- 11 hours ago
Love After Lies English HD
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Short filmTranscript
00:04mom said pretty girls get played so i caked on dark foundation and married a rich air who fell
00:09for me at first sight i thought he wanted my heart not my face that he saw the real me
00:14then
00:14came the crash he used his body to shield me he took the flames instead when i woke up at
00:18the
00:18hospital the first thing i asked the nurse where's my husband how is he mr carter's back is badly
00:23burned not in danger he's in the next room i pulled out my iv right away and stumbled next door
00:28just as i was about to open the door then i heard jace's mother's voice jace you married such an
00:33ugly woman made our whole family a laughing stock and now you almost die for her when will you stop
00:38this nonsense my hand stopped on the doorknob a few seconds of silence inside then jace's voice
00:44calm and flat no emotion at all mom you know what i want i knew it you're still doing this
00:49for nina
00:49let me tell you you're our family's best heir but nina will never set foot in this family using
00:54claritas spiders won't work either i stood there completely frozen what were they just saying for
00:59nina who is nina a wave of panic a suffocating sense of dread like icy water swallowed me whole
01:04i leaned on the wall hid back in the ward after a few seconds i pulled out my phone with
01:08shaking hands
01:08sent a message to my private investigator find out everything about jace and nina the more details the
01:13better every minute waiting every second felt like torture his mother's sharp accusations and jace's
01:18calm words you know what i want echoed in my mind over and over my phone buzzed i opened it
01:22with
01:22trembling hands inside was a thick stack of files along with many photos nina vance is the vance's
01:27eldest daughter jace's first love perfect match equal status both beautiful known as the golden
01:32couple in elite circles three years ago they were about to marry her pre-wedding exam showed she
01:37can't have kids for a top family like the carters having an heir is the top priority so the carters
01:41were firmly against it but jace insisted on marrying her anyway so the carters started to strike back
01:46crushing the vance family's business the vance's couldn't take the pressure nina broke up with
01:50jace in tears jace began blind dates after that but he didn't like any of the women until he met
01:54me the famously ugly woman in the circle and then everything clicked he married me not because i was
01:59special not because he saw who i really am inside it was because i was the ugliest most embarrassing
02:03woman of all his blind dates the perfect tool to anger his parents and force them to give in
02:07he married an ugly woman to defy his family to make them accept nina i stared at the text on
02:12my phone
02:12and suddenly laughed but as i laughed tears started falling pain wrapped around me like a giant net
02:18tighter and tighter almost strangling me mom said being too pretty gets you tricked but i got
02:22tricked even when i was ugly and even more completely more ridiculously and more painfully
02:27these three years the happiness i thought i had was just a carefully staged act i was just jace's tool
02:32to defy his family a pawn to prove his love for nina i thought i had found the light but
02:36that light
02:36was just a reflection shining from a mirror aimed at someone else i sat in my room and cried for
02:40a long
02:41time finally i wiped my tears took out my phone and called jace's mother i want a divorce from jace
02:46carter
02:46what did you say clara look at you how dare you ask for a divorce do you know how many
02:51women in
02:51this city are begging to marry jace how i look is none of your business this divorce is happening
02:56if you carters won't agree i'll get a lawyer and go through legal channels it'll get ugly nobody wants
03:00that fine i'll help you get the divorce sorted wait a few days i hung up took a deep breath
03:06checked
03:06myself out of the hospital when i got home the first thing i did was throw away everything jace had
03:10given me necklaces bracelets rings bags all went into the trash like throwing away three years of my
03:15own stupidity a few days later jace came back the burns on his back hadn't fully healed he couldn't
03:20walk fast but he still wore a sharp suit posture straight face handsome and clean he was as gentle
03:26as always why are you sitting here the maid said you've barely eaten these days i looked up at him
03:31every time i saw this face before my heart would race face flushed ears hot but now looking again all
03:37i felt was coldness and distance jace didn't seem to notice the change in my eyes or maybe he had
03:42never truly noticed my eyes at all he glanced at the calendar on the wall then naturally took my hand
03:47are you upset because i didn't stay today's your birthday i booked the most luxurious hotel downtown
03:52planned a dinner it's still early let me take you to pick out a dress okay in the past if
03:57he remembered
03:58my birthday and planned a dinner like this i would have been over the moon but now all i felt
04:01inside
04:02was a hollow cold laugh i didn't expose him just nodded slightly jace took me to a luxury dress shop
04:08right as we walked in his phone rang you pick i'll take this he stepped aside i didn't care
04:13just browse the dresses on my own i spotted a champagne colored gown simple and elegant wrap
04:18this one up for me i'll take this dress when i turned and saw who spoke my blood ran cold
04:23nina vance that bright confident face from the photos the one always beside jace was right here
04:28alive in front of me she wore an off-white suit long wavy hair flawless makeup her eyes had this
04:34natural superiority she stared at me with a half smile and at the champagne dress in my hand
04:39nina stepped closer her voice soft but her tone wasn't polite sorry i want that dress too you were
04:45here first i know but i think it suits me better why don't you let me have it sorry no
04:50i really like
04:51it miss with a face like yours it doesn't matter what you wear so why not do a good deed
04:55and give
04:56it to me we stood there frozen the air between us thick with silent tension what's going on he ended
05:01the call and saw this his brow furrowed almost unnoticeable nina saw him her eyes lit up instantly
05:06but her hand stayed on the dress jace you're here too so she must be your wife if i'd known
05:11she was
05:11mrs carter i wouldn't have fought over it let mrs carter have it she let go as if her insistence
05:16just
05:16now was a joke but then jace reached out and took the champagne dress right out of my hand
05:20handed it to nina no need to give in this one suits you go try it on a flash of
05:25triumph crossed nina's
05:26eyes she took the dress and smiled at me then turned and walked into the fitting room my hand
05:31hung frozen in the air my fingertips still felt the fabric ripped away jace finally turned to me
05:36like he'd just handled something trivial clara that was nina an old friend of mine she's
05:41straightforward but she means no harm it's just a dress we'll pick another one you might as well
05:46just be honest you said it suits her better isn't that just your way of saying this face of
05:50mine doesn't deserve any pretty thing jace froze for a moment he didn't expect me to push back like
05:56that or to say it so directly the truth everyone pretended not to see he quickly composed himself
06:02a hint of helplessness crept into his voice that's not what i meant if i thought you weren't good
06:07enough why would i have married you in the first place yeah why because i'm just ugly enough the
06:13perfect tool the perfect pawn to anger the carters and force them to give in ever since i was little
06:17hiding my real face i've heard so much mockery classmates whispering blind dates throwing insults
06:23my father's size those words were like needles after enough pricks you go numb but jace was
06:28different these three years his gentle reassurances his quiet defenses of me even risking his life to
06:33save me slowly like warm water they softened my frozen heart made me hope for things i shouldn't
06:37have and then with his own hands in the calmest most casual way he shattered that fake warmth
06:42completely that hurt even more than outright cruelty i choked back the sob in my throat and the wave of
06:47pain crashing inside me i didn't say anything just turned and walked to another rack grabbed a plain
06:52black dress without even looking then the fitting room curtain pulled open nina stepped out the
