- 12 minutes ago
I Traded Three Wolves For A Snake
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The three wolves I rescued turned into men. They cling to me day and night. But the truth is, they
00:05didn't like me. They just wanted to use me to get close to my sister. So I called her and
00:09asked to switch mates. Three horny wolves in exchange for one cold serpent. By this morning, I'm so exhausted I
00:15can barely move. As I lie in bed, staring at the faint red marks scattered across my wrists and legs,
00:22I hear voices coming from the living room.
00:24Seriously? Look at her. With that body, she actually thought she could keep all three of us? It's fine. Once
00:30she can't handle it anymore, she'll hand us over to her sister. She can barely get out of bed now.
00:36Give it a few more days and she'll probably stop keeping us together.
00:39My chest tightens.
00:40She's not giving all of us away. Exactly. At least one of us will get to stay.
00:46Trey sounds bored.
00:47Vera is boring. If you two want to stay, that's your problem. I don't.
00:51A brief silence follows.
00:53Neither do I.
00:55Forget it. Is she awake yet? No chance. She was practically crying herself to sleep earlier. There's no way she's
01:03awake already.
01:04The room fills with laughter. I stare at the ceiling, grabbing my phone from the nightstand and call my sister.
01:09Vera? What's wrong?
01:11Didn't you once tell me that no matter what, you're never satisfied?
01:16Take my three wolves.
01:18And give me your snake.
01:21Are you serious?
01:23Very.
01:24Do they know about this?
01:26I glance toward the bedroom door.
01:30They like you.
01:31That's all I say.
01:32It's enough.
01:33Lila understands immediately.
01:35The truth is, everyone likes her.
01:37They always have.
01:41After thinking for a few seconds, she sighs.
01:44Honestly, your apartment is too small for three wolves anyway.
01:48It's probably a better environment for them here.
01:51But my snake is different.
01:52He's cold.
01:54If he wasn't platonic, I wouldn't be asking for him.
01:57I rub my aching forehead.
01:59I'm exhausted, Lila.
02:01I don't want another situation like this.
02:03What I need is someone who can help around the house, not another man trying to climb it into my
02:08bed.
02:10He won't be interested in you.
02:12Before I can respond, she says,
02:14I'll come pick them up this afternoon.
02:16Then she hangs up.
02:17A second later, the bedroom door opens.
02:22Awake?
02:22The lazy voice instantly tells me who it is.
02:25I look up to find Trey standing in the doorway.
02:28His hair is still messy from sleep, and his expression is as relaxed and arrogant as ever.
02:33When he notices me sitting upright, one corner of his mouth lifts.
02:37Without asking permission, he walks toward the bed and reaches for my blanket.
02:41Wait!
02:42What?
02:43I'm tired.
02:45I need to rest.
02:46No.
02:46His refusal encrouches beside the bed and lightly grips my chin.
02:50Master, you're the one who took us in.
02:53That means you're responsible for us.
02:56We're still hungry.
02:57As he leans closer, I shove him away before he can do anything else.
03:01Lila is coming this afternoon to take you away.
03:03Trey freezes.
03:04At the doorway, the other two wolves stop moving as well.
03:07Wait.
03:09Which two?
03:10I think I'm giving away two of them and keeping one.
03:12I look at all three of them and slowly shake my head.
03:15Not two.
03:17All of you.
03:21The day I find the three wolf pups.
03:23It's cold, wet, and raining.
03:25They're lying on a stretch of cracked concrete behind an abandoned warehouse.
03:29Their fur is soaked through, matted together with blood and mud.
03:33For a moment, I almost keep walking.
03:35Then one of them weakly flicks its tail.
03:38Before I can react, the tiny wolf hooks its tail around my ankle as if it's begging me not to
03:43leave.
03:43I take all three of them home.
03:45Under my care, they recover quickly.
03:48They eat well, grow quickly, and follow me everywhere.
03:52Before long, they've become the center of my life.
03:55Then they hit their growth stage, and everything changes.
03:59All three of them shift into beastmen.
04:02Looking back, I probably should have sent them away immediately.
04:05I even contact a beastmen shelter at the time.
04:07But after evaluating the situation, they tell me the wolves have already become deeply attached to me.
04:14To them, I'm not just their caretaker.
04:16I'm their master.
04:17If I abandon them suddenly, it could cause serious psychological damage.
04:21When I look into those three pairs of beautiful eyes, my resolve disappears.
04:25In the end, I let them stay.
04:27They tell me they don't have names, so I give them one.
04:29Ace, Deuce.
04:31Trey.
04:32As they grow older, I discover that wolf beastmen have endless energy.
04:36Even in human form, their ears twitch constantly.
04:40Their tails never stay still, and they follow me around the apartment,
04:44as though they're afraid I'll disappear the moment they look away.
04:47One afternoon, Lila calls me.
04:51Vera, when are you finally coming home to fulfill that marriage arrangement between our families?
05:00I glance down at Trey, who is currently sprawled across my lap with his head resting against my chest.
05:05The man already buried three wives, and he's ugly.
05:08Lila goes quiet.
05:09A few seconds later, she says carefully,
05:11But he's rich.
05:12I lower my eyes.
05:14That's exactly the problem.
05:15After I refuse the marriage, my family cuts me off financially almost overnight.
05:20At the same time, they can't bear the thought of marrying Lila to him.
05:24So they spend years trying to pressure me into changing my mind.
05:28Deuce has always been the most perceptive of the three.
05:30He walks over and pulls me gently into his arms.
05:33If talking to them makes you unhappy, then hang up.
05:36His voice is calm and comforting.
05:38What was that?
05:39A few months ago, I rescued three injured wolf pups.
05:42They recently shifted into human form.
05:45Now they're so clingy I can barely breathe.
05:47The line goes silent.
05:48I'm jealous.
05:49My snake won't even let me touch him.
05:51He'll come around eventually.
05:53The call ends a few minutes later.
05:54The next day, she shows up at my apartment carrying enough bags to look like she's moving in.
05:59Her smile bright enough to light up the entire room.
06:01She steps through the door wearing a beautiful white dress.
06:05Surprise, sis?
06:07I turn automatically.
06:09So do the wolves.
06:10All three of them.
06:11Their eyes land on Lila at exactly the same moment.
06:14I quietly look away.
06:15Honestly, I'm used to it.
06:16Everyone likes Lila.
06:18She's beautiful, lively, and effortlessly charming.
06:21People notice her the moment she enters a room.
06:24Standing beside her has always made me feel ordinary.
06:27Like a background character in my own life.
06:33Lila looks around my apartment.
06:35This place is so much smaller than the house back home.
06:38Do you even have room for everything?
06:40It's fine.
06:41Then I notice something.
06:42Ace, who's usually the coldest and most distant of the three, keeps glancing toward Lila.
