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Let the Past Rest (ENGL SUBT COMPLETE)
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00:00On the third day after I was divorced with nothing,
00:06I went to interview at a mansion in Greenwich.
00:08The job was caring for a girl with post-traumatic stress.
00:11She had already driven away seven caregivers.
00:14I didn't coax her.
00:15I just picked up her Astromont doll, fed it a muffin, and said one line,
00:20Fuel levels are low. The mission can't launch.
00:23She ate.
00:23I was higher on the spot, at a weekly salary so high it stunned me.
00:27I thought it was just a job.
00:29Until my ex-husband found me at a dinner party and sneered.
00:33Finally found yourself a nanny job.
00:35The five-year-old girl exploded on the spot.
00:38She's my mom!
00:39And the owner of the mansion, Adrienne Merger, spoke directly.
00:43Let me introduce her.
00:44Mrs. Mercer.
00:46My wife.
00:47She's whatever I say she is.
00:49On the third day after I was divorced with nothing,
00:54I dragged my only suitcase to the iron gates of an estate in Greenwich.
00:58This was Mercer Estate.
01:01A housekeeper in a gray uniform came to open the door.
01:04Her gaze was professional and detached.
01:07When it landed on me, it felt like she was appraising my worth.
01:12She led me through a meticulously trimmed rose garden.
01:15Her tone was flat, but the warning was clear.
01:18Mr. Mercer is looking for a professional family caregiver, Miss Poppy, not a girlfriend.
01:22I hope you understand that you are an employee and that you won't entertain any inappropriate fantasies.
01:26I lowered my eyes slightly and nodded quietly.
01:29Far from feeling offended, I felt relieved.
01:32Perfect.
01:32A live-in job with clear boundaries and defined responsibilities was exactly what I needed right now.
01:38Three days ago, I had just escaped that marriage.
01:41I was exhausted.
01:43All I wanted was somewhere quiet to stay, a way to keep going, and time to slowly recover.
01:49As for intimacy, I wanted nothing to do with it for now.
01:51The housekeeper seemed satisfied with my compliance and brought me into the main house.
01:58The atmosphere in the huge open kitchen was frozen.
02:01A tall man had his back to me, wearing a finely made white shirt and charcoal gray trousers.
02:08His cuffs were casually rolled up, revealing strong forearms.
02:12He was kneeling on one knee beside the dining table, trying to bring a spoonful of food to a little
02:17girl's mouth.
02:19Poppy, just one bite. It's only blueberry.
02:22The girl clamped her mouth shut and shook her head hard, her small body full of resistance.
02:31And pressed his long, defined fingers to his brow.
02:33He looked exhausted.
02:36Sir, another applicant has arrived.
02:39Miss Claire Bennett.
02:40She seems very quiet.
02:42The man slowly turned around.
02:44It was a strikingly handsome face, almost aggressive in its beauty, with a sharp jawline and deep-set eyes.
02:51I recognized him at once.
02:53Adrian Mercer, head of the Mercer Family Foundation.
02:56The man from the cover of financial magazines who calmly managed assets worth tens of billions.
03:01Seeing that face, the last of my suspicion, disappeared.
03:04A man like him would not bother deceiving a newly divorced woman with nothing to her name.
03:09Drain's gaze paused briefly on me, his voice unable to hide his exhaustion.
03:13You're Claire.
03:16You try.
03:20With that, he stepped aside to the bar, folded his arms, and watched me from there.
03:25I understood immediately.
03:26The interview had begun.
03:28This was my employment test.
03:29If I failed, I might truly be out on the street tonight.
03:32I took a deep breath, picked up the bowl of muffin pieces, and prepared to give it my best.
03:38Hi, Poppy.
03:40But the moment I moved one step closer, the little blonde girl dave under the massive dining table.
03:44A pair of hostile blue eyes appeared beneath the edge of the tablecloth as she screamed at Adrian.
03:50Make her leave!
03:50I don't need her!
03:51They're all luggers!
03:53She said they.
03:54Clearly.
03:55Before me.
03:56More than one highly paid professional had hit a wall here.
03:59I didn't move any closer.
04:00I stayed where I was, and quickly scanned the room.
04:03My eyes landed on the girl.
04:05She was wearing astronaut pajamas printed with rockets and stars, and when she ducked under the table,
04:10she had been clutching a female astronaut doll in a white spacesuit.
04:13I quickly had an idea.
04:14I looked away.
04:15Ignored Poppy under the table.
04:17I picked up the female astronaut doll from the floor.
04:19Then I addressed the doll with perfect seriousness.
04:22Mission commander, do you copy?
04:24Ground control is now refueling you.
04:26Fueling in progress?
04:27Countdown.
04:28Five.
04:29Four.
04:30Three.
04:31Two.
04:31One.
04:32Refueling complete.
04:34Prepare for interstellar rescue mission.
04:36I kept performing on my own, without looking at the increasingly curious eyes beneath the table.
04:40At last, Poppy couldn't help herself.
04:42She poked half my little head out from under the tablecloth and stared nervously at the doll in my hand.
04:47As if I had only just noticed her, I deliberately let out a little...
04:50Oh!
04:50Mission commander, we have located a reserve astronaut, codename Poppy.
04:55Reserve astronaut Poppy, are your fuel reserves sufficient?
04:57This rescue mission requires every crew member to meet physical standards.
05:01I...
05:02I need fuel too.
05:03I held out the spoon.
05:04She immediately opened her mouth and ate the bite of muffin.
05:07That the seven people before me had fared to get into her.
05:11One spoonful, then another.
05:12Halfway through, she even pointed at a small plate of boiled broccoli beside her and said eagerly,
05:17That too! Green energy! The mission commander must be stronger than me! I can't lose to her!
05:22I turned back to look at Adrian, who had not said a word.
05:24At some point, his tightly farrowed brow had eased.
05:27For the first time, his deep eyes held unconcealed approval.
05:29That night, I moved into a suite on the second floor of the estate.
05:32The room was elegant and comfortable, its windows facing the rear garden under the starlight.
05:36Poppy's room was diagonally across from mine, while Adrian's private area occupied the entire third floor.
05:41As she made my bed, Mrs. Gabe, the housekeeper, spoke sturdily.
05:44Miss Bennet, remember this. The third floor is strictly off-limits.
05:48A young maid once thought she was pretty enough to sneak up there in the middle of the night.
05:52That same night, Mr. Mersel put her and her luggage on a plane out of Jerich.
05:56Don't worry. I will never cross that line.
06:02The next morning, I found Poppy on the terrace outside the kitchen.
06:06She was listlessly poking at the oatmeal in her bowl with a spoon.
06:09Apollo, the family's golden Labrador, lay obediently nearby.
06:12Wagging his tail, an idea struck me.
06:15I brought over Apollo's special food bowl, too, and put a few of his favorite pet biscuits inside.
06:20Attention! The captain in selection race begins now.
06:23The winner gets the right to pilot today's spacecraft.
06:25Contestants, Reserve Astronaut Poppy and Reserve Astronaut Apollo.
06:29Poppy's eyes lit up at once.
06:30A breakfast race between girl and dog officially began.
06:34Apollo is eating faster than me. I'm spitting up!
06:37Just then, a cold voice filled with anger sounded behind us.
06:41What are you doing?
06:42I turned around and met Adrian's terrifyingly cold gaze.
06:45He had just returned from his morning run, damp hair still clinging to his forehead, but his expression was dark.
06:49Staring at Poppy seated beside the dog, he demanded sharply,
06:52What do you think my niece is?
06:54The anger and disappointment in his tone made my whole body stiffen.
06:57Before I could explain, Poppy spoke first.
06:59She raised her spoon, her face bright with excitement.
07:02Daddy, we're having a captain selection race! I'm about to win!
07:08Sir, although Miss Bennet's method is somewhat unconventional, the results are remarkable.
07:13Miss Poppy, who used to refuse food no matter how we coaxed her, asked for a second bowl this morning
07:18all on her own.
07:19Adrian's gaze fell on Poppy's little face.
07:22Mind the hygiene. Do not mix the stencils.
07:25Don't worry, sir. Apollo's using his own bowl. He's very clean and won't touch Miss Poppy's spoon.
07:29Adrian seemed momentarily choked by my reply.
07:31His expression grew even darker, and in the end, he turned and went inside without another word.
