A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:00Asher burst into my office in a frantic rush, right as I stared at the vile comments flooding my phone
00:06screen.
00:06Who'd have thought a high society socialite sounds so raunchy in bed?
00:10Just like a cheap hooker.
00:11She's so shameless between the sheets.
00:13I'd kill to be the man in that audio.
00:16Is the guy in the recording CEO Harrington?
00:18Did he get cuckolded?
00:19He snatched my phone out of my hand.
00:22Don't read that.
00:24I've already ordered legal to handle everything.
00:26The trending searches are pulled and nearly all copies of the audio have been deleted.
00:30This will never happen again.
00:31I swear.
00:32I lifted my gaze to meet his.
00:34My eyes stung dry.
00:35Not a single tear would fall.
00:37A swear?
00:38Asher Harrington, what do you have to back up your promises?
00:42How many empty vows have you given me over these six years?
00:45He shifted his gaze awkwardly, avoiding my stare.
00:48She's still young.
00:49She doesn't grasp how serious this is.
00:51I stared at him.
00:52Twenty years old.
00:53And you call her a child who doesn't understand?
00:57She intentionally labeled the file CEO Blair Weston's bedside audio.
01:02She did this on purpose.
01:04She wanted to ruin me.
01:05Asher reached out to touch my shoulder, but I stepped sharply backward, dodging him.
01:09He sighed, exasperated.
01:11Enough, Blair.
01:12My PR team will clean up this mess.
01:14It won't damage your reputation long term.
01:16Don't let your anger make you paint such cruel pictures of a kid.
01:19Cruel accusations?
01:20I let out a bitter laugh, staring straight through him.
01:24Do you even believe that line yourself?
01:26When she first moved into our house three years ago, she tossed our wedding rings down
01:30the toilet.
01:30You said she was too young to know better!
01:32Swore it would never repeat!
01:33That was ages ago.
01:34She was only ten back then.
01:36Twelve.
01:37On my birthday, she dumped full paint over my head, humiliating me in front of every guest.
01:43Again, you said she was just a clueless kid and promised it wouldn't happen again.
01:48Blair, those are all distant memories.
01:52Fourteen.
01:54She slipped laxatives into my coffee, leaving me utterly humiliated in front of our business partners.
02:00You called it an over-the-top prank, excused her youth, and swore no more mistakes.
02:06I locked my eyes on his, enunciating every word, cold and clear.
02:10Fifteen.
02:13She edited fake photos of me and spread them all across her school.
02:17Once more, you hid behind she's just young and gave me another worthless promise.
02:22I put up with all of it before, but this time?
02:24She tried to nail me to a cross-labeled immoral woman for the whole world to mock,
02:27and you're still set on shielding her?
02:32Regret flickered across his face.
02:35His voice softened into pleading.
02:36Blair, I know you're hurting, but Mia's still a child.
02:39Just forgive her this last time, I swear.
02:42I'm off with a sharp slap across his cheek.
02:44All his pleas died on his tongue.
02:46He froze, a bright red handprint blooming slowly across his skin.
02:50I don't want your promises or your compensation.
02:53Not anymore.
02:54With that, I grabbed my handbag and stormed out of the office.
02:57Today, Mia Lowell would finally get the lesson she deserved.
03:01Asher and I arrived home, one right after the other.
03:04Mia Lowell curled up on the living room sofa,
03:06glued to the TV with a giant tub of ice cream in her lap.
03:09Cream smudged all over her lips.
03:11Her face lit up the second she spotted us,
03:14before she forced a look of wounded innocence.
03:17Uncle?
03:18Her voice dripped saccharine softness.
03:20I didn't let her put on her performance any longer.
03:22I strode over, snatched the ice cream tub out of her hands,
03:26and hurled it onto the floor.
03:27Blair!
03:28Mia Lowell shrieked.
03:29What are you doing?
03:31Me?
03:31A bitter, ugly smile tugged at my lips.
03:34I'm teaching you basic decency.
03:36Before she could react, I struck her once across each cheek.
03:40Two crisp, unmerciful cracks echoed through the room.
03:43Mia froze, clutching her burning cheeks,
03:45eyes blown wide with shock.
03:47Before she could react, I struck her once across each cheek.
03:51Two crisp, unmerciful cracks echoed through the room.
03:54Mia froze, clutching her burning cheeks,
03:56eyes blown wide with shock.
03:58Two seconds later, she erupted into deafening, wailing sobs.
04:02Oh god, she hit me!
04:04Asher sprinted forward and shoved me hard away from her.
04:06I lost my balance,
04:08stumbling straight into the sharp edge of the coffee table.
04:10A searing pain shot through my waist.
04:13Blair, what is wrong with you?
04:14He planted himself firmly in front of Mia,
04:16shielding her like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
04:19Why must you pick fights with a child?
04:21He didn't spare me another glance,
04:23only stroked Mia's tear-streaked face with tender concern.
04:27It's alright, Mia.
04:28Uncle's here.
04:29Mia threw herself into Asher's chest, crying hysterically.
04:32Uncle, I was just curious.
04:36Curious?
04:37Rage made my whole body shake.
04:39Leaking private bedroom recordings of me online tagging my full name?
04:43You call that curiosity?
04:45Asher Harrington took a deep breath, turned around, and pulled Mia Lowell into his arms.
04:50There now, don't cry.
04:51I'll make your aunt apologize to you.
04:53He lifted his gaze to me.
04:55Blair, regardless of what happened, you had no right to lay hands on Mia.
04:59Apologize to her at once.
05:01The sight stung my eyes fiercely.
05:02Six years.
05:03It had always been like this.
05:05Every single time.
05:06When Mia Lowell made a mistake, Asher Harrington would soothe her.
05:09When I demanded justice, Asher Harrington would say I lacked magnanimity.
05:13When I grew furious, Asher Harrington would call me overreacting.
05:16Now she'd gone even further, trying to ruin my reputation completely.
05:19Yet here he stood, ordering me to apologize.
05:22Asher.
05:22My voice steadied, calm to a degree that startled even myself.
05:26You have to choose today.
05:28Either she leaves, or I do.
05:31Asher Harrington spun around to stare at me in shock.
05:33Blair!
05:34What nonsense are you talking?
05:36It's not nonsense.
05:37I'm giving you one hour to decide.
05:39If you haven't packed her things and sent her away by then, I'll be the one walking out.
05:42I walk toward the staircase.
05:44Blair!
05:44Asher Harrington called after me.
05:46I did not look back.
05:47I climbed the stairs, entered our bedroom, and locked the door behind me.
05:50Sliding down to the floor against the doorframe, I finally let myself break down and cry.
05:55Asher Harrington and I had grown up side by side, childhood sweethearts,
05:59and we married the second we reached the legal age.
06:01Six years ago, we'd traveled abroad on business,
06:03and gotten caught up in civil unrest, nearly losing his life.
06:07It was Mia Lowell's mother who saved him.
06:09Shortly afterward, she passed away, entrusting her daughter to Asher Harrington's care.
06:13I'd once been genuinely grateful to Mia Lowell's mother,
06:16so I'd raised no objections when Asher decided to take Mia in.
06:19But everything changed the moment Mia Lowell stepped foot into our home.
06:23Six years.
06:24She'd grown fiercely possessive of Asher Harrington.
06:26Beyond what she called little pranks targeting me,
06:29she could not stand to see Asher and me share any affection.
