Uma história de intrigas e reviravoltas onde o passado volta para assombrar. Um laço familiar é testado por um segredo guardado a sete selos e uma dívida antiga.
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00:00Julieta Summers walked out of the detention center and went straight home.
00:06The first thing she did was hand Emerson Hensley the divorce papers.
00:11Emerson, I want a divorce.
00:13She said,
00:14Since we lost the babies, no custody battle to worry about.
00:17The lawyers can handle dividing the assets.
00:19I'm not asking for anything more than what's mine.
00:21After signing the papers and waiting for the finalization, we are done.
00:25Julieta's eyes were hollow, her voice flat and emotionless as she spoke.
00:30The moment Julieta finished, Emerson didn't even bother responding.
00:34He shot her a quick, dismissive glance and scrawled his signature on the papers.
00:39Just then, Lillian calls.
00:41Your stomach's still hurting? Hang on. I'll be right down to get you.
00:46Okay, okay, I won't hang up. I'm here with you.
00:48Emerson murmured soothingly.
00:51After signing, he grabbed his coat and rushed out.
00:53Right before leaving, he finally glanced at Julieta, barely sparing her a look.
00:59You're fresh out of holding. Go clean yourself up.
01:05From now on, leave the contracts and the study.
01:07Don't bother bringing them one by one. It's a household.
01:11Oh, and Lillian's back.
01:12I'm heading downstairs to get her now.
01:14She'll be staying with us, same as before.
01:16I don't want anything like that poisoning accident happening again.
01:19Understood?
01:24Even after Emerson walked out, Julieta stared at the divorce papers,
01:28lost in thought and almost amused by the sheer absurdity of it all.
01:33Five years of marriage and Emerson couldn't even be bothered to notice it was ending.
01:37He was more worried about warning her not to hurt the other woman.
01:41Julieta figured there was no point in dwelling on it.
01:44The ending wouldn't change, and he never cared anyway.
01:48She tucked the papers away and dialed a number.
01:53Mrs. Summers, have you made your decision?
01:56Mr. Owens, I accept your offer.
01:59The acquisition of my apothecary's formulas and my joining your company.
02:03But I'll need a few days.
02:04There are some personal matters I need to wrap up.
02:07Just then, Emerson walked in, carrying Lillian in his arms.
02:10He shot Julieta a glance.
02:12Why are you still up?
02:13Your little apothecary keeping you that busy?
02:15The sickly sweet scent of perfume flooded the room,
02:18and Julieta's nose wrinkled in disgust.
02:22Yeah.
02:23Busy.
02:26But Lillian, who'd been watching her like a hawk since she walked in, suddenly spoke up.
02:32Juliata, are you still mad at me?
02:34Lillian lifted her eyes, aiming that practiced, pitiful look straight at her.
02:40I never meant to accuse you of poisoning me last time.
02:43It was Emerson.
02:44He got so worried, he completely twisted my words.
02:47By the time I came to my senses, you were already locked up.
02:51I'm so, so sorry.
02:54Can you forgive me?
02:55She gestured toward a maid carrying a bag full of salt.
02:58I asked them to set this up for you.
03:00Throwing salt on you will wash away all the bad luck.
03:04Can we still be like friends?
03:06Let's try to get along from now on, okay?
03:08Lillian reached for Julieta's hand, motioning for the maid to bring the salt closer.
03:13Julieta stared at the salt.
03:15She pulled her hand back sharply and shook her head.
03:18No thanks, I'll pass.
03:19I'm not feeling well.
03:21I'm going to bed.
03:22Lillian's face crumpled.
03:25Wow, Julieta.
03:26You really can't stand me, can you?
03:28I had all this specially prepared for you.
03:31Julieta didn't have the energy left to play along.
03:33She started walking away, but Emerson caught her arm.
03:39Seriously, Julianna, do you always have to kill the mood?
03:42You poisoned Lillian out of jealousy.
03:44I'm the one who had you arrested.
03:46If you've got a problem with anyone, take it out on me, not her.
03:49She's only trying to help you get rid of the bad luck.
03:51Why are you Icies her out?
03:53Apologize to Lillian.
03:55Now.
03:57She closed her eyes.
03:59I'm not apologizing.
04:01And if I'm such a buzzkill, I'll move out as soon as I can.
04:04For a second, Emerson looked caught off guard.
04:07Then his face darkened with rage.
04:10He clenched his jaw and snapped.
04:13You just never learn.
04:15Just then, it started pouring.
04:18Then dragged her outside into the yard.
04:21Ignoring the pouring rain, he locked her out.
04:25Cool off out here!
04:28Don't come back until you've actually thought things through!
04:31If you can't figure it out, then don't bother coming back at all!
04:35Face flushed with anger.
04:36He spun around and locked the gate behind her.
04:42Julieta was wearing only a thin nightgown when she was shoved out into the yard.
04:47The downpour instantly soaked her to the bone.
04:51Shivering uncontrollably, she pounded on the gate.
04:55Emerson, please open the gate! Let me get inside!
04:58But Lillian clutched her stomach and said something Julieta couldn't hear.
05:02Emerson scooped her up and carried her upstairs without a second glance.
05:06For two hours, Julieta kept pounding on the door until her palms were raw and her voice was hoarse.
05:12But no one paid her any attention.
05:15Finally, Julieta gave up struggling.
05:17She curled up in the corner, drained and powerless.
