- 9 hours ago
After Secretary Bore Child, Husband Refused to Divorce Me
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Short filmTranscript
00:00her checkup. Julian came to pick us up. He had been away on a business trip for days.
00:05The moment he saw us, he pulled me and Lily into his arms. I smelled unfamiliar perfume on him.
00:10Lily hugged his neck and asked for attention. I smiled and watched them play. Then I got into
00:15the car, saw a woman sitting in the back seat. Hi, Mrs. Ashford. I'm Sophie Whitmer, the new
00:21executive assistant at Ashford Group. I looked at Julian. She's on the way. I'm just giving her a
00:26ride. But Julian was the CEO of Ashford Group. Since when did he personally drive a young
00:31assistant home? Sophie gave me an apologetic smile and handed me a shopping bag. Please don't
00:36misunderstand. I wanted to apologize. Inside the bag was the exact hand cream I always used. I was
00:44on the business trip with Mr. Ashford and forgot to bring mine. His was in the car, so I accidentally
00:49used it all. This is a new one. I hope you don't mind. I did not take it right away.
00:55Panic flashed
00:55across Sophie's face, and she instinctively looked at Julian. Take it. But there was no room for
01:01refusal, so I took the bag and set it aside. Lily sat in her car seat and watched Sophie curiously.
01:07Then she saw the candy in Sophie's hand. Her eyes lit up. Sophie was about to unwrap it for her.
01:13I
01:13stopped her. She just came from the dentist. She can't have candy. Sophie smiled. It's high-end
01:18organic candy. It's totally safe. Organic candy is still candy.
01:24Claire, she was just being kind. I stopped talking, but Lily waved her little hand.
01:28Lily listens to mommy. Lily won't eat it. Sophie's hand froze, then slowly pulled back.
01:35The car stopped in front of a run-down apartment building. Julian clearly knew the way. Sophie got
01:40out. I am truly sorry. I only nodded. On the way home, Julian's voice became warm again. Don't be
01:47upset. She's young and just graduated. She wants to do everything perfectly. When she gets stubborn,
01:52she won't even listen to me. She has a real spark. When we reached our building's garage,
01:58Julian suddenly leaned over and kissed my cheek. I did not pull away. Then Lily spoke from the back
02:03seat. Mommy, Miss Sophie smells really nice. She smells like Daddy. Julian's smile froze. I laughed
02:11softly, pretending not to care. Daddy's car always smell like Daddy. What does that have to do with
02:18Miss Sophia? Lily blinked. She did not understand. I got out and carried her inside. When I looked back
02:24at Julian, his face had turned cold. If raising Lily is too much for you, I can hire a professional.
02:30She is the jewel of the Ashford family. Don't let your negligence tarnish her. From the day I married
02:36into the Ashford family, I knew Julian would never belong to me alone. He had mistresses. He had
02:42one-night stands. The year Lily was born, I made a scene over one of them. That was the first
02:47time I saw
02:48him truly angry. Claire, remember this. Everything I gave you, I can take back whenever I want. I thought
02:55of Lily, so I swallowed it. After that, I learned to behave. No matter how many women Julian had
03:01outside, he always came home. Sometimes Julian was so gentle that I almost believed I still mattered.
03:08I told myself I was his wife. Other women could come and go, but I was the one he married.
03:13I was the
03:13one at home with his daughter. I thought that made me different. Then Sophie showed up. Julian didn't keep
03:19her outside like the others. He brought her into my marriage. After putting Lily to sleep, I went back
03:24to the master bedroom. Julian stood by the balcony, looking at his phone with a faint smile.
03:30All right. You've had a long few days. Get some rest. His voice was too gentle for a subordinate.
03:36I thought of Sophie's pretty face from that afternoon. Then I walked past him and went into the bathroom.
03:42Halfway through my shower, a hot body pressed against my back. His voice came from above my
03:47head. Did you miss me these past few days? I stepped aside and wrapped myself in a towel.
03:52I'm tired today. As I turned to leave, Julian grabbed my wrist. He raised an eyebrow, amused.
