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00:00The frozen lake in front of every media outlet in the city.
00:03The emcee held up the crystal box that had housed the ring,
00:06gestured toward the churning ice-covered lake behind him,
00:09and said with a grin,
00:10Whoever dares to dive to the bottom and retrieve the key becomes Mrs. Hale.
00:15In my last life, I nearly died in that lake just for this chant.
00:21That night, ice water flooded my nose and mouth.
00:24I groped for the key and clawed my way to shore,
00:27my whole body shaking with cold.
00:30But Ethan only draped his coat over Lily Hart's shoulders,
00:33saying she'd been frightened.
00:35Later, three haute couture gowns arrived from the Paris Atelcier.
00:39His assistant asked Ethan Hale how the dresses should be divided
00:43between his fiancée Nora and his first love, Lily.
00:46At the time, Ethan was helping Lily try on the diamond ring.
00:49He didn't even look up. He just said offhandedly,
00:52One goes to my personal collection.
00:54The other three are for Lily. She'll wear them at next month's gala.
00:57The assistant paused, then reminded him quietly,
01:01Mr. Hale, the gown for your tenth anniversary dinner with Miss Nora still hasn't been arranged.
01:06Ethan stopped for a few seconds as though he'd only just remembered I existed,
01:10then cut a piece of unused lace from Lily's skirt hem and make Nora a short veil.
01:15Later, when he was dying of a terminal illness,
01:18he clutched my hand and asked if I still hated him.
01:21Outside the hospital room, freshly delivered gowns from the current season were stacked in a small mountain.
01:26Every last one was for Lily.
01:28For me, there was a scrap of leftover binding tape the tailor had trimmed away.
01:32I closed my eyes and didn't answer.
01:34When I opened them again, the emcee's voice was blasting through the microphone.
01:39Whoever dares to dive to the bottom and retrieve the key becomes Mrs. Hale.
01:52I was back. Ten years in the past, that grand, spectacular proposal banquet the whole world was watching.
01:59The ring and the key plunged into the frozen lake, and the cheering along the shore died instantly.
02:04This time, I took half a step back.
02:06The emcee held the microphone, his smile frozen on his face, and turned toward the control booth.
02:11A woman's voice suddenly bled through the backup monitor feed.
02:15Get her to move forward a little more.
02:17The camera can't catch her face.
02:19The voice was faint, but the control booth was only half a step behind me, and I heard every word.
02:25It was Lily.
02:26In my last life, I never heard that line.
02:28Back then, all I heard was the entire crowd egging me on.
02:32Jump, Nora!
02:33You've been chasing Ethan all these years!
02:35What are you afraid of tonight?
02:36Now, the cold wind swept in off the lake.
02:39I stood at the shore and didn't move.
02:42Ethan finally looked at me.
02:43He was wearing a black suit with silk covering.
02:46I'd given him that pair last year.
02:48He'd said they were too plain and never wore them once.
02:51Tonight, he'd been willing to put them on, only because Lily had tossed off a casual compliment.
02:57Nora.
03:25It's just a game.
03:27Don't ruin the mood.
03:29Just a game, but his so-called game could very well have cost me my life.
03:33I stepped back half-paced, my heel crushing the thin ice along the lake's edge.
03:38The MC jumped in to smooth things over.
03:41Miss Nora, the safety team is standing by.
03:45Minister Hale simply wanted to give you an unforgettable proposal.
03:48Another voice leaked through the monitor feed.
03:51Keep the safety team back.
03:54Let her fish it out herself.
03:55It makes for a better shot.
03:57I looked toward the control booth.
03:59There was a backup camera there.
04:01It's red light glowing, aimed directly at the lakeshore.
04:13In my last life, while I was thrashing in that water, the people onshore had already had the cameras lined
04:19up and ready.
04:19They were just waiting for me to jump in so they could sit back and enjoy the spectacle of my
04:24humiliation.
04:26Ethan raised his wrist and checked his watch.
04:28Ten minutes.
04:29Lily coughed softly.
04:30Ethan immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
04:34I stood in the wind, shoulders bare.
04:36The hem of my gown soaked with snowmelt.
04:38My ankles numb with cold.
04:40A waiter started toward me with a blanket, but a single look from Ethan stopped him in his tracks.
04:47This is what she chose.
