- 3 hours ago
I Divorce the Billionaire Who Plays Poor
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I thought I was marrying a broke exile with nothing to his name but debt.
00:05I paid our rent, I covered our bills.
00:08I worked 16-hour days so he could pay down what he owed.
00:11When I wanted a 200-credit exoskeleton to make my shifts easier,
00:15he told me we couldn't afford it.
00:18Then I saw the news.
00:19His first love received a custom starship for her birthday.
00:254 million credits.
00:27My husband wasn't poor.
00:30He was an Imperial heir, and I was his joke.
00:34I was working in the night strip.
00:37The freight haul was done, so I sat on a cargo container scrolling through the galactic feed.
00:42Actress Serafina Novak receives Extragant birthday gift,
00:45custom Starblade warship worth 4 million credits.
00:48The photo showed a ship docked at the Imperial shipboards,
00:51its hull painted with Serafina's personal crest.
00:53In the corner of the frame, a man stood at the view at his back to the camera.
00:58I knew that back.
01:00Kazian Redfield, my husband.
01:02I'd been staring at that mole behind his ear for three years.
01:06I could pick him out of a crowd folder.
01:10A few weeks ago, the freight station gave out bonuses.
01:14I'd found a second-hand exo-zeleton rig for 200 credits.
01:17He said it was too expensive, told me not to waste money.
01:21200 versus 4 million.
01:23I turned off my comm and sat on that cargo container for a long time.
01:27The station lights bleached everything white,
01:29and in the distance, frayers rumbled in and out of the docks,
01:32their engines vibrating in my chest.
01:35I thought I was marrying a broke exile with nothing to his name but debt.
01:38I'd met Kazian in an anonymous chat channel.
01:41We talked for two months before he asked to meet in person.
01:44He told me he was an Imperial exiled, stripped of citizenship, drowning in syndicate debt.
01:50If he didn't pay up, they'd ship him to the border mines.
01:54He kept his head down when he talked.
01:56His voice was soft, like he was afraid of being overheard.
02:00I felt sorry for him.
02:02We never had a wedding,
02:04just registered as domestic partners at the administrative hub next to the freight station.
02:08I moved into the converted cargo container he rented in the outer settlement.
02:13I paid the rent, since his exile account was frozen by the Empire.
02:17Whatever money he made, if he made any, all went to paying down his debt.
02:22I hauled cargo during my day and worked the mess hall at night.
02:2616 hour shifts.
02:27By the time I got back to that cargo container, I could barely move my fingers.
02:33Sometimes he'd wait up for me and heat me up a cup of synthetic protein drink.
02:38Thank you for not giving up on me.
02:40When I get back on my feet, I'll give you the life you deserve.
02:45His eyes were red when he said it.
02:49Back then, I thought it was worth it.
02:52He was good looking, didn't drink or smoke, and he was kind to me.
02:56So what if we were broke? We'd get through it together.
02:59Looking back, I was probably the easiest mark he ever found.
03:03There were messages in the freight station group chat, but I didn't reply.
03:06I scrolled through my conversation with Cassian instead.
03:09His last message came two hours ago.
03:11Busy night on the freight routes.
03:13I'm going to run a few more hauls.
03:14Don't wait up, get some rest.
03:16He said he worked short-hauled interstellar freight.
03:18Old ships without autopilot.
03:21The kind of work that ground you down and paid next to nothing.
03:24I didn't sleep at all that night.
03:26He never came home.
03:28The next morning, I clocked out of the freight station and headed back to the settlement.
03:31That's when I saw a familiar figure climbing out of a black hover car.
03:35I ducked behind a stack of scrap containers.
03:37Cassian stepped out of that hover car.
03:39He wasn't wearing the patched work jacket I'd bought him anymore.
03:42He had on a tailored black coat, the kind of fabric I'd only ever seen on the freight station executives.
03:47Mr. Redfield, your protein drink and nutrition bars.
03:51Mr. Redfield, when I heard that name, my nails dug into my palms.
03:58Cassian took the bag and said something I couldn't hear.
