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  • 5 days ago
Second Chance to Let Go
Transcript
00:00In the fifth year of my marriage to Kenneth Mendez, Haley Humphrey, the love of his life, moved back home
00:05after her divorce.
00:07His heart went back to her, and he had no idea I was already in the final stages of a
00:12terminal illness.
00:13The doctor said that if I went into surgery, my chances of surviving were under 10%.
00:20So I decided to put my life in Kenneth's hands. He would be my chief surgeon.
00:26The day I got my medical report happened to be my fifth wedding anniversary with Kenneth.
00:31I spent all afternoon making his favorite meal, but it was freezing cold now, and he still wasn't back.
00:38I couldn't help calling him. The phone rang five times before he finally picked up.
00:45What is it?
00:46He snapped.
00:48I'm working. I just got assigned an emergency surgery.
00:52I'm sorry. I thought...
00:57And what exactly did you think?
00:59He cut in. His voice sharp enough to shut me up.
01:03But the very next second, a familiar girl's voice came through the speaker.
01:07Kenny, do you like cream cake?
01:12My grip tightened on the phone.
01:15Kenneth?
01:17Hey, Lissy.
01:18She was back.
01:21At 9pm, I packed the reheated food into a thermal container and drove to the hospital.
01:26Through the glass window, I saw Kenneth sitting with Haley, the two of them studying the same medical file.
01:33They were so close that Haley's loose hair brushed against Kenneth's cheek.
01:38Kenneth was a clean freak, and he hated people touching him, but he didn't push her away.
01:45I knocked. When Kenneth saw me, his brows immediately flooded.
01:49Why are you here?
01:50I spotted a cream cake with happy birthday hails written on it.
01:54So today wasn't just our anniversary.
01:57It was Haley birthday too.
02:00Rachel, do you want some cake?
02:02Haley asked.
02:04She doesn't like whipped cream.
02:06Kenneth answered for me.
02:11Then he looked at me.
02:13Rachel, why don't you head home first?
02:16Kenneth, I need to talk to you about something.
02:18Can we talk alone for a minute?
02:20I don't have time tonight.
02:22Why the special trip just to keep tabs on me?
02:24His eyes flashed with anger.
02:26I froze.
02:28So that was what he thought of me.
02:31I was only here to tell him about my illness, and that, according to my doctor, my days were numbered.
02:43I went home, carrying all the food that hadn't been touched.
02:47When I dumped the entire table into the trash, I couldn't help sound, what a waste.
02:53Just like me, always unnecessary in Kenneth's life.
02:59The pain in my chest came back again.
03:03I curled up on the couch, biting back the pain, and drifted into a heavy, foggy sleep.
03:12In my dream, I was back in college.
03:16Kenneth was my upperclassman.
03:19Back then, his girlfriend was still Haley, the most popular girl in the department.
03:25He was a junior when I got accepted into New York Medical College.
03:30I arrived on campus alone with my luggage.
03:34While everyone else had parents and relatives around them, I stood out like an orphan.
03:38That day, the student volunteers were overwhelmed, and Kenneth happened to walk by.
03:46He saw how lost I was and helped me out.
03:50He carried my bags and told me about the school.
03:54I listened to everything like it mattered.
03:57When he finally set my suitcase down and politely said goodbye, something inside me shifted.
04:02Then, right before Kenneth graduated, Haley chose to go overseas, and they broke up.
04:12The next time I saw him, he was drunk on the side of the road.
04:15Wrecked, abandoned, pitiful.
04:17No one was taking care of him.
04:19I couldn't help it.
04:20My heart softened.
04:22For the first time, I stepped forward on my own and brought him back to his apartment.
04:26When I tried to leave, he grabbed my hand.
04:29That night, he whispered halos into my ear 132 times.
04:35I admit that I took advantage of the moment, but I had no strength to refuse him.
04:42Then, Kenneth introduced me to all his friends and gave me the title of girlfriend.
04:47Our relationship stabilized, and I married him.
04:52But now, everything was about to shatter.
04:59Halini was back, and Kenneth's heart went with her.
05:02And me, on our wedding anniversary, I was diagnosed with terminal late-stage illness.
05:08The next morning, Kenneth came home.
05:11He looked exhausted, like he had been up all night.
05:16He asked me,
05:18Why didn't you go sleep in the bedroom?
05:22The pain in my body left me unable to speak for a moment.
05:27Just then, his gaze landed on the cream cake on the dining table that read,
05:31Happy 5th Anniversary, Honey.
05:37So yesterday was our anniversary.
05:41Yeah.
