- 4 hours ago
The Eighth Draw of Fate：I Abandoned Him
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I have deeply loved Sebastian for a full eight years.
00:03Looking at the photo of Sebastian and me in my hand,
00:06I stood before the door and murmured softly,
00:09This is my last chance.
00:12This time, can I become Sebastian's fiancé?
00:15At the moment I reached out and was about to open the door,
00:18I suddenly froze because I heard Sebastian's mother
00:20questioning him with anger and disappointment.
00:22Sebastian, tell me, why, for seven successive years,
00:26have you secretly replaced all the slips of paper
00:28with your name on them with blank ones?
00:30You know perfectly well that if she doesn't draw your name,
00:34Eleanor can never become your fiancé.
00:36Doesn't it hurt your heart to watch her cry in disappointment every year?
00:40She has been crying for seven years.
00:42One more time won't make a difference.
00:45But Lillian just came back from Switzerland,
00:48and her emotions are very unstable.
00:49I promised to accompany her through her treatment for seven years.
00:54He then gave a light chuckle.
00:56Anyway, Eleanor and I have been together for eight years.
01:00Her family and friends all think we are definitely getting married.
01:03Other than waiting for me,
01:05she has no other choice.
01:09Don't worry.
01:10Next year, I will give her a very grand proposal ceremony.
01:14Consider it an explanation to her for these past few years.
01:17I think she will definitely be very satisfied with this arraignment.
01:20After saying that, he threw the slip of paper with Sebastian Ashford,
01:24written on it into the paper shredder.
01:26Listen, the sound of this paper shredder is indeed
01:30much better than Eleanor's disappointed crying every year.
01:34Standing outside the door, I heard those words
01:37and stared blankly at the photo in my hand.
01:39Turns out he wasn't blind to my tears,
01:42nor was he unaware of my disappointment.
01:44These seven years of blank slips were just a joke
01:47he used to trample on my true feelings.
01:50I clearly remember the Ashford family's rules.
01:53To become Sebastian's fiancée,
01:55one must draw a slip of paper from the lottery box
01:57at the grand charity banquet.
01:59She can only become his fiancée
02:01if she draws the slip with his name on it.
02:03And for these seven years,
02:04I have tried every possible method
02:06just to be able to become his fiancée.
02:08I thought he loved me truly,
02:09so I did all this willingly.
02:10Yet the hidden truth cuts deep and hurts so much.
02:14What do all my years striving to be his fiancée count for?
02:17It's nothing but a joke.
02:19But now, my heart suddenly let go completely.
02:21I loosened my grip,
02:22letting the slip of paper in my hand fall to the ground
02:25and turned to walk away.
02:27Since your name still isn't in the box for the eighth time,
02:30then I will just marry someone else.
02:33Sebastian adjusted his cuffs
02:34and left the lounge without a care.
02:36He arrived at the banquet hall,
02:37which was filled with wealthy people in gorgeous clothes.
02:40This was the eighth gala,
02:42hosted by the Ashfords,
02:44the most powerful family in New York,
02:46to select a fiancée for their heir.
02:49He walked straight toward Lillian,
02:51who was surrounded by a group of wealthy young ladies talking.
02:54Sebastian.
02:55Lillian's eyes were red,
02:57looking deeply wronged,
02:58and she threw herself into his arms.
02:59They said I have no right to stand here,
03:01that I'm the one ruining the relationship
03:03between you and Eleanor.
03:04Sebastian frowned deeply,
03:06his eyes sweeping fiercely across the entire hall,
03:10finally landing on those wealthy young ladies
03:12who were gossiping.
03:14Who dares to say she has no right?
03:16The rules I, Sebastian,
03:17have set are the rules of New York's Upper East Ed High Society.
03:21Lillian is an important guest I invited.
03:23Whoever makes her unhappy,
03:24makes me unhappy.
03:26The entire hall instantly became so quiet
03:28that even breathing could be heard.
03:30In the midst of this silence,
03:32the crystal chandelier in the banquet hall
03:33suddenly dimmed by half.
03:35Only a few wall lamps gave off a faint glow.
03:38Immediately after,
03:39a beam of cold white spotlight suddenly lit up.
03:42I pushed the doors open and walked in.
03:45Every step was unhurried and composed.
04:01Those wealthy young ladies looked at me.
04:03After all,
04:04for the past seven years,
04:05I was publicly recognized by everyone
04:07as Sebastian's fiancée
04:08and the only woman he allowed to stay by his side constantly.
04:12Everyone thought I would definitely make a scene
04:14and drive Lillian away or,
04:17like the previous seven years,
04:19question him with red eyes
04:20about why he was protecting another woman.
04:23But this time,
04:24I didn't even give them half a glance.
04:26Without stopping,
04:27I walked straight toward a waiter in the banquet hall.
04:30I picked up a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray
04:33and took a small sip.
