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[Hot 2026]
(2026) - FULL ENGSUB | Reelshort Hot HD
Full Chinese Movie EngSub
Chinese Drama English Sub Full HD
#shortdrama #bestdrama #actionmovie #Drama #Film #Show #Anime #Movie #cdrama #Movies #BILLIONAIRE #shortdrama #dramashort #shortfilmdrama #minidrama #shortstorydrama #webdrama #indiedrama #shortfilmseries #shortdramaseries #dramashorts #englishmovie #cdrama #drama #movieshortfull
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#goodfilms romance #bestfilmromance #romance #filmromance #drama romance
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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 slowed up, wrapped his arm around me, and whispered,
00:36Emily, 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 to make her feel
00:48better.
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 let you marry a delivery guy.
01:00The live studio erupted into chaos.
01:04The host quickly tried to smooth things over, asking the delivery guy with a smile.
01:10Hello, this is a live broadcast, a dating show.
01:13Are you perhaps lost?
01:15That was when a snort of laughter rang out from the audience.
01:18Ha ha ha, he'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 Grey's cold gaze.
01:28He sat in the VIP section, dressed in an Armani Haute Couture suit, hands 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, and 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.
02:02The host, sensing gossip, asked,
02:05Mr. Grey, 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 Grey.
02:28You grew up my sister.
02:30Who 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?
02:38A few Nepo babies in the front rows snickered
02:40and whispered loudly for everyone to fear.
02:44Isn't it obvious?
02:46Mr. Grey has already moved on.
02:48I saw it with my own eyes yesterday.
02:51Alexander was at a Tiffany store shopping for a diamond ring with Emily's adopted sister.
02:57Heard his family forced him to show up today.
03:00He 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, then I have the courage to choose him.
03:23David grabbed my wrist.
03:25Emily, have you lost your mind?
03:27I 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 Ceres 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.
04:06That day she was just...
04:07I stopped listening to the rest, turned, and walked towards the figure in the delivery uniform on the other side
04:14of the stage.
04:15The crowd parted automatically, their mocking eyes pricking me like needles.
04:20As I passed Alexander, he 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.
04:41Come 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.
04:50A little sister?
04:52Alexander stammered, his eyes darting away, unable to meet my gaze.
04:57I stared straight at him.
04:59Alexander, is it so hard to admit you've fallen for Sophie?
05:03Done.
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.
05:15I 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?
05:29In 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, watching me with indifference.
05:49Under countless flashing lights, the delivery guy slowly took off his helmet.
05:55A handsome face was revealed under the lights, with deep, sharp features.
06:00Especially those eyes, captivating.
06:03Are you sure?
06:05I nodded.
06:07Yes.
06:07He smiled.
06:09Okay.
06:10I'll marry you.
06:11As soon as the words left his mouth, David charged towards the stage, only to be pulled back by Alexander.
06:19If you go up there now, you'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, when I went abroad to study.
06:46I buried myself in coursework, days and nights blurring together.
06:51And my calls home grew fewer and farther between.
06:55My distance weighed heavily on my parents.
06:58They grew quiet, dispirited.
07:00And the Williams house, once full of laughter and warmth, slowly fell silent.
07:07Then, Sophie appeared.
07:09She was a distant relative from my grandmother's side, with features that vaguely resemble mine.
07:15After hearing her parents had died in a car accident, my 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.
07:30Gradually, the Williams house became lively again because of her arrival.
07:35While I, far away in a foreign country, seemed to be forgotten by everyone.
07:40Until two years ago, when I returned home after getting my degree.
07:44I thought I'd be met with the joy of reunion.
07:47But instead, my family was worried about Sophie feeling jealous and deliberately kept their distance from me.
07:55I still remember the night I returned.
07:57Standing outside the door, I overheard my mother comforting Sophie.
08:01Sophie, honey, you will always be mom and dad's daughter.
08:05That will never change.
08:07Your sister has been abroad for so long.
08:09Who knows what she's been through.
08:13Her personality has turned so cold and aloof.
08:20She's not as understanding and sweet as you are.
08:25I felt like I'd been plunged into an ice cellar, standing frozen on the spot.
08:32The news of the Williams heiress marrying a delivery guy spread like wildfire and quickly became a trending topic online.
08:41When I returned to the villa, the whole family was sitting on the living room sofa chatting.
08:46When David finished telling them the story, my father slammed his hand on the coffee table.
08:52Nonsense!
08:54That wretched girl has has disgraced the Williams family.
08:58My mother were organizing her new purchases.
09:01When Emily comes back, don't yell at her.
09:05Or she'll make sure there's no peace for the whole family.
09:09She's definitely angry that her brother embarrassed her on the show.
09:14That's why she's acting out and 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, started crying.
09:34Mom, this is all my fault?
09:38If David hadn't stood up for me, Emily 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, we've had to accommodate her.
09:54And you've been forced to suffer.
09:57This all has been a silly prank.
10:02She won't actually do it.
10:04My father chimed in.
10:08Sophie...
10:10This isn't your fault.
10:12Your sister is just letting her temper get get in her way.
10:17She wouldn't really joke about her own lifelong happiness.
10:21As she spoke, my mother picked up a brand new Chanel bag and held it out to Sophie.
10:28Sweetheart, come see if you like this color.
10:31If you wait until your sister gets back, she'll just fight you for it again.
10:37Mid-sentence, her peripheral vision caught sight of me standing in the entryway.
10:42The bag in her hand fell onto the couch with a thud.
10:47Three days later, I met the delivery guy at a coffee shop.
10:51The rich scent of coffee filled the air.
10:54I stirred my caramel macchiato absentmindedly, watching the drizzle outside.
10:59My thoughts hazy and unfocused.
11:02It wasn't until someone sat down across the table that I snapped back to reality.
11:07I looked up, and froze at a face so ridiculously handsome it could stop hearts.
11:13He was wearing a black tracksuit, a world apart from the Uber Eats uniform he had on that day.
11:20A smile gleamed in his eyes as he asked softly,
11:25Miss Williams?
