- 4 hours ago
Three at a Wedding, Two Lies HD
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00:01Nancy and I took part in a wedding reality show
00:03where 50 couples held live-streamed weddings at the same time.
00:06While he was downstairs taking on a challenge, I slipped out secretly.
00:09We wanted to become the first happy couple witnessed by the whole country.
00:12But to my shock, I ended up discovering his secret.
00:16Simon, you can't be serious.
00:17This is a live national TV wedding.
00:19You're going to use the chaos to marry Hazel's most hated sister?
00:22How do you think Hazel is going to take that?
00:25I froze.
00:26Then Simon sighed.
00:28What else am I supposed to do?
00:30My brother's been dead for three years,
00:31and my parents still hold Chloe responsible.
00:34If I marry her and make her a legal member of the family,
00:36they won't be able to keep going after her.
00:39As for Hazel, she and I have always been soulmates on a spiritual level.
00:43We don't need a marriage certificate.
00:45She wouldn't care about those formalities.
00:47The groomsmen still sounded uneasy.
00:48But you're forgetting what happened after your brother dumped Hazel for Chloe.
00:51Hazel nearly jumped into the river.
00:54It took you three years to pull her out of that darkness.
00:56If she finds out she's been robbed of a fiancé twice by her own half-sister,
01:01she'll lose her mind.
01:02Simon cut him off casually.
01:03This whole TV wedding is chaos by design.
01:06And at the final reveal,
01:07every bride will be under one of those thick, opaque veils.
01:11When the time comes,
01:12I'll just say I didn't recognize her.
01:14Besides,
01:15you all know I only got close to Hazel so Chloe could marry my brother smoothly.
01:20Now that he's gone,
01:21it's only right that I be the one to look after Chloe.
01:23Simon coldly turned to the other two men and said,
01:26You two go stand outside room 302.
01:28Don't let Hazel get out and make a scene.
01:30Once the license is signed and the broadcast is over,
01:33it'll be too late for my parents to object.
01:35At that,
01:35I just let out a quiet laugh.
01:37I went back to my room in silence,
01:39opened the group chat,
01:40and found the temporary match paired with Chloe today.
01:43Room 302 needs a groom?
01:45Interested?
01:46I set my phone down while the screen was still glowing.
01:49Hazel, lock the door!
01:51Now!
01:51Simon's already cleared the first challenge!
01:53My lips moved a little,
01:55but it wasn't really a smile.
01:56My friend Nora saw that I still hadn't moved and grabbed my arm.
02:00Come on, come on!
02:01Simon's already at the second round!
02:03When he gets up here,
02:04how are we to mess with him?
02:06No need to worry about that.
02:08I pulled my arm free.
02:09Nora blinked.
02:10What does that mean?
02:12I looked at her,
02:13my face gone cold.
02:14It means this wedding probably can't happen.
02:20She stared at me,
02:22confused.
02:22What happened?
02:23Haven't the two of you been waiting forever for this TV wedding?
02:27You worked so hard to get a slot.
02:29So how is it suddenly not happening?
02:31I didn't answer.
02:33Yeah.
02:33We had worked hard to get that slot.
02:35Three months ago,
02:36Simon put the application in front of me.
02:38He told me a TV station was holding a grand group wedding,
02:41signing live,
02:42witnessed by the whole internet.
02:43He said he'd stayed up for two straight nights just to secure us a place.
02:46He said if he was only getting married once in his life,
02:49it had to be grand.
02:50I hesitated.
02:51At the time,
02:52my mother had just been admitted to the ICU.
02:53She had always regretted never having a real wedding when she was young.
02:57Her mother died early,
02:58her family had no money,
02:59and they just got their marriage certificate.
03:01And that was it.
03:02She used to say she wanted to see me in a wedding dress someday,
03:04and personally place my hand in the groom's hand.
03:07I wanted her to have that.
03:08So I took the application form to her hospital room and showed her the fine print.
03:13Due to venue and broadcast restrictions,
03:16this TV wedding will not include a parent escort and handoff.
03:20My mother said it was fine.
03:21As long as she lived to see me get married,
03:23that was enough.
03:24But when she turned to the page with the ceremony flow,
03:27she stared at it for a long time.
03:29Then I won't be able to see you walk through the door in your wedding dress?
03:32I broke down crying in the hospital hallway.
03:35That same night,
03:36I said to Simon,
03:37Can we not do the TV wedding?
03:41Can't we just have something small
03:43so my mom can walk me in herself
03:45and give me to you from her wheelchair?
03:47Simon held me and said how hard it had been to get the slot
03:50that I needed to stop being stubborn.
03:52He said the wedding would be broadcast nationwide,
03:54and my mother could watch it from the TV in her hospital room just the same.