04:48That line, I'd heard it for ten years, when I got sick from the cold.
04:52That was my choice, when I took the fall and bore the public hatred meant for Lily.
04:57That was my choice, when I held on to an empty engagement for a decade.
05:01That too was my choice.
05:03This time, I didn't walk into the lake.
05:05I turned around and headed for the banquet hall.
05:08Behind me, Ethan's voice finally went cold.
05:10Nora Shaw, if you walk out of here tonight, don't come back with regrets.
05:22A waiter caught up to me and held out a cup of hot ginger tea, whispering,
05:27Miss Nora, Mr. Hale asked the kitchen to prepare this.
05:30My fingers hesitated for a moment.
05:32The next second, another servant hurried past me carrying a silver tray.
05:35On it, honey ginger tea, a cashmere blanket, a thermometer.
05:39Hurry, Miss Lily got a fright.
05:41Mr. Hale wants to feed her himself.
05:43I looked down at the paper cup in my hand, so even his concern came with a hierarchy.
05:48I set the ginger tea back on the tray.
05:50I didn't drink it.
05:51Outside the door, the lake water was black and still.
05:54That ring sat at the bottom, just like me in my last life.
05:57But this time around, no one could force me to dive in after it.
06:00The banquet hall was warm.
06:02The heat turned up high.
06:03I'd barely sat down when Ethan's assistant came over with a message.
06:07Miss Nora, Mr. Hale says the press is here.
06:11Please change your clothes.
06:12He'd like to reshoot the group photo in ten minutes.
06:14I asked.
06:17Where are my clothes?
06:18Something flickered in the assistant's eyes, and she led me to the cloakroom.
06:25The door swung open to reveal two rows of gowns.
06:28The left side was entirely lilies, champagne, pearl white.
06:32Dusty rows, even the backup shawls, were organized by color.
06:35On the right hung a single black dress.
06:43The waistline had been retaken, the stitches hidden in the lining where they wouldn't show
06:48on the surface, the assistant said quietly.
06:51Mr. Hale said you're not particular.
06:53Just wear this one for now.
06:55I reached out and ran my fingers along the waist.
06:58It fit perfectly.
06:59He remembered my measurements.
07:01He just made sure that after remembering, I still got the leftovers, Lily's voice came
07:05from the doorway.
07:07Nora, don't blame Ethan.
07:08I had someone alter this dress ahead of time.
07:10I was worried you wouldn't have anything that fit at the last minute.
07:14She walked in.
07:15The white gown on her looked like snow.
07:17The hem was made from handsoon lace that the Paris Atelier had produced only three of this
07:22year.
07:23I looked at her.
07:24So this is the one you didn't want?
07:26Listy's face went pale for an instant, then quickly arranged itself into a look of wounded
07:31innocence.
07:32I just thought black was more refined, more suited to you.
07:36Ethan came in after her.
07:38He caught the tail end of that exchange, and his brow furrowed.
07:41Nora, Lily is looking out for you.
07:44Don't twist her kindness into something ugly.
07:46I hung the black dress back on the rack.
07:48I'm not wearing it.
07:49The cloakroom went silent.
07:56Ethan took a step closer.
07:58His gaze fell on my cold, bruised wrists.
08:01He reached out and touched one, the gesture light.
08:03Get changed first.
08:05Don't freeze yourself sick.
08:06Lily let out a quiet laugh beside him.
08:08Ethan, don't go soft too soon.
08:11She hasn't signed the statement yet.
08:13Once she's warmed up, she'll just say we bullied her again.
08:17Ethan's hands stopped in midair.
08:19I froze too, so that small scrap of tenderness was just bait, meant to coax me into swallowing
08:23tonight's humiliation quietly.
08:25Ethan turned his head.
08:27Lily.
08:27Lily lowered her eyes immediately.
08:29I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
08:30I pulled my hand back.
08:32Take the photos without me.
08:34Ethan's expression went completely cold.
08:36Nora, don't mistake my patience for something you're owed.
08:40I put on my own coat and pulled open the cloakroom door.
08:43The reporters were already waiting outside.
08:46The lights hit me.
08:48Every lens was pointed my way.
08:49I didn't hide.
08:50A half-soaked gown, an old coat, a face white from the cold.
08:54I walked down the red carpet, one step at a time.
