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New You Crossed The Line Episode Engsub
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00:00I spent ten years chasing the woman who would burn me alive, my wife, all because she was
00:05afraid I'd expose what she'd done with my half-brother.
00:07As the flames consumed me, I saw a stranger rush into the fire.
00:11She pulled me into her arms.
00:12Her tears burned hotter than the flames on my skin.
00:16Ethan, if there's a next life, can you choose me first?
00:21My soul scattered, but I saw her before I died, this woman, Serena Vance.
00:26She built me a gravestone, my beloved husband.
00:29She destroyed Rose and Julian without mercy.
00:31Then she took her own life.
00:33When I opened my eyes again, I'd been reborn.
00:35I broke off my engagement to Rose Miller.
00:37I married Serena instead.
00:39Two years later, Rose was on her knees in front of me.
00:41She'd been reborn too, apparently, but I'd already sworn to love Serena in this life.
00:45So why was everything falling apart?
00:47Serena started going to clubs with Julian.
00:49My stomach ulcer flared up.
00:50I collapsed at home, alone.
00:52She was having dinner with my brother.
00:53When Julian ran over the stray dog we'd adopted together, she did nothing.
00:57I held the small body in my arms, shaking.
01:00Why?
01:01My voice cracked.
01:02Why are you doing this to me?
01:04Serena looked at me like I was pathetic.
01:06Do I need a reason to stop loving someone?
01:11I told Mrs. Vance I wanted a divorce.
01:16Please don't tell Serena yet.
01:17I begged.
01:18She squeezed my hand.
01:19I'm so sorry, Ethan.
01:21I took the divorce papers and went to defend Serena myself.
01:24I found her at a private club.
01:26Through the VIP booth window, I was aware wrapped around Julian.
01:30Her chin rested in the curve of his neck.
01:35Who let you in?
01:36I held out the papers.
01:37My arm stayed frozen in there.
01:39Five seconds.
01:39Ten.
01:40My shoulders started to ache.
01:41Finally, she pinched Julian's waist.
01:43Julian leaned into her like a cat, flipping through the papers lazily.
01:48What's this?
01:50What?
01:51Serena, don't you want to re-
01:52He speaks for me.
01:53What, afraid I'll go back on my word in front of all these people?
01:56She used to check every document.
01:57I gave a hair.
01:58Every single one.
01:59Now she trusted Julian more than me.
02:01Julian handed myth the signed papers.
02:03I turned to leave.
02:04I hand grabbed my arm.
02:05Hold on.
02:06What?
02:07She smiled.
02:08It didn't reach her eyes.
02:09Come home with us.
02:10I'm pregnant.
02:11Julian's moving in to help me through it.
02:13And Ethan?
02:14Make him that chicken soup he likes so much.
02:17File rose in myth wrote.
02:18I won't do it.
02:19It's okay, Serena.
02:21Don't force him.
02:22Shut up.
02:23You'll do what I tell you to do.
02:25Now let's go.
02:26She didn't wait for an answer.
02:28She dragged me back to the villa.
02:44Her name was lit.
02:46Did she finally leave?
02:48I stared at the bubbling broth.
02:50This was pathetic.
02:52My dear brother, you must be so disappointed.
02:56Serena didn't even look at those divorce papers, right?
02:59The woman who used to love you so much, now her heart belongs completely to me.
03:05That's just how women are, I guess.
03:06He laughed.
03:07But wow, you're so obedient.
03:10You were about to leave, but she told you to make soup, and here you are.
03:15You're such a good little dog.
03:20Are you done?
03:21My voice was flat.
03:22Julian's smile vanished.
03:23His eyes landed on the pot of boiling soup.
03:26Before I could react, he grabbed the handle and swung it at me.
03:28The scalding liquid hit my face, my chest, my arms.
03:31Then Julian started screaming instead.
03:33Help!
03:34Help!
03:34The door burst open.
03:37Serena ran in.
03:40For just a second, when she saw me, something flickered Harry's concern.
03:44Serena!
03:45I tried to help Ethan carry the soup, but he tried to throw it on me!
03:49You're lying.
03:50Check the security camera.
03:52Check it.
03:53The camera will show everything!
03:54Enough!
03:55I believe Julian.
03:56You tried to hurt him and burn yourself instead.
03:59You deserve this.
04:00Serena, it hurts.
04:01Let's get you to the hospital.