07:36What I didn't know, was that a few minutes later, Adrian was standing before the floor-to-ceiling window in
07:41his study.
07:41On the lawn, Poppy was barking like a puppy, and racing Apollo, laughing so hard, she bent forward and backward.
07:46Sir, I think we may have finally found the right person.
07:50That afternoon, Adrian formally asked to speak with me.
07:52He sat behind the huge mahogany desk in his study.
07:55The anger from the morning was gone, and his expression had returned to its usual calm severity.
07:59He got straight to the point and pushed a document toward me.
08:02I looked down.
08:04On the cover was the family court emblem, and the title read,
08:07Preliminary Family Environment Assessment Regarding the Custody of Poppy Mercer.
08:11My heart sank.
08:13The report states that Poppy needs a stable, permanent family environment.
08:20And you, as an employee who could be dismissed at any time, cannot satisfy the court's requirement for a stable
08:25guardian.
08:26This will directly affect the final adoption ruling.
08:30Then, is there any way to fix it?
08:32There is one most efficient solution.
08:34We get married.
08:35My head snapped up.
08:36I stared at him in shock, almost thinking I had misheard.
08:39He seemed to have expected my reaction and immediately added, his tone as if he were finalizing the terms of
08:44a contract.
08:44At its core, this is a business arrangement.
08:47The purpose is to give Poppy a legally complete family and meet the court's requirements.
08:53My attorney will contact you.
08:54We will sign a comprehensive pre-nupial agreement to protect all your rights, including financial independence and an exit mechanism.
09:00I took a deep breath, trying to process the shock his words had delivered.
09:04Marriage.
09:06The moment that word appeared, the first thing I thought of was my previous marriage.
09:17That marriage had also begun with a pre-nuptial agreement.
09:19When we divorced, I left with nothing, exactly as the agreement required.
09:23So to Adrian Mercer, this might be nothing more than a business negotiation.
09:26But to me, it meant stepping back into the same kind of arrangement.
09:30I looked at him calmly and pressed down the turmoil inside me.
09:33Actually, having a place to stay is enough for me.
09:35We don't necessarily have to register at City Hall.
09:39Registration is a core requirement of the family environment assessment.
09:42Marriage is the only legally binding, stable contract the court recognizes.
09:45Claire, this is for Poppy.
09:47For Poppy.
09:48Those two words calmed me down at once.
09:49I asked the most practical question.
09:51The one that would affect my life afterwards.
09:53The salary written in the agreement.
09:54If, I mean, if we separate in the future, can I take it with me?
09:57Of course.
09:58That is your lawful income, protected by the agreement.
10:01All right.
10:01I agree.
10:02As for marital intimacy, I have no needs.
10:05You will continue living on the second floor and I will remain on the third.
10:08We are spouses only in the legal sense.
10:09All right.
10:10I have none either.
10:11And just like that, on the third day after my divorce, I got married again.
10:14Like my first marriage, it was rushed.
10:16No wedding, only lawyers.
10:17A few days later, witnessed by two attorneys, we quickly signed the documents and completed the registration.
10:22On the first night after the marriage, I was just about to sleep when my door was gently pushed open.
10:26Poppy stood in the doorway, holding her astronaut doll, and asked softly,
10:29Claire, can you read me a bedtime story?
10:36Of course.
10:37Come here.
10:37I lifted the blanket and she quickly burrowed in like a little kitten, pressing close to me.
10:42That night, after listening to the story, Poppy fell asleep in my bed.
10:45Her tiny body curled beside me, sleeping deeply.
10:48Early the next morning, Mrs. Gabe told Adrian about it.
10:51From the way her face lit up as she spoke, I could imagine how surprised he must have been.
10:54And his surprise soon took practical form.
10:57That morning, my personal attorney called, sounding utterly incredulous.
11:00Mr. Mercer's lawyer had just sent over an amendment to my employment contract.
11:04My weekly salary had been doubled outright.
11:06When I saw Adrian that afternoon, I said immediately,
11:09Sir, this is too much.
11:11I hadn't expected my weekly pay to double just because I read a child a story.
11:14It was completely different from my last marriage where everything I gave was taken for granted.
11:17I really like Poppy.
11:19She's only afraid of losing someone again.
11:21Deep down, she's a very good child.
11:22I take care of her because I truly want to.
11:25As soon as I finished speaking, I felt a warm little hand take my right hand.
11:28I looked down as A.O. Poppy holding my hand, looking up at me.
11:31The eyes that were always guarded were now full of clear, bright dependence.
11:35Adrian saw it too.
11:36He looked at our joined hands, his tone firmer than before.
11:39Then it settled.
11:39Those experts before you only cared about completing their reports.
11:42You're the only one who truly cares about her.
11:44From that day on, Poppy became almost like my little shadow.
11:47Wherever I went, she followed.
11:48A week later, it was time for me to go to Manhattan to see my psychiatrist.
11:52It was treatment I had kept up since the divorce to fight my depression.
11:55I knew Poppy had PDFD and was extremely resistant to going outside.
12:00She would not even go near the estate gates.
12:02Poppy, I need to go out for a little while to see a doctor.
12:04You stay home with Mrs. Gabe and wait for me, okay?
12:07I promise I'll be back very soon.
12:10Unexpectedly, after hearing that, her little hand immediately tightened around the head of my clothes.
12:14She said nothing, but her eyes were full of panic.
12:16She's afraid you'll leave and abandon her.
12:18The previous caregivers all left like that and never came back.
12:21I won't abandon you.
12:22I'm only going to see the doctor, get some medicine, and then I'll come right back to play rocket launch
12:26with you.
12:26But no matter how I explained, she clung to me and refused to let go.
12:29In the end, the driver had already started the engine,
12:31and I about to force myself to leave when Poppy did something no one expected.
12:35She let go of my clothes, turned around, and climbed into the back seat by herself.
12:38Sitting perfectly straight, her little hands gripping the seatbelt tightly, she was going with me.
12:42Thank God! This is the first time Miss Poppy has been willing to go out since the accident.
12:51The car moved smoothly through the streets of Manhattan.
12:54My psychiatrist's words were still echoing in my ears.
12:56My depression was showing signs of improvement, and she encouraged me to keep going.
13:01After the appointment, I walked back to the waiting room with my new prescription.
13:04Poppy immediately slid down from her chair and ran to me, her face full of worry.
13:08Claire, are you sick?
13:10Yes, but I just need some medicine to help me feel better.
13:13Just like your astronaut doll needs fuel.
13:15Then, will it hurt?
13:16Her big eyes were full of careful concern.
13:19Before I could answer, she stood on tiptoe and took a piece of candy from the small pocket of her
13:23coat.
13:23Warmed soft by her body heat, she solemnly placed it in my palm.
13:27If you eat candy, the pain will fly away. That's what I heard before.
13:31Looking at her serious, concerned little face, my tears fell without warning.
13:35That tiny piece of candy lay in my palm, somehow making my hand burn.
13:38In my ex-husband's home, every time my depression dragged me down, all I received was blame.
13:43Daniel's mother said I was making a fuss over nothing, that she was ungrateful,
13:46and that I didn't deserve the Whitmore family's life.
13:48Daniel would only say impatiently that I was being dramatic and deliberately causing him trouble.
13:53But now, this little girl I had not known for long was willing to give me the only piece of
13:57candy in her pocket,
13:58just to make my pain fly away.
14:00I couldn't hold back anymore.
14:01I pulled Poppy tightly into my arms.
14:03Her little body stiffened at first, then quickly relaxed and curled quietly against me.
14:07Imitating the way I comforted her, she clumsily patted my back with her chubby little hand.
14:12Claire, don't be scared.
14:14When I grow up, I'll be able to fly a spaceship and protect you.
14:17Okay.
14:18Then you'd better grow up fast.
14:24When the two of us walked out of the clinic building with red eyes, a black Bentley was parked quietly
14:29by the curb.
14:30Adrian was leaning against the car door, his expression as severe as ever.
14:33But when he saw Poppy beside me, curiously looking around at the street, his cold face visibly softened.
14:38Mr. Adrian, why are you here?
14:41He didn't answer.
14:42He simply bent down and lifted Poppy into his arms.
14:46He studied her carefully, seeing that she was calm and not the least bit panicked on the noisy streets of
14:51Manhattan.
