- 24 minutes ago
Three Years as His, Now I'm Mine
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After hours of sex, At Benjamin finally collapsed onto me, his breathing heavy and racked.
00:06Then he rolled off and headed to the shower.
00:10When he emerged, I was still in bed, unable to move.
00:17Even after all this time, I still could not keep up with his stamina.
00:22Benjamin toweled off his damp hair, then hooked my underwear off the floor and tossed them to me.
00:31Pack your things and move out tomorrow. Don't ever come back.
00:36I froze, asking instinctively.
00:39Why?
00:40He lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with a tenderness and longing I had never seen before.
00:48She's coming back.
00:50I instantly knew who he meant. Emersoni, new senior out. His one true love.
00:57His eyes held a warmth that had never been meant for me.
01:02I could still feel the warmth of his body on my skin, but his words had already turned cold.
01:08I got dressed in silence.
01:11There was nothing left to say.
01:13I had already said too much over three years.
01:19I had been in this arrangement with Benjamin for three years.
01:23It started when I was just his secretary.
01:26After a few drinks at a banquet, we ended up in bed together.
01:30The first time he brought me here, he refused to let me stay the night.
01:34But his desire was unusually intense.
01:38Soon, he began to crave more and started letting me stay.
01:44To the rest of the world, I was his most capable assistant, taking care of everything for him.
01:50In private, we were no different from a committed couple.
01:54Whether it was my birthday or a holiday, he would cancel every party just to be alone with me.
02:00I had grown so used to this life that I had started to imagine a future with him.
02:06But now, he told me not to come back anymore.
02:12In the height of passion, he had held me and murmured a name in a delirium.
02:18I only learned the truth later.
02:21It belonged to the one woman he loved but could never have.
02:25I could not stand the smell of smoke.
02:28My throat felt tight and harry.
02:31Is she moving in?
02:33Benjamin's face was blurred behind the smoke, though his voice remained gentle.
02:38She's not like you.
02:40She's not the type of woman who gives herself away so casually.
02:44I am just worried she will get the wrong idea if she sees your things when she visits.
02:50Honestly, she is so pure and innocent, she will not even let me kiss her.
02:56Let alone sleep with her.
02:59I finished the sentence for him in my head, fighting the sting in my eyes.
03:04I got out of bed and be gathering my clothes.
03:07There is no rush.
03:08Can you not stay until tomorrow?
03:14Benjamin walked over and buried his face in the kirk of my neck, his tone as affectionate as ever.
03:25I want you to make me that pasta again.
03:28My hands froze as I was folding my clothes.
03:31Alright, I will make it for you.
03:36I turned on the stove.
03:38Once the water came to a boil, I dropped in the pasta.
03:43Once it was ready, I drained it, topped it with beef slices I had prepared myself.
03:50As at Benjamin ate, I went back to my packing.
03:54I had lived here for three years,
03:57yet everything I owned fit into a single suitcase.
04:02Mostly just my clothes.
04:04I did not take any of the kitchenware or household essentials.
04:08When I wheeled my suitcase into the living room,
04:11Benjamin Neenan gestured toward the cabinet.
04:13You really liked that dinnerware set, did you not?
04:16I shook my head.
04:20There is no room for it in my suitcase.
04:24I was about to walk out the door when Aunt Benjamin called out to me.
04:27His plate was nearly empty.
04:29He looked down, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
04:34At the office, we will maintain a professional relationship.
04:41But privately, you can still come to me if you ever need anything.
04:46I understood what he was implying.
04:48I simply nodded.
04:51All right.
04:57I dragged my suitcase out.
05:04Morning.
05:05Far too late to ask anyone for help.
05:07I quickly cleared a small space and lay down.
05:10I was completely exhausted.
05:13I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
05:16But strangely enough, I kept dreaming about the days when I first met Benjamin.
05:22Back then, he was the untouchable head of the Kilbreed group.
05:27And I was just one of his many assistants.
05:34My first real encounter with him happened at a gala.
05:38The executive assistant had an emergency and asked me to fill in to accompany Benjamin.
05:46After several rounds of drinks, a business partner suddenly turned his attention to me.
05:53Mrs. Tildy, refusing to drink with me is a real slap in the face.
05:58I had not yet learned how to navigate situations like that and froze on the spot.
06:05I am sorry.
06:06I am allergic to alcohol.
06:09The man's face darkened.
06:12Instantly.
06:13The entire room went silent.
06:16Trembling.
06:17I picked up the glass.
06:18Prepared to drain it.
06:20I figured the worst that could happen was a trip to the ER.
06:23But halfway there, a hand stopped me.
06:28Benjamin's profile was partially lost in the shadows.
06:32He gave a faint smile.
06:36Mr. Reggett, why pick on a young lady?
06:39I will take this one for her.
06:41I watched him drink for me that night and thought he was the most impressed man I had ever met.
06:51I stared blankly as at Benj Benjamin finished glass after glass offered to him.
