- 2 days ago
He Pretended to Be Broke for Five Years
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I spent five years working myself to death for a man who was never poor.
00:03He said his family owed $200,000.
00:06I believed him.
00:07I gave him $130,600 every cent I earned from for jobs.
00:11While I ate scraps and wore rags, he spent $240,000 in one day on his mistress.
00:16When I found out I didn't scream or cry, I posted one video.
00:20Within hours, the internet exposed Himaldwin Gilbert, heir to a real estate empire.
00:25His family disowned him, his company's stock crashed, and he lost everything.
00:30I was scrolling through side gigs, trying to scrape together enough cash for our train tickets home for Christmas,
00:35when I came across a live stream doing a massive giveaway.
00:39On screen, a girl in a silk nightgown rested her chin lazily in her palm.
00:43Behind her loomed a massive, expensive villa.
00:46Being stuck here is so boring.
00:49My sugar dad gives me way more money than I can spend.
00:53So help me get rid of some of it.
00:56My fingers flew across the glass as I snagged several large cash drops.
01:00Just when I was close to having enough for the tickets, the girl leaned in toward the camera.
01:05He's always telling me the mole under my eye looks just like his girlfriend's.
01:10What rotten luck sharing a mark with some broke girl.
01:16My fingers froze.
01:18I had a mole in that exact spot.
01:20A comment floated up in the chat.
01:22How can your sugar daddy's girlfriend be broke?
01:24The girl scoffed as she touched up her makeup.
01:27He's just playing her.
01:29He told her he's buried in debt, and she's naive enough to work ex-jobs to help him pay it
01:34off.
01:35My heart sank.
01:36My boyfriend, Aldwin Gilbert, was exactly $200,000 in debt.
01:40She continued.
01:42When he left, I asked if he'd have any energy left for her.
01:46He said he just has to tell her he's doing hard labor at a construction site.
01:50And that idiot will feel so bad for him.
01:54She'll go work all night without a second thought.
01:57Another large cash gift popped up.
01:59I finally had enough for the tickets.
02:01Just then, my phone rang.
02:05It was Aldwin.
02:06He sounded exhausted.
02:08Bernice, I don't have enough for the tickets.
02:10I only made about 40 bucks hauling steel.
02:13I'm coming home now.
02:15It was one in the morning, and he just finished hauling steel?
02:18My hand nearly lost its grip on the phone.
02:20Was Aldwin the sugar daddy from the stream?
02:22When I didn't reply, Aldwin's voice went up a bit.
02:25Why aren't you saying anything?
02:27You okay?
02:28My throat felt raw and scratchy.
02:31Which construction site?
02:33Why did it go so late?
02:35It's just out near the suburbs.
02:38Maybe out of guilt.
02:39He started speaking faster.
02:41I'll be home soon.
02:42I'm transferring the money to you now.
02:44The call ended, but the live stream didn't.
02:49Mr. Rich just wired me another $200,000 to buy the newest lingerie collection.
02:54The girl giggled.
02:55He has zero concept of money.
02:57This set is $40,000 tops.
03:01Ugh, this is annoying.
03:03Now I have an extra $160,000.
03:06I'll just give it all to you guys.
03:08Huge cash gifts flooded the screen, one after another.
03:11I tapped the screen without thinking, my mind blank.
03:14My balance climbed.
03:16From $100 to $500, then $6, then $8.
03:18Since meeting Aldwin, I had managed every cent of our wages and side gigs.
03:23Every time I saved $400, I handed it to him to pay down the debt.
03:27Leaving only enough for rent and food.
03:29$800 in spare cash was something I would never have dared imagine.
03:35My phone buzzed.
03:36Aldwin had transferred $41 to me.
03:39The memo read,
03:40Work pay.
03:41My hand shook as I locked the screen.
03:43The dark glass reflected my pale face.
03:46And the small, light brown mole under my right eye stood out clearly against my skin.
03:50Thirty minutes later, Aldwin came home.
03:53He was wearing the same gray work clothes he'd left in three days ago.
03:57His pant legs splattered with mud.
03:59He pulled a bag from inside his jacket.
04:02Bernie, I saved two bucks to buy roast potatoes.
04:05Eat them while they're hot.
04:08Since we started dating, he always tried to work hard in the winter to buy me roast potatoes.
04:13They were my favorite.
04:15I used to feel guilty about the cost and the effort.
04:17But today, when I took a bite, it lodged in my throat.
04:21He smiled and leaned closer, waiting for me to feed him a piece.
04:25But I remained motionless.
04:26Is the construction site far?
04:28I asked.
04:29I'll go with you next time.
04:31His smile stiffened.
04:32It's dirty and chaotic.
04:34It's not safe for a girl to be there.
04:36I'm gonna go shower.
04:38I'm covered in dust.
04:39Shower.