11:27Don't recognize me?
11:29Of course I do.
11:31So, um, what's your name again?
11:33He settled across from me,
11:35his long fingers picking up the menu with commanding ease.
11:40Ryan Scott.
11:41I pulled a bank card from 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 at the card,
12:01but didn't take it.
12:02Instead,
12:03he looked up and met my eyes directly.
12:06Miss Williams,
12:07are you truly set on marrying a delivery guy like me,
12:10who has nothing?
12:11My heart clenched,
12:13and his challenge sparked a stubborn defiance in me.
12:17What?
12:17Having second thoughts.
12:19Is marrying me too intimidating for you after all?
12:23He chuckled softly,
12:24and pushed the card back towards me.
12:26What are you doing?
12:29I asked,
12:30confused.
12:31He simply smiled.
12:33A real man doesn'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 with Ryan,
12:44it was already evening.
12:46When I returned to the mansion,
12:48my family was having dinner.
12:50Alexander was there too,
12:52sitting right next to Sophie.
12:54My appearance instantly wiped the smiles off everyone's faces.
12:59My appearance made all the smiles vanish instantly,
13:03plunging everyone into an awkward silence.
13:06David was the first to react,
13:08waving me over.
13:09Emily,
13:10come join us for dinner.
13:11I shook my head.
13:14Not hungry.
13:15I'm going upstairs.
13:17As I turned to leave,
13:19my mother suddenly stopped me.
13:23Emily,
13:25there's something we need to discuss with you.
13:27I stopped.
13:29What is it?
13:30She walked up to me,
13:31hesitating for a moment before speaking.
13:34Your father and I have discussed it,
13:37and we've decided to make your sister
13:40an Alexander's engagement official.
13:42I looked up at Alexander.
13:45He instinctively avoided my gaze.
13:48Seeing this,
13:49I laughed coldly.
13:51My mother grabbed my hand.
13:53I know you and Alexander have been close since childhood,
13:56but feelings require mutual consent.
13:59They can't be forced.
14:01Mom will definitely make it up to you later.
14:03I quietly pulled my hand back,
14:05interrupting her.
14:08Enough,
14:09Mom!
14:10I have no objections.
14:13I wish my sister and future brother-in-law
14:15a lifetime of love and happiness,
14:18forever and always.
14:20I hadn't expected Alexander to follow me.
14:24He held my wrist tightly,
14:26refusing to let go.
14:28I frowned.
14:30Alexander,
14:31what do you think you're doing?
14:32He lowered his gaze slightly and said softly,
14:38I know you said those things because you're angry with me.
14:42You must be feeling really hurt right now,
14:45aren't you?
14:46I used to think that at least Alexander was the one person
14:49Sophie couldn't steal away from me.
14:52Two years ago, when I first came back,
14:55Sophie was obsessed with framing me for various things,
14:59painting herself as the victim.
15:01Back then,
15:03no matter how I tried to explain,
15:05no one was willing to believe me.
15:08Except for Alexander.
15:10He would wrap his hands around mine and say,
15:13I believe you.
15:16I'll always be on your side.
15:18He would also maintain his distance from Sophie
15:21because she deliberately copied all my daily outfits
15:24and the way I spoke.
15:26I thought Alexander,
15:28my childhood friend who had sworn to marry
15:31no one but me who cared for me so attentively
15:34would remain loyal to me.
15:37But in the end,
15:38he still chose to break my heart
15:40just like the others.
15:42When will you stop this?
15:45If I really wanted something between me and Sophie to happen,
15:50who are you to say anything?
15:52No wonder your parents prefer their adopted daughter.
15:54Who could stand your prickly, defensive attitude?
15:57If I so much as say an extra word to Sophie,
16:00you make a huge scene.
16:03All suspicious and paranoid like a shrew.
16:07Fine, I'll tell you now.
16:10Sophie is gentler, more understanding,
16:11and a million times more attractive to me than you are.
16:14Are you satisfied now?
16:17Back then,
16:19I loved him so deeply
16:20that even upon hearing such hurtful words,
16:24my first reaction wasn't anger,
16:26but doubting whether I was truly in the wrong.
16:29It was only later that I realized
16:32Alexander always claimed to dislike Sophie
16:34but never actually refused her increasingly intimate
16:37and boundary-crossing behaviors.
16:40It was his inconsistency between words and actions
16:43that drove me to a breakdown.
16:46The fault was his, not mine.
16:49Seeing me silent,
16:51Alexander thought he had hidden now.
16:53He sighed lightly and continued on his own.
16:57Emily, we grew up together
16:58and have many beautiful memories.
17:02I don't want us to end up cutting ties completely.
17:06Here's the deal.
17:08If you behave and stop targeting Sophie all the time,
17:11I might consider
17:14seeing you on the side.
17:15After all,
17:17we're physically compatible
17:18and things are perfect in bed.
17:20I looked at him in disbelief.
17:25How could you...
17:26Alexander added,
17:27But you have to promise me one thing.
17:30You behave from now on
17:33and don't give Sophie any more trouble.
17:37I couldn't take it anymore.
17:39I shook off his hand and screamed.
17:42Get locked!
17:43In the blink of an eye,
17:45the day arrived for Ryan and me
17:47to register our marriage.
17:50Coincidentally,
17:51it was also Sophie's birthday.
17:53Over the past week,
17:55thanks to the Williams family's control
17:57over the media narrative,
17:58the scandal from the live dating show
18:01had almost completely died down.
18:03After all,
18:04who would seriously believe
18:06the Williams heiress
18:07would actually marry a delivery guy?
18:10Even my parents and brother
18:11thought what I said on the show
18:13was just me throwing a fit,
18:14but they didn't know.
18:16I was utterly disillusioned
18:18and disappointed with this family
18:19and had long wanted to leave.
18:22That morning,
18:23I was just about to go downstairs
18:25for breakfast.
18:26As I reached the staircase,
18:28I heard David shouting impatiently,
18:30Hurry up!
18:32Finds out we're taking Sophie
18:33to Miami for her birthday.