05:21With what little strength she had left, Julieta desperately pulled off the ill-fitting wedding ring and flung it into
05:28the muddy ground.
05:29As her consciousness faded, Julieta's mind drifted back to a long time ago.
05:34The Summers family had been doctors for generations.
05:37Her parents had once saved Emerson's father's life.
05:40After her parents passed away, Julieta took over the family apothecary and became the Hensley family's doctor.
05:47From the very first moment she saw Emerson, Julieta had fallen for him.
05:53But back then, Emerson was already with Lillian.
05:57They were childhood sweethearts, first loves and completely devoted to each other.
06:03Julieta had always had a secret crush on Emerson, never expecting anything in return.
06:09But in the fifth year of their relationship, after Emerson successfully proposed and they were preparing for the wedding,
06:16Lillian disappeared overseas without a trace.
06:19Emerson was left in shambles, unable to find her, no matter how hard he tried.
06:25As his family doctor, Julieta would drop by every now and then to treat his cuts, bruises, stomach aches, and
06:32headaches.
06:33Finally, one day, Emerson asked her if she had feelings for him.
06:38Do you have feelings for me, Julieta?
06:45I want us to give each other a chance.
06:49Four years of secret longing, three years of dating, and five years of marriage.
06:54Julieta poured 12 years of her life into this.
06:57It was only then that Emerson finally started to notice her allergies,
07:02remembered she was deaf in her left ear,
07:04and realized her legs would ache whenever it rained.
07:10Only then did he begin to cancel all his work,
07:13staying by her side without even changing out of his clothes.
07:17Whenever she was sick, he even learned how to
07:19massage her legs,
07:21just so he could help her sleep better every time it rained.
07:25She could see the love in his eyes grow deeper,
07:27day by day as he cared for her more and more.
07:30She watched as Lillian gradually faded from his life,
07:34as she became the only one in his eyes,
07:36and as their little family was about to welcome a new member.
07:40But just as their happiness was within reach,
07:42Lillian came back.
07:43By then, Julieta had gone through six rounds of IVF treatments,
07:48and finally managed to get pregnant after all that hardship.
07:52But on her way to see Emerson,
07:54a speeding sports car came out of nowhere and hit her,
07:57throwing her into the guardrail.
07:59She miscarried on the spot,
08:01her life hanging by a thread.
08:03On the way to the hospital,
08:05Julieta mustered the last of her strength
08:07to beg the nurse to call Emerson,
08:09hoping he'd come to see the baby she'd fought for
08:12over four years,
08:14even if it was for a final goodbye.
08:17But dozens of calls and hundreds of messages
08:20disappeared into the void,
08:21never answered.
08:26After five hours in the operating room,
08:28the doctors managed to pull Julieta back from the jaws of death.
08:33But they had to perform a total hysterectomy.
08:36She would never be able to have children again.
08:40When she finally woke up from the anesthesia,
08:43Julieta was emotionally shattered.
08:45In her desperation,
08:47she tried reaching out to Emerson again,
08:49hoping he'd show up for her.
08:51But every time she called,
08:53his phone went straight to voicemail,
08:55no matter what she did.
08:56She couldn't get through to him.
08:58Julieta kept telling herself,
09:00there had to be a reason.
09:02Maybe Emerson was swamped with work.
09:04Maybe he was traveling.
09:06Maybe he was sick.
09:07But then a friend told her the truth.
09:10He was at the hospital,
09:12taking care of his first love.
09:14Lillian had caught a cold,
09:15and he didn't want anyone disturbing her while she rested.
09:18So he turned off his phone,
09:20and devoted himself completely to her.
09:22Julieta couldn't recall how she reacted.
09:25Her right ear,
09:26the only one she could still hear with,
09:28was filled with nothing but a sharp, relentless ringing.
09:32She spent two weeks in the hospital,
09:35but Emerson never visited.
09:37Not a single call was returned.
09:41When Julieta finally came home,
09:43the first thing she saw was Emerson at their bedside,
09:47feeding medicine to Lillian,
09:49who lay in their bed.
09:50No explanation,
09:52no response.
09:53When Emerson turned to face her,
09:55the tenderness in his eyes disappeared,
09:58instantly.
09:59In that moment,
10:00Julieta realized the seven-year relationship she had forced together was over.
10:05But before Julieta could even make up her mind to leave him,
10:09Lillian suddenly claimed her stomach hurt.
10:12You poisoned her out of jealousy, didn't you?
10:14I never put anything harmful in the soup.
10:17Accused Julieta of poisoning Lillian,
10:19and sent her straight to jail.
10:21I want a divorce.
10:22I didn't poison anyone.
10:24Get yourself together and pay for your mistake.
10:27Lillian had her stomach pumped
10:28and was officially deemed to have suffered only a minor injury.
10:33Julieta had miscarried
10:34and hadn't even finished her post-miscarriage recovery
10:37before she was detained for 15 days.
10:41Julieta finally understood
10:42that what was not hers
10:44could never be hers.
10:46Letting go was the only thing she could do now.
10:51The icy rain pelted Julieta mercilessly,
10:54but her whole body burned with fever,
10:56making it impossible for her to even open her eyes.
10:59Just when she thought she was about to die,
11:03Emerson's voice suddenly cut through the storm.
11:08Julieta!
11:09With a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit,
11:12Julieta was rushed to the hospital.
