- 2 days ago
two husbands take turns
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:16i don't have your money but i'll get it i promise college student working in a cafe
00:00:20where are you going to get a hundred g's for your mom's medical beers huh you want to make
00:00:24that cash quick there's always the shipyard auctions bidders would pay for a turn with
00:00:29a rosy co-ed like you i'd never do that back off
00:00:41you're a bit early you must be the new girl come on get in
00:00:58huh she looks nothing like her photo this place is huge i'll just drop this coffee off
00:01:13new girl here already she looks so innocent
00:01:23bold of you to walk in like this
00:01:26your coffee sir
00:01:32god he looks so overwhelming
00:01:34something about you different but cute
00:01:45listen here new meat the accidental introsion trick is not going to work on mr serrano
00:01:50your little innocent virginal act isn't fooling anyone i don't know what you're talking about
00:01:56this what you're into now mr serrano broke delivery girl role play
00:02:03that's enough lucy mr serrano whatever act she's doing i'll do it 10 times better
00:02:08this boring bitch can't i didn't ask for your opinion you're done here
00:02:26not bad
00:02:28what
00:02:33i sir you've got the wrong person
00:02:39the wrong person
00:02:42interesting
00:02:47you took an hour for one coffee delivery that's coming out of your pay
00:02:51no please i'm sorry i really need this money my mom's surgery
00:02:55i run a business not a charity
00:03:00can't run forever little girl
00:03:03i told you i just need a few more days
00:03:05please
00:03:07time's up
00:03:09you can always pay with your body
00:03:12trouble seems to follow you i don't want any of it
00:03:14you're fired get out
00:03:33well look who's out of a job where you getting that a hundred grand from now mom's got cancer
00:03:37she's only gonna need more money
00:03:49all this fuss for a little bit of money
00:03:54i'm bella's friend
00:03:55don't touch her
00:04:01ellie
00:04:03where did you get that kind of money
00:04:07nice start sweetheart
00:04:09but this doesn't even cover the interest
00:04:12i i really don't have more right now
00:04:14then you're coming with us
00:04:15no please
00:04:16i'll get you the money tomorrow
00:04:19all right 24 hours
00:04:21paid in full
00:04:22last chance
00:04:26you don't have a way to get that money do you
00:04:28what do i do
00:04:34bella
00:04:36are you willing to do anything to clear your debt
00:04:46it's an app called sugar love
00:04:48sugar daddies pay my bills
00:04:50so clutch
00:04:54what's a sugar daddy
00:04:55a sugar daddy's just a rich guy
00:04:57looking to spoil some hot young thing
00:05:00and me
00:05:01i'm the hot young thing
00:05:02obvia
00:05:03you need money
00:05:04you should do it
00:05:05what do you have to like
00:05:07have sex with these guys
00:05:09i don't think i could do that
00:05:10we're sugar babies
00:05:11not hookers
00:05:12bella
00:05:12most of these guys just want company
00:05:15some girls do more
00:05:17but
00:05:18it's all mutual
00:05:19there's only one rule
00:05:21never ever
00:05:23fall in love with your sugar daddy
00:05:25could i really do this
00:05:32okay i'm in
00:05:33i'd never fall for a man who pays for my company
00:05:36but this has to stay between us
00:05:38if the school finds out i'll be expelled
00:05:41my lips are sealed
00:05:46sugar love
00:05:46what's your price
00:05:51now you just wait for the request to roll in
00:05:53you're a hottie
00:05:55you'll crush
00:05:58does that say penis size 7.6 inches
00:06:02holy shit that's huge
00:06:04have you ever taken a dick that big
00:06:06oh sweetie
00:06:08you don't have to
00:06:09but sometimes feelings develop
00:06:11between sugar babies and sugar daddies
00:06:13wait
00:06:14shut up
00:06:15this guy is the platform's top tier sugar daddy
00:06:19and he chose you
00:06:21waist 26
00:06:22hips 38
00:06:23looks like you're my new sugar baby after all
00:06:26so
00:06:28not a mistake
00:06:29just fate
00:06:32j
00:06:33turn around
00:06:34my new girl is on the way
00:06:45why does this feel so familiar
00:06:52mr serrano requests that you cover your eyes before you enter
00:07:07sir
00:07:09are
00:07:09are you my sugar daddy
00:07:11shh
00:07:13take off your coat
00:07:15oh no
00:07:15you told me not to wear a bra
00:07:17but
00:07:19lower your hands
00:07:23how many sugar daddies have you had before me
00:07:26a virgin
00:07:29yes
00:07:30pure
00:07:31take off your blindfold
00:07:33it's you
00:07:36sign the contract
00:07:38and you'll officially be my sugar baby
00:07:44so will we
00:07:45i mean do i have to
00:07:48you actually think i'm going to sleep with you
00:07:50won't you
00:07:51isn't that
00:07:53the whole point of this
00:07:57once you're new to this
00:07:59let me be very clear
00:08:01i have two rules for my sugar babies
00:08:03no love
00:08:05no sex
00:08:06just company
00:08:08then why
00:08:09buying a woman's body with wealth and power
00:08:12that's too easy
00:08:14and too pathetic
00:08:16women are meant to be protected
00:08:19not coerced
00:08:20i'll cut you off like i did the others
00:08:22sir i'm just here
00:08:23to get money for my mom's chemo
00:08:25and to pay off my debt
00:08:26can you keep your distance
00:08:28so you can resist me before you give me your word
00:08:32i'll do what you say
00:08:35good
00:08:36from now on you're my sugar baby
00:08:38you're different from the others
00:08:40don't disappoint me
00:08:44miss steel
00:08:45this is from mr serrano for your time today
00:08:47also please open the trunk after you get out
00:08:54to my sugar baby
00:08:55a gift for the new semester
00:08:57a gift
00:08:58i've never received a gift before
00:09:03girls
00:09:04i have tea
00:09:05the billionaire
00:09:07killian serrano
00:09:08aka the school's biggest donor
00:09:10is speaking at
00:09:11convocation today
00:09:14the mysterious mr serrano
00:09:17as in
00:09:18the sexiest billionaire bachelor
00:09:20an elite man like him
00:09:21will only date the best
00:09:23and who's the top bitch at this school
00:09:25you are june
00:09:29my father and he go way back
00:09:32and i'm the only one worthy of being his girlfriend
00:09:44still early
00:09:46i can pay the debt after the speech
00:09:50shut up
00:09:51not small town dud
00:09:53bella steel
00:09:54all glowed up
00:09:56okay sly
00:09:59that dress and bag are both limited edition dior
00:10:02how'd that broke bitch even afford them
00:10:17don't turn this convocation into a circus
00:10:19bella
00:10:20come sit with me
00:10:28you're so beautiful today bella
00:10:31are they dior
00:10:32they suit you perfectly
00:10:33i don't know
00:10:34it's a gift
00:10:38as if anyone could gift you
00:10:39a ten thousand dollars bag
00:10:40and a limited edition dress
00:10:41it's probably some cheap fake
00:10:43you plucked out of a dumpster
00:10:44on your way home from work
00:10:48careful june
00:10:49jealousy can lead to permanent wrinkles
00:11:01you bitch
00:11:02how dare you carry a fake bag
00:11:04and talk back to me
00:11:08stop
00:11:19killian serrano
00:11:21mysterious billionaire
00:11:22my sugar daddy
00:11:25Why is he here?
00:11:31Why is Mr. Serrano looking at Bella like that?
00:11:34It's as if they already know each other.
00:11:38Everyone's looking.
00:11:39I can't be this close to him.
00:11:41Bella, how dare you cause a scene at convocation?
00:11:44Get out! Now!
00:11:46My family is one of St. Maria College's biggest donors.
00:11:49Chancellor Brown will no doubt take my side.
00:11:51You're finished, Bella.
00:11:53I didn't! June started it!
00:11:55I only warned her because of that cheap knockoff she's carrying.
00:11:58We don't welcome vain little bitches in this school.
00:12:05My bag isn't a fake, and I'm not some vain bitch.
00:12:08You're the one who's a power-tripping bully, June.
00:12:11Not a fake. A broke loser like you buying luxury.
00:12:13In your dreams.
00:12:15You've gone too far, you bitch!
00:12:17If I say it's fake, it's fake! Stop lying!
00:12:21Enough!
00:12:23Who says her bag is fake? I believe her.
00:12:26It's real.
00:12:30Real?
00:12:31How can you possibly prove that?
00:12:34Do you have the receipt?
00:12:36I didn't want to draw this much attention, but she's left me no choice.
00:12:41Read the total, June.
00:12:42Out loud.
00:12:44Two-
00:12:45Two million dollars?
00:12:46Two million?
00:12:47June's whole outfit isn't even worth ten thousand.
00:12:50Who's the broke bitch now?
00:12:54I don't care.
00:12:56She's still a troublemaker, Chancellor.
00:12:58She started the fight!
00:13:00Tell her to leave!
00:13:02No.
00:13:02Not her.
00:13:03You.
00:13:07June Carter.
00:13:08It doesn't matter who your family is.
00:13:10Bullying and slander are serious offenses.
00:13:13You're on sanitation duty for the rest of the month.
00:13:15Now get out!
00:13:20How dare Mr. Serrano side with that little bitch Bella instead of me?
00:13:24On what grounds?
00:13:25I'm going to make her life a living hell.
00:13:33Bella, come sit here.
00:13:41College isn't just a vault for knowledge.
00:13:45It's a trial of character.
00:13:47No one here should be humiliated or trampled on because of where they come from.
00:13:51Brains are the new sexy.
00:13:53And looking at him, it's the absolute truth.
00:13:57This year's freshman merit scholar is Bella Steele.
00:14:02Why would I imagine something like that?
00:14:04What is wrong with me?
00:14:05Bella, they called your name.
00:14:07Go and get your award from Mr. Serrano.
00:14:18You seem nervous.
00:14:29Congratulations, Ms. Steele.
00:14:4110 minutes.
00:14:42Wait for me in the auditorium.
00:14:44Your sugar daddy.
00:14:52This is such a bad idea.
00:14:54If someone sees me with him, I could get expelled.
00:14:57What am I thinking?
00:15:00That boy.
00:15:01Who was he?
00:15:02You mean Will?
00:15:03I don't like people eyeing what's mine.
