- 11 hours ago
She Wore My Life. I Make Her Wear the Fate She Took Back ASR
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Short filmTranscript
00:00childhood. You are ugly. The housekeeper's daughter crushed me my entire childhood.
00:05You are ugly. Designer clothes are wasted on a girl like you. Your parents travel constantly
00:13because they can't stand to look at you. I believed her. I spent my past life shrinking,
00:19never wearing anything nice, never telling anyone who I was. Meanwhile, Chloe Miller wore the clothes
00:24my parents sent me. She spent my allowance. She led the whole school against me. The night before my
00:30last SET, she slipped sleeping pills into my milk. I missed the exam. When I finally woke, it was
00:38already afternoon. I ran. I took out the phone trying to call my boyfriend Jason, but Chloe picked
00:44up the phone and- Gosh, you taste tense. I strongly you. Bill Miller hit me with the Rolls-Royce
00:52in the
00:52middle of the room. When I woke up again, I realized I have come back. Anyone who runs their mouth
00:59at me
01:00this time gets that mouth torn apart. Avery, Chloe's bored. Bark like a dog. Now. Barking isn't enough.
01:09Crawl two. The humiliation was so loud. Hurry up. I'm already hitting record. Unreal, I could barely
01:15process it. Then a familiar, sugary, sweet voice cut through. Avery, this wasn't my idea. Everyone just
01:21wants a little show. Jason, the boy who took my first time, now hugged Chloe in his arms with a
01:28devilish smile on his face. Come on, don't be a buzzkill. Yeah. You don't want to make people hate
01:34you more, right? I stared at Chloe Miller's pretty face. Then it hit me. I was back in junior year.
01:40Rage
01:41detonated behind my eyes.
01:48I stared at Chloe Miller's pretty face. Then it hit me. I was back in junior year. Rage detonated behind
01:54my eyes.
01:57My parents were always traveling when I was little. The company kept them overseas almost
02:02every month. So they hired a full-time live-in housekeeper. That housekeeper was Chloe Miller's
02:08mother, Mrs. Miller. At first, Mrs. Miller was kind. Until she figured out I had no one watching
02:14over me. Then she made herself the lady of the house. She moved Chloe in to enjoy the same life
02:20I
02:20had. She even gave her husband a job as our chauffeur. The three of them were a crazy little
02:27family. I became the extra. Your parents stayed away because you embarrassed them. You're too ugly
02:33and too dumb to be the heir of a billionaire. I bought every word. Your liability. I spent my past
02:42life hiding, never revealing who I was, never dressing like I belong to my own family. Meanwhile,
02:49Chloe wore the designer clothes and jewelry my parents shipped to me. She spent my card. She
02:55played rich girl in front of the whole school. On top of that, she orchestrated every act of
03:00bullying against me. The night before the SATs slipped sleeping pills into my milk. So I'd missed
03:05the exam. But I didn't expect to hear my boyfriend Jason doing her over the phone. He was the only
03:10one
03:10who ever talked to me in school. Nor that I was standing in the middle of the road. My future
03:15is
03:15ruined. My life gone. Given a second chance, I will watch Chloe Miller fall into hell. One step at a
03:23time. I walked straight up to her, cracked my knuckles, grabbed a fistful of her hair and slapped her
03:29across the face. My stare must have been centered because not one of her usual puppies stepped
03:43forward to stop me. When her cheek finally swelled up like a bruise, I lowered my hand and smiled at
03:50the circle of onlookers. Getting me to bark was a big ask, but I hate killing the mood. So I'll
03:56give
03:56you all a different show. Watch me slap a snake. Avery Sterling, you hit Chloe? Do you know who
04:02her father is? He's the richest man in the city. Check the obituaries this week. Start writing
04:08your own. Keep your pathetic pride. It's just barking. Why the drama? Avery, you have crossed
04:13the line. Apologize to Chloe right now. Jason grabbed me by the collar. Someone on must have
04:19snitched. The teacher appeared. Chloe pointed at me, barely able to speak through her swollen
04:24face. That's her. She did this. Punish her. The teacher looked at Chloe's face and inhaled sharply.
04:30Avery Sterling, I cannot believe you would attack sweet, kind Chloe for no reason. This is completely
04:36unacceptable. Call your parents right now. We are discussing compensation. If you can't pay,
04:44you will face legal consequences. Call your parents right now. Perfect. I'll call them now.
