- 18 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I looked at the stranger pinning me beneath him and said it calmly.
00:03You are the 99th man I've cheated with.
00:05The stranger ripped off my silk nightgown and gave a vicious grin.
00:08Today I'm going to find out exactly what a rich family slut tastes like.
00:12He grabbed my chin and bit down my neck with brutal hunger.
00:15His other hand slid down my waist, roping wherever he wanted.
00:19I lay there like a numb doll, powerless under his hands.
00:23Do whatever you want, I don't care anymore.
00:26Just as his hand was about to slip under my skirt.
00:28Just then, my husband Victor kicked the door open.
00:31When he saw the compromising position I was in with that man, he roared in collapse.
00:36Stella, why are you sleeping with another man?
00:38Why would you betray me?
00:39I looked at 2PN1's furious face and smiled like it meant nothing.
00:44Why are you so worked up?
00:45It's not like you don't know what I am.
00:48A cheap, filthy whore.
00:51What's so strange about me sleeping with men?
00:54Victor, all 6'2 of him, suddenly broke down like a child when he saw how little I cared.
00:59Stella, how could you do this to me?
01:02His words pulled me back to 3 years ago.
01:05Back then, I was a street walker in the red light district, scraping by on the money I made
01:10selling my body, living a filthy, chaotic life.
01:13Until one late night, Victor stumbled into my rental, covered in blood.
01:17He was the heir of a trillion dollar Tarkone family.
01:20Hunted by enemies, he had been forced to hide in that slum.
01:26I took him in.
01:28With money I earned from clients, I bought anti-inflammatory medicine,
01:33cleaned his wounds, fed him water and meals, and hid him for half a wink.
01:37And in that half week, he fell hopelessly in love with me.
01:41After his enemies were eliminated, Victor reclaimed his identity.
01:45Dressed in an expensive suit, he knelt on one knee in the muddy street of the red light
01:50Sartre, held up a diamond ring, and swore to me,
01:52Stella, come with me.
01:54I want to marry you.
01:55I said yes.
01:56But when he brought me back to his glittering estate, his entire family fought it fiercely.
02:02Victor's father pointed at my face and cursed.
02:04A cheap whore?
02:06Thinks she can enter our family?
02:08Marrying a woman like you is a disgrace?
02:10You filthy, unchaste thing!
02:11All of Victor's relatives stood aside, looking at me like I was trash.
02:17I lowered my head and silently stepped back, wanting to run.
02:20But Victor gripped my hand and pulled me firmly back to his side.
02:23I won't marry anyone but Stella!
02:25No matter how his parents hit horched him, he refused to back down.
02:29In the end, Victor's family compromised.
02:32The condition was that Victor gave up his right to inherit the family fortune.
02:36To marry a woman as Lois as me, he signed without hesitation and gave up everything.
02:44And all I repaid him with was 99 men in my bed.
02:50Just then, Victor's childhood friend Chloe ran in with a hand over her mouth.
02:54She stared at the mess on the bed, eyes wide with shock.
02:58Stella, how could you do something like this with another man?
03:01You were forced, weren't you?
03:03Victor, this is all my fault.
03:05If I dragged Stella out shopping today, she never would have done something like this.
03:08This has nothing to do with you.
03:10She's just cheap.
03:11Then, with bloodshot eyes, he roared at me through clenched teeth.
03:15Stella, I never looked down on where you came from.
03:17I never held your past against you.
03:18I gave up my entire family for you.
03:20I thought once you married me, you could start over.
03:22But you didn't change.
03:23You got worse.
03:24You even brought strange men into our home.
03:26Are you that desperate for men?
03:28Is your sex addiction that bad?
03:30Victor, don't be sad.
03:31This isn't your fault.
03:33There is no man in the world better than you.
03:36Maybe Stella really just isn't right for you.
03:38I sat quietly on the bed, facing their accusations with calm eyes without saying a word.
03:42My indifference completely ignited Victor's rage.
03:45You do this every time!
03:47I catch you in bed with another man, and you never say a word!
03:50Like you're the one who was wronged!
03:52Stella, I'm the one being cheated on!
03:53Shouldn't I be the one who's hurt the most?
03:57I looked at his hysterical face and finally spoke.
04:00That's right.
04:01You're the one who should be hurt.
04:02Not me.
04:03Victor froze, his voice trembling.
04:06After everything has come to this, you still can't even give me one apology?
04:09I took a deep breath, looked him in the eye, and calmly shook my head.
04:13No apology.
04:14No explanation.
04:16The last trace of hope in his eyes went out.
04:21He let out a long sigh, and laughed bitterly at himself.
04:29Fine!
04:30Great!
04:32He pointed outside the door, and roared each word.
04:36Stella, I can't take you anymore!
04:37I want a divorce!
04:42Behind Victor, Chloe's mouth curled into a cold smile.
04:45I looked at Victor's resolute face.
04:47This was the 99th time he had caught me, and the 99th time he had said he wanted a divorce.
04:53The first 98 times all ended with my silence, but this time, I looked him in the eye and nodded.
04:59Okay, I agree.
05:01When Victor heard me agree to the divorce, his eyes widened in disbelief.
05:05He had thought I would brush him off with silence like the previous 98 times.
05:08He never expected me to agree so readily.
05:11Are you sure you don't want to think it over?
05:13I looked at him without a ripple of emotion.
05:15No need to think.
05:16Let's divorce.
05:18Victor clenched his fists on me.
05:20Don't forget the agreement we signed before the wedding.
05:22If one party causes the divorce by cheating, the guilty party owes a massive penalty.
05:2630 million, every cent of it!
05:28He stared at me, trying to see me flinch.
05:30You're a penniless nobody from the red light district.
05:33How are you going to pay?
05:35I suggest you think again.
05:36As long as you promises not to cheat, I will...
05:39I cut off his attempt to persuade me.
05:41I'm sure.
05:42Even if I have to sell everything and borrow from loan harks, I'll pay that 30 million penalty in full.
05:47Victor froze completely, his voice shaking violently.
05:50Do you hate me that much?
05:51I looked into his eyes and nodded firmly.
05:54Fine!
05:55Then divorce it is!
05:56Stell, don't regret this!
05:58His eyes reddened with despair.
06:01Victor spun around and slammed the door behind him.
06:04Only I, Chloe, and the man still lying on the bed remained in the room.
06:08Once Victor was gone, Chloe's pitiful mask fell away at once.
06:12She glanced at me with contempt, walked straight to the man, pulled a bank card from her bag, and tossed
06:17it over.
06:17Nice performance.
06:19The man was overjoyed.
06:21He grabbed the card and nodded ablussiously.
06:23Thank you, Miss Chloe.
06:24Next time there's an easy job like this, be sure to call me again.
06:27Take the money and get out.
06:33After sending the man away, Chloe folded her arms and looked down at me.
06:36My calm reaction surprised her.
06:38What?
06:38Seeing all this, you're not surprised at all?
06:40I straightened the collar of my robe and looked at her blandly.
06:43I found out long ago.
06:44For the past three years, every one of the 99 men who climbed into my bed was arranged by you.
06:50The smile on Chloe's face froze, but she quickly gave a cold snort.
06:55So what if you know?
06:57She closed in on me and lowered her voice.
07:01You're about to divorce him anyway.
07:02From now on, I'll be the one standing beside Victor.
07:05Rightfully and openly, I can finally take your place.
07:08Then I wish you both happiness.
07:11Chloe falls.
07:12I turned my head and closed my eyes.
07:14The truth was, Victor never knew that in these three years, I had never cheated once.
07:18Those 99 men who climbed into my bed ped me down and treated me brutally, but I never let a
07:23single one of them have me.
07:24I still remember the night I was attacked for the first time.
07:27I woke in the middle of the night to find a burly man reeking of alcohol, pinning me down.
07:30I fought with everything I had, scrambled for my phone.
07:33Victor!
07:33Save me!
07:34There's a strange man in the house!
07:36Help!
07:36Stella, our security here is top tier.
07:38There's no way an outsider got in.
07:40Chloe is dizzy.
07:40I have to take her to the hospital.
07:41I don't have time for your nonsense.
07:46The call was cut off without mercy.
07:48The burly man lunged at me with a vile growl and tore my nightgown apart.
07:53I screamed in despair and fought desperately, my nails digging deep into his flesh until my hands were covered in
07:59blood, until I was beaten unconscious from the pain.