00:15:08Being my sugar baby requires absolute loyalty.
00:15:12Now, you need to be punished.
00:15:15Mr. Serrano, can we not do this here?
00:15:17I can't risk expulsion.
00:15:21The face of an angel.
00:15:23You're my sugar daddy, sir.
00:15:25Not my boyfriend.
00:15:26I can talk with whoever I want.
00:15:28You might look innocent, but clearly you're not.
00:15:32Besides...
00:15:33Go on, baby girl.
00:15:34I enjoy watching you argue.
00:15:38Even when it doesn't work.
00:15:40Will and I are just friends.
00:15:41No.
00:15:42I saw the way he looked at you.
00:15:45Like you're his.
00:15:46You're wrong.
00:15:47It's not like that.
00:15:50That little slot.
00:15:52How dare a broke loser like her take the man I want?
00:15:56I'll expose her and get her expelled.
00:16:01Attention, everyone.
00:16:03Bella Steele only got that award because she's hooking up with Killian Serrano.
00:16:08Don't believe me?
00:16:09Open the door and find out.
00:16:11That goody two-shoes is sleeping with the billionaire Killian Serrano.
00:16:15What a sneaky slut.
00:16:17That's enough.
00:16:19Bella's not like that.
00:16:23Bella, watch me expose you and get you kicked out of school.
00:16:35What's going on here?
00:16:37Do you all want to clean toilets with June?
00:16:41One more mess like this, June, and you're expelled.
00:16:44Now get a mop and start scrubbing.
00:16:52I paid for this.
00:16:54That makes you mine.
00:16:58I may be your sugar baby, but I'm allowed to have my own life.
00:17:02You don't own me.
00:17:05I'm not your property or your pet.
00:17:07I'm a person.
00:17:10Do you have any idea how easy it would be for me to take you right here?
00:17:15On the stage.
00:17:17You wouldn't dare.
00:17:19Watch me.
00:17:22Damn it.
00:17:23Other babies were always obedient, but she's different.
00:17:26I can't control her at all.
00:17:28He stopped.
00:17:29But why...
00:17:30Why was I actually expecting him to kiss me?
00:17:37Aha!
00:17:38Killian Serrano caught in a torrid affair!
00:17:41But who is the girl?
00:17:46Lux's Corp CEO, Killian Serrano, is giving a talk here today.
00:17:50His rivals will pay a fortune for any dirt on him.
00:17:57Jackpot.
00:17:58Unlocked.
00:18:03Mr. Serrano!
00:18:04Are you sleeping with a college student?
00:18:06This is the scoop of the century!
00:18:08Damn it.
00:18:32Why is that man after you?
00:18:35When you run a multi-billion dollar enterprise, everyone watches your every move.
00:18:39Success breeds enemies, and my rivals would pay to take me down.
00:18:43If it's that serious, why did he cover my face first back there?
00:18:47Was he protecting me?
00:18:49Ha!
00:18:49Found you!
00:18:58America's top billionaire grooms college girls.
00:19:02Nice headline, Mr. Serrano.
00:19:04Don't you think?
00:19:07If this guy catches us, it'll ruin Mr. Serrano.
00:19:11He protected me back there.
00:19:13Now it's my turn.
00:19:18Oh, yes.
00:19:21Baby, that was pretty fake.
00:19:23Want me to make it real?
00:19:28Students skipping class to mess around.
00:19:35Pervert!
00:19:36There's a pervert in the locker room!
00:19:37Security!
00:19:38Security!
00:19:39Security!
00:19:42Doc!
00:19:43Doc!
00:19:45Silly girl, that's not my belt.
00:19:48Can you...
00:19:50just put me down now?
00:19:52Tell me.
00:19:53Why did you help me?
00:19:56Because you're my sugar daddy.
00:19:59And I wanted to protect you.
00:20:01She's not like the other babies.
00:20:05Check to see the coast is clear.
00:20:07If someone catches you in the girls' locker room, it won't look too good.
00:20:15I thought I heard a man's voice.
00:20:17Are you turning tricks on school property, Bella?
00:20:22I'm not in the mood for this, June.
00:20:24Please move.
00:20:28Let me go!
00:20:29You're sucking extracurricular dick, aren't you?
00:20:32Trying to make a buck?
00:20:34You have everyone else fooled, but I know you're a little slut.
00:20:37No wonder you had Mr. Serrano wrapped around your finger.
00:20:39You're just upset because he rejected you when you threw yourself at him.
00:20:49What did you just say?
00:20:51Are you Mr. Serrano's sugar baby?
00:20:57I don't know what you're talking about.
00:21:03Playing dumb? Fine. I'll expose you myself.
00:21:07What are you doing?
00:21:13Everyone knows you're here on a charity scholarship, Bella.
00:21:16So why are you carrying this much cash?
00:21:19Give my money back!
00:21:20Knew it! Bella Steele spreading your legs for the highest bidder.
00:21:25I'm gonna make you regret taking Kili and Serrano from me.
00:21:31No! I need that for my mom's treatment!
00:21:35Mr. Serrano said it! We're all equal!
00:21:38What gives you the right to treat people like this?
00:21:40Equal? Come on.
00:21:42I was born a princess, you were born trash.
00:21:44I can treat you however I want.
00:21:46I may not know Mr. Serrano well, but I know this!
00:21:49You're not worthy of him!
00:21:50You're not even close to his level!
00:21:52You think you can talk to me like that and just walk out, bitch?
00:21:56Let's clean that thin mouth of yours.
00:22:07Let her go.
00:22:08Now.
00:22:20Mr. Serrano, what are you doing here?
00:22:23Paparazzi was hunting me.
00:22:25Bella helped me avoid him.
00:22:26Didn't expect to hear you humiliating her.
00:22:28I...
00:22:29We were just joking around.
00:22:31Throwing her money into a toilet and forcing her head in?
00:22:34That's a joke to you?
00:22:36Fascinating.
00:22:37In that case, I think it's your turn to try it.
00:22:39Pick up every bill.
00:22:40One by one.
00:22:42With your bare hands.
00:22:44What?
00:22:44No, please, Mr. Serrano.
00:22:46Isn't there some other way I can make it up to you?
00:22:48If you don't reach into that bowl,
00:22:50I will make your life a living hell.
00:23:05If I ever hear your bullying bell again,
00:23:08you'll be expelled.
00:23:09Why is my heart racing so fast?
00:23:12Am I actually falling for my sugar daddy?
00:23:17I don't know.
00:23:21Hmm?
00:23:23Take it.
00:23:24A hundred thousand to clear your debt.
00:23:26The rest is for your personal expenses.
00:23:28And don't worry about tuition.
00:23:30I took care of it.
00:23:31You paid my tuition?
00:23:34How did you even know I still owed tuition, Mr. Serrano?
00:23:36I don't know how to thank you.
00:23:38There's a reason I'm successful.
00:23:39Know what I'm doing, baby girl.
00:23:41But sir, I don't want to accept this for nothing.
00:23:44Anything beyond the contract,
00:23:45I'll pay it back once I graduate.
00:23:47I promise.
00:23:48Back in the locker room,
00:23:50why did you step out?
00:23:51I'm just your sugar baby, right?
00:23:53Because you're mine.
00:23:55No one gets to hurt you.
00:23:56He's protecting me.
00:23:58Not just the deal.
00:23:59Does it mean...
00:24:04Sir?
00:24:05No love.
00:24:06No sex.
00:24:08Never fall for the girl you're paying for.
00:24:09Get out.
00:24:10I'll send for you when it's time for our next appointment.
00:24:12I could feel his heart racing too.
00:24:14Why did he push me away?
00:24:16Yes.
00:24:17Yes, sir.
00:24:21Damn.
00:24:22She almost made me break my own rules.
00:24:24I can't let it happen again.
00:24:32Lily.
00:24:33I think I'm starting to fall for him.
00:24:36You mean Mr. Serrano?
00:24:38But he said...
00:24:39No love.
00:24:41He won't allow any sugar baby to fall for him.
00:24:45Do you know why he's like that?
00:24:47It's easy to understand.
00:24:49In this messy, high-stakes world,
00:24:52a sugar baby is his only escape.
00:24:55Love is a trap.
00:24:56It makes you spiral.
00:24:58Why ruin a pure, quiet arrangement
00:25:00with something as reckless as love?
00:25:02Or maybe there's a secret even deeper than that.
00:25:05Who knows?
00:25:06A secret?
00:25:07Don't overthink it.
00:25:08Every sugar baby who fell for him got fired.
00:25:10Don't cross the line.
00:25:11So if I fall for him,
00:25:12he'll just throw me away like the others.
00:25:15Bella.
00:25:15If you still need the money,
00:25:17don't let him know how you feel.
00:25:19Keep it hidden.
00:25:20She's right.
00:25:21I need to get a grip.
00:25:23But...
00:25:23Can I really do this?
00:25:28Tomorrow night,
00:25:29you, me, my private jet.
00:25:31I'll send an outfit.
00:25:32Your sugar daddy.
00:25:41Mr. Killian will be here soon.
00:25:43Please wait.
00:25:50Seen enough?
00:25:53I...
00:25:53I didn't mean to.
00:25:57Didn't mean to.
00:26:03So you just couldn't help yourself.
00:26:09If you want to look,
00:26:10go ahead.
00:26:12Next time,
00:26:13don't get caught.
00:26:15We've got a long flight.
00:26:16Stay with me.
00:26:17I haven't slept in weeks.
00:26:18Shower first,
00:26:19then sit next to me.
00:26:21It'll help me relax.
00:26:22Relax.
00:26:33Sit here.
00:26:39You look tired.
00:26:41Kings don't get tired.
00:26:43Just be quiet.
00:26:44And do your duty.
00:26:55He has all the money in the world.
00:26:58But why does he seem so...
00:26:59lonely?
00:27:02It must be hard to make friends,
00:27:04let alone date,
00:27:05when you're that busy.
00:27:06No wonder he pays for company.
00:27:08I'll stay with you, Killian.
00:27:18I was 25 weeks pregnant.
00:27:20My husband's app said
00:27:22his second baby was already at 28 weeks.
00:27:28That's how I discovered
00:27:30my marriage was a lie.
