- 5 hours ago
- #hope
A journey through darkness to find the love that shines like the morning sun. #Hope
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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.
00:13Ashley'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 Wild, my fiancé looks at me like I'm something disgusting he stepped in.
00:25Like I'm the one embarrassing him.
00:26I told Ashley to apologize. She rolled her eyes.
00:29God, Lavinia, it's just a joke. Don't be so uptight.
00:32I grab the bottle and dump 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.
00:57Every single person turns to look at Thaddeus.
01:00Thaddeus! What the hell is Lavinia's problem? It was just a joke!
01:05His hand hits my face before I can say a word.
01:15He 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.
01:31If 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.
01:38Ashley 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?
01:54It'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.
02:04I wipe the blood off my lip and refuse to back down.
02:07Thaddeus, do you even hear yourself right now?
02:10I'm the one who got tricked into drinking love.
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.
02:21Nobody 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.
02:39Thaddeus panics and grabs her arm, shouting at me.
02:44Apologize!
02:44Now!
02:45The resolve in his eyes leaves me no choice.
02:48I won't be getting out of here unless I say it.
02:50The lube churns in my stomach.
02:52I fight back the nausea as I force the words out.
02:55I'm sorry.
02:57Goes back to comforting Ashley.
02:58It's okay.
03:00It'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
03:12be anything good.
03:13The music starts up again.
03:16Thaddeus and Ashley spin around in the center of the dance floor.
03:18They leave me sitting alone at the table, thinking about the marriage I'm about to enter.
03:22Suddenly, 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
03:51my 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.
04:00Well, 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
04:23with me.
04:23I try calling him three times, but no one picks up.
04:26Then I see Ashley's Instagram story.
04:28They 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.
04:35My 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
04:42Thaddeus, drinking from the same glass as Ashley, making out with her while everyone cheers
04:46them on.
04:46I 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.
04:53What do you want?
04:55Thaddeus, I'm not doing well.
04:57They just pumped my stomach.
04:59I feel terrible right now.
05:01Can you please come to the hospital, just for a little bit?
05:05I hate how desperate I sound.
05:06Thaddeus hesitates.
05:08I think he can hear how much I'm hurting, but 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!
05:42Oh, your little robot thing?
05:44I had the cleaning lady sweep it up.
05:46It's probably at the bottom of the dumpster by now.
05:49Trash belongs with trash, you know?
05:51That was my life's work.
05:52How 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.
06:04He says he's got a big surprise planned for me, so stop trying to ruin it.
06:10Thaddeus doesn't have time for you right now.
06:12He'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.
06:19We broke everything and tossed it.
06:21Must be nice being so loaded.
06:24All those collector's editions and limited runs?
06:26They'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.
06:45It's a photo of Thaddeus completely naked.
06:48The gift Thaddeus mentioned turns out it was him.
06:51That'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.
07:01I remember back in college during the robotics competition
07:04when 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.
07:16Maybe it was even earlier than that.
07:18The bridal shop calls and...
07:20Mrs. Gray, your custom suit and rings are ready for pickup.
07:24Just 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,
07:32I expect the place to still be a disaster.
07:35But when I push the door open, everything's spotless,
07:37except 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.
07:52How's your stomach feeling?
07:54Ashley's just immature, you know?
07:57She was playing around with you.
07:58I 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?
08:16I 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?
08:25You remember, right?
08:27We built that robot model together for our first competition.
08:31And that painting on the wall?
08:34My mom gave it to me for my birthday before she died.
08:39My voice shakes.
08:40I can't control it.
08:42Were those jokes too?
08:44Thaddeus 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?
09:04It'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.
09:12I grip the door frame and bend over.
09:14Cold sweat dripping down my temples.
09:16I grit out through clenched teeth.
09:18My voice so hoarse I barely recognize it.
09:21Thaddeus!
09:22That was my mom!
09:24He acts like he doesn't see me falling apart.
09:27So what if it was your mom?
09:28She'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!
09:37She had no right to touch it!
09:40I can't hold back anymore.
09:41The tears threaten to spill as I force the words out.
09:44You'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!
09:56You'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 friend.
10:09Wow, your 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,
10:30and everything goes dark around the edges.
10:32Ashley 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.
10:39The tears follow right after, and I can't stop them.
10:42So 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.
10:51I made shrimp and grits.
10:53Your favorite.
10:55He pulls Ashley away, and they sit down at my new dining table.
10:58The one I just bought for 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,
11:13You 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.
11:27I 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,
11:38just to be safe.