06:47Deuce still wears his usual charming smile.
06:49The difference is that this time, the smile isn't directed at me.
06:52Even Trey, who normally has the attention span of a feral animal, is staring at her.
06:57His wolf ears twitch non-stop.
06:59Meanwhile, Lila acts as though she doesn't notice any of it.
07:02She simply sits there drinking water with an innocent expression.
07:05And in that moment, I understand.
07:08The feeling is painfully familiar.
07:10Because this isn't the first time something that belongs to me has slowly drifted toward Lila instead.
07:15After that visit, everything changes.
07:18The gentle nights disappear.
07:20The affection disappears.
07:22The wolves still cling to me.
07:24But something feels different.
07:25As the weeks pass, each night becomes harder than the one before.
07:29It's as if they're trying to drain every last bit of strength from me.
07:33As if they want something from me that I can never quite give them.
07:36Then, this morning, I overhear their conversation.
07:40The three wolves I rescued.
07:42The three wolves I fed, protected, and raised.
07:45They've fallen for Lila.
07:46Picnic together this weekend.
07:48After meeting her only once.
07:49The afternoon arrives faster than I expect.
07:52A knock sounds at the door.
07:53Lila is here.
07:54So you're serious?
07:56You're really giving all three of us away?
07:58Studying me with a sharp, unreadable gaze.
08:00Yes.
08:01My answer comes without hesitation.
08:03Deuce lets out a small laugh.
08:05You're not keeping a single one of us?
08:06I look back at him.
08:08Which one of you wants to stay?
08:10The room immediately falls silent.
08:12No one answers.
08:13Exactly as I expected.
08:14After a few moments, Trey gets to his feet and heads for the door.
08:17As he passes me, he rolls his eyes.
08:21Don't act like some kind of saint.
08:23Then he pulls the door open.
08:25Lila's bright smile appears instantly.
08:27Hi, boys.
08:31She steps inside as if she belongs here.
08:35My sister already explained everything, right?
08:38Her eyes sweep across the three wolves.
08:43You're mine now.
08:45Trey laughs.
08:46A genuine laugh.
08:47Nice to meet you, master.
08:49Lila looks him over from head to toe, clearly pleased by what she sees.
08:53Then she turns toward Ace and Deuce.
08:54You're all ridiculously handsome.
08:57Have you packed your things?
08:59Lila asks.
09:00Before anyone can answer, she waves a hand.
09:02Actually, don't bother.
09:04My sister can't exactly afford anything worth bringing anyway.
09:07When we get to the new house, I'll buy you whatever you want.
09:11Ace hums in acknowledgement.
09:12Deuce glances toward Lila.
09:14Then, unexpectedly, his eyes shift to me.
09:17My expression remains perfectly neutral.
09:20Don't be sad, Vera.
09:21I'll take good care of them.
09:23And once you've had enough fun playing house, you can come home and get married.
09:28Mom and Dad are worried about you.
09:30What marriage?
09:31Deuce's voice cuts through the room.
09:33Lila pauses but doesn't answer.
09:35Instead, she looks at me.
09:37When she sees that I'm still expressionless, she sighs as though she's trying to help.
09:42Maybe one of you should stay with my sister.
09:45She looks pretty upset.
09:47Nobody moves.
09:48Trey remains standing beside Lila.
09:50Ace stays where he is.
09:52Deuce simply wears that same distant smile.
09:54No one volunteers.
09:56This is how it's always been.
09:57Between the two of us, I'm the one who gets left behind.
10:00Lila offers me a sympathetic smile.
10:02Then she starts guiding the wolves toward the door.
10:05Wait.
10:06She glances toward the hallway beyond the open door.
10:08Come in.
10:10A tall figure steps forward.
10:12The room immediately grows still.
10:15Even the wolves stop moving.
10:20The man is dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders
10:25and lean frame.
10:26At first glance, he looks composed, controlled, elegant.
10:30He lifts his eyes and looks directly at me.
10:33The moment our gazes meet, something cold settles in my chest.
10:36Without realizing it, I stop breathing.
10:39I press my lips together and offer a polite smile.
10:42Hi.
10:43The snake finally looks at me.
10:44Then he looks away.
10:46See?
10:47He's always like this.
10:48If you can't stand him, just tell me.
10:50I'll take him back.
10:51Before I can respond, Trey suddenly speaks up.
10:54And who exactly is this?
10:55Lila clearly doesn't want to explain.
10:58Then Lila claps her hands lightly and changes the subject.
11:00The driver is waiting downstairs.
11:02Shouldn't we get going?
11:04The wolves exchange glances.
11:06A moment later, all three of them follow Lila out of the apartment, one by one, until
11:11only two people remain.
11:12Me and the snake.
11:13He doesn't move.
11:14He simply stands there near the doorway, silent and unreadable.
11:18I should finally enjoy the peace and quiet I've been dreaming about for weeks.
11:22I turn my head.
11:24The snake's eyes have changed.
11:25Before I can react, something smooth wraps around my waist.
11:29I freeze.
11:30A snake tail.
11:31His tail.
11:31The next is toiled firmly around me.
11:34What?
11:35A strange scent suddenly fills the apartment.
11:37I instinctively try to push him back.
11:39It doesn't work.
11:40The man doesn't budge an inch.
11:42My pulse starts racing, tear at him in horror.
11:44No.
11:46You.
11:46The scent grows stronger.
11:48The snake's eyes remain locked on mine.
11:51You're in heat.
11:55Before I can react, he pins me against the door.
11:58His tail is still wrapped around my waist, cushioning me from the force.
12:01I can feel his breath against my neck.
12:03A rapid knock sounds from the other side of the door.
12:08Vera?
12:09Deuce's voice comes through immediately.
12:11What's going on?
12:12The moment he speaks, I feel the snake tense.
12:15My fingers twitch involuntarily.
12:17The golden slit pupils I've been staring into narrow even further.
12:21The tail around my waist tightens.
12:22I force myself to stay calm.
12:24Slowly, carefully.
12:25I raise a hand and touch his face.
12:27His skin is cool beneath my fingertips.
12:31Are you feeling that bad?
12:32I ask softly.
12:34I can get you an inhibitor.
12:36Okay?
12:36Then the pressure in the room eases.
12:38I let out a silent breath of relief.
12:40Outside, another knock rattles the door.
12:43Sis?
12:44Are you two okay?
12:45I part my lips ready to answer.
12:47Then something cold brushes against my neck.
12:49A second later, sharp teeth close around my skin.
12:52Something lingering.
12:53Something almost playful.
12:54As if he already knows, I won't be opening that door.
13:01I let out a muffled sound.
13:05It's nothing.
13:06You should all go.
13:08Then Ace speaks.
13:09Really?
13:13Trey sounds impatient.