04:51I have a few things to catch them up on anyway. Chloe went white. Her entire family's comfortable
04:56life depended on my parents. And none of them had actual talent. If they fell out of favor,
05:01they would never find another job that paid this well. She lunged forward and played it
05:05gracious. We're all classmates. No reason to make this ugly. And honestly, Avery's family doesn't
05:12have much money. I'm sure she can't afford damages anyway. I forgive her. Put the phone
05:20away, Avery. No need to bother your parents. The teacher practically melted. Chloe, you are
05:27too good for this world. Your kindness is your only weakness. The class piled on up. You're literally
05:34a princess, Chloe. We will protect you always. Avery, drop to your knees and thank her. We laughed
05:41cold and quiet. Then I pocketed the phone like they asked. Chloe exhaled. Her whole body softened.
05:48She had no idea she was being played. Every move I made now pulled her on a string.
05:54Did you think this was over, Chloe? This is only the opening move.
06:01After school, I stood by the gate. Usually, I would go to take the subway while Chloe got
06:06into my family's fancy car driven by her dad. But today, I waited just like her. As I caught
06:12the sight of Rolls Royce in the distance, I was to walk toward it when I heard footsteps drawing
06:16near. Avery. I didn't turn around immediately. I already knew the voice.
06:26Jason, with his usual arrogant smile. I looked at him once, then kept walking.
06:32Can you slow down for a second? I just want to talk.
06:35So talk.
06:36Look, what happened today was a lot. Chloe's still upset. And the teacher, the whole class,
06:41you've made enemies out of everyone in one morning.
06:42Are you here to give me advice, Jason, or to deliver a message?
06:45I'm here because I'm worried about you.
06:47He laughed a little stiff. I turned and looked at him the way you look at something that used
06:52to fool you and doesn't anymore. He was wearing a new watch, not his usual brand.
06:57Paddock Philippe, rose gold. The kind that cost more than most people's first car. I knew
07:02that watch. I'd seen it in the delivery slip that came to my house three months ago. A gift
07:07from my father's business partner, addressed to me. I'd gone to look for it and found it was
07:11gone. Now I knew where it had gone. Nice watch. He looked down. A beat too long.
07:19Birthday gift. From who? A friend. I smiled pleasantly. Beautiful. My dad actually has the
07:25same one. Exact same model. Funny coincidence. I know. Avery, I'm serious. Chloe's dad has
07:31connections. Bill Miller knows people. If you keep pushing... Bill what? He stopped. Jason!
07:38You took my first time. I trusted you more than anyone. And the whole time, you were
07:43with her. I'm not angry anymore. That's the honest truth. I just need you to understand
07:48one thing. What? You're not a friend. You're not an ex. You're not someone who gets to warn
07:52me about anything. You are a loose end. Avery. Go back to Chloe. Tell her whatever you want.
07:59But I'd keep that watch somewhere safe if I were you. It would be a shame if someone traced
08:03where it came from. Just then, I watched Chloe glide into a rolls. Royce under a shower
08:08of envious stares. The driver was her biological father, Bill Miller. My parents bought that
08:13car to drive me to school. Somehow it became Chloe's private ride. She had a luxury car for
08:19every errand and a crowd of admirers cheering her on. I woke up an hour early every morning
08:24to take the subway. Toaday was no different until I stepped directly in front of the rolls.
08:31Bill Miller slammed the brakes so hard the car rocked. He was out in seconds, finger in
08:36my face. Are you insane? You want to die? Do it somewhere else. Don't hold up Chloe's
08:41ride. My parents bought this car for me. When exactly did it become Chloe Miller's personal
08:45vehicle? Keeper's daughter really deserve a Ross? And the servants' quarters, do you call
08:55that home? Chloe hadn't seen it coming. Aubrey, I know you're jealous of the car, but you can't
09:01slander me in public like this. Her face drained, but she recovered fast, flipping to the victim
09:06script. It was a weak excuse. The crowd believed it anyway. Suddenly, I was the villain. Avery
09:13Stierling is delusional. If that's her car, I'll eat the pavement. Chloe's wardrobe alone
09:17costs more than a sugar makes. Use your brain. I only know you as poor. I didn't know you were
09:21a liar too. You see? Even the truth sounds insane coming out of your mouth. I looked down
09:27at her, then I laughed. You think I stopped the car to expose you? No. I stopped it to
09:32tell you I found a buyer. This car is sold. I never use it anyway. I'd rather have the
09:36cash. Bill, I'll text you an address. Drop it off there. The truth was I needed that car
09:42gone. Every time I saw it, I saw myself getting hit. The crowd went feral. Did she just say
09:48she's selling Chloe's car for pocket money? A Rolls Royce for pocket money? Big talk.