04:03She didn't look at me again.
04:04A dull aches spread through my chest.
04:07What an idiot I was, thinking she might actually care about me.
04:10Her heart only had room for Julian.
04:12As I fell, I thought I heard Serena running toward me.
04:15But I was probably imagining it.
04:17When I woke up, I was in a hospital room.
04:19My blood was draining into Julian's arm.
04:21I tried to pull out the IV.
04:23Serena grabbed my wrist.
04:27Don't even think about it.
04:29You're giving Julian your blood whether you like it or not.
04:31This is your fault.
04:33He fell because of you.
04:35Her eyes were cold.
04:36You should be grateful your worthless blood can save him.
04:39The room spun.
04:40My burn screamed.
04:41The needle in me.
04:42Arm kept sucking Medri.
04:43I passed out again.
04:45Before I lost consciousness, I heard Serena's angry voice.
04:47I told you to take 20 ml to scare him.
04:50Not 2,000 ml, you idiots.
04:52Do you want to kill him?
04:53When I woke up again, Serena was sitting by my bed.
04:56She tapped her fingers on the table.
04:58Her eyes were ice.
04:59Stop pretending to be dead.
05:00We're going to the old manor this afternoon.
05:03I don't know what kind of spell you put on my mother, but she's throwing you a networking
05:07party.
05:07How manipulative.
05:08I tried to speak, but my throat was too dry.
05:11So I was right.
05:12That worried voice I heard was nothing but my imagination.
05:15Why would Serena ever care?
05:16I was a fool to hope for even a second.
05:21My burn shed and heal it yet.
05:22Serena didn't care.
05:23She brought me to them in or anyway.
05:26Mrs. Vance walked toward us.
05:28Panic shot through me.
05:29What if she mentioned the divorce?
05:31I was about to signal her when Serena's phone rang.
05:36Whatever it is, tell me when I get back.
05:38Mrs. Vance tried to stop her.
05:39I know who's calling.
05:40Let her go.
05:43She already signed the divorce papers.
05:45She's pregnant with Julian's child now.
05:48The baby needs a family.
05:50Ethan, you're such a good boy.
05:53We've failed you.
05:54Mrs. Vance's eyes filled with tears.
05:56My composure shattered.
05:58I hadn't cried when Julian burned me.
06:00Hadn't cried when Serena forced metadonate blood.
06:04But Mrs. Vance's kindness broke me.
06:07Tonight, I wanted to introduce you to some people.
06:10It might help your future.
06:13I wanted to refuse.
06:14But seeing her tears, I couldn't.
06:17Mrs. Vance chose and suit for me.
06:19When the party began, she introduced me to her circle with pride.
06:23After an hour of networking, I escaped to a quiet corner.
06:26That's when I saw her.
06:28Rose Miller.
06:31My body went cold.
06:32Every kill screamed at Medorin.
06:35Even thought this wasn't the first time since my rebirth.
06:38Seeing Rose always brought back the memory of burning a live.
06:41Ethan, come with me.
06:42Rose, I've told you before.
06:44We're both reborn.
06:45Let's just leave each other alone.
06:47After my rebirth, the first thing I did was break our engagement.
06:50Rose hadn't been reborn yet.
06:52She agreed easily.
06:54But two years into my marriage with Serena, Rose showed up at my door on her knees, begging
06:58me to take her back.
06:59I refused.
07:01Told her I loved Serena.
07:03She didn't stop.
07:04Texts every day.
07:06Calls every night.
07:07Two years, Rose.
07:08I've rejected you for two years.
07:11How much clearer can I be?
07:13I don't want to know how sorry you are.
07:16So please, stop.
07:17Ethan, I swear, if you come with me just this once, I'll never bother you again.
07:24Fine.
07:27Ethan, I swear, if you come with me just this once, I'll never bother you again.
07:32Maybe it could finally be free of her.
07:34Fine.
07:35I followed her toward the door and walked straight into Serena.
07:38She was radiating fury.
07:39When she saw me standing next to Rose, something flashed in her eyes.
07:42Serena!
07:42I quickly pulled away from Rose.
07:45Where did you take Julia?
07:48My heart sank.
07:49I don't know where-
07:50The door slammed open.
07:51Julian burst in.
07:52Ethan, please!
07:54I'm still your brother!
07:56Even if I have a child with Serena, you didn't have to hire someone to rape me!