03:59I've been saving it all for you. Keep pushing me away, and I may have to share it with someone
04:06else.
04:08He always liked saying things like that in bed. He always thought I would enjoy it. When I pushed
04:13him away again, the smile in his eyes only deepened. Are you mad? There's nothing between her and me.
04:19She just reminds me of you a little. If you don't like it, I'll be more careful. Come on, be
04:26good.
04:26He murmured against my neck. His lips were hot, but I only felt cold.
04:31Julian, please. Don't touch me.
04:34The bathroom was full of steam. His face darkened at once.
04:38Claire, while I'm still willing to coax you, don't push your luck.
04:42My fingertips went numb. I still did not soften. So he picked me up and threw me onto the bed.
04:48There was no gentleness left. In the dark, his voice was cold.
04:52If you want this marriage to work, stop making trouble.
04:56My whole body went stiff. After a long time, tears slid down in silence.
05:01The next morning, Lily ran over and kissed my face.
05:05Mommy, daddy is taking me to the amusement park today.
05:08I was surprised. Julian hated crowded places. He had never taken Lily to an amusement park himself,
05:15but he only leaned against the door frame and smiled at her.
05:19Let's go, my little princess.
05:20After they left, I went to the hospital. What happened last night made me uneasy.
05:24When the test results came out, I froze. The doctor smiled.
05:29Congratulations, you're four weeks pregnant. The embryo is not stable yet, so no sex during the first trimester.
05:36I sat in the car with the report in my hands. Then I cried until I could not breathe.
05:41During the two years I loved Julian the most, I believed a child could tie his heart to me.
05:46So I became pregnant with Lily. For a while, it seemed to work.
05:50Julian came home more often. He spoiled me, cared for me, and treated me like the girl he had once
05:56chased in college.
05:57Then Lily was born. I was terrified and in pain in the delivery room. Julian disappeared.
06:03Later, I found out why. That same day, he had finally won over a college girl he had been chasing
06:09for months.
06:10While I was giving birth to his daughter, he spent the night with her in the penthouse suite of the
06:14tallest hotel in the city.
06:16I hated him.
06:17Five years had been enough to kill every expectation I had left for Julian Ashford.
06:23But people still told me to have another child.
06:26The more powerful the man, the more women he'll have around him.
06:29Which man in our circle is clean? Julian is already one of the better ones.
06:33Just have a few more children. No matter what he does outside, you'll always be Mrs. Ashford.
06:38The Ashfords had only one heir in each generation.
06:41If I gave them another child, boy or girl, Julian's parents would protect me, even if he wanted to make
06:48my life difficult.
06:49That was the rule. You did not fight the hand that fed you.
06:52And I had Lily. She was almost my whole life.
06:55So I put the pregnancy report away, drove home, and made a pot of soup while waiting for Lily to
07:01come back.
07:02Night fell.
07:02After calling Julian ten times with no answer, I finally grabbed my car keys and went out to look for
07:08them.
07:09He was not at the office. The amusement park was already closed.
07:13Just as I was about to drive to the Ashford estate, the housekeeper called.
07:17Ma'am, Lily is home. Marcus just dropped her off. She's asleep.
07:20I leaned back against the seat and let out a breath.
07:23Marcus also said Mr. Ashfield won't be coming home tonight.
07:26Alright.
07:27I hung up and turned the car around.
07:29At the next corner, I saw Julian's car.
07:32His tall figure stood under a dim street lamp.
07:35A cigarette burned between his fingers, and the ground was covered in cigarette butts.
07:40It was Sophie's apartment building, the same place I had seen yesterday.
07:44Julian looked up at one lit window without blinking.
07:47I followed his gaze.
07:49Behind the curtain, a woman's shadow moved softly.
07:52And Julian stood there, like a devoted man in a drama, only daring to watch her from a distance.
07:57Something inside me cracked, piece by piece.
08:00I sat in the car all night.
08:02When the sky began to turn pale, Sophie came out of the building.