08:03Batefoot, I fled to the living room, clung to Victor's leg, and pointed at Chloe, who was pretending to be
08:09innocent.
08:10It was her!
08:13I found out!
08:14She deliberately let those men in!
08:16Victor, believe me!
08:17But he kicked me away in disgust.
08:19His eyes filled with revulsion.
08:20Enough!
08:21Chloe wouldn't hurt a fly.
08:22How could she set you up?
08:23It's clearly those filthy red light district habits of yours acting up, and now you dare smear someone else!
08:27The strange man in the bedroom walked out and, right in front of Victor, grabbed my hair and dragged me
08:31back.
08:31I reached toward Victor in despair, but the first thing he did was not save me.
08:34He gently wiped Chloe's tears instead.
08:36By the 98th time, when yet another naked man in me in bed, I did not run and I did
08:40not scream.
08:40I let the man brutalize me, yet I couldn't shed a single tear.
08:43I stopped shouting.
08:44I stopped begging for help.
08:45I was completely numb, because I knew the man who once swore to protect me with his life had pushed
08:50me into the abyss with his own hands long ago.
08:53A sudden rush of footsteps outside the door yanked me back from my thoughts.
08:57Victor, who had just slammed the door and left, rushed back in.
08:59His eyes were bloodshot, his face full of Yuri as he stormed up to me and gripped my wrist hard.
09:03Come on! We're gonna sign the divorce papers right now!
09:06Victor dragged me all the way back to his family's glittering estate.
09:09The moment we entered, the servants openly showed their contempt and pointed at me.
09:14The slut who cheats every day is finally getting thrown out.
09:17A woman from the red light air is cheap to the stinks of filth.
09:19She should have been kicked out long ago!
09:21Before I could steady myself, a heavy purple clay teacup struck my forehead almost instantly.
09:27Blood ran from my temple into my eye, turning my vision red.
09:31Victor's father leaned on his cane, pointed at me, and cursed.
09:34You shameless piece of trash! You've disgraced our entire family! Get out right now!
09:39His mother rushed forward and slapped me hard across the face.
09:42I said from the start that a whore is rotten to the bone!
09:45I never thought you'd cheat with 99 men! Disgusting!
09:49She kicked the back of my knee, forcing me to crash down onto the cold marble floor.
09:52I did not struggle.
09:54I let the blood from my forehead drip onto the floor, drop by drop.
09:58Victor looked down at me and slapped the divorce agreement against my face.
10:02Stella, I'll ask you one last time.
10:04Do you really want the divorce?
10:06He growled his teeth and stared at me.
10:09I still nodded stubbornly.
10:11Fine!
10:12Since you want the divorce, you'll not only take on the 30 million penalty, you'll also
10:16give up custody of our son!
10:18A filthy woman passed around by countless men doesn't deserve to be his mother.
10:22Don't even dream of seeing him again!
10:24Son, hearing that word, I couldn't stir even the faintest ripple inside.
10:27Back when I was pregnant for 10 months, my morning sickness was so severe I nearly vomited
10:32bile, and I fainted alone on the cold bathroom floor.
10:34At that time, Victor had booked an entire rooftop restaurant to cut Chloe's birthday cake
10:38with her.
10:45The son I nearly died giving birth to had never once called me mom.
10:49Just the day before yesterday, in front of everyone, he poured a bowl of scalding soup
10:54on my legs, pinched his nose in disgust, and backed away.
10:57Get away!
10:58You're a dirty woman!
11:00I don't have a mom like you!
11:02Aunt Chloe is my real mom!
11:04This father and son had already shattered my heart completely.
11:07I wiped the blood from my face, and calmly picked up the pen from the floor.
11:12Fine.
11:13I agree to everything.
11:16Without hesitation, I signed my name on the agreement, ending this three-year nightmare
11:20for good.
11:22He stared at the glaring signature on the paper, his face turning livid.
11:27He roared at me through clenched teeth.
11:30You better not regret this!
11:32Seeing this, Chloe immediately threw herself into Victor's arms, excitedly wrapping her
11:36arms around his neck.
11:37Darling, this is wonderful!
11:39We can finally be together openly!
11:42Victor naturally slipped an arm around her waist, his tone softening.
11:45Of course.
11:46From now on, you'll be the only mistress of this estate.
11:49But even as he said it, his eyes still couldn't stop drifting towards me.
11:53Just then, the heavy carved door of the living room was suddenly kicked open.
11:57The burly man who had lain in my bed last night rushed in, panting, clutching a bank
12:01card tightly.
12:04You bitch, you dare to trick me!
12:06There's not a damn cent on this card!
12:08If you don't pay me today, I'll tell everyone, right now, that you put me up to it!
12:13Victor froze and asked Chloe.
12:17What did you put him up to?
12:20When the burly man burst into the estate, everyone in the living room went still.
12:25He clutched the bank card and pointed at Chloe, squaring her out.
12:29It was you!
12:30You told me to go to Stella's room and act!
12:32And said you'd pay me as long as young master Victor saw us!
12:35Chloe's face went pale, and she immediately hid behind Victor.
12:41Victor, I didn't...
12:43I don't even know him.
12:46The burly man panicked and pulled out his phone.
12:50Still pretending?
12:51You sent me the address!
12:53You even said she used to be a red light district woman, so no one would care if I touched
12:57her!
13:02Victor suddenly looked at Chloe, his voice turning cold.
13:06Is what he said true?
13:10Chloe's eyes reddened, and tears fell on command.
13:14Victor, you'd rather believe a thug than me?
13:17Then she turned to look at me, her voice trembling.
13:21Stella, I know you hate me, but you can't hire someone to ruin me!
13:26I stood there, blood still running down my forehead.
13:29I did not explain.
13:30I only found it laughable.
13:31For three years, I had explained far too many times.
13:34Every time, Victor chose to believe her.
13:36This time would be no different.
13:37Sure enough, the moment Chloe started crying, the suspicion in Victor's eyes began to waver.
13:43Seeing things turn against him, the burly man shouted at once.
13:46I have proof!
13:47She gave me the bank card!
13:49Victor snatched the card and coldly ordered someone to check.
13:52A few minutes later, the butler returned with his head lowered.
13:56Young master, there is Dick no money on the card, and we can't find any transfer records from Miss Chloe.
14:01Chloe cried even more pitifully.
14:03I told you!
14:03I was framed!
14:05Victor looked at me, his gaze turning cold again.
14:09Stella, did you arrange this too?
14:11I lifted my head to look at him and suddenly smiled.
14:15You already haven't believed me 99 times.
14:19One more won't make a difference.
14:21Victor's face darkened at once.
14:23He stared at me as if trying to find guilt on my face, but I had no expression at all.
14:27Chloe cried as she grabbed his sleeve.
14:29Victor, just let it go.
14:30Stella only hates me too much.
14:31She thinks I stole you from her, so she hired someone to stage this whole thing.
14:34The burly man panicked.
14:35Bullshit!
14:35You're the one who told me to come!
14:37Victor's father struck his cane heavily against the floor.
14:39Drag this lunatic out!
14:41Several bodyguards immediately stepped forward and pressed down on the burly man's shoulders.
14:45The burly man's face went pale with fear.
14:47Suddenly, he pointed at me and shouted,
14:48It was her!
14:49Stella paid me to turn around and bite Miss Chloe!
14:51I wasn't surprised at all.
14:53If Chloe dared to let him barge in, she must have prepared a backup plan.
14:56When Victor heard this, a last trace of hesitation in his eyes disappeared completely.
15:00He looked at me with a cold smile.
15:01Stella, you disgust me.
15:03I looked down at my blood-covered hands and asked softly,
15:06So?
15:07Victor threw the divorce agreement in front of me.
15:09Not only are you getting out of this house, you're paying the 30 million penalty!
15:13He paused, his voice colder.
15:15Starting today, you are not allowed to see my son again.
15:18Chloe leaned in his arms, almost unable to hide the smile at her lip.
15:22I bent down and picked up the agreement.
15:25My blood stained the paper.
15:28Victor stared at me as if waiting for me to beg.
15:31But I only picked up the pen and signed my name in the final spot.
15:36Okay.
15:37His pupils suddenly constructed.
15:39Stella, are you really leaving?
15:41I put down the pen and looked at him calmly.
