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00:02At my old tattoo studio, several guys forced me onto the tattoo chair.
00:06Ethan took off his tie and bound my wrist tightly.
00:10It's Sadie's first time tattooing someone.
00:12Don't make this harder for her.
00:14Cooperate.
00:15Then he walked out and shut the door.
00:19Sadie pulled on a pair of gloves and stared at the small ring tattooed in my heart.
00:24Actually, let's start here.
00:27You don't need this old ring anymore, do you?
00:29She poured the tattoo removal section over me.
00:31Pain poured through my chest.
00:33My body arched as the restraint stuck into my wrist.
00:35Sadie smiled and drove the needle into the damaged skin.
00:38I bit down on the gag.
00:40Tears mixing with the blood beneath me.
00:42My body had barely made it through the DNC.
00:44It couldn't take much more.
00:45My vision kept going dark.
00:47This was the 27th girl my husband, Ethan Hayes, had brought into my tattoo studio.
00:52Ethan was one of football's biggest stars.
00:54The star striker and captain of his club.
00:56Several of his teammates were betting on whether I would finally lose it this time.
01:00Hayes, you're really letting your wife tattooing your new sweetheart?
01:03What if she gets pissed and scars her for life?
01:06I didn't.
01:07My hand stayed perfectly steady.
01:09As I lowered the needle to Sadie's skin, laughter exploded from the waiting room.
01:14Dude, is your wife so mad she's gone numb?
01:19She's not numb.
01:21She's managed to stay Mrs. Hayes for 10 years.
01:23That proves it.
01:24Half an hour later, a blatantly sexual line was inked across Sadie's waist.
01:28Ethan gave it an approving look and slid one of his black cards across the counter.
01:32Sadie's been learning to tattoo.
01:34She wants a studio of her own.
01:35Starting tomorrow, she can have this one.
01:39You know I get attached.
01:41When she gets bored, I'll take you back.
01:43I didn't cry or make a scene.
01:44I took the card, grabbed my bag, and walked out.
01:47Ava Bennett!
01:48I pulled open the door, but a large hand slammed against it.
01:51Come on, don't leave yet.
01:53Ethan's got something else to say.
01:54I turned around.
01:55Ethan got up from the couch and ground his cigarette out beneath the chute.
01:59His teammates went quiet, their eyes moving between us.
02:02Sadie instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
02:04Ethan?
02:06What?
02:06Something else?
02:08She's pregnant.
02:10It's mine.
02:11Okay.
02:12My flat answer killed every sound in the room.
02:15That's it?
02:16We've been married 10 years.
02:17You've got nothing to say?
02:19No one dared say a word.
02:22Of course I have something to say.
02:24I knew you'd...
02:25Let's get divorced.
02:27The room went dead silent for three full seconds.
02:31Ethan's breathing hitched.
02:33Then he yanked Sadie against him and kissed her hard.
02:37His teammates immediately started cheering.
02:39But his eyes stayed on me over her shoulder, waiting for my reaction.
02:42I ignored him, pushed open the door, and left.
02:44I had barely gotten into the car when someone smashed a bat at the window.
02:50Cracks and shot across the glass like a spider web.
02:52A shard grazed my forehead.
02:54Sorry, Ava.
02:55Ethan bought you this car.
02:57If you're dumping him, you don't get to keep it.
02:59Fine.
03:00Ethan walked out with an arm around Sadie.
03:03She leaned against him, then looked at the bag hanging from my arm.
03:06Ethan, that bag is gorgeous.
03:08Isn't it limited edition?
03:11Wanted.
03:12Then he looked at the guys standing by my car.
03:14They immediately started toward me.
03:15I ignored them and looked at Sadie.
03:17You really like taking my things, don't you?
03:19The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted, satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
03:23He thought I was finally jealous.
03:24Finally willing to make a scene over him.
03:27Actually, it wasn't like I hadn't before.
03:29The first time I found lipstick on his shirt, I smashed his luxury car to pieces.
03:33He said he had been drunk and it was only a one-night stand.
03:37The second time, I caught him walking out of a hotel with another girl.
03:40He said it meant nothing and told me not to make a big deal of it.
03:43I piled up the bag and watched he had given me in the garage and burned them.
03:46My fingers brushed the limited edition bag on my arm.
03:49Two weeks ago, Ethan had knelt before me and sworn he would change.
03:52The bag was his apology.
03:56If you like it, it's yours.
04:00Ava Bennett!
04:07Ava, I like your jacket too.
04:09Ethan pushed past the others and still ignored him.
04:11He grabbed my dog.
04:13Take it off.
04:15I looked at his reddening eyes.
04:17A memory surfaced.
04:19Years ago, my drunk stepfather cornered me outside our apartment.
04:22My top tore in the struggle, buttons scattering across the ground.
04:25A young footballer in a club training jacket rushed over, yanked him off me, and slammed
04:29him to the ground.
04:30The cops took my stepfather away.
04:31The boy took off his jacket and wrapped it around me.
04:33That was Ethan, back when he was still fighting for a place on the first team.
04:36The boy who once told me,
04:38Don't be scared.
