- il y a 11 heures
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00:00:30Ethan, please
00:00:31His thumb brushed the corner of my eye
00:00:33The cruelty in his gaze still unspent
00:00:35If he'd been disobedient sooner
00:00:37He wouldn't have had to take this beating
00:00:40This was the 27th time
00:00:42My husband had brought his mistress
00:00:43Into my tattoo studio
00:00:44His buddies were in the front room
00:00:46Placing bets on whether I'd finally lose it this time
00:00:48Ethan, man, aren't you afraid she'll snap
00:00:50And scar your little sweetheart's face off?
00:00:52Instead, I laid every needle into Jessica's skin clean
00:00:54And steady
00:00:55The front room roared with laughter
00:00:57Ethan, has your wife gone numb from rage or what?
00:01:01Ethan blew out a ring of smoke
00:01:02His expression cold and distant
00:01:03She's not numb
00:01:05Lasting 10 years as Mrs. Blackwell is proof enough of that
00:01:08Half an hour later
00:01:09I finished tattooing
00:01:10Ethan nodded, satisfied
00:01:12And flicked a black card my way
00:01:13Jessica's been here 27 times
00:01:15She's picked up the craft well enough by now
00:01:18From here on, the studio is hers
00:01:20He leaned down to my ear
00:01:21His voice carrying a cruelty that was almost gentle
00:01:24When Jessica gets bored of it, I'll take you back
00:01:28Okay
00:01:28I took the black card
00:01:29Picked up my bag
00:01:30And walked
00:01:31The man's teasing smile froze on his lips
00:01:33Ava Carter!
00:01:35I pulled the door open without looking back
00:01:37Hold on, girl
00:01:38Don't leave yet
00:01:39Ethan's got more to say
00:01:40I turned around
00:01:41Ethan rose from the couch
00:01:42And ground out his cigarette under his heel
00:01:44His buddies all fell silent
00:01:45Eyes darting back and forth between him and me
00:01:48Jessica instinctively clutched at his sleeve
00:01:49Ethan?
00:01:51What?
00:01:52Is there something else?
00:01:53The last trace of his smile vanished
00:01:54She's pregnant
00:01:56It's mine
00:01:57I know
00:01:58My flat tone landed like a bucket of cold water
00:02:00The air froze in an instant
00:02:02Ten years of marriage
00:02:04And you've got nothing to say?
00:02:06I lifted my head and looked at him
00:02:07Jessica curled against his chest
00:02:09His buddies all held their breath
00:02:10No one dared make a sound
00:02:12Of course I do
00:02:13I knew you
00:02:14Let's get a divorce
00:02:18The entire room went silent for three seconds
00:02:21Ethan's breathing turned ragged
00:02:22Ethan suddenly yanked Jessica to him and kissed her hard
00:02:25His buddies jeering rose in waves
00:02:27Louder and louder
00:02:28But Ethan's eyes traveled over her shoulder
00:02:30Fixed on me
00:02:31As if waiting for a reaction
00:02:32I ignored them and pushed open the door
00:02:34The second I sat down in the driver's seat
00:02:36A baseball bat came down
00:02:37The glass shattered into a spider web
00:02:39A shard scraped across my forehead
00:02:41Sorry sis
00:02:41Ethan says this car is his
00:02:43If you want a divorce
00:02:44You're getting out
00:02:45Fine
00:02:45I stepped out of the car
00:02:46Ethan strolled out
00:02:47Unhurried
00:02:48His arm wrapped around Jessica
00:02:49She nestled against him
00:02:51Her eyes landing on the bag
00:02:52Ethan
00:02:53That bag is gorgeous
00:02:54That's the Hermes Himmlerian isn't it?
00:02:57Jealous?
00:02:58He raised his head
00:02:59And looked at the men holding the bats
00:03:00Several dark figures
00:03:02Immediately closed in around me
00:03:03I looked past them
00:03:04At Jessica
00:03:05You like my things that much?
00:03:07The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted
00:03:09A flicker of smugness in his eyes
00:03:11As if he thought I was finally jealous
00:03:13Finally willing to fight for him
00:03:14The truth is
00:03:15It wasn't that I'd never fought
00:03:16The first time I found lipstick
00:03:18On his shirt collar
00:03:19I smashed his Maybach to pieces
00:03:21It was a one night stand
00:03:22That I drank too much
00:03:24And lost control
00:03:24The second time
00:03:25I caught him coming out of a hotel
00:03:26With his arm around someone
00:03:27Look I don't have time for this
00:03:29It was just for show
00:03:29That you should stop being so unreasonable
00:03:31I piled up every bag
00:03:32And watch he'd ever given me
00:03:33In the garage
00:03:34And set them all on fire
00:03:35I ran my fingers
00:03:36Over the limited edition
00:03:37Himalayan in my hand
00:03:38Two weeks ago
00:03:39He had knelt in front of me
00:03:40And sworn he'd do better
00:03:41From now on
00:04:10He said this bag
00:04:12To cross the ground
00:04:12Hurried footsteps
00:04:14A boy came rushing in
00:04:15And slammed a brick
00:04:16Into my stepfather's back
00:04:17The police took my stepfather away
00:04:18The boy stripped off his own jacket
00:04:20And draped it over me
00:04:21Covering my shame
00:04:21The boy who'd said
00:04:22Don't be afraid
00:04:23I'm here
00:04:23Where had he gone
00:04:24The zipper went all the way down
00:04:26Revealing the black camisole beneath
00:04:27And a black ring tattoo
00:04:29Ethan's pupils contracted sharply
00:04:30What kind of wedding ring do you want?