09:53Let's see if that car is still there tomorrow. Can't wait for the embarrassment. Chloe's too
09:56nice. I'd have already knocked Avery flat. Who do you think you are? Nobody is touching
10:01that car without my say soft. I dare any buyer to try. Back off, Avery. Sell that car and
10:06you're done at this school. Some people forget their staff. They stay comfortable so long
10:11they start acting like owners. I dialed my dad and held out the phone to Bill Miller.
10:23Bill Miller had no nerve to argue with my father. He went from loudmouth to nodding lapdog
10:28the second the call connected. When he hung up, all the color was gone from his face. He
10:33muttered something under his breath. Chloe finally understood I wasn't bluffing. Panic
10:37cracked through her expression. She reached for my hand and pressed out a smile. Avery,
10:41we can work something out. You hate the subway. At least let my dad give you a ride when he
10:47picks me up. I pulled my hand away like she was something unclean. Who exactly do you think
10:52you are negotiating with me? We are employer and employee. You do what I say. Where is
10:57all this extra commentary coming from? I walked away without looking back. I didn't take the
11:01subway home that day. I went to eat first. A long, good meal. Mrs. Miller only cooked for
11:06her own family anyway. Going home meant going hungry. By the time I got back, it was dark.
11:13I stepped inside and found Chloe sobbing into her mother's chest. Mrs. Miller looked up at me,
11:19face full of fury. Avery Sterling, you have the nerve to come back here?
11:26Why did you hit my daughter today? Why did you humiliate her in front of the whole school over some
11:31car? If you can't give me a good reason, you sleep on the street tonight. She said it like she
11:36owned the place. She seemed to have forgotten she was the housekeeper.
11:39Mom, she's just jealous. She's always been jealous of me. Destroy her!
11:44No wonder your parents can't stand being home. If I had a daughter as rotten as you, I'd send her
11:50back!
11:53Since your parents can't handle you, I'll do it for them.
11:56Something ignited inside me. In my past life, those words broke me. I believed them. I thought my
12:02parents hated me. I was too scared to even call them. This life, I refuse to break. And anyone
12:07who talks that filth gets hit. Before Mrs. Miller's hand could connect, I tackled her to the ground
12:12and sat on top of her and slapped her until my palm went in.
12:18Chloe and Bill Miller froze in shock. Both of them moved to intervene.
12:22Get off my mom! Hang on, I'm coming!
12:27Turned and looked at them with one flap. Absolute stare. Try it. If I get even one scratch, I tell
12:33my
12:33parents everything you've done. Termination will be the least of your problems. My stare must have
12:37landed because Chloe and Bill Miller both stumbled backward and exchanged a look. Honey, why'd you go and
12:43provoke her? We live under that roof. Just take it. Chloe stared at the floor. Too guilty to look up.
12:51With no one
12:51stopping me. Who gave you the right to discipline me? You eat my family's food. You sleep under my
12:57family's roof. And you think you've run this house? You had one inch of kindness and decided you were
13:04the master? Chloe and Bill Miller seethed but said nothing. They were terrified of the call I could
13:10make. When I was done, I walked into Chloe's room and threw everything onto the floor.
13:15My Chanel cushion compact! My designer lipsticks! Avery, do you know what those cost?
13:21Stop! I did not stop. I threw harder. When her room was done, I walked into Mrs. Miller's room and
13:28started
13:28there. Bill Miller's face was dark. Avery Sterling, are you done? You want to burn this whole house down?
13:35This is my house. You don't belong in it. Get to the servants' quarters. Now! Finally, Bill Miller broke
13:42first with a forced, toothy smile. Mr. Sterling, we overstepped. We're sorry. We'll move to the servants'
13:49quarter right now. Mrs. Miller and Chloe looked furious and opened their mouths. Bill Miller silenced
13:54them with a look. I had no interest in reading their schemes. I went to bed feeling lighter than
14:00I had in years. The next morning, Chloe took the subway and nearly missed first period at lunch.
14:08Chloe, how come your dad didn't pick you up in the rolls this morning? The question landed
14:12like a grenade. Everyone remembered what I'd said yesterday. Simona whispered,
14:17wait, is that car actually Avery's? So does that make Chloe a fake hero?
14:26Chloe shot up in her seat. I am not a fake hero. She met my eyes then looked away,
14:32clustered. I just didn't want to show off. Some people get so jealous they spread
14:36disgusting rumors. Everyone nodded like they got it, but to kill the doubt completely. Enough of this.
