- 3 hours ago
He Divorced Me for a Bet, Now He’s Begging
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Three years after our divorce, my ex-husband, Liam Sinclair, showed up with red roses and a smug grin.
00:06Babe, I kept my word. Time's up. I'm here to marry you again.
00:12Three years ago, he lost a truth or dare to his childhood friend, Chloe.
00:17She sneered in front of everyone.
00:21Divorce her, cut all contact for three years, and see if she takes you back.
00:25If she does, I'll admit it's true love.
00:31They never had boundaries. Their constant veiled flirting had been the root of countless fights between us.
00:37At the time, I was certain he would refuse. Instead, he agreed without missing a beat.
00:45Done. A bet's a bet.
00:49Liam, are you crazy? Divorce isn't a joke!
00:55I believe in what we have. She's obsessed with me. She'll definitely take me back.
01:01I stayed silent. He never realized he had just failed my final test.
01:05The memory faded as he shoved the roses toward my chest.
01:10My husband doesn't let me accept flowers from other men.
01:14I didn't take that.
01:16Taking a step back, I looked at him and said calmly, Liam just smirked.
01:21Are you mad at me? Come on, I'm right here, aren't I?
01:24Be a good girl. Stop pouting.
01:27He stepped forward to pull me into his arms.
01:31Back off, Mr. Sinclair!
01:33You stay away from me!
01:37Wow. You're actually mad this time.
01:41Fine. What's your price?
01:43What do I have to buy you to make it right?
01:47As he spoke, he took another step toward me.
01:49He stepped closer and I kept backing away.
01:52The look in his eyes only grew more predatory, driven by the thrill of the chase.
01:57Liam, it's been three years. A lot can change.
02:01True.
02:02I was out of room to retreat.
02:04He planted his hands on the wall beside my head, trapping me.
02:07Classic Liam.
02:08Back when we were dating, he used to corner me like this and kiss me under the moonlight.
02:12As he spoke, he lifted a hand to gently caress my cheek.
02:16So, did you give me a boy or a girl?
02:19Three years ago, he knew that I was pregnant.
02:22Yet, after losing that stupid dare, he still divorced me just because Chloe asked him to.
02:34My stomach dropped at the mention of the baby.
02:40For three years, he completely vanished.
02:42No texts, no calls.
02:44And now, he had the absolute audacity to assume I kept the baby.
02:49Are you alright?
02:49He actually thought I sat around waiting for him to come back.
02:53A bitter laugh escaped me.
02:56When I opened my mouth to tell him the baby passed away, Liam's phone suddenly rang.
03:01It was his pet name for Chloe.
03:04I had seen it countless times before.
03:06He would affectionately pat her head and call her his spoiled princess,
03:11never once caring how his actual wife felt.
03:16Liam, please come over.
03:19My cramps are killing me.
03:20Hey, don't cry.
03:22I'm on my way back.
03:24Right now.
03:27Then he patted my head like I was a loyal dog.
03:29I need to go check on Chloe.
03:31I'll come get you later.
03:32And just like that, he sprinted away.
03:35Just like always, Chloe was showing off on social media.
03:40The photo on her Instagram showed her lying in Liam's arms,
03:44her forehead glistening with a light sweat.
03:46He was gently rubbing her stomach.
03:48The caption read,
03:49Since we were kids, he has always loved me the most.
03:52No matter what important things he has to do, or who he's with,
03:56whenever I'm not feeling well,
03:58he's always the first to rush to my side to care for me.
04:01He truly is the best man in the world.
04:03I casually double-tapped to like the post.
04:06It wasn't just one like.
04:07Every day for the past three years,
04:09Chloe had posted about their relationship.
04:10Three years.
04:121,095 posts.
04:13And I had liked everyone.
04:16She flexed in every way imaginable.
04:18She loved showing off how she maxed out Liam's credit cards.
04:21How she lounged in the house that used to be mine.
04:24She used my things whenever she wanted,
04:26and threw them out whenever she felt like it.
