Uma mulher em crise, desesperada por explicar algo que a assombra. Uma ligação urgente e um olhar perdido em meio à neve sugerem um passado complexo e um futuro incerto. Uma história de conflitos familiares e a busca pela verdade.
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TVTranscrição
00:02Minha mãozinha, eu peguei o meu telefone e a tela lit up.
00:07O chat de debate no chão estava enganando.
00:16Finley, dê-la um grande abraço! Lift nosso herói!
00:26Finley grinned, swept Alison by the waist and spun her around in a big circle.
00:35The one-year spot at the Pristerne Academy of Arts was ridiculously hard to get and super competitive.
00:42But my professor said I was the one she believed in most.
00:48What did I even tell her back then?
00:54Thank you, professor. But there's someone here I just can't let go of, I'd replied.
01:02During the debate, Finley led Alison to tear open my old scar right in front of everyone so that she
01:07could win.
01:10Bonnie, after being raped and on to loosing heart, do you really have the right to talk about strength here?
01:21In the end, Alison won, docked at the victory party.
01:26Everyone was gathered around, gossiping.
01:28The guy who once swore he'd protect me forever was grinning as he brought up my sore spot for everyone
01:34to hear.
01:34When she was 13, the landlord got drunk, unlocked the door, and barged right in.
01:43And, well, you can guess the rest.
01:47Finley always saw me as damaged goods, filthy and unwanted by anyone except him.
01:56But he never knew I'd already signed up for the exchange program to Gravland.
02:01In seven days, I'd be gone from his world for good.
02:06You claim that people who've gone through tough times end up stronger inside.
02:12So, Bonnie, mind if I ask you something?
02:17Back when you were little, some bad stuff happened, right?
02:24Even now, you still freak out around guys?
02:27Is this your idea of strength being shattered by your past?
02:31That was the nightmare I'd buried the deepest, and there was only one person in the room who knew about
02:36it.
02:39And that person was Finley.
02:41No way.
02:43Wait, did that really happen to Bonnie?
02:45Oh, God, that's just so disgusting.
02:51The whispers from the crowd hit me like a tidal wave.
02:54I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
03:03Crouched in the freezing corner of the restroom, I bit down hard on my arm, leaving one bloody mark after
03:10another.
03:15What was up with Bonnie just now?
03:18She just bolted.
03:19So irresponsible, right?
03:20Seriously.
03:20Even if she got hit where it hurt, she couldn't just ditch the whole team and let everyone laws like
03:24that.
03:25But honestly, Allison's move was brutal, but it totally turned the tables.
03:28Her team still came out on top.
03:32Finley is really treating Allison like a treasure.
03:35He practically coached her from zero, right?
03:38And did you catch the way he was looking at her when they won?
03:41The look in his eyes?
03:42Well, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
03:58There was no apology, no explanation.
04:03He didn't mention a word about how Allison found out my secret.
04:08I owed it to all these years, to us, to give things a little dignity and real closure.
04:22Honestly, Allison totally killed it!
04:25That last move was a game changer!
04:28She flipped the whole thing around!
04:29Yeah, Finley.
04:31It looks like your golden duo with Bonnie is about to be history.
04:39Allison's the one really in simp with you now.
04:44Honestly, I just lucked out today.
04:47If Finley hadn't brought it up to me before,
04:51I never would have hit Bonnie right where it hurts.
05:02Finley, is that true?
05:04Did Bonnie go through something like that?
05:10Yeah, it's true.
05:15When she was 13,
05:18the landlord got drunk,
05:20unlocked the door,
05:21and barged right in.
05:23And, well,
05:25you can guess the rest.
05:33At that exact moment,
05:35I could feel something deep inside me break.
05:38Clean through,
05:39and for good.
05:41No way, for real?
05:42That actually explains why Bonnie's always so cold and dispistent.
05:45She never really talks to anyone.
05:47Man, that's pretty messed up.
05:49That kind of thing must leave you with some serious baggage.
05:52Still, gotta admit,
05:53she's pretty tough.
05:55Tough?
05:56Please.
05:57If you ask me,
05:58it's more like,
05:58well, you know what she went through.
06:04Drop it.
06:06She's petty.
06:07If she finds out,
06:07she'll definitely make a scene.
06:15Dignity?
06:16He was not even worth that.
06:25I quit the debate club.
06:31With only seven days left,
06:33I had to scramble to get all my paperwork ready for my trip abroad.
06:37Bonnie,
06:38are you really sure about this?
06:40You and Finley are the backbone of our club.
06:47Bonnie,
06:47what was that text about?
06:49Why didn't you show up at the celebration last night?
06:53Just what it says.
06:56Let's break up,
06:56Finley.
06:58Seriously?
06:59Over that?
