- 14 hours ago
- #full
- #shortfilm
- #high
#FULL EPISODE #shortfilm
FULL VERSION #High Quality
#FULL EP
- FULL EP 2026
FULL VERSION #High Quality
#FULL EP
- FULL EP 2026
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I went to a college reunion for my husband. Never expected my ex-husband to be there.
00:05Sorry I'm late. I'm here for my husband.
00:08The shuffling of cards stopped. My ex-husband, Ethan, looked up. His eyes locked onto me.
00:13Someone spoke first.
00:14Ethan, is this your class reunion or a pathetic ex-convention?
00:19Laughter exploded around the table.
00:21Claire, you leaked those sex photos just to climb the social ladder?
00:24That's how you made a name for yourself.
00:26You schemed and plotted until you ruined your own reputation?
00:30And then you got kicked out of the Blackwood family for good.
00:32Ethan's new wife comes from old money.
00:34She's educated, classy, not covered in cheap perfume like you.
00:38How dare you show your face here?
00:40The mockery came at me. They'd never know the truth.
00:42Once, he defied his entire family for me.
00:45He had eight ribs broken for me.
00:48Then she came. Everything changed.
00:50The year I miscarried, she took my uterus under the excuse of treatment.
00:55The day I left the hospital, she ran me over with a car.
00:58He watched.
00:59Let her vent her rage.
01:01I didn't die. I'm back.
01:05Didn't flinch the way they expected.
01:07I'm here to fill in for my husband, not to listen to gossip.
01:11Ethan walked over slowly.
01:13Claire, we're divorced.
01:15I stepped back, smiled.
01:17I know.
01:18That's why I'm not here for you, Mr. Blackwood.
01:20Planning to throw yourself at Ethan again?
01:22How far are you going to strip this time?
01:24The men at the table snickered.
01:26Chris grabbed my arm.
01:27Still chasing after him three years after the divorce?
01:30You have no shame, but the rest of us do.
01:34Chris was my brother.
01:35He hated me more than most.
01:37The woman stood between Ethan and me.
01:39She was the one Chris loved.
01:41Enough.
01:41Ethan lit a cigarette, his expression unreadable.
01:44Chris's grip tightened on my arm.
01:46His teeth clenched.
01:48What's wrong with calling it out?
01:49I'm her brother.
01:51If it wasn't for her, Grace would still be a surgeon.
01:54You were the only one who believed her.
01:56Let Grace suffer for years for nothing.
01:59Ethan crushed out the cigarette.
02:00What happened back then?
02:02Everyone had their reasons.
02:03Everyone had their reasons.
02:05What reasons?
02:05When I met Ethan, he was the Blackwood heir.
02:08A genius.
02:09Got into an Ivy League at 16.
02:11Doctorate by 20.
02:12But he only had eyes for me.
02:14To marry me.
02:15The only woman I'll marry is Claire.
02:19If you won't accept that, then I'm no longer a Blackwood.
02:23You don't have a son.
02:24He let his family break eight of his ribs.
02:28That's who he was.
02:29Stubborn to the core.
02:30Once he set his mind on something, nothing could sway him.
02:33When he built his empire, when he swore to protect me forever, even when he cheated.
02:39I was 27 when I miscarried.
02:41Grace was my attending physician.
02:43She used treatment as an excuse to remove my uterus.
02:47Ethan lost his mind.
02:49He told me more than once.
02:50Ethan.
02:52If any other doctor could treat you, I'll make Grace pay for what she'd done.
02:55But on Ethan's birthday, I walked in on them in Grace's office.
03:00Bodies pressed together.
03:01I went crazy.
03:03Smashed everything in that room.
03:06Sent complaint after complaint to the hospital board.
03:09But before the hospital could respond, I had my photos all over the news.
03:13Private photos of me looking shameless.
03:17Like scenes from an adult film.
03:18It was my own brother who did it.
03:20You drugged Ethan.
03:22Climbed into his bed.
03:24Forced him to marry you out of responsibility.
03:27The final blow came from Ethan himself.
03:30I lay in bed and stared at all the accusations.