13:14She said she's fine.
13:17Vera?
13:18That snake didn't bite you, did he?
13:21No.
13:21The lie comes out surprisingly smoothly.
13:24Behind me, the snake remains silent.
13:26I bite my lip.
13:27A few moments ago, his teeth had closed around the side of my neck before his cold tongue brushed
13:32over the spot.
13:33Fortunately, I'd shut the door before the scent had spread into the hallway.
13:36Otherwise, explaining any of this would have been impossible.
13:40Then the footsteps outside finally begin to retreat.
13:43I immediately push the snake away and step back.
13:46I hurry toward a nearby cabinet and pull out a box of inhibitors.
13:50I grab one of the injectors and toss it toward him.
13:54Use this.
13:55Then, before he can respond, I retreat to the bathroom.
13:59The moment the door closes behind me, I turn on the faucet and splash cold water across my face.
14:11When I return to the living room, his tail is gone.
14:14The man is sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other.
14:18His expression once again calm, distant, and unreadable.
14:21The brief loss of control from earlier seems to have vanished completely.
14:26He lifts his eyes and looks at me.
14:28I thought you were platonic.
14:30When he finally speaks,
14:31That was a normal physiological response.
14:33It's been too long since my last inhibitor injection.
14:35His voice is low and slightly hoarse.
14:37Oh, I nod awkwardly.
14:40Okay.
14:41Knowing Lila, if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him,
14:45she never would have bothered giving him inhibitors in the first place.
14:48And judging from how little control he'd had earlier,
14:51I can't imagine suppressing those instincts was easy.
14:54So how had he managed it until now?
14:56The question crosses my mind, but I let it go.
14:59I pour him a glass of warm water and set it in front of him.
15:03You should rest today.
15:05Tomorrow you can help with some chores.
15:08If you're still not feeling well, you can take a few more days off.
15:11Is that how you treated them?
15:13I blink.
15:15Them?
15:16Then I realize he's talking about Ace, Deuce, and Trey.
15:19Eventually, I nod.
15:20Yes.
15:24Human society likes to talk about equality between humans and beastmen these days.
15:29But everyone knows the reality is more complicated than that.
15:32Beastmen form attachments to their owners.
15:34Because of that, people are constantly encouraged to be patient with them,
15:38understanding of them, protective of them.
15:41Maybe I'd taken those recommendations a little too seriously.
15:44The room falls quiet, then he speaks again.
15:46My name is Silas.
15:48Nice to meet you, Silas.
15:50I'm Vera.
15:51He rises to his feet without another word, then he walks toward the balcony.
15:55I stare after him.
15:57Wait!
15:57Silas bends down and opens the washing machine.
16:00One by one, he begins removing the clean clothes inside.
16:03Yesterday morning, Deuce had been the one to throw my clothes into the washer.
16:07He just never bothered taking them out afterward.
16:10Watching Silas carefully separate the damp clothes,
16:13I scratch my cheek in embarrassment.
16:15I'll buy a dryer in a few days.
16:16You won't have to do this then.
16:18Silas says nothing, just continues working.
16:23The next morning, the Ashford family's butler stands outside my apartment
16:28with perfect posture and a polite smile.
16:30Miss Ashford,
16:32your father says you've had enough time to play.
16:35It's time to come home and get married.
16:37I don't even hesitate.
16:39No, the butler's smile doesn't waver.
16:41Miss, this is your parents' wish.
16:43Several bodyguards step into view behind him.
16:46I let out a cold laugh.
16:47Are you worried I might grab a knife at the wedding,
16:50stab the groom,
16:51and then kill myself?
16:52After a moment, he clears his throat.
16:55Your father also said that if you agree to the marriage,
16:57you'll receive 5% of Ashford group stock.
17:00My hand moves toward the door,
17:01then as if remembering something.
17:03Oh, and second miss requested Mr. Silas be brought back as well.
17:07I slowly turn around.
17:09Silas is standing several feet away.
17:10Our eyes meet.
17:11His dark gaze remains as empty and unreadable as ever.
17:14For reasons I can't explain,
17:16a chill crawls slowly down my spine.
17:21The moment I return to Ashford Manor,
17:24I regret it.
17:24Maybe it is because Ace, Deuce, and Trey are all here.
17:28Maybe it is because they're staring at me.
17:29Trey is the first to react.
17:31He pauses his game and looks up,
17:33his gaze sweeping over me
17:34before settling on the man standing behind me.
17:36Silas.
17:37Ace lounges on the sofa,
17:38one arm draped across the backrest.
17:40What are you doing here?
17:41This is my home.
17:42I glance around the familiar room.
17:44Am I not allowed to come back?
17:45Something flickers across Ace's face.
17:47His expression doesn't change,
17:49but the corner of his mouth seems to lift ever so slightly,
17:51as if he is unexpectedly pleased by the answer.
17:54I stare at him.
17:55Before I can figure it out,
17:56Deuce sets down the fruit he'd been peeling
17:58and walks toward me.
17:59He reaches out and lightly lifts my chin.
18:01According to Lila,
18:02you've been refusing to come home for years,
18:05but now you've suddenly decided to come back.
18:07Did you miss us?
18:09I immediately take a step backward.
18:11Before I can answer,
18:12Trey lets out a scoff.
18:13As if that's even a question.
18:15Without us,
18:16she probably couldn't survive a single day.
18:18Behind me,
18:19Silas finally speaks.
18:20She doesn't look unhappy.
18:22Ace's gaze snaps toward him.
18:26And who exactly are you?
18:31Reaching back,
18:32I grab Silas's hand.
18:33His fingers are cold against mine.
18:35A plea.
18:36The last thing I need
18:37is a fight breaking out
18:38in my parents' living room.
18:39Deuce notices the movement.
18:41His eyes drop briefly to our joined hands.
18:43Lila told us all about him.
18:46His gaze sweeps over Silas dismissively.
18:48A snake.
18:50A cold-blooded one at that.
18:52Apparently he doesn't care about anyone.
18:54You don't actually think you can tame him,
18:57do you?
18:57I've known Silas for less than two days.
18:59I am not trying to tame anybody.
19:01Before I can say that,
19:02Deuce suddenly reaches out again.
19:04This time,
19:05his fingers close around my chin
19:06much more firmly.
19:07His eyes narrow.
19:08He is staring at my neck.
19:10Specifically,
19:11at the faint mark hidden beneath my collar.
19:13The mark Silas left yesterday.
19:15My stomach drops.
19:16Deuce's expression changes.
19:18What's this?
19:20His thumb brushes lightly against my skin.
19:23A hickey?
19:24The word lands like a bomb.
19:26What?
19:26Trey is on his feet instantly.
19:28His chair nearly tips over behind him.
19:30What hickey?
19:31Ace has already stood up.
