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Immerse yourself in powerful stories that deliver full emotional journeys in just minutes. From heart-pounding revenge plots, passionate romances, emotional family sagas to billionaire twists and thrilling betrayals – every short drama is crafted to keep you hooked from the very first second.
We bring you the most talked-about and newest short dramas from around the world, updated daily with the freshest viral hits. With seamless multi-language support (English, Spanish, Arabic and more), you can enjoy every moment without language barriers.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My billionaire husband threw me into a slum on our first anniversary.
00:04My father's illegitimate daughter, Serena, was on his arm, wearing my wedding ring.
00:11One year ago, the night before my wedding, she had drugged me, sleeping pills in my tea.
00:17I was out before midnight.
00:19She climbed into my bridal car, took my name, my groom, and every wedding gift my mother
00:25had spent months preparing. The accounts, the jewellery, all of it.
00:31I came to before the vows were done.
00:34Sheet!
00:34I walked into that ceremony hall in my ruined dress and pointed at her standing at the altar.
00:40That's not me!
00:42The room went silent. Serena turned around under the veil. Every camera in the room found her face.
00:48She dropped to her knees on the carpet.
00:51Sister, I just wanted to be loved.
00:53I had security tie her up, dragged out.
00:56I married Damien. I took back everything. Or so I thought.
01:01Until now, a year later, I became the one, bound hand and foot on the floor of an abandoned building.
01:08Damien and Serena stood over me. Damien adjusted his cufflinks.
01:12Your father is bankrupt.
01:15If I didn't still need to manage the fallout, humiliating Serena would be worth your death a thousand times over.
01:20You're not even worth a dog.
01:21Serena tilted her head.
01:23Sister, you humiliated me once.
01:26She leaned into his arm.
01:27Rod in here and make amends. Damien belongs to me now.
01:30Damien raised his hand. The door opened. Three men filed in from the hallway.
01:35The way they looked at me made my skin crawl.
01:38One of them was holding a camera.
01:39Damien didn't look up.
01:41Do whatever you want with her. Send me the footage when it's over.
01:45I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled free from the restraints, crossed the room, and threw myself through the open
01:52window.
01:53I married into the most powerful family in the capital, and the illegitimate daughter who'd never been wanted at home
01:59turned green with envy.
02:01The day before the wedding of the century, she drugged me, climbed into my wedding car in my place, and
02:07make off with my hundred billion marriage gifts.
02:09She made a grand entrance and married into the family instead of me.
02:13When I came to, I wasn't having it.
02:16I had the illegitimate daughter tied up and dragged back.
02:19I got my wish and married into the Vos family.
02:22But a year later, my husband threw me into a slum. His eyes were vicious.
02:27If it weren't for the financing support of your family.
02:29His voice cold as ice.
02:32No amount of dying would be enough to pay for how you humiliated your sister.
02:36The illegitimate daughter stood beside him.
02:38Now your family's gone bankrupt.
02:40Laughing softly.
02:41You're worth less than a dog.
02:43Sister, you humiliated me once. Now you can go pay for it properly.
02:49I'll be comfortable in your place as Mrs. Vos.
02:53Unable to bear the humiliation, I died by suicide.
02:58When I opened my eyes up, I was back on the day of the wedding of the century.
03:02I climbed out of bed, sat for an hour with my head in my hands, before I opened the door
03:07and stepped out.
03:08Mum was just heading back up the staircase, leaning on the housekeeper's arm.
03:11She looked up, saw me at the top of the landing, and froze.
03:14Dad's brow furrowed first.
03:17What are you doing here?
03:19Then who just got into the Vos car?
03:21He pointed toward the front door.
03:23What? Someone took my place?
03:27Last night, Serena said she couldn't bear to see me go.
03:30She made a calming tea for me. Said it would help me sleep.
03:35I took two sips and woke up just now.
03:37The bustling foyer went dead silent. Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Mum staggered, nearly fainted.
03:45Find her.
03:46Then snapped at the staff to grab Mrs. Ward, Serena's birth mother, who was already edging toward the side door.
03:52Stop! What did you do?
03:56Mrs. Ward dropped to her knees, eyes darting, voice stuttering.
04:01Ma'am, I don't know what you mean.
04:04Miss Viviana overslept. How is any of that my Serena's fault?
04:10The butler rushed in.
04:12Sir, ma'am. The Callum family's procession has arrived.
04:16They're waiting at the front gate.
04:18Mum's face went cold.
04:19Where is Serena? Bring her here. Now.
04:22I tilted my chin down to hide the mock in my eyes. Where else would she be? In Damien's bed.
04:28When we picked out the wedding dress, Damien kept insisting on one with a veil.
04:32They'd had all of this planned out from the start.
04:34I'm ready.
04:35By now, the vows were done. They'd be in the bridal suite.
04:38My gaze caught the smug twitch at the corner of Mrs. Ward's mouth. I was sure of it now.
04:43Mother and daughter. What a tidy little operation.
04:46Mrs. Ward had been our family's housekeeper years ago.
04:48But one day, she drugged my father. Climbed into his bed. Gave birth to Serena.
