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00:00A fire left my little sister Lily's mind, forever stuck at age seven.
00:04The whole family had to play make-believe with her.
00:06My mother, Helen, was the gentle queen.
00:08My father, Ryan, was the dashing knight.
00:10And I had to strap a 30-pound weighted belt around my legs and play the wicked cripple.
00:15Until I met Julian.
00:16He gently untied the weighted belt from my legs and murmured, pained.
00:22Amber, from now on, I'll be good only to you.
00:25But when I brought him home, Lily insisted he play the prince
00:27from the neighboring kingdom who would marry her.
00:30Helplessly, I told him to just bear with it.
00:32Julian reluctantly took the toy sword and played through Lily's scene again and again.
00:36Right before the wedding, I thought I could finally break free from this family.
00:40But Lily grabbed my wedding dress and wouldn't let go,
00:42still crying that she wanted to play the princess.
00:45My brother David handed me a fake nose.
00:47You've played the witch all these years.
00:50What's one more day tomorrow?
00:52Helen passed me the weighted belt.
00:53With all those guests tomorrow, do you want to trigger your sister's episode?
00:58Ryan held Lily close and looked at me coldly.
01:00There can only be one princess in this family.
01:03Just suck it up.
01:04Helpless, I looked toward Julian, but he personally put the witch costume on me, casual.
01:09Amber, just bear with it a little longer or Lily will be heartbroken.
01:13Fazing into Julian's tender eyes, in that moment, something inside me went stone cold.
01:19I looked at Lily and took off my engagement ring.
01:22How can a princess be without a diamond ring?
01:27Here, do you want this one too?
01:29David's face stiffened.
01:31Irritated, he snapped.
01:32What are you kicking up a fuss about now?
01:34Helen sighed.
01:35All grown up and still not as sensible as our Lily.
01:38Julian gently stroked Lily's hair.
01:41Lily, be good.
01:42Give the diamond ring back to me, okay?
01:44Lily shook her head hard.
01:45Julian gave a small, doting smile.
01:47He picked up the plastic ring they'd used before for making me believe,
01:50and slipped it onto my finger.
01:52Amber, just wear this one for now.
01:54It's just a ceremony anyway.
01:56My bride will only ever be you.
01:59Just then, the staff brought over the menu they'd finalized.
02:02Lily didn't eat spicy food, but I couldn't live without it.
02:05Every dish my family had chosen was bland.
02:08Ryan said evenly,
02:09You won't die if you skip spicy for one day.
02:12Lily's happiness is what matters most.
02:14I said,
02:14This is my wedding!
02:16Helen pressed a hand on me.
02:17Be a little more mature.
02:19Don't make a fuss!
02:20The officiant looked at me awkwardly.
02:23So, next up, uh, which young lady will be walking down the aisle?
02:28Lily gazed at Julian with pleading eyes.
02:30He immediately let go of my hand.
02:32Be good and sensible now.
02:34Lily just wants to see what it feels like.
02:37So I sat beneath the stage, holding that ridiculous witch costume in my arms.
02:41I watched Lily wear the wedding gown I had spent half a year having custom-made,
02:45holding my favorite white iris bouquet.
02:47She leaned blissfully against Julian's arm.
02:50Helen wept as she recorded a video on social media.
02:53My daughter has grown up.
02:54I'm so proud.
02:56David held Lily's hand and pressed it firmly into Julian's palm.
02:59Julian, I'm placing her in your hands.
03:04When the ceremony ended, Lily excitedly kissed Julian on the cheek.
03:08Everyone froze.
03:10The staff exchanged knowing glances and looked at me.
03:13Little princess, we're rehearsing this too?
03:16Your sister's gonna get upset soon.
03:18The whole family looked at me.
03:19I smiled.
03:20It's fine.
03:21I wish them lasting happiness.
03:23Julian likes idiots anyway.
03:24Nothing to do with me.
03:25Lily's tears instantly fell.
03:27How can you say that about your sister?
03:29Your grandmother spoiled you rotten.
03:31You're capable of saying the most vicious things.
03:34The next second, Lily's bouquet came smashing into my face.
03:37Julian can only marry me.
03:39Everyone scrambled to comfort Lily.
03:41Julian shifted one step toward me.
03:43Lily clutched his clothes tightly.
03:44The man who had once promised he'd never let me be wronged again stopped in his tracks
03:48and instead gently soothed Lily.
03:50Lily, don't be scared.
