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00:00In our third year together, my boyfriend Dustin Foster went bankrupt.
00:04When we were down and out, we lived in a tunnel and ate near-expired instant noodles.
00:09Instead of leaving him, I chose to be by his side and see him rise again.
00:15On the 85th day of living in the tunnel, I sold my late mother's belongings and bought him a birthday
00:20present.
00:20Full of joy, I was going to give him a surprise.
00:23Emily Blake, Dustin's neighbor and childhood sweetheart suddenly sent me a link.
00:28Click to check.
00:29Surprise.
00:30It was a prank live streaming station.
00:33Unexpectedly, live stream on me ranked first.
00:36I trembled as I clicked on it.
00:38In the split screen display, on one side was me pathetically staying in the tunnel, shivering in the chilly wind,
00:44while on the other side was Dustin whining and dining in a five-star hotel.
00:48What a fool.
00:49Dustin just took a second look at that watch, and Caroline actually sold her mother's precious belongings to buy it.
00:55The 10th time she got tricked, she was thrown into a forest.
00:57The 20th time, she drank until she had gastrolasia while trying to help her drunk boyfriend.
01:03Dustin made a bet online that if she could survive a hundred such pranks, he would marry her.
01:08Only the last three times left now.
01:10Will she finally be killed by Dustin, or will Dustin swallow the humiliation and marry her?
01:14Three million.
01:16I bet she can't survive Dustin's pranks in the end, lol.
01:19Today was Dustin's birthday.
01:21I sold my last precious possession so I could make him a birthday celebration.
01:25Even so, the birthday dinner was modest.
01:27A cake, three homemade dishes, and a birthday gift I'd carefully picked for him.
01:31With everything set, I clutched the pregnancy test report I received that morning, my heart
01:36brimming with anticipation as I waited for him to walk through the door.
01:40After three long years together, we were finally going to have a child.
01:44I slipped the pregnancy report under his birthday present.
01:47It was my secret surprise for him.
01:48I just wanted Dustin to know, no matter how hard life got, I'd always stand by his side
01:53and face it all together.
01:54Just as I was lost and happy daydreams about our future, a post on my feed caught my eye.
01:59Happy birthday to me!
02:01The photos showed a massive dining table loaded with lobsters, crabs, caviar, and different
02:06fancy foods.
02:07Countless bottles of champagne and red wine crowded the scene, and he was surrounded by
02:11people who used to be close to him but had turned against him.
02:14But what really made my heart sink was seeing Emily right there at his side.
02:19Emily was Dustin's next-door neighbor, his childhood sweetheart.
02:22Back when his stepmother was making his life unbearable, the Blake family gave him shelter
02:26and warmth.
02:27Dustin was deeply grateful to the Blake family, and he spoiled Emily to no end, treating her
02:32even better than his own kin.
02:33But sophomore year in college, Emily fell for a guy who ended up pursuing me instead.
02:38From that day on, she swore to hate me and made me her sworn enemy.
02:42To be with me, Dustin broke ties with Emily, and both the Blake and Foster families, along with
02:47their network of old allies, all joined forces to crush him.
02:50If it hadn't been for all that, someone born with every advantage like Dustin would never
02:55have ended up living in the tunnel.
02:57But there he was.
02:58Raising glasses and parting with all of them, the post disappeared as quickly as it came,
03:02making me wonder if I'd just imagine the whole thing.
03:06Want to know the real story?
03:08Enter this site.
03:09Here's the invite code.
03:11Emily's message suddenly popped up on my phone.
03:13I stared at her message numbly for a moment.
03:16Then, the words, prank livestream, popped up on the screen.
03:20Below, a snarky little line read, crushing the wannabes who dare crawl toward high society.
03:27At the very top of the homepage, a banner read, race to the only 100 prank livestream on the internet.
03:3497 out of 100, I recognized that cover image, which had popped up on Dustin's computer more than once.
03:40He always said it was a record of our love story, something he'd play for everyone at our wedding.
03:45When I saw that familiar interface, my hands trembled as I clicked on the site.
03:49In the split-screen display, on one side was me pathetically staying in the tunnel, shivering in the chilly wind,
03:55while on the other side was Dustin whining and dining in a five-star hotel.
03:59What a complete moron.
04:02Dustin's out feasting on gourmet meals every day, and she actually thinks he's out making business moves or meeting investors.
04:08How long has she been living off instant noodles? 80 days? Maybe more?
04:11Ever since they started living in the tunnel, it's been nothing but instant noodles for her.
04:14Last time, Dustin just glanced at that watch, and she really sold her mother's last mementi to buy it for
04:20her.
04:22Remember when they dumped her way out in the middle of the woods?
04:25Or that time she downed drink after drink?
04:26Trying to protect Dustin when he was just faking being drunk?
04:30And wound up with a bleeding stomach?
04:32Man, what an idiot!
04:34Who but a wannabe social climber would actually end up living in a tunnel?
04:39Does she honestly believe that suffering through all this with Dustin is going to earn her a spot in the
04:43foster family?
04:44Hey, it might just work.
04:47Back then, we literally threw down an online bet.
04:50If she survives a hundred pranks, Dustin has to take her home as his wife.
04:56Only the last three times left now!
05:00Will she finally be killed by Dustin?
05:04Or will Dustin swallow the humiliation and marry her?
05:08Three million.
05:08I bet she can't survive Dustin's pranks in the end.
05:12She's impossible to finish off!
05:16Three million dollars says Dustin bites the dust!
05:20Dustin, it's not too late to back out.
05:22As long as you don't hit the hundred prank mark, you don't have to marry her!
05:25I'll marry her.
05:27Dustin, don't tell me you're actually catching feelings for her.
05:30Dustin just flashed a subtle smile and kept swirling his wine glass, choosing to stay silent.
05:34My eyes locked onto him, unable to look away.
05:38What are you guys even thinking?
05:40Dustin wants that island.
05:42The only heart-shaped island out there.
05:45He even promised Juliet he'd buy it for her, but you all just keep him betting on it instead of
05:51actually selling!
05:52So if he pulls off a hundred pranks, Grekkie Island becomes his, right?
05:57You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?
06:00Dustin didn't deny it.
06:01Emily tugged Dustin's arm and said,
06:03If you snag that island, maybe Juliet will come back to you.
06:07I shut off the live stream and logged out of the site.
06:09Three years of loving him, and in just minutes, it all felt like some twisted joke.
06:14I curled up in the tunnel, my mind completely blank, even forgetting the biting cold.
06:19As dawn crept in, Dustin finally stumbled back, reeking of alcohol.
06:23He pulled me close, nuzzling my neck, slurring out words in a drunken haze.
06:28Caroline, will you marry me?
06:30Once we get through all this, let's get married, okay?
06:34I looked at the face I'd once been crazy about, but my heart was completely calm.
06:39Okay.
06:40Dustin, content, fell asleep instantly, while I lay wide awake for the rest of the night.
06:45He didn't wake up until the afternoon.
06:46When the instant noodles were done, I placed a fried egg on his plate, just like always.
06:52Dustin saw the fried egg and paused for a beat, his eyes flickering with emotion.
06:56Casually, he picked up the fried egg and dropped it onto my plate, then gently brushed my cheek.
07:01You need to eat more. You're getting too skinny.
07:04His concern for me seemed so sincere.
07:07Instead, I pulled out the gift I'd prepared the day before.
07:10His phone rang just then.
07:12I'll open it in the car.
07:13He kissed my forehead and rushed out. I watched Dustin's back as he walked away.
07:17Dustin, if you don't love me, just say it. I'll walk out of your life, for good.
