- 45 minutes ago
He Didn't Say He Loved Me Until I Left - FULL EPISODE
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Harper, will you marry me?
00:01I covered my mouth, tears about to spill over.
00:04I will.
00:05When Nate dropped to one knee and opened the black velvet ring box,
00:07I thought my love story was finally about to get its happy ending.
00:11Until Maddie stepped out from the side, phone raised.
00:13Got it, got it!
00:14Harper, you said yes way too fast. God, that's pathetic.
00:16Her laugh was sharp, like nails every word Celeste died right through me.
00:19Dude, I told you she wouldn't last five seconds. You owe me a hundred bucks.
00:22A hundred bucks?
00:22What I thought was a lifelong commitment was nothing but a hundred dollar prank to them.
00:26I looked at Nate.
00:27He stood up, brushed the dust off his pants like it was nothing,
00:29and didn't even glance my way.
00:30Let's put the wedding on hold.
00:31We'll talk about it when you're not so desperate to get married.
00:34Maddie slid her arm through his, chin tilted up, smug.
00:36Seriously, Harper?
00:37His knee hadn't even touched the ground and you already said yes.
00:38How scared are you of ending up alone?
00:39In that moment, whatever hope I'd had for this man just shattered.
00:42I glanced at the ring box on the ground and let out a hollow laugh.
00:45No need to put it on hold.
00:46I'm not marrying you.
00:47No tears.
00:48No scene.
00:49I turned and walked away.
00:50Behind me, Nate's stunned voice cut through the air.
00:52What the hell is wrong with you now?
00:54Harper, stop acting.
00:55The dramatic exit is so overdone.
00:56Come on, it was just a joke.
00:58Do you have to take everything so seriously?
00:59Ignore her.
00:59Let her cool off for a few days.
01:01Within three days, she'll come running back, begging me to take her back.
01:03When they thought I was just playing hard to get, let them think whatever they wanted.
01:06They'd know.
01:06There's a price to pay for turning someone's dignity into a bet.
01:09My footsteps paused for a second.
01:11I didn't look back.
01:12The wind off the lake cut through my trench coat collar.
01:15I looked down and fumbled with my phone to call a ride,
01:18my fingers too numb to tap the screen properly.
01:20The car arrived.
01:21I pulled open the back door and got in.
01:24My phone lit up.
01:26An eye message from Nate.
01:27All right, stop it.
01:28Come home and we'll talk it out.
01:30I glanced at it and hit the lock button.
01:33I got to the apartment.
01:35The IKEA welcome mat by the door had home printed on it.
01:40I stared at that word and felt the irony hit me like a punch to the gut.
01:45I opened the door and turned on the lights.
01:47The whole place was filled with five years worth of our life together.
01:49Over those five years, when his cash flow dried up, I covered his bills.
01:53When he got so wasted at business dinners he couldn't walk straight, I drove out to haul him home.
01:57When he couldn't get his tie right before meeting investors, I fixed it for him one knot at a time.
02:01Back then, he'd gripped my shoulders and said,
02:04Harper, the day my company rings the bell, I'll give you a wedding worthy of you.
02:08My phone screen suddenly lit up.
02:10A confirmation text rummage address a text from the Vera Wang boutique popped up.
02:14Please arrive on time.
02:18I stared at those words and a memory flashed through my mind.
02:22Maddie was at the bridal shop that day too.
02:24She touched the white tood skirt and turned to me with a smile.
02:27Wouldn't this be a little much on Harper?
02:29I said nothing.
02:30I just tightened my grip on the cold latte in my hand,
02:33the one she'd taken two sips of, said it was too sweet, and casually handed off to me.
02:37And Nate, he sat on the couch, head down, answering emails.
02:41From start to finish, he never once looked up at me.
02:43I sat on the living room couch.
02:46My phone lit up again.
02:49A few seconds later, another message popped up.
02:53Don't make things awkward.
02:56Then I put the phone down and went to work.
02:58A co-worker asked why my eyes were a little puffy.
03:00I said I stayed up to Nate binge-watching a show last night.
03:04During my lunch break, I scrolled past an Instagram story Tyler had posted.
03:07In the photo, Nate sat by the window at some trendy steakhouse.
03:10Maddie sat next to him, holding up a martini, throwing up a peace point at the camera.
03:13The caption read,
03:14Celebrating someone's newfound freedom.
03:16Dodged a bullet.
03:17I casually tapped the like button.
03:18Three minutes later, Nate called.
03:21I walked into the break room and answered.
03:25His first words were,
03:27What the hell does that like mean?
03:57I was flipping through a draft of an SLA service agreement.
03:58Victim, last night, in front of my friends, you said you wouldn't marry me.
04:03Did you even stop to think how that made me feel?
04:06I closed the folder.
04:08Nate, we're already broken up.
04:10Silence on the other end for two seconds.
04:12Then he let out a cold laugh.
04:14There you go again.
04:14You threatened to break up over every little thing.
04:16Is this fun for you?
04:17The speakerphone on my desk blared his accusations.
04:19My response was cold and final.
04:21Fine.
04:22Keep acting like this.
04:22He was furious and hung up on me.
04:24He hung up.
04:25I stared at the dark phone screen and my knuckles slowly relaxed.
04:30After work, I went to Home Depot and bought a stack of cardboard boxes and a few rolls of
04:34wide packing tape.
04:35I got back to the apartment and unfolded the boxes, laying them out flat in the living room.
