- 5 hours ago
MIT After Heartbreak
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before high school graduation, Ethan Luciano pulled me into his bedroom.
00:05His hands were rough, his touch demanding, yet my heart overflowed with a decade's worth of unspoken longing.
00:13I have loved Ethan for ten years. Finally, my silent wish seems to have come true.
00:36After the tender moment we tangled ourselves in his sheets, he whispered,
00:40After I graduate, I will marry you. When I take over the Luciano family business from my father, I will
00:47make you the most favored woman in the family. You'll be my queen.
00:50I believe it.
00:54The next morning, I curled up on his bare chest and listened as he casually told my brother-in-law,
00:59Lucas, about our situation.
01:01My cheeks were flushed, my heart was pounding, and I was still immersed in the sweetness of the previous night.
01:07But suddenly, their conversation switched to Italian.
01:10Non male. Per la prima volta, fate il bravo a scuola. Disca pu, che cosa vuoi dire, mia sorella?
01:15Guarda come un angelo, il letto si apre. Chi lo può pensare?
01:18Signor Presidente, onorabili colleghi, il gruppo del partito pole-europene si è pronunzato a favore di questa relazione.
01:26Non è niente. È solo un allenatore.
01:30Voglio insiguere le cheerleader Sylvia Dawson, ma non voglio che lei pensa che non ho capito niente a letto.
01:35Cynthia Savelle, è solo un colpo. Non dirlo a Sylvia. Non voglio che pensi di più.
01:40They didn't know that I'd spent months secretly learning Italian, preparing for the life I thought I'd share with Ethan.
01:45I didn't say a word. Later that day, I quietly withdrew my early admission application from Caltech
01:51and instead applied to MIT in Massachusetts.
01:58The words hit me like a punch to the gut, freezing me in place.
02:05Classico Ethan.
02:07Anche la tua ragazza di allenamento è la ragazza dei sogni di qualcun altro.
02:10Hai preso sul serio, amico.
02:12Ragazzi, scommioco che i fanatichi di Cynthia perderebbero la testa se lo sapessero.
02:17Sicuramente.
02:19Cynthia?
02:20Prego.
02:22Lei è tutta su di me.
02:24A malapena devo alzare un dito per portarla nel mio letto.
02:27Why were you two speaking Italian again?
02:29It's so annoying.
02:31I couldn't understand anything.
02:33You always do this.
02:36Just practicing my spoken Italian, baby.
02:39You know I have that big meeting with the Italian partners next month.
02:42Were you tired after I fucked you so hard last night?
02:45Did it feel good, baby?
02:47Did you like how rough I was?
02:48They had no idea I'd secretly learned Italian, hoping to be the perfect partner for Ethan
02:54one day.
02:54And now, every cruel word they said echoed clearly in my mind.
02:59Ethan wrapped an arm around me, his lips brushing against my cheek as if he actually cared.
03:05If I didn't know better, I might have believed he really loved me.
03:12I...
03:14I need to use the bathroom for a moment.
03:17I shot to my feet, my legs trembling as I quickly grabbed my scattered clothes from the floor.
03:22I stumbled out of the room without looking back.
03:26The moment I locked myself in the bathroom stall, I clapped a hand tightly over my mouth.
03:33Tears poured down my face uncontrollably as I whispered hoarsely to myself between sobs.
03:37How stupid can I be?
03:39He doesn't love you.
03:40He never did.
03:41I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself from making any louder sound, tasting blood in
03:47my mouth.
03:47I couldn't stay here any longer, wiping my tears roughly with the back of my hand.
03:54I took a deep, shaky breath, straightened my clothes as best as I could, and quietly slipped
04:00out of the bathroom.
04:03Without hesitation, I walked straight toward the exit, leaving Ethan and this suffocating
04:08room behind.
04:13My phone buzzed.
04:16It was a message from Ethan.
04:18Where'd you go?
04:19Can't take you to prom tonight.
04:21Something came up.
04:23And take the morning after pill.
04:25I didn't use protection last night.
04:26Don't want any accidents.
04:29Take care.
04:30My stomach twisted violently.
04:32I remembered him holding me afterwards, whispering how I finally belonged to him.
04:38I'd been so lost in the warmth of the moment that I didn't even care about him.
04:43But now, every word in that message felt like slap to the face.
04:48I wiped my tears roughly, forced myself to stand, and stumbled out to the nearest 24-hour pharmacy.
04:57The fluorescent lights were painfully bright as I approached the counter.
05:01Her eyes quickly scanned my disheveled hair, smudged makeup, and the coat I hadn't even
05:06zipped properly.
05:07Morning after pill?
05:10Yes.
05:11Please.
05:12She didn't say anything else.
05:14She simply placed the small box on the counter, gave me another cold glance, and rang it up.
05:20I paid quickly, grabbed the small bag, and hurried out of the pharmacy.
05:27I swallowed the bitter pill dry.
05:29The taste burned on my tongue like regret.
05:31Without hesitation, I threw the remaining pills and the half-empty water bottle into the
05:35nearby trash can.
05:36I was walking aimlessly down the quiet street when my phone suddenly rang.
05:41It was a video call from my best friend, Ava Trevor.
05:45Cynthia!
05:46Where are you?
05:47Why aren't you at prom?
05:49This is...
05:52Her voice suddenly paused.
05:55Through the phone, I could hear loud music and cheering in the background.
05:59The moment I entered the hall, the loud music and flashing lights hit me.
06:03My eyes instantly found the center of the dance floor.
06:06Ethan and Sylvia were locked in a deep, passionate kiss.
06:09The crowd around them cheered and whistled loudly.
06:12Just yesterday, when we were tangled in bed, I had leaned in to kiss him, but he turned
06:16his face away.