08:57Behind me, Lily, wearing the haute couture gown that should have belonged to the woman
09:01being proposed to, took Ethan's arm.
09:04Camera flashes erupted in a blinding wall of light.
09:07Who's the real star of tonight?
09:09Oh my god!
09:10Oh my god!
09:16Ethan didn't answer.
09:18I didn't look back.
09:19The answer had been right in front of everyone all along.
09:21The next morning, a Hale family car pulled up outside the Shaw residence.
09:26Ethan walked in carrying a statement.
09:28He didn't ask whether my fever had broken.
09:30He set the document on the coffee table.
09:33Sign it.
09:33My mother stood holding a bowl of medicine,
09:35the porcelain spoon clinking against the rim with a grating sound.
09:39Ethan, Nora's fever hit 103 last night.
09:43Can't this wait until she's better?
09:45I'm sorry, but this can't wait.
09:48The Shaw family's joint project with Hale Group is still in the approval phase.
09:52I don't want the online speculation to keep growing.
09:55I picked up the statement.
09:56Last night's Ice Lake proposal was a pre-arranged interactive segment agreed upon by both parties.
10:02I left early due to health reasons.
10:04Mr. Hale was attentive and considerate throughout.
10:07Miss Lily Hart was merely an invited guest.
10:10Please refrain from malicious speculation.
10:12I couldn't even bring myself to laugh.
10:14I have to clear her name too?
10:16Ethan looked at me.
10:17She's innocent.
10:26And what about me?
10:28He paused.
10:30You didn't go into the lake last night.
10:32So I wasn't innocent.
10:33Unless I'd followed their script and nearly died,
10:36I was the one who'd ruined everything.
10:38A soft knock came from the doorway.
10:40Lily walked in carrying a gift box.
10:43She was dressed simply today, her eyes red, as though she hadn't slept all night.
10:50Nora, I came to apologize.
10:53I recognized it.
10:54The one she'd used to block the wind last night.
10:56She brought me something she'd already used and expected me to be grateful.
10:59I only wore it once.
11:01Your skin is so fair, I'm sure it'll look better on you than on me.
11:04Ethan looked at her.
11:06You're not well.
11:07Why did you come all this way?
11:10Nora misunderstood me.
11:12It was weighing on my heart.
11:15My mother's hand rested on the edge of the medicine bowl and stayed there for a long time.
11:20Shaw Group's payroll for the month was still sitting on her desk in the study.
11:31If the $3 billion partnership with Hale Group fell through,
11:35hundreds of families would lose their livelihoods.
11:37In my last life, it was in silences exactly like this one that I bowed my head.
11:42Every time the Hale family stripped away another piece of my dignity,
11:46I told myself the Shaw family still had to survive.
11:50Ethan pushed the pen toward me.
11:52Sign it, and I'll have a doctor come see you.
11:54He always knew how to twist the knife and then hand you the bandage,
11:58expecting you to feel grateful for his mercy.
12:01It's all right.
12:01I signed my name.
12:03The pen tip touched down like a sentence being handed down for the next ten years of my previous life.
12:08Ethan picked up the statement.
12:10His expression eased slightly.
12:13The Hale family is holding a private dinner tonight.
12:15You'll come too.
12:17Grandmother wants to see you.
12:19In what capacity?
12:23Nora, don't make me say something we'll both regret.
12:25I understood not as his fiancée, not as the future, Mrs. Hale.
12:30Just as the person who absorbed the public scrutiny meant for Lily
12:33and smoothed things over for the Hale family.
12:43I nodded.
12:44Fine.
12:45Satisfied at last and turned to leave.
12:47Lily lingered a step behind.
12:49She bent down and placed the scarf on my lap.
12:51Her voice dropped low enough that only I could hear.
12:54Nora, you can resent this all you want, but what good does it do?
12:59You can swallow your pride?
13:02Can the Shaw family survive bankruptcy?
13:05My fingertip pressed down on the scarf.
13:07I didn't tear it.
13:08I didn't throw it.
13:09I just looked at her.
13:10The smile on her face slowly faded because I didn't confront her with tears in my eyes the way I
13:15had in my last life.
13:16But I knew that the security camera in the corner of the living room, its red light blinking, had recorded
13:22every word she'd just said.
