- 8 hours ago
at the end of the night is the warmth of the sun - Full
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At the party, my fiancé's best friend, Ashley Porter, switches out the milk I always drink from my hangover with
00:06lube.
00:07Something tastes wrong. By the time it hits me, I've already swallowed.
00:10My stomach twists, burning like I've gulped down powdery acid.
00:14Ashley's laughing so hard she can barely breathe.
00:16Oh my god, you actually drank it! Can't even tell milk from love!
00:21Thaddeus Wilde, my fiancé looks at me like I'm something disgusting he stepped in, like I'm the one embarrassing him.
00:26I told Ashley to apologize. She rolled her eyes.
00:30God, Lavinia, it's just a joke. Don't be so uptight.
00:33I grabbed the bottle and dumped the rest over her head.
00:35Thaddeus' hand cracks across my face before I can blink.
00:38After I leave the party, I pull out my phone and make a call.
00:47Will you marry me? Three days from now?
00:53The moment I pour that bottle over Ashley's head, everyone in the room goes dead silent.
00:58Every single person turns to look at Thaddeus.
01:00Thaddeus! What the hell is Lavinia's problem? It was just a joke!
01:06His hand hits my face before I can say a word.
01:16He turns away to help Ashley wipe the liquid out of her hair.
01:19Doesn't even glance at me again.
01:21My stomach churns violently.
01:23That slick chemical taste coats my mouth and my throat keeps trying to heave.
01:27I press my hand over my mouth, gagging.
01:29Thaddeus shoots me a look of pure fury.
01:32If you're gonna puke, go do it somewhere else.
01:34Don't gross everyone out.
01:35I grab a glass of water off the table and drink it down.
01:38It helps a little.
01:39Ashley keeps wiping at her face while she accuses me.
01:42Thaddeus, I was just trying to have fun with Lavinia and look what she did.
01:46Her voice breaks.
01:48She must hate me.
01:50Why else would she do this to me?
01:55It's all Lavinia's fault.
01:56That soft voice.
01:57I can't remember the last time he used it with me after he finishes.
02:00Thaddeus turns to me.
02:01His voice is ice cold.
02:03Apologize to Ashley.
02:04Now!
02:04I wipe the blood off my lip and refuse to back down.
02:08Thaddeus, do you even hear yourself right now?
02:10I'm the one who got tricked into drinking lub.
02:14I barely fought back and you lose it?
02:16I catch guilt flicker across his face.
02:18But the next instant, Ashley's eyes go red and she starts her drama.
02:22Nobody has ever treated me like this before.
02:27She humiliated me in front of all those people.
02:29How am I supposed to face anyone after this?
02:32She turns to Thaddeus with tears in her eyes.
02:34Maybe we shouldn't be friends anymore.
02:36Your fiancé clearly hates me.
02:38She dramatically turns to leave.
02:40Thaddeus panics and grabs her arm, shouting at me.
02:44Apologize!
02:45Now!
02:45The resolve in his eyes leaves me no choice.
02:48I won't be getting out of here unless I say it.
02:51The lube churns in my stomach.
02:53I fight back the nausea as I force the words out.
02:56I'm sorry.
02:57Goes back to comforting Ashley.
02:59It's okay.
03:01It's all her fault.
03:05Get up tomorrow.
03:08I don't know what he means by that, but the smug look in Ashley's eyes tells me it won't be
03:13anything good.
03:14The music starts up again.
03:16Thaddeus and Ashley spin around in the center of the dance floor.
03:19They leave me sitting alone at the table, thinking about the marriage I'm about to enter.
03:23Suddenly, a sharp pain shoots through my stomach.
03:25I've had stomach problems since I was a kid.
03:27The lube must have triggered it.
03:28The pain hits like knives, twisting in my gut.
03:31I try to stand up and call for help, but my voice gets swallowed by the music.
03:35Nobody hears me.
03:36Thaddeus.
03:37I reach my hand toward him, desperate for him to notice and take me to the hospital.
03:41Thaddeus doesn't see me, but Ashley does.
03:43She uses the dance to spin in front of him, blocking his view.
03:46Nobody's coming to help.
03:47I force myself through the pain and dial 911, my hands shaking so badly I can barely hold my phone.
03:52As I stumble out the door, I catch sight of Thaddeus kissing Ashley on the lips.
