- il y a 9 heures
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Art et designTranscription
00:00Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
00:30The day college acceptance letters were released, I clutched my laptop and rushed into the living room.
00:35Mom! Dad! I got into Columbia! I'm actually going to New York with Ethan and Lucas!
00:42The living room was completely empty.
00:45My parents, my brother, and my fiancé secretly jetted off to New York to celebrate my twin sister's fake success,
00:52leaving me behind without a word.
00:55A glossy Columbia muck on the count sat, a gift from Lucas last year.
01:00His voice echoed in my head.
01:02Get into Columbia, babe, and I'll take you to every single romantic spot this city has to offer.
01:07I had made those words, my entire world, surviving countless all-nighters,
01:13but now that mug was shoved aside.
01:16Beneath it, three printed flight confirmations.
01:18My mother, my father, and my twin sister, Chloe, ate at Tamsin, JFK, New York.
01:26My fingers went totally numb as I opened Instagram.
01:29Ethan, my older brother, had just posted a reel.
01:33He was wheeling Chloe's suitcase through the terminal, grinning at the camera.
01:37Welcome to NYC, princess.
01:39Time to go conquer your pre-college program.
01:41Lucas was standing right there, beside them, handing massive bouquet of blush pink ponies.
01:47Chloe looked up at him through her lashes, biting her lip.
01:49Do you think Claire's gonna hate us for leaving her behind?
01:53Claire's fine.
01:54Missing one trip isn't gonna kill her.
01:57A sick chill seeped straight into my bones.
02:01The city I had ruined my health to reach, and they had already shut me out.
02:06Right then, my phone buzzed.
02:08My mother had finally realized she had another daughter.
02:12Keep your Columbia news out of the family chat group.
02:15Chloe is finally happy.
02:17Don't ruin it by making it all about you.
02:20Before I could even catch my breath, and another text flashed across the screen.
02:24Babe, you already got into your dream school.
02:26Don't start drama and steal her spotlight over this.
02:29My hand shook, knocking the Columbia mug off the counter.
02:32It shattered against the tile.
02:34I crouched down and picked up the shards.
02:36I didn't cry.
02:38Suddenly, New York felt miles away.
02:41Far enough that I didn't want to go anymore.
02:44Ethan's voice cut through the phone, backed by the noisy hum of the airport terminal.
02:49Claire, what's the code to the pink suitcase?
02:520521.
02:54May 21st.
02:55Chloe's birthday.
02:56Mine too.
02:58But in our house, that date had only ever belonged to one person.
03:02Over the line, a sharp click signaled the lock giving way, followed instantly by Chloe's whining voice.
03:08Ugh, Ethan!
03:09My sunscreen literally exploded everywhere!
03:12My whole bag is ruined!
03:13Relax, sweetie.
03:14I'll just get Luke's to take you to replace it.
03:17Ethan soothed her over the line, his tone sickeningly indulgent.
03:21Suddenly, the phone was ripped away.
03:23Claire, why are you ignoring my FaceTimes?
03:25Look, Chloe's doing her prep program here, and New York rents are insane.
03:29Sign over that $20,000 check you got?
03:31I needed to lock down a luxury apartment for her.
03:33I walked to the bathroom and turned the fauceter on full blast, letting the creasing water numb my fingers.
03:39I already spent it on tuition.
03:41The line fell completely silent.
03:43When Lucas spoke again, his voice had dropped to absolute zero.
03:47Claire, pick a better lie.
03:48Columbia hasn't even billed you yet.
03:53We all know you're just holding on to that check.
03:55He spoke with the absolute arrogance of a guy who genuinely thought he owned my entire life.
04:01Chloe is fragile, Claire.
04:02You've always been the strong one.
04:04Columbia's dorms are amazing anyway, so it's not like you're gonna suffer.
04:07Can't you just let your sister have this one thing?
04:09I grabbed a towel, slowly drying my hands.
04:12I spent it, Lucas.
04:15Spent it on what?
04:18Shopping.
04:20Claire!
04:21Lucas snapped, his composure completely evaporating over the line.
04:26Since when did you get this selfish?
04:28Chloe didn't get accepted, and she's been crying for days.
04:33As her sister, instead of showing some compassion, you're seriously being this petty over a check?
04:38I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
04:40My expression was dead calm.
04:43So you all just left for New York without telling me?
04:48I spoke softly, but Lucas heard me anyway.
04:51He let out a sigh.
04:53We didn't tell you because we knew you'd totally overreact.
04:56Look, you got into Columbia.
04:58You're the pride of the family.
05:00Chloe is just really insecure right now, and we wanted to give her some support.
05:05You're strong.
05:06What's the big deal about staying home alone for a few days?
05:10I just listened.
05:11So that was it.
05:13In their eyes, my success was a sin.
05:16Because I was strong, I didn't deserve to be coddled.
05:19I didn't deserve to be celebrated.
05:22I didn't even deserve the grant I had worked so hard to earn.
05:25I get it.
05:26Lucas took my quiet tone as instant compliance, his voice softening into a low purr.
05:32Good girl.
05:33Just transfer the money to your mom.
05:34She stops stressing about the apartment.
05:36I gotta go.
05:37Chloe wants to grab cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery.
05:39Bye, babe.
05:43The line went totally dead.
05:45I didn't send the money.
05:47Instead, I walked back to my bedroom, opened my laptop, and logged into the application portal.
05:55Aside from Columbia, another official acceptance was sitting in my private inbox from a top architecture school in California.
06:03It was over 2,000 miles away.
06:06No Manhattan luxury.
06:08No Lucas.
06:10I clicked open the page.
06:11The cursor hovered between Decline for Columbia and Accept for California.
06:15Holding the mouse, I declined Columbia without hesitation, chose the West Coast School, and secured my design grant safely inside
06:21a personal account completely out of their reach.
06:24Click.
06:25Confirm.
06:25I closed the laptop.
06:26I turned around, opened the wardrobe, and pulled out my suitcase.
06:30I began packing my clothes piece by piece.