03:33That's when Ethan walked in with Grace.
03:35I know I wronged you.
03:37But Ethan and I truly love each other.
03:40The title, children.
03:41I don't need any of it.
03:43I just want to stay by his side.
03:44Ethan pulled Grace behind him.
03:47Sighed.
03:47His voice tired.
03:50Claire, we've been together ten years.
03:52Can't I have one moment of weakness?
03:54She's different from you.
03:55She has a career.
03:56Has dignity.
03:57She doesn't need to follow men around.
03:59You have no shame.
04:00But Grace does.
04:02The man once said I was his whole world.
04:05He slapped me across the face.
04:07Between me and Grace.
04:08He chose her without hesitation.
04:11What am I to you?
04:12Forced myself to ask.
04:14Eighteen-year-old Ethan sat through endless business dinners.
04:17He coughed up blood just to give me a better life.
04:20And now, he only looked at me with irritation.
04:24You did something wrong.
04:25I'm just asking you to apologize.
04:27Why drag this out?
04:29Wrong?
04:31He didn't know.
04:32Their cheated videos and texts were still on my phone.
04:36I snapped back to reality.
04:39What reasons?
04:41You went out of your way to cover up her scandals and she broke Grace's hands.
04:45I looked around.
04:46Didn't see my husband Lucas anywhere.
04:48I didn't want to rehash old history anyway.
04:51I'm at the wrong place.
04:52I sent my husband a text, then turned to leave.
04:55Familiar fingers wrapped around my wrist.
04:57I don't blame you anymore for what happened back then.
05:00I pulled away, looked at him coldly.
05:03Are you addicted to performing?
05:05A light laugh cut through the tension.
05:07Grace walked over in heels.
05:09Claire!
05:10Slipped her arm through Ethan's.
05:11Didn't expect to see you here.
05:12Her eyes challenged me.
05:13In the past, just hearing her name made me hysterical.
05:16Now, after all the pain, I felt nothing at all.
05:19Are you still mad at me?
05:21Even if you hate me, you shouldn't ignore your brother.
05:24He actually worries about you.
05:26I don't have a brother.
05:27When my brother and husband chose her, I lost my family.
05:31Grace grabbed my wrist.
05:32My mother's bracelet.
05:34The only thing she left me.
05:35Ethan took it from me by force.
05:37Gave it to Grace as an apology gift.
05:39Maybe Ethan was right.
05:40He did have his reasons.
05:41Just not for me.
05:42For Grace.
05:43She nearly ran me over with a car.
05:45I'd just left the hospital.
05:46Walking home.
05:47Ethan's sports car roared up.
05:49Grace was driving.
05:50Hate burned in her eyes.
05:51This is all your fault?
05:52Why won't you just die?
05:53Why are you stealing my mask?
05:56I threw myself to the side.
05:58Voices floated over from the hospital entrance.
06:00What's she doing?
06:01Heard she's going after someone's husband.
06:03Deserves it.
06:04Running her over would be doing everyone a favor.
06:06Homewrecker.
06:07I didn't have time to argue.
06:08Just wanted to run.
06:09Then the tire rolled over my leg.
06:12A crack.
06:12Pain exploded.
06:14I shook all over.
06:15Couldn't even scream.
06:17Grace smiled brightly.
06:18Ethan said I could do anything to make myself feel better.
06:22Can't run now, can you?
06:24Time to speed up.
06:25She hit the gas again.
06:27I didn't run this time.
06:29As the car came at me, I lunged forward.
06:31Grabbed the steering wheel.
06:33Used everything I had to wrench it sideways.
06:36Claire, are you insane?
06:37I didn't answer.
06:38Just held on and kept pulling.
06:40My leg dragged across the pavement.
06:42Skin tore open.
06:44Left a trail of blood.
06:45The car slammed into a tree.
06:47The impact threw me hard.
06:48Before anyone could react, Grace stomped on my broken leg, slapped me over and over.
06:55I was just joking around.
06:57Did you have to try to kill me?
06:58Pain flashed white across my vision.
07:00I tried to fight back, but familiar hands pinned my shoulders.
