Counting Down to Death: He’s Still Acting is a suspenseful romantic thriller where love is entangled with lies and hidden motives. As time ticks down, a shocking truth begins to surface—nothing and no one is what they seem. With betrayal, emotional tension, and dangerous secrets, this short drama keeps viewers on edge from start to finish. Watch the full episode now to uncover the truth behind the act and a love story filled with suspense. #CountingDownToDeath #HesStillActing #ThrillerDrama #RomanceThriller #SecretsAndLies #FullEpisode #Betrayal #DramaSeries #SuspenseStory #LoveAndDeception #EmotionalDrama #TwistDrama #MysteryRomance #HiddenTruth #ShortDrama #ShortMovie #ReelsShort #ShortFilm #HistoricalRomance #ChineseRomanceSeries #ModernDrama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00When I left Ethan, he had nothing.
00:02He swept through Wall Street and used every means to marry me.
00:06Until he brought different women home every night.
00:08I moved into the study without crying or making a fuss.
00:12I picked open the door, grabbed my chin, and asked,
00:15Aren't you jealous at all?
00:17He doesn't know I'm sick. He calls it revenge.
00:20And I'm just counting the days I have left.
00:25The best gift I received on my 30th birthday was a medical diagnosis.
00:29Hereditary blood disease. Advanced stage.
00:32The targeted drug costs $80,000 per course of treatment, and insurance does not cover it.
00:37I didn't cry. I just folded the diagnosis report while wiping my nosebleed and put it into my bag.
00:43On my way home, I sent Ethan a message.
00:45It's my birthday today. He replied instantly.
00:48Working overtime, pushing open the door, there was a woman's laughter in the living room.
00:52He came downstairs from the second floor bedroom with a young woman in his arms, wearing my bathrobe.
00:58He glanced at me and said,
01:00You're back.
01:01It's like looking at a piece of furniture.
01:03I didn't say a word.
01:05I went upstairs, walked into the study, closed the door, and sat on the cardboard box.
01:10There are still 2,847 ween left in the bank card.
01:16I dialed his phone number.
01:17I want 500,000.
01:20From the other end of the phone came a woman's coquettish laughter.
01:27He calls this revenge, but I just want to live a few more days.
01:32The next day, I went to his company wearing metal clothes.
01:35At the meeting room entrance, his secretary, Vivian, carrying a cup of coffee, bumped into me head on.
01:40The coffee spilled all over me.
01:42Oh, sorry, sister.
01:43I didn't say a word and sat on the corridor chair, waiting.
01:47Is that Ethan's wife?
01:49She looks like she's about to die.
01:53I looked down at my yellowing fingernails and didn't retort.
01:56Don't provoke her.
01:57She just hasn't dressed up.
01:58Once she does, 10 of you combined can't compare to her.
02:00And you don't know how Ethan managed to marry her back then.
02:02If you mess with her, Ethan will be the first to destroy you.
02:10Sister, Ethan is so nice to me.
02:12He said I'm the most important person to him.
02:15I took the tea and took a sip.
02:17Then I looked at her and softly asked.
02:20Then why is he still reluctant to divorce and marry you?
02:23Her face changed instantly.
02:25Some questions, the answers to which she already knew long ago, but no one dared to ask.
02:30Vivian was hit right in the sore spot by my words.
02:33She got impatient and reached out to grab my teacup.
02:36Jessica tried to hold her back, but she lost her balance and fell to the ground,
02:40with her palm cut and bleeding by the broken porcelain shards.
02:43The door of the meeting room was kicked open with one foot.
02:46Ethan rushed out, and his first glance was not at me, but at her.
02:49He crouched down, pulling her into his arms.
02:51Then he looked up, his gaze stabbing over like a knife.
02:55Who did it?
02:59I did it.
03:00She deserved it.
03:03It's all my fault.
03:04I shouldn't have fallen in love with you.
03:07Don't cry anymore.
03:09Want money?
03:10First apologize to Vivian.
03:14Forget it.
03:15I turned around and walked out of the corridor step by step.
03:17Behind me was Vivian's triumphant crying.
03:19At the entrance of the building, I held onto the railing as blood flowed from my nose.
03:24The phone rang.
03:25The hospital was urging payment.
03:26I looked up at the sky and whispered,
03:30Mom, I'll see you soon.
03:32Between dignity and life, I chose dignity.
03:34But I'm really running out of time.
