Kicked Out at Six Months Pregnant | Full Series | Short Drama English - video Dailymotion

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Transcript

00:00:00When I was six months pregnant, Matthew tossed my luggage out just because I said his childhood

00:00:04friend Elaine Lynn had two hands and two feet. She could totally take care of herself, but instead

00:00:08she shamelessly chose to depend on a man. Matthew Quinn tossed my luggage out. Since you think women

00:00:13can take care of themselves, why don't you show me? You said you don't need a man to support you,

00:00:18so prove it. Later, Matthew's eyes were red as he stared at me and demanded, you've got two hands

00:00:23and two feet, so why are you still relying on a man? If you're so capable, why do you need

00:00:27a guy

00:00:28to support you? Is it a crime to depend on my own husband? After that, Matthew started showing up

00:00:33at my gate every single day, but all he could do was steal a glance at our daughter through the

00:00:37iron

00:00:37bars. Elaine sent me a photo of Matthew passed out on her bed. The next moment, I barged into her

00:00:42place

00:00:42with a bunch of friends, my six-month baby bump leading the charge. I trashed the whole room.

00:00:47Elaine, aren't you embarrassed? Seriously, you've got two hands and two feet. Why can't you just

00:00:53handle things yourself? Can't you manage on your own? Why can't you just leave Matthew alone?

00:00:58Is your life over if you don't have a man to rely on? Matthew soothed Elaine right in front of

00:01:03me.

00:01:03He said, I'm sorry you had to suffer this. I'll take care of it. Then he dragged me back home.

00:01:08I thought he'd explain why he was in Elaine's bed, or try to comfort me like he always did.

00:01:13Instead, he just gave me a cold look and handed me two choices. Rachel, I've really spoiled you.

00:01:17You get two options. First, apologize to Elaine and never target her again to keep your title as

00:01:23Mrs. Quinn. Second, pack your bags and see how you fare on your own.

00:01:27We'd been together for four years and married for three. To everyone else, he was a cold-hearted

00:01:31billionaire. But with me, he'd always been the gentle husband. This was the first time he'd ever

00:01:37given me the cold shoulder. When I barged into Elaine's room, I realized I'd played right into her

00:01:41hands. Matthew was sprawled out on her bed, his face twisted in pain. He was clearly suffering from

00:01:46another bout of his migraines. Elaine stood there with a glass of water and some pills,

00:01:50looking all concerned. But so what? That didn't change anything. He was still lying in another

00:01:55woman's bed. I was pissed. Elaine sent that photo just to get under my skin, so I played right into

00:02:00her hands. I trashed the place and even slapped Elaine. She always flaunted her elite background,

00:02:05so I had no problem exposing just how shameless she really was. Of course, that just made Matthew even

00:02:10angrier. But honestly, he was right. I really had been spoiled by him. My emotions blew up,

00:02:15and I just went for the jugular, saying whatever would hurt most. If you had any decency as a man,

00:02:20you wouldn't be lying in another woman's bed. If Elaine actually had boundaries, she wouldn't

00:02:25have sent me that photo of you in her bed. I did nothing wrong. I'm not apologizing.

00:02:30She was the one who started this mess. Matthew took a deep breath. So you don't even care about

00:02:35me. You just want to lash out and let off steam. I glared at him, my eyes burning. If you're

00:02:40not

00:02:41feeling well, you've got me, the hospital, your assistant, or any of your buddies. You know I can't

00:02:46stand Elaine. But you still went to her place and even slept in her bed. You say I don't care

00:02:51about

00:02:51you? Have you ever thought about how I feel? Before you start questioning me, maybe you should

00:02:56explain why you were at her place in the first place. He looked at me like I was just being

00:03:01unreasonable. I've explained my relationship with Elaine to you so many times. I broke off our

00:03:07engagement and she rushed into another marriage because of it. Now her marriage has ended in

00:03:12divorce and I feel partly responsible. I just feel guilty and want to make it up to her. How

00:03:17many times do I have to say this? In the end, you only care about yourself. You don't really care

00:03:22about me, do you? His idea of making it up to her was just absurd. Anytime Elaine so much as

00:03:27said

00:03:27she felt unwell, he'd drop me, his pregnant wife, in a heartbeat and rush her straight to the

00:03:32hospital. When Elaine complained that people looked down on her for being divorced, Matthew made her his

00:03:37personal secretary and had her by his side 24-7. She said her place was too far from the office

00:03:42so

00:03:42Matthew dropped thousands of dollars on a huge luxury apartment right across from the company

00:03:47just for her. As Matthew kept questioning me, I just didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

00:03:51If that's what you think, whatever. But apologizing to Elaine? Not a chance. Matthew's eyes were full of

00:03:58disappointment. So you're going with the second option, huh? I stared at Matthew in disbelief. I asked,

00:04:03divorce? Are you really going to divorce me? He didn't say it outright, but the second option

00:04:09was basically kicking me out and making me a single woman. Divorce? You think it's that easy?

00:04:15Matthew gave a cold, unsettling smile that sent chills down my spine. You think you can get off

00:04:20that easy? He packed up my stuff himself and tossed it right out the door. He said,

00:04:25Since you think women can handle things on their own, why don't you show me? You said you don't need

00:04:29a guy

00:04:30to help you out. So let's see you prove it. You can come back when you finally apologize.

00:04:35The door slammed shut. Just like that, Matthew threw me out. Six months pregnant, left out in

00:04:40the cold. All just to force me to apologize to Elaine. I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug

00:04:45into my palms, tilting my head back to force the tears away. He used to say this place would always

00:04:49be my safe haven. He promised he'd never lose his temper with me. All of it was bullshit. Our love

00:04:55story was straight out of a fairy tale. He was the prince, and I was the ugly duckling. He was

00:04:59my

00:04:59senior, two years ahead of me in college. He was the campus superstar. Everyone adored him.

00:05:04As the heir to Quinn Corporation, he was always surrounded by admirers wherever he went. And me,

00:05:09I was just a bookworm from a tiny town, the kind of girl who only knew how to ace tests.

00:05:13I had no

00:05:14idea how to dress up or socialize, and I couldn't even recognize half the designer brands he wore.

00:05:18But Matthew fell for me at first sight. To win me over, he pulled every trick in the book. He'd

00:05:24accidentally bump into me in the cafeteria. Just happened to sit across from me in the library.

00:05:28Coincidentally, have an umbrella ready for me on rainy days, and somehow always ended up on the

00:05:32same running track as me every morning. For someone as proud as him, he'd stand in the pouring rain,

00:05:37holding breakfast, and wait for me outside my dorm for two hours. If I so much as said I wasn't

00:05:42feeling well, he'd drop everything and drive over five hours just to be by my side.

00:05:46I must have prayed for a thousand years just to get you to look my way. Rachel, I'm going to

00:05:50marry

00:05:51you no matter what. The moment I graduated, he whisked me away and made me his wife. He was insanely

00:05:55possessive. Even just chatting with a guy at work would make him jealous and moody for the

00:05:59rest of the day. I knew that was just his way of showing he loved me. I was willing to

00:06:03quit my

00:06:03job. I made him the center of my universe. Honey, we're going to love each other forever. All my

00:06:09money is yours. I could sleep in as late as I wanted, and I could swipe his card whenever I

00:06:13wanted.

00:06:15Our love was the stuff of legends in our circle. Everything changed when Elaine came back after

00:06:20her divorce. He wasn't just doting on me anymore. His attention was split. He'd drop everything for

00:06:24her no matter what she asked. He'd ditch me for her without a second thought. He couldn't even

00:06:28bother to show up for my prenatal checkups, but he'd take her to the hospital over something as

00:06:32trivial as a cold. And now he was sprawled out on her bed like he belonged there, not a hint

00:06:36of

00:06:37hesitation or concern. Elaine pretended to be all caring and innocent, acting like she was just trying

00:06:42to help. Elaine put on her sweetest voice and said,

00:06:44Rachel, Matt's really exhausted. Can't you be a little more understanding?

00:06:49I just couldn't accept it. The love that used to be mine alone was now being shared with someone

00:06:53else. His affection was drifting away from me. Someone else was stealing what belonged to me.

00:06:57I kept causing drama, again and again. At first he'd patiently comfort me, but then he started

00:07:02ignoring me, and eventually he just lost his patience. Now he didn't even hesitate, just kicked me

00:07:07out. He was fed up. I was just as drained. I gave the door one last look. In the end,

00:07:11I turned and

00:07:11walked away. I wanted to see for myself. Without Matthew stepping into single life, I wondered

00:07:16what was really waiting for me, just how tough things could get. I grabbed a cab straight to

00:07:20Vera's apartment, my usual safe haven whenever I ran away. As my college roommate, we were as

00:07:25close as sisters, and besides Matthew, she was the only person in this city I could truly count on.

00:07:30When I got to Vera's apartment building, I tried to pay for the cab with my phone, but something was

00:07:34wrong with my account. It wouldn't go through. That was when it hit me. Every single bank card I had

00:07:39was from Matthew. I took a deep breath and called Matthew. I said,

00:07:43You always said your money was mine to spend. Why'd you freeze my account?

00:07:47Just apologize, and you can swipe it however you like.

00:07:50I didn't even let him finish. I just hung up. I forced myself not to cry. He actually froze all

00:07:55my accounts just to force me into apologizing. Looks like slapping Elaine really messed him up.

00:07:59Guess I struck a nerve. I yanked the necklace off my neck and gave it to the driver. I said,

00:08:04This should be enough for the fair. Hey, I'm a woman too. I'll just do a good deed for you.

00:08:10She helped me get my bags out of the trunk. The driver glanced at me and said,

00:08:13You look about six or seven months pregnant. Try not to get too worked up. It's not good for the

00:08:18baby. If things really get rough, just give in a little to your husband. Everything else can wait

00:08:23until after the baby's born. Thanks, ma'am. I know. Vera barely looked surprised as I had become a

00:08:28regular at her apartment ever since Elaine returned. Another fight? So how many days are

00:08:33you planning to freeze him out this time? I sank onto the couch, feeling completely drained.

00:08:37This time, he literally threw me out. Matthew's lost his mind. She looked at me in disbelief and

00:08:44hurried over to sit beside me. Just a frown from you used to make him worry sick. So what the

00:08:49hell

00:08:49happened this time? I slapped Elaine and wrecked the apartment Matthew got her. She gaped at me.

00:08:54That's it? No way. I don't buy it. But that's really all there was to it. I glanced at Vera.

00:09:00Maybe he's just tired of me and doesn't want to comfort me anymore. Or maybe he's lost interest

00:09:04and doesn't love me now. He was using his cutthroat business tactics on me, forcing me to compromise

00:09:09and stop causing a scene. He wanted me to be the well-behaved, considerate Mrs. Quinn. He wanted me

00:09:13to just look the other way whenever he and Elaine were up to something. No way. I'm calling him right

00:09:18now. She grabbed her phone, ready to call Matthew. I stopped her. Forget it. Vera rolled her eyes at me,

00:09:23but when she saw how swollen my eyes were from crying, she didn't dial. Instead,

00:09:27she slammed her phone onto the couch and wrapped me in a hug. She said,

00:09:30All right, all right. Quit crying. Seriously, you can crash here for as long as you need.

00:09:35Come on. I'm a trust fund kid. Taking care of you and the baby is no big deal.

00:09:39Let that useless bastard get lost. The farther he goes, the better.

00:09:43I leaned on Vera's shoulder and the hurt inside me started to fade a little.

00:09:47I kept replaying Matthew's words in my head. He said,

00:09:50Since you think women can take care of themselves, why don't you show me? You said you don't need a

00:09:54man to support you. So prove it. I suddenly felt ridiculous. I was the one who handed Matthew the

00:09:59knife. That's what gave him the license to walk all over me. I looked up at Vera, my fists slowly

00:10:03tightening. Vera, I've made up my mind. Vera said,

00:10:06Yeah? I said,

00:10:08I'm going to find a job. From now on, I won't rely on Matthew for anything. Vera paused for a

00:10:13moment,

00:10:13then smiled and gave my shoulder a friendly pat. No matter what you do, I'm always on your side.

00:10:18But honestly, with you being pregnant, no company is going to hire you right now.

00:10:22Just wait until after the baby's born. It's only a few months. If you really want to work,

00:10:27just come to Goodwin Enterprises. I'll have my brother set you up with the easiest gig there.

00:10:31I shook my head. Matthew clearly wanted to make me swallow my pride and force an apology out of me.

00:10:36If he found out Vera took me in and gave me a job, it would ruin his plans and he

00:10:40would definitely

00:10:40go after Goodwin Enterprises. I can't drag Vera down with me just because of my issues with Matthew.

00:10:45I needed time to become stronger, if only for my baby's sake. For a whole week,

00:10:49Matthew didn't reach out to me. Not a single call, not even a text. He didn't even show up

00:10:53lurking outside Vera's place like he used to. He'd never done that before. It just showed how

00:10:57dead set he was on, making me apologize. No matter how much it hurts, I still have to get through

00:11:02each

00:11:02day. I gently rubbed my baby bump. I said, Baby, I'll do everything I can to give you the best

00:11:07life

00:11:07possible. I started sending out resumes like crazy. Most of them never got a reply. A few companies called me

00:11:13in for interviews. But every time the interviewer spotted my pregnant belly, their smile would

00:11:16instantly turn awkward. Miss White, with your situation, we'll let you know if something opens

00:11:20up. But none of them ever called me back. I followed up with an interviewer who actually

00:11:24seemed to like me, hoping to change his mind. I graduated from a top school, my major fits perfectly,

00:11:29and I swear I won't take a long maternity leave. As soon as I bounce back, I'll be back at

00:11:34work in no

00:11:34time. The interviewer just looked at me totally at a loss. But you're about to have your baby.

00:11:39Please, just give me a chance. I promise I'm more than worth it. He looked down at my resume,

00:11:45hesitated for a moment, then said, I'll talk to my boss about it, but I can't make any promises.

00:11:50I thanked him right away. My little one inside seemed to sense my happiness. Their tiny feet

00:11:55kept kicking my belly one after the other. I pressed my hand over the spot where their little feet kicked,

00:11:59grinning from ear to ear. Baby, see how tough it is for me to job hunt with you in my

00:12:03belly? But don't

00:12:04worry. I'm your mom. I love you more than anything, and I'd never blame you for it. But when you

00:12:10grow

00:12:10up, you better make it up to me. Maybe you can get all your dad's money and hand it over

00:12:16to me.

00:12:16But don't worry. I'm your mom. I love you more than anything, and I'd never blame you for it.