03:56Something inside me goes numb.
03:58My chest aches worse than my stomach ever could.
04:01Well, guess we can cancel that damn wedding in three days.
04:03At the hospital, they pump my stomach, and the doctor discovers it's not just lube.
04:08Ashley mixed paint into the drink, too.
04:10They have to pump my stomach three times to get everything out.
04:13My stomach's already a mess, and after all that, it's completely wrecked.
04:17Late that night, every breath I take burns.
04:19The pain gets so bad, I finally break down and call Thaddeus, begging him to come stay with me.
04:24I try calling him three times, but no one picks up.
04:27Then I see Ashley's Instagram story.
04:29They move the party to my house, my villa.
04:31The video shows my stuff scattered all over the floor.
04:34My figurines are in the trash.
04:36My first ever award-winning robot design from college.
04:39Someone ripped his head off, and the pieces are rolling around under the table, and there's Thaddeus,
04:43drinking from the same glass as Ashley, making out with her while everyone cheers them on.
04:47I call him one more time.
04:48He finally picks up.
04:49His voice drips with irritation.
04:51Jesus, it's the middle of the night, Lavinia.
04:54What do you want?
04:55Thaddeus, I...
04:56I'm not doing well.
04:58They just pumped my stomach.
05:00I feel terrible right now.
05:01Can you please come to the hospital?
05:03Just for a little bit?
05:05I hate how desperate I sound.
05:07Thaddeus hesitates.
05:08I think he can hear how much I'm hurting.
05:10But then Ashley cuts in.
05:11Thaddeus, come here.
05:12I just peeled an apple for you.
05:14His hesitation vanishes.
05:16His voice goes cold and annoyed.
05:18You've got doctors for that.
05:19I'm busy.
05:20Can you stop blowing up my phone?
05:22Just take some Tums or something, and don't call me again.
05:25My throat closes up.
05:26I can't get a single word out.
05:28Ashley grabs the phone from him, her voice smug.
05:31Lavinia, wow, you sound terrible.
05:34Still dying over there?
05:35There's this satisfied laugh in her tone.
05:37I grit my teeth and snap back.
05:39Ashley, get the hell out of my house and fix my figurines!
05:43Oh, your little robot thing?
05:45I had the cleaning lady sweep it up.
05:47It's probably at the bottom of the dumpster by now.
05:49Trash belongs with trash, you know?
05:51That was my life's work.
05:53How could you just...
05:54A sharp pain rips through my stomach.
05:55I curl into myself, cold sweat breaking out all over my body.
06:00Okay, Lavinia, enough with the drama.
06:03Tonight's Thaddeus' bachelor party.
06:05He says he's got a big surprise planned for me, so stop trying to ruin it.
06:11Thaddeus doesn't have time for you right now.
06:13He's busy setting up the champagne tower.
06:15And all that junk in your room?
06:17Thaddeus told us we could mess with it, so we did.
06:20We broke everything and tossed it.
06:22Must be nice being so loaded.
06:24All those collector's editions and limited runs?
06:27They're in a dumpster somewhere now.
06:29Good luck with that.
06:30I'm furious and panicking, but my stomach twists so violently, I can't even fight back.
06:35At some point, the call drops.
06:38When I open my eyes again, morning light floods the room.
06:42My phone buzzes with a message from Ashley.
06:46It's a photo of Thaddeus completely naked.
06:48The gift Thaddeus mentioned turns out it was him.
06:52That's the bedroom I prepared for Thaddeus.
06:54Our bedroom, I picked out every piece of furniture, every decoration, every detail,
06:58and now they're doing this disgusting shit on my wedding bed.
07:02I remember back in college during the robotics competition
07:05when I won, Thaddeus held my project in his arms and cried.
07:08Actually cried, because he was so happy for me.
07:11I don't know when he turned into someone I don't recognize anymore.
07:14Maybe it started when Ashley showed up.
07:17Maybe it was even earlier than that.
07:18The bridal shop calls and...
07:20Mrs. Gray, your custom suit and rings are ready for pickup.
07:25Just throw them out.
07:26I don't want them anymore.
07:28Just throw them out.
07:30When I get home from the hospital the next day,
07:33I expect the place to still be a disaster.
07:35But when I push the door open, everything's spotless,
07:38except all my figurines and art prints are gone.
