glass-to-throat moment
14:12and Carter's arrest.
14:13The caption painted me as a cruel,
14:15rich playboy.
14:16Comments were a hate tsunami.
14:18Death penalty for this trash.
14:20Rich men think they own the world?
14:22Poor girl deserved better.
14:23I smirked.
14:24Expected this.
14:26Instead of reacting,
14:27I texted Connor.
14:28Compile the full wedding footage and audio.
14:30Add Carter's gambling evidence
14:31and the loan shark texts.
14:33If they want war,
14:34we'll give them war.
14:35That afternoon,
14:36I went to the hospital,
14:37not as a patient,
14:38but to see Alice.
14:39Minor cuts from her meltdown,
14:41under observation.
14:42Two cops stood guard.
14:44They let me in after I explained.
14:46Alice lay in bed,
14:47bandaged wrists,
14:48face pale.
14:49Her eyes flickered when she saw me,
14:51then dimmed.
14:51You're to gloat.
14:52I pulled up a chair.
14:55No.
14:56I'm here for what's mine.
15:00The 50,000's frozen,
15:01but the jewelry,
15:02bags,
15:03and car I bought you,
15:04no marriage means they get returned.
15:08Julian,
15:09after everything,
15:10you're counting this?
15:12I almost died.
15:14Your choice.
15:15My voice stayed flat.
15:18Alice,
15:18drop the act.
15:20That edited video online,
15:22you're doing.
15:23Her gaze darted.
15:24I don't know what you mean.
15:26Really?
15:27I played the clip.
15:28This angle's from your aunt's table.
15:29And the bot comments?
15:31Identical scripts.
15:33You're trying to pressure me
15:34into dropping charges against Carter.
15:37Julian,
15:38he's my only brother.
15:39A prison record ruins his life.
15:43Just forgive him this once.
15:45Sign a waiver saying it was a gift,
15:47not fraud.
15:48Please.
15:50She tried to kneel.
15:51I stopped her icy.
15:52Alice,
15:53wake up.
15:54You ruined him.
15:56You and Margaret enabling his bullshit.
16:00And it's not just fraud.
16:02Cops found drugs in my system
16:04from that family dinner
16:05where I blacked out.
16:07What drugs?
16:09It was Carter who put the drug in my drink.
16:12Just before you forced me to add your name.
16:16This is a criminal offense.
16:17It's not something I can just forgive.
16:19Alice collapsed against the pillows.
16:21Someone will inventory the items.
16:23Expect court papers soon.
16:25Good luck.
16:27I didn't look back.
16:28Fake tears deserve no pity.
16:32When I got home,
16:33I posted all the evidence
16:34I'd put together online.
16:36The title was simple,
16:37The Truth About the Heartless Groom Scandal.
16:39The video was unedited,
16:40showing everything exactly as it happened.
16:42From them demanding more money
16:44outside the hotel,
16:45to the confrontation inside,
16:46to the text messages
16:47proving Carter's gambling debts.
16:49I also included a blurred version
16:50of the premarital checkup report,
16:52and the police notice about Carter drugging me
16:54with key information redacted.
16:56As soon as the video went up,
16:57public opinion flipped completely.
16:59Everyone who had been bashing me
17:00started deleting their comments
17:02and turning against them.
17:03Holy shit.
17:04This is the real truth.
17:05This whole family is just a bunch of leeches.
17:08Drugging the groom?
17:09That's attempted murder.
17:10The bride was playing the victim.
17:12She was in on it.
17:13Anyone who marries someone
17:14who spoils her brother like this is screwed.
17:16The story blew up.
17:17Netizens dug up everything about Alice's family.
17:19A video of Margaret getting beaten
17:21for stealing vegetables
17:22at a market years ago resurfaced.
17:24Footage of Carter gambling illegally
17:25was also exposed.
17:27Someone even found out
17:28that Alice had paid off Carter's debts
17:29several times when they were in college.
17:31Under public pressure,
17:32the police sped up the investigation.
17:34Carter was charged with fraud,
17:36poisoning, and gambling.
17:37With combined sentences,
17:39he'd be locked up
17:40for at least eight to ten years.
17:41Margaret was detained
17:42for provoking trouble
17:43and covering up a crime.
17:45As for Alice,
17:45she didn't directly take part
17:47in the poisoning.
17:48But she hid what she knew
17:49and was involved in the fraud.
17:50The 50,000 yuan
17:52had gone into her bank account.
17:53She was also facing prosecution.
17:55A few days later,
17:56Alice's father Charles
17:57came to see me.
18:00Who'd never had a say in the family
18:02looked like he'd aged
18:02ten years overnight.