08:00The room exploded into whispers.
08:02I didn't.
08:03Serena walked toward me slowly.
08:04Her face was a mask of rage.
08:06You disgust me.
08:08Her hand rose to slap me.
08:10Rose tried to block her, but Mrs. Vance was faster.
08:13She stepped in front of me.
08:15Serena's eyes flickered with something dark.
08:17She said coldly,
08:19You make me sick.
08:20Before she left, she turned to the guests.
08:23If anyone speaks about tonight, you're an enemy of the Vance family.
08:30I don't remember getting home.
08:32I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
08:35My brain was empty.
08:36Tears ran down.
08:38My face.
08:38The beadroom door flew open.
08:40Serena's hand closed around my throat.
08:41I couldn't breathe.
08:43You're that jealous?
08:44So jealous of me and Julian having a baby that you'd do this?
08:47If you want a baby so badly, I'll give you one.
08:51No.
08:51Hard.
08:52Blood ran down my chest.
08:53Soaking the sheets.
08:54Serena froze.
08:55For a moment, her voice softened with something that sounded like regret.
09:00Why didn't you resist?
09:03I'd received confirmation last night that everything was ready.
09:05All my accounts closed.
09:07My arrangements made.
09:07And knowing this was almost over, I suddenly needed to ask the question that had haunted
09:13me all this time.
09:14Serena, tell me.
09:16After you were reborn, why did you suddenly stop loving me?
09:23Serena froze.
09:24Pain flickered across her face before anger took over.
09:27Rebirth?
09:28What rebirth?
09:29I don't know what you're talking about!
09:31But you loved me before.
09:33You really did.
09:34Enough!
09:34You have no right to ask me that!
09:38Serena stormed out.
09:40The servants whispered that she'd gone into early labor from the anger.
09:43The baby weighs in intensive care now.
09:45I went to the staged death company and sat ever geething for five days from now.
09:49Our wedding anniversary.
09:51I would die in her arms that day.
09:53My love began in her embrace.
09:55It wouldn't there too.
09:56When I got home, Julian was lounging in the living room with Hatzmogluk on his face.
10:01I went straight to my bedroom.
10:03I had nothing to say to him.
10:04But he followed Main, cradling the premature infant in his arms.
10:08The satisfaction in his eyes told me everything.
10:11Last night's scene had been another one of his performances.
10:14I ignored him and started packing.
10:17I'd leave tonight.
10:18Then Julian set the baby down, next to me on the bed.
10:22Before I could react, he grabbed a pillow and pressed it over the infant's face.
10:26Are you out of your mind?
10:28My shouts brought Serena running.
10:30The fury in her face made everything click in topless.
10:33This washes plain all along.
10:34The sheer cruelty of it stunned me.
10:36Even willed animals protect their babies.
10:39My hands shook violently as I gripped the pillow.
10:41Julian!
10:42You're willing to kill your own child just to frame me?
10:44How dare you!
10:45That's a human life!
10:48Which hand did you use?
10:50Both of them?
10:51Julian was sobbing dramatically and calling for a doctor, which only fueled her anger more.
10:55Serena dragged me downstairs to the kitchen.
10:57She pulled it open drawer after drawer with frightening determination.
11:01Serena, what are you doing?
11:04Serena, what are you doing?
11:05You hurt what's mine.
11:06Now you pay the price.
11:08The rolling pin came down hard.
11:09The crack of breaking bone echoed through the kitchen.
11:12Agony shot up my arm.
11:13I screamed.
11:14She didn't stop.
11:15She brought it down again in the other hand.
11:17Another crack.
11:18Another wave of unbearable pain.
11:20The bones were broken.
11:21Twisted at unnatural angles.
11:23Serena, don't!
11:23Every slight movement sent fresh waves of agony through me.
11:27Serena stood over me.
11:28Breathing hard.
11:29Now you can never leave me.
11:30The words sounded almost tender.
11:32Like she actually believed she was keeping me safe.
11:35But all I felt was the betrayal.
11:37The woman I'd chosen in this second life had just destroyed me more thoroughly than the woman who'd burned me
11:42in the first.
11:43When I woke up in the hospital.
11:45Both my hands were in casts.
11:46I looked down at the heavy casts.
11:48The doctors said the brakes were severe.
11:51Multiple fractures.
11:52It would take months to heal.
11:53And it might never regain feluce of my hands.