04:39I'm here.
04:40Where had he gone?
04:41I pulled the zipper all the way down.
04:43Underneath was a black tank top and a black ring tattoo stood clearly over my heart.
04:47Ethan's pupils contracted.
04:49When I was 23, he had asked me,
04:51What kind of engagement ring do you want someday?
04:54I want one I can never take off.
04:56Like his promise to love me.
04:58Forever.
04:59Ethan stared at me, his eyes slowly turning red.
05:01One word scraped out of his throat.
05:03Get out!
05:04I put on my clothes and walked away alone.
05:07Back at our apartment, Ethan was half kneeling by the couch, dabbing ointment on Sadie's tattoo.
05:15Sadie's eyes were red.
05:16He lowered his head and blew on it gently.
05:18I suddenly remembered that three years ago, I cut my finger while cooking.
05:22He drove to seven drugstores that night just to find the bandages that wouldn't irritate my skin.
05:26He came back sweaty, held my finger and blew on it for ages.
05:29How are you this careless?
05:30He kept muttering.
05:31Now he gave that same tenderness to someone else.
05:33I looked away, went to the bedroom, packed my ID and a few clothes, then headed for the door.
05:38Stop!
05:39Ethan grabbed my shoulders and forced me around.
05:41I said stop.
05:42Are you deaf?
05:43Sadie limped over.
05:44Ava, I know you don't like me.
05:46I put up with the pain while you tattooed me, but you even used cheap ink.
05:50Look at this!
05:51What if it scars?
05:52Ethan looked at the rash, his face darkening.
05:54You did this on purpose.
05:56Forget it.
05:57Maybe I misunderstood her.
05:58I'm sure Ava didn't mean to.
05:59The more she defended me, the colder Ethan looked.
06:02Apologize.
06:03I didn't move.
06:04I said apologize.
06:06He grabbed my wrist hard enough to make my bones ache.
06:08You did this to her.
06:10Is saying sorry really that hard?
06:12I looked at the hand around my wrist.
06:14It used to ruffle my hair and pat my back after nightmares.
06:17Now it was forcing me to bow to his new girl.
06:19I use the same professional ink I use on every client.
06:22You're still arguing?
06:25Ava, when did you get this cruel?
06:27Ethan, don't force her.
06:28It barely hurts.
06:29I can deal with it.
06:30Don't make me say it again.
06:31I looked at him for a long moment, then turned to Sadie.
06:35I'm sorry.
06:36Ethan froze.
06:37He clearly hadn't expected me to apologize so easily.
06:40After all, in my entire life, I had never bowed my head to anyone.
06:43Now I apologized.
06:45Not because I was wrong.
06:46Because I didn't care anymore.
06:48I turned and left.
06:49A few days later, I found a small studio for rent.
06:51I was starting over with nothing but my own work and my own name.
06:54But when I tried to pay the deposit, Ethan's black card was declined.
06:58My phone showed one message.
06:59At the same time, a text from Ethan popped up.
07:02Done playing around.
07:03Come home.
07:08I blocked him without hesitation.
07:10To him, this time was no different from all our other fights.
07:12I had always forgiven him, again and again, no matter what he did.
07:16He didn't know.
07:17This time was different.
07:17My friend Mason had just opened a small bar, so I started helping out there.
07:21One night, I was about to close when three guys from Ethan's entourage walked in and blocked the exit.
07:26Ethan followed with a cigarette between his lips.
07:28So this is where you've been hiding?
07:29He flicked ash onto the table I had just wiped clean.
07:32Come home.
07:33Sadie's pregnant.
07:35Her morning sickness is bad and she's picky about food.
07:40Make her something she can keep down and look after her.
07:43No.
07:43His face slowly got me.
07:45One word came from his throat.
07:47Wreck it.
07:48The next second, one of the guys just slung a chair into the mother's shell.
07:51Glass exploded everywhere.
07:52His face rushed out, only to be kicked to the floor, his head striking the counter.
07:56Blood ran down his temple as they kept kicking him in the ribs.
07:58I screamed at Ethan.
07:59Make them stop!
08:01Stop!
08:04He gave a cold laugh, grabbed my chin, and blew smoke in my face.
08:10If you're begging, act like it.
08:12Another punch hit Mason.
08:14Ethan, please.
08:16My mind went blank.
08:17That's better.
08:19If you'd behave sooner, he wouldn't have gotten hurt.
08:24He took my hand and led me out to the broken glass and blood.
08:27In the car, his hand covered mine, our fingers locking together.
08:32Babe, how long has it been since we held hands like this?
08:35City lights swept past the window.
08:37He had forgotten.
08:38Years ago, when he was turned away by the one after club.
08:41No one believed he would make it.
08:42That night, I found him sitting alone in the rain.
08:45I held him close and told him not to give up.
08:47He lifted my cold hand to his lips and whispered,
08:50Even if the whole world shuts me out.
08:53As long as I have you, it's enough.
08:57Babe, I'll hold your hand forever.
09:01Neither of us spoke again.
09:06When we got home, I went straight to the kitchen.