04:40Before the streamer went offline, her last words had been,
04:44We agreed to video chat while he showers.
04:48Less than five minutes later, she posted an update.
04:51The photo showed a man's abs glistening with water.
04:54His face wasn't visible.
04:56But the tiles in the background were definitely from our bathroom.
04:58The storage basket held the cheap shampoo and soap I had bought.
05:02It was really Aldrin.
05:04It was really Aldrin.
05:31The sound of running water continued.
05:32A second later, the bathroom door opened.
05:35Aldrin rushed out in his sweats.
05:38Bernie, there's an emergency at the company.
05:40I have to go.
05:41My entire body went rigid.
05:43I grabbed his hand and asked.
05:45Aldrin, can I go with you?
05:47His back stiffened, and he gently pushed my hand away.
05:50Don't.
05:51It's freezing out there.
05:52I refused to let go, grabbing him again.
05:54My eyes were fixed on the red mark on his collarbone.
05:57What happened to your neck?
05:59I asked, my voice trembling.
06:01He glanced down, and his eye twitched.
06:03Probably scraped it while carrying steel rods.
06:05I have to go.
06:07Get some sleep.
06:08My knees went weak.
06:11I flashed back to the live stream.
06:13A viewer had commented, asking if the diamond necklace was a gift from her sugar daddy.
06:18She had laughed playfully, looking very proud of herself.
06:22No.
06:23He broke my old one while we were having sex.
06:26He got a little too excited.
06:29So he bought this to replace it, but I got him back.
06:33I gave him a hickey right here, and I sucked really hard.
06:38She had pointed right at her collarbone.
06:40Aldrin left.
06:41I stood alone in the entryway, rubbing my fingertips together until the skin felt raw.
06:46It had been so long, and I was only just realizing it now.
06:49His fingers were smooth.
06:51No rough skin at all.
06:53Those weren't the hands of someone who worked on a construction site year-round.
06:58At three in the morning, Olivia posted an update.
07:01Told you Mr. Rich loves me, didn't I?
07:03In the photo, she was curled up against a man's chest.
07:06The man's face was covered by a sticker.
07:09But I had bought those pajamas.
07:11I had watched him put them on before he walked out the door.
07:13Biting my lip hard, I zoomed in.
07:16Olivia was wearing an oversized men's white shirt.
07:19The initials of G were on the pocket.
07:21I had sewn them there myself last year as a birthday gift for Aldrin.
07:25He had acted like it was some precious treasure when he got it.
07:28Insisting he wouldn't wear it until the day we got married.
07:31Instead, he gave it to her.
07:35I stayed awake until dawn.
07:37Then went to work feeling completely numb.
07:40After my shift, I headed to my second job at the coffee shop.
07:42Same as always.
07:44When I finally got home at 11, Aldrin was already back.
07:47Two boxed meals sat on the table.
07:49He had changed into his pajamas.
07:51There was extra food at the site.
07:54I begged the boss for it.
07:56We can save two days worth of grocery money this way.
07:59He said.
08:00I walked silently to the table and stared at the two greasy boxes.
08:03All I could think about was Olivia's post from earlier.
08:06Aldrin had hired a French chef to cook her a fancy lunch at the villa.
08:10I felt sick to my stomach.
08:11I went straight to the bedroom.
08:13I'm tired.
08:15You eat it.
08:18Not long after I lay down, Aldrin hugged me from behind.
08:21His voice low.
08:23Bernice, I'm sorry.
08:24You're going through so much because of my debt.
08:26I mumbled something vague.
08:28Christmas Eve is the day after tomorrow.
08:30He continued.
08:31We don't have enough money for two tickets.
08:33You go back home.
08:34I'll stay here and work.
08:36I opened my eyes and pulled up the app on my phone.
08:38I won a giveaway yesterday.
08:41I saved enough.
08:42We can go home together.
08:44In the glow of the screen, I saw him frown.
08:47A flash of irritation crossed his eyes.
08:49He hadn't expected me to have the money.
08:51I had given him everything I had yesterday morning.
08:54I should have only had the $41 he gave me.
08:57The irritation lasted only a second.
08:59He hugged me tighter, burying his face in my neck.
09:03That's great.
09:04We can go together.
09:05Thank you, Bernice.
09:06He still wouldn't tell the truth.
09:08I locked my phone, and the bedroom went dark.
09:11His fingers brushed against the mole beneath my eye, lingering there gently.
09:16I took the day off just before Christmas Eve without telling him.
09:20Olivia had been complaining about being bored, so her wealthy sugar daddy was taking her shopping.
09:24By the time I got to the mall, a Maybach had just pulled up.
09:27The driver opened the door with great respect, and Aldwin stepped out.
09:31He wasn't wearing his usual gray work clothes.
09:34Instead, he was in a tailored cashmere coat over an expensive suit.
