- 10 hours ago
Ruin Me, Ruin Your Clan : New 🔝
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Short filmTranscript
00:00At my husband's product launch, he played a video of me being raped on a 40-foot screen, in front
00:06of hundreds of people.
00:09Reporters. Clients. My colleagues.
00:13When I tried to stop him, Dominic's... Santiago smiled and raised the remote higher.
00:23Emi, since you know how painful it is to have your privacy exposed...
00:29My screams and the sound of fabric tearing echoed through the hall.
00:34Cameras swung towards me from every direction, but Dominic carried his mistress, Aunt Rosilla, in his arms, and walked away.
00:48The man who once saved me from those debt brokers, who held me while I cried after the assault, had
00:52become the monster who would use my trauma as entertainment.
00:55But what Dominic doesn't know is that my brother, Zayn Lopez, has been waiting 13 years for this moment.
01:00And I've already texted him two words, come back home.
01:04Tiago Group's newest product launch, I frozen.
01:09On the massive screen behind my husband, naked photos of me.
01:25Photos taken the year I first joined the company.
01:28The year I was assaulted by a client at a private VIP event.
01:33Images I thought had been destroyed eight years ago.
01:38Hundreds of guests filled the hall.
01:40Champagne glasses froze mid-clink.
01:43Flash builds popped from every corner.
01:48But I couldn't move.
01:50Couldn't speak.
01:52Couldn't breathe.
02:02Because the man standing at the podium, remote in hand, was Dominic Santiago.
02:09I snapped back to my senses, while everyone laughed.
02:13Panicking as I tried to look for the remote, only to be stopped by at Dominic Santiago.
02:20Emi, since you know how painful it is to have your privacy exposed, why did you include
02:26Rosa's underwear in your post last night?
02:29Fans trembled as I pulled out my phone and opened the post from the night before, holding
02:34it up in front of him.
02:38In the bottom right corner of the photo was a patch no bigger than a fingernail, just the
02:42faint edge whip of a bathrobe.
02:43If no one pointed it out, anyone would have assumed it was a towel thrown on the floor.
02:49You call this underwear, Dominic?
02:51Does this count as privacy?
02:55He glanced at the photo, frowned slightly, and replied in an icy tone.
02:59Whether it counts is beside the point.
03:03Your intent alone is unforgivable.
03:06With that, he raised the remote.
03:08The next second, the big screen started playing the surveillance video of me being violated
03:14in a private room eight years ago.
03:17My shrill screams and the sound of fabric tearing echoed through the vast exhibition hall.
03:27Cameras swung toward me from every direction.
03:33The painful memories made me shrink into a corner fearfully.
03:43Dominic's assistant stepped forward, voice urgent.
03:48Mrs. Santiago's mental health barely improved this year.
03:51If this continues, something could really go wrong.
03:54Shut up.
03:56Dominic didn't even look at him.
03:59She's hard to kill.
04:03Those words hit me like a physical blow.
04:07Hard to kill.
04:08That's what he thought of me.
04:18He scooped at Rosalie Mava to his arms.
04:21The woman he'd chosen over my Dignatius.
04:29And sivery out dad to his pocket.
04:33Then he walked away without looking back.
04:39Rosalie glanced back over his shoulder.
04:43A smile played on her lips.
04:47Victorious.
04:49Satisfied.
04:53I knew in that moment.
04:55I knew in that moment.
04:57This time.
04:59I truly had to leave.
05:05The hall was automated.
05:07Only the remote controlled the screen.
05:09And Dominic had taken it.
05:10No one could stop it.
05:12All eyes fixed on footage from the VIP lounder.
05:16My torn suit.
05:17Marked shoulders.
05:18The drunken man's hands sliding along my waist as I curled, curled on the floor, trembling.
05:24Eight years of nightmare.
05:27And playing for hundreds of people.
05:37I reporters swarmed.
05:43One who'd nearly been fired before wore a greasy smile.
