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My Cheating Boyfriend's Cat Made Me a Millionaire (ENGL COMPLETE)
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00:00:00Mi abuelo, Reith, brought home a golden gradient cat.
00:00:03He said he was swamped at work and asked if I could look after it for a few days.
00:00:11Then, in my head, I heard the cat cursing him.
00:00:14Bullshit, this guy is trash.
00:00:17What I didn't know then was this gift, hearing this cat's voice, would change everything for me.
00:00:22Then it addressed me.
00:00:24I'm a purebred British shorthand, golden shaded.
00:00:27I'm worth five grand.
00:00:29Raid gave me to your best friend as a gift, but Chloe didn't want me, so she just dumped me
00:00:33on you.
00:00:33And you're actually happy about it.
00:00:35I didn't quite believe it, so I sent a photo to a vet friend of mine.
00:00:41It really was an expensive breed.
00:00:43I was still reeling.
00:00:44Then the cat's voice echoed in my head again.
00:00:47And you still don't think you're an idiot?
00:00:48He's going to the Boston branch, too.
00:00:50They've even picked out an apartment.
00:00:52Did they betray me?
00:00:53No.
00:00:54Don't believe me?
00:00:55Check your phone in one minute.
00:00:57In our three-person iMessage group chat, Chloe sent a voice message, her tone ridiculously sweet.
00:01:02Isolette, what am I going to do when I miss you in Boston?
00:01:05Reith immediately followed up.
00:01:06We should all chip in to help Chloe rent a better apartment.
00:01:09It's not safe for her to be there alone.
00:01:10I didn't reply.
00:01:12Everything the cat told me had come true, word for word.
00:01:17In the chat box, the two of them kept right on talking.
00:01:21You're not even Isolette's husband yet.
00:01:23You can't spend my best friend's money.
00:01:25Not even for me.
00:01:27Look who's talking.
00:01:29Remember when you called me in tears, saying someone followed you in the parking lot after work?
00:01:33A better place would at least be safer.
00:01:36And I wonder who it was who said he was just coming over to check if my apartment was safe,
00:01:40then drank half my bottle of red wine, refused to leave the couch, and I had to practically show him
00:01:45the door.
00:01:47I closed the group chat.
00:01:49Chloe had been my roommate all four years of college.
00:01:52Her family was of modest means, and I'd helped her out more times than I could count.
00:01:57The thing she said most often was,
00:01:59What would I do without you?
00:02:02Wright was a friend I'd known for years.
00:02:04I was the one who introduced them.
00:02:10What should I do?
00:02:11I heard that when you come back from that medical research program,
00:02:14it's a huge boost to your resume.
00:02:15The attending physician position at the hospital is unofficially e-mared for someone who completes the program.
00:02:21I immediately opened my laptop, stayed up all night to finish the application,
00:02:25and emailed it to the program director just before the deadline.
00:02:31They're counting on your things.
00:02:33The tide will turn soon.
00:02:38My phone buzzed.
00:02:40A notification from my bank.
00:02:41The year-end bonus I'd been waiting for had finally hit my account.
00:02:44I was thinking about using it for the down payment on an Audi when the cat's voice drifted lazily into
00:02:49my mind.
00:02:49With that kind of money, why buy a car?
00:02:51Invest in real estate.
00:02:53I froze.
00:02:57I can't even afford the down payment on a place in New York.
00:03:00It flicked its tail as if I were an idiot.
00:03:02Who said anything about residential?
00:03:04Go buy that abandoned industrial land in New Jersey.
00:03:06I know some well-informed cats.
00:03:08The head of the planning department's Maine Coon told me himself.
00:03:11That land is about to be recoded for a tech park.
00:03:14Sink 300 grand into it now, and it'll turn into several million.
00:03:18Curiosity tangled with doubt, so I pulled up my laptop and searched for the plot he mentioned.
00:03:22All I found was an old listing that had stuck untouched for two years.
00:03:26The photos showed nothing but weeds and run-down lots.
00:03:30Bet all my savings on what you say?
00:03:32If you don't buy the land, your boyfriend will come along and decide what to do with your money anyway.
00:03:40A second later, Rith called.
00:03:42Chloe's going to Boston, and her commute won't be easy.
00:03:46How about we'll hitch it together and buy her a used car?
00:03:48Was asking for my money all they ever did?
00:03:50I almost laughed.
00:03:51How had I never seen it before?
00:03:53Looking back, Rith and Chloe had never gotten along when they first met.
00:03:56They both used to complain, but the other one took up too much of my time.
00:03:59But somewhere along the way, that had changed.
00:04:02Whenever Rith bought something, he'd casually get one for Chloe too.
00:04:05Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, he even invited Chloe to our anniversary dinner.
00:04:09He used to say,
00:04:10I love you, so I'll be good to your friends too.
00:04:12Back then, I'd honestly thought he was being thoughtful.
00:04:15Now I saw it.
00:04:16I was just a convenient excuse.
00:04:17Your bonus is just enough.
00:04:1915 grand for Chloe's car, 10 grand for her apartment deposit.
00:04:23That should cover it.
00:04:24Then you can help her look for apartments and cars.
00:04:27I'm going to take a shower, so I'm hanging up.
00:04:30Rith clearly hadn't expected me to agree so easily.
00:04:33His voice filled with delight.
00:04:35Isolid, you're the best.
00:04:36Seriously, always so thoughtful.
00:04:38Before, hearing him say that would have made me feel warm inside.
00:04:42Chloe would always add,
00:04:43Thank you, my best friend.
00:04:44Looking back, they weren't thanking me.
00:04:46They just long ago decided I was their personal ATM.
00:04:49A wave of nausea hit me so hard, I almost threw up.
00:04:55After I hung up, I let out a long breath.
00:04:58I stared at the bonus on the screen.
00:05:00Then, texted the Audi salesperson to say,
00:05:03I wasn't buying the car after all.
00:05:05They wanted to take my opportunity and use my money to build their new life.
00:05:10That wasn't going to happen.
00:05:13Early the next morning, I took the subway to the hospital.
00:05:17When I pushed open the office door, Chloe was already there.
00:05:20Breakfast sat on her desk.
00:05:22A hot Americano and a croissant.
00:05:24She looked like she was in a great mood.
00:05:26When she saw me, she waved the breakfast bag in her hand.
00:05:30My secret admirer dropped this off.
00:05:32First thing, he even remembered what I don't like.
00:05:35As she spoke, she lifted a hand to fix her hair, deliberately showing off the hickey above her collarbone.
00:05:41Isolid, do you think I should say yes to him?
00:05:44I set down my bag and said only one thing.
00:05:46That depends on whether he's worth it.
00:05:48The smile on her face faltered for a second before snapping right back into place.
00:05:52Don't worry, I'll introduce you to someday.
00:05:55Before I could answer, an internal hospital email popped up on my screen.
00:05:59The shortlist for the medical research program had entered final review.
00:06:03The results would be announced within two days.
00:06:06Chloe glanced at it and almost laughed.
00:06:09Isolid, we're the two strongest contenders for this spot.
00:06:12If you don't go for it, then I'm a lock.
00:06:16Reed even wants to celebrate with me early.
00:06:18Are you coming?
00:06:20I pulled my arm away.
00:06:22No time.
00:06:23I have clinic today.
00:06:24She froze, as if just now noticing the shift in my attitude.
00:06:28What's with you today?
00:06:29I was already at the door.
00:06:31I looked back at her.
00:06:32You should get to your rounds.
00:06:36When I got off work, Reed was there, just as I'd expected.
00:06:40He was leaning against the office doorway, looking like he'd come to play peacemaker.
00:06:44Isolid, don't be like this.
00:06:48Chloe might be going away for training, but she'll be all alone.
00:06:53The least we can do is throw her a celebratory dinner.
00:06:56We can also talk about the apartment and fronting her some cash.
00:07:00I set down the chart in my hand and looked at him.
00:07:03The list isn't even out.
00:07:04And you're already celebrating?
00:07:06Reed paused, about to speak.
00:07:07When I suddenly stepped forward and yanked open the collar of Chloe's white coat.
00:07:11The hickey on her collarbone was still there.
00:07:13Under the fluorescent lights, it was impossible to miss.
00:07:15I looked at both of them, my voice even.
00:07:18Doesn't Chloe have some enthusiastic admirer right now?
00:07:21The one who brings her breakfast and leaves marks like that?
00:07:24In that case, you don't need to be so worried about her rent.
00:07:27Maybe you should get your own life in order first.
00:07:32Chloe's face went white as she scrambled to pull her collar closed.
00:07:36Reed's expression stiffened.
00:07:38He looked guilty as hell.
00:07:39I couldn't be bothered to look at them any longer.
00:07:41I turned and walked out of the office.
00:07:44After leaving the hospital, I went straight to the industrial lot in New Jersey.
00:07:48I'd passed by before without paying it any mind.
00:07:51But once I got there, I realized it was even more desolate than I'd imagined.
00:07:55I couldn't help thinking about the cat.
00:07:57Doubt crept in.
00:07:58Could I really trust its judgment?
00:08:00How could such a run-down place ever turn a profit?
00:08:02Part of me could not shake the doubt.
00:08:04Yet somewhere deep down, I sensed the cat's advice was sincere.
00:08:08Parts of the fence had collapsed.
00:08:10A sour smell still hung in the air.
00:08:14Strange, quiet reassurance settled over me,
00:08:16telling me this choice would not end in regret.
00:08:19I put in the bonus I'd planned to use on the car,
00:08:22emptied my savings,
00:08:23and borrowed $200,000 from my parents.
00:08:27I had already made up my mind.
00:08:29By scraping everything together,
00:08:31I bought the wasteland.
00:08:33The moment I signed the contract,
00:08:35the agent handed me the key with a complicated look,
00:08:39as if he were watching me walk off a cliff.
00:08:42I took the key and held it in my palm.
00:08:52I did it.
00:08:53I bought the land.
00:08:54Good.
00:08:55We can move on to the next phase of the plan.
