- 16 hours ago
Three Years as His, Now I'm Mine englishsub fullmovie
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00:00After hours of sex, At Benjamin finally collapsed onto me, his breathing heavy and racked.
00:06Then he rolled off and headed to the shower.
00:10When he emerged, I was still in bed, unable to move.
00:17Even after all this time, I still could not keep up with his stamina.
00:22Benjamin toweled off his damp hair, then hooked my underwear off the floor and tossed them to me.
00:32Pack your things and move out tomorrow. Don't ever come back.
00:36I froze, asking instinctively.
00:39Why?
00:41He lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with a tenderness and longing I had never seen before.
00:48She's coming back.
00:50I instantly knew who he meant. Emersoni, new senior out. His one true love.
00:57His eyes held a warmth that had never been meant for me.
01:02I could still feel the warmth of his body on my skin, but his words had already turned cold.
01:08I got dressed in silence.
01:11There was nothing left to say.
01:14I had already said too much over three years.
01:19I had been in this arrangement with Benjamin for three years.
01:23It started when I was just his secretary.
01:26After a few drinks at a banquet, we ended up in bed together.
01:30The first time he brought me here, he refused to let me stay the night.
01:35But his desire was unusually intense.
01:39Soon, he began to crave more.
01:42And started letting me stay.
01:45To the rest of the world, I was his most capable assistant, taking care of everything for him.
01:50In private, we were no different from a committed couple.
01:54Whether it was my birthday or a holiday, he would cancel every party just to be alone with me.
02:00I had grown so used to this life, that I had started to imagine a future with him.
02:06But now, he told me not to come back anymore.
02:12In the height of passion, he had held me and murmured a name in a delirium.
02:18I only learned the truth later.
02:21It belonged to the one woman he loved but could never have.
02:25I could not stand the smell of smoke.
02:28My throat felt tight and harry.
02:32Is she moving in?
02:34Benjamin's face was blurred behind the smoke, though his voice remained gentle.
02:39She's not like you.
02:40She's not the type of woman who gives herself away so casually.
02:44I am just worried she will get the wrong idea if she sees your things when she visits.
02:50Honestly, she is so pure and innocent, she will not even let me kiss her.
02:57Let alone sleep with her.
02:59I finished the sentence for him in my head, fighting the sting in my eyes.
03:04I got out of bed and be gathering my clothed foes from the floor.
03:10There is no rush.
03:12Can you not stay until tomorrow?
03:18Benjamin walked over and buried his face in the kirk of my neck,
03:22his tone as affectionate as ever.
03:29I want you to make me that pasta again.
03:32My hands froze as I was folding my clothes.
03:35All right.
03:36I will make it for you.
03:40I turned on the stove.
03:42Once the water came to a boil, I dropped in the pasta.
03:47Once it was ready, I drained it, topped it with beef slices I had prepared myself.
03:53As at Benjamin ate, I went back to my packing.
03:58I had lived here for three years, yet everything I owned fit into a single suitcase.
04:05Mostly just my clothes.
04:07I did not take any of the kitchenware or household essentials.
04:11When I wheeled my suitcase into the living room,
04:14Benjamin Neenan gestured toward the cabinet.
04:16You really liked that dinnerware set, did you not?
04:20I shook my head.
04:23There is no room for it in my suitcase.
04:27I was about to walk out the door when at Benjamin called out to me.
04:31His plate was nearly empty.
04:33He looked down, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
04:38At the office, we will maintain a professional relationship.
04:45But privately, you can still come to me if you ever need anything.
04:49I understood what he was implying.
04:52I simply nodded.
04:55All right.
05:01I dragged my suitcase out, hailed a taxi, and returned to my apartment alone.
05:06It was already two in the morning, far too late to ask anyone for help.
05:10I quickly cleared a small space and lay down.
05:14I was completely exhausted.
05:16I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
05:20But strangely enough, I kept dreaming about the days when I first met Benjamin.
05:26Back then, he was the untouchable head of the Kilbreed group.
05:30And I was just one of his many assistants.
05:37My first real encounter with him happened at a gala.
05:41The executive assistant had an emergency and asked me to fill in to accompany Benjamin.
05:49After several rounds of drinks, a business partner suddenly turned his attention to me.
05:56Mrs. Tildy, refusing to drink with me is a real slap in the face.
06:02I had not yet learned how to navigate situations like that and froze on the spot.
06:08I am sorry.
06:10I am allergic to alcohol.
06:13The man's face darkened.
06:15Instantly, the entire room went silent.
06:19Trembling, I picked up the glass, prepared to drain it.
06:24I figured the worst that could happen was a trip to the ER.
06:27But halfway there, a hand stopped me.
06:32Benjamin's profile was partially lost in the shadows.
06:35He gave a faint smile.
06:39Mr. Reggett, why pick on a young lady?
06:42I will take this one for her.
06:45I watched him drink for me that night and thought he was the most impressed man I had ever met.
06:54I stared blankly as At Benj Benjamin finished glass after glass offered to him.
07:00His face flushed and his eyes grew glassy.
07:04I later learned that Benjamin had just taken over the company back then.
07:11Plenty of people were looking for an excuse to push him out.
07:14After that night, I made it my mission to learn how to handle those events.