06:57His face flushed and his eyes grew glassy.
07:01I later learned that Benjamin had just taken over the company back then.
07:07Plenty of people were looking for an excuse to push him out.
07:11After that night, I made it my mission to learn how to handle those events.
07:16When the executive assistant jumped ship, Benjamin promoted me.
07:22I became his personal secretary, managing everything for him.
07:28The night we first slept together, he was completely wasted.
07:32He kept murmuring a name in a delirium, his voice thick with sorrow.
07:38My heart went out to him.
07:40I could not help but reach out and hold him.
07:43Everything just happened naturally after that.
07:46It was not until much later that I realized that day had been Emerson's birthday.
07:52I thought that night meant something.
07:54It did.
07:55Just not the same thing to both of us.
07:58To him, I was a replacement.
08:01To me, he was everything.
08:06The next morning, I was jolted awake early by a call from Benjamin.
08:14Come over and drive me to the airport.
08:18He hung up before I could even get a word in.
08:23I had not slept well.
08:24My pillow was still damp when I woke up.
08:27I rubbed my throbbing temples,
08:30got ready,
08:31and headed out.
08:33On the way, my family called.
08:36My mother's voice was cautious.
08:40Jenny, are you coming home for the holidays this year?
08:43The quiet expectation in her aging voice made my throat tighten.
08:49Mom, I will be home next week.
08:53She sounded like she could not quite believe it.
08:56Really?
08:58For the past three years,
09:00I had spent every holiday at Benjamin's place.
09:03I nodded firmly.
09:07Mom, I am coming home.
09:09After hanging up,
09:11I submitted my resignation through the company portal.
09:15I could hear the hope in my mother's voice.
09:17It had been three years since I last heard it.
09:20I had been so busy being his that I forgot how to be mine.
09:25I climbed into the familiar black Audi.
09:29At Benjamin was already in the back seat.
09:32The car moved smoothly toward the airport.
09:37Not a single word was spoken the entire way.
09:40As we neared the terminal,
09:42his voice drifted from the back.
09:44You left something at my place.
09:46It was the matching sweater I had bought for Valentine's Day that year.
09:50I had worn the women's version.
09:52Benjamin had worn the men's.
09:54We had spent the whole day out together,
09:57acting like a real couple.
09:58For one brief day,
09:59I had had him all to myself.
10:05I took a deep breath.
10:08My voice flat.
10:10Just throw it away.
10:12Benjamin fell silent.
10:15Before long,
10:16he was leading Emerson back to the car.
10:20She was wearing a plush white coat
10:22over a Shilfan dress.
10:23Her eyes were large,
10:25clear,
10:26and utterly captivating.
10:28It was easy to see
10:29why she was the first love
10:31he could never get over.
10:32I watched Emerson walk toward the car,
10:35and I felt nothing.
10:37Not jealousy.
10:40Not anger.
10:41Just a quiet,
10:43tired acceptance.
10:50Immersion looped her arm
10:51through At Benjamin's
10:52and gave me a playful look.
10:55Jenny,
10:57would you mind
10:58helping me with my bags?
11:00Benjamin acted
11:01as if he had not heard a thing.
11:03I shot her a brief glance,
11:05then got out of the car
11:07without a word.
11:09I knew women traveled
11:10with a lot of gear,
11:12but I had not expected
11:13Emerson to show up
11:14with five massive suitcases.
11:17I used every ounce of my strength
11:19to heave them into the trunk.
11:22By the time I was done,
11:24my hands were shaking
11:25and aching.
11:27The moment I got back inside,
11:29the lively chatted
11:30in the back street
11:31stopped instantly.
11:33Benjamin pulled out
11:34a pack of cigarettes
11:35and started to take one out.
11:37Then he hesitated
11:39and put it back.
11:42A second later,
11:43I heard Emerson's
11:45delicate voice
11:45from behind me.
11:50Ben,
11:51you still have not
11:51quit smoking?
11:53You know how much
11:55I hate the smell of smoke.
11:58Benjamin immediately
11:59tucked his cigarettes away
12:01and ruffled her hair.
12:07Marco and the guys
12:08rented out a place
12:09to celebrate your homecoming.
12:10Do you want to go?
12:11Absolutely,
12:13Emerson nodded.
12:15Then she turned to me
12:17with wide eyes.
12:19Jenny,
12:20why do not you come too?
12:23I pressed my lips together,
12:26ready to decline.
12:28But at Benjamin cut in.
12:30Emmy just got back.
12:31Do not ruin the mood.
12:33In the end,
12:35I went anyway.
12:39The moment we walked in,
12:41at Benjamin's inner circle
12:42crowded around them.
12:43Led by his friend Marco,
12:45the group started
12:45teasing them immediately.
12:47The guest of honor
12:48is finally back!
12:49All these years
12:49you have been gone.
12:50Ben has been like
12:51a man possessed!
