- 9 hours ago
Burn Me Once I Shine Forever Billionaire Romance
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Everyone thinks Carrie won that modeling contest fair and square.
00:06Here's what they don't know.
00:08My fiance set the house on fire the day before.
00:12My mother locked the door from the outside.
00:17The winner walked over my burned body.
00:21They even gave me psychiatric drugs at the victory party.
00:29Made me pee myself on live stream.
00:34Three years later, I came back.
00:38I didn't win a contest. I won my life back.
00:44The day before the modeling contest, a fire suddenly broke out.
00:54I was locked inside my own house.
00:59The smoke filled the room quickly.
01:02Help! Please help me!
01:03I screamed for help, but no one came.
01:07By the time they pulled me out, my face was badly burned.
01:12When I live my burned,
01:15my body was scorched over a wide area.
01:19I was unconscious.
01:25Outside the operating room,
01:27Mom was crying hard.
01:29She blamed herself for locking the door by accident.
01:36Hurry up and come here.
01:37I need your help, please.
01:39My fiance, Kenneth Thornton,
01:40called every dermatologist in the city.
01:42He vowed to restore my looks no matter what.
01:45But then I heard Mom's shaky voice outside.
01:48Kenneth, even to help Carrie win,
01:53wasn't setting the fire and locking the door going too far.
01:57Kenneth scoffed.
01:58If Linda weren't so vain and selfish,
02:01I wouldn't have had to take such drastic measures.
02:04She knew Carrie was battling depression,
02:06but still flaunted her figure in front of her.
02:10All she lost was her face and some skin.
02:13Carrie lost her happiness.
02:15This is what Leta owes her.
02:18Kenneth said he would still marry me.
02:23No one would whisper behind my back.
02:26Even if I was hideous,
02:28he would treat me well.
02:34He said I should be grateful.
02:36Destroying my health and career was treating me well.
02:45I clenched my teeth until my draw ached.
02:50Cold and pain raged in my chest.
02:53That man, that mother.
02:57I was done with both of them.
02:59Kenneth gave an order.
03:04Hold off on the surgery.
03:06Have all the specialists wait outside.
03:08The doctor froze,
03:09halfway through pulling on his gloves.
03:12Mr. Thornton, her burns are too severe.
03:19Her throat is damaged by the smoke.
03:21And it's Hellringer's.
03:22If we don't operate now,
03:24she won't just lose her voice.
03:27Her face and skin will be completely ruined.
03:31Mom hesitated.
03:33Guilt flickered in her eyes.
03:36Mom tried to persuade Kenneth.
03:39She's hurt too badly.
03:40She can't compete tomorrow anyway.
03:45Let her have the surgery.
03:47Kenneth refused.
03:54Let it be ruined.
03:57If she gets treated now,
03:58she'll still find ways to trip Carrie up.
04:05Only if she's half dead will she stop bullying Carrie.
04:13This will humble her.
04:15It's for her own good.
04:17I promised Carrie this championship would be hers.
04:24No one will stand in her way.
04:26Mom sighed and turned to the doctor.
04:30Just give my daughter some pain relief.
04:38Disinfect her burns gently.
04:40Don't let her hurt too much.
04:43No one noticed my body trembling.
04:47It felt like a knife had been driven into my heart.
04:56The fire was never an accident.
04:58It was a trap.
04:59Set by the man I loved.
05:01For Caroline's sake.
05:07And mom was his accomplice.
05:20They had stood outside that door,
05:22ignoring my desperate cries for help,
05:25feeling nothing but relief that I'd finally been destroyed.
05:30Pain ripped through my chest.
05:32My scorched throat convulsed.
05:35I coughed up a mouthful of blood.
05:40Mom panicked and reached for me.
05:44But there wasn't a single uninjured spot she could touch.
05:50I'm here.
05:52It hurts, doesn't it?
05:57Don't be afraid.
05:59I will always be with you.
06:05Kenneth snapped at the doctor.
06:07What?
06:08If in any doing?
06:11Where are those dermatologists?
06:12If anything happens to my wife,
06:15this hospital can shut down.
06:20The specialists,
06:22they're stuck in traffic.
06:24They wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.
06:27Kenneth kicked him out.
06:36Then he knelt in front for me with a guilty face.
06:41Honey, I'm sorry.
06:43I let you suffer too much.
06:49I'll heal your skin and your face.
