- 15 hours ago
EngSub He_Slapped_Me_at_the_Wedding,_Then_Begged_Me_to_Stay__ 🌎Aurora
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Short filmTranscript
00:02At my wedding, my fiancé slapped me across the face.
00:06All for his bridesmaid, right in front of our parents.
00:10That same day, I threw my ring away and called off the wedding.
00:13Everyone thought I was just throwing a tantrum.
00:16After all, Caleb and I had grown up together.
00:18I'd been in love with him since we were kids.
00:20I followed him around like a shadow for 20 whole years.
00:25But this time, I was dead serious.
00:27Later, when he finally tracked me down,
00:30Why? Just because of one slap?
00:32Yes, just because of one slap.
00:36The second his hand connected with my face,
00:39a sudden metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
00:42After the sharp, echoing crack of the slap,
00:45the entire ballroom fell dead silent.
00:48The left side of my face went numb.
00:50Then it burst into a burning pain.
00:53I looked up at him, my fiancé, Caleb Westbrook.
00:56All because I caught Natalie Hawthorne trying on my wedding dress without permission.
01:01All because I refused to let her be my bridesmaid.
01:05Even Caleb looks stunned by what he'd done.
01:08Enough, Vanessa.
01:09Stop making a scene.
01:12The ceremony's starting.
01:13Can you just be reasonable for once?
01:16Natalie stood right beside him, biting her lip, her eyes turning glossy and red.
01:21Oh my god, Caleb, don't.
01:22It's my fault.
01:24I shouldn't have tried it on without asking.
01:26I just loved it so much.
01:27I'm so sorry.
01:28I didn't mean it.
01:29Just step down as your bridesmaid.
01:31Please, can you guys just stop fighting?
01:33Caleb shot her a look.
01:36Vanessa, if you don't want to do this, then leave.
01:38We have guests waiting out there.
01:40This is not the place for your tantrums.
01:43Humiliation hurt fury.
01:45They all surged up at once, lodging themselves in my throat.
01:48Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
01:52In front of all the guests, I slid the diamond ring off my finger, then turned around and walked
01:58away.
01:58I was done explaining myself, and I sure wasn't staying there to be humiliated in front
02:04of everyone.
02:04Honestly, Caleb had never been Prince Charming, but that was the first time he hit me.
02:10More than that, in my entire 25 years of life, that was the first time anyone had ever struck
02:17me.
02:17Caleb and I went way back.
02:19His grandpa, Walter, and my grandpa served in the army together.
02:23We grew up in the same neighborhood, literally next-door neighbors.
02:26I had been in love with him since I was a little girl.
02:29When I was five, a boy at the playground snatched my toys.
02:33He pulled my hair, dumped bugs straight into my backpack.
02:37I ran crying to my mother, Eleanor.
02:39She went to confront the boy's parents, but they just brushed it off as, kids will be
02:43kids.
02:44Grandpa Walter was having dinner at our house that night.
02:47When he heard what happened, he called Caleb over.
02:50He told him to watch my back out there from now on.
02:53Caleb was two years older than me.
02:55When he heard I'd been bullied, he caught that boy by the playground slide, pinned him to
02:59the dirt, and beat him up.
03:01Caleb had always been big for his age.
03:03He had this mean, untouchable edge to him.
03:06By the time he was done, that boy and his two friends were bawling their eyes out.
03:11Anyone touches Vanessa, they deal with me.
03:15That was the exact moment I fell for him.
03:18From that day on, I became his shadow.
03:21I followed him every single day.
03:24Wherever he went, I was right behind him.
03:27Caleb hated it at first, but I never stopped trailing after him.
03:31Eventually, he got used to it and stopped telling me to leave.
03:34He would carry my backpack, tilt the umbrella toward me when it rained, and whenever I called
03:39his name, he'd turn around right away.
03:41At my 18th birthday party, Walter joked around,
03:44Well, if these two are this inseparated, maybe we should just make it official one day.
03:49I saw his ears turn red.
03:52And I'm marrying Caleb.
03:56But six years ago, everything shattered.
03:59That fall, Natalie Hawthorne arrived.
04:02She was the daughter of his mother's friend.
