An unexpected proposal changes two lives forever when a charming billionaire promises not only marriage but a lifetime of love and devotion. As misunderstandings fade and genuine feelings grow stronger, they discover that the greatest luxury isn't money—it's finding the right person. This heartwarming short drama is filled with romance, laughter, emotional moments, and unforgettable chemistry.
#MarryMeIllSpoilYouRotten #ShortDrama #BillionaireRomance #CEORomance #MarriageRomance #ContractMarriage #RomanticComedy #LoveStory #DramaSeries #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #SweetRomance
#MarryMeIllSpoilYouRotten #ShortDrama #BillionaireRomance #CEORomance #MarriageRomance #ContractMarriage #RomanticComedy #LoveStory #DramaSeries #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #FullEpisode #ENGSUB #SweetRomance
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before our wedding, my boyfriend left to take care of his childhood sweetheart.
00:05I called Marcus Cole, my nemesis.
00:08I'm short a groom today. You want to step in?
00:14Sophie's really sick. High fever.
00:16She's been like this since we were kids.
00:17And every time I was there for her, I can't just leave her.
00:20It used to hurt to hear it. It didn't anymore.
00:23My birthday.
00:24Sophie scraped her knee on set.
00:26He drove four hours to her.
00:28Our anniversary.
00:29Sophie got a death threat from a troll.
00:32He left me at the restaurant and spent the entire night at her apartment.
00:36And now, the night before our wedding, he booked a flight without telling me and flew out to be with
00:41her.
00:42Ryan, I'm asking one one more time.
00:46Can you make it back for the 11 o'clock ceremony?
00:49Lily, there's no way. Can we just push it back one day, please?
00:54Push it back?
00:58Every single guest is either already at the venue or on their way.
01:02And you're asking me to postpone the wedding?
01:05On what bounds-ins?
01:07Lily.
01:07Because you're a jerk?
01:09Or Sophie's just that good at playing the victim?
01:12Lily.
01:14I'm telling you.
01:15There's nothing going on between me and Sophie.
01:18You two should just marry each other.
01:20Why drag me into this for four years?
01:22If you're not back today, we're done.
01:24I told you, I literally cannot make it.
01:27If you don't want to lose me, you'll postpone the wedding.
01:30I turned around, grabbed a chair, and threw it directly at the engagement photo on the wall.
01:39Lily, what did that jerk say?
01:42It's okay, baby.
01:43It's okay not to get married.
01:45I looked at her.
01:46I forced a smile.
01:47Who said I'm not getting married?
01:49I called Marcus Cole, my nemesis.
01:52Freshman year, I have a good relationship with the class monitor.
01:56Marcus appeared out of nowhere and drank the whole thing.
02:00The class president never talked to me again after that.
02:04I'd always suspected that was when he decided to make my life difficult.
02:08After graduation, I thought I was done with him.
02:11No such luck.
02:12His family's business competed directly with mine.
02:15We kept ending up at the same table, bidding on the same projects.
02:20Lily?
02:22A few months back, when he found out I was getting married, he'd laughed and said,
02:28You should have married me.
02:29We are a powerful alliance.
02:31Yeah, it's me.
02:32I'm short a groom today.
02:34You want to step in?
02:35One second.
02:36Two seconds.
02:37Three.
02:37My heart was going too fast.
02:40Lily, is this a joke?
02:42If you don't want to, forget I...
02:43I'm in.
02:44You're actually saying yes?
02:47Yeah.
02:48But one condition.
02:50I'm not a prop.
02:52What does that mean?
02:54When I get married, I want a real wife.
02:56Someone who will actually be there.
02:58You understand?
03:00Deal.
03:01So, what do I need to do right now?
03:05Get to the Grand Hotel by 11.
03:08You won't be disappointed.
03:10We hung up.
03:11Everyone around me looked stunned.
03:13Marcus?
03:15The Marcus Cole you're always talking about?
03:17Your business rival?
03:19Yes.
03:20But how is that okay?
03:23He's your enemy.
03:25What if he uses this against you?
03:26Marcus is gorgeous.
03:28He built his company from scratch.
03:30He is so much better than Ryan.
03:32Ryan, I'm actually excited you.
03:35Marcus and I were using each other.
03:37But it didn't matter.
03:38I needed this wedding to happen.
03:40Ryan's parents called, trying to talk me down on his behalf.
03:45Be reasonable.
03:46Push it to tomorrow.
03:48If you want to be one of us...
03:50Lily, you need to learn to soften up a little.
03:53I hung up.
03:55Marry into their family?
03:57Keep dreaming.
03:58My parents had one kid.
04:00So they'd bought a townhouse, two doors down from our family home, and set it up as our wedding house.
04:06After the ceremony, once we signed everything, it would transfer to our names.