11:56Something inside me shattered completely.
11:57Get out!
11:58I said get out!
12:00After a few days, my appointment with the stage death company arrived.
12:04I called Serena and asked her to meet me on the yacht.
12:07She sounded surprised that I decontacted her.
12:09But she came.
12:11Fireworks exploded across the night sky, reflecting off the dark ocean.
12:15Every anniversary, you used to bring me here to watch the fireworks.
12:19Today is our anniversary.
12:20It's okay that you forgot.
12:22Today, I wanted to...
12:27Julian's not doing well emotionally.
12:28I need to go take care of him.
12:30Are you sure you want to leave?
12:31It's fine.
12:32We have our whole lives ahead of us.
12:34Now it ain't.
12:35I thought.
12:36I watched her disappear into the night with nothing but bitter mockery in my heart.
12:41I'd wanted to end things in her arms.
12:43The same way this love had begun.
12:45But she couldn't even give me that.
12:53Miss Vance, your husband jumped in the ocean right after you left.
12:57We found his body.
12:58When can you come identify the remains?
12:59What are you talking about?
13:01Ethan wouldn't kill himself!
13:10Miss Vance, your husband jumped in the ocean right after you left.
13:13We found his body.
13:15When can you come identify the remains?
13:16What are you talking about?
13:18Ethan wouldn't kill himself!
13:19Serena, what happened?
13:20You're upsetting the baby!
13:24If something happened to Ethan, you and I are finished.
13:28Julian went pale.
13:29He'd never seen this side of her before.
13:31He watched, nervously, as she made a call after call.
13:33Her expression grew darker with each conversation.
13:36Dread pooled in his stomach.
13:37He held the baby, tighter and tried to quietly slip away.
13:44Going somewhere?
13:45His heart nearly stopped.
13:46She grabbed his collar and jerked him backwards so hard as stumbled.
13:49The look in her, ice terrified him.
13:51Pain shot through his abdomen, where she'd kicked him before.
13:54Serena, the baby can't breathe properly.
13:56We need to go to the hospital.
13:58But Serena didn't rush to help like she always did.
14:00She smiled.
14:01It was the most frightening smile he'd ever seen.
14:03Why would I care about that?
14:06Julian grabbed her hand and pressed it against the baby,
14:09desperate to trigger some maternal feeling.
14:11Serena, please.
14:13This is your child.
14:14We need a doctor.
14:15Are you absolutely certain this is my child?
14:18All the blood drained from Julian's face.
14:19Of course.
14:21Why else would you bring me into your home?
14:24You think I'm an idiot?
14:26Serena's laugh was humorless.
14:27You think I didn't know you switched my real baby with this one?
14:29You replaced my child with some bastard you had with another woman
14:33and expected me to raise it?
14:34What made you think you could fool me?
14:36I carried that baby for months.
14:38You think I wouldn't recognize my own child?
14:39His face was turning purple.
14:41If you knew, then why did you bring me home?
14:45Because you're Ethan's brother.
14:47If it weren't for him, you would have died the night you tried to drug me.
14:50Julian stared up at her from the floor.
14:52Understanding dawned through his fear.
14:54So you knew from the start?
14:56His voice cracked.
14:56You knew I was only seducing you to hurt my brother?
14:59Obviously.
15:00Serena's lip curled in disgust.
15:01You're not worth a single strand of Ethan's hair.
15:03If you hadn't manipulated me into coming home tonight,
15:06Ethan would be fine right now.
15:07She stepped closer.
15:08Pray nothing happened to him.
15:09Because if he's hurt,
15:10I'll make sure you experience every kind of pain imaginable before you die.
15:14Serena walked away without looking back.
15:16Julian lay on the floor,
15:18blood seeping through his shirt again.
15:20The pain was overwhelming.
15:21He fumbled for his phone with shaking hands
15:23and dialed the only person who might still help him.
15:27Rose, you have to save me.
15:31Rose had been searching frantically for me all day
15:34when Julian's call came through.
15:39Rose, you have to save me.
15:41Where is Ethan?
15:42You want to know?
15:43Come to the suburban villa and take me to the hospital first.
15:47Then I'll tell you.
15:48She arrived ten minutes later.
15:49Julian was crumpled on the floor, clutching his stomach.
15:51Blood seeped through his fingers.
15:53Take me to the hospital.
15:54Where is Ethan?