06:31She did everything in her power to tear our marriage apart.
06:35Time and again, she'd pull Asher away right when we were sharing an intimate moment.
06:39Time and again, she'd sabotage every anniversary we planned.
06:43Back then, Asher would always say,
06:45Mia just lost her mother.
06:46She's fragile and sensitive.
06:48Cut her some slack.
06:49I'd never wanted to hold a grudge against a child.
06:52But six years later, the truth had finally sunk in.
06:54All my patience and understanding had only emboldened her recklessness
06:58and enabled Asher's increasingly blatant, one-sided favoritism.
07:02I was worn out.
07:02I'd had enough.
07:03My phone vibrated.
07:04A message from my assistant popping up on the screen.
07:07Ms. Weston.
07:07Legal team reports most platforms have removed the audio clip,
07:11though private circulation remains impossible to contain.
07:13Multiple journalists have reached out requesting interviews,
07:16asking whether your relationship with Mr. Harrington has collapsed,
07:19and pressing for details about the man heard in the recording.
07:21I wiped away my tears and typed a reply.
07:24No comment to all external inquiries.
07:26Release an official statement on the company website
07:28claiming the audio is maliciously fabricated.
07:31We have filed a police report.
07:32Also, Harrington Corporation issued an identical public statement just now.
07:36Reading my assistant's final line,
07:38a bitter laugh bubbled up inside me.
07:40Asher Harrington certainly moved fast,
07:42protecting his company, his reputation,
07:44his precious Mia, and ostensibly protecting me, too.
07:47But what good was any of it?
07:48A single press release could not erase the traces scattered across the internet.
07:52My phone vibrated once more,
07:54this time a text from Asher Harrington.
07:56Blair, open the door.
07:57Stop throwing a tantrum.
07:59I ignored it.
08:00More messages rolled in from him.
08:02I know you're upset,
08:03but you can't corner me like this.
08:05Mia's still just a kid.
08:06Her mother's last words.
08:08I didn't finish reading the message
08:09and powered off my phone entirely.
08:11An hour later, I unlocked the bedroom door.
08:14Asher Harrington stood right outside,
08:16a document clutched in his hand.
08:18Blair, we need to talk.
08:20Talk about what?
08:21I asked flatly.
08:22Asher Harrington held out the document toward me.
08:25A divorce agreement.
08:26Hitting her left Mia with severe emotional trauma.
08:28She's completely unhinged,
08:29threatening to hurt himself if I don't divorce you.
08:31She just tried to cut her wrists.
08:33It took everything I had to restrain her.
08:35Her mother entrusted her to me on her deathbed.
08:37I cannot betray that trust.
08:38Let's get a nominal divorce for now,
08:40just to calm her down.
08:41I took the agreement,
08:42my fingers turning ice cold.
08:44Without skimming a single line,
08:45I flipped straight to the signature page
08:47and scrawled my name.
08:49Asher Harrington looked stunned
08:51by how readily I'd signed.
08:52He stepped forward to pull me into an embrace,
08:55but I gently pushed him away.
08:56Blair, it's all fake.
08:57Just a ruse to pacify a child.
08:59It's only temporary.
09:00You can move into the villa
09:01in the western suburbs for the time being,
09:03and once Mia's mood stabilizes,
09:04you'll come back.
09:05I'll come see you every night.
09:05Fine.
09:06I'll pack and leave at once.
09:08Blair, I know how wronged you feel.
09:10I'll make this up to you, I promise.
09:12Six years of empty promises
09:13to make it up to me.
09:14I no longer cared for any of them.
09:17I dragged my suitcases down the stairs,
09:19where Mia Lowell sat on the living room sofa
09:21eating food.
09:22The second she spotted me,
09:23she flinched like a frightened little rabbit
09:25and hid behind Asher Harrington's back.
09:28Don't be scared, Mia.
09:29I've sent the bad woman away.
09:31After speaking,
09:33Asher Harrington shot me a pleading look.
09:35I walked out of the house
09:36where we'd spent 10 years of our lives,
09:38leaving him staring after me,
09:39waiting for remorse I would never give.
09:41The villa in the western suburbs
09:43sat far from the city center.
09:44I stood in the empty living room
09:46with only two suitcases beside me,
09:48holding my most important documents,
09:49a small selection of clothes,
09:51and a positive pregnancy test stick
09:52that showed two distinct lines.
09:54Asher Harrington and I
09:55had been married for a decade.
09:56Early on,
09:58we'd both wanted to build our careers first,
09:59to prove ourselves to our families,
10:01and cherished our undisturbed life as a couple.
10:03So we'd put off having children.
10:05By the time we were ready to start a family,
10:07Mia had already come to live with us.
10:09To spare Mia's feelings,
10:10we'd decided to wait a few more years.
10:12That delay had stretched all the way to today.
10:15I had not told Asher Harrington about the pregnancy.
10:18I feared Mia's all-consuming possessiveness
10:20would drive her to harm my child.
10:21Even if our divorce became official,
10:23I would keep this baby.
10:24After all,
10:25the bi-family needed an heir.
10:27It was past nine at night
10:28when Asher showed up.
10:30He brought late-night snacks,
10:31his face a mix of immense relief
10:33and faint, ingratiating eagerness.
10:35He set the food containers down on the table.
10:37Blair, have something to eat.
10:39I sidestepped him
10:40and walked over to sink onto the sofa.
10:42How's Mia?
10:43Asher followed and sat beside me.
10:45Seeing the divorce papers
10:46calmed her down a little.
10:48Is that so?
10:49Asher took my hand,
10:50and this time,
10:51I didn't pull away right away.
10:52I know you took all the blame today,
10:54but try to understand me.
10:56Just hold on another two years.
10:58Once she turns 18,
11:00I'll give her a lump sum of money
11:01and send her away.
11:02He spoke with heartfelt sincerity,
11:04even glistening tears
11:05shimmering in his eyes.
11:07Once upon a time,
11:08I would have softened for him again.
11:10I slipped my hand free.
11:11I'm worn out.
11:11I want to turn in early.
11:12Asher stared at me,
11:13seemingly searching
11:14for more emotion on my face.
11:16All right, rest well.
11:17Everything you need is here.
11:19Tell me straight away
11:20if you're missing anything.
11:21I still need to head back
11:22to Mia's place
11:23after all the chaos today.
11:24I'm worried about her.
11:25I'll come see you tomorrow.
11:26I stood up,
11:27my voice calm and even,
11:29laced with a hint
11:30of thoughtful consideration.
11:31Fine.
11:32Tomorrow when you come over,
11:33we can head straight
11:33to the Civil Affairs Bureau
11:34to file for divorce.
11:36At my words,
11:37a blend of gratitude
11:38and overwhelming relief
11:39washed over Asher's face.
11:41He took a step forward,
11:43trying to embrace me once more,
11:44yet an accidental shift of my foot
11:46left him grasping thin air.
11:48Blair, thank you for thinking
11:49of me like this.
11:50Marrying you is the greatest fortune
11:51of my entire life.
11:52Asher's greatest luck.
11:54Drive safe.
11:55I offered no response
11:56to his so-called gratitude,
11:57merely turning to walk
11:58toward the staircase.
11:59It was only after I heard
12:01the hum of a car engine start
12:02and fade into the distance downstairs
12:04that I slowly exhaled the breath
12:06I'd been holding captive
12:08all along.
12:09Fortune?
12:09Asher.