07:22Dustin froze mid-step, then, after a couple of seconds, turned around with that same gentle smile he'd always worn.
07:28You silly thing. What crazy ideas are you getting?
07:32Like I said, once we get through this, we'll get married, and when that day comes, I'll give you a
07:36gift you couldn't find anywhere else in the world.
07:38Trust me. You'll love it.
07:40Three years of loving him, and he still couldn't be straight with me, not even once.
07:45I refused to eat the noodles he'd touched, so I tossed them, along with the fried egg, and all into
07:50the dog's dish.
07:51The stray dog, Timmy, wagged his tail and rubbed up against me, hoping to please.
07:55Only after he'd shown his gratitude did he dig in.
07:58Most of the time, humans weren't even a match for a dog.
08:01I pulled out my phone and dialed that long, unspoken number, my fingers trembling ever so slightly.
08:06Years ago, believing in true love, I refused a family-arranged marriage.
08:11Josh, I want to come home.
08:12I braced myself for sarcasm or a lecture.
08:15Good. Come home. I'll take care of everything for you.
08:18At that moment, I couldn't hold back my tears, which spilled over before I even realized.
08:22Josh, do me a favor.
08:25Help me pull off something he'll never see coming.
08:27A memory he won't ever shake.
08:30My voice steady with resolve.
08:32Dustin walked half a mile before finally finding his hidden Maybach.
08:36The instant he settled into the plush heated seat, he finally let his anxiety show.
08:40His hands were already drenched in cold sweat.
08:43He slipped the birthday present into the drawer with barely a glance.
08:46He knew exactly what was inside.
08:48A Padek Philippe watch.
08:49It'd just been a joke.
08:50But I had taken it serious.
08:51I was a complete fool.
08:53Annoyed, Dustin yanked out his phone and shouted in the live stream group chat,
08:56If anybody dares to spill the truth to Caroline, I'll hunt them down.
08:59Emily, in the middle of having coffee,
09:01and he got a drink all over the place.
09:04After letting out his frustration, Dustin collapsed back into the sofa.
09:07Three more pranks.
09:08Just a little longer, and he decided he would make it up to me, but would never tell me the
09:12truth.
09:13Dustin glanced at the sky.
09:14The forecast called for snow in a couple of days, and he knew that the tunnel was too cold to
09:18stay.
09:19Get a cocktail party ready.
09:20I'm making my comeback.
09:22Emily considered replying.
09:23Fingers poised over the keys, but in the end, she just erased everything she'd typed.
09:29That day, the Glenn family officially announced that Drake Glenn and Emily were getting engaged.
09:34Dustin told me that Emily, wanting to smooth things over for old time's sake,
09:37went out of her way to put together a cocktail party to patch things up.
09:41Do you want to go?
09:42Right on cue, Emily shot me a text.
09:4498 pranks down.
09:46So have you got any wild ideas for what we should pull on you next?
09:49Can't wait to see.
09:50Do you actually want me there?
09:52I hope you'll come.
09:54After all, we'll be running into them a lot in the future,
09:57so it's important to get along with them.
10:00Okay, I'll go.
10:02I showed up dressed to the nines.
10:04Dustin had handpicked the perfect outfit for me.
10:06He personally directed the makeup artist, treating me like his own delicate doll.
10:10Pleased with the result, he took my hand and confidently led me into the banquet hall.
10:14He said softly,
10:16Caroline, don't be afraid.
10:18I'm here.
10:19His eyes were full of tender affection,
10:20and his broad shoulders looked so strong that I felt like nothing in the world could ever hurt me
10:23as long as he was by my side.
10:25I trust you.
10:27And he squeezed my hand a little tighter.
10:30Caroline, I won't ever let you get hurt again.
10:32In that instant, it was like he'd made up his mind about something.
10:36His voice filled with determination.
10:39I'd been to plenty of these parties with Dustin before,
10:41and every single time, it was just them trying to embarrass me,
10:44openly putting me down and making fun of me.
10:47For Dustin's sake, I always swallowed my pride and endured it.
10:51I thought he'd only gotten on their bad side because of me,
10:54so I figured whatever I had to go through was worth it for him.
10:57But now...
10:59Before Dustin could finish his words,
11:01out of nowhere, a bucket of ice water came crashing down over me.
11:04I was drenched from head to toe while he stood there, completely dry and untouched.
11:08As water dripped down my face, I managed a smile toward him.
11:12Something in that smile hit Dustin hard,
11:14and all at once, a hot surge of anger flared up inside him.
11:18Who the hell did this?
11:20He demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
11:23A wave of menacing energy surged out of him,
11:26making the whole room feel tense and suffocating.
11:29For the first time, he actually lost his temper over one of their pranks.
11:33The rich kids who had been laughing at me all froze,
11:35their faces draining of color.
11:37Some of them even instinctively took a step back.
11:40Dustin wanted to keep up the act, but I'd had enough.
11:43I didn't want to watch anymore.
11:44I fussed with my drenched clothes.
11:47If this is what it'll take for you all to leave Dustin alone, I'll accept it.
11:51It was just like every other time they'd pulled one of their cruel pranks.
11:55In my eyes, there was no anger or resentment,
11:57just a tenderness that hadn't burned out yet.
11:59Some of the others almost burst out laughing, struggling to hold back.
12:03But I just looked at Dustin, the only person I cared about.
12:06His face turned dark as he quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it tightly around me.
12:10I could feel his hand trembling softly as he held mine.
12:14Noticing it himself, he balled his hand into a fist and stuffed it in his pocket.
12:18Was he feeling even a little regret?
12:20I couldn't- I didn't care.
12:21Don't be mad, Dustin!
12:23It's just water under the bridge now!
12:26Emily piped up, trying to smooth things over
12:28while motioning for someone to help me get changed.
12:35Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to dump ice water on her with this weather?
12:39We were just trying to make it look real.
12:41It's the last three times and everybody's watching.
12:45Dustin's face was stormy and he didn't say a word.
12:48After I changed, I followed the person Emily had sent to another room.
12:54He said Dustin was waiting for me there.
12:56Dustin is expecting you.
12:58I should have figured Dustin wouldn't be around,
13:00just a bunch of other people waiting for me.
13:01Honestly, for this prank number 98,
13:04I couldn't help but wonder what they'd got up their sleeve this time.
13:07And as for Dustin, just how much would he let them push it this time?
13:11I glanced around the room and noticed a tiny red indicator light blinking in the shadows.
13:15So was that what today's prank stream was really about?
13:18I recognized all three of them.
13:19They were Emily's usual fanboys.
13:21Want us to leave Dustin alone? Fine.
13:23But you've got to join our little game first.
13:26One of them smirked.
13:27I only had one question.
13:29Does Dustin know about this?
13:31I asked.
13:31The three of them exchanged glances and all of them started checking.
13:36What difference does it make if he knows or not?
13:38One of them sneered.
13:39So that's how it is.
13:41I murmured.
13:42I knew exactly what this was.
13:44They just wanted to see me break down,
13:45to humiliate me all over again.
13:47But before any of them got the chance,
13:49I calmly began slipping off my dress myself.
13:52The room went dead silent
13:53and nobody dared to move an inch.
13:56The guys exchanged uneasy glances,
13:59utterly thrown off by my reaction.
14:01Shouldn't I be sobbing and begging them to let me go?
14:04That was what they'd expected.
14:06Certainly not this.
14:07Pulling pranks was one thing,
14:09but actually going through with it?
14:11None of them had the balls to mess with Dustin's girl for real.