03:51I'm here.
03:52In that instant, my heart went completely cold.
03:55I was about to get up and leave when Ryan seized my wrist and yanked me off the stage.
04:03Apologize to Lily.
04:04If you don't apologize, don't expect any of us to show up at your wedding.
04:10When the Harrison's see that none of us are there, you'll be the one who's humiliated.
04:15I was the one who'd been wronged.
04:17Yet my family was using my own wedding to threaten me.
04:19They knew perfectly well that Julian and I had been together for seven years and that I had looked
04:23forward to this wedding more than anyone.
04:25I had once gone on and on in the family group chat and my family would only reply with an
04:30ellipsis.
04:30Turns out, it didn't mean noted. It meant they simply didn't care.
04:34That was why I hadn't even had a say in the wedding menu.
04:36They didn't care about my wedding. They didn't care about me.
04:39All the fight drained out of me.
04:42I'm sorry.
04:43Blood from the cut on my forehead dripped onto the floor.
04:47Lily didn't hear you.
04:49Amber, you really shouldn't have said that.
04:52Apologize properly. Don't throw a tantrum.
04:54I kept repeating, I'm sorry.
04:56I'm sorry.
04:58I'm sorry.
04:59I'm sorry.
05:01Not until the hundredth time.
05:02I'm sorry.
05:03When my throat was raw and I could nearly taste blood, did Lily finally smile.
05:09She tipped the yogurt in her hand over my head and giggled.
05:12Yogurt dripped from my collar, sticky and clammy against my skin.
05:16Sister, eat.
05:20You're both my flesh and blood.
05:22We just want to be fair.
05:23But my breath was coming in gasps.
05:25I half collapsed to my knees.
05:27Ryan's voice was cold.
05:29Lily's still crying.
05:30Maybe we should make her apologize one more time.
05:33He kicked me.
05:34Stop faking.
05:35Get up and apologize right now.
05:37But my vision went black.
05:39When I woke up again, I saw the hospital ceiling.
05:42Julian was beside me, seeing me awake, his face filled with concern.
05:47Amber, you're awake.
05:48Are you feeling any discomfort anywhere?
05:50A liquor of remorse crossed his face.
05:53Lily was crying so hard at the time, everyone forgot you're allergic to yogurt.
05:56Turns out, after I passed out, my family insisted I was faking it.
06:00There was a server nearby who cried out an alarm.
06:03She's breaking out in red rashes everywhere!
06:04That was when Julian realized I'd stop breathing properly.
06:07Why didn't you tell everyone about your yogurt allergy?
06:09I had told them many times.
06:12When Lily was little and sick, my parents dumped me on my grandmother to raise.
06:16She would fiercely chase them out the door with a broom whenever they played favorites with Lily.
06:22But when I was seven, my grandmother passed away.
06:24From now on, no one will protect you anymore, baby.
06:27Be good.
06:30Julian, let's call off the wedding.
06:32Julian froze for a moment.
06:34Are you mad?
06:35I only went along with everything for your sake to accommodate your sister.
06:38You want to call off the wedding over this?
06:40Who do you think you're scaring?
06:41All right, you're just exhausted.
06:43After the wedding, I'll take you abroad for the honeymoon.
06:45Without Lily, okay?
06:47I glanced at Julian's phone and saw a flight booking page still open on the screen.
06:50My heart loosened a little.
06:52I was about to say something when Lily called.
06:54Julian, where are you?
06:55His eyes always looked indifferent towards everyone.
06:57But now, facing the phone-
06:58Lily, be good.
06:59I'll be right back.
07:00His eyes were full of tenderness.
07:01I'm heading out now.
07:03Rest well.
07:05The wedding's postponed for two weeks.
07:06You're not in any condition to attend right now anyway.
07:11Exactly.
07:12Lily can walk through the rest of the process for you.
07:15You just focus on resting.
07:17An endless bitterness rose in my heart,
07:20since the only role I could ever play in this family was the wicked side character.
07:24I had no choice but to walk out and become the lead of my own life.
07:28I called my former boss.
07:31You mentioned sending me to the Miami branch.
07:33I accept.
07:36I spent two weeks recovering in the hospital.
07:39Every day I could see updates on the wedding.
07:41The simple, elegant venue I'd loved had been swapped for the princess pink theme Lily adored,
07:46with dreamy balloons everywhere.
07:48David and Helen wore formal attire, beaming as they watched Lily offer them a toast.