04:11By 9.30, I was in the dress.
04:13I knew I'd called Marcus in as a last-minute stand-in.
04:16I knew I was going to have to carry most of this myself.
04:20However bad it got, I was going to make it look perfect.
04:23When we were getting ready to leave, fireworks went off downstairs.
04:27The whole street smelled like a celebration.
04:30My other bridesmaid, Jessica, ran back into the room.
04:33Lily!
04:34Marcus is here!
04:35You have to see this motor trade!
04:37Come on, we have to go down and meet him!
04:39A long, perfect row of white cars lined the street.
04:43I didn't expect him to show up at my door.
04:46No one does that.
04:48Amber!
04:48Shoes!
04:49Now, let's go!
04:50My parents have already gone downstairs to pick him up.
04:53I had no idea what Marcus was up to.
04:56Lily!
04:57Hello?
04:58Mrs. Cole?
04:59Mom, dial it back a little.
05:01You're going to scare her.
05:05Marcus!
05:06What are you doing?
05:08What are you doing?
05:10I'm getting married.
05:12You...
05:12I told you to meet me at the venue!
05:14I'm going to the venue.
05:17I'm picking up my bride first.
05:20What, you're upset?
05:21If I just show up at the venue, what does that look like?
05:24What does everyone around me think?
05:29Marcus, how did you manage to get all this done in such a short time?
05:34Compared to you, that's nothing.
05:37What?
05:38Nothing.
05:40Shouldn't we be heading out?
05:41We're going to be cutting it close.
05:43My face went warm, but I nodded.
05:46Yeah, let's go.
05:47I never imagined my husband would be Marcus Cole.
05:50In my head, he'd always been the guy with the sharpest tongue in any room.
05:55The person I once thought of beating up turned out to be my husband.
05:59Eleven o'clock.
06:00The wedding began.
06:01When we walked onto the stage, the room erupted.
06:05Wait, that's not Ryan?
06:06I thought the groom was Ryan Kellerman.
06:09What is going on?
06:11Whoever this guy is, he's way taller.
06:14Way better looking.
06:16Has anyone noticed the Kellibert family isn't here?
06:19Did she switch grooms?
06:21This is insane.
06:22I was about to reach for the MC's mic to say something.
06:26Marcus got there first.
06:27I glanced at him.
06:28You've got some nerve.
06:30But I had underestimated him.
06:32Hi, everyone.
06:33I'm Marcus Cole, Lilissy's husband.
06:35Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us today.
06:37This is a love story that took some serious detours to get here, but we made it.
06:41He had apparently already briefed the MC because the entire script had been rewritten.
06:47The MC launched into a story about two evenly matched rivals, seven years of tension that turned
06:53out to be something else entirely.
06:54The right person has always been there.
06:58Everyone else is just there for the sake of it.
07:00Then the MC moved us forward, and we started exchanging rings.
07:04I was going to use the rings I'd bought for Ryan.
07:07But when the rings came out, I stopped.
07:09That wasn't the same box.
07:11I looked at Marcus.
07:12He was already opening it.
07:13A diamond caught the light and practically blinded the front row.
07:17Oh my god, is that 10 carats?
07:20At least.
07:22She is so lucky.
07:23Why does stuff like this never happen to me?
07:26Marcus put the ring on my finger.
07:28It fit perfectly.
07:29At the same time, Marcus leaned down and kissed me, mouth to mouth.
07:33I was already running on fumes, but the reception wasn't the end of it.
07:38After dinner, a handful of guests, some out of curiosity and some probably hoping to watch
07:43us fail, said they wanted to see the place.
07:46Marcus had done everything else.
07:48He couldn't have had time to set up a whole house.
07:51I was about to make excuses for us.
07:53Come on, everyone follow the cars!
07:56I thought he'd lost his mind.
07:58The whole ride over, I was tense.
08:00I didn't want to walk into an empty house and have everyone stare.
08:04Marcus reached over and took my hand.
08:07Hey.
08:09Stop worrying.
08:10When we got there, I understood why he told me not to worry.
08:14He had set everything up.
08:16White roses and red roses shaped into archways at every doorway.
08:21The decorators just left.
08:22Marcus leaned in close and then I saw the photos.
08:25My engagement photos.
08:27From the shoot I'd done with Ryan.
08:29Except, Ryan was gone.
08:30In his place, a photo of Marcus in a suit.
08:33How?
08:34Money.
08:35By the end of the day, I was completely exhausted.
08:38I showered, changed into pajamas, climbed into the king-sized bed, and didn't move.
08:44Marcus came out after his shower.
08:46I sat up.
08:46The photos.
08:48How did you actually have those?
08:49What if I told you Ryan gave them to me?
08:52Ryan gave them to you?
08:54Why would Ryan give you our engagement photos?