09:08Two hours later, I brought out the chicken and rice soup.
09:11Sadie turned around with a marker in her hand.
09:12Ava, look.
09:13Isn't it pretty?
09:14My pupils shrank.
09:15I had spent 40 days in the Rockies studying alpine wildflowers for that tattoo design.
09:19Altitude sickness left me dehydrated, and the sun peeled the skin off my neck.
09:22Then I spent weeks drawing every line by hand.
09:24I was sure the piece could win at next month's international tattoo expo.
09:27Now Sadie had covered the flower in black marker.
09:30Looks good.
09:31You've got talent.
09:33My head went blank.
09:34She had destroyed my weeks of work like it meant nothing.
09:36I lunged at her and slapped her.
09:37Ethan shoved me away.
09:38My head struck the corner of the table.
09:40A sharp cramp hit my stomach as warmth spread between my legs.
09:43Ethan's people shrank as he instinctively stepped toward me.
09:47Ethan, something was wrong with the soup.
09:49I only took one sip and now my stomach hurts.
09:51The concern in his eyes instantly turned cold.
09:53Sadie's lips curved.
09:54Ethan picked her up and headed for the door.
09:59You know I waited ten years for this child.
10:02If anything happens to Sadie, I'll never forgive you.
10:06An old football injury left Ethan with almost no chance of having a child.
10:09Ethan, take me to the hospital.
10:12I hadn't even known I was pregnant.
10:13I only knew I wanted to save my baby.
10:15Then everything went black.
10:19When I woke up again, the nurse told me I had lost the baby.
10:22I stared at the ceiling as a memory surface.
10:24If we ever have a kid, I'll give them everything.
10:26In the middle of our most passionate night, he whispered,
10:28You were bleeding heavily, so we had to perform an emergency DNC.
10:31I just need you to sign these forms.
10:32I hesitated, then called Ethan.
10:34I wish we'd met sooner.
10:35Maybe we could have had this years ago.
10:37It's not too late.
10:38The doctor said I might never have kids.
10:41And somehow you got pregnant.
10:42But Ava?
10:43A kiss cut her off.
10:45Don't mention her.
10:46She's bad luck.
10:49My fingers dug into my palm.
10:52I hung up and signed my name.
10:55My phone buzzed.
10:56Sadie had texted me.
10:57Ethan booked a luxury hotel for our wedding.
10:59Your tattoo studio and your husband.
11:01I'll take both.
11:02A photo came with it.
11:03Ethan had his head lowered, kissing the words I had tattooed around her waist.
11:06I stared at it for three seconds.
11:07Then I remembered our wedding day.
11:09No wedding dress.
11:10No grand venue.
11:11No guests.
11:12But that night, Ethan cooked dinner himself and made four dishes in a seat.
11:17He set it in front of me, his eyes red.
11:20When I succeed, I'll give you a real ring.
11:25And the wedding you deserve.
11:26Years passed.
11:27He became one of the country's biggest football stars.
11:30Worth over a hundred million dollars.
11:32But that wedding never came.
11:34With Ethan's card deactivated,
11:35and my savings running low,
11:38I left the hospital early.
11:40Outside, my legs barely held me up.
11:45Black SUV stopped at the curb.
11:51Ethan got out carrying Sadie,
11:53but paused when he saw my pale face.
11:55This is my fault.
11:56Put me down.
11:57Go help Ava.
11:58I can walk.
11:59Ethan didn't.
12:01Ava's tougher than that.
12:03She worked 20-hour shifts to help pay for my career and never complained once.
12:07Now she gets a little hurt and suddenly she can barely stand.
12:10I've been too good to her all these years.
12:12Ethan, I think Ava's leaving.
12:14He set Sadie in the backseat and turned toward me.
12:17You did this to her.
12:19You're not leaving until you apologize.
12:21I pulled out my phone and called my lawyer.
12:24Draft the divorce papers.
12:25I don't want anything.
12:26I just want out.
12:27His face darkened.
12:28He snatched the phone from my hand,
12:30threw it down,
12:30and crushed it under his shoe.
12:32All this because I told you to apologize?
12:35You're marrying her anyway.
12:37I'm just getting out of your way!
12:39Ethan's chest rose sharply.
12:42Then he shoved his phone in front of me.
12:44My grandmother lay in a hospital bed,
12:46surrounded by tubes.
12:47My breath stopped.
12:50The hospital called yesterday.
12:52Her condition got worse,
12:53and she needs surgery.
12:55But can you pay for it?
12:59I can earn the money!
13:01Maybe.
13:02But can she wait that long?
13:04The surgery has to happen today.
13:08Fine, I'll apologize.
13:11If you really mean it, Ava,
13:13be my model.
13:14I've been practicing a lot more
13:15since Ethan gave me the studio.
13:16You can tell me how I'm doing.
13:17Before I could refuse,
13:18Ethan pulled me into the SUV.
13:20At my old tattoo studio,
13:22several guys forced me onto the tattoo chair.
13:24Ethan took off his tie
13:25and bound my wrist tightly.
13:28It's Sadie's first time tattooing someone.