00:08:59What's the next step?
00:09:02I opened my phone to see.
00:09:04Chloe had just posted an Instagram story.
00:09:07It was a series of dinner photos.
00:09:09Steak, lobster, and artfully plated dessert.
00:09:13Wreath sat across from her,
00:09:15only half his profile visible.
00:09:17Is this really how friendships end?
00:09:20Just drifting apart?
00:09:22It hurts so much.
00:09:27It's okay.
00:09:29I'll always be by your side.
00:09:35And that wasn't all.
00:09:38Isolette went too far today.
00:09:40I'm apologizing to you on her behalf.
00:09:44They were a well-oiled machine.
00:09:46It made me sick.
00:09:49Aren't you short on cash?
00:09:52Did you forget about the...
00:09:54Cartier bracelet?
00:09:58You lent Chloe?
00:10:00That's when I remembered.
00:10:02When Chloe had just started her job,
00:10:05she'd said she needed a decent piece of jewelry
00:10:07to look more professional.
00:10:08Wreath had chimed in, saying,
00:10:10I should lend her my Cartier love bracelet,
00:10:13and he'd buy me a new one later.
00:10:15I hadn't thought much of it,
00:10:16and lent it to her.
00:10:21I asked for it back twice.
00:10:24She always said,
00:10:26let me wear it a few more days.
00:10:30Once I'm not so tight on money,
00:10:33I'll give it back.
00:10:36Later, she even flaunted it on a private account,
00:10:39claiming it was
00:10:40a gift from an admirer.
00:10:45But I wasn't the person,
00:10:47wasn't who kept giving in anymore.
00:10:50I was taking back everything that was mine.
00:10:56I took a cab to Chloe's apartment.
00:10:59I had just reached her door
00:11:01when I heard low voices inside.
00:11:04Wreath,
00:11:04do you think Isaline suspects something?
00:11:06She was acting so weird today.
00:11:09Relax.
00:11:10We've been together for two years,
00:11:12and she never noticed.
00:11:13Before, did she?
00:11:14She's probably at home,
00:11:16feeding that cat for us right now.
00:11:17So, is she really going to lend me the bonus money?
00:11:20I'm still waiting to move into that loft with you.
00:11:23Relax.
00:11:24She listens to me.
00:11:25Bile rose in my throat.
00:11:27I raised my hand and slammed it on the door.
00:11:33Who is it?
00:11:34Me.
00:11:36Isalette.
00:11:36The apartment erupted into chaos.
00:11:43Rhett stood in the doorway,
00:11:45his shirt buttoned wrong.
00:11:52Isalette, what are you doing here?
00:11:54Both of them were studying my face,
00:11:56trying to gauge how much I'd heard.
00:12:01I came to get my bracelet back.
00:12:07Isalette,
00:12:08I'm about to leave for a new city.
00:12:10I need a decent piece of jewelry now,
00:12:12more than ever.
00:12:16Can't you let me borrow it for a little longer?
00:12:20You're not even using it.
00:12:22Can't you be a little more generous?
00:12:24I'm here to take back what belongs to me.
00:12:27Why does it sound like I'm the one doing something wrong?
00:12:30If you feel that bad for her,
00:12:32you can buy her one yourself.
00:12:34They glanced at each other,
00:12:36but neither said another word.
00:12:40Don't fight because of me.
00:12:43I'll give it back, okay?
00:12:50As expected,
00:12:52Rilt's sympathy flared.
00:12:54He frowned and followed me into the hall.
00:12:57What are you taking that back for?
00:13:00To sell it.
00:13:02I need the money.
00:13:06I thought you weren't buying the car.
00:13:09Where did the money go?
00:13:11I turned and looked back at the two of them.
00:13:20And while we're on the subject,
00:13:22I've invested all my money.
00:13:24So I have nothing to lend Chloe.
00:13:26The apartment,
00:13:27the car.
00:13:29You two can figure it out yourselves.
00:13:32I deliberately gave them the address of the industrial lot.
00:13:37Chloe's face went pale and she grabbed Rilt's arm.
00:13:41And she grabbed Rilt's arm.
00:13:41Rilt exploded.
00:13:43There's nothing there.
00:13:45What kind of investment is that?
00:13:47Are you insane?
00:13:51Watching him get so angry was almost funny.
00:13:55He was so worried about my money,
00:13:57you'd think it was his.
00:13:58I ignored him,
00:14:00took the jewelry box,
00:14:01and headed for the stairs.
00:14:02Behind me,
00:14:03Rite was still shouting in the stairwell.
00:14:06They'd wanted my money for free.
00:14:08A nice apartment for free.
00:14:11A car on top of it all.
00:14:13Now,
00:14:14that was all gone.
00:14:17But the real blow was yet to come.
00:14:22Early the next morning,
00:14:23the final list for the medical research program
00:14:26was posted on the bulletin board
00:14:27in the hospital corridor.
00:14:30As I passed by,
00:14:32a few co-workers I knew well crowded around,
00:14:34congratulating me with wide smiles.
00:14:37Isolet,
00:14:38congratulations.
00:14:40You have an amazing future ahead of you.
00:14:44I'd been sitting for less than two minutes
00:14:46when her scream echoed down the hall.
00:14:49The next second,
00:14:50the office door slammed open
00:14:51and Chloe stormed in.
00:14:53Her eyes were red,
00:14:54her finger practically touching my nose.
00:14:57Isolet,
00:14:57what the hell is this?
00:15:00Didn't you say you were giving up this spot?
00:15:03I said I'd think about it,
00:15:04and I did.
00:15:05My future
00:15:07matters more than fake friendship
00:15:09and a fake relationship.
00:15:11Chloe's lips trembled with rage,
00:15:13her chest heaving.
00:15:15Finally,
00:15:15she shot me a vicious glare.
00:15:17You just wait.
00:15:20Then she spun around
00:15:21and stormed out.
00:15:23I knew she was going to wreath.
00:15:25What I couldn't figure out was why.
00:15:27At this point,
00:15:28she still thought
00:15:28Reed had any control over me.
00:15:33When Reed called,
00:15:35his tone was that of a boss
00:15:36scolding a disobedient subordinate.
00:15:39Isolet,
00:15:40you said you'd withdraw.
00:15:42Why did you change your mind?
00:15:44Go talk to the program director
00:15:46right now
00:15:47and give the spot to Chloe.
00:15:49Who do you think you are?
00:15:50What gives you the right
00:15:52to order me to give up
00:15:54an opportunity like this?
00:15:55He was silent for a few seconds.
00:15:57Then his tone shifted
00:15:59to one of deep disappointment.
00:16:01When did you become like this?
00:16:02Can't you think about Chloe for once?
00:16:04Is it really that hard
00:16:05to let her have this one thing?
00:16:06I'm so disappointed in you.
00:16:09I couldn't help but laugh.
00:16:11What are you laughing at?
00:16:13I'm laughing at what a hypocrite you are.
00:16:16You've both been using me
00:16:18this whole time.
00:16:20I paid for her apartment.
00:16:23I lent her my bracelet.
00:16:25A lot of the money she spends
00:16:28day to day came from me.
00:16:30And now you're calling me selfish?
00:16:36Reet, doesn't that sound ridiculous?
00:16:39Even to you?
00:16:40My words stopped him cold,
00:16:42but he recovered quickly.
00:16:43I don't care.
00:16:44You have to give Chloe that spot.
00:16:47Otherwise...
00:16:47I cut him off.
00:16:48Otherwise what?
00:16:49You'll make a scene at the hospital?
00:16:52Fine.
00:16:53Then everyone can find out
00:16:55you and Chloe have been sleeping together
00:16:56while you were my boyfriend.
00:16:58And she was my best friend.
00:16:59I'd love to see who comes out worse
00:17:02of that looking worse.
00:17:04What the hell are you talking about?
00:17:09Without rushing,
00:17:10I sent him a few screenshots
00:17:12from his and Chloe's
00:17:13private Instagram accounts.
00:17:15That account documented
00:17:16their entire relationship
00:17:17from flirtation
00:17:18to full-blown affair.
00:17:20I had my cat to thank for that.
00:17:22Back when it was living at Chloe's,
00:17:24it had already seen
00:17:25everything on her phone.
00:17:26I sat on the coffee table
00:17:29and watched for half a day.
00:17:31It was better than television.
00:17:34Don't bother trying to delete anything.
00:17:37It's too late.
00:17:38I saved everything.
00:17:43At the same time,
00:17:45back in the office,
00:17:46Chloe was hunched over her desk,
00:17:48crying.
00:17:48She was probably hoping
00:17:50our co-workers would think
00:17:51I was bullying her.
00:17:54Just as the tears started to fall,
00:17:56her phone rang.
00:17:58She answered,
00:17:59and her expression changed
00:18:00several times as she listened.
00:18:03A moment later,
00:18:04she wiped her tears,
00:18:06hurried over,
00:18:06and dragged me
00:18:07into the empty elevator vestibule.
00:18:10The moment the doors closed,
00:18:11she broke down,
00:18:12grabbing my arm.
00:18:15Isilded, I was wrong.
00:18:19I was so wrong.
00:18:21I was so wrong.
00:18:22Please, for the sake of
00:18:25all the years we've known each other,
00:18:28don't tell anyone about me and Reed.
00:18:34I worked so hard
00:18:36to get through med school,
00:18:37so hard to become a doctor.
00:18:41My family doesn't have money.
00:18:43If this ruins my reputation,
00:18:45I'll have nothing left.
00:18:53I clearly misjudged you.
00:18:56From now on,
00:18:57let's pretend
00:18:58we never knew each other.
00:19:01The elevator doors opened,
00:19:03and I walked out.
00:19:05Behind me,
00:19:05I could still hear her sopping,
00:19:08but I had no desire to turn back.
00:19:10She was grieving the lost opportunity
00:19:12and the fact that no one
00:19:13would be funding her life anymore.
00:19:15Because I had proof,
00:19:16Reith and Chloe
00:19:17didn't dare bother me again.
