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📓 ...

My husband married his childhood sweetheart on April Fools' Day, tricking me into giving up my marriage. While I mourned the loss of my unborn child alone, they celebrated their twisted victory. 🥀

But they forgot one crucial thing: I am an author. I write the endings to my own stories. ✒️

I walked away, took my work with me, and watched my career skyrocket to places they could never reach. 🕊️ Now, he stands in the ashes of his collapsed company, forced to admit his defeat as their lives crumble into madness.

"This time I lost," he whispers. 🍂
Yes, you did. Because some jokes just aren't funny. 🎬

🏷️ : Modern, Female, Love After Divorce, Pregnancy
Transcript
00:06fine you've got backbone since you don't want to be mrs carter
00:10i'll freeze your joint account and supplemental credit cards right now
00:15he called the security company directly two private security guards stood at the door
00:20i'm already divorced from this woman she has now trespassed into my private residence
00:26harassed me and my wife please remove her and make sure she leaves my private property
00:33the guards had no choice but to forcefully drag me out
00:37hailey heart without me can't afford the motel i'll be waiting for you to come crawling back
00:44tomorrow to remarry me as for that book consider it your wedding gift to summer today
00:52the security guards pushed me out the gate i stumbled and fell into a muddy patch of lawn
00:56freshly swept by the sprinkler system i braced myself against the ground climbed up held my
01:00stomach and walked to the roadside but an out of control dodge pickup came bearing straight
01:04towards me around the corner i avoided the collision but the momentum threw me hard onto
01:07the asphalt a sharp spasm shot through my abdomen more violent than any pain before
01:12the 911 dispatcher said the ambulance had taken up in 45 minutes with no other choice i leaned
01:17against a street lamp and dialed my emergency contact ryan was close so he arrived quickly he opened
01:23the car door every april force day my husband ryan carter and his childhood friend summer brand
01:29played a game of truth or dare remember eighth grade i asked if you dared to skip the math exam
01:36you tore the answer sheet paper airplane straight into pieces
01:43that was nothing playing truth or dare on april fool's day is basically our tradition
01:50then do you dare to go get a marriage license with me right now whistles erupted all around
02:01i stood in the doorway my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test ryan turned to look at me then
02:07laughed why wouldn't i dare he stood up came over grabbed my arm and dragged me into the hallway
02:14outside haley it's just an april fool's joke play along with me go handle the divorce paperwork first
02:23tomorrow morning we'll go to city hall get remarried you know i can't back down in front of summer
02:29i stared at the man in front of me for the sake of his so-called childhood game i had
02:34compromised
02:34for five years this time i wasn't accepting it i'm pregnant
02:41haley that's a brilliant move
02:44ryan froze for half a beat and burst out laughing
02:47you made up a pregnancy just not me from winning nice you're better at april fool's night
02:52summer walked over hearing our conversation she laughed too
02:57please haley if you can't handle the game just say so
03:03using pregnancy as an excuse that's so low
03:07exactly
03:10let's go
03:12hurry up
03:13if we're any later city hall will close how am i supposed to get the license then
03:17he dragged me outside his steps long and urgent
03:21i glanced at the hand gripping my wrist the pate philippe on his wrist was the gift he had bought
03:27himself the day after the first volume of dark whispers hit number one on the bestseller list
03:31and that april fool's day the gift he gave me was kissing summer in front of every executive in the
03:37company
03:39every year i had to endure the absurd fence he played on me for summer on april fool's day
03:47on the way to city hall ryan drove insanely fast when we arrived at city hall
03:54what ryan pulled from his briefcase was not a divorce agreement
03:57but a thick stack of documents the title read
04:01petition for marriage annulment in waiver of all rights
04:05he slapped the documents in front of me so clearly
04:08sign it
04:10declare that our marriage was fraudulent from the beginning because it was
04:14based on an april fall's joke
04:16once you sign this our relationship will legally never exist
04:21then i can register my marriage with summer legally
04:24i picked up the pen and let out a cold laugh
04:27fine
04:29and i'll give you both what you want
04:34i signed my name without the slightest pause
04:37the city hall seal came down and five years of marriage ended in absurdity
04:44after getting the judgment ryan turned around took a brand new armani suit from the car and changed into it
04:49summer pulled a white veil from the trunk and pinned it into her hair
04:53the two of them stood on the steps of city hall drawing looks from passersby
04:57i sat on a bench and watched it all
05:00five years ago on the day ryan and i registered our marriage at city hall
05:03he wore an old polo shirt ripped jeans and beat up sneakers with no socks
05:09when i reminded him to change he said true love didn't need all that superficial packaging
05:14being real was what mattered
05:16now he stood in a crisp suit
05:18his arm wrapped tightly around summer's waist
05:20smiling brightly at the camera
05:22with a click the image froze
05:24looking just like a perfect couple from a reality show
05:26not long after ryan walked up to me holding two marriage certificates
05:31honey see that
05:33i won again this time
05:35we'll get remarried first thing tomorrow morning
05:41early pregnancy nausea churned through me and i was almost too weak to keep standing
05:45take me back
05:47i need to pack my things
05:49i opened the passenger door
05:51but before i could sit down
05:52summer squeezed over
05:54hayley if we're acting
05:56we should go all the way
05:59since ryan and i are legally married now
06:02of course i should sit in the passenger seat
06:05she opened the door and sat down as if it was only natural
06:08with one casual sweep of the hand
06:10he knocked my yoga mat and lumbar pillows from the passenger seat onto the floor mark
06:15ryan stood at the front of the car and gave me an apologetic gesture
06:18i turned and walked toward the south line ready to call a rideshare
06:21ryan cut up in a few steps
06:23opened the back door and shoved me inside
06:25stop throwing a tantrum
06:27it's hard to get a car here
06:28sit down and behave
06:31bruno maz's merry youth was playing in the car
06:33summer hummed along to the beat
06:35when it reached the high note