07:00Just because I didn't help you win?
07:01Bonnie,
07:02when did you turn into such a sore loser?
07:03That thing,
07:04I didn't tell Allison on purpose.
07:05I was drunk and just mentioned it without thinking.
07:07Who could have guessed she'd bring it up during the match?
07:09Drunk?
07:09So wait,
07:10what about last night you were up,
07:11were you?
07:11Didn't you stick,
07:12stand there in front of everyone
07:12and lay out all my embarrassing childhood crap
07:14from when I was 13?
07:16Every single detail,
07:17loud and clear?
07:18He probably never expected that I,
07:21who always played nice
07:22and kept things bottled up,
07:23would expose him like this in front of everyone.
07:26Bonnie,
07:26enough!
07:27Are you seriously not going to let this go?
07:29It was just some dumb comment.
07:31Is that really worth breaking up over?
07:32Without me,
07:33who would even look at you?
07:34Who'd ever want you?
07:36It was the typical Finley.
07:37That was always how he was.
07:39To Finley,
07:40it was always my fault.
07:41I was the one who blew things out of proportion,
07:44the one who supposedly couldn't live without him.
07:47Bonnie,
07:47Finley,
07:48what's happening here?
07:49Are you guys fighting again?
07:50Without missing a beat,
07:52Allison cozied right up to Finley,
07:53nearly hanging off his arm
07:54like she'd always belonged there.
07:56Finley was all fired up,
07:57clearly doing it to mess with me,
07:58flaunting how popular he was,
08:00like he wanted everyone to know.
08:01It's fine,
08:02Allison.
08:02Don't worry about it.
08:05Finley,
08:06is Bonnie still upset with me
08:07because of what happened at yesterday's match?
08:09I swear,
08:10I didn't do it on purpose.
08:11I just wanted so badly for our team to win
08:14to make everyone proud.
08:16Tim,
08:17here's my resignation.
08:19Could you take care of the rest?
08:21Bonnie,
08:21stop right there.
08:23I never slowed my pace.
08:24I walked straight out of that stifling room,
08:27leaving it all behind.
08:30While I was packing,
08:32I came across an old photo tucked inside a book.
08:36In the picture,
08:37I was in the school uniform,
08:39standing side by side with Finley on the playground,
08:42the sunset casting a warm glow over us.
08:45So,
08:46what's it like being touched by an old guy?
08:48He cornered me after school,
08:50leering at me with that disgusting grin,
08:51asking,
08:52and even threatened to tell the whole school.
08:54Touch her again,
08:54and I'll kill you!
08:55In the end,
08:56that punk was black and blue,
08:58swearing he'd keep his mouth shut for good.
09:00Back then,
09:02Finley seemed so strong,
09:03like he could shield me from every storm
09:05the world could throw my way.
09:07It was wild how someone could change so quickly.
09:12Where are you headed?
09:13The cafeteria?
09:13Let's go together.
09:15Bonnie,
09:15what do you even want from me?
09:16Just stop making a scene,
09:17okay?
09:18I'm not making a scene.
09:20We're done,
09:21Finley.
09:21Please let go.
09:23Over?
09:24Really?
09:25We're done?
09:26Since when could you ever live without me?
09:28You even turned down your chance to go abroad.
09:30Wasn't that just because you couldn't err to leave?
09:32Without me?
09:33Where would you go?
09:34Who else would ever want you?
09:35It was a suffocating barrage,
09:37his ego and desire to control
09:39pressing down on me with every question.
09:41He seriously acted like I'd shrive up
09:42and fall to pieces without him,
09:44like I'd be totally lost on my own.
09:45The caption underneath was,
09:47He's super clingy.
09:48The comment section was blowing up,
09:50with everyone throwing out wild guesses
09:52about who the guy might be,
09:53but only I could spot that faint brown mole
09:55on his earlop right away.
09:56Back when I used to curl up in his arms,
09:58I'd unconsciously run my fingers
10:00over that tiny mole,
10:01again and again,
10:02in the past.
10:04Because of everything I'd been through,
10:05I always dreaded wearing anything too revealing,
10:07and shied away from getting too close to anyone.
10:10Even after all those years together,
10:12we never crossed the line.
10:13At most,
10:14it was just hugs
10:14and the occasional careful kiss.
10:16I used to feel bad about it,
10:18always asking if he thought
10:18I was too stiff or boring.
10:20Every time,
10:21he'd smile and told me
10:22it was no big deal,
10:23that we could go slow,
10:25that he didn't care at all.
10:26However,
10:27it wasn't like he didn't care.
10:29It turned out that
10:30all that fire and longing
10:31just ended up with someone
10:32who knew how to let loose,
10:33someone who never held back.
10:35I...
10:36I...
10:37I was drunk last night,
10:38seriously.
