- 6 days ago
Claimed By My Ex’S Billionaire Uncle
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I went to a college reunion for my husband. Never expected my ex-husband to be there.
00:05Sorry I'm late. I'm here for my husband.
00:08The shuffling of cards stopped. My ex-husband, Ethan, looked up.
00:12His eyes locked onto me. Someone spoke first.
00:15Ethan, is this your class reunion or a pathetic ex-convention?
00:19Laughter exploded around the table.
00:21Claire, you leaked those sex photos just to climb the social ladder?
00:25That's how you made a name for yourself.
00:26You schemed and plotted until you ruined your own reputation,
00:29and then you got kicked out of the Blackwood family for good.
00:32Ethan's new wife comes from old money.
00:34She's educated, classy, not covered in cheap perfume like you.
00:38How dare you show your face here? The mockery came at me.
00:41They'd never know the truth.
00:43Once, he defied his entire family for me.
00:46He had eight ribs broken for me.
00:48Then she came. Everything changed.
00:51The year I miscarried, she took my uterus under the excuse of treatment.
00:55The day I left the hospital, she ran me over with a car.
00:58He watched.
00:59Let her vent her rage.
01:02I didn't die. I'm back.
01:05Didn't flinch the way they expected.
01:07I'm here to fill in for my husband, not to listen to gossip.
01:11Ethan walked over slowly.
01:14Claire, we're divorced.
01:15I stepped back, smiled.
01:17I know.
01:18That's why I'm not here for you, Mr. Blackwood.
01:20Planning to throw yourself at Ethan again?
01:23How far are you going to strip this time?
01:25The men at the table snickered.
01:27Chris grabbed my arm.
01:28Still chasing after him three years after the divorce?
01:31You have no shame, but the rest of us do.
01:34Chris was my brother.
01:35He hated me more than most.
01:37The woman stood between Ethan and me.
01:39She was the one Chris loved.
01:41Enough.
01:42Ethan lit a cigarette, his expression unreadable.
01:45Chris's grip tightened on my arm.
01:47His teeth clenched.
01:49What's wrong with calling it out?
01:50I'm her brother.
01:51If it wasn't for her, Grace would still be a surgeon.
01:54You were the only one who believed her.
01:56Let Grace suffer for years for nothing.
01:59Ethan crushed out the cigarette.
02:01What happened back then?
02:02Everyone had their reasons.
02:04Everyone had their reasons.
02:05What reasons?
02:06When I met Ethan, he was the Blackwood heir.
02:08A genius.
02:09Got into an Ivy League at 16.
02:12Doctorate by 20.
02:13But he only had eyes for me.
02:15To marry me.
02:16The only woman I'll marry is Claire.
02:19If you won't accept that, then I'm no longer a Blackwood.
02:23You don't have a son.
02:24He let his family break eight of his ribs.
02:28That's who he was.
02:29Stubborn to the core.
02:30Once he set his mind on something, nothing could sway him.
02:33When he built his empire.
02:35When he swore to protect me forever.
02:37Even when he cheated.
02:39I was 27 when I miscarried.
02:42Grace was my attending physician.
02:43She used treatment as an excuse to remove my uterus.
02:47Ethan lost his mind.
02:49He told me more than once.
02:51Ethan.
02:52If any other doctor could treat you,
02:54I'll make Grace pay for what she'd done.
02:56But on Ethan's birthday, I walked in on them in Grace's office.
03:00Bodies pressed together.
03:02I went crazy.
03:03Smashed everything in that room.
03:07Sent complaint after complaint to the hospital board.
03:10But before the hospital could respond, I had my photos all over the news.
03:14Private photos.
03:15Of me.
03:16Looking shameless.
03:17Like scenes from an adult film.
03:19It was my own brother who did it.
03:21You drugged Ethan.
03:23Climbed into his bed.
03:25Forced him to marry you out of responsibility.
03:28The final blow came from Ethan himself.
03:30I lay in bed and stared at all the accusations.
03:33That's when Ethan walked in with Grace.
03:36I know I wronged you.
03:38But Ethan and I truly love each other.
03:40The title.
03:41Children.