08:57Guess.
09:00Fine, forget it.
09:01He walked toward the bed.
09:02I looked away fast, cleared my throat.
09:05I want to sleep alone tonight.
09:08Separate bedrooms?
09:09Is that okay?
09:13Three days, that's all I'm asking.
09:16Can we maybe...
09:17No, don't even think about pulling a fast one on me.
09:20Then he walked over to the large sofa opposite and lay down.
09:24What are you doing?
09:27Sleeping.
09:29I said I wanted to sleep alone.
09:32You are sleeping alone.
09:33I meant in this room, by myself.
09:36You go sleep in the guest room.
09:38Not a chance.
09:39You care about appearances.
09:41Great.
09:41So do I.
09:43I showed up out of nowhere as a last-minute groom.
09:46My family is going out on a limb for me here.
09:48They're trusting me.
09:49And you want me sleeping in the guest room?
09:51He had a point.
09:52My phone rang.
09:53I grabbed it off the nightstand.
09:55Ryan.
09:56Marcus guessed it.
09:57He was off the couch fast.
09:59Ryan?
09:59I looked at the phone.
10:01Then I picked up.
10:02Before I could say a word, Ryan's voice came through.
10:05Like nothing had happened and he hadn't abandoned our wedding.
10:09Lily.
10:09I'm about to board.
10:10Land in two hours.
10:11Come pick me up, okay?
10:13Ryan.
10:14Do you have amnesia?
10:16I was wrong.
10:16I know.
10:17I'm sorry.
10:17I even got you something.
10:18Ryan.
10:19I got married today.
10:21He actually laughed.
10:23Okay, babe.
10:24Come on.
10:25My whole family didn't show up.
10:26Who exactly did you marry?
10:27You're right.
10:28Your family wasn't there.
10:29This wedding, my family planned it.
10:31We paid for it.
10:32We built it.
10:32And when you couldn't show up, your family didn't even try to help me manage it.
10:36One phone call and they told me to postpone it.
10:38Like that was my problem to solve.
10:40But Ryan, you are not the only man in the world.
10:43What are you saying, Lily?
10:44What are you saying right now?
10:46Marcus held out his hand.
10:48I thought about it for a second.
10:50Then I handed him the phone.
10:51Lily, answer me.
10:53Answer what?
10:55It's the middle of the night.
10:57You can call whoever you want, but you don't get to talk to my wife.
11:00Marcus?
11:01Is that Marcus Cole?
11:03Yeah.
11:04You can stop playing dumb.
11:06Who is your wife?
11:07What are you doing with Lily's phone?
11:09My wife is Lily.
11:11You knew what you were doing.
11:13Don't come around here anymore.
11:15You won't like how it ends for you.
11:17You two are unbelievable.
11:19Marcus hung up.
11:20The phone rang again immediately.
11:22I blocked the number.
11:24By the end of that night, I was running on empty.
11:26But my mind wouldn't quiet down.
11:28I was sure I'd lie there until morning.
11:31Instead, at some point, I fell asleep.
11:33When I woke up, pale light was leaking around the curtains.
11:37I grabbed my phone.
11:38After nine.
11:39I sat up fast.
11:40I got up.
11:41Washed my face.
11:42Was about to shower when I remembered I'd only packed one change of clothes.
11:47No shower then.
11:48Just make up and go.
11:49I came out of the bathroom and stopped.
11:51A full outfit was folded neatly on the couch.
11:54Everything.
11:55The right size.
11:56Marcus?
11:57This man I'd written off as arrogant and difficult for years.
12:01Turns out he had this side too.
12:03Marcus was at the table with his laptop.
12:05Working.
12:06He stood when he heard me.
12:07Came over and took my hand.
12:10Wow.
12:11All dressed up.
12:12Big meeting?
12:13No.
12:14I plan to go home today.
12:15And my grandpa had sat through the entire wedding without saying a word.
12:20That silence had weight.
12:21Right.
12:22Almost forgot.
12:24Breakfast first.
12:26He sat me down and brought out a small pot of oatmeal with fruit, a basket of warm croissants,
12:32fresh pressed orange juice, and two soft poached eggs.
12:35He filled my bowl.
12:36I took a bite.
12:37It was really good.
12:39Your chef is excellent.
12:41I don't have a chef.
12:43You made this?
12:45Yeah.
12:45If you like it, I'll cook for you more.
12:47I know a lot of other things.
12:48He said it like it was nothing.
12:50I didn't know what to do with that.
12:51This person I'd always seen as untouchable, all sharp edges and control, could just cook.
12:58I picked up the orange juice.
13:00He looked at me.
13:01Did you press this yourself?
13:02Mrs. Cole, you can trust that I'm going to take good care of you.
13:06I didn't know where to look.
13:08I put my head down and ate.