09:38I never would have guessed that the broke boyfriend who left our apartment this morning,
09:43muttering about hard labor at a construction site, was actually the only son of the Gilberts,
09:47the famous New York real estate giants.
09:51I was still in shock when he opened the other door,
09:54and Olivia practically threw herself into his arms.
09:57Aren't you afraid your girlfriend will see you?
09:59She asked.
10:00Aldwin leaned down and kissed her right there in public.
10:03It was a long, deep kiss.
10:05I stood behind a tree not far away, watching my boyfriend kiss another woman.
10:09When he finally pulled away, he kissed her again.
10:12Why would I be afraid?
10:14She's at work.
10:15I wadded her down to the bus myself.
10:17But what if she sees?
10:18If she sees...
10:19Aldwin narrowed his eyes, not caring at all.
10:22Then I'll just pay her back the money she's earned over the years.
10:25Olivia laughed loudly and walked into the mall, clinging to his arm.
10:30I should have followed them.
10:32I should have grabbed him and demanded to know why he had lied.
10:35But after the last two days, I felt nothing.
10:37I just stood there, watching Olivia post updates on her phone.
10:40Mr. Rich took me for a beauty treatment.
10:43He transferred another $200,000 to me.
10:47Someone commented.
10:48Aren't you worried his girlfriend will catch you being so bold?
10:51I wish she would.
10:52She replied.
10:53Mr. Rich said if she finds out, he'll just refund the money she made over the years.
10:58What a loser.
10:59Five years and she only made $130,600.
11:03$130,600.
11:04I didn't realize I had earned exactly that much in five years.
11:08I tried to smile at how crazy it was, but I couldn't.
11:13Two hours later, Olivia posted her daily salary.
11:16$240,000.
11:18I don't remember the trip home.
11:20By the time I came back to reality, I was on the sofa.
11:24Aldwin walked in, back in his gray work clothes, his hair a mess.
11:28Bernith, have you had dinner yet?
11:30He rolled up his sleeves.
11:31I'll heat up the leftovers.
11:34It won't take long.
11:35His tone was exactly the same as always gentle and attentive.
11:38At the table, he even gave me the fried chicken and took the vegetables for himself.
11:43I gripped my fork, my mind racing.
11:45I wanted to ask why he lied about being from my hometown.
11:48Why he pretended to be a poor kid from Texas buried under a family debt.
11:54I had stayed with him since freshman year, all through our struggles in New York.
11:58I lived very cheaply, working for jobs at once, to give him every cent I earned.
12:03I just wanted to pay off his debt so we could get married.
12:06But the reality was that he was a wealthy heir, who spent hundreds of thousands for fun,
12:11while keeping me around like a pet.
12:12Did he ever love me, or was I just a game to him?
12:15Across the table, he took to bites and stopped.
12:18Looking at the cheap food with a disgust, he tried to hide.
12:21I looked him right in the eye.
12:23Aldwin, how much of your family's debt is left?
12:26Aldwin froze, refusing to meet my eyes.
12:29My mom says there's still about...
12:32180,000 left.
12:36I kept my face calm.
12:38Freshman year, you told me the debt was 200,000.
12:41It's been five years.
12:42How is there still 180,000 left?
12:45Realizing he made a mistake, he dropped his fork.
12:47He rushed around the table and crouched in front of me.
12:50I'm sorry, Bernie.
12:52I didn't tell you.
12:54My dad got sick.
12:56Mom had to borrow more to pay for his treatment.
13:00Are you mad?
13:01The debt, it's just too much for me.
13:03He kept apologizing, sounding frustrated with himself.
13:06His fingers gripping my wrist.
13:08And yet, this was the same hand.
13:11That had just dropped over $200,000 at the mall.
13:14Strictly to cheer up another girl.
13:16I blinked, forcing the tears back.
13:19I'm not mad, I said.
13:20Let's have our parents meet when we go home this time.
13:23We should get married.
13:24We can pay off debt slowly, together, after the wedding, I said.
13:30His fingers trembled, his palms sweaty and cold.
13:33He looked straight at me.
13:35I had loved him for five years.
13:36But in that moment, I couldn't read him at all.
13:39I couldn't tell if he was annoyed or actually angry.
13:44A few seconds passed before he pulled himself together.
13:47Okay.
13:48We'll talk about the wedding when we get home for Christmas.
13:51I promise I'll work hard.
13:52And make sure you never have to struggle again.
13:55He sounded so sincere.
13:56But I wondered how many lies were hidden under those honest words.
14:00I squeezed his hand back and nodded.
14:02I thought to myself.
14:04Aldwin, this is it.
14:05This is the last chance I'm giving you.
14:07Our train was at four o'clock on Christmas Eve.
14:10We dragged our suitcases onto the bus heading to the station.