06:18Sorry.
06:19I just don't like kissing.
06:22The saliva thing.
06:23It makes me sick.
06:32Yet here he was, kissing Sylvia passionately in front of everyone, without any hesitation.
06:38So it wasn't that he didn't like kissing.
06:40He just didn't like kissing me.
06:43Cynthia, I'm so sorry.
06:45I didn't want you to see it like this.
06:47I turned around and walked out of the venue without a word.
06:49Back in my room, I sat silently in front of my laptop for a long time.
06:56I'm done.
06:59I opened the application portal, withdrew my Caltech application, and submitted a new one
07:05to MIT instead.
07:10I curled up on my bed, hugging my knees to my chest.
07:13My mind kept flipping between the Ethan who used to be so kind to me when we were kids,
07:18and the cold, campless Ethan from today.
07:21I only managed to fall into a fitful sleep as dawn broke.
07:27The next morning, I felt myself being pulled into a warm, firm embrace.
07:32I jolted awake, my heart racing.
07:35The first thing I saw was the familiar curve of a defined jawline,
07:39the hint of stubble against smooth skin.
07:42It was Ethan.
07:43I had forgotten that he knew the passcode to my house,
07:46and that no one, not even my parents or the housekeeper, Mrs. Trippnan,
07:51would stop him from coming in.
07:53Noticing I was awake,
07:55Ethan chuckled softly,
07:57leaning in to blow gently into my ear.
08:00I yelped, pushing him away and scrambling to the far side of the bed.
08:03He followed, wrapping his arms around me from behind,
08:06his body radiating heat as he pressed close,
08:09lips grazing the sensitive skin of my neck.
08:13What's wrong? Don't want me anymore?
08:15You were screaming so deliciously last night.
08:18Don't tell me you're not in the mood for another round.
08:20I clamped my mouth shut, refusing to respond,
08:23and my entire body tensed against his touch,
08:25pretending to be annoyed.
08:27You didn't even say goodnight to me last night.
08:29Do you know how worried I was?
08:30I'll let it owe this, but you have to make it up to me.
08:33I think you should use that pretty little mouth of yours.
08:36His fingers traced slow, teasing patterns along my skin,
08:40slipping beneath the edge of my shirt to caress the curve of my waist
08:42and the softness beneath,
08:44drawing shivers from deep within me.
08:47I shoved him off with all the strength I had,
08:49my heart pounding with a confusing mix of anger and betrayal.
08:53What's with the attitude?
08:54Is this about me not taking you to prom?
08:57About not being your date?
08:59Let me guess.
09:01Ava told you, right?
09:02You're mad because I took Sylvia to the dance?
09:04Seriously?
09:05She didn't have a date, and I was just helping her out.
09:08What's there to be jealous about?
09:09His casual tone made my chest tighten.
09:12I pulled the blanket tighter around myself.
09:15I'm not jealous.
09:17I'm just... done.
09:19I don't want to do this anymore.
09:22Every word he said only made my blood boil,
09:25but I bit my tongue,
09:26unwilling to let him see how much he had hurt me.
09:29The house felt strangely empty
09:31with just Mrs. Trippian moving quietly in the kitchen.
09:33A moment later, Ethan followed me down,
09:35his face darkening as he realized I was still ignoring him.
09:38Normally, a cold shoulder from me
09:40would have set off a full-on silent war between us,
09:42but now, with Sylvia in the picture,
09:44he seemed more willing to tolerate my mood.
09:46Fine, fine.
09:47If you don't want to talk, at least have some breakfast.
09:50He shoved a plate of maple pancakes toward me.
09:52You've always loved the pancakes made by this chef, haven't you?
09:56I'm not hungry.
10:01I just want to be alone right now.
10:04I pushed the plate away,
10:06reaching for the simple bowl of cereal
10:08Mrs. Trippian had set out for me instead.
10:10What's your problem?
10:12I'm not upset.
10:13Why don't you go hang out with Sylvia?
10:15Ethan scoffed, slamming the pancake plate onto the table,
10:18the sound of shattering porcelain echoing through the kitchen.
10:22So, this really is about Sylvia, huh?
10:25You think you have a right to act all hurt?
10:28Just because we slept together once,
10:30you think that gives you a say in my life?
10:33The shattered pieces scattered across the tile floor,
10:35and I flinched at the sound,
10:37my whole body trembling.
10:39Hot tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them.
10:44Hey, hey, don't cry.
10:48Did I scare you?
10:50I didn't mean to.
10:51However, before he could finish,
10:53his phone buzzed on the counter.
10:55He glanced at the screen,
10:56and his expression instantly hardened.
10:58Without another word, he straightened,
11:00clearly more interested in his phone than my tears.
11:03Mmm.
11:05I have something important to take care of.
11:07Just calm down.
11:10Not everything is about you, okay?
11:13With that, he walked out,
11:14leaving me alone in the echoing silence of the empty kitchen.
11:18Not long after Ethan left,
11:20Sylvia updated her Twitter.
11:22Mentioned pancakes in passing,
11:24and they showed up.
11:25Thanks for me so easy to brag about you.
11:28Ethan's chef never used to make pancakes,
11:30but Ethan had him learn because I loved them.
11:32He had once promised me that his special maple pancakes
11:35were just for me.
11:38I turned off my phone quietly,
11:40wiping away the tears that had welled up again.
11:44Just toss it out.
11:51Even that rug was a gift from Ethan.
11:55In fact, I went around the house,
11:57gathering every single thing he had ever given me,
11:59boxing them up to be thrown out.
12:01After all, every gift felt as carelessly thrown my way
12:04as those pancakes that morning.
12:07Ethan didn't reach out for days after that.
