- 3 hours ago
Marry Me. I'll Spoil You Rotten - Billionaire Romance, Drama Series - ENGSUB
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before our wedding, my boyfriend left to take care of his childhood sweetheart.
00:05I called Marcus Cole, my nemesis.
00:08I'm short a groom today. You want to step in?
00:14Sophie's really sick. High fever.
00:16She's been like this since we were kids.
00:17And every time I was there for her, I can't just leave her.
00:20It used to hurt to hear it. It didn't anymore.
00:23My birthday.
00:24Sophie scraped her knee on set.
00:26He drove four hours to her.
00:28Our anniversary.
00:29Sophie got a death threat from a troll.
00:31He left me at the restaurant and spent the entire night at her apartment.
00:36And now, the night before our wedding, he booked a flight without telling me and flew out to be with
00:41her.
00:42Ryan, I'm asking one one more time.
00:46Can you make it back for the 11 o'clock ceremony?
00:49Lily, there's no way. Can we just push it back one day, please?
00:53Push it back?
00:58Every single guest is either already at the venue or on their way.
01:02And you're asking me to postpone the wedding?
01:05On what bounds-ins?
01:06Lily.
01:07Because you're a jerk?
01:08Or Sophie's just that good at playing the victim?
01:11Lily.
01:14I'm telling you, there's nothing going on between me and Sophie.
01:17You two should just marry each other.
01:20Why drag me into this for four years?
01:22If you're not back today, we're done.
01:24I told you, I literally cannot make it.
01:27If you don't want to lose me, you'll postpone the wedding.
01:30I turned around, grabbed a chair, and threw it directly at the engagement curtain on the wall.
01:39Lily, what did that jerk say?
01:41It's okay, baby. It's okay not to get married.
01:45I looked at her. I forced a smile.
01:47Who said I'm not getting married?
01:49I called Marcus Cole, my nemesis.
01:52Freshman year, I have a good relationship with the class monitor.
01:56Marcus appeared out of nowhere and drank the whole thing.
02:00The class president never talked to me again after that.
02:04I'd always suspected that was when he decided to make my life difficult.
02:08After graduation, I thought I was done with him.
02:11No such luck.
02:12His family's business competed directly with mine.
02:15We kept ending up at the same table, bidding on the same projects.
02:20Lily?
02:21A few months back, when he found out I was getting married,
02:25he'd laughed and said,
02:27You should have married me. We are a powerful alliance.
02:31Yeah, it's me. I'm short a groom today. You want to step in?
02:35One second. Two seconds. Three. My heart was going too fast.
02:39Lily, is this a joke?
02:41If you don't want to, forget I...
02:43I'm in.
02:44You're actually saying yes?
02:47Yeah.
02:48But one condition. I'm not a prop.
02:52What does that mean?
02:53When I get married, I want a real wife.
02:56Someone who will actually be there. You understand?
02:59Deal.
03:01So, what do I need to do right now?
03:05Get to the Grand Hotel by 11.
03:08You won't be disappointed.
03:09We hung up.
03:11Everyone around me looked stunned.
03:13Marcus?
03:14The Marcus Cole you're always talking about?
03:17Your business rival?
03:19Yes.
03:20But how is that okay?
03:23He's your enemy.
03:25What if he uses this against you?
03:26Marcus is gorgeous.
03:28He built his company from scratch.
03:30He is so much better than Ryan.
03:32I'm actually excited.
03:34Marcus and I were using each other.
03:37But it didn't matter.
03:38I needed this wedding to happen.
03:40Ryan's parents called, trying to talk me down on his behalf.
03:45Be reasonable.
03:46Push it to tomorrow.
03:48If you want to be one of us...
03:50Lily, you need to learn to soften up a little.
03:53I hung up.
03:54Marry into their family?
03:57Keep dreaming.
03:58My parents had one kid,
04:00so they'd bought a townhouse two doors down from our family home
04:04and set it up as our wedding house.
04:06After the ceremony,
04:07once we signed everything,
04:09it would transfer to our names.
04:10By 9.30, I was in the dress.
04:13I knew I'd called Marcus in as a last-minute stand-in.
04:16I knew I was going to have to carry most of this myself.
04:19However bad it got,
04:21I was going to make it look perfect.
04:23When we were getting ready to leave,
04:25fireworks went off downstairs.