08:06She looked well rested.
08:07The moment she saw Julian, surprise lit up her face.
08:10And Julian came alive.
08:12He, smiled, said something, and stepped closer.
08:15She stepped back, but her cheeks turned red.
08:18Then they both got into his car.
08:19I sat there numb.
08:21My chest felt like a thin wire was tightening around it, cutting off my breath.
08:25When Julian chased me years ago, he had looked exactly like that.
08:29Teasing, confident, and closing in step by step.
08:33A man like him had ice in his blood, and old money behind his name.
08:37When he decided to pursue someone, she almost had no chance.
08:41Only this time, I was no longer the woman he wanted.
08:44I followed them to the office building.
08:46Before they walked in, they smoothly put distance between themselves.
08:50Julian entered first.
08:52Everyone greeted him.
08:53He nodded calmly, then waved towards Sophie, as if it were nothing.
08:57Under the envious eyes of the entire lobby, Sophie stepped into his private elevator, as
09:02if announcing one thing.
09:04She had special privileges.
09:05The scene burned my eyes.
09:07I sat in the car and forced every emotion down until the housekeeper called.
09:12Lily was awake and looking for me.
09:14When I got home, Lily threw her arms around my neck.
09:17She sat on my lap, swinging her legs, happily telling me about yesterday.
09:23Lily resaw Miss Sophie, too.
09:25She dressed like a bunny and played with me for a long time.
09:29My breath caught.
09:30So that was why Julian had suddenly taken Lily to the amusement park.
09:34It was for Sophie.
09:36Finding Sophie's background was easy.
09:38Her school, her modest family, her interview process,
09:41her part-time job at the amusement park, and her Instagram.
09:45Then I saw the photo.
09:46Lily and Sophie, cheek to cheek, smiling at the camera.
09:50In the mirror behind them, I could see a man crouching to take the picture.
09:54Julian.
09:54They looked like a happy little family.
09:56Sophie's Instagram was full of him.
09:59The hot chocolate he sent when she was on her period.
10:01The night he stayed beside her hospital bed during a business trip.
10:04The little things she lost, quietly collected and kept safe by him.
10:09Nausea rose in my throat.
10:10My makeup was ruined by tears.
10:12I looked at the woman in the mirror and almost pitied her.
10:16I thought if I ignored Julian's other women, I could keep pretending everything was fine.
10:20But I had already lost myself.
10:22There was nothing left for me to save.
10:25That evening, the housekeeper set the soup on the table.
10:28I remembered how I used to bring Julian dinner at the office every week.
10:31For Lily's sake, I decided to talk to him.
10:34So I drove to his company.
10:36Night had fallen and the top floor office was still bright.
10:39The door was half open.
10:40I was about to knock when I heard Sophie's voice.
10:43What do I have to do to make you stay with me?
10:46Stay with you and then what?
10:48Be the other woman?
10:49Sophie sounded like she was crying.
10:52I do have self-respect.
10:55Yes, I fell for you.
10:56I can't help wanting you.
10:57But the moment I saw your wife sitting beside you,
11:00I knew you could never give me what I want.
11:02I want a love I don't have to hide.
11:05So let's end this.
11:06Then Julian sighed and pulled her into his arms.
11:09My hand tightened on the door handle.
11:11I was about to leave.
11:12Then I heard him say,
11:14What if I divorce her?
11:16My heart dropped into an abyss.
11:18By the time I came back to myself, I was already in my car.
11:21My hands shook on the steering wheel.
11:24Tears kept falling.
11:25I laughed and cried at the same time.
11:27Julian wanted a divorce.
11:29And my first instinct was to run.
11:31That night, Julian did not come home.
11:33I watched the sky turn pale and decided to ask him face to face,
11:37Was he really going to divorce me?
11:39At the very least, I had to protect Lily from the fallout.
11:43After two sleepless nights, I put on makeup and drove to Julian's office.
11:47His private elevator took me straight to the top floor.
11:50Julian was in a meeting.