06:52You'll stand on the runway again.
06:58I stared at his perfect performance.
07:02My voice was bitter.
07:06Will I really get better?
07:10You will.
07:11I promise.
07:13His fake conviction made me feel like a fool.
07:17I knew the truth now.
07:18The man who swore to love me forever
07:20had pushed me into a dead end.
07:22The mother who treasured me all my life
07:25had chosen Carolyn.
07:26She turned the knife against me.
07:28I wanted to ask them why.
07:31But the words froze in my chest.
07:34I stayed silent.
07:36Doctors came in with disinfectant.
07:38The specialists aren't here yet.
07:40We have to do a simple cleaning.
07:43Please bear with it.
07:44The disinfectant hit my skin.
07:47It felt like being thrown into the flames again.
07:51Fragile blood vessels burst.
07:53The bed was soon soaked with blood and pus.
07:57Mom covered her mouth, sobbing.
07:59Kenneth's eyes turned red.
08:01Their concern looked so real.
08:03But I knew.
08:05Only the lies and the hurt were real.
08:10Two days passed.
08:11I woke up to voices outside the room.
08:15Mom and Kenneth were talking.
08:20Kenneth, do you really want to give her
08:22the new experimental psychiatric med?
08:24The doctor said it's not fully tested yet.
08:30Side effects might include seizures
08:32and loss of bladder control.
08:35That's exactly what I want.
08:38Kenneth's voice was cold and firm.
08:41Today is Carrie's celebration party.
08:43Plenty of big name mentors will be there.
08:46This is her chance to really shine.
08:51A little more humiliation won't matter to Linda.
08:55Only if she loses every shred of dignity
08:57will she stop competing with Carrie.
09:01After tomorrow I'll announce our wedding.
09:04That'll be my way of making it up to her.
09:05Mom agreed without hesitation.
09:07I stared at the ceiling got.
09:09Tears spilled silently down my face.
09:11They stung my raw wounds.
09:13But that pain was nothing compared to one in my chest.
09:19They knew I'd been sickly since childhood.
09:21They knew how hard I'd worked to become a model.
09:24Yet with one decision they destroyed my life's dream.
09:26If I'd known it would end like this
09:28I'd rather have died in the fire.
09:30The door opened.
09:32Kenneth walked in with a tender smile.
09:34He held out to bright red capsules.
09:36This is a new painkiller.
09:38No side effects.
09:39It'll make things easier for you.
09:42I turned my head away.
09:43It's too bitter.
09:44I don't want it.
09:45He hesitated for only two seconds.
09:47Then he pressed the pills against my lips.
09:50Be a good wife.
09:51Take it from me.
09:52The capsule slid into my mouth.
09:54Bitter and sticky.
09:55The room began to spin.
09:57He gripped my hand.
09:59Today is Carrie's celebration party.
10:02Her biggest wish is your approval.
10:04If you don't show up
10:05people will say you're petty and jealous.
10:08I knew there was no refusing.
10:10I'll go.
10:12Get me something to wear.
10:15Mom walked in just in time to hear me.
10:18Her face lit up.
10:20Good girl.
10:21I knew you'd understand.
10:23Once Carrie's party is over
10:24I'll personally host your wedding with Kenneth.
10:27I pulled my hand away.
10:28I felt nothing.
10:29My heart felt like ashes.
10:31The car pulled up to the villa.
10:33The moment I stepped out
10:34flashing lights exploded in my face.
10:37Reporters swarmed around me.
10:38Is it true you set the fire to kill your sister?
10:40How can someone as vicious as you
10:42up at your sister's celebration?
10:45Don't you feel shameless?
10:48I ducked my head and pulled my hat low.
10:51One reporter yanked it off.
10:54Gasps erupted.
10:55My burned, ruined face was now on full display.
10:58Oh my god!
10:59Disgusting!
11:00Is that a monster?
11:03I'm gonna puke.
11:05This is nightmare fuel.
11:08My heart pounded.
11:10My vision swam.
11:11But they weren't done.
11:20Several phones were lifted up.
11:22Live streams were going.
11:24Fallen model Melinda tried to burn her own sister alive
11:27and ended up like this.
11:30Let's see for ourselves how evil meets its end.
11:39Someone shoved me.
11:40I stumbled and hit the ground.
11:42My clothes tore.
11:43My arms, legs, and waist were exposed.
11:47A raw cry tore from my throat.