04:54Bought herself a life of luxury.
04:56Now Serena had drugged me and walked down the aisle wearing my name.
05:00Done deal before anyone could stop it.
05:02All that was left for me was the wedding she didn't want. Marrying into the Callum family.
05:06The Callum were new money. Two years on the scene.
05:09Nowhere near the old family's depth. But aggressive.
05:12Welcome home, sir.
05:13Their name was on every major emerging tech deal.
05:16Pity their heir was in a wheelchair. Dad had a sharp eye for the long game.
05:20That's why he'd paired Serena with the Callum. If they thrived, Serena would rise with them.
05:25If they faltered, the Harrington name would shield her. She didn't understand.
05:29She just saw the wheelchair. So she pulled the switch and shoved the wedding she hated onto me.
05:34If I went through with it, by tonight, every dinner party in Manhattan would be
05:38whispering about how the Harrington heiress married a cripple. The whole family would be a punchline.
05:43Last time, that's how she'd kept her heel on my neck. But last time, with my parents behind me,
05:49I'd stormed the wedding. The Vos still needed Harrington backing. They threw Serena out of the
05:54bridal suite to keep the deal. I got my wish. Became Mrs Vos. Damien treated me like I was made
06:00of
06:00glass and gold. I didn't know then that the man holding me like I was everything had already been
06:05sleeping with Serena, plotting behind my back, waiting for the moment to bury the Harrington for
06:10good. A maid's gasp pulled me back. Madam, Miss Serena isn't in her room. Her veil and gown are gone.
06:18She took everything. And we found something in her room. Dad picked it up. Intimate photos of Damien and
06:24Serena in bed. Dad's face went the color of stone. He threw the photos directly at Mrs Ward's face.
06:33This is what your parenting produced. She's gonna drag the entire Harrington name through the dirt.
06:39The doorman was still hovering.
06:43Sir, the Callum family is asking at the gate. What should we do?
06:47Dad slammed his fist on the table.
06:51Get someone to the Vos estate immediately. Find Serena and drag her back.
06:56Yes, sir.
06:58I took the chance, caught Dad's sleeve. Pressed my nails into my thigh.
07:02Dad, let the tears fall. Let it go. Serena and Damien already slept together.
07:07He set up this whole scheme on his own wedding day to humiliate us. A man like that, I don't
07:12want him.
07:13In business, your word is everything. I don't want you to be seen as someone who breaks promises.
07:20I'll go. I'll marry into the Callum family.
07:25Vivian.
07:26He swallowed the rest. His eyes said everything.
07:31But you are the Harrington heir. And that same Callum is-
07:35I smiled and finished for him.
07:37Dad, the Callum group ranked only 10 spots below the Vos family on last year's Forbes list.
07:43The Vos empire has been around for generations. The Callum group is two years old.
07:52Zane's disability doesn't affect his ability, and he's a genuine business mind.
07:56With me there, with Harrington backing, the Callum trajectory is anyone's guess.
08:06Everyone in the room could see the difference. One daughter who'd stolen her sister's wedding,
08:11chasing wealth any way she could get it. One daughter who held her composure in a crisis,
08:16and chose her family's honor over her own comfort. Mum was already pulling me into her arms,
08:21holding on. Dad bit down on his back teeth.
08:24Even so, no one gets to treat my daughter however they like.
08:30Vivian, I want you to know, you made the right call not marrying Damien.
08:34By the time we arrived at the Vos estate, the newlyweds were already in the suite.
08:39But the banquet was still in full swing. When we walked in, the whole room went silent.
08:44Isn't that Vivian Harrington? She's the bride. Why is she here?
08:48That can't be right. The bride was taken to the suite half an hour ago. If it's not her,
08:53then who's in there? Mum's smile was sharp.
08:55We apologize for the spectacle. The woman you saw earlier is also a Harrington daughter.
09:00The ill-elitimate one. She stole her sister's wedding.
09:05The room exploded.
09:08Damien shoved through the crowd, face tight.
09:11Stop making a scene!
09:15How is any of this Serena's fault? You overslept and missed your own ceremony.
09:22That's on you. I thought she was you and we went to the bed. As a man, I have to
09:27take responsibility for her.
09:29The room was passed speechless.
09:32You came here to swap her out, didn't you? I know you've been devoted to me for years.
09:38Here's what I'll offer. Serena and I will file legally.
09:43But I'll only name a child of yours as my heir. How about that?
09:50I couldn't help it. I covered my mouth and laughed. He wanted to marry Serena and keep me as a
09:56mistress.
09:57The Voss family had been skating on borrowed time for years.
10:01If it weren't Harrington's support, they'd have dissolved long ago.
10:05And now, he wanted both Harrington's daughters.
10:10Before Damien could continue, Serena ran in a red silk robe.
10:15Sister, it was all my fault. I lost control of my feelings and I did something I can't take back.
10:21But Damien and I are legally married now.
10:25If you keep pushing this, it's the Harrington name that takes the damage.
10:29I know you don't care about me.
10:34But are you really willing to burn the family reputation over this?
10:37She dropped to her knees in front of me and cried beautifully.
10:40She dressed up her own filth as weakness.
