She spent years waiting to hear the words she longed for, but they never came. Only after she walked away did he realize how deeply he loved her. As regret, heartbreak, and missed chances collide, he must face the painful truth that some losses cannot be undone. The story centers on a marriage broken by emotional neglect and a husband who realizes his mistake only after divorce.
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Welcome to our world of addictive short dramas and emotional storytelling.
Here you’ll find viral micro dramas, romantic love stories, revenge series, dramatic plot twists, and binge-worthy vertical dramas designed for mobile viewers.
From billionaire romance and toxic relationships to heartbreak, betrayal, and unexpected endings — every episode is crafted to keep you hooked.
New short drama episodes uploaded regularly.
Watch anytime, anywhere, and enjoy cinematic storytelling in minutes.
Subscribe now for daily short dramas, trending micro drama series, and emotional love stories.
#ShortDrama #MicroDrama #VerticalDrama #MiniSeries #RomanceDrama #RevengeDrama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Harper, will you marry me?
00:01I covered my mouth, tears about to spill over.
00:04I will.
00:05When Nate dropped to one knee and opened the black velvet ring box,
00:07I thought my love story was finally about to get its happy ending.
00:11Until Maddie stepped out from the side, phone raised.
00:13Got it, got it!
00:14Harper, you said yes way too fast. God, that's pathetic.
00:16Her laugh was sharp, like nails every word Celeste died right through me.
00:19Dude, I told you she wouldn't last five seconds. You owe me a hundred bucks.
00:22A hundred bucks?
00:23What I thought was a lifelong commitment was nothing but a hundred dollar prank to them.
00:26I looked at Nate.
00:27He stood up, brushed the dust off his pants like it was nothing,
00:29and didn't even glance my way.
00:30Let's put the wedding on hold.
00:31We'll talk about it when you're not so desperate to get married.
00:34Maddie slid her arm through his, chin tilted up, smug.
00:36Seriously, Harper?
00:37His knee hadn't even touched the ground and you already said yes.
00:38How scared are you of ending up alone?
00:39In that moment, whatever hope I'd had for this man just shattered.
00:42I glanced at the ring box on the ground and let out a hollow laugh.
00:45No need to put it on hold.
00:46I'm not marrying you.
00:47No tears.
00:48No scene.
00:49I turned and walked away.
00:50Behind me, Nate's stunned voice cut through the air.
00:52What the hell is wrong with you now?
00:54Harper, stop acting.
00:55The dramatic exit is so overdone.
00:56Come on, it was just a joke.
00:58Do you have to take everything so seriously?
00:59Ignore her.
01:00Let her cool off for a few days.
01:01Within three days, she'll come running back, begging me to take her back.
01:03When they thought I was just playing hard to get, let them think whatever they wanted.
01:06They'd know.
01:06There's a price to pay for turning someone's dignity into a bet.
01:09My footsteps paused for a second.
01:11I didn't look back.
01:12The wind off the lake cut through my trench coat collar.
01:15I looked down and fumbled with my phone to call a ride.
01:18My fingers too numb to tap the screen properly.
01:20The car arrived.
01:21I pulled open the back door and got in.
01:24My phone lit up.
01:26An eye message from Nate.
01:27All right, stop it.
01:28Come home and we'll talk it out.
01:30I glanced at it and hit the lock button.
01:33I got to the apartment.
01:35The IKEA welcome mat by the door had home printed on it.
01:40I stared at that word and felt the irony hit me like a punch to the gut.
01:45I opened the door and turned on the lights.
01:47The whole place was filled with five years worth of our life together.
01:49Over those five years, when his cash flow dried up, I covered his bills.
01:52When he got so wasted at business dinners he couldn't walk straight, I drove out to haul him home.
01:57When he couldn't get his tie right before meeting investors, I fixed it for him one knot at a time.
02:01Back then, he'd gripped my shoulders and said,
02:04Harper, the day my company rings the bell, I'll give you a wedding worthy of you.
02:08My phone screen suddenly lit up.
02:10A confirmation text rummy.
02:12Address a text from the Vera Wang boutique popped up.
02:14Please arrive on time.
02:18I stared at those words and a memory flashed through my mind.
02:22Maddie was at the bridal shop that day too.
02:24She touched the white tood skirt and turned to me with a smile.
02:27Wouldn't this be a little much on Harper?
02:29I said nothing.
02:30I just tightened my grip on the cold latte in my hand,
02:33the one she'd taken two sips of, said it was too sweet, and casually handed off to me.
02:37And Nate?
02:38He sat on the couch, head down, answering emails.
02:41From start to finish, he never once looked up at me.
02:43I sat on the living room couch.
02:46My phone lit up again.
02:49A few seconds later, another message popped up.
02:53Don't make things awkward.
02:56Then I put the phone down and went to work.
02:58A co-worker asked why my eyes were a little puffy.
03:00I said I stayed up to Nate binge-watching a show last night.
03:04During my lunch break, I scrolled past an Instagram story Tyler had posted.
03:07In the photo, Nate sat by the window at some trendy steakhouse.
03:10Maddie sat next to him, holding up a martini, throwing up a peace point at the camera.
03:14The caption read,
03:14Celebrating someone's newfound freedom.
03:16Dodged a bullet.
03:17I casually tapped the like button.
03:18Three minutes later, Nate called.
03:21I walked into the break room and answered.
03:25His first words were,
03:27What the hell does that like mean?
03:57I was flipping through a draft of an SLA service agreement.
03:58The victim, last night, in front of my friends, you said you wouldn't marry me.