05:42I answered softly and stepped forward to take his coat.
05:48Without meaning to, I caught a perfume scent that wasn't mine.
05:52I'm sorry.
05:53I forgot.
05:55A heart attack case came in last night.
05:57I didn't say anything.
05:59Kenneth was a cardiac surgeon at one of New York's top hospitals.
06:04But if he'd only been in surgery,
06:07Why did his coat smell like perfume?
06:10A fine, stabbing ache crawled through my chest again.
06:13He mistook my silence as swulking,
06:15And his brows tightened slightly.
06:17Rachel, I've been drowning in work.
06:20Forgetting anniversary is normal.
06:22If it bothers you that much,
06:25I'll make it up to you in a few days.
06:28Agony spread across my chest,
06:30Making me double over in pain.
06:37You probably just have low blood sugar again.
06:42I didn't correct him.
06:44My medical report was sitting right on the dining table.
06:48All he had to do was walk over and look.
06:50But he didn't.
06:54All the things I should have said out loud
06:56Suddenly didn't feel worth saying anymore.
07:01At noon, I cooked lunch as usual.
07:05Kenneth may be feeling guilty about last night.
07:07Rachel, I'm off this afternoon.
07:09Let's go watch a movie.
07:11My heart loosened.
07:12I replied quickly.
07:13Okay, it's been so long since we've gone to the movies together.
07:18But his phone rang.
07:19Haley's name on the screen.
07:22Kenny, I'm at the hospital.
07:23I think I twisted my ankle.
07:25Can you come get me?
07:26Without a second of hesitation,
07:29Kenneth grabbed his keys.
07:30I'll be right there.
07:31He turned to me.
07:32Rachel, Haley needs help.
07:34We'll go to the movies another day.
07:36Then he was gone.
07:38I sat alone at the table,
07:40Lunch untouched.
07:41A few hours later,
07:43The pain hit again.
07:45I couldn't breathe.
08:15I knew my heart was failing.
08:16You need surgery immediately.
08:17Without it,
08:18You have less than a month.
08:25And with surgery?
08:29Less than 10%.
08:32I want Kenneth Mendez to be my chief surgeon.
08:35Kenneth is the best cardiac surgeon we have.
08:38But Miss Allen,
08:39Are you sure?
08:42Given your relationship?
08:44I'm sure,
08:45I said.
08:45If I die,
08:46I die on his table.
08:47If I live,
08:48It'll be because he saved me.
08:49Either way,
08:50He'll have to look at what he's been ignoring all this time.
08:54When I left the hospital,
08:55The sun was already setting.
08:58I drove home in a daze,
09:00My mind spiraling through every possible outcome.
09:03When I reached my building,
09:05I noticed the apartment across from ours had new tenants moving in.
09:09Box after box was being carried inside in an organized, professional way.
09:16I only glanced up for a second,
09:18And I saw Kenneth and Haley walking out together.
09:23Rachel!
09:25You're back!
09:29In that instant,
09:31The blood in my veins seemed to freeze.
09:36Oh, right!
09:37I have something to return to you.
09:39She went back inside and came out holding the empty thermost.
09:43She handed it to me with a smile.
09:45Your cooking is amazing.
09:47Kenneth is really lucky to have married you.
09:53My breathing slowed,
09:55And I looked up at Kenneth.
09:57He instinctively avoided my gaze,
09:58But then his eyes hardened again.
10:01Hales just got back from overseas.
10:04She doesn't have anywhere to stay.
10:06Coincidentally,
10:07The place across to our apartment was for rent.
10:09She liked it,
10:10So she moved in.
10:12She hadn't eaten yet,
10:13So I took the Mornucut meal day over to her.
10:15I just helping out on my way.
10:19Just helping out,
10:20I thought.
10:22I smiled faintly.
10:24Behind my back,
10:25My nails dug deep into my palm.
10:27I still wanted to believe he was a man with boundaries,
10:30That he would stay loyal to our marriage.
10:32That night,
10:33Kenneth covered my eyes with his hands,
10:35Acting all mysterious,
10:37And guided me to the dining table.
10:41When he finally let me see again,
10:44I looked down and saw an expensive necklace sitting there.
10:51Do you like it?
10:54I nodded.
10:56Kenneth picked it up and fastened it around my neck.
11:00The small diamond rested right in the hollow of my collarbone.
11:04He said,
11:05Praising me,
11:06It's beautiful.
11:08This kind of ceremony was rare in our lives.
11:12Even though I knew this gift was really just him making up for forgetting our wedding anniversary,
11:17And maybe there was a little guilty mixed in for letting down my feelings,
11:21I still felt happy for the first time in a long while.