04:27The whole street smelled like a celebration.
04:29My other bridesmaid, Jessica,
04:32ran back into the room.
04:33Lily!
04:34Marcus is here.
04:35You have to see this motor trade.
04:37Come on, we have to go down and meet him.
04:39A long, perfect row of white cars lined the street.
04:43I didn't expect him to show up at my door.
04:46No one does that.
04:47Amber, shoes!
04:49Now, let's go!
04:50My parents have already gone downstairs to pick him up.
04:53I had no idea what Marcus was up to.
04:56Lily!
04:57Hello.
04:57Mrs. Cole?
04:59Mom, dial it back a little.
05:01You're going to scare her.
05:04Marcus, what are you doing?
05:08What are you doing?
05:10I'm getting married.
05:11You...
05:12I told you to meet me at the venue!
05:14I'm going to the venue.
05:16I'm picking up my bride first.
05:20What?
05:21You're upset?
05:21If I just show up at the venue, what does that look like?
05:24What does everyone around me think?
05:29Marcus, how did you manage to get all this done in such a short time?
05:34Compared to you, that's nothing.
05:37What?
05:38Nothing.
05:40Shouldn't we be heading out?
05:41We're going to be cutting it close.
05:42My face went warm, but I nodded.
05:46Yeah, let's go.
05:46I never imagined my husband would be Marcus Cole.
05:50In my head, he'd always been the guy with the sharpest tongue in any room.
05:54The person I once thought of beating up turned out to be my husband.
05:5911 o'clock.
06:00The wedding began.
06:01When we walked onto the stage, the room erupted.
06:05Wait, that's not Ryan?
06:06I thought the groom was Ryan Kellerman.
06:08What is going on?
06:11Whoever this guy is, he's way taller.
06:14Way better looking.
06:16Has anyone noticed the Calibird family isn't here?
06:19Did she switch grooms?
06:21This is insane.
06:22I was about to reach for the MC's mic to say something.
06:25Marcus got there first.
06:27I glanced at him.
06:28You've got some nerve.
06:30But I had underestimated him.
06:32Hi, everyone.
06:32I'm Marcus Cole, Lilissy's husband.
06:35Thank you all for being here to celebrate with us today.
06:37This is a love story that took some serious detours to get here, but we made it.
06:41He had apparently already briefed the MC,
06:43because the entire script had been rewritten.
06:46The MC launched into a story about two evenly matched rivals,
06:51seven years of tension that turned out to be something else entirely.
06:54The right person has always been there.
06:58Everyone else is just there for the sake of it.
07:00Then the MC moved us forward, and we started exchanging rings.
07:04I was going to use the rings I'd bought for Ryan,
07:07but when the rings came out, I stopped.
07:09That wasn't the same box.
07:11I looked at Marcus.
07:12He was already opening it.
07:13A diamond caught the light and practically blinded the front row.
07:17Oh my god, is that 10 carats?
07:20At least.
07:21She is so lucky.
07:23Why does stuff like this never happen to me?
07:26Marcus put the ring on my finger.
07:28It fit perfectly.
07:29At the same time, Marcus leaned down and kissed me, mouth to mouth.
07:33I was already running on fumes, but the reception wasn't the end of it.
07:37After dinner, a handful of guests, some out of curiosity and some probably hoping to watch us fail,
07:44said they wanted to see the place.
07:46Marcus had done everything else.
07:48He couldn't have had time to set up a whole house.
07:50I was about to make excuses for us.
07:53Come on, everyone follow the cars!
07:55I thought he'd lost his mind.
07:58The whole ride over, I was tense.
08:00I didn't want to walk into an empty house and have everyone stare.
08:04Marcus reached over and took my hand.
08:08Hey, stop worrying.
08:10When we got there, I understood why he told me not to worry.
08:14He had set everything up.
08:16White roses and red roses shaped into archways at every doorway.
08:20The decorators just left.
08:22Marcus leaned in close and then I saw the photos.
08:25My engagement photos from the shoot I'd done with Ryan.
08:29Except, Ryan was gone.
08:30In his place, a photo of Marcus in a suit.
08:33How?
08:34Money.
08:35By the end of the day, I was completely exhausted.
08:38I showered, changed into pajamas, climbed into the king-sized bed, and didn't move.
08:44Marcus came out after his shower.
08:45I sat up.