04:34The cold liquid slid down my throat,
04:37suppressing the very last bit of affection in my heart.
04:40Eleanor, aren't you going to do something about it?
04:44Someone asked me in a very low voice.
04:46I smiled,
04:47but there was not a hint of a smile in my eyes.
04:50Young Master Ashfield is standing up for a beauty.
04:52Why would I go over there and interfere?
04:55Besides,
04:56I swirled the wine glass in my hand
04:58with a bit of a spectator's look in my eyes.
05:01I'm also quite curious to see if Sebastian's name
05:04is actually in the raffle box this year.
05:07Sebastian's body instantly stiffened.
05:09He subconsciously turned to look at me
05:12as if completely unexpected
05:14that I would have this reaction.
05:16In the past,
05:17at times like this,
05:18I would have already been crying
05:19and making a scene to drive Lillian away.
05:21But today,
05:22I was as quiet as someone
05:24entirely unconnected to this matter.
05:27A flash of impatience crossed his eyes.
05:30He let go of Lillian
05:31and strode toward me.
05:35Eleanor,
05:35what kind of temper are you throwing again?
05:37Lillian just came back from Switzerland.
05:39Her health is poor
05:41and she can't be frightened.
05:42You are the eldest daughter
05:44of the Walker family.
05:45Can't you be a bit broad-minded?
05:47Broad-minded,
05:48I looked at this man in front of me
05:49whom I had loved
05:50for over a decade.
05:52Suddenly,
05:53he felt very foreign.
05:55Seven years.
05:56More than 2,500 days a night.
05:59To cater to his preferences,
06:00I put away my own temper and skills,
06:03learning to make him French desserts
06:04and English afternoon tea.
06:06To get his name to appear
06:08in that damn box,
06:09I bribed the Ashford's butler,
06:11curried favour with Sebastian's mother
06:13and exhausted all possible means.
06:16And the result?
06:17What I got in exchange
06:18was his phrase,
06:19be a bit more broad-minded,
06:20and my sincere heart
06:21shredded to pieces
06:22in the paper shredder.
06:24Sebastian.
06:25I put down the wine glass in my hand.
06:27The glass clinked crisply
06:28against the marble table.
06:29I am not throwing a temper.
06:31I just think you are right.
06:33Miss Lillian is delicate
06:35and does indeed need someone
06:37to properly accompany her
06:39through her treatment.
06:40Sebastian was stunned.
06:41He stared into my eyes
06:43as if trying to find
06:44a hint of petulance
06:45or jealousy in them.
06:47Unfortunately,
06:48he found nothing.
06:49My heart was completely peaceful
06:50without a single ripple.
06:52This feeling of being out of his control
06:54made him inexplicably panicked.
06:56He reached out
06:56trying to grab my wrist.
06:58It's good that you understand.
07:01After tonight,
07:02next year,
07:03there is no next year.
07:05I turned sideways,
07:06dodging his hand.
07:07My tone was as flat
07:08as if discussing today's weather.
07:10My grandfather said
07:10the same thing
07:11can only be done
07:12at most eight times.
07:14Tonight is the eighth time.
07:16If your name is still not drawn,
07:18then we are done.
07:19Seeing this,
07:20Lillian quickly walked over
07:22and stood in front of me.
07:23Eleanor,
07:24stop throwing a tantrum
07:25and just apologize to Sebastian.
07:28He still loves you deep down.
07:29It's just that
07:31since I returned,
07:32my actions have been
07:33so unstable.
07:34And he is just worried about me.
07:37Besides,
07:37everyone knows
07:38that you would never marry
07:40anyone but Sebastian.
07:43As soon as her voice fell,
07:45a crisp slap suddenly sounded.
07:47My eyes were full of mockery.
07:48When is it an outsider's turn
07:50to dictate my affairs?
07:52Sebastian's face suddenly changed
07:54and he stepped directly
07:56in front of Lillian.
07:57Eleanor,
07:58you have gone too far.
08:00Apologize to Lillian.
08:02Apologize?
08:02On what grounds?
08:04Because she's your darling
08:05or because she's thick-shitted?
08:08Sebastian,
08:08have you forgotten
08:09that tonight is my home court?
08:11As long as the drawing
08:12haven't started,
08:13I am still your fiancé in name.
08:15What's the problem
08:16with teaching an outsider
08:17who doesn't know the rules
08:19a lesson?
08:19The surrounding guests
08:21began to whisper.
08:22Mrs. Ashford also hurried over
08:24upon hearing the commotion.
08:26Seeing this scene,
08:27she frowned deeply.
08:29What are you arguing about?
08:30Isn't this embarrassing?
08:32She glared at Sebastian
08:33then looked at me.
08:34Her eyes were complex.
08:37Eleanor,
08:38it's almost time for the drawing.
08:40Don't let irrelevant people
08:41ruin the big event.
08:42Mrs. Ashford liked me very much.
08:44She genuinely hoped
08:45I could marry
08:46into the Ashford family.
