- 5 hours ago
Married a Delivery Guy - Hot
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My brother wanted revenge for his adopted sister.
00:03On the dating reality show I was filming,
00:06he shoved a random food delivery guy onto the stage
00:10and turned my life into a spectacle.
00:14Under the spotlight, his Uber Eats uniform was ridiculously out of place.
00:20The audience erupted in laughter.
00:22What's this delivery guy doing up there?
00:25Oh my god.
00:27The William Sarris is going to marry a delivery guy?
00:30I stood, frozen.
00:32My brother strode up, wrapped his arm around me, and whispered,
00:37Emily, last time you gave Sophie food poisoning
00:39and she had to have her stomach pumped.
00:42She's still holding a grudge.
00:44I had no choice but to let you make a bit of a fool of yourself
00:48to make her feel better.
00:49She's young.
00:51Just indulge her a little.
00:52Don't worry, it's just for show.
00:56There's no way the family would actually
00:58let you marry a delivery guy.
01:00The live studio erupted into chaos.
01:04The host quickly tried to smooth things over,
01:07asking the delivery guy with a smile.
01:10Hello, this is a live broadcast, a dating show.
01:13Are you perhaps lost?
01:14That was when a snort of laughter rang out from the audience.
01:19He's not blind.
01:20Since he stepped on stage, it means he's willing to match with Emily.
01:24I turned sharply and met Alexander Gray's cold gaze.
01:28He sat in the VIP section,
01:30dressed in an Armani Haute Couture suit,
01:33hands folded on his knees.
01:35His demeanor was that of a completely detached spectator.
01:39My heart ached so much, I could barely breathe.
01:43We'd had a secret relationship for seven years,
01:46and we'd agreed to go public today on this show.
01:50From the moment the show began, I kept waiting for him.
01:54He never came on stage.
01:56Instead, what I got was his cold, detached gaze from the sidelines.
02:01The host, sensing gossip, asked,
02:05Mr. Gray, rumor has it that you and Emily grew up together.
02:09Are you sure you won't come up to claim your childhood sweetheart?
02:14Alexander sneered.
02:16Childhood sweetheart?
02:17That's just a wild misunderstanding.
02:20David Williams shot to his feet, pointing at Alexander.
02:24His thundering voice echoed throughout the studio.
02:27Alexander Gray.
02:28You grew up my sister.
02:29Who was it that swore he'd marry no one but her?
02:32And now you call it a misunderstanding.
02:35What kind of asshole are you?
02:37A few Nepo babies in the front rows snickered
02:40and whispered live in for everyone to hear.
02:44Isn't it obvious?
02:46Mr. Gray has already moved on.
02:48I saw it with my own eyes yesterday.
02:51Alexander was at a Tiffany store shopping
02:54for a diamond ring with Emily's adopted sister.
02:57Heard his family forced him to show up today.
02:59He never planned to go and stay in the first place.
03:02So that was it.
03:03I closed my eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall.
03:08When I opened them again, I took a step forward and said loudly,
03:13What's wrong with being a delivery guy?
03:15Are you all so noble that you never order takeout?
03:18If he has the courage to stand up here,
03:20then I have the courage to choose him.
03:23David grabbed my wrist.
03:25Emily, have you lost your mind?
03:28I looked up at him, tears betraying me and falling.
03:32When we were little, David would carry me home whenever I scraped my knee.
03:37He used to hold me in his arms and rock me to sleep.
03:40But after Sophie arrived, David revolved around her and no longer paid any attention to me.
03:47I laughed.
03:48Dave, isn't this exactly what you wanted to see?
03:51The whole country is watching this live stream.
03:54The William Saris is marrying a delivery man.
03:56Your precious Sophie should be satisfied now, right?
03:59David was stunned.
04:01Then his brow furrowed deeply.
04:04You're still blaming Sophie.
04:05That day, she was just...
04:07I stopped listening to the rest, turned,
04:10and walked towards the figure in the delivery uniform on the other side of the stage.
04:15The crowd parted automatically,
04:17their mocking eyes pricking me like needles.
04:20As I passed Alexander,
04:23he stood up and blocked my path.
04:25Emily, don't be reckless.
04:27He lectured me impatiently.
04:29I know you're angry with me, but there's no need to get back at me like this.
04:32When I didn't respond, he softened his tone.
04:35We grew up together.
04:37I've always thought of you as a little sister.
04:40Listen to me, come back to the family.
04:42I'll help you find a good man who deserves you later.
04:45I stopped and looked back at him with a mocking curve on my lips.
04:49A little sister?
04:52Alexander stammered, his eyes darting away.
04:55Unable to meet my gaze.
04:57I stared straight at him.
04:59Alexander, is it so hard to admit you've fallen for Sophie?
05:02Done.
05:04Insult me by calling me your sister as an excuse.
05:07If you're going to hurt me, at least have the decency to be honest.
05:12He hesitated, his face ashen.
05:14I wanted to end this as quickly as possible.
05:17I stepped around him and walked up to the delivery guy.
05:21A reckless impulse seized me.
05:23I looked up at him and asked loudly,
05:26Hey, will you marry me?
05:28In that moment, all cameras focused on us.
05:33The entire studio fell silent.
05:35Even the director forgot to cut the feed.
05:38David yelled from the audience.
05:40Emily!
05:41Stop this nonsense!
05:43Come back here!
05:45Alexander stood not far away,
05:47watching me with indifference.
05:49Under countless flashing lights,
05:51the delivery guy slowly took off his helmet.
05:55A handsome face was revealed under the lights,
05:58with deep, sharp features.
06:00Especially those eyes.
06:03Captivating.
06:04Are you sure?
06:05I nodded.
06:07Yes.
06:07He smiled.
06:08Okay.
06:10I'll marry you.
06:11As soon as the words left his mouth,
06:14David charged towards the stage,
06:16only to be pulled back by Alexander.
06:19If you go up there now,
06:21you'll be playing right into her hands.
06:24What do you mean?
06:25She's just throwing a tantrum.
06:28She's been spoiled her whole life.
06:30There's no way she'd actually marry a food delivery guy.
06:34I heard him, but said nothing.
06:36I grew up together with David Williams and Alexander Gray.
06:40We used to be inseparable.
06:42Until five years ago,
06:44when I went abroad to study.
06:46I buried myself in coursework,
06:49days and nights blurring together.
06:51And my calls home grew fewer and farther between.
06:55My distance weighed heavily on my parents.
06:57They grew quiet, dispirited.
07:00And the Williams house,
07:02once full of laughter and warmth,
07:04slowly fell silent.
07:06Then, Sophie appeared.
07:09She was a distant relative from my grandmother's side,
07:12with features that vaguely resemble mine.
07:15After hearing her parents had died in a car accident,
07:19my parents immediately took her in.
07:22Sophie was lively and sweet,
07:25the kind who always knew what to say.
07:27It didn't take long for her to win everyone over.
07:29Gradually, the Williams house became lively again because of her arrival.
07:35While I, far away in a foreign country,
07:38seemed to be forgotten by everyone.
07:40Until two years ago,
07:42when I returned home after getting my degree.
