- 2 hours ago
- #shortdrama
- #heartstringshub
$400 and a Secret Daughter - FULL | DramaReel
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
#shortdrama
#heartstringshub
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:02Back in college, I literally bought myself a boyfriend.
00:05Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover your grandfather's medical bills.
00:08I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
00:10Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
00:14I wanted him.
00:15I thought I was saving him.
00:16I forgot that to Julian, pride mattered more than survival.
00:20He swallowed his pride and stayed with me for four years, and I was naive enough to think
00:23he loved me.
00:24That was until I got pregnant, my family lost everything, and whatever pride I had left
00:28was crushed.
00:29Out of wounded pride, I disappeared while I was pregnant.
00:31I never told Julian we had a daughter.
00:33Click.
00:33The heavy VIP door locks shut.
00:35Of all places, I run into Julian in a strip club.
00:38Take it off.
00:39What?
00:40Up on the stage.
00:41Dance.
00:42Now.
00:43A shiver runs through me.
00:44I paid for the hour, Ave.
00:46Or should I call you Luna?
00:48I only serve drinks, Julian.
00:50I'm not a-
00:50He's on his feet in an instant.
00:52Not a stripper?
00:53Does your father, sitting in federal prison, know you work here dressed like this?
00:58You investigated me?
01:00I spent six years looking for you!
01:03Private investigators, hackers, social media, you covered your tracks too well.
01:09And this is what you've come to?
01:11Hiding behind a mask and working for tips in a place like this?
01:15Because I'm a mess, okay?
01:17A complete mess!
01:19Julian freezes, and the next second, he lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
01:23Why?
01:25How did this happen to you?
01:27Don't act like you care!
01:29I hate you every damn second.
01:31And I wouldn't.
01:33If you didn't still matter to me.
01:35You said you loved me back then.
01:37Was that a lie?
01:39And I remember the morning I left, when I kissed his forehead and lied that I'd see him at graduation.
01:43I-
01:44A small voice rings out, and a little girl runs in.
01:46Are you my dad?
01:48Why did you make my mommy cry?
01:51She-
01:51She's got the wrong guy!
01:53Eve.
01:54Julian's voice turns low, edged with warning.
01:57Whose kid is she?
01:58But Lily steps in front of me, tiny and stubborn.
02:02She tilts her head back, studying the tall man in front of her.
02:05You're so tall!
02:07Are you a giant?
02:09Julian looks down.
02:10He stares down at the little girl who barely reaches his knees.
02:13The same black curls.
02:15The same icy blue eyes.
02:17Even that stubborn streak is pure Julian.
02:19No, I'm not a giant.
02:20I'm a hockey player.
02:21Julian's face softens as he reaches out and pinches Lily's cheek.
02:24Like in Frozen?
02:26Yeah, close enough.
02:28Eve, how old is she?
02:30Julian shifts his gaze and looks up at me.
02:32She just turned four.
02:33The lie makes my heart pound.
02:35Heat creeps into my face.
02:36A year's difference is enough to hide the truth.
02:38I can't let him know she came from that night five years ago.
02:41But right then, Lily suddenly grabs Julian's hand.
02:44Your hands are so cold.
02:46Mommy says we're basically part polar bear.
02:50Are you a polar bear too?
02:52Julian slowly crouches down to look at Lily.
02:54What's your name?
02:55Lily Hartley.
02:57She politely holds out her hand and Julian shakes it.
03:01Nice to meet you.
03:02I'm Mr. Vane.
03:03Van?
03:04Lily lets out an excited squeal.
03:06You're that hockey player!
03:08Mommy has a picture of you!
03:10It's all old and creased.
03:12She takes it out and looks at it when she thinks I'm asleep.
03:14That's enough, Lily!
03:16I scoop my daughter up and hurry out of the stifling VIP room.
03:19Mommy, let me go!
03:21He's a polar bear too!
03:22Lily keeps struggling in my arms.
03:24Eve.
03:25I freeze in my tracks.
03:27I don't dare look back.
03:28She's my daughter, isn't she?
03:31No.
03:32She's not yours.
03:33I clutch Lily to me, my fingers digging into her coat and bolt.
03:37Late at night, I watch Lily sleep in my arms.
