Uma trama envolvente de intrigas, segredos e reviravoltas. Ameaças, vídeos comprometedores e um exílio chocante abalam a vida de personagens ricos e poderosos. Romance e desconfiança se misturam em um jogo perigoso.
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00:00Five years into our marriage, I uncovered a devastating secret.
00:04My husband, Bruce Riley, had been secretly building a life with his first love, Elisa Cameron.
00:09They'd even started a family, complete with a son.
00:13And now, she was about to give birth again.
00:16I confronted him right in front of his parents.
00:19You can't have kids anyway!
00:21Without Elisa, the Riley family line would die out.
00:25That was when it hit me.
00:27I'd been the only one completely in the dark.
00:30Bruce, the man who'd once whispered sweet nonsen, showered me with affection,
00:35now looked at me with utter attachment.
00:39Ashley, Elisa has given me a son.
00:42I owe her a proper place in my life.
00:44A legitimate one.
00:46I'd been stealing myself for divorce pair spurs.
00:49But this?
00:49This was him dreaming of having his kid eating it too.
00:53Keeping both of us under one roof.
00:55The flood of lies and betrayal from all those nights crashed over me.
01:00And just like that, my heart was done.
01:04Shattered beyond mending.
01:08Fine, Bruce, let's call it quits.
01:10I want a divorce.
01:11I didn't miss the flash of joy in Elisa's eyes.
01:14Bruce had been holding his three-year-old son, Felman Riley, teasing him playfully.
01:18When he heard what I said, he paused for a moment and looked up at me.
01:22Ashley, don't make a scene.
01:23If we suddenly get divorced, what will people think he?
01:26My reputation will take a hit, and the company will suffer too.
01:30Don't lash out at me like this.
01:32He really thought I was just venting my anger?
01:35Seeing his fraddled brow, I couldn't help find it absurd.
01:38I'd brought up divorce, and all he could do was weigh the pros and cons.
01:42So what did that make me?
01:44In our five years of marriage, we'd never really fought.
01:48Even the rare minor squad always ended with Bruce backing down and apolitizing first.
01:54He treated me so well that everyone at the company gossiped behind our facts about
01:58the Cuttrotto CEO, Bruce, was secretly a total wife.
02:03Yet this same man had started keeping a mistress just a year after we married,
02:07and now their kid was already three.
02:09I'd thought I'd found true love, but reality had given me a harsh wake-up call.
02:14As I stared at Bruce in his sharp suit,
02:17He seemed like a total stranger to me.
02:19Didn't respond.
02:20Bruce's patience wore thin, and his tone took on an edge of irritation.
02:25Ashley, you're a woman too.
02:27Can't you make room for Elisa?
02:29Have you considered what happens if we divorce and this all comes out?
02:33How's she supposed to face the world?
02:37How's she supposed to face the world?
02:40I stared at Bruce in disbelief, my heart heavy with bitterness,
02:43my voice trembling despite my efforts to study it.
02:46Bruce, you're the one who proposed to me, vowing you'd never betray me.
02:49We'd be together till death do us parse.
02:52And now you're holding your mistress' hand, asking me how she's supposed to go on?
02:56Bruce pussed his lips, jumping to her defense.
02:59I never meant for this to happen.
03:00Elisa and I, it was an accident, but then she got pregnant.
03:03I let out a bitter laugh, cutting him off sharply.
03:06You're bringing up the child now?
03:07Then let me ask you, Bruce, who's responsible for me not not being able to have kids?
03:11Bruce's face stiffened, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features.
03:15Don't bring that up.
03:16I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
03:19So he still remembered.
03:20It was his fault I'd lost the ability to have children.
03:24Just three months into our marriage, I discovered I was pregnant.
03:28Bruce was thrilled, treating me like I was fragile Portsen, bombarding me with gifts and food around
03:33the clock.
03:34But not long after, while I was out one day, I was kidnapped by his bitter rival,
03:38Roy Banks, injected to brutal beatings and torture.