14:52His eyes even reddened slightly, and his voice was a little hairy.
14:56Mrs. Gabe told me Poppy went out with you.
14:58I was worried, so I came to check.
15:00As if sensing his emotion, Poppy wrapped her arms around his neck, while her other hand still held mine tightly.
15:07She turned her head and reported to Adrian solemnly, like she was delivering a mission update.
15:11Commander, as long as I'm with Claire, you don't have to worry.
15:15I understand.
15:21That afternoon, my attorney called again, even more shocked than last time.
15:26Adrian's lawyer had sent another contract amendment.
15:29My personal health insurance had been upgraded directly to the highest tier available in the country, covering every top medical
15:35resource.
15:36Not only that, Adrian also wanted to assign me a car.
15:39That night, I found him and directly refused the proposal his assistant had relayed.
15:43The cars in your garage, I can't drive those.
15:46If possible, I only want a second-hand car that's convenient for errands.
15:52Alright.
15:53Early the next morning, a brand new Vovo V90 wagon appeared in the garage.
15:58It was safe, understated, and impeccable.
16:01In addition, Adrian brought in a nationally renowned child trauma specialist to serve as my remote consultant by video call.
16:08After learning the situation, the gray-haired doctor instructed Adrian through the screen.
16:12Mr. Mercer, your wife needs the companionship of family.
16:23Now that I had a car, I decided to take Poppy out to experience more of life on Earth.
16:29Our first stop was the farmer's market in Greenwich.
16:32It was Poppy's first time seeing so many colorful vegetables and fruits.
16:35She followed behind me curiously, her little face tense as she tried hard to play the role of a calm,
16:41composed co-pilot.
16:42Claire, what is this red ball?
16:44That's a tomato. We'll use it to make pasta tonight, okay?
16:48Mission approved.
16:50She answered coolly. I couldn't help laughing.
16:53When we returned to the parking lot with bags of vegetables and fruit, a voice I least wanted to hear
16:57sounded from behind and to the side.
16:59Claire?
16:59My body stiffened, and I slowly turned around.
17:02Daniel Whitmore, my ex-husband, was standing beside a Porsche, staring at me in disbelief.
17:06His gaze moved from my plain clothes to the organic vegetables in my hands, then to Poppy holding my hand
17:11tightly beside me, and finally stopped on the brand new Volvo with temporary taps.
17:15The shock in his eyes quickly turned into the familiar contempt I knew too well, and a mocking smile curved
17:21his lips.
17:22Claire?
17:24You graduated from the Ivy League, and now you're working as someone's live-in nanny?
17:29Have you no shame?
17:34I froze on the spot. Daniel's words struck the most humiliating part of me.
17:40We're divorced, Daniel. My business has nothing to do with the Whitmores anymore.
17:48How could it have nothing to do with us?
17:50Claire, you're my ex-wife.
17:52If you run off to be someone's nanny, it's my reputation you're embarrassing.
17:57Stop acting out.
18:00You think this will provoke me?
18:02It only makes you look childish.
18:04I couldn't be bothered to argue.
18:06I turned to open the car door, wanting only to shut those ugly words outside.
18:10But Daniel grabbed my wrist, his grip shockingly strong.
18:14You've been out here a while?
18:16Suffered enough yet?
18:21Starting to miss being Mrs. Whitmore?
18:23Listen, Claire.
18:25As long as you admit you were wrong and genuinely change, I can consider letting you come back.
18:30Those women outside were just distractions.
18:34The position of Mrs. Whitmore has always been reserved for you.
18:42Keep your precious position for yourself.
18:45I'd rather beg on the street than ever go back to that disgusting house.
18:58After saying that, I stopped looking at his stunned face.
19:02I quickly got into the car, locked the doors, and stepped on the gas,
19:07driving the Volvo steadily and swiftly out of the parking lot.
19:10The air inside the car felt suffocating.
19:13In the rearview mirror, I saw Poppy sitting quietly in her child seat,
19:17her little face tense, saying nothing.
19:20I took a deep breath, trying to force down the humiliation from moments ago.
19:24But my phone vibrated at that exact moment.
19:27It was a text from an unknown number, but the cruel tone was painfully familiar.
19:30It was Daniel's sister, Emily.
19:32Claire, I hear you finally found a job that suits your status.
19:35An abandoned suburban housewife working as someone's nanny?
19:38How perfectly fitting.
19:41My fingers clenched until they turned white.
19:43A second text popped up immediately after.
19:46You'd better know your place.
19:47Stop degrading yourself in public while still carrying the title
19:50of the Whitmore family's former daughter-in-law.
19:52People at the country club were already talking today.
19:55You've humiliated our entire family.
19:57I couldn't hold it in anymore.
19:59All the grievance, anger, and shame I had forced down surged up at once.
20:04Tears poured out uncontrollably and my vision blurred.
20:07I jerked the car to the side of the road, stopped, bent over the steering wheel,
20:11and broke down sopping.
20:12I cried for the self that had been worn away bit by bit in that marriage.
20:15For the dignity trampled underfoot, and for the shadow of that family I could not shake.
20:20No matter how hard I tried.
20:22After what felt like forever, when my sobs finally began to fade,
20:25I suddenly remembered Poppy in the back seat.
20:31I panicked and quickly lifted my head, wiping at my tears messily,
20:35terrified that my loss of control had frightened this sensitive child.
20:38I looked in the rearview mirror, and my heart clenched.
20:41Poppy was not crying, and she was not scared.
20:43She was simply watching me quietly.
20:46In her clear, bright eyes, there was no fear, only a calm far beyond her age and concern.
20:51She unbuckled her seat belt, clumsily climbed from the back seat to the front,
20:55squeezed in beside me, and took a tissue from her little pocket.
20:58Carefully, she handed it to me.
20:59Claire, astronauts crying in space isn't embarrassing.
21:03In zero gravity, tears flowed away.
21:05I won't laugh at you.
21:07I took the tissue, and my vision blurred again.
21:10Seeing that I was still crying, her little brows drew together,
21:13as if she were seriously thinking through a complicated programming problem.
21:16A few seconds later, she reached out her chubby little hand,
21:20gently patted my arm, and comforted me very solemnly.
21:23Claire, I'm not scared.
21:24You can cry slowly.
21:25I'll wait for you to finish the drainage procedure.
21:28By the time we returned to the Mercer home,
21:30I was completely drained and went back to my room early.
21:33Poppy's line about waiting for me to finish the drainage procedure
21:36eased something in my chest.
21:37The pain was still there, but at least it wasn't as unbearable as before.
21:41After showering, I wrapped myself in a bathrobe
21:44and was drying my still wet hair with a towel
21:46when two soft knocks sounded at the door.
21:49Claire, may I come in?
21:56Come in.
21:57The door opened, and Adrian walked in.
22:00He had changed out of his daytime suit
22:01and was wearing soft, dark gray lounges
22:03that kept people at a distance.
22:05Why haven't I seen you wear any of the clothes in the dressing room?
22:08He sounded as if he were asking casually.
22:10He had prepared them for me,
22:11an entire dressing room filled with hot couture gowns
22:14and ready-to-wear pieces, each one worth a fortune.
22:16They're too expensive.
22:18I'm only a live-in employee here.
22:20It wouldn't be appropriate for me to wear them.
22:22During my years in the Whitmore household,
22:24I had learned long ago
22:25not to force my way into circles that were not mine.
22:27When you got kicked out,
22:28you only looked more pathetic.
22:29Adrian and I were bound only by a contract.
22:32At the end of the day,
22:33I was just a highly paid nanny.
22:35Whit nanny paraded around in limited-edition clothes.
22:38Adrian seemed not to understand what I meant.
22:41He frowned slightly.
22:43Do you dislike the styles?
22:45If you don't like them,
22:46I can have the stylists come and customize new ones for you.
22:48No, no need.
22:49Mr. Merger,
22:50other than taking care of Poppy every day,
22:52I don't have any occasions to wear those clothes.
22:54I really don't need them.
22:56He was silent for a few seconds,
22:58then changed the subject.
23:00Poppy told me you ran into your ex-husband today.
23:03The Whitmore family and medical devices?
23:10Yes, them.
23:11But it's all in the past.
23:12He saw that I didn't want to say more and did not press.
