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Three Years as His, Now I'm Mine - Full (New Drama)
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00:00After hours of sex, At Benjamin finally collapsed onto me, his breathing heavy and racked.
00:06Then he rolled off and headed to the shower.
00:10When he emerged, I was still in bed, unable to move.
00:17Even after all this time, I still could not keep up with his stamina.
00:22Benjamin toweled off his damp hair, then hooked my underwear off the floor and tossed them to me.
00:31Pack your things and move out tomorrow. Don't ever come back.
00:36I froze, asking instinctively.
00:39Why?
00:40He lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with a tenderness and longing I had never seen before.
00:48She's coming back.
00:50I instantly knew who he meant. Emersoni, new senior out. His one true love.
00:57His eyes held a warmth that had never been meant for me.
01:02I could still feel the warmth of his body on my skin, but his words had already turned cold.
01:08I got dressed in silence.
01:11There was nothing left to say.
01:13I had already said too much over three years.
01:19I had been in this arrangement with Benjamin for three years.
01:23It started when I was just his secretary.
01:26After a few drinks at a banquet, we ended up in bed together.
01:30The first time he brought me here, he refused to let me stay the night.
01:35But his desire was unusually intense.
01:38Soon, he began to crave more.
01:42And started letting me stay.
01:45To the rest of the world, I was his most capable assistant, taking care of everything for him.
01:50In private, we were no different from a committed couple.
01:54Whether it was my birthday or a holiday, he would cancel every party just to be alone with me.
02:00I had grown so used to this life that I had started to imagine a future with him.
02:06But now, he told me not to come back anymore.
02:12In the height of passion, he had held me and murmured a name in a delirium.
02:18I only learned the truth later.
02:21It belonged to the one woman he loved but could never have.
02:25I could not stand the smell of smoke.
02:27My throat felt tight and haury.
02:31Is she moving in?
02:33Benjamin's face was blurred behind the smoke, though his voice remained gentle.
02:38She's not like you.
02:40She's not the type of woman who gives herself away so casually.
02:44I am just worried she will get the wrong idea if she sees your things when she visits.
02:50Honestly, she is so pure and innocent, she will not even let me kiss her.
02:56Let alone sleep with her.
02:59I finished the sentence for him in my head, fighting the sting in my eyes.
03:04I got out of bed and be gathering my clothed foes from the floor.
03:10There is no rush.
03:12Can you not stay until tomorrow?
03:18Benjamin walked over and buried his face in the kirk of my neck,
03:21his tone as affectionate as ever.
03:28I want you to make me that pasta again.
03:32My hands froze as I was folding my clothes.
03:35All right.
03:36I will make it for you.
03:39I turned on the stove.
03:41Once the water came to a boil, I dropped in the pasta.
03:47Once it was ready, I drained it, topped it with beef slices I had prepared myself.
03:53As at Benjamin ate, I went back to my packing.
03:58I had lived here for three years, yet everything I owned fit into a single suitcase.
04:05Mostly just my clothes.
04:07I did not take any of the kitchenware or household essentials.
04:11When I wheeled my suitcase into the living room,
04:14Benjamin Yeenan gestured toward the cabinet.
04:16You really liked that dinnerware set, did you not?
04:20I shook my head.
04:23There is no room for it in my suitcase.
04:27I was about to walk out the door when At Benjamin called out to me.
04:31His plate was nearly empty.
04:33He looked down, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
04:38At the office, we will maintain a professional relationship.
04:45But privately, you can still come to me if you ever need anything.
04:49I understood what he was implying.
04:51I simply nodded.
04:55All right.
05:01I dragged my suitcase out, hailed a taxi, and returned to my apartment alone.
05:06It was already two in the morning, far too late to ask anyone for help.
05:10I quickly cleared a small space and lay down.
05:14I was completely exhausted.
05:16I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
05:20But strangely enough, I kept dreaming about the days when I first met Benjamin.
05:26Back then, he was the untouchable head of the Kilbreed group.
05:30And I was just one of his many assistants.
05:37My first real encounter with him happened at a gala.
05:41The executive assistant had an emergency and asked me to fill in to accompany Benjamin.
05:49After several rounds of drinks, a business partner suddenly turned his attention to me.
05:56Mrs. Tildy, refusing to drink with me is a real slap in the face.
06:02I had not yet learned how to navigate situations like that and froze on the spot.
06:08I am sorry.
06:10I am allergic to alcohol.
06:13The man's face darkened.
06:15Instantly.
06:16The entire room went silent.
06:19Trembling.
06:20I picked up the glass, prepared to drain it.
06:23I figured the worst that could happen was a trip to the ER.
06:27But halfway there, a hand stopped me.
06:32Benjamin's profile was partially lost in the shadows.
06:35He gave a faint smile.
06:39Mr. Reggett, why pick on a young lady?
06:42I will take this one for her.
06:45I watched him drink for me that night and thought he was the most impressed man I had ever met.
06:54I stared blankly as At Benj Benjamin finished glass after glass offered to him.
07:00His face flushed and his eyes grew glassy.
07:05I later learned that Benjamin had just taken over the company back then.
07:10Plenty of people were looking for an excuse to push him out.
07:14After that night, I made it my mission to learn how to handle those events.
07:19When the executive assistant jumped ship,
07:23Benjamin promoted me.
07:25I became his personal secretary, managing everything for him.
07:31The night we first slept together, he was completely wasted.
07:35He kept murmuring a name in a delirium, his voice thick with sorrow.
07:41My heart went out to him.