00:12:21And when you get bigger, you'd better spoil your mama a little, all right? How about snagging all your

00:12:26dad's money and bringing it straight to me? Deal? I was so caught up talking to my baby. I wasn't

00:12:31even

00:12:31watching where I was going. And suddenly, someone bumped right into me. I stumbled,

00:12:35instinctively clutching my belly, almost losing my balance. I opened my mouth to apologize. And

00:12:39that's when I saw it was Elaine. She was decked out in a designer outfit, looking like she walked

00:12:43straight out of a fashion magazine, radiating effortless elegance. I swallowed my apology and

00:12:47kept moving, one hand protectively on my belly. But Elaine stepped right in front of me, her smile

00:12:51sickly sweet. Oh, I didn't realize it was you. Are you in the baby-o-cright? Matt's downstairs with me,

00:12:58handling some paperwork. He'll be up in a minute. Do you want to stick around and see him?

00:13:03I couldn't be bothered to waste words on her, so I tried to walk around her. But she stepped right

00:13:07in front of me again, her fingers trailing over the necklace at her throat. She said,

00:13:11Isn't this necklace gorgeous? The moment I saw that necklace, my mind just went blank.

00:13:15Our third wedding anniversary was just a month away. I'd already chosen this as our anniversary gift

00:13:20long ago. Matthew had personally designed it, a custom piece made just for me. And now that

00:13:25necklace was hanging around Elaine's neck. Matthew actually gave even that to her. A wave of anger

00:13:29still rose up in my chest. But then my baby gave me a gentle kick, and all that anger just

00:13:34drained

00:13:34right out of me. It was Matthew's necklace, after all. He could give it to whoever he wanted.

00:13:38Elaine stepped closer, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

00:13:41Matt told me this was something special he designed just for your third anniversary.

00:13:46But you made such a scene that day, so he ended up giving it to me as compensation. Of course,

00:13:53it's his design. I absolutely adore it. I was over it, but Elaine just couldn't leave me alone.

00:13:58All right, if she wants drama, I'll give her drama. I reached out and ripped the necklace right off her

00:14:02neck. Elaine let out a scream, a red line showing up on her neck.

00:14:06Rachel, what the hell is your problem? Matthew appeared at exactly that moment. Of course,

00:14:11just like I thought. She was obviously just trying to piss me off. Matthew rushed over,

00:14:16checking Elaine's neck. He saw the scratch right away. He turned to me, his eyes icy cold. He said,

00:14:22I've told you already I'm just trying to make it up to Elaine. Why can't you just let it go?

00:14:27Why do you always have to go after her? I fiddled with the necklace in my hand.

00:14:31So, so making it up to her means handing over the anniversary gift?

00:14:35That was supposed to be mine? Matthew stared at the necklace in my hand,

00:14:38his brow furrowing. I'll get you something even better.

00:14:41Look at that. All he ever talks about is making it up to me. He goes from making it up

00:14:45to Elaine,

00:14:45then turns around and tries to make it up to me. He acts like he's so fair, trying to keep

00:14:49everyone

00:14:49happy. Like that's supposed to make it all okay. Like I even want it. I tossed the necklace right

00:14:54at Matthew's face. The gemstone left a scratch on his face. He didn't say a word, just stared at me

00:14:59with those heavy brooding eyes. If she dares to take what's mine, I'll make sure she regrets it.

00:15:05So if you don't want me to go after her, tell her to keep her claws to herself and keep

00:15:11her hands off

00:15:12things that aren't hers. Elaine picked up the necklace. Rachel, you really shouldn't just toss

00:15:16aside Matt's feelings like that. If you're pissed that he gave it to me, I'll just give it back.

00:15:21She tried to force it into my hand. I pushed her away. She stumbled and Matthew rushed to catch her.

00:15:26Rachel, are you done yet? Watching Matthew go full on protective mode for Elaine,

00:15:30I scoffed out loud. Oh what, feeling sorry for her now? I pushed out my belly, taking a few steps

00:15:35forward. Come on, take your revenge for your precious childhood sweetheart right here. Hit me.

00:15:40I took a few more steps forward. He stepped back, instinctively shielding Elaine. The veins on his

00:15:45forehead were starting to pop. I knew he was really pissed off. If you're not going to help your

00:15:49childhood sweet get her revenge, then I'm out. I walked right past him, but he suddenly caught my

00:15:54wrist. Rachel, you need to know when to stop. Elaine's already forgiven you for last time, so you're

00:15:59moving back today. He seriously thinks I'll move back? Seriously? That's hilarious. I jerked my

00:16:04wrist free from Matt's grip. She's not holding a grudge, so I should thank her for being so generous

00:16:10just so you can act like you're doing me a favor by letting me move back. Do you always have

00:16:15to be

00:16:15so sharp with your words? My anger was spent and Matt's tone softened. You know I didn't mean it

00:16:20like that. Is it really that hard to admit you're wrong for once? I shot back. He put his hand

00:16:25on my

00:16:25belly, which was noticeably bigger now. Just a week and your belly's grown again. Rachel, even if

00:16:30you don't care about yourself, you can't just ignore the baby. Stop throwing a fit and from now

00:16:36on stop picking on Elaine. He added, so the price of moving back was watching them play couple every

00:16:40day without being able to complain. I brushed his hand away. Now you care about the baby? Where was

00:16:46that concern when you kicked me out? Only dogs block the way. Move. I snapped. I shoved Matt aside and

00:16:53headed straight for the door. Elaine was getting nervous, pushing him to do something.

00:16:57Matt, Rachel's really pissed because you gave me that necklace. You need to go make it up to her.

00:17:02Elaine urged. Matt stared hard at Rachel as she walked away. I kept pampering her all these years.

00:17:08No wonder she's got such a nasty temper. Forget it. Let her suffer a bit out there. She'll come

00:17:14running back soon enough. Hearing his words still sent a sharp pain through my chest. He had no clue that

00:17:19ever since the day he threw me out. I never planned to go back. His silence these days was

00:17:24just speeding up my process of moving on. I'd just gotten into the cab when my phone rang.

00:17:28The interviewer was calling. Miss White, I'm sorry, but we can't offer you the job. The

00:17:32interviewer said. I gripped my phone tightly. Even though I didn't get the job, thank you for

00:17:37the opportunity. Miss White, I have a question. I don't have time for questions. Sorry, but could

00:17:42you come back and pick up your resume? No need. Just toss it, I said. I hung up. Then I

00:17:46saw a message

00:17:46from Elaine. Rachel, do you really think any company would actually risk hiring the wife

00:17:50of Quinn Corporation's CEO? Instead of stubbornly dragging yourself through all this mess, maybe

00:17:55you should just swallow your pride and seriously consider asking Matt to forgive you. I didn't

00:17:59bother replying. I just blocked her and deleted her number in one swift move. Once again, I

00:18:03found myself staring at my chat with Matt. I sat there in silence for a long time, then

00:18:08finally hit block and delete. For good. Got turned down again and again these past few

00:18:12days. Rejections didn't even sting anymore. Guess that's it. I gave up. Looks like I'll

00:18:16have to wait until the baby's here before I can job hunt again. My mobile payment got

00:18:20frozen. The cash Vera gave me was almost gone. I looked at everything I owned. There

00:18:24was a limited edition bag worth over a million dollars. A diamond necklace worth hundreds of

00:18:28thousands of dollars. The priciest thing was the wedding ring on my finger. A custom made

00:18:33ring worth seven million dollars. If I cashed in all this stuff, me and the baby would be

00:18:37set. It'd be more than enough for us to get by. But I wasn't desperate enough for that.

00:18:40Not yet. I glanced at the three black credit cards. I dug them out of my luggage. Matt had

00:18:45clearly left them there on purpose, but I'd resisted the urge to use them. Vera's words

00:18:49echoed in my mind. That's not mooching off him. He's your husband. He's supposed to take

00:18:54care of you and the baby. That's just his responsibility. You should spend his money

00:18:58like crazy. Max out his cards. I shoved the three black cards into my bag. I was still

00:19:03his wife, carrying his baby. It was only fair I spent his money, and there was nothing wrong

00:19:07with that. Even if things got messy later. Worst case, I'd just give it all back. Half an hour

00:19:11later, I was standing outside the biggest mall downtown. I headed straight for the maternity

00:19:15and baby store. The luxury skincare I used during pregnancy was almost gone. There were

00:19:19so many new maternity outfits for the later months. So many cute styles to choose from.

00:19:24And those tiny baby clothes? Seriously, they're ridiculously cute. I handed the card to the

00:19:28cashier with a smile. Just swipe it. No pin needed. The cashier took the card with a polite

00:19:32smile. Please wait a moment, ma'am. I sat there, fiddling with the tiny baby clothes. I figured

00:19:37I'd have to call Vera to pick me up later. There was no way I could carry all this back

00:19:40by

00:19:40myself with this bump. As I looked up, I saw Matt and Elaine again. Matt lowered his head

00:19:44a little, chatting with Elaine, his mood clearly upbeat. They walked into the store together,

00:19:48all cozy and close. My husband was shopping for baby stuff with another woman looking all

00:19:52happy. He didn't even look my way, even though I'm his wife, seven months pregnant. I couldn't

00:19:56help feeling hurt and upset, so I just rubbed my belly, turned away, and pretended I didn't

00:20:00see a thing. Ma'am, your card? The cashier hesitated, looking a little uncomfortable. She came

00:20:06over with the POS machine, clearly unsure what to do. What's wrong? I asked. It won't

00:20:10go through. My heart sinking, I fished out the second card. Sorry, this one's not working

00:20:14either. I passed her the third card. The cashier gave me a look. Awkward, a little sympathetic.

00:20:19Ma'am, this one's not working either, she said. The store wasn't crowded, but everyone

00:20:22was staring at me. Matt actually walked over. What's going on? I didn't bother answering,

00:20:27just gave him a sarcastic look. He turned to the cashier for an explanation. The cashier replied

00:20:31truthfully. None of her cards are working. The cashier explained. Matt didn't say a word,

00:20:35just pulled out his own card. Use this one. No need, I said, stopping the cashier from swiping.

00:20:40I don't want this stuff. Sorry, I said. I turned to leave, but Matt caught up to me.

00:20:44I didn't freeze your cards. If I really wanted to, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to hide

00:20:48them in your suitcase. I neatly tucked the three cards into his suit pocket. Here, take your cards

00:20:53back. Right then, it didn't matter to me anymore whether it was him or anyone else. Matt wouldn't

00:20:57let me leave. I'll get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation, he said. He called

00:21:01Mr. Taylor. What's going on with my wife's three cards? Matt asked. Mr. Quinn, Ms. Lynn

00:21:06said you told her to do it. Mr. Taylor replied. Matt hung up and turned to Elaine. Explain

00:21:11yourself. I was just trying to help. You said you wanted Rachel to see how hard life could

00:21:16be, so I just went along with your plan. I wanted Rachel to realize how good she has

00:21:21it with you. Once she's cut off from your money, she'll finally see how tough things

00:21:26get without you. She won't have to suffer if she comes back to you. To you, she added.

00:21:32If you think I did something wrong, then I apologize to both you and Rachel. She was

00:21:38straightforward, but her intentions were anything but simple. She really thought it through

00:21:41for Matt's sake. Every move she made was all about Matt. Matt eats it up every time.

00:21:46No need to apologize, but don't make decisions on your own again, Matt said. Matt just couldn't

00:21:51bring himself to be hard on Elaine, so he turned to me instead. It's my fault. Elaine was only

00:21:57looking out for us. He put the cards back into my hand. I told you, what's mine is yours,

00:22:01he said. He gently ruffled my hair. I'm completely at your mercy for the rest of my life. Getting

00:22:06you to admit you're wrong is like pulling teeth. Since you won't back down, neither will

00:22:10I. Honey, I was wrong. Your bump is getting bigger, and I'm worried. Let's go home. See?

00:22:14He finally gave in. It had been a month. I should be happy. He was back to pampering

00:22:18me just like before, but I still couldn't bring myself to feel happy. I put the cards

00:22:21back in his hand. Matt, you didn't do anything wrong. You should keep your cards, I said.

00:22:26As for going home, forget it. That's your home, not mine. Who says it's not yours? That's

00:22:31our home. I scoffed. If it was really my home, you wouldn't have kicked me out. I jerked

00:22:35my hand out of Matt's grip. Just stay away. I can't stand to next stand to look at you

00:22:39right now. Matt tried to stop me. Elaine grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Matt, Rachel's

00:22:44really upset right now. Let her cool off. You don't want her getting too worked up and

00:22:48hurting the baby, Elaine said. Matt didn't try to stop me again. I couldn't help but

00:22:52laugh. Back when he threw me out, he didn't give a damn whether I was freaking out or if

00:22:55it would hurt the baby. Now that I couldn't care less. Suddenly, he's all concerned. As

00:22:59I walked away, Matt waved the cashier over and gestured toward the items I had picked

00:23:02out. Bring it up. Matt loaded everything into the trunk, then turned to Elaine. You should

00:23:06head back. I've got something to take care of, he said. Seriously, don't go chasing after

00:23:11Rachel. Matt's hand froze for a moment. You saw how she was today. Do you really think

00:23:15just saying sorry and trying to win her over will make her come back? Matt knew Rachel was

00:23:19stubborn as hell, but if he didn't try to make it up to her, there was no way she'd

00:23:23ever come back. He was always the one backing down. Why can't she be the one to give in for

00:23:26once? Matt, instead of always groveling to her, why not let her be the one begging you

00:23:31for a change? That's me, heading out full of hope, only to come back completely let down.

00:23:36That's literally me. But what really got me down, unexpectedly, happened at Vera's apartment.

00:23:41Henry smiled and handed me a glass of warm water. Here you go, Miss White. Perfect temp.

00:23:46Honestly, my throat was bone dry. I really needed that drink. Thanks. After I set the

00:23:50glass down, Henry finally spoke up again. I was just passing by and thought I'd drop in

00:23:54to see Vera. Didn't expect her to be out. Vera once told me. My brother's a total workaholic.

00:24:00He'd move into the office if they let him. If I want to see him, I have to book an

00:24:04appointment

00:24:04in advance. How could a guy like that just happen to drop by? I didn't beat around the

00:24:08bush. Mr. Goodwin, just spit it out if you've got something to say. Henry hesitated for a

00:24:13moment, then smiled. Guess you and my sister really are tight. All right, no more beating

00:24:17around the brush. He said. He paused for a moment. Vera's pretty impulsive. She'll jump

00:24:20in to help anyone she trusts, giving it her all. But the situation between you and Mr.