13:30Don't make this harder for her.
13:32Cooperate.
13:34Then he walked out and shut the door.
13:37Sadie pulled on a pair of gloves
13:39and stared at the small ring tattooed
13:40over my heart.
13:42Actually, let's start here.
13:45You don't need this old ring anymore, do you?
13:47She poured the tattoo,
13:48removing the sensation over me.
13:50Pain poured through my chest.
13:51My body arched as the restraints
13:52ducked into my wrist.
13:54Sadie smiled and drove the needle
13:55into the damaged skin.
13:56I bit down on the gag.
13:58Tears mixing with the blood beneath me.
14:00My body had barely made it through the DNC.
14:02It couldn't take much more.
14:03My vision kept going dark.
14:05I didn't know how long it had been
14:06when a phone started ringing.
14:08Then a doctor's voice came through.
14:11I'm sorry.
14:12Your grandmother passed away suddenly
14:13in the early hours of the morning.
14:15Our condolences.
14:16The next morning,
14:17Ethan returned to the studio.
14:18From outside,
14:19he saw the shattered glass
14:20and quickened his pace.
14:21The white tattoo chair
14:22was soaked in blood.
14:23The hospital form lay on the floor,
14:25half covered in red.
14:27Ethan picked it up.
14:28Then his eyes froze on the bold words
14:29of the miscarriage medical report.
14:32Ethan froze in place
14:34as he stared at the words on the report,
14:36his pupils suddenly shrinking.
14:39When?
14:40When was she pregnant?
14:41He looked down at the blood
14:43on the tattoo chair,
14:44bright red,
14:45painfully clear,
14:46already half-dried.
14:48Where did this blood come from?
14:50No one answered him.
14:51The air was filled
14:52with the metallic smell
14:53of blood and burnt skin.
14:55It was nauseating.
14:56His legs suddenly gave out.
14:57Ethan Hayes,
14:58the football star
14:59who always stood above everyone else,
15:00had never looked this broken before.
15:03Sadie rushed in from the doorway.
15:05Her face changed
15:05when she saw the blood everywhere.
15:07Ethan, what happened?
15:08Do you need to go to the hospital?
15:09Ethan stared at the report in his hands.
15:12The handwriting was crooked.
15:14Ava's handwriting
15:15had never looked like this.
15:16But these three words
15:18looked like they had been written
15:19by someone barely holding on.
15:21A memory suddenly flashed
15:23through Ethan's mind.
15:25That day,
15:26Ava had brought out the soup.
15:28Sadie accused her
15:29of doing something to it.
15:30And he had pushed Ava away
15:32while protecting Sadie.
15:34You told me the soup was wrong!
15:36You told me she put something in it
15:38and tried to hurt you!
15:42But she was pregnant.
15:45How is that possible?
15:48She must have been jealous
15:49that I was carrying your child!
15:51She must have planned this
15:51to make you feel guilty!
15:54What?
15:55Sadie rushed over,
15:57but Ethan pushed her away
15:58and called Ava.
16:01He called her over and over.
16:04Not a single call was answered.
16:06He stood there for two seconds.
16:13Then he remembered yesterday
16:15outside the hospital.
16:16Ava had been wearing
16:17a hospital gown,
16:18her face pale,
16:20her body swaying in the wind.
16:22He thought she was just like before.
16:24After every fight,
16:25she would wait for him to come back.
16:27But this time,
16:28she didn't.
16:29A wave of unease
16:30suddenly gripped Ethan.
16:32He rushed out,
16:33got into his car,
16:34and drove straight to the hospital.
16:38Ava Bennett,
16:39she was discharged yesterday.
16:41Why was she admitted?
16:42The nurse checked the records.
16:44Emergency DCAK after a miscarriage.
16:46Ethan froze.
16:48She called the ambulance herself.
16:50She was already bleeding heavily
16:51when they arrived.
16:53The nurse looked at him.
16:55If she had arrived any later,
16:56she could have died.
16:57Sadie followed behind him.
16:59She did it on purpose.
17:01She knew she was pregnant,
17:02but she didn't tell you
17:03because she wanted you to feel guilty.
17:05Ethan's heart tightened.
17:07No,
17:07Ava wasn't that kind of person.
17:09He knew how much
17:10she had wanted a child.
17:14The nurse looked at him differently,
17:16and her voice turned colder.
17:18He had never received any treatment.
17:20He didn't even know she was pregnant.
17:24Sadie wanted to say something else.
17:26Ethan turned around
17:27and stared at her.
17:28Ethan,
17:29I was only guessing.
17:30I'm just worried about you.
17:31I don't want to see you hurt.
17:32Ethan looked at Sadie's tears
17:33falling one by one.
17:35So fast.
17:36So familiar.
17:37But he suddenly couldn't remember
17:38the last time Ava had cried.
17:39It felt like he had never seen her cry before.
17:41Not when she worked 20-hour shifts
17:43to support his football career.
17:44Not when she stayed beside him
17:46after clubs rejected him
17:47again and again.
17:49Not even when he left her tied
17:51to that tattoo chair.