03:58I said it wasn't the same.
03:59He said that once he found me,
04:01we could video call my mother,
04:02and it would be just as good.
04:03I didn't argue anymore,
04:05because when he said that,
04:06his eyes were red.
04:07He told me he wanted so much to give me the grandest wedding.
04:10I believed him.
04:12Later, my mother's condition worsened,
04:14and she was moved to respiratory care.
04:16On the last day,
04:17she was fully lucid.
04:18She held my hand.
04:19Mom's never going to get to see you in your wedding dress.
04:22I told her.
04:24You will.
04:26It's gonna be on TV.
04:28Just make sure the nurse turns it to the right channel.
04:31She said okay.
04:32But today,
04:34my fiancé said,
04:35As for Hazel,
04:36she and I have always been soulmates on a spiritual level.
04:39We don't need marriage.
04:41She won't care about something as superficial as that.
04:43My mother was lying in a hospital bed,
04:45waiting in front of the television.
04:47And she had no idea her daughter didn't even deserve a marriage certificate.
04:53Suddenly,
04:54more footsteps sounded in the hallway outside.
04:56Nora leaned out to check and tensed at once.
04:58That's weird.
04:59Why are there only two groomsmen?
05:00Where's Simon?
05:01She turned back to look at me,
05:02completely confused.
05:03The challenges are over.
05:04Shouldn't he be running upstairs to find you first by now?
05:06I let out a small laugh.
05:07Nora,
05:08when the groom gets here,
05:10don't make it too hard on him.
05:11Nora blinked,
05:12then covered her mouth and laughed.
05:14Got it, got it.
05:15I knew you'd go soft on Simon.
05:17Fine.
05:18Since he spent three years chasing you,
05:21I'll tell the bridesmaids not to be too hard on him.
05:24At most,
05:25we'll make him do 20 puss-ups.
05:27As she spoke,
05:28she picked up her phone
05:29and sent a message to the other bridesmaids waiting outside.
05:33The bride says,
05:34don't be too brutal.
05:35Save him some face.
05:37The corner of my mouth lifted slightly,
05:39but I said nothing.
05:40Under normal circumstances,
05:41this would have been such a sweet moment.
05:43After sending the message,
05:44Nora came over and looped her arm through mine.
05:46Seriously,
05:47Simon must look incredible today.
05:50You've been together for three years,
05:51and he's barely even held your hand.
05:54Now you're about to be legally married?
05:57Aren't you nervous?
05:58No,
05:58I said.
05:59Nora laughed.
06:00You liar.
06:03Your lips are white.
06:05Just then,
06:05my phone started vibrating.
06:07It was my mother.
06:08She'd made a point of video calling me.
06:10She had just finished chemo.
06:12All her hair was gone.
06:13Her face was pale and yellow,
06:15but she was smiling so brightly.
06:17My beautiful girl.
06:19You look so lovely today.
06:21I'm watching the broadcast.
06:24Simon's working so hard to get through all those games
06:27just so he can marry you,
06:29so don't be too hard on him, all right?
06:31I forced a dry little laugh and nodded.
06:34My mother kept smiling.
06:35I can't wait to see the two of you sign.
06:37A nurse came in to change her medication
06:39and glanced at the screen.
06:40Oh,
06:41madam,
06:42your daughter is one of the brides today?
06:43She is.
06:45Fifty couples are getting married live on television today,
06:48and my daughter is one of them.
06:50My mother's voice was weak,
06:52but she could not hide how happy she was.
06:53My son-in-law is a good man.
06:55In all these years,
06:56he's never given me a single reason to worry.
06:58He's been so good to my daughter.
06:59I tightened my grip on the phone until my nails dug into my palm.
07:02She had no idea.
07:04The man who had chased me for three years,
07:06loved me for three years,
07:07and did everything he could to get me into this TV wedding,
07:10had only done it so he could use the chaos to marry Chloe,
07:12the half-sister my mother hated.
07:14Once, Chloe's mother stole my mother's husband.
07:16Now, Chloe was stealing my fiancé, too.
07:18For the second time,
07:19I took a deep breath and smiled at the screen.
07:22Okay, Mom.
07:23The signal's getting bad.
07:24I'll call you again after we sign.
07:26After I hung up,
07:27Nora stepped in to adjust the thick white veil
07:29they'd given me for the final reveal.
07:30Honestly, a group wedding isn't so bad.
07:33It's less exhausting,
07:34and it's being broadcast nationwide.
07:36She smiled and added,
07:37Your mom has to be thrilled.
07:39This probably helped her feel a little better already.
07:41She went over to the window
07:42and looked outside for a while.
07:43When she came back,
07:44she was muttering under her breath,
07:45What is taking Simon so long?
