She waited for years to hear three simple words, but they never came. Only after she walked away did he finally understand what she meant to him. As regret, heartbreak, and missed opportunities collide, both must face the consequences of a love that arrived too late. Watch He Didn't Say He Loved Me Until I Left, an emotional romance about self-worth, healing, and second chances. The drama centers on a woman who leaves after years of emotional neglect, triggering a painful realization in the man she once loved.
#HeDidntSayHeLovedMeUntilILeft #LoveAndRegret #SecondChanceRomance #EmotionalDrama #RomanticDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #FullEP #ENGSUB #LoveStory #Heartbreak #Redemption
#HeDidntSayHeLovedMeUntilILeft #LoveAndRegret #SecondChanceRomance #EmotionalDrama #RomanticDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #FullEP #ENGSUB #LoveStory #Heartbreak #Redemption
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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.
00:17Her 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. He stood up, brushed the dust off his pants like it was nothing.
00:30And didn't even glance my way.
00:31Let's put the wedding on hold. We'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? His 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. I'm not marrying you.
00:47No tears. No scene. I 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. The dramatic exit is so overdone.
00:57Come on, it was just a joke. Do you have to take everything so seriously?
00:59Ignore her. Let 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. There'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. I pulled open the back door and got in.
01:24My phone lit up.
01:26An eye message from Nate.
01:27All right, stop it. Come home and we'll talk it out.
01:30I glanced at it and hit the lock button.
01:34I got to the apartment.
01:36The 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.
01:50Over those five years, when his cash flow dried up, I covered his bills.
01:53When 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.
02:09My phone screen suddenly lit up.
02:10A confirmation text rummage address a text from the Vera Wang boutique popped up.
02:15Please 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, he sat on the couch, head down, answering emails.
02:41From start to finish, he never once looked up at me.
02:44I sat on the living room couch.
02:46My phone lit up again.
02:50A 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.
03:01I said I stayed up to Nate binge-watching a show last night.
03:04During my lunch break, I scrolled past an Instagram story,
03:06Tyler 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,
03:12throwing up a peace point at the camera.
03:14The caption read,
03:15Celebrating someone's newfound freedom.
03:16Dodged a bullet.
03:17I casually tapped the like button.
03:19Three 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?
03:29I was flipping through a draft of an SLA service agreement,
03:32my voice flat.
03:35It means what it means.
03:36Hope you enjoyed your meal.
03:38Can you stop being so passive-aggressive?
03:40I'm not.
03:41You know how mad he is.
03:42She never thinks before she speaks.
03:44How long have you known her?
03:45Is it really worth all this?
03:46It's not like this is the first time.
03:48My finger stopped on a contract clause number.
03:51What's that supposed to mean?
03:52He let out an impatient scoff.
03:54You do this every single time.
03:56The second something upsets you,
03:58you play the victim.
03:59Last night,
04:00in front of my friends,
04:01you 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.
04:13Then he let out a cold laugh.
04:14There you go again.
04:15You threatened to break up over every little thing.
04:17Is this fun for you?
04:17The speakerphone on my desk blared his accusations.
04:20My 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
04:27and my knuckles slowly relaxed.
04:30After work,
04:31I went to Home Depot
04:32and bought a stack of cardboard boxes
04:34and a few rolls of wide packing tape.
04:36I got back to the apartment
04:37and unfolded the boxes,
04:39laying them out flat in the living room.
04:41I pulled open the closet.
04:43Nate's custom tailored suit
04:44still hung shoulder to shoulder with my dresses.
04:46Five years.
04:47I'd ironed his shirts,
04:48picked out his ties,
04:49and used Google Calendar
04:50to track every single business dinner
04:52and round of golf.
04:53Tucked inside a drawer
04:54was an old scarf,
04:55the first birthday gift
04:56Nate ever gave me.
04:57He'd just started his startup that year
04:59and bought it at Target.
05:01The material was rough,
05:02scratchy against the neck,
05:03and he hadn't even cleaned
05:04the tag off properly.
05:05But back then,
05:06he'd clutched that scarf,
05:08his ears turning red,
05:09and said,
05:10Harper,
05:11when I have money,
05:12I'll replace this with Hermes for you.
05:16After I got together with Nate,
05:17the word someday
05:18became the thing I heard the most
05:20and the one that meant the least.
05:23He was short on cash,
05:24said he'd pay me back with interest someday.
05:27He stood me up on my birthday,
05:29said he'd take me to Cam Goon
05:30to make up for it someday.
05:32Even on the day he proposed,
05:33when I was humiliated in front of everyone,
05:35all he said was,
05:36don't take it personally,
05:37I'll make it up to you
05:38with something better someday.
05:40But a person can't live their whole life
05:42clinging to someday.
05:44I have a future I want to make real too.
05:47I pulled that scarf out
05:48and threw it straight into the trash bag.
05:51Everything that belonged to me,
05:53I wasn't leaving a single piece behind.
05:55At three in the morning,
05:57the living room was filled
05:58with sealed cardboard boxes.
05:59The sound of tape ripping echoed,
06:01sharp and clear,
06:03through the empty space.
06:04By dawn,
06:05I'd taped up the very last box.
06:08My phone buzzed,
06:09another confirmation text
06:11from the Vera Wong boutique.
06:12Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes,
06:14your custom wedding dress fitting
06:15scheduled tomorrow at 3 p.m.
06:16has been confirmed.
06:17Please arrive on time.
06:18I stared at the words,
06:19Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes.
06:21Then I opened my chat history with Nate.
06:24I scrolled back.
06:25That day,
06:26I'd sent him the link
06:27to Vera Wong's new collection catalog.
06:29What do you think of this
06:30flishtail silhouette?
06:31He replied two hours later,
06:33in a meeting,
06:34we'll talk later.
06:35Then I opened Snapchat.
06:37Mattie had posted a story
06:39that same day.
06:40Nate leaned against
06:40the high-end fitting mirror,
06:41holding her Balenciaga hourglass bag
06:43for her.
06:44The caption read,
06:45borrowing someone else's man
06:46as a style consultant
06:47for half a day.