07:44I thought I'd be met with the joy of reunion,
07:47but instead,
07:48my family was worried about Sophie feeling jealous,
07:52and deliberately kept their distance from me.
07:54I still remember the night I returned.
07:57Standing outside the door,
07:58I overheard my mother comforting Sophie.
08:01Sophie, honey,
08:03you will always be mom and dad's daughter.
08:05That will never change.
08:06Your sister has been abroad for so long.
08:09Who knows what she's been through.
08:13Her personality
08:16has turned so cold and aloof.
08:20She's not
08:21as understanding
08:22and sweet as you are.
08:26I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice cellar,
08:29standing frozen on the spot.
08:32The news of the Williams heiress marrying a delivery guy
08:35spread like wildfire
08:37and quickly became a trending topic online.
08:40When I returned to the villa,
08:42the whole family was sitting on the living room sofa chatting.
08:46When David finished telling them the story,
08:49my father slammed his hand on the coffee table.
08:52Nonsense!
08:54That wretched girl has disgraced the Williams family!
08:58My mother were organizing her new purchases.
09:01When Emily comes back,
09:03don't yell at her,
09:05or she'll make sure
09:06there's no peace for the whole family.
09:09She's definitely angry
09:11that her brother embarrassed her on the show.
09:14That's why she's acting out
09:16and saying she'll marry the delivery guy.
09:19She doesn't even know his background.
09:24How could she actually marry him?
09:27She's not that stupid.
09:29Sophie, sitting to the side,
09:32started crying.
09:33Mom, this is all my fault?
09:38If David hadn't stood up for me,
09:41Emily wouldn't be acting like this.
09:43My mother gently wiped her tears with a tissue.
09:46Don't be silly.
09:49Ever since your sister came back,
09:51we've had to accommodate her,
09:54and you've been forced to suffer.
09:56This all
09:59has been a silly prank.
10:02She won't actually do it.
10:05My father chimed in.
10:07Sophie,
10:10this isn't your fault.
10:12Your sister is just letting her temper
10:14get get in her way.
10:17She wouldn't really joke
10:18about her own lifelong happiness.
10:21As she spoke,
10:22my mother picked up
10:23a brand new Chanel bag
10:25and held it out to Sophie.
10:28Sweetheart,
10:29come see if you like this color.
10:31If you wait until your sister gets back,
10:34she'll just fight you for it again.
10:37Mid-sentence,
10:38her peripheral vision
10:40caught sight of me
10:41standing in the entryway.
10:43The bag in her hand
10:44fell onto the couch with a thud.
10:46Three days later,
10:48I met the delivery guy
10:49at a coffee shop.
10:51The rich scent of coffee
10:53filled the air.
10:54I stirred my caramel macchiato
10:56absentmindedly,
10:57watching the drizzle outside.
10:59My thoughts hazy
11:01and unfocused.
11:02It wasn't until someone
11:04sat down across the table
11:05that I snapped back to reality.
11:08I looked up
11:09and froze at a face
11:10so ridiculously handsome
11:12it could stop hearts.
11:13He was wearing
11:14a black tracksuit,
11:16a world apart
11:17from the Uber Eats uniform
11:18he had on that day.
11:20A smile gleamed in his eyes
11:22as he asked softly,
11:25Miss Williams?
11:27Don't recognize me?
11:29Of course I do.
11:31So, um,
11:32what's your name again?
11:33He settled across from me,
11:35his long fingers
11:37picking up the menu
11:38with commanding ease.
11:40Ryan Scott.
11:41I pulled a bank card
11:43from my bag
11:44and slid it across the table.
11:46The pin is six-eighths.
11:48Go buy whatever you like.
11:51Sports cars.
11:53Watches.
11:54Whatever.
11:55In one week,
11:56we'll go register our marriage.
11:58Ryan glanced briefly
12:00at the card
12:00but didn't take it.
12:02Instead,
12:03he looked up
12:04and met my eyes directly.
12:06Miss Williams,
12:07are you truly set
12:08on marrying a delivery guy
12:09like me
12:10who has nothing?
12:12My heart clenched
12:13and his challenge
12:14sparked a stubborn
12:15defiance in me.
12:17What?
12:17Having second thoughts?
12:19Is marrying me
12:21too intimidating
12:21for you after all?
12:23He chuckled softly
12:24and pushed the card
12:25back towards me.
12:27What are you doing?
12:28I asked,
12:30confused.
12:31He simply smiled.
12:33A real man
12:34doesn't need a woman's money.
12:36One week from now,
12:37I'll see you at the courthouse.
12:39I nodded.
12:40Okay.
12:42After parting ways
12:43with Ryan,
12:44it was already evening.
12:46When I returned
12:47to the mansion,
12:48my family was having dinner.
12:50Alexander was there too,
12:52sitting right next to Sophie.
12:54My appearance
12:55instantly wiped
12:56the smiles
12:57off everyone's faces.
12:59My appearance
13:00made all the smiles
13:01vanish instantly,
13:03plunging everyone
13:04into an awkward silence.
13:06David was the first
13:07to react,
13:08waving me over.
13:09Emily,
13:09come join us
13:10for dinner.
13:11I shook my head.
13:13Not hungry.
13:15I'm going upstairs.
13:17As I turned to leave,
13:19my mother suddenly
13:20stopped me.
13:23Emily,
13:24there's something
13:25we need to discuss
13:26with you.
13:27I stopped.
13:28What is it?
13:30What is it?
13:30She walked up to me,
13:31hesitating for a moment
13:33before speaking.
13:34Your father and I
13:36have discussed it,
13:37and we've decided
13:38to make your sister
13:40and Alexander's
13:41engagement official.
13:42I looked up at Alexander.
13:44He instinctively
13:46avoided my gaze.
13:48Seeing this,
13:49I laughed coldly.
13:50My mother grabbed
13:52my hand.
13:53I know you and Alexander
13:54have been close
13:55since childhood,
13:56but feelings require
13:57mutual consent.
13:59They can't be forced.
14:01Mom will definitely
14:02make it up to you later.
14:03I quietly pulled
14:04my hand back,
14:05interrupting her.
14:07Enough,
14:09Mom.
14:10I have no objections.
14:13I wish my sister
14:14and future brother-in-law
14:15a lifetime of love
14:17and happiness,
14:18forever and always.
14:20I hadn't expected
14:22Alexander to follow me.
14:24He held my wrist tightly,
14:26refusing to let go.
14:28I frowned.
14:30Alexander,
14:31what do you think
14:32you're doing?
14:33He lowered his gaze
14:34slightly and said softly,
14:38I know you said
14:39those things
14:39because you're angry
14:40with me.
14:42You must be feeling
14:43really hurt right now,
14:45aren't you?
14:46I used to think
14:47that at least Alexander
14:48was the one person
14:49Sophie couldn't
14:50steal away from me.
14:52Two years ago,
14:53when I first came back,
14:55Sophie was obsessed
14:56with framing me
14:58for various things,
14:59painting herself
15:00as the victim.
15:01Back then,
15:03no matter how
15:04I tried to explain,
15:05no one was willing
15:06to believe me.