07:04Ethan's voice came from above.
07:06Don't move.
07:07Let her vent.
07:07You almost killed her just now.
07:09Do you understand that?
07:10Ethan, are you blind?
07:12She ran me over, crushed my leg, and you don't see it?
07:15Ethan's jaw tightened.
07:17If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't have lost control.
07:20He turned away from me, walked to Grace.
07:22Grace leaned into him, sobbed, then stood on her toes and kissed him.
07:27They stood there kissing, wouldn't let go of each other.
07:30I spent a week in the hospital.
07:32Ethan didn't call once, didn't text, never came to see me.
07:36But my brother made sure to show me Grace's social media.
07:39A snowy ski slope.
07:41Ethan and Grace side by side.
07:43A steamy hot spring.
07:44Him holding her, kissing her.
07:47Chris stared at the photos of the laughing woman with soft eyes.
07:51Look at them.
07:51They're perfect together.
07:52They were meant to be.
07:54Why do you have to break them up?
07:56Grace is so accomplished.
07:59Ethan's always had feelings for her.
08:00Why can't you be mature like me and let them go?
08:03His irritation made it seem like I ruined their relationship.
08:06I lost it, smashed everything in the room.
08:09Screamed at Ethan to get out.
08:11I was about to demand a divorce when his phone rang.
08:14Mr. Blackwood.
08:15Miss Monroe was kidnapped.
08:17They cut her hand tendons.
08:19The kidnappers said Claire paid them to teach Miss Roe a lesson.
08:22Ethan's face changed.
08:24His hands shot out and wrapped around my throat.
08:27How can you be this vicious?
08:29Do you know she's a surgeon?
08:31If her hands are ruined, she's finished.
08:33I couldn't breathe.
08:34Watched the disappointment and rage in his eyes.
08:38Laughed.
08:39Are you stupid?
08:40You actually believe that?
08:42Ethan didn't listen.
08:43Grabbed my arm.
08:45He hauled me to Grace's hospital room.
08:47The second Grace saw Ethan, she threw herself into his arms.
08:50Ethan, I just fell in love with you.
08:53I didn't do anything wrong.
08:55Why does she want to hurt me like this?
08:57Does she need me dead to be satisfied?
08:59Ethan rubbed her back, his face dark.
09:01I know I have no right to say this.
09:04But my hands are destroyed.
09:06My whole life is over.
09:08Shouldn't she be punished?
09:10Whatever you want.
09:11Your call.
09:12Grace stopped crying instantly.
09:14I don't want her hands.
09:16Just send her to the underground fight club.
09:19Let her be a punching bag.
09:21Let her know what it feels like.
09:23Years ago, Ethan's company nearly went bankrupt.
09:27I had no other choice.
09:28I went to an underground fight club.
09:31I worked as a punching bag.
09:32Got beaten until my organs bled.
09:35It took three days in the ER to survive.
09:38Back then, Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
09:41Eyes red from crying.
09:43I'll never let you get hurt again.
09:46Not for the rest of your life.
09:47I looked up at Ethan.
09:49My voice trembled.
09:50You promised me you...
09:53Pain teaches lessons.
09:55The second Ethan finished speaking, his bodyguards grabbed my arms.
10:00Dragged me to the underground fight club.
10:02The stench of sweat and blood hit my face.
10:05Ethan!
10:06His voice came back cold.
10:08Almost cruel.
10:10You're Mrs. Blackwood.
10:11No one would really touch you.
10:13A scar-faced man raised his fist.
10:16Swung at me without warning.
10:17Bitch!
10:18Look at yourself!
10:20Someone like Miss Monroe?
10:22You think you can compete with her?
10:24Today you're gonna learn.
10:25Some people are out of your league.
10:30His fist knocked my teeth loose.
10:32Blood filled my mouth.
10:34He grabbed my hair.
10:35Yanked me up.
10:36Slammed me down.
10:38I heard the filthy insults.
10:39My vision blurred.
10:41The last punch hit my temple.
10:43Ethan stared at me.
10:44His expression complicated.
10:46Claire, let's move forward.
10:48His eyes looked pained.