00:04:32It was from the year I was 23
00:04:34I wanted a ring that could never be taken off
00:04:37Just like his promise to love me
00:04:38Forever unchanging
00:04:39Ethan stared at me
00:04:41He flung my coat at me
00:04:42Get lost
00:04:43I put on my clothes
00:04:44And walked away alone
00:04:45When I got home
00:04:45I found
00:04:46Ethan was half kneeling
00:04:47In front of the couch
00:04:48Dabbing medicine onto Jessica
00:04:50Jessica's eyes were red
00:04:51He bent down and blew on it gently
00:04:52His movements careful
00:04:53He used to be this gentle with me too
00:04:55Now he was giving that same tenderness
00:04:57To someone else
00:04:57I didn't look at them again
00:04:58I walked into the bedroom
00:05:00Grabbed my legal documents
00:05:01And headed for the door
00:05:02Stop!
00:05:02Footsteps closed in
00:05:03The man's two large hands
00:05:04Clamped down on my shoulders
00:05:06And forced me around
00:05:06His jaw was tight
00:05:07His eyes full of menace
00:05:08I told you to stop
00:05:11Are you deaf?
00:05:12Jessica limped over
00:05:13Sis, I know you don't like me
00:05:15I bore it while you were tattooing me
00:05:17But I never thought you'd
00:05:18Use the cheapest lower grade ink
00:05:20Look at this
00:05:21What if it scars?
00:05:23Ethan glanced down
00:05:24At the patch of red rash
00:05:25And his face darkened
00:05:26You did it on purpose
00:05:29Maybe I misunderstood her
00:05:30I'm sure she just made a mistake
00:05:31By accident
00:05:32The more she said it
00:05:33The uglier Ethan's expression became
00:05:36Apologize
00:05:38I didn't move
00:05:39I said, apologize
00:05:41He seized my wrist
00:05:43His grip crushing
00:05:43The joints creaking
00:05:44You tattooed her into this state
00:05:46Is an apology too much to ask?
00:05:48I looked at the hand
00:05:49Clamped around my wrist
00:05:50I used the best tattoo pigment
00:05:52There is
00:05:52She's never had a reaction before
00:05:54Still arguing?
00:05:57Ava Carter
00:05:58When did you turn so vicious?
00:06:00Jessica's tears fell harder
00:06:02Ethan, stop pushing her
00:06:03It doesn't hurt
00:06:04It doesn't itch
00:06:05I can bear it
00:06:05The more she said it
00:06:06The colder his eyes grew
00:06:07Don't make me say it again
00:06:09I looked at him for a long moment
00:06:11Then I turned my head
00:06:12And looked at Jessica
00:06:13I'm sorry
00:06:14Ethan froze
00:06:14As if he hadn't expected me
00:06:16To apologize so cleanly and simply
00:06:17After all, in my entire life
00:06:19I'd never bowed my head to anyone
00:06:20Now, I apologized
00:06:21Not because I was wrong
00:06:22Because I don't care anymore
00:06:24I turned and left
00:06:25A few days later
00:06:25I signed a lease for a storefront
00:06:27To open my own tattoo studio
00:06:28But when I went to transfer the deposit
00:06:29The black card wouldn't go through
00:06:31At the same time
00:06:32A new message popped up on the screen
00:06:34I didn't hesitate for a second
00:06:36I blocked him
00:06:37In his eyes
00:06:37This departure was no different
00:06:39From all the screaming fights of the past
00:06:41Because I would always
00:06:42Time and time again
00:06:43Forgive him
00:06:44Without a shred of self-respect
00:06:45But this time was different
00:06:46My friend Ryan had just opened a bar
00:06:48So I went to help out
00:06:49With odd jobs at his place
00:06:50That night
00:06:51I was just about to close up
00:06:52The door curtain swept aside
00:06:53And three men came in
00:06:54Ethan followed behind
00:06:56A cigarette dangling from his lips
00:06:57So this is where you've been hiding
00:06:59He flicked his ash
00:07:00And it dropped onto the table
00:07:01I'd just wiped clean
00:07:02Come home with me
00:07:04Jessica's young
00:07:04Her morning sickness is brutal
00:07:06And she's a picky eater
00:07:07Aren't you the best
00:07:09At making nutritious porridge
00:07:10Go back and take care of her
00:07:14I looked at the entitlement
00:07:15On his face
00:07:16Perfectly calm
00:07:17No
00:07:18His expression turned cold
00:07:20Inch by inch
00:07:21A storm gathering in his eyes
00:07:22Smash it
00:07:24The next second
00:07:25The men he'd brought
00:07:26Swung a chair into the liquor cabinet
00:07:28Glass exploded
00:07:29Ryan rushed out
00:07:30Got kicked to the floor
00:07:31And struck the corner
00:07:32Of the marble counter
00:07:32Blood ran down from his temple
00:07:34A leather shoe came down
00:07:35On Ryan's ribs
00:07:36Again
00:07:37And again
00:07:38Tell them to stop
00:07:40He gave a cold laugh
00:07:41He gave a cold laugh
00:07:42Pinched my chin
00:07:42And wrenched toward him
00:07:43And blew a ring of smoke
00:07:44Into my face
00:07:45If you're gonna beg
00:07:47Do it properly
00:07:48Ryan made another punch
00:07:49The sound of his nose bridge
00:07:51Collapsing left my mind a blank
00:07:53Ethan please
00:07:54His thumb brushed
00:07:55The corner of my eye
00:07:56The cruelty in his gaze
00:07:57Still unspent
00:07:58If you'd been this obedient sooner
00:08:00He wouldn't have had
00:08:01To take this beating
00:08:04He pulled me out by the hand
00:08:05Stepping over shards of glass
00:08:06And bloodstains
00:08:07The car door closed
00:08:08The man's large hand
00:08:09Covered the back of mine
00:08:10Fingers interlocking tightly
00:08:11How long has it been
00:08:13Since we held hands like this
00:08:14He seemed to have forgotten
00:08:16Three years ago
00:08:16By the river
00:08:17He breathed white mist
00:08:18Into the cold air
00:08:19And lifted my hand to his lips
00:08:20I'll hold your hand
00:08:21And never let us be apart
00:08:22For the rest of our lives
00:08:24When we got home
00:08:25I went straight into the kitchen
00:08:26Two hours later
00:08:27I came out carrying
00:08:28A bowl of nutritious porridge
00:08:29Jessica turned her head
00:08:30With a beaming smile
00:08:31A marker in her hand
00:08:32Sis, look
00:08:33Don't you think
00:08:34I drew it beautifully?