07:51Ryan posted ten videos a day, his voice breaking with emotion in the captions.
07:55My little crybaby in her wedding dress.
07:57Dad is so, so proud of you.
08:00Classmates who knew us well messaged me one after another, utterly confused.
08:03Amber, is your sister getting married at the same time as you?
08:06I didn't answer.
08:07Instead, I took a taxi home.
08:10Julian was inside, peeling an apple for Lily.
08:13When he saw me, he instinctively blocked the doorway.
08:16What are you doing back here?
08:17I looked at him evenly.
08:19Picking up some clothes?
08:21Lily still hasn't forgiven you yet?
08:23Keep resting at the hospital for a few more days?
08:26I've already covered all the fees.
08:28I didn't reply.
08:29I went to my room, packed my things, and took my passport and social security card.
08:35I pulled out the brocade box, hidden in the deepest corner of my cabinet.
08:40When I opened it, the silver bracelet inside was gone.
08:46A roar filled my head.
08:48That was the only keepsake my grandmother had left me.
08:52I spent two weeks recovering in the hospital.
08:55Every day I could see updates on the wedding.
08:57The simple, elegant venue I'd loved had been swapped for the princess pink theme
09:01Lily adored, with dreamy balloons everywhere.
09:04David and Helen wore formal attire, beaming as they watched Lily offer them a toast.
09:07Ryan posted ten videos a day, his voice breaking with emotion in the captions.
09:11My little crybaby in her wedding dress.
09:13Dad is so, so proud of you.
09:16Classmates who knew us well, messaged me one after another, utterly confused.
09:19Amber, is your sister getting married at the same time as you?
09:22I didn't answer.
09:23Instead, I took a taxi home.
09:26Julian was inside, peeling an apple for Lily.
09:29When he saw me, he instinctively blocked the doorway.
09:32What are you doing back here?
09:33I looked at him evenly.
09:35Picking up some clothes?
09:37Lily still hasn't forgiven you yet?
09:39Keep resting at the hospital for a few more days?
09:42I've already covered all the fees.
09:44I didn't reply.
09:45I went to my room, packed my things, and took my passport and social security card.
09:51I pulled out the brocade box, hidden in the deepest corner of my cabinet.
09:56When I opened it, the silver bracelet inside was gone.
10:02A roar filled my head.
10:04That was the only keepsake my grandmother had left me.
10:08I walked out into the living room, and sure enough, I saw it on Lily's wrist.
10:13David didn't even look up.
10:14She found it the other day and insisted it looked pretty, so she's been wearing it.
10:18Don't fight her on this.
10:20Ryan was busy coaxing Lily with a smile.
10:23So pretty. Who's my one and only little princess, huh?
10:26Lily proudly raised her hand. I walked over and stretched my hand toward Lily, my voice hoarse.
10:32Give me the bracelet.
10:33Lily acted terrified and burrowed straight into Helen's arms.
10:37I'm not giving it, mean sister!
10:39She grabbed whatever was nearby and hurled it at me.
10:42David shielded Lily and roared.
10:44It's just a bracelet! Are you that hard up?
10:47But I could no longer feel the physical pain.
10:49All I felt was my heart being pierced through by a blade.
10:53I stared at him fixedly.
10:54That's the only thing Grandma left me! It's mine!
10:58David paused, then said impatiently,
11:00Your grandma's already gone. Do you have to tear this family apart?
11:04Besides, she was Lily's grandma too. Don't take competing for attention this far!
11:08I didn't listen. I stepped forward to pull the bracelet off Lily's wrist.
11:12Lily screamed and dodged, falling to the ground and scraping her leg until it bled.
11:17The bracelet shattered into pieces.
11:19I tasted blood in the back of my throat. I tried to pick up the fragments. My fingertips covered in
11:25blood.
11:25The next moment, Ryan yanked me up. A searing pain exploded across my cheek.
11:30The sharp, crisp sound of a slap made everyone freeze. Ryan grabbed my collar.
11:35Are you insane?!
11:36He kicked the shattered pieces toward me and forced me to kneel on them.
11:41You're gonna learn your lesson today, or you'll turn this whole household upside down.
11:46I was dragged across the floor. Julian glanced at me. A flicker of teeth passed through his eyes,
11:52and his foot moved. Then Lily shed a few tears in his direction. He averted his gaze,
11:56turned around, and draped a coat over Lily. Helen wiped her tears and sobbed into her hands.
