Uma mulher em choque assiste a imagens de alguém que desapareceu, enquanto um homem suplica por seu retorno. Uma história de perda, arrependimento e a busca por um amor perdido.
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00:00The childhood friend who promised to marry me right after college graduation
00:03proposed to my adoptive sister Chloe Windham at my graduation ceremony
00:08and Ethan Sterling, known as the Social Circle Saint,
00:12openly pursued me after his successful proposal.
00:15Five years into our marriage, he was gentle and doting,
00:18spoiling me to the bone until I heard his secret conversation.
00:22Ethan, Chloe's famous now. You still putting on this act with Scarlett?
00:26It doesn't matter. I can't have Chloe anyway.
00:29As long as I'm with her, she'll never get in Chloe's way.
00:32And the prayer diary he treasured, every page beginning with For Chloe.
00:36For Chloe may she be freed from obsession. May her body and mind be at peace.
00:41Five years of delusion, shattered in an instant,
00:44I arranged for a fake identity and planned a drowning.
00:47From then on, we would never see each other again, life after life.
00:51After confirming the final arrangements for my fake death,
00:54I hung up the phone. In two more days, I would disappear forever.
00:59Just as they wished.
01:00You've had a lot on your mind lately. I'll make you do something light for dinner tonight.
01:04In the five years of marriage to Ethan Sterling,
01:06he had always been tender and doting, spoiling me to the bone.
01:10People said that someone as restrained as him,
01:13once in love, stayed in love for a lifetime.
01:16I thought this was my happiness.
01:17But now, I finally understood.
01:20This marriage was not my happiness,
01:22but his way of protecting Chloe.
01:24Ethan gently stroked my shoulder and suddenly spoke.
01:27The Wyndhams are throwing a banquet tomorrow.
01:29Chloe's pregnant and her art entry made the international exhibition.
01:32You don't need to come.
01:34I'll send a gift and head right back.
01:35I wanted to go see the exhibition too.
01:38Don't bother with the exhibition.
01:39You've always wanted a kid, right?
01:41Just stay home and rest for a while.
01:43I lowered my gaze, hiding the turmoil inside me.
01:46We had been married for years without having a child.
01:49I used to think it was just fate.
01:51But now I realized he probably never wanted one.
01:54And stopping me from entering the competition
01:56was just his way of making sure I didn't get in Chloe's way.
01:59He kissed my forehead,
02:00seemingly unaware that my heart had sunk to the bottom.
02:04Scarlet, I know it's your birthday tomorrow.
02:05I want to do something special for you.
02:08I hope you have a great day.
02:09I hope you have a great day.
02:10I murmured the words to myself,
02:12suddenly finding them so grating.
02:14All these years,
02:16every blessing he gave me used the same phrase.
02:18And only now did I understand
02:20that this all the best was never meant for me.
02:22That night, I couldn't sleep.
02:24After gently moving his arm from around me,
02:26I accidentally knocked off his silver ring.
02:29When I picked it up,
02:30I noticed something strange about the inner band.
02:33By the faint light,
02:34I looked closely.
02:35and saw that the inside was engraved with a word.
02:38Chloe, at that moment,
02:40I was completely and utterly heartbroken.
02:42The next morning,
02:43I said to Ethan,
02:45Let's head back to the Wyndham residence together.
02:47His expression froze for a moment,
02:49but quickly returned to calm.
02:51All right.
02:52We'll drop off the gift and come straight home.
02:54I knew he didn't want me to go.
02:55He was afraid I would disturb Chloe.
02:57But I just wanted to see my family one last time.
03:00After all,
03:01tomorrow I would be gone.
03:02At the Wyndham family home,
03:04the hall was filled with guests celebrating Chloe's pregnancy,
03:08and her selection for the international art exhibition.
03:10In the crowd,
03:11Chloe was surrounded like a star.
03:14Everyone praised her,
03:15saying the painting she had submitted would surely win a major award.
03:18They also mentioned that the painting had been inscribed by the calligrapher,
03:22Missing Chloe,
03:23A Perfect Match,
03:24Unparalleled Art.
