- 8 hours ago
Don't say I do EP
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00When the wedding reached the exchange of vows, the entire Manhattan Art Museum fell silent.
00:05Guests sat on both sides of a corridor of white roses.
00:07Crystal lights hung from the vaulted ceiling like an upside-down frozen lake.
00:11On the enormous electronic screen, engagement photos of Ryan Hall and me played in a loop.
00:15As I walked toward Ryan, I raised my hand and touched the old pair of earphones by my ear.
00:20It was the last thing my parents had left me before their car accident.
00:24Today, before saying I do, I had planned to listen once to the wedding blessing
00:28they had recorded for me while they were alive.
00:30But the voice that rang out was my own.
00:34Ava, do not say I do.
00:36At that moment, Ryan was kneeling on one knee and holding my hand.
00:41In a low voice, he asked,
00:45Ava? Ava Lynn? Will you become my wife? Ryan Hall?
00:50The voice in the earphones continued,
00:52I am you from three years in the future.
00:54The man in front of you registered a marriage with your bridesmaid, Mia Chen, in Las Vegas last month.
00:59She is seven weeks pregnant.
01:01The child is his.
01:03Mia was my best friend.
01:05At that very moment, she stood behind me in her bridesmaid dress.
01:09Her eyes reddened.
01:12Everyone thought she was only sad to see me get married.
01:15But my future self said,
01:17Do not trust her.
01:19Her tears are an act for you.
01:21Ryan's smile stiffened, slightly.
01:24Ava, what is wrong?
01:26Ava, are you feeling unwell?
01:28Mia came closer and supported my arm.
01:30The me in the earphones said coldly,
01:33Do not let her touch you.
01:36Look at her left hand.
01:38On Mia's left ring thing was a thin diamond ring.
01:42I had seen that ring before.
01:44Ryan's mother, Grace, had once said it was the Hall family ring passed to daughters-in-laws.
01:48After the wedding, I will put it on you myself.
01:51At the time, she smiled at me and said,
01:54But now, it was on Mia's hand.
02:00I withdrew my hand.
02:01Ryan reminded me in a low voice.
02:05Ava, everyone is watching.
02:07The voice in my earphones also reminded me.
02:10Do not cry.
02:11Do not make a scene.
02:12In your last life, you broke down on the spot, and they edited you into a mad woman.
02:19Tonight, say nothing.
02:22Just remember, the wedding will not be completed.
02:26My breath stopped.
02:28Why?
02:29Because the crystal chandelier will fall.
02:31I jerked my head up.
02:33The huge crystal chandelier above us was swaying slightly.
02:36The next second, the sound of metal snapping pierced the entire art museum.
02:41The light fixture is loose!
02:44The guests instantly fell into chaos.
02:50Ryan was closest to me.
02:52But he barely looked at me.
02:55He threw himself toward Mia and protected her tightly in his arms.
02:59I was knocked down by the panicked crowd.
03:02My shoulder slammed into the champagne tower, and glass shattered across the floor.
03:08The crystal chandelier crashed down.
03:12As blood ran down my arm, I heard Ryan lower his voice and ask Mia,
03:17Is the baby hurt?
03:22When I woke, I was in the hospital.
03:25Snow light from New York before dawn fell by the window, white enough to hurt my eyes.
03:30Mia sat beside the bed, all ten of my fingers wrapped in sclaws.
03:35The moment she saw my eyes open, she rushed towards me.
03:38Ava, you finally woke up!
03:39Do you know how much blood you lost?
03:42I did not hug her.
03:44I only looked at her lower abdomen.
03:48She subconsciously shrunk back a little.
03:50That motion had answered every question for her.
03:55The door opened, and Ryan hurried in.
03:58His eyes were bloodshot, his suit jacket over his arm, as if he had not slept all night.
04:05The doctor says you have a mild concussion and twelve stitches in your shoulder.
04:11He sat by the bed and tried to hold my hand.
04:14Ava, I am sorry.
04:16Last night was too chaotic.
04:19I avoided his hand.
04:21His movement froze.
04:22Ava?
04:25I asked.
04:27Why did you save her first?
04:29The ward went quiet.
04:30Ryan quickly adjusted his expression.
04:33Because I know Mia is the person you care about most.
04:36If she had been hurt, it would have hurt you more than being hurt yourself.
04:40I looked at Ryan.
04:43What if I had been the one crushed to death last night?
04:46Ryan's face went pale.
04:50Do not say things like that.
04:53Mia suddenly stood.
04:55Ryan, stop lying to her.
04:56Ryan turned to look at her, his gaze frighteningly cold.
05:00Shut up.
05:02Let her speak.
05:04Mia began to cry.
05:06Ava, actually, he and I...
05:10Mia!
05:11She just woke up.
05:12Do you have to upset her?
05:13I looked at Ryan.
05:15You are pregnant?
05:16At the door, the color drained from Maya's face.
05:20Ryan froze too.
05:22I laughed softly.
05:23So it is true.
05:25Mia covered her mouth, tears falling non-stop.
05:28I never meant for you to know.
05:29I really never meant to hurt you.
05:32Not wanting me to know and not wanting to hurt me are two different things.
05:36It's complicated.
05:38I looked at him.
05:39So complicated that you and she have already registered a marriage in Las Vegas.
05:43Ryan's pupils shrank.
05:45Mia froze too.
05:47How do you know?
05:49The me and the earbuds warned me.
05:51Do not explain the earphones.
05:53Let them be afraid.
05:55I did not answer.
05:58Ryan took a step closer.
06:00Ava, listen to me.
06:02I registered with Mia because she was pregnant.
06:04Her family was under a lot of pressure.
06:06I only wanted to stabilize the situation first.
06:09I asked back.
06:10Then what am I?
06:12Another part of the situation you needed to stabilize?
06:15He panicked.
06:16No.
06:17I love you.
06:20Mia cried.
06:21Ava, I told him to stop.
06:23I really did.
06:24I looked at her.
06:26Did you tell him to stop?
06:27Or tell him to lie more cleanly?
06:30Mia's face turned deathly pale.
06:33Ryan finally lost patience.
06:36You are emotionally unstable right now.
06:38We should not discuss this yet.
06:40The voice in my earphones said coldly,
06:42Do you hear that?
06:43The first step has begun.
06:45He will first say you are emotionally unstable,
06:48then say you need help,
06:49and finally send you to a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
06:54I raised my hand and pressed the nurse call button.
06:57Ryan frowned.
06:58What are you doing?
07:00Please leave.
07:01I said, I need to rest.
07:03He wanted to come closer, but a nurse stopped him.
07:08At the door, Mia turned back, crying.
07:11Ava, I really did not do it on purpose.