05:47Grabbed my shoulder.
05:50Let his hand slide down.
05:51Haven't you always acted like some pure goddess, Mrs. Santiago?
05:55Slept your way to the top?
05:59How do you keep him satisfied?
06:03Think I'll ever get a turn?
06:05I shoved him away.
06:08Dozens of cameras shoved into my face.
06:13Mrs. Santiago, does your husband despise you?
06:16Is that why you've never gotten pregnant?
06:18They marry you for your sex appear.
06:19How many deals did you secure by sleeping your way to the top?
06:23The crowd blurred into beasts with gaping mouths.
06:27All wearing the same leaking face.
06:29Reaching for my body.
06:30I lost it completely.
06:32Eyes bloodshot.
06:33I screamed.
06:35Yeah, I'm dirty!
06:37I'm worthless!
06:38Get away from me!
06:41I fled through the crowd and out of the hall!
06:46Then my phone bugged!
06:50Emelyn, the surprise isn't over yet.
06:54Look up!
06:57On every giant screen along the street.
07:00The same video.
07:03The violation.
07:04The screaming.
07:06My naked body.
07:07Broadcast across the entire city.
07:11Another message.
07:13Check your phone.
07:15I open social media.
07:19My photo.
07:21Messy clothes.
07:23Hickeys on my neck.
07:24Already trending.
07:27The ringtone made me tremble.
07:29Her.
07:29I picked up without a word.
07:31A soft laugh.
07:33Her voice shifted.
07:35Evelyn, you are still my defeated opponent.
07:38Know your place.
07:39Try anything again!
07:41And it only gets worse!
07:42In restrained laughter.
07:44In silence.
07:45How many times?
07:47When my cat scratched Rosili's leg,
07:50he threw me into the reptile in Clintuzer.
07:52He knew my fear of snakes.
07:54And watched through the glass as I screamed.
07:56When I spilled wine on her gown.
07:58Poured a dozen bottles over me in public.
08:00His walking wine scandal.
08:03Too many times to count.
08:06If not for thirteen years ago or eight years ago,
08:10I would have left long ago.
08:13The man who had shielded me
08:14had torn that protection apart.
08:16But into the blade that cut deepest.
08:21Nothing left to...
08:35I tried to make it home,
08:37but dizziness hit like a wave.
08:39The world spun.
08:40I collapsed on the street,
08:42amid honking bars and stares.
08:44Darkness swallowed me.
08:45I woke.
08:46I was in the hospital.
08:48And I woke and stung my nose.
08:51Kept my eyes closed.
08:54Outside the ward.
08:55I heard the doctor's worried voice.
08:58Mr. Santiago,
09:00you promised not to aggravate Mrs. Santiago.
09:02Why did you...
09:02She was finally improving.
09:06Now we're back to square one.
09:08Will she die from it?
09:12Dominic's cold voice cut in.
09:18Not right now.
09:22But if...
09:26Then stop talking.
09:28Dominic was losing patience.
09:31You don't tell me how to treat my wife.
09:34I know what I'm doing.
09:37Get out!
09:39The doctor left.
09:41The ward door opened from outside.
09:50Emi, it's me.
09:51Soft, gentle.
09:52Nothing like the monster at the launch.
09:54Lean down.
09:55Kissed my forehead.
09:56Wake up.
09:57You've been sleeping for a long time.
10:03His arms wrapped around me.
10:05Stubble rough against my neck.
10:12Emi, don't mind what others say.
10:14I never cared about what happened eight years ago.
10:17The only one I eyed.
10:18His breath on my ear.
10:19Once my strength.
10:20Now it disgusted me.
10:22But I couldn't push him away.
10:23He thought I was still obedient.
10:25Mood brightened.
10:26He ruffled my hair like a child and brought oatmeal.
10:29The doctor says you need to eat.
10:31Warm oatmeal on my lips.
10:33I hesitated.
10:34Took a bite.
10:35I needed to survive.