04:03Did you even stop to think how that made me feel?
04:06I closed the folder.
04:08Nate, we're already broken up.
04:10Silence on the other end for two seconds.
04:12Then he let out a cold laugh.
04:14There you go again.
04:15You threatened to break up over every little thing.
04:16Is this fun for you?
04:17The speakerphone on my desk blared his accusations.
04:19My response was cold and final.
04:21Fine.
04:22Keep acting like this.
04:23He was furious and hung up on me.
04:24He hung up.
04:25I stared at the dark phone screen and my knuckles slowly relaxed.
04:30After work, I went to Home Depot and bought a stack of cardboard boxes and a few rolls of
04:34wide packing tape.
04:35I got back to the apartment and unfolded the boxes, laying them out flat in the living room.
04:41I pulled open the closet.
04:43Nate's custom tailored suit still hung shoulder to shoulder with my dresses.
04:46Five years.
04:47I'd ironed his shirts, picked out his ties, and used Google Calendar to track every single
04:51business dinner and round of golf.
04:53Tucked inside a drawer was an old scarf.
04:55The first birthday gift Nate ever gave me.
04:57He'd just started his startup that year and bought it at Target.
05:00The material was rough, scratchy against the neck, and he hadn't even cleaned the tag off
05:04properly.
05:05But back then, he'd clutch that scarf, his ears turning red, and said,
05:10Harper, when I have money, I'll replace this with Hermes for you.
05:16After I got together with Nate, the word someday became the thing I heard the most and the one
05:20that meant the least.
05:22He was short on cash, said he'd pay me back with interest someday.
05:27He stood me up on my birthday, said he'd take me to Cam Goon to make up for it someday.
05:31Even on the day he proposed, when I was humiliated in front of everyone, all he said was,
05:36don't take it personally, I'll make it up to you with something better someday.
05:40But a person can't live their whole life clinging to someday.
05:44I have a future I want to make real, too.
05:47I pulled that scarf out and threw it straight into the trash bag.
05:51Everything that belonged to me, I wasn't leaving a single piece behind.
05:55At three in the morning, the living room was filled with sealed cardboard boxes.
05:59The sound of tape ripping echoed, sharp and clear, through the empty space.
06:04By dawn, I'd taped up the very last box.
06:08My phone buzzed.
06:09Another confirmation text from the Vera Wong boutique.
06:12Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes, your custom wedding dress fitting scheduled tomorrow at 3pm has
06:16been confirmed.
06:17Please arrive on time.
06:18I stared at the words, Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes.
06:21Then I opened my chat history with Nate.
06:24I scrolled back.
06:25That day, I'd sent him the link to Vera Wong's new collection catalog.
06:29What do you think of this flishtail silhouette?
06:30He replied two hours later.
06:32In a meeting, we'll talk later.
06:35Then I opened Snapchat.
06:37Maddie had posted a story that same day.
06:39Nate leaned against the high-end fitting mirror holding her Balenciaga hourglass bag for her.
06:44The caption read,
06:45Borrowing someone else's man as a style consultant for half a day.
06:47Turns out haste isn't half bad.
06:50I turned off my phone, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door.
06:54When I stepped out of the apartment building, that familiar black sedan pulled up right in
06:58front of me.
06:59The window rolled down.
07:01Nate sat in the driver's seat, his expression dark.
07:03He pushed the door open and stepped out, a take-out paper bag in his hand.
07:07Let's go upstairs first.
07:08Put everything back the way it was.
07:09We'll eat, then we'll talk.
07:11I looked down at my phone, checking the bridal shop's refund policy.
07:14Harper, are you done yet?
07:15He frowned and pushed the paper bag a little closer toward me.
07:18I didn't take it.
07:21What are you looking at?
07:22Look at me when I'm talking to you!
07:24His voice rose.
07:25A friend needs me for something.
07:26I put my phone away, his brow furrin slightly.
07:29What thing?
07:30Before I could open my mouth, the passenger window rolled down.
07:33Maddie poked her head out, her smile sickeningly sweet.
07:35Harper, don't read into this, okay?
07:37My mini's in the shop.
07:38Nate just gave me a ride to work on his way.
07:39She shook the iced latte in her hand from Starbucks.
07:42This bagel?
07:43I was gonna eat it, but I'm cutting carbs this morning, so I figured I'd let you have it.
07:46Don't go making a big deal out of this, too.
07:48I looked up at Nate.
07:49This is your idea of letting things go?
07:51Harper, what the hell do you want?
07:52Nate's frown deepened.
07:54Fine, don't eat.
07:54He pulled the paper bag back and turned to hand it to Maddie.
07:56Maddie bit her straw and reached over to pinch Nate's cheek.
07:58It was over my Cali budget anyway, and you still wanted to bring her one?
08:01Nate swat her hand away, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
08:04Nate, you play favorites.
08:05She has a stomach ulcer.
08:06A few carbs won't hurt her.
08:07I didn't say another word.
08:08I walked around him, heading straight for the taxi that had just pulled up at the curb.
08:11By the time Nate realized what was happening, I was already opening the car door.
08:15He didn't get the chance to stop me.
08:16The moment the door shut, I saw him through the rearview mirror, standing there looking absolutely furious.
08:21Once I was in the car, I called my real estate agent.
08:23That condo in Lincoln Park, put it on the market today.
08:26The faster it sells, the better.
08:27I thought you said you were keeping it as your marital home.
08:30The wedding is off.
08:31Sell it.
08:33My phone buzzed again.