08:46The photos.
08:47How did you actually have those?
08:49What if I told you Ryan gave them to me?
08:51Ryan gave them to you?
08:54Why would Ryan give you our engagement photos?
08:57Guess.
08:59Fine, forget it.
09:01He walked toward the bed.
09:02I looked away fast, cleared my throat.
09:05I want to sleep alone tonight.
09:08Separate bedrooms?
09:09Is that okay?
09:13Three days.
09:14That's all I'm asking.
09:16Can we maybe...
09:17No.
09:18Don't even think about pulling a fast one on me.
09:20Then he walked over to the large sofa opposite and lay down.
09:24What are you doing?
09:27Sleeping.
09:29I said I wanted to sleep alone.
09:32You are sleeping alone.
09:33I meant in this room, by myself.
09:36You go sleep in the guest room.
09:38Not a chance.
09:39You care about appearances.
09:41Great.
09:41So do I.
09:43I showed up out of nowhere as a last-minute groom.
09:46My family is going out on a limb for me here.
09:48They're trusting me.
09:49And you want me sleeping in the guest room?
09:51He had a point.
09:52My phone rang.
09:53I grabbed it off the nightstand.
09:55Ryan.
09:56Marcus guessed it.
09:57He was off the couch fast.
09:59Ryan?
09:59I looked at the phone.
10:01Then I picked up.
10:02Before I could say a word, Ryan's voice came through.
10:05Like nothing had happened and he hadn't abandoned our wedding.
10:08Lily.
10:09I'm about to board.
10:10Land in two hours.
10:11Come pick me up, okay?
10:13Ryan.
10:14Do you have amnesia?
10:15I was wrong.
10:16I know.
10:17I'm sorry.
10:17I even got you something.
10:18Ryan.
10:19I got married today.
10:21He actually laughed.
10:23Okay, babe.
10:24Come on.
10:25My whole family didn't show up.
10:26Who exactly did you marry?
10:27You're right.
10:28Your family wasn't there.
10:29This wedding, my family planned it.
10:31We paid for it.
10:31We built it.
10:32And when you couldn't show up, your family didn't even try to help me manage it.
10:35One phone call and they told me to postpone it.
10:38Like that was my problem to solve.
10:40But Ryan, you are not the only man in the world.
10:43What are you saying, Lily?
10:44What are you saying right now?
10:46Marcus held out his hand.
10:47I thought about it for a second.
10:49Then I handed him the phone.
10:51Lily, answer me.
10:53Answer what?
10:55It's the middle of the night.
10:57You can call whoever you want, but you don't get to talk to my wife.
11:00Marcus?
11:01Is that Marcus Cole?
11:03Yeah.
11:04You can stop playing dumb.
11:06Who is your wife?
11:07What are you doing with Lily's phone?
11:09My wife is Lily.
11:11You knew what you were doing.
11:13Don't come around here anymore.
11:14You won't like how it ends for you.
11:16You two are unbelievable.
11:19Marcus hung up.
11:20The phone rang again immediately.
11:22I blocked the number.
11:23By the end of that night, I was running on empty.
11:26But my mind wouldn't quiet down.
11:28I was sure I'd lie there until morning.
11:30Instead, at some point, I fell asleep.
11:33When I woke up, pale light was leaking around the curtains.
11:37I grabbed my phone.
11:38After nine, I sat up fast.
11:40I got up, washed my face, was about to shower when I remembered I'd only packed one change
11:46of clothes.
11:47No shower then, just make up and go.
11:49I came out of the bathroom and stopped.
11:51A full outfit was folded neatly on the couch.
11:54Everything.
11:55The right size.
11:56Marcus?
11:56This man I'd written off as arrogant and difficult for years.
12:01Turns out he had this side, too.
12:03Marcus was at the table with his laptop, working.
12:05He stood when he heard me, came over, and took my hand.
12:10Wow.
12:11All dressed up.
12:12Big meeting?
12:13No.
12:14I planned to go home today.
12:15And my grandpa had sat through the entire wedding without saying a word.
12:19That silence had weight.
12:21Right.
12:22Almost forgot.
12:24Breakfast first.
12:25He sat me down and brought out a small pot of oatmeal with fruit, a basket of warm croissants,
12:31fresh pressed orange juice, and two soft poached eggs.
12:35He filled my bowl.
12:36I took a bite.