07:40My room is completely stripped bare.
07:43Thaddeus stands in the kitchen making breakfast like nothing happened.
07:46Hey, you're back.
07:48Sorry I didn't come see you yesterday.
07:51Something came up.
07:53How's your stomach feeling?
07:55Ashley's just immature, you know?
07:57She was playing around with you.
07:59I know the difference between a joke and pure malice from another woman.
08:02She did it on purpose, Thaddeus.
08:04She made my stomach condition worse.
08:06You know I can only eat liquids now, right?
08:09Thaddeus frowns and I can see he's already losing patience.
08:12Enough!
08:13Ashley just likes to have a little fun.
08:15Why are you being so petty about it?
08:17I freeze.
08:18My stomach starts to throb with a dull ache.
08:21Fine.
08:22Let's say the lube thing was a joke.
08:24What about my stuff in my room?
08:26You remember, right?
08:27We built that robot model together for our first competition.
08:31And that painting on the wall?
08:35My mom gave it to me for my birthday before she died.
08:39My voice shakes.
08:41I can't control it.
08:43Were those jokes too?
08:45Thaddeus slams his plate down on the table.
08:47The crash echoes his irritation.
08:51That's ancient history.
08:53You're hoarding a bunch of junk that takes up space.
08:57You should be thanking Ashley for clearing it out.
09:00And that awful painting?
09:01Why are you still keeping something from a dead person in the house?
09:05It's gross.
09:07The word gross stabs straight into my chest like a blade.
09:10The pain in my stomach surges up all at once.
09:13I grip the door frame and bend over.
09:15Cold sweat dripping down my temples.
09:17I grit out through clenched teeth.
09:19My voice so coarse I barely recognize it.
09:23That was my mom!
09:25He acts like he doesn't see me falling apart.
09:27So what if it was your mom?
09:29She's gone.
09:29What's the point of keeping all this junk around?
09:32Ashley was trying to help.
09:34And you just keep bitching about it.
09:36That was my stuff.
09:38She had no right to touch it.
09:40I can't hold back anymore.
09:42The tears threaten to spill as I force the words out.
09:45You're being ridiculous!
09:47Ashley was trying to help you.
09:49And you can't even be grateful.
09:53All you do is stand here and complain!
09:57You're obviously not thinking straight!
09:59As he's yelling, I hear the door lock click.
10:02The sound of it turning makes my blood run cold.
10:05Even the fingerprint reader now recognizes Ashley's print.
10:09Wow!
10:10Your stomach's already better?
10:11Guess I didn't use enough.
10:17Ashley!
10:18I lunge forward to grab her arm, but Thaddeus blocks me.
10:22He shoves me backward, and I stumble into the wall.
10:26The pain in my stomach crashes into the ache spreading across my back, and everything goes
10:31dark around the edges.
10:33Ashley was trying to help.
10:34Stop acting crazy!
10:35I look at him and laugh.
10:37I don't even mean to, but it comes out anyway.
10:40The tears follow right after, and I can't stop them.
10:43So this is what all those years mean to him.
10:45Our entire relationship is just something he can throw away whenever he feels like it.
10:50Forget about her.
10:52I made shrimp and grits.
10:53Your favorite.
10:55He pulls Ashley away, and they sit down at my new dining table, the one I just bought
10:59for our home, and start eating breakfast.
11:01He sets the plate down like I'm just some guest he's being polite to.
11:05But he clearly forgot that I've been allergic to shellfish for years now.
11:09He even scoops some into a plate for me, but his voice is still annoyed when he says,
11:14You should eat some too.
11:15It'll help your stomach feel better.
11:18Back in college, the first time he ever cooked for me, he made shrimp and grits.
11:22I didn't want to hurt his feelings after he'd worked so hard, so I ate a small plate anyway.
11:28I went into anaphylactic shock right there in his dorm room, and almost didn't make it.
11:32He was so scared that day.
11:34After that, he memorized everything I couldn't eat, and even stopped eating shellfish himself,
11:39just to be safe.
11:40But now, because Ashley likes it, he's forgotten all of that.
11:44Forgotten us.
11:46I watch the food slowly cool on the table, and I feel my heart doing the same thing.
11:50The night before the wedding, Ashley says she wants to give a speech as Thaddeus' close friend during the reception,
11:55and she wants to pull some wedding pranks, too.
