- 23 minutes ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At a class reunion, he showed up, successful and powerful.
00:06Natalie!
00:07His girlfriend, Isabel, looked right at me.
00:09If you hadn't let him go, you'd be Mrs. Conti of the Conti Group now.
00:14He sat across from me.
00:16That's all in the past.
00:17The room instantly exploded with gossip.
00:21Under his gaze, I quietly covered the scar on my wrist.
00:25After my family fell from grace, I sank into depression and had no choice but to leave him.
00:34I forced out a stiff smile.
00:37Yeah, we're long over.
00:39The second Isabel slipped off to the restroom, everyone started digging.
00:44Wasn't Natalie the one who dumped him first?
00:46Andrew sat across the table, faint smile on his lips, eyes completely cold.
00:51This was our first meeting in six years since we broke up.
00:55I wasn't prepared for it.
00:56I only came because Marco, the former student council president, said he wouldn't be here.
01:02Now, Andrew had everything.
01:04A successful businessman.
01:05A rising star in the city.
01:07He looked even better than before.
01:09Me, I was a different story.
01:11It's true.
01:14She was the one who broke up with me.
01:16Everyone exchanged a knowing look.
01:19Someone suddenly laughed.
01:21Natalie, heard the guy you ran with after got locked up, right?
01:25And you took on his debts.
01:28You here tonight looking for a handout?
01:31While the table laughed, Andrew's deep eyes stayed on me, not a word.
01:36I smiled through it, didn't answer.
01:38My mind flashed back to the day I was screaming and shaking, being taken to a psychiatric hospital.
01:44Just then, the door opened.
01:46Isabel walked back in.
01:47She noticed the weird tension and asked with a smile.
01:51What did I miss?
01:52Andrew finally moved.
01:54He gently held her hand.
01:56Nothing.
01:56His voice softened instantly.
01:58Just catching up.
02:00She settled into her seat, eyes landing on me.
02:03Andrew mentioned you.
02:05Thank you for giving him up.
02:07Otherwise, I wouldn't be Mrs. Conti now.
02:10Several people couldn't hide their amusement anymore.
02:13Back then, my family stood at the height of its power.
02:17I was showered with admiration wherever I went.
02:20That jealousy never faded with time.
02:22Years later, it only became another reason to kick me while I was down.
02:26It's over.
02:26Stop bringing it up.
02:27The room went quiet.
02:29Anyway, thank you, Natalie.
02:31You have to come to our wedding.
02:33I quietly covered the scar on my wrist, then said numbly,
02:39Congratulations.
02:40Why didn't you just tell him the truth?
02:44The reunion ended early.
02:46He has a girlfriend.
02:49Silence on the other end.
02:52A girlfriend?
02:54Yeah.
02:55But you finally saw him.
02:58After everything you went through to get here.
03:01Ava, nobody waits in the same place forever.
03:07Some things lose all meaning if you say them too late.
03:11At that point, the truth only makes everyone sick.
03:15I'm letting it go.
03:18Okay.
03:19We'll talk when you're home.
03:21I'd clawed my way out of the mire after years of struggle,
03:25hoping to cross paths with him in the most dignified way.
03:28But it was already too late.
03:30It was already below freezing, and cabs weren't stopping.
03:34I stood there long enough for my fingers to go down.
03:36Then I heard heels clicking behind me.
03:39A soft female voice followed.
03:41Andy, the snow's beautiful.
03:44It's cold outside.
03:45Go wait in the car.
03:46I'll be right there.
03:48Don't take long.
03:49As Isabelle passed me, she gave me a meaningful look.
03:52Then she walked toward the black car nearby.
03:55When she opened the door, the heirloom piece on her wrist slipped into view beneath the streetlight.
04:01My chest tightened instantly.
04:03The Conti family piece.
04:05The one I'd had someone return to Andrew the day we ended things.
04:09So she wasn't just his girlfriend.
04:11She was his fiancée.
04:13The crowd had cleared.
04:15Just the two of us left.
04:16My ride still hadn't come.
04:19And suddenly, my mind drifted back.
04:22The night we broke up, Andrew got into a car accident while rushing to see me.