18:35She'll definitely make a scene
18:37and want to come along.
18:38My mother sounded hesitant.
18:40Are we really leaving Emily home alone?
18:43Won't she be upset?
18:46For some reason,
18:48I have a bad feeling about this.
18:50My father urged while packing.
18:53Don't overthink it.
18:54I finally managed to get time off.
18:57The butler and servants
18:58are here to look after her.
18:59It's not like she'll starve.
19:01Sophie piped up,
19:02pretending to be considerate.
19:04Maybe we should take Emily with us?
19:06David snorted lightly.
19:08Do you want to have
19:09a proper birthday or not?
19:10My mother sighed softly.
19:12When we get back,
19:13we can buy her some extra gifts
19:15and cheer her up properly.
19:17Half an hour later,
19:19everything fell completely silent downstairs.
19:21I opened my door
19:23and looked out at the sky,
19:25clear and blue,
19:26as if washed clean.
19:27What beautiful weather.
19:29I called for the butler waiting nearby.
19:33Mike, I have some good news for you.
19:35I'm getting married today.
19:36But I never, ever,
19:38expected that Ryan had arranged a fleet
19:41to pick me up.
19:42A line of sleek,
19:43all-black Rolls-Royce phantoms
19:46gleamed in front of the mansion,
19:47parked so perfectly
19:49that neighbors couldn't help
19:51but stop and stare.
19:52What surprised me even more
19:54was that he'd rented
19:56the city's largest digital billboard,
19:58looping announcements of our wedding
20:00for everyone to see.
20:02I sat in the car,
20:04staring at the spectacle,
20:05more fitting for a corporate merger
20:07than a personal celebration,
20:08and something about it felt off.
20:12Where did a delivery guy
20:14get this kind of money?
20:16But remembering his commanding composure
20:18from the coffee shop,
20:20my intuition told me
20:21his identity was anything but simple.
20:24Meanwhile,
20:25the Williams family's private jet
20:27had just landed in Miami
20:29when it encountered a severe hurricane,
20:31the worst in a decade.
20:33Looking at the sudden storm
20:35and torrential rain
20:36outside the window,
20:38Sophie frowned.
20:40Her grand birthday party
20:41was likely ruined,
20:42but they couldn't apply
20:44for a return flight
20:45that same day,
20:46so they had to schedule one
20:48for three days later.
20:50Three days later,
20:51when the Williams family
20:52returned home,
20:53they immediately sensed
20:55something was wrong.
20:56The butler and servants
20:58stood lined up in the entryway,
21:00not daring to make a sound.
21:01My mother was the first to react,
21:04frowning as she asked the butler,
21:07Where's Emily?
21:08The servants exchanged glances.
21:11Finally,
21:12the butler stepped forward,
21:13stammering,
21:15Young lady.
21:16She got married and moved out.
21:19You truly couldn't stop her.
21:21What?
21:21My parents and brother
21:23exclaimed in unison,
21:25their faces filled with shock.
21:27My father grabbed the butler's arm,
21:29demanding sternly,
21:31Who did she marry?
21:33It's that delivery guy
21:35who was pushed on stage
21:37during the show
21:38the day they registered
21:40at the county clerk's office.
21:41Not only did he send
21:42a Rolls-Royce fleet
21:43to pick Mess Williams up,
21:45but he also booked
21:46all the city's
21:47advertising screens.
21:48The media followed
21:50the whole ceremony.
21:52Now, it spread throughout
21:54the entire upper-class circle.
21:58My mother's vision went black,
22:00and she went limp,
22:02caught just in time by David.
22:04She cried.
22:06This child,
22:07how could she be so foolish?
22:10What prospects does a livery guy have?
22:14It must be a romance scam.
22:18What if Emily gets kidnapped
22:21and taken to an organ farm?
22:25Sophie,
22:26while comforting my mother,
22:27sighed.
22:28How could Emily ruin
22:30the Williams family like this
22:31simply out of spite?
22:33And now she's made mom
22:34so worried,
22:35so immature.
22:36As she turned,
22:38David caught the victorious smirk
22:40she hadn't quite managed
22:41to conceal.
22:42He froze for a moment,
22:44then said coldly,
22:46Sophie,
22:47now is not the time.
22:49Sophie was stunned.
22:51Unable to believe
22:52her always doting brother
22:53would speak to her like that,
22:55David stared straight at her,
22:57a sliver of doubt
22:58rising in his heart.
23:01Sophie,
23:02tell me the truth.
23:04Last time when you said
23:06Emily liberally gave you
23:07something you're allergic to,
23:09accusing you to get food poisoning
23:10and have your stomach pumped.
23:12Was that actually true?
23:15Sophie opened her mouth to speak,
23:16but David cut her off.
23:19Think carefully before you answer.
23:21If I find out you lied,
23:23you know the consequences.
23:27Tears welled up in her eyes,
23:29and she cried,
23:30gasping for breath.
23:32It was...
23:33It was me who was carelessness.
23:36I ate the wrong thing.
23:38I was afraid you'd say
23:39I was greedy
23:41and irresponsible.
23:43David roared in disbelief.
23:45So you framed Emily.
23:47Said she deliberately
23:48tried to harm you.
23:50And because of that,
23:51I had to embarrass her
23:53on national TV.
23:55His face was extremely grim.
23:57My mother also looked at Sophie
23:59in stunned disappointment.
24:02Sophie,
24:03how could you do this?
24:06Sophie, frightened,
24:08hid behind my father.
24:09Just as David was about
24:11to press further,
24:12my father suddenly spoke up
24:14to stop him.
24:16Enough.
24:17Sophie is just young
24:18and doesn't know any better.
24:19It was just a joke,
24:20nothing major.
24:22David was dumbfounded.
24:24He looked at father's
24:25blatantly indulging expression,
24:27the words stuck in his throat.
24:29The sun was shining brightly outside,
24:32warming the living room.
24:33But David felt chilled to the bone.
24:36And this was only the truth
24:38Sophie admitted under his pressure.