11:58Thaddeus looks uncertain about it, but I don't hesitate.
12:03Sure, go ahead. Do whatever you want.
12:06I must sound different because Thaddeus just stares at me.
12:08Lavinia, you're acting weird. You really don't mind?
12:15But don't worry. Ashley's just my friend. She'll keep things appropriate.
12:22I pick up my water and take a sip.
12:26Why would I mind? Wedding pranks are supposed to be fun, as long as you two enjoy yourselves.
12:34Ashley's whole face lights up.
12:35She was clearly expecting me to fight her on this.
12:38She moves closer and pats my shoulder, and her voice is full of smart satisfaction.
12:42I knew you'd be cool about it.
12:44Don't worry. Tomorrow's going to be amazing.
12:47We'll make sure your wedding isn't boring.
12:49Thaddeus and I go way back, so obviously we're going to make it really memorable.
12:54You won't get all weird about it, right?
12:57I should thank you in advance, then.
12:59I look up at her and put on a sincere smile.
13:03Oh, and by the way, I've got a little surprise hand for you two at the wedding tomorrow.
13:10Thaddeus Browns.
13:11What kind of surprise?
13:12You'll find out.
13:14Ashley digs through my closet and pulls out one of my reception dresses,
13:18then just holds it up against herself without any shame.
13:22Hey, Lavinia, this dress would look great on me.
13:25How about I wear it tomorrow instead?
13:27She's already slipping the dress on, and then she pulls out some dirty old dress
13:31from God knows where and tosses it at me.
13:34This cheap thing suits you way better anyway.
13:37She even pins my bridal brooch to her chest,
13:40and for a second she actually looks like she's the one getting married.
13:42If this were a few days ago, I would have lost it,
13:45but today I just watch it all happen with nothing but cold in my chest.
13:49Sure, wear whatever you want.
13:50Thaddeus stares at me for a long moment like he wants to say something, but he never does.
13:55It's getting late.
13:57I've got work to finish up, so you two can do whatever you want.
14:02As I turn and head into the study, Ashley leans close to Thaddeus and whispers,
14:07What's up with her?
14:08She used to fight us on everything.
14:11Did we finally break her or something?
14:14She's being so obedient now, just doing whatever we say without arguing back.
14:18I think Lavinia's finally learning her place.
14:22Thaddeus shakes his head, but I can tell something about this doesn't sit right with him.
14:26I don't know, but she already agreed to everything.
14:28She can't back out now.
14:30Just try not to go too crazy with the pranks tomorrow, okay?
14:34Ashley just rolls her eyes and doesn't answer,
14:36but I can see the barely contained excitement in her expression.
14:39Meanwhile, I lock the study door behind me and pull two folders out of my desk drawer.
14:43These are the gifts I'm planning to give them at tomorrow's wedding.
14:46Outside, Ashley keeps trying on my dresses one by one,
14:50throwing the ones she doesn't like on the floor and stepping on them.
14:53Thaddeus is right there helping her like she's the one getting married tomorrow instead of me.
14:57When she thinks I'm not paying attention,
14:58she even takes my custom gold brooch and pins it to her own chest.
15:02Seeing her like that cheap and desperate, I almost laugh out loud.
15:05It is pathetic, but I don't care anymore.
15:07Tomorrow, this all ends.
15:08The next morning, I get dressed early and head to the reception hall first.
15:16When Thaddeus wakes up, he calls me right away.
15:18Liv, the bridal shop says my wedding suit is missing.
15:21What's going on?
15:22I told them to throw it out.
15:23I don't care what they do with it.
15:24The wedding's off.
15:25I hang up before he can respond and signal the officiant to keep going with the ceremony.
15:29And now, let's welcome the groom.
15:34I stand at the entrance and push open the doors.
15:36The man walking toward me looks stunning.
15:38He's wearing a brand new custom suit that fits him perfectly.
15:42And he moves with this quiet confidence that makes everyone stare.
15:47Long time no see, Liv.
15:48But it's not admiration I hear from the guests.
15:50It's shock.
15:51Because the groom isn't Thaddeus.
15:53It's Alaric Foster, the son of my father's oldest friend.
15:56He stops in front of me with an easy smile.
15:58When was the last time we ran into each other?