00:19:19That made things easier,
00:19:20and I focused on wrapping up my work
00:19:23before leaving for Boston.
00:19:26Every time Chloe saw me in the hallway,
00:19:28she'd glare at me
00:19:29before quickly lowering her head
00:19:31as if trying to avoid a predator.
00:19:34Of course,
00:19:35other people noticed.
00:19:37A few co-workers quietly asked me,
00:19:39Isolid,
00:19:40weren't you and Chloe best friends?
00:19:43Why does she look at you mortal enemy
00:19:44like you're her mortal enemy now?
00:19:46I just smiled.
00:19:47You learn who people really are.
00:19:49Some people will only hurt you
00:19:51the more you trust them.
00:19:53After that,
00:19:54the way my co-workers
00:19:55looked at Chloe changed.
00:19:57She would stand in the hallway
00:19:58on their collective gaze,
00:20:00her face twisting,
00:20:01but she never dared to say a word.
00:20:04Watching her stand there,
00:20:05so unsteady,
00:20:06she could barely keep her balance,
00:20:08put me in an excellent mood.
00:20:12That afternoon,
00:20:14Chloe must have been too distracted.
00:20:16She mixed up the medications
00:20:17for two patients
00:20:18and nearly caused one
00:20:20to have a severe allergic reaction.
00:20:22The family exploded,
00:20:24crowding the nurse's station
00:20:25and shouting that they were going
00:20:27to sue the hospital.
00:20:28The commotion spread
00:20:29through the entire floor.
00:20:31Chloe panicked.
00:20:32In the middle of it all,
00:20:34she actually tried to pin the blame on me,
00:20:37claiming I had reviewed the order.
00:20:39Luckily,
00:20:40the hospital's system
00:20:41left an electronic trail
00:20:42for everything,
00:20:43from medication orders
00:20:45to the final sign-off.
00:20:46I pulled up the log on the spot
00:20:48and laid it on the desk.
00:20:51It clearly showed her employee ID
00:20:53and the exact time of the order.
00:20:55The color drenned from Chloe's face
00:20:58and the family's anger
00:20:59immediately re-wrecked it to her.
00:21:01Someone rushed forward,
00:21:02screaming in her face,
00:21:03pointing and shouting
00:21:04that she should never be allowed
00:21:06to practice medicine again.
00:21:08She cowered behind the nurse's station,
00:21:10a complete mess.
00:21:11Her hair de-shangled,
00:21:12her white coat splashed with coffee.
00:21:14Wreath stood at the back
00:21:16of the crowd of onlookers.
00:21:17From beginning to end,
00:21:18he kept his head down,
00:21:19not daring to step forward
00:21:20or say a single word
00:21:22in her defense.
00:21:23After security
00:21:24finally calmed the family down
00:21:25and the crowd
00:21:26at the nurse's station dispersed,
00:21:28he blocked my path,
00:21:29his expression dark.
00:21:30You're leaving for Boston anyway.
00:21:33What would have been so hard
00:21:34about taking the blame
00:21:35for Chloe
00:21:36this one time?
00:21:38Do you really have to push her
00:21:39this far to feel satisfied?
00:21:42You're cold-blooded.
00:21:44I let out a cold laugh,
00:21:45said nothing,
00:21:46grabbed him by the collar
00:21:47and dragged him over
00:21:49to the patient's family
00:21:50who hadn't gotten far.
00:21:51I raised my voice.
00:21:53Everyone,
00:21:54please don't leave just yet.
00:21:59I heard him with my own ears
00:22:00in the stairwell
00:22:02telling Chloe over the phone
00:22:04to push the blame
00:22:06onto me.
00:22:08He and Chloe
00:22:09are in this together.
00:22:11When something goes wrong,
00:22:13they don't think about
00:22:13taking responsibility.
00:22:14They think about shifting it
00:22:16to someone else.
00:22:18If you're going to file a complaint,
00:22:20he or Sue,
00:22:21he should be included too.
00:22:23Rield started to struggle,
00:22:25the color draining
00:22:26from his face.
00:22:29The next day,
00:22:30Chloe didn't come to work.
00:22:32Later,
00:22:33I heard that she and Reith
00:22:34had been cornered
00:22:36in the underground parking garage
00:22:37by several of the patient's relatives
00:22:39and beaten
00:22:40until their faces
00:22:41were bruised and swollen.
00:22:45By the time someone found them,
00:22:47they were huddled inside a car,
00:22:49trembling,
00:22:50their faces a wreck of injuries.
00:22:53Too ashamed to face
00:22:53their co-workers,
00:22:54they hid away
00:22:55for half a week to recover.
00:22:57Chloe was suspended
00:22:58pending investigation,
00:22:59and Reith was fired
00:23:00by his company.
00:23:03I thought they might have
00:23:04finally learned their lesson,
00:23:06but on the day I left,
00:23:08I walked into the airport
00:23:09with the cat in my arms
00:23:11and ran straight into them.
00:23:12Reith had an arm
00:23:13around Chloe's waist.
00:23:15Bruises were still visible
00:23:16on both their faces,
00:23:17but they forced themselves
00:23:18to look smug
00:23:19as they blocked my path.
00:23:21Isalid,
00:23:22you don't seriously won.
00:23:24Let me tell you something.
00:23:26So what if you come back
00:23:28from your training
00:23:29with a promotion
00:23:29and a raise?
00:23:32All that money you sunk
00:23:33into that dump in New Jersey
00:23:36is going down the drain.
00:23:37Chloe picked up
00:23:39where he left off,
00:23:40resentment and pride
00:23:41warring on her face.
00:23:43Reith's family's neighborhood
00:23:45is about to be bought out
00:23:46for redevelopment.
00:23:48The developer
00:23:49is giving them
00:23:50two apartments
00:23:50and at least
00:23:51eight million dollars cash.
00:23:53When we have our wedding,
00:23:56don't be cheap.
00:23:58You're welcome to come
00:23:59and witness our happiness.
00:24:05Don't listen to them.
00:24:07That project in his neighborhood
00:24:09isn't happening.
00:24:10I glanced down at the cat
00:24:12then raised my head
00:24:13and smiled at them.
00:24:15Then, congratulations.
00:24:17I wish you two
00:24:18a long life together.
00:24:19Just try not to ruin
00:24:20anyone else's.
00:24:23With that,
00:24:24I carried the cat
00:24:25toward the gate
00:24:26without a backward glance.
00:24:27Once I was out of earshot,
00:24:29I lowered my voice
00:24:30and asked the cat,
00:24:32why isn't his family's
00:24:33project happening?
00:24:36The cat rubbed its head
00:24:37against my arm.
00:24:39We don't land
00:24:39for a few more hours.
00:24:42I'm going to sleep.
00:24:44You'll find out.
00:24:51Life in Boston was busy.
00:24:53But fulfilling.
00:24:54I spent every day
00:24:55in either the library
00:24:56or on the ward.
00:24:58I observed surgeries
00:24:59with my mentor,
00:25:01joined consultations,
00:25:02and learned more than I had
00:25:04in the previous two years combined.
00:25:08Every time I dragged myself
00:25:09back to my dorm
00:25:10late at night,
00:25:11exhausted,
00:25:14I was grateful
00:25:15I hadn't given up
00:25:16this opportunity.
00:25:20Meanwhile,
00:25:21Reet and Chloe
00:25:22weren't exactly idle.
00:25:23They were preparing
00:25:24for their wedding
00:25:24in the loudest way possible,
00:25:26as if they had to prove
00:25:27to the world
00:25:28that they'd made it.
00:25:30The dress had to be
00:25:31Vera Wang.
00:25:32The ring had to be
00:25:33a huge diamond.
00:25:34The wedding convoy
00:25:36had to be a fleet
00:25:37of luxury cars.
00:25:39Even the wedding photos
00:25:40had to be shot
00:25:41in Tahiti.
00:25:43When they ran out of money,
00:25:45they borrowed.
00:25:47When they couldn't borrow,
00:25:48they took out loans.
00:25:50Convinced the buyout
00:25:51compensation would arrive
00:25:52any day,
00:25:53they spent without
00:25:54a shred of fear.
00:25:55The two of them posted
00:25:56constantly on social media.
00:25:58Reet wrote,
00:25:58Only when you say goodbye
00:26:00to the wrong person
00:26:01can you meet
00:26:02the right one.
00:26:04Chloe posted just as often,
00:26:06repeating over and over,
00:26:07I finally found you.
00:26:10Thank God I didn't give up.
00:26:14Even through a screen,
00:26:15it was obvious me.
00:26:17They wanted me to see it.
00:26:20After a while,
00:26:21it stopped making me angry.
00:26:25Whenever I was worn out
00:26:26from studying,
00:26:27I'd scroll through
00:26:28their Instagram,
00:26:29looking at the staged photos
00:26:31and overwatt captions.
00:26:33I treated it like
00:26:34stress relief.
00:26:35It worked better
00:26:36than anything else.
00:26:40Four months later,
00:26:41I got a call
00:26:42from an unknown number.
00:26:44Hello?
00:26:45Is this Mrs. Isolette Hayes?
00:26:47Yes.
00:26:47This is the Office
00:26:48of Planning and Development.
00:26:50Regarding the compensation
00:26:51for the acquisition
00:26:52of the industrial property
00:26:53under your name,
00:26:54please come in
00:26:55to sign the agreement
00:26:56as soon as possible.
00:26:57I stood in my dorm room,
00:26:58phone in hand,
00:27:00stunned for several seconds
00:27:01before I finally laughed.
00:27:03The news spread fast.
00:27:04That same night,
00:27:05local news alerts
00:27:06started popping up
00:27:07one after another.
00:27:08Genesis Tech Park Project
00:27:09officially confirmed.
00:27:11Large influx of high-net-worth
00:27:12property owners
00:27:13expected in surrounding areas.
00:27:15Even when I opened
00:27:16a food delivery app,
00:27:17I saw headlines like,
00:27:18housing prices near
00:27:19acquisition zones skyrocket.