12:03Ever since she was little, her heart has only held that grandmother of her. I don't know what kind of
12:08spell the old woman cast on her. David's faith with Toth.
12:11Amber, you were in the wrong here. Get on your knees and apologize to Lily and Ryan. Promise you'll
12:18never steal their things again. Otherwise, don't bother setting foot in this house ever again.
12:23Helen looked pained as she studied the scratches on Lily's wrist.
12:27And you'll pay to buy Lily a gold bracelet. Just look how badly you frightened her. If you don't,
12:33I won't acknowledge you as my daughter. I looked at them, and the last shred of hope
12:37I'd held for familial love was snuffed out. I said,
12:40Fine. Helen didn't catch it. Ryan frowned in displeasure.
12:44Louder. Apologize.
12:45I looked at them, my mouth full of the coppery taste of blood.
12:48I said, Fine. Let's sever ties.
12:51Still talking back. Helen sighed.
12:54Amber, don't speak out of anger. Ryan scoffed.
12:57Everyone knows you love putting on that fake filial Pacey act. Stop pretending.
13:01I was about to say more when Lily suddenly went pale, clutching Julian's sleeve.
13:05Julian, my chest feels so tight.
13:07Everyone flew into a flurry, some starting the car, others gathering things up.
13:12No one cared that I was covered in wounds. Julian pressed a band-aid into my palm and whispered,
13:16Wait for me to come back. Don't be angry out of spite.
13:20The house turned cold and empty in an instant. I braced myself against the wall and stood up,
13:25then called to cancel the wedding venue and the custom gown. The shop assistant asked,
13:30Ma'am, the wedding dress you've been waiting for has just arrived. Won't you reconsider?
13:34I don't want it anymore.
13:35My voice was calm. But you waited half a year with so much anticipation. What a shame. The assistant,
13:42realizing she'd misspoken, quickly added, Still, I hope you find happiness, marriage or not. Thank
13:48you. I replied with a smile. I placed the band-aid on the corner of the table and set the
13:52cheap ring
13:53he'd given me on top of it. The sliver of love he'd doled out. I didn't want it anymore. On
13:58my way to
13:58the airport, my phone kept buzzing with the latest reports. On the screen, Lily, looking fragile,
14:03wore the wedding dress I had custom ordered, and nestled in Julian's arms like a porcelain doll.
14:08The headlines scrolled in a sensational frenzy. Tech. Rising star Julian Harrison.
14:13Wed's most beautiful bride. The comments below were a chorus of swooning netizens.
14:18I can't take this. They say this girl has an intellectual disability,
14:22but the way she looks at Julian is just so tender. Is this what they mean by finally thriving when
14:29you're
14:29truly loved? Just then, my phone vibrated. A text from Julian. Lily got upset. I couldn't
14:35console her no matter what. I had no choice. I had to give her your wedding instead.
14:40Don't make trouble. This is your little sister's only small wish. As the older sister, you should
14:46let her have it. David and Ryan didn't say a word, but changed their profile pictures to Lily's wedding
14:51portrait. I laughed, and texted Julian back a single character. One. Then, one by one,
14:56I blocked every member of my family. Without a backward glance, I boarded the plane.
15:02Over on the other side, Julian had been carrying a faint, amused smile on his lips. Waiting to watch
15:08me lose my mind and break down, his expression instantly went cold.
15:11Julian, will I never get the chance to wear a wedding dress in this life either?
15:15Now, staring at my reply, Julian felt a rush of unease he couldn't suppress.
15:19This girl's faking it again. She's probably just hiding somewhere, crying.
15:24Amber's been used to being tough since she was little. When she was three, we left her in the
15:29countryside in Vermont. During the day, she had to help out with farm chores, and at night,
15:34she still had to study. Her grandmother was old and low on energy. She often went hungry,
15:40and even so, she still managed to rank first in every exam. David nodded in agreement.
15:48Back when we brought Lily home with us, she was dressed in rags, playing by the creek.
15:54She actually thought Lily was a fairy. When she heard it was her little sister,
15:58she was ecstatic. Of course. Everything Lily wears, I buy from niche luxury brands.
16:04Whoever sees her says, what a precious little darling. Unlike Amber, running around the village
16:09and other people's cast-off clothes, filthy and dirty. I couldn't even bear to admit she was my
16:14daughter. Amber was a lot more endearing when she was small. Growing up, there's always been this wall
16:20between us and her. Ryan cut in. She just wants attention. I don't know where she thinks all the
16:25spectators in her life are. She keeps insisting we treat her badly. How much money is there to spend
16:30in the countryside anyway? Isn't a hundred dollars a month enough to live on? So materialistic.