14:14I just stripped myself down,
14:16leaving them completely blindsided,
14:17not knowing what to do.
14:19What do you want?
14:19Right as the three of them froze in confusion,
14:22the door burst open with a heavy kick.
14:24Dustin stormed in.
14:27You bastard!
14:31Dustin roared, his voice raw with rage.
14:34His eyes flashed red as he barreled forward,
14:37fist...
14:39...
14:40...
14:40...
14:41...
14:41...
14:41...
14:55One of them stammered, desperate to explain.
15:02First punch, second, third.
15:04Each punch landed with a heavy thud, raw and real.
15:08Dustin's fist shut down every attempt at an excuse.
15:11I could hear bone snapping, and that was vicious.
15:14I just stood there in silence, watching him fight.
15:20You did this on purpose, didn't you?
15:23Emily snapped, shooting me a deadly glare.
15:25The whole group just wanted to watch me crash and burn,
15:28but until Dustin really gave up on me,
15:30nobody had the guts to touch me.
15:32All they dared to do was throw out insulting comments
15:34and continue the humiliation.
15:36Emily was so mad that she could barely breathe.
15:38She scrambled to break things up before Dustin completely lost control
15:41and things went totally off the rails.
15:44Dustin, still fuming, grabbed my hand and pulled me out of all that drama.
15:48I stared at the back of his head,
15:49letting him pull me along without resisting.
15:52I just went wherever he wanted to take me.
15:54His fingers trembled slightly in mine,
15:56and I could feel every little quiver.
15:58Could you stop being so stupid?
16:01This time, he wasn't just annoyed,
16:03but he was actually furious.
16:05I gazed at him quietly,
16:06as if his anger could carve straight through my soul.
16:09Did I do something wrong today?
16:11Dustin suddenly felt a sharp pain shoot through his chest
16:14like someone had jabbed a needle straight into his heart.
16:20He slowly pulled me into his arms,
16:22holding me tighter and tighter
16:23as if he never wanted to let go.
16:25It was like I really meant something to him.
16:27But when I turned my head
16:29and saw that little red light blinking,
16:30I realized even this was all for show.
16:33I couldn't help but laugh.
16:35Dustin, don't lie to me.
16:39I love you so much that I can't bear to lie to you.
16:43I smiled, turned around,
16:44and walked into the freezing winter night all by myself.
16:47It felt like the snow was really about to fall.
16:49He stood there, stiff as a statue,
16:51unable to take a single step
16:53and could only helplessly watch as I walked away.
16:56That ice bath ended up giving me a cold.
16:58I went to the hospital
16:59and the gynecologists and obstetricians
17:02kept reminding me which meds I could take
17:04and which ones were totally off limits.
17:06Honestly, I still hadn't decided
17:08whether I wanted to keep the baby or not.
17:10Sure, my head told me
17:11that no matter how awfully Dustin treated me,
17:14the baby was innocent.
17:15But could I really bring up this baby
17:17and never look back with regrets?
17:19When I walked out of the clinic,
17:20my head was in a daze.
17:21I didn't even notice Emily waiting right outside.
17:24That evening, Emily sent me another invite link,
17:27but I didn't bother to join
17:28and honestly, I wasn't interested at all.
17:30She kept pestering me and sent me another video.
17:33In the video, Dustin was still in that VIP suite at the club
17:36drinking with a bunch of rich kids.
17:38He looked pretty down,
17:40knocking back shots like they were water.
17:42Dustin, I saw Caroline going to the hospital.
17:45OB-GFG department today.
17:47Is she pregnant?
17:48No way!
17:50Dustin got snipped as soon as he started moving in with Caroline.
17:52Only Juliet's ever going to have a foster urn.
17:54None of those other women even qualify.
17:56I thought my heart couldn't be any more broken,
17:59but clearly, I was wrong.
18:02All of a sudden, he jumped to his feet
18:04and hurried straight for the door.
18:06I closed the video
18:08and not long after, Dustin came back.
18:10He looked like he'd just walked through a storm
18:12and the moment he saw me, he pulled me into his arms.
18:16Dustin, I need to go to the hospital tomorrow.
18:18My heart felt like it had been eaten away from the inside,
18:21but I figured he had a right to know about the baby.
18:24I couldn't help but wonder, he'd want to keep the baby.
18:27All right, I actually need to go to the hospital myself.
18:31Dustin said, his tone firm.
18:34Okay.
18:35But the next day, he still couldn't make it.
18:37Just as we were about to head out,
18:38Dustin's phone lit up.
18:40Emily was calling.
18:44Dustin, Juliet's back.
18:45Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
18:48She kept her voice low, but I still caught every word.
18:51Dustin was completely stunned for a few seconds,
18:53his mind blank, before he finally snapped back to reality.
18:56I, I'll come over right away.
19:02Sorry, I have to meet with a client.
19:08Your doctor's appointment is at 10, right?
19:10I swear, I'll be there by 10.
19:13I said softly.
19:16I went to the hospital alone.
19:17The patient before me finished her surgery,
19:19and it wasn't even 10 yet when the nurse came over
19:22and told me it was my turn.
19:23Carolyn, can I wait a little longer?
19:26Sure, call me when you're ready.
19:28I stayed in the hospital until 10,
19:29watching the clock, but Dustin never showed up.
19:33Are you ready to go in yet?
19:34I checked my phone, only to find Emily
19:36had helpfully just updated her Twitter.
19:38Dustin was waiting outside the airport,
19:41restlessly glancing around,
19:42looking like he couldn't sit still.
19:44Then Juliet appeared, stunning,
19:46sophisticated, and graceful,
19:48like she'd just walked out of a fashion magazine.
19:50They wrapped their arms around each other,
19:52and it was as if the entire world
19:54faded into a hazy backdrop.
19:55I turned off my phone and replied to the nurse.
19:58Yes, I've made up my mind.
20:00This child was never wanted.
20:02Maybe it was better to get rid of him.
20:03The procedure was simple,
20:04but the pain was almost unbearable.
20:06I couldn't do anything but watch, powerless,
20:08as a tiny life was cut away and snuffed out for good,
20:11right there in front of me.
20:14Caroline, how are you?
20:15I've taken care of the things you asked me to handle before.
20:17All the immigrationments are ready,
20:18so you can leave anytime.
20:20Thanks, Josh.
20:21I picked up my package from the delivery spot
20:23near the tunnel.
20:24I was finally free to go.
20:26Dustin hadn't shown up for three days.
20:28He said he was away on a business trip
20:30and promised that he'd give me a surprise
20:31when he came home.
20:32Emily's Twitter had already put me
20:34in the loop about everything.
20:35The day after Juliet got back,
20:37Dustin went straight to the hospital
20:39for a vasectomy reversal.
20:40Dustin retreated to Foster Manor to recover
20:42and Juliet was there with him.
20:44Emily even posted photos online
20:46showing off the healthy meals
20:47Juliet was whipping up for Dustin.
20:49On the fourth day,
20:50Dustin finally came back.
20:52He swept me up in a warm hug,
20:53grinning with excitement.
20:54Caroline, let me show you something.
20:56Okay.
20:57He urged me into the Maybach
20:59and took me straight to a swanky villa community.
21:01It was the place where we'd first shared a home.
21:04Caroline, I got it back for us.
21:06From now on, this is our home.
21:08Dustin said,
21:09his face lighting up with pure excitement.
21:11He looked so happy,
21:13but as I stared at the villa,
21:14all the old memories rushed in.
21:16This place was my home once.
21:18Every couch, every lamp,
21:19I picked them all.