03:25When Chloe saw me walk in,
03:27her expression flickered for a moment but quickly returned to normal.
03:31She smiled politely,
03:32her voice full of sarcasm.
03:34You're here too?
03:34Got nothing better to do lately?
03:37I ignored her provocation.
03:39My eyes fixed on the painting on display.
03:41It was a work so familiar,
03:42it pierced my heart.
03:44A painting I had completed years ago,
03:46and kept in my private collection.
03:48Never shown to anyone.
03:50My painting.
03:51How did it get here?
03:52How had it become her entry?
03:54Chloe looked at me with a smirk,
03:56then leaned in close.
03:58You really love this painting that much?
04:00I gave her a cold look,
04:01and was about to speak when suddenly she cried out.
04:04Don't!
04:05Before I could react,
04:06she stumbled backward,
04:08clutching her belly.
04:09Her face twisted in pain.
04:11The crowd erupted.
04:13What the hell just happened?
04:14Chloe's pregnant!
04:15How could you hurt her like this?
04:17Someone get a doctor, quick!
04:18Chloe!
04:19In the chaos,
04:20I heard a voice.
04:21It was Ethan Sterling's voice.
04:23The pity in his eyes was barely concealed,
04:26shattering the last shred of my illusion.
04:28Seeing that I had noticed him,
04:30Ethan quickly regained his composure.
04:32He turned to me.
04:33Regardless of everything else,
04:35Chloe's carrying a child.
04:36You never should have laid a hand on her.
04:38Just then,
04:39news arrived.
04:40The painting had made it to the finals
04:42and was very likely to win the gold award.
04:44A barely suppressed joy flickered across his face,
04:47an expression I had never seen in five years of marriage.
04:50I asked him quietly,
04:51Why does Chloe's painting look exactly like mine?
04:53He stiffened for a second,
04:55then quickly calmed down and pretended not to know.
04:58It's probably just a coincidence.
04:59Your painting styles are just similar,
05:01that's all.
05:02I gave a cold laugh and said no more.
05:04That painting was stored in my private gallery,
05:07with keys held by only a very few people,
05:09and the inscription on it,
05:10though signed with a pseudonym,
05:12was written in handwriting
05:13identical to the script Ethan used
05:15when writing his daily prayer diary.
05:17How the painting ended up here,
05:18and who did it,
05:20went without saying.
05:21That painting was supposed to be
05:22my fifth anniversary gift to him.
05:24Now,
05:25I realized that our marriage itself was a sham,
05:27and the painting had become meaningless.
05:30I smiled,
05:31my voice so flat it betrayed no emotion.
05:33Ethan seemed to sense something unusual.
05:36His expression flickered,
05:37and then he volunteered.
05:39Why don't we head out now?
05:40We can go somewhere to unwind.
05:42I lifted my eyes to his,
05:43and curled my lips into a faint smile.
05:46Let's take the yacht.
05:47We'll cruise through the night,
05:48and catch tomorrow's sunrise.
05:50Once we were in the car.
05:51I've already prepared a birthday surprise.
05:54After this busy period,
05:55we can plan to have a child,
05:56alright?
05:57I listened quietly,
05:59staring out the window without responding.
06:01Just after the car started,
06:03his phone rang.
06:04He answered.
06:06Hello?
06:07Oh, hi.
06:08I turned to look at him and said calmly.
06:11If you have something to do, go ahead.
06:14Scarlet, I...
06:14It's fine.
06:15I'll go to the yacht and wait for you.
06:17I hadn't seen the caller ID,
06:18but I knew there was only one person
06:21who could make him look like that.
06:22On the yacht alone,
06:24I took out my phone,
06:25and opened Chloe's Instagram.
06:27A freshly posted photo appeared,
06:29with the caption,
06:30Someone to celebrate with me,
06:32bring me late night snacks,
06:34and keep me company.
06:35Thank you for always taking care of me.
06:37The comments were full of praise.
06:39Your husband is so good to you.
06:41The perfect example of a loving spouse.
06:44But my eyes were drawn to a hand in the photo.