04:01That's when another hover car pulled up.
04:03I knew the man who got out.
04:05CEO of Graham Industrial Group.
04:06Our freight station handled their contracts.
04:09I'd seen him once before.
04:10All the managers lined up to shake his hand.
04:12Friend of mine worked in his mining operation.
04:14She said he was one of the most powerful men in the sector.
04:17He walked up to Cassian and inclined his head slightly.
04:20Cassian gave him a nod.
04:21Barely glanced at him.
04:22My friend said her boss answered to no one in the outer sectors.
04:25But in front of Cassian he looked like an underling.
04:29Cassian messaged me after he got back to the container.
04:31I'm home, brought you a hot drink.
04:33I've got an early freight run today so I'm heading out.
04:35Don't forget to drink it.
04:36I stared at the word partner on my screen then closed my eyes.
04:39Go ahead, I've got to shift anyway.
04:41I sent back a simple emoji and turned off my comm.
04:44Then I messaged my supervisor that I was taking the day off.
04:47I wasn't going to work today.
04:48I was going to follow Cassian and find out where he really went every day.
04:51There was an abandoned loading platform across from the settlement.
04:54It had a perfect view of the main entrance.
04:56At noon, Cassian finally came out.
04:58He got into the black hover car.
05:00I pulled on a respirator mask, tugged my hood low, and flagged down a cargo taxi to follow.
05:06The hover car pulled up at an upscale restaurant, the kind where a single meal cost more than a month
05:10of my salary.
05:11When Cassian got out, the doors slid open automatically, and the maitre d' hurried out to greet him.
05:16I stood in the public concourse, pretending to wait for a shuttle.
05:19He went into a private booth with a group of young men.
05:21Through the gap in the door, I could see they were all in custom-tailored clothes, the kind you couldn't
05:25buy in the outer sectors.
05:27Cassian, you in those rags?
05:29That's hilarious!
05:30The heir to House Redford playing in exile!
05:33Kyle, how long are you planning to keep this up? Don't tell me you've actually fallen for that loader girl.
05:37Don't be ridiculous. Just a diversion. Something to pass the time.
05:41I told her I owed a few million in syndicate debt, and she actually believed me.
05:45Never met a woman so easy to fool.
05:48The booth erupted in laughter.
05:53I thought we were partners.
05:55Turns out I was just his entertainment.
05:58Even those three years of pretending to struggle together, that was all scripted.
06:03He wasn't in exile. He wasn't in debt.
06:06His family was one of the seven imperial dynasties.
06:08They controlled half the mining sect.
06:10The voices in the booth kept going.
06:11Hey, Serafina was thrilled about that ship you sent her.
06:14She wants to get back together.
06:15You think she'd lose it if she found out you're married?
06:17Serves her right.
06:18She's the one who dumped Cassian to chase her acting career in the Corps.
06:21None of you know the real reason he married that loader girl.
06:24It was to get back at Serafina.
06:26My knees went weak.
06:27I grabbed the wall to steady myself.
06:30He didn't love me.
06:32From the very beginning, I was just a tool to hurt another woman.
06:37Serafina Novak was his first love.
06:41Back then, his family didn't approve of her acting ambitions.
06:52So she left him.
06:57After that, Cassian decided all women were untrustworthy.
07:00He started cycling through partners like Clothes.
07:03And eventually he got married.
07:08Specifically to get back at Serafina.
07:12But he was afraid that showing his wealth would attract the wrong kind of attention.
07:16So he played poor and picked someone ordinary.
07:21I was that someone.
07:26Serafina was the one who hurt him.
07:28Not me.
07:29So why did I have to be the one whose dignity got trampled?
07:33Mr. Redfield, what if the loader finds out?
07:39Her?
07:40She's too busy hauling cargo to pay off my debt to worry about anything else.
07:45After work, she goes to the mess hall to earn extra credits.
07:49Comes home and cooks for me.
07:51Even if she finds out, it doesn't matter.
07:53She wants a divorce?
07:55She's not getting a single credit out of me.