18:04He held a bag of fruit,
18:05stood at my door,
18:06and didn't dare come in.
18:07Julian.
18:08Looking nervous.
18:08I'm begging you for something.
18:11Could you drop the charges?
18:13If you do,
18:14we'll pay back the 50,000 right away.
18:17We won't claim the house either.
18:19Alice,
18:20she can't go to jail.
18:22Looking at this pitiful,
18:23ordinary man,
18:24I sighed inwardly.
18:25In this family,
18:26he was a victim too.
18:27He'd been pushed around
18:28by his wife his whole life
18:29and drained by his son.
18:31Uncle, it's not I won't drop them.
18:33It's a public prosecution case.
18:35I can't.
18:37What Carter did
18:38broke criminal law.
18:39The light in Charles' eyes died.
18:41He squatted down,
18:42held his head,
18:43and cried bitterly.
18:45I told her again and again
18:46not to spoil Carter,
18:47not to...
18:48Now look what happened.
18:50Our family is destroyed.
18:51I just watched quietly.
18:53Those who seem pitiful
18:54must have their own faults.
18:55If he'd stood up for himself
18:56and controlled his wife
18:57and son earlier,
18:58none of this would have happened.
19:00After I sent Charles away,
19:01Connor called me.
19:03Julian,
19:04uh,
19:05Alice wants to see you
19:06one last time.
19:07I hesitated for a moment.
19:08I'll go.
19:10I need to end this properly.
19:13We were in the visiting room
19:15at the detention center,
19:16separated by thick glass.
19:17She picked up the phone,
19:19looked at me,
19:19and tears rolled down silently.
19:21Alice was wearing
19:21a prison uniform,
19:22her hair cut short,
19:23and she'd lost a lot of weight.
19:25Without her fancy makeup,
19:26she looked completely worn out.
19:28Julian, I'm sorry.
19:29That was the first thing
19:30she said to me.
19:31This time,
19:32I could hear she actually meant it.
19:34It's all in the past now.
19:36I said calmly.
19:36I know I'm done for.
19:37Alice gave a bitter smile.
19:39Carter got 12 years.
19:41My mom got one year.
19:42I'll probably get three.
19:44My dad sold our old house
19:46and is raising money
19:47to pay you back.
19:48Julian,
19:49I really did love you.
19:51But,
19:52I was raised to believe
19:53my brother was everything
19:54to the family
19:54that I had to help him
19:55no matter what.
19:56I thought that was family love.
19:58Until that day,
19:59when he tried to hit you
20:00on stage and grab my phone.
20:01To him,
20:01I wasn't his sister.
20:03I was just an ATM.
20:06Alice wiped her tears.
20:09Thank you, Julian.
20:11I looked at her,
20:12my heart full of mixed feelings.
20:13The girl who used to smile
20:15so brightly
20:15had finally been eaten alive
20:17by her own family.
20:18Reform well.
20:19When you get out,
20:21live for yourself for once.
20:24Don't be anyone's accessory
20:25ever again.
20:26I will.
20:29I will.
20:36She couldn't finish speaking.
20:37She was sobbing too hard.
20:39A guard walked over
20:40and signaled that time was up.
20:41Alice hung up the phone,
20:43gave me one deep look,
20:44then turned and left.
20:45I watched her figure
20:46disappear behind the iron gate.
20:48A huge weight
20:48finally lifted off my chest.
20:50This five-year relationship
20:51had ended in the worst way possible.
20:53But I didn't regret it.
20:54Because I'd kept my bottom line.
20:56And I'd kept my dignity.
20:59Three years later,
21:00my company went public.
21:02That same day,
21:03I got married again.
21:04My bride was Chloe,
21:05my business partner.
21:06She was independent,
21:08confident,
21:08and generous.
21:09Most importantly,
21:10she had a reasonable,
21:12understanding family.
21:13No one kept asking me
21:14for money non-stop.
21:15And certainly no criminal brother.
21:17The wedding was simple,
21:18held at the same hotel.
21:19No fancy formalities,
21:21just sincere blessings.
21:22During the toast,
21:23Connor came over sneakily.
21:25Julian, look who's here.
21:26I followed his gaze
21:27and saw a figure
21:28at the hotel entrance.
21:29She was wearing
21:30plain work clothes and a mask,
21:31but I recognized her at once.
21:33Alice.
21:34She held a bag,
21:35as if she wanted to come in
21:36but didn't dare.
21:37When you saw me,
21:38she quickly lowered her head,
21:39left the bag on a table
21:40near the door,
21:41and ran off.
