- 5 days ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Three years after our divorce, my ex-husband, Liam Sinclair, showed up with red roses and a smug grin.
00:06Babe, I kept my word. Time's up. I'm here to marry you again.
00:12Three years ago, he lost a truth or dare to his childhood friend, Chloe.
00:17She sneered in front of everyone.
00:21Divorce her, cut all contact for three years, and see if she takes you back.
00:25If she does, I'll admit it's true love.
00:31They never had boundaries. Their constant veiled flirting had been the root of countless fights between us.
00:37At the time, I was certain he would refuse. Instead, he agreed without missing a beat.
00:45Done. A bet's a bet.
00:49Liam, are you crazy? Divorce isn't a joke.
00:55I believe in what we have. She's obsessed with me. She'll definitely take me back.
01:01I stayed silent. He never realized he had just failed my final test.
01:05The memory faded as he shoved the roses toward my chest.
01:10My husband doesn't let me accept flowers from other men.
01:15I can't take them.
01:16Taking a step back, I looked at him and said calmly, Liam just smirked.
01:22Are you mad at me? Come on, I'm right here, aren't I?
01:25Be a good girl. Stop pouting.
01:27He stepped forward to pull me into his arms.
01:31Back off, Mr. Sinclair. You stay away from me.
01:37Wow. You're actually mad this time.
01:41Fine. What's your price? What do I have to buy you to make it right?
01:47As he spoke, he took another step toward me.
01:50He stepped closer and I kept backing away.
01:52The look in his eyes only grew more predatory, driven by the thrill of the chase.
01:57Liam, it's been three years. A lot can change.
02:01True.
02:02I was out of room to retreat.
02:04He planted his hands on the wall beside my head, trapping me.
02:07Classic Liam.
02:08Back when we were dating, he used to corner me like this and kiss me under the moonlight.
02:12As he spoke, he lifted a hand to gently caress my cheek.
02:16So, did you give me a boy or a girl?
02:20Three years ago, he knew that I was pregnant.
02:22Yet, after losing that stupid dare, he still divorced me just because Chloe asked him to.
02:35My stomach dropped at the mention of the baby.
02:40For three years, he completely vanished.
02:43No texts, no calls.
02:44And now, he had the absolute audacity to assume I kept the baby.
02:49Are you alright?
02:50He actually thought I sat around waiting for him to come back.
02:54A bitter laugh escaped me.
02:56When I opened my mouth to tell him the baby passed away,
02:59Liam's phone suddenly rang.
03:01It was his pet name for Chloe.
03:04I had seen it countless times before.
03:06He would affectionately pat her head and call her his spoiled princess,
03:11never once caring how his actual wife felt.
03:16Liam, please come over.
03:19My cramps are killing me.
03:21Hey, don't cry.
03:22I'm on my way back.
03:24Right now.
03:27Then he patted my head like I was a loyal dog.
03:30I need to go check on Chloe.
03:31I'll come get you later.
03:33And just like that, he sprinted away.
03:35Just like always, Chloe was showing off on social media.
03:40The photo on her Instagram showed her lying in Liam's arms,
03:44her forehead glistening with a light sweat.
03:46He was gently rubbing her stomach.
03:48The caption read,
03:49Since we were kids, he has always loved me the most.
03:52No matter what important things he has to do, or who he's with,
03:56whenever I'm not feeling well,
03:58he's always the first to rush to my side to care for me.
04:01He truly is the best man in the world.
04:04I casually double-tap to like the post.
04:06It wasn't just one like.
04:07Every day for the past three years,
04:09Chloe had posted about their relationship.
04:11Three years.
04:121,095 posts.
04:14And I had liked everyone.
04:16She flexed in every way imaginable.
04:18She loved showing off how she maxed out Liam's credit cards.
04:21How she lounged in the house that used to be mine.
04:24She used my things whenever she wanted
04:26and threw them out whenever she felt like it.
04:29They had played house for three years.
04:31I knew she posted them.
04:33Just for me.
04:34The next time I saw Liam,
04:36he was walking into my cafe with Chloe.
04:38They were wearing matching camel coats.
04:40Chloe looked around my cafe, feigning shock.
04:43I gave you millions in the settlement.
04:45Why are you working such a grueling job?
04:49When we divorced,
04:50I had demanded half his assets.
04:52He had handed them over without a second thought.
04:55I wiped down the espresso machine,
04:57not even bothering to look up.
04:58Liam's expression didn't shift.
05:00He still firmly believed I was just acting out of spite.
05:06Because I want to,
05:07and it's none of your business.