07:43I could not help but reach out and hold him.
07:47Everything just happened naturally after that.
07:50It was not until much later that I realized that day had been Emerson's birthday.
07:56I thought that night meant something.
07:58It did.
07:59Just not the same thing to both of us.
08:02To him, I was a replacement.
08:05To me, he was everything.
08:10The next morning, I was jolted awake early by a call from Benjamin.
08:18Come over and drive me to the airport.
08:22He hung up before I could even get a word in.
08:26I had not slept well.
08:28My pillow was still damp when I woke up.
08:30I rubbed my throbbing temples,
08:33got ready,
08:34and headed out.
08:36On the way, my family called.
08:39My mother's voice was cautious.
08:43Jenny, are you coming home for the holidays this year?
08:47The quiet expectation in her aging voice made my throat tighten.
08:52Mom, I will be home next week.
08:57She sounded like she could not quite believe it.
09:00Really?
09:01For the past three years,
09:03I had spent every holiday at Benjamin's place.
09:06I nodded firmly.
09:11Mom, I am coming home.
09:13After hanging up,
09:15I submitted my resignation through the company portal.
09:18I could hear the hope in my mother's voice.
09:20It had been three years since I last heard it.
09:23I had been so busy being his that I forgot how to be mine.
09:29I climbed into the familiar black Audi.
09:32At Benjamin was already in the back seat.
09:35The car moved smoothly toward the airport.
09:40Not a single word was spoken the entire way.
09:44As we neared the terminal,
09:46his voice drifted from the back.
09:48You left something at my place.
09:50It was the matching sweater I had bought for Valentine's Day that year.
09:54I had worn the women's version.
09:56Benjamin had worn the men's.
09:58We had spent the whole day out together,
10:00acting like a real couple.
10:01For one brief day,
10:03I had had him all to myself.
10:08I took a deep breath.
10:11My voice flat.
10:14Just throw it away.
10:16Benjamin fell silent.
10:18Before long,
10:19he was leading Emerson back to the car.
10:23She was wearing a plush white coat
10:25over a Shilfan dress.
10:27Her eyes were large,
10:28clear,
10:29and utterly captivating.
10:31It was easy to see
10:33why she was the first love
10:34he could never get over.
10:36I watched Emerson walk toward the car,
10:39and I felt nothing.
10:41Not jealousy.
10:43Not anger.
10:45Just a quiet, tired acceptance.
10:53Immersion looped her arm through At Benjamin's
10:56and gave me a playful look.
10:58Jenny.
11:00Would you mind helping me with my bags?
11:04Benjamin acted as if he had not heard a thing.
11:07I shot her a brief glance,
11:09then got out of the car without a word.
11:12I knew women traveled with a lot of gear,
11:15but I had not expected Emerson to show up
11:18with five massive suitcases.
11:20I used every ounce of my strength
11:23to heave them into the trunk.
11:25By the time I was done,
11:27my hands were shaking
11:28and aching.
11:31The moment I got back inside,
11:33the lively chat-it-in-the-back street
11:34stopped instantly.
11:36Benjamin pulled out a pack of cigarettes
11:38and started to take one out.
11:41Then he hesitated
11:42and put it back.
11:51Ben, you still have not quit smoking.
11:57You know how much I hate the smell of smoke.
12:01Benjamin immediately tucked his cigarettes away
12:04and ruffled her hair.
12:10Marco and the guys rented out a place
12:12to celebrate your homecoming.
12:14Do you want to go?
12:16Absolutely.
12:17Emerson nodded.
12:19Then she turned to me with wide eyes.
12:22Jenny!
12:24Why do not you come too?
12:27I pressed my lips together,
12:29ready to decline.
12:31But at Benjamin cut in.
12:33Emmy just got back.
12:35Do not ruin the mood.
12:37In the end,
12:38I went anyway.
12:42The moment we walked in,
12:44at Benjamin's inner circle
12:45crowded around them.
12:47Led by his friend Marco,
12:48the group started teasing them immediately.
12:50The guest of honor is finally back!
12:52All these years you have been gone.
12:54Ben has been like a man possessed!
12:56You are back to get hitched, huh?
12:58When is the big day?
13:00Emerson buried her face shyly
13:02against Benjamin's chest.
13:03He laughed,
13:04playfully scolding them.
13:05When there is good news to share,
13:07you will be the first to know.
13:11The room was full of laughter,
13:13but none of it reached me.
13:15I sat at the edge of the table,
13:17invisible as always.
13:21The two of them were ushered
13:23into the private room
13:24surrounded by the crowd.
13:26When at Marco spotted me trailing behind,
13:29his expression shifted to awkwardness.
13:34Miss, Miss Tilmy,
13:36you are here too?
13:38Come on in, please.
13:43Emerson remained cold
13:45and abrasive towards me
13:47throughout the entire meal.
13:49Marco poured her
13:50a glass of fruit wine with a smile.
13:53Emmy, since it is your first day back,
13:56do me a favor
13:57and have a drink with me.
14:02Do not, you know,
14:05she is allergic to alcohol?
14:08Marco scratched his head,
14:10looking completely confused.
14:13Emerson's face darkened.
14:15I am not allergic to alcohol.
14:19Benjamin froze mid-motion,
14:21his wine glass still raised.
14:25Is that so?
14:27I must have misremembered.
14:29Emerson turned
14:30and noticed the juice in my glass.
14:33Her expression soured further.
14:35Marco did not know
14:37that the allergy
14:37Benjen remembered was mine,
14:39not Emerson's.
