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No One Is Irreplaceable - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
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Short filmTranscript
00:02The first year of Ethan and my best friend Lily's business arrangement.
00:07Ethan threw himself off a third floor balcony, broke his leg, and still managed to swear
00:12to his parents.
00:13Claire is the only person I'll ever love.
00:17Lily held me while I cried all night, never leaving my side.
00:21Claire, don't worry.
00:23Once we're in charge, I'll give Ethan back to you.
00:27I'll keep an eye on him.
00:30I won't let him hurt you.
00:31Everyone said I was lucky.
00:33A boyfriend who loved me to the bone, and a best friend who felt like family.
00:37But five years later, I slid Lily's pregnancy report across the table to Ethan.
00:41Lily is my fiancé.
00:42Her being pregnant is perfectly normal.
00:48Don't play these games to get my attention again, understand?
00:51Five years of fighting.
00:52Five years of screaming.
00:57Ethan, you always told me to wait!
00:59I waited five years!
01:01And this is what I got?
01:03I'm done wasting my time on you.
01:05We're over!
01:07Saw the suitcase I'd already packed.
01:09Dropped onto the couch like he had all the time in the world.
01:13You packed pretty fast.
01:15But I bought everything in there.
01:17You sure it's yours to take?
01:20Claire, can you even survive without me?
01:22Just like every time before, over five years, I'd always back down.
01:27Lily spent the best years of my life on me.
01:29I can't betray her.
01:31Ethan gave Lily his warmth, his kisses, his body.
01:35The glaring photos of them in bed were like countless sharp knives,
01:38stabbing me raw and bloody.
01:39But before I could even say a word, he'd always come rushing back.
01:48Baby!
01:49Lily said she'd never experienced intimacy!
01:51I just wanted to give her something.
01:53Just once, I swear!
01:54That means nothing!
01:55I believed him.
01:57But what I received were increasingly explicit videos of their intimate moments.
02:01I couldn't take his betrayal.
02:02I screamed at him, hit him, fell apart.
02:05That even got him hospitalized.
02:07I'd said breakup countless times.
02:09His attitude changed from initial panic and helplessness to increasing indifference.
02:19I don't want any of your things.
02:22No one in this world can't live without someone else.
02:33Lily, why are you here?
02:39This place is a mess.
02:42She stumbled.
02:43Ethan grabbed her hand right in front of me, matching wedding bands.
02:50I'm so sorry.
02:52Today's my prenatal appointment.
02:53I'm sorry to interrupt.
02:55After today, I'll have him come see you, okay?
02:59She's rabid right now, biting everyone she can reach.
03:01Why are you explaining anything to her?
03:03I have no interest in seeing her.
03:05Let her stand there and wait.
03:11I picked up my things and went to the hospital.
03:14Ethan, who couldn't stand dirt or mess, was crouched on the floor, gently massaging Lily's calves.
03:22Focused, like he was holding something priceless.
03:24I wasn't trying to watch.
03:25I turned and headed toward my department.
03:28I didn't expect Lily to be waiting for me in the hallway.
03:30When she saw me, Claire, while I'm pregnant, can you please stop seeing Ethan?
03:34The baby still needs its father around.
03:36You love Ethan so much.
03:37You wouldn't want something to happen to his child, would you?
03:39She pulled out a thick envelope of cash, right there in the hallway.
03:43In front of everyone, she pushed it into my arms.
03:49Consider this your compensation.
03:51I heard someone call me a whore.
03:53Claire!
03:54Lily heard it too.
03:55I'm sorry, Claire.
03:56I didn't mean for it to come out like that.
04:01Just keep your distance from Ethan for now.
04:03The baby needs its father.
04:09Lily.
04:10You've been playing this for years.
04:12You got what you wanted.
04:14Are you happy now?
04:19Claire, I said the wrong thing.
04:21Please don't be angry.
04:25You hit a pregnant woman.
04:27What is wrong with you?
04:31Get on your knees and apologize to Lily.
04:34Or I promise you, I won't let this go.
04:38For the thousandth time, Ethan took her side without asking a single question.
04:43Before, I would have fought back.
04:45Demanded the truth.
04:46Stayed until I'd proven I did nothing wrong.
04:49But now I just felt tired.
04:51Lily knew me well enough.
04:52Before I said a word, she tugged at Ethan's sleeve.
04:56Please don't talk to Claire like that.
04:59I tripped.
05:00It was my fault.
05:03You don't need to protect her.
05:06You both know what she's like.
05:08Claire, if you want to walk out of here,
05:09you better apologize to Lily.
05:11Right now!
05:14Check the footage.
05:15You'll see what happened.
05:25You think you can just walk away after hurting Lily?