06:36she grabbed ryan's sleeve and shook it
06:44ryan took the next line in perfect sync
06:46they looked at each other and burst out laughing
06:49with a bottle of mineral water
06:50the two of them were as intimate as newlyweds
06:54ryan your collar is crooked
06:55summer turned sideways and reached out to fix ryan's tie
06:58her fingertips brushed his adam's belt
07:01and most of her body leaned over him
07:05ryan didn't move away
07:06instead he held the steering wheel with one hand
07:09and used the other to steady summer's back
07:11stop messing around
07:12i'm driving
07:14that was what he said
07:15but his tone was full of indulgence
07:18i closed my eyes
07:20and placed my hand over my lower eveline
07:23today
07:24this farce had to end
07:27when we pushed open the front door
07:29katherine lifted summer's hand
07:31and gently placed the antique diamond ring in her palm
07:33her tone full of affection
07:35this ring should have been on your hand
07:38five years ago
07:39summer
07:39before ryan
07:42mistake
07:42then she turned her face toward me
07:44and her eyes were cold
07:46hayley
07:46you're still here
07:47ryan walked over and stood between you
07:49mom
07:51i'm joking
07:51it's april fool's day
07:53we're just playing around
07:54well i wish it could stay that way
07:56forever
07:57i didn't answer
07:59i walked around then
08:01went straight into the master bedroom
08:02and pulled out a suitcase
08:04i had barely taken out two pieces of clothing
08:07when ryan followed me in
08:08hayley
08:09everyone's here today
08:10don't rule the moon
08:13let's have dinner together tonight
08:14think of it as a celebration
08:16the final book in your dark whispers trilogy launches tomorrow
08:19i've invited the whole publishing group
08:21consider it a celebration dinner
08:23i stopped moving
08:25that novel had taken three years of my blood and sweat
08:28countless sleepless nights fueled by coffee and revisions
08:31if i burned everything down at this exact moment
08:34tomorrow's pre-sales and launch would inevitably be affected
08:37i closed the suitcase
08:38finally
08:39after this dinner
08:42ryan beamed
08:43turned
08:43and went to the living room to make calls and arrange everything
08:46i would treat it as a farewell dinner with the team i had built with my own hands
08:50not long after
08:51in the dining room
08:52summer didn't even look at the menu
08:53she gave the waiter several dish names directly
08:57i saw that hayley ordered only ordinary dishes
09:00there's no way that can suit everyone's taste
09:04i added a few dishes on my own
09:07anyway
09:07i'm using my husband's card
09:10the housekeeper took the day off
09:13hayley
09:13help out for a bit
09:16staff will be here soon
09:18i glanced at the editorial team
09:20chatting happily in the living room
09:22took a deep breath
09:23and swallowed both my words
09:24and the acid rising in my stomach
09:26forget it
09:27one last meal
09:31i walked into the kitchen
09:33the churning in my stomach hadn't settled
09:35and waves of cramping started in my lower abdomen
09:39chop the vegetables
09:40turn on the stove
09:43heat the pan
09:44add olive oil
09:45summer stood to the side
09:47every inch the lady of the house
09:49add more lemon juice to the salmon
09:51ryan has hated fishiness
09:53since he was a kid
09:55and don't overcook the kale
09:56the editors arrived one after another
09:59emily the executive editor
10:01couldn't stand watching anymore
10:02she rolled up her sleeves
10:04and came into the kitchen
10:05to help wash vegetables
10:06emily you're a guest
10:08just sit and wait for dinner
10:10i'll worry about things in here
10:12after all
10:13tonight i'm the hostess
10:16emily flushed with embarrassment
10:17and retreated to the living room
10:19i brought out the final dish
10:21roasted ribs
10:23six dishes for the table
10:25just as i untied my apron
10:26the doorbell rang
10:28summer ran to open the door
10:30and several delivery workers
10:31came in carrying large insulated bags
10:33i saw that hayley only made
10:35home style dishes
10:38there's no way they'll satisfy
10:40everyone's appetite
10:42so
10:43i used my husband's credit card
10:47and ordered a few dishes myself
10:52main lobster
10:53alaskan king crab legs
10:55black truffle risotto
10:56face on the table was limited
10:58summer picked up the roasted ribs
11:00i had just made
11:00and dumped them
11:01and put them bones together
11:02into the nearby trash can
11:04to make room for her secret
11:06ryan didn't think anything of it
11:08he handed her a nap
11:09and wiped the hands
11:10it all was so fun
11:13i could no longer bear it
11:14and i was about to step forward
11:15but someone grabbed my sleeve
11:17emily leaned close to me
11:19pushed her phone screen towards me
11:20and lowered her voice
11:22hayley
11:22look at this
11:23on the screen was the new book poster
11:25the marketing department
11:26sent her for approval
11:27in the author field
11:27one name had been added
11:28before hayley hart
11:29summer brian
11:31i snatched up the phone
11:33and put it right in front of ryan
11:35why
11:37i turned my head
11:38and looked straight into ryan's eyes
11:40ryan walked over
11:41smiling as he said
11:43hayley this one's on me
11:44i forgot to leave you in
11:47i want you to share half
11:49the byline with her
11:51i already promised summer in advance
11:54you love me so much
11:57you hope it is time
11:58i type this out word by word
12:02three years over three years
12:04what gives you the right
12:07what gives me the right
12:09money
12:10without me pouring money into marketing
12:12your manuscripts would still be sitting in a drawer
12:15i need you a best-selling author
12:17i can turn you back
12:19into an ordinary nobody
12:20right now
12:21the company needs to push summer
12:23your book
12:24is the best springboard
12:25it's that simple
12:30the copyright is under my personal name
12:32you have no right to add her name
12:34if you dare do this
12:35i'll see you in court
12:42the food is getting cold
12:45do we really have to talk about this right now
12:51everyone is waiting
13:01i ignored the table full of people
13:03grabbed my copies
13:04and rushed out the door
13:07by the time i got to the publishing house
13:09the giant poster
13:11had already been hung
13:13eighty percent of the entire layout was summer
13:15with a long personal introduction beside her
13:17and even gossiped about her and ryan vacationing in the hamptons
13:24my name was squeezed into a corner
13:26so small it was almost invisible
13:33derek the head of the publishing house
13:35was ryan's fraternity brother in yale
13:39hayley there's nothing i can do
13:42personally
13:44ryan called personally and ordered us to print overnight
13:48besides carter publishing belongs to you two as a couple
13:54does it really matter whose name is on it
