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00:01At my best friend's wedding, the bouquet was grabbed by a girl, bounced, and landed in my arms.
00:07All eyes knowingly turned to Nathan.
00:09They clamored and egged on our eight-year relationship.
00:12Marry her! Marry her! The bouquet is in her hands! Hurry up and propose!
00:17Blushing, I quietly waited for the words,
00:19Marry me.
00:20But he just calmly took the bouquet from my hands.
00:23He turned around and casually handed it to the bridesmaid beside her.
00:27She caught it first. Babe, let's wait for the next one.
00:30The spotlight followed the bouquet and moved away.
00:32I watched the surprised and shy expression on that girl's face and gave an awkward smile.
00:37Nathan didn't know that there wouldn't be a next time.
00:40My wedding is next week. Face darkened immediately.
00:43She turned where eyes the my redder.
00:44That woman did it on purpose! I had clearly told all the bridesmaids that this bouquet was for you!
00:48Diana, the wedding isn't over yet.
00:50All eyes had long since followed that bouquet and landed on the face of the bridesmaid named Scarlet Hayes.
00:55She held the flowers and glanced at Nathan.
00:58Throughout the whole banquet, I sat at the main table for Bianca's family and friends,
01:03enduring the stares from all directions.
01:05Nathan often brought her to various occasions.
01:08Even to my best friend's wedding, he could bring her along.
01:11Nathan was at another table, chatting and laughing with his friends.
01:15Scarlet sat next to him.
01:16She originally wasn't a bridesmaid.
01:19The groom's side had an extra bridesman at the last minute, so she filled in.
01:25That woman has been trying every trick to get close to your Nathan for half a year.
01:29I had someone look into it. Her tactics are something else. Nathan...
01:32Bianca, today you are the most beautiful bride. Don't talk about...
01:35Huh.
01:38The banquet was drawing to an owns.
01:40Let's go back.
01:41He took my clutch from my hand, and his other hand habitually moved to drape over my shoulder.
01:46I turned slightly away and avoid it.
01:48You've been drinking. I'll call a designated driver.
01:51Fine.
01:51The car drove into the night.
01:53The car window vaguely reflected the exhaustion in my eyes.
01:57Today, after all, Scarlet caught the bacoon first.
01:59She probably wanted some good luck, returning it to its rightful owner.
02:03Don't take it too seriously.
02:05I didn't respond. Just looked out the window.
02:08Angry?
02:09Didn't we agree? Next time, for sure?
02:13Our wedding will definitely be even better than Bianca's.
02:15You can have as many bouquets as you want.
02:17Hmm?
02:21It was like this every time. He would make a vague promise, thinking that the turmoil should
02:26settle just like that.
02:27Hmm.
02:28Bianca and I made a vow when we were little. Whoever has her wedding first, the others
02:31must be no more than a week apart. We would wear the bridesmaid dresses we made for each
02:34other, and be the first to witness each other's happiness.
02:37You're taking a childhood joke seriously? Nowadays, plans can't keep up with changes.
02:41Hotels, schedules, plans, these all need to be prepared at least half a year or even a
02:44year advance. We'll plan properly and give you the most perfect one. What's the rush?
02:51It's not bad.
02:52His gaze dropped back to the screen, his fingers tapping swiftly. In that instant, apart from
02:56feeling happy for my best girlfriend, I also felt a bleakness for my own eight-year relationship.
03:01The car slowly pulled up in front of the apartment building and came to a stop. Nathan unbuckled
03:06his seatbelt. He leaned over to give me a kiss. I raised my hand and gently pressed
03:10against his shoulder.
03:14I'm tired, Nathan. He looked at me, silent for a few seconds.
03:18Being a bridesmaid is a bit tiring. Get some rest early. Scarlett said she can't get an
03:23Uber. It's not safe this late. I'll go back and give her a ride.
03:26Hmm. He didn't move immediately. He seemed to be waiting for me to tell him to be careful,
03:30as I usually did. But I just opened the car door and got out.
03:37I closed the door and collapsed onto the sofa. A long while later, I got up and walked toward
03:43the bedroom. Passing that nursery, my footsteps paused for a moment. This had been planned four
03:49years ago when we bought this apartment. Now there was no child, just piles of clutter.
03:54I walked in. From the dusty crib, I pulled out a thick stack of things. The one at the very
03:59bottom
03:59was taken at our college graduation. He was carrying me on his back, standing on a tree-lined path in
04:04Central Park, my arms wrapped around his neck, long hair and fallen leaves flying together.
04:09The sound of a key turning in the lock, footsteps deliberately softened. After a moment, the door
04:14was gently pushed open.