10:38Feeling better?
10:42After a few spoonfuls, Dominic spoke casually.
10:45But his tone allowed no refusal.
10:48Since you feel better, so apologize to Rosa.
10:51Why should I?
10:53His eyes showed nothing.
10:57She tried to kill herself because of your photo.
11:00If I hadn't gotten there in time, she'd be dead.
11:04You must go.
11:04What about me?
11:06She leaked my neck!
11:08Emi.
11:09He slammed the bowl down, voice cold.
11:12No time for this.
11:13The hospital called about your mother.
11:16You've oversees medical team.
11:18The words hung in the air.
11:21My mother.
11:22Her treatment.
11:22Her life all controlled by him.
11:27I'll go.
11:29Flat.
11:30Hollow.
11:32He kissed me and left.
11:35Calm tone.
11:37But I heard the threat.
11:38Eight years he'd paid for her treatment.
11:41Never asked credit.
11:43Today, he used her against me.
11:46For Rosalie.
11:51Bitterness exploded in my chest.
11:54I searched my phone for that familiar number.
11:58The one I had not dialed in years.
12:01And typed the words.
12:06Come back home, Zan.
12:08I need you.
12:18Come back home, Zan.
12:21I need you.
12:23Zane Lopez, my brother.
12:24My only family.
12:26The Lopez name had fallen.
12:27But Zane himself had never been broken.
12:29He had cut ties with our family long ago to pursue his dream of becoming a film director.
12:33We had not spoken in months.
12:35But for what I needed to do next for the performance of my lifetime he was the only one who
12:39could pull it off.
12:44I pressed send.
12:46Stared at the screen.
12:47And waited for the three dots that would change everything.
12:50Minutes passed.
12:52Then my phone buzzed.
13:04Minutes passed.
13:05Then my phone buzzed.
13:13Okay.
13:14I'll be in New York within three days.
13:22Zane.
13:24Coming home for me?
13:28Almost at the same moment, another message popped up.
13:32From Dominic.
13:33Emmy.
13:34I'm taking Rosa on a trip to relax.
13:36We'll be back in three days.
13:38Make come apologize once we return.
13:41I'm into this plot a little ready.
13:58Zane's message was a promise.
14:02Dominic's was a threat.
14:09I clutched my phone tight, crying on the hospital bed.
14:14And then, suddenly, I laughed like a mad woman.
14:21Three days later, Dominic's driver knocked on my door before dawn.
14:26When he saw me, his expression flickered, like he wanted to say something, but couldn't.
14:33Mrs. Santiago.
14:38I know.
14:40Let's go.
14:43I'd prepared myself for the worst.
14:45Three days of waiting.
14:47Three days of rehearsing what I'd say, how I'd act, which expression to wear.
14:56The drive felt endless.
14:59Each block brought me closer to the Santiago group building.
15:03To Dominic's office.
15:06To whatever punishment he'd devised.
15:14When we arrived and I stepped out of the car, I froze.
15:21Because sitting in Dominic's office, visible through the glass walls, was someone I never expected to see again.
15:33Austin Watford.
15:35The name alone made bile rise in my throat.
15:37Eight years ago, this man had violated me in the Santiago group's private lounge.
15:42He'd torn my clothes.
15:43Left marks on my body that took months to fade.
15:46Destroyed something inside me that never fully healed.
15:49Dominic had told me he'd personally sent Austin to prison.
15:51That justice had been served.
15:53That I was safe.
15:57And now Austin Watford was sitting in my husband's office, laughing.
16:03Chatting.
16:06Like he belonged there.
16:10Like Dominic had invited him.
16:15Dominic had invited him.
16:23Rosalie walked out of Dominic's office, her voice sweet and cheerful.
16:27Oh, Emmeline.
16:28You're really punctual.
16:30She reached out and pulled me straight inside.
16:37Austin, who was already balding at the top.
16:43Stretched his hand toward me.
