- 5 hours ago
Claimed By My Ex’S Billionaire Uncle
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I went to a college reunion for my husband. Never expected my ex-husband to be there.
00:05Sorry I'm late. I'm here for my husband.
00:08The shuffling of cards stopped. My ex-husband, Ethan, looked up.
00:11His eyes locked onto me. Someone spoke first.
00:14Ethan, is this your class reunion or a pathetic ex-convention?
00:19Laughter exploded around the table.
00:21Claire, you leaked those sex photos just to climb the social ladder?
00:24That's how you made a name for yourself.
00:26You schemed and plotted until you ruined your own reputation,
00:29and then you got kicked out of the Blackwood family for good.
00:32Ethan's new wife comes from old money.
00:34She's educated, classy, not covered in cheap perfume like you.
00:38How dare you show your face here? The mockery came at me.
00:41They'd never know the truth.
00:42Once, he defied his entire family for me.
00:46He had eight ribs broken for me.
00:48Then she came. Everything changed.
00:50The year I miscarried, she took my uterus under the excuse of treatment.
00:54The day I left the hospital, she ran me over with a car. He watched.
00:59Let her vent her rage.
01:01I didn't die. I'm back.
01:05Didn't flinch the way they expected.
01:07I'm here to fill in for my husband, not to listen to gossip.
01:11Ethan walked over slowly.
01:13Claire, we're divorced.
01:15I stepped back, smiled.
01:17I know.
01:18That's why I'm not here for you, Mr. Blackwood.
01:20Planning to throw yourself at Ethan again?
01:22How far are you going to strip this time?
01:25The men at the table snickered.
01:26Chris grabbed my arm.
01:28Still chasing after him three years after the divorce?
01:30You have no shame, but the rest of us do.
01:34Chris was my brother.
01:35He hated me more than most.
01:37The woman stood between Ethan and me.
01:39She was the one Chris loved.
01:41Enough.
01:42Ethan lit a cigarette, his expression unreadable.
01:44Chris's grip tightened on my arm.
01:46His teeth clenched.
01:48What's wrong with calling it out?
01:49I'm her brother.
01:51If it wasn't for her, Grace would still be a surgeon.
01:54You were the only one who believed her.
01:56Let Grace suffer for years for nothing.
01:59Ethan crushed out the cigarette.
02:00What happened back then?
02:02Everyone had their reasons.
02:03Everyone had their reasons.
02:05What reasons?
02:05When I met Ethan, he was the Blackwood heir.
02:08A genius.
02:09Got into an Ivy League at 16.
02:11Doctorate by 20.
02:12But he only had eyes for me.
02:14To marry me.
02:15The only woman I'll marry is Claire.
02:19If you won't accept that, then I'm no longer a Blackwood.
02:23You don't have a son.
02:24He let his family break eight of his ribs.
02:28That's who he was.
02:29Stubborn to the core.
02:30Once he set his mind on something, nothing could sway him.
02:33When he built his empire.
02:34When he swore to protect me forever.
02:36Even when he cheated.
02:39I was 27 when I miscarried.
02:41Grace was my attending physician.
02:43She used treatment as an excuse to remove my uterus.
02:47Ethan lost his mind.
02:49He told me more than once.
02:50Ethan.
02:52If any other doctor could treat you,
02:54I'll make Grace pay for what she'd done.
02:56But on Ethan's birthday, I walked in on them in Grace's office.
03:00Bodies pressed together.
03:01I went crazy.
03:03Smashed everything in that room.
03:06Sent complaint after complaint to the hospital board.
03:09But before the hospital could respond,
03:11I had my photos all over the news.
03:13Private photos.
03:15Of me.
03:15Looking shameless.
03:17Like scenes from an adult film.
03:19It was my own brother who did it.
03:20You drugged Ethan.
03:23Climbed into his bed.
03:24Forced him to marry you out of responsibility.
03:27The final blow came from Ethan himself.
03:30I lay in bed and stared at all the accusations.
03:33That's when Ethan walked in with Grace.
03:35I know I wronged you.
03:37But Ethan and I truly love each other.