15:56You're all the same.
15:58None of you care if I live or die.
16:00Why should I tell you where that waste of space went?
16:05Tell me where he is.
16:07Now.
16:08Something in Julian's eyes turned manic.
16:10The pain, or the hatred, or both,
16:13finally broke something inside him.
16:15I regret it!
16:16He screamed.
16:17I regret choosing you in my past life, you witch.
16:21But you know what?
16:22You did do one thing right.
16:25Burning that useless brother of mine to death
16:27was perfect.
16:29Too bad in this life he died because of Serena instead.
16:32But either way, I win.
16:33I always win!
16:36But either way, I win.
16:38I always win!
16:40What did you do?
16:41What did you do to Ethan?
16:43It's your fault!
16:44Why did you suddenly abandon me
16:46to chase after that worthless Ethan?
16:47You loved me in the past life.
16:50I had to take everything from him again.
16:52I had to grind him into the dirt where he belongs.
16:55And Serena?
16:56She killed him for me, just like you did before.
16:59Men like Ethan exist to be stepped on!
17:01What happened to Ethan?
17:02Tell me!
17:03But Julian just laughed harder,
17:04the sound echoing off the walls.
17:06Rose's assistant called at that moment.
17:07Hello?
17:08She'd finally gotten information about my whereabouts.
17:11Rose dropped Julian and ran for her car.
17:15Rose.
17:17She drove like a demon toward the coastline.
17:20By the time she arrived at the dock,
17:22Serena was already there.
17:23A body lay on a stretcher.
17:25The rescue team had covered most of it,
17:27but Rose could see enough.
17:28The rocks had torn the corpse apart.
17:30The face was unrecognizable.
17:32This can't be him.
17:34This isn't Ethan.
17:35Tell me this isn't him.
17:37The rescue workers looked away.
17:39They couldn't meet her eyes.
17:40The night was eerily quiet.
17:42Serena fell to her knees beside the stretcher,
17:44her hands hovering over the body like she was afraid to touch it.
17:47Then she saw it.
17:48Around the corpse's neck was a silver chain.
17:50Hanging from it was a ring.
17:51Our wedding rings.
17:52The ones she'd personally designed
17:54and had made at a small silversmith shop.
17:56There was only one set in the entire world.
17:58Serena's world collapsed.
18:00Ethan, I'm sorry.
18:02Please don't do this to me.
18:04You're not dead, are you?
18:07You're just hiding.
18:09You're punishing me.
18:10But the ring told the truth.
18:11That mangled, unrecognizable body was mine.
18:14Serena carefully removed the ring from the chain
18:16and clutched it in her fist.
18:18Her whole body shook.
18:20Please.
18:21Please come back.
18:22I watched the video feed in my apartment in London.
18:25The rescue captain had sent it as proof
18:27that the staged death had worked.
18:29Seeing Serena's breakdown should have felt satisfying.
18:32Should have felt like justice.
18:33But all I felt was empty.
18:35In my past life,
18:36she loved me enough to die for me.
18:38In this life,
18:38she destroyed me for my brother.
18:40I thought choosing her
18:42would lead to happiness.
18:43I was wrong.
18:44I removed the SIM card from my phone
18:46and snapped it in half.
18:47Then I threw the phone into the ocean outside my window.
18:49Goodbye to my past.
18:51Goodbye to everything.
18:52But Rose found me anyway.
18:53It didn't take her long.
18:56A knock came at my door a week later.
18:58I looked through the peephole
19:00and my blood ran cold.
19:01Rose stood in the hallway,
19:02her eyes red and swollen.
19:04Ethan, please.
19:04I know you're in there.
19:06Can we just talk?
19:06I know you're not dead.
19:08I never told anyone.
19:10I just want to see you.
19:11Now that Serena thinks you're gone,
19:13can't you give me a chance?
19:14Can't you choose me?
19:15Rose, stop.
19:17It's over.
19:18Leave me alone.
19:20Just seeing her face
19:21brought back the memory of flames
19:22consuming my skin.
19:23The smell of my own flesh burning.
19:25The sound of her
19:26and Julian laughing as I died.
19:28Why?
19:29We were engaged once.
19:31You threw me away.
19:32Why can't you forgive me?
19:34We never had a real relationship
19:35in this life, Rose.
19:37Stop pretending we did.
19:38Through the peephole,
19:39I watched her crumple
19:40against the wall.