03:40Her long lashes and stubborn little chin are pure Julian.
03:44My mind drifts back six years.
03:46Back then, I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
03:48Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
03:52I wanted him.
03:53So I made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
03:55The day his grandfather ended up in the ICU, and he had no way to pay for it, I put
04:00a check
04:00down in front of him.
04:01Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover every cent.
04:04I thought I was saving him.
04:05I forgot that to Julian, pride mattered more than survival.
04:09During my senior year, my family went bankrupt, and my dad went to prison.
04:13I fell from grace into the dirt, and debt collectors hunted me down everywhere.
04:17Meanwhile, Julian had just signed a multi-million dollar contract with a major team.
04:21He had a brilliant future ahead of him.
04:23We're done, Julian.
04:25I had my fun, and now I'm bored.
04:27He didn't ask me to stay.
04:28Okay.
04:29I figured he was relieved that day.
04:31He finally didn't have to look at the woman who had humiliated him with her money.
04:35I deleted all my contact info, and left Detroit while I was pregnant with Lily.
04:40Since then, life has been one long struggle to survive.
04:43Until today, when I ran into him at the strip club.
04:45Now he's one of the biggest stars in the NHL.
04:48He's worth tens of millions.
04:49The kind of man who shows up with actresses on red carpets.
04:52And I am a waitress at a strip club.
04:54I wear low-cut tops and serve drinks to drunk handsy men, just to pay for my daughter's medicine.
04:59At 5am, a text lights up my screen.
05:01We need to talk.
05:03Don't make me come down to that club and drag you out, Eve.
05:06I delete the message, block his number, and pretend none of it happened.
05:10But when I clock in the next day...
05:12The guy in VIP asked for you by name.
05:14...I push the door open.
05:16Julian sits alone, turning an empty glass between his fingers.
05:19Sit.
05:20I perch on the edge of the sofa, ready to bolt at any second.
05:23Mr. Vane, just say whatever you came here to say.
05:27Why did you leave so suddenly back then?
05:29Were you really just bored?
05:30He turns to me.
05:32You deleted your Snapchat.
05:33You changed your number.
05:34You vanished off the face of the earth.
05:37He suddenly leans in, all broad shoulders and solid muscle, leaving me nowhere to go.
05:41Eve, you're still just as good at using people as ever.
05:45In that moment, I almost tell him the truth.
05:48He pulls a stack of cash from his jacket.
05:50He slaps the cash against my chest hard enough to sting.
05:52He grips my chin and tips my face up.
05:5420 grand.
05:56Take off this cheap lace.
05:57Put on that white dress you used to love and serve me.
06:00I put on the white dress.
06:02I stand in front of him, my trembling fingers reaching to undo his suit jacket.
06:06Julian catches me by the throat.
06:08There's no room for argument in his voice.
06:10Is Lily my daughter?
06:11No.
06:11I grit my teeth.
06:12Then who's the father?
06:13Some safe, dependable fiancé?
06:15What's his name?
06:16What does he do?
06:17Julian, stop.
06:18I looked for you for six damn years.
06:20He roars.
06:21Every single second, I wondered what the hell I did wrong.
06:24Why did you vanish?
06:25Why won't you even look at me now?
06:27Julian lets go.
06:28I clutch my throat and cough hard.
06:30Tears well up in my eyes.
06:31You're a superstar athlete.
06:33I was drowning in debt with my father in prison.
06:35I couldn't see any future for us.
06:37Couldn't see it?
06:38He suddenly laughs bitterly.
06:40I wanted to build a home with you and give you everything I had.
06:43You threw our future away.
06:44Because I had no choice.
06:46I finally break down.
06:47I pull my knees to my chest and sob.
06:49My family went bankrupt.
06:51I was drowning in debt.
06:53I couldn't cling to you and ruin your life too.
06:56I could have faced it with you.
06:58He scoffs.
06:59He pulls a crumpled contract offer from his jacket and slams it onto the table.
07:03Eve, did you really think I was in it for the money?
07:05I had 12 team offers.
07:07I turned down New York.
07:08I turned down Chicago.
07:09I chose Detroit.
07:10The worst deal and the least money.