11:14Groggily waking up in the middle of the night,
11:17Julieta saw Emerson,
11:18sitting by her bedside,
11:20gently massaging her legs,
11:22his eyes full of guilt and remorse.
11:26By the time she was fully awake,
11:28two days had already passed.
11:30When Emerson saw her open her eyes,
11:32he rushed to get the doctor.
11:35After making sure she was out of danger,
11:37he finally let out a long breath.
11:41Your fever's gone.
11:42Is there any part that still hurts?
11:43I know I messed up a couple of days ago.
11:45I wanted you to take some time to reflect.
11:47I never meant to keep you locked up for so long.
11:49Even when Lillian suddenly said she wasn't feeling well...
11:51You don't have to explain.
11:52It doesn't matter to me.
11:53Julieta interrupted him,
11:55her voice raspy.
11:56I'm okay now.
11:58If you have things to do,
11:59you can leave.
12:00Emerson was caught off guard.
12:03Julieta used to whine and seek his attention
12:05over the tiniest aches and pains.
12:07But now,
12:08after nearly ending up in the ICU,
12:10she stayed silent.
12:12This was what he'd always wanted,
12:15but now that she'd really become like this,
12:18she felt an unexpected ache in his heart.
12:21He was about to say
12:23he wasn't busy when his phone rang again.
12:25He glanced at the screen
12:27and saw it was Lillian,
12:28so he hurriedly answered.
12:29As soon as Emerson left,
12:31the nurse came in and,
12:33seeing how pale Julieta was,
12:35gave her a piece of her mind.
12:37You really don't care about yourself,
12:39do you?
12:40You had a miscarriage less than a month ago,
12:42didn't even take any time to rest,
12:43and now you've been out in the rain
12:44and burning up with a fieve.
12:46If they hadn't got you fast,
12:47you might not have made it.
12:48That car accident and miscarriage
12:49left some serious damage to your body.
12:51The nurse said as the door opened again,
12:54What serious damage?
12:55Julieta, are you feeling any discomfort?
12:57Should I arrange a full examination for you?
12:59No need.
13:00Once the drip is finished,
13:01I can be discharged.
13:03This time, Emerson didn't leave.
13:05He stayed with Julieta
13:06through the entire IV drip,
13:09only heading back together once it was done.
13:12Once Julieta got home,
13:13she headed straight upstairs to rest.
13:15She hadn't been asleep for long
13:17before the sound of hushed voices
13:19and people rummaging through things woke her up.
13:21Emerson is really important to me.
13:23I have to find it.
13:24Lillian said,
13:25her voice trembling.
13:27I'm not saying Julieta took it.
13:29It's just that the ring was your proposal gift to me
13:31and she still hung up on what happened between us.
13:34Lillian continued softly.
13:35Before she even finished speaking,
13:37Lillian suddenly burst into tears,
13:39each drop rolling down her cheeks,
13:41making her look so pitiful and helpless.
13:44Emerson couldn't help but feel moved and kept searching.
13:47Emerson didn't flinch when Julieta woke up.
13:49He said,
13:51If you didn't take it,
13:52there's nothing to worry about.
13:52Lillian rummaged through the closet,
13:54the nightstand and even looked under the bed.
13:57And finally,
13:57she was about to search Julieta's bed too.
14:00With a furrowed brow,
14:02Julieta swatted Lillian's hand aside.
14:04It was barely a touch,
14:06but Lillian,
14:06letting out a shriek and toppling backward.
14:09Julieta,
14:09if you didn't steal anything,
14:10what are you so afraid of?
14:11Wasn't poisoning me enough for you?
14:12Now you're gonna hit her right in front of me?
14:14Emerson pushed hard
14:15and Julieta had no defense.
14:17She was slammed into the cabinet
14:19and the photo she'd treasured for five years by her bedside
14:22fell with a stack of glass splintering everywhere.
14:27Julieta stared at her hands,
14:28blood dripping from her palms,
14:30her face frozen in shock.
14:32Emerson's words echoed in her head,
14:34each one twisting like a knife in her chest.
14:37He bent down to help her up,
14:39but Julieta was faster.
14:41Ignoring the shards digging into her skin,
14:43she scooped up the broken photo
14:45and dropped it straight into the trash.
14:47Julieta,
14:47what the hell are you doing?
14:49You can't throw a fit like this.
14:50That photo meant everything to you.
14:52Why would you toss it?
14:53He reached into the trash,
14:55brushed off the glass and dust,
14:59God,
14:59you're so dramatic.
15:01and set the photo back on the nightstand.
15:03He opened his mouth to say more,
15:05but Julieta stared at him
15:07with that hollow,
15:08indifferent look,
15:09not even flinching at the blood
15:11seeping through her fingers.
15:13For some reason,
15:14it made his chest tighten.
15:16A knock at the door broke the silence.
15:19The maid said she'd found
15:21a few pieces of jewelry
15:22scattered in the yard.
15:24She wasn't sure if they belonged to Lillian.
15:26Emerson and Lillian exchanged a look,
15:28both visibly uncomfortable.
15:32Julieta swallowed the bitterness
15:33rising in her throat,
15:35her voice barely a whisper.
15:37Is that enough, Emerson?
15:39After they finally left,
15:41Julieta barely had a moment to breathe
15:42before her phone rang.
15:44She wiped her bloody hands on her shirt
15:46and answered.