19:40I'd never seen Rose cry like this.
19:42Not in either lifetime.
19:43Maybe I owed her an explanation.
19:45Maybe it would finally
19:45make her leave me in peace.
19:46Rose, I need to tell you something.
19:49I had a dream once.
19:52In that dream,
19:52we were married.
19:54But you only married me
19:55to get close to Julian.
19:56In that dream,
19:57you and Julian
19:58were having an affair.
19:59You even tried to kill me
20:00by setting me up
20:01with another woman.
20:02I survived that.
20:03But then I discovered
20:04you and Julian together.
20:05I tried to record it
20:06as evidence.
20:07You caught me.
20:08And you burned me alive
20:09to destroy that recording.
20:10So I'm terrified of you, Rose.
20:12I'm scared of living
20:13through that nightmare again.
20:14Even though you haven't
20:15done those things
20:16in this life,
20:16I can't forget.
20:17I can't trust you.
20:18We need to let each other go.
20:22We need to let each other go.
20:23How could you dream
20:24something like that?
20:26That's impossible.
20:27It doesn't matter
20:27if it was real or not.
20:28You're not the one
20:29I should hate.
20:30I know that.
20:30But I can't be around you.
20:31Please understand.
20:34I'm so sorry, Ethan.
20:35I'm so sorry.
20:37I didn't hear her confession
20:38and closed my eyes.
20:39Outside,
20:40Rose kept talking to herself,
20:41words I would never hear.
20:43It wasn't a dream.
20:44It was real.
20:44I did all those things to you.
20:46And when Serena
20:46burned me alive for it,
20:48I thought it was justice.
20:48I thought I deserved it.
20:50Then I woke up in the past.
20:51I got a second chance.
20:52But you'd already
20:53broken our engagement.
20:54You were already
20:55in love with Serena.
20:55So I worked with Julian.
20:57We sent her photos
20:58of you and me together.
20:59We made her think
20:59you still loved me.
21:00I wanted to break you two apart.
21:02I thought if she rejected you,
21:03you'd come back to me.
21:04I never thought
21:05she'd hurt you like this.
21:06I never thought.
21:07I'm sorry.
21:08I'm so sorry.
21:09But I heard none of it.
21:10I fell asleep,
21:11right there by the door,
21:13too exhausted
21:13to make it to bed.
21:15Rose eventually left.
21:16My life returned to quiet
21:17until I got a message
21:19from the rescue captain.
21:20Mr. Sterling,
21:21I'm sorry.
21:22Miss Vance threatened my family.
21:23She made me tell her everything.
21:25She forced me.
21:25I didn't need to read the rest.
21:27I looked out my window.
21:28Serena was standing
21:29on the street below,
21:30staring up at my apartment.
21:32Even from this distance,
21:33I could see the devastation
21:34in her eyes.
21:37Serena stood on the street below,
21:39looking up at my building.
21:40Even from five floors up,
21:42I could see the grief
21:42carved into her face.
21:44Our eyes met through the glass.
21:45She didn't move,
21:46didn't wave,
21:47just stared at me
21:48with an expression
21:48that held so much sorrow.
21:50I almost looked away.
21:51My phone buzzed.
21:52An unknown number.
21:53I stared at the message
21:54for a long moment.
21:55Those digits were burned
21:57into my memory forever.
21:58Serena's number.
21:59I deleted the text
22:00and blocked her.
22:01Why won't she just let me go?
22:03I already died for her.
22:05What more does she want?
22:06But I couldn't stop myself
22:07from checking the window again.
22:09She was still there.
22:10The weather forecast
22:10said it would snow tonight.
22:12I tried to ignore her,
22:13made dinner,
22:14took my medication,
22:15attempted to read.
22:16When I looked out again
22:17two hours later,
22:18snow was falling.
22:19Serena hadn't moved.
22:20White flakes collected
22:21on her shoulders and hair.
22:24Damn it.
22:26She'd saved me
22:26in my past life,
22:27rushed into the flames
22:28for a stranger,
22:29avenged my death,
22:30and then followed me
22:31into the grave.
22:32I owed her something
22:33for that, didn't I?
22:34Even if she'd destroyed
22:35me in this life,
22:36I unblocked her number
22:37and stared at my phone,
22:39typed,
22:39and deleted
22:40half a dozen messages.
22:42Another text from her
22:43came through.
