- 7 hours ago
Feed Me, Pretty Boys
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Declan, I wouldn't date you if you were the last man on Earth.
00:05Avery's voice cut across the ice ring.
00:07Our star hockey captain, Declan Cole, stood frozen at center ice.
00:12The massive bouquet of roses in his hand looked pathetic.
00:16Six foot five, built solid, and he couldn't move.
00:20His teammates went dead silent on the bleeders.
00:24The rejection was brutal.
00:26Declan's face went red.
00:27He hurled the roses into the trash and spread his arms at the cloud.
00:31Fine! Anyone here actually want a shot at the captain? Anyone?
00:35That was my cue. I'm a succubus.
00:37Just woke up to my powers.
00:39They were still raw, still untamed.
00:41If I didn't find someone to feed on tonight, I'd be dead by morning.
00:44My skin was burning. The hunger was clawing at my throat.
00:47I stepped out of the shadows, eyes glowing a faint predatory green.
00:51I'll take you.
00:51The teammates went off.
00:53Yo, Captain Cole still got it!
00:55Snaps his fingers, girls line up.
00:58Declan strolled over, lazy and loose, hiding the humiliation behind a cocky smurr.
01:04You want me?
01:05I stared at his mouth and nodded.
01:07Two hundred percent!
01:08He just wanted someone to want him.
01:10I wanted his body.
01:12I was getting more than I was paying for.
01:14Declan grinned.
01:15Fifty grand. One month. No strings.
01:17My fingers were quick. Phone out. Transfer hit before he could blink.
01:22Sent.
01:22I'm buying sixty days of your time. Double the time. Double the price.
01:26You really that into me?
01:27He sighed.
01:28Don't cry when it's over. Clinging doesn't work on me.
01:32I shook my head.
01:36Sixty days was plenty. Long enough to chew him up and spit him out. Anything tastes boring after two months.
01:42I won't cry. Just keep me fed.
01:45Declan's hand twitted on his water bottle. I smiled sweet.
01:48So we're official now? Boyfriend and girlfriend?
01:51Yeah.
01:51He said.
01:52But his eyes drifted past me. Straight to Avery's back.
01:56The voices flooded in again.
01:57Ouch. Can't even look. Poor Serena.
02:00Declan didn't even mean it. His friends are the worst.
02:03Girl's smiling like she won the lottery. He's not even looking at me.
02:07So what if he wasn't looking at me?
02:08His mouth was on mine. That's what counted.
02:11I grabbed his neck and kissed him.
02:13Damn. He tasted good. Soft lips. Warm mouth.
02:17Declan froze for a second. Then he kissed back.
02:20I slid a hand under his shirt and copped a feel of his abs.
02:24Eight pack. Rock solid.
02:26Hockey training really did pay off.
02:28Hopefully the rest of him lived up to it.
02:31That first night, I figured out the rules of this little arrangement real quick.
02:35Declan thought he was running the show.
02:37Six foot five. Captain of the team.
02:39Used to people falling in line.
02:40He pinned my wrists above my head with one hand.
02:42Smirking down at me.
02:44You sure you can handle this, Serena?
02:45Cute.
02:46I let my power flare.
02:48Just a sliver.
02:49The succubus mark bloomed red across his collarbone.
02:52And I watched the strength drain out of his arms.
02:55He gasped.
02:57Tried to push up.
02:58Couldn't.
02:59On your knees, Declan.
03:01His body obeyed before his pride could stop it.
03:03He slid off the bed and onto the floor, looking up at me with wide eyes.
03:06Terrified and hooked at the same time.
03:09In public, you can be the captain.
03:11I said, tilting his chin up with my heel.
03:14In here, you don't move until I say so.
03:16He's swallowed hard.
03:17Say it.
03:18Yes.
03:19Yes what?
03:20A long pause.
03:21Then low.
03:23Yes ma'am.
03:24I patted his cheek.
03:26Good boy.
03:27Turned out Declan was exactly what he looked like.
03:30I went days and nights without leaving his bed.
03:32When I finally walked outside, I felt amazing.
03:35The fever was gone.