21:20Every flower outside,
21:22I planted by hand.
21:23When I left,
21:24I'd always sneak off somewhere to cry,
21:26too scared that he might see me break down.
21:28And even though it was ours again,
21:30every piece of jewelry Dustin once bought for me,
21:32including those I'd reluctantly pawned
21:34to bail him out of trouble.
21:36All of them had found their way back to me.
21:38As I sifted through it all,
21:40my eyes landed on my mom's keepsake,
21:42the one I'd parted with just weeks ago.
21:44Everything I thought I'd lost had somehow come back.
21:46For a moment,
21:47it almost felt like the past was within reach,
21:49as if we could rewind and start over.
21:52Dustin frowned,
21:53clearly puzzled.
21:54Why put all of this away?
21:56Caroline,
21:58I promise you'll never have to go through hard times again.
22:00You can count on me now.
22:04It's good to make some space.
22:05Anyway,
22:06I want to fill this place with even better memories
22:08and give you even more.
22:10Dustin added,
22:11trying to sound reassuring.
22:13Once he was out the door,
22:14I wouldn't hesitate to ask someone
22:15to pack up all the jewelry
22:17and have it delivered to Juliet.
22:19Caroline,
22:19three days from now,
22:20it's our anniversary.
22:21Three years together.
22:22You haven't forgotten,
22:23have you?
22:23Yeah,
22:24I remember.
22:24I've got a surprise for you.
22:26I looked at him.
22:27I've got a surprise for you too.
22:29For our third anniversary,
22:31Dustin whisked me away to Greek Island.
22:33Every inch of the chapel
22:34was overflowing with fresh flowers.
22:38Do you like it, Caroline?
22:40Gaze soft and shining with affection.
22:42Was this even real?
22:43This was exactly how I designed it for our wedding
22:46and somehow,
22:47he'd brought my vision to life,
22:48down to the tiniest detail.
22:50It was exactly like the scene
22:52I'd always dreamed of.
22:53The chapel was filled with people
22:55and everyone cheered for me,
22:56showering me with applause
22:57and heartfelt blessings.
22:59Right then,
23:00I felt my head spinning.
23:02I couldn't tell if I was dreaming
23:03or if it was real.
23:05Emily,
23:05dressed in a flawless white gown,
23:07walked up to me
23:08with a bouquet in her hands.
23:09Caroline,
23:11are you ready?
23:14Ready?
23:15She flashed me a radiant smile
23:17and as the spotlight shifted,
23:19the main stage curtain parted.
23:20A giant screen flickered to life,
23:23playing a scene so familiar
23:24that it tugged at my heart.
23:26She's nothing but a gold digger.
23:28Just let me handle her.
23:30I guarantee she won't be chasing
23:31after Drake anymore.
23:32I remembered it so clearly.
23:34He broke ties with the Blake family
23:36and everyone else.
23:37They dragged me off to a snowy mountain,
23:39tore away my clothes
23:40in the dead of winter,
23:41and Dustin charged in,
23:43risking everything to rescue me.
23:45He took a vicious beating,
23:46ended up bleeding from his head,
23:48but none of it mattered to him.
23:50For me,
23:51he was willing to go up
23:52against the whole world.
23:53God,
23:54how could anyone not be moved by that?
23:56And just like that,
23:57I finally let myself fall for him.
24:00Then there was the 20th prank he pulled on me.
24:02Me?
24:02Are you serious?
24:03If I'm gonna play,
24:04I'm gonna play all the way.
24:06That day,
24:07they dumped me way out
24:07in the middle of the woods
24:08and live-streamed every humiliating moment
24:10for three days straight.
24:15And on the third day,
24:16Dustin came bursting onto the scene,
24:18playing the hero like he always did.
24:20From that moment on,
24:21I had completely fallen for him.
24:23I remembered how desperately he hugged me,
24:25like he was scared I'd disappear
24:26if he ever let go.
24:28The 30th prank
24:29was another one.
24:30She means nothing to me.
24:32As the rightful heir,
24:33heir of the Foster family,
24:34how could I ever fall
24:35for someone so significant?
24:37The video cut off abruptly,
24:39plunging the room
24:40into absolute silence.
24:42Dustin gazed at me from a distance.
24:44His eyes were filled
24:45with tension and fear.
24:47I watched him quietly,
24:49calm and still,
24:50determined strides
24:51only to be suddenly intercepted
24:53by someone.
24:53The opening performance is over.
24:55Now it's time
24:56for our proposal ceremony.
24:58She then led Juliette out
24:59from behind the curtain.
25:01Dustin,
25:02I brought tonight's main star for you.
25:05Dustin stood frozen,
25:06every muscle tense.
25:07Dustin,
25:08you once swore
25:09you would buy this island
25:10to propose to me.
25:12Juliette stepped up
25:13and gently brushed a kiss
25:14against Dustin's cheek.
25:15Dustin seemed to come back
25:17to his senses,
25:17and for a split second,
25:19a hint of panic
25:20flashed across his gaze
25:21when he looked at me.
25:23Dustin,
25:23everyone's watching.
25:24Don't embarrass Juliette
25:25in front of all these people.
25:27Dustin,
25:28if you leave now,
25:28Juliette will be
25:29completely humiliated.
25:30How will she ever
25:31hold her head up
25:32in this circle again?
25:33Do you really want her
25:34to become the subject
25:35of everyone's coss-up
25:36and ruin her reputation?
25:38Dustin turned back
25:38and met Juliette's
25:39pleading, desperate gaze.
25:41Her face was full of fear.
25:42It was just
25:43like the very first time
25:45they met.
25:45You wouldn't leave me
25:46like they did, would you?
25:48No.
25:48He gave me one last look.
25:50I just watched quietly,
25:51saying nothing.
25:52All my trust
25:53was just misplaced.
25:54Dustin took the ring,
25:56his voice flat
25:57and lifeless
25:57as he went through
25:58the motions of the proposal.
26:00A bitter smile
26:01tugged at my lips
26:01as I watched
26:02the show's last scene,
26:03then I turned
26:04and walked away.
26:11Is it enough?
26:13Dustin's voice
26:14was cold and sharp
26:15as he turned to Emily.
26:16For the first time,
26:17Emily felt genuine danger
26:19coming from his eyes,
26:20a chilling
26:21someone beside her
26:22quickly stepped in
26:23to shield her,
26:24forcing a nervous smile.
26:25Yeah, that's enough.
26:26Dustin turned
26:27and walked away,
26:28not bothering
26:28to give Juliette
26:29even a second look.
26:30Dustin practically
26:31tore the whole island apart,
26:33but the person
26:33he was desperate
26:34to find
26:34was nowhere in sight.
26:36Fuming,
26:37he spun around
26:37and shouted
26:38at the crowd
26:38trailing after him.
26:39So who's the one
26:40that uploaded
26:41those videos?
26:42Videos!
26:44Nobody dared
26:45to look him in the eye.
26:46In the end,
26:47one of Emily's
26:48bootlickers
26:48stepped up
26:49and took the fall.
26:50Without a second thought,
26:51Dustin threw a punch.
26:52He busted
26:53the guy's head open,
26:54blood gushing
26:55down his face.
26:55The bootlicker
26:56finally cracked.
26:57It was Emily.
26:59She forced me to do it!
27:01Emily jerked
27:02her head back
27:02in fright
27:03and instinctively
27:04stepped away,
27:05as if wishing
27:05she could disappear
27:06on the spot.
27:09Thunderous explosion
27:10tore through the night,
27:11lighting up the sky.
27:12Everyone dashed
27:13to the beach
27:13in a panic.