16:47I quickly stepped back, bumping into the wine cabinet behind me.
16:53A large splash of red wine soaked through my jacket.
16:58Seeing the way he looked at me, I started gabbing.
17:03I looked toward at Dominic Santiago.
17:06He covered his nose with both hands and avoided my gaze.
17:09Seemed like he wanted to say something, but Rosalie Mava spoke first.
17:14Come on, Emmeline.
17:16Since you two are old acquaintances, no need to be so tense.
17:20Rosalie grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward.
17:24Dom said the public scene was a bit much.
17:27So we'll handle your apology prightly.
17:29She pointed at Austin.
17:30He's an important client.
17:32Make him happy today.
17:34And I won't hold anything beguined you.
17:37Before I could respond, Austin dragged me to his side.
17:40His thick arm wrapped around me.
17:41You were too young to satisfy me back then.
17:44But Mr. Santiago has trained you well.
17:47Your skills have improved.
17:49Today, let's...
17:50Wine soaked through my jacket.
17:52Austin's gaze dropped.
17:53His hand followed.
17:54I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.
17:56Across the room, Dominic lowered his head and said nothing.
18:01A huge wave of humiliation welled up within me, and I used all my strength to shove Austin away.
18:06Before Rosalie's smile faded, I slapped her across the face.
18:09Then, I grabbed her wrist and shoved her straight into Austin's arms.
18:14Since you're such good friends, you should be the one to keep Mr. Watford company.
18:20Austin clearly feared nothing.
18:24After a disgusting laugh, he tore Rosalie's thin dress apart, pulled her into his arms, and pressed his mouth onto
18:31her pale chest.
18:36Watching that scene made a wave of twisted satisfaction rush through me, and my whole body trembled with it.
18:46Suddenly, someone strangled my neck from behind.
18:50I was flung away, crashing into the shattered wine bottles on the ground.
18:55Countless glass shards stabbed into my flesh, and blood mixed with red wine on my clothes, blooming into scarlet patches.
19:01Amid the stabbing pain, Dominic rushed toward the screaming Rosalie.
19:05He punched Austin in the face and gathered Rosalie into his arms.
19:13Then, he turned back and grabbed me by my throat.
19:16Emmeline, I never knew you could be this heartless.
19:19Rosa even tried to make the apology easier for you.
19:21Yet you're still not satisfied.
19:23You slept with him eight years ago, so why can't you do it again?
19:25Since you don't care about the consequences.
19:27I won't either.
19:29Today, I'll make sure you learn your lesson.
19:35Dragging my blood-covered body, Dominic pulled me away.
19:40It wasn't until I saw the hospital from inside the car that I finally understood what sort of punishment he
19:45meant.
19:48In the VIP ward on the top floor, my mother lay in a deep sleep.
19:55Juliana Horton.
19:56The only person who'd ever truly loved me.
20:03If not for the tubes and machines surrounding her bed, she might have been taking a nap.
20:10But that nap had lasted eight years.
20:12Ever since my accident, the same accident that had broken our family, she'd never opened her eyes.
20:20I stumbled forward and reached for her hand, cold, thin.
20:28Fragile under my fingers.
20:34But before I could feel any warmth,
20:39Dominic's grip closed around my arm and yanked me backward.
20:50Dominic's voice was low and calm.
20:53We already talked about this last time.
20:55As long as you behave, I'll let your mother stay in this VIP board peacefully.
21:02One day, she might even wake up and hear you speak again.
21:13But since you've been so naughty lately...
21:15He reached out and decisively pulled out the power from one of the machines.
21:26In an instant, all the indicator lights turned red, and sharp alarms rang in my ears.
21:34My mother's breathing grew more and more rapid.
21:39I panicked, stumbled forward, and grabbed Dominic's wrist that was holding the power plug.
21:44Dominic!
21:46I didn't mean it!
21:47I was just too scared!
21:49You know how much that incident eight years ago scarred me?