23:15His dark eyes looked at me,
23:17his tone unusually serious.
23:18Claire, since you arrived,
23:20Poppy has changed a great deal.
23:22Thank you.
23:22Such solemn gratitude made me uncomfortable instead.
23:26You pay me far above market rate.
23:28This is what I should do.
23:29No.
23:30What you've given has long exceeded the scope of the contract.
23:32Remember, at any time,
23:33you may ask me for anything extra.
23:35Anything at all.
23:37After saying that,
23:38he looked deeply at me,
23:39then turned and left the room.
23:43From that day on,
23:44Adrian's schedule began to grow strange.
23:46This man,
23:47who controlled a vast foundation
23:48and measured his time by the minute,
23:49actually started leaving work early often.
23:51He would appear at the dinner table on time,
23:53then sit on the carpet
23:55and patiently play those childish space mission games
23:57with Poppy and me.
23:58He would play a serious ground commander.
24:01With that deep voice of his,
24:03he would issue mission orders with complete serianess.
24:06Astronaut Claire,
24:07Astronaut Poppy,
24:08complete your dinner supply intake immediately
24:10to refuel for tonight's Vega exploration mission.
24:13For some reason,
24:14I grew a little worried.
24:16Was there something wrong at his company?
24:18Was the Mercer Foundation about to go bankrupt?
24:21Would my salary be affected?
24:26Finally,
24:27on another evening,
24:28when he appeared in the living room
24:30at five in the afternoon,
24:31I couldn't help asking,
24:33Mr. Mercer,
24:35is your company facing some difficulty?
24:38No.
24:39Why do you ask?
24:40You seem very free lately.
24:42Your psychiatrist recommended
24:43in her evaluation report
24:44that the companionship of family
24:45would help your emotional recovery.
24:47And now Poppy and I are your family.
24:48Family.
24:49That word made my whole body uncomfortable.
24:52I immediately stood and took Poppy's hand.
24:54We should go read the bedtime story.
24:56We haven't finished the story
24:57of the Cygnus pacecraft.
24:58We won't disturb your work, commander.
25:01I pulled the relationship between him and I
25:03back to the safe distance
25:04of employee and employer.
25:05Poppy let me pull her toward the room,
25:07but she looked back every few steps.
25:09In the end,
25:09she even glared at Adrian,
25:11who was still sitting on the carpet,
25:12her face full of frustration
25:13at his failure to live up to expectations.
25:16The meaning of that look was too obvious.
25:18It was practically saying,
25:19why don't you know how to try harder?
25:20I was torn between laughing and crying.
25:22Claire.
25:23Adrian suddenly called out to me.
25:24I turned back and saw him stand.
25:26His tall figure stood under
25:27the warm living room lights,
25:28somehow looking a little awkward.
25:30Even the tips of his ears were faintly red.
25:35Tomorrow night,
25:36the Mercer Foundation has a charity dinner
25:38at the American Museum of Natural Historic.
25:40By protocol,
25:41I need to attend with a companion.
25:44He timing is too tight.
25:46I don't have time to find anyone else.
25:48So,
25:49can you come with me?
25:50This counts as extra work.
25:52I'll have my attorney arrange
25:53an additional appearance fee for you.
25:55With Adrian Mercer's status,
25:56how could he possibly be unable to find a date?
25:59Although I was full of suspicion,
26:01the words appearance fee
26:02hit me with perfect accuracy.
26:04I needed money.
26:05A lot of money.
26:06Only then could I feel secure.
26:07All right.
26:08But I know nothing about upper-class etiquette.
26:11I'm afraid I'll embarrass you.
26:12You don't need to know.
26:13With me there,
26:15you don't need to know anything.
26:17The housekeeper standing nearby
26:19also bowed slightly
26:20at the perfect moment
26:21and agreed,
26:22Yes, Miss Bennett.
26:23All you need to do
26:24is stand beside Mr. Merle.
26:28The next day,
26:29a top styling team
26:30took over the Mercer living room.
26:32They spoke English
26:32mixed with French and Italian,
26:34holding all kinds of tools
26:35I couldn't name
26:35and held a tense,
26:36efficient strategy meeting around me.
26:41I let them arrange me like a doll.
26:43From hair and makeup
26:44to gown and jewelry,
26:45every detail was polished one by one.
26:47The scale of it made my palms sweat
26:49and even my breathing
26:50grew unconsciously light.
26:51When Adrian came home from work,
26:53I had just changed into the gown
26:54and was coming downstairs.
26:55He stood at the foot of the stairs
26:57and looked up at me.
26:58A flash of undistakable amazement
27:00crossed his usually calm,
27:01sharp eyes
27:02and even his movements
27:03paused for a moment.
27:04Poppy, wearing her little astronaut pajamas,
27:07proudly planted her hands on her hips
27:08and announced to Adrian,
27:09Look!
27:10Claire is the most beautiful
27:11mission commander tonight!
27:12My face heated
27:13because of her teasing.
27:15I hurried down the stairs,
27:16avoiding Adrian's overly focused gaze.
27:18At the American Museum of Natural History
27:20charity dinner,
27:21a giant blue whale model
27:22hung beneath the dome.
27:23All around us were elegant clothes,
27:24polished hair,
27:25and clinking glasses.
27:26I stayed close beside Adrian,
27:28feeling like an outsider
27:29who had wandered in by mistake.
27:30A foundation director who knew him
27:32came over to make conversation,
27:33his curious gaze falling on me.
27:34Adrian,
27:35aren't you going to introduce
27:36the beautiful lady beside you?
27:37I'm Mr. Mercer's friend.
27:39Before Adrian could speak,
27:40I gave myself the safest,
27:41least harmful identity.
27:42My wife, Claire Mercer.
27:43Adrian's voice was not loud,
27:44but it clearly overrooted mine.
27:46He corrected me with complete composure,
27:47as if stating an unquestionable fact.
27:49My whole body stiffened,
27:50and my cheeks burned at once.
27:52The director and his wife
27:53both gave knowing smiles,
27:54politely shook my hand,
27:55and walked away.
27:59Adrian leaned down slightly.
28:01His warm breath brushed my ear
28:02as he asked quietly,
28:03Is it embarrassing to be my wife?
28:06Only incompetent men think their wives
28:08aren't fit to be seen in public.
28:09Those words struck the most painful place
28:11in my heart.
28:12I stared at him,
28:13stunned.
28:13My heart beat wild.
28:14To hide my loss of composure,
28:16I found an excuse.
28:18I'm gonna get something to drink.
28:20With that,
28:20I quickly walked away.
28:22Beside the long table
28:23with the champagne tower,
28:24I picked up a glass of sparkling water.
28:26Before I could drink,
28:27a familiar voice I loathed
28:29sounded behind me.
28:29Claire,
28:31I knew you'd use a stunt like this
28:32to get my attention.
28:33Nice dress,
28:34but don't think this changes anything.
28:36All right, stop making a scene.
28:38I know I was wrong.
28:39Let's remarry.
28:40As long as you come back,
28:41lower your head,
28:42and admit your mistake,
28:42we can be like before.
28:43Whitmore Medical has run into
28:44some business trouble recently.
28:46We need the Merit Foundation's
28:47investment endorsement.
28:48Since you managed to get in here,
28:49you should know what to do.
28:51I will never remarry you.
28:57Looks like you still
28:57haven't suffered enough.
29:00Just then,
29:01Adrian walked over.
29:02Daniel immediately changed laces,
29:04putting a feeding smile.
29:05Mr. Mercer,
29:06I've long admired you.
29:07I'm Daniel Wetmore
29:07of Whitmore Medical.
29:09He went on and on
29:10about how regrettable it was
29:11that his company
29:11had lost investment interest,
29:13then begged Adrian
29:13for another chance.
29:14Afternoon,
29:15Adrian did not take a position.
29:16Instead,
29:17he turned his no
29:18throne the decision to me.
29:19In a public,
29:20semlum void,
29:20he asked,
29:21Claire,
29:22what do you think?
29:23Should I give them
29:24this opportunity?
29:25Mr. Merson,
29:26why would you ask
29:26a housewife for her opinion?
29:28She's only my ex-wife.
29:29She probably snuck in here
29:30hoping to beg me
29:31to take her back.
29:34Since Claire is unwilling
29:35to comment,
29:35I assume Whitmore Medical
29:36failed to impress her.