13:10After breakfast, I reached for the dishes.
13:12Marcus caught my hand.
13:14Hands like yours don't do dishes.
13:15That's what husbands are for.
13:17He loaded the dishwasher.
13:19I stood there watching.
13:20I thought about a dinner I'd made at Ryan's apartment once.
13:23The results were fine.
13:25Nothing special.
13:26Ryan finished everything and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
13:30I'm the luckiest guy alive.
13:31But Marcus said my hands were too nice for dishes.
13:34I wasn't comparing.
13:36I just noticed the difference.
13:37Marcus appeared at my elbow, face close, breath warm.
13:41What are you thinking about?
13:44Nothing.
13:45His arm came around my waist and he pressed a kiss to my forehead before I could move.
13:50I pushed him off and basically fled to the other room.
13:53We were almost out the door when my mom called.
13:56Ryan's family was at the house.
13:58We got there fast.
13:59I heard Ryan's mom before I was through the door.
14:02Your daughter has no shame.
14:04Hooking up with some other man behind my son's back.
14:09The man with no shame is Ryan.
14:12Marcus's voice cut through the room.
14:13You two little...
14:16Enough!
14:17Does anyone here think I'm dead?
14:19With all due respect, your granddaughter is the one in the wrong here.
14:25A man who doesn't even attend his own wedding.
14:28Who leaves his fiancee to go be with another woman.
14:32And you're standing in my house telling me my family is in the wrong?
14:37Get out!
14:38We came here for an apology.
14:41Not one word and now out!
14:44Fine.
14:45We'll go.
14:46But that townhouse they were supposed to get?
14:49Sell it.
14:50We want half.
14:52I almost laughed.
14:53Half of what?
14:54On what basis?
14:56On the basis that it was part of an agreement between our families.
15:01What agreement?
15:03Ryan is nothing to us now.
15:06We always said that house would go to Lily and her husband after the wedding.
15:10Her husband is right here.
15:11His name is...
15:13Marcus Cole.
15:14Marcus Cole.
15:16Not Ryan Kellerman.
15:17Ryan Kellerman is nobody.
15:19You cheated on my son and you're standing there acting righteous?
15:22I will tell everyone.
15:24I will make sure everyone knows what you did.
15:27The only thing anyone needs to know,
15:29that with parents like you,
15:31Ryan never stood a chance.
15:35You'll regret this, Lily.
15:37A second later, Marcus' phone buzzed.
15:39He stepped outside to take it.
15:41I followed.
15:41His assistant was at the gate,
15:43passing a sealed envelope through the bars.
15:45Then, as Ryan's parents reached the sidewalk,
15:48he held it out to them.
15:49Take this home.
15:50Read it carefully.
15:52I have more where that came from.
15:54You're welcome to go public.
15:55I'd actually enjoy watching how that plays out for your family.
15:58Ryan's parents looked at the envelope,
16:00at Marcus,
16:01at each other.
16:02They took it and left.
16:03Later, I asked him what was inside.
16:05He just smiled.
16:06Whatever it is,
16:08I thank God Lily didn't end up with that family.
16:10I always thought Ryan was decent enough,
16:13a stable job,
16:14educated,
16:15polite.
16:15I wasn't paying close enough attention.
16:17This turned out better.
16:19After everything settled,
16:21and the extra people had gone,
16:23Marcus went out to his car.
16:24He came back carrying a long,
16:26rectangular box,
16:27and two smaller ones.
16:29What is all this?
16:31Come here.
16:32Take these.
16:32I held them carefully.
16:34Marcus carried the long box over to my grandpa,
16:37and set it on the table in front of him.
16:40My parents asked me to bring this for you, sir.
16:42We're family now.
16:44You don't need to bring anything.
16:46It's not much.
16:46I heard you collect antique pocket watches.
16:49This watch has been sitting in my house for a long time.
16:51Everyone's tired of looking at them.
16:53I thought you might give it a better home.
16:57Pocket watches?
16:59I'd love your opinion, sir.
17:00A gold pocket watch,
17:02engraved case,
17:03the kind that caught light and held it.
17:05My grandpa reached for it
17:07before he could stop himself.
17:0917 jewel movement,
17:11cleanic happyment.
17:12This is a serious piece.
17:14Glad it meets your standard.
17:16It's too much.
17:18Take it home.
17:19The most valuable thing in this family
17:20just walked through my door.
17:22A watch is nothing.
17:24If you're willing to accept me as your grandson-in-law,
17:26I'd be honored if you kept it.
17:27He kept the watch.
17:30The first smaller box,
17:31my dad's preference somehow.
17:33The second smaller box,
17:34a delicate antique brooch.
17:36My mom wore vintage pieces
17:38whenever she could.
17:39How Marcus had found out
17:40all of this about my family.