08:47It was a pity.
08:48That good son of hers
08:50personally destroyed
08:51all of this.
08:52Sebastian took a deep breath,
08:53suppressing the anger
08:54in his heart.
08:55He reached out
08:56to put his arm
08:57around Lillian's shoulder
08:58and patted her comfortingly.
09:00Then he looked at me,
09:01his tone cold.
09:03Fine.
09:04Since you want to play
09:05so much,
09:05let's begin.
09:06I want to see the moment
09:07you draw a blank slip.
09:09Whether you can still be
09:10as sharp-tongued
09:12as you are now.
09:13After saying that,
09:14he turned and walked
09:15toward the high platform
09:16in the center of the hall.
09:18There lay an exquisite box.
09:20It was also the judgment stand
09:22that would decide my fate.
09:23I watched his back.
09:25My eyes gradually turned cold.
09:27Sebastian,
09:28you think you control everything.
09:30But little do you know,
09:31this time,
09:32you are the prey.
09:34In the center of the hall,
09:36the crystal lights were dazzling.
09:37Everyone's gaze focused
09:38on that carved oak box.
09:40According to family rules,
09:41there were a hundred slips
09:42of paper placed in the box.
09:44Only one of them
09:45had Sebastian's name
09:46written on it.
09:47Drawing it
09:48would be the arrangement of fate,
09:49resulting in an engagement
09:51on the spot.
09:52Failing to draw it
09:53meant fate hadn't arrived
09:54and we would try again next year.
09:56For the past seven years,
09:57every time,
09:58I reached my hand
09:59in full of hope.
10:00Every time.
10:01What I pulled out
10:02was completely blank.
10:03I thought it was just my bad luck.
10:05I thought it was God
10:05testing our relationship.
10:07It wasn't until today
10:08that I learned
10:09that among those
10:10hundred slips of paper,
10:11Sebastian's name
10:12was never there at all.
10:13They were all blank papers
10:15he had personally substituted.
10:16Eleanor, go on.
10:18I specifically asked the priest
10:20for a blessing.
10:21The priest said,
10:22you will find
10:23your beloved this year.
10:24Beloved?
10:25Perhaps.
10:26It's just that this person
10:28is not Sebastian.
10:29Lifting my dress,
10:30I walked step by step
10:31onto the high platform.
10:33Sebastian stood next to the box,
10:34one hand in his pocket
10:36looking proud.
10:36The way he looked at me
10:37was like looking at
10:38an unreasonable child.
10:40Eleanor,
10:41as long as you apologize
10:42to Lithian now,
10:43next year,
10:44I promise to let you
10:45draw the name.
10:45Wouldn't even need to wait
10:46until next year.
10:47As long as you behave
10:48and stop targeting Lillian,
10:50I can consider ending
10:51this game early.
10:52Game,
10:53in his eyes,
10:54these seven years of torment,
10:56my youth,
10:57my dignity,
10:57were nothing but a game
10:59he could call a halt to
11:00at any time.
11:00I stopped in my tracks.
11:02Standing across from him,
11:03there were only a few inches
11:04of distance between us,
11:06but our hearts were separated
11:07by an entire world.
11:09Sebastian.
11:10I looked into his eyes
11:11and asked softly,
11:12Do you really think
11:13I must marry you?
11:14Sebastian was taken aback
11:16for a moment,
11:16then he sneered out loud.
11:18Who else?
11:20Besides Moo could tolerate
11:21your bad temper.
11:22Besides the Ashford family
11:24who is worthy
11:24of your Walker family.
11:26Eleanor,
11:26accept your fate.
11:27In this life,
11:28you are destined
11:29to only be the woman
11:31of me,
11:32Sebastian Ashford.
11:33He was too confident.
11:34Confident to the point
11:36of conceit.
11:36He thought that
11:37by grasping my weakness,
11:38he could trample
11:39on my bottom line
11:40unscrupulously.
11:41I lowered my eyes,
11:42hiding the mockery
11:43in my gaze.
11:44Is that so?
11:46Then let's see
11:47exactly who is the one
11:49who should accept
11:49their fate.
11:50I took a deep breath,
11:52slowly raised my right hand,
11:54and reached into
11:55that pitch black box.
11:57My fingertips
11:58touched the cold paper.
11:59One slip,
12:00two slips,
12:01countless slips.
12:02Each one was like a knife.
12:04Cutting into my heart,
12:06there was absolute silence
12:07below the stage.
12:09Lillian stood at the forefront
12:10of the crowd,
12:11a victor's smile
12:12on her lip.
12:13She knew the box
12:14was full of blank papers.
12:15She was waiting to see me
12:17make a fool of myself
12:17in public,
12:18and cry bitterly.
12:20Sebastian also looked away
12:21casually,
12:22seeming to have already
12:23foreseen the ending.
12:24I closed my eyes.
12:26My fingers fumbled
12:27at the bottom of the box.