03:36Declan, on the other hand, looked like road wear.
03:39Pale.
03:40Drained.
03:41Slept a full day to recover.
03:42I felt bad.
03:44Brought him three jars of bone broth, a tub of protein powder, and a couple steaks for
03:48his dorm.
03:49Couldn't have him broken after only a dozen rounds.
03:51Today was Declan's birthday.
03:53His teammates rented out the frat house on Greek Road to throw him a party.
03:57I asked him what flavor cake he wanted, then baked him a hazelnut chocolate one myself.
04:02Carried it over.
04:03I was still outside the door when I heard my name.
04:06Serena follows Cole around like a puppy.
04:08You should have seen her face when he said yes.
04:10She lit up like a freaking Christmas tree.
04:12Captain's just bored.
04:13Two months and he's done.
04:15Serena's a Barbie.
04:16She's got nothing on Avery.
04:17Wait till Serena finds out the cake she made is actually for Avery.
04:20She's gonna lose it.
04:22Inside, Declan was sprawled on the couch swirling whiskey.
04:25He didn't agree.
04:26He didn't shut them up either.
04:28The voices flooded in again.
04:30Oh, this is gonna be good.
04:31Serena's gonna march in there and smash that cake in Avery's face.
04:34Avery will probably think her flaky parents finally remembered her birthday.
04:38Except Avery's deathly allergic to hazelnuts.
04:41R.I.P.
04:41Happy 20th birthday, Avery.
04:45I stopped walking, cake still in my hands.
04:48Avery was allergic to hazelnuts.
04:51I pushed the door open.
04:52The teammates flinched.
04:54Declan sat up straight on the couch.
04:57When my expression didn't change, Declan relaxed.
05:00They thought I was so wrapped around his finger I'd do anything.
05:03Their eyes got even more smug.
05:05They didn't know I was counting.
05:07Every insult they threw at me was one more slap their captain was getting tonight.
05:10They called me his puppy, so tonight he'd be the one on a leash.
05:15Fair's fair, Declan smirked.
05:16Serena, since you heard everything, why don't you go deliver the cake yourself?
05:21Men always need to look big in front of their boys.
05:25I smiled.
05:27Sure thing.
05:28Then I walked out, cake still in hand.
05:30Dude treats her like a dog.
05:31I raised an eyebrow and gave them my sweetest smile.
05:36Avery was allergic.
05:39Obviously, I wasn't handing her this cake.
05:41Avery and I had no beef.
05:43Declan was the one being a dick.
05:45Why should she pay for it?
05:47Plus, I was the social chair of my sorority.
05:50Baking was my thing.
05:51I made cakes for every sister's birthday.
05:53For some reason, Avery's birthday always got skipped.
05:57I went home and baked a fresh fruit cake.
06:01Piped a little betune carvery on top and frosting.
06:04Wrote her birthday underneath.
06:06Found her at the campus cafe where she worked.
06:09Handed her the box.
06:11Avery.
06:12Happy birthday.
06:13She froze.
06:15For...
06:16Me?
06:18The voices were back.
06:20Wait, what?
06:22Serena's giving Avery a cake?
06:24She's not gonna throw it, right?
06:25No way.
06:26Look, she made a different one.
06:27Fruit, not chocolate.
06:28Okay, Serena's actually being sweet.
06:30I told Avery it was a sorority thing.
06:32Wished her happy birthday and turned to leave.
06:35Avery stopped me.
06:36Her eyes were red around the edges.
06:39Serena.
06:40Thanks.
06:41Thanks for remembering.
06:43Anytime.
06:43Honestly, baking was just fun for me.
06:46Avery hesitated, then said it.
06:48Serena.
06:48Declan's a piece of trash.
06:50You deserve better.
06:51I smiled.
06:52Yeah.
06:53I know.
06:54Thanks.
06:55Declan didn't come back until after midnight.
06:59He'd been drinking.
07:01Cheeks pink.
07:03Saw me on the couch watching TV and decided I was waiting up for him.
07:07Still pretending you don't care?
07:09You ignored me all day.
07:10You're mad and waiting for me to come fix it.