29:38Mr. Whitmore,
29:38I'm afraid there's nothing
29:39I can do.
29:39After saying that,
29:41he naturally wrapped an arm
29:42around my waist
29:43and led me away,
29:44leaving Daniel alone
29:45where he stood.
29:46After we left,
29:47a bystander walked up
29:47to Daniel
29:48and kindly reminded him.
29:52Mr. Whitmore,
29:53the person you just offended
29:54is Mr. Merson's wife.
29:55After all these years,
29:56she's the only woman
29:57who has ever stood
29:57beside Adrian Mercer.
29:59Wife,
29:59don't be ridiculous.
30:01She was nothing
30:02but my family's
30:03former nanny.
30:04Put her in couture
30:05and she still reeks
30:05of cheapness.
30:06And she wants to pretend
30:07she's Mrs. Mercer?
30:09Daniel's venomous word,
30:10nanny,
30:11kept echoing in my ears.
30:12But during the second
30:13half of the dinner,
30:14I had already become
30:15the center of everyone's
30:16attention.
30:17In my name,
30:18Adrian bid on
30:19a contemporary artwork
30:20worth several million dollars
30:22and announced on the spot
30:23that it would be donated
30:24to the museum.
30:25Mrs. Claire Mercer's
30:26generosity will bring
30:27new vitality to the arts
30:29in New York.
30:29The host praised loudly.
30:31In an instant,
30:33countless people
30:33holding champagne glasses
30:34surrounded me,
30:35all wearing warm smiles.
30:36Their mouths
30:37offered compliments,
30:38but their eyes
30:39seemed to appraise me
30:40like some rare collectible,
30:41probing, curious,
30:42and shrewdly calculating.
30:44Trapped in the middle of them,
30:45I didn't know
30:45where to put my hands
30:46or feet.
30:47I felt like someone
30:48in the wrong finery,
30:50standing under the lights,
30:51ready to be exposed
30:52at any moment.
30:53Without drawing attention
30:54of me,
30:54using his shoulder
30:55to block off
30:56most of the gazes,
30:56he accepted each glass
30:58of wine handed over
30:58and declined them
30:59for me one by one.
31:00Amid the clink of glasses,
31:02he socialized
31:02with the briefest words,
31:03but his attention
31:04never left me.
31:08On the ride home
31:09in the Rolls Royce,
31:10the smell of alcohol
31:11mingled with expensive leather,
31:13slowly spreading
31:14through the enclosed space.
31:15Outside the window,
31:17neon light streamed by,
31:18passing over
31:19a resentful face.
31:20It was Daniel.
31:21He stood by the road,
31:23staring hard at our car
31:24as if he wanted
31:24to burn holes through it.
31:26I quickly looked away,
31:27shaken.
31:28Thank you, Adrian,
31:29for tonight
31:31and for drinking
31:32on my behalf,
31:34but I hope you understand.
31:35We're only spouses
31:37in the legal sense.
31:38It was a reminder to him
31:39and also to myself.
31:40Everything tonight
31:41had felt too much
31:42like a dream.
31:43I was afraid
31:43I would fall into it
31:44and forget the cold
31:45contract between us.
31:47Adrian did not
31:47answer immediately.
31:48He turned to look at me.
31:49In the dim light,
31:50his deep eyes
31:50looked unusually hot.
31:51Alcohol had loosened
31:52a thread of his usual
31:53calm restraint.
31:55Suddenly,
31:55he leaned closer.
31:56His warm fingertips
31:57lifted my chinna,
31:59forcing me to meet his eyes.
32:00What if I don't want
32:01to be only your husband
32:01in the legal sense?
32:02His voice was a little hasky,
32:04carrying the scent of alcohol,
32:05every word falling
32:06close to my ear.
32:07My heartbeat instantly
32:08went chaotic
32:09and my breath stopped
32:10for a beat.
32:10His handsome face
32:11enlarged before my eyes.
32:13His warm breath
32:14brushed over me,
32:15bearing a faint scent
32:15of whiskey.
32:20You've had too much
32:20to drink, Adrian.
32:21It took almost all my strength
32:22to keep my voice
32:23from tempering.
32:24His movements stopped
32:24and that overwhelming
32:25pressure slowly receded.
32:27A few seconds later,
32:28he sat upright,
32:29released my chin,
32:30and apologized
32:31in an almost
32:32formuletic tone.
32:33I'm sorry.
32:34You're right.
32:34I drank too much.
32:36The car fell silent again,
32:37but this time,
32:38the silence was full
32:39of an indescribable ambiguity
32:40and awkwardness,
32:41making me more flustered
32:42than words would have.
32:43When we returned home,
32:44I quietly went
32:45to check on Poppy.
32:46The little one
32:46was sleeping soonly,
32:47her astronaut doll
32:48held tightly in her arms.
32:50I tucked in her blanket
32:51before returning
32:51to my own room.
32:52After taking off
32:53tonight's gown and jewelry,
32:54I became Claire Bennett again,
32:56the woman in cotton pajamas.
32:57I opened my laptop.
32:59Instead of looking
33:00at the false glittering photos
33:01from the dinner,
33:01I skillfully opened job sites.
33:03LinkedIn, Indeed.
33:04I browsed positions
33:05related to education
33:06and child psychology
33:07one by one.
33:08Daniel's humiliation
33:09and Adrian's protection
33:10pulled back and forth
33:11inside me.
33:12I knew very clearly
33:13that no matter how tempting
33:14Adrian Mercer's shelter was,
33:16the only person
33:17I could truly rely on
33:18was myself.
33:21I could not stake
33:22my entire life
33:23on another man again,
33:24even if he seemed
33:25so reliable.
33:26Although my current
33:27physical and emotional state
33:28was not suitable
33:29for starting a new job
33:30immediately,
33:31I had to plan ahead
33:32and leave myself
33:33a way out.
33:34That way,
33:34when this generous contract
33:35ended one day,
33:36I would not be left
33:37with nothing again.
33:42Just as I was carefully
33:43comparing the requirements
33:44for several family
33:45education consultant positions,
33:47my phone screen
33:48suddenly lit up
33:49with a text.
33:49It was from Adrian,
33:51only one line.
33:52Claire,
33:52bring a cup of coffee
33:53to my study.
33:54My heart sank hard.
33:56The third floor.
33:57His study.
33:59When Mrs. Gabe
34:00first showed me
34:01around the house,
34:01she had warned me
34:02in the sternest tone
34:03that the third floor
34:04was Mr. Mercer's
34:05private domain
34:06and no one was allowed
34:07to set foot there
34:08without permission.
34:09It was the only
34:09forbidden area
34:10in the entire
34:11Mercer residence.
34:13Why would he suddenly
34:14break a rule
34:14he had set himself?
34:16Was it because
34:17I had rejected
34:18his closeness in the car
34:19so he wanted to
34:20retaliate this way
34:21or punish me?
34:23Or was this a test?
34:25A test of obedience
34:26or of where
34:26our relationship was going?
34:29I stared at that
34:30line of text,
34:31my finger hovering
34:32over the screen,
34:33unable to move.
34:34I stood at the staircase
34:35leading to the third floor.
34:36The glow of my phone
34:37lit my pale face
34:39and that line of text
34:40seemed like an
34:40unquestionable command.
34:42My heart thawbed
34:42heavily in my chest.
34:44The third floor,
34:45Adrian's study.
34:46It was the forbidden area
34:47Mrs. Gabe had warned me about
34:49and the only private territory
34:50in this mansion
34:51that belonged to Mr. Mercer.
34:53Was he doing this
34:53on purpose?
34:54Was he using this
34:55to retaliate
34:56because I rejected
34:57his closeness in the car
34:58or was he testing
34:59whether I would obey?
35:04I took a deep breath
35:05and quickly typed
35:06a line on the screen.
35:07Should I ask
35:07Mrs. Gabe
35:08to bring it up?
35:09A few seconds later,
35:10the reply came.
35:11One word,
35:12you.
35:12I tightened my grip
35:13on the phone.
35:14The last bit of luck
35:15I had hoped for vanished.
35:16I stood there
35:17for a few seconds
35:18before a thought
35:18suddenly came to me.
35:19I quickly opened
35:20the recording function
35:21on my phone
35:22then quietly slid it
35:23into the pocket
35:23of my pajamas.