12:28Finally,
12:29my fingertips
12:30touched a slip of paper
12:31with a slightly
12:32different texture.
12:33That was the one.
12:35I had someone slip in
12:36during the chaos
12:36before entering,
12:37and it was also
12:38the final way out
12:39I left for myself.
12:40I snapped my eyes open.
12:42With a strong flick
12:43of my wrist,
12:44I pulled out
12:45that slip of paper.
12:46Young Master Ashfield,
12:47I held up the slip
12:48in my hand,
12:49my voice clear,
12:50spreading throughout
12:51the hall.
12:52It seems
12:53your promise
12:54is about to become
12:56inviled.
12:58Sebastian's casual
12:59expression froze
12:59on his face.
13:00He subconsciously
13:01looked at the slip
13:02in my hand.
13:03A trace of confusion
13:04flashed in his eyes.
13:05Impossible.
13:06He clearly had
13:07personally replaced
13:08all the slips
13:09with names
13:09with blank ones,
13:10even just to be safe.
13:12Right before the banquet
13:13started,
13:13he had specifically
13:14checked again.
13:15There absolutely
13:16could not be any
13:17words in the box.
13:18Eleanor,
13:18who are you trying
13:19to scare
13:19with a blank piece
13:20of paper?
13:21He scoffed coldly.
13:23Stop making a scene
13:24and letting everyone
13:25laugh at us.
13:26Whether it's a blank
13:27paper or not,
13:28won't we know
13:29once it read out loud?
13:30A bright,
13:31radiant smile
13:32curled at the
13:32corners of my lips.
13:34Since Young Master
13:35Ashford don't believe it,
13:36then invite a highly
13:38respected elder
13:39to read it.
13:40I looked at the
13:41patriarch of the
13:42Walker family
13:42below the stage,
13:43who was also
13:44my grandfather.
13:46Grandfather,
13:47please help your
13:47granddaughter check.
13:49Whose name
13:49is written on this?
13:51Grandfather leaned
13:52on his cane
13:52and tremblingly
13:53walked up to the stage.
13:55He took the slip
13:56from my hand,
13:57unfolded it.
13:58The eyes widened
14:00fiercely.
14:01Immediately after,
14:02he burst into
14:03a hearty laugh.
14:05Good.
14:05It's destiny.
14:07This is the
14:08arrangement of destiny.
14:09The unease
14:11in Sebastian's heart
14:12grew stronger
14:12and stronger.
14:13He abandoned
14:14all etiquette,
14:15rushing forward
14:16to see what was
14:17going on.
14:18Grandfather,
14:18let me see it.
14:21But Grandfather
14:22suddenly put away
14:23the slip,
14:23turned around,
14:25facing the hundreds
14:25of guests below.
14:27According to the
14:27century-old family
14:28rules of the
14:29Walker and
14:30Ashford families,
14:31Miss Eleanor Walker
14:32has successfully
14:33drawn her husband
14:34in the eighth
14:34destiny drawing.
14:36This is the
14:37arrangement of destiny.
14:39The whole crowd
14:39was in an umbrella.
14:40Mrs. Ashford
14:41was moved to tears.
14:42The smile on
14:43Lillian's face
14:44stiffened,
14:44her nails digging
14:45deeply into her
14:46flesh.
14:47Sebastian was
14:48struck as if
14:48by lightning.
14:49Impossible!
14:50The box clearly!
14:52The words reached
14:53his lips,
14:54but he forcefully
14:55swallowed them
14:55back down.
14:56He couldn't say it.
14:58Saying it would
14:58mean admitting
14:59he cheated.
15:00It would mean
15:00admitting he lied
15:01to Eleanor.
15:02He took a deep
15:03breath,
15:04forcing himself
15:04to calm down.
15:05Grandfather,
15:06did you misread it?
15:07How is this
15:08possible?
15:08Why is it
15:10impossible?
15:11I took the slip
15:11back from
15:12Grandfather's home,
15:13slowly unfolded it,
15:14displaying it
15:15in front of everyone,
15:16black ink on
15:17white paper.
15:18The strokes
15:18were vigorous
15:19and powerful,
15:20clearly like
15:21Alexander Thorne.
15:28A dead silence,
15:30even more terrifying
15:31than before.
15:31The colour in
15:32Sebastian's face
15:33instantly drained
15:34away.
15:34He stared deadly
15:35at those two words.
15:37Alexander Thorne.
15:39This is impossible.
15:40How could his name
15:41be in the box?
15:42Your box can only
15:43have my name.
15:45He bellowed out
15:46of control,
15:46like an enraged
15:47lion.
15:48I watched his
15:49crazy behaviour
15:49and only felt
15:51it was laughable.
15:52Young Master Ashford,
15:53the family rules
15:54only say to draw
15:56a slip to decide
15:57a husband.
15:57But they never
15:58said that this
16:00box can only
16:01hold the name
16:02of you.
