- 4 weeks ago
Too Late For Her Love
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Short filmTranscript
00:08Five years after leaving the country, I returned to attend Mrs. Sterling's birthday gala at the
00:13plaza. My former fiancƩ Sierra Sterling, I'd been engaged to since we were eight pulled out
00:20of custom, designed Tom Ford Tuxedo, and proposed to me in front of everyone.
00:30The ballroom erupted. They all expected me to fall to my knees in tears of joy. Say yes,
00:41beg her to take me back. After all, I'd love Sierra Sterling with the kind of desperate,
00:47embarrassing devotion that became Manhattan society legend. But they seem to have forgotten
00:52something. Five years ago, at our wedding, she ripped the custom Armani suit off my body
00:58in front of 300 guests, stomped on it with her laobao teens. For another man, she publicly
01:04accused me of academic fraud, scientific misconduct. The wedding was cancelled. I stood there in front
01:10of everyone, judged, mocked, destroyed. That day, I left for Europe alone. But now that I am back,
01:18Mrs. Sterling grips my shoulder, Des.
01:20Ethan, Sierra missed you terribly these past five years. Even after what you did, she never forgot
01:25you. After you left, she spent a fortune burying those scandals. If you're willing to give her
01:30another chance, the Sterling family will give you an even grander wedding than before.
01:35Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
01:37When I don't answer, Sierra repeats her proposal.
01:40Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
01:43Mrs. Sterling watches me with expectant eyes, like I am a charity case who should be grateful.
01:48I thought seeing Sierra again would make me angry. But standing here, looking at her holding
01:52that tuxedo like a peace offering, I feel nothing. Absolutely nothing.
01:58The ballroom falls silent. Some curious, most waiting for the drama.
02:04When I left New York five years ago, I never came back. They don't know I am married, that
02:10I have a daughter. So I don't know if Sierra orchestrated this public proposal herself, or
02:15if she is planning to humiliate me again for sport. A flash of mockery crosses my expression,
02:20but I keep my face polite, detached. Thank you for the honor, Ms. Sterling. I was young
02:24and foolish back then. I don't have those feelings anymore.
02:29What? He rejected her? Is he insane? Didn't he literally beg her to marry him for years?
02:33Now she's proposing and he said no?
02:39Everyone stares at me like I've lost my mind. Because five years ago, I did more than a few
02:43foolish things for Sierra Sterling. I made waves that rippled through all of Manhattan's elite
02:48circles. Like the time I spent nine million dollars on fireworks at the Brooklyn Bridge,
02:52spelled out Sierra Sterling in the sky for her birthday. Or when I hired drones to fly over
02:57Times Square for an entire month, displaying Sierra 30 Ethan, on continuous loop. Two weeks before our
03:02wedding, I bought every digital billboard in Manhattan. Had our engagement photos rotating
03:07fodernum. At 25, I loved her like a man possessed. Wanted the whole world to witness our perfect love
03:12story. Never imagined she'd betray me. After all, this was Sierra Sterling. My first constant.
03:18My childhood promise. She learned my name before she learned most words. Learned how to spell.
03:22Ethan long before she cared about spelling her own. Growing up, she was always just there reminding me
03:27to take care of myself. Quietly fixing the things I forgot. Folding my shirts without being asked.
03:31Like it was simply part of loving me. For 20 years, we were closer than siblings. More in sync than
03:36most
03:37married couples. Even when I became the notoriously strict Professor Quinn at MIT. With her,
03:41I was still the little boy who called her Sierra Bear and chased her around with flowers. Always
03:45tender. Always devoted. Always hers. The year our love burned brightest, we stood at the Lovelock
03:50Bridge in Paris and vowed to be together forever. I believed love like ours was eternal. Until one
03:55month before the wedding, when Liam Carter was brought into the Sterling household as their ward.