04:15Not asleep yet? Why did you dig these out? Feeling nostalgic?
04:18Did you drop her off?
04:19Dropped her off. She lives in a remote area. That neighborhood is indeed hard to get a car.
04:24It's late. Let's sleep.
04:25I braced myself on my knees and stood up with some effort.
04:29Nathan.
04:30Hmm?
04:32Let's break up. He stopped, looked at me for two seconds, then laughed in disbelief.
04:37Still thinking about the bouquet? Don't be petty.
04:40Alright, I'll order you an even bigger bouquet tomorrow, okay? Go wash up and sleep. I have
04:43a meeting early tomorrow morning.
04:45He turned and walked toward the bathroom. Within a week, I'm getting married.
04:53A few seconds later, he turned around. The perfuctuous gentleness on his face finally
04:57completely peeled away. He raised a hand and pressed his temples.
05:01Elena, stop it. Marriage is a big deal, not something you just decide out of spite.
05:07October 28th. The hotel is booked. The wedding dress is chosen.
05:13Did Bianca say something to you again today? She had a whirlwave marriage herself, so she
05:16thinks the whole world should be as impulsive as her?
05:19Elena, wake up. Don't let her lead you astray. We've had so many years...
05:23Nathan, the invitations start printing tomorrow.
05:25Elena, you think this is useful? It only makes me think you're childish and unreasonable.
05:29I'm currently in the rising phase of my career. Marriage will only distract me and disrupt
05:33all my plans and arrangements. Are you really in such a hurry to get married?
05:37Once, this attitude of his would have made me panic, made me rush to explain and back
05:42down. But now, only calm remained in my heart. His attention had always been expensive.
05:48To be allocated to important projects and also reserved for his capable personal assistant,
05:54what was left for me was naturally very little.
05:57Yes, all my friends are getting married. I want to get married too.
06:01I turned and went into the bedroom. On the nightstand still lay a fashion magazine from six
06:06months ago. Its cover title, Striking. I had bought it with enthusiasm back then,
06:11flipped through a few pages, and it was set aside by his single word, no rush.
06:18My phone vibrated gently. It was an iMessage from Bianca.
06:22Asleep? My heart feels so heavy, I get furious just thinking about that woman's face.
06:26What on earth is wrong with Nathan?
06:28Forget it, this once. I'll allow you to break the promise.
06:31We agreed our weddings would be at most a week apart, remember? The bouquet was in your hands
06:35today, and Nathan still acted like that. You've been together eight years, I'll allow you to break
06:38the promise. Babe, when have I ever broken a promise to you?
06:45I listed the apartment we were currently living in on a real estate agent's website. Nathan moved to an
06:50emergency use apartment near his company. Most likely, my sudden wedding plans made him felt
06:55suffocated. On the afternoon, I handed the keys to the agent. I was at home sorting through some
06:59scattered items. I discovered a project document tucked inside an old magazine. A glance told me it
07:05was exactly the one Nathan had been working on recently. After hesitating a moment, I decided to
07:10deliver it to him. When I arrived, the apartment door was tightly shut. Faint voices of talking and
07:16slaff came from inside. Nathan, it's all my fault. I had no experience catching the bouquet for the
07:21first time. Now the rumors in the company Slackland are getting out of hand. Several colleagues have
07:26privately asked me if you win in the future. You have to help me clear it up. Otherwise, I'll be
07:30too
07:31in marriage to face anyone in the future. My raised hand froze in midair. Before Nathan could speak,
07:36the laughter of one of his subordinates cut in. I say Scarlett. Stop it. Do you really want Nate
07:41to clear things up for you or do you want to hear Nate say something else? Stop it. All right,
07:45stop teasing her. No need to take this sort of thing too seriously. In a while, everyone will
07:49naturally forget. In a while, they will forget. These words unexpectedly flipped a switch in my memory.
07:54Back then, I went to the company to help him some errands. He forgot the setting and very naturally put
08:00his arm around my shoulder. It happened to be seen by a colleague. That very afternoon, he clarified it in
08:05the company Slack channel, telling everyone not to misunderstand and to focus on work. At that time,
08:11I was understanding. My fingertips turned slightly cold. So what he minded was perhaps never the
08:16office romance. It was that it was me who was seen.
08:24Speaking of which, Nate, how did you handle Elena in the end? I actually received her wedding invitation
08:28this morning. Isn't this too sudden? For some small matters in early life, indulging her is one thing.
08:33But this time, she needs to learn on her own that some people need to know the rules.