05:29Ethan, stop it!
05:30I told you I fell!
05:33Let go of her, please!
05:35My scalp felt like it was tearing.
05:37I kept my expression tight.
05:40The man who used to panic over a paper cut on my hand
05:43was looking at me now like I was nothing.
05:45Stop being dramatic.
05:47You're not some delicate thing like Lily.
05:50You can handle a little pain.
06:00That face, familiar and unrecognizable at the same time,
06:05made my vision blur.
06:0618 years old.
06:07He was reckless back then.
06:09Made enemies.
06:10Got himself in trouble.
06:12I took a knife meant for him.
06:27I won't apologize for something I didn't do.
06:30Ethan, that's enough.
06:32I choked out the words and reached for me.
06:33Ethan moved her behind him.
06:35Then his palm came across my face.
06:37Lily went still.
06:38The crying stopped.
06:39She threw herself over me.
06:41Ethan didn't care.
06:42He pulled her into his arms.
06:44Gently.
06:44Like she was the one who'd been hit.
06:46His eyes passed over the red mark blooming on my face.
06:50I'm warning you for the last time.
06:51What happened between us,
06:52it's on both of us for what we did to Lily.
06:54You want to be angry?
06:55Take it out on me.
06:56But if you ever touch Lily again,
06:58you will pay for it a thousand times over!
07:00I dragged myself off the floor.
07:02You gave yourself to her.
07:04I hid him back.
07:05What exactly do I owe her?
07:07I didn't wait for the rest.
07:09Lay down on the bed.
07:11Couldn't sleep.
07:14A text from Lily.
07:15I didn't reply.
07:20Hey.
07:22I'm at the airport.
07:23I'll be in the city soon.
07:24My old colleague from grad school had reached out.
07:27A strong research opportunity, he said.
07:30Did I want in?
07:31Once, I was the person people talked about.
07:34Sharp.
07:35Ambitious.
07:36Going places.
07:37I gave all of that up for Ethan.
07:40Waited for the future he promised.
07:42But just as I was about to board...
07:52Miss Claire.
07:53I thought you had some sense.
07:56I didn't expect you was on Lily.
07:59You did something wrong.
08:01There are consequences.
08:02Lily stood just behind her.
08:04She didn't look surprised.
08:06She looked away.
08:08Her lips moved.
08:09Barely.
08:10She was saying,
08:11I'm sorry, Claire.
08:12You wouldn't let Ethan go.
08:13I had no other choice.
08:15Please don't hate me.
08:16The security men shoved me to the floor.
08:19Something went out of me all at once.
08:20I actually thought Lily was my best friend.
08:23I had no idea she'd do this.
08:25Again and again.
08:27Ethan's mother had a butler bring in a long leather whip.
08:30This is how this family handles problems.
08:33That it's being used on you is almost an honor.
08:38I wrestled out from under the hands pinning me down.
08:40Ethan and I are already broken up.
08:42Can't take responsibility for what you did, so you're making things up.
08:46You've gotten used to doing whatever you want.
08:49A little discipline, it's good for everyone.
08:54They dragged me into this twisted situation, both of them.
08:57Ethan, I said we're done.
08:59Are you deaf?
09:01No matter what I said, they looked straight through me.
09:04Women like you, the second you get a taste of money, you never let go.
09:09Break up?
09:10Who do you think you're fooling?
09:12She gave the order.
09:14The first blow landed across my back.
09:17The pain turned my vision white.
09:19My whole body was cold sweat.
09:21My face twisted.
09:23Lily had gone pale.
09:25Something tore loose inside me.
09:27Iron filled my mouth.
09:29A mouthful of blood hit the floor.
09:31Lily threw herself in front of me, crying.
09:34Lily!
09:35What are you doing?
09:37Don't you dare take a hit for her.
09:38She's not worth it.
09:39When Ethan looked at me, there was something in his face I hadn't expected.
09:43Resentment.
09:44Ethan picked up the whip.
09:45He brought it down across my already ruined back.
09:48Why can't you just be still for once?
09:50Lily is pregnant.
09:52She can't take the stress.
09:53I thought once the pain was bad enough, it would go numb.
09:56But when Ethan's hand came down on wounds that were already bleeding, I felt something deeper than my body break.
10:02His eyes were red.
10:04He raised the whip again.
10:05Claire, I swear I'm just...
10:06Lily clamped her hand over his mouth before he finished.
10:09He was going to say he regretted ever loving me.
10:12I let out a quiet, following a laugh.
10:14Ethan shoved me into a car.
10:16He was going to keep me locked up.
10:34I held the pain back.
10:35He stumbled to the floor-to-ceiling window.
10:42What, you going to pull the suicide card now?