12:53You are back
12:54to get hitched, huh?
12:55When is the big day?
12:57Emerson buried her face
12:58shyly against
12:59Benjamin's chest.
13:00He laughed,
13:01playfully scolding them.
13:02When there is good news
13:03to share,
13:04you will be
13:05the first to know.
13:07The room was full of laughter,
13:10but none of it reached me.
13:12I sat at the edge
13:13of the table,
13:14invisible as always.
13:18The two of them
13:19were ushered
13:19into the private room
13:20surrounded by the crowd.
13:22When at Marco
13:24spotted me trailing behind,
13:26his expression
13:27shifted to awkwardness.
13:31Miss,
13:32Miss Tilmy,
13:33you are here too?
13:35Come on in,
13:36please.
13:40Emerson remained cold
13:42and abrasive
13:43towards me
13:43throughout the entire meal.
13:45Marco poured her
13:47a glass of fruit wine
13:48with a smile.
13:50Emmy,
13:51since it is
13:51your first day back,
13:53do me a favor
13:53and have a drink with me.
13:59Do not
14:00you know
14:01she is allergic
14:02to alcohol?
14:04Marco
14:05scratched his head,
14:06looking
14:07completely confused.
14:09Emerson's face
14:10darkened.
14:12I am not
14:13allergic to alcohol.
14:15Benjamin
14:16froze
14:17mid-motion,
14:18his wine glass
14:19still raised.
14:22Is that so?
14:24I must have
14:25misremembered.
14:26Emerson turned
14:27and noticed
14:27the juice
14:28in my glass.
14:30Her expression
14:30soured further.
14:32Marco did not
14:33know that the allergy
14:34Benjen remembered
14:35was mine,
14:36not Emerson's.
14:38Benjamin
14:39had confused us.
14:41I was not sure
14:42if that made it
14:42better or worse.
14:46Why is Jenny
14:47not drinking?
14:50Emerson lifted
14:51her glass
14:51and tilted
14:52her head.
14:53You are not
14:54unhappy
14:55that I am back,
14:56are you?
14:57I glanced
14:58at Benjamin.
14:59He was staring
15:00straight at me,
15:01his lips parting
15:02slightly as he spoke.
15:04Genevieve Tilley,
15:05just have one drink.
15:06Do not ruin
15:07the mood
15:07for everyone.
15:08I took a deep
15:09breath,
15:10picked up the glass
15:11of red wine,
15:12and had drained
15:13it in one go.
15:16The room
15:17immediately erupted
15:17into cheers.
15:19Soon,
15:20a rash broke out
15:21all over my body,
15:23spreading in a thick
15:23crawl up at my neck.
15:26Someone spotted it
15:27and gasped
15:28in alarm.
15:29Oh my God,
15:31you are having
15:31an allergic reaction!
15:33Benjamin glanced
15:34over indifferently,
15:35his tone ice cold.
15:39She will be fine.
15:40It is not like
15:41she is going to die.
15:45The rash spread
15:46across my skin,
15:47burning and itchy.
15:51But the physical pain
15:53was pressing
15:53with the physical
15:54for nothing
15:55compared to the
15:55coldness in his voice.
15:58She will be fine.
16:00It is not like
16:01she is going to die.
16:03The dinner dragged on.
16:05After a few more rounds,
16:07one of Benjamin's
16:08friends sighed.
16:09Ben,
16:09you are as loyal
16:11as they come.
16:12Emi left so suddenly
16:14back then,
16:15and you still
16:16waited three years
16:18for her.
16:19Marco,
16:20who was clearly
16:20drunk,
16:22slung an arm
16:22over Benjamin's shoulder.
16:24I actually thought
16:25you and Genevieve
16:26might end up together.
16:28You two have been
16:29inseparable
16:30these last three years.
16:32Emerson stared
16:33straight at me,
16:34the malice plain
16:35in her eyes.
16:37Jenny,
16:38is there some
16:39other side to you
16:40I do not know about
16:41besides being
16:42Ben's secretary?
16:44Benjamin raised
16:45an eyebrow.
16:46Genevieve,
16:47why do not you
16:47tell everyone?
16:49What exactly
16:50are we to each other?
16:51I let out a short
16:52laugh,
16:53as if I had just
16:54heard something
16:55ridiculous.
16:56Mr. Kilbreast
16:57and I
16:58are strictly
16:59boss and employee.
17:01I told them
17:01we were nothing.
17:03I was protecting
17:04what little dignity
17:05I had left.
17:06Benjamin looked at me
17:07like he expected
17:08me to say more.
17:10I stayed silent.
17:13I had already
17:14said too much.
17:16By the time
17:17dinner ended,
17:18Benjamin was
17:20completely wasted.
17:22In his drunken
17:23haze,
17:24he instinctively
17:25reached for me.
17:26His voice
17:27soft and pleading.
17:30Genevieve,
17:32will you take
17:33me home?