05:10Nora,
05:11it's been three years.
05:13How have you been?
05:14Chloe put on her sweetest voice.
05:18I've been great.
05:19My indifference threw her off.
05:21Then Liam's phone rang,
05:23and he stepped outside.
05:25The second it was just the two of us,
05:27drop the hard-to-get act,
05:29and don't get too excited.
05:32So what if you guys get remarried?
05:34Mrs. Sinclair still hates you.
05:36She always wanted me in the family.
05:39Liam is only taking you back out of obligation.
05:42He even asked my permission before he showed up at your house.
05:45Oh,
05:45and you'll have to sign a prenup.
05:47I draft it myself.
05:48She pulled a thick document from her bag
05:51and slammed it on the counter.
05:52I barely glanced at it.
05:54The terms were laughable.
05:55I would get zero access to the Sinclair fortune.
05:58I was forbidden from calling Mrs. Sinclair mom.
06:02Worst of all,
06:03I could never introduce myself as Liam's wife in public.
06:06I had to claim I was just his ex-wife.
06:08This insulting piece of trash actually made me laugh.
06:11I pushed the contract back to her.
06:13If Mrs. Sinclair loves you so much,
06:16why hasn't Liam put a ring on it?
06:18Three years of playing Helm
06:20and you're still just the side chick.
06:22That's pathetic.
06:24Her face turned bright red.
06:27Then the cafe door opened.
06:30In a third second,
06:31she was like the ultimate understanding victim.
06:36Nora,
06:37I really do want you and Liam to get remarried.
06:40She was exactly the same actress she was three years ago.
06:43And Liam,
06:45the second he saw her crying,
06:47his brain shut off.
06:48He was hopelessly blind to her bullshit.
06:52Chloe,
06:52what's wrong?
06:56I'm fine.
06:57Please don't be mad at Nora.
06:59It's all my fault.
07:00The harder she played the victim,
07:02the more Liam glared at me.
07:07Nora,
07:09apologize.
07:10I just scoffed.
07:12Chloe grew up with me.
07:13She's like a sister.
07:14She is incredibly important to me.
07:16Can you stop being so hostile?
07:18Just treat her better.
07:19For my sake,
07:21please.
07:21I had watched the same circus a thousand times before he dumped me.
07:26I was so sick of it.
07:28I opened my mouth to kick them out,
07:29but my phone buzzed with a FaceTime call.
07:31The caller ID flashed.
07:33My baby boy.
07:34Liam's eyes widened.
07:35Before I could grab it,
07:37his hand shot out and hit accept.
07:39I snatched the phone back instantly.
07:44Mommy,
07:45I miss you.
07:47I quickly whispered a few words to Leo.
07:49Just as Liam reached out to grab the phone and talk to his son,
07:53I hung up.
07:54He was grinning from ear to ear.
07:56The anger from two seconds ago was gone.
07:58Let me see my son.
08:00Chloe's face turned ashen.
08:02I said flatly.
08:03He's not yours.
08:04Stay the hell away from me.
08:06You're both psychotic.
08:08He wasn't even mad.
08:09Come on,
08:10stop being stubborn.
08:11I miss you,
08:12and I miss our boy.
08:14In that moment,
08:15it clicked.
08:16Someone as arrogant as him
08:17would never believe I had moved on.
08:20Not unless he saw my actual husband
08:21with his own two eyes.
08:23Mom's birthday is in a few days.
08:24You're a great cook.
08:26Make her favorite dishes.
08:28It's the perfect chance to mend fences.
08:31Now that you've given her a grandson,
08:33she won't give you a hard time.
08:35So he knew all along.
08:37For the three years we were married,
08:39Mrs. Sinclair treated me like trash.
08:42She hated that I came from a poor family.
08:44Even though I was Liam's legally wedded wife,
08:47she banned me from family events.
08:49I wasn't even allowed to sit at her dining table.
08:52I hated her right back.
08:53Our relationship had always been purely hostile.
08:56We simply ignored each other.
08:58And through it all,
08:59Liam had always stayed dead silent.
09:01Hypothetical question, Liam.
09:03Let's say I cook a five-star feast.
09:07What if your mom still bans me from the table?
09:12Be the bigger person.
09:14Just suck up to her a little.
09:15You know how my mom is.
09:17I'll bark, no bite.
09:19Nora,
09:20there's no shame in begging an elder.
09:22Mrs. Sinclair loves it
09:23when people know their place
09:25and grovel.
09:31Three years is a lifetime.