03:41The police rescued me in time, but I lost the baby.
03:45The kidnappers and Roy got what they deserved, and Bruce even sorbed Roy's company into his own.
03:50With Bruce's attentive care, I'd slowly recovered from the trauma of the kidnapping and mischarriage.
03:54That was, until I accidentally overheard him on a phone call one day,
03:59and learned that he'd orchestrated the whole kidnapping himself.
04:02He'd used me and our unborn child as pawns to take out the obstacle blocking his path to success.
04:08He slapped himself across the face over and over, not stopping even as blood started trickling
04:12from the corner of his mouth.
04:13Seeing him like that tore me apart.
04:15I still loved him, so I chose to forgive him.
04:19Soon after, I got pregnant with our second child.
04:22But Bruce used it as a bargain chip to top his cousin, Randy Riley,
04:26and secure the general manager role at the Riley Group.
04:32I miscreated again, and Randy was exiled abroad, barred from ever coming back.
04:40At last, Bruce became the undisputed heir to the Riley Group.
04:45On the day Bruce assumed the position, he took my hand and vowed earnestly,
04:51Ashley, I'm sorry.
04:52I did all of this to give you the best life I could.
04:55Would you still be willing to have a child with me?
04:57I gave him a yai smile.
04:59Have another child?
05:00The doctor had warned me that my uter lining was thin,
05:02making another pregnancy unlikely, if not impossible.
05:05I'd never be able to have kids again.
05:07As she heard this, Bruce's eyes slowly filled with tears.
05:11He bawled his fist, his voice choked, held back sobs.
05:14Ashley, if you can't have children, that's okay.
05:17We can adopt.
05:18It'll be no different.
05:19That was how Bruce saw it, but his parents weren't having it.
05:22Vilma had always thought I was punching above my weight by marrying her golden boy,
05:26and once she found out I couldn't conceive,
05:29her attitude shifted from disdainful to openly hostile.
05:32She began plotting to set him up with a new wife from a more suitable family.
05:36So, I left a divorce agreement behind, blocked every way he could reach me,
05:42and escaped overseas on my own.
05:45During my second week in Gerrera, Bruce turned up.
05:48His hair was a mess, his face scrubby with stubble.
05:51He looked utterly disfembled.
05:52Asher, the only one I want in CEO's life with a Ryu group means nothing,
05:56and neither do my parents.
05:57All I want is to be by your side.
05:59In that moment, seeing the determination in his eyes,
06:02I was convinced he loved me more than life itself.
06:05But who would have guessed that just two years later,
06:08he'd be clamoring to make Elisa official?
06:12Reflecting on it now, I could only chuckle at the irony.
06:15As it turned out, by the time he chased me to Durerona, Felton,
06:18his son with Elisa, was already a year old.
06:21My temples pound with a splitting headache,
06:24and I pressed a hand to them without thinking.
06:28Bruce saw how pale I looked,
06:29and reached out instinctively to support me.
06:32I backed away, slapping his hand aside,
06:34stumbled and crashed to the floor.
06:37My elbow smacked against the cold marble tiles,
06:40the sharp pain making me gasp.
06:42Ashley! Are you alright?
06:45Bruce hurried over, pulling me up,
06:48the concern in his eyes seeming genuine.
06:51I clenched my jaw, got to my feet, and pushed him back,
06:55all my balked-up resentment bursting out in a rush.
06:58You've been lying to me from the very beginning!
07:03And now you dare ask how Elisa's supposed to show her face if this leaks!
07:10A flicker of reluctance passed over Bruce's face.
07:14He pressed his lips together, about to say something.
07:18But then Elisa rushed forward from behind him.
07:22She bowed in front of me, her pregnant belly bulging.
07:25She sobbed pitifully, tears cascading down her face.
07:28When her son, Feltman, saw Elisa in distress,
07:31he started wailing and planted himself between us, trying to shield her.
07:34Bruce quickly helped Ballista her foot and pulled her into his arms.