27:14Dustin!
27:14That's Caroline's yacht!
27:16Someone shouted,
27:17their voice trembling
27:18with shock.
27:19Dustin stood frozen,
27:20staring at the eruption
27:21of fire in the sky.
27:23Suddenly,
27:23he felt utterly powerless,
27:25every ounce of strength
27:27leaving his body.
27:28For a whole seven days,
27:30Dustin searched the waters,
27:31desperate to find
27:32any sign of me,
27:33but I was gone.
27:35The salvage team reported
27:36that a swarm of sharks
27:38had been nearby
27:38when the accident happened.
27:40After searching so hard,
27:41all they found
27:42was a torn scrap of cloth.
27:43It was from the clothes
27:44I had worn that day.
27:45Experts had checked
27:46every piece of the wrecked yacht
27:48and in the end,
27:49only one conclusion made sense.
27:50This wasn't an accident,
27:52but I had meant to end my life.
27:55Mr. Foster,
27:56according to the bet,
27:57you've completed
27:58a hundred pranks.
27:59This island is yours now.
28:01The manager announced.
28:02A hundred pranks?
28:03How did that even happen?
28:05He'd made a big deal
28:06out of vowing
28:06to pull a hundred pranks,
28:07but somewhere along the line,
28:08he just wanted out.
28:09He never came clean.
28:11Mostly because he couldn't bear
28:12being the butt of the joke
28:13in his own crowd.
28:15So he acted like
28:16he'd gone totally bankrupt,
28:17couch surfed in a tunnel,
28:18hoping I would walk away
28:19on my own,
28:20just like Juliet did
28:21when life got tough.
28:22He was helplessly drawn to me.
28:24There was just no way
28:25he could keep his heart
28:26from falling.
28:27After that,
28:27he kept convincing himself
28:29that if he managed
28:30to pull off a hundred pranks,
28:31he could finally marry me
28:33with pride,
28:34get everything he wanted,
28:35and no one would ever
28:36look down on him.
28:38Maybe that was not
28:39such a bad deal after all.
28:40He was all fired up
28:41about the plan,
28:42but every single time
28:44he saw me looking
28:44so devastated,
28:45he just couldn't
28:46go through with it.
28:47By prank 98,
28:48he was done.
28:49He couldn't keep
28:49lying to me anymore.
28:50So he started planning
28:52a proposal.
28:52He rented out the whole island
28:54and invited everyone he knew.
28:56He wanted to propose to me
28:57right there
28:58in front of everyone.
28:59He wanted everyone to see
29:00that he was willing to do it,
29:01that he was absolutely committed
29:03to making me his,
29:04and he was laying his heart bare
29:05for everyone to see.
29:06But when it all came down to it,
29:08nothing turned out
29:09the way he'd hoped.
29:11None of it matters anymore.
29:13He didn't sign the papers.
29:14Just go.
29:15He just waved the legal team away
29:16and ushered them out the door.
29:18As soon as the manager
29:19and the legal team left,
29:20Emily showed up.
29:21So Dustin,
29:22did you finally get Greece Island?
29:25As soon as Emily spotted
29:26the papers lying there,
29:28she just reached for them
29:29without hesitation,
29:30like they were hers by default.
29:31In her heart,
29:32anything Dustin owned
29:34belonged to her.
29:35And Juliet swore
29:36she'd never compete
29:37with her for it anyway.
29:39Emily's mind
29:39was already spinning
29:40with plans
29:41to turn Greek Island
29:42into her own paradise.
29:43The greed and joy
29:44blazing in her eyes
29:45were written
29:46all over her face.
29:47Why?
29:48Uh, what?
29:50Emily stammered,
29:51her face suddenly clouded
29:52with confusion.
29:53Dustin's gaze
29:54was downright chilling.
29:55It was only then
29:56that Emily felt
29:57a shiver of dread.
29:58She'd finally realized
30:00something was off.
30:01Why did you do it
30:02on the day of the proposal?
30:03We were just trying
30:03to help you reach
30:04your goal, Dustin.
30:05Didn't you swear
30:06in front of everyone
30:06that you'd prank her
30:07a hundred times?
30:08Why did you spill the truth?
30:10Why?
30:11Why'd you have to do this?
30:13If it weren't for you,
30:15she'd never even think
30:15about throwing her life away!
30:17Dustin's fingers
30:18felt like Talon's
30:19threatening to snap her bone.
30:20It was your idea!
30:22You said you'd
30:23drop the truth bomb on her
30:24during the proposal
30:25at her happiest
30:26and send her straight to hell!
30:28Me?
30:30When did I ever say that?
30:31Dustin stammered,
30:32his lips trembling,
30:33unable to believe
30:34what he was hearing.
30:35He couldn't deny it.
30:36Deep down,
30:37he knew he might have
30:38really said something like that,
30:40back when he hated
30:41those women after his money,
30:42like Juliet.
30:43Two years ago!
30:45You said you'd shock her
30:46on the day she agreed
30:47to your proposals
30:48and you made that video yourself!
30:51Dustin's face turned
30:52as white as a sheet.
30:53Yeah, he did say it
30:55and he really did it.
30:56Emily had her excuses
30:58lined up ages ago,
30:59just as she expected,
31:01Dustin got totally lost
31:02in his own guilt.
31:03Emily glanced at the
31:04Greek Island transfer agreement.
31:05No rush,
31:06it wasn't the time yet,
31:07but she believed that
31:08one day,
31:09that island would be hers.
31:10I was gone,
31:11just like that.
31:12No one seemed to really care.
31:14At most,
31:14there were some snide remarks
31:15or a few sighs.
31:17They honestly didn't think
31:18anyone would pay the price for it,
31:19not even when Dustin
31:20looked absolutely devastated.
31:22No one knew
31:23that a package
31:23was already on its way
31:24to Greek Island.
31:25Emily couldn't have imagined,
31:27not even in her wildest dreams,
31:29that this package
31:29would destroy her life
31:30and leave many others
31:32shattered in its wake.
31:33By the time Dustin
31:34got the package,
31:35he'd been living like a ghost
31:36for 10 days,
31:37barely human,
31:38just existing in a haze
31:39of pain and regret.
31:40Every day,
31:41he drowned himself in booze,
31:42just trying to numb the pain.
31:44Then one day,
31:45a delivery guy showed up.
31:47Mr. Foster,
31:48Miss Everett asked us
31:49to deliver this to you
31:50half a wunks ago.
31:51She said it had to get to you,
31:52no matter what.
31:53When Dustin heard Caroline's name,
31:55his mind snapped back
31:56to reality in an instant.
31:57He tore open the box
31:59only to freeze in shock
32:00a glass jar filled
32:01with mysterious chunks of flesh
32:03and right next to it
32:04a paternity test.
32:05It was his DNA
32:07and the baby's.
32:08Beside them
32:09was a phone.
32:10It was once mine,
32:11the one he'd bought for me
32:12with his own money
32:13and his fingerprint
32:14was still saved on it.
32:16His fingers shook
32:17as he unlocked the phone.
32:18Every message,
32:19read or unread,
32:20was from Emily.
32:21There were even
32:23Twitter updates
32:23Emily had set to be visible
32:25only to me.
32:26He scrolled through them
32:27one by one,
32:28seeing everything unravel
32:29before his eyes.
32:30There was the livestream website,
32:31the videos Emily had
32:32deliberately edited
32:33just for effect,
32:34and he even overheard
32:35that conversation
32:36about his vasectomy.
