He Didn't Say He Loved Me Until I Left is an emotional romance about heartbreak, regret, and second chances. After years of silence and misunderstanding, a powerful man realizes the woman he truly loves has already walked away. Can love survive betrayal, pride, and the pain of letting go? Watch the Full Episode (ENGSUB) featuring billionaire romance, emotional twists, unforgettable relationships, and a powerful journey toward redemption.
#HeDidntSayHeLovedMeUntilILeft #BillionaireRomance #CEORomance #SecondChanceRomance #LoveStory #Heartbreak #EmotionalDrama #RomanticDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #ShortMovie #ShortFilm #FullEP #ENGSUB
#HeDidntSayHeLovedMeUntilILeft #BillionaireRomance #CEORomance #SecondChanceRomance #LoveStory #Heartbreak #EmotionalDrama #RomanticDrama #ShortDrama #DramaSeries #ShortMovie #ShortFilm #FullEP #ENGSUB
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Harper, will you marry me?
00:01I covered my mouth, tears about to spill over.
00:04I will.
00:05When Nate dropped to one knee and opened the black velvet ring box,
00:07I thought my love story was finally about to get its happy ending.
00:11Until, Maddie stepped out from the side, phone raised.
00:13Got it, got it!
00:14Harper, you said yes way too fast. God, that's pathetic.
00:17Her laugh was sharp, like nails every word slestied right through me.
00:19Dude, I told you she wouldn't last five seconds. You owe me a hundred bucks.
00:22A hundred bucks?
00:23What I thought was a lifelong commitment was nothing but a hundred dollar prank to them.
00:26I looked at Nate.
00:27He stood up, brushed the dust off his pants like it was nothing.
00:30And didn't even glance my way.
00:31Let's put the wedding on hold.
00:32We'll talk about it when you're not so desperate to get married.
00:34Maddie slid her arm through his, chin tilted up, smug.
00:36Seriously, Harper? His knee hadn't even touched the ground and you already said yes.
00:38How scared are you of ending up alone?
00:39In that moment, whatever hope I'd had for this man just shattered.
00:42I glanced at the ring box on the ground and let out a hollow laugh.
00:45No need to put it on hold. I'm not marrying you.
00:47No tears. No scene.
00:49I turned and walked away.
00:50Behind me, Nate's stunned voice cut through the air.
00:52What the hell is wrong with you now?
00:54Harper, stop acting. The dramatic exit is so overdone.
00:57Come on, it was just a joke. Do you have to take everything so seriously?
00:59Ignore her. Let her cool off for a few days.
01:01Within three days, she'll come running back, begging me to take her back.
01:03When they thought I was just playing hard to get, let them think whatever they wanted.
01:06They'd know. There's a price to pay for turning someone's dignity into a bet.
01:09My footsteps paused for a second.
01:11I didn't look back.
01:12The wind off the lake cut through my trench coat collar.
01:15I looked down and fumbled with my phone to call a ride.
01:18My fingers too numb to tap the screen properly.
01:20The car arrived.
01:21I pulled open the back door and got in.
01:24My phone lit up and I messaged from Nate.
01:27All right, stop it. Come home and we'll talk it out.
01:30I glanced at it and hit the lock button.
01:34I got to the apartment.
01:36The IKEA welcome mat by the door had home printed on it.
01:40I stared at that word and felt the irony hit me like a punch to the gut.
01:45I opened the door and turned on the lights.
01:47The whole place was filled with five years worth of our life together.
01:50Over those five years, when his cash flow dried up, I covered his bills.
01:53When he got so wasted at business dinners he couldn't walk straight, I drove out to haul him home.
01:57When he couldn't get his tie right before meeting investors, I fixed it for him one knot at a time.
02:02Back then, he'd gripped my shoulders and said,
02:04Harper, the day my company rings the bell, I'll give you a wedding worthy of you.
02:08My phone screen suddenly lit up.
02:10A confirmation text rummings.
02:12Address a text from the Vera Wang boutique popped up.
02:15Please arrive on time.
02:18I stared at those words and a memory flashed through my mind.
02:22Maddie was at the bridal shop that day too.
02:24She touched the white tood skirt and turned to me with a smile.
02:27Wouldn't this be a little much on Harper?
02:29I said nothing.
02:30I just tightened my grip on the cold latte in my hand, the one she'd taken two sips of,
02:34said it was too sweet, and casually handed off to me.
02:37And Nate, he sat on the couch, head down, answering emails.
02:41From start to finish, he never once looked up at me.
02:44I sat on the living room couch.
02:46My phone lit up again.
02:50A few seconds later, another message popped up.
02:53Don't make things awkward.
02:56Then I put the phone down and went to work.
02:58A co-worker asked why my eyes were a little puffy.
03:01I said I stayed up to Nate binge-watching a show last night.
03:04During my lunch break, I scrolled past an Instagram story Tyler had posted.
03:07In the photo, Nate sat by the window at some trendy steakhouse.
03:10Maddie sat next to him, holding up a martini, throwing up a peace point at the camera.
03:14The caption read, celebrating someone's newfound freedom.
03:16Dodged a bullet.
03:17I casually tapped the like button.
03:19Three minutes later, Nate called.
03:21I walked into the break room and answered.
03:25His first words were,
03:27What the hell does that like mean?
03:29I was flipping through a draft of an SLA service agreement.
03:32My voice flat.
03:35It means what it means.
03:36Hope you enjoyed your meal.
03:38Can you stop being so passive-aggressive?
03:40I'm not.
03:41You know how mad he is.
03:42She never thinks before she speaks.
03:44How long have you known her?
03:45Is it really worth all this?
03:46It's not like this is the first time.
03:48My finger stopped on a contract clause number.
03:51What's that supposed to mean?
03:52He let out an impatient scoff.
03:54You do this every single time.
03:56The second something upsets you, you play the victim.
03:59Last night, in front of my friends, you said you wouldn't marry me.