12:10I won't grant you
12:11this kind of fortune any longer.
12:12The next day,
12:13Asher arrived bright and early
12:15to pick me up.
12:16He hurried to open
12:17the car door for me.
12:18Careful.
12:18Don't bump your head.
12:19His hand naturally hovering
12:21over the roof
12:21to shield my head.
12:22He'd done this for over a decade,
12:24ever since we were dating
12:25and all through our marriage,
12:27never once faltering,
12:28yet some things had long since
12:29changed beyond recognition.
12:31On the drive to the
12:32Civil Affairs Bureau,
12:33Asher turned on soft music
12:35Chopin's Nocturne,
12:36the piece we'd played
12:37at our wedding.
12:38Blair, do you remember?
12:39When we were little,
12:40we'd play house.
12:41Every boy wanted to be your groom,
12:42but you turned all of them down
12:43and chose only me.
12:44I remember.
12:45You said back then
12:46that you'd marry me
12:47when we grew up.
12:48I did.
12:49Marrying you is the happiest thing
12:50that's ever happened to me.
12:51You have no idea
12:52how many people envy me.
12:54When our turn came,
12:55the clerk glanced up at us.
12:56She asked,
12:58Are you two filing for divorce
12:59of your own free will?
13:00Yes, I answered,
13:01without hesitation.
13:02Asher hesitated a beat
13:03before responding.
13:04Uh, yes.
13:06Have you brought
13:07all your documents?
13:08I unzipped my bag
13:09and handed over
13:10all the prepared paperwork
13:11one by one.
13:12Asher watched my movements,
13:13his eyes clouded
13:14with tangled emotions.
13:16All set.
13:17Here's your acceptance receipt.
13:18There's a 30-day
13:19cooling-off period.
13:20Either party may withdraw
13:22the application
13:22at any point
13:23during these 30 days.
13:24Once the period ends,
13:26you must both come back together
13:27to complete the official
13:28divorce procedures.
13:29The two thin slips of paper
13:31felt as heavy
13:32as lead weights.
13:33Asher took them
13:34and stuffed them
13:35straight into his briefcase.
13:36I'll take these back
13:37to show Mia.
13:38She nearly slit her wrist
13:39again last night.
13:40Seeing this ought to lift
13:41her spirits
13:42and stop her
13:42from doing anything reckless.
13:43I said nothing
13:44and headed straight
13:45for the parking lot.
13:46Inside the car,
13:47Asher opened his mouth
13:49several times
13:49as if wanting to speak,
13:51yet held back each time.
13:53We stopped at a red light
13:54and he finally worked up
13:55the courage,
13:56his voice cautious
13:57and tentative.
13:58Blair, why aren't you
13:59saying anything?
13:59Are you upset?
14:01If you've changed your mind,
14:02we can turn around right now
14:03and revoke the application.
14:05I...
14:05I'm not upset.
14:07I just didn't sleep well
14:08last night.
14:09Right now,
14:10Mia's happiness
14:11matters more than anything.
14:12Once she's in a better
14:13headspace,
14:14we can remarry.
14:15I acted impulsively yesterday.
14:17I shouldn't have hit her.
14:19You go home
14:20and look after her.
14:21It was true.
14:22I hadn't slept a wink
14:23the night before.
14:24I'd tossed and turned,
14:26mapping out every step
14:27of my future,
14:28one hand resting lightly
14:29on my lower belly,
14:30silently promising
14:31the little one growing inside
14:32that they would grow up
14:34happy and fulfilled
14:35even without a father.
14:36I didn't care
14:37whether Mia was happy or not.
14:39My only worry was that
14:40Asher would catch wind
14:41of my true intentions,
14:42making it far harder
14:43to finalize the divorce
14:44later on.
14:45I had to indulge him
14:46with a few placating words
14:48to ease his worries.
14:49This arrangement suited me fine.
14:51That's good.
14:52That's such a relief.
14:54I'll come pick you up
14:54this evening.
14:55Let's have dinner
14:55at Cloud Peak.
14:56I booked the window table.
14:57You can see the entire
14:58city skyline from there.
15:00You've had a rough day today.
15:01Let's unwind.
15:02Just the two of us.
15:05I knew exactly what this
15:07candle-lit dinner signified.
15:08It was his way of compensating
15:10and comforting me
15:11after I'd played the compliant,
15:12understanding wife
15:13in this fake divorce charade.
15:15It was the same cycle
15:16we'd fallen into
15:17over the past six years,
15:19every time conflict arose.
15:20Mia misbehaved,
15:21and he soothed her.
15:23I bore all the hurt,
15:24and he made it up to me.
15:26Only this time,
15:27the price of his compensation
15:28was the legal status
15:29of our marriage,
15:30the official document
15:31that would sever our bond
15:32in the eyes of the law.
15:33All right.
15:35I agreed.
15:36Asher's eyes lit up instantly,
15:38brimming with gratitude,
15:39relief.
15:40He lifted a hand
15:40to brush my cheek,
15:41but I turned my gaze forward
15:43just in time.
15:43The light's green.
15:45I murmured.
15:45Oh, right.
15:46He pulled his hand back
15:47and restarted the car.
15:48The vehicle rolled to a stop
15:49outside the Weston Group headquarters.
15:51Asher spoke firmly.
15:52I'll pick you up after work.
15:53Don't drive yourself.
15:54You're worn out.
15:55All right.
15:56I unbuckled my seatbelt,
15:57ready to step out.
15:58Dear.
15:59He called out before I could leave.
16:00I glanced back at him.
16:01His lips parted,
16:02as if he had more to say,
16:03yet all that escaped
16:04was a soft murmur.
16:05I'll see you tonight.
16:06Tonight.
16:07I shut the car door
16:08and walked straight
16:08into the office tower
16:10without a backward glance.
16:11I cleared my schedule
16:13and headed straight
16:13for my parents' house instead.
16:15Dear,
16:16what brings you by at this hour?
16:18You look dreadful.
16:19Mother set down
16:20her gardening magazine
16:21and hurried over to me.
16:22Father poked his head
16:23out of the study,
16:24his brows creasing
16:25into their familiar frown.
16:26Is something wrong
16:26at the company?
16:27Their faces,
16:28lined with concern,
16:29tightened my throat.
16:30For years,
16:31to spare them worry
16:32and cling to my foolish pride,
16:34I'd never laid out
16:34every ugly detail about Mia.
16:36They only knew Asher
16:37had taken in the daughter
16:38of the man who'd saved his life
16:39and that I'd been generous
16:41and understanding.
16:42They had no idea
16:43how every single day
16:44beneath that veneer of grace
16:46had gnawed away at me.
16:47Mom.
16:48Dad.
16:49Forcing my voice
16:50to stay steady.
16:50I need to talk to you
16:51about something.
16:52Mother settled beside me
16:54and wrapped her warm hands
16:55around my cold ones.
16:56What's happened?
16:57Did you fight with Asher?
16:58I shook my head,
16:59pulled the receipt
17:00for our filed divorce application
17:01from my bag
17:02and laid it gently
17:03on the coffee table.
17:04Silence crashed
17:05over the living room
17:06in an instant.
17:07This,
17:08what is this?
17:09Mother's voice trembled.
17:10Asher and I submitted
17:11our divorce registration today.
17:13There's a 30-day
17:14cooling-off period
17:15before the divorce
17:15is finalized.
17:16Why?
17:17Did Asher do something
17:18or was it you-
17:19Dad.