16:35Listening to the back and forth between Helen and David, Julian found himself feeling
16:38unexpectedly uncomfortable. He'd always seen me as cheerful and full of positive energy.
16:43It had never crossed his mind that my childhood had truly been so bitter.
16:48The officiant came to tell him to carry the bride into the honeymoon suite. He hurriedly typed out a
16:53message to me. Amber, the wedding is just going through the motions. In a couple of days,
16:57I'll come pick you up. But the moment he sent it, a stark red exclamation mark appeared. Julian
17:02froze in place, his heart clenching, even as he carried Lily into the suite.
17:07The previous joy and nervous anticipation were gone, replaced by a sense of distraction and unease.
17:12Just when Lily, blushing, sat in his lap and reached for his belt, it hit him belatedly. He
17:17grabbed her hand firmly and stared to her eyes.
17:20Lily, who taught you these things? Lily answered sweetly.
17:23Mommy taught me. She said sister is a disobedient child and doesn't deserve to marry brother.
17:29Julian's heart sank. He thought about my family's business, and how much of it indeed relied on
17:33the Harrison family. But would my parents really go so far as to ruin their own daughter's marriage
17:38for profit? Julian was somewhat dazed, and his gaze toward Lily cooled.
17:42Lily, you're sleeping by yourself tonight.
17:44No.
17:45Julian! Don't you like Lily anymore?
17:48Her movement was wide, her collar slipping down to reveal the pale white of her shoulder.
17:52Paired with that innocent face, it stirred impulses a man would find hard to resist.
17:56Julian's throat bobbed a few times, and he forced down his anger.
18:02Brother-in-law belongs to your sister, which means he's Amber's husband.
18:06Lily's face showed a trace of grievance.
18:07Then why did brother still marry me?
18:10You married me to be your wife? Doesn't that mean you like me?
18:13The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt, until she began to cry.
18:18You even gave me sister's wedding dress and bouquet.
18:20And you gave me sister's ring, and when I was angry, you protected me.
18:24Mom said you actually care about me deep down, but are just too shy to say it.
18:28If you really cared about sister, how could you have just stood by and done nothing through all of this?
18:33Lily hurriedly pulled out her phone, and slowly swiped at the screen,
18:36just as Julian was about to lose patience and tell her to stop.
18:39Look at what sister's circle of votes is saying about her.
18:42Julian took the phone. The gleefully malicious words on the screen stung his eyes.
18:46Heard Amber finally got dumped by Julian. She had a crush on him since school,
18:50and followed him around bitterly for seven years. Didn't even get a proper title out of it.
18:54I've even got the latest pic of Amber here. Julian opened the photo. In it,
18:58I stood by the roadside with my luggage, looking utterly exhausted, my face pale and wan.
19:03The discussion on the phone kept updating. So pathetic. I still remember in college.
19:09Amber traveled all that way just to deliver herself to his door.
19:12She even posted on social media about going cross-country for love. I swear I'll laugh at
19:16her for ten thousand years. Julian's expression jolted hard.
19:23That was the time when he was starting his business, right in the lowest valley. He'd also
19:28fallen ill and lain feverish and delirious in his rented room for three days. He thought he wouldn't
19:33make it. Then I knocked on his door and stayed by his side, without even changing my clothes to nurse
19:38him for an entire week. There was no electric stove, so I used a hot water kettle to brew herbal
19:42tea for him over and over. He was afraid of the bitterness, so I ran to several supermarkets to
19:47find him honey. At night, his rented room had no heating, and we huddled together for warmth on
19:51that tiny bed, like two small animals nestling against each other.
19:55Amber. Julian had been moved beyond words.
19:58No matter how your family treats you, you are the only princess in my heart.
20:03But now, Julian looked up at the wedding photo on the wall. The girl inside smiled brightly,
20:08linked arm in arm with him. But that person wasn't me. It was Lily. Julian's throat felt
20:11like it was being gripped by something. He shot to his feet, wanting to send me a message.
20:15He tentatively typed, Amber, are you still mad? Then quickly deleted it.
20:20Then he typed again, I'll make the wedding up to you. You'll still be the one and only
20:24Mrs. Harrison, okay? He sent it. But all he got was the red exclamation mark. He frowned,
20:28feeling that this time I was taking my tantrum way too far.