06:47On the ring finger was the silver ring,
06:49unmistakably Ethan's.
06:51I dialed his number,
06:52but Chloe answered.
06:54Hello?
06:55Hello?
06:56It's late.
06:57What do you want, big sister?
06:59Looking for Ethan?
07:00Give it up.
07:01He won't be coming back tonight.
07:03I coldly hung up and turned to the yacht staff.
07:06Cast off.
07:07Aren't we waiting for anyone else?
07:09No need.
07:10Just me.
07:11The yacht slowly pulled away,
07:12cutting through the night sea toward the deep water.
07:15I stood alone at the bow,
07:17looking up at the stars.
07:18The sea wind was bitterly cold.
07:21Starlight shimmering on the waves.
07:23All night long,
07:24he never came.
07:25I leaned against the deck,
07:27staring blankly at the sea.
07:29Scenes from the past five years flashing through my mind.
07:32His tenderness,
07:33his companionship,
07:34his promises.
07:35Fragments that eventually pieced together only a shattered picture.
07:39Every illusion.
07:40Every lie now so bitterly ironic.
07:42Just before sunrise,
07:44I called his number one last time.
07:46This time,
07:47the phone was off.
07:48I stared at the screen,
07:50and set the call recording,
07:51and the video evidence of me creating that painting to upload automatically.
07:56After that,
07:57I walked to the stern,
07:58took one last look at the first hint of light on the horizon.
08:02Then I leaped into the icy sea.
08:04Elsewhere,
08:04Ethan Sterling hurried away from Chloe's place.
08:07I have to go.
08:08It's her birthday tomorrow.
08:09I promised to watch the sun rise with her.
08:11Ethan,
08:11I need you right now.
08:12No.
08:14Not tonight.
08:15Just then,
08:16his assistant Mike found him.
08:17Mr. Sterling,
08:18your wife,
08:19jumped into the sea.
08:22Impossible!
08:23We had plans!
08:24It's almost her birthday!
08:25Why would she get hurt?
08:26Mr. Sterling,
08:28the crew said she boarded alone.
08:30She looked really upset.
08:33And then...
08:34I don't believe it!
08:36She'd never board alone!
08:37Why didn't the crew call me?
08:39Mike's expression was complicated.
08:41Mr. Sterling,
08:42they called all night,
08:44but your phone,
08:45it was turned off.
08:47Ethan looked down at his phone.
08:49The screen was black.
08:50He quickly powered it on,
08:51then turned to Chloe with icy eyes.
08:54You turned it off?
08:55Chloe froze for a moment.
08:57Ethan,
08:57I'd never do that.
08:58It must have been an accident or dead battery.
09:00Don't blame me!
09:02Her voice was full of innocence.
09:04Ethan ignored her and ran straight to the dock.
09:06He sprinted all the way.
09:08His anxiety and guilt impossible to hide.
09:11At the scene,
09:12the yacht had already docked.
09:13Police were talking to the crew.
09:15An officer walked over,
09:17his tone grave.
09:18Mr. Sterling,
09:19we found no sign of your wife on board.
09:21According to witness statements and surveillance,
09:24she jumped on her own.
09:25The currents here are too strong for a successful rescue.
09:28Why would she jump?
09:29Ethan murmured,
09:31his eyes vacant.
09:32The officer pressed.
09:33Did you notice any recent changes in her mood?
09:36She was calm.
09:38No unusual signs at all.
09:41Mr. Sterling,
09:42check your wife's Twitter.
09:44Just then,
09:45Mike said quietly,
09:47Ethan quickly opened his phone.
09:49The latest tweet hit him like a thunderbolt.
09:52No.
09:53No!
09:56No!
09:59Oh no, Scarlet.
10:02The five-year dream is over.
10:03Here is the truth.
10:05See for yourselves.
10:06Scarlet Wyndham.
10:07Below the tweet was a video link.
10:09Trembling.
10:10Ethan clicked it.
10:11The video showed the entire process of me creating that painting from initial sketches to...
10:16God,
10:17what have I done?
10:19This is my fifth anniversary gift for my husband.
10:23Mr. Sterling,
10:24thank you for staying with me.
