Burn Me Once I Shine Forever is a powerful short drama filled with revenge, betrayal, redemption, family conflict, and emotional twists. After being burned, betrayed, and left to lose everything by the people closest to her, Linda returns three years later stronger than ever. Determined to expose every lie and reclaim her future, she turns pain into power and begins her journey toward justice.
Watch the Full Episode (ENGSUB) and experience an unforgettable drama series packed with shocking betrayals, emotional redemption, and an inspiring comeback.
#BurnMeOnceIShineForever #ShortDrama #RevengeDrama #DramaSeries #FamilyDrama #Redemption #StrongFemaleLead #ShortMovie #ShortFilm #FullEP #ENGSUB
Watch the Full Episode (ENGSUB) and experience an unforgettable drama series packed with shocking betrayals, emotional redemption, and an inspiring comeback.
#BurnMeOnceIShineForever #ShortDrama #RevengeDrama #DramaSeries #FamilyDrama #Redemption #StrongFemaleLead #ShortMovie #ShortFilm #FullEP #ENGSUB
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Everyone thinks Carrie won that modeling contest fair and square.
00:05Here's what they don't know.
00:08My fiance set the house on fire the day before.
00:12My mother locked the door from the outside.
00:17The winner walked over my burned body.
00:21They even gave me psychiatric drugs at the victory party.
00:29Made me pee myself on live stream.
00:34Three years later, I came back.
00:38I didn't win a contest. I won my life back.
00:44The day before the modeling contest, a fire suddenly broke out.
00:54I was locked inside my own house.
00:59The smoke filled the room quickly.
01:02Help! Please help me!
01:03I screamed for help, but no one came.
01:07By the time they pulled me out, my face was badly burned.
01:12Then I live my burned.
01:14My body was scorched over a wide area.
01:19I was unconscious.
01:25Outside the operating room, Mom was crying hard.
01:28She blamed herself for locking the door by accident.
01:36Hurry up and come here. I need your help, please.
01:39My fiance, Kenneth Thornton, called every dermatologist in the city.
01:42He vowed to restore my looks no matter what.
01:45But then I heard Mom's shaky voice outside.
01:48Kenneth, even to help Carrie win, wasn't setting the fire and locking the door going too far.
01:57Kenneth scoffed.
01:58If Linda weren't so vain and selfish, I wouldn't have had to take such drastic measures.
02:04She knew Carrie was battling depression, but still flaunted her figure in front of her.
02:10All she lost was her face and some skin.
02:13Carrie lost her happiness.
02:15This is what Leta owes her.
02:18Kenneth said he would still marry me.
02:23No one would whisper behind my back.
02:26Even if I was hideous, he would treat me well.
02:34He said I should be grateful.
02:36Destroying my health and career was treating me well.
02:45I clenched my teeth until my draw ached.
02:50Cold and pain raged in my chest.
02:53That man, that mother.
02:56I was done with both of them.
02:59Kenneth gave an order.
03:04Hold off on the surgery.
03:05Have all the specialists wait outside.
03:08The doctor froze, halfway through pulling on his gloves.
03:12Mr. Thornton, her burns are too severe.
03:19Her throat is damaged by the smoke, and it's hell ringers.
03:22If we don't operate now, she won't just lose her voice.
03:27Her face and skin will be completely ruined.
03:31Mom hesitated.
03:33Guilt flickered in her eyes.
03:36Mom tried to persuade Kenneth.
03:38She's hurt too badly.
03:40She can't compete tomorrow anyway.
03:45Let her have the surgery.
03:47Kenneth refused.
03:54Let it be ruined.
03:57If she gets treated now, she'll still find ways to trip Carrie up.
04:04Only if she's half dead will she stop bullying Carrie.
04:13This will humble her.
04:15It's for her own good.
04:17I promise Carrie this championship would be hers.
04:24No one will stand in her way.
04:26Mom sighed and turned to the doctor.
04:30Just give my daughter some pain relief.