12:09Every other time we'd fought,
12:10it was always me who broke the silence first,
12:12but not this time.
12:13I blocked him on Twitter and on my phone.
12:16I changed the security code for the house.
12:20Mrs. Trayton, in any case, don't let him in.
12:26Just as I finished packing,
12:28Ava called, inviting me to get away for a while.
12:31I phoned my parents, who were on a business trip,
12:34and told them I was planning to head to the Arctic
12:36to see the Northern Lights.
12:38I figured if I stayed with Ava until the end of summer,
12:40I could go straight to college
12:42without ever crossing paths with Ethan again.
12:44As I pulled my suitcase toward the front door,
12:46I ran into Ethan's mom, Mrs. Luciano,
12:49at the entrance to the villa.
12:52She'd always been kind to me,
12:54completely aware of the fallout between me and her son.
12:57Oh, are you going on a trip?
12:59Where's Ethan?
13:00Isn't he coming to pick you up?
13:02He told me he was taking you to Switzerland
13:04for a summer trip, and I fully support it.
13:06You two should travel while you're young.
13:08Ethan had once promised to take me to Switzerland,
13:11but he'd always complained it was too far
13:13and too much hassle.
13:14He never actually agreed to go.
13:17Furthermore, given our current situation,
13:20how could he possibly plan a trip with me now?
13:22I brushed it off,
13:24thinking it was just a misunderstanding,
13:26and continued to the airport.
13:28However, as I approached the departure gates,
13:31I saw them,
13:32Ethan and Sylvia.
13:33He was there,
13:35holding her bag with a casual,
13:37protective ease.
13:39On a particularly exhausting day,
13:41I had once asked Ethan to carry my bag for me.
13:44He had flatly refused,
13:46saying I should handle my own stuff.
13:48He had even mocked my bag,
13:50saying it didn't match his tough-guy image.
13:53So, it turned out those little things
13:55weren't a bother at all
13:56when it came to someone you truly cared about.
13:59I took a deep breath,
14:01trying to clear my mind of him.
14:02Ava had arrived early
14:04and was waiting for me at the gate.
14:08I kept my distance,
14:09following Ethan and Sylvia from afar,
14:12not wanting to draw his attention.
14:14Ethan seemed distracted,
14:15constantly checking his phone
14:17as if he was trying to call someone,
14:18but never quite succeeding.
14:21Sylvia boke to him a few times,
14:23but he seemed too lost in his thoughts
14:25to even hear her.
14:27Finally, I reached my gate
14:29and broke away from their path.
14:33Just as I met up with Ava,
14:34my phone rang.
14:37It was an unfamiliar number.
14:39I hesitated, but answered it.
14:42Cynthia, his voice came through,
14:43thick, with barely contained anger.
14:46Fine, ignore me for a few days,
14:48but what the hell is with blocking me?
14:49What's with the attitude?
14:51You've got some nerve.
14:52Just try and keep me blocked.
14:53Let's see who you run to for help
14:55when you're alone at college.
14:57His voice was rising,
14:59the tone I knew all too well.
15:01They were the warning signs
15:02of an incoming blow-up.
15:04Nevertheless, I didn't say a word.
15:07There was no way I was going to tell him
15:09that I had secretly changed my college plans.
15:12I'm boarding now.
15:14Just take me off your block list.
15:16I want to expect you,
15:17Mrs. That Ethan going abroad
15:19for a few days.
15:20So don't expect to hear from me.
15:23I bit my tongue,
15:24resisting the urge to curse him out
15:25and simply hung up.
15:29From the corner of my eye,
15:30I saw Ethan in the distance,
15:32his face twisted with frustration,
15:35gripping the phone like he was about
15:36to hurl it at the floor.
15:38I grabbed Ava's hand
15:40and kept walking toward the gate,
15:42never looking back,
15:43never looking back.
15:44In the Arctic,
15:45I kept myself busy on purpose.
15:47Ava and I watched the northern lights,
15:51chased whales and shields
15:52on a research ship,
15:54and packed our days with activities
15:56to keep my mind from drifting back
15:58to old memories.
16:03Despite his demands,
16:04I definitely didn't unblock Ethan.
16:07Regardless, Ava,
16:08who was always by my, my side,
16:10occasionally showed me
16:12his and Sylvia's Twitter updates.
16:14I could see they were having
16:15a great time in Switzerland.
16:17Strangely enough,
16:18Ethan, who never used to post much,
16:20now shared something almost every day.
16:22Sometimes it was a shot
16:23from the Aletz Glacier,
16:25other times it was a picture
16:26from the top of St. Peter's Basilica.
16:28Even though I was not keeping tabs
16:30on him like I used to,
16:31mutual friends still asked
16:32why I was not in these photos,
16:34or why I didn't go to Switzerland with him.
16:36After all, for years,
16:37I was the one always by his side
16:39in those shots.
16:39I just told them
16:40I had already promised Ava
16:41I'd go on this trip.
16:42Every mention of Ethan
16:43still hit a nerve,
16:46but I was trying not to shy away
16:48from his name.
16:49I kept telling myself
16:50that once I got past this withdrawal,
16:53I could finally move on.
16:57It had been almost two months
16:59without a word from him,
17:00the longest he had ever gone
17:01without talking since we first met.
17:03Before, I would always be the first
17:05to make up within a few days.
17:07Time really does heal.
17:09As the days went by,
17:10I found myself thinking
17:12less and less about Ethan
17:13and genuinely enjoying
17:14the Arctic landscapes.
17:17Just then, Ethan called.
17:21Cynthia, why did you go to the Arctic
17:23without telling me?
17:23Didn't we promise to see
17:25the Northern Lights together?
17:26He didn't seem to notice it,
17:28but there was a hint
17:29of unease in his voice.