06:32The outfits I had bought specifically New York were shoved right back into the deepest corner of the closet.
06:37California would be warm.
06:38I wouldn't be needing them anyway.
06:40My phone buzzed on the bed.
06:42Mom had sent a photo.
06:44Chloe was wearing a new necklace from Lucas, a radiant smile on her face.
06:48The caption read,
06:49Chloe is much happier today.
06:51I didn't reply.
06:52I just put the chat on Do Not Disturb.
06:56Three days later, the front door was pushed open.
06:59The living room was instantly filled with the sound of laughter.
07:03New York is so muggy and hot right now.
07:06The pollution completely ruined my skin.
07:09I'm breaking out already.
07:10Mom complained, kicking off her shoes.
07:12Ethan followed right behind her, loaded down with shopping bags.
07:15As long as Chloe had a good time, Mom.
07:16Honestly, she's been in such better spirits since we got there.
07:19I sat on the sofa, holding a book.
07:21The moment their eyes landed on me, the laughter died instantly.
07:25The entire living room turned ice cold.
07:27Mom frowned.
07:28Her gaze sweeping over the clean coffee table.
07:30Claire, we're exhausted from the flight and starving.
07:33You didn't even bother to have dinner ready for us?
07:35I closed the book and stood up.
07:37There's food in the fridge.
07:38Mom glared at me and walked past me.
07:40Chloe peeked out from behind Ethan,
07:42decked out in freshness, signer dress and rare limited edition sneakers.
07:45The ultimate New York trophies.
07:47She lowered her head, her voice cracking with unshened tears.
07:51Claire, please don't be mad at Mom and Ethan.
07:55I'm the one who begged them to come to New York with me.
07:58If you're going to hate anyone, hate me.
08:01Why are you apologizing, Chloe?
08:03Who does she think she is to be mad at you?
08:06He turned to me, his gaze sharp.
08:08Lose the attitude, Claire.
08:09She's about to start a pre-college program and she's already under so much pressure.
08:12Can't you be a supportive sister for once in your life?
08:14I looked at my own brother.
08:16Since we were kids, it was always the same.
08:18The moment Chloe cried, I was automatically the one in the wrong.
08:22Mom walked over, holding her glass of water.
08:25Then where is the money, Claire?
08:28Lucas told you to transfer the money for Chloe's apartment.
08:32Why haven't you done it?
08:34Chloe literally cried herself to sleep last night because she missed out on that beautiful place.
08:40I looked at my mother's entitled face.
08:42I bled for that grant.
08:44I spent countless all-a-nights drafting and trashing designs until my hands bled.
08:49Why the hell should I just hand it over to her?
08:52Mom slammed the glass down hard onto the coffee table.
08:55Because she's your sister.
08:58You got into an Ivy League.
09:00You'll have no problem making money down the road.
09:03But Chloe doesn't have it as easy as you do.
09:05She needs a head start.
09:08Is it really so much to ask for you to help your own sister?
09:12Right then, Lucas walked in.
09:13He was holding a Sikh silver box.
09:15It was the latest drawing tablet.
09:17One I'd been eyeing for six months but couldn't bring myself to buy.
09:21I was a design major.
09:22I needed it.
09:23Lucas had promised it to me as a graduation gift if I got into Columbia.
09:27Chloe, here's the tablet you wanted.
09:30Oh my god, Lucas!
09:31You are literally the best!
09:33Lucas ruffled her hair.
09:35His eyes full of affection.
09:36I stood there, staring at the silver box.
09:40Lucas turned to look at me.
09:42Claire, your old tablet still works fine.
09:44And I just started at the firm, so cash is a little tight right now.
09:47Don't be petty.
09:48I'll get you a new one next year with my bonus.
09:50He always had a way of delivering the cruelest blows in the gentlest tones.
09:54I just nodded calmly.
10:19Well, at least she's finally learning to shut up and know her place.
10:24Leaning against the closed door, I looked down at my packed suitcase.
10:58Inside were only a few old clothes.
11:22Chloe, sweetie, I'm just thrilled for you.
11:25You know how impossibly hard it is.
11:28To get into that Columbia prep program.
11:31But, of course, with Lucas pulling strings for you, nothing is impossible.
11:37Turning around, she spotted me sitting in the corner and offered a dismissive smile.
11:42Oh, and good job to you, too, Claire.
11:45Now that you'll both be in New York, remember you're the older sister.
11:48It's your job to look after Chloe and make sure she has everything she needs.
11:53I looked down at the ice water in front of me and said nothing.
11:56The banquet ticked off.
11:57Dad stepped to the front, clinking his champagne glass to command the room before opening with a toast.
12:03Chloe glided onto the stage, soaking in the attention the stunning designer dress Luca had bought her.
12:08Thank you, Mom, Dad, Ethan, and most of all, Lucas.
12:12She blushed, looking at Lucas at the main table.
12:15I honestly wouldn't be standing here today without Lucas' encouragement.
12:19He never stopped believing in me, even when I wanted to give up.
12:23The room erupted into thunderous applause.
12:28Knowing glances passed among the guests, shifting between the two of them.
12:33Lucas sat at the main table, a slight smile on his face.
12:36I sat at a side table on the very edge.
12:39My tablemates were distant relatives who rarely visited.
12:43They sipped champagne and lowered their voices in discussion.
12:47It's so weird.
12:48Claire got a full ride to an actual Ivy League school, and they barely blink an eye.
12:54But they throw this massive party for Chloe's prep program.
13:00Oh, please.
13:02Chloe is the pretty, sweet one.
13:05With her looks, she's guaranteed to land a millionaire down the road.
13:09I think Lucas definitely has feelings for her.
13:12Right.
13:12We might share the exact same face, but I'll always be the spare.
13:17I took a bite of smoked salmon from the buffet plate.
13:21Very salty.
13:23The club servers wheeled out a three-tier cake.
13:26Lucas walked up to the stage and took the knife.
13:30He took Chloe's hand, and together they sliced the first piece.