07:13I just hoped I'd run into you one day in the city where you grew up.
07:17Was it all for your damn pride, Miss Hartley?
07:19Julian gives a bitter half smile.
07:21His eyes are cold enough to make me shiver.
07:23I open my mouth, but my throat burns.
07:25I can't force out a single word.
07:27Maya Hart pushes the door open, clicking across the floor in her stilettos.
07:31Oh my god.
07:32Eve?
07:33Is that really you?
07:34I tug at my short white dress, trying to hide my humiliation.
07:37Everyone went crazy looking for you.
07:39And you're... here?
07:41Her sharp eyes scan my dress, landing on the price tag still hanging off it.
07:44Her tone drips with sarcasm.
07:46Wearing knockoffs and scraping by in a place like this?
07:49That's so not the old you, Eve.
07:51She pulls a no-limit black card from her Chanel bag.
07:53She waves it in the air, then shoves it into my hand.
07:55If you're broke, just say so.
07:57Take it.
07:58There's no limit.
07:59It's enough to buy a truckload of cheap dresses like that.
08:01You don't have to pay me back.
08:03I look at Maya, then I turn to Julian, who hasn't stopped glaring at me.
08:06I steal myself and force a polished, fake smile.
08:09Thanks, but I really don't need charity.
08:11I deliberately smooth down the skirt of my white dress, bracing myself for the lie.
08:15I'm getting married.
08:16I was trying this dress on for my fiancé.
08:19If you guys are free, you're welcome to come to the wedding.
08:21Shatter.
08:21The glass in Julian's hand explodes into pieces.
08:24Married?
08:25He shoots up from his seat.
08:26He grabs my waist and slams me hard against the wall.
08:29Eve, you're wearing the dress I bought you and telling me you're marrying someone else?
08:35I stand there in the white dress he bought me, spinning a lie designed to destroy him.
08:40His name is Ivan, the rich guy who used to pursue me in college.
08:43I look him dead in the eye as his face turns paper white.
08:46He paid off every single cent of my debt, so I'm marrying him.
08:50Julian looks like I just punched him in the chest.
08:52His breathing turns heavy and ragged.
08:54Do you love him?
08:55He's good to me.
08:56I asked if you love him!
08:58He lunges forward.
08:59He cages me in, slamming both hands against the wall right next to my head.
09:03I don't answer him.
09:04I just shove him away.
09:05Julian, we are done.
09:06We ended six years ago.
09:07He freezes, standing there speechless.
09:09Then he drops his head and walks out of the VIP room.
09:12All the fight drained out of him.
09:14Late that night, I drag myself home, exhausted.
09:16Mommy!
09:17My five-year-old daughter, Lily, throws herself into my arms.
09:20She shoves a crayon drawing into my hand.
09:22This is Daddy, this is Mommy, and this is me.
09:25Lily, you don't have a Daddy.
09:27But that hockey giant looks exactly like me!
09:29Lily sticks out her bottom lip, looking heartbroken.
09:31Mommy is lying.
09:32He's my Daddy, right?
09:33I crouch down.
09:34I fight back my tears and kiss her forehead.
09:36Daddy is far above the baby.
09:37Mommy will take you to the park tomorrow.
09:38I step out onto the balcony, smoking a cigarette to numb the exhaustion.
09:41I look down at the street below.
09:43A massive black Hummer is parked right in the shadows of the street lamp.
09:46The window is rolled halfway down.
09:48The glowing red tip of a cigarette burns between his fingers in the dark.
09:51Julian, we live in two completely different worlds now.
09:53Why did you have to crash back into mine?
09:55It's Saturday.
09:56I take Lily to the sandbox at the local park.
09:58She's busy building her sandcastle.
10:00I sit on the bench.
10:01My phone buzzes like crazy.
10:02Julian, what the hell do you want?
10:04I'm 30 feet behind you, under the oak tree.
10:07I whip my head around, my blood running cold.
10:09Julian stands there in a gray hoodie.
10:11Are you stalking me?
10:12I just wanted to see her.
10:13He closes the distance in long strides.
10:15Before I can even block his path.
10:16Daddy, you finally came back!
10:19Julian goes completely rigid.
10:20He slowly crouches down, letting my daughter cling to him.