11:25Before bed,
11:26He fell asleep quickly,
11:27But I couldn't drift off at all.
11:30While scrolling on my phone,
11:32I accidentally saw a post Haley had made an hour earlier on Instagram.
11:36Happiness is when the person you've kept in your heart
11:39Has been waiting for you in the same place all along.
11:42I didn't know if she made that post visible only to me,
11:46But the photo hit like a knife,
11:48Stabbing my eyes in an instant.
11:51It was a photo of a diamond ring,
11:54Engraved with their initials.
11:57The necklace Kenneth had given me tonight
11:59Was from the same brand.
12:03My hands were shaking as I reached for Kenneth's phone.
12:06He was careful in the way he handled things,
12:09But he'd never bothered putting a password on his phone.
12:12And he'd never guarded it from me.
12:19I unlocked it easily.
12:22I opened the Amazon app,
12:24And went to the orders page.
12:26In the orders section,
12:28I found a diamond ring he had reserved a week ago,
12:30And the necklace he had rushed to order just yesterday.
12:33Then I saw his chat with customer service.
12:36The ring is a birthday present.
12:37Make sure it arrives before the 17th.
12:39My vision blurred before I even realized it.
12:45A birthday gift.
12:47And a makeup present.
12:49A diamond ring.
12:51And a necklace.
12:52I forced myself out of bed,
12:54Fighting nausea,
12:55And ran into the bathroom.
12:58I clutched the toilet and threw up violently.
13:02My stomach was already empty,
13:04So all that came out was sour bile,
13:07Burning my throat raw.
13:13Kenneth woke up and followed me in,
13:15Patting my back.
13:18What's wrong?
13:21I couldn't answer.
13:22The pain swallowed nausea.
13:24My face went white,
13:26And my lips turned bluish purple.
13:28It hurt so badly,
13:29It felt like it was tearing me apart.
13:31Kenneth finally realized something was off.
13:34He picked me up and carried me back to the bed.
13:41Rachel,
13:42Didn't I tell you to go to the hospital for a checkup?
13:44You really need to get tested.
13:47You're the doctor,
13:48I said,
13:49Tugging at the corner of my mouth.
13:51Can't you tell if there's something wrong with me?
13:53A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes,
13:56But he still shook his head.
14:00Doctors aren't machines.
14:01Making judgments purely based on experience is irresponsible.
14:06But you look fine to me.
14:07You probably just ate too much tonight.
14:10Try to get some sleep, okay?
14:14I didn't bother arguing,
14:16But it would be a lie to say I wasn't disappointed.
14:19I thought,
14:20Kenneth,
14:21You'll find out soon enough whether I'm sick.
14:23You'll see me lying on your operating table
14:24With only a 10% chance of surviving.
14:29Early the next morning,
14:30I went to the pharmacy to buy some painkillers
14:33To temporarily relieve the pain in my body.
14:36When I got home,
14:38Kenneth was wearing an apron
14:39And moving around the kitchen
14:41In a calm,
14:42Practiced way,
14:43Cooking like it was second nature.
14:52I froze.
14:54Before we got married,
14:55Kenneth had told me he didn't know how to cook
14:57And hated the kitchen
14:58Because of the grease and mess.
15:00After marriage,
15:01I took care of everything myself
15:03And never once let those hands
15:04That held a scalpel
15:05Touch household chores.
15:07Before we got married,
15:08Kenneth had told me he didn't know how to cook
15:10And hated the kitchen
15:11Because of the grease and mess.
15:13After marriage,
15:15I take care of everything myself
15:17And never once let those hands
15:19That held a scalpel
15:20To touch household chores.
15:22Yet today,
15:23Out of nowhere,
15:24He was actually cooking.
15:31I was still confused
15:32When I suddenly saw Haylene
15:34Walk out of our bedroom.
15:36She looked toward the kitchen
15:37And whined sweetly.
15:40Kenneth,
15:41Is the food ready yet?
15:42I'm starving.
15:44Almost.
15:44Kenneth answered without turning around.
15:46His voice smiling.
15:49You little foodie.
15:50The whole scene was so absurd
15:52It pinned me to the spot.
15:56It felt like I had walked
15:58Into the wrong apartment
15:59And accidentally entered
16:01Someone else's warm,
16:02Happy home.
16:04She teased.
16:05And he laughed.
16:07Only I didn't belong here.
16:12So it wasn't that
16:13Kenneth couldn't cook.
16:14He just didn't want to.