04:38Disinfect her burns gently.
04:40Molly, don't let her hurt too much.
04:42No one noticed my body trembling.
04:47It felt like a knife had been driven into my heart.
04:56The fire was never an accident.
04:58It was a trap.
04:59Set by the man I loved.
05:01For Caroline's sake.
05:07And Mom was his accomplice.
05:19They had stood outside that door, ignoring my desperate cries for help.
05:25Feeling nothing but relief that I'd finally been destroyed.
05:30Pain ripped through my chest.
05:32My scorched throat convulsed.
05:34I coughed up a mouth full of blood.
05:40Mom panicked and reached for me.
05:44But there wasn't a single uninjured spot she could touch.
05:50I'm here.
05:52It hurts, doesn't it?
05:57Don't be afraid.
05:59I will always be with you.
06:05Kenneth snapped at the doctor.
06:07What?
06:08If in any doing?
06:11Where are those dermatologists?
06:13If anything happens to my wife, this hospital can shut down.
06:20The specialists, they're stuck in traffic.
06:24They wouldn't arrive until tomorrow.
06:27Kenneth kicked him out.
06:35Then he knelt in front for me with a guilty face.
06:40Honey, I'm sorry.
06:43I let you suffer too much.
06:49I'll heal your skin and your face.
06:52You'll stand on the runway again.
06:57I stared at his perfect performance.
07:02My voice was bitter.
07:06Will I really get better?
07:10You will.
07:11I promise.
07:13His fake conviction made me feel like a fool.
07:17I knew the truth now.
07:18The man who swore to love me forever had pushed me into a dead end.
07:22The mother who treasured me all my life had chosen Carolyn.
07:26She turned the knife against me.
07:28I wanted to ask them why.
07:31But the words froze in my chest.
07:34I stayed silent.
07:36Doctors came in with disinfectant.
07:38The specialists aren't here yet.
07:40We have to do a simple cleaning.
07:43Please bear with it.
07:44The disinfectant hit my skin.
07:46It felt like being thrown into the flames again.
07:51Fragile blood vessels burst.
07:53The bed was soon soaked with blood and pus.
07:57Mom covered her mouth, sobbing.
07:59Kenneth's eyes turned red.
08:01Their concern looked so real.
08:03But I knew.
08:05Only the lies and the hurt were real.
08:10Two days passed.
08:11I woke up to voices outside the room.
08:15Mom and Kenneth were talking.
08:20Kenneth, do you really want to give her the new experimental psychiatric med?
08:24The doctor said it's not fully tested yet.
08:30Side effects might include seizures and loss of bladder control.
08:35That's exactly what I want.
08:38Kenneth's voice was cold and firm.
08:40Today is Carrie's celebration party.
08:43Plenty of big-name mentors will be there.
08:46This is her chance to really shine.
08:51A little more humiliation won't matter to Linda.
08:55Only if she loses every shred of dignity will she stop competing with Carrie.
09:01After tomorrow I'll announce our wedding.
09:03That'll be my way of making it up to her.
09:05Mom agreed without hesitation.
09:07I stared at the ceiling, got tears spilled silently down my face.
09:11They stung my raw wounds.
09:13But that pain was nothing compared to one in my chest.
09:19They knew I'd been sickly since childhood.
09:21They knew how hard I'd worked to become a model.
09:23Yet with one decision they destroyed my life's dream.
09:26If I'd known it would end like this, I'd rather have died in the fire.
09:29The door opened.
09:31Kenneth walked in with a tender smile.
09:34He held out to bright red capsules.
09:36This is a new painkiller.
09:38No side effects.
09:39It'll make things easier for you.
09:41I turned my head away.
09:43It's too bitter.
09:44I don't want it.
09:45He hesitated for only two seconds.
09:47Then he pressed the pills against my lips.
09:50Be a good wife.
09:51Take it from me.
09:52The capsule slid into my mouth.
09:54Bitter and sticky.
