- 17 minutes ago
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My billionaire husband threw me into a slum on our first anniversary.
00:05My father's illegitimate daughter, Serena, was on his arm, wearing my wedding ring.
00:11One year ago, the night before my wedding, she had drugged me.
00:15Sleeping pills in my tea. I was out before midnight.
00:19She climbed into my bridal car, took my name, my groom,
00:24and every wedding gift my mother had spent months preparing.
00:28The accounts, the jewellery, all of it.
00:31I came to before the vows were done.
00:34Sheet!
00:35I walked into that ceremony hall in my ruined dress and pointed at her standing at the altar.
00:41That's not me!
00:42The room went silent. Serena turned around under the veil.
00:46Every camera in the room found her face. She dropped to her knees on the carpet.
00:51Sister, I just wanted to be loved.
00:54I had security tie her up, dragged out.
00:57I married Damien. I took back everything.
01:00Or so I thought.
01:01Until now, a year later.
01:04I became the one, bound hand and foot on the floor of an abandoned building.
01:08Damien and Serena stood over me.
01:10Damien adjusted his cufflinks.
01:13Your father is bankrupt.
01:15If I didn't still need to manage the fallout, humiliating Serena would be worth your death a thousand times over.
01:21You're not even worth a dog.
01:22Serena tilted her head.
01:23Sister, you humiliated me once.
01:26She leaned into his arm.
01:27Rod in here and make amends. Damien belongs to me now.
01:30Damien raised his hand.
01:32The door opened.
01:33Three men filed in from the hallway.
01:35The way they looked at me made my skin crawl.
01:38One of them was holding a camera.
01:40Damien didn't look up.
01:41Do whatever you want with her.
01:43Send me the footage when it's over.
01:45I couldn't take it anymore.
01:47I pulled free from the restraints, crossed the room, and threw myself through the open window.
01:53I married into the most powerful family in the capital, and the illegitimate daughter who'd never been wanted at home
01:59turned green with envy.
02:01The day before the wedding of the century, she drugged me, climbed into my wedding car in my place, and
02:07make off with my hundred billion marriage gifts.
02:10She made a grand entrance and married into the family instead of me.
02:14When I came to, I wasn't having it.
02:16I had the illegitimate daughter tied up and dragged back.
02:19I got my wish, and married into the Vos family.
02:23But a year later, my husband threw me into a slum.
02:26His eyes were vicious.
02:27If it weren't for the financing support of your family.
02:30His voice cold as ice.
02:32No amount of dying would be enough to pay for how you humiliated your sister.
02:37The illegitimate daughter stood beside him.
02:39Now your family's gone bankrupt.
02:41Laughing softly.
02:42You're worth less than a dog.
02:44Sister, you humiliated me once.
02:46Now you can go pay for it properly.
02:49I'll be comfortable in your place as Mrs. Vos.
02:53Unable to bear the humiliation, I died by suicide.
02:58When I opened my eyes up, I was back on the day of the wedding of the century.
03:02I climbed out of bed, sat for an hour with my head in my hands, before I opened the door
03:07and stepped out.
03:08Mum was just heading back up the staircase, leaning on the housekeeper's arm.
03:11She looked up, saw me at the top of the landing, and froze.
03:15Dad's brow furrowed first.
03:17Vivian.
03:17What are you doing here?
03:19Then who just got into the boss car?
03:22He pointed toward the front door.
03:24What?
03:25Someone took my place?
03:28Last night, Serena said she couldn't bear to see me go.
03:31She made a calming tea for me.
03:33Said it would help me sleep.
03:35I took two sips and woke up just now.
03:38The bustling foyer went dead silent.
03:40Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
03:43Mum staggered, nearly fainted.
03:46Find her.
03:47Then snapped at the staff to grab Mrs. Ward, Serena's birth mother,
03:50who was already edging toward the side door.
03:53Stop!
03:54What did you do?
03:56Mrs. Ward dropped to her knees, eyes darting, voice stuttering.
04:02Ma'am, I don't know what you mean.
04:05Miss Viviana overslept.
04:07How is any of that my Serena's fault?
04:10The butler rushed in.
04:12Sir, ma'am, the Callum family's procession has arrived.
04:16They're waiting at the front gate.
04:18Mum's face went cold.
04:20Where is Serena?
04:21Bring her here, now.
04:23I tilted my chin down to hide the mock in my eyes.
04:26Where else would she be?
04:27In Damien's bed.
04:28When we picked out the wedding dress, Damien kept insisting on one with a veil.
04:32They'd had all of this planned out from the start.
04:34I'm ready.
04:35By now, the vows were done.
04:37They'd be in the bridal suite.
04:38My gaze caught the smug twitch at the corner of Mrs. Ward's mouth.
04:42I was sure of it now.
04:43Mother and daughter.
04:44What a tidy little operation.
04:46Mrs. Ward had been our family's housekeeper years ago.
04:49But one day, she drugged my father, climbed into his bed, gave birth to Serena, bought herself a life of
04:55luxury.
04:56Now Serena had drugged me and walked down the aisle wearing my name.
05:00Done deal before anyone could stop it.
05:02All that was left for me was the wedding she didn't want.
05:05Marrying into the Callum family.
05:07The Callum were new money.
05:08Two years on the scene.