16:16His cooking was only
16:17For the person
16:18He was willing to cook for.
16:21Hayley acted as if
16:22She had just noticed me.
16:24Rachel!
16:25You're back!
16:27The surprise on her face
16:29Appeared at exactly
16:30The right moment.
16:32She smiled brightly
16:33And grabbed my hand.
16:35This morning I went to the market
16:36With Kenneth
16:37And bought so many groceries.
16:39We girls should enjoy the results.
16:44Right?
16:45Let him do all the work.
16:46Come sit down.
16:47You have to try his cooking.
16:49He's really good.
16:52I let her pull me along.
16:55Numb and stiff.
16:59The ring on her left ring niggots
17:01Scraped hard against my skin.
17:03It hurt.
17:04And the pain snapped me awake.
17:07Rachel, I'm honestly so jealous.
17:09You get to eat Kenneth's cooking every day.
17:11Her voice turned even sweeter.
17:13I don't have that kind of luck anymore.
17:15Back then,
17:16Kenneth actually learned to cook just for me.
17:18But I barely got to eat it a few times
17:20Before I went abroad.
17:22As if she'd suddenly realized
17:24She'd said too much.
17:25She stuck her tongue out.
17:28That's all in the past now.
17:31Rachel, I really do appreciate you
17:33For taking such good care of Kenneth.
17:36I stared at her.
17:37My hands and feet turning ice cold.
17:41The food's ready.
17:42Let's eat first.
17:43Kenneth said as he walked over,
17:45Cutting the conversation off.
17:46The dishes were extravagant.
17:49An entire table of seaweed.
17:51I didn't touch a thing.
17:52There wasn't a single dish on that table that I could eat.
17:56When I didn't pick up my fork,
17:58Kenneth finally seemed to remember.
18:01His expression turned slightly awkward.
18:06Rachel, sorry.
18:07I didn't know you'd come back today.
18:09Otherwise, I would have made a couple of other dishes.
18:11Hayley blinked.
18:13Rachel doesn't like seafood?
18:16She's allergic to seafood.
18:18What a shame.
18:20Hayley said.
18:21Kenneth's seafood dishes are actually his best.
18:24She picked up a garlic butter prawn
18:25And dropped it into Kenneth's plate.
18:28Smiling playfully.
18:32Dr. Mendez, would you please peel one for me?
18:35You really are getting more spoiled by the day.
18:37He said, but he smiled like he didn't mind at all.
18:43He peeled a shrimp and placed it in front of her.
18:50They interacted like I wasn't even there.
18:53I couldn't understand it.
18:55Kenneth was cooking a feast
18:57And peeling a prawn for another woman in our marital home.
19:01Kenneth, don't you think this is inappropriate?
19:03I said, calling it out.
19:05For the first time in forever,
19:07He actually explained himself.
19:10Hales is a guest.
19:11So peeling a prawn for a guest was considered good manners?
19:20After all these years of marriage,
19:21Kenneth had never peeled fruit for me.
19:23He'd barely even placed food on my plate.
19:26Hayley pretended to realize the issue
19:28And looked at me innocently.
19:31Rachel, I just didn't want to get my hands dirty.
19:34You're not mad, right?
19:36I met her bright, sly eyes.
19:39And suddenly everything clicked.
19:41I thought, no.
19:42Why would I be mad?
19:43I was just disgusted.
19:45Since there's nothing on this table I can even eat,
19:47You two take your time.
19:48I'm going back to the bedroom.
19:50Then, I stood up and left the table.
19:55Outside the door,
19:57I faintly heard Haylen's voice.
19:59Is Rachel mad?
20:01Kenneth, maybe you should go explain.
20:06It's just that I have a cut on my hand
20:08So I couldn't peel the prawn myself.
20:09I don't want her to misunderstand.
20:11Kenneth's reply was indifferent.
20:13Like it didn't matter at all.
20:14There's no need.
20:15It's a small thing.
20:16She can figure it out on her own.
20:17She laughed again.
20:18Cheerful and smug.
20:19True.
20:20Rachel really does seem so mature.
20:22I leaned weakly against the door.
20:24Enduring the dull ache rising in my chest.
20:28My eyes drifted down without thinking.
20:31On the floor lay a necklace.
20:33Snapped into three pieces.
20:34The necklace Kenneth gave me last night.
20:37This morning, I'd taken it off and placed it neatly on the bedside tibble.
20:40I never expected it would be yanked apart and thrown onto the floor like trash.
20:47Haylene had just walked out of our bedroom.
20:49It was obvious who did it.
