He Gave Her Dress Away is an emotional modern romance short drama about betrayal, heartbreak, and finding the strength to start over. After discovering that her fiancé secretly gave away the wedding dress she lovingly designed, Chloe chooses to leave the past behind and focus on rebuilding her life and career. As success changes her future, those who underestimated her are forced to face the consequences. Watch the Full Episode (ENGSUB) for a powerful story of romance, redemption, and personal growth.
#ShortDrama #ModernRomance #RevengeDrama #WeddingDrama #StrongFemaleLead #SecondChanceRomance #RomanticDrama #DramaSeries #Drama #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #FullEP #ENGSUB #CEO #LoveStory
#ShortDrama #ModernRomance #RevengeDrama #WeddingDrama #StrongFemaleLead #SecondChanceRomance #RomanticDrama #DramaSeries #Drama #ShortFilm #ShortMovie #FullEP #ENGSUB #CEO #LoveStory
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was at the boutique, checking on the wedding dress I had custom designed for myself.
00:05When a young woman walked in, the shop assistant came over and whispered to me,
00:09This girl had already rejected 99 dresses in their shop over the past three months.
00:14Her standards were impossibly high.
00:16Worse still, she had a ridiculously wealthy and doting husband
00:19who accompanied her through endless design changes without a single complaint.
00:23Just as the associate was venting her frustration, the girl's eyes landed on my dress.
00:28It was love at first sight.
00:30When she was told the dress wasn't for sale, she immediately pulled out her phone and called her husband.
00:36Minutes later, the boutique manager rushed over, looking panicked.
00:40She told me,
00:41Had Jaspin's bought the entire bridal shop, his first and only demand as the new owner,
00:46give his wife that exact dress?
00:48The manager begged me to part with it.
00:50I refused.
00:51I had designed this dress for my own wedding.
00:53Why would I give it to a stranger?
00:55Chloe, please, just think about it.
00:57She's the young madam of the Winston family.
01:00Getting on her good side could do wonders for your career.
01:03I froze.
01:04She is the young madam of the Winston family?
01:06Then who am I?
01:08Seeing my shock, a flicker of pride cross the girl's face.
01:12You're a designer too, right?
01:13She smiled and gave me a polite nod.
01:16If you let me wear your dress to my wedding,
01:18I promise you'll make a name for yourself in the design world very quickly.
01:22My mind was reeling.
01:23I forced myself to breathe.
01:25Could I please see this lady's contract?
01:28When they handed me the paperwork, I flipped straight to the last page.
01:31There, signed in bold, arrogant strokes, was a name I knew better than my own, Vincent.
01:36The handwriting was so familiar I thought I was hallucinating.
01:40This was the name that had filled the margins of my teenage notebooks.
01:44It was the name printed right next to mine on the welcome sign at our engagement party not that long
01:50ago.
01:50And now, here it was on a bridal contract, right next to the name Natalie.
01:54An absurd, undeniable reality crashed over me.
01:58My fiancé, Vincent, was having an affair.
02:02My knees felt weak.
02:04I took a sip of water, forcing the trembling out of my hands and really looked at Natalie.
02:09She looked to be in her early twenties.
02:12Radiant, youthful, and vibrant.
02:14And looking closely at her features, I saw a faint, haunting resemblance to how I looked when I was younger.
02:20That realization didn't bring me any comfort.
02:22It just made my stomach churn with disgust.
02:26Numbly, I nodded.
02:27I told them she could have the dress.
02:29Natalie clapped her hands in delight and turned toward the dressing room.
02:33Wait!
02:35I said, stopping her.
02:37This dress requires a very specific makeup look to really shine.
02:41Let me do it for you.
02:43Natalie was escorted to a private VIP makeup room.
02:46The cosmetics laid out for her were entirely different from what regular clients used.
02:51Seeing my surprise, Natalie covered her mouth and giggled.
02:55My husband refuses to let me share a makeup room with anyone else.
02:58He's a germaphobe when it comes to me.
03:00He had someone buy all of this brand new, just for me.
03:04Your husband treats you very well.
03:07Throwing money at me is all he can do right now.
03:10I'm here trying on my wedding dress, and he couldn't even make time to come with me.
03:14Oh, Mrs. Winston, don't joke like that.
03:17Mr. Vincent has been here with you almost every single time you've come in over the last few months.
03:21He must just be tied up with something truly unavoidable today.
03:24The flattery worked.
03:26Natalie smiled, appeased.
03:28Unless it was an absolute emergency, he'd definitely be here.
03:32Her smile was blinding.
03:34It stung my eyes.