07:12I tilted my head.
07:14Boy had an active imagination.
07:17I'd been overfed for days.
07:19Wasn't even planning to feed tonight.
07:21But here he was, walking right into it.
07:25Time to settle the score.
07:27I heard everything your boys said tonight, Declan.
07:29In public, I play along.
07:30I keep up appearances.
07:32But behind closed doors, some things I don't let slide.
07:34Every word out of their mouths cost you one.
07:36Declan thought I was flirting.
07:38He sat down and pressed my hand against his cheek.
07:41You'd hit this face?
07:44Bastard or not, his face was a work of art.
07:47I almost couldn't do it.
07:49So I shook my head, sweet as sugar, and pulled a leather collar from my bag instead.
07:54Declan's pupils blew wide.
07:56Serena?
07:57What the-
07:57On your knees.
07:58He didn't move fast enough.
08:00I let the mark on his neck pulse once.
08:02He dropped.
08:03Six foot five and folded onto the carpet at my feet like he'd been waiting his whole life
08:07for it.
08:08I crouched down and buckled the collar around his throat.
08:11Clipped a leash to it.
08:12Tonight you're not the captain of anything.
08:14I said,
08:15You're my puppy.
08:16Don't move until I say so.
08:17His chest was heaving.
08:19He nodded.
08:20Use your words.
08:21Yes, ma'am.
08:22Bark for me.
08:22He hesitated for half a second.
08:24The mark flared red.
08:25He barked.
08:26I patted his head.
08:28Such a good boy.
08:29That night, I ate well.
08:31Next morning in class, Declan stood the entire lecture.
08:34Professor asked what was wrong.
08:36Declan rubbed his nose.
08:38Tired.
08:38Standing keeps me awake.
08:40Professor nodded approvingly.
08:42Such a dedicated student.
08:43His teammate next to him almost dropped his pen.
08:46After class, the guy leaned over.
08:49Dude, you smell like Bengay.
08:50What'd you hurt?
08:50Declan smacked the back of his head.
08:52Mind your business.
08:53Then the guy spotted me walking up, opened his mouth to say something.
08:56Declan clamped a hand over it.
08:57Say one more word about Serena and I'll kill you.
08:59The teammate stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
09:02A month flew by.
09:03I got bored of Declan faster than I expected.
09:06Avery and I, on the other hand, became actual friends.
09:09I opened a dessert shop near campus and asked her to manage it.
09:13Declan behaved for a while.
09:14Then he got cocky again.
09:17One night I got too excited and accidentally let my suff of his tail slip out.
09:22He didn't freak.
09:25He grabbed the tip and kissed it.
09:28Baby, so you're a succubus.
09:30He thought he had leverage on me now.
09:32Used my tail to brush the succubus mark on his collarbone, smirking.
09:36Baby, can't live without me now, can you?
09:39I nodded.
09:40It was just a temporary mark.
09:42He didn't need to know that.
09:44Declan took it seriously.
09:46That night, one of his teammates sent me a screenshot of their group chat.
09:50As if I'd ever actually fall for Serena.
09:51Sukwit Labida is insane.
09:53I just felt bad nobody else can handle her.
09:54Serena, when you dump him, give me a shot.
09:56I couldn't even tell those frat boys apart.
09:59They all dressed like peacocks.
10:00I wrote back, send a pic.
10:02His pic was carefully posed.
10:04Face was decent.
10:06Nose wasn't sharp enough.
10:07Under eight inches.
10:08Don't bother.
10:09I turned 20 next week.
10:11Plenty mature.
10:12I meant inches.
10:14Then I blocked him.
10:15Couldn't have asked for better timing.
10:17I forwarded the group chat to Declan.
10:19We're done.
10:20Guys like Declan never apologize.
10:22Took him forever to text back.
10:24You'll regret this.
10:25I don't do second chances.
10:27Funny.
10:27Neither do I.
10:29Newer boys taste better.
10:30The voices were back.
10:31Declan still hung up on Avery.
10:33Serena's just a placeholder.
10:35Feel bad for Serena.
10:37All that money and looks.
10:38And she still can't buy a guy's love.