07:57My face went white.
07:59Then Serafina walked in.
08:00She was wearing a flowing gown, her heels clicking on the floor.
08:03Everyone in the booth started fawning over her.
08:05A server came by with food, and the door swung open wider.
08:08I saw Serafina sitting next to Cassian, the two of them leaning close.
08:12She touched the star-shaped brooch at her collar, the one that matched the ship.
08:15I love the gift, Kacelian.
08:18The corner of his mouth lifted.
08:19Glad you like it.
08:21Four million credits for his first love.
08:23A whole warship handed over without a second thought.
08:25For me, a 200-credit second-hand exoskeleton rig was too much.
08:29I turned and walked away, my pace quickening until I was almost running outside.
08:35I crouched against a wall and buried my face in my knees.
08:38Three years.
08:41Freight station loaders get worn down.
08:43Bad backs.
08:44Bad knees.
08:44Every night I came back to that cargo container.
08:46My whole body ached.
08:47He said his back hurt, so I gave him the rehab fee I'd saved up for.
08:50He said he wanted decent food, so I brought him my meal allowances from the mess hall.
08:53So I sat there, watching him eat, while my own stomach groaned.
08:56I used the station-issued graph credit to buy him a decent coat for his freight runs.
09:01He called me resourceful.
09:04I wasn't resourceful.
09:05I was an idiot.
09:08By the time I got back to the container, it was dark.
09:15Cassata was in the kitchen corner.
09:16If you could call an induction burner and an old food synth a kitchen.
09:21Hey, dinner's almost ready.
09:24Got a good deal on synthetic protein packs today.
09:27Saved eight credits.
09:28Also, I sold the scrap parts I'd been collecting for a month.
09:31Made 60 credits.
09:33After groceries, there's five left.
09:38I closed my eyes.
09:40My chest felt tight.
09:41He really went all out for this act.
09:43Four dishes and a soup on the table before I would have run to him and called him the best
09:47partner in the world.
09:49Now, all I felt was disgust, remembering what I'd heard in that booth.
09:53I clenched my fists.
09:55He learned to cook for Serafina.
09:56But he told me he'd only started cooking after we got together.
10:00He said he grew up in the mining colonies.
10:03Always hungry.
10:04Always getting beaten up.
10:06I'd ached for him when he told me that.
10:09Every word was a lie.
10:11The tears came.
10:13Cassian put down his plate and hurried over.
10:16Worry on his face.
10:19What happened?
10:20Who upset you?
10:21Tell me.
10:23When I get back on my feet at the freight station anymore, I'll take care of you.
10:28He kept calling me dear.
10:30His handsome face full of concern.
10:33Like he actually loved me.
10:35Like he was anything but a fraud.
10:39Cassian?
10:41Do you love me?
10:43Of course I do.
10:44You're the most important person in my life.
10:46I looked into his eyes and remembered every word he'd said in that booth.
10:49Never met a woman so easy to fool.
10:51Just a diversion.
10:52Something to pass the time.
10:53Don't think I don't see what you're doing.
10:55He looked down on me.
10:56Thought I was worthless.
10:58He was a liar.
11:01He reached out to hold me.
11:04I stepped back and wiped my face.
11:06When I spoke, my voice was steady.
11:09Cassian, you're a hell of an actor.
11:12What are you talking about?
11:15I pulled out my comm and showed him the screen I'd saved last night.
11:20Mr. Redfield.
11:22Did you have fun yet?
11:23The smile froze on Cassian Redfield's face.
11:27Not a flicker.
11:28Not a twidge.
11:29It was a mask.
11:31Perfectly composed.
11:32Perfectly still.
11:33Whatever he'd felt for me.
11:35It had all been an act.
11:36This was the real him.
11:38Arrogant.
11:38Cold.
11:39Looking down on everything.
11:40You recognized me from a silhouette.
11:42You really are obsessed.
11:46Traitor.
11:48You don't deserve the word love.
11:50You're trash.
11:52Sign it.