03:35I couldn't help but remember how utterly disinterested Vincent had been in planning our wedding.
03:41When I picked a venue, he simply said,
03:43Whatever you decide is fine.
03:46When I booked a photography team for our engagement shoot,
03:49he bailed on me three separate times.
03:52I had spent months convincing myself he was just too busy with work.
03:56Now I knew the truth.
03:57It wasn't that he didn't have the time.
03:59He just couldn't be bothered to spare any effort on me.
04:02I picked up a brush and began adjusting her eyebrows.
04:06Out of nowhere, she asked,
04:08Chloe, were you planning to give that dress to someone?
04:11Why did the staff say it was not for sale?
04:13My hand paused.
04:15Oh, Yemba Lai designed my rune the wedding the dress.
04:19Natalie blinked, genuinely taken aback.
04:23Oh, wow.
04:24I'm so sorry.
04:25She apologized.
04:27But she made absolutely no move to give the dress back.
04:32It's just that I'm so in love with it.
04:36I'm so picky.
04:37I can't bear go if I finally like something.
04:39But I believe you can do even better.
04:43It's fine.
04:44I'm not in a rush anymore.
04:46Since I was doing her makeup, she couldn't hold it to her ear.
04:49So she put it on speaker.
04:51Hey, sweetheart.
04:52How's the fitting going?
04:53The voice was low, laced with an undeniable, overflowing fondness.
04:57He used to talk to me like that, too.
04:59Back when we first moved in together, every day he'd wake up earlier than me.
05:03Lean in close and whisper,
05:05Chloe, time to wake up.
05:07If I ignored him, he'd tease me until we just ended up holding each other.
05:12But sitting there now, I realized with a sickening jolt that I couldn't even remember the last time he had
05:17woken me up like that.
05:19Vincent.
05:21I had almost forgotten what you sounded like when you were gentle.
05:24Only to hear it through another woman's phone.
05:27How deeply painfully ironic.
05:29I'm still getting my makeup done.
05:31Honey, the dress is absolutely stunning.
05:34It's such a shame you're not here to see it.
05:36I really wanted to show you.
05:38Vincent's voice was pure indulgence.
05:41Be a good girl.
05:42I'm swamped today.
05:43I have a board meeting this afternoon, and I just can't get away.
05:47I'll come with you next time, I promise.
05:48No way!
05:49I finally found the perfect dress!
05:52How could you abandon me on such a big day?
05:55You're making me so sad.
05:57A soft sigh came through the speaker.
06:00All right, all right.
06:02I'll head over as soon as my meeting is done.
06:03I swear I can never say no to you.
06:05Hearing that, a hollow laugh escaped my lips.
06:07Just last night, I had told Vincent that I was picking up my finished wedding dress today.
06:12I asked if he could come with me.
06:13He said he's got meetings all day and can't make it.
06:17I pleaded.
06:18But he just pinched his nose, gave me a cold look, and said,
06:22Stop acting like a child.
06:25Then he walked into the bedroom and shut the door without looking back.
06:28Yet all it took was a little wine from Natalie, and he surrendered instantly.
06:33His schedule can be interrupted.
06:35I'm just not the woman he'd interrupt it for.
06:37Natalie giggled, flirted with him for another second, and hung up.
06:41Mrs. Winston, your husband treats you like a queen!
06:45It makes me so jealous!
06:47Natalie beamed, basking in the glow of her perfect life.
06:51Catching my eye, she asked,
06:53Chloe, when is your wedding?
06:55The question caught me off guard.
06:57Before I could answer, a rival designer from the boutique,
07:01someone who had never liked me,
07:03walked in holding some accessories.
07:05Hearing the question, she sneered.
07:08Her?
07:10She's been custom-designing her dress for months,
07:12but none of us have ever seen this mythical fiancé of his.
07:17Who knows if he even exists?
07:20She turned a fawning smile toward Natalie.
07:23Not everyone has your luck, Mrs. Winston.
07:26Mr. Vincent runs a massive corporate empire,
07:30yet he still finds time to help you with all the tedious wedding prep.
07:34I lowered my eyes, having absolutely nothing to say in my defense.
07:38She was right.
07:41Vincent hadn't even given me a concrete date for the wedding.
07:44All this planning.
07:46It had been nothing but a one-woman show.
07:49Your fiancé doesn't help at all?
07:51You're doing everything alone?
07:53That's awful!
07:55You really need to think things through, Chloe.
07:58Don't marry the wrong man.
08:03She appears to mean well,
08:04but her patronizing tone is unmistakable.
08:07You're right.
08:08I'll think it over.
