00:00Back in college, I literally bought myself a boyfriend.
00:03Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover your grandfather's medical bills.
00:06I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
00:07Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
00:11I wanted him. I thought I was saving him.
00:13I forgot that to Julian, pride mattered more than survival.
00:17He swallowed his pride and stayed with me for four years,
00:19and I was naive enough to think he loved me.
00:21That was until I got pregnant, my family lost everything,
00:23and whatever pride I had left was crushed.
00:26Out of wounded pride, I disappeared while I was pregnant.
00:28I never told Julian we had a daughter. Click.
00:30The heavy VIP door locks, shut.
00:32Of all places, I run into Julian in a strip club.
00:34Take it off.
00:35What?
00:36Up on the stage. Dance. Now.
00:40A shiver runs through me.
00:41I paid for the hour, Ave. Or should I call you Luna?
00:44I only serve drinks, Julian. I'm not a-
00:47He's on his feet in an instant.
00:48Not a stripper?
00:49Does your father, sitting in federal prison, know you work here dressed like this?
00:54You investigated me?
00:56I spent six years looking for you.
01:00Private investigators. Hackers. Social media.
01:03You covered your tracks too well.
01:06And this is what you've come to?
01:07Hiding behind a mask and working for tips in a place like this?
01:11Because I'm a mess, okay? A complete mess!
01:15Julian freezes, and the next second, he lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.
01:19Why? How did this happen to you?
01:23Don't act like you care!
01:25I hate you every damn second. And I wouldn't, if you didn't still matter to me.
01:31You said you loved me back then. Was that a lie?
01:34And I remember the morning I left, when I kissed his forehead and lied that I'd see him at graduation.
01:39I...
01:40A small voice rings out, and a little girl runs in.
01:42Are you my dad? Why did you make my mommy cry?
01:46She... she's got the wrong guy!
01:49Eve.
01:50Julian's voice turns low, edged with warning.
01:53Whose kid is she?
01:54But Lily steps in front of me, tiny and stubborn.
01:57She tilts her head back, studying the tall man in front of her.
02:00You're so tall! Are you a giant?
02:04Julian looks down. He stares down at the little girl who barely reaches his knees.
02:09The same black curls. The same icy blue eyes.
02:12Even that stubborn streak is pure Julian.
02:14No, I'm not a giant. I'm a hockey player.
02:16Julian's face softens as he reaches out and pinches Lily's cheek.
02:19Like in Frozen?
02:22Yeah, close enough.
02:23Eve, how old is she?
02:25Julian shifts his gaze and looks up at me.
02:27She just turned four.
02:28The lie makes my heart pound.
02:30Heat creeps into my face.
02:31A year's difference is enough to hide the truth.
02:33I can't let him know she came from that night five years ago.
02:36But right then, Lily suddenly grabs Julian's hand.
02:39Your hands are so cold.
02:41Mommy says we're basically part polar bear.
02:44Are you a polar bear too?
02:46Julian slowly crouches down to look at Lily.
02:49What's your name?
02:50Lily Hartley.
02:52She politely holds out her hand and Julian shakes it.
02:55Nice to meet you. I'm Mr. Vane.
02:58Vane?
02:59Lily lets out an excited squeal.
03:01You're that hockey player!
03:02Mommy has a picture of you!
03:04It's all old and creased.
03:06She takes it out and looks at it when she thinks I'm asleep.
03:09That's enough, Lily!
03:10I scoop my daughter up and hurry out of the stifling VIP room.
03:14Mommy, let me go!
03:15He's a polar bear too!
03:17Lily keeps struggling in my arms.
03:19Eve!
03:19I freeze in my tracks.
03:21I don't dare look back.
03:22She's my daughter, isn't she?
03:25No!
03:26She's not yours!
03:27I clutch Lily to me, my fingers digging into her coat, and bolt.
03:31Late at night, I watch Lily sleep in my arms.
03:34Her long lashes and stubborn little chin are pure Julian.
03:37My mind drifts back six years.
03:40Back then, I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
03:42Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
03:46I wanted him.
03:47So I made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
03:49The day his grandfather ended up in the ICU, and he had no way to pay for it, I put
03:54a check
03:54down in front of him.
03:55Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover every cent.
