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00:00:00At my wedding, my fiancé abandoned me at the altar and walked straight toward my sister, Hazel.
00:00:06God, don't be ridiculous.
00:00:08How could you ever compare yourself to your sister?
00:00:10I'd rather fuck a whore than sleep with you.
00:00:15Hey, Ivy, go beg Hazel!
00:00:17She'd probably lend you a man for the wedding.
00:00:23Honestly, Ivy has never measured up to Hazel.
00:00:28Hazel put on a helpless look.
00:00:31Sorry, Ivy, I was just trying to help you test your fiancé's loyalty.
00:00:36Looks like I've messed up your wedding again.
00:00:47The wedding continues.
00:00:50The groom is now me.
00:00:52Then I became the wife of the most feared Mafia dune.
00:00:57Alex made no attempt to hide his disgust towards Hazel.
00:01:00Shameless slut.
00:01:01Know your place.
00:01:02If you need a man that badly, go spread your legs on the street for any tramp to fuck you.
00:01:07For three years, he spoiled me into the happiest woman in the world.
00:01:13One day, I came home early from a business trip and wanted to surprise him.
00:01:18Don Vitale.
00:01:19The Donna's sister is pregnant with your child.
00:01:21What if she finds out?
00:01:23Hazel and I, it was just a mistake.
00:01:26Ivy must never know.
00:01:27Keep it from her.
00:01:29I'll make it up to her later.
00:01:30I was stunned by the revelation.
00:01:32Instead of confronting Alessio, I turned away and quietly returned to our bedroom.
00:01:37He had promised me honesty when he married me.
00:01:39Yet, now he lied.
00:01:43So I would leave him.
00:01:45And I would never look back.
00:02:01Ivy?
00:02:02I thought you weren't back from your business trip until Friday.
00:02:05I forced a smile.
00:02:07I wrapped things up early.
00:02:08Wanted to surprise you.
00:02:10He crossed the room in three long strides, cupping my face with both hands.
00:02:14The warmth of his palms used to be my favorite thing in the world.
00:02:18Now it made my skin crawl.
00:02:21You're finally back.
00:02:22I miss you so much.
00:02:24His affectionate words made me wonder if the conversation I overheard was nothing but my imagination.
00:02:30Before I could crumble, I grabbed the stack of papers from the console and held them out.
00:02:35While you're here, could you sign these?
00:02:39Just some household bills.
00:02:41I want to get them out of the way.
00:02:43Sure.
00:02:44He took the bundle without a shred of suspicion,
00:02:46pulled a pen from his jacket, and began signing on the flagged lines.
00:02:49One after the other, his signature flowed elegant, camarily unsuspecting.
00:02:54I watched the pen glide across the divorce papers hidden near the bottom.
00:02:57He didn't even look at the headers.
00:02:59He trusted me that much.
00:03:01Or perhaps he simply never imagined I would do something like this.
00:03:05He finished and handed the papers back with a small smile.
00:03:08Done.
00:03:09Anything else?
00:03:10Or can I finally kiss my wife hello?
00:03:12Before I could respond, he pulled me into his chest.
00:03:15His lips descended toward mine, and I panicked.
00:03:17I turned my face away at the last moment,
00:03:19so his kiss landed awkwardly on the corner of my mouth.
00:03:22Alexio pulled back, confusion darkening his gaze.
00:03:26What's the matter?
00:03:30I ducked my head, letting my hair curtain my expression.
00:03:33Nothing.
00:03:35I'm just wiped out from the trip.
00:03:38Traveling always exhausts me.
00:03:40His brow smoothed with immediate concern.
00:03:43Then why didn't you say so?
00:03:46Sit down.
00:03:50He guided me to the sofa.
00:03:52His thumbs worked slow circles into the base of my neck,
00:03:56then drifted up to massage my temples.
00:03:59You push yourself too hard, sweetheart.
00:04:02I've told you a hundred times.
00:04:04If the job is making you miserable, just quit.
00:04:07I'll take care of you.
00:04:09In the past, words like those would have melted me into a puddle of gratitude.
00:04:13I would have turned around and kissed him.
00:04:16But now every syllable crushed my chest.
00:04:19Maybe you're right.
00:04:20I'll think about it.
00:04:21He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
00:04:24Good girl.
00:04:26Now let me grab a quick shower.
00:04:28Don't move.
00:04:28I'll be right back.