04:28They had played house for three years.
04:31I knew she posted them.
04:33Just for me.
04:34The next time I saw Liam,
04:35he was walking into my cafe with Chloe.
04:38They were wearing matching camel coats.
04:40Chloe looked around my cafe, feigning shock.
04:43I gave you millions in the settlement.
04:45Why are you working such a grueling job?
04:48When we divorced, I had demanded half his assets.
04:52He had handed them over without a second thought.
04:54I wiped down the espresso machine,
04:56not even bothering to look up.
04:58Liam's expression didn't shift.
04:59He still firmly believed I was just acting out of spite.
05:05Because I want to, and it's none of your business.
05:10Nora, it's been three years.
05:12How have you been?
05:14Chloe put on her sweetest voice.
05:17I've been great.
05:19My indifference threw her off.
05:21Then Liam's phone rang, and he stepped outside.
05:24The second it was just the two of us...
05:27Drop the hard-to-get act, and don't get too excited.
05:31So what if you guys get remarried?
05:34Mrs. Sinclair still hates you.
05:36She always wanted me in the family.
05:38Liam is only taking you back out of obligation.
05:41He even asked my permission before he showed up at your house.
05:45Oh, and you'll have to sign a prenup.
05:47I draft it myself.
05:48She pulled a thick document from her bag and slammed it on the counter.
05:52I barely glanced at it.
05:54The terms were laughable.
05:55I would get zero access to the Sinclair fortune.
05:58I was forbidden from calling Mrs. Sinclair mom.
06:02Worst of all, I could never introduce myself as Liam's wife in public.
06:05I had to claim I was just his ex-wife.
06:08This insulting piece of trash actually made me laugh.
06:11I pushed the contract back to her.
06:13If Mrs. Sinclair loves you so much, why hasn't Liam put a ring on it?
06:18Three years of playing home, and you're still just the side chick.
06:22That's pathetic.
06:24Her face turned bright red.
06:27Then the cafe door opened.
06:29In a third second, he got his hands off.
06:32She looked like the ultimate understanding victim.
06:36Nora, I really do want you and Liam to get remarried.
06:40She was exactly the same actress she was three years ago.
06:43And Liam?
06:44The second he saw her crying, his brain shut off.
06:48He was hopelessly blind to her bullshit.
06:51Chloe, what's wrong?
06:56I'm fine.
06:57Please don't be mad at Nora.
06:59It's all my fault.
07:00The harder she played the victim, the more Liam glared at me.
07:08Nora, apologize.
07:10I just scoffed.
07:11Chloe grew up with me.
07:13She's like a sister.
07:14She is incredibly important to me.
07:16Can you stop being so hostile?
07:18Just treat her better.
07:19For my sake.
07:21Please?
07:21I had watched this same circus a thousand times before he dumped me.
07:26I was so sick of it.
07:27I opened my mouth to kick them out, but my phone buzzed with a FaceTime call.
07:31The caller ID flashed.
07:32My baby boy.
07:34Liam's eyes widened.
07:35Before I could grab it, his hand shot out and hit accept.
07:38I snatched the phone back instantly.
07:44Mommy, I miss you.
07:47I quickly whispered a few words to Leo.
07:49Just as Liam reached out to grab the phone and talk to his son, I hung up.
07:54He was grinning from ear to ear.
07:56The anger from two seconds ago was gone.
07:58Let me see my son.
08:00Chloe's face turned ashen.
08:01I said flatly.
08:03He's not yours.
08:04Stay the hell away from me.
08:06You're both psychotic.
08:08He wasn't even mad.
08:09Come on, stop being stubborn.
08:11I miss you, and I miss our boy.
08:14In that moment, it clicked.
08:16Someone as arrogant as him would never believe I had moved on.
08:19Not unless he saw my actual husband with his own two eyes.
08:22Mom's birthday is in a few days.
08:24You're a great cook.
08:26Make her favorite dishes.