09:55The room began to spin.
09:57He gripped my hand.
09:59Today is Carrie's celebration party.
10:02Her biggest wish is your approval.
10:04If you don't show up, people will say you're petty and jealous.
10:08I knew there was no refusing.
10:10I'll go.
10:12Get me something to wear.
10:15Mom walked in just in time to hear me.
10:18Her face lit up.
10:19Good girl.
10:21I knew you'd understand.
10:23Once Carrie's party is over, I'll personally host your wedding with Kenneth.
10:27I pulled my hand away.
10:28I felt nothing.
10:29My heart felt like ashes.
10:31The car pulled up to the villa.
10:33The moment I stepped out, flashing lights exploded in my face.
10:37Reporters swarmed around me.
10:38Is it true you set the fire to kill your sister?
10:40How can someone as vicious as you up at your sister's celebration?
10:45Don't you feel shameless?
10:48I ducked my head and pulled my hat low.
10:51One recorder yanked it off.
10:54Gasps erupted.
10:55My burned, ruined face was now on full display.
10:58Oh my god!
10:59Disgusting!
11:00Is that a monster?
11:03I'm gonna puke.
11:05This is nightmare fuel.
11:08My heart pounded.
11:10My vision swam.
11:11But they weren't done.
11:20Several phones were lifted up.
11:22Live streams were going.
11:23Fallen model Melinda tried to burn her own sister alive and ended up like this.
11:29Let's see for ourselves how evil meets its end.
11:39Someone shoved me.
11:40I stumbled and hit the ground.
11:42My clothes tore.
11:43My arms, legs, and waist were exposed.
11:47A raw cry tore from my throat.
11:51My whole body convulsed like I was being electrocuted.
11:56The reporters got excited.
12:00She's having a seizure.
12:01This is gold.
12:02Get a close-up from all angles.
12:07My eyes rolled back.
12:09Foam spilled from my lips.
12:11Then heat spread beneath me.
12:15The sharp stench of urine filled the air.
12:19The shame was so crushing I couldn't even cry.
12:22I wanted to die right there.
12:26Kenneth burst through the crowd.
12:32He grabbed a reporter's camera and smashed it to the ground.
12:38Mom rushed over and wrapped me in a coat.
12:41She was crying.
12:42Where's security?
12:44Where's security?
12:44How did reporters get in?
12:46Get out!
12:46Every single one of you!
12:49Kenneth burst through the crowd.
12:51You've gone too far.
12:52How could you treat my sister like this?
12:57Disgusting.
13:00All of you are disgusting.
13:03You want the title?
13:05You want to give all the love to Caroline?
13:07Fine.
13:10But why did you have to destroy me like this?
13:12My thoughts blurred.
13:19Kenneth bent down and gripped my hands.
13:22Honey, I'm sorry.
13:24I should have protected you.
13:25From now on, I'll never let anyone hurt you again.
13:28Let's get married right away, okay?
13:31I wanted to say no, but blood surged up my throat first.
13:35Splattered across him.
13:37His face drained of color.
13:41Doctor!
13:42Doctor!
13:43Before darkness swallowed me,
13:45I heard him and mom shouting for a doctor.
13:50The doctor said I was already in critical condition.
13:55The delay made it worse.
13:58The psychiatric meds had damaged my internal organs.
14:02Surgery had only a 30% chance of success.
14:06Kenneth's voice shook.
14:08How could this happen?
14:10I don't care!
14:11If you can't save my wife,
14:13you can bury her with you!
14:14Tears splashed on the back of my hand as he choked out.
14:17Honey, we promised forever.
14:19You can't leave me alone.
14:24Mom dropped to her knees before the doctor.
14:27Please save my daughter.
14:29Take my life instead if you have to.
14:33I closed my eyes.
14:35Maybe dying like this wouldn't be so bad.
14:43When I woke again,
14:44I was back in my own room.
14:46Voices murmured at the door.
14:48Caroline was talking to mom.