17:30It was a tone
17:31I'd never heard from him before.
17:33I got my Caltech offer letter.
17:35You should have yours by now, too.
17:37When you get back,
17:38I have a surprise
17:39for you to celebrate.
17:40I resisted the urge to hang up.
17:42I'm not coming back.
17:44I'm going straight to school.
17:46You don't need to worry about me.
17:48Cynthia, how long are you
17:49going to keep this up?
17:50You blocked me,
17:51and I didn't even complain.
17:52Now I'm trying to make things right,
17:53and you still have a problem.
17:55If you don't come back,
17:55then don't ever bother
17:56looking for me again.
18:01I sighed and added that number
18:03to my blocked list, too.
18:05I was actually in the middle of packing.
18:08I had lied.
18:09I was planning to head back home,
18:11just without letting Ethan know.
18:13Then, my dad called.
18:17Apparently, they just received
18:20a confirmation email from MIT
18:22saying my spot was secured
18:24and the tuition fees had been paid.
18:27It was only then that they realized
18:29I had changed my college plans.
18:32Did you and Ethan have a fight?
18:34You didn't tell anyone
18:35before changing your application.
18:38We're not trying to control your choices,
18:40but we're just worried.
18:42You might regret this later
18:44if you decide you want to be
18:45with Ethan after all.
18:46I could tell my parents were concerned,
18:48and I didn't want to keep them
18:50in the dark anymore,
18:51so I laid it all out.
18:54Ethan has a girlfriend now.
18:55I need my own life,
18:56not one that just revolves about him.
18:58Besides, Ava will be with me at MI2,
19:00so I won't be alone.
19:01Ethan doesn't know about my decision yet.
19:03Please keep this between us.
19:04I don't want to see him before I leave.
19:07They must have sensed the hurt
19:08I was holding back,
19:09so they didn't push further.
19:11They respected my wishes
19:12and promised to keep my secret.
19:17The day I returned home
19:18happened to be the night
19:19of Ethan's graduation party.
19:21His father, Mr. Luciano,
19:22was the current don of the mafia,
19:25and with Ethan heading off to college,
19:26he was expected to gradually
19:28start learning the ropes
19:29of the family business.
19:33So, while the event was framed
19:35as a celebration
19:36of his academic achievement,
19:37it was really just another
19:39networking affair
19:39for the family's business associates.
19:42Since part of my family's business
19:44still relied on Mr. Luciano,
19:46I didn't want to put my parents
19:47in a Tufts floss,
19:49so I agreed to attend.
19:51The moment I stepped into the Grand Hall,
19:53my eyes locked onto someone
19:55I hadn't seen in a long time.
19:56It was Ethan,
19:58dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.
20:00He looked even more mature
20:01and imposing than he had at prom.
20:03Seeing him again after two months
20:05stirred a confusing mix
20:06of emotions in me.
20:07I wasn't even sure what I felt.
20:09Maybe anger,
20:11maybe regret,
20:12or perhaps just the remnants
20:13of a once-strong attachment.
20:15All I knew
20:16was that my first instinct
20:18was to avoid him.
20:21Ethan must have sensed my presence
20:23because he turned his head,
20:24and our eyes met
20:25for a brief electric moment.
20:28I quickly looked away,
20:30trying to slip into the crowd,
20:31but he strode over
20:32and caught my wrist
20:33before I could escape.
20:35He frowned,
20:36opening his mouth
20:37as if to say something,
20:38but before he could,
20:39Sylvia suddenly looped her arm
20:41through his,
20:41pressing herself close.
20:44She smiled at me,
20:46her tone dripping
20:47with saccharine sweetness.
20:50You must be Cynthia, right?
20:52I've heard so much about you.
20:55You're Ethan's best friend
20:57who's always looking out for him.
20:58Thank you for taking care of him
21:00all this time.
21:01Her words were polite,
21:02but her posture made it clear
21:04she saw me as no more
21:05than a footnote in Ethan's life.
21:07Someone to be tolerated,
21:08not respected.
21:10Who said she's my friend?
21:13She's always throwing a tantrum
21:15over nothing.
21:16If she had any guts,
21:17she would have stayed in the Arctic
21:18and never come back.
21:20There was no point
21:21in arguing with him here,
21:22in front of all these people.
21:23I simply forced a smile at Sylvia
21:25and gave a small nod.
21:28Ethan's gaze remained dark
21:30and unreadable,
21:31his eyes never leaving my face.
21:33Sylvia's expression
21:34was the picture
21:35of polite perfection,
21:37but her eyes flicked between us,
21:39clearly trying to read
21:40the undercurrents.
21:41The atmosphere grew
21:42more uncomfortable by the second,
21:44the air practically crackling
21:45with unspoken tension.
21:46Thankfully,
21:47the party officially started
21:48and Ethan had to step away
21:50for the obligatory greetings
21:51and handshakes.
21:52He scoffed under his breath,
21:54then turned and walked off,
21:55dragging Sylvia with him.
21:56Watching them retreat
21:57into the crowd,
21:58I was surprised to find
21:59I felt nothing.
22:00No sharp pan of jealousy,
22:02no lingering sadness,
22:03just a strange, hollow relief.
22:05The party was crowded,
22:06packed with business partners,
22:08family members,
22:08and old friends.
22:09Several people seemed
22:10genuinely surprised
22:11to see me there,
22:12their eyes darting between Ethan
22:13and me
22:13with thinly veiled curiosity.
22:14I pretended not to notice,
22:16offering polite smiles
22:17and small talk
22:18before slipping out
22:19onto the balcony
22:19for a moment of peace.
22:21Alas,
22:21my moment of solitude
22:23didn't last long.