21:53Considering how my mother treated you as family,
21:56the least you could do is not make her suffer like this!
21:59The alarm rang urgently, and my mother's face was turning purple from the lack of oxygen.
22:04I let go of Dominic's wrist, dropping to my knees with a thud as my legs gave out.
22:09Dom, I'm begging you!
22:11You know my mother is all I have!
22:14Please, let her go!
22:21A strange emotion flashed through Dominic's dark eyes.
22:24He glanced at my mother behind me and lifted his hand to plug the power back in.
22:28But just as he was about to do so, the window behind us suddenly opened.
22:34Rosalie sat on the windowsill with tears streaming down her face.
22:42Rosalie looked at Dominic in utter despair.
22:47Dom!
22:49You know, I value my purity more than my life.
22:54Given how that man violated me earlier, I feel dirty to the core.
23:07Forgive me, for I can't spend the rest of my life with you anymore.
23:12Even though I'm carrying our baby, I still can't.
23:23She tilted backward.
23:25Before Rosalie finished speaking, she fell back into Dominic's arms.
23:32At that moment, I could only see my mother's face turning purple from suffocation.
23:38I forced myself forward and plugged the power back in.
23:42The alarms finally stopped, but almost immediately, Dominic rushed over.
23:47He shoved me aside and pulled out all the power cords to my mother's medical equipment.
23:52Instantly, dozens of piercing red lights flashed in the ward,
23:55and the deafening alarms rang in my ears.
24:00Dominic!
24:01Dominic!
24:08My mother is dying!
24:12Please don't-
24:16He kicked me aside, cradling Rosalie tightly, and spoke through clenched teeth.
24:25You almost killed Rosa, and our child.
24:29I can't finish you off just yet, so I'll sacrifice your mother instead.
24:36Beep!
24:41The heart monitor flatlined.
24:44One long, unbroken tone filled the silence.
24:48I held my mother's hand as it slowly turned cold beneath my fingers.
24:57Eight years of machines, of hope.
25:03Of praying she'd wake just one more time all ending here.
25:08Dominic walked out with Rosalie in his arms.
25:11He didn't look back once.
25:15Dominic returned to the hospital an hour later.
25:20In one hand a bag of tacos, my favorites from across town.
25:24The ones we'd eaten on our first date.
25:27In the other hand a bouquet of white roses.
25:31He'd driven all the way to upstate New York to buy them.
25:34He looked anxious eager, like a child bringing home a good report card.
25:42But the moment he stepped through the hospital doors, a doctor rushed toward him and dropped to his knees.
25:52Bad news, Mr. Santiago.
25:54Right after you left, your wife jumped from window window and died.
25:58We have lost two lives now.
26:04Dominic refused to believe it.
26:09The doctor didn't move.
26:10Slowly, he lifted his head.
26:15I told you to hold my tacos.
26:17Are you deaf?
26:21A sound of tacos.
26:23You rat tacos.
26:24You deaf bro here.
26:26You knew him here.
26:27Then you chastened him to abble.
26:30He kicked the doctor lightly.
26:34Dominic threw away the flowers.
26:38Waste of looks and some out to read tracks.
26:41Because roll nay chalice love.
26:43Grabbed the doctor by the collar.
26:45And dragged him toward my mother's old ward.
26:48The VIP ward on the top floor was empty.
26:51The windows were wide open.
26:53Cold wind swept through.
26:57My mother's bed was gone.
26:58Her body already removed for funeral arrangements.
27:03And the spot where I'd knelt on the floor empty.
27:08Dominic stood in the doorway.
27:10Tacos in hand.
27:11Flowers crushed against his chest.
27:15Where is my wife?
27:23His voice came out strange.
27:25High thin.
27:28The doctor fell to his knees again.
27:30Mr. Santiago.
27:32Your wife is already dead.
27:34She jumped from this very window.
27:37Impossible.
27:44Dominic shouted.
27:47Emi loves her mother dearly.