14:50Mom,
14:51If you transfer all of dad's inheritance to me,
14:53won't Linda be upset?
14:58She doesn't get a say.
15:00She's marrying Kenneth.
15:02She'll never have to worry about money.
15:05What's this little bit to her?
15:07When your dad passed,
15:10I had acute leukemia.
15:14You were the one who gave me blood every day.
15:17You donated your bone marrow.
15:19That's when I swore
15:21you'd be my only real daughter
15:23for the rest of my life.
15:26I still feel like I owe you.
15:28I know you love Kenneth too.
15:31I've already talked to him.
15:33Linda's condition means she can't have children.
15:36On the wedding night,
15:37you'll take her place.
15:39Give him his first child.
15:40Caroline blushed.
15:42I'll do whatever you say, mom.
15:51Guilt flickered across mom's face.
15:54Then she stammered.
15:58Since you've heard everything,
15:59I won't hide it.
16:00The Thornton family is huge.
16:03They can't go without an heir.
16:05But don't worry.
16:07The title of Mrs. Thornton.
16:08I cut her off.
16:10I agree.
16:11Looking like this,
16:13I can't even attend the wedding anyway.
16:16Let Carrie go in my place.
16:19Mom's smile bloomed.
16:21Good girl.
16:22You've really grown up.
16:24Caroline's eyes swept over
16:25my scarred skin with disdain.
16:28Don't worry, Linda.
16:30Then she put on a show of concern.
16:32I'll take good care of your husband for you.
16:34I turned my head away.
16:36I was too tired to look at them.
16:41The wedding was held at the villa.
16:43Caroline's idea, of course.
16:46She wanted me to watch her strip away
16:48everything I cared about.
16:50But she was even cooler than I imagined.
16:56She pushed my door open.
16:59Her smile was twisted with malice.
17:02Even that massive fire couldn't kill you.
17:05You really are a cockroach, Melinda.
17:07I didn't bother arguing.
17:09You already got what you wanted.
17:11What else do you want?
17:14She laughed.
17:15For you to die, obviously.
17:18Only then can I be Kenneth's rightful wife.
17:21She pulled out a lighter and flicked it.
17:24She set the curtains on fire.
17:26The blood drained from my face.
17:31I dragged my burned body toward the fire.
17:35But Caroline kicked me hard into the bedpost.
17:38Help me, please!
17:40Then she ran to the door, crying out.
17:43Kenneth burst in.
17:44What happened?
17:45Are you hurt?
17:45He pulled Caroline into his arms.
17:47Mom rushed in right after.
17:50Get Carrie to the hospital!
17:52Everyone surrounded Caroline.
17:54No one noticed the blood pouring from my head.
17:56Caroline clung to Kenneth, sobbing.
17:58I just wanted to cheer Linda up.
18:01But she said, since her face is ruined,
18:03I shouldn't get to wear a beautiful dress either.
18:05She set the fire.
18:06She said she'd burn me too.
18:08I was so scared.
18:09Are you insane?
18:10Look at yourself.
18:11You make me sick.
18:12Kenneth's glare could have set me on fire.
18:14You make me sick.
18:16Mom's face twisted in disgust.
18:18If I'd known you'd turn out like this,
18:20I would have let that fire kill you.
18:25You're not even worth one of Carrie's fingers.
18:27Being burned like this is what you deserve.
18:30They carried Caroline out without a glance back.
18:33At the door,
18:34Kenneth looked back at the flames.
18:36You love playing with fire?
18:38Then play all you want.
18:40Lock the door.
18:41No one opens it.
18:43The door slammed.
18:45My screams were cut off.
18:46Mom hesitated.
18:47Kenneth, will anything happen to her?
18:49What could happen?
18:51She lit it herself.
18:54She probably already hit a fire extinguisher.
18:56They took Caroline to the hospital.
18:58Only after confirming she was unhurt did Kenneth remember me.
19:02He sighed and unlocked his phone.