00:27:32While I was carrying his child,
00:27:34he was building another family
00:27:35behind my back
00:27:36and planning a future
00:27:37that didn't include me.
00:27:38But my husband made one fatal mistake.
00:27:41He thought I'd never uncover the truth.
00:27:433 a.m.
00:27:45The baby kicks me awake.
00:27:47Small foot.
00:27:49Familiar rhythm.
00:27:5125 weeks of knowing this body
00:27:53from the inside.
00:27:54My phone glows on the nightstand.
00:27:57Cole family network.
00:27:58The app Marcus installed for us.
00:28:00Our little family network.
00:28:02I open it expecting my own chart.
00:28:04My weight.
00:28:05My water intake.
00:28:06The lullaby playlist he made me.
00:28:08Instead,
00:28:08a red banner.
00:28:10I read it again.
00:28:12Second baby.
00:28:13Week 28?
00:28:15I am 25 weeks.
00:28:17There is no second baby.
00:28:19The screen burns into my eyes.
00:28:23My thumb hovers over the words
00:28:25like they might arrange themselves
00:28:26into something I understand.
00:28:28They don't.
00:28:29The room is quiet.
00:28:31Marcus is breathing beside me,
00:28:33deep and even,
00:28:34one arm thrown across his pillow,
00:28:36the way he always sleeps.
00:28:37My husband.
00:28:39The father of my child.
00:28:40Only mine.
00:28:41I look at him.
00:28:42At the curve of his shoulder
00:28:44in the dark.
00:28:46At the man I married
00:28:47three years ago
00:28:48in a chapel full of white peenies
00:28:49because I told him once
00:28:51they were my favorite.
00:28:52I want to believe
00:28:53the screen is wrong.
00:28:54A glitch.
00:28:55A stranger's data
00:28:57crossed with mine
00:28:58in some server room
00:28:59a thousand miles away.
00:29:00I want to believe it so badly
00:29:02my hands are shaking.
00:29:04Then he stirs.
00:29:05His lips move against the pillow.
00:29:07A whisper.
00:29:08Soft.
00:29:09Tender.
00:29:10The voice he used to use on me
00:29:11before I got big
00:29:12and tired
00:29:13and quiet.
00:29:14Elena.
00:29:16The baby kicks again.
00:29:18Harder this time.
00:29:20Like she heard it too.
00:29:23I don't scream.
00:29:25I don't cry.
00:29:26I do something worse.
00:29:28I reach across the bed
00:29:29and shake him awake.
00:29:30Wake up!
00:29:32Marcus!
00:29:34What?
00:29:34What time is it?
00:29:36Look at this.
00:29:39Sarah,
00:29:40it's three in the morning.
00:29:41Read it.
00:29:42He reads it.
00:29:43I am watching his face
00:29:44the way a doctor watches
00:29:45a heart monitor.
00:29:46Every flicker.
00:29:47Every twitch.
00:29:48For half a second
00:29:49his whole body goes rigid.
00:29:51Shoulders.
00:29:51Jaw.
00:29:52The hand holding the phone.
00:29:53Then he laughs.
00:29:55Soft.
00:29:56Sleepy.
00:29:57Practiced.
00:29:57Baby.
00:29:59It's a bug.
00:30:00The app's been glitching
00:30:01for weeks.
00:30:01Daniel at work said
00:30:02the same thing happened to him.
00:30:04It syncs somebody else's data
00:30:05to your profile.
00:30:06It says,
00:30:07second baby.
00:30:08It says a lot of things.
00:30:11I'll call the company tomorrow
00:30:12and tear them apart
00:30:14for scaring my pregnant wife
00:30:15at three in the morning.
00:30:16Okay?
00:30:17He pulls me down
00:30:18against his chest.
00:30:20His hand spreads
00:30:21wide across my belly.
00:30:22Warm.
00:30:24Steady.
00:30:24The hand I fell asleep under
00:30:26for a thousand nights.
00:30:27Our baby is 25 weeks.
00:30:30Our baby.
00:30:31Right here.
00:30:32Feel that?
00:30:33The baby kicks
00:30:33against his hum.
00:30:34He laughs
00:30:35and I feel the vibration
00:30:36of it in his ribs.
00:30:37If I had not been walking
00:30:38I would have believed him
00:30:39but I was watching
00:30:41and I felt it.
00:30:42The half second
00:30:43his body forgot
00:30:44to be relaxed.
00:30:45The half second
00:30:45his spine turned to wire
00:30:47under my cheek.
00:30:48My husband is a very good liar.
00:30:50I did not know that
00:30:52about him until tonight.
00:30:55I close my eyes.
00:30:57I make my breathing slow.
00:30:58The way the prenatal videos
00:31:00taught me.
00:31:01I count to 200.
00:31:03At 180.
00:31:04He moves.
00:31:08He's sitting up
00:31:09hunched over the screen.
00:31:11Thumb flying.
00:31:12He deletes something first.
00:31:13A swipe.
00:31:14A tap.
00:31:14Gone.
00:31:15Then he opens a chat.
00:31:17The contact photo
00:31:19at the top
00:31:19is a woman.
00:31:20Her back to the camera.
00:31:22Long, dark hair
00:31:23down to her waist.
00:31:24Saved as one letter.
00:31:25E.
00:31:27She found out.
00:31:28The app data got through.
00:31:30I thought you said
00:31:30it was airtight.
00:31:32Marcus.
00:31:33My belly is getting bigger
00:31:34every day.
00:31:35Don't worry.
00:31:36I'll handle it.
00:31:37Handle it?
00:31:38You call this handling it?
00:31:40I need you at my
00:31:41prenatal appointment tomorrow.
00:31:42Riverside Women's Clinic.
00:31:44Don't forget.
00:31:45I am not breathing.
00:31:47I have not been breathing
00:31:48for a while.
00:31:50Marcus's thumb hovers.
00:31:51I can see his profile
00:31:52in the blue light.
00:31:53The same profile
00:31:55I have kissed
00:31:55a thousand times.
00:31:58I'll be there.
00:32:01He deletes the conversation.
00:32:03Every message.
00:32:05Gone like it was never there.
00:32:06He sets the phone
00:32:08face down on the nightcand.
00:32:09He lies back.
00:32:10Within 90 seconds
00:32:11his breathing is even again.
00:32:13My husband can fall asleep
00:32:15after that.
00:32:16I stare at the ceiling
00:32:17until the dark
00:32:18turns gray.
00:32:20Riverside Women's Clinic.
00:32:22Tomorrow.
00:32:23Her belly is getting bigger
00:32:25every day.
00:32:2628 weeks.
00:32:27Three weeks ahead of mine.
00:32:29Three weeks.
00:32:31Which means when
00:32:32he was promising me
00:32:33forever in front of
00:32:34a hundred people
00:32:35when he was pressing
00:32:36his ear to my stomach
00:32:37and whispering
00:32:38hello little one
00:32:38he was already with her.
00:32:41I think about screaming.
00:32:44I think about waking him up
00:32:45and clawing his face open.
00:32:48I think about walking
00:32:49into the kitchen
00:32:49and picking up
00:32:50something heavy.
00:32:51I don't do any of it
00:32:53because the woman
00:32:54who screams
00:32:54gets a story.
00:32:57He'll say I'm hysterical
00:32:58hormonal
00:32:59unstable.
00:33:01He'll get custody ready
00:33:02quotes from his mother.
00:33:04He'll move money.
00:33:05The woman who is quiet
00:33:06gets the truth.
00:33:07I lay my hand
00:33:08on my belly.
00:33:1025 weeks.
00:33:11A daughter.
00:33:12He doesn't know
00:33:12it's a girl yet.
00:33:13I was saving it
00:33:14for his birthday
00:33:14next month.
00:33:15I'm sorry baby.
00:33:17Mommy was stupid.
00:33:18Mommy is done
00:33:19being stupid.
00:33:20The sun comes up
00:33:21I get out of bed
00:33:22I make him coffee
00:33:23the way he likes it
00:33:24two sugars
00:33:25a splash of cream.
00:33:27Love you.
00:33:28Get some rest today
00:33:28okay?
00:33:29Love you too.
00:33:31Riverside Women's Clinic
00:33:32I want to see her face.
