- 5 hours ago
The Groom's Regret, My Fake Death, His Living Hell Englishsub 🍿
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Short filmTranscript
00:04I have a secret that I can't tell anyone.
00:10Of course, man. I'm excited for the wedding.
00:14I've been with Ivy for five years. Marrying her dude? It's the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me.
00:20Liam's voice was slurred with a bit of booze and brimming with a smug pride that practically spilled through the
00:25crack in the door.
00:27I smiled, about to push the door open.
00:30But then, his friend asked,
00:31So why'd you agree to go to Iceland with Maya right now? Are you sure you'll make it back in
00:36time?
00:36My hand froze in midair. Liam sighed.
00:40Hey, you guys know what Maya means to me. We've known each other since we were three.
00:44She just wanted one last adventure before everything changes. I couldn't say no.
00:49One of the guys, a notorious jokester, chimed in.
00:53Seriously though, Maya's hot as hell. You never wanted to hit that, not even once?
00:58My heart skipped a beat.
01:01I had asked Liam the same question before. He had frowned at me. A look of disgust on his face.
01:07How could you even say that? She's like my annoying little sister.
01:11But now, I held my breath. Waiting for his real answer.
01:16Through the crack in the door, I saw Liam take a long swig of his beer.
01:20He set the glass down and said slowly.
01:23She's not marriage material. Too wild. Too much of a party girl. To me, she's more like family.
01:29The room erupted in hooting and hollering.
01:32Like a biological sister. Or like an oh no, stepsis. I'm stuck in the washing machine, sister.
01:38The room filled with the knowing laughter of men. I stood there. Motionless.
01:43After a long moment, I turned around, my face a blank mask, and tossed the hangover remedy
01:49I'd brought for him into a trash can at the end of the hall.
01:52I pulled my trench coat tighter and pushed open the heavy wooden door of the bar.
01:57The cold December air of Seattle hit my face like a knife, making me shiver.
02:02I zipped up my collar, lowered my head, and walked out into the freezing rain.
02:07Liam came home to find me sitting on the living room sofa, where I'd been for hours.
02:12He was holding a bouquet of white tulips. A wide smile on his face as he walked toward me.
02:18Ivy, look. I had to go to three different flower shops to find these.
02:23I didn't say a word. I just looked up at him. He had gone to a lot of trouble to
02:28find my favorite
02:29flowers out of season. He presented the bouquet to me like a trophy. I didn't reach for them.
02:34I just tilted my head back, staring at him. Staring at the man I had loved for five years.
02:41I delivered my final ultimatum. If you get on that plane, we're done.
02:46The smile vanished from Liam's face.
02:48What? He asked, confused. I stared into his eyes and repeated, word for word.
02:55I said if you go to Iceland with Maya, it's over between us.
02:59Panic flashed across Liam's face. The flowers nearly slipped from his grasp. He quickly placed
03:05them on the coffee table, then knelt in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders. He began
03:10his favorite move. Gaslighting.
03:13Baby, you're overreacting. You heard me talking with my friends, didn't you? That was just stupid
03:19bar talk.
03:20He didn't answer my question directly, but I already had my answer. I remained silent,
03:26just watching him, letting the disappointment gather in my eyes.
03:32Seeing my cold stare, Liam's panic intensified. He dropped to one knee, taking one of my hands
03:40while trying to cup my face with the other.
03:43Don't be like this. You know Maya and I grew up together. If anything was going to happen
03:48between us, it would have happened a long time ago. You wouldn't be my bride-to-be.
03:52His face was filled with concern, but his words were nothing but excuses.
03:57Maya promised she'd keep her distance after we get married. That's why she wanted one last
04:03trip, just the two of us, before the wedding.
04:06He gently stroked my cheek with his thumb, his voice a soft, soothing murmur.
04:11Baby, trust me. I promise I'll be back before the wedding. My entire future is yours. It's just
04:20a few days. Don't be so tense, okay? I forced a bitter smile. In that moment,
04:26something inside me finally snapped. Fine, I won't hold it against you, because I don't want you
04:32anymore. Maybe my expression was too cold. A flicker of unease crossed Liam's eyes,
04:38and he pulled me into a fierce hug. Ivy. He was about to say more, but his phone rang.
04:44Liam let me go and pulled out his phone. I glanced down. The caller ID read, Maya. He frowned and
04:51declined the call. A second later, she called again. He hesitated, looked at me, and finally
04:59answered. He was so close that even without speakerphone, I could hear Maya's cheerful,
05:05urgent voice. Liam, my bags are all packed. I was thinking, maybe you could just come over tonight.