17:19I cut him off
17:20and told them
17:21everything that had unfolded
17:22since Mia moved
17:23into our home.
17:24He suggested a fake separation
17:26but I want a real divorce.
17:27Neither parent spoke
17:28for a long,
17:29heavy moment.
17:30Father was the first
17:31to break the hush.
17:32We understand
17:33and will respect
17:34whatever choice
17:35you've fully thought through.
17:36Don't mention this
17:36to the Harringtons for now.
17:38We don't want complications.
17:39I've grown tired
17:40of staying cooped up
17:41at home lately anyway.
17:42It's high time
17:43I traveled a little.
17:44I read between
17:45father's lines easily.
17:46The Harrington partnership
17:47was no burden
17:48I needed to shoulder.
17:49Even if our marriage collapsed,
17:50he could secure
17:51other reliable business partners
17:52without hassle.
17:53It's true.
17:54I haven't caught up
17:55with my girlfriends
17:56in ages.
17:57I've missed them terribly.
17:59Mother's words
18:00carried another
18:00unspoken promise.
18:01No one would paint me
18:03as the one
18:03who ruined this marriage
18:04when word got out.
18:05More than that,
18:06she made it clear
18:07she could line up
18:07far better suitors for me
18:09the second the divorce
18:10went through.
18:11Thank you,
18:11both of you.
18:12Stepping out
18:12of my parents' home,
18:13a massive weight
18:14lifted from my chest.
18:15Arranged marriages
18:16tied two families together,
18:18not just two people.
18:19A divorce always demanded
18:20a carefully crafted
18:21public narrative.
18:22If word spread
18:22that I'd ended the marriage
18:23over a gratitude child,
18:25the Westens would suffer
18:26irreparable reputational damage.
18:28I couldn't let my parents
18:29be put in a vulnerable position,
18:30which was why I'd come
18:31to prepare them in advance.
18:32As for the Harringtons,
18:34this mess belonged
18:34to Asher Harrington alone.
18:36Dinner at the Cloudtop Restaurant
18:37was flawless.
18:38The skyline view
18:39was breathtaking,
18:40the cuisine exquisitely
18:41plated,
18:42and Asher unfailingly attentive.
18:44He'd splurged
18:45on an extravagant gift,
18:46far pricier
18:47than any previous
18:48peace offering
18:49he'd given me.
18:49I smiled and accepted it,
18:51leaning into warmer,
18:52softer affection
18:53toward him
18:53through the meal.
18:54After dinner,
18:55he drove me back
18:55to our West Suburban villa
18:57and naturally followed me
18:58out of the car
18:58and inside the house.
18:59If you stay here tonight,
19:01won't Mia throw a fit?
19:02She won't.
19:03Mia saw our divorce
19:04filing paperwork
19:05at the Civil Affairs Bureau
19:06today.
19:06I just called the Nancy.
19:09Mia's in a great mood.
19:10She even practiced
19:11her piano voluntarily tonight.
19:13I told her I'd be working overtime
19:14and she didn't fuss one bit.
19:16Pride glowed across his face
19:17as he spoke.
19:18He stepped behind me,
19:20looping his arms around my waist,
19:22his warm breath
19:22fanning the shell
19:23of my ear.
19:25Dear,
19:26let me stay with you tonight.
19:28It's been days
19:29since we've been together.
19:29Pregnancy had left my body
19:31far more sensitive,
19:33my cravings sharper than usual.
19:35His touch sent a faint shiver
19:36racing down my spine.
19:38I knew exactly what he wanted
19:40and I could feel
19:40my own body's quiet yearning.
19:43Legally,
19:43we were still spouses,
19:45bound by valid marriage papers.
19:46I did not push him away.
19:48Clothes scattered across the floor
19:49as the air thickened
19:51with heat.
19:51His lips crashed down on mine
19:53and I squeezed my eyes shut,
19:55trying to lose myself
19:56in the physical sensation
19:57to block out
19:58all the suffocating truths
19:59hanging over us.
20:01We were teetering
20:02on the edge of peak pleasure,
20:04barely clinging to self-control.
20:06When Asher's phone
20:07blared shrilly
20:08from the nightstand,
20:09it was a custom ringtone
20:11set exclusively for Mia.
20:13His entire body went rigid,
20:15his movements halted
20:16and his hand instinctively
20:17shot out for the device.
20:19I gasped,
20:20tangling my arms tighter
20:21around his back.
20:22Asher,
20:23don't answer.
20:24I need you.
20:25Hold on, dear.
20:27It's Mia calling this late.
20:28She might be.
20:28He pulled away
20:29and sat upright,
20:30grabbing the phone
20:31and answering it instantly.
20:33Mia?
20:35What's wrong?
20:36His voice still carried
20:38a rough,
20:39breathless edge,
20:40yet overwhelming worry
20:41and fondness
20:42flooded every syllable.
20:44Mia's tearful,
20:45garbled sobs
20:46crackled through the line,
20:48something about being scared
20:49and having a nightmare.
20:51Don't be frightened,
20:51sweet girl.
20:52Uncle's here.
20:53I'll be right over,
20:54I promise.
20:55He didn't spare me
20:56a single glance
20:57after hanging up.
20:58He swung his legs
20:59over the bed
20:59and scrambled
21:00to dress in a panic.
21:01Dear,
21:02Mia's having night terrors,
21:03I have to go.
21:04Take good care of yourself.
21:05He turned to leave.
21:06Asher.
21:07My voice stopped him,
21:08eerily calm.
21:09He glanced over his shoulder,
21:10a messy mix of guilt,
21:12urgency
21:12and thinly veiled irritation
21:14etched into his features.
21:16Dear,
21:16this isn't the time
21:17for a fight.
21:20I slowly sat up
21:22and pulled the quilt
21:22over myself.
21:23Asher,
21:24in your heart
21:25does it mean
21:25that whenever she needs you,
21:27you can leave immediately?
21:28Even right now?
21:30A flicker of remorse
21:31crossed his face.
21:33Dear,
21:33you know she was frightened
21:34because you hit her.
21:35I promised her mother.
21:36Be good.
21:37Obey me.
21:37I'll make it up to you later.
21:39With that,
21:39he did not wait
21:40to hear another word from me
21:41and hurried away.
21:43The heat
21:43and emptiness
21:44his touch had stirred in me
21:45cut off all of a sudden,
21:47mixed with a sharp,
21:48stabbing pain in my chest,
21:50nearly suffocating me.
21:51I swung my legs
21:52over the bed
21:53and padded barefoot
21:54into the bathroom.
21:55I skipped the hot water
21:56and twisted the cold tap
21:57wide open.
21:58The cold water
21:59washed away the heat
22:00from my body
22:01and slowly cleared
22:02my muddled mind.
22:03A faint,
22:04protesting flutter
22:05stirred low in my abdomen
22:06and I turned the tap off
22:07immediately.
22:08I couldn't hurt the baby.
22:09To avoid seeing Asher
22:10and give myself more time
22:12to get over him,
22:13I told my assistant
22:13to arrange a month-long,
22:15in-depth market research trip
22:17to the southwest.
22:18My destination was the Alps,
22:19a place far enough away
22:21and breathtakingly beautiful.
22:22When the plane touched down
22:24at the airport,
22:25the highland sunlight
22:25was bright,
22:26yet piercing.