15:48Miss Summers,
15:49since your sixth IVF attempt
15:51was unsuccessful,
15:52would you like to schedule a seventh?
15:54Your last round ended in miscarriage,
15:56which took a serious toll on your uterus.
15:58Future attempts will be more difficult.
16:00If you're considering trying again,
16:02you'll need to be mentally prepared.
16:04No more rounds.
16:05I'll settle what I owe
16:07and please don't contact my husband about this.
16:10She hung up
16:10and didn't even notice
16:12Emerson had slipped back into the room
16:14until he spoke.
16:15What do you mean don't contact me?
16:16He grabbed the first aid kit
16:18and was already reaching for her hand,
16:20starting to clean the cuts.
16:22Is something going on at the apothetary?
16:24Money problems?
16:25If you need anything, tell me.
16:27I'm not going to let you struggle.
16:29Before she could answer,
16:30he stopped mid-motion.
16:32Where's your wedding ring?
16:33He'd felt like something was off lately
16:35and only now bandaging her hand
16:38did he realize it was gone.
16:39She never took it off.
16:41Not once, since their wedding day.
16:44He didn't know why she took it off now
16:46without a word.
16:47Julieta thought of that ring
16:48buried somewhere in the muddy yard
16:51and her eyes turned bitter.
16:52Lost it.
16:53It never fit right anyway.
16:55It was only a matter of time.
16:57Doesn't matter anymore.
17:00Emerson's jaw tightened.
17:02If even the wedding ring didn't matter,
17:05he didn't know what did.
17:06He started to say something,
17:08but when she tried to pull away,
17:09he held on.
17:10Don't move.
17:11Let me take care of your wound.
17:12He cleaned the cuts carefully
17:14and when she winced,
17:16his touch softened.
17:17He even blew gently on the cuts
17:19as he wrapped the bandage.
17:21The concern in his eyes looked real.
17:24A year ago,
17:26Julieta might have mistaken it for love,
17:27but she was done fooling herself.
17:30She looked away,
17:31pulled her hand back once he finished and muttered,
17:35I'm tired.
17:36Then she turned her back to him
17:38and went to bed,
17:39shutting him out completely.
17:42Early the next morning,
17:43Julieta stopped by her apothecary.
17:46When she got home,
17:47the sharp sound of breaking glass
17:49stopped her cold.
17:50She looked up
17:51until the window
17:53saw a swarm of workers
17:54inside her apothecary,
17:56smashing jars and dumping bottles
17:59while Lillian barked orders.
18:01Empty every single one.
18:03Once you're done,
18:04haul it all out
18:05and burn that pile over there.
18:08Take everything.
18:09Don't leave a thing.
18:11Julieta's heart dropped.
18:12Her dried herbs
18:13were scattered across the floor.
18:14Her collection of glass jars
18:16lay in pieces
18:17and every medicine powder
18:19she carefully mixed
18:20had been dumped out,
18:21nothing remained.
18:22Rage surged through her,
18:24making her whole body tremble.
18:26Stop right now!
18:28Julieta's voice
18:28cut through the chaos,
18:30cold and sharp.
18:32Lillian,
18:33who said you could touch my things?
18:36I told you how important
18:38this shop is to me.
18:40Who do you think you are?
18:42The workers glanced between them,
18:44unsure,
18:45but ultimately kept at it,
18:47ignoring her.
18:48Lillian smiled,
18:49both smug innocence.
18:51like she genuinely
18:52couldn't see the problem.
18:54Julieta,
18:55don't get upset.
18:56I had a stomach ache last night
18:58and Emerson was worried
19:00you might try to poison me again.
19:02So he told them
19:03to clear everything out.
19:04It's really not a big deal.
19:06Emerson said
19:07he'll support you anyway,
19:08so whether you're a doctor
19:09or keep your apatarian open
19:11doesn't make a difference.
19:12Julieta went pale.
19:13only she and Emerson
19:15had keys to the apothecary.
19:17Lillian could waltz in
19:19and destroy everything
19:20because Emerson
19:21had given her permission.
19:22He knew exactly
19:24how much this meant
19:25to Julieta.
19:26And he looked the other way
19:28while Lillian
19:28trampled over it.
19:30In his heart,
19:31Julieta meant nothing.
19:34Julieta was still pale
19:36and reeling
19:36when the acrid smell
19:37of smoke hit her.
19:39She spun around
19:40and saw a heap
19:41of creepers and clothes
19:42smoldering in the yard.
19:44Little lights
19:45that she'd bought
19:45for the baby
19:46that never came.
19:48Every IVF record,
19:50every pregnancy test,
19:51every shred of hope,
19:53all of it curling into ash.
19:55Lillian smiled sweetly.
19:57Julieta,
19:58I'm trying to help.
20:00You've been through
20:01six rounds of IVF
20:02and still have no baby.
20:04Holding on to all of this
20:06is only making it worse.
20:08Emerson told me
20:09it's post-traumatic stress.
20:12You need to let go
20:13and stop forcing things.
20:15Why not clear it all out?
20:17Out of sight,
20:18out of mind.
20:19The words hit Julieta
20:20like a slap.
20:22Emerson had told her everything.
20:24That trauma went back
20:25to her childhood.
20:26When a neighbor kidnapped
20:28and assaulted her,
20:29her ovary ruptured.