00:04:32The moment the bathroom door clicked shut and the water started running,
00:04:36I let my mask slip.
00:04:38I sagged against the cushions,
00:04:41my eyes burning but stubbornly dry.
00:04:44A sharp buzz cut through the room.
00:04:46His phone, resting on the nightstand, lit up with an incoming call.
00:04:50I walked over, thinking I'd hand it to him in case it was urgent.
00:04:54Then I saw the name blazing on the screen.
00:04:57Hazel.
00:04:58My stomach plummeted.
00:05:00The phone vibrated twice more before going silent.
00:05:02I stood frozen, the device heavy in my hand.
00:05:06Just as I was about to place it back,
00:05:08a new notification flashed across the lock screen.
00:05:11My fingers moved before my brain gave permission.
00:05:14I typed in my own birthday.
00:05:16The phone unlocked instantly.
00:05:19I navigated to Hazel's thread.
00:05:25The most recent message contained a single image.
00:05:29A sonogram.
00:05:30I opened it.
00:05:31There, in grainy black and white,
00:05:33was the tiny, curled silhouette of a baby.
00:05:36I could already make out the curve of a head.
00:05:39That was my sister's child.
00:05:41And my husband was the father.
00:05:44I pressed my fist against my mouth to keep any sound from escaping.
00:05:48For 18 months, I had been trying to conceive with Alessio.
00:05:52But nothing happened.
00:05:54His relatives grew more vocal about the need for an heir.
00:05:58Yet Alessio had always stood in front of me like a shield.
00:06:01He'd say, kissing my forehead.
00:06:04We have time.
00:06:06I don't need a baby.
00:06:09I just need you.
00:06:11We'll have our own little world, just the two of us.
00:06:18But it was Hazel who had given him what I couldn't.
00:06:20My own sister.
00:06:21The one our parents favored while I faded into the wallpaper.
00:06:24She had always gotten everything I wanted.
00:06:26And now she had this, too.
00:06:28I closed the image and locked the phone.
00:06:30Then I arranged myself on the bed, propped against the pillows,
00:06:33scrolling idly through my own phone as though nothing had happened.
00:06:37Alexio emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later.
00:06:39A towel slung low on his hips, droplets still glistening across the hard planes of his chest.
00:06:43He glanced at his phone and I saw it.
00:06:45The brief flicker of tension in his jaw.
00:06:47The way his eyes cut to me and then away.
00:06:50Everything okay?
00:06:51He tucked the phone face down on the nightstand.
00:06:54Just business.
00:06:55Some gang from the south is trying to muscle in on one of our warehouses.
00:06:58I'll deal with it tomorrow.
00:07:00I felt my heart sink.
00:07:01He was lying again.
00:07:05He slid into bed beside me, his body curving around mine.
00:07:08I forced myself to relax, to play the part of the oblivious wife for just a few more days.
00:07:13The next morning, Alexio mentioned my family gathering,
00:07:16while he was nodding his tie in front of the mirror.
00:07:19Day after tomorrow, at your parents' estate.
00:07:23You don't have to come, Ivy.
00:07:24I know how much you dread those things.
00:07:30Why would you say that?
00:07:32Because your parents barely look at you when Hazel's in the room.
00:07:34I hate watching you go through that.
00:07:37Every word was true.
00:07:38And once I would have been so grateful for his protectiveness.
00:07:41Now I saw the real reason behind it.
00:07:43He didn't want me there because Hazel would be there.
00:07:45Her belly just beginning to show beneath her designer dress.
00:07:49I suppressed my bitterness.
00:07:51I'm going.
00:07:54It's a family occasion.
00:07:56Everyone will be there.
00:07:57It would look strange if I didn't show up.
00:07:59Something flickered behind his eyes.
00:08:01Guilt, maybe, or unease.
00:08:03But he smoothed it over quickly.
00:08:06All right, if that's what you want.
00:08:08I would go to that gathering and look at my parents,
00:08:11who had always showered Hazel with affection while I stood in the corner.
00:08:14I would see my sister, who had taken everything from me.
00:08:18It doesn't matter anymore.
00:08:19In five days, none of this will have anything to do with me.
00:08:28On Saturday, we went to my parents' estate to attend the family gathering.
00:08:33The moment we stepped into the dining room, I saw my mother descended on Hazel.
00:08:39She cupped Hazel's face and kissed both cheeks while my father hovered nearby, beaming.
00:08:44There she is, my brilliant girl.