08:38Whoa, so you the groom-to-be determined to be absent? Nathan didn't make a sound,
08:41which counted as silent agreement. Nate, do you really want to make things this awkward?
08:45You and Elena have been together for so many years, after all. Us brothers have been waiting
08:48to drink at your wedding. Our necks have grown so long. The fact that you won't budge, could it be
08:51that you actually have other plans? For example, our Scarlet. Mr. Lee, please don't joke about me like that.
08:56Nate, he knows what he's doing. Nathan did not explain.
08:59I gently placed that manila envelope on the floor by the door and nudged it under the door gap with
09:04my toe. Turned and leave. Nathan tapped his phone screen once again. The iMessage interface with
09:10Elena still remained on the last message he had sent her. Something wasn't quite right.
09:14Nate, your Elena's wedding photo? It's stunning.
09:17Nathan came back to his senses. Bianca posted something on social media.
09:21In the photo, Elena was wearing a wedding dress. Her head was slightly lowered,
09:26her gaze resting on her hand, gently touching the satin of the dress. Very beautiful. A faint
09:31curve was hooked at the corner of her lips. A serene beauty that had washed away all anxiety,
09:36settled and calm. Beneath were likes and comments from mutual friends.
09:40Elena is simply too beautiful.
09:43That Nathan guy is really lucky.
09:46What Nathan felt was an inexplicable surge of anger.
09:54She actually went through with it, and so grandly at that.
09:57She's made it look quite real. Let her do as she pleases. I'm not going.
10:00Nate, why go this far?
10:02Nathan said,
10:04After this matter blows over, I will make her understand who she should keep her distance from.
10:09October 28. Nathan woke up very early.
10:13He remembered that Elena's parents had come to their home for Thanksgiving dinner.
10:17During the meal, the elders mentioned that the priest said the only remaining church slot this year
10:21was this weekend at the end of October.
10:24No rush. We've got all the time in the world.
10:26But he hadn't expected that Elena had actually taken it to heart.
10:31Nathan, are you really not going?
10:33We're all ready, just waiting for your order to charge over.
10:35Should we arrange the convoy? There's still time if we leave now.
10:40What's the rush? Let her wait.
10:43Imagining Elena right now in her wedding dress, restless in the decorated bridal suite,
10:48checking the time over and over, looking expectant and anxious,
10:52the punishing pleasure in his heart swelled even more.
10:55A screenshot popped up in the group chat, a story just posted by Bianca on her socials.
10:59Damn, it's really all set up.
11:01Nathan, be a man and hurry up. Don't actually let this slip away.
11:03Address, address. The brothers will go with you.
11:05The glow of the screen illuminated Nathan's face.
11:07He imagined himself pushing the door open,
11:10seeing her surprised eyes amidst the cheers of the crowd.
11:13He turned his head to look at the walk-in closet.
11:15That custom-tailored suit was hanging right there in the closet.
11:19Tie, cufflinks, leather shoes, everything was complete.
11:22All right, all right, what's all the noise?
11:24Wait for me to change.
11:26Just as he fastened the last button of his shirt, his phone ran.
11:29It was one of the brothers calling.
11:31Nate, how come your apartment with Elena was sold?
11:33Where do we go to pick up the bride?
11:41What do you mean, sold?
11:42Your apartment, the doorman said.
11:43The title transfer was just completed a few days ago.
11:50Title transfer.
11:52Explain clearly.
11:53The apartment you and Elena are living in now.
11:55The doorman said the owner changed.
11:57I asked where Elena is.
11:57The doorman has no idea at all.
11:59Nate, did you and Alessa move and not tell the brothers?
12:01Where are we supposed to go to pick up the bride now?
12:03Whatever else the brothers said afterward became blurred and indistinct.
12:07Sold?
12:08That apartment?
12:09The layout they had chosen together?
12:11The design they had selected together built up bit by bit?
12:15The place they had agreed would be their marital home in the future?
12:18Nate?
12:19Nate, say something.
12:20What do we do now?
12:21Address.
12:22Send me the new owner's contact info the doorman mentioned.
12:25Or the agent's information.
12:26Immediately.
12:27He yelled into the phone while already stumbling toward the door.
12:30The apartment was sold?
12:31She didn't want it anymore?
12:32Didn't want the home they had built together for five years?
12:35And didn't want him either?
12:37He abandoned all reserve and frantically dolled Elena's number.
12:42Once, twice, ten times, all that came from the earpite was that cold, polite voice prompt.
12:47The number you have dialed is currently available.
12:49Turned off.
12:50On the day he was finally ready to go pick up the bride.
12:52At the moment he finally planned to appear before her as a surprise.
12:55She turned off her phone?