00:24:25Quinn is a family matter. As an outsider, it's not right for her to get so involved. I hope

00:24:30you understand, Miss White. I nodded. Mr. Gooding, don't worry. Vera's my best

00:24:34friend. I won't let her get dragged into any unnecessary trouble. Henry stood up. All right,

00:24:39I won't bother you any longer. I'll take my leave. He reached the door, but paused and

00:24:42turned back to look at me. Miss White, you're a smart woman. Smart people know when to make

00:24:47the right move for their own benefit. Besides, given your situation, you really shouldn't

00:24:52be alone right now. Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Goodwin. You're right, but even smart

00:24:56people have their own boundaries. I won't walk you out. As Henry walked out, I started packing

00:25:01my things. I never expected Matt to beg for my forgiveness one second, only to put the

00:25:05squeeze on the Goodwin family the next, driving me out of the last safe haven I had in this

00:25:10city. I dug out a card from the hidden pocket in my bag. It wasn't much. Just $3,000. It

00:25:15was my own card. My mom had slipped it to me when I got married. Just in case. Matt was

00:25:19handsome and loaded, but my parents weren't exactly fans of him. They were worried. Matt

00:25:23comes from a totally different world than you. My mom said. You two are bound to see things

00:25:29differently. I had laughed and tried to reassure them. Come on, your daughter's not dumb. If

00:25:34he ever treats me badly, I'll just take the money and bolt. No way I'm letting myself get

00:25:39played. I shoved the card right back at them. You guys should keep this for your retirement.

00:25:44But they just wouldn't take no for an answer. They shoved it right back at me. I thought

00:25:48I'd never have to use this money, but here I was, just three years later, digging it out.

00:25:52I found myself a reasonably priced hotel. Just as I finished unpacking, Vera called.

00:25:56Girl, where are you? Why aren't you back yet? I... I bit my lip, deciding to tell a

00:26:01white lie. Vera, I moved back in with Matt. There

00:26:04was a brief silence on the other end. What? You moved back? When did that happen? Why

00:26:09didn't you tell me? Come on, did he apologize or what? What did he give you this time?

00:26:14Why do you always forgive him so easily? Vera, seriously, stop grilling me. Things are

00:26:20good between us now, so stop worrying about me. To celebrate, you owe me a dinner.

00:26:24Sure, whenever works for you. Whenever? Nope, we're doing it tonight. I opened my mouth

00:26:28to decline, but her infectious enthusiasm made the words catch in my throat. All right.

00:26:32Our usual spot. I'll book a table. See you in half an hour. I arrived before her. When

00:26:36Vera walked in and saw me sitting alone in the corner, she stopped in her tracks.

00:26:40Matt didn't come with you? He's busy at work. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

00:26:45It's rare for him not to be always sticking to you. And started flipping through the menu,

00:26:49picking out dishes. Forget him. It's just us tonight. Let's dig in.

00:26:54The broth was bubbling away. Vera was tossing in some tripe when I caught sight of two people

00:26:57walking in at the door. My whole body went rigid. It was Matt and Elaine. Did they have to show

00:27:01up

00:27:01everywhere I went? When you're unlucky, even water bites back. The more you try to avoid someone,

00:27:06the more you end up running into them. I can't help but curse my shitty luck. They walked in side

00:27:10by

00:27:10side, looking like regulars who knew the place inside out. It was obvious this wasn't their first

00:27:14time here. He'd actually brought her to the spot we used to love the most. Vera spotted them too.

00:27:18Before I could stop her, she was already on her feet, yelling at them.

00:27:20Matt, stop right there! Matt stopped in his tracks, spotted us, and walked over.

00:27:25Vera planted her hands on her hips, glaring at him. Rachel just moved back today,

00:27:29and instead of being with her, you're out here having dinner with another woman?

00:27:32What kind of man are you? Matt's face was cold,

00:27:35but he ignored Vera and looked straight at me, his eyes softening.

00:27:37You moved back. Why didn't you call me? Vera froze and turned to me.

00:27:41He didn't even beg you to come back? I opened my mouth to speak, but Vera was already losing it.

00:27:45You seriously don't know? You have no clue when your own wife moved back? What kind of husband are

00:27:50you, huh? She's got your baby in her belly and you can't even keep track? Miss Goodwin,

00:27:56Matt really didn't get a call from Rachel. You should cut him some slack. She turned to me.

00:28:00Rachel, Matt's your husband. He cares about you so much. How can you just stand by and let someone

00:28:05tear him down like that? Am I wrong? He knows his wife's pregnant, but he's still acting all cozy

00:28:10with another woman. He knew his wife needed someone, but he still threw her out. Does that

00:28:16even make him a man? Don't you dare talk about Matt like that. You don't allow it? Who the hell

00:28:21do you think you are? Vera fired back. Vera went full savage. You know Matt's married, but you just

00:28:26won't stop hanging all over him. Every single time they fight, it's always your fault. I've never seen

00:28:30a woman as shameless as you. Vera. Matt's voice turned icy with anger. What's between me and Rachel

00:28:35has nothing to do with Elaine. Don't insult her. I'm letting it go this time because of Rachel.

00:28:40But next time, I'll have a word with your parents myself. Her face turned beet red. She was about

00:28:45to blow up. I rushed to stop her, grabbing her arm. Vera, this is my business. I'll handle it

00:28:49myself. I turned to Matt. So you're using the whole childhood sweetheart excuse to stick around him

00:28:55all day and nobody's allowed to call you out for it? I'm the one who can't stand Elaine. Vera's just

00:29:00sticking up for me. If you've got a problem, bring it to me. Vera, let's go. Seeing them makes me

00:29:07lose

00:29:07my appetite. Vera squeezed my hand tight. Honestly, I'm full just from being angry. Let's go somewhere

00:29:12else. I grabbed Vera's hand, walked past Matt, and headed straight for the front desk. Pulling

00:29:16out my card, I slid it across the counter. Check, please. Just as the cashier was about to take it,

00:29:21Elaine offered her own card instead. Let me pay. Consider it my apology for earlier. I recognized

00:29:26that flashy gold card with the last four digits six, six, eight, eight. Six, six, eight, eight means good

00:29:31luck. My wife always hits the jackpot. It had an unlimited balance. When he kicked me out,

00:29:37he took it straight from my bag. Cutting off his wife's cards, only to hand an unlimited one to

00:29:41another woman. Just thinking about it was suffocating. Why does he never get it? I took

00:29:44the card, fiddled with it for a moment, and looked at Matt standing right behind her. I smiled.

00:29:49Six, six, eight, eight. I'll get you another card. You can have any number you want. Matt said,

00:29:55offering a perfect solution without a hint of guilt. I didn't hesitate to fling the card right at his

00:29:59face. Matt said coldly, angered by my action. Rachel. I ignored him, pulled out my old card,

00:30:04and handed it over. Check, please. Once the payment went through, I grabbed Vera's hand and

00:30:09walked out without looking back. Matthew didn't follow us. Instead, he called out after us. I've

00:30:13got something to do tonight. After dinner, just call the butler, and he'll send a driver to pick

00:30:17you up. Once in the car, Vera stayed quiet for a while before turning to me. Did you even go

00:30:22back to

00:30:22Matt's place? Knowing I couldn't fool her anymore, I quietly admitted. No. Then why did you lie to me?

00:30:27I just didn't want you getting mixed up, Matthew, and all my drama with Matthew.

00:30:32Rachel! Vera's voice suddenly spiked, her eyes reddening. You're my best friend. We lived in the

00:30:36same dorm for four years. Am I really not someone you can rely on? Looking at her teary eyes, my

00:30:42nose

00:30:42stung, and I looked away. It's exactly because you're my best friend that I don't want to drag

00:30:46you down. I've decided to divorce Matt, and I don't want him thinking you influenced my decision.

00:30:50Matthew watched as Rachel walked out of the restaurant, not once looking back. A sudden sense of

00:30:54panic washed over him. It felt like something important was slipping through his fingers.

00:30:58Whenever they patched things up before, Rachel would always ask for something. This time,

00:31:02she didn't ask for a single thing. She left without so much as a backward glance. Did I really push

00:31:06her

00:31:06too far? Matthew wondered, a wave of guilt washing over him. Elaine stood beside him, her gaze fixed on

00:31:12the direction Rachel had gone. See? As long as you're tough enough, she'll have to back down.

00:31:17Elaine said confidently. Honestly, you indulged her way too much before.

00:31:22Matthew gave her a cold, indifferent glance. Pack your things and move out tomorrow. I'm signing

00:31:26the house over to my wife. Matthew said, his voice icy and absolute. Elaine stiffened, frozen in

00:31:31place. She clenched her fists so hard her nails bit into her palms. Resentment and anger practically

00:31:36burned in her eyes, barely contained. You've learned a lot in the past six months. I'll have Mr. Miller

00:31:41help you set up your own company as soon as possible. Matthew said, his tone businesslike. She knew Matt

00:31:46still cared about her. A house was nothing. Once she had her own company, she could buy as many as

00:31:50she

00:31:50wanted. Soon, she would have it all. Wealth, beauty, and a thriving business. Rachel, a mere

00:31:55housewife, was no match for her. So what if Matt didn't love her right now? She stroked her stomach,

00:31:59her eyes shining with confidence. As long as she could stay by his side, she firmly believed she

00:32:03would replace Rachel one day. Elaine held herself together, forcing a gentle smile as she replied.

00:32:08All right, whatever you say. You must be starving after everything today. Why don't we grab a bite

00:32:12together? Just eat by yourself. I've got things to do. He said coldly. With that, he turned and strode out

00:32:18without another word. Saying the word divorce out loud, truly hurt. Vera was stunned for a moment,

00:32:23then asked, is there really no room for reconciliation? Yeah. From the way Matthew was

00:32:28today, he's not going to agree, is he? I rubbed my pregnant belly, feeling the reality sink in.

00:32:33His opinion doesn't matter. I'm divorcing him either way. As his car weaved through traffic,

00:32:37a faint smile tugged at Matt's lips when he thought of Vera saying, Rachel just got back today. It was

00:32:41good that she was back. In the past, whenever she threw a fit, he was always the one to back

00:32:45down and beg

00:32:46for forgiveness. For once, he wanted to see her compromise. He had kicked her out, but she didn't

00:32:50know he had stayed right by the door. But she had no idea. He'd been standing right by the door,

00:32:54waiting for her. If she had just pleaded once, he would have opened it immediately. But she was

00:32:58ruthless and had just walked away. As soon as she walked away, he went ahead and froze her bank card.

00:33:03Sure enough, she called him up, furious. But all she did was demand answers, then hung up on him.

00:33:07If she just said something nice, he would have unlocked her card right then and there.

00:33:10She was stubborn as hell, way too proud. But what could he do? He was the one who spoiled her

00:33:14rotten.

00:33:15He hadn't reached out to her these past few days, but he knew she was staying with Vera.

00:33:19Didn't matter if she didn't call. If anything happened, Vera would let him know. He knew she

00:33:23was trying to find a job. She was this close to getting hired. That made him anxious. He rushed

00:33:27over only to find her going head to head with Elaine yet again. When she stood there, her belly showing,

00:33:32daring him to hit her. He realized in that moment, he'd already lost. He could never be as cold-hearted

00:33:37as she was. He gave in, but she was never easy to win over. But that's all behind them now.

00:33:41She's finally home. As long as she's back, things would be just like before.

00:33:45He glanced at the gift box resting on the passenger seat. This was the replacement for

00:33:49their third anniversary gift, something he'd carefully chosen all over again. The gemstone

00:33:53inside was larger, more exquisite, and far more valuable than the last one. Thinking about how

00:33:58Vera had been taking care of Rachel these past few days, Matthew felt genuinely grateful.

00:34:02He called Mr. Miller.

00:34:03Get a gift for Vera. Let her know it's from me. To thank her for looking after Rachel.

00:34:07After hanging up, the scene of running into Rachel today kept replaying in his mind.

00:34:12Her belly had gotten even bigger over the past month. He remembered how she stubbornly

00:34:15shoved the card back at him. A faint smile tugged at his lips. She's such a little spitfire.

00:34:20As he drove past a flower shop, Matthew pulled over. He walked into the flower shop,

00:34:24and the owner greeted him warmly.

00:34:26Sir, looking for flowers?

00:34:28Yeah.

00:34:29Matt said, his gaze sweeping over the buckets before landing on the champagne roses.

00:34:32For my wife.

00:34:33The shop owner grinned and nodded.

00:34:35You've come to the right place. Our champagne roses just came in today. Super fresh. How many

00:34:40do you want for your wife? Different numbers have different meanings. 11 means you're all in. 19

00:34:45mean you'll wait for her forever. 33 means love that lasts lifetimes. 11. That's all I need.

00:34:52Just being true to her.

00:34:53The shop owner quickly picked out the roses, trimmed the stems, and wrapped them up,

00:34:57making small talk as he worked.

00:34:59Your wife is really lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you.

00:35:01He said with a grin. Matthew didn't respond. Just paid, grabbed the flowers, and walked out of

00:35:06the shop. 11 champagne roses. Just for her. All in. He glanced down at the bouquet in his hand,

00:35:12a faint smile tugging at his lips. That Rachel will forgive me when she sees these,

00:35:16Matthew thought to himself. He started the car again, and headed to that pastry shop on the east

00:35:20side of town. Ever since Rachel got pregnant, she'd been obsessed with their cakes. She could

00:35:24easily polish off a whole plate in one sitting. She'd spent the past month stubbornly staying away,

00:35:29holding a grudge, and there was no way she'd been eating well. Matthew hurried home, feeling a rush

00:35:34of excitement. The hallway light was on, but the living room was empty.

00:35:38Rachel?

00:35:38He called out. No one answered. He frowned, changed his shoes, and walked in. He searched

00:35:43every room, upstairs and down. He even checked the walk-in closet. No one was there, only a bewildered

00:35:48butler.

00:35:48Why didn't you tell me my wife came back today?

00:35:51Sir, Rachel hasn't been back today. How is that possible?

00:36:03Matthew's face darkened as he strode into the security room and pulled up today's footage.

00:36:07The doorway was empty. No sign of Rachel anywhere. No suitcase either. No sign of her. He went through

00:36:12all the footage, but found nothing. He stared at the screen, his fingers slowly curling into

00:36:17a fist. She never came back. That thing Vera said, Rachel just got back today, was a lie.