06:48Turns out haste isn't half bad.
06:50I turned off my phone,
06:52grabbed my bag,
06:53and headed out the door.
06:54When I stepped out
06:55of the apartment building,
06:56that familiar black sedan
06:57pulled up right in front of me.
06:59The window rolled down.
07:01Nate sat in the driver's seat,
07:02his expression dark.
07:03He pushed the door open
07:04and stepped out,
07:05a take-out paper bag in his hand.
07:07Let's go upstairs first.
07:08Put everything back the way it was.
07:10We'll eat,
07:10then we'll talk.
07:11I looked down at my phone,
07:12checking the bridal shop's
07:13refund policy.
07:14Harper,
07:14are you done yet?
07:16He frowned and pushed the paper bag
07:17a little closer toward me.
07:19I 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.
07:28His brow furrin slightly.
07:29What thing?
07:30Before I could open my mouth,
07:31the passenger window rolled down.
07:33Maddie poked her head out,
07:34her smile sickeningly sweet.
07:36Harper,
07:36don't read into this, okay?
07:37My mini's in the shop.
07:38Nate just gave me a ride
07:39to work on his way.
07:40She shook the iced latte
07:41in her hand from Starbucks.
07:42This bagel?
07:43I was gonna eat it,
07:44but I'm cutting carbs this morning,
07:45so I figured I'd let you have it.
07:46Don't go making a big deal
07:47out of this, too.
07:48I looked up at Nate.
07:49This is your idea
07:50of letting things go?
07:51Harper,
07:51what the hell do you want?
07:52Nate's frown deepened.
07:54Fine,
07:54don't eat.
07:55He pulled the paper bag back
07:55and turned to hand it to Maddie.
07:56Maddie bit her straw
07:57and reached over
07:58to pinch Nate's cheek.
07:58It was over my Cali budget anyway,
08:00and you still wanted
08:00to bring her one?
08:01Nate swat her hand away,
08:02a grin tugging
08:03at the corner of his mouth.
08:04Nate,
08:04you 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,
08:09heading straight for the taxi
08:10that had just pulled up
08:11at the curb.
08:12By the time Nate realized
08:13what was happening,
08:13I was already opening
08:14the car door.
08:15He didn't get the chance
08:16to stop me.
08:16The moment the door shut,
08:17I saw him through
08:18the rear view mirror,
08:19standing there looking
08:19absolutely furious.
08:21Once I was in the car,
08:22I called my real estate agent.
08:24That condo in Lincoln Park?
08:25Put it on the market today.
08:26The faster it sells,
08:27the better.
08:28I thought you said
08:28you were keeping it
08:29as your marital home.
08:30The wedding is off.
08:31Sell it.
08:33My phone buzzed again.
08:35A message from Nate.
08:36Are you coming to brunch
08:37this afternoon?
08:37I was a little heated earlier.
08:39Don't take it seriously.
08:40I glanced at it.
08:41No reply.
08:42At the Vera Wang boutique,
08:44the sales associate
08:44greeted me with a beaming smile.
08:46Miss Hayes, you're here.
08:48Is Mr. Farler
08:49not joining you today?
08:50I sat down on the velvet sofa
08:52and looked up at her.
08:53The wedding is off.
08:54The associate froze completely.
08:56And the champagne she was holding
08:57nearly sloshed out of the glass.
08:58I'm sorry, what did you say?
09:00I pulled out my ID
09:01and the order contract from my bag
09:02and placed them
09:03on the marble coffee table.
09:04Cancel the order.
09:05Didract whatever penalty
09:06this is stepping place
09:06from the deposit.
09:07No need to contact Nate.
09:08The associate flipped
09:09through the contract,
09:10her voice dropping
09:10to a near whisper.
09:12Mrs. Hayes, are you sure?
09:13Mr. Foster came in
09:14personally to pick this dress.
09:15He said he wanted
09:15to surprise you.
09:16I stared at my signature
09:17on the contract.
09:18Surprise?
09:18The associate opened her mouth
09:19but no words came out.
09:20I stood up,
09:21my heels clicking
09:22against the marble floor,
09:23each step crisp and distinct.
09:24The moment I pushed open
09:25the glass door,
09:26my phone started buzzing
09:27in my hand.
09:28One word on the screen.
09:29Nate.
09:29I looked at it.
09:30I flipped the phone over,
09:31screen facing down,
09:32and slid it into
09:32my trench coat pocket.
09:33Once something is canceled,
09:34there's no need to look back.
09:35Once the cancellation
09:36was processed,
09:37I stood on Michigan Avenue
09:38waiting for my ride.
09:40HR from the company called.
09:41Harper, our Austin, Texas
09:42Blanche urgently needs
09:43a regional sales director.
09:44You've mentioned before
09:45that you'd be interested
09:45in a cross-state transfer.
09:46Are you still considering it?
09:47I am.
09:48I'll take it.
09:49The pause on the other end.
09:50That fast?
09:51You don't need some time
09:52to think it over?
09:52I don't.
09:53The sooner the better.
09:55In the afternoon,
09:56I stopped by the organic deli
09:57I always went to.
09:58The manager saw me
09:59and greeted me with a smile.
10:00Harper, the usual?
10:01Has Nate's acid reflash
10:02gotten any better?
10:03I wouldn't know.
10:04I handed over my pickup slip.
10:05The manager paused for a second
10:07and didn't ask anything else.
10:08I picked up my insulated container
10:09and headed out.
10:10As I passed the booth seats
10:11in the hallway,
10:12I heard Tyler's voice
10:13coming from behind the defiation.
10:14Seriously, Nate,
10:15aren't you worried
10:15she's actually going to dump you
10:16for good this time?
10:17She's even called off the wedding.
10:18My steps stopped
10:19for just a moment.
10:20Nate's voice,
10:21lazy and unconcerned.
10:22Where's she going to go?
10:23She'll be mad for a few days
10:24and then come crawling
10:25back 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,
10:30but honestly,
10:30you've spoiled her way
10:31so much.
10:31Maddie's syrupy voice cut in.
