- il y a 1 jour
New Orc Love Fu
Catégorie
🎥
Court métrageTranscription
00:00Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground beast trade
00:06back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and without even needing to
00:12say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed in the blink
00:18of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like me he would at least feel
00:23grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him
00:30talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always so cold
00:37to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize it good
00:44then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella
00:49right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special a dull ache spread
00:55through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years
00:59quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again
01:06I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but
01:11now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all
01:17I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of
01:22my own insecurity swallow me home
01:23the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a
01:29glance before turning toward his bedroom
01:31I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
01:35trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation
01:41don't touch me
01:41it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears
01:46even after I had taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years
01:51a bitter laugh slipped out of me
01:53so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously
01:57I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor
02:02by the time I looked up again I was alone in the living room
02:05my thoughts drifted as they always did
02:07back to high school and the annual fall homecoming carnival
02:10I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard
02:15Brian, will you come to the carnival with me this year?
02:18he'd lift his head out of the pool, water dripping from his hair
02:21no
02:22but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them
02:24no
02:25if you want someone to go with you, go adopt another one from the shelter
02:29so every year, I went alone
02:31I would stand off to the side
02:33watching Logan, who had the exact same face as Brian
02:36yet always wore the gentlest smile
02:39he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask
02:42Isabella, do you want that teddy bear?
02:44she'd nod with a bright smile
02:46rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears
02:48and Logan would always bend down for her
02:50patient and indulgent
02:52I watched him like a thief
02:53quietly craving the life Isabella had
02:56but one time, Chase and a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass
02:59his voice was dripping with mockery
03:01well, look who it is
03:03Emma, a straight-A nerd
03:05where's your little bee skin?
03:06didn't feel like coming out with you?
03:08one of his friends snickered
03:09her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves, right?
03:13the older one ended up with the prom queen
03:15and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling
03:17I refused to back down
03:18gritting my teeth
03:19I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face
03:23he went down hard
03:24before he could even react
03:25Chase lunged at me
03:27trying to fight back
03:28but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him
03:30until someone finally pulled me off
03:31the end result was predictable
03:33all of us were called into the principal's office
03:35I thought my mom would be on my side
03:37instead, right in front of the principal and Chase
03:39she sighed in annoyance
03:40honestly?
03:41what were you thinking?
03:42they weren't even wrong
03:43why would you hit someone over that?
03:44I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat
03:46mom, I said
03:47barely above a whisper
03:48she acted like she didn't hear me
03:50let's be real
03:50she went on
03:51you're not exactly pretty
03:52and now you've got this terrible temper too
03:54even the bee skin you raise
03:55doesn't care about you
03:56I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you
03:58sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead
04:01that night
04:01I cried my eyes out in Central Park
04:03when I finally went home
04:04my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face
04:07that'd be cool
04:07I'd be having something that's awkward
04:09he said
04:09I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep
04:12my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again
04:15when I pushed the door open
04:17I realized it was already dusk
04:18Brian was out
04:19but his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment
04:22I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
04:25then started packing up everything that belonged to me
04:26there wasn't much really
04:27after I got into college at 18
04:29I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly
04:32so I took him with me
04:33at my poorest
04:35I could only afford a run-down studio apartment
04:37he slept on the bed
04:38and I took the couch
04:39Brian was well over 6 feet tall
04:41and he would bump his head
04:42every time he walked through the low doorway
04:44so I worked non-stop
04:45picking up every part-time job I could find
04:47until I finally saved enough for a down payment
04:50on a small 2-bedroom townhouse
04:52love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything
04:54so I bought Brian more things than he could ever need
04:57I never once considered that he didn't want any of it
04:59this time I decided to give him what he actually wanted
05:02freedom
05:02after I finished packing
05:03I walked out of the home Brian and I had shared
05:06the next morning
05:06when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs
05:09asked me for the third time
05:10if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian
05:12I still nodded
05:13when a human dissolves a bond unilaterally
05:15financial compensation is required
05:17I left the townhouse to him
05:19at the office
05:20Emily handed me the bond termination certificate
05:22then hesitated before asking
05:24Miss Emma
05:24would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person
05:26or should we mail it on your behalf
05:28I took out the letter I had rewritten over and over again the night before
05:31please mail it to him
05:32I said
05:32and include this
05:33there were only two sentences in the letter
05:35I am sorry Brian
05:37I took you away without your consent
05:38so this time
05:39I am giving your freedom back to you
05:41I walked out of City Hall
05:42got into my car
05:43and left Los Angeles behind
05:45my new life would begin in Florida
05:47somewhere by the ocean
05:48waiting for warmer days ahead
05:49since my new job was as a lecturer
05:51at a university in Miami
05:52I rented a small beach house with a yard
05:54the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask
05:59the orange glow of the sunset was just right
06:01soft and beautiful
06:02I took a photo
06:03then out of habit opened my iMessage chat with Brian
06:05scrolling up
06:06it was nothing but messages from me
06:08photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets
06:10strange shaped clouds in the sky
06:12the slow growth of a sunflower
06:13he rarely replied
06:14most of the time
06:15all I ever got back was a short dismissive
06:18yeah
06:18the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth
06:21I had asked him
06:22where are you
06:23I can come pick you up
06:24he never replied
06:25by then
06:26he must have already received the bond termination certificate
06:29and still
06:29he could not even bring himself to say goodbye
06:31all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache
06:34after thinking it over
06:35I realized my new life should not be tied to the past
06:38so I changed my phone number
06:39deleted my old Instagram
06:40and created a new account
06:42I packed my schedule as full as possible
06:44just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep
06:46some of the more outgoing college girls
06:48like to chat with me between classes
06:50Professor Emma
06:51why do you always wear a mask on campus
06:53because I'm not very pretty
06:55who said that
06:55oh my god
06:56I swear I will shut them up
06:58there is no such thing as an ugly girl
07:00she sounded completely sincere
07:02and the others around her nodded in agreement
07:04just as indignant
07:04I would laugh it off
07:06and smoothly change the subject
07:07soon enough
07:08they started talking about the beastkin they had at home
07:10then they asked me
07:11Professor
07:11what kind of beastkin do you have
07:13I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian
07:16so I gave them a simple answer
07:18he died
07:18they fell silent for a long moment
07:20until the bell rang
07:21and class began
07:22after that
07:22during my two weekly lectures
07:24students would often bring me little things
07:26a Starbucks latte
07:27a blueberry muffin
07:28or a bar of Hershey's chocolate
07:29I could never finish it all
07:30that was when I started thinking about the little fox beastkin on campus
07:34who survived by collecting recyclables
07:36beastkin were usually striking in appearance
07:38and fox beastkin were among the most beautiful of all
07:41but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face
07:44he was afraid of scaring the students
07:46so he only came out late at night
07:48that evening
07:48when I left the lab and went looking for him
07:50it started pouring
07:51out of nowhere
07:52a figure darted toward me
07:54a fluffy fox tail swaying behind him
07:56I called out softly
07:57hey
07:57little fox
07:58huh
07:59the young beastkin turned around and noticed me
08:01immediately lowering his head
08:02he quickly covered his face with his hands
08:04I'm sorry ma'am
08:06I must have misheard
08:07please don't mind me
08:08the autumn rain carried a sharp chill
08:09he was soaked through
08:10water dripping steadily from his clothes
08:12I looked at him and said gently
08:14you don't have to hide your face
08:15I've seen you around
08:16I have hot water and a dryer in my office
08:19come upstairs and get warmed up
08:20he hesitated
08:21then slowly lowered his hands and nodded
08:23thank you ma'am
08:23once we got into my office
08:25under the bright lights
08:26I realized how young he was
08:28around 18 or 19
08:29about the same age as my freshman
08:31while he was showering
08:32I went next door to the lab to ask about him
08:34my colleague Arthur
08:35was always eager to talk
08:37and he filled me in without hesitation
08:39that little fox is named Finn
08:41I heard he used to be incredibly good looking
08:43his former handler tried to sell him
08:45to the red light district
08:45in the underground beast trade
08:47he refused and even bit someone
08:49before escaping
08:49during the escape
08:50his face got slashed up
08:52when the people from the black market