32:37How did Dustin
32:38ever let anyone
32:39but Juliet
32:39give birth
32:40to the Foster family's heir?
32:42Those grating words
32:43hit every nerve
32:44in his body
32:44like a hammer.
32:45Who tipped her off?
32:47Who let her mouth off
32:48like that?
32:49Dustin was boiling with rage.
32:50He was overwhelmed
32:51with fury.
32:52But just as fast,
32:54it all twisted into grief
32:55because he'd been
32:56right there the entire time.
32:57He'd been sitting
32:58right there
32:59but he hadn't stopped her,
33:00hadn't explained,
33:01hadn't cleared anything up.
33:02He always thought
33:03it wasn't too late.
33:04Dustin collapsed
33:05onto the floor
33:05as if his spirit
33:06had been ripped away.
33:07So she'd known everything
33:09from the very beginning.
33:11A chill running through him.
33:12He couldn't help
33:13but wonder
33:13how I had survived
33:14all those days facing him,
33:16carrying that secret.
33:17He remembered my smile
33:19which was empty,
33:20drained of all hope,
33:21like I'd already
33:22given up on everything.
33:23The expert said
33:24I'd already decided
33:25to end my life.
33:26I'd decide to die
33:28just like that!
33:30Sounding half crazy,
33:31half broken,
33:32rage, agony,
33:33and a kind of madness
33:35choked him
33:35until all he could do
33:37was laugh like a man
33:38who'd completely lost it.
33:40The delivery guy
33:41got so freaked out
33:42that he ran for his life.
33:43After the manic laughter
33:44died down,
33:45Dustin suddenly thought
33:46of the old prank streaming channel
33:47he'd abandoned ages ago
33:49and that one broadcast
33:50he'd blanked from his memory.
33:52He logged in
33:53and saw the homepage banner
33:54still bragging
33:55about his epic streak
33:56of a hundred pranks.
33:57He wasted no time,
33:59jumping right to number 99.
34:01There he was on stream
34:02talking about getting a vasectomy.
34:04Then,
34:04at another camera angle,
34:05I was clutching my stomach,
34:07my smile bleak and hopeless.
34:08He saw me calling
34:09to schedule an abortion.
34:11That same day,
34:12he'd been planning
34:13to get his vasectomy reversed.
34:14Thinking if we had a baby,
34:16he'd finally have an excuse
34:17to keep me with him for good.
34:18We had even agreed
34:19to go to the hospital
34:20together the next day
34:21and Dustin planned
34:22to tell me everything then.
34:23But,
34:23Juliet came back
34:24at just the right moment
34:25almost as if she'd
34:26timed it perfectly.
34:27I waited alone
34:28at the hospital
34:28until 10 o'clock
34:29then finally stepped
34:30into the operating room
34:31by myself.
34:32Someone captured
34:33every moment on camera.
34:34That was all part of a scheme
34:35they'd set up
34:36from the very beginning.
34:37Some people were even
34:38placing bets
34:39on whether it would be
34:39a boy or girl.
34:41Dustin's gaze landed again
34:42on that glass jar,
34:43his eyes burning red
34:44with fury.
34:45Just then,
34:45Juliet walked in.
34:47She carried a bowl
34:47of chicken soup
34:48she'd made herself.
34:49Dustin,
34:50I made you some chicken soup.
34:51Why don't you try some?
34:53She moved
34:54with a seductive grace,
34:55her neck and ears
34:56adorned with
34:56eye-catching jewelry.
34:58The moment she walked in,
34:59Dustin locked onto her
35:00like a predator
35:00stalking its prey.
35:02Juliet's cheeks flushed.
35:03She knew she looked
35:04stunning tonight,
35:05especially after dressing up
35:06just for him.
35:06Her heart pounded
35:08in her chest.
35:08She was already imagining
35:10the extravagant lifestyle
35:11waiting for her
35:11once she married
35:12into the foster family.
35:14Why did you come back?
35:15What?
35:16Juliet blinked in confusion.
35:18She genuinely hadn't
35:19caught what he said.
35:20Why'd you pick this moment
35:21to come back?
35:21You left.
35:22You could have just
35:22stayed gone and died out there.
35:24Why are you back now?
35:26Because I realized
35:27I still love you.
35:28Emily warned me
35:29that if I didn't come back,
35:30you'd really marry someone else.
35:32Emily!
35:33It was Emily again.
35:35Dustin savored her name
35:36with a sinister smirk
35:37twisting his lips.
35:39Juliet was truly terrified
35:41this time.
35:41Her knees buckled
35:42and she crumpled to the floor.
35:44Dustin's gaze fixed on her neck.
35:46He sprang up,
35:47wide-eyed and frozen
35:48as she watched his big hand
35:50reach for her throat.
35:51Suddenly,
35:51pain shot through her neck.
35:53The necklace was ripped away,
35:55leaving nothing but
35:55a thin, bloody line behind.
35:57Dustin held the necklace up,
35:58inspecting it closely.
36:00On the back,
36:00he saw the letters
36:01he'd carved himself.
36:02C.E.
36:03This belongs to Caroline.
36:05You don't deserve it.
36:06Dustin spat,
36:07his voice dripping with contempt.
36:09His gaze shifted back
36:10to Juliet's ears.
36:11She hurriedly pulled off the earring.
36:13I didn't ask for these.
36:14She mailed them to me.
36:15Dustin's movements stilled.
36:17Juliet took her chance
36:18and dashed out.
36:19Just outside,
36:20a bunch of people
36:21were waiting for her.
36:22Since you're already here,
36:23don't even think about
36:24getting away.
36:25You know exactly
36:26what you did behind my back.
36:27I'm not asking for much.
36:29Just that every bit of pain
36:30she went through,
36:31you'll feel it for yourselves.
36:32one after another.
36:33The next day,
36:34Dustin hauled the whole crowd
36:35down to the tunnel.
36:36Their families tried to interfere,
36:38but Dustin's iron-fisted fury
36:39shut them down instantly.
36:41In the end,
36:42the parents of those pampered,
36:43rich brats
36:44just told them to go
36:45atone for their sins.
36:47Greg Island might have been
36:48all sunshine and nice weather,
36:50but over here,
36:50snow was coming down like crazy.
36:52They were all still wearing
36:54those skimpy clothes
36:54from Greg Island,
36:55looking absolutely pathetic
36:57as they shook and shivered
36:59in the freezing wind.
37:00out of nowhere,
37:01someone dumped a whole bucket
37:02of icy water over their heads.
37:04Cold shot through them
37:05like a jolt,
37:06and with the wind howling,
37:07it felt like they were
37:08about to freeze solid
37:09right there.
37:10Dustin,
37:11have you completely lost it?
37:13His voice cracking
37:14with outrage and panic.
37:15The shouts and curses
37:17didn't spare Dustin.
37:18He got drenched
37:19in freezing water too,
37:20no mercy shown.
37:22His bucket was the biggest
37:23by far,
37:24packed with chunks of ice
37:25so cold that it could
37:26make his bones ache.
37:27Everyone just froze,
37:28mouth shut,
37:30too stunned to say
37:30a single word.
37:31They all believed
37:32Dustin had lost his mind
37:33and their hearts
37:34were jackhammering
37:35with fear.
37:36Nobody dared to cross him,
37:37terrified he'd suddenly
37:38lose it and take them out,
37:40all as some twisted tribute
37:42to me.
37:42For their first taste
37:43of payback,
37:44Dustin tossed them
37:45all out into the wilderness,
37:46leaving everyone,
37:47including himself,
37:48stranded in the mountains
37:49to survive on their own.