04:03Did you even stop to think how that made me feel?
04:06I closed the folder.
04:08Nate, we're already broken up.
04:10Silence on the other end for two seconds.
04:13Then he let out a cold laugh.
04:14There you go again.
04:15You threatened to break up over every little thing.
04:17Is this fun for you?
04:17The speakerphone on my desk blared his accusations.
04:20My response was cold and final.
04:21Fine.
04:22Keep acting like this.
04:23He was furious and hung up on me.
04:24He hung up.
04:25I stared at the dark phone screen and my knuckles slowly relaxed.
04:30After work, I went to Home Depot and bought a stack of cardboard boxes and a few rolls of wide
04:35packing tape.
04:36I got back to the apartment and unfolded the boxes, laying them out flat in the living room.
04:41I pulled open the closet.
04:43Nate's custom-tailored suit still hung shoulder-to-shoulder with my dresses.
04:46Five years.
04:47I'd ironed his shirts, picked out his ties, and used Google Calendar to track every single
04:51business dinner and round of golf.
04:53Tucked inside a drawer was an old scarf.
04:55The first birthday gift Nate ever gave me.
04:57He'd just started his startup that year and bought it at Target.
05:01The material was rough, scratchy against the neck, and he hadn't even cleaned the tag off
05:05properly, but back then, he'd clutched that scarf, his ears turning red, and said,
05:10Harper, when I have money, I'll replace this with Hermes for you.
05:16After I got together with Nate, the word someday became the thing I heard the most and the one
05:20that meant the least.
05:22He was short on cash, said he'd pay me back with interest someday.
05:27He stood me up on my birthday, said he'd take me to Cam Goon to make up for it someday.
05:32Even on the day he proposed, when I was humiliated in front of everyone, all he said was,
05:36don't take it personally, I'll make it up to you with something better someday.
05:40But a person can't live their whole life clinging to someday.
05:44I have a future I want to make real too.
05:47I pulled that scarf out and threw it straight into the trash bag.
05:51Everything that belonged to me, I wasn't leaving a single piece behind.
05:55At three in the morning, the living room was filled with sealed cardboard boxes.
06:00The sound of tape ripping echoed, sharp and clear, through the empty space.
06:04By dawn, I'd taped up the very last box.
06:08My phone buzzed.
06:09Another confirmation text from the Vera Wong boutique.
06:12Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes, your custom wedding dress fitting scheduled tomorrow at 3pm has been confirmed.
06:17Please arrive on time.
06:18I stared at the words, Mr. Foster and Ms. Hayes.
06:21Then I opened my chat history with Nate.
06:24I scrolled back.
06:25That day, I'd sent him the link to Vera Wong's new collection catalog.
06:29What do you think of this flishtail silhouette?
06:31He replied two hours later.
06:33In a meeting, we'll talk later.
06:35Then I opened Snapchat.
06:37Maddie had posted a story that same day.
06:39Nate leaned against the high-end fitting mirror holding her Balenciaga hourglass bag for her.
06:44The caption read, Borrowing someone else's man as a style consultant for half a day.
06:48Turns out haste isn't half bad.
06:50I turned off my phone, grabbed my bag, and headed out the door.
06:54When I stepped out of the apartment building, that familiar black sedan pulled up right in front of me.
06:59The window rolled down.
07:01Nate sat in the driver's seat, his expression dark.
07:03He pushed the door open and stepped out, a take-out paper bag in his hand.
07:07Let's go upstairs first.
07:08Put everything back the way it was.
07:10We'll eat, then we'll talk.
07:11I looked down at my phone, checking the bridal shop's refund policy.
07:14Harper, are you done yet?
07:16He frowned and pushed the paper bag a little closer toward me.
07:19I didn't take it.
07:21What are you looking at?
07:22Look at me when I'm talking to you!
07:24His voice rose.
07:25A friend needs me for something.
07:26I put my phone away.
07:28His brow furrin slightly.
07:29What thing?
07:30Before I could open my mouth, the passenger window rolled down.
07:33Maddie poked her head out, her smile sickeningly sweet.
07:35Harper, don't read into this, okay?
07:37My Minnie's in the shop.
07:38Nate just gave me a ride to work on his way.
07:39She shook the iced latte in her hand from Starbucks.
07:42This bagel?
07:43I was gonna eat it, but I'm cutting carbs this morning, so I figured I'd let you have it.
07:46Don't go making a big deal out of this, too.
07:48I looked up at Nate.
07:49This is your idea of letting things go?
07:51Harper, what the hell do you want?
07:52Nate's frown deepened.
07:54Fine, don't eat.
07:55He pulled the paper bag back and turned to hand it to Maddie.
07:56Maddie bit her straw and reached over to pinch Nate's cheek.
07:58It was over my Cali budget anyway, and you still wanted to bring her one?
08:01Nate swat her hand away, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
08:04Nate, you play favorites!
08:05She has a stomach ulcer.
08:06A few carbs won't hurt her.
08:07I didn't say another word.
08:08I walked around him, heading straight for the taxi that had just pulled up at the curb.
08:12By the time Nate realized what was happening, I was already opening the car door.
08:15He didn't get the chance to stop me.
08:16The moment the door shut, I saw him through the rearview mirror,
08:19standing there looking absolutely furious.
08:21Once I was in the car, I called my real estate agent.
08:24That condo in Lincoln Park?
08:25Put it on the market today.
08:26The faster it sells, the better.
08:28I thought you said you were keeping it as your marital home.
08:30The wedding is off.
08:31Sell it.
08:33My phone buzzed again.
08:35A message from Nate.
08:36Are you coming to brunch this afternoon?
08:37I was a little heated earlier.
08:39Don't take it seriously.
08:40I glanced at it.
08:41No reply.
08:42At the Vera Wang boutique, the sales associate greeted me with a beaming smile.
08:46Miss Hayes, you're here.