04:41I pulled open the closet.
04:42Nate's custom-tailored suit still hung shoulder to shoulder with my dresses.
04:46Five years.
04:47I'd ironed his shirts, picked out his ties, and used Google Calendar to track every single
04:51business dinner and round of golf.
04:53Tucked inside a drawer was an old scarf.
04:55The first birthday gift Nate ever gave me.
04:57He'd just started his startup that year and bought it at Target.
05:00The material was rough, scratchy against the neck, and he hadn't even cleaned the tag off
05:04properly.
05:05But back then, he'd clutched that scarf, his ears turning red, and said,
05:10Harper, when I have money, I'll replace this with Hermes for you.
05:15After I got together with Nate, the word someday became the thing I heard the most and the one
05:20that meant the least.
05:22He was short on cash, said he'd pay me back with interest someday.
05:27He stood me up on my birthday, said he'd take me to Cam Goon to make up for it someday.
05:31Even on the day he proposed, when I was humiliated in front of everyone, all he said was,
05:36don't take it personally.
05:37I'll make it up to you with something better someday.
05:40But a person can't live their whole life clinging to someday.
05:43I have a future I want to make real, too.
05:47I pulled that scarf out and threw it straight into the trash bag.
05:51Everything that belonged to me, I wasn't leaving a single piece behind.
05:55At three in the morning, the living room was filled with sealed cardboard boxes.
05:59The sound of tape ripping echoed, sharp and clear, through the empty space.
06:04By dawn, I'd taped up the very last box.
06:08My phone buzzed.
06:09Another confirmation text from the Vera Wong boutique.
06:12Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes, your custom wedding dress fitting scheduled tomorrow at 3pm has
06:16been confirmed.
06:17Please arrive on time.
06:17I stared at the words, Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes.
06:21Then I opened my chat history with Nate.
06:24I scrolled back.
06:25That day, I'd sent him the link to Vera Wong's new collection catalog.
06:29What do you think of this flishtail silhouette?
06:31He replied two hours later.
06:32In a meeting, we'll talk later.
06:34Then I opened Snapchat.
06:37Maddie had posted a story that same day.
06:39Nate leaned against the high-end fitting mirror, holding her Balenciaga hourglass bag for her.
06:44The caption read,
06:45Borrowing someone else's man as a style consultant for half a day.
06:47Turns out haste isn't half bad.
06:50I turned off my phone, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door.
06:54When I stepped out of the apartment building, that familiar black sedan pulled up right in
06:58front of me.
06:59The window rolled down.
07:01Nate sat in the driver's seat, his expression dark.
07:03He pushed the door open and stepped out, a take-out paper bag in his hand.
07:07Let's go upstairs first.
07:08Put everything back the way it was.
07:09We'll eat, then we'll talk.
07:11I looked down at my phone, checking the bridal shop's refund policy.
07:13Harper, are you done yet?
07:15He frowned and pushed the paper bag a little closer toward me.
07:18I didn't take it.
07:21What are you looking at?
07:22Look at me when I'm talking to you!
07:23His voice rose.
07:25A friend needs me for something.
07:26I put my phone away.
07:28His brow furred slightly.
07:29What thing?
07:30Before I could open my mouth, the passenger window rolled down.
07:33Maddie poked her head out, her smile sickeningly sweet.
07:35Harper, don't read into this, okay?
07:37My mini's in the shop.
07:38Nate just gave me a ride to work on his way.
07:39She shook the iced latte in her hand from Starbucks.
07:42This bagel?
07:43I was gonna eat it, but I'm cutting carbs this morning, so I figured I'd let you have
07:46it.
07:46Don't go making a big deal out of this, too.
07:48I looked up at Nate.
07:49This is your idea of letting things go?
07:51Harper, what the hell do you want?
07:52Nate's frown deepened.
07:53Fine, don't eat.
07:54He pulled the paper bag back and turned to hand it to Maddie.
07:56Maddie bit her straw and reached over to pinch Nate's cheek.
07:58It was over my Cali budget anyway, and you still wanted to bring her one?
08:01Nate swat her hand away, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
08:04Nate, you play favorites!
08:05She has a stomach ulcer.
08:06A few carbs won't hurt her.
08:07I didn't say another word.
08:08I walked around him, heading straight for the taxi that had just pulled up at the curb.
08:11By the time Nate realized what was happening, I was already opening the car door.
08:15He didn't get the chance to stop me.
08:16The moment the door shut, I saw him through the rearview mirror, standing there looking absolutely
08:20furious, once I was in the car, I called my real estate agent.
08:23That condo in Lincoln Park, put it on the market today.
08:26The faster it sells, the better.
08:27I thought you said you were keeping it as your marital home.
08:30The wedding is off.
08:31Sell it.
08:33My phone buzzed again.
08:34A message from Nate.
08:36Are you coming to brunch this afternoon?
08:37I was a little heated earlier.
08:38Don't take it seriously.
08:39I glanced at it.
08:41No reply.
08:42At the Vera Wang boutique, the sales associate greeted me with a beaming smile.
08:46Miss Hayes, you're here.
08:47Is Mr. Farler not joining you today?
08:50I sat down on the velvet sofa and looked up at her.
08:53The wedding is off.
08:54The associate froze completely, and the champagne she was holding nearly sloshed out of the glass.
08:58I'm sorry, what did you say?
09:00I pulled out my ID and the order contract from my bag and placed them on the marble coffee
09:03table.