11:51I waited in his office.
11:53Then Sophie came in.
11:54She brought me tea, polite and respectful.
11:56When she leaned closer, I smelled cedarwood and cigarette smoke.
12:00Lily was right.
12:01She smelled like Julian.
12:03I looked at her and asked,
12:04Don't you have anything to say to me?
12:06Her hand shook.
12:07Hot tea splashed onto her skin, turning it red.
12:10She looked fragile and helpless.
12:12Then she crouched down and wiped the floor.
12:14But she still would not answer.
12:16I stared coldly at the top of her head.
12:18Suddenly, a large hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.
12:21Julian's voice was sharp with anger.
12:23Claire, you came here first thing in the morning just to throw your weight around?
12:27She is my employee, not your servant.
12:31Sophie's eyes turned red.
12:33Mr. Ashford, she didn't mean to.
12:36I laughed.
12:36Maybe even Julian had forgotten.
12:38Before I married him, I was never some meek little lamb.
12:42Mr. Ashford?
12:43I don't remember the CEO of Ashford Freep ever calling you his sister.
12:49I...
12:50I was only trying to be friendly.
12:53You probably don't understand.
12:54As an executive assistant, I have to consider every little thing...
12:59Friendly?
13:01On what right?
13:04You had the boss drive his wife and daughter to drop you off at your apartment.
13:10And you call that considering everything?
13:13Julian pulled her behind him.
13:15His eyes were cold.
13:17Apologize.
13:18Behind him, the people leaving the conference room went silent.
13:22Julian...
13:23I have no reason to apologize.
13:26Did I stutter?
13:28Apologize.
13:29His anger crawled up my spine like something cold and wet.
13:32Right.
13:33This was Julian Ashford.
13:34Once he decided something, no one could change his mind.
13:38Just like when he decided to marry me.
13:40Just like now, when he had fallen for his new assistant.
13:43I should have known.
13:44There was no escaping this.
13:45So I smiled calmly.
13:47Julian, let's get a divorce.
13:50A flicker of shock crossed Julian's face.
13:52Then it turned into a sneer.
13:54Are you trying to threat me with divorce?
13:56Claire, I hate people who think they know better.
13:58And I especially hate people who try to threat me.
14:01I want a divorce.
14:03The air stayed still for a long time.
14:06Then Julian laughed coldly.
14:08Fine.
14:09We'll file right now.
14:11He dropped every meeting and every deal.
14:13Then went with me to family court.
14:15When we received the 30-day waiting period notice, Julian threw out one sentence.
14:2030 days should be enough for you to come to your senses.
14:23After that, Julian stopped coming home.
14:25I knew he was staying at a hotel.
14:27He sent Marcus back once to pick up his clothes.
14:29When Marcus saw me, he looked like he wanted to say something.
14:32But he held it back.
14:34I understood why.
14:35I had always managed Julian's clothes, meals, and daily routine.
14:39Marcus used to only handle work.
14:41Now his workload had more than doubled.
14:43I handed him the suitcase.
14:45Lily's birthday is the day after tomorrow.
14:47Remind him to show up.
14:50Marcus passed on the message.
14:51But I did not expect Julian to bring someone with him.
14:54At Lily's birthday party, Sophie stood beside Julian in a midnight blue sequined gown.
15:00It matched his navy suit perfectly.
15:02Julian held her hand and introduced her to the room like it was natural.
15:06This is Sophie.
15:07Lily, dressed like a little princess, ran over and threw herself into Julian's arms.
15:12Sophie stood beside them, smiling warmly.
15:15They look like a real family.
15:16Whispers spread through the room.
15:18Julian must be serious this time.
15:20I heard the divorce is almost final.
15:21I thought Julian loved Kara.
15:24Men always have their flings.
15:26Push too hard and you lose control.
15:27Now even the child.
15:28Then Lily came to me, holding Sophie's hand.
15:31Mommy, Miss Sophie brought me a present.
15:33Can I go see it?
15:34I nodded.
15:35Lily cheered softly.