08:10What about you?
08:11When is the big day?
08:13Natalie thought for a moment.
08:15Sometime in the fall, probably.
08:17My husband said we should get legally married at City Hall first,
08:21and he'll handle everything else.
08:22All I have to do is pick out what I like.
08:24I froze.
08:26You're already legally married?
08:29Yep.
08:29We went on Valentine's Day.
08:32I thought the date was so romantic,
08:34so I pustered him until he agreed.
08:36He was originally supposed to fly out of state for a business trip that day.
08:41Chloe, am I being too childish?
08:43My mom says I never grow up,
08:45but my husband likes me just like that.
08:47He says he wants to spoil me,
08:49take care of me,
08:50and make sure I never have a worry in the world.
08:55Looking at her bright, untroubled smile,
08:57my heart turned to ash.
08:59Vincent had already married Natalie.
09:02On Valentine's Day.
09:06What a sick joke.
09:09Valentine's Day was my birthday.
09:11I had waited up for him until past midnight that night.
09:15He never came home.
09:17The next day, he claimed his out-of-state meetings ran late,
09:20and he missed his flight.
09:21I had believed him.
09:23I hadn't pushed it.
09:24Little did I know,
09:26while I sat alone waiting for him on my birthday,
09:28He was at City Hall marrying another woman.
09:32I had been with Vincent since I was 18.
09:34Today, I was 28.
09:36A decade.
09:38For 10 years, I watched him go from a boy who counted down the days
09:41until we were of legal age so he could marry me,
09:45to a man who found every excuse to delay the wedding.
09:48Lately, he avoided the topic of City Hall altogether.
09:51Now I knew why.
09:53He was already a married man.
09:55Natalie said Vincent promised her a lifetime.
09:58She had no idea I'd heard those exact same vows.
10:01Under a sky full of stars,
10:03he had dropped to one knee.
10:05As he slid the ring onto my finger,
10:07he swore he would love me forever,
10:09cherish me,
10:10and never let me suffer a single day in my life.
10:13In the end, he kept his vows.
10:16He just gave them to someone else.
10:18Once her makeup was done,
10:20Natalie headed to the fitting room to slip into the gown.
10:23I followed her in to help.
10:24As I was lacing up the corset back,
10:26she suddenly leaned in and whispered,
10:29Chloe, do you think you could loosen the waistline for me a little?
10:32I looked at her reflection in the mirror, confused.
10:36But this measurement is absolutely perfect on you.
10:39If I alter it,
10:41the silhouette won't be as flattering.
10:43Natalie lowered her voice even more.
10:45Natalie, I'm pregnant.
10:47My husband doesn't know yet.
10:49I want to surprise him.
10:50By the time the wedding rolls around,
10:51I'll definitely have a bump.
10:53And I'm worried it'll be too late to alter it then.
10:56So please,
10:57help me adjust it now.
10:59And keep it a secret.
11:00The sudden bombshell left me completely, utterly paralyzed.
11:04It took me a long moment to process the words.
11:06And when I did,
11:07a creeping chill seeped into my bones.
11:10She was pregnant.
11:11Vincent was having a baby with another woman.
11:14Natalie rested a hand on her flat stomach,
11:16her face glowing with a profound, radiant joy.
11:20That happiness felt like shattered glass against my eyes.
11:24I mumbled an incoherent reply,
11:26fled the fitting room,
11:27and leaned against the closed door,
11:29gasping for breath
11:30as I desperately tried to calm the turmoil surging inside me.
11:33I was pregnant two years ago,
11:35but Winston Group was restructuring,
11:38and Vincent was under enormous stress.
11:41He said it wasn't the time for a child
11:43and begged me to get an abortion.
11:46Because I loved him,
11:48I went through with it.
11:49And now Natalie was carrying his child.
11:52A dark, malicious thought curled in my mind.
11:54If Vincent finds out about this baby,
11:57he might not be as thrilled as she thinks.
11:59Just then, Natalie's phone buzzed on the vanity.
12:02It was Vincent.
12:04Chloe?
12:06Can you answer that for me?
12:08I'm tied up right now.
12:10I hesitated.
12:11But a sudden, vicious urge took root in my chest.
12:15If Vincent heard my voice on her phone,
12:17what would he do?
12:18Driven by a morbid curiosity,
12:20I swiped to answer.
12:22Hello?
12:23Unfortunately, I held back tears all afternoon.
12:26My voice hoarse, and Vincent didn't notice at all.
12:29Who is this?
12:31I sneered silently.
12:33Since my cover wasn't blown,
12:35I decided to play the part.