14:42Benjamin had confused us.
14:44I was not sure
14:45if that made it better or worse.
14:50Why is Jenny not drinking?
14:53Emerson lifted her glass
14:54and tilted her head.
14:56You are not unhappy
14:58that I am back,
14:59are you?
15:01I glanced at Benjamin.
15:02He was staring straight at me,
15:05his lips parting slightly
15:06as he spoke.
15:07Genevieve Tilley,
15:08just have one drink.
15:09Do not ruin the mood
15:10for everyone.
15:11I took a deep breath,
15:13picked up the glass of red wine,
15:15and had drained it in one go.
15:19The room immediately erupted
15:21into cheers.
15:23Soon,
15:23a rash broke out
15:25all over my body,
15:26spreading in a thick crawl
15:27up at my neck.
15:29Someone spotted it
15:31and gasped in alarm.
15:33Oh my God!
15:34You are having
15:35an allergic reaction!
15:37Benjamin glanced over
15:38indifferently,
15:39his tone ice cold.
15:42She will be fine.
15:44It is not like
15:44she is going to die.
16:01The dinner dragged on.
16:08After a few more rounds,
16:10one of Benjamin's friends sighed.
16:12Ben,
16:12you are as loyal
16:14as they come.
16:16Emi left so suddenly
16:17back then,
16:19and you still waited
16:20three years for her.
16:22Marco,
16:23who was clearly drunk,
16:25slung an arm
16:26over Benjamin's shoulder.
16:28I actually thought
16:29you and Genevieve
16:30might end up together.
16:32You two have been
16:33inseparable
16:34these last three years.
16:36Emerson stared
16:36straight at me,
16:38the malice plain
16:39in her eyes.
16:41Jenny,
16:42is there some
16:43other side to you
16:44I do not know about,
16:45besides being
16:46Ben's secretary?
16:47Benjamin raised
16:48an eyebrow.
16:49Genevieve,
16:50why do not you
16:51tell everyone?
16:52What exactly
16:53are we to each other?
16:55I let out a short laugh,
16:56as if I had just
16:57heard something
16:58ridiculous.
16:59Mr. Kilbreast
17:01and I
17:01are strictly
17:02boss and employee.
17:04I told them
17:05we were nothing.
17:06I was protecting
17:07what little dignity
17:08I had left.
17:09Benjamin looked at me
17:11like he expected
17:11me to say more.
17:13I stayed silent.
17:16I had already
17:17said too much.
17:20By the time
17:21dinner ended,
17:22Benjamin was
17:23completely wasted.
17:25In his drunken
17:27haze,
17:27he instinctively
17:28reached for me,
17:30his voice soft
17:31and pleading.
17:33Genevieve,
17:35will you take me
17:36home?
17:39He leaned
17:40against my
17:40shoulder,
17:41nuzzling into
17:42my neck like
17:42he was desperate
17:43for affection.
17:45Do you really
17:46think we are
17:47only?
17:48Do you have
17:49any idea?
17:50I did not
17:51catch the rest.
17:53A second later,
17:54At Benjamin
17:54was yanked
17:55away from me.
17:59Emerson
17:59stood there
18:00like she was
18:01guarding her
18:01territory,
18:02propping At
18:03Benjamin up
18:04as she glared
18:05at me.
18:07Jenny,
18:09since you are
18:10just his
18:10employee,
18:11you should
18:12keep your
18:12distance from
18:13a man who
18:14is already
18:14engaged.
18:16Otherwise,
18:17people might
18:18start to talk,
18:19do you not
18:20think?
18:20I nodded,
18:21my face a
18:22mask of
18:23indifference.
18:25You are
18:26absolutely
18:26right.
18:28I watched
18:29Emerson
18:29lead him
18:30away and
18:30realized I
18:31was already
18:31a ghost
18:32in his
18:32world.
18:32It was
18:34time for
18:34me to
18:35disappear
18:35completely.
18:38For a
18:38week,
18:39aside from
18:40work,
18:41Benjamin and
18:41I had no
18:42private contact
18:43at all.
18:44My resignation
18:45was approved
18:46quickly through
18:47the company
18:47portal.
18:48The final
18:49step only
18:50required
18:50Benjamin's
18:51signature.
18:52I printed
18:53a hard copy,
18:54walked into
18:55his office,
18:56and handed
18:56the letter
18:56to him.
18:57He was
18:58on a
18:58call,
18:59his voice
19:00unusually
19:01gentle.
19:01without
19:02even
19:03glancing
19:03at the
19:03paper,
19:04he signed
19:05his name
19:05in a few
19:06quick strokes.
19:07I turned
19:07to leave,
19:08but he
19:09stopped me.
19:10I am
19:11proposing to
19:11Emmy
19:11tonight.
19:12Leave early
19:13this afternoon
19:14to go set
19:14up the
19:15venue.
19:15Benjamin
19:15leaned back
19:16in his
19:16leather seat
19:17and calmly
19:18gave the
19:19order.
19:19I nodded
19:20to show I
19:20understood.
19:21Is there
19:21anything else?
19:22He stared
19:23at me
19:24steadily,
19:24as if
19:25searching my
19:25face for
19:26some other
19:26emotion.
19:27But eventually
19:28he looked
19:29away.
19:32signing
19:32my
19:32resignation
19:33felt
19:33heavier
19:34than
19:34signing
19:34a
19:35divorce
19:35paper
19:35I
19:35never
19:36had.