00:33:42I park across the street
00:33:44at 845
00:33:44a bench
00:33:46under a maple tree
00:33:47a bottle of water
00:33:48shun glasses
00:33:49a maternity coat
00:33:50big enough
00:33:51to hide me
00:33:52from anyone
00:33:52glancing twice
00:33:53I wait
00:33:54couples go in
00:33:56a woman with her mother
00:33:57a man pushing
00:33:58a wheelchair
00:33:59a teenager alone
00:34:00eyes red
00:34:01each time
00:34:02the glass doors
00:34:02slide open
00:34:03my heart slams
00:34:04against my ribs
00:34:05and the baby
00:34:06kicks like she's
00:34:07furious with me
00:34:08for it
00:34:089 o'clock
00:34:1010
00:34:1211
00:34:12at 1147
00:34:14a black sedan
00:34:15pulls up
00:34:16his sedan
00:34:17the one I picked
00:34:17out with him
00:34:18at the dealership
00:34:18last spring
00:34:19because I said
00:34:20the leather
00:34:20smelled like a library
00:34:23in the navy shirt
00:34:24I ironed yesterday
00:34:25and she steps out
00:34:27I can't see her face
00:34:29she has her forehead
00:34:30pressed into his chest
00:34:31the second her feet
00:34:32touch the pavement
00:34:33like the walk
00:34:34from the car
00:34:34to the door
00:34:35is too much for her
00:34:36her belly
00:34:36it is bigger than mine
00:34:38round and high
00:34:39and proud
00:34:40under a soft white dress
00:34:41he walks her in
00:34:42like she is made of glass
00:34:43he has not walked me
00:34:45anywhere like that
00:34:45in 8 months
00:34:46he told me last week
00:34:47he was just tired
00:34:48work was crazy
00:34:49work was crazy
00:34:50the baby would come
00:34:52and we'd find
00:34:52our way back
00:34:53I am taking pictures
00:34:55my hands are not shaking
00:34:58I am surprised by that
00:35:0340 minutes later
00:35:04they come out
00:35:05he has her arm
00:35:06he guides her
00:35:07to the passenger seat
00:35:08he buckles her seat belt
00:35:09himself
00:35:10leans across her belly
00:35:11careful
00:35:12slow
00:35:13the way men do
00:35:14in movies
00:35:15then he straightens
00:35:16he brushes her hair back
00:35:18he bends down
00:35:20he kisses her forehead
00:35:22I take the picture
00:35:23shutter silent
00:35:25the kiss freezes on my screen
00:35:26his lips on her hairline
00:35:28her eyes closed
00:35:29her hand resting on top of his
00:35:31on her belly
00:35:31I take three more
00:35:32from three angles
00:35:34I am very calm
00:35:36I am the calmest
00:35:37I have ever been in my life
00:35:39then I open my phone
00:35:41and I call my husband
00:35:44I watch through the windshield
00:35:45he pulls back from her
00:35:47he glances at the screen
00:35:48the line picks up
00:35:50in the background
00:35:51I hear the soft ding
00:35:52of an elevator
00:35:53he is not in
00:35:53office chatted
00:35:55that is not happening
00:35:55he has an app for it
00:35:57I never knew that
00:35:58until this second
00:35:59hey baby
00:36:00you okay
00:36:01I'm okay
00:36:02the baby's been quiet
00:36:03I just wanted to hear
00:36:05your voice
00:36:05oh
00:36:06I'm sorry
00:36:07I'm slammed
00:36:07back-to-back meetings
00:36:08until at least four
00:36:09the Henderson deal
00:36:10blew up this morning
00:36:11are you coming home
00:36:12for lunch
00:36:13I can't
00:36:14order something for yourself
00:36:15okay
00:36:15get the soup you like
00:36:17okay
00:36:18I love you
00:36:19put your feet up
00:36:20I love you too
00:36:22he hangs up
00:36:23he turns back to the car
00:36:25he smiles at her
00:36:26through the window
00:36:26the smile I married
00:36:28he gets in
00:36:29the sedan pulls out
00:36:30into the noon traffic
00:36:31I watch the brake lights
00:36:33flare once at the corner
00:36:34the bench is still warm
00:36:35under me
00:36:36my water bottle
00:36:37is half full
00:36:41the world has not noticed
00:36:42that it ended
00:36:48730
00:36:50he comes home
00:36:51with champagne roses
00:36:52in one arm
00:36:53and a small velvet box
00:36:54in the other
00:36:55the roses are the exact
00:36:56shade I pointed at
00:36:58in a magazine
00:36:5818 months ago
00:36:59the necklace inside
00:37:00the box is the one
00:37:01I touched in a window
00:37:02last Christmas
00:37:03and said
00:37:03jokingly
00:37:04someday
00:37:05for my girls
00:37:07both of you
00:37:08he clasps it around
00:37:09my neck himself
00:37:10his fingers brush
00:37:11the back of my hair
00:37:12I do not flinch
00:37:13I have practiced
00:37:14not flinching
00:37:15for nine hours
00:37:16it's beautiful
00:37:18how was work
00:37:20brutal
00:37:20new project
00:37:22meetings all day
00:37:22I don't want to
00:37:23talk about it
00:37:24I want to look
00:37:25at my wife
00:37:26I catch it
00:37:27faint
00:37:28sharp
00:37:29underneath the cologne
00:37:30hospital
00:37:31antisept
00:37:32not the brand
00:37:33we keep in our
00:37:33bathroom
00:37:35I go to the kitchen
00:37:36to get him a glass
00:37:36of water
00:37:37he goes to shower
00:37:38I move fast
00:37:40his jacket is on
00:37:41the back of the chair
00:37:42outer pockets
00:37:43empty
00:37:44wiped clean
00:37:45he thought of that
00:37:46inner pocket
00:37:47my fingers find
00:37:48something folded
00:37:49small
00:37:49hard edges
00:37:51glossy paper
00:37:52I pull it out
00:37:53a sonograph
00:37:54the little curled body
00:37:56the little curled spine
00:37:5728 weeks
00:37:58a boy
00:37:59the header at the top
00:38:00says Riverside
00:38:01Women's Clinic
00:38:02today's date
00:38:03where the mother's
00:38:04name should be
00:38:04the paper has been
00:38:05torn
00:38:06carefully
00:38:06a clean strip
00:38:08removed
00:38:09only the first
00:38:10letter survives
00:38:10E
00:38:14I refold it
00:38:15along the same
00:38:15creases
00:38:16exactly
00:38:18I put it back
00:38:19in the inner pocket
00:38:20I straighten the
00:38:21jacket on the chair
00:38:22I am at the stove
00:38:24stirring soup
00:38:24when he comes out
00:38:25of the shower
00:38:26in a clean white
00:38:26t-shirt
00:38:27smelling like our
00:38:28soap again
00:38:28he kisses the top
00:38:29of my head
00:38:30he tells me I look
00:38:31beautiful in the
00:38:32necklace
00:38:32I let him feed me
00:38:33a spoonful of
00:38:34broth
00:38:34I sleep next to him
00:38:35that night
00:38:36I do not move
00:38:37for eight hours
00:38:39three days later
00:38:40Marcus's mother
00:38:41Rosa calls
00:38:44Sarah sweetheart
00:38:45how's my granddaughter
00:38:46kicking
00:38:46she loves your voice
00:38:48listen
00:38:49your cousin Margaret
00:38:50is coming through town
00:38:51next week
00:38:52I told her she could
00:38:53stay at the west side
00:38:54house there's plenty
00:38:55of room
00:38:56tell Marcus to send
00:38:57someone over to air
00:38:58it out would you
00:38:59fresh sheets
00:39:01the usual
00:39:02I lower the spoon
00:39:03I am holding
00:39:04the west side house
00:39:06mom I thought Marcus
00:39:07rented that place
00:39:08out last year
00:39:09he said the tenants
00:39:10were on a two year
00:39:11lease
00:39:11rented
00:39:12honey no
00:39:13that house has been
00:39:14sitting empty
00:39:14since we bought it
00:39:15don't listen to
00:39:16Marcus's nonsense
00:39:17he's always making
00:39:18things up to avoid
00:39:19having relatives stay
00:39:20just tell him to get
00:39:21it ready
00:39:21right of course
00:39:22I'll tell him
00:39:23good girl
00:39:24rest those feet
00:39:25the line clicks off
00:39:26I stand in the kitchen
00:39:28with the phone in my hand
00:39:29the soup is burning
00:39:30I do not turn off
00:39:31the stove
00:39:32empty
00:39:32the house has been
00:39:33empty for a year
00:39:34a whole house
00:39:35in the west part of the city
00:39:36with no one in it
00:39:37according to his mother
00:39:38and every time I have
00:39:40asked him about it
00:39:41in the last six months
00:39:42he has said the same
00:39:43easy thing
00:39:43oh the tenants are fine
00:39:44rent came in on time
00:39:45don't worry about it baby
00:39:48he has been lying
00:39:49about a house
00:39:51a house big enough
00:39:52to hide a woman in
00:39:56Saturday morning
00:39:57he ties his tie
00:39:58in the mirror
00:39:58he tells me
00:39:59there's a fire
00:40:00at the office
00:40:01he'll be home
00:40:02by dinner
00:40:03I hate leaving you
00:40:04on a weekend
00:40:07it's okay
00:40:08go
00:40:10the door closes
00:40:11I open the tracking app
00:40:13I installed on his phone
00:40:14four nights ago
00:40:15while he was sleeping
00:40:17with one hand
00:40:18on my belly
00:40:18the blue dot
00:40:19moves across the city
00:40:20past his office building
00:40:21past the highway exit
00:40:23he would take for work
00:40:24west
00:40:25it stops
00:40:26the address that fills
00:40:27the screen
00:40:27is the west side house
00:40:29I do not get in the car
00:40:31I do not go there
00:40:32he would have a story ready
00:40:34before I finished knocking
00:40:35a contractor
00:40:36a leak
00:40:37a surprise for me
00:40:39anything
00:40:40he is too good at this
00:40:44instead I open the property
00:40:45management portal
00:40:46for the building
00:40:47I type in his phone number
00:40:48for the usernator
00:40:49I try his birthday
00:40:51for the password
00:40:52I am in
00:40:53visitor access
00:40:55six months of records
00:40:56one code
00:40:58used almost every day
00:41:00morning
00:41:01evening
00:41:01weekends
00:41:02the code is registered
00:41:04to a single resident
00:41:05I click the name
00:41:07the page loads
00:41:08facial recognition photo
00:41:09at the top
00:41:10required for entry
00:41:11a woman
00:41:12twenty something
00:41:12long dark hair
00:41:14down past her shoulders
00:41:15soft eyes
00:41:16a small private smile
00:41:17at the camera
00:41:18the kind you give
00:41:19someone holding the phone
00:41:20not the camera itself
00:41:21I know this face
00:41:22not from anywhere
00:41:23in my life
00:41:24from a contact photo
00:41:25saved under one letter
00:41:26on a phone screen
00:41:27in the dark
00:41:28at three in the morning
00:41:29B
00:41:29I look at her smile
00:41:31a long time