00:08:35My pupils contracted sharply
00:08:37That was the design
00:08:38I'd spent a full 40 days
00:08:39Creating in Alaska
00:08:40The freezing winds
00:08:40Had cracked my lips open
00:08:41And I'd nearly blacked out
00:08:43More than once
00:08:43Under the endless polar nights
00:08:44Through countless
00:08:45Sleepless days and nights
00:08:46Beneath the shifting glow
00:08:47Of the aurora
00:08:48Stroke by stroke
00:08:49I'd drawn out that tattoo draft
00:08:50A wolf beneath the northern lights
00:08:52The aurora wolf
00:08:53I was confident
00:08:54It would win best of show
00:08:55At the Empire State Tattoo Expo
00:08:57Next month
00:08:57But now that wolf
00:08:58Had been smeared
00:08:58Into meaningless black strokes
00:08:59The ink had bled through
00:09:00To the back of the page
00:09:01Like a smear of rotting mud
00:09:02Pressed against my heart
00:09:03A roar went off in my brain
00:09:04Beautiful
00:09:05Jessica has real talent
00:09:07The work I'd poured
00:09:08My heart and soul into
00:09:09Destroyed by Jessica
00:09:10Like some childish prank
00:09:11I lunged at her in a frenzy
00:09:12Grabbed it
00:09:12And swung my hand up
00:09:13For a slap
00:09:13Ethan was quick
00:09:14He shoved me away
00:09:15With one motion
00:09:15I dropped onto the floor
00:09:16My lower abdomen
00:09:17Suddenly clenched
00:09:18And a wave of warmth
00:09:19Gushed out
00:09:19Ethan's pupils contracted abruptly
00:09:21He instinctively took
00:09:22Half a step forward
00:09:22Ethan
00:09:23The porridge she made
00:09:24Was off
00:09:26I only took one sip
00:09:27And my stomach
00:09:28Started hurting so badly
00:09:30Ethan looked at me
00:09:31His concerned eyes
00:09:32Turned sharp in an instant
00:09:33The corner of Jessica's mouth
00:09:34Curved
00:09:35He bent down
00:09:36Scooped Jessica up
00:09:37And strode off
00:09:38You know I waited
00:09:39Ten years for this child
00:09:40If anything happens
00:09:42To Jessica's baby
00:09:43You'll be the first one
00:09:44I won't forgive
00:09:45I reached out
00:09:46And grabbed at the hem
00:09:46Of his trousers
00:09:47Forcing the words out
00:09:48From the depths of my throat
00:09:49Ethan
00:09:51I didn't know
00:09:52When my child had come
00:09:53I only knew that
00:09:54Out of the pure instinct
00:09:55Of a mother's love
00:09:56I wanted to protect him
00:09:57With everything I had
00:09:58Suddenly everything went black
00:09:59And I crumpled
00:10:00Limply to the floor
00:10:02When I woke again
00:10:03The nurse said the child
00:10:04Was gone
00:10:04Miss Carter
00:10:05Because it was an emergency
00:10:07We performed a DCC procedure
00:10:08On you first
00:10:09Now we need a family member
00:10:11To co-sign
00:10:11I hesitated
00:10:12But I still dialed
00:10:13Ethan's number
00:10:14It rang twice
00:10:15Then connected
00:10:15Ethan
00:10:16I wish I'd met you
00:10:17A few years earlier
00:10:17By now our kid could already
00:10:19Be running errands for us
00:10:20It's not too late
00:10:21I'm sterile anyway
00:10:22You're the only one
00:10:23Who can give me a child
00:10:24But Ava she
00:10:26Jessica's words were cut off
00:10:27Smothered by the sound of a kiss
00:10:28Don't bring her up
00:10:30It's bad luck
00:10:31My fingers dug into my palm
00:10:32I hung up the phone
00:10:33With a trembling hand
00:10:34I signed my own name
00:10:35The screen buzzed
00:10:37A message from Jessica
00:10:37She'd attached a photo
00:10:39Ethan head bow
00:10:40Kissing the black rose
00:10:41At her waist
00:10:41The ones I had tattooed there
00:10:42With my own hands
00:10:43I stared at that photo
00:10:44For three seconds
00:10:45In a daze
00:10:46I remembered our wedding day
00:10:47No wedding dress
00:10:48No hotel
00:10:48No guests
00:10:49He cooked himself
00:10:50Four dishes
00:10:50And a soup
00:10:51Ethan
00:10:51His eyes red
00:10:52Set them down in front of me
00:10:54I've made things hard on you wife
00:10:56One day I'll make it up to you
00:10:57With the grandest wedding
00:10:58This whole city has ever seen
00:10:59But year after year passed
00:11:00And he never mentioned the wedding again
00:11:02My credit card was frozen by him
00:11:04And the little savings I had left
00:11:05Wouldn't last more than a few days
00:11:06I forced my way out of the hospital
00:11:08A black Maybach pulled up
00:11:09At the foot of the steps
00:11:10Ethan
00:11:10His face full of doting tenderness
00:11:12Held Jessica in his arms
00:11:13His peripheral gaze
00:11:14Landing absently on my bloodless face
00:11:15He froze for a moment
00:11:16Jessica's eyes reddened
00:11:18It's all my fault
00:11:19Hurry put me down