35:24If he later accused me
35:25of trespassing
35:26in a forbidden area,
35:27this recording
35:28would be my only protection.
35:29I could not let others
35:30define my actions again
35:32the way they had
35:32in my last marriage.
35:34Carrying the freshly brewed coffee,
35:36I stepped onto the staircase
35:38I had never climbed before.
35:39With every step upward,
35:41my heartbeat grew heavier.
35:42I knocked on the heavy oak door.
35:44Come in.
35:45A low voice sounded
35:46from behind the door.
35:48I pushed the door open
35:49and damp air
35:50carrying a faint cedar scent
35:51rushed towards me.
35:53I frorzed in the doorway.
35:54The study faced a bathroom
35:56and Adrian was walking
35:57out of it barefoot.
35:58He wore only a loosely tied
35:59dark gray robe.
36:00The open collar revealed
36:01a large expanse
36:02of firm chest
36:03and water droplets
36:04slid slowly along
36:05his defined collarbones
36:06and clean jawline
36:07before disappearing
36:08into the depths of the robe.
36:09For a moment,
36:09I didn't know
36:10where to put my eyes.
36:11I abruptly lowered my head,
36:12nailing my gaze
36:13to the pattern of the carpet
36:14beneath my feet,
36:15my cheeks so hot
36:16they nearly burned.
36:17Coffee.
36:18I handed over the tray,
36:19my voice dry.
36:23He reached out
36:24to take it.
36:25His warm fingertips
36:25brushed the back of my hand
36:27and I jerked back a step
36:28as if burned.
36:29A very soft chuffle
36:30came from above me.
36:31Are you that afraid of me?
36:32His voice was rougher
36:33than usual
36:33with a trace of teasing.
36:34I didn't dare lift my head.
36:36I only wanted to leave immediately
36:37so I turned
36:38and headed for the door.
36:39Claire,
36:39from now on
36:40you may enter my private space
36:41whenever you like.
36:43Those words unsettled me
36:44more than any raise
36:45or contract amendment
36:46ever had.
36:47the clearest boundary
36:48between us
36:48had been erased
36:49by a single sentence.
36:50I did not respond.
36:51I practically fled downstairs.
36:53That night,
36:54I did not sleep at all.
36:56The next morning,
36:57the wine from the dinner,
36:58the tension of rejecting him,
36:59and a whole night of insomnia
37:01had indeed left me with a cold.
37:02Dizzy and groggy,
37:03I went downstairs
37:04only to freeze
37:05at the dining room entrance.
37:07Adrian was already
37:08seated at the table.
37:09Unusually,
37:10he was not wearing
37:10his stiff daily suit.
37:12Instead,
37:12he had changed
37:12into a soft beige carrier sweater
37:14and casual trousers
37:15with a pair of rimless glasses
37:16on his nose.
37:17The outfit softened
37:18his usual sharpness
37:19and distance,
37:20making his shoulders
37:20look broader,
37:21his waist neater,
37:22and the whole man
37:23gentler and
37:24dangerously attractive,
37:25like a peacock
37:26that had suddenly decided
37:26to spread its tail.
37:27I silently complained
37:28in my heart.
37:29He looked up,
37:29and the moment his gaze
37:30landed on me,
37:31he frowned.
37:32Are you unwell?
37:36As he spoke,
37:37he had already risen
37:38and walked toward me.
37:39Before I could react,
37:41his broad, warm palm
37:42pressed against my forehead.
37:47You're a little warm.
37:49He concluded,
37:50his tone leaving
37:51no room for argument.
37:52He held my shoulders
37:54and guided me
37:54into a chair,
37:55the movement
37:56as natural as could be.
37:58Then,
37:59instead of calling
38:00a servant,
38:01he personally turned
38:02and went into the kitchen,
38:03skillfully opening cabinets
38:05and searching for something.
38:08A few minutes later,
38:10a steaming cup
38:11of lemon ginger tea,
38:12spicy and sweet,
38:13was placed in front of me.
38:15Drink it.
38:18He ordered,
38:20though his voice
38:20carried a tenderness
38:21almost too subtle
38:22to notice.
38:23I held the warm cup
38:25and said nothing.
38:26Not long after,
38:27I returned to my room
38:28to rest.
38:28The shrill ringing
38:29of my phone
38:30startled me awake
38:31from my feverish sleep.
38:33A name flashed
38:33on the screen,
38:34one I wished
38:35I could block forever.
38:36Daniel.
38:36I frowned and hung up,
38:38but he called again
38:39and again.
38:39Finally,
38:40unable to bear it,
38:41I answered.
38:42Claire,
38:43I'm outside your gate.
38:44You have to come out
38:45and see me.
38:48We have nothing left
38:49to talk about.
38:50Nothing left
38:50to talk about.
38:51Claire,
38:52I'll give you five minutes.
38:54If you don't want me
38:56to expose your ugly
38:57little secrets
38:57to Adrian Mercer,
38:58get out here now.
39:00I'll tell him
39:01you're a depressed lunatic,
39:03a discarded woman
39:04thrown out
39:05by the Whitmore family.
39:06Tell me,
39:07once he hears that,
39:08do you think
39:09he'll still want you
39:10as Mrs. Mercer?
39:14I tightened my grip
39:15on the phone.
39:16He was going to drag out
39:17the past I least
39:18wanted anyone to see
39:19and spill it all
39:20in front of Adrian Mercer.
39:21I could not let him do that.
39:23I suddenly sat up,
39:24grabbed the coat
39:25draped over the chair
39:26and rushed out of the room.
39:27The November wind
39:28cut across my face.
39:29I had only managed
39:30to grab a coat
39:31and my pajamas
39:32were too thin
39:32to block the cold.
39:33The fever made
39:34my whole body weak
39:35but Daniel's threat
39:36still forced my nerves taut.
39:37I ran to the estate's
39:38massive wrought iron gate
39:40and saw him at once.
39:41Daniel was leaning
39:42against his BMW
39:43with his arms folded,
39:44looking as if this place
39:45belonged to him.
39:46When he saw me,
39:47contempt and smugness
39:48immediately appeared
39:48on his face
39:49and he strode towards me.
39:51Claire,
39:51finally willing to come out?
39:52The former Mrs. Whitmore herself,
39:54working as a nanny
39:55in Greenwich.
39:56You may not be embarrassed
39:57but I'm embarrassed for you.
39:58We're divorced, Daniel.
39:59My life has nothing
40:00to do with you.
40:01Stop pretending.
40:02Last night at the museum,
40:03you went to all that trouble,
40:05dressing up,
40:06and just so I'd see you
40:06and regret losing you,
40:07didn't you?
40:12Fine.
40:12I admit it.
40:13After you left,
40:14I did regret it a little.
40:15I said nothing.
40:16I just looked at him.
40:17He took my silence
40:18as agreement.
40:19Smiling with satisfaction,
40:21he put on a generous expression.
40:22Now I'm giving you
40:23a chance to come back.
40:24As long as you admit
40:25your mistakes
40:25and apologize to my mother
40:26and my sister,
40:27I'll agree to remarry you.
40:28Then you won't have to
40:29lower yourself
40:30serving other people
40:30like this anymore.
40:32Admit my mistakes?
40:33Those four words
40:34dragged me straight back
40:35into that marriage.
40:36Back then,
40:36every problem
40:37eventually became my fault.
40:38At last,
40:39I lifted my eyes
40:40and looked directly
40:41at his arrogant,
40:42twisted face.
40:42Using all my strength
40:43to suppress the cough
40:44in my throat,
40:45I asked the question
40:46that had been circling
40:46in me for so long,
40:48each word clear.
40:49What did I do wrong?
40:51Daniel's expression
40:52froze at once.
40:53As if he had heard
40:54something absurd,
40:54he first stared blankly
40:56then flew into a rage.
40:57What did you do wrong?
40:58Claire,
40:58how dare you ask me
40:59what you did wrong?
41:01He listed my crimes
41:02one by one.
41:03Every sentence
41:03was one I had heard before.
41:05You couldn't help me
41:05expand the Whitmore family
41:06social circle
41:07at the country club?
41:08You couldn't even
41:09please my mother and sister
41:10and you made me lose face
41:10in front of my family.
41:11You even went and got
41:12that spoiled rich woman's
41:13illness for no reason,
41:14moping around all day
41:15and only embarrassing me.