10:22Eve, how old is she really?
10:24Four.
10:25Bullshit!
10:26Eve, I am asking you one last time.
10:28How old is she?
10:29Four.
10:30Julian lets out a dark, mocking, laugh.
10:32He yanks a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket.
10:34He slams it right against my chest.
10:36It's a paternity test.
10:37I stare at the bold ink.
10:38Probability of paternity.
10:4099.99%.
10:41When did you-
10:42His eyes are bloodshot.
10:44He leans in close, his teeth gritted.
10:45Now, Eve, do we settle this in court, or are you coming home with me?
10:50The car is dead silent.
10:52Lily is fast asleep in the back seat.
10:54Julian grips the steering wheel, his knuckles turning pure white.
10:57When is her birthday?
11:00February 17th.
11:01We broke up on June 10th.
11:03When you left me, you were already pregnant, weren't you?
11:05Yes.
11:06I force myself to look him in the eye.
11:07I dumped you on that freezing winter night while I was carrying your baby, Julian.
11:12Screech.
11:12Tires scream against the asphalt.
11:14The massive SUV jerks to a violent halt.
11:17Why the hell didn't you tell me?
11:18That is my daughter, Eve.
11:20How dare you hide her from me?
11:22And there I was, in front of cameras, talking about how much I missed you, looking like a
11:27damn fool.
11:27Tell you, and then what?
11:29Make you give up your shot at the NHL?
11:32Make you stay in this dying city with a bankrupt mess working dead-end jobs to feed a baby?
11:36I would have given it up!
11:38I would have given up every damn thing for you!
11:42Less!
11:43But I would have hated myself!
11:45And then you would have hated me for the rest of your life!
11:47You would have resented me for dragging you down into the dirt!
11:50All the color vanishes from Julian's face.
11:53You thought...
11:55I would hate you?
11:56He violently unbuckles his seatbelt.
11:58He stalks around the front of the SUV.
12:00He rips the passenger door open and drags me out of the car like a rag doll.
12:04Julian, you're crazy!
12:05Let me go!
12:07The next second, his trembling fingers tangle in my hair, tilting my head back.
12:11He crashes his lips onto mine with a desperate, punishing heat.
12:14Julian, I want to be with you forever, but I can't be that selfish.
12:18I use every ounce of my strength to push him away.
12:21Drop the act, Julian.
12:22You took thee, Dad?
12:23Deep down, you know the truth.
12:25If it hadn't been for that medical bill, you never would have looked my way!
12:28Julian doesn't answer.
12:30Instead, he steps closer and pulls me tight against his chest.
12:33He gently strokes my hair.
12:35This time, I don't fight back.
12:36I just bury my face in his jacket and sob.
12:38Let's get back in the car.
12:39He drives us back to my run-down apartment building.
12:41The SUV is dead quiet.
12:43The only sound is Lily's steady breathing in the back seat.
12:45After a long pause, a bitter laugh escapes his lips.
12:48Eve, I've kept a secret from you for six whole years.
12:51Long before you ever paid that medical bill, I was already hopelessly in love with you.
12:56I stare at his profile in total shock.
12:58Julian loved me from the very beginning.
12:59Then what the hell had we been doing all these years?
13:02On the first day of college, you walked by in that white dress.
13:05I knew right then that I would never forget you.
13:07But I had nothing.
13:08You were an untouchable heiress, and I was just some broke nobody.
13:11Then why did you-
13:12Because you used your money!
13:14You bought me, pride and all!
13:16After that, things got so messed up in my head.
13:18I didn't know if I was kissing you because I loved you, or because I owed you.
13:22Even I couldn't tell the difference.
13:23I break down into uncontrollable sobs.
13:25All those years, we were both cowards.
13:27Neither of us had the guts to face how we really felt.
13:29In the back seat, Lily rolls over in her sleep.
13:31She mumbles in a sweet, sleepy voice.
13:33Daddy.
13:34Julian turns to look at me, his eyes full of pure desperation.
13:38Eve, I'm begging you.
13:39Please let me be there to watch my daughter grow up.
13:41That night, Julian walks us straight upstairs to my apartment.