04:04She had just moved back from London and was staying at his house temporarily.
04:08She was gorgeous, with perfect natural curls and a soft, breathy accent.
04:14The very first day she moved in, Caleb brought her along to pick me up from campus.
04:19Oh my god.
04:21So this is your little sister, Vanessa?
04:23She's so cute.
04:25Literally covered in pink.
04:26Wait, how old are you again?
04:28You're in college, right?
04:29You still dress like a little girl and no one's ever said anything?
04:33My face instantly burned red.
04:36I loved pink.
04:37I was obsessed with it.
04:39My clothes, my tumbler, my hair clips, my jewelry, my phone case, even my fingernails were pink.
04:46People had teased me for it plenty of times.
04:48But no one had ever talked down to me like that before.
04:52With such fake, over-the-top pity.
04:55My face burned.
04:56I just stood there, completely tongue-tied.
05:00Relax, I'm just super blunt.
05:02Don't tell me I offended the princess already.
05:05Seeing my reaction, Natalie just smiled and winked.
05:09Alright, that's enough.
05:10Caleb cut through the tension impatiently.
05:12I turned around.
05:13He was staring at Natalie, brows drawn tight, clearly annoyed.
05:18Ooh, the princess knight in shining armor?
05:21What, I can't even make a joke?
05:23Seriously?
05:24What's your problem?
05:25That night, Caleb told our parents what happened.
05:28Diana smoothed it over immediately.
05:30She told Natalie to lay off the jokes.
05:33And she pushed Caleb to take us both out on weekends so we could bond.
05:37From that day on, Natalie was always around.
05:40I didn't know exactly when she and Caleb got so close.
05:44Every afternoon, Caleb used to bring me a strawberry milkshake after class.
05:48But one day, he handed me an iced Americano.
05:51I barely drink coffee.
05:53You know that.
05:54I stared at the iced coffee, my chest tightening.
05:57Come on.
05:58You only like the milkshake because it's pink.
06:00That stuff's basically melted sugar.
06:03Try drinking something healthier.
06:05Across from him, Natalie lifted an identical iced Americano.
06:09Oops, sorry shortcake.
06:11I was craving coffee so I told Caleb to grab these.
06:14But honestly, milkshakes are kind of...
06:16a lot.
06:19Do girls like you seriously drink that stuff every day?
06:23Do you always give people nicknames?
06:25For a second, she froze.
06:27Then came the wounded expression.
06:29Why are you making it such a big deal?
06:31I was joking.
06:33You're being way too sensitive, don't you think?
06:36Am I sensitive?
06:37Or did you do it on purpose?
06:39Enough, Vanessa.
06:41Caleb cut in sharply.
06:42She just moved here.
06:43Sometimes she speaks without thinking.
06:49Stop taking it so personally.
06:51My blood was boiling.
06:52Then maybe she should think before she talks.
06:56Hey, hey.
06:57All right.
06:58My bad.
07:00How about this?
07:01Tomorrow I'll get you a Vanta strawberry milkshake.
07:04Deal?
07:05My little princess?
07:06Hearing that, Natalie's smile disappeared.
07:09She stared dead at me.
07:11From that day on, Natalie actively targeted me.
07:15Whenever I pulled out a pink pack of tissues, she would gasp dramatically.
07:20Wow.
07:21Even your tissues are pink?
07:23What?
07:24Are you trying to turn yourself into Barbie?
07:26At dinner, whenever I wiped down my silverware before evening...
07:30There it is.
07:31Princess mode activated.
07:33During summer break, I was hauling suitcases down from my dorm.
07:37Aw.
07:37The princess can't carry her own luggage.
07:41Someone get this girl a night.
07:42Every single time she did this, her friends would crack up.
07:47At first, Caleb actually stepped in.
07:50He would tell her to knock it off.
07:53Relax.
07:54I'm kidding.
07:55Vanessa's too guarded.
07:59I'm helping her loosen up and actually bond with people.
08:03She's a bit high maintenance.
08:06Is that just a girl thing?
08:08Natalie punched his shoulder playfully.
08:10Hey, Caleb.
08:10Don't lump me in with those girls.
08:13I'm definitely not like them.