08:34A message from Nate.
08:36Are you coming to brunch this afternoon?
08:37I was a little heated earlier.
08:38Don't take it seriously.
08:39I glanced at it.
08:41No reply.
08:42At the Vera Wang boutique, the sales associate greeted me with a beaming smile.
08:46Miss Hayes, you're here.
08:48Is Mr. Farler not joining you today?
08:50I sat down on the velvet sofa and looked up at her.
08:53The wedding is off.
08:54The associate froze completely, and the champagne she was holding nearly sloshed out of the glass.
08:58I'm sorry, what did you say?
09:00I pulled out my ID and the order contract from my bag and placed them on the marble coffee table.
09:04Cancel the order.
09:05Didract whatever penalty this is stepping place from the deposit.
09:07No need to contact Nate.
09:08The associate flipped through the contract, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
09:12Mrs. Hayes, are you sure?
09:13Mr. Foster came in personally to pick this dress.
09:15He said he wanted to surprise you.
09:16I stared at my signature on the contract.
09:17Surprise?
09:18The associate opened her mouth, but no words came out.
09:20I stood up, my heels clicking against the marble floor, each step crisp and distinct.
09:24The moment I pushed open the glass door, my phone started buzzing in my hand.
09:27One word on the screen.
09:29Nate.
09:29I looked at it.
09:30I flipped the phone over, screen facing down, and slid it into my trench coat pocket.
09:33Once something is canceled, there's no need to look back.
09:35Once the cancellation was processed, I stood on Michigan Avenue waiting for my ride.
09:40HR from the company called.
09:41Harper, our Austin, Texas Blanche urgently needs a regional sales director.
09:44You've mentioned before that you'd be interested in a cross-state transfer.
09:46Are you still considering it?
09:47I am.
09:48I'll take it.
09:49A pause on the other end.
09:50That fast?
09:51You don't need some time to think it over?
09:52I don't.
09:53The sooner the better.
09:55In the afternoon, I stopped by the organic deli I always went to.
09:58The manager saw me and greeted me with a smile.
10:00Harper, the usual?
10:01Has Nate's acid reflash gotten any better?
10:03I wouldn't know.
10:04I handed over my pickup slip.
10:05The manager paused for a second and didn't ask anything else.
10:08I picked up my insulated container and headed out.
10:10As I passed the booth seats in the hallway, I heard Tyler's voice coming from behind the
10:13defyation.
10:14Seriously, Nate, aren't you worried she's actually going to dump you for good this time?
10:17She's even called off the wedding.
10:18My steps stopped for just a moment.
10:20Nate's voice, lazy and unconcerned.
10:22Where's she going to go?
10:23She'll be mad for a few days and then come crawling back on her own.
10:26Tyler's laugh got louder.
10:27You're that confident?
10:28She can't live without me.
10:29Nate, no offense, but honestly, you've spoiled her way too much.
10:31Maddie's syrupy voice cut in.
10:32She's been so spoiled, she actually believes she's some kind of queen in this relationship.
10:35Maddie, that mouth of yours, absolutely no filter.
10:37Tyler let out a whistle.
10:38I'm just telling it like it is.
10:39Maddie laughed.
10:39She used to be so good at playing housekeeper for Nate.
10:41Laundry, cook, edgeling appointments, the whole package.
10:43You really think she's capable of letting all that go?
10:45A glass clinked against the marble tabletop with a crisp sound.
10:48Nate didn't argue.
10:48I stood on the other side of the division, insulated container in hand.
10:52I stopped for five seconds.
10:53Then I shoved the container into the nearest trash can.
10:55I turned and walked into the subway station.
10:57When I came out of the station, the cold wind hit my face.
11:00I pulled out my phone.
11:01I blocked Nate's number, his iMessage, his Instagram, his LinkedIn.
11:04All of it.
11:05Back at the apartment, the movers were already waiting downstairs.
11:08I led them up.
11:10In the living room, boxes labeled and sealed were stacked in neat, orderly rows.
11:14Ma'am, do all of these go on the truck?
11:16Anything with yellow tape on it.
11:18Take it all.
11:18The workers started hauling things out.
11:20The apartment emptied, piece by piece.
11:22On the entryway cabinet, the matching couple keychains still sat there.
11:25Two key-shaped metal charms that fit together, engraved with our initials.
11:28We'd ordered it the day we signed the lease for this apartment.
11:30I pulled the spare key from my bag and set it down on the entryway tray.
11:34Metal hit ceramic with a soft clink.
11:36I draped my last trench coat over my forearm and turned to leave.
11:39The front door lock turned.
11:41Nate pushed the door open and walked in.
11:43He was drenched in the smell of whiskey and cigars.
11:46In his hand, he carried a takeout bag from a high-end Italian restaurant.
11:49He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the mostly empty living room.
11:52His face went dark in an instant.
11:54What the hell are you doing?
11:55Before the words were fully out of his mouth, he hurled the takeout bag at me.
11:59The bag hit my shoulder and burst open.
12:01Truffle cream pasta sauce splattered everywhere, soaking my clothes.
12:04I didn't dodge.
12:06Nate lunged forward and snatched the trench coat right off my arm.
12:10Rip.
12:11The fabric tore wide open.
12:13Leave?
12:14Did I say you could leave?
12:17He flung the ruined coat to the floor and glared at me, his eyes bloodshot.
12:21Are you out of your mind?
12:24Look at this place.
12:26Did you move out or did we get robbed?
12:28I said nothing.
12:30It made him even angrier.