17:35He leaned
17:36against my
17:37shoulder,
17:38nuzzling into
17:38my neck like
17:39he was desperate
17:40for affection.
17:42Do you really
17:43think we are
17:43only?
17:44Do you have
17:45any idea?
17:47I did not
17:48catch the rest.
17:49A second later,
17:50At Benjamin
17:51was yanked
17:52away from me.
17:55Emerson stood
17:56there like she
17:57was guarding
17:58her territory,
17:59propping at
18:00Benjamin up
18:01as she glared
18:01at me.
18:04Jenny,
18:05since you are
18:06just his
18:07employee,
18:08you should keep
18:09your distance
18:09from a man
18:10who is already
18:11engaged.
18:13Otherwise,
18:14people might
18:15start to talk,
18:16do you not think?
18:16I nodded,
18:18my face a mask
18:19of indifference.
18:22You are
18:22absolutely right.
18:24I watched
18:25Emersley lead
18:26him away and
18:27realized I was
18:28already a ghost
18:28in his world.
18:30It was time for me
18:31to disappear
18:32completely.
18:34For a week,
18:36aside from work,
18:37Benjamin and I
18:38had no private
18:39contact at all.
18:41My resignation
18:42was approved
18:43quickly through
18:43the company portal.
18:45The final step
18:46only required
18:47Benjamin's signature.
18:49I printed a
18:50hard copy,
18:51walked into
18:51his office,
18:52and handed
18:53the letter to
18:53him.
18:54He was on
18:55a call,
18:56his voice
18:56unusually gentle.
18:58Without even
18:59glancing at the
19:00paper,
19:00he signed
19:01his name
19:02in a few
19:02quick strokes.
19:03I turned
19:04to leave,
19:05but he
19:05stopped me.
19:07I am
19:07proposing to
19:08Emmy tonight.
19:09Leave early
19:10this afternoon
19:10to go set up
19:11the venue.
19:12Benjamin leaned
19:12back in his
19:13leather seat
19:14and calmly
19:15gave the order.
19:16I nodded
19:17to show I
19:17understood.
19:18Is there
19:18anything else?
19:19He stared
19:20at me steadily,
19:21as if searching
19:22my face for
19:23some other
19:23emotion.
19:24But eventually
19:25he looked
19:25away.
19:28Signing
19:29my resignation
19:30felt heavier
19:31than signing
19:31a divorce
19:32paper I
19:32never had.
19:36Three years
19:37of my life
19:37condensed
19:38into a
19:39single sheet
19:39of paper.
19:45I left
19:46work an
19:46hour early
19:46headed to
19:47the address
19:47Benjamin
19:48had given
19:48me.
19:49After three
19:50years together,
19:51I knew
19:52his preferences
19:53like the
19:53back of my
19:54hand.
19:55I never
19:56imagined the
19:57last thing I
19:57would ever do
19:58for him
19:58would be
19:59arranging
20:00his proposal.
20:01I spent
20:02an hour
20:02setting up
20:03the venue
20:03and planned
20:04to head
20:04out
20:04immediately.
20:09Unexpectedly,
20:10I ran
20:10into Emerson.
20:11The moment
20:12she saw
20:12me,
20:13she looked
20:13overjoyed,
20:14as if she
20:15had completely
20:16forgotten
20:16our unpleasant
20:17encounter.
20:18She linked
20:19her arm
20:19through mine
20:20affectionately,
20:21acting like
20:21we were the
20:22best of
20:22friends.
20:23Jenny,
20:23thank goodness
20:24you are
20:24here.
20:25I need
20:25to get
20:26into my
20:26dress.
20:27Could you
20:27help me?
20:28I had no
20:29real reason
20:30to refuse,
20:31so I
20:31agreed.
20:33I arranged
20:34roses and
20:35candles for
20:35his proposal
20:36to another
20:37woman.
20:38Every flower
20:38I placed
20:39felt like
20:39a nail
20:40in my
20:40own
20:40coffin.
20:45I followed
20:46Emerson to
20:47the dressing
20:47room.
20:48She stepped
20:48into the
20:49gown
20:49Benjamin
20:50had instructed
20:50me to
20:51pick up
20:51from the
20:51bridal
20:52shop.
20:52It was
20:53stunning,
20:54absolutely
20:55breathtaking.
20:56I remembered
20:57when that
20:57dress first
20:58debuted.
20:58I had
20:59stared at
21:00the magazine
21:00for hours.
21:02When
21:03Aunt Benjamin
21:03had seen
21:04it,
21:04he had
21:05said,
21:05Do you
21:06like it
21:06that much?
21:07I will
21:08buy it
21:08for you.
21:09I never
21:10imagined
21:10that just
21:11six months
21:12later,
21:12that very
21:13dress would
21:14be on
21:14Emerson.
21:17Jenny,
21:18how does
21:18it look?
21:20Emerson
21:20had pale
21:21skin,
21:21and in
21:22that dress
21:22she seemed
21:23to glow.