10:39She kept coming on to me.
10:40It's not what you think...
10:41Save it.
10:43Whether it's what I think,
10:44or not really doesn't matter anymore.
10:47Finley,
10:47we were over long ago.
10:51Without looking back at his stunned face,
10:53I turned and walked away.
10:56Bonnie, we've been waiting for you.
10:58The publicity department
10:59gathered everyone together
11:00for a group photo,
11:01and they really wanted me there too.
11:03Tim had always been kind to me,
11:04always looking out for me,
11:06so I hesitated for a moment,
11:07but said yes in the end.
11:11Bonnie, you're here.
11:13Why'd you have to quit the club?
11:15Are you really gonna cut ties with us for good
11:17over something so trivial?
11:19Are you still mad at me?
11:21I seriously had too much to drink last night,
11:23and I totally didn't mean to post that video with Finley.
11:26I swear...
11:27I'm not mad.
11:29Should I really get mad at you two?
11:31You were not worth it.
11:33Glad you're not mad, Bonnie.
11:35I've even got a gift for you as an apology.
11:39Look, Bonnie,
11:40I specially picked out this microfilm script
11:43just for you.
11:44I just think this story has so much power.
11:47It's about a girl fighting to reclaim herself
11:49after everything happened.
11:50The more I think about it,
11:52honestly,
11:52I believe you're the one
11:53who can truly bring it to life.
11:55No one would understand it better than you, right?
11:57You won't mind, will you?
12:00She was smiling,
12:01but her eyes sparkled with open contempt and provocation.
12:05Bonnie,
12:06that's seriously over the line!
12:09Seriously,
12:10Allison was just trying to be nice!
12:14Come on,
12:14it was just a joke.
12:15Did you really have to go off like that?
12:17I just wanted to make you feel better.
12:21Sorry,
12:21I shouldn't have meddled.
12:30Finley!
12:32Does it hurt?
12:33Are you alright?
12:34Let's get you to the medical room!
12:36He held her tight,
12:37checking her ankle anxiously,
12:39with a panic in his voice
12:40I'd never heard before.
12:43He'd forgotten that every time
12:44that whole mess got dragged up,
12:46all my old scars started throbbing again.
12:49The one who was supposed to be held
12:51and comforted should have been me.
12:53But he just held her tight
12:54and rushed away,
12:55vanishing at the end of the hallway,
12:57all without even glancing back at me.
13:06The next day,
13:07I boarded a flight to Brumberg.
13:13I broke my old SIM card,
13:14tossing it away with all the love,
13:17hate,
13:17and obsession of the past ten years.
13:27From then on,
13:28we would never cross paths again.
13:32The air in Broomston carried a hint of freedom.
13:36There,
13:37no one knew me,
13:38and no one knew what I'd been through.
13:43No one watched me with those prying,
13:46judgmental eyes.
13:47It just felt so good.
13:50Sometimes,
13:51while I was sketching in class,
13:53I remembered that old movie
13:54I watched ages ago.
13:56The heroine ditched her own wedding,
13:58fled all the way to Broomsburg,
14:00and joked about designing a wedding dress
14:02she'd be able to run away in.
14:06I just don't understand.
14:08How could anybody bring themselves
14:10to walk away from someone
14:11who loves them that much,
14:12and disappear to someplace so far away?
14:15That's just because
14:17she hasn't met true love yet.
14:21As for you, Bonnie,
14:23you could never run away.
14:26Back then,
14:27the sunlight felt perfect,
14:29his arms were warm as home,
14:31and I really believed
14:33this was forever.
14:36As I breathed in the air of Broomburl,
14:39I finally understood why she ran.
14:44I blocked Finley on everything
14:46and scrubbed Allison from WhatsApp.
14:48Just like that,
14:50they were gone from my world.
14:56Finley was always there,
14:58huddled in the corner with a drink,
15:00looking thinner than I remembered.
15:03He had lost that flamboyant
15:05untamed spark he used to have,
15:07replaced by a gloomy,
15:09silent,
15:10tormented exhaustion.
15:12Tim would occasionally reach out,
15:14always so careful,
15:15like he was afraid
15:17of saying the wrong thing.
15:35It really had nothing to do with me,
15:37me anymore.
15:38When I thought about those memories
15:39that used to tear me apart,
15:41all I felt was dull,
15:43distant numbness.
15:45It was late at night,
15:47and I was busy fixing up
15:48my design sketches
15:49when my phone suddenly started ringing,
15:51breaking the silence.
15:53It was a random international call.
15:55Somehow,
15:56I already had a feeling
15:57who it might be.
16:01I answered,
16:02but didn't say a word.
16:05All I heard was silence,
16:07long,
16:08suffocating,
16:09broken only by the weight
16:11of someone's breath.
