- 24 minutes ago
- #glowup
Exposing her cheating ex-husband right at a grand gala, a newly wealthy billionaire heiress takes absolute corporate control. #GlowUp
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Short filmTranscript
00:00In years, from dating to marriage, to others, he was the perfect husband, successful, loving,
00:06and devoted to his family. Yet even this perfect husband still cheated. That night, Xavier came
00:13home drunk, roughly pulled off my nightgown, and pressed me onto the bed, kissing me passionately.
00:21We hadn't been intimate for a long time. Since the company went public, he rarely even came home.
00:28His sudden intensity caught me off guard, but just as I was about to reach my keep, he tightened
00:34his embrace and called out another woman's name.
00:37Lily.
00:38My mind went blank. Xavier froze instantly. He rolled off me and sat on the edge of the
00:44bed, his back turned. After a long silence, he stubbed out his last cigarette.
00:54Lena, let's get a divorce. Lily doesn't care about my money. She just wants a name. I have
01:03to give it to her.
01:05When did it start?
01:06Two years ago, during that business trip abroad.
01:08I remembered that trip. Xavier had gone to save a major deal. The company was in crisis,
01:13and he was under immense pressure. That night, I was feeling really down. Lily turdently showed
01:19up at my hotel room door. She was drouched from the rain. Looking like a lost, pitiful
01:25little rabbit, she threw herself into my arms.
01:28What was I doing that night? Xavier's mother had slipped and broken her leg in the shower,
01:35landing in the emergency room.
01:37I'd rushed our daughter, Ivy, to my mom's place and hurried to the hospital. Not wanting
01:44to worry, Xavier, I kept it from him. I even found time to send him a message. I told him,
01:50don't lose hope. No matter what, Ivy and I will always be by your side. Worst case, we
01:55can sell the house to cover the costs. As long as our family is together, that's all that
01:59matters. It was the first time Xavier hadn't replied to my message. I naively thought he
02:13was just tired and had fallen asleep. Two years. Xavier had hidden it so well. Just last month,
02:21we celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. In front of our whole family, he handed me a
02:27bouquet of roses and a beautiful gemstone bracelet, gently calling me baby and thanking me for all
02:33my care over the years. My mom even snapped a photo of that moment. That picture is still
02:39pinned at the top of my Instagram. Xavier, if you weren't a billionaire CEO, would she still want you?
02:49Lena, I know you love me, but Lily isn't after my money. For two years, she's had no status,
02:57endured so much pain. I can't let her down anymore. So you're choosing to let me down.
03:05Xavier, did you forget? On our wedding day, you cried and swore you'd be good to me for the rest
03:12of your life. Lena, we were too young back then. We mistook youthful passion for love.
03:20It wasn't until I met Lily that I truly understood what love is.
03:26Suddenly, Xavier's phone on the night bend rang. In the silence, I heard a sweet and pitiful voice on
03:33the other end. Xavier, I know I shouldn't call you when you're home, but it's thundering outside and I'm
03:39really scared. It's okay. I've already told Lena everything. Be a good girl and get under the
03:46covers. I'll come to you tonight. In a city like the New York, where every inch of land is worth
03:54a
03:54fortune. We once struggled in a cramped basement under 200 square feet. We lived there for three
04:01years. No heat in winter. No AC in summer. Cockroaches would crawl over our arms in the
04:08middle of the night. I thought love could conquer anything, but it turns out that love isn't enough
04:13after all. At 2 a.m., I sat in Xavier's study. I scrolled through his dense chat logs with Lily.
04:26There were a staggering 26,893 messages.
04:36Dad, Xavier cheated. I'm getting a divorce. Please withdraw the money you invested in his company.
04:42Xavier never knew. When his company was on the brink of bankruptcy, it was my father who invested as
04:48a silent partner to save it. My parents divorced when I was very young. I stayed in the country with
04:54my mom and only reconnected with my dad a few years ago, learning he'd built a successful company
04:58abroad. To secure that investment for Xavier, I flew overseas and endured my stepmother's cold
05:05stares and harsh treatment. Her son squirted water in my face with a water gun. I had to bear
05:12it. She made me massage her legs and pour her footbath water. I forced a smile. Even at the dinner
05:22table, when she called me a beggar and cursed me as bad luck, I pretended not to understand.
05:29My father favored sons over daughters, but because he felt guilty towards me, he agreed to help
05:35Xavier. And since my mother hated him deeply, I never dared mention it.
05:41Xavier, meanwhile, believed his own brilliance had attracted the investor.
05:47Knowing his pride, I never corrected him. The next day, curious about what Lily looked like,
05:54I went to the cafe across from Xavier's company. Finally, in the evening, Xavier emerged, followed by a
06:01young, beautiful girl with a sweet smile.