00:11:20Go help her
00:11:21I can walk on my own
00:11:22Ethan didn't let go
00:11:23He withdrew his gaze
00:11:24And gave a cold laugh
00:11:25There's no need to bother with her
00:11:27He carried Jessica past me
00:11:28Every word slamming against my eardrums
00:11:30Gets her hands splashed
00:11:32With a little porridge
00:11:32And turns this dramatic
00:11:35All these years
00:11:36I've been far too good to her
00:11:37The corner of Jessica's mouth
00:11:38Flicked up quickly
00:11:39Then returned to its pitiful
00:11:40Aggrieved look
00:11:41Ethan it seems like
00:11:42She's about to leave
00:11:43Ethan set Jessica down
00:11:44In the back seat of the car
00:11:45Then turned around to face me
00:11:46You harmed Jessica
00:11:48Into this state
00:11:49Don't even think about
00:11:50Leaving without an apology
00:11:51I stared at him blankly
00:11:52I pulled out my phone
00:11:53And dialed my lawyer
00:11:54Draft me a divorce agreement
00:11:56I looked Ethan in the eyes
00:11:57I don't want anything
00:11:58I just want the divorce done quickly
00:11:59Ethan's face darkened
00:12:00He snatched my phone away
00:12:01Curled it to the ground
00:12:02And crushed it under his heel
00:12:03Ava Carter
00:12:04All I asked was for you to apologize
00:12:06And you're threatening me with divorce?
00:12:08Aren't the two of you getting married?
00:12:10I'm just kindly helping make it happen
00:12:11He pulled out his phone
00:12:12And shoved the screen in my face
00:12:13A frail small old woman
00:12:15Lay in a hospital bed
00:12:16Tubes running all over her body
00:12:17The hospital called yesterday
00:12:19Your grandmother's condition has worsened
00:12:21She needs surgery
00:12:22But do you have the money?
00:12:25Money?
00:12:25I can earn myself
00:12:26There was a teasing glint in his eyes
00:12:28Even if you could earn the money
00:12:30Can your grandmother wait?
00:12:31I forgot to tell you
00:12:32The surgery has to be done today
00:12:34I closed my eyes
00:12:35And tears slid down
00:12:36I apologize
00:12:37But a flash of cunning
00:12:39Glinted in Jessica's eyes
00:12:40If Sis really wants to apologize sincerely
00:12:42Then be my model for once
00:12:45I studied for so long
00:12:46Come see whether the craft I turn from you is any good
00:12:48Before I could refuse
00:12:49Ethan dragged me into the car
00:12:51The Maybach drove all the way
00:12:52To the tattoo studio and stopped
00:12:53Several men crowded over
00:12:55And strapped me down
00:12:55Onto the reclining chair
00:12:57Ethan loosened his tie
00:12:58And bound my wrist with it tight
00:12:59It's Jessica's first time tattooing someone
00:13:01She's bound to be nervous
00:13:03Cooperate with her
00:13:04With that he turned
00:13:05And pulled the door shut behind him
00:13:07Jessica put on her gloves
00:13:08And stared straight at the ring tattoo
00:13:09On my chest
00:13:11Sis, let me help you clear away
00:13:13The design here first
00:13:14As she spoke
00:13:15She picked up the tattoo removal solution
00:13:16And poured the whole bottle
00:13:18Onto my chest
00:13:18The liquid stabbed into my skin
00:13:20My flesh hissed
00:13:21I bit down on the tape in my mouth
00:13:22Tears and blood mingling
00:13:23As they dripped onto the chair
00:13:24A body that had just undergone a DNC
00:13:27Couldn't withstand torment like this
00:13:28Any longer
00:13:29I don't know how long it was
00:13:30Before the phone rang
00:13:31The doctor's icy words came through
00:13:34I'm sorry
00:13:34Your grandmother passed away suddenly
00:13:36In the early hours of the morning
00:13:37Our condolences
00:13:38The next morning
00:13:39Ethan came to the tattoo studio
00:13:40Looking for me
00:13:41But from a distance
00:13:41He saw the glass had been shattered
00:13:43A sudden inexplicable nod of dread
00:13:44Tightened in his chest
00:13:45He quickened his face
00:13:46And went in to look
00:13:47Pure white reclining chair
00:13:48Was a mass of bright red
00:13:49Ethan picked it up
00:13:50A few bold black words
00:13:52Left out
00:13:52Pregnancy loss
00:13:53Disclosure form
00:13:55Ethan stood frozen in place
00:13:57He stared at that line of words
00:13:58His pupils contracting sharply
00:14:00His face went deathly white
00:14:02In an instant
00:14:03As if every drop of blood
00:14:04Had been drained from him
00:14:05When
00:14:06When did she get pregnant?
00:14:08His voice was hollow
00:14:09Squeezed out from the depths of his throat
00:14:11He looked down at the pool of blood
00:14:12On the chair
00:14:13Red
00:14:13Glaring
00:14:14Already half dried
00:14:16Where did all this blood come from?