09:34I'm married now,
09:35and that kid isn't yours.
09:37Then I turned to Chloe.
09:39But hey,
09:40you should keep kissing her ass.
09:43Maybe if you play the perfect little lapdog,
09:45she'll finally let you be a real Sinclair.
09:47I shouldn't have said anything.
09:49She covered her face and ran outside.
09:51How long are you going to keep up this stubborn act, Nora?
09:54He barked,
09:55rushing out after her.
09:56My phone buzzed.
09:57A text from my husband, Julian.
09:59Project's done.
10:00I'll be home tomorrow afternoon, beautiful.
10:03Relief washed over me.
10:04Once Liam met Julian,
10:06his delusional ego trip would finally end.
10:09The next morning,
10:10right after I opened the cafe,
10:12my phone rang.
10:13It was my nanny,
10:14sobbing.
10:15Nora,
10:16Liam's men blocked my car on the way to daycare.
10:19They just took Leo.
10:21I sped straight to Liam's family estate.
10:24When I sprinted into the backyard,
10:26Chloe had shoved Leo into the dog run.
10:28He was trapped inside the cage with a dog and a cat,
10:32severely allergic to animal dander.
10:34One touch from a cat or dog
10:36could send him into anaphylaxis shop.
10:38He was screaming in terror.
10:39His tiny face was flushed purple,
10:41and angry red hives were already blistering his skin.
10:45Chloe ignored his panic.
10:47She grabbed the cat and shoved it into his chest.
10:52Don't be scared, Leo.
10:54This kitty is three years old,
10:56so she's basically your big sister.
10:59She's my favorite.
11:00Hug her.
11:01Don't be rude.
11:02Your loud crying is scaring the poor kitty.
11:05The cat hissed.
11:07It's razor-sharp claws swiped across his cheek,
11:10leaving bloody gashes.
11:12I told you that you're scaring the kitty.
11:14Shh.
11:16I screamed, lunging for the gate.
11:19Get your hands off my son!
11:22Suddenly, Liam appeared out of nowhere.
11:24Chloe is just trying to be nice.
11:27She wants to give the boy some playmates.
11:33He is severely allergic to dester!
11:37He can't be near animals!
11:40I tried to turn back to the cage,
11:42but Liam locked his iron grip around my wrist.
11:45Chloe looked up.
11:47It's the kitty's third birth today,
11:49and she loves playing with kids.
11:52I just thought,
11:54since Leo is moving into the estate soon,
11:56they should get to know each other.
12:01As he spoke,
12:02the black cat lashed out again.
12:04Fresh claw marks bloomed across his arms,
12:06neck, and face.
12:07Don't worry.
12:08My pets are fully vaccinated and clean.
12:12I sleep with my cat every night.
12:14I watched my baby gasping for air.
12:17I struggled violently,
12:19terrified out of my mind.
12:21Boys need to be tough.
12:23He's going to inherit the Sinclair Empire one day.
12:26I'm not raising an akalak, Claire.
12:29I'm not raising a coward who's afraid of a cat.
12:33Suddenly, Leo's eyes rolled back.
12:35He collapsed.
12:36Ah! He's in anaphylactic shock!
12:41Realization finally hit him.
12:43I shoved past them,
12:45scooped up Leo,
12:46and bolted for the hospital.
12:48Liam and Chloe followed closely behind.
12:50At the ER,
12:52doctors rushed Liam straight into the trauma bay.
12:55Seconds later,
12:55a doctor hurried out with a medical consent form.
12:58I need a signature from the father or mother.
13:00Liam instantly stepped forward.
13:03I'm the father.
13:04I'll sign it.
13:07Since when is my son yours?
13:13I ripped the consent form from Liam's hands and signed my name.
13:17Handing it back to the doctor,
13:18I grabbed his arm,
13:19my heart in my throat.
13:21Is my baby going to make it?
13:23Don't worry.
13:24The signature is just standard protocol.
13:26The little guy is still being treated,
13:28but you got him here just in time.
13:29He's out of the woods,
13:30and we're moving him to a private recovery room now.
13:33His words lifted a crushing weight off my chest.
13:35Only then did I snap back to reality.
13:37I turned to see two towering men locking eyes.
13:40The tension in the hallway was thick enough to cut with a knife.
13:43Liam stared Julian down in absolute disbelief.
13:46Who the hell are you?
13:48I stepped right up to Julian and wrapped my arms around his waist.
13:53This is my husband, Julian Vance.
13:56He is the biological father of my son.
13:59And he's the one who actually takes care of us.