10:33She's been so spoiled
10:33she actually believes
10:34she's some kind of queen
10:34in this relationship.
10:35Maddie, that mouth of yours
10:36is absolutely no filter.
10:37Tyler let out a whistle.
10:38I'm just telling it like it.
10:39Maddie laughed.
10:40She used to be so good
10:40at playing housekeeper for Nate.
10:41Laundry,
10:42co-caduling appointments,
10:43the whole package.
10:44You really think she's capable
10:44of letting all that go?
10:45A glass clinked against
10:46the marble tabletop
10:47with a crisp sound.
10:48Nate didn't argue.
10:49I stood on the other side
10:50of the division,
10:50insulated container in hand.
10:52I stopped for five seconds.
10:53Then I shoved the container
10:54into the nearest trash can.
10:55I turned and walked
10:56into the subway station.
10:57When I came out of the station,
10:58the cold wind hit my face.
11:00I pulled out my phone.
11:01I blocked Nate's number,
11:02his iMessage,
11:03his Instagram,
11:04his LinkedIn,
11:05all of it.
11:05Back at the apartment,
11:06the movers were already
11:07waiting downstairs.
11:09I led them up.
11:10In the living room,
11:11boxes labeled and sealed
11:12were stacked in neat,
11:13orderly rows.
11:14Ma'am,
11:15do all of these go on the truck?
11:16Anything with yellow tape on it,
11:18take it all.
11:18The workers started
11:19hauling things out.
11:20The apartment emptied,
11:21piece by piece.
11:22On the entryway cabinet,
11:23the matching couple keychains
11:24still sat there.
11:25Two key-shaped metal charms
11:26that fit together,
11:27engraved with our initials.
11:28We'd ordered it the day
11:29we signed the lease
11:30for this apartment.
11:31I pulled the spare key
11:32from my bag
11:32and set it down
11:33on the entryway tray.
11:34Metal hit ceramic
11:35with a soft clink.
11:36I draped my last stretch coat
11:38over my forearm
11:38and turned to leave.
11:39The front door lock turned.
11:41Nate pushed the door open
11:42and walked in.
11:43He was drenched
11:44in the smell of whiskey
11:45and cigars.
11:46In his hand,
11:47he carried a takeout bag
11:48from a high-end
11:48Italian restaurant.
11:49He looked up,
11:50his gaze sweeping across
11:51the mostly empty living room.
11:53His face went dark
11:54in an instant.
11:54What the hell are you doing?
11:56Before the words
11:57were fully out of his mouth,
11:58he hurled the takeout bag at me.
11:59The bag hit my shoulder
12:00and burst open.
12:01Truffle cream pasta sauce
12:02splattered everywhere,
12:03soaking my clothes.
12:04I didn't dodge.
12:06Nate lunged forward
12:08and snatched the trench coat
12:09right off my arm.
12:10Rip.
12:11The fabric tore wide open.
12:13Leave?
12:15Did I say
12:16you could leave?
12:17He flung the ruined coat
12:19to the floor
12:20and glared at me,
12:20his eyes bloodshut.
12:22Are you out of your mind?
12:24Look at this place.
12:26Did you move out
12:27or did we get robbed?
12:28I said nothing.
12:30It made him even angrier.
12:31I went out of my damn way
12:33to pick up your favorite
12:34truffle pasta
12:35and this is what I get?
12:37I looked at him,
12:38my voice quiet.
12:40Nate, I'm tired.
12:41He froze for a second.
12:43His eyes dropped,
12:43taking in the pasta sauce
12:44all over my clothes.
12:45I used to care so much
12:46about keeping my outfit spotless.
12:47Even a single coffee stain
12:48on a cuff
12:49and I'd deal with it immediately.
12:50But now,
12:50I couldn't even be bothered
12:51to grab a napkin
12:52and wipe it off.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes
12:53but it was gone just as fast.
12:54He pointed at the empty
12:55living room and shouted,
12:56Fine, leave!
12:57Get the hell out of Chicago
12:58right now!
12:59The second you walk
12:59out that door today,
13:00even if you crawl back
13:01begging on your knees,
13:01I won't spare you
13:02a single glance!
13:03I didn't argue.
13:04I crouched down
13:04and silently picked up
13:05the torn trench coat
13:06from the floor.
13:07The living room was so quiet
13:08it was suffocating.
13:08Nate went rotted.
13:09He looked like it was
13:10finally starting to sink in
13:11that this time was different
13:12from all the others.
13:12He seemed to calm down.
13:14After a long silence,
13:15he crouched down too,
13:15reaching out as if
13:16to help me pick it up.
13:17The second his hand
13:17touched the fabric,
13:18I pulled the boat away from him.
13:19Harper.
13:19His movement froze midair.
13:21I didn't respond.
13:22He stared at my face
13:23and his voice suddenly dropped.
13:24Are you crying?
13:26I reached up
13:27and touched my cheek.
13:29Tears were actually falling.
13:31I hadn't even noticed.
13:33I used to rarely cry
13:34in front of him.
13:36He once said
13:37he couldn't stand
13:37emotional women.
13:40Back then,
13:41I actually believed him.
13:42Not anymore.
13:43I picked up the carry-on
13:44suitcase at my feet.
13:46Nate stretched an arm
13:47across the doorway,
13:47blocking my path.
13:48You're really leaving?
13:50I met his eyes,
13:51level and steady.
13:54Game over.
13:55His lips moved,
13:57but not a single word
13:58came out.
13:59The room was dead silent.
14:02I pulled the door open.
14:03He didn't try to stop me again.
14:05Behind me came the sound
14:06of something porcelain
14:06shattering against the floor.
14:08Shards of glass
14:08sprayed across the wooden
14:09floorboards of the entryway.
14:11I didn't look back.
14:12I stepped into the elevator
14:13and pressed the button
14:14for the lobby.
14:15Outside,
14:15it was pouring rain.
14:17I opened my umbrella
14:18and climbed into the Uber Black
14:20waiting at the curb.
14:23The moment the door shut,
14:24the driver glanced at me
14:25through the rearview mirror,
14:27his eyes upon the stains
14:28covering my clothes
14:29for a second.