07:38Watching their picture-perfect little family moment,
07:41I suddenly felt like the whole thing was just pointless.
07:45Fine. I'll step aside for you two.
07:48Elisa froze for a moment, surprise flickering in her eyes.
07:51Bruce's ex-softened slightly, but before he could respond, I jumped in.
07:55But Bruce, if you're dreaming of making me live with you two, you've lost your mind.
07:59I yanked the diamond ring off my finger and flung it right at his face.
08:04I'll say it again.
08:07I want a divorce.
08:09The ring grazed Bruce's cheek, leaving a bloody scratch, before it clattered to the floor.
08:15Elisa let out a sharp cast, her eyes welling up with tears as she stared at me.
08:21Bruce's face darkened in an instant.
08:23A divorce?
08:24What do you think you'll get out of it?
08:26You're 30 years old, and you can't have kids.
08:30Do you really believe anyone else would want you?
08:33I'd never imagined Bruce could hit me with words so vicious, each one like a dagger to the heart.
08:39Elisa tugged gently at his sleeve and whispered,
08:42Bruce, take it easy.
08:44Maybe give Ashley a chance to rest and think things through?
08:47Bruce nodded at that.
08:48He scooped up Felton, took Elisa's hand, and shot me a cold look as he said,
08:54I'm telling you, this marriage didn't end until I say so.
08:57Grandpa, no matter what Ashley told you, I'm not leaving Elisa.
09:00He's given me a son already, and now she's pregnant again.
09:03I hope you'll understand.
09:04Plus, I've already passed on the brace grandma left me to her.
09:07He was addressing Donovan, but it was clear the jab was meant for me.
09:11The bracelet Roxane Riley had begeted on her deathbed was intended for Bruce to give to the woman he saw
09:16as his true love.
09:17But I'd never dreamed that the one he'd promised to me had already been handed over to Elisa.
09:22Even with my complete disillusionment in Bruce, a fresh surge of bitterness still hit me hard.
09:27Seeing he was gearing up to say more, I turned on my key and walked out.
09:31As soon as Elisa has this baby, I'm hosting a party to introduce her to everyone!
09:37I quickened my steps and left the estate behind.
09:41By the time I returned home, it was the middle of the night.
09:44I packed a few outfits, snatched up my passport and ID, and went to the living room.
09:52Placing the signed divorce papers on the coffee table, I couldn't help but let out a yi, self-mocking chuckle.
09:59If I'd known it would come to this, I never should have looked back.
10:04No more hesitation, I grabbed my suit taste and swung open the front door.
10:08I was just about to head out when the light suddenly switched on behind me.
10:12Ashley, where are you off to at this hour?
10:15It was Elisa.
10:16She stood there holding Felton's hand right at my back.
10:19I spun around, unable to stop myself from frowling.
10:22What are you up to?
10:23She twists her lips into a smirk.
10:25Ashley, if you pull the same trick as two years ago and disappearing, leaving Bruce so heartbroken he can't eat
10:30or sleep and race off overseas after you, that'd really mess things up for me.
10:34I was taken aback.
10:36Aren't you dying for me to bow out and wait for you?
10:38If I'm gone, what could you still be griping about?
10:40Jealousy flashed in her eyes as she let out a cold laugh.
10:43Bow out?
10:43If I let you just vanish like that, Bruce would never sign those papers and I'd never become Mrs. Riley!
10:48An uneasy knot formed in my stomach, and I took a step back without thinking.
10:52What exactly are you scheming?
10:53Strange smile spread across her deceptively sweet face.
10:57She opened her mouth to respond, but then I heard tires screeching to a halt outside.
11:00Bruce was back. In an instant, Elisa grabbed Feltman and shoved him hard into the cabinet by the door.
11:06Then she slapped her own cheeks twice, fast and fierce, before collapsing to the floor.
11:11My eyes went wide.
11:12Are you insane?
11:13Elisa's face was puffed up and red. Her body sprawled limp on the ground.