06:08I hailed a taxi and followed his car. It drove into a newly built villa district by the river.
06:16The area was quiet, with only one villa lit up.
06:31Through the gap, I watched them cling to each other. Xavier's eyes burned with desire,
06:38fixed on her as if he wanted to devour her whole. Nothing like the indifference he showed me.
06:52I raised my phone, zoomed in, took multiple photos and recorded a video. Evidence was far
07:00more useful than tears or rage. You can't appeal to the conscience of a cheating man. The withdrawal
07:07of funds needed time to process. After returning home and putting Ivy to sleep,
07:18I texted Xavier. Told him, I agree to divorce, but wait until after Ivy's fifth birthday next month.
07:26But I didn't expect Xavier, usually so composed, to be this impatient. After I agreed to divorce,
07:35he actually showed up with Lily at a mutual friend's birthday party, and he knew full well I'd be
07:40there. I arrived late due to traffic jam. Standing outside the private room, I heard Xavier's friend
07:46Sean urging him. Seriously, Xavier, you're playing for real? The girls like her aren't simple. Don't
07:53let that pretty face fool you. Lena stuck with you through the hardest times. She's the real deal,
07:59someone who truly wanted a life with you. Sean, I know you mean well, but Lily isn't the kind of
08:13girl
08:14you think she is. She's pure, like a blank sheet of paper. I admit Lena is a good woman, but
08:24even a goddess grows
08:25dull after 10 years. I can't get it up for her anymore. He thinks all I care about now are
08:33household chores,
08:35nagging him every day, don't eat cold food, don't drink too much, quit smoking. He feels this unchanging
08:42life is like stagnant water. He even dreams of escaping it. But Lily is different. She'll play with me on
08:50the beach,
08:51demand kisses on snowy streets, pull me into puddles when it rains. With her, I'm not Ivy's dad, not Lena's
08:59husband, not my parents' son. I'm just Xavier, free to be reckless. Sean, hearing this, told him to be
09:08realistic, explaining that romance is for dating. Marriage is all about the messy details. Mark my words,
09:15you'll regret losing Lena. Relax. Regret isn't in my vocabulary. All these years, I've been the one
09:23earning money, paying for everything Lena wears and eats. Without me, she wouldn't get to enjoy any of
09:30this. I haven't treated her badly. Now it's time I live for myself.
09:46Happy birthday, Ada. Ada, Sean's wife, was a bold, straightforward woman. All wives despise the other
09:54woman. So during dinner, she deliberately provoked Lily to defend me. Hey, new girl. There's a rule in our
10:02circle. First timers at the table toast everyone. Start with Lena. Tonight was the first time I
10:15really looked at her. A soft pink dress, hair cascading gently over her shoulders, fragile and
10:22innocent. I... I don't drink. First time's awkward. Second time's easy. You've already slept your way
10:36into Xavier's bed. We'll be seeing plenty of each other. Lily's face paled, as if deeply wronged.
10:43Xavier couldn't sit still any longer. He told Ada to stop a bullying Lily and drank on her behalf.
10:53Oh, protecting her already.
10:57Xavier, you're so good at caring for others. How about caring for your own wife?
11:05Ada, this is my family matter. Stay out of it.
11:09Family matter. Defending your mistress in front of everyone is a family matter.
11:17Xavier, have you no shame? The table fell dead silent. Some pretended to sip their drinks.
11:23Others stole glances at me, waiting for my reaction.
11:27I'm sorry, Xavier. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone.
11:43Lily!
11:45Lily!
11:53I walked into the restroom, where I unexpectedly ran into Lily, now calmed down by Xavier.
11:59Without Xavier around, Lily dropped her fragile act.
12:04Lena, did you put Ada up to humiliating me?
12:10Was that really necessary?
12:16You're jealous of me.
12:22Jealous of what?
12:25Jealous that you're young and chose to be a homewrecker?
12:28Or jealous that you're picking up the man I no longer want?
12:31Stop pretending, Lena!
12:33Xavier doesn't love you anymore!
12:35He loves me!
12:36Bullying me will only make him despise you more!
12:40Poor girl.
12:41Let me tell you something.
12:43Xavier is at fault,
12:45and I'll make him leave with nothing.
12:46When that time comes,
12:48the house, the money, and my daughter will all be mine.
12:53Tell me,
12:55what use is his love to me?
12:57Dream on, Lena.
12:59You haven't worked in years!
13:01All the money in that house was earned by Xavier alone!
13:07Why should you get him to go?
13:08You won't lay a finger on Xavier or his money.
13:11I'm curious.
13:14When Xavier truly has nothing left,
13:17will you still love him?
13:21I will.
13:27Oh, then I'll be watching with interest.