08:15Caleb laughed.
08:16It was such a gentle smile.
08:18My chest tightened with a sour ache.
08:21I always knew he thought I was spoiled and threw little tantrums.
08:25Maybe to guys like him, liking pink, hating germs, and not being physically strong, just
08:32meant you were a high-maintenance princess.
08:35But finally, I snapped.
08:37It was a friend's birthday party.
08:39I wore a fitted pink button-down over a white cami to the club.
08:43When Natalie saw me, she practically shrieked.
08:47Oh.
08:48My.
08:49God.
08:50Vanessa, are you serious right now?
08:52Pink with a white cami?
08:54What's this, a teen drama?
08:55No, seriously, I'm dying.
08:58Do you think you're the main character?
09:00Look at you.
09:01You look like, what's the word?
09:04One of those girls trying way too hard to look cute.
09:07Like a Barbie doll.
09:09That wandered onto the wrong set.
09:11Hilarious.
09:13She cracked up with a few guys who'd been mocking me since we were kids.
09:17Even Caleb seemed genuinely amused.
09:20The corner of his mouth twitched.
09:22A tidal wave of humiliation and shame swallowed me alive.
09:26While they were laughing, I grabbed my glass and tossed my drink right into her face.
09:32Natalie gasped, wiping furiously at her wet face.
09:35Her makeup melted.
09:36Black mascara completely streaked down her cheeks.
09:39She coughed violently.
09:41What the hell is wrong with you?
09:43Are you insane?
09:45Oh, my God.
09:47I mocked her tone perfectly.
09:49Look at your heavy contour, fake lashes, and that dress that barely covers your ass.
09:53What are you, a hooker?
09:54Some trashy little club princess?
09:56Caleb scowled and stepped between us.
09:58He yanked the glass right out of my hand.
10:01Vanessa, apologize.
10:04He looked down at me, his brow furrowed.
10:07My eyes burned as I stared dead at him.
10:09Didn't you hear what she said to me?
10:11She mocked me first.
10:12That's not the point.
10:14You already insulted her back.
10:15Now apologize for throwing the drink.
10:18When you do something wrong, you own it.
10:21Stop acting like a child.
10:23He said it with such casual authority.
10:25Just say sorry.
10:27She won't hold it against you.
10:30Fuck off.
10:31Vanessa, what's gotten into you?
10:33You leave for college and suddenly this is how you talk?
10:36Apologize right now!
10:37I scoffed, turned on my heel, and walked straight out of the club.
10:43Three days later, Caleb showed up.
10:44He brought my favorite strawberry milkshake to campus.
10:47It had pink whipped cream on top, with my favorite flamingo straw sticking out of it.
10:52He stood below the balcony of my dorm building.
10:54Vanessa, come down.
10:57I owe you an apology.
10:59I stood on the balcony, looking down at him.
11:02The wind made my eyes sting.
11:03I went downstairs and took the shake from him.
11:06I took a sip.
11:07It was sweet, but my chest still felt tight and heavy.
11:11Do you actually think I'm spoiled, petty, and making a big deal out of nothing?
11:15He fell silent for a long time.
11:18Natalie's just blunt.
11:19She doesn't mean any harm.
11:20Just let it go.
11:21You take everything way too personally, Vanessa.
11:25That's probably why you have no friends.
11:27The milkshake sat heavy in my throat.
11:29I couldn't swallow it.
11:30Couldn't spit it out.
11:31So that was it.
11:32No matter how badly I was hurt,
11:34I was always the petty one with Caleb.
11:37Always too sensitive.
11:39Too dramatic.
11:40From that day on, our relationship just went on autopilot.
11:43We were together, but something between us had gone cold.
11:47After we finished grad school,
11:49our parents started bringing up marriage more and more.
11:52They thought it was time we settled down.
11:54Caleb didn't object.
11:55So, the wedding was set for my 25th birthday.
11:59On the big day, Natalie was already standing in the bridal suite, wearing my wedding dress.
12:04She said she just wanted to see how it looked on her.
12:06I let out a disbelieving laugh.
12:09She glanced at the red reception dress I had just changed into, wrinkled her nose.
12:14Honestly, red is definitely not your color, Vanessa.