09:04Cancel the order.
09:05Dedract whatever penalty this is stepping place from the deposit.
09:07No need to contact Nate.
09:08The associate flipped through the contract, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
09:11Mrs. Hayes, are you sure?
09:13Mr. Foster came in personally to pick this dress.
09:15He said he wanted to surprise you.
09:16I stared at my signature on the contract.
09:17Surprise?
09:18The associate opened her mouth, but no words came out.
09:20I stood up, my heels clicking against the marble floor, each step crisp and distinct.
09:24The moment I pushed open the glass door, my phone started buzzing in my hand.
09:27One word on the screen.
09:28Nate.
09:29I looked at it.
09:30I flipped the phone over, screen facing down, and slid it into my trench coat pocket.
09:33Once something is canceled, there's no need to look back.
09:35Once the cancellation was processed, I stood on Michigan Avenue waiting for my ride.
09:39HR from the company called.
09:41Harper, our Austin, Texas Blanche urgently needs a regional sales director.
09:44You've mentioned before that you'd be interested in a cross-state transfer.
09:46Are you still considering it?
09:47I am.
09:48I'll take it.
09:49A pause on the other end.
09:50That fast?
09:51You don't need some time to think it over?
09:52I don't.
09:53The sooner the better.
09:55In the afternoon, I stopped by the organic deli I always went to.
09:58The manager saw me and greeted me with a smile.
10:00Harper, the usual?
10:01Has Nate's acid reflash gotten any better?
10:03I wouldn't know.
10:03I handed over my pickup slip.
10:05The manager paused for a second and didn't ask anything else.
10:08I picked up my insulated container and headed out.
10:10As I passed the booth seats in the hallway, I heard Tyler's voice coming from behind the defiation.
10:14Seriously, Nate, aren't you worried she's actually going to dump you for good this time?
10:17She's even called off the wedding.
10:18My steps stopped for just a moment.
10:20Nate's voice, lazy and unconcerned.
10:22Where's she going to go?
10:23She'll be mad for a few days and then come crawling back on her own.
10:26Tyler's laugh got louder.
10:27You're that confident?
10:28She can't live without me.
10:29Nate, no offense, but honestly, you've spoiled her way too much.
10:31Maddie's syrupy voice cut in.
10:32She's been so spoiled, she actually believes she's some kind of queen in this relationship.
10:35Maddie, that mouth of yours, absolutely no filter.
10:37Tyler let out a whistle.
10:38I'm just telling it like it is.
10:39Maddie laughed.
10:39She used to be so good at playing housekeeper for Nate.
10:41Laundry, cook, edgling appointments, the whole package.
10:43You really think she's capable of letting all that go?
10:45A glass clinked against the marble tabletop with a crisp sound.
10:47Nate didn't argue.
10:49I stood on the other side of the division, insulated container in hand.
10:52I stopped for five seconds.
10:53Then I shoved the container into the nearest trash can.
10:55I turned and walked into the subway station.
10:57When I came out of the station, the cold wind hit my face.
11:00I pulled out my phone.
11:00I blocked Nate's number, his iMessage, his Instagram, his LinkedIn.
11:04All of it.
11:05Back at the apartment, the movers were already waiting downstairs.
11:08I led them up.
11:09In the living room, boxes labeled and sealed were stacked in neat, orderly rows.
11:14Ma'am, do all of these go on the truck?
11:16Anything with yellow tape on it.
11:18Take it all.
11:18The workers started hauling things out.
11:20The apartment emptied, piece by piece.
11:22On the entryway cabinet, the matching couple keychains still sat there.
11:25Two key-shaped metal charms that fit together, engraved with our initials.
11:28We'd ordered it the day we signed the lease for this apartment.
11:30I pulled the spare key from my bag and set it down on the entryway tray.
11:34Metal hit ceramic with a soft clink.
11:36I draped my last tretch coat over my forearm and turned to leave.
11:39The front door lock turned.
11:41Nate pushed the door open and walked in.
11:43He was drenched in the smell of whiskey and cigars.
11:46In his hand, he carried a takeout bag from a high-end Italian restaurant.
11:49He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the mostly empty living room.
11:52His face went dark in an instant.
11:54What the hell are you doing?
11:55Before the words were fully out of his mouth, he hurled the takeout bag at me.
11:59The bag hit my shoulder and burst open.
12:01Truffle cream pasta sauce splattered everywhere, soaking my clothes.
12:04I didn't dodge.
12:06Nate lunged forward and snatched the trench coat right off my arm.
12:10Rip.
12:11The fabric tore wide open.
12:13Leave?
12:14Did I say you could leave?
12:17He flung the ruined coat to the floor and glared at me, his eyes bloodshut.
12:21Are you out of your mind?
12:23Look at this place.
12:25Did you move out or did we get robbed?
12:28I said nothing.
12:30It made him even angrier.
12:31I went out of my damn way to pick up your favorite truffle pasta and this is what I get!
12:37I looked at him, my voice quiet.
12:39Nate, I'm tired.
12:41He froze for a second.
12:42His eyes dropped, taking in the pasta sauce all over my clothes.
12:45I used to care so much about keeping my outfit spotless.
12:47Even a single coffee stain on a cuff and I'd deal with it immediately.
12:50But now, I couldn't even be bothered to grab a napkin and wipe it off.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as fast.
12:54He pointed at the empty living room and shouted,
12:56Fine, leave!
12:57Get the hell out of Chicago right now!