20:51She wasn't even trying to keep up appearances anymore.
20:54I was so angry, I wanted to storm out and confront her.
20:58But the moment I opened the door, I saw Kenneth and Halen sitting together, eating, looking warm and cozy.
21:04It was like they were a family while I was the intruder.
21:10My anger drained away all at once.
21:14I used to believe that if love lasted long enough and if it burned hot enough, it could melt even
21:19ice.
21:20But reality proved something simple.
21:22Love was love.
21:23And not loving someone was not loving them.
21:26In the afternoon, Kenneth returned and said he wanted to talk.
21:30Suddenly, I wanted to ask him something.
21:32Kenneth, have you ever thought about living this life properly with me all the way to the end?
21:38His answer came quickly.
21:40Of course.
21:41If I didn't want to spend my life with you, I wouldn't have married you.
21:47Can you promise me one thing then?
21:52What is it?
21:54For the next month, don't commute with Hayley.
21:58Don't go to work with her and don't come home with her.
22:00He fell silent.
22:05He was just about to agree when suddenly, a scream abloated from across the hall.
22:09It was from Hayley.
22:11Kenneth's facial expression changed instantly.
22:14Without even a second of hesitation, he jumped up and rushed out.
22:24I followed behind him and saw it with my own eyes.
22:40Rachel, Hayley slipped in the bathroom and hit her head.
22:42I have to take her to the hospital right now.
22:51I stood there and watched them disappear behind the closing doors and didn't move for a long time.
22:58It wasn't until my phone rang that I answered.
23:05It was from the hospital.
23:08Miss Allen, Dr. Cameron said you requested Dr. Mendez to be your chief surgeon?
23:18Veronica Cameron was my university mentor.
23:20When I had gone to the hospital last time, I had used her connection.
23:26Is there anything else you want us to note?
23:30Before my surgery, I don't want Dr. Mendez to know who I am.
23:34The other party replied,
23:36Understood.
23:40I ended the call with a faint smile.
23:44Kenneth, when we meet again on the operating table, I hope you can still stay as calm as you always
23:49are.
23:50I murmured.
23:53Kenneth didn't come home at all until late at night.
23:56I stopped waiting for him like I used to.
23:58I washed up and lay down in bed.
24:01But sleep wouldn't come.
24:03I scrolled through my phone.
24:05And once again, Hayley's post popped up.
24:10It's just a tiny injury, yet he still insists stay in the hospital for observation.
24:14I took and realized that it actually feels pretty nice to be cared about.
24:17She posted a photo of the back of her hand, with an IV line taped in place.
24:22In the corner of the picture, Kenneth's side profile showed up.
24:29I stared at it for a long time, and then I hit the like button.
24:36In the middle of the night, half asleep, I heard Kenneth come back.
24:40Even though he moved carefully, I still woke instantly, eyes snapping open.
24:46Rachel, it's me.
24:48Kenneth reached out and held my hand.
24:50I went quiet for a moment, then asked.
24:54Is she okay?
24:55He replied.
24:57She just suffered from minor injuries.
24:59I stayed with her for a while.
25:01I looked at Kenneth and could feel his discomfort.
25:05The awkwardness he didn't know how to hide.
25:11Go back to sleep, Rachel.
25:17Before dawn, the phone by Kenneth's pillow buzzed, and he sat up immediately.
25:22In the darkness, I watched the glow of his screen light up his face.
25:25Then he climbed out of bed quietly.
25:27I didn't ask what he was doing up so early, and I didn't want to ask.
25:31I rolled over and went back to sleep.
25:35When I woke again, it was already 7 a.m.
25:39I got up to drink water and ran into Kenneth in the kitchen.
25:43He was looking up recipes on his phone.
25:46A flash of embarrassment crossed his face.
25:50Rachel.
25:53Halas said she wants the food you made last time.
25:56Can you help make it?
25:57In five years of marriage, he had never shown that kind of effort or thoughtfulness towards me.
26:04No, I can't.
26:06Kenneth froze.
26:08Then his brows tightened.
26:10Rachel.
26:11Hales is a patient.
26:13Can you not hold things against a patient?
26:16Let's talk about what happened yesterday after she gets discharged.
26:22Rachel.
26:23You should be more generous.
26:25Generous?
26:26Was I still not generous enough?
26:28I was already letting him go take care of his ex.
26:33So now I have to make food for every patient you have?
26:37Kenneth, if the one hospitalized today were me, and I wanted food, would you ask her to make it for
26:44me?
26:49He was speechless.
26:51Later, Haley still got Kenneth made food.