10:43She framed me demanding accountability as recklessness.
10:46The nerve was breathtaking.
10:48I kept my voice cold. I raised my voice deliberately.
10:52Made sure the whole room heard every detail.
10:54You're saying you drugged me, stole my wedding,
10:57took my place in that suite, and now I'm the one damaging the family?
11:04If you really love Damien, why didn't you say something sooner?
11:08You had to wait until Boutdrak did not know lace,
11:11and never they swan admit all something this scener.
11:14You had to wait until the actual wedding day to pull something this ugly?
11:17Who exactly is the one grinding the Harrington name into the floor?
11:22Or is it simpler than that?
11:27Did you want Damist?
11:29Or did you just want everything that was mine?
11:32Serena's face went white.
11:35I did.
11:38I really do love him.
11:39Her eyes slid away.
11:41Every person in that room had seen enough of the world to know exactly what she was.
11:47Oh, that scheming girl.
11:50An illegitimate daughter who doesn't know her place.
11:53I meant a time that I reminds her to shipmating.
11:55Stealing from her own sister and she wants to call it a love story?
12:00God knows what she'd do next.
12:02Damien's mother had gone pale as chalk, shaking so hard she could barely stand.
12:07She slapped him hard across the face.
12:10Get on your knees and apologize to Vivian's parents right now.
12:14And promise me you will file with her by end of day.
12:17She turned toward me, reaching for my hand.
12:20I moved before she could touch me.
12:23Her face stiffened, then rearranged itself into something warm.
12:28Vivian, you've been treated serrably.
12:31Whatever you want, Damien will do it.
12:34I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen again.
12:38Damien pressed his hand against his cheek.
12:40The look he gave me was pure venom.
12:43Like I had ruined something that was his.
12:46Mum, Serena is the only woman I will ever love.
12:50I will not marry anyone else.
12:52Vivian is arrogant and entitled.
12:54If I take her, the whole Vos family pays the price.
12:58The only woman who belongs in this family is Serena.
13:01If she's smart, she'll take what I'm offering.
13:03I'll give her a child, one she should be grateful for.
13:06If she isn't smart, she can wait and see what it feels like to be the woman who got rejected
13:10by the Vos family.
13:13Let's see who in this city dares touch her after that.
13:17I looked at this man, the one I had given years to.
13:21After Damien's father died, the empire landed on someone completely mediocre.
13:25In six months, he'd burned every important investor relationship.
13:29Combined debt in the billions.
13:31Investors running.
13:32Selling off every asset accumulated over generations.
13:35And still not enough to cover the hole.
13:37Someone had made him crawl across the floor of a party for entertainment.
13:41Paid him by the crawl.
13:43I was the one who reached out.
13:45I took care of him.
13:46I encouraged him.
13:47I talked my father into backing him.
13:50He knelt in front of my father and wept.
13:52Swore that if he ever betrayed me, he deserved every punishment God could invent.
13:57Only two years and he'd already forgotten every word of it.
14:01Now he stood here telling me being his mistress was a gift.
14:04The entire room was watching him like he'd lost his mind.
14:08No one could understand how a man who owed his survival to his fiancee
14:12had the nerve to talk to her like this.
14:14Damien didn't seem to notice.
14:15He saw my silence and decided I was devastated.
14:19Too in love to speak.
14:20He pulled Serena closer, smirking.
14:23Vivian, kneel down and serve Serena her tea.
14:26Acknowledge her as the lady of this house.
14:28Do that and I'll let you stay.
14:30If you behave, I might let you move in.
14:34You'd still get to see the children.
14:35I looked at his self-satisfied face and felt something close to relief.
14:40Let Serena have this idiot.
14:42She was practically doing me a favour.
14:44However, dad had reached the limit.
14:46He laughed.
14:47The Vos family really has grown wings.
14:50Big enough to talk to me like that.
14:53Then I suppose the Harrington group has been punching above its weight.
14:58He pointed at Serena.
15:00No daughter of mine trades her sister's wedding for a seat at this table.
15:04I'm opening the family records tonight.
15:08You're out.
15:09From now on, whatever life you end up with has nothing to do with us.
15:22Serena's eyes went red.
15:24Dad, I'm your daughter too.
15:26How can you be this cruel to me?
15:28She cried with conviction.
15:30Damien not wanting Vivian is her own failure.
15:34Why should all the good things automatically go to her?
15:37Dad's expression didn't move.
15:39Fine, I'll honour your fight.
15:42Everyone here is a witness.
15:43You are no longer a Harrington.
15:46Good luck.
15:47Someone go collect my daughter's assets from this estate.
15:50Fifty cases of certified cuns.
15:52Fifteen sets of jewellery.
15:53Three vehicles.
15:54One equity agreement covering a 20% stake.
15:57Five property deeds for the harbour residences.
16:00Every last item comes home with us.
16:02The room inhaled sharply.
16:04Half of them were already looking at Damien like he was the stupidest person alive.
16:08Serena screamed.
16:10Those are mine!
16:11That assets belongs to me!
16:14Mum's palm connected with the side of her face.
16:17You stole her wedding and now you want her assets too.