20:31She nearly bled out
20:33on the operating table.
20:34It was the shadow
20:36that had followed her
20:37for years
20:37and she trusted Emerson
20:39with it.
20:40Only him.
20:41He'd promised
20:42to keep it safe.
20:44Promised nothing
20:45would ever hurt her again.
20:47He'd lied.
20:48The strength drained
20:50out of her.
20:51Even standing
20:52felt impossible.
20:53She turned to leave.
20:55and there he was.
20:57Emerson stood frozen
20:58in the doorway,
21:00still holding the cake
21:00he'd brought for Lillian.
21:02He'd heard everything.
21:04Guilt flickered
21:05across his face.
21:07But he didn't stop Lillian,
21:09didn't defend Julieta,
21:10didn't say a word.
21:12She expected
21:13to feel rage.
21:14Instead,
21:15all she felt
21:15was a hollow,
21:16mocking numbness.
21:18Julieta?
21:19Lillian's right.
21:20Lillian's right.
21:21Better to clear it all out.
21:23I'm fine.
21:23There's nothing
21:24to talk about.
21:25Back in her room,
21:26she didn't waste a second.
21:28She called George Owens.
21:29He picked up immediately.
21:31Mr. Owens,
21:33when can we sign?
21:34Sooner is better.
21:35I'm ready whenever you are.
21:36Mrs. Summers,
21:37the contract is ready.
21:39Come by tomorrow at two.
21:40Does that work?
21:41She forced herself
21:42to sound steady.
21:43I'll be there.
21:47Julieta,
21:47where are you going?
21:49Apothetary stuff.
21:50Her flat tone
21:51clearly bothered him,
21:52but he knew
21:53he'd screwed up,
21:54so he tried
21:55to smooth things over,
21:57awkwardly changing
21:58the subject.
21:59You said you lost
21:59your wedding ring.
22:00Had this custom made for you.
22:02Try it on.
22:03He reached for her hand,
22:05but she barely glanced
22:06at the diamond
22:07before pulling away.
22:08Just leave it.
22:09It won't fit.
22:11How do you know?
22:12You haven't even tried it.
22:13It was made for you.
22:15If it doesn't fit,
22:16I'll have it fixed.
22:17His jaw tightened.
22:18Or is there something else
22:19going on?
22:20Julieta carefully packed away
22:22the last of her herbs.
22:23You're reading too much into it.
22:25I work with herbs every day.
22:26A ring gets in the way.
22:28Leave it aside.
22:29It doesn't matter.
22:30Emerson couldn't understand
22:31why it didn't matter anymore
22:32and why she could do everything.
22:35Lillian's voice floated in
22:36from the living room
22:37reminding him about the art show.
22:39He swallowed his frustration.
22:43Lillian's exhibition opens tonight.
22:44She can't manage alone,
22:45so I'm going to help.
22:46I'll be back late.
22:48If you're tired,
22:49go to bed.
22:49Don't wait up.
22:49He grabbed his coat
22:50and was gone.
22:51Once the door clicked shut,
22:53Julieta calmly started packing.
22:55There was nothing left
22:57worth keeping here.
22:58Just her clothes
23:00and her herbs.
23:01Everything else could stay.
23:03But packing was harder
23:05than she'd thought.
23:06Five years of marriage
23:07meant their lives
23:08were tangled together
23:09in every corner.
23:11After the wedding,
23:12she'd filled this house
23:14with warm, cozy things
23:15matching mugs,
23:17paired towels,
23:18side-by-side pillows.
23:20She didn't want any of it,
23:21so she packed it all up,
23:23sealed the boxes
23:24and tucked them away
23:25in the storage room.
23:27After dragging the last
23:28box of clutter
23:29into the storage,
23:31Julieta's eyes
23:32landed on the wedding photo
23:34hanging in the living room.
23:35She'd been the one
23:37who insisted
23:37on taking it.
23:39Emerson had been swamped
23:41with work back then
23:42and she'd had to beg him
23:44for weeks
23:44to get him to agree.
23:46Once the framed photo arrived,
23:48she treated it
23:49like a treasure.
23:51She hung it
23:52in the most prominent spot
23:53in the living room
23:54and dusted it
23:55every single day,
23:57terrified
23:57that even a speck
23:59might settle on it.
24:01She stared at her own
24:02happy, smiling face
24:04in the photo
24:05for a long moment.
24:06Then she reached up
24:07and took it down.
24:08She was sliding it
24:10into a box
24:10when a commotion
24:11erupted
24:12at the front door.
24:13She turned
24:14and found herself trapped
24:15in Emerson's
24:17stormy glare.
24:18Julieta,
24:18what are you doing?
24:19taking down
24:19the wedding photo?
24:20You've already
24:21cleared out
24:22half the house.
24:22What the hell
24:23is going on?
24:24She shrugged,
24:25brushing off
24:25his irritation.
24:26You said being in prison
24:27brings bad luck,
24:28right?
24:29I'm swapping things out,
24:31getting rid of
24:32the bad Jiju.
24:33If you think
24:34the place looks
24:34too empty,
24:35feel free to fill it up
24:36with things you
24:37and Lillian like.
24:38She sidestepped him
24:39and dragged the box
24:41toward the storage room
24:42without looking back.
24:43Emerson stood there
24:45watching her go,
24:46a storm of conflicting
24:48emotions swirling
24:49in his chest.