06:58champagne dress shaped her curves made her porcelain skin glow stunning miss vance that dress is made
07:03for you it fits you like a dream jace's eyes also landed on nina his gaze was deep her reflection
07:08was
07:08clear in his eyes that usual coldness in his gaze for a moment it softened a flicker of the love
07:13i had
07:13searched for but never once saw in his eyes for me it was just a flash but i caught it
07:17my heart felt
07:17like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand it hurt so much i could barely breathe jace do i
07:22look
07:22good very good nina's smile grew even brighter she walked over to jace naturally tucked her hair behind
07:27her ear oh right i heard tonight's mrs carter's party is at the royal grand hotel jace nodded i happen
07:33to be free tonight if mrs carter doesn't mind i'd love to come celebrate your birthday of course not
07:38you're welcome to come the royal grand's top floor ballroom was brightly lit the birthday party jace had
07:43prepared for me was extremely lavish he had invited half the city's elite i wore that plain black dress
07:48thick bangs and glasses still hiding my face as always standing next to jace i looked like an
07:52outsider who didn't belong i could feel eyes on me from every direction curious probing mostly
07:56undisguised contempt and snickering what was jace thinking marrying her who knows maybe he has strange
08:02taste the whispers crept into my ears i kept my back straight my face blank as if i hadn't heard
08:07a
08:07thing shortly after the party started jace gave me a gift in front of everyone an expensive diamond
08:12necklace when the velvet box opened quiet gasps of admiration and envy filled the room i softly said
08:17thank you nina arrived a little later the moment she appeared everyone stared as if she were the real
08:22star of the night nina walked up to me sorry i'm late didn't have time to get a gift hope
08:27you don't
08:28mind mrs carter let me embarrass myself and play a song to wish you a happy birthday jace i remember
08:34you
08:34play piano beautifully too how about we play a duet just for fun at mrs carter's birthday party
08:39what do you say jace looked at nina's hopeful eyes then glanced at me silent beside him
08:44he hesitated for a moment then actually walked over their seamless duet began it was a forehand
08:50version of for elise the man cool and noble the woman radiant and charming they looked like a perfect
08:56painting together the whispers around us grew louder this time they didn't even hide it now that's a real
09:01match what a shame if only jace had married miss vance first that clara hale is just taking up
09:07space such an ugly woman and she got the city's most eligible air what a waste i stood there the
09:12air around me grew thinner and thinner those looks and words were almost drowning me i turned and went
09:17to the balcony the night air was cool it blew away the heavy warmth and noise from the ballroom i
09:21leaned
09:22against the balcony railing took a deep breath in then slowly let it out soft footsteps came from behind
09:26me then a warm body pressed close arms wrapped around my waist from behind my body went stiff
09:31then jace's low voice sounded in my ear why did you come out here alone don't take what those people
09:36say to heart just meaningless gossip i didn't move didn't speak jace probably thought i was still upset
09:42he rubbed his chin against the top of my head his voice grew even softer with a hint of coaxing
09:48clara
09:48i've told you you're fine just as you are don't worry about what others think i like you that's all
09:54that
09:54matters hearing the word like i almost laughed out loud what kind of like using me as a tool to
09:59defy your family or as a prop to prove your undying love for nina jace thought words weren't enough to
10:04comfort me seeing i was still silent he suddenly tilted his head and kissed my neck without warning
10:08the warm soft touch came my whole body jolted i instinctively wanted to push him away then the
10:13balcony glass door was pushed open nina stood at the doorway a smile she couldn't hide in time still on
10:18her face when she saw us embracing especially jace's kiss on my neck her smile froze instantly
10:23her face went pale tears quickly welled up in her eyes so sorry i'm interrupting her voice was choked
10:28she turned and ran off she seemed embarrassed jace let go of me almost immediately his expression
10:33clearly changed his eyes followed where nina had disappeared there was clear worry and a hint of
10:38conflict he quickly looked back at me his tone returned to calm don't dwell on what happened before
10:43i like you that's all that matters i need to step out and make a call he hurried off after
10:48her
10:48i stood there staring at the empty doorway i tried to smile but couldn't even force a bitter one bitter
10:54one i can't stand this party another second i turned and left just as i reached the hotel driveway a
11:00figure blocked my way it was nina her eyes were still a bit red but she had already composed her
11:05expression she looked down at me with scorn leaving so soon mrs carter the guest of honor shouldn't leave
11:11early or are you upset because jace went after me does that bother you i didn't want to engage with
11:17her
11:17i tried to walk around her nina reached out to stop me don't go let's talk about jace about your
11:22ridiculous marriage there are things you need to know let go of me what feeling guilty you're taking
11:28what you don't deserve let me tell you jace's heart has always been mine only mine i tried hard to
11:33shake
11:33her off nina was wearing high heels she seemed to slip she let out a scream and fell backward she
11:39grabbed
11:39my arm and held on tight she pulled me off balance too the screech of breaks and the impact came
11:43almost at
11:44the same time in the chaos i felt a huge force hit me the world spun my forehead and cheek
11:49burned with
11:49pain warm liquid blurred my vision instantly pain and dizziness drowned my consciousness in a daze i
11:55felt people gathering around me the crowd's noise and the ambulance sirens in a daze i thought i saw
12:00jace rushing over on that face always so calm and cold for the first time there was clear panic
12:05then i heard fragmented dialogue it sounded far away both victims were critically injured they needed
12:11surgery immediately but only one operating room was left mrs carter's face was injured with deep
12:17wounds delays might cause disfigurement nina hurt her hand delays might affect her piano playing treat nina
12:23first her hands are meant for playing piano what about mrs carter her appearance doesn't matter at all
12:28the words doesn't matter were like a knife piercing my heart my blood seemed to freeze just because i'm
12:34ugly it means i don't matter my vision turned black and i passed out i woke up in the ward
12:39later with no one
12:40around i touched my face which was wrapped in thick bandages the door opened and nina walked in her hand
12:46was also wrapped in bandages yet she wore a smile clara hale i heard you're badly hurt your face is
12:52all cut up i thought you'd be disfigured for sure the carter's doctor is quite skilled and heal your wounds
12:57well but even if healed it can't hide your plain looks these thick bandages match your bangs and glasses
13:04perfectly all equally glaring get out you're not welcome here just you wait you're ugly and
13:09ill-mannered as well you really are disgraceful with that she turned and left at the police station
13:15nina and i were questioned separately her side all said i deliberately heard her i said she pulled me
13:20down and i was just defending myself but no one believed me soon jace arrived with his lawyer his
13:25eyes paused on my messy collar and the bandages on my face his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly he
13:30glanced at nina beside him nina met his gaze she shook her head gently her eyes held helplessness and
13:35a hint of being wronged jace paused then spoke his voice was low and steady but completely unreadable
13:40clara is emotionally unstable she needs to calm down since the police were called treated as
13:46disturbing the peace a few days detention will make her reflect my eyes threw wide open i stared at him
13:51in disbelief just like that i was taken to a holding cell i knew nina wouldn't waste this chance the
13:55next
13:56seven days were hell for me a cold cell rancid food cellmates who picked fights i gritted my teeth and
14:01held on no crying no complaining my eyes grew emptier by the day my heart grew colder and harder
14:06on day seven jace was waiting for me outside he leaned against his car a cigarette between his fingers