37:52Three days in,
37:53they couldn't hold out
37:55any longer.
37:56Everyone was at
37:57their breaking point.
37:58Dustin,
37:59how can you blame us?
38:00You were the one
38:01who wanted to set her up
38:02in the first place.
38:03Dustin whipped out a knife
38:05and to everyone's shock,
38:06sliced his own arm.
38:08Wait,
38:10wasn't it you
38:10who cut her that time?
38:11She got hurt
38:12because of you, right?
38:13It wasn't me!
38:15She made me do it!
38:17She always hated Caroline
38:18and she couldn't stand
38:19Drake picking Caroline
38:20over her from the beginning.
38:21She wanted Carol
38:22out of the picture for good!
38:24Then,
38:25when she saw you
38:26really falling for Caroline,
38:28she totally lost it
38:30and pushed us
38:31into doing those last
38:32three prank livestreams!
38:34Caroline's death?
38:35Seriously,
38:36that's not on us!
38:37Emily's the real reason
38:38it happened!
38:39Emily was already
38:40white as a ghost,
38:41blood dripping
38:41from Dustin's knife.
38:43Emily reeled backward,
38:44desperate and disheveled.
38:46If you hadn't
38:47turned a blind eye,
38:48do you think
38:48I'd have had the guts?
38:50Dustin,
38:51this is all your own fault!
38:52She threw her head back
38:53and laughed crazily
38:54as if she'd just found
38:55the ultimate justification.
38:57Yeah,
38:58it's all on you!
38:59All your fault!
39:00If you hadn't
39:01fooled Caroline
39:02into loving you,
39:03she never would have
39:04to suffer like this!
39:04It's you!
39:05It's always you!
39:06Dustin raised his hand
39:07and brought the blade
39:08down hard on Emily's arm.
39:09The strike was so vicious
39:11that the wound split open,
39:12all of this was being
39:13streamed live
39:14on that notorious prank website.
39:15That day,
39:16the sight was abruptly
39:17taken offline.
39:19Everyone was afraid
39:20things would turn deadly.
39:21No one wanted blood
39:22on their hands
39:22or to take the fall
39:23for what happened.
39:24After that,
39:25only Emily and Juliet
39:26ended up living in the tunnel.
39:28They survived on instant noodles
39:30day after day
39:31and the freezing winter
39:32turned the two young women
39:33into haggard,
39:35yellow-faced wrecks.
39:36No one dared to step in
39:37or plead for them.
39:38Nobody wanted to mess
39:39with a psycho like Dustin.
39:41The Blake family
39:42was furious at first,
39:43but Dustin's payback
39:44nearly brought them
39:45to bankruptcy.
39:46Dustin, Caroline's not dead!
39:48Dustin froze,
39:49instant noodles
39:50halfway open in his hand.
39:52She's in Zaporina!
39:53I've got proof!
39:55It was a grand reception,
39:56thrown in honor
39:57of my return.
39:58The Everett group
39:59hosted an opulent banquet
40:00to welcome me,
40:01their heiress, back.
40:02I wore an elegant evening gown,
40:05the bell of the ball
40:06surrounded by admiring guests
40:07like a true princess.
40:09Dustin lunged for the phone
40:10like a starving wolf,
40:11pressing his face
40:12up to the screen.
40:13Closer, closer.
40:15Desperate to break through
40:16and catch my scent
40:17as if he could step
40:18right into the moment
40:20and be with me again.
40:21Yes, it was me.
40:23After more than half a year
40:25of madness,
40:25Dustin finally saw me again.
40:27I was sitting in the garden,
40:29pruning the flowers.
40:30In the sunlight,
40:31I smiled like a fairy.
40:32I was more beautiful than ever,
40:34radiant and full of life,
40:36nothing like the haggard,
40:37desolate woman
40:38who used to be by his side.
40:39A tidal wave of heartache
40:41crashed over Dustin
40:42and his eyes instantly turned red.
40:44He wanted to confront me,
40:46to shout and demand
40:47why I hadn't come back,
40:48why I'd pretended to die
40:49and left him drowning in despair.
40:51But when Dustin saw me
40:52sitting peacefully in the garden,
40:54trimming the flowers
40:55as if nothing had happened,
40:56all the anger melted away.
40:57At that moment,
40:59nothing else mattered
41:00except that I was alive.
41:02But right at that moment,
41:03I turned around.
41:04I came toward him,
41:05my smile so dazzling
41:07that it could light up
41:07the whole room.
41:08For a second,
41:10Dustin went completely stiff,
41:11like someone had hit
41:12paws on his heart.
41:13Excuse me,
41:14who are you looking for?
41:16Dustin was at a loss for words.
41:18He instinctively glanced
41:19at the glass wall nearby
41:20and saw a man
41:21with an unkempt beard
41:22reflected there.
41:23He looked so haggard
41:25and ragged
41:25that he could have been
41:26mistaken for a drifter.
41:27At that moment,
41:28Dustin went silent
41:29and quickly turned aside,
41:30terrified I'd recognize him.
41:32Right then,
41:33he kicked himself
41:34for not bothering
41:35to fix up his appearance
41:36before seeing me.
41:37The last thing he wanted
41:38was to leave me
41:39with that sloppy impression.
41:40I always said
41:41I was into his face.
41:43Carol,
41:43what are you doing?
41:45Strolling over
41:46with a bunch of
41:46fresh flowers in hand.
41:48He'd just picked them
41:49right out of the garden,
41:50still dewy from the morning.
41:51Dustin instantly recognized him,
41:53a regular on the Forbes list,
41:55born into privilege,
41:56and the Everett's favorite pick
41:57for their little princess's
41:58future husband.
41:59For the first time,
42:01Dustin felt like
42:01he didn't even belong
42:02in the same league.
42:03For the first time,
42:04he was scared
42:05I might start sizing him up
42:06against that guy.
42:07For the first time,
42:08he was afraid
42:09he'd come up short in my eyes.
42:10How could he ever hope to compete?
42:12Dustin was seriously freaking out.
42:14Who is he?
42:17Just someone who doesn't matter.
42:19I knew him instantly.
42:20Even if he'd faded into dust,
42:22I would still recognize Dustin
42:23in a heartbeat.
42:24But then,
42:25he was nothing more
42:26than someone I had nothing
42:27to do with anymore.
42:28Some memories were far too bitter
42:30to revisit,
42:31so I left them buried
42:32in the past.
42:33Dustin's heart,
42:34which just moments ago
42:35had been pounding with hope,
42:37now sank to the very depths,
42:39like it had been dragged
42:40straight into an abyss.
42:41He realized, painfully,
42:43that the man he was now
42:44didn't deserve me anymore,
42:46not even close.
42:47And honestly,
42:48he knew I'd never forgive him,
42:50not in this life,
42:51not ever.
42:52Just as I'd said,
42:53I would vanish from his world forever,
42:55like I'd turned and walked away,
42:57never to look back.
42:58After returning home,
42:59Dustin went downhill quickly.
43:01But he didn't waste time
43:02blaming fate
43:02or plotting revenge.
43:04Instead,
43:04he acquired the Blake Group
43:06and several other companies,
43:07turning his own
43:08into the one true giant
43:10in the field.
43:11Deep down,
43:11he was fueled
43:12by a stubborn drive.
43:13He had to climb,
43:14to improve,
43:15to stand taller
43:16than anyone else.
43:17Because sometimes,
43:18he feared that if he stopped,
43:19one day,
43:20he couldn't even look up
43:21at me from afar.
43:22And that was the year
43:23I got married.
43:23When Dustin heard the news,
43:25it felt like his whole world
43:26had shattered.