24:40What about the things he didn't know?
24:42He suddenly remembered how,
24:44in the past,
24:47Emily had tried to explain herself
24:49through tears,
24:50time and time again.
24:52It wasn't me.
24:55I didn't give that to her to eat.
24:58I didn't take her Bulgari necklace.
25:00Really,
25:01it wasn't me.
25:02But from start to finish,
25:03no one had ever seriously
25:05listened to her explanations.
25:10Everyone's inherent bias
25:12had subconsciously convicted her
25:14all along.
25:15A burning heat
25:16prickled the corners of his eyes.
25:18David looked down at his own hands,
25:20suddenly realizing with a start.
25:23All these years,
25:24his seemingly neutral silence,
25:27how was it any different
25:28from his father's
25:29outright favoritism?
25:31Thinking this,
25:32he turned and went upstairs
25:34without another word.
25:35Ryan rented an iconic villa
25:37in Beverly Hills.
25:39The house wasn't huge,
25:40but it was clean
25:41and tastefully maintained.
25:44There was an orange tree
25:45in the yard,
25:46laden with large,
25:47sweet fruit.
25:48The Williams family
25:50showed up at our doorstep
25:51just as Ryan
25:52had gone out on business.
25:53The old garden gate
25:55was forcibly kicked open
25:56by bodyguards,
25:57and my father stormed in
25:59with his lackeys.
26:00After looking around,
26:02he pointed at me
26:03and scolded.
26:04Emily!
26:06You've disgraced
26:07the Williams family.
26:09Come home with me.
26:11I put down the watering can
26:12and looked up calmly.
26:14I'm married.
26:15This is my home now.
26:17My father kicked
26:18a flower pot out of the way
26:20and pointed an accusing finger
26:21at my nose.
26:24That delivery guy
26:26doesn't even have
26:28a proper job!
26:29This isn't a real
26:30Marriag.
26:31It's a sham!
26:34What's wrong
26:35with being a delivery guy?
26:36I took a step forward,
26:39sneering.
26:40He earns his living
26:41with his own hands,
26:44which is way better
26:46than what snobs like you do!
26:49You brat!
26:51My father's face
26:52turned purple with rage.
26:54Are you determined
26:56to defy me?
26:57Finding some lowlife
26:59to piss us off?
27:00What kind of love spell
27:02has that delivery guy cast
27:03to make you throw away
27:05all your dignity?
27:06I let out a cold laugh.
27:08So in your eyes,
27:09is everyone outside
27:10the Williams family
27:11beneath you?
27:12Sophie acts cute
27:13and plays the victim,
27:15and that makes her a light!
27:16But I work for everything
27:18I have,
27:19and that's somehow me!
27:21To fall!
27:23My father was left
27:24speechless by my retort.
27:26Enough!
27:27Both of you!
27:29Stop it!
27:30My mother hurried forward
27:31to pull my father back,
27:33then turned to me
27:34and coaxed softly,
27:36Emily,
27:37don't speak to your father
27:39like that.
27:40He's worried about you,
27:41afraid you'll suffer.
27:43That boy doesn't have
27:44a stable job.
27:47How will you live
27:48in the future?
27:50How we live
27:51is none of your concern.
27:53I shot them a cold glance.
27:55At least he won't
27:56always put an adopted
27:58family member
27:59before his own blood.
28:00Like you all do.
28:03My mother sighed.
28:05I know we wronged you
28:06before because of Sophie,
28:08but she's admitted
28:10her mistake.
28:11Can't you forgive her?
28:13I found everything
28:14utterly ridiculous.
28:16Last month,
28:17when Sophie falsely
28:19accused me of stealing
28:20her favorite
28:21Bulgari necklace,
28:22they froze all
28:23my credit cards.
28:24Now Sophie had
28:25made a mistake.
28:27And they think
28:28a few scolding words
28:29can just brush it aside.
28:31I looked up
28:32and said flatly,
28:34Fine.
28:36If you want me
28:37to come back, sure.
28:38My parents were
28:39both stunned,
28:40waiting for my next words.
28:42I took a deep breath
28:43and enunciated
28:44each word slowly.
28:46On
28:47the
28:48condition
28:49that
28:51you
28:52kick
28:53Sophie
28:54out
28:55of the
28:57Williams
28:58family.
29:01No way!
29:04Hearing this
29:05completely expected
29:06answer,
29:07I smiled
29:08wryly to myself.
29:09My parents'
29:10love had long
29:11been a luxury
29:11for me.
29:12Fortunately,
29:13I had stopped
29:14expecting it
29:15long ago.
29:16My mother
29:16seemed to realize
29:17they had refused
29:18too quickly
29:19and spoke awkwardly.
29:21Sophie is still
29:22your sister
29:22after all.
29:24What grudge
29:25can't be settled
29:26among family?
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 away,
29:42not wanting
29:43to watch her
29:43hypocritical
29:44performance.
29:45Seeing I
29:46remained unmoved,
29:47she suddenly
29:48threw herself
29:49to her knees
29:50and wrapped
29:50her arms
29:51around my legs.
29:52Sister,
29:54you can
29:55hit me
29:55or scold me.
29:57Whatever you
29:58want.
29:59Just please
30:00don't be angry
30:01with mom and
30:02dad anymore.
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 me
30:27and I
30:28instantly
30:29understood
30:29her game.
30:30Let go.
30:32I said,
30:33coldly,
30:33she held on
30:34even tighter,
30:35her nails
30:36digging deeper
30:37while crying out.
30:39I won't get up
30:40until you
30:40forgive me.
30:42I said,
30:43let go.
30:44For the last time,
30:45Sophie looked up
30:46at me,
30:47a flash of triumph
30:48in her teary eyes.
30:50She was counting
30:51on me not
30:52making a scene
30:52in front of
30:53our parents,
30:54but she
30:55miscalculated.
30:56I sharply
30:57pulled my leg
30:58back.
30:58In the moment
30:59she was stunned,
31:00I raised my hand
31:01and slapped her
31:02hard across the
31:02face.