00:14:18No one answered him
00:14:19The air was thick
00:14:20With the smell of rust
00:14:21And scorched flesh
00:14:22His legs suddenly gave way
00:14:24His knees slammed into the glass shard
00:14:26Scattered across the floor
00:14:27Blood seeped from his knees
00:14:29But he felt nothing at all
00:14:30Ethan Blackwell
00:14:31Always so far above everyone else
00:14:33Was disgraced like this
00:14:34For the first time in his life
00:14:35He cupped the blood-soaked report
00:14:37In both hands
00:14:38His fingers were shaking
00:14:39His shoulders were shaking too
00:14:41Jessica ran in from the doorway
00:14:43When she saw the blood
00:14:44All over the floor
00:14:45Her face changed too
00:14:46Ethan, what's wrong?
00:14:48Should we go to the hospital?
00:14:50The hospital?
00:14:51Ethan stared at the report
00:14:53Softened limp by the blood
00:14:54Patient signature
00:14:55Ava Carter
00:14:56Family member signature
00:14:57Ava Carter
00:14:58The handwriting was crooked and uneven
00:15:00The final stroke of her name
00:15:01Trailed out long
00:15:02As if the pen had slipped from her hand
00:15:04Three times before she finished
00:15:05Her handwriting was never like this
00:15:07The annotations on her tattoo designs
00:15:09Were neater than a printer's
00:15:10A scene suddenly flashed through Ethan's mind
00:15:12That day she'd come out
00:15:14Carrying the porridge
00:15:14Gotten into an argument with Jessica
00:15:16And he'd shoved her aside
00:15:17To protect Jessica
00:15:18Ethan suddenly stood up
00:15:20And seized Jessica by the shoulders
00:15:21His voice trembled
00:15:23His eyes bloodshot
00:15:23You told me that she drugged the porridge
00:15:26That she was trying to hurt you
00:15:28His fingers sinking into Jessica's shoulder blades
00:15:30But the truth is
00:15:31She was pregnant
00:15:32Jessica was frightened
00:15:33By his sudden ferocity
00:15:35Tears dropped down
00:15:36One after another
00:15:37How could that be?
00:15:39Sis must have been jealous
00:15:41That I was carrying your child
00:15:42And she wasn't
00:15:43So she set up this whole trap
00:15:44Ethan's expression shifted
00:15:46From fury to bewilderment
00:15:47Ethan pushed her away
00:15:50And dialed Ava Carter's number
00:15:52He made over a dozen calls
00:15:53Without exception
00:15:54No one answered
00:15:55Suddenly he remembered yesterday
00:15:57At the hospital entrance
00:15:58She'd been in a patient's gown
00:16:00Her face white as paper
00:16:01Swaying with every gust of wind
00:16:02He'd assumed she was just like before
00:16:04Fight over
00:16:05Scene over
00:16:05Waiting for him to come coax her back
00:16:07But this time
00:16:07She hadn't waited
00:16:08An enormous unease gripped Ethan
00:16:10He rushed out the door
00:16:11And drove straight to the hospital
00:16:13He was panting hard
00:16:14Frantic with worry
00:16:14Ava Carter
00:16:15She was discharged yesterday
00:16:16What was she admitted for?
00:16:17The nurse flipped through the records
00:16:19A DCC procedure
00:16:20The patient called 911 herself
00:16:21By the time the ambulance arrived
00:16:23She was already hemorrhaging badly
00:16:24A little later
00:16:25And her life couldn't have been saved
00:16:27Jessica had been trailing behind him
00:16:28The whole time
00:16:29Sis did it on purpose
00:16:31She knew she was pregnant
00:16:32But she deliberately didn't tell you
00:16:33She just wanted to make you feel guilty
00:16:35His heart suddenly twisted
00:16:37No, that wasn't right
00:16:38Ava Carter wasn't that kind of person
00:16:40He knew how desperately
00:16:41She'd longed for a child of her own
00:16:42The nurse's expression toward him changed
00:16:45Her tone turning cold
00:16:46The patient had never had a single prenatal checkup
00:16:48She had no idea she was pregnant at all
00:16:50Jessica was about to say more
00:16:52But Ethan turned and fixed his stare on her
00:16:54Ethan, I was only guessing
00:16:57I just felt bad for you
00:16:59I didn't want to see you suffer like this
00:17:02Ethan looked at her tears
00:17:03Falling one drop at a time
00:17:05Falling so fast
00:17:06So practiced
00:17:06He suddenly couldn't remember the last time
00:17:08Ava Carter had cried
00:17:09It was as if he'd never once seen her cry
00:17:11Not when she was strapped to the tattoo chair
00:17:13Lying alone on the operating table
00:17:14Had she cried then?
00:17:15His heart clenched abruptly
00:17:17As if something had seized it
00:17:18In a vicious grip
00:17:19His phone rang
00:17:20He snatched it out and answered
00:17:21But the name on the screen
00:17:22Wasn't the one he wanted
00:17:24Mr. Blackwet
00:17:25I'm Ms. Carter's attorney
00:17:26The divorce agreement
00:17:27Has been sent to your email
00:17:29My client voluntarily relinquishes all assets
00:17:31And will leave the marriage with nothing
00:17:33You can grip the phone
00:17:34What about her grandmother?
