00:00Back in college, I literally bought myself a boyfriend.
00:02Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover your grandfather's medical bills.
00:05I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
00:07Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
00:10I wanted him. I thought I was saving him.
00:12Followed his pride and stayed with me for four years,
00:14and I was naive enough to think he loved me.
00:15That was until I got pregnant, my family lost everything,
00:18and whatever pride I had left was crushed.
00:20Out of wounded pride, I disappeared while I was pregnant.
00:22I never told Julian we had a daughter. Click.
00:24The heavy VIP door locks shut.
00:26Of all places, I run into Julian in a strip club.
00:28Take it off.
00:29What?
00:30Up on the stage. Dance. Now.
00:33A shiver runs through me.
00:34I paid for the hour, Ave. Or should I call you Luna?
00:37I only serve drinks, Julian. I'm not a-
00:39He's on his feet in an instant.
00:41Does your father, sitting in federal prison,
00:44know you work here dressed like this?
00:45You investigated me?
00:47I spent six years looking for you!
00:50Private investigators, hackers, social media.
00:53You covered your tracks too well.
00:55And this is what you've come to?
00:57Hiding behind a mask and working for
00:59tips in a place like this?
01:01Because I'm a mess, okay?
01:15And I wouldn't if you didn't still matter to me.
01:18You said you loved me back then.
01:20Was that a lie?
01:22And I remember the morning I left, when I kissed his forehead and lied that I'd see him
01:25at graduation.
01:25I-
01:26A small voice rings out and a little girl runs in.
01:29Are you my dad?
01:29Why did you make my mommy cry?
01:33She's got the wrong guy!
01:35Eve.
01:35Julian's voice turns low, edged with warning.
01:38Whose kid is she?
01:39But Lily steps in front of me, tiny and stubborn.
01:42She tilts her head back, studying the tall man in front of her.
01:45You're so tall!
01:47Are you a giant?
01:49Julian looks down.
01:50He stares down at the little girl who barely reaches his knees.
01:53The same black curls.
01:54The same icy blue eyes.
01:56Even that stubborn streak is pure Julian.
01:58No, I'm not a giant.
01:59I'm a hockey player.
02:00Julian's face softens as he reaches out and pinches Lily's cheek.
02:02Like in Fruzen?
02:04Yeah, close enough.
02:06Eve, how old is she?
02:07Julian shifts his gaze and looks up at me.
02:09She just turned four.
02:10The lie makes my heart pound.
02:12Heat creeps into my face.
02:13A year's difference is enough to hide the truth.
02:15I can't let him know she came from that night five years ago.
02:18But right then, Lily suddenly grabs Julian's hand.
02:20Your hands are so cold.
02:22Mommy says we're basically part polar bear.
02:25Are you a polar bear too?
02:27Julian slowly crouches down to look at Lily.
02:29What's your name?
02:30Lily Hartley.
02:32She politely holds out her hand and Julian shakes it.
02:35Nice to meet you.
02:36I'm Mr. Vane.
02:38Vane?
02:38Lily lets out an excited squeal.
02:40You're that hockey player!
02:41Mommy has a picture of you!
02:43It's all old and creased.
02:45She takes it out and looks at it when she thinks I'm asleep.
02:47That's enough, Lily!
02:49I scoop my daughter up and hurry out of the stifling VIP room.
02:52Mommy, let me go!
02:53He's a polar bear too!
02:54Lily keeps struggling in my arms.
02:56Eve!
02:57I freeze in my tracks.
02:58I don't dare look back.
03:00She's my daughter, isn't she?
03:02No!
03:03She's not yours!
03:04I clutch Lily to me, my fingers digging into her coat and bolt.
03:08Late at night, I watch Lily sleep in my arms.
03:10Her long lashes and stubborn little chin are pure Julian.
03:13My mind drifts back six years.
03:15Back then, I was the richest heiress in Detroit.
03:18Julian was the brokest kid on campus, but an undisputed star on the ice.
03:21I wanted him, so I made him an offer he couldn't refuse.