31:03That slap
31:04is for pinching
31:05me just now.
31:07Sophie covered
31:08her face,
31:09dumbfounded.
31:10Before she
31:11could react,
31:12I backhanded
31:13her with another
31:14slap.
31:14And this one
31:16is for all the
31:16times you set
31:18me up over
31:18the years.
31:19She was
31:20completely dazed,
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 up,
31:42examining her
31:42face.
31:43My father
31:44enraged,
31:45raised his
31:46hand to
31:46strike me.
31:47Incorrigible.
31:49I'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
31:58row of bodyguards
31:59had appeared in
32:00front of me,
32:01forming a
32:01trained,
32:02protective circle.
32:03The lead
32:04bodyguard had a
32:05firm grip on
32:05my father's
32:06raised hand.
32:07Who are you
32:08people?
32:09How dare you
32:10cause trouble
32:11here?
32:12My father
32:12was both
32:13shocked and
32:14angry.
32:15My 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 outside
32:24the circle of
32:24people.
32:25I'd like to ask
32:27my father-in-law
32:28why he's laying
32:28hands on 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 wearing
32:35a black suit,
32:36and the watch
32:37on his wrist
32:37was an RM
32:38crystal polo,
32:40worth about
32:40$40 million.
32:41The bodyguards
32:42bowed in
32:43unison.
32:44Sir.
32:46My father
32:47was dumbstruck.
32:48A man wearing
32:49gold-rimmed
32:50glasses stepped
32:51forward and
32:52handed my
32:53father a
32:53business card.
32:54Mr. Williams,
32:56I am the
32:56special assistant
32:57to the CEO
32:59of the Scott
33:00Group.
33:00This is the
33:01only son of
33:02our chairman
33:02Scott, 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 Scott?
33:17The Scott
33:18family, the
33:19wealthiest in
33:20San Francisco.
33:22The Scott
33:23Group.
33:23The assistant
33:24smiled faintly.
33:25Might I ask
33:26in what way is
33:27the Mr. Scott
33:28unworthy of
33:28Miss Williams?
33:29My father
33:30quickly withdrew
33:31his hand,
33:32forcing composure.
33:34Mr. Scott.
33:36This is all a
33:37massive
33:38misunderstanding.
33:40Misunderstanding?
33:41Ryan walked
33:42to my side
33:43and put his
33:43arm around
33:44my shoulder.
33:45I could have
33:45sworn I saw
33:46someone about
33:47to hit my
33:47wife just
33:48now.
33:49Nothing of
33:50the sort.
33:50My father
33:51waved his
33:52hands hastily.
33:53We were
33:54just here to
33:55see how
33:57Emily is
33:58doing.
33:58We have
33:59matters to
34:00attend to.
34:01We should
34:02be going.
34:02He tugged
34:03at my
34:04mother's
34:04sleeve.
34:05She caught
34:05on immediately.
34:07Yes,
34:08yes.
34:08We were
34:09just leaving.
34:10Sophie still
34:11stood frozen.
34:12My father
34:13grabbed her
34:13arm.
34:14Aren't you
34:14coming?
34:17Watching
34:18their hurried
34:18retreat,
34:19I shook
34:20my head
34:20with a bitter
34:21smile.
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,
34:33body, I
34:34couldn't help
34:34feeling self
34:35conscious, and
34:37my gaze kept
34:38darting away
34:38whenever I
34:39looked at
34:39him.
34:41He noticed
34:43my discomfort
34:43and patiently
34:44explained,
34:45my father wants
34:46me to take
34:47over the
34:47family business.
34:49But I'd
34:50rather make
34:51my own way
34:51to experience
34:53life and
34:54temporarily avoid
34:56the family
34:56arrangements.
34:58I took a
34:59job delivering
35:00food.
35:01That day at
35:01the show, I'd
35:02actually just
35:03finished my
35:03last delivery
35:04and was 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
35:10we met.
35:12A month
35:12ago, outside
35:15a building in
35:16the financial
35:16district, you
35:18gave a business
35:19lunch you were
35:20about to throw
35:20away to a
35:21delivery guy.
35:23Remember?
35:23I thought
35:24carefully, then
35:25shook my head
35:26slightly.
35:27No, I
35:27don't.
35:28Ryan smiled
35:29wryly.
35:30I covered my
35:31face in
35:31embarrassment.
35:32The atmosphere
35:33did lighten a
35:34bit.
35:36Ryan brought
35:37two lounge
35:38chairs out onto
35:39the balcony.
35:39We sat side
35:40by side.
35:41He told me
35:42many stories
35:43about his life
35:44in San
35:44Francisco.
35:45He said he'd
35:46been raised as
35:46the heir since
35:47childhood.
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 project
36:00whose return
36:01rate impressed
36:02even the
36:02bored veterans.
36:03By 25, he
36:05was driving the
36:06group's digital
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
36:18your life like
36:18before you
36:19met me?
36:20The question
36:20caught me
36:21off guard.
36:24After a
36:24long
36:25while, I
36:26said softly,
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
36:36continued,
36:37recounting my
36:38past.
36:39By the
36:39end, my
36:40eyes were
36:41a little
36:41wet.
36:42Just as
36:42I was
36:43about to
36:43raise my
36:43hand, Ryan
36:44took it
36:45in his.
36:46He
36:46looked at
36:46me.
36:47It
36:47won't be
36:48like that
36:48anymore.
36:49With me,
36:50you will
36:51always be
36:51the first
36:52priority.
36:53No one
36:53can replace
36:54you.
36:54When we
36:55go back
36:55to San
36:56Francisco,
36:57I'll
36:57definitely
36:57make it
36:58up to
36:58you
36:58with a
36:58grand
36:59wedding.
36:59I
36:59looked up
37:00at him.
37:00The spark
37:01in his
37:02eyes was
37:02brighter than
37:03the city
37:03lights.
37:04The night
37:05breeze picked
37:05up again.
37:06Gently
37:07swaying the
37:08wind chime
37:08on the
37:08balcony,
37:09stars twinkled
37:10in the
37:10night sky.