14:03Julian's jaw was clenched tight with rage.
14:05But when he looked down at me...
14:07I've got this, baby. Don't worry.
14:09It was that look that finally made Liam snap.
14:12Nora!
14:13What the hell are you talking about?
14:15Liam pointed right at Julian's face.
14:17Leo is my son!
14:19Did you hire an actor just to make me jealous?
14:22Smack!
14:23I slapped him so hard my palm burned.
14:26A red handprint bloomed on his face.
14:29Liam Sinclair!
14:30You better pray Leo is okay.
14:33If he's not,
14:35I will end you and Chloe.
14:37Before I could even catch my breath,
14:39Julian moved.
14:39He planted a brutal kick square in Liam's stomach.
14:43Liam Sinclair.
14:44If anything happens to my son,
14:46I will tear entire Sinclair empire to the ground.
14:49Chloe rushed over to prop Liam up.
14:51She glared at me, baffled.
14:54Nora, what are you doing?
14:55I thought you were desperate to get Liam back.
14:58She scanned Julian up and down.
15:00She noticed his bespoke suit
15:02and the rare Patek Philippe on his wrist.
15:04Even if Liam and Chloe didn't recognize Julian personally,
15:08and now you're claiming you're married to him?
15:09Everyone knows you're obsessed with Liam.
15:12He only married you because you were his biggest lapdog.
15:15You were a month pregnant when you guys divorced.
15:17Leo is two.
15:18He's Liam's kid.
15:20The timeline matches perfectly.
15:21He is Liam's son.
15:23What are you even trying to pull here?
15:25Hearing her say it fed right back into Liam's ego.
15:28He stood up straighter,
15:29his confidence returning.
15:30Leo is my blood.
15:32Nora,
15:32I didn't think you'd take the joke this far.
15:37He threw a disdainful look at Julian.
15:40I don't know where you found this guy to piss me off,
15:42but I get it.
15:45I know you've been lonely these past three years.
15:47The bet is over.
15:48I promise I'm never letting you go again.
15:50So please,
15:52drop the act and calm down,
15:53for Leo's sake.
15:54I don't know how you met this guy,
15:57but let me make one thing clear.
15:59Me.
16:00I'm the only man.
16:02She has ever loved.
16:04She chased me for two years in college
16:06just to get my attention.
16:08We're endgame.
16:09That divorce was just a bump in the road.
16:11I told her three years ago
16:13we would get back together.
16:15Nora loves me too much not to.
16:17She even had my son.
16:18So,
16:19I'm only gonna say this once.
16:21Don't overplay your role, buddy.
16:24This is between my wife and me.
16:27Outsiders need to back off.
16:28All because I had fallen in love with him
16:30at first sight on campus.
16:31It was my first real crush.
16:33I was blindly devoted.
16:35At first,
16:36he was cold and untouchable.
16:38But I never gave up.
16:39I manufactured chances
16:41just to bump into him.
16:42When Sinclair nearly went bankrupt
16:44and all his friends ghosted him,
16:46I stayed.
16:46I emptied my barista bank account
16:48to buy his groceries.
16:50I don't have much,
16:51but at least I can make sure
16:52you don't go hungry.
16:54That moved him.
16:55We started dating.
16:56By senior year,
16:57the Sinclair fortune bounced back.
16:59That same year,
17:00defying his parents' furious objections,
17:03he insisted on marrying me.
17:04I was the perfect,
17:06submissive wife.
17:07I listened to his every word.
17:09Even when he blatantly flirted with Chloe,
17:12I only fought with him behind closed doors.
17:14I never once embarrassed him in public.
17:17So, in everyone's eyes,
17:19I loved Liam to my very core.
17:21I loved him like a loyal dog.
17:23Snapping back to the present,
17:24I glared at his arrogant face
17:26with pure disgust.
17:28I loved you once, Liam,
17:30but looking at you now makes me sick.
17:32That stupid bet you made with Chloe
17:34was your final test,
17:35and you failed.
17:36I don't go backwards.
17:38You have been screwing your best friend
17:40for three years,
17:41and now you expect me to play house with you?
17:43You're a joke.
17:44You're psychotic if you think
17:46I'd ever carry a child
17:47for a piece of trash like you.
17:48Hmm.
17:50Julian tightened his grip on my waist.
17:52He looked down at Liam
17:53like he was scraping him off his shoe.
17:55The very next day
17:57after you divorced her,
17:58Nora married me.
17:59On day three,
18:00she terminated the pregnancy.