05:13Otherwise, you'll have to drive all the way here to pick me up early in the morning.
05:17It's such a hassle. Liam instinctively glanced at me and lowered his voice.
05:22No. I have to stay with Ivy tonight. I'll get you tomorrow morning.
05:26There was a pause on the other end. Then Maya's voice turned sickeningly sweet and considerate.
05:32Okay, then. I'll just head to the airport by myself tonight. That way you can sleep in a little
05:39and just meet me there when you wake up. Liam immediately got agitated.
05:44Absolutely not. It's not safe for you to be at the airport alone late at night.
05:47Maya's voice instantly became weak, laced with a hint of grievance.
05:52But I already called an Uber. I've already left my house.
05:57Liam shot up from the floor.
05:59Go back home right now. I'm on my way.
06:01He grabbed his car keys and bolted for the door, then stopped. It seemed he had just remembered
06:06I was still sitting there. He walked back, pulled me into another hug, his voice a bit strained.
06:12Ivy, I should go over tonight. It's really not safe for Maya to be alone.
06:17Don't worry. On this trip, I swear I won't sleep in the same bed with her. I'll take the couch.
06:25Before I could respond, he let go and rushed upstairs. I'd been with Liam for five years,
06:31and Maya's name had always been a thorn in my side. At first, I didn't mind. They grew up in
06:38the same neighborhood, and their whole group of friends was like family. But then, one time at a
06:43party, right in front of me, Maya casually picked up the frappuccino Liam had just been
06:48drinking from, stuck a straw in it, and started sipping. I was furious. Maya immediately apologized.
06:55Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Liam and I have just been doing that since we were kids. It's a
07:01habit.
07:01I wasn't even thinking. She always called him Liam in front of me.
07:06Never using any intimate nicknames, combined with her sincere expression and apologetic tone,
07:13it was hard to stay mad. Liam threw the drink away and told her sternly not to do it again.
07:19After the party, I reminded Liam about maintaining boundaries with his female friends,
07:23and we moved on. But then, one day, I noticed a J.Crew white button-down I'd given him was
07:30missing.
07:30He couldn't remember where he'd put it and rested his head on my shoulder, filled with self-reproach.
07:36How could I lose the shirt you gave me? It was my favorite one.
07:40I told him it was okay. We could just buy another one. Before we got around to it,
07:45I saw the shirt on Maya's Instagram story. She was wearing it as an oversized pajama top.
07:53Again, it was a cascade of apologies and explanations from Maya.
07:57Ivy, I am so, so sorry. We were out that night, and it got suddenly cold.
08:03And nobody brought a jacket, except for Liam.
08:06Their other friends chimed in.
08:08Yeah, it's true. We've always shared clothes when someone gets cold. Don't overthink it.
08:13I looked at Liam, and he explained anxiously.
08:16It was freezing that night, and she was only wearing a slip dress.
08:20If she got sick, my mom, Sarah, would have killed me.
08:24Sarah was Liam's mother. Liam always said his parents thought of Maya as a second daughter.
08:30There were countless other incidents like this.
08:33The worst was when I was on a business trip in New York.
08:36Liam, Maya, and their friends had booked a suite at an e-sports hotel to play games all night.
08:42When they got tired, the two of them slept in the same king-sized bed.
08:46I found out the next morning when I FaceTimed Liam.
08:49I broke up with him on the spot.
08:51After my trip, I requested a transfer to our company's East Coast office.
08:56That time, Liam flew to New York alone to find me.
09:00He waited outside my apartment building all night, nearly getting on his knees to beg me.
09:05He sent me endless texts and calls, explaining over and over again.
09:12Ivy, I swear, we just slept in the same bed. Nothing happened.
09:17Maya grabbed my arm, crying and apologizing.
09:20If you two break up because of me, I'll never forgive myself.
09:25His friends all sent me messages, backing them up.
09:29It's true, Ivy. We were all there.
09:32Other people were sleeping on the floor in the same room.
09:34Seeing how honest and guilt-free they all seemed, I started to wonder if I was the one who was
09:40overreacting.
09:41The thud-thud-thud of Liam's suitcase bumping down the stairs pulled me back to the present.
09:46He saw me still sitting on the couch, hesitated for a moment, then walked over.
09:52He set the suitcase down, knelt, and put his hands on my shoulders.
09:56His eyes filled with apology.