16:21What world are you living in?
16:23Every item in that collection was prepared for Vivian.
16:26You are nothing.
16:27You want assets?
16:29Go ask your mother.
16:31Close those assets and half the Harrington group belongs to me by morning.
16:35The security team moved toward the assets.
16:38Damien stepped in front of them.
16:40He looked at Dad.
16:41The Preenwuddle agreement we signed said a Harrington daughter, no specific name.
16:45I honoured the contract.
16:46I promised to take care of a Harrington daughter for life.
16:48Serena hasn't been mistreated.
16:50You pulling those assets is a breach.
16:52Under the terms, a breach by the Harrington side triggers a transfer of 50% equity to me.
16:56He produced the agreement.
16:58If the groom upholds his obligations to a Harrington daughter and the Harrington family withdraws the assets.
17:05The Harrington party is in breaching and shall compensate the groom with 50% of voting shares.
17:11Dead silence.
17:12Dad's face went the colour of old paper.
17:15Impossible.
17:16He grabbed the document.
17:18There is no way I sign that.
17:20Damien smiled.
17:22He tilted his chin toward the screen behind him.
17:25The footage played.
17:26Dad, in a private dining room, signing in his own hand.
17:30You're a man who can make half this city shake with one phone call.
17:33Surely you're not going to pretend you don't remember your own signature.
17:36The document is notatrised.
17:38It's legally binding.
17:39If you want to make a scene in a courtroom,
17:40If you want to make it in a courtroom, go ahead and take those assets.
17:46Dad's chest heaved.
17:48He pressed a hand over his heart, struggling to breathe.
17:51Mum's eyes were red, shaking with fury completely cornered.
17:56Serena curved against Damien's side, smiling like she'd won every hand at the table.
18:01Sister, I know I can't go back home anymore.
18:04But if you kneel and apologise to me right now, I might be in a generous mood.
18:07I could put in a good word with Damien.
18:08Stay out of the shareholder vote.
18:09Let Dad keeps his chairman's seat.
18:11Those old men on the board will tear him apart otherwise.
18:13As for your assets, I'll take good care of it.
18:15All of it.
18:16The Vos staff shoved past me.
18:18The assets were about to walk out the door.
18:20Mum rushed to block this.
18:22One of the Vos people pushed her.
18:24She hit the floor hard.
18:26Ma'am, Serena raised an eyebrow.
18:29This is Vos family business.
18:31You inserted yourself.
18:32If you get hurt, that's on you.
18:36I helped Mum up, looked at both of them without blinking.
18:39Damien tilted his head, magnanimous.
18:42Without that assets, you've got nothing left to buy yourself a husband.
18:47Out of respect for the history between us, come work for Serena for three years.
18:52Keep your head down.
18:54I'll consider giving you a child for security.
18:57When I didn't respond, he grabbed my shoulder and dragged me in front of Serena.
19:01Then he kicked the back of my knee.
19:04Just as he moved to force me down, the ballroom door slammed open.
19:08We've received a report of illegal seizure of private assets belong to the Harrington family.
19:15Who here is Damien Vos?
19:18I, right on time.
19:20I turned around, then stopped.
19:23Walking in behind the investigators was Zane Callum.
19:26He was in his wheelchair moving through the crowd, following the lead investigator into the room.
19:31His eyes swept the space, cool, measured.
19:34When they landed on me, just for a second, the corner of his mouth moved.
19:38The lead investigator looked at me.
19:41What happened here?
19:42Before I could speak, Damien lunged forward and shoved his prenuptial agreement at the investigator.
19:48Officer, it's all there in writing.
19:50We are law-abiding citizens.
19:52We haven't done anything wrong.
19:54These people are refusing to honor a legal contract and trying to buy time.
19:58Then he looked at Zane with open contempt.
20:00To this inn, didn't you?
20:01The man whose fiance ran off and can't say a word about it.
20:04This is the best you've got?
20:06Pathetic.
20:06You think marrying Serena means you get her assets too?
20:09Look in the mirror.
20:10I'd advise you to drop this right now.
20:12A man in a wheelchair playing hero.
20:14I'll tip your chair over myself.
20:15Zane raised an eyebrow slightly.
20:17He stood up.
20:18The entire room went silent.
20:21Every jaw dropped.
20:23Oh.
20:24You mean me?
20:28I recovered two years ago.
20:30I kept the chair out of habit.
20:32Turns out some people genuinely believed I was useless.
20:36Zane straightened.
20:37He was taller than Damien by a full head.
20:39The kind of height that changed the weight of a room.
20:41I hadn't fully processed it myself.
20:43The head of the Callum group.
20:45In a wheelchair for five years.
20:48Standing up.
20:48In the middle of a situation where his fiance had run off.
20:52His future bride's assets had been stolen.
20:54And everything had gone sideways at once.
20:56Serena had gone white enough to show through her foundation.
20:59Zane stepped forward.
21:01Damien swallowed and gripped his document tighter.
21:03Forcing the casual tone.
21:05So a man who can walk now, can walk.
21:07Doesn't change what you are.
21:08You scraped your way into the room on luck.