24:50He kept feeling
24:51like something
24:52precious was slipping
24:54through his fingers,
24:55something he couldn't name
24:57and didn't know
24:58how to hold on to.
25:00The ache in his chest
25:02tightened,
25:03leaving him restless
25:04and uneasy.
25:06The next day,
25:07Julieta arrived early
25:08at the Owens Group
25:09building.
25:11Once you sign,
25:12the apapetary
25:13and its formulas
25:14become part of
25:14the Owens Group.
25:15You keep 20% strake.
25:17The group wants to expand
25:18into traditional medicine.
25:20We'll be opening
25:20more clinics
25:21and hospitals.
25:22You'll be running
25:23the show for all of it.
25:25Look it over.
25:26If everything's in order,
25:28sign,
25:28and we'll get started
25:29on the paperwork.
25:31We need you on board
25:32within the week.
25:33Julieta read through
25:34the acquisition contract
25:35carefully.
25:36When she was satisfied,
25:38she signed her name
25:39and extended her hand
25:41to George.
25:43Looking forward
25:44to working with you.
25:46George made a quick call
25:47and a secretary appeared
25:49to walk Julieta
25:50through the onboarding
25:51paperwork.
25:52The woman was
25:53lightning fast.
25:55From start to finish,
25:56it took barely
25:58half an hour
25:58to finalize everything
26:00and confirm
26:01Julieta's position.
26:03As Julieta stepped out
26:05of the Owens Group building,
26:07her phone buzzed.
26:08A group of friends
26:09had invited her out
26:10for drinks at a bar.
26:13Back when she'd been
26:14obsessed with playing
26:15the perfect wife,
26:16she'd turned down
26:17so many girls' nights out,
26:19but her friends
26:20never stopped
26:21inviting her.
26:22This time,
26:23she said yes.
26:26she'd had a miscarriage,
26:28so drinking was
26:28off the table.
26:29But before she could
26:30even explain,
26:31a wave of loud,
26:33drunken cheers
26:34erupted from
26:35a nearby table.
26:36Julieta glanced over
26:37and her eyes
26:38instantly locked
26:39onto the scene.
26:40Sitting a few tables
26:41away were Emerson
26:42and William,
26:43surrounded by a group
26:44of Emerson's friends,
26:46whom she recognized.
26:47The crowd was
26:48hooting and hollering,
26:49egging them on
26:50as they linked arms
26:51for some kind
26:52of lover's toast.
26:55You two are still
26:56this crazy about each other
26:57after all these years.
26:58How are you not
26:59back together already?
27:02Emerson,
27:03I won't want a seat
27:04at the head table.
27:06When you propose,
27:07I'm totally catching
27:08the bouquet,
27:09and when you get married,
27:11I'm definitely the one
27:12handing you the ring.
27:13Thank you for the
27:15necklace, Emerson.
27:16I absolutely love it.
27:17I heard it used to be
27:19the diamond from your
27:19wedding ring with Julieta.
27:21Good thing you had
27:22a new one made.
27:23Otherwise,
27:23I would have felt
27:24terrible taking it.
27:25I'll keep it safe,
27:26like the ring you gave
27:27me when you proposed.
27:28She slipped the ring
27:29off the necklace chain
27:30and slid it onto
27:31her ring finger.
27:32You kept the engagement
27:34ring all this time,
27:35and now you're giving
27:36her the wedding ring?
27:37Don't even pretend
27:38you're not into her.
27:39Come on,
27:40ditch the country girl
27:40already.
27:41We're all waiting
27:42for the big announcement.
27:43The wedding ring
27:44fits Lillian?
27:45Emerson,
27:45who were you really
27:46thinking about
27:47when you got married?
27:48Spill it.
27:49Emerson started
27:50to laugh it off,
27:51to deflect.
27:52But when he looked up,
27:54his eyes locked
27:55with Julieta's.
27:56She was watching him.
27:57Her gaze dripped
27:59with bitter amusement.
28:01Julieta,
28:02are you following me?
28:04She snorted.
28:07Coincidence.
28:08If I'd known you guys
28:08were having such a blast,
28:10I wouldn't have
28:10crashed the party.
28:11The vibe died instantly.
28:14A few of the loudmouths
28:15suddenly found the floor
28:16extremely interesting.
28:21Emerson hurried over
28:22and blocked
28:23Julieta's path.
28:25His lips pressed
28:26into a thin line.
28:27Everyone's having
28:28a good time.
28:29Why do you
28:29always have to kill
28:30the vibe?
28:31And what are you
28:32even doing here?
28:33Following me around
28:34is a bad look.
28:35He grabbed her arm
28:36and tried to pull her
28:37back toward the group.
28:38I have my own life.
28:39You don't need
28:40to keep showing up
28:41like this.
28:41Julieta didn't even
28:42want to argue.
28:43She turned to leave.
28:45Before she could get far,
28:47Lillian slipped
28:48an arm through hers,
28:50her expression
28:50full of concern.
28:52Julieta,
28:52are you okay?
28:54I was starting to think
28:55you'd been kidnapped.
28:56I almost told Emerson
28:57to call the police.
28:59Julieta looked up
29:00at her,
29:00confused.
29:01Without another word,
29:03Lillian pulled out
29:04her phone
29:04and handed it to Emerson.
29:06He took it.
29:07His eyes locked
29:08onto the screen.