00:17:36Her grandmother's surgery fees
00:17:37Tell her
00:17:38If she comes back
00:17:39Money is no object
00:17:40The other end paused
00:17:42Mr. Blackman
00:17:43You don't know yet
00:17:44Mrs. Carter's grandmother
00:17:45Passed away in the early hours
00:17:46Of this morning
00:17:48Ethan opened his mouth
00:17:49But not a single word came out
00:17:51The phone slipped from his ear
00:17:52And crashed to the floor
00:17:53The screen shattering
00:17:54Ethan crouched in the hospital corridor
00:17:56His head buried in his hands
00:17:57His shoulders heaving
00:17:59Jessica crouched down
00:18:00And reached out to touch his back
00:18:01Ethan
00:18:02The dead can't come back to life
00:18:04Don't grieve too much
00:18:06Try to let it go
00:18:07He shut her away hard
00:18:08Jessica lost her footing
00:18:09Stumbling back several steps
00:18:10Her belly struck the corner of a table
00:18:12And the pain sent tears
00:18:13Spilling out at once
00:18:14Ethan
00:18:14Her eyes red-rimmed
00:18:15She looked at him pitifully
00:18:17Ethan glanced at her
00:18:18None of the tenderness
00:18:19The affection of the bore
00:18:20Only irritation remained
00:18:21He grabbed his car keys
00:18:23And turned to leave
00:18:23Paying no attention at all
00:18:25To Jessica's sobbing cries behind him
00:18:26Ethan drove straight to the bathroom
00:18:28I'm sorry
00:18:29I can't disclose my client's whereabouts
00:18:31But Ms. Carter did say
00:18:32As long as you agree to sign
00:18:34She'll appear on her own
00:18:34A name flashed through Ethan's mind
00:18:37Ryan
00:18:38He'd been willing to take
00:18:39Ava Carter in
00:18:40When she was down and out
00:18:41So now
00:18:42When he rushed to the bar
00:18:43Frantic
00:18:43Ryan was at the counter
00:18:44Wiping glasses
00:18:45Where's my wife?
00:18:47Did you hide her away?
00:18:48Ryan pulled out his phone
00:18:49And pressed the emergency call
00:18:51Ethan
00:18:53You've got five minutes to leave
00:18:54I really did just come
00:18:56To look for someone
00:18:56I didn't bring anyone with me
00:18:57Seeing no one behind him
00:18:59Ryan hung up
00:19:01You've still got the nerve
00:19:02To come looking for her
00:19:04Ethan frowned
00:19:05What's that supposed to mean?
00:19:07Ryan pulled out his phone
00:19:08Tapped a few times
00:19:09And shoved the screen
00:19:10In Ethan's face
00:19:10See for yourself
00:19:12Look what this is
00:19:15Take them off
00:19:17Ava Carter pulled the zipper down
00:19:19The fabric slid off
00:19:20And pooled at her feet
00:19:21He watched himself
00:19:22Rush forward
00:19:22Grip her chin
00:19:23And force her to apologize
00:19:24To Jessica
00:19:26Below the video
00:19:27The comments had already
00:19:28Piled into the tens of thousands
00:19:29This girl's body is unreal
00:19:31That waist
00:19:31Those legs
00:19:32Be even better with the clothes off
00:19:34Tattoo girls are wild
00:19:35She'd be a fun ride for sure
00:19:36Ethan's hands scrolled down uncontrollably
00:19:38Even his voice was shaking
00:19:39Who posted this?
00:19:41It wasn't you?
00:19:42Then it was that new sweetheart at your side
00:19:46Impossible
00:19:46How could Jessica
00:19:48How could she not?
00:19:48She'll climb into a married man's bed
00:19:50You think she's got any limits left?
00:19:52Ethan stood rooted in place
00:19:53His legs like lead
00:19:54He thought of Ava Carter
00:19:55Standing in the gust of wind
00:19:56Her hair plastered across her face
00:19:58She must have remembered something
00:19:59That was why she'd stripped off her clothes
00:20:01So resolutely
00:20:01He touched the diamond ring tattoo
00:20:03On the screen
00:20:03The same spot
00:20:05The truth was
00:20:05He had a tattoo too
00:20:08It was the night before their wedding
00:20:10The needle pierced his skin
00:20:12Beads of blood welling up
00:20:13She'd bent down
00:20:14And blown on it gently
00:20:15Does it hurt?
00:20:17No
00:20:18Liar
00:20:18It really doesn't
00:20:19An hour later
00:20:20A ring appeared on his chest
00:20:21Black
00:20:22Exactly the same as the one on hers
00:20:25This is a wedding ring
00:20:26That can never be taken off
00:20:27She'd hesitated
00:20:28And if we ever divorce?
00:20:30He'd reached out
00:20:31Pinched her chin
00:20:31And made her look into his eyes
00:20:33How could I ever bear to divorce you?