11:16Falcon lay beside her, pale and bleeding, while I stood there frozen in shock.
11:20That was the exact sight that greeted Bruce as he burst through the door.
11:24He roared almost immediately.
11:27Ashley!
11:28What the hell did you do?
11:32I stammered a denial on instinct.
11:35It wasn't me!
11:36Elisa scooped up Feltman, his eyes clamped shut, and wailed tiddily.
11:40If not you, then who? Me?
11:42Ashley, how could you be so heartless?
11:44Hitting at me, I wouldn't mind.
11:46But my little fountain is only three!
11:48How could you hurt him like that?
11:50Bruce shot me a look could kill.
11:52He dialed for an ambulance, then hauled off and slapped me across face for it.
11:55Ashley, if anything happens to them, I won't let you live to regret it.
11:58His grip was choking the air out of me.
12:00I really didn't.
12:02One by one, the upstairs lights snapped on.
12:04My in-laws had been roused by the noise.
12:07When my mother-in-law, Vilma, caught sight of Elisa in Feltman's sorry state, she charged me like a banshee.
12:12You filthy bitch!
12:14Suddenly, Elisa clutched her belly, her face contorting in anger.
12:18I think the baby's coming.
12:19When Ashley shoved me earlier, I slammed him to the cabinet.
12:21The whole house-cared daggers at me, grinding his teeth.
12:24You can't have kids yourself, so you target Elisa's?
12:26A poison like you doesn't deserve children!
12:28I clutched my aching neck, my cheeks stinging like fire.
12:31Tears clouded my eyes, and a gnawing pain started twisting in my gut.
12:35Lock up Ashley for now.
12:37I'll all handle her when I get back.
12:38He stormed off without so much as a glance over his shoulder.
12:42When I came to, the first thing I saw was a stark white ceiling staring back at me.
12:46The air was thick with the sharp tang of disinfectant.
12:48I wiggled my fingers.
12:50Was I in a hospital?
12:51As I struggled to prop myself up, he pushed the door open and stepped in.
12:55Ashley, my dear, you've been through hell.
12:58Deep regret and sorrow etched lines across his face.
13:01The doctors and nurses nearby shot me looks filled with sympathy.
13:05Panic bubbled up inside me.
13:07What's happened to me?
13:09Donovan went quiet for a beat, then let out a bitter chuckle.
13:12Ashley, the Riley family has let you down badly.
13:18You lost the baby.
13:20His words hit me like a lightning bolt.
13:24Baby?
13:27I stared at him, eyes wide and dense the leaf.
13:33What, baby?
13:34I thought I couldn't get pregnant anymore?
13:36The doctor stepped in to explain.
13:38In theory, your chances of conceive were next to none.
13:41But against all odds, you were pregnant.
13:45Over a month along.
13:46In that instant, a torrent of emotions crashed over me.
13:50Pain, grief, utter devastation and a deep-stated bitterness
13:55all jumbled together.
13:58This tiny life had shown up out of nowhere and slipped away just as fast
14:03without me even realizing
14:06maybe I really wasn't meant to have kids.
14:10As he noticed my ashen face,
14:12a wave of heartache flickered in Donovan's eyes.
14:17Ashley, let me help you walk away from this.
14:20That no good Bruce doesn't deserve someone like you.
14:22I stared blankly into space
14:24and it took me ages to find my voice.
14:28Okay, Grandpa, I never want to lay eyes on him again.
14:33Bruce was at the hospital,
14:35keeping watch over Alicia and Feltman.
14:37Fortunately, Feltman's injury wasn't serious.
14:40The gash on his forehead looked nasty,
14:42but the doctor said it wouldn't scar.
14:44Still pale from the delivery,
14:46Alyssa lay in bed and reached out a hand to Bruce.
14:50Bruce, thank God you got back in time.
14:53Otherwise, Feltry and I might never have seen you again.
14:56Bruce took her hand and reassured her softly.
14:59That'll never happen.