29:09The longer he stared,
29:11the darker his expression
29:12grew.
29:12Without a word,
29:13he grabbed Julieta,
29:15pulled her out
29:16of the bar,
29:17guided her into the car
29:18and locked the doors.
29:20Only then did he speak
29:21through clenched teeth.
29:23Julieta,
29:24what the hell
29:24have you been up to?
29:25Emerson demanded,
29:26Why does Lillian have
29:27photos of you
29:28with George Owens?
29:29What exactly
29:30is going on?
29:31His voice was sharp,
29:34accusatory.
29:35He tossed the phone
29:36into her lap,
29:36his eyes cold
29:38with anger.
29:39Julieta stared
29:40at the blurry images.
29:42They were from her
29:43meeting with George
29:44earlier that day.
29:45Someone had clearly
29:46followed her
29:47and taken photos
29:48without her knowing.
29:49I thought you were
29:50being threatened,
29:51but it turns out
29:52you went to him willingly.
29:55Julieta,
29:55you'd better have
29:56have a good explanation
29:57for Emerson,
29:58Lillian said,
29:59her tone dripping
30:00with false concern,
30:02clearly savoring
30:03the tension.
30:05You know,
30:05Owen's group
30:06is Emerson's
30:07biggest rival
30:08and you still
30:08met with him?
30:10No wonder people
30:11are starting to talk,
30:12unless you two
30:14are working on
30:15some kind of deal.
30:16Lillian teased,
30:17raising an eyebrow.
30:18Emerson's jaw
30:19tightened at the implication.
30:21What kind of deal
30:22could there possibly be?
30:23You're reading
30:24too much of it.
30:25Julieta replied flatly,
30:27not even glancing back.
30:28She stared out the window,
30:31her voice bored
30:31and distant.
30:33Her lack of explanation
30:34only made Emerson's
30:35expression harden further.
30:37He opened his mouth
30:38to say more,
30:40but Julieta had already
30:41closed her eyes,
30:43leaning her head
30:44against the window,
30:45pretending to sleep.
30:47Seeing the exhaustion
30:49etched into her face,
30:50he held back.
30:52Letting out a frustrated breath,
30:54he focused on the road.
30:56Two hours later,
30:57they finally arrived home.
31:01Julieta got out
31:02and walked straight
31:03to the bedroom
31:03without a word.
31:05Frustrated by her silence,
31:07Emerson reached for her hand
31:08as the living room lights
31:10went out.
31:11A second later,
31:12the ceiling fixture
31:13came crashing down.
31:16Julieta screamed
31:17as the lamp
31:19struck her forehead.
31:21Blood streamed
31:22down her face.
31:24Julieta!
31:25Are you okay?
31:26I'm taking you
31:27to the hospital now.
31:28Emerson's face
31:29tightened with alarm
31:30as he rushed to her side.
31:31Her gaze was unfocused
31:33and the sight
31:34sent a jolt of fear
31:35through him.
31:36His hands trembled
31:37as he gently lifted her.
31:39But then,
31:40a sharp crack
31:41followed by
31:42a piercing scream.
31:45Lillian crumpled
31:46to the floor,
31:47clutching her foot.
31:48Tears welled
31:49in her wide eyes,
31:50her face
31:50twisted in pain.
31:52Emerson!
31:53Don't let her fool you!
31:55Lillian cried,
31:56her voice breaking.
31:57Yesterday,
31:58I heard her telling
31:59the maid something
32:00about the lamp.
32:01She planned all of this.
32:04She loosened it herself
32:05so you'd feel sorry for her.
32:07Look,
32:08it's obvious
32:09someone tampered with it.
32:11She's not just hurting herself.
32:13She got me too.
32:15My leg hurts so much.
32:17Please help me.
32:18Lillian sobbed,
32:19her voice trembling
32:20with pain.
32:21Tears streamed down
32:23Lillian's face.
32:24As she shifted,
32:25her leg came into view,
32:27already bruised
32:28from another
32:29falling fixture.
32:30The room fell silent,
32:32broken only
32:33by her quiet weeping,
32:34his expression
32:35shifting
32:36from concern
32:37to cold fury.
32:39Juliata,
32:39will you ever stop?
32:41You'll manipulate anyone,
32:43even yourself!
32:45How many times
32:47has this happened now?
32:49Do you only feel satisfied
32:51when Lillian's caught
32:52in the crossfire?
32:53His voice was sharp,
32:55cutting through the quiet.
32:56His gaze
32:57sliced into her
32:58like a blade.
33:00Julieta's vision blurred,
33:01her mind hazy with pain,
33:03but she managed to whisper,
33:06I didn't.
33:07He cut her off.
33:08Still making excuses?
33:11Framing people,
33:12faking injuries.
33:13This isn't the first time
33:15and when we both know it.
33:20Emerson swept a cold glance
33:22at the wound
33:22on Lillian's forehead.
33:25I shouldn't have wasted
33:26my sympathy on you.
33:27Since you planned all this,
33:29I bet your injury
33:29isn't even serious.
33:31Emerson let out
33:31a cold laugh.
33:32Take your time
33:33walking to the hospital.
33:34He said dismissively,
33:35then turned without hesitation
33:37and scooped Lillian
33:38into his arms,
33:39murmuring softly to her
33:40as he carefully
33:41carried her out.
33:42Julieta helplessly
33:43watched Emerson walk away.