07:14I asked her,
07:15Then how did you get pregnant?
07:17Did you walk into the wrong room?
07:19She looked as if she had been slapped in public and could not say a word.
07:25After the door closed,
07:26I finally spoke to the person in my earphones.
07:30Me from three years later.
07:32What happened after this in the last life?
07:34The other side was silence for a long time.
07:37Then she said,
07:39You married him.
07:41Or rather,
07:41You thought you married him.
07:43That wedding never completed the legal procedure.
07:48Afterward,
07:49He coaxed you into signing supplemental documents.
07:53What you received was only a ceremonial certificate.
08:25Two months later,
08:26Marital authorization documents.
08:28Three years later,
08:29I have just come out of that hospital.
08:34I closed my eyes.
08:39When I opened them again,
08:40I asked,
08:42What should I do?
08:43Don't cry.
08:45Don't make a scene.
08:46Don't give them footage to edit.
08:50Collect evidence and find a lawyer.
08:53When they arranged the supplementary signing ceremony.
08:56Make them lie in front of the camera.
08:59I did not cancel the follow-up signing ceremony.
09:02After the chandelier fell,
09:04Last night's wedding was forced to stop.
09:06Ryan quickly explained to the outside world that I need to rest because my injuries,
09:10And the official documents would be signed after I recovered.
09:14He thought I did not know.
09:16That so-called official document would never be submitted to the county clerk.
09:21The next afternoon,
09:23Ryan came to the hospital again.
09:26He carried the Thai food I usually ate,
09:29Sat by my bed,
09:31And spoke carefully.
09:33You did not eat last night.
09:35Have a little.
09:36The instant he opened the container,
09:39The smell of peanut sauce rushed out.
09:41I was allergic to peanut,
09:43As Ryan knew.
09:45When we first got together,
09:46I had been sent to the emergency room because a restaurant served the wrong dish.
09:53He carried me into the hospital,
09:55His hands shaking so badly he could barely sign the forms.
10:00After that day,
10:01He cleared out everything containing peanuts from his home.
10:05He had said,
10:06Ava,
10:07I will remember every small thing about you.
10:11Now,
10:11With his own hands,
10:13He placed peanut cold noodles
10:15In front of me.
10:18Ryan's face changed.
10:20The restaurant packed the wrong order.
10:21I will change it right away.
10:23The me in the ear bug said,
10:25It was not packed wrong.
10:27That portion is Mia's.
10:29Peanut cold noodles from this place are her favorite.
10:33I looked at him.
10:34You just said you bought this.
10:36He stiffened.
10:37I asked my assistant to pick it up.
10:39There may have been a communication mistake.
10:46So you can confuse my allergy with her preference?
10:50Ryan said in a low voice.
10:53Ava,
10:54Things have been too chaotic lately.
10:56Mia happened to be standing in the doorway and heard that sentence.
10:59When she saw the peanut cold noodles,
11:02Herc'd worse than mine.
11:03You even forgot her allergy?
11:06Ryan turned irritably.
11:08What right do you have to criticize me?
11:10Mia sneered.
11:12At least I did not plan to make her wear a wedding dress to a fake wedding.
11:17Ryan's expression changed, I said.
11:20Both of you, get out.
11:21Ryan immediately softened his voice.
11:24Ava, we can postpone the signing.
11:26Your health matters most, I said.
11:27Not postpone.
11:29Tomorrow, as planned.
11:31He froze.
11:33Are you sure?
11:34I nodded.
11:36I want to see with my own eyes how you marry me.
11:39Ryan thought I had softened.
11:41Even relief floated into his eyes.
11:43I knew you would not leave me.
11:46After they left, I called my lawyer, Jonathan.
11:51Jonathan was my university classmate,
11:53and now worked at a Manhattan law firm.
11:56After hearing everything, he asked only,
11:59Do you want to settle privately, or fight publicly?
12:02I looked at the peanut noodles.
12:05Publicly.
12:06I also contacted investigative journalist Claire.
12:10She was a friend of my parents' and had investigated financial scandals in tech companies.
12:15Claire asked,
12:16Are you sure you want to drag the Hall family into this?
12:19I said.
12:19They already dragged me in.
12:22The me and the earbuds gave intermittent instructions.
12:26Check Nevada marriage records.
12:28Ryan Hall.
12:29Mia Chen.
12:30Also his private email keyword ceremony packet.
12:33Be careful, the signal is unstable.
12:36I cannot stay online forever.
12:38Every time you change one piece of the future,
12:41I will lose a piece of memory.
12:43My heart tightened.
12:45Will you disappear?
12:46If you win, I will no longer need to exist.
12:5020 minutes later, Jonathan sent the documents.
12:57Ryan Hall and Mia Chen had registered a marriage in Las Vegas, one month earlier.
13:03Marital status, valid.
13:05The second document was the signing procedure packet from Ryan's private email.
13:10It stated,
13:12Use a ceremonial certificate on site.
13:15Do not file with the county clerk.
13:17The officiant serves only as ceremony witness.
13:20Tell the bride that the marriage license has already been processed by the team.
13:24In other words, tomorrow's signing was only a performance staged for me.
13:29I asked the version of myself in the earphones.
13:34What did I do after I discovered it in my last life?
13:37You rushed to hit Mia and smashed Ryan's car.
13:42The media filmed you losing control.
13:46The Hall family said you had violent contendents.
13:49And this time?
13:51Play the recording on the big screen.
13:53Have someone from the county clerk verify the license on the spot.
13:56Let Claire livestream.
13:58Make Ryan admit it with his own mouth.
14:00I backed up every document to three cloud accounts and said Jonathan and Claire.
14:11That night, Ryan sent me a message.
14:13Tomorrow I will pick you up.
14:15I will give you back the wedding that was interrupted.
14:18I replied,
14:19Okay.
14:20I will be there on time.
14:22Ryan, you think tomorrow is the signing for my wedding?
14:25No.
14:26Tomorrow is your public execution.
14:28The signing ceremony was set in the same Manhattan Art Museum.
14:32The chandelier that fell last night had been removed.
14:34The carpet was new.
14:35And the champagne tower had been arranged again.
14:38Ryan said,
14:39Yesterday was only an accident.
14:41Today, we finish what should have been.
14:44I stood in the lounge, wearing my repaired wedding dress.
14:48My parents' earphones hidden beneath my veil.
14:52My future self said,
14:55Do not be afraid.
14:56Jonathan is here.
14:57Claire is here.
14:58The county clerk staff are here too.
15:00Wait until the officiator asks whether you are willing to sign.
15:04Then speak.
15:08The door opened.
15:10Mia walked in.
15:11She wore her bridesmaid's dress.