13:44In the living room, he sits on the floor, awkwardly snapping Legos together with Lily.
13:49Daddy, are you coming back tomorrow?
13:52Yeah.
13:53I'll be here every day.
13:55Listening to their laughter, I almost let myself drown in this beautiful illusion of
13:59a family.
14:00Buzz.
14:01My phone vibrates, violently ripping me back to reality.
14:04It's a text from Ivan.
14:06He wants me to sign the marriage papers tomorrow.
14:09I still owe him 20 grand.
14:10Over the years, Ivan paid off my bad debts and covered Lily's school fees.
14:15Now, it's finally time for me to pay up.
14:18Julian suddenly appears in the kitchen doorway.
14:20Who's texting you?
14:22Ivan?
14:23He steps closer, a terrifying, obsessive darkness in his eyes.
14:27How did you-
14:28Eve, you're the only reason I'm here.
14:32Lily runs over.
14:33Mommy, I'm hungry.
14:38Dinner's almost ready, baby.
14:40Julian pulls out a bouquet of white roses.
14:42He grabs my wrist.
14:43His thumb gently rubs against my worn-out bracelet.
14:46You've worn this for six years, Eve.
14:49You never let me go.
14:50Lily claps her hands innocently.
14:52Daddy loves mommy.
14:54Daddy loves mommy.
14:56I scoop her up and bury my face in her tiny shoulder.
14:59Terrified, he'll see the look on my face.
15:02Julian steps up behind us and wraps his massive arms around us both.
15:05Let me take care of you, Eve.
15:09Let me be your man.
15:10Tears spill from my eyes, but my heart feels like it's being torn apart.
15:14Twenty grand stands between us like a wall.
15:17If I let Julian pay it, he becomes the guy I bought all over again.
15:21If I don't, I have to jump right into the fire with Ivan.
15:24I cannot destroy Julian's pride a second time.
15:28I take a deep breath and violently shove him away.
15:31Drop the act, Julian.
15:32What?
15:33The pure tenderness in his eyes instantly freezes.
15:37I wipe my tears and put on my cruelest mask.
15:39I crush what's left of his hope, word by word.
15:43I told you.
15:45I'm getting married.
15:46I am marrying Ivan.
15:54I want daddy.
15:56Mommy is a liar.
15:58You never smile when you see that man.
16:00He locks his eyes onto mine.
16:02Eve, look me in the eye and tell me you love him.
16:07Just as I am about to completely break down, the doorbell rings.
16:10Ivan stands at the door.
16:12His hair is slicked back and he's holding a bottle of wine,
16:14here to pick me up for a date to celebrate our upcoming wedding.
16:17I'm Lily's father.
16:18Julian from the NHL?
16:19Didn't she throw you away six years ago?
16:21Ivan, shut your mouth!
16:23Why should I?
16:25Ivan pulls out a loan agreement,
16:26waving it in the air in blatant mockery.
16:28You sign this and I clear your debt.
16:31Otherwise, the bank takes this apartment tomorrow.
16:33Are you going to drag your kid out to sleep on the street?
16:36How much does she owe?
16:37With interest?
16:3835 grand?
16:39In that moment, I want to kick everyone out of the room.
16:41Is this my karma?
16:42All because I used money to buy my so-called love back then?
16:45Julian pulls out his phone,
16:46his thumb swiping quickly across the screen.
16:48I'll give you 50 grand.
16:49Take the money and get the hell out.
16:51Ivan's smile instantly drops.
16:5360 grand?
16:53And I walk right now?
16:55Get out right now or I'll have my legal team dig into every shady account you have.
16:58The irony is suffocating.
16:59Six years later, it's Julian using his money to save my stupid pride.
17:02Julian, you shouldn't have paid him.
17:03Now I just owe you.
17:04It's worth it.
17:05Go pack your things.
17:06What?
17:06You're moving into my place.
17:07Tonight.
17:08I turned Julian down.
17:09I told him we both needed time to get to know each other again.
17:12For once, he didn't push it.
17:13When I wake up the next morning, Julian is already in the kitchen.
17:16You still slice them the exact same way.
17:19Because it's how you like them.
17:22Daddy's breakfast smells so good!