10:50I just found it funny.
10:52My husband's waiting for me.
10:53I turned to go.
10:55Ethan grabbed my shoulder.
10:56I don't believe it.
10:58You love me that much.
11:00How could you marry someone else?
11:03A hand with a wedding ring blocked his.
11:06What are you trying to do to your aunt?
11:08Ethan looked up.
11:09Recognized the man.
11:11Blurted out.
11:11Uncle Lucas?
11:13What are you doing here?
11:14Grace looked confused.
11:16Came closer.
11:17Ethan ignored her.
11:18Stared at my hand holding Lucas's.
11:20The anger in his voice almost spilled over.
11:24Claire?
11:24What the hell is this?
11:26Are you trying to humiliate me?
11:27I looked at his self-righteous accusation.
11:30Wanted to laugh.
11:31When I woke up from that coma at the fight club, he wasn't there.
11:34Just a cold divorce agreement on the bedside table.
11:38His assistant delivered the message.
11:40Mr. Blackwoods the said he couldn't tolerate you anymore.
11:43Instead of living a good life, you had to stage an injury to frame Miss Monroe.
11:47You are shameless and disgusting.
11:50I was covered in injuries.
11:52Didn't even have the strength to argue.
11:54Ten years felt like a joke.
11:56I signed without hesitation.
11:58Booked a flight out of the country that same day.
12:01During those three years abroad recovering, I met Lucas.
12:04He never asked about my past.
12:06Just held me quietly when nightmares woke me up.
12:09This trip back was our first time returning after the wedding.
12:13He wanted to see family and friends.
12:15I had no idea they had this kind of relationship going on.
12:18Claire!
12:19Have you no shame?
12:21Chris's voice exploded.
12:22He rushed over.
12:25Just divorced and already hooking up with another man.
12:28Are you that desperate?
12:30You've disgraced the entire family!
12:32Lucas knocked it away.
12:33Lucas pulled me behind him, lifted my left hand.
12:36My wedding ring clinked against his.
12:38He smiled, looked at Chris, then at Ethan.
12:41Legal wife.
12:42Not hooking up.
12:44Chris froze.
12:45His face turned red.
12:47You're lying.
12:48She's only been divorced three years.
12:49How could it be legal?
12:51We've been married two years.
12:53The noisy room went silent.
12:55Ethan's face looked ugly.
12:57He stared at Lucas, voice full of disbelief.
13:00Uncle Lucas.
13:01Do you know who she is?
13:02How could you marry her?
13:04Lucas smiled.
13:05Didn't know she was your ex-wife before.
13:07Now I do.
13:08So what?
13:09He turned to shield me.
13:10Eyes swept over Ethan's tense face.
13:12You're divorced.
13:13Why can't I marry her?
13:15Besides, you and I were never that close anyway.
13:18The words hit Ethan's sore spot perfectly.
13:21Everyone there knew.
13:22The Blackwood family claimed the first wife was infertile.
13:25But no one dared speak the truth.
13:27Ethan was the old man's illegitimate son.
13:29Never even made it into the family registry.
13:32Ethan's face went white as paper.
13:34His fists clenched.
13:35Veins bulged.
13:36Claire, now you know who he is?
13:38Please divorce him.
13:40Start over with me.
13:41I'll take care of you.
13:43I promise I won't let you get hurt anymore.
13:45I looked at his serious expression.
13:47Couldn't help laughing.
13:48When he sent me to that fight club and watched me get badly beaten, where was he?
13:53Now he wants to play the devoted lover?
13:55When I didn't respond, Ethan's face darkened.
13:58He suddenly pulled out a checkbook and pen from his jacket.
14:01Scribbled something.
14:02Tore off the page and threw it at me.
14:0430 million.
14:05Enough?
14:05Not enough?
14:0650 million?
14:07100 million?
14:08Whatever.
14:08Just leave him.
14:10I'll give you anything you want.
14:11The check fluttered to the floor.
14:13Chris jumped in immediately.
14:14Claire, aren't you embarrassed?
14:18Take the money and get lost.
14:22Ethan, don't be like this.
14:24We're all family.