13:56as long as it makes money
14:00he smoked a cigar in his office
14:03a chill ran through me
14:06ryan's will talk tomorrow
14:08it was nothing but a delaying tactic
14:10i turned and went downstairs
14:12then speeded all the way back to the carter house
14:16when i pushed open the door
14:17the dinner was already over
14:20ryan was sitting on the sofa watching a new netflix show
14:23what gives you the right to do this
14:25that book is my life's work
14:29i'll say it again
14:30i'll be borrowing your fame for a while
14:32once summer gets popular
14:34i'll have her name removed from the news
14:38don't take it out on him hayley
14:40we made this decision together
14:46i was only helping him share
14:47pressure at work
14:51some things really have been hard for you to handle lately
14:58this has nothing to do with you
15:00but ryan pulled her tightly into his arms and protected her completely
15:06pushing summer forward is the company's established strategy
15:12i hope you won't be jealous of her
15:16i remember i just said it
15:19does your memory that bad
15:23all right
15:25tonight
15:26summer is mrs carter
15:28i believe you should step out and do a lot
15:32i pulled the judgment from my back
15:33i pulled the judgment from my back and threw it straight in his face
15:37i was already leaving tonight
15:41now there's not even a final thread left between us
15:54fine
15:56you've got backbone
15:57since you don't want to be mrs carter
15:59i'll freeze your joint account and supplemental credit cards right now
16:05he called the security company directly
16:07two private security guards stood at the door looking awkwardly
16:10i'm already divorced from this woman
16:12she has now trespassed into my private residence
16:15to harass me and my wife
16:19please remove her and make sure she leaves my private property
16:22the guards had no choice but to forcefully drag me out
16:26hayley hart
16:27without me you can't even afford a motel
16:31i'll be waiting for you to come crawling back tomorrow to remarry me
16:35as for that book
16:36consider it your wedding gift to summer today
16:41the security guards pushed me out the gate
16:43i stumbled and fell into a muddy patch of lawn
16:45freshly swept by the sprinkler system
16:47i braced myself against the ground
16:48climbed up
16:49held my stomach
16:50and walked to the roadside
16:51but an out of control dodge pickup came bearing straight towards me around the corner
16:54i avoided the collision but the momentum threw me hard onto the asphalt
16:57a sharp spasm shot through my abdomen
17:00more violent than any pains for
17:01the 911 dispatcher said the ambulance would take another 45 minutes
17:05with no other choice
17:06i leaned against a street lamp and dialed my emergency contact
17:10ryan was close so he arrived quickly
17:12he opened the car door
17:13when his gaze touched the blood on the hem of my skirt
17:16his steps faltered
17:17hayley what happened to you
17:20he bent down ready to carry me into the car
17:23but summer's message popped up on his phone screen
17:25it's almost midnight husband
17:27if you don't come now
17:28this round counts as your loss
17:30ryan's hands stopped him in the air
17:33he stared at the center display
17:34then turned to look at me
17:36shh help me
17:37i clutched his cuff with all my strength
17:39hayley
17:40do me a favor
17:41ryan cried my fingers open one by one
17:43i've never lost at this stupid game in my entire life
17:45i checked
17:47you only sprained your ankle
17:48i'll call emerging services for you right now
17:51he pulled me out of the passenger seat
17:53casually took two twenty dollar bills from his wallet
17:56and stuffed them into my hand
17:57i'll come see you at the hospital in a bit
18:03exhaust from the tailpipe blasted into my face
18:05i lay in the puddle and screamed at the receding taillights
18:08ryan
18:11i'm pregnant with your child
18:13you bastard
18:14only the sound of rain answered me
18:17the car never even lit its brake lights again
18:19my vision began to blur
18:21a white toyota camry stopped by the road
18:24the window rolled down
18:25revealing emily's exhausted face
18:27oh my god hayley
18:29she rushed out of the car
18:31and half dragged
18:32half carried me into the back seat
18:35the hospital emergency department
18:36when i woke up in the observation room
18:38a social worker wearing an id badge
18:41came over and handed me a stack of papers
18:42miss heart
18:44your emergency treatment has been completed
18:46but transferring to a private room
18:48will require out of pocket payment
18:50also when you try to process your insurance
18:52the system shows that your spouse medical coverage
18:54is imposed
19:04every april fool's day
19:06my husband ryan carter
19:07and his childhood friend summer brand
19:09played a game of truth or dare
19:10remember
19:11eighth grade
19:13i asked if you dared
19:15to skip
19:16the math exam
19:17we tore the answer sheet paper airplane
19:19straight into pieces
19:23that was nothing
19:25playing truth or dare
19:26on each of these days
19:27is basically
19:29our tradition
19:31then do you dare to
19:33go get a marriage license
19:35with me
19:37right now
19:39whistles erupted all around
19:40i stood in the doorway
19:42my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test
19:45ryan turned to look at me
19:47then laughed
19:48why wouldn't i dare
19:50he stood up
19:51came over
19:51grabbed my arm
19:52and dragged me into the hallway outside
19:56hayley
19:57it's just an april fool's joke
19:59play along with me
20:01he'll handle the divorce paperwork first
20:03and tomorrow morning
20:05we'll go to city hall
20:06and get remarried
20:06you know i can't back down
20:08in front of summer
20:10i stared at the man in front of me
20:11for the sake of his so-called childhood game
20:13i had compromised for five years
20:15this time
20:16i wasn't accepting it
20:18i'm pregnant
20:22hayley that's a brilliant move
20:24ryan froze for half a beat
20:26and burst out laughing
20:27you made up a pregnancy
20:28just got me from winning
20:30nice
20:31you're better at able to do than i am
20:33summer walked over
20:34hearing our conversation
20:35she laughed too
20:38please hayley
20:40if you can't handle the game
20:41just say so
20:44using pregnancy as an excuse
20:47that's so long
20:48exactly
20:51let's go
20:53hurry up
20:53before any later city hall will close
20:56how am i supposed to get the license set
20:58he dragged me outside
20:59he steps long and urgent
21:02i glanced at the hand
21:03gripping my wrist
21:04the pate filip on his wrist
21:06was the gift
21:06he had bought himself
21:07the day after the first volume
21:09of dark whispers
21:09hit number one
21:10on the bestseller list
21:11and that april fool's day
21:13the gift he gave me
21:15was kissing summer
21:16in front of every executive