07:20When the executive assistant jumped ship,
07:23Benjamin promoted me.
07:25I became his personal secretary, managing everything for him.
07:31The night we first slept together, he was completely wasted.
07:36He kept murmuring a name in a delirium, his voice thick with sorrow.
07:41My heart went out to him.
07:43I could not help but reach out and hold him.
07:47Everything just happened naturally after that.
07:50It was not until much later that I realized that day had been Emerson's birthday.
07:56I thought that night meant something.
07:58It did.
07:59Just not the same thing to both of us.
08:02To him, I was a replacement.
08:05To me, he was everything.
08:10The next morning, I was jolted awake early by a call from Benjamin.
08:18Come over and drive me to the airport.
08:22He hung up before I could even get a word in.
08:26I had not slept well.
08:28My pillow was still damp when I woke up.
08:30I rubbed my throbbing temples,
08:33got ready,
08:34and headed out.
08:36On the way, my family called.
08:40My mother's voice was cautious.
08:42Jenny, are you coming home for the holidays this year?
08:47The quiet expectation in her aging voice
08:50made my throat tighten.
08:53Mom, I will be home next week.
08:57She sounded like she could not quite believe it.
09:00Really?
09:01For the past three years,
09:03I had spent every holiday at Benjamin's place.
09:06I nodded firmly.
09:11Mom, I am coming home.
09:13After hanging up,
09:15I submitted my resignation through the company portal.
09:18I could hear the hope in my mother's voice.
09:21It had been three years since I last heard it.
09:23I had been so busy being his
09:25that I forgot how to be mine.
09:29I climbed into the familiar black Audi.
09:32At Benjamin was already in the back seat.
09:35The car moved smoothly toward the airport.
09:41Not a single word was spoken the entire way.
09:44As we neared the terminal,
09:46his voice drifted from the back.
09:48You left something at my place.
09:50It was the matching sweater I had bought
09:52for Valentine's Day that year.
09:54I had worn the women's version.
09:56Benjamin had worn the men's.
09:58We had spent the whole day out together,
10:00acting like a real couple.
10:01For one brief day,
10:03I had had him all to myself.
10:08I took a deep breath.
10:12My voice flat.
10:14Just throw it away.
10:16Benjamin fell silent.
10:18Before long,
10:20he was leading Emerson back to the car.
10:23She was wearing a plush white coat
10:25over a Shilfan dress.
10:27Her eyes were large,
10:29clear,
10:29and utterly captivating.
10:32It was easy to see
10:33why she was the first love
10:34he could never get over.
10:36I watched Emerson walk toward the car,
10:39and I felt nothing.
10:41Not jealousy.
10:43Not anger.
10:45Just a quiet,
10:47tired acceptance.
10:54Immersion looped her arm
10:55through At Benjamin's
10:56and gave me a playful look.
10:59Jenny,
11:01would you mind helping me
11:02with my bags?
11:04Benjamin acted as if
11:05he had not heard a thing.
11:07I shot her a brief glance,
11:09then got out of the car
11:10without a word.
11:13I knew women traveled
11:14with a lot of gear,
11:15but I had not expected
11:17Emerson to show up
11:18with five massive suitcases.
11:21I used every ounce of my strength
11:23to heave them into the trunk.
11:25By the time I was done,
11:27my hands were shaking
11:28and aching.
11:31The moment I got back inside,
11:33the lively chatted
11:34in the back street
11:34stopped instantly.
11:37Benjamin pulled out
11:38a pack of cigarettes
11:39and started to take one out.
11:41Then he hesitated
11:42and put it back.
11:45A second later,
11:47I heard Emerson's
11:48delicate voice
11:49from behind me.
11:53Ben, you still have
11:55not quit smoking?
11:57You know how much
11:58I hate the smell of smoke.
12:02Benjamin immediately
12:03tucked his cigarettes away
12:04and ruffled her hair.
12:10Marco and the guys
12:12rented out a place
12:12to celebrate
12:13your homecoming.
12:14Do you want to go?
12:16Absolutely.
12:17Emerson nodded.
12:19Then she turned to me
12:20with wide eyes.
12:23Jenny,
12:24why do not you come too?
12:27I pressed my lips together,
12:29ready to decline.
12:31But at Benjamin cut in.
12:33Emmy just got back.
12:35Do not ruin the mood.
12:37In the end,
12:38I went anyway.
12:43The moment we walked in,
12:44at Benjamin's inner circle
12:46crowded around them.
12:47Led by his friend Marco,
12:48the group started
12:49teasing them immediately.
12:50The guest of honor
12:51is finally back!
12:52All these years
12:53you have been gone.
12:54Ben has been like
12:55a man possessed!
12:56You are back
12:57to get hitched, huh?
12:59When is the big day?
13:00Emerson buried her face
13:02shyly against
13:03Benjamin's chest.
13:04He laughed,
13:04playfully scolding them.
13:06When there is good news
13:07to share,
13:08you will be the first
13:09to know.
13:11The room was full of laughter,
13:13but none of it
13:14reached me.
13:16I sat at the edge
13:17of the table,
13:18invisible as always.
13:21The two of them
13:22were ushered
13:23into the private room
13:24surrounded by the crowd.