21:12Viviana isn't the type to settle for someone like you.
21:14I see exactly what you're doing.
21:16Don't come crying when it blows up in your face.
21:19Zane glanced at him once.
21:21Then turned to the screen on the far wall.
21:23A new video started playing.
21:24Private dining room.
21:25A server pouring something into a glass from a small vial.
21:29My father drinking it.
21:30The server was brought in.
21:31That's him.
21:32He's the one.
21:32He gave me a packet and said to put it in the drink of whoever came to that table.
21:36He said a million dollars.
21:39My son is sick.
21:41I needed the money.
21:42I never thought it would be something that made a person lost control to himself.
21:45She was already crying.
21:47Turning to my father.
21:48He said he was your son-in-law.
21:50I thought it couldn't be anything dangerous.
21:52I didn't know it was something that screwed your memory.
21:57I'm so sorry.
21:59Damien's composure shredded.
22:01You're lying!
22:03Some broke little server is going to walk in here and accuse me?
22:07He was screaming now.
22:08I will sue you into nothing!
22:12I figured rich people like you would say that.
22:15I kept the photos and I recorded everything.
22:19The evidence was airtight.
22:20Under the law, any contract signed while a party was chemically impaired was void.
22:25No exceptions.
22:26The room turned on Damien.
22:28The Harrington's funded him.
22:29He repaid them by going after their assets and humiliating their daughter.
22:32Rotten to the core.
22:34Good thing Viviana never legally married him.
22:36Otherwise, she'd have let a predator into house and never seen it coming.
22:39And that's Serena.
22:40If my son brought home someone like that, I'd break both his legs.
22:43Damien's mother was shaking so hard she could barely breathe.
22:46She reached out and slapped Serena across the face with everything she had.
22:50You! You did this!
22:52You seduced my son until he lost his mind!
22:56He gave up a perfect match for someone like you!
22:59Look what we have now!
23:01Get out or I will drag you out of this house myself!
23:04Serena crumpled against Damien, tears streaming.
23:07Even now she was the love of his life.
23:09He pulled her in, voice strained.
23:11Mom, I'm not leaving Serena.
23:14Damien's mother grabbed a sharp dessert fork from the table and pressed it to her own throat.
23:19If you throw her out now, you're killing me.
23:20This woman has destroyed everything.
23:23If you keep protecting her, I'll bleed out right here in front of you.
23:27If she doesn't go, I die here.
23:33Damien went pale.
23:34He lurched toward her.
23:36Serena grabbed his arm and couldn't let go.
23:38You can't leave me, Damien!
23:38It's her or me!
23:40Are you gonna watch my mother die?!
23:41Please, I'm carrying your child!
23:44He was already coming apart.
23:45He was about to pull free when Serena screamed it.
23:48You can't abandon me.
23:50Is that true?
23:51Damien spun around.
23:5212 weeks.
23:53His face split open with something unguarded.
23:56Serena's eyes were wet.
23:57She nodded.
23:58The doctor said it's a boy.
24:00Small and fragile, Damien's mother made a sound like something had closed around her throat.
24:05Mum, this is my first.
24:09Serena did this for our family.
24:10Please, for the baby, accept her.
24:13She couldn't get a single word out.
24:15The fork hit the floor.
24:16Damien's mother aged 10 years in 10 seconds.
24:20She closed her eyes, pressed her lips together, and walked out of the room without speaking.
24:24I gave the signal to my security without ceremony.
24:27Serena snapped out of it and no longer grabbed her.
24:30What are you doing?
24:31The investigators are right here!
24:33You just directed staff to assault my mother.
24:36Mum registered the queue after two seconds and started playing her part, groaning convincingly.
24:42She has a heart condition.
24:43She's dizzy and nauseous right now.
24:46You tell me what I'm doing.
24:47You're cheating!
24:49You can't do this to me!
24:51Serena exploded.
24:52Can we take it to court?
24:53I narrowed my eyes.
24:54She understood exactly what that meant.
24:56She folded onto the floor and started screaming.
25:00Vivian!
25:01You want to fight?
25:02Fight me!
25:03Don't touch Serena!
25:04He had already decided I was acting out of heartbreak.
25:07The self-assurance was nauseating.
25:09I cut my eyes at him and let out a short laugh.
25:12You think you're walking away from this?
25:13Damien looked like he was about to go through the wall.
25:18You drugged my father.
25:20You had a fraudulent contract signed.
25:22I will make sure you spend the rest of your life answering for it.
25:26Every drop of color left Damien's face.
25:29I didn't look at him again.
25:31I walked out with my parents and our assets.
25:34Zane caught up with us outside.
25:36Vivian!
25:37He reached into his jacket and pulled out a document.
25:40This is my personal stake in the Callum group, half.
25:43I know it's not what you're used to.
25:46I'll have the formal proposal ready and come to you properly.
25:49Just wait for me.
25:50I looked at the paperwork.
25:52Notarized.
25:53Official.
25:54Tens of millions of dollars in equity.
25:58Didn't you have an arrangement with Serena?
26:00Why didn't this go to her?
26:02It was always meant for you.