00:27:21I used an academic seminar
00:27:23as an excuse to fly back
00:27:24and make a trip
00:27:25to the planning office.
00:27:26When I came out
00:27:27after signing the agreement,
00:27:28I stood on the steps,
00:27:30holding the paperwork,
00:27:31and didn't move
00:27:32for a long time.
00:27:33The $300,000
00:27:34I'd put in
00:27:35had turned into $11 million.
00:27:37Having an eight-figure net worth
00:27:38felt very, very good.
00:27:40For Reet, however,
00:27:41things were completely different.
00:27:43He had nothing left
00:27:44to smile about.
00:27:45His family's neighborhood
00:27:46wasn't being bought out,
00:27:47after all.
00:27:48At first,
00:27:48it had been on
00:27:49the redevelopment list.
00:27:50The draft plan
00:27:51had even been made public.
00:27:52The neighbors were
00:27:53ecstepic,
00:27:53throwing one party
00:27:54after another.
00:27:55Renovation companies
00:27:56were already flooding
00:27:57the area with ads.
00:27:58But Reet's mother,
00:27:59convinced their location
00:28:01was prime real estate,
00:28:02kept egging the neighbors
00:28:03on to demand
00:28:04a higher price,
00:28:05negotiating as if
00:28:06they were selling
00:28:07a piece of Manhattan.
00:28:08In the end,
00:28:09the city simply
00:28:10bypassed their neighborhood
00:28:11entirely and issued
00:28:12a new notice,
00:28:13designating the area
00:28:14a historic preservation district.
00:28:16Forget redevelopment.
00:28:17From now on,
00:28:18they'd need permission
00:28:19just to repaint
00:28:20their exterior walls.
00:28:21The reality hit
00:28:22Reet's family
00:28:23like a ton of bricks.
00:28:25I heard his mother
00:28:26spent three straight days
00:28:27screaming at community meetings
00:28:29until her voice
00:28:30went host.
00:28:32But it changed nothing.
00:28:34As for Reet and Chloe's
00:28:36expensive wedding,
00:28:37the loans alone
00:28:37topped two million dollars.
00:28:39They hadn't even finished
00:28:40paying the installments
00:28:41on the custom wedding dress.
00:28:42The travel agency
00:28:44was still chasing them
00:28:45for the balance
00:28:45on the Tahiti photo shoot.
00:28:47The diamond ring
00:28:48had maxed out
00:28:48two credit cards.
00:28:50They had assumed
00:28:50that once the compensation
00:28:52money came in,
00:28:53all of it would be
00:28:53taken care of.
00:28:54Instead of a check,
00:28:55what arrived
00:28:56was a historic
00:28:57preservation notice.
00:29:02After the seminary ended,
00:29:04I walked out of the venue
00:29:05with my materials,
00:29:06looking down at my phone
00:29:07when someone stepped
00:29:08into my path.
00:29:09I looked up.
00:29:10It was right.
00:29:11He was so thin,
00:29:12I almost didn't recognize him.
00:29:13His cheekbones were sharp,
00:29:15his eyes hollow,
00:29:16and his suit
00:29:16was badly wrinkled.
00:29:18He rubbed his hands together,
00:29:20his voice low.
00:29:22Isolid,
00:29:22I was wrong.
00:29:23I was so wrong.
00:29:25Chloe came on to me first.
00:29:27First,
00:29:28I had a Zijon.
00:29:28She made the first move.
00:29:30She may have been
00:29:30a land at it.
00:29:31I was just an idiot
00:29:31for a minute.
00:29:33You're the only person
00:29:34I've ever loved.
00:29:35From the beginning,
00:29:36it was always you.
00:29:37Looking at him,
00:29:38I couldn't help it.
00:29:40I laughed in his face.
00:29:42Love me?
00:29:43You love my 11 million?
00:29:45His face stiffened
00:29:46at being called out
00:29:47so directly.
00:29:48He took a hurried step closer.
00:29:50No,
00:29:51I really do love you.
00:29:53I only married Chloe
00:29:54to make you jealous.
00:29:55Come back,
00:29:56to make you come back to me.
00:29:58I held up a hand
00:29:59to stop him
00:30:00and threw his own words
00:30:01back in his face.
00:30:02How could that be?
00:30:03Weren't you the one
00:30:04who said,
00:30:04only when you say goodbye
00:30:06to the wrong person
00:30:07can you meet the right one?
00:30:08Don't worry.
00:30:10Even if you're drowning in debt,
00:30:12at least you found
00:30:12true love, right?
00:30:14His face turned hideous.
00:30:15His lips moved,
00:30:16but before he could
00:30:17say anything more,
00:30:18two security guards
00:30:20hurried over,
00:30:20grabbed him by the arms
00:30:22and started dragging him
00:30:23toward the exit.
00:30:24He twisted around
00:30:25and shouted,
00:30:26his voice cracking.
00:30:28Isolette!
00:30:29Please just give me
00:30:30one more chance!
00:30:33Later,
00:30:33once Reed realized
00:30:34there was no chance
00:30:35of me taking him back,
00:30:36he went after Chloe,
00:30:38trying to make her shoulder
00:30:39the mountain of debt with him.
00:30:41But with no money left,
00:30:42whatever feelings
00:30:43they'd had for each other
00:30:44quickly evaporated.
00:30:46Chloe canceled the wedding
00:30:47and ran.
00:30:48She even took the diamond ring
00:30:49and other valuable jewelry,
00:30:51disappearing without
00:30:52so much as a note.
00:30:54Reed went crazy
00:30:54looking for her.
00:30:55When he found out
00:30:56she'd fled the state,
00:30:57he couldn't find her anywhere.
00:30:59He resorted to threatening
00:31:00to send the details
00:31:01of their affair
00:31:02and things Chloe had said
00:31:03in private
00:31:04to her very conservative parents.
00:31:06In the end,
00:31:07her parents tricked her
00:31:08into coming home.
00:31:09What's the you were doing
00:31:10with our socks?
00:31:10The two of them
00:31:11were shut in a room
00:31:12and argued all night.
00:31:13There were sounds
00:31:14of things being thrown,
00:31:16crying,
00:31:16and screaming.
00:31:18No one knew
00:31:19exactly what happened.
00:31:20All anyone knew
00:31:21was that before dawn,
00:31:23Reed forced Chloe
00:31:24into a car
00:31:24by threatening her
00:31:26with videos on his phone.
00:31:28The car sped down a road
00:31:29on the outskirts of town.
00:31:31In the last footage
00:31:32from a surveillance camera,
00:31:33the steering wheel
00:31:34suddenly jerked hard
00:31:35to one side.
00:31:36After a deafening crash,
00:31:38the car smashed
00:31:39through the guardrail
00:31:40and flipped into a ditch.
00:31:42Reed died on the spot.
00:31:43Chloe was rescued alive,
00:31:45but her right leg
00:31:46had suffered
00:31:46a severe communiated fracture.
00:31:49The doctor said
00:31:50she would need a cane
00:31:50for the rest of her life.
00:31:54By the time
00:31:55this news reached me,
00:31:56I had just finished
00:31:57the last of the paperwork
00:31:58for the land acquisition.
00:31:59The weather
00:32:00was beautiful that day.
00:32:01I slipped the signed agreement
00:32:02into my pocket
00:32:03and bought myself
00:32:04a hot latte
00:32:05from a roadside stand.
00:32:07The number in my bank account
00:32:08was enough for my parents
00:32:09to live the rest
00:32:10of their lives in comfort.
00:32:12As for me,
00:32:13the money gave me
00:32:13something even more important.
00:32:15Security.
00:32:16From now on,
00:32:17I would never have to make
00:32:18a decision based on
00:32:19what someone else wanted.
00:32:20As for Chloe limping
00:32:21and ride being dead,
00:32:22I heard the news
00:32:23and let it go.
00:32:24That was their life now,
00:32:25not mine.
00:32:26First bitter,
00:32:27then a little sweet.
00:32:28I thought the past
00:32:30was finally over.
00:32:31Just then,
00:32:32my phone buzzed.
00:32:33It was an email
00:32:33from the hospital.
00:32:34Chloe had filed an appeal
00:32:35regarding the medication incident.
00:32:37The last line read,
00:32:39In her appeal,
00:32:39she alleges
00:32:40that you falsified
00:32:41the system logs.
00:32:42I read the email twice.
00:32:44Chloe had spent months
00:32:45in the hospital,
00:32:46her right leg still not healed,
00:32:48and she was already
00:32:48trying to clear her name.
00:32:50In her appeal,
00:32:51she claimed
00:32:51that the medication order
00:32:52had been verbally
00:32:53instructed by me.
00:32:55And after the incident,
00:32:56I had used my system access
00:32:57to alter the records
00:32:59and pin all the blame on her.
00:33:00She also claimed
00:33:01that I'd always been jealous
00:33:02of her and Ride's love
00:33:03for each other,
00:33:04and that stealing
00:33:05the Boston training spot
00:33:06hadn't been enough.
00:33:07I'd wanted to destroy
00:33:08her career, too.
00:33:10Attached was a long,
00:33:11personal statement
00:33:11she'd written.
00:33:12From her family's
00:33:13financial hardship
00:33:14during college
00:33:15to her lifelong disability
00:33:16after the car accident,
00:33:18she painted herself
00:33:19as a profound victim.
00:33:20She conveniently failed
00:33:21to mention that she
00:33:23and Reith
00:33:23had hidden their affair
00:33:24from me for two years
00:33:26or that she had been
00:33:27the one to mix up
00:33:28the medication
00:33:28for two patients.
00:33:30I hadn't even closed
00:33:31the email before
00:33:32my mentor called.
00:33:34The hospital forwarded
00:33:36the appeal to the program
00:33:37as well.
00:33:37Your completion evaluation
00:33:39won't be canceled,
00:33:40but your appointment
00:33:41as attending physician
00:33:42will be on hold
00:33:43until the investigation
00:33:45is finished.