14:30He looked like he wanted
14:32to say something,
14:33but thought better of it.
14:35The Hilton Hotel, please.
14:37The car pulled out
14:38of the apartment complex.
14:39I opened my phone's photo album.
14:42Five years.
14:43Thousands of photos.
14:46The picture I took
14:47the day Nate secured
14:48his first seed round.
14:50Select all.
14:51Delete.
14:52The iOS confirmation box
14:53popped up.
14:54Are you sure you want
14:55to delete these photos?
14:56This action cannot be untuned.
14:58I tapped confirm.
14:59Rain hammered
15:00against the car window outside,
15:02blurring the entire
15:02Chicago nightscape.
15:03Those photos went
15:04into the trash bin.
15:06He and I,
15:07we were done.
15:08A week went by.
15:09Neither of us
15:10contacted the other.
15:11Nate cracked first.
15:12He opened iMessage,
15:13his finger hovering over
15:13the screen for a few seconds
15:14before he typed out a line.
15:16Are you about done now?
15:17Still putting on a show?
15:18Send.
15:18A notification popped up
15:19on the screen.
15:20Not delivered.
15:21The bubble turned green.
15:22His face fell instantly.
15:23He stared at the screen
15:24for a long time
15:24like he couldn't believe
15:25what he was seeing.
15:26And then that expression
15:26on his face,
15:27that look of always having
15:28everything under control,
15:29finally shattered.
15:30The next second,
15:30his iPhone slammed hard
15:31against his office desk.
15:32He yanked at his shirt collar
15:33in irritation
15:34and dialed the bridal boutique
15:35directly.
15:36He probably figured that
15:37since I dared to pull
15:38a stunt like this,
15:39he'd dare to cancel
15:40the fitting.
15:41See who blinked first.
15:42The call connected.
15:43Nate held back his fury,
15:45his voice cold and hard.
15:46This is Nate Foster.
15:47Cancel the fitting this weekend.
15:48Silence on the other end
15:49for a beat.
15:50The sales associate
15:51hesitated before speaking.
15:52Mr. Foster,
15:53Miss Haisley already canceled
15:54the order three days ago.
15:55The penalty fee
15:56has already been paid.
15:57The plane touched down
15:57at Austin-Bergram
15:58International Airport
15:59at three in the afternoon.
16:00David Miller,
16:01the regional director
16:01for the Texas branch,
16:02was waiting for me in person
16:03at the arrivals hall.
16:04He glanced at the single
16:05tuxie carry-on in my hand,
16:06his expression mildly surprised.
16:07Harper,
16:08is that all the luggage you have?
16:09I pulled open the door
16:10of the Chevrolet Suburto
16:11and got in.
16:13I don't need extra baggage.
16:15I can start working immediately.
16:16David smiled
16:17and handed me a thick folder.
16:19This is the pile of messes
16:20this branch has accumulated
16:21over the last six months.
16:23The biggest landmine
16:23is the annual contract renewal
16:25with Apex Global.
16:26I flipped open the folder
16:27and quickly scanned
16:27the dense data and charts.
16:28They're extremely dissatisfied
16:29with our supply chain response times
16:31from last quarter
16:31and are already running
16:32a public tenor
16:33to switch suppliers.
16:34Apex procurement director
16:35had a reputation
16:35in the industry
16:36for being notoriously difficult.
16:37Back in Chicago,
16:38I chewed up and spit out
16:39more than a few of these
16:39hard-to-crack B2B clients
16:41for Nate's company.
16:42I knew the pain points
16:42of these Silicon Valley styles
16:43executives inside and out.
16:46Take me directly
16:47to Apex headquarters.
16:48I closed the file
16:49and looked up at the driver.
16:51David froze.
16:52Right now,
16:53you don't want to go
16:53to the hotel first,
16:54shake off the jet lags,
16:55take a shower?
16:56I looked out the window
16:57at the blazing,
16:58harsh,
16:58hesh Texas sun.
16:59Winning clients
17:00doesn't wait for anyone.
17:01Half an hour later,
17:02I stood in the office
17:03of Apex Global's
17:04procurement director.
17:05The guy's name
17:05was Rick Henderson,
17:06mid-50s,
17:07wearing the signature
17:07Patagononia fleas vest,
17:09the classic middle-aged
17:09tech exec.
17:10He leaned back
17:10in his Herman Miller
17:11ergonomic chair
17:12and didn't even
17:12give me a proper look.
17:13Your company's
17:14got a sense of humor.
17:15Sending a girl
17:16who's not even as old
17:16as my daughter
17:17to negotiate
17:18an eight-figure contract?
17:19I didn't let his age
17:20or gender pressure phase me.
17:21I slapped the restructured
17:22proposal directly
17:22onto his mahogany desk.
17:23Mr. Henderson,
17:24age has no direct correlation
17:25with professional competence.
17:27This quote is
17:27three percentage points
17:28lower than your
17:28current alternative suppliers
17:30and we're committing
17:30to cutting the after-sales
17:31SLA response time in half.
17:33Rick sat up straight
17:34immediately and picked
17:35up the proposal.
17:35That dismissive look
17:36on his face
17:37visibly retracted.
17:38What makes you so confident
17:39you can deliver
17:40on these promises?
17:41I met his scrutiny
17:42without flinching.
17:43Five years at
17:44Chicago headquarters
17:45with a zero failure
17:46project delivery record.
17:47If we don't hit
17:47the committed KPIs,
17:49you can deduct the penalty
17:49directly from my annual bonus.
17:51Rick stared at me
17:52for a solid minute
17:54then he suddenly
17:55threw his head back
17:56and laughed.
17:58Bold.
17:59Got a bit of that
18:00Texas spirit.
18:01You've got the deal.
18:02Walking out of
18:02Apex's glass tower,
18:04David looked at me
18:04with a completely
18:05changed expression.
18:06Harper,
18:07you're incredible.
18:08I rubbed my neck,
18:09sore from staring
18:10at documents for too long.
18:11David,
18:12this is just the beginning.