27:49How could she leave just like this?
27:53The doctor dragged Dominic toward the window.
27:55Below, a group of janitors was scrubbing blood from the ground.
28:01What a pity.
28:03Mrs. Santiago was such a strong person.
28:07If I had told her about the pregnancy earlier, perhaps she wouldn't have jumped.
28:12The doctor muttered.
28:14Dominic rushed downstairs.
28:21He grabbed an elderly cleaner by the wrist.
28:28The old man looked at the bloodstain, then at Dominic.
28:38Your wife fell to her death right here.
28:41When she jumped.
28:50I saw your mistress standing by that window with a smile.
29:14The old man pointed his broom at him.
29:18It had dried blood on the bristles.
29:22She trusted the wrong person.
29:28Dominic found his way to the morgue.
29:32And there, blocking the entrance, stood a man he hadn't seen in years.
29:39Slim.
29:39Refined.
29:40Dressed entirely in black.
29:42Zayn Lopez.
29:45The moment their eyes met.
29:46Zayn's fist connected with Dominic's face before anyone could blink.
29:50The crack of bone echoed through the empty hallway.
29:57You bastard.
30:00Zayn's voice was ice.
30:02Pure ice.
30:07Dominic staggered backward, blood spraying from his split lip.
30:10He was riled up, but he didn't dare fight back.
30:12Zayn was a madman.
30:14That's what I'd always called my older brother.
30:18And now, face to face with those cold, bottomless eyes.
30:24Dominic Santiago was terrified for the first time in his life.
30:32The Lopez family used to be prominent in New York.
30:35And Zayn was the only male heir.
30:38But he'd refused every path laid out for him.
30:41To break free.
30:42He'd burned every bridge leaked his family's secrets online.
30:46Watched the empire crumble.
30:48Banished himself to the North Pole when they begged him to return.
30:54From then on, he cut ties with everyone.
30:57Everyone except me.
30:59When I married Dominic.
31:00Zayn sent us a wedding gift.
31:02A knife.
31:10Along with it, a letter I'd hidden from Dominic.
31:17Dominic had thought Zayn was a psycho.
31:19A joke, he was wrong.
31:31Dominic wiped blood from his mouth.
31:34His hand shook.
31:37Call me whatever you want.
31:38Move.
31:39This is the Santiago family's hospital.
31:41And I am going in to see my wife.
31:46Zayn did not blink.
31:50That will not be possible.
31:53Flat.
31:53Final.
31:54No room for argument.
31:56Dominic took a step forward.
31:58Zayn did not block him.
31:59Did not need to.
32:01Because something in Dominic's chest.
32:03Some instinct older than reason.
32:06Screamed at him not to take another step.
32:08Please.
32:09His voice cracked broke.
32:10I just need to see her one time.
32:14Tell her I am sorry.
32:17Tell her I will fix everything.
32:25Zayn refused to let Dominic enter.
32:27His tone devoid of emotion.
32:35Dominic.
32:36Dominic.
32:36You will pay a huge price for your ignorance.
32:40Before Dominic could respond, Zayn had already disappeared around the corner.
32:50Dominic forced down his uneasiness and entered the morgue alone.
32:59Not only was I gone, even my mother's body was nowhere to be found.
33:07The old man in charge slowly stood up.
33:13Don't ask.
33:15Don't ask.
33:15We can't afford to offend the young man from earlier.
33:18Several mercenaries came to take the bodies away.
33:28That particular knife from your wedding is a restricted aviation weapon, Mr. Santiago.
33:34Do you understand what that means?
33:36Dominic's scalp-tingled private jets.
33:39Restricted weapons.
33:40Mercenaries.
33:45Any one of those owners could crush the Santiago group like an ant.
33:54Before Dominic could ponder any further, his phone rang.
33:58His assistant was panicking.
34:04Bad news, Mr. Santiago.
34:06Mrs. Mavris killed herself in your office.
34:09Dominic rushed back to the company.