00:20:36But by the third year
00:20:37He had started to grow weary
00:20:38He'd married barely out of his early twenties
00:20:40His friends were still in the clubs
00:20:42Changing women like changing clothes
00:20:43While he'd been called
00:20:44Mrs. Carter's husband for three years
00:20:46He started to find that tattoo an eyesore
00:20:48Every time he took off his shirt
00:20:50The black ring on his chest reminded him
00:20:51You're a married man
00:20:53So afterward
00:20:54He always kept his clothes on
00:20:55When he did it
00:20:56Shirt on
00:20:56Two buttons undone
00:20:57And the speed at which he swapped out new lovers
00:20:59Grew faster and faster
00:21:00The vows he made were as routine as everyday meals
00:21:03There were too many
00:21:04He couldn't keep them straight
00:21:05He only remembered that every time
00:21:07Ava Carter blew up
00:21:08All he had to do was coax her a little
00:21:10And it would all be fine
00:21:12But this time it was different
00:21:14When he got home
00:21:15He flipped through Ava Carter's design drafts
00:21:17And saw that blacked out Aurora Wolf
00:21:18Something suddenly clicked in his mind
00:21:21He pulled out his phone
00:21:22And booked the next available flight
00:21:25New York
00:21:26The venue was enormous
00:21:27Packed with people
00:21:28He shoved through
00:21:29Layer after layer of crowd
00:21:30And finally saw me
00:21:31It was crouched beside a model
00:21:33My hair pinned up
00:21:34A stretch of pale neck exposed
00:21:36Beneath the buzz of the tattoo machine
00:21:38Ribbons of color
00:21:38Slowly emerged across the model's skin
00:21:40He recognized it
00:21:41It was the Aurora Wolf
00:21:46The judges gathered around
00:21:47Murmuring in low voices
00:21:49Some nodded
00:21:50Some lifted their cameras
00:21:51To take photos
00:21:51My lips were pressed lightly together
00:21:53My brow faintly furrowed
00:21:54The exact same expression
00:21:55As the day I'd tattooed him
00:21:57An hour later
00:21:57I drew the needle back
00:21:58Stood up
00:21:59And introduced the concept
00:22:00Of the piece to the judges
00:22:01The Aurora is often seen
00:22:03As a symbol of hope
00:22:04But hope alone
00:22:05Isn't enough
00:22:06To survive the long winter
00:22:07The wolf represents endurance
00:22:09Instinct
00:22:10The will to keep moving forward
00:22:11Even when the world
00:22:12Is buried in darkness
00:22:12I gestured toward a section
00:22:14Where the Aurora faded in a shadow
00:22:15I deliberately left
00:22:16Part of the sky unfinished
00:22:18Because strength
00:22:19Isn't about conquering darkness
00:22:20It's about learning
00:22:21To walk through it
00:22:22The whole hall
00:22:23Went silent for a moment
00:22:24Then erupted into
00:22:25Thunderous applause
00:22:26It came as no surprise
00:22:27The judges awarded
00:22:28My Aurora Wolf best of show
00:22:29After the awards ceremony
00:22:31Ethan pushed through the crowd
00:22:32Ava
00:22:32I stopped walking
00:22:33And glanced at him
00:22:35Mr. Blackwin
00:22:36Is there something you need?
00:22:41His throat tightened
00:22:42His voice dropping low
00:22:43Come home
00:22:45Please
00:22:46It was the first time
00:22:47In his life
00:22:47He'd said that word
00:22:48I was just about to speak
00:22:49When the rapid click
00:22:50Of high heels
00:22:50Came from behind
00:22:51Jessica caught up
00:22:53Out of breath
00:22:53And grabbed at Ethan's sleeve
00:22:55Ethan
00:22:55What about our wedding?
00:22:56The hotel's all booked
00:22:58The invitations
00:22:58Have already gone out
00:22:59Ethan didn't look at her
00:23:00His eyes stayed fixed on me
00:23:02As if afraid
00:23:02I might vanish from in front of him
00:23:04The very next second
00:23:05I promised you
00:23:06I'd hold the wedding
00:23:06I owed you
00:23:07I laughed
00:23:10So this wedding
00:23:12It's the one you're throwing for me?
00:23:14He nodded eagerly
00:23:14Forcing out a horse
00:23:15His voice cracking
00:23:17I lowered my head
00:23:18And tapped open my phone screen
00:23:19Jessica's messages popped up
00:23:21One after another
00:23:24The attached image
00:23:25Was a wedding layout plan
00:23:26In the spots for the bride and groom
00:23:28Were written the names
00:23:29Ethan Blackwell
00:23:29And Jessica Bennett
00:23:30I turned the screen around
00:23:31To face him
00:23:32Ethan do you see this?
00:23:33His pupils contracted sharply
00:23:35Is this the wedding you said
00:23:36You wanted to make up to me?
00:23:39Ethan, I'm honestly embarrassed for you
00:23:43Ethan was instantly thrown into a panic
00:23:45Beginning to stammer incoherently
00:23:47Ava, she did that all on her own
00:23:49I didn't
00:23:49I looked him dead in the eye
00:23:50Without your permission
00:23:52Would she dare do something like that?
00:23:55And don't tell me she got pregnant
00:23:56All by herself
00:23:57He opened his mouth
00:23:58His handsome face flushing red
00:23:59I knew about your pregnancy
00:24:01I wronged you
00:24:02And your grandmother
00:24:04I wronged you there too
00:24:06These things
00:24:07Suddenly brought up
00:24:08It was like someone abruptly
00:24:10Tearing open a bloody wound
00:24:11I said nothing
00:24:12I turned and walked away
00:24:13Behind me
00:24:14A car door was pulled open
00:24:15And footsteps chased after me
00:24:16He seized my wrist
00:24:17And shoved me into the car
00:24:18Jessica caught up
00:24:19Panting
00:24:19And pounded on the car window
00:24:21Ethan
00:24:21Take me with you
00:24:23Open the door
00:24:24Hurry
00:24:25Ethan didn't spare her
00:24:26Even a glance
00:24:27The headlights soon swept past
00:24:28The end of the street
00:24:29And merged into the flow of traffic
00:24:30Ava
00:24:31Let's go on a honeymoon
00:24:32I thought I'd misheard
00:24:34What did you say?