18:14At ten at night,
18:15I got back to the
18:16extended stay suite
18:17the company had arranged.
18:19After a shower,
18:20I sat on the bed
18:21and stared at the
18:22spare phone
18:23for a few seconds.
18:24Then I picked it up
18:25and turned it on.
18:26The screen flooded
18:27with over a Doven
18:28voice message
18:29from my former colleague,
18:30Sarah.
18:31I tapped the first one.
18:33Sarah's voice
18:33was barely containing
18:35the excitement
18:35of someone loving the drama.
18:36Oh my god, Harper,
18:38your exit was way too cool.
18:41Nate stormed into
18:42our office this afternoon
18:43like a maniac
18:44looking for you.
18:45I've completely bloodshot.
18:47He grabbed the HR director
18:48by the collar
18:49and demanded
18:49Anna to know
18:50where you went.
18:51I listened expressionlessly
18:52while towel drying my hair.
18:55Sarah sent another one.
18:58HR told him
18:59you transfer to Austin
19:00and he flipped
19:01the receptionist's
19:02iMac off the desk
19:03on the spot.
19:04Then Maddie ran over
19:05to pull him back
19:06using that deliberately
19:07high-pitched voice
19:08going,
19:09Nate.
19:10And guess what?
19:11Nate turned around
19:12and slapped her
19:13right across the face!
19:15My hand paused
19:15mid-motion with the towel.
19:17Nate hit Maddie.
19:18That was new.
19:20Sarah immediately
19:21followed up
19:21with a secretly
19:22recorded video.
19:23I tapped play.
19:24In the footage,
19:25Nate's eyes were blood red
19:26as he pointed at Maddie
19:27and tore into her.
19:29Are you satisfied now?
19:30You had to use
19:31those low-dirty tactics
19:32to push her away?
19:34Is that what it took
19:35for you to be happy?
19:36Maddie clutched her face,
19:37sobbing.
19:38Her eyeliner
19:38completely smeared
19:39and one of her false lashes
19:40hanging half off her eyelid.
19:41Nate, you were the one
19:42who said she was just
19:42throwing a fit.
19:43Why are you yelling at me?
19:44Nate kicked over
19:45a stainless steel recycling
19:46vis beside him.
19:47Get the hell out!
19:48The video ended there.
19:49I casually tossed
19:50the phone onto the bed
19:50and kept drying my hair.
19:52His regret now
19:52was way too late.
19:53It was worth less
19:54than week-old takeout.
19:55He was losing his mind
19:56now purely because
19:56he'd realized
19:57he was missing someone
19:58who worked 365 days a year
20:00always on call,
20:01someone who took care
20:01of everything for him.
20:02It was absolutely not
20:04because he loved me.
20:05I knew men like him
20:05way too well.
20:06The phone suddenly
20:07vibrated violently.
20:08An unfamiliar Chicago
20:09area code flashed
20:10on the screen.
20:11My gut told me
20:11it was him.
20:12I hit decline
20:13without hesitation.
20:14The caller didn't let up.
20:15After a dozen calls
20:16in a row,
20:16I finally picked up.
20:18Harper,
20:18you finally answered!
20:19Nate's voice was
20:20russie, rough,
20:21thick with exhaustion
20:21and the steel residue
20:22of a hangover.
20:23How long are you
20:23going to keep this up?
20:24The bridal shop said
20:25you canceled the order
20:26completely.
20:27Do you have any idea
20:27how I felt
20:28when I got that message?
20:30I let out a cold laugh.
20:32The penalty fee
20:32was charged
20:33to my own credit card.
20:34What does it have
20:34to do with you?
20:36Nate's breath caught.
20:37It's not about the money.
20:39You ran off to Texas
20:40without a word.
20:41You cleared out
20:42the entire apartment.
20:43What the hell
20:44are you trying to do?
20:45Do I have to buy
20:46a plane ticket right now
20:47and fly down there
20:48to apologize in person?
20:50Is that what it'll take
20:51for you to be satisfied?
20:52I looked at my calm reflection
20:53in the bathroom mirror.
20:55Nate,
20:56do you not understand
20:56plain English?
20:57I told you.
20:59We're done.
21:00Don't call again.
21:01Call one more time
21:02and I'll file
21:03for a restraining order.
21:04I hung up directly
21:05and blocked that number too.
21:07I also turned on
21:08the silence
21:08unknown caller's setting.
21:10I flipped the phone
21:11face down on the bed.
21:12Silence.
21:14My first month in Austin,
21:15I was so busy
21:16I barely had time to breathe.
21:17I single-handedly
21:18pulled the branch's
21:19Q3 performance
21:20up by five percentage points.
21:21The New York headquarters
21:22sent out a company-wide
21:23internal email
21:24commending me.
21:25Friday night,
21:25the department insisted
21:26we had to celebrate.
21:27I chose a top-tier steak
21:29and seafood restaurant
21:29on Congress Avenue
21:30and paid out of pocket
21:31to treat the whole team
21:32to dry-aged Tomahawk steaks.
21:34The mood was at its peak
21:36when I excused myself
21:36to go to the restroom.
21:38Just as I stepped out
21:38of the private dining corridor,
21:40a figure lunged out
21:41from around the corner.
21:42A hand seized my wrist.
21:44The grip was so tight
21:45it felt like it could crush bone.
21:47Harper,
21:48I finally found you.
21:50I looked up
21:51and met a pair
21:51of bloodshot eyes.
21:52It was Nate.
21:53He had lost
21:53a significant amount of weight.
21:55His eyes were sunken,
21:56his jaw covered in messy,
21:57patchy stubble.
21:57The custom shirt
21:58I used to iron wrinkle
21:59feet for him every morning
22:00was now a crumpled mess
22:01sticking to his body,
22:01reeking of long-haul flights
22:02and sour whiskey.
22:03I wrenched my hand free
22:04with force.
22:05Let go!
22:05Nate didn't let go.
22:06He tightened his grip instead.
22:08I won't!
22:09Harler, come back to Chicago with me!
22:11His eyes were red-rimmed,
22:12his voice trembling,
22:13barely able to stink
22:14a full sentence together.