12:37I'm a stylist at the boutique.
12:39Mrs. Winston is in the fitting room right now.
12:41Is there a message you'd like me to pass along?
12:44Vincent suspected absolutely nothing.
12:46It's fine.
12:47I just called to tell her I ordered some coffee and pastries for her.
12:50Please remind her to eat something.
12:52I don't want her feeling unwell.
12:54His tone, so gentle and considerate, it was heartbreaking.
12:57Is Mrs. Winston feeling under the weather?
13:00I asked, pretending to care.
13:01Is there anything specific we should be careful of while assisting her?
13:05Vincent was silent for a beat.
13:07She's pregnant.
13:09She thinks I don't know yet, and I don't want to ruin her surprise.
13:12So please don't tell her I know.
13:14Just be extra careful with her.
13:18I ended the call, slowly sank to the floor, and buried my face in my hands.
13:24How stupidly pathetic.
13:26I thought he didn't want children, but the truth is he just didn't want mine.
13:30Chloe, you were blind, wasting ten years of your youth on a man like that.
13:34When Natalie finally stepped out of the fitting room, she was breathtaking.
13:38The dress I had painstakingly designed to fit my own body draped over her perfectly.
13:43Just like the man I had chosen for myself.
13:47Apparently, our tastes were identical.
13:50The boutique staff swarmed her, showering her with praise.
13:54Natalie soaked up the attention, practically glowing.
13:58She picked up the skirt, twirled, snapped a photo, and sent it to Vincent.
14:04Honey, look.
14:05Isn't it gorgeous?
14:06Isn't it gorgeous? Didn't I tell you I have great taste?
14:09Vincent texted back almost instantly.
14:14Wear it for me when you get home.
14:21Oh my god, Mrs. Winston!
14:23You two are so in love! It's criminal!
14:27Natalie blushed, clearly not expecting him to be so intimately flirtatious in public,
14:33and quietly tucked her phone away.
14:40My heart tasted like bile.
14:42I had spent three months sketching and refining that dress.
14:46Vincent had the opportunity to look at it every single day, but he never paid attention.
14:51He never cared to remember what it looked like.
14:53But the moment Natalie sent him a picture, he gave her his full, undivided attention.
14:58Was this the difference between being loved and being tolerated?
15:01I stood in the corner, watching the blush on Natalie's cheeks.
15:04She was wrapped in the kind of intoxicating happiness that I used to know so well.
15:09I grew up poor.
15:10I never had the money to take art classes or build a foundation in drawing.
15:15When I decided I wanted to pivot to fashion design, everyone doubted me.
15:20Everyone except Vincent.
15:21He was my rock.
15:22He believed in my dream more fiercely than I did.
15:25Once, passing a wedding dress shop, I was captivated by a vintage gown in the window, but it was a
15:30display piece, not for sale.
15:32I left disappointed and never mentioned it again.
15:35The next day, that exact dress was sitting in my bedroom.
15:42Chloe, whatever you love, I will give you.
15:45Whatever you want to do, I will support.
15:47Spread your wings.
15:48I've got you.
15:50I asked him once why he was so good to me.
15:52He smiled, looking like the sun itself.
15:54Because we're soulmates, like a lock and a key, I was put on this earth to treat you right, and
16:03I plan on doing it for the rest of my life.
16:05I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he truly loved me back then.
16:09But time ruins everything, doesn't it?
16:12Natalie admired herself in the mirror as a stylist knelt beside her, tidying the skirt.
16:17Mrs. Winston, this dress looks flawless on you.
16:19If you paired it with a statement necklace, maybe something with a pop of color, it would be absolutely legendary.
16:25Natalie touched her bare collarbone, her eyes lighting up.
16:30I knew something was missing.
16:33It's perfect timing.
16:34I just picked up a necklace from an auction house today.
16:36Let me try it on.
16:37She practically skipped over to her designer handbag on the sofa, and pulled out a velvet jewelry.
16:43She trotted over to me, beaming with excitement.
16:46Look, Chloe!
16:50My husband won this for me at an auction recently.
16:55She popped the box open.
16:56A blinding flash of crimson caught the light.
17:00The moment my eyes focused on the necklace, the air was punched out of my lungs.
17:05I stared at the jewels.
17:07Then I looked at Natalie.
17:09Then back at the necklace.
17:12It took me a long, agonizing minute to accept that I wasn't losing my mind.
17:17That necklace was mine.
17:18More specifically, it was my late mother's.
17:22It was an heirloom passed down from my grandmother.
17:26An antique piece you couldn't find anywhere on the market.