22:43It was the way she asked,
22:45the same soft pleading
22:46she used to use
22:47when we'd fight
22:47in the early days
22:48of our marriage,
22:49back when she still loved me.
22:50I hated that it still worked.
22:51I hated myself more,
22:53for caring.
22:54Before I could change my mind,
22:55I texted back.
22:56Five minutes later,
22:57she was at my door.
23:00Serena stepped inside,
23:02bringing the winter cold
23:03with her.
23:03Tomorrow morning,
23:04you're gone.
23:04I mean it.
23:10Sorry.
23:11I didn't mean to touch you
23:13without permission.
23:14Serena,
23:14why are you doing this?
23:15Just pretend I'm dead.
23:16Wouldn't that be easier
23:17for both of us?
23:18I can't.
23:22Please forgive me,
23:23Ethan.
23:24Please.
23:25Get up, Serena.
23:26This is pointless.
23:27It's not.
23:28I was only trying
23:29to make you jealous.
23:29I was insane with it.
23:31I saw those photos
23:31of you with Rose,
23:32and I-
23:32So you tortured me?
23:33You broke both my hands
23:35because you were jealous?
23:35The baby isn't real.
23:36I was never pregnant.
23:37I just wanted to hurt you back.
23:39I wanted you to feel
23:40what I was feeling.
23:41And it worked.
23:43Congratulations.
23:44Ethan, I love you.
23:45I've always loved you.
23:47From the moment I met you
23:48at the orphanage
23:49when we were children-
23:50Stop.
23:51Just stop.
23:52You want to know the truth?
23:54I didn't marry you
23:55because I loved you, Serena.
23:58I didn't marry you
23:59because I loved you, Serena.
24:01I married you
24:01because I owed you a debt.
24:03In my past life,
24:04you died for me.
24:04A stranger.
24:05You built me a grave
24:06and destroyed yourself
24:07getting revenge
24:08for someone you'd never even met.
24:09So when I woke up
24:10in this life,
24:11I thought I could repay
24:11that kindness
24:12by choosing you first.
24:13I thought we could be happy.
24:14I really did try to love you.
24:16But you're not the same person
24:17who saved me.
24:18That Serena died in the fire
24:19trying to pull me out.
24:20Now,
24:20you're the one
24:21who broke me instead.
24:23No.
24:24That's not true.
24:26I am that person.
24:27I remember everything
24:28from before.
24:29Do you?
24:30That woman wouldn't have
24:31shattered my hands
24:32for a crime I didn't commit.
24:33That woman wouldn't have
24:33left me alone
24:34on our anniversary
24:35to comfort my brother.
24:36You're right.
24:37You're right about all of it.
24:38So please,
24:39let me go.
24:40Stop coming here.
24:41Stop calling.
24:41Let me have some peace.
24:42We tried this.
24:43It didn't work.
24:44Let's just let it end.
24:45The snow was falling
24:46harder outside,
24:47visible through the window
24:48behind Serena's shaking form.
24:50She looked up at me
24:51one last time,
24:52her face destroyed
24:53by tears and regret.
24:54Then she stood on trembling legs
24:55and walked to the door.
24:57I'm sorry for everything.
24:59The door closed
25:00softly behind her.
25:02I stood alone
25:02in my apartment,
25:03listening to the silence,
25:05and wondered why
25:06doing the right thing
25:07felt so much like
25:07dying all over again.
25:10The news came a week later.
25:12Julian was dead.
25:13He'd bled out in the villa.
25:14By the time Rose
25:15finally called an ambulance,
25:16it was too late.
25:17I felt nothing when I heard.
25:19No satisfaction.
25:20No grief.
25:21Just emptiness.
25:23Rose never contacted me again
25:24after that night
25:25in the hallway.
25:25I realized then
25:27that she must have been
25:28reborn too.
25:29Everything made sense suddenly.
25:30Why she'd begged me
25:31to take her back.
25:32Why she knew
25:33I wasn't really dead.
25:34Why she found me
25:35so easily in London.
25:37Twenty years of marriage
25:38in our past life
25:39meant she knew
25:40everything about me.
25:41The cities I loved.
25:42Where I'd hide.
25:43How I thought.
25:44But it didn't matter anymore.
25:46None of it did.
25:47I still saw Serena sometimes.
25:49Spring came,
25:50and I'd spot her
25:51on a bench
25:51near my building.