22:15Without you,
22:15there's nothing left at home.
22:16I don't even know
22:17which dry cleaner
22:17to send my clothes to.
22:18My stomach ulcer
22:19flared up three times.
22:20I was on the floor
22:21in the middle of the night,
22:21rolling around in pain,
22:22and there was no one
22:23to drive me to the ER.
22:24I stared at his state
22:25and a wave of nausea
22:26churned in my stomach.
22:28Sir, you've got the wrong person.
22:30Where's your Maddie?
22:31Isn't she the one
22:31who cares about you the most?
22:33Why didn't she make you
22:34that special soup
22:34for your stomach?
22:35The moment Maddie's name
22:36left my mouth,
22:37Nate's face twitched violently.
22:39Don't you dare mention
22:40that idiot to me again!
22:41She drove every single
22:42one of my investors away!
22:43She can't even do
22:44a basic pivot table!
22:45She does nothing
22:46but cause trouble for me!
22:47I looked at him coldly.
22:48And whose fault is all that?
22:50You're the one
22:51who raised that mess.
22:52What did you used
22:53to say about her?
22:54Innocent, full of life,
22:55fun, unlike me,
22:57rigid, boring,
22:58a soulless work 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.
23:05I will never have anything
23:05to do with her again
23:06for 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,
23:13his hands were still shaking.
23:15I said nothing.
23:16I looked at him
23:17like I was looking at a stranger.
23:19Nate, do you really think
23:20that if you just snap your fingers,
23:22I'll come running back
23:23like some 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,
23:33putting distance between us.
23:35You can't live without me?
23:36No.
23:37You just can't live
23:38without someone
23:38to clean up your messes.
23:40People like you,
23:40the only person you've ever loved
23:41is yourself.
23:42Nate stared at me,
23:43his gaze locked on.
23:45That look in his eyes,
23:46like he was the one
23:46who'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,
23:52aren't you?
23:53He suddenly doubled over,
23:54clutching his stomach,
23:55his 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,
24:04call 911.
24:05I'm not a doctor.
24:06I can't fix your stomach.
24:07From the end of the hallway,
24:08someone heard the commotion.
24:09A few of my male colleagues
24:10stepped out of the private room.
24:12Harper, what's going on?
24:13They spotted Nate
24:13crowed on the floor
24:14and immediately positioned themselves
24:15in 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
24:20arrived quickly
24:21and hauled Nate up.
24:22He thrashed and struggled,
24:23his gaze locked desperately onto me.
24:25The guards dragged Nate
24:25toward the front entrance
24:26without any ceremony.
24:27His almost deranged shouts
24:28echoed through the corridor.
24:29Harper, you're going to regret this!
24:31I raised the crystal wine glass
24:32in my hand.
24:33I didn't look back.
24:34That night,
24:34I had two glasses of Pinot Noir
24:36and went back to the hotel.
24:37I slept more soundly
24:38than I had in months.
24:40The next day,
24:40I was in the office
24:41reviewing the Q4 sales forecast.
24:43The front desk called my extension.
24:44Mrs. Hayes,
24:45there's a woman in the lobby
24:46refusing to leave.
24:47She's insisting on seeing you.
24:48I frowned.
24:49Who is it?
24:50She says her name is Maddie.
24:52I let out a cold laugh.
24:53Some things really are impossible
24:55to shake off.
24:56I took the elevator down.
24:58Maddie's hair was a tangled mess.
24:59She sat on one of the leather couches
25:01in the lobby.
25:01Her makeup completely destroyed.
25:03Mascara smeared all over her face.
25:04A small crowd of employees
25:05had gathered around,
25:06watching the spectacle.
25:07The moment she saw me,
25:08she lunged.
25:09Harper, you bitch!
25:10Look what you did tonight!
25:11Building security
25:12immediately held her back.
25:14She thrashed wildly,
25:15her sharp pink acrylic nails
25:16clawing at the air.
25:18You want to leave?
25:19Fine!
25:20But why did you have to take
25:21all the client accounts with you?
25:22Do you even know
25:23Nate's company is about to file
25:24for bankruptcy protection?
25:26The client's chosen me
25:27because I'm professional.
25:28What does that have to do
25:29with you and Nate?
25:31I paused,
25:32looking at her.
25:33As for the company
25:34going bankrupt,
25:35didn't you cause that yourself?
25:37Getting waste at the investor gala
25:39and single-handedly torputing
25:41a $50 million Series B.
25:43I've got to say,
25:44that's a talent I don't possess.
25:45Someone in the crowd
25:46of watching employees
25:47couldn't hold it in
25:48and laughed out loud instantly.
25:49She fumbled in her
25:50Louis Litton bag
25:51and pulled out
25:52a half-finished latte,
25:53hurling it at me
25:54with all her strength.
25:55I had seen it coming
25:56and sidestepped.
25:57The coffee splashed
25:58all over the security guard's
25:59uniform behind her.
26:01His face darkened.
26:02He wrestled her straight down
26:03onto the lobby floor tiles.
26:04Let me go!
26:05You useless pieces of trash!
26:07Maddie screamed
26:07like a woman possessed.
26:08I walked over
26:09and stood in front of her,
26:10looking down.
26:11Call 911
26:12and report an assault.
26:14Maddie's whole body
26:15went rigid.
26:15You'd call the cops?
26:17Aren't you afraid
26:18Nate will hate you for this?
26:20I looked down at her
26:20and smiled slightly.
26:22Whether he hates me or not,
26:23what does that have to do
26:24with me?
26:25Patrol officers
26:26from the Austin Police Department
26:27arrived on the scene quickly.
26:29They handcuffed Maddie
26:30on charges of assault
26:31and criminal trespass
26:32and hauled her
26:33into the back
26:34of a squad car.
26:35Calm returned to the lobby.
26:36I smoothed out my sleeve
26:37and stepped back
26:38into the elevator,
26:39heading up to my office
26:40to get back to my reports.
26:41After that whole farce
26:42was over,
26:43Tyler called me.
26:44Harper,
26:45you went way too far
26:46with this.