08:53saw he was disfigured
08:54they beat him badly
08:56and threw him into the ocean
08:57lucky for him
08:58the university rowing team pulled him out
09:00since then
09:00he's been scraping by on campus
09:02selecting recyclables
09:03I asked
09:04where does he live
09:05there's a run down shed
09:06behind the hill on campus
09:07Arthur frowned slightly
09:08Emma
09:09I heard your beast can pass away
09:10you're not thinking about adopting him are you
09:12I bit down on the straw of my hot latte
09:14and didn't answer
09:15Arto's voice suddenly sharpened
09:17he looks like that
09:17who would want to adopt him
09:19his words overlapped with the voices from my past
09:21she looks so plain
09:22who would ever like her
09:23but why
09:24we have hearts too
09:25we want to love
09:26and be loved
09:26just the same
09:27I looked at Arthur and said quietly
09:29he is in ugly
09:30he's just been hurt
09:31and he's kind
09:32he's sweet
09:33I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby
09:36I've seen him donate his spare change to the beastkin protection agency
09:39so please
09:40don't say things like that about him again
09:41when I stepped out of Arthur's office
09:43I saw Finn standing in the hallway
09:45his blonde hair and tail were still damp
09:47his eyes were brimming with tears
09:48feeling a little awkward
09:50I changed the subject
09:51if it's hard to do it yourself
09:52I can help dry it
09:53I took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail
09:55then used a hair dryer to finish the job
09:57it was my first time drying a beastkin's tail
10:00and I was clumsy
10:00I accidentally hurt him more than once
10:02and kept apologizing
10:03Finn's face turned red
10:05it's okay
10:06I'm already very grateful to you
10:07when I finally finished
10:08I handed him a muffin
10:10and a latte
10:10he didn't take them
10:11after a long pause
10:12as if gathering all his courage
10:14he spoke again
10:15ma'am
10:15I don't eat much
10:16could you
10:17adopt me
10:18my hand froze mid-air
10:20Finn continued
10:21I know I'm not good looking
10:22but I can cook
10:23wash dishes
10:23mow the lawn
10:24I can get massages
10:25and I know how to grow roses
10:26I smiled
10:27then took off my mask
10:28and met his eyes
10:29but I'm not good looking either
10:30would you still choose me
10:31Finn gently reached out
10:33and touched my cheek
10:34his movements careful
10:35almost reverent
10:36you're very cute
10:37he said softly
10:39I want to go with you
10:40my eyes stung
10:42I blinked quickly
10:43holding back the tears
10:44and took his hand
10:44as we walked out of the lab building together
10:46the rain had stopped
10:47and just like that
10:48I chose a family for myself
10:50I completed the paperwork
10:51and adopted Finn
10:52just like he promised
10:53he did everything beautifully
10:55he kept the beach house spotless
10:56filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas
10:58and brought me hot
10:59home cooked lunches at the lab
11:01running those spectral analyses today
11:02nearly killed me
11:03Arthur said
11:04as he wandered in from next door
11:05shamelessly helping himself
11:07he took a big spoonful of beef stew
11:09and let out a low whistle
11:10damn
11:10Finn can cook
11:11this is incredible
11:12meanwhile
11:13the one at my place
11:14does nothing but curl up on the couch
11:15and watch Netflix
11:16honestly
11:17Arthur should have been grateful
11:19Brianne could not cook at all
11:20then again
11:21maybe he just never bothered
11:22to do anything like that for me
11:23that night
11:24I had the nightmare again
11:26a memory buried deep in my mind
11:28I was 17
11:29Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian
11:32to Universal Studios Orlando
11:34halfway through the day
11:35the park was hit by a sudden
11:36indiscriminate attack
11:37explosions erupted from every direction
11:40Logan shielded Isabella
11:41while I grabbed Brian's hand
11:43and ran for the exit
11:44we were near the eastern side of the park
11:46but the flying debris still cut into everyone
11:49we were only steps away from the exit
11:51when it was blown apart right in front of us
11:53at the time I had been running ahead
11:55and never noticed what happened in that instant
11:57but in the dream
11:58I saw it clearly
11:59both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation
12:03I was left alone
12:04collapsing into rubble and dust
12:06with no one caring whether I lived or died
12:08Logan and Brian were only relieved that Isabella was safe
12:11later
12:12I lay unconscious in the ICU for days
12:14my parents and Brian stayed by Isabella's side
12:17comforting her as she cried from the shock
12:19a voice echoed in my mind mocking me
12:21Emma see
12:22no one in this world loves you
12:24it came from everywhere
12:25repeating itself over and over
12:27surrounding me until I could not escape it
12:29in the dream
12:30my soul seemed to float above
12:32crouched down
12:33clutching my head as I tried to argue back
12:35that's not true
12:36that's not true
12:37then
12:38faintly
12:39someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward
12:41a voice said
12:42Emma
12:43that's not true
12:44everyone deserves to be loved
12:45I woke with a start
12:47the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside
12:49wiping the cold sweat from my forehead
12:52his face tight with worry
12:53when he saw my eyes open
12:54he finally let out a breath
12:56tears slipped down my face before I could stop them
12:59Finn
12:59can you hold me?