19:39Three
19:40years
19:40of my
19:40life
19:41condensed
19:41into
19:42a
19:42single
19:42sheet
19:43of
19:43paper.
19:48I
19:49left
19:49work an
19:49hour early
19:50headed to
19:50the
19:50address
19:51Benjamin
19:51had
19:51given
19:52me.
19:52After
19:53three
19:53years
19:54together,
19:54I knew
19:55his
19:55preferences
19:56like the
19:57back
19:57of my
19:57hand.
19:59I
19:59never
20:00imagined
20:00the
20:00last
20:00thing
20:01I
20:01would
20:01ever
20:01do
20:01for
20:02him
20:02would
20:03be
20:03arranging
20:03his
20:03proposal.
20:04I
20:05spent
20:05an
20:05hour
20:06setting
20:06up
20:06the
20:06venue
20:06and
20:07planned
20:07to
20:07head
20:07out
20:07immediately.
20:12Unexpectedly,
20:13I ran
20:13into
20:14Emerson.
20:15The
20:15moment she
20:15saw me,
20:16she
20:16looked
20:17overjoyed,
20:18as if she
20:18had
20:19completely
20:19forgotten
20:20our
20:20unpleasant
20:20encounter.
20:21She
20:22linked
20:22her arm
20:22through
20:23mine
20:23affectionately,
20:24acting
20:24like we
20:25were the
20:25best
20:25of
20:25friends.
20:26Jenny,
20:27thank goodness
20:27you are
20:28here.
20:28I need
20:29to get
20:29into my
20:29dress.
20:30Could you
20:31help me?
20:32I had
20:33no real
20:33reason to
20:34refuse,
20:34so I
20:35agreed.
20:36I
20:37arranged
20:37roses and
20:38candles for
20:39his proposal
20:39to another
20:40woman.
20:41Every flower
20:42I placed
20:42felt like a
20:43nail in
20:43my own
20:44coffin.
20:48I
20:49followed
20:49Emerson
20:50to the
20:50dressing
20:50room.
20:51She
20:52stepped
20:52into
20:52the
20:52gown
20:52Benjamin
20:53had
20:53instructed
20:54me
20:54to
20:54pick
20:54up
20:54from
20:54the
20:55bridal
20:55shop.
20:56It
20:56was
20:56stunning,
20:58absolutely
20:58breathtaking.
20:59I
21:00remembered
21:00when that
21:00dress first
21:01debuted.
21:02I had
21:03stared at
21:03the magazine
21:03for hours.
21:05When
21:06Aunt Benjamin
21:07had seen
21:07it,
21:08he had
21:08said,
21:09Do you
21:09like it
21:10that much?
21:11I will
21:11buy it
21:12for you.
21:13I never
21:13imagined
21:14that just
21:14six months
21:15later,
21:16that very
21:16dress
21:17would be
21:17on
21:18Emerson.
21:20Jenny,
21:21how does
21:22it look?
21:23Emerson
21:24had pale
21:24skin,
21:25and in
21:25that dress,
21:26she seemed
21:27to glow.
21:28It is
21:29beautiful.
21:30Emerson
21:30lifted the
21:31hem of
21:31her skirt
21:32and walked
21:32toward me
21:33gracefully,
21:34a faint
21:34smile on
21:35her lips.
21:36Too
21:37bad,
21:38beautiful
21:38things are
21:39always
21:39coveted by
21:40those who
21:40do not
21:41own them.
21:42that dress
21:43was supposed
21:44to be
21:44mine.
21:45I had
21:46been saving
21:46a picture
21:47of it
21:47on my
21:48phone
21:48for months.
21:49Now it
21:50was hers,
21:53along with
21:54everything else
21:55I had
21:55wanted.
21:58Being with
21:59Ben for
21:59three years,
22:00you actually
22:01thought he
22:01would end
22:01up with
22:02you,
22:02did you
22:02not?
22:03What a
22:03shame.
22:04Ben
22:05still cannot
22:05forget me.
22:06All your
22:07effort over
22:08the last
22:08three years
22:09was for
22:10nothing.
22:12I froze,
22:14so she
22:14knew
22:15everything,
22:16but I
22:16quickly
22:16regained
22:17my
22:17composure.
22:18Whatever
22:19I had
22:19with
22:19Benjamin
22:20had
22:20been
22:20mutual.
22:21I
22:21was
22:21never
22:21a
22:22home
22:22wrecker.
22:23Amarisian
22:24acting like
22:24a jealous
22:24wife was
22:25simply
22:25ridiculous.
22:27I pulled
22:27myself up
22:28to my
22:28full height
22:29and looked
22:30at her
22:30with a
22:30faint
22:30smile.
22:32How
22:32can a
22:33mutual
22:33relationship
22:34be called
22:35a waste
22:36of effort?
22:37For the
22:38past three
22:38years,
22:39I have
22:39had a
22:40handsome
22:40partner
22:41with
22:42incredible
22:43stamina
22:43for free.
22:45Who is
22:46to say
22:47who really
22:47lost out?
22:49Emerson's
22:50eyes instantly
22:50flared with
22:51rage.
22:52She lunged,
22:53raising her
22:53hand to
22:54slap me.
22:54Bitch!
22:56You
22:56shameless
22:57bitch!
22:58I blocked
22:59her easily,
23:00twisting her
23:01arm behind
23:02her back.
23:07I refused
23:08to let
23:08her see
23:09me
23:09break.
23:10I had
23:11already
23:11broken
23:11enough
23:12in private.