17:24Seeing how happy Lily is, it almost feels like the last six years of hell were just a bad dream.
17:30But right then, my phone rings.
17:32It's Maya.
17:34Eve, I hear you and Julian are rekindled things?
17:37Julian is a national icon now.
17:40If the media finds out he's sleeping with a stripper...
17:42Are you threatening me?
17:44I'm doing you a favor.
17:46He and I have an arrangement.
17:47I'm his official girlfriend.
17:49She lets out a cold laugh.
17:51Trash like you shouldn't ruin things for him.
17:54She's right.
17:54I'm not the old Eve anymore.
17:56Do I even deserve to stand next to Julian?
17:58Who is that?
17:59Maya.
18:01She says you two have an arrangement.
18:03That you're hers.
18:05Bullshit!
18:07It's just a smokescreen for the press.
18:10There's never been anything between us.
18:13But the media believes she's your fiancé.
18:15I lower my head, trying to hide the tears building in my eyes.
18:20Eve, look at me.
18:21Are you going to believe a woman full of lies?
18:23Or the man who spent six years looking for you?
18:25The back alley of the club, Julian leans against his SUV, waiting for me to finish my shift.
18:30You don't have to come here every night.
18:32I avoid his eyes.
18:33I want to.
18:34Get in.
18:35He snatches my bag and tosses it into the passenger seat, giving me no chance to protest.
18:39He starts the car, only to slam on the brakes at the very next intersection.
18:44Eve, we're doing a DNA test tomorrow.
18:47Julian stares dead ahead.
18:49What do you mean?
18:50If Julian fights me for custody right now, I have absolutely zero chance of winning.
18:54I'm establishing my legal rights as Lily's father.
18:57Then I'm filing for joint custody.
18:59You're taking Lily away from me?
19:02I scream, my entire body shaking.
19:04I can't let my daughter grow up in a place where you could lose the apartment any second.
19:08Julian snaps his head toward me, his eyes bloodshot.
19:11You work here all night!
19:13Did you ever think about Lily being home alone with no one to watch her?
19:16I do it to pay for her school!
19:18I do it so we can survive!
19:20Then let me provide for you!
19:22I don't want your money!
19:24I refuse to owe you a second time!
19:26You never owed me anything!
19:28Julian roars.
19:28He slams his fist so hard against the steering wheel that the horn blares.
19:31People on the street turn to stare at the car.
19:33I owe you!
19:34You hid with our kid for six damn years!
19:37You'd rather beg Ivan for help than come to me?
19:39I collapse back into my seat, the tears pouring down my face uncontrollably.
19:42So you found me?
19:44Now what?
19:45You want to keep humiliating me?
19:46Julian breathes heavily.
19:47Suddenly he rips off his seatbelt.
19:49He lunges across the center console, pinning me back, and kisses me with a desperate, crushing
19:54intensity.
19:56Then marry me.
19:57What?
19:58He grips the back of my head, his nose pressing hard against mine.
20:02Will you marry me?
20:05Not right now.
20:06When you're ready.
20:08But promise me one thing, Eve.
20:11Do not marry Ivan.
20:13Fine.
20:13I won't marry him, but I don't want your money either.
20:17I'll find a new job.
20:19I'm going to give Lily a good life on my own.
20:22Eve, you've always been amazing.
20:25The next morning, violent pounding on my door jolts me awake.
20:28Miss Hartley, I'm Mark from CPS Child Protective Services.
20:32We received a report.
20:33The allegations include neglect, an unstable living environment, and false statements about
20:38the child's paternity.
20:39This is my understanding.
20:41Lily has health insurance.
20:43She certainly has a home.
20:45I take good care of her.
20:47I defend myself, my voice trembling violently.
20:50Please cooperate with the inspection.
20:52They even crouch in front of Lily, trying to get her to spill details about mommy's friends.
20:57Lily hugs her stuffed animal, looking at them in innocent confusion.
21:01Mommy works a lot, but she tells me a bedtime story every single day.
21:06We will be in touch.
21:07Mark drops the sentence coldly before walking out.
21:10I suggest you retain a lawyer as soon as possible.
21:13The second the door clicks shut, I lose all my strength.
21:16I slide down to the floor, gasping for air as the tears pour out.