10:26But that commemoration became the final blow that exposed the truth.
10:30At the end of the video came my voice calm,
10:33but resolute.
10:34If this marriage was fake from the start,
10:37I'll let you go and set myself free.
10:39When the video ended,
10:41Ethan's fingers trembled slightly.
10:43I was too late to realize.
10:45When I finally understood my own heart,
10:48it was already too late.
10:49The scheduled upload of the recording was my final farewell to that absurd marriage.
10:54As the video sparked a media storm,
10:56I was sitting in a small apartment in an unfamiliar town.
11:00Far from everything.
11:01There was no Wyndham family here.
11:03No Ethan Sterling,
11:05just a quiet little place with a glass door to the balcony.
11:07I started a new life with a new identity,
11:10leaving behind the cautious,
11:12love-starved woman I had been.
11:14No one knew where I was hiding.
11:16And no one knew that I had already prepared for a life of solitude.
11:20When I first moved,
11:21I refused to talk to anyone.
11:23Shopping for groceries,
11:25renting an apartment,
11:26even paying bills I used as few words as possible.
11:29People thought I was cold and strange.
11:32And gradually they left me alone.
11:34Fine by me,
11:35I used my savings to open a small art studio,
11:38teaching children to paint.
11:39I thought my talent was meant for the spotlight of exhibitions,
11:43for applause and accolades.
11:44But now,
11:45I just wanted to paint simple lines in peace
11:48and teach a few innocent children.
11:50The person from the fake death service told me,
11:53Ethan Sterling has been looking for you.
11:56Looking for me?
11:58I'm already dead.
11:59What does he want?
12:01I gave a soft,
12:02cold laugh.
12:03He went to your gallery
12:04and contacted your old friends.
12:06But don't worry,
12:08our security is tight.
12:09He'll find nothing.
12:11He's been drowning in guilt and pain.
12:13The police said no survival chance.
12:16He's returned to the scene many times,
12:18searched for clues,
12:19but found nothing.
12:21Who's a stainous?
12:23Jace Bezos,
12:23her badest smart few rounds to pith.
12:26Mrs. Winbear,
12:27your Twitter and video
12:28have become his worst nightmare.
12:30They exposed his coldness and carelessness.
12:32He lost all dignity in public.
12:34His reputation is completely destroyed.
12:37Everyone knows his heart was never with you.
12:41I laughed softly,
12:43my gaze drifting out the window.
12:45Ruined?
12:45He deserves it.
12:47What about Chloe?
12:49The video proved the truth.
12:51The exhibition cancelled Chloe's award.
12:53Her plagiarism is under official investigation.
12:56Her husband divorced her.
12:58The Wyndham family disgraced her.
13:01Oh.
13:03The relationship between Ethan and Chloe
13:05is completely destroyed.
13:07Chloe denies any blame,
13:08but Ethan blames her for everything.
13:11He didn't act only for the Winberg family's sake.
13:14All in all,
13:15he's full of regret.
13:17I was silent for a long time.
13:19Then let him regret for the rest of his life.
13:23That said,
13:24I still opened my phone
13:25and scrolled through the news about Ethan Sterling and Chloe Windham.
13:29Someone had taken photos of Chloe coming out of her house looking haggard,
13:33with no one around her anymore.
13:35Articles reported that her exhibition had been completely withdrawn.
13:39And even the Windham family was caught in the fallout.
13:41As for Ethan Sterling,
13:43journalists captured a photo of him alone by the sea.
13:46He stood there for a long time,
13:47as if searching for something.
13:49In the comments,
13:50some called him heartless,
13:52some mocked him for getting what he deserved,
13:54and a few pitied him as a fool who lost true love.
13:57But I just found it absurd.
13:59His true love was never me.
14:01He began to reminisce,
14:03but I was already walking away.
14:05Teacher,
14:06what are you looking at?
14:08Little Oliver Trent peeked over curiously.
14:10I quickly closed the app.
14:12Nothing,
14:12your lined ring isn't finished yet.
14:13Go paint.
14:15Teacher,
14:16are you unhappy?