21:42I walked over
21:42and picked up the bag.
21:43Inside was a painting.
21:45It was a portrait
21:45of Chloe and me.
21:46The style was a little rough,
21:48but it could tell
21:49she'd put her heart into it.
21:50Beneath it was a note.
21:51Wish you two be together forever.
21:53This time,
21:54I've learned to love myself.
21:57I handed the painting
21:58to Chloe.
21:59Yes.
22:00Chloe asked curiously,
22:01a gift from an old friend.
22:03I took Chloe's hand.
22:04Let's go.
22:06The guests are still
22:06waiting for us.
22:07Good.
22:08The sun shone down on us,
22:10warm and bright.
22:11I thought,
22:11this is what life
22:12is supposed to be like.
22:13No more dealing with cold,
22:15empty relationships.
22:16No more leeches.
22:17Just a steady,
22:19honest life
22:19with the right person.
22:20As for the past,
22:22let it go with the wind.
22:23After all,
22:24people have to move forward.
22:25What should keep rising
22:26isn't money on some staircase,
22:27but our lives.
22:29Three years later,
22:31outside the floor-to-ceiling windows,
22:32the river flowed endlessly,
22:34and the air smelled faintly
22:36of agarwood.
22:36I sat on a handmade wool carpet,
22:38holding a pink rattle.
22:39My two-year-old daughter,
22:40Eliza,
22:41lay on my lap,
22:42her dribble soaking my pants.
22:43Say, Daddy.
22:44I shook the rattle.
22:45Eliza blew a bubble
22:46and mumbled,
22:47Mommy.
22:48On the sofa not far away,
22:50Chloe was wearing
22:50silk loungewear,
22:51a slim laptop on her lap.
22:53She heard us
22:54but didn't look up.
22:54The first word
22:55Eliza utters
22:56is definitely Mom.
22:58Chloe typed away,
22:59the screen showing data
23:00for the company's
23:00second-half acquisition plan.
23:02I lifted Eliza up
23:03and wiped her drool
23:04with a tissue.
23:05Taking care of a baby
23:06was harder
23:06than reading stock charts.
23:08The doorbell rang.
23:09The maid went
23:09to open the door.
23:10Connor walked in
23:11with two fancy gift boxes.
23:12He was now
23:13the company's vice president,
23:14dressed in a suit
23:15with a belly a bit bigger
23:16than three years ago.
23:17Julian.
23:18Chloe.
23:19Connor set the boxes
23:20on the coffee table.
23:21Candy from a client
23:22in South Africa.
23:23Chloe closed her laptop
23:24and picked up her coffee cup.
23:26Connor,
23:26how is the project
23:28the South City
23:28logistics player
23:29coming along?
23:30They had originally
23:31intended to negotiate
23:32the price
23:33but after seeing
23:34our financial chain report
23:36they immediately signed it.
23:38After a bit of business talk,
23:39Chloe took Eliza upstairs
23:41to bathe her.
23:42Only Connor and I
23:42were left in the living room,
23:44his face turning strange.
23:45He glanced toward the stairs
23:46and lowered his voice.
23:48Julian,
23:48there's something
23:49I don't know
23:49if I should tell you.
23:52I leaned back on the sofa
23:53and picked up a pack
23:54of cigarettes from the table.
23:55Yesterday I went to inspect
23:57the Old City Renovation Project
23:59and I saw Alice.
24:01I paused for a second
24:01and lifted my eyes
24:02to look at him.
24:03Connor sighed.
24:04She's living a terrible life.
24:06I didn't reply.
24:07I set the cigarette pack aside
24:08and didn't light one.
24:10She said she'd start over.
24:12Connor shook his head.
24:13She hooked up
24:14with some loser
24:14running a fake company.
24:16The guy talked big,
24:17said he'd make her rich
24:18and give her a home.
24:19She believed him.
24:20All the money she'd saved
24:21from working
24:21tens of thousands,
24:22she poured into it.
24:24She even took out
24:24online loans behind his back.
24:26Then she got pregnant.
24:27When he saw she was
24:28no use to him,
24:29he took what was left
24:30and ran off.
24:31Connor's voice
24:31was full of pity.
24:32She had a premature baby
24:33last month,
24:34heavy bleeding.
24:35They treated her
24:36at a small clinic.
24:37She lived,
24:38but they had to remove
24:39her uterus.
24:40The baby was born unhealthy,
24:41stayed in an incubator
24:42for a few days,
24:43and didn't make it.
24:44When I saw her yesterday,
24:46she was cornered
24:46outside her rental
24:47by loan sharks.
24:49She's skin and bones.