00:36:21No, it wasn't Vera who lied to him. It was Rachel who lied to Vera. He'd pushed her

00:36:25into a corner, and she didn't want Vera caught up in all her drama. So she made up a story

00:36:29for Vera, just so Vera could rest easy. Matthew stood in the security room, his face growing

00:36:34darker by the second. She could give everything for Vera, a girl who wasn't even family, always

00:36:39thinking about her before anyone else. But all the feelings he poured out for her, she

00:36:42just acted like they meant nothing. Rachel, you really got me good, Matthew thought, a bitter,

00:36:47helpless smile tugging at his lips. Nobody had ever made a fool out of him like this

00:36:50before. He returned to the living room and saw the bouquet of 11 champagne roses on the

00:36:54shoe cabinet, representing wholehearted devotion. How ironic. He snatched the flowers and hurled

00:36:59them to the floor, scattering petals everywhere. Then he grabbed the box of red bean cakes and

00:37:03smashed it against the wall, sending pastries rolling across the floor. Finally, he picked

00:37:06up the velvet gift box and raised it high, but his hand froze in midair. He stared at the

00:37:11velvet box for what felt like ages before finally letting his hand drop. He'd poured his heart

00:37:15into designing it himself. Rachel once said she loved it. She told him this was the only

00:37:19thing she wanted for their third anniversary. He turned and walked back to the bedroom.

00:37:23He set the velvet box down on the nightstand. If Rachel ever came back, she'd see it the

00:37:27moment she walked in. He went to the closet and took out everything Rachel had picked out

00:37:31at the baby store earlier today. He set them out where she'd see them the moment she walked

00:37:34in. There was makeup safe for pregnant women. There were clothes for the last months of pregnancy,

00:37:38and there were tiny baby clothes. He made sure not a single thing was missing. Then he grabbed

00:37:42a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet, didn't even bother with a glass, just twisted off

00:37:45the cap and took a long, hard swig straight from the bottle. The fiery liquid burned down

00:37:50his throat, and he coughed a couple times, then went right back for another swig. That

00:37:53hollow, empty feeling crashed over him like a wave, and no matter what he did, he just

00:37:57couldn't push it down. He slumped on the couch, legs stretched out, his phone in his

00:38:00other hand. The screen glowed, hovering over his wife's contact. He would stare at it,

00:38:04take a swig, then stare again. His vision blurred, the word wife dancing before his eyes.

00:38:09His thumb rubbed the screen, almost pressing call several times before pulling back. He kept

00:38:13waiting, just like he'd been waiting these past days, waiting for Rachel to send him a message.

00:38:18Even if it was just a single punctuation mark, he'd rush over and pick her up in a heartbeat.

00:38:22He'd tell her her card was unlocked, and the custom necklace he designed for her was still

00:38:26here, waiting to be given. He'd set up a company for Elaine, just to keep her at arm's length,

00:38:29no more always stepping in to help her with everything. Everything would go back to the way

00:38:33it was, but the screen kept dimming and lighting up, and her name just sat there, silent,

00:38:38and still. Time ticked by, and the bottle slowly emptied. Just then, the sound of the door

00:38:43opening echoed through the room. His heart skipped a beat as he turned eagerly toward

00:38:46the entrance. The door slowly creaked open. Matthew shot up from the couch. The bottle

00:38:51slipped from his hand and rolled across the carpet. He staggered to his feet. Vision blurred.

00:38:55He could only make out a woman's silhouette, framed by the glow from the hallway as she walked toward

00:38:59him. Rachel. He took a step forward, nearly tripping over the coffee table, but as the figure

00:39:04drew closer, the light fell on her face. It was Elaine. Matthew's face went slack, like he'd just

00:39:09been slapped hard, the light in his eyes fading away bit by bit, and he slumped back onto the

00:39:13couch, feeling completely hollowed out. Matt, you haven't eaten all day. I made you some porridge.

00:39:19Elaine said softly. Her voice was gentle as she walked in, and when she saw the empty bottles

00:39:23scattered across the floor and Matthew's bloodshot eyes, her expression softened with worry. She moved

00:39:28with quiet grace, bending down to pick up the bottle with gentle care. Why do you treat yourself so

00:39:32badly? Her voice full of worry. Matthew didn't look at her, just blindly reached for the half-empty

00:39:37bottle of whiskey sitting on the coffee table. Elaine was faster. She grabbed the bottle before

00:39:41he could get to it. Give it back. Matt, don't do this. Elaine said gently, hiding the bottle

00:39:46behind her back. If you're feeling miserable, just tell me what's bothering you. You know I'm a good

00:39:50listener. I don't need it. Matthew slurred, clearly drunk. This is between me and Rachel.

00:39:55It's none of your business. He tried to push himself up from the couch, but his legs gave out and

00:39:59he

00:39:59collapsed right back down. Elaine crouched beside him, reaching out, trying to steady him. Matt,

00:40:04you've had way too much. Let me help you get to bed, she said softly. He shoved her away so

00:40:09hard,

00:40:09Elaine nearly lost her balance. I told you no! I don't need you meddling in my business!

00:40:14Matthew slurred, his words thick with alcohol. Elaine's face went pale for a moment, but she

00:40:19quickly masked her hurt with a softer tone. I'm just worried about you, she whispered,

00:40:23her voice barely above a breath. Matthew was dead drunk. Slumping on the couch with half-closed eyes,

00:40:27he mumbled something unintelligible. Elaine leaned in closer and finally caught his words.

00:40:31Rachel, why can't you just swallow your pride for once?

00:40:36Matt, you're really drunk.

00:40:39I'm not drunk! Matt suddenly shouted, his eyes bloodshot,

00:40:42almost ready to spill over with tears. Rachel, do you even care about me?

00:40:46Why can't you just call me, not even once? He choked out, his voice breaking.

00:40:50If you'd just call me, even if you didn't say a word. He choked out. I'd send Elaine away in

00:40:56a

00:40:56heartbeat. He mumbled, his words slurring together. Elaine crouched beside him, her nails digging

00:41:01harshly into her palms. He said he would send her away. Matt, I've loved you for so many years.

00:41:06All I ever wanted was to be by your side. If you can't even grant me this simple wish,

00:41:11then don't blame me. You'll never shake me off. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms,

00:41:16her chest heaving before she forced herself to calm down. Her fingers gently brushed Matthew's arm.

00:41:21When he didn't react, she slowly, almost nervously, leaned her head against his shoulder.

00:41:25Just then, the phone rang. Elaine jerked upright, her heart skipping a beat.

00:41:28She glanced at Matt. He was completely unresponsive. She got up, picked up the phone,

00:41:32hesitated for a few seconds, and finally answered.

00:41:35Matt, as a friend to both you and Rachel, I'll help you one last time. Rachel's leaving.

00:41:39Do whatever you want.

00:41:41Elaine's heart skipped a beat, and she hung up instinctively.

00:41:43Vera listened to the dial tone on the other end. She turned to look at Rachel,

00:41:47who was already sound asleep in bed, her eyes full of heartache.

00:41:50Rachel, please don't blame me. I know how much you love Matt.

00:41:53Vera whispered, I just wanted to try one last time for you too.

00:41:58For three days straight, Matt was incredibly irritable, and everyone at the company walked

00:42:02on eggshells. What the hell is this? You actually have the nerve to show me this?

00:42:06He slammed the planning department's files onto the desk, sending papers flying.

00:42:10Redo it. If it's not done by tomorrow, go straight to HR and hand in your resignation.

00:42:15The planning director, sweating bullets, scrambled to pick up the papers and bolted

00:42:19out of the office like his life depended on it. The sales director, trembling, finished his report

00:42:24on last quarter's numbers. Matthew let out a cold, mocking laugh.

00:42:278% growth? You've got the nerve to say that out loud? Do I pay you just to sit around

00:42:32and do nothing?

00:42:33He snapped, his voice dripping with contempt. The sales director lowered his head,

00:42:36didn't dare make a sound. Matthew slammed his pen down on the desk.

00:42:40Get out.

00:42:40The door closed, and the office fell silent. He leaned back in his chair,

00:42:44rubbing his temples. It had been over 40 days. 40 days since Rachel was kicked out of the house,

00:42:48and she hadn't called or texted him once. His assistant told him Rachel had actually moved

00:42:52out of Vera's apartment and was staying in a cheap hotel. Since she had been with him,

00:42:56she had never stayed in such a run-down place. She would rather put herself through hell than say a

00:43:00single soft word to him. Why was she so damn stubborn? Would it kill her to just swallow her pride?

00:43:05Even if she was stubborn, the baby was due in two months. Couldn't she think about the child?

00:43:10Taylor walked in.

00:43:11Mr. Quinn, you have a delivery. Leave it.

00:43:13Matt picked up a letter opener and sliced open the envelope. Elaine pushed the door open and walked in.

00:43:18Matt, I'm not feeling well. Could you take me to the hospital?

00:43:22She did look pale, her lips nearly colorless. He didn't want to go.

00:43:25I might be pregnant.

00:43:26All right.

00:43:27He grabbed his phone and followed Elaine out. As he walked past, he accidentally knocked the file

00:43:31folder off the desk. The papers inside spilled out. On top of the pile, in bold, unmistakable

00:43:36letters, were the words, Divorce Agreement, at the hospital.

00:43:39Congratulations, ma'am. You're pregnant.

00:43:41Elaine froze, her eyes welling up with tears, and turned to Matt.

00:43:45Matt, I'm pregnant. We're having a baby.

00:43:47Matt's face went cold. He thought of Rachel, who had thrown herself into his arms with her test results.

00:43:53Honey, I'm pregnant. We're having a baby.

00:43:55He looked at Elaine.

00:43:56Mind your words, Elaine. I told you, this child has nothing to do with me. You asked for this.

00:44:02Elaine's face went pale. Matt continued.

00:44:04Since you're pregnant, you can stop working as my secretary. The new office is in the neighboring

00:44:08city. Go there and stay out of my way. From now on, let's not meet again.

00:44:13Matt, you can't do this to me. This is your child.

00:44:16Not mine means not mine. End of story.

00:44:19He turned and walked out of the examination room without looking back. Elaine sat there. She

00:44:23gripped the test results so tightly her fingertips turned white. Matt, with this child, we will be

00:44:28tangled together for life. She sent a message. Mrs. Quinn, I'm pregnant. The baby is Matt. Matt

00:44:34walked to the elevator. As the elevator doors were about to close, he caught a glimpse of

00:44:38someone inside out of the corner of his eye. Rachel, why was she here? Was something wrong

00:44:41with the baby? Matt's heart suddenly tightened as if gripped by a hand. He rushed over, trying to

00:44:46stop the doors from closing, but he was a second too late. The doors slammed shut right in front of

00:44:50him. He kept jabbing at the button, but the elevator was already on its way down.

00:44:53Honey? He called out, but there was no answer from inside. He spun around and bolted for

00:44:57the fire escape. His dress shoes pounded against the concrete steps, the urgent thuds echoing

00:45:02through the stairwell. At the corner, he nearly slipped, bracing himself with one hand against

00:45:05the wall, his palm stinging, but he didn't bother to check, just kept barreling down the

00:45:09stairs. He'd just sprinted down seven flights of stairs. He burst out of the stairwell and

00:45:13rushed into the lobby. The entrance was empty. Rachel had already gotten into a cab. He ran

00:45:17outside, but all he caught was the taxi's taillights vanishing into the city traffic.

00:45:21Honey? He called out, but there was no response. He stood there, gasping for air, his chest

00:45:25feeling like it was about to explode. He pulled out his phone, and for the first time in over

00:45:2940 days, finally called Rachel. The number you have dialed is busy.

00:45:33She had blocked him. Disbelieving, he tried again. The number you have dialed is busy.

00:45:38He tried texting her, but the message failed to send. His hands started to shake.

00:45:45He spun around, saw a stranger nearby talking on the phone, and snatched it right out of

00:45:49his hand. The stranger started to argue, but was frozen in place by Matt's glare. His bloodshot

00:45:53eyes looked murderous. He quickly dialed the number he knew by heart.

00:46:00Hello? Who is this?

00:46:04Honey, it's me.

00:46:05There was a brief silence on the other end.

00:46:09Why did you block me? I messed up, okay? Please, just add me back.

00:46:14Matt begged. He tried to sound gentle and apologetic, but the panic in his voice was impossible to

00:46:18hide. Matt, you received the divorce agreement, right? Let's part on good times.

00:46:24What divorce agreement? Before he could finish, the call dropped. The line went dead.

00:46:29He dialed again, but this time there was no answer. Matt stood there, still gripping the

00:46:32stranger's phone. He was holding it so tight his knuckles turned white. Panic surged up like a tidal

00:46:38wave, even worse than when the company nearly went bankrupt. Had she seen him with Elaine at the

00:46:42clinic? No, they couldn't divorce, he had to explain. Shoving the phone back to the stranger,

00:46:47he dashed to the parking lot, started his car, and sped straight to her hotel.

00:46:57Mr. Quinn, Ms. White checked out early this morning.

00:47:00Checked out? Where did she go?

00:47:02Being his voice low, but unable to hide his frustration.

00:47:04Sorry, she didn't leave a forwarding address.

00:47:07Matt slammed his fist hard on the front desk.

00:47:10The receptionist jumped, recoiling in shock.

00:47:13Matt turned and walked out of the hotel. The cold wind cut right through his collar, but

00:47:17he didn't feel a thing. Without wasting a second, Matt dialed Vera's number.

00:47:22The phone rang for what felt like forever, and just as Matt was about to hang up, Vera

00:47:26finally picked up.

00:47:29Vera, where's Rachel?

00:47:31Vera sneered on the other end.

00:47:34I called you three days ago to tell you she was leaving. Where have you been these past

00:47:38three days? Now you want to find her? It's too late.

00:47:43Three days ago, Matt's mind buzzed. Three days ago, he was drunk, and Elaine had come over.

00:47:48Did Elaine answer that call? Vera, I'm begging you.

00:47:51Before he could finish, she hung up. He tried calling again, but her phone was switched off.

00:47:57Matt stood there, clutching his phone so hard his knuckles were bone white.

00:48:02Elaine.

00:48:04He remembered that night. Rachel hadn't come home, and he'd felt like he'd been played for a fool.

00:48:08To vent his frustration, he drank himself into oblivion. Then Elaine arrived.

00:48:12In his haze, he heard the phone ring and asked about it. Elaine said it was nothing, just a spam

00:48:17call. It was her. She was the one who ended Vera's call. She was the one who made him miss

00:48:22his last

00:48:22chance. How could she do that? Matt thought, his mind reeling. Matt closed his eyes and took a deep

00:48:29breath, his chest feeling like it was crushed under a heavy stone. Just then, his phone buzzed.