13:00he climbed onto the bed
13:01and pulled me into his arms
13:03I clung to him like a child
13:04pouring out everything I had been holding inside
13:06Finn gently patted my back
13:08murmuring soft reassurances
13:09I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone
13:12I did not have to worry about him brushing me off
13:15and disappearing into distractions
13:16and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference
13:20I want to hear a song
13:21I whispered
13:22Finn hummed softly
13:23you are my sunshine
13:24my only sunshine
13:25you make me happy when skies are grey
13:28with Finn taking care of me
13:29I started getting better
13:31little by little
13:32the sunlight was especially bright today
13:34Finn and I were in the backyard
13:35hanging sheets out to dry
13:37we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric
13:40the breeze lifting it between us
13:42then someone called my name from beyond the fence
13:44Emma
13:45I turned around
13:46Brian was standing there
13:47the hanger slipped from my hand
13:48and fell straight onto the grass
13:50Finn noticed the shift in my expression
13:52immediately
13:53and stepped in front of me without hesitation
13:55I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt
13:58it's okay
13:58I know him
13:59go take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen
14:01I just need a minute to talk to him
14:03we walked over to a wooden bench by the shore
14:05the ocean breeze tangled my hair
14:07I forced a small awkward smile
14:09it's been a while Brian
14:10he stared at me
14:11his voice cold
14:12who is that fox?
14:13my new fostered bee skin
14:14his tone was sharp
14:16though to be fair
14:16he had never exactly been gentle with me
14:18then what about me?
14:19we already dissolved our bond
14:21so you're throwing me away for that scarred freak?
14:24before I could stop myself
14:25I slapped him across the face
14:26do not talk about Finn like that
14:28shock filled his eyes
14:29Emma you said you would never abandon me
14:31but the one you've always wanted is Isabella
14:33isn't it?
14:34I'm just giving you what you wanted
14:35something seemed to click for him
14:36he grabbed my shoulders tightly
14:38so that day
14:39you heard it didn't you?
14:40so what if I did?
14:41I'm sorry
14:42he looked like he wanted to say more
14:43but I had no interest in hearing it
14:45I stood up and walked away
14:46I wandered along the beach without any real direction
14:48my phone buzzed
14:50it was an eye message from my college roommate
14:51Rachel
14:52Emma
14:52Isabella's getting engaged to her bee skin
14:54are you coming back to Los Angeles for the wedding?
14:56so that was it
14:57everything Brian had done suddenly made sense
14:59he just could not have the person he truly wanted
15:01he failed to take what he thought would save him
15:04at the same time
15:05he did not want to let go of the care I had given him all these years
15:08it was almost laughable
15:09I walked for a long time before heading back
15:11by the time I returned to the beach house
15:13Finn had already steamed the crabs
15:15and prepared several other dishes I loved
15:17he was pacing back and forth in the living room
15:19his hands nervously twisting together
15:21the moment I opened the door
15:22he rushed over and wrapped me in a tight hug
15:24his fluffy tail brushed anxiously against my arm
15:27you're back
15:28I'm back
15:28I thought
15:29I thought you were not coming back
15:30I reached down and gently stroked his tail to comfort him
15:33I'm not going anywhere
15:34don't overthink it
15:35but the way that Beastkin looked at you made me uneasy
15:37and he's very handsome
15:39his voice grew quieter with each word
15:41and tears slid down his cheeks
15:43I lifted my hand and cupped his face
15:45how about I give you a gift
15:46his fox ears twitched
15:48I rose onto my toes
15:49reaching toward them
15:50let me touch your ears
15:51and I'll tell you
15:52Finn obediently crouched down
15:54just like Logan used to years ago
15:55carefully
15:56I reached out and touched something
15:57that once felt completely out of reach
15:59Finn
16:00I said softly
16:01your face can be treated
16:02my insurance will cover part of it
16:04and I've saved enough to handle the rest
16:05he froze
16:06Emma
16:06are you going to fix my face
16:08and then leave with that Beastkin?
16:09I squeezed his tail lightly
16:11then leaned in close to his ear
16:12Finn
16:13when are you going to stop imagining the worst?
16:15the truth was
16:16I understood
16:16his insecurity ran deep
16:18rooted in something that would not disappear overnight
16:20so I would give him all the reassurance he needed
16:23suddenly
16:23Finn lowered his head
16:24and
16:25for the first time
16:26gently brushed his tongue against my neck
16:28I instinctively pushed him away
16:29why do you canine types all do that?
16:31Emma
16:31did he do that to you too?
16:32Finn's hands tightened
16:33then slowly relaxed
16:35as if he had calmed himself down
16:37it's okay
16:37as long as you're with me now
16:39I laughed and flicked his forehead
16:40he wouldn't even let me touch him
16:42he likes Isabella
16:43got it?
16:43that night
16:44Finn knocked on my bedroom door
16:46clutching a pillow
16:47can I sleep with you?