12:17It looks hideous on you.
12:19Take it off.
12:20If you want to try on a wedding dress so badly, go rent one.
12:24That one is mine.
12:25But she just did a little twirl in front of me.
12:27Oh, come on.
12:29You've already worn it for the ceremony.
12:31Caleb said he didn't mind.
12:33Why are you being so possessive?
12:36That was it.
12:36I reached out and grabbed the fabric.
12:39It's my wedding dress.
12:40Give it back.
12:42As we struggled, her foot caught on something.
12:44She tripped and fell hard onto the floor.
12:47Her carefully styled hair tumbled into a messy heap.
12:51At that exact moment, the door flew open.
12:54Caleb rushed in.
12:56His eyes landed on Natalie.
12:57And without a single second of hesitation, he raised his hand and slapped me straight across the face.
13:05It was raining when I walked out of the ballroom.
13:07A brutal August storm.
13:09Heavy drops smashed against the pavement.
13:11I walked step by step into the freezing rain.
13:15Still wearing that red reception dress Natalie had just mocked.
13:19Behind me, my mother's voice tore through the storm.
13:23Vanessa, Vanessa, come back!
13:26Oh, for God's sake!
13:28What is wrong with her?
13:30Throwing a tantrum?
13:31Throwing a tantrum at her own wedding?
13:33This is so embarrassing!
13:34I didn't look back.
13:36My heel caught in a puddle, my ankle twisted, and I nearly fell.
13:40So I yanked off both heels, walked barefoot on the soaking wet pavement.
13:45The muddy water was freezing and filthy, but I couldn't care less.
13:50When I walked past the main gates, the hotel security guard stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
13:56Well, a barefoot bride walking into a thunderstorm.
14:00I probably did look insane.
14:02My phone buzzed nonstop in my purse.
14:05I pulled it out.
14:06Dozens of texts from relatives and friends.
14:09What happened?
14:10Is everything okay?
14:12Why did you leave?
14:13I powered the phone off and flagged down a cab.
14:16The driver hesitated when he saw me dripping wet, but eventually unlocked the doors.
14:22Where to?
14:22I gave him an address, an old apartment I shared with a friend back in college.
14:27She had moved to San Francisco, but she kept the lease and left me a spare key.
14:31The ride took 40 minutes.
14:33I shivered the entire way.
14:35I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or something else.
14:39When I arrived, I dug through my soaked purse.
14:42I only had $200 in cash and a debit card.
14:45My phone was completely dead.
14:49My phone buzzed nonstop in my purse.
14:51I pulled it out.
14:53Dozens of texts from relatives and friends.
14:55What happened?
14:56Is everything okay?
14:58Why did you leave?
14:59I powered the phone off and flagged down a cab.
15:02The driver hesitated when he saw me dripping wet, but eventually unlocked the doors.
15:08Where to?
15:08I gave him an address, an old apartment I shared with a friend back in college.
15:13She had moved to San Francisco, but she kept the lease and left me a spare key.
15:17The ride took 40 minutes.
15:19I shivered the entire way.
15:21I wasn't sure if it was from the cold or something else.
15:25When I arrived, I dug through my soaked purse.
15:28I only had $200 in cash and a debit card.
15:32My phone was completely dead.
15:34I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door.
15:37The apartment was dead empty.
15:40Just a bare mattress and a single folding chair.
15:44I peeled off the heavy, soaked dress, crawled into an old blanket she had left behind, curling
15:50into a tight ball.
15:52Finally, the tears started falling.
15:55It wasn't even heartbreak anymore.
15:57It wasn't anger either.
15:59It was just a suffocating emptiness.
16:02I'd loved Caleb for almost my entire life.
16:06When I was five, he beat up the boys who bullied me.
16:09I thought he was the bravest person in the world.
16:12When I was eight, I scraped my me.
16:15He crouched down and put a Band-Aid on it.
16:18His hands had been clumsy, but so careful.
16:21When I was 15, I bombed a test.
16:24He stayed on the phone with me for hours, saying,
16:27It's one test, Vanessa.
16:29You'll be fine.
16:31When I was 18, I got accepted into college.