12:31I went out of my damn way to pick up your favorite truffle pasta and this is what I get!
12:37I looked at him, my voice quiet.
12:39Nate, I'm tired.
12:41He froze for a second.
12:42His eyes dropped, taking in the pasta sauce all over my clothes.
12:45I used to care so much about keeping my outfit spotless.
12:47Even a single coffee stain on a cuff and I'd deal with it immediately.
12:50But now, I couldn't even be bothered to grab a napkin and wipe it off.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as fast.
12:54He pointed at the empty living room and shouted,
12:56Fine, leave!
12:57Get the hell out of Chicago right now!
12:58The second you walk out that door today, even if you crawl back begging on your knees,
13:01I won't spare you a single glance.
13:02I didn't argue.
13:03I crouched down and silently picked up the torn trench coat from the floor.
13:06The living room was so quiet it was suffocating.
13:08Nate went rotted.
13:09He looked like it was finally starting to sink in that this time was different from all the others.
13:12He seemed to calm down.
13:13After a long silence, he crouched down too, reaching out as if to help me pick it up.
13:16The second his hand touched the fabric, I pulled the boat away from him.
13:19Harper.
13:19His movement froze midair.
13:20I didn't respond.
13:21He stared at my face and his voice suddenly dropped.
13:24Are you crying?
13:26I reached up and touched my cheek.
13:29Tears were actually falling.
13:30I hadn't even noticed.
13:33I used to rarely cry in front of him.
13:36He once said he couldn't stand emotional women.
13:40Back then, I actually believed him.
13:42Not anymore.
13:43I picked up the carry-on suitcase at my feet.
13:45Nate stretched an arm across the doorway, blocking my path.
13:48You're really leaving?
13:50I met his eyes, level and steady.
13:54Game over.
13:55His lips moved, but not a single word came out.
13:59The room was dead silent.
14:01I pulled the door open.
14:03He didn't try to stop me again.
14:05Behind me came the sound of something porcelain shattering against the floor.
14:08Shards of glass sprayed across the wooden floorboards of the entryway.
14:10I didn't look back.
14:12I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby.
14:15Outside, it was pouring rain.
14:17I opened my umbrella and climbed into the uber black waiting at the curb.
14:22The moment the door shut, the driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
14:27His eyes upon the stains covering my clothes for a second.
14:30He looked like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it.
14:34The Hilton Hotel, please.
14:37The car pulled out of the apartment complex.
14:39I opened my phone's photo album.
14:41Five years.
14:42Thousands of photos.
14:45The picture I took the day Nate secured his first seed round.
14:50Select all.
14:51Delete.
14:52The iOS confirmation box popped up.
14:54Are you sure you want to delete these photos?
14:56This action cannot be untuned.
14:58I tapped confirm.
14:59Rain hammered against the car window outside, blurring the entire Chicago nightscape.
15:03Those photos went into the trash bin.
15:05He and I, we were done.
15:08A week went by.
15:09Neither of us contacted the other.
15:11Nate cracked first.
15:12He opened iMessage, his finger hovering over the screen for a few seconds before he typed out a line.
15:15Are you about done now?
15:16Still putting on a show?
15:18Send.
15:18A notification popped up on the screen.
15:20Not delivered.
15:21The bubble turned green.
15:22His face fell instantly.
15:23He stared at the screen for a long time like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
15:26And then that expression on his face.
15:27That look of always having everything under control finally shattered.
15:30The next second, his iPhone slammed hard against his office desk.
15:32He yanked at his shirt collar in irritation and dialed the bridal boutique directly.
15:36He probably figured that since I dared to pull a stunt like this, he'd dare to cancel the fitting.
15:41See who blinked first.
15:42The call connected.
15:43Nate held back his fury, his voice cold and hard.
15:45This is Nate Foster.
15:47Cancel the fitting this weekend.
15:48Silence on the other end for a beat.
15:50The sales associate hesitated before speaking.
15:52Mr. Foster, Ms. Haisley already canceled the order three days ago.
15:55The penalty fee has already been paid.
15:56The plane touched down at Austin Bergram International Airport at three in the afternoon.
16:00David Miller, the regional director for the Texas branch, was waiting for me in person
16:03at the arrivals hall.
16:04He glanced at the single tuxie carry-on in my hand, his expression mildly surprised.
16:07Harper, is that all the luggage you have?
16:09I pulled open the door of the Chevrolet Suburto and got in.
16:13I don't need extra baggage.
16:14I can start working immediately.
16:16David smiled and handed me a thick folder.
16:19This is the pile of messes this branch has accumulated over the last six months.
16:22The biggest landmine is the annual contract renewal with Apex Global.
16:26I flipped open the folder and quickly scanned the dense data and charts.
16:28They're extremely dissatisfied with our supply chain response times from last quarter
16:31and are already running a public tinner to switch suppliers.
16:34Apex Procurement Director had a reputation in the industry for being notoriously difficult.
16:37Back in Chicago, I chewed up and spit out more than a few of these hard-to-crack B2B clients
16:41for Nate's company.
16:41I knew the pain points of these Silicon Valley-styles executives inside and out.
16:46Take me directly to Apex Headquarters.
16:48I closed the file and looked up at the driver.
16:51David froze.
16:52Right now?
16:52You don't want to go to the hotel first, shake off the jet lags, take a shower?
16:56I looked out the window at the blazing, harsh, hesh Texas sun.
16:59Winning clients doesn't wait for anyone.
17:01Half an hour later, I stood in the office of Apex Global's Procurement Director.