26:47It's Miss Hayes to you.
26:49Or Harper,
26:50since we're not exactly
26:51friends anymore.
26:52Tyler let out
26:53an awkward laugh.
26:54Fine, Harper.
26:55Nate is completely
26:56finished this time.
26:57The company's bank accounts
26:58are frozen.
26:58All his partners bail.
26:59To cover the gaps
27:00in his taxes,
27:00he sold that condo
27:01in Lincoln Hall.
27:01My grip on the pen
27:02didn't falter.
27:03The nib didn't pause
27:04on the paper
27:04for even a second.
27:05That property
27:06was under his name.
27:07Whether he sells it
27:08or not has nothing
27:08to do with me.
27:10Tyler was silent
27:11for a moment.
27:13Maddie got locked up
27:14in county jail.
27:14You were the one
27:15who called the cops?
27:16It was me.
27:17Nate went to the station.
27:19I raised an eyebrow.
27:21To post bail for her?
27:22No.
27:23There was an unmistakable
27:24note of sarcasm
27:25in Tyler's voice.
27:26He went to the station
27:27and right in front
27:28of the cops
27:29nearly strangled
27:30Maddie to death.
27:31My hand stopped
27:32for a second.
27:33Has he lost his mind?
27:35Pretty much.
27:36He found out Maddie
27:37not only torched
27:38the funding round
27:38but also secretly
27:39leaked the company's
27:40core pricing model
27:41to a competitor.
27:42They paid her
27:4250 grand in kickbacks.
27:44Nate is now
27:44completely and utterly broke.
27:46I leaned back
27:47in my chair
27:47and looked out the window
27:48at the clear
27:49boundless Texas sky.
27:50He brought this
27:51all on himself.
27:52Tyler tested
27:52the waters cautiously.
27:54Harper,
27:54we were all friends once.
27:56Nate's at the point
27:57where he can barely
27:57make rent.
27:58Do you think
27:58you could maybe...
27:59No.
28:00I cut him off flatly.
28:02Tyler,
28:02didn't you used to say
28:03in your little bro group chats
28:04that I wasn't good enough
28:05for Nate?
28:05That I was just a gold digger
28:07trying to climb
28:07the social ladder?
28:09And now you're coming
28:10to beg me on his behalf?
28:12Silence on Tyler's end.
28:13I hung up the phone.
28:14The months that followed,
28:16I threw every ounce
28:17of my energy into work.
28:18The Texas branch's performance
28:20left every other branch
28:21in the Southwest region
28:22in the dust.
28:23I used one solid
28:24earnings report
28:24after another
28:25to shut up
28:26every single one
28:26of the old men
28:27at headquarters
28:28who had doubted me.
28:29By the end of the year,
28:30David was called back
28:30to New York HQ
28:31and promoted to VP.
28:33I officially took over
28:34as general manager
28:35for the Texas region.
28:37The night of the
28:37annual awards gala,
28:39I drank quite a bit
28:40of champagne
28:40when I stepped out
28:41of the hotel entrance.
28:43The night breeze hit me
28:43and I sobered up a lot.
28:45Parked on the curb
28:45was a beat-up
28:46white Ford Transys cargo van,
28:48its body covered in scratches
28:49and splattered mud.
28:50A man was crouched beside it,
28:51struggling to unload
28:52a case of Evian water.
28:53He wore a filthy work jacket
28:54with the faded logo
28:55of some local water delivery company
28:56printed on the back.
28:57His back was hunched.
28:58One of the cases slipped
28:59and slammed down hard
29:00onto his steel-toed boots.
29:01He cried out in pain
29:02and collapsed onto the ground.
29:04The streetlight perfectly
29:05illuminated his profile.
29:06It was Nate.
29:07The same Silicon Valley CEO
29:09who once wore nothing
29:10but custom suits
29:11and couldn't go five minutes
29:12without mentioning
29:12valuations and exit strategies.
29:14Now he was reduced
29:15to hauling water
29:16for a delivery company,
29:17earning cash paid out
29:18by the day.
29:19I stood on the steps
29:20and watched quietly
29:21for a moment.
29:21He seemed to sense something.
29:23His head whipped around.
29:24The second his eyes met mine,
29:26his whole body
29:27went completely stiff.
29:28He frantically tried
29:29to wipe his face
29:30with a hand covered
29:31in engine grease.
29:32It only made the smotches worse.
29:34He struggled to stand up,
29:35desperate to hide
29:36behind the van.
29:37I walked down the steps
29:38one by one
29:38in my high heels.
29:40I stopped in front of him.
29:42Nate.
29:43His entire body shuddered.
29:45His head dropped so low
29:46it nearly touched his chest.
29:48Miss, Miss Hayes.
29:50He couldn't even bring himself
29:51to say my first name anymore.
29:53I looked at what he had become.
29:54I felt nothing.
29:55I heard your company went under.
29:57He bit down hard
29:58on his cracked, dried lips.
30:01Tears fell onto the concrete.
30:03Yes.
30:04And Maddie?
30:05I asked casually.
30:07She took that kickback
30:08and ran off to Los Angeles.
30:09Then some crypto scammer
30:11conned her out of every last cent.
30:12Now she's washing dishes
30:14in the back kitchen
30:15of a strip club
30:16on Hollywood Boulevard.
30:17His voice was rough
30:18as sandpaper.
30:19I nodded once.
30:21Suits her perfectly.
30:22Nate suddenly lifted his head.
30:23His blood-wrush eyes
30:24fixed on me.
30:25Harper, I deserved all of this.
30:26I dream about you
30:27every single night.
30:28You're in the kitchen
30:28frying eggs,
30:29helping me tie my tie.
30:30I regret everything.
30:31He suddenly dropped
30:32to his knees on the ground
30:33and reached out
30:33as if to grab the hem
30:34of my trench 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,
30:39dodging his filthy hands.
30:41Nate, the way you look right now,
30:42it's just pathetic.
30:43He froze completely.
30:44No more struggling.
30:45No more excuses.
30:46He just looked at me
30:47like the life
30:48had been drained out of him.