08:48Is Mr. Farler not joining you today?
08:50I sat down on the velvet sofa and looked up at her.
08:53The wedding is off.
08:54The associate froze completely,
08:55and the champagne she was holding nearly sloshed out of the glass.
08:58I'm sorry, what did you say?
09:00I pulled out my ID and the order contract from my bag
09:02and placed them on the marble coffee table.
09:04Cancel the order.
09:05Didract whatever penalty this is stepping place from the deposit.
09:07No need to contact Nate.
09:08The associate flipped through the contract,
09:10her voice dropping to a near whisper.
09:12Mrs. Hayes, are you sure?
09:13Mr. Foster came in personally to pick this dress.
09:15He said he wanted to surprise you.
09:16I stared at my signature on the contract.
09:18Surprise?
09:18The associate opened her mouth, but no words came out.
09:20I stood up, my heels clicking against the marble floor,
09:23each step crisp and distinct.
09:24The moment I pushed open the glass door,
09:26my phone started buzzing in my hand.
09:28One word on the screen.
09:29Nate.
09:29I looked at it.
09:30I flipped the phone over, screen facing down,
09:32and slid it into my trench coat pocket.
09:33Once something is canceled, there's no need to look back.
09:35Once the cancellation was processed,
09:37I stood on Michigan Avenue waiting for my ride.
09:40HR from the company called.
09:41Harper, our Austin, Texas Blanche urgently needs a regional sales director.
09:44You've mentioned before that you'd be interested in a cross-state transfer.
09:46Are you still considering it?
09:47I am.
09:48I'll take it.
09:49The pause on the other end.
09:50That fast?
09:51You don't need some time to think it over?
09:52I don't.
09:53The sooner, the better.
09:55In the afternoon, I stopped by the organic deli I always went to.
09:58The manager saw me and greeted me with a smile.
10:00Harper, the usual?
10:01Has Nate's acid reflash gotten any better?
10:03I wouldn't know.
10:04I handed over my pickup slip.
10:05The manager paused for a second and didn't ask anything else.
10:08I picked up my insulated container and headed out.
10:10As I passed the booth seats in the hallway,
10:12I heard Tyler's voice coming from behind the defiation.
10:14Seriously, Nate, aren't you worried she's actually going to dump you for good this time?
10:17She's even called off the wedding.
10:18My steps stopped for just a moment.
10:20Nate's voice, lazy and unconcerned.
10:22Where's she going to go?
10:23She'll be mad for a few days and then come crawling back on her own.
10:26Tyler's laugh got louder.
10:27You're that confident?
10:28She can't live without me.
10:29Nate, no offense, but honestly, you've spoiled her way too much.
10:31Maddie's syrupy voice cut in.
10:32She's been so spoiled, she actually believes she's some kind of queen in this relationship.
10:35Maddie, that mouth of yours, absolutely no filter.
10:37Tyler let out a whistle.
10:38I'm just telling it like it is.
10:39Maddie laughed.
10:40She used to be so good at playing housekeeper for Nate.
10:42Laundry, cook, edgeling appointments, the whole package.
10:44You really think she's capable of letting all that go?
10:45A glass clinked against the marble tabletop with a crisp sound.
10:48Nate didn't argue.
10:49I stood on the other side of the division, insulated container in hand.
10:52I stopped for five seconds.
10:53Then I shoved the container into the nearest trash can.
10:55I turned and walked into the subway station.
10:57When I came out of the station, the cold wind hit my face.
11:00I pulled out my phone.
11:01I blocked Nate's number, his iMessage, his Instagram, his LinkedIn.
11:05All of it.
11:05Back at the apartment, the movers were already waiting downstairs.
11:09I led them up.
11:10In the living room, boxes labeled and sealed were stacked in neat, orderly rows.
11:14Ma'am, do all of these go on the truck?
11:16Anything with yellow tape on it, take it all.
11:18The workers started hauling things out.
11:20The apartment emptied, piece by piece.
11:22On the entryway cabinet, the matching couple keychains still sat there.
11:25Two key-shaped metal charms that fit together, engraved with our initials.
11:28We'd ordered it the day we signed the lease for this apartment.
11:31I pulled the spare key from my bag and set it down on the entryway tray.
11:34Metal hit ceramic with a soft clink.
11:36I draped my last trench coat over my forearm and turned to leave.
11:40The front door lock turned.
11:41Nate pushed the door open and walked in.
11:43He was drenched in the smell of whiskey and cigars.
11:46In his hand, he carried a takeout bag from a high-end Italian restaurant.
11:49He looked up, his gaze sweeping across the mostly empty living room.
11:53His face went dark in an instant.
11:54What the hell are you doing?
11:56Before the words were fully out of his mouth, he hurled the takeout bag at me.
11:59The bag hit my shoulder and burst open.
12:01Truffle cream pasta sauce splattered everywhere, soaking my clothes.
12:04I didn't dodge.
12:06Nate lunged forward and snatched the trench coat right off my arm.
12:10Rip.
12:11The fabric tore wide open.
12:14Leave?
12:15Did I say you could leave?
12:18He flung the ruined coat to the floor and glared at me, his eyes bloodshut.
12:21Are you out of your mind?
12:24Look at this place.
12:26Did you move out or did we get robbed?
12:29I said nothing.
12:30It made him even angrier.
12:31I went out of my damn way to pick up your favorite truffle pasta and this is what I get?
12:37I looked at him, my voice quiet.
12:40Nate, I'm tired.
12:41He froze for a second.
12:42His eyes dropped, taking in the pasta sauce all over my clothes.
12:45I used to care so much about keeping my outfit spotless.
12:47Even a single coffee stain on a cuff and I'd deal with it immediately.
12:50But now, I couldn't even be bothered to grab a napkin and wipe it off.
12:52Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone just as fast.
12:54He pointed at the empty living room and shouted,
12:56Fine, leave!
12:57Get the hell out of Chicago right now!
