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Claimed by My Ex’s Billionaire Uncle - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
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Short filmTranscript
00:02I went to a college reunion for my husband. Never expected my ex-husband to be there.
00:08Sorry I'm late. I'm here for my husband.
00:11The shuffling of cards stopped. My ex-husband, Ethan, looked up. His eyes locked onto me.
00:16Someone spoke first.
00:17Ethan, is this your class reunion or a pathetic ex-convention?
00:22Laughter exploded around the table.
00:24Claire, you leaked those sex photos just to climb the social ladder? That's how you made a name for yourself.
00:30You schemed and plotted until you ruined your own reputation, and then you got kicked out of the Blackwood family
00:35for good.
00:35Ethan's new wife comes from old money. She's educated, classy, not covered in cheap perfume like you.
00:41How dare you show your face here. The mockery came at me. They'd never know the truth.
00:46Once, he defied his entire family for me. He had eight ribs broken for me.
00:52Then she came. Everything changed.
00:54The year I miscarried, she took my uterus under the excuse of treatment.
00:58The day I left the hospital, she ran me over with a car. He watched.
01:03Let her vent her rage.
01:05I didn't die. I'm back.
01:09Didn't flinch the way they expected.
01:11I'm here to fill in for my husband, not to listen to gossip.
01:15Ethan walked over slowly.
01:17Claire, we're divorced.
01:19I stepped back, smiled.
01:21I know.
01:22That's why I'm not here for you, Mr. Blackwood.
01:24Planning to throw yourself at Ethan again? How far are you going to strip this time?
01:29The men at the table snickered.
01:30Chris grabbed my arm.
01:32Still chasing after him three years after the divorce? You have no shame, but the rest of us do.
01:38Chris was my brother. He hated me more than most.
01:41The woman stood between Ethan and me. She was the one Chris loved.
01:45Enough.
01:46Ethan lit a cigarette, his expression unreadable.
01:49Chris' grip tightened on my arm. His teeth clenched.
01:53What's wrong with calling it out? I'm her brother.
01:55If it wasn't for her, Grace would still be a surgeon.
01:59You were the only one who believed her.
02:01Let Grace suffer for years for nothing.
02:03Ethan crushed out the cigarette.
02:05What happened back then? Everyone had their reasons.
02:08Everyone had their reasons.
02:09What reasons?
02:10When I met Ethan, he was the Blackwood heir.
02:13A genius. Got into an Ivy League at 16.
02:16Doctorate by 20.
02:17But he only had eyes for me.
02:19To marry me.
02:20The only woman I'll marry is Claire.
02:24If you won't accept that, then I'm no longer a Blackwood.
02:28You don't have a son.
02:29He let his family break eight of his ribs.
02:33That's who he was. Stubborn to the core.
02:35Once he set his mind on something, nothing could sway him.
02:38When he built his empire, when he swore to protect me forever, even when he cheated.
02:44I was 27 when I miscarried.
02:46Grace was my attending physician.
02:48She used treatment as an excuse to remove my uterus.
02:52Ethan lost his mind.
02:54He told me more than once,
02:56Ethan.
02:57If any other doctor could treat you, I'll make Grace pay for what she'd done.
03:01But on Ethan's birthday, I walked in on them in Grace's office.
03:06Bodies pressed together.
03:07I went crazy.
03:08Smashed everything in that room.
03:12Sent complaint after complaint to the hospital board.
03:15But before the hospital could respond,
03:17I had my photos all over the news.
03:19Private photos of me looking shameless.
03:22Like scenes from an adult film.
03:24It was my own brother who did it.
03:26You drugged Ethan.
03:28Climbed into his bed.
03:30Forced him to marry you out of responsibility.
03:33The final blow came from Ethan himself.
03:36I lay in bed and stared at all the accusations.
03:39That's when Ethan walked in with Grace.
03:42I know I wronged you.
03:43But Ethan and I truly love each other.
03:46The title, children.
03:48I don't need any of it.
03:49I just want to stay by his side.
03:51Ethan pulled Grace behind him.
03:53Sighed.
03:54His voice tired.
03:57Claire, we've been together ten years.
03:59Can't I have one moment of weakness?
04:00She's different from you.
04:02She has a career.
04:03Has dignity.
04:04She doesn't need to follow men around.
04:05You have no shame.