11:53I pulled the separation agreement out of my bag and threw it at him.
11:56He picked it up, flipped through it.
11:59When he got to the last page, he stopped.
12:01I hadn't asked for anything.
12:03No credits.
12:04No assets.
12:05Nothing.
12:07Now that you know who I am, you want nothing?
12:12Just sign.
12:14I wasn't going to waste words on him.
12:17I just wanted him gone.
12:21Serafina, stop crying.
12:23I'm on my way.
12:24Cassian, sign first.
12:25No time.
12:34The door slid shut behind him.
12:36I stood in that cramped cargo container, cold spreading through my chest.
12:40He'd lied to me for three years.
12:42Used me.
12:43Not a word of apology.
12:45I wasn't asking for a separation and he couldn't even be bothered to look back.
12:49One call from Serafina and he was gone.
12:52That night, I packed up all his things and left them in the settlement's public storage.
12:56I messaged him to let him know.
12:58Told him I'd be at the administrative hub at nine tomorrow to finalize the separation.
13:03Nine o'clock came.
13:04I stood outside the hub for half an hour.
13:07He didn't show.
13:09I messaged him.
13:11No reply.
13:12Called.
13:13No answer.
13:14I was about to try again when a news alert popped up on my comm.
13:18Serafina Novak had been knocked down by an overzealic fan at an event in the Corps.
13:24Cassian had spent the entire night at her bedside.
13:29The public was full of people calling them the perfect match.
13:33He didn't deny anything.
13:35And we weren't even separated yet.
13:38That evening, I came back to the settlement and found Cassian sitting outside the cargo container.
13:44He was wearing an expensive coat, looking completely out of place.
13:48Get out.
13:50Don't be like this.
13:52Cancel your pass.
13:54Be at the admin hub tomorrow morning.
13:56Don't stand me up again.
13:59Come on, like you.
14:00A loader, outer sector resident.
14:02You're really going to walk away from someone like me?
14:04He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming.
14:07I stood there, nails digging into my palms.
14:10He really believed that.
14:12He thought being with him was some kind of privilege I should be grateful for.
14:15He was wrong.
14:18If I could go back and never meet you, I would.
14:22If you don't show up tomorrow, I'm filing an administrative application to dissolve this partnership myself.
14:29He saw I wasn't joking and his face hardened.
14:32What's wrong with you?
14:34Do you have any idea how many people in the Empire would kill for a chance with me?
14:37And you're asking for a separation?
14:40He was laughing at me, but I pitied him.
14:42He had no idea what love actually was.
14:44It had nothing to do with credits or dynasties.
14:47I would rather you were really that Detrin exile than a lying heir.
14:52I cared about you.
14:54But that person was fake.
14:56A character you made up.
14:59Not the real you.
15:00He didn't believe me.
15:02Don't act like you don't want this.
15:04You know how many people I could have chosen?
15:07The fact that I picked you should be grateful.
15:10Not everyone gets the chance to have me spend three years setting up something like this.
15:15You should be thanking me.
15:17That condescending look, I wanted to hit him, but I didn't.
15:20He wasn't worth it.
15:21I pointed to the door.
15:22Get out.
15:24Or I'm calling admin security.
15:27His face twisted.
15:28He stormed off.
15:30I hadn't told my mother about the separation.
15:32She'd raised me alone after my father died.
15:35It wasn't easy.
15:36I was afraid she'd take it hard.
15:38She was waiting outside the settlement the next morning, right before I left for work.
15:43I never expected Serafina Novak to show up at my door.
15:46Her eyes traveled over me, top to bottom, like I was something she'd scraped off her shoe.
15:53So you're the one.
15:55Odell Reynolds.
15:58You smell like the outer sects.
16:01She was wearing custom everything.
16:02I was in my work gear.
16:04Her superiority was practically dripping off her.
16:06Name your price.
16:08How much to dissolve the partnership?
16:11I didn't know what Cassian had told her, but it wasn't my job to explain.
16:16I tried to walk away.
16:17She grabbed my arm.