04:26Marco called.
04:27Andrew's in the hospital.
04:29Is he in danger?
04:31If he wasn't, would you not come at all?
04:35Please look after him.
04:38Natalie, he got the overseas post.
04:40He's going to be something.
04:42Why couldn't you just wait a little longer?
04:44What, you needed money that bad?
04:46After everything he did for you, you still left him?
04:48Have you forgotten all he did for you?
04:50Marco shouted.
04:50Then suddenly, the phone was snatched away.
04:53The call disconnected.
04:54I was the one who abandoned him first.
04:56So it made sense that he hated me.
04:59How much do you owe?
05:02Not your problem.
05:05The alcohol turning in my stomach, eyes watering from the force of it.
05:10Andrew stood beside me and watched coldly.
05:13A cab pulled up.
05:15Heading to the Harwick complex?
05:17Yeah.
05:19I pushed myself upright and reached for the car door.
05:22Someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
05:24I stumbled straight into Andrew's chest.
05:29What are you going to that place for?
05:31I tried to push his hand off.
05:34He caught my wrist instead.
05:35I pulled twice, but didn't get free.
05:38Then I looked up at his dark and unreadable face.
05:41What exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Conti?
05:44He didn't answer.
05:47You think the same thing everyone else does, right?
05:50You think my money comes from dirty work.
05:53Five grand a month.
05:54Was that enough?
05:55What?
05:56You're short on cash, aren't you?
05:57Five, ten, name it.
05:59I slapped him.
06:00And my handprint instantly appeared on his face.
06:04I stared at him coldly.
06:05Stay in your lane.
06:09I left him with that and got in the cab.
06:16You hit him?
06:18Yeah.
06:19He tried to keep me as his mistress.
06:21I was curled into the corner of the couch.
06:26A minute later, I was up and running for the bathroom.
06:29Ava rubbed my back.
06:31You know you can't drink with a bad stomach.
06:34After rinsing my mouth, my throat still burned painfully.
06:39All those years, was it worth it?
06:43If you hadn't been the one to end it,
06:45none of his today would even exist.
06:48I thought of Isabel again.
06:49She had something I used to have.
06:52That brightness.
06:53That ease.
06:54I remembered being like that once.
06:56A long time ago.
06:57After Ava finished her shift at the Harwick,
06:59we walked home together.
07:01Marco called me out of nowhere.
07:03Natalie,
07:04if things are rough right now,
07:07I can set you up with something.
07:08I stayed silent,
07:09waiting for the real point.
07:13Isabel is a decent person.
07:14Good family.
07:16I'm not going near him again.
07:17You don't have to worry.
07:19We just want Andrew to be okay.
07:22I know.
07:25The call ended.
07:27Ava's eyes were red.
07:28They don't know anything.
07:32I forced a bitter smile.
07:34It doesn't matter.
07:38I had to stay in the city a while longer,
07:40so I found a job nearby.
07:42During the interview,
07:43HR frowned at my file.
07:45You have a history of depression.
07:47In the past.
07:48Stable now.
07:49I have documentation from my doctor.
07:51Several companies before this one
07:53had run background checks
07:55and quietly dropped me after that.
07:57This one was small.
07:58That same night,
07:59I got the offer.
08:02I figured the reunion was the last time
08:05I'd have anything to do with Andrew.
08:07I was wrong.
08:09Three days later,
08:11he suddenly became the new boss of our company.
08:14And my desk got moved directly outside his office door.
08:20I refused.
08:21I stormed into his office.
08:23Fine.
08:24Submit your resignation to HR.
08:26I almost laughed.
08:28You're firing me just because I won't move my desk?
08:33I simply gave you a choice.
08:37Or did you think I wanted something from you?
08:40I choked on my words.
08:43I thought of Ava arguing with the landlord
08:46over $50 the night before.
08:48I forced a smile.
08:52Of course not, Mr. Conti.
08:53You're a man of principle.
08:55I'm not worried.
08:57Good.
08:58Close the door on your way out.
09:01If you turn your chair around,
09:02I don't want to see your face.