04:07But Grace does.
04:09The man once said I was his whole world.
04:11He slapped me across the face.
04:13Between me and Grace.
04:14He chose her.
04:16Without hesitation.
04:18What am I to you?
04:19Forced myself to ask.
04:20Eighteen year old Ethan sat through endless business dinners.
04:24He coughed up blood.
04:25Just to give me a better life.
04:27And now.
04:28He only looked at me with irritation.
04:31You did something wrong.
04:32I'm just asking you to apologize.
04:34Why drag this out?
04:36Wrong?
04:36Wrong?
04:38He didn't know.
04:39Their cheated videos and texts were still on my phone.
04:43I snapped back to reality.
04:46What reasons?
04:48You went out of your way to cover up her scandals and she broke Grace's hands.
04:52I looked around.
04:53Didn't see my husband Lucas anywhere.
04:55I didn't want to rehash old history anyway.
04:58I'm at the wrong place.
04:59I sent my husband a text, then turned to leave.
05:02Familiar fingers wrapped around my wrist.
05:05I don't blame you anymore for what happened back then.
05:07I pulled away, looked at him coldly.
05:11Are you addicted to performing?
05:12A light laugh cut through the tension.
05:15Grace walked over in heels.
05:17Claire.
05:17Slipped her arm through Ethan's.
05:19Didn't expect to see you here.
05:20Her eyes challenged me.
05:21In the past, just hearing her name made me hysterical.
05:24Now, after all the pain, I felt nothing at all.
05:27Are you still mad at me?
05:29Even if you hate me, you shouldn't ignore your brother.
05:32He actually worries about you.
05:34I don't have a brother.
05:35When my brother and husband chose her, I lost my family.
05:39Grace grabbed my wrist.
05:40My mother's bracelet.
05:41The only thing she left me.
05:43Ethan took it from me by force.
05:45Gave it to Grace as an apology gift.
05:47Maybe Ethan was right.
05:48He did have his reasons.
05:49Just not for me.
05:50For Grace.
05:51She nearly ran me over with a car.
05:53I'd just left the hospital.
05:54Walking home.
05:55Ethan's sports car roared up.
05:57Grace was driving.
05:58Hate burned in her eyes.
05:59This is all your fault?
06:00Why won't you just die?
06:01Why are you stealing my man?
06:04I threw myself to the side.
06:06Voices floated over from the hospital entrance.
06:08What's she doing?
06:09Heard she's going after someone's husband.
06:11Deserves it.
06:12Running her over would be doing everyone a favor.
06:14Homewreck her.
06:15I didn't have time to argue.
06:16Just wanted to run.
06:18Then the tire rolled over my leg.
06:20A crack.
06:21Pain exploded.
06:22I shook all over.
06:24Couldn't even scream.
06:25Grace smiled brightly.
06:27Ethan said I could do anything to make myself feel better.
06:30Can't run now, can you?
06:32Time to speed up.
06:34She hit the gas again.
06:36I didn't run this time.
06:37As the car came at me, I lunged forward.
06:40Grabbed the steering wheel.
06:41Used everything I had to wrench it sideways.
06:44Blair, are you insane?
06:46I didn't answer.
06:47Just held on and kept pulling.
06:49My leg dragged across the pavement.
06:51Skin tore open.
06:52Left a trail of blood.
06:54The car slammed into a tree.
06:56The impact threw me hard.
06:58Before anyone could react, Grace stomped on my broken leg.
07:01Slapped me over and over.
07:04I was just joking around.
07:06Did you have to try to kill me?
07:07Pain flashed white across my vision.
07:09I tried to fight back, but familiar hands pinned my shoulders.
07:13Ethan's voice came from above.
07:15Don't move.
07:16Let her vent.
07:17You almost killed her just now.
07:18Do you understand that?
07:19Ethan, are you blind?
07:21She ran me over, crushed my leg, and you don't see it?
07:25Ethan's jaw tightened.
07:26If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't have lost control.
07:29He turned away from me.
07:30Walked to Grace.
07:31Grace leaned into him.
07:33Sobbed.
07:34Then stood on her toes and kissed him.
07:36They stood there kissing.
07:38Wouldn't let go of each other.
07:39I spent a week in the hospital.
07:41Ethan didn't call once.
07:43Didn't text.
07:44Never came to see me.