16:34He bought me a pink crystal bracelet.
16:37My little princess finally grew up.
16:41But when did everything change?
16:43Was it the day Natalie showed up?
16:45Or was it even earlier than that?
16:48Maybe he'd never loved me.
16:50Maybe I was just a needy friend he had to look after.
16:53A shadow he just couldn't shake off.
16:56He treated me well, not out of love, but out of habit.
17:01He was used to me following him around, used to my clinginess.
17:05But Natalie was different.
17:07She was independent, fiercely opinionated, and bluntly outspoken.
17:13She didn't need him to act as her knight in shining armor.
17:16She even challenged him.
17:18To Caleb, maybe that was a mature, equal relationship.
17:22Not a childish, high-maintenance princess who needed constant coddling.
17:27Those thoughts spiraled, until I eventually passed out from exhaustion.
17:31In my dreams, I was five years old again.
17:35After he finished beating up those boys, he turned his head and looked at me.
17:39Sunlight hit his face.
17:42Anyone touches Vanessa, they deal with me.
17:45But the very next second, the dream shifted.
17:48He was standing in the grand ballroom, staring at me with an ice-cold face,
17:53before slapping me across the cheek.
17:55I jolted awake.
17:57Sweat slicked my skin.
17:59The storm had passed.
18:00The sky was starting to turn pale.
18:02I plugged in my phone, powered it on.
18:05It vibrated for three straight minutes, flooded with messages.
18:11Most were from my mother.
18:13Starting from a panicked,
18:14Vanessa, where are you?
18:16To, please answer me.
18:19And finally,
18:20Do you have any idea what this has done to both families?
18:25Then there were a few texts from Caleb.
18:27Where are you?
18:29Vanessa, are you done with this yet?
18:31Pick up.
18:33The very last one was sent at 2 a.m.
18:36Just one line.
18:38Are you happy now?
18:39I stared at that text.
18:41A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
18:44He slapped me across the face.
18:46And now he actually had the guts to text me,
18:50Are you happy now?
18:51Just like always.
18:53To him, this was totally my fault.
18:56I was being unreasonable.
18:58I ruined our perfect wedding.
19:01I didn't reply to anyone.
19:03I opened DoorDash and ordered some hot chicken soup.
19:06The buzzer sounded.
19:07I assumed it was the chicken soup.
19:10I pulled open the door.
19:12But it wasn't the delivery guy.
19:14It was Caleb.
19:15He was still wearing the same gray wedding suit.
19:18Dark circles bruised the skin beneath his eyes,
19:21Like he hadn't slept all night.
19:24He took one look at my pale face and froze.
19:28I knew exactly how pathetic I looked.
19:31I was drowning in a baggy old t-shirt someone left behind,
19:34And I still had the faint red handprint on my left cheek.
19:39He stared at me for a few seconds.
19:41His throat bobbed.
19:42You stayed here last night?
19:44You stayed here last night?
19:44I didn't answer him.
19:45Just turned and walked back inside.
19:48He followed me inside, scanning the completely bare room,
19:51His brows drawing together.
19:53You're staying here?
19:53You're staying here?
19:54There's not even a bed.
19:56None of your business.
19:57I sat down on the mattress, picked up a cup, and took a sip of water.
20:01He walked over and towered above me, looking down.
20:06Come home.
20:08Let's finish the wedding.
20:10We can pretend yesterday never happened.
20:13I slowly looked up at him.
20:15His face was so incredibly calm.
20:18Caleb, do you honestly think I can't live without you?
20:22What?
20:23I said, I'm not marrying you.
20:27We're done.
20:29His brow furrowed into a tight knot.
20:32Vanessa, do you even hear yourself?
20:34I do.
20:35I'm perfectly clear.
20:37Why?
20:38Just because of one slap?
20:41I didn't mean it.
20:43Given the situation...
20:45What situation?
20:47You saw Natalie on the floor, and you hit me.
20:51You didn't ask why.
20:52You didn't ask what she did to me.
20:54You didn't even give me a chance to explain.
20:56You just hit me.
21:00Do you even know what she did?
21:02She wore my wedding dress.
21:05On my wedding day, she put it on without my permission.