03:42I don't need any of it.
03:43I just want to stay by his side.
03:46Ethan pulled Grace behind him.
03:47Sighed.
03:48His voice tired.
03:51Claire, we've been together 10 years.
03:53Can I have one moment of weakness?
03:55She's different from you.
03:56She has a career.
03:57Has dignity.
03:58She doesn't need to follow men around.
04:00You have no shame.
04:01But Grace does.
04:03The man once said I was his whole world.
04:05He slapped me across the face.
04:07Between me and Grace.
04:08He chose her.
04:10Without hesitation.
04:11What am I to you?
04:12Forced myself to ask.
04:1418 year old Ethan sat through endless business dinners.
04:17He coughed up blood.
04:19Just to give me a better life.
04:21And now.
04:22He only looked at me with irritation.
04:24You did something wrong.
04:25I'm just asking you to apologize.
04:28Why drag this out?
04:29Wrong?
04:31He didn't know.
04:33Their cheated videos and texts were still on my phone.
04:36I snapped back to reality.
04:40What reasons?
04:41You went out of your way to cover up her scandals and she broke Grace's hands.
04:46I looked around.
04:47Didn't see my husband Lucas anywhere.
04:49I didn't want to rehash old history anyway.
04:51I'm at the wrong place.
04:53I sent my husband a text then turned to leave.
04:56Familiar fingers wrapped around my wrist.
04:58I don't blame you anymore.
04:59For what happened back then.
05:01I pulled away.
05:02Looked at him coldly.
05:04Are you addicted to performing?
05:06A light laugh cut through the tension.
05:08Grace walked over in heels.
05:10Claire.
05:10Slipped her arm through Ethan's.
05:12Didn't expect to see you here.
05:13Her eyes challenged me.
05:14In the past, just hearing her name made me hysterical.
05:17Now, after all the pain, I felt nothing at all.
05:20Are you still mad at me?
05:21Even if you hate me, you shouldn't ignore your brother.
05:24He actually worries about you.
05:27I don't have a brother.
05:28When my brother and husband chose her, I lost my family.
05:32Grace grabbed my wrist.
05:33My mother's bracelet.
05:34The only thing she left me.
05:36Ethan took it from me by force.
05:37Gave it to Grace as an apology gift.
05:39Maybe Ethan was right.
05:41He did have his reasons.
05:42Just not for me.
05:43For Grace.
05:44She nearly ran me over with a car.
05:45I'd just left the hospital.
05:47Walking home.
05:47Ethan's sports car roared up.
05:49Grace was driving.
05:50Hate burned in her eyes.
05:52This is all your fault!
05:53Why won't you just die?!
05:54Why are you stealing my man?!
05:56I threw myself to the side.
05:58Voices floated over from the hospital entrance.
06:00What's she doing?
06:02Heard she's going after someone's husband.
06:04Deserves it.
06:04Running her over would be doing everyone a favor.
06:06Homewrecker.
06:07I didn't have time to argue.
06:09Just wanted to run.
06:10Then the tire rolled over my leg.
06:12A crack.
06:13Pain exploded.
06:14I shook all over.
06:16Couldn't even scream.
06:17Grace smiled brightly.
06:19Ethan said I could do anything to make myself feel better.
06:22Can't run now, can you?
06:24Time to speed up.
06:26She hit the gas again.
06:28I didn't run this time.
06:29As the car came at me, I lunged forward.
06:32Grabbed the steering wheel.
06:33Used everything I had to wrench it sideways.
06:36Claire, are you insane?!
06:38I didn't answer.
06:39Just held on and kept pulling.
06:40My leg dragged across the pavement.
06:43Skin tore open.
06:44Left a trail of blood.
06:46The car slammed into a tree.
06:47The impact threw me hard.
06:49Before anyone could react, Grace stomped on my broken leg.
06:53Slapped me over and over.
06:55I was just joking around.
06:57Did you have to try to kill me?
06:59Pain flashed white across my vision.
07:01I tried to fight back, but familiar hands pinned my shoulders.
07:04Ethan's voice came from above.
07:07Don't move.
07:07Let her vent.