13:29When my mother walked me to the door, she slipped a worn, craft paper envelope into the inside pocket of
13:35my coat.
13:36Nora, if the Hales only give you the cold shoulder, you endure it for one night.
13:41But if they try to make you kneel, don't bother saving their face.
13:45I felt the envelope through the fabric and didn't ask any questions.
13:49In my last life, I never dared tell her the Hales had forced me to apologize.
13:53I just said the dinner went smoothly, so that craft paper envelope.
13:57I didn't see it for the first time until the day she was on her deathbed.
14:01In this life, it reached my hands early.
14:04At the Hale family dinner, Lily sat at Ethan's right hand.
14:07I sat at the very end of the long table.
14:09There were no flowers in front of me, no place card, and even my silverware was missing a dessert fork.
14:15When the servants brought out the soup, they swapped lilies for a freshly heated tureen first.
14:20By the time they reached me, the soup had gone cold.
14:28The Hale matriarch sat at the head of the table, her gaze resting on her teacup.
14:33Nora, regarding last night, the Hale family is giving you a chance to clean this up,
14:38out of respect for the long friendship between our families.
14:41You should know your place.
14:43Lily spoke up gently.
14:45Please don't be too hard on her.
14:47Nora's been through a lot.
14:48The Hale matriarch smiled.
14:50Lily always knows the right thing to say.
14:52The butler brought out a black velvet box.
14:54Inside was an emerald brooch, one that only the future lady of the Hale family was permitted to wear.
14:59In my last life, I wore it for one evening the next day.
15:03Ethan took it back so Lily could wear it for a magazine cover shoot.
15:07This time, the Hale matriarch looked directly at Lily.
15:10Next month's charity gala, you'll need a piece of jewelry with enough weight.
15:14Wear this.
15:14Lily immediately demurred.
15:16That wouldn't be right.
15:16This belongs to the future Mrs. Hale, Ethan said.
15:20It suits you.
15:20Everyone at the table laughed.
15:28I held my glass and said nothing.
15:31Ethan finally looked at me.
15:32She's only borrowing it for one night.
15:34Don't make a face.
15:36Lily, eyes reddening, said.
15:37If Nora minds, I don't have to wear it.
15:39Ethan's expression went cold.
15:41She doesn't mind.
15:42The butler pinned the brooch to Lily's chest.
15:45The emerald blinted under the lights, cold and sharp, like the last inch of dignity they'd stripped from me.
15:51After dinner, the Hale matriarch had someone open the family chapel.
15:55Let's settle this tonight.
15:57Nora, you will light a candle before the Hale family memorial, and in front of everyone, you will admit your
16:02fault.
16:03That business with the international residency, the Hale family is willing to let it go.
16:08Nora, it's just a few words.
16:10It won't hurt you.
16:12Apologize, and this whole thing is over.
16:14You bow your head once, and the Hale family will take care of you from here on.
16:18Tonight, you kneel.
16:19That's how you show you truly understand the rules of this family.
16:28I almost laughed that international residency Lily had withdrawn from the interview herself.
16:34Then she turned around and told everyone I'd stolen her only chance.
16:38I tried to explain.
16:39Ethan said only guilty people rushed to defend themselves.
16:42After that, he froze me out for ten years over something that never happened.
16:47Now, they didn't even care about the truth.
16:49They just wanted me on my knees.
16:50The chapel floor tiles were cold.
16:53When my knees touched the kneeling cushion, the chills still crept up through my bones.
16:57The Hale family shadows stretched long in the candlelight and fell across me like verdicts waiting to be stamped down.
17:04Behind me, relatives murmured their approval.
17:07Ethan's breathing eased.
17:09Everyone thought I'd finally surrendered.
17:11But I reached into the inside pocket of my coat and pulled out that worn craft paper envelope.
17:16The Hale matriarch's face changed instantly.
17:24Of course, she recognized it.
17:26It was the original marriage contract.
17:28One copy held by the Hales, one by the Shaws.
17:31And the Shaw family's copy contained the final withdrawal clause for the three billion dollar project.
17:37Ethan crossed the room in a few strides, his eyes locked on the envelope.
17:41Nora, what are you doing with that?
17:43He reached toward me as he spoke, not a question, a command.
17:47Give it to me.