09:59Don't worry, I promise. I will be back before the wedding.
10:02Having made that promise, Liam seemed to feel a sense of relief himself.
10:07He leaned in, placed a kiss on my forehead, and stood up to leave.
10:12I blinked, my eyes stinging, and offered no response.
10:16But just as he was about to walk out the door, I suddenly called his name, Liam.
10:21His hand paused on the doorknob.
10:23He turned to look at me.
10:25Yeah?
10:26The warm light from the entryway lamp cast a soft glow around him.
10:30We stood there, a few feet apart, staring at each other in silence.
10:36After a long moment, I smiled at him and said my farewell.
10:40Goodbye, Liam.
10:42I knew, deep down, this was probably the last time we would ever see each other.
10:47Even though he promised he'd be back before the wedding,
10:50I was sure Maya had a thousand ways to make sure he wouldn't be.
10:54But Liam clearly didn't understand the meaning behind my words.
10:58Seeing me smile, he looked relieved.
11:01He raised a hand and waved, smiling back.
11:04I'll be back soon.
11:05This time, I didn't answer.
11:07I knew I wouldn't be waiting for him anymore.
11:09After Liam left, I went into my study and opened my MacBook.
11:14This wasn't to contact some secret organization,
11:18but to execute Plan B, which was already in motion.
11:21I logged into an encrypted offshore bank account
11:25and transferred a large portion of my premarital assets into it.
11:29With the rest, I contacted my lawyer to set up an anonymous trust fund.
11:34Then, I sent a text to the private investigator I had hired months ago.
11:39Final phase.
11:40Proceed as planned.
11:42He would be responsible for capturing all the evidence of Liam and Maya in Iceland
11:47and anonymously sending the edited video to the wedding DJ on the day of the ceremony.
11:53I opened a boat rental website and, using a fake ID, booked a sailboat for my wedding day.
11:59In a city like Seattle, surrounded by water,
12:03it was the perfect prop for staging an accident.
12:08Once the Coast Guard came up empty after the 7-2-hour golden window for search and rescue,
12:14I would be legally declared, presumed dead.
12:18If he believed I was dead, he wouldn't come looking for me.
12:22Only then would we be truly finished.
12:25After 5 years of this entanglement, I was exhausted.
12:29For the rest of my life, I just wanted to never see him again.
12:33The next morning, I woke up early.
12:35I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling for a long time,
12:39before getting up to cross off the date on my calendar.
12:43Six days until the wedding, Liam called me just before his flight took off.
12:48But when I answered, it was Maya's voice.
12:51Ivy, I am so, so sorry.
12:54I know this is a terrible time to drag Liam away.
12:57But don't you worry, I'll return him to you in one piece in a week.
13:03Just think of this last week as...
13:06me putting a period on our friendship.
13:09Her voice was light and playful, but I detected a subtle note of provocation.
13:14A farewell to friendship?
13:16Or a final chapter to a secret affair?
13:19Either way, from the moment I decided to disappear,
13:22none of it had anything to do with me anymore.
13:25After hanging up, I put on a coat and went out.
13:31Today, I had an appointment with my lawyer to finalize the details of the trust fund.
13:37At a coffee shop downtown, my lawyer handed me the final documents to sign.
13:42He didn't know the full extent of my plan,
13:45assuming it was just a standard prenuptial arrangement.
13:49Miss Reed, everything is taken care of.
13:52I nodded, said goodbye, and returned to my seat.
13:56In a quiet corner of the coffee shop, I signed the last of the documents.
14:02Miss Reed, once the fund is established,
14:04it will make regular, anonymous donations to the women's shelters you've designated.
14:09My lawyer confirmed over the phone.
14:12I nodded and hung up.
14:14I ordered a latte and sat in the corner, casually opening Instagram.
14:19A people you may know suggestion popped up.
14:22The username was Maya Days.
14:24The video showed Liam pushing her suitcase with one hand
14:28and holding her hand with the other as they walked down the jet bridge.
14:32The caption read,
14:34Countdown, six days.
14:36The boy who grew up with me is about to become someone else's husband.
14:40A comment with a lot of likes stood out.
14:43This whole thing is messy. Keep us out of it.
14:46This guy has no shame.
14:48Neither does she.
14:50Yikes. The bride needs to see this.
14:53The comment section was a war zone.
14:56Maya had pinned her own reply to the top.
14:59Please don't jump to conclusions, everyone.
15:02We are just the best of friends.