15:01I'll keep you safe.
15:03Once he'd smim her down,
15:04he couldn't hold back the question.
15:07Was it really Ashley who pushed you and Felon?
15:10Alyssa froze for a short second,
15:12her eyes instantly welling with tears.
15:15Yes.
15:16Don't you believe me?
15:17It was just the two of us there,
15:19if not her.
15:20Are you saying I did this to myself?
15:23She looked so wounded,
15:25biting her lower lip and turning away from him.
15:33Bruce's heart aped,
15:34and he rushed to apologize.
15:37That's not what I meant, Alyssa.
15:38It's just...
15:40Ashley's always been so gentle.
15:42She's never hurt a fly.
15:45I'm just worried there might be some kind of misunderstanding.
15:50At those words, Alyssa lowered her lashes,
15:53a flash of hatred sparking in her eyes.
15:58She blinked it away quickly and switched to an innocent expression.
16:04People change.
16:05Maybe she's just jealous of me and the kids.
16:11Bruce, I know you still have feelings for her.
16:15I don't want to put you in a tough spot.
16:20Let's pretend this never happened.
16:23The children and I can move out.
16:25We won't get in the way of your life with Ashley.
16:28By pulling that retreat tactic,
16:30Alyssa flooded Bruce with guilt.
16:32He squeezed her hand tighter and promised,
16:35Alyssa, don't talk like that.
16:36I'll handle everything.
16:38Just focus on resting up,
16:39and once you're discharged,
16:41I'll bring you back home.
16:42Alyssa kept her cool on the surface,
16:44but inside, she was boiling with rage.
16:46She hadn't expected that,
16:48even after all this mess,
16:50Bruce still wouldn't commit to divorcing Ashley.
16:55She made a silent vow.
16:57Bruce himself and the spot as Mrs. Riley would be hers,
17:01no matter what it took.
17:03And the heir to the Riley group?
17:05That role belonged to her son, Felton,
17:07and no one else.
17:09Bruce spent the afternoon at the hospital with Alyssa,
17:13heading back to home only after she'd dozed off.
17:16The moment he stepped inside,
17:18he caught sight of Ashley's suitcase.
17:21Why the hell is that there?
17:23Is she trying to bail?
17:25His brow fringled as he dashed up to the attic
17:27and banged on the door.
17:29Ashley, you in there?
17:31He shouted a few more times,
17:34but silence.
17:35Irritated now,
17:37Bruce shoved the door open.
17:39Still soaking?
17:40Come on, Ashley.
17:41Let's go apologize to Lisa.
17:43He marched in mid-sense,
17:45only to freeze.
17:47The attic was dead empty.
17:50Not a soul in sight.
17:52What is going on?
17:54Bruce stood there stunned.
17:57He knelt down and spotted dark smeeches of blood
18:00scattered across the floor.
18:02Unease and panic started bubbling up inside him.
18:04He bolted downstairs, yelling,
18:07Where are the guards?
18:08Why the hell is Mrs. Riley missing?
18:11The bodyguards had already gotten an ear from Donovan
18:14and weren't about to rat anyone out.
18:16The bodyguards all parroted the same line.
18:19They'd shut Ashley in the attic
18:21and hadn't laid eyes on her since.
18:23Bruce scowled and tore through the whole house top to bottom.
18:30But Ashley was nowhere to be found.
18:33At last, he noticed the sign
18:35Divorce Papal's sitting on the coffee table.
18:38Pulling this stun again, huh?
18:40Fury surged through Bruce.
18:42She is always dangling divorce over my head,
18:45fingering I'd fold like usual.
18:47Not this time.
18:49With that, he tore the agreement to bits.
18:51Without his say,
18:52foe Ashley could kiss any divorce goodbye.
18:54He decided to let her stew out there for a few days.
18:58Once she got her head straight,
18:59she'd come slinkering back with her tail between her legs.
19:04After all, they were tied together by years of shared history.
19:08Walking away from him would mean
19:10throwing away everything she'd invested.