07:46But my brother made sure to show me Grace's social media.
07:49A snowy ski slope.
07:50Ethan and Grace side by side.
07:53A steamy hot spring.
07:54Him holding her.
07:56Kissing her.
07:57Chris stared at the photos of the laughing woman with soft eyes.
08:01Look at them.
08:01They're perfect together.
08:02They were meant to be.
08:03Why do you have to break them up?
08:06Grace is so accomplished.
08:09Ethan's always had feelings for her.
08:10Why can't you be mature like me and let them go?
08:13His irritation made it seem like I ruined their relationship.
08:16I lost it.
08:17Smashed everything in the room.
08:19Screamed at Ethan to get out.
08:21I was about to demand a divorce when his phone rang.
08:24Mr. Blackwood.
08:26Miss Monroe was kidnapped.
08:28They cut her hand tendons.
08:29The kidnappers said Claire paid them to teach Miss Roe a lesson.
08:32Ethan's face changed.
08:34His hand shot out and wrapped around my throat.
08:37How can you be this vicious?
08:39Do you know she's a surgeon?
08:41If her hands are ruined, she's finished.
08:44I couldn't breathe.
08:45Watched the disappointment and rage in his eyes.
08:49Laughed.
08:49Are you stupid?
08:51You actually believe that?
08:52Ethan didn't listen.
08:54Grabbed my arm.
08:55He hauled me to Grace's hospital room.
08:57The second Grace saw Ethan, she threw herself into his arms.
09:01Ethan, I just fell in love with you.
09:03I didn't do anything wrong.
09:06Why does she want to hurt me like this?
09:07Does she need me dead to be satisfied?
09:09Ethan rubbed her back, his face dark.
09:12I know I have no right to say this.
09:15But my hands are destroyed.
09:17My whole life is over.
09:19Shouldn't she be punished?
09:21Whatever you want.
09:22Your call.
09:23Grace stopped crying instantly.
09:25I don't want her hands.
09:27Just send her to the underground fight club.
09:30Let her be a punching bag.
09:32Let her know what it feels like.
09:34Years ago, Ethan's company nearly went bankrupt.
09:37I had no other choice.
09:39I went to an underground fight club.
09:42I worked as a punching bag.
09:44Got beaten until my organs bled.
09:47It took three days in the ER to survive.
09:50Back then, Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
09:53Eyes red from crying.
09:54I'll never let you get hurt again.
09:57Not for the rest of your life.
09:59I looked up at Ethan.
10:00My voice trembled.
10:02You promised me you...
10:04Done it before.
10:05Pain teaches lessons.
10:07The second Ethan finished speaking,
10:09his bodyguards grabbed my arms,
10:12dragged me to the underground fight club.
10:14The stench of sweat and blood hit my face.
10:17Ethan!
10:18His voice came back cold, almost cruel.
10:21You're Mrs. Blackwood.
10:23No one would really touch you.
10:24A scar-faced man raised his fist and swung at me without warning.
10:29Bitch!
10:31Look at yourself!
10:32Someone like Miss Monroe?
10:33You think you can compete with her?
10:36Today you're gonna learn.
10:37Some people are out of your league.
10:42His fist knocked my teeth loose.
10:44Blood filled my mouth.
10:46He grabbed my hair, yanked me up, slammed me down.
10:50I heard the filthy insults.
10:52My vision blurred.
10:53The last punch hit my temple.
10:55Ethan stared at me.
10:57His expression complicated.
10:59Claire, let's move forward.
11:01His eyes looked pained.
11:02I just found it funny.
11:04My husband's waiting for me.
11:06I turned to go.
11:07Ethan grabbed my shoulder.
11:09I don't believe it.
11:10You love me that much.
11:13How could you marry someone else?
11:16A hand with a wedding ring blocked his.
11:19What are you trying to do to your aunt?
11:21Ethan looked up, recognized the man, blurted out,
11:24Uncle Lucas?
11:25What are you doing here?
11:27Grace looked confused,
11:28came closer.
11:30Ethan ignored her,
11:31stared at my hand holding Lucas's.
11:34The anger in his voice almost spilled over.
11:37Claire, what the hell is this?
11:39Are you trying to humiliate me?
11:40I looked at his self-righteous accusation,
11:43wanted to laugh.
11:44When I woke up from that coma at the fight club,
11:46he wasn't there.