00:41:31I cannot stop looking
00:41:33she is beautiful
00:41:34that is the part
00:41:35that surprises me
00:41:36I thought she would be ugly
00:41:37I thought it would be easier
00:41:38if she was ugly
00:41:41I do not close the portal
00:41:43I scroll
00:41:44there is a tab
00:41:44at the top
00:41:45community board
00:41:46resident events
00:41:47photo galleries
00:41:48I click it
00:41:49because I am not ready
00:41:50to stand up yet
00:41:51because if I stand up
00:41:53something inside me
00:41:53is going to come apart
00:41:54and I am not ready
00:41:56last month's event
00:41:57most beautiful expectant mother
00:42:00building 7 annual contest
00:42:0240 something entries
00:42:03pregnant women in soft dresses
00:42:05standing in the lobby
00:42:06with their partners
00:42:07captions underneath each photo
00:42:09resident names
00:42:10unit numbers
00:42:10cute little hearts
00:42:11I scroll
00:42:12page 1
00:42:13page 5
00:42:14page 10
00:42:15page 15
00:42:16I stop
00:42:17a photograph
00:42:17a woman in a pale blue dress
00:42:19hand resting on a high round belly
00:42:22long dark hair
00:42:23the same soft eyes
00:42:24from the facial recognition photo
00:42:26she is laughing at something off camera
00:42:28a man stands behind her
00:42:30his arm is around her shoulders
00:42:32his other hand is spread wide
00:42:34across her belly
00:42:35protective
00:42:36proud
00:42:36the way men do in the magazines
00:42:38I used to read
00:42:39he is laughing too
00:42:40it is Marcus
00:42:41my Marcus
00:42:42the man who tied his tie
00:42:44in our mirror this morning
00:42:46the man whose ring
00:42:47is on my finger
00:42:48the man whose daughter
00:42:50is kicking inside me
00:42:51right now
00:42:51hard
00:42:52like she is trying
00:42:54to get my attention
00:42:55my eyes drop to the caption
00:42:56beneath the photo
00:42:57small black letters
00:42:59cheerfy font
00:43:00resident of unit 11
00:43:011
00:43:02miss elena
00:43:03and her husband
00:43:04mr cole
00:43:04her husband
00:43:05mr cole
00:43:06i read the three words again
00:43:08and again
00:43:08her
00:43:09husband
00:43:10mr cole
00:43:29i don't have your money
00:43:31but i'll get it
00:43:32i promise
00:43:32college student working in a cafe
00:43:34where are you gonna get a hundred g's
00:43:35for your mom's medical beers
00:43:36huh
00:43:37you wanna make that cash quick
00:43:39there's always the shipyard auctions
00:43:40bidders would pay for a turn
00:43:42with a rosy co-ed like you
00:43:44i'd never do that
00:43:45back off
00:43:54you're a bit early
00:43:55you must be the new girl
00:43:57come on get in
00:44:11huh
00:44:12she looks nothing like her photo
00:44:15this place is huge
00:44:17i'll just drop this coffee off
00:44:27new girl here already
00:44:30she looks
00:44:31so innocent
00:44:36bold of you to walk in like this
00:44:40your coffee sir
00:44:45god
00:44:46he looks so overwhelming
00:44:47something about you
00:44:50different
00:44:51but cute
00:44:59listen here new meat
00:45:00the accidental introsion trick
00:45:02is not gonna work on mr serrano
00:45:03your little innocent virginal act
00:45:05isn't fooling anyone
00:45:07i don't know what you're talking about
00:45:09this what you're into now mr serrano
00:45:12broke delivery girl role play
00:45:16that's enough lucy
00:45:18mr serrano
00:45:19whatever act she's doing
00:45:21i'll do it ten times better
00:45:22this boring bitch can't
00:45:23i didn't ask for your opinion
00:45:24you're done here
00:45:31no
00:45:32no
00:45:32no
00:45:40not bad
00:45:41what
00:45:47i
00:45:48sir you've got the wrong person
00:45:52the wrong person
00:45:55interesting
00:46:00you took an hour for one coffee delivery
00:46:02that's coming out of your pay
00:46:04no please
00:46:05i'm sorry
00:46:06i really need this money
00:46:07my mom's surgery
00:46:08i run a business
00:46:09not a charity
00:46:14can't run forever little girl
00:46:16i told you i just need a few more days
00:46:19please
00:46:20time's up
00:46:22you can always pay with your body
00:46:25trouble seems to follow you
00:46:26i don't want any of it
00:46:27you're fired
00:46:28get out
00:46:46well look who's out of a job
00:46:48where you getting that a hundred grand from now
00:46:50your mom's got cancer
00:46:51she's only gonna need more money
00:47:03all this fuss for a little bit of money
00:47:07i'm bella's friend
00:47:08don't touch her
00:47:14ellie
00:47:16where did you get that kind of money
00:47:20nice start sweetheart
00:47:22but this doesn't even cover the interest
00:47:25i
00:47:25i really don't have more right now
00:47:27then you're coming with us
00:47:29no please
00:47:30i'll get you the money tomorrow
00:47:33all right
00:47:3324 hours
00:47:34paid in full
00:47:35last chance
00:47:39you don't have a way to get that money do you
00:47:41what do i do
00:47:47bella
00:47:49are you willing to do anything to clear your debt
00:47:59it's an app called sugar love
00:48:01sugar daddies pay my bills
00:48:03so clutch
00:48:07what's a sugar daddy
00:48:09a sugar daddy's just a rich guy looking to spoil some hot young thing
00:48:13and me
00:48:14i'm the hot young thing
00:48:16obvia
00:48:16you need money
00:48:17you should do it
00:48:19what do you have to like
00:48:20have sex with these guys
00:48:22i don't think i could do that
00:48:23we're sugar babies
00:48:24not hookers
00:48:25bella
00:48:26most of these guys just want company
00:48:29some girls do more but
00:48:32it's all mutual
00:48:33there's only one rule
00:48:35never ever fall in love with your sugar daddy
00:48:38could i really do this
00:48:45okay i'm in
00:48:46i'd never fall for a man who pays for my company
00:48:49but this has to stay between us
00:48:52if the school finds out i'll be expelled
00:48:54my lips are sealed
00:48:59sugar love
00:49:00what's your price
00:49:04now you just wait for the request to roll in
00:49:07you're a hottie
00:49:08you'll crush
00:49:12does that say penis size 7.6 inches
00:49:15holy shit that's huge
00:49:17have you ever taken a dick that bit
00:49:19oh sweetie
00:49:21you don't have to
00:49:22but sometimes feelings develop
00:49:24between sugar babies and sugar daddies
00:49:26wait
00:49:28shut up
00:49:29this guy is the platform's top tier sugar daddy
00:49:32and he chose you
00:49:34waist 26
00:49:35hips 38
00:49:36looks like you're my new sugar baby after all
00:49:39so
00:49:41not a mistake
00:49:43just fate
00:49:45j
00:49:46turn around
00:49:47my new girl is on the way
00:49:58why does this feel so familiar
00:50:05mr serrano requests that you cover your eyes before you enter
00:50:20sir
00:50:22are
00:50:22are you my sugar daddy
00:50:25shh
00:50:27take off your coat
00:50:28oh no
00:50:28you told me not to wear a bra
00:50:31but
00:50:32lower your hands
00:50:36how many sugar daddies have you had before me
00:50:39a virgin
00:50:42yes
00:50:42pure
00:50:44take off your blindfold
00:50:46it's you
00:50:50sign the contract
00:50:51and you'll officially be my sugar baby
00:50:57so will we
00:50:58i mean do i have to
00:51:01you actually think i'm going to sleep with you
00:51:03won't you
00:51:04isn't that
00:51:06the whole point of this
00:51:11once you're new to this
00:51:12let me be very clear
00:51:14i have two rules for my sugar babies
00:51:17no love
00:51:18no sex
00:51:19just company
00:51:22then why
00:51:23buying a woman's body with wealth and power
00:51:26that's too easy
00:51:27and too pathetic
00:51:30women are meant to be protected
00:51:33not coerced
00:51:33i'll cut you off like i did the others
00:51:35sir i'm just here
00:51:37to get money for my mom's chemo
00:51:38and to pay off my debt
00:51:40can you keep your distance
00:51:41so you can resist me
00:51:42before you give me your word
00:51:45i'll do what you say
00:51:48good
00:51:49from now on you're my sugar baby
00:51:51you're different from the others
00:51:53don't disappoint me
00:51:57miss steel
00:51:58this is from mr serrano for your time today
00:52:00also please open the trunk after you get out
00:52:07to my sugar baby
00:52:08a gift for the new semester
00:52:10a gift
00:52:12i've never received a gift before
00:52:17girls
00:52:17i have tea
00:52:19the billionaire killian serrano
00:52:21aka the school's biggest donor
00:52:23is speaking at convocation today
00:52:27the mysterious mr serrano
00:52:30as in the sexiest billionaire bachelor
00:52:33an elite man like him will only date the best
00:52:36and who's the top bitch at this school
00:52:39you are june
00:52:42my father and he go way back
00:52:46and i'm the only one worthy of being his girlfriend
00:52:58still early
00:52:59i can pay the debt after the speech
00:53:03shut up
00:53:04not small town dud
00:53:06bella steel
00:53:07all glowed up
00:53:09okay sly
00:53:12that dress and bag are both limited edition dior
00:53:16how'd that broke bitch even afford them
00:53:30don't turn this convocation into a circus
00:53:32bella
00:53:33come sit with me
00:53:41you're so beautiful today bella
00:53:44are they dior they suit you perfectly
00:53:47i don't know it's a gift
00:53:51as if anyone could gift you a ten thousand dollars bag
00:53:53and a limited edition dress
00:53:55it's probably some cheap fake you plucked out of a dumpster
00:53:58on your way home from work
00:54:01careful june
00:54:02jealousy can lead to permanent wrinkles
00:54:15you bitch
00:54:16how dare you carry a fake bag and talk back to me
00:54:22stop
00:54:33killian serrano
00:54:34mysterious billionaire
00:54:36my sugar daddy
00:54:38why is he here
00:54:44why is mr serrano looking at bella like that
00:54:47it's as if they already know each other
00:54:51everyone's looking
00:54:52i can't be this close to him
00:54:55bella how dare you cause a scene at convocation
00:54:57get out
00:54:58now
00:54:59my family is one of saint maria college's biggest donors
00:55:02chancellor brown will no doubt take my side
00:55:04you're finished bella
00:55:06i didn't
00:55:07june started it