22:24Ethan,
22:25a few of his friends,
22:26and even Lucas
22:27wandered out
22:27to the same balcony,
22:29their voices drifting over
22:30as they laughed and joked.
22:34Didn't Cynthia cut ties with you
22:36over the whole
22:36homecoming queen thing?
22:38She ran off to another country
22:39and now she's back?
22:41Please.
22:43She could never really leave me.
22:44Everyone knows Cynthia
22:45has been trailing after me
22:47since we were kids.
22:48What would she even do
22:49without me?
22:50Man, you're lucky.
22:51A childhood sweetheart
22:52who clings to you
22:52no matter what,
22:53plus the hottest girl
22:54in school crushing on you.
22:56Tough choice, huh?
22:57I know it's not fair to Cynthia,
22:58but just having one girl
22:59around all the time
23:00is boring.
23:00Before I take over
23:01the family business,
23:02I want to have some fun
23:03and chase after the girls
23:04I actually love.
23:04Besides,
23:05no matter what I do,
23:06Cynthia will always be there,
23:07waiting for me
23:07when I'm done playing around.
23:08I couldn't stand
23:09another second of it.
23:11I turned and walked away,
23:13my pulse pounding in my ears.
23:16Any lingering warmth
23:17I still felt for Ethan
23:18shattered in that moment.
23:22I couldn't believe
23:23I had ever been foolish enough
23:24to love a guy like him.
23:27I spent the entire party
23:28simmering with frustration,
23:29just waiting for it to end
23:30so I could leave.
23:32However,
23:33as the night drew to a close,
23:34Mrs. Luciano pulled me aside.
23:36Cynthia,
23:37I'm so glad you made it tonight.
23:38I've missed you, dear.
23:39She clapped my hands warmly,
23:41drawing me into a conversation
23:42that Sylvia couldn't break into,
23:44despite hovering nearby
23:46with a less than pleased expression.
23:48Unfazed by Sylvia's icy glares,
23:51Mrs. Luciano took my hand
23:52and placed it on Ethan's arm,
23:54speaking with the kind
23:55of earnest affection
23:56only a mother can muster.
23:59Earlier,
24:00Sylvia had tried to strike up
24:02a conversation with Mrs. Luciano,
24:03but the response
24:05had been noticeably cold.
24:06Ethan Luciano
24:07pulled me into his bedroom.
24:09When you two head off to college,
24:10you'll be each other's
24:11closest family.
24:13Ethan, you're the guy.
24:14You have to take good care of Cynthia.
24:15Don't upset her anymore.
24:18She doesn't need me
24:19to take care of her anymore.
24:22She hasn't even bothered
24:23to add my number back.
24:25There was a hint of something
24:26like hurt in his tone,
24:28which caught me off guard.
24:30Mrs. Luciano,
24:31I can look out for Ethan as well.
24:33Besides,
24:35Cynthia's going to MIT.
24:36That's pretty far from us,
24:38so it's not like
24:38they'll be seeing each other
24:39much anyway.
24:40MIT?
24:41He turned to me,
24:42eyes searching for an explanation,
24:44clearly not prepared
24:45for this revelation.
24:47Cynthia,
24:48you changed your college application?
24:50When did this happen?
24:52I sighed,
24:53realizing I couldn't keep
24:54this a secret any longer.
24:55I forced a small,
24:57apologetic smile and nodded.
24:59Yes,
24:59Mrs. Luciano.
25:00I realized MIT
25:01was a better fit for me,
25:02so I switched my application.
25:03I'm sorry I didn't mention it earlier.
25:05Ethan didn't seem to believe me.
25:07He grabbed my shoulders,
25:08his grip uncomfortably tight.
25:10But we applied
25:11to the same college together.
25:12Why would you suddenly
25:13change to another school?
25:15I winced,
25:16trying to twist out of his grasp.
25:18Why should I have to follow you
25:20to the same school?
25:21I have my own life,
25:23Ethan.
25:24MIT is a better fit for me,
25:25and Caltech was only ever
25:27a compromise for your sake.
25:28Stop being so selfish.
25:30I'm not your property.
25:31I have the right
25:32to make my own choices.
25:36What the hell
25:37are you talking about?
25:38When have I ever treated you
25:40like you're just some
25:42tool for my convenience?
25:44Oh?
25:45Then what was that night?
25:46You treat me
25:47like a convenient outlet
25:48whenever it suits you,
25:49and then you run off
25:50to chase someone else?
25:51In that instant,
25:53memories flooded back
25:54on Kumbhlitim.
25:56His strong arms
25:57had wrapped around me
25:58like vines of fire,
25:59pulling me impossibly close
26:01as our bodies moved together
26:02in a passionate rhythm.
26:04The bed frame
26:05sang beneath us
26:06with every deep,
26:07rolling thrust,
26:08filling the moonlit room
26:09with the symphony
26:10of our desire.
26:11His warm breath
26:12brushed my flushed skin,
26:14whispering promises
26:15that made my heart tremble.
26:16I clung to him desperately,
26:18nails tracing delicate paths
26:20down his back
26:21as waves of pleasure
26:22washed over me
26:23again and again.
26:24He moved with powerful grace,
26:26our bodies glistening
26:27under the soft glow of night.
26:29He turned me gently
26:30into the sheets,
26:31lips trailing fire
26:32along my neck and shoulders,
26:33until the world narrowed
26:34to nothing but the overwhelming
26:35ecstasy that left us
26:37both breathless
26:37and trembling
26:38in each other's arms.
26:41That night had felt like love,
26:43but now I knew
26:44it was only an illusion.
26:46He looked stunned,
26:48his anger momentarily
26:49replaced by confusion.
26:51Are you seriously
26:53bringing that up?
26:54We're adults, Cynthia.
26:56What happened was mutual.
