00:00While diving, I stumbled upon a watch by chance. I sold it for $5,000. With that money, I opened
00:07a flower shop. But my boyfriend keeps asking me for money under the guise of various dreams.
00:13Three years, I ran a flower shop to bankroll my boyfriend's dreams. First time, I emptied the trust fund my
00:19grandma left me. $100,000. Gone.
00:22Second time, I sold my late mom's vintage Porsche. Another $250,000. And now, he wanted $1,000,000 more.
00:30I stared at my phone. One call to my billionaire father could fix everything. The father I swore I'd never
00:36speak to again. Then Luke's iPad lit up. Bro, how much fake debt this time? Luke, make it a million.
00:43Anything less. And that stupid florist will just pay it off again. Bro, damn. Easiest money ever. Plus free sex.
00:50I didn't cry.
00:51I felt sick. For three years. He'd been playing me for a fool. So I made the call. You still
00:58want me back? To take over the empire and marry your ruthless CEO? Fine. I'll do it. I'll be there
01:03in three days.
01:04Nina, I screwed up. I owe a million bucks. Luke played his part perfectly. But I wasn't looking at his
01:10face. I was looking at his wrist. It was a Richard Mill. At least $2,000,000. He was wearing
01:16a $2,000,000 watch. And I was still stupid enough to consider taking out a loan for him.
01:21It's a fake baby. I'll buy you a real one soon. I promise. He thought I was clueless. Just some
01:26poor girl who couldn't tell the real thing from a fake. The iPad on the table lit up again. More
01:31messages popped up. Bro, how's she paying this time? Selling her house? Or selling herself? Bro too. If she starts
01:39selling herself, I want first dips. Three years together. Two fake debts. I paid them both. All I got in
01:45return were lies. He pulled me closer. Putting on that sweet smile again.
01:50Baby, help me this one last time. Pay this off and we'll get married. I promise.
01:56A billionaire pretending to be broke. Still trying to squeeze the last dollar out of me. I was too tired
02:02to even yell.
02:03But Luke, I'm out of money. He froze. His face twisted with anger.
02:07Wow! Are you giving up on me? So you think I'm a failure too? I thought you were different!
02:13He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He expected me to run after him. But I didn't call him
02:20back. Instead, I blocked his number. I picked up the fake debt notice. No signatures. No official seal. It was
02:27a piece of trash. Just like him. Put the flower shop up for lease. Sell everything. Leave.
02:33The next morning, I packed my bags. I looked around our dark, tiny apartment. There was nothing worth taking. A
02:40discarded birthday card. A rock from the street. A paper ring. Luke had given them to me as surprises.
02:47Every time I opened one, he looked almost as surprised as I was. Looking back, he had probably told his
02:53staff to grab whatever they could find. He didn't even know what was inside.
02:57The only real gift he ever gave me was a $10 necklace from a flea market. He bought it after
03:02his first so-called successful startup. He had called me stupid so many times. Now I knew the truth about
03:08him. He really did think I was an idiot.
03:11I searched through his group chats. The word stupid showed up 517 times. I ran through the rain for blocks
03:17to buy him late night takeout. His text? Nina's so stupid. He had a fever. I gave him my only
03:23raincoat and walked him to the clinic.
03:25His text? She's ridiculously stupid. Even when I was lying in his arms, dreaming about our future. Nina is hopelessly
03:32stupid. Broke as a joke and still planning a wedding. Even through the screen, I could see that mocking smirk
03:38on his face.
03:39But it didn't matter anymore. Luke had no place in my future. I kept packing. But in the end, my
03:45suitcase was empty. The trash can was full. Then my phone rang.
03:49Hello, Nina. It's Broker. I have some news for you. I'm sorry, but the landlord won't allow subsetting.
03:56At 3 that afternoon, I showed up at a luxury office building to meet my broker. I glanced through the
04:01half-open door. And there he was. Luke. He was wearing a custom-tailored suit. He was scrolling through his
04:07phone while a glamorous woman leaned against him. I recognized her instantly. Her name was Lynn.
04:13Two days earlier, my shop had received a massive order. 999 roses. The customer had left a special instruction. Do
04:21not remove the thorns. I wrapped every single stem until my hands were bleeding. I needed the money too badly
04:26to say no.
04:27When I delivered the flowers in person, Lynn was the one who took them. A card was tucked into the
04:32middle.
04:33To my one true love, Lynn. LCC. LCC. Luke Zachary Cole. He had known I was desperate for cash. He
04:40knew I would never turn down a huge order. He had specifically asked for the thorns to be left on.
04:45He wanted to watch me bleed for his amusement.