00:55:08i only warned her because of that cheap knockoff she's carrying
00:55:11we don't welcome vain little bitches in this school
00:55:18my bag isn't a fake
00:55:20and i'm not some vain bitch
00:55:21you're the one who's a power tripping bully june
00:55:24not a fake
00:55:25a broke loser like you buying luxury
00:55:26in your dreams
00:55:28you've gone too far
00:55:29you bitch
00:55:30if i say it's fake
00:55:31it's fake
00:55:32stop lying
00:55:34enough
00:55:37who says her bag is fake
00:55:38i believe her
00:55:39it's real
00:55:43real
00:55:44how can you possibly prove that
00:55:47do you have the receipt
00:55:48i didn't want to draw this much attention
00:55:51but she's left me no choice
00:55:54read the total june
00:55:55out loud
00:55:57two
00:55:58two million dollars
00:55:59two million
00:56:00june's whole outfit isn't even worth ten thousand
00:56:03who's the broke bitch now
00:56:07i don't care
00:56:09she's still a troublemaker
00:56:11chancellor
00:56:11she started the fight
00:56:13tell her to leave
00:56:14no
00:56:15not her
00:56:16you
00:56:20june carter
00:56:21it doesn't matter who your family is
00:56:23bullying and slander are serious offenses
00:56:26you're on sanitation duty for the rest of the month
00:56:28now get out
00:56:33how dare mr serrano side with that little bitch bella instead of me
00:56:37on what grounds
00:56:38i'm going to make her life a living hell
00:56:46bella come sit here
00:56:54college isn't just a vault for knowledge
00:56:58it's a trial of character
00:57:00no one here should be humiliated or trampled on because of where they come from
00:57:04brains are the new sexy
00:57:06and looking at him
00:57:07it's the absolute truth
00:57:11this year's freshman merit scholar is
00:57:13bella steel
00:57:14why would i imagine something like that
00:57:16what is wrong with me
00:57:18bella
00:57:19they called your name
00:57:20go and get your award from mr serrano
00:57:31you seem nervous
00:57:42congratulations miss steel
00:57:5410 minutes
00:57:55wait for me in the auditorium
00:57:57your sugar daddy
00:58:05this is such a bad idea
00:58:07if someone sees me with him
00:58:09i could get expelled
00:58:10what am i thinking
00:58:13that boy
00:58:14who was he
00:58:15you mean will
00:58:16i don't like people eyeing what's mine
00:58:21being my sugar baby requires absolute loyalty
00:58:25now
00:58:26you need to be punished
00:58:27mr serrano can we not do this here
00:58:30i can't risk expulsion
00:58:34the face of an angel
00:58:36you're my sugar daddy sir
00:58:38not my boyfriend
00:58:39i can talk with whoever i want
00:58:41you might look innocent
00:58:43but clearly you're not
00:58:45besides
00:58:46go on baby girl
00:58:47i enjoy watching you argue
00:58:51even when it doesn't work
00:58:52will and i are just friends
00:58:54no
00:58:56i saw the way he looked at you
00:58:58like you're his
00:58:59you're wrong it's not like that
00:59:03that little slot
00:59:06how dare a broke loser like her take the man i want
00:59:09i'll expose her and get her expelled
00:59:15attention everyone
00:59:17bella steel only got that award because she's hooking up with killin serrano
00:59:21don't believe me
00:59:22open the door and find out
00:59:24that goody two shoes is sleeping with the billionaire killian serrano
00:59:29what a sneaky slut
00:59:30that's enough
00:59:31bella's not like that
00:59:37bella
00:59:37watch me expose you and get you kicked out of school
00:59:48what's going on here do you all want to clean toilets with june
00:59:55one more mess like this june and you're expelled
00:59:57now get a mop and start scrubbing
01:00:05i paid for this
01:00:07that makes you mine
01:00:12i may be your sugar baby
01:00:14but i'm allowed to have my own life
01:00:16you don't own me
01:00:18i'm not your property or your pet
01:00:20i'm a person
01:00:23do you have any idea how easy it would be for me to take you right here
01:00:28on this stage
01:00:30you wouldn't dare
01:00:32watch me
01:00:35damn it
01:00:36other babies were always obedient
01:00:38but she's different
01:00:39i can't control her at all
01:00:41he stopped
01:00:42but why
01:00:43why was i actually expecting him to kiss me
01:00:50aha
01:00:51killian serrano
01:00:52caught in a torrid affair
01:00:54but who is the girl
01:00:59lux's corpse ceo
01:01:01killian serrano
01:01:02is giving a talk here today
01:01:03his rivals will pay a fortune
01:01:05for any dirt on him
01:01:10jackpot
01:01:10unlocked
01:01:16mr serrano
01:01:17are you sleeping with a college student
01:01:19this is the scoop of the century
01:01:21damn it
01:01:45why is that man after you
01:01:48when you run a multi-billion dollar enterprise
01:01:50everyone watches your every move
01:01:52success breeds enemies
01:01:54and my rivals would pay to take me down
01:01:56if it's that serious
01:01:57why did he cover my face first back there
01:02:00was he protecting me
01:02:02ha
01:02:02found you
01:02:12america's top billionaire grooms college girls
01:02:15nice headline mr serrano
01:02:17don't you think
01:02:21if this guy catches us
01:02:22it'll ruin mr serrano
01:02:24he protected me back there
01:02:26now it's my turn
01:02:31oh yes
01:02:33baby
01:02:34that was pretty fake
01:02:36want me to make it real
01:02:41students skipping class to mess around
01:02:48pervert
01:02:49there's a pervert in the locker room
01:02:50security security
01:02:56stop
01:02:56stop
01:02:58silly girl
01:02:59that's not my belt
01:03:01can you
01:03:03just put me down now
01:03:05tell me
01:03:07why did you help me
01:03:10because you're my sugar daddy
01:03:12and i wanted to protect you
01:03:14she's not like the other babies
01:03:19check to see the coast is clear
01:03:20if someone catches you in the girls locker room
01:03:22it won't look too good
01:03:27i thought i heard a man's voice
01:03:29are you turning tricks on school property bella
01:03:35i'm not in the mood for this june
01:03:37please move
01:03:41let me go
01:03:42you're sucking extracurricular dick aren't you
01:03:45trying to make a buck
01:03:47you have everyone else fooled
01:03:48but i know you're a little slut
01:03:50no wonder you had mr serrano
01:03:52wrapped around your finger
01:03:53you're just upset
01:03:54because he rejected you
01:03:55when you threw yourself at him
01:04:02what did you just say
01:04:04are you mr serrano's sugar baby
01:04:10i don't know what you're talking about
01:04:16playing dumb fine
01:04:18i'll expose you myself
01:04:20what are you doing
01:04:26everyone knows you're here on a charity scholarship bella
01:04:29so why are you carrying this much cash
01:04:32give my money back
01:04:33knew it
01:04:34bella steel spreading your legs
01:04:36for the highest bidder
01:04:37i'm gonna make you regret
01:04:39taking killian serrano from me
01:04:44no i need that for my mom's treatment
01:04:48mr serrano said it
01:04:50we're all equal
01:04:51what gives you the right to treat people like this
01:04:54equal come on
01:04:55i was born a princess
01:04:56you were born trash
01:04:57i can treat you however i want
01:04:59i may not know mr serrano well
01:05:01but i know this
01:05:02you're not worthy of him
01:05:04you're not even close to his level
01:05:05you think you can talk to me like that
01:05:07and just walk out bitch
01:05:09let's clean up the mouth of yours
01:05:20let her go now
01:05:33mr serrano what what what are you doing here
01:05:36paparazzi was hunting me
01:05:38bella helped me avoid him
01:05:39didn't expect to hear you humiliating her
01:05:41i we were just joking around
01:05:44throwing her money into a toilet
01:05:46and forcing her head in
01:05:47that's a joke to you
01:05:49that's a joke to you
01:05:50in that case i think it's your turn to try it
01:05:52pick up every bill
01:05:53one by one
01:05:55with your bare hands
01:05:57what no please mr serrano
01:05:59isn't there some other way i can make it up to you
01:06:01if you don't reach into that bowl
01:06:03i will make your life a living hell
01:06:18if i ever hear your bullying bell again
01:06:21you'll be expelled
01:06:22why is my heart racing so fast
01:06:25am i actually falling for my sugar daddy
01:06:36take it
01:06:37a hundred thousand to clear your debt
01:06:39the rest is for your personal expenses
01:06:41and don't worry about tuition
01:06:43i took care of it
01:06:44you paid my tuition
01:06:47how did you even know i still owed tuition mr serrano
01:06:50i don't know how to thank you
01:06:51there's a reason i'm successful
01:06:52know what i'm doing baby girl
01:06:54but sir i don't want to accept this for nothing
01:06:57anything beyond the contract
01:06:58i'll pay it back once i graduate
01:07:00i promise
01:07:02back in the locker room
01:07:03why did you step out
01:07:04i'm just your sugar baby right
01:07:06because you're mine
01:07:07no one gets to hurt you
01:07:09he's protecting me
01:07:11not just the deal
01:07:12does it mean
01:07:18sir
01:07:19no love
01:07:20no sex
01:07:20never fall for the girl you're paying for
01:07:22get out
01:07:23i'll send for you when it's time for our next appointment
01:07:25i could feel his heart racing too
01:07:27why did he push me away
01:07:30yes
01:07:30yes sir
01:07:34damn
01:07:35she almost made me break my own rules
01:07:37i can't let it happen again
01:07:46lily
01:07:47i think i'm starting to fall for him
01:07:49you mean mr serrano
01:07:51but he said
01:07:52no love
01:07:54he won't allow any sugar baby to fall for him
01:07:58do you know why he's like that
01:08:00it's easy to understand
01:08:02in this messy
01:08:04high stakes world
01:08:05a sugar baby is his only escape
01:08:07love is a trap
01:08:09it makes you spiral
01:08:10why ruin a pure
01:08:12quiet arrangement
01:08:13with something as reckless as love
01:08:15or maybe
01:08:16there's a secret even deeper than that
01:08:18who knows
01:08:19a secret
01:08:20don't overthink it
01:08:21every sugar baby who fell for him got fired
01:08:23don't cross the line