26:56Soon, I saw her newest Instagram post on my feed.
27:00Do you know how lucky I am?
27:02Someone who has golden hands personally made food for me, and I heard it was his first time ever.
27:07I must have done something right in my past life.
27:11I hit the like button again.
27:15After that fight ended badly, Kenneth worked late for several days in a row.
27:19That day, I went to the hospital to pick up my test results.
27:25I picked up my report.
27:27The conclusion section had even more lines than before.
27:31I was reading when I turned my head, and my body accidentally collided with Kenneth, who had suddenly appeared beside
27:37me.
27:37The report slipped from my hand and fell to the floor.
27:44Rachel, why are you at the hospital?
27:49I didn't even know how to answer.
27:53Kenneth's gaze dropped to the report on the ground.
27:57He bent down to pick it up, and just as he was about to read it, his phone rang.
28:04Instinctively, he pulled it out.
28:07I caught a glimpse of the screen.
28:09It was Haley calling.
28:14You suddenly have a low-grade fever?
28:18Okay.
28:20I'll come check on you right now.
28:22As he hung up, he shoved the report back into my hands, wrinkling it badly in the process.
28:28Rachel, I can't get away right now.
28:30Take care of yourself and go home early.
28:34That afternoon, I went to Kenneth's office.
28:37Through the door, I heard Haley's voice.
28:40Kenny, you should take the day off.
28:42Let's go to the beach.
28:43I can't.
28:43I have surgery scheduled.
28:45He said, but his voice was soft.
28:47Softer than it ever was with me.
28:49I knocked.
28:50Kenneth saw me and his expression shifted back to cold.
28:53Rachel, what is it now?
28:55I need to talk to you about something important.
28:58It's about my health.
29:04Your health?
29:05What about it?
29:06Before I could answer, Haley spoke up.
29:11Kenny, I think Rachel might be jealous of how much time we spend together.
29:16Maybe we should give her some space.
29:19That's not...
29:20Rachel, I don't have time for this.
29:22Whatever it is can wait.
29:24I looked at him, at the way he stood so close to Haley, and I said nothing.
29:29That night, I wrote in my diary.
29:32He still doesn't know I'm dying.
29:39I coughed, and my hand came away spotted with blood.
29:46I washed it off in the sink and went to bed alone.
29:49A week later, I finally got the courage to tell Kenneth everything.
29:53I sat him down in our living room.
29:57Kenneth, I'm sick.
29:58I have heart failure.
30:00Late stage.
30:00I need surgery, and I want you to be the one to operate.
30:03He stared at me for a long moment.
30:06Then his face hardened.
30:09Is this some kind of test?
30:11You want to see if I'll drop everything to save you?
30:14No, Kenneth.
30:16I'm telling you the truth.
30:19Enough, Rachel.
30:21If you're sick, show me the report.
30:22Otherwise, stop playing games.
30:23He stood up and walked out, slamming the door.
30:33The medical report was still in my bag, crumpled and unread.
30:39Haley started coming to our home.
30:42Kenneth said she needed a place to stay while her apartment was being renovated.
30:48She walked through our house like she owned it.
30:50She touched much my things.
30:52She sat in my chair at the dining table.
30:57One evening, I came home to find her wearing my dresses.
31:02Rachel, I hope you don't mind.
31:04Kenneth said I could borrow it.
31:06He always did have good taste.
31:08I said nothing.
31:11I went to my room and wrote in my diary.
31:14She's living in my house now.
31:16He doesn't see how she looks at me.
31:18Like she's already won.
31:19Maybe she has.
31:22That night, Kenneth came home late.
31:25I could hear him and Haley laughing in the living room.
31:27I stayed in the bedroom, clutching my chest as another wave of pain rolled through.
31:33The next morning at breakfast, Haley Humphrey accidentally knocked over my cup of tea.
31:40It spilled across the table, soaking my notebook.
31:44Oh, I'm so sorry, Aunt Rachel.
31:47Let me help you clean that up, she said, reaching for my diary.
31:51No, I said, pulling it away.
31:54Don't touch it.
31:55Kenneth frowned.
31:56Rachel, she was just trying to help.
31:59Don't be rude.
32:00I looked at him, and for the first time, I didn't apologize.
32:06I just took my diary and walked out of the room.
32:08A week later, Kenneth was called in for an emergency surgery.
32:12He asked me to come to the hospital.
32:14He needed to talk to me.
32:17When I arrived, Dr. Robbins was with him.
32:21Rachel Allen, Kenneth has reviewed your case.
32:23He's agreed to be your surgeon.