43:27A thunderbolt
43:28straight to the heart.
43:29How could she just marry someone?
43:31Dustin said,
43:31disbelief and bitterness
43:32swirling in his mind.
43:34How could she possibly
43:35end up with someone else?
43:37Dustin raced to the wedding
43:38in a wild frenzy,
43:39but just as he was about
43:40to step inside,
43:40he faltered,
43:41his courage collapsing
43:42all at once,
43:43leaving him paralyzed
43:44at the threshold.
43:45That day,
43:46I stood center stage
43:47in a breathtaking couture gown,
43:49graceful,
43:50radiant,
43:51and impossibly elegant
43:52as every eye in the room
43:54turned to me.
43:54The very instant
43:55Dustin appeared,
43:57I met his gaze,
43:58turning to look
43:58right at him.
43:59Dustin imagined
44:00I'd be heartbroken
44:01or maybe burning
44:02with anger.
44:03He figured I might
44:04look at him
44:05with biting sarcasm
44:06or shoot him
44:06that cold,
44:07mocking smile
44:08he'd come to dread.
44:09Dustin waited,
44:10hoping for something more,
44:12but I didn't lose it.
44:13Instead,
44:14I simply nodded at him,
44:16treating him
44:16no differently
44:17than any other guest
44:18at the ceremony.
44:19In that instant,
44:20Dustin knew
44:20it was all over
44:21and that he was
44:22already part of my past.
44:24He even blew a fortune
44:25on a private investigator
44:26to keep tabs on my marriage,
44:27desperate to find
44:28any trace of misery,
44:30disappointment,
44:31or regret in my new life.
44:32However,
44:33to his dismay,
44:34it turned out
44:35I made the right choice.
44:36This time,
44:37I was truly happy.
44:39Three years into my marriage,
44:40I gave birth to a baby.
44:42Both families celebrated
44:43like crazy
44:44when the baby was born.
44:45When Dustin saw me
44:46cradling the baby,
44:47my whole face shining
44:48with motherly love,
44:49he felt a sharp sting
44:51in his eyes
44:51and that day,
44:52Dustin couldn't stop
44:53rummaging through
44:54our old memories.
44:55By accident,
44:56he stumbled upon a box
44:57tucked away in his Maybach.
44:59Inside was a Patek Philippe watch.
45:01The moment Dustin laid eyes on it,
45:03he knew exactly what it was.
45:04It was impossible to forget.
45:06Tucked beneath the watch
45:07was a pregnancy test report.
45:08He finally realized
45:10that I actually tried
45:11to give him a chance.
45:12Tears streamed down his face
45:14as Dustin clutched
45:15that Patek Philippe watch,
45:16sobbing uncontrollably.
45:17He cried for everything
45:19he'd ever lost.
45:20He cried for every regret
45:21that could never be undone.
45:23Slowly,
45:24he began to come to terms with it,
45:26accepting everything
45:27that had happened.
45:28I was happy in my new life
45:30and he knew it was time
45:31to stop clinging to old dreams
45:32or messing with my world.
45:33Maybe letting go
45:34was the last shred
45:35of decency he had left.
45:37He'd thought about forgetting me,
45:39about trying to move on
45:40and live his own life.
45:41But out of all the people
45:42in this huge world,
45:43there was no one,
45:45absolutely no one,
45:46who'd stick with him
45:47through thick and thin,
45:48who'd eat cheap noodles
45:49and live in a tunnel with him
45:51just to be by his side.
45:52Even when he had casual flings
45:54and some woman came knocking,
45:55claiming she was pregnant,
45:56he felt absolutely nothing.
45:58Not happiness,
45:59not anger.
46:00His mind kept replaying
46:02the image of that tiny life
46:03preserved in a cold glass jar.
46:05That child was ours,
46:07his and my own flesh and blood.
46:10That child was supposed
46:11to be proof of our love,
46:12the start of the life
46:13we'd dreamed of together.
46:14And he was the one
46:16who threw it all away.
46:18After that,
46:18he stopped fighting it.
46:20He accepted it.
46:21By the time he looked back,
46:22his hair had gone gray.
46:24One day,
46:25he collapsed right there
46:26in his office.
46:27His secretary found him
46:28and rushed him to the hospital.
46:30He realized he'd drifted
46:31through most of his life
46:32and it felt like
46:33he'd never really lived.
46:34After getting out of the hospital,
46:36Dustin let go of all his authority
46:37and retreated to Great Island
46:39to live out the rest of his days.
46:41Great Island had once been meant
46:42as a wedding gift for me.
46:44But after years of neglect,
46:45it had become wild and overgrown,
46:46lonely and forlorn,
46:47just like his heart.
46:49He made up his mind
46:50to finally transform it
46:51to give it a true purpose.
46:53The first thing he did
46:54was change the name.
46:55Grek Island became True Love.
47:00He packed the place
47:01with all my favorite flowers
47:03and planted nothing but the fruits
47:04and veggies I always loved to eat.
47:07He opened the island to visitors
47:08and secretly dreamed that
47:10Maybe someday she'll come.
47:13Many years later,
47:14a private jet touched down
47:15on the island.
47:16For our 30th anniversary,
47:18my husband went all out
47:19and reserved the entire heart shape.
47:22I finally come back.
47:27The island had changed so much
47:29that I couldn't even recognize it anymore.
47:32They say this whole place
47:33was built by an old man
47:34with a heart that just wouldn't give up.
47:37He spent his whole life here
47:39waiting for the one he loved
47:41to come back.
47:41Turns out there really are people
47:43in this world who love that deeply.
47:45I said quietly,
47:46a hint of wonder in my voice.
47:48I sighed,
47:49genuinely moved by the story.
47:51In the middle of the flower beds,
47:53the old man straightened up
47:54and all of a sudden,
47:55he saw that familiar figure
47:56he'd been longing to see for years.
48:03Sir, what kind of flowers
48:04are you planting?
48:07She stumbled over
48:08on her chubby little legs,
48:09probably around three years old,
48:11nothing but innocence
48:12and wonder in her eyes.
48:14Actually, this isn't a flower.
48:16It's a blueberry bush.
48:18Blueberries were one
48:19of my all-time favorite treats.
48:21I'd always dreamed of growing
48:22whole patches of blueberries myself.
48:24And this year,
48:25Dustin found a special new variety
48:27and cleared out space to plant them.
48:29Everyone said this kind
48:30tasted sweeter than ever.
48:32He hoped more than anything
48:33that I would love them.
48:35Dustin's gaze softened
48:37as he watched me come toward him.
48:38Even well into my 50s,
48:40I was still elegant and stunning,
48:42not a sign of...
48:43Freya, let's go!
48:44Weren't you just telling me
48:46how hungry you were?
48:47I teased my granddaughter,
48:49my voice full of affection.
48:51Hearing my call,
48:52Freya quickly ran back towards me
48:53on her chubby little legs.
48:55I nodded gratefully
48:56to the flower-growing old man.
48:58Say goodbye, Freya.
48:59Freya waved her little hand
49:00at Dustin.
49:01Goodbye!
49:02The words stumbling out
49:04just like any sweet, shy toddler.
49:06Dustin watched
49:07as we disappeared
49:08into the distance
49:09and for the first time in years,
49:11something sent gentle ripples
49:12through the quiet lake
49:13of his heart.
49:14This time,
49:15I genuinely didn't recognize him.
49:17Maybe in the end,
49:18we were always meant
49:19to go our separate ways,
49:20just strangers
49:21passing each other by.
49:22Bye!
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