07:08You almost killed her just now.
07:09Do you understand that?
07:11Ethan, are you blind?
07:12She ran me over!
07:14Crushed my leg!
07:15And you don't see it?!
07:16Ethan's jaw tightened.
07:17If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't have lost control.
07:20He turned away from me.
07:21Walked to Grace.
07:23Grace leaned into him.
07:25Sobbed.
07:25Then stood on her toes and kissed him.
07:27They stood there, kissing.
07:29Wouldn't let go of each other.
07:31I spent a week in the hospital.
07:32Ethan didn't call once.
07:34Didn't text.
07:35Never came to see me.
07:37But my brother made sure to show me Grace's social media.
07:40A snowy ski slope.
07:41Ethan and Grace side by side.
07:44A steamy hot spring.
07:45Him holding her.
07:47Kissing her.
07:47Chris stared at the photos of the laughing woman with soft eyes.
07:51Look at them.
07:52They're perfect together.
07:53They were meant to be.
07:54Why do you have to break them up?
07:57Grace is so accomplished.
07:59Ethan's always had feelings for her.
08:01Why can't you be mature like me and let them go?
08:03His irritation made it seem like I ruined their relationship.
08:07I lost it.
08:08Flashed everything in the room.
08:10Screamed at Ethan to get out.
08:12Get out of here!
08:12I was about to demand a divorce when his phone rang.
08:15Mr. Blackwood.
08:16Miss Monroe was kidnapped.
08:18They cut her hand tendons.
08:20The kidnappers said Claire paid them to teach Miss Roe a lesson.
08:23Ethan's face changed.
08:24His hands shot out and wrapped around my throat.
08:27How can you be this vicious?
08:30Do you know she's a surgeon?
08:31If her hands are ruined, she's finished.
08:34I couldn't breathe.
08:35Watched the disappointment and rage in his eyes.
08:39Laughed.
08:39Are you stupid?
08:41You actually believe that?
08:42Ethan didn't listen.
08:44Grabbed my arm.
08:45He hauled me to Grace's hospital room.
08:47The second Grace saw Ethan, she threw herself into his arms.
08:51Ethan, I just fell in love with you.
08:53I didn't do anything wrong.
08:55Why does she want to hurt me like this?
08:57Does she need me dead to be satisfied?
08:59Ethan rubbed her back, his face dark.
09:02I know I have no right to say this.
09:05But my hands are destroyed.
09:07My whole life is over.
09:09Shouldn't she be punished?
09:10Whatever you want.
09:11Your call.
09:12Grace stopped crying instantly.
09:14I don't want her hands.
09:16Just send her to the underground fight club.
09:19Let her be a punching bag.
09:22Let her know what it feels like.
09:24Years ago, Ethan's company nearly went bankrupt.
09:27I had no other choice.
09:29I went to an underground fight club.
09:31I worked as a punching bag.
09:33Got beaten until my organs bled.
09:36It took three days in the ER to survive.
09:39Back then, Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
09:42Eyes red from crying.
09:44I'll never let you get hurt again.
09:46Not for the rest of your life.
09:48I looked up at Ethan.
09:50My voice trembled.
09:51You promised me you-
09:53Done it before.
09:54Pain teaches lessons.
09:56The second Ethan finished speaking,
09:58his bodyguards grabbed my arms.
10:01Dragged me to the underground fight club.
10:03The stench of sweat and blood hit my face.
10:06Ethan!
10:07His voice came back cold.
10:09Almost cruel.
10:10You're Mrs. Blackwood.
10:12No one would really touch you.
10:14A scar-faced man raised his fist,
10:16and swung at me without warning.
10:18Bitch!
10:19Look at yourself!
10:21Someone like Miss Monroe?
10:22You think you can compete with her?
10:24Today you're gonna learn.
10:25Some people are out of your league.
10:27What?
10:30What?
10:31His fist knocked my teeth loose.
10:33Blood filled my mouth.
10:34He grabbed my hair.
10:36Yanked me up.
10:37Slammed me down.
10:38I heard the filthy incense.
10:40My vision blurred.
10:41The last punch hit my temple.