07:48The other rooms have all been picked up already.
07:51The host downstairs is already calling couple 28.
07:55She turned around,
07:56picked up a piece of candy from the table,
07:58unwrapped it,
07:58and popped it into her mouth.
08:00But seriously,
08:01who would have thought three years ago
08:02that you'd actually end up marrying him?
08:04I didn't answer.
08:05Nora chewed slowly,
08:06her gaze drifting.
08:07Back then,
08:07after his brother Mark hurt you like that,
08:09I was terrified.
08:10That bastard Mark really knew
08:12how to play the perfect man.
08:14When he was with you,
08:15he acted like he'd pull the stars
08:16out of the sky for you.
08:18We all thought the two of you
08:19were absolutely going to get married.
08:20As she spoke,
08:21her voice grew heavier.
08:22And then Chloe came out of nowhere.
08:24My fingers curled slightly.
08:25Chloe,
08:26I hadn't heard anyone say that name out loud
08:28in a long time.
08:29Six months after Simon and I started dating,
08:31he finally took me to meet his family.
08:33That was when I learned that Mark was his brother.
08:35And the woman who had once destroyed my relationship,
08:37my half-sister Chloe,
08:39was already married to him.
08:40I was shaking all over
08:41and turned to leave.
08:43Simon grabbed my hand and held on tight,
08:45his voice trembling.
08:46Hazel, give me a chance.
08:47I'll spend the rest of my life treating you right.
08:51Please, let the past stay in the past.
08:54I struggled with it for a long time.
08:56Every time I saw Mark and Chloe,
08:58my stomach turned.
08:59But Simon really had been good to me.
09:01He never forced me to be friendly with them.
09:03He helped block drinks for me
09:05and got me out of awkward situations.
09:07As long as he was there,
09:09Mark and Chloe never even got the chance
09:11to come near me.
09:12He always said,
09:14If you don't want to deal with them,
09:16then don't.
09:16They have nothing to do with you.
09:18But I didn't want to make things harder for him.
09:21He and Mark were family.
09:23Of course, there would be holidays,
09:25dinners,
09:26and occasions we couldn't avoid.
09:27And the better Simon was to me,
09:29the more guilty I felt
09:30for not being able to let the past go.
09:33I wrestled with it for over half a year.
09:36Then one day,
09:37at a family dinner,
09:37I picked up my wine glass,
09:39looked at Chloe,
09:40and forced a smile.
09:41Here's to you.
09:41Under the table,
09:43Simon squeezed my hand so tightly,
09:45his eyes turned red.
09:46After that,
09:46I let it go.
09:48But barely a few months later,
09:50Mark was killed in a car crash,
09:52and Chloe became a widow.
09:54I really didn't want to bring all this up
09:56on your big day,
09:57Nora said with a cold little laugh,
09:59cutting through my thoughts.
10:00It seriously makes me sick.
10:02My fiancé and I couldn't even get a spot
10:04in this wedding.
10:05How could someone so notorious get in,
10:08and the man-man marrying her
10:09is Simon's college roommate,
10:10Luke,
10:11the one who just got back to the States.
10:13Honestly,
10:14what is it with men?
10:15Why do they always fall for girls
10:17who wreck other people's relationships?
10:19The angrier she got,
10:20the more tightly she crushed
10:21the candy wrapper in her hand.
10:23When you were engaged to Mark,
10:24he left you standing there
10:26in front of both families,
10:27just because Chloe said
10:29she wasn't feeling well
10:30and needed him to take care of her.
10:32And what did that turn into?
10:35He took care of her
10:36all the way into bed!
10:37By then,
10:38Nora's voice was starting to break.
10:40That night,
10:41you went down to the river
10:43all by yourself?
10:44I lowered my eyes.
10:46My lashes trembled.
10:47If Simon hadn't jumped in after you
10:49and drugged you back out!
10:51She couldn't finish.
10:53She wiped at her eyes hard,
10:55and I handed her a tissue.
10:57Nora took it
10:58and forced a shaky smile.
11:00Simon!
11:03He was soaked through,
11:05shivering,
11:05his lips nearly purple from the cold,
11:07and he just squatted there,
11:08telling you,
11:09Don't be afraid.
11:11I'm with you.
11:13How could someone who barely knew you
11:15be that gentle with you?
11:16As she went on,
11:17her tone lightened again,
11:19carrying that quiet relief
11:20of someone who had made it
11:21through the worst.
11:22He told you he understood.
11:24He said he knew what it was like
11:25to be lied to
11:26and that he'd spend the rest of his life
11:28rest of you heal.
11:30You know,
11:31you were scary thin back then.
11:34You barely spoke to anyone
11:35and you wouldn't even eat
11:36unless he stayed with you.