15:08Except for Alexander.
15:10He would wrap his hands
15:11around mine and say,
15:13I believe you.
15:16I'll always be on your side.
15:18He would also maintain
15:19his distance from Sophie
15:21because she deliberately
15:22copied all my daily outfits
15:24and the way I spoke.
15:26I thought Alexander,
15:28my childhood friend
15:29who had sworn to marry
15:31no one but me,
15:32who cared for me
15:33so attentively,
15:34would remain loyal to me.
15:36But in the end,
15:38he still chose
15:39to break my heart
15:40just like the others.
15:42When will you stop this?
15:45If I really wanted
15:47something between me
15:48and Sophie to happen,
15:50who are you
15:50to say anything?
15:52No wonder your parents
15:53prefer their adopted daughter,
15:54who could stand
15:55your prickly,
15:56defensive attitude.
15:57If I so much
15:58as say an extra word
15:59to Sophie,
16:00you make a huge scene.
16:03All suspicious
16:04and paranoid
16:05like a shrew.
16:07Fine,
16:08I'll tell you now.
16:09Sophie is gentler,
16:10more understanding
16:11and a million times
16:13more attractive to me
16:14than you are.
16:14Are you satisfied now?
16:17Back then,
16:19I loved him so deeply
16:20that even upon hearing
16:22such hurtful words,
16:24my first reaction
16:25wasn't anger,
16:26but doubting
16:27whether I was truly
16:28in the wrong.
16:29It was only later
16:31that I realized
16:32Alexander always claimed
16:33to dislike Sophie,
16:35but never actually refused
16:36her increasingly intimate
16:37and boundary-crossing
16:39behaviors.
16:40It was his inconsistency
16:42between words
16:42and actions
16:43that drove me
16:44to a breakdown.
16:46The fault was his,
16:48not mine.
16:49Seeing me silent,
16:50Alexander thought
16:51he had hidden more.
16:53He sighed lightly
16:54and continued
16:55on his own.
16:57Emily,
16:57we grew up together
16:58and have many
17:00beautiful memories.
17:02I don't want us
17:03to end up
17:04cutting ties completely.
17:06Here's the deal.
17:08If you behave
17:09and stop targeting
17:10Sophie all the time,
17:11I might consider
17:14seeing you
17:14on the side.
17:15After all,
17:16we're physically
17:17compatible
17:18and things are
17:19perfect in bed.
17:20I looked at him
17:21in disbelief.
17:25How could you...
17:26Alexander added,
17:27But you have to promise
17:28me one thing.
17:30You behave from now on
17:33and Don
17:34gives Sophie
17:35any more trouble.
17:37I couldn't take it anymore.
17:39I shook off his hand
17:40and screamed.
17:42Get lost!
17:44In the blink of an eye,
17:45the day arrived for Ryan
17:47and me to register
17:48our marriage.
17:49Coincidentally,
17:50it was also
17:51Sophie's birthday.
17:52Over the past week,
17:55thanks to the
17:55Williams family's
17:56control over the
17:57media narrative,
17:58the scandal from
17:59the live dating show
18:00had almost
18:01completely died down.
18:03After all,
18:04who would seriously
18:05believe the
18:06Williams heiress
18:07would actually
18:08marry a delivery guy?
18:09Even my parents
18:11and brother thought
18:12what I said on the show
18:13was just me
18:13throwing a fit,
18:14but they didn't know.
18:16I was utterly
18:17disillusioned and
18:18disappointed with
18:19this family
18:19and had long
18:20wanted to leave.
18:21That morning,
18:23I was just about
18:24to go downstairs
18:24for breakfast.
18:26As I reached
18:27the staircase,
18:28I heard David
18:29shouting impatiently,
18:31Hurry up!
18:31Finds out we're
18:32taking Sophie to
18:33Miami for her
18:34birthday.
18:35She'll definitely
18:36make a scene
18:37and want to
18:37come along.
18:38My mother
18:38sounded hesitant.
18:40Are we really
18:41leaving Emily
18:41home alone?
18:43Won't she be upset?
18:46For some reason,
18:48I have a bad
18:49feeling about this.
18:50my father
18:51urged while
18:52packing.
18:53Don't overthink
18:53it.
18:54I finally managed
18:55to get time off.
18:57The butler and
18:57servants are here
18:58to look after her.
18:59It's not like
19:00she'll starve.
19:01Sophie piped up,
19:02pretending to be
19:03considerate.
19:04Maybe we should
19:05take Emily with us?
19:06David snorted
19:07lightly.
19:08Do you want to
19:09have a proper
19:09birthday or not?
19:10My mother
19:11sighed softly.
19:12When we get
19:13back, we can
19:14buy her some
19:15extra gifts
19:15and cheer her
19:16up properly.
19:17Half an hour
19:18later, everything
19:19fell completely
19:20silent downstairs.
19:21I opened my
19:22door and
19:23looked out at
19:24the sky, clear
19:25and blue, as
19:26if washed clean.
19:28What beautiful
19:29weather.
19:29I called for the
19:31butler waiting
19:31nearby.
19:33Mike, I have
19:33some good news
19:34for you.
19:35I'm getting
19:35married today.
19:36But I never,
19:37ever, expected
19:39that Ryan had
19:40arranged a fleet
19:41to pick me up.
19:42A line of sleek,
19:43all-black Rolls-Royce
19:45phantoms gleamed
19:46in front of the
19:47mansion, parked
19:48so perfectly that
19:50neighbors couldn't
19:50help but stop and
19:52stare.
19:52What surprised me
19:53even more was
19:55that he'd rented
19:55the city's largest
19:57digital billboard,
19:58looping announcements
19:59of our wedding for
20:01everyone to see.
20:02I sat in the car,
20:03staring at the
20:04spectacle, more
20:05fitting for a
20:06corporate merger
20:07than a personal
20:08celebration, and
20:09something about it
20:10felt off.
20:12Where did a
20:13delivery guy get
20:14this kind of
20:15money?
20:16But remembering
20:17his commanding
20:18composure from
20:19the coffee shop,
20:20my intuition
20:21told me his
20:22identity was
20:22anything but
20:23simple.
20:24Meanwhile, the
20:26Williams family's
20:26private jet had
20:27just landed in
20:28Miami when it
20:29encountered a
20:30severe hurricane,
20:31the worst in a
20:33decade.
20:33Looking at the
20:34sudden storm and
20:35torrential rain
20:36outside the window,
20:38Sophie frowned.
20:40Her grand
20:40birthday party was
20:41likely ruined, but
20:43they couldn't apply
20:44for a return flight
20:45that same day, so
20:47they had to schedule
20:48one for three days
20:49later.
20:49Three days later,
20:51when the Williams
20:52family returned
20:52home, they
20:54immediately sensed
20:55something was
20:56wrong.
20:56The butler and
20:57servants stood
20:58lined up in the
20:59entryway, not
21:00daring to make a
21:01sound.
21:02My mother was
21:03the first to
21:03react, frowning
21:05as she asked the
21:06butler,
21:07Where's Emily?