12:37It was really good.
12:39Your chef is excellent.
12:41I don't have a chef.
12:43You made this?
12:45Yeah.
12:45If you like it, I'll cook for you more.
12:47I know a lot of other things.
12:48He said it like it was nothing.
12:49I didn't know what to do with that.
12:51This person I'd always seen as untouchable, all sharp edges and control, could just cook.
12:58I picked up the orange juice.
12:59He looked at me.
13:00Did you press this yourself?
13:02Mrs. Cole, you can trust that I'm going to take good care of you.
13:06I didn't know where to look.
13:08I put my head down and ate.
13:10After breakfast, I reached for the dishes.
13:12Marcus caught my hand.
13:14Hands like yours don't do dishes.
13:15That's what husbands are for.
13:17He loaded the dishwasher.
13:18I stood there watching.
13:20I thought about a dinner I'd made at Ryan's apartment once.
13:23The results were fine.
13:25Nothing special.
13:26Ryan finished everything and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
13:30I'm the luckiest guy alive.
13:31But Marcus said my hands were too nice for dishes.
13:34I wasn't comparing.
13:35I just noticed the difference.
13:37Marcus appeared at my elbow.
13:39Face close.
13:40Breath warm.
13:41What are you thinking about?
13:44Nothing.
13:45His arm came around my waist and he pressed a kiss to my forehead before I could move.
13:50I pushed him off and basically fled to the other room.
13:53We were almost out the door when my mom called.
13:56Ryan's family was at the house.
13:58We got there fast.
13:59I heard Ryan's mom before I was through the door.
14:02Your daughter has no shame.
14:04Hooking up with some other man behind my son's back.
14:09The man with no shame is Ryan.
14:11Marcus's voice cut through the room.
14:14You two little...
14:15Enough!
14:17Does anyone here think I'm dead?
14:19With all due respect, your granddaughter is the one in the wrong here.
14:25A man who doesn't even attend his own wedding.
14:28Who leaves his fiancée to go be with another woman.
14:32And you're standing in my house telling me my family is in the wrong?
14:37Get out!
14:38We came here for an apology.
14:41Not one word and now out!
14:44Fine.
14:45We'll go.
14:46But that townhouse they were supposed to get?
14:49Sell it.
14:50We want half.
14:52I almost laughed.
14:53Half of what?
14:54On what basis?
14:56On the basis that it was part of an agreement between our families.
15:01What agreement.
15:03Ryan is nothing to us now.
15:06We always said that house would go to Lily and her husband after the wedding.
15:09Her husband is right here.
15:11His name is...
15:13Marcus Cole.
15:14Marcus Cole.
15:15Not Ryan Kellerman.
15:17Ryan Kellerman is nobody.
15:18You cheated on my son and you're standing there acting righteous?
15:22I will tell everyone.
15:24I will make sure everyone knows what you did.
15:27The only thing anyone needs to know, that with parents like you, Ryan never stood a chance.
15:35You'll regret this, Lily.
15:36A second later, Marcus' phone buzzed.
15:39He stepped outside to take it.
15:40I followed.
15:41His assistant was at the gate, passing a sealed envelope through the bars.
15:45Then, as Ryan's parents reached the sidewalk, he held it out to them.
15:49Take this home.
15:50Read it carefully.
15:51I have more where that came from.
15:53You're welcome to go public.
15:54Look, I'd actually enjoy watching how that plays out for your family.
15:58Ryan's parents looked at the envelope, at Marcus, at each other.
16:02They took it and left.
16:03Later, I asked him what was inside.
16:05He just smiled.
16:06Whatever it is, I thank God Lily didn't end up with that family.
16:10I always thought Ryan was decent enough, a stable job, educated, polite.
16:15I wasn't paying close enough attention.
16:17This turned out better.
16:18After everything settled and the extra people had gone, Marcus went out to his car.
16:24He came back carrying a long, rectangular box and two smaller ones.
16:29What is all this?
16:31Come here.
16:32Take these.
16:32I held them carefully.
16:34Marcus carried the long box over to my grandpa and set it on the table in front of him.
16:39My parents asked me to bring this for you, sir.
16:42We're family now.
16:44You don't need to bring anything.
16:45It's not much.
16:46I heard you collect antique pocket watches.
16:49This watch has been sitting in my house for a long time.