15:05I silently liked that comment.
15:09Five days until the wedding.
15:11I liquidated some of my assets.
15:14After setting aside a substantial startup fund for my new life,
15:18I transferred the rest into the trust.
15:20I was an orphan, bounced between different foster homes.
15:24I know what it feels like to be helpless.
15:27After my death, I couldn't stay in the city.
15:30I thought for a moment, then went to a mall and bought a large amount of winter clothing
15:35for boys and girls of all ages, along with feminine hygiene products, books, and candy.
15:42I called a U-Haul and had the driver deliver the supplies to the shelters I had designated.
15:48I didn't go myself.
15:50If I had, I wouldn't have been able to resist hugging those children.
15:54But I know that for kids growing up in the system, a brief hug can plant unrealistic expectations in their
16:00hearts.
16:01They would hope that the person who hugged them would appear again, and that was a promise I couldn't make.
16:06As I watched the truck disappear around the corner, I turned to go home, but a familiar wave of dizziness
16:13hit me low blood sugar.
16:14I steadied myself against a wall, slowly squatting down.
16:18I took out some candy from my purse and waited quietly for my body to recover.
16:24By the time I got home, Liam was calling.
16:27I was his only emergency contact.
16:31Ivy, sorry, it was too loud where I was.
16:34I didn't hear my phone.
16:36What's wrong?
16:37Did something happen?
16:38I paused for a moment before replying flatly.
16:41It's nothing.
16:42My phone glitched and butt-dialed you.
16:45Oh, good.
16:47Liam said with concern.
16:49I'll have my assistant bring you a new phone then.
16:52After hanging up, I switched to Instagram.
16:55Maya had posted an update two minutes ago.
16:59Countdown.
17:00Five days.
17:02He took me whale-watching, just the two of us on the vast ocean.
17:07It felt like we were the only two people in the world.
17:11In the video, Liam and Maya were nestled together at the bow of the boat.
17:16Over the sad background music, I could faintly hear Liam's phone ringing the custom ringtone I had set for him.
17:22I watched the picture-perfect scene and couldn't reconcile it with the loud place Liam had just described.
17:29So, he just didn't want to take my call.
17:32Four days until the wedding, Liam's assistant brought me a brand new iPhone.
17:38Ivy?
17:39Liam is so thoughtful.
17:40He texted me in the middle of the night saying your phone was broken and that I had to get
17:45you a new one first thing this morning.
17:47I smiled, but didn't say anything.
17:50The assistant, used to my quiet nature, continued.
17:55The wedding is just around the corner.
17:57To all of us, you're already our boss's wife.
18:00I waved her away.
18:03I stared at the new phone on the coffee table for a while before opening it and navigating to Maya's
18:09Instagram.
18:10She had already posted her countdown for the day.
18:13Countdown?
18:14Four days.
18:16He took me skiing first thing in the morning.
18:19He was so worried I'd be cold that he bought me a whole matching set of cute hats, scarves, and
18:25gloves.
18:26Who else would spoil me like a little kid?
18:29In the video, Liam was gently adjusting the pink bunny ear hat on Maya's head.
18:36They looked good together.
18:38A perfect match.
18:39A popular comment read,
18:41The way they look at each other.
18:44Come on, just admit it.
18:46Someone get them a marriage license.
18:48They should just get married right there.
18:50Cancel the other wedding.
18:52Seriously, this is so disrespectful to his fiancée.
18:56The comments were split.
18:58I didn't look any further.
19:00With a swipe of my finger, I turned off the screen.
19:06Three days left.
19:07I went back to the law firm downtown.
19:10My lawyer handed me a file folder.
19:23This was something I had arranged through a channel he recommended, at a high cost.
19:31He then handed me a new phone.
19:34To ensure everything goes smoothly, we advise you not to take any of your current electronic devices or personal belongings
19:42with you.
19:43This is a new phone we've prepared for you, with a new SIM card already installed.
19:48I had to admit, when you pay enough, the service is always efficient and thorough.
19:54My lawyer gave me one last piece of advice.
19:58If you want to change your mind, there's still time.
20:01I glanced at the latest countdown video from Maya on my phone, smiled, and shook my head.
20:08No regrets.
20:09This time, Maya's caption was...
20:26Under the dancing aurora, Maya stood with her hands clasped, eyes closed, making a wish.
20:33Liam stood beside her, smiling fondly as he ruffled her hair.
20:39I suddenly remembered the night Liam proposed.