23:13If she
23:14wanted a
23:14fight,
23:16she would
23:16get one.
23:22Resorting to
23:23violence because
23:23you are losing
23:24an argument?
23:25Who taught
23:26you that?
23:30Emerson
23:31suddenly wrenched
23:31her hand
23:32free,
23:32a sly,
23:33triumphant
23:34smile spreading
23:35across her
23:35lips.
23:36Who do you
23:37think Benjamin
23:38will believe
23:39in a minute?
23:40You or
23:41me?
23:42Before I
23:43knew it,
23:44Emerson pulled
23:44a pair of
23:45scissors out
23:45of nowhere and
23:46began violently
23:47hacking at her
23:48dress.
23:52Jenny,
23:53even if I
23:53offended you,
23:54you did not
23:55have to do
23:55this.
23:56She whimpered
23:57in a piddle
23:57voice.
24:00I froze for a
24:01slip second and
24:01then it clicked.
24:03This was all a
24:04performance.
24:07Emerson ripped
24:08the gown to
24:08shreds,
24:09threw the
24:09scissors to
24:10the floor,
24:10and then slapped
24:11herself hard
24:12across the
24:12face.
24:16Help!
24:17Jenny,
24:18please do not
24:18do this to
24:19me.
24:20I stepped
24:20forward,
24:21pinned her
24:21skirt down
24:22with my foot,
24:23and slapped
24:23her across
24:24the face.
24:26The sharp
24:27crack of the
24:28slap echoed
24:29through the
24:29room.
24:30I watched
24:31her destroy
24:31that beautiful
24:32dress and
24:33realized she
24:34would do
24:34anything to
24:35win.
24:35But I was
24:36no longer
24:37playing her
24:37game.
24:40Emerson was
24:41completely
24:41stunned,
24:42looking up at
24:43me in pure
24:44disbelief.
24:45You hit
24:46me?
24:46How dare
24:47you hit
24:48me?
24:49I gave a
24:49curt nod of
24:50approval.
24:51That is
24:52better.
24:52Your acting
24:53before was way
24:54too over
24:55the top.
24:55Flurry of
24:56frantic
24:56footsteps
24:57sounded from
24:57behind,
24:58followed by
24:59Benjamin's
24:59furious roar.
25:02Genevieve?
25:03What the
25:04hell are you
25:04doing?
25:05Emerson tried
25:06to lunge
25:07toward at
25:07Benjamin,
25:08dragging her
25:09tattered dress
25:09behind her.
25:11I stepped
25:11forward again,
25:13pinning her
25:13skirt back
25:14down.
25:16I grabbed
25:16her by the
25:17hair and
25:17delivered a
25:18hard slap
25:19to both
25:19sides of
25:20her face.
25:21This time,
25:22Emerson's
25:23tears were
25:23real.
25:24She looked
25:25so fragile
25:25and broken
25:26that anyone
25:27would have
25:28felt a
25:28surge of
25:29pity.
25:30Benjamin
25:30completely
25:31lost it.
25:32Apologize
25:33to a
25:33mercy.
25:35Now!
25:36Why should
25:37I apologize?
25:38I did not
25:39do anything
25:40wrong.
25:40I wrenched
25:41my hand from
25:42his grip and
25:42lunged at
25:43the sobbing
25:44Emerson
25:44again.
25:47I slapped
25:48her twice
25:48more before
25:49roughly tearing
25:51the tattered
25:51remains of
25:52the dress
25:52right off
25:53her body.
25:56You wanted
25:57it,
25:57Stredded?
25:57Let me
25:58help you!
25:59With her
25:59only cover
26:00ripped away,
26:01Emerson screamed
26:02in terror.
26:02A crowd had
26:03already gathered
26:04outside the
26:05door,
26:05leaving her
26:06with nowhere
26:06to hide.
26:07Benjamin grabbed
26:08my hand in a
26:09blind rage and
26:10slapped me
26:10across the
26:11face.
26:13Are you
26:14finished?
26:15Who do you
26:16think you are
26:17to lay a
26:17fender on
26:18Emmy?
26:18You are
26:19nothing but
26:19my employee.
26:21What makes
26:21you think
26:22you matter?
26:23I am
26:23telling you
26:24one last
26:24time,
26:26apologize!
26:27It had
26:27been a
26:28long time
26:28since
26:29At
26:29Benjamin
26:29had spoken
26:30to me
26:31in such
26:31a cold,
26:32brutal
26:32tone.
26:33Tears
26:34stung
26:34my eyes,
26:35but I
26:35forced
26:36them
26:36back,
26:37refusing
26:37to let
26:38a single
26:38one
26:38fall.
26:39I lifted
26:40my foot
26:40and kicked
26:41him hard
26:41in the
26:41shin.
26:43Go to
26:44hell with
26:44your
26:44apology!
26:46I pushed
26:47through the
26:47crowd and ran
26:48as fast as
26:49I could.
26:52I ran
26:52until my
26:53lungs burnt
26:54and my
26:54legs gave
26:55out.
26:59I did
27:00not look
27:00back.
27:01I was
27:01never going
27:01back.
27:05I contacted
27:06the venue
27:07manager and
27:07pulled the
27:08surveillance footage
27:09from the
27:09dressing room.
27:10I cast it
27:11onto the
27:12venue's big
27:12screen for
27:13everyone to
27:13see.
27:17I packed
27:18my things
27:18overnight and
27:19booked a
27:20flight back
27:20to my
27:21hometown.
27:25Before
27:25boarding,
27:26I checked
27:27my phone
27:27one last
27:28time.