13:34Plate in hand, he walked straight over and looked down at me.
13:38Claire, Chloe insisted you get the first slice.
13:41She feels bad because you've been throwing a tantrum all week.
13:45Just take it.
13:47Everyone is watching, so don't ruin her night.
13:51I looked at the cream-covered slice of cake on the plate.
13:54On stage, Chloe was watching me expectantly.
13:57I didn't pick up the fork.
13:58I don't like sweets.
14:00Lucas's jaw tightened instantly.
14:02Do you really have to do this right now?
14:05Just then, Chloe ran over, holding up the hem of her dress.
14:10Claire, please don't be mad at me about the drawing tablet.
14:13I didn't know Lucas bought it for you first.
14:17I'll give it back to you, I promise.
14:19Please just don't hate me.
14:21As she lieged for my hand, her elbow violently clipped the table edge,
14:26the plate tipped it, and the frosted cake splattered brutally across the pristine white dress.
14:32I'm sorry, Claire!
14:33She covered her mouth, stepping back.
14:36Ethan rushed over instantly and shoved me away, shielding Chloe in his arms.
14:41She was just trying to do something nice for you, pushed her?
14:44I stumbled back, a dull ache.
14:48I didn't even touch her.
14:50Cut the crap, Claire!
14:51It's just a stupid dress!
14:53Chloe didn't mean to do it!
14:56Mom hurried over too, glaring at me fiercely.
15:00You just couldn't let her have one good day.
15:03Could you?
15:05You always have to find a way to ruin everything!
15:08Looking at the ruined dress and the permanent stain,
15:11I felt the final string snap inside me.
15:14None of this mattered anymore.
15:15I didn't go to the restroom.
15:17Instead, I picked up my canvas-toed bag from the back of the chair.
15:21Don't worry, I won't ruin your precious family moment anymore.
15:24I'm leaving.
15:30Claire!
15:31Lucas' voice came from behind.
15:33I didn't stop, walking straight out the club doors.
15:35Lucas caught up and grabbed my wrist.
15:37Get back inside, Claire.
15:39Don't do this.
15:40Everyone is looking at us.
15:42You are not going to ruin Chloe's night over a little drama.
15:45I stopped and turned to look at him.
15:47His shirt was slightly disheveled,
15:49messed up from when he was protecting Chloe just now.
15:52My dress is ruined, Lucas.
15:55So go sponge it off in the bathroom.
15:57It's not the end of the world.
15:59When did you become so bitter and vindictive?
16:01As it turned out, I wasn't even allowed to be upset over my own ruined dress.
16:04I'm not washing it.
16:06In fact, you can keep the dress.
16:10I'm done with it.
16:12I'm done with all of you.
16:14I pried his fingers away, one by one.
16:16Lucas stared at his empty palm, his brow fertiling deeper.
16:20Where are you going?
16:23Home.
16:24I raised my hand, flagging down a passing yellow cab.
16:27As the car pulled away, Lucas' figure grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.
16:32Two days later, moving day arrived.
16:34From the crack of dawn, the entire house was turned upside down.
16:37A small mountain of Chloe's luggage blocked the living room.
16:40At least seven or eight oversized suitcases.
16:42Ethan meticulously cross-checked her packing list.
16:46Did you grab your winter coat?
16:47New York winters are no joke.
16:49Yeah, yeah.
16:49I got it.
16:51I walked out of my bedroom, dragging a small suitcase.
16:55No one noticed me.
16:56Lucas pulled up out front and immediately came up to help,
16:58making trips back and forth with Chloe's bags
17:01until the trunk and back seats were packed with Chloe's things.
17:03I stood at the foyer.
17:05Lucas wiped the sweat from his forehead,
17:06walked over, and looked at my luggage.
17:10Claire, the car's completely packed.
17:13And you barely have anything anyway.
17:16Just catch an Uber to the airport and grab the next flight.
17:20Text me when you land,
17:21and I'll pick you up once everything's all settled, all right?
17:23Ethan chapped in from the driveway, crossing his arms.
17:26Yeah, Claire.
17:28You've always been independent.
17:30Not like Chloe.
17:30She gets totally lost without a GPS.
17:32My fingers tightened around the handle of my suitcase.
17:35Then, slowly, I let go.
17:38Okay.
17:39Lucas gave my hair a patronizing ruffle, looking pleased.
17:43Good girl.
17:44I'll make it up to you with a nice dinner once you get to the city.
17:47They crowded around Chloe and went downstairs.
17:50The house fell completely quiet.
17:52I checked my phone screen.
17:55On the app, my digital ticket gleamed.
17:57A one-way flight to California, boarding in two hours.
18:00At 3 p.m., the gates of Columbia University were bustling.
18:04He looked down at his phone.
18:06No new message.
18:09Frowning, he dialed my number.
18:13Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice-digging system.
18:16Lucas kicked a pebble on the ground in frustration.
18:21Claire's still not here?
18:23Straight to voicemail.
18:25Lucas schnaffed.
18:26She's definitely throwing a fit and screening my calls.
18:29She's being completely impossible lately.
18:32Honestly, just ignore her.
18:33Once she gets lost in the city, trying to haul all her luggage by herself,
18:37she'll come crawling back to us, crying.
18:39Lucas stared at the passing crowd.
18:41His gaze locked onto every single girl stepping out of a taxi.
18:46Meanwhile, 3,000 miles away,
18:49California was bathed in brilliant golden sunshine.
18:53Dragging my small suitcase,
18:54I stood in the orientation center for
18:56in his top heart, Arcteshme of school.
18:58Welcome to Califere.
18:59Go ahead and sign the welcome wall right over there.
19:02Under the freshman section,
19:03architect, text, or to design,
19:06I signed my name.
19:08Claire.
19:11I held out my phone for the orientation volunteer to scan my UR code,
19:15trading it from dorm key and student ID.
19:17The volunteer flashed a bright smile.
19:19Hey, need a luggage cart to haul your stuff to your dorm?
19:22No, thank you.