04:01Supposedly he was the orphan son of Mr. Sterling's old army buddy. His father had saved Mr. Sterling's
04:06life, so they took Liam in out of obligation. At first, Sierra and I were both kind to
04:11him. I even took him to Knicks games and told him to golf. But somehow, somewhere along the way,
04:17Sierra started spending more and more time with Liam. She started bringing him on our dates.
04:22Our private dinners for two became dinners for three. On Valentine's Day, Sierra promised to come
04:27with me for the final fitting of the custom tuxedo she'd designed for our wedding. I called her a hundred
04:33times, waited in our penthouse for two hours. All I got was a text. Something came up. Rain check.
04:39Frustrated, I went to the tailor alone. And found Liam Carter standing there wearing my custom tuxedo.
04:45Sierra adjusting his collar. Her cousins circling him like vultures. Calling him brother-in-law.
04:50Their praise and laughter made it seem like Liam and Sierra were the engaged couple. And I was the
04:54outsider. Rage and humiliation burned through me. My vision went red. Do you even remember I'm your
05:00fiance? I demanded voice shaking. Sierra finally looked up from Liam. No guilt. No shame. Just
05:06annoyance. I told you something came up. Why are you here? Can you stop being so paranoid and jealous
05:15all the time? You're acting pathetic. Like a child. I'm Ethan Quinn. Son of Wall Street legend Marcus
05:22Quinn. Meaty is youngest tenured professor. I don't take disrespect from anyone. Sierra Sterling. Who gave
05:28you permission to talk to me like that? You're something. Was spending time with Liam? Making
05:34him wear my tuxedo? My voice cracked. By the time I finished speaking, I'd crushed my phone screen in
05:39my fist without realizing it. Sierra instinctively grabbed my bleeding hand, but her tone was still
05:44accusatory. Ethan, stop making a scene. You always do this. I'm tired of plaviting you. I just had Liam
05:51try on the tux for sizing. Why are you throwing a tantrum over something so small? I was so shocked.
05:57I forgot to respond. Sierra Sterling was lecturing me. Blaming me. For twenty years, no matter what I
06:04did, she never said a harsh word to me. Spoiled me rotten. But now she is calling me unreasonable
06:10in front of all these people. Like she has forgotten that she is the one who made me this way.
06:15My silence stretches too long. Sierra's expression softens with regret.
06:19Ethan, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. But you accused Mimi without knowing the full story.
06:26That hurt. I force myself to stay calm. Decide to hear her explanation. Then explain. Why did you
06:35cancel on me today? Sierra soothes me by squeezing my fingers. Kisses my cheek. Then launches into her
06:42story. Didn't you notice the sapphire cufflicks on the tux came loose? The original technique wasn't
06:49securing them properly, so I switched to a new method. I needed a model to test if they'd hold,
06:53but my usual model canceled. So I grabbed Liam as a last-minute substitute. Her tone is earnest,
06:59gentle. It sounds reasonable. My anger cools. But I am still not satisfied. Then what about your
07:07cousin's calling him brother-in-law? Oh, Ethan, you're so spoiled. My cousin talking about getting
07:16a tux for the brother-in-law, meaning you, you're taking it out of context. She puts on a wounded
07:24expression, teasing me with her eyes. I'm already embarrassed about my outburst. Now I just want
07:30to grab her hand and leave, but before I can touch her, Liam steps between us. Ethan, this is all
07:38my
07:38fault. I offered to be Sierra's model. Please hit me if you want. Just don't be angry at her.
07:48Liam stares at me like a kicked puppy. The people around us glare at me like I am a monster.
07:55Even Sierra reaches out to comfort Liam while gently suggesting I leave.
08:04Later, Liam bought me an expensive watch as an apology. Mrs. Sterling came to our penthouse to
08:09explain everything personally, but something felt off. They were apologizing to me. Sure,
08:15but their words were laced with protectiveness toward Liam. Sorry, Ethan. Liam Lee's sorry. He just
08:21got a little carried away. Ethan, you know Liam is the son of the man who saved my husband's life.