26:57It was your choice, too.
27:00I closed my eyes,
27:02trying to keep my temper
27:03in check.
27:03Ethan, if you like someone else,
27:05just be honest about it.
27:06I won't cling to you.
27:08But don't keep stringing me along
27:09while you chase after someone else.
27:10That's not fair.
27:11I chose my words
27:13carefield that I had overheard
27:14his conversation
27:14on the balcony earlier.
27:16For a moment,
27:16Ethan seemed at a loss
27:17for words,
27:18his usual confidence shaken.
27:22I never did that.
27:23I'm not that kind of person.
27:25You can keep telling yourself that,
27:26but we both know the truth.
27:28Are you lying to me
27:29or just to yourself?
27:31My words seemed to hit a nerve.
27:33His face twisted
27:34with a mix of anger
27:35and wounded pride.
27:36Cynthia,
27:37after all these years,
27:38this is what you think of me?
27:39You really disappoint me.
27:40I never thought
27:41he would react this way.
27:42If you don't apologize
27:43and promise to never say
27:44something like that again,
27:45I'll never forgive you.
27:46With that,
27:47he stormed off,
27:48his footsteps echoing sharply
27:49down the hall.
27:50I watched him go,
27:51too tired to feel anything
27:52but a deep,
27:53lingering sense of regret.
27:55How had I never realized
27:56just how immature
27:57Ethan really was?
27:59After Ethan declared
28:01he'd never forgive me,
28:02I didn't see him again.
28:03Ava sent me a screenshot
28:05of his and Sylvia's
28:06official relationship
28:07announcement on Twitter.
28:08I barely glanced at it
28:09before deleting the message.
28:11Why should I waste my time
28:12on someone who no longer
28:13had anything to do with me?
28:15I told Ava not to send me
28:17any more updates about Ethan.
28:20I genuinely believed
28:21that was the last
28:22I'd hear of him.
28:23However,
28:24on the day I left for college,
28:26I had the bad luck
28:27of running into Ethan
28:28and Sylvia at the airport.
28:30Ethan saw me too,
28:31but clearly still sulking,
28:33he quickly looked away,
28:34pretending not to notice me.
28:36I turned my head as well
28:37and made my way
28:38to the boarding gate.
28:39I caught him shooting me
28:40a sharp glare
28:41when he realized
28:42I had no intention
28:43of talking to him,
28:44but Sylvia quickly pulled him
28:46along with a possessive grip.
28:48Ava,
28:49who had come to see me off,
28:51shot them a fierce glare
28:52of her own
28:53before linking her arm
28:54with mine
28:55and guiding me away.
28:58After that,
28:59Ethan and I truly
29:00fell out of contact.
29:01I had blocked him
29:02on every platform
29:03and made it clear
29:04to mutual friends
29:05that I didn't want
29:06to hear anything about him.
29:10Surprisingly,
29:11once I settled
29:11into my new life at MIT,
29:13I made a lot
29:13a lot of great friends.
29:15I joined student clubs,
29:17traveled with professors
29:19for field work,
29:20and filled my days
29:21with new experiences.
29:24Looking back,
29:25I finally understood
29:26why Ethan had grown tired
29:27of me.
29:27Spending your whole life
29:29revolving around
29:29a single person
29:30really was stifling.
29:32The outside world
29:33was so much more interesting.
29:34Why should I have tied myself
29:36down so early in life?
29:37By my sophomore year,
29:39a few old high school friends
29:40came to visit us
29:41in Massachusetts.
29:43That was the first time
29:44in years I heard
29:45anything about Ethan.
29:48Shortly after entering
29:49university,
29:49Ethan broke up
29:50with Sylvia.
29:51Since then,
29:51he has had a few
29:52short relationships.
29:53You surely can't
29:54recognize him now.
29:55It's completely
29:56the aura of a patriarch.
29:58I just smiled,
29:59feeling oddly detached.
30:00Hearing his name
30:01no longer stirred
30:02anything in me.
30:04That winter break,
30:06when I flew home,
30:07Ethan actually waited
30:09for me at the airport.
30:11He looked taller
30:12and more reserved,
30:13with a few men
30:14standing silently
30:15behind them.
30:16They were clearly
30:17his family's bodyguards.
30:18It seemed he was
30:19already stepping
30:20into his role
30:21within the family.
30:23Catching the anxious
30:24looks on my parents' faces,
30:25I forced a smile
30:26and walked over.
30:28Ethan,
30:28what a coincidence.
30:30You're here too?
30:31Without missing a beat,
30:32I brushed past him
30:32to join my parents.
30:34Ethan's outstretched hand,
30:35poised to help
30:36with my luggage,
30:37froze mid-air.
30:38On the drive home,
30:39he stayed completely silent.
30:41I could sense
30:42that he wanted
30:43to say something,
30:44but I kept chatting
30:45with my parents,
30:46never giving him
30:47a chance to speak.
30:49By the time we reached home,
30:50we still hadn't exchanged
30:51a single word.
30:55During the break,
30:57Ethan tried to visit me
30:58a few times,
30:59but I always turned him down,
31:01using my studies
31:02as an excuse.
31:03On Christmas Day,
31:04to my surprise,
31:05Ethan showed up
31:06at our door.
31:06Mrs. Saville,
31:07my parents are out
31:08and I'm spending Christmas
31:09alone this year.
31:10May I join you
31:11and your family?
31:11Ethan asked politely
31:12and my parents
31:13couldn't refuse,
31:14so they invited him in.
31:16Ethan naturally
31:17sat down next to me.
31:19I wanted to move away,
31:20but it would be too obvious,
31:22so I just stayed
31:23where I was.