11:48Just a cold divorce agreement on the bedside table.
11:51His assistant delivered the message.
11:53Mr. Blackwoods the said he couldn't tolerate you anymore.
11:56Instead of living a good life,
11:58you had to stage an injury to frame Ms. Monroe.
12:01You are shameless and disgusting.
12:03I was covered in injuries.
12:05Didn't even have the strength to argue.
12:07Ten years felt like a joke.
12:09I signed without hesitation.
12:11Booked a flight out of the country that same day.
12:14During those three years abroad recovering,
12:17I met Lucas.
12:18He never asked about my past,
12:20just held me quietly when nightmares woke me up.
12:23This trip back was our first time returning after the wedding.
12:26He wanted to see family and friends.
12:28I had no idea they had this kind of relationship going on.
12:32Claire!
12:33Have you no shame?
12:35Chris's voice exploded.
12:36He rushed over.
12:39Just divorced and already hooking up with another man.
12:42Are you that desperate?
12:43You've disgraced the entire family!
12:46Lucas knocked it away.
12:47Lucas pulled me behind him,
12:49lifted my left hand.
12:50My wedding ring clinked against his.
12:52He smiled,
12:53looked at Chris,
12:54then at Ethan.
12:55Legal wife,
12:56not hooking up.
12:58Chris froze.
12:59His face turned red.
13:01You're lying!
13:02She's only been divorced three years!
13:03How could it be legal?
13:06We've been married two years.
13:08The noisy room went silent.
13:09Ethan's face looked ugly.
13:11He stared at Lucas,
13:12voice full of disbelief.
13:14Uncle Lucas!
13:15Do you know who she is?
13:17How could you marry her?
13:18Lucas smiled.
13:20Didn't know she was your ex-wife before.
13:21Now I do.
13:23So what?
13:23He turned to shield me.
13:25Eyes swept over Ethan's tense face.
13:27You're divorced.
13:28Why can't I marry her?
13:30Besides,
13:31you and I were never that close anyway.
13:33The words hit Ethan's sore spot perfectly.
13:35Everyone there knew.
13:37The Blackwood family claimed the first wife was infertile,
13:40but no one dared speak the truth.
13:42Ethan was the old man's illegitimate son.
13:44Never even made it into the family registry.
13:47Ethan's face went white as paper.
13:48His fists clenched.
13:50Veins bulged.
13:51Claire, now you know who he is?
13:53Divorce him.
13:55Start over with me.
13:56I'll take care of you.
13:58I promise I won't let you get hurt anymore.
14:00I looked at his serious expression.
14:02Couldn't help laughing.
14:03When he sent me to that fight club
14:05and watched me get badly beaten,
14:07where was he?
14:08Now he wants to play the devoted lover?
14:10When I didn't respond,
14:12Ethan's face darkened.
14:13He suddenly pulled out a checkbook
14:14and pen from his jacket,
14:16scribbled something,
14:17tore off the page,
14:18and threw it at me.
14:1930 million.
14:20Enough?
14:21Not enough?
14:2250 million?
14:22100 million?
14:23Whatever.
14:24Just leave him.
14:25I'll give you anything you want.
14:27The check fluttered to the floor.
14:28Chris jumped in immediately.
14:30Claire,
14:31aren't you embarrassed?
14:34Take the money
14:35and get lost.
14:38Ethan, don't be like this.
14:40We're all family.
14:41No need to hurt anyone's feelings.
14:43Claire found someone good now.
14:45You should be happy for her.
14:48Ethan yanked his arm away hard.
14:50She stumbled back,
14:51hit the poker table,
14:52cards scattered everywhere.
14:54Stay out of my business with Claire.
14:57His voice was ice cold,
14:59none of his usual warmth.
15:00Grace bit her lip.
15:01Anger flashed in her eyes,
15:03but she didn't dare show it.
15:04Just lowered her head
15:05like she'd been wronged.
15:07I looked at her.
15:08Suddenly,
15:08I thought of the person I used to be,
15:10the woman who walked
15:11on eggshells around Ethan,
15:13too scared to even talk back.
15:14Turned out in his eyes,
15:16everyone was just
15:16a disposable accessory.
15:18He was always
15:19this heartless and selfish.
15:21Ethan walked up to me.
15:22His eyes showed
15:23obsessive madness.