11:39But now, because Ashley likes it, he's forgotten all of that.
11:43Forgotten 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
11:54during the reception, and 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.
12:29As long as you two enjoy yourselves.
12:33Ashley's whole face lights up.
12:35She was clearly expecting me to fight her on this.
12:37She moves closer and pats my shoulder, and her voice is full of smug satisfaction.
12:42I knew you'd be cool about it.
12:44Don't worry, tomorrow's going to be amazing.
12:46We'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?
12:57Because I 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 planned for you two at the wedding tomorrow.
13:09Thaddeus frowns.
13:10What kind of surprise?
13:11You'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.
13:21Hey, Lavina, this dress would look great on me.
13:25How about I wear it tomorrow instead?
13:27She's already slipping the dress on,
13:29and then she pulls out some dirty old dress from 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,
13:39and 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,
13:44but today I just watch it all happen with nothing but cold in my chest.
13:48Sure, 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.
14:01As 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.
14:10Did we finally break her or something?
14:13She'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.
14:25I 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, but 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, throwing the ones she doesn't like on the floor and
14:51stepping on them.
14:53Thaddeus is right there helping her like she's the one getting married tomorrow instead of me.
14:56When she thinks I'm not paying attention, she even takes my custom gold brooch and pins it to her own
15:01chest.
15:01Seeing her like that cheap and desperate, I almost laugh out loud.
15:04It is pathetic, but I don't care anymore.
15:06Tomorrow, 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!
15:18The 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.
15:33I 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.
15:41And he moves with this quiet confidence that makes everyone stare.
15:46Long 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.
15:52It's Alaric Foster, the son of my father's oldest friend.
15:55He stops in front of me with an easy smile.
15:58When was the last time we ran into each other?
16:00Six months ago?
16:01And now, here we are at our wedding.
16:04This is absolutely insane.
16:07What, you having second thoughts?
16:08Are you kidding?
16:09I couldn't ask for a better surprise.
16:14He takes my hand and leads me toward the altar.
16:16And 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.
16:26What is this?
16:30Where's my son?
16:31I look at them, at the way their faces have gone pale and tight with worry.
16:34Thaddeus?
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.
16:41Lavina, what are you saying?
16:43What 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.
16:52All of them whispering to each other and craning their necks to see what's happening.
16:55He's so close with his female friend, but he still wants to marry me?
17:00Does he think I'm blind?
17:02I let my voice carry across the room and every head turns toward me.
17:06There are plenty of men out there.
17:07I don't need one who's already in love with someone else.
17:10And 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.
17:25She 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,
17:53that marrying me would help support your household.
17:57Judith doesn't say anything this time.
17:59She just stands there crying while everyone stares at her,
18:02trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
18:03I ignore all the shocked faces and turn to Alaric standing beside me.
18:09Sorry, you have to see all this.
18:14Alaric moves at me and gives my hand a quick squeeze.
18:16Are you kidding?
18:17This is better than reality TV.
18:19It really expands my understanding of human behavior.
18:22Plus, 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.
18:32Miss Gray, what do we do about the rest of the ceremony?
18:34We're sticking to the original plan.
18:36I 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.
18:55Dad saw through Thaddeus from day one,
18:57but he let me make my own choice anyway.
19:00I glance back at Judith and her husband,
19:01who are still standing there on the stage, looking lost.
19:06Mr. and Mrs. Gray,
19:07you'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
19:22when 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,
19:45like I'm the one who betrayed him.
19:46This is supposed to be our wedding!
19:48What are you doing bringing some other guy here?
19:51I squeeze Alaric's hand tighter
19:52and give him a reassuring look.
19:56He's my legal husband.
19:57Today is my wedding to Alaric,
19:59not you.
20:01You should go be with your best buddy, Ashley.
20:03Honestly,
20:04you two make a great couple.
20:05Thaddeus' face drains of all color
20:07and his mouth falls open.
20:09Maybe he didn't think I'd actually embarrass him
20:11like 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?
20:18We've been together for five years.
20:21How can you just throw that away
20:23and choose someone else?
20:25At a wedding, no less.
20:27I point at Ashley,
20:28standing right behind him in my dress.
20:29You and Ashley have been acting
20:31like a couple for months now
20:32and you've hurt me over and over again
20:34because of her.
20:35Did you forget all of that?
20:38Ashley's face turns bright red
20:40and she tries to back away,
20:41but Thaddeus grabs her arm
20:42and holds on tight.
20:43That's not true, Lavinia.
20:44She's just my friend.
20:46His voice is shaking
20:47and he won't even look me in the eye.