17:42My dad and Marcus opened the scotch
17:44Marcus had brought.
17:45Marcus knew exactly what he was doing,
17:47talking about it like he'd been studying for years,
17:50distillery,
17:51aging process,
17:52tasting notes.
17:53Then he sat across from my grandpa
17:55and played cribbage with him for two hours.
17:57My mom was half watching a drama in the corner.
18:00Marcus managed to drop a few comments
18:02about the lead actor that had her
18:04and asking questions.
18:06By the end of the day,
18:07my entire family was calling him by his first name.
18:10Sweetheart.
18:11I was stunned.
18:12Sweetheart?
18:13I had never,
18:13in seven years,
18:15seen Marcus Cole
18:16turn the charm up this high.
18:18When we were leaving,
18:19my grandpa pulled me aside.
18:21That young man is the real deal, Lily.
18:23You take care of each other.
18:25You've had one false start.
18:26That's enough.
18:27Don't throw away something good.
18:30You two come back for dinner tomorrow night at I'll Cook.
18:33Mom.
18:35Listen to your mother.
18:36I looked at Marcus.
18:37He was already smiling at my mom.
18:40If you're not ready yet,
18:41there's no need to rush to get a make it official.
18:44I'll think of something to tell them.
18:45On the drive back,
18:47Marcus said it without looking at me.
18:49Okay.
18:50Tired?
18:51Not really.
18:52He reached over without warning
18:54and messed up my hair gently.
18:56Marcus!
18:59Yeah?
18:59I looked at the clean line of his jaw
19:01and held back what I'd been about to say.
19:04We had been enemies for years.
19:07You went quiet.
19:08Why did you say yes
19:10when I called you?
19:11Why wouldn't I?
19:12You're smart.
19:13You're driven.
19:14You're easy on the eyes.
19:15We run in the same world.
19:16You're the obvious choice.
19:18And honestly,
19:20once I marry you,
19:21I lose my most dangerous competitor.
19:22He just called me easy on the eyes
19:24and a worthy opponent in the same breath.
19:27Back to business.
19:28Whatever happens between us,
19:29I want to keep our company separate.
19:31Assets stay divided.
19:33Fine.
19:33No hesitation.
19:35I figured we were equals anyway.
19:37Except the next morning at the office,
19:39my assistant came in practically glowing.
19:42Lily!
19:42Lily!
19:43We got the Harrington Project.
19:45Really?
19:46I'd done my homework.
19:47Cole Group had been in that bid
19:49and they'd had the edge.
19:50Cole Group pulled out.
19:51So we're in!
19:52She was new.
19:53She didn't know yet.
19:54They withdraw?
19:56Yes.
19:56I sat with that for a moment.
19:59Thanks.
20:00You can go.
20:01That evening,
20:01I asked him straight,
20:04Why did you hand us the Harrington Project?
20:06You could handle it.
20:07We had other options.
20:07That's not a real answer.
20:09Before,
20:09yes,
20:09I would have fought you for it.
20:11But that was when you were
20:12someone else's girlfriend.
20:13You're my wife now.
20:14I'm not going to compete with my own wife.
20:16Soup's almost ready.
20:17Go change.
20:18Wash your hands.
20:19He'd shifted gears so cleanly
20:21I almost missed it.
20:22But I was also actually hungry.
20:26Wine?
20:28Sure.
20:29Dear dishes.
20:30Every one of them something I liked.
20:32Didn't realize we had the same taste.
20:34Better than expected.
20:36Eat more.
20:37You're too thin.
20:39Will it feel no soft to the touch?
20:41I automatically finished the thought in my head.
20:44Before bed,
20:45I went to the bathroom to do my skincare routine.
20:47After I came out,
20:48I found five missed calls,
20:50all from unknown numbers.
20:52The last one had been called three minutes earlier.
20:55Why didn't you call me when I had missed calls?
20:57Marcus was by the window.
20:59Someone outside.
21:01I came to stand beside him.
21:03A car was parked at the bottom of the driveway.
21:06In the light above the front gate,
21:08a figure stood on the sidewalk.
21:10Ryan.
21:11I turned to look at Marcus.
21:13How does he know your address?
21:15Big wedding,
21:15a lot of guests.
21:16Someone always likes to stir things up.
21:18My phone buzzed.
21:19A text from the unknown number.
21:21Lily,
21:21I'm outside.
21:22I know you can see me.
21:23Come down.
21:24I need to talk to you.
21:25You want to go?
21:27If you don't come out,
21:28I'll stay here all night.
21:29Please,
21:30just down.
21:30One last conversation.
21:31I didn't answer.
21:33Another text.
21:34I hesitated.
21:35Then I turned from the window.
21:37Marcus moved fast.
21:38One hand on my arm.
21:40You sure about this?