19:23I can manage.
19:24Pulling my suitcase down the shaded walkway,
19:26I turned my phone on.
19:27The screen was instantly flooded with missed calls and message notifications.
19:31On iMessage, Lucas had sent over a dozen urgent texts.
19:34The first one was relatively calm in tone.
19:37Did you land yet?
19:38I'm going to the airport to pick you up.
19:40By the third text, he was growing impatient.
19:42I didn't reply.
19:43Instead, I unlocked my dorm door,
19:45started carefully wiping down the desk and chairs,
19:48and made my bed.
19:49It wasn't until 8 that evening, after a shower,
19:52that I sat at my clean desk and finally dialed Lucas's number.
19:55So you finally remembered a call?
19:57Where the hell are you?
19:58I checked the arrivals board and that flight landed an hour ago.
20:01You're not at the terminal!
20:02Did you even get on the damn plane?
20:03In the background, I could hear Chloe crying.
20:06Lucas, is Claire doing this because of me?
20:09I held the phone a little further away.
20:11After he finished yelling, I spoke calmly.
20:13I'm not in New York, Lucas.
20:15Dead silence on the other end.
20:17When Lucas spoke again, his voice dropped to a manising hiss.
20:20Are you kidding me?
20:21You applied to Columbia.
20:22If you're not in New York, where are you?
20:24You think you own the university?
20:25You can just decide not to go?
20:27I rejected Columbia and accepted an offer in California.
20:30I already finished orientation at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
20:34I looked at the brilliant California night view outside my window.
20:37My tone completely unruffled.
20:39Impossible!
20:40Lucas blurted out, his tone full of disbelief.
20:43How many all-nighters did you pull for New York?
20:45How could you possibly go to California?
20:47Stop lying, Claire!
20:48Are you hiding out in some sketchy New York hotel?
20:51Playing hard to get?
20:53Just so we'll come begging for your forgiveness?
20:54He was still absolutely certain I was playing hard to get.
20:58Before I could even open my mouth, Ethan tore the phone from Lucas, his fury exploding through the speaker.
21:04Claire, have you completely lost your mind?
21:07Are you throwing away your future just to compete with Chloe?
21:10California is halfway across the country.
21:12You are dropping out right now, packing your bags, and reapplying to transfer back here next year.
21:17Listening to his arrogant commands, I couldn't help but find the whole thing utterly hilarious.
21:22Drop out?
21:23Reapply?
21:24Ethan, this school's architecture program is top three-er nationwide.
21:28The degree carries just as much weight as Columbia's.
21:30Why should I drop out?
21:31Didn't you all accuse me of stealing Chloe's spotlight?
21:33Well, now I'm 3,000 miles away.
21:35She can shine all she wants.
21:37There's no one left to compete with her.
21:39It's nice.
21:40Peaceful.
21:40Even.
21:41You.
21:41Ethan was choked up, unable to speak.
21:44The phone went back to Lucas.
21:45He seemed to finally realize I wasn't joking.
21:48His breathing grew heavy.
21:49Claire, do you have any idea what you're doing?
21:52Are you treating your future like a joke just to spite us?
21:55Do you think if you go to California, we'll feel sorry for you?
21:58In his coldest tone, he delivered his final ultimatum.
22:02I'm telling you, get your ass back here right now, and I'll let this slide.
22:07But if you insist on staying in California, don't you dare come crawling back to me when you crash and
22:11burn!
22:11I lowered my eyes, looking at the brand new textbook on my desk,
22:15Fine, I won't.
22:17I pulled up his contact and hit block, cutting him out of my life in a single tap.
22:21The motion was fluid, without a shred of hesitation.
22:24Next was Ethan, then my parents, and finally Chloe.
22:27I erased every single way they could ever reach me.
22:30Done with it all, I let out a long breath.
22:32New York was freezing anyway.
22:33I didn't want it anymore.
22:35Three months passed in a flash under the warm California sun.
22:40Without the endless criticism and toxic comparisons, I felt lighter than I ever had before.
22:46I joined the department's design studio and ranked first in my major among the freshmen.
22:51My advisor recognized my potential early on and put me in charge of a major corporate-sponsored project.
22:57Between the studio and the library, my days were packed, but deeply fulfilling.
23:02On weekends, I would grab coffee in the neighborhood with my roommates and watch the sunset at the beach.
23:08The names Lucas and Chloe no longer existed in my world.
23:11Meanwhile, in distant New York, life didn't seem so easy.
23:15At least, that was the gossip trickling down from my old high school cosm eggs.
23:19Chloe's pre-college life was a disaster.
23:21Pampered her whole life, she lacked basic survival skills, she was constantly at war with her roommates.
23:27And academically, she was dead last, completely failing to keep up with her classes.
23:33At first, Lucas and Ethan patiently cleaned up after her, doing her homework and bribing her roommates with designer bags
23:40to keep the peace.
23:42But over time, Chloe's tantrums only escalated.
23:45Between her demands and his own crushing workload, Lucas's patience was wearing paper-thin.
23:53The first snow of the New York winter fell heavily.
23:56Lucas had a high fever.
23:57Lying in his apartment bed, he hibbitually called out toward the door.
24:02Claire, get me some water.
24:04The room was dead silent.
24:06There were no footsteps, no glass of water at just the right temperature,
24:10and no girl who would stay by his bed aside all night, reminding him to take his medicine on time.
24:15Lucas snapped his eyes open, looking at the empty room with a splitting headache.
24:19He reached for his phone, subconsciously clipped on my number, and sent a text.
24:24I have a fever.
24:25A stark red exclamation mark popped up next to the bubble.
24:28Beneath it, the words read,
24:30Not delivered.
24:31Lucas stared at the red icon, his heart skipping a violent beat.
24:34A sudden, suffocating mix of irritation and panic tightened around his chest.
24:39Three months.
24:41He genuinely believed Claire was just throwing a tantrum to get his attention.
24:45That once reality hit her and she couldn't hack it on her own, she'd come crawling back.