08:28It's the perfect chance to mend fences.
08:31Now that you've given her a grandson, she won't give you a hard time.
08:35So he knew all along.
08:37For the three years we were married, Mrs. Sinclair treated me like trash.
08:41She hated that I came from a poor family.
08:44Even though I was Liam's legally wedded wife, she banned me from family events.
08:49I wasn't even allowed to sit at her dining table.
08:52I hated her right back.
08:53Our relationship had always been purely hostile.
08:56We simply ignored each other.
08:58And through it all, Liam had always stayed dead silent.
09:01Hypothetical question, Liam.
09:03Let's say I cook a five-star feast.
09:07What if your mom still bans me from the table?
09:12Be the bigger person.
09:14Just suck up to her a little.
09:15You know how my mom is.
09:16All bark, no bite.
09:19Nora, there's no shame in begging an elder.
09:22Mrs. Sinclair loves it when people know their place
09:25and grovel.
09:31Three years is a lifetime.
09:34I'm married now.
09:35And that kid isn't yours.
09:37Then I turned to Chloe.
09:39But hey, you should keep kissing her ass.
09:43Maybe if you play the perfect little lapdog, she'll finally let you be a real Sinclair.
09:47I shouldn't have said anything.
09:48She covered her face and ran outside.
09:51How long are you going to keep up this stubborn act, Nora?
09:54He barked, rushing out after her.
09:56My phone buzzed.
09:57A text from my husband, Julian.
09:59Project's done.
10:00I'll be home tomorrow afternoon, beautiful.
10:03Relief washed over me.
10:04Once Liam met Julian, his delusional ego trip would finally end.
10:08The next morning, right after I opened the cafe, my phone rang.
10:12It was my nanny, sobbing.
10:15Nora, Liam's men blocked my car on the way to daycare.
10:18They just took Leo.
10:21I sped straight to Liam's family estate.
10:24When I sprinted into the backyard, Chloe had shoved Leo into the dog run.
10:28He was trapped inside the cage with a dog and a cat, severely allergic to animal dander.
10:34One touch from a cat or dog could send him into anaphylactic shock.
10:38He was screaming in terror.
10:39His tiny face was flushed purple, and angry red hives were already blistering his skin.
10:45Chloe ignored his panic.
10:47She grabbed the cat and shoved it into his chest.
10:52Don't be scared, Leo.
10:54This kitty is three years old, so she's basically your big sister.
10:58She's my favorite.
11:00Hug her.
11:01Don't be rude.
11:02Your loud crying is scaring the poor kitty.
11:05The cat hissed.
11:07Its razor-sharp claws swiped across his cheek, leaving bloody gashes.
11:12Told you that you're scaring the kitty?
11:14Shh.
11:15I screamed, lunging for the gate.
11:19Get your hands off my son!
11:21Suddenly, Liam appeared out of nowhere.
11:24Chloe is just trying to be nice.
11:26She wants to give the boy some playmates.
11:33He is severely allergic to dester!
11:37He can't be near animals!
11:40I tried to turn back to the cage, but Liam locked his iron grip around my wrist.
11:45Chloe looked up.
11:47It's the kitty's third birth today, and she loves playing with kids.
11:52I just thought, since Leo is moving into the estate soon, they should get to know each other.
12:01As he spoke, the black cat lashed out again.
12:04Fresh claw marks bloomed across his arms, neck, and face.
12:07Don't worry.
12:08My pets are fully vaccinated and clean.
12:12I sleep with my cat every night.
12:14I watched my baby gasping for air.
12:17I struggled violently, terrified out of my mind.
12:21Boys need to be tough.
12:23He's going to inherit the Sinclair Empire one day.
12:26I'm not raising an acallic, Claire.
12:29I'm not raising a coward who's afraid of a cat.
12:32Suddenly, Leo's eyes rolled back.
12:35He collapsed.
12:36He's in anaphylactic shock!
12:41Realization finally hit him.