19:04A live news alert popped up.
19:06Massive fire at Alwander Villa.
19:08His brow furrowed.
19:10He was about to call his butler, Daniel.
19:12But Daniel called him first.
19:14Kenneth said,
19:16Let her out.
19:16I'll take her to France for the honeymoon.
19:18She loves it there.
19:19Daniel's voice shook.
19:20Mr. Thornton,
19:22the villa is gone.
19:24Mrs. Thornton, she didn't make it out.
19:26The room fell silent.
19:28Even the air seemed frozen.
19:30Kenneth gripped his phone.
19:32His voice was tight with anger.
19:34Are you tired of living?
19:36How dare you curse my wife?
19:39Beside him, Caroline's eyes lit up with joy.
19:42Then she masked it with a fake gentle tone.
19:44Linda is probably just mad about being locked up.
19:47She's teaming up with Daniel to trick you.
19:50Lying is her favorite way to get your attention.
19:56Carolyn kept talking.
19:58Send her to some remote country for a while.
20:00Once she suffers, she'll realize how good you've been to her.
20:05People like her don't deserve to be spoiled.
20:08For the first time, Kenneth's patient snapped.
20:11Shut up!
20:12My marriage is none of your business!
20:14He shook off her hand and stepped aside.
20:17He lowered his voice.
20:19Tell her I'm letting it go today.
20:21Open the door now.
20:23I'll bring her a macaron from Magiré.
20:25She loves it.
20:26Natalie S. McCarrings had been our peace offering for over a decade.
20:30Whenever I was upset,
20:32one piece was enough to make me forgive him.
20:34But the last time I had one was two years ago.
20:38Not because he never bought them.
20:40He did.
20:42But every single one went to Carolyn.
20:46He always said Carolyn was fragile and depressed.
20:49I owed it to her to be kinder.
20:51But I never knew what I owed her.
20:53She lost her family because they were criminals who died on the run.
20:57My dad died because of her dad's crimes.
21:00I gave up mom.
21:02My husband.
21:03My dream and now my life.
21:05And he finally remembered to bring me a McCarran.
21:08How ridiculous.
21:10Daniel's voice was frantic on the phone.
21:12I swear I'm not lying.
21:13The fire started in Mrs. Thornton's room.
21:16By the time we opened the door, it was too late.
21:19The villa is burning out of control.
21:23Firefighters are still trying to rescue her.
21:28Kenneth yelled.
21:31Enough!
21:32I know she's mad.
21:34I locked her up.
21:35I already agreed to let her out.
21:37She lit it herself.
21:38She's not stupid enough to burn herself alive.
21:41Then a thought hit him.
21:42But what if she didn't start it?
21:44His breath quickened.
21:45His face paled.
21:48Fine.
21:49He hung up the phone.
21:50I'm coming back now.
21:52Unlike him, mom was far from calm.
21:58You're lying, right?
21:59She's just mad about what I said.
22:04Tell Linda I didn't mean it.
22:05I'll apologize when I get home.
22:10Daniel sighed.
22:13All right.
22:15I'll tell her.
22:16Mom's face relaxed into a stiff smile.
22:18See?
22:19I knew it had to be a joke.
22:21A fire that bad?
22:23Impossible.
22:24But her voice was trembling.
22:27Mom said,
22:28Kenneth, let's go back.
22:30It's your wedding day.
22:31Make it up to Linda.
22:33She's my only daughter.
22:35I can't let her be wronged again.
22:37Kenneth nodded.
22:38All right.
22:38I will.
22:41Carolyn trailed behind, ready to follow.
22:45Kenneth stopped her.
22:46Go home.
22:47Linda doesn't like you.
22:49I'm not letting you ruin her mood on our wedding day.
22:53Mom chimed in.
22:55That's right, Carrie.
22:56Go home.
22:56You already stole her modeling title.
22:59Don't show up in front of her again.
23:02Caroline's face twisted with rage.