13:32Bye-bye!
13:35In the hallway, I bumped into Xavier.
13:38He immediately launched into accusations.
13:41Lena!
13:42Why did you tell Ada to arm it Lily?
13:45I never realized you could be so vicious.
13:48I only brought Lily tonight
13:50because you agreed to the divorce!
13:52I'm the one who cheated,
13:53I'm the one who wronged you.
13:54If you're angry, take it out on me!
13:58Lily's just a young girl.
14:00How could she handle being humiliated like that
14:02by you and Ada?
14:05Just then,
14:06Lily emerged from the restroom.
14:08Spotting Xavier,
14:08she flung herself into his arms
14:11like a startled fawn.
14:14Xavier,
14:15it's okay if I'm hurt a little.
14:18Please,
14:20don't make things hard for Lena
14:22because of me.
14:23I'm begging you.
14:26You always put yourself last,
14:28thinking only of me.
14:34I won't let you bear this alone anymore.
14:39Hearing you say that...
14:45I could die without regrets.
14:47I never expected Xavier could be this stupid.
14:51Can't wait to see the look on his face
14:53when he loses everything.
14:56Lily,
14:57you can dream of being a rich wife all you want,
15:02but it's never going to happen.
15:09I got home around 10 p.m.
15:12Ivy was asleep.
15:13My mom was dozing on the living room sofa,
15:16exhausted.
15:21Xavier didn't come back again.
15:23It's so late.
15:25He's fine with you alone?
15:27Lena,
15:28I'm telling you,
15:29you need to pay attention.
15:31Girls these days
15:32are all eyeing successful
15:3430-something men like Xavier.
15:36Don't let someone sneak in
15:38without you knowing.
15:39You have to work on your marriage.
15:42My mom hated affairs
15:43more than anything.
15:44They divorced when I was six.
15:46I still remember her
15:47clinging to his leg,
15:49screaming and begging him
15:50not to leave.
15:51He walked away without looking back.
15:53Since then,
15:54she's told everyone
15:55my dad was dead.
15:57Even Xavier believed it.
15:58I didn't know how to tell her
15:59about the divorce.
16:00Just looking at her
16:02made me feel crushed.
16:04What's wrong, sweetheart?
16:05What happened?
16:08Mom,
16:10Xavier and I
16:11are getting a divorce.
16:16He cheated.
16:18What did I tell you?
16:20I knew something was wrong
16:21with him always being out.
16:24I told you to watch out,
16:25but you insisted
16:26he wasn't like that.
16:28And now look,
16:30you're 30 with a child.
16:32Who's going to want you
16:33after a divorce?
16:35Wait.
16:36Lena,
16:36you are not getting a divorce.
16:40Hear me.
16:41I'll handle this.
16:42The next day,
16:44Xavier never expected
16:46my mother to show up
16:47at his office.
16:47The usually fiery woman
16:49stood too timidly
16:51before him,
16:51her eyes leading
16:53in a way
16:53he'd never seen.
16:55Xavier,
16:56you know Lena's
16:57had a hard life.
16:59Her father died young.
17:02I raised her alone
17:04and she suffered
17:06so much with me.
17:07Then she married you
17:09and I thought
17:10she'd finally
17:11have a good life.
17:12But now,
17:13how can you divorce?
17:15Mum,
17:16I know you care about Lena,
17:18but you can't force feelings.
17:26There's no love left between us.
17:30No love.
17:33When you had nothing,
17:35why didn't you say
17:37there was no love?
17:39Back then,
17:41you knelt in front of me
17:42and swore you'd be good
17:44to Lena forever.
17:47Now that you're successful,
17:49suddenly there's no love.
17:51Mum,
17:53I've wronged Lena
17:54and I've wronged you,
17:55but I promise
17:57I'll compensate her.
18:01Does Lena want your money?
18:03Do you know how much
18:04she sacrificed for you?
18:06When you started your business,
18:07she stayed up every night
18:09organizing your files,
18:10went to your meetings,
18:13drank until her stomach bled
18:14and never complained.
18:16Now that you've made it,
18:18you're throwing her away?
18:21Xavier,
18:21are you even human?
18:25Mom,
18:26I know Lena gave a lot for me.
18:27I'm grateful.
18:30But between us,
18:33it's over.
18:35Suddenly,
18:36my mother dropped
18:37to her knees with a thud.
18:52Mom,
18:52don't do this.
18:55Get up.
18:57Even one day
18:58is husband and wife
19:00a hundred days
19:01are meant to function.
19:02Just take pity on Lena.
19:08And Ivy is only five.
19:11How can you bear
19:12to let her lose her father?
19:17I...
19:28Xavier,
19:29I just left the hospital.
19:31The test results are positive.