08:26His father is gone now, and Liam's alone. We have to take care of him. Sierra nodded along eagerly.
08:34Exactly, Ethan. Liam's young. We should be looking out for him. Plus, you're about to marry me.
08:40You'll be his brother-in-law soon. Why fight with a family? Sierra looked so sincere. I let it go.
08:47No. Sierra smiled, took an emerald ring from a velvet box and slid it onto my finger.
08:53There. Is Mr. Quimmon done being grumpy now? I felt the warmth of her touch and finally relaxed.
08:59I handed her a folder. Sterling Industries wants to expand into tech, right? This is my latest research
09:06from MIT. Ethan, I love you. Before I could finish, Sierra threw herself into my arms. Her enthusiasm
09:13made me blush. I was so focused on our future together. I didn't realize her love wasn't
09:20exclusive. That it was quietly shifting toward Liam Carter. Her Instagram became a shrine to Liam.
09:30Photos of them together every single day. Rumors started spreading through Manhattan's elite circles.
09:35The Quinn-Sterling engagement was off. The Sterling family was planning to marry Sierra to their ward
09:39instead. I heard the whispers and wanted to confront the Sterlings immediately. But before I could,
09:44Liam showed up at my MIT office. Gone was the scared, timid boy from a week ago. Now his expression
09:50dripped with smug satisfaction. Ethan, you've heard the rumors, right? That's not just the Sterling family's
09:56intention. It's Sierra's, too. If you don't want to embarrass yourself, cancel the engagement.
10:02I clenched my fists to control my rage. I promised Sierra I'd be patient with Liam. But Liam misread my
10:09silence's weakness. His smile widened. Still in denial, Ethan? Don't worry. You'll see Sierra's
10:17choice soon enough. I snapped. My fist connected with his jaw. Get out! Liam stumbled backward, shocked
10:26that I'd actually hit him. He fled. Furious, I opened my phone and sent Sierra the audio recording of
10:32Liam's taunts. Waited for her to apologize. But instead of apologizing, she questioned me.
10:38Ethan, is there some misunderstanding? Liam's always been kind and thoughtful. He'd never do this.
10:44Are you sure someone didn't trick you? I stared at the screen in disbelief. 20 years of history,
10:50audio evidence. And she still chose to believe Liam over me. She doubted me for a kid she'd known less
10:54than a month. I threw my phone across the room. Decided I was done trying. That night,
11:00Sierra flew five hours from a conference in London to New York, just to smooth things over.
11:05When I saw her exhausted face at my door, I couldn't turn her away. The moment I opened the
11:10door, she kissed me, deep and desperate. We didn't pull apart until we were both breathless.
11:15Ethan, I only see Liam as a brother. I'd never have feelings for him. You believe me, right?
11:20But he's my father's savior's son. There are things I can't control. You understand, don't you?
11:25Besides, we're getting married next week. You wouldn't abandon me now, would you?
11:30She looked up at me with those wide, pleading eyes. So careful. So vulnerable. My resolve
11:34crumbled. I chose to believe her unconditionally. I didn't know that trust wasn't mutual. That
11:39she was about to push me into hell with her own hands.
11:44On our wedding day, I stood outside the Sterling Estate in my tuxedo for hours.
11:49Sierra never came out. When I finally checked my phone, the internet had exploded.
11:53The number one trending topic. Number Ethan Quinn academic fraud. I was about to click
11:59when Sterling Industries project manager called.
12:03Mr. Quinn, the press is destroying us. Can you explain why the research data you gave us
12:09is fraudulent?
12:10I froze. That is impossible. The data was from a month of sleepless nights in my MIT lab.
12:15Every number meticulously recorded. I'd already produced working prototypes. There was no way
12:21it was wrong. I wouldn't have given my research to Sterling Industries if Sierra hadn't asked me to
12:26help expand their tech division. Mr. Quinn, we want to believe you. But Liam Carter pointed out
12:33errors in your formulas. The truth crashed over me like ice water. I'd given my research to Sierra
12:38first. Kept it confidential. Didn't publish it yet. How would Liam, a college dropout with a sports
12:45management degree. Even get my research. Let alone find errors in advanced quantum physics
12:50equations in a matter of days. Eliminate the impossible. And whatever remains, however painful,
12:56is the truth.