16:19I don't care what kind of scheme you ran to get Cassian to register with you.
16:23He's mine.
16:25Keep dragging this out, and you'll regret it.
16:27Whatever state my partnership with Cassian was in, legally, he was still my partner.
16:31She had no right.
16:32That's my business.
16:33She spat venom.
16:34Did your mother not teach you not to take what belongs to other people?
16:37I'm warning you.
16:39Dissolve it.
16:40Now.
16:42I slapped her.
16:43She could say whatever she wanted about me.
16:45Not about my mother.
16:46She clutched her cheek.
16:47For a second, fury flashed in her eyes.
16:50Then it shifted.
16:51Tears welled up.
16:52The perfect picture of wounded innocence.
16:54I'm sorry, Miss Reynolds.
16:56I didn't mean to upset you.
16:58That's when I realized she and Cassian were perfect for each other.
17:01Odite!
17:02What the hell is wrong with you?
17:04I turned.
17:05Cassian was striding toward us, face red with anger.
17:08So I slapped him too.
17:13If he hadn't lied to me for three years and refused to sign the separation papers,
17:17none of this would be happening.
17:20He froze.
17:21Golden Boy had clearly never been slapped before.
17:23Odite!
17:24I smiled.
17:25You asked what I was doing.
17:27That's what.
17:28Watching Cassian Redfield's face twist with fury,
17:30the pressure that had been building in the chest for days finally eased a little.
17:33He spat at me.
17:34You're insane.
17:35Good.
17:35Men like him didn't deserve kindness.
17:37Serafina Novak immediately wrapped herself around his arm, pouting.
17:40Cassian, don't be angry.
17:42She must just care about you too much to let go.
17:44She even called me a homewrecker.
17:49Cassian shot me a look.
17:52The one who isn't loved is the real homewrecker.
17:55I didn't even blink because I didn't care about him anymore.
17:57His words couldn't touch me.
17:58But that slap finally got him to agree to the separation.
18:01If I'd known violence was the answer, I would have done it years ago.
18:04The day I got the dissolution papers, I felt like I could breathe again.
18:08A failed partnership wasn't the end.
18:10What mattered was cutting your losses.
18:16Cassian transferred me 100,000 credits.
18:18He called it compensation.
18:20I laughed until I cried when I saw the amount.
18:22Three years.
18:23That was what I was worth to him.
18:25I didn't take it.
18:26Sent it back.
18:28You have to keep some dignity.
18:31I threw myself into work, saving up for a habitat of my own, somewhere I could bring my mother.
18:41One morning, a co-worker sidled up to me with gossip.
18:49Serafina had been exposed.
18:50She was a mining magnate's mistress.
18:52That was where all her resources came from.
18:53Her wealthy boyfriend had dumped her in a fury when he found out.
18:57I hadn't been following Cassian or Serafina's news.
19:00I figured they were together by now.
19:02The story was just idle chatter.
19:04None of my business.
19:04After work, I saw a man leaning against a hover car.
19:07Odite, let me give you a ride.
19:12I ignored him, face cold.
19:14Where did he get off showing up after months of silence?
19:18Serafina was done with him, so he remembered I existed.
19:22I wasn't anyone's backup.
19:25I started to walk away.
19:26He blocked my path.
19:29Still mad at me?
19:31I met his eyes.
19:33We're done.
19:35There's nothing to talk about.
19:37He turned on the lovesick act, the same one he'd used before.
19:42I was wrong.
19:44I'm sorry, Odell.
19:46After everything, I finally realized you're the one who actually cared about me.
19:49Let's register again.
19:51I watched him perform.
19:53All I felt was disgust.
19:54He thought I'd come running back the second he crooked his face.
19:58Come back with me.
19:59You'll live in my sector.
20:01I'll put your name on the deed.
20:03Monthly allowance.
20:04You won't have to haul cargo anymore.
20:06I stared at him, still thinking credits could buy anything.
20:09He mistook my silence for hesitation.
20:11Pressed harder.
20:13Think about it, Odell.
20:14This is your shot.
