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00:00I lied about what I looked like, met him online, six months, in real life, CEO, cold, untouchable,
00:05barely looked at people when he talked to them, online, different guy, completely, called me baby,
00:10called me his, said I could ruin his life and he thanked me for it, he never saw my face,
00:14never saw my body, because if he had, he wouldn't have said any of it, he got obsessed,
00:19talked about meeting up, yeah, no, I dumped him, blocked him everywhere,
00:24done spring break, crashed at my best friend Marlo's place, walked in and ran straight into
00:28her older brother, tall, gorgeous, ice-cold face, and somehow, I knew that face,
00:37down girl, my brother hates girls who throw themselves at him, and ever since he got
00:41ghosted by some online fling, worst mood of his life, I swallowed hard, Marlo, your brother's
00:48name isn't Silas Kingsley, is it, no freaking way, how do you know that, well, that was it,
00:55I was done, I dated this guy online, ghosted him, now I was in his house, his actual house,
01:00seriously, what are the odds, before I could say anything, actually, makes sense, we're basically
01:05the same person, I probably said his name at some point, I just stood there, frozen,
01:09Silas Kingsley, same house has as me, right now, my heart wouldn't shut up, I kept thinking about
01:13an hour ago, Marlo brought me home, Silas came down the stairs in a robe, loosely tied, collar open,
01:19looked like he just rolled out of bed, didn't care, owned the place anyway, I stared, something
01:23about him, I couldn't place it, but Silas just gave me a nod, his eyes went right past me, like
01:27I
01:28wasn't there, just his little sister's college friend, no way, this guy, my clingy filthy ex from
01:32social media, not a chance, online Silas was a whole different species, every night, without fail,
01:38the pet names, the possessiveness, the way he talked like I already belonged to him, half the stuff he
01:43said kept me up till 2am face burning, kicking my feet, and, me? I never showed him a real photo,
01:48sent him some pretty girl I found on social media, told him that was me, if he'd seen the real
01:52me,
01:53size 16, double chin, all of it, he wouldn't have said a single word, so how many girlfriends has
02:02your brother had? Just one, online, he was really into her, then she dumped him out of nowhere,
02:08cold as hell, he's been the worst ever since, snapping at everyone, if he's rude to you,
02:12don't take it personal, he's like that with everyone right now, next morning, Mrs. Kingsley called us
02:17down for breakfast, Silas sat across from me, I couldn't stop glancing at him, then he looked up,
02:22our eyes met, he raised an eyebrow, kind of surprised, my heart jumped, I looked away, fast,
02:28but I could still feel him watching me, stay as long as you want, sweetheart, make yourself at home,
02:35thank you, Mrs. Kingsley, I smiled and told myself to chill, so what if we're under the same roof,
02:41there's no way he figures out I'm the girl who ghosted him, no way, he's never seen my face,
02:45never seen my body, the girl he thinks he loved was a social media photo and a voice on the
02:50phone,
02:50not me, definitely not, this, the conversation shifted to Silas, I listened, picked up pieces,
02:57apparently his mom set him up with someone recently, but when she asked how it was going,
03:01Silas couldn't have cared less, mom, I told you, not interested, met her twice, can't even remember
03:09her face, you reject every girl I bring, I swear, I don't know when you'll snap out of it,
03:17you're 26, Silas, no girlfriend, sometimes I honestly wonder if you even like women,
03:22mom, his orientation is fine, promise, he's just romantically cursed, the girl he wants likes to
03:29play games, that's all, I wanted to disappear into my plate, didn't dare breathe, but of course,
03:34the universe wasn't done with me, Gene Whitfield, I flinched, almost dropped my fork, just my name,
03:40nothing special, but hearing it from his mouth, chills, down my spine, instantly, why, before I
03:46could think, his eyes were already on me, reading me, something I couldn't figure out behind them,
03:51you look guilty, did you do something you shouldn't have, my brain shorted out, I had nothing,
03:56thank god Mrs. Kingsley stepped in, leave her alone, Gene's our guest, be nice,
04:02wow bro, I said Gene's name once and you memorized it, everyone laughed, I kept my head down,
04:08didn't say a word, didn't notice Silas narrowing his eyes at me from across the table, Marlo had
04:12a fever the past couple days, after breakfast, she took some meds and went back to bed, I did
04:17some homework, went downstairs for water, saw Mrs. Kingsley grabbing her keys, where are you going?