10:40Love?
10:41What was that worth?
10:42Money and looks, though.
10:43Those I had plenty of.
10:45My parents worked non-stop when I was a kid.
10:48I grew up in our mansion with the housekeeper.
10:51Out of guilt, they gave me whatever I wanted.
10:54My bank balance never dipped below seven figures.
10:57During my edgy phase, I posted on Instagram,
10:59I don't need money.
11:00I need love.
11:01Mom and dad saw it and got me a companion.
11:03His name was Caleb.
11:04Officially, he was just my companion.
11:06Everyone in our circle knew he was actually meant to be my fiancé.
11:09Caleb was sweet.
11:10He let me get away with everything.
11:12Cleaned up every mess I made without complaint.
11:16Then one day, he was gone.
11:19No goodbye.
11:20No note.
11:21Nothing.
11:22We slowly lost touch.
11:26My dessert shop near campus was supposed to be a hobby.
11:29With Avery running it,
11:31we turned a profit by the end of the first quarter.
11:34I drove over one day to check on things.
11:36Someone was standing by the window.
11:38White button-done, tailored slanks, broad shoulders, narrow waist.
11:41The shirt stretched tight across his chest.
11:43He was holding a bouquet of red roses.
11:45Calm eyes.
11:46He looked grown.
11:46My heart stopped.
11:49Caleb.
11:49Caleb.
11:50My parents' gift to me.
11:51My first love who vanished without a word years ago,
11:54leaving me with nothing but a cold mansion and a heart full of holes.
11:57His face lit up when he saw me.
11:59Those soft eyes curved up at the corners.
12:02Serena, it's been a while.
12:03The old Caleb was a servant in my parents' house.
12:06This Caleb looked like he owned the city.
12:07I gave him a polite smile.
12:09Been a while.
12:10I had new menu items to talk over with Avery.
12:13Told Caleb to wait at a table.
12:15By the time I came back out,
12:17Declan had shown up too.
12:18Worse.
12:19He was already in Caleb's face.
12:21So this is why she dumped me?
12:23Declan was furious.
12:24You're the one moving in on her behind my back.
12:27Caleb stayed calm.
12:28I was here long before you.
12:29She broke up with you.
12:30You should respect that.
12:31Declan's eyes went red.
12:32He grabbed the water glass off the table and threw it at Caleb.
12:35Shameless old creep.
12:37Water ran down Caleb's face into his collar.
12:39The white shirt went transparent.
12:41A mark showed through over his chest.
12:43I walked up and slapped Declan across the face.
12:45The whole cafe went silent.
12:47Declan looked at me like I'd shot him.
12:49Tears welled up in his eyes and started rolling down.
12:52Serena, you hit me.
12:53For this old guy?
12:55I stared at him.
12:56He is three years older than you.
12:58Get a grip.
13:00A six foot five hockey captain crying at me.
13:03I'll admit, for half a second, I felt bad.
13:07Caleb spoke up behind me.
13:08Soft as ever.
13:10Serena, don't fight with him.
13:11I'm fine.
13:12The water wasn't hot.
13:14The mark on my chest is nothing.
13:16People were starting to gather.
13:18I grabbed both of them and dragged them into the back office.
13:21Tossed Declan a tissue.
13:22Wipe your face.
13:23You're embarrassing yourself.
13:24Pressed a few more against Caleb's chest.
13:27You too.
13:27Shirt see-through.
13:29Caleb winced.
13:30Then his face went smooth again.
13:32I caught it.
13:32You actually got hurt?
13:34Caleb shook his head.
13:35It's nothing.
13:35Declan's eyes got even redder.
13:37Serena, you're really picking him over me?
13:40I shot him a look.
13:41You started it.
13:42And we're broken up.
13:43Clinging doesn't work on me.
13:44Sound familiar?
13:45His own words boomeranging back.
13:47He looked stunned.
13:49Then his face twisted.
13:50Serena, you're gonna regret this.
13:52Caleb got in the car with me.
13:55I had a first aid kit in the back.
13:58Unbutton it.
13:58Let me see.
13:59Caleb smiled.