21:08The servants
21:09exchanged glances.
21:11Finally, the
21:12butler stepped
21:12forward, stammering,
21:15Young lady.
21:16She got married
21:17and moved out.
21:18You truly
21:19couldn't stop her.
21:21What?
21:21My parents and
21:23brother exclaimed
21:24in unison, their
21:25faces filled with
21:26shock.
21:27My father grabbed
21:28the butler's arm,
21:29demanding sternly,
21:30who did she
21:32marry?
21:33It's that delivery
21:34guy who was
21:35pushed on stage
21:37during the show
21:38the day they
21:39registered at the
21:40county clerk's
21:41office.
21:41Not only did he
21:42send a Rolls-Royce
21:43fleet to pick
21:44Ness Williams up,
21:45but he also
21:46booked all the
21:46city's eyes
21:47advertising screens.
21:48The media
21:49followed the
21:50whole ceremony.
21:52Now, it spread
21:53throughout the
21:54entire upper
21:55class circle.
21:58My mother's
21:59vision went
22:00black, and
22:01she went limp,
22:02caught just in
22:03time by David.
22:04She cried.
22:06This child, how
22:08could she be so
22:09foolish?
22:10What prospects
22:12does a livery
22:13guy have?
22:14It must be a
22:15romance scam.
22:18What if Emily
22:20gets kidnapped
22:21and taken to
22:22an organ farm?
22:25Sophie, while
22:26comforting my
22:27mother, sighed.
22:28How could Emily
22:29ruin the
22:30Williams family
22:31like this simply
22:32out of spite?
22:33And now she's
22:33made Mom so
22:34worried, so
22:35immature.
22:36As she turned,
22:38David caught the
22:39victorious smirk
22:40she hadn't quite
22:41managed to
22:41conceal.
22:42He froze for a
22:43moment, then
22:44said coldly,
22:46Sophie, now
22:47is not the
22:48time.
22:49Sophie was
22:49stunned.
22:51Unable to
22:51believe her
22:52always doting
22:53brother would
22:53speak to her
22:54like that,
22:55David stared
22:56straight at
22:57her, a
22:57sliver of
22:58doubt rising
22:59in his
22:59heart.
23:00Sophie, tell
23:02me the
23:02truth.
23:04Last time
23:05when you said
23:06Emily
23:06liberally gave
23:07you something
23:07you're allergic
23:08to, accusing
23:09you to get
23:09food poisoning
23:10and have
23:11your stomach
23:11pumped, was
23:13that actually
23:13true?
23:14Sophie opened
23:15her mouth to
23:16speak, but
23:17David cut
23:17her off.
23:19Think
23:19carefully
23:19before you
23:20answer.
23:21If I find
23:22out you
23:22lied, you
23:23know the
23:24consequences.
23:27Tears
23:28welled up in
23:28her eyes, and
23:29she cried, gasping
23:31for breath.
23:32It was, it
23:34was me who
23:34was carelessness.
23:36I ate the
23:37wrong thing.
23:38I was afraid
23:39you'd say I
23:40was greedy and
23:41irresponsible.
23:43David roared in
23:44disbelief.
23:45So you framed
23:46Emily.
23:47Said she
23:48deliberately
23:48tried to
23:49harm you, and
23:50because of
23:51that, I
23:52had to
23:52embarrass
23:53her on
23:53national TV.
23:55His face
23:56was extremely
23:56grim.
23:57My mother
23:58also looked
23:59at Sophie
23:59in stunned
24:00disappointment.
24:02Sophie, how
24:04could you
24:04do this?
24:06Sophie, frightened,
24:08hid behind
24:08my father.
24:09Just as
24:10David was
24:11about to
24:11press further,
24:12my father
24:13suddenly spoke
24:14up to stop
24:15him.
24:16Enough.
24:16Sophie is
24:17just young and
24:18doesn't know
24:18any better.
24:19It was just
24:20a joke.
24:20Nothing major.
24:22David was
24:23dumbfounded.
24:24He looked
24:24at father's
24:25blatantly
24:25indulging
24:26expression, the
24:27words stuck
24:28in his throat.
24:29The sun was
24:30shining brightly
24:30outside, warming
24:32the living room.
24:33But David felt
24:35chilled to the
24:36bone.
24:36And this was
24:37only the truth
24:38Sophie admitted
24:39under his
24:39pressure.
24:40What about
24:40the things he
24:41didn't know?
24:42He suddenly
24:43remembered how,
24:44in the past,
24:46Emily had
24:47tried to explain
24:48herself through
24:49tears, time
24:51and time
24:51again.
24:52It wasn't
24:53me.
24:55I didn't give
24:56that to her
24:57to eat.
24:57I didn't take
24:59her Bulgari
24:59necklace.
25:00Really, it
25:01wasn't me.
25:02But from
25:02start to finish,
25:03no one had
25:04ever seriously
25:05listened to
25:06her explanations.
25:10Everyone's
25:11inherent bias had
25:12subconsciously
25:13convicted her
25:14all along.
25:15A burning
25:15heat prickled
25:16the corners
25:17of his eyes.
25:18David looked
25:19down at his
25:19own hands,
25:20suddenly realizing
25:21with a start.
25:22All these
25:23years, his
25:24seemingly neutral
25:26silence, how
25:27was it any
25:28different from
25:29his father's
25:29outright favoritism?
25:31Thinking this,
25:32he turned and
25:33went upstairs
25:34without another
25:34word.
25:35Ryan rented an
25:37iconic villa in
25:38Beverly Hills.
25:39The house wasn't
25:40huge, but it
25:41was clean and
25:42tastefully maintained.
25:43There was an
25:44orange tree in
25:45the yard, laden
25:46with large, sweet
25:48fruit.
25:48The Williams
25:49family showed
25:50up at our
25:50doorstep just as
25:51Ryan had gone
25:52out on business.
25:53The old garden
25:55gate was forcibly
25:56kicked open by
25:57bodyguards, and
25:58my father stormed
25:59in with his
25:59lackeys.
26:00After looking
26:01around, he
26:02pointed at me
26:03and scolded.
26:04Emily!
26:06You've
26:07disgraced the
26:08Williams family!
26:09Come home with
26:10me.
26:11I put down
26:12the watering
26:12can and
26:13looked up
26:13calmly.
26:14I'm married.
26:15This is my
26:16home now.
26:18My father
26:18kicked a
26:19flowerpot out
26:19of the way
26:20and pointed
26:20an accusing
26:21finger at
26:22my nose.
26:24That
26:25delivery guy
26:26doesn't even
26:27have a
26:28proper job!
26:29This isn't
26:30a real
26:30mariag,
26:31it's a
26:32sham!
26:34What's wrong
26:35with being a
26:35delivery guy?
26:37I took a
26:38step forward,
26:39sneering.
26:39He earns
26:40his living
26:41with his
26:42own hands,
26:43which is
26:45way better
26:46than what
26:47snobs like
26:48you do!
26:49You brat!
26:51My father's
26:52face turned
26:53purple with
26:54rage.
26:54Are you
26:55determined to
26:56defy me?