12:57Sierra gave my research to Liam. Let him claim it as his own. Accused me of stealing from him.
13:04But I still couldn't believe it. Made excuses for her in my head. This was Sierra Sterling.
13:09My Sierra. The girl I'd loved for 20 years. I couldn't accept it.
13:17I raced to the Sterling estate in my wedding tuxtedo, not even stopping to change. When I arrived,
13:22I found Sierra standing protectively in front of Liam, facing a crowd of reporters.
13:27Sterling and industry vouches for Liam Carter. The research he published yesterday is entirely his
13:31own work. Her words were a knife to my chest. The final confirmation. This was my fianchi.
13:39The woman I'd loved for two decades, and I'd never truly known her at all. The reporters spotted me
13:45and swarmed. What's your response to the academic fraud allegations?
13:48Miss Dalling just confirmed Liam Carter's research is legitimate. Does that mean you
13:53plagiarized his work?
13:56Before I could answer, Liam spoke to the cameras with fake tears in his eyes.
14:02Ethan did threaten me while I was working on this research.
14:05But I don't believe he'd steal my work.
14:10He pulled out his phone and played the video.
14:12I looked at Liam coldly, then turned to Sierra.
14:17Miss Sterling, what's your opinion on all this?
14:20Sierra couldn't meet my eyes.
14:22After a long pause...
14:28Ethan, even though you're my fiancƩ, I can't lie for you.
14:34Her words were a public execution. Not only did she confirm I was a fraud, she wanted Liam
14:40to build his reputation on my corpse. The last shred of hope died. I closed my eyes.
14:51I'll hold a press conference later to prove my innocence.
14:55As for the Quinn-Sterling engagement...
14:57It's over.
14:58I turned to leave, but Liam wasn't satisfied.
15:00He grabbed my arm, crying dramatically.
15:02Ethan, I didn't want this to go public.
15:04Please stop sending people to hurt me.
15:06I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
15:07Ethan, I tolerated your jealousy before.
15:10But Liam is innocent. You've done enough damage.
15:12Are you really going to use the Sterling family's power to destroy him too?
15:15My aspirations still hung in the Sterling windows.
15:17I still wore the tuxedo Sierra designed for me.
15:19But none of it mattered anymore.
15:21It only made me look more pathetic.
15:24I looked Sierra in the eye.
15:26Saw her clutching Liam's hand protectively.
15:28Saw Liam mouth something in Mandarin.
15:31Idiot.
15:38In the age of social media, spreading lies takes seconds.
15:41Disproving them takes forever.
15:43I held press conference after press conference to clear my name.
15:46Nothing worked.
15:47The internet had decided I was a fraud.
15:50A thief.
15:50A rich boy using his family's power to cover up crimes.
15:53Everywhere I went.
15:55People whispered.
15:56Pointed.
15:57No amount of evidence could change their minds.
15:59So when I received an offer from Europe's top research institute a week later,
16:02I didn't hesitate.
16:04I left the country.
16:05Five years passed.
16:06I returned with groundbreaking research that made headlines worldwide.
16:10The fraud accusations evaporated overnight.
16:13Ethan, are you still angry at me?
16:15Sierra's voice pulls me back to the present.
16:17I look at her holding that tuxedo.
16:19Face full of manufactured longing.
16:20It is laughable.
16:22I had my reasons back then.
16:23You have to believe me.
16:25Daddy!
16:25A small voice interrupts her.
16:27I catch my daughter as she runs across the ballroom floor.
16:30Boop her tiny nose.
16:31Ava, were you naughty again?
16:33Didn't mommy tell you to stay home?
16:35Ava pouts, dodging my hand.