14:00Soft as always.
14:01His fingers were long.
14:03He worked the button slowly.
14:04Below his collarbone was a clear suffrappant mark.
14:07It was a tattoo.
14:08Fresh.
14:08The edges were still red and a little swollen.
14:11Why would you tattoo that?
14:12I asked.
14:13Caleb looked me in the eyes.
14:15His voice dropped low.
14:17I took a tattoo class for this.
14:20All these years, no one's touched my skin except a doctor.
14:23Then I remembered.
14:24Before my succul side woke up, my symptoms looked exactly like severe touch starvation.
14:30Back then, Caleb was my cure.
14:33The next two weeks, Caleb and Declan were both peaking like their lives depended on it.
14:38Caleb heard my housekeeper was on vacation.
14:41Showed up at my door with groceries.
14:42Years apart and his cooking had leveled up.
14:45He'd also gotten clumsy.
14:46Splashed water on his shirt and just took it off.
14:48Cooked shirtless under a pink apron.
14:50Every move he made was a thirst trap.
14:52Wide back.
14:54V-line.
14:55The apron strings cinched around his waist were straight out of a romance novel.
15:01Declan, meanwhile, went quiet for a few days.
15:05Then started bombing my phone with messages.
15:08I blocked one number.
15:09He switched to another.
15:11Serena, I screwed up.
15:12Forgive me one time.
15:14I swear I won't talk shit again.
15:15I was so wrong.
15:16I thought I liked Avery.
15:18The minute you left, I knew it was you.
15:19Baby, punish me.
15:21I bought the paddle, the leather strap, the cane.
15:23All those outfits you like, I got those too.
15:25I blocked him again.
15:26That night, Avery texted.
15:28She'd run into Declan and Caleb at the campus gym.
15:31They were stacking weights like they were trying to kill each other.
15:34She said the testosterone in the place was about to set off the sprinklers.
15:38She added,
15:39Serena, one's a sneaky pretty boy.
15:42The other's a meathead.
15:44Have your fun.
15:44But for a real partner, look elsewhere.
15:47I stared at the screen.
15:49Wait, when did Avery turn into my biggest hype woman?
15:52Declan and Caleb's little pissing contest was driving me crazy.
15:54I needed peace.
15:55So I took my family's yacht out to fish for the day.
15:58Open water everywhere.
15:59I stretched out on a deck chair.
16:01Fishing rod set up beside me.
16:03Then I actually caught something big.
16:04A merman.
16:05When the crew dragged him onto the deck, his fin was bleeding.
16:09Lean upper body.
16:10Abneb's cut.
16:11His face looked mixed race.
16:12Striking.
16:13He stared at me.
16:14Total guard up.
16:15Yeah.
16:15I'd never seen this kind before.
16:18I sailed back the same day with him on board.
16:20I owned more property than I could count.
16:23I picked an island house with an outdoor pool and set him up there.
16:27Took care of him myself for a few days until he stopped flinching when I came near.
16:32At night, I kept feeling something hard under my pillow.
16:36I lifted it.
16:38There were pearls underneath.
16:40Big.
16:41Smooth.
16:42Perfect.
16:44On day 7, he finally spoke.
16:46Told me his name was Harlan.
16:48Lately I'd been getting that feeling.
16:49Like something was watching me in the dark.
16:51The air felt damp.
16:52So I checked the bedroom security footage.
16:54Turned out Harlan had been crawling into my bed every night.
16:58Just stared at me.
16:59Sometimes caught the pearls falling from his face.
17:02Apparently, Mermaine cried pearls when they were emotional.
17:05Every time he kissed me on the cheek, he tucked another pearl under my pillow.
17:09Dark and sweet at the same time.
17:12Next day, I sat Harlan down to watch the security footage with me.
17:15Caught red-handed, his ears went bright red.
17:19I...
17:19I cupped his ears with both hands.
17:22Felt how hot-bought they were.
17:23Which naughty little fish was sneaking into bed?
17:26Harlan dropped his eyes.
17:27Me.
17:28What happens to bad fish?
17:30They get punished.
17:31I smiled.