21:25It is
21:25beautiful.
21:26Emerson
21:27lifted the
21:27hem of
21:28her skirt
21:28and walked
21:29toward me
21:30gracefully,
21:30a faint
21:31smile on
21:32her lips.
21:33Too
21:33bad,
21:34beautiful
21:35things are
21:35always
21:36coveted by
21:37those who
21:37do not
21:38own them.
21:39That
21:40dress was
21:40supposed to
21:41be mine.
21:42I had
21:42been saving
21:43a picture
21:43of it on
21:44my phone
21:44for months.
21:46Now it
21:47was hers.
21:50along with
21:51everything else
21:52I had
21:52wanted.
21:55Being with
21:56Ben for
21:56three years,
21:57you actually
21:57thought he
21:58would end
21:58up with
21:58you,
21:59did you
21:59not?
21:59What a
22:00shame.
22:01Ben
22:01still cannot
22:02forget me.
22:03All your
22:04effort over
22:05the last
22:05three years
22:06was for
22:06nothing.
22:09I froze,
22:10so she
22:11knew everything,
22:12but I
22:13quickly regained
22:13my composure.
22:15Whatever I
22:15had with
22:16Benjamin had
22:16been mutual.
22:17I was
22:18never a
22:18homewrecker.
22:20Amarisian
22:20acting like
22:21a jealous
22:21wife was
22:22simply
22:22ridiculous.
22:23I pulled
22:24myself up
22:25to my
22:25full height
22:26and looked
22:26at her
22:26with a
22:27faint
22:27smile.
22:28How can
22:29a mutual
22:30relationship
22:31be called
22:32a waste
22:32of effort?
22:34For the
22:35past three
22:35years,
22:35I have
22:36had a
22:36handsome
22:37partner
22:38with
22:38incredible
22:39stamina
22:40for free.
22:42Who is
22:43to say
22:43who really
22:44lost out?
22:46Emerson's
22:46eyes instantly
22:47flared with
22:48rage.
22:48She lunged,
22:49raising her
22:50hand to
22:50slap me.
22:51Bitch!
22:52You
22:53shameless
22:54bitch!
22:55I blocked
22:56her easily,
22:57twisting her
22:57arm behind
22:58her back.
23:04I refused
23:05to let her
23:05see me break.
23:06I had
23:07already broken
23:08enough in
23:09private.
23:10If she
23:10wanted a
23:11fight,
23:12she
23:13would
23:13get
23:13one.
23:19Resorting
23:19to violence
23:20because you
23:20are losing
23:21an argument?
23:22Who taught
23:23you that?
23:26Emerson
23:27suddenly wrenched
23:28her hand
23:29free,
23:29a sly,
23:30triumphant
23:31smile spreading
23:32across her
23:32lips.
23:33Who do you
23:34think Benjamin
23:35will believe
23:35in a minute?
23:37You or
23:38me?
23:39before I
23:39knew it,
23:40Emerson
23:41pulled a
23:41pair of
23:41scissors out
23:42of nowhere
23:42and began
23:43violently
23:44hacking at
23:44her dress.
23:48Jenny,
23:49even if I
23:50offended you,
23:51you did not
23:52have to do
23:52this.
23:53She whimpered
23:54in a
23:54piddle voice.
23:56I froze
23:57for a
23:57slip
23:57second and
23:58then it
23:58clicked.
23:59This was
24:00all a
24:00performance.
24:03Emerson
24:04ripped the
24:04gown to shreds,
24:05threw the
24:06scissors to
24:06the floor
24:07and then
24:07slapped herself
24:08hard across
24:08the face.
24:13Help!
24:14Jenny,
24:14please do
24:15not do
24:15this to
24:16me!
24:16I stepped
24:17forward,
24:18pinned her
24:18skirt down
24:18with my
24:19foot and
24:20slapped her
24:20across the
24:21face.
24:23The sharp
24:24crack of
24:24the slap
24:25echoed
24:25through the
24:26room.
24:27I watched
24:27her destroy
24:28that beautiful
24:29dress and
24:29realized she
24:30would do
24:31anything to
24:31win.
24:32But I was
24:33no longer
24:33playing her
24:34game.
24:36Emerson
24:37was
24:37completely
24:38stunned,
24:39looking up
24:39at me in
24:40pure
24:40disbelief.
24:41You
24:42hit me?
24:43How
24:44dare you
24:44hit me?
24:45I gave
24:46a curt
24:46nod of
24:47approval.
24:48That is
24:48better.
24:49Your
24:49acting
24:50before was
24:50way too
24:51over the
24:51top.
24:52Flurry
24:52of
24:53frantic
24:53footsteps
24:53sounded
24:54from
24:54behind,
24:55followed
24:55by
24:55Benjamin's
24:56furious
24:56roar.
24:58Genevieve!
24:59What
25:00the hell
25:00are you
25:01doing?