21:08I told her to take it off, and she refused.
21:12We argued.
21:13I tried to pull it off her.
21:15Then you walked in, and you hit me for no reason.
21:20Tell me, Caleb.
21:21What did I do wrong?
21:23She'd never worn one before.
21:25She was just curious.
21:26Did you really have to make such a huge deal out of it?
21:30Did you really have to hit me?
21:34Caleb, I chased you for 20 years.
21:37I loved you for 20 years.
21:39I've been your loyal shadow for 20 years.
21:42I thought you were just bad at expressing yourself.
21:47I thought you loved me and didn't know how to say it.
21:50But that slap yesterday finally woke me up.
21:53You never loved me.
21:54You got used to me.
21:56I'm just an accessory to you.
21:58Someone you could snap your fingers at whenever it suited you.
22:02But Natalie?
22:03You'll back her up in public?
22:04You'll hit me for her.
22:06Because deep down, Caleb, she is more important to you.
22:10Not true.
22:11Say it, Caleb.
22:12Tell me what it actually is.
22:14He couldn't say a single thing.
22:17I let out a bitter laugh.
22:20Get out.
22:21I already threw the ring away.
22:23The wedding is cancelled.
22:25I'll deal with our families and the fallout.
22:27From now on, we're completely done.
22:29Don't ever reach out to me again.
22:33He didn't move.
22:34He stood there for a long time.
22:36Finally, he muttered,
22:38Cool off for a few days.
22:39I'll come back when you've calmed down.
22:41Then he turned around and walked out.
22:44The second the door shut, my legs gave out.
22:47I sank to the floor, burying my face in my arms.
22:51I was the one who initiated the breakup.
22:54Who cancelled the wedding.
22:55But why, why did my chest still hurt this much?
23:01For the next three days,
23:02I locked myself in that empty apartment.
23:05Ignored every call.
23:07My mother was losing it.
23:09She texted me that she and my father were already on their way.
23:13I just replied,
23:14I'm fine.
23:15Please don't come.
23:16On the third afternoon, the doorbell rang.
23:18I checked the peephole.
23:20It was her.
23:21With no choice left, I opened the door.
23:24When she stepped inside, her eyes welled up with tears.
23:28Oh, sweetheart.
23:30You've lost so much weight.
23:32You look so pale.
23:34Have you even eaten anything?
23:36As she scolded me,
23:38she started pulling thermoses out of her tote bag.
23:41I know you're hurting.
23:43I know what happened humiliated you.
23:45But starving yourself won't fix it.
23:49My nose stung.
23:51Tears threatened again.
23:53My father stood in the doorway.
23:55His face was dangerously grim.
23:59I've already talked to Caleb's parents.
24:01If you want to call the whole thing off, just say the word.
24:03I have your back.
24:06Drop it, Arthur.
24:09What?
24:10Laying a hand on my daughter right in front of me?
24:13Who the hell does he think he is?
24:15I didn't raise her to be his punching bag.
24:18She let out a heavy sigh and didn't argue back.
24:21I knew this had hurt them, too.
24:24Decades of friendship between our families.
24:26And now they were stuck in the middle of this mess.
24:29The wedding ruined everything.
24:32Mom.
24:33Dad.
24:33Dad.
24:34I'm sorry.
24:36I'm sorry for putting you through this.
24:39Stop talking nonsense.
24:41I don't care about any of that.
24:42I only care that you're okay.
24:45I only care that you're okay.
24:48That night, my mother stayed with me.
24:50And my father checked into a hotel nearby.
24:53She lay next to me on that bare mattress.
24:55Just like when I was little.
24:58Vanessa, be honest with me.
25:01Okay.
25:02Do you still love him?
25:04I stayed quiet for a long time.
25:08I loved him for 20 years.
25:10You don't just turn that off overnight.
25:14But mom, I don't want to love him anymore.
25:17I know, sweetie.
25:19Then take it slow.
25:20I'm right here with you.
25:22Staring into the dark, I cried without making a sound.
25:26On the fourth day, Caleb came back.
25:28But this time, he wasn't alone.
25:30Natalie was with him.
25:32I was a kid that I was a kid.
25:32Mom?
25:32I love you.
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