20:16Or you can rot in the outer sectors hauling scrap.
20:19He knew I'd always wanted to bring my mother out of the settlement.
20:23You're pathetic.
20:25The second I found out you were lying, I stopped caring about you.
20:29Get out of my way.
20:31I thought Cassian would finally disappear after that.
20:34He didn't.
20:35He showed up outside the freight station every day after my shift.
20:40Sent things to my workstation.
20:41Nutrition packs.
20:42Protein supplements.
20:44Even expensive Core Sector imports.
20:47My co-workers asked who was trying so hard to get my attention.
20:51I smiled and handed the stuff out to anyone who wanted it.
20:54A dead man.
20:56He started showing up at my settlement with gifts.
20:59I recognized the luxury packaging.
21:03I threw the whole box and the recycler in front of him.
21:06He looked pained.
21:08After that, the gifts stopped.
21:12Not long after the freight station announced layoffs,
21:14I was on the list.
21:16I decided to move back to my home settlement.
21:20Get away from Cassian for good.
21:22My mother didn't blame me when I told her about the separation.
21:25It's fate.
21:27He was never right for me.
21:29Leaving was the right choice.
21:31She worried I might be depressed.
21:33Cooked all my favorite meals.
21:35I gained five kilos in a week.
21:39I started looking for work and landed a position at a mining equipment design firm.
21:43I'd studied design in school but had never pursued it.
21:45I took the freight station job for stability.
21:49My new supervisor turned out to be my old classmate, Vincent Cross.
21:56He was the same as I remember.
21:58Quiet, steady, he put me in charge of a small mining operation overhaul.
22:01It kept me busy, but I liked the challenge.
22:04We got closer over time.
22:07Dinner after work sometimes.
22:09He never acted like my boss.
22:11Conversation was easy.
22:13My peace might have lasted if Cassian hadn't shown up again.
22:17This is why you turned me down?
22:19Then he sneered at Vincent.
22:22This is your competition?
22:23A small-time outer sector operator?
22:26He's not fit to clean my chutes.
22:28Fury burned through me.
22:30Don't talk about him like that.
22:32He's a thousand times the man you'll ever be.
22:34You're selfish.
22:35You're cruel.
22:37The only thing you have is credits.
22:40Cassian's face contorted.
22:42This is your last chance, Odile.
22:44Are you coming back or not?
22:45Even when he was begging for reconciliation,
22:47he acted like he was doing me a favor.
22:49Listen carefully.
22:51I will never take you back.
22:54He sneered.
22:57Don't pretend you weren't waiting for me.
22:59Who else would want someone like you?
23:01I had you for three years.
23:04Vincent's fist got out of his face before he could finish.
23:08You're trash.
23:09Cassian's lips split.
23:10He stared, stunned.
23:12You hit me.
23:13Vincent didn't answer.
23:14Just hit him again.
23:15Cassian had never been in a real fight in his life.
23:18Vincent had him pinned in seconds.
23:19Then I stomped on his hand.
23:21He howled.
23:22I dragged Vincent away.
23:23I pulled Vincent off before Cassian decided to retaliate later.
23:26I'm sorry.
23:28Let me get you something for him.
23:29It's fine.
23:30A couple days and it'll heal.
23:32I didn't say anything.
23:33Stared at the ground.
23:35If he bothers you again, tell me.
23:37I'll hit him again.
23:38It's not like he can get back.
23:39I laughed.
23:40Vincent grinned too.
23:42But Cassian still wouldn't quit.
23:43He showed up at my settlement.
23:46My mother chased him off with a clean drone.
23:50Then he started his old routine.
23:52Crouched outside my door, vowing to stay until I forgave him.
23:55I knew him too well.
23:56He didn't mean anything.
23:57I threw a bucket of water over him.
24:00Cassian Redfield went from smug to soaking in half a second.
24:03He stormed off, cursing.
24:08I thought I could finally breathe.
24:10Then my mother collapsed.
24:12The med station ran tests.
24:14Organ failure.
24:15She needed a transplant.