16:03Sebastian
16:04Ashford alone.
16:06I turned around,
16:07looking into the
16:08corner of the crowd
16:08at the man who
16:10had remained silent
16:10all along,
16:11yet stood tall
16:12and straight
16:12like a pine.
16:13Mr. Thorne,
16:15since this is
16:15the arrangement
16:16of destiny,
16:17I wonder if you
16:19are willing
16:20to marry me
16:21as your wife.
16:24The crowd
16:25automatically parted
16:27to make a path.
16:27All eyes converged
16:28on that corner.
16:29Alexander Thorne,
16:31Wall Street's
16:31most low-key,
16:32yet also
16:33most mysterious
16:33billionaire.
16:34It was said
16:35he was ruthless
16:36and stayed away
16:36from women.
16:37He was the Ashford
16:38group's biggest
16:38mortal enemy
16:39in the global market.
16:40No one expected
16:41that his name
16:42would appear
16:42in the Walker
16:43family's raffle box
16:44and even less
16:45expected,
16:45that I would
16:46propose to him
16:47in public.
16:47Alexander walked
16:48up to the high
16:49platform step by
16:50step.
16:50Every step
16:51seemed to trample
16:52on the very tip
16:52of Sebastian's heart
16:53until he stood
16:54in front of me.
16:55He finally stopped.
16:57Reflected in his
16:57deep eyes
16:58was my current
16:58dishevelled
16:59yet resolute
17:00appearance.
17:00Miss Walker,
17:01his voice was
17:02deep and magnetic,
17:04carrying a trace
17:04of imperceptible
17:05indulgence.
17:06You were the one
17:07who said it
17:08in front of all
17:09the elites
17:09of New York.
17:11No going back
17:12on your word.
17:13My heart trembled.
17:15Actually,
17:15I wasn't familiar
17:16with him.
17:17I had only heard
17:18his name
17:18and knew he didn't
17:19get along with
17:20Sebastian.
17:20Putting his name
17:21in was purely
17:22to take revenge
17:23on Sebastian
17:24and also to find
17:25myself a sufficiently
17:26powerful backer.
17:27I didn't expect
17:28that he would agree
17:29so readily.
17:30I absolutely
17:30won't go back
17:31on it.
17:32Alexander hooked
17:32his lips
17:33into a smile.
17:34In that instant,
17:35he reached out
17:36to take the slip
17:36from my hand,
17:37carefully folded it
17:38and placed it
17:39in the pocket
17:40closest to his heart.
17:41Then,
17:42right in front
17:42of Sebastian,
17:44he went down
17:44on one knee,
17:45took out an already
17:46prepared diamond ring
17:47from his pocket.
17:48Eleanor Walker,
17:49marry me.
17:50I will make you
17:51the happiest woman
17:52in all of New York.
17:54The whole venue
17:55exploded.
17:55This reversal
17:56came too fast,
17:57too thrilling.
17:58Sebastian went
17:59completely crazy
18:00and he upended
18:01the lottery box.
18:02Alexander,
18:03you're asking for death.
18:05Eleanor is my fiancé.
18:06What right do you
18:07have to propose?
18:08The box overturned
18:09on the ground.
18:10The slips of paper
18:11inside scattered
18:12all over the floor.
18:13Sebastian acted
18:14like he had caught
18:15a lifesaver.
18:15He squatted down
18:16to pick up those slips.
18:17I want everyone
18:18to see.
18:19These are all
18:19blank papers inside.
18:21It is you,
18:22Eleanor,
18:22who cheated.
18:23You teamed up
18:24with an outsider
18:24to humiliate me.
18:25He grabbed a handful
18:26of slips
18:27and held them up
18:28in front of everyone.
18:29Look!
18:29They are all empty!
18:31There are no names
18:32at all!
18:33This drawing
18:34doesn't count!
18:35However,
18:36the next second,
18:37his voice came
18:38to an abrupt halt
18:39because he saw
18:40on that floor
18:41full of slips
18:41every slip of paper
18:43bore the same
18:43single sentence.
18:45I don't love you anymore.
18:46Sebastian's hands
18:47began to tremble.
18:48The slips in his hand
18:49slipped away.
18:50He looked up
18:51in disbelief,
18:51looking at me
18:52standing condescendingly
18:53above him,
18:54his eyes full of
18:55terror and despair.
18:56Eleanor!
18:57You!
18:57I took Alexander's arm,
18:59looking coldly
19:00at the man on the ground.
19:01Sebastian,
19:02I said it
19:03the eighth time.
19:04If you're still
19:05not in the box,
19:06then I will marry
19:07someone else.
19:08Now,
19:08you can get lost.
19:10Sebastian slumped
19:11on the floor,
19:11surrounded entirely
19:12by slips of paper
19:13that read,
19:14I don't love you anymore.
19:15No.
19:17It is not like this.
