- 19 minutes ago
The Ex-Wife's Billion-Dollar Revenge
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00On my six-year-old daughter's birthday, I saw my husband's car, Rolls Royce shaking in a steady rhythm.
00:05The secretary's face was pressed against the car window, her red lips slightly parted, her eyes glazed,
00:10her hands braced against the roof, I forced a smile and was about to take my daughter away.
00:14Mommy, that's daddy's car! Didn't daddy say he couldn't come? Is this my birthday surprise?
00:19The next second, a woman's leg in torn stockings slipped out of the car.
00:23Honey, daddy bought you a present, you have to wait until tonight's birthday party to see it.
00:27When my husband noticed me, he only gave a careless smile.
00:30Don't be mad, sweetheart. I'll make it up to you tonight.
00:32I smiled. Then I silently sent out the video I had just recorded.
00:35The day I took our daughter Lily for her checkup, Julian came to pick us up.
00:39He had been away on a business trip for days. The moment he saw us, he pulled me and Lily
00:42into his arms.
00:42I smelled unfamiliar perfume on him. Lily hugged his neck and asked for attention.
00:46I smiled and watched them play. Then I got into the car, saw a woman sitting in the backseat.
00:50Hi, Mrs. Ashford. I'm Sophie Whitfield, the new executive assistant at Ashford Group.
00:55I looked at Julian.
00:56She's on the way, I'm just giving her a ride.
00:57But Julian was the CEO of Ashford Group. Since when did he personally drive a young assistant home?
01:03Sophie gave me an apologetic smile.
01:04Please don't mind her stand. I wanted to apologize.
01:07Inside the bag was the exact hand cream I always used.
01:10I was on the business trip with Mr. Ashfield and forgot to bring mine.
01:13His was in the car, so I accidentally used it all.
01:16This is a new one. I hope you don't mind.
01:18I did not take it right away.
01:20Panic flashed across Sophie's face and she instinctively looked at Julian.
01:23Julian's voice softened.
01:25Take it.
01:25But there was no room for refusal, so I took the bag and set it aside.
01:28Lily sat in her car seat and watched Sophie curiously.
01:31Then she saw the candy in Sophie's hand. Her eyes lit up.
01:34Sophie was about to unwrap it for her.
01:35She just came from the dentist. She can't have candy.
01:38It's high-end organic candy. It's totally safe.
01:41Organic candy is still candy.
01:43Julian frowned while driving.
01:44Claire, she was just being kind.
01:46I stopped talking.
01:47Lily listens to mommy. Lily won't eat it.
01:50Sophie's hand froze, then slowly pulled back.
01:52Car stopped in front of a run-down apartment building.
01:54Julian clearly knew the way.
01:55Sophie got out and apologized again.
01:57I only nodded.
01:58On the way home, Julian's voice became warm again.
02:00Don't be upset.
02:01She's young and just graduated.
02:02She wants to do everything perfectly.
02:04When she gets stubborn, she won't even listen to me.
02:06There was a smile in his eyes.
02:08She has a real spark.
02:09When we reached our building's garage,
02:11Julian suddenly leaned over and kissed my cheek.
02:13I did not pull away.
02:14Mommy, Miss Sophia smells really nice.
02:17She smells like daddy.
02:18Julian's smile froze.
02:19I laughed softly, pretending not to care.
02:22Daddy's car always smells like daddy.
02:24What does that have to do with Miss Sophie?
02:26Lily blinked.
02:27She did not understand.
02:28I got out and carried her inside.
02:29When I looked back at Julian, his face had turned cold.
02:32If raising Lily is too much for you, I can hire a professional.
02:34She is the jewel of the Ashford family.
02:36Don't let your negligence tarnish her.
02:38From the day I married into the Ashford family,
02:40I knew Julian would never belong to me alone.
02:42He had mistresses.
02:43He had one-night stands.
02:44The year Lily was born, I made a scene over one of them.
02:46That was the first time I saw him truly angry.