27:30Benjamin
27:31had posted
27:31a new
27:32update on
27:32Instagram.
27:33It was
27:34as a
27:34photo of
27:35Emerson's
27:35hand wearing
27:36a ring.
27:37The
27:37caption was
27:38simple.
27:39Hello,
27:39Mrs.
27:40Kilbreth.
27:40I blocked
27:41him.
27:41Then I
27:42stepped onto
27:43the plane
27:43and went
27:44home.
27:46I had not
27:47been home
27:47for the
27:47holidays in
27:48three years,
27:50all because
27:51I wanted to
27:51keep Benjamin
27:52company.
27:55When my
27:55parents saw
27:56me, they
27:57were overjoyed.
27:59A wave of
28:00bitterness
28:00welled up
28:01inside me.
28:03Being loved
28:04feels like
28:04finally having
28:05a place to
28:05lean on.
28:07The
28:08surveillance
28:08footage played
28:09like a
28:09movie in
28:10reverse.
28:12Everyone
28:13saw the
28:13truth.
28:14Whether
28:14they believed
28:15it was
28:16up to
28:16them.
28:17I was
28:17done
28:18caring
28:18about
28:18what
28:18anyone
28:19thought.
28:22I
28:22bought
28:22new
28:23clothes
28:23for
28:23my
28:23parents,
28:24took
28:24them
28:24into
28:25town
28:25for
28:25holiday
28:25shopping,
28:26and
28:26decorated
28:27the
28:27house.
28:28The
28:28small
28:28town
28:29was
28:29already
28:30buzzing
28:30with
28:31festive
28:31spirit.
28:32Caught
28:33up in
28:33the
28:33atmosphere,
28:34I
28:35felt a
28:35genuine
28:36sense
28:36of
28:36peace
28:37for
28:37the
28:37first
28:38time
28:38in
28:38a
28:38long
28:39while.
28:45During
28:45this time,
28:46Benjamin
28:46sent me
28:47dozens of
28:48friend
28:48requests
28:48and
28:48messages.
28:51Since
28:52when did
28:52you resign?
28:56who
28:56gave
28:57you
28:57permission
28:58to
28:58quit?
29:00Emmy
29:00might
29:01have
29:01acted
29:01impulsively
29:02that
29:02day,
29:03but
29:03she
29:03did
29:03not
29:03mean
29:03any
29:04harm.
29:04Do
29:05not
29:05be
29:05so
29:05petty.
29:06I
29:06have
29:06forgiven
29:06you.
29:08Reply
29:08when
29:08you
29:08see
29:09this.
29:12I
29:12did
29:13not
29:13accept
29:13a
29:13single
29:13request.
29:15He
29:15called
29:15me
29:16repeatedly,
29:16but
29:17I
29:17never
29:17picked
29:17up
29:17once.
29:18As
29:19time
29:19passed,
29:20the
29:20messages
29:21stopped
29:21coming.
29:25But
29:26on
29:26Christmas
29:26Eve,
29:27I
29:27received
29:27a
29:28call
29:28from
29:28an
29:28unknown
29:29number.
29:29At
29:30first,
29:30there
29:30was
29:30only
29:31silence
29:31on
29:32the
29:32other
29:32end.
29:32Then
29:33Benjamin
29:33Zinn's
29:34anxious
29:34voice
29:34came
29:35through.
29:35Don't
29:36hang
29:36up.
29:36It
29:37is
29:37me.
29:39Christmas
29:40lights
29:40twinkled
29:40in the
29:41small
29:41town.
29:42People
29:43smiled
29:43at each
29:43other
29:44on the
29:44street.
29:45For
29:45the
29:45first
29:46time
29:46in
29:46three
29:47years,
29:48I
29:48felt
29:48like
29:49I
29:49was
29:49home.
29:51I
29:52heard
29:52you
29:52went
29:52back
29:53to
29:53your
29:53hometown
29:53for
29:54the
29:54holidays.
29:54His
29:55voice
29:55was
29:56low,
29:56as if
29:57he
29:57were
29:57struggling
29:57to hold
29:58something
29:58back.
29:59It
29:59reminded
29:59me of
30:00the
30:00first
30:00year I
30:01spent
30:01the
30:01holidays
30:01with
30:02him
30:02in
30:02Houston.
30:04Benjamin
30:04was an
30:05illegitimate
30:05son.
30:06He
30:07was not
30:07brought
30:07into the
30:08family until
30:08after his
30:09mother passed
30:10away.
30:11That
30:11year,
30:12he had
30:12been locked
30:12in a
30:13brutal
30:13power struggle
30:14for control
30:14of the
30:15company.
30:16His
30:16mother
30:17was
30:17gone.
30:17He
30:18had
30:18burned
30:18every
30:19bridge
30:19with his
30:19family.
30:21He
30:21had no
30:22one to
30:22spend the
30:22holidays
30:23with.
30:24On
30:24Christmas
30:24Eve,
30:25I had
30:25made a
30:25video call
30:26to him.
30:27He
30:27looked
30:27drunk,
30:28drinking
30:29alone on
30:29the balcony.
30:30He
30:30was a
30:31clingy
30:31drunk,
30:32his
30:32voice
30:33unusually
30:34soft.
30:34merry
30:35Christmas
30:36Genevieve.
30:38It is
30:39so quiet
30:40without you
30:41here.
30:42Please
30:42come back
30:43soon.
30:44I miss
30:45you so
30:45much.