11:38Nora twisted the tissue
11:39into a ball.
11:41We all thought God
11:41had sent him to save you.
11:43He spent three years pursuing you
11:44and couldn't even bear
11:45to touch your hand.
11:46Honestly,
11:47we even joked in private
11:48that maybe there was something
11:49wrong with his body.
11:51But now that I think about,
11:53what man could go that far
11:54unless he truly loved someone?
11:56By the time she said
11:56the last two words,
11:57her eyes had gone red again.
12:00I lifted my head
12:01and looked out the window.
12:02Then,
12:03I let out a quiet laugh.
12:05He doesn't love me.
12:08Nora went still.
12:09What did you just say?
12:10I forced a smile,
12:11but it came out ugly.
12:12He only got close to me
12:13so Chloe could marry Mark
12:14without any trouble.
12:16Nora froze.
12:17What do you mean?
12:18I looked at her
12:19and suddenly felt
12:20there was no point
12:21in saying more.
12:22Today was supposed
12:22to be a happy day.
12:23There was no need
12:24to ruin it for her too.
12:25All Nora ever saw
12:26was Simon saving me
12:27and treating me well.
12:28She never saw the way
12:28he treated Chloe differently.
12:30How I kept letting it slide
12:31again and again for years.
12:33That was my pain to carry,
12:34not Nora's.
12:35I should have seen it
12:36in the way he would go out
12:37late at night
12:37again and again
12:38to take Chloe's calls.
12:40In the way he kept asking me
12:41to be understanding
12:42because she was alone.
12:44In the way he would still
12:45eat with Chloe first
12:46and celebrate with me
12:47after on my birthdays
12:48and anniversaries.
12:49I should have woken up
12:50a long time ago.
12:52But I couldn't let go
12:53of the man
12:53who once pulled me
12:54out of hell.
12:55Nora stared at me,
12:56her eyes red.
12:57You always tell me
12:58the good parts
12:58and keep the rest
12:59to yourself.
13:00What happened?
13:02Don't think I didn't notice?
13:04Sometimes the way
13:05Simon treated Chloe
13:06just didn't feel right.
13:08I asked you about it before.
13:10Every time you said,
13:11it's fine,
13:12she's my sister
13:12and she's going to be
13:14Simon's sister-in-law.
13:15Of course he should
13:16look out for her.
13:17So I didn't push
13:18any further.
13:19She sniffed,
13:20her voice starting
13:20to shake her.
13:21of my mind.
13:22Then the day he proposed,
13:23he got down on one knee
13:25in the plaza
13:25outside your office.
13:27The ground was covered
13:27in roses
13:28and by the time
13:29he called your name,
13:30his voice was already horsey.
13:32All I could think was,
13:33how could a man like that
13:35not love you?
13:35As she spoke,
13:36Nora ended up smiling
13:37through her tears.
13:38So I guess none of that
13:39matters now.
13:41My Hazel is finally
13:43marrying the man she loves.
13:45The moment she finished,
13:46laughter and excited voices
13:47rose outside the door.
13:48Groom's here!
13:49Nora's eyes lit up instantly.
13:51She wiped away her tears
13:52and broke into a smile.
13:53Simon's here!
13:54Hurry!
13:55Sit still!
13:57Pull your veil down!
13:59Don't let him see you yet!
14:01Oh no!
14:02Did I smudge my makeup?
14:03I watched Nora rush around
14:05but I didn't move.
14:06She was smiling.
14:07I was smiling too.
14:08She was smiling
14:08because she thought
14:09Simon had finally come for me.
14:11I was smiling
14:11because the groom
14:12had finally arrived.
14:14The moment the door opened,
14:16Nora's smile froze.
14:17It wasn't Simon.
14:17Outside, the bridesmaids
14:18hired for the show
14:19were still laughing.
14:20Make the groom earn it!
14:21Come on!
14:22Sing for her!
14:22They didn't know Simon.
14:23They just assumed
14:24the man at the door
14:24was the groom for this room.
14:25But Nora knew.
14:27She turned to me so fast
14:29it was almost jarring.
14:30Her eyes reddened instantly.
14:32Confusion.
14:33Panic.
14:34And beneath both,
14:35a flicker of despair
14:36like she had already
14:38guessed the truth.
14:39I reached for her hand
14:40and gave it a light squeeze.
14:42Tears spilled down her face
14:44at once
14:45but she didn't ask why.
14:46Maybe it was because
14:47of what I had told her earlier.
14:48He only got close to me
14:49so Chloe could marry Mark
14:51without any trouble.
14:52Or maybe it was because
14:53I sat there so calmly
14:54under my veil
14:55that she understood everything
14:56without another word.