00:48:35Mr. Quinn, you need to get back to the office right now. Something big just happened.

00:48:39What is it?

00:48:40Mrs. Quinn, she sent you a divorce agreement.

00:48:43Matt's hand froze. The phone slipped from his grasp and shattered on the ground.

00:48:47He stood there. Only one thought echoed in his mind. Rachel was divorcing him. She wasn't just

00:48:51saying it. She really didn't want him anymore. She was throwing away seven years of their relationship.

00:48:55He thought she was just upset and acting out. Everything would go back to how it used to be.

00:48:59But instead, she mailed him the divorce papers. She couldn't even bring herself to say it to his face.

00:49:03Matt slowly crouched down and picked up the cracked phone. As his fingers touched the cold

00:49:07screen, his eyes stung. He tilted his head back, staring at the sky. He couldn't utter a single

00:49:13word. Why was this happening? I caught the first bus out and made my way back home. The town was

00:49:19just like I remembered. Narrow streets lined with sycamore trees. I stood at my doorstep,

00:49:23suitcase in hand, my belly showing at seven months pregnant. The door was open, and my mom was out in

00:49:29the yard, hanging up the blankets to dry. Seeing me, she froze, her eyes dropping from my

00:49:33face to my belly and lingering for a long moment. Without a word, she walked over and took my

00:49:38suitcase. You're back. Yeah. Did you eat yet? Not yet. Wait here. I'll cook something for you.

00:49:47She turned and headed into the kitchen. My dad came out, just glanced at me, didn't say a word,

00:49:52and grabbed my suitcase, carrying it inside. Your mom was talking about you the other day,

00:49:57saying she missed you. Then he went into the kitchen and started washing the vegetables to help out.

00:50:02My nose stung, tears threatening to spill. They didn't ask why I came back alone, where Matt

00:50:06was, or about my huge belly. They asked nothing, as if I'd just been on a long trip and was

00:50:11finally

00:50:11home.

00:50:18Eat up, you've gotten so skinny. She kept piling food into my plate until it overflowed.

00:50:22Mom, that's enough. What do you mean enough? You're eating for two now. Look at how pale you are.

00:50:28My dad remained silent, quietly picking the tender meat from the fish belly and placing it in my

00:50:33plate bowl. After lunch, my mom took my hand. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the hospital so you

00:50:39can see the best doctor in town. Mom, I'm really fine. I've already had everything checked. Doesn't

00:50:45matter. You still need another look. The hospital here isn't as fancy as the ones in Northgate City,

00:50:50but I know the doctors, so just relax. The next morning, she took me to the hospital and found Dr.

00:50:57Warren, the retired head of OB slash GYN, who was brought back as the best doctor in town.

00:51:02He checked me over, confirming the baby was developing well, and advised me to rest.

00:51:07My mom listened carefully, jotting down every instruction in her bones notes.

00:51:13On the way home, she hooked her arm through mine.

00:51:16Sweetheart, you don't need to be afraid of anything. We're here for you.

00:51:19I bit my lip and nodded hard.

00:51:22Matt showed up on my fourth day back. I was basking in the sun in the yard while my mom

00:51:27sewed baby clothes inside. A black car pulled up, and Matt stepped out in a dark gray coat,

00:51:32dark circles under his eyes and rough stubble on his chin.

00:51:40Honey.

00:51:42Go inside. I'll talk to him.

00:51:45Now alone in the yard, before I could even speak, Matt strode over and pulled me into his arms.

00:51:50He held me tightly, as if afraid I'd disappear, one arm around my waist and the other protectively behind me,

00:51:56carefully avoiding my belly.

00:51:59Honey, I missed you so much.

00:52:03I was wrong.

00:52:05I shouldn't have kicked you out.

00:52:08I shouldn't have forced you to apologize.

00:52:11I shouldn't have frozen your cards.

00:52:13Let go.

00:52:15I'm not letting go. Never in this lifetime. I was wrong.

00:52:18Matt!

00:52:19Honey.

00:52:21Just hear me out.

00:52:23After that, you can hit me or yell at me all you want.

00:52:27Just don't push me away.

00:52:30Matt, what's done is done.

00:52:32Apologizing is meaningless now.

00:52:34Besides, do you even believe you did anything wrong?

00:52:37Matt looked at me with red eyes.

00:52:39I really know I was wrong.

00:52:42Wrong about what?

00:52:43Kicking me out?

00:52:45Why did you kick me out in the first place?

00:52:48He fell silent.

00:52:50Since you won't say it, I will.

00:52:52You thought you did nothing wrong sleeping in Elaine's bed,

00:52:55and that I was the one at fault.

00:52:57You thought I was being capricious, unreasonable, and making a scene,

00:53:00wrecking the apartment and hitting Elaine in,

00:53:02so because I wouldn't apologize, you threw me out

00:53:04just to force me to compromise and admit I was wrong.

00:53:07He was left speechless because that was exactly what he had thought.

00:53:12You're only apologizing because I didn't back down and things didn't go your way.

00:53:16You're just saying you're wrong because it spiraled out of your control.

00:53:20I didn't compromise, and I even asked for a divorce.

00:53:23Your apology is just to pacify me,

00:53:25to stop me from making a fuss and divorcing you.

00:53:27It's not because you genuinely realized you and Elaine crossed normal boundaries.

00:53:32You kicked me out, froze my cards, and even pressured Henry.

00:53:36Matt, what was your ultimate goal in forcing me to apologize?

00:53:41I didn't have one.

00:53:42I just wanted you to give in to me for once.

00:53:46You're lying.

00:53:47You just wanted me to be obedient and sensible.

00:53:50You wanted me to be your perfectly behaved Mrs. Quinn,

00:53:54and turn a blind eye to whatever happened between you and Elaine.

00:53:58Even if you slept in the same bed with her,

00:54:00I was supposed to smile and say I didn't mind.

00:54:02Isn't that right?

00:54:03Matt's face turned ghostly pale.

00:54:05No, I didn't mean that.

00:54:06You didn't?

00:54:07I laughed, tears streaming down my face.

00:54:10You told me to prove I could support myself without relying on a man,

00:54:13and then you froze all my cards.

00:54:16I took a cab,

00:54:18and the driver pitied me enough to wave the waist.

00:54:21I tried to buy things,

00:54:22and all three cards declined.

00:54:24Do you have any idea how the cashier looked at me?

00:54:27She knew I was Mrs. Quinn,

00:54:29knew my husband was right there shopping for baby items

00:54:32with another woman,

00:54:34while I couldn't even pay for a single outfit

00:54:36for my own child.

00:54:39At seven months pregnant,

00:54:41I couldn't even afford a $100 hotel room.

00:54:44I had to survive on the $3,000 my mom slipped me for emergencies.

00:54:49Do you even know what that money was for?

00:54:51It was the safety net my mom gave me,

00:54:54so I'd have the courage to leave.

00:54:56It wasn't much,

00:54:57but it was enough.

00:54:58My tears flowed uncontrollably,

00:55:00my throat tight as if I were being choked.

00:55:02You claim there's nothing between you and Elaine,

00:55:05that you just want to compensate her.

00:55:07But does making it up to her

00:55:08mean trampling me into the dirt?

00:55:11You say you love me,

00:55:12but your way of loving me

00:55:13is throwing me out to fend for myself.

00:55:16I'm carrying your baby, Matt.

00:55:17Matt, when you kicked me out,

00:55:20did you ever consider

00:55:21what would happen or the baby

00:55:23if something went wrong?

00:55:25Matt's eyes were rimmed with red

00:55:27as he reached out to wipe my tears,

00:55:28but I turned away from his hand.

00:55:31Honey, please don't say any more.

00:55:33Matt pleaded,

00:55:34his voice thick with emotion.

00:55:35I have to say this,

00:55:36I said,

00:55:37wiping away my tears,

00:55:39my voice trembling.

00:55:40You said you just wanted me to comfort you,

00:55:42but that's not what you were really after,

00:55:44I said,

00:55:45my voice cracking.

00:55:46What you actually wanted

00:55:47was for me to just give in,

00:55:49admit I was wrong,

00:55:50play the good wife,

00:55:51and never bring up you and Elaine again.

00:55:54You wanted me to be the kind of woman

00:55:56who just pretends nothing happened,

00:55:58who turns a blind eye,

00:55:59I said,

00:56:00my voice shaking.

00:56:01But I'm not like that.

00:56:03I'm Rachel White.

00:56:05That's just not me.

00:56:06If that's what you want,

00:56:08then go be with Elaine.

00:56:09She's a pro at putting on an act.

00:56:11She can act all sweet,

00:56:14considerate,

00:56:14and understanding.

00:56:17But that's just not me.

00:56:19If you cross my line,

00:56:21I'll stand up for myself.

00:56:22If you kick me out,

00:56:24I'll leave,

00:56:25I said,

00:56:25my voice shaking.

00:56:26I'm not bluffing about the divorce.

00:56:28This isn't me being dramatic,

00:56:30and I'm not trying to threat you.

00:56:31Just sign the papers,

00:56:32and we can part ways on good terms.

00:56:35Matt listened to everything I said,

00:56:36and it was like all the strength

00:56:38had drained out of him.

00:56:39He looked completely hollow.

00:56:40He crouched down,

00:56:41hands braced on his knees,

00:56:43head hanging low,

00:56:44his shoulders trembling.

00:56:46After what felt like forever,

00:56:47he finally spoke,

00:56:48his voice so hoarse,

00:56:49it was almost impossible to make out.

00:56:51Honey,

00:56:51I'm sorry,

00:56:52he said,

00:56:53his voice barely above a whisper.

00:56:54I'm sorry for everything.

00:56:55I really failed,

00:56:56he added,

00:56:57his voice thick with regret.

00:56:58You're right.

00:56:59I just wanted you to bow your head,

00:57:02to be obedient,

00:57:03he admitted.

00:57:04I thought if I backed you into a corner,

00:57:06you'd finally give in,

00:57:07he said,

00:57:08his voice barely above a whisper.

00:57:09I thought that once you came back,

00:57:11everything would go back to how it used to be,

00:57:13he added.

00:57:14But I never really thought about how much you were hurting,

00:57:16or what it was like for you out there,

00:57:18pregnant and all by yourself.

00:57:20Matt choked out.

00:57:21I never thought you'd actually leave me,

00:57:23he whispered,

00:57:24barely able to get the words out.

00:57:25He finally looked up,

00:57:27and his tears finally fell.

00:57:28Honey,

00:57:29I can't live without you,

00:57:30he said.

00:57:31He admitted.

00:57:31You're right.

00:57:32It's not just about making you feel better.

00:57:34I was a complete asshole,

00:57:36his voice thick with regret.

00:57:37I get it now.

00:57:37I was wrong,

00:57:39he said.

00:57:40I never should have kicked you out,

00:57:42never should have frozen your cards,

00:57:43never should have left you out there all alone.

00:57:45He choked out.

00:57:47I was wrong about everything,

00:57:49he whispered,

00:57:49his voice barely audible.

00:57:51His voice was shaking.

00:57:52Honey,

00:57:52please,

00:57:53just give me one more chance,

00:57:54he pleaded.

00:57:55I won't ever ask you to give in again.

00:57:57From now on,

00:57:58I'll be the one to back down.

00:57:59Every single time,

00:58:01he said.

00:58:01I've already taken care of everything with Elaine.

00:58:03I made her move out,

00:58:05opened a new office for her in another city,

00:58:07and we won't ever cross paths again,

00:58:09he said.

00:58:10Let's start over,

00:58:11he pleaded.

00:58:12He reached out and grabbed my hand,

00:58:14holding on so tight it was like he was afraid I'd slip away.

00:58:17Honey,

00:58:18come home with me,

00:58:19he pleaded.

00:58:19Please,

00:58:20I'm begging you,

00:58:21Matt pleaded.

00:58:22I didn't say yes,

00:58:23but I didn't say no either.

00:58:24I slipped my hand free from his grip

00:58:25and headed back to my room,

00:58:27leaving him standing there.

00:58:28As I closed the door,

00:58:29I heard him call out from behind me.

00:58:30Honey,

00:58:31I'm not signing those divorce papers.

00:58:32I love you,

00:58:33Matt called out.

00:58:34We said we'd be together for life.

00:58:36Matt didn't leave.

00:58:36Instead,

00:58:37he checked into a shabby little motel in town.

00:58:39For someone as pampered as him,

00:58:40he'd never stayed in a dump like this before.

00:58:42Every day,

00:58:42he'd show up at my door,

00:58:43but my parents wouldn't let him in,

00:58:45so he'd just squat there at the entrance.

00:58:46He looked just like a stray puppy,

00:58:48pitiful,

00:58:48and desperate.

00:58:49It started to rain.

00:58:50The rain in this town was freezing

00:58:52and came down hard.

00:58:53Every drop felt like needles on my skin.

00:58:55I was sitting in the living room

00:58:56when I heard the doorbell ring again.

00:58:57My mom went to answer it.

00:59:00Mom,

00:59:00just let me talk to her for a minute.

00:59:02Please,

00:59:02I'm begging you.

00:59:03Matt pleaded.

00:59:04My mom glanced back at me.

00:59:05I stayed silent.

00:59:06She still didn't let him in.

00:59:07Go home.

00:59:09Rachel doesn't want to see you.

00:59:10My mom said.

00:59:11The door slammed shut again.

00:59:12I walked over to the window

00:59:13and peeked out through a gap in the curtains.

00:59:15Matthew was standing in the rain,

00:59:17no umbrella,

00:59:18his clothes soaked

00:59:18and clinging to his body.

00:59:20He just stood there,

00:59:21head bowed,

00:59:22like a statue.

00:59:23The rain kept coming down harder,

00:59:24but he didn't move an inch.

00:59:25My hand tightened around the curtain.

00:59:27After a while,

00:59:28my dad returned

00:59:29and walked up to Matthew Quinn.

00:59:30I couldn't make out what he said.

00:59:32Matthew just shook his head.

00:59:33My dad sighed

00:59:34and came inside.

00:59:35Is he still out there?

00:59:36I asked.

00:59:36Yeah,

00:59:37he said he's not leaving

00:59:37unless he sees you.

00:59:39Honestly,

00:59:39he's practically frozen out there.

00:59:41My dad replied.

00:59:42I didn't say anything

00:59:42and just turned around

00:59:43and went back to my room.

00:59:45That night,

00:59:45the rain kept falling long into the night.

00:59:47I lay in bed,

00:59:48tossing and turning,

00:59:48unable to sleep.

00:59:49All I could think about

00:59:50was Matthew Quinn

00:59:51standing out there in the rain.