34:12His assistant shoved a piece of paper into his hands.
34:15Mr. Santiago.
34:17This is Mrs. Mavris' suicide note.
34:20According to this, you've been wanting to kill her for the longest time.
34:24When Dominic saw the familiar handwriting, his vision went dark.
34:28Even the biggest idiot could tell it was all a trap.
34:34He grabbed the suicide note.
34:40He lit it on fire.
34:43And rushed downstairs.
34:49But before he could escape, there was a knock on the door.
34:53Mr. Santiago.
34:55We're from the criminal investigation department.
34:58Please cooperate with us.
35:00We're from the criminal investigation department.
35:01Half a month later, I saw the news of Dominic's death on Zayn's tablet.
35:06Rosalie had not only left a suicide note, but also emailed a final message to the police.
35:13While investigations were still ongoing, Dominic jumped from the Santiago group building.
35:19The day he jumped, many people gathered below.
35:24He kneeled like a madman.
35:29Boeing desperately toward nothing as he mumbled to himself.
35:33I'm sorry, Emi.
35:37It's all my fault.
35:39I've wronged you terribly.
35:41I deserve to die.
35:44I'll do it now.
35:46Hang on.
35:47I'm coming.
35:49Over and over, like a prayer.
35:51Like a curse.
35:56What a pity.
35:57I didn't expect him to be that we hid in.
36:01Zayn's voice came from behind me.
36:03I turned to find him settling onto the couch, handing me a glass of red wine with casual ease.
36:11On his tablet, the footage still played.
36:15Dominic on his knees, bowing at nothing.
36:18Mumbling apologies to empty air.
36:22I hired someone to pretend to be you, Zayn said, swirling his own glass.
36:30Had them appear outside his window a few nights.
36:34Wore your clothes.
36:37Walked like you.
36:40He scared himself into this state.
36:43All on his own.
36:47Paranoia, guilt, sleep deprivation.
36:49A dangerous combination that breaks any man.
36:53And Rosalie?
36:57I had to ask.
36:58I needed to know how it ended.
37:00Zayn's expression did not flicker.
37:03Do not get me started on her.
37:05Before I even said a word.
37:07Before I made a single move.
37:09She grabbed a knife and sliced her own artery open.
37:16What a coward.
37:19He said it like it meant nothing.
37:23Like her life had been worth nothing.
37:27Like the woman who had tormented me for eight years had simply erased herself.
37:34I waited for satisfaction.
37:36For relief.
37:38For some sense of justice.
37:40It did not come.
37:41I felt nothing.
37:43Not joy.
37:44Not grief.
37:45Just emptiness.
37:46Well it did not matter anymore.
37:53The Santiago group collapsed within three months.
38:01Dominic's death triggered investigations that unraveled everything fraud.
38:06Embezzlement, tax evasion, evidence buried for years.
38:10All exposed to daylight.
38:13Rosalie's suicide note, though forged, contained enough truth to ignite the fire.
38:23The board resigned en masse.
38:25Assets liquidated at pennies on the dollar.
38:28The Santiago name became poison.
38:34Anyone associated with it distanced themselves overnight.
38:39From empire to ruins in 90 days.
38:43Everything he built erased.
38:47I watched it all from far away from a villa in the south of France that Zayn insisted I use.
38:57White stucco walls.
39:02Lavender fields stretching to the horizon.
39:07The distant sound of waves.
39:15Sunglasses on my face.
39:20A wide-brimmed hat covering my still-healing scars.
39:28To the world, I was just another anonymous woman enjoying the French Riviera.
39:34The headlines called me.
39:37Hate Mrs. Santiago.
39:39Gossip Blogs called me.
39:44The mystery woman spotted in nice.
39:50Nobody called me Emmeline Lopez.
39:53And that was exactly how I wanted it.
39:56The mystery woman spotted in nice.
39:57The mystery woman spotted in nice.
39:58The mystery woman spotted in nice.
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