15:44You told me to get out.
15:45So now, I'm getting out.
15:47With that, I turned and walked out.
15:51Just as I reached the doorway, Victor suddenly growled,
15:54You owe me 30 million!
15:55Don't even think about paying one cent less!
15:58I did not look back.
16:00I'll pay it back.
16:01What you owe me, you don't have to pay.
16:05When I was driven out of the estate,
16:08rain was pouring outside.
16:09A servant threw out my suitcase.
16:11It burst open,
16:12and everything inside scattered across the ground.
16:15No jewelry.
16:16No designer bags.
16:18Only a few old clothes.
16:20And a white shirt that could never be washed clean.
16:23Victor stood on the steps.
16:24When he saw that shirt,
16:26his expression changed.
16:28It was the shirt he wore three years ago
16:30when he collapsed into my rental covered in blood.
16:33I had used it to press against his wounds.
16:36And I had hugged it countless nights
16:38while waiting for him to come home.
16:40Victor's throat moved,
16:41but he quickly gave a cold laugh.
16:43Stop using old things like this to play the victim.
16:46I bent down and picked up the shirt.
16:49Rain soaked the fabric,
16:51and faint bloodstains surfaced again.
16:53I looked at it for a long time.
16:55Then, right in front of him,
16:57I threw it into the trash can.
16:59Victor's face went white.
17:02Stella!
17:03I dragged up my suitcase,
17:04my voice very soft.
17:06The old Stella is dead.
17:07I walked down the steps barefoot.
17:09My knees still hurt.
17:10The rain washed the blood from my forehead
17:12all over my face.
17:14Behind me came Chloe's sweet, soft voice.
17:16Victor, stop looking.
17:18She's finally free now.
17:19From now on,
17:20she can find as many men as she wants,
17:21and no one will care.
17:22Victor said nothing.
17:24I knew he was watching me.
17:25But this time,
17:26I did not look back.
17:28Three years ago,
17:29he knelt in the muddy water
17:30of the red light district
17:31and said he would take me home.
17:32Three years later,
17:33he stood under the lights
17:34of his wealthy estate
17:35and personally drove me into the rain.
17:37When I reached the iron gate,
17:39a child's voice suddenly assounded behind me.
17:42The dirty woman is finally gone!
17:44My steps paused.
17:46It felt as if something
17:47had sliced open my chest.
17:49But I still kept walking.
17:52News of the divorce
17:53spread through the entire city
17:54the next day.
17:55The headlines were glaring.
17:57I stood outside a convenience store
17:59looking at my photo on the screen.
18:01In the photo,
18:02my clothes were dishambled
18:03and my face was covered in blood.
18:05Everyone was cursing me.
18:07Someone walked past,
18:08recognized me,
18:09and immediately stepped back.
18:11That's her, right?
18:11The woman who cheated with 99 men?
18:13She is pretty.
18:15No wonder she's so filthy.
18:16I lowered my head
18:17and kept walking.
18:18I needed to earn money.
18:19The 30 million penalty
18:21pressed down on me like a mountain.
18:22But no place was willing to hire me.
18:25After checking my ID,
18:26the restaurant manager
18:27threw my resume
18:28straight into the trash.
18:29We don't hire people like you here.
18:31The hotel supervisor
18:32was even more direct.
18:34With your reputation,
18:35guests would feel unlucky
18:36just seeing you.
18:38In the end,
18:38I found work as a cleaner
18:40in the back kitchen of a nightclub.
18:42The pay was low,
18:43but it was settled daily.
18:45At night,
18:46I knelt on the floor
18:47wiping up liquor stains.
18:48Drunk guests suddenly
18:49stepped on my hand.
18:51Pain made my fingertips tremble,
18:53but I didn't make a sound.
18:55He lowered his head,
18:57saw my face clearly,
18:58and laughed.
18:59Well, isn't this the former
19:00young madam of Victor's family?
19:02Everyone around gathered over.
19:03Some people filled me
19:04with their phones.
19:05Others deliberately poured
19:06liquor onto the floor.
19:07Wipe it up!
19:08Aren't you best at serving men?
19:09I grinned my teeth
19:10and wiped it clean
19:11bit by bit.
19:11Just then,
19:12the doorway suddenly fell quiet.
19:13I looked up
19:14and saw Victor walking in,
19:15holding Chloe's hand.
19:17He was wearing
19:18a clean black suit,
19:19and I was kneeling
19:20in spilled liquor,
19:21the back of my hand
19:22crushed,
19:22bruised,
19:23and purple.
19:24Chloe covered her mouth
19:25in surprise.
19:26Stella,
19:26why are you back
19:27in a place like this again?
19:29When Victor saw me
19:30kneeling on the floor,
19:31his face darkened.
19:33He strode over,
19:34clamped his hand
19:35around my wrist
19:36and dragged me up
19:37from the ground.
19:39Stella,
19:40you really can't
19:42stay away from places
19:43like this?
19:44My wrist hurt
19:44until it went numb,
19:46but I did not struggle.
19:48I'm working.
19:51Victor sneered.
19:53Working?
19:54As a nightclub cleaner?
19:56He swept his gaze
19:57over the men around us,
19:58his eyes full of disgust.
20:00Or is cleaning
20:01just a cover?
20:03I looked up at him.
20:07I just want to earn money
20:08to pay back
20:09your 30 million.
20:11Victor visibly froze.
20:13Chloe immediately spoke
20:14in a soft voice.
20:16Stella,
20:17if you're short on money,
20:18you can tell Victor.
20:20Why degrade yourself
20:21like this?
20:22I looked at her.
20:24I begged before.
20:26Chloe's expression
20:27shifted slightly.
20:29Victor frowned.
20:32What do you mean?
20:33I gently pulled
20:34my hand back.
20:35my fingertips
20:36still trembling.
20:37The first time
20:38a strange man
20:38broke into my room
20:39I called you.
20:42I cried
20:43and begged you
20:44to save me.
20:47You said Chloe
20:48was dizzy
20:49and you didn't have
20:50time for my nonsense.
20:52Victor's face
20:53stiffened.
20:55Chloe's eyes
20:56reddened at once.
20:58Stella,
20:59why are you bringing
21:00up that lie again?
21:01I really wasn't
21:02feeling well that day.
21:03Victor came back
21:04to himself,
21:05coldness covering
21:06his eyes again.
21:07Enough.
21:08Even now,
21:09you're still trying
21:10to play the victim?
21:11I smiled faintly,
21:12but my chest
21:14hurt so badly
21:15I could barely breathe.
21:17Right.
21:18I shouldn't have
21:20brought it up.
21:21The thing I regret
21:22most in my life
21:23is ever begging
21:24you to save me!
21:34Victor's hand
21:35clenched hard.
21:36He seemed stabbed
21:37by those words,
21:38his voice Horsby.
21:40Stella?
21:41I took a step back,
21:43avoiding his gaze.
21:44The manager rushed over
21:45then and pointed
21:46at me, cursing.
21:47You offended
21:48young Master Victor
21:49and still think
21:49you can work here?
21:50Get out!
21:51I took off my apron
21:52and bent down
21:53to pick up the cleaning
21:54bucket from the floor.
21:55Chloe leaned into
21:56Victor's arms
21:57and said softly,
21:58She's always like this.
22:00She did wrong herself,
22:02yet she blames you.
22:04I didn't listen anymore.
22:07When I pushed the door open,
22:08the cold wind outside
22:10poured in.
22:12Suddenly,
22:12I felt that in this
22:13entire city,
22:14not one light
22:15was left on for me.
22:18I thought that once
22:19I left the nightclub,
22:20I would never see
22:21Victor again.
22:21But the next day,
22:22the temp agency
22:23sent me to work
22:24a charity banquet.
22:25In an ill-fitted
22:26server uniform,
22:26I moved through the crowd
22:28with a tray of wine.
22:29Just as I reached
22:30the center of the hall,
22:31a childish voice
22:32suddenly rang out.
22:33Dad, why is that
22:34dirty woman here?
22:35My fingers trembled.
22:37Victor stood not far away,
22:38holding our son's hand,
22:39with Chloe on his arm,
22:41like a real family of three.
22:43The child rushed up to me
22:44and splashed a glass
22:45of juice all over me.
22:48Who let you come here?
22:49Are you trying to seduce
22:50my dad again?
22:51The room went silent
22:52at once.