16:37Ava was good.
16:38But mommy missed daddy, so she brought Ava here.
16:41Our conversation isn't loud.
16:43But in the silent ballroom, everyone hears.
16:45Shock ripples through the crowd.
16:47Daddy?
16:48That's his daughter?
16:49Ethan Quinn got married?
16:51But didn't he swear he'd never love anyone but Sierra?
16:54Is this real?
16:55Maybe it is fake.
16:56Even Sierra looks like she has been struck by lightning.
17:00You're... married?
17:01I smooth Ava's soft hair, genuinely confused.
17:05Isn't it obvious?
17:06How else would I have a daughter?
17:08Sierra stares at our joined hands like they're betraying her personally.
17:11Her voice cracks.
17:12You need to say it.
17:14Out loud.
17:15I sigh.
17:16Five years ago.
17:17The wedding was in Switzerland.
17:18We didn't invite anyone from New York.
17:20The ballroom erupts again.
17:22Five years ago?
17:23He got married right after leaving?
17:25No way.
17:26He loved Sierra Sterling for years.
17:27He can't have moved on that fast.
17:29This has to be fake.
17:31Remember the fireworks?
17:32The billboards?
17:32He's probably just trying to make her jealous.
17:34Exactly.
17:35Sierra Sterling is Manhattan's most eligible bachelorette.
17:38Ethan would never give that up unless...
17:41Wait.
17:42The only woman in New York who could compete would be Celeste Whitmer from the Old Money Families.
17:46But she got married five years ago, too.
17:47The gossip swirls around me, but I am calm.
17:50Focused on peeling an orange for Ava.
17:52Time is rain.
17:53It washed away all the rage and pain.
17:54When I look back now, there is nothing left but clean pavement.
17:58But no one else seems to understand that.
18:00They're all still living in five years ago.
18:02Sierra stares at me with a complicated expression.
18:05Her voice turns pleading.
18:07Ethan, stop this charade.
18:09I admit I was wrong.
18:10I'll apologize.
18:11You can punish me however you want.
18:13Just stop pretending you're married.
18:15It...
18:15It hurts.
18:17Before I can respond, Ava speaks up in her adorable little voice.
18:21Miss, can't you understand Daddy?
18:23Mommy really is married to Daddy.
18:25And they have a love fruit.
18:27That's me.
18:28Ava puffs out her tiny chest proudly.
18:31I give Sierra an apologetic smile.
18:33Ava's still young.
18:35Please forgive her bluntness, Miss Sterling.
18:37But as for the past, I've forgotten all of it.
18:42The ballroom explodes into chaos again.
18:45I have no interest in being gossip fodder.
18:47I take Ava's hand to leave.
18:49But Sierra won't let it go.
18:50She grabs my arm and pulls out the tuxedo again.
18:53Eyes shining with fake devotion.
18:55Ethan, I've thought about you every single day for five years.
18:58I don't care that you're a divorced man now.
19:00I still want you.
19:01Will you wear this tuxu for me again?
19:02I look at her performance with disgust.
19:04Yank my arm away.
19:06Miss Sterling, this tuxedo was specially designed for Liam Carter, wasn't it?
19:09I wouldn't dare wear it.
19:11After all, I'll never forget how you testified against me for his sake.
19:14Sierra's face lights up.
19:16Ethan, you're jealous.
19:17You still care about me.
19:19I know what I did was wrong.
19:20But I had my reasons.
19:22Give me one more chance.
19:23I'll treat you right this time.
19:24I am exhausted by her meaningless excuses.
19:27My voice turns cold.
19:28Miss Sterling, I don't forgive trash.
19:31And I don't take out garbage.
19:33Please have some dignity and stop harassing a married man.
19:36My wife and I are very much in love.
19:38I don't want her getting the wrong idea.
19:39Sierra's mask cracks.
19:41She loses it.
19:42Ethan, are you seriously still playing this game?
19:45You chased me for 20 years.