21:18in the company
21:19every year
21:20i had to endure
21:22the absurd thanks
21:23he played on me
21:24for summer
21:25on april fool's day
21:27on the way to city hall
21:29ryan drove
21:30insanely fast
21:31when we arrived at city hall
21:34what ryan pulled from his briefcase
21:36was not a divorce agreement
21:37but a thick stack of documents
21:40the title read
21:41petition for marriage annulment
21:44and waiver of all rights
21:46he slapped the documents in front of me
21:48and spoke quickly
21:49signed
21:50declared that our marriage
21:52was fraudulent
21:53from the beginning
21:54because it was
21:54based on an April false joke
21:57once you sign this
21:58our relationship
22:00will legally
22:01never exist
22:02then i can register
22:03my marriage
22:04with summer
22:04legally
22:05i picked up the pen
22:06and let out a cold laugh
22:08fine
22:09and i'll give you both
22:11what you want
22:14i signed my name
22:15without the slightest
22:16the city hall seal came down
22:20and five years of marriage
22:21ended in absurdity
22:24after getting the judgment
22:25ryan turned around
22:26took a brand new
22:27armani suit from the car
22:29and changed into it
22:30summer pulled a white veil
22:31from the trunk
22:32and pinned it into her hair
22:33the two of them
22:34stood on the steps
22:35of city hall
22:35drawing looks
22:36from pastor's side
22:37i sat on a bench
22:38and watched it all
22:40five years ago
22:41on the day ryan and i
22:42registered our marriage
22:43at city hall
22:44he wore an old
22:45polo shirt
22:46ripped jeans
22:47and beat up sneakers
22:48with no socks
22:49when i reminded him
22:51to change
22:51he said true love
22:52didn't need all that
22:53superficial packaging
22:54being real
22:55was what mattered
22:56now
22:57he stood in a crisp suit
22:58his arm wrapped tightly
22:59around summer's waist
23:00smiling brightly at the camera
23:03with a click
23:03the image rose
23:04looking just like
23:05a perfect couple
23:06from a reality show
23:07not long after
23:08ryan walked up to me
23:10holding two marriage
23:11certificates
23:11honey
23:12see that
23:13i won again this time
23:15we'll get remarried
23:17first thing tomorrow morning
23:19don't be mad
23:20it's just a keepsake
23:21early pregnancy
23:22nausea churned through me
23:23and i was almost
23:24too weak to keep standing
23:25take me back
23:27i need to pack my things
23:29i opened the passenger door
23:31but before i could sit down
23:33summer squeezed over
23:35haley if we're acting
23:37we should go all the way
23:40since ryan and i
23:41are legally married now
23:42of course i should sit
23:44in the passenger seat
23:45she opened the door
23:46and sat down
23:47as if it was only natural
23:48with one casual sweep
23:50of her hand
23:50she knocked my yoga mat
23:52and lumbar pillows
23:52from the passenger seat
23:53onto the floor mount
23:55ryan stood at the front
23:56of the car
23:57and gave me an
23:57apologetic gesture
23:58i turned and walked
23:59toward the south line
24:00ready to call the rideshare
24:01ryan caught up
24:02in a few steps
24:03opened the back door
24:04and shoved me inside
24:05stop throwing a tantrum
24:07it's hard to get a car here
24:09sit down and behave
24:11bruno maz's merry youth
24:13was playing in the car
24:14summer hummed along
24:15to the beat
24:15when it reached
24:16the high note
24:17she grabbed ryan's sleeve
24:18and shook it
24:24ryan took the next line
24:26in perfect sync
24:27they looked at each other
24:28and burst out laughing
24:29with a bottle of mineral water
24:31the two of them
24:32the two of them were
24:32as intimate
24:33as newlyweds
24:34ryan
24:35the collar is crooked
24:36summer turned sideways
24:37and reached out
24:38to fix ryan's tie
24:39her fingertips
24:40brushed his atom's belt
24:41and most of her body
24:42leaned over him
24:45ryan didn't move away
24:47instead he held
24:48the steering wheel
24:48with one hand
24:49and used the other
24:50to steady summer's back
24:52stop messing around
24:53i'm driving
24:54that was what he said
24:56but his tone
24:57was full of indulgence
24:58i closed my eyes
25:00and placed my hand
25:01over my lower eboli
25:04today
25:04this farce
25:06had to end
25:07when we pushed
25:08open the front door
25:09katherine lifted
25:10summer's hand
25:11and gently placed
25:12the antique diamond ring
25:13in her palm
25:14her tone full of affection
25:15this ring
25:17should have been
25:17on your hand
25:18five years ago
25:19summer
25:20before ryan
25:22mistake
25:23then she turned
25:24her face toward me
25:25and her eyes went cold
25:26haley
25:27you're still here
25:28ryan walked over
25:29and stood between them
25:30mom
25:31we're joking
25:32it's april fool's day
25:33just playing around
25:35well i wish it could
25:36stay that way
25:37forever
25:38i didn't answer
25:40i walked around them
25:41went straight into
25:42the master bedroom
25:43and pulled out a suitcase
25:44i had barely taken out
25:46two pieces of clothing
25:47when ryan followed me in
25:48haley
25:49everyone's here today
25:50don't ruin the mood
25:53let's have dinner
25:54together tonight
25:55think of it as a celebration
25:56the final book
25:57in your dark whispers
25:58trilogy launches tomorrow
26:00i've invited the whole
26:01publishing to
26:02consider it a celebration
26:03dinner
26:04i stopped moving
26:05that novel had taken
26:07three years
26:07of my blood and sweat
26:08countless sleepless nights
26:10fueled by coffee
26:11and divisions
26:11if i burned everything
26:13down at this exact moment
26:14tomorrow's free sales
26:16and launch
26:16would inevitably be affected
26:17and closed the suit
26:19and finally
26:20after this dinner
26:22ryan beamed
26:23turned
26:24and went to the living room
26:25to make calls
26:25and arrange everything
26:26i would treat it
26:27as a farewell dinner
26:28with the team
26:29i had built
26:30with my own hands
26:31not long after
26:32in the dining room
26:32summer didn't even
26:33look at the menu
26:34she gave the waiter
26:35several dish names
26:36directly
26:37i saw that haley ordered
26:39only ordinary dishes
26:41there's no way
26:42that can suit
26:42everyone's taste
26:45i added a few dishes
26:46on my own
26:47anyway
26:48i'm using my husband's card
26:50the housekeeper
26:51took the day off
26:53haley
26:54help out for a good
26:56his staff will be there soon
26:58i glanced at the editorial team
27:00chatting happily
27:01in the living room
27:02took a deep breath
27:03and swallowed both my words
27:05and the acid rising in my stomach
27:06forget it
27:07one last meal
27:12i walked into the kitchen
27:14the churning in my stomach
27:15hadn't settled
27:16and waves of cramping
27:17started in my lower abdomen
27:19chop the vegetables
27:20turn on the stove
27:23heat the pan
27:24add olive oil
27:26summer stood to the side
