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00:00Juliette Sommers walked out of the detention centre and went straight home.
00:06The first thing she did was hand Emerson Hensley the divorce papers.
00:11Emerson, I want a divorce.
00:13She said,
00:14Since we lost the baby's no-custody battle to worry about,
00:17the lawyers can handle dividing the assets.
00:19I'm not asking for anything more than what's mine.
00:21After signing the papers and waiting for the finalisation, we are done.
00:25Juliette's eyes were hollow, her voice flat and emotionless as she spoke.
00:30The moment Juliette finished, Emerson didn't even bother responding.
00:34He shot her a quick, dismissive glance and scrawled his signature on the papers.
00:39Just then, Lillian calls.
00:41Your stomach's still hurting? Hang on. I'll be right down to get you.
00:46Okay, okay, I won't hang up. I'm here with you.
00:49Emerson murmured soothingly.
00:51After signing, he grabbed his coat and rushed out.
00:53Right before leaving, he finally glanced at Juliette, barely sparing her a look.
00:59You're fresh out of holding. Go clean yourself up.
01:05From now on, leave the contracts and the study.
01:07Don't bother bringing them one by one. It's a household.
01:11Oh, and Lillian's back.
01:12I'm heading downstairs to get her now.
01:14She'll be staying with us, same as before.
01:16I don't want anything like that poisoning accident happening again.
01:19Understood?
01:24Even after Emerson walked out, Juliette stared at the divorce papers,
01:28lost in thought and almost amused by the sheer absurdity of it all.
01:32Five years of marriage and Emerson couldn't even be bothered to notice it was ending.
01:37He was more worried about warning her not to hurt the other woman.
01:41Juliette figured there was no point in dwelling on it.
01:44The ending wouldn't change, and he never cared anyway.
01:48She tucked the papers away and dialed a number.
01:53Mrs. Summers, have you made your decision?
01:56Mr. Owens, I accept your offer.
01:59The acquisition of my apothecary's formulas and my joining your company.
02:03But I'll need a few days.
02:04There are some personal matters I need to wrap up.
02:07Just then, Emerson walked in, carrying Lillian in his arms.
02:10He shot Juliette a glance.
02:12Why are you still up? Your little apothecary keeping you that busy?
02:15The sickly, sweet scent of perfume flooded the room,
02:19and Juliette's nose wrinkled in disgust.
02:22Yeah. Busy.
02:26But Lillian, who'd been watching her like a hawk since she walked in, suddenly spoke up.
02:32Juliette, are you still mad at me?
02:34Lillian lifted her eyes, aiming that practiced, pitiful look straight at her.
02:40I never meant to accuse you of poisoning me last time.
02:43It was Emerson.
02:44He got so worried, he completely twisted my words.
02:48By the time I came to my senses, you were already locked up.
02:51I'm so, so sorry.
02:54Can you forgive me?
02:55She gestured toward a maid carrying a bag full of salt.
02:58I asked them to set this up for you.
03:00Throwing salt on you will wash away all the bad luck.
03:04Can we still be like friends?
03:06Let's try to get along from now on, okay?
03:08Lillian reached for Juliette's hand, motioning for the maid to bring the salt closer.
03:13Juliette stared at the salt.
03:15She pulled her hand back sharply and shook her head.
03:18No thanks, I'll pass.
03:19I'm not feeling well.
03:21I'm going to bed.
03:23Lillian's face crumpled.
03:25Wow, Juliette.
03:26You really can't stand me, can you?
03:28I had all this specially prepared for you.
03:31Juliette didn't have the energy left to play along.
03:33She started walking away, but Emerson caught her arm.
03:39Seriously, Juliana, do you always have to kill the mood?
03:42You poisoned Lillian out of jealousy.
03:44I'm the one who had you arrested.
03:46If you've got a problem with anyone, take it out on me, not her.
03:49She's only trying to help you get rid of the bad luck.
03:51Why are you Icies her out?
03:53Apologize to Lillian.
03:55Now.
03:57She closed her eyes.
03:59I'm not apologizing.
04:01And if I'm such a buzzkill, I'll move out as soon as I can.
04:04For a second, Emerson looked caught off guard.
04:07Then his face darkened with rage.
04:10He clenched his jaw and snapped.
04:13You just never learn.
04:15Just then, it started pouring.
04:18Then dragged her outside into the yard.
04:21Ignoring the pouring rain, he shut her out.
04:25Cool off out here.
04:28Don't come back until you've actually thought things through.
04:31If you can't figure it out, then don't bother coming back at all.
04:35Face flushed with anger, he spun around and locked the gate behind her.
04:42Julieta was wearing only a thin nightgown when she was shoved out into the yard.
04:47The downpour instantly soaked her to the bone.
04:51Shivering uncontrollably, she pounded on the gate.
04:55Emerson, please open the gate.
04:57Let me get inside.
04:58But Lillian clutched her stomach and said something Julieta couldn't hear.
05:02Emerson scooped her up and carried her upstairs without a second glance.
05:05For two hours, Julieta kept pounding on the door until her palms were raw and her voice was hoarse.