20:33Amber, stop it now.
20:35So he swallowed his pride, then called me. I hadn't looked at my phone,
20:38and answered it reflexively. On the other end, Julian's impatient voice came through.
20:42Come back right now. We'll head straight to the Maldives for our honeymoon.
20:46He signaled to his assistant.
20:48I've already picked the place. Bora Bora, your favorite.
20:51He waited a moment, then softened his voice.
20:54I know you're a bit upset this time, but your sister hasn't had it easy either.
20:58Do you really have to hold it against her? The Cartier bracelet you like, I've already had it
21:04sent to your place. Open the door. Then he glanced at his phone and realized that at some point I
21:09had
21:09already hung up. Julian kicked the leg of the table in fury. This temper tantrum is truly never ending.
21:15But then it occurred to him that I was like this because I loved him,
21:18and the corner of his mouth couldn't help lifting slightly. Harder and harder to coax.
21:22He murmured softly. He remembered what I was like when we first started dating. Exactly like this.
21:27Sunny and lively. Daring to love and hate. It actually stirred a little more of his heart.
21:32Truth was, he hadn't fallen for Lily. He'd just fallen for novelty. Now that the novelty had faded,
21:37he realized the one who could move his heart, the one who could stand by him through thick and thin,
21:41was only me. Just as he was about to head out to my place to find me, the brand specialist
21:45called.
21:46Mr. Harrison, the address you left isn't right? Julian frowned deeply.
21:49How can it not be right? Parkview Apartments, Unit 4-
21:52The specialist handed the phone to a burly, rough-looking man. The man took it, impatient.
21:57What do you want? Julian asked urgently.
21:59Why are you in Amber's home? The man answered in an angry huff.
22:02This place was sold in a rush three days ago. I don't know any Amber. Stop bothering me!
22:08He hung up. Julian stood frozen. A chill spread from his fingertips straight to his heart. He still
22:13remembered that the Parkview apartment was the home we had picked out together. It was also the gift he had
22:18given Amber. That time, on my birthday, he pretended he hadn't prepared anything at all. I was
22:24disappointed the whole day, but forced myself to smile. I don't need any gifts. Having you by my side
22:29makes me very happy. Secretly, he led me downstairs, let go of the hands covering my eyes, and pulled out
22:35the house keys. Amber, this is a bit of security for you. I want you, no matter when or where,
22:44to have a home to lean on. At the time, I wept like a mess in his arms. In all
22:48the years since,
22:49no matter how painful things got, I had never thought about selling that apartment. I said,
22:53That's my home. As long as that place was there, a piece of my heart stayed warm. But now, I
22:57had sold
22:58that home. It meant that piece of my heart had collapsed too. Only then did Julian belatedly
23:03understand. I wasn't throwing a tantrum. I truly intended to pull myself completely out of his
23:07life. A flicker of panic shot through his eyes. He stood up and looked at his assistant, his voice
23:11trembling, his face a mask of pure dread. Find out Amber's whereabouts for me. Now!
23:16The assistant's face went pale, and hurriedly agreed. While waiting for news of me, Julian couldn't
23:20sit still or calm down. His gaze fell on a pot of mint on the windowsill, and guilt slowly welled
23:26up
23:26inside him. He had allergies, and sometimes discomfort in his throat. That pot of mint
23:30was something I kept at his side. I always used to say, drinking some mint water would make it
23:34feel better when I was there. The mint had always been well looked after, emerald green and full of
23:38life. But now that I was gone, the mint had withered, drooping and listless. Just then,
23:43the assistant returned, looking anxious. Hesitating, he spoke up.
23:49Mr. Harrison, I've located Miss Amber's position. Julian immediately responded.
23:55Book me a flight. I'm going there.
23:59He muttered to himself. She must really be heartbroken this time.
24:03She's waiting for me to go coax her back. The assistant's expression was miserable,
24:07and he shook his head. Mr. Harrison, I'm afraid you won't be able to coax her back.
24:11Miss Amber signed an expadrant assignment contract. She's already departed for the Miami branch.
24:17The posting is for five years. Julian's expression froze solid. He immediately called my parents.
24:24Helen answered in an instant.
24:30What is it, dear son-in-law? Julian cut straight to the point.
24:34Did you know Amber signed an overseas assignment contract?
24:36Helen paused, her tone cold and detached. She signed something? What does that have to do with us?