04:24That son of mine, rushed out this morning and forgot his documents, now I have to drive all the
04:29way to his office, he's never this careless, I don't know what's gotten into him, I can take
04:33them, you should rest, oh no sweetie, I couldn't ask you to do that, really, it's fine, I've got
04:40nothing else going on, Mrs. Kingsley had been so kind, letting me stay, this was the least I could
04:45do, she couldn't argue with me, eventually she texted me the address, in the taxi I pulled out
04:50my phone, searched his name, same story everywhere, ruthless, sharp, decisive, couldn't picture a guy
04:56like that on social media, back then, I was a freshman, parents just got divorced, life sucked,
05:01every night on social media, anything to not be alone, that's where I met him, felt like a
05:05relationship, kind of, even if we'd never met, made me feel something, good enough, but I was
05:09careful, lied about my age, told him I was a senior, never gave him my real name, never sent a
05:14real
05:14photo, never took his video calls, just my voice, 30 minutes a night, that was it Silas, he gave me
05:20everything, Venmo'd me money constantly, random amounts, get yourself something nice, you haven't
05:25eaten, order food, the numbers were insane, I sent it all back, just wanted someone to talk
05:29to at night, wasn't gonna marry the guy, his money, not my problem, then he got clingy, one
05:34day, he said he wanted to meet, I had two weeks till finals, meet in person, yeah, no, I thought
05:40about it forever, then I typed it out, no point meeting up, I'm kind of over this, let's end
05:45it, hit send, blocked him on social media, unfriended him everywhere, deleted every message,
05:50Figured Silas would've moved on by now, but from the way Marlo talked about him, he hadn't,
05:54not even close, first time at Silas's office receptionist walked me up to the top floor,
05:59apparently he owned the whole building, must be nice being rich, elevator dinged, doors
06:04opened, the second my eyes landed on him, I froze son behind him, sharp jaw, something
06:10dangerous about him, so this was him at work, something squeezed in my chest, he'd just come
06:15out of a meeting, board members walking behind him, every single one older than him by a
06:19decade, none of them could touch him, looked like he was born to run the room, all way
06:24went dead quiet, someone stared at me, way too curious, Mr. Kingsley, and this is, their
06:30eyes wouldn't leave me, his eyes landed on me, he paused, then he stepped in front of him,
06:34just slightly, like it was nothing, a friend, like he was hiding me, not his sister's classmate,
06:39not the girl staying at his house, a friend, Mr. Kingsley, this young lady says she's here
06:44to drop off your documents, got it, take her to my office, he hit the elevator button, seemed
06:50like he had somewhere else to be, I thought about it for a second, handed the documents
06:54to the receptionist, these are delivered, I'll get going, don't want to be in the way, the
07:00second I turned around, something stopped me, Silas's hand, on my arm, did I say you could leave,
07:05I stopped, he was so close I could smell him, something clean, cold, like pine in winter,
07:10forgot how to move, where his fingers touched my arm, buzzing, like a live wire, he breathed
07:15out, wait for me, I have something to tell you, I had no idea what Silas wanted to say,
07:20as far as he knew, our only connection was his sister, whatever this was, it was freaking me out,
07:27by the time his assistant swapped my coffee, for the third time, I was losing it, then the door
07:32opened, Silas walked in, saw me on the couch, his face softened, just a little, I stood up fast,
07:37nervous, something flickered in his eyes, gone before I could catch it, Mr. Kings, sit down,
07:44you're not my employee, don't call me that, so why did you want me to stay, do you have your
07:50phone,
07:53let's follow each other, I'll mobile page you for the ride, no, really, it's fine, it was nothing,
08:02plus, I've been staying at your house for free, that's different, I don't like owing people,
08:09I was about to say no again, then a thought hit me, why was he pushing this so hard,
08:13as his sister's friend, he didn't need my socials, unless he suspected something,
08:16panic almost showed on my face, this man was unreal, there were zero clues, how was he already
08:21suspicious, when I pulled up my profile I caught something, his hand was shaking, just a little,
08:26like he was waiting for something, he stared at my screen for a long time, then something in him
08:30deflated, like the air got knocked out of him, reason I could add him so calmly was simple,
08:35I stopped using my old account after freshman year, my current profile looked nothing like the old one,
08:40I breathed out, quiet, Silas had no way to connect the two, but I noticed something,
08:44his profile picture, still the one I picked for him, back then, after all this time,
08:48he never changed it, didn't know what to feel, car pulled up to the house,
08:52Silas hadn't been home in two days, he had other places, normal for him,
08:56not having to face him at home, relief, Marlo recovered, full of energy, impossible to keep
09:00indoors, Jean, it's Tyler's birthday tonight, whole crew's going,
09:04Tyler, guy from high school, same college now, Feigert going out might clear my head,
09:08said yes, Marlo was already texting on the way out,
09:11Ugh, my brother wants to know what I'm doing tonight, nosy,
09:14she typed back, didn't think twice, should have thought twice,
09:17by the time we got downtown, it was dark, Tyler's group was outside the restaurant,
09:21talking, laughing, when Tyler saw me, he waved,
09:24Jean, I told you guys not to bring gifts,
09:27I smiled, handed him the watch I picked out, he took it, grinned,
09:30always keeping things even, huh,
09:31halfway through dinner, the table got loud, someone brought up dating apps,
09:35everyone had a story, Jessica was across the table,
09:38on her second glass of wine, then she turned to me, smiling,
09:41Jean, you've been so quiet, are you seeing anyone?