16:48I did not say no
16:49a fox tail is warm
16:50a fox bee skin is warm too
16:52wrapped in Finn's arms
16:53I finally let go of all the resentment
16:55and struggle I had carried
16:56through the first half of my life
16:58I did not go to Isabella's wedding
16:59I asked Rachel to send a Macy's gift card on my behalf
17:02Brian's appearance that day began to feel like something unreal
17:05like a passing illusion
17:06thankfully
17:06Finn's surgery
17:08at the best plastic surgery hospital in Miami
17:10was a complete success
17:12when I looked at his restored face
17:14I finally understood
17:15why his former handler had wanted to sell him to the red light district
17:18he really did have the kind of beauty that could drive people crazy
17:22deep
17:23mesmerizing buys
17:24a sharply defined nose
17:25perfectly shaped lips
17:27the breathtaking face that had once been hidden beneath scars
17:30had fully returned
17:31and maybe that was the problem
17:32he was too good looking
17:33so much so that
17:34standing next to him
17:35I could not help but feel like I did not belong
17:38Finn noticed my unease and asked carefully
17:40what's wrong?
17:41did something go wrong with the surgery?
17:42do you not like it?
17:43I reached up and rubbed his ears
17:44no
17:45you look amazing
17:46after he was discharged
17:47Finn still brought me lunch every day without fail
17:49at this point
17:50Arthur had progressed to openly offering to pay for meals
17:53just so Finn would bring an extra portion for him too
17:55that day
17:56a few seniors were in my office
17:58asking about joining my research group
17:59so the moment Finn walked in
18:01he was immediately surrounded by a room full of staring eyes
18:04after he shyly set down the lunchboxes and left
18:06Arthur was the first to break the silence
18:08holy crap
18:09is that really Finn?
18:10that's not just handsome
18:11that's ridiculous
18:12he looks like a Hollywood star
18:13once the professor started
18:15the students eagerly joined in
18:16professor Emma really has great taste
18:18seriously
18:19okay
18:19but imagine it from Finn's perspective
18:22he gets rescued at his lowest point
18:23if it were me
18:24I would fall in love with the professor too
18:26right?
18:27between the adoption and the surgery
18:29that must have cost a fortune
18:31wow
18:31this is basically a real life romance novel
18:33I cleared my throat lightly from the doorway
18:35the conversation instantly snapped back to research topics
18:38when I got off work
18:39Finn was waiting outside the lab building in my Ford
18:41he no longer kept his head down out of habit
18:43now he looked at me and smiled
18:45and when he smiled
18:46it felt like the Florida sunlight danced across his face
18:48and settled somewhere deep in my chest
18:50but when I looked at him
18:51I found myself growing quieter and quieter
18:53I never expected to run into Chase again
18:55he had started a tech company in Silicon Valley
18:57and came to our university's fall recruiting event
19:00to scout top graduates
19:01that day
19:02Finn happened to walk with me to campus
19:04Chase looked Finn up and down several times
19:06then did the same to me without any restraint
19:08well
19:08if it is my old classmate
19:10got yourself a new B-scan
19:11what happened?
19:12did Brian finally get tired of B-1 leave?
19:14I had no interest in engaging with him
19:16I grabbed Finn's hand and tried to walk past
19:18but Chase stepped closer to Finn
19:20such a pretty little fox
19:21must be tough being stuck with someone like Emma, huh?
19:24Finn shoved him away and said coldly
19:26sir
19:26do not make assumptions about other people's relationships
19:29I love her
19:30Chase only sneered
19:31his words turning even more vicious
19:33what do you mean assumptions?
19:35even her own mother does not like her
19:37said she is ugly
19:38and nowhere near as good as this power
19:39Emma knows it too
19:40always hiding behind a mask
19:42what could you possibly like about her?
19:44let me guess
19:44you are just after her money
19:46more and more students gathered around us
19:48I felt exposed
19:49like I had been stripped bare
19:51and dragged into the center of a public trial
19:53then
19:54in the next second
19:55Finn's fist slammed straight into Chase's face
19:58and knocked him flat onto the grass
20:00his voice shook with restrained anger
20:03I said I love her
20:04do you not understand English?
20:06his fist came down again
20:07hard
20:08and unrelenting
20:09just like the first time
20:10I had ever fought back
20:11against being judged for my appearance
20:13but back then
20:14my mother had scolded me for it
20:15so I started to doubt myself
20:17did being unattractive mean I deserved this kind of mockery?