15:36Julian swirled the champagne in his glass and finally glanced at me.
15:41Keep an eye on her.
15:42I laughed bitterly inside and turned to find Lily.
15:45But in the blink of an eye, she and Sophie were both gone.
15:48I searched everywhere.
15:50Then a woman screamed nearby.
15:51Right after that, I heard Lily cry.
15:54I ran toward the sound.
15:55A man was gripping Sophie's arm.
15:57You think you can hide from me?
15:58Your father owes money and won't pay.
16:00My whole family is being squeezed dry while you live like this?
16:04If I go down, I'm dragging you with me.
16:07Sophie screamed and pulled free.
16:09But Lily was standing right beside her.
16:11She had nowhere to go.
16:12The man's eyes landed on my daughter.
16:15Then he pulled a knife from his pocket and pressed it to the window.
16:18Every drop of blood in my body turned cold.
16:21I looked around for Julian.
16:23Then I saw him far away with his arm around Sophie's waist.
16:26He was looking at me with suspicion.
16:28Time slowed.
16:29In that instant, I understood what he was thinking.
16:32He thought I had arranged this to hurt Sophie.
16:34So I understood something else too.
16:36I could not count on him.
16:38He would not save my Lily.
16:39When I grabbed the blade with my bare hand, I did not feel the pain.
16:43I only cared about one thing.
16:45Lily had to be safe.
16:47She screamed and cried until Julian finally rushed over from across the room.
16:51By then, the blade had cut down to the bone.
16:53Only after Lily was pulled away did my strength give out.
16:57At the hospital, the wound on my hand was deep enough to show bone.
17:00Julian stood at the door for a long time.
17:03He said nothing.
17:04Then Sophie came in with red eyes to apologize.
17:07Mrs. Ashford, I'm so sorry.
17:09I don't even know that man.
17:11I was just too scared.
17:13I slapped her.
17:14Hard.
17:15Julian, who had stayed silent until then, finally snapped.
17:18He rushed over and pulled Sophie behind him.
17:21Claire!
17:22You failed to watch Lily.
17:24And now you're blaming someone else?
17:26I looked straight into his cold eyes.
17:28Julian, I'm begging you.
17:31If you want to lose your mind over some woman, fine.
17:35But leave our daughter out of it.
17:36She's innocent.
17:37Something in my eyes seemed to cut him.
17:40His lips moved, but he said nothing.
17:42Sophie covered her face and cried softly.
17:46I'm sorry.
17:47I'm so sorry.
17:49Julian looked away first.
17:50I'll take her home.
17:52His voice was flat.
17:53Sophie looked surprised.
17:54He walked ahead and she followed behind him carefully.
17:57Then she reached out and caught the edge of his jacket.
18:00Julian slowed down.
18:01A second later, he pulled her into his arms.
18:04I closed my eyes and let the pain wash over me.
18:07For the next few days, Lily kept waking up from nightmares.
18:10I stayed by her side day and night, trying to chase the fear out of her little heart.
18:15Julian stayed at his hotel.
18:17The only difference was that every day, he sent Lily a new gift.
18:20Each one was more expensive than the last.
18:23Sometimes, there was something for me too.
18:25A designer bag, an auction necklace, a full set of luxury skincare.
18:30They sat awkwardly among Lily's toys, each worth a small fortune.
18:34For Julian Ashford, this was the closest thing to an apology.
18:39Then one day, he finally came home.
18:41Lily jumped down from her chair and ran to him.
18:44My smile faded.
18:45I asked the housekeeper to set another place at the table.
18:48At dinner, Julian and Lily laughed the whole time.
18:51That night, after putting Lily to bed, I returned to the bedroom and found Julian still there.
18:56He was taking off his watch.
18:58When he saw me, his hand paused.
19:00The air between us was thick with things neither of us said.
19:04I knew what he was waiting for.
19:05He wanted me to give in.
19:07Instead, I picked up my pillow.
19:09I'll sleep in the guest room.
19:10Julian froze for a second.