13:00Nathan violently pressed his phone screen off.
13:03He drove to meet up with that group of equally confused brothers.
13:06One of them rummaged in the car for a long time before finally pulling out a slightly creased invitation from
13:12a pile of clutter.
13:14Well, Nate, Elena had someone put it directly in my car.
13:17Since you, the groom, said you weren't going, I just casually...
13:20Nathan snatched it.
13:21His heart felt like it was clenched tight and then released.
13:25Moreci!
13:25It's him!
13:26Trying on wedding dresses behind his back.
13:29Selling the apartment.
13:30Turning off her phone.
13:31This wasn't like something she, who had always been so sensible, would do.
13:35His heart felt like it was clenched tight and then released.
13:39It must be that Bianca egging her on again.
13:41Trying to use this extreme method to force him to be nervous.
13:45But no matter what, the surname on the invitation couldn't be faked.
13:49He closed his eyes briefly.
13:51And when he opened them again, he had forcibly suppressed the surging emotions.
13:55Where are we going now?
13:56It's been confirmed just now that the apartment is sold.
13:58The new owner won't allow us to cause a scene here.
14:00Forget it.
14:01The apartment matter, I'll set allowance with her after the wedding.
14:04To the hotel.
14:05Perk up, everyone.
14:06Let's go.
14:07The whole way, he sat in the passenger seat, repeatedly rubbing the words, Moretti Vasquez
14:12on the invitation.
14:14Since the invitations had been sent, why was her phone turned off?
14:18And why wasn't Bianca, the bridesmaid, answering the phone either?
14:21When they arrived at the hotel, the welcome sign Moretti Vasquez wedding stood there.
14:26It slightly soothed his agitated nerves.
14:28He walked in quickly, ignoring the naff at the sign-in bout, also ignoring the indescribable
14:34expressions on the surrounding guest's face.
14:38He just assumed it was the sideway glances caused by his hasty arrival and unkempt appearance.
14:44Nathan stood among the crowd, a subtle satisfaction flaring through his heart.
14:48He could tell that Elena took this marriage very seriously.
14:52But this satisfaction lasted only a moment.
14:54It was immediately overlaid by another feeling of displeasure.
14:57All of this should have been arranged by him.
14:59Even the color coordination of the flowers filling the hall should have been the surprise
15:03he gave her.
15:04Now he was like a late-a-miving guest, passively accepting an already established fact.
15:09He pressed his lips together and forcibly suppressed the annoyance of being excluded.
15:14Forget it.
15:15The most important thing now was to complete the ceremony.
15:18He straightened his suit and cast his gaze toward the entrance.
15:22Waiting for his bride to appear.
15:25Sir, please present your invitation.
15:27Nathan was taken aback.
15:28Where would he have an invitation?
15:30Elena hadn't sent him one at all.
15:32I am the groom.
15:33The smile on the staff member's face stuffened slightly.
15:36He looked at him, puzzled.
15:41May I ask if you are the groom, Mr. Sterling?
15:43Nathan's patience was rapidly draining.
15:45Who else?
15:46Curious glances, faint but unmistakable, swept over.
15:50Sorry, sorry, Mr. Sterling.
15:51The bride has not arrived yet.
15:52You can go directly to the lounge inside the banquet hall to wait.
15:54Do you need me to show you the way?
15:55Nathan waved his hand dismissively.
15:58He walked straight through the red carpet corridor towards the banquet hall.
16:04Nathan, congratulations.
16:05Eight-year marathon finally ends in marriage.
16:07Where's the bride?
16:08Hidden away so tightly?
16:09He forced a smile to cope, but his gaze kept darting toward the entrance.
16:13Why hadn't Elena arrived yet?
16:17Bianca?
16:19He tried calling Elena's number again.
16:21It was still turned off.
16:24Just when he was almost unable to resist asking the hotel manager, a small commotion aroused
16:29at the entrance of the banquet hall.
16:30Accompanied with the cheerful hubber of children, Nathan's spirits lifted, and he immediately
16:37adjusted the front of his suit jacket.
16:38He stepped forward to greet the entrance.
16:40He was ready.
16:42Ready to see her stunning in her wedding dress.
16:44Ready to display his tolerance and magnanimacy as a husband before everyone.
16:47Although he was thinking that tonight he definitely had to teach her a lesson, that this joke
16:51had gone way too far.
16:52The crowd automatically parted to both sides.
16:55First came in the little flower girls in beautiful twos dresses, scattering flower petals.
17:00Immediately after was Bianca, wearing a champagne-colored bridesmaid dress.