22:54Countless eyes landed on me,
22:56sharp as knives.
22:57I looked down
22:58at my soaked uniform
22:59and said nothing.
23:00Chloe hurried forward
23:01and pretended to pull
23:02the child back.
23:03Sweetheart,
23:04you can't treat Stella
23:05like that?
23:05But the child
23:06only grew angrier.
23:07She is not Stella!
23:08She's a shameless
23:09bad woman!
23:10Aunt Chloe is my real mom!
23:12My chest hollowed out.
23:13I had already hurt
23:14so many times,
23:15but hearing those words
23:16still felt like someone
23:17had carved into me alive.
23:18Victor frowned
23:19and repromoned him
23:19in a low voice.
23:20Enough!
23:22I thought he would
23:23make the child apologize,
23:25but the next second,
23:26he looked at me.
23:30If you know you're not welcome,
23:32you shouldn't have
23:32shown up here.
23:33I looked up at him.
23:35Under the lights,
23:36his face was still handsome
23:37and still so strange.
23:40I crouched down
23:41and used a tissue
23:42to wipe the juice
23:43splashed on the child's shoes.
23:44Don't get them dirty!
23:46The child froze.
23:48I stood up
23:49and set the wine tray
23:50back on the table.
23:51The manager rushed over,
23:53scolding me for embarrassing them
23:54and ordering me
23:55to leave at once.
23:56I nodded and turned away.
23:58When I reached the door,
24:00Victor suddenly called out to me.
24:03Stella.
24:04I did not turn back.
24:08From now on,
24:09I won't come near
24:10any of you again.
24:16After that night,
24:18I came down with a high fever,
24:19but I could not rest.
24:21The 30 million was still unpaid
24:23and my rent was almost due.
24:25By day,
24:26I moved boxes
24:26at a convenience store.
24:28At night,
24:29I washed dishes
24:29in a restaurant.
24:30On the third day,
24:32just as I lifted
24:33a crate of drinks,
24:34my vision suddenly went black.
24:36When I woke again,
24:38I was lying in a hospital bed.
24:40The nurse saw me open my eyes
24:42and immediately let out
24:43a breath of relief.
24:45You're finally awake.
24:46Your body is in terrible shape.
24:50If you keep pushing yourself like this,
24:52something serious will happen.
24:53I tried to sit up,
24:55but it pulled at the old injuries
24:56on my back
24:57and cold sweat broke out
24:58from the pain.
24:59The nurse opened my chart,
25:02her brows minning tighter and tighter.
25:04How did you get all these injuries?
25:07Old rib trauma,
25:08a torn wrist,
25:09burn scars on your legs?
25:10I stayed silent.
25:12I could barely remember
25:13those injuries myself anymore.
25:16Some were left from struggling
25:17when those 99 men
25:19pinned me to the bed.
25:20Some came from servants
25:22shoving me until I fell,
25:23and the scar on my leg
25:24was from the bowl of hot soup
25:26my son threw on me.
25:28Seeing that I would not speak,
25:30the nurse sighed.
25:31Your emergency contact
25:32is Mr. Victor.
25:34We've already notified him.
25:36I clenched the bedsheet hard.
25:42Don't.
25:43As soon as the word left my mouth,
25:45the ward door opened.
25:46Victor stood in the doorway,
25:48his face dark.
25:49He probably thought
25:50I was acting again,
25:51but the nurse spoke first,
25:52her tone cold.
25:53Are you her family?
25:54She's hurt this badly,
25:56and none of you cared before?
25:57Victor froze.
25:58The nurse shoved the report
25:59into his hands.
26:00These injuries didn't happen
26:02in a day or two.
26:03They were caused by long-time,
26:04repeated trauma.
26:06The ward was terrifyingly quiet.
26:08Victor looked down at the report,
26:10his fingers slowly tightening.
26:12I turned my head away.
26:14Seen enough?
26:16If you've seen enough, leave.
26:18Victor did not leave right away.
26:20He stood beside the bed,
26:21his gaze falling on the old scars
26:22around my wrists.
26:23It was as if he was finally seeing something,
26:25but it was too late.
26:25I pulled my hand back under the blanket.
26:27Don't look at me like that.
26:28Victor's voice was harsey.
26:30How did you get these injuries?
26:32Didn't you already know?
26:33I'm cheap.
26:34I brought it on myself.
26:35His face turned pale in an instant.
26:37I closed my eyes
26:38and stopped looking at him.
26:40After Victor left the hospital,
26:41he went straight back to the estate.
26:43He ordered the butler
26:43to pull up the surveillance footage
26:44from the past three years.
26:46The butler's face stiffened.
26:47Young master,
26:48the bedroom and hallway surveillance footage
26:49was formatted earlier
26:50because of a system malfunction.
26:52Victor looked at him coldly.
26:54Three years?
26:54All malfunctioning?
26:56The butler did not dare speak.
26:58Just then,
26:59Chloe walked in with coffee,
27:00a gentle smile on her face.
27:01Victor, why are you suddenly
27:02checking all this?
27:03Victor stared at her.
27:03How much do you know
27:04about Stella's injuries?
27:05Chloe's hand shook,
27:06nearly spilling the coffee,
27:07but her eyes quickly reddened.
27:08Are you suspecting me?
27:09Victor did not answer.
27:10Chloe backed away, crying.
27:12I've stayed by your side
27:13all these years,
27:13and in the end,
27:14I still can't compare
27:14to one lie from her.
27:15Victor frowned.
27:17If it had been before,
27:18he would have gone
27:18to comfort her immediately,
27:19but this time he only asked coldly.
27:22Did you delete the surveillance footage?
27:24Chloe's tears stopped for a moment.
27:26The next second,
27:26she clutched her chest,
27:27her face going pale,
27:28and collapsed.
27:29Miss Chloe fainted.
27:31The sovents cried out in alarm.
27:32Victor stood in place,
27:34for the first time
27:34not rushing to her side.
27:36Chloe was taken to the hospital.
27:38The doctor said
27:38she was only emotionally agitated
27:40and nothing was seriously wrong.
27:42But after she woke,
27:43she still grabbed Victor's hand
27:44and cried.
27:45If you don't believe me,
27:46what's the point of me being alive?
27:48Victor pulled his hand back.
27:49I'm asking you one thing.
27:50Did you delete
27:51the surveillance footage?
27:54Suddenly,
27:54she picked up the fruit knife
27:55on the bedside table
27:56and pressed it to her wrist.
27:58Since you think I'm the villain,
27:59I'll die for you to see.
28:01Victor's expression changed
28:02and he snatched the knife away.
28:04Chloe used the moment
28:04to throw herself into his arms,
28:06sobbing until her whole body shook.
28:08I'm just too afraid of losing you.
28:10Victor closed his eyes
28:11and did not push her away.
28:12Meanwhile,
28:13as soon as I left the hospital,
28:14several men cornered me
28:15in an alley.
28:16The man in front
28:17had a cigarette in his mouth
28:18and a disgusting smile.
28:20Miss Stella,
28:20someone asked us to remind you
28:22not to run your mouth.
28:23I stepped back,
28:24but they pressed closer.
28:26Otherwise,
28:27that pretty face of yours
28:28might not stay intact.
28:30I did not call for help.
28:32No one would come if I did.
28:34Three years ago,
28:35I had called 99 times.
28:37No one came.
28:38The man reached out to grab me.
28:40I suddenly picked up
28:42a shard of glass from the ground
28:43and slashed it hard
28:45across my own palm.
28:47Blood gushed out at once.
28:49While they froze,
28:50I turned and ran out of the alley.
28:52Curses rang out behind me.
28:54I ran to the street corner,
28:55my knees buckled,
28:56and I fell heavily to the ground.
28:58My phone rolled out of my pocket.
29:00On the screen
29:01was an unfamiliar number.
29:02The person had contacted me
29:04many times
29:05to say he could help me
29:06find evidence.
29:07I had not believed him before.
29:09But now,
29:10I had nowhere left to go.
29:12With it covered in blood,
29:13I dialed the number.
29:15After the call connected,
29:17the person on the other end
29:18asked quietly,
29:19Have you made up your mind?
29:22I looked at the blood in my palm
29:24and said softly,
29:26I agree.
29:29Help me get all the evidence back.
29:31When Victor received
29:32the private investigator's call,
29:34he was in the hospital corridor.