03:37Late at night, Grace curled up on the study bed and took two sleeping pills.
03:44Half asleep and half awake, she returned to the age of 20.
03:49On her birthday, the two passed by a dessert shop.
03:51She leaned on the window, looking at a strawberry cake, then said with a smile,
03:56Ethan, doesn't this snow look like cream?
03:59Ethan didn't say a word, pulling her into his arms.
04:03Ethan, his eyes red.
04:09Three days later, holding the cake in his hands,
04:17she cried and said,
04:19I don't deserve to eat such an expensive cake.
04:21Don't decide for me whether you deserve it or not.
04:23You're the best girl in the world.
04:25You deserve all the good things in life.
04:31In the memory, she cried while finishing the cake.
04:34In reality, Grace, half awake, picked up her phone and dialed Ethan's number.
04:44Ethan, it's snowing.
04:47I want cake.
04:49Then he hung up, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep.
05:02At two o'clock in the morning, the doorbell suddenly rang
05:11and saw only a strawberry cake at the door.
05:14She crouched down to stare at the cake,
05:16her eyes instantly welling up with tears,
05:19but still picked up the cake and walked to the kitchen.
05:23You dare to throw it away?
05:25Drapped her by the neck and tendered against the wall,
05:27angrily asking if she was playing again.
05:29Grace laughed and admitted it.
05:30Yes.
05:31You're so gullible.
05:33Ethan, out of control,
05:36dragged her into the bedroom and threw her onto the bed.
05:39You're so dirty!
05:41Tearing her, bit her neck, and trembled as he begged her not to torture him anymore.
05:51At this moment, Vivian called for help.
05:53Ethan, someone is following me.
05:55I'm so scared.
05:57Can you come pick me up?
05:58Beg me to stay.
06:00Beg me, and I won't leave.
06:02You don't deserve.
06:04Ethan let out a bitter laugh, slammed the door, and left.
06:10Grace slumped to the ground,
06:11and her nosebleed gushed out instantly.
06:16Grace's phone suddenly lit up,
06:17showing that 500,000 UN had been transferred into her bank account,
06:21with a glaring postscript.
06:23This is to buy your dignity.
06:24Keep it better next time.
06:27The next day,
06:28a video of Ethan fighting for Vivian's apartment
06:30was crossing across the internet,
06:32causing an optimal and public opinion.
06:36Reporters blocked the entrance of the apartment,
06:38and as soon as Grace stepped out,
06:40pressed for her views on her husband's infidelity.
06:43What's your view on your husband's extramarital affair?
06:44She responded indifferently.
06:46A liar?
06:46A mistress in the know?
06:48What do you want me to say?
06:49I heard you dumped him for money.
06:51Now that he's rich, you're not leaving.
06:52Is that true?
06:54Don't you think you're bullying her by pestering her like this?
06:57Just as Grace stopped walking,
06:58her nosebleed suddenly drifted.
07:00Fake.
07:00Great acting.
07:02I'm not sad.
07:04I'm dying.
07:05Bleeding a little bit from the nose,
07:06and already acting like you're about to die?
07:08I've never seen someone so fond of putting on a show.
07:11Grace stopped explaining and turned away.
07:15That night, as she was packing her hospital luggage...
07:17Where are you going?
07:19Hospital.
07:20Take your hand away.
07:23Feign illness.
07:25The materialistic woman who dumped him when he was poor.
07:28Now that he's found true love, she won't let go.
07:31It's disgusting.
07:32What magic did she cast on Ethan?
07:34A wave of scolding swept across the entire internet.
07:37I will never divorce Grace.
07:39Stop harassing my wife.
07:41Ethan issued a public statement.
07:43In the ward, the nurse looked at her with disdain.
07:46Chloe rushed in to defend her.
07:48Take a look at these comments.
07:50I will fight back one by one.
07:52Facing Chloe's questioning, Grace remained silent.
07:55No need.
07:55I don't care.
07:57What do you care about?
08:02An anonymous comment defended that she left not-for-money back then, but was instantly drowned out by a chorus
08:07of scolding.
08:08Just then.
08:09Sister, I've come to see you.
08:13Go out.
08:15Ethan gave it to me.
08:16I broke it.
08:17He said it was just a worthless piece of junk anyway.
08:20Deliberately provoking Grace.
08:28That was left to me by my mother.
08:32My voice is trembling.
08:33Vivian laughed instead.
08:36Your mother?
08:37Dead and still leaving behind trash?