14:44Junior year is brutal and everyone is stressed. Tonight, I'm taking the entire class out. The bar
14:50downtown. My treat. When they turned and started piling on me, saying the ugliest things they could
14:58think of, they ignored them. I texted my dad quietly. Dad, my card got lost. Freeze it immediately.
15:06Done. I watched Chloe across the room with an amusement. This girl was about to spend her
15:11parents holding up money on people who sat for the second. It ran out. Let's see how loyal her
15:15crowd is with an empty card. That night, we showed up at the best bar in the city. Chloe booked
15:20a
15:20private room. She waved her hand with flair. Order anything. Don't hold back. Oh my god, Chloe,
15:26we are so lucky to know you. Can I order a bottle that's 20,000? I want to see what
15:31it tastes like.
15:32Of course, money is replaceable. A good mood isn't. Jason sat closest to Chloe, one arm draped
15:39across the back of her chair like he'd earned that seat. That's what separates real money from fake
15:44money. Real money doesn't hesitate. Some people show up to other people's parties and don't order a thing.
15:49Too proud to admit they can't afford it. A wave of laughter went for the win. Chloe leaned into him,
15:55pleased. Face and be nice. With Chloe's blessing, all classmates went absolutely wild with them.
16:06The empty bottles alone took up the entire table. Within an hour, the room was chaos. I watched them
16:11pour out thousands of dollars worth of wine onto the floor and felt something like anticipation.
16:15Where are you going to get out of this room, Chloe? I didn't belong to this scene, Chloe noticed.
16:22Avery, why aren't you eating? Am I not being a good enough host? Right on cue, the whole room became
16:27her attack dog. Ignore her, Chloe. She's just bitter she can't afford any of this. A broke girl
16:33with that much attitude. Chloe's practically a saint for tolerating it. Chloe can buy a $20,000
16:37bottle of wine. Can you, Avery? I stayed silent. They got bored and moved on. At last, the night ended.
16:45The total is $850,000. Who will be settling the bill? Chloe extended her card with perfect composure.
16:54Just run it. The class erupted in awe. She's so rich and so beautiful. I want that life.
17:00A woman who pays is the most attractive thing alive. Then the server frowned.
17:04Miss, this card has been frozen. The words hit Chloe like a slap.
17:10What? Frozen? Run it again. You must have done something wrong.
17:14I am certain this card cannot be used. You'll need another payment method.
17:24Chloe's composure collapsed entirely. She had no way out. Then her eyes found me. Her jaw locked.
17:31Avery Sturley! You did this! Fix it! Right now! Or I will make your life miserable!
17:37I blinked at her innocently. I don't have the power to freeze someone else's card,
17:42but hey, you could just call your rich dad. It's one dinner. Or are you saying your whole
17:46family went broke in the last hour? The class still hadn't grasped the situation fully.
17:50Chloe, just call your dad and close out the tab. It's late. We have school tomorrow.
17:58$850,000? That's pocket change for you, Chloe.
18:02I just asked my dad for $100,000 a few days ago. If I ask again now, he'll think I'm
18:06reckless.
18:08What if everyone just chips in? It's less than $20,000 per person.
18:12Chloe, you promised. You can't go back on that now.
18:14$20,000 could literally kill me. I'm from a normal family.
18:17The complaints got louder.
18:20I don't have the money right now. If you can't cover it, nobody's leaving. And honestly,
18:27you ordered all of this for good wine on the floor. You deserve to sit here and think about that.
18:37Fury detonated across the room.
18:43The manager appeared. He heard the situation and called the police.
18:50911, what's the nature of your emergency?
18:52Yes.
18:53Panic swept through 45 juniors who had sats in less than a year.
18:59They started pooling money. Sick about it, but terrified. I watched Jason during all of it.
19:05Now he sat very still, doing a quiet calculation behind his eyes. When the others came to him with
19:11their share of the bill, he spread his hands apologetically. I honestly didn't bring enough
19:15cash tonight. I thought Chloe had it covered. He said it smoothly. Jason, you have a car.
19:20It's maxed out. I've been meaning to sort that out. No embarrassment. Just someone neatly stepping
19:27off a sinking ship. When it came to me, I looked at the wreckage on the table and laughed.
19:31I didn't order a single thing. I didn't eat anything. Why am I being lost to pay?
19:35You are all using me as your personal piggy bank. Avery Sterling, nobody knows what you did or
19:43didn't eat. You were here. You pay.
19:55I turned calmly to the manager and pulled out a black card. Sir, I believe this is your VIP card.
20:07My parents were business people. They had a lot of client dinners. They'd spend enough here that
20:13their account had quietly upgraded to VIP tier without anyone noticing. I never expected to use
20:19it myself. The manager took the card, studied it carefully, and straightened up immediately.