09:44The table quieted a little, I set my glass down,
09:47Not really, oh honey, still?
09:50She glanced around the table, making sure everyone was listening,
09:54You know, I keep telling my little sister, guys don't care about personality,
09:57they see you first, and if the packaging isn't right, they don't even open the box,
10:01the table went dead quiet, Jessica put a hand on my arm, squeezed, fake concern,
10:05I'm just saying, don't wait around, honey, nobody's coming to save you,
10:10Silence, then, the restaurant door opened,
10:19Sorry I'm late, baby,
10:21Baby, he'd never called me that in real life, only online the whole table froze,
10:25something in me unclenched, Jessica's hand was still on my arm,
10:28Silas looked down at it, just once, she yanked it back like she'd been burned,
10:32Marlo was silently losing it in her seat, he leaned in, voice low, loud enough for the table to catch,
10:37You should have told me you had plans, I would have come sooner,
10:40He straightened, looked at Tyler,
10:42Happy birthday,
10:43His hand slid to the small of my back, Marlo finally cracked,
10:46Cool, cool, cool, cool, don't mind me, just your sister,
10:50Silas didn't turn around,
10:53Stay, have fun,
10:57Fine, free cake, I'll live,
10:59He was already walking me toward the door, right past Jessica,
11:02I didn't look at her, didn't need to,
11:03His hand on my back said everything,
11:05The SUV pulled away from the restaurant,
11:08I sat in the passenger seat, hands in my lap,
11:10Not moving, Silas didn't say anything at first,
11:13Just drove seedy lights on his face,
11:15Off,
11:15Buckle up, baby,
11:17My hands wouldn't cooperate,
11:18He watched me fumble for a second,
11:20Then leaned over, reached across me,
11:21Buckled it himself, slowly,
11:23I stopped breathing,
11:24He didn't sit back right away,
11:25Fuck's close to mine,
11:26Voice quiet,
11:27You've been jumpy all night,
11:29Have I?
11:30Hmm,
11:30He sat back,
11:31Eyes on the road again,
11:32Silence,
11:33I stared out the window,
11:35Tried to look normal,
11:36Tried not to think about it,
11:37The way he'd called me baby in front of everyone,
11:40The way he only ever called me that online,
11:42Then he spoke, casually,
11:43You know what's weird?
11:44What?
11:45I keep thinking about a girl I used to talk to,
11:48She could never sleep before 2am every night,
11:50Sounds annoying,
11:51Sounds familiar?
11:53Not really,
11:54I sleep early,
11:56Right,
11:56Must be someone else I'm thinking of,
11:58He didn't look at me,
11:59But I felt him watching,
12:00The way you feel someone watching,
12:02In the dark,
12:03The rest of the drive was quiet,
12:04When we pulled into the driveway,
12:06He cut the engine,
12:07Didn't get out,
12:08Just sat there,
12:09Hands on the wheel,
12:10Then he turned to me,
12:12Get some sleep, Gene,
12:13Try to,
12:15If you can,
12:16He got out,
12:17Walked around to open my door,
12:18I sat there,
12:20Frozen,
12:20Because try to wasn't a suggestion,
12:22It was a challenge,
12:25I didn't sleep,
12:262am,
12:263am,
12:274am,
12:27Silas knew,
12:28Of course he knew,
12:29By morning,
12:30Marlo was banging on my door,
12:31Get up,
12:32Event tonight,
12:32We need dresses,
12:33Downstairs,
12:34Silas was already dressed,
12:36In hand,
12:37I'm driving,
12:38Marlo blinked,
12:39You?
12:39Shopping?
12:40I have somewhere to be after,
12:41Sure he did,
12:42Silas dropped us at some boutique downtown,
12:45Meeting,
12:45Back in an hour,
12:46Marlo pulled me inside,
12:48The saleswoman was already walking over,
12:50Blonde,
12:51Perfect blowout,
12:52Perfect smile,
12:53Her eyes went to Marlo first,
12:55Warm,
12:55Miss Kingsley,
12:57Always lovely to see you,
12:58Then her eyes found me,
13:00The smile didn't change,
13:01But something behind it did,
13:02And your friend?