23:04Melinda, you pathetic bitch.
23:06Dead or not, you still won't leave me alone.
23:13On the drive back, Kenneth's phone kept lighting up.
23:18Live updates about the fire filled his screen.
23:27His mind was blank.
23:28He blew through red lights.
23:33Finally, he skidded to a stop at the villa.
23:36He stepped out.
23:38His knees nearly buckled.
23:39The entire villa was swallowed in flames.
23:43The fire lit the sky red.
23:45Firefighters rushed in and out.
23:50Servants sat on the ground, filthy and shaking.
23:52Daniel ran up to him, covered in soot.
23:59Thank God you're back, Mr. Kenneth.
24:01Kenneth grabbed Daniel by the collar.
24:08Where is Linda?
24:10Daniel pointed to the charred ruins.
24:13We followed your order.
24:15We didn't open the door for her.
24:20When the banging stopped,
24:22we thought she had just worn herself out.
24:25Then smoke started seeping through the cracks.
24:28I opened the door,
24:29and the fire exploded out.
24:31The whole room was burning.
24:33It was too late.
24:35Kenneth's pulse spiked.
24:37And what?
24:38Before Daniel could answer,
24:41a deafening boom tore through the air.
24:44windows blew out.
24:46Glass sprayed everywhere.
24:48Black smoke and red fire mushroomed from my room.
24:51Burning debris rained down.
24:53Kenneth stared in horror.
24:55No.
24:56Linda wouldn't leave me.
24:58She wouldn't die.
25:01He lunged toward the house.
25:05Daniel clung to him.
25:07Mr. Thornton, you'll die if you go in there.
25:11The firefighters found over a dozen gas cans in her room.
25:14There could be another explosion any second.
25:17Kenneth's eyes were bloodshot.
25:19Gas cans?
25:21Why would there be gas cans in her room?
25:23He remembered smelling something strange earlier.
25:27But he had been too focused on Carolyn to care.
25:30The truth slammed into him.
25:32Pain and regret hollowed him out.
25:34He collapsed to his knees.
25:36For the first time in his life,
25:37he tasted true despair.
25:40Then arrived moments later.
25:43She saw the blackened shell of the villa and froze.
25:49Then she stumbled toward a firefighter.
25:52Where is my daughter?
25:54You must have saved her.
25:57She's the lady of this house.
26:01The firefighter hesitated.
26:03The fire started in her room.
26:06We found multiple gas cans.
26:08There were several explosions.
26:12I'm afraid.
26:14Mom screamed.
26:16Lies!
26:17My daughter is fine.
26:20Today is her wedding day.
26:23I promised to host it myself.
26:25She's so obedient, so good.
26:32She would never want to make me sad.
26:36The firefighter said nothing.
26:38Mom turned on Ken.
26:41She pounded him with her fists.
26:45This is your fault!
26:48Why did you lock her in?
26:50She's terrified of fire.
26:53She would never start one.
26:56Give her back to me!
26:58Give me back!
26:59My daughter!
27:03Kenneth stood like a corpse, taking the blows.
27:06Others pulled Mom away.
27:09She collapsed, sobbing, then fainted.
27:15Kenneth slowly lifted his head.
27:18He stared into the inferno.
27:20It hit him all at once.
27:22After that first fire,
27:24even a lighter's flicker sent me into panic.
27:26There was no way I would start a blaze.
27:28And someone that afraid of fire
27:30would never store gasoline in her own room.
27:32Just then, a firefighter approached him.
27:35The firefighter held out a soot-covered recorder.
27:37We found this on your wife's nightstand.
27:41She might have left a message in her final moments.
27:44See if it still works.
27:46Kenneth took it.
27:48His hands were shaking.
27:49He pressed play.
27:50All the strength drained from his body.
27:53Please, Regine, I support you.
27:55The recorder played back his and Mom's voices
27:58from outside the operating room.
28:00Then their conversation in front of the ward,
28:02plotting to drug me,
28:03ruin my dignity at Caroline's party.