08:40Like mother, like daughter.
08:42I didn't let her finish speaking.
08:45A slop landed hard on her face.
08:47She shrieked and lunged at me, and we grappled with each other.
08:51Chloe rushed in to break it up, and Ethan followed.
08:54He yanked Vivian away and shielded her behind him.
08:58Are you crazy?
09:01That was given to me by my mom.
09:03You gave it to her?
09:05A piece of junk.
09:06Is it really necessary?
09:08I'm dying.
09:09You know I'm dying.
09:11You still treat me like this?
09:12What, are we going to lack this?
09:14Yeah.
09:14I'm stuck us.
09:15You were the one who threw the cake first.
09:17Stop pretending.
09:20He said I was acting.
09:21Then my nosebleed gushed out and wouldn't stop.
09:24I staggered and fell.
09:26So, he reached out and caught me.
09:28Blood stained his white shirt.
09:30He finally panicked.
09:32Call a doctor!
09:34Quick, call a doctor!
09:35He finally believed.
09:36But I could no longer hear clearly.
09:38The light in the emergency room had been on for a very long time.
09:41When I was unconscious, I heard Ethan crying.
09:44Finally, the doctor emerged.
09:46Ethan rushed forward abruptly, his voice forced.
09:48What about her?
09:49She stopped treatment three months ago.
09:52It's progressed too far.
09:54We can only keep her stable.
09:56Then do it!
09:57I don't care what it costs!
09:59She signed a DNR herself.
10:00And her medical authorized person?
10:03Not you.
10:04The clattering of high heels came sharply.
10:07And Chloe walked up to Ethan, raising her hand and slapping him.
10:12Now you want to play the good husband?
10:14Too late.
10:16Chloe threw the file in his face.
10:18She's afraid of pain.
10:20Do you know how she spent these three years?
10:22Do you know where the hell you were?
10:24In whose bed?
10:25When she was rivaling on the floor in agony?
10:27Ethan instantly collapsed to his knees.
10:31She's right.
10:32I've already signed the do not resuscitate agreement, and I'm not even his medical power of attorney.
10:36I don't want to die.
10:37I'm just in too much pain.
10:39You said goodbyes matter.
10:41You haven't said goodbye to me yet.
10:45Grace opened her eyes.
10:50And her first words were,
10:51Stop crying. It's so noisy.
10:54Chloe laughed and cried.
10:55Grace smiled weakly and said,
10:57If you scold me again, I'll kill myself right in front of you.
11:00At the door of the ward, Ethan stood.
11:03He still clutched the blood-stained white shirt in his hand, which he hadn't changed for three days.
11:08Chloe slammed the door shut.
11:10She doesn't want to see you!
11:12Ethan stood at the door all night, then knelt down.
11:21The nurse came to persuade him, but he didn't get up.
11:24The attending doctor came to persuade him, but he still didn't get up.
11:31When dawn broke, the door opened.
11:33Grace leaned against the headboard, glanced at him, and said,
11:36Sign the divorce papers.
11:38Ethan knelt and shuffled in, took her hand, his lips chapped and bleeding.
11:42No.
11:43I'm dying.
11:44Even if you die, I'm still your husband.
11:49Do whatever you want.
11:55On the day Grace was discharged from the hospital, Chloe pushed the wheelchair, while Ethan followed behind like a shadow.
11:59Do you want to know why I left you back then?
12:04Before my mother passed away, she held my hand and said,
12:07Leave Ethan.
12:08Your illness might be genetic.
12:10Don't hurt him.
12:11I didn't believe it at the time.
12:12I thought I'd be fine.
12:14Later, I started having nosebleeds, each time more severe than the last.
12:18I got tested and it was positive.
12:23I want to tell you that when I came to find you, you were holding another woman in your arms,
12:27drunk, and said,
12:28Don't expect me to love you.
12:30So I didn't say anything.
12:32I deliberately said, I look down on your poverty, because only then would you hate me and forget me.
12:38Ethan's hands were shaking.
12:39Why didn't you say so earlier?
12:41Why, if I tell you, would you believe me?
12:47Ethan was speechless.
12:48He rushed out of the car, crouched by the roadside, and pounded his fist on the ground.
12:52His skin split and flesh was torn.
12:54The phone vibrated.
12:56A text message from Vivian.
12:57I'm pregnant, and it's yours.
13:02Grace, I'm begging you.
13:04Give me back the father of my child.