14:12smoke curled around him blurring his handsome features when he saw me come out he put out the
14:16cigarette and walked over you're out get in the car i didn't move i looked up and stared straight at
14:22him
14:23my voice was hoarse why jace didn't seem to expect that question he paused why what why did you let
14:30her go why lock me up you think i'm ugly so you just assumed i was lying and i hurt
14:34her on purpose
14:35right jace looked at me at my red eyes and the deep despair beneath a faint discomfort flickered
14:41in his chest but he quickly ignored it his tone softened patient and reasonable clara things were
14:46chaotic then you might have misunderstood detention was to teach you a lesson and let things cool down
14:51i didn't abandon you i told the people inside to look after you you wouldn't have been mistreated
14:55told them to look after me i nearly laughed out loud but tears fell first did he ever consider
15:00that his precious nina also gave orders to make me suffer like hell i bit my lips so hard it
15:05bled
15:05the next few days maybe he was afraid his tool would throw a tantrum he showed rare signs of making
15:09it up
15:10to me he took me to an exclusive private auction bidding on every priceless diamond necklace vintage
15:14earrings famous paintings all put in my name but when i looked at those cold diamonds i felt nothing but
15:20numbness inside after the auction ended i went to the deck alone to get some air familiar footsteps
15:24approach from behind nina walked up to me her voice soft but her eyes were venomous clara jace bought
15:30you so many things happy but no matter the price they won't change that you're just a tool
15:34he used you to pressure his parents now that his goal is almost achieved how long do you think he'll
15:39keep you around when we get married i'll remember to send you an invitation i didn't want to listen
15:44i turned to leave but nina grabbed my wrist leaving so soon does it hurt i told you the truth
15:49last
15:50time jace has always loved me and only me you're nothing but a replacement i yanked my hand away
15:55we struggled by the boat's back railing the cruise ship swayed slightly we both lost our balance tumbled
16:00over the railing and fell into the dark icy water below the freezing water flooded my mouth and nose
16:04the impact and cold took my breath away i can't swim i struggled in vain salty sea water filled my
16:09throat in a daze i saw a figure dive into the sea it was jace without hesitation he swam straight
16:13toward nina who was thrashing and screaming he dragged her to the lifeboat he didn't even glance
16:17back at me the cold water wasn't even one ten thousandth as cold as my heart just as i was
16:21losing consciousness another passing boat spotted me the people on board quickly pulled me in i
16:26collapsed on the deck coughing violently spitting out sea water i was soaked through shivering from
16:30the cold jace had already put nina on a lifeboat wrapped her in a blanket and spoke to her in
16:34a low
16:34voice benny seemed to remember something he looked up at me his eyes landed on me just a casual glance
16:39at
16:39first but then suddenly froze my heart tightened i looked down and touched my face the heavy makeup on
16:44my face soaked and smeared from struggling had started to come off it revealed large patches
16:48of my real skin my wet bangs stuck to my forehead the black rimmed glasses were gone just then nina
16:54let out a weak groan and leaned into jace's arms it cut off his searching gaze jace my head hurts
16:59so
16:59much i'm so cold jace immediately looked away hold on i'll take you to a doctor right away he stopped
17:05looking at me he scooped nina into his arms and walked quickly toward the cabin i watched his back
17:10clutching my wet clothes my fingertips were ice cold in the end i said nothing with help from
17:15the people who saved me i got on the cruise ship found an empty room to clean up i looked
17:19in the
17:19mirror at the face hidden beneath the ugly makeup a face so breathtaking it was frightening this was
17:24what my mother left me the curse i'd hidden for over a decade as i got off the ship my
17:29phone rang
17:29it was mrs carter her voice carried undisguised relief and satisfaction clara the divorce papers are
17:35ready from now on you and jace are done with each other we'll pay your father some compensation just
17:41disappear from now on i stood at the dock phone in hand the sea wing blew my damp hair back
17:47revealing
17:47my bare forehead and my clear cold eyes no longer hidden it was all over i held a taxi and
17:52went straight
17:52to the cemetery outskirts the photo showed a gentle beautiful woman but her eyes held an unfading
17:57sadness mom you were right being too pretty can really get you tricked but playing ugly got me
18:02completely played hiding yourself doesn't bring safety it only makes your abusers more reckless
18:07so from now on i don't want to hide anymore even if the road ahead is still rough i want
18:11to face it as
18:12my true self i bowed three times then turned and left i was resolute back at the villa i didn't
18:17alert
18:17anyone i went straight upstairs to the bedroom and did three things first i packed all my luggage
18:22second i washed off all my makeup the mirror was fogged with steam slowly revealing a face so
18:27breathtaking it was almost frightening third i booked the soonest flight on my phone i took a taxi to the
18:32airport got my boarding pass cleared security and boarded the plane i kept my head down but my bare
18:37strikingly beautiful face still drew countless stares of amazement curiosity and even secret photos
18:42i didn't notice or maybe i just didn't care anymore the plane soared into the clouds leaving the city of
18:47pain and lies far far behind what i didn't know was that shortly after i boarded countless secret
18:52airport photos of me went viral on local media at shocking speed and spread like wildfire
18:57the photos went viral instantly the whole internet searched for this girl soon my identity was
19:01gradually uncovered then a shocking conclusion was revealed isn't this clara the carter's ugly bride
19:06the internet exploded public opinion quickly reversed amazement curiosity doubt deep dives all kinds
19:12of voices filled the air soon the media dug up old stories my mother was once a renowned beauty
19:16she married down but was unhappy and eventually died of depression dying she told her daughter to hide
19:21given my plain disguise for over a decade a report emerged about a beautiful mother who married the
19:25wrong man died young and a daughter who hid her face to survive the details were thorough the story
19:30was emotional quickly sparking huge sympathy and debate her mother was right beauty can be a curse
19:35especially in that messed up circle where are all those who mocked her before feeling embarrassed now
19:40i just wonder if jace knows does he know his wife is this beautiful when the story hit its peak
19:45jace
19:45was chairing a top floor merger meeting the atmosphere was tense a pen rested between his fingers
19:50listening to the report his face was calm and in control as always then his assistant burst in
19:55without knocking he placed a tablet in front of him mr carter please look at this your wife she
20:01jace's brow furrowed in displeasure he glanced at the screen his eyes locked onto it it was the
20:06high-res airport photo her features were like a painting her eyes were clear with her gaze slightly
20:11lowered the natural lift in her brow was softened adding a fragile cold beauty it was clara he never truly
20:16saw his wife of three years jace's pupils suddenly contracted he stared at the photo then quickly
20:20scrolled he saw my mother's story dug up by netizens and why i hid my face for over a decade
20:24his heart felt squeezed by an invisible hand then slowly painfully twisted the meeting room was dead
20:30silent all the executives held their breath they watched their young leader who never showed his
20:34emotions now reveal a rare blank shock on his face after a moment of silence he only said adjourned he
20:40shot up
20:40from his seat grabbed the tablet without looking at anyone he strode out of the meeting room back in
20:45his top floor office he locked the door he walked to the floor to ceiling window he flipped through
20:49the photos one by one different angles different lighting even a few blurry side or back shots but
20:53everyone was breathtakingly beautiful this wasn't the result of makeup or surgery it was a natural
20:58bone structure and skin perfectly combined into a striking beauty he thought of me my head always
21:02lowered my heavy bangs my clumsy black rimmed glasses dark lipstick that never fits he remembered the