28:07The last part was right before I died.
28:11Caroline in my room setting the fire.
28:14Taunting me.
28:15Slandering me.
28:17Kenneth gripped the recorder.
28:18His knuckles were white.
28:21So Linda had known all along.
28:25While she was enduring the pain of fire on her skin.
28:29I was still stabbing her heart again and again.
28:33That quiet sadness wasn't forgiveness.
28:37It was because she had given up completely.
28:40She is the girl I've loved for over ten years.
28:47The one I promised to never leave.
28:49Twice I pushed her into the fire.
28:50What the hell have I done?
28:52He bent over, curling up in pain.
28:54Night fell.
28:55The fire was finally out.
28:57The air stank of burning.
29:00Firefighters searched the whole villa.
29:02They handed him a single diamond ring.
29:08Then his assistant rushed in
29:10with a stack of investigation files.
29:13Mr. Thornton,
29:14you'd better prepare yourself.
29:16Before Kenneth could take them,
29:18Mom snatched the files away.
29:21All the truth about Caroline
29:23lay bare before their eyes.
29:25Caroline's birth parents
29:26were human traffickers.
29:28They died in a car crash
29:30while trying to escape arrest.
29:32She recognized Dad
29:34as one of the arresting officers.
29:36She staged a scene of being bullied.
29:39Dad couldn't bear it
29:40and adopted her.
29:42But she was a venomous snake
29:43lying in wait.
29:44While Dad was undercover,
29:46she shouted in the street
29:47that he was a cop.
29:48He is a cop!
29:49Dad was gunned down by criminals.
29:56She played innocent.
29:59She even blamed me.
30:01She said I was vain
30:02and wanted to brag
30:03about having a cop for a dad.
30:05Mom never said it out loud.
30:08But she had blamed me ever since.
30:11When Mom had leukemia,
30:13I gave her blood and bone marrow.
30:15I kept it from her.
30:18I didn't want her to worry.
30:21Meanwhile,
30:22Caroline ran off
30:23with Dad's death benefit.
30:25Later,
30:26when Mom recovered
30:27and I was set to marry Kenneth,
30:29Caroline claimed she had depression.
30:31She said she didn't want
30:33to drag us down.
30:34She went back home.
30:36But when no one was around,
30:38I was pushed down the stairs.
30:40My wrists were slashed open
30:42with scissors
30:42in the middle of the night.
30:44I dodged vases falling from above.
30:50All these years,
30:51everyone believed her every word.
30:53I was branded vain and selfish.
30:56Anytime I showed emotion,
30:58I was accused of being cruel and petty.
31:00I endured endless cold violence.
31:03And her depression was fake.
31:05Behind closed doors,
31:06she bullied,
31:07slept around,
31:08and trafficked children and girls.
31:11Everything I had tried to explain
31:12finally hit them like bullets.
31:14Mom sobbed until she nearly
31:16passed out.
31:19She collapsed to her knees.
31:23My dear,
31:25I was wrong.
31:26I'm so sorry.
31:28Kenneth swayed to his feet.
31:31He wiped the ring with his sleeve
31:33and slipped it into his pocket.
31:38Then he calmly told the assistant
31:40to take mom home.
31:44He made a call to Carolyn.
31:51Carolyn had been burned to death
31:56in the suburbs.
31:57By the time the cops got there,
32:00only a charred body remained.
32:01The coroner said someone had doused her
32:03in gasoline before she died.
32:08They burned her until she was barely hanging on.
32:13Then they put out the flames with an extinguisher.
32:16After a while,
32:17they poured more gasoline
32:18and set her on fire again.
32:22It went on like that over ten times
32:24until she was burned completely black.
32:28She didn't just burn to death.
32:30She was tortured alive.
32:32While nurses gossiped about the story,
32:34I was lying on an operating table.
32:37I was going through my sixth skin graft.
32:42My mentor stood beside me.
