00:00Ethan, please.
00:01My money is for investments, not for your mother's hospital bills.
00:05Take out a loan yourself.
00:06I crouched in the hallway, clutching the payment slip, and heard him on the phone by the window.
00:12I sent you five million dollars. Spend it however you want.
00:15If it runs out, just come to me.
00:17The girl he was on the phone with was Nina, his intern.
00:21I clutched the payment slip, my nails digging into my palm.
00:25That's better. Stop acting like a child.
00:27Every time something happens, you ask someone else for help.
00:30Learning to be independent is your own responsibility.
00:34Okay.
00:35He did not look at me again. He turned and left.
00:42I took the divorce papers from my bag and signed my name calmly.
00:47By the time Ethan came home, it was almost one in the morning.
00:51In front of me were the hospital bill, the emergency consent form, and the divorce papers I had already signed.
00:57Still not asleep?
00:59My mom is still in the ICU.
01:01I know.
01:02He sounded calm, like this was nothing.
01:05He finished his water and glanced at the table.
01:08What are these?
01:11The divorce papers.
01:13Clara, what are you up to now?
01:15Ethan looked like he had heard a ridiculous joke.
01:17I pushed the papers towards him.
01:19I already signed them.
01:21Because I didn't lend you money?
01:23No.
01:25I finally realized money was never the problem.
01:29You do help people.
01:30Just not me.
01:33The company invested in Nina's project.
01:35Don't turn it into something personal.
01:37I gave a small laugh.
01:39Clara, you're too emotional right now.
01:40I'm not having this conversation.
01:45I understand what happened to your mom.
01:47But you can't take it out on me just because you're under pressure.
01:49My stomach suddenly turned.
01:52Clara!
01:52I stood up, grabbed the divorce papers, and shoved them into the folder.
01:56I stared at him, my voice ice cold.
01:58Tomorrow morning at ten, you sign the divorce papers and we make this official.
02:04You'd better not come back begging me.
02:06I said nothing and went back to the bedroom.
02:12Nina, I read your materials.
02:14Don't be scared.
02:15I'll be with you at tomorrow's startup pitch competition.
02:19Adele Payne spread through my lower belly.
02:21Then a hospital reminder popped up on my phone.
02:24Miss Clara, you are seven weeks pregnant.
02:27Please come in for your prenatal checkup on time.
02:29I stared at that line for a long time before turning off the screen.
02:34The next day, Ethan did not show up at the courthouse.
02:37I waited for him for two hours, and then he sent me a message.
02:41Nina has her competition today.
02:43I can't leave.
02:44If you really want a divorce, sue me.
02:47I stood outside the courthouse, the divorce papers still in my hand.
02:51I did not reply to him.
02:52At the hospital, the doctor told me my mother was getting worse.
02:56The family should pay as soon as possible.
02:57The longer you wait, the higher the risk.
03:02I lowered my head.
03:04Okay.
03:06I was desperate, so I sold the small apartment I had bought before marriage and maxed out my credit cards.
03:14Miss Clara, this price is too low.
03:16Can you find a buyer today?
03:18I can, but are you sure?
03:20Sure.
03:22After I hung up, I crouched in the hospital stair hill, my palms slicked with cold sweat.
03:27Then a social media alert popped up.
03:29Nina had posted something new.
03:31In the photo, she stood on the stage.
03:34She stood there in a white suit, while Ethan sat in the front row, looking up at her with endless
03:39patience.
03:40The $5 million he refused to give my mother had become Nina's backing for the competition.
03:48So this is what it feels like to be someone's first choice.
03:52Mr. Ethan spoils you so much.
03:54He just said he didn't want me to embarrass myself on tears.
03:56I stared at the post, my hand tightening around the phone.
04:00Ethan came to the hospital.
04:02My assistant found some personal loan options for you.
04:04Some approved the same day.
04:06Choose one to pay the hospital bill.
04:07I stared at the file.
04:09I did not take it.
04:10He pushed it into my hand.
04:12It's your call whether you take the loan.
04:14He turned and left.
04:18I looked down at the loan papers.
04:20Then I tore them up and threw them into the trash.
04:24A few minutes later, a nurse ran over.
04:27Ms. Clara, the patient's blood pressure is dropping.
04:29The doctor needs you to come sign the consent form.
04:32My legs went weak.
04:34My lower belly started to hurt again.
04:37The doctors worked on my mother for four hours.
04:43She is stable for now.
04:45But the follow-up fees cannot stop again.
04:48I nodded, but could not say a word.
04:51I sold my small apartment and paid the hospital bill as soon as the money came in.
04:55Are you the only family member here?
04:57I nodded.
04:59Where is your husband?
05:00I did not answer.
05:03That night, I went home for my documents.
05:06The moment I opened the door, I heard a woman laughing in the living room.
05:08Nina was sitting on the sofa with a celebration cake in front of her.
05:12The moment she saw me, Nina stood up.
05:14Clara, you're back.
05:17I saw the diamond necklace around Nina's neck.
05:21I knew that necklace.
05:25Last month, on my birthday, I saw it at the mall and wanted it badly.
05:33Why are you back?
05:35This is my home.
05:37Nina's pitch went well today.
05:38I brought her back to get some documents and we celebrated a little.
05:42Clara, please don't misunderstand.
05:44Ethan was only encouraging me.
05:51I did not cry.
05:53I did not yell.
05:59I just went back to the bedroom, opened the drawer, and started packing my documents.
06:03Why are you giving me that look?
06:08Get out of my way.
06:11Clara, you're getting more and more unreasonable.
06:14Nina's alone in this city.
06:15She's trying to build a life here.
06:16I'm her boss.
06:17What's wrong with looking after her?
06:18My mother is alone in the ICO, too.
06:20Did you ever look after her?
06:21It's not the same.
06:22How?
06:23Nina still has a future.
06:27Clara, a woman should learn to stand on her own.
06:30You can't expect a man to fix everything for you.
06:33Say that again when he decides you're a bad investment.
06:40Clara, enough!
06:44Clara, your mother is critical.
06:46Please, come to the hospital!
06:48My knees went weak.
06:49My vision went black.
Comments