14:13The whole ride, Aldwin kept texting, frowning at every message.
14:17I pretended not to notice, turning away to pull up Olivia's profile on my phone.
14:22That broke bitch actually tried to steal my man.
14:25Shameless.
14:26Just wait.
14:27We'll see who actually matters to him.
14:29Me or you.
14:33Aldwin's messages were coming faster now.
14:35He was fidgeting, unable to sit still.
14:38As the bus pulled up to a stop, he shot up from his seat.
14:42Bernie, a friend got hurt at the construction site.
14:45I have to go.
14:46You go home first.
14:47I stood up too.
14:48I'll come with you.
14:49I can help.
14:50No!
14:50His reaction was sharp.
14:52He looked awkward for a split second.
14:54The doors opened, and he stepped off without hesitating.
14:57Go home.
14:58Be safe.
14:59He hailed a taxi and took off in the opposite direction.
15:04The bus continued toward the train station.
15:06I sank down into my seat, staring straight ahead.
15:09Olivia won.
15:11She was the one who mattered.
15:12Tears rolled down my face.
15:14I opened my camera, recorded myself crying, and then edited every photo of us from the last
15:19five years into a single video.
15:20I've been with my boyfriend for five years, working four jobs to pay off his family's
15:26debt, and it just keeps growing.
15:27We were supposed to go home for Christmas, but he left for an accident at work.
15:32I don't know if the debt will ever be paid.
15:34It's so hard just trying to survive.
15:37As the train pulled away, I tapped post.
15:41Aldwin spent the entire drive yelling at the driver to go faster.
15:45But when he finally burst into the villa, the woman who had threatened to hurt herself
15:49was sitting calmly at her makeup table, live streaming.
15:52She spotted him, winked, and looked very proud of herself.
15:56See?
15:56Told you.
15:58Without thinking, he stepped out of the camera's frame, his chest heaving.
16:02What the hell?
16:03You said you were...
16:05Olivia had blown up his phone with dozens of texts, claiming that being stuck inside
16:09was driving her insane, and she was ready to end it all.
16:12Yet here she was, with a full face of makeup, looking nothing like a woman who was close
16:17to dying.
16:20Olivia leaned back and laughed hard.
16:23She muted her mic and winked again.
16:25Some people said, I couldn't land a man for Christmas Eve.
16:29Had to prove them wrong.
16:31She reached out to pull him into the frame, but Aldwin slammed her phone face down on the
16:35table.
16:35I told you, no face.
16:37If my girlfriend sees this...
16:39I thought you didn't care?
16:40Didn't you say if she found out you'd just pay her back?
16:43Aldwin's expression hardened.
16:45It was one thing for him to say it, but hearing it coming from someone else was different.
16:50Olivia sensed the mood shift, and realized she'd overstepped, gritting her teeth in annoyance.
16:55When she spoke again, her voice was soft.
16:58She wrapped her arms around his waist.
17:00Oh, come on.
17:02I just meant she's taking the train home for Christmas today.
17:07And you didn't want to go anyway.
17:09I'm helping you out.
17:13Were you really going to go?
17:15What about your parents?
17:17Aren't you going to your family's Christmas gathering?
17:19She made a valid point.
17:21He'd been torn about it.
17:22If he went with Bernadette, how would he explain missing his own family's gathering?
17:27And how would he explain to Bernadette that his parents weren't actually in Texas?
17:31He'd told so many lies over the years.
17:33It always took a dozen new ones just to cover the first.
17:36Olivia's method was extreme, but it had solved his immediate problem.
17:40Aldwin's expression softened.
17:43Yeah.
17:43Seeing an opening, Olivia nuzzled her cheek against his stomach.
17:47Okay then, since you're here, just stream with me for a bit.
17:51You don't have to show your face, just your body.
17:55Whenever she used that tone, Aldwin caved.
17:59Especially when she batted her eyelashes.
18:01That mole under her eye moved with them, looking exactly like mine.
18:04Fine, but just for a little while.
18:06I have to be back with my family by six.
18:08I promise, I won't make you late.
18:10She set the phone back up, and pointed triumphantly at the torso beside her.
18:15Mr. Rich is here keeping me company.
18:17Stop saying he doesn't love me.
18:19He clearly cares about me a lot.
18:21Aldwin chuckled despite himself and didn't correct her.
18:24Off camera, he sent some messages.
18:26Bernie, are you on the train?
18:28Watch your bag, and check your seat before you get off.
18:33Drink water if you need to.
18:34Don't worry about using the restroom.
18:36Don't worry about me.
18:37My friend is okay.
18:39I got him to the hospital, but I missed the train.
18:41Wasted the ticket, unfortunately.
18:43Just go home and enjoy Christmas.
18:46I'll pick up extra shifts here.
18:48Holiday pays higher.