03:40The title.
03:41Children.
03:41I don't need any of it.
03:43I just want to stay by his side.
03:45Ethan pulled Grace behind him.
03:47Sighed.
03:47His voice tired.
03:51Claire, we've been together ten years.
03:52Can't I have one moment of weakness?
03:54She's different from you.
03:55She has a career.
03:56Has dignity.
03:57She doesn't need to follow men around.
03:59You have no shame.
04:00But Grace does.
04:02The man once said I was his whole world.
04:05He slapped me across the face.
04:07Between me and Grace.
04:08He chose her.
04:09Without hesitation.
04:11What am I to you?
04:12Forced myself to ask.
04:1418 year old Ethan sat through endless business dinners.
04:17He coughed up blood.
04:19Just to give me a better life.
04:21And now.
04:22He only looked at me with irritation.
04:24You did something wrong.
04:25I'm just asking you to apologize.
04:27Why drag this out?
04:29Wrong?
04:31He didn't know.
04:32Their cheated videos and texts were still on my phone.
04:36I snapped back to reality.
04:39What reasons?
04:41You went out of your way to cover up her scandals.
04:43And she broke Grace's hands.
04:45I looked around.
04:46Didn't see my husband Lucas anywhere.
04:48I didn't want to rehash old history anyway.
04:51I'm at the wrong place.
04:53I sent my husband a text.
04:54Then turned to leave.
04:55Familiar fingers wrapped around my wrist.
04:57I don't blame you anymore.
04:59For what happened back then.
05:01I pulled away.
05:01Looked at him coldly.
05:04Are you addicted to performing?
05:05A light laugh cut through the tension.
05:07Grace walked over in heels.
05:09Claire.
05:10Slipped her arm through Ethan's.
05:11Didn't expect to see you here.
05:12Her eyes challenged me.
05:14In the past.
05:15Just hearing her name made me hysterical.
05:16Now.
05:17After all the pain.
05:18I felt nothing at all.
05:19Are you still mad at me?
05:21Even if you hate me.
05:23You shouldn't ignore your brother.
05:24He actually worries about you.
05:26I don't have a brother.
05:28When my brother and husband chose her.
05:30I lost my family.
05:31Grace grabbed my wrist.
05:33My mother's bracelet.
05:34The only thing she left me.
05:35Ethan took it from me by force.
05:37Gave it to Grace as an apology gift.
05:39Maybe Ethan was right.
05:40He did have his reasons.
05:42Just not for me.
05:42For Grace.
05:43She nearly ran me over with a car.
05:45I'd just left the hospital.
05:46Walking home.
05:47Ethan's sports car roared up.
05:49Grace was driving.
05:50Hate burned in her eyes.
05:51This is all your fault.
05:52Why won't you just die?
05:53Why are you stealing my map?
05:56I threw myself to the side.
05:58Voices floated over from the hospital entrance.
06:00What's she doing?
06:01Heard she's going after someone's husband.
06:03Deserves it.
06:04Running her over would be doing everyone a favor.
06:06Homewrecker.
06:07I didn't have time to argue.
06:08Just wanted to run.
06:10Then the tire rolled over my leg.
06:12A crack.
06:13Pain exploded.
06:14I shook all over.
06:16Couldn't even scream.
06:17Grace smiled brightly.
06:19Ethan said I could do anything to make myself feel better.
06:22Can't run now, can you?
06:24Time to speed up.
06:26She hit the gas again.
06:27I didn't run this time.
06:29As the car came at me, I lunged forward.
06:32Grabbed the steering wheel.
06:33Used everything I had to wrench it sideways.
06:36Claire, are you insane?
06:37I didn't answer.
06:38Just held on and kept pulling.
06:40My leg dragged across the pavement.
06:43Skin tore open.
06:44Left a trail of blood.
06:45The car slammed into a tree.
06:47The impact threw me hard.
06:49Before anyone could react, Grace stomped on my broken leg.
06:53Slapped me over and over.
06:55I was just joking around.
06:57Did you have to try to kill me?
06:58Pain flashed white across my vision.