12:59The second you walk out that door today, even if you crawl back begging on your knees,
13:01I won't spare you a single glance.
13:03I didn't argue.
13:04I crouched down and silently picked up the torn trench coat from the floor.
13:07The living room was so quiet it was suffocating.
13:08Nate went rotted.
13:09He looked like it was finally starting to sink in that this time was different from all the others.
13:13He seemed to calm down.
13:14After a long silence, he crouched down too, reaching out as if to help me pick it up.
13:17The second his hand touched the fabric, I pulled the boat away from him.
13:19His movement froze mid-air.
13:21I didn't respond.
13:22He stared at my face, and his voice suddenly dropped.
13:25Are you crying?
13:26I reached up and touched my cheek.
13:29Tears were actually falling.
13:30I hadn't even noticed.
13:33I used to rarely cry in front of him.
13:36He once said he couldn't stand emotional women.
13:40Back then, I actually believed him.
13:42Not anymore.
13:43I picked up the carry-on suitcase at my feet.
13:46Nate stretched an arm across the doorway, blocking my path.
13:48You're really leaving?
13:50I met his eyes, level and steady.
13:54Game over.
13:55His lips moved, but not a single word came out.
13:59The room was dead silent.
14:02I pulled the door open.
14:03He didn't try to stop me again.
14:05Behind me came the sound of something porcelain shattering against the floor.
14:08Shards of glass sprayed across the wooden floorboards of the entryway.
14:11I didn't look back.
14:12I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby.
14:15Outside, it was pouring rain.
14:17I opened my umbrella and climbed into the Uber Black, waiting at the curb.
14:23The moment the door shut, the driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
14:27His eyes upon the stains covering my clothes for a second.
14:30He looked like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it.
14:35The Hilton Hotel, please.
14:37The car pulled out of the apartment complex.
14:39I opened my phone's photo album.
14:41Five years.
14:43Thousands of photos.
14:45The picture I took the day Nate secured his first seed round.
14:50Select all.
14:51Delete.
14:52The iOS confirmation box popped up.
14:54Are you sure you want to delete these photos?
14:56This action cannot be untuned.
14:58I tapped confirm.
14:59Rain hammered against the car window outside, blurring the entire Chicago nightscape.
15:03Those photos went into the trash bin.
15:06He and I, we were done.
15:08A week went by.
15:09Neither of us contacted the other.
15:11Nate cracked first.
15:12He opened iMessage, his finger hovering over the screen for a few seconds before he typed out a line.
15:16Are you about done now?
15:17Still putting on a show?
15:18Send.
15:18A notification popped up on the screen.
15:20Not delivered.
15:21The bubble turned green.
15:22His face fell instantly.
15:23He stared at the screen for a long time, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
15:26And then that expression on his face.
15:27That look of always having everything under control finally shattered.
15:30The next second, his iPhone slammed hard against his office desk.
15:32He yanked at his shirt collar in irritation and dialed the bridal boutique directly.
15:36He probably figured that since I dared to pull a stunt like this, he'd dare to cancel the fitting.
15:41See who blinked first.
15:42The call connected.
15:43Nate held back his fury, his voice cold and hard.
15:46This is Nate Foster.
15:47Cancel the fitting this weekend.
15:48Silence on the other end for a beat.
15:50The sales associate hesitated before speaking.
15:52Mr. Foster, Ms. Haisley already canceled the order three days ago.
15:55The penalty fee has already been paid.
15:57The plane touched down at Austin-Bergrim International Airport at three in the afternoon.
16:00David Miller, the regional director for the Texas branch, was waiting for me in person
16:03at the arrivals hall.
16:04He glanced at the single tuxie carry-on in my hand, his expression mildly surprised.
16:07Harper, is that all the luggage you have?
16:09I pulled open the door of the Chevrolet Suburto and got in.
16:13I don't need extra baggage.
16:15I can start working immediately.
16:16David smiled and handed me a thick folder.
16:19This is the pile of messes this branch has accumulated over the last six months.
16:22The biggest landmine is the annual contract renewal with Apex Global.
16:26I flipped open the folder and quickly scanned the dense data and charts.
16:28They're extremely dissatisfied with our supply chain response times from last quarter and
16:32are already running a public tenor to switch suppliers.
16:34Apex procurement director had a reputation in the industry for being notoriously difficult.
16:37Back in Chicago, I chewed up and spit out more than a few of these hard-to-crack B2B
16:40clients for Nate's company.
16:41I knew the pain points of these Silicon Valley-styles executives inside and out.
16:46Take me directly to Apex headquarters.
16:48I closed the file and looked up at the driver.
16:51David froze.
16:52Right now?
16:53You don't want to go to the hotel first, shake off the jet lags, take a shower?
16:56I looked out the window at the blazing, harsh, hash Texas sun.
16:59Winning clients doesn't wait for anyone.
17:01Half an hour later, I stood in the office of Apex Global's procurement director.
17:05The guy's name was Rick Henderson, mid-50s, wearing the signature Patagononia fleas vest,
17:09the classic middle-aged tech exec.
17:10He leaned back in his Herman Miller ergonomic chair and didn't even give me a proper look.
17:13Your company's got a sense of humor.
17:15Sending a girl who's not even as old as my daughter to negotiate an eight-figure contract?
17:19I didn't let his age or gender pressure phase me.
17:21I slapped the restructured proposal directly onto his mahogany desk.
17:23Mr. Henderson, age has no direct correlation with professional competence.
17:27This quote is three percentage points lower than your current alternative suppliers,
17:30and we're committing to cutting the after-sales SLA response time in half.
17:33Rick sat up straight immediately and picked up the proposal.
17:35That dismissive look on his face visibly retracted.
17:38What makes you so confident you can deliver on these promises?
17:41I met his scrutiny without flinching.
17:43Five years at Chicago headquarters with a zero-failure project delivery record.