17:05She spotted at a glance Nathan, who was standing at this end of the red carpet, walking up to
17:09meet them.
17:10The smile on her face vanished instantly.
17:13Nathan was stung by that look and froze for a moment, his footsteps involuntarily slowing
17:17by half a beat.
17:18But Bianca had already averted her gaze, turned sideways, bent slightly at the waist, and made
17:24a guiding gesture.
17:25Now let us welcome today's most beautiful bride, Miss Elena Vasquez.
17:29In the next second, Elena, dressed in a holy wedding gown, appeared at the doorway.
17:33The face beneath the veil was beautiful and serene.
17:35Her lips carried that faint smile he had seen in the photo.
17:38Nathan's heart gave a violent reap.
17:40All the prepared expressions and lines stuck in his throat.
17:44He was about to step forward and fulfill the duties of a groom.
17:47Just then, at the other end of the red carpet, a stranger with a composed arid brushed past
17:52him and walked steadily toward the starting point of the red harp.
17:55He extended his arm toward Elena, who had just stepped into the hall.
17:58Now let us use the most enthusiastic applause to welcome today's happiest couple.
18:02Nathan's advancing footsteps abruptly nailed themselves to the spot.
18:05The beautiful bride, Miss Elena Vasquez, and our handsome groom, Mr. Marco Steelein!
18:14Marco?
18:14Sterling?
18:15Nathan's advancing footsteps abruptly nailed themselves to the spot.
18:19All the blood in his body rushed violently to his head.
18:22Everything before his eyes began to twist and sway.
18:25Holy shit!
18:27The groom is called Marco?
18:28So the Sterling Vasquez Union means-
18:30The brothers astonished Chattert buzzed loudly.
18:32Only those two figures, arms linked in the center of the red bip, were cruelly clear, but
18:36couldn't pierce that sharp silence in Nathan's ears.
18:39He stared fictically at Elena.
18:41Stared at that dazzling smile on her face.
18:44Stared at her fingers tightly linked with another man's arm.
18:46He violently pushed aside the brothers still in a dazed state in front of him, and recklessly
18:51tried to charge toward the center of the red carpet.
18:54Nathan!
18:54A figure faster than him blocked his path.
18:58It was Bianca.
18:59At this moment, there was not a trace of wedding joy on her face, only undisguised fury.
19:05Get out of my way!
19:05Bianca did not yield an inch and pressed a step closer.
19:08What do you want to do?
19:09Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?
19:11Nathan, look around!
19:13Look at her!
19:13This is not your territory!
19:15She's mine.
19:17We've been together eight years!
19:18What is this Marco who came out of nowhere?
19:20Elena!
19:21He raised his voice, trying to look past Bianca at Elena, who had stopped on the red carpet.
19:26You explain this to me clearly!
19:28What is going on here?
19:29Are you fucking messing with me?
19:34His loss of control drew sideways glances from the surrounding guests.
19:38But the venue was noisy, and that shout just now wasn't enough to reach the ears of the
19:42bride and groom.
19:43Bianca's face grew colder, and she controlled her voice so that no more
19:46people could hear, mess with you.
19:49Nathan, ask yourself, over these eight years, who exactly was messing with whom?
19:56How many chances has Elena given you?
19:58Can you even count them yourself?
20:00That last bouquet toss?
20:02Do you know how much determination she must cover to wait for that moment?
20:06She went back to her hometown earlier and had already met Marco's parents.
20:09That was the last chance she left for you.
20:12I said, along as on that day you caught the bouquet.
20:15Even if you just walked over.
20:17Even if you just said, I'll marry you.
20:18Even if it was just one clear promise.
20:21She would immediately refuse the marriage proposal from Marco's family and continue waiting for
20:26you like a fool.
20:28The bouquet was the last chance?
20:35And Scarlett, that personal assistant, how many times did she call you after you got
20:39drunk telling Elena to pick you up in that ambiguous tone?
20:43She even, even dared to imply to Elena that you two had already slept together!
20:47Nathan's body swayed violently.
20:49He wanted to retort, to say no, to say Scarlett isn't like that.
20:53But those vague details he had overlooked now rushed up, competing to surface.
20:58Scarlett's late night distress calls, the earring left in the car.
21:02Elena chose to trust you every single time.
21:05Like a fool, she chewed up those suspicions herself and swallowed them down.
21:08And then listened to you dismissively say, it's just work, she's my assistant, you're
21:12overthinking it.
21:13Nathan, where is your heart?
21:14Eaten by a dog?
21:15Or did you give it to that young and beautiful Scarlett long ago?
21:18No.
21:19I...
21:22Scarlett's late night distress calls, the earring left in the car.