19:47We have hundreds of love locks hanging in Paris with our names on them.
19:51And now you're pretending you're married?
19:52Who's going to believe that?
19:54If you're really married, where's your wife?
19:56Show me!
19:57When she meets my calm, indifferent gaze,
20:00panic crosses her face.
20:01She softens again.
20:03Ethan, please.
20:04I'm begging you.
20:06Stop being angry at me.
20:07The people around us start to waver.
20:09Wait.
20:10Didn't Sierra reject him at their wedding five years ago?
20:13Now it looks like he's the one who rejected her.
20:16Yeah, Ethan looks completely unbothered.
20:18Sierra's the one who can't let go.
20:20Sierra looks at me desperately.
20:22Then she does the unthinkable.
20:23She kneels.
20:24Right there in the middle of the plaza ballroom.
20:26Holds up the tuxedo like an offering.
20:28Ethan Quinn, will you marry me?
20:31He won't.
20:31An icy voice cuts through the room.
20:33Everyone turns.
20:34A woman in a tailored black evening dress stepped into view.
20:38He doesn't.
20:39She said, her voice sharp and steady.
20:41Because he is already married with me.
20:44She'd only gone to the bathroom for five minutes,
20:46and someone was already trying to steal her husband.
20:49Whoever this woman was, she had some nerve.
20:51Celeste Whitmore reaches me and wraps her arm possessively around mine.
20:54Honey.
20:55Simone in the crowd gasps.
20:56That's Celeste Whitmore.
20:58From the old money Whitmores.
20:59What's she doing here?
21:00Wait, did she just call Ethan Quinn her husband?
21:02I feel Celeste's grip tighten dangerously on my arm.
21:05I sigh internally.
21:06I've dealt with her jealousy before.
21:07This won't end well.
21:08Who has been getting impatient with Sierra's dramatics?
21:11Immediately tattles.
21:12Mommy!
21:12You took so long!
21:14The bad lady almost stole daddy!
21:16Celeste glares at Sierra like she wants her dead,
21:18and she looks at me with big, wounded eyes.
21:20Ethan, I got worried when you didn't come home after three hours.
21:24Ava said she missed you, so I brought her to find you.
21:27You're not mad, right?
21:29I squeeze her hand gently to reassure her.
21:31I try to lead her toward the exit before she starts a fight.
21:33But before we can leave, Sierra's broken voice stops us.
21:36Ethan.
21:37I feel the chill radiating off Celeste.
21:39Against my better judgment, I turn around.
21:41Miss Sterling, you've seen my wife now.
21:44I hope that proves I'm married.
21:45If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving.
21:47Sierra stares at our intertwined hands, sways like she might faint.
21:51Her face is sheet, white.
21:52Celeste adds smugly.
21:53That's right, Miss Sterling.
21:55My husband and I have things to do.
21:56We can't waste time here.
21:58That pushes Sierra over the edge.
21:59She loses all composure.
22:01Husband?
22:02You have no right to call him that!
22:04He's been engaged to me since we were eight!
22:07Celeste's fingers twitch.
22:09She stays silent for a beat.
22:10I've been with Celeste for five years.
22:12I know her biggest insecurity is my past engagement to Sierra.
22:15Before I can comfort her, Celeste yanks two marriage certificates from her purse
22:19and slams them on the table.
22:20This is what gives me the right.
22:24And who cares if you were engaged?
22:26At eight, do you sign a marriage license?
22:29Have a wedding?
22:30No legal documents.
22:32No ceremony.
22:33Nothing.
22:33I glance at Sierra's devastated expression.
22:36Then at the marriage certificates on the table.
22:37I have to admire my wife's possessiveness.
22:39Who carries their marriage certificate around like it is a frequent flyer card?
22:44Ethan, we have 20 years of history.
22:47All those promises we made at the Lovelock Bridge.
22:50Did you forget everything?
22:51Sierra's eyes are red, like I am the one who betrayed her.