21:07way i blushed when he said you're fine he thought of the dress shop i asked with red eyes do
21:12you think
21:12i'm not good enough he thought of the police station my horse voice asking why in the icc he swam
21:17to nina
21:18as he swam toward nina i was losing all my hope his heart beat faster and faster he panicked a
21:22strange
21:23mix of shock and regret and an indescribable dull pain slammed into his chest he had never felt this before
21:28even when nina cried and broke up with him all he felt was anger resentment and a suffocating feeling not
21:33like now as if something vital was slipping through his fingers he tried desperately to grab
21:37it but only grasped empty air a cold panic the office door was knocked on before he could answer
21:42ethan shaw pushed the door open and entered he was one of jace's few real friends equal family status
21:47cynical and carefree everything's in chaos outside you're still focused on this before he finished
21:52speaking his eyes fell on jace's face he froze jace stood with his back to the light his face expressionless
21:57but ethan had known him for years he saw at a glance the storm raging barely suppressed behind his eyes
22:03ethan stepped closer he glanced at the tablet screen precisely my breathtaking face he let
22:09out a low whistle look at you don't tell me you're falling for her jace's body stiffened almost
22:14imperceptibly he wondered if he'd fallen for me the tool he once deemed suitable the wife he married to
22:19anger his family jace shook his head this can't be true but sharp pain surged deep from his heart and
22:25details he had ignored for three years came flooding up wildly silently contradicting his denial what are you
22:30doing here he looked away his voice turned cold and sharp i almost forgot the real thing i saw the
22:36trending post and came to check i didn't expect it was you but speaking of which there's no harm
22:41keeping it in the family can you introduce her to me what nonsense are you talking about she's my wife
22:46jace cut him off his tone held a sharp coldness even froze his face turned odd what wife jace you
22:52don't
22:52know yet no what ethan took out his phone tapped a few times and held it in front of him
22:57carter group's
22:58official website released an official statement 30 minutes ago stating you ended your marriage with
23:02clara on peaceful terms jace snatched the phone the statement on screen carried the seal of carter
23:07group it was crystal clear issued by the pr department but only he and his parents have
23:11this access this can't be jace stared at the short lines blood rushed straight to his head then drained
23:17away in an instant his hands and feet went cold he immediately dialed the internal line to the legal
23:21director his voice was icy cold check my divorce papers with clara now who handled it who signed it why
23:26didn't i know a thing why didn't i know about this after hanging up the phone his fingers trembled
23:32slightly he dialed another number it was his mother she answered the phone almost instantly who
23:38allowed you to release that statement i didn't sign anything how could there be a divorce you didn't sign
23:43but clara came to me herself she was determined to divorce she signed the agreement i had someone handle
23:49the procedures what she didn't tell you she contacted me right after hospital she said she would
23:55definitely divorce you hospital what hospital the time you were hospitalized saving her wasn't she
24:01injured too she called to divorce after discharge i think she finally knew her place she left on her
24:06own at least she's sensible jace it's good that woman is gone mom will find you a more suitable
24:12socialite jace didn't listen anymore he hung up the phone he remembered his mother's ward visit
24:17the argument between them a terrible guess like a cold poisonous snake suddenly burrowed into his heart
24:22he called the hospital director at once his voice was tense pull out the surveillance outside my ward
24:28during my last day the waiting minutes felt like a century as the email alert sounded jace opened the
24:33attachment it was the surveillance video in the footage his mother walked into the ward long after
24:38the door closed i walked out of the next ward my face was pale there was gauze on my forehead
24:43i walked to
24:45the door of his ward i reached out as if to push the door open yet my hand froze on
24:48the doorknob i just
24:49stood there motionless the surveillance video had no sound he only saw me leaning weakly on the wall
24:54my body swayed almost unnoticeably i lifted my head gazing at the ward door my downcast eyes were filled
24:59with shock bewilderment was clearly written on my face cold despair spread slowly in my heart i stepped
25:04back slowly to my own ward my figure looked extremely fragile like a dry leaf about to break apart jace
25:10stared rigidly at the screen his fingertips turned icy cold it felt as if his blood had frozen he realized
25:14i
25:14had known everything i knew the real reason he married me i knew his kindness all had hidden
25:19motives i knew he loved another woman deeply i was merely a tool for his schemes a display to provoke
25:23others a bargain to force his family to compromise jace let out a low bitter laugh his voice sounded
25:28hoarse and broken he lifted his hand to cover his eyes tears still streamed out through his fingers
25:32it came out sudden and uncontrollable scolding hot and heart-wrenching ethan stood quietly aside he
25:37watched his friend fall apart entirely he hesitated wanting to comfort him in the end he only sighed softly
25:43he stepped out without making a sound then gently closed the door the daylight outside slowly faded
25:48away jace sat alone in the dim room he looked like a lifeless stone statue after a long while he
25:53slowly
25:54lowered his hand his eyes were red and bloodshot confusion and pain slowly faded gone replaced by
25:59grim resolve he picked up his mobile phone he dialed his special assistance number his voice was hoarse
26:04yet firm find her use all your connections to search for her locate clara in the shortest time
26:09possible i must find out where she is now right now immediately
26:13jace used all his connections to find me the information they found showed that i had bought
26:16a one-way ticket to cloudspire with my id card he flew there at once but the trail went cold
26:20after
26:21he arrived i had not checked into any hotel with my id nor had i checked into any inner guest
26:25house
26:25i had not rented any car either i'd prepared enough cash in advance then i vanished like a drop of
26:30water
26:30i disappeared quietly into the crowd a place of rugged terrain and old towns jace's men searched almost the
26:35entire city they checked all possible places nearby yet they found nothing at all days passed one by one
26:40jace's calm self-control began to crack he started to suffer from insomnia he smoked night after night
26:44his office and home were thick with smoke during meetings he would suddenly zone out his gaze would
26:49fix on empty space he would ask a meaningless abrupt question where do you think she could go alone the
26:54assistant lowered his head he dared not answer ethan came to see him seeing how haggard he looked he
26:59clicked his tongue have you really fallen for her jace did not deny it he just took a deep drag
27:04of his
27:04cigarette smoke blurred his bloodshot eyes he thought maybe his feelings for nina were nothing
27:08but a habit of possession it was an obsession left from his youth when nina left he felt angry and
27:13unwilling he felt manipulated by family and fate but when i disappeared he felt a sharp hollow pain it was
27:18like his heart had been torn open he was terrified of losing me forever the feeling was strange and sharp
27:23it left him completely at a loss nina couldn't get through to him she went straight to his company
27:28jace why won't you see me why won't you answer my calls is it because of clara listen to me
27:33none of
27:34that is true it's a trick she said to get revenge on us how could she possibly look like that
27:38she must
27:39have had plastic surgery or use some other underhanded means she does this just to catch
27:43your attention to ruin our relationship jace don't let her fool you jace looked at her at her carefully
27:48made up face he listened to her constant vicious remarks and insults directed at clara the bright proud
27:53girl he once knew the girl he'd protected was fading fast revealing a side he no longer recognized
27:58a twisted repulsive side he slowly pried her fingers off his arm nina what she looks like
28:03whether it's real or fake it's none of your business as for whether she's good enough for me