21:26Nathan opened his mouth but found that all excuses were pale and powerless.
21:30Bianca looked at him one last time.
21:36Nathan.
21:36You D-E-S-E-R-T it.
21:39What you lost is the person who loved you most in this world.
21:42From today on, she is Mrs. Sterling.
21:45However, not your Mrs. Sterling.
21:48You'd better not cause trouble.
21:49The bodyguards I hired are no pushovers.
21:55After saying this, she turned sharply.
21:58She jogged to catch up with the bride's procession and put on a brilliant smile again.
22:03Nathan stood stiffly in place.
22:04At the end of the red carpet, Marco carefully lifted Elena's wail.
22:10As he lowered his head to kiss her forehead, Nathan, out of control, tried to rush over.
22:15This time, it was several brothers who held him back firmly.
22:18Nathan, calm down.
22:19Don't.
22:19Let go of me!
22:22He stared factively ahead.
22:24That gentle forehead kiss was like slow motion, slicing him with each frame.
22:32She's mine.
22:33Elena is mine.
22:35How could she?
22:36How dare she?
22:37Wake up.
22:38Look at what kind of occasion this is.
22:39Cameras everywhere.
22:43New York Post.
22:44You are now the face of the Sterling family.
22:46The group just secured a new round of financing.
22:48How many eyes are watching?
22:49Do you fucking want to be on the front page of the New York Post tomorrow?
22:52Sterling family heir attempts to snatch bride at wedding, creating public scandal?
22:58What can you change by going over now?
23:00It will only make everyone, including Aleza, look down on you even more.
23:03Become the laughingstock of the whole city.
23:07Laughingstock.
23:08The force of Nathan's struggle froze for a moment.
23:11He dazily looked around.
23:13Those originally curious gazes had now turned into clear shock and scrutiny.
23:17But more and more guests still looked over, pointing and whispering.
23:23On the main stage, Marco's kiss had already landed.
23:27Elena slowly opened her eyes, her gaze calmly sweeping over the brief commotion on this side.
23:35There was no ripple in her eyes.
23:37Then she looked at her new husband with a smile again.
23:41That overly calm gaze completely severed Nathan's last thread of madness.
23:46Let's go.
23:46Leave here first.
23:48The brothers exchanged a glass and half-dragged, half-carried the nearly-whip Nathan away.
23:56After that wedding, Elena seemed to vanish from the face of the earth.
24:00Her phone number became disconnected, social media accounts stopped updating,
24:04and he was completely blocked by her on social media accounts.
24:08Nathan pulled every string he had before finally learning, through the grapevine,
24:12that the day after the wedding, Elena had gone with Marco to his home in Boston.
24:17That was a place he had never thought to get to know.
24:21He knew Elena was acting out of spite.
24:24How could she possibly be willing to go to Boston now?
24:29He immediately found the new owner who had bought their apartment.
24:32The other party was initially unwilling to transfer it.
24:35Nathan had the family lawyer personally visit and offered a price that couldn't be refused.
24:39The paperwork was processed swiftly.
24:42When he held that familiar set of keys again, opened the door, and faced the empty room and unfamiliar smell,
24:47a sharp sense of irony struck him.
24:50Elena, I brought the house back, but I still lost you.
24:56Nothing here had changed.
24:58The layout, the view outside the window, even the faint traces left by photos once nailed to the wall.
25:04Yet everything had changed.
25:06He had people thoroughly clean and materiously restore the furnishings according to memory.
25:11Then he took a few photos, found an old Gmail address of Elena's, and sent them.
25:15Home is always here.
25:17You can come back anytime to stay.
25:19The message sank like a stone into the ocean.
25:22He began frequently traveling for business to the city where she was.
25:26He also found out the church and community garden her parents frequented and manufactured encounters.
25:31Whenever Mr. and Mrs. Vasco saw him, they always couldn't hide their awkwardness and discomfort.
25:36Nate, dear, you came again.
25:38Lena, she's doing quite well now.
25:39Mrs. Vasker, it was my negligence in the past for visiting so little.
25:43In the future, I'll come often to spend time with you.
25:47He played chess with old Mr. Vasquez and listened to the elder chat about old times.
25:51Wanting to piece together Elena's current situation from snippets of words.
25:56Old Mr. Vasquez sighed, wanting to speak, but stopping.
26:06What's past, let it pass.
26:08Don't be too hard on yourself.
26:20No, he was just correcting a mistake.
26:22He stubbornly believed that as long as he performed well enough and was patient enough, he could knock that door
26:28open again.
26:28He forgot that the person behind that door had long since stopped waiting in place.