00:59:53At two in the morning,

00:59:54I dragged myself out of bed

00:59:55and walked over to the window

00:59:56to look outside.

00:59:58Matthew Quinn was still there,

00:59:59standing under the streetlight

01:00:00by the door.

01:00:00He was curled up against the wall,

01:00:02shivering,

01:00:03his whole body trembling.

01:00:04I took a deep breath

01:00:05and finally went outside.

01:00:07When Matthew came in,

01:00:08he was shivering from head to toe.

01:00:09His clothes were soaked through,

01:00:11his hair stuck to his forehead

01:00:12and his lips looked blue.

01:00:13My mom,

01:00:14still wearing a stern expression,

01:00:15handed him a dry towel

01:00:16and poured him a cup of hot water.

01:00:18Drink this to warm up.

01:00:20Don't freeze out there.

01:00:21She said.

01:00:22Thanks, Mom.

01:00:22Don't call me Mom,

01:00:23she snapped.

01:00:24Matthew took the cup,

01:00:25his fingers stiff

01:00:26and barely able to hold it.

01:00:27He took a couple of sips,

01:00:29his gaze fixed on me

01:00:30the whole time.

01:00:30I sat on the couch,

01:00:31refusing to look at him.

01:00:33My dad stood there in silence

01:00:34for a moment

01:00:34before finally speaking up.

01:00:36If you've got something to say,

01:00:37say it and then leave,

01:00:38he said.

01:00:39My mom tugged at my dad's sleeve

01:00:41and the two of them

01:00:42headed into the back room,

01:00:43leaving the living room

01:00:44to just the two of us.

01:00:45Matthew crouched down

01:00:46in front of me.

01:00:47He looked up at me,

01:00:48his eyes rimmed red.

01:00:49Rachel.

01:00:50He said softly.

01:00:51I didn't answer.

01:00:52Come home with me,

01:00:53okay?

01:00:54Matthew said softly.

01:00:55I stayed silent.

01:00:56He reached out,

01:00:56trying to touch my belly,

01:00:57but I moved away.

01:00:58His hand froze in the air,

01:00:59then he slowly pulled it back.

01:01:01Is the baby okay?

01:01:02Is he giving you any trouble?

01:01:03Matthew asked.

01:01:04I said coldly.

01:01:05That's none of your business.

01:01:06My voice was icy

01:01:07and my face was grim.

01:01:08Baby, I'm sorry.

01:01:09I know I messed up.

01:01:11Please, just give me

01:01:12one more chance.

01:01:13Let me take care of you

01:01:14and the baby.

01:01:15He pleaded.

01:01:16I looked at him

01:01:17with a calm,

01:01:18almost blank face.

01:01:19Matthew, just let it go.

01:01:20I always thought

01:01:21we loved each other,

01:01:22that we were equals,

01:01:23but ever since you said

01:01:24those things...

01:01:25I remembered the way

01:01:26Matthew said those words,

01:01:27his voice so cold

01:01:28and detached.

01:01:29Since you said women

01:01:30can stand on their own

01:01:31two feet,

01:01:32that we don't need

01:01:33a man to make it.

01:01:34Then show me,

01:01:35I continued.

01:01:36That's when I realized,

01:01:37in your eyes,

01:01:38we were never equals.

01:01:40I was just a woman

01:01:41who depended on you

01:01:42for everything.

01:01:43All I ever had

01:01:44was what you gave me,

01:01:45and when you took it all away,

01:01:47I had nothing left.

01:01:48That's not what I meant,

01:01:49Matthew said,

01:01:50grabbing my hand.

01:01:51I lost my head for a moment.

01:01:52I know I was wrong,

01:01:53he said softly.

01:01:54I didn't pull away.

01:01:55You say there's nothing

01:01:56going on between you

01:01:57and Elaine,

01:01:57but what you do

01:01:58says otherwise.

01:01:59You care about her.

01:02:01You worry about her.

01:02:03You ditch me for her.

01:02:04And you even kicked me out

01:02:06because of her.

01:02:07Matthew opened his mouth

01:02:08to say something.

01:02:09Just listen to me.

01:02:10I waved him off.

01:02:11You say you didn't mean it,

01:02:13but your actions say otherwise.

01:02:15Actions speak louder than words.

01:02:16I added,

01:02:18It's over between us.

01:02:19If you won't agree

01:02:20to a divorce,

01:02:21I'll take you to court

01:02:21after I have the baby.

01:02:23Please,

01:02:24don't bother me

01:02:25during this time.

01:02:26Just let me have

01:02:27a peaceful environment

01:02:28to give birth.

01:02:29After that talk,

01:02:30Matthew stopped hanging around

01:02:32outside my door all day.

01:02:33But every day,

01:02:34there'd be something new

01:02:34waiting for me

01:02:35at my doorstep.

01:02:36Sometimes it was a bunch

01:02:37of champagne-colored roses.

01:02:38Sometimes it was imported

01:02:39beef,

01:02:40fresh vegetables,

01:02:41and those red bean cakes

01:02:42I couldn't stop craving

01:02:43ever since I got pregnant.

01:02:44And sometimes,

01:02:45there were whole sets

01:02:46of baby essentials.

01:02:47A crib,

01:02:47baby clothes,

01:02:48bottles,

01:02:48a bottle warmer,

01:02:49and imported baby formula.

01:02:51My mom ran her fingers

01:02:52over the tiny baby clothes

01:02:53again and again,

01:02:54letting out a long sigh.

01:02:55Days passed by.

01:02:56Matthew brought something

01:02:57to the door every day,

01:02:58rain or shine.

01:03:00He never knocked

01:03:00or rang the doorbell.

01:03:01He'd just leave

01:03:02whatever he brought

01:03:02at the doorstep

01:03:03and walk away.

01:03:04One morning,

01:03:05I got up before dawn

01:03:06and heard some noise outside.

01:03:07I walked over to the window

01:03:08and lifted a corner

01:03:09of the curtain

01:03:10to peek outside.

01:03:10I saw Matthew hunched over,

01:03:12carefully setting something

01:03:13down at the doorstep.

01:03:14He was so careful,

01:03:15like he was afraid

01:03:16of making even the slightest noise

01:03:17and waking anyone up.

01:03:19After he finished,

01:03:19he straightened up

01:03:20and looked up at my window.

01:03:21I quickly dropped the curtain.

01:03:23After a bit,

01:03:24I lifted the curtain again

01:03:25to check,

01:03:25but he was already gone.

01:03:27All that was left

01:03:27was the cardboard box

01:03:28outside the door.

01:03:29My mom was the first

01:03:30to soften.

01:03:31Rachel,

01:03:31he drops off

01:03:32all this stuff every day,

01:03:34but he never comes inside.

01:03:36He just stands out there

01:03:37in the cold.

01:03:38It's getting colder

01:03:39and that little motel

01:03:41he's staying at,

01:03:42the heating barely works.

01:03:43Mom,

01:03:43I asked,

01:03:44you feeling sorry for him now?

01:03:46It's you I feel for.

01:03:48My mom shot me a look.

01:03:49I'm just afraid

01:03:49you'll regret this someday.

01:03:51What he did to you,

01:03:53no decent person

01:03:54would do that.

01:03:55But these days,

01:03:56you can't even get

01:03:57a good night's sleep.

01:03:59I didn't say anything.

01:04:00My dad was off to the side,

01:04:02tidying up.

01:04:03It's normal to have trouble

01:04:05sleeping late in pregnancy.

01:04:06If he wants to drop things off,

01:04:08let him.

01:04:08He said.

01:04:09My mom didn't say anything else,

01:04:10but she started cooking

01:04:11with the food Matthew brought over.

01:04:13A month went by.

01:04:14My belly was even bigger now

01:04:15and walking was a struggle.

01:04:17My feet were really swollen.

01:04:18Every day,

01:04:19I'd take a few slow steps

01:04:20around the yard

01:04:20and when I got tired,

01:04:21I'd just sit down

01:04:22wherever I could.

01:04:23Matthew kept dropping off

01:04:24more and more gifts.

01:04:26Every vase in the house

01:04:26was stuffed with roses,

01:04:28the fridge was bursting with food,

01:04:29and the baby's room

01:04:30was piled high

01:04:30with multiple sets

01:04:31of baby essentials.

01:04:32Until that afternoon,

01:04:33I was sitting in the living room

01:04:35watching my mom

01:04:36sew little outfits

01:04:36for the baby.

01:04:37The doorbell rang.

01:04:38My mom went to open the door

01:04:39and there was Matthew

01:04:40standing outside.

01:04:41He'd lost a lot of weight,

01:04:42his cheekbones standing out.

01:04:43Mrs. White,

01:04:44I want to see Rachel.

01:04:45My mom turned to look at me.

01:04:46I thought for a moment,

01:04:47then nodded.

01:04:48I thought after a month

01:04:49he'd finally figured things out.

01:04:50I assumed he was here

01:04:51to drop off the divorce papers.

01:04:52That's why I nodded.

01:04:53When Matthew came in,

01:04:54I stayed seated on the couch,

01:04:55not bothering to get up.

01:04:56He walked over

01:04:57and just stood in front of me

01:04:58looking at me.

01:04:59His eyes were a mix of regret,

01:05:00guilt,

01:05:00and something else

01:05:01I couldn't quite name.

01:05:02Rachel.

01:05:03Don't call me that.

01:05:04Did you bring the divorce papers?

01:05:05Matthew Quinn looks stunned

01:05:06for a second.

01:05:07I'm not here

01:05:08to bring the divorce papers.

01:05:09Then why are you here?

01:05:10He was quiet for a few seconds

01:05:12before finally speaking.

01:05:13There's a crisis at the company.

01:05:15I need to head back.

01:05:16Several major projects

01:05:17are in trouble all at once

01:05:18and Mr. Taylor is overwhelmed.

01:05:20I have to take care of it personally.

01:05:22I just looked at him,

01:05:23not saying a word.

01:05:24I'll come back

01:05:24as soon as I wrap things up.

01:05:26I swear I'll be back

01:05:27before your due date.

01:05:29Take care of yourself,

01:05:30eat well,

01:05:31and make sure you go

01:05:31to all your checkups.

01:05:32If you need anything,

01:05:33just call me.

01:05:34I'll always be there for you.

01:05:35After he finished,

01:05:36he pulled out a card

01:05:37from his pocket

01:05:37and set it down

01:05:38on the coffee table.

01:05:39It was a bank card,

01:05:40plain and simple.

01:05:41This card is in your name

01:05:42and there's money in it.

01:05:44It's not my card,

01:05:45it's yours.

01:05:45The pin is your birthday.

01:05:46You don't have to worry

01:05:47about your card being frozen

01:05:48or cut off ever again.

01:05:50I looked at the card,

01:05:51then back at him.

01:05:52I don't want to leave,

01:05:53but I have to.

01:05:54If things go south

01:05:55at the company,

01:05:56how am I supposed

01:05:57to provide for you

01:05:57and the baby?

01:05:58Don't worry,

01:05:59I mean it.

01:05:59I'll be back

01:06:00before your due date.

01:06:02Three days after Matthew left,

01:06:03his mom,

01:06:04my mother-in-law,

01:06:04actually showed up

01:06:05at my door.

01:06:06She actually came

01:06:07all the way to find me.

01:06:08I knew she never liked me.

01:06:09She thought I was a bad influence

01:06:10who made her son

01:06:11call off his wedding

01:06:12and move out of the old house.

01:06:13You're divorcing him?

01:06:14Yes.

01:06:15She pulled a stack

01:06:16of papers out of her bag

01:06:18and set them down

01:06:18on the coffee table.

01:06:19Sign these

01:06:20and you and Matt

01:06:21will have nothing

01:06:22to do with each other anymore.

01:06:23I didn't bother

01:06:24reading through the details.

01:06:25I went straight

01:06:25to the signature page.

01:06:27Matthew had already

01:06:27signed his name.

01:06:28Seeing I wasn't

01:06:29picking up the pen,

01:06:30she spoke up.

01:06:30Elaine Lynn and Matt

01:06:31grew up together

01:06:32and our families

01:06:33arranged their engagement

01:06:34when they were kids.

01:06:35She's always been

01:06:36the ideal daughter-in-law to me.

01:06:38I've always known

01:06:38you didn't like me.

01:06:40At least you're self-aware.

01:06:41Back then,

01:06:42Matt stood outside

01:06:43the family estate

01:06:44for three days and nights

01:06:46just to marry you.

01:06:47His father was so furious,

01:06:48he threatened

01:06:49to cut him off entirely.

01:06:52Elaine was the one

01:06:53who stood up for you.

01:06:55She said she wanted

01:06:56to call off the engagement,

01:06:58said she didn't want

01:06:58to get married anymore.

01:07:00She made it all about her,

01:07:02took all the heat herself,

01:07:03but I know she didn't really want

01:07:05to break off the engagement.

01:07:07She just couldn't bear to see

01:07:08my son get whipped.

01:07:10She looked at me,

01:07:11her eyes calm,

01:07:12like she was just stating

01:07:13a simple fact.

01:07:14She didn't just call off

01:07:15the engagement.

01:07:16She even agreed to marry

01:07:17into another family,

01:07:18just to make things easier

01:07:20for Matt's parents.

01:07:21She did it all for Matt,

01:07:23just so he wouldn't

01:07:24have to suffer.

01:07:25She loves my son

01:07:26way more than you do.

01:07:28And now,

01:07:29she's pregnant

01:07:30with Matt's child.

01:07:31The living room

01:07:32went dead silent

01:07:33for a moment.

01:07:34I heard the sound

01:07:35of a bull shattering

01:07:36on the floor in the kitchen.

01:07:37My mother-in-law

01:07:37didn't even turn around.

01:07:39She just kept talking.

01:07:40And now you're divorcing him.

01:07:41Perfect timing.

01:07:43Everyone gets what they want?

01:07:44She finished speaking

01:07:45and set the pen down

01:07:46next to the papers.

01:07:47Just sign it.

01:07:48I looked at the papers,

01:07:49then back at her.

01:07:50Does Matthew know

01:07:50Elaine is pregnant?

01:07:51She gave a small smile.

01:07:53Of course he knows.

01:07:54I want custody of the baby.

01:07:56Of course.

01:07:57Elaine Lynn

01:07:57is already having Matt's baby.

01:07:59I lowered my head

01:08:00and picked up the pen.

01:08:01I signed my name.

01:08:02After I finished,

01:08:03I slid the papers

01:08:03back to her.

01:08:04Mrs. Quinn,

01:08:05have you ever thought

01:08:06about what would have happened

01:08:07if Elaine hadn't stepped up

01:08:08to call off the engagement?