41:19Depression in his mouth
41:21became a spoiled
41:22rich woman's illness,
41:23a dramatic tactic
41:24for gaining sympathy.
41:25I looked at his flushed face
41:26and suddenly felt
41:27no pain at all,
41:28only disgust.
41:29Seeing that I remained
41:30expressionless,
41:31the anger in Daniel's eyes
41:32slowly changed.
41:33He suddenly laughed,
41:34the sound cold.
41:35I get it now.
41:36You're not working
41:37as a nanny, are you?
41:38You're using that child
41:40to please him,
41:41hoping to climb your way up.
41:43Claire, let me remind you,
41:44a man like Adrian Mercer
41:45is cold-blooded
41:46and ruthless.
41:47He treats everything
41:47as a transaction.
41:48If he finds out
41:49you dared scheme against him,
41:50what do you think
41:51he'll do to you?
41:52He'll crush you,
41:53along with all your
41:53little tricks.
41:55He wasn't warning me,
41:56he was using Adrian
41:57and that child
41:58to frighten me.
41:59Are you done?
42:02Claire,
42:03have you still not
42:04realized your mistake?
42:05What did you do wrong?
42:07How dare you?
42:08How dare you ask me
42:09what you did wrong?
42:10Just as Daniel's roar
42:11still echoed
42:12at the estate gate,
42:13a young but incredibly
42:14firm voice
42:15sounded behind me.
42:16Don't you bully my mommy!
42:17My whole body shook
42:18and I whipped around.
42:22Poppy,
42:23wearing her little
42:24rocket print pajamas,
42:25had rushed out
42:26from inside the gate.
42:27She spread her tiny arms
42:28and used all her strength
42:29to stand in front of me,
42:30lifting her head
42:31and glaring angrily
42:31at Daniel.
42:32My mommy is the best!
42:34She shouted,
42:35her voice trembling
42:35slightly with emotion.
42:36The ferocity on Daniel's face
42:37froze at once,
42:38his expression becoming
42:39almost comically ridiculous.
42:41Looking at that small
42:41back in front of me,
42:42the dizzness from moments ago
42:43and the humiliation
42:44my ex-husband had brought
42:45suddenly receded.
42:46As if sensing my gaze,
42:48Poppy quickly turned around
42:49and lugged my leg tightly,
42:51her face full of anxiety
42:52and uneasiness.
42:53She lifted her head,
42:54her clear eyes full of expectation,
42:56and asked softly but clearly,
42:58Claire,
42:58will you be my mommy?
43:00My tears fell at once.
43:02I crouched down
43:03and pulled that warm little body
43:04tightly into my arms.
43:05My throat was so choked
43:06I could barely speak.
43:08Pressing close to her ear,
43:09I answered with all my strength.
43:11Poppy,
43:12of course I'm your mommy.
43:13Oh,
43:14I see now.
43:15Daniel suddenly laughed
43:16and the sound was cold.
43:18As if he had finally
43:19figured something out,
43:20the shock on his face
43:21quickly turned
43:22into vicious understanding.
43:24Claire,
43:24you're something else.
43:25You tricked a five-year-old
43:27into calling you mommy?
43:28You want to use this child
43:29to climb up?
43:31I'm telling you,
43:32a man like Adrian Mercer,
43:34if he finds out
43:34you dared scheme against him...
43:35His words suddenly stopped.
43:37A warm, powerful hand
43:38gently wrapped around my waist.
43:42I hadn't even noticed
43:43when Adrian appeared.
43:45Silently,
43:45he came to our side
43:46and gathered both me
43:47and Pody in my arms
43:48into the protection of his own.
43:50He looked at Daniel's
43:51bloodless face,
43:52his voice calm
43:52without the slightest ripple.
43:54Mr. Whitmore,
43:56the last time
43:57the Mercer Foundation
43:57withdrawn its investment interest
43:59in your family business,
44:00it was because you
44:00slandered my wife
44:01at the museum.
44:02Wife?
44:04What do you mean?
44:05Who is your wife?
44:06I originally intended
44:07to let the matter end there.
44:09But today,
44:10you came to my home
44:10and harassed my family.
44:12I suppose there is no need
44:13for me to remind my legal team
44:14about business ethics anymore.
44:16Daniel swayed,
44:17his face turning even paler,
44:19almost unable to stand.
44:20Adrian did not look
44:21at him again.
44:21He lowered his head
44:22and, right in front of Daniel,
44:24lifted a hand
44:24to tuck the strands of hair
44:26the cold wind
44:26had blown loose
44:27behind my ear.
44:28Only then did he give an order
44:29to the housekeeper
44:30who had hurried over
44:31at the commotion.
44:31Have security
44:32assort him out.
44:33If any irrelevant person
44:34harasses my wife again,
44:35notify me immediately
44:36and call the police.
44:40After Daniel was dragged
44:41away by security,
44:43I immediately stepped out
44:44of Adrian's arms,
44:45uncomfortable.
44:51Holding Polly's hand,
44:52I quickly went back inside.
44:54I only wanted to take her
44:55to her room first,
44:56away from the cold wind
44:58and chaos at the gate.
45:01Claire,
45:01were you not feeling well today?
45:03I heard from the housekeeper
45:04that you caught a cold.
45:10It's just a small cold.
45:12I'm fine.
45:15It's all Daddy's fault.
45:16You shouldn't have sent me
45:17to daycare today.
45:18Why?
45:26Don't you like it there?
45:27But then no one was here
45:28to take care of you.
45:29Daddy said he sent me
45:30to daycare because he was
45:31afraid to be too tired
45:32and wanted you to rest properly.
45:33He also said he wanted
45:35to give you two time
45:35alone together.
45:36For us?
45:37Yeah.
45:40Daddy said he wants
45:41to build feelings with you
45:42so you won't leave us
45:43when the mission ends
45:44like the caregivers before you.
45:46For a moment,
45:46I froze.
45:47As soon as Poppy was settled,
45:49Adrian stood at my door
45:50holding warm water
45:51and medicine.
45:54Feeling better?
46:03Thank you.
46:04And thank you for tonight, too.
46:08But I don't want you
46:09to let me affect
46:10the Mercer Foundation's
46:11business judgment.
46:14I'm not worth it.
46:21Why wouldn't you be worth it?
46:25What I mean is...
46:27Claire,
46:30I told you
46:32we are family.
46:34Protecting you
46:35is my responsibility.
46:36It has nothing to do
46:37with business judgment.
46:41But we're only legally.
46:42I still wanted to emphasize
46:43the contractual relationship
46:45to remind him
46:46and also myself.
46:48Stop saying that.
46:50Claire,
46:51I want us to be
46:52a real husband and wife now.
46:55The sentence came
46:56too directly.
46:57My face heated at once
46:59and my heartbeat
47:00went chaotic, too.
47:02Seeing me at a sloss,
47:04Adrian's expression
47:05waffened
47:05and he smiled.
47:07I'll give you time
47:08to adjust.
47:10But right now,
47:12I'd like to claim
47:12a little husbandly
47:14privilege first.
47:15Before his words
47:16had even fallen,
47:16he had already bent down.
47:18I instinctively
47:18held my breath.
47:19Before I could react,
47:20a very light kiss
47:21landed on my forehead
47:22and quickly left.
47:23I didn't even dare breathe
47:24and my cheeks
47:25grew even hotter.
47:26Is this level acceptable?
47:27My mind went
47:28completely blind.
47:29I could only stiffly nod
47:30and turn my face aside.
47:32Adrian did not
47:32press Loser again.
47:33He only reached out
47:34and tucked in my blanket.
47:35Claire, there's no rush.
47:36We'll take it slowly.
47:37We have all the time
47:38in the world.
47:41After saying that,
47:42he turned and left the room,
47:43leaving me alone
47:44with the heat on my forehead
47:45refusing to fade.
47:47The next day,
47:47Poppy was sent
47:48to daycare again.
47:49My cold was already
47:50much better.
47:52Seeing that my complexion
47:53had improved,
47:54Adrian invited me
47:55to watch a movie with him.
47:56I thought of what
47:57he had said last night.
47:58We have all the time
47:59in the world.
47:59Since we were already
48:01legally married,
48:02maybe slowly developing
48:03real feelings
48:04wasn't such a bad thing.