19:12She couldn't handle that hit.
19:14Even after Alicia got discharged with the baby,
19:17Bruce didn't lift a finger to track down Ashley.
19:20If anything, he doubled down,
19:22canceling her credit cards and freezing her accounts.
19:24He was sure she'd have to crawl back eventually.
19:27With Ashley gone,
19:28Elisa slipped right into place
19:30as the undisputed lady of the Riley family.
19:33She'd given Bruce a son and a daughter,
19:36and Villa was over the moon about her.
19:38Now, that marriage license she wanted so badly
19:41was tantalizingly close.
19:43That evening, after Bruce showered,
19:45Elisa was already lounging in bed,
19:48decked out in a lacy nigrory.
19:50Things were getting steamy when she perped Coily.
19:57Bruce?
19:58When are you gonna make an honest woman out of me?
20:01Bruce had been all in,
20:03but her words yanked him back to thoughts of the missing Ashley,
20:06snuffing out his desire in a flash.
20:08He eased her off him.
20:09Didn't you say you didn't give a damn about labels?
20:12Then he perched on the bed's edge and fired up a cigarette.
20:15If Ashley were around,
20:16she'd pitch a fit about him smoking.
20:18Honestly, he was missing her a bit.
20:20But felon's starting kindergarten soon.
20:23What about his status and all that stuff?
20:25Bruce blew out a lazy stream of smoke.
20:28Easy.
20:30Just list him under me and Ashley.
20:32What drew him to Elisa was how she acted like
20:35she only cared about him,
20:36not some fancy title.
20:37Her suddenly harping on status now?
20:40It rubbed him the wrong way.
20:42Plus, their whole thing had started as a boozy one-night slip-op.
20:46If she hadn't ended up pregnant,
20:48he never would have cheated on Ashley
20:49or stashed her away as a side-peat.
20:51Ashley.
20:52Five days radio silence.
20:54With no cash to her name,
20:56where on earth could she be hauled up?
20:58Bruce finally caved and dispatched a team
21:00to hunt down Ashley's location.
21:03But before they could check in,
21:05his phone rang.
21:07It was the police.
21:09Is this Mr. Riley?
21:11We've recovered what looks like a suicide note
21:13from your Ashley,
21:14along with a pair of her shoes.
21:16Could you head down to the station?
21:19With a sharp clatter,
21:21Bruce's phone tumbled those from grip
21:23and smacked the floor,
21:24spider webbing cracks across the screen.
21:27He blew through every red light,
21:29pushing his car to the limit
21:30to reach the police station in record time.
21:33No body had turned up.
21:36Just a pair of high heels abandoned by the ocean,
21:39a suicide note,
21:40and a missed Heritage Report.
21:46The report was stamped with the exact date
21:48of Ashley's disappearance.
21:50The note simply said,
21:52Bruce, if I could do it all over,
21:54I'd never get involved with you.
21:55Ashley's last words.
21:58Memories flooded back.
22:00Ashley doubled over,
22:02clutching her stomach in agony.
22:04The ominous bloodstains smeared across the attic floor.
22:07She's been pregnant,
22:09and I've caused her to lose yet another child?
22:12Bruce shattered right there.
22:16No, this isn't Capita Body!
22:18This has to be a hoax!
22:22The officer responded gently.
22:25Search efforts are on to going,
22:27but the odds are slim.
22:29We're sorry for your loss, Mr. Riley.
22:31No, Ashley, this isn't true!
22:33His eyes red and swollen,
22:35Bruce hugged the heels to his chest
22:37and broke into gut-wrenching sobs.
22:39I lounge at a sidelock cafe in Flora,
22:42sipping coffee while my hired P.I.
22:44filled me in on the latest from the Riley family.
22:48The second I heard Bruce
22:50had people out searching for me.
22:52I orchestrated the fake drowning suicide ploy.
22:56Donovan's assistance made seamless.
22:59At least convincing enough to doose Bruce.