03:57I thought I was saving him.
03:59I forgot that to Julian, pride mattered more than survival.
04:02During my senior year, my family went bankrupt, and my dad went to prison.
04:06I fell from grace into the dirt, and debt collectors hunted me down everywhere.
04:10Meanwhile, Julian had just signed a multi-million dollar contract with a major team.
04:14He had a brilliant future ahead of him.
04:17We're done, Julian.
04:18I had my fun, and now I'm bored.
04:20He didn't ask me to stay.
04:22Okay.
04:23I figured he was relieved that day.
04:24He finally didn't have to look at the woman who had humiliated him with her money.
04:28I deleted all my contact info, and left Detroit while I was pregnant with Lily.
04:33Since then, life has been one long struggle to survive.
04:36Until today, when I ran into him at the strip club.
04:38Now he's one of the biggest stars in the NHL.
04:41He's worth tens of millions.
04:42The kind of man who shows up with actresses on red carpets.
04:45And I am a waitress at a strip club.
04:47I wear low-cut tops and serve drinks to drunk handsy men, just to pay for my daughter's medicine.
04:52At 5am, a text lights up my screen.
04:54We need to talk.
04:56Don't make me come down to that club and drag you out, Eve.
04:59I delete the message, block his number, and pretend none of it happened.
05:03But when I clock in the next day,
05:05The guy in VIP asked for you by name.
05:07I push the door open.
05:08Julian sits alone, turning an empty glass between his fingers.
05:12Sit.
05:12I perch on the edge of the sofa, ready to bolt at any second.
05:16Mr. Vane, just say whatever you came here to say.
05:19Why did you leave so suddenly back then?
05:21Were you really just bored?
05:23He turns to me.
05:24You deleted your Snapchat.
05:26You changed your number.
05:27You vanished off the face of the earth.
05:29He suddenly leans in, all broad shoulders and solid muscle, leaving me nowhere to go.
05:33Eve, you're still just as good at using people as ever.
05:37In that moment, I almost tell him the truth.
05:40He pulls a stack of cash from his jacket.
05:42He slaps the cash against my chest hard enough to sting.
05:44He grips my chin and tips my face up.
05:4620 grand.
05:48Take off this cheap lace.
05:49Put on that white dress you used to love and serve me.
05:52I put on the white dress.
05:54I stand in front of him, my trembling fingers reaching to undo his suit jacket.
05:58Julian catches me by the throat.
06:00There's no room for argument in his voice.
06:02Is Lily my daughter?
06:03No.
06:03I grit my teeth.
06:04Then who's the father?
06:05Some safe, dependable fiancé?
06:07What's his name?
06:08What does he do?
06:09Julian, stop.
06:10I looked for you for six damn years.
06:12He roars.
06:13Every single second, I wondered what the hell I did wrong.
06:16Why did you vanish?
06:17Why won't you even look at me now?
06:19Julian lets go.
06:20I clutch my throat and cough hard.
06:21Tears well up in my eyes.
06:23You're a superstar athlete.
06:24I was drowning in debt with my father in prison.
06:26I couldn't see any future for us.
06:28Couldn't see it?
06:29He suddenly laughs bitterly.
06:31I wanted to build a home with you and give you everything I had.
06:34You threw our future away.
06:35Because I had no choice.
06:37I finally break down.
06:39I pull my knees to my chest and sob.
06:41My family went bankrupt.
06:42I was drowning in debt.
06:44I couldn't cling to you and ruin your life too.
06:47I could have faced it with you.
06:49He scoffs.
06:50He pulls a crumpled contract offer from his jacket and slams it onto the table.
06:54Eve, did you really think I was in it for the money?
06:56I had 12 team offers.
06:58I turned down New York.
06:59I turned down Chicago.
07:00I chose Detroit.
07:01The worst deal and the least money.
07:03I just hoped I'd run into you one day in the city where you grew up.
07:08Was it all for your damn pride, Miss Hartley?
07:10Julian gives a bitter half-smile.
07:12His eyes are cold enough to make me shiver.
07:14I open my mouth, but my throat burns.
07:16I can't force out a single word.
07:18Maya Hart pushes the door open, clicking across the floor in her stilettos.
07:21Oh my god.
07:23Eve?