05:09Nowhere near the old family's depth.
05:11But aggressive.
05:12Welcome home, sir.
05:14Their name was on every major emerging tech deal.
05:17Pity their heir was in a wheelchair.
05:19Dad had a sharp eye for the long game.
05:21That's why he'd paired Serena with the Callum.
05:23If they thrived, Serena would rise with them.
05:25If they faltered, the Harrington name would shield her.
05:28She didn't understand.
05:29She just saw the wheelchair.
05:31So she pulled the switch and shoved the wedding she hated onto me.
05:34If I went through with it, by tonight, every dinner party in Manhattan would be whispering about how the Harrington
05:40heiress married a cripple.
05:42The whole family would be a punchline.
05:44Last time, that's how she'd kept her heel on my neck.
05:47But last time, with my parents behind me, I'd stormed the wedding.
05:51The Voss still needed Harrington backing.
05:53They threw Serena out of the bridal suite to keep the deal.
05:56I got my wish.
05:57Became Mrs. Voss.
05:59Damien treated me like I was made of glass and gold.
06:02I didn't know then that the man holding me like I was everything had already been sleeping with Serena.
06:07Plotting behind my back.
06:09Waiting for the moment to bury the Harrington for good.
06:12A maid's gasp pulled me back.
06:14Madam, Miss Serena isn't in her room.
06:16Her veil and gown are gone.
06:18She took everything.
06:19And we found something in her room.
06:21Dad picked it up.
06:23Intimate photos of Damien and Serena.
06:25In bed.
06:28Dad's face went the color of stone.
06:30He threw the photos directly at Mrs. Ward's face.
06:33This is what your parenting produced.
06:36She's gonna drag the entire Harrington name through the dirt.
06:39The doorman was still hovering.
06:43Sir, the Callum family is asking at the gate.
06:46What should we do?
06:48Dad slammed his fist on the table.
06:51Get someone to the Voss estate immediately.
06:54Find Serena and drag her back.
06:56Yes, sir.
06:58I took the chance, caught Dad's sleeve.
07:00Pressed my nails into my thigh.
07:02Dad.
07:03Let the tears fall.
07:03Let it go.
07:05Serena and Damien already slept together.
07:07He set up this whole scheme on his own wedding day to humiliate us.
07:11A man like that, I don't want him.
07:14In business, your word is everything.
07:18I don't want you to be seen as someone who breaks promises.
07:21I'll go.
07:22I'll marry into the Callum family.
07:25Vivian.
07:27He swallowed the rest.
07:29His eyes said everything.
07:31But you are the Harrington heir.
07:34And that same Callum is...
07:36I smiled and finished for him.
07:38Dad.
07:38The Callum group ranked only ten spots below the Voss family on last year's Forbes list.
07:44The Voss empire has been around for generations.
07:47The Callum group is two years old.
07:52Zane's disability doesn't affect his ability.
07:55And he's a genuine business mind.
07:57With me there, with Harrington backing, the Callum trajectory is anyone's guess.
08:06Everyone in the room could see the difference.
08:09One daughter who'd stolen her sister's wedding, chasing wealth any way she could get it.
08:13One daughter who held her composure in a crisis and chose her family's honor over her own comfort.
08:19Mum was already pulling me into her arms.
08:21Holding on, Dad bit down on his back teeth.
08:24Even so, no one gets to treat my daughter however they like.
08:30Vivian, I want you to know, you made the right call not marrying Damien.
08:34By the time we arrived at the Voss estate, the newlyweds were already in the suite.
08:39But the banquet was still in full swing.
08:41When we walked in, the whole room went silent.
08:45Isn't that Vivian Harrington?
08:46She's the bride.
08:47Why is she here?
08:48That can't be right.
08:50The bride was taken to the suite half an hour ago.
08:52If it's not her, then who's in there?
08:54Mum's smile was sharp.
08:56We apologize for the spectacle.
08:57The woman you saw earlier is also a Harrington daughter.
09:01The ill-elitimate one.
09:02She stole her sister's wedding.
09:05The room exploded.
09:08Damien shoved through the crowd, face tight.
09:11Stop making a scene!
09:15How is any of this Serena's fault?
09:18You overslept and missed your own ceremony.
09:22That's on you.
09:23I thought she was you and we went to the bed.
09:26As a man, I have to take responsibility for her.
09:29The room was past speechless.
09:32You came here to swap her out, didn't you?
09:35I know you've been devoted to me for years.
09:38Here's what I'll offer.
09:40Serena and I will file legally.
09:43But I'll only name a child of yours as my heir.
09:47How about that?
09:50I couldn't help it.
09:51I covered my mouth and laughed.
09:54He wanted to marry Serena and keep me as a mistress.
09:57The Voss family had been skating on borrowed time for years.
10:02If it weren't Harrington's support, they'd have dissolved long ago.
10:06And now, he wanted both Harrington's daughters.
10:11Before Damien could continue, Serena ran in a red silk robe.
10:15Sister, it was all my fault.
10:17I lost control of my feelings and I did something I can't take back.
10:22But Damien and I are legally married now.
10:25If you keep pushing this, it's the Harrington name that takes the damage.
10:30I know you don't care about me.
10:34But are you really willing to burn the family reputation over this?