17:31Hooked my arm around his neck and kissed him.
17:33The second our lips touched, he started shaking.
17:35His lower half had been legs all morning.
17:37From sheer oversemination, it shifted back into a massive blue tail.
17:42The tail flicked up.
17:43Harlan covered my eyes with his hand and kissed me harder.
17:46His technique was clumsy.
17:47I liked it more than I expected.
17:49When I pulled back, Harlan ticked his lips, eyes glassy.
17:52Serena, I think this was a reward.
17:56I smiled and didn't answer.
17:58Once Harlan got the hang of switching to legs, he basically lived in the kitchen.
18:02Cooking was his thing.
18:04He nailed every American classic, and he'd still look up at me with watery eyes and say he wanted to
18:09be my puppy.
18:10Basically, Declan and Caleb mashed into one.
18:13Wild and sneaky.
18:14What I didn't know was that while I was hiding out at the island house with Harlan, the Wells family
18:19was tearing up the entire coast looking for their missing son.
18:22And Declan and Caleb were losing their minds trying to find me too.
18:27I brought Harlan back to my main estate.
18:29That same night, the Wells family found us.
18:32The current head, Julian Wells, walked in with a squad of bodyguards and demanded his brother.
18:38Julian was Harlan's older brother.
18:40He leaned on a black Ubud cane and stared at me like he wanted to throw me out.
18:46So you're the one who took my brother.
18:49Harlan came running in and stepped between us.
18:52Julian.
18:54She didn't take me.
18:56I went with Serena because I wanted to.
18:58Why'd you bring all these guards?
19:00You'll scare her.
19:01The bodyguards exchanged looks.
19:03Scare her?
19:03Julian glared at his brother.
19:05You idiot.
19:05She used you and you're still defending her.
19:07There's another guy outside the wall watching for her right now.
19:10You really think you're the only one?
19:11Out beyond the wall, Declan was on the phone with Caleb.
19:13What the hell?
19:14We're out here losing our minds and she's already got someone new?
19:17Inside, Julian smirked.
19:20Your Serena gets around.
19:22Loves a new toy every week.
19:24Harlan threw his shoulders back.
19:26Eyes clear.
19:27Then I'm the favorite toy.
19:30Harlan kept going.
19:31Julian, go set up the wedding.
19:33I'm getting engaged to Serena.
19:34Move first.
19:35Win first.
19:36I want to be her legal husband.
19:38I was way too into Harlan to argue, so whatever insults Julia threw at me, I just took them.
19:43Standing behind Harlan, I snuck a finger around his.
19:45His hand was cool, smooth.
19:47Then I looked up, right into Julian's deep green eyes.
19:49Not scared of fishtails anymore?
19:50Sounded like he was talking to me.
19:52Couldn't tell what he meant.
19:53I blinked.
19:54Lost.
19:54Harlan caught it though.
19:55Julian, knock it off.
19:57Serena says my tail is the prettiest one she's ever seen.
19:59She loves it.
20:01Julian scoffed.
20:02Rolled his eyes at me.
20:03Sure.
20:03In the end, Julian dragged Harlan home anyway.
20:09And the second he was gone, Caleb and Declan came knocking.
20:15Declan's eyes were bloodshot.
20:17Serena.
20:18You don't have a heart.
20:20Caleb looked devastated.
20:21Serena, I'm the most mature one.
20:23I don't fight, but I should come first.
20:25Declan lost it.
20:26You're three years older than me.
20:27Who are you calling mature?
20:28Were you ever officially her boyfriend?
20:29I had two months.
20:30Two real months.
20:31My head was about to split open.
20:32Honestly, my Succavilla ancestors used to do polyamory.
20:37They scrapped the system because the men kept scheming on each other for attention.
20:41Take your fight outside.
20:43My voice went cold.
20:45Both of them shut up immediately.
20:47That night, Harlan called for our usual goodnight routine.
20:50His voice was deep, hypnotic, like a siren's.
20:53I half melted and somehow agreed to marry him.
20:55Honestly, Harlan was perfect.
20:57Looks, body, stamina, everything top tier.