17:05The guy's name was Rick Henderson, mid-50s, wearing the signature Patagononia fleas vest,
17:08the classic middle-aged tech exec.
17:10He leaned back in his Herman Miller ergonomic chair and didn't even give me a proper look.
17:13Your company's got a sense of humor.
17:15Sending a girl who's not even as old as my daughter to negotiate an eight-figure contract?
17:18I didn't let his age or gender pressure phase me.
17:21I slapped the restructured proposal directly onto his mahogany desk.
17:23Mr. Henderson, age has no direct correlation with professional competence.
17:27This quote is three percentage points lower than your current alternative suppliers,
17:29and we're committing to cutting the after-sales SLA response time in half.
17:33Rick sat up straight immediately and picked up the proposal.
17:35That dismissive look on his face visibly retracted.
17:38What makes you so confident you can deliver on these promises?
17:41I met his scrutiny without flinching.
17:43Five years at Chicago headquarters with a zero-failure project delivery record.
17:47If we don't hit the committed KPIs, you can deduct the penalty directly from my annual bonus.
17:51Rick stared at me for a solid minute.
17:54Then, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
17:58Bold. Got a bit of that Texas spirit. You've got the deal.
18:02Walking out of Apex's glass tower, David looked at me with a completely changed expression.
18:06Harper, you're incredible.
18:08I rubbed my neck, sore from staring at documents for too long.
18:11David, this is just the beginning.
18:13At ten at night, I got back to the extended stay suite the company had arranged.
18:19After a shower, I sat on the bed and stared at the spare phone for a few seconds.
18:24Then I picked it up and turned it on.
18:26The screen flooded with over a Doven voice message from my former colleague, Sarah.
18:31I tapped the first one.
18:33Sarah's voice was barely containing the excitement of someone loving the drama.
18:36Oh my god, Harper, your exit was way too cool.
18:40Nate stormed into our office this afternoon like a maniac looking for you.
18:44Eyes completely bloodshot.
18:47He grabbed the HR director by the collar and demanded Anna to know where you went.
18:51I listened expressionlessly while towel drying my hair.
18:55Sarah sent another one.
18:57HR told him you transfer to Austin.
18:59And he flipped the receptionist's iMac off the desk on the spot.
19:03Then Maddie ran over to pull him back.
19:06Using that deliberately high-pitched voice going,
19:09Nate.
19:10And guess what?
19:11Nate turned around and slapped her right across the face!
19:14My hand paused mid-motion with the towel.
19:17Nate hit Maddie.
19:18That was new.
19:19Sarah immediately followed up with a secretly recorded video.
19:23I tapped play.
19:24In the footage, Nate's eyes were blood red as he pointed at Maddie and tore into her.
19:28Are you satisfied now?
19:30You had to use those low, dirty tactics to push her away?
19:34Is that what it took for you to be happy?
19:36Maddie clutched her face, sobbing.
19:37Her eyeliner completely smeared and one of her false lashes hanging half off her eyelid.
19:41Nate, you were the one who said she was just throwing a fit.
19:43Why are you yelling at me?
19:44Nate kicked over a stainless steel recycling vist beside him.
19:46Get the hell out!
19:48The video ended there.
19:49I casually tossed the phone onto the bed and kept drying my hair.
19:51His regret now was way too late.
19:53It was worth less than week-old takeout.
19:54He was losing his mind now purely because he'd realized he was missing someone who worked 365 days a year,
20:00always on call.
20:01Someone who took care of everything for him.
20:02It was absolutely not because he loved me.
20:04I knew men like him way too well.
20:06The phone suddenly vibrated violently.
20:08An unfamiliar Chicago area code flashed on the screen.
20:10My gut told me it was him.
20:12I hit decline without hesitation.
20:14The caller didn't let up.
20:15After a dozen calls in a row, I finally picked up.
20:17Harper, you finally answered!
20:19Nate's voice was russy, rough, thick with exhaustion and the steel residue of a hangover.
20:23How long are you going to keep this up?
20:24The bridal shop said you canceled the order completely.
20:26Do you have any idea how I felt when I got that message?
20:30I let out a cold laugh.
20:31The penalty fee was charged to my own credit card.
20:34What does it have to do with you?
20:35Nate's breath caught.
20:37It's not about the money.
20:39You ran off to Texas without a word.
20:41You cleared out the entire apartment.
20:43What the hell are you trying to do?
20:45Do I have to buy a plane ticket right now and fly down there to apologize in person?
20:49Is that what it'll take for you to be satisfied?
20:51I looked at my calm reflection in the bathroom mirror.
20:55Nate, do you not understand plain English?
20:57I told you.
20:58We're done.
21:00Don't call again.
21:01Call one more time and I'll file for a restraining order.
21:04I hung up directly and blocked that number too.
21:07I also turned on the silence unknown caller setting.
21:10I flipped the phone face down on the bed.
21:12Silence.
21:13My first month in Austin, I was so busy I barely had time to breathe.
21:17I single-handedly pulled the branch's Q3 performance up by five percentage points.
21:21The New York headquarters sent out a company-wide internal email commending me.
21:25Friday night, the department insisted we had to celebrate.
21:27I chose a top-tier steak and seafood restaurant on Congress Avenue and paid out of pocket to
21:31treat the whole team to dry-aged Tom Hawk steaks.
21:34The mood was at its peak when I excused myself to go to the restroom.
21:37Just as I stepped out of the private dining corridor, a figure lunged out from around the
21:41corner.
21:42A hand seized my wrist.