16:51Everyone's tired of looking at them.
16:53I thought you might give it a better home.
16:57Pocket watches?
16:59I'd love your opinion, sir.
17:00A gold pocket watch, engraved case, the kind that caught light and held it.
17:05My grandpa reached for it before he could stop himself.
17:0917 jewel movement, clean a cappiment.
17:11This is a serious piece.
17:13Glad it meets your standard.
17:15It's too much.
17:17Take it home.
17:18The most valuable thing in this family just walked through my door.
17:22A watch is nothing.
17:24If you're willing to accept me as your grandson-in-law, I'd be honored if you kept it.
17:27He kept the watch.
17:29The first smaller box.
17:31My dad's preference, somehow.
17:33The second smaller box.
17:34A delicate antique brooch.
17:36My mom wore vintage pieces whenever she could.
17:39How Marcus had found out all of this about my family.
17:42My dad and Marcus opened the scotch Marcus had brought.
17:45Marcus knew exactly what he was doing.
17:47Talking about it like he'd been studying for years.
17:50Distillery.
17:51Aging process.
17:52Tasting notes.
17:53Then he sat across from my grandpa and played cribbage with him for two hours.
17:57My mom was half-watching a drama in the corner.
18:00Marcus managed to drop a few comments about the lead actor that had her and asking questions.
18:06By the end of the day, my entire family was calling him by his first name.
18:10Sweetheart.
18:11I was stunned.
18:14Sweetheart?
18:14After years, seen Marcus Cole turn the charm up this high.
18:18When we were leaving, my grandpa pulled me aside.
18:21That young man is the real deal, Lily.
18:23You take care of each other.
18:25You've had one false start.
18:26That's enough.
18:27Don't throw away something good.
18:29You two come back for dinner tomorrow night at I'll cook.
18:33Mom.
18:35Listen to your mother.
18:36I looked at Marcus. He was already smiling at my mom.
18:40If you're not ready yet, there's no need to rush to get a make it official.
18:44I'll think of something to tell them.
18:45On the drive back, Marcus said it without looking at me.
18:49Okay.
18:50Tired?
18:51Not really.
18:52He reached over without warning and messed up my hair gently.
18:56Marcus!
18:58Yeah?
18:59I looked at the clean line of his jaw and held back what I'd been about to say.
19:03We had been enemies for years.
19:07You went quiet.
19:08Why did you say yes when I called you?
19:11Why wouldn't I?
19:12You're smart. You're driven. You're easy on the eyes. We run in the same world.
19:16You're the obvious choice.
19:18And honestly, once I marry you, I lose my most dangerous competitor.
19:22He just called me easy on the eyes and a worthy opponent in the same breath.
19:26Back to business. Whatever happens between us, I want to keep our company separate. Assets stay divided.
19:32Fine.
19:33No hesitation. I figured we were equals anyway. Except the next morning at the office, my assistant came in practically
19:40glowing.
19:42Lily! We got the Harrington project.
19:45Really?
19:46I'd done my homework. Coal Group had been in that bid, and they'd had the edge.
19:50Coal Group pulled out. So we're in!
19:52She was new. She didn't know yet.
19:54They withdraw?
19:55Yes.
19:56I sat with that for a moment.
19:59Thanks. You can go.
20:01That evening, I asked him straight.
20:03Why did you hand us the Harrington project?
20:06You could handle it. We had other options.
20:07That's not a real answer.
20:08Before, yes, I would have fought you for it.
20:10But that was when you were someone else's girlfriend.
20:13You're my wife now. I'm not going to compete with my own wife.
20:16Soup's almost ready. Go change. Wash your hands.
20:19He'd shifted gears so cleanly, I almost missed it.
20:22But I was also actually hungry.
20:26Wine?
20:27Sure.
20:29Dear dishes, every one of them something I liked.
20:32Didn't realize we had the same taste. Better than expected.
20:36Eat more. You're too thin.
20:39Will it feel no soft to the touch?
20:41I automatically finished the thought in my head.
20:44Before bed, I went to the bathroom to do my skincare routine.
20:47After I came out, I found five missed calls, all from unknown numbers.
20:52The last one had been called three minutes earlier.
20:55Why didn't you call me when I had missed calls?
20:57Marcus was by the window.
20:59Someone outside.
21:01I came to stand beside him.
21:03A car was parked at the bottom of the driveway.