19:18He muttered to himself,
19:20trying to find a slip
19:21with his name
19:21written on it
19:22from the floor.
19:23Even if it was just one,
19:24it could prove
19:25I still had him
19:25in my heart.
19:26Unfortunately,
19:27not a single one.
19:29Eleanor!
19:30You lied to me!
19:32He suddenly raised
19:32his head,
19:33his eyes crimson.
19:34You clearly
19:35loved me so much.
19:36How could you
19:36not love me?
19:37Is it because of Lillian?
19:40Is it because
19:40I replaced the names
19:41with blank paper?
19:42I will change.
19:43I will not
19:44replace them anymore.
19:45I will write
19:46my name on them
19:47right now!
19:48He frantically
19:48pulled out
19:49a fountain pen,
19:50grabbed a slip
19:50from the floor,
19:51and was about
19:51to write.
19:53Enough!
19:53Alexander,
19:54stepping on the hand
19:55he was holding
19:55the pen with.
19:56Young Master Ashford,
19:58harassing my fiancé
19:59right in front of me,
20:00are you not
20:01completely ignoring
20:02my existence?
20:05He looked up and
20:06glared angrily
20:07at Alexander.
20:08What kind of
20:09thing are you?
20:10Eleanor and I
20:11grew up together.
20:13You are nothing
20:14but a petty man
20:15taking advantage
20:16of a vulnerable moment!
20:17Grew up together?
20:19Alexander let out
20:19a scoff,
20:20applying pressure
20:21with his foot,
20:22crushing Sebastian's
20:23knuckles until
20:23they crack.
20:24Does growing up
20:25together mean
20:26making her wait
20:26three hours
20:27in a blizzard for you?
20:28Does growing up
20:29together mean
20:29making her make
20:30a fool of herself
20:31in public for
20:32seven years?
20:33Does growing up
20:34together mean
20:34putting her sincere
20:35heart into a
20:36paper shredder?
20:37Sebastian's face
20:38was deathly pale.
20:39How do you know?
20:41About the paper shredder.
20:43Only he and Lillian
20:44knew.
20:44How could Alexander
20:45know?
20:46I looked at his
20:46horrified expression
20:47and spoke faintly.
20:48Because I heard it
20:49too, Sebastian.
20:51Right before the
20:52banquet started,
20:53at the door of
20:54the lounge.
20:55Every word you
20:56said I heard
20:56clearly!
20:57Sebastian's
20:58whole body shook,
20:59as if all his
21:00strength had been
21:00drained away.
21:01Eleanor,
21:02listen to my
21:03explanation.
21:04He crawled over,
21:05wanting to grab
21:06the hem of my
21:06dress.
21:07I was lying
21:08to Lillian.
21:08I only told
21:09those lies
21:10to comfort
21:10Lillian.
21:11I only have
21:12you in my
21:13heart.
21:13I promise
21:14to give you
21:15a grand
21:15proposal
21:16next year.
21:17Believe me
21:17this once.
21:18Okay?
21:19I took a step
21:19back,
21:20avoiding his
21:21hand.
21:21My eyes
21:22looked at him
21:22as if looking
21:23at a pile
21:23of garbage.
21:24Lie to Lillian?
21:25So in order
21:26to lie to her,
21:27you had to
21:28sacrifice me?
21:29Sebastian,
21:30your love is
21:31too cheap.
21:32Lie to Lillian?
21:33So in order to
21:34lie to her,
21:35you had to
21:35sacrifice me?
21:37Sebastian,
21:38your love is
21:39too cheap.
21:40I,
21:40Eleanor Walker,
21:42no longer
21:42want you.
21:43After finishing
21:44my sentence,
21:45I didn't give
21:45him another
21:46glance,
21:46holding
21:46Alexander's
21:47hand.
21:47I turned
21:48and left.
21:49Sebastian,
21:50you are
21:51bleeding.
21:51Quick,
21:52call a doctor.
21:53It is a
21:53sin.
21:54What a
21:54sin.
21:55My footsteps
21:56didn't stop,
21:57walking out the
21:57doors of the
21:58banquet hall.
21:59The night
21:59breeze was
21:59slightly cool,
22:00blowing away
22:01the noise and
22:02foulness inside.
22:03Are you
22:03cold?
22:04I shook
22:04my head.
22:06Alexander?
22:07Hmm?
22:08You are
22:09welcome.
22:09He squeezed
22:10my hand
22:11tightly,
22:11his palm
22:12warm.
22:14Eleanor,
22:15the good
22:16show has
22:17only just
22:17begun.
22:18Sebastian
22:18became Wall
22:19Street's
22:20biggest joke.
22:20The heir
22:21publicly
22:21rejected,
22:22the fiancé
22:23marrying his
22:23mortal enemy.
22:24The Ashford
22:25group's stock
22:25crashed the
22:26next day.
22:26The Walkers
22:27withdrew capital
22:28and the
22:28Thorn group
22:29attacked.