07:24Is that really you?
07:25I tug at my short white dress, trying to hide my humiliation.
07:28Everyone went crazy looking for you.
07:30And you're... here?
07:31Her sharp eyes scan my dress, landing on the price tag still hanging off it.
07:35Her tone drips with sarcasm.
07:36Wearing knockoffs and scraping by in a place like this?
07:39That's so not the old you, Eve.
07:41She pulls a no-limit black card from her Chanel bag.
07:43She waves it in the air, then shoves it into my hand.
07:46If you're broke, just say so.
07:47Take it.
07:48There's no limit.
07:49It's enough to buy a truckload of cheap dresses like that.
07:51You don't have to pay me back.
07:53I look at Maya, then I turn to Julian, who hasn't stopped glaring at me.
07:56I steal myself and force a polished, fake smile.
07:59Thanks, but I really don't need charity.
08:01I deliberately smooth down the skirt of my white dress, bracing myself for the lie.
08:05I'm getting married.
08:06I was trying this dress on for my fiancé.
08:08If you guys are free, you're welcome to come to the wedding.
08:10Shatter.
08:11The glass in Julian's hand explodes into pieces.
08:14Married?
08:15He shoots up from his seat.
08:16He grabs my waist and slams me hard against the wall.
08:18Eve, you're wearing the dress I bought you.
08:23And telling me you're marrying someone else?
08:25I stand there in the white dress he bought me, spinning a lie designed to destroy him.
08:29His name is Ivan, the rich guy who used to pursue me in college.
08:33I look him dead in the eye as his face turns paper white.
08:35He paid off every single cent of my debt.
08:37So, I'm marrying him.
08:39Julian looks like I just punched him in the chest.
08:41His breathing turns heavy and ragged.
08:43Do you love him?
08:44He's good to me.
08:45I asked if you love him!
08:48He lunges forward.
08:49He cages me in, slamming both hands against the wall right next to my head.
08:52I don't answer him.
08:53I just shove him away.
08:54Julian, we are done.
08:55We ended six years ago.
08:57He freezes, standing there speechless.
08:59Then he drops his head and walks out of the VIP room, all the fight drained out of him.
09:03Late that night, I drag myself home, exhausted.
09:05Mommy!
09:06My five-year-old daughter, Lily, throws herself into my arms.
09:09She shoves a crayon drawing into my hand.
09:11This is Daddy, this is Mommy, and this is me.
09:14Lily, you don't have a Daddy.
09:16But that hockey giant looks exactly like me!
09:18Lily sticks out her bottom lip, looking heartbroken.
09:20Mommy is lying.
09:21He's my Daddy, right?
09:22I crouch down.
09:23I fight back my tears and kiss her forehead.
09:24Daddy is far, baby.
09:26Mommy will take you to the park tomorrow.
09:27I step out onto the balcony, smoking a cigarette to numb the exhaustion.
09:30I look down at the street below.
09:31A massive, black Hummer is parked right in the shadows of the streetlamp.
09:35The window is rolled halfway down.
09:36The glowing red tip of a cigarette burns between his fingers in the dark.
09:39Julian, we live in two completely different worlds now.
09:42Why did you have to crash back into mine?
09:44It's Saturday.
09:44I take Lily to the sandbox at the local park.
09:46She's busy building her sandcastle.
09:48I sit on the bench.
09:49My phone buzzes like crazy.
09:51Julian, what the hell do you want?
09:53I'm 30 feet behind you, under the oak tree.
09:55I whip my head around, my blood running cold.
09:57Julian stands there in a gray hoodie.
09:59Are you stalking me?
10:00I just wanted to see her.
10:01He closes the distance in long strides, before I can even block his path.
10:05Daddy, you finally came back!
10:07Julian goes completely rigid.
10:08He slowly crouches down, letting my daughter cling to him.
10:11Eve, how old is she really?
10:12Four.
10:13Bullshit!
10:14Eve, I am asking you one last time.
10:16How old is she?
10:17Four.
10:18Julian lets out a dark, mocking, laugh.
10:20He yanks a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket.
10:22He slams it right against my chest.
10:24It's a paternity test.
10:25I stare at the bold ink.
10:26Erraling.
10:26I think.
10:26Lord, I just came out.
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