13:26When at Marco
13:27spotted me
13:28trailing behind,
13:29his expression
13:30shifted to awkwardness.
13:34Miss,
13:35Miss Tilmy,
13:37you are here too?
13:39Come on in,
13:40please.
13:43Emerson remained cold
13:45and abrasive
13:46towards me
13:47throughout the entire meal.
13:49Marco poured her
13:50a glass of fruit wine
13:52with a smile.
13:52Emi,
13:54since it is
13:55your first day back,
13:56do me a favor
13:57and have a drink
13:58with me.
14:03Do not
14:04you know
14:05she is allergic
14:06to alcohol?
14:08Marco scratched his head,
14:10looking completely
14:11confused.
14:13Emerson's face
14:14darkened.
14:15I am not
14:17allergic to alcohol.
14:19Benjamin froze
14:20mid-motion,
14:21his wine glass
14:23still raised.
14:26Is that so?
14:27I must have
14:28misremembered.
14:29Emerson turned
14:30and noticed
14:31the juice
14:31in my glass.
14:33Her expression
14:34soured further.
14:36Marco did not
14:37know that the allergy
14:38Benjen remembered
14:39was mine,
14:40not Emerson's.
14:42Benjamin had
14:43confused us.
14:44I was not sure
14:45if that made it
14:46better or worse.
14:50Why is
14:51Jenny not
14:51drinking?
14:53Emerson lifted
14:54her glass
14:55and tilted
14:55her head.
14:56You
14:57are not
14:57unhappy
14:58that I am
14:59back,
15:00are you?
15:01I glanced
15:02at Benjamin.
15:03He was staring
15:04straight at me,
15:05his lips parting
15:06slightly as he
15:06spoke.
15:07Genevieve Tilly,
15:08just have one
15:09drink.
15:09Do not ruin
15:10the mood
15:11for everyone.
15:11I took a
15:12deep breath,
15:13picked up
15:14the glass
15:14of red wine
15:15and had drained
15:16it in one go.
15:19The room
15:20immediately erupted
15:21into cheers.
15:23Soon,
15:24a rash broke out
15:25all over my body,
15:26spreading in a thick
15:27crawl up at my neck.
15:29Someone spotted it
15:31and gasped
15:31an alarm.
15:33Oh my God,
15:34you are having
15:35an allergic reaction!
15:37Benjamin glanced
15:38over indifferently,
15:39his tone ice cold.
15:42She will be fine.
15:44It is not like
15:45she is going
15:45to die.
15:48The rash
15:49spread across
15:50my skin,
15:51burning and
15:52itchy.
15:55But the
15:56physical pain
15:56was pressing
15:57with the physical
15:58for nothing
15:58compared to
15:59the coldness
16:00in his voice.
16:02She will be
16:02fine.
16:03It is not like
16:04she is going
16:05to die.
16:07The dinner
16:07dragged on.
16:08After a few
16:09more rounds,
16:10one of Benjamin's
16:11friends sighed.
16:12Ben,
16:13you are as loyal
16:14as they come.
16:16Emmy left
16:17so suddenly
16:17back then,
16:19and you still
16:20waited three years
16:21for her.
16:22Marco,
16:23who was clearly
16:24drunk,
16:25slung an arm
16:26over Benjamin's
16:27shoulder.
16:28I actually thought
16:29you and Genevieve
16:30might end up
16:30together.
16:32You two have
16:33been inseparable
16:34these last three
16:35years.
16:36Emerson stared
16:37straight at me,
16:38the malice
16:38plain in her
16:39eyes.
16:41Jenny,
16:42is there some
16:43other side to
16:44you I do not
16:44know about,
16:45besides being
16:46Ben's secretary?
16:47Benjamin raised
16:48an eyebrow.
16:49Genevieve,
16:50why do not
16:51you tell everyone?
16:52What exactly
16:53are we to
16:54each other?
16:55I let out
16:55a short laugh,
16:57as if I had
16:57just heard
16:58something ridiculous.
17:00Mr. Kilbreast
17:01and I are
17:02strictly boss
17:03and employee.
17:04I told them
17:05we were nothing.
17:06I was protecting
17:08what little
17:08dignity I had
17:09left.
17:10Benjamin looked
17:11at me like
17:11he expected
17:12me to say
17:12more.
17:14I stayed
17:15silent.
17:16I had already
17:17said too much.
17:20By the time
17:21dinner ended,
17:22Benjamin was
17:23completely wasted.
17:25In his
17:26drunken haze,
17:28he instinctively
17:29reached for me,
17:30his voice
17:31soft and
17:31pleading.
17:39He leaned
17:40against my
17:40shoulder,
17:41nuzzling into
17:42my neck like
17:43he was desperate
17:43for affection.
17:45Do you really
17:46think we are
17:47only?
17:48Do you have
17:49any idea?
17:51I did not
17:52catch the rest.
17:53A second later,
17:54At Benjamin
17:55was yanked
17:55away from me.
17:59Emerson
18:00stood there
18:00like she was
18:01guarding her
18:01territory,
18:02propping At
18:03Benjamin up
18:04as she glared
18:05at me.