31:25The relatives
31:25who came over
31:26to celebrate the holiday
31:27with us
31:28didn't know that
31:29Ethan and I
31:29were no longer
31:30on good terms
31:31and continued
31:32to tease us
31:33like they always did.
31:34Ethan had been
31:35chatting happily
31:36with everyone,
31:37but as I explained
31:38things with a smile,
31:39his expression
31:40slowly darkened.
31:45When it was time
31:46for everyone
31:46to go to bed,
31:47I was about to head
31:48to my room,
31:49but Ethan grabbed
31:50my arm.
31:51Are you in such a hurry
31:53to clarify our relationship?
31:55What relationship
31:56do we have?
31:57My words left
31:58Ethan frozen in place.
31:59He seemed like
32:01he wanted to say something,
32:02but just as he was
32:02about to speak,
32:03my phone rang.
32:04It was Miles,
32:06my college classmate.
32:07I wasn't surprised.
32:14Since we met,
32:15Miles had been
32:16openly pursuing me
32:17with warmth
32:17and sincerity.
32:19At the time,
32:19I had just gotten
32:20out of Ethan's shadow
32:21and wasn't ready
32:22to get involved
32:23with anyone else.
32:24Miles was polite,
32:25not like Ethan
32:26with his overbearing presence.
32:28He quietly supported me,
32:30providing emotional comfort.
32:31I had a great time
32:32chatting with Miles.
32:34With him,
32:35I didn't need
32:35to force conversations
32:37and we'd lose track
32:38of time talking.
32:40Merry Christmas, Cynthia.
32:42Merry Christmas.
32:43It was already past midnight
32:44when Miles reluctantly
32:45ended the call.
32:47After hanging up,
32:48I turned around
32:49to find Ethan still there.
32:50I wasn't sure how long
32:51he had been standing behind me,
32:52but I had gotten so absorbed
32:54in my conversation
32:54with Miles
32:55that I had completely
32:56forgotten Ethan was there.
32:57He looked upset,
32:58his voice tight
32:59with suppressed anger.
33:00Who was that?
33:01Why were you so happy
33:02talking to him?
33:02I repeated my earlier words,
33:04but this time
33:05with a colder tone.
33:06What relationship
33:07do we have?
33:08Why do you care?
33:09Ethan seemed like
33:09he wanted to yell at me
33:10like before,
33:11but when he saw my attitude,
33:13his anger quickly defaded.
33:14Is he your boyfriend?
33:15I shook my head,
33:17then nodded.
33:19Not yet,
33:20but he might be soon.
33:22When I saw Ethan this time,
33:23I realized I had already
33:25moved on.
33:26It was time for me
33:28to meet new people.
33:29I didn't pay attention
33:30to the dejected look
33:31on Ethan's face
33:32and turned to head
33:33to my room.
33:35Cynthia.
33:37Ignoring him
33:38as he called after me.
33:41I didn't see him again
33:42until I returned to school.
33:44I had already planned
33:45to watch a movie with Miles,
33:47but ran into Ethan
33:48at the school gate first.
33:50He looked worn out,
33:51disheveled,
33:52and was slumped
33:53against the gate,
33:54attracting a lot of attention
33:55from the girls around him.
34:00What are you doing here?
34:03I just wanted to see
34:04how you're doing here.
34:05We're not that far apart,
34:06so I can come visit you often.
34:08No need.
34:09I'm fine.
34:10At least let me
34:11take you out to eat.
34:12Ethan looked at me
34:12with a pleading expression.
34:14Just then,
34:14a figure stepped
34:15between Ethan and my...
34:16Sorry, man.
34:16I've made plans
34:17with Cynthia beforehand.
34:18The two of them locked eyes,
34:20tension palpable
34:20between them.
34:21Cynthia,
34:23is this the guy
34:23who called you last time?
34:25Ethan's tone was laced
34:26with something
34:26I couldn't quite place.
34:28Jealous leaves?
34:29But how could Ethan
34:30feel jealous?
34:31I must have been
34:31hearing things.
34:32Sorry, Ethan,
34:33but we've already made plans.
34:35You can go eat
34:35on your own.
34:36I gently patted Miles
34:38on the arm,
34:38who had been standing
34:39protectively in front of me.
34:45After a couple of steps,
34:47I turned around.
34:48Ethan was still standing
34:49at the school gate,
34:50staring at us,
34:51his expression forlorn.
34:52When he saw my glance back,
34:54his eyes lit up with hope.
34:56Ethan,
34:56please don't come
34:56looking for me again.
34:57I'm not the little girl
34:58who was always waiting
34:59for you to turn around.
35:00I grabbed Miles' hand
35:02and walked away
35:03without looking back.
35:06Ethan probably
35:07didn't listen to my words.
35:09In the following days,
35:10I kept seeing him everywhere.
35:13I even started to suspect
35:15that he might be stalking me,
35:17but I didn't want to see him.
35:19I rejected all his invitations,
35:21even returned the gifts
35:22he gave me unopened.
35:24You're my whole world,
35:25Cynthia.
35:25At this time,
35:27Miles and I
35:28had just confirmed
35:29our relationship.
35:30Miles developed
35:31a strong animosity
35:32towards Ethan.
35:34Every time he saw him,
35:35he would pull me away
35:36and openly showed
35:37his jealousy and possessiveness.
35:39Until one day,
35:41when Ethan stopped Miles
35:42off campus
35:43and beat him up.
35:51I finally couldn't hold back
35:52and went to confront him.
35:55I really couldn't understand
35:57what he was thinking.
35:58Back then,
35:59it was he who didn't want
36:00to be with just me
36:01and wanted to experience
36:02me with other people.
36:04Now,
36:05he was pretending sentimental
36:06and disrupting my life.
36:08When he realized my intention,
36:09Ethan's emotions
36:10completely spread out of control.