10:37She dropped to her knees in front of me and cried beautifully.
10:41She dressed up her own filth as weakness.
10:43She framed me demanding accountability as recklessness.
10:47The nerve was breathtaking.
10:49I kept my voice cold.
10:50I raised my voice deliberately.
10:52Made sure the whole room heard every detail.
10:55You're saying you drugged me?
10:56Stole my wedding?
10:58Took my place in that suite and now I'm the one damaging the family?
11:04If you really loved Damien, why didn't you say something sooner?
11:08You had to wait until Boutrakt did not know Lace.
11:11And never they swaned and they all something this seener.
11:14You had to wait until the actual wedding day to pull something this ugly?
11:18Who exactly is the one grinding the Harrington name into the floor?
11:23Or is it simpler than that?
11:27Did you want Damien?
11:29Or did you just want everything that was mine?
11:33Serena's face went white.
11:35I did.
11:38I really do love him.
11:40Her eyes slid away.
11:42Every person in that room had seen enough of the world to know exactly what she was.
11:47Oh, that scheming girl.
11:50An illegitimate daughter who doesn't know her place.
11:53I meant a time that I remise her to shipmating.
11:56Stealing from her own sister and she wants to call it a love story?
12:00God knows what she'd do next.
12:02Damien's mother had gone pale as chalk, shaking so hard she could barely stand.
12:07She slapped him hard across the face.
12:10Get on your knees and apologise to Vivian's parents right now.
12:14And promise me you will file with her by end of day.
12:17She turned toward me, reaching for my hand.
12:20I moved before she could touch me.
12:23Her face stiffened, then rearranged itself into something warm.
12:27Mom, Vivian, you've been treated serrably.
12:31Whatever you want, Damien will do it.
12:34I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen again.
12:39Damien pressed his hand against his cheek.
12:41The look he gave me was pure venom.
12:43Like I had ruined something that was his.
12:46Mom, Serena is the only woman I will ever love.
12:51I will not marry anyone else.
12:53Vivian is arrogant and entitled.
12:54If I take her, the whole Vos family pays the price.
12:58The only woman who belongs in this family is Serena.
13:01If she's smart, she'll take what I'm offering.
13:04I'll give her a child.
13:05One she should be grateful for.
13:07If she isn't smart, she can wait and see what it feels like
13:09to be the woman who got rejected by the Vos family.
13:14Let's see who in this city dares touch her after that.
13:17I looked at this man.
13:19The one I had given years to.
13:21After Damien's father died,
13:22the empire landed on someone completely mediocre.
13:25In six months,
13:26he'd burned every important investor relationship.
13:29Combined debt in the billions.
13:31Investors running.
13:32Selling off every asset accumulated over generations.
13:36And still not enough to cover the hole.
13:38Someone had made him crawl across the floor of a party for entertainment.
13:42Paid him by the crawl.
13:43I was the one who reached out.
13:45I took care of him.
13:46I encouraged him.
13:48I talked my father into backing him.
13:50He knelt in front of my father and wept.
13:53Swore that if he ever betrayed me,
13:55he deserved every punishment God could invent.
13:58Only two years and he'd already forgotten every word of it.
14:01Now he stood here telling me being his mistress was a gift.
14:05The entire room was watching him like he'd lost his mind.
14:08No one could understand how a man who owed his survival to his fiancée
14:12had the nerve to talk to her like this.
14:14Damien didn't seem to notice.
14:16He saw my silence and decided I was devastated.
14:19Too in love to speak.
14:20He pulled Serena closer, smirking.
14:23Vivian, kneel down and serve Serena her tea.
14:27Acknowledge her as the lady of this house.
14:29Do that and I'll let you stay.
14:31If you behave, I might let you move in.
14:34You'd still get to see the children.
14:35I looked at his self-satisfied face
14:38and felt something close to relief.
14:40Let Serena have this idiot.
14:42She was practically doing me a favor.
14:44Dad had reached the limit.
14:46He laughed.
14:48The Vos family really has grown wings.
14:51Big enough to talk to me like that.
14:53Then I suppose the Harrington group
14:55has been punching above its weight.
14:58He pointed at Serena.
15:00No daughter of mine trades her sister's wedding
15:03for a seat at this table.
15:04I'm opening the family records tonight.
15:08You're out.
15:10From now on,
15:11whatever life you end up with
15:14has nothing to do with us.
15:22Serena's eyes went red.
15:24I'm your daughter too.
15:26How can you be this cruel to me?
15:29She cried with conviction.
15:31Damien not wanting Vivian is her own failure.
15:34Why should all the good things
15:36automatically go to her?
15:37Dad's expression didn't move.
15:39Fine.
15:40I'll honor your fight.
15:42Everyone here is a witness.
15:44You are no longer a Harrington.
15:46Good luck.
15:47Someone go collect my daughter's assets
15:49from this estate.
15:50Fifty cases of certified cuns.
15:52Fifteen sets of jewelry.
15:54Three vehicles.
15:55One equity agreement covering a 20% stake.
15:58Five property deeds for the harbor residences.
16:00Every last item comes home with us.
16:03The room inhaled sharply.
16:04Half of them were already looking at Damien
16:06like he was the stupidest person alive.
16:09Serena screamed.