11:52My whole body convulsed like I was being electrocuted.
11:56The reporters got excited.
12:00She's having a seizure!
12:01This is gold!
12:02Get a close-up from all angles!
12:04Get a close-up from all angles!
12:07My eyes rolled back.
12:09Foam spilled from my lips.
12:12Then heat spread beneath me.
12:15The sharp stench of urine filled the air.
12:19The shame was so crushing I couldn't even cry.
12:22I wanted to die right there.
12:26Kenneth burst through the crowd.
12:32He grabbed a reporter's camera and smashed it to the ground.
12:36Get the hell out!
12:38Mom rushed over and wrapped me in a coat.
12:41She was crying.
12:42Where's security?
12:44How did reporters get in?
12:46Get out!
12:46Every single one of you!
12:49Kenneth burst through the crowd.
12:51You've gone too far.
12:52How could you treat my sister like this?
12:57Disgusting.
13:00All of you are disgusting.
13:03You want the title?
13:05You want to give all the love to Caroline?
13:07Fine.
13:10But why did you have to destroy me like this?
13:13My thoughts blurred.
13:19Kenneth bent down and gripped my hands.
13:22Honey, I'm sorry.
13:24I should have protected you.
13:25From now on, I'll never let anyone hurt you again.
13:28Let's get married right away, okay?
13:31I wanted to say no, but blood surged up my throat first.
13:36Splattered across him.
13:37His face drained of color.
13:41Doctor!
13:42Doctor!
13:43Before darkness swallowed me,
13:45I heard him and mom shouting for a doctor.
13:50The doctor said I was already in critical condition.
13:55The delay made it worse.
13:58The psychiatric meds had damaged my internal organs.
14:02Surgery had only a 30% chance of success.
14:06Kenneth's voice shook.
14:08How could this happen?
14:10I don't care!
14:11If you can't save my wife, you can bury her with you!
14:14Tears splashed on the back of my hand as he choked out.
14:17Honey, we promised forever.
14:19You can't leave me alone.
14:24Mom dropped to her knees before the doctor.
14:27Please save my daughter.
14:29Take my life instead if you have to.
14:33I closed my eyes.
14:35Maybe dying like this wouldn't be so bad.
14:43When I woke again, I was back in my own room.
14:46Voices murmured at the door.
14:48Caroline was talking to mom.
14:50Mom, if you transfer all of dad's inheritance to me, won't Lena be upset?
14:58She doesn't get a say.
15:00She's marrying Kenneth.
15:02She'll never have to worry about money.
15:05What's this little bit to her?
15:07When your dad passed, I had acute leukemia.
15:14You were the one who gave me blood every day.
15:17You donated your bone marrow.
15:19That's when I swore you'd be my only real daughter for the rest of my life.
15:26I still feel like I owe you.
15:28I know you love Kenneth too.
15:31I've already talked to him.
15:33Linda's condition means she can't have children.
15:36On the wedding night, you'll take her place.
15:39Give him his first child.
15:42I'll do whatever you say, mom.
15:51Guilt flickered across mom's face.
15:54Then she stammered.
15:58Since you've heard everything, I won't hide it.
16:01The Thornton family is huge.
16:03They can't go without an heir.
16:06But don't worry.
16:07The title of Mrs. Thornton.
16:08I cut her off.
16:10I agree.
16:12Looking like this, I can't even attend the wedding anyway.
16:16Let Carrie go in my place.
16:19Mom's smile bloomed.
16:21Good girl.
16:22You've really grown up.
16:24Caroline's eyes swept over my scarred skin with disdain.
16:28Don't worry, Linda.
16:30Then she put on a show of concern.
16:32I'll take good care of your husband for you.
16:34I turned my head away.
16:36I was too tired to look at them.
16:41The wedding was held at the villa.
16:44Caroline's idea, of course.
16:46She wanted me to watch her strip away everything I cared about.
16:50But she was even crueler than I imagined.
16:55She pushed my door open.
16:58Her smile was twisted with malice.
17:02Even that massive fire couldn't kill you.
17:05You really are a cockroach, Melinda.
17:07I didn't bother arguing.
17:09You already got what you wanted.
17:11What else do you want?
17:14She laughed.
17:15For you to die, obviously.
17:18Only then can I be Kenneth's rightful wife.
17:21She pulled out a lighter and flicked it.
17:24She set the curtains on fire.