17:52His chest tightened.
17:54Had she cried when she was lying alone
17:56on the operating table?
17:58His phone rang.
17:59Ethan immediately took it out.
18:01But the screen didn't show Ava's name.
18:04Mr. Hayes,
18:05I'm Ms. Bennett's attorney.
18:07The divorce agreement
18:08has been sent to your email.
18:09Ethan tightened his grip on the phone.
18:11What about her grandmother?
18:12Her surgery?
18:13Tell Ava I'll pay for everything.
18:15Mr. Hayes,
18:16you still don't know?
18:18What?
18:19Ms. Bennett's grandmother
18:20passed away early this morning.
18:24Ethan opened his mouth,
18:25but no words came out.
18:27The phone slipped from his ear.
18:28Hit the floor,
18:29and the screen shattered.
18:35Ethan,
18:37people can't come back
18:38once they're gone.
18:39Don't be too sad.
18:40Try to let go.
18:42He suddenly pushed her away.
18:45Ethan?
18:46Ethan looked at her,
18:47but there was no longer
18:48the concern or tenderness
18:49he used to have,
18:50only annoyance.
18:52He grabbed his car keys
18:53and turned to leave,
18:54completely ignoring
18:55Sadie's cries behind him.
18:57Ethan drove straight
18:58to the law firm.
19:00The lawyer remained calm.
19:01Sorry,
19:02I can't reveal my client's
19:03whereabouts,
19:04but Ms. Bennett also said
19:05that if you agree
19:06to sign the papers,
19:07she will appear herself.
19:08A name flashed
19:09through Ethan's mind.
19:10Mason.
19:11He had taken Ava in
19:12when she had nowhere to go.
19:14So now,
19:16Ethan rushed to the bar.
19:24Mason took out his phone
19:26and dialed the police.
19:28Ethan Hayes,
19:29you have five minutes to leave.
19:31I really came here to find her.
19:33I didn't bring anyone with me.
19:39You still have the nerve
19:40to come looking for her?
19:42What do you mean?
19:47Look at this.
19:52Take it off.
19:53Ava pulled down her zipper.
19:56The fabric slipped down
19:57and fell at her feet.
19:59He watched himself rush forward,
20:00grab her chin,
20:01and force her to apologize
20:03to Sadie.
20:04The comments below the video
20:05had already reached
20:05tens of thousands.
20:15Who posted this?
20:17Wasn't it you?
20:19Then it must have been
20:20the woman beside you.
20:22Impossible.
20:23Sadie wouldn't...
20:24How wouldn't she?
20:26She was willing to sleep
20:27with a married man.
20:29Do you really think
20:29she has any bottom line left?
20:32Ethan stood there,
20:33unable to move.
20:34He remembered Ava
20:35standing in the wind.
20:36Her hair covering her face.
20:38She must have thought
20:38of something.
20:39That was why she had
20:40taken off her clothes
20:41so decisively.
20:42His fingers brushed over
20:44the diamond ring tattoo
20:45on the screen,
20:45and his chest suddenly tightened.
20:48The same place.
20:49He had one, too.
20:50It was the night
20:51before their wedding.
20:52The needle pierced his skin,
20:54and a bead of blood appeared.
20:56Ava lowered her head,
20:57and gently blew on it.
21:00Does it hurt?
21:03No.
21:05Liar.
21:06Really?
21:07It hurts less than
21:09what you went through.
21:11An hour later,
21:12a black ring tattoo
21:13appeared over his heart,
21:14exactly the same
21:15as the one over hers.
21:17This is a wedding ring
21:18you can never take off.
21:21What if we get divorced?
21:26How could I ever let that happen?
21:28But in their third year of marriage,
21:30he started getting tired.
21:32He had gotten married
21:33in his early 20s,
21:34while his friends
21:35were still changing
21:36girlfriends at nightclubs.
21:37And he had already been called
21:39Mrs. Hayes' husband
21:40for three years.
21:42He started finding
21:43that tattoo annoying.
21:45Every time he took off
21:46his clothes,
21:47the black ring on his chest
21:48reminded him
21:49that he was a married man.
21:50So later,
21:51he stopped taking his shirt off.
21:53He kept his shirt on,
21:55only undoing a few buttons.
21:56The women he dated after that
21:58changed faster and faster.
22:00The promises he made
22:01became as casual
22:02as everyday words.
22:03There were too many.
22:04He couldn't remember them anymore.
22:06He only remembered that
22:07whenever Ava got angry,
22:09he just needed to
22:10comfort her after.
22:12But this time,
22:13it was different.
22:15When he returned home,
22:16he looked through
22:17Ava's tattooed jacket.
22:19When he saw the blackened sketch
22:20of the alpine wildflower design,
22:22he suddenly remembered something.
22:25He took out his phone
22:26and booked the earliest flight.
22:31Tokyo.
22:32The venue was huge,
22:33packed with people.
22:33I didn't expect to see him here.
22:35Through the crowd,
22:35Ethan pushed his way toward me.
22:37I was crouching beside a model,
22:39my hair tied up,
22:39revealing a section
22:40of my pale neck.