16:17Bonnie?
16:18Bonnie?
16:18Then,
16:18a voice echoed out,
16:20a voice etched into my bones,
16:22one I'd spent forever
16:23trying to erase.
16:26Bonnie,
16:27is that you?
16:30Yeah.
16:31Why did you just leave
16:32without a word?
16:33Do you have any idea
16:34how long I've been searching
16:35every corner of the city for you?
16:36I was worried sick,
16:37did you know that?
16:39Just because of some debate
16:40and Allison's careless words,
16:42you're just gonna dump me,
16:43Bonnie?
16:44After everything we've been through?
16:46Are you saying our years together
16:47meant nothing to you?
16:48Fine,
16:49I admit it.
16:50I drank too much that night
16:52and said things I shouldn't have.
16:53It was my fault,
16:54all right?
16:56If you're mad,
16:57yell at me,
16:58hit me,
16:58whatever you want,
16:59but you can't just
16:59shut me out like this.
17:01You can't throw away
17:02everything we've had
17:03just because of one fight.
17:04Bonnie,
17:05I can't accept you
17:06cutting me off like this
17:07out of nowhere.
17:08He kept bombarding me
17:09with questions.
17:09It almost sounded like
17:11I was the heartless one,
17:12the one who'd betrayed him.
17:16But what did I really do wrong?
17:17I was just tired
17:18of being hurt.
17:21Finley,
17:22do you remember that guy
17:23you beat back in high school,
17:24the one who's
17:24face was so messed up
17:26that nobody could
17:26recognize him?
17:30He snuck to see me once.
17:32He was scared out of his mind,
17:34sobbing as he told me
17:35you looked like you
17:36actually wanted to kill him.
17:38You said that was
17:39Bonnie's most painful secret
17:40and you wouldn't let
17:41anyone else find out
17:42so nobody could ever
17:43use it to hurt her again.
17:44You've asked me so many
17:45questions, Finley.
17:46How about answering mine
17:47for a change?
17:48Where did that 17-year-old
17:50boy go,
17:50the one who'd do anything
17:51for me no matter what?
17:53Where's the Finley
17:53who'd lose it
17:54just at the thought
17:55of someone hurting me?
17:56Where did he go?
17:57But now,
17:57you put my biggest hurt
17:59out there in front of everyone,
18:01letting them use it
18:02for gossip
18:02and smirking jokes.
18:04You saw those
18:05judging stares,
18:07heard the ugly laughter.
18:08If 17-year-old Finley
18:10saw all this,
18:11what would he think?
18:12Yeah, I don't like
18:14getting close to people.
18:15It scares me
18:16and I can't just open up.
18:20Dating someone boring
18:21and broken like me
18:22must have been tough for you.
18:24Allison is fun
18:25and easy bowing.
18:26She'll wear those
18:26strappy dresses you like
18:28and can go out drinking
18:29and partying with you,
18:30never killing the vibe
18:31like I do.
18:33Is that what you wanted?
18:34That's not what I meant.
18:36Bonnie, listen to me.
18:37It's not like that
18:38with Allison.
18:39I just needed a little time.
18:40I wanted us to talk it over
18:41but you just left like that.
18:43I didn't even get a chance
18:44to explain.
18:46Time.
18:49All that time you talk about,
18:50you spent it drinking
18:51with Allison,
18:52filming those suggestive videos,
18:54wrapping your arms
18:54around her at the party
18:55like she was the only one
18:56worth celebrating with.
19:00Finley, back when we were kids,
19:02our whole world
19:03was just that alley,
19:04just you and me.
19:06But your world kept growing.
19:09You met all kinds of people
19:10and saw all these new sights.
19:12Somehow you kept thinking
19:13my world was just stuck on you
19:14like nothing ever changed,
19:16like I'd never walk away.
19:20Let's just leave it at that, Finley.
19:23Let's part ways
19:24and keep things peaceful.
19:25What do you mean by part ways?
19:28Bonnie, I won't allow it.
19:30No way, you...
19:33I didn't listen anymore.
19:37My chest felt heavy,
19:39almost like I couldn't breathe.
19:48It was Drake Fisher.
19:51He was a senior from my school
19:53and my neighbor.
19:55Drake's steady and reliable.
19:56If you ever run into trouble
19:58in Broomburg,
19:58you can go to him.
20:02Drake really did help me out a lot,
20:04like finding this apartment
20:06not too far from campus
20:07and with rent
20:08I could actually afford.
20:10I knew these walls
20:11were practically paper thin.
20:13He probably caught
20:14every single word
20:15of that phone call.
20:18Funny bumping into you
20:19out here staring at the moon, huh?
20:23Yeah.