07:00I tried to fight back, but familiar hands pinned my shoulders.
07:04Ethan's voice came from above.
07:06Don't move.
07:07Let her vent.
07:08You almost killed her just now.
07:09Do you understand that?
07:10Ethan, are you blind?
07:12She ran me over, crushed my leg, and you don't see it?
07:16Ethan's jaw tightened.
07:17If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't have lost control.
07:20He turned away from me, walked to Grace.
07:22Grace leaned into him, sobbed, then stood on her toes and kissed him.
07:27They stood there, kissing.
07:29Wouldn't let go of each other.
07:30I spent a week in the hospital.
07:32Ethan didn't call once.
07:34Didn't text.
07:35Never came to see me.
07:36But my brother made sure to show me Grace's social media.
07:39A snowy ski slope.
07:41Ethan and Grace side by side.
07:43A steamy hot spring.
07:45Him holding her.
07:46Kissing her.
07:47Chris stared at the photos of the laughing woman with soft eyes.
07:51Look at them.
07:52They're perfect together.
07:53They were meant to be.
07:54Why do you have to break them up?
07:56Grace is so accomplished.
07:59Ethan's always had feelings for her.
08:01Why can't you be mature like me and let them go?
08:03His irritation made it seem like I ruined their relationship.
08:06I lost it.
08:07Smashed everything in the room.
08:09Screamed at Ethan to get out.
08:11I was about to demand a divorce when his phone rang.
08:14Mr. Blackwood.
08:16Miss Monroe was kidnapped.
08:18They cut her hand tendons.
08:19The kidnappers said Claire paid them to teach Miss Roe a lesson.
08:22Ethan's face changed.
08:24His hands shot out and wrapped around my throat.
08:27How can you be this vicious?
08:29Do you know she's a surgeon?
08:31If her hands are ruined, she's finished.
08:34I couldn't breathe.
08:35Watched the disappointment and rage in his eyes.
08:38Laughed.
08:39Are you stupid?
08:40You actually believe that?
08:42Ethan didn't listen.
08:44Grabbed my arm.
08:45He hauled me to Grace's hospital room.
08:47The second Grace saw Ethan, she threw herself into his arms.
08:51Ethan, I just fell in love with you.
08:53I didn't do anything wrong.
08:55Why does she want to hurt me like this?
08:57Does she need me dead to be satisfied?
08:59Ethan rubbed her back, his face dark.
09:02I know I have no right to say this, but my hands are destroyed.
09:06My whole life is over.
09:09Shouldn't she be punished?
09:10Whatever you want.
09:11Your call.
09:12Grace stopped crying instantly.
09:14I don't want her hands.
09:16Just send her to the underground fight club.
09:19Let her be a punching bag.
09:21Let her know what it feels like.
09:23Years ago, Ethan's company nearly went bankrupt.
09:27I had no other choice.
09:28I went to an underground fight club.
09:31I worked as a punching bag.
09:33Got beaten until my organs bled.
09:36It took three days in the ER to survive.
09:39Back then, Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
09:42Eyes red from crying.
09:43I'll never let you get hurt again.
09:46Not for the rest of your life.
09:48I looked up at Ethan.
09:49My voice trembled.
09:51You promised me you-
09:53You've done it before.
09:54Pain teaches lessons.
09:56The second Ethan finished speaking,
09:58his bodyguards grabbed my arms,
10:00dragged me to the underground fight club.
10:03The stench of sweat and blood hit my face.
10:06Ethan!
10:06His voice came back cold, almost cruel.
10:10You're Mrs. Blackwood.
10:11No one would really touch you.
10:13A scar-faced man raised his fist,
10:16and swung at me without warning.
10:18Bitch!
10:19Look at yourself!
10:20Someone like Miss Monroe?
10:21You think you can compete with her?
10:24Today you're gonna learn.
10:25Some people are out of your league.
10:30His fist knocked my teeth loose.
10:33Blood filled my mouth.
10:34He grabbed my hair, yanked me up, slammed me down.
10:38I heard the filthy incense.
10:40My vision blurred.