05:12But no one paid her any attention.
05:15Finally, Julieta gave up struggling.
05:17She curled up in the corner, drained and powerless.
05:20With what little strength she had left, Julieta desperately pulled off the ill-fitting wedding ring and flung it into
05:28the muddy ground.
05:29As her consciousness faded, Julieta's mind drifted back to a long time ago.
05:34The Summers family had been doctors for generations.
05:37Her parents had once saved Emerson's father's life.
05:40After her parents passed away, Julieta took over the family apothecary and became the Hensley family's doctor.
05:47From the very first moment she saw Emerson, Julieta had fallen for him.
05:53But back then, Emerson was already with Lillian.
05:57They were childhood sweethearts, first loves and completely devoted to each other.
06:03Julieta had always had a secret crush on Emerson, never expecting anything in return.
06:10But in the fifth year of their relationship, after Emerson successfully proposed and they were preparing for the wedding,
06:16Lillian disappeared overseas without a trace.
06:19Emerson was left in shambles, unable to find her, no matter how hard he tried.
06:25As his family doctor, Julieta would drop by every now and then to treat his cuts, bruises, stomach aches and
06:32headaches.
06:33Finally, one day, Emerson asked her if she had feelings for him.
06:38Do you have feelings for me, Julieta?
06:45I want us to give each other a chance.
06:49Four years of secret longing, three years of dating and five years of marriage.
06:54Julieta poured 12 years of her life into this.
06:57It was only then that Emerson finally started to notice her allergies,
07:02remembered she was deaf in her left ear and realized her legs would ache whenever it rained.
07:10Only then did he begin to cancel all his work, staying by her side without even changing out of his
07:16clothes.
07:17Whenever she was sick, he even learned how to massage her legs, just so he could help her sleep better
07:23every time it rained.
07:24She could see the love in his eyes grow deeper, day by day as he cared for her more and
07:29more.
07:30She watched as Lillian gradually faded from his life as she became the only one in his eyes and as
07:37their little family was about to welcome a new member.
07:39By then, Julieta had gone through six rounds of IVF treatments and finally managed to get pregnant after all that
07:51hardship.
07:51But on her way to see Emerson, a speeding sports car came out of nowhere and hit her, throwing her
07:58into the guardrail.
07:59She miscarried on the spot, her life hanging by a thread.
08:03On the way to the hospital, Julieta mustered the last of her strength to beg the nurse to call Emerson,
08:09hoping he'd come to see the baby she'd fought for over four years, even if it was for a final
08:16goodbye.
08:25After five hours in the operating room, the doctors managed to pull Julieta back from the jaws of death.
08:32But they had to perform a total hysterectomy.
08:36She would never be able to have children again.
08:40When she finally woke up from the anesthesia, Julieta was emotionally shattered.
08:44In her desperation, she tried reaching out to Emerson again, hoping he'd show up for her.
08:51But every time she called, his phone went straight to voicemail, no matter what she did.
08:56She couldn't get through to him.
08:58Julieta kept telling herself there had to be a reason.
09:01Maybe Emerson was swamped with work.
09:04Maybe he was traveling.
09:06Maybe he was sick.
09:07But then a friend told her the truth.
09:10He was at the hospital, taking care of his first love.
09:14Lillian had caught a cold and he didn't want anyone disturbing her while she rested.
09:18So he turned off his phone and devoted himself completely to her.
09:22Julieta couldn't recall how she reacted.
09:25Her right ear, the only one she could still hear with,
09:28was filled with nothing but a sharp, relentless ringing.
09:32She spent two weeks in the hospital, but Emerson never visited.
09:37Not a single call was returned.
09:40When Julieta finally came home, the first thing she saw was Emerson at their bedside,
09:47feeding medicine to Lillian, who lay in their bed.
09:50No explanation, no response.
09:53When Emerson turned to face her, the tenderness in his eyes disappeared instantly.
09:58In that moment, Julieta realized the seven-year relationship she had forced together was over.
10:05But before Julieta could even make up her mind to leave him,
10:09Lillian suddenly claimed her stomach hurt.
10:11You poisoned her out of jealousy, didn't you?
10:14I never put anything harmful in the soup.
10:17Accused Julieta of poisoning Lillian and sent her straight to jail.
10:21I want a divorce! I didn't poison anyone!
10:24Get yourself together and pay for your mistake.
10:26Lillian had her stomach pumped and was officially deemed to have suffered only a minor injury.
10:33Julieta had miscarried and hadn't even finished her post-miscarriage recovery
10:37before she was detained for 15 days.
10:41Julieta finally understood that what was not hers could never be hers.
10:46Letting go was the only thing she could do now.
10:50The icy rain pelted Julieta mercilessly, but her whole body burned with fever,
10:56making it impossible for her to even open her eyes.
10:59Just when she thought she was about to die,
11:03Emerson's voice suddenly cut through the storm.
11:08With a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit,
11:12Julieta was rushed to the hospital.
11:14Groggily waking up in the middle of the night,
11:16Julieta saw Emerson sitting by her bedside,
11:20gently massaging her legs,
11:22his eyes full of guilt and remorse.