19:32The lazy posture is gone completely.
19:34The temperature in the room seems to plummet.
19:36Before anyone can move closer,
19:38a cold hand catches my wrist
19:39and pulls me backward.
19:41Silas,
19:41in one smooth motion,
19:42he positions himself between me and the wolves.
19:45He looks directly at Deuce and says,
19:47Get out!
19:51I could hear you all the way upstairs.
19:54Lila appears at the top of the staircase,
19:56smiling as she walks down.
19:58What are you talking about?
19:59I answer directly.
20:00They think the mark on my neck is a hickey.
20:02They seem pretty interested in inspecting it.
20:04The smile disappears from Lila's face.
20:06Her gaze lands on my neck,
20:08then shifts to Silas,
20:09then back to me.
20:10For the first time since I've arrived,
20:12she looks genuinely unsettled.
20:13Is it?
20:14What do you think?
20:16Lila falls silent.
20:17Then Ace starts walking toward us,
20:19one hand in his pocket.
20:20His gaze sweeps over me.
20:22You never liked leaving marks visible,
20:24so why are you making an exception today?
20:26I blink.
20:27I've always hated attracting attention.
20:29Whenever Ace, Deuce, or Trey left visible marks,
20:32I'd cover them immediately.
20:33Scarves, high collars, anything.
20:35The truth is that I'd never considered this particular mark a hickey.
20:38Trey straightens,
20:39brows knit together.
20:40He's right.
20:42You used to hide them completely.
20:44Deuce narrows his eyes,
20:45as if he is trying to solve a puzzle.
20:47Lila suddenly speaks.
20:48Father wants to see you.
20:50You don't need to follow her.
20:55I glance at Silas.
20:56His expression doesn't change slowly.
20:58I pull my hand from his.
21:00Then I stop, turn back,
21:01and look directly at the wolves.
21:03Don't bully him.
21:04Silence.
21:05Trepeats the words as though they're absurd.
21:07His face twists into disbelief.
21:09Vera, bully him?
21:11Vera, in your eyes, are we...
21:14My father is waiting in his study.
21:16The moment I enter,
21:17he gets straight to the point.
21:19First, the marriage license.
21:21Then the wedding.
21:22Once everything is finalized,
21:23I'll transfer 5% of Ashfield Group shares to you.
21:26I sit down across from him
21:28and answer just as directly.
21:29I want the shares transferred
21:31the moment I sign the marriage license.
21:33The teacup hits the desk harder than necessary.
21:36My father's face darkens immediately.
21:39You distrust your own family that much?
21:41I sigh.
21:42After thinking about it for a moment,
21:44I answer truthfully.
21:46I'm worried Lila will work her magic again.
21:49And somehow my things will disappear.
21:51The room goes quiet.
21:52I know I've hit a nerve
21:53because everyone in this family
21:55knows exactly what I am talking about.
21:59Over the years,
22:01too many things have somehow found their way
22:03from me to Lila.
22:04Not because she stole them.
22:05Not intentionally.
22:06People simply chose her.
22:07Again and again.
22:08Until eventually,
22:09I stopped being surprised.
22:11My father remained silent
22:12for several moments.
22:13Fine.
22:14When the time comes,
22:16bring your marriage license.
22:17And your husband.
22:19Because under current law,
22:20gifts received during marriage
22:21can be considered marital property.
22:23I simply nod and stand.
22:25The meeting is over.
22:26As I reach the door,
22:27my father's voice rings out behind me.
22:29From now on,
22:30you're staying at the manor.
22:32You're done running around.
22:33And those beast men before the wedding,
22:36you will cut ties with them completely.
22:41When I return to the first floor,
22:43the atmosphere is still strangely quiet.
22:45I walk straight over to Silas.
22:47Come with me.
22:48I'll show you my room.
22:49Across the room,
22:50Trey immediately looks suspicious.
22:52You were gone forever already.
22:54What's so interesting about your room?
22:56I smile.
22:57What?
22:58Do you want to see it too?
23:05Who would want that?
23:06He lets out a scoff and turns away.
23:08Lila is sitting nearby,
23:09helping herself to fruit from a platter.
23:12She glances at Silas
23:13before looking back at me.
23:14Father's still home.
23:15That might not be appropriate.
23:17I blink.
23:18Really?
23:18You have three beast men
23:20following you everywhere?
23:21I'm taking one person to my room.
23:24How is that inappropriate?
23:25For the first time,
23:27Lila's expression falters.
23:28Beside her,
23:29Ace frowns slightly.
23:30We've never...
23:31Lila gently sets down her fork.
23:33Cutting him off
23:34before he can finish.
23:35You have a point, sister.
23:37She turns towards Silas.
23:38But he has to be willing to go too.
23:40Suddenly,
23:41everyone's attention shifts to him.
23:42Silas doesn't hesitate.
23:44Let's go.
23:45His answer is calm and immediate.
23:47I nod and head toward the stairs.
23:50As for everyone else's expressions,
23:51I honestly can't be bothered to care.
23:54My room is spotless.
23:55I close the door behind us
23:57and clear my throat.
23:58I am halfway through deciding
23:59how to start the conversation
24:01when the air suddenly changes.
24:03Before I can react,
24:05something coils around my waist.
24:07Again,
24:07a snake tail.
24:08I freeze.
24:09Silas's voice sounds rough.
24:11Your scent is strong here.
24:12What?
24:16I stare at him.
24:18What?
24:19I glance around the room.
24:21I haven't lived here in ages.
24:22How is that even possible?
24:24His gaze remains fixed on me,
24:26then sharp teeth brush
24:27against my collarbone.
24:28Not enough to injure,
24:29just enough to send
24:30a wave of alarm through me.
24:32For one irrational second,
24:34I wonder if he's about
24:35to swallow me whole.
24:36I take a steadying breath.
24:37Didn't you take an inhibitor yesterday?
24:39The tail around my waist tightens.
24:42Actually,
24:43I swallow.
24:45The reason I brought you here
24:46is because
24:47I need to tell you something.
24:48His eyes narrow slightly.
24:50I'm getting married.
24:52His tail lifts me
24:53effortlessly off the floor
24:54and deposits me
24:55onto the edge of the bed.
24:56Silas remains standing,
24:58looking down at me.
24:59His narrow eyes
25:00seem darker than usual,
25:01more dangerous.
25:02Then his tail slips
25:03beneath the hem of my shirt.
25:05I immediately grab it.
25:06My face heats up
25:07as I look away.
25:08Do you dislike me?
25:09I blink.
25:10What?
25:11No.
25:11Silas bends slightly closer.
25:13The softness of his tone
25:15is somehow more unsettling
25:16than anger.
25:17Aren't you my master?
25:19Or
25:21are you afraid?
25:25His shadow falls across me.