17:30Years ago, the group was on the verge of bankruptcy.
17:34Vincent was deep in debt and utterly desperate.
17:36I couldn't bear to watch him self-destruct.
17:39So, I sold my mother's necklace.
17:41The money covered the critical gap in his company's finances, pulling the Winston group back from the grave.
17:46Even when my family was so poor, we couldn't afford groceries.
17:50I never once considered selling that necklace.
17:53Vincent knew exactly what it meant to me.
17:55He knew the weight of my sacrifice.
17:57He had sworn to me, tears in his eyes, that he would track it down and buy it back for
18:01me no matter what it cost.
18:03But that necklace was bought by a private collector and vanished without a trace.
18:07This loss has been tormenting me, as if I betrayed my mother by failing to protect her last keepsake.
18:13Whenever the topic came up, Vincent was overwhelmed with guilt.
18:16He assured me he was using all his connections to find it.
18:19When did he finally track it down?
18:20And what exactly was going through his mind when he stood at that auction?
18:24Spent a fortune to win it back.
18:27And then handed it to his mistress.
18:29My jaw locked so tight my teeth ached.
18:32My fingernails dug into my palms until the skin broke.
18:35Vincent!
18:36What the hell did he think I was?
18:38How dare he use my late mother's legacy to court another woman?
18:41What a monster he's become.
18:43Rage.
18:44Hot and blinding exploded in my chest.
18:46I couldn't breathe.
18:47I couldn't stay quiet anymore.
18:49I needed to rip him apart.
18:51Before I could say a word, the heavy doors of the VIP suite swung open.
18:58A tall, familiar silhouette walked in.
19:01Natalie, are you finished?
19:03I came to take you home.
19:04The sound of his voice sent a violent tremor through my body.
19:08Slowly, stiffly, I turned my head.
19:11Natalie's face lit up.
19:12She lifted the heavy skirt of the gown and practically threw herself into his arms.
19:18Honey, you made it!
19:20Vincent's eyes landed on me.
19:22The color instantly drained from his face.
19:26Chloe?
19:27He choked out.
19:28What are you doing here?
19:29I arched a brow, letting a razor-sharp smile touch my lips.
19:34What, am I ruining the mood?
19:36Vincent glanced at Natalie, who was clinging to his arm, and instinctively took a half-step
19:41away from her.
19:42His eyes darted back to me, wild with panic.
19:46What did you two talk about?
19:48A cold laugh escaped me.
19:50Even now, the man was trying to do damage control.
19:53I looked at Natalie.
19:55Her eyes were wide, darting between us in total confusion.
19:59She looked like a lost deer.
20:01Suddenly, the fire in my chest died down, leaving nothing but cold, exhausting pity.
20:06I didn't want to humiliate her in public.
20:09At the end of the day, she was just another idiot he had played.
20:12I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to remain dead calm.
20:15I looked dead into Vincent's eyes.
20:18Give me the necklace back.
20:19We will talk about everything else later.
20:21Without a second of hesitation, Vincent turned to Natalie and held out his hand.
20:26Give me the necklace.
20:27Natalie stared at him, bewildered.
20:29What?
20:30His voice dropped into a harsh, commanding bark.
20:33Give it to me, now.
20:35Natalie was taken aback for a moment.
20:37She looked at Vincent's terrifying, grim expression, then lowered her head,
20:42took out the necklace she was holding, and handed it to him.
20:47The heavy rubies settled into my palm.
20:49I felt a fraction of my soul return to my body.
20:53Vincent lunged forward and grabbed my wrist.
20:55Chloe, where are you going?
20:58I violently ripped my arm out of his grasp.
21:01Deal with your mess first.
21:03We'll talk when you get home.
21:04I marched out of the boutique without looking back.
21:12The moment I got back to the apartment I started packing.
21:16Clothes.
21:17My passport.
21:18My mother's photo albums.
21:20My sketch pads.
21:21The vase I bought at a flea market.
21:24The bed sheets monogrammed with our initials.
21:27The scarf Vincent had painstakingly hand knitted for me our first Christmas together.
21:32There was so much.
21:34So much it overwhelmed me.
21:37My hands shook as I shoved things into suitcases.
21:40But the piles never seemed to end.
21:44A strangled scream ripped from my throat.
21:48I grabbed the knitted scarf and tore at it violently until the yarn snapped,
21:52slicing into my bleeding palms.
21:54I collapsed onto the floor, buried my face in my knees,
21:58and finally let the ugly broken sobs tear through me.
22:03There was too much history in this house.