10:44You're not a kid, Claire.
10:48Ethan, I regret ever loving you.
10:51If this is what it takes to cut you out of my life, then fine.
10:56You don't get to say that.
10:57Lily and I sacrifice so much for you.
10:59You don't get to give up.
11:01It's my life.
11:03I get to decide.
11:06I jumped.
11:08The last thing I saw was the panic on Ethan's face.
11:11Claire, don't!
11:35Ethan, are you out of your mind?
11:38Get back from there!
11:47What happened?
11:50You said you were going to keep her here.
11:53Where's Claire?
11:55Ethan turned his head.
11:56Claire's gone.
12:07You're joking, right?
12:08Claire is tough.
12:10She wouldn't actually do it.
12:12Ethan, you're trying to scare me, aren't you?
12:16You're trying to scare me, aren't you?
12:19We both did this.
12:22We drove her to it.
12:28No.
12:30No, that's not true.
12:32Claire was her best friend.
12:35How could she have driven Claire to this?
12:45We've both been played.
12:47Ethan, think about it.
12:49Claire can swim.
12:51Don't you remember?
12:53She's doing this to force us apart.
13:00Call people.
13:02We have to find her.
13:04We can't let her win.
13:15Ethan put out the word and sent people into the water.
13:27Ethan put out the word and sent people into the water.
13:33We've been searching every day for a month.
13:36The longer it went, the less hope there was.
13:42My face floated up in his mind.
13:45Maybe she was never coming back.
13:47That thought spread through him like something infectious.
13:50All those years, he'd kept himself between two women.
14:02I'm still carrying your child.
14:05Can you please control yourself?
14:08Ethan's gaze dropped to her stomach.
14:11The small, visible curve.
14:16Lily, after the baby comes, I don't want to see you again.
14:19I'll give you whatever you need, but don't come back.
14:24Because if Claire comes home and sees you, she won't like it.
14:28Lily's face drained white.
14:30She'd spent the past weeks accepting that Claire wasn't coming back.
14:34She'd already started making arrangements.
14:37Why?
14:37We worked so hard to get here.
14:39The baby needs both of us.
14:42Do you remember what you are?
14:44You were her best friend.
14:45I was her boyfriend.
14:46What exactly do you think I'm going to build with you?
14:54Don't say another word.
14:56After the baby, I'm dissolving the engagement.
14:58Both families will be told.
15:01My wife's name was always going to be Claire's.
15:03I failed her.
15:09When she comes back, I'll spend whatever time I have making it up to her.
15:14Lily pressed her lips together and said nothing.
15:16But she made calls in the dark.
15:19Quietly worked to pull back the people Ethan had sent to find me.
15:23Claire, I'm sorry.
15:25But you're gone.
15:25I still have to think about my own future.
15:28I hope you can forgive me.
15:30Would you stop eating my food?
15:41Okay, okay.
15:42I'm done.
15:43Happy?
15:46You can't eat heavy food right now.
15:48It's bad for your recovery.
15:50Do you want to end up back in the hospital?
15:53I met his glare and looked down, appropriately chastened.
15:56Fine.
15:57I get it.
15:58You don't have to lecture me.
16:00He finally let it go and left the room.
16:03I stretched out on the bed and stared out the window.
16:07Three years ago, when I jumped from that beach house, I'd already pressed the emergency
16:11locator on my watch.
16:14Something he and I had built together back in grad school.
16:17It let him know where I was at any time.
16:21After I hit the water, he tracked the signal and pulled me out.
16:31But my body had taken a serious amount of damage.
16:35I spent a year in the hospital before they let me go.
16:38To cheer me up, he made a habit of finding out what Ethan and Lily were up to and reporting
16:43back.
16:46Ethan kept searching for me.
16:48Lily's people kept quietly blocking the search.
16:50Ethan found out.
16:52They had a bad fight.
16:53During the struggle, Lily's stomach hit the corner of a table.
16:57Seven months along, the baby didn't make it.
17:01Lily lost any chance of having children.
17:16After that, Ethan cut the engagement completely.
17:19Made it official with both families.
17:25His mother nearly had a breakdown.
17:27Two people who'd been hiding their love from me for years.
17:30Sneaking around behind my back.
17:33After I was gone, they fell apart on their own.
17:37Ha!
17:38Two people who betrayed everything they were given.
17:50Keep it down.
17:51The professor is still asleep.
17:53Honestly, when I heard all of it, I felt nothing.
17:57What they liked was the thrill of it.
17:59The secrecy.
18:00The fact that I was right there and didn't know.
18:03Once I was gone, there was nothing left to burn.
18:08Eventually, my body healed enough.