14:17I paused,
14:18then smiled.
14:19No,
14:20you're imagining things.
14:21Oliver ran off,
14:22and I stared at my phone screen.
14:24Yes,
14:25I'm not happy.
14:26But not because of those people.
14:28It was because these news stories dragged me back into that
14:31past full of lies and betrayal.
14:33One day,
14:34while I was teaching a class,
14:35a young man appeared at the door.
14:37He stood there holding a large bouquet of flowers.
14:41Hello,
14:42I'm Oliver's uncle.
14:44My name is Noah Trent.
14:46These are for you.
14:47Oliver loves your class very much.
14:50It's a small token.
14:51I glanced at the flowers,
14:53nodded,
14:53but didn't take them.
14:54I don't accept gifts.
14:56Sorry,
14:57I didn't know your rule.
14:59It's fine.
14:59No need next time.
15:02But after that,
15:02every time he came,
15:04he brought something else.
15:05These are Oliver's favorites.
15:07I knew they were really just excuses he wanted to give them to me,
15:11but I never accepted.
15:13Over time,
15:14I gradually realized his persistence wasn't forceful.
15:17It was patient.
15:18He never said much to me.
15:19He just quietly watched his nephew paint.
15:22You paint beautifully.
15:23He said one day,
15:24his voice full of genuine admiration.
15:26Why do you say that?
15:28Because I've never seen anyone paint like you.
15:30I can feel the emotion in your work.
15:32I didn't answer.
15:34I just kept teaching the children,
15:36but his words fell into my heart like a stone into water,
15:39sending out ripples.
15:40One day,
15:41I came across a news article online saying that
15:44Ethan Sterling seemed to be planning to leave the city and enter a monastery.
15:48The article included a photo of him standing by the sea,
15:51looking haggard,
15:52like a lost ghost.
15:53I stared at that photo for a long time.
15:56His regret may be real,
15:58but so what?
15:59I was no longer his burden,
16:01and I didn't want to be his redemption.
16:04Teacher,
16:04I'm here!
16:05Oliver's voice broke through my thoughts.
16:07Why are you late today?
16:09Because my uncle was looking for something for a long time.
16:13I looked at Noah Trent.
16:14I'm not going.
16:15I said coldly,
16:16Why do you always push me to compete?
16:18Because you shouldn't bury your talent.
16:20Don't let the past hold you back.
16:22I didn't answer.
16:24Painting is something you love.
16:25Those people from the past can't ruin your love for it,
16:28unless you give up on yourself.
16:29Give it a try.
16:31Your art deserves to be seen by more people.
16:33That night,
16:34I pulled out my long neglected brushes.
16:36On the canvas,
16:37an image slowly emerged a sea surface.
16:40The first light of dawn in the sky,
16:42and my reflection shimmering on the waves.
16:44When I finished the last stroke,
16:46I suddenly understood.
16:48This painting wasn't for him,
16:49wasn't for anyone.
16:51It was for myself.
16:53On the day of the exhibition,
16:54my work received high praise from the judges.
16:57The talent that had been set aside for years
16:59was finally seen by the world again.
17:01I thought this was just the beginning of my life's restart,
17:04but I never imagined that this comeback
17:05would completely shatter my quiet life.
17:07One day in class,
17:09I was explaining color matching to the children.
17:11Sunlight streamed through the studio windows.
17:13The kids were quietly painting,
17:16filling the space with a rare sense of peace.
17:18Suddenly,
17:19the door was shoved open,
17:20and someone burst in.
17:22Scarlet Wyndham.
17:23I looked up and froze.
17:24It was Chloe Wyndham,
17:26heavily pregnant,
17:27her face haggard with rage.
17:28She stepped forward,
17:30her eyes wild.
17:31I knew it!
17:32How could you possibly be dead?
17:34You ruined me,
17:35and here you are hiding!
17:37Chloe, how did you find me?
17:39She laughed bitterly.
17:40How?
17:41I know your style too well.
17:42Back then,
17:43the teacher always said you painted better than me.
17:46I've stared at your work for years!
17:48I'd recognize your technique anywhere!