21:43Yeah.
21:44Last time.
21:47I'll come with you.
21:49Do what you want.
21:50The front door opened.
21:51Ryan was already moving toward me.
21:53Lily,
21:54you finally-
21:54He saw Marcus behind me.
21:56His expression changed.
21:57I need to talk to her alone.
21:59He doesn't get to be here.
22:00I glanced past Ryan
22:02to the woman standing by the car.
22:03Sophie's standing right there.
22:05So why exactly can't my husband be here?
22:07Ryan's face cracked.
22:08Husband.
22:09So you really were sneaking around
22:11behind my back.
22:11You're such a-
22:12The sound of my hand
22:14connecting with his face
22:15was very loud.
22:16My palms stung.
22:17Ryan stood there for a few seconds
22:19with his hand over his cheek.
22:20We're done, Ryan.
22:22Whatever you think happened,
22:23we're done.
22:24You know exactly
22:25when it started going wrong
22:27between you and Sophie.
22:29You made a choice.
22:33You knew?
22:36Ask her.
22:38She sent me the photos herself.
22:40Told me you'd never let her find out!
22:41Sophie said nothing.
22:43And just like that,
22:44I didn't hate her anymore.
22:46She was pathetic
22:47and pitiable
22:48in equal measure.
22:49Keep whatever dignity you have left.
22:51We're done.
22:52That's it.
22:54I turned to go back inside.
22:56Ryan's voice came from behind me,
22:59sharp and mocking.
23:00You finally got what you wanted,
23:02didn't you, Marcus?
23:03Must feel good.
23:04I stopped and turned around.
23:06What does that mean?
23:08I should have seen it.
23:09I should have been watching you
23:11the whole time.
23:12Marcus said nothing.
23:13He turned and walked away.
23:15Whatever came next for them
23:16was none of my business.
23:17I looked at Marcus.
23:19Leaning against the door frame,
23:20he looked at me.
23:21The corner of his mouth lifted.
23:25Who got what they wanted?
23:28You did, Mrs. Cole.
23:30Marcus had been in love with me
23:31this whole time.
23:33I kept turning this over
23:34and couldn't make it fit.
23:36And Ryan had known.
23:37Back in the bedroom,
23:39I pushed until I got the full story.
23:41Senior year of college,
23:43Ryan found Marcus' wallet,
23:44which contained a small photo of me.
23:47And he discovered the secret.
23:49The year we graduated,
23:50I started dating Ryan.
23:52Ryan knew Marcus liked me.
23:54So when the wedding photos were done,
23:55Ryan sent him a copy.
23:57He only said one sentence.
23:59You're done.
24:00Move on.
24:01After that,
24:02Marcus had stopped paying attention
24:03to me entirely.
24:04He told me all of this
24:06and then went and lay on the couch
24:08and stared at the ceiling
24:09and refused to say another word.
24:11Until I said,
24:13But we were enemies,
24:14weren't we?
24:17Who wanted to be your enemy?
24:19What?
24:20Nothing.
24:21I like you.
24:22That's the whole story.
24:23I leaned over the edge of the couch
24:25and looked at him up close.
24:27His ears were red.
24:29He was embarrassed.
24:30This sharp-tongued,
24:31unshakable man,
24:32embarrassed.
24:33Marcus,
24:35are you blushing right now?
24:36Be honest.
24:37Oh my God.
24:38He sat up fast,
24:40grabbed my wrist and pulled.
24:42Laugh one more time.
24:44See what happens.
24:46I held my breath.
24:47Didn't blink.
24:49He held the look for another second,
24:51then pushed off and walked away.
24:55I jumped up off the couch,
24:56ran to the bed
24:57and pulled the covers over my head.
25:00Somehow,
25:01after all of that,
25:02I fell asleep.
25:03The next morning,
25:03Marcus was up before me.
25:05He came to the side of the bed
25:06and tugged the blanket.
25:08It's early.
25:09Sleep in.
25:10I'll call you when breakfast is ready.
25:12Mmm.
25:13At 7.10,
25:14my phone rang.
25:15Marcus,
25:15I came downstairs.
25:17Breakfast was already on the table.
25:19After we ate,
25:20he said,
25:21My mom mentioned
25:22she'd love to have us over
25:23for dinner tonight.
25:24Does that work for you?
25:26It works.
25:27I'll drop you at the office this morning
25:29and pick you up after.
25:30Okay.
25:30But that afternoon,
25:31a piece of gravel
25:33that fell from the construction site
25:35hit me on the head.
25:36My company's project manager,
25:38Amber,
25:38had taken me along
25:39to do a site walkthrough.
25:41Call an ambulance quickly!
25:41A loose chunk of concrete
25:43came off the upper level.
25:44We went straight to the emergency room.
25:47Severe concussion.