20:24But instead of making it awkward,
20:26he acted like nothing happened,
20:28quietly letting me
20:29keep my dignity.
20:30Christmas is just around the corner.
20:32Things are pretty lively outside.
20:34Yeah.
20:36I was thinking about
20:37getting a Christmas tree,
20:38but they're just
20:39way too expensive.
20:42I just moved there
20:43and money was tight,
20:45so every penny counted.
20:49I know a place.
20:53There's a second-hand market
20:54behind a Vestro town.
20:55Sometimes you can find
20:56a pretty good Christmas tree
20:57there for a great price.
20:59I'm heading over
20:59this weekend anyway,
21:00so if you want,
21:01you can come with me
21:02and check it out.
21:03Okay.
21:05I couldn't really say why,
21:07but somehow,
21:07I just went along with it.
21:09The second-hand market
21:10on the weekend
21:11was buzzing with life,
21:12full of the kind of energy
21:13that only came from
21:14real people living their lives.
21:16Drake knew this place
21:17like the back of his hand,
21:18guiding me effortlessly
21:19through the crowded stalls.
21:23Sure enough,
21:24we found a stall
21:25in the corner
21:25selling off
21:26old Christmas trees.
21:27We picked a nice fir tree,
21:29which just needed
21:30a little pruning.
21:31Drake didn't even
21:32let me help.
21:32He just heafted that tree,
21:34easily carrying it
21:35even though it was
21:36taller than him,
21:37like it was nothing at all.
21:38I'll wrap things up here.
21:40Go ahead and pick out
21:41some ornaments.
21:52Bonnie!
21:58There,
21:58at the entrance of the shop,
22:00stood Finley,
22:01looking totally worn out,
22:02like he'd been searching for ages.
22:04He was noticeably thinner,
22:06scrubby with a dark beard
22:07on his jaw,
22:08eyes sunken
22:09and rimmed with red.
22:11I finally found you.
22:16How did he end up here?
22:18How did he even track me here?
22:23The winter sun in Broomston
22:24was supposed to feel warm,
22:26but all I could feel
22:28was cold spreading
22:29through my veins.
22:32The next moment,
22:33Finley swept me
22:34into his arms
22:35before I could even protest.
22:36You little fool.
22:38You made me look for you
22:39all this time.
22:40You really gave me
22:41a hard time, you know.
22:42Are you still mad at me?
22:44His close movement
22:45made me shiver,
22:46but the arms
22:47that once made me
22:48feel so safe
22:49had just turned
22:50my stomach.
22:51Did he seriously think
22:53that just because
22:54he showed up here,
22:55pretending to be all pitiful,
22:56I was supposed to be moved
22:58and forgive him?
22:59Was I really supposed
22:59to burst into tears
23:01and run into his arms
23:02as if all was forgiven?
23:04Finley!
23:05Seriously?
23:06Let go.
23:07Laws here mean business.
23:08If you keep holding on,
23:10I won't hesitate
23:10to call the cops
23:11for harassment.
23:12Finley let go,
23:13disbelief written
23:14all over his face.
23:15He stared at me,
23:16desperately scanning
23:17for any sign
23:17that I was messing around.
23:19But all he found
23:20in my eyes
23:20was pure, icy indifference.
23:22And then it finally hit him
23:23that I wasn't just
23:24throwing some bratty tantrum.
23:26I was serious.
23:30I came all this way
23:31here for you.
23:32I dropped everything
23:33for you.
23:36Aren't you supposed to...
23:37Supposed to what?
23:40Am I supposed
23:41to be thankful
23:42and play nice?
23:45If that's what you want,
23:46go to Allison.
23:48She's the expert at that.
23:52I blocked her
23:53on WhatsApp,
23:55deleted her number,
23:56and wiped out
23:56every trace.
23:57A girl like that?
23:59No way I'd ever
24:00be serious about her.
24:01There.
24:02Happy now?
24:03You've made enough fuss.
24:05Can we go home already?
24:09Bonnie, come on.
24:10Don't be so unreasonable.
24:11Look at you.
24:13Who else would ever
24:14truly accept you?
24:16Who wouldn't care
24:17about your past
24:18and actually treat you
24:19right like I do?
24:23Baby, quit the drama.
24:27Only I would never
24:28turn my back on you,
24:29you know?
24:29Baby used to be
24:30his exclusive
24:31little pet name for me,
24:33the kind that made me
24:34feel special,
24:35even loved.
24:36But at this moment,
24:37just hearing it
24:38seriously made me
24:39sick to my stomach.
24:39but right then
24:40that damn PTSD
24:41flared up again.
24:43I started shaking
24:44so hard that I could
24:45barely breathe,
24:46my vision flickering
24:47at the edges,
24:48everything closing in
24:49on me.