11:26By the time she was fully awake,
11:28two days had already passed.
11:30When Emerson saw her open her eyes,
11:32he rushed to get the doctor.
11:35After making sure she was out of danger,
11:37he finally let out a long breath.
11:41Your fever's gone.
11:42Is there any part that still hurts?
11:43I know I messed up a couple of days ago.
11:45I wanted you to take some time to reflect.
11:47I never meant to keep you locked up for so long.
11:49Even when Lillian suddenly said she wasn't feeling well...
11:51You don't have to explain.
11:52It doesn't matter to me.
11:53Julieta interrupted him, her voice raspy.
11:56I'm okay now.
11:57If you have things to do, you can leave.
12:00Emerson was caught off guard.
12:02Julieta used to whine and seek his attention
12:04over the tiniest aches and pains.
12:07But now, after nearly ending up in the ICU,
12:10she stayed silent.
12:12This was what he'd always wanted,
12:14but now that she'd really become like this,
12:18she felt an unexpected ache in his heart.
12:21He was about to say he wasn't busy when his phone rang again.
12:25He glanced at the screen and saw it was Lillian,
12:28so he hurriedly answered.
12:29As soon as Emerson left,
12:31the nurse came in and,
12:33seeing how pale Julieta was,
12:35gave her a piece of her mind.
12:37You really don't care about yourself, do you?
12:39You had a miscarriage less than a month ago,
12:42didn't even take any time to rest,
12:43and now you've been out in the rain and burning up with a thieve.
12:45If they hadn't got you fast,
12:47you might not have made it.
12:47That car accident and miscarriage left some serious damage to your body.
12:51The nurse said as the door opened again.
12:53What serious damage?
12:55Julieta, are you feeling any discomfort?
12:57Should I arrange a full examination for you?
12:59No need.
13:00Once the drip is finished, I can be discharged.
13:02This time, Emerson didn't leave.
13:05He stayed with Julieta through the entire IV drip,
13:09only heading back together once it was done.
13:11Once Julieta got home,
13:13she headed straight upstairs to rest.
13:15She hadn't been asleep for long before the sound of hushed voices
13:18and people rummaging through things woke her up.
13:21Emerson is really important to me.
13:23I have to find it,
13:24Lillian said,
13:25her voice trembling.
13:27I'm not saying Julieta took it.
13:29It's just that the ring was your proposal gift to me,
13:31and she still hung up on what happened between us.
13:34Lillian continued softly.
13:35Before she even finished speaking,
13:37Lillian suddenly burst into tears,
13:38each drop rolling down her cheeks,
13:41making her look so pitiful and helpless.
13:43Emerson couldn't help but feel moved and kept searching.
13:47Emerson didn't flinch when Julieta woke up.
13:50He said,
13:50If you didn't take it, there's nothing to worry about.
13:53Lillian rummaged through the closet,
13:54the nightstand, and even looked under the bed.
13:56And finally, she was about to search Julieta's bed too.
14:00With a furrowed brow,
14:01Julieta swatted Lillian's hand aside.
14:04It was barely a touch,
14:05but Lillian letting out a shriek and toppling backward.
14:08Julieta, if you didn't steal anything,
14:10what are you so afraid of?
14:11Wasn't poisoning me enough for you?
14:12Now you're going to hit her right in front of me?
14:14Emerson pushed hard,
14:15and Julieta had no defense.
14:17She was slammed into the cabinet,
14:19and the photo she'd treasured for five years by her bedside
14:22fell with her,
14:24shattered glass splintering everywhere.
14:27Julieta stared at her hands,
14:28blood dripping from her palms,
14:30her face frozen in shock.
14:32Emerson's words echoed in her head,
14:34each one twisting like a knife in her chest.
14:36He bent down to help her up,
14:39but Julieta was faster.
14:40Ignoring the shards digging into her skin,
14:43she scooped up the broken photo
14:44and dropped it straight into the trash.
14:47Julieta, what the hell are you doing?
14:48You can't throw a fit like this.
14:50That photo meant everything to you.
14:52Why would you toss it?
14:53He reached into the trash,
14:55brushed off the glass and dust,
14:59God, you're so dramatic.
15:01and set the photo back on the nightstand.
15:03He opened his mouth to say more,
15:05but Julieta stared at him
15:07with that hollow, indifferent look,
15:09not even flinching at the blood
15:11seeping through her fingers.
15:13For some reason,
15:14it made his chest tighten.
15:16A knock at the door broke the silence.
15:19The maid said she'd found
15:20a few pieces of jewelry scattered in the yard.
15:23She wasn't sure if they belonged to Lillian.
15:26Emerson and Lillian exchanged a look,
15:28both visibly uncomfortable.
15:32Julieta swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat,
15:35her voice barely a whisper.
15:36Is that enough?
15:39After they finally left,
15:40Julieta barely had a moment to breathe
15:42before her phone rang.
15:44She wiped her bloody hands on her shirt
15:46and answered.
15:48Miss Summers,
15:49since your sixth IVF attempt was unsuccessful,
15:52would you like to schedule a seventh?