37:11In that
37:12moment,
37:12my long
37:13silent heart
37:14began to
37:15race.
37:15Before I
37:16knew it,
37:16spring had
37:17arrived.
37:18While
37:18browsing in
37:19a mall,
37:19I spotted
37:20a Dior
37:20fleece dress
37:21I liked.
37:22Just as I
37:23picked it up
37:23to try on,
37:24an annoying
37:25voice came
37:26from behind.
37:27Hey,
37:28I'll take
37:29that dress.
37:29I turned.
37:30It was
37:31Sophie,
37:31of course.
37:32She hurried
37:33over and
37:33tried to
37:34snatch the
37:34dress from
37:35my hands.
37:36Emily,
37:37I have a
37:38banquet next
37:38week and
37:39need a
37:39dress just
37:40like this.
37:41I held
37:42onto the
37:42hanger
37:42tightly,
37:43not yielding
37:44an inch.
37:45During the
37:45struggle,
37:46there was a
37:46commotion at
37:47the boutique
37:48entrance.
37:48The staff
37:49greeted
37:49respectfully.
37:50Mr.
37:51Grey,
37:51welcome.
37:52I looked
37:52up and
37:53saw Alexander
37:54standing in
37:55the doorway.
37:55He glanced
37:56at me
37:56dismissively.
37:57Emily,
37:58let Sophie
37:59have it.
38:00It's just
38:01a dress.
38:01I sneered.
38:03Why should
38:03I?
38:04Alexander
38:05frowned
38:05deeply,
38:06his tone
38:07impatient.
38:08Have you
38:08forgotten what
38:09I told you?
38:10If you want
38:10to be with
38:11me,
38:11the most
38:12important thing
38:13is to stop
38:14targeting Sophie
38:15everywhere,
38:15making a scene
38:16over a dress
38:17like this.
38:18How does
38:19that look?
38:20I was about
38:20to speak
38:21when a familiar,
38:22cool voice
38:23came from
38:23behind.
38:24Oh,
38:25I wasn't
38:25aware my
38:26wife had
38:26any intention
38:27of being
38:28with you.
38:29Alexander
38:29turned sharply,
38:31his face
38:31changing
38:32dramatically.
38:33What did
38:33you say?
38:34Ryan,
38:35holding my
38:35favorite cupcake,
38:37walked over
38:37slowly.
38:38He ignored
38:38everyone else,
38:40came to my
38:40side,
38:41and naturally
38:42wrapped his
38:42arm around
38:43my waist.
38:44Mr.
38:45Grey,
38:45you must have
38:45just returned
38:46from your
38:46business trip
38:46and haven't
38:47heard the
38:47news.
38:48Emily is
38:49already legally
38:50married to
38:50me.
38:51She is now
38:52my Mrs.
38:52Scott.
38:53As the
38:54last word
38:54fell,
38:55Alexander was
38:56completely
38:56stunned.
38:57He first
38:58muttered,
39:00How is
39:01that possible?
39:02Then,
39:03as if
39:03remembering
39:04something,
39:05he looked
39:05sharply at
39:06Sophie.
39:07Is what
39:08he said
39:08true?
39:09Sophie's
39:10face turned
39:10pale,
39:11and she
39:12whispered,
39:12The delivery
39:13guy from
39:13the show,
39:15and also
39:16the sole
39:16heir of the
39:16Scott family
39:17from San
39:18Francisco?
39:19Alexander
39:19still asked
39:20unwillingly,
39:22Emily,
39:23did you
39:24really
39:24marry him?
39:26Before I
39:27could answer,
39:28Ryan stepped
39:29in front of
39:29me,
39:30blocking his
39:30view.
39:31You like
39:32this dress?
39:33He asked
39:33me,
39:34looking down.
39:35Then we'll
39:35buy it.
39:36Or should
39:37we just
39:37buy every
39:38new design
39:38in this
39:38entire
39:39store?
39:40With
39:40that,
39:40he handed
39:41a black
39:41card to
39:42the
39:42associate
39:42and paid
39:43without
39:44hesitation.
39:45When
39:45Ryan and
39:45I left,
39:47Alexander
39:47still stood
39:48rigidly in
39:49place like a
39:50statue,
39:50incessantly
39:51muttering
39:51to
39:52himself,
39:55impossible.
39:59Didn't
40:00she love
40:00me the
40:00most?
40:02Ryan's
40:03grandmother's
40:0480th birthday
40:05was approaching.
40:06These grand
40:06celebrations
40:07were really
40:08not my
40:08thing,
40:09but he
40:09wouldn't
40:09stop pestering
40:10me.
40:11Babby,
40:12can you
40:13really leave
40:13your husband
40:15to face
40:16all those
40:17socialite
40:17heiresses
40:18alone?
40:18he whined,
40:19leaning
40:19close and
40:20putting on
40:21a pitiful
40:21expression.
40:22When I
40:22still didn't
40:23budge,
40:24he edged
40:24even closer.
40:25And aren't
40:26you worried?
40:26Your husband's
40:27so handsome.
40:28What if
40:29some wealthy
40:30heiress
40:30sets her
40:30sights on
40:31him?
40:31I couldn't
40:32help but
40:32laugh and
40:33pretended to
40:34pinch him.
40:35In the
40:35end,
40:35I succumbed
40:36to his
40:36charming
40:37persuasion
40:38and accompanied
40:39him to
40:39the birthday
40:40banquet.
40:40Upon
40:41entering
40:41the
40:41Scott
40:42estate,
40:42I was
40:42stunned by
40:43the sheer
40:44extravagance
40:45of everything.
40:45A white,
40:46castle-like
40:47building stood
40:48at the center
40:48of a meticulously
40:50manicured garden.
40:51I had never
40:52seen such a
40:52luxurious private
40:53residence and
40:54found myself
40:55momentarily unable
40:56to move.
40:57Ryan sensed
40:58my nervousness
40:59and took my
41:00hand.
41:00Don't be afraid,
41:01just stay with
41:02me.