28:07that's for me to decide nina's lips trembled chase you chase cut her off his tone grew even colder and
28:14one more thing after clara was detained what favors did you call in did you really think i wouldn't find
28:19out all color drained from nina's face at once she stared at him in horror for old times sake i
28:24won't
28:24pursue this don't test my patience again and never appear before me or her again jace opened
28:29the office door he didn't glance at her again he turned and walked away a few days later by chance
28:35chase was browsing a niche designer forum he spotted a set of anonymous sketches a thought
28:39flickered across jace's mind he quickly traced the poster's ip it led to an ancient town in the south
28:44a vague idea crossed his mind i had minored in design at university my mother's hometown was nearby
28:49arrange the plane to lynnville town he grabbed his coat and left at once mr carter you have a europe
28:55video conference today before the assistant could finish jace simply said to postpone it he did not
28:59hesitate at all lynnville town was not big but it had a network of waterways inns were hidden in
29:04winding alleys it was crowded with tourists chase held a printed photo of my face it was taken without
29:08makeup at the airport he asked at every inn one by one but three days passed and there was still
29:13no
29:13progress searching was futile he felt trapped in a maze anxiety and powerlessness grew by the day
29:18at night he entered a riverside bar the bar was dimly lit a singer played guitar on stage singing
29:23soft old songs jay sat down in a corner he ordered a strong drink but barely touched it he stared
29:28blankly
29:28out the window at the flowing water and swaying lanterns amid the shifting lights his gaze froze
29:32by the bar counter a woman in an elegant off-white dress with a modified chung sam silhouette came into
29:38his sight she had her back to him her long hair was loosely tied up fixed with a simple wooden
29:42hairpin
29:42revealing a slender graceful neck and a patch of fair skin at the night when he saw me jace's heart
29:47was
29:47struck hard it skipped a beat at once then it began to race wildly he stumbled over to the bar
29:52he grabbed my wrist holding the pen i froze for a second i slowly lifted my head when i saw
29:56who held
29:56me a flicker crossed my clear eyes like a stone dropped on a calm lake but the ripples faded at
30:01once only cold deep calm remained sir you've mistaken me for someone else i tried hard to pull my hand
30:06back
30:07jace held on even tighter his fingertips trembling slightly pain and regret joy at finding me again along
30:12with deeper feelings he could not put into words raged wildly inside his chest clara it's me i found
30:18you come back with me let's talk properly i looked at him a faint smile touched my lips with no
30:23warmth in
30:24it only deep cold sarcasm go back to where mr carter i raised my other hand and pried his fingers
30:29off
30:30one by one carter group divorce statement went viral everyone online has seen it the stamped divorce
30:35certificate was mailed to me days ago there is nothing between us anymore we have nothing to talk about
30:40it was a misunderstanding my mother released it without my knowledge i never knew about it at all
30:45i never signed anything clara it doesn't count it makes no difference who released it the result is
30:52that we're divorced legally socially in everyone's eyes i have nothing to do with you anymore let go of
30:58me and leave don't disturb my life again i turned to leave after saying that i know i was wrong
31:03he suddenly
31:04raised his voice all the guests in the bar looked over he stared at my back desperately words buried deep
31:08burst out at once clara give me a chance can we start over i'll fix everything liana my parents
31:13everyone who hurt you i'll handle them all i promise it won't happen again jace carter i stopped walking
31:18without turning back i only turned my face slightly my voice was soft but clear to him your idea of
31:24starting over use me as your shield against your family or a prop to prove your love for liana your
31:30mother was right when i was ugly i was ashamed to your family now that i'm better looking do i
31:35suddenly
31:35become an object to fix your regret and guilt jace turned pale as if punched hard in the face
31:40he stumbled half a step back he opened his mouth but no sound came out i've got your apology but
31:45i
31:45don't need it and i won't forgive you i didn't look at him again i slung my bag over my
31:50shoulder don't
31:51follow me or i'll call the police i said one last thing i pushed open the bar door my figure
31:56soon
31:56melted into the mist into the night and running water and disappeared jace stood there frozen all
32:02strength drained out of him he grabbed a glass and drank it down strong liquor burned his throat
32:07but couldn't stop the cold and panic spreading in his chest he turned and rushed out chasing after
32:11where i'd gone he followed me from afar and watched me enter a small inn by the river named clearwater
32:16inn warm light shone through wooden windows he stayed at an inn across the river his window facing my lit
32:21room upstairs the one with the light on he stood by the window that whole time staring at that light
32:26until it finally went out until the sky turned pale the next morning he saw me leave early i wore
32:30a
32:31simple linen dress my hair pinned up with a wooden pin carrying an easel and a small wicker basket
32:35i walked down stone steps to an old tree set up my easel facing the stream a stone bridge and
32:39a black
32:40boat and began to paint sunlight filtered through leaves onto me my face calm and focused locals
32:45passed by and greeted me now and then they said hello i would lift my head and smile back gently
32:49the smile was soft but incredibly real morning light and water filled my eyes a relaxed vivid beauty
32:55he'd never seen jace hid in the shadow of the alley greedily watching the scene the empty hole in
33:00his chest hurt even more at the sight my peace my beauty my liveliness had nothing to do with him
33:04i'd only found them after leaving him this thought almost made him fall he stood like a silent statue
33:10he stayed there for a long time until i packed my things and left walking slowly back to the inn
33:14for
33:15the next two days he lingered nearby like a ghost he watched me shop and cook hang sheets in the
33:19yard to
33:20dry chat with the neighbors sit on river steps at dusk and watch the sunset paint the river red my
33:24life
33:25was simple and peaceful without him without suffocating schemes humiliation and harm he watched
33:29through a glass wall a perfect world that wasn't his until the third afternoon this fragile peace was
33:34broken a black car crashed into the old town and stopped roughly at the gate the door opened nina stepped
33:39out furiously jace's heart sank he walked over quickly in the yard i sat on a bamboo chair trimming a
33:44small potted plants clara you persistent woman have you no shame at all you're already divorced
33:49from jace hiding here to seduce him you think this face can win him back let me tell you in
33:54your
33:54dreams jace loves only me it has always been me you were just a tool against his parents a pitiful
34:00ridiculous substitute i put down the scissors and looked up at nina miss vance this is where i live
34:05a private place please leave now nina laughed in anger she stepped forward and pointed at me you should
34:11be the one to leave did you leak your location on purpose jace walked into the yard just then seeing
34:17her point at me so arrogantly hearing her vicious words one by one an unprecedented rage swept over
34:22him nina shut your mouth nina froze she turned sharply and saw jace her face shifted to worry and
34:28panic chase why are you here what are you doing here did you come to see me is this woman
34:33bothering
34:34you again jace ignored her he walked straight to me and stood in front of me then looked at nina
34:39his
34:40disgust was plain to see i told you to stay away from her did you just ignore my words jace
34:46i was
34:46worried you'd be tricked by her she's so scheming she married you on purpose while ugly and now she shows
34:52her true face shut up jace cut her off his voice was colder than ever nina for the sake of
34:58our past i'll
34:59give you one last chance disappear from my sight right now or i won't hesitate to make the vance
35:04family vanish from this city completely nina was stunned she stared in disbelief her face turned as
35:11pale as paper you what did you say you'd destroy the vance family for her jace how could you do
35:17this