13:06You're dying anyway.
13:08Why hang on to the title?
13:09I looked at her and smiled, saying, sure.
13:12Fine.
13:13Let Ethan come and talk to me himself.
13:15Vivian grabbed Grace's hand.
13:17Chloe rushed in, grabbed her hair, and dragged her out.
13:21Touch her again and see what happens.
13:26Ethan also rushed over.
13:28I told you, stay the hell away from her.
13:31He grabbed Vivian by the hair and dragged her out of the door.
13:33Vivian screamed.
13:34I'm pregnant with your child!
13:36He froze for a second, but didn't let go of his hand, dragging her into the stairwell.
13:44Half an hour later, he returned, reeking of tobacco, standing at the foot of the bed, hesitating to speak.
13:51I closed my eyes and said, don't say anything.
13:54The baby.
13:57I'll deal with it.
13:58Whatever you do, it's none of my business.
14:00Grace.
14:01Get out.
14:04My body suddenly got better.
14:06He can get out of bed, walk, and even has a bit of color in his face.
14:11I know, this is a flashback.
14:14Come shopping with me.
14:16She was so happy that she cried, combed my hair, and did my makeup.
14:21In the bridal shop, she walked out wearing a white satin wedding dress.
14:25This one, I'll give it to you.
14:28She shook her head.
14:29It's too expensive.
14:30I didn't say a word.
14:32While she was changing clothes, I secretly swiped the card.
14:36In the fitting room...
14:37Am I good looking?
14:40It's nice.
14:42I'll still be your bridesmaid in the next life.
14:45Stop talking.
14:47I'm going to the restroom.
14:50I didn't go to the bathroom.
14:52I took a taxi and went to the cemetery.
14:54In front of my mother's tombstone, I placed a bag of persimmons and fragments of an angel.
15:00Then leaned against the marble and closed my eyes.
15:03The phone rang.
15:04It was Chloe.
15:06Once, twice, tenth time.
15:08Sorry.
15:09This time, I really have to go.
15:11When Chloe found me, I was leaning against the tombstone, looking as if I were asleep.
15:17Grace.
15:17She called me by my nickname.
15:19Her voice trembling.
15:21There was no response.
15:23She didn't cry.
15:24She just held me in her arms.
15:26The hospital has declared me dead.
15:29The body donation was signed by me during my lifetime.
15:32When Ethan arrived, the hospital ward was already empty.
15:36Where is her?
15:39Donor information is confidential.
15:41He smashed the hospital ward, pushed the nurse, and was pinned to the ground by the security guard.
15:47With his face pressed against the cold floor tiles, he finally cried.
15:55He returned home and opened the fridge.
15:58The strawberry cake he bought last time was still there.
16:01He couldn't bear to throw it away.
16:03He took it out, took a bite, and spat it out.
16:06He pressed the cake into the trash.
16:08It's not sweet.
16:09Squatted down and hugged his knees, just like he did when he was 20.
16:13Only this time, no one would ever hand him a tissue again.
16:21After my death, Ethan finally checked the child's DNA.
16:26Whose is in your belly?
16:33Is yours.
16:34It must be from that day.
16:36Ethan lit a cigar and slowly revealed the truth.
16:39That day at the bar, Vivian was dragged into the restroom, and by the time he arrived, it was already
16:45too late.
16:46He pitted her and gave her a sum of money.
16:49Later she said she was pregnant, and he thought it was the result of that time, feeling that he hadn't
16:55protected her well.
16:56So you're trying to cling to me?
16:57Ethan, I was wrong.
16:58I was really wrong.
16:59Marry me, and the baby will take your surname after birth.
17:02I'll do whatever you say.
17:06If you don't marry me, I'll tell the media that you pushed me down the stairs and that you aborted
17:10the baby in my belly.
17:11Your wife just died, and you're already killing your own child.
17:14See if you'd still be considered a human.
17:15Ethan looked at her as if she were a dead person.
17:20You try.
17:24At that moment, I knew Vivian didn't have long to live.
17:31Vivian really sent a threatening text message.
17:35Ethan asked her to meet him in the stairwell.
17:39I'm asking you one word to marry me or not.
17:42Do you know how my wife died?
17:45What's that got to do with me?
17:48She never hated me until her death.
17:52But I will hate myself.
17:54She grew impatient.
17:56Don't act all lovey-dovey with me.
17:58Didn't you also have an affair back then?
18:01Shut up.