10:44Ethan stared at me.
10:45His expression complicated.
10:47Claire, let's move forward.
10:49His eyes looked pained.
10:51I just found it funny.
10:52My husband's waiting for me.
10:54I turned to go.
10:55Ethan grabbed my shoulder.
10:57I don't believe it.
10:59You love me that much.
11:01How could you marry someone else?
11:04A hand with a wedding ring blocked his.
11:07What are you trying to do to your aunt?
11:09Ethan looked up.
11:10Recognized the man.
11:11Blurted out.
11:12Uncle Lucas?
11:13What are you doing here?
11:15Grace looked confused.
11:16Came closer.
11:17Ethan ignored her.
11:19Stared at my hand holding Lucas's.
11:21The anger in his voice almost spilled over.
11:25Claire?
11:25What the hell is this?
11:26Are you trying to humiliate me?
11:28I looked at his self-righteous accusation.
11:30Wanted to laugh.
11:31When I woke up from that coma at the fight club,
11:34he wasn't there.
11:35Just a cold divorce agreement on the bedside table.
11:38His assistant delivered the message.
11:40Mr. Blackwoods the said he couldn't tolerate you anymore.
11:44Instead of living a good life,
11:45you had to stage an injury to frame Miss Monroe.
11:48You are shameless and disgusting.
11:51I was covered in injuries.
11:53Didn't even have the strength to argue.
11:55Ten years felt like a joke.
11:57I signed without hesitation.
11:59Booked a flight out of the country that same day.
12:02During those three years abroad recovering,
12:04I met Lucas.
12:05He never asked about my past.
12:07Just held me quietly when nightmares woke me up.
12:10This trip back was our first time returning after the wedding.
12:13He wanted to see family and friends.
12:15I had no idea they had this kind of relationship going on.
12:19Claire!
12:20Have you no shame?
12:21Chris's voice exploded.
12:23He rushed over.
12:26Just divorced and already hooking up with another man.
12:29Are you that desperate?
12:30You've disgraced the entire family!
12:33Lucas knocked it away.
12:34Lucas pulled me behind him.
12:35Lifted my left hand.
12:37My wedding ring clinked against his.
12:39Lucas.
12:39He smiled.
12:40Looked at Chris.
12:41Then at Ethan.
12:42Legal wife.
12:42Not hooking up.
12:45Chris froze.
12:46His face turned red.
12:48You're lying!
12:48She's only been divorced three years!
12:50How could it be legal?
12:52We've been married two years.
12:54The noisy room went silent.
12:56Ethan's face looked ugly.
12:57He stared at Lucas.
12:59Voice full of disbelief.
13:00Uncle Lucas.
13:02Do you know who she is?
13:03How could you marry her?
13:05Lucas smiled.
13:06Didn't know she was your ex-wife before.
13:08Now I do.
13:09So what?
13:10He turned to shield me.
13:11Eyes swept over Ethan's tense face.
13:13You're divorced.
13:14Why can't I marry her?
13:16Besides, you and I were never that close anyway.
13:19The words hit Ethan's sore spot perfectly.
13:21Everyone there knew.
13:23The Blackwood family claimed the first wife was infertile.
13:26But no one dared speak the truth.
13:28Ethan was the old man's illegitimate son.
13:30Never even made it into the family registry.
13:33Ethan's face went white as paper.
13:34His fists clenched.
13:36Veins bulged.
13:37Claire, now you know who he is?
13:39Divorce him.
13:41Start over with me.
13:42I'll take care of you.
13:44I promise I won't let you get hurt anymore.
13:46I looked at his serious expression.
13:48Couldn't help laughing.
13:49When he sent me to that fight club and watched me get badly beaten, where was he?
13:54Now he wants to play the devoted lover?
13:56When I didn't respond, Ethan's face darkened.
13:59He suddenly pulled out a checkbook and pen from his jacket.
14:01Scribbled something.
14:03Tore off the page and threw it at me.
14:0530 million.
14:05Enough?
14:06Not enough?
14:0750 million.
14:08100 million.
14:09Whatever.
14:09Just leave him.
14:10I'll give you anything you want.