19:32I'm really pregnant.
19:34Xavier,
19:35you're amazing.
19:36I'm going to be a mom.
19:38I'm so touched,
19:39I want to cry.
19:43Mom,
19:43I can't promise you that.
19:55Xavier,
19:56you'll get what's coming to you.
20:06Ivy's birthday night arrived.
20:08I promised her long ago
20:10she could invite
20:11her kindergarten friends over.
20:15And that both mommy and dad
20:16would be there.
20:18Before the party,
20:19I warned Xavier.
20:21Even if we had to fake it,
20:23we had to look like
20:24a loving couple.
20:25As soon as the party ends,
20:27we're getting divorced immediately.
20:32fine.
20:37Daddy,
20:37mommy,
20:38let's make a wish together.
20:45I wish
20:47daddy wouldn't work so much
20:49and could spend more time
20:51with me and mommy.
21:02Mommy and daddy
21:03will blow out the candles
21:04with you,
21:05okay?
21:06Yay!
21:09One,
21:10two,
21:11three.
21:16Mommy,
21:17daddy,
21:18I love you mostest.
21:33Daddy loves you too.
21:46Hi, Ivy.
21:48A birthday present.
21:55Did you call her here?
21:57It wasn't me.
21:59Then why is she here?
22:01Maybe she...
22:23I just came to give Ivy a present.
22:28Why did you hit me?
22:33I didn't.
22:35Shh.
22:40Are you okay?
22:43Are you hurt?
22:51Xavier,
22:52I'm okay.
22:54But my belly hurts a little.
22:56Lena,
22:57that was too much.
22:58She's pregnant.
22:59You actually encouraged Ivy
23:01to hit her.
23:07I'm too much.
23:08She's the one
23:09who showed up uninvited.
23:10That's what's really too much.
23:18Besides,
23:19Ivy would never
23:19lay a hand on her.
23:21She doesn't even know
23:21who she is.
23:24Ivy,
23:24tell me the truth.
23:27Did you really
23:28not hit anyone?
23:30I didn't.
23:31I...
23:31I...
23:36Xavier,
23:37did you forget
23:38what you promised me?
23:39Xavier was left speechless.
23:41It was also
23:42at this moment
23:43that he remembered
23:44he had promised
23:45to give Ivy
23:46a proper,
23:47Channingple birthday.
23:48Really?
23:50I promise
23:51this is the last time
23:52you'll be hurt.
23:53Go home
23:54and wait for me.
23:56Mm-hmm.
23:59Before leaving,
24:00Lily shot me a look
24:00of Victor's
24:01smugness in her eyes.
24:04After she left,
24:06guests exchanged
24:07awkward glances,
24:08making excuses
24:09to leave
24:10one by one.
24:11I forced a smile
24:12after everyone
24:13was gone
24:14and took Ivy
24:15back to her bedroom.
24:17Returning to the living room,
24:19I could no longer
24:20contain the fury
24:21boiling inside me.
24:27Xavier,
24:28you and Lily
24:29make me sick.
24:32Lena,
24:33can you stop
24:33twisting things?
24:34Lily just came
24:35to give a gift.
24:36She meant no harm.
24:39No harm!
24:41She practically
24:42announced to everyone
24:44that she's carrying
24:44your baby!
24:47And you still
24:48defend her?
24:49She doesn't think
24:50like you.
24:51Don't make it
24:52sound so ugly.
24:54Xavier,
24:55search your conscience.
24:58From dating
24:59to marriage,
25:00from your startup
25:01to now,
25:02what did I ever
25:03do to wrong you?
25:05Now,
25:05for the sake
25:06of your mistress,
25:07you'd ruin
25:08even Ivy's
25:10birthday.
25:15I'll say it
25:16one last time,
25:17Lily didn't mean it.
25:19You're overreacting.
25:21Fine.
25:22Since you're determined
25:23to protect her,
25:24let's drop the act.
25:26Divorce tomorrow.
25:29All property
25:30and Ivy's custody
25:32go to me.
25:33Company shares
25:34stay with you.
25:37So this is
25:38your true face,
25:39Lena.
25:42It was always
25:43about the money.
25:44Xavier,
25:45who stuck by you
25:46when you had
25:46nothing.
25:48Now that you're
25:49successful,
25:50you think I'm
25:51greedy?
25:54The past
25:55doesn't matter
25:56anymore.
25:57No.
26:00No.
26:17Xavier,
26:19I'm sorry.
26:23I just wanted
26:24to give Ivy
26:25a gift
26:25to get close
26:27to her.
26:29I never meant
26:30for this to happen.
26:36Stop crying.
26:37You're pregnant.
26:41I know
26:41you meant well.
26:44You're too
26:44pure for this.