29:35The other Ana said only one thing.
29:37Young master,
29:38part of the surveillance footage
29:39has been recovered.
29:40He rushed to the investigation room
29:41where a video was playing
29:42on the computer screen.
29:43In the footage,
29:44Chloe personally opened
29:45the estate's side gate.
29:46A strange man bent down
29:48and walked in.
29:49Chloe handed him
29:50a stack of cash,
29:51her voice perfectly clear.
29:52Remember,
29:53all you have to do
29:54is let Victor
29:55see you lying together
29:56with Stella.
29:57She used to be a woman
29:58in the red light district.
30:00No one will believe her.
30:02Victor's face
30:02slowly drained of color.
30:04The next piece of footage
30:05was from a late night
30:05three years ago.
30:06I stumbled out of the bedroom
30:08in a wrecked state
30:08and knelt in the living room
30:09to call him.
30:10In the video,
30:11I was crying so hard
30:12I could barely breathe.
30:13Victor, save me!
30:14There's a strange man
30:15in the house!
30:16Immediately after
30:17came his voice
30:18from back then.
30:19Chloe is dizzy.
30:20I don't have time
30:21for your nonsense.
30:22In the recording,
30:23my sobs stopped abruptly.
30:25Victor sat frozen
30:26in the chair,
30:27as if his soul
30:28had been ripped out.
30:29The private investigator
30:30then handed him
30:31the original hospital records.
30:32Estella reported
30:33to the police
30:34several times
30:35over the past three years
30:36and had injury assessments done
30:38but the records
30:38were all suppressed.
30:40Victor opened
30:40the medical file.
30:42Every page was the truth
30:43he had once refused
30:44to believe.
30:45The first assault,
30:46the 17th injury report,
30:48the 98th mental breakdown.
30:50His hands shook so badly
30:51he could barely
30:51hold the papers.
30:53So I had never cheated.
30:54So every time
30:55I stayed silent,
30:56it was not because
30:56I was guilty,
30:57it was because
30:58I was hopeless.
30:59Victor rushed
31:00to the shaby room
31:01I was renting,
31:02nearly out of his mind.
31:04But the room was empty.
31:06Only a wedding ring
31:08lay on the bedside table.
31:10Under the ring
31:11was a note.
31:12There was only
31:12one sentence on it.
31:14Victor,
31:14I don't want you anymore.
31:15His knees gave out
31:17and he knelt on the floor.
31:18Stella,
31:19I was wrong.
31:21When Victor found me,
31:21I was moving stock
31:22in the back room
31:23of the convenience store.
31:24He stood in the doorway,
31:25his suit wrinkled
31:25beyond recognition,
31:27his eyes bloodshot.
31:28I saw him
31:28and pretended I hadn't.
31:29I kept moving boxes
31:30onto the shelves.
31:31Let me.
31:32He suddenly rushed over
31:33and reached out
31:33to take one.
31:34I stepped back.
31:35The box crashed heavily
31:35to the floor,
31:36Victor's hand frozen
31:37in need air.
31:37Stella,
31:38I know the truth now.
31:39I bent down
31:40to pick up
31:40the scattered goods,
31:42my voice calm.
31:42His eyes reddened
31:43at once.
31:44I'm sorry.
31:45I was wrong.
31:46Those 99 times
31:47weren't you betraying me.
31:49They were me failing
31:50to save you
31:50again and again.
31:51My movements paused
31:52but only for a moment.
31:54Are you done?
31:54Curse me.
31:55Hit me.
31:56Anything you want.
31:57Just give me one chance
31:58to make it up to you.
32:00Victor's throat tightened.
32:01I finally lifted my head
32:02to look at him.
32:03Victor,
32:03you weren't simply wrong.
32:04He froze.
32:05I said word by word,
32:07you never believed me.
32:08His face went frighteningly pale.
32:10He stepped forward,
32:11wanting to hold me
32:12the way he used to.
32:13I instinctively backed away.
32:14My back hit the shelf
32:15and my whole body
32:16shook controllably.
32:17Seeing my reaction,
32:18Victor froze completely.
32:19I clenched the hem
32:20of my clothes,
32:21my voice very soft.
32:23Don't touch me.
32:23When those two words fell,
32:25the light in Victor's eyes
32:26shattered completely.
32:27He slowly withdrew
32:28his hand.
32:28I'm sorry.
32:29I pushed the stock cart
32:31past him.
32:32You don't need to apologize?
32:33An apology can't erase
32:35those three years.
32:36When I reached the door,
32:37I heard a suppressed sob
32:39behind me,
32:39but I did not look back.
32:41When I cried before,
32:43he never looked back either.
32:44When Victor returned
32:45to the estate,
32:46Chloe was sitting
32:47at the dining table
32:48looking through
32:48wedding dress catalogs.
32:49When she saw him come back,
32:50she immediately smiled
32:51and went to greet him.
32:52Victor,
32:53what do you think of this one?
32:54For our wedding later...
32:55Before she could finish,
32:56Victor threw a stack of photos
32:57straight into her face.
32:58Photos scattered
32:59all over the floor.
32:59They were all surveillance
33:00screenshots of her
33:01letting men into the estate.
33:03The smile on Chloe's face
33:04frozen.
33:05These are all fake.
33:06Victor looked at her coldly.
33:07The recordings,
33:09transfers,
33:09surveillance footage,
33:10witnesses,
33:11all fake?
33:11Chloe's eyes reddened
33:12and she tried to cry again.
33:14I only loved you too much.
33:15I was afraid you would
33:16never forget Stella,
33:17so I lost my head
33:17for a moment.
33:18Victor advanced on her
33:19step by step.
33:20Lost your head?
33:2199 times.
33:23Three years.
33:23You had people destroy her,
33:25force her,
33:25humiliate her.
33:26Chloe backed away,
33:28her voice trembling.
33:29But you didn't believe her either!
33:30Every single you chose
33:31to believe me!
33:32Those words stabbed
33:33into Victor's chest
33:34like a knife.
33:35His face was deathly pale,
33:37but he did not refute her
33:39because what she said
33:40was true.
33:40If he had believed me
33:41even once,
33:42I never would have been
33:43driven to this point.
33:45Victor raised his hand
33:46and summoned the lawyer
33:47and bodyguards.
33:48Cancel the engagement.
33:50Freeze every account
33:51under her name.
33:53Hand over everything
33:54she's done to the police
33:55one item at a time.
33:56Chloe finally panicked
33:57and threw herself over
33:59to hug his leg.
34:00Victor, no!
34:01I've been with you
34:02for so many years!
34:03Victor looked down at her,
34:04his eyes as cold as ice.
34:06Every day you spent with me
34:08was built-in on Stella's blood.
34:11As Chloe was dragged away
34:12by the bodyguards,
34:13she suddenly looked up,
34:14her gaze venomous.
34:15You think she'll still want you?
34:17Victor's body stiffened.
34:19Chloe burst into laughter.
34:21She hates me,
34:22but she hates you even more!
34:24The next day,
34:25Victor came to find me
34:26with a lawyer.
34:26I had just finished
34:27a night shift.
34:28At the convenience store,
34:29my eyes full of exhaustion,
34:31the lawyer handed
34:32a document to me.
34:33Miss Stella,
34:33this is a transfer agreement
34:34for three properties
34:35under Mr. Victor's name
34:36and a sum of compensation.
34:38I did not take it.
34:39Victor's voice was harsky.
34:40You don't have to pay
34:41the 30 million penalty.
34:42Everything I took
34:43from you before,
34:44I'll return to you.
34:45I looked at thick stack of papers
34:46and suddenly found it funny.
34:48Back when I needed money the most,
34:49he made me kneel
34:50and pay my debt.
34:51Now that I no longer needed him,
34:53he brought money to me.
34:54I pushed the documents back.
34:56I don't want it.
34:57This is what you deserve!
34:58Victor grew anxious.
34:59This isn't what I deserved.
35:00He froze.
35:01I looked at him,
35:02my voice very soft.
35:03What I deserved
35:03was for you to believe me
35:04the first time
35:05I begged you for help.
35:06It was for you to come back
35:07and hold me
35:08when I fainted
35:09in the bathroom
35:09during pregnancy.
35:10It was for you
35:11to make our son apologize
35:12when he poured hot soup on me.
35:13Victor's eyes reddened
35:15little by moon.