20:26For a valued guest of this level, we would never trouble you with a tab like this. Please don't give
20:32it another thought. The room went silent. Wait, I thought Avery Sterling was broke. How does she have
20:40a black card at this place? Has Chloe Miller been lying this whole time? Is Avery the actual rich girl?
20:48Chloe shattered. She pointed at me, screaming. Avery, if you had a black card, why didn't you say
20:54something earlier? You just sat there watching us panic on purpose. Here's your chance to redeem
21:02yourself. Use that card to cover everyone's bill. Otherwise, you will regret every day at this school.
21:09That last line did its job. The class dropped their anger at Chloe and pivoted at me. I looked at
21:16them
21:17all bored. What exactly does any of this have to do with me? If you want to make my life
21:22difficult
21:23going forward, be my guest. I'll be ready. On my way out, Jason caught up to me near the exit.
21:32He wasn't sneering now. Hey, can we just talk for a second without all the noise?
21:38I kept walking. Avery. Not aggressive, just there, taking up space the way he always had. I think
21:45I've been an idiot about a lot of things. You didn't deserve the way I treated you.
21:50Is this the part where I forgive you? I looked at him for a long moment.
21:55No, I just, I want you to know, I see it now. The card, the card, her parents being your
22:02staff.
22:02I had no idea how much she'd lie to everyone, including me. He ran a hand through his hair.
22:08It was a practiced gesture. He'd always known it looked good.
22:12Avery. I chose the wrong person. I think you know what I mean.
22:18I understood exactly what he meant. He'd watched the power shift in that room,
22:23done the arithmetic, and arrived at a new conclusion. I almost admired the speed of it.
22:28Hmm. Jason, you are exactly the same person you were an hour ago. The only thing that changed is
22:35the card I'm holding. I'll see you in school.
22:45I walked out, passing a reflective window. I stopped for a moment and actually looked at myself. The
22:52sweater I was wearing had been through three years of washes. The sneakers on my feet were Chloe's
22:56cast-offs. You are ugly. The moment Chloe told me nice clothes looked cheap on me. Designer clothes
23:01are wasted on a girl. I basically stopped buying them entirely. I decided I was done with that.
23:06I hailed a car and went to the mall and spent with intent.
23:12By the time I got home, it was late, but I still heard Bill Miller's voice booming from the living
23:17room.
23:18I told you Avery Sternly switched up on us. She's not the soft target she used to be. Don't provoke
23:24her.
23:25You ignored me. Someone says a few words and you go blow 60 people's dinner money. Now, we're the laughing
23:32stock.
23:33Chloe, we need to be patient. Find the right moment, hit her once, and make it count.
23:40I wasn't scared of them. These people always thought they were the smartest ones in the room. I walked inside
23:45without slowing down.
23:49Chloe saw all my shopping bags and her eyes went rigid.
23:56Avery Sterling, you are vicious! You had money the entire time and let us scramble for nothing?
24:02You just made an enemy of every single person in that class. Enjoy it.
24:07I tilted my head at her. My relationship with that class was never good. So what's actually different?
24:12Worry about yourself, Chloe. You're the one who has to face 43 angry people tomorrow morning.
24:18Chloe swayed like something knocked her out of balance. And sure enough, the next morning, the class buried her.
24:24I knew she had enough and slapped the loudest one clean across the face.
24:27Please, you are all beneath me. After everything I've done for you people. And the money, 85,000 is nothing
24:33to me. I said I'd pay you back next month.
24:36So, what is your problem? If any of you come at me again, not one of you sees a cent.
24:41That shut them up. This crowd only responded to threats.
24:44After final bell, Chloe grabbed her bag and headed for the subway. And I fell in step behind her.
24:49At the school gate, I saw a Maibach parked outside. Half the students were openly staring.
24:57I watched Chloe drift toward the Maibach like something pulled her. She reached out and touched it.
25:01She wasn't claiming it. But the crowd read it differently.
25:05Look! Chloe's touching the Maibach! Is that hers?
25:07Who else at this school has that kind of money? Now nobody can say she's a friend!
25:13I was already about to leave when the car door opened. I looked once, just once, and nearly fell over.
25:20The person stepping out was my dad. And right behind him, poised and put together,
25:25my mother was my mother. No wonder Chloe's so beautiful! Look at her parents!
25:30Princess from a fairy tale. Lucky forever. The crowd reacted instantly. But then the crowd noticed
25:36something was off. Because those two adults didn't even glance at Chloe, they were already running toward me.
