- 12 hours ago
Presidents! Stop Fighting for Me Billionaire Romance
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:03Ethan Harlow
00:00:04I'd secretly bought a wedding dress
00:00:06Worked up every ounce of courage to propose to him
00:00:09But as luck would have it
00:00:10I was a few minutes late to the party that night
00:00:13I walked in just as he was talking with his friends
00:00:15I stood by the door
00:00:17Listening to the voices inside
00:00:18Quinn
00:00:19He lit a cigarette, grinned lazily
00:00:21Yeah, I'm over it
00:00:23Seven years, man
00:00:24Wouldn't you be?
00:00:26The others laughed along
00:00:27Fair point
00:00:28Seven years
00:00:29Even a goddess gets old
00:00:31Though Quinn's genuinely stunning
00:00:33That body, too
00:00:34Remember Ethan's birthday last year?
00:00:36She wore that red dress
00:00:37And every guy in the room couldn't look away
00:00:40Seriously, Ethan
00:00:41You used to be so crazy about her
00:00:43You really done?
00:00:44Ethan's voice was flat
00:00:45When do I ever say things I don't mean?
00:00:48So
00:00:49You wouldn't mind if I went after Quinn?
00:00:51He blew out a smoke ring
00:00:52Barely interested
00:00:54Go for it
00:00:54As long as you're both fine with it
00:00:56Dude, have some self-respect
00:00:58You really want Ethan's leftovers?
00:01:00More laughter
00:01:01I didn't go into that room that night
00:01:03I texted him some excuse about a headache and went home
00:01:05Ethan didn't ask a single question
00:01:07Just hung up
00:01:08Whatever was left of my will to stay
00:01:10It died that night
00:01:31A couple viewers
00:01:31See he said
00:01:31I sent it to the many figures
00:01:31And I asked him some pics
00:01:57Oh wasn't that
00:01:58.
00:02:28.
00:03:01.
00:03:20Two days later, everyone in their circle was talking.
00:03:22Ethan was chasing some sophomore, performing arts school.
00:03:25Young, soft, naive.
00:03:27He always pursued others in a grand fashion, just like he did with me back then.
00:03:31Showering them with flowers, fancy cars, and jewelry.
00:03:34The girl couldn't resist his advances at all.
00:03:36They soon got together.
00:03:37At a friend's dinner, Ethan walked right in with her on his arm.
00:03:40The room went quiet the moment he stepped through the door.
00:03:43A few of my closer girlfriends shot me worried looks.
00:03:45I smiled.
00:03:46Why'd everyone go quiet?
00:03:48What are you all staring at?
00:03:49Ethan settled the girl into a seat and finally looked at me.
00:03:52Quinn.
00:03:53Perfect timing.
00:03:54Let's just say it plainly.
00:03:55Sure.
00:03:56Go ahead.
00:03:57Mia's young.
00:03:58She's genuine.
00:03:59I actually like her.
00:04:00I don't want to do her wrong.
00:04:01I gripped my hands together.
00:04:02The ring on my finger pressed into the flesh.
00:04:05Deep and sharp.
00:04:06But I couldn't feel a thing.
00:04:07He stroked the girl's hair.
00:04:08She deserves love real.
00:04:09I nodded lightly.
00:04:10I understand.
00:04:11We can still be friends.
00:04:13Anything you need, just say the word.
00:04:15That's okay.
00:04:16I smiled.
00:04:17Stood up.
00:04:17If it's over, let's make it clean.
00:04:19No point confusing anyone.
00:04:20Ethan raised an eyebrow.
00:04:22Slightly surprised.
00:04:23Fair enough.
00:04:24You all enjoy the dinner.
00:04:25I'll head out.
00:04:27Want the driver to take you?
00:04:28No.
00:04:29I'll grab a ride.
00:04:29I walked out and pulled the door shut behind me.
00:04:32Through the gap, I heard someone ask,
00:04:33How long do you give her this time?
00:04:35Two days.
00:04:37She seemed actually upset this time.
00:04:40I'll say a week.
00:04:41Ethan laughed cold.
00:04:42Three days.
00:04:43She'll be crying back to me before then.
00:04:46Every single time.
00:04:48Getting tired of watching it.
00:04:49Yeah, because Quinn's obsessed with you.
00:04:51Everyone knows how far gone she is.
00:04:54I smiled bitterly to myself, clutched my bag tighter,
00:04:57and walked fast toward the elevator.
00:05:17uben box for the guest that would run into the classes
00:05:18Tell me.
00:05:30Mike 다� credit.
00:05:30He doesn't know how much 2021 is.
00:05:31He didn't know how fast it still happened.
00:05:31.
00:06:30Back at the apartment,
00:06:31I went to the back of the closet
00:06:33and lifted down the dress.
00:06:34I'd waited half a year for it.
00:06:36A custom order.
00:06:37No returns.
00:06:39Such a shame.
00:06:40I'd never get to wear it.
00:06:41I found a pair of scissors
00:06:42and cut it apart.
00:06:43It had no business being here anyway.
00:06:46Before I left,
00:06:46I took off the ring
00:06:47and set it on the coffee table.
00:06:49I didn't take much.
00:06:50My personal things.
00:06:51Everything else I left behind.
00:06:53I thought about it,
00:06:53then wrote him a note.
00:06:54The apartment and everything in it.
00:06:56Do whatever you want with it.
00:06:57Don't ask me.
00:06:58I booked the earliest flight to Miami.
00:07:00My best friend had moved there
00:07:01earlier that year.
00:07:02She dragged me out for shopping
00:07:03and afternoon coffee.
00:07:05That evening,
00:07:05there was a small get-together.
00:07:06Old classmates.
00:07:07Old friends.
00:07:08Midway through the drinks,
00:07:09the door swung open.
00:07:10A few of the girls
00:07:11immediately lit up.
00:07:12Lucas?
00:07:13Since when do you show up
00:07:14to things like this?
00:07:15Seriously,
00:07:15what brings you out tonight?
00:07:18Had a meeting next door.
00:07:20Heard there was a reunion.
00:07:21Figured I'd drop by.
00:07:22Lucas said this,
00:07:23never taking his eyes off me.
00:07:25My best friend pinched my arm.
00:07:26Quinn,
00:07:27he came for you.
00:07:28I looked at him
00:07:29through slightly unfocused eyes.
00:07:31Taller than Ethan
00:07:31by an inch or two.
00:07:33Black overcoat.
00:07:34Dark suit underneath.
00:07:35Sharp features.
00:07:36A great build.
00:07:37Legs that went on forever.
00:07:39I squinted at him for a moment,
00:07:40then shook my head.
00:07:41No way.
00:07:42We haven't talked in years.
00:07:44She wasn't listening.
00:07:45She called out to him directly.
00:07:47Lucas,
00:07:47could you do me a favor
00:07:48and drive Quinn home later?
00:07:50We've all been drinking,
00:07:51and I don't trust her in a taxi.
00:07:52I looked up at Lucas,
00:07:54startled.
00:07:54His eyes traveled across the room
00:07:56and settled on my face.
00:07:57Then I saw him nod.
00:08:00Sure.
00:08:01My best friend sat back down,
00:08:02leaned close to my ear.