00:24:35A honeymoon
00:24:36You told me you wanted to come to the Empire State Building
00:24:38I never took you
00:24:39Now we're here
00:24:40I know
00:24:41What I owe you is more than just an Empire State Building
00:24:43So now
00:24:44I'll make all of it up to you
00:24:48I didn't look at him
00:24:49After we came down from the Empire State Building
00:24:51He took me traveling around the world
00:24:53By the Trevi Fountain in Rome
00:24:55He tossed in three coins
00:24:56Every wish was that I wouldn't leave him
00:24:59Beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris
00:25:00He strummed a guitar
00:25:01And sang love songs
00:25:02On a gondola in Venice
00:25:04He rode the boat alone
00:25:05And said he truly wanted to travel with me
00:25:07To the ends of the earth
00:25:08I sat at the stern
00:25:09Watching the ripples spread across the water
00:25:11Circle after circle
00:25:12Like the days that could never be returned to
00:25:14In every city
00:25:15He booked the finest hotels
00:25:16And the finest restaurants
00:25:17And said goodnight to me
00:25:19Every night before sleep
00:25:20A month later
00:25:20His patience wore out
00:25:22He asked me why I was still angry
00:25:23I said
00:25:24I'm not
00:25:25He grew agitated
00:25:25What more do you want from me
00:25:27I thought to myself
00:25:28It's time
00:25:29I pulled the divorce agreement
00:25:30Out of my bag
00:25:31And handed it to him
00:25:32Sign it
00:25:32He stared at that sheet of paper
00:25:34His eyes reddening at once
00:25:35Ava Carter
00:25:36You think you can do whatever you want
00:25:37Just because I'm in love with you
00:25:39I paused
00:25:40Then laughed
00:25:41You love me
00:25:42You're in love with other women
00:25:43At the same time too
00:25:44You wanted to sample every flavor
00:25:46On the menu
00:25:46And after trying them all
00:25:48You decided I was too good to throw away
00:25:51His face flushed crimson
00:25:52The veins standing out
00:25:53The next day
00:25:54He bought a castle
00:25:55And locked me in the attic
00:25:57Fine
00:25:58Then I'll give you what you want
00:25:59I'll marry her
00:26:01Jessica's message came through soon after
00:26:03Their wedding was grand
00:26:04The news of it was everywhere
00:26:06Rumor had it that a top heir
00:26:08Had bought an entire swan castle
00:26:10To keep a mistress in golden seclusion
00:26:12I was let out of the attic
00:26:13An electronic shackle
00:26:14Fastened around my ankle
00:26:15It wasn't that he wanted to set me free
00:26:17It was only that Jessica needed a maid
00:26:19Her belly was already very pronounced
00:26:21She walked with a hand
00:26:22Braced against her back
00:26:23Like a true lady of the house
00:26:24Ava Carter
00:26:25The porridge is too hot
00:26:26Are you trying to scold me to death?
00:26:28I took it back
00:26:28Blew on it until it cooled
00:26:30And brought it out again
00:26:31She took one sip
00:26:32And spat it back into the bowl
00:26:33It's cold now
00:26:34Make it again
00:26:35Ethan sat by the fireplace
00:26:37A whiskey in his hand
00:26:38Not looking at me
00:26:39I brought out the third bowl
00:26:40Jessica took a sip
00:26:41And nodded
00:26:41Satisfied
00:26:42On your knees
00:26:42I want you to kneel
00:26:44And hand it to me
00:26:44I didn't move
00:26:45Ethan look at her
00:26:46She won't even do a small thing like this
00:26:48Do as she says
00:26:49Ethan finally lifted his eyes
00:26:51And glanced at me
00:26:53Three months later
00:26:54Jessica was in her late pregnancy
00:26:56Her whole body swollen
00:26:57She had me massage her
00:26:58Day and night
00:26:59Without rest
00:27:00Sis
00:27:01The baby you lost
00:27:02Was it a boy or a girl?
00:27:04I instinctively looked toward Ethan
00:27:05He stood by the window
00:27:07His back to me
00:27:07Sis
00:27:08Ethan said your body was too weak
00:27:10Even if you'd carried it
00:27:12You couldn't have kept it
00:27:13Once you've taken good care of me
00:27:15I'll have a few more
00:27:16For you to raise late
00:27:17Jessica grew more and more arrogant
00:27:19Breakfast had to be handed over on my knees
00:27:21The water for her footbaths
00:27:22Had to be tested three times
00:27:24Even the way I folded the hand towels
00:27:26Had to be redone five times over
00:27:27That day she had me kneel on the floor
00:27:29Scrubbing it
00:27:29Then walked over carrying a bowl of hot soup
00:27:31And said she'd lost her footing
00:27:32A whole bowl poured over the top of my left foot
00:27:35She covered her mouth and laughed
00:27:36Oh dear, why weren't you more careful?
00:27:38The electronic shackle around my ankle
00:27:40Dug into the flesh
00:27:41The soup ran down over my foot
00:27:42Searing a string of agonizing pain
00:27:44I didn't make a sound
00:27:45Ethan sat on the couch reading documents
00:27:47He lifted his eyelids and glanced at me
00:27:48That night the door to my attic opened
00:27:50Ethan walked in
00:27:51A tube of burn ointment in his hand
00:27:53He crouched down by the bed
00:27:54And reached out to touch my foot
00:27:55I drew it back
00:27:57I'll do it myself
00:27:58You undo the chain on my foot
00:28:00He looked down at the electronic shackle
00:28:01Its red light blinking
00:28:02Clamped around my swollen ankle
00:28:04Leaving a ring of purple bruising
00:28:05You don't want it to get infected, do you?
00:28:07His expression wavered for a moment
00:28:09A flicker of struggle in his eyes
00:28:10But in the end he unfastened the shackle
00:28:12Before dawn
00:28:13Ethan was woken by a frantic pounding on the door
00:28:15Ethan, my stomach hurts so much
00:28:17It's coming
00:28:18But another thought flashed through his mind
00:28:20He strode quickly to the attic
00:28:21And pushed open the door
00:28:22I was already gone
00:28:25The electronic shackle lay on the pillow
00:28:27A note pressed beneath it
00:28:28Don't find me
00:28:29His fingers pinched the note
00:28:31His knuckles white
00:28:32Ethan, please take me to the hospital
00:28:34It hurts so much
00:28:35As Jessica was being wheeled into the delivery room
00:28:37Ethan was still clutching that note tightly
00:28:39He pulled his phone out and put it back again
00:28:40Opened the chat with Ava
00:28:42And closed it again
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