21:43The grip was so tight it felt like it could crush bone.
21:47Harper, I finally found you.
21:50I looked up and met a pair of bloodshot eyes.
21:52It was Nate.
21:53He had lost a significant amount of weight.
21:55His eyes were sunken, his jaw covered in messy, patchy stubble.
21:57The custom shirt I used to iron wrinkle-free for him every morning was now a crumpled mess
22:00sticking to his body, reeking of long-haul flights and sour whiskey.
22:03I wrenched my hand free with force.
22:04Let go.
22:05Nate didn't let go.
22:06He tightened his grip instead.
22:08I won't!
22:08Harler, come back to Chicago with me!
22:10His eyes were red-rimmed, his voice trembling, barely able to stink a full sentence together.
22:15Without you, there's nothing left at home.
22:16I don't even know which dry cleaner to send my clothes to.
22:18My stomach ulcer flared up three times.
22:20I was on the floor in the middle of the night, rolling around in pain, and there was no one
22:23to drive me to the ER.
22:24I stared at his state, and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach.
22:27Sir, you've got the wrong person.
22:29Where's your Maddie?
22:31Isn't she the one who cares about you the most?
22:32Why didn't she make you that special soup for your stomach?
22:35The moment Maddie's name left my mouth, Nate's face twitched violently.
22:39Don't you dare mention that idiot to me again!
22:40She drove every single one of my investors away!
22:43She can't even do a basic pivot table!
22:45She does nothing but cause trouble for me!
22:47I looked at him coldly.
22:48And whose fault is all that?
22:50You're the one who raised that mess.
22:52What did you used to say about her?
22:53She's the one who raised her, innocent, full of life, fun, unlike me, rigid, boring, a soulless
22:58work machine.
22:59Nate shook his head desperately.
23:01I was wrong, Harper.
23:02I know I was wrong now.
23:03I've already fired her.
23:04I will never have anything to do with her again for the rest of my life.
23:07Just come back, okay?
23:08We'll get married right away.
23:10Tomorrow.
23:10We'll go to City Hall tomorrow!
23:12Even as he said these words, his hands were still shaking.
23:15I said nothing.
23:16I looked at him like I was looking at a stranger.
23:19Nate, do you really think that if you just snap your fingers, I'll come running back like
23:23some loyal dog?
23:24His face went white as a sheet.
23:26That's not what I meant.
23:28I just, I really can't...
23:29He couldn't finish the sentence.
23:31I took a step back, putting distance between us.
23:34You can't live without me?
23:36No.
23:37You just can't live without someone to clean up your messes.
23:39People like you, the only person you've ever loved is yourself.
23:42Nate stared at me, his gaze locked on.
23:44That look in his eyes, like he was the one who'd been abandoned.
23:47I don't believe you.
23:48You loved me for five years.
23:50How can you just drop it like that?
23:51You're just punishing me, aren't you?
23:53He suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach, his whole face crumpling in pain.
23:57Harper, my stomach hurts so bad.
23:59You used to hate seeing me in pain.
24:00Just help me find some medicine, okay?
24:02I looked down at him.
24:03If it hurts, call 911.
24:05I'm not a doctor.
24:06I can't fix your stomach.
24:07From the end of the hallway, someone heard the commotion.
24:09A few of my male colleagues stepped out of the private room.
24:11Harper, what's going on?
24:13They spotted Nate crowd on the floor and immediately positioned themselves in front of me.
24:16Dude, what are you doing?
24:17Call security.
24:18Get this guy out of here.
24:19Two burly restaurant security guards arrived quickly and hauled Nate up.
24:22He thrashed and struggled, his gaze locked desperately onto me.
24:24The guards dragged Nate toward the front entrance without any ceremony.
24:27His almost deranged shouts echoed through the corridor.
24:29Harper, you're going to regret this!
24:31I raised the crystal wine glass in my hand.
24:33I didn't look back.
24:34That night, I had two glasses of Pinot Noir and went back to the hotel.
24:37I slept more soundly than I had in months.
24:39The next day, I was in the office reviewing the Q4 sales forecast.
24:43The front desk called my extension.
24:44Mrs. Hayes, there's a woman in the lobby refusing to leave.
24:47She's insisting on seeing you.
24:48I frowned.
24:49Who is it?
24:50She says her name is Maddie.
24:51I let out a cold laugh.
24:53Some things really are impossible to shake off.
24:56I took the elevator down.
24:57Maddie's hair was a tangled mess.
24:59She sat on one of the leather couches in the lobby.
25:01Her makeup completely destroyed.
25:02Mascara smeared all over her face.
25:04A small crowd of employees had gathered around, watching the spectacle.
25:07The moment she saw me, she lunged.
25:09Harper, you bitch!
25:10Look what you did to Nate!
25:11Building security immediately held her back.
25:13She thrashed wildly, her sharp pink acrylic nails clawing at the air.
25:17You want to leave?
25:19Fine!
25:19But why did you have to take all the client accounts with you?
25:22Do you even know Nate's company is about to file for bankruptcy protection?
25:25The clients chose me because I'm professional.
25:28What does that have to do with you and Nate?
25:31I paused, looking at her.
25:33As for the company going bankrupt, didn't you cause that yourself?
25:36Getting waste at the investor gala and single-handedly torputing a $50 million Series B.
25:43I've got to say, that's a talent I don't possess.
25:45Someone in the crowd of watching employees couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud instantly.
25:49She fumbled in her Louis Litton bag and pulled out a half-finished latte,
25:53hurling it at me with all her strength.