00:08:03Quinn,
00:08:04after seven years with one man,
00:08:05it's time to move on
00:08:06and embrace a new life.
00:08:08Even Ethan has done it.
00:08:10Why can't you start
00:08:11a second chapter of your own?
00:08:13Besides,
00:08:14a man like Lucas?
00:08:15If you don't take your shot,
00:08:17it's practically a crime.
00:08:18What makes you think
00:08:19he'd even want to?
00:08:21Babe,
00:08:21the way he looked at you?
00:08:22Trust me,
00:08:23I've been through 18 of them.
00:08:24I know what I'm talking about.
00:08:45Lucas drove me back to the hotel.
00:08:47When we pulled up downstairs,
00:08:48I unclipped my seatbelt.
00:08:51Thanks for the ride.
00:08:52Lucas glanced over at me.
00:08:53Don't mention it.
00:08:54I pushed the door open.
00:08:56Before I could think,
00:08:56I'd already spoken.
00:08:58Want to come up for a drink?
00:08:59He helped me walk toward the hotel.
00:09:00Lucas kissed me in the elevator.
00:09:02I was already tipsy,
00:09:03and he was demanding,
00:09:04relentless.
00:09:05I nearly blacked out
00:09:06just from the kiss.
00:09:08There's a camera.
00:09:09I gasped,
00:09:09cheeks burning,
00:09:11legs so weak
00:09:11I had to hold onto his waist
00:09:13just to stay upright.
00:09:14Lucas glanced at the lens,
00:09:15turned me,
00:09:16shifted the angle,
00:09:17and kissed me again.
00:09:18When the door swiped open,
00:09:19he stopped and looked at me.
00:09:21Quinn,
00:09:21if you regret this,
00:09:22I'll still back off.
00:09:23Regret what?
00:09:24I tilted my face up at him,
00:09:26fingers looping around his tie,
00:09:27pulling him closer.
00:09:28You kissed my lips halfway to swollen?
00:09:30A little late to talk about backing off?
00:09:33Lucas laughed then.
00:09:34He reached out
00:09:35and brushed his thumb
00:09:36across my lower lip.
00:09:37And don't go blaming me later.
00:09:39Our first night together,
00:09:40Lucas didn't even make it to the bedroom.
00:09:42He pinned me against the wall,
00:09:43and it was rough enough
00:09:44to hurt a little.
00:09:45I bit down on his shoulder
00:09:46in protest.
00:09:47Lucas,
00:09:47what is wrong with you?
00:09:49Ever heard of being gentle?
00:09:50His warm hands pressed against my back.
00:09:52Then he was breathing against my neck.
00:09:54Quinn,
00:09:55I'm not sure I can hold back.
00:10:19I'm not sure I can hold back.
00:11:04I'm not sure I can hold back.
00:11:05Lucas,
00:11:06how long has it been for you?
00:11:07He gave me a look.
00:11:09A while.
00:11:09Work's been everything lately.
00:11:11I stared at him,
00:11:12the laughter fading.
00:11:13A moment later,
00:11:14tears came out of nowhere.
00:11:16I'm sorry.
00:11:17I shouldn't have...
00:11:18Quinn,
00:11:19don't.
00:11:20He fumbled to wipe my face,
00:11:21but the tears wouldn't stop.
00:11:23I shouldn't have dragged you into this.
00:11:25But you already did.
00:11:26He leaned down,
00:11:27cupped my face in his hands,
00:11:28steady,
00:11:29almost serious.
00:11:30Quinn,
00:11:31since you started this,
00:11:33you don't get to stop halfway.
00:12:03Little bit later.
00:12:19You don't get to stop halfway.
00:12:19You won't get to stop halfway.
00:12:21You don't get to stop halfway.
00:12:22So now I am going to walk's back.
00:12:22You don't get to going to,
00:12:22you don't get to stop halfway.
00:12:23It's probably going to be a little some time here.
00:12:30you should go ahead and have to get to stop halfway.
00:12:30.
00:13:02.
00:13:31.
00:14:01.
00:14:02.
00:14:10.
00:14:10.
00:14:10.
00:14:10.
00:14:10.
00:14:23Serena of House Stavas, you are kind.
00:14:30.
00:14:31.
00:14:31.
00:14:32.
00:14:32.
00:15:07Day 7 in Miami.
00:15:09A friend from back home, Jamie, sent me a text.
00:15:11Quinn, when are you coming back?
00:15:13No plans to, for now.
00:15:14We all miss you.
00:15:15Ryan's birthday's in a few days.
00:15:17Come celebrate.
00:15:18Tell him I'm sorry.
00:15:19I'll mail a gift.
00:15:20Alright, take care of yourself.
00:15:21Back in the city, Jamie handed the phone to Ethan.
00:15:24Look, maybe you should call her.
00:15:25She'll listen to you.
00:15:27Ethan stared coldly at the screen.
00:15:28Then he stubbed out his cigarette and stood.
00:15:30She can rot out there for all I care.
00:15:32Ethan, don't be angry.
00:15:34She's just hurting.
00:15:35She even took the ring off this time.
00:15:37It's really crushed, and honestly, it's your fault
00:15:39for pushing it so far with that girl.
00:15:40We already broke up!
00:15:41What more does she want?
00:15:42Ethan snapped, voice rising.
00:15:44Listen up.
00:15:46Nobody contacts her!
00:15:47Not for anything!
00:15:48Okay, okay, we won't.
00:15:49Calm down.
00:15:51You just got out of the hospital two days ago.
00:15:53Your stomach.
00:15:54She was around and your stomach never acted up.
00:15:57She leaves for five days and you do this to yourself.
00:15:59With every word from his friends,
00:16:01Ethan's expression went darker.
00:16:02Eventually, he grabbed his jacket and walked out,
00:16:05slammed the door.
00:16:05He hit the street.
00:16:06Cold air rushed in.
00:16:08The anger still burned in his chest.
00:16:10Seven days.
00:16:11No calls.
00:16:11No texts.
00:16:12Not even one.
00:16:13He pulled out his phone.
00:16:14Blocked her number.
00:16:23Lucas called just as I typed the last line and hit send.
00:16:26I've been writing columns for magazines since college.
00:16:28It turned out to be enough to make a living.
00:16:30Freelance life.
00:16:31Laptop, good Wi-Fi, and I could work from anywhere.
00:16:34So when it ended, I had no reason to stay in the city and hurt.
00:16:39Quinn, what do you want for dinner?
00:16:40His voice came through clearly.
00:16:42After an afternoon of work, something in me settled.
00:16:44I'm exhausted.
00:16:45You pick.
00:16:47How about steak?
00:16:49I know a place with a really good steak.
00:16:51You'll love it.
00:16:51I always like my steak rare.
00:16:53But Ethan used to say watching me eat it turned his stomach, so I stopped.
00:16:56Though I vaguely remembered Lucas preferring lighter food.
00:16:59Lucas, you don't have to do this for me.
00:17:01I'm not picky anymore.
00:17:03I actually want it too.
00:17:04Remember in college?
00:17:05There was that little joint near campus.
00:17:07The steak were amazing.