16:10Those are mine.
16:11That asset belongs to me.
16:14Mom's palm connected with the side of her face.
16:18You stole her wedding and now you want her assets too.
16:21What world are you living in?
16:23Every item in that collection was prepared for Vivian.
16:26You are nothing.
16:28You want assets?
16:29Go ask your mother.
16:31Touch those assets and half the Harrington group
16:34belongs to me by morning.
16:36The security team moved toward the assets.
16:38Damien stepped in front of them.
16:40He looked at Dad.
16:41The pre-nuddle agreement we signed said a Harrington daughter.
16:44No specific name.
16:45I honored the contract.
16:46I promised to take care of a Harrington daughter for life.
16:49Serena hasn't been mistreated.
16:50You pulling those assets is a breach.
16:52Under the terms, a breach by the Harrington side
16:54triggers a transfer of 50% equity to me.
16:57He produced the agreement.
16:58If the groom upholds his obligations to a Harrington daughter
17:02and the Harrington family withdraws the assets,
17:05the Harrington party is in breaching
17:08and shall compensate the groom
17:09with 50% of voting shares.
17:12Dead silence.
17:13Dad's face went the color of old paper.
17:15Impossible.
17:17He grabbed the document.
17:18There is no way I sign that.
17:21Damien smiled.
17:22He tilted his chin toward the screen behind him.
17:25The footage played.
17:26Dad, in a private dining room,
17:28signing in his own hand.
17:30You're a man who can make half this city shake with one phone call.
17:34Surely you're not going to pretend you don't remember your own signature.
17:36The document is notatrised.
17:38It's legally binding.
17:39You want to make a scene in a court, runce!
17:43If you want to make it in a courtroom, go ahead and take those assets.
17:47Dad's chest heaved.
17:48He pressed a hand over his heart, struggling to breathe.
17:52Mum's eyes were red, shaking with fury, completely cornered.
17:56Serena curved against Damien's side,
17:58smiling like she'd won every hand at the table.
18:01Sister, I know I can't go back home anymore,
18:04but if you kneel and apologize to me right now,
18:06I might be in a generous mood.
18:07I could put in a good word with Damien.
18:09Stay out of the shareholder vote.
18:10Let Dad keeps his chairman's seat.
18:11Those old men on the board will tear him apart otherwise.
18:13As for your assets, I'll take good care of it.
18:16All of it.
18:17The Voss staff shoved past me.
18:19The assets were about to walk out the door.
18:21Mum rushed to block this.
18:23One of the Voss people pushed her.
18:24She hit the floor hard.
18:27Ma'am.
18:28Serena raised an eyebrow.
18:29This is Voss family business.
18:31You inserted yourself.
18:33If you get hurt, that's on you.
18:36I helped Mum up.
18:37Looked at both of them without blinking.
18:40Damien tilted his head.
18:42Magnanimous.
18:43Without that assets, you've got nothing left to buy yourself a husband.
18:48Out of respect for the history between us,
18:50come work for Serena for three years.
18:52Keep your head down.
18:54I'll consider giving you a child for security.
18:58When I didn't respond, he grabbed my shoulder and dragged me in front of Serena.
19:02Then he kicked the back of my knee.
19:04Just as he moved to force me down, the ballroom door slammed open.
19:08We've received a report of illegal seizure of private assets belong to the Harrington family.
19:15Who here is Damien Voss?
19:19Aye.
19:20Right on time.
19:21I turned around, then stopped.
19:23Walking in behind the investigators was Zane Callum.
19:26He was in his wheelchair, moving through the crowd,
19:29following the lead investigator into the room.
19:31His eyes swept the space.
19:33Cool.
19:34Measured.
19:34When they landed on me, just for a second, the corner of his mouth moved.
19:39The lead investigator looked at me.
19:41What happened here?
19:42Before I could speak, Damien lunged forward and shoved his prenuptial agreement at the investigator.
19:48Officer, it's all there in writing.
19:50We are law-abiding citizens.
19:52We haven't done anything wrong.
19:55These people are refusing to honor a legal contract and trying to buy time.
19:59Then he looked at Zane with open contempt.
20:01You put this in, didn't you?
20:02The man whose fiancée ran off and can't say a word about it.
20:05This is the best you've got?
20:06Pathetic.
20:07You think marrying Serena means you get her assets too?
20:09Look in the mirror.
20:10I'd advise you to drop this right now.
20:12A man in a wheelchair playing hero.
20:14I'll tip your chair over myself.
20:16Zane raised an eyebrow slightly.
20:17He stood up.
20:19The entire room went silent.
20:21Every jaw dropped.
20:23Oh.
20:25You mean me?
20:28I recovered two years ago.
20:30I kept the chair out of habit.
20:33Turns out some people genuinely believed I was useless.
20:36Zane straightened.
20:37He was taller than Damien by a full head.
20:39The kind of height that changed the weight of a room.
20:42I hadn't fully processed it myself.
20:44The head of the Callum group.
20:45In a wheelchair for five years.
20:48Standing up.
20:49In the middle of a situation where his fiancée had run off.
20:52His future bride's assets had been stolen.
20:54And everything had gone sideways at once.
20:57Serena had gone white enough to show through her foundation.
20:59Zane stepped forward.