09:03After that,
09:04we barely exchanged a word.
09:06A week in,
09:07the company had a team dinner.
09:09Since I was the new face,
09:10they wouldn't let my glass stay empty.
09:13Come on, Natalie.
09:14Skip one and we're docking your pay.
09:16The manager kept the glasses coming.
09:18Relax.
09:19You get too drunk,
09:20we'll take you home.
09:21It's just us girls.
09:22Nothing to worry about.
09:24Everyone cheered.
09:28I swallowed the last one
09:30and went down.
09:37The next morning,
09:39I woke up in a huge bed.
09:41I slowly sat up.
09:43The blanket slipped from my body,
09:45revealing a soft hotel bathrobe.
09:47I stared at it for a second,
09:49then got up and walked out.
09:51In the main room,
09:53Andrew was sitting with one leg crossed.
09:56You're up.
09:57Breakfast is on the table.
09:58Eat something,
09:59then go back to sleep.
10:00A chill ran through me.
10:02Did we?
10:03He tossed the paper on the coffee table,
10:05then pulled his collar open just enough.
10:07Bite marks on his neck.
10:13Well, you started it last night.
10:15My mind exploded blank.
10:17That's impossible.
10:19Andrew set a contract in front of me,
10:20my fingerprint on it.
10:22The contents were simple.
10:23I would become his mistress,
10:24and he'd pay me $10,000 a month.
10:26There's no way I signed this.
10:31You sure about that?
10:33I opened my mouth.
10:35I couldn't say a single word.
10:39Caught your confession last night by accident.
10:42Want to hear all your little thoughts
10:43you tried so hard to hide?
10:45Everything in me went cold.
10:48Humiliation crashed over me instantly.
10:50Hiding those feelings already felt shameful enough,
10:53but now they had been exposed.
10:55Chasing an engaged man?
10:57Natalie,
10:58what do you think happens when people hear this?
11:01Are you taking revenge on me?
11:03Yes.
11:05You made sure I didn't have it easy back then.
11:07Why should I make it easy for you now?
11:08Now, two options.
11:09Honor the contract,
11:10or I release the recording.
11:14Release it.
11:16Andrew,
11:16I'm not being your other wormal.
11:20Natalie,
11:22who do you think you are?
11:23You think you still have a choice?
11:27He left.
11:29My clothes were in a heap on the bathroom floor.
11:32Andrews were folded neatly over the chair by the door.
11:35Not a wrinkle.
11:37The sharp contrast hurt more than I expected.
11:40I exhaled,
11:41changed,
11:42and walked out of the hotel.
11:46Ava called.
11:47Her voice was strained.
11:49Natalie,
11:50they want $500,000.
11:51The sky was gray.
11:53They said if you don't pay,
11:54they'll put everything out there.
11:56Your mom's ashes,
11:57her belongings,
11:59they won't tell you where any of it is.
12:01Ava almost cried.
12:04I'll try to pull an advance on my paycheck,
12:06borrow the rest.
12:08Should have it together by next month.
12:11Okay.
12:11After a long moment,
12:12I pressed a number.
12:14It rang for a while before he picked up.
12:17Something wrong?
12:18Elan,
12:19I'm sorry to bother you.
12:20I...
12:20He sounded busy on the other end.
12:24You're in some kind of trouble.
12:26I pulled in a slow breath.
12:29Could you lend me $400,000?
12:32The moment I said it,
12:34my whole body felt like it was on fire.
12:37Then noise on his end.
12:39Elan, emergency surgery.
12:41On my way.
12:42I hadn't expected much.
12:44I'd already prepared myself for a deadline.
12:46At the last second...
12:47Send me your account number.
12:49I'll transfer it before end of day.
12:51The call ended.
12:52The sky was still gray,
12:54but I felt warm inside.
12:58That evening,
12:59the manager knocked on my desk.
13:02Client dinner tonight.
13:03You're coming.
13:04A few hours earlier,
13:06I'd gone to him to ask for an advance on my paycheck.
13:08Between the advance,
13:10what I'd borrowed,
13:11I'd just barely reached $500,000.