00:17:08Hearing him say that made me hungry for it too.
00:17:10That place was genuinely good.
00:17:12I ate there for four years and never got tired of it.
00:17:15Okay.
00:17:16Steak then.
00:17:17I'll come get you now.
00:17:18Sure.
00:17:21Lucas took me to a place that'd been in Miami for years.
00:17:24Old and a little cramped but always packed.
00:17:27And Lucas in his tailored suit, sitting in that grimy booth, was a completely ridiculous visual.
00:17:32I watched him carefully wipe down my chair with a napkin.
00:17:35For someone like him, these small domestic gestures came surprisingly naturally.
00:17:39Lucas, your ex did a great job with you.
00:17:42I couldn't help saying it.
00:17:44In the beginning, when Ethan was still chasing me, I felt it.
00:17:47Being cared for.
00:17:48Being someone's priority.
00:17:49Then we moved in together the year after graduation.
00:17:52A little over a year.
00:17:54And I became the household.
00:17:55Managing his diet, his rest, his schedule.
00:17:58Like a wife before the wedding.
00:18:00But I understand now what I didn't then.
00:18:02I lost myself loving him.
00:18:03Forgot that you have to love yourself first.
00:18:06No wonder the love wore out.
00:18:07Lucas glanced up from tending the pot.
00:18:10Where'd you hear I had an ex?
00:18:17I paused.
00:18:18The girl who was always around you in college?
00:18:20Weren't you two childhood friends?
00:18:21You mean Sophie?
00:18:23He laughed once.
00:18:24We grew up together, yeah.
00:18:25But we never dated.
00:18:27I never felt that way about her.
00:18:28She was more like a little sister.
00:18:30So you haven't been with anyone all these years?
00:18:32Went on a few setups.
00:18:33It wasn't right, so...
00:18:35It ended.
00:18:37And after that, I looked down, thinking about that first night.
00:18:40Suddenly, it made complete sense.
00:18:42Quinn, I'll do better next time.
00:18:44His comment came out of nowhere.
00:18:45I blinked.
00:18:46Better at what?
00:18:47He turned his face away, cleared his throat quietly.
00:18:50His ears were deeply flushed.
00:18:51You'll see later.
00:18:52He kept his word.
00:18:53After dinner, back at the hotel.
00:18:55Once he'd carried me out of the bathroom and onto the bed.
00:18:58I finally understood what he'd meant.
00:19:00By then, I was completely undone.
00:19:02Lucas.
00:19:02I tried to glare at him, but my eyes were misted over.
00:19:05Which only made me look more helpless.
00:19:07His name in my mouth came out soft.
00:19:08Nowhere near as angry as I wanted.
00:19:10Lucas bowed his head and kissed me softly.
00:19:12Quinn, is this okay?
00:19:13I shook my head.
00:19:14Refused to answer.
00:19:15He didn't push.
00:19:16Just kept kissing me.
00:19:17Over and over.
00:19:18Patient and unhurried.
00:19:20I couldn't hold out.
00:19:21Tears were leaking from the corners of my eyes.
00:19:23Lucas.
00:19:23My nails pressed into his lower back.
00:19:25And there was a sound in my voice I couldn't quite control.
00:19:28Quinn, tell me now.
00:19:30Is this okay?
00:19:31Lucas' own eyes had gone red.
00:19:33Arms taut.
00:19:34Sweat falling in drops.
00:19:35I gave in.
00:19:36Voice small and wrecked.
00:19:38Yes.
00:19:38Yes, it is.
00:19:39As my last thought drifted away,
00:19:41Lucas put his lips to my ear and whispered very low.
00:19:44Quinn, if this is good,
00:19:46then promise you'll never leave me.
00:19:48Okay?
00:20:04For me, once you are raised.
00:20:09You can't go along.
00:20:10I just want to call out,
00:20:10You can't× мех.
00:20:14Go ahead.
00:20:15Get it really fine?
00:20:17After me,
00:20:30We can get done an exercise worse.
00:20:33.
00:21:03.
00:21:33.
00:22:03.
00:22:33.
00:23:03.
00:23:33.
00:24:03.
00:24:04.
00:24:04.
00:24:05.
00:24:07.
00:24:11.
00:24:12.
00:24:13.
00:24:14.
00:24:14.
00:24:15.
00:24:16.
00:24:20.
00:24:22.
00:24:23.
00:24:23.
00:24:23.
00:24:25.
00:24:27.
00:24:28.
00:24:30.
00:24:32.
00:24:32.
00:24:33.
00:24:33.
00:24:34.
00:24:36.
00:24:37.
00:24:40.
00:24:41.
00:24:42.
00:24:43.
00:24:43.
00:24:44.
00:24:45.
00:24:49.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:54.
00:24:55.
00:24:59.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:00.
00:25:01.
00:25:08.
00:25:08.
00:25:08.
00:25:08.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:09.
00:25:11.
00:25:20.
00:25:20.
00:25:20.
00:25:20.
00:25:20.
00:25:20.
00:25:21.
00:25:21.
00:25:21.
00:25:21gift I'd sent from Miami made it to his party. Ethan sat on the couch, smoking, the bottle in
00:25:25front of him mostly empty. The gift had been chosen by Lucas and me together, a vintage pair
00:25:29of cufflinks from a high-end label Ryan loved. These are beautiful. Ryan laughed a little stiffly,
00:25:34reading Ethan's expression, and quickly had his girlfriend put them away. Let me see. Ethan spoke
00:25:38without warning. Ryan froze but handed the box over without a word. Ethan stared at the pair of
00:25:42cufflinks. The brand's logo was discreet, almost invisible, but Ethan stared at it for a long
00:25:47moment. Put them away. He closed the box and pushed it aside. Ryan exhaled with relief and reached for
00:25:52it. Ethan snatched the empty bottle from the table and smashed it against the coffee table. Glass
00:25:56scattered. A long gash opened across the back of his hand. The room erupted. What happened? Why did
00:26:01you? That's a bad cut. It won't stop bleeding. Hospital. Ethan stood there, motionless, face dark,
00:26:06still as stone. Quinn never bought anything from that label. His voice was low and frayed. Ryan
00:26:11smiled quickly. So what? Quinn probably just picked something at random. Not like your birthday.
00:26:16She'd been planning your gift for six months. Exactly. You know what she means to you. None
00:26:21of us combined are worth a tenth of what she feels for you. Ethan laughed sharply. Feels for me. The
00:26:27noise in the room bled away, one degree at a time. Ethan, should I call Quinn? We need to deal
00:26:32with
00:26:32that cut first. Ryan suddenly worked up the nerve, picked up his phone, and photographed Ethan's torn up
00:26:37hand, then sent it to Quinn on the spot. Ethan didn't stop him.
00:27:06The room went still. About ten seconds passed, then Ryan's phone rang. See? I knew she loved you more than
00:27:13anything. Look, Ethan, it's Quinn.
00:27:15The others noticed it too. The tension in Ethan's face had eased, just slightly. You want to take
00:27:20it? Ryan held out the phone. Ethan didn't look at it. He turned away. I'll get it. I'll get it.
00:27:24Ryan said
00:27:25eagerly, putting it on speaker. When Quinn's voice came through, Ethan's jaw locked. Ryan, are you okay?