20:42After he put the ring on my finger, he started excitedly planning our wedding and honeymoon.
20:49Ivy, our wedding is in the winter, so it's the perfect time to go to Alaska for our honeymoon to
20:55see the northern lights.
20:57He immediately pulled out his phone to research the best places to see them,
21:01while I snuggled happily in his arms, discussing which location had the most beautiful aurora.
21:08I never could have imagined that in the end, the person who would see the northern lights with Liam wouldn't
21:15be me.
21:16The day before the wedding, Liam called, his voice laced with apology.
21:22Ivy, I'm so sorry. I... I can't make it back today.
21:26Maya suddenly came down with a high fever and we missed our flight.
21:30I said nothing. Liam explained frantically.
21:34Don't be mad. I've already booked a red eye. I'll land tomorrow morning, I promise. The wedding will happen as
21:42planned.
21:43Liam didn't know that the wedding would indeed happen as planned. But the bride would be gone.
21:49When I remained silent, a note of anxiety crept into his voice.
21:54Ivy? What's wrong? You'll wait for me, right?
21:58A sarcastic smirk touched my lips.
22:01No, Liam. I won't wait for you anymore.
22:04But to ensure my plan went off without a hitch, I played along.
22:09Okay.
22:11Hearing my response, Liam audibly sighed in relief on the other end of the line. He said,
22:19Ivy, after we're married, I'll...
22:21He didn't finish his sentence. A low, suppressed groan escaped his lips.
22:27Then, Maya's voice, a soft, almost moaning sound, came through the phone.
22:33Liam, hurry up. I'm not feeling well.
22:37Liam grunted a response to her, his voice husky, and quickly hung up.
22:42I listened to the dial tone, then immediately opened Instagram.
22:47Maya had posted two hours earlier. It was a selfie from their hotel room.
22:52In the photo, Liam was sleeping with his eyes closed. Maya was lying in the crook of his arm,
22:59holding her phone high, smiling sweetly and triumphantly.
23:04The key detail. Under the white comforter, the exposed skin of their shoulders and necks
23:10was covered in a constellation of hickeys.
23:13Countdown. One day. One last indulgence to say goodbye to 20 years of what-ifs.
23:20Consider this my wedding gift to you.
23:23From now on, take my blessing and go live your life.
23:27The comment section completely exploded.
23:31Holy shit. Is she confessing?
23:33Someone notify the bride. This is not a drill.
23:37I live for this drama. Team Maya, let's go.
23:40Are you people sick? She's the homewrecker. He's the one getting married.
23:46My mind unwillingly conjured images, and a wave of nausea washed over me.
23:51I felt like I was going to be sick.
23:57At one in the morning, Liam sent me a text.
24:00I'm at the airport waiting for my flight. Landing at 11.30 a.m.
24:06It's going to be a little tight, so I'll head straight to the venue.
24:10Ivy, I'm so happy.
24:13I finally get to marry you. Wait for me.
24:16I didn't see the message until the next morning.
24:19I didn't reply.
24:21I got up as usual and made myself breakfast.
24:24Then I changed into a set of practical clothes and drove to the marina at Lake Union.
24:30The boat I had reserved was already docked and waiting.
24:33I boarded the small sailboat and tossed my car keys into a nearby trash can.
24:39I started the engine and slowly steered the boat out toward the deep waters of Puget Sound.
24:44The sea breeze whipped through my hair.
24:47I slipped the engagement ring from my finger and placed it, along with my phone, neatly on the dashboard in
24:54the cockpit.
24:55With that done, I walked onto the deck.
24:58I looked out at the Seattle skyline in the distance, taking one last look at the city I had lived
25:03in for five years.
25:05Then, I jumped into the ice-cold water.
25:08The moment I was submerged, I activated the small underwater scooter I'd brought with me.
25:14It was my escape tool.
25:16I headed in a pre-planned direction.
25:20Toward a secluded stretch of coast where I had stashed a car and supplies.
25:25Behind me, the empty sailboat would continue to drift on its pre-set course until someone found it.
25:32Miles away, in a remote motel, I dried my hair with a blow dryer and changed into clean, warm clothes.
25:39I opened my new phone and logged into a new email account.
25:43There was a new message waiting for me.
25:45Miss Cole, congratulations on the start of your new life.
25:50That's right.
25:51My new name was Phoenix Cole.
25:54Phoenix, reborn from the ashes.
25:56Because at any point in life, you can rise from the ashes.
26:00It wasn't too late.