18:02A month and a half later,
18:04she got pregnant with my son,
18:06Leo,
18:06and right now,
18:07she is carrying my second child.
18:10The woman you threw away
18:12has been living her best life with me.
18:14Liam stood frozen
18:15like he'd been struck by lightning.
18:17No!
18:18No!
18:18That's impossible!
18:19You wouldn't just marry a stranger!
18:22You couldn't!
18:24I told you about the guy
18:25who was in love with me
18:26before our wedding.
18:27I told you I promised him
18:28that if I ever got divorced,
18:30I would marry him.
18:31Liam froze.
18:32The realization hit him
18:33like a freight train.
18:35Julian had begged me
18:36not to marry Liam,
18:37even offering
18:38$300 million
18:39to win me over.
18:40Before he walked away,
18:42he asked me one question.
18:44If he ever breaks your heart
18:45and you divorce him,
18:47will you come to me?
18:48Back then,
18:49I was so blindly in love
18:50that I thought my marriage
18:51was bulletproof.
18:52I jokingly texted back,
18:54sure.
18:56I never expected
18:57to cash in that promise
18:59three years later.
19:00After Liam divorced me,
19:02I didn't go looking for Julian.
19:03Julian found me.
19:05The day my divorce was finalized,
19:07Julian showed up
19:08at my front door.
19:09He came to cash in
19:10the promise
19:11I had made him years ago.
19:13Heartbroken and reckless,
19:14I said yes.
19:15We drove straight to the courthouse
19:17and eloped.
19:18If you ever throw me away,
19:20a billionaire is ready
19:21to marry me tomorrow.
19:22I had actually warned Liam once.
19:25Back then,
19:26Liam just scrolled through
19:28my messages with Julian
19:29and laughed.
19:30He's a catfish, babe.
19:32You are so gullible.
19:33Julian and I met online.
19:35I knew American Sign Language
19:36and he paid me to tutor him
19:38so he could talk
19:38to his deaf grandmother.
19:39I told Liam he wasn't a scammer,
19:41but Liam didn't care.
19:42Well, the catfish was standing
19:44right in front of him now.
19:45Suddenly, the doors
19:47of the traumatists
19:48were hung open.
19:49The doctors wheeled me
19:50and were out on a stretcher.
19:51Julian and I
19:52rushed into the closet eyes.
19:54Leo's little eyes
19:55fluttered open.
19:56He saw me crying.
19:57Even though he could
19:58barely breathe,
19:59my sweet boy
20:00tried to comfort me.
20:01Don't cry, Mommy.
20:03It's bad for the baby sister.
20:04Looking at the bloody claw marks
20:06across his swollen face,
20:07my heart shattered.
20:09I sobbed
20:10and gripped his tiny hand.
20:12I followed the stretcher
20:14toward the VIP wing.
20:16Call the police.
20:17I want them both in handcuffs.
20:19Now.
20:19And Julian turned
20:20to his head of security.
20:23Liam stood there,
20:24paralyzed.
20:25The truth finally hit him.
20:27He was the joke.
20:29He didn't just lose his wife.
20:30He never even had a son.
20:33Panic finally
20:34walked through his ego.
20:35He lunged toward me.
20:37Nora, wait!
20:38We need to talk!
20:41This isn't over.
20:43I'm going to tear
20:44the Sinclair Empire
20:45to shreds.
20:47Julian moved instantly.
20:48He grabbed Liam
20:49by the throat
20:49and slammed him
20:50against the wall.
20:51Before Liam could
20:52even gasp for air,
20:53Julian leaned in.
20:54A doctor sprinted
20:55down the hall.
20:56Hey!
20:56Let him go!
20:57You can't fight
20:58in a hospital!
20:59Julian dropped him
21:00only because
21:00the doctor intervened.
21:02Ten minutes later,
21:03the police arrived.
21:05They arrested Liam
21:06and Chloe on the spot
21:07for the child
21:07to be able
21:08to be kidnapped.
21:10After Liam
21:10was settled
21:11in a private suite
21:12with his nanny,
21:13Julian,
21:13our lawyers and I
21:14headed to the police precinct.
21:16Liam and Chloe
21:16sat in an interrogation room
21:18with their lawyer.
21:21I didn't want
21:22to hurt the boy.
21:24I genuinely believed
21:26he was my son.
21:27You still couldn't
21:28accept the truth.
21:29I was just taking
21:30my kid home.
21:32Exactly!
21:34It was just
21:34a minder standing.
21:38Here's the paternity test.
21:40Stop living
21:41in your fantasy.