25:47Avery. My baby girl. Mom missed you so much. Mom pulled me in and held on. I felt her warmth
25:54and my throat closed.
25:55Mom. Dad, I thought you were buried in work. What happened?
25:59This was the question I carried my whole past life. I never got to ask it before I died. Dad
26:06looked at me with
26:07guilt all over his face. Averyn, you started texting us. Sharing things. Small things. And your mom and I
26:15realized we'd been treating you like you didn't need us. Your SETs are coming. We cleared everything. We wanted
26:22to surprise you. We want to be here for the final stretch. I cried. Ugly. Open. Completely undone.
26:29Then I stepped into their car and left. Right in front of everyone. We got home to find Mrs. Miller
26:34horizontal on the sofa. Watching videos on her phone. Mom took one look at the state of the house
26:39and her voice went cold. Mrs. Miller, would you like to explain what you're doing? The house is a mess
26:45and you're scrolling. Right now. If I see this a second time, you're done.
26:53Mrs. Miller scrambled upright. Ma'am, I had no idea you were coming back.
26:58If you'd warned me... Mom cut her off. Mrs. Miller, why exactly would I need to warn you? Cleaning is
27:06in
27:06your job description. That is why I pay you what I pay you. Now go make Avery dinner. She just
27:13got home
27:13from school. Mrs. Miller went to the kitchen without another word. With my parents home,
27:19the Miller family barely breathed too loud. Dinner came out dish by dish.
27:25Chloe instinctively moved toward a chair at the table. Bill Miller grabbed her elbow.
27:31Don't embarrass us. We're staff. We don't sit at their table.
27:35Chloe pulled away red-eyed like she'd been punished.
27:38Mom and Dad frowned at the whole thing. Then Mom spotted something new.
27:42Her voice shifted to something sharp. Mrs. Miller, come here. Mrs. Miller appeared immediately.
27:48Is the food not to your taste, ma'am? Mom pointed at a dish of peanuts.
27:53Before I left the country, I specifically told you three times that Avery is allergic to peanuts.
27:59Why is this on the table?
28:04Mrs. Miller snatched the dish up. I'll replace it right now, ma'am.
28:10Give me a minute.
28:16Mom waved her hand. Don't bother.
28:22After everything I've seen today, I'm starting to wonder if you've been neglecting Avery for years.
28:27Effective immediately, you don't need to come back.
28:32Ma'am, please. Our whole family lives under your roof. You can't fire us. Please.
28:41Bill Miller had been hiding in the hallway. He couldn't hold it any longer.
28:45She stormed out and slapped Mrs. Miller across the face three times, then turned to my mother with a grin.
28:52Ma'am, if my wife did anything wrong, just hit her. Just please. Just don't let us go.
29:00Dad's eye twitched. I knew that look. He despised men who hit women. But I couldn't let them get fired.
29:08Not yet. I stepped in.
29:10Mom, let it go for now. I'm used to Mrs. Miller. It would be weird not having her around.
29:17Mom looked at me and relented, though barely.
29:19Maybe give her one more chance. Keep an eye on her and see.
29:26Mrs. Miller, if Avery comes to me with one more complaint, I don't care what either of us says. You
29:31are gone.
29:31Mrs. Miller nodded furiously and retreated like a dog that had been kicked.
29:40The next morning, Dad drove me to school in the live hour.
30:04The whole class looked at me differently when I walked in.
30:10Finally, someone cracked.
30:12Avery Sterling, is that Maybach actually yours?
30:15I didn't answer directly. I looked at Chloe instead.
30:19Ask her. She'd know better than anyone.
30:27Since the bar incident...
30:29I am certain. This card cannot be used. You'll need another payment method.
30:34Chloe had been trying to make herself invisible.
30:37My sudden spotlight on her hit like a dart.
30:40Why are you asking me, Avery?
30:49I stripped the lye bare without softening it.
30:51Because your parents work for my family.
30:54That makes you the most credible witness.
30:57The class went off.
31:04Sumonone raised a hand.
31:05But Chloe's wardrobe doesn't exactly scream housekeeper's kid.
31:10I smiled.
31:13It shouldn't.
31:14She's been wearing my clothes and spending from my card.
31:18Without those resources, she couldn't afford any of it.
31:22Chloe cracked completely.
31:25Avery Sterling.
31:26Just because you have money doesn't give you the right to humiliate me.
31:33So what if I wore your clothes and used your card?
31:37You never said anything. You let it happen.
31:41The room turned on her the moment she said it out loud.
31:44Chloe's been pretending to be rich. I actually envied her.