17:27The blood drained from my face.
17:31I dragged my burned body toward the fire.
17:35But Caroline kicked me hard into the bedpost.
17:38Help me, please!
17:40Then she ran to the door, crying out.
17:42Kenneth burst in.
17:44What happened?
17:45Are you hurt?
17:46He pulled Caroline into his arms.
17:47Mom rushed in right after.
17:50Get Carrie to the hospital!
17:52Everyone surrounded Caroline.
17:54No one noticed the blood pouring from my head.
17:56Caroline clung to Kenneth, sobbing.
17:59I just wanted to cheer Linda up.
18:01But she said, since her face is ruined,
18:03I shouldn't get to wear a beautiful dress either.
18:05She set the fire.
18:06She said she'd burn me too.
18:08I was so scared.
18:09Are you insane?
18:10Look at yourself.
18:11You make me sick.
18:12Kenneth's glare could have set me on fire.
18:14You make me sick.
18:17Mom's face twisted in disgust.
18:18If I'd known you'd turn out like this,
18:20I would have let that fire kill you.
18:25You're not even worth one of Carrie's fingers.
18:27Being burned like this is what you deserve.
18:30They carried Caroline out without a glance back.
18:33At the door,
18:34Kenneth looked back at the flames.
18:36You love playing with fire?
18:38Then play all you want.
18:40Lock the door.
18:41No one opens it.
18:43The door slammed.
18:45My screams were cut off.
18:46Mom hesitated.
18:48Kenneth, will anything happen to her?
18:50What could happen?
18:51She lit it herself.
18:54She probably already hit a fire extinguisher.
18:56They took Caroline to the hospital.
18:58Only after confirming she was unhurt did Kenneth remember me.
19:02He sighed and unlocked his phone.
19:04A live news alert popped up.
19:06Massive fire at Alwander Villa.
19:08His brow furrowed.
19:10He was about to call his butler, Daniel.
19:12But Daniel called him first.
19:14Kenneth said,
19:15Let her out.
19:16I'll take her to France for the honeymoon.
19:18She loves it there.
19:19Daniel's voice shook.
19:20Mr. Thornton,
19:22the villa is gone.
19:24Mrs. Thornton, she didn't make it out.
19:26The room fell silent.
19:28Even the air seemed frozen.
19:30Kenneth gripped his phone.
19:31His voice was tight with anger.
19:34Are you tired of living?
19:36How dare you curse my wife?
19:39Beside him,
19:40Caroline's eyes lit up with joy.
19:42Then she masked it with a fake gentle tone.
19:44Linda is probably just mad about being locked up.
19:47She's teaming up with Daniel to trick you.
19:51Lying is her favorite way
19:53to get your attention.
19:56Caroline kept talking.
19:58Send her to some remote country for a while.
20:01Once she suffers,
20:02she'll realize how good you've been to her.
20:05People like her
20:06don't deserve to be spoiled.
20:09For the first time,
20:10Kenneth's patient snapped.
20:11Shut up!
20:12My marriage is none of your business!
20:14He shook off her hand and stepped aside.
20:17He lowered his voice.
20:19Tell her I'm letting it go today.
20:21Open the door now.
20:23I'll bring her a macaron from Lagerie.
20:25She loves it.
20:26Adelie S and Caren's have been our peace offering for over a decade.
20:30Whenever I was upset,
20:32one piece was enough to make me forgive him.
20:34But the last time I had one was two years ago.
20:38Not because he never bought them.
20:41He did.
20:42But every single one went to Caroline.
20:46He always said Caroline was fragile and depressed.
20:49I owed it to her to be kinder.
20:51But I never knew what I owed her.
20:53She lost her family because they were criminals who died on the run.
20:57My dad died because of her dad's crimes.
21:01I gave up mom, my husband, my dream, and now my life.
21:05And he finally remembered to bring me a McCarran.
21:09How ridiculous.
21:10Daniel's voice was frantic on the phone.
21:12I swear I'm not lying.
21:13The fire started in Mrs. Thornton's room.
21:16By the time we opened the door, it was too late.
21:19The villa is burning out of control.
21:23Firefighters are still trying to rescue her.
21:28Kenneth yelled.
21:31Enough!
21:32I know she's mad.
21:34I locked her up.
21:35I already agreed to let her out.
21:37She lit it herself.
21:39She's not stupid enough to burn herself alive.