00:33:46I held the phone
00:33:46and the anger
00:33:47that had flared up
00:33:48inside me slowly settled.
00:33:50Chloe knew better than
00:33:51anyone what that position
00:33:52meant to me,
00:33:52so when she struck,
00:33:53she aimed for my future,
00:33:56just like before.
00:33:56If there was something
00:33:57she wanted,
00:33:58she believed I should
00:33:59step aside.
00:34:00If she got into trouble,
00:34:01she believed
00:34:01I should take the fall.
00:34:03I understand.
00:34:04I'll cooperate
00:34:05with the investigation.
00:34:09I opened my computer
00:34:10and began organizing
00:34:11the files I had saved,
00:34:13the medication records
00:34:14from that day,
00:34:15the sign-off process,
00:34:16the electronic logs.
00:34:18They were all still
00:34:19preserved in the hospital system.
00:34:21I had never deleted
00:34:22the screenshots
00:34:22from the private account,
00:34:23documenting her two-year
00:34:25affair with Reith.
00:34:26And there was still
00:34:27our three-person
00:34:27iMessage thread,
00:34:29how they'd planned
00:34:29to spend my bonus,
00:34:31how they'd pressured me
00:34:32to give up my spot.
00:34:33Every date and timeline
00:34:34was clear.
00:34:36I submitted all of it
00:34:37to the hospital
00:34:38and added one request.
00:34:39If she's claiming
00:34:40the system logs were forged,
00:34:42then this shouldn't
00:34:43be handled informally.
00:34:44I want a formal review,
00:34:46and I want her to
00:34:47explain herself in person.
00:34:49After the email sent,
00:34:50the cat lying in a patch of sun
00:34:52by the window
00:34:52opened one eye.
00:34:54Her leg is broken,
00:34:55and now her brain
00:34:56is too?
00:35:00Maybe she thinks
00:35:01if she's pathetic enough,
00:35:02people will forget
00:35:03what she did.
00:35:04The cat flicked its tail.
00:35:06Humans are weird.
00:35:07They're not afraid
00:35:08when they do something wrong.
00:35:09But when it's time
00:35:10to face the consequences,
00:35:11suddenly they know
00:35:12how to cry.
00:35:13The next day,
00:35:14Chloe posted her appeal
00:35:15statement on Instagram.
00:35:17She didn't use my full name,
00:35:18but she described
00:35:19my profession,
00:35:20my training program,
00:35:21and my investment windfall
00:35:23in detail.
00:35:23Anyone could guess
00:35:24she was talking about me.
00:35:26At the end,
00:35:26she wrote,
00:35:27Can people with money
00:35:28and status
00:35:29rewrite the truth forever?
00:35:30In less than an hour,
00:35:32the comments exploded.
00:35:33Some people called me
00:35:35a monster
00:35:35who stole her best friend's future.
00:35:38Others flooded
00:35:38the hospital's account
00:35:39demanding my appointment
00:35:40be canceled immediately.
00:35:41Soon after,
00:35:43Chloe posted a photo
00:35:44of herself on crutches.
00:35:45In the picture,
00:35:47her right leg was in a brace,
00:35:48her face pale,
00:35:49her eyes red and swollen.
00:35:51The caption was
00:35:52a single sentence.
00:35:53All I want now
00:35:54is fairness.
00:35:55Three days later,
00:35:56the hospital notified me
00:35:58that the formal review
00:35:59was scheduled
00:35:59for the following Monday.
00:36:01In her reply,
00:36:02Chloe wrote only one line.
00:36:03I'm going to make everyone know
00:36:05that Isolette was the one
00:36:06who told me
00:36:07to change that order.
00:36:11On Monday morning,
00:36:12I returned to my
00:36:13old hospital.
00:36:14When I walked
00:36:15into the conference room,
00:36:16Chloe was already there.
00:36:18She had lost a lot of weight.
00:36:19Her right leg
00:36:20stuck out rigidly,
00:36:21her crutch
00:36:21leaning against her chair.
00:36:23The moment she saw me,
00:36:24she lowered her head,
00:36:25as if even looking at me
00:36:26was frightening.
00:36:27If I hadn't known
00:36:28what she'd done,
00:36:29I might have found
00:36:29her pitiful, too.
00:36:31Once the review began,
00:36:32the hospital projected
00:36:33the electronic records
00:36:34from that day
00:36:35onto the screen.
00:36:36From the medication entries
00:36:38to the final sign-off,
00:36:39every item bore
00:36:40Chloe's employee ID.
00:36:42The timetapes
00:36:43had not been altered.
00:36:44You've claimed
00:36:45these records
00:36:45were falsified.
00:36:46What evidence
00:36:47do you have?
00:36:48Chloe lifted her head,
00:36:49tears immediately
00:36:50spilling down her face.
00:36:53That day,
00:36:54Isolette told me
00:36:55to use her permissions
00:36:56to change
00:36:57the medication order.
00:36:58After the incident,
00:36:59she forced me
00:37:00to sign it again
00:37:00with my own account.
00:37:02Are you sure?
00:37:03She bit her lip
00:37:04and nodded hard.
00:37:05I handed over
00:37:06my outpatient schedule
00:37:07for that day.
00:37:08When the incident happened,
00:37:10I was seeing patients
00:37:11in the clinic.
00:37:12You were in
00:37:13the Inchant building.
00:37:14And after the incident,
00:37:16I pulled up the logs
00:37:17at the nurse's station
00:37:19in front of everyone.
00:37:20Your signature
00:37:21was already there.
00:37:22If you're saying
00:37:23I forced you
00:37:24to sign it again later,
00:37:25the timeline doesn't work.
00:37:27On the screen,
00:37:28the timestamp column
00:37:29remained fixed.
00:37:30Chloe's face went white.
00:37:32That was all arranged
00:37:33by you.
00:37:34You wanted to ruin me
00:37:36from the beginning.
00:37:37How would I have known
00:37:38in advance
00:37:39that you were going
00:37:40to mix up the medication
00:37:41for two different patients?
00:37:43Because you were jealous
00:37:44of me!
00:37:49You knew Reet loved me
00:37:51so you always hated me.
00:37:52You stole my training spot
00:37:54and threatened,
00:37:55kept our photos
00:37:55to threaten me.
00:37:56The conference room
00:37:57fell silent.
00:37:58I didn't offer
00:37:59an explanation.
00:38:00I simply projected
00:38:01the three-person group chat
00:38:02onto the screen.
00:38:04The first message
00:38:05was Chloe asking
00:38:05if I would give
00:38:06the spot to her.
00:38:07Further down
00:38:08was Reet planning
00:38:09how to spend
00:38:09my bonus on her.
00:38:10Finally,
00:38:11there was the message
00:38:12where I made it clear
00:38:13my money was invested
00:38:14and I wouldn't be
00:38:15lending her anything.
00:38:19The timestamps
00:38:20all came before
00:38:21the medication incident.
00:38:22I looked at Chloe.
00:38:23Was I taking
00:38:24what was yours?
00:38:25Or were you the one
00:38:26who kept treating
00:38:27what was mine
00:38:28as if it already
00:38:29belonged to you?
00:38:30She opened her mouth
00:38:31but no words came out.
00:38:33Whatever your personal
00:38:33relationship,
00:38:35you were the one
00:38:36who entered
00:38:36and signed this order.
00:38:38At the time,
00:38:39you did not report
00:38:40being coerced
00:38:41in any way.
00:38:44In your first investigation,
00:38:46you claimed
00:38:46Izalit had reviewed
00:38:48the order.
00:38:48Now you're saying
00:38:49she forced you
00:38:50to sign it.
00:38:51Those two statements
00:38:52are inconsistent.
00:38:53Chloe started trembling.
00:38:56She gripped her clutch
00:38:56and suddenly pointed
00:38:57at me, shouting.
00:38:59Wright told me
00:38:59to say that!
00:39:01She said Izalit
00:39:02was about to leave
00:39:02for Boston
00:39:03and if I pushed
00:39:04the blame onto her,
00:39:05I'd be able to stay.
00:39:08She has everything anyway.
00:39:10What would it have cost
00:39:11her to take the hit
00:39:12for me just once?
00:39:14Everyone in the room
00:39:14was staring at her.
00:39:16Only then did Chloe
00:39:17realize what she had admitted.
00:39:19She scrambled
00:39:19to backtrack.
00:39:20No, I mean
00:39:21I was influenced
00:39:22by him.
00:39:24The reviewer
00:39:24cut her off.
00:39:26So, during the first
00:39:27investigation,
00:39:28you did in fact
00:39:29try to shift
00:39:29responsibility
00:39:30to Izalit?
00:39:31Chloe cried harder
00:39:32but this time
00:39:33she had no answer.
00:39:35Before the review
00:39:36ended,
00:39:36the hospital asked
00:39:37each of us
00:39:38to sign our statements.
00:39:39I signed quickly.
00:39:41Chloe held the pen,
00:39:42her hand shaking,
00:39:43and finally scrabbled
00:39:44a crooked signature.
00:39:46As I walked out
00:39:47of the conference room,
00:39:48she called after me.
00:39:50I paused
00:39:52but didn't turn around.
00:39:53Her voice was soft.
00:39:55Do you really have
00:39:56to push me
00:39:56until I have nothing left?
00:39:59You're the one
00:40:00who mixed up
00:40:00the medication.
00:40:01You're the one
00:40:02who filed a false appeal.
00:40:04Chloe,
00:40:05from beginning to end,
00:40:06the only person
00:40:07who pushed you
00:40:08to this point
00:40:08was you.
00:40:10That night,
00:40:12Chloe posted again.
00:40:13She claimed
00:40:14everyone in the review
00:40:15was biased towards me
00:40:16and had refused
00:40:17to let her speak.
00:40:18She also said
00:40:19that by displaying
00:40:20private chat records,
00:40:21I had used wealth
00:40:22and privacy
00:40:23to oppress
00:40:23a disabled person.