17:50You used a pseudonym for your entries,
17:52but unfortunately,
17:53I spotted them right away.
17:55no one in this world can escape me.
17:58Her words sent a chill through me,
18:00bringing back countless memories of her trampling over me.
18:03Since you recognize them,
18:04you know exactly who those paintings belong to.
18:07How dare you show your face here?
18:08Chloe's face turned purple.
18:10Scarlet!
18:11You're despicable!
18:13Stepping closer,
18:14her eyes full of hate.
18:16You think winning this competition changes anything?
18:18Dream on!
18:19I ignored her hysteria,
18:21just protected the children behind me.
18:23If you have a problem,
18:24we can talk somewhere else.
18:25Talk somewhere else?
18:27You wish!
18:28If it weren't for you,
18:30I wouldn't be like this!
18:32My paintings were cancelled,
18:33my awards taken away,
18:34my parents disowned me!
18:36Even Ethan!
18:39You think you've really won?
18:40The children shrank back behind me.
18:42Chloe,
18:43if you came here to make trouble,
18:44I suggest you stop.
18:46Don't scare the children.
18:48Make trouble,
18:49she let out a scornful laugh.
18:50You faked your death
18:52to frame me
18:53and play the victim?
18:54Aren't you disgusting?
18:56You did wrong,
18:57so you must face the consequences.
18:59That hit a nerve.
19:00She exploded.
19:02It's all your fault!
19:04If it weren't for you,
19:05I wouldn't be like this!
19:07Before I could react,
19:08she lunged at me.
19:09I instinctively shielded the children.
19:11I couldn't dodge in time,
19:13her nails raked across my arm,
19:15leaving bloody scratches.
19:16Stop!
19:17I shouted,
19:18but she was like a madwoman,
19:20completely out of control,
19:21and shoved me to the ground.
19:23Oliver ran up and hit her
19:25with his tiny fist.
19:27Don't hurt my teacher!
19:30You little brat!
19:31How dare you hit me!
19:33She raised her hand
19:34to hit Oliver.
19:36Enough!
19:37Chloe,
19:38if you keep this up,
19:39you'll face legal consequences!
19:41Scarlet,
19:42you can hide for a while,
19:43but not forever!
19:44I'll make you pay today!
19:46Noah Trent rushed in.
19:48Without a word,
19:49he pulled Chloe away.
19:50She struggled for a moment,
19:52then saw who it was,
19:53and laughed coldly.
19:55Wow, Scarlet,
19:56it hasn't even been that long,
19:58and you've hooked up
19:58with someone new already?
19:59Her mocking gaze swept over me
20:01and Noah,
20:02and she suddenly raised her voice.
20:04I told Ethan long ago
20:05that you never really cared about him!
20:08Look!
20:09Someone's already here to defend you,
20:11and he didn't believe me!
20:12This is who you really are!
20:14Noah frowned.
20:14Miss,
20:15please behave yourself.
20:17This is a place
20:18for children to learn.
20:20If you want to cause trouble,
20:21go somewhere else,
20:22but don't scare the kids.
20:23Chloe paused,
20:24then quickly recovered,
20:25sneering.
20:26Who do you think you are?
20:27What right do you have
20:29to tell me what to do?
20:30I ignored her frenzy.
20:31I just pulled Oliver
20:32and the other children close,
20:33comforting them in a low voice.
20:35Don't be scared.
20:36Teacher's here.
20:37It's okay.
20:38Chloe stared at us,
20:39then suddenly threw up
20:40her hands and shrieked.
20:41Scarlet,
20:42you think you've won!
20:44You've ruined me!
20:45But I won't let you be happy!
20:48Just as Noah was shielding me
20:49and calming the children,
20:50more hurried footsteps
20:51sounded from the door.
20:53Scarlet!
20:54A familiar voice rang out,
20:55barely suppressed with emotion.
20:57I looked up.
20:58Ethan Sterling stood in the doorway.
21:00He strode over.
21:01His eyes locked on me
21:03as if afraid I would vanish.
21:04His expression was complicated.
21:06Surprise,
21:07regret,
21:07deep guilt.