14:25No need to hurt anyone's feelings.
14:28Claire found someone good now.
14:30You should be happy for her.
14:32Ethan yanked his arm away hard.
14:34She stumbled back.
14:35Hit the poker table.
14:36Cards scattered everywhere.
14:39Stay out of my business with Claire.
14:41His voice was ice cold.
14:43None of his usual warmth.
14:44Grace bit her lip.
14:45Anger flashed in her eyes.
14:47But she didn't dare show it.
14:48Just lowered her head like she'd been wronged.
14:51I looked at her.
14:51Suddenly I thought of the person I used to be.
14:54The woman who walked on eggshells around Ethan.
14:56Too scared to even talk back.
14:58Turned out in his eyes, everyone was just a disposable accessory.
15:02He was always this heartless and selfish.
15:04Ethan walked up to me.
15:06His eyes showed obsessive madness.
15:08I know you still want me.
15:09Otherwise, why would you come back?
15:11Claire, if you're willing, I'll divorce Grace right now.
15:15We can go back to how things were.
15:17Okay?
15:18How could you find someone else behind my back?
15:21Do you think that's fair to me?
15:22His words were like delusional nonsense.
15:25I was done listening.
15:26I tugged Lucas' arm.
15:28Honey, let's go.
15:29I think he's sick.
15:31Lucas squeezed my hand and looked at Ethan coldly.
15:33Ethan, back off.
15:36She's my wife now.
15:38Keep harassing her and I won't be polite.
15:41Ethan tried to block us.
15:42Lucas' look made him step back.
15:45In the car, it was quiet.
15:46Just the soft sound of air from the vents.
15:48I looked at Lucas' hands on the steering wheel.
15:51Long fingers.
15:52Suddenly, I felt the urge to ask.
15:53Don't you want to know what happened between me and Ethan?
15:56Lucas paused, glanced at me, his eyes gentle.
15:59I only know he hurt you.
16:00I don't care about the details.
16:02He reached over and ruffled my hair.
16:04The past is past.
16:06I just need you to be okay now.
16:07The words were like warm water,
16:09slowly poured over the scabbed wounds in my heart.
16:12My nose stung, eyes burned, but I wasn't sad.
16:15I used to beg Ethan to listen, to believe me,
16:18but he never did.
16:19Yet Lucas, he didn't even ask.
16:21He just stood firmly by my side.
16:23That feeling of being trusted, of being valued,
16:26I'd never felt that from Ethan.
16:27I held his hand tight, feeling the warmth of his palm.
16:30I thought back to the first time I met Lucas abroad.
16:33I'd just had my second leg surgery and was still limping,
16:36living in a quiet little town.
16:37He was a visiting professor at the local hospital.
16:40We met by chance.
16:41I fell in the park and he helped me up.
16:43After that, he'd come by my apartment building,
16:45sometimes brought daisies,
16:46sometimes brought warm food,
16:48he never pressed me to talk about my past,
16:50never forced me to respond.
16:51At first, I kept refusing.
16:53Ten years of love, from passionate to brutal.
16:56I was too scared to trust anyone, especially men.
16:59I was afraid of being abandoned again,
17:01afraid the gentleness was fake,
17:03but he never gave up.
17:04When nightmares woke me up crying at night,
17:06he'd comfort me softly through the door.
17:08When I didn't want to talk,
17:09he'd sit quietly beside me with a book.
17:11He'd stay there all afternoon.
17:13When checkups left my leg too painful to walk,
17:16he'd push the wheelchair without complaining.
17:18What really made me open up
17:20was when my old injury flared up.
17:22I had a high fever that wouldn't break.
17:24Half conscious,
17:24I felt someone sitting by the bed,
17:26wiping my forehead,
17:27giving me water,
17:29humming an off-key tune.
17:30When I woke up,
17:31Lucas was asleep against the bed,
17:32eyes bloodshot.
17:33That moment,
17:34my defenses crumbled completely.
17:36I knew this man really wanted to be good to me.
17:38The car rolled smoothly down the highway.
17:41Lucas suddenly spoke.
17:42If you don't want to,
17:43we don't have to see those relatives.