23:04Once he'd smuggled me out of Zarei,
23:06I'd adopted a new name and life,
23:08jetting off to Wuis to chase the academic dreams I'd sheltered long ago.
23:13Bruce yanking my cards and locking my accounts
23:18didn't faze me one bit.
23:21The fortune Donovan had transferred would last me several lifetimes.
23:26Learning that Bruce was in denial about my death
23:29and had even snapped at Alicia over it,
23:31it cracked me up.
23:32With tensions already brooming between them,
23:35I figured why not stir the pot a little more.
23:38I let out a cold smirk.
23:44Go ahead and email that footage of Alisa
23:47setting me up directly to Bruce.
23:50The front entrance of our home was wired with cameras,
23:53but in the chaos,
23:55nobody had bothered to review the tapes.
23:57I'd snagged the clip myself
24:00and stashed it away for the perfect moment to drop the bomb.
24:03Back at the Riley family,
24:06Alisa perched on the sofa,
24:08baby in her arms,
24:09tears streaming down her face.
24:11Bruce, why pine after a ghost when I'm right here?
24:15You swore you'd take care of me.
24:17Bruce ignored her completely,
24:19lost in scrolling through old foats of Ashley on his phone.
24:21He'd never found but actually losing Ashley for good,
24:24a chasm as final as death itself.
24:27Bruce squeezed his eyes shut,
24:28his chest aching like it was being carved open.
24:31Then his phone vibrated.
24:33An incoming email.
24:38He tapped it open and discovered a security out attached.
24:43Opposite her, Ashley stood frozen in shock and horror,
24:46not moving a muscle before Bruce stormed in and struck her.
24:50This was straight from the entrance cam,
24:51so it hasn't been Ashley at all.
24:53It was Alisa's twisted setup.
24:55How?
24:56Bruce reeled in disbelief.
24:58He glanced over at Alisa on the sofa,
25:00his tone flat and strained.
25:01Alisa, that day you went into premature labor?
25:04Was it really Ashley who shoved you in Felton?
25:07Alisa faltered.
25:09Yeah.
25:11Why dredge that up now?
25:13Bruce closed the distance.
25:16Look me dead in the eyes.
25:18Bruce, was it really her?
25:20She nibbled her lip, locking gauges with a wounded, doe-eyed stare.
25:24Bruce, if not her, then me?
25:28You don't trust me anymore?
25:34Alyssa, what a performance.
25:36Ramming Felton into the corner yourself,
25:39then staging a tumble to frame Ashley.
25:41Who knew you had such Oscar-worthy skills?
25:44She went rudged, her plexion complete,
25:46turning him ghostly as she sputtered.
25:48I didn't...
25:50I would never...
25:53Bruce had no patience for her lies
25:55and thrust the phone into her view.
25:57Video queued up.
26:00One peek,
26:01and Alyssa's knees wobbled,
26:03but she clung to her denial.
26:04Bruce, it's doctored.
26:05Fake, you've gotta believe me.
26:07For the first,
26:08I'd this fresh-faced woman
26:09and saw a total stranger.
26:11You've let me down in ways
26:12I can't even describe.
26:14The Riley family has no room
26:16for someone as toxic as you.
26:17and Felman and Gloria
26:19sure as hell don't need
26:20a mother like this.
26:22Panicking,
26:22Alyssa sank her knees,
26:23grabbing his pant leg in desperation.
26:25Everything I did
26:26was out of love for you, Bruce.
26:28You can't treat me like this.
26:33Without you,
26:34Ashley wouldn't have lost another baby.
26:36She wouldn't have taken her own life!
26:40You're going to pay for what you've done.
26:43Three days later,
26:44my P.I. let me know
26:45that Bruce had confined Alyssa
26:47to the Riley family cemetery,
26:49making her bed-coveredness
26:51in front of my photo every day.
26:53Within a few days,
26:55she'd started cracking up.
26:56Bruce despised her so much
26:58that he had her shipped off
26:59to a psych ward,
27:00ensuring she'd rot there for life.