15:13Her face pale.
15:14One hand constantly pressing her lower upment.
15:17She said softly,
15:19Ava,
15:21there is still time to leave.
15:23I looked at her.
15:25Are you advising me to run from the wedding?
15:27Or leaving yourself a line that says you warned me?
15:31Mia's tears fell instantly.
15:34You know everything, don't you?
15:36Know what?
15:38That you are carrying my fiancé's child?
15:40Or that you are already his legal wife?
15:43Her body swayed.
15:46Ava,
15:47Ava,
15:47I really did not mean to steal him.
15:50At first,
15:51I only wanted to test him for you.
15:54I was afraid you would be fooled by a man like him.
15:57I smiled.
15:59So you tested him for me all the way to pregnancy,
16:02to marriage,
16:03and to a front row seat at my signing ceremony?
16:07Mia cried and grabbed my hand.
16:10We have been friends for ten years.
16:12You saved my life.
16:14How could I truly hurt you?
16:16I withdrew my hand.
16:19When you hurt me,
16:20you did not live one second less.
16:23In college,
16:24Mia's ex-boyfriend cornered her in a parking lot.
16:28When the knife came down towards her,
16:30I threw myself in front of her and took it.
16:33The doctor later told me the abdominal injury was severe,
16:36and it would be difficult for me to carry a pregnancy safely in the future.
16:43Mia knelt beside my hospedad and sworn,
16:47Ava,
16:47I owe you my life.
16:49Now she held what I had lost,
16:51and begged me to forgive what she had gained.
16:55Ryan's voice came from outside the door.
16:58Ava,
16:59are you ready?
17:00He pushed in and saw Mia.
17:02His expression chilled at once.
17:05Why are you still here?
17:06Mia wiped her tears.
17:09I am advising her not to marry you.
17:14Ryan sneered.
17:16What right do you have?
17:17I interrupted.
17:18Both of you,
17:19leave.
17:20I want to be alone for a while.
17:23After they left,
17:25my future self said,
17:26Ryan will go to the side hall to take a call.
17:28Mia will follow.
17:30Record it.
17:32I turned on my phone recorder.
17:34In the side hall,
17:36Mia lowered her voice.
17:37Ryan,
17:38stop.
17:39She already knows something.
17:41Ryan said,
17:42She will not have evidence.
17:45Are you really going to make her sign that thing?
17:48The ceremony is only formed.
17:50Ryan said calmly.
17:52You are my legal wife.
17:53She only needs a stable ending.
17:57Then what about me?
17:59After the child is born,
18:01I will arrange it.
18:02Ryan paused.
18:03The trust left by Ava's parents,
18:05and the shares in her hands,
18:06are important to my company's listing.
18:08We cannot agitate her now.
18:12I pressed save.
18:15So it was not only betrayal.
18:17Even the things my parents left me,
18:19had been calculated by him.
18:23The ceremony began.
18:24I walked into the Rose Corridor.
18:27Half the guests who had witnessed the chandelier fall last night were gone.
18:30The remaining guests were the people the Hall family most wanted to control.
18:35Ryan stood at the end.
18:36His eyes gentle,
18:39as if he were truly waiting for a perfect ending interrupted by an accident.
18:45The officiator picked up the document and asked,
18:49Ava Lynn,
18:50are you willing to confirm your marital commitment to Ryan Hall
18:54and sign this ceremonial certificate?
18:57I took the microphone.
18:59Ryan's smile stiffened.
19:01Ava?
19:01I looked at him.
19:03Before I answer, I want to confirm one thing.
19:05Ryan, you have no other legal spouse right now, correct?
19:08The whole room went quiet.
19:11I pressed play.
19:13You are my legal wife.
19:14She only needs a stable ending.
19:16His voice rang through the art museum.
19:18The audience area exploded.
19:23The next second, the screen changed.
19:26It no longer showed engagement photos.
19:29It showed Ryan and Mia's Las Vegas marriage registration record.
19:33Claire entered from the side door with a camera opert.
19:36Jonathan stood beside me holding documents.
19:38Two county clerk staff members showed their IDs
19:41and requested verification of the marriage license on site.
19:44Ryan rushed forward to snatch my phone.
19:47I stepped back, removed the ring from my finger,
19:49and threw it into the champagne tower beside me.
19:53Glasses crashed across the floor.
19:54I looked at him.
19:56Ryan Hall, you already have a wife,
19:58yet you made me put on a wedding dress and sign a fake document.
20:01Now explain it in front of everyone.
20:03The gentleness on Ryan's face finally shattered completely.
20:07Ryan's first reaction was not to apologize.
20:09He turned to Mia, his voice pressed with anger.
20:12Did you tell her?
20:13Mia shook her head.
20:14It was not me.
20:15If not you, then who?
20:16Ryan sneered.
20:18You always wanted to be the good person, didn't you?
20:19I held the microphone.
20:21Do not rush to divide the spoils.
20:23I found the evidence myself.
20:25Claire pushed the camera closer.
20:27Mr. Hall, do you admit that you have a valid marriage with Mia Chen?
20:33Ryan's face was ugly.
20:34That is a private matter.
20:35I said,
20:37The moment you used a fake marriage license to deceive me,
20:40it stopped being private.
20:41The county clerk staff opened the file.
20:44This number does not exist.
20:45The officiator has not filed any valid record.
20:48Someone in the guest seats muttered,
20:50Disgusting.
20:51Grace Hall sat in the first row.
20:52She was Ryan's mother and the chairwoman of the Hall group board.
20:55She did not look at Ryan, only at me.
20:57As though I were a contract that had gone out of control.
21:03Mia suddenly rushed over and grabbed my wedding dress.
21:06Ava, listen to me.
21:07At first, I really only wanted to help you test him.
21:10I knew you trusted him too much.
21:13I was afraid he would deceive you.
21:15I looked down at her hand.
21:16You tested him until you were pregnant?
21:18She stiffened.
21:19Ryan immediately stepped in front of her.
21:21Enough.
21:22She is pregnant.
21:23Do not upset her.
21:24The room fell silent for the third time.
21:26Mia whipped her head toward Ryan.
21:29Are you insane?
21:31I looked at his movements.
21:32When the chandelier fell, he protected her.
21:35When the truth was exposed, he protected her.
21:37When the child was exposed, he still protected her.
21:41And I was only the tool who needed a stable ending.
21:44The voice in my earphone said,
21:47Ava, in the last light, you hid her here.
21:50Do not give her edited footage.
21:52I raised my hand.
21:54Mia closed her eyes.
21:55Everyone thought I was going to slap her.
21:58But I only removed her hand from my wedding dress.
22:01Mia, you are not worth dirting my hands.