25:48The doctor wanted me admitted.
25:49A serious concussion?
25:50We'd barely gotten through the intake
25:51when Marcus walked through the door.
25:53What's going on?
25:54He talked to the doctor,
25:55got the full picture.
25:56Only then did his expression ease.
25:59He went to handle
26:00the admission paperwork.
26:01How did he even know I was here?
26:06He,
26:07he's my cousin.
26:09Cousins?
26:11You've been hiding this for years?
26:13You two were at each other's throats constantly.
26:15Every time you brought him up,
26:16you sounded like you wanted
26:17to commit a crime.
26:18I stayed out of it.
26:19I swear I never told him anything
26:20about the company.
26:21That part I believe.
26:24But my personal life,
26:25my family's preferences,
26:27my taste in food,
26:29that was all you, wasn't it?
26:30He's my cousin.
26:32I helped where I could.
26:34Case closed.
26:36Marcus studied business management
26:37to take over from his father.
26:39His second year of college,
26:40he asked his dad to shift
26:41the company's base of operations here.
26:43His father had a contact in the city
26:44who was developing
26:45a major real estate project
26:46and needed an investment partner.
26:48That gave us the opening.
26:49We moved the business here
26:50gradually over the next few years.
26:52That makes sense.
26:55For his father,
26:56that was the reason.
26:57For Marcus,
26:58there was another one.
27:01I only found out
27:02a couple of years ago.
27:04There was a girl he liked.
27:06She was here.
27:07The night before your wedding,
27:08Amber called me.
27:09She said the girl
27:10Marcus had been carrying a loach for
27:12was about to get married.
27:13I was worried about him,
27:15so I went over.
27:16He had your pictures up
27:17on his laptop.
27:17I thought,
27:18that's her,
27:19the one.
27:20And she's marrying someone else tomorrow.
27:22Then the next morning,
27:23he called me out of nowhere
27:24and said he was getting married.
27:25I thought he'd lost it completely.
27:27I asked him,
27:27who to?
27:28The girl I love.
27:29And I could hear it in his voice,
27:30this joy he couldn't even
27:31pretend to contain.
27:33He told us not to ask questions,
27:34just trust him.
27:35Things were moving fast.
27:36Follow his lead.
27:37She stopped.
27:38Her eyes were bright.
27:39Marcus has not cried
27:40since he was five years old.
27:41But that night when I came over,
27:43he was drinking alone
27:44and there were tears on his face.
27:46Lily,
27:46please take care of him.
27:48Because he loves you.
27:49He really,
27:51truly loves you.
27:51I will.
27:52We'd barely left the hospital
27:54when his mom suggested
27:55I come stay with them for a while.
27:57I've got it,
27:58mom.
27:58She's my wife.
28:00Thank you for today.
28:01We'll see you soon.
28:02He picked up my bag,
28:03put his hand on my back,
28:04and steered me toward the car.
28:06On the way home,
28:07I kept glancing at him.
28:08I was trying to picture it.
28:10Marcus,
28:11alone,
28:11with tears on his face.
28:13I laughed before I could stop myself.
28:15Lily,
28:16if something is actually wrong with you,
28:18say the word,
28:18and we'll turn around right now.
28:20I laughed harder,
28:21which made the stitches pull,
28:23which made everything worse.
28:26You're being incredibly mean
28:28to an injured person.
28:30You're staring at your husband
28:31like he's a circus act.
28:33How is that my fault?
28:34The light turned red.
28:36Confess.
28:37I'll make your favorite for dinner.
28:40And if I don't confess?
28:42Still making your favorite for dinner.
28:46Then we have nothing to negotiate.
28:48He'd made a promise.
28:49Three days.
28:50The three days were up.
28:51I got into bed first,
28:53looked at him.
28:54You don't thrash in your sleep, right?
28:56Of course not.
28:58I barely move, I promise.
28:59I won't go anywhere near your stitches.
29:02Then get in.
29:03He climbed in fast.
29:04Okay.
29:06You're okay.
29:07I'm not touching you.
29:08Sleep.
29:09I closed my eyes.
29:11Then he leaned over
29:12and kissed the corner of my mouth.
29:16Good night.
29:17I stared at the ceiling,
29:19just out of nowhere.
29:21A few more days at home.
29:23Marcus mostly,
29:24he stayed close.
29:25The stitches came out
29:26a week and a half later.
29:27The doctor had shaved
29:28a small patch on my head.
29:30I hated the look of it.
29:31So I wore a clip in
29:33at the office until it grew back.
29:34Marcus had decided
29:36I couldn't eat certain things
29:37until I was fully healed.
29:39He enforced this
29:40without apology.
29:41Three meals a day,
29:43cooked.
29:43If he genuinely
29:44couldn't do it,
29:45his mom sent something over.