32:25I looked at Kenneth.
32:26His face was unreadable.
32:30Why did you wait so long to tell me?
32:31He asked quietly.
32:32You should have told me sooner.
32:34I tried.
32:35Several times.
32:36You didn't want to hear it.
32:39He flinched.
32:43For a moment, something like guilt crossed his face.
32:46The surgery is scheduled for next week.
32:48I'll be the lead surgeon.
32:50Rachel, I'll do everything I can.
32:56I know you will, but I also knew the survival rate.
33:00Less than 10%.
33:01I was putting my life in the hands of a man who hadn't looked at me with love in years.
33:06That night, I wrote my final entries.
33:10I detailed everything.
33:12Every time he chose her.
33:13Every time he let her hurt me.
33:14Every cold word.
33:15Every slammed door.
33:16I wrote about the day I got diagnosis and made him dinner while he ate cake with her.
33:22I wrote until my hand crampsed and my tears blurred the ink.
33:29The day of the surgery arrived.
33:32I lay on the operating table.
33:35The bright lights above me.
33:36Kenneth stood over me in his surgical gown.
33:39For a moment, he reached down and touched my hand.
33:43Rachel, I'm going to do everything I can.
33:45Just hold on.
33:48There's something I need to tell you.
33:50My voice was weak.
33:52Everything I wrote in my diary, it's all there.
33:55Everything I never said out loud.
33:57Don't talk like that.
33:59You're going to be fine.
34:03But I saw the fear in his eye's eyes.
34:06For the first time in years, he was looking at me.
34:09Really looking at me.
34:11And what he saw terrified him.
34:13The anesthesia started to take effect.
34:16The last thing I saw was Kenneth's face.
34:19Pale and desperate.
34:21As the monitors began to beep.
34:23The surgery went wrong.
34:28Haylene was supposed to call the blood bank for an emergency delivery.
34:32She never made the call.
34:33Later, Kenneth would learn that she sat in the break room, scrolling through her phone, while I bled out on
34:38the table.
34:41He screamed for blood that never came.
34:44I died on Kenneth Mendez's operating table.
34:48He was the last face I saw.
34:50The last voice I heard, screaming my name.
34:54After my death, my diary was found.
34:57A friend of mine, Anthony, discovered it among my things and posted excerpts online.
35:02The post went viral.
35:08My death diary.
35:15Every entry documenting how Kenneth treated me.
35:18How Halisa tormented me.
35:20How I died alone, in pain, invisible to the man I loved.
35:26Kenneth sat in our empty house, reading my diary page by page.
35:30Reading about the night.
35:31I called him and heard her voice.
35:38About the movie we never saw.
35:40About every small cruelty he had ignored.
35:45The more he read, the more he broke.
35:52When he reached the entry about the night before surgery.
35:55I'm putting my life in his hands.
35:57I don't know if he'll catch me or let me fall.
36:00He collapsed.
36:07He is called Haley.
36:12She didn't answer.
36:16He drove to the hospital and burst into her office, wild-eyed.
36:22Were the things Rachel recorded real?
36:25Haley tried to play dumb.
36:30I don't know what you're talking about.
36:32She's dead.
36:33Let it go.
36:41He beat her until security pulled him off.
36:44He was fired on the spot.
36:47Kenneth returned home and began sorting through my belongings.
36:52He found the necklace Haley had torn into three pieces.
36:56He read my diary over and over, for three days straight, neither eating nor drinking.
37:03The handwriting blurred under his tears until the words were unreadable.
37:07Then he collapsed.
37:10When he woke in the hospital, Anthony was sitting beside him.
37:15Anthony's eyes were cold.
37:19I ran into Rachel about a month ago.
37:22She was alone, waiting outside the ultrasound room.
37:24I thought it was just a routine checkup.
37:26If I had asked one more question...
37:28Anthony's voice broke.
37:29Kenneth, what you did is inhuman!
37:31You're an animal!
37:33I was wrong.
37:34I'm sorry, Rachel.
37:36Kenneth kept murmuring.
37:37I'm sorry.
37:38He pulled out his IV, staggered out of the hospital, and got into a taxi.
37:44Kenneth nearly got into a car accident on the way back.
37:47He spotted a blood donation bus and pulled over.
37:49Can I donate blood?
37:50He asked the phyautonomist, Mira.
37:52Of course you can.
37:53But as he answered the screening questions, Mira noticed his mental state was abnormal.
37:58Why do you want to donate blood?
37:59Kenneth froze, then choked up.
38:03Because Rachel died.
38:05I was operating on her.