02:48Claire, remember this.
02:50Everything I gave you, I can take back whenever I want.
02:52I thought of Lily, so I swallowed it.
02:54After that, I learned to behave.
02:56No matter how many women Julian had outside, he always came home.
02:59Sometimes Julian was so gentle that I almost believed I still mattered.
03:02I told myself I was his wife.
03:03Other women could come and go, but I was the one he married.
03:06I was the one at home with his daughter.
03:08I thought that made me different.
03:09Then Sophie showed up.
03:10Julian didn't keep her outside like the others.
03:12He brought her into my marriage.
03:13After putting Lily to sleep, I went back to the master bedroom.
03:16Julian stood by the balcony, looking at his phone with a faint smile.
03:19All right, you've had a long few days.
03:21Get some rest.
03:22His voice was too gentle for a subordinate.
03:24I thought of Sophie's pretty face from that afternoon.
03:26Then I walked past him and went into the bathroom.
03:29Halfway through my shower, a hot body pressed against my back.
03:32His voice came from above my head.
03:33Did you miss me these past few days?
03:35I stepped aside and wrapped myself in a towel.
03:37I'm tired today.
03:38As I turned to leave, Julian grabbed my wrist.
03:40He raised an eyebrow, amused.
03:42I've been saving it all for you.
03:43Keep pushing me away, and I may have to share it with someone else.
03:46He always liked saying things like that in bed.
03:48He always thought I would enjoy it.
03:49When I pushed him away again, the smile in his eyes only deepened.
03:52Are you mad?
03:53There's nothing between her and me.
03:55She just reminds me of you a little.
03:56If you don't like it, I'll be more careful.
03:59Come on, be good.
04:01Julian, please, don't touch me.
04:04His face darkened at once.
04:05Claire, while I'm still willing to coax you, don't push your luck.
04:10So he picked me up and threw me onto the bed.
04:12There was no gentleness left.
04:13In the dark, his voice was cold.
04:16If you want this marriage to work, stop making trouble.
04:19My whole body went stiff.
04:20After a long time, tears slid down in silence.
04:24The next morning, Lily ran over and kissed my face.
04:27Mommy, Daddy is taking me to the amusement park today.
04:30I was surprised.
04:31Julian hated crowded places.
04:32He had never taken Lily to an amusement park himself, but he only leaned against the doorframe
04:36and smiled at her.
04:37Let's go, my little princess.
04:38After they left, I went to the hospital.
04:40What happened last night made me uneasy.
04:41When the test results came out, I froze.
04:43Congratulations, you're four weeks pregnant.
04:45The embryo is not stable yet, so no sex during the first trimester.
04:50I sat in the car with the report in my hands.
04:52Then I cried until I could not breathe.
04:54During the two years I loved Julian the most, I believed a child could tie his heart to me.
04:58So I became pregnant with Lily.
04:59For a while, it seemed to work.
05:01Julian came home more often.
05:02He spoiled me, cared for me, and treated me like the girl he had once chased in college.
05:06Then Lily was born.
05:07I was terrified and in pain in the delivery room.
05:09Julian disappeared.
05:10Later I found out why.
05:11That same day, he had finally won over a college girl he had been chasing for months.
05:15While I was giving birth to his daughter, he spent the night with her in the penthouse
05:18suite of the tallest hotel in the city.
05:20I hated him.
05:21Five years had been enough to kill every expectation I had left for Julian Ashford,
05:26but people still told me to have another child.
05:27The more powerful the man, the more women he'll have around him.
05:30Which man in our circle is clean?
05:32Julian is already one of the better ones.
05:33Just have a few more children.
05:35No matter what he does outside, you'll always be Mrs. Ashford.
05:37The Ashfords had only one heir in each generation.
05:40If I gave them another child, boy or girl, Julian's parents would protect me,
05:44even if he wanted to make my life difficult.
05:46That was the rule.
05:47You did not fight the hand that fed you.