10:41The last punch hit my temple.
10:43Ethan stared at me.
10:44His expression complicated.
10:46Claire, let's move forward.
10:49His eyes looked pained.
10:50I just found it funny.
10:52My husband's waiting for me.
10:54I turned to go.
10:55Ethan grabbed my shoulder.
10:56I don't believe it.
10:58You love me that much.
11:01How could you marry someone else?
11:04A hand with a wedding ring blocked his.
11:07What are you trying to do to your aunt?
11:08Ethan looked up.
11:10Recognized the man.
11:11Blurted out.
11:12Uncle Lucas?
11:13What are you doing here?
11:14Grace looked confused.
11:16Came closer.
11:17Ethan ignored her.
11:19Stared at my hand holding Lucas's.
11:21The anger in his voice almost spilled over.
11:24Claire?
11:25What the hell is this?
11:26Are you trying to humiliate me?
11:27I looked at his self-righteous accusation.
11:30Wanted to laugh.
11:31When I woke up from that coma at the fight club, he wasn't there.
11:35Just a cold divorce agreement on the bedside table.
11:38His assistant delivered the message.
11:40Mr. Blackwoods the said he couldn't tolerate you anymore.
11:43Instead of living a good life, you had to stage an injury to frame Miss Monroe.
11:48You are shameless and disgusting.
11:50I was covered in injuries.
11:52Didn't even have the strength to argue.
11:54Ten years felt like a joke.
11:56I signed without hesitation.
11:58Booked a flight out of the country that same day.
12:01During those three years abroad recovering, I met Lucas.
12:04He never asked about my past.
12:07Just held me quietly when nightmares woke me up.
12:10This trip back was our first time returning after the wedding.
12:13He wanted to see family and friends.
12:15I had no idea they had this kind of relationship going on.
12:19Claire!
12:20Have you no shame?
12:21Chris's voice exploded.
12:23He rushed over.
12:25Just divorced and already hooking up with another man.
12:28Are you that desperate?
12:30You've disgraced the entire family!
12:32Lucas knocked it away.
12:33Lucas pulled me behind him.
12:35Lifted my left hand.
12:36My wedding ring clinked against his.
12:38He smiled.
12:39Looked at Chris.
12:40Then at Ethan.
12:41Legal wife.
12:42Not hooking up.
12:44Chris froze.
12:46His face turned red.
12:47You're lying.
12:48She's only been divorced three years.
12:50How could it be legal?
12:52We've been married two years.
12:54The noisy room went silent.
12:56Ethan's face looked ugly.
12:57He stared at Lucas.
12:58Voice full of disbelief.
13:00Uncle Lucas.
13:01Do you know who she is?
13:03How could you marry her?
13:04Lucas smiled.
13:06Didn't know she was your ex-wife before.
13:08Now I do.
13:09So what?
13:09He turned to shield me.
13:11Eyes swept over Ethan's tense face.
13:13You're divorced.
13:14Why can't I marry her?
13:16Besides, you and I were never that close anyway.
13:18The words hit Ethan's sore spot perfectly.
13:21Everyone there knew.
13:22The Blackwood family claimed the first wife was infertile.
13:25But no one dared speak the truth.
13:27Ethan was the old man's illegitimate son.
13:30Never even made it into the family registry.
13:32Ethan's face went white as paper.
13:34His fists clenched.
13:35Veins bulged.
13:36Claire, now you know who he is?
13:39Divorce him.
13:40Start over with me.
13:42I'll take care of you.
13:43I promise I won't let you get hurt anymore.
13:45I looked at his serious expression.
13:47Couldn't help laughing.
13:49When he sent me to that fight club
13:50and watched me get badly beaten,
13:53where was he?
13:53Now he wants to play the devoted lover?
13:56When I didn't respond, Ethan's face darkened.
13:58He suddenly pulled out a checkbook and pen from his jacket.
14:01Scribbled something.
14:02Tore off the page and threw it at me.
14:0430 million.
14:05Enough?
14:06Not enough?
14:0750 million.
14:07100 million.
14:08Whatever.