21:06In the light above the front gate, a figure stood on the sidewalk.
21:10Ryan.
21:11I turned to look at Marcus.
21:13How does he know your address?
21:14Big wedding, a lot of guests. Someone always likes to stir things up.
21:18My phone buzzed.
21:19A text from the unknown number.
21:21Lily, I'm outside. I know you can see me.
21:23Come down. I need to talk to you.
21:25You want to go?
21:27If you don't come out, I'll stay here all night.
21:29Please, just down. One last conversation.
21:31I didn't answer.
21:32Another text. I hesitated. Then I turned from the window.
21:36Marcus moved fast. One hand on my arm.
21:40You sure about this?
21:44Yeah. Last time.
21:47I'll come with you.
21:49Do what you want.
21:50The front door opened.
21:51Ryan was already moving toward me.
21:53Lily, you finally-
21:54He saw Marcus behind me. His expression changed.
21:57I need to talk to her alone. He doesn't get to be here.
22:00I glanced past Ryan to the woman standing by the car.
22:03Sophie's standing right there.
22:04So why exactly can't my husband be here?
22:07Ryan's face cracked.
22:08Husband.
22:09So you really were sneaking around behind my back. You're such a-
22:12The sound of my hand connecting with his face was very loud.
22:16My palms stung.
22:17Ryan stood there for a few seconds with his hand over his cheek.
22:20We're done, Ryan.
22:22Whatever you think happened, we're done.
22:24You know exactly when it started going wrong between you and Sophie.
22:28You made a choice.
22:33You knew.
22:36Ask her.
22:38She sent me the photos herself.
22:40Told me you'd never let her find out!
22:41Sophie said nothing.
22:43And just like that, I didn't hate her anymore.
22:46She was pathetic and pitiable in equal measure.
22:49Keep whatever dignity you have left.
22:51We're done.
22:52That's it.
22:54I turned to go back inside.
22:56Ryan's voice came from behind me, sharp and mocking.
23:00You finally got what you wanted, didn't you, Marcus?
23:02Must feel good.
23:04I stopped and turned around.
23:06What does that mean?
23:08I should have seen it.
23:09I should have been watching you the whole time.
23:11Marcus said nothing.
23:13He turned and walked away.
23:15Whatever came next for them was none of my business.
23:17I looked at Marcus, leaning against the door frame.
23:20He looked at me.
23:21The corner of his mouth lifted.
23:24Who got what they wanted?
23:28You did, Mrs. Cole.
23:30Marcus had been in love with me this whole time.
23:33I kept turning this over and couldn't make it fit.
23:36And Ryan had known.
23:37Back in the bedroom, I pushed until I got the full story.
23:41Senior year of college, Ryan found Marcus' wallet, which contained a small photo of me.
23:46And he discovered the secret.
23:48The year we graduated, I started dating Ryan.
23:52Ryan knew Marcus liked me.
23:53So when the wedding photos were done, Ryan sent him a copy.
23:57He only said one sentence.
23:59You're done.
23:59Move on.
24:00After that, Marcus had stopped paying attention to me entirely.
24:04He told me all of this and then went and lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling and
24:09refused to say another word.
24:11Until I said,
24:12But we were enemies, weren't we?
24:17Who wanted to be your enemy?
24:19What?
24:19Nothing.
24:20I like you.
24:21That's the whole story.
24:23I leaned over the edge of the couch and looked at him up close.
24:27His ears were red.
24:29He was embarrassed.
24:30This sharp-tongued, unshakable man embarrassed.
24:33Marcus.
24:34Are you blushing right now?
24:36Be honest.
24:37Oh my god.
24:38He sat up fast, grabbed my wrist and pulled.
24:42Laugh one more time.
24:44See what happens.
24:45I held my breath.
24:47Didn't blink.
24:48He held the look for another second.
24:51Then pushed off and walked away.
24:54I jumped up off the couch, ran to the bed and pulled the covers over my head.
25:00Somehow, after all of that, I fell asleep.
25:02The next morning, Marcus was up before me.
25:05He came to the side of the bed and tugged the blanket.
25:07It's early.
25:09Sleep in.
25:10I'll call you when breakfast is ready.
25:12At 7.10, my phone rang.
25:15Marcus, I came downstairs.
25:17Breakfast was already on the table.
25:19After we ate, he said.