12:43I shoved past them, scooped up Leo, and bolted for the hospital.
12:47Liam and Chloe followed closely behind.
12:50At the ER, doctors rushed Leo straight into the trauma bay.
12:54Seconds later, a doctor hurried out with a medical consent form.
12:58I need a signature from the father or mother.
13:00Liam instantly stepped forward.
13:03I'm the father. I'll sign it.
13:07Since when is my son yours?
13:12I ripped the consent form from Liam's hands and signed my name.
13:16Handing it back to the doctor, I grabbed his arm, my heart in my throat.
13:21Is my baby going to make it?
13:23Don't worry. The signature is just standard protocol.
13:26The little guy is still being treated, but you got him here just in time.
13:29He's out of the woods, and we're moving him to a private recovery room now.
13:32His words lifted a crushing weight off my chest.
13:35Only then did I snap back to reality.
13:37I turned to see two towering men locking eyes.
13:40The tension in the hallway was thick enough to cut with a knife.
13:43Liam stared Julian down in absolute disbelief.
13:46Who the hell are you?
13:48I stepped right up to Julian and wrapped my arms around his waist.
13:52This is my husband, Julian Vance.
13:55He is the biological father of my son.
13:59And he's the one who actually takes care of us.
14:03Julian's jaw was clenched tight with rage.
14:05But when he looked down at me...
14:07I've got this, baby. Don't worry.
14:08...it was that look that finally made Liam snap.
14:11Nora?
14:12What the hell are you talking about?
14:15Liam pointed right at Julian's face.
14:17Leo is my son!
14:19Did you hire an actor just to make me jealous?
14:22Smack!
14:23I slapped him so hard my palm burned.
14:26A red handprint bloomed on his face.
14:29Liam Sinclair!
14:30You better pray Leo is okay.
14:33If he's not, I will end you and Chloe.
14:37Before I could even catch my breath, Julian moved.
14:39He planted a brutal kick square in Liam's stomach.
14:43Liam Sinclair.
14:44If anything happens to my son, I will tear entire Sinclair empire to the ground.
14:49Chloe rushed over to prop Liam up.
14:51She glared at me, baffled.
14:53Nora, what are you doing?
14:55I thought you were desperate to get Liam back!
14:58She scanned Julian up and down.
15:00She noticed his bespoke suit and the rare Patek Philippe on his wrist.
15:04Even if Liam and Chloe didn't recognize Julian personally...
15:07And now you're claiming you're married to him?
15:09Everyone knows you're obsessed with Liam.
15:11He only married you because you were his biggest lapdog.
15:15You were a month pregnant when you guys divorced.
15:17Leo is two!
15:18He's Liam's kid!
15:19The timeline matches perfectly!
15:21He is Liam's son!
15:23What are you even trying to pull here?
15:25Hearing her say it fed right back into Liam's ego.
15:28He stood up straighter, his confidence returning.
15:30Leo is my blood.
15:32Nora, I didn't think you'd take the joke this far.
15:37He threw a disdainful look at Julian.
15:40I don't know where you found this guy to piss me off, but I get it.
15:44I know you've been lonely these past three years.
15:47The bet is over.
15:48I promise I'm never letting you go again.
15:50So please, drop the act and calm down.
15:53For Leo's sake.
15:54I don't know how you met this guy.
15:56But let me make one thing clear.
15:59Me.
16:00I'm the only man she has ever loved.
16:04She chased me for two years in college just to get my attention.
16:07We're endgame.
16:09That divorce was just a bump in the road.
16:11I told her three years ago we would get back together.
16:15Nora loves me too much not to.
16:17She even had my son.
16:18So, I'm only gonna say this once.
16:21Don't overplay your role, buddy.
16:24This is between my wife and me.
16:26Outsiders need to back off.
16:28All because I had fallen in love with him at first sight on campus.
16:31It was my first real crush.
16:33I was blindly devoted.
16:35At first, he was cold and untouchable.
16:37But I never gave up.