26:57Finding some
26:58lowlife to
26:59piss us off?
27:00What kind
27:01of love spell
27:02has that
27:02delivery guy
27:03cast to
27:04make you
27:04throw away
27:05all your
27:05dignity?
27:06I let
27:06out a
27:07cold
27:07laugh.
27:08So in
27:08your
27:08eyes,
27:09is
27:09everyone
27:09outside the
27:10Williams family
27:11beneath you?
27:12Sophie acts
27:13cute and
27:13plays the
27:14victim,
27:14and that
27:15makes her
27:16a light.
27:17But I
27:17work for
27:18everything I
27:18have,
27:19and that's
27:20somehow me,
27:21to fall.
27:23My father
27:23was left
27:24speechless by
27:25my retort.
27:26Enough!
27:27Both of you,
27:29stop it!
27:29My mother
27:31hurried
27:31forward
27:31to pull
27:32my father
27:32back,
27:33then turned
27:34to me
27:34and coaxed
27:35softly,
27:36Emily,
27:37don't speak
27:38to your
27:38father like
27:39that.
27:40He's worried
27:40about you,
27:41afraid you'll
27:42suffer.
27:43That boy
27:43doesn't have
27:44a stable
27:45job.
27:47How will
27:48you live
27:48in the future?
27:50How we live
27:51is none
27:51of your
27:52concern.
27:53I shot
27:53them a
27:54cold glance.
27:55At least
27:55he won't
27:56always put
27:57an adopted
27:58family member
27:59before his
27:59own blood,
28:00like you
28:01all do.
28:03My mother
28:04sighed.
28:05I know
28:06we wronged
28:06you before
28:07because of
28:07Sophie,
28:08but she's
28:09admitted her
28:10mistake.
28:11Can't you
28:12forgive her?
28:13I found
28:14everything
28:14utterly
28:15ridiculous.
28:16Last month,
28:17when Sophie
28:18falsely accused
28:19me of stealing
28:20her favorite
28:21Bulgari necklace,
28:22they froze
28:23all my credit
28:24cards.
28:24Now Sophie
28:25had made
28:26a mistake,
28:26and they
28:27think a few
28:28scolding
28:29words can
28:30just brush
28:30it aside.
28:31I looked
28:31up and
28:32said flatly,
28:34fine.
28:36If you
28:37want me to
28:37come back,
28:38sure.
28:38My parents
28:39were both
28:39stunned,
28:40waiting for
28:41my next
28:41words.
28:42I took a
28:42deep breath
28:43and enunciated
28:44each word
28:45slowly.
28:45on
28:46on the
28:48condition
28:49that
28:51you
28:52kick
28:53Sophie
28:54out
28:55of the
28:57Williams
28:58family.
29:00No way!
29:04Hearing this
29:05completely
29:05expected answer,
29:07I smiled
29:08wryly to
29:08myself.
29:09My parents'
29:10love had long
29:11been a luxury
29:11for me.
29:12Fortunately,
29:13I had
29:13stopped
29:14expecting it
29:15long ago.
29:16My mother
29:16seemed to
29:17realize they
29:18had refused
29:18too quickly
29:19and spoke
29:20awkwardly.
29:21Sophie is
29:21still your
29:22sister after
29:23all.
29:24What grudge
29:25can't be
29:25settled among
29:26family?
29:27She pulled
29:28Sophie over.
29:29Sophie,
29:30apologize to
29:31your sister
29:32now.
29:33She timidly
29:34stepped forward
29:35choking up.
29:36Sister,
29:37I'm sorry.
29:38It was all
29:39my fault.
29:40I turned
29:41my face
29:41away,
29:42not wanting
29:43to watch
29:43her hypocritical
29:44performance.
29:45Seeing I
29:46remained
29:46unmoved,
29:47she suddenly
29:48threw herself
29:49to her knees
29:50and wrapped
29:50her arms
29:51around my
29:51legs.
29:52Sister,
29:54you can
29:55hit me
29:55or scold
29:56me.
29:57Whatever
29:57you want.
29:59Just
30:00please don't
30:01be angry
30:01with mom
30:01and dad
30:02anymore.
30:04My mother
30:05exclaimed,
30:06Sophie,
30:07get up
30:08quickly!
30:09My father
30:10also frowned.
30:12Emily!
30:13Your sister
30:14is apologizing
30:15like this.
30:16What more
30:16do you want?
30:17Sophie was
30:18crying pitifully
30:19on the surface,
30:21but her hands
30:22were secretly
30:23pinching my
30:23calf hard.
30:25A sharp pain
30:26shot through
30:27me, and I
30:28instantly understood
30:29her game.
30:31Echo,
30:31I said,
30:33coldly.
30:33She held on
30:34even tighter,
30:35her nails
30:36digging deeper,
30:37while crying out,
30:38I won't
30:39get up
30:40until you
30:40forgive me.
30:42I said,
30:43let go.
30:44For the
30:45last time,
30:45Sophie looked
30:46up at me,
30:47a flash of
30:47triumph in
30:48her teary
30:49eyes.
30:50She was
30:50counting on
30:51me not
30:51making a
30:52scene in
30:52front of
30:53our parents,
30:54but she
30:55miscalculated.
30:56I sharply
30:57pulled my
30:57leg back.
30:58In the
30:59moment she
30:59was stunned,
31:00I raised
31:00my hand and
31:01slapped her
31:02heart across
31:02the face.
31:03That slap
31:04is for
31:05pinching me
31:05just now.
31:07Sophie covered
31:08her face,
31:09dumbfounded.
31:10Before she
31:11could react,
31:12I backhanded
31:13her with
31:13another slap.
31:14And this
31:15one is for
31:16all the times
31:17you set me
31:18up over the
31:18years.
31:19She was
31:20completely
31:20dazed,
31:21collapsing to
31:22the floor,
31:23tears streaming
31:24down.
31:24Sister,
31:25I already
31:27apologized.
31:28Why did
31:29you hit me?
31:32My father
31:33was furious.
31:35Emily!
31:36Have you
31:37lost your
31:38mind?
31:39My mother
31:40hurried to
31:40help Sophie
31:41up, examining
31:42her face.
31:43My father,
31:44enraged, raised
31:45his hand to
31:46strike me.
31:47Incorrigible.
31:48I'll teach
31:49you a lesson
31:50today.
31:51I instinctively
31:52closed my
31:53eyes, but the
31:54expected blow
31:55never came.
31:56When I opened
31:57my eyes, a row
31:58of bodyguards had
31:59appeared in
32:00front of me,
32:01forming a
32:01trained,
32:02protective
32:02circle.
32:03The lead
32:04bodyguard had
32:04a firm grip
32:05on my
32:06father's raised
32:06hand.
32:07Who are
32:08you people?
32:09How dare
32:10you cause
32:11trouble here?
32:12My father
32:12was both
32:13shocked and
32:14angry.
32:14My mother
32:15quickly shielded
32:16Sophie behind
32:17her.
32:18Sophie, I
32:19got you.
32:20Just then, a
32:22familiar voice
32:23came from
32:23outside the
32:24circle of
32:24people.