20:20I tried again and again
20:21to make peace with myself
20:23only to be dragged back into this cruel judgment every time
20:26drowning in that deep ocean of insecurity
20:28struggling to breathe
20:29then suddenly
20:30a soft hand grabbed mine tightly
20:32what kind of nonsense are you spewing?
20:34you think you look that great?
20:35you look like a potato
20:36and still have the nerve to judge someone else?
20:38voices of support began rising all around me
20:40oh my god
20:41is he seriously body shaming her?
20:43what is wrong with him?
20:44how someone looks is none of his business
20:45he is obviously jealous
20:46total loser behavior
20:48I can speak on this
20:49I saw professor Emma without her mask once in the lab
20:51she looks like a cute girl next door
20:53not ugly at all
20:54I agree
20:54she taught me before
20:56she is incredibly kind
20:57and even brought us donuts during midterms
20:59great personality
21:00great presence
21:01this guy is just making things up
21:03guys
21:03this is not even about what she looks like
21:05the issue is that he is insulting someone's appearance in such a disgusting way
21:09he is just a terrible person
21:11stop talking and help break it up
21:13if Finn goes too far
21:14it will only hurt him
21:15a few fraternity guys finally rushed in
21:17under the pretense of separating them
21:18they managed to land a few solid kicks on Chase
21:21the girl holding my hand pulled me behind her
21:23we need to call campus security and get this trash off campus
21:26years later
21:26Chase and I found ourselves standing in an office again
21:29but this time
21:30behind me stood a group of students filled with a sense of justice
21:33and Finn
21:33unwavering at my side
21:35the university's vice president
21:37reviewed the surveillance footage
21:38after watching Chase smoke in the hallway
21:40and then come back to provoke us
21:42he turned on the staff in charge of recruiting
21:44have you all lost your minds?
21:46how did a company like this even get approved?
21:48revoke his recruiting privileges immediately
21:49his company is banned from any collaboration with our university
21:52get security to remove him from campus
21:54Chase's ingratiating expression
21:56instantly twisted
21:57on what grounds are you canceling me?
22:00he assaulted me
22:00I'm going to sue this university
22:02the vice president looked at him coldly
22:04because I am in charge of this recruitment event
22:06and I am the vice president of this university
22:09and we have one of the top three law schools in the country
22:11along with a legal team that has never lost a case
22:14he turned and walked away
22:15leaving one final sentence behind
22:17we will be expecting your lawyer's letter
22:19I wiped away my tears
22:20surrounded by kindness and support
22:22I finally felt like I could breathe again
22:23like I was truly alive
22:25that night
22:25Finn and I sat on the beach
22:27the waves rolled in
22:28again and again
22:29washing over our ankles
22:30before retreating back into the ocean
22:32I looked up at the star-filled Miami sky
22:34then turned to look at him
22:35he was already looking at me
22:36his gaze soft
22:37and full of warmth
22:39thank you Finn
22:39I said
22:40he pulled me into his arms
22:41then he kissed me
22:42the kiss lingered
22:43deep
22:44and unhurried
22:45even after it ended
22:46he did not let go
22:47his blue eyes stayed fixed on mine
22:49filled with an emotion
22:50that overflowed without restraint
22:52he said
22:53Emma
22:53I'm sorry I wasn't there for you growing up
22:55I should have been the one protecting you
22:57but now that I found you
22:58it's not too late
22:59Finn suddenly pulled out a small Tiffany box
23:01from behind his back
23:02like a magician revealing a trick
23:04happy birthday
23:05I opened it
23:06inside was a delicate pearl necklace
23:08where did you get the money for this?
23:10you give me a pretty generous allowance
23:12I saved most of it
23:13and invested in some tech stocks in cryptocurrency
23:15it paid off
23:16I laughed softly
23:18so you're secretly a Wall Street prodigy
23:20I can make money
23:21I can cook
23:21and I can take care of a home
23:23so
23:23he leaned closer
23:24his warm breath brushing against my neck
23:27Emma
23:27I love you
23:28will you give me a chance to be your boyfriend?
23:30I blinked at him
23:30stunned
23:31wait
23:32I thought we were already together
23:34you started sleeping in my bed
23:35remember?
23:36that night
23:36the little fox held me tightly
23:38kissing me over and over
23:40tireless and earnest
23:41his fluffy tail swaying so fast
23:43it felt like it might lift him off the ground
23:45after Finn and I officially started dating
23:47he handed over his entire investment account to me
23:49without hesitation
23:50I looked at the balance
23:51it was nearly as much as my own savings
23:53after a moment of resolve
23:55I bought the beach house we had been renting
23:56in class
23:57I finally took off my mask for good
23:59the students burst into applause and cheers
24:01a few guys even whistled
24:03to hype up the moment
24:04Professor Emma is the best
24:05life kept getting better
24:07until I ran into Brian again
24:08he was waiting outside the lab building
24:10the moment I walked up
24:11he held out a Cartier bracelet
24:13that had been sold out for a long time
24:15it was the same one
24:16Isabella had worn back in our senior year of high school
24:18the one Logan gave her for her birthday
24:20I remembered staring at it for a long time back then
24:22I had once said to Brian
24:23can you give me a birthday gift too?