18:08Jenny,
18:09since you are
18:10just his
18:10employee,
18:11you should
18:12keep your
18:12distance from
18:13a man who
18:14is already
18:14engaged.
18:16Otherwise,
18:18people might
18:19start to talk,
18:19do you not
18:20think?
18:20I nodded,
18:22my face a
18:22mask of
18:23indifference.
18:25You are
18:26absolutely
18:27right.
18:28I watched
18:29Emersley lead
18:30him away and
18:30realized I was
18:31already a ghost
18:32in his world.
18:33It was time
18:34for me to
18:35disappear
18:35completely.
18:38For a
18:39week,
18:39aside from
18:40work,
18:41Benjamin and
18:41I had no
18:42private contact
18:43at all.
18:45My resignation
18:46was approved
18:46quickly through
18:47the company
18:47portal.
18:48The final
18:49step only
18:50required
18:51Benjamin's
18:51signature.
18:52I printed
18:53a hard copy,
18:54walked into
18:55his office,
18:56and handed
18:56the letter
18:57to him.
18:57He was
18:58on a call,
18:59his voice
19:00unusually
19:01gentle.
19:01Without
19:03even glancing
19:03at the
19:03paper,
19:04he signed
19:05his name
19:05in a few
19:06quick strokes.
19:07I turned
19:07to leave,
19:08but he
19:09stopped me.
19:10I am
19:11proposing to
19:11Emmy
19:12tonight.
19:13Leave early
19:13this afternoon
19:14to go set
19:15up the
19:15venue.
19:15Benjamin
19:16leaned back
19:16in his
19:17leather seat
19:17and calmly
19:18gave the
19:19order.
19:19I nodded
19:20to show I
19:21understood.
19:21Is there
19:22anything else?
19:23He stared
19:23at me
19:24steadily,
19:24as if
19:25searching my
19:26face for
19:26some other
19:27emotion.
19:28But eventually
19:29he looked
19:29away.
19:32signing my
19:33resignation
19:33felt heavier
19:34than signing
19:35a divorce
19:35paper I
19:36never had.
19:39Three years
19:40of my life
19:41condensed
19:41into a
19:42single sheet
19:43of paper.
19:48I left
19:49work an
19:49hour early
19:50headed to
19:50the address
19:51Benjamin
19:51had given
19:52me.
19:53After
19:53three years
19:54together,
19:55I knew
19:55his preferences
19:56like the
19:57back of
19:57my
19:57harmed.
19:59I never
20:00imagined the
20:00last thing
20:01I would
20:01ever do
20:02for him
20:02would be
20:03arranging
20:03his proposal.
20:05I spent
20:05an hour
20:06setting up
20:06the venue
20:07and planned
20:07to head
20:07out
20:08immediately.
20:13Unexpectedly,
20:13I ran
20:14into Emerson.
20:15The moment
20:15she saw
20:16me,
20:16she looked
20:17overjoyed,
20:18as if she
20:19had completely
20:19forgotten our
20:20unpleasant
20:21encounter.
20:21She linked
20:22her arm
20:23through mine
20:23affectionately,
20:24acting like
20:25we were the
20:25best of
20:26friends.
20:26Jenny,
20:27thank goodness
20:27you are
20:28here.
20:29I need
20:29to get
20:29into my
20:30dress.
20:30Could you
20:31help me?
20:32I had
20:33no real
20:33reason to
20:34refuse,
20:34so I
20:35agreed.
20:36I arranged
20:37roses and
20:38candles for
20:39his proposal
20:40to another
20:40woman.
20:41Every flower
20:42I placed
20:43felt like a
20:43nail in
20:44my own
20:44coffin.
20:49I followed
20:49Emerson to
20:50the dressing
20:51room.
20:51She stepped
20:52into the
20:52gown Benjamin
20:53had instructed
20:54me to pick
20:54up from
20:55the bridal
20:55shop.
20:56It was
20:57stunning,
20:58absolutely
20:58breathtaking.
21:00I remembered
21:00when that
21:01dress first
21:01debuted.
21:02I had
21:03stared at
21:03the magazine
21:04for hours.
21:06When
21:06Aunt Benjamin
21:07had seen
21:07it, he
21:08had said,
21:09Do you
21:09like it
21:10that much?
21:11I will
21:12buy it
21:12for you.
21:13I never
21:14imagined that
21:14just six
21:15months later,
21:16that very
21:17dress would
21:17be on
21:18Emerson.
21:21Jenny,
21:22how does
21:22it look?
21:22Emerson
21:24had pale
21:24skin and
21:25in that
21:26dress she
21:27seemed to
21:27glow.
21:28It is
21:29beautiful.
21:30Emerson
21:30lifted the
21:31hem of
21:31her skirt
21:32and walked
21:33toward me
21:33gracefully,
21:34a faint
21:35smile on
21:35her lips.
21:36Too bad,
21:38beautiful
21:38things are
21:39always coveted
21:40by those
21:40who do
21:41not own
21:41them.
21:43That dress
21:44was supposed
21:44to be mine.
21:45I had been
21:46saving a picture
21:47of it on my
21:48phone for
21:48months.
21:49Now it
21:50was hers.
21:54Along with
21:54everything else
21:55I had
21:55wanted.