26:47Is Lena
26:48really angry?
26:52It's all
26:53my fault.
26:54It doesn't matter
26:54anymore.
26:55I'm divorcing
26:56her tomorrow.
27:09then
27:11how will
27:12the assets
27:13be divided?
27:19I'm leaving
27:20with nothing.
27:30That's only fair.
27:32After all,
27:33we wronged
27:34Lena.
27:37Yes.
27:39We did.
27:43What about
27:44the company?
27:45The company
27:46stays with me.
27:49It's just
27:49a shame.
27:55All the wealth
27:55you built
27:56over the years
27:57has to be handed
27:57over to someone
27:58else.
27:59Consider it
28:00compensation
28:00for her
28:01and Ivy.
28:04as long
28:05as I have
28:05the company
28:05making money
28:06won't be a
28:07problem.
28:15At least
28:16the company
28:17is safe.
28:19In the future,
28:20we,
28:21Xavier,
28:22I'll give you
28:22a son.
28:24We
28:25can start
28:26start over.
28:45I had always
28:46thought Ivy
28:47was too young
28:48to understand,
28:49but that night
28:50before bed,
28:51she suddenly
28:52wrapped her
28:53little arms
28:53tightly around
28:54me,
28:55burying her
28:56face in my
28:56chest and
28:57crying.
29:02Mommy,
29:03are you and
29:03Daddy getting
29:04divorced?
29:07is Daddy
29:08leaving us
29:09for that lady
29:10tonight?
29:12Is that
29:13why?
29:16Sweetheart,
29:22some things
29:23might be hard
29:23for you to
29:24understand right
29:25now,
29:30but Mommy
29:31will never
29:31leave you.
29:35I will
29:36always love
29:36you.
29:37Ivy
29:38cried
29:38herself
29:39to sleep
29:39in my
29:39arms.
29:40Even
29:41deep
29:41asleep,
29:42her
29:42tiny
29:42hand
29:43kept
29:43a
29:43death
29:43grip
29:44on my
29:44finger,
29:45terrified
29:45of being
29:46abandoned.
29:48I want
29:49Mommy.
29:50I want
29:51to stay
29:52with Mommy.
29:54My own
29:55childhood
29:55hadn't been
29:56happy.
29:57I wanted
29:58my child
29:58to grow
29:59up healthy
29:59and loved
30:00more than
30:01anything.
30:03Yet I
30:04still failed
30:05to protect
30:05my Ivy.
30:07I had
30:08failed her.
30:13The next
30:14morning at
30:146 a.m.,
30:16my Mom
30:16rushed over.
30:18Without even
30:19taking off
30:20her coat,
30:21Mom
30:22pulled me
30:22to the table.
30:26Lena?
30:29There are
30:29$70,000
30:30in this
30:31card.
30:31I sold
30:32the old
30:32house for
30:33$40,000.
30:34The other
30:34$3,000
30:35is what I've
30:36saved over
30:37the years,
30:38including the
30:38money you
30:39gave me.
30:40I saved
30:40it all.
30:41Take this
30:42card.
30:43Mom
30:43isn't
30:44capable
30:44of much.
30:45This is
30:46all I can
30:47do in
30:47this
30:48lifetime.
30:49I couldn't
30:50give you a
30:51privileged
30:51life.
30:53Made
30:53you suffer
30:54with me.
30:55But Lena,
30:57don't be
30:57afraid.
30:58So,
30:59what if
30:59it's a
31:00divorce?
31:01You still
31:02have me,
31:03as long
31:03as I'm
31:03alive.
31:05I'm
31:05your
31:05support.
31:10I'm
31:11sorry,
31:12Mom.
31:15What are
31:16you crying
31:17for,
31:17silly girl?
31:18From now
31:18on,
31:19we don't
31:19have to
31:20serve any
31:20man.
31:21Isn't
31:21that
31:21wonderful?
31:24Be
31:24good,
31:25sweetheart.
31:26Mom
31:26will
31:26always
31:26be
31:27here.
31:34That
31:35morning,
31:35Xavier
31:36and I
31:36finized
31:37the
31:37divorce.
31:38He
31:38left
31:39with
31:39nothing.
31:40I
31:40agreed
31:40to
31:41give
31:41up
31:41my
31:41shares
31:41in
31:42the
31:42company.
31:42But
31:43in
31:43reality,
31:44none
31:44of
31:44this
31:44was
31:45anywhere
31:45near
31:45as
31:45simple
31:46as
31:46Xavier
31:46had
31:47imagined.
31:51My
31:51father,
31:52who was
31:52in
31:53Germany,
31:53sent
31:53me a
31:54message.