01:08:09She didn't say a word.

01:08:11Even if he had to take the beating,

01:08:12Matthew would have still married me.

01:08:15His engagement with Elaine

01:08:16would have been called off anyway.

01:08:18Would it have been more honorable

01:08:19for Matthew

01:08:20to rather die than marry her

01:08:21or for her to call off

01:08:22the engagement herself?

01:08:24Which one would have looked better

01:08:25for his reputation?

01:08:27You say she loves Matt

01:08:28more than I do.

01:08:29I paused,

01:08:30letting my words hang in the air.

01:08:31But what if she never really had a choice?

01:08:33What if she was just weighing

01:08:34her own options?

01:08:35Her face changed for a moment,

01:08:36but she quickly regained

01:08:37her composure.

01:08:38That's why she's the one

01:08:39who's meant to be

01:08:40the Quinn family's daughter-in-law.

01:08:42She gathered up the papers

01:08:43and slipped them into her bag.

01:08:45When you go into labor,

01:08:46call me.

01:08:47The baby is part of the Quinn family

01:08:49and we'll take care of everything.

01:08:50She turned and walked

01:08:51toward the door.

01:08:52When she got to the doorway,

01:08:53she suddenly stopped

01:08:54without looking back.

01:08:55Rachel,

01:08:56you're not a bad person.

01:08:57You and Matt

01:08:58just weren't meant to be.

01:08:59With that,

01:08:59she pushed the door open

01:09:00and walked out.

01:09:01I sat on the couch,

01:09:02listening as the sound

01:09:02of her high heels

01:09:03faded into the distance.

01:09:05My mom rushed out of the kitchen.

01:09:06Her eyes read,

01:09:07Was everything she said true?

01:09:08I didn't answer.

01:09:09I just lowered my head

01:09:10and gently touched my belly.

01:09:12The baby kicked me.

01:09:12It hurt.

01:09:13I couldn't tell if it was my belly

01:09:14or something else

01:09:15that was aching.

01:09:15Less than a week later,

01:09:16the divorce certificate

01:09:17showed up in my hands.

01:09:18I glanced at the divorce certificate

01:09:20and tossed it aside.

01:09:21The next morning,

01:09:22I went into labor.

01:09:23I was sweating bullets

01:09:24from the pain.

01:09:24My dad called a cab.

01:09:26My mom grabbed the hospital bag

01:09:27and the two of them

01:09:28helped me into the car.

01:09:29The hospital in town

01:09:30wasn't big,

01:09:31but Dr. Warren from the OB department

01:09:32was already expecting us.

01:09:34Once I got to the delivery room,

01:09:35it was nearly a whole day

01:09:36of labor and exhaustion.

01:09:37By evening,

01:09:38the baby was finally born.

01:09:39It was a girl.

01:09:40She weighed six pounds

01:09:41and eight ounces

01:09:41and her cry was loud and clear.

01:09:43My mom held the baby.

01:09:44Her eyes read from crying

01:09:45and kept going on.

01:09:46She looks just like Rachel did

01:09:48when she was little.

01:09:49I leaned back in bed,

01:09:50eating the hot porridge

01:09:51my mom made for me.

01:09:52With every spoonful,

01:09:54the warmth spread

01:09:54through my stomach

01:09:55and for once,

01:09:56my heart didn't feel

01:09:57quite so frozen.

01:09:58The door burst open.

01:09:59Matthew was standing

01:10:00in the doorway.

01:10:00He was wearing a wrinkled shirt

01:10:02with the top two buttons undone.

01:10:03His hair was all over the place

01:10:05and there were dark circles

01:10:06under his eyes.

01:10:07He was out of breath

01:10:08like he'd just sprinted

01:10:08all the way here.

01:10:09His eyes found me first,

01:10:11then slowly moved

01:10:11to the baby in my mom's arms.

01:10:13Rachel.

01:10:14My dad stood up

01:10:14and stepped right in front of him.

01:10:16Don't call her that.

01:10:17She's not your wife anymore.

01:10:19Dad,

01:10:19don't call me that.

01:10:20You're not part

01:10:21of the white family anymore.

01:10:22Matthew's face

01:10:23turned ghostly pale.

01:10:25I'm late.

01:10:26There were problems

01:10:26with some projects overseas,

01:10:28so I had to fly out

01:10:29and handle them.

01:10:30I haven't slept in days

01:10:31and as soon as I finished,

01:10:33I rushed straight back.

01:10:34I didn't even stop

01:10:35to grab my bags.

01:10:36Just came here

01:10:37from the airport.

01:10:38His words tumbled out.

01:10:39I'm sorry.

01:10:40I promised I'd be back

01:10:41before your due date,

01:10:42but I couldn't make it.

01:10:44I...

01:10:44That's enough.

01:10:45Divorce is divorce.

01:10:46There's no going back.

01:10:48You've seen the baby.

01:10:49Now get out.

01:10:49Dad,

01:10:50I didn't agree

01:10:50to the divorce.

01:10:51My mom walked over

01:10:52holding the baby

01:10:53and shot him a cold look.

01:10:54Didn't agree?

01:10:55You at least signed

01:10:56your name on those papers?

01:10:58And now you want to say

01:10:59you didn't agree?

01:11:01I never signed

01:11:02any divorce papers.

01:11:03Matthew said,

01:11:04his voice full of panic.

01:11:05My mom paused for a second

01:11:07then set the baby down,

01:11:08pulled the red divorce certificate

01:11:09out of her purse

01:11:10and threw it right at him.

01:11:11See for yourself.

01:11:12It's a divorce certificate.

01:11:14Everything spelled out

01:11:15clear as day.

01:11:16Matthew caught the booklet

01:11:17and flipped it open.

01:11:18Rachel White

01:11:18and Matthew Quinn

01:11:19divorced.

01:11:20His fingers started to shake.

01:11:21No way.

01:11:22I never signed anything.

01:11:23Didn't sign.

01:11:24Your mom came over herself

01:11:25with the divorce papers

01:11:27and your signature

01:11:28was right there

01:11:28clear as day.

01:11:30She said Elaine Lynn

01:11:31is pregnant with your baby.

01:11:33So it works out

01:11:34perfectly for everyone.

01:11:35Matthew was completely stunned

01:11:37like someone had just

01:11:38dumped a bucket of ice water

01:11:39over his head.

01:11:39My mom?

01:11:41Elaine's pregnant?

01:11:42Matthew blurted out.

01:11:43His voice sounded

01:11:43completely different now.

01:11:44I didn't even know

01:11:45my mom was coming.

01:11:46I swear Elaine's baby

01:11:47isn't mine.

01:11:48Whether that kid

01:11:49is yours or not.

01:11:50It has nothing

01:11:51to do with Rachel.

01:11:53My dad gave a cold

01:11:54dismissive laugh.

01:11:55Get out.

01:11:55Don't bother Rachel.

01:11:56She needs to rest.

01:11:57Matthew was clutching

01:11:58the divorce certificate.

01:11:59His knuckles white

01:12:00with tension.

01:12:00He suddenly turned

01:12:01pulled out his phone

01:12:02and called his mom.

01:12:03Mom what's going on

01:12:04with these divorce papers?

01:12:05What's with the certificate?

01:12:06I couldn't hear

01:12:07what she said

01:12:07on the other end.

01:12:08Matthew's face darkened

01:12:09growing stormier

01:12:10by the second

01:12:11until it looked like

01:12:11a thundercloud

01:12:12ready to burst.

01:12:13You tricked me

01:12:14into signing

01:12:14those papers?

01:12:15It was a divorce

01:12:16agreement all along.

01:12:17His voice shaking

01:12:18with anger.

01:12:19He closed his eyes

01:12:20took a deep breath

01:12:20and when he opened

01:12:21them again

01:12:22his eyes were rimmed red.

01:12:23Mom do you have

01:12:24any idea

01:12:24what you've just done?

01:12:25Matthew said

01:12:26his voice trembling.

01:12:27For the rest of my life

01:12:28Rachel

01:12:29is the only one

01:12:30I'll ever call my wife.

01:12:31You destroyed my marriage.

01:12:33He hung up

01:12:33and turned to face me.

01:12:34Rachel I swear

01:12:35I didn't know.

01:12:36I never signed

01:12:37those papers

01:12:37or agreed to a divorce.

01:12:38His eyes were red

01:12:39lips quivering.

01:12:40Elaine's baby

01:12:41isn't mine.

01:12:42I've never even

01:12:43touched her.

01:12:43You deserve the truth

01:12:45and I promise

01:12:45I'll make things right.

01:12:46My dad didn't give him

01:12:47a chance to explain.

01:12:48He just kicked him out.

01:12:49If you dare show up

01:12:51here again

01:12:51we'll call the cops

01:12:53and report you

01:12:53for harassment.

01:12:54You're just an ex-husband.

01:12:56Stop trying to make

01:12:56yourself relevant.

01:12:58Matthew wouldn't give up

01:12:59so my dad didn't hesitate.

01:13:00He called the cops.

01:13:01Matthew didn't dare

01:13:02show up again after that.

01:13:03But the very next day

01:13:04he sent over

01:13:05a whole team of caregivers.

01:13:07My mom didn't

01:13:07turn them away.

01:13:08Rachel don't be

01:13:09hard on yourself.

01:13:10Take care of your health.

01:13:12You gave birth

01:13:13to his daughter.

01:13:15He ought to pay up

01:13:16as her dad.

01:13:18Three days later

01:13:19I was discharged

01:13:20from the hospital.

01:13:21Our place was tiny

01:13:22just two bedrooms

01:13:23and a living room.

01:13:24There was no way

01:13:25we could fit

01:13:25all those people.

01:13:28Matthew sent over

01:13:29a whole crew.

01:13:30Two maternity nannies

01:13:31a postnatal therapist

01:13:32and two baby care specialists.

01:13:34They were packed in

01:13:35so tight

01:13:36you could barely

01:13:36find a spot to stand.

01:13:37My mom looked at

01:13:38the crowd

01:13:39frowned

01:13:39and finally decided

01:13:40to keep

01:13:41just the baby nurse.

01:13:42Just leave the nanny.

01:13:44The rest of you

01:13:45head out.

01:13:48Matthew stood

01:13:49in the doorway

01:13:50ref-

01:13:50Mom,

01:13:51Rachel just had

01:13:52the baby.

01:13:52She really needs

01:13:53professional care.

01:13:54Matthew pleaded

01:13:55his voice tight

01:13:56with worry.

01:13:57Don't call me that.

01:13:59You've got your

01:14:00divorce certificate.

01:14:01Can't you understand

01:14:02plain English?

01:14:04Matthew didn't argue.

01:14:06He just turned

01:14:06and walked away.

01:14:08I thought he'd

01:14:08really left.

01:14:09But the next morning,

01:14:11Matthew's place

01:14:11next door

01:14:12was wide open

01:14:13and movers

01:14:13were hauling stuff

01:14:14in and out.

01:14:17Mr. Davis

01:14:17was standing

01:14:18at the door,

01:14:19smoking.

01:14:19When he saw my dad,

01:14:21he grinned and said,

01:14:22Mr. White,

01:14:23your son-in-law

01:14:24bought my house

01:14:24next door.

01:14:25Man,

01:14:26he sure knows

01:14:27how to throw money around.

01:14:28My dad was stunned.

01:14:30Matthew walked

01:14:31out of Mr. Davis'

01:14:32place,

01:14:32the caregivers

01:14:33my mom had sent

01:14:34away trailing

01:14:34behind him.

01:14:36I'm living next door,

01:14:37so I won't get

01:14:38in your way.

01:14:39If Rachel needs

01:14:40anything,

01:14:40just let me know

01:14:41and I'll be there.

01:14:43Matthew said,

01:14:43his voice gentle

01:14:44but determined.

01:14:45My mom wasn't

01:14:46having any of it.

01:14:46She just slammed

01:14:47the door in his face.

01:14:50You're divorced.

01:14:51Stop acting

01:14:52like you're all that.

01:14:53Matthew just stood

01:14:53outside,

01:14:54not saying a word.

01:14:55Mrs. Taylor

01:14:56was quiet

01:14:56and efficient,

01:14:57taking care of me

01:14:58at home.

01:14:59She handled everything

01:14:59with the baby,

01:15:00changing diapers,

01:15:01making bottles,

01:15:02and burping her

01:15:03like a pro.

01:15:04I asked my mom,

01:15:05Who's paying

01:15:06Mrs. Taylor?

01:15:07Matthew covered

01:15:08her salary

01:15:09for the whole year.

01:15:11I told him

01:15:11we could pay ourselves,

01:15:12but he insisted.

01:15:15Just return

01:15:15the money then.

01:15:16Why return it?

01:15:18Isn't it a father's

01:15:19responsibility

01:15:19to support his child?

01:15:21I didn't say

01:15:22anything else.

01:15:23Matthew showed up

01:15:24every day.

01:15:25He never knocked

01:15:25or came inside.

01:15:26He just stood

01:15:27at the gate,

01:15:28not coming in.

01:15:28He'd peek

01:15:29through the iron fence,

01:15:30glancing into the house.

01:15:31He'd stand there

01:15:32for about ten minutes,

01:15:33then leave.

01:15:34At first,

01:15:35my mom would yell

01:15:35at him.

01:15:36The Justin Kers.

01:15:39My dad never said

01:15:40a word,

01:15:40but every time

01:15:41Matthew showed up,

01:15:42he'd give him

01:15:42the cold shoulder.

01:15:44The next day,

01:15:45Matthew was back,

01:15:46standing at the gate,

01:15:47not moving an inch.

01:15:48My mom came out

01:15:49of the house

01:15:50and walked up

01:15:50to the gate.

01:15:52What do you want?

01:15:56I just want to see

01:15:57her and the baby.

01:15:59Mrs. Taylor sends

01:15:59you photos every day,

01:16:01doesn't she?

01:16:01You're divorced.

01:16:03What's the point

01:16:03of you hanging

01:16:04around like this?

01:16:05Mom,

01:16:06I never agreed

01:16:07to the divorce.

01:16:08My mom tricked me

01:16:08into signing it.

01:16:10Go tell it

01:16:11to the judge.

01:16:12Talking to me

01:16:13won't change anything.

01:16:14She turned

01:16:15and walked back inside.

01:16:16Matthew was still

01:16:17standing there.

01:16:18He stood there

01:16:19for a long time.

01:16:20By the time

01:16:21I finished feeding

01:16:21the baby

01:16:22and got her to sleep,

01:16:23I looked out the window.