13:14I walked into the private room and saw Andrew.
13:17The chandelier caught the line of his jaw.
13:19The manager gave me a small push forward.
13:22Every head turned.
13:24Mr. Conti,
13:25is she one of yours?
13:28Yeah, new hire.
13:30What kind of new hire needs you babysitting her personally?
13:33Not bad looking either.
13:36The manager put me next to Andrew.
13:39Stay sharp tonight.
13:41You drink so he doesn't have to.
13:42Mr. Conti,
13:43can your new girl hold her liquor or not?
13:47She can.
13:48The manager jumped in.
13:50Absolutely she can.
13:52Andrew said nothing.
13:53He tapped the table lightly with two fingers.
13:55I picked up the glass,
13:57held my breath,
13:58and drank it down.
13:59The table cheated.
14:04Where were we?
14:05Let's keep going.
14:06The night ran hot.
14:08Every toast meant for Andrew?
14:09The manager put it in my glass.
14:12Eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore.
14:14I slipped out to the restroom.
14:16I turned the tap on
14:17and dry heaved over the sink.
14:19My hair came loose
14:20and fell into the basin,
14:22soaked through in minutes.
14:24I texted Ava.
14:25Then, I had nothing left.
14:27I dropped my head onto the edge of the sink,
14:30eyes shut,
14:31breathing hard.
14:32Unhurried footsteps outside.
14:34The door opened.
14:35I thought it was one of the women from the table.
14:37It was Andrew's calm voice.
14:39Already tapping out?
14:40I pulled together what I had left,
14:43pushed off the sink,
14:44and moved unsteadily toward the door.
14:46Andrew grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
14:48Let go of me!
14:50Andrew dragged me in front of the mirror without effort,
14:53turned me to face it.
14:55Take a good look at yourself.
14:57You walk out like this,
14:59aren't you afraid someone will take advantage of you?
15:01The girl in the mirror had wet eyes,
15:04flushed cheeks.
15:05Who could possibly have worse intentions than you?
15:09Andrew laughed softly.
15:11Come back with me tonight.
15:14Yeah.
15:17Get off me.
15:19Before I could finish,
15:20he kissed me hard.
15:22The alcohol was still moving through me.
15:24My vision started to blur.
15:26Cold sweat covered my skin.
15:29It felt like I was being dragged back
15:31into those dark days again.
15:33Andrew, please let me go.
15:36The darkness completely swallowed me.
15:39I couldn't feel anything anymore.
15:41Natalie.
15:42Andrew was shouting my name.
15:44His eyes were no longer filled with hatred.
15:47So panicked that I suddenly couldn't tell anymore.
15:50Andrew.
15:52I never want to see you again.
15:55The fever came in hard.
15:57My head was gone.
15:59My whole body ached.
16:01I lay curled under the blankets,
16:03shaking and shaking.
16:04Wind outside.
16:06In and out of sleep,
16:07I dreamed about back then.
16:09I was on Andrew's back,
16:10and I asked,
16:12Andrew, what would you do if I died?
16:14Don't say that.
16:15It's just a fever.
16:16The shot will take care of it.
16:17Hey,
16:18do you have enough money?
16:20Shots are expensive.
16:21It's fine.
16:22How is it fine?
16:23How many jobs are you working right now?
16:25Andrew didn't answer.
16:26He set me down at the nurse's station,
16:28crouched in front of me.
16:29As long as you're okay,
16:31nothing else matters.
16:32Once my parents stop fighting,
16:34I'll ask them for my allowance
16:35and pay you back.
16:36Trust me.
16:38We're gonna have money someday.
16:39But I didn't turn out the way he hoped.
16:42The night Andrew went out of town
16:43for the competition,
16:44I came home and pushed open
16:46my parents' bedroom door.
16:48My father had another woman in his arms.
16:50My clean, easy life
16:52cracked apart right there.
16:55What followed?
16:56My parents screaming at each other.
16:58My father disappearing without a word.
17:01The family drowning in debt.
17:05One night, deep into the dark,
17:07the collectors came to the door.
17:09The swinging light overhead.
17:11The men's voices,
17:12excited and ugly.