16:39I manufactured chances just to bump into him.
16:42When Sinclair nearly went bankrupt and all his friends ghosted him, I stayed.
16:46I emptied my barista bank account to buy his groceries.
16:50I don't have much, but at least I can make sure you don't go hungry.
16:53That moved him.
16:54We started dating.
16:55By senior year, the Sinclair fortune bounced back.
16:59That same year, defying his parents' furious objections, he insisted on marrying me.
17:04I was the perfect, submissive wife.
17:07I listened to his every word.
17:09Even when he blatantly flirted with Chloe, I only fought with him behind closed doors.
17:13I never once embarrassed him in public.
17:17So, in everyone's eyes, I loved Liam to my very core.
17:20I loved him like a loyal dog.
17:23Snapping back to the present, I glared at his arrogant face with pure disgust.
17:27I loved you once, Liam.
17:30But looking at you now makes me sick.
17:32That stupid bet you made with Chloe was your final test, and you failed.
17:36I don't go backwards.
17:38You have been screwing your best friend for three years, and now you expect me to play house with you?
17:43You're a joke.
17:44You're psychotic if you think I'd ever carry a child for a piece of trash like you.
17:48Hmm.
17:50Julian tightened his grip on my waist.
17:51He looked down at Liam like he was scraping him off his shoe.
17:55The very next day after you divorced her, Nora married me.
17:59On day three, she terminated the pregnancy.
18:02A month and a half later, she got pregnant with my son, Leo.
18:06And right now, she is carrying my second child.
18:10The woman you threw away has been living her best life with me.
18:14Liam stood frozen like he'd been struck by lightning.
18:17No!
18:17No, that's impossible!
18:19You wouldn't just marry a stranger!
18:21You couldn't!
18:24I told you about the guy who was in love with me before our wedding.
18:27I told you I promised him that if I ever got divorced, I would marry him.
18:31Liam froze.
18:32The realization hit him like a freight train.
18:35Julian had begged me not to marry Liam, even offering $300 million to win me over.
18:40Before he walked away, he asked me one question.
18:44If he ever breaks your heart and you divorce him, will you come to me?
18:48Back then, I was so blindly in love that I thought my marriage was bulletproof.
18:52I jokingly texted back,
18:54Sure.
18:56I never expected to cash in that promise three years later.
19:00After Liam divorced me, I didn't go looking for Julian.
19:03Julian found me.
19:05The day my divorce was finalized, Julian showed up at my front door.
19:08He came to cash in the promise I had made him years ago.
19:12Still, heartbroken and reckless, I said yes.
19:15We drove straight to the courthouse and eloped.
19:18If you ever throw me away, a billionaire is ready to marry me tomorrow.
19:22I had actually warned Liam once.
19:25Back then, Liam just scrolled through my messages with Julian and laughed.
19:30He's a catfish, babe.
19:31You are so gullible.
19:33Julian and I met online.
19:34I knew American Sign Language, and he paid me to tutor him so he could talk to his deaf grandmother.
19:39I told Liam he wasn't a scammer, but Liam didn't care.
19:42Well, the catfish was standing right in front of him now.
19:45Suddenly, the doors of the trauma booths hung open.
19:48The doctors wailed me out on a stretcher.
19:51Julian and I rushed into his eyes.
19:54Leo's little eyes fluttered open.
19:55He saw me crying.
19:57Even though he could barely breathe, my sweet boy tried to comfort me.
20:01Don't cry, Mommy. It's bad for the baby sister.
20:04Looking at the bloody claw marks across his swollen face, my heart shattered.
20:09I sobbed and gripped his tiny hand.
20:12I followed the stretcher toward the VIP wing.
20:16Call the police. I want them both in handcuffs. Now.
20:19And Julian turned to his head of security.
20:22Liam stood there, paralyzed.
20:25The truth finally hit him.
20:27He was the joke.
20:28He didn't just lose his wife. He never even had a son.
20:33Panic finally slipped through his ego.