26:02The truth was, Maya never had a fever.
26:05The night before their scheduled flight home, she had clung to Liam, sobbing.
26:10And through the tears, they started kissing.
26:12After a night of reckless passion, Liam lied to me without batting an eye.
26:17He had been about to say that after we were married, he would draw a line with Maya.
26:23But he never finished the sentence.
26:25Maya's smooth arm had wrapped around his chest from behind, her hand sliding downward.
26:30The call was cut short.
26:32This time, they were even more frenzied than before, as if performing a grand farewell ceremony for their so-called,
26:40friendship.
26:41Afterward, Liam got dressed.
26:43As he picked up his suitcase to leave for the airport, Maya stopped him.
26:47She bit her lip, looking at him with pitiful eyes.
26:53Can you please stay?
26:55Liam frowned.
26:57Don't be ridiculous.
26:58We agreed this was just a goodbye.
27:00Tears instantly welled up in Maya's eyes.
27:04She threw her arms around his waist.
27:06But I don't want you to marry someone else.
27:09I never have.
27:11Liam seemed stunned by her words and quickly pried her hands off him.
27:15Stop.
27:16We're best friends.
27:17This was a one-night stand.
27:19We're adults.
27:21Let's not make things complicated, okay?
27:23The color drained from Maya's face.
27:26She couldn't believe it.
27:28After she had lured him abroad, after she had gotten him into her bed,
27:32he was still going back to marry that woman, Ivy.
27:36But Liam didn't have time to console her.
27:39He had a flight to catch.
27:40I really have to go.
27:43Have fun here.
27:44Put everything on my card.
27:46With that, Liam left the hotel without a backward glance,
27:50leaving Maya sitting alone on the bed, grinding her teeth in hatred.
27:55Sitting in the airport lounge, Liam texted Ivy.
27:58She didn't reply.
28:00He told himself she was probably just asleep.
28:03But a strange sense of unease settled in his stomach.
28:07The 10-hour flight felt longer than any he had ever taken.
28:11He had a dream that, before he left, Ivy smiled and said goodbye to him.
28:18And then her image slowly faded into thin air.
28:23Liam woke with a start, gasping for breath.
28:27Ladies and gentlemen, we have now landed at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
28:33Liam grabbed his bag and sprinted out of the plane.
28:36His assistant was waiting at the exit.
28:39He jumped into the car.
28:41The hotel.
28:42Fast.
28:43The car sped down the highway.
28:46Halfway there, a police car, sirens wailing, flew past them.
28:51Liam looked up, and his heart began to pound erratically, feeling as if it would burst from his chest.
28:57He pressed a hand to his chest and shook his head, trying to banish the feeling of dread.
29:03Drive faster.
29:04He told his assistant.
29:06Meanwhile, at the hotel entrance, Liam's parents were anxiously greeting guests.
29:12Everyone had arrived, but neither the bride nor the groom had shown up.
29:17The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly.
29:19As the ceremony time drew closer, the guests in the hall began to whisper among themselves.
29:26Ding!
29:27The clock struck twelve.
29:30Suddenly, the large screen on the stage flickered to life and began playing a video.
29:37To all our guests and friends, hello.
29:40Today, I'm stepping down as the bride.
29:44I've decided to give my place to Mr. Liam Henderson's childhood friend.
29:49Maya Evans.
29:51Their friendship of twenty-five years is so deep, they can share a frappuccino, wear the same shirt, and sleep
29:58in the same bed.
29:59They even had to fly to Iceland right before our wedding to hold a special farewell ceremony for their great
30:07friendship.
30:08I've realized that I can't possibly insert myself into such a profound connection.
30:14So, I've decided to withdraw and let them be together.
30:19I wish these two lovebirds a happily ever after.
30:23The screen cut to a new image.
30:25It was a slideshow of every countdown post Maya had published on Instagram.
30:30Then, it switched to a video shot with a telephoto lens from outside their hotel window in Iceland by my
30:38private investigator of Liam and Maya tangled in the sheets.
30:42All of it began to play on a loop on the big screen.
30:45When Liam finally slammed open the doors to the ballroom, the first thing he saw was the graphic, moving image
30:53of himself and Maya in bed.
30:55The blood drained from his face.
30:57He froze.
30:58As if he'd been turned to stone.
31:02The hall was in chaos.
31:04Guests were whispering, pointing.
31:07Liam's parents were frantically trying to get the staff to shut down the screen.
31:11Someone in the crowd noticed Liam standing at the entrance.