21:09You're alive.
21:10Thank God.
21:11His voice hoarse
21:11as if scraped raw.
21:13Chloe saw her chance.
21:14A calculating gleam
21:15flashed in her eyes.
21:17She deliberately leaned
21:18toward Ethan,
21:19holding her belly,
21:20her voice full of fake grievance.
21:22Ethan,
21:23she attacked me.
21:24I just wanted to ask
21:25why she did this to me
21:26and she humiliated me.
21:28She bit her lip,
21:29sobbing.
21:30I'm pregnant
21:31and she still treated me like this.
21:34I watched them coldly,
21:35as if transported back to the past
21:37all those moments
21:38of being ignored
21:39and pushed aside.
21:40But this time,
21:41I held myself together.
21:42I took a deep breath
21:43and said calmly,
21:45You'd better leave.
21:46You're not welcome here.
21:48Ethan didn't even seem
21:49to hear Chloe.
21:50His gaze never left me.
21:51Scarlet,
21:52please listen.
21:53I truly regret it.
21:54I was wrong.
21:55I didn't cherish you.
21:56I laughed bitterly.
21:57Give me another chance.
21:59A chance?
22:00Ethan,
22:01do you really think
22:01you have the right
22:02to ask for that?
22:04I know I was wrong.
22:06I shouldn't have ignored you.
22:08Shouldn't have listened to others.
22:09All the mistakes are mine.
22:11I'll change.
22:13Please,
22:13forgive me.
22:14His voice grew lower.
22:15I'll give me.
22:16As long as you'll have me,
22:17I'll do anything.
22:18Seeing this,
22:18Chloe turned pale with fury.
22:20Ethan,
22:21you said you loved only me.
22:22You-
22:22Shut up!
22:23Ethan cut her off.
22:25I've made it clear to you.
22:26His gaze colder
22:27than I had ever seen.
22:28Whatever you say
22:29has nothing to do
22:30with me anymore.
22:31Chloe looked
22:32as if she had been slapped.
22:33Her face went white
22:34and she cried out.
22:35Ethan,
22:36you can't do this to me!
22:38Have you forgotten
22:39everything between us?
22:40And guess what?
22:42She's already
22:43with someone else.
22:45Her words jolted me,
22:46but I quickly
22:47steadied myself.
22:48I said coldly,
22:50Ethan,
22:51I've already died once.
22:53Just pretend
22:54I really did die.
22:55Let each other go.
22:56desperation in his voice.
22:57No!
22:58Scarlet,
22:58I won't!
22:59Even if you hate me,
23:01even if you hit me,
23:02curse me,
23:02don't tell me you're gone.
23:05I beg you,
23:06come back.
23:06My chest ached,
23:07but I answered calmly.
23:09Ethan,
23:09you never wanted me.
23:10Our beginning
23:11was a mistake.
23:12No!
23:13I was the fool!
23:14I was so stupid!
23:16I didn't realize
23:17how important you were
23:18until you left.
23:19Seeing that Ethan
23:20was ignoring her,
23:21Chloe suddenly
23:22went berserk.
23:23She grabbed a chair
23:24and charged at me.
23:26Scarlet,
23:27go to hell!
23:28I couldn't react in time,
23:30but Ethan threw himself
23:31in front of me,
23:32taking the full force
23:33of the chair.
23:34He groaned
23:34and fell to the ground.
23:35Stop!
23:36Noah rushed over
23:37and shielded me.
23:38Ethan's assistant Mike
23:39and some bodyguards
23:40subdued Chloe,
23:41but she thrashed wildly,
23:43screaming.
23:45Ethan!
23:45You're still protecting her?
23:48Aren't you afraid
23:49she really is
23:49with someone else?
23:50Before she could finish,
23:52Ethan cut her off coldly.
23:54Picking himself up
23:55from the floor,
23:56he fixed Chloe
23:56with an icy stare.
23:58Chloe Windame,
23:59from now on,
23:59I don't want to hear
24:00another word from you.
24:01His tone was chilling.
24:02Chloe froze for a moment,
24:04then started struggling again.