00:08:48I stood in the doorway, Alexio's hand on the small of my back,
00:08:52and waited for someone to notice I had arrived.
00:08:55But my parents never paid any attention to me.
00:08:59Alexio then cleared his throat.
00:09:01Alexio.
00:09:02Ivy?
00:09:03My father finally greeted us, his tone casual.
00:09:08You're here.
00:09:11When it was dinner time, everyone took a seat at the table.
00:09:14The dishes were a parade of Hazel's favorites.
00:09:18Truffle risotto, seared scallops, a delicate asparagus tart, and a chocolate souffle.
00:09:24I scanned the spread, searching for a single dish I loved, and found nothing.
00:09:30Mother soon launched into conversation.
00:09:33Before the appetizers were even cleared.
00:09:35We've been absolutely bursting to tell you.
00:09:39Hazel's jewelry collection won the Galleria Prize.
00:09:42Can you believe it?
00:09:43We're so proud of her.
00:09:49Mom, you're embarrassing me.
00:09:52Nonsense.
00:09:53This is a monumental achievement.
00:09:57My father lifted his glass toward Hazel, his eyes glistening with something I had spent my entire life failing to
00:10:03earn.
00:10:04To our daughter, the award-winning designer.
00:10:08My mother then turned her attention to me.
00:10:10And what about you, Ivy?
00:10:14Still tinkering with that little studio of yours?
00:10:17It's not a little studio.
00:10:19It's my business.
00:10:21A business that hasn't turned a profit in two years.
00:10:24She waved a dismissive hand.
00:10:27Hazel has real clients.
00:10:29Real awards.
00:10:32Maybe you should ask your sister for some advice.
00:10:35Before I could respond, Alessio set his fork down with a quiet, deliberate clink.
00:10:40Ivy's work has an originality that the market hasn't caught up to yet.
00:10:44Her designs have vision.
00:10:46That kind of talent doesn't go unnoticed forever.
00:10:50My father made a skeptical noise and pulled out his phone.
00:10:54Speaking of vision, have you seen Hazel's piece that won?
00:10:58Let me show you.
00:10:59He swiped through his photos and thrust the screen toward Alessio.
00:11:04Look at this.
00:11:06Brilliant, isn't it?
00:11:08I glanced over.
00:11:10And my heart skipped a beat.
00:11:15On the screen was a pair of rings.
00:11:19I had sketched the design three months ago, hoping to gift the ring to Alessio.
00:11:24My fingers went numb.
00:11:26Had never left my studio.
00:11:28I had never showed that design to anyone.
00:11:31It's exquisite.
00:11:33Alexo said, and I flinched as though he had struck me.
00:11:39Congratulations, Hazel.
00:11:40Thank you, Alessio.
00:11:42I opened my mouth.
00:11:44The words were forming.
00:11:46That's my design.
00:11:47How did you get it?
00:11:49The next second, Hazel rose from her chair, a glass of sparkling water in her hand.
00:11:56She tapped a spoon against the crystal with a delicate chime, and every head turned.
00:12:01I have some news.
00:12:03Her cheeks flushed.
00:12:05Wonderful news.
00:12:07My mother clasped her hands.
00:12:10Oh, tell us, darling.
00:12:12Hazel's eyes found mine.
00:12:14A slow, deliberate lock of gazes.
00:12:17Then her lips curved.
00:12:18I'm pregnant.
00:12:26The room erupted.
00:12:28My mother gasped and leeched from her chair to envelop Hazel in a trembling embrace.
00:12:33My father laughed.
00:12:36Who's the father?
00:12:38Do we know him?
00:12:39Hazel placed a protective hand over her stomach.
00:12:43The father's identity is...
00:12:46complicated.
00:12:48I'll be raising this baby on my own.
00:12:49When she said those words, her eyes never left mine.
00:12:54My mother's expression wavered for only a second, before she rallied.
00:12:58Well, if that's what you want, we'll support you completely.
00:13:03This baby will be so loved.
00:13:06I didn't hear the rest.
00:13:08A roaring had started in my ears, drowning out every congratulation and exclamation.
00:13:13My fingers loosened.
00:13:15The wine glass slipped through them.
00:13:17It hit the edge of my plate and shattered.
00:13:20Shards scattered across the white table cloth.
00:13:23Every face turned toward me.
00:13:26Ivy!
00:13:28My mother's voice was sharp with irritation.
00:13:31Can't you be more careful?