19:12Then he gave a short, cold laugh.
19:14Claire, have I been too nice to you lately?
19:16Is that why you've forgotten your place?
19:18I met his eyes.
19:19I haven't forgotten.
19:21We're in a separation period.
19:23He walked toward me step by step.
19:25Then he grabbed my jaw and forced me to look at him.
19:27For one moment, something in his dark eyes seemed to crack.
19:31Then it disappeared, replaced by ice.
19:33He released me, his lips curved in mockery.
19:36Fine.
19:37Tomorrow morning, you'll personally deliver my clothes to Sophie's apartment.
19:40Julian left that night.
19:41The next morning, I delivered his clothes to Sophie's apartment.
19:45I expected to see him inside, but Sophie did not even know he planned to move in with
19:50her.
19:50For a second, joy flashed across her face.
19:53Then her eyes filled with tears.
19:55Mrs. Ashford, Julian and I may have feelings for each other, but we've always kept our boundaries.
20:00I'm not going to be the victim of some rich people's open marriage.
20:03I'm the one who asked for the divorce.
20:05You were there.
20:06Guilt flickered across her face.
20:08But I still-
20:09If you don't want this, talk to Julian.
20:11Don't put on a show for me.
20:13Then I left.
20:14On the drive home, the sky turned gray and rain started falling.
20:18The moment I saw the rain, I suddenly missed my mother.
20:21So I turned the car toward the cemetery on the edge of the city.
20:24I followed memory to her grave.
20:26Then I froze.
20:27My mother's plot had been merged with the one beside it.
20:30Her simple grave had been turned into an elaborate double burial site.
20:34And the name on the other stone made my blood run cold.
20:38My birth father.
20:39The man who had destroyed her life.
20:40My mother's last words were still burned into my memory.
20:44I shared his bed in life.
20:46Don't let him follow me into the grave.
20:48But now, he was buried right beside her.
20:50Even her headstone had been changed.
20:52Her name now carried his last name, Whitmore.
20:55A groundskeeper saw my face and looked surprised.
20:58Mrs. Ashford, you didn't know?
21:02Mr. Ashford had this gentleman reburied beside your mother last month.
21:09Your sister was here too.
21:10Sister, the word hit me like lightning.
21:13Sophie Whitmore.
21:14That was why she and I looked a little alike.
21:16That was why her last name was Whitmore.
21:19It should have been mine too.
21:20So this was what Julian had been hiding.
21:22My eyes burned.
21:24I snatched the broom from the groundskeeper's hands
21:26and swung it at my birth father's gravestone.
21:29People gasped.
21:30No one dared stop me.
21:31I hid it again and again.
21:33But the stone would not move.
21:34I cried until I could barely see.
21:37Then Julian's voice cut through from behind me.
21:39Claire!
21:40What the hell are you doing?
21:41Sophie stood beside him, staring at me like I was a monster.
21:45I threw the broom handle at them.
21:47The sharp edge scraped across Julian's temple and blood appeared at once.
21:52Sophie screamed.
21:53Birds burst from the trees.
21:55Julian's face darkened like a storm.
21:57I did not step back.
21:59I walked up to him and jabbed a finger into his chest.
22:02Julian Ashford, you knew.
22:08You knew that man killed my mother.
22:10How could you?
22:12I was still holding back tears, but Sophie cried first.
22:16He only wanted to be buried beside your mother.
22:18What's wrong with that?
22:21If you want to be angry, be angry at me.
22:24He knew he was wrong at the end.
22:26He even asked me to look for you.
22:28Enough!
22:29I could not listen anymore.
22:31I raised my hand, but Julian caught my wrist.
22:34Sophie hid behind him.
22:35You think I'll let you hit her again?
22:37Then he noticed the scar on my palm.
22:39What's done is done.
22:40Let it go.
22:42Play your cards right, and things can go back to the way they were.
22:45I looked at him with bloodshot eyes.
22:48This was the man I had once loved.
22:50Every part of his face had once felt precious to me.