00:40:24She pinned a photo
00:40:25of herself crying
00:40:27in the conference room
00:40:28to the top
00:40:29of the post
00:40:30but said nothing
00:40:31about admitting
00:40:32Reith had coached her
00:40:33to shift the blame.
00:40:34From the screenshots
00:40:35I had kept,
00:40:36I chose three.
00:40:37The first was her
00:40:38showing off
00:40:39the Cartier bracelet,
00:40:40claiming it was a gift
00:40:41from an admirer.
00:40:43The second was
00:40:44a kissing selfie
00:40:44of her and Reith,
00:40:45dated two years earlier,
00:40:47back when he and I
00:40:48were still together.
00:40:49The third was
00:40:49from our group chat,
00:40:50where she asked
00:40:51if the training spot
00:40:52would be hers
00:40:53as long as I didn't compete.
00:40:54I didn't write
00:40:55a long explanation.
00:40:56I added only one sentence.
00:40:58The fairness she wants
00:40:59is for my boyfriend,
00:41:01my money,
00:41:02my jewelry,
00:41:03and my future,
00:41:04all to be handed over to her.
00:41:06All of those screenshots
00:41:07had been posted
00:41:08by Chloe herself.
00:41:09She couldn't claim
00:41:10I had fabricated them.
00:41:11The people who had
00:41:13been defending her
00:41:14quickly realized
00:41:15the truth was nothing
00:41:16like the story
00:41:17she'd told.
00:41:18The tide in the comments
00:41:19turned.
00:41:20So she was dating
00:41:21her best friend's
00:41:22two-boyfriend
00:41:22for two years?
00:41:24She borrowed a bracelet
00:41:25and then said
00:41:25someone gave it to her?
00:41:26Why did she think
00:41:27the training spot
00:41:28belonged to her
00:41:29in the first place?
00:41:32Chloe kept deleting comments,
00:41:34and in the end,
00:41:35she simply started
00:41:36a live stream.
00:41:37She sat before
00:41:38the camera crying,
00:41:39saying she and Reith
00:41:40had been true love
00:41:41who had just met
00:41:42at the wrong time.
00:41:43Someone asked about
00:41:44the medication incident,
00:41:45and she immediately
00:41:46became agitated.
00:41:47It's totally normal
00:41:48for doctors
00:41:49to verbally relay
00:41:50medication orders.
00:41:51Isalette knew
00:41:52I wasn't a good
00:41:52state of mind back then,
00:41:54so why couldn't she
00:41:55have double-checked
00:41:56it for me?
00:41:57If she had just
00:41:58given me
00:41:59the Boston training spot,
00:42:01I would have been
00:42:01gone already,
00:42:02and the incident
00:42:03never would have happened!
00:42:04The live stream
00:42:05went dead silent
00:42:06for a few seconds.
00:42:07Then the comments
00:42:08flew by too fast to read.
00:42:10So the mistake
00:42:11really was yours?
00:42:12You're still blaming
00:42:13someone else
00:42:13for not giving you
00:42:14her opportunity?
00:42:15If you weren't
00:42:16in a good state,
00:42:17you thought it was okay
00:42:18to gamble
00:42:18with a patient's life?
00:42:20Chloe panicked
00:42:20and reached out
00:42:21to shut off the stream,
00:42:22but accidentally
00:42:23knocked her phone
00:42:24to the floor.
00:42:25The camera pointed
00:42:26at the ceiling
00:42:26while she shouted
00:42:27from off screen,
00:42:28her voice ferret,
00:42:29asking how to turn it off.
00:42:31The live stream
00:42:31was quickly saved
00:42:32and shared by others.
00:42:33This time,
00:42:34I didn't have to do
00:42:35anything else.
00:42:36She had torn down
00:42:37her own lies
00:42:37all by herself.
00:42:38Two days later,
00:42:40the hospital gave me
00:42:41its final response.
00:42:42The original conclusion
00:42:43of the investigation
00:42:44would stand.
00:42:45Chloe's appeal
00:42:46was denied
00:42:46because when she had
00:42:47made contradictory statements,
00:42:49the hospital would forward
00:42:50the complete case file
00:42:51to the medical licensing board.
00:42:52My attending physician
00:42:53appointment
00:42:53was also reinstated.
00:42:54My mentor gave me
00:42:55the news over the phone
00:42:56while I was opening
00:42:57a can of cat food.
00:42:59The smell hit the air
00:43:00and the cat immediately
00:43:01jumped down from the couch.
00:43:03I told you her brain
00:43:04was no good.
00:43:04I set the can down
00:43:06in front of it.
00:43:06This time,
00:43:07you were right.
00:43:08It buried its head
00:43:09in the food for two bites,
00:43:11then looked up,
00:43:12deeply offended.
00:43:13What do you mean?
00:43:14This time?
00:43:15When have I ever been wrong?
00:43:16Just then,
00:43:17Chloe's account
00:43:18popped up on my phone.
00:43:19She had deleted
00:43:20the live stream
00:43:21and the appeal posts.
00:43:23Her profile page
00:43:24was blank.
00:43:30I thought Chloe
00:43:31would at least
00:43:32stay quiet for a while.
00:43:33But a week later,
00:43:35she showed up
00:43:36at my door on crutches.
00:43:39The moment I opened it,
00:43:40she wedged a crutch
00:43:41across the threshold.
00:43:43Now I have nothing left.
00:43:46Are you happy?
00:43:48Her face was haggard,
00:43:50with dark circles
00:43:51under her eyes.
00:43:52Her right leg
00:43:53couldn't support her,
00:43:54so nearly all her weight
00:43:56hung on her left side.
00:43:58What are you doing here?
00:44:00The hospital doesn't want me,
00:44:02and my license
00:44:03is under review.
00:44:05I still need rehab
00:44:06for a long time.
00:44:09Costs money.
00:44:11She stared at me,
00:44:12her voice slowly softening.
00:44:17Isolid,
00:44:18we've known each other
00:44:19for so many years.
00:44:22You have 11 million now.
00:44:24If you just gave me a little,
00:44:27it would be nothing to you.
00:44:29Even now,
00:44:29she still thought she had
00:44:31a claim on my money.
00:44:32How much do you want?
00:44:34Her eyes lit up,
00:44:36and she answered immediately,
00:44:38500,000 to start.
00:44:41Once I recover,
00:44:42I'll definitely pay you back.
00:44:45She'd said them
00:44:46when she borrowed the bracelet.
00:44:48She'd said them
00:44:49when she asked me
00:44:50to front her
00:44:51living expenses.
00:44:52She had never once
00:44:53paid me back.
00:44:56I'm not giving you anything.
00:44:58The hope on Chloe's face
00:44:59vanished.
00:45:02Why not?
00:45:04You're rich now!
00:45:09That's my money.
00:45:12If I hadn't brought
00:45:13that cat back,
00:45:15would you ever
00:45:15have bought that land?
00:45:19Her voice turned sharp.
00:45:21Hearing the commotion,
00:45:23the cat padded out
00:45:24from the living room.
00:45:28The second Chloe saw it,
00:45:30it was as if she'd
00:45:31found another excuse.
00:45:35That cat was
00:45:36Ruth's gift to me
00:45:37in the first place.
00:45:39It's worth $5,000.
00:45:42Either give the cat back
00:45:43or money,
00:45:44give me the money.
00:45:48The cat let out
00:45:49a cold laugh
00:45:50in my head.
00:45:52She used to forget
00:45:54to feed me.
00:45:55Now she remembers
00:45:57I'm valuable.
00:46:01Chloe bent down,
00:46:02reaching out
00:46:03to grab it.
00:46:05The cat sidestepped her,
00:46:06slipped past her crutch,
00:46:08and jumped straight
00:46:10into my arms.
00:46:14It buried its face
00:46:16in my arm,
00:46:17refusing to even
00:46:18look at her.
00:46:19I stroked its head.
00:46:25After Reet brought it
00:46:26to my house,
00:46:28did either of you
00:46:29ever laud come
00:46:30to get it?
00:46:31Chloe froze.
00:46:33You were too busy
00:46:34dating,
00:46:36planning your wedding,
00:46:37and spending my money
00:46:38to ask how it was doing.
00:46:42Now that you're
00:46:43short on cash,
00:46:44you suddenly remember
00:46:45it's a purebred.
00:46:49It's not a piece
00:46:50of jewelry
00:46:50you can sell.
00:46:53Chloe's eyes
00:46:54reddened with anger.
00:46:56What about me?
00:46:59I ended up
00:47:00like this.
00:47:02You really think
00:47:04you have no
00:47:04responsibility
00:47:05at all?
00:47:09I wasn't
00:47:10driving the car,
00:47:12and I wasn't
00:47:13the one
00:47:13who grabbed the wheel.
00:47:15I looked at her
00:47:16and said each word
00:47:17clearly,
00:47:17and I'm not the one
00:47:19who caused
00:47:20the medication incident.
00:47:21Her lips trembled,
00:47:22and she suddenly
00:47:23started crying.
00:47:25But Reel
00:47:26is dead.
00:47:28I can only
00:47:29come to you.
00:47:30You can take
00:47:31responsibility
00:47:33for yourself.
00:47:35I pushed her
00:47:36crutch out
00:47:37of the doorway
00:47:38and shut the door.
00:47:40Through the wood,
00:47:41I could still
00:47:42hear her slam
00:47:43her fist
00:47:43against it twice.
00:47:45The cat
00:47:45lifted its head
00:47:46from my arms.
00:47:48How many cans
00:47:50of food
00:47:51can 500,000
00:47:53buy?
00:47:55A lot.
00:48:00Then you
00:48:01definitely
00:48:02can't give it
00:48:02to her.
00:48:04That made me
00:48:04laugh.
00:48:05After a while,
00:48:06the noise
00:48:07outside finally
00:48:08stopped.
00:48:09This time,
00:48:10Chloe didn't
00:48:10get my money,
00:48:11and she
00:48:12didn't get
00:48:12my cat.