16:00Six months ago?
16:02And now, here we are at our wedding.
16:04This is absolutely insane.
16:07What, you having second thoughts?
16:09Are you kidding?
16:09I couldn't ask for a better surprise.
16:14He takes my hand and leads me toward the altar.
16:17And he doesn't even glance at all the confused faces watching us.
16:22Thaddeus's parents, Charlie Wilde and Judith Wilde, are the first ones to snap out of it.
16:26They rush over.
16:27What is this?
16:30Where's my son?
16:31I look at them, at the way their faces have gone pale and tight with worry.
16:35Thaddeus?
16:35I don't know.
16:36Probably on his way here.
16:37The words land like a slap.
16:39Judith grabs my arm and her hand is shaking.
16:42Lavina, what are you saying?
16:44What did Thaddeus do wrong?
16:47What did he do wrong?
16:48I let out a soft laugh and let my eyes drift over the guests below us, all of them whispering
16:53to each other and graining their necks to see what's happening.
16:56He's so close with his female friend, but he still wants to marry me?
17:01Does he think I'm blind?
17:03I let my voice carry across the room and every head turns toward me.
17:06There are plenty of men out there.
17:08I don't need one who's already in love with someone else.
17:11And you two knew all about them, didn't you?
17:15I saw the photos Ashley posted of you cooking for her.
17:18You all looked like a happy family.
17:20The room erupts.
17:21Guests start whispering to each other and Judith's face goes pale, then bright red.
17:26She opens and closes her mouth a few times before finally managing to speak.
17:29But I still thought you were the better choice for him.
17:32That's why I told Thaddeus to marry you!
17:35I laugh, but there's no humor in it.
17:37If I hadn't overheard that conversation between Thaddeus and Judith before the wedding,
17:41I might have actually believed her.
17:46Mrs. Gray, I heard every word you said to Thaddeus before the wedding.
17:51You told him the Gray family would be a good connection,
17:54that marrying me would help support your household.
17:58Judith doesn't say anything this time.
18:00She just stands there crying while everyone stares at her,
18:02trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
18:04I ignore all the shocked faces and turn to Alaric standing beside me.
18:09Sorry, you have to see all this.
18:13Sorry.
18:14Alaric needs to be able to get to my hand a quick squeeze.
18:16Are you kidding?
18:17This is better than reality TV.
18:20It really expands my understanding of human behavior.
18:23Plus, I get to marry you out of it, so I'm calling this a win.
18:28The wedding coordinator inches toward me, looking like he might pass out.
18:33Miss Gray, what do we do about the rest of the ceremony?
18:35We're sticking to the original plan.
18:37I cut him off and hold Alaric's hand tighter, keeping my voice steady and clear.
18:41The only change is that Alaric is the groom now.
18:44My legal husband.
18:45The truth is, my family wants me to marry Alaric from the start,
18:48but I insisted on Thaddeus back then,
18:50and my father respected my decision, even though he knew better.
18:53Only now do I realize just how right he was.
18:56Dad saw through Thaddeus from day one, but he let me make my own choice anyway.
18:59I glance back at Judith and her husband,
19:02who are still standing there on the stage, looking lost.
19:06Mr. and Mrs. Gray,
19:08you're welcome to take a seat and watch the ceremony if you'd like,
19:11but you need to get off the stage.
19:12You're blocking our way.
19:14Charlie and Judith completely collapse on the floor,
19:16mumbling, we're done, over and over.
19:18Eventually, someone has to carry them to their seats.
19:20I'm pulling out the diamond ring and about to say I do
19:23when an uninvited guest bursts through the doors.
19:25Stop!
19:33Thaddeus shows up in a cheap, badly fitted suit
19:35and rushes toward the altar, completely out of breath.
19:38Lavinia!
19:39What the hell is this?
19:43His voice is sharp and accusing, like I'm the one who betrayed him.
19:47This is supposed to be our wedding!
19:48What are you doing bringing some other guy here?
19:51I squeeze Alaric's hand tighter and give him a reassuring look.
19:56He's my legal husband.
19:57Today is my wedding to Alaric, not you.
20:01You should go be with your best buddy, Ashley.
20:04Honestly, you two make a great couple.
20:06Thaddeus's face drains of all color and his mouth falls open.