24:42Son-in-law, when are you coming back to see Lily? She's been crying all these days,
24:46saying she did something bad and made you angry. Don't hold it against her. I've already scolded her.
24:51She's just childish. But she's so much better than Amber. Amber, so dark and selfish.
24:58ENOUGH!
24:59Julian couldn't listen anymore. The hand gripping the phone was sweating. He roared.
25:03With a family like yours, it's no wonder Amber wanted to leave.
25:13Helen felt wronged by the yelling, and her voice involuntarily rose a notch.
25:17But back then, when we wanted you to marry Lily, you agreed too.
25:21Julian was speechless. He hung up the phone in silence. He collapsed into his chair. It was as
25:26if he could see me again. Staying up late to help him organize his files. See me selling off my
25:30own
25:30gold and silver jewelry to help him scrape together his startup capital. Even during the hardest times,
25:35I had wanted to sell the silver bracelet my grandmother left behind. But he had stopped me.
25:39He said,
25:39Keep one bracelet. Keep one remembrance.
25:43Later, I secretly went to sell it. And he'd pay double the price to buy it back. Julian's throat
25:48tightened. Back then, he had clearly cared about me. Yet when Lily destroyed that final keepsake,
25:53the look in my eyes had been filled with utter despair. And what had he done? Julian clawed at
25:57his hair in agitation. He had turned a blind eye and even let their family force me to my knees.
26:02The
26:02ache in Julian's heart grew heavier and heavier. He stood up. Book me a ticket to Miami. His
26:10assistant quickly tried to stop him. But you have a meeting tonight. Julian's mind was a tangled mess
26:15of panic and distress. How could he possibly care about that? He barked. Push it! But that will
26:21affect the company's image. The assistant's voice grew smaller and smaller until it finally faded into
26:26a sigh. Julian didn't answer. He couldn't be bothered by any of that anymore. So when I stepped out of
26:31the office after work, I saw Julian standing at the entrance of my company. The moment he saw me,
26:36his eyes reddened bit by bit. As he walked over, he even seemed a little lost and flustered.
26:42Amber, I was wrong. He tried to take my hand, but I gently avoided him.
26:45Mr. Harrison? Is there something you need? The title was spoken cleanly,
26:50and with complete finality, Julian's body swayed slightly. He looked at me, nearly in despair.
26:58Amber, don't be like this. Let's find somewhere to talk.
27:01Watching my colleagues pass by, I made the suggestion. We stepped into a random Cajun
27:05bistro by the roadside. Julian pulled out a chair for me and took the menu himself.
27:10Buffalo wings, spicy gumbo. Amber, I know these are all your favorites. I remember them all.
27:15I said, you remember them all. And yet for our wedding, you still chose everything to Lily's
27:20taste. I just felt sorry for your sister. Lily is pitiful, so that means she gets to trample all over
27:25me.
27:25Julian paused and lowered his head. I just didn't think it through that much.
27:29I never imagined you'd be this angry. If I had known this would make me lose you,
27:33I would never have- I laughed, didn't know it would hurt me. If I found some other man to
27:40destroy your mother's keepsake and wear your suit, you wouldn't feel the pain either, right?
27:46Is it that nothing counts as pain unless it's inflicted on you?
27:51Julian's lips quivered. No words came out. Julian,
27:54when you do something, you bear the consequences. I don't hate you. Let's part on decent terms.
28:01I turned to leave, but then Helen called. Amber, what's wrong with you? Not answering calls?
28:06You really want to cut ties with your family? David snatched the phone.
28:10You unfiltered wretch. If you leave, don't bother coming back!
28:14Was it really worth it, making everyone miserable over something so small?
28:19I sent a document through the phone, cutting Ryan off.
28:23I've calculated every dollar you spent raising me. I'll pay it back. Once it's paid, we're done.
28:29Not one cent more. This is the consequence of your favoritism.
28:35In the future, if you get hospitalized or fall ill, don't notify me for anything. This $500,
28:41that's the full extent of my obligation to you, until the day you die.
28:45From the other end of the line came David's roar and the sound of a table room overturned,
28:49and Helen's low sobbing. I hung up the phone and I looked up at Julian. Is there anything else?
28:55Amber, are you really this heartless? Have you forgotten our seven years? I smiled. Julian,
29:00the one who forgot our seven years isn't me. The one who betrayed our seven years isn't me either.