04:48That night, I came home ecstatic. I had told him I made a huge profit. He bandaged my torn, bloody
04:54fingers so gently. Was he mocking me in his head the whole time?
04:58I wiped the tear away. I almost laughed at myself. Then, my broker walked up behind me.
05:03Miss Nina? The landlord is right inside. Why aren't you going in?
05:07You mean, Luke?
05:08Yeah. Didn't you know? Luke owns the entire block on Main Street.
05:36He said, Luke.
05:55He's been doing you.
05:55I've got to eat his card next day.
06:00For 27 years, I had run from my real family.
06:04Now, the billionaire father I hated was my only way out.
06:08Dad, please.
06:11Pick me up now, please.
06:13While my world was shattering, Luke was just annoyed.
06:16It had been two days.
06:18I hadn't texted him once.
06:19A friend clapped him on the shoulder, smirking.
06:22What's wrong, Luke?
06:23The little flower's finally out of cash?
06:25Done chasing after you?
06:26Shut up.
06:27Nina is obsessed with me.
06:29She's probably out begging for loans right now.
06:31I'll ignore her for a few more days.
06:33She'll come up with the cash.
06:34The broker from earlier awkwardly approached the group.
06:37Uh, Mr. Cole?
06:38I heard you talking about Nina.
06:40She just called me to sublet her shop.
06:42I wasn't sure if you'd approve it.
06:44Sublit?
06:45Why would she give it up?
06:46Uh, she said she was tired.
06:48Said she was going home to get married.
07:05She said she was going home.
07:25.
07:55.
08:26.
08:26.
08:36My father moved fast. Someone was already waiting at the airport. He was 6 foot 3, dressed in black, and
08:43impossible to ignore. I was a sobbing mess. He didn't speak. He just handed me a tissue. It smelled like
08:50cedar and mint. The scent brought back a memory. He took off his sunglasses.
09:22is.
09:43I finally studied him, he looked untouchable, a sharp jaw, a small scar through his right brow,
09:49a face too handsome to trust. Suddenly, he turned his head, our eyes locked. I panicked and stared
09:55out the window, but in the reflection of the window, I saw the tips of his ears turning red.
10:00The man everyone feared was blushing. Do you need more water? He asked, almost stumbling over the
10:07words. No, I'm fine. Suddenly, the plane dropped, severe turbulence. He reacted on instinct. His
10:15hand closed around my shoulder, shielding me. The heat of his palm burned through my thin shirt.
10:20When the plane steadied, he pulled his hand back. The cabin fell still again. So why was my heart
10:26beating this fast? When we got to the estate, it was late. My father was waiting in the dining room.
10:33I hadn't seen him in three years. His hair was grayer. He looked old. I expected a lecture,
10:39or an apology. Instead, he just told me to eat. Then he kept filling my plate. My eyes burned.
10:47I hated him for what he did to my mother. But I knew he loved me. After dinner, my father
10:52finally
10:53spoke. I'm extremely sorry. Due to the heavy fog in London at that time, I missed the last chance to
11:01see your mother. I couldn't forgive him for her. But he was my father anyway. Derek came downstairs after
11:07work. He smelled faintly of smoke. I wrinkled my nose. I won't smoke around you again. Nina,
11:13I've been managing the empire for your father. Now that you're back, I'll hand it over to you.
11:18You were top of your class at Harvard Business School. You'll do fine. And if there's anything
11:23you don't understand, ask me. Thank you, Derek. You've thanked me too many times today.
11:30This marriage was arranged to protect the company. But if you don't want it, I can call it off.
11:35No. I'll marry you. I'm just afraid it's unfair to you. Because I don't love you yet.
11:42He swallowed hard. I'll announce the wedding to the press tomorrow. We'll marry the day after.
11:47Derek turned to leave. The scent of cedar and mint drifted past me. For a second,
11:52my heart stumbled. Derek, have you ever been to Seattle? He didn't answer. He just walked away.
11:59Two days later, it was our wedding day. Derek had flown in a couture gown from Paris.
12:04Yes. Shimmering with crystals. I stood before the mirror, my fingers brushing the silk. For the
12:10first time in years, I felt excited. Then the doors crashed open. It was Luke, sweating, disheveled,
12:18wide-eyed. Nina, it's really you. I searched the whole city for you. Then I saw the news.
12:25Luke, you're marrying Derek Sterling? Why are you here? Panic flashed across his face.
12:32Nina, you can't marry him. You love me, don't you? Nina, tell me you still love me.