41:02Entering the
41:03main house,
41:04a crystal
41:04chandelier spanning
41:06over 30 feet
41:07nearly blinded me
41:08with its brilliance.
41:10The hall was
41:10filled with
41:11elegantly dressed
41:12guests,
41:12all sizing me up
41:14beside Ryan.
41:15He led me
41:15to the head
41:15table where
41:16the matriarch
41:17sat,
41:17surrounded by
41:18crystal glasses
41:19and silver
41:20candelabras.
41:21Grandma,
41:21happy Vedeth,
41:23wishing you
41:23health,
41:24happiness,
41:25and many
41:26more wonderful
41:26years.
41:27He said,
41:28I quickly
41:29handed over
41:29the gift
41:30I'd carefully
41:30chosen.
41:31Grandma,
41:33I picked
41:34out this
41:34limited edition
41:35designer scarf
41:36for you.
41:37I hope you
41:38like it.
41:39A few
41:39scoffs echoed
41:40from nearby.
41:41One society
41:42lady rolled
41:43her eyes.
41:44A designer
41:44scarf,
41:45that's it.
41:46She's seen
41:47everything money
41:48can buy.
41:50Seriously,
41:51another whispered,
41:52at her age,
41:53she probably has
41:54ten of those
41:55already.
41:56This is so
41:59basic.
42:00My cheeks
42:00burned,
42:01and I opened
42:01my mouth
42:02to defend
42:03myself.
42:03But Mrs. Scott
42:04just smiled,
42:05and accepted
42:06the gift
42:07warmly.
42:07She carefully
42:09touched the
42:09fabric of
42:10the scarf,
42:10her eyes
42:11lighting up.
42:12Oh my,
42:13this pattern.
42:14This is
42:15hands
42:15shipped by
42:16a master
42:17artisan's,
42:18is it?
42:19Not many
42:20young ladies
42:20would pick
42:21something so
42:22thoughtful
42:22these days.
42:23Ryan quickly
42:24added,
42:25Emily spent
42:25a long time
42:26choosing it.
42:29She said
42:30this color
42:30and design
42:31suited you
42:32best.
42:35Well done,
42:36sweetheart,
42:37Mrs. Scott
42:37said,
42:38pulling my
42:38hand close.
42:40Compared to
42:40all those
42:41flashy,
42:42over-the-top
42:42gifts,
42:43this one's
42:44full of
42:44thought and
42:45care.
42:46The society
42:47ladies who
42:48had been
42:48sneering earlier
42:49suddenly went
42:50pale.
42:51Ryan shot
42:51a cold
42:52glance across
42:53the room.
42:54No one
42:54gets to
42:55judge the
42:56gift my
42:56wife gave.
42:58The room
42:58fell silent.
43:00Not a
43:00single guest
43:01dared to
43:01show
43:02disdain.
43:03Mrs. Scott
43:04patted the
43:04back of
43:04my hand.
43:05Come,
43:06sit next
43:07to me.
43:07Tell me
43:08how you
43:08found such
43:09a unique
43:09gift.
43:10Just as
43:11I sat
43:11down,
43:12a commotion
43:12erupted
43:13outside.
43:14A few
43:14uniformed
43:15police officers
43:16entered,
43:16their voices
43:17serious.
43:18Sorry to
43:18interrupt.
43:19We've
43:19received an
43:20urgent report.
43:21We need
43:21Emily
43:22Williams to
43:22come with
43:23us regarding
43:23an investigation
43:24into alleged
43:25major financial
43:26fraud by
43:27the Williams
43:27group.
43:28Stepping
43:28out of the
43:29police station,
43:29I was
43:30completely
43:30stunned.
43:31The Williams
43:32Group,
43:32accused of
43:33massive financial
43:34fraud,
43:35its entire
43:35funding chain
43:36in jeopardy.
43:37Sophie had
43:38fled with the
43:39money,
43:39leaving the
43:40entire mess
43:40for the
43:41Williams family
43:42to clean up.
43:43It turned out
43:43she had
43:44exploited her
43:45position,
43:45embezzling funds
43:46and colluding
43:47with outsiders
43:48to orchestrate
43:49the entire
43:49scheme.
43:50Her repeated
43:51claims of
43:52being bullied
43:52by me were
43:53just a cover
43:54for her crimes,
43:54and Alexander
43:55had been in
43:56on it all
43:57along.
43:57The Gray
43:58family pulling
43:59out their
43:59investment?
44:00That was
44:00the final
44:01straw that
44:02crushed the
44:02Williams Group.
44:03I quickly
44:04hailed a cab
44:04and headed
44:05straight to
44:06the Williams
44:06Group headquarters.
44:07The CEO's
44:08office was
44:09empty.
44:09I dialed
44:10my father's
44:11number,
44:11my hands
44:12trembling.
44:13Dad,
44:15where are
44:15you?
44:16A long
44:16silence.
44:17Then,
44:18his hoarse
44:18voice.
44:19Emily,
44:21I'm sorry.
44:22Sorry for
44:23what?
44:25Where are
44:26you right
44:26now?
44:27It's my
44:28fault.
44:29From the
44:30very beginning,
44:32I shouldn't
44:33have indulged
44:34Sophie.
44:36Should have
44:37let you
44:38suffer again
44:39and again.
44:39I cut him
44:40off,
44:40panic rising.
44:42None of
44:42that matters.
44:44Just tell
44:45me where
44:45you are.
44:47It's too
44:47late.
44:49It's all
44:50too late.
44:51Dad!
44:52The line
44:52went dead.
44:53I looked
44:54up and
44:54froze.
44:55Through the
44:55floor-to-ceiling
44:56window,
44:56I saw a
44:57figure plummeting
44:58from the
44:59top floor.
45:00I collapsed
45:01to the
45:01ground.
45:01My phone
45:02slipping
45:02from my
45:03hands.
45:04Screams
45:04erupted
45:05from outside.
45:06The next
45:06day,
45:07the Williams
45:08Group
45:08officially
45:09declared
45:09bankruptcy.