24:50I listened,
24:51then picked up my coffee cup
24:52and took a sip.
24:53The coffee was warm,
24:54just right.
24:54Done.
24:55I set the cup down.
24:57Julian,
24:57you're not responding at all?
24:59What kind of reaction
25:00should I have?
25:01The lewd was fans of Verti.
25:04Seven years ago,
25:05I thought her to be
25:05a mirror beer independence,
25:07but she didn't know
25:08a change her mind.
25:09Yes,
25:10dogs can never stop
25:11eating feces.
25:12She will always rely
25:13on others throughout her life.
25:15First it was you,
25:16then her brother,
25:16and now it's that man
25:17who deceives
25:18and manipulates
25:19women's emotions.
25:19She brought all this
25:20upon herself.
25:22All right,
25:22let's not talk at her anymore.
25:23Just stay and have dinner.
25:25No,
25:25I have a business meeting
25:26with a partner tonight.
25:27I have to go.
25:28After Connor left,
25:29the villa went quiet again.
25:31I walked to the floor
25:32to ceiling windows
25:32and looked out at the river.
25:34I felt nothing at all.
25:36Some people,
25:36once they're gone,
25:37are gone for good.
25:38Even if they rot in the mud,
25:40it has nothing to do with me.
25:41At 10 p.m.,
25:42Eliza was asleep.
25:43Chloe and I leaned
25:44against the headboard.
25:45I was going through
25:46tomorrow's meeting schedule,
25:47and she was reading
25:48a management book.
25:49My private phone
25:50suddenly vibrated.
25:51The screen showed
25:52an unknown number,
25:53local area.
25:53I pressed answer
25:54and held it to my ear.
25:58Hello?
25:59No sound came
26:00from the other end,
26:01only heavy breathing
26:02and the creaking
26:03of a cheap fan
26:03spinning in the background.
26:04Who's this?
26:05A voice so hoarse
26:06and weak it could barely be heard,
26:07choked with tears.
26:08Julian.
26:09My fingers tightened
26:10around the phone.
26:11My voice turned cold.
26:13What do you want?
26:14Julian, help me.
26:16I'm going to die.
26:18I'm really going to die.
26:21Wrong number.
26:21I was about to hang up.
26:22Don't hang up.
26:23Please don't.
26:25Her voice tearing.
26:25It hurts.
26:26My stomach hurts so bad.
26:28My wounds is infected,
26:29and I have no money
26:29for medicine.
26:30The landlord's
26:31kicking me out tomorrow.
26:32Julian, I have nothing left.
26:34I lost my baby.
26:35My body's broken,
26:36and they're going
26:36to cut my hand off.
26:37I'm so sorry.
26:38I really am so sorry.
26:40He lied to me.
26:42He said he'd take care
26:43of me forever.
26:44He took all my money.
26:45Julian, I thought
26:46he'd be nice to me
26:47like you were,
26:48but no one in this world
26:50will ever treat me
26:51as well as you did.
26:52Alice rambled and cried,
26:53every word full of pain.
26:54I listened quietly,
26:56my eyes growing colder.
26:58Alice.
26:59The line went silent
27:00for a second,
27:01only sobbing left.
27:03You thought he'd treat you
27:04like I did?
27:05So you went to him
27:06just to find a replacement?
27:08Someone else
27:08you could leech off?
27:09No.
27:11I was just so lonely.
27:12I was scared to be alone.
27:14You never learned
27:15to love yourself.
27:16You just keep looking
27:17for someone to cling to.
27:18First me,
27:19then your brother,
27:20now this liar.
27:21You ended up like this,
27:22not because you met
27:23the wrong people.
27:25Violent coughing
27:25came from the phone.
27:26Julian,
27:27for the sake
27:28of the five years
27:29we had,
27:30lend me $500,
27:32just $500.
27:33I'll buy antibiotics.
27:35I don't want to die.
27:36I'm in my rental room.
27:38I'm married.
27:41I looked at Chloe
27:42beside me.
27:43I have a wife
27:44and a daughter.
27:45Every penny I own
27:46belongs to my family.
27:47I'm not giving you a cent.
27:48Don't call this number again.
27:50I was about to hang up
27:51when a pale hand
27:52reached over
27:52and took my phone.
27:54She'd put her book
27:55down at some point
27:56and had been listening quietly.
27:57She put the phone
27:58on speaker.
27:59Alice, is it?
28:00Chloe's voice
28:01was calm and cold,
28:02with the quiet confidence
28:03of someone who held power.
28:04You're Chloe?
28:05Chloe leaned back
28:06against the headboard.