22:04She opened her eyes.
22:05And her face looked worse than if I had struck her.
22:08Ryan grunted his teeth.
22:10Ava, do not make yourself sound so innocent.
22:13I took care of you for three years.
22:15After your parents died, I helped you walk out of grief.
22:18Mia also cried.
22:20I stayed with you, too.
22:22We are not bad people.
22:24We only made a mistake.
22:25I looked at them.
22:26If I had not found out today,
22:29how long were you planning to let me be wrong?
22:32Until the child was born?
22:34Until you held a one-month celebration?
22:36Or until the whole internet mocked me as the woman in a wedding dress
22:40attending someone else's marriage?
22:42Ryan finally panicked.
22:44I never wanted things to become like this.
22:45Things were already like this.
22:48I only turned on the light.
22:54Grace finally stood.
22:57She walked up to me, her tone cold.
23:01Ava, enough.
23:03Name your price.
23:04The room went quiet.
23:07I asked,
23:08Mrs. Hall,
23:09did you know they were married from the beginning?
23:13She did not answer.
23:16Silence was already an answer.
23:19Claire's camera turned toward her.
23:24Grace's face changed.
23:28Turn off the camera.
23:30Claire said,
23:31This is a ceremony venue
23:33where your family invited guests
23:35and media crews.
23:37We are merely reporting facts.
23:41Grace stared at me.
23:42Your parents are gone.
23:44You are alone in New York.
23:46Do not ruin every road ahead of you over emotion.
23:50My future self said,
23:51In the last life,
23:52this was how she frightened you.
23:54You signed the NDA and deleted the videos.
23:56Three months later,
23:58Mia went on a show with the baby
24:00and you became the mad woman.
24:02I lifted my head.
24:04My road does not need to be built on your son's lies.
24:09Her eyes went completely cold.
24:13You will regret this.
24:15I said,
24:16I have already regretted once.
24:19This time,
24:20it is your turn.
24:23Grace took me into the art museum lounge.
24:26Her assistant closed the door
24:28and pushed an NBA in front of me.
24:31Three million dollars.
24:33Sign it,
24:33delete the videos,
24:34and tell the public the ceremony was canceled
24:36for private reasons.
24:37Ryan will no longer bother you
24:39and neither will Mia.
24:40I did not touch the agreement.
24:42Do you people think everything can be priced?
24:44Grace frowned.
24:45Ava,
24:46you are not legally married.
24:47There is no shared property and no child.
24:50Your legal damages are limited.
24:52I looked at her.
24:53So tricking me into a wedding dress
24:55and putting me in front of everyone
24:57does not count as damage?
24:59Her tone cooled.
25:01Emotional hurt is common.
25:03Smart people take compensation
25:05instead of dragging themselves into scandal.
25:08My future self said,
25:09she will threaten your job
25:11and your parents' trust.
25:12Sure enough,
25:13Grace continued,
25:14Hall Group invested in projects
25:16at your current company.
25:17Your parents' trust also holds
25:19tech funds connected to us.
25:21If you sign today,
25:22you will still have dignity.
25:23If you do not,
25:25many doors will close.
25:28I picked up my phone
25:30and forwarded her the news link
25:32Claire had just sent me.
25:34The headline was already
25:35on the local news front page.
25:37Rising tech executive signing ceremony implodes,
25:40suspected of concealing existing marriage
25:42and forging wedding documents.
25:47Grace's phone rang.
25:50She answered,
25:51and her face dartened inch by inch.
25:54I stood.
25:55Mrs. Hall,
25:56you are right.
25:57Doors in this industry will close.
26:00But tonight,
26:01the boardroom door should close
26:03on your son first.
26:04She hung up
26:05and anger finally showed.
26:07Do you think you have won?
26:11No.
26:13I just finally did not lose.
26:21When I walked out of the lounge,
26:24Ryan was asked by investigators
26:26to cooperate with the questionnaire.
26:28When he saw me,
26:29he looked as if he had grasped
26:31the last rope.
26:33Ava,
26:34let us talk alone.
26:36I stopped.
26:38You had many chances
26:39to explain just now.
26:43I could not say it
26:44in front of so many people.
26:46He said horrously.
26:48I was afraid things
26:49would spiral out of control.
26:51I looked at him.
26:52You were not afraid
26:53of losing control.
26:54You were afraid
26:54of being exposed.
26:56Mia stood at the end
26:57of the four-way,
26:58leaning against the wall,
26:59pale-faced.
27:00She called me.
27:03Ava!
27:04I did not answer.
27:05She came closer and cried.
27:07If only one of you
27:09and Ryan
27:09can stay in my life,
27:11I choose you.
27:13I looked at her,
27:14too late.
27:19I can give up the child.
27:22She grabbed my hand.
27:23As long as you are willing
27:25to forgive me,
27:26I really can.
27:27I stared at her abdomen.
27:31Mia,
27:31I cannot safely have a child
27:33because I took a knife for you.
27:35And now you are using his child
27:37to bargain with me
27:38for compensation?
27:39Her whole body froze.
27:41I said,
27:42from today on,
27:43you no longer owe me.
27:44Hope appeared in her eyes.
27:46I continued,
27:47because you are not worthy
27:48of having any relationship
27:50with me.
27:51Mia slowly crouched
27:53against the wall.
27:54My future self
27:55was silent
27:56for a long time,
27:57then whispered,
27:58That sentence
28:00in the last life,
28:02I never managed to say
28:03before I died.
28:06The next morning,
28:08Hall Group suspended
28:09Ryan from his CEO position.
28:15At noon,
28:16Ryan's legal team
28:17issued a statement
28:18claiming that
28:19what happened
28:20at the ceremony
28:20was only a private
28:21emotional dispute
28:23and asking the public
28:24to stop spreading
28:25false information.
28:26Three hours later,
28:29Claire released
28:29the second recording.
28:33Ryan's voice
28:34was perfectly clear.
28:35The trust left
28:37by Ava's parents
28:38and the shares
28:38in her hands
28:39are important
28:40to my company's listing.
28:41We cannot agitate her now.
28:43The statement
28:44became a joke
28:44on the spot.
28:46That afternoon,
28:48Mia accepted
28:48online program interview.
28:51She wore a plain sweater
28:53and sat in front
28:54of the camera.
28:57Her eyes read.
28:59The host asked,
29:00Do you admit
29:01that you and Ryan
29:02were already married
29:03before Ava's wedding?
29:05Mia was silent
29:06for a few seconds
29:08before tears fell.
29:13I admit
29:14I was wrong
29:16but during that time
29:17my mental state
29:18was very bad.
29:20Ryan told me
29:21Ava could not
29:21live without him.