18:49I'll earn some extra cash so you won't have to work so hard when you get back.
18:52He sent message after message, but got no reply.
18:56Slowly, anxiety set in.
18:57Bernie, are you asleep?
18:58Why aren't you answering?
19:00Be careful on the train.
19:01It's crowded.
19:02Don't talk to strangers.
19:04Bernie?
19:05Still nothing.
19:06Panicked.
19:06He dialed her number.
19:09The line rang once before Olivia nudged him.
19:12Someone's asking a question, Mr. Rich.
19:15What do you do for a living that pays so well?
19:18His phone slid off the table and hit the floor.
19:20He watched the call disconnect.
19:22The nod of panic in his chest tightening.
19:24But Olivia clung to his arm, stopping him from retrieving it.
19:27But we can't tell you that.
19:29His job is top secret.
19:32The comments scrolled by fast.
19:34Now I'm even more curious.
19:36He must be loaded.
19:38Dropping hundreds of thousands like it's nothing.
19:40I can't even imagine that kind of money.
19:43Olivia is so gorgeous.
19:44Her sugar daddy must be really handsome.
19:47Can't we see his face?
19:50Olivia, does he keep you locked in that villa because he's afraid other men will want you?
19:54Or because he's afraid his girlfriend will find out.
19:58Aldwyn saw that last one.
19:59His hand, resting on the table, curled into a fist.
20:03Even without his face visible, the sudden tension in his body was obvious.
20:07Why didn't he let Olivia leave the house?
20:09Because with me, he had to play the part.
20:11Poor, exhausted, pitiful.
20:13He couldn't just eat or buy whatever he wanted.
20:15To keep up the act, he even sent his assistant to construction sites.
20:19To buy cheap fast food for him to bring home.
20:21It was exhausting.
20:23He was the only son of the Gilbert family.
20:25Raised in luxury.
20:26He had never had to deny himself anything.
20:30That was why he found Olivia.
20:32She liked money.
20:34She had a great body.
20:35And most importantly, she had a mole under her eye identical to mine.
20:38He kept her here so she was always available when he arrived.
20:41A place where he could unleash all his desire on her.
20:44No hiding.
20:45No pretending his family was $200,000 in debt.
20:48When his bank accounts were actually overflowing.
20:51But today, someone had asked if he was afraid his girlfriend would find out.
20:55His composure cracked.
20:57What if I actually found out?
20:58What if I knew?
20:59What if?
21:00Terror mounted in his chest.
21:02His eyes darted across the screen.
21:04And landed on another comment.
21:08Imagine being the girlfriend.
21:10It's pathetic.
21:11She's probably working herself to death to help him pay off his debts.
21:15While he's actually rich and keeping a mistress on the side.
21:19All those years of love wasted on a liar.
21:22He yanked his arm away.
21:23Grabbed his phone.
21:25And fled the room.
21:26The Gilbert family gatherings were always stiff and formal.
21:29Aldwin returned to the Gilbert mansion feeling miserable.
21:31Forcing himself to swallow his drinks and be polite to his older relatives.
21:36Over dinner, someone pointed out that Aldwin wasn't getting any younger.
21:39And asked which heiress he planned to marry and settle down with.
21:42He thought of me.
21:43I wasn't an heiress.
21:45I came from an ordinary family.
21:49Yet, I was willing to marry him even when I believed he was $200,000 in the hole.
21:54But if I found out the truth.
21:55Aldwin gripped his glass and down to large gulps.
21:58Just as his mother, Diane, spoke up.
22:00Children of the Gilbert family must marry into families of equal standing, of course.
22:05Aldo, you've insisted on keeping a low profile.
22:09And haven't attended any public functions for years.
22:12But it's time to be sensible.
22:14The company is hosting several dinners after Christmas.
22:17I expect you to make a good impression.
22:20Eventually, you'll need to start taking the reins.
22:22Once Diane finished, the rest of the table nodded in agreement.
22:26Aldwin just kept his head down.
22:27His mind fixated on the silent phone in his pocket.
22:32Still no reply.
22:34Why?
22:35My ticket said I'd arrive shortly after 8.
22:37And it was already 8.30.
22:39Why hadn't I texted him?
22:40Regret washed over him.
22:42He should have gone with me.
22:43Back in school, he had always used the excuse of being too broke to buy a ticket.
22:48Leaving me to travel home alone every Christmas Eve.
22:51Last time, some guy had harassed me.
22:53Although a conductor stepped in, I had been shaken up and cried for a long time.
22:57Now that I had graduated and was out in the real world, I should have been braver.
23:01But what if I ran into someone like that again?
23:04Panic set in.
23:05Aldwin pulled out his phone, intending to send a few more texts.
23:10But suddenly, the entire table went silent.
23:13A young woman nearby, a relative about his age, had found something on her phone and was
23:17showing it around in shock.