30:49You weren't like this before.
30:50You used to feel bad
30:51whenever you saw me working late.
30:52Yeah.
30:53I used to be blind.
30:54But you took everything I did
30:55and treated it
30:56like it was just your due.
30:57Just so you could protect
30:58that pathetic little ego of yours
30:59in front of your so-called friends,
31:00in front of Maddie,
31:01you trampled my dignity
31:02into the ground.
31:03And now,
31:04now that you have
31:04absolutely nothing left,
31:06you finally remember me.
31:07Don't you find
31:08this whole act
31:09just disgusting?
31:10He buried his face
31:11in his hands
31:12in agony.
31:12A low,
31:13animal-like sound
31:14of anguish
31:14tore from his throat.
31:16I turned and walked
31:17toward the Uber Black
31:17waiting at the curb.
31:19The driver in white gloves
31:20opened the car door for me.
31:21I got in.
31:23I didn't look back.
31:24Not once.
31:27The car pulled away,
31:29leaving the figure
31:30kneeling on the roadside
31:31far,
31:31far behind
31:32in the rear view mirror.
31:34Two years later,
31:36I represented the Southwest region
31:38at the National Supply Chain Summit
31:39back in Chicago.
31:41After the conference,
31:42our business partners
31:42invited me to dinner
31:43at a newly opened
31:44rooftop restaurant downtown.
31:46The restaurant's location
31:47was close to the lakefront spot
31:48where Nate had proposed
31:50all those years ago.
31:51The same place where he,
31:52surrounded by Maddie and Tyler,
31:54had mocked me to my face.
31:56I walked into the restaurant
31:57in a sharply tailored
31:58Tom Brownie professional suit,
32:00my stilettos
32:01clicking against the floor.
32:03The Merida led us
32:04into the VIP private room.
32:06Midway through the meal,
32:08one of the partners
32:09accidentally
32:10knocked over a glass
32:11of Cabernet Sauvignon.
32:12I pressed the service bell.
32:14The door to the private room
32:16opened gently.
32:17A man in a server's vest
32:18walked in quickly,
32:19head down,
32:20carrying a cleaning cloth.
32:21He crouched to the floor
32:22and started wiping up
32:23the spilled red wine.
32:24The partner slid a contract
32:25renewable across the table to me.
32:27Miss Hayes,
32:28please review the terms again.
32:29If everything looks good,
32:30we can sign right now.
32:31I took the Monbonic fountain pen
32:33and signed my name
32:34on the signature line.
32:35Pleasure doing business with you.
32:38The server scrubbing
32:39the wine stain on the floor
32:40suddenly froze mid-motion.
32:42He slowly lifted his head.
32:45The cloth dropped
32:47from his hand
32:47onto the carpet.
32:49It was Tyler.
32:50He had bloated up significantly
32:52compared to two years ago.
32:53His face was greasy and slick,
32:54his eyes darting away.
32:55I was mildly surprised
32:56but regained my composure quickly.
32:57Do you know him, Miss Hayes?
32:59The business partner
32:59followed my gaze
33:00and frowned slightly.
33:01I picked up my sparkling water
33:02and took a sip.
33:03I don't.
33:04Tyler's face instantly flushed
33:05a deep red.
33:05He snatched the cloth off the floor
33:06and bolted out of the private room
33:07without looking back.
33:08Later, I heard from old contacts
33:09in Chicago that the Tyler family trust
33:10had run into major problems.
33:12All the assets under his father's name
33:13had been frozen.
33:14All those friends who used to club hop
33:15and race sports cars with him
33:16disappeared overnight.
33:16He found a minimum wage job
33:17at a restaurant on Indeed,
33:18barely scraping by
33:19to make the minimum payments
33:20on his credit cards.
33:20The day my business trip ended,
33:22it rained in Chicago.
33:23On the way to O'Hale International Airport,
33:25we passed through
33:25the old Lincoln Park neighborhood.
33:27The driver asked if I wanted to pull over
33:28for a moment to grab a coffee.
33:30I shook my head.
33:31No thanks.
33:32Straight to the airport.
33:32That apartment was someone else's home now.
33:34Everything inside it,
33:36along with all those
33:36sealed cardboard boxes,
33:38had been thrown away by me long ago.
33:40A push notification
33:40from a Chicago local news app
33:41popped up on my phone.
33:43Former tech founder Nate F.
33:44arrested on aggravated assault charges
33:45following street brawl
33:46with Amazon Flex driver
33:47over delivery route dispute.
33:48The attached photo
33:49was a shot of Nate from behind,
33:50his hands accucked,
33:51being pressed face down
33:51against the hood of a police cruiser.
33:53I swiped the notification away,
33:55closed my eyes,
33:56and leaned back into my seat.
33:57The plane climbed through thick clouds
33:59and broke through to 10,000 meters.
34:01Blinding sunlight filled the windows.
34:03After returning to Austin,
34:05I went straight to the title transfer center.
34:07Using the performance bonuses
34:08and stock options
34:09I'd accumulated over the past two years,
34:11I bought a sprawling penthouse
34:13in the city center
34:14overlooking Lady Baird Lake.
34:16The day I got the keys,
34:17I invited the entire office over
34:19for a housewarming party.
34:20Everyone filled the spacious living room,
34:22drinking local craft beer
34:23with country music playing.
34:25The balcony was lined
34:26with my favorite white roses.
34:28I stood by the Florida Cleese windows
34:30with a glass of Cabernet,
34:31gazing out at the light
34:32stretching across the city below.
34:34The night breeze drifted in,
34:36carrying the scent of the lake.
34:38I once believed I couldn't survive
34:40without all those some days.
34:42I found out later that I could.
34:44Because what every person can truly rely on
34:46has never been someone else's promises.
34:48The money I earn myself,
34:50it's what's inside my head
34:51that no one can ever take away.
34:53I raised my glass,
34:55gently clinking it
34:56against my own reflection in the window.
34:58Harper, here's to the future.
35:01Outside, the lights of Lady Baird Lake
35:03shimmered like a sea of stars.
35:06The red wine went down.
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