33:45she tried to cry out
33:46for help,
33:46but not a single word
33:48escaped her lips.
33:49She staggered forward
33:50a few steps,
33:50then everything went black.
33:52She collapsed,
33:53completely unconscious.
33:56When Julieta came to,
33:58she found herself
33:59in a hospital room.
34:01The sharp pain
34:02in her forehead
34:02reminded her of what
34:03had happened the day before.
34:05Thinking about
34:06Emerson's attitude,
34:07she couldn't help
34:08but curl her lips
34:09into an amused,
34:10Emerson bought Lillian's story
34:12without a single
34:13piece of evidence.
34:14His favoritism for Lillian
34:16ran deep.
34:17He was utterly foolish.
34:19The lamp had hit
34:20at an angle,
34:21missing any vital spots,
34:23but the gash it left
34:24was no joke.
34:26Julieta needed 18 stitches,
34:28which meant she'd be
34:29stuck in the hospital
34:30for a while.
34:31It wasn't until
34:32Julieta had been
34:33in the hospital
34:33for five days
34:34that Emerson
34:35finally remembered her
34:36and showed up,
34:37late as ever.
34:39Half asleep,
34:40Julieta vaguely
34:41heard Emerson's voice.
34:42Doctor,
34:43I saw her yesterday.
34:45There was just a bit
34:46of blood on her forehead.
34:49It's probably
34:49nothing serious, right?
34:51As soon as Emerson spoke,
34:52the doctor's temper snapped.
34:54What do you mean
34:55nothing serious?
34:56When she was brought
34:57in yesterday,
34:57there was a massive
34:58gash on her forehead
34:59and she was barely conscious.
35:01If the lamp had hit her
35:02a little differently,
35:03you'd be here today
35:03to claim her corpse.
35:05What's with you people
35:06these days?
35:07So irresponsible.
35:09Though the doctor
35:09was clearly annoyed,
35:10he had a ton of work to do,
35:12so he cut his rant short,
35:14gave a few quick instructions
35:16and hurried out.
35:18As soon as the doctor left,
35:20Julieta heard footsteps approaching,
35:22each one heavier
35:23than the last.
35:24Emerson's intense gaze
35:26raked over her.
35:27Julieta had no interest
35:28in talking to him,
35:29so she simply pretended
35:31to still be asleep,
35:32quietly keeping her eyes shut.
35:34She thought she'd wait him out
35:36until he got impatient
35:37and left.
35:38But before that could happen,
35:40the shrill ringing
35:41of a phone
35:42shattered her pretense,
35:43making her open her eyes.
35:46When Julieta caught
35:47Emerson's conflicted look,
35:49she froze for a second.
35:50Emerson seemed about to speak,
35:52but she put a finger
35:54to her lips to hush him,
35:55then grabbed the phone
35:56beside her.
35:57Her secretary's name
35:59flashed on the screen
36:00and a bad feeling
36:01crept up on her.
36:03She quickly answered,
36:04just as she feared.
36:06Mrs. Summers,
36:07we've got a problem.
36:08Something's happened
36:09at the apothemary.
36:10Julieta's heart
36:11leapt into her throat.
36:12Tell me exactly
36:13what's going on.
36:14There are a bunch
36:14of troublemakers
36:15outside the apothetary,
36:16and they've even brought
36:18a dead body.
36:19They're all saying
36:20the person was poisoned
36:21by our medicine.
36:22The secretary blurted out.
36:24We called the police
36:25and put out
36:25an emergency statement,
36:26waiting for the experts
36:27to come and investigate.
36:29But the crowd is acting
36:30like they're under
36:31some kind of spell.
36:32No matter what we say,
36:33they won't back down.
36:35They're insisting
36:36on tearing down
36:36the apothetary
36:37and sending us to jail.
36:38Through the speaker,
36:40Julieta could faintly hear
36:42the commotion
36:42on the other end.
36:43Keep them at bay for now.
36:45I'm coming over right away.
36:47Tossed aside the covers
36:48and was about to get out of bed,
36:49but Emerson was faster.
36:51Don't rush.
36:52I'll go with you.
36:53You can't handle this alone.
36:55Come on, I'll drive.
36:57Having caught
36:58every word of her call,
36:59he clearly didn't trust
37:00her to go by herself.
37:03Julieta gave him
37:04a curious look,
37:05not sure why
37:06he was suddenly
37:06so considerate.
37:08But she figured
37:09it'd be easier
37:09with him around,
37:10so she followed his lead.
37:13Turns out,
37:14Julieta really couldn't
37:15trust Emerson.
37:17They were halfway there
37:18when he got a call.
37:20Lillian's voice
37:20came through
37:21and not even
37:22thirty seconds later,
37:23Emerson slammed on the brakes.
37:27I've got something
37:28to deal with.
37:29Get out and take a cab.
37:30He said,
37:31a flicker of panic
37:32in his eyes.
37:33I'll come help
37:34as soon as I'm done.
37:35Just do as I say.
37:37With that,
37:38he shoved her out
37:38of the car
37:39without hesitation,
37:40spun the wheel
37:41and drove off.
37:44Julieta was still
37:44confused
37:45as she stepped
37:46out of the car.
37:47When she finally
37:48snapped out of it,
37:49Emerson's car
37:50was already
37:51disappearing
37:51down the road.
37:52Obrigado.