17:47If we don't hit the committed KPIs, you can deduct the penalty directly from my annual bonus.
17:51Rick stared at me for a solid minute.
17:54Then, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
17:57Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Bold. Got a bit of that Texas spirit. You've got the deal.
18:02Walking out of Apex's glass tower, David looked at me with a completely changed expression.
18:06Harper, you're incredible.
18:08I rubbed my neck, sore from staring at documents for too long.
18:11David, this is just the beginning.
18:14At ten at night, I got back to the extended stay suite the company had arranged.
18:19After a shower, I sat on the bed and stared at the spare phone for a few seconds.
18:24Then, I picked it up and turned it on.
18:26The screen flooded with over a Doven voice message from my former colleague, Sarah.
18:31I tapped the first one.
18:33Sarah's voice was barely containing the excitement of someone loving the drama.
18:36Oh my god, Harper, your exit was way too cool.
18:41Nate stormed into our office this afternoon like a maniac looking for you.
18:45I've completely bloodshot.
18:47He grabbed the HR director by the collar and demanded to know where you went.
18:51I listened expressionlessly while towel-drying my hair.
18:55Sarah sent another one.
18:58HR told him you transfer to Austin, and he flipped the receptionist's iMac off the desk on the spot.
19:03Then, Maddie ran over to pull him back, using that deliberately high-pitched voice going,
19:09Nate.
19:10And guess what?
19:11Nate turned around and slapped her right across the face!
19:15My hand paused mid-motion with the towel.
19:17Nate hit Maddie.
19:18That was new.
19:20Sarah immediately followed up with a secretly recorded video.
19:23I tapped play.
19:24In the footage, Nate's eyes were blood red as he pointed at Maddie and tore into her.
19:29Are you satisfied now?
19:30You had to use those low-dirty tactics to push her away?
19:34Is that what it took for you to be happy?!
19:36Maddie clutched her face, sobbing.
19:38Her eyeliner completely smeared, and one of her false lashes hanging half off her eyelid.
19:41Nate, you were the one who said she was just throwing a fit!
19:43Why are you yelling at me?!
19:44Nate kicked over a stainless steel recycling vis beside him.
19:47Get the hell out!
19:48The video ended there.
19:49I casually tossed the phone onto the bed and kept drying my hair.
19:52His regret now was way too late.
19:53It was worth less than week-old takeout.
19:55He was losing his mind now purely because he'd realized he was missing someone who worked 365 days a year,
20:00always on call.
20:01Someone who took care of everything for him.
20:02It was absolutely not because he loved me.
20:05I knew men like him way too well.
20:06The phone suddenly vibrated violently.
20:08An unfamiliar Chicago area code flashed on the screen.
20:11My gut told me it was him.
20:12I hit decline without hesitation.
20:14The caller didn't let up.
20:15After a dozen calls in a row, I finally picked up.
20:18Harper, you finally answered!
20:19Nate's voice was russy, rough, thick with exhaustion and the steel residue of a hangover.
20:23How long are you going to keep this up?
20:24The bridal shop said you canceled the order completely.
20:26Do you have any idea how I felt when I got that message?
20:30I let out a cold laugh.
20:32The penalty fee was charged to my own credit card.
20:34What does it have to do with you?
20:36Nate's breath caught.
20:37It's not about the money.
20:39You ran off to Texas without a word.
20:41You cleared out the entire apartment.
20:43What the hell are you trying to do?
20:45Do I have to buy a plane ticket right now and fly down there to apologize in person?
20:50Is that what it'll take for you to be satisfied?
20:52I looked at my calm reflection in the bathroom mirror.
20:55Nate, do you not understand plain English?
20:57I told you.
20:59We're done.
21:00Don't call again.
21:01Call one more time and I'll file for a restraining order.
21:04I hung up directly and blocked that number, too.
21:07I also turned on the silence unknown caller's setting.
21:10I flipped the phone face down on the bed.
21:12Silence.
21:13My first month in Austin, I was so busy I barely had time to breathe.
21:17I single-handedly pulled the branch's Q3 performance up by 5 percentage points.
21:22The New York headquarters sent out a company-wide internal email commending me.
21:25Friday night, the department insisted we had to celebrate.
21:27I chose a top-tier steak and seafood restaurant on Congress Avenue
21:30and paid out of pocket to treat the whole team to dry-aged tomahawk steaks.
21:34The mood was at its peak when I excused myself to go to the restroom.
21:37Just as I stepped out of the private dining corridor,
21:40a figure lunged out from around the corner.
21:42A hand seized my wrist.
21:44The grip was so tight it felt like it could crush bone.
21:47Harper, I finally found you.
21:50I looked up and met a pair of bloodshot eyes.
21:52It was Nate.
21:53He had lost a significant amount of weight.
21:55His eyes were sunken, his jaw covered in messy, patchy stubble.
21:58The custom shirt I used to iron wrinkle feet for him every morning
22:00was now a crumpled mess sticking to his body,
22:01reeking of long-haul flights and sour whiskey.
22:03I wrenched my hand free with force.
22:05Let go!
22:05Nate didn't let go.
22:06He tightened his grip instead.
22:08I won't!
22:09Harler, come back to Chicago with me!
22:11His eyes were red-rimmed, his voice trembling,
22:13barely able to stink a full sentence together.
22:15Without you, there's nothing left at home.
22:16I don't even know which dry cleaner to send my clothes to.
22:18My stomach ulcer flared up three times.
22:20I was on the floor in the middle of the night,
22:21rolling around in pain,
22:22and there was no one to drive me to the ER.
22:24I stared at his state,
22:25and a wave of nausea churned in my stomach.
22:28Sir, you've got the wrong person.
22:30Where's your Maddie?
22:31Isn't she the one who cares about you the most?
22:33Why didn't she make you that special soup for your stomach?
22:35The moment Maddie's name left my mouth,
22:37Nate's face twitched violently.