35:17jace carter no longer looked at her two bodyguards came to the gate quietly he gave them cold instructions
35:23the bodyguards stepped forward at once they held nina vance from both sides no jace you can't treat
35:29me like this i am the one who loves you the most nina vance struggled constantly she cried out in
35:34despair they dragged her out without mercy she was forced into the car the car soon drove away rapidly
35:39her cries gradually faded away the small yard returned to tranquility only wind rustled through
35:43bamboo leaves jace carter turned to face me i still sat quietly on the bamboo chair my eyes drooped
35:48slightly downward staring at leaves trampled by nina earlier there was no emotion on my face the farce
35:53seemed unrelated to me at all jace carter opened his mouth his voice carried humble entreaty clara will you
35:58come back with me he stepped forward a little closer he reached out to hold my hand but i
36:03avoided his touch at once i lifted my head and looked at him chase carter you still don't understand
36:08it it's never only about nina vance it's all about you this marriage began with schemes those years were
36:14filled with lies and shame your heart always belongs to someone else yet you married me just as a mere
36:19tool
36:20your silence when your mother insulted me you took the dress away from my hands and gave it straight to
36:26nina you swam toward nina without hesitation not even a single glance back at me with every word i
36:31said jace's face turned paler i slowly stood up to my feet and brushed off the dust on my clothes
36:37jace carter i don't hate you anymore hating someone is too tiring but i don't love you either and i'll
36:42never go back with you i watched jace's face turn pale at once i saw pain and despair in his
36:47eyes i felt
36:48nothing in my heart only empty cold calmness i'm fine just the way i am so please leave my world
36:53i looked away
36:53after speaking i turned and entered the old wooden door i closed it gently in front of him cutting him
36:58off from my world completely jace stood outside the door like a statue that had lost all its strength
37:03he stood there for a very long time until dusk fell and night came river lanterns lit up one by
37:08one
37:08stretching his shadow long and lonely he didn't knock on the door again he knew it would never open
37:13once the door is closed from the inside no one outside can push it open jace returned to the carter
37:17group his body was back but his soul was lost in that misty quiet small town ethan barely recognized him
37:22when they met the calm jace was gone forever in his place was a desperate gambler his first move was
37:28to crush the vance family in just half a month the once glorious vance family was crumbling teetering
37:32on the edge of bankruptcy nina wept bitterly kneeling on the cold stone steps calling jace's
37:37name over and over begging for mercy recalling old feelings but jace never met with her once he just
37:42texted via his assistant you touched what's mine then you must pay the price he stressed the words
37:47what's mine sharply everyone knew exactly who he meant the news spread quickly it shook the entire
37:52industry no one expected jace to turn so ruthlessly after he had protected nina for so long soon after
37:58at a major business summit it was jace's turn to speak he stepped onto the stage he didn't talk about
38:03the economy at once or the industry's future he stood under the spotlight facing a crowd of business
38:07elites and flashing media cameras he rarely brought up personal matters i'd like to take this chance to
38:13clarify one thing my divorce from clara was not my choice there was a serious misunderstanding
38:18the crowd fell instantly silent you could hear a pin drop countless shocked incredulous eyes fixed on
38:23him jace spoke on under their gaze every word was firm and resonant i hereby make a solemn statement
38:28the only wife i'll ever have is clara hale i am fixing my mistakes he paused for a moment his
38:34eyes
38:34swept over restless media his voice dropped low carrying an unquestionable warning please do not
38:38disturb her life give us time to make things right when mrs carter saw the news she smashed
38:43her teacup at once she rushed to the company she shouted at jace trembling with rage have you lost
38:47your mind for that woman you've ruined our family you drove the vance family to ruin and now you say
38:53this in public jace looked up from his documents his face was expressionless but his eyes were ice cold
39:01mom if you still want me as your son please respect my choice mrs carter was stunned by his look
39:06she was lost for words then she grew even angrier you'd choose that vixen over your own mother
39:11jace closed the documents he stood up he walked to the window his back to her if i must choose
39:16between you and her i choose her mrs carter staggered back she held the edge of the table she stared
39:21at
39:21his lonely firm back in shock she had never seen him like this crazy obsessive desperate reckless like
39:27a lion enraged guarding his treasure he'd tear anyone who dared to come near jace didn't go back to the
39:32old
39:32town he feared he would disturb me that i might disappear again but he found another way stubbornly
39:36staying in my life i received different gifts every day sometimes fresh purple irises with
39:40dew with dew still on them no name on the card only a printed line of poem seeing such a
39:45kindred spirit
39:45how could i not be glad sometimes a private gallery auction invite in the attached catalog an old jade
39:51eyed eyed was specially folded sometimes just a handwritten note sharp messy handwriting it was jace's
39:56the words were awkwardly silly rain today stay warm eat well my reaction never changed i never opened
40:01any of them flowers stayed untouched at the inn gate left in sun and rain to wilt and die invites
40:06and cards went straight into the bin herbal food i gave to the neighbor lady the landlady felt sorry
40:11for it she couldn't stand it either she tried to persuade me over teeth clara mr carter sends gifts
40:17every day but he never shows up himself it seems he truly knows he was wrong he's full of regret
40:21i was
40:22tracing a bookmark quietly my pen didn't stop at her words regret can't fix certain mistakes some wounds
40:27can't be healed with simple gifts the innkeeper sighed softly she said no more the internet was
40:31not quiet either influencers came to spy on me for views but before they reached the old town
40:35they were stopped by tight security and helpful local residents under this strange protection my
40:40life stayed peacefully on the surface i knew exactly who did this but i felt no gratitude only weariness
40:45and absurdity nina's life fell straight into hell from the beloved vance heiress she became a joke
40:50everyone avoided the huge fall the bitter hatred burned her day and night she blamed me for all her
40:55misfortunes i had stolen jays from her ruined everything she had the money from selling her
40:59last jewelry she didn't use for debts or life through secret connections she contacted some
41:03desperate men i'll give you the money i want that woman's face ruined i want her to be completely
41:08disgraced to live in worse than death one evening a few days later i came back from painting outdoors
41:13passing a quiet empty alley a shabby van stopped sharply beside me the door slid open violently two big
41:19hands reached out suddenly one covered my mouth tightly the other grabbed my wrist hard i was
41:23roughly pushed into the van i didn't even get to cry for help a smelly towel covered my nose and
41:28mouth a sharp smell filled my nostrils i struggled a few times my consciousness faded quickly the last
41:33thing i saw was nina's face twisted with madness and hatred jace was in a crucial global video meeting
41:37his phone vibrated on the table it was an urgent call from my guard mr carter something's wrong miss
41:42clara was taken by a van we lost them they know how to avoid being tracked the van has a
41:47fake license plate
41:48all color left jace's face at once location where did they disappear last west old industrial area
41:54but there are many side roads it's a blind spot for cameras send everyone i have block all roads
41:59out of the city search every warehouse there every abandoned factory jace spoke at a frightening speed
42:05sharpen nearly out of control he dialed another number at once his voice trembled with deep fear
42:09helicopter get it ready on the roof right now only one thought raced in his mind clara must be safe
42:15she
42:15must be safe no matter what the old warehouse smelled of rust and dusty rot hands bound i was