24:49Every horrible word
24:50he'd just said
24:51turned into a living
24:52nightmare,
24:53crashing over me
24:53like a tidal wave
24:54ready to drown me.
24:57You!
24:58Just as his fingers
24:59were about to touch me,
25:00a warm, steady hand
25:01kept me from collapsing,
25:03holding me upright
25:04as my legs
25:05threatened to give out.
25:06Drake was suddenly
25:07standing right behind me,
25:08silent and unmovable.
25:09Who is this piece
25:10of trash?
25:12And who gave you
25:13the right's right
25:13to talk garbage
25:14into my girlfriend?
25:16Girlfriend?
25:18Bonnie, is this guy
25:19actually your boyfriend?
25:21Bonnie, say something!
25:23I leaned into
25:24the sudden warmth
25:24behind me,
25:25letting Drake's
25:26steady presence
25:27hold me up.
25:27Strangely enough,
25:28the wild trembling
25:29that had taken over
25:30my body started
25:31to fade away,
25:32bit by bit.
25:33I didn't confirm
25:34or deny anything,
25:35I just stared
25:35at Finley in silence.
25:37To him,
25:37that silence
25:38was good as a confession
25:39and he took it as a yes.
25:40Well, Bonnie,
25:41you are something.
25:44And you've got the balls
25:45to throw Allison
25:45in my face?
25:49What about you, huh?
25:51How long has it even been?
25:54You couldn't wait
25:55to crawl into
25:55some other guy's bed,
25:56could you?
25:57Seriously,
25:58how low can you get?
25:59His nasty words
26:00crashed down on me
26:01like filthy rain,
26:02soaking me through
26:02and making me shover.
26:05Drake's grip
26:05on my arm
26:06tightened,
26:07pulling me close,
26:08wrapping me protectively
26:09by his side.
26:10Well,
26:11well,
26:12do you even know
26:13what kind of scum
26:14has had his hands on her?
26:15Huh?
26:16Do you know why
26:17she freaks
26:18when someone gets close?
26:19Doesn't that gross you out?
26:20Doesn't it make
26:21your skin crawl?
26:21Let me tell you,
26:23a woman like her
26:24is already rotten inside.
26:26I'm all she's ever had,
26:28the only one
26:28who'd even bother with her,
26:30the only one
26:30who'd actually put up
26:32with her shit
26:32and still want her.
26:35Guys like you?
26:38You're just after
26:39something new
26:39to mess around
26:40and get your kicks.
26:41You.
26:42Are you done?
26:43He stepped right
26:44in front of me,
26:45making sure I was
26:46hidden completely
26:46behind him,
26:47blocking Finley's view
26:48like a human shield.
26:51First off,
26:52what you just said
26:53is a public insult
26:54and gender discrimination
26:56in Broomfield.
26:57You'll be sued
26:58so fast
26:58your head'll spin.
27:00Second,
27:01you don't get
27:02to judge Bonnie.
27:04You can't stomp
27:05all over others
27:06just to feel good
27:06about yourself.
27:08And last,
27:13three seconds,
27:16get lost.
27:19Or I'll happily
27:20let the Broomberg cops
27:21show you exactly
27:22what happens
27:23to scum like you.
27:24Finley's face
27:25went ghostly pale,
27:26every trace of color
27:27vanishing in a heartbeat.
27:28All his fury,
27:30resentment,
27:31and madness
27:31just smoldered out,
27:33reduced to ashes
27:34when Drake threatened
27:35him to call to the police.
27:37He fled in panic,
27:39vanishing into
27:40the packed market crowd
27:41without a backward glance.
27:42Drake didn't let go
27:43of me right away.
27:45He held his ground,
27:46wrapping me in that
27:47protective stance
27:48as if daring anyone
27:49to come close.
27:50Only when he was sure
27:51Finley had finally disappeared
27:53did he ease up,
27:55glancing down at me.
27:57It's okay now.
27:59After the scare
28:00I had during the day,
28:01I went to bed early,
28:03half awake
28:03in the middle of the night,
28:06my mouth dry
28:07as a desert.
28:12I padded barefoot
28:13to the kitchen
28:14for some water.
28:15As I passed
28:16through the living room,
28:17I was surprised
28:18to see that the warm
28:19wall lamp
28:19on the balcony
28:19next door
28:20was still on.
28:21Drake was still up,
28:22decorating the Christmas tree.
28:22The branches already
28:24had little star-shaped lights
28:25hanging all over them.
28:27The warm yellow light
28:29spilling over his shoulders
28:30gave him a peaceful vibe
28:32that's hard to put into words.
28:35Did I wake you?
28:36Drake watched me
28:37for a few seconds,
28:38then reached out
28:39and softly patted
28:40the top of my head.