25:55I had seen it coming and sidestepped.
25:57The coffee splashed all over the security guard's uniform behind her.
26:00His face darkened.
26:01He wrestled her straight down onto the lobby floor tiles.
26:04Let me go!
26:05You useless pieces of trash!
26:07Maddie screamed like a woman possessed.
26:08I walked over and stood in front of her, looking down.
26:11Call 911 and report an assault.
26:13Maddie's whole body went rigid.
26:15You'd call the cops?
26:17Aren't you afraid Nate will hate you for this?
26:19I looked down at her and smiled slightly.
26:21Whether he hates me or not, what does that have to do with me?
26:24Patrol officers from the Austin Police Department arrived on the scene quickly.
26:29They handcuffed Maddie on charges of assault and criminal trespass and hauled her into the back of a squad car.
26:35Calm returned to the lobby.
26:36I smoothed out my sleeve and stepped back into the elevator, heading up to my office to get back to
26:40my reports.
26:41After that whole farce was over, Tyler called me.
26:44Harper, you went way too far with this.
26:47It's Miss Hayes to you.
26:48Or Harper, since we're not exactly friends anymore.
26:52Tyler let out an awkward laugh.
26:54Fine, Harper. Nate is completely finished this time.
26:56The company's bank accounts are frozen.
26:58All his partners bailed.
26:59To cover the gaps in his taxes, he sold that condo in Lincoln Hall.
27:01My grip on the pen didn't falter.
27:03The nib didn't pause on the paper for even a second.
27:05That property was under his name.
27:07Whether he sells it or not has nothing to do with me.
27:09Tyler was silent for a moment.
27:12Maddie got locked up in county jail.
27:14You were the one who called the cops?
27:16It was me.
27:17Nate went to the station.
27:19I raised an eyebrow.
27:20To post bail for her?
27:22No.
27:23There was an unmistakable note of sarcasm in Tyler's voice.
27:26He went to the station and right in front of the cops nearly strangled Maddie to death.
27:31My hand stopped for a second.
27:33Has he lost his mind?
27:35Pretty much.
27:36He found out Maddie not only torched the funding round,
27:38but also secretly leaked the company's core pricing model to a competitor.
27:41They paid her 50 grand in kickbacks.
27:44Nate is now completely and utterly broke.
27:46I leaned back in my chair and looked out the window at the clear, boundless Texas sky.
27:50He brought this all on himself.
27:52Tyler tested the waters cautiously.
27:54Harper, we were all friends once.
27:56Nate's at the point where he can barely make rent.
27:58Do you think you could maybe...
27:59No.
28:00I cut him off flatly.
28:01Tyler, didn't you used to say in your little bro group chats that I wasn't good enough for Nate?
28:05That I was just a gold digger trying to climb the social ladder?
28:08And now you're coming to beg me on his behalf?
28:11Silence on Tyler's end.
28:13I hung up the phone.
28:15The months that followed, I threw every ounce of my energy into work.
28:18The Texas branch's performance left every other branch in the Southwest region in the dust.
28:23I used one solid earnings report after another to shut up every single one of the old men at headquarters
28:27who had doubted me.
28:28By the end of the year, David was called back to New York HQ and promoted to VP.
28:33I officially took over as general manager for the Texas region.
28:36The night of the annual awards gala, I drank quite a bit of champagne.
28:40When I stepped out of the hotel entrance, the night breeze hit me, and I sobered up a lot.
28:45Parked on the curb was a beat-up white Ford Transys cargo van, its body covered in scratches and splattered
28:49mud.
28:49A man was crouched beside it, struggling to unload a case of Evian water.
28:53He wore a filthy work jacket with the faded logo of some local water delivery company printed on the back.
28:57His back was hunched.
28:58One of the cases slipped and slammed down hard onto his steel-toed boots.
29:01He cried out in pain and collapsed onto the ground.
29:03The streetlight perfectly illuminated his profile.
29:05It was Nate.
29:07The same Silicon Valley CEO who once wore nothing but custom suits and couldn't go five minutes without mentioning valuations
29:13and exit strategies.
29:14Now he was reduced to hauling water for a delivery company, earning cash paid out by the day.
29:19I stood on the steps and watched quietly for a moment.
29:21He seemed to sense something.
29:23His head whipped around.
29:24The second his eyes met mine, his whole body went completely stiff.
29:28He frantically tried to wipe his face with a hand covered in engine grease.
29:32It only made the smotches worse.
29:33He struggled to stand up, desperate to hide behind the van.
29:36I walked down the steps one by one in my high heels.
29:40I stopped in front of him.
29:42Nate.
29:43His entire body shuddered.
29:45His head dropped so low it nearly touched his chest.
29:48Miss...
29:49Miss Hayes.
29:49He couldn't even bring himself to say my first name anymore.
29:52I looked at what he had become.
29:54I felt nothing.
29:55I heard your company went under.
29:57He bit down hard on his cracked, dried lips.
30:00Tears fell onto the concrete.
30:03Yes.
30:04And Maddie?
30:05I asked casually.
30:07She took that kickback and ran off to Los Angeles.
30:09Then some crypto scammer conned her out of every last cent.
30:12Now she's washing dishes in the back kitchen of a strip club on Hollywood Boulevard.
30:17His voice was rough as sandpaper.
30:19I nodded once.
30:20Suits her perfectly.
30:22Nate suddenly lifted his head.
30:23His blood-wrush eyes fixed on me.
30:25Harper, I deserved all of this.