12:58The second you walk out that door today, even if you crawl back begging on your knees,
13:01I won't spare you a single glance.
13:02I didn't argue.
13:03I crouched down and silently picked up the torn trench coat from the floor.
13:06The living room was so quiet it was suffocating.
13:08Nate went rotted.
13:09He looked like it was finally starting to sink in that this time was different from all the others.
13:12He seemed to calm down.
13:13After a long silence, he crouched down too, reaching out as if to help me pick it up.
13:16The second his hand touched the fabric, I pulled the boat away from him.
13:19Harper.
13:19His movement froze midair.
13:20I didn't respond.
13:21He stared at my face and his voice suddenly dropped.
13:24Are you crying?
13:26I reached up and touched my cheek.
13:28Tears were actually falling.
13:30I hadn't even noticed.
13:33I used to rarely cry in front of him.
13:35He once said he couldn't stand emotional women.
13:40Back then, I actually believed him.
13:42Not anymore.
13:43I picked up the carry-on suitcase at my feet.
13:45Nate stretched an arm across the doorway, blocking my path.
13:48You're really leaving?
13:50I met his eyes, level and steady.
13:54Game over.
13:55His lips moved, but not a single word came out.
13:59The room was dead silent.
14:01I pulled the door open.
14:03He didn't try to stop me again.
14:04Behind me came the sound of something porcelain shattering against the floor.
14:08Shards of glass sprayed across the wooden floorboards of the entryway.
14:10I didn't look back.
14:12I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby.
14:15Outside, it was pouring rain.
14:17I opened my umbrella and climbed into the uber black waiting at the curb.
14:22The moment the door shut, the driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
14:27His eyes upon the stains covering my clothes for a second.
14:30He looked like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it.
14:34The Hilton Hotel, please.
14:37The car pulled out of the apartment complex.
14:39I opened my phone's photo album.
14:41Five years.
14:42Thousands of photos.
14:45The picture I took the day Nate secured his first seed round.
14:49Select all.
14:51Delete.
14:52The iOS confirmation box popped up.
14:54Are you sure you want to delete these photos?
14:56This action cannot be untuned.
14:58I tapped confirm.
14:59Rain hammered against the car window outside, blurring the entire Chicago nightscape.
15:03Those photos went into the trash bin.
15:05He and I, we were done.
15:08A week went by.
15:09Neither of us contacted the other.
15:10Nate cracked first.
15:11He opened iMessage, his finger hovering over the screen for a few seconds before he typed out a line.
15:15Are you about done now, still putting on a show?
15:17Send.
15:18A notification popped up on the screen.
15:20Not delivered.
15:21The bubble turned green.
15:22His face fell instantly.
15:23He stared at the screen for a long time, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
15:26And then that expression on his face.
15:27That look of always having everything under control.
15:29Finally shattered.
15:29The next second, his iPhone slammed hard against his office desk.
15:32He yanked at his shirt collar in irritation and dialed the bridal boutique directly.
15:36He probably figured that since I dared to pull a stunt like this, he'd dare to cancel the fitting.
15:41See who blinked first.
15:42The call connected.
15:43Nate held back his fury, his voice cold and hard.
15:45This is Nate Foster.
15:46Cancel the fitting this weekend.
15:48Silence on the other end for a beat.
15:50The sales associate hesitated before speaking.
15:52Mr. Foster, Miss Haisley already canceled the order three days ago.
15:55The penalty fee has already been paid.
15:56The plane touched down at Austin-Bergrim International Airport at three in the afternoon.
16:00David Miller, the regional director for the Texas branch, was waiting for me in person at the arrivals hall.
16:04He glanced at the single tuxi carry-on in my hand, his expression mildly surprised.
16:07Harper, is that all the luggage you have?
16:09I pulled open the door of the Chevrolet Suburto and got in.
16:13I don't need extra baggage.
16:14I can start working immediately.
16:16David smiled and handed me a thick folder.
16:19This is the pile of messes this branch has accumulated over the last six months.
16:22The biggest landmine is the annual contract renewal with Apex Global.
16:26I flipped open the folder and quickly scanned the dense data and charts.
16:28They're extremely dissatisfied with our supply chain response times from last quarter
16:31and are already running a public tenor to switch suppliers.
16:33Apex procurement director had a reputation in the industry for being notoriously difficult.
16:37Back in Chicago, I chewed up and spit out more than a few of these hard-to-crack B2B clients
16:40for Nate's company.
16:41I knew the pain points of these Silicon Valley-styles executives inside and out.
16:46Take me directly to Apex headquarters.
16:47I closed the file and looked up at the driver.
16:51David froze.
16:52Right now, you don't want to go to the hotel first, shake off the jet lags, take a shower?
16:56I looked out the window at the blazing, harsh, hesh Texas sun.
16:59Winning clients doesn't wait for anyone.
17:01Half an hour later, I stood in the office of Apex Global's procurement director.
17:04The guy's name was Rick Henderson, mid-50s, wearing the signature Patagononia fleas vest, the classic middle-aged tech exec.
17:10He leaned back in his Herman Miller ergonomic chair and didn't even give me a proper look.
17:13Your company's got a sense of humor.
17:15Sending a girl who's not even as old as my daughter to negotiate an eight-figure contract?
17:19I didn't let his age or gender pressure phase me.
17:21I slapped the restructured proposal directly onto his mahogany desk.
17:23Mr. Henderson, age has no direct correlation with professional competence.