14:12The check fluttered to the floor.
14:14Chris jumped in immediately.
14:15Claire, aren't you embarrassed?
14:19Take the money and get lost.
14:23Ethan, don't be like this.
14:25We're all family.
14:26No need to hurt anyone's feelings.
14:28Claire found someone good now.
14:30You should be happy for her.
14:33Ethan yanked his arm away hard.
14:35She stumbled back, hit the poker table, cards scattered everywhere.
14:39Stay out of my business with Claire.
14:41His voice was ice cold.
14:43None of his usual warmth.
14:45Grace bit her lip.
14:46Anger flashed in her eyes.
14:47But she didn't dare show it.
14:49Just lowered her head like she'd been wronged.
14:51I looked at her.
14:52Suddenly I thought of the person I used to be.
14:54The woman who walked on eggshells around Ethan.
14:57Too scared to even talk back.
14:59Turned out in his eyes, everyone was just a disposable accessory.
15:03He was always this heartless and selfish.
15:05Ethan walked up to me.
15:07His eyes showed obsessive madness.
15:08I know you still want me.
15:10Otherwise, why would you come back?
15:12Claire, if you're willing, I'll divorce Grace right now.
15:16We can go back to how things were.
15:18Okay?
15:19How could you find someone else behind my back?
15:21Do you think that's fair to me?
15:23His words were like delusional nonsense.
15:26I was done listening.
15:27I tugged Lucas' arm.
15:29Honey, let's go.
15:30I think he's sick.
15:31Lucas squeezed my hand and looked at Ethan coldly.
15:34Ethan, back off.
15:37She's my wife now.
15:38Keep harassing her and I won't be polite.
15:42Ethan tried to block us.
15:43Lucas' look made him step back.
15:46In the car, it was quiet.
15:47Just the soft sound of air from the vents.
15:49I looked at Lucas' hands on the steering wheel.
15:52Long fingers.
15:53Suddenly, I felt the urge to ask.
15:54Don't you want to know what happened between me and Ethan?
15:57Lucas paused, glanced at me, his eyes gentle.
16:00I only know he hurt you.
16:01I don't care about the details.
16:03He reached over and ruffled my hair.
16:04The past is past.
16:06I just need you to be okay now.
16:08The words were like warm water, slowly poured over the scabbed wounds in my heart.
16:13My nose stung.
16:14Eyes burned.
16:15But I wasn't sad.
16:16I used to beg Ethan to listen.
16:18To believe me.
16:19But he never did.
16:20Yet Lucas, he didn't even ask.
16:22He just stood firmly by my side.
16:24That feeling of being trusted.
16:25Of being valued.
16:26I'd never felt that from Ethan.
16:28I held his hand tight, feeling the warmth of his palm.
16:31I thought back to the first time I met Lucas abroad.
16:33I'd just had my second leg surgery and was still limping.
16:36Living in a quiet little town.
16:38He was a visiting professor at the local hospital.
16:40We met by chance.
16:41I fell in the park and he helped me up.
16:44After that, he'd come by my apartment building.
16:46Sometimes brought daisies.
16:47Sometimes brought warm food.
16:48He never pressed me to talk about my past.
16:51Never forced me to respond.
16:52At first, I kept refusing.
16:54Ten years of love.
16:55From passionate to brutal.
16:57I was too scared to trust anyone.
16:59Especially men.
17:00I was afraid of being abandoned again.
17:02Afraid the gentleness was fake.
17:04But he never gave up.
17:05When nightmares woke me up crying at night,
17:07he'd comfort me softly through the door.
17:09When I didn't want to talk,
17:10he'd sit quietly beside me with a book.
17:12He'd stay there all afternoon.
17:14When checkups left my leg too painful to walk,
17:17he'd push the wheelchair without complaining.
17:19What really made me open up was when my old injury flared up.
17:23I had a high fever that wouldn't break.
17:25Half conscious, I felt someone sitting by the bed.
17:27Wiping my forehead.
17:28Giving me water.
17:29Humming an off-key tune.
17:31When I woke up, Lucas was asleep against the bed.
17:33Eyes bloodshot.