21:41Then a thought hit him.
21:42But what if she didn't start it?
21:44His breath quickened.
21:45His face pared.
21:48Fine.
21:49He hung up the phone.
21:50I'm coming back now.
21:52Unlike him, mom was far from calm.
21:58You're lying, right?
21:59She's just mad about what I said.
22:04Tell Linda I didn't mean it.
22:05I'll apologize when I get home.
22:11Daniel sighed.
22:14All right.
22:15I'll tell her.
22:16Mom's face relaxed into a stiff smile.
22:18See?
22:19I knew it had to be a joke.
22:21A fire that bad?
22:23Impossible.
22:24But her voice was trembling.
22:27Mom said,
22:28Kenneth, let's go back.
22:30It's your wedding day.
22:31Make it up to Linda.
22:33She's my only daughter.
22:35I can't let her be wronged again.
22:37Kenneth nodded.
22:38All right.
22:38I will.
22:41Carolyn trailed behind, ready to follow.
22:45Kenneth stopped her.
22:46Go home.
22:47Linda doesn't like you.
22:49I'm not letting you ruin her mood on our wedding day.
22:53Mom chimed in.
22:55That's right, Carrie.
22:56Go home.
22:57You already stole her modeling title.
22:59Don't show up in front of her again.
23:02Caroline's face twisted with rage.
23:04Melinda, you pathetic bitch.
23:06Dead or not, you still won't leave me alone.
23:13On the drive back, Kenneth's phone kept lighting up.
23:18Live updates about the fire filled his screen.
23:27His mind was blank.
23:28He blew through red lights.
23:33Finally, he skidded to a stop at the villa.
23:37He stepped out.
23:38His knees nearly buckled.
23:40The entire villa was swallowed in flames.
23:43The fire lit the sky red.
23:45Firefighters rushed in and out.
23:50Servants sat on the ground, filthy and shaking.
23:52Daniel ran up to him, covered in soot.
23:59Thank God you're back, Mr. Kenneth.
24:01Kenneth grabbed Daniel by the collar.
24:08Where is Linda?
24:10Daniel pointed to the charred ruins.
24:13We followed your order.
24:15We didn't open the door for her.
24:20When the banging stopped, we thought she had just worn herself out.
24:25Then smoke started seeping through the cracks.
24:28I opened the door, and the fire exploded out.
24:30The whole room was burning.
24:34It was too late.
24:35Kenneth's pulse spiked.
24:37And what?
24:39Before Daniel could answer, a deafening boom tore through the air.
24:44Windows blew out.
24:46Glass sprayed everywhere.
24:48Black smoke and red fire mushroomed from my room.
24:51Burning debris rained down.
24:53Kenneth stared in horror.
24:55No.
24:56Linda wouldn't leave me.
24:58She wouldn't die.
25:01He lunged toward the house.
25:05Daniel clung to him.
25:07Mr. Thornton!
25:09You'll die if you go in there!
25:11The firefighters found over a dozen gas cans in her room.
25:14There could be another explosion any second.
25:16Kenneth's eyes were bloodshot.
25:19Gas cans?
25:21Why would there be gas cans in her room?
25:23He remembered smelling something strange earlier.
25:27But he had been too focused on Carolyn to care.
25:30The truth slammed into him.
25:32Pain and regret hollowed him out.
25:34He collapsed to his knees.
25:36For the first time in his life, he tasted true despair.
25:40Then arrived moments later.
25:43She saw the blackened shell of the villa and froze.
25:49Then she stumbled toward a firefighter.
25:52Where is my daughter?
25:54You must have saved her.
25:57She's the lady of this house.
26:01The firefighter hesitated.
26:04The fire started in her room.
26:06We found multiple gas cans.
26:09There were several explosions.
26:12I'm afraid.
26:14I'm afraid.
26:15Mom screamed.
26:16Lies!
26:17My daughter is fine!
26:20Today is her wedding day!
26:23I promised to host it myself!
26:25She's so obedient, so good.
26:32She would never want to make me sad.
26:35She would never want to make me sad.
26:36The firefighter said nothing.
26:38Mom turned on Ken.
26:41She pounded him with her fists.
26:45This is your fault!
26:48Why did you lock her in?
26:50She's terrified of fire!
26:53She would never start one!
26:56Give her back to me!
26:58Give me back!
26:59My daughter!