15:24I know you still want me.
15:26Otherwise,
15:26why would you come back?
15:28Claire,
15:28if you're willing,
15:29I'll divorce Grace right now.
15:31We can go back
15:32to how things were,
15:34okay?
15:35How could you find
15:36someone else behind my back?
15:37Do you think that's fair to me?
15:38His words were like
15:40delusional nonsense.
15:41I was done listening.
15:43I tugged Lucas's arm.
15:45Honey,
15:45let's go.
15:46I think he's sick.
15:47Lucas squeezed my hand
15:48and looked at Ethan coldly.
15:50Ethan,
15:51back off.
15:52She's my wife now.
15:54Keep harassing her
15:55and I won't be polite.
15:58Ethan tried to block us.
15:59Lucas's look
16:00made him step back.
16:02In the car,
16:03it was quiet,
16:03just the soft sound
16:04of air from the vents.
16:05I looked at Lucas's hands
16:07on the steering wheel,
16:08long fingers.
16:09Suddenly,
16:09I felt the urge to ask,
16:10don't you want to know
16:11what happened
16:12between me and Ethan?
16:13Lucas paused,
16:14glanced at me,
16:15his eyes gentle.
16:16I only know he hurt you.
16:18I don't care about the details.
16:19He reached over
16:20and ruffled my hair.
16:21The past is past.
16:23I just need you
16:24to be okay now.
16:25The words were like
16:25warm water,
16:26slowly poured over
16:27the scabbed wounds
16:28in my heart.
16:29My nose stung,
16:30eyes burned,
16:31but I wasn't sad.
16:32I used to beg
16:33Ethan to listen,
16:34to believe me,
16:35but he never did.
16:36Yet Lucas,
16:37he didn't even ask.
16:38He just stood
16:39firmly by my side.
16:40That feeling of being trusted,
16:42of being valued,
16:43I'd never felt that
16:44from Ethan.
16:45I held his hand tight,
16:46feeling the warmth
16:47of his palm.
16:48I thought back
16:48to the first time
16:49I met Lucas abroad.
16:50I'd just had
16:51my second leg surgery
16:52and was still limping,
16:53living in a quiet
16:54little town.
16:55He was a visiting professor
16:56at the local hospital.
16:57We met by chance.
16:58I fell in the park
16:59and he helped me up.
17:00After that,
17:01he'd come by my
17:02apartment building,
17:03sometimes brought daisies,
17:04sometimes brought warm food.
17:06He never pressed me
17:06to talk about my past,
17:08never forced me to respond.
17:09At first,
17:10I kept refusing.
17:11Ten years of love,
17:12from passionate
17:13to brutal.
17:14I was too scared
17:15to trust anyone,
17:16especially men.
17:17I was afraid
17:17of being abandoned again,
17:19afraid the gentleness
17:20was fake,
17:21but he never gave up.
17:22When nightmares woke me up
17:23crying at night,
17:24he'd comfort me
17:25softly through the door.
17:26When I didn't want to talk,
17:27he'd sit quietly
17:28beside me with a book.
17:29He'd stay there
17:30all afternoon.
17:32When checkups left my leg
17:33too painful to walk,
17:34he'd push the wheelchair
17:35without complaining.
17:36What really made me open up
17:38was when my old injury
17:39flared up.
17:40I had a high fever
17:41that wouldn't break.
17:42Half conscious,
17:43I felt someone sitting
17:44by the bed,
17:45wiping my forehead,
17:46giving me water,
17:47humming an off-key tune.
17:48When I woke up,
17:49Lucas was asleep
17:50against the bed,
17:51eyes bloodshot.
17:52That moment,
17:53my defenses crumbled completely.
17:54I knew this man
17:55really wanted
17:56to be good to me.
17:57The car rolled smoothly
17:58down the highway.
17:59Lucas suddenly spoke.
18:01If you don't want to,
18:01we don't have to see
18:02those relatives.
18:03We can book flights
18:03back right now.
18:04I shook my head.
18:05It's fine.
18:06I want to meet them.
18:07With him beside me,
18:09the people and things
18:10that used to suffer me
18:11didn't seem so scary anymore.
18:13I wasn't the Claire I was
18:14three years ago,
18:15the one who could only
18:16endure in silence.
18:18On Christmas Eve,
18:19Lucas took me
18:19to the Blackwood family estate.