21:58Being with
21:59Ben for
22:00three years,
22:00you actually
22:01thought he
22:01would end
22:02up with
22:02you,
22:02did you
22:02not?
22:03What a
22:04shame.
22:04Ben still
22:05cannot forget
22:06me.
22:07All your
22:07effort over
22:08the last
22:09three years
22:09was for
22:10nothing.
22:13I froze,
22:14so she
22:15knew everything,
22:16but I
22:16quickly regained
22:17my composure.
22:18whatever I
22:19had with
22:19Benjamin
22:20had been
22:20mutual.
22:21I was
22:21never a
22:22homewrecker.
22:23Amarisian
22:24acting like
22:24a jealous
22:25wife was
22:25simply
22:26ridiculous.
22:27I pulled
22:28myself up
22:28to my
22:29full height
22:29and looked
22:30at her
22:30with a
22:30faint
22:30smile.
22:32How can
22:33a mutual
22:33relationship
22:35be called
22:35a waste
22:36of effort?
22:37For the
22:38past three
22:39years,
22:39I have
22:40had a
22:40handsome
22:40partner
22:41with
22:42incredible
22:43stamina
22:43for free.
22:46Who is
22:46to say
22:47who really
22:47lost out?
22:49Emerson's
22:50eyes instantly
22:51flared with
22:51rage.
22:52She lunged,
22:53raising her
22:53hand to
22:54slap me.
22:55Bitch!
22:56You
22:57shameless
22:57bitch!
22:58I blocked
22:59her easily,
23:00twisting her
23:01arm behind
23:02her back.
23:07I refused
23:08to let her
23:09see me break.
23:10I had already
23:11broken enough
23:12in private.
23:13if she
23:14wanted a
23:15fight,
23:16she would
23:17get one.
23:22Resorting
23:23to violence
23:23because you
23:24are losing
23:24an argument?
23:26Who taught
23:26you that?
23:30Emerson
23:31suddenly
23:31wrenched
23:32her hand
23:32free,
23:33a sly,
23:34triumphant
23:34smile spreading
23:35across her
23:36lips.
23:36Who do you
23:37think Benjamin
23:38will believe
23:39in a minute?
23:40You or
23:41me?
23:42Before I
23:43knew it,
23:44Emerson pulled
23:44a pair of
23:45scissors out
23:45of nowhere
23:46and began
23:47violently
23:47hacking at
23:48her dress.
23:52Jenny,
23:53even if I
23:53offended you,
23:54you did not
23:55have to do
23:56this.
23:56She whimpered
23:57in a piddle
23:58voice.
24:00I froze for
24:01a slip second
24:01and then it
24:02clicked.
24:03This was all
24:04a performance.
24:07Emerson ripped
24:08the gown to
24:08shreds,
24:09threw the
24:09scissors to
24:10the floor,
24:10and then slapped
24:11herself hard
24:12across the
24:12face.
24:16Help!
24:17Jenny,
24:18please do
24:18not do
24:19this to
24:19me!
24:20I stepped
24:20forward,
24:21pinned her
24:21skirt down
24:22with my
24:22foot,
24:23and slapped
24:24her across
24:24the face.
24:27The sharp
24:27crack of the
24:28slap echoed
24:29through the
24:29room.
24:30I watched
24:31her destroy
24:31that beautiful
24:32dress and
24:33realized she
24:34would do
24:34anything to
24:35win.
24:35But I was
24:36no longer
24:37playing her
24:37game.
24:40Emerson
24:40was completely
24:41stunned,
24:42looking up
24:43at me
24:43in pure
24:44disbelief.
24:45You
24:45hit me?
24:47How
24:47dare you
24:48hit me?
24:49I gave
24:49a curt
24:50nod of
24:50approval.
24:51That is
24:52better.
24:53Your acting
24:53before was
24:54way too
24:55over the
24:55top.
24:55Flurry of
24:56frantic
24:57footsteps
24:57sounded
24:57from behind,
24:58followed by
24:59Benjamin's
25:00furious roar.
25:02Genevieve?
25:03What the
25:04hell are you
25:04doing?
25:05Emerson
25:06tried to
25:06lunge
25:07toward
25:07at
25:07Benjamin,
25:08dragging
25:09her
25:09tattered
25:09dress
25:09behind
25:10her.
25:11I
25:11stepped
25:12forward
25:12again,
25:13pinning
25:13her
25:13skirt
25:14back
25:14down.
25:16I
25:16grabbed
25:17her by
25:17the
25:17hair
25:17and
25:18delivered
25:18a
25:18hard
25:18slap
25:19to
25:19both
25:19sides
25:20of
25:20her
25:20face.
25:21This
25:21time,
25:23Emerson's
25:23tears
25:23were real.
25:24She
25:25looked so
25:25fragile and
25:26broken that
25:27anyone would
25:28have felt a
25:29surge of
25:29pity.
25:30Benjamin
25:30completely
25:31lost it.
25:32Apologize
25:33to
25:33Amersi.
25:35Now!
25:36Why should I
25:37apologize?
25:38I did not
25:39do anything
25:40wrong.
25:40I wrenched
25:41my hand
25:42from his
25:42grip and
25:43lunged at
25:43the sobbing
25:44Emerson
25:44again.