22:39Don't you dare mention that idiot to me again!
22:41She drove every single one of my investors away!
22:43She can't even do a basic pivot table!
22:45She does nothing but cause trouble for me!
22:47I looked at him coldly.
22:49And whose fault is all that?
22:50You're the one who raised that mess.
22:52What did you used to say about her?
22:54Innocent, full of life, fun, unlike me,
22:57rigid, boring, a soulless work machine.
22:59Nate shook his head desperately.
23:01I was wrong, Harper.
23:02I know I was wrong now.
23:03I've already fired her.
23:05I will never have anything to do with her again
23:06for the rest of my life.
23:07Just come back, okay?
23:08We'll get married right away.
23:10Tomorrow.
23:10We'll go to City Hall tomorrow!
23:12Even as he said these words,
23:13his hands were still shaking.
23:15I said nothing.
23:16I looked at him like I was looking at a stranger.
23:19Nate, do you really think that if you just snap your fingers,
23:22I'll come running back like some loyal dog?
23:24His face went white as a sheet.
23:26That's not what I meant.
23:28I just, I really can't...
23:29He couldn't finish the sentence.
23:31I took a step back,
23:33putting distance between us.
23:35You can't live without me?
23:36No.
23:37You just can't live without someone to clean up your messes.
23:40People like you,
23:40the only person you've ever loved is yourself.
23:42Nate stared at me,
23:43his gaze locked on.
23:44That look in his eyes,
23:46like he was the one who'd been abandoned.
23:47I don't believe you.
23:48You loved me for five years.
23:50How can you just drop it like that?
23:51You're just punishing me, aren't you?
23:53He suddenly doubled over,
23:54clutching his stomach,
23:55his whole face crumpling in pain.
23:57Harper, my stomach hurts so bad.
23:59You used to hate seeing me in pain.
24:00Just help me find some medicine, okay?
24:02I looked down at him.
24:03If it hurts, call 911.
24:05I'm not a doctor.
24:06I can't fix your stomach.
24:07From the end of the hallway,
24:08someone heard the commotion.
24:09A few of my male colleagues
24:10stepped out of the private room.
24:12Harper, what's going on?
24:13They spotted Nate crowd on the floor
24:14and immediately positioned themselves in front of me.
24:16Dude, what are you doing?
24:17Call security.
24:18Get this guy out of here.
24:19Two burly restaurant security guards
24:20arrived quickly and hauled Nate up.
24:22He thrashed and struggled,
24:23his gaze locked desperately onto me.
24:25The guards dragged Nate
24:25toward the front entrance
24:26without any ceremony.
24:27His almost deranged shouts
24:28echoed through the corridor.
24:29Harper, you're going to regret this!
24:31I raised the crystal wine glass in my hand.
24:33I didn't look back.
24:34That night,
24:35I had two glasses of Pinot Noir
24:36and went back to the hotel.
24:37I slept more soundly than I had in months.
24:40The next day,
24:40I was in the office
24:41reviewing the Q4 sales forecast.
24:43The front desk called my extension.
24:44Mrs. Hayes,
24:45there's a woman in the lobby
24:46refusing to leave.
24:47She's insisting on seeing you.
24:48I frowned.
24:49Who is it?
24:50She says her name is Maddie.
24:52I let out a cold laugh.
24:53Some things really are impossible to shake off.
24:56I took the elevator down.
24:58Maddie's hair was a tangled mess.
24:59She sat on one of the leather couches in the lobby.
25:01Her makeup completely destroyed.
25:03Mascara smeared all over her face.
25:04A small crowd of employees had gathered around,
25:06watching the spectacle.
25:07The moment she saw me,
25:08she lunged.
25:09Harper, you bitch!
25:10Look what you did to Nate!
25:12Building security immediately held her back.
25:14She thrashed wildly,
25:15her sharp pink acrylic nails clawing at the air.
25:18You want to leave?
25:19Fine!
25:20But why did you have to take
25:21all the client accounts with you?
25:22Do you even know Nate's company
25:24is about to file for bankruptcy protection?
25:26The clients chose me because I'm professional.
25:28What does that have to do with you and Nate?
25:31I paused, looking at her.
25:33As for the company going bankrupt,
25:35didn't you cause that yourself?
25:37Getting waste at the investor gala
25:39and single-handedly torputing
25:41a $50 million Series B.
25:43I've got to say,
25:44that's a talent I don't possess.
25:45Someone in the crowd of watching employees
25:47couldn't hold it in
25:48and laughed out loud instantly.
25:49She fumbled in her Louis Litton bag
25:51and pulled out a half-finished latte,
25:53curling it at me with all her strength.
25:55I had seen it coming and sidestepped.
25:57The coffee splashed all over
25:59the security guard's uniform behind her.
26:00His face darkened.
26:02He wrestled her straight down
26:03onto the lobby floor tiles.
26:04Let me go!
26:05You useless pieces of trash!
26:07Maddie screamed like a woman possessed.
26:08I walked over and stood in front of her,
26:10looking down.
26:11Call 911 and report an assault.
26:14Maddie's whole body went rigid.
26:15You'd call the cops?
26:17Aren't you afraid Nate will hate you for this?
26:20I looked down at her and smiled slightly.
26:22Whether he hates me or not,
26:24what does that have to do with me?
26:25Patrol officers from the Austin Police Department
26:27arrived on the scene quickly.
26:29They handcuffed Maddie on charges of assault
26:31and criminal trespass
26:32and hauled her into the back of a squad car.
26:35Calm returned to the lobby.
26:36I smoothed out my sleeve
26:37and stepped back into the elevator,
26:39heading up to my office
26:40to get back to my reports.
26:41After that whole farce was over,
26:43Tyler called me.
26:44Harper, you went way too far with this.
26:47It's Miss Hayes to you.
26:49Or Harper,
26:50since we're not exactly friends anymore.
26:52Tyler let out an awkward laugh.