31:52Honestly, something felt off at the bar. A real IRS doesn't flinch at 85,000.
31:58Chloe's humiliation was total. She buried her face on her desk.
32:02But under the desk, both fists were clenched white.
32:08Jason had been quiet through all of it.
32:10That was unlike him. He was usually the first one to lead the room.
32:14When class ended and the crowd dispersed, he stayed in his seat until it was nearly empty.
32:21Then he walked over to my desk. I was already packing my bag.
32:26That was brutal, he said.
32:28Was it?
32:29You didn't have to do it in front of everyone.
32:32I looked up at him. Jason, when you filmed me in this hallway and made me perform for the class,
32:38did you do that privately or in front of everyone? He had the grace to be quiet.
32:46That... that was different.
32:48You're right, I said. It was much worse. I slung my bag over one shoulder.
32:53I noticed you've been putting some distance between yourself and Chloe this week.
32:58He said nothing. Smart. I said, rats always know when to leave.
33:04Something moved behind his eyes. Not anger. Something more complicated than that.
33:09Avery, I genuinely...
33:11You genuinely nothing, I said. You are someone who made calculations and landed on the wrong side.
33:18And now you're trying to make new calculations?
33:21I'm just telling you. Whatever you think I owe you, I'll pay it. Whatever it takes.
33:28I paused. That was interesting. Whatever it takes, I repeated.
33:34Yes.
33:35Okay, I'll let you know, I said. I walked out. I could feel his eyes still on my back.
33:42After Chloe's real identity came out, every day became a punishment.
33:46Every person she'd ever wronged, and everyone who'd once flattered her, came back for payback.
33:51Each morning Chloe checked her chair for glue before sitting.
33:55She never let her water bottle out of sight. She was terrified something had been slipped into it.
34:01Between classes she had to absorb the cruelty in the hallways. Her parents weren't doing better.
34:07With mom and dad back home, Mrs. Miller got dressed down daily.
34:12She'd gotten too comfortable in the easy life. Coming back to actual labor wrecked her.
34:18Her performance was sloppy and slow. That alone made mom furious.
34:23The only reason Mrs. Miller still had a job was because I'd publicly vouched for her.
34:28Bill Miller, meanwhile, had been reassigned by my dad to security duty.
34:32On the surface, the three of them were obedient. Compliant.
34:38But I knew better. They were vipers waiting for the exact right moment to sink their teeth in.
34:46Jason, to his credit, was smarter than the Millers. He didn't wait. He started making moves.
34:54That week he found reasons to appear wherever I was. Outside my next class.
35:01Near the vending machines. At the library.
35:05He carried himself differently around me now. Quieter. Less performance.
35:09He did my homework once. Slipping a folder onto my desk without a word. He had someone
35:14deliver coffee to me during a free period. He walked up to the boy who made a comment about
35:21me in the corridor and told him, flatly, to stop. On the surface it looked like penance.
35:26Underneath it was a campaign. He wanted to get close enough that when I moved against the Millers,
35:31he'd already be standing on the right side. He had underestimated one thing. I had already
35:35decided what I wanted from him. And it wasn't proximity. The days passed. The sats were closing
35:41in. Then, the night before the exam, my parents got a call. They looked frightened. They booked a
35:47late night flight overseas. Mom looked apologetic at the door. I'm so sorry, Avery. I want to be here
35:57for your exam. But this deal can't wait. I said I understood. I understood. But in the car to the
36:04airport, I cried the whole drive anyway. When I got home, Chloe came to comfort me. She played the role
36:09beautifully. Then Mrs. Miller appeared with two glasses of milk. She sighed warmly. Don't be sad, Avery.
36:14Big exam tomorrow. You need a full night's sleep. I made both of you a glass. Drink up before bed.
36:20I drank mine right there in front of them.
36:24Then I pushed them out of my room. The door was almost shut when I saw it. A flash of
36:29excitement
36:29in Mrs. Miller's eyes and Chloe's. I smiled to myself, alone in the dark. Last time around,
36:36they used this exact trick to make me miss the sats. This time, I'd make sure the punishment came
36:42back to them. On exam morning, I walked out refreshed and ready. Bill Miller screamed when he saw me.
36:48Avery, why are you awake? I smiled pleasantly.
36:53I have the SATs today. Naturally, I can't be late. Mrs. Miller's face changed.
36:59She sprinted to Chloe's room. Too late.
37:09By the end of the first day of testing, I swung by to enjoy what was left of Chloe's morning.
37:13Mrs. Miller had managed to drag her to the exam hall, but the dose had been too heavy.