21:42I aborted
21:42your baby
21:43three years ago.
21:45Liam stared
21:46at the papers
21:47scattered on the floor.
21:48His hands shook
21:49as he picked them up.
21:50He read the line
21:51confirming a 99.9%
21:53match between
21:54Leo and Julian.
21:55That was the moment
21:57his world collapsed.
21:58His knees buckled,
22:00his stomach backward,
22:01his eyes welling
22:02with tears.
22:03He looked up at me,
22:05completely devastated.
22:07Why?
22:09Why would you
22:10kill our baby?
22:11Why didn't you
22:11even tell me?
22:12A bitter laugh
22:13escaped me,
22:14but my eyes burned red.
22:15I took a step
22:15toward Liam,
22:16staring right into
22:16his furious eye.
22:17Why?
22:18Why?
22:18You want to know why?
22:21You knew I was pregnant,
22:22but you still
22:23divorced me
22:24over a sick game
22:25with Chloe.
22:27You acted like
22:28I was dead
22:29for three years.
22:31You never called,
22:33and you never texted.
22:35You were so convinced
22:37I was just
22:38your pathetic lap dog.
22:40You thought
22:40I would just
22:41roll over
22:42and accept
22:42whatever you did.
22:44I wasn't a wife
22:45to you.
22:45I was a pet
22:47with zero
22:48self-respect.
22:49That's why you
22:50openly cheated
22:50with Chloe
22:51right in front of me.
22:54But my love
22:55had an expiration date.
22:59Divorcing a disloyal
23:00piece of trap
23:01like you
23:01was my liberation.
23:03Who gave you
23:04the right
23:04to assume
23:05I would wait?
23:07Tears
23:08finally spilled
23:09from Liam's eyes.
23:10I swallowed
23:11the lump
23:11in my throat.
23:12I had carried
23:12those words
23:13in my chest
23:14for three years.
23:15Spitting them out
23:16now felt like
23:16a massive boulder
23:17had finally been
23:18lifted off my soul.
23:19I was wearing
23:20a hidden camera
23:20when I went
23:21to the Sinclair Estate.
23:22I told the officer,
23:23you will see
23:24exactly what happened.
23:25The video
23:26was damning.
23:27It showed me
23:28screaming that
23:28Leah was severely
23:29allergic to animal
23:30dander.
23:31It showed
23:32Chloe and Liam
23:32ignoring me.
23:33It captured
23:34the cat attacking
23:35Leo while
23:36Liam restrained me.
23:37The evidence
23:38is right there.
23:40This wasn't
23:41an accident.
23:42This was
23:43an intentional
23:44assault on a minor
23:45and I'm pressing
23:46full charges.
23:48His men
23:48also intercepted
23:49our nanny's car
23:50and took my son
23:51by force.
23:52That's kidnapping.
23:53The detective
23:54reviewed the footage
23:55and returned
23:55to Liam and Chloe.
23:57The evidence
23:58is clear.
23:59You're both
24:00under arrest
24:01for child
24:01endangerment
24:02kidnapping.
24:04A haughty voice
24:05echoed
24:06from the doorway.
24:07I think you're
24:07jumping to conclusions,
24:08detective.
24:10I glared at her
24:11and laughed.
24:13What's wrong,
24:14Mrs. Sinclair?
24:14Think you're
24:15above the law?
24:17You just want money.
24:19Name your price.
24:20You left Liam,
24:21found some other guy
24:22and realized
24:23you can't afford
24:24to raise a kid.
24:25Now you're pulling
24:25this pathetic
24:26extortion scam?
24:28Whatever.
24:29Name your price.
24:29I'll treat it
24:30like buying
24:31a stray dog.
24:32A few million
24:33is chump change
24:33to the Sinclairs.
24:35No wonder Liam
24:36is a brainless
24:37attack dog.
24:37He gets it
24:38from you.
24:42Do you really
24:43think Julian Vance
24:44can't afford
24:44to raise
24:44his own son?
24:48Julian Vance?
24:50That's right.
24:52Mrs. Sinclair
24:53looked like
24:53she was going
24:53to pass out.
24:54She never imagined
24:55that the girl
24:56she tossed aside
24:57could turn me
24:57into real power.
24:59Liam had no idea
25:00who Julian was,
25:01but Mrs. Sinclair
25:02definitely did.
25:04The Vance family
25:04wasn't just rich,
25:05they were apex predators.
25:08Julian was the sole heir.
25:09He'd spent years
25:10dominating European markets
25:12and just returned
25:12to take over stateside
25:14two years ago.