00:48:15After failing
00:48:16to get money
00:48:17from me,
00:48:17Chloe turned
00:48:18her sights
00:48:18on Reed's
00:48:19family.
00:48:19On social
00:48:20media,
00:48:20she claimed
00:48:21most of
00:48:21the $2 million
00:48:22wedding debt
00:48:23had been
00:48:23borrowed by Reed
00:48:24and she had
00:48:24no obligation
00:48:25to shoulder it.
00:48:26Reed's mother
00:48:26quickly fired
00:48:27back with
00:48:27a string
00:48:28of posts.
00:48:29She said
00:48:29Chloe had
00:48:29taken the
00:48:30diamond ring
00:48:30and other
00:48:31jewelry when
00:48:31she canceled
00:48:32the wedding
00:48:32and that
00:48:33it should
00:48:33all be
00:48:33returned
00:48:34and sold
00:48:34to pay
00:48:34the debt.
00:48:35The two
00:48:35of them
00:48:36fought online
00:48:36for three
00:48:37straight days.
00:48:38Reed's mother
00:48:39said Chloe
00:48:39had caused
00:48:40her son's
00:48:40death.
00:48:41Chloe responded
00:48:41by posting
00:48:42the phone
00:48:42video of
00:48:43Reed threatening
00:48:44her.
00:48:45In the video,
00:48:45Reed used
00:48:46photos from
00:48:47their affair
00:48:47and intimate
00:48:48material to
00:48:49force her
00:48:49into the car.
00:48:50His voice
00:48:51was perfectly
00:48:51clear.
00:48:53You don't
00:48:54get to dump
00:48:54all the debt
00:48:55on me.
00:48:55You're coming
00:48:56back with me
00:48:56today and
00:48:57we're settling
00:48:58this.
00:48:58Off camera,
00:48:59Chloe was crying,
00:49:00asking why he
00:49:01couldn't just
00:49:02let her go.
00:49:02The video
00:49:03cut off there.
00:49:04That was right
00:49:04before the crash.
00:49:06Reed's mother
00:49:06had wanted
00:49:07sympathy.
00:49:08Instead,
00:49:08she showed
00:49:08everyone exactly
00:49:09what kind
00:49:10of person
00:49:11her son was.
00:49:12She immediately
00:49:12claimed the
00:49:13video was misleading
00:49:14and taken out
00:49:15of context.
00:49:16Chloe then
00:49:16started posting
00:49:17Peter after
00:49:18photo from
00:49:18their private
00:49:19account to
00:49:19prove Reed
00:49:20had actively
00:49:21pursued her
00:49:21while he
00:49:22was still
00:49:23dating me.
00:49:23She wanted
00:49:24to absolve
00:49:25herself by
00:49:25painting herself
00:49:26as the one
00:49:26who had been
00:49:27deceived.
00:49:28But those
00:49:28same photos
00:49:29also made
00:49:29it clear that
00:49:30she had known
00:49:31Reed was my
00:49:31boyfriend and
00:49:33had still been
00:49:33involved with
00:49:34him for two
00:49:34years.
00:49:35Neither of
00:49:35them came
00:49:36out clean.
00:49:37They dug
00:49:37up more and
00:49:37more of each
00:49:38other's old
00:49:38posts.
00:49:39The Tahiti
00:49:39wedding photos,
00:49:40the Vera
00:49:41Wong order,
00:49:42the diamond
00:49:42ring bought on
00:49:43maxed out credit
00:49:44cards,
00:49:44and all those
00:49:45old boasts
00:49:46about the
00:49:46buyout money,
00:49:47it all
00:49:47resurfaced.
00:49:48The debt
00:49:49collectors barely
00:49:49had to lift a
00:49:50finger to figure
00:49:51out what assets
00:49:52to go after.
00:49:52Before long,
00:49:53Chloe posted
00:49:54that the diamond
00:49:55ring and
00:49:55jewelry had
00:49:56already been
00:49:56seized and
00:49:57sold against
00:49:58the debt.
00:49:58Reed's mother
00:49:59also had no
00:49:59choice but to
00:50:00list the old
00:50:01house in the
00:50:02historic district.
00:50:03The house
00:50:03couldn't be torn
00:50:04down or freely
00:50:05remodeled.
00:50:05It was worth
00:50:06nowhere near what
00:50:06she had imagined.
00:50:07She refused to
00:50:08lower the price,
00:50:09so it sat on
00:50:10the market for
00:50:10months without
00:50:11selling.
00:50:12In the end,
00:50:13Chloe mentioned
00:50:13me in a post.
00:50:14Some people walk
00:50:15away with 11
00:50:16million and still
00:50:18refuse to help
00:50:19a friend of many
00:50:20years when she
00:50:21has nowhere left
00:50:21to turn.
00:50:22This time, I
00:50:23replied with only
00:50:24one screech.
00:50:25It was the one
00:50:26where she wore my
00:50:27Cartier bracelet,
00:50:28leaned against
00:50:29Ruth's shoulder,
00:50:29and smiled into
00:50:30the camera with
00:50:31the caption.
00:50:32I finally got
00:50:33everything I ever
00:50:34wanted.
00:50:35Underneath it, I
00:50:36wrote, you did
00:50:37have it for a
00:50:37while, it just
00:50:38was never yours.
00:50:39After that, I
00:50:40blocked Chloe and
00:50:41every member
00:50:42of Ruth's
00:50:42family.
00:50:43The cat lay
00:50:43beside my
00:50:44keyboard, saw
00:50:45the screen
00:50:45finally go quiet,
00:50:47and licked its
00:50:48paw in
00:50:48satisfaction.
00:50:50About time.
00:50:51Yes, about
00:50:53time.
00:50:55On the day I
00:50:57finished the
00:50:57Boston program,
00:50:58my mentor handed
00:51:00me my certificate.
00:51:01You were one of
00:51:02the strongest
00:51:02doctors in this
00:51:03cohort.
00:51:04When you go
00:51:05back, that
00:51:05attending physician
00:51:06position will be
00:51:07yours.
00:51:08A few months
00:51:08ago, Chloe had
00:51:09been clinging to
00:51:10my arm, saying
00:51:11that if I didn't
00:51:12compete with
00:51:13her, the spot
00:51:13was hers.
00:51:14If I had stepped
00:51:15aside back then,
00:51:16this certificate
00:51:17wouldn't be mine,
00:51:18neither would
00:51:18that position.
00:51:19I used to think
00:51:20that if I made
00:51:21myself smaller, I
00:51:22could hold on to
00:51:23friendship and
00:51:23love.
00:51:24I learned that
00:51:24all endless
00:51:25compromise does
00:51:26is teach other
00:51:27people to keep
00:51:28taking.
00:51:29After the
00:51:29completion dinner,
00:51:30I called my
00:51:31parents.
00:51:31Back when I
00:51:32bought the
00:51:32industrial lot, I
00:51:33had borrowed
00:51:34$200,000 from
00:51:35them.
00:51:36As soon as the
00:51:36acquisition money
00:51:37came through, I
00:51:38paid them back and
00:51:39bought them a more
00:51:39comfortable house.
00:51:40Have you really
00:51:41decided to go back
00:51:42to your old
00:51:43hospital?
00:51:44Yes.
00:51:45Aren't you afraid
00:51:46of seeing those
00:51:47people again?
00:51:48I glanced at the
00:51:48cat sprawled on top
00:51:50of my suitcase.
00:51:51The people who
00:51:52should be gone are
00:51:52gone.
00:51:53What should be
00:51:54mine, I'll hold
00:51:55on to myself.
00:51:56On the flight home,
00:51:57the cat was just as
00:51:58it had been on the
00:51:59way there, curled up
00:52:00asleep in my arms.
00:52:01After the plane took
00:52:02off, it suddenly
00:52:03opened its eyes.
00:52:05Now that you're rich,
00:52:07are you still going
00:52:08to buy me the
00:52:08cheapest canned
00:52:09food?
00:52:10That wasn't the
00:52:11cheapest.
00:52:12It was just your
00:52:13favorite.
00:52:13I was only trying
00:52:14not to waste money.
00:52:16So, should I get
00:52:17you the expensive
00:52:18kind from now on?
00:52:19It thought for a few
00:52:20seconds.
00:52:21A little more
00:52:21expensive is fine,
00:52:23but not too
00:52:23expensive.
00:52:24Save the rest for
00:52:25investing.
00:52:25The person next to
00:52:26me gave me a
00:52:27strange look.
00:52:27I lowered my head,
00:52:29pretending to adjust
00:52:30the blanket around
00:52:30it.
00:52:31The cat closed its
00:52:32eyes again.
00:52:32But ask me first
00:52:33before you buy
00:52:34anything next time.
00:52:35No more land.
00:52:37Why not?
00:52:38Because right now,
00:52:39I want to be a
00:52:41good doctor even
00:52:41more.
00:52:42It gave a little
00:52:43huff, but didn't
00:52:43object.
00:52:44The plane broke
00:52:45through the clouds,
00:52:46sunlight spilling
00:52:47across the window.
00:52:48This time, I wasn't
00:52:49going back for
00:52:49anyone else.
00:52:50I was going back
00:52:51to claim the place
00:52:52that should have
00:52:52been mine all
00:52:53along.
00:52:56On my first
00:52:57official day in
00:52:57the role, the
00:52:58hospital hallways
00:52:59were buzzing.
00:53:00Coworkers I knew
00:53:01came to congratulate
00:53:02me.
00:53:02Someone mentioned
00:53:03Chloe in a lowered
00:53:04voice.
00:53:05The results of her
00:53:05licensing review are
00:53:06out.
00:53:07Between the medication
00:53:08incident and the
00:53:08false statements
00:53:09during the appeal,
00:53:10it'll be very hard
00:53:11for her to work in
00:53:12a hospital again.
00:53:13Just after my
00:53:13morning clinic ended,
00:53:15a nurse told me
00:53:16someone was outside,
00:53:17asking for me.
00:53:18When I stepped out,
00:53:19I saw Chloe sitting
00:53:21at the far end of
00:53:21the hallway.