26:54Fine, Harper.
26:55Nate is completely finished this time.
26:57The company's bank accounts are frozen.
26:58All his partners bail.
26:59To cover the gaps in his taxes,
27:00he sold that condo in Lincoln Hall.
27:02My grip on the pen didn't falter.
27:03The nib didn't pause on the paper
27:04for even a second.
27:05That property was under his name.
27:07Whether he sells it or not
27:08has nothing to do with me.
27:10Tyler was silent for a moment.
27:13Mattie got locked up in county jail.
27:14You were the one who called the cops?
27:16It was me.
27:17Nate went to the station.
27:19I raised an eyebrow.
27:20To post bail for her?
27:22No.
27:23There was an unmistakable note
27:24of sarcasm in Tyler's voice.
27:26He went to the station
27:27and right in front of the cops
27:29nearly strangled Mattie to death.
27:31My hand stopped for a second.
27:33Has he lost his mind?
27:35Pretty much.
27:36He found out Mattie
27:37not only torched the funding round,
27:38but also secretly leaked
27:39the company's core pricing model
27:41to a competitor.
27:42They paid her 50 grand in kickbacks.
27:44Nate is now completely
27:45and utterly broke.
27:46I leaned back in my chair
27:47and looked out the window
27:48at the clear, boundless Texas sky.
27:50He brought this all on himself.
27:52Tyler tested the waters cautiously.
27:54Harper, we were all friends once.
27:56Nate's at the point
27:57where he can barely make rent.
27:58Do you think you could maybe...
27:59No.
28:00I cut him off flatly.
28:01Tyler, didn't you used to say
28:03in your little bro group chats
28:04that I wasn't good enough for Nate?
28:05That I was just a gold digger
28:07trying to climb the social ladder?
28:09And now you're coming
28:10to beg me on his behalf?
28:11Silence on Tyler's end.
28:13I hung up the phone.
28:14The months that followed,
28:16I threw every ounce
28:17of my energy into work.
28:18The Texas branch's performance
28:20left every other branch
28:21in the Southwest region
28:22in the dust.
28:23I used one solid earnings report
28:24after another
28:25to shut up every single one
28:26of the old men at headquarters
28:28who had doubted me.
28:29By the end of the year,
28:30David was called back
28:30to New York HQ
28:31and promoted to VP.
28:33I officially took over
28:34as general manager
28:35for the Texas region.
28:37The night of the annual awards gala,
28:39I drank quite a bit of champagne.
28:41When I stepped out
28:41of the hotel entrance,
28:43the night breeze hit me
28:43and I sobered up a lot.
28:45Parked on the curb
28:45was a beat-up white
28:46Ford Transys cargo van,
28:48its body covered in scratches
28:49and splattered mud.
28:50A man was crouched beside it,
28:51struggling to unload
28:52a case of Evian water.
28:53He wore a filthy work jacket
28:54with the faded logo
28:55of some local water delivery company
28:56printed on the back.
28:57His back was hunched.
28:58One of the cases slipped
28:59and slammed down hard
29:00onto his steel-toed boots.
29:01He cried out in pain
29:02and collapsed onto the ground.
29:03The streetlight perfectly
29:05illuminated his profile.
29:06It was Nate.
29:07The same Silicon Valley CEO
29:09who once wore nothing
29:10but custom suits
29:11and couldn't go five minutes
29:12without mentioning
29:12valuations and exit strategies.
29:14Now he was reduced
29:15to hauling water
29:16for a delivery company,
29:17earning cash paid out
29:18by the day.
29:19I stood on the steps
29:20and watched quietly
29:21for a moment.
29:21He seemed to sense something.
29:23His head whipped around.
29:24The second his eyes met mine,
29:26his whole body
29:27went completely stiff.
29:28He frantically tried
29:29to wipe his face
29:30with a hand covered
29:31in engine grease.
29:32It only made
29:32the smotches worse.
29:33He struggled to stand up,
29:35desperate to hide
29:36behind the van.
29:36I walked down the steps
29:38one by one
29:38in my high heels.
29:40I stopped in front of him.
29:42Nate.
29:43His entire body shuddered.
29:45His head dropped so low
29:46it nearly touched his chest.
29:48Miss... Miss Hayes.
29:50He couldn't even bring himself
29:51to say my first name anymore.
29:52I looked at what he had become.
29:54I felt nothing.
29:56I heard your company
29:56went under.
29:57He bit down hard
29:58on his cracked,
29:59dried lips.
30:01Tears fell onto the concrete.
30:03Yes.
30:04And Maddie?
30:05I asked casually.
30:07She took that kickback
30:08and ran off to Los Angeles.
30:09Then some crypto scammer
30:11conned her out of
30:11every last cent.
30:12Now she's washing dishes
30:14in the back kitchen
30:15of a strip club
30:16on Hollywood Boulevard.
30:17His voice was rough
30:18as sandpaper.
30:19I nodded once.
30:20Suits her perfectly.
30:22Nate suddenly lifted his head.
30:23His blood-wrush eyes
30:24fixed on me.
30:25Harper, I deserved all of this.
30:26I dream about you
30:27every single night.
30:28You're in the kitchen
30:28frying eggs,
30:29helping me tie my tie.
30:30I regret everything.
30:31He suddenly dropped
30:32to his knees on the ground
30:33and reached out
30:33as if to grab the hem
30:34of my trench coat.
30:35Just give me one more chance, okay?
30:36I'll work for you.
30:37I'll do whatever you say.
30:38I stepped back,
30:39dodging his filthy hands.
30:41Nate, the way you look right now,
30:42it's just pathetic.
30:43He froze completely.
30:44No more struggling.
30:45No more excuses.
30:46He just looked at me
30:47like the life
30:48had been drained out of him.
30:49You weren't like this before.
30:50You used to feel bad
30:51whenever you saw me working late.
30:52Yeah.
30:53I used to be blind.