17:27This quote is three percentage points lower than your current alternative suppliers,
17:29and we're committing to cutting the after-sales SLA response time in half.
17:33Rick sat up straight immediately and picked up the proposal.
17:35That dismissive look on his face visibly retracted.
17:38What makes you so confident you can deliver on these promises?
17:41I met his scrutiny without flinching.
17:43Five years at Chicago headquarters with a zero-failure project delivery record.
17:47If we don't hit the committed KPIs, you can deduct the penalty directly from my annual bonus.
17:51Rick stared at me for a solid minute.
17:54Then, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
17:58Bold. Got a bit of that Texas spirit. You've got the deal.
18:02Walking out of Apex's glass tower, David looked at me with a completely changed expression.
18:06Harper, you're incredible.
18:07I rubbed my neck, sore from staring at documents for too long.
18:11David, this is just the beginning.
18:14At ten at night, I got back to the extended stay suite the company had arranged.
18:19After a shower, I sat on the bed and stared at the spare phone for a few seconds.
18:24Then I picked it up and turned it on.
18:26The screen flooded with over a Doven voice message from my former colleague, Sarah.
18:31I tapped the first one.
18:33Sarah's voice was barely containing the excitement of someone loving the drama.
18:36Oh my god, Harper, your exit was way too cool.
18:40Nate stormed into our office this afternoon like a maniac looking for you.
18:45I've completely bloodshot.
18:47He grabbed the HR director by the collar and demanded Amanda to know where you went.
18:51I listened expressionlessly while towel drying my hair.
18:55Sarah sent another one.
18:57HR told him you transfer to Austin, and he flipped the receptionist's iMac off the desk on the spot.
19:03Then Maddie ran over to pull him back, using that deliberately high-pitched voice going,
19:09Nate.
19:10And guess what?
19:11Nate turned around and slapped her right across the face!
19:14My hand paused mid-motion with the towel.
19:17Nate hit Maddie.
19:18That was new.
19:19Sarah immediately followed up with a secretly recorded video.
19:23I tapped play.
19:24In the footage, Nate's eyes were blood red as he pointed at Maddie and tore into her.
19:28Are you satisfied now?
19:30You had to use those low, dirty tactics to push her away?
19:33Is that what it took for you to be happy?
19:36Maddie clutched her face, sobbing.
19:37Her eyeliner completely smeared and one of her false lashes hanging half off her eyelid.
19:41Nate, you were the one who said she was just throwing a fit.
19:43Why are you yelling at me?
19:44Nate kicked over a stainless steel recycling vist beside him.
19:46Get the hell out!
19:48The video ended there.
19:49I casually tossed the phone onto the bed and kept drying my hair.
19:51His regret now was way too late.
19:53It was worth less than week-old takeout.
19:54He was losing his mind now purely because he'd realized he was missing someone who worked
19:58365 days a year, always on call.
20:01Someone who took care of everything for him.
20:02It was absolutely not because he loved me.
20:04I knew men like him way too well.
20:06The phone suddenly vibrated violently.
20:08An unfamiliar Chicago area code flashed on the screen.
20:10My gut told me it was him.
20:12I hit decline without hesitation.
20:13The caller didn't let up.
20:15After a dozen calls in a row, I finally picked up.
20:17Harper, you finally answered!
20:19Nate's voice was russy, rough, thick with exhaustion and the steel residue of a hangover.
20:23How long are you going to keep this up?
20:24The bridal shop said you canceled the order completely.
20:26Do you have any idea how I felt when I got that message?
20:30I let out a cold laugh.
20:31The penalty fee was charged to my own credit card.
20:34What does it have to do with you?
20:35Nate's breath caught.
20:37It's not about the money.
20:39You ran off to Texas without a word.
20:41You cleared out the entire apartment.
20:43What the hell are you trying to do?
20:45Do I have to buy a plane ticket right now and fly down there to apologize in person?
20:49Is that what it'll take for you to be satisfied?
20:51I looked at my calm reflection in the bathroom mirror.
20:55Nate, do you not understand plain English?
20:57I told you.
20:58We're done.
21:00Don't call again.
21:01Call one more time and I'll file for a restraining order.
21:03I hung up directly and blocked that number too.
21:07I also turned on the silence unknown caller's setting.
21:10I flipped the phone face down on the bed.
21:12Silence.
21:13My first month in Austin, I was so busy I barely had time to breathe.
21:17I single-handedly pulled the branch's Q3 performance up by five percentage points.
21:21The New York headquarters sent out a company-wide internal email commending me.
21:25Friday night, the department insisted we had to celebrate.
21:27I chose a top-tier steak and seafood restaurant on Congress Avenue and paid out of pocket to
21:31treat the whole team to dry-aged Tom Hawk steaks.
21:34The mood was at its peak when I excused myself to go to the restroom.
21:37Just as I stepped out of the private dining corridor, a figure lunged out from around the
21:41corner.
21:42A hand seized my wrist.
21:43The grip was so tight, it felt like it could crush bone.
21:47Harper, I finally found you.
21:50I looked up and met a pair of bloodshot eyes.
21:52It was Nate.
21:53He had lost a significant amount of weight.
21:55His eyes were sunken, his jaw covered in messy, patchy stubble.
21:57The custom shirt I used to iron wrinkle feet for him every morning was now a crumpled mess
22:00sticking to his body, reeking of long-haul flights and sour whiskey.
22:03I wrenched my hand free with force.