03:24The day his grandfather ended up in the ICU, and he had no way to pay for it, I put
03:28a check
03:28down in front of him.
03:29Be my boyfriend, and I'll cover every cent.
03:31I thought I was saving him.
03:33I forgot that to Julian.
03:35Pride mattered more than survival.
03:36During my senior year, my family went bankrupt, and my dad went to prison.
03:39I fell from grace into the dirt, and debt collectors hunted me down everywhere.
03:43Meanwhile, Julian had just signed a multi-million dollar contract with a major team.
03:47He had a brilliant future ahead of him.
03:49We're done, Julian.
03:50I had my fun, and now I'm bored.
03:52He didn't ask me to stay.
03:54Okay.
03:54I figured he was relieved that day.
03:56He finally didn't have to look at the woman who had humiliated him with her money.
04:00I deleted all my contact info, and left Detroit while I was pregnant with Lily.
04:04Since then, life has been one long struggle to survive.
04:06Until today, when I ran into him at the strip club.
04:09Now he's one of the biggest stars in the NHL.
04:11He's worth tens of millions.
04:12The kind of man who shows up with actresses on red carpets.
04:15And I am a waitress at a strip club.
04:16I wear low-cut...
04:17At 5am, a text lights up my screen.
04:20We need to talk.
04:21Don't make me come down to that club and drag you out, Eve.
04:24I delete the message, block his number, and pretend none of it happened.
04:27But when I clock in the next day...
04:29The guy in VIP asked for you by name.
04:31I push the door open.
04:32Julian sits alone, turning an empty glass between his fingers.
04:35Sit.
04:36I perch on the edge of the sofa, ready to bolt at any second.
04:39Mr. Vane, just say whatever you came here to say.
04:42Why did you leave so suddenly back then?
04:44Were you really just bored?
04:45He turns to me.
04:46You deleted your Snapchat.
04:48You changed your number.
04:49You vanished off the face of the earth.
04:51He suddenly leans in, all broad shoulders and solid muscle, leaving me nowhere to go.
04:55Eve, you're still just as good at using people as ever.
04:59In that moment, I almost tell him the truth.
05:01He pulls a stack of cash from his jacket.
05:02He slaps the cash against my chest hard enough to sting.
05:05He grips my chin and tips my face up.
05:0720 grand.
05:08Take off this cheap lace.
05:10Put on that white dress you used to love.
05:11And serve me.
05:12I put on the white dress.
05:13I stand in front of him, my trembling fingers reaching to undo his suit jacket.
05:17Julian catches me by the throat.
05:19There's no room for argument in his voice.
05:21Is Lily my daughter?
05:22No.
05:22I grit my teeth.
05:23Then who's the father?
05:24Some safe, dependable fiancé?
05:26What's his name?
05:26What does he do?
05:27Julian, stop.
05:28I looked for you for six damn years.
05:30He roars.
05:31Every single second, I wondered what the hell I did wrong.
05:33Why did you vanish?
05:35Why won't you even look at me now?
05:36Julian lets go.
05:37I clutch my throat and cough hard.
05:39Tears well up in my eyes.
05:40You're a superstar athlete.
05:41I was drowning in debt with my father in prison.
05:43I couldn't see any future for us.
05:45Couldn't see it?
05:46He suddenly laughs bitterly.
05:47I wanted to build a home with you and give you everything I had.
05:50You threw our future away.
05:51Because I had no choice.
05:53I finally break down.
05:54I pull my knees to my chest and sob.
05:56My family went bankrupt.
05:58I was drowning in debt.
05:59I couldn't cling to you and ruin your life too.
06:02I could have faced it with you.
06:04He scoffs.
06:04He pulls a crumpled contract offer from his jacket and slams it onto the table.
06:08Eve, did you really think I was in it for the money?
06:10I had 12 team offers.
06:12I turned down New York.
06:13I turned down Chicago.
06:14I chose Detroit.
06:15The worst deal and the least money.
06:17I just hoped I'd run into you one day.
06:19In the city where you grew up.
06:35I've been in it for the money.
06:38I taught it.
06:39I'm not sure.
06:41I'm not sure.
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