30:54But you took everything I did
30:55and treated it
30:56like it was just your due.
30:57Just so you could protect
30:58that pathetic little ego of yours
30:59in front of your so-called friends
31:00in front of Maddie,
31:01you trampled my dignity
31:02into the ground.
31:03And now,
31:04now that you have
31:04absolutely nothing left,
31:06you finally remember me.
31:07Don't you find
31:08this whole act
31:09just disgusting?
31:10He buried his face
31:11in his hands in agony.
31:12A low,
31:13animal-like sound
31:14of anguish
31:14tore from his throat.
31:16I turned and walked
31:17toward the Uber Black
31:17waiting at the curb.
31:19The driver in white gloves
31:20opened the car door for me.
31:21I got in.
31:23I didn't look back.
31:24Not once.
31:27The car pulled away,
31:29leaving the figure
31:30kneeling on the roadside
31:31far,
31:31far behind
31:32in the rearview mirror.
31:34Two years later,
31:36I represented the Southwest region
31:38at the National Supply Chain Summit
31:39back in Chicago.
31:41After the conference,
31:42our business partners
31:42invited me to dinner
31:43at a newly opened
31:44rooftop restaurant downtown.
31:46The restaurant's location
31:47was close to the lakefront spot
31:48where Nate had proposed
31:50all those years ago.
31:51The same place where he,
31:52surrounded by Maddie and Tyler,
31:54had mocked me to my face.
31:56I walked into the restaurant
31:57in a sharply tailored
31:58Tom Brownie professional suit,
32:00my stilettos
32:01clicking against the floor.
32:03The Merida led us
32:04into the VIP private room.
32:06Midway through the meal,
32:08one of the partners
32:09accidentally
32:10knocked over a glass
32:11of Cabernet Sauvignon.
32:12I pressed the service bell.
32:14The door to the private room
32:16opened gently.
32:17A man in a server's vest
32:18walked in quickly,
32:19head down,
32:20carrying a cleaning cloth.
32:21He crouched to the floor
32:22and started wiping up
32:23the spilled red wine.
32:24The partner slid a contract
32:25renewable across the table to me.
32:27Miss Hayes,
32:28please review the terms again.
32:29If everything looks good,
32:30we can sign right now.
32:31I took the Monbonic fountain pen
32:33and signed my name
32:34on the signature line.
32:35Pleasure doing business with you.
32:38The server scrubbing
32:39the wine stain on the floor
32:40suddenly froze mid-motion.
32:42He slowly lifted his head.
32:45The cloth dropped
32:47from his hand
32:47onto the carpet.
32:49It was Tyler.
32:50He had bloated up significantly
32:52compared to two years ago.
32:53His face was greasy and slick,
32:54his eyes darting away.
32:55I was mildly surprised
32:56but regained my composure quickly.
32:57Do you know him, Miss Hayes?
32:59The business partner
32:59followed my gaze
33:00and frowned slightly.
33:01I picked up my sparkling water
33:02and took a sip.
33:03I don't.
33:04Tyler's face instantly flushed
33:05a deep red.
33:05He snatched the cloth off the floor
33:06and bolted out of the private room
33:07without looking back.
33:08Later, I heard from old contacts
33:09in Chicago that the Tyler family trust
33:10had run into major problems.
33:12All the assets under his father's name
33:13had been frozen.
33:14All those friends who used to club hop
33:15and race sports cars with him
33:16disappeared overnight.
33:16He found a minimum wage job
33:17at a restaurant on Indeed,
33:18barely scraping by
33:19to make the minimum payments
33:20on his credit cards.
33:20The day my business trip ended,
33:22it rained in Chicago.
33:23On the way to O'Hale International Airport,
33:25we passed through
33:25the old Lincoln Park neighborhood.
33:27The driver asked if I wanted to pull over
33:28for a moment to grab a coffee.
33:30I shook my head.
33:31No thanks.
33:32Straight to the airport.
33:32That apartment was someone else's home now.
33:34Everything inside it,
33:36along with all those sealed cardboard boxes,
33:38had been thrown away by me long ago.
33:40A push notification
33:40from a Chicago local news app
33:41popped up on my phone.
33:43Former tech founder Nate F.
33:44arrested on aggravated assault charges
33:45following street brawl
33:46with Amazon Flex driver
33:47over delivery route dispute.
33:48The attached photo was a shot
33:49of Nate from behind,
33:50his hands accucked,
33:51being pressed face down
33:51against the hood of a police cruiser.
33:53I swiped the notification away,
33:55closed my eyes,
33:56and leaned back into my seat.
33:57The plane climbed through thick clouds
33:59and broke through to 10,000 meters.
34:01Blinding sunlight filled the windows.
34:03After returning to Austin,
34:05I went straight to the title transfer center.
34:07Using the performance bonuses
34:08and stock options
34:09I'd accumulated over the past two years,
34:11I bought a sprawling penthouse
34:13in the city center
34:14overlooking Lady Baird Lake.
34:16The day I got the keys,
34:17I invited the entire office over
34:19for a housewarming party.
34:20Everyone filled the spacious living room,
34:22drinking local craft beer
34:23with country music playing.
34:25The balcony was lined
34:26with my favorite white roses.
34:28I stood by the Florida Cleese windows
34:30with a glass of Cabernet,
34:31gazing out at the light
34:32stretching across the city below.
34:34The night breeze drifted in,
34:36carrying the scent of the lake.
34:38I once believed I couldn't survive
34:40without all those some days.
34:42I found out later that I could.
34:44Because what every person can truly rely on
34:46has never been someone else's promises.
34:48It's the money I earn myself.
34:50It's what's inside my head
34:51that no one can ever take away.
34:53I raised my glass,
34:55gently clinking it
34:56against my own reflection in the window.
34:58Harper, here's to the future.
35:01Outside, the lights of Lady Baird Lake
35:03shimmered like a sea of stars.
35:06The red wine went down.