36:12Cynthia,
36:12do you doubt me?
36:13I didn't send one
36:14to beat him up.
36:14It was my underlaw
36:15who wanted to teach
36:16that man a lesson.
36:17Whether or not she order,
36:18it still affected
36:19my boyfriend and me.
36:20Does ever soam
36:21in front of us.
36:21Ethan looked as if
36:22he had been struck
36:23by lightning.
36:24Boyfriend?
36:25Have you already agreed
36:26to be with him?
36:27Why can't you give me
36:28another chance?
36:29I know it was wrong
36:30of me to be with Sylvia
36:31back then,
36:31but I've realized my mistake.
36:33Is it really as you claim?
36:34Just being with Sylvia
36:35at the same time?
36:37Ethan avoided my gaze,
36:38stumbling over his words.
36:41Then,
36:42in a fit of rage,
36:43he kicked one
36:44of his underlings.
36:46You guys acted
36:47on your own!
36:49Apologize now!
36:55The underling
36:56who had kicked
36:56looked like he was
36:57purely Italian
36:58and he spoke in Italian.
37:01Speak English.
37:02Cynthia can't
37:03understand Italian.
37:04No need.
37:05I've actually
37:06always understood Italian.
37:08Ethan froze for a moment,
37:10unable to process this.
37:12So,
37:13I understood
37:14everything you said
37:15to me in Italian.
37:17Seeing that Ethan
37:18still looked confused,
37:19I reminded him.
37:20Like when you said
37:21you wanted to pursue Sylvia
37:22but used me
37:23to practice first.
37:24I understood that too.
37:26Ethan stuffened suddenly,
37:28his lips trembling.
37:30He tried to explain
37:31but couldn't
37:31defend himself.
37:32No,
37:33I was just young
37:34and reckless.
37:35I didn't mean it that way.
37:37You just enjoyed
37:38the feeling of me
37:39liking you.
37:40You were always on top,
37:41thinking that no matter
37:42how you treated me,
37:43I would never leave you.
37:44Honestly,
37:45you never truly
37:46cared for me.
37:47My words hit him hard
37:48and Ethan's eyes reddened.
37:50I did make a lot
37:51of mistakes in the past
37:52but I've been reflecting
37:53on myself these past two years.
37:54I liked you back then
37:55but I was too young
37:56and always distracted
37:57by other temptations.
37:58But now,
37:59after all these years,
37:59I realize I can't live
38:00without you.
38:01You're the one
38:01I love the most.
38:05Cynthia,
38:05I'm sorry.
38:06I owe you an apology
38:07but I really didn't mean it.
38:09I can't imagine
38:10living without you
38:10from now on.
38:11For a fleeting second,
38:12my heart ached
38:13with the memory,
38:14the peace I once felt
38:15in his arms,
38:16those countless nights
38:17of embracing each other,
38:18bodies intertwined,
38:20breaths blending together,
38:21as if the entire world
38:22was reduced to just us.
38:24The heat,
38:25the tenderness,
38:26the way he used to kiss me
38:27like I'd,
38:28I was the only thing
38:29that mattered,
38:30but those memories
38:31now felt like echoes
38:32from another lifetime.
38:35I silently watched Ethan,
38:37who was covering his face
38:39and crying.
38:40After a long pause,
38:42I finally spoke.
38:43But without you,
38:45I'm so much happier.
38:46After leaving you,
38:47I realized that love
38:48doesn't have to be
38:49all about accommodating
38:50each other.
38:51I can be willful
38:52and I can have
38:54my little temper.
38:55Looking back,
38:57my youthful infatuation
38:58was probably just me
38:59confusing friendship
39:00with love.
39:01I thought I had found
39:02the person I was meant
39:03to spend my life with
39:04and I convinced myself
39:05I was happy being with him.
39:09Ethan finally
39:10couldn't hold back
39:10his tears.
39:13Seeing him regretful,
39:15I felt a secret sense
39:16of satisfaction
39:17in my heart.
39:19So,
39:20he did care about me.
39:22Nevertheless,
39:22it was too late.
39:24I had already found someone
39:25who truly mattered to me.
39:27Ethan,
39:28don't ever come around me
39:29and Miles again.
39:30Because of the partnership
39:31between our families,
39:32we can still meet
39:33a few times a year
39:33out of respect
39:34for our elders.
39:35But if it happens again,
39:37don't blame me
39:37for being heartless.
39:38We will never meet again.
39:40My decisive words
39:42made Ethan freeze
39:43as he reached for my hand.
39:46I turned and left,
39:47not looking back.
39:48In the distance,
39:49Miles was quietly waiting.
39:51He seemed completely
39:52unconcerned about me
39:53forgiving Ethan,
39:54smiling as he waited
39:55for me to run to him.
39:56The moment I took his hand,
39:58he naturally pulled me
39:59into an embrace.
40:01What do you want to eat?
40:02How about that Japanese restaurant
40:03you've been wanting to go to?
40:05Aren't you curious
40:06about what we talked about?
40:08To be honest,
40:09I was interested at first,
40:10but when you walked over to me,
40:12I wasn't curious anymore.
40:13I was just worried
40:14that after talking for so long,
40:15you might be hungry.
40:17I smiled
40:18and then started to cry.
40:21Flustered,
40:22Miles wiped my tears away.
40:26Before we left,
40:27I saw Ethan still standing
40:29where he was.
40:31I hooked my arm around Miles's,
40:33hand in hand,
40:34and walked away.
40:38That was the last time
40:39I ever saw Ethan.
40:40this time.
40:41And now,
40:41I was just a little bit
40:42of a little bit
40:42of a little bit
40:42of a little bit
40:42Come and my дали
Comments