12:40You? You have no right to talk about love, Luke. You played me for three years. You treated me like
12:48an idiot. I am not your toy. My feelings were never a joke. Loop collapsed into a velvet vanity
12:55chair. Nina, it wasn't like that. I fell for you. I swear I did. But the guys, they kept laughing
13:02at
13:02me. They said my taste was trash. I was stupid. I was a coward. Confused? I drained the trust fund
13:09my
13:09grandma left me. I sold my late mom's vintage Porsche. You let your thugs crush my cat to death.
13:15You made me wrap 999 roses for Lynn. You made me bleed just to entertain yourself. Was that just
13:21your ego too? All the blood drained from Luke's face. No, I didn't order those. I swear, Nina,
13:29that wasn't me. Lynn must have... Mr. Cole, step away from my wife. You're Derek Sterling? She's not
13:39marrying you. She loves me. Luke turned back to me and sobbed. Nina, please, listen to me.
13:45I'll give you everything. I'll transfer all my assets to you. Just give me one more chance.
13:51You're so arrogant, Luke. The second I found out you lied, I stopped loving you.
13:58Luke grabbed the edge of the vanity table and started dry heaving. His knuckles were turning blue.
14:04The estate butler rushed in, looking anxious. Sir, the guests are seated. Get him out of here.
14:10Luke kicked and screamed, thrashing and shouting. The wedding march rose from the hall outside.
14:17Derek adjusted the pearl tiara in my hair, his warm breath brushing against my ear.
14:22Trust me, Nina. I will never, ever be like him.
14:26I looked at our reflection in the vanity mirror. The diamonds on my dress caught the light,
14:30sparkling in time with my racing heartbeat. I know.
14:34The doors opened. Behind me, Luke's agonizing screams were completely swallowed by the music.
14:40And beside me, Derek's hand stayed firmly on my waist. I was stepping into the light,
14:45and I was never looking back. The wedding was over.
14:49When we finally got to our bedroom, Derek was tipsy.
14:52Are you okay? I asked nervously. Derek suddenly laughed. He dropped the pillow and pulled me into
14:59a tight hug. Nina, why don't you remember me? His voice was muffled. My blood ran cold.
15:05Seventeen years old. A rainy night. A boy shielded me from flying glass in a dark alley. Blood dripped
15:11from his brow onto my hand. The scar. I murmured, my fingers unconsciously tracing the tiny scar
15:17on Derek's eyebrow. Every Wednesday at 3 p.m., the white roses. Derek whispered. Every night,
15:24making sure you walked up the stairs safely before I drove home. The mystery customer who
15:28kept my shop afloat. The stranger in the shadows. Who protected me when Luke wasn't around. It was
15:34him. It had always been him. Derek. How long have you been in love with me? Derek's body stiffened.
15:40For years. Nina, when your father said you agreed to the marriage, it felt unreal.
15:46Will you let me take care of you for the rest of my life? I looked into his eyes and
15:50felt myself
15:51drowning. I squeezed his hand back. Let's try. I told him we didn't sleep in the same bed that
15:57night, but everything changed. It became a routine. Every morning before work, Derek would pull me into
16:04a tight hug. And every night before bed, I actually found myself waiting for his goodnight kiss on my
16:10cheek. Then, his company closed a massive project. He came home late, swaying slightly,
16:16reeking faintly of whiskey. I had to help him back to the bedroom. But the moment we fell onto the
16:21bed,
16:21he turned and caught himself above me. In the dark shadows of the room, his eyes were bright,
16:27sharp and completely focused. He didn't look drunk at all. He leaned in close, hesitating for a split
16:33second. Then, he softly pressed his lips to the corner of my mouth. When I didn't push him away,
16:38he immediately leaned in and captured my lips. His chest was heaving. I could feel his hot breath
16:44brushing against my skin. His voice was rough as he whispered,
16:47Nina, is this okay? I didn't answer him with words. I just reached up and cupped his face,
16:53and pulled him back down to me. Weeks passed. I learned what it truly meant to be worshipped,
16:58to be loved without a single lie. Then, two months later, my phone rang. It was Luke's grandfather,
17:04begging me to visit the hospital. Luke had found out Lynn staged the rose order. He exiled her.
17:10He spent his days drinking himself into a coma, until a drunk driver crashed both his legs.
17:15Outside a bar, the doctor said they might have to amputate.
17:19Nina, I know he hurt you. Grandfather sobbed, but he refuses treatment.
17:23He thinks this is his punishment for breaking your heart. Please, just come talk to him.
17:29I glanced back at Derek. I'm sorry, Mr. Cole, I won't be coming. I've already moved on.
17:34I don't want to go back to the past. After hanging up, I walked over to the couch,
17:39and wrapped my arms around Derek's neck. Who was that? He asked.
17:43Nobody important. I smiled against his lips. Derek, I love you.
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