22:04Let go.
22:05Nate didn't let go.
22:06He tightened his grip instead.
22:08I won't!
22:08Harler, come back to Chicago with me!
22:10His eyes were red-rimmed, his voice trembling, barely able to stink a full sentence together.
22:15Without you, there's nothing left at home.
22:16I don't even know which dry cleaner to send my clothes to.
22:18My stomach ulcer flared up three times.
22:20I was on the floor in the middle of the night, rolling around in pain, and there was no one
22:23to drive me to the ER.
22:24I stared at his state, and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach.
22:27Sir, you've got the wrong person.
22:29Where's your Maddie?
22:30Isn't she the one who cares about you the most?
22:32Why didn't she make you that special soup for your stomach?
22:35The moment Maddie's name left my mouth, Nate's face twitched violently.
22:38Don't you dare mention that idiot to me again!
22:40She drove every single one of my investors away!
22:43She can't even do a basic pivot table!
22:45She does nothing but cause trouble for me!
22:47I looked at him coldly.
22:48And whose fault is all that?
22:50You're the one who raised that mess.
22:52What did you used to say about her?
22:54Innocent, full of life, fun, unlike me, rigid, boring, a soulless work machine.
22:59Nate shook his head desperately.
23:01I was wrong, Harper.
23:02I know I was wrong now.
23:03I've already fired her.
23:04I will never have anything to do with her again for the rest of my life.
23:07Just come back, okay?
23:08We'll get married right away.
23:10Tomorrow.
23:10We'll go to City Hot tomorrow!
23:12Even as he said these words, his hands were still shaking.
23:14I said nothing.
23:16I looked at him like I was looking at a stranger.
23:19Nate, do you really think that if you just snap your fingers,
23:21I'll come running back like some loyal dog?
23:24His face went white as a sheet.
23:26That's not what I meant.
23:27I just, I really can't...
23:29He couldn't finish the sentence.
23:31I took a step back, putting distance between us.
23:34You can't live without me?
23:36No.
23:37You just can't live without someone to clean up your messes.
23:39People like you, the only person you've ever loved is yourself.
23:42Nate stared at me, his gaze locked on.
23:44That look in his eyes, like he was the one who'd been abandoned.
23:47I don't believe you.
23:48You loved me for five years.
23:50How can you just drop it like that?
23:51You're just punishing me, aren't you?
23:52He suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach,
23:55his whole face crumpling in pain.
23:56Harper, my stomach hurts so bad.
23:59You used to hate seeing me in pain.
24:00Just help me find some medicine, okay?
24:01I looked down at him.
24:03If it hurts, call 911.
24:05I'm not a doctor.
24:06I can't fix your stomach.
24:07From the end of the hallway, someone heard the commotion.
24:09A few of my male colleagues stepped out of the private room.
24:11Harper, what's going on?
24:12They spotted Nate, crowed on the floor,
24:14and immediately positioned themselves in front of me.
24:16Dude, what are you doing?
24:17Call security.
24:18Get this guy out of here.
24:19Two burly restaurant security guards arrived quickly and hauled Nate up.
24:22He thrashed and struggled, his gaze locked desperately onto me.
24:24The guards dragged Nate toward the front entrance without any ceremony.
24:27His almost deranged shouts echoed through the corridor.
24:29Harper, you're going to regret this!
24:31I raised the crystal wine glass in my hand.
24:33I didn't look back.
24:34That night, I had two glasses of Pinot Noir and went back to the hotel.
24:37I slept more soundly than I had in months.
24:39The next day, I was in the office reviewing the Q4 sales forecast.
24:43The front desk called my extension.
24:44Mrs. Hayes, there's a woman in the lobby refusing to leave.
24:47She's insisting on seeing you.
24:48I frowned.
24:49Who is it?
24:50She says her name is Maddie.
24:51I let out a cold laugh.
24:53Some things really are impossible to shake off.
24:56I took the elevator down.
24:57Maddie's hair was a tangled mess.
24:59She sat on one of the leather couches in the lobby.
25:01Her makeup completely destroyed.
25:02Mascara smeared all over her face.
25:04A small crowd of employees had gathered around, watching the spectacle.
25:07The moment she saw me, she lunged.
25:09Harper, you bitch!
25:10Look what you did to Nate!
25:11Building security immediately held her back.
25:13She thrashed wildly, her sharp pink acrylic nails clawing at the air.
25:17You want to leave?
25:19Fine!
25:19But why did you have to take all the client accounts with you?
25:22Do you even know Nate's company is about to file for bankruptcy protection?
25:25The client's chose me because I'm professional.
25:28What does that have to do with you and Nate?
25:30I paused, looking at her.
25:33As for the company going bankrupt, didn't you cause that yourself?
25:36Getting waste at the investor gala and single-handedly torputing a $50 million Series B.
25:43I've got to say, that's a talent I don't possess.
25:45Someone in the crowd of watching employees couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud instantly.
25:49She fumbled in her Louis Littian bag and pulled out a half-finished latte,
25:53hurling it at me with all her strength.
25:54I had seen it coming and sidestepped.
25:57The coffee splashed all over the security guard's uniform behind her.
26:00His face darkened.
26:01He wrestled her straight down onto the lobby floor tiles.
26:04Let me go!
26:05You useless pieces of trash!
26:06Maddie screamed like a woman possessed.
26:08I walked over and stood in front of her, looking down.
26:11Call 911 and report an assault.