22:53Now I felt no love, only hate.
22:56Julian, first it was Lily, then my mother.
22:59Do you really think we can go back?
23:01In your eyes, how worthless am I?
23:03His grip loosened.
23:05His jaw tightened.
23:06I pulled my hand back, stopped looking at him, and walked away.
23:10The cemetery told me moving my mother's grave required both spouses' signatures.
23:16I knew Julian would never sign, so I had to wait for the divorce.
23:20But the Ashfords would never let me go easily.
23:23To them, it did not matter whether Julian loved me, or whether I was happy.
23:28As long as I was still useful for appearances, I had to stay Mrs. Ashford.
23:33I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel.
23:35Slowly, my hand moved to my still flat stomach.
23:39An idea began to form.
23:41Someone knocked on the window.
23:42Julian stood outside, frowning.
23:44His eyes landed on my hand.
23:47Are you feeling all right?
23:48Then I hit the gas.
23:49Julian jerked back.
23:51Behind him, Sophie screamed.
23:53Claire!
23:53Have you lost your mind?
23:55I did not listen.
23:56I drove away without looking back.
23:59On the way home, Julian's mother, Eleanor, called.
24:02She had heard the rumors.
24:03She wanted me to bring Lily to the Ashford estate.
24:05The moment Lily got out of the car, her grandparents picked her up.
24:09The Ashfords loved children, especially their only grandchild.
24:13After they played with Lily for a while, they finally got to the point.
24:17When I confirmed that Julian and I had filed for divorce, both of them frowned.
24:21We know about that woman.
24:23Julian crossed the line this time.
24:25But no matter what, you are the lady of this family.
24:28We will never let some nobody take your place.
24:30Claire, Julian made mistakes.
24:32But Lily is still young.
24:34You have to think about the child.
24:36Talk to Julian.
24:37Work things out.
24:39A divorce is out of the question.
24:41I listened quietly.
24:42When they finally stopped, I took the pregnancy report from my bag.
24:46Eleanor's eyes widened.
24:48Then she clapped her hands in delight.
24:50This is wonderful news.
24:51The Ashfords have only had one heir for generations.
24:55Claire, if you carry this baby to term, you'll be the family's greatest blessing.
24:59I watched their faces light up.
25:01Then I put the report away.
25:03Mom, Dad, if you want this baby, let Julian and me divorce.
25:07Eleanor froze.
25:08What do you mean?
25:10After the divorce, the baby goes to you.
25:12I get money and I get Lily.
25:14Do not give it to Julian.
25:16And do not let any of his women near it.
25:19Agree and I'll have the baby.
25:21Otherwise, I'll schedule the procedure.
25:24As for Julian and me, with or without this child, the divorce is happening.
25:29The room fell silent.
25:31After a long pause, Eleanor sighed.
25:34Claire, a woman should not push so hard.
25:36Why make things so difficult for yourself?
25:39Only I knew I had no other choice.
25:41Everything Julian did had become a fishbone stuck in my throat and a time bomb buried in
25:46my chest.
25:47Without Sophie, there would be another woman.
25:49One day, it might not just be a woman sitting in his car.
25:53It might be a woman holding his child.
25:55And when that day came, what would happen to Lily?
25:58All I wanted was to protect her.
26:00As for this baby, Richard and Eleanor Ashford would raise it with everything money could buy.
26:05It was risky, but it was the only move that could win.
26:08Richard and Eleanor agreed.
26:10To keep Julian from interfering, they promised to keep my pregnancy secret.
26:15I had a lawyer draft the agreement right away.
26:17By the time everything was signed, night had fallen.
26:20Lily and I stayed at the estate.
26:22Eleanor asked the staff to bring me a bowl of herbal soup.
26:25I was eating slowly at the table when Julian appeared.
26:29When Julian saw me, he loosened his tie.
26:32He looked ready for a fight.
26:33Sophie's leaving the city tomorrow.
26:35Are you happy now?
26:37My spoon paused.
26:38Then I understood.
26:40I didn't do that.