31:56Xavier's
31:56previous
31:57investments
31:57had been
31:58abruptly
31:58halted,
31:59causing
31:59massive
32:00losses
32:00for his
32:00company.
32:01Sherders
32:02were
32:02discussing
32:02convening
32:03a board
32:03meeting
32:04to remove
32:04Xavier
32:04as
32:05CEO.
32:07Xavier,
32:08ever
32:08confident,
32:09had boasted
32:09to stabilize
32:10the situation,
32:11claiming he'd
32:11fly to
32:12Germany
32:12personally
32:13to secure
32:13the client.
32:14My
32:15father hadn't
32:15withdrawn
32:16his shares.
32:17Instead,
32:18he'd
32:18privately
32:18acquired
32:19more,
32:19becoming
32:20the largest
32:20shareholder
32:21in Xavier's
32:22company.
32:25meaning my
32:26father was
32:26now the
32:27de facto
32:27controller
32:28of the
32:28company.
32:34On the
32:34day Xavier
32:35left for
32:35Germany,
32:36I arrived at
32:37Lily's current
32:38residence with
32:39movers.
32:41What are you
32:41doing?
32:42This is my
32:42home!
32:46I'm calling
32:47Xavier!
32:48Go ahead.
32:49But he's
32:50on a flight
32:51to Germany
32:51right now.
32:52His phone's
32:53off.
33:00Clear
33:00everything
33:01out.
33:02Stop!
33:03Stop right
33:04now,
33:04Lena!
33:06What right
33:07do you have?
33:09Because the
33:10house was bought
33:10during our
33:11marriage,
33:11it was marital
33:12property.
33:12Now mine.
33:16I noticed
33:17her mess
33:17boxes scattered
33:18at her
33:19feet.
33:20Xavier had
33:21been generous
33:22indeed.
33:25The clothes
33:26and shoes
33:26you can keep.
33:28After all,
33:31you earned
33:32some payment
33:32for services
33:33rendered.
33:35Lena,
33:36if Xavier
33:37finds out
33:37you treated
33:37me like this,
33:38he'll make
33:38you pay!
33:42Xavier is
33:43struggling
33:44to save
33:44himself
33:44right now.
33:51What power
33:52does he have
33:53to avenge
33:53you?
33:54Xavier still
33:55didn't know.
33:56The major
33:56clients he
33:57kept losing
33:57were all
33:58connected
33:58to my
33:59father.
34:01This was
34:02a trap
34:03my father
34:03set to
34:04force him
34:04out.
34:05There was
34:06no saving
34:07it.
34:07Lily,
34:10I'll be
34:11watching to
34:11see how
34:12this ends
34:12for you
34:12both.
34:15As I
34:16walked away
34:16from Lily's
34:17place,
34:18the autumn
34:19wind sent
34:19dried leaves
34:20scattering
34:21past my
34:21feet.
34:25I pulled
34:25out my
34:26phone,
34:26took a
34:27few photos,
34:27and sent
34:28them to a
34:28real estate
34:29agent with
34:29a message,
34:30ready to
34:31sell this
34:31house.
34:33Then,
34:34without so
34:34much as a
34:35backward glance,
34:36I got into
34:36the car.
34:39In the
34:39rearview mirror,
34:40the villa
34:41grew smaller
34:42and smaller,
34:43eventually
34:43shrinking to
34:44a faint
34:44dot.
34:45Like certain
34:46people,
34:46destined to
34:47vanish
34:47completely
34:48from my
34:49life.
34:50A month
34:50later,
34:51Xavier was
34:52pressured by
34:52the board
34:53to surrender
34:53his shares
34:54at a
34:54rock-bottom
34:55price,
34:55or face
34:56prison time.
34:58Of course,
34:59his position
35:00was forcibly
35:00terminated.
35:12Overnight,
35:12he lost
35:13everything.
35:16The once
35:17confident face
35:18now etched
35:19with the
35:19feet.
35:20He had
35:21failed to
35:21salvage the
35:22German deal.
35:30Xavier.
35:34What are
35:35you doing
35:35here?
35:36Let me
35:37reintroduce
35:38myself.
35:39Besides
35:39being your
35:40investor,
35:42I'm also
35:43Lena's
35:44father.
35:49Two years
35:50ago,
35:50when your
35:51funding chain
35:51broke,
35:52it was
35:53Lena who
35:53begged me
35:54to invest.
35:58My
35:59current
35:59wife
36:01despised
36:02her.
36:02To
36:03torment
36:03her,
36:04she made
36:05Lena kneel
36:05on the
36:05pebbles in
36:06our courtyard
36:07for four
36:07hours.
36:08When I
36:09got home,
36:10her knees
36:11were covered
36:11in blood,
36:13but she
36:13never uttered
36:14a word.