25:02Emerson
25:02tried to
25:03lunge
25:03toward
25:04at
25:04Benjamin,
25:05dragging
25:05her tattered
25:06dress
25:06behind
25:06her.
25:07I
25:08stepped
25:08forward
25:08again,
25:09pinning
25:10her skirt
25:10back
25:10down.
25:12I
25:13grabbed
25:13her by
25:13the hair
25:14and
25:14delivered
25:14a hard
25:15slap
25:15to both
25:16sides
25:16of her
25:16face.
25:17This
25:18time,
25:19Emerson's
25:20tears
25:20were real.
25:21She
25:21looked so
25:22fragile and
25:22broken that
25:24anyone would
25:24have felt a
25:25surge of
25:25pity.
25:26Benjamin
25:27completely
25:28lost it.
25:29Apologize
25:30to
25:30Amersi.
25:31Now!
25:33Why
25:33should I
25:34apologize?
25:35I
25:35did
25:35not
25:36do
25:36anything
25:36wrong.
25:37I
25:37wrenched
25:38my
25:38hand
25:38from
25:38his
25:39grip
25:39and
25:39lunged
25:40at
25:40the
25:40sobbing
25:40Emerson
25:41again.
25:44I
25:44slapped
25:44her twice
25:45more
25:45before
25:46roughly
25:47tearing
25:47the
25:48tattered
25:48remains
25:48of the
25:49dress
25:49right off
25:50her
25:50body.
25:52You
25:53wanted it
25:53shredded?
25:54Let me
25:55help you!
25:55With her
25:56only cover
25:56ripped away,
25:57Emerson
25:58screamed
25:58in terror.
25:59A crowd
26:00had already
26:00gathered
26:01outside the
26:01door,
26:02leaving her
26:02with nowhere
26:03to hide.
26:03Benjamin
26:04grabbed my
26:05hand in a
26:05blind rage
26:06and slapped
26:07me across
26:07the face.
26:10Are you
26:11finished?
26:12Who do you
26:13think you
26:13are to lay
26:14a fender
26:14on Emmy?
26:15You are
26:15nothing but
26:16my employee.
26:17What makes
26:18you think
26:18you matter?
26:19I am
26:20telling you
26:20one last
26:21time.
26:23Apologize!
26:23It had
26:24been a long
26:25time since
26:25Aunt Benjamin
26:26had spoken
26:27to me in
26:27such a
26:28cold,
26:28brutal
26:29tone.
26:30Tears
26:31stung my
26:31eyes,
26:32but I
26:32forced them
26:33back,
26:33refusing to
26:34let a
26:35single one
26:35fall.
26:36I lifted
26:36my foot
26:37and kicked
26:37him hard
26:38in the
26:38shin.
26:40Go to
26:40hell with
26:41your apology!
26:43I pushed
26:44through the
26:44crowd and ran
26:45as fast as
26:46I could.
26:48I ran
26:49until my
26:49lungs burnt
26:50and my legs
26:51gave out.
26:56I did
26:56not look
26:57back.
26:57I was
26:58never
26:58going
26:58back.
27:02I
27:02contacted
27:03the venue
27:03manager and
27:04pulled the
27:04surveillance
27:05footage from
27:05the dressing
27:06room.
27:07I cast it
27:08onto the
27:08venue's big
27:09screen for
27:10everyone to
27:10see.
27:14I packed
27:15my things
27:15overnight and
27:16booked a
27:16flight back
27:17to my
27:17hometown.
27:21Before
27:22boarding,
27:22I checked
27:23my phone
27:24one last
27:24time.
27:27Benjamin
27:28had posted
27:28a new
27:28update on
27:29Instagram.
27:30It was as
27:31a photo of
27:31Emerson's
27:32hand wearing
27:32a ring.
27:33The caption
27:34was simple.
27:35Hello,
27:36Mrs.
27:36Kilbreth.
27:37I blocked
27:37him.
27:38Then I
27:39stepped onto
27:39the plane
27:40and went
27:40home.
27:42I had not
27:43been home for
27:44the holidays
27:44in three
27:45years.
27:46All because
27:47I wanted
27:48to keep
27:48Benjamin
27:48company.
27:51When my
27:52parents saw
27:53me, they
27:54were overjoyed.
27:56A wave of
27:57bitterness
27:57welled up
27:58inside me.
27:59Being loved
28:00feels like
28:01finally having
28:01a place to
28:02lean on.
28:04The surveillance
28:05footage played
28:06like a movie
28:06in reverse.
28:09Everyone saw
28:10the truth.
28:11Whether they
28:11believed it
28:12was up to
28:13them.
28:13I was done
28:14caring about
28:15what anyone
28:15thought.
28:18I bought
28:19new clothes
28:20for my
28:20parents,
28:21took them
28:21into town
28:22for holiday
28:22shopping,
28:23and decorated
28:23the house.
28:24The small
28:25town was
28:26already buzzing
28:27with festive
28:28spirit.