05:48And I had Lily.
05:49She was almost my whole life.
05:51So I put the pregnancy report away, drove home, and made a pot of soup while waiting for
05:54Lily to come back.
05:55Night fell.
05:56After calling Julian ten times with no answer, I finally grabbed my car keys and went out
06:00to look for them.
06:01He was not at the office.
06:02The amusement park was already closed.
06:04Just as I was about to drive to the Ashford estate, the housekeeper called.
06:07Ma'am, Lily is home.
06:08Marcus just dropped her off.
06:09She's asleep.
06:10I leaned back against the seat and let out a breath.
06:12Then the housekeeper added.
06:13Marcus also said Mr. Ashfield won't be coming home tonight.
06:15All right.
06:16I hung up and turned the car around.
06:17At the next corner, I saw Julian's car.
06:19His tall figure stood under a dim street lamp.
06:21A cigarette burned between his fingers, and the ground was covered in cigarette butts.
06:24It was Sophie's apartment building, the same place I had seen yesterday.
06:28Julian looked up at one lit window without blinking.
06:31I followed his gaze.
06:32Behind the curtain, a woman's shadow moved softly.
06:34And Julian stood there like a devoted man in a drama, only daring to watch her from a
06:38distance.
06:39Something inside me cracked.
06:40Piece by piece.
06:41I sat in the car all night.
06:42When the sky began to turn pale, Sophie came out of the building.
06:45She looked well rested.
06:46The moment she saw Julian, surprise lit up her face.
06:48And Julian came alive.
06:50He smiled, said something, and stepped closer.
06:52She stepped back, but her cheeks turned red.
06:53Then they both got into his car.
06:55I sat there numb.
06:56My chest felt like a thin wire was tightening around it, cutting off my breath.
06:59When Julian chased me years ago, he had looked exactly like that.
07:01Teasing, confident, and closing in step by step.
07:04A man like him had ice in his blood and old money behind his name.
07:07When he decided to pursue someone, she almost had no chance.
07:10Only this time, I was no longer the woman he wanted.
07:12I followed them to the office building.
07:14Before they walked in, they smoothly put distance between themselves.
07:17Julian entered first.
07:18Everyone greeted him.
07:19He nodded calmly, then waved toward Sophie as if it were nothing.
07:21Under the envious eyes of the entire lobby, Sophie stepped into his private elevator,
07:25as if announcing one thing.
07:27She had special privileges.
07:28The scene burned my eyes.
07:29I sat in the car and forced every emotion down until the housekeeper called.
07:33Lily was awake and looking for me.
07:35When I got home, Lily threw her arms around my neck.
07:37She sat on my lap, swinging her legs, happily telling me about yesterday.
07:41Lily saw Miss Sophie, too.
07:42She dressed like Annie a bunny and played with me for a long time.
07:46My breath caught, so that was why Julian had suddenly taken Lily to the amusement park.
07:50It was for Sophie.
07:51Finding Sophie's background was easy.
07:53Her school, her modest family, her interview process, her part-time job at the amusement
07:57park, and her Instagram.
07:58Then I saw the photo.
07:59Lily and Sophie, cheek to cheek, smiling at the camera.
08:02In the mirror behind them, I could see a man crouching to take the picture.
08:05Julian.
08:05They looked like a happy little family.
08:07Sophie's Instagram was full of him.
08:08The hot chocolate he sent when she was on her period.
08:11The night he stayed beside her hospital bed during a business trip.
08:13The little things she lost, quietly collected, and kept safe by him.
08:17Nausea rose in my throat.
08:18My makeup was ruined by tears.
08:19I looked at the woman in the mirror and almost pitied her.
08:22I thought if I ignored Julian's other women, I could keep pretending everything was fine.
08:26But I had already lost myself.
08:27There was nothing left for me to save.
08:28That evening, the housekeeper set the soup on the table.
08:31I remembered how I used to bring Julian dinner at the office every week.