21:01Damien swallowed and gripped his document tighter.
21:04Forcing the casual tone.
21:05So a man who can walk now, can walk.
21:07Doesn't change what you are.
21:08You scraped your way into the room on luck.
21:12Viviana isn't the type to settle for someone like you.
21:15I see exactly what you're doing.
21:17Don't come crying when it blows up in your face.
21:19Zane glanced at him once.
21:21Then turned to the screen on the far wall.
21:23A new video started playing.
21:25Private dining room.
21:26A server pouring something into a glass from a small vial.
21:29My father drinking it.
21:30The server was brought in.
21:32That's him.
21:32He's the one.
21:33He gave me a packet and said to put it in the drink of whoever came to that table.
21:36He said a million dollars.
21:40My son is sick.
21:41I needed the money.
21:42I never thought it would be something that made a person lost control to himself.
21:46She was already crying.
21:47Turning to my father.
21:48He said he was your son-in-law.
21:50I thought it couldn't be anything dangerous.
21:53I didn't know it was something that screwled your memory.
21:57I'm so sorry.
21:59Damien's composure shredded.
22:01You're lying!
22:03Some broke little server is going to walk in here and accuse me?
22:07He was screaming now.
22:08I will sue you into nothing!
22:13I figured rich people like you would say that.
22:16I kept the photos and I recorded everything.
22:19The evidence was airtight.
22:21Under the law, any contract signed while a party was chemically impaired was void.
22:25No exceptions.
22:27The room turned on Damien.
22:28Harrington's funded him.
22:29He repaid them by going after their assets and humiliating their daughter.
22:33Rotten to the core.
22:34Good thing Viviana never legally married him.
22:36Otherwise she'd have let a predator into house and never seen it coming.
22:39And that's Serena.
22:40If my son brought home someone like that, I'd break both his legs.
22:43Damien's mother was shaking so hard she could barely breathe.
22:46She reached out and slapped Serena across the face with everything she had.
22:50You!
22:51You did this!
22:52You seduced my son until he lost his mind!
22:56He gave up a perfect match for someone like you!
22:59Look what we have now!
23:01Get out or I will drag you out of this house myself!
23:04Serena crumpled against Damien, tears streaming.
23:07Even now she was the love of his life.
23:09He pulled her in, voice strained.
23:11Mum, I'm not leaving Serena.
23:14Damien's mother grabbed a sharp dessert fork from the table and pressed it to her own throat.
23:19If you throw her out now, you're killing me.
23:21This woman has destroyed everything.
23:23If you keep protecting her, I'll bleed out right here in front of you.
23:27If she doesn't go, I die here!
23:33Damien went pale.
23:35He lurched toward her.
23:36Serena grabbed his arm and wouldn't let go.
23:38You can't leave me, Damien!
23:39It's her or me!
23:40Are you gonna watch my mother die?!
23:42Please, I'm carrying your child!
23:44He was already coming apart.
23:45He was about to pull free when Serena screamed it.
23:48You can't abandon me.
23:50Is that true?
23:51Damien spun around.
23:53Twelve weeks.
23:53His face split open with something unguarded.
23:56Serena's eyes were wet.
23:58She nodded.
23:59The doctor said it's a boy.
24:00Small and fragile, Damien's mother made a sound like something had closed around her throat.
24:05Mum, this is my first.
24:09Serena did this for our family.
24:11Please, for the baby, accept her.
24:13She couldn't get a single word out.
24:15The fork hit the floor.
24:17Damien's mother aged ten years in ten seconds.
24:20She closed her eyes, pressed her lips together and walked out of the room without speaking.
24:25I gave the signal to my security without ceremony.
24:28Serena snapped out of it for a moment and grabbed her.
24:31What are you doing?
24:32The investigators are right here!
24:33You just directed staff to assault my mother.
24:36Mum registered the cue after two seconds and started playing her part, groaning convincingly.
24:42She has a heart condition.
24:43She's dizzy and nauseous right now.
24:46You tell me what I'm doing.
24:48You're cheating!
24:49You can't do this to me!
24:51Serena exploded.
24:52Tell me to take it to court.
24:53I narrowed my eyes.
24:54She understood exactly what that meant.
24:56She folded onto the floor and started screaming.
25:00Vivian!
25:01You want to fight?
25:02Fight me!
25:03Don't touch Serena!
25:04He had already decided I was acting out of heartbreak.
25:07The self-assurance was nauseating.
25:09I cut my eyes at him and let out a short laugh.
25:12You think you're walking away from this?
25:14Damien looked like he was about to go through the wall.
25:18You drugged my father.
25:20You had a fraudulent contract signed.
25:23I will make sure you spend the rest of your life answering for it.
25:27Every drop of color left Damien's face.
25:30I didn't look at him again.
25:31I walked out with my parents and our assets.
25:34Zane caught up with us outside.
25:36Vivian!
25:37He reached into his jacket and pulled out a document.
25:40This is my personal stake in the Callum Group.
25:42Half.
25:44I know it's not what you're used to.
25:46I'll have the formal proposal ready and come to you properly.
25:49Just wait for me.
25:50I looked at the paperwork.
25:52Notarized.
25:54Official.
25:55Tens of millions of dollars in equity.
25:58Didn't you have an arrangement with Serena?