13:04Yeah,
13:05She's shopping too,
13:06Of course,
13:07The saleswoman's eyes did that thing,
13:09The up and down,
13:10The math,
13:11Well,
13:12Let me know if you need help,
13:13Sweetie,
13:13She turned back to Marlo,
13:15The new collection is over here,
13:17Very selective sizing though,
13:18Just so you know,
13:20It's fine,
13:21I'll just look around,
13:23I wandered to the back,
13:24Every rack,
13:24Same story,
13:25Size zero,
13:26Size two,
13:27Size four,
13:27Nothing past a six,
13:28I always know before I walk in,
13:30But,
13:31I kept walking,
13:31Kept pretending to browse,
13:33Because leaving looked worse than staying,
13:36The saleswoman was watching me,
13:37Not helping,
13:38Just watching,
13:39Then she drifted over a sweet voice,
13:42Sweetheart,
13:43I don't want you to waste your time,
13:45These really aren't designed with,
13:47Everybody in mind,
13:49There's a lovely store two blocks down,
13:51Torpid,
13:51Very cute,
13:52Really flattering for girls like you,
13:54Girls like me,
13:55You know what I mean,
13:56Right,
13:57Thanks,
13:58Turned to leave,
13:58I made it three steps,
14:00Then the door chimed,
14:01Sailass,
14:02He walked in scanning the room,
14:03Saw me heading for the door,
14:05Saw the saleswoman,
14:06Still smiling,
14:07Saw Marlow two racks away,
14:09Jaw clenched,
14:10Ride the room in one second,
14:11He walked straight to me,
14:12Hand on my arm,
14:13Where are you going?
14:15I was just,
14:16Did you find something you liked?
14:17No, I,
14:18Why not?
14:19Oh,
14:20Mr. Kingsley,
14:21We were just discussing that our collection isn't quite the right fit for your,
14:25For my what?
14:25Not a question,
14:27She faltered,
14:28For your,
14:29Companion,
14:29The sizing is a bit,
14:30Get me the manager,
14:31Excuse me?
14:32The manager,
14:33Now,
14:34Her smile disappeared,
14:35She walked to the back,
14:36Fast Silas turned to me,
14:38Different voice soft,
14:39Pick something,
14:41Silas,
14:41I don't,
14:42Anything you want,
14:43Or everything,
14:44I don't care,
14:46Mr. Kingsley,
14:47Is there a problem?
14:48Yeah,
14:49Your staff just told my girlfriend to shop somewhere else,
14:52Marlow made a noise,
14:53Something between a gasp and a laugh,
14:55I opened my mouth to correct him,
14:57Then closed it,
14:58Because looking at his face,
14:59He wasn't asking permission,
15:00The manager went white,
15:01Sir,
15:02I'm so sorry,
15:03I don't care,
15:04He pulled out his card,
15:05Slid it across the counter,
15:06I'll take the store,
15:08Sir?
15:08Get her whatever fits,
15:10Whatever she wants,
15:11Alterations,
15:12Custom,
15:12New patterns,
15:13Bill me,
15:14Mr. Kingsley,
15:15That's,
15:16Every piece in this store,
15:17Remade in her size,
15:19Starting today,
15:20Holy shit,
15:21And her,
15:22Silas finally looked at the saleswoman,
15:24Just once,
15:25Fire her,
15:26Before I leave,
15:28Grab your things,
15:29Now,
15:30Outside on the sidewalk,
15:31Marlow was staring at her brother,
15:32Like she'd never seen him before,
15:35Did you just,
15:36Buy out the entire store for Jean?
15:38Yes,
15:40And made them remake everything in her size?
15:42Yes,
15:43And called her your girlfriend?
15:45Yes,
15:47Jean,
15:48What is happening?
15:49I didn't answer,
15:50Couldn't,
15:51Silas was opening the car door,
15:53He looked at me over the roof,
15:54Get in baby,
15:55Baby,
15:56Not for the table this time,
15:57Not for anyone,
15:58Just for me,
15:59Got home,
15:59Went straight to my room,
16:00Didn't come down for dinner,
16:02Marlow knocked,
16:03Jean,
16:03You good?
16:05Tired,
16:05Your fake boyfriend just bought a store for you,
16:08Not now,
16:09She left,
16:09I sat on the bed,
16:10Lights off,
16:11Buzzed,
16:11Silas,
16:12Are you eating?