15:53Your last round ended in miscarriage,
15:56which took a serious toll on your uterus.
15:58Future attempts will be more difficult.
16:00If you're considering trying again,
16:02you'll need to be mentally prepared.
16:04No more rounds.
16:05I'll settle what I owe,
16:06and please don't contact my husband about this.
16:09She hung up
16:10and didn't even notice
16:11Emerson had slipped back into the room
16:14until he spoke.
16:15What do you mean don't contact me?
16:16He'd grabbed the first aid kit
16:18and was already reaching for her hand,
16:20starting to clean the cuts.
16:21Is something going on at the apothetary?
16:23Money problems?
16:25If you need anything, tell me.
16:27I'm not going to let you struggle.
16:29Before she could answer,
16:30he stopped mid-motion.
16:32Where's your wedding ring?
16:33He'd felt like something was off lately,
16:35and only now, bandaging her hand,
16:38did he realize it was gone.
16:39She never took it off.
16:41Not once, since their wedding day.
16:43He didn't know why she took it off now
16:45without a word.
16:47Julieta thought of that ring
16:48buried somewhere in the muddy yard,
16:50and her eyes turned bitter.
16:52Lost it.
16:53It never fit right anyway.
16:55It was only a matter of time.
16:57Doesn't matter anymore.
17:00Emerson's jaw tightened.
17:02If even the wedding ring didn't matter,
17:04he didn't know what did.
17:06He started to say something,
17:07but when she tried to pull away,
17:09he held on.
17:10Don't move.
17:11Let me take care of your wound.
17:12He cleaned the cuts carefully,
17:14and when she winced,
17:15his touch softened.
17:17He even blew gently on the cuts
17:19as he wrapped the bandage.
17:21The concern in his eyes looked real.
17:24A year ago,
17:25Julieta might have mistaken it for love,
17:27but she was done fooling herself.
17:30She looked away,
17:31pulled her hand back once he finished and muttered,
17:35I'm tired.
17:36Then she turned her back to him and went to bed,
17:39shutting him out completely.
17:41Early the next morning,
17:43Julieta stopped by her apothecary.
17:45When she got home,
17:47the sharp sound of breaking glass stopped her cold.
17:50She looked up,
17:52and through the window,
17:53saw a swarm of workers inside her apothecary,
17:56smashing jars and dumping bottles,
17:59while Lillian barked orders,
18:00empty every single one.
18:03Once you're done,
18:04haul it all out and burn that pile over there.
18:07Take everything.
18:09Don't leave a thing.
18:10Julieta's heart dropped.
18:12Her dried herbs were scattered across the floor.
18:14Her collection of glass jars lay in pieces,
18:17and every medicine powder she carefully mixed
18:20had been dumped out.
18:21Nothing remained.
18:22Rage surged through her,
18:24making her whole body tremble.
18:26Stop right now!
18:27Julieta's voice cut through the chaos,
18:29cold and sharp.
18:32Lillian, who said you could touch my things?
18:35I told you how important this shop is to me.
18:39Who do you think you are?
18:41The workers glanced between them,
18:44unsure,
18:44but ultimately kept at it,
18:46ignoring her.
18:48Lillian smiled,
18:49with small innocence,
18:51like she genuinely couldn't see the problem.
18:54Julieta, don't get upset.
18:57I had a stomachache last night,
18:58and Emerson was worried you might try to poison me again.
19:02So he told them to clear everything out.
19:04It's really not a big deal.
19:06Emerson said he'll support you anyway,
19:08so whether you're a doctor or keep your apatarian open doesn't make a difference.
19:12Julieta went pale.
19:34Julieta was still pale and reeling when the acrid smell of smoke hit her.
19:38She spun around and saw a heap of tinkers and clothes smoldering in the yard.
19:44Little outfits she'd bought for the baby that never came.
19:47Every IVF record,
19:49every pregnancy test,
19:51every shred of hope,
19:52all of it curling into ash.
19:55Lillian smiled sweetly.
19:56Julieta,
19:57I'm trying to help.
19:59You've been through six rounds of IVF and still have no baby.
20:04Holding on to all of this is only making it worse.
20:08Emerson told me it's post-traumatic stress.
20:12You need to let go and stop forcing things.
20:15Why not clear it all out?
20:17Out of sight,
20:18out of mind.
20:18The words hit Julieta like a slap.
20:21Emerson had told her everything.
20:24That trauma went back to her child.
20:26She nearly bled out on the operating table.
20:28It was the shadow that had followed her for years.
20:31And she trusted Emerson with it.
20:34Only him.
20:35He'd promised to keep it safe.
20:37Promised nothing would ever hurt her again.
20:41He'd lied.
20:42The strength drained out of her.
20:45Even standing felt impossible.
20:47She turned to leave.
20:49And there he was.
20:51Emerson stood frozen in the doorway,
20:53still holding the cake he'd brought for Lillian.
20:56He'd heard everything.
20:58Guilt flickered across his face.
21:00But he didn't stop Lillian.
21:02Didn't defend Julieta.
21:03Didn't say a word.