45:10At my
45:11father's
45:11funeral,
45:12David was
45:12arrested for
45:13financial fraud.
45:14My mother
45:15couldn't bear
45:16the shock
45:16and fell
45:17gravely
45:17ill.
45:18She was
45:18sent back
45:19to my
45:19aunt's
45:19home to
45:20recover.
45:21The
45:21Williams
45:21family,
45:22once
45:22untouchably
45:23powerful,
45:24had crumbled
45:25overnight.
45:26That weekend,
45:27I went to
45:27visit David
45:28in prison.
45:29He looked
45:29gaunt,
45:30wearing prison
45:30garb.
45:31Through the
45:31glass,
45:32he choked
45:33back tears.
45:33Emily,
45:35I'm so
45:36sorry.
45:38I finally
45:39understand what
45:40it's like
45:40to be
45:41betrayed by
45:42someone you
45:42trust the
45:43most.
45:45Emily,
45:46I was
45:48blind.
45:50I ruined
45:51dad.
45:52I ruined
45:53the Williams
45:53family.
45:55David,
45:55I whispered,
45:57just survive
45:58in there.
45:58He froze,
45:59then tears
46:00streamed down
46:01his face
46:01as he
46:02nodded
46:02fiercely.
46:03When I
46:03left,
46:04David laughed,
46:05first softly,
46:07then hysterically,
46:08tears streaming
46:09down his
46:10cheeks.
46:10Karma.
46:12It's all
46:13karma.
46:14I had once
46:15naively thought
46:16that moving to
46:16San Francisco
46:17with Ryan to
46:18become the
46:19Scott family's
46:20young mistress
46:20was the
46:21perfect ending.
46:22But stepping
46:23into the
46:23Scott estate
46:24for the
46:24first time,
46:25reality hit me
46:26like a
46:27thunderclap.
46:28That afternoon,
46:28a woman in a
46:29Chanel couture
46:30suit stormed
46:31in, fury
46:32blazing.
46:33Before I could
46:33even react,
46:34she slapped me
46:35hard.
46:35Do you even
46:36know Ryan and
46:37I have been
46:38betrothed since
46:39childhood?
46:40I'm his
46:40rightful
46:42fiancary!
46:43I froze,
46:44my cheek
46:44burning.
46:45Later, I
46:46learned she
46:47was Rebecca
46:47Morrow, the
46:48only daughter of
46:49a major
46:49investment tycoon
46:51and Ryan's
46:52childhood
46:52sweetheart.
46:53That evening,
46:54Ryan came
46:55home and saw
46:55my swollen
46:56cheek.
46:57He immediately
46:57brought a
46:58first aid kit
46:59and gently
46:59applied cold
47:00compresses.
47:01Emily, I've
47:03always seen
47:04Rebecca as
47:04a sister.
47:05That childhood
47:06betrothal, it
47:08was just a
47:08formality from
47:09our families.
47:10I would never
47:11accept it
47:12myself.
47:13He even got
47:14down on one
47:14knee, holding
47:15my hand.
47:16Once I resolve
47:17this, I'll give
47:19you the perfect
47:19wedding.
47:20And in that
47:20moment, I still
47:22held on to hope.
47:23I thought he
47:23could fix
47:24everything.
47:25Until the
47:25next day, when
47:26the news came,
47:27Rebecca had
47:28attempted suicide
47:29and was rushed
47:30to the hospital.
47:31Ryan got the
47:32call and dashed
47:33out in a panic,
47:34barely grabbing a
47:35coat.
47:35He returned at
47:362am, utterly
47:37exhausted.
47:38Sitting beside me,
47:39he spoke
47:40cautiously.
47:41Emily, I can
47:42hold the wedding
47:43for you right
47:44now.
47:46And could you
47:47move out?
47:48Rebecca's in a
47:49fragile state.
47:51Wait until she's
47:52stable, then...
47:53I didn't even
47:54hear the rest.
47:55That last thread
47:56of hope snapped
47:57completely.
47:57I realized then,
47:59staying by his
48:00side meant a
48:01lifetime trapped
48:01in the chaos of
48:02wealth and family
48:03drama.
48:04If one Rebecca
48:05existed, how many
48:06more could follow?
48:08Handsome, rich,
48:09irresistible, Ryan
48:10could attract as
48:11many Rebecca's as
48:12he wanted.
48:13The thought made me
48:14shiver at the life
48:15I would be resigning
48:16to.
48:17I looked him in the
48:17eye and said
48:18firmly,
48:19Ryan, we're getting
48:22a divorce.
48:22When I turned to
48:24leave, he grabbed
48:25my hand.
48:25I dodged it.
48:26I sneered.
48:27You promised me
48:28no more suffering,
48:30no more abandonment.
48:31If you can keep
48:33a promise, don't say
48:35that day, I walked
48:38out of the Scott
48:38estate alone.
48:40The early autumn
48:40wind kissed my face
48:42and for the first
48:43time in my life, I
48:44felt truly free.
48:46After the divorce,
48:48Ryan gave me a
48:48settlement.
48:49With that, I moved
48:51to Los Angeles.
48:52Here, opportunities
48:54are equal and women
48:55can chase careers
48:56without compromise.
48:58I opened a fashion
48:59studio on Beverly
49:00Drive, calling it
49:01one signifying unique
49:03unparalleled.
49:05Now, one has earned
49:06a solid reputation
49:07in the city.
49:08Ryan occasionally
49:09comes to Los Angeles
49:10on business, sometimes
49:12visiting my studio
49:13with friends, sometimes
49:15alone.
49:16Whether he eventually
49:17married that childhood
49:18fiancé, I don't care.
49:20I used to define
49:21myself by others'
49:22choices, trapped by
49:24abandonment and
49:25resentment.
49:26Now, I am no longer
49:27a vine clinging to
49:29someone else.
49:29I am a tree standing
49:31on my own.
49:32I sway with the
49:33wind, I grow in the
49:35sun, this is the way
49:36I truly belong in the
49:38world.
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