32:25I'd like to
32:26ask my
32:27father-in-law
32:28why he's
32:28laying hands
32:29on my
32:29wife.
32:30When Ryan
32:31walked in
32:31through the
32:31door, I
32:32almost didn't
32:33recognize him.
32:34He was
32:35wearing a
32:35black suit,
32:36and the
32:36watch on
32:37his wrist
32:37was an
32:38RM
32:38crystal
32:39polo,
32:40worth
32:40about
32:4040
32:41million.
32:41The
32:42bodyguards
32:42bowed in
32:43unison.
32:44Sir!
32:46My father
32:47was dumbstruck.
32:48A man
32:49wearing gold-rimmed
32:50glasses stepped
32:51forward and
32:52handed my
32:53father a
32:53business card.
32:54Mr.
32:55Williams, I
32:56am the
32:56special
32:57assistant to
32:58the CEO of
32:59the Scott
33:00Group.
33:00This is the
33:01only son of
33:02our chairman,
33:03Scott, the
33:04sole heir to
33:05the Scott
33:05Group.
33:07My father's
33:08hand trembled
33:09uncontrollably as
33:10he took the
33:11card.
33:14Scott?
33:16Which
33:17Scott?
33:17The Scott
33:18family, the
33:19wealthiest in
33:20San Francisco.
33:22The Scott
33:22Group.
33:23The assistant
33:24smiled faintly.
33:25Might I ask
33:26in what way is
33:27the Mr.
33:27Scott unworthy
33:28of Miss
33:29Williams?
33:29My father
33:30quickly withdrew
33:31his hand,
33:32forcing composure.
33:34Mr.
33:34Scott,
33:36this is all
33:37a massive
33:38misunderstanding.
33:40Misunderstanding?
33:41Ryan walked
33:42to my side
33:43and put his
33:43arm around
33:44my shoulder.
33:45I could
33:45have sworn
33:46I saw
33:46someone about
33:47to hit
33:47my wife
33:48just now.
33:49Nothing of
33:49the sort.
33:50My father
33:51waved his
33:52hands hastily.
33:54We were just
33:55here to see
33:56how Emily
33:57is doing.
33:58We have
33:59matters to
34:00attend to.
34:01We should
34:02be going.
34:03He tugged
34:03at my mother's
34:04sleeve.
34:04She caught
34:05on immediately.
34:07Yes, yes.
34:08We were just
34:09leaving.
34:10Sophie still
34:11stood frozen.
34:12My father
34:12grabbed her
34:13arm.
34:14Aren't you
34:14coming?
34:17Watching
34:18their hurried
34:18retreat, I shook
34:20my head with a
34:20bitter smile.
34:22After Ryan
34:23dismissed the
34:23bodyguards and
34:24his assistant,
34:25the villa was
34:26quiet, just
34:27the two of
34:27us.
34:28The atmosphere
34:29was undeniably
34:30awkward.
34:31Now that I
34:32knew his
34:32true identity,
34:33I couldn't
34:34help feeling
34:35self-conscious,
34:36and my gaze
34:37kept darting
34:38away whenever
34:39I looked at
34:39him.
34:42He noticed
34:43my discomfort
34:43and patiently
34:44explained,
34:45My father
34:46wants me to
34:46take over
34:47the family
34:47business,
34:49but I'd
34:50rather make
34:51my own
34:51way,
34:52to experience
34:53life and
34:54temporarily
34:55avoid the
34:56family
34:56arrangements.
34:58I took a
34:59job delivering
35:00food.
35:01That day at
35:01the show,
35:02I'd actually
35:02just finished
35:03my last
35:03delivery and
35:04was dragged
35:05along by a
35:05coworker to
35:06fill an
35:06audience seat.
35:07Then he
35:07changed the
35:08subject.
35:09But that
35:09wasn't the
35:10first time we
35:10met.
35:12A month
35:12ago,
35:14outside a
35:15building in the
35:16financial
35:16district.
35:17You gave a
35:18business lunch
35:19you were about
35:20to throw away
35:21to delivery
35:21guy.
35:23Remember?
35:24I thought
35:24carefully,
35:25then shook
35:26my head
35:26slightly.
35:27No, I
35:27don't.
35:28Ryan smiled
35:29wryly.
35:30I covered
35:31my face in
35:31embarrassment.
35:32The atmosphere
35:33did lighten
35:34a bit.
35:36Ryan brought
35:37two lounge
35:38chairs out
35:38onto the
35:39balcony.
35:39We sat
35:40side by
35:40side.
35:41He told
35:42me many
35:42stories about
35:43his life in
35:44San Francisco.
35:45He said
35:45he'd been
35:46raised as
35:46the heir
35:47since childhood.
35:48He started
35:48interning in
35:49the family
35:50business at
35:5015, and
35:52his first
35:52proposal saved
35:53the company
35:54tens of
35:54millions in
35:55costs.
35:56At 17, he
35:57independently
35:58managed an
35:59investment
35:59project whose
36:00return rate
36:01impressed even
36:02the bored
36:02veterans.
36:04By 25, he
36:05was driving
36:06the group's
36:06digital
36:07transformation,
36:08earning praise
36:09for his
36:09capabilities even
36:10from competitors.
36:12Suddenly, he
36:13stopped and
36:14turned to look
36:14at me.
36:15What about
36:15you?
36:17What was
36:17your life
36:18like before
36:19you met
36:19me?
36:20The question
36:20caught me
36:21off guard.
36:23After a
36:24long while,
36:25I said
36:26softly,
36:27I was
36:28someone who
36:29could be
36:29abandoned at
36:30any time.
36:31Ryan quietly
36:32moved his
36:33lounge chair
36:33closer and
36:34listened
36:35attentively.
36:36I continued,
36:37recounting my
36:38past.
36:39By the end,
36:40my eyes were a
36:41little wet.
36:41Just as I
36:42was about to
36:43raise my
36:43hand, Ryan
36:44took it in
36:45his.
36:46He looked
36:46at me.
36:47It won't be
36:47like that
36:48anymore.
36:49With me, you
36:51will always be
36:51the first
36:52priority.
36:53No one can
36:53replace you.
36:55When we go
36:55back to San
36:56Francisco, I'll
36:57definitely make it
36:58up to you with a
36:58grand wedding.
36:59I looked up at
37:00him.
37:00The spark in
37:01his eyes was
37:02brighter than
37:03the city
37:03lights.
37:04The night
37:05breeze picked
37:05up again.
37:06Gently swaying
37:07the wind chime
37:08on the balcony,
37:09stars twinkled in
37:10the night sky.
37:11In that
37:12moment, my
37:13long, silent
37:14heart began to
37:15race.
37:15Before I knew
37:16it, spring had
37:17arrived.
37:18While browsing in
37:19a mall, I
37:19spotted a Dior
37:20fleece dress I
37:21liked.
37:22Just as I
37:23picked it up to
37:23try on, an
37:24annoying voice
37:25came from
37:26behind.
37:27Hey, I'll
37:28take that
37:29dress.
37:29I turned.
37:30It was
37:31Sophie, of
37:32course.