42:20thrown on cold concrete nina stood right in front of me she held a sharp dagger the blade glinted cold
42:25in the dim light clara hale you're finally in my hands she crouched down she tapped my face with the
42:30cold blade look at this face so beautiful it's what enchanted jace isn't it i turned away from the
42:36blade my face showed no emotion only cold silence in my eyes you know what i only wanted to scar
42:41your face
42:42at first turn you into an ugly monster see if jace still wants you but i've changed my mind now
42:46i'll
42:46let everyone see what becomes of jace's beloved woman when her face is ruined as she spoke the tip
42:51inched slowly toward me my body tensed up sharply my tight hands clenched into fists nails digging deep
42:57into my palms just then the rusty warehouse door was kicked open harsh light poured in a figure stood
43:02against the light like a demon returned from hell he charged in with icy killing intent it was jace
43:07carter his gaze locked onto me at once seeing i was unharmed just tied up with red marks on my
43:11face
43:12in that instant his racing heart settled a little then he saw the knife in nina's hand and where the
43:16blade was pointing brutal rage turned almost solid nina let her go nina jumped at the sudden crash the
43:22blade trembled a thin red line appeared on my neck seeing jace she froze in shock then burst into sharper
43:26mad laughter jace you finally came she yanked my hair hard forcing me to face him look closely what's so
43:33great about her besides this pretty face what else is worth you treating me like this and ruining my
43:38entire family jace's gaze was fixed on my face seeing the blood bead on my neck his pupils shrank
43:44sharply let her go name your price nina laughed as if hearing a joke fine i want you to marry
43:49me right
43:50now say you'll marry me in front of her jace didn't shift his eyes at all his answer was firm
43:54impossible
43:55except for her i don't want anyone else nina burst into wild laughter tears streaming from her laughing
44:00eyes her gaze growing even more crazed fine such undying love then i'll ruin her face first let's
44:07see if you still love an ugly monster if you dare touch her jace's eyes were bloodshot each word
44:12gritted through his teeth i'll make you wish you were dead as he spoke he inched forward slowly and
44:17quietly nina had completely lost control her knife hand trembled violently eyes wild and frantic then try
44:23me see if i dare before she finished her wrist snapped the blade slashed hard toward my cheek i heard
44:29jace
44:29shout my name in the split second the blade fell jace moved like a beast striking prey unleashing
44:34shocking speed he lunged forward he didn't reach for the knife instead he used his own body to shield
44:39me completely underneath meanwhile his left hand gripped like iron gripping nina's knife-wielding
44:44wrist the blade veered off course but still sliced down hard cutting deep into jace's right forearm
44:49jace let out a low grunt veins popped on his forehead he paled instantly from pain and blood loss
44:54but he did not pause for a second his right hand forced through the pain he twisted hard
44:58along with nina's sharper scream her wrist bone was snapped cleanly only then did the guards rush in
45:03behind jace quickly pinning the screaming nina down the guards paled at jace's bleeding wound horrified
45:08mr carter your arm but jace felt no pain at all he did not glance at his ugly wound nor
45:13did he care for
45:13the screaming nina he staggered to one knee shakily undoing the rough rope on my wrists his movements
45:18urgent yet almost reverent delicately careful not to hurt me afraid to cause me even a little pain
45:23clara don't be afraid it's all right now jace's voice trembled violently filled with post-crisis
45:28fear and bone deep panic i'm here don't be afraid the rope came loose a bright red mark circled my
45:33pale
45:33wrist jace's pupils shrank he gently lifted my hand to check it but dared not squeeze hard his eyes
45:39quickly swept over my body at the thin red scratch on my cheek all that remained was deep love and
45:45fear
45:45does it hurt are you hurt anywhere else i'll take you to the hospital right now he tried to hold
45:50me
45:51but held back covered in blood and dust his arm froze halfway unsure what to do kidnapped knife at my
45:56throat to jace breaking in getting hurt and stopping nina it all happened so fast so suddenly i sat on
46:01the ground calm the entire time until jace bleeding badly tried to hold me despite his arm i finally
46:06reacted jace are you done with your act jace froze completely as if doused with icy water cold to the
46:12bone he stared at me in disbelief all color drained from his face paler than from blood loss his lips
46:17trembled but no sound came out my eyes held no warmth for him only empty coldness i got lucky this
46:23time what about next time would you only stop if you died for me i paused each word stabbed into
46:28his
46:29heart like ice jace your love came too late and it's too heavy i can't bear it i don't want
46:34it i said no
46:35more and looked away ignoring his trembling bleeding arm throbbing with my words i pushed myself up from the
46:40cold ground on my own i brushed dust off my clothes smoothing out the wrinkles then i turned toward
46:44the warehouse door toward the flashing police lights outside i walked calmly forward my back
46:49straight and resolute i did not look back once at the man who nearly lost an arm for me now
46:53frozen in
46:53place cold to the bone after the warehouse incident i did not linger i gave my statement to the police
46:58answering all necessary questions then returned to clearwater inn i declined her worried offer to stay
47:03settled my bill and left the old town quietly at dawn just as it had been when i arrived the
47:07town
47:07remained as quiet as ever when jace got the news he was in hospital treating his arm the anesthetic
47:11had worn off his wound throbbing sharply but he didn't even frown he stared at his phone waiting
47:15for me the phone rang it was his guard voice trembling mr carter miss clara is gone we watched
47:21all the town exits but never saw her leave she may have disguised herself or taken another route we're
47:25sorry mr carter we lost her the phone slipped from his hand and hit the floor the screen shattered jace
47:31didn't react he didn't feel the pain from his arm the wound had started bleeding again he just sat
47:34stiff on the hospital bed staring at the gray sky outside his eyes completely empty she left again
47:40this time more completely more finally he could almost see her packing calmly slipping out of
47:45everyone's sight vanishing like smoke in the morning mist great fear and utter powerlessness engulfed him
47:50at once like an icy tide worse than when she was kidnapped back then he knew where she was knew
47:54where
47:54the enemy was but now she was gone she didn't want him anymore find her use every connection i have
48:00no
48:00matter how much it costs no matter what it takes dig her out i will find her the carter group
48:05went into
48:06full action but she was like a drop of water evaporated into thin air no id usage records at all
48:11no new bank activity she had erased all her traces jace's arm wound kept reopening because he refused to
48:16rest it got infected he ran a high fever but he ignored it all sick and frantic he searched like
48:21mad day
48:22after day passed hope faded little by little jace was falling apart visibly he started drinking heavily
48:28empty bottles littered his home late at night he held a wine bottle replaying the only photo he had
48:33a candid shot of her at the airport when sean came to see him he barely recognized the man huddled
48:38on
48:38the sofa unshaven hollow-eyed smelling of alcohol his eyes empty as dead water the once confident
48:43composed jace sharpening control was gone completely sean sighed he kicked an empty bottle aside he sat down
48:50beside him if you knew it would end like this you should have acted differently jace made no response
48:55he only held the wine bottle staring blankly at the dark night outside sean took the bottle away and
49:01set it aside you have truly fallen this time you are trapped and cannot get out chase trembled almost
49:06imperceptibly he slowly turned his head and looked at sean his eyes were bloodshot filled with red veins
49:11he spoke at last his voice was hoarse and broken thick and nasal like a lost lonely child i can't
49:17find
49:17her i i really can't find her i'm terrified of losing her he hung his head low covering his face
49:23with both
49:23hands his shoulders shook uncontrollably sean turned his gaze away his heart felt heavy and stifled he