21:05She expected to feel rage.
21:07Instead all she felt was a hollow, mocking numbness.
21:11Julieta?
21:12Lillian's right.
21:13Lillian's right.
21:14Better to clear it all out.
21:16I'm fine.
21:17There's nothing to talk about.
21:18Back in her room,
21:19she didn't waste a second.
21:21She called George Owens.
21:22He picked up immediately.
21:25Mr. Owens,
21:26when can we sign?
21:27Sooner is better.
21:28I'm ready whenever you are.
21:30Mrs. Summers,
21:30the contract is ready.
21:32Come by tomorrow at two.
21:33Does that work?
21:34She forced herself to sound steady.
21:36I'll be there.
21:40Julieta,
21:41where are you going?
21:42Apothetary stuff.
21:43Her flat tone clearly bothered him.
21:46But he knew he'd screwed up.
21:47So he tried to smooth things over,
21:50awkwardly changing the subject.
21:52You said you lost your wedding ring.
21:54Had this custom made for you.
21:55Try it on.
21:56He reached for her hand,
21:58but she barely glanced at the diamond
22:00before pulling away.
22:01Just leave it.
22:03It won't fit.
22:04How do you know?
22:05You haven't even tried it.
22:06It was made for you.
22:08If it doesn't fit,
22:09I'll have it fixed.
22:10His jaw tightened.
22:11Or is there something else going on?
22:13Julieta carefully packed away
22:15the last of her herbs.
22:16You're reading too much into it.
22:18I work with herbs every day.
22:19A ring gets in the way.
22:21Leave it aside.
22:22It doesn't matter.
22:23Emerson couldn't understand
22:24why it didn't matter anymore
22:25and why she could do everything.
22:28Lillian's voice floated in
22:29from the living room,
22:30reminding him about the art show.
22:32He swallowed his frustration.
22:36Lillian's exhibition opens tonight.
22:37She can't manage alone,
22:38so I'm going to help.
22:39I'll be back late.
22:41If you're tired,
22:42go to bed.
22:42Don't wait up.
22:43He grabbed his coat and was gone.
22:44Once the door clicked shut,
22:46Julieta calmly started packing.
22:49There was nothing left
22:50worth keeping here.
22:52Just her clothes and her herbs.
22:54Everything else could stay.
22:57But packing was harder
22:58than she'd thought.
22:59Five years of marriage
23:01meant their lives were tangled
23:02together in every corner.
23:04After the wedding,
23:05she'd filled this house
23:07with warm, cozy things,
23:09matching mugs,
23:10paired towels,
23:11side-by-side pillows.
23:13She didn't want any of it,
23:15so she packed it all up,
23:16sealed the boxes
23:17and tucked them away
23:18in the storage room.
23:20After dragging the last box of clutter
23:22into the storage,
23:24Julieta's eyes landed
23:26on the wedding photo
23:27hanging in the living room.
23:28She'd been the one
23:30who insisted
23:30on taking it.
23:32Emerson had been swamped
23:34with work back then
23:35and she'd had to beg him
23:37for weeks
23:37to get him to agree.
23:39Once the framed photo arrived,
23:41she treated it
23:42like a treasure.
23:44She hung it
23:45in the most prominent spot
23:46in the living room
23:47and dusted it
23:48every single day,
23:50terrified
23:50that even a speck
23:52might settle on it.
23:54She stared at her own
23:55unhappy, smiling face
23:57in the photo
23:58for a long moment.
23:59Then she reached up
24:00and took it down.
24:01She was sliding it
24:03into a box
24:03when a commotion
24:04erupted at the front door.
24:06She turned
24:07and found herself trapped
24:09in Emerson's
24:10stormy glare.
24:11Julieta,
24:12what are you doing,
24:12taking down the wedding photo?
24:14You've already cleared out
24:15half the house!
24:15What the hell is going on?!
24:17She shrugged,
24:18brushing off his irritation.
24:19You said being in prison
24:20brings bad luck, right?
24:22I'm swapping things out,
24:24getting rid of the bad Jiju.
24:25If you think the place
24:27looks too empty,
24:28feel free to fill it up
24:29with things you
24:30and Lillian like.
24:31She sidestepped him
24:32and dragged the box
24:34toward the storage room
24:35without looking back.
24:36Emerson stood there
24:38watching her go,
24:39a storm of conflicting emotions
24:41swirling in his chest.
24:43He kept feeling like
24:45something precious
24:46was slipping
24:47through his fingers,
24:49something he couldn't name
24:50and didn't know
24:51how to hold on to.
24:53The ache in his chest
24:55tightened,
24:56leaving him
24:57restless and uneasy.
24:59The next day,
25:00Julieta arrived early
25:01at the Owens Group building.
25:04Once you sign,
25:05the apapetary
25:06and its formulas
25:07become part of the Owens Group.
25:08You keep 20% strake.
25:10The group wants to expand
25:11into traditional medicine.
25:13We'll be opening
25:13more clinics and hospitals.
25:15You'll be running the show
25:16for all of it.
25:18Look it over.