20:48Instead, he keeps glancing nervously
20:50at the guests
20:51who are all starting to whisper to each other.
20:53The murmuring gets louder and louder
20:55and Thaddeus' face goes from white
20:57to completely red.
21:02I've seen that woman before.
21:03She's always hanging around.
21:04Yeah, didn't Thaddeus buy someone
21:06a 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
21:16to the venue's sound system.
21:17Thaddeus and Ashley's conversation
21:19fills the entire hall crystal clear.
21:24Thaddeus, does that idiot Lavinia
21:26actually believe you only love her?
21:28Once we get our hands
21:29on the Gray family's money,
21:30we're out of here.
21:32Relax, babe.
21:34After the wedding ends,
21:35she'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
21:49they've been exposed,
21:50she charges that hand
21:51and slaps him hard across the face.
21:53The sharp crack echoes
21:54through the silent ballroom.
21:55How did I raise such a useless son?
21:58We almost had everything
21:59and you let it slip away.
22:00Do you have any idea
22:01what the Gray family represents?
22:03Do you know how hard we work
22:04to make that connection?
22:05And you turned the wedding
22:06into this disaster.
22:07I should have never had you.
22:09Mom, you hit me?
22:11Tears stream down his face
22:13and through his fingers
22:14and his voice cracks
22:15with disappointment.
22:17Lavinia's the one who betrayed me.
22:19She's the one who wanted
22:21to switch grooms.
22:22Betrayed you?
22:23You've got some nerve.
22:24You and that homewrecker
22:26schemed to steal
22:27the Gray family's money.
22:28The recording just played
22:30for everyone to hear
22:31and you still want to act innocent?
22:32Then she turns to me
22:33and her whole tone shifts.
22:34Suddenly, she sounds sweet,
22:36almost pleading.
22:37Mrs. Gray,
22:38please be the bigger person here.
22:41Don't hold this
22:41against my stupid son.
22:43Thadavious knows
22:43he made a mistake.
22:44Just give him one more chance.
22:46The wedding,
22:46the wedding can still happen.
22:48I laugh and loop my arm
22:49through Al Aaron's
22:50then walk toward the stage
22:51without even glancing her.
22:52Mrs. Wild,
22:52the Gray family
22:53isn't desperate enough
22:54to pick up someone else's left.
22:55You probably don't know this yet,
22:56but you already son
22:57slept with Ashley
22:58at the bachelor party.
22:59I wouldn't normally care
23:00about something like that,
23:00but when someone shoves photos
23:01in my face,
23:02I can't just pretend
23:03I don't know.
23:04How do you know about that?
23:07You'll have to ask
23:08your good friend Ashley
23:09about that.
23:12You're making this up!
23:13When did I ever tell you anything?
23:15Thadavious,
23:16don't believe her!
23:16I swear I didn't say anything!
23:20Thadavious just stares at her
23:21and his face
23:21fills with disbelief.
23:23Ashley,
23:24you drugged my drink that night.
23:25That's the only reason
23:26anything happened between us.
23:27I was going to let it slide
23:27since we were friends,
23:28but I didn't think
23:29you'd go around
23:29bragging about it to everyone.
23:30Looks like I need to call
23:31the cops after all.
23:32You need some time in jail
23:32to think about what you did.
23:38Thadavious,
23:38just listen to me!
23:39I got carried away that night,
23:41okay?
23:41I didn't mean for it to happen.
23:43Got carried away?
23:45You drugged me,
23:46slept with me,
23:47and then showed Lavinia
23:48the photos just to rub it
23:49in her face,
23:50and you call that
23:50getting carried away?
23:51The 911 operator picks up
23:53while he's still talking,
23:54and I just stand there
23:55watching this whole
23:56train wreck unfold.
23:57After Thadavious finishes
23:59explaining everything
24:00to the dispatcher,
24:01Ashley's last hope
24:02dies right there.
24:03She collapses on the floor,
24:05all the strength
24:06draining out of her body.
24:10Thadavious,
24:11please don't press charges.
24:12If you just write
24:13a victim statement
24:14saying you forgive me,
24:15we can settle this privately.
24:17Don't you remember?
24:18You asked me to test
24:19whether Lavinia really loved you,
24:21and I did everything you wanted.
24:23Just let me off the hook
24:24this once, please!
24:26So that's what all of this was.
24:28Everything that happened before
24:29was just Thadavious testing
24:30whether I loved him or not,
24:31but his little test
24:32tore me apart
24:33and left me
24:34with permanent stomach damage.