22:27I checked into a secluded
22:28Mountain View Hotel,
22:29with the year-round
22:30snow-capped peaks
22:31of the Alps
22:32stretching right outside
22:33my window.
22:34No one here knew Blair,
22:35nor did anyone care
22:36about gossip
22:36surrounding Mrs. Harrington.
22:38I was merely a quiet
22:39traveler here
22:40to clear my head.
22:41My days fell into
22:41a calm,
22:42steady rhythm.
22:43By day,
22:44I handled work
22:44at the hotel,
22:45corresponding with my lawyer
22:46and Leah Carter
22:47to steadily push forward
22:48my plans.
22:49Occasionally,
22:50I wandered through
22:50ancient towns
22:51or hired a local guide
22:52to visit remote,
22:54little-frequented villages.
22:55The little life inside me
22:56stayed peaceful.
22:57I would often rest
22:58a hand on my stomach.
22:59I can give you a better life,
23:01all on my own.
23:02Asher video called me
23:03every single day.
23:05On the screen,
23:05dark, tired shadows
23:07hung beneath his eyes.
23:08Blair,
23:10I took Mia
23:10to see a therapist today
23:11on a friend's advice.
23:13The doctor said
23:14her possessiveness
23:15towards me
23:16is trauma
23:17from when her mother
23:18died saving me back then.
23:19She lacks a sense
23:20of security
23:20and needs time
23:21to be guided.
23:22When she grows older
23:23and more sent of her,
23:24things will get better.
23:25I smiled softly at him.
23:26Yes, I understand.
23:28How are things with you?
23:29When will you come back?
23:30I miss you.
23:31The survey has just started,
23:34probably by the end
23:34of the month.
23:35I hung up the video call.
23:36The next day,
23:37Asher called again.
23:38The doctor says
23:40Mia's condition is improving.
23:41The treatment is working.
23:43That's excellent.
23:44All our efforts
23:45haven't been in vain.
23:46We video chatted every day,
23:48exchanging words of longing.
23:49He repeated over and over
23:51that he missed me
23:52and begged me to return.
23:53I always smiled
23:55and reminded him,
23:56if we head back now
23:57and Mia has an emotional relapse,
23:59won't all our efforts
23:59go to waste?
24:00If it weren't for your understanding,
24:02I really wouldn't know
24:03what to do.
24:04On the final day
24:05of our divorce cooling off period,
24:07I booked my return flight.
24:08At the same time,
24:09my phone buzzed
24:10with an encrypted email
24:11from Leah Carter.
24:12Ms. Weston,
24:13all investigation findings
24:15have been compiled.
24:16The truth is far more shocking
24:18than we could have imagined.
24:19The second I stepped out
24:20of the arrival's gate,
24:21Asher pulled me tightly
24:22into his arms.
24:24He'd brought flowers
24:24and gifts,
24:26thoughtful to a fault,
24:27as if trying to make amends
24:28for something.
24:29In the car,
24:30his grip on the steering wheel
24:31tightened.
24:31Blair,
24:33Mia's state has worsened recently.
24:34She somehow found out
24:35our divorce was fake.
24:37I hope we wouldn't have
24:38to take this final step,
24:39but it looks like we have
24:40to file the official paperwork.
24:42As long as she gets better,
24:43our sacrifices don't matter.
24:45I'd had the maid
24:46accidentally leak the truth
24:48about the fake divorce
24:49to Mia.
24:49I'd guessed she'd throw a fit.
24:51What I hadn't expected
24:52was how readily Asher agreed
24:54to finalize the divorce
24:55for good,
24:55without a single moment
24:57of hesitation.
24:58She was causing trouble
24:59every day,
25:00constantly questioning
25:01whether I was deceiving her
25:02and saying I was failing
25:04her mother's trust.
25:05She even threatened
25:06to hang herself,
25:07jump from buildings,
25:08or cut her wrists.
25:09I really-
25:10I understand.
25:11Children have strong possessiveness
25:12and cannot bear griefties.
25:13She will be better
25:14when she grows older.
25:15We headed straight
25:16to the civil affairs bureau
25:17afterward.
25:18Asher had clearly
25:18pulled strings ahead of time.
25:20The process was rushed
25:21through in minutes.
25:22The official steel stamp
25:23pressed down
25:23and two divorce certificates
25:25slid across the counter
25:26toward us.
25:26I let out a quiet sigh
25:28of relief.
25:29Outside the civil affairs bureau,
25:30Asher stared down.
25:31Please stay away
25:32for a while these days.
25:33Mia is too emotionally agitated.
25:35I'm afraid she might act again
25:36in an extreme way
25:37and hurt you.
25:38I said nothing,
25:38reaching into my bag
25:39and handing him
25:40a thick manila folder.
25:41What is this?
25:43During my time in the Alps,
25:45I couldn't understand it at all
25:47what kind of family
25:48could raise a child like Mia.
25:50So they had someone-
25:51I never got to finish
25:52my sentence
25:53before Mia came
25:54charging straight at us.
25:55That wicked woman
25:56bullied me,
25:57beat me,
25:57and even swollen my face.
25:59And you still met her secretly.
26:03I can't live on anymore.
26:05I'm gonna die right here
26:06for you to see.
26:07Mia, stop it.
26:09This is right outside
26:10the civil affairs bureau.
26:12Embarrassment and panic
26:13flashed across Asher's face.
26:14He tried to pry the girl,
26:16clinging to him
26:16like an octopus,
26:17off his body.
26:18But she held on
26:19for dear life.
26:20He quickly pulled
26:20the brand new divorce certificate
26:22from the inner pocket
26:23of his suit jacket.
26:24Look,
26:24I came here
26:25to divorce Blair.
26:27Legally,
26:27we have nothing to do
26:28with each other anymore.
26:29She won't be in our lives anymore
26:31and she definitely
26:32won't bully you again.
26:33Are you satisfied now?
26:34Mia's crying
26:35cut off abruptly.
26:36She snatched
26:37the divorce certificate.
26:38Seconds later,
26:39a brilliant,
26:40blinding smile
26:41spread across her face
26:42and she threw herself
26:43back into Asher's arms.
26:44I knew it!
26:45I knew!
26:46Uncle Ash loved me the most!
26:47That horrible woman's
26:48finally gone.
26:49It'll just be you
26:50and me from now on.
26:51Asher stiffened slightly,
26:52yet he lifted a hand
26:53to pat her back.
26:54All right,
26:54you've seen the certificate
26:55for yourself,
26:56so you have to believe me now.
26:58Stop throwing tantrums.
26:59Go back,
27:00take your medicine,
27:01and cooperate
27:01with your doctor's treatment.
27:02I stood quietly
27:03off to the side
27:04the whole time,
27:05a mere bystander
27:06watching this farce
27:07that revolved around me.
27:08Only after they'd finished
27:09clinging to each other
27:10did I step forward slowly.
27:12Mia instantly sprang
27:13out of Asher's embrace
27:14like a wild beast
27:16whose territory
27:16had been invaded,
27:17throwing her arms wide
27:18to shield him.
27:19You shameless woman!
27:20Can't you take a hint?
27:22Uncle Ash already divorced you,
27:23why do you keep pestering him?
27:24Get lost!
27:26He's mine,
27:27and he'll only ever be mine!
27:28Asher's gaze landed on me,
27:30filled with that familiar,
27:31almost pleading look
27:32I knew all too well.
27:33His eyes spoke a silent plea.
27:35Blair,
27:35don't upset her,
27:36please.