48:06I nodded,
48:07changed into a dress
48:08and went out with him.
48:10Adrian booked
48:11an entire private theater.
48:12The film was
48:13a classic literary romance.
48:15The theater was dim
48:16and the music was intimate.
48:18Halfway through the movie,
48:19Adrian suddenly leaned
48:20toward me.
48:21His cool,
48:21clean sense surrounded me,
48:23but he did not
48:23immediately do anything.
48:25He only looked at me
48:25and asked quietly,
48:27Claire, may I?
48:28My heartbeat paused.
48:30I closed my eyes
48:30and nodded softly.
48:31A kiss with a faint
48:33milk scent fell immediately.
48:34At first,
48:35it was only a light touch,
48:36but soon it deepened
48:37little by little,
48:38kissing me until
48:39I could hardly breathe.
48:41After a long while,
48:43he finally let me go.
48:45I was still breathing lightly,
48:47my cheeks burning,
48:49when he asked
48:50with complete syrianist.
48:53Is this level
48:54still acceptable?
48:56Adrian,
48:57you're terrible.
48:59I don't have experience.
49:01I'm afraid of scaring you.
49:04Liar.
49:07If you have no experience,
49:09did Poppy just appear
49:10out of thin air?
49:11Adrian gave a vague
49:12mmm
49:12and giving me no chance
49:14to keep questioning him,
49:15lowered his head
49:16and kissed me again.
49:20That night,
49:21after I put Poppy to sleep,
49:23my phone screen lit up.
49:24It was a text from Adrian.
49:26Only three words.
49:28Bring coffee.
49:29This time,
49:30I understood the code at once.
49:32My heartbeat quickened
49:33and my face grew hot.
49:35I carried the coffee cup
49:36to his door and knocked.
49:37The moment the door opened,
49:39a large hand pulled me inside.
49:41In the blink of an eye,
49:43I was pressed against the door
49:44and his kiss came straight down,
49:46carrying the same
49:46dominant restraint
49:47he had shown in the theater.
49:50He panted urgently
49:51against my ear,
49:52his voice hoarse.
49:54Claire,
49:55I don't want to take it
49:55slowly anymore.
49:56I want to move faster.
49:58May I?
49:59I was too embarrassed to speak.
50:01I could only hold on
50:03to his shoulders.
50:06He took my silence
50:07as consent
50:08and his kiss deepened,
50:10becoming more urgent.
50:14Afterward,
50:15Adrian held me tightly
50:16in his arms
50:17and picked up a beautifully
50:18bound brochure
50:18from the bedside table,
50:19handing it to me.
50:20It was from a top
50:21wedding planning company.
50:24Choose one you like.
50:27I want to give you
50:27a grand wedding.
50:30There's no need.
50:31There is.
50:33I want the whole world
50:34to know
50:34that Claire
50:36is my wife.
50:40My only regret
50:41is that I didn't
50:42meet you sooner.
50:45When we first met,
50:46you clearly only saw me
50:48as an employee
50:48applying for a job.
50:52Claire,
50:53the first time I saw you,
50:54I already liked you.
51:00Our wedding was grand
51:02and lavish
51:03and it appeared
51:04in the society pages
51:05of the New York Times.
51:07I thought Adrian
51:08was being too showy,
51:09but the housekeeper
51:10explained with a smile,
51:12Sir has always kept
51:14a low profile.
51:15This is the first time
51:16he's been so high profile.
51:19Madam,
51:20please indulge him
51:21just this once.
51:23On our wedding night,
51:24an unfamiliar number called.
51:26I frowned instinctively.
51:29Adrian reached out
51:30with one long arm,
51:32took my phone,
51:33hung up directly,
51:34then tightened the hand
51:35around my waist
51:36and ordered in a low voice.
51:37Focus, Mrs. Mercer.
51:44Afterward,
51:44Adrian held me in his arms,
51:46his fingers tangled
51:47in my hair,
51:48and spoke with
51:48slight awkwardness.
51:50Claire,
51:50let me tell you a secret.
51:53Actually,
51:54Poppy is not
51:55my biological daughter.
51:57She's my sister's
51:58orphan child.
52:00Only after hearing his story
52:02did I piece together
52:03the past.
52:06Adrian's parents
52:07had died when he was young
52:08and his sister
52:09had raised him.
52:11Later,
52:12his sister married
52:13and had a child,
52:14but she and her husband
52:16died together
52:16in a car accident.
52:18To fulfill his promise
52:20to his sister,
52:21Adrian adopted his niece,
52:23Poppy,
52:23under his own name.
52:25I originally planned
52:26for it to be just
52:27Poppy and me
52:28for the rest of our lives.
52:29but then,
52:30Claire,
52:31you appeared.
52:32My life suddenly became different.
52:38So that means you really
52:40had no experience?
52:43I asked in disbelief.
52:45Adrian's face flushed at once.
52:50He buried his face
52:51in the curve of my neck
52:53and noted lightly.
52:56Oh my God.
52:58I hit the jackpot.
53:03When I came out of the
53:05Ospetrix and
53:05gynology clinic,
53:07Adrian immediately
53:08stepped forward
53:08to support me,
53:09looking even more nervous
53:10than I was.
53:26In the car,
53:27we told Poppy
53:27the news together.
53:29there will be a little baby
53:30in mommy's belly
53:31very soon.
53:33And before long,
53:34we'll go to court together
53:35and ask the judge
53:36to agree that you can be
53:37my daughter forever.
53:39Yay!
53:39I'm finally going to have
53:41a little sister!
53:43Please!
53:45What if it's a little brother?
53:52If it's a brother,
53:53we'll send him
53:54on outer space repair missions.
53:57If it's a sister,
53:58she'll be an Earth commander
54:00with me.
54:06A few weeks later,
54:07the sunlight outside
54:08family court
54:09was beautiful.
54:10Adrian,
54:11Poppy dressed in her finest,
54:12and I held the joint
54:13adoption order
54:13the judge had just signed.
54:15Legally,
54:15we were now a family.
54:16Just as we were about
54:17to walk toward
54:18the parking lot,
54:18a man in shabby clothes
54:19with messy hair
54:20blocked our path.
54:21Before I could react,
54:22Poppy had instinctively
54:22spread her arms
54:23like a tiny mother hen
54:24standing in front of me.
54:25Only then did I see clearly
54:26that the exhausted,
54:27stoop man before us
54:28was Daniel.
54:29Claire?
54:30He called my name,
54:31his voice terribly haske.
54:32I patted Poppy's shoulder,
54:33signaling her not to be afraid,
54:34and looked at the man
54:35before me in surprise.
54:39Daniel?
54:41What are you doing here?
54:45Claire,
54:46help me.
54:47Please say something
54:48to Mr. Adrian Merson for me.
54:49You're the only one
54:50who can help me.
54:50I thought of what had
54:51happened to the Whitmore family.
54:53After the Merson family
54:54foundation withdrawn
54:55its endorsement,
54:55the Whitmore family's
54:56problems surfaced
54:57one after another.
54:58First,
54:58product quality issues
54:59triggered a class action
55:01lawsuit.
55:01Then the company's
55:02tax-evagent scandal
55:03was exposed by the media.
55:04In the end,
55:05Daniel's most trusted sister
55:06took the last
55:07of the company's assets
55:08and moved the whole
55:09family overseas.
55:11The Whitmore family
55:12declared bankruptcy,
55:14and all of Daniel's
55:15personal assets
55:16were liquidated
55:17to pay debts.
55:18I remembered what
55:19Adrian had once
55:19said to me.
55:20Claire,
55:21if not for you,
55:23the foundational
55:24invested in that
55:25problematic company.
55:29Looking at Daniel
55:30before me,
55:30I felt no sympathy
55:32at all.
55:33Daniel,
55:36the mistakes you made
55:37harmed others.
55:38You should pay
55:39the price for them.
55:40No one can help you.
55:42After saying that,
55:44I did not look at him again.
55:45At some point,
55:46Adrian had already
55:47walked to my side.
55:48Naturally,
55:49he took my hand,
55:50and with his other hand,
55:51he gently wrapped an arm
55:52around Bobby's shoulders.
55:54Claire,
55:54let's go home.
55:56We'll be right back.
55:57We'll be right back.
55:58We'll be right back.
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