22:06From the velvet curtains to the ceramic plates in the kitchen,
22:10every single object was something we had picked out together,
22:13buzzing with excitement for our future.
22:16When we bought this place, I told him I wanted to design the interior myself.
22:20He sat beside me for weeks, sketching floor plans,
22:24driving me to every furniture showroom in the city.
22:26Renovating is supposed to be stressful, but we had loved every second of it.
22:30Those days were filled with endless conversations about the life we were building.
22:34The only thing we never talked about was breaking up.
22:37I had been so goddamn certain we would make it to the end.
22:40Now, it was all just a punchline to a sick joke.
22:43Through blurred, tear-filled eyes, I looked around the beautiful apartment.
22:48From this day forward, none of this belonged to me anymore.
22:52Vincent burst in to find my suitcases by the door.
22:56I mocked his panicked face.
23:01Wow. Never thought I'd see the day you'd be in a rush to get home.
23:04Vincent ignored the sarcasm.
23:06Chloe, the necklace. I just won it at the auction recently.
23:09I wanted to surprise you, which is why I didn't tell you.
23:11But Natalie saw it, and she wouldn't let it go.
23:12I only meant to let her borrow it for a few days before giving it back to you.
23:15I swear on my life, I never intended to give Mom's necklace to her.
23:18You have to believe me.
23:19He knew the necklace was my weakness, but too late.
23:22His words were static.
23:24Mom! From him turned my stomach.
23:28I turned from my coat.
23:30He saw the luggage, closed in, and grabbed my shoulders.
23:34Chloe, what are you doing? Where are you going?
23:36I stared into his indecipherable, stormy eyes.
23:40Anywhere but here.
23:44I'm just making room for you and your wife.
23:47Where else are you two gonna live after the wedding?
23:49Vincent hugged me, voice cracking.
23:52She is not my wife.
23:54You are the only woman I have ever loved.
23:57I let out a harsh, barking laugh and shoved him off me.
24:01She's not your wife?
24:03I am.
24:04So you help her try dresses while I beg for five minutes?
24:08I grabbed my portfolio from the table and shoved it into his chest.
24:14Look, does her dress look familiar?
24:16Vincent glanced at the sketches, shocked.
24:19He finally realized the dress Natalie stole was mine, and he'd helped her.
24:24A heavy, suffocating silence fell over the room.
24:27Vincent swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a miserable whisper.
24:31Sorry, Chloe.
24:33I never meant to hurt you.
24:34She just reminds me of the younger you.
24:37I couldn't help spoiling her.
24:40Please give me another chance.
24:41Hearing this tragic, romantic confession, I actually burst out laughing.
24:46I laughed until I doubled over.
24:48I laughed until my ribs ached and my lungs burned.
24:51I looked at the man I had worshipped for a decade.
24:54Are you out of your mind?
24:55I choked out, wiping a tear from my eye.
24:58You love her because she looks like me?
25:01I am standing right in front of you, breathing alive, and you go out and find a cheaper knockoff?
25:07Does that make you feel like some kind of tragic, devoted romantic?
25:11Vincent flinched.
25:12Guilt turned to irritation.
25:14He hated being mocked.
25:16Chloe, stop talking to me like that.
25:18I apologized.
25:20I'll break up with her.
25:22But for meek with her, you need to know when to drop it.
25:26I wrenched myself out of his grip.
25:28Break up with her?
25:29That's not how it works, Vincent.
25:31When you leave her, it's called a divorce.
25:33I watched the color drain from his face once again.
25:36Valentine's Day.
25:37What a romantic day to tie the knot at City Hall, huh?
25:40Did you have a nice time while you stood me up on my birthday?
25:44You're a real piece of work, Vincent.
25:46His face darkened into something ugly and unreadable.
25:49We aren't legally married.
25:51I lied to her.
25:53I told you I would never marry anyone but you.
25:56You have to believe me.
25:58I stared at him.
25:59Stunned.
26:00His confession only showed how hollow he was.
26:03He played us both.
26:04Lies to pacify me.
26:06A fake marriage to control her.
26:08He destroyed us.
26:09Yet demanded a medal for his loyalty.
26:12I was done.
26:13I couldn't stay another second.
26:14I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.
26:17Vincent slammed his hand against the door.
26:19You are not leaving.
26:20You can yell, break things, hit me.
26:24But you are not leaving this door.
26:26Didn't shout or cry, just looked at him calmly.
26:28Vincent, are you trying to illegally detain me?
26:30Of course not, but-
26:32Step aside, or your CEO makes front page for false imprisonment.
26:35That hit home.
26:36Scandal would crash the stock mom's necklace saved.
26:38Fine.