20:09Maybe he didn't think I'd actually embarrass him like this in front of everyone,
20:12or maybe he just assumed I'd never really leave him.
20:15But either way, he brought this on himself.
20:17Lavinia, what are you saying?
20:19We've been together for five years.
20:21How can you just throw that away and choose someone else?
20:25At a wedding, no less.
20:27I point at Ashley, standing right behind him in my dress.
20:30You and Ashley have been acting like a couple for months now,
20:32and you've hurt me over and over again because of her.
20:35Did you forget all of that?
20:39Ashley's face turns bright red, and she tries to back away.
20:42But Thaddeus grabs her arm and holds on tight.
20:44That's not true, Lavinia.
20:44She's just my friend.
20:46His voice is shaking, and he won't even look me in the eye.
20:49Instead, he keeps glancing nervously at the guests,
20:51who are all starting to whisper to each other.
20:53The murmuring gets louder and louder,
20:55and Thaddeus's face goes from white to completely red.
21:02I've seen that woman before.
21:03She's always hanging around.
21:04Yeah, didn't Thaddeus buy someone a sports car last month?
21:07I think it was for her.
21:08Wow, I never would have guessed.
21:10This guy's a total player.
21:13I raise an eyebrow and pull out my phone,
21:15then connect it directly to the venue's sound system.
21:18Thaddeus and Ashley's conversation fills the entire hall crystal clear.
21:25Thaddeus, does that idiot Lavinia actually believe you only love her?
21:28Once we get our hands on the Grey family's money, we're out of here.
21:32Relax, babe.
21:34After the wedding ends, she'll be my legal wife.
21:36And then her money becomes our money, right?
21:41And he looks absolutely pathetic sitting there.
21:44I recorded that conversation last night.
21:46Turns out it's coming in handy already.
21:48When Thaddeus' mother realizes they've been exposed,
21:50she charges at him and slaps his heart across the face.
21:53The sharp crack echoes through the silent ballroom.
21:56How did I raise such a useless son?
21:58We almost had everything, and you let it slip away.
22:01Do you have any idea what the Grey family represents?
22:03Do you know how hard we work to make that connection?
22:05And you turned the wedding into this disaster.
22:07I should have never had you!
22:09Mom, you hit me?
22:11Tears stream down his face and through his fingers,
22:14and his voice cracks with disappointment.
22:18Lavinia's the one who betrayed me!
22:20She's the one who wanted to switch grooms!
22:23Betrayed you?
22:23You've got some nerve!
22:25You and that homewrecker scheme to steal the Grey family's money?
22:29The recording just played for everyone to hear,
22:31and you still want to act innocent?
22:32Then she turns to me and her whole tone shifts.
22:35Suddenly, she sounds sweet, almost pleading.
22:38Mrs. Grey, please be the bigger person here.
22:41Don't hold this against my stupid son.
22:43Thaddeus knows he made a mistake.
22:45Just give him one more chance.
22:46The wedding, the wedding can still happen.
22:48I laugh and loop my arm through Al Aaron's,
22:50then walk toward the stage without even glancing her.
22:52Mrs. Wilde, the Grey family isn't desperate enough to pick up someone else's left.
22:55You probably don't know this yet,
22:57but he's an already son who slept with Ashley at the bachelor party.
22:59I wouldn't normally care about something like that,
23:01but when someone shoves photos in my face,
23:02I can't just pretend I don't know.
23:04How do you know about that?
23:07You'll have to ask your good friend Ashley about that.
23:12You're making this up!
23:14When did I ever tell you anything?
23:15Thaddeus, don't believe her!
23:17I swear I didn't say anything!
23:20Thaddeus just stares at her,
23:21and his face chills with disbelief.
23:24Ashley, you drugged my drink that night.
23:25That's the only reason anything happened between us.
23:27I was going to let it slide since we were friends,
23:28but I didn't think you'd go around bragging about it to everyone.
23:30Looks like I need to call the cops after all.
23:32You need some time in jail to think about what you did.
23:38Thaddeus, just listen to me!
23:40I got carried away that night, okay?
23:41I didn't mean for it to happen!
23:43Got carried away?
23:45You drugged me, slept with me,
23:47and then showed Lavinia the photos just to rub it in her face,
23:50and you call that getting carried away?