38:06The blood bank was short.
38:08There was no blood in stock.
38:09So I want to donate blood.
38:11Maybe my blood can save a life.
38:15But Kenneth's blood was unhealthy.
38:18His transcyclineide levels were elevated from his psychological collapse.
38:22He didn't even qualify to donate.
38:25Before he got off the bus, Mira hesitated.
38:27Recently, our city's blood bank has been treaded.
38:29There shouldn't have been a situation where there was no blood in stock.
38:34Kenneth froze.
38:36He immediately called Anthony.
38:38Kenneth, I've checked.
38:39On the day you operated on Rachel, the blood bank supply was sufficient.
38:42No operating room needed emergency blood that day.
38:44They never received a call from Haley.
38:48Like a madman, Kenneth rushed to Haley's apartment.
38:51She had just finished showering.
38:53On the day of Rachel's surgery, I told you to go to the blood bank.
38:57Did you actually go or not?
38:59Of course I went.
39:00She stammered.
39:02How could I not have gone?
39:04You liar!
39:06You never went!
39:08Kenneth roared.
39:09I really did go, Kenneth.
39:11You're pinning her death on me.
39:14Haley burst into tears.
39:15My life was ruined by her diary!
39:18I got fired too!
39:20Kenneth advanced on Haley in fury.
39:25Do you think I have no evidence?
39:27The blood bank doctors can all testify you never went.
39:30I'm going to sue you.
39:32This is a crime.
39:38Just then, an old man rushed in and shielded Haley.
39:42Stop!
39:47Who is this?
39:49The man sneered.
39:54You must be Halo's idiot ex-boyfriend.
39:57I'm warning you.
39:58Stay away from her.
39:59Back then, she dumped you so she could go abroad with me.
40:05Later, my wife forced her back.
40:07But now I'm back too, so she still won't choose you.
40:10Kenneth could hardly believe it.
40:12Haley!
40:13What is really going on?
40:15At this point, Haley could no longer keep up her pretend.
40:20Kenneth, yes.
40:21I'm a gold digger.
40:22Cedric gives me money, so I stay with him.
40:24You were a poor nobody back then.
40:27What right did you have to be with me?
40:32She poured out everything she had done to me.
40:35Rachel was killed by me.
40:37Yes!
40:37I deliberately didn't go to the blood base.
40:39I did so many things to her.
40:41Isn't heart patience not supposed to be stimulated?
40:44I deliberately kept stimulating her over and over.
40:50Kenneth went mad.
40:53He shoved Cedric aside and lunged forward, strangling Haley.
41:05Cedric has plenty of connections.
41:08You're finished!
41:10Those words broke something in Kenneth.
41:13He pushed the guards away, rushed into the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and hacked wildly at Haley.
41:21Killing her on the spot, after hacking Haley to death, Kenneth staggered into the room, locked the door, and dropped
41:29to his knees.
41:30Rachel, I've avenged you.
41:32I'm so sorry.
41:34I was truly blind.
41:36Sirens blared.
41:38The police had arrived.
41:40Kenneth staggered to the window and looked down.
41:43A height of more than ten stories was enough.
41:46Rachel, can you forgive me?
41:48He shouted as he leaped from the building.
41:51After Kenneth committed suicide, his soul separated from his body, and he was finally able to see me.
42:00Rachel, I finally get to see you.
42:03He rushed over, wanting to hug me, but discovered that an invisible barrier stood between us.
42:08He could see me, yet no matter what, he could not touch me.
42:16Kenneth's expression shifted from initial disbelief to growing despair.
42:23Rachel, are you still unwilling to forgive me?
42:27I did not say a word.
42:29I merely looked at him with utter indifference.
42:34At that moment, a powerful suction enveloped us.
42:38Carried along by that force, I lost all consciousness.
42:43When I opened my eyes again, voices clamored all around me.
42:47Dragging a suitcase, I was standing at the entrance of New York Medical College.
42:54I had been reborn.
42:57Astonishingly, I had returned to the very day of college registration.
43:00Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings, at face after face brimming with youth, my eyes suddenly reddened.
43:07Hey, I can help you carry your luggage.
43:09A familiar voice sounded from behind me.
43:12I steadied myself for a few seconds, then turned around and saw Kenneth as he was back in college.
43:17The unfamiliarness in his eyes, and that faint, distant politeness, were exactly the same as back then.
43:24This confirmed that he had not been reborn like I had.
43:28I studied him carefully.
43:30After a long while, I suddenly broke into a gentle smile.
43:36No need, thanks.
43:39No need, thanks.
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