29:22If she knew the truth
29:23she might hurt herself.
29:25I was only too afraid.
29:27Mia wiped her tears.
29:29I do not want
29:30to say that.
29:31Ava once saved me
29:32and I have always
29:33been grateful.
29:35But sometimes
29:36that debt
29:37also made it hard
29:38for me to breathe.
29:40I watched the screen
29:42without speaking.
29:45Jonathan's face chilled.
29:47She is shaping you
29:48into a controlling friend.
29:50My future self said
29:51this is how she won
29:53in the last life.
29:54She said you always
29:55used the life-saving
29:56debt to pressure her
29:57and that Ryan
29:58was only protecting her
30:00from you.
30:02Half an hour later
30:03an edited video
30:05appeared online.
30:06It only showed me
30:08questioning Mia
30:09at the ceremony
30:10and saying
30:11she was not worth
30:12dirtying my hands.
30:13There was no Ryan
30:14recording.
30:15No fake documents.
30:17No grace offering
30:19hush money.
30:20The headline read
30:21Bride humiliates
30:22pregnant friend
30:23at ceremony
30:24suspected of
30:26long-term
30:26emotional control.
30:28The comments
30:29began to split.
30:30Some sympathized
30:31with me
30:32while others
30:32said I was too calm
30:34as if I had planned
30:35it from the start.
30:37Release the full version
30:38now?
30:39I said.
30:39Wait.
30:40For what?
30:40For her to raise
30:41the knife higher.
30:42That night
30:42Mia started a live stream.
30:44The location was
30:45outside the cemetery
30:46where my parents
30:47were buried.
30:47Holding a black umbrella
30:49in the rain
30:49she cried into the camera.
30:51Uncle, auntie
30:52I am sorry.
30:53I did not protect Ava
30:55and I did not
30:55protect myself.
30:58If my existence
30:59only makes her
31:00suffer I can disappear.
31:02Viewer numbers
31:03clanged wildly.
31:04She looked into the camera.
31:07Ava
31:07if you are watching
31:09I am willing
31:11to abort the child.
31:13I only beg you
31:15not to push me anymore.
31:16Jonathan cursed.
31:18She is insane.
31:19I did not curse.
31:21I told Claire.
31:27Release it now.
31:29The next second
31:30Claire's news account
31:31pushed the complete
31:32evidence simultaneously.
31:34Mia saying
31:35first I only wanted
31:36to test him for you.
31:38Ryan saying
31:38you are my legal wife
31:40had only me
31:40to stumble ending.
31:41Grace saying
31:43three million dollars
31:44sign it.
31:45Fall me though released.
31:47In the cemetery
31:49live stream
31:49Mia's crying
31:50stopped.
31:51She stared at the screen
31:53and the softness
31:54on her face
31:55shattered completely.
31:57It is not like that!
31:59She shrieked.
32:00You have all been
32:01deceived by her!
32:02But this time
32:03no one listened
32:04only to her tears.
32:06My future self said
32:07in the last life
32:09she dragged you
32:10into hell.
32:11In this life
32:12she opened the door
32:13herself.
32:14Mia fainted
32:15during the live stream.
32:17Her assistant
32:18immediately shouted
32:19at the camera.
32:20Ava forced her!
32:22But the emergency
32:23record soon came out.
32:25Low blood sugar,
32:26hyperhenylation,
32:27no life-threatening danger.
32:28The topic claiming
32:29that I had forced her
32:30into a miscarriage
32:31had barely appeared
32:32before it was crushed
32:33by the emergency report.
32:35Ryan also began
32:36to bite back at her.
32:37His lawyer claimed
32:38Mia had approached
32:39him on her own,
32:40hidden the pregnancy
32:41and used the child
32:42to force him
32:43into registration.
32:44After Mia woke
32:45she immediately
32:46recorded a hospital video.
32:47Ryan promised
32:48to give me
32:49and the child a home.
32:50He told me
32:50to cooperate
32:50with that ceremony.
32:51He said Ava
32:52was emotionally fragile
32:54and could not
32:54be stimulated.
32:55At last
32:56they no longer said
32:57everything had been
32:58for me.
32:59They began fighting
33:00to push each other down.
33:02I thought I would
33:03feel satisfied
33:03but I only felt cold.
33:06Jonathan asked
33:07next step.
33:08I pushed the complaint
33:09materials towards him.
33:11Continue.
33:12Ryan used company
33:13legal staff
33:13to handle fake documents,
33:15company security
33:16to block media
33:17and company accounts
33:18to pay private expenses.
33:19This is not
33:20a relationship dispute.
33:21It is a corporate
33:22governance scandal.
33:24After reading
33:24Jonathan looked up.
33:26You want to burn
33:27this all the way
33:28to the board?
33:30I said
33:30I did not light
33:32the fire.
33:34I only opened the door.
33:36Three days later
33:37Hall Group announced
33:38it would accept
33:39an external audit.
33:40One week later
33:41Grace did not sit still.
33:43She had the trust
33:44administrator notified me
33:45of an emergency
33:46asset eligibility hearing.
33:48The location
33:49was Hall Group
33:50headquarters.
33:51On paper
33:52it was to evaluate
33:53whether I was still
33:54fit to exercise
33:55the voting rights
33:56in my parents' trust.
33:57In reality
33:58they wanted to pin me
34:00back into the position
34:01of mentally unstable.
34:03After reading the notice
34:04Jonathan's expression
34:06was poor.
34:07They want to use
34:08the assets
34:08your parents left you
34:09to control you
34:10in reverse.
34:11The earphones
34:13suddenly lit.
34:14My future self's
34:15voice was weak.
34:17Go.
34:18I frowned.
34:19They have obviously
34:19set a trap.
34:20That is why
34:21you must go.
34:22She said
34:23in the last life
34:24you did not.
34:24Grace used
34:25edited videos
34:26and a psychological
34:27evaluation request
34:28to suspend
34:29your trust voting rights.
34:30That was the first step
34:31for Hall Group
34:32to swallow the influence
34:33of your parents' assets.
34:34I asked
34:35Can I win?
34:37The earphones
34:37were quiet
34:38for several seconds.
34:39In your parents' earphones
34:41there is an encrypted backup.
34:43The password
34:44is your 16th birthday.
34:46They are not
34:47ordinary earphones.
34:48They are the security key
34:49your parents left
34:50from when they participated
34:51in Hall's
34:52early technology project.
34:54My heart shook.
34:55I opened the hidden storage
34:56in the earphones.
34:58Inside was an encrypted file.
35:00After Jonathan read it
35:01his eyes changed.
35:03Ava, your parents
35:04were not ordinary investors.
35:05They were early
35:06core technical consultants
35:07and equity trust agents
35:09for Hall Group.