24:49But she hadn't.
24:50Not only was she not back, she had erased herself from his world completely.
24:55The door was pushed open, and Chloe walked in, bringing a wave of cold air with her.
25:00She held a cup of iced milk tea in her hand.
25:03Lucas, are you feeling any better?
25:05My roommates were being total bitches to me again today.
25:09Can you go give them a piece of your mind tomorrow?
25:12She didn't even notice how pale he was, too wrapped up in her own whining.
25:16Looking at her, a memory of how Claire used to take care of him suddenly flashed through Lucas' mind.
25:21Quiet, meticulous, never complaining.
25:24Get out.
25:24What?
25:25Chloe froze.
25:26I said get the hell out!
25:27Lucas roared, shocked and terrified.
25:30Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes.
25:32She slammed the door and fled.
25:35Forcing himself to sit up, Lucas opened a booking app and bought the earliest flight to California.
25:40I'm just going to see how miserable she is.
25:43As long as she swallows her pride and apologizes, I'll throw her a bone and bring her back to New
25:48York.
25:48He still genuinely believed he held all the cards.
25:51The winter sun in California still carried a gentle warmth.
25:54With no classes in the afternoon, Ryan, my project partner, walked beside me,
25:59helping me carry a heavy box of model-making supplies.
26:02He smiled brightly.
26:03Claire, your design idea for the building facade is brilliant.
26:08Seriously, we have to celebrate.
26:09Dinner's on me tonight.
26:10Sure, but it's a deal.
26:12Next time is on me.
26:13We headed together towards the campus gates, discussing the modeling details.
26:17The moment we stepped outside, the smile froze on my face.
26:21Lucas stood under a tall tree.
26:23He wore a thin black overcoat.
26:25He looked like a completely different person from the perfectly groomed, arrogant Ivy League elite he used to be.
26:31When he saw me, his eyes lit up instantly, and he strode towards me.
26:36His gaze locked onto the scant inches between Ryan and me, his brow furrowing deeply.
26:41He stepped forward, habitually reaching out to grab my wrist.
26:44Claire, are you finally done throwing your little tantrum?
26:47Pack up your things.
26:48We're heading back to New York.
26:51His tone was still that of a master giving orders, as if I were a lost pet,
26:55and all he had to do was snap his fingers for me to wag my tail and crawl back in
26:59gratitude.
27:00I took a step back, calmly evading his hand.
27:03Lucas's hand froze midair.
27:05He looked at me, a flicker of disbelief passing through his eyes.
27:09Claire, what the hell is this?
27:11I looked at him, my gaze like that of someone looking at a complete stranger on the street.
27:15Sir, you've got the wrong person.
27:18Lucas's face contorted with rage.
27:20His voice boomed as he pointed an accusing finger at Ryan.
27:24The wrong person?
27:25Stop playing games, Claire.
27:27Did you throw away your entire future and come to this garbage school just for some guy?
27:33Do you have any idea how much the family is suffering because of you?
27:37Chloe cries herself to sleep every night.
27:40What? How can you be so damn heartless?
27:42Ryan stepped up, completely body blocking me from Lucas.
27:46Look man, I don't give a shit who you think you are.
27:48Lower your voice and back the hell off.
27:51Right now.
27:52Blinded by fury, Lucas lodged forward and shoved Ryan's chest.
27:56Get the fuck out of my face!
27:58This is none of your business!
28:00I grabbed Ryan's arm and pulled him back, stepping directly into Lucas's line of sight.
28:05His face was contorted with rage.
28:07Lucas Vance.
28:09Chloe is crying because her live-in maid walked out and she has no one left to clean up after
28:13her.
28:14Mom and dad are tearing each other apart because they finally realize their precious little princess is completely useless, right?
28:20And you?
28:20I looked him up and down.
28:22You flew across the country because the moment you got a fever, you realized there was no one left to
28:27fetch you a glass of water?
28:28Am I right?
28:29Lucas froze, looking as if I'd just ripped the air right out of his lungs.
28:32His lips copened, but he couldn't form a single word.
28:35He thought I knew nothing.
28:36In reality, I saw through everything.
28:38Claire, I didn't...
28:40His voice suddenly turned dry.
28:42The anger in his eyes replaced by a tress of panic.
28:45Keep it that way.
28:46Go back to New York, Lucas.
28:47Don't ruin California for me.
28:49Let's go.
28:49I brushed past him without another glance.
28:51Lucas just stood there, staring after me as I walked away.
28:55In that moment, the truth finally sank in.
28:57My eyes held no bitterness, no anger, and no regret.
29:00Only pure, unadulterated indifference.
29:02I was truly, completely done with him.
29:05News of Lucas's miserable failure in California made its way back to New York.
29:09But my family barely had time to process it.
29:12A much bigger disaster had just exploded right on their doorstep.
29:16Chloe had been caught flagantly plaiterizing her final portfolio for the pre-college program.
29:21She hadn't just stolen a classmate's design blueprints.
29:23She'd outsourced her entire physical model to a paid freelancer.
29:27Instead of apologizing, Chloe threw a fit in the dean's office and physically assaulted a pregnant professor.
29:33She was arrested on the spot.
29:35Columbia kicked her out of the program instantly,
29:37and the entire meltdown was posted on sidechat,
29:40making her a campus-wide laughing-stoat.
29:42She was now facing a felony trial.
29:44My family's golden child was officially a criminal.
29:47My parents and Ethan were in a complete panic.
29:49They pulled every string and sought every connection they could,
29:53only to hit dead ends everywhere.
29:55Desperate and out of options,
29:57they finally remembered my existence.
29:58Their disposable biological daughter was suddenly valuable,
30:02now that I was the star student of a top-tier program in California.
30:05Two days later, my parents and Ethan showed up at a diner across from my campus,
30:10looking hammy and exhausted after a panicked cross-country flight.
30:14Having not seen them for three months, I noticed they looked ten years older.
30:18Mom's hair was a mess, her eyes red and swollen.