30:46I never
30:47expected he
30:48would be
30:48still inking
30:48of me this
30:49year,
30:50with Emerson
30:50back by
30:51his side.
30:54I snapped
30:55back to
30:56reality and
30:56kept my
30:57voice steady.
30:58Yeah,
30:59I have not
30:59home for the
31:00holidays in
31:00years.
31:01He paused
31:02for a
31:02moment,
31:03then asked,
31:04are you
31:05coming back
31:05after the
31:05break?
31:07Before I
31:08could answer,
31:09I heard a
31:09woman's voice
31:10faintly in
31:11the background.
31:12Ben,
31:13can you get
31:13my coat?
31:14I forgot it.
31:14I have to
31:15go.
31:15Benjamin said
31:16hersily.
31:17The line
31:18went dead.
31:19Outside the
31:19window,
31:20fireworks erupted,
31:21brilliant against
31:21the night sky.
31:24The holiday
31:24specials on
31:25TV were getting
31:26more boring.
31:27My mom glanced
31:27over at me.
31:28Our neighbor's
31:29daughter is
31:30expecting her
31:30second child
31:31this year.
31:32At
31:32Jenny,
31:33when are you
31:34going to
31:34bring a
31:34boyfriend
31:34home?
31:36When I
31:37did not
31:37push back,
31:38she pulled
31:39out her
31:39phone and
31:40kept going.
31:41Why do
31:42not you
31:42meet up
31:43with this
31:43guy while
31:44you are
31:44still in
31:45town?
31:45This time,
31:46I did
31:47not refuse.
31:49Sure,
31:50set up a
31:50time for
31:51us to
31:51meet.
31:51I heard
31:52Emerson's
31:52voice in
31:53the background
31:53and realized
31:54nothing had
31:55changed.
31:55I was still
31:56the one on
31:56the outside,
31:57looking in.
32:00It was
32:01time to
32:02stop looking,
32:02time to
32:03walk away
32:03for good.
32:07On the
32:08third day
32:08of the
32:09break,
32:09I met
32:10the man
32:10my mother
32:11had arranged
32:11for me.
32:12He was
32:13based in
32:13Houston,
32:14came from
32:15a well-off
32:15family,
32:16and was
32:17charming.
32:19I am at
32:20Caden Mansfield.
32:22He held
32:22out his
32:23hand,
32:23his eyes
32:24bright with
32:25interest.
32:25We both
32:26had a good
32:27first impression.
32:28Our parents
32:29seemed even
32:29more pleased.
32:32I never
32:33expected
32:34Aunt Benjamin
32:34to suddenly
32:35show up
32:35and crash
32:36the date.
32:39He plopped
32:41down right
32:41next to
32:42me.
32:43Caden
32:43looked over,
32:44confused.
32:45And who
32:46is this?
32:47I am
32:48her boss,
32:48Benjamin
32:49stated.
32:50I corrected
32:51him immediately.
32:52Former
32:53boss,
32:54I already
32:55resigned.
32:56Genevieve,
32:56I am not
32:57accepting
32:58your resignation.
32:59Benjamin
32:59stared at
33:00me intently,
33:01his gaze
33:02firm and
33:03unyielding.
33:04Caden
33:04offered a
33:05polite smile.
33:07Maybe
33:08we should
33:08talk another
33:09time,
33:09when you
33:10are free.
33:11Despite
33:11at Benjamin's
33:12murderous
33:13glare,
33:13I exchanged
33:14contact info
33:15with Caden
33:16before he
33:16left.
33:22I know
33:23you are
33:23only doing
33:24this to
33:24make me
33:24jealous.
33:26I will
33:27make
33:27Emmy
33:27apologize
33:27to
33:28you.
33:28Can
33:29you
33:29just
33:29forgive
33:29her
33:30and
33:30forgive
33:30me
33:30too?
33:31I am
33:32done
33:32with
33:32her.
33:33I thought
33:34I could
33:34never let
33:35go of
33:35her,
33:35but the
33:35truth
33:36is...
33:37Benjamin
33:38gripped my
33:38shoulders
33:38with both
33:39hands,
33:40his words
33:40tumbling
33:41out in a
33:41desperate
33:42rush.
33:42I cut
33:43him off,
33:44my voice
33:44cold as
33:45ice.
33:47Benjamin,
33:48we were
33:48never
33:49anything more
33:50than a boss
33:50and his
33:50employee.
33:52do
33:52do
33:52not
33:53make
33:53this
33:53more
33:53complicated
33:54than it
33:54is.
33:55are
33:56engaged
33:56to
33:56Emerson.
33:58Let
33:58us
33:58not
33:58drag
33:59this
33:59out.
34:00It
34:01is
34:01better
34:01for
34:01everyone
34:02if we
34:02just
34:02move
34:02on.
34:03Suddenly,
34:04Benjamin
34:04pulled out
34:05a ring
34:05and dropped
34:06to one
34:06knee.
34:07I
34:08am
34:08serious
34:08about
34:09us,
34:09Jenny.
34:11I
34:11was
34:12an
34:12idiot.
34:14I
34:14did
34:14not
34:14know
34:15how
34:15to
34:15cherish
34:15what
34:15we
34:16had,
34:16but
34:17I
34:17see
34:17it
34:17now.
34:18Let
34:19us
34:19get
34:19married.
34:20We
34:21can
34:21go
34:21to
34:21Bali,
34:22your
34:22favorite
34:22place.
34:24I
34:24slapped
34:24the ring
34:25out of
34:25his
34:25hand.