25:21My mom mentioned she'd love to have us over for dinner tonight.
25:24Does that work for you?
25:26It works.
25:27I'll drop you at the office this morning and pick you up after.
25:30Okay.
25:30But that afternoon, a piece of gravel that fell from the construction site hit me on the head.
25:36My company's project manager, Amber, had taken me along to do a site walkthrough.
25:40A loose chunk of concrete came off the upper level.
25:44We went straight to the emergency room.
25:46Severe concussion.
25:48The doctor wanted me admitted.
25:49A serious concussion.
25:50We'd barely gotten through the intake when Marcus walked through the door.
25:53What's going on?
25:53He talked to the doctor.
25:55Got the full picture.
25:56Only then did his expression ease.
25:58He went to handle the admission paperwork.
26:01How did he even know I was here?
26:06He...
26:07He's my cousin.
26:09Cousins?
26:11You've been hiding this for years?
26:12You two were at each other's throats constantly.
26:15Every time you brought him up, you sounded like you wanted to commit a crime.
26:18I stayed out of it.
26:19I swear I never told him anything about the company.
26:21That part I believe.
26:23But my personal life?
26:25My family's preferences?
26:27My taste in food?
26:29That was all you, wasn't it?
26:30He's my cousin.
26:31I helped where I could.
26:34Case closed.
26:36Marcus studied business management to take over from his father.
26:39His second year of college, he asked his dad to shift the company's base of operations here.
26:42His father had a contact in the city who was developing a major real estate project and needed an investment
26:47partner.
26:47That gave us the opening.
26:49We moved the business here gradually over the next few years.
26:52That makes sense.
26:55For his father, that was the reason.
26:57For Marcus, there was another one.
27:01I only found out a couple of years ago.
27:04There was a girl he liked.
27:05She was here.
27:07The night before your wedding, Amber called me.
27:09She said the girl Marcus had been carrying a loach for was about to get married.
27:13I was worried about him, so I went over.
27:15He had your pictures up on his laptop.
27:17I thought, that's her.
27:18The one.
27:20And she's marrying someone else tomorrow.
27:22Then the next morning, he called me out of nowhere and said he was getting married.
27:25I thought he'd lost it completely.
27:26I asked him who to, the girl I love.
27:29And I could hear it in his voice, this joy he couldn't even pretend to contain.
27:32He told us not to ask questions, just trust him.
27:35Things were moving fast.
27:36Follow his lead.
27:37She stopped.
27:38Her eyes were bright.
27:39Marcus has not cried since he was five years old.
27:41But that night when I came over, he was drinking alone and there were tears on his face.
27:46Lily, please take care of him.
27:48Because he loves you.
27:49He really, truly loves you.
27:51I will.
27:52We'd barely left the hospital when his mom suggested I come stay with them for a while.
27:57I've got it, mom.
27:58She's my wife.
27:59Thank you for today.
28:00We'll see you soon.
28:01He picked up my bag, put his hand on my back, and steered me toward the car.
28:06On the way home, I kept glancing at him.
28:08I was trying to picture it.
28:10Marcus.
28:10Alone.
28:11With tears on his face.
28:13I laughed before I could stop myself.
28:15Lily.
28:15If something is actually wrong with you, say the word.
28:18And we'll turn around right now.
28:20I laughed harder.
28:21Which made the stitches pull.
28:23Which made everything worse.
28:26You're being incredibly mean to an injured person.
28:30You're staring at your husband like he's a circus act.
28:32How is that my fault?
28:34The light turned red.
28:36Confess.
28:37I'll make your favorite for dinner.
28:39And if I don't confess?
28:41Still making your favorite for dinner.
28:45Then we have nothing to negotiate.
28:47He'd made a promise.
28:49Three days.
28:50The three days were up.
28:51I got into bed first.
28:53Looked at him.
28:54You don't thrash in your sleep, right?
28:56Of course not.
28:57I barely move.
28:58I promise.
28:59I won't go anywhere near your stitches.
29:02Then get in.
29:03He climbed in fast.
29:04Okay.
29:06You're okay.
29:07I'm not touching you.
29:08Sleep.
29:09I closed my eyes.
29:11Then he leaned over and kissed the corner of my mouth.
29:16Good night.
29:17I stared at the ceiling.
29:19Just out of nowhere.
29:21A few more days at home.