28:41The gesture was natural
28:43and gentle,
28:44nothing romantic about it,
28:46just honest comfort.
28:50Tomorrow,
28:51would you like
28:52to go somewhere with me?
28:54Before I even knew
28:55what I was doing,
28:56I found myself nodding.
28:58The next morning,
29:00Drake drove me out of town.
29:02Up ahead,
29:03a weathered church
29:04stood quietly,
29:05looking as if it had been there
29:07for many years.
29:08What is this place?
29:11Somewhere you can
29:12clear your head?
29:15The church's backyard
29:16was filled with the sounds
29:17of kids laughing and playing.
29:19A few elderly nuns
29:21watched them,
29:21smiling fondly.
29:22Drake looked totally
29:24at home there,
29:25greeting everyone
29:25with a warm smile.
29:27Sister Maria offers shelter
29:29to a lot of kids here.
29:31Some have suffered abuse
29:32or neglect at home,
29:33and some...
29:35Some of them have been
29:36through things
29:36like what you faced,
29:37even some of the boys.
29:39I froze for a moment,
29:40watching the kids laughing
29:41and running around,
29:41not a single trace
29:42of sorrow on their faces.
29:43It was like something gentle
29:45brushed against my heart.
29:46Drake didn't say anything more.
29:47He just popped open the trunk
29:49and pulled out
29:49two oversized bags,
29:50his movements easy and warm.
29:52Come on.
29:53Today,
29:54we get to be their
29:54very own Santas.
29:56Right then,
29:56it hit me what Drake meant.
29:58It wasn't just a visit,
29:59and he wasn't there
30:00to rip open my old wounds.
30:01He wanted me to see others
30:03who'd been dealt
30:03a rough bad by fate,
30:05just like me.
30:06He wanted to show me
30:07how they'd started
30:08to blossom again,
30:10growing out of the ruins
30:11life left behind.
30:12I slipped into the Santa suit,
30:13feeling a bit awkward
30:14and clumsy as I tried
30:15to follow Drake's
30:16cheerful example,
30:16handing out candy
30:17and little presents
30:18to the kids.
30:19At first,
30:19I was tense,
30:20but their genuine
30:21carefree smiles
30:22were so infected
30:22that my shyness
30:23soon faded away.
30:24A little dark-skinned girl
30:25with a couple of crooked,
30:26playful braids
30:27came bouncing up to me.
30:29As soon as she got
30:29her teddy bear,
30:30she jumped up
30:31and planted a quick kiss
30:32on my cheek.
30:32Thank you.
30:33For a second,
30:34it was like
30:35a soft spot in my heart
30:36just melted
30:36from that tiny kindness.
30:38Pain shows up
30:39in all sorts of ways.
30:40Some people end up
30:41trapped by it forever,
30:43haunted by nightmares
30:44that just won't let go.
30:45But some people decide
30:46to stomp it down
30:47and keep moving,
30:48because the ones
30:49who actually messed up
30:50were never us.
30:51Not now,
30:52not ever.
30:53My heart jumped.
30:54Bitterness and warmth
30:55tangled together
30:56as tears welled
30:57in my eyes.
30:58He understood it all
30:59yet chose to comfort me
31:00most gently,
31:01without a single word.
31:02He was showing me
31:03even in silence
31:04that I wasn't tainted.
31:04I didn't deserve
31:05to be cast aside
31:06and I was always
31:07worthy of love.
31:08Miss,
31:09is this your boyfriend?
31:10Are you two together?
31:12The air went quiet
31:13for a moment.
31:14My cheeks suddenly
31:15grew hot
31:16and I instinctively
31:17glanced over at Dake.
31:18He was already
31:19looking at me,
31:19those eyes behind
31:20his gold-rimmed glasses
31:21so gentle
31:22that I felt myself
31:23getting lost in them.
31:24He didn't flinch
31:24or look away,
31:25not for a second.
31:26It was like he was
31:27quietly waiting
31:27for my answer.
31:28I remembered how,
31:29just yesterday
31:30at the market,
31:31he had moved
31:31instinctively to shield me
31:33and the way he spoke
31:33to Finley on my behalf.
31:35Back then,
31:36it was just something
31:36said to get us
31:37out of a tight spot.
31:38But what about
31:39this moment?
31:41Bonnie,
31:41would you?
31:43What?
31:44Was he asking me
31:46to be his girlfriend
31:46just by name?
31:47Or,
31:48did he actually mean us?
31:50For real?
31:51The world became
31:52so quiet
31:53that I could actually
31:54hear my own heartbeat
31:55thudding in my chest.
31:57I looked into his eyes,
31:58which were full of
31:59gentleness that made
32:00me want to fall in
32:01and never come back out.
32:03Yeah.