14:58Nora bit down on her lip
14:59and stepped aside.
15:00Then she waved at the groom.
15:01He walked in without a word,
15:03took my hand,
15:03and led me out.
15:05The hallway was quiet.
15:06Every other bride
15:06had already been brought out
15:07in laughter and noise.
15:08Only suite 302 was different.
15:10The bride was let out in silence
15:11by a man she had never met.
15:13By the time we reached the lawn,
15:1450 brides in white veils
15:16were already standing
15:17in five neat rows.
15:18The emcee lifted the microphone.
15:20All right,
15:21the last couple is in place.
15:22All 50 couples are here.
15:24Now it's time for the vows.
15:25Simon,
15:26who was talking
15:27and laughing with Chloe,
15:28frowned
15:28the second he heard
15:29all 50 couples.
15:31Wait!
15:32The host paused.
15:34The microphone held in midair.
15:35Simon frowned,
15:36his gaze sweeping
15:36from the front row
15:37and back again.
15:38The heavy veil hid the face,
15:39but something felt off.
15:40The best man beside him
15:42immediately ran over.
15:43Simon,
15:43the producer said
15:44we can't start the Grodkaskin
15:46without 50 couples.
15:47Luke said to just find
15:48any woman to pair up.
15:49Simon's frown eased.
15:50The best man could tell
15:51what he was thinking
15:52and hurried to reassure him.
15:54We've got two of the guys
15:55watching Hazel over there.
15:56She won't be able to get out.
15:58As for you,
15:59don't slow everyone down.
16:00Just get the vows over with
16:02and sign the marriage license.
16:03Simon nodded.
16:04Chloe tugged his sleeve
16:05from beside him.
16:08Simon,
16:08what's wrong?
16:10Nothing.
16:11His voice softened.
16:12Then he raised his hand
16:13to the host.
16:13It's fine.
16:14Continue.
16:15The host breathed out
16:16and lifted the microphone again.
16:18All grooms,
16:19please take your bride's hand.
16:21Fifty pairs of hands
16:22clasped at once.
16:23Grooms,
16:23face your brides.
16:24Simon turned to face Chloe.
16:26Lift the veil.
16:28Chloe smiled at him shyly,
16:29looking demure and lovely.
16:30He forced a smile
16:31and followed the host's words.
16:32I vow from this day forward,
16:35whether in poverty or in wealth.
16:37Whether in poverty or in wealth.
16:39The only flaw was that
16:41the face beneath the veil
16:42wasn't the one he had in his heart.
16:44After all,
16:45that was the person
16:46he'd poured his idealized affections into.
16:48Pure,
16:49unblemished,
16:50someone who didn't need
16:51a marriage certificate.
16:52The woman before him
16:53was different.
16:55With her,
16:56he only intended
16:57to give a legal status.
16:59In sickness and in health.
17:01After saying the final line,
17:03Simon inexplicably turned his head
17:05and glanced again
17:06at the last row.
17:07Luke had his head down,
17:08talking to the bride beside him.
17:10Chloe laughed
17:10and tugged him again.
17:12What are you thinking?
17:13It's time to go to the signing table.
17:15Simon drew his gaze back.
17:17Yeah.
17:18He took Chloe's hand
17:19and they moved forward.
17:20The fifty couples
17:21formed a long line
17:23and,
17:24in a grand procession,
17:26walked toward
17:26the registrar's signing table.
17:28Staff checked IDs,
17:30stamped,
17:30and signed.
17:31When it was Simon's turn,
17:33the official took his
17:34and Chloe's documents
17:35and said,
17:36Sign here.
17:37The moment the stamp came down,
17:39Simon felt an emptiness inside.
17:41He couldn't say why.
17:42He had prepared for this moment
17:44for three months.
17:45For those three months,
17:46he'd been coaxing Hazel
17:48every day,
17:48saying he wanted to give her
17:49an unforgettable wedding,
17:51that having the signing streamed
17:52on TV would be memorable,
17:53that she didn't need to worry
17:54about anything
17:55because he would arrange it all.
17:56Even though the televised wedding
17:57required everyone
17:58to dress the same,
18:00he still took her
18:00to try on wedding dresses,
18:02picked out a diamond for her,
18:04letting her still have the right
18:05every girl deserves
18:06to a wedding.
18:07For a moment,
18:08he nearly convinced himself
18:09he was truly going to walk
18:11down the aisle
18:12with Hazel today.
18:13Just now,
18:13as the stamp fell,
18:14the woman opposite him,
18:15Chloe,
18:16had pulled him back to reality.
18:17He drew a deep breath
18:18and told himself,
18:19the purpose was achieved.
18:21From today on,
18:22Chloe would no longer be berated
18:23by her parents
18:24as someone who brings bad luck.