28:07I'm Julian's wife.
28:09Connor told me about you.
28:10Alice said nothing,
28:12only heavy breathing.
28:13You could almost feel
28:15her shame and helplessness
28:16through the line.
28:17Send me your bank account number.
28:18I turned to Chloe.
28:20She gave me
28:20a reassuring look.
28:22You,
28:22you're gonna lend me money?
28:24Alice's voice
28:24trembled in disbelief.
28:26Not lend.
28:27Give.
28:28I'll send you $1,000.
28:30This $1,000
28:31isn't from Julian.
28:33It's from me.
28:34I feel sorry
28:35for what you're going through.
28:36And I thank you
28:37for not marrying him back then.
28:38So Julian could find me.
28:40Take the money,
28:40go to the hospital,
28:41fix your wound,
28:42pay your landlord,
28:42the rest will be enough
28:43for a ticket back
28:44to your hometown.
28:44Chloe's words
28:45were like a cold scalpel,
28:46cutting through Alice's last hope.
28:48But listen carefully, Alice.
28:49Chloe's voice turned sharp,
28:50authoritative,
28:51and unarguable.
28:52This is the first
28:53and last time.
28:54This $1,000
28:55buys every last connection
28:56you have with Julian.
28:57From now on,
28:58if you dare call this number again,
29:00or show up near Julian
29:00or my family,
29:01the company's legal team
29:03will charge you
29:03with blackmail and harassment.
29:04You just got out three years ago,
29:06you don't want to go back,
29:07do you?
29:07Complete silence on the line.
29:09Only the creaking fan echoed.
29:11Send the account.
29:13Half a minute later,
29:14my screen lit up.
29:15A text with a string of numbers.
29:17Chloe picked up her own phone,
29:18opened the banking app,
29:19entered the account,
29:20and transferred $1,000.
29:22She did it smoothly
29:23without a single pause.
29:25Ding.
29:25The transfer success sound played.
29:27Chloe hung up immediately
29:28and blocked the number right away.
29:30The whole thing
29:31took less than two minutes.
29:32She tossed my phone back
29:34onto the nightstand
29:34and picked up
29:35her management book again.
29:36I stared at her and smiled.
29:38You're cool, Mrs. Chloe.
29:39I leaned in
29:40and kissed her cheek.
29:41$1,000 for peace
29:43and to cut off
29:43all future trouble.
29:44Good investment.
29:45Talking sense
29:46to people like her
29:47is useless.
29:48Hit them with money
29:48to kill their hope.
29:49Warn them with the law
29:50that's what works.
29:52You're not mad?
29:54Why would I be?
29:58Chloe finally looked up at me.
30:00Mad over a loser
30:01calling for help?
30:03Julian,
30:04I'm better than that.
30:05She's just a pathetic woman
30:06stuck in a rental
30:07who can't even afford antibiotics.
30:08I'm a business partner.
30:10Your wife.
30:11We were never in the same world.
30:13Chloe closed her book
30:14and turned off
30:14the bedside lamp.
30:16Sleep.
30:16We have a meeting
30:17with the South City Project
30:18investors tomorrow morning.
30:20I lay down
30:20and pulled her into my arms.
30:22The river wind blew outside,
30:23but inside the villa
30:24it was warm like spring.
30:25I closed my eyes.
30:26The last thing I thought of
30:27was what Connor
30:28had described.
30:29The shabby rental,
30:29the paint splattered door,
30:31the woman lying on a moldy bed.
30:32The world is cruel,
30:33but it's also fair.
30:34Everyone pays for their choices.
30:36Alice chose to cling to others
30:38and in the end
30:38she was drained dry.
30:40I chose to stand up
30:41and that's why
30:41I have this good life now.
30:43The next morning,
30:45Eliza sat in her high chair,
30:46waving her tiny spoon
30:47and clinking it
30:48against her bowl.
30:49I wore a tailored suit
30:50and stood in front of the mirror
30:51tying my tie.
30:52Chloe walked over,
30:54took it naturally,
30:54and fixed my collar.
30:56Your tie clip's crooked.
30:58The South City Project
30:59signing is today.
31:01There might be media.
31:02Legal and PR are all set.
31:04Ready for your new battlefield,
31:06Julian?
31:07Absolutely.
31:08I held her hand.
31:10We walked out the front door.
31:11The driver had already
31:12opened the Maybach door
31:13and we drove
31:14toward the downtown CBD.
31:15As for the woman
31:16in that rental room,
31:17that late night phone call,
31:18they were like fallen leaves
31:19flashing past the car window,
31:21gone with the wind,
31:22never to be seen again.
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