27:03Kenneth stood like a corpse, taking the blows.
27:06Others pulled Mom away.
27:09She collapsed, sobbing, then fainted.
27:15Kenneth slowly lifted his head.
27:18He stared into the inferno.
27:20It hit him all at once.
27:22After that first fire,
27:24even a lighter's flicker sent me into panic.
27:26There was no way I would start a blaze.
27:28And someone that, afraid of fire,
27:30would never store gasoline in her own room.
27:32Just then, a firefighter approached him.
27:35The firefighter held out a soot-covered recorder.
27:38We found this on your wife's nightstand.
27:41She might have left a message in her final moments.
27:44See if it still works.
27:46Kenneth took it.
27:48His hands were shaking.
27:49He pressed play.
27:50All the strength drained from his body.
27:53Please, radiant eyes to watch!
27:55The recorder played back his and Mom's voices
27:58from outside the operating room.
28:00Then their conversation in front of the ward,
28:02plotting to drug me,
28:03ruined my dignity at Caroline's party.
28:07The last part was right before I died.
28:11Caroline in my room setting the fire.
28:14Taunting me.
28:15Slandering me.
28:17Kenneth gripped the recorder.
28:19His knuckles were white.
28:21So Linda had known all along.
28:25While she was enduring the pain of fire on her skin.
28:30I was still stabbing her heart again and again.
28:34That quiet sadness wasn't forgiveness.
28:37It was because she had given up completely.
28:40She is the girl
28:42I've loved for over ten years.
28:47The one I promised to never leave.
28:49Twice I pushed her into the fire.
28:50What the hell have I done?
28:52He bent over, curling up in pain.
28:54Night fell.
28:55The fire was finally out.
28:57The air stank of burning.
29:00Firefighters searched the whole villa.
29:02They handed him a single diamond ring.
29:08Then his assistant rushed in
29:10with a stack of investigation files.
29:13Mr. Thornton,
29:14you'd better prepare yourself.
29:16Before Kenneth could take them,
29:18Mom snatched the files away.
29:21All the truth about Caroline
29:23lay bare before their eyes.
29:25Caroline's birth parents
29:27were human traffickers.
29:28They died in a car crash
29:30while trying to escape arrest.
29:32She recognized Dad
29:34as one of the arresting officers.
29:36She staged a scene of being bullied.
29:39Dad couldn't bear it
29:40and adopted her.
29:42But she was a venomous snake
29:43lying in wait.
29:44While Dad was undercover,
29:46she shouted in the street
29:47that he was a cop.
29:48He is a cop!
29:50Dad was gunned down by criminals.
29:57She played innocent.
29:59She even blamed me.
30:01She said I was vain
30:02and wanted to brag
30:03about having a cop for a dad.
30:05Mom never said it out loud.
30:08But she had blamed me ever since.
30:11When Mom had leukemia,
30:13I gave her blood and bone marrow.
30:16I kept it from her.
30:18I didn't want her to worry.
30:21Meanwhile,
30:22Caroline ran off
30:23with Dad's death benefit.
30:25Later,
30:26when Mom recovered
30:27and I was set to marry Kenneth,
30:29Caroline claimed she had depression.
30:31She said she didn't want
30:33to drag us down.
30:34She went back home.
30:36But when no one was around,
30:38I was pushed down the stairs.
30:40My wrists were slashed open
30:42with scissors
30:42in the middle of the night.
30:44I dodged vases falling from above.
30:50All these years,
30:51everyone believed her every word.
30:53I was branded vain and selfish.
30:56Anytime I showed emotion,
30:58I was accused of being cruel and petty.
31:00I endured endless cold violence.
31:03And her depression was fake.
31:05Behind closed doors,
31:06she bullied,
31:07slept around,
31:08and trafficked children and girls.
31:11Everything I had tried to explain
31:12finally hit them like bullets.
31:14Mom sobbed until she nearly passed out.
31:19She collapsed to her knees.
31:23My dear,
31:25I was wrong.
31:26I'm so sorry.
31:28Kenneth swayed to his feet.
31:31He wiped the ring with his sleeve
31:33and slipped it into his pocket.
31:38Then he calmly told the assistant
31:40to take Mom home.
31:44He made a call to Carolyn.
31:51The next day,
31:52news hit the trending list.
31:55Carolyn had been burned to death
31:56in the suburbs.
31:58By the time the cops got there,
32:00only a charred body remained.