26:38I'll give you time to cool off.
26:39But I am not letting you go.
26:41His arm dropped slowly.
26:43I walked out without looking back.
26:46I returned to my old apartment in the East End.
26:48After my mother passed away, this place became a living nightmare.
26:52My father was a violent drunk.
26:54My mother took his fists.
26:56On her deathbed, she gave me her necklace and begged me to find a good man, not to repeat
27:00her mistake.
27:01After she died, I became my father's punching bag.
27:04For years, every inch of my skin was bruised.
27:06Then I met Vincent.
27:08He dragged me out of that hellhole without hesitation.
27:11For my sake, he fell out with his family and was exiled from Winston Group's inner circle
27:15for years.
27:16Later, as the company collapsed, I gave him the necklace, the leverage to claw his way to
27:21the CEO.
27:22On his appointment day, I took him to my mother's grave, laid flowers, and told her I'd found
27:27the right man.
27:28Vincent held my hand and swore on her tombstone to protect me forever.
27:32He broke his promise.
27:33Two years ago, my father died of liver cancer.
27:36Vincent wanted to gut and remodel the apartment, but I stopped him.
27:39I thought I'd never return.
27:40I really should have let him do it.
27:42At least I wouldn't be choking on dust right now.
27:44Scrubbing windows, my phone rang.
27:46It was Mia, my best friend and business partner.
27:49I answered, coughing violently from the dust.
27:52Chloe, babe, are you packed?
27:54We fly out to New York for the exhibition next week.
27:57Are you okay?
27:57You sound awful.
27:58Are you sick?
27:59I pushed open the balcony door and took a deep breath of fresh air.
28:02No, I'm fine.
28:03I'm just cleaning up my old apartment.
28:05It's a dust parlet.
28:06What the hell are you doing at the old apartment?
28:08I paused, then calmly told her everything.
28:11She went silent, stunned, short circuited.
28:15When she finally spoke, her voice was low.
28:17Chloe, tell me this is a sick joke.
28:19That guy who looks at you like you're everything?
28:21How could he cheat?
28:23I couldn't blame her.
28:24I'd never told anyone how distant he'd become.
28:27To everyone, he was still the perfect fiancé.
28:30Until yesterday, even I wouldn't have believed it.
28:33I shook off the memories and steered back to work.
28:35A year ago, Mia and I started a bridal studio.
28:39My design was picked for NYFW.
28:42We fly next week.
28:43I never told Vincent.
28:45Doesn't matter now.
28:46After finalizing plans and thanking Mia for cursing him out,
28:49I hung up and collapsed on the moldy sofa, drained.
28:52I'd accepted reality.
28:54But reliving the betrayal to someone who rooted for us felt like a blade on an open wound.
28:59I needed work.
29:01To keep my hands and brain too busy for Vincent Winston.
29:04Vincent bombarded me for days.
29:06I ignored him.
29:08Still a wreck.
29:08And had nothing to say.
29:11Then came a text from someone unexpected.
29:13At the café, Natalie sat with a weak smile.
29:17No boutique arrogance.
29:19Hi, Chloe.
29:20I sat across.
29:21She looked exhausted.
29:23You don't look so good.
29:24Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
29:27It's been a nightmare.
29:28I just...
29:29I never thought...
29:31She choked on her tears.
29:32I slid a napkin across the table.
29:35Chloe, sorry for intruding on your relationship.
29:37Don't blame yourself.
29:39You're not at fault.
29:40Vincent is the liar.
29:41Don't tear yourself apart for his sins.
29:44I'm just a cheap copy of you.
29:46That's why he wanted me.
29:48Should thank you.
29:48Without your face, I'd never have this life.
29:51Stop.
29:52Replacement is a cheater's lie.
29:54If he loved either of us, he wouldn't do this.
29:56Don't cheapen yourself for him.
29:59Now I see why he loved you so much.
30:01You really are a good person.
30:04So, what are you gonna do now?
30:08Chloe, I know this sounds horrible, but I can't let him go.
30:12You don't want him anymore, right?
30:13So, can you let me have him?
30:16Even if I'm just your stand-it, I don't care.
30:19I accept it.
30:20I stared at her, speechless.
30:21Why?
30:22You're so young.
30:23You have your whole life ahead of you,
30:24because I know I will never find a man like him again.
30:26But I know, stay with him and it'll eat you alive.
30:29He betrayed me today, you tomorrow.
30:31Then what?
30:33I know.
30:34But I love him.
30:35And more than that, I love the life he gives me.
30:38Chloe, the things I've gotten in the last few months
30:40are things I could work my entire life for and never touch.