23:51The 911 operator picks up while he's still talking,
23:55and I just stand there watching this whole train wreck unfold.
23:58After Thaddeus finishes explaining everything to the dispatcher,
24:01Ashley's last hope dies right there.
24:03She collapses on the floor,
24:06all the strength draining out of her body.
24:11Thaddeus, please don't press charges!
24:13If you just write a victim statement saying you forgive me,
24:16we can settle this privately!
24:17Don't you remember?
24:19You asked me to test whether Lavinia really loved you,
24:21and I did everything you wanted!
24:23Just let me off the hook this once, please!
24:26So that's what all of this was.
24:28Everything that happened before was just Thaddeus testing whether I loved him or not,
24:32but his little test tore me apart and left me with permanent stomach damage.
24:35The whole thing is almost funny now.
24:37Ashley keeps begging on her knees,
24:39but Thaddeus won't even look at her anymore.
24:41His eyes find mine instead, and they're full of regret,
24:43but I'm already holding tight to Alaric's hand.
24:46I don't care what Thaddeus feels anymore.
24:48Charlie and Judith turn to me next,
24:50their voices practically begging.
24:51Thaddeus knows he messed up.
24:52Just give him one more chance!
24:54Please, sweetie.
24:55I laugh coldly and look at both of them.
24:58Let's be honest here.
24:58I can see exactly what they're thinking.
25:00Let's be honest here.
25:00Are you really doing this for me,
25:02or are you doing this for yourselves?
25:05Your other two sons are disasters.
25:08One's drowning in gambling debts,
25:10and the other one can't stay out of trouble.
25:12You think I'm going to let the Grey family keep bailing them out?
25:16You just want me to marry into your family
25:18so I can pay off their mess, don't you?
25:20No, no, we genuinely love you!
25:23This is all Thaddeus' fault!
25:26He's the one who doesn't know how to act right!
25:30She drags Thaddeus over and starts slapping him across the place,
25:33one hit after another.
25:35Alaric looks disgusted and reaches out to stop her.
25:38Mrs. Wild, if you want to discipline your son,
25:40do it somewhere else.
25:40Don't make a scene at our wedding.
25:42Mind your own business!
25:43You stole Livia from him,
25:44and now you think you can tell me what to do?
25:46Who the hell do you think you are?
25:48My expression hardens,
25:49and I pull Alaric behind me.
25:52My voice comes out ice cold.
25:54Mrs. Wild, watch your mouth.
25:56Alaric is my husband.
25:57What makes you think you can just show up here and start shit?
26:02Judith flinches at my tone, but she keeps pushing.
26:06Husband?
26:06He's just a homewrecker who stole someone else's woman.
26:10If it weren't for him, my son wouldn't be in this mess.
26:13And you wouldn't be so dead set against marrying my son.
26:17Oh, really?
26:19His voice stays calm, but every word hits hard.
26:22Thaddeus was the one who schemed to get his hands on the Grey family fortune.
26:25Ashley drugged him and did God knows what.
26:28You guys did this to yourselves.
26:30None of this has anything to do with me.
26:32Besides, Lavinia should have married me from the start.
26:34We just gave Thaddeus a five-year chance and blew it.
26:38That hits Thaddeus like a knife to the chest.
26:40Alaric!
26:41Don't get too cocky!
26:43Lavinia used to love me!
26:44She'll come back to me eventually!
26:46Besides, you're just taking over our wedding venue for yours.
26:50Aren't you embarrassed when people find out?
26:52A booming voice calls out from the doorway.
27:05I turn toward the voice and see Alaric's dad, Logan Foster,
27:09standing at the entrance with my father right beside him.
27:13Dad? Mr. Grey? What are you doing here?
27:16You little punk, were you seriously planning to get married in this dump?
27:19Good thing I showed up.
27:23Of course I invited them.
27:24What kind of wedding doesn't have family there?
27:27My dad had seen right through the Wild family from the start,
27:30and he'd been so angry with me that he'd refused to come to the wedding at all.
27:33Oh, Mr. Grey!
27:34I'm so sorry we never came to visit you properly,
27:36and we didn't even invite you to be part of the kids' wedding plans.
27:39That was terribly rude of us.
27:40But since you're here now, maybe you can help us officiate the ceremony.
27:44Now that you're here, we can finally settle this.