25:52Leaves would fall
25:53on her shoulders
25:54while she sat smoking
25:55and staring up
25:56at my window.
25:57Winter returned,
25:58and she'd stand in the snow
25:59until her hair
26:00turned white with frost.
26:01Sometimes she'd text me.
26:03We're standing
26:03under the same snow.
26:04Does that count
26:05as growing old together?
26:06I never replied.
26:07Just watched from my window
26:08as she appeared
26:09and disappeared
26:10like a ghost
26:11haunting the street below.
26:12One day in late autumn,
26:14I came home to find her
26:15sitting on the steps
26:16outside my building.
26:17She looked thinner.
26:18There were dark circles
26:19under her eyes
26:20that makeup couldn't hide.
26:22I'm not here
26:22to bother you.
26:23I just wanted you to know
26:24that I'm selling the company.
26:26Why?
26:27Because you were right.
26:28I'm not the person
26:29who saved you anymore,
26:30so I'm going to become
26:31her again.
26:32What are you talking about?
26:33I'm donating everything
26:34to charity.
26:34The money,
26:35the properties,
26:35all of it.
26:36I'm going to work
26:37at the orphanage
26:37where we first met.
26:38Maybe if I become
26:39the person you needed
26:40me to be,
26:41you'll...
26:41Never mind,
26:42it doesn't matter.
26:42Serena.
26:43She turned back,
26:44hope flaring in her eyes.
26:46Don't do this for me.
26:47Do it because it's
26:48who you want to be,
26:49not because you think
26:49it'll change my mind.
26:50I know.
26:51I know you'll never
26:51forgive me,
26:52but I need to forgive
26:53myself somehow.
26:54She left.
26:55I watched her go
26:56and felt something
26:57twist in my chest.
27:01Months passed.
27:02A year.
27:03Then two.
27:04I heard through
27:05mutual acquaintances
27:06that Serena had
27:07kept her word.
27:08She'd given up everything
27:09and was working
27:10with orphaned children now.
27:12Sometimes I'd get
27:12a photo from Mrs. Vance,
27:14Serena teaching kids
27:15to paint.
27:16Serena reading stories
27:17at bedtime.
27:18Serena looking peaceful
27:19in a way I'd never seen.
27:20She asks about you.
27:22Mrs. Vance told me once.
27:23But she never asks me
27:24to tell you anything.
27:26She just wants to know
27:27if you're happy.
27:28Am I?
27:29I hope someday
27:30you will be, sweetheart.
27:32Five years after
27:33my staged death,
27:33I visited the cemetery.
27:35There was a grave
27:35with my name on it.
27:36The headstone read,
27:38Beloved Husband,
27:39just like in my past life.
27:41Fresh flowers
27:41sat in front of it.
27:43Someone had been here recently.
27:44I knelt down
27:45and traced my fingers
27:46over the carved letters.
27:47I don't know
27:47if you can hear me,
27:49but I wanted to say
27:50thank you
27:51for saving me
27:52in that other life,
27:53for loving someone
27:54you'd never met.
27:55I'm sorry I couldn't
27:56be what you needed
27:57in this one.
27:58I stood to leave
27:59and saw her.
28:00Serena stood at the
28:01cemetery gates
28:01watching me.
28:02She looked older now,
28:03calmer.
28:04There was gray in her hair
28:05that she hadn't bothered
28:06to die.
28:06Our eyes met
28:07across the distance.
28:08She raised her hand
28:09in a small wave,
28:10not approaching,
28:11not asking for anything,
28:12just acknowledging
28:13that we were both here,
28:14both alive,
28:15both somehow still tied
28:16to this grave between us.
28:18I nodded back.
28:19Then I turned,
28:20and walked away.
28:21Behind me,
28:22I heard her footsteps
28:23going in the opposite direction.
28:25This was our ending,
28:26not together,
28:27not enemies,
28:28just two people
28:29who'd loved each other
28:30badly in all the wrong ways.
28:32Maybe in another life,
28:33we'd get it right.
28:34But for now,
28:35this distance between us
28:37was the kindest thing
28:37we could offer each other.
28:39I never saw Serena again
28:40after that day,
28:42and somehow,
28:42that felt like
28:43the closest thing to peace
28:45either of us
28:45would ever find.
28:46We'll find out
28:46where we're going.
28:46We'll find out
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