26:43No, you ran to my parents and whispered in their ears.
26:46Now they're forcing her out.
26:47I'd say you're pretty capable.
26:48I was too tired to read his moods.
26:51I'm sorry.
26:52Go to the cemetery tomorrow and sign the transfer papers.
26:55Pick the new plot yourself, then tell me.
26:57I stared at him.
26:58He thought this was all about the grave.
27:00He thought I was throwing a tantrum.
27:02I did not want to argue.
27:04Okay.
27:05He looked at me for a moment longer.
27:07Then he left.
27:07Two hours later, I saw his silhouette on Sophie's Instagram.
27:11A dark room.
27:12His side profile half hidden in shadow.
27:14The caption said,
27:16He said tonight I'm more beautiful than the moonlight.
27:18I laughed.
27:19Because Julian had once said those exact words to me.
27:22The first time we held hands.
27:23His palm had been warm and damp with nerves.
27:26I had looked up at the moon and said it was beautiful.
27:29He looked at me and said I was more beautiful than the moonlight.
27:32Back then, those words made my heart tremble.
27:34Now they were the last grain of sand left from our love.
27:38One gust of wind, and it was gone.
27:40When Julian tried to withdraw the divorce filing,
27:43Eleanor quietly blocked him.
27:44So on the 30th day, I got exactly what I wanted.
27:47The final divorce decree.
27:49I hid it away.
27:50Then I told Julian I was pregnant.
27:52He was overjoyed.
27:54He threw a week-long celebration across the city.
27:57A Times Square billboard.
27:58A yacht party.
27:59Tabloid headlines everywhere.
28:02Ashford's CEO worships the ground his wife walks on.
28:05Our love story was turned into a fairy tale.
28:08Only I knew fairy tales were lies.
28:10Julian thought I would never make trouble again, so he stopped holding back.
28:14Sophie's Instagram posts became more frequent,
28:16as if she was desperate to show off their secret paradise.
28:19I could not avoid seeing them.
28:21But Sophie probably did not know one thing.
28:24Every time Julian played soulmate with her, his guilt toward me paid interest.
28:28When they kissed under the Eiffel Tower, I received a pink diamond from a Sotheby's auction.
28:33When they watched the northern lights, an Upper East Side brownstone was transferred to my name.
28:38When they tangled on a yacht in the Mediterranean,
28:405% of Ashford Group's shares quietly entered my account.
28:44So when Sophie showed up at the Ashford estate, I was perfectly calm.
28:48She came alone.
28:49She knelt at the front gate without saying a word.
28:52The small swell of her belly said everything.
28:55Richard and Eleanor exchanged uneasy looks, then they let her in.
28:59When Sophie saw me, surprise flashed across her face.
29:02I raised an eyebrow and smiled.
29:04I could not bear to give up the baby, so she had kept it from Julian.
29:09Now the pregnancy was too far along,
29:11so I begged the Ashfords to let me carry it to term.
29:16After that, I will disappear with the child.
29:19When Julian arrived, she broke down crying.
29:22She begged him to spare her.
29:24She said she loved him.
29:25She said she loved the baby she had not even met.
29:28Her sobs filled the house.
29:29In my head, I almost applauded.
29:31When Eleanor came to me, looking torn, my bags were already packed.
29:36The medical care is better in London.
29:38I'll come back after the baby is born.
29:40The truth was, I had wanted to leave for a long time.
29:43As the months passed, I was running out of excuses to refuse Julian in bed.
29:47It was wearing me down.
29:49On the day I left, Julian held my hand.
29:51His eyes suddenly turned red.
29:54You don't have to go.
29:56My mistakes should not become your burden.
29:58He thought I was heartbroken.
30:00He thought I was running away in defeat.
30:01He had no idea how happy I was.
30:04As I turned to leave, his voice came from behind me.
30:09Claire, I will only have one wife in this life, and that is you.
30:12My step paused.
30:14I almost laughed.
30:15Oh, Julian, I had not been your wife for a long time.
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