20:35He lunged toward me.
20:36Nora, wait! We need to talk!
20:41This isn't over.
20:43I'm going to tear the Sinclair Empire to shreds.
20:46Julian moved instantly.
20:48He grabbed Liam by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
20:51Before Liam could even gasp for air, Julian leaned in.
20:54A doctor sprinted down the hall.
20:55Hey! Let him go! You can't fight in a hospital!
20:59Julian dropped him only because the doctor intervened.
21:02Ten minutes later, the police arrived.
21:04They arrested Liam and Chloe on the spot for the child and baby to be kidnapped.
21:09After Leo was settled in a private suite with his nanny, Julian, our lawyers, and I headed to the police
21:15precinct.
21:15Liam and Chloe sat in an interrogation room with their lawyer.
21:21I didn't want to hurt the boy.
21:24I genuinely believed he was my son.
21:27You still couldn't accept the truth.
21:29I was just taking my kid home.
21:32Exactly!
21:33It was just a minder standing.
21:38Here's the paternity test.
21:40Stop living in your fantasy.
21:42I aborted your baby three years ago.
21:45Liam stared at the paper scattered on the floor.
21:47His hands shook as he picked them up.
21:50He read the line confirming a 99.9% match between Leo and Julian.
21:55That was the moment his world collapsed.
21:58His knees buckled, his stomach backward, his eyes welling with tears.
22:03He looked up at me, completely devastated.
22:07Why?
22:09Why would you kill our baby?
22:10Why didn't you even tell me?
22:12A bitter laugh escaped me, but my eyes burned red.
22:14I took a step toward Liam, staring right into his furious eye.
22:17Why?
22:17Why?
22:18You want to know why?
22:20You knew I was pregnant, but you still divorced me over a sick game with Chloe.
22:27You acted like I was dead for three years.
22:31You never called, and you never texted.
22:35You were so convinced I was just your pathetic lapdog.
22:39You thought I would just roll over and accept whatever you did.
22:43I wasn't a wife to you.
22:45I was a pet with zero self-respect.
22:48That's why you openly cheated with Chloe right in front of me.
22:54But my love had an expiration date.
22:59Divorcing a disloyal piece of trap like you was my liberation.
23:02Who gave you the right to assume I would wait?
23:07Tears finally spilled from Liam's eyes.
23:10I swallowed the lump in my throat.
23:11I had carried those words in my chest for three years.
23:14Spitting them out now felt like a massive boulder had finally been lifted off my soul.
23:19I was wearing a hidden camera when I went to the Sinclair estate.
23:22I told the officer, you will see exactly what happened.
23:25The video was damning.
23:27It showed me screaming that Leo was severely allergic to animal dander.
23:31It showed Chloe and Liam ignoring me.
23:33It captured the cat attacking Leo while Liam restrained me.
23:37The evidence is right there.
23:40This wasn't an accident.
23:42This was an intentional assault on a minor and I'm pressing full charges.
23:47His men also intercepted our nanny's car and took my son by force.
23:52That's kidnapping.
23:53The detective reviewed the footage and returned to Liam and Chloe.
23:57The evidence is clear.
23:59You're both under arrest for child endangerment kidnapping.
24:04A haughty voice echoed from the doorway.
24:06I think you're jumping to conclusions, detective.
24:10I glared at her and laughed.
24:12What's wrong, Mrs. Sinclair?
24:14Think you're above the law?
24:17You just want money.
24:18Name your price.
24:20You left Liam, found some other guy, and realized you can't afford to raise a kid.
24:24Now you're pulling this pathetic extortion scam?
24:28Whatever.
24:28Name your price.
24:29I'll treat it like buying a stray dog.
24:32A few million is chump change to the Sinclers.
24:35No wonder Liam is a brainless attack dog.
24:37He gets it from you.
24:42Do you really think Julian Vance can't afford to raise his own son?
24:48Julian Vance?
24:50That's right.
24:52Mrs. Sinclair looked like she was going to pass out.