29:47Word had spread
29:48through the company.
29:49My husband was Marcus Cole,
29:51and I was apparently
29:52on good terms
29:53with his mother.
29:54Marcus' mom and I
29:56are getting our nails done.
29:57Marcus' mom
29:58invited me to her book club.
29:59I introduced Marcus' mom
30:01to historical cosplay.
30:02We're planning a trip together.
30:03The person who benefited
30:04most from all of this
30:06was my mom.
30:07As for me,
30:08Marcus had slowly ruined me
30:10for normal life.
30:11I'd become lazy
30:12in a way I hadn't noticed
30:14until it was too late.
30:15He blew my hair dry
30:16for me after showers.
30:18One morning,
30:18I came up behind him
30:19while he was cooking
30:20and wrapped my arms
30:22around him and said,
30:23Are you trying
30:24to make me useless?
30:25He turned my hand over
30:27and pressed his lips
30:28to the inside of my wrist.
30:30Like you were doing
30:31any of this
30:31before I came along.
30:32Here's the thing.
30:34Once you've had this,
30:35you can't go back.
30:37I'm doing this on purpose.
30:38I want you so used
30:40to being taken care of
30:41that you can't imagine
30:42life without me.
30:43That's the plan.
30:44What if you change
30:45your mind someday
30:45and leave?
30:46Then I'm in real trouble.
30:48He turned all the way around,
30:49tipped my chin up
30:50and kissed me once.
30:52Seven years.
30:54I had you in my head
30:55for seven years.
30:56I finally got here.
30:57You think I'm letting go?
30:59Go change.
31:00Dinner in ten.
31:01We never filed
31:02the marriage license.
31:03I don't know how
31:04he explained it to my family,
31:06but no one pushed.
31:07He'd told them
31:08he was waiting for me,
31:09waiting until I was ready
31:11to choose it for real.
31:12Four months after the wedding,
31:14I found out I was pregnant.
31:16I looked down
31:17at the man holding my hand.
31:19Marcus,
31:20let's go make it official.
31:24Right now?
31:25For real?
31:26He'd had the folder
31:27sitting in his car
31:28for months.
31:29IDs,
31:30the marriage license application,
31:32all of it.
31:33I thought he'd ask,
31:34is this just because of the baby?
31:36He never asked.
31:37All the way through the process
31:39and after,
31:40when we came out
31:41with the paper in hand,
31:42he held me,
31:43let go,
31:44kissed me,
31:45held me again.
31:47Thank you,
31:48Mrs. Cole.
31:49Mr. Cole is very,
31:50very in love with you.
31:51That's not changing.
31:52Before we made it home,
31:54sitting in the car,
31:55he took a photo
31:56of the license
31:56and the ultrasound printout
31:58and posted it.
31:59I opened Instagram
32:00and liked his post.
32:02Then I posted
32:03one of our wedding photos,
32:04caption,
32:05for the rest of it,
32:06I'm staying.
32:07She was beautiful,
32:08but what got me
32:10wasn't her face,
32:11it was the way she laughed.
32:12I fell for her on the spot.
32:14I'd never liked anyone
32:16before.
32:16I didn't know
32:17how to do it,
32:18so I just kept showing up,
32:19kept making her notice me,
32:21and I got it completely wrong.
32:23She thought I was
32:24picking fights,
32:25thought I didn't like her,
32:26that I was going out of my way
32:28to make her life difficult.
32:29I wasn't.
32:31I just liked her.
32:32Liked her so much
32:33that on quiet nights,
32:34when the room was empty
32:35and everyone was out,
32:37I'd lie on my bed
32:38and think about her
32:39and feel,
32:40inexplicably,
32:41fine.
32:42I really liked her.
32:43She genuinely
32:44couldn't stand me.
32:45Marcus is the most annoying.
32:48So everything I did,
32:49I kept quiet about.
32:51Because when someone you dislike
32:53does something for you,
32:54it doesn't feel like kindness,
32:56it feels like a motive.
32:57I didn't want her more on guard.
32:59I didn't know what else to do.
33:01So I just kept liking her,
33:03let it grow,
33:04because I couldn't stop it.
33:05Senior year,
33:06her thesis files
33:07were wiped by a virus.
33:08I recovered her system
33:10and got everything back.
33:11This time,
33:12I'd gone to her.
33:13She had to know it was me.
33:15Marcus,
33:16thank you.
33:17Don't mention it.
33:18But she'd looked at me.
33:20That was enough
33:21to run on for weeks.
33:22And when she said my name,
33:24I thought,
33:24huh,
33:25my name sounds like that.
33:27Then I thought,
33:28her name,
33:28Lily.
33:29I'd been saying it
33:30in my head for years.
33:31It never got old.
33:33It still doesn't.
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