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