22:54But this isn't five years ago.
22:55I won't be manipulated by her crocodile tears.
22:58I carefully pocket the marriage certificates.
22:59Take Ava's hand in my left.
23:01Celeste's hand in my right.
23:02Walk toward the exit without looking back.
23:04Miss Sterling, our history ended five years ago.
23:06Don't bring it up again.
23:07We have nothing more to say to each other.
23:08My words dissolve into the air.
23:10The engine of our car hums to life.
23:13In the car, Celeste grips my hand anxiously.
23:16Ethan, have you really let go of everything from before?
23:20I hear the fear in her voice.
23:22Suddenly understand why she always carries our marriage certificate.
23:26No matter who I married, my 20-year history with Sierra is real.
23:31Undeniable.
23:33Like everyone at the gala said, how could anyone let go of that much history so easily?
23:38But only I know the truth.
23:39I've let go completely.
23:42Besides, I am too proud to fall for the same person twice.
23:46I run my thumb over our marriage certificate.
23:49Ask a narcissistic question with a smile.
23:52Celeste.
23:53Did you fall in love with me while I was still with Sierra?
23:56Her eyes fill with indulgent warmth.
23:59She sighs.
24:00You have the right to remain silent.
24:02But resist.
24:03And there will be consequences.
24:06Her expression freezes for a split second.
24:08I know I am right.
24:09I can't help but grin.
24:11Slide my hand to her waist threateningly.
24:14Ethan, do you remember?
24:15When you were 16, you saved a girl in a narrow alley.
24:18That day I just escaped from kidnappers.
24:21If you hadn't saved me, I'd be dead.
24:22People walked past me that day.
24:24No one helped.
24:25Then you came.
24:26I fell in love with you at first sight.
24:27But you only had eyes for Sierra.
24:29I didn't want to force you so I kept my feelings in for 9 years.
24:31Until I finally invited you to Europe.
24:35I listened to her story, marveling at fate.
24:389 years ago, I saved her from death.
24:40Planted the seed of connection.
24:429 years later, in the winter, when the internet crucified me, she pulled me out of the abyss.
24:48That night, our bedroom light stayed on for hours.
24:51Confessions and passion intertwined.
24:53When someone knocked on the door the next morning,
24:56I had to answer with dark circles under my eyes, the size of dinner plates.
25:01The person at the door looked like a disaster.
25:04I almost didn't recognize Sierra Sterling.
25:07I made myself clear yesterday.
25:09We have nothing to discuss.
25:11I accidentally exposed the hickeys on my neck.
25:16Sierra's eyes turned bloodshot.
25:18Ethan, I was wrong.
25:19But I had my reasons.
25:21Liam said if I didn't help him, he'd release the video of you hitting him online.
25:25I had no choice, I just wanted to help you.
25:28I laughed bitterly.
25:29So you are saying you were being noble.
25:31After all, a slap that didn't even leave a bruise
25:34is definitely worse than destroying someone's entire career with fraud accusations.
25:38I still have the security footage from that day.
25:41By the way, should I release it?
25:43Let everyone judge whether a homewrecker who shows up at his target's house to gloat deserves to be hit.
25:49Sierra panics.
25:50I only ever loved you.
25:52All these years, I only saw Liam as a brother.
25:57Nothing in a breed ever happened between us.
25:59I am running on three hours of sleep.
26:01This conversation is a waste of my time.
26:03I start to close the door.
26:05Sierra shoves her hand into the doorframe.
26:07I have to stop or I'll crush her fingers.
26:09Now I am actually angry.
26:14Sierra Sterling, are you insane?
26:18How long are you going to keep lying to yourself?
26:21Nothing happened.
26:22You have the audacity to say that.
26:24If you two were so innocent, why did your cousins call him brother-in-law?
26:27Why did he come to my office to gloat?
26:29In 20 years, I never saw you treat any guy that well.
26:31But suddenly Liam gets the family label and you are planning to spend your life with him.
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