27:36She only just calmed down.
27:38I read him clearly,
27:39even offering him
27:39an understanding,
27:40knowing smile.
27:41Then I held out
27:42the manila envelope
27:42in my hands,
27:43my voice calm
27:44and steady.
27:45Mia,
27:45you've misunderstood.
27:47Your uncle and I
27:48are already divorced.
27:49I have no intention
27:50of plesting him.
27:51I only came to give him
27:52a parting gripped.
27:53After all,
27:54we were married once.
27:55Let's part on good times.
27:57For some reason,
27:58those words,
27:58that mention of a parting gift,
28:00enraged Mia
28:01in an instant.
28:02A gift?
28:03I don't want
28:04your lousy presents!
28:06She shrieked,
28:07shoving me hard.
28:08I was caught off guard.
28:09The envelope slipped
28:10from my grasp
28:11and fluttered to the ground,
28:12and her brute force
28:13sent me crashing to the floor.
28:14Asher's face paled.
28:16He rushed over
28:16to steady me,
28:17his tone tight
28:18with alarm.
28:18Blair!
28:19Are you alright?
28:20Did you hurt yourself?
28:21I winced,
28:22my hand flying instinctively
28:23to my lower abdomen.
28:25A dull,
28:25throbbing pain
28:26shot through me.
28:27My complexion drained
28:28of color in an instant,
28:29fine beads of cold sweat
28:31breaking out
28:31across my forehead.
28:32Asher,
28:33take me to the hospital.
28:35Hurry!
28:37Asher nodded frantically,
28:38Okay, okay,
28:39we'll go right now!
28:40and bent down
28:40to lift me into his arms.
28:42Uncle Alex!
28:43Mia let out
28:43another shrill scream.
28:44She lunged forward
28:45and shoved me away again.
28:46Stay away from him!
28:48I tumbled to the ground
28:49once more,
28:50rolling nearly two meters away.
28:51Mia planted herself
28:52squarely in front of Asher,
28:54arms outstretched
28:54to block him,
28:55tears streaming down her face,
28:57her eyes wild
28:58and desperate.
28:59I knew it!
29:00I knew you were lying to me!
29:02The second she acts hurt,
29:04you feel sorry for her!
29:05I don't want to live anymore!
29:07I'll kill myself right here!
29:10Asher glanced
29:11between the hysterical Mia
29:12and me,
29:13pale and sweating
29:14through my pain,
29:15his features twisted
29:16with raging conflict
29:17and agony.
29:18In the end,
29:18he shot me a begging look
29:20before pulling Mia
29:21tight into his embrace.
29:22Mia, darling,
29:23I didn't lie to you.
29:24Blair and I really are divorced.
29:26Look,
29:26you've got the certificate
29:27right there.
29:28But his tone
29:28sharpened slightly.
29:29It was wrong of you
29:30to push Blair like that.
29:31What if you seriously hurt her?
29:33Go apologize to her
29:34and then we'll head home,
29:35okay?
29:36Mia stamped her feet.
29:37I won't!
29:37She attacked me first!
29:39She deserves it!
29:40She brought you
29:41some stupid parting gift
29:42just to cling to you
29:43and seduce you again!
29:44I hate her!
29:45Still seething,
29:46her gaze snapped
29:47to the manila envelope
29:48lying on the ground.
29:49She darted over
29:49and stomped furiously,
29:51repeatedly crushing
29:52the envelope beneath her feet.
29:53Parting gift?
29:54I'll ruin your stupid
29:55parting gift!
29:56Trash!
29:57Uncle Ash
29:58doesn't want any of it!
29:59I'll stamp it to pieces!
30:01She ranted and cursed
30:02as she trampled it
30:03without mercy.
30:04The cramping in my abdomen
30:05grew worse by the second,
30:06and I could feel
30:07warm liquid
30:08slowly seeping down my legs.
30:10Panic surged through me
30:11and I begged
30:12through gritted teeth.
30:13Take me to the hospital!
30:15Please!
30:16This is the last thing
30:17I'll ever ask!
30:18Asher stared at my contorted,
30:20agonized face,
30:21clear worry and guilt
30:22flickering across his features,
30:24panic flaring
30:25for a split second.
30:26His lips parted
30:27as if he meant to agree,
30:28but he turned away
30:29all the same.
30:30Blair,
30:31we're divorced now.
30:32It wouldn't be appropriate
30:33for me to drive you
30:34to the hospital.
30:34He fumbled for his phone
30:35and started dialing
30:36emergency services.
30:38Don't panic.
30:39I'll call an ambulance
30:40right away.
30:40It'll be here soon.
30:41The doctors will...
30:42Just then,
30:43a sharp-eyed,
30:44middle-aged woman
30:44in the crowd gasped,
30:46pointing at the ground
30:46beneath me.
30:47Good heavens!
30:49Look at all the blood!
30:50Could she be losing
30:51the baby?
30:53The words,
30:54losing the baby,
30:55crashed over Asher
30:56like a thunderclap.
30:57His finger froze
30:58mid-dial.
30:58He stood rigid
30:59as a statue,
31:00jerking his head up
31:01to stare at me,
31:01then darted a horrified glance
31:03at the dark,
31:04damp stain streaked
31:05with shocking scarlet
31:06at my feet.
31:07Mia clung tightly
31:08to Asher's arm,
31:09glowering at the woman
31:10who'd spoken.
31:10That's a lie!
31:11Don't talk nonsense!
31:12It's just her period!
31:14Everyone gets those!
31:15Stop overreacting!
31:16She's just faking pain
31:17to win Uncle Ash's
31:18sympathy,
31:19manipulative witch!
31:20Hearing that,
31:21Asher visibly relaxed.
31:22He did remember
31:23my cycle fell around
31:24these days.
31:24Yeah, that's enough.
31:25Let's go home.
31:26His voice carried
31:27unyielding firmness,
31:28yet beneath it
31:29rushed a desperate urge
31:30to escape.
31:31He took two steps forward,
31:32paused,
31:33but never turned back.
31:34Blair,
31:36the ambulance
31:37will arrive shortly.
31:38You'll be fine.
31:38As he left,
31:39he snatched the manila envelope
31:40off the ground
31:41while Mia wasn't looking.
31:42I watched his retreating back,
31:44a bitter, twisted laugh
31:45tearing out of me.
31:46Asher,
31:47everything between us
31:48is truly over.
31:49From this moment on,
31:51our paths diverge forever,
31:53never to cross again.
31:54I lost the baby.
31:55Do I regret it?
31:56More than anything.
31:57Do I hate?
31:58With every fiber of my being,
32:00That little life
32:01had been bound to me
32:02by blood.
32:03The doctor said
32:04if I'd received
32:04proper medical help
32:05just a few minutes sooner,
32:07there might have been hope.
32:08But there are no
32:08second chances in life.
32:10Perhaps the bond
32:11between me and my child
32:12was simply too fragile,
32:14too fleeting to last.
32:15I call the police.
32:16They arrive quickly.
32:17I lean back
32:18against the hospital bed
32:19and tell them
32:20everything that happened.
32:21The chain of evidence
32:22is complete.
32:23The facts are clear.
32:24By the time
32:24Asher Harrington gets there,
32:26the officers have just finished
32:27taking my statement.
32:28He freezes
32:29when he sees the police,
32:30then rushes over,
32:32tense and anxious.
32:33Blair,
32:34you look so pale.