01:08:24so if i fall for him
01:08:25he'll just throw me away like the others
01:08:28bella
01:08:29if you still need the money
01:08:30don't let him know how you feel
01:08:32keep it hidden
01:08:33she's right
01:08:34i need to get a grip
01:08:36but
01:08:37can i really do this
01:08:41tomorrow night
01:08:42you me my private jet
01:08:44i'll send an outfit
01:08:45your sugar daddy
01:08:54mr killian will be here soon
01:08:56please wait
01:09:03seen enough
01:09:06i i didn't mean to
01:09:10didn't mean to
01:09:16so you just couldn't help yourself
01:09:22if you want to look
01:09:23go ahead
01:09:25next time
01:09:26don't get caught
01:09:28we've got a long flight
01:09:29stay with me
01:09:30i haven't slept in weeks
01:09:31shower first
01:09:32then sit next to me
01:09:33it'll help me relax
01:09:47sit here
01:09:52you look tired
01:09:53kings don't get tired
01:09:55just be quiet
01:09:57and do your duty
01:10:08he has all the money
01:10:09in the world
01:10:11but why does he seem so
01:10:13lonely
01:10:15it must be hard
01:10:16to make friends
01:10:17let alone date
01:10:18when you're that busy
01:10:19no wonder he pays
01:10:20for company
01:10:21i'll stay with you
01:10:23killian
01:10:30i was 25 weeks pregnant
01:10:33my husband's app said
01:10:35his second baby was already
01:10:37at 28 weeks
01:10:41that's how i discovered
01:10:43my marriage
01:10:44was a lie
01:10:44while i was carrying
01:10:46his child
01:10:47he was building
01:10:48another family
01:10:49behind my back
01:10:49and planning a future
01:10:50that didn't include me
01:10:52but my husband
01:10:53made one fatal mistake
01:10:54he thought i'd never
01:10:55uncover the truth
01:10:573am
01:10:57the baby kicks me awake
01:11:00small foot
01:11:01familiar rhythm
01:11:0325 weeks of knowing
01:11:06this body from the inside
01:11:07my phone glows on the nightstand
01:11:10cole family network
01:11:11the app marcus installed for us
01:11:13our little family network
01:11:15i open it expecting my own chart
01:11:17my weight
01:11:18my water intake
01:11:19the lullaby playlist he made me
01:11:21instead
01:11:21a red banner
01:11:23i read it again
01:11:25second baby
01:11:26week 28
01:11:28i am 25 weeks
01:11:30there is no second baby
01:11:33the screen burns into my eyes
01:11:36my thumb hovers over the words
01:11:38like they might arrange themselves
01:11:39into something i understand
01:11:41they don't
01:11:42the room is quiet
01:11:43marcus is breathing beside me
01:11:46deep and even
01:11:47one arm thrown across his pillow
01:11:49the way he always sleeps
01:11:50my husband
01:11:51the father of my child
01:11:53only mine
01:11:54i look at him
01:11:56at the curve of his shoulder
01:11:58in the dark
01:11:59at the man i married
01:12:00three years ago
01:12:01in a chapel full of white peenies
01:12:03because i told him once
01:12:04they were my favorite
01:12:05i want to believe the screen is wrong
01:12:07a glitch
01:12:08a stranger's data
01:12:10crossed with mine
01:12:11in some server room
01:12:12a thousand miles away
01:12:13i want to believe it so badly
01:12:15my hands are shaking
01:12:16then he stirs
01:12:18his lips move against the pillow
01:12:20a whisper
01:12:21soft
01:12:22tender
01:12:23the voice he used to use on me
01:12:25before i got big
01:12:26and tired
01:12:26and quiet
01:12:27elena
01:12:29the baby kicks again
01:12:31harder this time
01:12:32like she heard it too
01:12:37i don't scream
01:12:38i don't cry
01:12:39i do something worse
01:12:40i reach across the bed
01:12:42and shake him awake
01:12:43wake up
01:12:44marcus
01:12:47what
01:12:48what time is it
01:12:49look at this
01:12:52sarah
01:12:53it's three in the morning
01:12:54read it
01:12:55he reads it
01:12:56i am watching his face
01:12:58the way a doctor
01:12:58watches a heart monitor
01:12:59every flicker
01:13:00every twitch
01:13:01for half a second
01:13:02his whole body
01:13:03goes rigid
01:13:04shoulders
01:13:04jaw
01:13:05the hand holding the phone
01:13:06then he laughs
01:13:07soft
01:13:08sleepy
01:13:09practiced
01:13:10baby
01:13:12it's a bug
01:13:13the app's been glitching
01:13:14for weeks
01:13:14daniel at work
01:13:15said the same thing
01:13:16happened to him
01:13:17it syncs somebody else's
01:13:18data to your profile
01:13:19it says
01:13:20second baby
01:13:21it says a lot of things
01:13:24i'll call the company
01:13:25tomorrow
01:13:26and tear them apart
01:13:27for scaring my pregnant
01:13:28wife at three in the morning
01:13:30okay
01:13:30he pulls me down
01:13:32against his chest
01:13:33his hand spreads
01:13:34wide across my belly
01:13:35warm
01:13:37steady
01:13:37the hand i fell asleep
01:13:39under for a thousand nights
01:13:41our baby
01:13:41is 25 weeks
01:13:43our baby
01:13:44right here
01:13:45feel that
01:13:46the baby kicks
01:13:47against his hum
01:13:47he laughs
01:13:48and i feel the vibration
01:13:49of it in his ribs
01:13:50if i had not been walking
01:13:52i would have believed him
01:13:53but i was watching
01:13:54and i felt it
01:13:55the half second
01:13:56his body forgot
01:13:57to be relaxed
01:13:58the half second
01:13:59his spine turned to wire
01:14:00under my cheek
01:14:01my husband is a very good liar
01:14:03i did not know that
01:14:05about him until tonight
01:14:08i close my eyes
01:14:10i make my breathing slow
01:14:11the way the prenatal videos
01:14:13taught me
01:14:14i count to 200
01:14:16at 180
01:14:18he moves
01:14:21he's sitting up
01:14:22hunched over the screen
01:14:24thumb flying
01:14:25he deletes something first
01:14:26a swipe
01:14:27a tap
01:14:27gone
01:14:28then he opens a chat
01:14:31the contact photo
01:14:32at the top
01:14:32is a woman
01:14:33her back to the camera
01:14:34long
01:14:35dark hair
01:14:36down to her waist
01:14:37saved as one letter
01:14:38e
01:14:40she found out
01:14:41the app data got through
01:14:43i thought you said
01:14:44it was airtight
01:14:45marcus
01:14:46my belly is getting bigger
01:14:48every day
01:14:48don't worry
01:14:49i'll handle it
01:14:50handle it
01:14:51you call this handling it
01:14:53i need you at my
01:14:54prenatal appointment tomorrow
01:14:55riverside women's clinic
01:14:57don't forget
01:14:58i am not breathing
01:15:00i have not been breathing
01:15:01for a while
01:15:03marcus's thumb hovers
01:15:04i can see his profile
01:15:05in the blue light
01:15:06the same profile
01:15:08i have kissed
01:15:09a thousand times
01:15:12i'll be there
01:15:15he deletes the conversation
01:15:16every message
01:15:17gone like it was never there
01:15:19he sets the phone
01:15:21face down on the nightcand
01:15:22he lies back
01:15:23within 90 seconds
01:15:24his breathing is even again
01:15:27my husband can fall asleep
01:15:28after that
01:15:29i stare at the ceiling
01:15:30until the dark
01:15:31turns gray
01:15:34riverside women's clinic
01:15:35tomorrow
01:15:36her belly is getting bigger
01:15:38every day
01:15:3828 weeks
01:15:40three weeks ahead of mine
01:15:42three weeks
01:15:44which means when he was
01:15:45promising me forever
01:15:46in front of a hundred people
01:15:48when he was pressing his ear
01:15:50to my stomach
01:15:50and whispering hello
01:15:51little one
01:15:52he was already with her
01:15:55i think about screaming
01:15:57i think about waking him up
01:15:59and clawing his face open
01:16:01i think about walking into the kitchen
01:16:03and picking up something heavy
01:16:05i don't do any of it
01:16:06because the woman who screams
01:16:07gets a story
01:16:10he'll say i'm hysterical
01:16:12hormonal
01:16:12unstable
01:16:14he'll get custody ready quotes
01:16:16from his mother
01:16:17he'll move money
01:16:18the woman who is quiet
01:16:19gets the truth
01:16:20i lay my hand on my belly
01:16:2325 weeks
01:16:24a daughter
01:16:25he doesn't know it's a girl yet
01:16:26i was saving it for his birthday
01:16:27next month
01:16:28i'm sorry baby
01:16:30mommy was stupid
01:16:31mommy is done being stupid
01:16:33the sun comes up
01:16:34i get out of bed
01:16:35i make him coffee
01:16:36the way he likes it
01:16:37two sugars
01:16:38a splash of cream
01:16:39love you
01:16:41get some rest today okay
01:16:42love you too
01:16:44riverside women's clinic
01:16:45i want to see her face
01:16:55i park across the street
01:16:57at 8 45
01:16:58a bench under a maple tree
01:17:00a bottle of water
01:17:01shun glasses
01:17:02a maternity coat
01:17:04big enough to hide me
01:17:05from anyone glancing twice
01:17:06i wait
01:17:07couples go in
01:17:09a woman with her mother
01:17:10a man pushing a wheelchair
01:17:12a teenager alone
01:17:13eyes red
01:17:14each time the glass doors
01:17:16slide open
01:17:16my heart slams against my ribs
01:17:18and the baby kicks
01:17:20like she's furious with me for it
01:17:229 o'clock
01:17:2310
01:17:2511
01:17:25at 11 47
01:17:27a black sedan pulls up
01:17:29his sedan
01:17:30the one i picked out with him
01:17:31at the dealership last spring
01:17:32because i said the leather
01:17:33smelled like a library
01:17:36in the navy shirt
01:17:37i ironed yesterday
01:17:38and she steps out
01:17:41i can't see her face
01:17:42she has her forehead
01:17:43pressed into his chest
01:17:44the second her feet
01:17:45touch the pavement
01:17:46like the walk from the car
01:17:47to the door
01:17:48is too much for her
01:17:49her belly
01:17:50it is bigger than mine
01:17:51round and high
01:17:52and proud
01:17:53under a soft white dress
01:17:54he walks her in
01:17:55like she is made of glass
01:17:56he has not walked me
01:17:58anywhere like that
01:17:59in 8 months
01:17:59he told me last week
01:18:00he was just tired
01:18:01work was crazy
01:18:02work was crazy
01:18:03the baby would come
01:18:05and we'd find our way back
01:18:06i am taking pictures
01:18:08my hands are not shaking
01:18:11i am surprised by that
01:18:1640 minutes later
01:18:17they come out
01:18:18he has her arm
01:18:19he guides her to the passenger seat