00:27:30Are you hurt? It's not me. It's Ethan's hand. You have no idea how bad it is. Blood everywhere. He
00:27:35won't
00:27:35stop. Ryan rambled on. The other end went quiet. Quinn, are you there? Maybe, maybe you should come
00:27:40back. Ethan won't go to the hospital. He can't just keep bleeding like this. Ryan. Her voice was still soft,
00:27:44still the same. Yeah? Yeah, I'm here. Go on. Ryan signaled frantically to Ethan. Don't tell me
00:27:49about him anymore. Ryan's smile collapsed. Quinn? And happy birthday, Ryan. Wait, Quinn, don't hang
00:27:55up! The line went dead. Ryan stood there holding the phone like it had burned him. He wanted to
00:27:59slap himself. What was he thinking? Getting involved. Now look at the mess. Silence. Ethan looked around at
00:28:04everyone and smiled lightly. You all go mute? No one dared speak. He smiled again. What, nobody's got
00:28:09anything to say? Ethan, don't get worked up. The cut's bleeding more. Ethan, you know how Quinn is. From the
00:28:13corner, where she'd been sitting quietly through everything, Vera finally spoke. I've wanted to
00:28:17say this for a long time. What you did was cruel. Quinn's a woman. Women have pride. Even if you
00:28:23stopped loving her, you could have ended it cleanly. Who says I wanted it to end cleanly? Ethan smiled,
00:28:27sharp and cold. She gave me seven years. Seven years? You think that's nothing to me? Vera smiled very
00:28:34quietly. But did you ever stop to think? A girl only has so many seven years. What if Quinn never
00:28:40comes
00:28:41back? Impossible! No one caught it, but there was the faintest tremor at the end of that word.
00:28:45What's impossible in this world? Once the heart's been hurt badly enough, can you really warm it back
00:28:50up? Ethan, stop doing things you'll regret. Vera said nothing more. She picked up her bag and walked
00:28:55out. Across the room, Daniel watched her leave. His own wife of two years. His expression unreadable.
00:29:01Was she pitying Quinn? Defending her? Or was she talking about herself? Aren't you gonna go after her?
00:29:05Daniel curved his lips, lit a cigarette. She's not my wife tonight. My wife is on set. She's out of
00:29:11the production next month. You're gonna wreck yourself. His friend sighed. Daniel didn't respond.
00:29:16Vera and Quinn were different. Quinn had no family draining her, earned her own money. A breakup just
00:29:21meant a softer lifestyle for a while. But Vera had her family's debt behind her, and a brother bedridden
00:29:26at home. She couldn't leave him. She wouldn't dare, no matter how many chances she had.
00:29:36Coca- There's a place already might live. And he didn't talk about her in a
00:29:42baby. Tell me that when her wife and Whitmer did to the person who's arrested her.
00:29:46What was the mental income that she'd run after? Since she was arrested, Hakid, Rachel
00:30:05.
00:30:35.
00:31:05.
00:31:35.
00:32:05.
00:32:35.
00:33:05.
00:33:05.
00:33:05.
00:33:17I just ended the call when Lucas wrapped his arms around me from behind.
00:33:20He rested his chin on the side of my neck and said nothing.
00:33:23I laughed softly.
00:33:24What?
00:33:25Quinn, are you going back?
00:33:26Back where?
00:33:27Back home.
00:33:29Not right now.
00:33:30Eventually, maybe.
00:33:31It's not like I did anything I need to run from.
00:33:34My family's there.
00:33:35My apartment's there.
00:33:37I'm not staying away forever.
00:33:38Lucas went quiet again.
00:33:45I caught up.
00:33:46Are you asking if I'm going to get back together with Ethan?
00:33:48Are you?
00:33:49If I say absolutely not, do you believe me?
00:33:52He lowered his eyes, that sharp nose brushing the side of my face.
00:33:55I want to.
00:33:56Lucas, I have a face and a spine.
00:33:58Do you still have feelings for him?
00:33:59I thought about it honestly.
00:34:00If I said there's nothing left, that wouldn't be true.
00:34:04It's been a long time.
00:34:05Lucas bit down on my shoulder, lightly.
00:34:07Don't say anymore, Quinn.
00:34:09Let me finish.
00:34:10But to say I still miss him, or that I can't let go, that's not right either.
00:34:14I touched his face gently.
00:34:16Leaving him didn't destroy me.
00:34:18So maybe I stopped loving him a long time ago.
00:34:20Maybe the moment he started coasting on this relationship, I'd already started preparing for the end.
00:34:25I won't.
00:34:26Won't what?
00:34:26I won't get distracted.
00:34:28Won't play around.
00:34:29Won't make you cry or hurt you.
00:34:31He held me tighter and tighter, and then he kissed me.
00:34:33Quinn, be with me for real.
00:34:40But I didn't kiss him back.
00:34:42In the end, I gently pushed him away.
00:34:44Lucas, I'm sorry.
00:34:46Why are you sorry?
00:34:47He looked down at me, his eyes faintly red.
00:34:50It's my issue.
00:34:51I looked away.
00:34:52I don't want to be in a relationship right now.
00:34:54Then what have we been doing?
00:34:55Lucas gripped my shoulders, voice unsteady.
00:34:58Quinn, what am I to you?
00:35:00I squeezed my hands tight and breathed.
00:35:02Think of it as two people getting what they need.
00:35:05If you want, we can keep things as they are.
00:35:07If you meet someone you actually want, you can end this whenever.
00:35:10Getting what they need, like I'm a tool for you?
00:35:13You can see it that way.
00:35:14I wouldn't look at him, afraid I'd cry if I did.
00:35:17Lucas, I'm truly sorry.
00:35:19If this arrangement makes you uncomfortable, I'll leave Miami right away.
00:35:23I swear I'll never bother you again.
00:35:25Quinn.
00:35:26His eyes burned red.
00:35:27He let go, stepped back slowly.
00:35:29Something in his expression was broken, even as he tried to smile.
00:35:32Quinn, you can't do this to me.
00:35:35Lucas!
00:35:36He turned, picked up his coat, and walked toward the door.
00:35:39I took one step after him, then stopped.
00:35:41He made it all the way to the door, hand on the knob.
00:35:43And then he turned and looked back at me, even managed a reassuring smile.
00:35:47Sorry, I just need a little time alone.
00:35:49I nodded.
00:35:50Go ahead, I won't bother you.
00:35:51Quinn, give me some time.
00:35:53I'll get back to you.
00:35:55He left.
00:35:55I sank slowly onto the couch, all the energy gone from my body.
00:35:59I felt something I couldn't name.
00:36:00It hurt in a way that wasn't pain, exactly.
00:36:02But I knew, clearly, that I couldn't do it.
00:36:04Couldn't throw myself into love again.
00:36:06Not like that.
00:36:07Not without walls.
00:36:08Not a new beginning.
00:36:09I was scared.
00:36:09Scared it would end the same way.
00:36:11Two people watching each other with contempt.
00:36:13The warmth gone cold.
00:36:14The cold gone freezing.
00:36:15I didn't want to go around again.