17:44We can book flights back right now.
17:45I shook my head.
17:47It's fine.
17:48I want to meet them.
17:49With him beside me,
17:50the people and things that used to suffer me
17:52didn't seem so scary anymore.
17:54I wasn't the Claire I was three years ago,
17:57the one who could only endure in silence.
17:59On Christmas Eve,
18:00Lucas took me to the Blackwood family estate.
18:02It was supposed to be a family gathering,
18:04really just some distant relatives and close friends.
18:07We walked through the door.
18:08The living room was noisy.
18:10Talking and laughter mixed together all around.
18:13Everyone looked up when we walked in.
18:15Then it went quiet for a few seconds.
18:17Ethan sat in the middle of the couch,
18:19saw my hand in Lucas's.
18:20His face went dark immediately.
18:22I felt nothing inside.
18:24Not angry,
18:25not embarrassed.
18:25I just looked him straight in the eyes calmly,
18:28then looked away.
18:29Mrs. Blackwood came out of the kitchen.
18:31She saw me and froze.
18:33Surprise flashed in her eyes.
18:34Then she went calm again.
18:36You're here.
18:37I knew she never liked me.
18:39If Ethan hadn't insisted on marrying me back then,
18:41I would have never stepped foot inside the Blackwood house.
18:44This kind of attitude actually felt comfortable.
18:47No fake small talk.
18:48At dinner,
18:49everyone sat around the table.
18:50I could feel eyes glued to me.
18:52I didn't even need to look to know it was Ethan.
18:54Dishes came out one by one.
18:56When a plate of shrimp got set in the middle,
18:58Ethan practically lunged for one.
19:00He started peeling it expertly.
19:02He worked fast and removed the head and shell,
19:04then held the meat out to me.
19:06Used to love these.
19:08Try it.
19:09Still made the way you like.
19:10Before I could react,
19:11Lucas's hand blocked it.
19:12She's allergic to seafood.
19:14Didn't you know?
19:15Ethan's hand froze midair.
19:17His expression shifted.
19:18First shock,
19:19then deep regret.
19:20My mind drifted back to three years ago,
19:22right after my miscarriage,
19:24when I was still in the hospital.
19:25I was weak,
19:26with no appetite.
19:27Ethan tried to clear his schedule to take care of me.
19:30One night,
19:30he came to my room late,
19:32carrying a container of soup.
19:34Had a sudden meeting.
19:35Sorry I'm late.
19:37I didn't think much of it back then.
19:38I just worried he'd wear himself out,
19:40running back and forth.
19:41Not long after that,
19:42my whole body broke out in hives.
19:44I couldn't breathe.
19:45I had to go to emergency care.
19:47Seafood allergy was really severe.
19:48If it had been any later,
19:49she would have been in real danger.
19:51After that,
19:52Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
19:53His head was buried in the blanket.
19:55I'm sorry.
19:56I'm so sorry.
19:58I was too busy.
20:00Forgot about your allergy.
20:01I just thought the soup place tasted good.
20:03So I brought some.
20:05I believed him back then.
20:06Felt bad for how hard he was working.
20:09Comforted him instead.
20:10Said it was fine.
20:11Just an accident.
20:12Later,
20:13I found out from someone else.
20:14He wasn't busy that day.
20:16He was celebrating Grace's birthday.
20:18That soup place was Grace's favorite.
20:21He bought it for Grace
20:22and got me some on the side.
20:24He'd completely forgotten about my allergy.
20:27Honey,
20:27did you remember wrong?
20:30Grace's voice pulled me back.
20:32She wore a soft smile,
20:33but jealousy burned in her eyes.
20:35She reached out to take Ethan's arm,
20:38but he dodged her hand instinctively.
20:40He put down his fork,
20:41stood up.
20:42I'm done eating.
20:45Grace's hand hung in the air.
20:47Hurt and anger flashed in her eyes,
20:49but she didn't dare show it.
20:50Just watched Ethan turn and walk out.
20:52Dinner ended in a weird atmosphere.
20:55Lucas didn't want me tired.
20:56Took me upstairs to rest early.