14:09Just leave him.
14:10I'll give you anything you want.
14:12The check fluttered to the floor.
14:13Chris jumped in immediately.
14:14Claire, aren't you embarrassed?
14:19Take the money and get lost.
14:22Ethan, don't be like this.
14:24We're all family.
14:26No need to hurt anyone's feelings.
14:28Claire found someone good now.
14:30You should be happy for her.
14:32Ethan yanked his arm away hard.
14:34She stumbled back.
14:35Hit the poker table.
14:36Cards scattered everywhere.
14:39Stay out of my business with Claire.
14:41His voice was ice cold.
14:43None of his usual warmth.
14:44Grace bit her lip.
14:46Anger flashed in her eyes.
14:47But she didn't dare show it.
14:49Just lowered her head like she'd been wronged.
14:51I looked at her.
14:52Suddenly, I thought of the person I used to be.
14:54The woman who walked on eggshells around Ethan.
14:57Too scared to even talk back.
14:59Turned out in his eyes, everyone was just a disposable accessory.
15:02He was always this heartless and selfish.
15:05Ethan walked up to me.
15:06His eyes showed obsessive madness.
15:08I know you still want me.
15:10Otherwise, why would you come back?
15:12Claire, if you're willing, I'll divorce Grace right now.
15:15We can go back to how things were.
15:17Okay?
15:19How could you find someone else behind my back?
15:21Do you think that's fair to me?
15:22His words were like delusional nonsense.
15:25I was done listening.
15:27I tugged Lucas' arm.
15:28Honey, let's go.
15:29I think he's sick.
15:31Lucas squeezed my hand and looked at Ethan coldly.
15:34Ethan, back off.
15:36She's my wife now.
15:38Keep harassing her and I won't be polite.
15:41Ethan tried to block us.
15:43Lucas' look made him step back.
15:45In the car, it was quiet.
15:47Just the soft sound of air from the vents.
15:49I looked at Lucas' hands on the steering wheel.
15:51Long fingers.
15:52Suddenly, I felt the urge to ask.
15:54Don't you want to know what happened between me and Ethan?
15:56Lucas paused, glanced at me, his eyes gentle.
16:00I only know he hurt you.
16:01I don't care about the details.
16:02He reached over and ruffled my hair.
16:04The past is past.
16:06I just need you to be okay now.
16:08The words were like warm water, slowly poured over the scabbed wounds in my heart.
16:12My nose stung.
16:13Eyes burned.
16:14But I wasn't sad.
16:15I used to beg Ethan to listen.
16:17To believe me.
16:18But he never did.
16:19Yet Lucas, he didn't even ask.
16:21He just stood firmly by my side.
16:23That feeling of being trusted.
16:25Of being valued.
16:26I'd never felt that from Ethan.
16:28I held his hand tight, feeling the warmth of his palm.
16:31I thought back to the first time I met Lucas abroad.
16:33I'd just had my second leg surgery and was still limping.
16:36Living in a quiet little town.
16:38He was a visiting professor at the local hospital.
16:40We met by chance.
16:41I fell in the park and he helped me up.
16:43After that, he'd come by my apartment building.
16:45Sometimes brought daisies.
16:47Sometimes brought warm food.
16:48He never pressed me to talk about my past.
16:50Never forced me to respond.
16:52At first I kept refusing.
16:54Ten years of love.
16:55From passionate to brutal.
16:56I was too scared to trust anyone.
16:58Especially men.
16:59I was afraid of being abandoned again.
17:02Afraid the gentleness was fake.
17:03But he never gave up.
17:04When nightmares woke me up crying at night.
17:06He'd comfort me softly through the door.
17:09When I didn't want to talk.
17:10He'd sit quietly beside me with a book.
17:12He'd stay there all afternoon.
17:14When checkups left my leg too painful to walk.
17:16He'd push the wheelchair without complaining.
17:19What really made me open up.
17:20Was when my old injury flared up.
17:22I had a high fever that wouldn't break.
17:24Half conscious.
17:25I felt someone sitting by the bed.
17:27Wiping my forehead.