17:48Just like the past ten years, he assumed as a matter of course that I would hand over anything the
17:53moment he asked.
17:54I looked up at him and didn't move.
17:56Nora, don't make a scene here.
17:58Give it to me.
17:59I looked at the hand he held out in front of me, and I smiled then, in front of everyone.
18:03I tore open the craft paper envelope and pulled out the original marriage contract.
18:09The Hale matriarch shot to her feet.
18:11Nora!
18:19Ethan's face finally changed too.
18:21He lunged to grab it, but I was faster.
18:23I held the corner of the contract to the memorial candle's flame.
18:26The fire leapt up and devoured both family's signatures in an instant.
18:31Ethan snatched at it and came away with half a page of charred paper.
18:34I looked at Ethan.
18:35My voice wasn't loud, but it carried to every corner of the room.
18:39Your game is over. Now it's my turn to set the rules.
18:43Ethan looked down and saw that the surviving fragment still bore my name, Nora Shaw.
18:48Below it, half-burned but still legible, was a clause.
18:51Should Nora Shaw dissolve the marriage contract in her own hand, Shaw Group shall have the right to unilaterally terminate
18:57the $3 billion project partnership.
19:00And Hale Group shall have no claim to damages for breach of contract.
19:04His hand went still.
19:05The Hale matriarch's voice cut through the silence.
19:09Stop her! Don't let her leave!
19:17I released the last corner of the contract.
19:20The paper ash was caught by the snowy wind blowing through the doorway and drifted down onto Ethan's cuff.
19:26I unclasped the silver chain from my wrist and set it on the kneeling cushion.
19:30Ethan had given it to me when he was 18.
19:33I'd worn it for 10 years.
19:34There was a faint white band on my skin where it had been.
19:37Ethan stared at that empty mark and for the first time his voice sounded shaken.
19:42Nora, put the chain back on.
19:44Ethan, you've always wanted to hear me admit I was wrong.
19:47Now I will.
19:49I was wrong to believe that someday you'd treat me like a human being.
19:53The chapel went dead silent.
19:55Ethan's face was terrifyingly white.
19:57I turned and walked toward the door.
19:59He took two steps after me, but the Hale matriarch's sharp voice stopped him.
20:03Ethan!
20:10In that moment, he didn't come after me first.
20:13He bent down to gather the ashes.
20:14But ashes, how do you gather those back together?
20:17At 9 o'clock sharp, my handwritten dissolution of the marriage contract and Shaw Group's withdrawal notice were delivered simultaneously
20:25to the Hale Group board of directors.
20:26Half an hour later, Hale Group's overseas IPO review was suspended on an emergency basis.
20:33The reason was simple.
20:34Core partner Shaw Group had withdrawn its capital, creating significant uncertainty in the project's funding chain.
20:41At 10 o'clock, Hale Group's legal team arrived at Shaw Group headquarters, their faces whiter than paper.
20:47Miss Nora, Mr. Hale says the marriage contract can be redrawn.
20:51He won't change a single word of the agreement.
20:53I opened the prenuptial agreement.
20:55After the marriage, Shaw family funds would be merged into Hale Group's strategic capital pool.
21:01Nora Shaw's personal assets would be managed by Hale Group on her behalf.
21:05If the marriage contract were cancelled, the Shaw family would bear all project default losses.
21:18Each page was more absurd than the last.
21:21In my last life, I signed it because Ethan said that keeping too close a count between husband and wife
21:27would hurt the relationship.
21:28I found out later that Lily's studio pulled eight figures from Hale Group every year with contracts tighter than a
21:35vault door.
21:36When she talked money, it was called supporting the arts.
21:39When I talked money, it was called not knowing my place.
21:42I picked up a pen and wrote two lines on the last page.
21:45The lawyer looked down, and his expression changed.
21:48Miss Nora, what is this supposed to mean?
21:50Tell Ethan that Shaw Group is withdrawing from the West Harbor project.
21:54The conference room door swung open.
21:56Ethan walked in, Lily trailing behind him.
21:59The emerald brooch was still pinned to Lily's chest.
22:02She'd obviously worn it on purpose.
22:04Ethan didn't even glance at the agreement.
22:07He only looked at me.
22:08Nora, bringing this to the office is already crossing the line.
22:17I pushed the withdrawal notice toward him.