32:05He smiled,
32:06his eyes brightening up
32:07with joy,
32:07and he slowly leaned in.
32:08Then,
32:09a kiss as soft as a feather
32:10landed gently on my forehead,
32:12treating it with
32:12the utmost care.
32:13It carried the sweetness
32:14of Christmas candy
32:15and the gentle warmth
32:16of winter sunshine.
32:17It vanished the icy shadows
32:18that had haunted
32:19my heart for years.
32:20Ever since I was with Drake,
32:22it felt like time
32:23had slowed
32:23to a gentle,
32:24cozy rhythm.
32:26Days became warmer
32:27and steadier,
32:28almost like life itself
32:30had settled
32:30into a peaceful lull.
32:40Staring at the familiar
32:42name on my screen,
32:43I didn't feel sad
32:44or angry,
32:46just totally indifferent.
33:06Then I muted his messages.
33:11Whether Finley crashed
33:12or crawled back up,
33:13it was no longer
33:15any of my business.
33:18That evening,
33:19Drake and I were
33:20curled up on the couch,
33:22watching an old movie,
33:23when tiny snowflakes
33:25started drifting down
33:26outside the window.
33:32He got up
33:33to make some hot cocoa,
33:34and I walked over
33:35to the window,
33:36watching the snowflakes
33:38twirl and dance
33:39under the streetlight.
33:43And then,
33:44I saw Finley.
33:49He was out the rare,
33:51standing alone
33:51in the snow and below.
33:53Now umbrella,
33:55snowflakes gathering
33:56on his shoulders.
33:58He looked up,
33:59eyes suddenly brightening
34:01when he spotted me.
34:03His mouth opened,
34:05like he wanted
34:06to say something,
34:07but his lips were blue
34:08from the cold,
34:09just quivering with...
34:12Finley was making a play.
34:17Counting on all those years
34:18we had together,
34:20hoping I'd go soft
34:21on him again.
34:24He was banking on the fact
34:26that if I saw him out there,
34:27looking all pathetic
34:28and wrecked,
34:29I'd do exactly
34:30what I always did.
34:32Give in,
34:33forgive him,
34:34and let everything slide
34:35like before.
34:37But he lost
34:38completely.
34:42My eyes stayed cold
34:44and unmoved.
34:45I showed no pity,
34:47no hurt,
34:48not even a hint
34:49of anger.
34:57I couldn't even bother
34:58to feel even the
34:59tiniest bit of mercy
35:00anymore.
35:10Finley had made it
35:12for me
35:12when he was 17,
35:13fumbling with the knots
35:14for a whole week
35:16before finally
35:17giving it to me
35:18as a birthday present.
35:20Bonnie,
35:20when I make it big,
35:22I'll buy you one in gold.
35:23But for now,
35:25wear this, okay?
35:26Promise me
35:27you won't take it off.
35:31It was my little treasure
35:32and I wore it
35:33for years.
35:34I turned
35:35and reached
35:35to the back
35:36of my drawer,
35:37pulling out
35:37a small wooden box.
35:39Inside,
35:40a faded red bracelet
35:41lay quietly.
35:42Dangling from the end
35:44was a tiny silver heart.
35:46I pushed the window open,
35:48cold air swept in,
35:49swirling with snowflakes.
35:51Beneath his hopeful eyes,
35:53I raised my hand
35:55and let my fingers uncurl,
35:56dropping the bracelet.
35:58Wrapped in all
35:59those foolish promises,
36:01floated down,
36:02light as a feather.
36:04It landed in the
36:05untouched snow below,
36:07a drop of blood
36:08frozen in white.
36:09I gave it back to him
36:10and to that 17-year-old kid,
36:12someone who'd been gone
36:13from my memories
36:14for a long, long time.
36:16When Finley saw the bracelet,
36:18he just stood there,
36:19frozen,
36:19for a long, long time.
36:21In the end,
36:22he didn't pick it up.
36:27He just turned around,
36:29stumbled a few steps
36:30and slowly faded
36:31into the deep,
36:32snowy night.
36:35After that night,
36:36he was just gone.
36:38He never came back.
36:42A year later,
36:43Drake and I got married
36:44at that little church.
36:46There was no big crowd,
36:48no elaborate rituals,
36:49just simple vows
36:51under those old
36:52stained-glass windows.
36:53Only Sister Maria
36:55was there to officiate
36:56our wedding,
36:57and all the kids
36:58beamed at us
36:59with pure joy.
37:10He gently lifted my veil
37:12and placed a lingering,
37:14heartfelt kiss
37:14on my lips.
37:15We stood before
37:17the sacred cross,
37:18pledging to love
37:19and stand by each other
37:20for the rest of our lives.
37:23For the first time,
37:24it really felt like
37:25my new life
37:26was finally beginning.