17:28Giving me water.
17:29Humming an off key tune.
17:30When I woke up.
17:31Lucas was asleep against the bed.
17:33Eyes bloodshot.
17:34That moment.
17:35My defenses crumbled completely.
17:37I knew this man really wanted to be good to me.
17:39The car rolled smoothly down the highway.
17:41Lucas suddenly spoke.
17:43If you don't want to.
17:43We don't have to see those relatives.
17:45We can book flights back right now.
17:46I shook my head.
17:47It's fine.
17:48I want to meet them.
17:49With him beside me.
17:51The people and things that used to suffer me.
17:53Didn't seem so scary anymore.
17:55I wasn't the Claire I was three years ago.
17:57The one who could only endure in silence.
17:59On Christmas Eve.
18:01Lucas took me to the Blackwood family estate.
18:03It was supposed to be a family gathering.
18:05Really just some distant relatives and close friends.
18:07We walked through the door.
18:09The living room was noisy.
18:10Talking and laughter mixed together all around.
18:13Everyone looked up when we walked in.
18:15Then it went quiet for a few seconds.
18:17Ethan sat in the middle of the couch.
18:19Saw my hand in Lucas's.
18:21His face went dark immediately.
18:22I felt nothing inside.
18:24Not angry.
18:25Not embarrassed.
18:26I just looked him straight in the eyes calmly.
18:29Then looked away.
18:30Mrs. Blackwood came out of the kitchen.
18:31She saw me and froze.
18:33Surprise flashed in her eyes.
18:35Then she went calm again.
18:36You're here.
18:37I knew she never liked me.
18:39If Ethan hadn't insisted on marrying me back then.
18:42I would have never stepped foot inside the Blackwood house.
18:45This kind of attitude actually felt comfortable.
18:47No fake small talk.
18:49At dinner, everyone sat around the table.
18:51I could feel eyes glued to me.
18:53I didn't even need to look to know it was Ethan.
18:55Dishes came out one by one.
18:57When a plate of shrimp got set in the middle,
18:59Ethan practically lunged for one.
19:01He started peeling it expertly.
19:02He worked fast and removed the head and shell.
19:05Then held the meat out to me.
19:07Used to love these.
19:08Try it.
19:09Still made the way you like.
19:10Before I could react, Lucas's hand blocked it.
19:13She's allergic to seafood.
19:15Didn't you know?
19:15Ethan's hand froze mid-air.
19:17His expression shifted.
19:19First, shock.
19:20Then, deep regret.
19:21My mind drifted back to three years ago.
19:23Right after my miscarriage, when I was still in the hospital.
19:26I was weak, with no appetite.
19:28Ethan tried to clear his schedule to take care of me.
19:30One night, he came to my room late, carrying a container of soup.
19:35Had a sudden meeting.
19:36Sorry I'm late.
19:37I didn't think much of it back then.
19:39I just worried he'd wear himself out running back and forth.
19:42Not long after that, my whole body broke out in hives.
19:45I couldn't breathe.
19:46I had to go to emergency care.
19:47Seafood allergy was really severe.
19:49If it had been any later, she would have been in real danger.
19:51After that, Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
19:54His head was buried in the blanket.
19:56I'm sorry.
19:56I'm so sorry.
19:58I was too busy.
20:00Forgot about your allergy.
20:01I just thought the soup place tasted good.
20:04So I brought some.
20:06I believed him back then.
20:07Felt bad for how hard he was working.
20:09Comforted him instead.
20:11Said it was fine.
20:12Just an accident.
20:13Later I found out from someone else.
20:15He wasn't busy that day.
20:17He was celebrating Grace's birthday.
20:19That soup place was Grace's favorite.
20:21He bought it for Grace, and got me some on the side.
20:24He'd completely forgotten about my allergy.
20:27Honey, did you remember Ron?
20:31Grace's voice pulled me back.
20:33She wore a soft smile, but jealousy burned in her eyes.
20:36She reached out to take Ethan's arm.
20:38But he dodged her hand instinctively.
20:41He put down his fork.
20:42Stood up.
20:43I'm done eating.