17:34That moment, my defenses crumbled completely.
17:37I knew this man really wanted to be good to me.
17:39The car rolled smoothly down the highway.
17:42Lucas suddenly spoke.
17:43If you don't want to, we don't have to see those relatives.
17:45We can book flights back right now.
17:46I shook my head.
17:47It's fine.
17:49I want to meet them.
17:50With him beside me, the people and things that used to suffer me
17:53didn't seem so scary anymore.
17:55I wasn't the Claire I was three years ago.
17:58The one who could only endure in silence.
18:00On Christmas Eve, Lucas took me to the Blackwood family estate.
18:03It was supposed to be a family gathering.
18:05Really just some distant relatives and close friends.
18:08We walked through the door.
18:09The living room was noisy.
18:11Talking and laughter mixed together all around.
18:13Everyone looked up when we walked in.
18:16Then it went quiet for a few seconds.
18:18Ethan sat in the middle of the couch.
18:19Saw my hand in Lucas's.
18:21His face went dark immediately.
18:23I felt nothing inside.
18:25Not angry.
18:25Not embarrassed.
18:27I just looked him straight in the eyes calmly.
18:29Then looked away.
18:30Mrs. Blackwood came out of the kitchen.
18:32She saw me and froze.
18:33Surprise flashed in her eyes.
18:35Then she went calm again.
18:37You're here.
18:38I knew she never liked me.
18:39If Ethan hadn't insisted on marrying me back then,
18:42I would have never stepped foot inside the Blackwood house.
18:45This kind of attitude actually felt comfortable.
18:48No fake small talk.
18:49At dinner, everyone sat around the table.
18:51I could feel eyes glued to me.
18:53I didn't even need to look to know it was Ethan.
18:55Dishes came out one by one.
18:57When a plate of shrimp got set in the middle,
18:59Ethan practically lunged for one.
19:01He started peeling it expertly.
19:03He worked fast and removed the head and shell.
19:05Then held the meat out to me.
19:06Used to love these.
19:09Try it.
19:09Still made the way you like.
19:11Before I could react,
19:12Lucas's hand blocked it.
19:13She's allergic to seafood.
19:15Didn't you know?
19:16Ethan's hand froze mid-air.
19:18His expression shifted.
19:19First, shock.
19:20Then, deep regret.
19:21My mind drifted back to three years ago.
19:23Right after my miscarriage,
19:25when I was still in the hospital.
19:26I was weak, with no appetite.
19:28Ethan tried to clear his schedule to take care of me.
19:31One night, he came to my room late,
19:33carrying a container of soup.
19:35Had a sudden meeting.
19:36Sorry I'm late.
19:38I didn't think much of it back then.
19:39I just worried he'd wear himself out running back and forth.
19:42Not long after that,
19:43my whole body broke out in hives.
19:45I couldn't breathe.
19:46I had to go to emergency care.
19:47Seafood allergy was really severe.
19:49If it had been any later,
19:50she would have been in real danger.
19:52After that,
19:53Ethan knelt by my hospital bed.
19:54His head was buried in the blanket.
19:56I'm sorry.
19:57I'm so sorry.
19:59I was too busy.
20:00Forgot about your allergy.
20:02Just thought the soup place tasted good.
20:04So I brought some.
20:06I believed him back then.
20:07Felt bad for how hard he was working.
20:10Comforted him instead.
20:11Said it was fine.
20:12Just an accident.
20:13Later, I found out from someone else.
20:15He wasn't busy that day.
20:17He was celebrating Grace's birthday.
20:19That soup place was Grace's favorite.
20:21He bought it for Grace,
20:23and got me some on the side.
20:24He'd completely forgotten about my allergy.
20:28Honey,
20:29did you remember wrong?
20:31Grace's voice pulled me back.
20:33She wore a soft smile,
20:34but jealousy burned in her eyes.
20:36She reached out to take Ethan's arm,
20:39but he dodged her hand instinctively.
20:41He put down his fork.
20:42Stood up.
20:43I'm done eating.
20:46Grace's hand hung in the air.
20:47Hurt and anger flashed in her eyes,
20:50but she didn't dare show it.