36:17Want to
36:18know why
36:18I suddenly
36:19backed
36:19out?
36:23because you
36:24betrayed my
36:25daughter.
36:27This is
36:28the price.
36:29What?
36:31Heartless
36:32bastard.
36:35You never
36:37deserved her.
36:38the rain
36:39grew heavier.
36:40After falling
36:41to the ground,
36:42Xavier spotted
36:43the Rolls-Royce
36:43parked behind
36:44my father.
36:46In the
36:47shadowed
36:47back seat,
36:48I sat
36:49wearing
36:49sunglasses,
36:50watching him
36:51coldly,
36:51like a
36:52stranger.
36:54Lena!
36:57Lena!
36:58Xavier,
36:59I would have
37:00ensured your
37:01security for life
37:02out of respect
37:03for Lena.
37:04The ruin
37:05you face
37:05now,
37:06you betrayed
37:07her.
37:08You brought
37:09it upon
37:09yourself.
37:10Stay away
37:11from my
37:12daughter from
37:12now on.
37:18Get lost.
37:20Only then
37:21did Xavier
37:21fully understand.
37:24His success
37:25had been given
37:26to him
37:26by me.
37:28The moment
37:29he chose
37:30to betray
37:31me,
37:31to leave
37:32me,
37:32his downfall
37:34was sealed.
37:37Later,
37:38Xavier tried
37:39to see
37:39me.
37:43I turned
37:44him away
37:45every time.
37:53Once
37:54Xavier
37:54lost his
37:55CEO status
37:56and was
37:56penniless,
37:57Lily's
37:58true nature
37:58surfaced.
38:00She complained
38:01about living
38:02in a rented
38:03apartment,
38:04pressuring Xavier
38:04to move
38:05into his
38:05mother's
38:06house.
38:07But that
38:08house was
38:09also mine.
38:10Out of pity
38:11for the
38:11paralyzed
38:12old woman,
38:13I allowed
38:13them to
38:14stay
38:14temporarily,
38:16but charged
38:17rent.
38:19Lily
38:20used her
38:20pregnancy
38:21to black
38:21fail Xavier
38:22into borrowing
38:23money to
38:23buy a
38:23house.
38:25We
38:26must buy
38:26a house!
38:27I can't
38:27live like
38:28this!
38:31Give me
38:32some time,
38:32Lily.
38:33No house,
38:34then I'll
38:34abort the
38:35baby.
38:36I won't
38:37marry in a
38:38rented
38:38place.
38:45You
38:46weren't like
38:46this before.
38:50Xavier,
38:51what did you
38:51think I wanted
38:52with you?
38:54You're eight
38:54years older
38:55than me.
38:56If it
38:56weren't for
38:57your money,
38:58why would
38:58someone as
38:59beautiful as
39:00me be with
39:00you?
39:02Let me tell
39:02you, if you
39:03want this
39:04child, you'll
39:06do as I
39:06say.
39:07I don't care
39:08if you beg
39:08or steal.
39:10I want a
39:10house, and
39:11my name must
39:13be on the
39:13deed.
39:15Don't expect
39:16me to live in
39:17a basement eating
39:18instant noodles
39:19like Lena.
39:20I'm not stupid
39:21like her.
39:22Suddenly,
39:23Xavier remembered
39:24a cold winter
39:25night ten years
39:25ago.
39:26That day was
39:27my birthday.
39:28We huddled
39:29under a thin
39:29quilt on a
39:30rented bed,
39:31shivering
39:32uncontrollably.
39:33On the small
39:34table before
39:35them sat a
39:36tiny, five
39:37dollars cake.
39:38Before the
39:39flame died,
39:40I clasped my
39:41hands, closed
39:42my eyes, and
39:43made a wish.
39:48Lena, I'm
39:49sorry you
39:50have to
39:50suffer with
39:51me.
39:55I love
39:56you, Xavier.
39:58You'll make
39:59it.
39:59I'm not
40:00afraid of
40:01hardship, as
40:02long as we're
40:02together and
40:03okay.
40:05Lena, my
40:06love.
40:12tears welled
40:14in Xavier's
40:14eyes now.
40:16He finally
40:17understood the
40:17bitter taste of
40:18regret.
40:20Rage surged
40:21through his
40:22chest.
40:22Without
40:23thinking, he
40:24slapped Lily
40:25across the
40:26face, hissing
40:27through
40:27fritted teeth.
40:28Don't you
40:29dare mention
40:30Lena!
40:34Did you
40:35just hit me?
40:36she lunged at
40:37Xavier, punching
40:38him square in
40:39the face.
40:41Then the two
40:42of them
40:42crashing into
40:44furniture, shattering
40:45everything in the
40:46small room.
40:49The noise
40:50alarmed the
40:51neighbors.