00:36:17I just shouldn't have gotten Lucas involved.
00:36:18If I'd known from the start that he had feelings for me.
00:36:21I never would have let him drive me home that night.
00:36:45You're gonna blow him off the ground.
00:37:15It's theorest of life.
00:37:52It was past 3 a.m. when Lucas drove back to Quincy Town.
00:37:55He got out of the car but didn't go in.
00:37:57He leaned against the door and lit a cigarette.
00:37:59Countless windows glowing above him.
00:38:01He couldn't tell which one was hers.
00:38:02But knowing she was there.
00:38:03Knowing she was in the same city as him.
00:38:05Knowing that if he walked through those doors, in 10 minutes he'd see her.
00:38:08That was enough.
00:38:09Something like contentment.
00:38:10It hadn't taken him two days to figure it out.
00:38:12Quietly, he talked himself down.
00:38:14Quinn had just come out of something long and damaging.
00:38:16Not wanting to dive back into a relationship made complete sense.
00:38:19Being disappointed in men, in love, in the idea of marriage, made even more sense.
00:38:23Maybe he'd pushed too hard.
00:38:25He shouldn't have cornered her like that.
00:38:26If keeping things loose made her feel lighter, easier, he didn't need a label.
00:38:29What's worse than wanting someone and never having them?
00:38:32Maybe a year and a half ago, when he found out Quinn had moved in with him.
00:38:35That was when he genuinely decided to let go.
00:38:37So he'd tried the setups.
00:38:38Tried to meet someone new.
00:38:39Tried to move forward.
00:38:40Couldn't do it.
00:38:41Recognized that quickly.
00:38:42Cut it off.
00:38:42After that, no matter how much pressure came from his family, he never went back down
00:38:46that road.
00:38:47If Quinn hadn't left Ethan and come to Miami, if she hadn't invited him up that night,
00:38:50he probably would have stayed alone his whole life.
00:38:52Lucas stubbed out the cigarette.
00:38:54His eyes went still and settled.
00:38:55But Quinn did come to Miami.
00:38:56And she did ask him up.
00:38:58If the girl he'd loved for years came to him and he let her slip away anyway, then Lucas
00:39:01Shaw, you don't deserve the happiness you want.
00:39:12God bless you.
00:39:18You
00:39:48.
00:40:43The night before I was set to leave Miami, I went out for drinks with my best friend.
00:40:46So, how's things with Lucas?
00:40:48She looked me over.
00:40:50Look at you.
00:40:51That glow.
00:40:52Your skin's been absolutely luminous all week.
00:40:54He's been good for you.
00:40:56I should stop.
00:40:57I don't want a relationship.
00:40:58I don't want to get married.
00:40:59Quinn, why are you punishing yourself for someone else's mistakes?
00:41:02And it's not fair to Lucas either.
00:41:04The saying goes, one person plants the tree, another enjoys the shade.
00:41:06Fine.
00:41:07But that doesn't mean the person who planted the tree gets to leave a storm behind for the next one.
00:41:10Ethan was terrible.
00:41:11But Lucas is a good man.
00:41:13One worth something real.
00:41:13Why should Ethan's garbage keep you from giving Lucas a real chance?
00:41:17It's not that I'm biased against him.
00:41:20I just haven't gotten over the damage yet.
00:41:22You haven't gotten over the damage.
00:41:23Babe, Ethan spent seven years running you down and you don't even know it.
00:41:27You think you're not worth being loved?
00:41:29I stared at her.
00:41:29Was she right?
00:41:30The exhaustion of the back and forth.
00:41:32The constant anxiety.
00:41:33The feeling of never being enough.
00:41:35Never being secure.
00:41:36So now my guard was up against everyone.
00:41:38Against the whole world.
00:41:39Convinced that no one would ever love me without conditions.
00:41:41But why shouldn't I deserve that?
00:41:42The ones who waste your love.
00:41:43Let them choke on it.
00:41:44The ones who love honestly.
00:41:46The universe opens a window for them.
00:41:47Babe, do you know how incredible you are?
00:41:49My best friend pulled me in.
00:41:50Swayed gently.
00:41:51You're gorgeous.
00:41:52You have an amazing body.
00:41:53You were making your own money since sophomore year.
00:41:56Paid your own rent and practically kept me fed too.
00:41:58You're talented and driven and kind.
00:42:01If I were a man, I'd fight anyone to marry you.
00:42:03You deserve to be loved, Quinn.
00:42:05Genuinely loved.
00:42:06By the right person.
00:42:08Not ground down and wasted on someone like Ethan.
00:42:11Trust me on this.
00:42:12He will regret it.
00:42:13For the rest of his life, he won't be able to shake losing you.
00:42:16Now, call Lucas.
00:42:17And cancel your flight home.
00:42:18Don't think I don't know you already rebooked it.
00:42:20My eyes were getting hot.
00:42:21But what if Lucas and I end up in the same place?
00:42:24What if it ends the same way?
00:42:25It won't.
00:42:26How do you know?
00:42:27Because a man with that kind of self-control,
00:42:28who's never settled for less,
00:42:29will not be stupid enough to throw away the girl he actually chose.
00:42:32He's not Ethan.
00:42:33I shook my head.
00:42:34He wasn't.
00:42:35He really wasn't.
00:42:36So, call him.
00:42:37You have no idea how happy it'll make him.
00:43:06I thought Lucas would be happy.
00:43:08I didn't think a man in his late 20s, running a company,
00:43:10could be that happy over a phone call.
00:43:12Like a kid on Christmas morning.
00:43:14My best friend beamed at me.
00:43:15Quinn?
00:43:16Happy?
00:43:17I nodded slowly.
00:43:17I think, yeah.
00:43:19Really happy.
00:43:20See?
00:43:20You're happy.
00:43:22Lucas is happier.
00:43:23What else is there to figure out?
00:43:24Then she laughed.
00:43:25Honestly?
00:43:26I just keep thinking about how miserable Ethan's going to be.
00:43:29That alone puts me in a great mood.
00:43:31Who knows?
00:43:32He's probably already moved on.
00:43:34I smiled faintly.
00:43:35Let's stop talking about him.
00:43:36In that moment, I could say it with no weight at all.
00:43:39Like he was just a name.
00:43:40Someone with no claim on me anymore.
00:43:42Lucas' car pulled up downstairs just as I stepped out of the bar.
00:43:45He stood in the night air with his arms open.
00:43:47I stopped and looked at him.
00:43:48Honestly, he was striking.
00:43:50Every feature exactly what I'd want.
00:43:52Men can like whoever they want.
00:43:53Overlap if they choose.
00:43:54The world hardly blinks.
00:43:56So why can't I, after a real ending, start something new?
00:43:59I walked toward him.
00:44:00He walked toward me.
00:44:01People moved around us.
00:44:02We kissed like no one was watching.
00:44:03His heart was pounding so fast.
00:44:05I reached up and touched the back of his neck.
00:44:07Burning hot.
00:44:08He was still warm when I pressed my forehead to his.
00:44:10Slightly breathless.
00:44:12Voiceless.
00:44:12Quinn, do I have a fever?
00:44:14Maybe.
00:44:16Too much touching and this happens?