24:35The whole thing
24:36is almost funny now.
24:37Ashley keeps begging
24:38on her knees,
24:39but Thadavious won't even
24:40look at her anymore.
24:41His eyes find mine instead,
24:42and they're full of regret,
24:43but I'm already holding tight
24:44to Alaric's hand.
24:45I don't care what Thadavious
24:46feels anymore.
24:47Charlie and Judith
24:48turn to me next,
24:49their voices practically begging.
24:50Thadavious knows he messed up.
24:52Just give him one more chance.
24:54Please, sweetie.
24:55I laugh coldly
24:56and look at both of them.
24:57Let's be honest here.
24:58I can see exactly
24:58what they're thinking.
24:59Let's be honest here.
25:00Are you really doing this for me,
25:01or are you doing this
25:03for yourselves?
25:05Your other two sons
25:06are disasters.
25:08One's drowning
25:09in gambling debts,
25:10and the other one
25:10can't stay out of trouble.
25:12You think I'm gonna let
25:13the Gray family
25:14keep bailing them out?
25:16You just want me
25:17to marry into your family
25:18so I can pay off
25:18their mess,
25:19don't you?
25:20No, no.
25:21We genuinely love you.
25:23This is all
25:25Thadavious' fault.
25:26He's the one
25:27who doesn't know
25:27how to act right.
25:30She drags Thaddeus over
25:31and starts slapping him
25:32across the face,
25:33one hit after another.
25:34Alaric looks disgusted
25:36and reaches out
25:36to stop her.
25:37Mrs. Wilde,
25:38if you want to
25:38discipline your son,
25:39do it somewhere else.
25:40Don't make a scene
25:41at our wedding.
25:41Mind your own business.
25:43You stole Lavia from him
25:44and now you think
25:45you can tell me what to do?
25:46Who the hell
25:46do you think you are?
25:48My expression hardens
25:49and I pull Alaric
25:50behind me.
25:51My voice comes out
25:53ice cold.
25:54Mrs. Wilde,
25:55watch your mouth.
25:56Alaric is my husband.
25:57What makes you think
25:58you can just show up here
25:58and start shit?
26:02Judith flinches
26:03at my tone
26:03but she keeps pushing.
26:05Husband?
26:06He's just a homewrecker
26:08who stole someone else's woman.
26:10If it weren't for him,
26:11my son wouldn't be
26:12in this mess
26:13and you wouldn't be
26:14so dead set
26:14against marrying my son.
26:16Oh, really?
26:19His voice stays calm
26:20but every word hits hard.
26:22Thaddeus was the one
26:23who schemed to get his hands
26:24on the Grey family fortune.
26:25Ashley drugged him
26:26and did God knows what.
26:28You guys did this to yourselves.
26:29None of this has anything
26:30to do with me.
26:31Besides,
26:32Lavinia should have married me
26:33from the start.
26:34We just gave Thaddeus
26:35a five-year chance
26:36and he blew it.
26:37That hits Thaddeus
26:38like a knife to the chest.
26:40Alaric!
26:40Don't get too cocky!
26:42Lavinia used to love me!
26:44She'll come back
26:45to me eventually!
26:46Besides,
26:46you're just taking over
26:47our wedding venue
26:48for yours.
26:49Aren't you embarrassed
26:50when people find out?
26:52A booming voice
26:53calls out from the doorway.
27:05I turned toward the voice
27:06and see Alaric's dad,
27:08Logan Foster,
27:08standing at the entrance
27:09with my father
27:10right beside him.
27:12Dad?
27:13Mr. Grey?
27:14What are you doing here?
27:15You little punk.
27:16Were you seriously planning
27:17to get married in this dump?
27:19Good thing I showed up.
27:22Of course I invited them.
27:24What kind of wedding
27:25doesn't have family there?
27:27My dad had seen
27:28right through the Wilde family
27:29from the start
27:30and he'd been so angry with me
27:31that he'd refused
27:32to come to the wedding at all.
27:33Oh, Mr. Grey!
27:34I'm so sorry
27:35we never came to visit you properly
27:36and we didn't even invite you
27:38to be part of the kids' wedding plans.
27:39That was terribly rude of us.
27:40But since you're here now,
27:42maybe you could help us
27:42officiate the ceremony.
27:43Now that you're here,
27:44we can finally settle this.
27:46Charlie spots my father
27:48and immediately rushes over
27:49with an oily smile
27:50clasped on his face,
27:52hand extended for a shake.
27:54Rick, I'm sorry
27:55you had to deal with this, sir.