16:14Answer me,
16:16Jean,
16:16I turned it face down,
16:17Downstairs,
16:18Front door,
16:19He was home,
16:20I locked my door,
16:20Waited,
16:21An hour,
16:21Two nothing then,
16:22Knock not loud,
16:23Steady,
16:24Open the door,
16:25I didn't move,
16:26I know you're awake,
16:27Open it,
16:28Or I will,
16:29I got up,
16:30Opened it,
16:31Silas suit,
16:32Tie loose,
16:33Collar open,
16:34He walked past me,
16:35Into the room,
16:37Silas,
16:37What are you-
16:38He shut the door,
16:38Locked it,
16:39Sit,
16:40What?
16:42Sit down,
16:43Jean,
16:48I don't want to meet up,
16:50I'm kind of over this,
16:52Let's end it,
16:53Hi Ellie,
16:54I couldn't move,
16:55He stood there,
16:56Waiting,
16:57Silas,
16:58Don't,
16:59He put the phone away,
17:00Six months,
17:01I looked for you six months,
17:04I know,
17:05You know,
17:06He laughed,
17:06Not funny,
17:07You know,
17:08He walked closer,
17:09Private investigators,
17:10Three of them,
17:11Nothing,
17:12Silas,
17:13Because every single thing you told me,
17:15Was a lie,
17:17The name,
17:19The age,
17:20The photo,
17:21The photo,
17:23Silas,
17:24I can explain,
17:25I-
17:25Try me,
17:26I opened my mouth,
17:27Nothing came out,
17:28Because what was I going to say?
17:29That I was scared?
17:30That I lied,
17:31Because I didn't think a guy like him,
17:33Would want a girl like me?
17:34That the photo was some Pinterest girl,
17:36And the real me was,
17:37This,
17:37He was still waiting,
17:39I didn't think you'd want the real me,
17:41That's it?
17:43Silas,
17:44Look at me,
17:48You fell for a voice and a photo,
17:49That's not me,
17:50That was never me,
17:51I know what I fell for,
17:52Silas,
17:53I-
17:53I fell for the girl who cried at 2am,
17:55Because her parents were splitting,
17:56I fell for the girl who wouldn't take my money,
17:58No,
17:58No,
17:58No,
17:58I fell for the girl who called me at midnight,
18:00Just to hear me breathe,
18:01That girl,
18:02Not a photo,
18:03But you never saw me,
18:04I'm seeing you now,
18:06Jean,
18:07Look at me,
18:08I looked for you for 6 months,
18:10Not for the girl in that photo,
18:12For the girl on the phone,
18:14That's you,
18:16Silas,
18:17That's always been you,
18:21So now you know,
18:22What are you gonna do?
18:25Don't run this time,
18:27I didn't sleep,
18:27He didn't leave,
18:28Just sat on the floor by my bed,
18:30Back against the wall,
18:31Suit jacket off,
18:32Not looking at me,
18:33Not talking,
18:34Just there,
18:34Silas,
18:36Why are you on the floor?
18:38Because if I get in that bed,
18:39I won't leave,
18:41You should sleep,
18:43I'm good,
18:43Silas,
18:44Sleep,
18:45Jean,
18:45I did eventually,
18:46Woke up at 8,
18:47He was gone,
18:48But there was coffee on the nightstand,
18:50Still warm,
18:51And a note,
18:51Downstairs when you're ready,
18:53I got dressed,
18:54Slowly,
18:54Baggy hoodie,
18:55Leggings,
18:56Hair up,
18:57Went down,
18:57Silas was at the kitchen island,
18:58Laptop open,
18:59Coffee in hand,
19:00He looked up,
19:01Smiled,
19:03Morning,
19:04Morning,
19:05Marlo walked in behind me,
19:06Saw us,
19:07Oh my god,
19:08You're smiling,
19:09Marlo,
19:10You never smile,
19:11Marlo,
19:12At breakfast,
19:13Before 10,
19:14What have you done to my brother?
19:16Get out,
19:17Rude,
19:18Out,
19:19Cool,
19:20Cool,
19:20Cool,
19:20Just gonna go be the invisible sister again,
19:24Come here,
19:25I walked over,
19:26He pulled out the stool next to him,
19:27I sat,
19:28He didn't say anything for a second,
19:29Then his hand slid to my thigh,
19:31Rested there,
19:32Silas,
19:33Just for a minute,
19:35You okay?
19:37I don't know,
19:38Take your time,
19:40Silas,
19:40Hmm,
19:42You really don't care,
19:43About what?
19:45About,
19:47I care about every part of you,
19:49Jean,
19:50I meant,
19:51I know what you meant,
19:51I don't care that you're not the girl in the photo,
19:53I care that you spent two years thinking you had to be,
19:56We're doing this right this time,
19:58Doing what?
19:58All of it,
20:00He glanced down,
20:01His whole face,
20:01Changed,
20:03Silas,
20:05Silas,
20:05What?