26:13Maddie's whole body went rigid.
26:15You'd call the cops?
26:17Aren't you afraid Nate will hate you for this?
26:19I looked down at her and smiled slightly.
26:21Whether he hates me or not, what does that have to do with me?
26:25Patrol officers from the Austin Police Department arrived on the scene quickly.
26:29They handcuffed Maddie on charges of assault and criminal trespass and hauled her into the back of a squad car.
26:34Calm returned to the lobby.
26:36I smoothed out my sleeve and stepped back into the elevator, heading up to my office to get back to
26:40my reports.
26:41After that whole farce was over, Tyler called me.
26:44Harper, you went way too far with this.
26:47It's Miss Hayes to you.
26:49Or Harper, since we're not exactly friends anymore.
26:52Tyler let out an awkward laugh.
26:54Fine, Harper.
26:55Nate is completely finished this time.
26:56The company's bank accounts are frozen.
26:58All his partners bailed.
26:59To cover the gaps in his taxes, he sold that condo in Lincoln Hall.
27:01My grip on the pen didn't falter.
27:03The nib didn't pause on the paper for even a second.
27:05That property was under his name.
27:06Whether he sells it or not has nothing to do with me.
27:09Tyler was silent for a moment.
27:12Maddie got locked up in county jail.
27:14You were the one who called the cops?
27:16It was me.
27:17Nate went to the station.
27:19I raised an eyebrow.
27:20To post bail for her?
27:22No.
27:23There was an unmistakable note of sarcasm in Tyler's voice.
27:26He went to the station and right in front of the cops nearly strangled Maddie to death.
27:31My hand stopped for a second.
27:33Has he lost his mind?
27:35Pretty much.
27:36He found out Maddie not only torched the funding round, but also secretly leaked the
27:39company's core pricing model to a competitor.
27:41They paid her 50 grand in kickbacks.
27:44Nate is now completely and utterly broke.
27:46I leaned back in my chair and looked out the window at the clear, boundless Texas sky.
27:50He brought this all on himself.
27:52Tyler tested the waters cautiously.
27:53Harper, we were all friends once.
27:56Nate's at the point where he can barely make rent.
27:58Do you think you could maybe...
27:59No.
28:00I cut him off flatly.
28:01Tyler, didn't you used to say in your little bro group chats that I wasn't good enough
28:05for Nate?
28:05That I was just a gold digger trying to climb the social ladder?
28:08And now you're coming to beg me on his behalf?
28:11Silence on Tyler's end.
28:13I hung up the phone.
28:14The months that followed, I threw every ounce of my energy into work.
28:18The Texas branch's performance left every other branch in the Southwest region in the
28:22dust.
28:22I used one solid earnings report after another to shut up every single one of the old men
28:27at headquarters who had doubted me.
28:28By the end of the year, David was called back to New York HQ and promoted to VP.
28:33I officially took over as general manager for the Texas region.
28:36The night of the annual awards gala, I drank quite a bit of champagne.
28:40When I stepped out of the hotel entrance, the night breeze hit me, and I sobered up a
28:44lot.
28:45Parked on the curb was a beat-up white Ford Transys cargo van, its body covered in scratches
28:48and splattered mud.
28:49A man was crouched beside it, struggling to unload a case of Evian water.
28:53He wore a filthy work jacket with the faded logo of some local water delivery company printed
28:56on the back.
28:57His back was hunched.
28:58One of the cases slipped and slammed down hard onto his steel-toed boots.
29:01He cried out in pain and collapsed onto the ground.
29:03The streetlight perfectly illuminated his profile.
29:06It was Nate.
29:07The same Silicon Valley CEO who once wore nothing but custom suits and couldn't go five minutes
29:11without mentioning valuations and exit strategies.
29:14Now he was reduced to hauling water for a delivery company, earning cash paid out by the day.
29:19I stood on the steps and watched quietly for a moment.
29:21He seemed to sense something.
29:23His head whipped around.
29:24The second his eyes met mine, his whole body went completely stiff.
29:28He frantically tried to wipe his face with a hand covered in engine grease.
29:32It only made the smotches worse.
29:33He struggled to stand up, desperate to hide behind the van.
29:36I walked down the steps one by one in my high heels.
29:40I stopped in front of him.
29:42Nate.
29:43His entire body shuddered.
29:45His head dropped so low it nearly touched his chest.
29:48Miss...
29:48Miss Hayes?
29:49He couldn't even bring himself to say my first name anymore.
29:52I looked at what he had become.
29:54I felt nothing.
29:55I heard your company went under?
29:57He bit down hard on his cracked, dried lips.
30:00Tears fell onto the concrete.
30:03Yes.
30:04And Maddie?
30:05I asked casually.
30:06She took that kickback and ran off to Los Angeles.
30:09Then some crypto scammer conned her out of every last cent.
30:12Now she's washing dishes in the back kitchen of a strip club on Hollywood Boulevard.
30:17His voice was rough as sandpaper.
30:19I nodded once.
30:20Suits her perfectly.
30:22Nate suddenly lifted his head.
30:23His blood-washed eyes fixed on me.
30:25Harper, I deserved all of this.
30:26I dream about you every single night.
30:28You're in the kitchen frying eggs, helping me tie my tie.
30:30I regret everything.
30:31He suddenly dropped to his knees on the ground and reached out as if to grab the hem of my
30:34trench coat.
30:35Just give me one more chance, okay?