25:27I open my mouth,
25:28then close it again.
25:29The honest answer is,
25:31maybe a little.
25:31For one thing,
25:32everyone knows
25:33Snake Beastmen
25:34have a certain reputation.
25:35For another,
25:36Silas is simply a lot.
25:37That's not the point.
25:39I look up at him.
25:40I really am getting married,
25:42which means I'll probably
25:43have to return you to Lila.
25:46She's not getting married
25:47anytime soon.
25:48For the first time,
25:49something flashes
25:49through his eyes,
25:51dark before it can
25:52disappear completely.
25:52I ask quietly,
25:54Would you want that?
25:55To go back to Lila?
25:56Silas lowers his gaze.
25:58Having me around,
25:59does it make you miserable?
26:01No,
26:02I answer instinctively.
26:03Actually,
26:04you're really good at housework.
26:05A second later,
26:06Silas leans closer.
26:07His shadow completely envelops me.
26:09Then he speaks.
26:10Then stop thinking about
26:11getting rid of me.
26:12After a moment,
26:13I reach out
26:13and lightly stroke
26:14the end of his tail.
26:16The tension in his shoulders
26:17eases almost immediately.
26:19Finally,
26:19he speaks again.
26:20Don't worry.
26:21Worry about what?
26:22I shake my head.
26:23It doesn't matter.
26:24I've already made my plans.
26:28A few days later,
26:30I'm sitting in a private room
26:31at a coffee shop.
26:32The man across from me
26:33is my fiancé.
26:34Or rather,
26:35the man who's supposed
26:36to become my fiancé.
26:38I take a sip of coffee
26:39and decide not to waste time.
26:41I know you're in love with Lila.
26:43I also know you've been
26:44proposing marriage
26:45to my family for years
26:46because you wanted
26:47to marry her.
26:48The only reason
26:49they kept refusing
26:49is because my parents
26:50insist their oldest daughter
26:52has to marry first.
26:53Can you blame me?
26:54Anyone would prefer
26:56your sister.
26:56And it's not like Lila
26:58isn't interested in me.
26:59She told me herself.
27:00I raise an eyebrow.
27:01Oh?
27:02She said she didn't
27:03want to compete with you.
27:05Apparently,
27:05she believed
27:06you liked me more.
27:08Is that so?
27:09Then I smile.
27:14Then I have a plan
27:15that can get you
27:16exactly what you want.
27:18What plan?
27:19I set down my coffee cup.
27:22Lowering my voice slightly.
27:24We get legally married.
27:26Not a real marriage.
27:29Just the paperwork.
27:30Confusion only grows.
27:31What?
27:32Think about it.
27:34I lace my fingers together.
27:37You said Lila likes you.
27:39Then seeing you become
27:40close to another woman
27:41should bother her.
27:43People only realize
27:44what they truly want
27:45when they're about
27:45to lose it.
27:49I can practically see the idea
27:51taking shape in his head.
27:53If you spend more time with me,
27:55if she watches us together,
27:57she'll get jealous.
27:58His expression shifts.
28:00Then we move forward
28:01with the wedding.
28:02His eyes widen.
28:04Except I never show up.
28:05Silence.
28:06The man blinks twice.
28:07I continue calmly.
28:08The bride disappears.
28:10The wedding becomes
28:11a disaster.
28:13And then?
28:13Your beloved Lila
28:15sees the man she loves
28:16being humiliated
28:17in front of hundreds of people.
28:19I shake my head.
28:20She won't be able
28:22to stand it.
28:23She'll step forward herself.
28:25The room goes quiet.
28:26Very quiet.
28:27I can tell he is
28:28picturing the scene.
28:29Lila in a wedding dress.
28:31Saving him.
28:32Choosing him.
28:33Exactly the fantasy
28:34he wants.
28:35I press my advantage.
28:37When that happens,
28:38you tell her the truth.
28:40Tell her she's always
28:41been the one.
28:42Tell her you've loved her
28:43from the beginning.
28:44Buy a diamond ring.
28:46Make a proper confession.
28:48Trust me.
28:49She'll be moved.
28:52The man says nothing,
28:54but I can see
28:55his resistance weakening
28:56little by little.
28:57His shoulders relax.
28:58Eventually,
28:59he exhales.
29:00The tension
29:00leaves his face.
29:02You know what?
29:03He shakes his head.
29:04I think you're right.
29:05Of course I am.
29:06I've been watching Lila
29:08create accidental
29:09love stories
29:09my entire life.
29:10At this point,
29:11I could probably
29:12write a textbook
29:13about it.
29:14Honestly,
29:16I lower my gaze.
29:17I know I wouldn't
29:18be happy with you.
29:20The man shifts awkwardly.
29:24You love Lila,
29:25and Lila loves you.
29:27I'd rather both of you
29:28find happiness.
29:29The silence that follows
29:30lasts several seconds.
29:32Then the man slowly stands.
29:34He extends his hand
29:35toward me.
29:36Miss Ashford,
29:37I misjudged you.
29:39I rise as well,
29:40then shake his hand.
29:42As long as the two of you
29:44are happy.
29:47The day I return
29:48to Ashford Manor
29:49with a marriage certificate
29:50and a husband.
29:51The entire family
29:53is waiting.
29:53Everyone is gathered
29:55around the dining table.
29:56No one looks happy.
29:57As I take my seat,
29:58I glance across the room
30:00at Silas.
30:01I give him a reassuring look.
30:03His expression doesn't change,
30:04but after spending time
30:06around him,
30:06I've learned that silence
30:08doesn't mean calm.
30:09It's fine.
30:10Once everything is over,
30:11I'll figure out
30:12what to do about him too.
30:13I offer him a small smile.
30:15Silas looks at me
30:16for a brief second,
30:17then looks away,
30:18as unreadable as ever.
30:20Partway through dinner,
30:22I head into the kitchen
30:22to help carry dishes.
30:24Deuce is standing at the sink,
30:26slowly washing his hands.
30:27The moment I walk in,
30:28he speaks.
30:29You don't like him.
30:30I pause.
30:31Who?
30:31He glances at me
30:32through the mirror
30:33above the sink.
30:33Your husband.
30:34Deuce dries his hands
30:35and turns toward me.
30:36Vera,
30:37I'll help you run away.
30:38I stare at him.
30:39What?
30:40He sounds completely serious.
30:42Run away from the wedding.
30:43Before I can respond,
30:45he raises a hand.
30:46Relax.
30:47They agree.
30:48I immediately know
30:49who he means.
30:50Ace tray.
30:51No wonder they've looked
30:52miserable all day.
30:53For some reason,
30:54the realization
30:54makes me want to laugh.
30:57Deuce takes another step closer.
30:58You don't want to spend
30:59the rest of your life
31:00with someone you don't love.