01:18:21he buckles her seat belt himself
01:18:23leans across her belly
01:18:24careful
01:18:25slow
01:18:26the way men do in movies
01:18:28then he straightens
01:18:30he brushes her hair back
01:18:32he bends down
01:18:33he kisses her forehead
01:18:35i take the picture
01:18:36shutter silent
01:18:38the kiss freezes on my screen
01:18:39his lips on her hairline
01:18:41her eyes closed
01:18:42her hand resting on top of his
01:18:44on her belly
01:18:44i take three more
01:18:45from three angles
01:18:48i am very calm
01:18:49i am the calmest
01:18:50i have ever been
01:18:51in my life
01:18:52then i open my phone
01:18:54and i call my husband
01:18:57i watch through the windshield
01:18:59he pulls back from her
01:19:00he glances at the screen
01:19:01the line picks up
01:19:03in the background
01:19:04i hear the soft ding
01:19:05of an elevator
01:19:06he is not in
01:19:07office chatted
01:19:08that is not happening
01:19:09he has an app for it
01:19:10i never knew that
01:19:11until this second
01:19:12hey baby
01:19:13you okay
01:19:14i'm okay
01:19:15the baby's been quiet
01:19:16i just wanted to hear
01:19:18your voice
01:19:18oh i'm sorry
01:19:20i'm slammed back-to-back
01:19:21meetings until at least
01:19:22four
01:19:22the henderson deal
01:19:24blew up this morning
01:19:24are you coming home
01:19:26for lunch
01:19:26i can't
01:19:27order something for yourself
01:19:28okay
01:19:29get the soup you like
01:19:30okay
01:19:32i love you
01:19:32put your feet up
01:19:33i love you too
01:19:35he hangs up
01:19:36he turns back to the car
01:19:38he smiles at her
01:19:39through the window
01:19:40the smile i married
01:19:41he gets in
01:19:42the sedan pulls out
01:19:43into the noon traffic
01:19:44i watch the brake lights
01:19:46flare once at the corner
01:19:47the bench is still warm
01:19:48under me
01:19:49my water bottle
01:19:50is half full
01:19:54the world has not noticed
01:19:55that it ended
01:20:017 30
01:20:03he comes home
01:20:05with champagne roses
01:20:06in one arm
01:20:06and a small velvet box
01:20:08in the other
01:20:08the roses are the exact shade
01:20:10i pointed at in a magazine
01:20:1118 months ago
01:20:12the necklace inside the box
01:20:14is the one i touched
01:20:15in a window last christmas
01:20:16and said jokingly
01:20:17someday
01:20:18for my girls
01:20:20both of you
01:20:21he clasps it around
01:20:22my neck himself
01:20:23his fingers brush
01:20:24the back of my hair
01:20:25i do not flinch
01:20:26i have practiced
01:20:27not flinching
01:20:28for nine hours
01:20:29it's beautiful
01:20:31how was work
01:20:33brutal
01:20:33new project
01:20:35meetings all day
01:20:36i don't want to talk
01:20:36about it
01:20:38i want to look
01:20:38at my wife
01:20:39i catch it
01:20:40faint
01:20:41sharp
01:20:42underneath the cologne
01:20:44hospital
01:20:44antisept
01:20:45not the brand
01:20:46we keep in our bathroom
01:20:48i go to the kitchen
01:20:49to get him a glass of water
01:20:50he goes to shower
01:20:51i move fast
01:20:53his jacket is on the back
01:20:54of the chair
01:20:55outer pockets
01:20:56empty
01:20:57wiped clean
01:20:58he thought of that
01:20:59inner pocket
01:21:00my fingers find something
01:21:02folded small
01:21:03hard edges
01:21:04glossy paper
01:21:05i pull it out
01:21:06a sonograph
01:21:07the little curled body
01:21:09the little curled spine
01:21:1028 weeks
01:21:11a boy
01:21:12the header at the top
01:21:14says riverside women's clinic
01:21:15today's date
01:21:16where the mother's name
01:21:17should be
01:21:18the paper has been torn
01:21:19carefully
01:21:20a clean strip removed
01:21:22only the first letter survives
01:21:24e
01:21:27i refold it along the same creases
01:21:30exactly
01:21:31i put it back in the inner pocket
01:21:33i straighten the jacket on the chair
01:21:36i am at the stove
01:21:37stirring soup
01:21:38when he comes out of the shower
01:21:39in a clean white t-shirt
01:21:40smelling like our soap again
01:21:41he kisses the top of my head
01:21:43he tells me i look beautiful
01:21:44in the necklace
01:21:45i let him feed me
01:21:46a spoonful of broth
01:21:47i sleep next to him that night
01:21:49i do not move for eight hours
01:21:52three days later
01:21:54marcus's mother rosa calls
01:21:57sarah sweetheart
01:21:58how's my granddaughter
01:21:59kicking
01:22:00she loves your voice
01:22:01listen
01:22:02your cousin margaret
01:22:04is coming through town next week
01:22:05i told her she could stay
01:22:07at the west side house
01:22:08there's plenty of room
01:22:09tell marcus to send someone
01:22:11over to air it out
01:22:12would you
01:22:13fresh sheets
01:22:14the usual
01:22:15i lower the spoon
01:22:16i am holding
01:22:17the west side house
01:22:19mom i thought marcus
01:22:21rented that place out last year
01:22:22he said the tenants
01:22:23were on a two-year lease
01:22:24rented
01:22:25honey no
01:22:26that house has been sitting empty
01:22:28since we bought it
01:22:28don't listen to marcus's nonsense
01:22:30he's always making things up
01:22:32to avoid having relatives stay
01:22:33just tell him to get it ready
01:22:34right
01:22:35of course
01:22:36i'll tell him
01:22:36good girl
01:22:37rest those feet
01:22:38the line clicks off
01:22:39i stand in the kitchen
01:22:41with the phone in my hand
01:22:42the soup is burning
01:22:43i do not turn off the stove
01:22:45empty
01:22:45the house has been empty
01:22:47for a year
01:22:47a whole house
01:22:48in the west part of the city
01:22:49with no one in it
01:22:50according to his mother
01:22:52and every time i have asked him
01:22:53about it in the last six months
01:22:55he has said the same easy thing
01:22:56oh the tenants are fine
01:22:57rent came in on time
01:22:58don't worry about it baby
01:23:01he has been lying about a house
01:23:04a house big enough
01:23:05to hide a woman in
01:23:09saturday morning
01:23:10he ties his tie in the mirror
01:23:12he tells me there's a fire
01:23:13at the office
01:23:14he'll be home by dinner
01:23:16i hate leaving you on a weekend
01:23:21it's okay
01:23:21go
01:23:23the door closes
01:23:24i open the tracking app
01:23:26i installed on his phone
01:23:27four nights ago
01:23:29while he was sleeping
01:23:30with one hand on my belly
01:23:32the blue dot moves
01:23:33across the city
01:23:33past his office building
01:23:35past the highway exit
01:23:36he would take for work
01:23:37west
01:23:38it stops
01:23:39the address that fills the screen
01:23:41is the west side house
01:23:42i do not get in the car
01:23:44i do not go there
01:23:45he would have a story ready
01:23:47before i finished knocking
01:23:48a contractor
01:23:50a leak
01:23:50a surprise for me
01:23:52anything
01:23:53he is too good at this
01:23:57instead i open the property management portal
01:23:59for the building
01:24:00i type in his phone number
01:24:02for the usernator
01:24:02i try his birthday
01:24:04for the password
01:24:05i am in
01:24:06visitor access
01:24:08six months of records
01:24:10one code
01:24:11used almost every day
01:24:13morning
01:24:14evening
01:24:15weekends
01:24:15the code is registered
01:24:17to a single resident
01:24:18i click the name
01:24:20the page loads
01:24:21facial recognition photo
01:24:22at the top
01:24:23required for entry
01:24:24a woman
01:24:25twenty something
01:24:26long dark hair
01:24:27down past her shoulders
01:24:28soft eyes
01:24:29a small private smile
01:24:30at the camera
01:24:31the kind you give someone holding the phone
01:24:33not the camera itself
01:24:34i know this face
01:24:35not from anywhere in my life
01:24:37from a contact photo
01:24:38saved under one letter
01:24:40on a phone screen
01:24:41in the dark
01:24:41at three in the morning
01:24:42e
01:24:42i look at her smile
01:24:44a long time
01:24:45i cannot stop looking
01:24:46she is beautiful
01:24:47that is the part
01:24:48that surprises me
01:24:49i thought she would be ugly
01:24:50i thought it would be easier
01:24:52if she was ugly
01:24:54i do not close the portal
01:24:56i scroll
01:24:57there is a tab at the top
01:24:58community board
01:25:00resident events
01:25:01photo galleries
01:25:02i click it
01:25:02because i am not ready
01:25:04to stand up yet
01:25:04because if i stand up
01:25:06something inside me
01:25:07is going to come apart
01:25:08and i am not ready
01:25:09last month's event
01:25:11most beautiful expectant mother
01:25:13building seven
01:25:14annual contest
01:25:1540 something entries
01:25:17pregnant women in soft dresses
01:25:18standing in the lobby
01:25:19with their partners
01:25:20captions underneath each photo
01:25:22resident names
01:25:23unit numbers
01:25:24cute little hearts
01:25:25i scroll
01:25:25page 1
01:25:26page 5
01:25:27page 10
01:25:28page 15
01:25:29i stop
01:25:30a photograph
01:25:31a woman in a pale blue dress
01:25:33hand resting on a high round belly
01:25:35long dark hair
01:25:36the same soft eyes
01:25:37from the facial recognition photo
01:25:39she is laughing at something off camera
01:25:41a man stands behind her
01:25:43his arm is around her shoulders
01:25:45his other hand is spread wide
01:25:47across her belly
01:25:48protective
01:25:49proud
01:25:50the way men do in the magazines
01:25:51i used to read
01:25:52he is laughing too
01:25:54it is marcus
01:25:55my marcus
01:25:56the man who tied his tie
01:25:58in our mirror this morning
01:25:59the man whose ring is on my finger
01:26:01the man whose daughter is kicking inside me right now
01:26:05hard
01:26:06like she is trying to get my attention
01:26:08my eyes dropped to the caption beneath the photo
01:26:10small black letters
01:26:12cheerfy font
01:26:13resident of unit 11
01:26:151
01:26:15miss elena and her husband mr cole
01:26:18her husband mr cole
01:26:19i read the three words again
01:26:21and again
01:26:22her
01:26:22husband
01:26:23mr cole
01:26:24a little
01:26:24aşk
01:26:24and
01:26:25I
01:26:25and I
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