20:06Vivian's back in town,
20:07Who?
20:09My mother's pick,
20:11The girl she wants me to marry,
20:14Silas left,
20:15Didn't say when he'd be back,
20:16Didn't kiss me goodbye,
20:17Just gone,
20:18I sat at the kitchen island,
20:19Coffee going cold,
20:21Marlo walked back in,
20:22He gone?
20:22Yeah,
20:23Where?
20:24Vivian,
20:25Oh no,
20:27Who is she,
20:28Marlo?
20:28Marlo pulled up a stool,
20:30Sat down slowly,
20:31Okay,
20:32So,
20:33Marlet,
20:34Vivian Ashfield,
20:35Mom's friend's daughter,
20:36Grew up in the same circles,
20:38And?
20:39And she's been in love with Silas,
20:41Since we were 14,
20:43Mom's been trying to set them up for two years,
20:45Silas keeps saying no,
20:46So what's the problem?
20:47She just came back from Paris,
20:49Fashion school,
20:50And she's perfect,
20:51Perfect,
20:52Like model perfect,
20:53Size two,
20:54Speaks four languages,
20:55Dad's worth 500 million,
20:56Cool,
20:57Cool,
20:58Jean,
20:58No,
20:58It's fine,
20:59Jean,
20:59It's fine,
21:00Marlon,
21:00He said no for two years,
21:02He'll say no again,
21:03Yeah,
21:03Jean,
21:04Look at me,
21:06My brother bought a store for you yesterday,
21:08I know,
21:08He called you his girlfriend in front of a stranger,
21:10I know,
21:11He slept on your floor,
21:12Marlo,
21:13He is gone for you,
21:14Jean,
21:14I nodded,
21:15Didn't smile,
21:16She sighed,
21:17Squeezed my hand,
21:18But,
21:19But she's Vivian,
21:20And I'm,
21:20I didn't finish,
21:21Marlo was quiet,
21:22Then she stood up,
21:23You know what,
21:24Get up,
21:25What?
21:25Get up,
21:26We're going out,
21:27Marley,
21:27I don't,
21:27Jean,
21:28Get up,
21:29We drove to the boutique,
21:30The one Silas bought yesterday,
21:32The manager saw me walk in,
21:34Actually gasped,
21:36Miss Whitfield,
21:37We've been expecting you,
21:38The team's been working since 6am,
21:40We have first samples ready,
21:42First samples of what?
21:43Your collection,
21:44Mr. Kingsley called last night,
21:46Very specific instructions,
21:48Oh,
21:48This is gonna be good,
21:49The manager led us to a private room,
21:51Racks and racks of clothes,
21:53All new,
21:54All different,
21:55All in my size,
21:56I stopped in the doorway,
21:58He said,
21:59And I quote,
21:59She's never had a store built for her,
22:01Fix that,
22:02Nope,
22:02Not running,
22:03Try something on,
22:04Marlo,
22:04Try something on,
22:06Black sequin mesh,
22:08Fitted off the shoulder,
22:09I put it on,
22:10Looked in the mirror,
22:11Marlo was behind me,
22:12Watching my face,
22:15Jean,
22:15That's what you look like when clothes are made for you,
22:18The bell over the door chimed,
22:20Two women walked in,
22:22The manager's face went pale,
22:23Marlo went still,
22:25I turned around,
22:25A tall blonde long coat designer bags,
22:28And an older woman,
22:29Silas's mother,
22:30The blonde's eyes swept over me,
22:32Slow,
22:32Amused,
22:33Then she smiled,
22:34Oh,
22:35You must be Jean,
22:36The next morning,
22:38Silas set a garment bag on my bed,
22:41What's this?
22:42Charity gala,
22:43Tonight,
22:45Silas,
22:46You're my girlfriend,
22:47You're coming,
22:48I don't do galas,
22:49You don't have to do anything,
22:51Just be there,
22:52He kissed my forehead,
22:53Left,
22:53I opened the bag,
22:54Deep green silk,
22:55Custom,
22:56My size,
22:57Of course,
22:57Vivian's voice in my head,
22:58You are not built for this life,
23:01I got ready anyway,
23:05The car came at seven,
23:07Silas met me at the bottom of the stairs,
23:08Jean,
23:10What?