26:05You're the one I wanted to marry.
26:08I knew I wasn't in a position to ask.
26:12But when your father offered the second daughter, I already knew she and Damien were involved.
26:17I looked at him carefully.
26:19You knew all of that.
26:21And you still showed up today.
26:23His expression shifted slightly.
26:25That same almost smile.
26:27Because I knew she'd swap.
26:28And I knew you'd say yes.
26:30I know you don't like people who can't think.
26:32He extended his hand.
26:34Give me three years.
26:35I will build the Callum group to Harrington level without a single dollar of your family's money.
26:40The man had calculated every move before anyone else had taken their first step.
26:45Equal footing with the Harringtons.
26:47Now that was interesting.
26:49Go home.
26:49Come back with a formal proposal.
26:51I liked a man who could think.
26:54I raised an eyebrow and told him.
26:59Back at the estate, Mrs. Ward had been kept under watch.
27:02When she saw me walk in with the family, she broke into a wide smile.
27:06Miss Vivian, I heard the Voss family sent you back.
27:08I knew it. My daughter is the real prize.
27:10You brought this on yourself going over there to make a scene.
27:13What did it feel like being thrown out in front of everyone?
27:16The Voss name belongs to my Serena.
27:18From now on, show some respect to me.
27:22Everything that was yours goes to my daughter now.
27:26She's the one carrying the Harrington torch.
27:28I watched her hold herself up as straight as she could manage.
27:31And almost laughed out loud.
27:34The Voss family?
27:35Your daughter and that failure really are a perfect match.
27:40Impossible. The Voss family is the top name in this city.
27:43You're just bitter. Sour grapes because you're jealous of my Serena.
27:48Believe what you want.
27:49I shrugged. I turned and walked away.
27:52I didn't look back at whatever her face was doing.
27:54Zane said he'd prepare a formal proposal before coming over.
27:57He showed up the next day with a proposal gift list of thickness of a book.
28:01He'd clearly had this ready for a long time.
28:03Dad reviewed it and nodded.
28:05He asked what I thought.
28:06I respected Zane's mind and his nerve.
28:09We were evenly matched.
28:10Of course I agreed.
28:11The families finalized the wedding timeline quickly.
28:14The venue was a private island Zane had bought outright.
28:18We kept the guest list to people we actually trusted.
28:20No one expected Damien to find his way into the dressing room.
28:23No one knew how he got through.
28:25The room went tense.
28:26Nobody moved fast enough.
28:27He looked at me like his heart was breaking.
28:30You can't marry Zane Callum.
28:35I frowned.
28:36The air in the room felt contaminated just from him being in it.
28:40Damien.
28:41He ignored it.
28:42Who I marry is none of your business.
28:44He grabbed my hand.
28:45If you don't want me calling security to remove you, leave now.
28:48Vivian.
28:49Full performance, mate.
28:50I was wrong.
28:51Serena manufactured everything.
28:53She played the victim to get close to me.
28:56A woman that's selfish and calculating.
28:58She doesn't come close to you.
29:00Tragic and sincere.
29:01Since you left, I can't eat.
29:03Can't sleep.
29:04The doctor says it's emotional collapse.
29:06That's when I understood.
29:07You were always the one.
29:09I can't survive without you.
29:11I've thought it through.
29:12Say the word and I'll file for divorce from Serena today.
29:16Catherine.
29:17We'll register properly.
29:19I'll make you my wife.
29:20I had heard enough of his speeches to be completely immune.
29:23What about Serena's baby?
29:25If you agree to leave with me, I'll have her scheduled for a termination tonight.
29:28It's just a pregnancy.
29:30It's not a problem.
29:31We'll have plenty of children.
29:33He waved it off like it was an inconvenience.
29:35When he loved her, he wouldn't flinch even when his own mother threatened to die.
29:40When he didn't, she was disposable.
29:42The child was disposable.
29:43His love was cheap enough to be embarrassing.
29:46My best friend had run out of patience.
29:49Every time you open your mouth, I think someone nearby must have stepped in some shit.
29:54Damien's face went dark red.
29:55His ego had taken a direct hit.
29:58Your family was broke and Viviana still chose you.
30:01Now you're a second-hand disaster with another woman's baby and you're asking her to come rescue you again?
30:05Are you going to have some kind of episode?
30:07He turned on me.
30:10Vivian, if you don't come back to me,
30:13I walk out of here right now and tell every person in this city that you were mine years ago.
30:18I went cold.
30:19I was about to respond.
30:21Let's see if Zane Callum still wants you after.
30:24Then the back of Damien's collar was yanked upward.
30:26He didn't have time to make a sound before Zane showed up and pulled him into the adjacent bathroom.
30:31The door swung shut.
30:34The people outside heard water running and Damien coughing in broken intervals.
30:38Let them handle it.
30:39We're drinking coffee.
30:41My best friend pulled me two steps sideways and waved her hand in front of her face.
30:45The door opened.
30:46Zane came out with his sleeves rolled to the elbow, hands still damp.
30:49His expression was exactly the same as it always was.
30:52Damien was carried out by security.
30:55Take him out, Zane said.