28:29Caught up
28:29in the
28:30atmosphere,
28:31I felt a
28:32genuine sense
28:33of peace
28:33for the first
28:34time in a
28:35long while.
28:41During this
28:42time,
28:43Benjamin sent
28:43me dozens
28:44of friend
28:44requests and
28:45messages.
28:48since when
28:49did you
28:49resign?
28:52Who gave
28:53you permission
28:54to quit?
28:56Emmy might
28:57have acted
28:58impulsively that
28:59day, but she
28:59did not mean
29:00any harm.
29:01Do not be so
29:02petty.
29:02I have forgiven
29:03you.
29:04Reply when you
29:05see this.
29:08I did not
29:09accept a
29:10single request.
29:11He called
29:12me repeatedly,
29:13but I never
29:14picked up
29:14once.
29:15As time
29:16passed,
29:16the messages
29:17stopped coming.
29:22But on
29:22Christmas Eve,
29:23I received a
29:24call from an
29:25unknown number.
29:26At first,
29:27there was only
29:27silence on the
29:28other end.
29:29Then Benjamin's
29:30anxious voice
29:31came through.
29:32Don't hang
29:33up.
29:33It is me.
29:36Christmas lights
29:37twinkled in the
29:37small town.
29:39People smiled at
29:40each other on
29:41the street.
29:41For the first
29:42time in three
29:43years, I felt
29:45like I was
29:46home.
29:48I heard you
29:49went back to
29:49your hometown
29:50for the holidays.
29:51His voice was
29:52low, as if he
29:53were struggling
29:54to hold something
29:55back.
29:55It reminded me
29:56of the first
29:57year I spent
29:58the holidays
29:58with him in
29:59Houston.
30:00Benjamin was
30:01an illegitimate
30:02son.
30:03He was not
30:04brought into
30:04the family until
30:05after his mother
30:06passed away.
30:07That year, he
30:08had been locked
30:09in a brutal
30:10power struggle
30:10for control of
30:11the company.
30:12His mother was
30:13gone.
30:14He had burned
30:15every bridge with
30:16his family.
30:17He had no one
30:18to spend the
30:19holidays with.
30:20On Christmas
30:21Eve, I had
30:22made a video
30:22call to him.
30:23He looked
30:24drunk, drinking
30:25alone on the
30:26balcony.
30:27He was a
30:27clingy drunk,
30:28his voice
30:29unusually soft.
30:31Merry Christmas,
30:33Genevieve.
30:35It is so quiet
30:37without you here.
30:38Please come
30:39back soon.
30:40I miss you
30:42so much.
30:43I never
30:44expected he
30:44would be
30:45thinking of me
30:45this year,
30:46with Emerson
30:47back by his
30:48side.
30:51I snapped
30:52back to reality
30:53and kept my
30:53voice steady.
30:54Yeah, I have
30:56not home for the
30:56holidays in years,
30:58he paused for a
30:59moment, then
31:00asked,
31:01Are you coming
31:01back after the
31:02break?
31:04Before I could
31:05answer, I heard
31:06a woman's voice
31:07faintly in the
31:07background.
31:09Ben, can you
31:09get my coat?
31:10I forgot it.
31:11I have to go.
31:12Benjamin said
31:13hersily.
31:14The line went
31:14dead.
31:15Outside the
31:16window, fireworks
31:17erupted, brilliant
31:18against the night
31:18sky.
31:20The holiday
31:21specials on TV
31:22were getting more
31:23boring.
31:23My mom glanced
31:24over at me.
31:25Our neighbor's
31:26daughter is
31:26expecting her
31:27second child
31:28this year.
31:29At Jenny, when
31:30are you going to
31:31bring a boyfriend
31:31home?
31:33When I did not
31:34push back, she
31:35pulled out her
31:36phone and kept
31:37going.
31:38Why do not you
31:39meet up with this
31:40guy while you are
31:41still in town?
31:42This time, I did
31:43not refuse.
31:45Sure.
31:46Set up a time for
31:47us to meet.
31:48I heard Emerson's
31:49voice in the
31:49background and
31:50realized nothing had
31:51changed.
31:52I was still the
31:53one on the
31:53outside, looking
31:55in.
31:57It was time to
31:58stop looking.
31:59Time to walk
32:00away for good.
32:04On the third
32:05day of the break, I
32:06met the man my
32:07mother had arranged
32:08for me.
32:09He was based in
32:10Houston, came from
32:12a well-off family,
32:13and was charming.
32:16I am at
32:17Caden Mansfield.
32:18He held out his
32:19hand, his eyes
32:21bright with interest.
32:22We both had a
32:23good first impression.
32:25Our parents seemed
32:26even more pleased.
32:29I never expected
32:30Aunt Benjamin to
32:31suddenly show up
32:32and crash the
32:33date.
32:36He plopped down
32:37right next to me.