25:19If everything's in order,
25:21sign,
25:21and we'll get started
25:22on the paperwork.
25:24We need you on board
25:25within the week.
25:26Julieta read through
25:27the acquisition contract
25:28carefully.
25:29When she was satisfied,
25:31she signed her name
25:32and extended her hand
25:34to George.
25:36Looking forward
25:37to working with you.
25:39George made a quick call
25:40and a secretary appeared
25:42to walk Julieta
25:43through the onboarding paperwork.
25:45The woman was
25:46lightning fast.
25:48From start to finish,
25:50it took barely
25:51half an hour
25:51to finalize everything
25:53and confirm
25:54Julieta's position.
25:56As Julieta stepped out
25:58of the Owens Group building,
26:00her phone buzzed.
26:01A group of friends
26:02had invited her out
26:03for drinks at a bar.
26:06Back when she'd been
26:07obsessed with playing
26:08the perfect wife,
26:09she'd turned down
26:10so many girls' nights out,
26:12but her friends
26:13never stopped
26:14inviting her.
26:15This time,
26:16she said yes.
26:19She'd had a miscarriage,
26:21so drinking was
26:21off the table.
26:22But before she could
26:23even explain,
26:24a wave of loud,
26:26drunken cheers
26:27erupted from
26:28a nearby table.
26:29Julieta glanced over
26:30and her eyes
26:31instantly locked
26:32onto the scene.
26:33Sitting a few tables
26:34away were
26:35Emerson and Lillian,
26:36surrounded by a group
26:37of Emerson's friends
26:38whom she recognized.
26:40The crowd was
26:41hooting and hollering,
26:42egging them on
26:43as they linked arms
26:44for some kind
26:45of lover's toast.
26:48You two are still
26:49this crazy about each other
26:50after all these years.
26:51How are you not
26:52back together already?
26:55Emerson,
26:56I want a seat
26:57at the head table.
26:59When you propose,
27:00I'm totally
27:01catching the bouquet,
27:02and when you get married,
27:04I'm definitely
27:04the one handing you
27:06the ring.
27:07Thank you for
27:07the necklace,
27:08Emerson.
27:09I absolutely love it.
27:10I heard it used to be
27:12the diamond
27:12from your wedding ring
27:13with Julieta.
27:14Good thing you had
27:15a new one made.
27:16Otherwise,
27:16I would have felt
27:17terrible taking it.
27:18I'll keep it safe,
27:19like the ring you gave me
27:20when you proposed.
27:21She slipped the ring
27:22off the necklace chain
27:23and slid it onto
27:24her ring finger.
27:25You kept the engagement
27:27ring all this time,
27:28and now you're giving
27:29her the wedding ring?
27:30Don't even pretend
27:31you're not into her.
27:32Come on,
27:33ditch the country girl
27:34already.
27:34We're all waiting
27:35for the big announcement.
27:36The wedding ring
27:37fits Lillian?
27:38Emerson,
27:38who were you really
27:39thinking about
27:40when you got married?
27:41Spill it.
27:42Emerson started
27:43to laugh it off,
27:44to deflect.
27:45But when he looked up,
27:47his eyes locked
27:48with Julieta's.
27:49She was watching him.
27:50Her gaze dripped
27:52with bitter amusement.
27:54Julieta,
27:55are you following me?
27:57She snorted.
28:00Coincidence.
28:01If I'd known you guys
28:02were having such a blast,
28:03I wouldn't have
28:03crashed the party.
28:05The vibe died instantly.
28:07A few of the loudmouths
28:08suddenly found the floor
28:09extremely interesting.
28:14Emerson hurried over
28:15and blocked Julieta's path.
28:18His lips pressed
28:19into a thin line.
28:20Everyone's having
28:21a good time.
28:22Why do you or you
28:22always have to kill the vibe?
28:24And what are you
28:25even doing here?
28:26Following me around
28:27is a bad look.
28:28He grabbed her arm
28:29and tried to pull her
28:30back toward the group.
28:31I have my own life.
28:32You don't need to keep
28:33showing up like this.
28:34Julieta didn't even
28:35want to argue.
28:36She turned to leave.
28:38Before she could get far,
28:40Lillian slipped an arm
28:42through hers,
28:43her expression full of concern.
28:44Julieta, are you okay?
28:47I was starting to think
28:48you'd been kidnapped.
28:49I almost told Emerson
28:50to call the police.
28:52Julieta looked up at her,
28:53confused.
28:54Without another word,
28:56Lillian pulled out her phone
28:57and handed it to Emerson.
28:59He took it,
29:00his eyes locking
29:01onto the screen.
29:02The longer he stared,
29:04the darker his expression grew.
29:05Without a word,
29:06he grabbed Julieta,
29:08pulled her out of the bar,
29:10guided her into the car,
29:11and locked the doors.
29:13Only then did he speak
29:14through clenched teeth.
29:16Julieta, what the hell
29:17have you been up to?
29:18Emerson demanded,
29:19Why does Lillian have photos
29:20of you with George Owens?
29:22What exactly is going on?
29:24His voice was sharp,
29:27accusatory.