30:36I'll work for you.
30:37I'll do whatever you say.
30:38I stepped back, dodging his filthy hands.
30:41Nate, the way you look right now, it's just pathetic.
30:43He froze completely.
30:44No more struggling.
30:45No more excuses.
30:46He just looked at me like the life had been drained out of him.
30:49You weren't like this before.
30:50You used to feel bad whenever you saw me working late.
30:52Yeah.
30:52I used to be blind.
30:54But you took everything I did and treated it like it was just your due.
30:57Just so you could protect that pathetic little ego of yours in front of your so-called friends,
31:00in front of Maddie.
31:01You trampled my dignity into the ground.
31:03And now, now that you have absolutely nothing left, you finally remember me.
31:07Don't you find this whole act just disgusting?
31:09He buried his face in his hands in agony.
31:12A low, animal-like sound of anguish tore from his throat.
31:15I turned and walked toward the uber black waiting at the curb.
31:18The driver in white gloves opened the car door for me.
31:21I got in.
31:22I didn't look back.
31:24Not once.
31:27The car pulled away, leaving the figure kneeling on the roadside far, far behind in the rearview mirror.
31:34Two years later, I represented the Southwest region at the National Supply Chain Summit
31:39back in Chicago.
31:40After the conference, our business partners invited me to dinner at a newly opened rooftop
31:44restaurant downtown.
31:45The restaurant's location was close to the lakefront spot where Nate had proposed all
31:50those years ago.
31:51The same place where he, surrounded by Maddie and Tyler, had mocked me to my face.
31:55I walked into the restaurant in a sharply tailored Tom Brownie professional suit, my stilettos
32:01clicking against the floor.
32:03The Merida led us into the VIP private room.
32:06Midway through the meal, one of the partners accidentally knocked over a glass of Cabernet
32:11Sauvignon.
32:12I pressed the service bell.
32:14The door to the private room opened gently.
32:16A man in a server's vest walked in quickly, head down, carrying a cleaning cloth.
32:21He crouched to the floor and started wiping up the spilled red wine.
32:24The partner slid a contract renewable across the table to me.
32:27Ms. Hayes, please review the terms again.
32:29If everything looks good, we can sign right now.
32:30I took the Monbonic fountain pen and signed my name on the signature line.
32:35Pleasure doing business with you.
32:38The server scrubbing the wine stain on the floor suddenly froze mid-motion.
32:42He slowly lifted his head.
32:45The cloth dropped from his hand onto the carpet.
32:49It was Tyler.
32:50He had bloated up significantly compared to two years ago.
32:53His face was greasy and slick, his eyes darting away.
32:55I was mildly surprised but regained my composure quickly.
32:57Do you know him, Ms. Hayes?
32:58The business partner followed my gaze and frowned slightly.
33:00I picked up my sparkling water and took a sip.
33:03I don't.
33:03Tyler's face instantly flushed a deep red.
33:05He snatched the cloth off the floor and bolted out of the private room without looking back.
33:08Later, I heard from old contacts in Chicago that the Tyler Family Trust had run into major problems.
33:11All the assets under his father's name had been frozen.
33:13All those friends who used to club hop and race sports cars with him disappeared overnight.
33:16He found a minimum wage job at a restaurant on Indeed,
33:18barely scraping by to make the minimum payments on his credit cards.
33:20The day my business trip ended, it rained in Chicago.
33:23On the way to O'Hale International Airport,
33:25we passed through the old Lincoln Park neighborhood.
33:26The driver asked if I wanted to pull over for a moment to grab a coffee.
33:29I shook my head.
33:30No thanks.
33:31Straight to the airport.
33:32That apartment was someone else's home now.
33:34Everything inside it, along with all those sealed cardboard boxes,
33:37had been thrown away by me long ago.
33:39A push notification from a Chicago local news app popped up on my phone.
33:42Former tech founder Nate F. arrested on aggravated assault charges
33:45following street brawl with Amazon Flex driver over delivery route dispute.
33:48The attached photo was a shot of Nate from behind,
33:50his hands accucked, being pressed face down against the hood of a police cruiser.
33:52I swiped the notification away, closed my eyes, and leaned back into my seat.
33:57The plane climbed through thick clouds and broke through to 10,000 meters.
34:01Blinding sunlight filled the windows.
34:03After returning to Austin, I went straight to the title transfer center.
34:07Using the performance bonuses and stock options I'd accumulated over the past two years,
34:11I bought a sprawling penthouse in the city center overlooking Lady Baird Lake.
34:16The day I got the keys, I invited the entire office over for a housewarming party.
34:20Everyone filled the spacious living room, drinking local craft beer with country music playing.
34:25The balcony was lined with my favorite white roses.
34:28I stood by the Florida Cleese windows with a glass of Cabernet,
34:31gazing out at the light stretching across the city below.
34:34The night breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of the lake.
34:37I once believed I couldn't survive without all those some days.
34:41I found out later that I could.
34:44Because what every person can truly rely on has never been someone else's promises.
34:48It's the money I earn myself.
34:50It's what's inside my head that no one can ever take away.
34:53I raised my glass, gently clinking it against my own reflection in the window.
34:58Harper, here's to the future.
35:01Outside, the lights of Lady Baird Lake shimmered like a sea of stars.
35:05The red wine went down.
35:07The red wine went down.
35:07The red wine went down.
35:09The red wine went down.
35:10The red wine went down.
35:10The red wine went down.
Comments