08:34For Lily's sake, I decided to talk to him.
08:36So I drove to his company.
08:37Night had fallen, and the top floor office was still bright.
08:39The door was half open.
08:40I was about to knock when I heard Sophie's voice.
08:43What do I have to do to make you stay with me?
08:45Stay with you and then what?
08:47Be the other woman?
08:48I do have self-respect.
08:50Yes, I fell for you.
08:51I can't help wanting you.
08:52But the moment I saw your wife sitting beside you, I knew you could never give me what I want.
08:56I want a love I don't have to hide.
08:58So let's end this.
08:59Then Julian sighed and pulled her into his arms.
09:01My hand tightened on the door handle.
09:03I was about to leave.
09:04Then I heard him say,
09:05What if I divorce her?
09:07My heart dropped into an abyss.
09:09By the time I came back to myself, I was already in my car.
09:12My hands shook on the steering wheel.
09:13Tears kept falling.
09:14I laughed and cried at the same time.
09:16Julian wanted a divorce.
09:17And my first instinct was to run.
09:19That night, Julian did not come home.
09:21I watched the sky turn pale and decided to ask him face to face.
09:24Was he really going to divorce me?
09:26At the very least, I had to protect Lily from the fallout.
09:29After two sleepless nights, I put on makeup and drove to Julian's office.
09:32His private elevator took me straight to the top floor.
09:35Julian was in a meeting.
09:36I waited in his office.
09:37Then Sophie came in.
09:38She brought me tea, polite and respectful.
09:40When she leaned closer, I smelled cedarwood and cigarette smoke.
09:43Lily was right.
09:44She smelled like Julian.
09:45I looked at her and asked,
09:46Don't you have anything to say to me?
09:48Her hand shook.
09:48Hot tea splashed onto her skin, turning it red.
09:51She looked fragile and helpless.
09:52Then she crouched down and wiped the floor.
09:54But she still would not answer.
09:55I stared coldly at the top of her head.
09:57Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.
10:00Claire, you came here first thing in the morning just to throw your weight around?
10:03She is my employee, not your servant.
10:06Sophie's eyes turned red.
10:08Mr. Ashford, she didn't mean to.
10:10I laughed.
10:10Maybe even Julian had forgotten.
10:12Before I married him, I was never some meek little lamb.
10:14Mr. Ashford, I don't remember the CEO of Ashford Group ever calling you his sister.
10:19I...
10:19Sophie's eyes filled with tears.
10:21I was only trying to be friendly.
10:22You probably don't understand.
10:24As an executive assistant, I have to consider every little thing...
10:27Friendly?
10:27On what right?
10:28You had the boss drive his wife and daughter to drop at your apartment?
10:31And you call that considering everything?
10:33Julian pulled her behind him.
10:34His eyes were cold.
10:36Apologize.
10:37Behind him, the people leaving the conference room went silent.
10:39I steadied my breathing.
10:40Julian, I have no reason to apologize.
10:42Did I stutter?
10:44Apologize.
10:45His anger crawled up my spine like something cold and wet.
10:48Right.
10:48This was Julian Ashford.
10:50Once he decided something, no one could change his mind.
10:52Just like when he decided to marry me.
10:54Just like now, when he had fallen for his new assistant.
10:56I should have known.
10:57There was no escaping this.
10:58So I smiled calmly.
10:59Julian, let's get a divorce.
11:01A flicker of shock crossed Julian's face.
11:03Then it turned into a sneer.
11:04Are you trying to threat me with divorce?
11:06Claire, I hate people who think they know better.
11:08And I especially hate people who try to threat me.
11:11I want a divorce.
11:12The air stayed still for a long time.
11:14Then Julian laughed coldly.
11:15Fine.
11:17We'll file right now.
11:19He dropped every meeting and every deal.
11:21Then went with me to family court.
11:23When we received the 30-day waiting period notice, Julian threw out one sentence.
11:2630 days should be enough for you to come to your senses.