30:26I dream about you every single night.
30:28You're in the kitchen frying eggs, helping me tie my tie.
30:30I regret everything.
30:31He suddenly dropped to his knees on the ground and reached out as if to grab the hem of my
30:34trench coat.
30:35Just give me one more chance, okay?
30:36I'll work for you.
30:37I'll do whatever you say.
30:38I stepped back, dodging his filthy hands.
30:41Nate, the way you look right now, it's just pathetic.
30:43He froze completely.
30:44No more struggling.
30:45No more excuses.
30:46He just looked at me like the life had been drained out of him.
30:49You weren't like this before.
30:50You used to feel bad whenever you saw me working late.
30:52Yeah.
30:52I used to be blind.
30:54But you took everything I did and treated it like it was just your due.
30:57Just so you could protect that pathetic little ego of yours in front of your so-called friends in front
31:00of Maddie.
31:00You trampled my dignity into the ground.
31:03And now, now that you have absolutely nothing left, you finally remember me.
31:07Don't you find this whole act just disgusting?
31:10He buried his face in his hands in agony.
31:12A low, animal-like sound of anguish tore from his throat.
31:15I turned and walked toward the Uber Black waiting at the curb.
31:18The driver in white gloves opened the car door for me.
31:21I got in.
31:22I didn't look back.
31:24Not once.
31:27The car pulled away, leaving the figure kneeling on the roadside far, far behind in the rearview mirror.
31:34Two years later, I represented the Southwest region at the National Supply Chain Summit back in Chicago.
31:41After the conference, our business partners invited me to dinner at a newly opened rooftop restaurant downtown.
31:45The restaurant's location was close to the lakefront spot where Nate had proposed all those years ago.
31:51The same place where he, surrounded by Maddie and Tyler, had mocked me to my face.
31:56I walked into the restaurant in a sharply tailored Tom Brownie professional suit.
32:00My stilettos clicking against the floor.
32:03The Merida led us into the VIP private room.
32:06Midway through the meal, one of the partners accidentally knocked over a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.
32:12I pressed the service bell.
32:14The door to the private room opened gently.
32:17A man in a server's vest walked in quickly, head down, carrying a cleaning cloth.
32:21He crouched to the floor and started wiping up the spilled red wine.
32:24The partner slid a contract renewable across the table to me.
32:27Miss Hayes, please review the terms again.
32:29If everything looks good, we can sign right now.
32:31I took the Monbonic fountain pen and signed my name on the signature line.
32:35Pleasure doing business with you.
32:38The server scrubbing the wine stain on the floor suddenly froze mid-motion.
32:42He slowly lifted his head.
32:45The cloth dropped from his hand onto the carpet.
32:49It was Tyler.
32:50He had bloated up significantly compared to two years ago.
32:53His face was greasy and slick, his eyes darting away.
32:55I was mildly surprised but regained my composure quickly.
32:57Do you know him, Miss Hayes?
32:58The business partner followed my gaze and frowned slightly.
33:00I picked up my sparkling water and took a sip.
33:03I don't.
33:03Tyler's face instantly flushed a deep red.
33:05He snatched the cloth off the floor and bolted out of the private room without looking back.
33:08Later, I heard from old contacts in Chicago that the Tyler Family Trust had run into major problems.
33:11All the assets under his father's name had been frozen.
33:13All those friends who used to club hop and race sports cars with him disappeared overnight.
33:16He found a minimum wage job at a restaurant on Indeed, barely scraping by to make the minimum payments on
33:20his credit cards.
33:20The day my business trip ended, it rained in Chicago.
33:23On the way to O'Hale International Airport, we passed through the old Lincoln Park neighborhood.
33:27The driver asked if I wanted to pull over for a moment to grab a coffee.
33:30I shook my head.
33:30No thanks.
33:31Straight to the airport.
33:32That apartment was someone else's home now.
33:34Everything inside it, along with all those sealed cardboard boxes, had been thrown away by me long ago.
33:39A push notification from a Chicago local news app popped up on my phone.
33:42Former tech founder Nate F. arrested on aggravated assault charges following street brawl with Amazon Flex driver over delivery route
33:47dispute.
33:48The attached photo was a shot of Nate from behind, his hands accucked, being pressed face down against the hood
33:52of a police cruiser.
33:53I swiped the notification away, closed my eyes, and leaned back into my seat.
33:57The plane climbed through thick clouds and broke through to 10,000 meters.
34:01Blinding sunlight filled the windows.
34:03After returning to Austin, I went straight to the title transfer center.
34:07Using the performance bonuses and stock options I'd accumulated over the past two years,
34:11I bought a sprawling penthouse in the city center overlooking Lady Baird Lake.
34:16The day I got the keys, I invited the entire office over for a housewarming party.
34:20Everyone filled the spacious living room, drinking local craft beer with country music playing.
34:25The balcony was lined with my favorite white roses.
34:28I stood by the Florida Cleese windows with a glass of Cabernet, gazing out at the lights stretching across the
34:33city below.
34:34The night breeze drifted in, carrying the scent of the lake.
34:38I once believed I couldn't survive without all those some days.
34:41I found out later that I could.
34:44Because what every person can truly rely on has never been someone else's promises.
34:48It's the money I earn myself.
34:50It's what's inside my head that no one can ever take away.
34:53I raised my glass, gently clinking it against my own reflection in the window.
34:58Harper, here's to the future.
35:01Outside, the lights of Lady Baird Lake shimmered like a sea of stars.
35:05The red wine went down.
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