18:26Her parents had said
18:27she must leave the city
18:28and be barred from enjoying
18:29any of the Davis family's resources
18:31or else they would make her penniless
18:32and force her out
18:33of their social circle.
18:35With a legal marriage certificate,
18:36he could exchange for her
18:37staying safe in the family.
18:38And it was also a rebuke
18:40to her parents.
18:41Chloe took the marriage certificate,
18:42eyes red,
18:43and said,
18:44Simon, today on,
18:45I am your wife.
18:45Simon smiled
18:46and wiped her tears away.
18:48Why cry?
18:48This is the security
18:50I promised you.
18:52From now on,
18:53you're the Davis family's
18:54lawful wife.
18:55No one will dare
18:56treat you badly.
18:57Chloe forced a smile
18:57through her tears.
18:59They talked a little longer.
19:00Simon instructed her
19:01how to explain things
19:02to her parents,
19:03and Chloe agreed
19:04to each point.
19:06Then,
19:06out of the corner of his eye,
19:08something not far off
19:09caught his attention,
19:10and he suddenly froze.
19:12Luke was leading
19:13the killer bride
19:14they'd found
19:15to make up the numbers
19:16toward the signing table.
19:18Weren't they just
19:19going to find someone
19:19to fill the spot
19:20and make up 50 couples?
19:21Why are they signing
19:22legal papers, too?
19:23Once that signature goes down,
19:25Luke will actually be married.
19:26Simon found himself
19:27taking an involuntary
19:28step forward.
19:29Chloe caught his arm
19:30just in time.
19:31Who's Luke's bride?
19:32She asked.
19:33All the brides wore
19:33the official gowns,
19:34their faces hidden.
19:35Even Simon couldn't
19:36tell who it was.
19:37Probably someone
19:38the production arranged
19:39at random.
19:40He said dismissively.
19:40Luke's just filling a slot.
19:42I hope he doesn't get
19:43carried away
19:43and take it seriously.
19:45Chloe smiled,
19:45covering her mouth,
19:46a faint blush
19:47on her cheeks.
19:47We should be grateful
19:48he helped.
19:49The others were too scared
19:50of your parents' retaliation
19:51to sign up for
19:52the televizized wedding.
19:53Her voice softened.
19:54If he really hits it off
19:55with that girl,
19:56that's good, too.
19:57Love needs a little impulse, right?
19:59She lowered her head a little,
20:00waiting for Simon to reply,
20:01but his thoughts
20:02were already far away.
20:03The night Hazel stood
20:04by the river,
20:04when he rescued her,
20:05he'd acted on impulse.
20:06At that time,
20:07his whole heart and eyes
20:08were on Chloe.
20:09He hated his brother Mark
20:10for usurping love,
20:11but he couldn't hate
20:11the woman he loved.
20:12He only wanted her
20:13to be happy.
20:14When Mark and Hazel
20:15got engaged,
20:16he thought he finally
20:17had a chance.
20:18But at the last minute,
20:19the groom abandoned
20:20the bride to go after Chloe.
20:22Seeing Hazel fall
20:23into the water,
20:24a lightning-fast thought
20:25crossed his mind.
20:26If Hazel were saved
20:27by him
20:27and loved by him,
20:29she wouldn't pursue Mark,
20:30and Chloe could quietly
20:31marry into the Davis family.
20:32If they lived under
20:33the same family roof,
20:34that would be another
20:35kind of fulfillment.
20:36He told himself
20:37their beginning
20:37was just a scheme,
20:38a favor granted.
20:39But once,
20:40when Hazel fell asleep
20:41on his shoulder,
20:42he sat there for more
20:43than an hour without moving,
20:44afraid to wake her.
20:45In that moment,
20:46a voice in him said,
20:47this is enough.
20:48A lifetime like this
20:49would be fine.
20:50He was grateful
20:51for that impulsive moment.
20:53No matter the motive,
20:54at least it had brought
20:55him to Hazel.
20:56He never expected
20:57Mark to die so soon.
20:58A traffic accident
20:59gone in an instant.
21:00Overnight,
21:01Chloe became a widow,
21:02and her parents
21:02poured their grief
21:03out on her,
21:04calling her a jinx.
21:05Chloe,
21:05eyes rimmed with red,
21:06begged him.
21:08Simon,
21:08please help me.
21:09Simon came back
21:10to himself
21:10and found Chloe
21:11watching him.
21:12He took her hand.
21:13Let's go.
21:14We'll get out first.
21:16Chloe pressed her lips
21:17together and said
21:18nothing more.
21:18She followed him
21:19toward the exit.
21:20Just as they stepped
21:21out of the hall,
21:22a voice called over.
21:23Simon,
21:23bad news.