30:21Ethan had lost every ounce of his usual arrogant swagger, looking utterly defeated.
30:26Claire, you have to save Chloe.
30:28She's just a child. She didn't mean it.
30:30You're the top student here.
30:32You must have connections.
30:33Pull some strings, please.
30:34I coldly pulled my hand back, pulled out a tissue, and wiped the spot she had touched.
30:40I'm just a student. I don't have that kind of ability.
30:43Ethan grew anxious and slammed his hand onto the table.
30:46Stop playing dumb, Claire.
30:47The assistant dean she pushed?
30:49She was your lead professor during the Columbia Summer Studio, right?
30:52She adored you.
30:53Go apologize to her and take the fall for Chloe.
30:56Looking at Ethan's self-righteous face, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
30:59Take the fall for her?
31:01Ethan, are you out of your mind?
31:02She's an academic fraud and a criminal.
31:04She broke the law.
31:05She committed academic misconduct.
31:07And you want me to take the blame?
31:10Claire, we're family.
31:11If Chloe is ruined, our whole family is finished.
31:14You've always been the responsible one, Claire.
31:16I am begging you as your father, just make this one sacrifice for the family.
31:20Suffer a little?
31:21The smile completely faded from my face.
31:23I pulled out my phone and hit play on an audio file, one I'd recorded outside their bedroom
31:28the day college decisions dropped.
31:29Mom's voice cut through the cafe, crystal clear.
31:32Since Claire got a full Ivy League ride, she'll survive just fine.
31:35Poor Chloe is so far behind, only getting into the prep program.
31:39Once they're in New York, we'll make Claire look after her and hand over her scholarship money
31:43to Chloe.
31:44Claire's tough anyway.
31:45It won't hurt her to struggle a little.
31:47The recording finished playing, and a dead silence fell over the cafe.
31:51The exact second you booked those flights to New York and left me behind, you ceased
31:55to be my family.
31:56Chloe is a monster of your own making.
31:58You brewed this poison?
31:59Now choke on it.
32:00Never look for me again.
32:01I turned on my heel and walked out.
32:03Behind me, Mom disrupted into hysterical sobs while Ethan screamed profanities, but I didn't
32:09look back once.
32:10With steady, unyearling steps, I walked out into the bright California sun.
32:15The Sinclair family completely fell into chaos.
32:19The professor refused to drop the civil suit.
32:22Facing catastrophic damages and astronomical legal fees, my parents had no choice but to
32:28short sale their suburban home for pennies on the dollar just to stay out of bankruptcy.
32:33Unable to breathe in the suffocating ruins of their home, Ethan had an explosive blowout
32:38with our parents.
32:38He dropped out of college and fled out of state, working dead-end jobs just to survive.
32:43As for Lucas, he completely broke down.
32:46He returned to New York, only to find he could no longer focus on anything.
32:51He went back to our old neighborhood, trying to find some trace of the past in my old room.
32:57But he found the room completely empty.
32:59Except for a bed and a desk, there was nothing left.
33:02A few days later, he received a large FedEx box.
33:06The sender was Claire from California.
33:08With trembling hands, he opened the box.
33:10Inside was everything he had given me over the years.
33:13Cheap hair clips, plush toys he had bought on a whim, and that old drawing tablet he had
33:17used to brush me off.
33:18At the very bottom of the box lay an envelope.
33:21Lucas opened it, and a pile of shredded paper pieces fell out.
33:25It was a note he had written to me in high school.
33:27When you get into Columbia, we'll get married.
33:30Lucas dropped to his knees, staring at the remnants of his own empty promises.
33:35He covered his face and broke down into violent, shaking sobs.
33:39He finally understood.
33:40What he had lost was a girl who would never look back.
33:44The heaviest rainstorm of the year was battering California.
33:47Inside the studio, I had just put the finishing touches on my final design blueprints.
33:52My phone rang.
33:53It was the RA on duty at the front desk.
33:56Claire, there's a guy outside the main entrance, standing dead in the pouring rain, demanding
34:01to see you.
34:02Honestly, he looks like he's about to collapse.
34:04Do you want to come down?
34:05I sighed, grabbed a black umbrella, and went downstairs.
34:10I stepped outside to find Lucas soaked to the bone.
34:13Rain water streamed down his face and into his eyes.
34:17But he didn't even blink.
34:18His gaze entirely fixed on me.
34:20The moment he caught sight of me, he lunged forward.
34:24Claire, you're finally willing to see me.
34:27His eyes were red, his voice sounding utterly broken in the rainstorm.
34:31I was wrong, Claire.
34:33God, I was so wrong.
34:34I should have protect you.
34:37I'll cut Chloe out of my life permanently.
34:39I'll do whatever it takes to treat you right.
34:43Please, just come home with me.
34:45He tried to reach out and grab the hem of my clothes.
34:48I stood under the umbrella, not a single drop of rain touching me.
34:53Looking at his wretched state, I didn't even feel a trace of pleasure from revenge.
34:58I only felt a sense of pity.
35:00Lucas, you're too little, too late.
35:03Your regret means less than nothing to me now.
35:06I handed him an umbrella, dropping it at his feet.
35:08Save the tears for someone who cares.
35:11Because right now, you just disgust me.
35:14With that, I turned around to go back, without a shred of hesitation.
35:19Lucas stared at the black umbrella on the pavement,
35:22before collapsing into the mud, utterly broken.
35:25The terrestrial rain poured down, drowning out his disdesperate sobs.
35:30With that, I closed the door, permanently shutting him and his rotting world out of my life.
35:36Three years later, early summer in California brought a gentle breeze.
35:39Wearing a well-tailored business suit,
35:41I stood in front of the city's largest landmark building.
35:45This was the first completed project I had helped design.
35:48As the youngest lead designer at a premier architectural firm,
35:51I had just bagged the industry's most prestigious Rising Star Award.
35:55Next month, I'd be heading to Europe on a highly coveted research fellowship.
36:00Before leaving, I returned to my hometown one last time
36:03to finalize the financial severance and sign the legal documents
36:07that would permanently untangle me from them.