35:16He opened his mouth
35:17but couldn't say a word.
35:18I continued,
35:19You never gave me any of that.
35:20The lawyer lowered his head,
35:22awkward.
35:22Then what do you want?
35:23Victor asked harskily.
35:25I looked at him.
35:25I want you to stay away from me.
35:27He swayed as if
35:28he had been slapped.
35:32I turned and walked
35:33toward my rented room.
35:34He took one step after me
35:35then forced himself to stop.
35:37I knew he finally understood.
35:38I wasn't making a scene.
35:39I wasn't throwing a tantrum
35:40and I wasn't waiting
35:41for him to coax me back.
35:42I truly didn't want him anymore.
35:44When my son came to find me,
35:45a light rain was falling outside.
35:47I was working the register
35:48at the convenience store.
35:49When I looked up,
35:50I saw him standing in the doorway.
35:51He wore an expensive little suit
35:53and held a teddy bear in his arms.
35:54It was the thing he had loved most
35:55when he was little
35:56but he had never let me touch it.
35:57I lowered my head
35:58and scanned the items.
35:59Buying something?
35:59My hand stopped in midair.
36:01I had waited three years
36:02for that word.
36:03I had waited
36:03since he first came to speak.
36:05But every time
36:05he called Chloe mom
36:06and called me a dirty woman.
36:08Now I finally heard it.
36:09But I wasn't as happy
36:10as I had imagined.
36:11I continued scanning.
36:13You've got the wrong person.
36:14I looked at his little face.
36:16He was the child
36:17I nearly died giving birth to.
36:18I remembered how tiny he was
36:20when he was born,
36:21wrinkled and lying in the incubator.
36:22I watched him through the glass
36:23for an entire night.
36:24He called me a dirty woman.
36:25It turned out cruel words
36:26hurt just as much
36:27when they came from a child's mouth.
36:28He lifted up the teddy bear.
36:29Mom, will you come home with me?
36:30Please?
36:31I did not take it.
36:33Your real mom is Aunt Chloe.
36:35The child cried even harder.
36:37No, I only want you.
36:39The convenience store door opened.
36:41Victor stood in the rain,
36:42his face pale.
36:43I glanced at him,
36:45then looked back at the child.
36:46I'm sorry.
36:50I don't have a home anymore.
36:55Victor chased me
36:56to the roadside with our son.
36:59Rain hit the umbrella
37:00with a chaotic sound.
37:02The child cried
37:03and clutched the hem of my clothes.
37:05Mom, don't abandon me.
37:07My body stiffened.
37:09Sujar stood to the side,
37:11his voice trembling.
37:12Stella,
37:13he knows he was wrong.
37:14I know I was wrong too.
37:16Let's go home, okay?
37:18Home.
37:20Those two words
37:21suddenly made me want to laugh.
37:22Three years ago,
37:23when he took me away
37:24from the red light district,
37:26he said the same thing.
37:27He said from then on,
37:29his home would be my home.
37:30But in that home,
37:31my in-laws cursed me.
37:33The servants humiliated me
37:34and Chloe hurt me.
37:36Even my own son
37:37thought I was dirty.
37:38Do you know what I wanted
37:39to eat most
37:40when I was pregnant with you?
37:42The child froze.
37:43I wanted a bowl of hot soup.
37:45But that day,
37:46your father was celebrating
37:48Chloe's birthday,
37:49and I fainted alone
37:50in the bathroom.
37:51Victor's face
37:52turned deathly pale.
37:54I looked at him.
37:55When I gave birth to him,
37:56I hemorrhaged.
37:57The doctor needed
37:58a family member to sign.
38:00Where were you?
38:01Victor's lips trembled.
38:03I...
38:03You were watching
38:04a show with Chloe.
38:05I finished the sentence for him.
38:07The child's crying
38:08had gradually stopped.
38:09I looked down at him again.
38:10The day before yesterday,
38:12you poured hot soup
38:13on my legs
38:14and asked me
38:14why I wouldn't get out.
38:16Now I've gotten out.
38:17So why are you all
38:19coming to find me?
38:20Victor's tears
38:21suddenly fell.
38:22He reached out
38:23as if to touch me,
38:25but didn't dare.
38:26I pried the child's hand open
38:28finger by finger.
38:31Victor caught the child.
38:33Don't call me mom anymore.
38:38I'll go soft.
38:40The child stood in the rain,
38:42crying until he could
38:43barely breathe.
38:45Victor crouched down
38:46and held him.
38:47And I held my umbrella,
38:49turned around,
38:50and walked into the rain.
38:52This time,
38:54the ones left behind
38:55were finally them.
38:57I thought the truth
38:58would finally bring
38:59everything to an end.
39:00But Chloe didn't give me
39:01a chance to breathe.
39:03The next day,
39:03a recording suddenly
39:04went viral online.
39:06In it,
39:07the voice was mine.
39:07As long as he pays enough,
39:09I'll do anything.
39:10It was edited so well.
39:11So well that even I froze
39:13when I heard it.
39:14Then the media released
39:14another so-called expose.
39:16They claimed I had
39:16blackmailed Victor,
39:17forced him to transfer his assets,
39:18and deliberately play the victim
39:19to clear my name.
39:20Someone splashed red paint
39:21to the entrance of the convenience store.
39:22Huge words were written
39:23on the wall.
39:23Slut.
39:24I stood at the door,
39:25staring at those words,
39:26suddenly feeling dazed.
39:27It was as if I had been
39:28living inside that word
39:29for the past three years.
39:30The store manager
39:31didn't dare keep me on anymore.
39:32He said quietly,
39:33Sorry,
39:34you shouldn't come in anymore.
39:35I nodded
39:35and took off my name tag.
39:37I had only taken a few steps.
39:40Miss Stella,
39:40did you really-
39:41When a swarm of reporters
39:42surrounded me.
39:42Did you use your victim status
39:43to scam him out of money?
39:44The flashes were so harsh
39:45I could barely open my eyes.
39:46When Victor arrived,
39:48his bodyguards
39:48quickly dispersed the crowd.
39:50He took off his jacket
39:51and draped it over my shoulders.
39:52Don't be afraid.
39:53I'll handle it.
39:55I handed the jacket
39:56back to him.
39:57When the whole world
39:58was cursing me
39:59before you were one of them,
40:00Victor's hand
40:01froze in midair.
40:02I looked at the paint
40:03on the wall.
40:04So don't act like
40:05you're my savior.
40:07His eyes read into me,
40:09but he couldn't say a word.
40:11Just then,
40:12my phone rang.
40:13A stranger
40:13had sent me a message.
40:14The evidence is complete.
40:15It's time for you
40:16to take back
40:16what you're owed.
40:17The person who messaged me
40:19was named Ethan.
40:20He had been a rival
40:21of Victor's family
40:22for years.
40:23The first time we met,
40:25he sat in the corner
40:26of a cafe
40:26and pushed a USB dive
40:28towards me.
40:29Everything you need
40:29is in here.
40:30I didn't touch it.
40:31Why are you helping me?
40:33Ethan smiled faintly.
40:35Chloe hurt my sister too.
40:37My sister just didn't survive it.
40:39My fingers trembled.
40:40He said in a low voice.
40:42So this isn't a deal.
40:43It's a reckoning.
40:44On the USB drive
40:45were Chloe's transfer records
40:46from the past three years.
40:47There were recordings
40:48of her bribing servants
40:49to delete surveillance footage.
40:50There was a list
40:50of those 99 men
40:51and there were records
40:52every police report I filed,
40:53all of them buried.
40:54I stared at the screen.
40:55My heart so numb
40:56it didn't even stir.
40:56So my suffering
40:57could be organized
40:58into evidence this clean.
40:59When he rushed over,
41:01I had just left the cafe.
41:02The moment he saw Ethan,
41:04his face darkened.
41:05Why are you with him?
41:06I found it laughable.
41:08Even now,
41:09his first instinct
41:09was still to question me.
41:11Ethan stepped in front of me.
41:12Mr. Victor,
41:13Stella doesn't belong to you.
41:14That's not what I meant.
41:16Victor's face went pale.
41:17I walked around him
41:19and spoke calmly.
41:20I'm holding a press conference.
41:21Victor immediately said,
41:23I'll go with you.
41:25I stopped.
41:27No.
41:28His eyes were full of pain.