49:28had never seen jace in such a state fragile and desperate easy to break at any touch long-term
49:33drinking and sleepless nights extreme mood swings wore him down and his arm wound festered untreated
49:37jace's body finally reached its limit during a senior video conference as he listened to his
49:41subordinates report a sharp pain twisted his stomach a bitter taste welled up in his throat the next moment
49:46under everyone's horrified stare he turned his head sharply and spat dark blood on the conference table
49:51the meeting room fell into chaos jace was rushed to the hospital immediately the test results came
49:55out soon acute gastric bleeding severe neurasthenia fever and complications from infection the doctor
50:01frowned at the chart he told mrs carter and sean the patient is physically exhausted under extreme
50:06mental stress he refuses all treatment if this continues the consequences will be disastrous jace
50:10lay unconscious for two days his fever raged on he sank into chaotic dreams bizarre scenes flashed by all of
50:16his first meeting with clara her flustered face as she wiped it stains only making it messier awkward
50:21and helpless at their marriage registration she signed quietly behind thick glasses her fingertips
50:25trembling slightly her in an apron cooking porridge her soft face in the rising steam her tearful
50:30question was she unworthy her horse why at the police station her gradual silence in the cold sea the
50:35last look she gave him all images shattered and spun until they formed the town's old warehouse and
50:40the words that damned him forever chase your love came too late it is too heavy i cannot bear it
50:45clara don't go i was wrong i was so wrong jace groaned in pain on the bed his forehead covered
50:50in
50:50cold sweat his hands clawed wildly at the air as if grasping at a fading illusion three days later jace's
50:56fever finally broke he woke up but his eyes were empty he stared motionlessly at the ceiling like a
51:02puppet without a soul the doctor said he needed complete rest no more shocks or stress mrs carter's
51:08eyes were red from crying she tried to speak but only sighed at last she stepped out silently several days
51:14later jace could get out of bed his first act was not treatment nor the piled up company work he
51:18went
51:19to a secure psychiatric hospital on the city's outskirts in the intensive care unit he saw nina
51:23in just 10 days the once glamorous nina vance was now skin and bones her eyes vacant she mumbled
51:28incoherently occasionally erupting in shrill cries or laughter when she saw jace she stared blankly at
51:33first then she recognized him she lunged at the isolation window beating wildly on the thick glass
51:38her face twisted jace you came you're here to take me out right i know i was wrong i shouldn't
51:43have hurt clara forgive me tell them to let me go jace stood outside the window pale and cold his
51:48eyes like ice he watched nina's hysterical outburst no emotion showed on his face this place suits you
51:53nina froze mid strike she stared at him in disbelief enjoy the rest of your life here
51:57the staff will take good care of you and make sure you pay for what you've done jace you can't
52:02do this
52:02to me i love you i did it all for love clara stole you from me she deserves to die
52:08she jace turned
52:09away he spoke calmly to the director do as we agreed no visitors without my permission no exceptions not
52:15even the vance family with that he walked away leaving behind desperate cries and pounding the
52:20corridor was empty and quiet only his footsteps echoing it was all he could do for clara one of
52:24the few acts left for her he walked to the window sunlight shone brightly outside the garden lush with
52:29green grass but his world was already desolate snowed in frozen and dark he had lost his light
52:34from then on nights were endless no dawn would ever come two years was long enough to wash away many
52:39traces clara settled in a quiet border town she bought a small shop with her savings half for living
52:44half turned into a tiny studio she took online design orders and work from local craftsmen in town
52:48life was simple but fulfilling she no longer hid her appearance a bare face cotton linen dresses her hair
52:54loosely tied up she drew many looks on the stone streets young men from town and tourists
52:58drawn by her reputation expressed their affection for her she always smiled politely keeping her
53:03distance gently but firmly the name jace carter gradually became a more prominent symbol in the
53:07financial world through his relentless work the carter group expanded rapidly no woman ever came near
53:11him rumor spread wildly that mr carter remained faithful to his ex-wife he had become a man obsessed
53:17only sean visited his place occasionally and saw a thick stack of clara's photos locked in his study
53:21drawer they were all jace had left of her a top jewelry design contest was back clara saw the call
53:26for
53:26entries she stared in silence for a long time then closed the web page returning to her unfinished
53:30wood carving a few days later she submitted a carefully prepared design signed with claire as
53:35usual months later the finalists were announced claire was on the list again jace remained the contest's
53:40top sponsor the organizers repeatedly begged him to attend the final event he stared at the piercing
53:45name on the list silent for a long time i'll go but seat me in a corner no interviews of
53:50any kind the
53:50final was star-studded clara sat in the contestant area calm and composed two years had given her a
53:56deeper sense of peace and poise she felt his gaze from the dark corner but she did not respond she
54:00was only herself clara hale here to present her work at the award ceremony her work won the highest prize
54:06again she stepped up to speak under the spotlight she thanked everyone but said nothing of personal
54:10feelings at the charity auction her piece was the final auction item as bidding began just as expected
54:16from the shadowed corner that same paddle went up every bid doubled the price firm and unyielding
54:20determined to win the price soared to a staggering sum the gavel fell sold congratulations to mr
54:25carter number 28 he stepped onto the stage they shook hands his hand was still cold with a faint tremble
54:31they exchanged only cold greetings as if they were strangers she smiled keeping her distance after
54:37stepping down they walked briefly backstage together he suddenly spoke in a low voice as long as you're
54:42well that's enough she kept walking without looking back straight to her waiting friend merging into
54:48the crowd after that competition clara's design career soared she rose to international fame she
54:52moved several times finally settling in a historic city opening a larger studio and taking on a few
54:57students she was still alone but falling peaceful at heart occasionally seeing him afar at big events
55:02their paths never crossed again a year later it was clara's birthday purple irises arrived by air as
55:07usual no signature her assistant gasped miss hale that mysterious admirer again always right on time
55:12every year it's so romantic you really don't know who it is clara took the flowers put them in a
55:17vase
55:17gazing out at the old tiled walls she smiled maybe i don't but it doesn't matter anymore what matters is
55:23she had finally learned to love herself and make peace with the past becoming her own warm light
55:27those pains became her life's foundation making her clearer about who she was and what she wanted she
55:31thought she had not let her mother down she had finally protected herself not by hiding her face but by
55:36growing strong bones and full wings she was no one's tall corner accessory she was clara hale that
55:41was enough on the other side of the city jay stood by his office window looking out at the bright
55:45city
55:45lights the latest finance magazine lay on his desk featuring clara on the cover speaking at an
55:50international design forum confident and brilliant he stared for a long time then picked up the internal
55:54phone next quarter's charity will focus on independent female designers and art education programs
55:59after hanging up he sat back in his chair lit a cigarette smoke curled slowly upward he knew some
56:04mistakes could never be fixed some people once lost are lost forever all he could do was stay beneath
56:09the sky where she flew guarding a brightness she may never need and spend his days learning to live
56:13with his deep regret and love the years were long they wandered apart and found their own shores
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