36:11The streets of my hometown were still run down.
36:14I walked out of City Hall,
36:16holding the notarized independent legal documents in my hand.
36:20From now on, I had absolutely no legal connection to that family anymore.
36:25As I walked to the corner of the street,
36:27I stopped in my tracks.
36:29Near the entrance of a budget dollar store,
36:31I spotted three people
36:32who were at once intensely familiar and entirely unrecognizable.
36:37My parents' hair was gray, their backs hunched,
36:40arguing with the shop owner over a difference of a few cents.
36:44Chloe was blowed and unrecognizable in cheap, ragged clothes.
36:48She dragged a dirty toddler along,
36:50her expression completely vadent,
36:52as she watched the cars pass.
36:54I heard that she later hooked up with a street thug,
36:56got pregnant out of wedlock,
36:58and the man ran off,
36:59leaving her to be supported by her parents.
37:01And on the other side of the street,
37:04a man in a yellowed white shirt was leaning against a Wittility pole,
37:08smoking.
37:10It was Lucas.
37:11He didn't graduate.
37:13Due to chronic treancy and failing grades,
37:15he was expelled by Columbia University.
37:18The former golden boy now had nothing left his eyes,
37:21but a hollow, lifeless void.
37:23He seemed to sense something,
37:25and turned his head in my direction.
37:27The moment our eyes met,
37:29the hand Lucas held his cigarette with,
37:31shook violently.
37:32The cigarette slipped from his trembling fingers,
37:34burning right through his worn-out shoe.
37:36He didn't even flinch.
37:37He wanted to look away in a panic,
37:40yet couldn't help but stare at me.
37:44My parents and Chloe followed his gaze and looked over.
37:47They saw me.
37:48They saw my exquisite makeup,
37:50my expensive watch,
37:51and the confidence and composure radiating from me.
37:54It was the very brilliance they had exhaust themselves trying to give Chloe,
37:58yet had personally stolen from me.
38:00Mom's cracked lips moved,
38:02as if she wanted to call my name.
38:04Chloe instinctively hid her hands behind her back,
38:07trying to cover her rough skin.
38:08Lucas took a step forward,
38:10but stopped dead in his tracks,
38:12his eyes instantly turning red.
38:14Regret, despair, and pain
38:16intertwined into a comical picture on their faces.
38:19I looked at them.
38:20There was not a single ripple in my heart.
38:22If I were looking at underrated strangers,
38:25I didn't gloat,
38:26and I didn't say a single word.
38:27I simply turned away,
38:29stepping into the car waiting for me at the curb.
38:31As the car door closed,
38:32I heard a deeply earth-pressed sob from behind,
38:35but I didn't look back.
38:36As the car pulled away smoothly,
38:38the rundown scenery of my old hometown
38:40flashed the window,
38:41fading into irrelevance.
38:43My phone vibrated.
38:45It was a message from Ryan.
38:47Claire, the celebration dinner for tonight is ready.
38:50Everyone is waiting for you.
38:51Staring at the message,
38:53I couldn't help but smile.
38:54Sunlight poured through the window,
38:56spilling over the back of my hand,
38:57pleasantly warm.
38:58I replied with a smiley face.
39:02On my way.
39:04Ahead was a vast, clear sky
39:06that belonged entirely to me.
39:08The restaurant downtown was warm and lively.
39:11The firm's partners raised their glasses,
39:13celebrating my upcoming European fellowship.
39:16Sitting among people who genuinely valued my work,
39:19I finally felt like I belonged.
39:21To our newest design partner and fellowship recipient.
39:24Cheers, Claire.
39:25You earned this.
39:26Thanks, Ryan.
39:29Honestly, it still feels a bit surreal.
39:31I took a sip of my wine.
39:33For the first time,
39:34a celebration felt entirely real.
39:36There was no hidden agenda,
39:38no guilt trips,
39:39and no family drama hanging over my head.
39:42Here, my hard work was met with respect,
39:44not resentment.
39:47Ryan slid a small, heavy box
39:49across the white tablecloth.
39:51A little parting gift for your travels.
39:53Open it.
39:55Inside was a sleek, matte black fountain pen,
39:58with my initials neatly grecked near the clip.
40:01To sketch your masterpieces with
40:03while you're over there.
40:04Just don't forget about us back in California
40:07when you make it big.
40:09Never.
40:10You're stuck with me as a partner, remember?
40:13We laughed,
40:15the sound easy and light.
40:17Later that night,
40:18I took a break from finishing my packing
40:20and stepped out onto the balcony.
40:22My luggage didn't feel like an afterthought anymore.
40:25It was packed with blueprints,
40:27tools,
40:27and a future I had built myself.
40:30I looked out at the dark horizon.
40:32The girl who used to cry
40:33over a shattered Columbia mub was gone.
40:37I had built my own foundation,
40:39and this time,
40:40it was rock solid.
40:43Six months later,
40:44London was cool and overcast.
40:46My fellowship at the Royal Institute was demanding,
40:48but every hour spent at the draft table
40:50felt incredibly fulfilling.
40:51The professors treated me with professional respect,
40:53taking an interest in my concepts for urban housing.
40:56One evening,
40:57my laptop buzzed with an e-drift unknown address.
40:59I clicked it open.
41:00It was from Ethan.
41:01He must have made a new account to get past my block.
41:03Claire,
41:03please don't delete this.
41:04Mom is sick,
41:06and the medical bills are getting outhand.
41:08Chloe's baby needs basic supplies
41:09we can't dream of affording.
41:11I'm pulling 12-hour shifts at Warehouse,
41:13and my back is completely shot.
41:14Just send whatever cash you can spare, Claire.
41:16We're still family.
41:18I stared at the screen,
41:19waiting to feel that old,
41:21familiar wave of panic or guilt,
41:22but nothing happened.
41:24I felt completely detached.
41:26I didn't fire off a furious reply,
41:28nor did I waste an ounce of energy feeling angry.