17:15All of it ran together in my head.
17:17A thick, boiling mess.
17:20Then my mother was gone.
17:22The collectors had pushed her to it.
17:24Ava found me.
17:26She got me out of there
17:27and took me south to Miami.
17:30A rainy afternoon,
17:31I was folded into a corner of the hospital.
17:37She has hereditary depression.
17:40Is there any family?
17:41She has a boyfriend.
17:42He's out of town for a competition.
17:45Notify him.
17:46The doctor spoke in clinical terms.
17:48She's showing strong suicidal ideation.
17:51Treatment will be difficult.
17:52The family should prepare for a long road.
17:58I wasn't in any state to go to the police,
18:01to build a case,
18:02to fight back.
18:03Ava and I were like two people
18:05with nowhere left to go.
18:07We ran.
18:07We left the only place we'd ever called home.
18:10That same day,
18:12the competition results came out.
18:13Andrew's name at the top.
18:15He'd gotten the overseas post.
18:16He called.
18:18I picked up.
18:20Natalie,
18:21I did it.
18:22Three years,
18:23then I'm coming home to marry you.
18:25I looked at the gate
18:25as it slowly closed behind me.
18:27I couldn't find my way back.
18:29Andrew,
18:29I...
18:30I don't think I can be with you anymore.
18:32I held back the sound in my throat.
18:34The tears came anyway.
18:36He went still.
18:37Why?
18:38I opened my mouth,
18:39but at that moment,
18:40I hesitated.
18:41His whole future was ahead of him.
18:43Did I really have the right
18:45to drag the rest of his life
18:46into the endless rain
18:48and darkness with me?
18:49A girl stood at a fence,
18:51sobbing out loud.
18:52The boy on the other side
18:54had gone numb and cold,
18:55disgusted.
18:56I watched love leave his eyes.
18:59It was the most hopeless thing
19:01I'd ever seen.
19:02Andrew,
19:03you take care of yourself.
19:05Let's call it.
19:07The sound of machines ticking nearby.
19:10Late sun came through the blinds
19:12and thin strips
19:13falling across the sofa.
19:14I blinked.
19:15The nightmare pulled back.
19:17I sat up.
19:19Andrew was on the sofa,
19:21head down,
19:21peeling an apple in silence.
19:23His fingers were steady and careful.
19:25He heard me move.
19:29He looked up,
19:30met my eyes,
19:31and got up without a word
19:33to press the call button.
19:36The doctor came quickly,
19:37checked my pupils,
19:38confirmed I was fine,
19:40then turned to Andrew.
19:41Her nutrition is low.
19:42Going forward,
19:43she should focus on getting more protein.
19:46The door closed.
19:48Don't think about anything.
19:50Just get better first.
19:51I didn't take it.
19:52I got out of bed
19:53and went straight to the cabinet.
19:55My phone was gone.
19:57There were no street clothes either,
19:58without stopping me.
20:03Andrew,
20:05what do you want?
20:06You don't know what I want.
20:08Andrew set the apple on the nightstand,
20:11pulled out a tissue,
20:12and wiped his hands at his own pace.
20:15I want you.
20:17He was sitting right in the light.
20:20Andrew,
20:21you can't do this to me.
20:23Andrew stood up,
20:25looked down at me,
20:26and smoothed my hair back.
20:27Why not?
20:28I have someone I care about.
20:30Please,
20:30leave me alone.
20:32Is that right?
20:33There was no smile on Andrew's face at all.
20:36He cupped my face,
20:38leaned in close,
20:39and stopped with his lips
20:40just short of mine.
20:43Andrew laughed.
20:44Natalie,
20:45you're lying.
20:48The private clinic was out past the edge of the city.
20:51Nothing outside the window,
20:53but miles of trees.
20:54I couldn't leave and reach anyone.
20:56I tried asking the staff for help.
20:59They said there was nothing they could do.
21:01Andrew came every day,
21:03usually in the evening.
21:04He'd come in tired from whatever the day had been,
21:07sit with me,
21:08talk for a while.
21:09I wanted nothing to do with him touching me.