24:54She never imagined that the girl she tossed aside could carry into real power.
24:59Liam had no idea who Julian was, but Mrs. Sinclair definitely did.
25:03The Vance family wasn't just rich.
25:05They were apex predators.
25:07Julian was the sole heir.
25:09He'd spent years dominating European markets and just returned to take over stateside two years ago.
25:14Everyone in their elite circle begged to do business with him.
25:17In fact, she had been trying to find a way for Liam to pitch a partnership to the Vance group.
25:22Now, the woman who had been sneering at me was frozen.
25:25Nora!
25:26Mrs. Vance rushed into the precinct with panic in her eyes.
25:29She grabbed my hands.
25:30Are you hurt?
25:30Did they touch you?
25:33I shook my head gently.
25:34I'm okay, Mom.
25:35I'm okay, Mom.
25:35What are you doing here?
25:36What are you doing here?
25:37My grandson is in the hospital.
25:38My grandson is in the hospital, she said fiercely.
25:40Of course I came back.
25:41Of course I came back.
25:41I'm not letting a bunch of street rats bully you.
25:45Mrs. Sinclair shrank back.
25:46She forced an awkward smile.
25:48My apologies, Mrs. Vance.
25:50My apologies, Mrs. Vance.
25:50This is all a terrible misunderstanding.
25:52This is all a...
25:53A misunderstanding?
25:55A misunderstanding?
25:56There are no misunderstandings here.
25:58Anyone who touches Nora will pay a very steep price.
26:02She stared down Mrs. Sinclair, then shot a disgusted look at Liam's.
26:06Panic consumed Mrs. Sinclair.
26:08She scrambled to apologize and looked at me with desperate eyes.
26:12Nora, I'm so sorry.
26:14I lost my temper.
26:15I know I haven't been kind in the past.
26:18Please be the bigger person.
26:19Do not hold this against us.
26:21I was shocked.
26:22This was the same woman who refused to let me sit at her table.
26:26Now, she was groveling at my feet.
26:28Please.
26:29It was a reminder of the power the Vance family held.
26:32I looked at her without sympathy.
26:34I never thought I'd see the day you begged me for anything.
26:37She let out a nervous chuckle.
26:40I'm usually a very forgiving person.
26:43But when it comes to you, I hold a grudge.
26:47I linked my arm through Mrs. Vance's.
26:49Mom, let the lawyers handle the trash.
26:51Let's go home.
26:53Before we walked out, Julian turned to his legal team.
26:57If any judge, any cop, or any politician tries to cut them a deal behind closed doors,
27:02they go to war with the Vance family.
27:04Mrs. Sinclair didn't make a sound.
27:06The only thing echoing was Chloe's hysterical sobbing.
27:09I didn't mean to.
27:11Please.
27:11Give me another chance.
27:12I can't go to jail.
27:14Mrs. Sinclair, please help me.
27:16Mrs. Sinclair, please help me.
27:18A few days later, Mrs. Sinclair showed up at the Vance estate.
27:21She brought millions in luxury gifts and begged for a settlement.
27:24Liam was CEO of Sinclair.
27:26If he went to prison, not only would the company be left leaderless,
27:30but the scandal would completely destroy their stock.
27:32She was terrified of Julian destroying what was left.
27:36She was willing to surrender every ounce of her pride.
27:39Her legs finally gave out.
27:41I'll do whatever you want.
27:43Just tell Julian to back off.
27:46Please.
27:47Mrs. Vance looked down at her like she was nothing.
27:51Nora runs this house.
27:53If she forgives you, we forgive you.
27:55I sat next to Mrs. Vance.
27:57She squeezed my hand and gave me a warm smile.
28:00We'd been married almost three years,
28:02and she treated me like her own flesh and blood.
28:05She was honestly sweeter to me than to Julian.
28:08In my first marriage,
28:10Mrs. Sinclair treated me like garbage because I wasn't from a rich family.