18:21It was supposed to be
18:22a family gathering,
18:23really just some distant
18:24relatives and close friends.
18:26We walked through the door.
18:27The living room was noisy.
18:29Talking and laughter
18:30mixed together all around.
18:32Everyone looked up
18:33when we walked in.
18:34Then it went quiet
18:34for a few seconds.
18:36Ethan sat in the middle
18:37of the couch,
18:38saw my hand in Lucas's.
18:39His face went dark immediately.
18:41I felt nothing inside.
18:43Not angry,
18:44not embarrassed.
18:45I just looked him
18:46straight in the eyes calmly,
18:47then looked away.
18:48Mrs. Blackwood came
18:49out of the kitchen.
18:50She saw me and froze.
18:52Surprise flashed in her eyes.
18:54Then she went calm again.
18:55You're here.
18:56I knew she never liked me.
18:58If Ethan hadn't insisted
18:59on marrying me back then,
19:01I would have never
19:01stepped foot
19:02inside the Blackwood house.
19:04This kind of attitude
19:05actually felt comfortable.
19:06No fake small talk.
19:07At dinner,
19:08everyone sat around the table.
19:10I could feel eyes glued to me.
19:12I didn't even need to look
19:13to know it was Ethan.
19:14Dishes came out one by one.
19:16When a plate of shrimp
19:17got set in the middle,
19:18Ethan practically lunged for one.
19:20He started peeling it expertly.
19:22He worked fast
19:22and removed the head
19:23and shell,
19:24then held the meat out to me.
19:26Used to love these.
19:28Try it.
19:28Still made the way you like.
19:30Before I could react,
19:31Lucas's hand blocked it.
19:32She's allergic to seafood.
19:34Didn't you know?
19:35Ethan's hand froze midair.
19:37His expression shifted.
19:38First shock,
19:39then deep regret.
19:40My mind drifted back
19:41to three years ago,
19:42right after my miscarriage
19:44when I was still
19:44in the hospital.
19:45I was weak,
19:46with no appetite.
19:47Ethan tried to clear
19:48his schedule
19:49to take care of me.
19:50One night,
19:50he came to my room late,
19:52carrying a container of soup.
19:54Had a sudden meeting.
19:56Sorry I'm late.
19:57I didn't think much
19:58of it back then.
19:59I just worried
19:59he'd wear himself out
20:00running back and forth.
20:01Not long after that,
20:03my whole body broke out
20:04in hives.
20:04I couldn't breathe.
20:05I had to go to emergency care.
20:07Seafood allergy
20:07was really severe.
20:09If it had been any later,
20:10she would have been
20:10in real danger.
20:11After that,
20:12Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
20:14His head was buried
20:15in the blanket.
20:15I'm sorry.
20:16I'm so sorry.
20:18I was too busy.
20:20Forgot about your allergy.
20:22Just thought the soup place
20:23tasted good.
20:24So I brought some.
20:25I believed him back then.
20:27Felt bad for how hard
20:28he was working.
20:29Comforted him instead.
20:31Said it was fine.
20:32Just an accident.
20:33Later I found out
20:34from someone else.
20:35He wasn't busy that day.
20:37He was celebrating
20:37Grace's birthday.
20:39That soup place
20:40was Grace's favorite.
20:41He bought it for Grace
20:42and got me some on the side.
20:44He'd completely forgotten
20:46about my allergy.
20:48Honey,
20:49did you remember Ron?
20:51Grace's voice pulled me back.
20:53She wore a soft smile
20:54but jealousy burned in her eyes.
20:56She reached out
20:58to take Ethan's arm
20:59but he dodged her hand
21:00instinctively.
21:01He put down his fork,
21:02stood up.
21:03I'm done eating.
21:06Grace's hand hung in the air.
21:08Hurt and anger
21:09flashed in her eyes
21:10but she didn't dare show it.
21:12Just watched Ethan turn
21:13and walk out.
21:14Dinner ended
21:14in a weird atmosphere.
21:16Lucas didn't want me tired.
21:18Took me upstairs
21:18to rest early.
21:20The guest room was quiet.
21:21The bedding smelled
21:22like sun-dried laundry
21:23but lying there
21:25I couldn't sleep.
21:26I wanted to go for a walk
21:27but heard arguing
21:28from a room downstairs.