27:28every inch
27:28the lady of the house
27:29add more lemon juice
27:31to the salmon
27:32ryan has hated fishiness
27:34since he was a kid
27:35and don't overcook the kale
27:37the editors arrived
27:38one after another
27:39emily
27:40the executive editor
27:41couldn't stand watching anymore
27:43she rolled up her sleeves
27:44and came into the kitchen
27:45to help wash vegetables
27:47emily
27:47you're a guest
27:48just sit and wait for dinner
27:51i'll worry about things in here
27:52after all
27:54tonight i'm a hostess
27:56emily flushed with embarrassment
27:58and retreated to the living room
27:59i brought out the final dish
28:01and roasted ribs
28:03six dishes filled the table
28:05just as i untied my apron
28:07the doorbell rang
28:08summer ran to open the door
28:10and several delivery workers
28:12came in carrying large
28:13insulated bags
28:14i saw that haley only made
28:15home-style dishes
28:18there's no way they'll satisfy
28:20everyone's appetite
28:22so
28:24i used my husband's credit card
28:27and ordered a few dishes myself
28:32maine lobster
28:33alaskan king crab legs
28:35black truffle risotto
28:36the face on the table was limited
28:38summer picked up the roasted ribs
28:40i had just made
28:41and dumped them
28:41and put the bones together
28:43into the nearby trash can
28:44to make room for her seat
28:46ryan didn't think anything of it
28:48he handed her a napkin
28:49to wipe her hands
28:50i could no longer bear it
28:54and was about to step forward
28:56but someone grabbed my sleeve
28:58emily leaned close to me
28:59pushed her phone screen towards me
29:01and lowered her voice
29:02haley look at this
29:04on the screen was a new book poster
29:05the marketing department
29:06had sent her for approval
29:07in the author field
29:08one name had been added
29:09before haley hart
29:10summer bryant
29:12i snatched up the phone
29:13and put it right in front of bryant
29:16why
29:17i turned my head
29:18and looked straight
29:19into ryan's eyes
29:21ryan walked over
29:22smiling as he said
29:23haley this one's on me
29:25i forgot to leap you in
29:28i want you to share
29:29half the byline with me
29:31i already promised
29:33summer in advance
29:35you love me so much
29:37you'll be this time
29:38favorite right
29:40i typed this out
29:41word by word
29:42three years
29:43over three years
29:44what gives you the right
29:47what gives me the right
29:49money
29:50without me pouring money
29:52into marketing
29:52your manuscripts
29:53could still be sitting
29:54in a drawer
29:56i made you the best
29:57and i can turn you back
29:59into an ordinary nobody
30:01right now
30:01your company needs
30:02to push summer
30:03and your book
30:04is the best springboard
30:05it's that simple
30:10the copyright is under
30:12my personal name
30:12you have no right
30:13to add her name
30:14if you dare do this
30:16i'll see you in court
30:23the food is getting cold
30:26do we really have to
30:27talk about this right now
30:31everyone is waiting
30:36see first
30:38whatever it is
30:39we'll talk tomorrow
30:42i ignored the table from the people
30:44grabbed my contents
30:45and rushed out the door
30:47by the time i got to the publishing house
30:50the giant poster
30:51had already been hung
30:53eighty percent of the entire layout
30:55was summer
30:55with a long personal introduction
30:57beside her
30:58and even gossiped about her
30:59and ryan vacationing in the hamptons
31:05my name was squeezed into a corner
31:07so small it was almost invisible
31:13derrick
31:14the head of the publishing house
31:15was ryan's fraternity brother
31:17and yeah
31:19hayley there's nothing i can do
31:22personally
31:24ryan called personally
31:25and ordered us to print overnight
31:28besides carter publishing
31:29belongs to youtube as a couple
31:34does it really matter
31:36whose name is on it
31:37as long as it makes money
31:40he smoked a cigar in his office
31:44a chill ran through me
31:46ryan's will talk tomorrow
31:48it was nothing but a delay in tackling
31:51i turned and went downstairs
31:53then speeded all the way back
31:54to the carter house
31:55when i pushed open the door
31:58the dinner was already over
32:00ryan was sitting on the sofa
32:02watching new netflix shows
32:04what gives you the right to do this
32:05that book is my life's work
32:09i'll say it again
32:10we're only borrowing your fame for a while
32:13once summer gets popular
32:14i'll have her name removed for the reprint
32:18don't take it out on him hayley
32:20we made this decision together
32:26i was only helping him share
32:28the pressure at work
32:32some things really have been hard
32:33for you to handle it
32:38this has nothing to do with you
32:41but ryan pulled her tightly into his arms
32:43and protected her completely
32:46pushing summer forward
32:48is the company's established strategy
32:52i hope you won't be jealous of him
32:56i remember i just said it
33:00is your memory that bad
33:04oh right
33:05tonight
33:06summer is mrs carter
33:12i pulled the judgment from my bag
33:14and threw it straight in his face
33:17i was already leaving tonight
33:22now there's not even a final thread
33:24left
33:35fine
33:36you've got backbone
33:38since you don't want to be mrs carter
33:40i'll freeze your joint account
33:42and supplemental credit cards
33:43right now
33:45he called the security company directly
33:47two private security guards
33:49stood at the door
33:50holding offer
33:50i'm already divorced from this woman
33:52she has now trespassed
33:54into my private residence
33:55to harass me and my wife
33:59please remove her
34:00and make sure she leaves my private property
34:03the guards had no choice
34:04but to forcefully drag me out
34:07hayley hart
34:08without me
34:08you can't even afford
34:10a motel
34:12i'll be waiting for you
34:13to come crawling back tomorrow
34:14to remarry me
34:15as for that book
34:17consider it your wedding gift
34:18to summit's bed
34:21the security guards pushed me out the gate
34:23i stumbled and fell into a muddy patch of lawn
34:26freshly swept by the sprinkler system
34:27i braced myself against the ground
34:29climbed up
34:30held my stomach
34:30and walked to the roadside
34:32but an out of control dodge pickup
34:33came bearing straight towards me
34:34around the corner
34:35i avoided the collision
34:36but the momentum threw me hard
34:37onto the asphalt
34:38a sharp spasm shot through my abdomen
34:40more violent than anything before
34:42the 911 dispatcher said
34:43the ambulance would take another 45 minutes
34:45with no other choice
34:46i leaned against a street lamp
34:47and dialed my emergency contact
34:50ryan was close
34:51so he arrived quickly
34:52he opened the car door
34:54when his gaze touched the blood
34:55on the hem of my skirt
34:56his steps faltered
34:58hayley
34:58what happened to you?