29:04The food arrived. I tasted a bite. Julian, do you remember this is the restaurant we used to come to
29:10all the time? I stared into his eyes. It's not that same flavor anymore. I used to love it. Now
29:14it's changed.
29:14So I don't want it anymore.
29:17I got up to walk out. Julian's eyes were rimmed red. He suddenly grabbed the edge of my sleeve,
29:21looking at me almost pathetically. Amber, give me one more chance. He, who had always been so
29:26cold and restrained, was actually in full public view, weeping until his eyes were red. My paycheck,
29:32my house, I can put your name on all of it. If you don't like Lily, we just won't ever
29:36go back home.
29:37Amber, I don't want to lose you. One by one, I pried his fingers off my sleeve. But every
29:42single move you made was pushing me away. Two years passed after Julian left. Utterly
29:46devastated. Family called. It was Helen, her greeting cautious and tentative.
29:50Amber, mom misses you. Are you coming home for the holidays? I paused.
29:53I have no money. Helen instantly grew anxious.
29:56Mom isn't asking for your money. Mom just misses you.
29:59From the other end came the faint sound of Ryan coughing low. I laughed.
30:03Just as expected. Helen lowered her voice, choking with tears.
30:06Your father fell down the stairs and broke his leg. He's delirious with fever and only calls your
30:11name. Could you come back? I don't have time. Helen's voice dropped even lower.
30:17Well, about the money, could you maybe give a bit more? 500 a month really isn't enough.
30:20Your brother, he got into a fight with someone at his odd job a while back and is still in
30:24the county
30:24jail. A hint of a sob leaked into her voice, as if deliberately meant for me to hear.
30:28Amber, mom really has no other options. And Lily, all muddle-headed, only knows how to cry.
30:33Mom, favoritism comes with consequences you have to bear.
30:37I calculated it. From childhood to adulthood, raising me cost no more than $100,000 total.
30:42Raising me was like investing in a stock. Don't worry, I won't let you lose money on it.
30:45If I haven't paid that $100,000 by the time you die, I'll make sure to find you a nice
30:49burial pot.
30:50I hung up the phone. Later, I heard that after the family spent money on David's medical treatment,
30:56Lily got sick again. Helen emptied the family savings for her treatment,
30:59shelling out hundreds of thousands. But Lily was still out of her mind.
31:04Helen couldn't take it anymore and yelled at her a couple of times. Lily, overstimulated,
31:09ran away from home. It took half a month to find her and bring her back. From then on,
31:12Helen didn't dare say a word. She had no choice but to treat her like an ancestor and cater to
31:18her
31:18every whim. Every day, someone in her forties was worn down until she looked over sixty. Relatives and
31:23friends all laughed at her, saying she mistook a fish eye for a pearl and failed to cherish a
31:27capable, filial daughter like me. Only after losing me did she no regret. Helen cried her eyes out every
31:33day, posting sorrowful quotes on social media, hoping I would glance back at her. Even after
31:37David got out of prison, he hit walls everywhere looking for work. Because of his criminal record,
31:42he expected Helen to talk to me and get him a job. When he discovered Helen couldn't deliver,
31:46he started shouting and throwing fits. The two of them went mad, blaming each other,
31:50each saying it was the other who'd treated me badly and brought the family to this state. Then,
31:54they set their sights on Julian, hounding him for money every few days. Julian couldn't bear the
31:58harassment and had to block them. Then they went to Julian's company and made a scene. The scandals
32:03spiraled until the board forced Julian to step down from the company he'd built. Julian sued my family
32:08for extortion. The family that had once been so affectionate tore each other apart in a full-blown fight.
32:15My friend asked me. Do you feel vindicated? I shook my head, my expression calm. They're not fighting
32:23among themselves out of regret. It's because a bunch of narcissists realized their soul supply,
32:29me, ran away. Now they can only feed on each other. My only regret is not having run sooner.
32:35I opened the window, outside. The clouds were tinged with fading color,
32:39and a gentle breeze brushed my face. I smiled at my friend.
32:43Enough talk. I have a meeting this afternoon. Thanks for telling me all this. This meal's on me.
32:48I heard you're getting promoted. Congratulations.
32:51The corner of my lips curved upward slightly. After leaving them, every day of my life has been bright,
32:57sunny skies. I'll keep forging my own path. As for the past, the filth and the dust. Let it stay
33:03in
33:03the past forever. Let it rot and fester right along with those people. I'll always keep moving forward.
33:10You
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