21:12He didn't push it.
21:15Lately I kept dreaming about before.
21:17Back then,
21:18I had his name in my mouth constantly.
21:20I told him,
21:22Andrew,
21:22you're gonna be rich someday.
21:24I know it.
21:26What flavor milk do you want today?
21:28He'd gone and bought me banana milk.
21:30Straight A student Andrew,
21:32cutting class for the first time in his life,
21:34caught by a teacher.
21:35Then college.
21:36Rumors started about him and some girl from his program.
21:39I took three trains across the city
21:41and sat outside his dorm and cried.
21:45Andrew got dressed in the middle of the night
21:47and came down fast.
21:49He wiped my face gently.
21:51Don't cry.
21:53As long as you want me,
21:55I'll always be yours.
21:56Now and after.
21:58Only you.
21:59That's not how a confession is supposed to sound.
22:02He paused.
22:03Then he held me tight.
22:05I love you.
22:06Back then,
22:07neither of us could have guessed we'd end up here.
22:09Tomorrow I'm getting married.
22:11The sun outside hadn't gone down yet.
22:13The last of its warmth still in the air.
22:15Anything you want to say to me?
22:18Andrew's voice brought me back from wherever I'd gone.
22:22Staring at his face.
22:24I understood suddenly why I'd been dreaming so much lately.
22:27I was saying goodbye
22:28to the Natalie and Andrew we used to be.
22:31The news had been running their story every day.
22:34Him and Isabel.
22:35The perfect pair.
22:37Everything we used to imagine for ourselves.
22:40But me?
22:40I was nothing but damage now.
22:42What right did I have to any of it?
22:45Congratulations.
22:47Andrew's hand stopped mid-peel.
22:50The blade caught his finger.
22:51Blood came up slowly.
22:53He looked at it for a second,
22:54pressed a tissue to it,
22:56and smiled down at the floor.
22:58It's nothing.
22:59She and I are just going through the motions.
23:01Do you want kids?
23:02I'm open to it.
23:04Andrew,
23:04can we just let this go?
23:06Let's both walk away with some dignity.
23:08I was suddenly exhausted.
23:10Andrew set everything back in the bowl.
23:13Then he stared at me.
23:15Just let it go.
23:17Why should I?
23:18You're the one who started it.
23:20Then you decided you were done,
23:22walked away without looking back.
23:24What does that make me?
23:26Your lap dog?
23:28Then I'm giving you back.
23:31Andrew went still.
23:32What did you just say?
23:33I looked at the sun about to drop below the horizon.
23:37You don't want me to be okay.
23:39Fine.
23:40I can go ahead and die.
23:42He grabbed my jaw and turned my head.
23:44I was looking straight into Andrew's eyes,
23:47and they were full of fury.
23:49Natalie,
23:51are you out of your mind?
23:53If you wanted to die so badly,
23:56why didn't you just do it back then?
23:58I couldn't remember when he left.
24:00That same night,
24:01Marco showed up and shoved the door open.
24:04Natalie,
24:05what did you promise me?
24:08Do you know what it's going to cost Andrew?
24:11To break this engagement?
24:13Can you stop acting like you did back then,
24:16making a mess and letting Andrew clean it up?
24:18Can you think about him for once?
24:19I was confused.
24:21What's going on?
24:23Andrew is breaking off his engagement because of you.
24:26And you still have the nerve to ask?
24:28I sat there,
24:29ears ringing.
24:31He was doing this publicly.
24:33Where did that leave me?
24:34As the other woman who broke up someone's family?
24:39Come with me.
24:40You were so good at it once,
24:42weren't you?
24:43Bored with him?
24:44Found someone new?
24:45Marco.
24:47Natalie!
24:48If you hadn't come back,
24:50would any of this be happening?
24:52His voice rang out through the wind and the snow outside.
24:56It froze everything in me.
24:57My ears went full of noise.
25:00I couldn't hear anything.
25:01His eyes held more hatred than I'd ever seen from him.
25:04Like someone like me deserved to be dead.
25:07Marco.
25:09He won't let me go.
25:12Once this is handled,
25:15I'll get you out.
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