24:06Mike and the bodyguards
24:07dragged her out,
24:08and finally the room
24:09fell silent.
24:10Ethan turned
24:11and looked at Noah,
24:12who was still standing
24:13protectively in front of me,
24:14but I spoke first.
24:15Chloe was right.
24:16I don't need you anymore.
24:18Please stay out of my life.
24:20Ethan hesitated,
24:21then said softly
24:22but firmly.
24:23It's okay.
24:24I know I was wrong,
24:26so even if you,
24:27even if you're with him,
24:28I don't care.
24:29If you'll have me,
24:31I can accept it.
24:32His eyes were full
24:33of pleading and humility.
24:34Then Noah spoke up,
24:35his voice calm but sharp.
24:37Mr. Sterling,
24:37I don't know the full story
24:39between you two,
24:40but it seems to me
24:41whether she wants you back
24:42is her decision.
24:44You keep talking
24:45about your feelings,
24:47but have you ever asked
24:48what she wants?
24:49Ethan froze.
24:50He opened his mouth,
24:52but no words came.
24:53I looked at him.
24:55Ethan,
24:55no matter what,
24:56those five years are over.
24:57My voice calm but final.
24:58Even if I'm still alive,
25:00you are no longer my choice.
25:01The color drained
25:02from his face,
25:03but I continued.
25:05Don't force me to see
25:06everything we had
25:07as a mistake.
25:09Or do you want me
25:10to be truly dead
25:11before you finally let me go?
25:12He cried out,
25:13pain flooding his eyes.
25:15Scarlet,
25:16that I was wrong.
25:16I truly was.
25:18As long as you're safe,
25:19as long as you don't
25:19leave me like that again,
25:20I can stay out of your life.
25:22Then I said softly,
25:23Good.
25:24Then I hope you will
25:25leave me alone for good.
25:26He was silent for a long time.
25:28Then he lowered his head,
25:29as if finally understanding.
25:31In a hoarse whisper,
25:33he said,
25:34I'm sorry.
25:36Then he turned
25:36and walked away,
25:37his figure lost and broken.
25:39Noah soothed the children,
25:41making sure they were unhurt.
25:43Then came to me,
25:44Are you okay?
25:45I shook my head.
25:46I'm fine.
25:47Thank you.
25:48He gave a small smile,
25:50said nothing more,
25:51and left with Oliver
25:52after tidying up the studio.
25:54Not long after,
25:55I saw a short news report.
25:57Chloe Windham had been
25:59formally charged with assault
26:00and multiple other offenses.
26:02The Windham family
26:03tried desperately
26:04to plead for leniency,
26:05but they could not
26:06clear her of all charges.
26:08What surprised me
26:09was that Ethan Sterling
26:10had personally pushed
26:11the case against Chloe.
26:12At the same time,
26:13he announced he would
26:15officially enter
26:16a monastery,
26:17take a vow of
26:18lifelong celibacy,
26:19and change his last name
26:21to Scarlet.
26:21The news article
26:22showed a photo of him
26:23in his monastic robes,
26:25head bowed in prayer.
26:26His expression was calm,
26:27but carried a hint
26:29of hidden pain.
26:30Scarlet.
26:31I murmured the new surname
26:32to myself.
26:33A faint ache
26:34passed through my heart,
26:35but I quickly pushed
26:37the feeling away.
26:38Just then,
26:39Oliver jumped
26:39into my arms.
26:40Teacher,
26:41my uncle
26:41is looking for you.
26:43What does he want?
26:45He wants to take us
26:46out to play!
26:47Oliver's eyes sparkled
26:48with excitement.
26:49I looked up
26:50and saw Noah Trent
26:51at the door.
26:52He smiled at me,
26:53standing there.
26:54With sunlight streaming
26:55over him,
26:56he looked warm
26:57and steady.
26:58Alright,
26:59let's head out.
26:59I took Oliver's hand
27:01and walked out
27:01of the studio with him,
27:03as if all the shadows
27:04of the world
27:04had been left behind.
27:06This was my new life.
27:08Finally,
27:08I could live for myself.