11:28After that, Julian stopped coming home.
11:30I knew he was staying at a hotel.
11:32He sent Marcus back once to pick up his clothes.
11:34When Marcus saw me, he looked like he wanted to say something.
11:36But he held it back.
11:37I understood why.
11:38I had always managed Julian's clothes, meals, and daily routine.
11:41Marcus used to only handle work.
11:42Now his workload had more than doubled.
11:44I handed him the suitcase.
11:45Lily's birthday is the day after tomorrow.
11:47Remind him to show up.
11:49Marcus passed on the message.
11:50But I did not expect Julian to bring someone with him.
11:52At Lily's birthday party, Sophie stood beside Julian in a midnight blue sequined gown.
11:56It matched his navy suit perfectly.
11:58Julian held her hand and introduced her to the room like it was natural.
12:01This is Sophie.
12:02Lily, dressed like a little princess, ran over and threw herself into Julian's arms.
12:06Sophie stood beside them, smiling warmly.
12:08They looked like a real family.
12:09Julian must be serious this time.
12:11I heard the divorce is almost final.
12:13He really spoils her.
12:14Look at that dress.
12:15The mistress looks better than the wife.
12:16I thought Julian loved Claire.
12:18Men always have their flings.
12:19Push too hard and you lose control.
12:21Now even the child.
12:22Then Lily came to me holding Sophie's hand.
12:24Mommy, Miss Sophie brought me a present.
12:27Can I go see it?
12:28I nodded.
12:28Lily cheered softly.
12:30Julian swirled the champagne in his glass and finally glanced at me.
12:32Keep an eye on her.
12:33I laughed bitterly inside and turned to find Lily.
12:36But in the blink of an eye, she and Sophie were both gone.
12:38I searched everywhere.
12:39Then a woman screamed nearby.
12:41Right after that, I heard Lily cry.
12:42I ran toward the sound.
12:44A man was gripping Sophie's arm.
12:45You think you can hide from me?
12:47Your father owes money and won't pay.
12:49My whole family is being squeezed dry while you live like this?
12:52If I go down, I'm dragging you with me.
12:54Sophie screamed and pulled free.
12:55But Lily was standing right beside her.
12:57She had nowhere to go.
12:58The man's eyes landed on my daughter.
13:00Then he pulled a knife from his pocket and pressed it to Lily's neck.
13:02Every drop of blood in my body turned cold.
13:04I looked around for Julian.
13:06Then I saw him far away, with his arm around Sophie's waist.
13:08He was looking at me with suspicion.
13:10Time slowed.
13:10In that instant, I understood what he was thinking.
13:12He thought I had arranged this to hurt Sophie.
13:14So I understood something else too.
13:16I could not count on him.
13:17He would not save my Lily.
13:18When I grabbed the blade with my bare hand, I did not feel the pain.
13:21I only cared about one thing.
13:23Lily had to be safe.
13:24She screamed and cried until Julian finally rushed over from across the room.
13:27By then, the blade had cut down to the bone.
13:29Only after Lily was pulled away did my strength give out.
13:31At the hospital, the wound on my hand was deep enough to show bone.
13:34Julian stood at the door for a long time.
13:36He said nothing.
13:38Mrs. Ashford, I'm so sorry.
13:40I don't even know that man.
13:42I was just too scared.
13:43I slapped her, hard.
13:44Julian, who had stayed silent until then, finally snapped.
13:47Claire!
13:47You failed to watch Lily and now you're blaming someone else?
13:50I looked straight into his cold eyes.
13:52Julian, I'm begging you.
13:54If you want to lose your mind over some woman, fine.
13:57But leave our daughter out of it.
13:58She's innocent.
13:59His lips moved, but he said nothing.
14:01I'm sorry.
14:02I'm so sorry.
14:03Julian looked away first.
14:05I'll take her home.
14:05Sophie looked surprised.
14:06He walked ahead and she followed behind him carefully.