20:58The guest room was quiet.
21:00The bedding smelled like sun-dried laundry.
21:02But lying there,
21:03I couldn't sleep.
21:04I wanted to go for a walk,
21:06but heard arguing from a room downstairs.
21:09Grace's voice came through,
21:10crying and accusing.
21:12Ethan!
21:13Tell me the truth!
21:15Do you still have feelings for Claire?
21:18The way you looked at her!
21:19How you peeled shrimp for her!
21:21You never forgot her at all!
21:23My feet stopped.
21:25Can you stop making things up?
21:28Claire and I are over.
21:29Over?
21:29Grace's voice shot up.
21:31Over?
21:31But you remember she likes shrimp
21:33and forgot I mentioned wanting cake yesterday?
21:35Over,
21:36but you dodged my hand
21:37and can't stop thinking about her?
21:39Ethan,
21:40put your hand on your heart.
21:41Are you only with me out of guilt?
21:43Guilt?
21:43I laughed internally.
21:45Back then,
21:45he did such cruel things to me for Grace's sake.
21:47Now he says it's guilt?
21:49If you hadn't seduced me,
21:50pushed me harder,
21:51would I be here today?
21:53Ethan's voice was full of rage.
21:54I admit I couldn't resist temptation,
21:56but don't act so innocent.
21:58Back then,
21:59what I took for betrayal
22:00was just him succumbing to his desires,
22:02and Grace's so-called true love
22:04was nothing but a calculated ploy to get him.
22:07I couldn't stop thinking about
22:08what I'd seen outside Grace's office,
22:10those vile texts,
22:11the way he'd sent me to that fight club
22:13just to keep Grace safe.
22:14Back then,
22:15I'd hated him for his cruelty,
22:17for his betrayal.
22:18I'd hated that I'd wasted 10 years on the wrong man,
22:20but hearing all this now,
22:22I only felt sorry for my foolish younger self,
22:24to pour all that courage and devotion
22:26on such a weak and selfish man.
22:29He never truly loved anyone,
22:30only himself.
22:31When he married me,
22:32and cut ties with his family,
22:34it had only been impulse,
22:36and fleeting novelty.
22:37Later,
22:38he chose Grace because he couldn't resist temptation,
22:40or perhaps Grace simply fed his vanity better.
22:43Now that he saw I was thriving,
22:44he wanted to drag me back.
22:46He just couldn't stand his former possession
22:48belonging to someone else.
22:49I seduced you?
22:50I ruined my hands for you,
22:52my reputation,
22:54and now you're saying this to me?
22:56Ethan, you're heartless!
22:58Heartless?
22:59You threw yourself at me,
23:00and now you're blaming me?
23:02If you hadn't come on to me all those years ago,
23:04Claire and I would never have gotten divorced.
23:06I stopped listening after that.
23:08Turned around,
23:09walked back upstairs without a sound.
23:11Three days.
23:11That's how long we stayed.
23:12Ethan's stares across every meal,
23:15Grace's soft smiles that never reached her eyes.
23:17The whole house watching,
23:19waiting for me to crack.
23:20I didn't.
23:21Lucas was there.
23:22That was enough.
23:22Back in the room that first night,
23:24Lucas was still in the same position,
23:26sleeping deeply.
23:27I slipped in beside him.
23:28He pulled me close without waking up,
23:30like muscle memory,
23:31like I was something he didn't want to lose
23:33even in his sleep.
23:34I closed my eyes.
23:35Downstairs, they were still at it.
23:37Didn't matter.
23:38That world wasn't mine anymore.
23:39But Lucas was awake.
23:40I didn't know it then.
23:42He'd heard everything.
23:43Not the argument.
23:44Not the shouting.
23:45He'd heard me stop walking in the hallway.
23:47Heard the exact moment I chose to turn away.
23:49He lay still,
23:50eyes open in the dark,
23:51thinking about a bowl of seafood soup,
23:53a hospital room,
23:54a woman covered in hives
23:55who almost didn't make it,
23:57and a surgeon who had been her doctor.
24:01He thought about that for a long time.
Comments