40:53Someone called
40:53the police.
40:57When officers
40:58arrived, both
40:59men lay on the
40:59floor, faces
41:00bloody.
41:03After basic
41:04first aid,
41:05they were
41:06each detained
41:07for seven
41:07days.
41:13Six months
41:14later, I
41:15successfully opened
41:16my own yoga
41:17studio.
41:18On opening
41:19day, Ada
41:20brought a group
41:21of wealthy
41:21women to
41:21support me.
41:26Lena, I
41:27envy you,
41:28not like me.
41:33Sean and I,
41:34we've been
41:34strangers under
41:35the same roof
41:35for years.
41:36Then you
41:37could divorce
41:37him.
41:40Divorce?
41:40Impossible.
41:42If you want a
41:43biggest hire.
41:45Ada said many
41:45people trap
41:46themselves in the
41:47cage of marriage
41:48for various
41:48reasons.
41:49Those who can
41:50walk away from a
41:51failed marriage and
41:52truly live again are
41:53the lucky ones.
41:54I closed with the
41:56studio late that
41:57evening.
41:59I locked the
42:01door and turned
42:02only to find
42:03Xavier standing
42:04there under the
42:05streetlight.
42:06The smell of
42:06alcohol hung heavy
42:07around him.
42:09His jaw was
42:10shadowed with
42:11stubble.
42:12His eyes bloodshot.
42:15Lena,
42:16congratulations.
42:18You have the
42:19nerve to show up.
42:33Lena,
42:35is there really
42:36no chance
42:37left for us?
42:39No.
42:41Lena,
42:42I know I was
42:43wrong.
42:44I truly know
42:45it now.
42:48Please,
42:49give me another
42:50chance.
42:55Xavier,
42:56who are you
42:57putting on
42:57this act for?
42:58If Lily was
42:59still clinging
42:59to you,
43:00if the board
43:01hadn't kicked
43:02you out,
43:03you wouldn't
43:03even be here
43:04looking for
43:05me right
43:06now.
43:12I know
43:13I deserve
43:13this.
43:14Then get
43:15lost.
43:17But Ivy
43:18is only
43:19five.
43:19she needs
43:20her father.
43:25Can't we
43:26can't we
43:28start over?
43:39Ivy needs
43:40her father.
43:41where were you
43:42when she had
43:43a 104 degree
43:44fever?
43:47You were
43:48in Lily's
43:49bed
43:50when she had
43:51her kindergarten
43:52performance.
43:53Where were you
43:53then?
43:55You were on
43:56vacation with
43:57Lily.
44:00That's the
44:00fatherly love
44:01you gave Ivy?
44:06at least
44:09at least let me
44:10see Ivy
44:10one more time.
44:12You don't
44:12deserve to.
44:27the car pulled
44:28away.
44:29Xavier
44:29stumbled
44:30after it,
44:31running.
44:33I never saw
44:34him again
44:34after that
44:35night.
44:36my yoga
44:37studio
44:37thrived.
44:38I opened
44:39two more
44:40branches.
44:41My mom
44:42moved in
44:42with me,
44:43helping with
44:44Ivy's school
44:45runs.
44:46My dad
44:46met me
44:47privately
44:47a few
44:48times.
44:49He
44:49transferred
44:50all his
44:50shares in
44:51Xavier's
44:51former company
44:52to me.
44:53He said
44:54he'd hire
44:54people to
44:55manage the
44:56business.
44:56I wouldn't
44:57need to
44:57worry,
44:58just collect
44:58the annual
44:59dividends.
45:00This was
45:01his compensation.
45:02I didn't
45:03refuse the
45:04shares.
45:05Ivy would
45:06have the
45:06best life.
45:09Xavier drank
45:10himself into
45:11oblivion,
45:12jobless.
45:16The once
45:17proud,
45:17arrogant
45:18Xavier
45:18vanished
45:19completely
45:19from his
45:20former
45:20circles.
45:22Lily,
45:23unwilling to
45:24endure poverty
45:25with him,
45:26aborted the
45:27baby and
45:28latched onto
45:28a wealthier,
45:29older man.
45:32but she bet
45:32wrong this
45:33time,
45:33met her
45:34match.
45:37When the
45:38affair was
45:39discovered,
45:40the man's
45:41wife had
45:41acid thrown
45:42in Lily's
45:42face.
45:46Disfigured,
45:47Lily couldn't
45:48accept her
45:48reflection and
45:49lost her
45:49mind.
45:54Actually,
45:56none of
45:57that mattered
45:57to me anymore.
45:59Xavier,
46:00Lily,
46:01and I
46:02ended up
46:02as nothing
46:03more than
46:03passing figures
46:04in each
46:05in each other's lives.
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