37:32She hurried
37:33over and
37:33tried to snatch
37:34the dress from
37:35my hands.
37:36Emily, I
37:38have a banquet
37:38next week and
37:39need a dress
37:39just like
37:40this.
37:41I held onto
37:42the hangar
37:42tightly, not
37:44yielding an
37:44inch.
37:45During the
37:45struggle, there
37:46was a commotion
37:47at the boutique
37:48entrance.
37:48The staff
37:49greeted
37:49respectfully.
37:50Mr.
37:51Gray, welcome.
37:52I looked up
37:53and saw
37:53Alexander standing
37:54in the doorway.
37:55He glanced at
37:56me dismissively.
37:58Emily, let
37:59Sophie have
37:59it.
38:00It's just a
38:01dress.
38:01I sneered.
38:03Why should
38:03I?
38:04Alexander
38:05frowned
38:05deeply, his
38:06tone impatient.
38:08Have you
38:08forgotten what
38:09I told you?
38:10If you want
38:10to be with
38:11me, the
38:12most important
38:13thing is to
38:14stop targeting
38:14Sophie everywhere.
38:16Making a scene
38:16over a dress
38:17like this.
38:18How does
38:19that look?
38:20I was about
38:20to speak when
38:21a familiar,
38:22cool voice
38:23came from
38:23behind.
38:24Oh, I
38:25wasn't aware
38:25my wife had
38:26any intention
38:27of being with
38:28you.
38:29Alexander
38:29turned sharply,
38:31his face
38:31changing
38:32dramatically.
38:33What did
38:33you say?
38:34Ryan, holding
38:35my favorite
38:36cupcake, walked
38:37over slowly, he
38:38ignored everyone
38:39else, came to
38:40my side, and
38:41naturally wrapped
38:42his arm around
38:43my waist.
38:44Mr. Gray, you
38:45must have just
38:45returned from your
38:46business trip and
38:46haven't heard the
38:47news.
38:48Emily is already
38:49legally married to
38:50me.
38:51She is now my
38:52Mrs. Scott.
38:53As the last
38:54word fell, Alexander
38:56was completely
38:56stunned.
38:57He first
38:58muttered,
39:00How is that
39:01possible?
39:02Then, as if
39:03remembering
39:04something, he
39:05looked sharply
39:06at Sophie.
39:07Is what he
39:08said true?
39:09Sophie's face
39:10turned pale, and
39:11she whispered,
39:12The delivery
39:13guy from the
39:13show, and
39:15also the sole
39:16heir of the
39:16Scott family
39:17from San
39:17Francisco.
39:19Alexander still
39:20asked unwillingly,
39:22Emily, did you
39:24really marry
39:24him?
39:26Before I could
39:27answer, Ryan
39:28stepped in front
39:29of me, blocking
39:30his view.
39:31You like this
39:32dress?
39:33He asked me,
39:34looking down.
39:35Then we'll
39:35buy it.
39:36Or should we
39:37just buy every
39:37new design in
39:38this entire
39:39store?
39:39With that, he
39:40handed a black
39:41card to the
39:42associate and
39:43paid without
39:44hesitation.
39:44When Ryan and
39:45I left, Alexander
39:47still stood rigidly
39:48in place like a
39:49statue, incessantly
39:51muttering to
39:52himself,
39:55Impossible.
39:59Didn't she
40:00love me the
40:00most?
40:02Ryan's grandmother's
40:0480th birthday was
40:05approaching.
40:06These grand
40:06celebrations were
40:07really not my
40:08thing, but he
40:09wouldn't stop
40:10pestering me.
40:11Babby, can you
40:13really leave your
40:14husband to face
40:16all those socialite
40:17heiresses alone?
40:18He whined, leaning
40:19close and putting
40:20on a pitiful
40:21expression.
40:22When I still
40:22didn't budge, he
40:24edged even
40:24closer.
40:25And aren't you
40:26worried?
40:26Your husband's so
40:28handsome, what if
40:29some wealthy
40:30heiress sets her
40:30sights on him?
40:31I couldn't help
40:32but laugh and
40:33pretended to pinch
40:34him.
40:35In the end, I
40:35succumbed to his
40:36charming persuasion
40:38and accompanied him
40:39to the birthday
40:40banquet.
40:40Upon entering the
40:41Scott estate, I was
40:42stunned by the sheer
40:44extravagance of
40:45everything.
40:45A white, castle-like
40:47building stood at the
40:48center of a
40:49meticulously manicured
40:50garden.
40:51I had never seen such
40:52a luxurious private
40:53residence and found
40:55myself momentarily
40:56unable to move.
40:57Ryan sensed my
40:58nervousness and took
41:00my hand.
41:00Don't be afraid, just
41:01stay with me.
41:03Entering the main
41:03house, a crystal
41:04chandelier spanning
41:06over thirty feet
41:07nearly blinded me
41:08with its brilliance.
41:10The hall was filled
41:11with elegantly dressed
41:12guests, all sizing me
41:13up beside Ryan.
41:15He led me to the
41:15head table where the
41:16matriarch sat, surrounded
41:18by crystal glasses and
41:19silver candelabras.
41:21Grandma, happy
41:21Vedeth, wishing you
41:23health, happiness, and
41:26many more wonderful
41:26years.
41:27He said, I quickly
41:29handed over the gift
41:30I'd carefully chosen.
41:31Grandma, I picked
41:34out this limited
41:34edition designer
41:35scarf for you.
41:37I hope you like it.
41:39A few scoffs
41:39echoed from nearby.
41:41One society lady
41:42rolled her eyes.
41:43A designer scarf?
41:45That's it?
41:46She's seen everything
41:48money can buy.
41:50Seriously?
41:51Another whispered.
41:52At her age, she
41:54probably has ten of
41:55those already.
41:56This is so...
41:59basic.
41:59My cheeks burned, and
42:01I opened my mouth to
42:02defend myself.
42:03But Mrs. Scott just
42:04smiled and accepted
42:06the gift warmly.
42:07She carefully touched
42:09the fabric of the
42:10scarf, her eyes
42:11lighting up.
42:12Oh my, this pattern.
42:14This is hands
42:15shipped by a master
42:17artisan's, is it?
42:18Not many young ladies
42:20would pick something
42:21so thoughtful these
42:23days.
42:23Ryan quickly added,
42:25Emily spent a long
42:26time choosing it.
42:29She said this color
42:30and design suited you
42:32best.
42:35Well done, sweetheart.
42:36Mrs. Scott said,
42:38pulling my hand close.
42:40Compared to all those
42:41flashy, over-the-top
42:42gifts, this one's full of
42:44thought and care.
42:45The society ladies
42:47who had been sneering
42:49earlier suddenly went
42:50pale.
42:51Ryan shot a cold glance
42:52across the room.
42:54No one gets to judge
42:55the gift my wife gave.
42:58The room fell silent.
43:00Not a single guest
43:01dared to show disdain.
43:03Mrs. Scott patted the
43:04back of my hand.
43:05Come, sit next to me.
43:07Tell me how you found
43:08such a unique gift.
43:10Just as I sat down,
43:12a commotion erupted
43:13outside.