24:25you don't have to spend money
24:26even a handmade card would mean everything to me
24:28but until the day I left
24:29I had never received anything from him
24:31now, looking at this gift
24:33that had arrived over a decade too late
24:35I did not take it
24:36I simply asked, calmly
24:38Brian, what do you want?
24:40he lowered his head
24:41his voice almost pleading
24:42Emma, I searched everywhere for something you liked
24:44I finally got this through a reseller
24:47please, don't leave me
24:48I shook my head
24:49he rushed forward and grabbed my wrist
24:51why not?
24:52we've been together for 13 years
24:5413 years Emma
24:56I know I neglected you before
24:58after you left
24:59I even went to Los Angeles to find Isabella
25:01but I realized I was wrong
25:03what I felt for her
25:04it was just instinct
25:06Wolf Beeskin are drawn to beautiful things
25:08I don't love her
25:09Emma, the one I love has always been you
25:12I yanked my hand free and looked straight at him
25:14do you even realize that in those 13 years
25:16aside from the first day I carried you out of the black market
25:19and the time I tried to grab your tail
25:21and you slapped my hand away
25:22this is the closest we've ever been?
25:24Brian froze
25:24then stiffly
25:25he lifted his tail toward me
25:27it won't be like that anymore
25:28I won't push you away again
25:30Emma
25:31you can touch it however you want
25:32I took a step back
25:33putting distance between us
25:35it's too late Brian
25:36being with you hurt me more times than I can count
25:39you were a block of ice I tried to warm for 13 years
25:42and it never melted
25:43looking back now
25:44all I can remember are the countless times he rejected me
25:46over and over again
25:48the coldness
25:48the indifference
25:49Bren's voice trembled as he pleaded
25:51I can make it up to you
25:52I can spend the rest of my life making it up to you
25:55I shook my head again
25:56I already have Finn
25:57he lowered his gaze and fell silent for a long time
26:00his lips quivered before he finally spoke
26:02I don't mind him
26:03we could
26:04but I mind
26:05my voice was steady
26:06I want someone who is completely loyal to me
26:08I want to be the only one in his life too
26:10Brian
26:10if you had just told me from the beginning that you chose Isabella
26:13I would never have forced you to stay
26:14I would have let you go
26:15I even wish you had told me sooner
26:17then we would not have wasted so many years hurting each other
26:20I wiped the tear from the corner of my eye with the back of my hand
26:23and gave him a quiet, relieved smile
26:25Brian
26:25if we could not end things well
26:27then at least let us end them cleanly
26:28Finn arrived a little later than usual
26:30he stood not far away
26:32holding a large bouquet of red roses
26:33I ran toward him
26:34and threw myself into his warm embrace
26:37let's go home
26:37behind us
26:38Brian followed in silence for a long stretch
26:40Finn lowered his voice
26:42did he upset you again?
26:43no
26:43I just said goodbye
26:45for real this time
26:46Brian stood outside our yard for 3 days and 3 nights
26:49in the end
26:50I had no choice but to contact Logan
26:52and ask him to fly to Miami
26:53and take his twin brother away
26:55after being injected with a strong sedative by a veterinarian
26:58Brian struggled and managed to say one last sentence
27:01Logan
27:01please
27:02don't separate me from Emma
27:04Logan tried to persuade me as well
27:06Brian really does care about you
27:08that bracelet he gave you
27:09he spent a long time learning in a jewelry studio
27:11to make it himself
27:12I let out a helpless laugh
27:14do you think I have not made things for him all these years?
27:16did he ever cherish any of it?
27:18even once?
27:18as Logan left
27:19he kept shaking his head
27:20how did things end up like this?
27:22but some people
27:23once you lose them
27:24are gone forever
27:25after contacting Logan
27:26I had already prepared myself for the possibility
27:28that my parents in California would find me
27:31I just did not expect it to happen so quickly
27:33late one night
27:34I was half asleep
27:35when my iPhone rang sharply
27:36pulling me out of my dreams
27:38annoyed
27:38I kicked Finn lightly
27:40didn't we agree to silence our phones before bed?