00:44:18I laughed and kissed under his chin.
00:44:19Maybe more of this and you'll be cured?
00:44:22His ears went redder.
00:44:23He cupped my face, eyes open and searching.
00:44:25Quinn, what am I to you right now?
00:44:28I teased him.
00:44:28What do you think?
00:44:30A hugger or a boyfriend?
00:44:31He asked.
00:44:32Then immediately shook his head, pressing his face into my neck.
00:44:34Never mind.
00:44:35I don't want to know right now.
00:44:36I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer.
00:44:38You sure you don't want to know?
00:44:40Boyfriend.
00:44:55That's right.
00:45:08I just threw her back…
00:45:09You're a liar.
00:45:09I'm a girl.
00:45:09I thought you went to my house.
00:45:09She's a girl.
00:45:09I'm a girl.
00:45:10I loved her.
00:45:12I'm a girl.
00:45:12.
00:46:07Ethan's car stopped at the mouth of an alley.
00:46:09He got out and walked into the narrow street on the front.
00:46:11At the end of it lived an old tailor.
00:46:13His family had been in the trade for generations.
00:46:15Old world craft.
00:46:16Long retired.
00:46:17No longer taking clients.
00:46:19But Ethan had ways of getting to him.
00:46:20Quinn's shredded wedding dress had been brought here two weeks ago.
00:46:23Today it was nearly finished.
00:46:24He walked and thought.
00:46:25Ryan had been right.
00:46:26Every girl dreams of wearing a dress and marrying the person she loves.
00:46:29Seven years together and he'd never once thought about proposing.
00:46:32He'd never imagined Quinn would have thought about proposing to him.
00:46:34He'd been a wreck these past weeks.
00:46:36He knew it.
00:46:37But the other women had never meant anything.
00:46:38A moment's impulse.
00:46:39Nothing more.
00:46:40Even Mia, the one who'd actually triggered Quinn walking out.
00:46:43She lasted three days before he was already over it.
00:46:45He kept thinking about Quinn.
00:46:46Seven years had made him lazy, complacent.
00:46:48He'd taken it all for granted.
00:46:49But some people are like the air.
00:46:51You don't notice until they're gone.
00:46:52Since Quinn left, he couldn't focus on anything.
00:46:54He'd be with his friends and she'd be in the back of his mind the whole time.
00:46:57Especially when he drank.
00:46:58If Quinn were there, she'd fake scold him and try to slow him down.
00:47:01And if she couldn't stop him, she'd be up at 3am making soup.
00:47:03Letting him put his head in her lap.
00:47:05Rubbing his temples with her hands.
00:47:06Her fingers were soft.
00:47:07The little complaints she'd mutter.
00:47:09The way she'd fuss over him.
00:47:10It had annoyed him back then.
00:47:11Now he'd give anything to hear it again.
00:47:13This time, when Quinn came home, he'd propose.
00:47:15He'd always known how much she wanted to marry him.
00:47:17Give her that and she'd feel safe.
00:47:18She'd forgive him.
00:47:19She would.
00:47:38To be filled with her
00:47:38simply, she'd Frau.
00:47:38whom she couldn't talk and she loved now.
00:48:05No doubt.
00:48:05Nobody could do anything.
00:48:05She'd marry her man.
00:48:05The first person will look at something without all-
00:48:05Hope she can't grow up.
00:48:06Fake Rosenberg.ч
00:48:06.
00:48:36.
00:49:06.
00:49:37.
00:49:38.
00:49:38.
00:49:38.
00:49:48.
00:50:00The old man's work was remarkable.
00:50:02The dress looked almost exactly as it had before.
00:50:04Ethan paid him and was heading out when his phone rang.
00:50:06His pulse spiked slightly until he saw Ryan's name on the screen.
00:50:09His heart slowed back down.
00:50:10Ethan, there's something I need to tell you.
00:50:12Wanted to think it over first.
00:50:14Go ahead.
00:50:15Just don't freak out, okay?
00:50:16It's probably just rumors.
00:50:17Could be nothing at all.
00:50:19What is it?
00:50:20It's about Quinn.
00:50:21Actually, forget it.
00:50:22I'm probably 80% sure it's someone making stuff up.
00:50:24Ryan, since when do you talk like this?
00:50:26What happened to Quinn?
00:50:28Did she come back?
00:50:29Ethan.
00:50:29Ryan suddenly felt sick.
00:50:31Of all the rumors that could have gotten out,
00:50:32why did it have to be Lucas Shaw?
00:50:34Ethan had been at each other's throats with Lucas for years.
00:50:36Two years ago, they'd gone head to head over a major contract.
00:50:39Ethan's company lost.
00:50:40First time he'd ever tasted defeat.
00:50:41It had poisoned what was already a tense relationship into something close to hatred.
00:50:45I said, don't freak out.
00:50:46This is all second hand, there's no confirmation.
00:50:48Someone spotted Quinn in Miami.
00:50:50Ethan's grip on the phone tightened.
00:50:51His voice stayed controlled, barely.
00:50:53So she's in Miami.
00:50:54So what?
00:50:54She was with Lucas Shaw.
00:50:56Could just be dinner?
00:50:57Probably nothing.
00:50:58Got it.
00:50:58Ethan.
00:50:59Nothing else?
00:50:59I'm hanging up.
00:51:00The call cut off.
00:51:01Ethan stood in the narrow street, shopping bag in hand,
00:51:04the bag holding the dress Quinn had bought.
00:51:05He walked, step by step, through the cold of early winter,
00:51:08all the way to the mouth of the alley, back to his car.
00:51:10He stopped.
00:51:11A quiet smile crossed his face, slow, faint,
00:51:13laced with something sharp and bitter.
00:51:15And then, without hesitation,
00:51:17he dropped the elegant shopping bag into the trash can at the curb.
00:51:39I don't believe it was such a place to take him off.
00:51:40He was looking for a couple of turns,
00:51:40but he was speaking for a couple of days.
00:51:40It was surprising to me,
00:51:40but he had the same way to the house of my job.
00:51:40He was speaking for a couple of days,
00:51:40and there was a very honest message from the owner.
00:51:40I know it's listening until the home of the world.
00:51:40I mean, he's been preparing for a couple of days.
00:51:40He was taking a couple of days and then,
00:51:41and he said what does that mean?
00:51:41He said, of course,
00:51:50and I said,
00:51:51and you're asking me about people,
00:51:59how are you going for a person?
00:51:59.
00:52:29.
00:52:59.
00:53:29.
00:53:59.
00:54:29.
00:54:32.
00:54:32The second month after Quinn left, Ethan sent her a text.
00:54:34It went through, no response.
00:54:36The message read,
00:54:37Thinking about selling the apartment, what do you want to do with your clothes?
00:54:39Maybe he forgot she'd left a note saying to deal with everything herself.
00:54:42Dispose of it all however he liked.
00:54:44Or maybe it was intentional, an excuse to reach out.
00:54:47Maybe Ethan told himself he was giving her a way back in.
00:54:49She was smart, she'd know to take the out.
00:54:51His temper looked bad but he wasn't that hard to deal with.
00:54:53Quinn never replied, the apartment didn't sell.