14:09Then she reached out and caught the edge of his jacket.
14:11A second later, he pulled her into his arms.
14:13I closed my eyes and let the pain wash over me.
14:15For the next few days, Lily kept waking up from nightmares.
14:17I stayed by her side day and night, trying to chase the fear out of her little heart.
14:21Julian stayed at his hotel.
14:22The only difference was that every day, he sent Lily a new gift.
14:25Each one was more expensive than the last.
14:27Sometimes there was something for me too.
14:29A designer bag, an auction necklace, a full set of luxury skincare.
14:32They sat awkwardly among Lily's toys, each worth a small fortune.
14:36Then one day, he finally came home.
14:38Lily jumped down from her chair and ran to him.
14:40My smile faded.
14:41I asked the housekeeper to set another place at the table.
14:43At dinner, Julian and Lily laughed the whole time.
14:46That night, after putting Lily to bed, I returned to the bedroom and found Julian still there.
14:50The air between us was thick with things neither of us said.
14:52I knew what he was waiting for.
14:53He wanted me to give in.
14:54Instead, I picked up my pillow.
14:56I'll sleep in the guest room.
14:57Then he gave a short, cold laugh.
14:59Claire, have I been too nice to you lately?
15:02Is that why you've forgotten your place?
15:04I met his eyes.
15:05I haven't forgotten it.
15:06We're in a separation period.
15:08He walked toward me step by step.
15:09Then he grabbed my jaw and forced me to look at him.
15:11For one moment, something in his dark eyes seemed to crack.
15:14He released me, his lips curved in mockery.
15:16Fine.
15:16Tomorrow morning, you'll personally deliver my clothes to Sophie's apartment.
15:20Julian left that night.
15:21The next morning, I delivered his clothes to Sophie's apartment.
15:24I expected to see him inside, but Sophie did not even know he planned to move in with her.
15:28For a second, joy flashed across her face.
15:30Then her eyes filled with tears.
15:32Mrs. Ashford, Julian and I may have feelings for each other, but we've always kept our boundaries.
15:36I'm not going to be the victim of some rich people's open marriage.
15:39I'm the one who asked for the divorce.
15:42You were there.
15:43But I still, if you don't want this, talk to Julian.
15:46Don't put on a show for me.
15:47Then I left.
15:48On the drive home, the sky turned gray and rain started falling.
15:50The moment I saw the rain, I suddenly missed my mother.
15:53So I turned the car toward the cemetery on the edge of the city.
15:56I followed memory to her grave.
15:57Then I froze.
15:58My mother's plot had been merged with the one beside him.
16:00And the name on the other stone made my blood run cold.
16:02My birth father.
16:03The man who had destroyed her life.
16:05My mother's last words were still burned into my memory.
16:07Don't let him follow me into the grave.
16:09But now, he was buried right beside her.
16:11Even her headstone had been changed.
16:13A groundskeeper saw my face and looked surprised.
16:15Mrs. Ashford, you didn't know?
16:18Mr. Ashford had this gentleman reburied beside your mother last month.
16:22Your sister was here too.
16:24Sister.
16:25The word hit me like lightning.
16:26Sophie Whitmore.
16:27That was why she and I looked a little alike.
16:29That was why her last name was Whitmore.
16:30It should have been mine too.
16:32So this was what Julian had been hiding.
16:33My eyes burned.
16:34I snatched the broom from the groundskeeper's hands and swung it at my birth father's gravestone.
16:38No one dared stop me.
16:39I hid it again and again, but the stone would not move.
16:42Then Julian's voice cut through from behind me.
16:44Claire!
16:45What the hell are you doing?
16:46Sophie stood beside him, staring at me like I was a monster.
16:49I threw the broom handle at them.
16:51The sharp edge scraped across Julian's temple, and blood appeared at once.
16:54I did not step back.
16:55Julian Ashurn!
16:57You knew that man killed my mother!
17:00How could you?
17:01How could you?