01:16:24He was still there.

01:16:25That evening,

01:16:26Matthew's mom

01:16:27showed up with Elaine.

01:16:27They just walked

01:16:29right into

01:16:29Mr. Taylor's place

01:16:30next door.

01:16:31When Matthew

01:16:31saw his mom

01:16:32and Elaine,

01:16:33his anger

01:16:33rose in a flash.

01:16:35What are you doing here?

01:16:37His mom sat down

01:16:38on the couch,

01:16:39her eyes fixed

01:16:40on Matthew.

01:16:42You've lost weight?

01:16:44Just for a woman

01:16:45you let yourself

01:16:45get like this?

01:16:46Matthew didn't

01:16:47say a word.

01:16:48He glanced at Elaine,

01:16:49who was standing

01:16:50next to his mom,

01:16:51hand on her belly,

01:16:52head down,

01:16:52looking all submissive.

01:16:53What are you doing here?

01:16:55Matthew's voice

01:16:55voice was icy.

01:16:57Didn't you say

01:16:58you'd leave

01:16:58once you got pregnant?

01:17:00I wouldn't let her go.

01:17:03She's carrying your child,

01:17:05so you need

01:17:05to take responsibility.

01:17:06You already let

01:17:07the Lynn family down

01:17:08when you called off

01:17:09the engagement.

01:17:10Matthew stared

01:17:10at his mom,

01:17:11the corners of his mouth,

01:17:12twitching,

01:17:13like he was trying

01:17:13not to laugh.

01:17:15When did I ever

01:17:15get her pregnant?

01:17:18Didn't you go

01:17:19with her for the IVF?

01:17:22Yeah, I went with her.

01:17:25But the sperm

01:17:26wasn't mine.

01:17:26His mom was stunned

01:17:27for a moment.

01:17:28Elaine's head snapped up,

01:17:29her face going pale.

01:17:30No way.

01:17:32You're lying to me.

01:17:34Matthew turned

01:17:34to face her.

01:17:35His gaze was like a blade.

01:17:37Lying to you?

01:17:38Yeah, I was.

01:17:39I've been lying to you

01:17:40from the very beginning.

01:17:41He took a step closer.

01:17:43You said all you wanted

01:17:44was a child from me.

01:17:45That once you had it,

01:17:47you'd let bygones

01:17:48be bygones

01:17:49and never bother me again.

01:17:51You begged me

01:17:52to go with you

01:17:52to the hospital

01:17:53for the IVF.

01:17:54I went,

01:17:55but I had Mr. Taylor

01:17:57set it up ahead of time.

01:17:58We used someone else's sperm.

01:18:00Elaine's face

01:18:00went completely white,

01:18:01her lips trembling.

01:18:03Why?

01:18:03Why did you lie to me?

01:18:06Why?

01:18:07Because I didn't want

01:18:08to make my wife mad anymore,

01:18:09and I was desperate

01:18:10to get rid of you.

01:18:11Because in this life,

01:18:12the only woman

01:18:13who'll ever have my child

01:18:14is Rachel.

01:18:16He turned to his mom,

01:18:17his eyes red.

01:18:20Mom, I've made it

01:18:21crystal clear.

01:18:22I don't like Elaine.

01:18:24The only one I love

01:18:25is Rachel.

01:18:26And that's exactly

01:18:27why I can't let you

01:18:28be with Rachel.

01:18:32I worked so hard

01:18:33to raise you

01:18:34as the heir

01:18:34to Quinn Corporation.

01:18:36I won't let any woman

01:18:37control your emotions.

01:18:39Elaine is the ideal

01:18:40wife for you.

01:18:42Even if the baby

01:18:43she's harrying

01:18:44isn't yours,

01:18:44she can get it

01:18:45taken care of right away.

01:18:46You two can try again,

01:18:48IVF if needed.

01:18:50Is that so?

01:18:53Mom,

01:18:53without Rachel,

01:18:54I'd rather spend

01:18:55the rest of my life alone.

01:18:57He turned to Elaine again.

01:18:58Yeah,

01:18:59I do feel guilty about you,

01:19:00but that's all it is,

01:19:02just guilt.

01:19:03I've tried to make it up to you,

01:19:05did whatever you wanted,

01:19:07all because I felt guilty.

01:19:09Because of that guilt,

01:19:10I even forced Rachel

01:19:12to apologize to you

01:19:13and kicked her out.

01:19:14I regret it now,

01:19:15I just wanted you gone.

01:19:17So when you said

01:19:18you'd stop bothering me,

01:19:19if you had a kid,

01:19:21I didn't even hesitate.

01:19:23I wanted you out of my life

01:19:25as fast as possible

01:19:26so Rachel and I

01:19:26wouldn't have any more drama.

01:19:30Man,

01:19:30I was such a fool.

01:19:34I never thought

01:19:35you'd play this kind of trick.

01:19:36If you ever show up

01:19:37in front of me again,

01:19:38don't blame me

01:19:39if I go all out.

01:19:42With that,

01:19:43Matthew slammed the door

01:19:44and stormed out.

01:19:48Three years later,

01:19:49Lily was old enough

01:19:50for kindergarten.

01:19:51The kindergarten

01:19:51in our small town

01:19:52was pretty basic

01:19:53and my mom kept going on

01:19:54about how Lily needed

01:19:55to go to a school

01:19:56in the city

01:19:56so she wouldn't fall behind

01:19:58right from the start.

01:19:58I didn't say anything.

01:19:59Over the past three years,

01:20:00Matthew never brought up

01:20:01getting back together,

01:20:02but he never really left.

01:20:03He moved into the house

01:20:04next door.

01:20:05Every month,

01:20:05he'd head back to the city

01:20:06for a few days

01:20:07to deal with

01:20:07Quinn Corporation stuff,

01:20:08but as soon as he finished,

01:20:10he'd come right back.

01:20:10Rain or shine,

01:20:11he was always there.

01:20:12Everyone in town knew

01:20:13the White family's ex-son-in-law

01:20:15was always standing

01:20:16outside their gate.

01:20:17People would ask my mom,

01:20:17Did your daughter's ex-husband

01:20:19really get divorced?

01:20:20Yeah, they did.

01:20:21Then why is he still

01:20:22sticking around?

01:20:23They'd ask.

01:20:24My mom would open her mouth

01:20:25but just couldn't

01:20:25come up with an answer.

01:20:26Matthew came by

01:20:27every single day.

01:20:28He never came inside,

01:20:29just stood at the gate.

01:20:29Once Lily could walk,

01:20:30she'd drag a little stool over,

01:20:32climb up,

01:20:32and lean over the iron fence

01:20:33to call out to him.

01:20:34She'd shout,

01:20:35Daddy!

01:20:36Matthew would smile,

01:20:37crouch down,

01:20:37and reach through the bars

01:20:38to ruffle her hair.

01:20:39That's my good girl, Lily.

01:20:41Daddy, come in!

01:20:42I can't come in, honey.

01:20:44Mommy says no.

01:20:45Lily would turn to me,

01:20:46her big eyes sparkling.

01:20:47Mommy, can Daddy come in, please?

01:20:49I turned and walked back inside.

01:20:51Lily pouted and turned back to Matthew.

01:20:52Mommy's not listening.

01:20:54Daddy was the one

01:20:55who made mistakes.

01:20:57I did something wrong before.

01:20:59Lily didn't really understand,

01:21:00but she remembered his words.

01:21:02From then on,

01:21:03whenever Matthew came by,

01:21:04Lily would chat with him

01:21:05through the fence,

01:21:05sometimes passing him

01:21:06a piece of candy,

01:21:07sometimes asking for a story.

01:21:09Matthew would squat

01:21:09outside the fence

01:21:10and spin her a tail.

01:21:11My mom saw everything

01:21:12and kept sighing.

01:21:13Lily's such a daddy's girl.

01:21:14I didn't say anything.

01:21:15That fall,

01:21:16Matthew's mom showed up.

01:21:17It had been three years

01:21:18since I'd last seen her,

01:21:19and she looked so much older.

01:21:20Most of her hair

01:21:20had turned gray,

01:21:21and the lines on her face

01:21:22were deeper than ever.

01:21:23She stood at my door,

01:21:24arms loaded with bags,

01:21:25looking a little awkward.

01:21:26Rachel,

01:21:27I came to see Lily.

01:21:28I didn't say a word,

01:21:29just stepped aside

01:21:30to let her in.

01:21:31Lily was sitting

01:21:31on the living room floor,

01:21:32stacking blocks.

01:21:33When she spotted a stranger,

01:21:34she scooted behind my mom.

01:21:35Lily, say hi to Grandma.

01:21:38Lily whispered,

01:21:38shy and hesitant.

01:21:39Grandma.

01:21:40Matthew's mom's eyes

01:21:41filled with tears.

01:21:42Oh, my sweet girl.

01:21:44She crouched down

01:21:44and unpacked the toys,

01:21:46laying them out one by one.

01:21:47Lily glanced at the toys,

01:21:48but didn't budge.

01:21:49Matthew's mom sat there,

01:21:50glancing between Lily and me,

01:21:52her lips moving

01:21:52like she wanted to say something.

01:21:54Rachel,

01:21:54you know that

01:21:55the baby Elaine

01:21:56was carrying three years ago

01:21:58wasn't Matt's, right?

01:22:00I nodded,

01:22:00feeling a bit awkward.

01:22:01She seemed to breathe

01:22:02a sigh of relief.

01:22:03Don't be mad at Matt.

01:22:04It was me.

01:22:06I made him take care of Elaine.

01:22:08I'm his mother.

01:22:09He couldn't go against me,

01:22:11no matter what.

01:22:12I thought,

01:22:12never mind.

01:22:13Elaine's been overseas

01:22:14all these years,

01:22:15dealing with depression,

01:22:17her health up and down.

01:22:18Matt never once

01:22:18went to see her.

01:22:19Rachel,

01:22:20I was wrong back then.

01:22:21I didn't say a word.

01:22:22I never should have forced you

01:22:23to get a divorce

01:22:24or made choices for Matt.

01:22:26These past three years,

01:22:27I've watched Matt.

01:22:28He barely goes home anymore.

01:22:30He puts off company business

01:22:31whenever he can

01:22:32and only goes back

01:22:33when he absolutely has to.

01:22:35The moment he's done,

01:22:36he rushes right back here.

01:22:38He's in his thirties now.

01:22:40No marriage,

01:22:41no dating,

01:22:42just hanging around

01:22:43this little town.

01:22:44I know he's waiting for you.

01:22:46I kept my head down,

01:22:47avoiding her gaze.

01:22:47Rachel,

01:22:48I'm begging you,

01:22:49please,

01:22:49get back together with Matt.

01:22:51Lily needs her dad

01:22:52and you shouldn't have to

01:22:53spend your whole life alone.

01:22:54I looked up at her.

01:22:56Mrs. Quinn,

01:22:56I'm really doing fine now.

01:22:58We finally picked

01:22:59a kindergarten for Lily.

01:23:00It's not in our little town.

01:23:01It's in the city nearby,

01:23:02a pretty nice private kindergarten.

01:23:04You don't know anyone over there.

01:23:05How are you going to handle things

01:23:07with Lily all by yourself?

01:23:09We'll figure it out.

01:23:10We'll settle in eventually.

01:23:12On the day we were packing,

01:23:14Lily sat on top

01:23:14of the suitcase and asked,

01:23:16Mommy,

01:23:16is Daddy coming with us?

01:23:18No,

01:23:18he's not coming.

01:23:19Why not?

01:23:20Daddy has his own place.

01:23:21But isn't Daddy's home with us?

01:23:23I didn't answer.

01:23:24Lily hopped off the suitcase

01:23:25and dashed outside.

01:23:26By the time I caught up,

01:23:27she was already knocking

01:23:28at the house next door.

01:23:30Daddy,

01:23:31open the door!

01:23:32The door swung open.

01:23:33Matthew knelt down

01:23:34and gathered her into his arms.

01:23:35Lily,

01:23:36what's wrong?

01:23:37Mommy says we're moving.

01:23:38Daddy,

01:23:39are you coming with us?

01:23:40Matthew looked up,

01:23:41peering over Lily's shoulder

01:23:42and spotted me standing by the gate.

01:23:44He didn't say a word.

01:23:45Lily got anxious,

01:23:46cupping his face

01:23:46with her little hands.

01:23:47Daddy,

01:23:48say sorry to Mommy.

01:23:50My teacher says

01:23:51if you say sorry,

01:23:52people will forgive you.

01:23:54Matthew's eyes reddened.

01:23:55I've said sorry so many times,

01:23:57but Mommy still won't forgive me.

01:23:59Then say it again and again.

01:24:01Lily slid from his arms,

01:24:02grabbed my hand,

01:24:03and then dashed back

01:24:04to take Matthew's,

01:24:05pressing our hands together.

01:24:06Mommy,

01:24:07feel Daddy's hand.

01:24:08It's so cold.

01:24:10Daddy,

01:24:10hug Mommy.

01:24:11My teacher says

01:24:12a hug makes the mad go away.

01:24:14Matthew's hand was indeed freezing

01:24:16as Lily stubbornly

01:24:17pushed my fingers

01:24:17into his palm.

01:24:18Matthew's hand really was cold.

01:24:20Lily pushed my hand into his,

01:24:21really trying to make us hold hands.

01:24:23Don't fight anymore.

01:24:25I don't want to lose Daddy,

01:24:27and I don't want to lose Mommy either.

01:24:29All the other kids

01:24:30have both their parents.

01:24:32As she spoke,

01:24:32her lips trembled

01:24:33and tears rolled down her cheeks.

01:24:35Seeing her cry,

01:24:36it felt like my heart

01:24:36was being squeezed hard.

01:24:38Matthew's hand slowly

01:24:39closed around mine.

01:24:40He didn't say anything,

01:24:41just looked at me,

01:24:42gentle and cautious.

01:24:43I stood there,

01:24:44letting him hold my hand,

01:24:45not pulling away.

01:24:46Suddenly,

01:24:46he wrapped me in a tight hug,

01:24:48refusing to let go.

01:24:49We got back together,

01:24:50but we never got remarried.

01:24:51He transferred all his assets to me.

01:24:53He said from now on,

01:24:54I'd be the one supporting him.

01:24:56Three years later,

01:24:57he pressed his ear against my stomach,

01:24:59listening for any sign of our baby.

01:25:00I promise,

01:25:01this time I'll be right there

01:25:03when you give birth.

01:25:04He said,

01:25:05You're dead.

Kicked Out at Six Months Pregnant | Full Series | Short Drama English

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