25:15Everyone in their elite circle
25:16begged to do business
25:17with him.
25:18In fact,
25:18she had been trying
25:19to find a way
25:20for Liam to pitch
25:20a partnership
25:21to the Vance group.
25:22Now,
25:23the woman who had been
25:23sneering at me
25:24was frozen.
25:26Nora!
25:26Mrs. Vance rushed
25:27into the precinct
25:28with panic in her eyes.
25:29She grabbed my hands.
25:30Are you hurt?
25:31Did they touch you?
25:33I shook my head gently.
25:35I'm okay, Mom.
25:35I'm okay, Mom.
25:36What are you doing here?
25:36What are you doing here?
25:37My grandson
25:37is in the hospital.
25:39She said fiercely.
25:40Of course I came back.
25:41Of course I came back.
25:42I'm not letting
25:43a bunch of street rats
25:44bully you.
25:45Mrs. Sinclair shrank back.
25:47She forced
25:47an awkward smile.
25:48My apologies,
25:49Mrs. Vance.
25:50My apologies,
25:50Mrs. Vance.
25:51This is all
25:51a terrible misunderstanding.
25:55There are no misunderstandings here.
25:59Anyone who touches Nora
26:00will pay a very steep price.
26:02She stared down
26:03Mrs. Sinclair,
26:04then shot a disgusted
26:05look at Liam's.
26:06Panic consumed
26:07Mrs. Sinclair.
26:08She scrambled to apologize
26:10and looked at me
26:11with desperate eyes.
26:13Nora,
26:13I'm so sorry.
26:14I lost my temper.
26:16I know I haven't
26:17been kind in the past.
26:18Please be the bigger person.
26:19Do not hold this
26:20against us.
26:21I was shocked.
26:23This was the same woman
26:24who refused to let me
26:25sit at her table.
26:26Now,
26:27she was groveling
26:28at my feet.
26:28Please.
26:29It was a reminder
26:30of the power
26:30the Vance family held.
26:32I looked at her
26:33without sympathy.
26:35I never thought
26:36I'd see the day
26:36you begged me
26:37for anything.
26:37She let out
26:38a nervous chuckle.
26:40I'm usually
26:41a very forgiving person,
26:43but when it comes
26:44to you,
26:45I hold a grudge.
26:47I linked my arm
26:48through Mrs. Vance's.
26:49Mom,
26:50let the lawyers
26:51handle the trash.
26:52Let's go home.
26:53Before we walked out,
26:54Julian turned
26:55to his legal team.
26:57If any judge,
26:58any cop,
26:59or any politician
27:00tries to cut them
27:01a deal behind closed doors,
27:02they go to war
27:03with the Vance family.
27:04Mrs. Sinclair
27:05didn't make a sound.
27:06The only thing echoing
27:08was Chloe's
27:08hysterical sobbing.
27:10I didn't mean to.
27:11Please.
27:11Give me another chance.
27:13I can't go to jail.
27:14Mrs. Sinclair,
27:15please help me.
27:16Mrs. Sinclair,
27:17please help me.
27:18A few days later,
27:19Mrs. Sinclair showed up
27:20at the Vance estate.
27:21She brought millions
27:22in luxury gifts
27:23and begged for a settlement.
27:25Liam was CEO of Sinclair.
27:26If he went to prison,
27:28not only would the company
27:29be left leaderless,
27:30but the scandal
27:31would completely destroy
27:32their stock.
27:33She was terrified
27:34of Julian destroying
27:35what was left.
27:36She was willing
27:37to surrender
27:38every ounce
27:38of her pride.
27:40Her legs
27:41finally gave out.
27:42I'll do whatever you want.
27:44Just tell Julian
27:45to back off.
27:46Please.
27:47Mrs. Vance looked down
27:48at her like she was nothing.
27:51Nora runs this house.
27:53If she forgives you,
27:54we forgive you.
27:55I sat next to Mrs. Vance.
27:57She squeezed my hand
27:59and gave me a warm smile.
28:01We'd been married
28:02almost three years
28:03and she treated me
28:04like her own flesh and blood.
28:06She was honestly sweeter
28:07to me than to Julian.
28:09In my first marriage,
28:10Mrs. Sinclair treated me
28:12like garbage
28:12because I wasn't
28:13from a rich family.
28:14When I married Julian,
28:16I was terrified
28:17Mrs. Vance would do the same.
28:19Instead,
28:19she welcomed me
28:20with open arms.
28:21I asked her once
28:22why she was so good to me
28:23and if she cared
28:24that I didn't come
28:25from old money.