35:10There is a major risk
35:11trigger clause here.
35:13I asked
35:14What does that mean?
35:16If Hall Group's
35:17core management
35:17is involved in fraud,
35:19coercion,
35:20forged documents
35:20or major ethical risk,
35:22you, as the trust
35:23Beneferi
35:24have the right
35:24to trigger a mandatory
35:25external audit
35:27and freeze voting
35:28on the next listing room.
35:31I looked down
35:32at the old earphones.
35:34My parents had not only
35:35left me memories,
35:37they had left me a blade.
35:39The top floor conference room
35:41of Hall Group headquarters
35:42looked out through glass walls
35:44over all Manhattan.
35:45The moment I entered,
35:46I saw Ryan, Mia,
35:48and Grace all present.
35:49Grace sat at the head
35:50of the table,
35:51board members
35:52sitting beside her.
35:53Ryan sat to her right,
35:55his face pale.
35:57Mia wore a loose,
35:58light-colored coat
35:59and looked like a victim
36:00who might collapse
36:02at any time.
36:03Grace went straight
36:03to the point.
36:05Ava,
36:06today is not about
36:08judging Ryan.
36:09Today we are discussing
36:11whether you are fit
36:12to continue managing
36:13the voting rights
36:14in your parents' trust.
36:16I sat down.
36:19You stole a marriage,
36:20deceived me into
36:21a fake wedding,
36:22forged documents,
36:23and now you are
36:25evaluating my fitness?
36:27Grace pushed a file forward.
36:30Recently,
36:31your emotions
36:31have fluctuated severely.
36:33You publicly humiliated
36:35a pregnant woman
36:36at the ceremony
36:37and the internet
36:38is filled with controversy.
36:40We have reason to worry
36:41that you will let
36:42personal emotions
36:43affect company governance.
36:45Mia whispered,
36:46Ava,
36:47I really did not want
36:48things to reach this point.
36:49But you have pushed
36:50everyone until
36:51there is no way back.
36:53I looked at her.
36:54There you go again.
36:55Her tears immediately fell.
36:58See?
36:58You are always like this.
37:01Whenever I speak,
37:02you think I am acting.
37:04Ryan finally spoke.
37:05Ava,
37:06I know you hate me.
37:08But you cannot destroy
37:10the whole group
37:10because you hate me.
37:12If your parents
37:13were still alive,
37:13they would not want this.
37:15For the first time,
37:16I laughed aloud
37:17when I heard those words.
37:19You are worthy
37:20to mention my parents?
37:23Grace signaled her assistant
37:25to play a video.
37:26The big screen
37:27showed edited footage.
37:29Me questioning Mia
37:29at the signing ceremony,
37:31throwing the ring
37:32into the champagne tower
37:33and coldly ending
37:34the ceremony.
37:35There was no Ryan
37:37admitting the fake document.
37:39No Las Vegas registration.
37:41No Grace offering hush money.
37:44Grace said,
37:45Board members,
37:46this is why I am concerned.
37:48Ava is driven by emotion
37:50and is not suitable
37:51to hold critical voting rights.
37:53Mia held her abdomen
37:54and sobbed.
37:55I admit I was wrong,
37:57but I have already
37:58lost too much.
37:59I only hope Ava
38:00will not hurt more people.
38:02Ryan looked at me
38:03with a heavy voice.
38:04I held that ceremony
38:05to help her stabilize.
38:07After her parents died,
38:08she was always fragile.
38:10I only wanted
38:11to protect her.
38:13Good.
38:14They had finally said
38:15everything to the end.
38:19Jonathan looked at me.
38:21I nodded.
38:23The next second,
38:25Claire's complete
38:26livestream footage
38:27connected to the screen.
38:29Ryan's voice sounded,
38:31You are my legal wife.
38:32She only needs
38:34a stable ending.
38:35Mia's voice sounded,
38:37At first,
38:38I only wanted
38:38to test him for you.
38:40Grace's voice sounded,
38:42Three million dollars.
38:44Sign it.
38:45Every board member's
38:45expression changed.
38:47Grace snapped,
38:48Who allowed you
38:49to connect
38:49an external signal?
38:50I placed my parents'
38:51earphones on the table.
38:53You wanted to use
38:54the trust my parents
38:54left to control me,
38:56but you forgot
38:56this was something
38:57they left me
38:58to protect myself.
39:00Jonathan stood
39:01and opened
39:01the second document.
39:03Under Article 14
39:05of the Lynn Trust
39:05and Hall Group
39:06Early Technology
39:07Investment Agreement,
39:08if core management
39:09is involved in fraud,
39:10coercion,
39:11forged documents,
39:12or major ethical risk,
39:13the trust beneficiary
39:14has the right
39:15to trigger a mandatory
39:16external audit
39:17and freeze all votes
39:18related to the next
39:18listing round.
39:21Grace's expression
39:22finally changed.
39:23I looked at her.
39:24You say I am unfit
39:26to exercise voting rights?
39:28Now I formally exercise them.
39:30Word by word,
39:31I said,
39:33I request the immediate
39:35suspension of all
39:36Ryan Hall's
39:37management authority,
39:38Grace Hall's reclusing
39:39from all related
39:40board decisions,
39:41and an independent audit
39:43of Hall Group.
39:45Until the audit ends,
39:47every listing support vote
39:48under my parents' trust
39:50is frozen.
39:51Ryan shot to his feet.
39:52Ava!
39:52I looked at him.
39:54You said my parents
39:55would not want this?
39:56Wrong.
39:57They had long feared
39:58I would meet people
39:59like you.
40:00The board held
40:01a temporary vote.
40:03Ryan was suspended
40:04from all duties.
40:05Grace was required
40:07to recuse herself.
40:09The external audit passed.
40:11Hall Group's listing plan
40:13was delayed.
40:14When the hearing ended,
40:15Ryan sat in his chair
40:17as if he had finally
40:18been hollowed out.
40:20Mia looked at me,
40:21and for the first time
40:23there were no tears
40:23in her eyes,
40:24only her children.
40:32As I walked out
40:33of the conference room,
40:34the ear bones suddenly
40:36let out a harsh
40:37electric current.
40:39My future self said,
40:41broken and intermittent,
40:43Ava, be careful of Mia.
40:46I stopped.
40:47Her voice grew more
40:48and more distant.
40:50In the last life,
40:51it was not Ryan
40:52who pushed you
40:53through the final door.
40:54It was her.
40:56Mia disappeared
40:57for two days.
40:59During those two days,
41:01Ryan's legal team
41:02began blaming one another.
41:04Grace refused to respond
41:05to media questions
41:06about the board investigation.
