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Watch Marry Me, I'll Spoil You Rotten - Full EP (ENGSUB), a heartwarming ShortMax romance featuring a runaway groom, a flash marriage, billionaire rivals, hidden love, and a husband determined to cherish his wife forever.

#MarryMeIllSpoilYouRotten #ShortDrama #BillionaireRomance #FlashMarriage #EnemiesToLovers #FullEP #ENGSUB #ASM
Transcript
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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