26:32What truly made him realize what unable to see her meant was a Thanksgiving weekend.
26:38He flew to Boston two days early.
26:40He waited outside the church that the Vaskellas frequented for an entire morning.
26:44The November wind already carried a bone-chilling cold.
26:48He turned up his coat collar and sat on a bench at the street corner opposite.
26:52The church bells rang twice.
26:54Among those going in and out were the familiar figures of old Mr. and Mrs. Vasquez.
26:58When they walked out, there was a tall man beside them.
27:02That man naturally held Mrs. Vasquez's arm, helping her down the steps.
27:06Old Mr. Vasquez pat the man on the shoulder, wearing a smile Nathan had never seen before.
27:12That was Marco.
27:16Nathan watched from a distance and didn't approach.
27:19The person he was waiting for did not appear.
27:22He sat on that bench until the church closed.
27:26The pre-written iMessage saved in his phone had been revised many times.
27:30In the end, he still didn't send it.
27:38That night, alone in his hotel room, he drank most of a bottle of whiskey.
27:42When the intoxication hit, he scrolled to the email he had sent to Alina's old Gmail address.
27:48The red receipt showed the recipient had never opened it.
27:52He stared at that line of small text for a long time.
28:00When he checked out the next day, the front desk politely asked if he needed to extend his stay.
28:04No need.
28:06His voice was so hasky it sounded like someone else's.
28:10But three days later, he booked another flight to Boston.
28:18The actual chance encounter with Alina happened at a corner cafe in the Back Bay area of Boston.
28:23Alina was sitting by the window with a female friend.
28:26Nathan practically rushed in.
28:27Alina.
28:28Alina looked up at the voice, saw him, and the smile on her face faded.
28:33Mr. Sterling, what a coincidence.
28:35Her close friend watched him warily.
28:38Can we talk alone? Just five minutes?
28:40Alina hesitated a moment, then nodded to her friend.
28:47You look well.
28:49Thank you. Is there something Mr. Sterling wants?
28:52I bought our apartment back. Exactly the way it was.
28:57And also, Scarlet, I've already fired her.
29:00There really was nothing between her and me.
29:01Those little tricks of hers, I didn't pay attention before. I was stupid.
29:04He was incompetent, desperate to lay his heart bare.
29:07Alina listened quietly.
29:08When he finally stopped and looked at her, panting, she slowly began to speak.
29:12Nathan, I believe you.
29:13Nathan's eyes lit up.
29:14I believe that between you and her, perhaps nothing really happened.
29:17At least, physically.
29:18But, so what?
29:22Nathan was stunned.
29:24What mattered was never whether you slept with Scarlet or not.
29:27What mattered was that in those eight years, in your countless choices and priorities,
29:31I was always the one placed in the options of next time, let's talk about it later, stop being silly.
29:35Your assistant, your work, your face, all were more important than your brother's jokes.
29:38The bouquet toss that time was the final sorting than my longing for a home.
29:41The bouquet that time was the final sorting.
29:43I saw the answer.
29:48She gently stroked her belly, a gesture so tender, yet it stabbed at Nathan.
29:55Nathan, I don't hate you, truly.
29:57Even if you fire a hundred Scarlet's and buy back ten apartments, it has nothing to do with me anymore.
30:02I'm doing very well now.
30:04Marco, he is very good.
30:07When she mentioned her husband's name, there was a light in her eyes.
30:10That kind of light was what Nathan once thought belonged to him forever, but now it burned his eyes.
30:17Please, don't disturb my life anymore, and don't trouble my parents anymore.
30:21Let this stop here.
30:25She stood up and nodded slightly.
30:26Then she walked toward her waiting friend and never looked back.
30:29Nathan did not step forward again.
30:31He froze in his seat.
30:33So what?
30:34These few words echoed repeatedly in his mind.
30:37They finally shattered all his self-deceiving dreams of making amendments.
30:40He thought that by making up for material things, clarifying misunderstandings, and giving time, he could win her back.
30:46Win back what?
30:50For months, he still didn't fully give up, as if addicted to a paranoid obsession.
30:54Knowing he should quit, yet relapsing again and again in the quiet of midnight.
30:59Every lonely night, he would open her profile like a thief,
31:02both longing to see how she was doing, and terrified of finding proof that she was doing well without him.
31:08Secretly following everything about her, like peering through a layer of shattered glass he refused to sweep away.
31:17He scrolled through her likes, comments, and newly followed accounts,
31:21trying to piece together her present life from those scattered traces.
31:26Until a few months later, through scattered pieces of information,
31:30he confirmed the news he had long expected, Elena was pregnant.