32:36Whenever you had
32:36period cramps before,
32:37I was always the one
32:38taking care of you.
32:39I brought you
32:40brown sugar ginger tea.
32:41It's still warm.
32:42Have some.
32:43He tries to handle
32:43today's mess
32:44the way he always
32:45handled things before.
32:46I'm sorry, Blair.
32:47I really didn't mean
32:48for today to happen.
32:49I had no idea
32:50Mia would charge
32:51at you like that.
32:51I calmed her down
32:52and came straight over.
32:53Please don't be mad at me, okay?
32:54Before he can say
32:55another word,
32:56the young officer beside him
32:57speaks up sternly.
32:58You are Mia Lellard's
32:59current legal guardian,
33:00Mr. Harrington, correct?
33:01Asher Harrington blinks,
33:02turns, and nods,
33:04his voice already defensive.
33:05Yes, that's right.
33:06Mrs. Weston has filed
33:07a complaint against Mia Lover
33:08for assault causing
33:09bodily harm.
33:10As her guardian,
33:11you are required
33:12to cooperate
33:13with the investigation
33:14and arrange for Mia Lover
33:15to come in for questioning.
33:16The officer states
33:17that matter of fact,
33:18Asher Harrington
33:18whips his head toward me
33:20as if I've just
33:20spoken nonsense.
33:21Blair!
33:22Do you even know
33:23what you're doing?
33:24This is a family matter!
33:26Mia's just a kid.
33:27She didn't know any better.
33:28She shoved you plaguingly.
33:29How could you call the police?
33:30Tell them it's a misunderstanding.
33:32Tell them
33:33this is a domestic issue
33:35that we can handle it ourselves.
33:36He softens his voice.
33:38Blair,
33:38I know you're angry
33:39I didn't bring you
33:40to the hospital.
33:40It's all my fault.
33:41I apologize.
33:42We're a family.
33:44Let's settle this at home.
33:45Don't air our dirty lumber
33:46in public, all right?
33:47I pull out the divorce certificate
33:48and hand it to the officer.
33:49Officer,
33:50we're divorced.
33:51This is not a domestic issue.
33:53please proceed
33:53according to the law.
33:55you've lost your mind.
33:56The divorce was fake.
33:57It was just for Mia's sake
33:59and you know it.
34:01Over something this small
34:02you're going to ruin Mia?
34:03She's still a child.
34:04Why do you have to
34:05make things so hard
34:06for a little kid
34:07so you fell?
34:07What's all this drama about?
34:09He turns to the officer
34:10trying to explain.
34:11Officer,
34:12don't listen to her.
34:13We have a great relationship.
34:14This is just a marital spit.
34:16She's emotional.
34:17Mr. Harrington,
34:18the divorce certificate
34:18is authentic.
34:19Legally,
34:20you are no longer married.
34:21The officer cuts him off,
34:23handing him the medical report
34:24with a stern tone.
34:25Take a good look.
34:26This is not a small matter.
34:27Ms. Weston was shoved
34:28with such force
34:29that she suffered
34:29abdominal trauma
34:30resulting in the arrest
34:31of embryo development
34:32at approximately
34:32eight weeks of pregnancy.
34:33That is a miscarriage.
34:34This is aggravated assault
34:36or playing around.
34:37Now I need you to cooperate
34:38immediately
34:38and arrange for
34:39Mia Losten to come in.
34:40If you refuse,
34:41we will go to your home
34:41and take her into custody.
34:43Miscarriage?
34:44No.
34:46That can't be.
34:47Asher Harrington
34:48doesn't believe it.
34:49He takes the report blankly,
34:50his eyes scanning it
34:51in a daze.
34:52When the cold medical terms,
34:53traumatic miscarriage,
34:55arrested embryonic development,
34:56hit him,
34:57his whole body jerks.
34:58His fingers go slack
34:59and the report flutters
35:00to the floor.
35:01He turns to me,
35:02voice trembling.
35:03Blair, tell me this isn't true,
35:04please.
35:05I don't look away.
35:06My eyes are red.
35:07It's true.
35:08The doctor said
35:09that if we had gotten here
35:10just a minute or two earlier,
35:11maybe the baby
35:12could have been saved.
35:13Thud,
35:14he drops straight to his knees
35:15beside the back.
35:15It's my fault.
35:16I killed our child.
35:18If I had brought you
35:18to the hospital,
35:19I'm a monster!
35:21He slaps himself
35:22across the face,
35:23hard enough
35:23that his cheek
35:24reddens instantly.
35:25I'm so sorry, Blair.
35:27I regret it.
35:29I regret it so much.
35:31Slap after slap,
35:32his cheeks swell,
35:33his eyes turn blood blood,
35:34tears and snort
35:35stream down his face.
35:36He's completely shattered.
35:38I turn my head calmly
35:39and say to the officers,
35:40thank you for your help.
35:42And if you don't mind,
35:43could you get him out of here?
35:44He's very loud.
35:45The officers exchange a glance,
35:46then step forward
35:47and pull the still,
35:48self-flagellating
35:49Asher Harrington
35:50to his feet.
35:51Mr. Harrington,
35:52please come with us
35:52to the station
35:53for further investigation.
35:54As they drag him out,
35:55he struggles to look back at me,
35:56his gaze broken.
35:58Blair, I'm sorry.
35:59I'm so sorry.
36:00I'll make it up to you,
36:01I promise.
36:01I don't look at him.
36:02I don't listen.
36:03The ward door closes
36:04and all the noise is cut off.
36:06The world falls silent again.
36:08I lean back against the headboard,
36:09listening to my own steady breathing
36:11and the distant hum of traffic
36:12outside the window.
36:13My hand rests on my belly,
36:15empty now,
36:16still aching and dull.
36:17Tears finally slip down silently.
36:19Not for the child I lost.
36:20Not for the farce of a marriage.
36:21For the woman who endured six years,
36:23waited six years,
36:24and finally gave up completely.
36:26And now,
36:27that woman can finally be buried for good.
36:29Early the next morning,
36:30Asher Harrington arrives.
36:31He's carrying a thermos,
36:32dark circles under his eyes,
36:34stubble shadowing his jaw.
36:35He looks like he hasn't slept all night.
36:37Martha says a miscarriage
36:39really drains your energy,
36:40so you need proper nourishment.
36:44I had Martha buy the best old hen,
36:47and I added Angelica,
36:49red dates,
36:51and gochi berries.
36:53I simmered it over low heat
36:55for over three hours,
36:56skipped off every bit of oil.
36:57Try it.
36:58Try it.
36:58It shouldn't be greasy.
36:59He places a small bowl
37:00of golden clear chicken soup
37:02in front of me,
37:03his gaze eager,
37:04even groveling.
37:05I don't take it.
37:06I don't even look at him.
37:07My eyes stay fixed
37:08on the gray sky outside the window.
37:10His hand freezes midair.
37:11Slowly,
37:12he sets the bowl back on the cabinet
37:13and sits down by my bed.
37:15He reaches out,
37:16trying to take the hand
37:16that rests on the blanket.
37:18I pull my hand away.
37:19Blair.
37:20His voice is hoarse,
37:21thick with tears,
37:22his eyes reddening again.
37:23I know I was wrong.
37:24I really,
37:25I know how terribly wrong I was.
37:27I didn't sleep all night.
37:29Every time I closed my eyes,
37:30I saw you lying in that pool of blood
37:31and our baby we never got to meet.