20:51Just watched Ethan turn and walk out.
20:53Dinner ended in a weird atmosphere.
20:56Lucas didn't want me tired.
20:57Took me upstairs to rest early.
20:59The guest room was quiet.
21:01The bedding smelled like sun-dried laundry.
21:03But lying there, I couldn't sleep.
21:05I wanted to go for a walk,
21:07but heard arguing from a room downstairs.
21:10Grace's voice came through,
21:11crying and accusing.
21:13Ethan!
21:14Tell me the truth!
21:16Do you still have feelings for Claire?
21:19The way you looked at her.
21:20How you peeled shrimp for her!
21:22You never forgot her at all!
21:24My feet stopped.
21:26Can you stop making things up?
21:29Claire and I are over.
21:30Over?!
21:30Grace's voice shot up.
21:32Over, but you remember she likes shrimp
21:34and forgot I mentioned wanting cake yesterday?
21:36Over, but you dodged my hand
21:38and can't stop thinking about her?
21:40Ethan, put your hand on your heart.
21:42Are you only with me out of guilt?
21:44Guilt?
21:44I laughed internally.
21:46Back then he did such cruel things to me for Grace's sake.
21:48Now he says it's guilt?
21:50If you hadn't seduced me, pushed me harder,
21:52would I be here today?
21:54Ethan's voice was full of rage.
21:55I admit I couldn't resist temptation.
21:57But don't act so innocent.
21:59Back then, what I took for betrayal was just him succumbing to his desires.
22:03And Grace's so-called true love was nothing but a calculated ploy to get him.
22:07I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd seen outside Grace's office.
22:11Those vile texts.
22:12The way he'd sent me to that fight club just to keep Grace safe.
22:15Back then, I'd hated him for his cruelty.
22:18For his betrayal.
22:19I'd hated that I'd wasted 10 years on the wrong man.
22:22But hearing all this now, I only felt sorry for my foolish younger self.
22:26To pour all that courage and devotion on such a weak and selfish man.
22:30He never truly loved anyone.
22:32Only himself.
22:32When he married me and cut ties with his family, it had only been impulse and fleeting novelty.
22:38Later, he chose Grace because he couldn't resist temptation.
22:41Or perhaps Grace simply fed his vanity better.
22:44Now that he saw I was thriving, he wanted to drag me back.
22:47He just couldn't stand his former possession belonging to someone else.
22:50I seduced you?
22:51I ruined my hands for you?
22:53My reputation?
22:55And now you're saying this to me?
22:57Ethan, you're heartless.
22:59Heartless?
23:00You threw yourself at me.
23:01And now you're blaming me?
23:03If you hadn't come on to me all those years ago,
23:05Claire and I would never have gotten divorced.
23:07I stopped listening after that.
23:09Turned around.
23:10Walked back upstairs without a sound.
23:12Three days.
23:12That's how long we stayed.
23:14Ethan's stares across every meal.
23:16Grace's soft smiles that never reached her eyes.
23:18The whole house watching.
23:20Waiting for me to crack.
23:21I didn't.
23:22Lucas was there.
23:23That was enough.
23:24Back in the room that first night,
23:25Lucas was still in the same position.
23:27Sleeping deeply.
23:28I slipped in beside him.
23:29He pulled me close without waking up.
23:31Like muscle memory.
23:32Like I was something he didn't want to lose even in his sleep.
23:35I closed my eyes.
23:36Downstairs, they were still at it.
23:38Didn't matter.
23:39That world wasn't mine anymore.
23:40But Lucas was awake.
23:41I didn't know it then.
23:43He'd heard everything.
23:44Not the argument.
23:45Not the shouting.
23:46He'd heard me stop walking in the hallway.
23:48Heard the exact moment I chose to turn away.
23:50He lay still.
23:51Eyes open in the dark.
23:52Thinking about a bowl of seafood soup.
23:54A hospital room.
23:55A woman covered in hives who almost didn't make it.
23:58And a surgeon who had been her doctor.
24:02He thought about that for a long time.
24:04About a long time.
24:05I was thinking of a lot of questions.
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