29:28He tossed the phone
29:29into her lap,
29:30his eyes cold with anger.
29:32Julieta stared
29:33at the blurry images.
29:35They were from her meeting
29:36with George earlier that day.
29:38Someone had clearly
29:39followed her
29:40and taken photos
29:41without her knowing.
29:42I thought you were
29:43being threatened,
29:44but it turns out
29:45you went to him willingly.
29:48Julieta,
29:48you'd better have
29:49have a good explanation
29:50for Emerson,
29:51Lillian said,
29:52her tone dripping
29:53with false concern,
29:55clearly savoring
29:56the tension.
29:58You know Owen's group
29:59is Emerson's biggest rival,
30:01and you still met with him?
30:03No wonder people
30:04are starting to talk.
30:05unless you two
30:07are working on
30:08some kind of deal?
30:09Lillian teased,
30:10raising an eyebrow.
30:11Emerson's jaw
30:12tightened at the implication.
30:14What kind of deal
30:15could there possibly be?
30:16You're reading too much to it.
30:18Julieta replied flatly,
30:20not even glancing back.
30:22She stared out the window,
30:23her voice bored
30:25and distant.
30:25Her lack of explanation
30:27only made Emerson's expression
30:29harden further.
30:30He opened his mouth
30:31to say more,
30:32but Julieta had already
30:34closed her eyes,
30:36leaning her head
30:37against the window,
30:38pretending to sleep.
30:40Seeing the exhaustion
30:42etched into her face,
30:44he held back.
30:45Letting out a frustrated breath,
30:47he focused on the road.
30:49Two hours later,
30:51they finally arrived home.
30:54Julieta got out
30:55and walked straight
30:56to the bedroom
30:56without a word.
30:58Frustrated by her silence,
31:00Emerson reached for her hand
31:01as the living room lights
31:03went out.
31:04A second later,
31:05the ceiling fixture
31:06came crashing down.
31:09Julieta screamed
31:10as the lamp
31:12struck her forehead.
31:14Blood streamed
31:15down her face.
31:17Juliana!
31:18Are you okay?
31:19I'm taking you
31:20to the hospital now.
31:21Emerson's face
31:22tightened with alarm
31:23as he rushed to her side.
31:24Her gaze was unfocused
31:26and the sight
31:27sent a jolt of fear
31:28through him.
31:29His hands trembled
31:30as he gently lifted her.
31:32But then,
31:33a sharp crack,
31:35followed by a piercing scream.
31:38Lillian crumpled
31:39to the floor,
31:40clutching her foot.
31:41Tears welled
31:42in her wide eyes,
31:43her face twisted in pain.
31:45Emerson!
31:46Don't let her fool you!
31:48Lillian cried,
31:49her voice breaking.
31:50Yesterday,
31:51I heard her telling
31:52the maid
31:52something about the lamp.
31:54She planned all of this.
31:57She loosened it herself
31:58so you'd feel sorry for her.
32:00Look,
32:01it's obvious
32:02someone tampered with it.
32:04She's not just hurting herself.
32:06She got me too.
32:08My leg hurts so much.
32:10Please help me.
32:11Lillian sobbed,
32:12her voice trembling with pain.
32:14Tears streamed down
32:16Lillian's face.
32:17As she shifted,
32:18her leg came into view,
32:20already bruised
32:21from another falling fixture.
32:24the room fell silent,
32:25broken only
32:26by her quiet weeping,
32:28his expression shifting
32:29from concern
32:30to cold fury.
32:32Juliata,
32:32will you ever stop?
32:34You'll manipulate anyone,
32:36even yourself!
32:38How many times
32:40has this happened now?
32:42Do you only feel satisfied
32:44when Lillian's caught
32:45in the crossfire?
32:46His voice was sharp,
32:48cutting through the quiet.
32:49His gaze sliced into her
32:51like a blade.
32:53Julieta's vision blurred,
32:54her mind hazy with pain,
32:56but she managed to whisper,
32:59I didn't.
33:00He cut her off.
33:01Still making excuses?
33:04Framing people,
33:05faking injuries?
33:06This isn't the first time
33:08and when we both know it.
33:13I didn't.
33:14swept a cold glance
33:15at the wound
33:15on Lillian's forehead.
33:18I shouldn't have wasted
33:19my sympathy on you.
33:20Since you planned all this,
33:22I bet your injury
33:22isn't even serious.
33:24Emerson let out
33:24a cold laugh.
33:25Take your time
33:26walking to the hospital.
33:27He said dismissively,
33:28then turned without hesitation
33:30and scooped Lillian
33:31into his arms,
33:32murmuring softly to her
33:33as he carefully
33:34carried her out.
33:35Julieta helplessly
33:36watched Emerson walk away.
33:38She tried to cry out
33:39for help
33:39but not a single word
33:41escaped her lips.
33:42She staggered forward
33:43a few steps
33:43then everything went black.
33:45She collapsed
33:46completely unconscious.
33:49When Julieta came to,
33:51she found herself
33:52in a hospital room.
33:53The sharp pain
33:55in her forehead
33:55reminded her
33:56of what had happened
33:57the day before.