23:19The phone was passed from person to person.
23:21When it reached his parents, his father's expression went dark instantly, and he slammed
23:25his hand on the table.
23:26Alden, look at what you've done.
23:29Diane was furious.
23:30She slapped him across the face and shoved the phone at him.
23:33Aldwin was stunned.
23:35He looked at the screen and immediately saw a familiar face crying into the camera.
23:39It was the number one trending topic, overshadowing everything else on Christmas Eve.
23:46Isn't that Aldwin, the Gilbert family's only son?
23:50I met him when we were negotiating a partnership.
23:52Since when is he a broke kid with $200,000 in debt?
23:55I've seen him too.
23:57He's loaded.
23:58Even his casual clothes cost over $10,000.
24:01So, a rich heir making $200,000 a day.
24:05Is playing poor just trick his girlfriend into working to pay off his fake debt?
24:10What a massive scandal.
24:12Stop crying, Opie.
24:13While you're sobbing about work just to survive.
24:16He's out enjoying a luxury feast.
24:18The phone was snatched away.
24:20Diane shouted.
24:21You have completely disgraced the Gilbert family!
24:26By the time I got home and checked my phone, the video had gone totally viral.
24:31Honestly, it never would have gotten that much attention so fast.
24:34Without the cash giveaway Olivia had attached to it, the comment section was blowing up.
24:38Everyone said the man in the video was Aldwin Gilbert.
24:41It seemed he was some rich heir, and they warned me I'd been scammed.
24:45They were basically begging me to track him down and demand my money back.
24:48Others slid into my demons, telling me not to be scared, and assuring me none of this was my fault.
24:54Gather your evidence.
24:55If he had the nerve to scam you, you'd better have the nerve to get back at him.
24:59I was truly grateful for them, even if I couldn't admit it publicly yet.
25:05That night, while everyone else was out in the yard having fun, I sat in the corner, replying to comments
25:10one by one.
25:11He's a wealthy heir from New York?
25:14That can't be right.
25:15He told me we were from the same hometown, some small place in Texas.
25:19How could he be from New York?
25:20We've known each other for five years, since freshman year.
25:23I've spent the last five years paying off $130, $600 of his debt.
25:28If he really came from money, he wouldn't need that kind of cash, would he?
25:32I attached a photo of our college diplomas right under the comment.
25:36That just riled the internet up even more.
25:38That is Aldwin Gilbert!
25:40Go look at the Gilbert family's official website.
25:42They don't have a photo of the heir, but the bio is there.
25:45He graduated from that exact school!
25:50I'm losing my mind here.
25:52We've laid it all out.
25:53And she still doesn't believe it.
25:55Aldwin must have really manipulated her.
25:58Seeing that I wasn't budging, people in the comments kept piling on the evidence.
26:02They posted screenshots from the website.
26:04And personal accounts from people who knew him.
26:07Even his college roommate showed up.
26:09Is that you, Bernadette?
26:11I can't believe you're still with him.
26:14Aldwin was scamming you from the start.
26:16He used to say he'd never met anyone so gullible.
26:18He told you he couldn't afford food, so you gave him yours.
26:21And you still stayed with him all this time.
26:24Honestly, he doesn't deserve you.
26:26You should break up with him.
26:29I remember when you saved up to buy him barbecue ribs.
26:32He didn't take a single bite.
26:34He fed them to a stray dog and said he'd never eaten anything so disgusting.
26:38My fingers froze over the keyboard.
26:40Before posting the video, I had anticipated that mutual acquaintances might spill some secrets.
26:45But I never expected this.
26:46In college, I skimped on living expenses to pay his debts.
26:49And worked extra shifts just to buy him food.
26:52Only to learn he had fed it to a dog.
26:54So later, when we were living in that rental.
26:56And he kept bringing home cheap fast food from the construction site.
27:00What was he actually thinking?
27:01And what was going through his mind?
27:03When I scavenged discarded vegetable leaves at the market.
27:06To cook him soup just to save a few cents.
27:10I clenched my jaw and typed a reply.
27:12I remember you.
27:13You were his roommate.
27:14But I still don't think he lied to me.
27:16We're actually supposed to go home for Christmas together today.
27:19I've already bought the tickets.
27:20They were expensive though.
27:22Since I used all my money paying off his debts.
27:25I couldn't afford them.
27:26But luckily, while looking for a part-time job.
27:29I found a live stream where the host was giving away money.
27:31I managed to grab some cash gifts that covered the fare.
27:34Thank you to that beautiful streamer.
27:36I attached a screenshot of Olivia's live stream.
27:39That did it.
27:39The video's views instantly doubled.
27:41The internet sleuths were terrifyingly resourceful.
27:44Using the replay of Olivia's live stream.
27:47They identified the arm of her sugar daddy.