00:53:22She was still using
00:53:23the same crutch.
00:53:24Her right leg was
00:53:25thinner than the last
00:53:25time I'd seen her.
00:53:26She wore no jewelry.
00:53:28Her wrist was bare.
00:53:29When she saw me in
00:53:29my new white coat,
00:53:30she stared for a
00:53:31long time.
00:53:32My name and title
00:53:33were printed clearly
00:53:34on my badge.
00:53:35Attending position.
00:53:36That was the thing
00:53:36she had always wanted
00:53:37most.
00:53:38So now you finally
00:53:38have everything.
00:53:39I fought for it
00:53:40myself.
00:53:41Chloe lowered her
00:53:42head, her fingers
00:53:43clenching the crutch.
00:53:44If I'd been the one who
00:53:46went to Boston, would
00:53:48everything have turned
00:53:48out differently?
00:53:50No.
00:53:51She jerked her head
00:53:52up.
00:53:53Why?
00:53:54Because the problem
00:53:55was never that one
00:53:56spot.
00:53:57You treated what
00:53:58belonged to other
00:53:58people as your own.
00:54:00And you treated other
00:54:01people's kindness as an
00:54:03entitlement.
00:54:04Even if I had given
00:54:05you this one chance,
00:54:06you would only wanted
00:54:07the next one.
00:54:08Tears slowly slipped
00:54:09down her face.
00:54:10I've already paid the
00:54:11price.
00:54:12So, could you tell
00:54:14the licensing board
00:54:14that it was just a
00:54:15momentary lapse?
00:54:16If you're willing to
00:54:17say one word for me,
00:54:19maybe I'll still have
00:54:21a chance.
00:54:22I looked at her
00:54:23and didn't agree.
00:54:24Even now, she had
00:54:25come to me only to
00:54:26ask me to change the
00:54:27outcome for her.
00:54:28You already had your
00:54:29chance to tell the
00:54:31truth during the
00:54:31review.
00:54:32You chose to keep
00:54:33lying.
00:54:34Chloe's shoulders
00:54:35shook with sobs.
00:54:37Isolde, what am I
00:54:38supposed to do
00:54:38without you?
00:54:39She had said that
00:54:40so many times in
00:54:41college.
00:54:42Every time I heard
00:54:43it back then, my
00:54:44heart would soften.
00:54:45I'd pay for her,
00:54:47clean up her messes,
00:54:49and push my own
00:54:50opportunities further
00:54:51and further back.
00:54:56This time, I only
00:54:57pressed the elevator
00:54:58button for her.
00:54:59The elevator doors
00:55:00opened.
00:55:00She didn't move.
00:55:01The last bit of hope
00:55:02in her eyes drained
00:55:03away.
00:55:03Behind me, the elevator
00:55:05doors slowly slid
00:55:06shut.
00:55:07That afternoon, I saw
00:55:08a great many
00:55:09patients.
00:55:09I stayed busy
00:55:11until dark.
00:55:12Only then did I
00:55:12remember that Chloe
00:55:13had come, and only
00:55:14for a moment.
00:55:16That weekend, I took
00:55:17the cat to see my
00:55:18vet friend.
00:55:19The first time I'd
00:55:20sent her a photo, I'd
00:55:21only wanted to confirm
00:55:22whether little round-faced,
00:55:23short-legged creature
00:55:24was really worth
00:55:25$5,000.
00:55:26Now it was much
00:55:27chubbier, its coat
00:55:28shinier than when it
00:55:29first came to me.
00:55:30After the examination,
00:55:32my friend rubbed its
00:55:33head.
00:55:33You're taking good care
00:55:34of him.
00:55:35What's his name?
00:55:36In all our time
00:55:37together, I had only
00:55:38ever called it
00:55:39Cat, and it had
00:55:40never told me its
00:55:40old name.
00:55:41What do you want
00:55:42to be called?
00:55:42My friend didn't
00:55:43hear me clearly.
00:55:44What did you say?
00:55:45I'm thinking of a
00:55:45name.
00:55:46The cat sat on the
00:55:47exam table, its tail
00:55:48curled around its
00:55:49paws.
00:55:50It should sound
00:55:50expensive.
00:55:51$5,000?
00:55:52Its ears flattened.
00:55:54That's awful.
00:55:54I fought back a laugh
00:55:56and thought for a
00:55:57moment.
00:55:57How about Goldie?
00:55:59It flicked its tail
00:56:00with mild reluctance.
00:56:01Fine.
00:56:02We'll use that for
00:56:03now.
00:56:03My friend wrote
00:56:03Goldie on the
00:56:04registration form.
00:56:05Was it Reet who
00:56:06left him with you?
00:56:07No.
00:56:08I picked the cat up.
00:56:10He chose me.
00:56:11Goldie shifted into
00:56:12a more comfortable
00:56:12position in my arms,
00:56:14as if accepting the
00:56:14answer.
00:56:15After I walked out
00:56:16of the clinic, I got
00:56:17an email with no
00:56:18subject line.
00:56:19It was from Chloe.
00:56:20There were only two
00:56:20sentences.
00:56:21I always used to
00:56:22think, the things you
00:56:23had came too easily.
00:56:25Now I know I just
00:56:26used up all the
00:56:27kindness you ever had
00:56:28for me.
00:56:28I stood at the
00:56:29curb and read it,
00:56:30but didn't reply.
00:56:31That late
00:56:32understanding could
00:56:33change the fact that a
00:56:34patient had almost
00:56:35gone into an allergic
00:56:36reaction.
00:56:37And it couldn't
00:56:37change the fact that
00:56:38she had tried, again
00:56:40and again, to make me
00:56:42take the punishment
00:56:42for her.
00:56:43Some apologies can
00:56:44be heard.
00:56:45That doesn't mean they
00:56:46have to be forgiven.
00:56:59Goldie yawned in satisfaction.
00:57:01As I reached the car, I
00:57:02suddenly remembered how
00:57:03Reed had once asked why
00:57:05I'd canceled buying one.
00:57:06Back then, the only thing
00:57:08he cared about was whether
00:57:09I could hand the bonus over
00:57:10to Chloe.
00:57:11Later, that bonus became a
00:57:13barren piece of land and
00:57:14and then $11 million.
00:57:16Now, I had bought myself a
00:57:17car, but not to prove
00:57:19anything to anyone.
00:57:20It was just a car I liked,
00:57:22one that felt good to drive.
00:57:24The cat carrier sat in the
00:57:25passenger seat.
00:57:26In the trunk were gifts I'd
00:57:27bought for my parents.
00:57:29At last, my money belonged
00:57:30only to my own life.
00:57:32A year later, I had fully
00:57:34settled into my work as an
00:57:35attending physician.
00:57:36The office that used to be
00:57:38empty had been redone.
00:57:39There was a small sofa by the
00:57:40window.
00:57:41Sometimes, when I got too
00:57:43tired, during overnight shifts,
00:57:44I'd sleep there for a while.
00:57:46My certificate from the Boston
00:57:47program sat on the desk, and
00:57:49in the very back of a drawer was
00:57:51the Cartier Love Bracelet.
00:57:52In the end, I never sold it, not
00:57:54because I couldn't bear to part
00:57:55with it.
00:57:56It was just that every time I saw
00:57:58it, I remembered that things you
00:57:59lend out should be reclaimed in
00:58:01time, and the same goes for the
00:58:03opportunities that belong to you.
00:58:05Chloe eventually left the city.
00:58:07I heard she went back to her
00:58:09parents' house to continue rehab and
00:58:11never appeared at the hospital
00:58:13again.
00:58:14Raid's family finally sold the old
00:58:16house at a reduced price, and
00:58:18most of the money went to paying
00:58:19off the debt from the wedding that
00:58:21never happened.
00:58:22Everything they once showed off on
00:58:23social media was gone.
00:58:25I never opened any of those
00:58:26accounts again.
00:58:27That evening after work, I went to
00:58:29my parents' place for dinner.
00:58:31Goldie had already been dropped
00:58:32off ahead of me.
00:58:33When I pushed the door open, he was
00:58:35crouched beside the dining table,
00:58:36staring at the roast chicken on the
00:58:38platter.
00:58:39The moment he saw me, he complained
00:58:41in my head.
00:58:41Your mother says I'm too fat, and
00:58:43will only give me one little
00:58:44piece.
00:58:45She's right.
00:58:46I made you 11 million dollars.
00:58:48So?
00:58:49That should be worth at least two
00:58:51pieces.
00:58:52Laughing, I tore off a small piece
00:58:54of chicken and put it in his bowl.
00:58:57He lowered his head to eat, and at
00:58:59last fell quiet.
00:59:04After dinner, I sat on the balcony
00:59:06drinking coffee.
00:59:08My mother came out and asked if I'd
00:59:11been tired lately.
00:59:12Tired?
00:59:13But it's worth it.
00:59:15She nodded and didn't ask anything
00:59:16else.
00:59:18Outside the window, the city lights
00:59:20came on.
00:59:21I thought of a long time ago, sitting
00:59:23under a lamp myself, racing to submit
00:59:26that application before midnight.
00:59:29Back then, I had no idea what the
00:59:32future held.
00:59:34I only knew that I could not keep
00:59:37giving my future away.
00:59:38That one time I refused to step
00:59:40aside was what brought me here.
00:59:43Goldie ran out and jumped onto my lap.
00:59:49You still have work tomorrow?
00:59:51I do.
00:59:54Humans with 11 million dollars still
00:59:57have to work.
00:59:58Sounds exhausting.
01:00:00Because it's something I love to do.
01:00:02He didn't really understand and
01:00:04simply found a comfortable spot to
01:00:06curl up.
01:00:07I lifted my coffee and took a sip.
01:00:11Still bitter at first, with a little
01:00:12sweetness after.
01:00:13But now, I no longer need anyone's
01:00:16charity to taste that sweetness.
01:00:19The money is mine, the position is
01:00:21mine, and the life ahead of me
01:00:22belongs only to me.