31:02I pick up a tray
31:03and turn toward the door.
31:04You don't need
31:05to worry about me.
31:06You're going to regret this,
31:07Vera.
31:07I stop for a moment,
31:09then continue walking.
31:11Regret it?
31:11Will I?
31:12After dinner,
31:13Lila spends nearly an hour
31:15talking with my fake husband.
31:16Effortlessly charming as always.
31:18Across the room,
31:19he looks completely captivated.
31:20Exactly as expected.
31:22I leave them alone
31:22and head upstairs.
31:24My father is waiting
31:25in the study.
31:25A stack of documents
31:27sits on the desk.
31:28Share transfer agreements.
31:29The moment the final signature
31:31is complete,
31:325% of Ashford Group
31:34officially becomes mine.
31:35I look out
31:36at the manor grounds below,
31:38then smile to myself.
31:39Because the wedding
31:40may be next week,
31:41but the real show
31:42hasn't even started yet.
31:46Over the next few days,
31:48I spend my time
31:48preparing for the wedding
31:49and picking out jewelry.
31:51Meanwhile,
31:52the atmosphere
31:52at Ashford Manor
31:53grows increasingly tense.
31:55Even Lila
31:56can't resist
31:56taking a jab at me.
31:58I can't believe
31:58you sold out
31:59for 5% of the company.
32:00I don't react.
32:01That only seems
32:02to irritate her more.
32:03She laughs softly.
32:04Do you know
32:05how many shares
32:05I'll get one day?
32:06When father dies,
32:07all of them
32:08will be mine.
32:09I stare at her.
32:10What?
32:10She mistakes my reaction
32:12for jealousy
32:12and smiles in satisfaction.
32:14Jealous?
32:15What a devoted daughter,
32:16I think.
32:16Nearby,
32:17Trey suddenly speaks.
32:18What a waste.
32:19Deuce nods in agreement.
32:21Completely throwing
32:22your life away.
32:23Ace scrolls through
32:24his phone
32:24without commenting.
32:25Are they talking
32:26about me?
32:26Maybe.
32:27Either way,
32:28I don't care.
32:29Instead,
32:29I glance at Silas.
32:30I'd expected him
32:31to look gloomy.
32:32Angry, maybe.
32:33But he doesn't.
32:35He simply lifts his eyes
32:36and meets my gaze.
32:37For a moment,
32:38neither of us
32:39looks away.
32:39And that's when
32:40I realize something.
32:41When those dark eyes
32:42aren't filled with danger
32:43or hostility,
32:43they're unexpectedly beautiful.
32:45Carrying a lazy,
32:46effortless elegance
32:48that's hard to ignore.
32:52At last,
32:53the wedding day arrives.
32:54A truly ridiculous
32:55amount of money
32:56has been spent
32:57on this wedding.
32:58I barely get a chance
32:59to admire it
33:00before I'm ushered
33:00into the bridal suite.
33:02For the next three hours,
33:03guests continue arriving.
33:05Even backstage,
33:06I can hear the constant
33:07stream of congratulations.
33:09My parents stop by
33:11several times
33:11to make sure
33:12I'm still following the plan.
33:13I assure them I am.
33:15Then I sit in front
33:16of the mirror,
33:17admire my makeup
33:18for a moment,
33:19and check the time.
33:20The ceremony is starting.
33:21I'd already arranged
33:23everything with my makeup
33:24artist and assistant.
33:25During a quiet moment,
33:27I lift my heavy skirt
33:28and slip out.
33:29My assistant
33:30follows behind me.
33:31The restroom
33:32is just ahead, Vera.
33:33The moment we reach
33:34the restroom,
33:35I change into the casual clothes
33:37hidden in her bag,
33:38swap my heels for sneakers,
33:39and climb through the window.
33:41A black sedan
33:42is already waiting outside.
33:44A quick jump,
33:45and I'm free.
33:46I slide into the back seat
33:47and immediately call Silas.
33:49The phone rings twice.
33:50No answer.
33:51I frown.
33:52Leaning forward,
33:53I tell the driver,
33:54let's go.
33:54The car pulls away
33:55toward the airport.
33:57On the way,
33:57I open the wedding livestream.
33:59One of the benefits
34:00of having a fake husband
34:01is that he'd insisted
34:02on broadcasting the ceremony.
34:04Apparently,
34:05he wanted to preserve
34:06the moment Lila chose love.
34:08Works for me.
34:09It makes watching much easier.
34:11The host's voice
34:12rings through my phone.
34:13Ladies and gentlemen,
34:14please welcome
34:15today's bride and groom.
34:16The doors will now open
34:18from both sides.
34:19The doors swing open
34:20on the right side,
34:22where I'm supposed to be.
34:23No one appears.
34:24I burst out laughing.
34:26The guest's expressions
34:27change instantly.
34:28Panic, confusion, shock.
34:30Exactly what I'd hoped for.
34:31Then, something catches my eye.
34:33A figure dressed in black
34:34moves across the screen.
34:36Fast.
34:36Very fast.
34:37My smile disappears.
34:43Silas?
34:44About two minutes later,
34:45my fake husband
34:46finally rushes onto the stage.
34:47His suit is wrinkled.
34:48His hair is a mess.
34:49But he grabs the microphone anyway.
34:51He clears his throat,
34:52then announces
34:53to the entire ballroom.
34:54The bride was never supposed
34:55to be Vera Ashfield.
34:56He points toward the crowd.
34:58The woman I love
34:59is Lila Ashfield's.
35:01Right then,
35:02my phone rings.
35:03Silas?
35:03I answer immediately.
35:05His voice is low and rough.
35:06Where are you?
35:07On the way to the airport.
35:11You?
35:11Before I can finish,
35:13a breaking news alert
35:14pops up on my screen.
35:16A beast man.
35:17Not a pure human.
35:19I tap it automatically.
35:20A photo appears.
35:21The comments are already exploding.
35:23Looks like a snake beast man.
35:25Not surprising.
35:25Snakes are cold-blooded.
35:27Perfect CEO material.
35:28Silas?
35:29Were you trying to crash the wedding?
35:31I'm leaving the country for a while.
35:32I'll come back
35:33after everything settles down.
35:34Silence.
35:35Then I hang up.
35:35If Silas wants to find me,
35:37he will.
35:37If he doesn't,
35:38that's fine too.
35:42I return to the live stream.
35:43The wedding is a complete disaster.
35:45Lila is crying.
35:46My father looks furious.
35:48Where is Vera?
35:49Find her!
35:50My mother looks ready to explode.
35:52She's completely lost her mind!
35:54Meanwhile,
35:55my fake husband
35:56is staring at Lila in disbelief.
35:58You said you liked me.
35:59Even your sister supported us.
36:02Why aren't you happy?