27:51Following that clue.
27:52They caught the exact moment Aldwin accidentally walked into the frame.
27:56While heading back to the villa.
27:57That is disgusting.
27:59Aldwin is scamming his girlfriend and keeping a mistress at the same time.
28:03Olivia knows she's the other woman.
28:04And she's still so arrogant about it.
28:07No wonder Alden left so suddenly.
28:08He was in a rush to get back and join his mistress's live stream.
28:11What a piece of trash.
28:13He spends $240,000 on his mistress in one day.
28:17While his girlfriend worked for five years to earn $1,300,600.
28:23Only for him to take it all.
28:25Trending videos from commentary accounts took over the feed.
28:28And Olivia's account was thoroughly dissected by the public.
28:33One video commentary pointed out something I hadn't even realized.
28:37She's thanking this woman for the cash gifts.
28:39That let her buy tickets to take her boyfriend home for Christmas.
28:42But she doesn't realize that money came from her boyfriend in the first place.
28:45Five years of her earnings don't even equal the cost of the lingerie Aldwin bought for Olivia.
28:49Yet she worked herself to the bone.
28:50And gave him her complete devotion.
28:52I liked that video.
28:53Then posted a new status update.
28:55Aldwin.
28:55How could you do this to me?
28:57On Christmas day, I joined my family to visit relatives.
29:00After a whole day of saying Merry Christmas over and over.
29:03And smiling until my face hurt.
29:05I finally got home that evening.
29:07And opened social media to check the news.
29:11My inbox was still exploding.
29:13I scanned the messages.
29:15Thanking the people who sent support.
29:17And ignoring anyone blaming me for being a gold digger.
29:20Olivia's account, meanwhile, was gone.
29:22Wiped clean.
29:23I read on some gossip blogs that she'd been banned.
29:25For violating community guidelines.
29:27Spreading misinformation.
29:29And engaging in harassment.
29:30Aldwin had it worse, though.
29:32As the only son, he was the heir apparent to the Gilbert family business.
29:36Instead, this scandal had tanked the family's reputation.
29:39After getting reamed out by his parents.
29:42He'd been ordered to hold a press conference to do damage control.
29:45It was live streaming right now.
29:48I want to apologize to Bernadette.
29:50I hurt her deeply.
29:51He barely started when I muted him.
29:53And pulled up the live comments.
29:55Drinking water during an apology?
29:57You're obviously reading from a script.
29:59Quit faking it.
30:00You scammed that poor girl and you think a press conference fixes it?
30:04What about the $136,000?
30:06What about the five years she wasted on you?
30:08Typical trust fund baby.
30:10Disgusting.
30:10I'm boycotting anything Gilbert related.
30:13I'm not giving this heir money to cheat on girls and fund his missed races.
30:17I turned the sound back up.
30:19Aldwin was crying.
30:22Bernadette, I really love you.
30:24I was afraid to tell you the truth because I thought you'd leave me if you knew I was lying.
30:29Cheatings with Olivia was a mistake.
30:31I shouldn't have let you struggle while I was out with another woman.
30:35I'm sorry.
30:36I'm so sorry.
30:37I deserve the worst.
30:38I opened the chat box and typed a single comment.
30:41Aldwin, pay me back.
30:42He saw it on the monitor and panicked.
30:45I will.
30:45I'll pay you back ten times over.
30:48Bernie, please answer your phone.
30:50Let me apologize.
30:51In person.
30:52I promise I'll never lie to you again.
30:54I typed again.
30:58Aldwin, I'd prefer it if you actually were that poor guy in debt.
31:01Hauling steel bars at a construction site every day.
31:03Aldwin froze, staring at the camera.
31:06Until someone in the chat pointed it out.
31:08See that?
31:08She wants you to go carry steel bars.
31:11Go do it.
31:12Maybe she'll forgive you then.
31:13If she forgives you, we'll forgive you.
31:15His eyes went wide, suddenly looking hopeful.
31:18Then, just as he was about to speak, the stream cut out.
31:21Some said the Gilbert family pulled the plug, because Aldwin was actually going to go work
31:25in construction.
31:26Others said he was just embarrassed and looking for an out.
31:29That there was no way a rich heir like him would ever do hard labor.
31:35Bernie, I'm gonna go carry steel bars right now.
31:37When you come back, I'll beg for your forgiveness on my knees.
31:40I knew it was Aldwin, but I didn't reply.
31:43And I didn't go back.
31:44I'd already quit my job on Christmas Eve.
31:46I found a new job down in Texas.
31:48A year later, I finally saved up $4,000 from my own paycheck.
31:52So I treated myself to a nice dinner to celebrate.
31:55The funny thing was, my bank account actually had over $1.3 million sitting in it.
32:00Sent directly from Aldwin.
32:01He'd promised to pay me back 10 times over.