21:19I thought I was doing a good job.
21:21But in this city, as long as I don't put that white dress back on,
21:24I'm just a woman working in a strip club who can't even protect her own child.
21:27Could it be Maya?
21:28Did she see us at the park?
21:29Or, it's Julian himself.
21:32He wants custody.
21:32He has the biggest motive of all.
21:33With trembling hands, I type Julian Vane into the search bar.
21:37The screen floods with the latest gossip headlines.
21:39New romance!
21:40Hockey superstar Julian Vane dines with socialite Maya Hart.
21:43In the photos, Maya's hand is resting gracefully on his arm.
21:46Elegant.
21:46Expensive.
21:47And me?
21:48I'm just a struggling single mom drowning in debt just to pay rent.
21:50I curl up on my beat-up sofa.
21:52I watch Lily play with her blocks in the corner.
21:54Completely carefree.
21:55Julian practically owns Detroit now.
21:57If he wants to corner me, it would be easier than crushing an aunt.
22:00Is this your version of taking care of us, Julian?
22:02Cutting off every one of my lifelines just to force me to beg for your charity?
22:05I will never let him get away with this.
22:07Never.
22:08I dial his number.
22:09We need to talk.
22:10Now.
22:11I push open the door to Julian's penthouse.
22:13The first thing that catches my eye isn't the luxurious decor.
22:16It's a framed photo from college sitting right on the mantle.
22:19In the picture, our heads are pressed together.
22:21We look like a couple madly in love.
22:23I kept all of them.
22:23Julian's voice comes from behind me.
22:25He just got back from practice.
22:27A thin layer of sweat still glistening on his forehead.
22:29Every photo.
22:30Every ticket stud from the movies and games we went to.
22:32I never threw a single thing away.
22:34A few hours ago, I might have been touched.
22:36But right now, it just makes me sick to my stomach.
22:38I yank the thick stack of CPS papers from my bag.
22:41I slam them hard onto the glass coffee table.
22:43Drop the act, Julian.
22:44You act like some heartbroken ex while secretly sending lawyers to steal my daughter?
22:48I glare at him.
22:49You're a liar.
22:50You swore you wouldn't fight me for custody.
22:52And now you're playing dirty behind my back.
22:54Julian stares at the papers on the table.
22:56He looks up at me.
22:57Genuine confusion in his eyes.
22:58Eve, what the hell are you talking about?
23:00Even now, Julian?
23:01Are you really going to keep playing dumb?
23:04His eyes scan over the pages and his face goes dark.
23:07I didn't have my team send these.
23:09What?
23:10I only asked for a paternity test and visitation rights.
23:15Full custody.
23:18Supervised visits.
23:19I never authorized any of these terms.
23:22Then who did?
23:24Maya.
23:25She knows my agent.
23:27She must have tampered with the paperwork behind my back.
23:31Looks like she really hates me.
23:34Eve, since I'm 19 years old, the old man I've ever loved is new.
23:39Stop it.
23:40This changes absolutely nothing.
23:42I'm an unemployed stripper.
23:45You are a national superstar.
23:48We belong to two completely different worlds now.
23:51I never asked for your noble little idea of protecting me.
23:55And you weren't insane in this.
23:57But this setting, you're all this way where my line of a nestrucad.
24:00I couldn't be gear of you, we like O'Fallant.
24:03I couldn't be that selfish.
24:05Stop.
24:06We're both a mess, Eve.
24:07But that doesn't mean we have to face it alone.
24:10The air falls silent.
24:12Six years of unspoken pain and resentment surge between us.
24:15I was so terrified back then.
24:18Terrified of losing everything.
24:21Terrified that eventually, you would look at me with disgust.
24:26I could never, ever hate you.
24:32God knows how hard I tried to stop loving you.
24:36But I can't.
24:39Julian, stop!
24:45Eve, stop pushing me away.
24:59I love you so damn much, Eve.
25:03The next morning, he presses an invitation into my hand.
25:06If you want to protect your custody rights, put on the most beautiful dress you own and stand right beside
25:12me.
25:13I go home and pull a midnight blue gown from its dust bag.
25:16It's the only piece of designer clothing I couldn't bear to sell.