18:03He took a step forward.
18:06And she took a step backward.
18:13You killed her.
18:15She screamed and pushed him.
18:17How the hell is that my problem?
18:18Stay the hell away from me!
18:19He pushed back.
18:20She missed a step.
18:21Rolled down the stairs.
18:23Hit their head on the corner of the wall.
18:25Twitched twice in a pool of blood.
18:27And then stopped moving.
18:29He stood on the stairs.
18:30Looking down for a long time.
18:32The voice-activated light went out.
18:34Came back on.
18:35And then went out again.
18:38When he got home.
18:39He said to the empty living room.
18:41And Ming.
18:42Grace, no one can bother us now.
18:44He finally avenged me.
18:46But I'm not happy at all.
18:49Acute stress disorder.
18:50Without criminal liability capacity at the time of the crime.
18:56He was admitted to a mental hospital.
18:58A narrow bed and bars on the window.
19:01On the nightstand sits an angel statue glued together.
19:04Covered in cracks.
19:05The nurse came to deliver the medicine.
19:08And he shook his head.
19:09My wife doesn't like the smell of medicine.
19:12Is this your wife?
19:14She's just asleep.
19:15When she wakes up, we're still going to have strawberry cake.
19:19When the doctor made his rounds, he asked him.
19:23What's her name?
19:25Anne Mung.
19:27Where did she go?
19:35She doesn't want me anymore.
19:39No, she won't.
19:41She said that in the next life, she still wants to be my wife.
19:44He remembers every word I said and every expression.
19:48I just don't remember that when I said, next life, there was a bridesmaid dress beside me and Chloe's white
19:55wedding dress in front of me.
19:57He's crazy.
19:58But everything he remembers is true.
20:04Anonymous whistleblower post exploded overnight.
20:07The accompanying pictures are my mother's death certificate and my medical diagnosis report.
20:13Comments are going wild.
20:15Those who have scolded her owe her an apology.
20:18Chloe looked at her phone without smiling.
20:20She placed the phone face down on the table and said to her daughter.
20:24I mean, why can't I tell this?
20:28Mom will tell you a story.
20:30There's an aunt and she's the best.
20:33Ethan held his phone, looking at those comments and tears fell drop by drop onto the screen.
20:38He turned to the statue and said, look.
20:41See, they finally know you're a good person.
20:45The nurse came in to collect the phone.
20:47It's time to hand in your phone.
20:48And he quickly hid it under the pillow.
20:50Don't tell her.
20:51She doesn't like seeing these.
20:53He made a shoe gesture at the statue and smiled gently.
20:57There are birds singing outside the window.
20:59Spring has come.
21:00It's a pity that I can no longer smell the fragrance of flowers.
21:05Chloe came to see him.
21:07Through the glass, she pasted the group photo on it.
21:10In the photo, I was wearing a bridesmaid dress.
21:13I'll get that statue.
21:14I want to put it in front of her grave.
21:17She has no tomb.
21:18She donated her body.
21:20Chloe took a small box out of her bag and pushed it over.
21:23He opens.
21:25Inside is a perfectly intact blue angel with his birthday engraved on the base.
21:30There's also a note in my handwriting.
21:32This one is yours.
21:34I've been keeping it all along.
21:36He placed the blue angel and the cracked pink angel side by side.
21:39He cried without making a sound.
21:44Chloe turned around, took two steps, then looked back.
21:49She never regretted loving you until her death.
21:51He didn't look up.
21:53On the glass window, that photo has been bleached by the sunlight.
21:57My smiling face is a bit blurred, as if covered by a layer of mist.
22:02It turned out that by the time he received that angel, I was already gone.
22:06Five years later, Chloe walked to the tree with a little girl.
22:11There is no tombstone.
22:13Mom, who is this aunt?
22:15She is mom's best friend.
22:17Where did she go?
22:19She went to a very far place.
22:21She won't come back, but she has always been here.
22:25Mom, a ladybug!
22:27At the same time, in the mental hospital, Ethan has aged.
22:32The weather is nice today.
22:34Let's go out for a walk.
22:35He stood up, supported himself against the wall, and slowly walked to the window.
22:40Look, it's snowing.
22:47I'll go buy you a cake.
22:48How about strawberry flavor?
22:50The nurse didn't say a word and gently put a coat on him.
22:58At the end of the corridor, sunlight spreads all over the ground.
23:02Some people spend their whole lives loving, but only learn to lose.
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