22:41Soon,
22:42petals slowly appeared
22:43on the model's skin.
22:43He recognized it.
22:44It was the alpine wildflower design.
22:46The judges gathered around,
22:47discussing quietly.
22:48Some nodded.
22:49Others raised their cameras
22:50to take photos.
22:51My lips were slightly pressed together,
22:52and my brows were faintly furrowed.
22:54It was the exact same expression
22:55I had when I tattooed him years ago.
22:57An hour later,
22:58I put down the tattoo machine
23:00and stood up.
23:01Then I explained the concept
23:02behind the piece to the judges.
23:04This flower represents the universe
23:06reincarnation and completion.
23:08But my design is not a perfect circle.
23:10It is missing a piece.
23:13Because true completeness
23:14is not about having no flaws.
23:17It is about accepting them.
23:19The venue fell silent for a moment.
23:21Then thunderous applause erupted.
23:23There was no surprise.
23:25I won first place.
23:26Ethan stood outside the crowd,
23:28a sharp pain spreading through his chest.
23:33After the awards ceremony ended,
23:35he pushed through the crowd
23:36and stopped in front of me.
23:38Ava.
23:41Mr. Hayes, what is it?
23:44Come home with me.
23:47Please.
23:49Those were the first three words
23:50he had begged me for in his entire life.
23:52Before I could answer,
23:53hurried footsteps and high heels
23:54came from behind me.
23:55Ethan, what about our wedding?
23:58The hotel is booked.
24:00The invitations are already sent out.
24:02Ethan didn't look at her.
24:04His eyes stayed on me,
24:04as if he was afraid
24:05I would disappear the next second.
24:07I promised you.
24:10I promised I would give you the wedding
24:12you deserved.
24:13I smiled.
24:15So this wedding is for me?
24:18Yes.
24:19I lowered my head and opened my phone.
24:21Sadie's messages appeared
24:22one after another.
24:23The wedding is at the most
24:23luxurious hotel in the city.
24:25The cake has five tiers.
24:26The top tier has our names on it.
24:28We've even picked names for the baby.
24:29If it's a boy, Ethan Jr.,
24:31if it's a girl, Ella.
24:32Do you like them?
24:36Attached was a wedding plan.
24:38The names of the bride and groom
24:39were written clearly.
24:40Ethan, do you see it?
24:41I turned the screen toward him.
24:42His pupils suddenly shrank.
24:43This is the wedding you said
24:44you wanted to give me?
24:46Ethan, I'm embarrassed for you.
24:47Ethan immediately panicked.
24:49Ava, that was something
24:50she arranged herself.
24:51I didn't...
24:52I looked straight at him.
24:54Without your permission,
24:55would she dare do that?
24:58Don't tell me she had your child
24:59all by herself.
25:01I knew about your pregnancy.
25:03I'm sorry.
25:04I'm sorry about your grandmother, too.
25:07Those words suddenly came back to me,
25:08like someone tearing open a wound
25:09that had barely healed and asking,
25:11Hey, are you okay?
25:13I said nothing.
25:15I turned and walked away.
25:17The car door opened behind me.
25:21Footsteps chased after me.
25:23He grabbed my wrist
25:25and pulled me into the car.
25:27Sadie ran over,
25:28breathing heavily
25:29and knocked on the window.
25:32Ethan, take me with you.
25:34Open the door.
25:39Ethan didn't even look at her.
25:41The headlights quickly disappeared
25:42into the end of the street
25:43and merged into the traffic.
25:45Ava, let's go on our honeymoon.
25:46For a moment,
25:46I thought I heard wrong.
25:47What did you say?
25:48Our honeymoon.
25:49His eyes were red.
25:51You told me you wanted
25:52to come to Tokyo Tower.
25:54I never brought you here.
25:55Now we're here.
25:58I know I owe you more
25:59than just Tokyo Tower.
26:02So this time,
26:04I'll make it all up to you.
26:05I didn't look at him
26:06after leaving Tokyo Tower.
26:08He took me around the world.
26:10By the Trevi Fountain in Rome,
26:11he threw in three coins.
26:13Every wish was the same.
26:15He wished I would never leave him.
26:18Under the Eiffel Tower in Paris,
26:19he played the guitar
26:20and sang love songs to me.
26:26On a gondola in Venice,
26:28he rode the boat alone
26:29and said he wished
26:30he could travel with me
26:31to the end of the world.
26:32I sat at the back of the boat
26:33watching the ripples
26:34spread across the water,
26:35one circle after another,
26:37like the days
26:37we could never get back.
26:41Every time we arrived
26:42in a new city,
26:43he booked the best hotels
26:44and the best restaurants.
26:45Every night before bed,
26:46he told me goodnight.
26:47Goodnight.
26:48A month later,
26:49his patience ran out.
26:50He asked why I was still angry.
26:51I'm not.
26:52He became anxious.
26:54What else do you want me to do?
26:56I thought it was time.
26:57I took the divorce agreement
26:58from my bag
26:58and handed it to him.
27:00Sign it.
27:00He stared at the paper,
27:01his eyes instantly turning red.