41:31I simply right-clicked,
41:33hit block sender,
41:35and purged the message permanently.
41:40Right after my phone buzzed with a text from Ryan,
41:43showing the latest updates on our project in California.
41:46The foundation is poured, Claire.
41:47It looks fantastic.
41:48When you heading back?
41:49I smiled,
41:50typing a quick response.
41:52Next month,
41:53get the coffee ready.
41:54I closed my laptop,
41:55and looked out the window at the city.
41:58They wanted me to fix the mess they made,
42:01but I was focused on my own life now.
42:06Back across the ocean,
42:08a cold rain beat against the windows of a cramped two-bedroom apartment.
42:13My mother sat at the kitchen table,
42:15her hands worn from her shifts at the local grocery store.
42:19My father sat opposite her,
42:21staring at an architecture journal a neighbor had passed along.
42:24On the center spread was a feature article about my work,
42:27titled,
42:28Claire Sinclair,
42:29Redefining Urban Design.
42:31Mom's voice trembled as she stared at the photos.
42:34Look how elegant she is, Arthur.
42:36She looks so genuinely happy.
42:38We exiled our only successful child,
42:41all to cater to a giant mistake.
42:44Right then,
42:45the bedroom door flew open.
42:47Mom!
42:51The baby won't stop crying,
42:52and we're out of formula.
42:54Why haven't you gone to the store yet?
42:56And why is it so cold in here?
42:58Turn the heat up!
42:59Mom looked up,
43:00her expression completely exhausted.
43:05Because we don't have the money for it, Chloe.
43:18Dad slammed his palm onto the table,
43:21sending the magazine fluttering to the floor.
43:24Shut the hell up, Chloe!
43:29She is never going to help us,
43:31and she is never coming back.
43:33The apartment fell completely silent,
43:35heavy with the realization of the choices they had made.
43:40On the other side of town,
43:42the neon sign of a quiet dive bar
43:44flickered against the wet pavement.
43:46Lucas sat at the counter,
43:47staring into his glass.
43:49He looked haggard,
43:50a far cry from the confident,
43:52sharp Ivy League golden boy he used to be.
43:55The door opened,
43:56and Ethan walked in,
43:58looking worn out after a long day at the warehouse.
44:00He sat down on the stool next to Lucas.
44:03You look exhausted, man.
44:04Lucas let out a quiet sigh,
44:06taking a drink.
44:10I saw her, Ethan,
44:11a few months ago,
44:12right before she left for Europe.
44:14She looked right through me.
44:16It was like I didn't even exist.
44:18Ethan stared at his hands,
44:20his voice dropping.
44:22I emailed her last week,
44:23begged her to help mom out with the bills.
44:25She blocked the new account within minutes.
44:28Lucas swirled his drink slowly.
44:31Remember when we left her behind for New York?
44:35We told her she was strong enough to handle it on her own.
44:39Ethan rubbed his face.
44:42Don't do this now, Lucas.
44:43She took us literally, Ethan.
44:45She became so independent that she completely outgrow us.
44:48We built the armor she's using to shut us out.
44:50He pulled a faded photo from his wallet,
44:52a picture of them from high school,
44:54back before everything fell apart.
44:56She's really gone, Ethan.
44:59Ethan remained silent.
45:01He just stared at the photo,
45:03finally accepting that the sister they had cast aside
45:05had built a life light years out of their miserable reach.
45:09The next two years passed in a rewarding routine
45:12of hard work and monumental growth.
45:14I finally returned to California,
45:16stepping off the plane into the warm sunshine.
45:19Our firm had expanded significantly,
45:22and my name was now etched on the glass doors of our office.
45:26Ryan met me in the lobby,
45:27holding two iced coffees and a set of finalized prints.
45:31Welcome back, partner.
45:32Ready to see the finished project?
45:36Let's go.
45:39We drove down to the coast where the new cultural center stood.
45:44It was exactly what I had envisioned.
45:46A clean, modern structure of steel and glass
45:50looking out over the Pacific.
45:53I stood in the main atrium,
45:55looking up at the skylight as the afternoon sun poured through.
46:00Ryan walked up beside me, handing me my coffee.
46:03The city is thrilled with the result, Claire.
46:05You did an incredible job on this design.
46:09We did it together.
46:11I smiled, taking a sip.
46:13There was no anxiety left in my chest,
46:16no lingering bitterness about the past.
46:18My life was stable and fulfilling.
46:20I had built a career through my own effort,
46:22surrounded by people who respected me.
46:24The family drama that once consumed me
46:26now felt like a story about a complete stranger.
46:29I had left their broken choices in the dust,
46:31finally free to live the beautiful,
46:33real life I had built for myself.
46:36The grand opening of the cultural center
46:38was an absolute triumph.
46:39The room was filled with clients,
46:41city representatives and colleagues,
46:43all raising their glasses
46:44to toast the completion of the project.
46:46I stood at the microphone,
46:48keeping my remarks brief.
46:50Good architecture is about building spaces that last.
46:53Thank you all for trusting the design
46:56and making this project possible.
46:58The room applauded as I stepped down.
47:01After speaking with a few clients,
47:03I walked out onto the quiet terrace
47:05to look at the city lights.
47:08Ryan joined me.
47:11Excellent turnout tonight.
47:13You're going to be very busy
47:15with new projects after this.
47:18That's exactly what I'm hoping for.
47:20I pulled out my phone to check the time,
47:21my eyes briefly catching a glimpse
47:22of an old archived folder in my cloud storage.
47:25I realized I hadn't thought about Lucas,
47:26Chloe or my parents in months.
47:28Their choices no longer had any impact on my life.
47:30They were stuck living out the consequences
47:32of their broken choices.
47:33While my eyes were fixed firmly on the horizon,
47:35Ryan raised his glass to me
47:37under the clear night sky.
47:38To the next project, Claire.
47:40I clinked my glass to his,
47:42a profound sense of peace settling over me,
47:44to the next project.
47:46The path ahead was wide open
47:48and it belonged entirely to me.
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