25:47I slapped
25:48her twice
25:49more before
25:50roughly tearing
25:51the tattered
25:52remains of
25:52the dress
25:53right off
25:53her body.
25:56You
25:56wanted it
25:57shredded?
25:58Let me
25:58help you!
25:59With her
25:59only cover
26:00ripped away,
26:01Emerson screamed
26:02in terror.
26:03A crowd
26:03had already
26:04gathered outside
26:05the door,
26:05leaving her
26:06with nowhere
26:06to hide.
26:07Benjamin
26:08grabbed my
26:08hand in a
26:09blind rage
26:10and slapped
26:10me across
26:11the face.
26:14Are you
26:14finished?
26:16Who do you
26:16think you are
26:17to lay a
26:17fender on
26:18Emmy?
26:18You are
26:19nothing but
26:19my employee.
26:21What makes
26:22you think
26:22you matter?
26:23I am
26:24telling you
26:24one last
26:25time.
26:26Apologize!
26:27It had
26:28been a
26:28long time
26:29since
26:29At
26:29Benjamin
26:30had spoken
26:30to me
26:31in such
26:31a cold,
26:32brutal tone.
26:34Tears
26:34stung my
26:35eyes,
26:35but I
26:36forced them
26:36back,
26:37refusing to
26:38let a
26:38single one
26:39fall.
26:39I lifted
26:40my foot
26:40and kicked
26:41him hard
26:41in the
26:42shin.
26:43Go to
26:44hell
26:44with your
26:45apology!
26:47I pushed
26:47through the
26:48crowd and ran
26:48as fast as
26:49I could.
26:52I ran
26:53until my
26:53lungs burnt
26:54and my
26:54legs gave
26:55out.
26:59I did
27:00not look
27:00back.
27:01I was
27:01never
27:01going
27:02back.
27:05I
27:06contacted
27:06the venue
27:07manager and
27:08pulled the
27:08surveillance
27:08footage from
27:09the dressing
27:09room.
27:10I cast it
27:11onto the
27:12venue's big
27:12screen for
27:13everyone to
27:14see.
27:17I packed
27:18my things
27:19overnight and
27:20booked a
27:20flight back
27:20to my
27:21hometown.
27:25Before
27:25boarding,
27:26I checked
27:27my phone
27:27one last
27:28time.
27:31Benjamin
27:31had posted
27:32a new
27:32update on
27:32Instagram.
27:33It was
27:34as a
27:34photo of
27:35Emerson's
27:35hand wearing
27:36a ring.
27:37The caption
27:38was simple.
27:39Hello,
27:39Mrs.
27:40Kilbreth.
27:40I blocked
27:41him.
27:42Then I
27:42stepped onto
27:43the plane
27:43and went
27:44home.
27:46I had
27:47not been
27:47home for
27:47the holidays
27:48in three
27:48years.
27:50All because
27:51I wanted
27:51to keep
27:52Benjamin
27:52company.
27:55When my
27:56parents saw
27:56me,
27:57they were
27:57overjoyed.
27:59A wave
28:00of bitterness
28:01welled up
28:01inside me.
28:03Being loved
28:04feels like
28:04finally having
28:05a place to
28:06lean on.
28:07The surveillance
28:08footage played
28:09like a movie
28:10in reverse.
28:12Everyone saw
28:13the truth.
28:14Whether they
28:15believed it
28:16was up to
28:16them.
28:17I was done
28:18caring about
28:18what anyone
28:19thought.
28:22I bought
28:23new clothes
28:23for my
28:24parents,
28:24took them
28:25into town
28:25for holiday
28:26shopping,
28:26and decorated
28:27the house.
28:28The small
28:29town was
28:29already buzzing
28:30with festive
28:31spirit.
28:33Caught up
28:33in the
28:33atmosphere,
28:34I felt
28:35a genuine
28:36sense of
28:36peace for
28:37the first
28:38time in
28:39a long
28:39while.
28:45During
28:46this time,
28:46Benjamin
28:47sent me
28:47dozens of
28:48friend requests
28:48and messages.
28:51since when
28:52did you
28:52resign?
28:56Who gave
28:57you permission
28:58to quit?
29:00Emmy might
29:01have acted
29:01impulsively
29:02that day,
29:03but she did
29:03not mean
29:04any harm.
29:05Do not
29:05be so
29:05petty.
29:06I have
29:06forgiven
29:07you.
29:08Reply
29:08when you
29:09see this.
29:12I did
29:13not accept
29:13a single
29:14request.
29:15He called
29:16me repeatedly,
29:17but I never
29:17picked up
29:18once.
29:18as time
29:19passed,
29:20the messages
29:21stopped
29:21coming.
29:25But on
29:26Christmas Eve,
29:27I received a
29:28call from an
29:28unknown number.
29:29At first,
29:30there was only
29:31silence on the
29:32other end.
29:33Then Benjamin
29:34Zinn's anxious
29:34voice came
29:35through.
29:45Don't hang
29:46in three
29:47time in three
29:47years.
29:48I felt like I
29:49was home.
29:52I heard you
29:52went back to
29:53your hometown
29:54for the holidays.
29:55His voice was
29:56low, as if he
29:57were struggling
29:58to hold
29:58something back.