26:00Why didn't this go to her?
26:03It was always meant for you.
26:05You're the one I wanted to marry.
26:08I knew I wasn't in a position to ask.
26:13But when your father offered the second daughter, I already knew she and Damien were involved.
26:17I looked at him carefully.
26:20You knew all of that.
26:22And you still showed up today.
26:23His expression shifted slightly.
26:25That same almost smile.
26:27Because I knew she'd swap.
26:29And I knew you'd say yes.
26:30I know you don't like people who can't think.
26:33He extended his hand.
26:34Give me three years.
26:35I will build the Callum Group to Harrington level without a single dollar of your family's money.
26:40The man had calculated every move before anyone else had taken their first step.
26:45Equal footing with the Harringtons.
26:47Now that was interesting.
26:49Go home.
26:50Come back with a formal proposal.
26:52I liked a man who could think.
26:54I raised an eyebrow and told him.
26:59Back at the estate, Mrs. Ward had been kept under watch.
27:02When she saw me walk in with the family, she broke into a wide smile.
27:06Miss Vivia, I heard the Voss family sent you back.
27:09I knew it.
27:09My daughter is the real prize.
27:11You brought this on yourself going over there to make a scene.
27:13What did it feel like being thrown out in front of everyone?
27:16The Voss name belongs to my Serena.
27:19From now on, show some respect to me.
27:22Everything that was yours goes to my daughter now.
27:26She's the one carrying the Harrington torch.
27:29I watched her hold herself up as straight as she could manage and almost laughed out loud.
27:34The Voss family?
27:36Your daughter and that failure really are a perfect match.
27:40Impossible!
27:41The Voss family is the top name in this city!
27:44You're just bitter!
27:45Sour grapes because you're jealous of my Serena!
27:48Believe what you want.
27:49I shrugged.
27:50I turned and walked away.
27:52I didn't look back at whatever her face was doing.
27:54Zane said he'd prepare a formal proposal before coming over.
27:57He showed up the next day with a proposal gift list for thickness of a book.
28:02He'd clearly had this ready for a long time.
28:04Dad reviewed it and nodded.
28:05He asked what I thought.
28:06I respected Zane's mind and his nerve.
28:09We were evenly matched.
28:10Of course I agreed.
28:12The families finalised the wedding timeline quickly.
28:15The venue was a private island Zane had bought outright.
28:18We kept the guest list to people we actually trusted.
28:21No one expected Damien to find his way into the dressing room.
28:23No one knew how he got through.
28:25The room went tense.
28:26Nobody moved fast enough.
28:28He looked at me like his heart was breaking.
28:30You can't marry Zane Callum.
28:35I frowned.
28:36The air in the room felt contaminated just from him being in it.
28:41Damien.
28:41He ignored it.
28:42Who I marry is none of your business.
28:44He grabbed my hand.
28:45If you don't want me calling security to remove you, leave now.
28:49Vivian.
28:49Full performance, mate.
28:50I was wrong.
28:52Serena manufactured everything.
28:53She played the victim to get close to me.
28:56A woman that's selfish and calculating.
28:59She doesn't come close to you.
29:00Tragic and sincere.
29:02Since you left, I can't eat.
29:03Can't sleep.
29:04The doctor says it's emotional collapse.
29:06That's when I understood.
29:08You were always the one.
29:09I can't survive without you.
29:11I've thought it through.
29:13Say the word and I'll file for divorce from Serena today.
29:17Catherine.
29:18We'll register properly.
29:19I'll make you my wife.
29:21I had heard enough of his speeches to be completely immune.
29:23What about Serena's baby?
29:25If you agree to leave with me, I'll have her scheduled for a termination tonight.
29:29It's just a pregnancy.
29:30It's not a problem.
29:32We'll have plenty of children.
29:33He waved it off like it was an inconvenience.
29:36When he loved her, he wouldn't flinch even when his own mother threatened to die.
29:40When he didn't, she was disposable.
29:42The child was disposable.
29:44His love was cheap enough to be embarrassing.
29:46My best friend had run out of patience.
29:49Every time you open your mouth, I think someone nearby must have stepped in some shit.
29:54Damien's face went dark red.
29:56His ego had taken a direct hit.
29:58Your family was broke and Viviana still chose you.
30:01Now you're a second-hand disaster with another woman's baby and you're asking her to come rescue you again?
30:06Are you doing some kind of episode?
30:07He turned on me.
30:10Vivian, if you don't come back to me, I walk out of here right now and tell every person in
30:16this city that you were mine years ago.
30:18I went cold.
30:19I was about to respond.
30:21Let's see if Zane Callum still wants you after.
30:24Then the back of Damien's collar was yanked upward.
30:27He didn't have time to make a sound before Zane showed up and pulled him into the adjacent bathroom.
30:31The door swung shut.
30:34The people outside heard water running and Damien coughing in broken intervals.
30:38Let them handle it.
30:39We're drinking coffee.
30:41My best friend pulled me two steps sideways and waved her hand in front of her face.
30:45The door opened.
30:46Zane came out with his sleeves rolled to the elbow, hands still damp.
30:50His expression was exactly the same as it always was.
30:53Damien was carried out by security.
30:55Take him out, Zane said.
30:57Don't let him near my wedding.