34:28Benjamin,
34:29you
34:30are being
34:30a
34:30nuisance.
34:32I
34:32do
34:32not
34:32have
34:33any
34:33feelings
34:33left
34:34for
34:34you.
34:35I
34:35am
34:35begging
34:36you,
34:36stop
34:37haunting
34:37me.
34:38You
34:39are
34:39only
34:39making
34:39me
34:40sick.
34:44After
34:45the
34:45holidays,
34:46my
34:46relationship
34:47with
34:47Caden
34:47naturally
34:48fell
34:48into
34:49place.
34:50We
34:50eventually
34:51reached
34:51the point
34:51of
34:52discussing
34:52marriage.
34:53I
34:54had
34:54not
34:54seen
34:54Benjamin
34:55in
34:55over
34:55six
34:56months.
34:57Strangely
34:57enough,
34:58the
34:59man I
34:59once
34:59thought
35:00I
35:00would
35:00spend
35:00the
35:01rest
35:01of
35:01my
35:01life
35:01with
35:02now
35:02felt
35:03like
35:03a
35:03stranger.
35:04I
35:04only
35:05heard
35:05news
35:05of
35:05him
35:05again
35:06through
35:06a
35:06former
35:06colleague.
35:08Mr.
35:09Kill
35:10Breath
35:10called off
35:11the wedding
35:12to
35:12Emerson.
35:13Nobody
35:14knows
35:14why
35:14he
35:14pulled
35:14the
35:15plug.
35:15I
35:16simply
35:16smiled,
35:17my
35:18heart
35:18completely
35:19still.
35:20At
35:20the end
35:21of the
35:21year,
35:22Caden
35:22asked if
35:23I would
35:23accompany
35:24him to
35:24a corporate
35:25summit.
35:26I
35:26never
35:27expected
35:27to run
35:27into
35:28at
35:28Benjamin
35:28there.
35:30After
35:30a year
35:31apart,
35:32he had
35:32grown much
35:33thinner.
35:33his
35:34presence
35:35felt
35:35more
35:35settled.
35:36When
35:36he
35:36saw
35:36me,
35:37he
35:37walked
35:37over.
35:41Long
35:42time
35:42no
35:42see.
35:45Benjamin
35:46followed
35:47my gaze
35:47toward
35:48Caden
35:48in the
35:49distance.
35:50His
35:51face
35:51darkened.
35:53I
35:54thought you
35:54were not
35:55serious about
35:55him.
35:56My
35:57smile
35:57remained
35:57unchanged.
35:58I
35:59never play
35:59games with
36:00people's
36:00feelings.
36:02Benjamin
36:03finally
36:03lost
36:04his
36:04composure.
36:06thought
36:06giving
36:06you
36:07a
36:07year
36:07would
36:07help
36:08you
36:08understand.
36:09I
36:10was
36:10wrong
36:10back
36:10then.
36:12The
36:12truth
36:13is I
36:13have
36:13always
36:14loved
36:14you.
36:14I
36:14cut
36:15him
36:15off,
36:15lifting
36:16my
36:16hand
36:16to
36:16show
36:17him
36:17the
36:17diamond
36:17ring
36:17on
36:18my
36:18finger.
36:19I
36:19am
36:19getting
36:20married.
36:21For
36:22a
36:22moment,
36:23at
36:23Benjamin
36:23looked
36:24like he
36:24was
36:24falling
36:24apart.
36:25No
36:26way!
36:26He
36:26shouted,
36:27You
36:28were so
36:28happy
36:29when we
36:29were
36:29together.
36:30How
36:31could
36:31you
36:31possibly?
36:32He
36:32made
36:32such
36:33a
36:33scene
36:33that
36:33everyone
36:34nearby
36:34turned
36:35to
36:35stare.
36:37Caden
36:37walked
36:37over,
36:38stepping
36:38beside
36:38me.
36:40Benjamin
36:40threw
36:41a punch
36:41at
36:41his
36:41face.
36:42I
36:43screamed.
36:45Benjamin,
36:45are you
36:46crazy?
36:46I
36:47quickly
36:47stepped
36:47in front
36:48of
36:48Caden.
36:49Fortunately,
36:50he was
36:51not
36:51seriously
36:52injured.
36:53I
36:53took
36:54Caden's
36:54hand
36:54and
36:55turned
36:55to
36:55leave.
36:56Benjamin
36:56did
36:56not
36:56chase
36:57after
36:57us.
36:58The
36:59rest
36:59of the
36:59summit
36:59went
37:00smoothly.
37:02I
37:02did
37:02not
37:03run
37:03into
37:03Benjamin
37:03again.
37:05As
37:06we
37:06drove
37:06away,
37:07I
37:07saw
37:07him
37:08in
37:08the
37:08rearview
37:08mirror,
37:09slowly
37:10bending
37:10over,
37:12clutching
37:12something
37:13to his
37:13chest.
37:13I
37:14looked
37:15away
37:15and
37:16took
37:16Caden's
37:16hand.
37:18It
37:19is
37:19finally
37:19over.
37:20He
37:20squeezed
37:21my
37:21hand
37:21back.
37:24Yeah.
37:26It
37:26is
37:26all
37:27over.
37:27Life
37:28is
37:28long,
37:29but
37:29Benjamin
37:29was
37:30only
37:30ever
37:30a
37:30passing
37:31figure.
37:32My
37:32future
37:33was
37:33waiting
37:33for
37:33me
37:34in
37:34the
37:34days
37:34that
37:34lay
37:34ahead.
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