35:01he bent down
35:02ready to carry me into the car
35:03summer's message popped up on his phone screen
35:06he's almost midnight husband
35:08if you don't come now
35:09this round counts as your loss
35:10ryan's hands stopped me in the air
35:13he stared at the center display
35:15then turned to look at me
35:16help me
35:18i clutched his cuff with all my strength
35:20hayley
35:20do me a favor
35:21ryan tied my fingers open one by one
35:23i've never lost in this stupid game in my entire life
35:26i checked
35:27you only sprained your ankle
35:28i'll call emerging services for you right now
35:32he pulled me out of the passenger seat
35:34casually took two twenty dollar bills from his wallet
35:36and stuffed them into my hand
35:37i'll come see you at the hospital in a bit
35:43exhaust from the tailpipe
35:45blasted into my face
35:46i lay in the puddle
35:47and screamed at the receding taillights
35:49ryan
35:52i'm pregnant with your child
35:53you bastard
35:55only the sound of rain answered me
35:57the car never even lit its brake lights again
36:00my vision began to blur
36:01a white toyota camry stopped by the road
36:04the window rolled down
36:05revealing emily's exhaustive face
36:08oh my god hayley
36:10she rushed out of the car
36:12and half dragged
36:12half carried me into the back seat
36:15the hospital emergency department
36:17when i woke up in the observation room
36:19a social worker wearing an id badge
36:21came over and handed me a stack of papers
36:23miss hart
36:24your emergency treatment has been completed
36:26but transferring to a private room
36:28will require out of pocket payment
36:30also when we tried to process your insurance
36:32the system showed that your spouse's medical coverage
36:35has been frozen
36:44every april pool's day
36:46my husband ryan carter
36:48and your childhood friend
36:49summer brand
36:50david daniel
36:50you dare
36:51remember
36:52eighth grade
36:53i asked if you dared
36:55to skip
36:56the math exam
36:57you tore the answer sheet paper airplane
36:59straight into pieces
37:04that was nothing
37:05playing truth or dare on april fool's day
37:08is basically
37:09our tradition
37:11then do you dare to
37:14go get a marriage license
37:16with me
37:17right now
37:18whistles erupted all around
37:21i stood in the doorway
37:23my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test
37:25ryan turned to look at me
37:27then laughed
37:28why wouldn't i dare
37:30he stood up
37:31came over
37:32grabbed my arm
37:33and dragged me into the hallway outside
37:37hayley it's just an april fool's joke
37:40play along with me
37:42go handle the divorce paperwork first
37:44tomorrow morning we'll go to city hall
37:46and get remarried
37:47you know i can't back down in front of summer
37:50i stared at the man in front of me
37:52for the sake of his so-called childhood game
37:54i had compromised for five years
37:56this time
37:56i wasn't accepting it
37:58i'm pregnant
38:02hayley that's a brilliant move
38:05ryan froze for half a beat
38:06then burst out laughing
38:08you made up a pregnancy
38:09just out of me from winning
38:10nice
38:11you're better at april fool's than i am
38:13summer walked over
38:14hearing our conversation
38:16she laughed too
38:18please hayley
38:20if you can't handle the game
38:22just say so
38:24using pregnancy as an excuse
38:27that's so annoying
38:28exactly
38:31let's go
38:33hurry up
38:34if we're any later city hall will close
38:36how am i supposed to get the license then
38:38he dragged me outside
38:40he stepped long and urgent
38:42i glanced at the hand ripping my wrist
38:44the patty felipe on his wrist
38:46was the gift
38:47he had bought himself the day after the first volume of dark whispers
38:50hit number one on the bestseller list
38:52and that april fool's day
38:53the gift he gave me
38:55was kissing summer in front of every executive in the company
39:00every year
39:01i had to endure
39:02the absurd thanks he played on me for summer
39:05on april fool's day
39:08on the way to city hall
39:09ryan drove
39:10insanely fast
39:12when we arrived at city hall
39:14what ryan pulled from his briefcase
39:17was not a divorce agreement
39:18but a thick stack of documents
39:20the title read
39:21petition for marriage annulment
39:24and waiver of all rights
39:26he slapped the documents in front of me
39:28and spoke quickly
39:29sign it
39:31declare that our marriage was fraudulent from the beginning
39:34because it was based on an easy false judge
39:37once you sign this
39:39my relationship
39:40will legally
39:41have never existed
39:42then i can register my marriage with summer illegally
39:45i picked up the pen
39:46and let out a cold laugh
39:48fine
39:50then i'll give you both
39:51what you want
39:54i signed my name without the slightest pause
39:58the city hall seal came down
40:00and five years of marriage ended in absurdity
40:04after getting the judgment
40:06ryan turned around
40:07took a brand new armani suit from the car
40:09and changed into it
40:10summer pulled a white veil from the trunk
40:12and pinned it into her hair
40:13the two of them stood on the steps of city hall
40:16drawing looks from passersby
40:17i sat on a bench
40:19and watched it all
40:20five years ago
40:21on the day ryan and i registered our marriage at city hall
40:24he wore an old polo shirt
40:26ripped jeans
40:27and beat up sneakers with no socks
40:29when i reminded him to change
40:32he said true love didn't need all that superficial packaging
40:35being real was what mattered
40:36now
40:37he stood in a crisp suit
40:38his arm wrapped tightly around summer's waist
40:41smiling brightly at the camera
40:43with a click
40:44the image froze
40:45looking just like the perfect couple
40:46from a reality show
40:47not long after
40:49ryan walked up to me
40:50holding two marriage certificates
40:52honey
40:52see that
40:54i won again this time
40:56we'll get remarried first thing tomorrow morning
40:59don't be mad
41:00it's just a keepsake
41:02early pregnancy nausea churned through me
41:04and i was almost too weak to keep standing
41:06take me back
41:08i need to pack my things
41:09i opened the passenger door