41:08Hall Group's stock price
41:09for us fluctuated
41:11and the listing plan
41:12was postponed indefinitely.
41:14I thought Mia
41:15had finally gone quiet
41:16until the third night
41:18she sent me a photo.
41:21In the photo
41:22were a bottle
41:23of sleeping pills
41:24and a note
41:25in front of my parents' tombstone.
41:27The note read,
41:28Ava, if I die,
41:30will you forgive me?
41:33When Jonathan saw the message,
41:36he immediately said,
41:37Call the police.
41:39Do not go alone.
41:41I had already called 911.
41:46But Mia's second message
41:47arrived quickly.
41:49If you bring the police,
41:50I will let the whole internet
41:52know you drove
41:53your pregnant friend to death.
41:55Do not go alone.
41:58She is recording.
42:00She wants you to say
42:01even one cruel sentence.
42:03I called Claire.
42:04Bring a camera to the cemetery.
42:06Do not get close.
42:07Film the wide shot first.
42:09Claire understood immediately.
42:11She is playing the victim again?
42:15This time,
42:16she wants to play the corpse.
42:17When I reached the cemetery,
42:19the rain was heavy.
42:21Mia sat before the tombstone,
42:22wearing only a thin coat,
42:24her face frighteningly.
42:29You came after all.
42:31I stood three meters away.
42:33The ambulance is on its way.
42:36Her eyes changed.
42:38You called the police?
42:41You threatened self-harm.
42:42Of course I called the police.
42:44Mia laughed
42:45until the laugh became sobs.
42:47Ava,
42:47when did you become so cold?
42:49From the moment you started
42:51editing my pain
42:52into evidence
42:53that you were the victim?
42:54She stood,
42:55holding the bottle of pills.
42:58If I swallow these now,
43:00who do you think
43:00everyone will believe?
43:02The terrifyingly calm you?
43:05Or a pregnant woman
43:06pushed to the end by you?
43:08I looked at her.
43:09Didn't you already lose the child?
43:11Mia's face stiffened.
43:13I continued.
43:14You forgot.
43:15You said it yourself
43:16in the hospital video.
43:19Mia,
43:19you cannot even keep
43:20your lies straight.
43:22The fragile look
43:23vanished from her eyes.
43:25Why?
43:26She screamed.
43:27Why can you avoid everything?
43:29Why does everyone
43:30always end up
43:31on your side?
43:33I asked calmly.
43:35Because I no longer
43:36give you the chance
43:36to edit me.
43:40At last,
43:41she stopped acting.
43:44Yes,
43:45I am jealous of you.
43:46Mia said
43:46through clenched teeth.
43:48You have the money
43:49your parents left.
43:50A good job
43:51and everyone's sympathy.
43:52You saved me once
43:54and ever since then
43:55you stood above me forever.
43:57Ryan loves me.
43:58The child was mine.
44:00What right did you have
44:01to take him from me?
44:02I said softly.
44:04You finally told the truth.
44:07Mia suddenly realized
44:08what had happened.
44:09In the distance,
44:11Claire's camera light
44:12came on.
44:12The lights of police cars
44:14and ambulances
44:14also shone in
44:15from the cemetery entrance.
44:17Mia's face changed.
44:20You recorded me?
44:22I said.
44:23You taught me.
44:24Do not cry.
44:26Do not make a scene.
44:28Keep evidence.
44:29She rushed toward me
44:30to snatch my phone
44:31but the police stopped her.
44:33She screamed.
44:34AVA!
44:35You destroyed me!
44:38I looked at her.
44:40No, Mia.
44:41You only finally failed
44:43to put the knife in my hand.
44:44When the police took her away,
44:46she was still crying
44:47and calling my name.
44:49But this time,
44:50the camera captured everything.
44:53No editing.
44:54No frame-up.
44:56No version of me
44:57dragged into the mud by her.
44:58In the earphones,
45:00my future self whispered,
45:02the last door is closed.
45:05Ryan asked to see me
45:06in the third week
45:06after the lawsuit began.
45:08The meeting took place
45:09in the mediation room
45:10beside the courthouse.
45:11He had lost a lot of weight.
45:13His jaw was covered in stubble
45:15and his eyes were dark.
45:17When he saw me enter,
45:19something in his gaze
45:20actually lit.
45:21Ava.
45:22He said.
45:24You came.
45:25I sat beside Jonathan.
45:29If this is about settlement,
45:31let the lawyer speak.
45:32Ryan smiled bitterly.
45:34I only wanted to apologize
45:35to you in person.
45:36I looked at him.
45:38Say it.
45:39He lowered his head,
45:41his voice terribly horsey.
45:44That time with Mia
45:45really was an accident.
45:47On your parents' memorial day,
45:49you were drunk
45:49and kept crying.
45:51I sent you home, Mia.
45:53Neither of us was
45:55clear-headed.
45:58I asked.
46:00Not clear-headed enough
46:01to keep meeting the next day?
46:03Not clear-headed enough
46:04to go to Las Vegas
46:05after she got pregnant?
46:07Not clear-headed enough
46:09to make me wear a wedding dress
46:10and sign a fake document?
46:12His lips moved
46:14but he could not speak.
46:16I continued.
46:17You did not make one mistake.
46:21Every time you had
46:22the chance to stop,
46:23you chose to keep
46:25lying to me.
46:27Ryan's eyes redded.
46:29Because I was afraid
46:30of losing you!
46:32My future self said,
46:34In the last life,
46:35he said the same thing.
46:37You believed him.
46:38Later,
46:39he signed the treatment
46:40evaluation papers
46:41and said it was
46:42for your own good.
46:43I looked at Ryan.
46:45You were afraid
46:45of losing me
46:46so you prepared
46:47to make me lose myself.
46:48his face went white.
46:50Ava,
46:51I really did love you.
46:53Having loved me
46:55is not a pardon.
46:56He suddenly broke down.
46:59Then what do you want from me?
47:01The company is gone.
47:03My reputation is gone.
47:04And Mia has torn things
47:06apart with me too.
47:07What more do you want?
47:08I said calmly,
47:10I want you to admit
47:11that you were not seduced
47:12by Mia,
47:12not forced by the child,
47:13and not protecting me.
47:15You were simply greedy.
47:17Ryan's lawyer
47:18immediately warned,
47:19Mr. Hall,
47:19do not answer.
47:21But Ryan looked at me
47:22as if he had finally
47:23been forced
47:23to the end of the road.
47:25Yes,
47:26I was greedy.
47:27I wanted the child
47:28in Mia's belly
47:29and I wanted you
47:30to keep loving me.
47:31I wanted the network
47:32and trust support
47:32your founts left
47:33to help my company list.