30:58Hair soaked, toilet water running down his face.
31:00He'd gone completely limp.
31:02Security moved.
31:03Vivian, you think marrying him means you won?
31:06I'm telling you!
31:07Damien got one moment of coherence back and twisted to look at me.
31:11Eyes red.
31:12Security tightened their grip.
31:14His voice disappeared down the hallway.
31:16Zane's already dry hand settled over mine.
31:19He looked down at me.
31:20I shook my head slightly.
31:21I was about to mention tightening the perimeter when something shattered outside the door.
31:25Serena.
31:26Black dress.
31:27A plastic bucket in her hand.
31:29Eyes already locked on me.
31:30The next second, a full bucket of red paint came flying at us without any warning.
31:35I didn't have time to move.
31:36Zane was already in front of me, body completely angled to cover mine.
31:40Are you hurt?
31:41The paint hit him across the back of his jacket.
31:44Red, sharp smell.
31:45The bucket hit the floor.
31:49Serena hadn't expected him to take it.
31:51Zane.
31:52She faltered.
31:54I wasn't aiming at you.
31:55I wanted to hit Viviana.
31:57Zane checked me first.
31:58Made sure I was clean.
32:00Then he turned and his face had gone completely flat.
32:02She is my wife.
32:04Coming for her means coming for me.
32:06Serena's eyes filled.
32:07She pushed against the security holding her, trying to get closer to Zane.
32:11I know you'll never forgive me.
32:13I came today because I needed you to know the truth.
32:17Vivian drugged me.
32:19Damien took advantage of me.
32:20I wanted to end my life.
32:23But I couldn't watch you get deceived by someone like her.
32:26If you actually marry this woman, you'll regret it.
32:30I'll die and it will be on your conscience.
32:33She was completely convincing.
32:35The broken expression was flawless.
32:37She'd even gotten her eyes swollen.
32:39Zane watched her the way you watch a magician whose trick you've already seen explained.
32:43So Damien assaulted you.
32:45Serena's head came up fast.
32:46She thought he was softening.
32:47Yes.
32:48I had no choice.
32:50I'm a victim.
32:52Then it's a criminal matter.
32:53Zane said.
32:54I have a non-profit legal team.
32:57I can refer you to someone who handles cases like this at no cost.
33:00Serena's face drained.
33:04With the evidence you have, Damien is looking at serious time.
33:07She was still forming a response when a voice came screaming from the far end of the corridor.
33:12Damien.
33:13Soaked and grabbed her.
33:15He spotted her and his expression went feral.
33:17He closed the distance and grabbed her by the hair.
33:21Damien, what are you doing?
33:24Let go of me.
33:25Serena screamed.
33:27Let go of you?
33:29You went, went behind my back to find Zane Caller.
33:34What are you?
33:34His voice had gone somewhere past anger.
33:36You're nothing.
33:37I didn't.
33:38I didn't go to find him.
33:41They set you up.
33:42They're lying to you.
33:44Raw and scraped out.
33:46Set me up?
33:47He dragged her out the room.
33:49Serena stumbling to keep up.
33:50Both hands trying to pry at his grip.
33:52I watched you walk in here myself.
33:54Give me one reason.
33:56Say it.
33:58Say it.
33:59I came to find you.
34:01I came to find you, Damien.
34:02Listen to me.
34:04He let go.
34:05She hit the floor.
34:06Her elbow caught the edge of the hardwood.
34:08She inhaled sharply through her teeth and looked up at him.
34:11And for the first time, there was something genuinely frightened in her face.
34:17Damien, calm down.
34:20Calm down?
34:21My company is gone.
34:23My mother is in the hospital.
34:25All because of you.
34:27Tell me how to calm down.
34:29Serena shifted back against the wall.
34:31The company failing isn't my fault.
34:33You don't get to blame everything on me.
34:37He grabbed the front of her dress.
34:39Hauled her up, voice cracking.
34:41You'd already gotten to me before any of this started.
34:43She pulled at his hand.
34:44You planned this.
34:45Every step, didn't you?
34:46Let go of me.
34:47You're sick.
34:48Let go.
34:48I am sick.
34:50I was sick the day I let you anywhere near me.
34:54Vivian was right there and I walked away from her.
34:56His hands were shaking.
34:57What was wrong with me?
34:59Then they weren't here.
35:00Zane was already behind me.
35:02Get them out.
35:03Putting his body between me and the hallway.
35:05His voice to the security team was quiet and even.
35:08They moved immediately.
35:09Down the hall, Serena's voice kept breaking into pieces.
35:13Damien kept shouting.
35:14Then his voice dropped.
35:15Then there was only her.
35:17Then nothing.
35:18Zane walked beside me out of the building.
35:20Don't look back.
35:20I have it.
35:21Outside there was salt air and light.
35:23And the wedding music still drifting from the lawn.
35:26He held my hand once, steady.
35:29I didn't look back.
35:34The news was everywhere within days.
35:37Damien Voss had a breakdown at a society wedding and beat his wife to death, arrested on the spot.
35:43The day of sentencing, the gallery was nearly full.
35:46Some came because they'd lost money in his projects.
35:48Some came because they just needed to see the end.
35:51Damien sat in the defendant's chair, looking nothing like the man from the wedding.