41:11but before i could sit down
41:13summer squeezed over
41:15haley if we're acting
41:17we should go all the way
41:20since ryan and i are legally married now
41:23of course i should sit
41:24in the passenger seat
41:25she opened the door
41:27and sat down
41:27as if it was only natural
41:29with one casual sweep of her hand
41:31she knocked my yoga mat
41:32and lumbar pillows
41:33from the passenger seat
41:34onto the floor mat
41:35ryan stood at the front of the car
41:37and gave me an apologetic gesture
41:38i turned and walked toward the south line
41:40ready to call a rideshare
41:42ryan caught up in a few steps
41:43opened the back door
41:44and shut me inside
41:46stop throwing a tantrum
41:48it's hard to get a car here
41:49sit down and behave
41:52bruno maz's merry youth
41:53was playing in the car
41:54summer hummed along to the beat
41:56when it reached the high note
41:57she grabbed ryan's sleeve
41:58and shook it
42:05ryan took the next line
42:06in perfect sync
42:07they looked at each other
42:09and burst out laughing
42:10with a bottle of mineral water
42:11the two of them were as intimate
42:13as newlyweds
42:14ryan your collar is crooked
42:16summer turned sideways
42:17and reached out to fix ryan's tie
42:19her fingertips brushed his adam's belt
42:21and most of her body leaned over him
42:26ryan didn't move away
42:27instead he held the steering wheel
42:29with one hand
42:29and used the other
42:30to steady summer's back
42:32stop messing around
42:33i'm driving
42:35that was what he said
42:36but his tone was full of indulgence
42:38i closed my eyes
42:40and placed my hand
42:41over my lower eveline
42:44today
42:45this farce had to end
42:48when we pushed open the front door
42:50katherine lifted summer's hand
42:51and gently placed
42:52the antique diamond ring
42:53in her palm
42:54her tone full of affection
42:56this ring
42:57should have been
42:58on your hand
42:59five years ago
43:00summer
43:00before ryan
43:02mistake
43:03then she turned her face toward me
43:05and her eyes went cold
43:06hayley
43:07you're still here
43:08ryan walked over
43:09and stood between them
43:10mom
43:11we're joking
43:12it's april fool's day
43:14just playing around
43:43well i wish it could stay that way
43:45moving that novel had taken three years of my blood and sweat
44:17countless sleepless nights
44:19ordered only ordinary dishes
44:21there's no way that can suit everyone's taste
44:25i added a few dishes on my own
44:28i added a few dishes on my own
44:28anyway
44:28i'm using my husband's card
44:31the housekeeper took the day off
45:01hayley
45:04heat the pan
45:05heat the pan
45:06add olive oil
45:06summer stood to the side
45:08every inch
45:09the lady of the house
45:10add more lemon juice to the salmon
45:12ryan has hated fishiness
45:14since he was a kid
45:15don't overcook the kale
45:17the editors arrived one after another
45:20emily
45:21the executive editor
45:22couldn't stand watching anymore
45:23she rolled up her sleeves
45:25and came into the kitchen
45:26to help wash vegetables
45:27emily
45:28you're a guest
45:29just sit and wait for dinner
45:31i'll worry about things in here
45:33after all
45:34tonight i'm the hostess
45:37emily flushed with embarrassment
45:38and retreated to the living room
45:40i brought out the final dish
45:42of roasted ribs
45:44six dishes filled the table
45:46just as i untied my apron
45:47the doorbell rang
45:48summer ran to open the door
45:51and several delivery workers
45:52came in carrying large insulated bags
45:54i saw that hayley only made
45:56home-style dishes
45:58there's no way they'll satisfy
46:00everyone's appetite
46:03so
46:04i used my husband's credit card
46:08and ordered a few dishes myself
46:13main lobster
46:14alaskan king crab legs
46:15black truffle risotto
46:17space on the table was limited
46:18summer picked up the roasted ribs
46:20i had just made
46:21and dumped them
46:22mitten bones together
46:23into the nearby trash can
46:25to make room for her secret
46:27ryan didn't think anything of it
46:28he handed her a napkin
46:30to wipe her hands
46:31you're always so thoughtful
46:33i could no longer bear it
46:35and was about to step forward
46:36someone grabbed my sleeve
46:38emily leaned close to me
46:40pushed her phone screen
46:41toward me
46:41and lowered her voice
46:43hayley
46:43look at this
46:44on the screen was the new book poster
46:46the marketing department
46:46had sent her for approval
46:47in the author field
46:48one name had been added
46:49before hayley hart
46:50summer bryant
46:52i snatched up the phone
46:53and put it right in front of bryant
46:56why
46:58i turned my head
46:59and looked straight into bryant's eyes
47:01bryant walked over
47:02smiling as he said
47:04hayley this one's on me
47:05i forgot to loop you in
47:08i want you to share half
47:10the byline with me
47:12i already promised summer in advance
47:15you love me so much
47:18you'll help with this tiny favor right
47:20i type this out word by word
47:22three years over three years
47:24what gives you the right
47:28what gives me the right
47:30money
47:31without me pouring money into marketing
47:33your manuscripts would still be sitting in a drawer
47:36i made you the best ever mark
47:38i can turn you back
47:39into an ordinary nova
47:41right now
47:42the company needs to push summer
47:43your book
47:44is the best springboard
47:46it's that simple
47:51copyright is under my personal name
47:53you have no right to add to me
47:55if you dare do this
47:56i'll see you in court
48:03the food is getting cold
48:06do we really have to talk about this right now
48:12everyone is waiting
48:22i ignored the table full of people
48:24grabbed my house keys
48:25and rushed out the door
48:28by the time i got to the publishing house
48:30the giant postal
48:32had already been high
48:33eighty percent of the entire layout was summer
48:36with a long personal introduction beside her
48:38and even gossiped about her and ryan
48:40vacationing in the hamptons
48:45my name was squeezed into a corner
48:47so small it was almost invisible
48:53derrick
48:54the head of the publishing house
48:55was ryan's fraternity brother from yale