47:35I thought that
47:36as long as I arranged
47:37it well enough,
47:38neither of you would leave.
47:40I nodded
47:41and looked at Jonathan.
47:44Recorded?
47:46Jonathan said.
47:48Recorded.
47:49Ryan refroze.
47:53Ava?
47:56I stood.
47:58Thank you for your apology.
48:00It came too late,
48:01but it is very useful
48:02for my case.
48:03He shot to his feet.
48:05You calculated even this?
48:07I looked at him.
48:08Ryan,
48:08I have only learned
48:10what all of you taught me.
48:12At the door,
48:14he called after me.
48:16If not for those earphones,
48:19would you have married me?
48:20I stopped.
48:24Yes.
48:25Painful hope
48:26flashed in his eyes.
48:28That is why I am grateful
48:29I was the one
48:30who put them on.
48:32Before the door closed,
48:34I heard his
48:35respressed sobs.
48:37At the end of the corridor,
48:39Mia stood there,
48:40being after released
48:42on bail,
48:43she had become,
48:44the first thing
48:45she said was,
48:48The child is gone.
48:49I said nothing.
48:51She smiled bitterly.
48:53The doctor said
48:54my body and stress
48:55were both problems.
48:57Ava,
48:58are you satisfied?
48:59I looked at her.
49:00What do you want me to say?
49:01Congratulations?
49:02Or sorry?
49:03Mia's tears fell.
49:05Can we really never go back?
49:07I asked.
49:09When you and Ryan
49:10went to Las Vegas
49:11to register,
49:11did you think about that question?
49:13She covered her face.
49:14I regret it.
49:16Regret is your business.
49:18Forgiveness
49:19is not my obligation.
49:21Mia raised her head,
49:23the last trace of resentment
49:25in her eyes.
49:26If that knife
49:27in the parking spot
49:28had not hit you,
49:29would we be different?
49:30I looked at her
49:32and finally smiled.
49:35Yes.
49:36I said,
49:37If that knife
49:37had not hit me,
49:39perhaps I would have
49:39seen you much earlier.
49:41She froze where she stood.
49:44My future self
49:46whispered in the earphones.
49:48This time,
49:49we did not hurt for her.
49:50Half a year later,
49:52Ryan accepted a plea deal.
49:54He admitted marriage fraud,
49:56document forgery,
49:58and misuse
49:58of company resources
50:00in exchange
50:00for some charges
50:02being rewashed.
50:04Paul Group
50:05erased him completely.
50:07Grace no longer
50:07appeared in public.
50:11Mia moved back
50:12to New Jersey.
50:13The last thing
50:14she sent me
50:15was an email.
50:16Sorry.
50:17Can you forgive me?
50:19I did not reply.
50:21Some people
50:22are not looking
50:23for an answer.
50:25She only wanted me
50:26to remember once again
50:28that I had bled
50:29for her.
50:30I did not want
50:31to bleed anymore.
50:33On the day
50:33I received
50:34the civil settlement,
50:35I also received
50:36an offer
50:36from a streaming company
50:38in Los Angeles.
50:39The position
50:39was brand strategy
50:40director for
50:41global content projects,
50:42and the salary
50:44was triple my old one.
50:46Claire invited me
50:46for drinks and laughed.
50:48That wedding gave me
50:49the biggest story
50:49of my career.
50:51Jonathan raised his glass
50:52and taught certain people
50:54not to casually deceive
50:55a woman who backs up
50:55evidence.
50:56I clinked glasses
50:57to backups
50:58and to not softening.
51:02Before leaving
51:03for the airport,
51:04I returned to my
51:05old apartment.
51:05There had once been
51:06Ryan's coffee mug,
51:07the pillow Mia
51:08had given me,
51:09and wedding photos
51:10I had believed
51:11belonged to the future.
51:12Now they were all gone.
51:15In the deepest drawer,
51:17only the earphones
51:18my parents left me
51:19remained.
51:20When I picked them up,
51:22they lit automatically.
51:24The me from three years later
51:27appeared again.
51:28This time,
51:29her voice was no longer
51:30tense or cold.
51:31Ava,
51:32I whispered,
51:33you are still here.
51:35She laughed.
51:36Almost not.
51:37I sat in the empty
51:38living room.
51:39What is the new future like?
51:41She said,
51:42you go to Los Angeles.
51:44You do not marry Ryan.
51:45You do not enter
51:46compulsional treatment
51:47evaluation.
51:48No one defines you
51:49as crazy.
51:50You did well,
51:51I asked.
51:51And you?
51:52I was always
51:53your worst ending.
51:54She said,
51:55now that ending is gone,
51:57so I should disappear too.
51:59My throat tightened.
52:04She said softly,
52:06do not thank me.
52:07The earphones were
52:08left by your parents,
52:09but you were the one
52:10who put them on.
52:11You were the one
52:12who did not take them off.
52:14You were also the one
52:15who walked out
52:15step by step.
52:19After you disappear,
52:20where will you go?
52:21She was silent for a moment,
52:22then smiled lightly.
52:24Maybe I will become
52:25a sentence you remember
52:26sometimes.
52:27Do not look back.
52:28Do not make excuses
52:29for people who hurt you.
52:31Do not hand them
52:32your collapse as evidence.
52:35The boarding announcement
52:37sounded.
52:37I was already
52:38at the airport.
52:39I took off the earphones
52:40and held them in my palm
52:42for a long time.
52:43They were the last thing
52:44my parents left me,
52:45and their final way
52:46of protecting me.
52:47I did not throw them
52:48in the trash.
52:49I placed them
52:50in the deepest pocket
52:51of my carry-on bag.
52:53My future self
52:54said one last time,
52:56Ava,
52:57move forward.
52:59Okay.
53:01The light on the earphones
53:02went out.
53:05The world finally
53:06became quiet.
53:08When the plane
53:09rushed into the clouds,
53:11New York's light
53:12shrank with me
53:13into a golden net.
53:14I had once thought
53:15that losing my fiancé
53:16and my best friend
53:17would leave me
53:17with nothing.
53:18Only later did I understand
53:20that it was not loss.
53:21It was clearing the room.
53:22After they left my life,
53:24I finally heard
53:25my own voice.
53:27If I could go back
53:28to the wedding,
53:29back to the version
53:29of myself
53:30who was about
53:30to say I do,
53:31wearing my parents'
53:32keepsake and trembling,
53:34I would tell her,
53:35Do not be afraid.
53:36You have not been
53:37abandoned by fate.
53:38You were caught
53:39by your future self.
53:40From that day on,
53:41I no longer waited
53:43for anyone to save me.
53:44Because with my own hands,
53:46I had already saved
53:47my three years later self
53:49back from hell.
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