37:17Chloe slept through every section. Chloe was barely functioning. She refused to sit for the remaining
37:23days. Wow, Chloe. Sleeping in during the SATs? Really bold choice. Shut your mouth.
37:30Mrs. Miller's eyes were red. You did this. You switched the drink. She was supposed to be the
37:36one sleeping. You ruined my daughter's future. I want to see you try to make me pay for that. Then
37:42a voice I
37:43recognized cut through the hall. My parents, who should have been overseas, walked in. Three
37:48police officers followed them. You left. You both left. Why are you here? If I hadn't left,
37:54how else would you feel safe enough to make you move? Mrs. Miller, you are exactly the kind of person
37:59who belongs behind bars. I installed a camera in the kitchen weeks ago. I added helpfully.
38:05I've seen everything. An officer stepped forward. You've been reported for deliberate poisoning.
38:10You'll need to come with us. Mrs. Miller collapsed to the floor. Her eyes were hollow. The sentencing
38:20came down the same day my Ivy League acceptance letter arrived. Mrs. Miller was convicted of
38:28intentional bodily harm. Six years. Bill Miller had been involved in the dosing plan. He received
38:33three years. Chloe had already been removed from the house weeks earlier. The last time I saw her
38:38was outside the courthouse. The girl who once owned every hallway looked crumpled, sunken eyes, zero energy.
38:44Something had clearly gone very wrong for her recently. When she saw me, she started crying.
38:50Avery, please. I swear the sleep we grew up in this had nothing to do with me. Take me back
38:55in.
38:56I have no degree. I have no work history. Nobody will hire me. My parents are both in prison.
39:01She kept going, cataloging every miserable detail of her current existence. I listened to all of it like
39:07it was a story someone else told. The wicked get what they deserve. All I did was make sure I
39:12was
39:12there to watch the ending. Then I heard footsteps behind me. I turned. Jason, he looked like he
39:17hadn't been sleeping well. His eyes had lost their old ease. Avery. I waited. I heard about Mrs. Miller
39:23and Bill and I know about the SAT thing. He stopped and started twice. Last year she mentioned she had
39:31a
39:31plan. To make you miss the exam. I didn't ask details. I told myself it wasn't my problem.
39:42I should have said something. I know that. Yes, you should have. Is that what you're going to use?
39:50Against me? What makes you think I need to use anything?
39:55He looked at me for a long moment. Because you've been waiting. I've been watching you work through
40:02every single person. The Millers are done. Chloe's done. I'm the only one left. He was more perceptive
40:10than I'd given him credit for. I did what you said. When you told me that day, whatever it takes,
40:16I meant it. I've been waiting for you to name it. And you thought if you waited long enough,
40:20I'd soften? He didn't answer. I reached into my bag and took out a folder.
40:26Pedique Philippe. Rose gold. Model 5227. Reported missing from the Sterling homehold 14 months ago.
40:34There's a receipt somewhere in there. Also a record of your bank deposits from that same period.
40:40Chloe made five transfers to you over six months. Petty cash from my card.
40:46You had this the whole time? Since our first conversation after the slap.
40:53Then why didn't you- Because destroying you in October would have been efficient.
40:59But watching you spend months trying to win me over, knowing this was in a drawer somewhere,
41:06that was more interesting. What happens now?
41:14You're gonna give a full written statement to my family's lawyer. Everything you know about the
41:18sleeping pills plan. Everything Chloe told you. Every transfer. Every instruction.
41:23And if I do that? Then the watch stays between us. And the transfer. He nodded slowly.
41:30That's it? That's it. He looked at me for a long time. You're not gonna make me beg.
41:36I don't want anything from you, Jason. I don't want your apology and I don't want your suffering. I just
41:40need your signature on a document. You are nothing to me. That's not cruelty. It's just the truth.
41:47I picked up my bag. The lawyer's office is on 7th. He's expecting you Thursday morning.
41:52I walked away from him the way I'd walked away from all of them. Without looking back, without anger,
41:56or without anything left to prove. The file was already in motion. Jason's statement would seal the
42:02miller's additional charges and confirm the premeditated nature of the poisoning.
42:11He had made his calculation and he had been wrong about the outcome. Just like all the others.
42:16The only difference was that his punishment was quieter, more private. He would spend the next
42:20several years explaining himself to the police, to the courts, to every school and job application
42:26that asked about his junior year. He would never be charged, but he would never be clean either.
42:31Some people destroy you loudly. Some people just stand nearby and let it happen.
42:36They all get what they deserve eventually. The only thing that changes is the shape of the ending.
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