30:56Don't let him near my wedding.
30:57Hair soaked, toilet water running down his face.
31:00He'd gone completely limp.
31:02Security moved.
31:03Vivian, you think marrying him means you won?
31:06I'm telling you-
31:07Damien got one moment of coherence back and twisted to look at me.
31:11Eyes red.
31:12Security tightened their grip.
31:14His voice disappeared down the hallway.
31:16Zane's already dry hand settled over mine.
31:18He looked down at me.
31:19I shook my head slightly.
31:21I was about to mention tightening the perimeter when something shattered outside the door.
31:25Serena.
31:26Black dress.
31:26A plastic bucket in her hand.
31:28Eyes already knocked on me.
31:30The next second, a full bucket of red paint came flying at us without any warning.
31:34I didn't have time to move.
31:36Zane was already in front of me, body completely angled to cover mine.
31:40Are you hurt?
31:41The paint hit him across the back of his jacket.
31:43Red, sharp smell.
31:45The bucket hit the floor.
31:48Serena hadn't expected him to take it.
31:50S-Zane.
31:52She faltered.
31:53I wasn't aiming at you.
31:55I wanted to hit Viviana.
31:57Zane checked me first, made sure I was clean.
31:59Then he turned and his face had gone completely flat.
32:02She is my wife.
32:04Coming for her means coming for me.
32:06Serena's eyes filled.
32:07She pushed against the security holding her, trying to get closer to Zane.
32:11I know you'll never forgive me.
32:13I came today because I needed you to know the truth.
32:16Vivian drugged me.
32:18Damien took advantage of me.
32:20I wanted to end my life.
32:22But I couldn't watch you get deceived by someone like her.
32:26If you actually marry this woman, you'll regret it.
32:30I'll die and it will be on your conscience.
32:33She was completely convincing.
32:35The broken expression was flawless.
32:37She'd even gotten her eyes swollen.
32:39Zane watched her the way you watch a magician whose trick you've already seen explained.
32:43So Damien assaulted you.
32:44Serena's head came up fast.
32:46She thought he was softening.
32:47Yes, I had no choice.
32:49I'm a victim.
32:51Then it's a criminal matter, Zane said.
32:54I have a non-profit legal team.
32:56I can refer you to someone who handles cases like this at no cost.
33:00Serena's face drained.
33:04With the evidence you have, Damien is looking at serious time.
33:07She was still forming a response when a voice came screaming from the far end of the corridor.
33:12Damien.
33:13Soaked and rapidly.
33:14He spotted her and his expression went feral.
33:17He closed the distance and grabbed her by the hair.
33:21Damien, what are you doing?
33:23Let go of me.
33:25Serena screamed.
33:26Let go of you?
33:29You went, went behind my back to find Zane Caller.
33:33What are you?
33:34His voice had gone somewhere past anger.
33:36You're nothing.
33:37I didn't, I didn't go to find him.
33:40They set you up.
33:42They're lying to you.
33:44Raw and scraped out.
33:46Set me up?
33:47He dragged her out the room.
33:48Serena stumbling to keep up, both hands trying to pry at his grip.
33:52I watched you walk in here myself.
33:54Give me one reason! Say it! Say it!
33:59I came to find you! I came to find you, Damien! Listen to me!
34:03He let go. She hit the floor.
34:06Her elbow caught the edge of the hardwood.
34:07She inhaled sharply through her teeth and looked up at him.
34:11And for the first time, there was something genuinely frightened in her face.
34:16Damien, calm down!
34:19Calm down?
34:21My company is gone. My mother is in the hospital.
34:25All because of you! Tell me how to calm down!
34:28Serena shifted back against the wall.
34:31The company failing isn't my fault. You don't get to blame everything on me.
34:36He grabbed the front of her dress, hauled her up, voice cracking.
34:41You'd already gotten to me before any of this started.
34:43She pulled at his hand.
34:43You planned this. Every step, didn't you?
34:46Let go of me! You're sick! Let go!
34:48I am sick. I was sick the day I let you anywhere near me.
34:53Vivian was right there and I walked away from her.
34:56His hands were shaking.
34:57What was wrong with me?
34:59Then they weren't here. Zane was already behind me.
35:02Get them out.
35:03Putting his body between me and the hallway.
35:04His voice to the security team was quiet and even.
35:08They moved immediately.
35:09Down the hall, Serena's voice kept breaking into pieces.
35:12Damien kept shouting. Then his voice dropped.
35:15Then there was only her. Then nothing.
35:17Zane walked beside me out of the building.
35:19Don't look back. I have it.
35:21Outside there was salt air and light.
35:23And the wedding music still drifting from the lawn.
35:26He held my hand once. Steady.
35:28I didn't look back.
35:34The news was everywhere within days.
35:36Damien Voss had a breakdown at a society wedding
35:39and beat his wife to death, arrested on the spot.
35:43The day of sentencing, the gallery was nearly full.
35:46Some came because they'd lost money in his projects.
35:48Some came because they just needed to see the end.
35:51Damien sat in the defendant's chair,
35:53looking nothing like the man from the wedding.
35:55The hands that used to pull women close
35:57were cuffed and folded in his lap.