33:58Thinking about
33:59Emerson's attitude,
34:00she couldn't help
34:01but curl her lips
34:02into an amused,
34:03Emerson bought Lillian's story
34:05without a single
34:06piece of evidence.
34:07His favoritism
34:09for Lillian ran deep.
34:10He was utterly foolish.
34:12The lamp
34:13had hit at an angle,
34:15missing any vital spots
34:16but the gash
34:17it left
34:17was no joke.
34:19Julieta needed
34:2018 stitches
34:21which meant
34:22she'd be stuck
34:22in the hospital
34:23for a while.
34:24It wasn't until
34:25Julieta had been
34:26in the hospital
34:26for five days
34:27that Emerson
34:28finally remembered her
34:29and showed up
34:30late as ever.
34:32Half asleep,
34:33Julieta vaguely
34:34heard Emerson's voice.
34:35Doctor,
34:36I saw her yesterday.
34:38there was just a bit
34:39of blood
34:39on her forehead.
34:42It's probably
34:42nothing serious,
34:43right?
34:44As soon as Emerson
34:45spoke,
34:45the doctor's temper
34:46snapped.
34:47What do you mean
34:48nothing serious?
34:49When she was brought
34:50in yesterday,
34:50there was a massive
34:51gash on her forehead
34:52and she was barely
34:53conscious.
34:54If the lamp
34:54had hit her
34:55a little differently,
34:56you'd be here today
34:56to claim her corpse.
34:58What's with you people
34:59these days?
35:00So irresponsible.
35:02Though the doctor
35:02was clearly annoyed,
35:03he had a ton of work
35:04to do so he cut
35:06his rant short,
35:07gave a few quick
35:08instructions
35:09and hurried out.
35:11As soon as the doctor
35:12left,
35:13Julieta heard footsteps
35:14approaching,
35:15each one heavier
35:16than the last.
35:17Emerson's intense gaze
35:19raked over her.
35:20Julieta had no interest
35:21in talking to him
35:22so she simply pretended
35:24to still be asleep,
35:25quietly keeping
35:26her eyes shut.
35:27She thought she'd
35:28wait him out
35:29until he got impatient
35:30and left.
35:31But before that
35:32could happen,
35:33the shrill ringing
35:34of her phone
35:35shattered her pretense,
35:36making her open
35:37her eyes.
35:39When Julieta caught
35:40Emerson's conflicted look,
35:42she froze for a second.
35:43Emerson seemed
35:44about to speak,
35:45but she put a finger
35:47to her lips
35:47to hush him,
35:48then grabbed the phone
35:49beside her.
35:50Her secretary's name
35:52flashed on the screen
35:53and a bad feeling
35:54crept up on her.
35:56She quickly answered,
35:58just as she feared,
35:59Mrs. Summers,
36:00we've got a problem.
36:01Something's happened
36:02at the apothemary.
36:03Julieta's heart
36:04leapt into her throat.
36:05Tell me exactly
36:06what's going on.
36:07There are a bunch
36:07of troublemakers
36:08outside the apothetary
36:09and they've even
36:10brought a dead body.
36:12They all saying
36:13the person was poisoned
36:14by our medicine.
36:15The secretary blurted out,
36:17We called the police
36:18and put out
36:18an emergency statement,
36:19waiting for the experts
36:20to come and investigate.
36:22But the crowd
36:23is acting like they're
36:24under some kind of spell.
36:25No matter what we say,
36:26they won't back down.
36:27They're insisting
36:28on tearing down
36:29the apothetary
36:30and sending us to jail.
36:31Through the speaker,
36:33Julieta could faintly
36:35hear the commotion
36:35on the other end.
36:36Keep them at bay for now.
36:38I'm coming over right away.
36:40Tossed aside the covers
36:41and was about to get out of bed,
36:42but Emerson was faster.
36:44Don't rush.
36:45I'll go with you.
36:46You can't handle this alone.
36:48Come on, I'll drive.
36:50Having caught
36:51every word of her call,
36:52he clearly didn't trust her
36:54to go by herself.
36:56Julieta gave him
36:57a curious look,
36:58not sure why
36:58he was suddenly
36:59so considerate.
37:01But she figured
37:02it'd be easier
37:02with him around,
37:03so she followed his lead.
37:06Turns out,
37:07Julieta really
37:08couldn't trust Emerson.
37:10They were halfway there
37:11when he got a call.
37:12Lillian's voice came through
37:14and not even
37:1530 seconds later,
37:16Emerson slammed on the brakes.
37:20I've got something
37:20to deal with.
37:21Get out and take a cab.
37:23He said,
37:24a flicker of panic
37:25in his eyes.
37:26I'll come help
37:27as soon as I'm done.
37:28Just do as I say.
37:30With that,
37:30he shoved her out of the car
37:32without hesitation,
37:33spun the wheel
37:34and drove off.
37:37Julieta was still confused
37:38as she stepped out
37:39of the car.
37:40When she finally
37:41snapped out of it,
37:42Emerson's car
37:43was already disappearing
37:44down the road.
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