48:59hayley there's nothing i can do
49:03personally
49:04ryan called personally
49:06and ordered us to print overnight
49:08besides carter publishing belongs to youtube as a couple
49:15does it really matter whose name is on it
49:17as long as it makes money
49:20he smoked a cigar in his office
49:24the children
49:26ryan will talk tomorrow
49:29there's nothing but a delaying tactic
49:31i turned and went downstairs
49:33then speeded all the way back to the carter house
49:37when i pushed open the door
49:38the dinner was already over
49:41ryan was sitting on the studio
49:42watching a new netflix show in summer
49:44what gives you the right to do this
49:46that book is my life's work
49:50i'll say it again
49:51we're only borrowing your fame for a while
49:53once summer gets popular
49:55i'll have her name removed from the reprint
49:59don't take it out on him hayley
50:01we made this decision together
50:07i was only helping him share
50:08pressure at work
50:12some things really have been hard for you to handle
50:19this has nothing to do with you
50:21but ryan pulled her tightly into his arms
50:24and protected her completely
50:27pushing summer forward
50:28is the company's established strategy
50:32i hope you won't be jealous of her
50:37i remember i just said it
50:40is your memory that bad
50:44all right
50:46tonight
50:46summer is mrs carter
50:49maybe we should step out and go on
50:53i've heard the judgment from my dad
50:54and threw it straight in his face
50:58i was already leaving tonight
51:02now there's not even a final thread
51:15left
51:17you've got backbone
51:18since you don't want to be mrs carter
51:20i'll freeze your joint account and supplemental credit cards right now
51:26he called the security company directly
51:28two private security guards stood at the door
51:30looking awkward
51:31i'm already divorced from this woman
51:32she has now trespassed into my private residence
51:36to harass me and my wife
51:40please remove her and make sure she leaves my private property
51:43the guards had no choice
51:45to forcefully drag me out
51:47hayley hart
51:48without me
51:49you can't even afford
51:50a motel
51:52i'll be waiting for you to come crawling back tomorrow
51:55to remarry me
51:56as for that book
51:57consider it your wedding gift to summer today
52:02the security guards pushed me out the gate
52:04i stumbled and fell into a muddy patch of lawn
52:06freshly swept by the sprinkler system
52:08i braced myself against the ground
52:09climbed up
52:10held my stomach
52:11and walked to the roadside
52:12but an out of control dodge pickup
52:13came bearing straight towards me around the corner
52:15i avoided the collision
52:16but the momentum threw me hard onto the asphalt
52:18a sharp spasm shot through my abdomen
52:20more violent than any pain before
52:22the 911 dispatcher said the ambulance
52:24to take another 45 minutes
52:25with no other choice
52:26i leaned against a street lamp
52:28and dialed my emergency contact
52:31ryan was close
52:32so he arrived quickly
52:33he opened the car door
52:34when his gaze touched the blood
52:36on the hem of my skirt
52:37his steps faltered
52:38hayley
52:39what happened to you
52:41he bent down
52:42ready to carry me into the car
52:44summer's message popped up on his phone screen
52:46it's almost midnight husband
52:48if you don't come now
52:49this round counts as your loss
52:51ryan's hand stopped in an affair
52:53he stared at the center display
52:55then turned to look at me
52:56help me
52:58i clutched his cuff with all my strength
53:00hayley do me a favor
53:01ryan plied my fingers open one by one
53:04i've never lost at this stupid game in my entire life
53:06i checked
53:08you only sprained your ankle
53:09i'll call emerging services for you right now
53:12he pulled me out of the passenger seat
53:14casually took two twenty dollar bills from his wallet and stuck them into my hand
53:18i'll come see you at the hospital in a bit
53:24exhaust from the tailpipe blasted into my face
53:26i lay in the puddle and screamed at the receding taillights
53:29ryan
53:32i'm pregnant with your child
53:34you bastard
53:35only the sound of rain answered me
53:37the car never even lit its brake lights again
53:40my vision began to blur
53:42a white toyota camry stopped by the road
53:44the window rolled down
53:46revealing emily's exhausted face
53:48oh my god hayley
53:50she rushed out of the car and half dragged half carried me into the back seat
53:56the hospital emergency department
53:57when i woke up in the observation room
53:59a social worker wearing an id badge came over and handed me a stack of papers
54:03miss heart
54:04your emergency treatment has been completed
54:07but transferring to a private room
54:09will require out-of-pocket payment
54:10also when you try to process your insurance
54:13the system shows that your spouse medical coverage has been frozen
54:25every april please day
54:26my husband ryan carter and his childhood friend summer brand
54:30create a game of truth or dare
54:31remember
54:328th grade
54:34i asked if you dared
54:36to skip
54:36the math exam
54:37you tore the answer sheet paper airplane
54:39straight into pieces
54:44that was nothing
54:45playing truth or dare on april fool's day
54:48is basically
54:49our tradition
54:52then do you dare to
54:54go get a marriage license
54:56with me
54:58right now
54:59whistles erupted all around
55:02i stood in the doorway
55:03my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test
55:06ryan turned to look at me
55:08then laughed
55:08why wouldn't i do
55:10he stood up
55:12came over
55:12grabbed my arm
55:13and dragged me into the hallway outside
55:17haley it's just an april fool's joke
55:20play along with me
55:22go handle the divorce people work first
55:25tomorrow morning we'll go to city hall and get remarried
55:27you know i can't back down in front of summer
55:30i stared at the man in front of me
55:32for the sake of his so-called childhood game
55:34i had compromised for five years
55:36this time
55:37i wasn't accepting it
55:39i'm pregnant
55:42haley that's a brilliant movie

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