31:15The murmuring slowly died down as everyone turned to stare at the man who was still in a state of
31:22shock.
31:22His phone began to ring.
31:24On and on.
31:25But he seemed completely oblivious.
31:28Someone walked up and tapped him on the shoulder.
31:31He finally snapped out of his trance, as if waking from a nightmare.
31:36Liam's phone stopped ringing.
31:38On the stage, his mother's phone began to ring instead.
31:42A moment later, she yelled frantically across the crowd.
31:46Liam.
31:48It's the Coast Guard.
31:50Hi.
31:51They found the Ivy's boat in Puget Sound.
31:55Bellevue.
31:56Our house.
31:57Liam's pupils dilated.
32:00Terror spreading through his eyes.
32:02He stumbled backward, snatched the car keys from his assistant, and sprinted out of the hotel, driving like a madman
32:10toward home.
32:10He floored the gas, running several red lights.
32:14By the time he arrived, the Coast Guard had already towed the empty sailboat back to the dock.
32:20He stumbled out of the car, his legs weak.
32:24He fell on the short walk to the pier.
32:27The area was cordoned off with police tape.
32:30Liam tried to charge through, but officers held him back.
32:34Let me go.
32:35My fiancé is still on that boat.
32:38He screamed, his voice raw.
32:41A detective approached, holding an evidence bag containing a ring and a phone.
32:45Liam Henderson?
32:47I'm a detective with the King County Sheriff's Office.
32:50Given the highly suspicious circumstances of your fiancé's disappearance, especially on this particular day, we need you to come with
32:59us to the station.
33:00Liam stopped struggling, his eyes were glued to the ring.
33:04He collapsed to his knees in agony, his hand trembling as he reached for the evidence bag.
33:10For the ring he had placed on her finger himself.
33:14Tears began to fall.
33:16One drop, then another.
33:18Until finally, he covered his face and began to sob.
33:22His cries filled with an unbearable mix of pain, regret, and despair.
33:28The investigation began.
33:30Ivy Reed, missing on her wedding day.
33:33It was a suspected suicide or accidental drowning.
33:37But because her fiancé, Liam Henderson, had been exposed for cheating on the day of the wedding, he had a
33:44strong motive.
33:45The police named him their number one suspect.
33:50Liam was interrogated for 48 hours.
33:54He kept repeating, brokenly.
33:56I didn't.
33:58I love her.
33:59How could I?
34:00Then why were you in Iceland with another woman the week before your wedding?
34:04What about the video of you two in the hotel?
34:08Did you argue with her before she disappeared?
34:10Did you threaten her?
34:12Liam couldn't provide a single good answer.
34:15His lawyer eventually bailed him out, but the investigation was ongoing.
34:21Overnight, his life had gone from a fairytale to a murder investigation.
34:25He stood at the docks, staring blankly at the vast cold water that had swallowed Ivy.
34:32He suddenly remembered that on the night he left to go to Maya, Ivy had smiled at him and said,
34:38goodbye.
34:38Had she already decided to leave him, right then and there, he realized with a sickening jolt that it was
34:46the last time they would ever see each other.
34:48Never again in this lifetime, Liam started slapping himself, hard, his hands striking his face with brutal force, but he
34:57felt no pain.
34:59Liam, Liam, what are you doing?
35:02It was Maya's voice.
35:04He didn't know when she'd returned from Iceland, and he didn't care.
35:09Maya ran to his side and knelt, trying to grab his hands.
35:14He violently shook her off before she could touch him.
35:17Maya fell to the ground, staring at him in disbelief.
35:22Liam, it's me.
35:24Liam didn't even look at her.
35:26What are you doing here?
35:27He said, his voice as cold as ice.
35:31Get out!
35:32Ivy doesn't want to see you!
35:34Get the hell out!
35:35Ivy, Ivy, always Ivy!
35:37A flash of resentment crossed Maya's eyes.
35:40Ivy was dead.
35:42How could a living person lose to a dead one?
35:45With that thought, Maya composed herself, her expression shifting to one of her innocence.
35:52She's gone.
35:54You have to move on.
35:56Liam finally turned to look at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of disgust and pure hatred.
36:02His voice was like poison.
36:05Don't think I'm stupid.
36:06You're the one who anonymously sent that hotel video to Ivy.
36:11Maya's heart sank.
36:13She had used a burner email.
36:15How did he know?
36:16She instinctively denied it.
36:18I didn't.