17:03He only wanted to be buried beside your mother.
17:06What's wrong with that?
17:07If you want to be angry, be angry at me.
17:10He knew he was wrong at the end.
17:12He even asked me to look for you.
17:13Enough!
17:13I raised my hand, but Julian caught my wrist.
17:15Sophie hid behind him.
17:17You think I'll let you hit her again?
17:18Then he noticed the scar on my palm.
17:20His voice softened a little.
17:21What's done is done.
17:22Let it go.
17:24Play your cards right and things can go back to the way they were.
17:26I looked at him with bloodshot eyes.
17:28This was the man I had once loved.
17:29Every part of his face had once felt precious to me.
17:32Julian, first it was Lily, then my mother.
17:35Do you really think we can go back?
17:36In your eyes, how worthless am I?
17:40The cemetery told me moving my mother's grave required both spouses' signatures.
17:44I knew Julian would never sign, so I had to wait for the divorce.
17:47But the Ashfords would never let me go easily.
17:49To them, it did not matter whether Julian loved me or whether I was happy.
17:52As long as I was still useful for appearances, I had to stay Mrs. Ashford.
17:55I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel.
17:57Slowly, my hand moved to my still flat stomach.
17:59An idea began to form.
18:01Someone knocked on the window.
18:02Julian stood outside, frowning.
18:03Are you feeling alright?
18:04I sat up and put both hands back on the wheel.
18:06Then I hit the gas.
18:07Julian jerked back.
18:08Sophie screamed.
18:09Claire!
18:10Have you lost your mind?
18:11I did not listen.
18:12I drove away without looking back.
18:14On the way home, Julian's mother, Eleanor, called.
18:16She had heard the rumors.
18:17She wanted me to bring Lily to the Ashford estate.
18:19The moment Lily got out of the car, her grandparents picked her up.
18:21The Ashfords loved children, especially their only grandchild.
18:24After they played with Lily for a while, they finally got to the point.
18:27When I confirmed that Julian and I had filed for divorce, both of them frowned.
18:31We know about that woman.
18:32Julian crossed the line this time.
18:34But no matter what, you are the lady of this family.
18:37We will never let some no-win take your place.
18:40Claire, Julian made mistakes.
18:42But Lily is still young.
18:43You have to think about the child.
18:46Talk to Julian.
18:48Work things out.
18:49A divorce is out of the question.
18:51When they finally stopped, I took the pregnancy report from my bag.
18:54Eleanor's eyes widened.
18:55Then she clapped her hands in delight.
18:57This is wonderful news.
18:58The Ashfords have only had one heir for generations.
19:01Claire, if you carry this baby to term, you'll be the family's greatest blessing.
19:05Mom, Dad, if you want this baby, let Julian and my divorce.
19:09Eleanor froze.
19:10What do you mean?
19:11After the divorce, the baby goes to you.
19:13I get money, and I get Lily.
19:15You raise the child yourselves.
19:16Do not give it to Julian, and do not let any of his women near it.
19:19Agree, and I'll have the baby.
19:21Otherwise, I'll schedule the procedure.
19:22As for Julian and me, with or without this child, the divorce is happening.
19:26The room fell silent.
19:27After a long pause, Eleanor sighed.
19:29Claire, a woman should not push so hard.
19:31Why make things so difficult for yourself?
19:34Only I knew I had no other choice.
19:35Without Sophie, there would be another woman.
19:37One day, it might not just be a woman sitting in his car.
19:39It might be a woman holding his child.
19:41And when that day came, what would happen to Lily?
19:44All I wanted was to protect her.
19:45As for this baby, Richard and Eleanor Ashford would raise it with everything money could buy.
19:49It was risky, but it was the only move that could win.
19:52Richard and Eleanor agreed.
19:53To keep Julian from interfering, they promised to keep my pregnancy secret.
19:56I had a lawyer draft the agreement right away.
19:58By the time everything was signed, night had fallen.
20:01Lily and I stayed at the estate.