21:25Simon suddenly raised
21:26his hand and clapped
21:27his palm over
21:27the best man's mouth.
21:28He glanced at the
21:29nearby broadcast camera.
21:31Keep it down.
21:32The live feed's still on.
21:33The man swallowed
21:34the words back.
21:34Simon let go,
21:35stepped to the side
21:36to block the lens
21:37and said,
21:37Speak.
21:38Simon.
21:39The other's voice trembled.
21:40Your bride ran off.
21:42Nora isn't in her room either.
21:44Simon frowned
21:44but kept his composure.
21:46What happened?
21:47No sooner had the words
21:48left his mouth
21:49than the host's voice
21:49came over the plaza
21:50loudspeakers.
21:52Congratulations
21:52to the 50th couple
21:54on a successful signing.
21:57Now all newlyweds,
21:58please gather
21:59on the central lawn.
22:00Applause and cheers
22:01surged from every direction.
22:03Simon lifted his head.
22:04For some reason
22:05it felt like he'd been stabbed.
22:06The best man
22:07who'd been posted
22:07at the door of room 302
22:09looked close to tears.
22:10Simon, the two of us
22:11were standing guard
22:12at 302's door.
22:13Someone knocked us out
22:14from behind.
22:14When we came to,
22:16everyone was gone.
22:17Simon froze for a second,
22:18then his expression hardened.
22:20She must have found out.
22:21The best man's eyes widened.
22:23What do we do?
22:25What can we do?
22:26Simon straightened his bow tie,
22:28expressionless.
22:28I always expected
22:29she'd react like this.
22:32She seems docile,
22:33but she's stubborn
22:34through and through.
22:35Let her calm down first.
22:36In the past,
22:37whenever I paid
22:37a little more attention
22:38to Chloe,
22:39Hazel would show her displeasure.
22:40Even if she didn't say it
22:41aloud, I could tell.
22:42That's why I didn't ask
22:43Hazel to cooperate
22:44and marry me outright
22:45to trick her parents.
22:46She would never agree.
22:47This reality show wedding
22:48was an opportunity.
22:49Now that she discovered
22:50she'd been swapped,
22:51of course she'd be angry.
22:52But once she'd finished
22:54throwing a fit,
22:55I was confident
22:56he could soothe her.
22:57Three years ago,
22:58when she was pulled
22:59from the river
22:59and trembling in my arms,
23:01I stayed with her
23:02through the worst.
23:03I took her to restaurants,
23:05went with her to therapists,
23:07helped her regain
23:08a healthy weight.
23:09Every one of her friends
23:10knew me.
23:10Her mother treated me
23:11like a son.
23:13When she was hospitalized,
23:14she listened to no one
23:15but me.
23:16Let her be upset,
23:17just not in front of the cameras
23:18and spoil the plan.
23:19Afterwards,
23:20I had a hundred ways
23:21to make it up to her.
23:22Simon turned to look
23:23at the lively crowd
23:24on the lawn.
23:25For some reason,
23:26he felt something was wrong,
23:27though he couldn't say why.
23:29He pushed the unease aside,
23:30gave Chloe a gentle smile,
23:32and said,
23:33Come on,
23:33let's go say hello to Luke.
23:35Chloe grabbed his arm.
23:37Simon,
23:37I just saw Luke.
23:39I think he's already la-
23:40Simon frowned.
23:41They hadn't seen each other
23:42in years.
23:42He'd been hoping to catch up
23:43while they had the chance.
23:45He stopped a nearby staff member.
23:46Aren't we doing
23:47the big group photo?
23:48How can we take it
23:48missing a couple?
23:49The staff checked the list
23:50and looked up.
23:51Oh,
23:52Mr. Luke's pair
23:53left early for a reason.
23:54They said the bride's mother
23:55had an emergency,
23:56a life-or-death situation,
23:57so the producers
23:58made a special allowance
23:59for them to go.
24:00A sudden pang
24:01tightened in Simon's chest.
24:02He couldn't help
24:03thinking of my mother,
24:04the woman lying
24:05in a hospital bed,
24:06hair gone,
24:06counting the days.
24:07She must be watching
24:08the broadcast,
24:09waiting to see
24:10her daughter sign.
24:10If she saw her chosen
24:12son-in-law vow
24:13and marry another woman,
24:14could she bear it?
24:15Simon's hand clenched
24:16without his realizing it.
24:17Chloe stepped closer,
24:19smiling.
24:19Looks like Luke
24:20and that girl
24:20are serious.
24:22Just married
24:22and rushing off
24:23to see her mother.
24:24We should give them
24:25a big present.
24:26Simon said nothing.
24:28Chloe moved even closer.
24:29Come on,
24:30let's go take
24:30the group photo.