41:30Stella,
41:30at least let me help
41:31prove your innocence.
41:32I looked at him.
41:33I don't need you
41:34to prove my innocence.
41:35With that,
41:36I took the USB drive
41:37and left.
41:37This time,
41:38I'll do it myself.
41:39Behind me,
41:40Victor stood frozen.
41:41As if he had finally understood
41:43he no longer had the right
41:44to stand beside me.
41:45On the day of the press conference,
41:46I wore a black dress.
41:48No jewelry.
41:49No makeup.
41:49The venue was packed
41:50with reporters.
41:51Some were waiting
41:51to see me break down.
41:53Some were waiting
41:53to see me humiliate myself.
41:55I walked onto the stage
41:55and turned on the microphone.
41:57I'm Stella.
41:57For the past three years,
41:59everyone has said
41:59I cheated 99 times.
42:01The audience stirred at once.
42:02I pressed the remote.
42:04The first surveillance clip
42:05appeared on the big screen.
42:06Chloe opened the side gate
42:08and let the first man
42:09into the estate.
42:09The second clip
42:10showed her handing over money.
42:12The third showed her bribings
42:13to delete surveillance footage.
42:15Then came transfer records,
42:16chat screenshots,
42:17recordings,
42:18and hospital injury reports.
42:19Every piece of evidence
42:20landed like a slap
42:22across everyone's face.
42:23Some reporters' expressions changed.
42:25So you never cheated?
42:26I looked into the camera.
42:27No.
42:29All 99 times,
42:30I was the victim.
42:34In the corner,
42:35Chloe suddenly stood up.
42:36She was wearing a hat,
42:38her face deathly pale.
42:39Fake!
42:40It's all fake!
42:41She conspired with Ethan
42:42to frame me!
42:43I didn't argue.
42:44I simply played
42:45the final recording.
42:46In the recording,
42:47Chloe's voice was sharp and smug.
42:49She's a whore
42:49from the red light district.
42:50Even if a man
42:51pins her to a bed,
42:52no one will believe
42:53she's innocent.
42:54The moment those words played,
42:55the room erupted.
42:55Chloe froze completely.
42:57The bodyguard stepped forward
42:57and seized her.
42:58Victor sat below the stage,
43:00his face drained
43:00of every trace of color.
43:02I saw him,
43:03but I didn't pause.
43:04Facing the camera,
43:05I said each word clearly.
43:08I didn't come here today
43:09to beg anyone
43:10to believe me.
43:11I came to tell you
43:12that what you owe me
43:14is due.
43:15When Chloe was taken away,
43:16she was still thrashing wildly.
43:18She screamed Victor's name.
43:19Victor, save me!
43:21I did all of this
43:21because I love you!
43:22Victor stood below the stage,
43:24his eyes terrifyingly empty.
43:26He didn't step forward.
43:27When Chloe saw he wasn't moving,
43:29she suddenly burst out laughing.
43:30Why act so devoted now?
43:32Every time I hurt her,
43:33weren't you the one
43:33who pushed her away
43:34with your own hands?
43:35Every camera in the room
43:37turned towards Victor.
43:38His face was pale,
43:39but he didn't refute her
43:40because every word was true.
43:42Before the police
43:43dragged Chloe away,
43:44she looked at me
43:44with venom in her eyes.
43:46So what if you won, Stella?
43:47You'll be filthy
43:48for the rest of your life.
43:50I looked at her calmly.
43:51You're the filthy one.
43:52After the press conference ended,
43:54Victor's parents rushed over.
43:55Stella,
43:55we misunderstood you before.
43:57The woman who once called me Loey
43:58now reached for my hand
43:59with red eyes.
44:00I avoided her.
44:01Victor's father leaned on his cane,
44:03his voice stiff.
44:04You've suffered.
44:05Come home.
44:06Home?
44:07I looked at these people.
44:09They had smashed a teacup
44:10against my head,
44:11made me kneel on the marble floor,
44:12and forced me to sign
44:13the divorce papers.
44:14Now they wanted me to go back
44:15with one little misunderstanding.
44:17I smiled faintly.
44:19I don't have a home.
44:20The servants lowered their heads
44:22and apologized too.
44:23No menace for sorry.
44:24I looked at them.
44:26Don't call me that.
44:29It makes me sick.
44:34Victor stood not far away,
44:36his eyes blood shut.
44:37He opened his mouth,
44:38but in the end,
44:39he only said one thing.
44:41I'm sorry.
44:42I walked past him.
44:43An apology can't make
44:45the past disappear.
44:46Victor made his public apology
44:48three days after the press conference.
44:50He stood in front of the camera,
44:51looking much thinner than before.
44:52For the last three years,
44:53I've understood my wife, Stella.
44:54Again and again,
44:55I refuse to believe her.
44:56Again and again,
44:57I hurt her.
44:57The person who truly deserves
44:58to be judged is me.
44:59The entire internet cursed him.
45:02Some said he had been blind.
45:03Some said he deserved it.
45:05Others dug up the story
45:06of how I had saved him
45:07three years ago.
45:08The man who had once
45:09given up his inheritance for me
45:10had ended up destroying me
45:11with his own hands.
45:13Victor transferred most of his assets
45:14into my name.
45:15A lawyer came to me
45:16with the documents.
45:17I didn't even look at them
45:18before sending them back.
45:18That night when I returned
45:19to my rented room,
45:20I saw medicine and hot porridge
45:22placed outside my door.
45:23After that,
45:24they appeared every day.
45:25No name was attached,
45:26but I knew who it was.
45:27When reporters blocked me,
45:28he had bodyguards
45:29keep them away.
45:30When someone insulted me online,
45:31he sued them overnight.
45:32He was clubsily learning
45:33how to protect me,
45:34but it was far too late.
45:35That day,
45:35I finally saw him downstairs.
45:37He stood beneath the streetlight,
45:38still holding a bag of medicine.
45:39Your stomach is weak.
45:40Take your medicine on time.
45:42I took the bag,
45:43then placed it back in his arms.
45:44Victor,
45:45are you doing this
45:45to make me feel better
45:46or to make yourself feel better?
45:47His face stiffened.
45:49I said softly,
45:50if it's for me,
45:51I don't need it.
45:51If it's for you,
45:52I don't want to give you that comfort.
45:54His tears fell at once.
45:55I turned and went upstairs.
45:57Behind me came his low,
45:59whore's voice.
46:00Then what am I supposed to do?
46:02I didn't answer
46:03because I didn't know either.
46:05How do you compensate someone
46:06for a life you've ruined?
46:08I decided to leave the city.
46:09I didn't tell anyone.
46:11I gave up my rented room
46:12and packed everything
46:12into an old suitcase.
46:13There still wasn't anything
46:14valuable inside.
46:15Just a few clothes,
46:16several medical records,
46:18and the wedding ring
46:19I had once taken off.
46:20I had meant to throw it away.
46:21In the end,
46:22I dropped it into a trash can
46:23at the airport.
46:24As if I had finally thrown away
46:26the version of me
46:26who loved Victor three years ago.
46:28When the boarding announcement sounded,
46:30Victor Rushds came from behind me,
46:31breathing hard.
46:32Stella.
46:32In his hand was that wedding ring,
46:34so he had picked it up again.
46:35Don't go.
46:37Please.
46:38His voice trembled terribly.
46:39I'm not asking you to forgive me.
46:41I'm only asking for
46:42one chance to take care of you.
46:44I looked at him.
46:45People came and went
46:45through the airport.
46:46This scene looked so much
46:47like three years ago
46:48when he reached out to me
46:49and said he would take me away.
46:51Back then,
46:51I believed him.
46:52And after that,
46:53I lost everything.
46:54I spoke softly.
46:56Victor,
46:57I really did love you once.
46:59A sudden light
47:00flashed in his eyes.
47:02But my next sentence
47:03crushed that light
47:04completely.
47:05But you killed that Stella.
47:07He froze where he stood.
47:08I took the ring from his hand
47:09and gently placed it
47:10back in his palm.
47:11Stop chasing me.
47:13When I see you,
47:14I remember those 99 times.
47:15The boarding gate
47:16was about to close.
47:17I turned and left.
47:18Stella,
47:19I was wrong!
47:20Behind me,
47:20Victor finally broke down
47:22and shouted.
47:22But this time,
47:23I didn't look back.