29:59It reminded
30:00me of the
30:00first year I
30:01spent the
30:01holidays with
30:02him in
30:02Houston.
30:04Benjamin was
30:05an illegitimate
30:05son.
30:07He was not
30:07brought into
30:08the family
30:08until after
30:09his mother
30:09passed away.
30:10That year,
30:12he had been
30:12locked in a
30:13brutal power
30:14struggle for
30:14control of
30:15the company.
30:16His mother
30:17was gone.
30:18He had
30:18burned every
30:19bridge with
30:19his family.
30:21He had no
30:22one to spend
30:22the holidays
30:23with.
30:24On Christmas
30:24Eve, I had
30:25made a video
30:26call to him.
30:27He looked
30:28drunk, drinking
30:29alone on the
30:30balcony.
30:30He was a
30:31clingy drunk,
30:32his voice
30:33unusually soft.
30:35Merry
30:36Christmas,
30:36Genevieve.
30:39It is so
30:40quiet without
30:40you here.
30:42Please come
30:43back soon.
30:44I miss you
30:45so much.
30:47I never
30:47expected he
30:48would be
30:48thinking of
30:49me this
30:49year, with
30:50Emerson back
30:51by his
30:51side.
30:54I snapped
30:55back to
30:56reality and
30:56kept my
30:57voice steady.
30:58Yeah, I
30:59have not
30:59home for
31:00the holidays
31:00in years.
31:01He paused
31:02for a moment,
31:03then asked,
31:04Are you
31:05coming back
31:05after the
31:06break?
31:07Before I
31:08could answer,
31:09I heard a
31:09woman's voice
31:10faintly in
31:11the background.
31:12Ben, can
31:13you get my
31:13coat?
31:14I forgot it.
31:14I have to
31:15go.
31:16Benjamin said
31:16Hursley.
31:17The line
31:18went dead.
31:19Outside the
31:19window, fireworks
31:20erupted, brilliant
31:21against the
31:22night sky.
31:24The holiday
31:25specials on
31:25TV were
31:26getting more
31:26boring.
31:27My mom
31:27glanced over
31:28at me.
31:29Our neighbor's
31:29daughter is
31:30expecting her
31:31second child
31:31this year.
31:33At
31:33Jenny, when
31:34are you going
31:34to bring a
31:34boyfriend home?
31:37When I
31:37did not
31:37push back,
31:39she pulled
31:39out her
31:40phone and
31:40kept going.
31:42Why do
31:42not you
31:42meet up
31:43with this
31:43guy while
31:44you are
31:44still in
31:45town?
31:45This
31:46time, I
31:47did not
31:47refuse.
31:49Sure, set
31:50up a time
31:51for us to
31:51meet.
31:52I heard
31:52Emerson's
31:53voice in
31:53the background
31:53and realized
31:54nothing had
31:55changed.
31:55I was still
31:56the one on
31:57the outside,
31:58looking in.
32:01It was
32:01time to
32:02stop looking,
32:03time to
32:03walk away
32:04for good.
32:08On the
32:08third day
32:09of the
32:09break, I
32:10met the
32:10man my
32:11mother had
32:11arranged for
32:12me.
32:12He was
32:13based in
32:14Houston, came
32:15from a
32:15well-off
32:16family, and
32:17was charming.
32:19I am at
32:20Caden Mansfield.
32:22He held
32:23out his
32:23hand, his
32:24eyes bright
32:25with interest.
32:26We both
32:26had a good
32:27first impression.
32:28Our parents
32:29seemed even
32:30more pleased.
32:32I never
32:33expected
32:34at
32:34Benjamin
32:34to
32:35suddenly
32:35show up
32:36and crash
32:36the
32:36date.
32:40He
32:40plopped
32:41down
32:41right next
32:42to me.
32:43Caden
32:43looked over,
32:44confused.
32:45And who
32:46is this?
32:47I am
32:48her boss,
32:49Benjamin
32:49stated.
32:50I corrected
32:51him immediately.
32:53Former
32:53boss.
32:54I already
32:55resigned.
32:56Genevieve,
32:57I am not
32:57accepting
32:58your resignation.
32:59Benjamin
33:00stared at
33:00me
33:00intently,
33:01his gaze
33:02firm
33:02and
33:03unyielding.
33:04Caden
33:05offered a
33:05polite
33:06smile.
33:07Maybe
33:08we should
33:09talk another
33:09time,
33:10when you
33:10are free.
33:11Despite
33:12at
33:12Benjamin's
33:12murderous
33:13glare,
33:13I exchanged
33:15contact
33:15info with
33:16Caden
33:16before he
33:17left.
33:22I know
33:23you are
33:23only doing
33:24this to
33:24make me
33:24jealous.
33:26I will
33:27make
33:27Emmy
33:27apologize
33:28to you.
33:28Can you
33:29just forgive
33:30her and
33:30forgive me
33:30too?
33:31I am
33:32done with
33:33her.
33:34I thought
33:34I could
33:34never let
33:35go of
33:35her,
33:35but the
33:36truth is...
33:37Benjamin
33:38gripped my
33:38shoulders with
33:39both hands,
33:40his words
33:41tumbling out
33:41in a desperate
33:42rush.