20:02Eleanor asked the staff to bring me a bowl of herbal soup.
20:04I was eating slowly at the table when Julian appeared.
20:08When Julian saw me, he loosened his tie.
20:10He looked ready for a fight.
20:11Sophie is leaving the city tomorrow.
20:12Are you happy now?
20:13My spoon paused.
20:14Then I understood.
20:15I didn't do that.
20:16No?
20:16You ran to my parents and whispered in their ears.
20:18Now they're forcing her out.
20:20I'd say you're pretty capable.
20:21I was too tired to read his moods.
20:23I'm sorry.
20:24Go to the cemetery tomorrow and sign the transfer papers.
20:26Pick the new plot yourself, then tell me.
20:28I stared at him.
20:29He thought this was all about the grave.
20:31Okay.
20:31I did not want to argue.
20:32He looked at me for a moment longer.
20:34Two hours later, I saw his silhouette on Sophie's Instagram.
20:36The caption said,
20:37He said,
20:38Tonight I'm more beautiful than the moonlight.
20:39I laughed.
20:40Because Julian had once said those exact words to me.
20:42The first time we held hands, his palm had been warm and damp with nerves.
20:46I had looked up at the moon and said it was beautiful.
20:48He looked at me and said I was more beautiful than the moonlight.
20:51Back then, those words made my heart tremble.
20:53When Julian tried to withdraw the divorce filing, Eleanor quietly blocked him.
20:56So on the 30th day, I got exactly what I wanted.
20:59The final divorce decree, I hid it away.
21:01Then I told Julian I was pregnant.
21:03He was overjoyed.
21:04He threw a week-long celebration across the city.
21:06A Times Square billboard.
21:07A yacht party.
21:08Tabloid headlines everywhere.
21:10Ashford CEO worships the ground.
21:12His wife walks on.
21:13Our love story was turned into a fairy tale.
21:15Only I knew fairy tales were lies.
21:17Julian thought I would never make trouble again.
21:19So he stopped holding back.
21:20Sophie's Instagram posts became more frequent, as if she was desperate to show off their secret paradise.
21:25I could not avoid seeing them, but Sophie probably did not know one thing.
21:28Every time Julian played soulmate with her, his guilt toward me paid interest.
21:32When they kissed under the Eiffel Tower, I received a pink diamond from a Sotheby's auction.
21:36When they watched the Northern Lights, an Upper East Side brownstone was transferred to my name.
21:40When they tangled on a yacht in the Mediterranean, 5% of Ashford Group's shares quietly entered my account.
21:46So when Sophie showed up at the Ashford estate, I was perfectly calm.
21:49She came alone.
21:49She knelt at the front gate without saying a word.
21:51The small swell of her belly said everything.
21:54Richard and Eleanor exchanged uneasy looks.
21:57Then they let her in.
21:58When Sophie saw me, surprise flashed across her face.
22:00I raised an eyebrow and smiled.
22:02I could not bear to give up the baby, so she had kept it from Julian.
22:06I begged the Ashfords to let me carry it to term.
22:10After that, I will disappear with the child.
22:12When Julian arrived, she broke down crying.
22:14She begged him to spare her.
22:15She said she loved him.
22:16She said she loved the baby she had not even met.
22:18Her sobs filled the house.
22:19When Eleanor came to me, looking torn, my bags were already packed.
22:23The medical care is better in London.
22:25I'll come back after the baby is born.
22:27The truth was, I had wanted to leave for a long time.
22:29As the months passed, I was running out of excuses to refuse Julian in bed.
22:33On the day I left, Julian held my hand.
22:35His eyes suddenly turned red.
22:36You don't have to go.
22:37My mistakes should not become your burden.
22:39He thought I was heartbroken.
22:41He had no idea how happy I was.
22:43Claire, I will only have one wife in this life.
22:45My step paused.
22:46I almost laughed.
22:47Oh, Julian, I had not been your wife for a long time.
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