30:43I can't give it up.
30:44I'm sorry.
30:45I'm just a shallow, materialistic woman.
30:47I had no response.
30:49Or what?
30:49Did you not actually break up with him?
30:52Are you just playing hard to get to make him beg?
30:54I'm not playing games.
30:55I am never getting back together with him.
30:57But Vincemint isn't a handbag for me to hand over to you.
31:00If you want him, go fight for him yourself.
31:03Leave me out of it.
31:05Promise me.
31:07Promise me you'll never see him again.
31:09You're asking for too much, Natalie.
31:12I don't owe you any promises.
31:13I was kind because you were manipulated,
31:15but I won't tolerate your insecurities.
31:17You've crossed a line.
31:19She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
31:21It's your life.
31:22Just make sure you don't regret it.
31:24I turned to leave.
31:25Tossing one last sentence over my shoulder.
31:29The day of the New York flight arrived.
31:31I was standing at the terminal with Mia,
31:33checking our boarding passes.
31:34When I heard someone shout my name,
31:36Vincent was pushing through the busy airport crowd,
31:39rushing toward me.
31:40For a second, I saw Vincent backlit in that dark alley,
31:43running to save me from my father.
31:45He was still handsome, but my heart didn't flutter.
31:48Nothing left.
31:49Vincent pulled me into a crushing hug.
31:51Chloe, I finally found you.
31:53I was...
31:53I was wrong.
31:55I was so wrong.
31:56Please forgive me.
31:56I swear I'll never do it again.
31:58Please don't leave me.
31:59Please!
32:00I smiled,
32:01gently pushed him away.
32:03I owed him no explanation.
32:04Vincent, let's end it here while we still have some good memories.
32:10I don't want to remember just the screaming and hatred.
32:13It's better for both of us.
32:16I made one mistake.
32:18Just one.
32:20Why are you giving me the death penalty?
32:22Chloe, you're not being fair to me!
32:24My smile didn't waver.
32:26Vincent, you weren't fair to me or Natalie either.
32:29No!
32:30No, you love me.
32:31You can't just throw us away.
32:32You're just angry.
32:34You haven't forgiven me yet, that's all.
32:36I looked at his pathetic, broken expression and sighed.
32:39A few days ago, I thought I'd never get over you.
32:41But when you hugged me, just now,
32:44I realized I felt absolutely nothing.
32:48My heart didn't beat for you, Vincent.
32:50I've let it go.
32:51You should too.
32:52With that, I gave him a small wave,
32:54turned around,
32:55and walked through the security checkpoint.
32:57Behind me, his hands finally fell to his sides.
33:00It was truly, finally over.
33:04Sorry!
33:04He looked so pathetic.
33:06Ten years together, maybe you wanted an excuse to take him back.
33:09So I lied you were leaving forever to make him panic and make a last grand gesture.
33:12I just wanted to give you a choice.
33:14But if you were done, I wanted him gone too.
33:16I didn't want you to have regrets.
33:18Don't ever do it again.
33:20NYFW was a huge success.
33:21Our studio blew up overnight with global orders.
33:24As my career soared, the past faded.
33:27Three years flew by.
33:28No contact with Vincent.
33:30But Mia kept me posted over drinks.
33:32Natalie married Vincent because she was pregnant.
33:35But the old lady Winston refused to accept their daughter.
33:38She kept trying for a son, but it never happened.
33:41Once the thrill was gone, Vincent stopped spoiling her.
33:45So she had to bite her tongue and walk on eggshells just to keep living that fancy life.
33:50History repeated itself.
33:51Vincent got a new mistress.
33:53Natalie lost it, cornered her in a mall, and they got into a screaming, fist-fighting brawl.
33:58The video went viral.
33:59The scandal tanked Winston Group's stock.
34:02Furious, Vincent filed for divorce.
34:04Thank God you didn't take him back.
34:06That man is toxic waste.
34:07I just smiled, taking a sip of my drink, and kept my thoughts to myself.
34:12Do we have the displays ready for tomorrow's bridal expo?
34:14Because if we don't, I don't want to hear another word about this soap opera.
34:17Oh my God, the acrylic signs!
34:19I forgot to pick them up!
34:20I'll be right back!
34:21I watched her run out the door, laughing softly.
34:24I looked down at the beautiful, intricate gown taking shape on my sketch pad.
34:29In this life, the only person you should never betray is yourself.
34:33That's how you live without regrets.
34:34I learned that lesson just in time to walk away.
34:38Natalie didn't.
34:38But I suppose, after everything, she probably understands it now.
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