24:17The facilities in the outer sectors weren't enough.
24:19She'd have to go to the core.
24:20The cost was 500,000 credits.
24:23I didn't have that kind of money.
24:25But without it, what happened to her?
24:27I stood in the med station corridor not knowing what to do.
24:32When I looked up, Cassian was standing there.
24:39I'll give you the credits.
24:41On one condition, you come back to me.
24:44I clenched my fists, said nothing.
24:47You want to save your mother or not?
24:49Despair flooded through me.
24:50I didn't want to give in, but she was all I had.
24:53I opened my mouth to answer.
24:55I turned.
24:56Vincent Cross was striding toward me.
24:59Don't.
25:00I'll cover it.
25:02Cassian's face went dark.
25:05You again.
25:07Vincent pushed him aside and took my arm.
25:09Come on.
25:10Let's go pay.
25:11That was it.
25:12He covered the whole cost.
25:13I could barely speak.
25:15I'll pay you back.
25:16Every credit.
25:17He smiled.
25:18That's not what matters.
25:20Your mother's health comes first.
25:22Cassian was furious that I'd gotten the credits without coming back to him.
25:25He started sabotaging our projects, cutting off contracts, snapping supply chains with
25:30House Redfield's resources, crushing a small firm was easy.
25:33I knew what he was doing.
25:35He wanted me to come begging.
25:36I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction, but I felt guilty for dragging Vincent into it.
25:41He's targeting me.
25:43Maybe I should leave.
25:45If I go, the firm will be safe.
25:47It's fine.
25:48I started this firm for you.
25:50If it closes, it closes.
25:51What do you mean?
25:54He hesitated.
25:55Then he told me everything.
25:58He'd liked me since we were in school together.
26:00Never had the nerve to say anything.
26:02Then he heard I'd registered with someone and he decided to stay away, unless I was unhappy.
26:07When he found out I'd left Cassian, he decided to take his shot.
26:09He knew I liked design, so he started the firm.
26:12Made sure I got the interview.
26:14He hadn't planned to tell me.
26:15He didn't want me to feel obligated.
26:18He rubbed the back of his neck.
26:19My feelings are my business.
26:21You don't owe me anything.
26:24He paused.
26:28We'll figure out the firm.
26:29Don't worry.
26:30He turned to leave.
26:31I caught his arm.
26:33Vincent, let's fight for the firm.
26:36As for us, just give me a little time, okay?
26:41He met my eyes and nodded.
26:44It wasn't just about the firm.
26:45It was about building something new.
26:49But reality was brutal.
26:50Cassian was squeezing us from every angle.
26:58When I was about to give up, a core sector mining equipment conglomerate found my designs and reached out for
27:03collaboration.
27:06I took it.
27:07Luck had a way of finding people who worked hard.
27:13Cassian's reach didn't extend everywhere, and he had his own problems.
27:17His father was ousted in a family power struggle.
27:29Vincent's sincerity won me over.
27:31I agreed to be with him.
27:33Our firm grew.
27:34My designs won awards.
27:35I opened my own small studio.
27:36I finally bought a habitat of my own.
27:38Brought my mother to live with me.
27:40Three years later, Vincent...
27:54Yes.
27:56The object in his hand, I recognized it.
27:59A small mining equipment model he'd designed himself.
28:02The casing was engraved with a star chart.
28:04He'd spent months on it.
28:05Someone who actually cared about you didn't half-ass it.
28:09Vincent was never one for grand declarations.
28:11He showed how he felt through actions with him I felt safe.
28:15Later, I met up with some old co-workers from the freight station.
28:18They told me what had happened to Cassian.
28:20Turns out he wasn't a Redfield by blood.
28:22He'd been switched at birth at the Imperial Medical Center.
28:25His biological mother was a domestic worker in the Redfield household.
28:29When the truth came out, House Redfield disowned both of them.
28:33Cassian went from Imperial heir to a man without a house.
28:35He took a job in the mining colonies.
28:37Hauling freight.
28:38This time, he really was broke.
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