35:59His mother had died of cardiac arrest the night Serena died.
36:02He was in custody when he got the news.
36:04He spent that entire morning not speaking.
36:07The prosecutor laid it out item by item, drugging a man.
36:11Fraudulent contract. Attempted asset seizure.
36:14Felony assault resulting in death.
36:17Multiple charges compounded.
36:20The judge delivered the verdict. Life sentence.
36:22Damien pushed back against the chair,
36:24tipped his head up and stared at the ceiling of the courtroom.
36:27Nothing on his face at all.
36:29Before the sentencing was done, someone in the gallery recognized me.
36:33Isn't that the daughter of Harrington family?
36:35The Callum lion?
36:35Her ex-fiancee just got life.
36:37Deserved every year of it.
36:38Humiliated her publicly.
36:40Now he's in a cage with nothing to show for it.
36:41Lost everything.
36:42I didn't respond or turn around.
36:44This chapter was done.
36:45It had nothing to do with me anymore.
36:47Zane glanced over.
36:49Dinner?
36:50His arm came around my shoulders.
36:51Sure.
36:52I said.
36:52His mouth moved up slightly.
36:55He looked down at his phone to make a reservation.
36:57He was almost done when the security lead came over and said something quietly.
37:01Mrs. Ward is outside the courthouse.
37:03She wants to come in.
37:05Zane looked up.
37:06Let her in.
37:07His expression didn't shift.
37:09He glanced at me.
37:10I thought about it for a second.
37:14Mrs. Ward came in, held up by two court officers.
37:18Hair everywhere.
37:19Makeup destroyed.
37:20Eyes completely hollow.
37:22She was murmuring to herself when they brought her in.
37:24And the moment the doors opened, she lunged toward the defendant's area.
37:28Both officers barely holding.
37:30Where is my daughter?
37:31Damien?
37:33Damien, you son!
37:34People turned to look.
37:36Some stepped back.
37:37Damien heard the noise and slowly turned his head.
37:40Mrs. Ward saw him.
37:41She fought harder.
37:42Her voice dropping into something that didn't sound entirely human.
37:46Give me back my daughter!
37:47Give her back!
37:50Damien's face didn't move.
37:51I killed her.
37:52That's on me.
37:53He said it the way you read something off a form.
37:55It landed like a needle.
37:57Mrs. Ward stopped fighting.
37:59She stood where she was, tears running silently.
38:02She looked at him for a long time.
38:04Her lips shook.
38:05Finally, she got one sentence out.
38:07Why did I ever let her near you?
38:09They took her out.
38:11Her crying echoed down the corridor.
38:13No one in that room knew it wasn't over yet.
38:16Three days later, a footage circulated everywhere.
38:19Mrs. Ward appeared at the courthouse entrance in a coat that sat wrong on her body.
38:23Security flagged her immediately.
38:25She didn't resist.
38:26She stood there, looked down at her own hands, and said something under her breath that nobody
38:31caught.
38:32Then, the moment security turned away, she was through the door.
38:36Everyone stepped back.
38:37The sound at the end of the corridor shook the whole hallway.
38:40The official report used the words, sudden incident.
38:43Damien was rushed to surgery.
38:45They brought him back, but both legs were gone.
38:47Permanent bed care for the rest of his life.
38:50Mrs. Ward was declared dead at the scene.
38:52I was home when the news came through.
38:54Zane was sitting next to me, having his lunch.
38:56He read it, set his phone face down on the table.
39:00That's the end of it, he said.
39:01I nodded, yes.
39:03Outside the window, the afternoon was clear.
39:06Sun across the whole living room.
39:08Zane slid my cup over.
39:10My parents are coming for dinner tonight.
39:12Tell the kitchen to add two more dishes.
39:15Okay.
39:15I picked up my coffee, took a sip.
39:21Three years later, the Callum Group's annual report dropped,
39:25and every business outlet in the country ran the same headline.
39:28The Callum Group surpasses the Voss family's peak valuation, breaks in as the top one.
39:34Damien was in a hospital bed when the notification hit his screen.
39:37He knocked his phone to the floor trying to reach it, couldn't get it back,
39:40just hung there over the edge of the mattress, breathing hard.
39:43The nurse came in, picked up the phone and shouted at him.
39:46He didn't answer.
39:47I said don't move.
39:49You deaf or just stupid?
39:50That same afternoon, Zane set the report on the table in front of me.
39:56Three years, like I said.
39:58I picked it up, flipped through, lipped at him.
40:01Three points above the Harrington Group?
40:03He raised an eyebrow.
40:04Not enough?
40:05It's enough.
40:06I closed the report and pushed it back.
40:07The corner of my mouth went up.
40:09Half a year ahead of schedule.
40:11Then I suppose we can start on something else.
40:14Such as?
40:15Give me a baby.
40:16He leaned forward and touched his forehead to mine.
40:19Something quiet in his voice.
40:20His hand traced slowly down the line of my waist.
40:24I laughed and leaned back into his arms.
40:26Through the window, the sky had caught fire at the horizon.
40:30And our beautiful life was just beginning.
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