36:20Liam, why would I ever?
36:22Liam cut her off.
36:24He shot to his feet and loomed over her.
36:26His gaze so cold, it felt like it could slice her into pieces.
36:31Do you take me for an idiot?
36:33Who else could it have been?
36:37He pointed toward the street.
36:39You posted that countdown every single day, breaking Ivy's heart over and over again.
36:46You seduced me.
36:48You secretly filmed us.
36:49And you sent it to her.
36:51Maya, you are a conniving, absolute bitch.
36:55The color drained from Maya's face.
36:58She glared at Liam.
37:00And then a mocking laugh escaped her lips.
37:04And you, you think you're some kind of saint.
37:07Who are you putting on this devoted act for now?
37:10His body flinched as if he'd been struck.
37:13Maya pressed on.
37:15If you really loved her that much, would you have flirted with me again and again?
37:21Would you have agreed to our farewell tour?
37:24Would you have slept with me?
37:27Yes, I seduced you.
37:30But did I hold a gun to your head?
37:32You're nothing but a selfish asshole.
37:35You can't keep it in his pants.
37:38The more she spoke, the uglier Liam's expression became.
37:42His handsome face was now twisted with rage.
37:45He grabbed Maya by the collar, dragged her to the edge of the pier, and threw her to the ground.
37:52Get out!
37:53Without another glance, he turned back to face the cold, empty sea.
37:59After Ivy's memorial service, Liam returned to their apartment overlooking the bay.
38:05Everything was exactly as she had left it.
38:08In the closet, her clothes hung neatly in a row.
38:11Liam ran his hand over each piece, the faint scent of her favorite white tulip perfume still clinging to the
38:18fabric.
38:18He could remember how she looked in every single one, but he would never see her again.
38:24The thought was a physical pain, so sharp he could barely breathe.
38:28He slid down the closet door and sat on the floor, silent tears streaming down his face.
38:35Suddenly, a thought struck him.
38:38He scrambled to his feet and rushed around the apartment, closing all the windows.
38:43He was terrified that the last traces of Ivy's scent would be carried away by the wind.
38:49He lay on their bed, memories of their life together playing on a loop in his mind.
38:54The grief, a crushing weight on his chest.
38:58His phone rang incessantly, but he ignored it.
39:01After a long while, his assistant burst into the room.
39:05Boss, the company is in trouble.
39:08Liam didn't even open his eyes.
39:10His voice was a dry, hoarse whisper.
39:16The assistant's face was pale.
39:19Boss, the wedding scandal and the police investigation have destroyed the company's reputation.
39:26Our brand was built on integrity and family values.
39:31Now, investors are pulling out, and the board wants to oust you.
39:36Liam's eyes shot open.
39:38The scandal and the murder suspicion had utterly destroyed his family's business empire.
39:44Partners terminated their contracts, citing morals clauses, and demanded massive compensation for breach of contract.
39:52I followed the aftermath on a news app.
39:54The media and online sleuths dug up everything on Maya.
39:58She became a pariah, afraid to even leave her house, branded a homewrecker.
40:03Her social media was flooded with hate.
40:06And Liam, after his company declared bankruptcy, became a full-blown alcoholic.
40:12He never left the apartment.
40:14He just sat by the window overlooking the sea, clutching the engagement ring he'd gotten back from the police,
40:21mumbling to the empty air, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing.
40:25He had completely lost his mind.
40:29For him, the kind of disappearance, neither alive nor dead, was crueler than death.
40:35The long-term psychological torment and constant shadow of the law made it feel even more just.
40:41And none of it had anything to do with me anymore.
40:44By then, I was on a small island in Indonesia, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean and the
40:51feel of sand between my toes.
40:53I've always had an adventurous spirit.
40:56This trip was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
40:59Waiting at the airport, I was suddenly struck by the desire to feel the wildness at the edge of the
41:05world.
41:05Once the idea took root, I couldn't shake it.
41:08So, I cancelled my original flight and began my Indonesian journey.
41:14I saw the ethereal blue flames at the crater of the Ijen volcano.
41:19I witnessed the breathtaking sunbeams in the Jamblang cave, 200 feet deep.
41:24In Yogyakarta, a giant wave knocked me off a wooden bridge stretching over the sea.
41:30In Tulamban, I went deep-sea diving and looked up at the sunken USAT Liberty shipwreck, sleeping on the ocean
41:37floor.
41:38I had the courage to start my life over at any time.
41:42It wasn't too late.
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