32:44Her eyes were full of worry.
32:49Are you scared?
32:50I shook my head.
32:52After surviving fire twice,
32:54nothing really scares me anymore.
32:56On my wedding day,
32:57my mentor saw the news
32:58and caught a red-eye back from overseas.
33:01If she hadn't come,
33:02I would be nothing more than a corpse now.
33:05Her eyes softened.
33:07You're my proudest student.
33:13Six months from now,
33:14at the International Supermodel Contest,
33:17I want to see you shine.
33:19With her help in the doctor's relentless work,
33:21six months later,
33:22I stood on that runway.
33:24I didn't let her down.
33:26When I held the championship trophy,
33:28it felt like every star in the world
33:30was shining for me.
33:32I cried through the cheers and the flowers.
33:38I thought I would never see Kenneth again.
33:40But there he was.
33:42Showing up out of nowhere.
33:45As I stepped off the stage,
33:47I turned and saw him standing in the cold night air.
33:50He was unshaven and worn out.
33:52His smile was awkward and almost pleading.
33:55Linda,
33:56I came to take you home.
34:00He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket,
34:02the same one I had thrown into the flames.
34:05Look, I kept it.
34:07Let's have another wedding,
34:09bigger and grander,
34:10by the ocean.
34:12Just like you always wanted.
34:15His eyes were full of emotion,
34:17as if his own words moved him.
34:21I laughed,
34:23bitter and sharp.
34:24If you had even a shred of conscience or shame,
34:27you wouldn't be asking me to marry you again.
34:30Do you know how many skin grafts I've had?
34:3218.
34:34And every single cut across my body reminded me.
34:37You gave me all of this.
34:39He broke down in front of me.
34:43His tears hit the ground.
34:52I know I deserve to die a thousand times over.
34:55I'm not asking for forgiveness.
34:58Just one chance
34:59to make it right.
35:02Please.
35:03I looked at him.
35:05Leave my life and never show your face again.
35:09That's the best you can do for me.
35:13He stood there in silence.
35:15His shoulders sagged.
35:19A bitter smile tugged at Kenneth's lips.
35:25You're right.
35:28I'm not worthy to stand next to you.
35:30He turned and walked away.
35:32I didn't watch him go.
35:35Half a month later,
35:37mom overdosed on pills.
35:38When they found her,
35:40she was holding my childhood photo.
35:42I wired money to the funeral home.
35:44I didn't go back.
35:46Not long after,
35:48Kenneth turned himself in.
35:50He confessed to setting the fire that burned me.
35:53He also confessed to killing Carolyn.
35:56The court gave him a suspended death sentence.
36:00Two years later,
36:01I received a suicide note
36:03and a massive inheritance.
36:05I didn't even read the letter.
36:07I tore it up.
36:09I donated every cent
36:11to the World Institute on Disability.
36:14From that day on,
36:16I lived for myself.
36:20I was free.
36:24My modeling career came back to life.
36:26My scars didn't go away.
36:28But I stopped hiding them.
36:30I walked runways in New York,
36:32Paris, and Milan.
36:33The girl who was supposed to die in that fire
36:36was now on top of the world.
36:37I started a foundation for burn victims.
36:41Young girls who had been told they were ugly came to me.
36:44I looked at them and saw myself.
36:47Your scars are not your shame.
36:49I told them.
36:52They are proof
36:53that you survived.
36:55Some of them went on to become models too.
36:58That was my real victory.
36:59I never remarried.
37:01I had peace.
37:02That was enough.
37:04One morning,
37:05I heard that Kenneth had died in prison.
37:09I felt nothing.
37:10I hung up and went to work.
37:14That night,
37:15I stood on my balcony
37:16and looked at the stars.
37:18I smiled.
37:19A real smile from then on.
37:21I lived facing the sun.
37:23My life was bright as the stars and moon.
37:25I cared for the stars and moon.
37:27I was cold and me.
37:29I cried for the stars.