27:03As for Felton and Gloria,
27:05they were whisked back
27:06to the old Riley estate,
27:07where Donovan set up
27:08characters to raise them.
27:10I assumed that severed
27:12any ties I had left
27:13with the Riley family.
27:15That was
27:16until six months later
27:17when I returned to my dorm
27:19after class
27:19and spotted Bruce
27:20lurking downstairs.
27:23He looked haggard,
27:24like he'd aged a decade.
27:26The spark
27:27completely drained
27:28in his eyes.
27:29Ashley,
27:30I finally tracked you down.
27:35Ashley!
27:36He lashed onto my arm,
27:38eyes rimmed red,
27:39begging in a pathetic whisper.
27:40I know I screwed up.
27:42Please forgive me.
27:44My tone was ice cold.
27:46Let go, mister.
27:47You've got the wrong person.
27:49He scrutinized my face,
27:50refusing to budge.
27:52No chance.
27:53Ashley,
27:54I'd recognize you anywhere.
27:55I understand why you bailed.
27:57You were devastated.
27:58You couldn't stand Alyssa.
28:00I've dealt with her already!
28:02I wrenched my arm free.
28:04The misunderstanding
28:04was all on me.
28:06Give me one more shot.
28:07I can't...
28:08I just can't live without you.
28:09Keep this up.
28:11And I'm calling the police.
28:12Bruce ignored the warning completely.
28:14He kept babbling.
28:16I've lost everything, Ashley.
28:17You're all I want now.
28:18Screw the Riley group.
28:19Screw the kids!
28:20I burst out laughing,
28:21dripping with sarki chasm.
28:23Bruce,
28:23like you had a choice.
28:24I know Donnan's
28:25washed his hands of you.
28:26He's hauled your cousin Randy
28:27back to take over the company.
28:29And the kids?
28:30Bet you've pieced it together.
28:32Neither Felton
28:33nor Glor is biologically yours.
28:35You totally deserve that.
28:38His eyes sparked at my words.
28:40See?
28:41You are Ashley.
28:42I knew you still cared.
28:43Let's wipe the slate clean
28:44and start over, yeah?
28:46Start over with you?
28:47Dream on.
28:49Bruce kept trying to hound me,
28:51but right then,
28:52some of my guy classmates rolled up.
28:55They asked,
28:55Amanda,
28:56you know this creep?
29:02I shook my head.
29:03Nope.
29:04He's been harassing me.
29:05It's freaking me out.
29:07The guys,
29:07brimming with chivalry,
29:08jumped in and rumped him up good.
29:10Battered and bruised,
29:12he still fixated on my
29:13retreating figure
29:14as I headed upstairs.
29:16Since I'd caved to his pleas
29:18two years back,
29:19he probably figured
29:20non-stop stalking
29:21would work again.
29:23So he rented a spot nearby
29:25and started tailing me daily,
29:27pulling the same old tricks.
29:29This time,
29:29I didn't mess around.
29:31I reported him to the cops
29:32on the spite.
29:34Once they carted him away,
29:36I got in touch with Donovan,
29:38asking to come fetch his mess.
29:42After that,
29:43Bruce vanished from my life.
29:45Word was,
29:46after Donovan dragged him back home,
29:48he went full-on crazy
29:49and got locked down
29:51in the Riley family,
29:52forbidden from leaving.
29:53But somehow,
29:55he slipped out,
29:56busted Alyssa from the asylum,
29:58and plammed their car
29:59off a cliff.
30:00Total wreck.
30:01No survivors.
30:03By then, though,
30:04it was all ancient history to me.
30:06Two years on,
30:08I finished my degree
30:09and returned home,
30:12skyrocketing to the top
30:13of the country's fashion scene,
30:15scooping up awards
30:17like they were candy.
30:19Trophy in hand,
30:21and,
30:21I knew,
30:25knew my brilliant new chapter
30:27was only beginning.