28:25Why you do so good to me?
28:27Her answer was simple.
28:29I love Julian
28:30and I've never seen him
28:32as happy as he is with you.
28:34You give him happiness.
28:36As his mother,
28:37I'm grateful to you for that.
28:39He is my only son.
28:42He's brilliant
28:43and he's never made
28:44a wrong decision
28:45in his life.
28:47So I trust him completely.
28:49Mrs. Sinclair looked stunned.
28:51She couldn't believe
28:52I commanded this much power
28:53in the Vance Empire.
28:54Nora,
28:55I'm begging you.
28:55Please,
28:56give us one more chance.
28:58Let this go
28:59and we'll do whatever you want.
29:01I knew Mrs. Sinclair.
29:02She was the most arrogant woman
29:04in the city.
29:05Begging at my feet
29:06was worse than
29:06swallowing glass for her.
29:08I looked down at her,
29:09my face expressionless.
29:11Liam and Chloe
29:11broke the law.
29:12Leo almost died
29:13because of them.
29:15You've been an elitist
29:16your entire life
29:17and today you're
29:18groveling at my feet.
29:20Why?
29:21Because you're a mother
29:22and a mother
29:23will do anything
29:24for her son.
29:25Well,
29:25I'm a mother too.
29:26So what makes you think
29:27I'd ever show mercy
29:29to the people
29:29who tried to kill my child?
29:31Tears streamed
29:31down her face.
29:32I'll go to prison instead.
29:34Please,
29:35take me.
29:36My son can't go to jail.
29:38I looked at my security detail.
29:41Throw her out.
29:42She tried to come back
29:43a few more times
29:44but my guards
29:45tossed her off the property
29:46every time.
29:47Eventually,
29:48she gave up.
29:49Meanwhile,
29:50Julian moved fast.
29:51He launched a brutal
29:52corporate takeover
29:53even before
29:54the criminal trial started.
29:56He bought out
29:57Sinclair's biggest clients
29:58and poached
29:58their key executives.
30:00He poured endless resources
30:01into starving Liam's empire.
30:03Investors pulled out
30:04within weeks.
30:05Major contracts vanished.
30:08Sinclair Corporation
30:08bled out
30:09and Liam was powerless
30:10to stop it.
30:12Three months later,
30:13the judge slammed the gavel.
30:14Liam was sentenced
30:15to two years in prison.
30:17Chloe was sentenced
30:17to four years.
30:19The security footage
30:20proved she was the one
30:21who forced the cat
30:21onto my son.
30:23By Liam's second month
30:24behind bars,
30:25Sinclair Corporation
30:26filed for bankruptcy.
30:28I gave birth
30:28to a healthy baby girl
30:30later that year.
30:31Julian and Mrs. Vance
30:32were overjoyed.
30:33They treated me
30:34like royalty
30:35and my life
30:35was more perfect
30:36than I ever thought possible.
30:38I thought I was done
30:39with the Sinclair family
30:40forever.
30:41I was wrong.
30:42A few months later,
30:43I was walking out
30:44of the gate
30:44and a deranged woman
30:45lunged at me
30:46with a paring knife.
30:47Her eyes wide
30:49with madness.
30:50It was Mrs. Sinclair.
30:55Thankfully, Julian had taught
30:57me self-defense.
30:58My reflexes kicked in.
31:00I dodged the first
31:01erratic slash
31:02and pinned her to the ground,
31:03disarming her.
31:04I called the police.
31:05She was convicted
31:06of attempted murder
31:07and sentenced
31:08to 15 years in prison.
31:09Julian tripled
31:10my security detail
31:11after that.
31:12We never took
31:13another risk.
31:15Five years later,
31:16I saw Liam
31:17one last time.
31:18He stood outside
31:19a high-end restaurant,
31:20desperately begging
31:21a venture capitalist
31:22for funding
31:22to rebuild
31:23his dead company.
31:24Julian and I
31:25were out for dinner
31:26with our two children
31:26when we crossed paths.
31:28The second he saw me,
31:29he froze.
31:30He just stood there,
31:32looking completely broken.
31:33I didn't even
31:34break my stride.
31:35I held my kids' hands
31:36and kept walking.
31:37Liam suddenly shouted,
31:38Julian!
31:40Everything you took
31:41from me,
31:42I'm going to get it back
31:43and that includes Nora!
31:46Julian didn't even
31:47turn his head.
31:48Neither did I.
31:49After all these years,
31:50Liam was still
31:51absolutely delusional.
Comments