32:40Caden looked over,
32:41confused.
32:42And who is this?
32:44I am her boss,
32:45Benjamin stated.
32:46I corrected him
32:47immediately.
32:49Former boss, I
32:51already resigned.
32:52Genevieve, I am
32:53not accepting your
32:55resignation.
32:56Benjamin stared at
32:57me intently, his
32:58gaze firm and
32:59unyielding.
33:01Caden offered a
33:02polite smile.
33:04Maybe we should
33:05talk another time,
33:06when you are free.
33:07Despite at
33:08Benjamin's murderous
33:09glare, I exchanged
33:11contact info with
33:12Caden before he
33:13left.
33:19I know you are
33:20only doing this to
33:21make me jealous.
33:23I will make
33:23Emmy apologize to
33:24you.
33:25Can you just forgive
33:26her and forgive me
33:27too?
33:28I am done with
33:29her.
33:30I thought I could
33:31never let go of
33:32her, but the
33:32truth is...
33:34Benjamin gripped
33:34my shoulders with
33:35both hands, his
33:37words tumbling out
33:38in a desperate rush.
33:39I cut him off, my
33:41voice cold as
33:41ice.
33:44Benjamin, we
33:45were never anything
33:46more than a boss
33:47and his employee.
33:48Do not make this
33:50more complicated than
33:51it is.
33:51You are engaged to
33:53Emerson.
33:54Let us not drag
33:55this out.
33:57It is better for
33:58everyone if we just
33:59move on.
34:00Suddenly, Benjamin
34:01pulled out a ring and
34:02dropped to one knee.
34:04I am serious about
34:05us, Jenny.
34:08I was an idiot.
34:10I did not know how
34:11to cherish what we
34:12had, but I see it
34:14now.
34:15Let us get married.
34:17We can go to
34:18Bali, your favorite
34:19place.
34:20I slapped the ring
34:21out of his hand.
34:25Benjamin, you are
34:26being a nuisance.
34:28I do not have any
34:30feelings left for you.
34:31I am begging you,
34:33stop haunting me.
34:35You are only making
34:36me sick.
34:41After the holidays,
34:42my relationship with
34:44Caden naturally fell
34:45into place.
34:46We eventually reached
34:48the point of discussing
34:49marriage.
34:50I had not seen
34:51Benjamin in over six
34:52months.
34:53Strangely enough,
34:55the man I once
34:56thought I would spend
34:57the rest of my life
34:58with now felt like a
35:00stranger.
35:00I only heard news of
35:02him again through a
35:03former colleague.
35:04Mr. Kilbreath called
35:08off the wedding to
35:08Emerson.
35:09Nobody knows why he
35:11pulled the plug.
35:12I simply smiled, my
35:14heart completely still.
35:16At the end of the
35:18year, Caden asked if I
35:20would accompany him to
35:21a corporate summit.
35:22I never expected to run
35:24into at Benjamin there.
35:26After a year apart, he
35:29had grown much thinner.
35:30His presence felt more
35:32settled.
35:33When he saw me, he
35:34walked over.
35:38Long time no see.
35:42Benjamin followed my
35:44gaze toward Caden in
35:45the distance.
35:47His face darkened.
35:50I thought you were not
35:51serious about him.
35:53My smile remained
35:54unchanged.
35:55I never play games with
35:57people's feelings.
35:59Benjamin finally lost his
36:01discomposure.
36:02I thought giving you a
36:03year would help you
36:04understand.
36:06I was wrong back then.
36:08The truth is, I have
36:10always loved you.
36:11I cut him off, lifting my
36:12hand to show him the
36:13diamond ring on my
36:14finger.
36:15I am getting married.
36:18For a moment, at
36:19Benjamin looked like he
36:21was falling apart.
36:22No way!
36:23He shouted.
36:24You were so happy when
36:26we were together.
36:27How could you possibly?
36:28He made such a scene that
36:30everyone nearby turned to
36:31stare.
36:33Caden walked over,
36:34stepping beside me.
36:36Benjamin threw a punch at
36:38his face.
36:39I screamed.
36:41Benjamin, are you crazy?
36:43I quickly stepped in front
36:44of Caden.
36:46Fortunately, he was not
36:48seriously injured.
36:49I took Caden's hand and
36:51turned to leave.
36:52Benjamin did not chase
36:53after us.
36:55The rest of the summit went
36:56smoothly.
36:58I did not run into
37:00Benjamin again.
37:02As we drove away, I saw
37:04him in the rearview mirror,
37:06slowly bending over,
37:08clutching something to his
37:10chest.
37:11I looked away and took
37:12Caden's hand.
37:14It is finally over.
37:16He squeezed my hand back.
37:20Yeah.
37:22It is all over.
37:24Life is long, but Benjamin
37:26was only ever a passing
37:27figure.
37:28My future was waiting for me
37:30in the days that lay ahead.
37:31Caden's hand.
37:33See you again.
37:33You
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