21:30Grace's voice came through
21:32crying and accusing.
21:33Ethan!
21:35Tell me the truth!
21:37Do you still have feelings
21:38for Claire?
21:39The way you looked at her!
21:41How you peeled shrimp for her!
21:43You never forgot her at all!
21:45My feet stopped.
21:47Can you stop making things up?
21:49Claire and I are over.
21:51Over?
21:51Grace's voice shot up.
21:53Over?
21:53But you remember
21:54she likes shrimp
21:54and forgot I mentioned
21:55wanting cake yesterday?
21:57Over but you dodged
21:58my hand
21:59and can't stop
21:59thinking about her?
22:01Ethan,
22:02put your hand
22:02on your heart.
22:03Are you only with me
22:04out of guilt?
22:05Guilt?
22:05I laughed internally.
22:07Back then he did
22:07such cruel things to me
22:08for Grace's sake.
22:09Now he says it's guilt?
22:11If you hadn't seduced me,
22:12pushed me harder,
22:13would I be here today?
22:15Ethan's voice
22:16was full of rage.
22:17I admit I couldn't
22:17resist temptation,
22:18but don't act so innocent.
22:20Back then,
22:21what I took for betrayal
22:22was just him succumbing
22:23to his desires.
22:24And Grace's so-called
22:26true love
22:26was nothing but
22:27a calculated ploy
22:28to get him.
22:29I couldn't stop thinking
22:30about what I'd seen
22:31outside Grace's office.
22:33Those vile texts.
22:34The way he'd sent me
22:35to that fight club
22:35just to keep Grace safe.
22:37Back then,
22:37I'd hated him
22:38for his cruelty.
22:39For his betrayal.
22:40I'd hated that I'd wasted
22:42ten years on the wrong man.
22:43But hearing all this now,
22:44I only felt sorry
22:46for my foolish younger self
22:47to pour all that courage
22:48and devotion
22:49on such a weak
22:50and selfish man.
22:51He never truly loved anyone,
22:53only himself.
22:54When he married me
22:55and cut ties with his family,
22:57it had only been impulse
22:58and fleeting novelty.
23:00Later,
23:00he chose Grace
23:01because he couldn't
23:02resist temptation.
23:03Or perhaps Grace
23:04simply fed his vanity better.
23:06Now that he saw
23:06I was thriving,
23:07he wanted to drag me back.
23:09He just couldn't stand
23:10his former possession
23:11belonging to someone else.
23:12I seduced you?
23:13I ruined my hands for you,
23:15my reputation,
23:16and now you're saying
23:18this to me?
23:19Ethan,
23:20you're heartless!
23:21Heartless?
23:22You threw yourself at me,
23:24and now you're blaming me?
23:25If you hadn't come on to me
23:26all those years ago,
23:27Claire and I would never
23:28have gotten divorced.
23:29I stopped listening
23:30after that.
23:31Turned around,
23:32walked back upstairs
23:33without a sound.
23:34Three days.
23:35That's how long we stayed.
23:36Ethan's stares
23:37across every meal,
23:38Grace's soft smiles
23:39that never reached her eyes.
23:41The whole house
23:41watching,
23:42waiting for me to crack.
23:44I didn't.
23:44Lucas was there.
23:45That was enough.
23:46Back in the room
23:47that first night,
23:48Lucas was still
23:48in the same position,
23:49sleeping deeply.
23:50I slipped in beside him.
23:52He pulled me close
23:53without waking up,
23:54like muscle memory.
23:55Like I was something
23:56he didn't want to lose
23:57even in his sleep.
23:58I closed my eyes.
23:59Downstairs,
23:59they were still at it.
24:01Didn't matter.
24:01That world wasn't
24:02mine anymore.
24:03But Lucas was awake.
24:04I didn't know it then.
24:05He'd heard everything.
24:07Not the argument.
24:08Not the shouting.
24:08He'd heard me stop
24:10walking in the hallway.
24:11Heard the exact moment
24:12I chose to turn away.
24:13He lay still,
24:14eyes open in the dark,
24:15thinking about a bowl
24:16of seafood soup,
24:17a hospital room,
24:18a woman covered in hives
24:20who almost didn't make it,
24:21and a surgeon
24:21who had been her doctor.
24:25He thought about that
24:26for a long time.
24:27He died.
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