22:30The Ashford
22:30family teetered
22:31on collapse.
22:32Mrs. Ashford
22:33was hospitalized.
22:34Mr. Ashford
22:34threatened to
22:35disown Sebastian.
22:36Meanwhile,
22:37I sat in
22:38Alexander's
22:38private
22:39villa,
22:39startled by
22:40the documents
22:40in my
22:41hands.
22:41Are these
22:42real?
22:42I pointed
22:43at photos
22:43of Lillian
22:44partying on
22:45a yacht,
22:45embracing
22:46men,
22:46with no
22:47sign of
22:47illness.
22:48Absolutely
22:48true.
22:49During
22:49those seven
22:49years in
22:50Switzerland,
22:50she squattered
22:51his money,
22:52keeping male
22:53models,
22:53gambling,
22:54taking drugs.
22:55I felt
22:56utterly
22:56disgusted.
22:57Sebastian
22:58played the
22:58fool and
22:59hurt me for
22:59seven years
23:00because of
23:00her.
23:00Does
23:01Sebastian
23:01know?
23:02He'll
23:02know very
23:02soon.
23:03Alexander
23:03smiled
23:04slyly.
23:04I served
23:05justice for
23:06everyone in
23:06the Ashford
23:07family.
23:07I gasped
23:08at the
23:09ruthless
23:09move.
23:10Lillian
23:10would have
23:11no place
23:11left and
23:12Sebastian
23:12would be
23:13entirely
23:13abandoned.
23:14Alexander
23:14leaned closer.
23:15Are you
23:16worried about
23:16him?
23:17Not at
23:18all.
23:18He brought
23:19this upon
23:19himself.
23:20And you
23:21personally
23:22sent him
23:22to his
23:23doom?
23:23Alexander
23:24laughed,
23:24scraping my
23:25nose.
23:25Such a
23:26sweet mouth.
23:28Clearing
23:28obstacles for
23:29you is what
23:30a husband
23:30ought to
23:31do.
23:32Just
23:32then,
23:32my phone
23:33rang.
23:34It was
23:34Sebastian.
23:34I answered
23:35on speaker.
23:36Eleanor,
23:37are you
23:37with
23:37Alexander?
23:38Do you
23:38know
23:39what
23:39Lillian
23:39is...
23:39What about
23:40her?
23:40I interrupted
23:41indifferently.
23:42Was she
23:42kicked out
23:43of her
23:43apartment?
23:44You knew
23:44she was
23:44lying?
23:45Why didn't
23:46you tell
23:46me?
23:46I laughed
23:47out of
23:47anger.
23:48If I
23:48told you,
23:49you would
23:49just think
23:49I was
23:50jealous.
23:50Now that
23:51the truth
23:51is bare,
23:52you don't
23:52reflect your
23:52stupidity but
23:53blame me?
23:54The phone
23:54went silent,
23:55save for
23:55heavy breathing.
23:56Finally,
23:57Sebastian
23:58spoke
23:58forcefully.
23:59Eleanor,
24:00I was wrong.
24:01I kicked
24:01living out.
24:02Come back,
24:03okay?
24:03I will marry
24:04you immediately
24:05and listen to
24:06you for
24:06everything.
24:07I looked at
24:07the sunlight,
24:08feeling immense
24:08irony.
24:09Deep affection
24:10that comes
24:10too late
24:11is worthless.
24:12Sebastian,
24:13it's too
24:14late.
24:14I am
24:15now Mrs.
24:16Thorne.
24:16The words
24:17Mrs. Thorne
24:18shattered his
24:19last hope.
24:20He smashed
24:20the phone,
24:21leaving only
24:21a busy
24:21tone.
24:22Satisfied?
24:23Not yet.
24:24This is just
24:25the start.
24:25Days later,
24:26Alexander launched
24:27a fierce
24:28commercial attack,
24:29seizing Ashford's
24:30asset.
24:30Sebastian
24:31begged for
24:31help,
24:31but former
24:32friends all
24:33avoided him.
24:34Our engagement
24:34party became
24:35the talk of
24:35the city.
24:36On its eve,
24:37I went to
24:37try on my
24:38wedding dress.
24:39Outside the
24:39boutique,
24:40Lillian blocked
24:40my way.
24:41She looked
24:42haggard in
24:42shabby clothes.
24:44Eleanor,
24:44you ruined
24:45me!
24:45She screamed
24:46and lunged
24:46at me.
24:47Bodyguards
24:47held her
24:48down at
24:48once.
24:49Greed,
24:50vanity,
24:51and lies
24:52destroyed
24:52yourself.
24:53Liar!
24:54Sebastian
24:55loves only
24:55me!
24:56You are
24:56just a
24:57substitute
24:57to!
24:58She retorted.
24:59I pitied
24:59her ignorance.
25:01He loves
25:01no one
25:02but himself.
25:03He enjoyed
25:04being fought
25:04over.