21:01My parents flew back from overseas.
21:03I told them about the engagement.
21:05Mom looked surprised.
21:07Years ago, we tried to set you up with Julian Wells, the head of the family.
21:10Succavilla and Merman both have strong drives.
21:12It was supposed to be the perfect match.
21:14But you said you had a thing about big tails.
21:16So we dropped it.
21:17Now you're marrying the brother?
21:18That's when it clicked.
21:19I'd been so wrapped up in Kaler back then I made up some excuse to bail.
21:23No wonder Julian had been giving me attitude about the tail.
21:26Kind of awkward, looking back.
21:28News of my engagement to Harlan got around.
21:30Declan tried to crash my place twice.
21:33Bodyguards throw him out both times.
21:35After that, he'd show up at frat parties, drink himself stupid, hug a bottle and sob.
21:40His teammates couldn't take it.
21:42They came to me for help.
21:43One night I happened to run into him at a bar off campus.
21:46Walked over and slapped him twice to wake him up.
21:48Declan's eyes focused on me.
21:49He cried harder, then weirdly looked thrilled.
21:52Serena, you hit me again!
21:53Does that mean you're forgiving me?
21:54His teammates' jaws hit the floor.
21:56I waved them off.
21:57Get this disaster out of here.
22:02Caleb, by comparison, was quiet.
22:04He just bought the property next to my estate and moved in.
22:07His yard was full of red roses, my favorite.
22:10He'd stand on his balcony and stare at my bedroom window.
22:14Every morning a fresh rose appeared in my mailbox.
22:16One day I caught Caleb in the act.
22:19He froze, eyes down.
22:21Serena.
22:22Caleb, I'm getting engaged.
22:25His face filled with pain.
22:27I know.
22:28Why did you leave back then?
22:30No goodbye, nothing.
22:31I was nothing back then, just your companion.
22:33I wanted to come back as someone worthy of you.
22:35Why didn't you say goodbye?
22:37I couldn't watch you cry.
22:38His voice cracked.
22:39One tear and I'd never have left.
22:41I laughed softly.
22:42The truth wasn't kind.
22:43Caleb, if you hadn't left, no one else would have had a chance.
22:46The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
22:48He looked like his entire world just collapsed.
22:50After a long pause, he whispered.
22:52Serena, I was wrong.
22:54The voices started screaming in my head again.
22:56Ouch, right in the heart.
22:58He deserved it.
22:59Should have thought twice before ghosting her.
23:01Watching these golden boys lose their minds for her.
23:04Iconic.
23:05Harren handled all the engagement party planning.
23:07I had nothing to do.
23:09Avery was pouring everything into the business.
23:12Under her, my shop expanded into seven locations.
23:15She was way more interested in money than in men.
23:18The seventh location had a problem.
23:20There was a small dessert shop right across the street.
23:22Business had been bad.
23:23After we opened, it died completely.
23:26The owner started showing up drunk to make scenes.
23:28I happened to be there checking on the new shop.
23:30He took one look at me and Avery and decided we were easy targets.
23:34Started smashing stuff.
23:35My security threw him out.
23:36I called the cops.
23:37He spent the night in jail.
23:39I figured it was over.
23:42Day before my engagement party,
23:44I was leaving the stylist's studio when a van came barreling at me.
23:47Something hit me hard from the side.
23:49Shoved me out of the way.
23:50I heard a sickening crunch.
23:56My ears were ringing.
23:58Caleb!
23:58I ran.
23:59That van wasn't out of control.
24:01It was aimed at me.
24:02The driver was the dessert shop owner.
24:04When he realized he'd hit the wrong target, he froze.
24:06Then his face twisted and he reached for the gas pedal again.
24:09Black SUVs swarmed in and boxed him in.
24:12My security yanked him out before he could move.
24:14The ambulance screamed up.
24:15They loaded Caleb in and rushed him to the hospital.
24:20I waited outside the OR.
24:22My fingers had gone numb.
24:23A warm hand wrapped around mine.
24:25I looked up.
24:26Harlan.
24:27Serena.
24:28He's gonna be okay.
24:29Yeah.