27:46Charlie spots my father and immediately rushes over with an oily smile clasped on his face,
27:52hand extended for a shake.
27:54Rick, I'm sorry you had to deal with this circus.
27:58It's nothing, Mr. Grey.
28:00Getting to marry the woman I love makes all of this worth it.
28:03Charlie's hand freezes in midair,
28:05and his face goes through about five different shades of red and white.
28:08He still tries to push his way forward, though.
28:10Mr. Grey, please, just listen.
28:12Thaddeus knows he messed up.
28:14These kids have five years together.
28:15You can't just throw that away.
28:17Five years together?
28:18Your family's scheme to steal money from us,
28:21and you helped some outsider cheat on my daughter.
28:24That's what you, after five years of relationship...
28:27Charlie sees my dad isn't backing down,
28:29so he actually tries to threaten him instead.
28:32Mr. Grey, your daughter just swapped out the groom at her own wedding.
28:36If word gets out about this, it's not going to look good for you either.
28:40People might even start saying she's the one who cheated,
28:42and that could really hurt your company's reputation.
28:45My father's heard threats like this a thousand times before.
28:48Take a good look.
28:49I've got proof of everything,
28:51so nothing you say is going to hurt the grace.
28:53My dad spots the hospital paperwork from when I had to get my stomach pumped,
28:56and his eyes immediately go red.
28:58He gets even angrier.
28:59Your son put my daughter in the hospital.
29:01I think it's time I took back all those resources I gave your family.
29:04That shopping center in the West District,
29:06the storefront on the East Side,
29:07my daughter gave you all of that.
29:09And the house we bought for you, too?
29:11Give it all back.
29:12Oh, and while we're at it,
29:13let's let the police deal with your two younger sons.
29:16And they're gambling.
29:18And assault charges.
29:20Charlie and Judith both collapse to the floor,
29:22like their strings just got cut.
29:23They look completely defeated.
29:25Ashley hears the sirens and tries to run,
29:27but she doesn't even make it out of the banquet hall
29:29before my security team grabs her.
29:31Let go of me!
29:33Lavinia, stay out of this!
29:35Stay out of it?
29:36You planned to steal from my family?
29:37You wrecked my marriage?
29:39And you think I'm just going to let that slide?
29:40She grabs a glass deck of teeth off the floor and hurls it at me.
29:44Then she snatches up a sharp fragment and charges straight at Thaddeus.
29:47This is all your fault!
29:49You're sending me to jail!
29:51Go to hell!
29:52And the glass slices across his face.
29:54Ashley doesn't stop there, though.
29:56She drags it across his skin again and again like she can't get enough.
30:00By the time everyone snaps out of their shock,
30:02Thaddeus is on the ground screaming and his face is covered in bloody gashes.
30:06Ashley's still trying to go at him when cops burst in and grab her,
30:09even as they haul her away.
30:11She's screaming obscenities the whole time.
30:13After they take Ashley out,
30:14Thaddeus is lying in a pool of his own blood,
30:16and the cuts on his face are so deep you can see bone.
30:19He's definitely going to be scarred for life.
30:21And Charlie and Judith?
30:22They just stand there watching their son suffer without even calling 911.
30:26When the ambulance finally arrives,
30:28Thaddeus is barely conscious,
30:29but right before they load him in, he grabs my arm.
30:33Lavinia, can we go back to house next week?
30:36I gently pull his hand away.
30:37I don't need to say anything.
30:39He already knows the answer.
30:41After everything's finally settled,
30:43the wedding venue looks like a war zone.
30:45I watch them haul everyone away and let out this long breath.
30:48Then I turn to Alaric,
30:49and I can feel the warmth spreading through my chest when I look at him.
30:52My dad pats me on the shoulder.
30:54See?
30:54See?
30:55I had a good judge.
30:55I had a good judge.
30:56Logan laughs.
30:57Now that's settled.
30:58We need to throw these kids a proper wedding.
31:01I already booked the grand ballroom at the Westmore Hotel.
31:04The best one they've got.
31:05We'll pick a good date and do this thing right.
31:08Sunlight streams through the floor to ceiling windows
31:10and falls across our joint hands, warm and steady.
31:13My happiness with Alaric?
31:14It's only just beginning.
31:15I have a good date for you.
31:15Thank you, campus.
31:15Where goes next?
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