32:01The coroner said someone had doused her
32:03in gasoline before she died.
32:08They burned her until she was barely hanging on.
32:13Then they put out the flames with an extinguisher.
32:16After a while,
32:17they poured more gasoline
32:18and set her on fire again.
32:22It went on like that over ten times
32:24until she was burned completely black.
32:28She didn't just burn to death.
32:30She was tortured alive.
32:32While nurses gossiped about the story,
32:34I was lying on an operating table.
32:37I was going through my sixth skin graft.
32:42My mentor stood beside me.
32:44Her eyes were full of worry.
32:49Are you scared?
32:50I shook my head.
32:52After surviving fire twice,
32:54nothing really scares me anymore.
32:56On my wedding day,
32:57my mentor saw the news
32:58and caught a red-eye back from overseas.
33:00If she hadn't come,
33:02I would be nothing more than a corpse now.
33:05Her eyes softened.
33:07You're my proudest student.
33:13Six months from now,
33:14at the International Supermodel Contest,
33:17I want to see you shine.
33:19With her help in the doctor's relentless work,
33:21six months later,
33:22I stood on that runway.
33:23I didn't let her down.
33:26When I held the championship trophy,
33:28it felt like every star in the world
33:30was shining for me.
33:32I cried through the cheers and the flowers.
33:38I thought I would never see Kenneth again,
33:40but there he was,
33:42showing up out of nowhere.
33:45As I stepped off the stage,
33:47I turned and saw him standing in the cold night air.
33:50He was unshaven and worn out.
33:52His smile was awkward and almost pleading.
33:56Linda,
33:56I came to take you home.
34:00He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket,
34:02the same one I had thrown into the flames.
34:05Look, I kept it.
34:07Let's have another wedding,
34:09bigger and grander,
34:10by the ocean.
34:12Just like you always wanted.
34:15His eyes were full of emotion,
34:17as if his own words moved him.
34:22I laughed,
34:23bitter and sharp.
34:25If you had even a shred of conscience or shame,
34:27you wouldn't be asking me to marry you again.
34:30Do you know how many skin grafts I've had,
34:3218?
34:34And every single cut across my body reminded me.
34:37You gave me all of this.
34:39He broke down in front of me.
34:43His tears hit the ground.
34:52I know I deserve to die a thousand times over.
34:55I'm not asking for forgiveness.
34:58Just one chance
34:59to make it right.
35:02Please.
35:03I looked at him.
35:05Leave my life and never show your face again.
35:09That's the best you can do for me.
35:13He stood there in silence.
35:15His shoulders sagged.
35:19A bitter smile tugged at Kenneth's lips.
35:25You're right.
35:27I'm not worthy to stand next to you.
35:30He turned and walked away.
35:32I didn't watch him go.
35:35Half a month later,
35:37Mom overdosed on pills.
35:38When they found her,
35:40she was holding my childhood photo.
35:42I wired money to the funeral home.
35:45I didn't go back.
35:46Not long after,
35:48Kenneth turned himself in.
35:50He confessed to setting the fire that burned me.
35:53He also confessed to killing Carolyn.
35:56The court gave him a suspended death sentence.
36:00Two years later,
36:01I received a suicide note
36:03and a massive inheritance.
36:05I didn't even read the letter.
36:07I tore it up.
36:09I donated every cent
36:11to the World Institute on Disability.
36:14From that day on,
36:16I lived for myself.
36:20I was free.
36:24My modeling career came back to life.
36:26My scars didn't go away.
36:28But I stopped hiding them.
36:30I walked runways in New York,
36:32Paris, and Milan.
36:33The girl who was supposed to die in that fire
36:36was now on top of the world.
36:38I started a foundation for burn victims.
36:41Young girls who had been told they were ugly came to me.
36:44I looked at them and saw myself.
36:47Your scars are not your shame.
36:48I told them.
36:52They are proof that you survived.
36:55Some of them went on to become models too.
36:58That was my real victory.
37:00I never remarried.
37:01I had peace.
37:02That was enough.
37:04One morning,
37:05I heard that Kenneth had died in prison.
37:09I felt nothing.
37:10I hung up and went to work.
37:14That night,
37:15I stood on my balcony and looked at the stars.
37:18I smiled.
37:19A real smile from then on.
37:21I lived facing the sun.
37:23My life was bright as the stars and moon.
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