47:25Half a year later,
47:26I opened a flower shop
47:27in a small seaside town.
47:28The shop was small
47:29with wind chimes
47:30hanging by the door.
47:31Every morning,
47:32I trimmed flowers.
47:33At dusk,
47:33I closed the shop
47:34and watched the sea.
47:35No one here knew Stella.
47:36No one knew about
47:37the red light district,
47:38Victor,
47:38or those 99 times.
47:40I thought life would
47:41slowly grow quiet like this.
47:42Until someone suddenly
47:44moved into the shop
47:45next door,
47:45which had been empty
47:46for a long time.
47:47The new owner
47:47wore to white his shirt
47:48with the sleeves
47:49rolled to his elbows.
47:50When he lowered his head
47:50to move a flower felt,
47:51I recognized him at once.
47:53Victor.
47:54He had lost a lot of weight
47:55and the pride he once carried
47:57was gone from his eyes.
47:59I didn't mean to disturb you.
48:00When he saw me,
48:01he didn't come closer.
48:02He only stood far away.
48:03I put down my scissors.
48:04Then what are you doing here?
48:05I just wanted to make sure
48:06you're doing well.
48:07He said quietly.
48:08You've confirmed it.
48:09You can go now.
48:10Victor's face went pale,
48:12but he nodded.
48:12But the next day,
48:13he still opened the shop
48:14next door.
48:15He sold old books.
48:16Every day,
48:17he opened early
48:18and closed late.
48:19He never came to me first,
48:20but when someone came
48:21to cause trouble,
48:22he would stand
48:23not far away.
48:24When it rained,
48:25he would leave an umbrella
48:26by my door.
48:27I returned every single one.
48:29That evening,
48:29he finally stopped me.
48:32Stella,
48:32I really won't force you
48:33to come back.
48:34I looked at him.
48:36Victor, stop acting.
48:37As long as you're here,
48:39I can't forget the path.
48:40Pain flashed through his eyes.
48:42I closed the flower shop door.
48:45The wind slimes rang once,
48:49as if they were seeing him out for me.
48:51That night,
48:52I closed the shop late.
48:53Fog had settled over the street,
48:54and the streetlights
48:55glowed dim yellow.
48:56I had just locked the door
48:57when footsteps suddenly
48:58sounded behind me.
48:59Before I could turn around,
49:00a hand clamped over my mouth.
49:01My heart stopped.
49:02That familiar fear
49:03crawled over my entire body.
49:04The man dragged me
49:05into an alley,
49:06his voice vicious.
49:07You're the one
49:07who got Miss Chloe locked up?
49:08I struggled with everything I had,
49:10but he slammed me hard
49:11against the wall.
49:12Another man pulled out a knife.
49:13She said if we ruin your face,
49:14we'll see whether Victor
49:15still wants you.
49:16When the blade came towards me,
49:17I instinctively closed my eyes,
49:19but the pain I expected
49:20never came.
49:21Victor rushed over
49:22and grabbed the blade
49:23with his bare hand.
49:25Blood streamed down his palm.
49:28He kicked the man away
49:30and shielded me behind him.
49:31Don't touch her.
49:33Several men lunged at him.
49:34Victor stood in front of me,
49:35and a knife plunged hard
49:37into his abdomen.
49:38Victor!
49:38My pupils contracted.
49:39As he fell,
49:40he was still
49:41graphing that man's wrist.
49:43Police sirens sounded
49:44in the distance.
49:45Covered in blood,
49:46he looked at me
49:47and somehow smiled.
49:49This time,
49:51I finally made it
49:52in time to save you.
49:55My tears fell
49:56without warning.
49:57Outside the hospital
49:58emergency room,
49:59I sat there all night.
50:00I told myself
50:01this wasn't forgiveness.
50:02Anyone would be upset
50:03after seeing someone
50:04nearly die.
50:05At dawn,
50:06the doctor came out.
50:07The patient is out of danger.
50:09I let out a breath.
50:11When Victor woke,
50:13his eyes reddened
50:14the moment he saw me.
50:17You're still here.
50:18Thank you for saving me.
50:21But that doesn't
50:21make us even.
50:25After Victor was discharged,
50:27he never came
50:27to the flower shop again.
50:29The old bookstore
50:30next door closed too.
50:31I thought he had
50:32finally given up.
50:33Until the news reports
50:34began coming
50:35one after another.
50:36Chloe was formally charged.
50:38The butler who helped
50:38her delete surveillance footage
50:40was arrested.
50:41The burly man
50:41who gave false testimony
50:42recanted.
50:43The media outlets
50:43that spread rumor
50:44publicly apologized one by one.
50:45Even Victor's parents
50:46were investigated
50:47for covering things
50:48up and suppressing
50:49the case.
50:50Everyone who had once
50:51trampled on me
50:52began to pay the price.
50:54But I didn't feel
50:54the satisfaction
50:55I had imagined.
50:56I only felt tired.
50:59One evening,
51:00Ethan came to the flower shop
51:01and placed a file
51:02in front of me.
51:02Victor gave up
51:03reclaiming his
51:03inheritance rights.
51:05My hand paused
51:06as I trimmed the flowers.
51:08He also buried
51:09the wedding ring
51:09back where he proposed
51:10to you.
51:11That muddy street
51:12in the red light district
51:13had been demolished
51:14long ago,
51:14but I still remembered it.
51:16That day,
51:16he knelt on one knee
51:17in the dirty water,
51:19his eyes bright as stars.
51:20He said,
51:21Stella,
51:21come with me.
51:22I never expected
51:22it to be another a bit.
51:25That night,
51:25I received a text
51:26from Victor.
51:27It was only
51:28one short line.
51:31Long time later,
51:32another message came.
51:33I stared at the screen
51:34for a long time.
51:35Finally,
51:35I turned it off.
51:36The wind chimes rang
51:36softly at the door.
51:37I suddenly remembered
51:38how afraid I used to be
51:39of him leaving.
51:40Now he was truly gone,
51:41but I didn't cry.
51:42It turned out that
51:43after a person
51:43has been hurt enough,
51:44even goodbye can be quiet.
51:46A year later,
51:47my flower shop got a new sign.
51:48On opening day,
51:49the small seaside town
51:50was blessed with rare sunshine.
51:52The neighbors brought cakes
51:53and flower baskets.
51:54I stood at the door,
51:55and for the first time,
51:56the sunlight on my body
51:57didn't hurt.
51:58Ethan came too.
52:00He handed me a bouquet
52:01of white Hylasics.
52:03Congratulations, Stella.
52:05I accepted them
52:06with a smile.
52:07At the far corner
52:09of the street,
52:09a black car was parked.
52:10I knew Victor was inside.
52:13He didn't get out.
52:14He only looked at me
52:15from a very,
52:16very long distance away.
52:19Then the car slowly drove away.
52:22The shop attendant asked me,
52:24Boss, do you know that person?
52:26I lowered my head
52:27and kept trimming the flowers.
52:29I do.
52:31Someone from a very long time ago.
52:34That afternoon,
52:35I received a letter.
52:36On the envelope
52:36was my child's crooked handwriting.
52:38Mom, I'm sorry.
52:39I looked at it for a long time.
52:41I didn't open it,
52:42and I didn't throw it away.
52:43I only placed it
52:44at the very back of the drawer.
52:46Some wounds can't be healed
52:47by one apology.
52:48But at last,
52:49I no longer trembled with hatred.
52:51Elsewhere,
52:51Victor returned to the empty estate.
52:53There was no Chloe,
52:54no child's laughter,
52:55and no me.
52:55Only the sound of rain
52:56fell outside the windows.
52:58He sat in the living room
52:59and suddenly remembered
52:59that phone call
53:00from three years ago.
53:01On the phone,
53:01I had cried and shouted,
53:03Victor, save me!
53:05And he had hung up
53:06with his own hand.
53:09Victor covered his face,
53:12knelt in the darkness,
53:13and cried until no sound came out.
53:16I stood at the door
53:17of the flower shop
53:17and looked up at the sea
53:18in the distance.
53:19The wind blew over
53:20and the wind climbs rang softly.
53:22At last,
53:22I understood.
53:23I am not anyone's wife,
53:25anyone's stain,
53:26or anyone's debt.
53:27I am Stella.
53:28I survived.
53:29I was eating
53:29left.
53:30And in the
Comments