43:13A few uniformed police
43:15officers entered,
43:16their voices serious.
43:18Sorry to interrupt.
43:19We've received an
43:20urgent report.
43:21We need Emily Williams
43:22to come with us
43:23regarding an investigation
43:24into alleged major
43:25financial fraud by
43:27the Williams Group.
43:28Stepping out of the
43:28police station, I was
43:30completely stunned.
43:31The Williams Group,
43:32accused of massive
43:33financial fraud, its
43:35entire funding chain
43:36in jeopardy.
43:37Sophie had fled with
43:38the money, leaving the
43:40entire mess for the
43:41Williams family to
43:42clean up.
43:43It turned out she had
43:44exploited her position,
43:45embezzling funds and
43:47colluding with outsiders
43:48to orchestrate the
43:49entire scheme.
43:50Her repeated claims of
43:51being bullied by me were
43:53just a cover for her
43:54crimes, and Alexander had
43:56been in on it all along.
43:57The Gray family pulling
43:59out their investment?
44:00That was the final straw
44:01that crushed the
44:02Williams Group.
44:03I quickly hailed a cab
44:04and headed straight to
44:06the Williams Group
44:06headquarters.
44:07The CEO's office was
44:09empty.
44:09I dialed my father's
44:11number, my hands
44:12trembling.
44:14Dad, where are you?
44:16A long silence.
44:17Then, his hoarse voice.
44:19Emily, I'm sorry.
44:22Sorry for what?
44:25Where are you right now?
44:27It's my fault.
44:29From the very beginning,
44:32I should have indulged
44:34Sophie.
44:36Should have let you
44:37suffer again and again.
44:39I cut him off,
44:40panic rising.
44:41None of that matters.
44:44Just tell me where you are.
44:47It's too late.
44:49It's all too late.
44:51Dad!
44:52The line went dead.
44:53I looked up and froze.
44:55Through the floor-to-ceiling
44:56window, I saw a figure
44:58plummeting from the top
44:59floor.
44:59I collapsed to the ground.
45:01My phone slipping from my
45:03hands.
45:04Screams erupted from
45:05outside.
45:06The next day, the
45:07Williams Group officially
45:09declared bankruptcy.
45:10At my father's funeral,
45:12David was arrested for
45:13financial fraud.
45:14My mother couldn't bear the
45:16shock and fell gravely ill.
45:18She was sent back to my
45:19aunt's home to recover.
45:21The Williams family,
45:22once untouchably powerful,
45:24had crumbled overnight.
45:25That weekend, I went to
45:27visit David in prison.
45:29He looked gaunt, wearing
45:30prison garb.
45:31Through the glass, he
45:32choked back tears.
45:34Emily, I'm so sorry.
45:38I finally understand what
45:40it's like to be betrayed by
45:42someone you trust the most.
45:46Emily, I was blind.
45:49I ruined dad.
45:52I ruined the Williams family.
45:54David.
45:55I whispered.
45:57Just survive in there.
45:58He froze.
45:59Then tears streamed down his
46:01face as he nodded fiercely.
46:03When I left, David laughed.
46:05First softly, then hysterically.
46:08Tears streaming down his
46:10cheeks.
46:10Karma.
46:12Karma.
46:14I had once naively thought
46:16that moving to San Francisco
46:17with Ryan to become the
46:19Scott family's young mistress
46:20was the perfect ending.
46:22But stepping into the
46:23Scott estate for the first
46:25time, reality hit me like a
46:27thunderclap.
46:28That afternoon, a woman in a
46:29Chanel couture suit stormed in,
46:32fury blazing.
46:33Before I could even react,
46:34she slapped me hard.
46:35Do you even know Ryan and I
46:37have been betrothed since
46:39childhood?
46:39I'm his rightful fiancary!
46:43I froze, my cheek burning.
46:45Later, I learned she was
46:47Rebecca Morrow, the only
46:48daughter of a major
46:49investment tycoon and
46:51Ryan's childhood sweetheart.
46:53That evening, Ryan came
46:54home and saw my swollen
46:56cheek.
46:57He immediately brought a
46:58first aid kit and gently
46:59applied cold compresses.
47:01Emily, I've always seen
47:04Rebecca as a sister.
47:06That childhood betrothal was
47:08just a formality from our
47:09families.
47:10I would never accept it
47:12myself.
47:13He even got down on one
47:14knee, holding my hand.
47:16Once I resolve this, I'll
47:18give you the perfect
47:19wedding.
47:20And in that moment, I
47:21still held on to hope.
47:23I thought he could fix
47:24everything.
47:25Until the next day, when
47:26the news came, Rebecca had
47:28attempted suicide and was
47:30rushed to the hospital.
47:31Ryan got the call and dashed
47:33out in a panic, barely
47:34grabbing a coat.
47:35He returned at 2 a.m.,
47:37utterly exhausted.
47:38Sitting beside me, he spoke
47:40cautiously.
47:41Emily, I can hold the
47:43wedding for you right now.
47:46And could you move out?
47:48Rebecca's in a fragile
47:49state.
47:50Wait until she's stable,
47:52then...
47:53I didn't even hear the
47:54rest.
47:55That last thread of hope
47:56snapped completely.
47:57I realized then, staying
47:59by his side meant a
48:00lifetime trapped in the
48:02chaos of wealth and family
48:03drama.
48:04If one Rebecca existed, how
48:06many more could follow.
48:08Handsome, rich, irresistible.
48:10Ryan could attract as
48:11many Rebecca's as he
48:12wanted.
48:13The thought made me shiver
48:14at the life I would be
48:15resigning to.
48:16I looked him in the eye
48:18and said firmly,
48:19Ryan, we're getting a
48:22divorce.
48:22When I turned to leave, he
48:24grabbed my hand.
48:25I dodged it.
48:26I sneered.
48:27You promised me no more
48:29suffering, no more
48:30abandonment.
48:31If you can, keep a
48:33promise, don't say it.
48:36That day, I walked out of
48:38the Scott estate alone.
48:39The early autumn wind kissed
48:41my face, and for the first
48:43time in my life, I felt
48:45truly free.
48:46After the divorce, Ryan gave
48:48me a settlement.
48:49With that, I moved to Los
48:51Angeles.
48:52Here, opportunities are
48:54equal, and women can chase
48:56careers without compromise.
48:57I opened a fashion studio
48:59on Beverly Drive, calling
49:01it, one, signifying,
49:03unique, unparalleled.
49:05Now, one has earned a
49:06solid reputation in the
49:07city.
49:08Ryan occasionally comes to
49:10Los Angeles on business,
49:12sometimes visiting my
49:13studio with friends,
49:14sometimes alone.
49:16Whether he eventually
49:17married that childhood
49:18fiancé, I don't care.
49:20I used to define myself
49:21by others' choices,
49:23trapped by abandonment and
49:25resentment.
49:25Now, I am no longer a
49:27vine clinging to someone
49:29else, I am a tree standing
49:31on my own.
49:32I sway with the wind, I
49:34grow in the sun, this is
49:36the way I truly belong in
49:38the world.
Comments