31:34He thought he had prepared himself, but when the moment truly arrived,
31:39he realized all his defenses were pathetically fragile.
31:42He suddenly remembered long ago, Elena had nestled in his arms and whispered,
31:46In the future, we'll have two babies.
31:48A daughter like you, a son like me, okay?
31:51Hmm.
31:54At the time, he was replying to work emails, just casually said,
31:57hmm, without even lift his head.
31:58Now, her little star was coming, but the father was not him.
32:02She finally had her own home, her own child, her own steadled and secure happiness.
32:11Outside the window, the Manhattan skyline glittered with lights,
32:15while he sat in the dark.
32:18The story of him and Elena had already written its final stroke
32:21the moment that bouquet was taken away.
32:24Only he, until this very moment, had truly understood it.
32:33All of this, to him, no longer had the slightest connection.
32:42So this was the ending.
32:44Not a grand revenge, not a heart-wrenching quarrel,
32:47not even a formal goodbye.
32:50It was just that she gently averted her glace and walked towards another path,
32:54and then, left him and his eight years completely behind her.
32:59He walked to the bedroom door and stopped.
33:05Two of her coats still hung in the closet.
33:08He had them cleaned and hung back exactly as they were.
33:12Now his fingertips touched the cuff of that camel cashmere coat,
33:15and the texture was soft but hollow.
33:18His phone vibrated in his pocket.
33:20It was his mother.
33:22He let it ring seven times and finally answered.
33:28Nathan, Marianne is coming back from London next week.
33:31Her father has invited our family to dinner.
33:33You should come too.
33:36Mom, I don't have time.
33:37No time?
33:38You already made the entire family lose face at the Moretti wedding.
33:40What more do you want?
33:43He hung up and tossed the phone onto the sofa.
33:52Nathan did not go on a business trip.
33:54He went to Boston.
33:55At the cafe in Back Bay, where he had once run into Elena,
33:59he waited for three more days.
34:01She never appeared.
34:05On the afternoon of the fourth day,
34:07he went to the church her parents often attended.
34:09He sat on the last pew,
34:11staring blankly at the holy image ahead.
34:16Young man, are you waiting for someone?
34:19Waiting for someone who probably won't come.
34:21Go look into the future.
34:22There may be someone there.
34:24Nathan was stunned.
34:28A week before Thanksgiving,
34:29Nathan received a package from Marco.
34:32Inside were some of Elena's personal belongings.
34:35On top was a note.
34:39Lena said,
34:40these shouldn't be kept.
34:40I just sent them.
34:41Nathan, take care.
34:43Elena had never touched these things.
34:45She had let Marco handle it.
34:47Even the last time,
34:48it was through her husband.
35:01That concert ticket stub was printed with October 2018.
35:06He remembered that night.
35:08Tonight was amazing.
35:09You'll regret missing it.
35:11Yeah, we'll go together next time.
35:19Now that thin ticket stub lay in his palm,
35:22yet it felt as heavy as a branding iron.
35:25The following spring,
35:27Nathan took a trip to Central Park.
35:28He sat down on the bench beside the tree.
35:32From the inner pocket of his coat,
35:34he took out a photograph.
35:36On the back was written,
35:38I'll carry you forever.
35:39That's a promise.
35:41This was the last time he would carry it with him.
35:47Sir, could you take a photo for us?
35:51In the viewfinder,
35:52the boy was carrying the girl on his back,
35:54both laughing freely and brightly,
35:56just like them back then.
35:58He pressed the shutter.
36:02What about you?
36:03Are you alone?
36:04I'm saying goodbye.
36:07He took out a lighter.
36:09The flame flickered in the spring evening breeze.
36:12The corner of the photo slowly curled and blackened,
36:15and the handwriting disappeared bit by bit in the flame.
36:18The ashes fell into the soil,
36:20and the wind blew them away.
36:22He stood up and walked toward the park exit.
36:25His phone lit up in his pocket.
36:27It was a text from Marion.
36:29Next week, I'm having a small art exhibition
36:31in the Hamptons with some friends.
36:33Will you come?
36:34His finger hovered over the screen for two seconds.
36:38Okay.
36:39The moment the word was sent,
36:41he seemed to hear,
36:42far, far behind him,
36:44the sound of a bouquet falling to the ground.
36:46It was an echo from another time.
36:52When he turned around,
36:53there was nothing.
36:58Only the new spring leaves rustled in the wind,
37:01like someone's laughter,
37:02too faint to hear clearly.
37:04And then even that gust of wind passed.
37:07The turn of the night,
37:10When the curtain is still focused.
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