24:30A long while later, they wheeled Caleb out.
24:32Doctor said he'd live.
24:33But his legs were in bad shape.
24:34He might not walk again.
24:36Recovery would tell.
24:37While I sat with Caleb, I had my assistant pull a background check.
24:40Caleb's situation back in his real family was a mess.
24:42Three half-siblings circled him like sharks.
24:45He'd clawed back his share and broken off on his own.
24:49There was no way I was leaving him to deal with this alone.
24:52Harlan was unbelievably chill about it.
24:54Serena.
24:55I had Julian cancel the engagement party.
24:57When Caleb's back on his feet, I'll compete for you fair and square.
25:01He cupped my cheek.
25:02Eyes steady.
25:03I know I'm the best man for the job.
25:05I squeezed his hand and shut my eyes.
25:08Caleb came home from the hospital different.
25:11Darker.
25:11Quieter.
25:12I hired the best rehab team for him.
25:14His house was right next to mine.
25:16Easy to drop in.
25:17At first, he was wrecked.
25:18I frowned at him.
25:19If I hear that defeatist crap one more time, I'm gone.
25:22I'll keep you set for life, but you'll never see me again.
25:25That snapped him out of it.
25:26He tried to push up out of the wheelchair.
25:28Forgot his legs were dead.
25:29Crashed to the floor.
25:30Didn't care about the pain.
25:32Crawled to me and grabbed my legs.
25:33This calm, mature man, eyes full of tears.
25:36His hands shook as they climbed up.
25:37He locked his arms around my waist and looked up, begging.
25:40Don't say that.
25:41Please, Serena.
25:44No woman alive could turn down Caleb like this.
25:47Right then, Harlan walked in from next door.
25:50He looked at Caleb on the floor, voice flat.
25:52Serena, coming home for dinner?
25:54Haran strolled over, grabbed Caleb by the collar like a stray cat, and tossed him back on the bed.
25:59Cut the soap opera, Caleb.
26:00It's embarrassing.
26:01Caleb's mouth twidged.
26:02Heran was not happy about my constant trips next door to take care of Caleb.
26:06I figured my merman puppy needed some extra attention.
26:09Next morning, I found Harlan moving his stuff into Caleb's house.
26:12He was tying on an apron and unloading groceries.
26:15Looked a little uncomfortable.
26:16You shouldn't have to run back and forth, Serena.
26:18Too much for you.
26:19I'm moving in.
26:20Honestly, so understanding, I almost felt guilty.
26:24Caleb cleared his throat from the bed and chimed in for the first time ever.
26:27I misjudged Mr. Wells.
26:29He's actually a very generous and considerate guy.
26:33A few months later, Caleb's legs were getting better.
26:37He could stand with braces.
26:40Declan got wind that Caleb was milking the injury for sympathy.
26:44After my security tossed him out yet again, he climbed the wall in the middle of the night,
26:48burst into my bedroom, eyes red.
26:50Why him?
26:51Just because his legs are broken?
26:52Serena, if that's the deal, I'll break all three of mine.
26:54My head was pounding.
26:55If I'd known this hockey captain was this much of a mess, I never would have touched him.
26:59Right then, Harlan walked in with Julian.
27:02Harlan looked at me carefully.
27:04Serena, my brother's been sick.
27:07He says he's lonely.
27:09There's no point in living.
27:10I'm worried about him.
27:12Can he stay with us a few days?
27:13Julian carried himself like he owned the room.
27:15His green eyes locked onto mine.
27:17What he said next floored me.
27:19Miss Serena, just consider me a bonus that comes with this engagement.
27:25Declan completely lost it, pointed at Julian.
27:27He gets to cut the line too?
27:29Julian shot him a smug little smile.
27:31I gave up.
27:33Flopped on the couch and closed my eyes.
27:35Fine.
27:36Whatever.
27:39Three was a crowd.
27:40Four was just right.
27:42Tch.
27:43Only four.
27:44I could probably handle it.
27:45Tch.
27:46Tch.
27:46Tch.
27:46Tch.
27:46Tch.
27:46Tch.
27:47Tch.
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