37:34He lowered his head
37:35and rubbed his hands helplessly.
37:37I gave Mia a severe scolding.
37:40She knows she was wrong.
37:42She's been so scared
37:43she can't even eat.
37:44She's only 16.
37:46She lost her head for a moment.
37:48Blair,
37:49please,
37:49for her youth and ignorance,
37:51give her one last chance,
37:53okay?
37:53If she really goes in,
37:55if she got a criminal record,
37:56her whole life will be ruined.
37:59She's still so young.
38:00I can't just stand by and watch.
38:03He knelt before me again.
38:04I've made up my mind.
38:06Once you're discharged,
38:08we'll remarry.
38:09I'll send Mia to the best professional facility.
38:12From then on,
38:13I'll stay by your side,
38:15never leave you,
38:15and never let you suffer again.
38:17Finally,
38:18I turned my head
38:19and looked at him calmly.
38:21Asher,
38:22how magnimalist of you.
38:24for the person
38:25who killed your child,
38:28you're giving your all.
38:30Asher Harrington shuddered
38:31and closed his eyes in pain.
38:33It's my fault,
38:35all my fault.
38:36I shouldn't have left you.
38:38I was stupid.
38:39I was blind.
38:41Punish me if you want.
38:42Hit me.
38:43Curse me.
38:44Make me do anything.
38:45Please,
38:46just spare Mia this time.
38:47I'll compensate you.
38:49I'll compensate you for everything.
38:50Whatever you want,
38:51I'll give it.
38:51He collapsed by the bed,
38:52his forehead against the edge,
38:54his shoulders shaking violently.
38:57Blair,
38:58I know I've wronged you,
38:59wronged our child,
39:00but Mia's mother,
39:01she died saving me.
39:03She entrusted her only daughter to me.
39:05I have to take care of Mia.
39:06I can't abandon her.
39:06I really can't.
39:08He kept repeating his guilt,
39:09his helplessness,
39:10his debt of gratitude,
39:12each word dripping with blood,
39:13as if he were the most pitiable,
39:15most powerless person in the world.
39:17I was unmoved,
39:18only staring at him coldly.
39:20I understand,
39:21and I sympathize with your
39:22having no choice.
39:24But my child is not your
39:26sacrificial offering
39:27to repay a favor.
39:29You as a father
39:30can remain indifferent,
39:31but I as a mother
39:33must seek justice for her.
39:36He suddenly raised his head,
39:38a flash of resentment
39:39in his eyes.
39:40Blair,
39:42isn't there some responsibility
39:44on your side too?
39:45He looked at me with anger
39:46and grievance.
39:47You were pregnant.
39:48Why didn't you tell me?
39:51If you had told me earlier,
39:53even if Mia was raising hell
39:54at the time,
39:55I would have rushed you
39:55to the hospital immediately.
39:57Maybe the baby
39:58could have been saved.
40:00Is it,
40:00is it like Mia said,
40:03that you deliberately
40:04didn't tell me on purpose?
40:06That you wanted to see me,
40:09blame myself,
40:10see me feel guilty,
40:12and torture me this way?
40:19The sharp sound of a slap
40:20cut him off harshly.
40:21Asher Harrington's face
40:22was knocked to the side,
40:24and a clear handprint
40:25quickly appeared on his cheek.
40:27He held his face,
40:28staring at me in shock,
40:29as if he couldn't believe
40:30I would hit him.
40:32Asher Harrington,
40:34I must have been blind
40:35to fall for someone like you.
40:37Why didn't I tell you?
40:38Do you really not know?
40:40I leaned forward,
40:42staring into his stunned eyes.
40:44I just wanted to protect my child.
40:46I was afraid that if Mia found out,
40:49she would go crazy
40:49and harm my baby.
40:51I took every precaution,
40:53worried day and night,
40:55but in the end,
40:56I still couldn't prevent it.
40:57And you,
40:58who claimed to love me,
41:00were right there beside me,
41:01watching me in pain,
41:03watching me bleed,
41:04hearing my desperate pleas,
41:06and then you turned around
41:07and hugged the person
41:08who pushed me,
41:08leaving me to the ambulance
41:10like an afterthought.
41:11My voice trembled,
41:12not from sadness,
41:13but from sheer fury
41:14and absurdity.
41:16And now you have the nerve
41:17to turn the tables on me
41:18and stab me in the heart?
41:21Asher,
41:21we grew up together,
41:23over twenty years of bond.
41:26What did I ever do wrong
41:27to deserve this from you?
41:29The ward fell silent.
41:30Only my stifled breathing
41:32and his heavy,
41:33ragged breaths
41:34could be heard.
41:34The forced grievance
41:36and accusation on his face
41:37crumbled under my barrage
41:39of questions,
41:40leaving nothing but pale embarrassment
41:41and shame
41:42with nowhere to hide.
41:43He opened his mouth
41:44as if to defend himself,
41:46but no sound came out.
41:47I withdrew my gaze,
41:49no longer looking at him,
41:50and turned back to the window.
41:53I can sign a settlement agreement.
41:55His eyes lit up.
41:57Really?
41:58I knew it.
41:59I knew it.
42:00My Blair is the kindest.
42:02As long as you sign,
42:04I promise this is the last time.
42:06I'll send Mia far away
42:08and she'll never appear
42:09before you again.
42:10I'll use everything I have
42:11to compensate you,
42:13to make up for the pain
42:14of losing our child.
42:15We,
42:16we can still have children
42:17in the future.
42:18Then we'll have a boy
42:19and a girl,
42:20a son like me,
42:21a daughter like you,
42:22and we'll...
42:23Asher,
42:23don't get ahead of yourself.
42:24I cut off his rosy fantasy.
42:26Listen to my terms first.
42:29Name them.
42:29I'll agree to anything.
42:31He said eagerly.
42:32I looked him in the eye
42:33and word by word
42:34laid out the condition
42:35I had long prepared,
42:37one that would cripple him.
42:38First,
42:39the 20% of Harrington Corporation
42:41shares in your name
42:42must be unconditionally
42:44transferred to me in full.
42:46Second,
42:47all cash,
42:49real estate,
42:49and investment accounts
42:50in your personal name
42:51must also be unconditionally
42:52transferred to me.
42:53every last cent.
42:56The air in the ward froze.
42:58All the color drained
42:59from Asher Harrington's face.
43:00He opened his mouth,
43:02but no sound came out.
43:0320% of Harrington Corporation shares,
43:06plus the 10% I already owned
43:08as a bridal gift.
43:0930%.
43:10That was already
43:10the largest private stake
43:12outside of his father's.
43:13Enough to stir waves
43:14on the board
43:15and balance,
43:16even threaten,
43:17the Harrington's control
43:18and all his personal assets.
43:20That meant,
43:21if he signed,
43:22he would go from
43:22a billionaire heir
43:23of Harrington Corporation
43:25to an empty shell overnight
43:26with nothing
43:27but his family trust.
43:29No cash flow,
43:30no properties,
43:31no resources
43:32he could use freely.
43:33Watching Asher Harrington hesitate,
43:35I smiled softly.
43:36You can choose
43:37not to give it.
43:38Mia Latwell's
43:39intentional injury
43:40causing miscarriage
43:41is solidly proven.
43:42She's only 16,
43:44but she won't be spared
43:45one bit of the responsibility
43:47she must bear.
43:48He closed his eyes
43:50and when he opened them again,
43:51his gaze was ashen.
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