35:55The hands that used to pull women close were cuffed and folded in his lap.
35:59His mother had died of cardiac arrest the night Serena died.
36:03He was in custody when he got the news.
36:04He spent that entire morning not speaking.
36:07The prosecutor laid it out item by item, drugging a man.
36:11Fraudulent contract.
36:13Attempted asset seizure.
36:14Felony assault resulting in death.
36:18Multiple charges compounded.
36:20The judge delivered the verdict.
36:22Life sentence.
36:23Damien pushed back against the chair, tipped his head up, and stared at the ceiling of the courtroom.
36:28Nothing on his face at all.
36:30Before the sentencing was done, someone in the gallery recognized me.
36:33Isn't that the daughter of Harrington family?
36:35The Callum?
36:36Her ex-fiancee just got life.
36:37Deserved every year of it.
36:39Humiliated her publicly.
36:40Now he's in a cage with nothing to show for it.
36:42Lost everything.
36:42I didn't respond or turn around.
36:44This chapter was done.
36:45It had nothing to do with me anymore.
36:47Zane glanced over.
36:50Dinner?
36:50His arm came around my shoulders.
36:52Sure.
36:52I said.
36:53Okay.
36:53His mouth moved up slightly.
36:55He looked down at his phone to make a reservation.
36:57He was almost done when the security lead came over and said something quietly.
37:01Mrs. Ward is outside the courthouse.
37:04She wants to come in.
37:05Zane looked up.
37:06Let her in.
37:07His expression didn't shift.
37:09He glanced at me.
37:10I thought about it for a second.
37:15Mrs. Ward came in held up by two court officers.
37:18Hair everywhere.
37:19Makeup destroyed.
37:21Eyes completely hollow.
37:22She was murmuring to herself when they brought her in.
37:24And the moment the doors opened, she lunged toward the defendant's area.
37:28Both officers barely holding.
37:30Where is my daughter?
37:32Damien?
37:34Damien, you son!
37:35People turned to look.
37:36Some stepped back.
37:37Damien heard the noise and slowly turned his head.
37:40Mrs. Ward saw him.
37:41She fought harder.
37:42Her voice dropping into something that didn't sound entirely human.
37:46Give me back my daughter!
37:48Give her back!
37:50Damien's face didn't move.
37:52I killed her.
37:53That's on me.
37:54He said it the way you read something off a form.
37:56It landed like a needle.
37:58Mrs. Ward stopped fighting.
37:59She stood where she was, tears running silently.
38:02She looked at him for a long time.
38:04Her lips shook.
38:05Finally, she got one sentence out.
38:08Why did I ever let her near you?
38:10They took her out.
38:11Her crying echoed down the corridor.
38:13No one in that room knew it wasn't over yet.
38:16Three days later, a footage circulated everywhere.
38:19Mrs. Ward appeared at the courthouse entrance in a coat that sat wrong on her body.
38:24Security flagged her immediately.
38:25She didn't resist.
38:26She stood there, looked down at her own hands,
38:29and said something under her breath that nobody caught.
38:32Then, the moment security turned away, she was through the door.
38:36Everyone stepped back.
38:37The sound at the end of the corridor shook the whole hallway.
38:40The official report used the words,
38:42Sudden incident.
38:43Damien was rushed to surgery.
38:45They brought him back, but both legs were gone.
38:48Permanent bed care for the rest of his life.
38:50Mrs. Ward was declared dead at the scene.
38:52I was home when the news came through.
38:54Zane was sitting next to me, having his lunch.
38:57He read it.
38:58Set his phone face down on the table.
39:00That's the end of it.
39:01He said.
39:02I nodded.
39:03Yes.
39:04Outside the window, the afternoon was clear.
39:06Sun across the whole living room.
39:08Zane slid my cup over.
39:10My parents are coming for dinner tonight.
39:13Tell the kitchen to add two more dishes.
39:15Okay.
39:16I picked up my coffee.
39:17Took a sip.
39:22Three years later, the Callum Group's annual report dropped, and every business outlet in
39:27the country ran the same headline.
39:29The Callum Group surpasses the Voss family's peak valuation and breaks in as the top one.
39:34Damien was in a hospital bed when the notification hit his screen.
39:37He knocked his phone to the floor trying to reach it.
39:40Couldn't get it back.
39:40Just hung there over the edge of the mattress, breathing hard.
39:43The nurse came in, picked up the phone, and shouted at him.
39:46He didn't answer.
39:48I said don't move.
39:49You deaf or just stupid?
39:51That same afternoon, Zane set the report on the table in front of me.
39:56Three years, like I said.
39:59I picked it up, flipped through, lipped at him.
40:01Three points above the Harrington Group?
40:03He raised an eyebrow.
40:04Not enough?
40:05It's enough.
40:06I closed the report and pushed it back.
40:08The corner of my mouth went up.
40:09Half a year ahead of schedule.
40:11Then I suppose we can start on something else.
40:14Such as?
40:15Give me a baby.
40:16He leaned forward and touched his forehead to mine.
40:19Something quiet in his voice.
40:21His hand traced slowly down the line of my waist.
40:24I laughed and leaned back into his arms.
40:26Through the window, the sky had caught fire at the horizon.
40:31And our beautiful life was just beginning.
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