23:11You look,
23:12He didn't finish,
23:13Just took my hand,
23:14The gala was in a hotel ballroom,
23:17Chandeliers,
23:17Champagne,
23:18Money,
23:19Silas kept his hand on my back,
23:20Introduced me to everyone,
23:22This is Jean,
23:23My girlfriend,
23:24Some people smiled,
23:25Some just looked,
23:26Then someone tapped Silas on the shoulder,
23:28Just business baby,
23:29Two minutes,
23:30He kissed my temple,
23:31Went,
23:32I stood alone in the crowd,
23:34Waiter offered me champagne,
23:35I took it,
23:36Just to have something to hold,
23:37I looked around,
23:38Every woman in the room was thin,
23:39Every woman,
23:40Not one exception,
23:42Then I found Silas,
23:43Across the room,
23:44Talking to Vivian,
23:47Of course she was here,
23:48Same crowd,
23:49Vivian was laughing,
23:50Silas wasn't,
23:51But she was standing close,
23:52She wears a white gown,
23:54They looked like a magazine cover,
23:55Vivian saw me across the crowd,
23:57Smiled,
23:58Waved,
23:58Small,
23:59Just for me,
23:59Then she leaned into Silas,
24:01Whispered something,
24:02Silas stopped smiling for a second,
24:04Then laughed,
24:04Loud,
24:05Wrong laugh,
24:06I put my champagne down,
24:07Walked to the exit,
24:08Fast,
24:08Didn't say goodbye,
24:09Didn't text him,
24:10Just got in a cab,
24:11Told the driver Silas's address,
24:13Then changed my mind,
24:14Sorry,
24:15Different address,
24:16I gave him my dorm,
24:17I got there at ten,
24:18Turned off my phone,
24:19Sat on my bed,
24:20Stared at the wall,
24:20Around midnight,
24:21Someone banged on my door,
24:22I didn't move,
24:25Jean,
24:26I know you're in there,
24:27Open the door,
24:29Jean,
24:30Your phone is off,
24:31Your taxi history has this address,
24:33Open the door,
24:33I got up,
24:34Walked to the door,
24:35Didn't open it,
24:35Silas,
24:36Go home,
24:37Jean,
24:37Open the door,
24:38I said go home,
24:39His voice was different,
24:41Not angry,
24:41Scared,
24:42What did I do,
24:44Nothing,
24:44Jean,
24:45Silas,
24:46Go home,
24:47Tell me what I did,
24:48Nothing,
24:50Then open the door,
24:52Not tonight,
24:53Jean,
24:53Please,
24:55I stood there for a long time,
24:56Then I heard footsteps,
24:57Walking away,
24:58I slid down against the door,
25:00Sat on the floor,
25:01And cried,
25:04I woke up on the floor,
25:05Neck stiff,
25:06Foxwollen,
25:07Pawn still off,
25:09I turned it on,
25:1147 missed calls,
25:1223 texts,
25:13All Silas,
25:15Jean,
25:16Jean,
25:17Please,
25:17Are you home?
25:19You're not at your old apartment,
25:20Where are you?
25:21Jean,
25:22Please answer,
25:23Please,
25:24Please,
25:26I put the phone face down,
25:27Sat by the window,
25:29Watched the street,
25:30Waited for something to feel different,
25:31It didn't,
25:32Around noon,
25:33A food delivery notification,
25:35Delivery at the front desk,
25:37I went down,
25:38The RA handed me a bag,
25:40Chicken soup,
25:41Note attached,
25:42You always got sick when you didn't sleep,
25:43Eat,
25:44Please,
25:45Silas the same soup from when I was just a voice,
25:47I brought it upstairs,
25:49Sat on the floor,
25:49Ate it slowly,
25:51Cried the whole time,
25:52A car pulled up outside,
25:54I didn't look,
25:54Come to the window,
25:55Jean,
25:56I know you're up there,
25:57Come to the window,
25:58I got up,
25:58Walked over,
26:00He was standing on the street,
26:01Just standing there,
26:02Looking up,
26:03Our eyes met,
26:04He didn't smile,
26:05He didn't wave,
26:06He just held up his phone,
26:07A message came through,
26:13I know what she said to me,
26:14I know why you left,
26:16I'm going to tell you what I heard,
26:18And why I laughed,
26:20But not through a door,
26:21Come down,
26:22Or let me up,
26:24Please,
26:24Jean,
26:25I stood at the window,
26:26He was still there,
26:27No coat waiting,
26:28I grabbed my jacket,
26:29Went downstairs,
26:30He saw me through the glass,
26:32Didn't move,
26:32Didn't come to meet me,
26:33Just waited,
26:34I walked out,
26:35Stopped three feet away,
26:36Talk,
26:37She said something cruel about you,
26:39How cruel,
26:40You don't want the words,
26:41You don't want the words,
26:42I laughed at her,
26:43Not with her,
26:45Because she thought it would work,
26:47You've never laughed like that with me,
26:49Because I can't be casual with you,
26:51You are the only real thing in that room,
26:54You want to know what I said back to her,
26:55What?