36:03What are you talking about?
36:05At that point,
36:06if my son likes Lila so much,
36:07why not let Lila marry him instead?
36:09The groom's mother steps in.
36:10It benefits both families.
36:14Exactly as I'd predicted.
36:15Finally,
36:16my mother turns toward Lila.
36:17Lila bites her lip,
36:18then blurts out.
36:19No!
36:20The room freezes.
36:21My fake husband's face darkens.
36:23For the first time,
36:24he realizes something is wrong.
36:27You've been lying to me?
36:28He takes a step forward.
36:30Lila,
36:30are you saying you don't like me?
36:33I don't!
36:34Tears spill down her face.
36:35Your three wives all died!
36:38You're cursed!
36:40Why would I ever like you?!
36:43Everything falls apart.
36:44I watch from the backseat of my car,
36:46feeling surprisingly cheerful.
36:47Then the camera briefly pans across the crowd,
36:49and I spot Ace Deuce Trey.
36:51The three of them are standing off to the side,
36:54as if the world they've been expecting
36:56has suddenly vanished.
37:00By the time I arrive at the airport,
37:02my fake husband finally calls.
37:04Come back and marry me.
37:06I can't help laughing.
37:07What the hell is so funny?
37:09I shake my head.
37:10You're not worth it.
37:13Then I hang up.
37:15After that,
37:15I sit near the departure gates and wait.
37:17A shadow falls across me.
37:22You came.
37:23I look up,
37:24and find myself staring at Ace.
37:26My smile immediately disappears.
37:28What's with that face?
37:29Disappointed?
37:31Who were you expecting?
37:34Simus.
37:35Ace lets out a cold laugh.
37:37Your taste is terrible.
37:38He's not coming.
37:40Okay.
37:42My reaction seems to annoy him even more.
37:46For a moment,
37:47neither of us speaks.
37:49Then Ace says,
37:51I didn't think you'd actually do it.
37:54What?
37:55Run away.
37:57I thought you'd go through with the wedding.
38:00I stand up.
38:01Stop bothering me.
38:03The muscles in his jaw tighten.
38:05For once, he doesn't argue.
38:06Where are you going?
38:07None of your business.
38:09You.
38:11Where are Deuce and Trey?
38:20They stopped Silas, didn't they?
38:22At that exact moment,
38:23I see someone approaching.
38:25Silas.
38:26He's walking straight toward us.
38:28Fast.
38:28His clothes are stained with blood.
38:30A scab has formed near his temple.
38:32There's a cut on his neck.
38:34The expression in his eyes
38:35is colder than I've ever seen.
38:37When he reaches me,
38:38I catch the scent of blood immediately.
38:41Silas.
38:43Are you okay?
38:44Before he can answer,
38:45Ace stands.
38:46His voice is sharp.
38:49What did you do to them?
38:51Silas doesn't even look at him.
38:53Instead,
38:54he walks over and rests his chin lightly on my shoulder.
38:57One arm slips around my waist.
38:58The embrace is loose.
39:00Cold.
39:00Possessive.
39:01I'm talking to you!
39:03Ace reaches for him,
39:04trying to pull him away.
39:05Finally,
39:06Silas glances over.
39:07If something happened to them,
39:11wouldn't that make you happy?
39:13I blink.
39:14What?
39:15Deuce and Trey are his brothers.
39:17Why would he sound happy about that?
39:19Even Ace looks stunned.
39:20His throat works once,
39:21then he asks again.
39:22Where are they?
39:26I don't know.
39:28But they're not doing well.
39:33But Ace doesn't leave.
39:35He just stands there,
39:36staring at us.
39:38You're leaving together?
39:41I blink.
39:44Isn't that obvious?
39:45The question seems to make him even angrier.
39:48The vein at his temple jumps.
39:51Who gave you the right to take him?
39:53For a second,
39:54I'm genuinely confused.
39:56Are you okay?
39:57I gesture towards Silas.
40:00Lila gave him to me.
40:01He's my beast man.
40:03My responsibility.
40:04My choice.
40:06Ace's jaw tightens.
40:07Then you're still my...
40:09No.
40:10The word lands hard.
40:11You were given to Lila
40:13a long time ago.
40:16Something dark flashes across his face.
40:19Regret.
40:20Anger.
40:21You're the one who gave me to her.
40:24Maybe both.
40:27I almost laugh.
40:29You know what's funny?
40:30Because now he wants to have this conversation.
40:33Now,
40:34I meet his eyes.
40:35The day I decided to send you away,
40:38I heard everything.
40:39His expression changes instantly.
40:41What are you talking about?
40:43The conversation in my apartment.
40:48I smile.
40:49The one where you talked about how much you liked Lila.
40:52The one where you were all waiting for me to give up.
40:54Ace goes completely still.
40:55For the first time since I've known him.
40:57You heard that?
40:58Of course I did.
40:59You liked Lila,
41:00so I helped.
41:01If someone wants something,
41:03why shouldn't they have it?
41:04You got exactly what you wanted.
41:05Then I look back at him.
41:06So why are you questioning me now?
41:07Ace says nothing.
41:08I reach for Silas's hand.
41:10Let's go.
41:10Silas immediately falls into step beside me.
41:12Ace,
41:13trying to follow.
41:14But before he can get far,
41:15several airport security officers step into his path.
41:18His eyes lock onto mine across the distance.
41:20For a moment neither of us speaks.
41:22Then the crowd shifts between us.
41:24And I turn away.
41:25This time,
41:25I don't look back.
41:29Silas takes the seat beside me.
41:31His head is slightly lowered.
41:32Long dark lashes casting shadows across his face.
41:35Then I finally ask the question that has been bothering me.
41:38So you really were planning to replace the groom and marry me?
41:41Yeah.
41:41Just a simple sound.
41:42I stare at him.
41:43You reacted pretty fast.
41:45The moment he realized I was gone,
41:46he disappeared from the hotel without a trace.
41:49Silas lifts his eyes.
41:50Your scent was fading.
41:51Oh right.
41:52One of the terrifying things about Beastmen
41:54is their sense of smell.
41:55Especially snakes.
41:56They can track things most humans would never notice.
41:58I lean back in my seat.
42:00I'll be staying overseas for a while.
42:01When the timing is right,
42:02I'll come back.
42:03Silas doesn't respond immediately.
42:05Instead,
42:05he leans closer.
42:06His cool breath brushes against my neck.
42:08For a brief moment,
42:09his lips rest against the side of my throat.
42:12Yeah.
42:12I glance at him from the corner of my eye
42:14and suddenly find the situation a little ridiculous.
42:17People always say wolves are loyal.
42:18That canine Beastmen become attached to their owners.
42:21So why does this cold-blooded snake
42:23seem far more attached to me
42:24than any of the wolves ever were?