00:54:55Her clothes and everything else stayed exactly as they were,
00:54:58like she'd never left.
00:54:59Ethan came back late nights after going out,
00:55:01lay down in her bed, stared at the ceiling until almost dawn.
00:55:04The third month after she left, same as always, late and still.
00:55:07When the clock hands crept toward midnight, Ethan dialed her number.
00:55:21The second month after Quinn left,
00:55:27Quinn had been careful, quiet.
00:55:28A good girl in the old fashioned sense.
00:55:30Her family was ordinary but comfortable.
00:55:32Her parents adored her.
00:55:33And because she'd been beautiful since she was young,
00:55:35they'd kept a close eye on her.
00:55:36It wasn't until the fall after graduation that Quinn moved in with Ethan.
00:55:39He still remembered that night.
00:55:40She'd been shaking from head to toe.
00:55:42Her skin flushed everywhere, a deep burning pink.
00:55:44She was breathtaking.
00:55:46Fragile beneath him in a way that made his chest ache.
00:55:48When it was over, she cried for a long time.
00:55:50Over and over, she said,
00:55:51Ethan, you're not allowed to hurt me.
00:55:53Not now.
00:55:54Not ever.
00:55:55You have to be good to me.
00:55:56You have to marry me.
00:55:58Ethan, we're gonna be together forever.
00:56:01Right?
00:56:01The girl who'd believed all of that.
00:56:03Who'd trusted with her whole self that she'd end up with the man she loved.
00:56:05He'd lost her a long time ago.
00:56:07Long enough that he couldn't even recall.
00:56:09The last time they'd said goodbye.
00:56:10What had her face looked like?
00:56:11Did she smile and nod?
00:56:12Or did her eyes go red?
00:56:14The phone rang for a while.
00:56:15He'd almost given up.
00:56:16Then it connected.
00:56:16In that moment, what he wanted to say was,
00:56:18Quinn, come home.
00:56:19But what came out of his mouth was,
00:56:21Quinn, you've made your point.
00:56:23Come home.
00:56:24His pathetic, idiotic words were cut off by a man's low laugh.
00:56:27That laugh landed like cold concrete.
00:56:29Ethan went rigid, like he'd been encased in ice and couldn't move.
00:56:32Ethan, you snooze, you lose.
00:56:35Can't let a girl stew overnight or someone else steps in.
00:56:39Lucas Shaw?
00:56:40Ethan said the name through clenched teeth, blood rushing into his eyes.
00:56:43It's me.
00:56:44Put Quinn on!
00:56:45Now!
00:56:46His eyes looked flooded.
00:56:48He gripped the phone, voice shaking low.
00:56:50Lucas, if you took advantage of-
00:56:52She'd come to the phone.
00:56:53Lucas lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to his girl's temple.
00:56:56Quinn's lashes were still wet, her mouth in a small pout.
00:56:59Eyes closed, but everything on her face said one thing.
00:57:02I was hurt.
00:57:02His chest clenched.
00:57:03He kissed the corner of her eye, drew away the tear that sat there.
00:57:06She's asleep, upset with me.
00:57:08I have to kiss her awake first.
00:57:09Lucas!
00:57:10Ethan's voice went dead silent.
00:57:12Lucas ended the call, turned off his phone.
00:57:14He brought his lips down to Quinn's, softly.
00:57:16Hey.
00:57:17Wake up.
00:57:55I thought about what it would be like to see Ethan again.
00:57:58He came from money, and he knew it.
00:57:59Pride ran deep in him.
00:58:00We'd ended things without a scene.
00:58:02If we ever crossed paths, he'd probably look right through me.
00:58:04Or we'd exchange a polite, meaningless smile.
00:58:07My family was in the city.
00:58:08We had mutual friends.
00:58:09It wasn't realistic to think we'd never be in the same room again.
00:58:11But I never expected that.
00:58:13Never expected to see him come undone like that.
00:58:15The day it happened, I'd slept well and woken up in a good mood.
00:58:18I was wearing a new blush pink cashmere dress.
00:58:20Makeup done.
00:58:20Feeling like myself again.
00:58:22Warm and whole.
00:58:23Like a ripe peach in September.
00:58:24I had my hand tucked in Lucas's arm.
00:58:26We were laughing about something as we pushed through the revolving door.
00:58:28And there was Ethan, stepping out of a car.
00:58:30I stopped.
00:58:31My feet stopped with me.
00:58:32Lucas's warm fingers closed around mine.
00:58:34Ethan's shirt was wrinkled.
00:58:35No tie.
00:58:36The exhaustion on his face was plain.
00:58:37His brow heavy.
00:58:38The whites of his eyes shot through with red.
00:58:40People moved past us on both sides.
00:58:42A fountain not far off played something cheerful.
00:58:44The whole moment felt like a slow motion shot from a movie.
00:58:47Except I wasn't watching.
00:58:48I was in it.
00:58:48Ethan looked more undone than I'd ever seen him.
00:58:51Lucas moved instinctively, stepping slightly in front of me.
00:58:53But Ethan's expression was perfectly calm.
00:58:55He said my name the way he used to, back when things were good.
00:58:58Soft.
00:58:58Warm.
00:59:00I stood there and didn't move.
00:59:01The music from the fountain kept playing.
00:59:03And yet something in me ached.
00:59:04Quietly.
00:59:05I didn't quite know why.
00:59:06Maybe for the girl who'd overheard those words that night.
00:59:08Maybe for the girl who'd gotten a breakup handed to her without warning.
00:59:11Maybe most of all for the girl who'd loved foolishly for 7 years.
00:59:14And let go in 7 days.
00:59:15Quinn.
00:59:16I came to bring you home.
00:59:17He hadn't looked at Lucas once.
00:59:19His eyes were on my face.
00:59:20And they were soft in a way I'd almost forgotten.
00:59:22I couldn't even remember the last time he'd looked at me like that before we fell apart.
00:59:25He stopped about a meter in front of me.
00:59:27Quinn.
00:59:27Quinn.
00:59:28Come home.
00:59:29We get married.
00:59:31We do it right this time.
00:59:32He meant every word.
00:59:33He was so serious I almost let myself believe.
00:59:35That the Ethan who'd said he was giving another girl something real had been a figment of my imagination.
00:59:39But it was too late Ethan.
00:59:40A broken heart doesn't reassemble itself.
00:59:42And the new one that had grown up from the wreckage.
00:59:44It already belonged to someone else.
00:59:49It was too late.
00:59:49It was too late.
00:59:50It was too late.
00:59:51It was too late.
00:59:53It was too late.
00:59:55It was too late.
00:59:56It was too late.
00:59:57It was too late.
00:59:58It was too late.
00:59:58It was too late.
00:59:59It was too late.
00:59:59It was too late.
01:00:00It was too late.
01:00:00It was too late.
01:00:02It was too late.
01:00:02.
01:00:32.
01:01:02.
01:01:32.
01:02:02.
01:02:32.
01:03:02.
01:03:32.
01:03:33.
01:03:33.
01:03:34.
01:03:36.
01:03:39.
01:03:41.
01:03:42.
01:03:42.
01:03:42.
01:03:44.
01:03:45.