27:04Ava Bennett,
27:04are you just taking advantage
27:05of the fact that I love you?
27:07You love me?
27:08You love another woman
27:09at the same time.
27:10Like food,
27:11you want to try everything.
27:12But after tasting everything,
27:13you only think losing me
27:14would be a waste.
27:15His face flushed.
27:16The veins on his forehead bulged.
27:19The next day,
27:20he bought a castle
27:20and locked me in the attic.
27:22Fine.
27:23I'll give you what you want.
27:26I'll marry her.
27:28Sadie's message arrived soon after.
27:31Thank you, Ava,
27:31Ethan,
27:31and I are getting married
27:32at the castle.
27:33He already signed
27:34your divorce agreement.
27:35From now on,
27:35I'll be the lady of this castle
27:37and you'll be my servant.
27:38Their wedding was grand.
27:39The news was everywhere.
27:40Rumors spread that
27:40Ethan Hayes
27:41had bought an entire castle
27:42overseas for his lover.
27:44I was finally released
27:45from the attic,
27:46but an electronic ankle monitor
27:48was locked around my leg.
27:49Not because he wanted
27:50to set me free.
27:51Only because Sadie
27:52needed a servant.
27:53Her stomach was already showing.
27:59She walked slowly
28:00with one hand
28:01supporting her waist,
28:02looking like the true
28:02mistress of the castle.
28:04Ava,
28:05the soup is too hot.
28:06Are you trying to burn me?
28:07I took it back.
28:08I blew on it
28:09until it cooled,
28:09then brought it to her again.
28:11She took one sip
28:11and spat it back into the bowl.
28:13It's cold now.
28:14Make it again.
28:15Ethan sat by the fireplace
28:16with a glass of whiskey
28:17in his hand.
28:17He didn't even look at me.
28:19When I brought the third bowl,
28:20Sadie took a sip
28:21and nodded in satisfaction.
28:23Kneel down and hand it to me.
28:24I want you to kneel.
28:25I didn't move.
28:27Ethan, look at her.
28:28She can't even do
28:29such a small thing.
28:30Ethan finally looked up
28:31and glanced at me.
28:32Do it.
28:33Three months later,
28:34Sadie was in the final stage
28:35of her pregnancy.
28:36Her whole body was swollen.
28:38She made me massage
28:39her day and night.
28:40One day,
28:40she suddenly asked,
28:42Ava, the baby you lost.
28:44Was it a boy or a girl?
28:45I instinctively looked at Ethan.
28:46He stood by the window
28:47with his back facing me.
28:49Ethan told me
28:50your body was too weak,
28:51that even if you got pregnant,
28:53you wouldn't be able to keep it.
28:54You should take good care of me.
28:56Later, I'll have more children
28:57for you to raise.
29:02Sadie became more and more arrogant.
29:04Breakfast had to be handed to her
29:05while I was kneeling.
29:06The water for her feet
29:07had to be tested three times.
29:08Even the way I folded her towels
29:10had to be redone five times.
29:12That day,
29:13she made me kneel on the floor
29:14and clean it.
29:14She walked over carrying
29:15a bowl of hot soup
29:16and suddenly said
29:17she lost her balance.
29:18The entire bowl of boiling soup
29:20poured onto the top
29:20of my left foot.
29:21She covered her mouth
29:22and smiled.
29:23Oops.
29:24Why weren't you more careful?
29:26The electronic ankle monitor
29:27tightened around my swollen ankle.
29:29The soup flowed down my foot,
29:30burning through my skin
29:31with unbearable pain.
29:32I didn't make a sound.
29:34Ethan sat on the couch
29:35reading documents.
29:36He only lifted his eyes
29:37and glanced at me.
29:38That night,
29:39the door to my attic opened.
29:40Ethan walked in,
29:41holding a tube of burn ointment.
29:43He crouched beside the bed
29:44and reached for my foot.
29:45Hold back.
29:47I'll apply it myself.
29:50Unlock the monitor on my ankle.
29:51He lowered his head
29:52and looked at the electronic restraint.
29:54The red light blinked.
29:55It was wrapped around my swollen ankle,
29:56leaving a dark purple mark.
30:01I looked at him.
30:02You don't want me to get infected,
30:03do you?
30:03His expression loosened for a moment.
30:05A flicker of struggle
30:06appeared in his eyes,
30:07but he still unlocked the monitor.
30:09Before dawn,
30:10Ethan was woken by urgent knocking.
30:12Ethan,
30:12my stomach hurts so much.
30:14I think the baby is coming.
30:16But the only thought
30:17that flashed through his mind
30:18was another person.
30:19He hurried to the attic,
30:20pushed open the door,
30:21and found I was gone.
30:23The electronic ankle monitor
30:24was left on the pillow.
30:25Beside it was a note.
30:27Only four words.
30:28Don't look for me.
30:29Ethan's fingers
30:30tightened around the note
30:31until his knuckles turned white.
30:32Ethan,
30:33please take me to the hospital.
30:35It hurts so much.