24:31Her eyes sparkled
24:32as she waited
24:32for him to nod.
24:33Simon finally turned,
24:35glanced at Chloe,
24:35then at the dozens
24:36of couples gathering
24:37on the lawn,
24:38a sea of white veils
24:39festive and jubilant.
24:40His plan was proceeding
24:41smoothly,
24:41the signature was done,
24:42and the whole nation
24:43had watched the broadcast.
24:44Even if his parents
24:45wanted to oppose it,
24:47it would be too late.
24:49As for the group photo,
24:50Simon took a deep breath
24:51and suddenly said,
24:53Not doing it.
24:55I'm going to the hospital first.
24:58Chloe immediately realized
24:59what he meant
24:59and grabbed his arm.
25:00I'll go with you.
25:01What for?
25:02I'm worried about you.
25:03Chloe's voice softened.
25:03If you go alone
25:04and Auntie gets angry
25:05and scolds you,
25:06what will you do?
25:07I'll come so I can
25:08help explain a bit.
25:09Besides,
25:10today's mess
25:12started because of me.
25:13I should go apologize
25:14to Auntie.
25:15Simon hesitated
25:16for two seconds,
25:17then didn't refuse.
25:18The car sped off.
25:19Simon drove fast.
25:20Over the years,
25:21he'd learned Hazel's temper.
25:22When hurt,
25:22she never made a scene.
25:24She'd sneak off
25:24to her mother's side.
25:25This time,
25:26he hadn't told her
25:26and had swapped brides.
25:28She'd probably be bawling.
25:29He'd already packed
25:30the jewelry and bouquet
25:31in the trunk
25:31for an apology.
25:32Going straight to the hospital
25:33was most convenient.
25:35They stopped
25:35under the hospital.
25:36Simon took a deep breath
25:38and got out.
25:40On the floor
25:40with Hazel's mother's ward,
25:42he rounded a corner
25:42and came to a sudden halt.
25:44Luke was leaning
25:45against the wall
25:45by the ward door,
25:46peeling an apple.
25:47Simon froze.
25:49Luke,
25:49what are you doing here?
25:51Luke looked up at him
25:52but kept peeling.
25:54My mom said
25:55she wanted to see me,
25:56so I came.
25:57Simon felt his head explode.
25:58Mom?
26:00Luke's mom?
26:01Something in his mind
26:01began to click together,
26:03bit by bit.
26:05Chloe smiled
26:05and greeted Luke.
26:06Luke,
26:07what a coincidence.
26:08Thanks for helping today.
26:09By the way,
26:10who were you paired with?
26:11We didn't get a chance
26:11to ask before you left.
26:12Luke said nothing
26:13and kept his head down,
26:14continuing to peel the apple.
26:15The smile on Chloe's face
26:17began to falter.
26:17He said he was helping
26:18but had been cold to her
26:20the whole time.
26:20She almost started
26:21to doubt her own charm.
26:22Just as she was about
26:23to ask again,
26:24the ward door,
26:24slightly ajar,
26:25let a familiar voice drift out.
26:27Honey,
26:27why are you taking so long
26:29to peel that apple?
26:30Mom's getting impatient.
26:32Simon went rigid.
26:33That voice.
26:34He'd heard it for three years
26:35and could recognize it
26:36with his eyes closed.
26:37She called him,
26:38Honey.
26:39Luke finally looked up
26:40and said slowly,
26:41Hear that?
26:42My wife just called me.
26:43Simon pushed the ward door
26:44open with force.
26:45It slammed against the wall
26:46with a loud bang.
26:47On the bed,
26:48Hazel's mother sat propped
26:49against the headboard,
26:50her face sallow,
26:51but the spirit remains
26:52relatively good,
26:53holding a gift box
26:53and shoving it
26:54into Hazel's hands.
26:55Hazel had her back to the door,
26:57still wearing the wedding gown
26:57from the broadcast,
26:59her hair still pinned up,
27:00smiling and teasing.
27:01Mom,
27:01shouldn't you have given
27:02this to Luke yourself?
27:04At the sound of the door,
27:05Hazel turned.
27:06When she saw Simon,
27:08her smile didn't change.
27:09She only glanced
27:10at him briefly,
27:11then looked past him
27:12toward Luke at the doorway.
27:13Darling,
27:14aren't you going to come
27:15and accept the gift
27:16Mom gave you?
27:16Simon took a step forward,
27:18his voice hoarse.
27:18Hazel,
27:20come outside with me
27:21for a moment.
27:22I need to talk to you.
27:24Luke stepped over,
27:25his hand naturally resting
27:26on Hazel's shoulder.
27:27Say it here.
27:28She's tired after a long day
27:30and doesn't want to move.
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