22:20This is a notification.
22:22On the front page was a letter of intent between Shaw Group and Pierce Group.
22:26Adrian Pierce's name was signed in the lower right corner.
22:29Ethan's gaze turned sharp.
22:33You went to Adrian Pierce?
22:37The project Hale Group couldn't hold on to?
22:40Pierce Group is willing to take it.
22:42He let out a cold laugh.
22:44You think Adrian is some kind of good person?
22:47He's only getting close to you to tear off a piece of Hale Group.
22:51I looked up.
22:54At least he puts the contract in writing before he makes his move.
22:58A calm, smooth voice came from the doorway.
23:01That's a strange thing to say, Mr. Hale.
23:04When deals are signed in the business world, we call it strategy.
23:07But when Miss Nora does it, suddenly it's manipulation.
23:11Adrian walked in, his grey overcoat still carrying the chill of the outside air.
23:15He looked at Ethan, his tone even.
23:18Three years ago, when Mr. Hale poached the overseas shipping louts from Pierce Group,
23:23sentiment didn't seem to be a concern.
23:31Ethan's expression grew colder still.
23:33Adrian handed me a folder.
23:35The data from the backup camera at the proposal venue has been recovered.
23:39Also, the Pierce Group board has approved the partnership.
23:42I took the folder and signed.
23:44Nora, why drag the Shaw family into a grudge against Ethan?
23:47Your father is still ill.
23:49If he found out you destroyed this partnership over a personal dispute,
23:53imagine how heartbroken he'd be.
23:55I looked at the emerald pinned to her chest.
23:58Miss Hart, when something's borrowed, it should be returned.
24:01Her expression froze, and she instinctively covered the brooch with her hand.
24:06It's just a brooch?
24:07Do you really have to make this so ugly?
24:10It's just a brooch.
24:11And she still can't bring herself to give it back.
24:14No one in the conference room dared make a sound.
24:16Ethan stared at me, his voice low.
24:19Nora, you weren't like this before.
24:24Before, I thought swallowing my pride would earn me respect.
24:27I capped my pen.
24:28Now I've learned that respect is something you take for yourself.
24:32Ethan's composure finally cracked.
24:39Do you have any idea what this project means for Hale Group's overseas IPO?
24:43I do.
24:44I held his gaze.
24:45That's exactly why I'm pulling out today.
24:48Fury churned behind his eyes.
24:49You planned this all along?
24:51I handed the documents to my assistant.
24:54Mr. Hale, welcome to my rules.
24:57At one in the morning, someone pushed a black and white photo of me, styled like a funeral portrait, onto
25:02the trending page of every social platform.
25:04Next to the photo, in bold text, people who destroy others' futures will pay the price sooner or later.
25:18Below it, the comments were flooded with Lily's fans.
25:21Some called me vicious.
25:22Some said I'd torn Ethan and Lily apart.
25:25Others dug up the old international residency story, claiming I'd used the Shaw family's connections to steal a spot from
25:32someone with real talent.
25:33Hale Group said nothing.
25:34But every article the gossip blogs put out carefully avoided mentioning Hale Group while aiming every drop of filth squarely
25:41at me.
25:42My assistant's eyes were red with anger.
25:45Should we get it taken down, Ms. Shaw?
25:46I looked at the abuse scrolling across the screen and shook my head.
25:50No.
25:51Let her talk.
25:52At eight in the morning, Lily went live herself.
26:00On camera, her face was pale, her voice breaking.
26:03I never wanted to hurt Nora.
26:06The international residency, I let that go a long time ago.
26:10I just never imagined she'd still hate me this much.
26:13The livestream comments instantly overflowed with sympathy for her.
26:17At the peak of her tears, Ethan called me.
26:20I put it on speaker.
26:21His voice was coarse.
26:24Ethan, Nora, take down the trending topic.
26:27I'll get Lily to stop, too.
26:28I laughed.
26:29She's Nora.
26:29She's the one lying, and you want me to back off on the other end.
26:32What happened?
26:34Ethan, what happened back then?
26:36You do owe her an explanation.
26:38Everyone in the PR department went quiet.
26:40I looked out the window at the brightening sky.
26:43Ethan, I explained the residency.
26:46I explained it years ago.
26:47You were too emotional at the time.
26:49I finally understood.
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