25:05Now his
25:05pride is
25:06hurt,
25:06and that
25:07is why
25:07he is
25:07crazy.
25:08Lillian stared
25:09blankly.
25:09I told the
25:10guards to
25:10send her
25:11away.
25:11We are
25:11all fools!
25:12She cried
25:13bitterly.
25:13Just then,
25:14Sebastian
25:15arrived in a
25:15Bentley,
25:16worn out.
25:17This dress
25:17was meant
25:18for me,
25:18he said
25:18painfully.
25:19I ignored
25:20him and got
25:20into
25:20Alexander's
25:21car.
25:21Do not
25:23marry
25:23him!
25:24Sebastian
25:24shouted
25:25desperately.
25:25The car
25:26drove off,
25:27leaving him
25:27stranded in
25:28the cold
25:28wind.
25:28The
25:29engagement
25:29party was
25:29lavish,
25:30held at
25:30Manhattan's
25:31top hotel.
25:32Alexander
25:32stayed
25:33close to
25:33me,
25:34caring for
25:34me tenderly,
25:35making
25:35other guests
25:36envious.
25:36As we
25:37prepared to
25:37exchange
25:38rings,
25:38Sebastian
25:39burst in,
25:40drunk and
25:40messy.
25:41Stop
25:42this
25:42engagement!
25:43Alexander
25:43let him
25:44come forward.
25:44Sebastian
25:45stumbled onto
25:46the stage.
25:46Take off
25:47that ring.
25:48I will give
25:49you everything
25:50I have.
25:50He said.
25:51holding out
25:52a crumpled
25:52bank card.
25:53You are
25:53bankrupt.
25:54This card
25:55cannot even
25:55buy alcohol.
25:56I replied
25:57calmly.
25:57I have
25:58lost my
25:58family,
25:59company,
26:00and money.
26:01But I
26:02still have
26:02you.
26:03Will you
26:04not stay
26:04with me?
26:05Alexander
26:05stepped
26:05between
26:06us.
26:07Respect
26:07yourself.
26:08She is
26:08my fiancee,
26:10not your
26:10savior.
26:11Sebastian
26:11was pushed
26:12to the
26:12ground and
26:13wept like
26:14a child.
26:15No
26:15apology can
26:16fix
26:16everything.
26:17You
26:18chose
26:18this path
26:19and you
26:20have to
26:20see it
26:20through.
26:20I
26:21told
26:21him.
26:22I
26:22turned
26:22to
26:22Alexander.
26:23Put the
26:24ring on
26:24me.
26:25He
26:25slipped
26:25the
26:25diamond
26:26ring
26:26onto
26:26my
26:26finger.
26:27The
26:27ceremony
26:27ended.
26:28Sebastian
26:29stood
26:29in the
26:29corner,
26:30finally
26:30accepting
26:30he had
26:31lost me
26:31forever.
26:32Three
26:32years
26:32later,
26:33heavy
26:33snow
26:34covered
26:34New
26:34York.
26:35Our
26:35daughter
26:35was
26:35just
26:35a
26:36month
26:36old
26:36and
26:37Alexander
26:37doted
26:38on
26:38her
26:38deeply.
26:40It
26:40is
26:40time
26:41for
26:41work.
26:41Not
26:42today.
26:42My
26:43daughter
26:43comes
26:43first.
26:45I
26:45heard
26:46Sebastian
26:46passed
26:46away.
26:47He
26:48froze
26:48to
26:48death
26:48under
26:49the
26:49Brooklyn
26:49bridge
26:50together
26:51with
26:51Lillian.
26:52They
26:52fought over
26:53a burger
26:53and fell
26:54into the
26:54river.
26:55I
26:55fell
26:55silent.
26:56Once
26:56prominent
26:56figures,
26:57they
26:57ended
26:57up
26:57miserably.
26:58It
26:58was
26:58their
26:59just
26:59deserts.
27:00Are
27:00you
27:00thinking
27:00of
27:00him?
27:01I
27:01kissed
27:01him
27:02with a
27:02smile.
27:05I
27:05am
27:05planning
27:06a
27:06candle-lit
27:06dinner
27:06tonight.
27:07His
27:07mood
27:08brightened
27:08at
27:08once.
27:09He
27:09held
27:09our
27:09daughter
27:09in
27:10one
27:10arm
27:10and
27:10wrapped
27:10the
27:11other
27:11around
27:11me.
27:12Thank
27:12you
27:12for
27:12choosing
27:13me.
27:13Thank
27:14you
27:14for
27:14giving
27:14me
27:14a
27:15home.
27:16Leaning
27:17on
27:17his
27:17chest,
27:18the
27:18snow
27:18fell
27:18harder,
27:19burying
27:19the
27:19sad
27:20past.
27:20Our
27:21warm
27:21and
27:21happy
27:21life
27:22had
27:22only
27:22just
27:22begun.
Comments