18:10Once I had something to focus on, the past started to feel like it happened to someone
18:15else.
18:15The university had a large formal event.
18:18Our professor didn't want to go and shoved us out of the lab to attend in his place.
18:23He sends us out because he doesn't want to be here and doesn't even make sure we get
18:27fed properly.
18:28Unbelievable.
18:35There's a full spread right in front of you and you're still complaining?
18:39I'm looking out for you.
18:40You can't survive on this kind of food.
18:42Was actually holding one out toward my mouth when Ethan appeared out of nowhere.
19:06He still didn't hear it or he didn't care.
19:09He pulled me in closer.
19:10I've been looking for you for so long.
19:12Claire, I'm not letting you go anywhere.
19:14Not again.
19:15Before I could say anything, Ethan made a sharp sound and went down.
19:19Don't touch her with your filthy hands.
19:20You don't deserve to.
19:23Who do you think you are?
19:25Claire is my girlfriend.
19:26This has nothing to do with you.
19:28People around us had started to look.
19:30I wasn't interested in making a scene.
19:32I picked up a glass of wine and threw it in Ethan's face.
19:35If you haven't lost your mind completely, you'll remember we broke up a long time ago.
19:39Ethan stared at our hands.
19:41Because of him?
19:43What is he to you?
19:45I said it clearly, one word at a time.
19:49None of your business.
19:50You don't have the right to ask me anything.
19:53Ethan?
19:54Something collapsed behind his eyes.
19:56I walked out of the event with my colleague and found a pharmacy nearby.
20:02I carefully cleaned the red mark on his hand.
20:04He grinned like an idiot.
20:07What are you smiling at?
20:08We're going to hear about this from the professor.
20:10He shrugged it off.
20:12Ran his thumb lightly across the back of my hand.
20:14I never liked that guy.
20:16But you were set on him, so there was nothing I could do.
20:20Now I finally got to do something about it.
20:23I'm glad, Claire.
20:24His eyes were bright.
20:25Only one thing in them.
20:27Me.
20:28My throat went tight.
20:29Idiot.
20:30I let all of that go a long time ago.
20:32He tightened his hand around mine.
20:34He held my gaze.
20:34But I didn't.
20:35His ears went red.
20:37He didn't look away.
20:38Quiet, but certain.
20:39I didn't let it go.
20:40Something in me that had been still for a long time started to move.
20:44Just as he was slowly leaning in, a voice came from behind us.
20:47Claire, can we talk?
20:49She was standing under a streetlight.
20:51I didn't want to say yes, but something in her eyes stopped me.
20:55I nodded.
20:57Inside the coffee shop, she wrapped both hands around her cup and didn't speak for a long time.
21:02I thought the three of us would be in each other's lives forever.
21:05When I first found out what they'd done, I was hurt.
21:08But a bigger part of me wanted to step aside for them.
21:11It was Lily who couldn't stand being seen as the one who betrayed her.
21:15So she kept promising me it meant nothing.
21:17That she just wanted to know what a normal relationship felt like.
21:21And she kept sending me those videos anyway.
21:24Over and over.
21:25Pushing at me.
21:27Testing me.
21:28She wore away every good thing I'd kept for her.
21:31If you don't have anything to say, I'm leaving.
21:33Lily grabbed my hand in a panic.
21:35Under my flat stare, her grip loosened.
21:38She let go.
21:40Claire.
21:41I'm sorry.
21:42I just needed to say it once.
21:44I'm sorry.
21:45Her eyes moved to my face.
21:46Are you feeling better?
21:47Are you okay?
21:49I nodded once.
21:50And turned to go.
21:51Her voice followed me.
21:53Is that man your boyfriend now?
21:55Does he love you?
21:56Not yet.
21:58But he loves me.
21:59I'm glad, Claire.
22:00I really am.
22:02You deserve to be happy.
22:04She said it like we were still close.
22:06Like nothing had happened.
22:07We both knew better.
22:09The day we were heading back to the city, Ethan showed up somehow.
22:13Claire, are you leaving again?
22:14Ethan.
22:16I gave everything I had to that relationship.
22:18I never did anything to deserve what you did to me.
22:22So why did you keep hurting me?
22:24He opened his mouth.
22:25Lily and I are done.
22:26We have been for a long time.
22:28Claire, I just want to make it right.
22:29Let me make it right.
22:31Come back.
22:32He dug through his bag.
22:33The one he'd thrown in the trash.
22:35I kept it.
22:37Claire, can we start over?
22:38I picked it up and dropped it into the drain at my feet.
22:42Every time I look at you, all I see is everything that hurt me.
22:45If you have even a little bit of conscience left, stay out of my life.
22:49I walked away and walked forward.
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