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