27:58It's nothing, Mr. Grey.
28:00Getting to marry the woman I love
28:01makes all of this worth it.
28:03Charlie's hand freezes in midair
28:04and his face goes through
28:05about five different shades
28:06of red and white.
28:07He still tries to push
28:09his way forward, though.
28:10Mr. Grey, please, just listen.
28:12Thaddeus knows he messed up.
28:13These kids have five years together.
28:15You can't just throw that away.
28:17Five years together.
28:18Your family schemed
28:20to steal money from us
28:21and you helped some outsider
28:23cheat on my daughter.
28:24That's what you,
28:25after five years of relationship.
28:27Charlie sees my dad
28:28isn't backing down,
28:29so he actually tries
28:30to threaten him instead.
28:32Mr. Grey,
28:33your daughter just swapped out
28:34the groom at her own wedding.
28:36If word gets out about this,
28:38it's not going to look good
28:38for you either.
28:39People might even start saying
28:41she's the one who cheated
28:42and that could really hurt
28:43your company's reputation.
28:45My father's heard threats
28:46like this a thousand times before.
28:48Take a good look.
28:49I've got proof of everything,
28:51so nothing you say
28:52is going to hurt the Grey's.
28:53My dad spots the hospital paperwork
28:55from when I had to get
28:55my stomach pumped
28:56and his eyes immediately go red.
28:58He gets even angrier.
28:59Your son put my daughter
29:00in the hospital.
29:01I think it's time I took back
29:02all those resources
29:03I gave your family.
29:04That shopping center
29:05in the West District,
29:06the storefront on the East Side,
29:07my daughter gave you
29:08all of that.
29:09And the house we bought
29:10for you two?
29:10Give it all back.
29:11Oh, and while we're at it,
29:13let's let the police deal
29:14with your two younger sons
29:16and their gambling
29:18and assault charges.
29:19Charlie and Judith
29:20both collapse to the floor
29:21like their strings just got cut.
29:23They look completely defeated.
29:25Ashley hears the sirens
29:26and tries to run,
29:27but she doesn't even make it
29:28out of the banquet hall
29:29before my security team
29:30grabs her.
29:31Let go of me!
29:32Lavinia, stay out of this!
29:34Stay out of it?
29:36You planned to steal
29:36from my family,
29:37you wrecked my marriage,
29:38and you think
29:39I'm just gonna let that slide?
29:40She grabs a glass
29:41decorative piece off the floor
29:42and hurls it at me.
29:43Then she snatches up
29:44a sharp fragment
29:45and charges straight at Thaddeus.
29:47This is all your fault!
29:49You're sending me to jail!
29:50Go to hell!
29:52And the glass slices
29:53across his face.
29:54Ashley doesn't stop there, though.
29:56She drags it across his skin
29:57again and again
29:57like she can't get enough.
30:00By the time everyone
30:01snaps out of their shock,
30:02Thaddeus is on the ground
30:03screaming and his face
30:04is covered in bloody gashes.
30:06Ashley's still trying to go at him
30:07when the cops burst in
30:08and grab her,
30:09even as they haul her away.
30:10She's screaming obscenities
30:11the whole time.
30:12After they take Ashley out,
30:14Thaddeus is lying
30:15in a pool of his own blood
30:16and the cuts on his face
30:17are so deep
30:17you can see bone.
30:18He's definitely going
30:19to be scarred for life.
30:21And Charlie and Judith?
30:22They just stand there
30:23watching their son suffer
30:24without even calling 911.
30:26When the ambulance
30:27finally arrives,
30:28Thaddeus is barely conscious,
30:29but right before they load him in,
30:31he grabs my arm.
30:35I 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,
30:42the wedding venue
30:43looks like a war zone.
30:45I watch them haul everyone away
30:46and let out this long breath.
30:47Then I turn to Alaric
30:49and I can feel the warmth
30:50spreading through my chest
30:51when I look at him.
30:52My dad pats me on the shoulder.
30:54See?
30:54See?
30:54I had a good judgment.
30:55I had a good judgment.
30:56Logan laughs.
30:56Now that's settled.
30:58We need to throw these kids
30:59a proper wedding.
31:01I already booked
31:01the grand ballroom
31:02at the Westmore Hotel.
31:04The best one they've got.
31:05We'll pick a good date
31:06and do this thing right.
31:07Sunlight streams through the floor
31:09to ceiling windows
31:09and falls across our joint hands,
31:11warm and steady.
31:12My happiness with Alaric?
31:14It's only just beginning.
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