20:45Grace's hand hung in the air.
20:47Hurt and anger flashed in her eyes.
20:49But she didn't dare show it.
20:51Just watched Ethan turn and walk out.
20:53Dinner ended in a weird atmosphere.
20:55Lucas didn't want me tired.
20:57Took me upstairs to rest early.
20:59The guest room was quiet.
21:00The bedding smelled like sun-dried laundry.
21:03But lying there, I couldn't sleep.
21:05I wanted to go for a walk, but heard arguing from a room downstairs.
21:09Grace's voice came through, crying and accusing.
21:12Ethan!
21:14Tell me the truth!
21:16Do you still have feelings for Claire?
21:18The way you looked at her!
21:20How you peeled shrimp for her!
21:22You never forgot her at all!
21:24My feet stopped.
21:26Can you stop making things up?
21:28Claire and I are over.
21:30Over?!
21:30Grace's voice shot up.
21:31Over, but you remember she likes shrimp and forgot I mentioned wanting cake yesterday?
21:36Over, but you dodged my hand and can't stop thinking about her?
21:40Ethan, put your hand on your heart.
21:42Are you only with me out of guilt?
21:43Guilt?
21:44I laughed internally.
21:45Back then he did such cruel things to me for Grace's sake.
21:48Now he says it's guilt?
21:49If you hadn't seduced me, pushed me harder, would I be here today?
21:53Ethan's voice was full of rage.
21:55I admit I couldn't resist temptation.
21:57But don't act so innocent.
21:59Back then, what I took for betrayal was just him succumbing to his desires.
22:03And Grace's so-called true love was nothing but a calculated ploy to get him.
22:07I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd seen outside Grace's office.
22:11Those vile texts.
22:12The way he'd sent me to that fight club just to keep Grace safe.
22:15Back then, I'd hated him for his cruelty.
22:17For his betrayal.
22:18I'd hated that I'd wasted 10 years on the wrong man.
22:21But hearing all this now, I only felt sorry for my foolish younger self.
22:25To pour all that courage and devotion on such a weak and selfish man.
22:29He never truly loved anyone.
22:31Only himself.
22:32When he married me and cut ties with his family, it had only been impulse and fleeting novelty.
22:38Later, he chose Grace because he couldn't resist temptation.
22:41Or perhaps Grace simply fed his vanity better.
22:43Now that he saw I was thriving, he wanted to drag me back.
22:47He just couldn't stand his former possession belonging to someone else.
22:50I seduced you?
22:51I ruined my hands for you?
22:53My reputation?
22:54And now you're saying this to me?
22:57Ethan, you're heartless!
22:59Heartless?
22:59You threw yourself at me.
23:01And now you're blaming me?
23:03If you hadn't come on to me all those years ago, Claire and I would never have gotten divorced.
23:07I stopped listening after that.
23:09Turned around.
23:09Walked back upstairs without a sound.
23:11Three days.
23:12That's how long we stayed.
23:13Ethan's stares across every meal.
23:15Grace's soft smiles that never reached her eyes.
23:18The whole house watching, waiting for me to crack.
23:21I didn't.
23:22Lucas was there.
23:22That was enough.
23:23Back in the room that first night, Lucas was still in the same position.
23:27Sleeping deeply.
23:27I slipped in beside him.
23:29He pulled me close without waking up.
23:31Like muscle memory.
23:32Like I was something he didn't want to lose even in his sleep.
23:35I closed my eyes.
23:36Downstairs, they were still at it.
23:38Didn't matter.
23:38That world wasn't mine anymore.
23:40But Lucas was awake.
23:41I didn't know it then.
23:42He'd heard everything.
23:44Not the argument.
23:45Not the shouting.
23:46He'd heard me stop walking in the hallway.
23:48Heard the exact moment I chose to turn away.
23:50He lay still.
23:51Eyes open in the dark.
23:52Thinking about a bowl of seafood soup.
23:54A hospital room.
23:55A woman covered in hives who almost didn't make it.
23:58And a surgeon who had been her doctor.
24:01He thought about that for a long time.
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