33:42I cut him
33:43off,
33:44my voice
33:44cold as
33:45ice.
33:47Benjamin,
33:48we were
33:49never anything
33:49more than a
33:50boss and his
33:51employee.
33:52Do not
33:53make this
33:53more complicated
33:54than it is.
33:55You are
33:56engaged to
33:56Emerson.
33:58Let us
33:58not drag
33:59this out.
34:00It is
34:01better for
34:01everyone if
34:02we just
34:02move on.
34:04Suddenly,
34:04Benjamin pulled
34:05out a ring
34:06and dropped
34:06to one
34:06knee.
34:08I am
34:08serious about
34:09us,
34:09Jenny.
34:11I was
34:12an idiot.
34:14I did
34:15not know
34:15how to
34:15cherish
34:15what we
34:16had,
34:17but I
34:17see it
34:18now.
34:18Let us
34:19get married.
34:20We can
34:21go to
34:21Bali,
34:22your favorite
34:23place.
34:24I slapped
34:25the ring out
34:25of his
34:25hand.
34:28Benjamin,
34:29you are
34:30being a
34:30nuisance.
34:32I do
34:32not have
34:33any
34:33feelings
34:34left for
34:34you.
34:35I am
34:36begging you,
34:37stop
34:37haunting me.
34:38You are
34:39only making
34:40me sick.
34:44After the
34:45holidays,
34:46my relationship
34:47with Caden
34:48naturally fell
34:49into place.
34:50We eventually
34:51reached the
34:51point of
34:52discussing
34:52marriage.
34:53I had
34:54not seen
34:55Benjamin in
34:55over six
34:56months.
34:57Strangely
34:58enough,
34:58the man I
34:59once thought
35:00I would
35:00spend the
35:01rest of
35:01my life
35:02with now
35:03felt like
35:03a stranger.
35:04I only
35:05heard news
35:05of him
35:06again through
35:06a former
35:07colleague.
35:08Mr.
35:10Kilbreath
35:10called off
35:11the wedding
35:12to Emerson.
35:13Nobody
35:14knows why
35:14he pulled
35:15the plug.
35:15I simply
35:16smiled,
35:17my heart
35:18completely
35:19still.
35:20At the
35:21end of
35:21the year,
35:22Caden
35:22asked if
35:23I would
35:24accompany
35:24him to
35:25a corporate
35:25summit.
35:26I never
35:27expected to
35:27run into
35:28at Benjamin
35:29there.
35:30After a
35:31year apart,
35:32he had
35:32grown much
35:33thinner.
35:34His presence
35:35felt more
35:35settled.
35:36When he
35:36saw me,
35:37he walked
35:38over.
35:42Long time
35:43no see.
35:46Benjamin
35:46followed my
35:47gaze toward
35:48Caden in
35:49the distance.
35:51his face
35:51darkened.
35:54I thought
35:55you were
35:55not serious
35:55about him.
35:56My smile
35:57remained
35:58unchanged.
35:59I never
35:59play games
36:00with people's
36:01feelings.
36:02Benjamin
36:03finally lost
36:04his composure.
36:06I thought
36:06giving you
36:07a year
36:07would help
36:08you understand.
36:09I was
36:10wrong back
36:11then.
36:12The truth
36:13is I have
36:13always loved
36:14you.
36:14I cut
36:15him off,
36:15lifting
36:16my hand
36:16to show
36:17him the
36:17diamond
36:17ring on
36:18my finger.
36:19I am
36:20getting
36:20married.
36:21For a
36:22moment,
36:23at Benjamin
36:23looked like
36:24he was
36:24falling apart.
36:25No way!
36:26He shouted.
36:27You were
36:28so happy
36:29when we
36:29were together!
36:30How could
36:31you possibly-
36:32He made
36:33such a scene
36:33that everyone
36:34nearby turned
36:35to stare.
36:37Caden
36:37walked over,
36:38stepping beside
36:39me.
36:40Benjamin
36:41threw a
36:41punch at
36:41his face.
36:42I screamed.
36:45Benjamin,
36:46are you
36:46crazy?!
36:47I quickly
36:47stepped in
36:48front of
36:48Caden.
36:50Fortunately,
36:51he was not
36:51seriously injured.
36:53I took
36:54Caden's hand
36:55and turned
36:55to leave.
36:56Benjamin
36:56did not
36:57chase after
36:57us.
36:58The rest
36:59of the summit
37:00went smoothly.
37:02I did not
37:03run into
37:03Benjamin again.
37:05As we
37:06drove away,
37:07I saw him
37:08in the rearview
37:08mirror,
37:09slowly bending
37:10over,
37:12clutching
37:12something to
37:13his chest.
37:14I looked
37:15away and
37:16took
37:16Caden's
37:16hand.
37:18It is
37:19finally
37:19over.
37:20He squeezed
37:21my hand
37:21back.
37:24Yeah.
37:26It is
37:27all over.
37:28Life
37:28is long,
37:29but Benjamin
37:30was only
37:30ever a
37:30passing
37:31figure.
37:32My future
37:33was waiting
37:33for me
37:34in the days
37:34that lay
37:35ahead.
37:35end.
37:35The
37:36end.
37:36The
37:36end.
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