28:14When I married Julian,
28:15I was terrified Mrs. Vance would do the same.
28:18Instead, she welcomed me with open arms.
28:21I asked her once why she was so good to me,
28:23and if she cared that I didn't come from old money.
28:25Why you do so good to me?
28:27Her answer was simple.
28:28I love Julian,
28:30and I've never seen him as happy as he is with you.
28:34You give him happiness.
28:36As his mother, I'm grateful to you for that.
28:39He is my only son.
28:41He's brilliant,
28:43and he's never made a wrong decision in his life.
28:47So I trust him completely.
28:49Mrs. Sinclair looked stunned.
28:51She couldn't believe I commanded this much power in the Vance Empire.
28:54Nora, I'm begging you.
28:55Please, give us one more chance.
28:58Let this go, and we'll do whatever you want.
29:00I knew Mrs. Sinclair.
29:02She was the most arrogant woman in the city.
29:05Begging at my feet was worse than swallowing glass for her.
29:08I looked down at her, my face expressionless.
29:10Liam and Chloe broke the law.
29:12Leo almost died because of them.
29:15You've been an elitist your entire life,
29:17and today you're groveling at my feet.
29:19Why?
29:20Because you're a mother,
29:22and a mother will do anything for her son.
29:24Well, I'm a mother too.
29:26So what makes you think I'd ever show mercy
29:28to the people who tried to kill my child?
29:30Tears streamed down her face.
29:32I'll go to prison instead.
29:34Please, take me.
29:36My son can't go to jail.
29:38I looked at my security detail.
29:41Throw her out.
29:42She tried to come back a few more times,
29:44but my guards tossed her off the property every time.
29:47Eventually, she gave up.
29:49Meanwhile, Julian moved fast.
29:51He launched a brutal corporate takeover
29:53even before the criminal trial started.
29:55He bought out Sinclair's biggest clients
29:58and poached their key executives.
29:59He poured endless resources into starving Liam's empire.
30:03Investors pulled out within weeks.
30:05Major contracts vanished.
30:07Sinclair Corporation bled out,
30:09and Liam was powerless to stop it.
30:11Three months later, the judge slammed the gavel.
30:14Liam was sentenced to two years in prison.
30:16Chloe was sentenced to four years.
30:18The security footage proved she was the one
30:20who forced the cat onto my son.
30:23By Liam's second month behind bars,
30:25Sinclair Corporation filed for bankruptcy.
30:28I gave birth to a healthy baby girl later that year.
30:31Julian and Mrs. Vance were overjoyed.
30:33They treated me like royalty,
30:34and my life was more perfect than I ever thought possible.
30:38I thought I was done with the Sinclair family forever.
30:40I was wrong.
30:42A few months later, I was walking out of the gym
30:44when a deranged woman lunged at me with a paring knife.
30:47Her eyes wide with madness.
30:49It was Mrs. Sinclair.
30:51You bitch!
30:52You ruined Liam!
30:54You destroyed our family!
30:55Thankfully, Julian had taught me self-defense.
30:58My reflexes kicked in.
31:00I dodged the first erratic slash
31:01and pinned her to the ground, disarming her.
31:04I called the police.
31:05She was convicted of attempted murder
31:07and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
31:09Julian tripled my security detail after that.
31:12We never took another risk.
31:15Five years later, I saw Liam one last time.
31:17He stood outside a high-end restaurant,
31:20desperately begging a venture capitalist
31:22for funding to rebuild his dead company.
31:24Julian and I were out for dinner
31:25with our two children when we crossed paths.
31:28The second he saw me, he froze.
31:30He just stood there, looking completely broken.
31:33I didn't even break my stride.
31:35I held my kids' hands and kept walking.
31:37Liam suddenly shouted,
31:38Julian!
31:40Everything you took from me
31:41I'm going to get it back!
31:44And that includes Nora!
31:46Julian didn't even turn his head.
31:47Neither did I.
31:49After all these years,
31:50Liam was still absolutely delusional.
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