27:42Finn loosened his arm around me
27:44found the phone
27:45and placed it in my hand
27:46it's yours
27:47I cleared my throat
27:47a little embarrassed
27:49and answered the call
27:50there was a long silence on the other end
27:52I said hello a few times
27:53no response
27:54just as I was about to hang up
27:55an older man's voice finally came through
27:57Emma?
27:57is that you?
27:58it was a voice that had filled the first 18 years of my life
28:02my hand trembled slightly
28:03but behind me
28:04Finn's warmth pressed close
28:05he held me tightly
28:06as if silently telling me not to be afraid
28:09I took a deep breath
28:10dad
28:10just tell me what this is about
28:12a heavy sigh came from the other end
28:13your mother had a severe stroke
28:15she does not have much time left
28:16she wants to see you one last time
28:18I had never been able to forgive my mother
28:20but I could not refuse the final wish of someone who was dying
28:23after the call ended
28:24I sat up in bed
28:25Finn sat up with me
28:26and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind
28:29he said nothing
28:29he had heard everything
28:31but he still left the decision entirely in my hands
28:33in the end
28:34I booked a flight back to Los Angeles
28:35when I saw my mother
28:37she was lying weakly in a hospital bed
28:39a breathing mask covering her face
28:40her voice was faint and slurred
28:42I'm sorry
28:43my father stood beside her
28:44his eyes red as he tried to explain
28:46Emma
28:47your mom saw the news about what happened at your university
28:49about Chase
28:50that's when she realized
28:51she was wrong back then
28:52in the principal's office
28:54after the funeral
28:54my father and I stood in front of her grave
28:57a breeze passed through
28:58I pulled my black coat tighter around me
29:00and spoke calmly
29:01dad
29:01I know the truth
29:03she never really regretted anything
29:04she never believed she was wrong
29:06she just knew she was dying
29:08and wanted peace before the end
29:09so she used that to bring her daughter back one last time
29:12I paused
29:13then continued
29:14you're the same
29:15you don't think you were wrong either
29:16when I graduated college
29:17I transferred everything you spent raising me
29:20with interest
29:21back to your account
29:22you never really cared about me growing up
29:24so from now on don't contact me again
29:26and one more thing
29:27you used to call me useless all the time
29:29so don't pretend now
29:30don't call me Emma like you suddenly care
29:32it sounds fake
29:33for the first time in my life
29:34the way my father looked at me held no disgust
29:36no disappointment
29:37only shock
29:38and something like grief
29:40I turned and walked away without hesitation
29:42after all
29:43Finn was waiting for me back in Miami
29:44probably cooking a pot of stew
29:46our beach house by the ocean slowly transformed
29:49Finn filled the yard and the fence line with roses and hydrangeas of every color
29:53in the warm Florida spring
29:55they bloomed all at once
29:56turning the space into a sea of flowers that felt like it belonged only to me
30:01one breezy afternoon
30:02Finn composed
30:03he knelt on one knee
30:05his eyes red
30:06his voice unsteady
30:07when I was thrown into the ocean
30:09I think part of me died that day
30:12the Finn that came after was just
30:14drifting
30:14like a ghost
30:16Emma
30:16you were the one who chose me
30:18you gave me a second life
30:20I want to spend the rest of my life loving you
30:22Emma
30:23will you marry me
30:24will you stay with me always
30:25I will
30:26the custom diamond ring slipped onto my left hand
30:29Finn pulled me into his arms
30:31overjoyed
30:31like he had just been given the entire world
30:33I had once walked alone through a long stretch of darkness
30:36shaped by everything the world had thrown at me
30:38then I found light
30:39and Finn was the brightest warmest part of it
30:42after we got married
30:43my colleagues and friends at the university often said the same thing
30:46they say a good relationship is like tending a garden
30:48Finn has taken such good care of you
30:51you can see it
30:52you're more confident now
30:54more radiant
30:55whenever Finn heard that
30:57he would hold my hand tightly
30:59and gently correct them
31:00Emma is the one who healed me first
31:02later on
31:03Finn secretly published a novel on Amazon
31:05inspired by our story
31:06I only discovered it by accident in the study
31:08I bought a copy and brought it to my office to read
31:10on the last page
31:11he had written
31:12even though I wish everyone could only experience warmth and kindness in this world
31:17the truth is that we all encounter cruelty and prejudice as we grow
31:20to the pain
31:21I hope we can all be like sunflowers
31:23turning toward the light
31:24and blooming again
31:25and to anyone who has ever doubted themselves
31:27because of how they look
31:28stand tall
31:29every person has something that makes them unique
31:31you are worthy of love
31:33the end
Commentaires