01:03:49.
01:03:51.
01:03:51.
01:03:52.
01:03:52.
01:03:53.
01:03:55.
01:03:56.
01:03:59.
01:04:00.
01:04:02.
01:04:02.
01:04:02.
01:04:02.
01:04:02.
01:04:02.
01:04:11.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:12.
01:04:24.
01:04:24.
01:04:25.
01:04:25.
01:04:25.
01:04:25.
01:04:25.
01:04:26.
01:04:26.
01:04:26.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:27.
01:04:28.
01:04:28.
01:04:28.
01:04:28.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:29.
01:04:30.
01:04:30.
01:04:30.
01:04:30.
01:04:31.
01:04:32.
01:04:32.
01:04:32.
01:04:32.
01:04:32.
01:04:33.
01:04:34.
01:04:34.
01:04:35.
01:04:35.
01:04:36.
01:04:37.
01:04:37.
01:04:37.
01:04:37i had a custom ring made i mean this his eyes were getting redder his voice had the faintest
01:04:42tremor he held out a small velvet box held it out to me like an offering everything in his face
01:04:47was
01:04:47careful hoping terrified looking at him i couldn't pretend it didn't hurt at all but it was only that
01:04:52just a little hurt ethan i have a boyfriend i tightened my hand around lucas's and stepped
01:04:57out from behind him to stand beside him shoulder to shoulder the color drained out of ethan's face
01:05:02in an instant his gaze dropped slowly and stopped on our intertwined fingers the matching bands on
01:05:07our ring fingers just like it had been with us once quinn are you serious i took a breath turned
01:05:13to look at lucas and nodded yes completely serious ethan laughed softly just once you think he's
01:05:19serious about you you think you know how much of this is real two years ago he fought me tooth
01:05:24and
01:05:24nail over a deal and now he's going after you quinn don't you think there's something in that
01:05:28some other motive can he honestly say he's pursuing you with absolutely nothing to prove
01:05:32to me quinn you've always been too trusting all men are the same in the end you were with me
01:05:36for
01:05:37seven years you know how much happened between us you think lucas won't care you think it won't
01:05:41matter to him in the end you think he's actually gonna stay that you'll get your happy ending with
01:05:44him aren't you afraid that being with him just leads you to another seven years exactly like this one
01:05:52i shook my head gently ethan please go quinn i never touched mia three days and i ended it
01:06:00the dress you bought i had it repaired
01:06:07the fountain music stopped ethan stopped a silence settled over me then came the smallest sound like
01:06:12something very fine and thin quietly breaking and after that sound relief lightness whatever last
01:06:18piece of grief i'd been carrying was gone nothing left to lose now it's just such a waste i thought
01:06:23why does living always come with things you regret before today i didn't regret loving ethan good or
01:06:27bad it was mine it happened but in this moment i couldn't help grieving it seven years and i'd never
01:06:32seen clearly ethan at his core had never really looked at me not the way i deserved to be seen
01:06:37lucas
01:06:37pulled me into his arms his eyes full of something pained i was a little pale but i smiled and
01:06:42shook my
01:06:42head i'm okay come on wait by the car i've got this i want to be here with you i
01:06:47held his hand and
01:06:48wouldn't let go lucas looked at me for a long moment then bowed his head and kissed me hard
01:06:52quinn everything i've ever done i've done with a clear conscience no regrets but right now right
01:06:58now i genuinely regret not taking you from him when i had the chance what gives you the right
01:07:02ethan cut in going after someone when they're at their lowest what kind of man does that make you
01:07:06lucas ethan you didn't deserve a single year of what quinn gave you not one maybe those words
01:07:11finally broke something in ethan he lost control in a way he never had before words he'd never have
01:07:15said otherwise oh yeah and you lucas you go after a woman who spent seven years with me what right
01:07:23do you have to stand there and lecture me tell me the truth do you actually love quinn or do
01:07:27you love
01:07:28the idea of having something that was mine
01:07:38lucas put his fist through ethan's face ethan wasn't one to absorb him he came back sweating
01:07:42they went at each other until both of them were marked up split and bruised security rushed over
01:07:47finally managed to get between them the two men stood there breathing hard still glaring at each
01:07:51other not giving an inch can we stop now i was furious and scared and my voice broke a little
01:07:57quinn
01:07:57ethan's face was cold you saw it lucas threw the first punch i'm not letting this go yes he did
01:08:04mr harlow i'll have him apologize to you whatever you want to do next we'll cooperate quinn he said
01:08:09it first lucas started immediately i pressed my hand lightly over his then turned back calm
01:08:14mr harlow i'll apologize on his behalf you're defending him just like that ethan stepped toward
01:08:20me slowly he hit me quinn what would you like us to do about it quinn i'm hurt he gestured
01:08:25at his
01:08:25face you can see this right this really hurts i looked at it we'll call you an ambulance we'll
01:08:31cover everything you know that's not what i want he reached for my arm i stepped back quinn
01:08:35everything ethan had been holding up cracked all at once the way he looked at me loss bare and
01:08:40unguarded but my chest was still and quiet genuinely still lucas made a sharp sound quinn am i
01:08:45gonna be scarred i turned fast his lip was split his eye was swelling his jaw had blood on it
01:08:50and it
01:08:50looked worse than it was i reached into my bag for a tissue and started cleaning it ow quinn gently
01:08:55gently he winced and grimaced dramatically serves you right i said quietly but i was careful you're
01:09:00going to need stitches then come with me i pass out around needles i gave him a look but i
01:09:05nodded
01:09:05lucas immediately pulled me into a hug and i need you to kiss it right here it's killing me i
01:09:11rose
01:09:11slowly on my toes and pressed my lips gently right to the wound
01:09:37ethan didn't say anything more the late son stretched his shadow long and quiet behind him
01:09:41maybe it was the moment quinn dabbed at lucas's face maybe it was the moment she kissed him there
01:09:46softly that was when ethan finally understood it quinn did not love him anymore what vera had asked
01:09:51that night had turned out to be true quinn was not coming back to him he thought he was the
01:09:55one who
01:09:55could walk away from seven years easily he thought he was the one who'd always held the upper hand
01:09:59he thought he was always going to come out ahead but standing here now he understood the one who
01:10:03couldn't let go was him quinn had been the string that held the kite to the sky the string snapped
01:10:07and the kite lost its way it was never going to find home again
01:10:19you
01:10:22you
01:10:54I watched Ethan turn and walk back to his car.
01:10:57I watched that solitary figure disappear.
01:10:59The sun at dusk slid below the horizon all at once.
01:11:01The sky shifted to a pale, soft blue.
01:11:03His car pulled away and got smaller.
01:11:05I felt like I could see it.
01:11:06All seven years, from 17 to 24, rushing away with that car.
01:11:10Gone.
01:11:10From this day on, I knew.
01:11:12His name would be like any ordinary name in the world.
01:11:15I wouldn't try to forget it.
01:11:16I just wouldn't think of it on my own.
01:11:18Quinn.
01:11:18Lucas wrapped me in his arms quietly.
01:11:20I turned and looked up at him, smiling lightly.
01:11:22Let's go.
01:11:24Hospital.
Comments