30:36When Sadie was pushed
30:37into the delivery room,
30:38Ethan was still clutching
30:39that note tightly.
30:40He took out his phone,
30:41then put it away.
30:42He opened Abba's chat,
30:43then closed it again.
30:45That red line was still there.
30:46The words,
30:47don't look for me,
30:48pierced his eyes like needles.
30:50The delivery room door
30:51finally opened.
30:52The doctor removed his mask,
30:53his expression heavy.
30:54The mother had complications
30:55during delivery.
30:56We couldn't save the baby.
30:57We did everything we could.
30:59Ethan froze.
31:00His vision went dark
31:00for a moment,
31:01and his legs weakened.
31:02From inside came
31:03Sadie's heartbreaking cries.
31:04My baby!
31:06The voice grew farther
31:07and farther away,
31:08like it was coming
31:08from underwater.
31:12He leaned against the wall
31:13and slowly slid down.
31:15The ring tattoo over his heart
31:16suddenly started to hurt.
31:17His vision went black,
31:19his body collapsed to the floor.
31:20The hallway instantly
31:21fell into chaos.
31:22I returned home.
31:23This was the first time
31:24I appeared in public
31:25after winning first place
31:26at the Tokyo Tattoo competition.
31:28The media rushed
31:28to interview me.
31:29Miss Bennett,
31:30where have you been
31:30for the past six months?
31:32No comment.
31:33It wasn't because
31:34I wanted to protect Ethan.
31:35I just didn't want to bring up
31:36that painful past again.
31:38Then is it true
31:39that you and Mr. Hayes
31:39are divorced?
31:40Yes,
31:41we are legally divorced.
31:42Miss Bennett,
31:43there are rumors
31:43that Mr. Hayes paid
31:44for your award.
31:45How do you respond?
31:47Before that,
31:48all my credit cards
31:49had already been frozen by him.
31:51I borrowed the entry fee
31:52from a friend.
31:53The flight ticket
31:53was paid with my last savings.
31:55My competition piece
31:56was created from the inspiration
31:57I found during my trip
31:58to the mountains.
32:02The entire venue
32:03fell silent for a few seconds.
32:04Then camera shutters exploded.
32:06The next day,
32:07the news exploded.
32:08Ethan freezing his ex-wife's
32:09credit cards,
32:10cheating during marriage,
32:12the video of him
32:12forcing his ex-wife
32:13to take off her clothes,
32:14and Sadie showing off
32:15their relationship online.
32:17Everything was exposed.
32:18People dug up the women
32:19Ethan had been involved
32:20with over the years.
32:22From models to influencers,
32:23from nightclubs to hotels,
32:25the timelines overlapped
32:26in a shocking way.
32:27Public opinion
32:28completely turned against him.
32:30My account gained millions
32:31of followers overnight.
32:32My messages were filled
32:33with support and encouragement.
32:35The day Ethan returned home,
32:36the media surrounded him
32:37at the airport.
32:38He wore a black baseball cap
32:40pulled low.
32:41His beard was unshaved.
32:42His eyes were sunken.
32:43Mr. Hayes,
32:44is it true that you froze
32:45your ex-wife's credit cards?
32:46Mr. Hayes,
32:47how do you respond
32:48to the cheating allegations?
32:49Mr. Hayes,
32:49is it true that you were
32:50removed from the family board?
32:51He didn't say a word.
32:52He lowered his head
32:53and walked forward,
32:54protected by his bodyguards,
32:56as he left the terminal.
32:57Semelow shouted behind him,
32:58Mr. Hayes,
32:59your ex-wife's tattoo commissions
33:00are now worth seven figures.
33:01Do you regret it?
33:06His footsteps stopped for a moment.
33:08Then he got into the car later.
33:09I heard that Ethan had been
33:11kicked out of the Hayes family.
33:12Most of his assets
33:13had been frozen.
33:14The reason they urgently
33:15called him back
33:16was only because
33:17they needed him to donate
33:18an organ to his half-brother.
33:20After they got what
33:20they needed from him,
33:21they sent him overseas.
33:23He was never allowed to return.
33:24Sadie didn't get
33:25a better ending either.
33:26After losing the baby,
33:27she broke down mentally.
33:28Every day,
33:29she held a pillow
33:30and called it her son.
33:31One night,
33:31while the nanny
33:32wasn't paying attention,
33:33she secretly ran outside.
33:35She fell off a cliff
33:36and I opened my new studio
33:37in the west side of the city.
33:39Many people came on
33:39opening gay.
33:40The media lined up
33:41outside with cameras.
33:42I wore a white suit
33:43and smiled as I cut the ribbon
33:44and shook hands with everyone.
33:46My social media count
33:47surpassed 8 million followers.
33:48The sunlight outside
33:49was bright.
33:50The glass doors of the studio
33:51reflected my figure.
33:53The faded ring tattoo
33:54over my heart
33:55had already been covered
33:55by the alpine wildflower design.
33:57Layer upon layer
33:58of petals bloomed.
33:59At the center
34:00was a snow-covered mountain.
34:01The mountain I climbed alone.
34:03And now,
34:04flowers were blooming there.