32:04And he actually kept his word.
32:06But I just left the money alone to collect interest.
32:08And kept living off my paycheck.
32:12When Christmas Eve rolled around again, I didn't have to scrounge for ticket money.
32:16I just drove myself home for the holidays.
32:19What I didn't expect was finding Aldwin waiting at my front door.
32:22I hadn't laid eyes on him in a year.
32:23His skin was weathered and tanned from the sun.
32:26And his hair was a tangled mess with dirt literally clinging to his scalp.
32:29He had on that same familiar gray work uniform.
32:32Only now it was held together with mismatched patches.
32:34He looked completely destitute.
32:36I frowned, instinctively taking a step back.
32:39Bernie, you wouldn't agree to see me so I came to you.
32:41He said.
32:42He held out a bag of baked potatoes.
32:44Still hot and steaming.
32:45His palms were covered in thick, rough calluses.
32:48I took one look at his hands and backed away again.
32:52Don't be afraid.
32:54He said quickly.
32:55I won't touch you, I promise.
32:56I looked him up and down.
32:58After a long silence, I finally asked.
33:00Did you actually go work on a construction site hauling steel?
33:04Yeah.
33:05Look, this is the money I made from it.
33:07I didn't take a knife from my family.
33:08I earned this myself.
33:10He pulled a crumpled paper bag from his pocket, opening it to show me the stacks of beat-up cash.
33:14Bernie, I can't go into debt for $200,000.
33:17But I'm out there doing manual labor every single day.
33:21My parents think I'm a lost cause now.
33:24They're grooming someone else to take over.
33:26I'm not a rich heir anymore.
33:29Can you...
33:31Can you please forgive me?
33:32For a second, I didn't know what to say.
33:35I'd wanted the guy who lied to me to physically suffer for what he did.
33:38And he'd just spent a whole year doing exactly that hauling heavy steel.
33:41Was it enough?
33:42Standing there covered in dirt was his punishment.
33:45But seeing him actually go through it didn't bring me any satisfaction.
33:47All I felt was grief for my five lost years.
33:50Time that I could never get back.
33:52No matter how much I punished him.
33:56Aldbin, I still don't get why you lied to me.
33:58Why couldn't you just tell the truth?
34:00Did you think I was greedy?
34:02That if I knew you were loaded, I'd just use you for your money?
34:05He shook his head right away.
34:07No.
34:07We met because I joked to my roommate about being too broke to eat.
34:10And you couldn't stand to see that, so you bought me a meal.
34:14Then you just kept bringing me food.
34:16I was terrified that if you knew the truth...
34:18You'd realize you didn't need to take care of me anymore.
34:21I swear I meant to tell you.
34:23But I kept putting it off and suddenly five years were gone.
34:26It was a ridiculous excuse.
34:28And Olivia?
34:29I asked.
34:30What's your excuse for her?
34:32Aldwin dropped his gaze.
34:33Eyes shadowed with regret.
34:35His expression twisted with pain.
34:36There is no excuse.
34:38That was my mistake.
34:39I felt like scraping by and saving every penny with you was too hard.
34:43And I wanted to have some fun on the side.
34:45I've already sued Olivia.
34:46Olivia, she owes about $400,000 now.
34:49Once that clears, I'll give it all to you.
34:51Bernie, I'm so sorry.
34:52I'm a terrible person.
34:54How can I make this right?
34:55I'll do anything if you just forgive me.
34:57Getting worked up, he took a step forward and tried to grab my hand.
35:01I shook my head.
35:02There's no need for that.
35:03He looked devastated.
35:05I told him,
35:06I never said I'd forgive you if you did all this.
35:08You did this on your own.
35:12Aldwin, I am never going to forgive you.
35:15I turned to walk away.
35:16But he called out frantically.
35:18But Bernie, you said you wanted to marry me!
35:20Yeah.
35:21I looked back over my shoulder.
35:22I actually gave you a chance.
35:24If you had just gotten on that train with me, I would have laid everything out on the table.
35:28If you had cut ties with Olivia and promised never to lie to me again.
35:32We would have gotten married.
35:33But you walked away.
35:35You didn't even make it to the train station.
35:37You got right off the bus.
35:38Aldwin, you deserve exactly how this ended.
35:42Night had fallen.
35:43The string lights on the nearby houses flickered on, catching the tears streaming down Aldwin's face.
35:48That was the last time I ever saw him.
35:50I heard later that he completely gave up on himself.
35:53He became a total outcast from the Gilbert family.
35:56Word was, he basically lived at the construction site, taking whatever odd jobs he could find,
36:01and completely ruined his health.
36:03Even though he was so young, none of that mattered to me anymore.
36:06It was just the consequence of his own actions.
36:08As for me, my future was finally free of lies.
36:12And it was going to be bright.
Comments