25:19I never thought I'd actually get the chance to wear it again.
25:22The second I step into the ballroom, the whispers start.
25:26I ignore them.
25:27Is that Eve Hartway?
25:29I heard she vanished for six years.
25:32Word is, she's been stripping at a club.
25:36You can do this, Eve.
25:37Keep your chin up and your back straight.
25:39Do it for Lily.
25:40Eve.
25:47You look breathtaking.
25:55Julian, you finally made it.
25:58And this is your ex-girlfriend from back in the day?
26:02She is Lily's mother.
26:04Show some damn respect.
26:06Lily?
26:07My five-year-old daughter.
26:09She's beautiful, smart, and looks exactly like me.
26:13And Eve and I are going to raise her together.
26:16But those CPS papers...
26:18You mean that stack of garbage you forged behind my back?
26:20My lawyers will be in touch with you about that.
26:23Now, get the hell out of my sight.
26:25You're going to regret this!
26:27I really did misjudge him.
26:29I'm sorry you had to go through that.
26:32Earlier, you said...
26:35You said we were going to raise Lily together.
26:38I meant every single word.
26:41No one in this world could ever take your place, Eve.
26:44Never.
26:49Julian, you've always been irreplaceable in my heart, too.
26:53It's past midnight by the time the gala ends.
26:55Julian drives me back to my apartment.
26:57I want to see Lily.
26:59I nod, and we head upstairs together.
27:02Is Daddy here?
27:04Julian freezes in the doorway.
27:07Hey, Lily.
27:08Daddy, tell me a story.
27:10Julian sits on the edge of her tiny bed, holding a flimsy picture book.
27:13Seeing his massive, muscular frame squeezed into the corner of a little girl's bed, it's almost comical.
27:18When the story is over, Lily buries her face in her pillow.
27:21She mumbles sleepily.
27:22Julian leans down and presses a gentle kiss to her cheek.
27:25He carefully tucks her in.
27:26Good night, baby girl.
27:28Thank you, Eve.
27:29Thank you for giving me such an amazing daughter.
27:32I want to be part of her life.
27:34And I want to be part of yours.
27:37If you'll let me.
27:39Yes.
27:39Julian freezes, then a look of pure joy breaks across his face.
27:43Really?
27:44Really.
27:45But listen to me, Julian.
27:46From now on, we make decisions together.
27:51You're still on probation as a dad.
27:55I swear.
27:57He holds me so tight, like I'm the most precious thing he's ever found again.
28:01Eve, I'm never letting either of you go again.
28:04It took six long, agonizing years.
28:07But finally, I am home.
28:10I was 19 when I first saw Eve.
28:12Freshman orientation.
28:13She walked down the hallway in a white dress.
28:15The sunlight hit her, dusting her with gold.
28:16I thought to myself right then, I am never going to forget this girl.
28:19Later, she told me she wanted me.
28:20And she was willing to pay for it.
28:21I said yes.
28:22Not for the money.
28:23But because when she acted sweet with me, I just couldn't say no.
28:25But over time, the lines blurred.
28:27I couldn't tell anymore.
28:28I couldn't tell if I was falling for her.
28:30Or just trapped by what her money meant.
28:32Because every time someone mocked me, whispering that I was bought and paid for, I'd think,
28:36They're right.
28:37She literally bought me.
28:39So when she asked to break up, I said okay.
28:41Because I thought she was finally bored of me.
28:43Because I thought to her, I was just a toy.
28:45But I was wrong.
28:46I never expected her to just vanish without a trace.
28:49And it took me six years to find her again.
28:51Now, she's sleeping next to me.
28:54Lily is right between us, clutching her doll.
28:57I gently stroke Eve's hair.
28:59You're awake.
29:01You woke me up.
29:03Sorry.
29:04I just wanted to look at you.
29:06At what?
29:08Just making sure you're still here.
29:12Eve.
29:14She opens her eyes and looks at me.
29:17Julian, I'm not leaving again.
29:19I know.
29:20Go to sleep.
29:21Okay.
29:22I turn off the lamp.
29:23Moonlight spills through the gap in the curtains, pooling on the hardwood floor.
29:27Eve, my moonlight, never fading.
Comments