42:28The months that follow are absolute chaos for the Ashford family.
42:33Fortunately, none of it reaches me.
42:35As expected,
42:36Lila never marries that man.
42:38The alliance collapses.
42:40The two families become enemies almost overnight.
42:43By the time I finally return home,
42:45years seem to have passed.
42:47My parents look much older.
42:49My father is bedridden.
42:51The people he'd trusted to run the company either couldn't do it,
42:54or couldn't be trusted.
42:55In the end,
42:56they had no choice but to hand everything to Lila.
42:59Unfortunately,
43:00being charming and being a good executive are not the same thing.
43:04Under Lila's leadership,
43:05the company steadily declines.
43:08By the time I walk back into Ashford Manor,
43:10everyone looks exhausted.
43:12Then my mother suddenly rises from her chair.
43:15Her hand flies up,
43:17ready to slap me.
43:18I take one step back smile,
43:20and say softly,
43:22You really want to do that?
43:23She freezes.
43:24I tilt my head.
43:26Her hand remains suspended in midair.
43:28Because right now,
43:29I'm the only person who can save you.
43:33The room is silent.
43:34I shift my gaze away from her.
43:38Towered Lila.
43:39Long time no see, little sister.
43:41Lila immediately looks away,
43:43but a second later,
43:44tears begin rolling down her cheeks anyway.
43:46And for the first time in our lives,
43:49she is the one falling apart,
43:50not me.
43:56I've hated Vera for as long as I can remember.
43:59When we were kids,
44:01people naturally gathered around her.
44:03Boys, girls, teachers, neighbors.
44:07She remembered everyone's birthdays.
44:10Everyone's favorite candy.
44:12Every own secrets.
44:14But none of that mattered.
44:16Because the moment I appeared,
44:18every eye shifted to me.
44:20I was prettier.
44:21Much prettier.
44:22People who saw me after seeing Vera
44:24looked pleasantly surprised.
44:26People who saw Vera after seeing me
44:28looked disappointed.
44:29For years,
44:30I convinced myself that Vera must hate me.
44:33How could she not?
44:34I had our parents' attention.
44:36I had everyone's admiration.
44:38Every time I thought about it,
44:39I felt lighter.
44:40Even happy.
44:42Sometimes I almost pitied her.
44:43She worked so hard to be kind.
44:46And people still chose me.
44:48Then I met Silas.
44:50A beautiful snake beast man.
44:52And unlike everyone else,
44:53I knew exactly who he was.
44:55Years ago,
44:56Vera saved a dying little snake.
44:58I remembered,
45:00because I screamed at her to stay away from it.
45:02She ignored me.
45:03As usual,
45:04she picked up the snake anyway.
45:06I always assumed she'd forgotten.
45:08Silas hadn't.
45:09Neither had I.
45:11That is why I brought him home.
45:13I knew why he agreed to come.
45:17Because he could smell Vera.
45:19And part of me wanted to see what would happen.
45:24I wanted him to discover the truth.
45:26That Vera wouldn't even remember him.
45:28That his loyalty meant nothing.
45:30But things didn't go the way I expected.
45:32Silas never cared about me.
45:34Not once.
45:35And somehow,
45:36even after forgetting him,
45:38Vera still treated him kindly.
45:40The same way she'd treated the dying snake.
45:42The same way she'd rescued those abandoned wolf cubs.
45:46No matter how many times she got hurt,
45:48she never stopped.
45:49It annoyed me.
45:51Infuriated me.
45:52So I waited.
45:54Soon she'd be forced into a miserable marriage.
45:58Soon she'd break.
45:59Soon she'd come begging me for help.
46:01That would finally prove I was right.
46:03That kindness was useless.
46:05That people should choose power instead.
46:08Then she fooled all of us.
46:11Eventually I take over the company.
46:13And to everyone's surprise.
46:15I am good at it.
46:16Much better than Lila ever was.
46:19Profits recover.
46:20Projects stabilize.
46:22Investors return.
46:24Even my father's health improves.
46:26One day,
46:27I tell Silas.
46:29Silas runs cool fingers through my hair.
46:31At his age,
46:33sudden recovery usually means the end is getting closer.
46:36We're alone in my office.
46:38Understood.
46:40A few months later,
46:41my father collapses again.
46:43This time,
46:44he doesn't recover.
46:45I visit him in the hospital.
46:46And ask for the rest of the shares.
46:49He nearly chokes from anger.
46:51I simply remind him of reality.
46:53If the company stays with Lila,
46:54everything will eventually disappear.
46:56If it comes to me,
46:58the family survives.
46:59The choice isn't complicated.
47:01For a long time,
47:02he stares at me.
47:03Then finally gives up.
47:04And just like that,
47:06the last obstacle disappears.
47:11Silas spends most of his time in my office these days.
47:14Sometimes when I work too long without paying attention to him,
47:17a cool snake tail slowly wraps around my waist.
47:19An extremely obvious complaint.
47:21I usually reach over and pat it.
47:22That solves the problem.
47:23Most of the time,
47:24I've never asked about his other identity.
47:26Whether he is an heir.
47:27Whether he is wealthy.
47:28Whether he controls half the business world from the shadows.
47:31I genuinely don't care.
47:32I only need him beside me.
47:33Nothing else matters.
47:34The same reason I never cared when Ace once told me.
47:37We all had names before you renamed us.
47:39I stopped him before he could continue.
47:41Because I didn't want to know.
47:42The past is the past.
47:43Years later,
47:44the wolves return.
47:45My assistant calls from downstairs.
47:47Three visitors.
47:48Ace.
47:48Deuce.
47:48Trey.
47:49Apparently they want to see me.
47:50I take the call.
47:51A brief conversation follows.
47:53Mostly awkward.
47:54Mostly pointless.
47:55They're still trying to explain.
47:57Trying to clarify.
47:58Trying to revisit decisions made years ago.
48:00I end it quickly.
48:01Because none of it changes anything.
48:03By the time the call ends,
48:05the answer is still the same.
48:06They're no longer mine.
48:07And I have no interest in becoming theirs again.
48:10After hanging up,
48:11I instruct security not to let them back into the building.
48:14Then,
48:14I return to work.
48:15Contracts.
48:16Meetings.
48:16Reports.
48:17The usual.
48:17Before leaving my office,
48:19I send Silas a message.
48:21A simple one.
48:21I'll be home late.
48:22Be good and wait for me.
48:24Then I put away my phone.
48:25Smooth out my sleeves.
48:26And walk toward the conference room.
48:28Another meeting is about to begin.
48:29Outside the glass walls of the tower,
48:31the city stretches endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.
48:34Inside,
48:34my employees are already waiting.
48:36I push open the doors.
48:37Let's get started.
48:38And this time,
48:39the story belongs to me.
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