26:56I said,
26:57None of it matters,
26:59I'm going to marry her,
27:01Silas,
27:01I mean it,
27:02You barely know me,
27:03I know you better than she ever will,
27:07Tomorrow,
27:07Pack your dorm,
27:09Move in with me,
27:09Silas,
27:10If you say no,
27:12I'll sleep in your hallway every night,
27:13Until you say yes,
27:15Morning after,
27:16I don't remember the drive back to the Kingsley house,
27:18I remember Silas sitting on the floor by my bed,
27:20Until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore,
27:22When I woke up,
27:23He was gone,
27:24Note on the nightstand,
27:25Meetings till six,
27:27Text me if you go out,
27:28I stared at it,
27:29He'd never left me a note before,
27:30I got up,
27:31Went downstairs,
27:32Marlo was at the counter eating cereal,
27:37Morning sunshine,
27:39You look like hell,
27:41Thanks,
27:43Mom said he left at five,
27:44Something's up with him,
27:45I didn't answer,
27:47My phone buzzed,
27:48Coffee,
27:4811am,
27:49The blue door on 5th,
27:50Who's that?
27:51I locked the screen,
27:52Nobody,
27:53I shouldn't have gone,
27:54I went,
27:55The blue door was one of those places with $12 lats and no signage,
27:58She was already at a corner table,
28:00Vivienne,
28:01Cream coat,
28:01No makeup,
28:02Looked tired,
28:03Back to the wall,
28:04Chair angled toward the door,
28:05I noticed,
28:06Didn't think about why,
28:07She saw me and something in her face relaxed,
28:09You came,
28:10I wasn't sure you would,
28:12How did you get my number?
28:14I've been in this family's contact since I was 14,
28:16It wasn't hard,
28:18It wasn't hard,
28:18I sat,
28:19She slid an envelope across the table,
28:22Open it,
28:23No,
28:24Jean,
28:25Please,
28:26I didn't,
28:27She opened it herself,
28:28Pulled out a photo,
28:29Slid it toward me,
28:30A girl,
28:31Late teens,
28:32Long dark hair,
28:33Standing on a beach,
28:34Smiling at the camera,
28:36The girl from Pinterest,
28:37The girl I told Silas was me,
28:39Two years ago,
28:40The girl I had never met,
28:41The girl whose face I had stolen,
28:43I stopped breathing,
28:44Her name is Ashley,
28:46Vivienne's voice was soft,
28:48She's family to me,
28:49I couldn't move,
28:50She posted that photo on social media three years ago,
28:53Her account was public back then,
28:55Someone screenshotted it,
28:56Uploaded it to social media,
28:59Wherever girls like you find photos of girls like Ashley,
29:03The bell above the door jingled,
29:04Vivienne's head turned fast,
29:06Too fast,
29:07She watched the customer walk in,
29:08Watched them sit down,
29:10Watched them open a laptop,
29:11Then turned back to me,
29:12Like nothing happened,
29:14You okay?
29:16Fine,
29:16She wasn't,
29:18She pulled a second photo from the envelope,
29:20This is a post Ashley made last spring,
29:22A screenshot,
29:22Ashley in a car,
29:23Hoodie up,
29:24Looking out the window,
29:25Catbid underneath,
29:26Anya and Els feel like they're being watched,
29:28Even when they're not,
29:30She deleted it three hours later,
29:32After the men started showing up,
29:34For weeks,
29:35Some of them were nice,
29:36Some of them weren't,
29:38They kept asking her if she was Ellie,
29:40Ellie,
29:40The name I'd made up,
29:42The name I'd given him,
29:43She told them she wasn't,
29:45Over and over,
29:45They didn't believe her,
29:47One of them followed her home,
29:49Just once,
29:51That was enough,
29:54She started sleeping with the lights on,
29:56Checked the locks three times before bed,
29:58Changed her route to class,
30:29She said it like she was reciting,
30:43I've never realized,
30:58Started dating someone last spring,
30:59until tomorrow morning. Tell Silas. He can decide how to reach her. After that, I do it.
31:08For what it's worth, I don't hate you. I don't know you well enough to hate you. I just can't
31:14watch this happen to another girl. Not while I'm alive to stop it. That last line, the way she said
31:19it, like it wasn't about Ashley at all. I looked at her. She looked away. Silas will forgive you,
31:24Jean. He forgives you for everything, but he won't forgive himself. Not for this. You need to be
31:30ready for that. She left. I sat at the table for a long time. The envelope in front of me.
31:35The bell
31:35above the door jingled every few minutes. Every time, I flinched. I hadn't been the one being
31:40followed, but I couldn't stop flinching.
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