29:23Marcus mostly.
29:23He stayed close.
29:25The stitches came out a week and a half later.
29:27The doctor had shaved a small patch on my head.
29:30I hated the look of it.
29:31So I wore a clip in at the office until it grew back.
29:34Marcus had decided I couldn't eat certain things until I was fully healed.
29:39He enforced this without apology.
29:41Three meals a day.
29:42Cooked.
29:43If he genuinely couldn't do it, his mom sent something over.
29:47Word had spread through the company.
29:48My husband was Marcus Cole.
29:50And I was apparently on good terms with his mother.
29:54Marcus' mom and I are getting our nails done.
29:57Marcus' mom invited me to her book club.
29:59I introduced Marcus' mom to historical cosplay.
30:02We're planning a trip together.
30:03The person who benefited most from all of this was my mom.
30:07As for me, Marcus had slowly ruined me for normal life.
30:11I'd become lazy in a way I hadn't noticed until it was too late.
30:15He blew my hair dry for me after showers.
30:17One morning, I came up behind him while he was cooking and wrapped my arms around him and said,
30:23Are you trying to make me useless?
30:25He turned my hand over and pressed his lips to the inside of my wrist.
30:29Like you were doing any of this before I came along.
30:32Here's the thing.
30:33Once you've had this, you can't go back.
30:36I'm doing this on purpose.
30:38I want you so used to being taken care of that you can't imagine life without me.
30:42That's the plan.
30:44What if you change your mind someday and leave?
30:46Then I'm in real trouble.
30:47He turned all the way around, tipped my chin up, and kissed me once.
30:51Seven years.
30:54I had you in my head for seven years.
30:56I finally got here.
30:57You think I'm letting go?
30:59Go change.
31:00Dinner in ten.
31:01We never filed the marriage license.
31:03I don't know how he explained it to my family, but no one pushed.
31:07He'd told them he was waiting for me, waiting until I was ready to choose it for real.
31:12Four months after the wedding, I found out I was pregnant.
31:15I looked down at the man holding my hand.
31:19Marcus, let's go make it official.
31:23Right now?
31:25For real?
31:26He'd had the folder sitting in his car for months.
31:29IDs, the marriage license applications, all of it.
31:33I thought he'd ask, is this just because of the baby?
31:36He never asked.
31:37All the way through the process, and after, when we came out with the paper in hand,
31:42he held me, let go, kissed me, held me again.
31:46Thank you, Mrs. Cole.
31:48Mr. Cole is very, very in love with you.
31:51That's not changing.
31:52Before we made it home, sitting in the car,
31:55he took a photo of the license and the ultrasound printout and posted it.
31:59I opened Instagram and liked his post.
32:02Then I posted one of our wedding photos, caption,
32:05For the rest of it, I'm staying.
32:07She was beautiful, but what got me wasn't her face.
32:10It was the way she laughed.
32:12I fell for her on the spot.
32:14I'd never liked anyone before.
32:16I didn't know how to do it,
32:17so I just kept showing up, kept making her notice me,
32:21and I got it completely wrong.
32:23She thought I was picking fights, thought I didn't like her,
32:26that I was going out of my way to make her life difficult.
32:29I wasn't.
32:30I just liked her.
32:32Liked her so much that on quiet nights,
32:34when the room was empty and everyone was out,
32:37I'd lie on my bed and think about her,
32:39and feel, inexplicably, fine.
32:41I really liked her.
32:43She genuinely couldn't stand me.
32:45Marcus is the most annoying.
32:48So everything I did, I kept quiet about.
32:51Because when someone you dislike does something for you,
32:54it doesn't feel like kindness.
32:55It feels like a motive.
32:57I didn't want her more on guard.
32:59I didn't know what else to do.
33:01So I just kept liking her,
33:03let it grow, because I couldn't stop it.
33:05Senior year, her thesis files were wiped by a virus.
33:08I recovered her system and got everything back.
33:11This time, I'd gone to her.
33:13She had to know it was me.
33:15Marcus, thank you.
33:17Don't mention it.
33:18But she'd looked at me.
33:20That was enough to run on for weeks.
33:22And when she said my name, I thought,
33:24huh, my name sounds like that.
33:26Then I thought, her name, Lily.
33:29I'd been saying it in my head for years.
33:31It never got old.
33:32It still doesn't.
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