00:13:33You're killing the mood.
00:13:37I reached out and gathered the shards into my palm.
00:13:42A sharp tyrol sliced through my fog.
00:13:45I looked down and saw a thin line of red welling across my index finger.
00:13:49The blood beaded and dripped onto the white shards.
00:13:53Ivy, stop!
00:13:55Alexia was at my side in an instant.
00:13:58His hands closing over my wrist.
00:14:01Let go.
00:14:02Let the nade handle it.
00:14:04You're bleeding.
00:14:07He pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket and pressed it firmly against my palm.
00:14:12You never pick up broken glass.
00:14:15Never.
00:14:16Do you understand me?
00:14:17A maid soon appeared with a dustpan and a damp cloth.
00:14:21The broken glass vanished.
00:14:24Excuse me.
00:14:25I need to use the bathroom.
00:14:27The guest bathroom was quiet.
00:14:30I ran my uninjured hand under cold water.
00:14:34When I stepped out, Hazel was waiting for me.
00:14:37She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.
00:14:40The picture of casual victory.
00:14:42Congratulations.
00:14:44You must be thrilled.
00:14:47I am.
00:14:48She tilted her head, studying me with the same expression she had worn when we were children.
00:14:54And she had stolen my favorite doll.
00:14:56You look pale, Ivy.
00:14:57Are you feeling unwell?
00:15:00The rings.
00:15:01That was my design.
00:15:03How did you get it?
00:15:09Hazel smiled.
00:15:10I don't know what you're talking about.
00:15:12That was my own design.
00:15:14A very special person in my life gave me the inspiration.
00:15:18Every line of that piece belongs to him.
00:15:22She was telling me that Alessio had handed her my design.
00:15:25The thing I had poured my soul into.
00:15:27And she had worn it into the world as her own triumph.
00:15:31I was heartbroken.
00:15:33Hazel had taken our parents' affection before I was old enough to speak.
00:15:38Every boyfriend I had brought home in high school,
00:15:41I had ended up calling her number within a month.
00:15:45And now?
00:15:47Now she had taken the design I had never showed anyone.
00:15:50And the man I had married.
00:15:53She had taken everything from me.
00:15:56You've always wanted everything I had.
00:15:59Haven't you ever had enough?
00:16:01Hazel pushed off the wall and walked past me.
00:16:04No.
00:16:05I never have.
00:16:07Then she was gone.
00:16:10I stood in the hallway,
00:16:12my hand throbbing under Alessio's handkerchief,
00:16:15and felt the last ember of hope inside me die.
00:16:19I didn't return to the table.
00:16:23I found the front door and stepped outside into the cool night air.
00:16:27A few minutes later, Alessio emerged.
00:16:30I told them you weren't feeling well.
00:16:36Let's go home.
00:16:38We drove in silence for a long stretch.
00:16:41I pressed my forehead to the cold glass.
00:16:44Alexio's voice broke the quiet.
00:16:46Ivy,
00:16:47I know that was hard.
00:16:48I know your parents were the way they always are.
00:16:51And Hazel's announcement,
00:16:53I'm sorry you had to sit through all of that.
00:16:55I watched his profile,
00:16:57the strong line of his jaw.
00:16:59He sounded so sincere,
00:17:02yet he had actually betrayed me.
00:17:05I'm fine, I lied.
00:17:07It's just a lot.
00:17:09He was silent for a moment.
00:17:12Then he reached over and held my hand.
00:17:14I have an idea.
00:17:17Let's get away.
00:17:19Just the two of us.
00:17:21Get away where?
00:17:24I have a little island.
00:17:26The one my grandfather left me.
00:17:28There's this house by the shore.
00:17:31And the sunrise there.
00:17:33It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
00:17:36He squeezed my hand.
00:17:38We can watch the sun come up
00:17:39and forget about everyone else for a while.
00:17:43What do you say?
00:17:44I wanted to refuse,
00:17:46but there was a part of me,
00:17:48the foolish, stubborn part,
00:17:50that wanted one more sunrise with him.
00:17:53Okay.
00:17:54Let's go watch the sunrise.
00:17:56Just one more sunrise.
00:17:58Then I would disappear from his world for good.
00:18:04The next day,
00:18:06I began packing my things
00:18:07for our trip to the island.
00:18:09I folded sundresses into my bag,
00:18:12tucked my passport into the side pocket
00:18:14next to the signed divorce papers,
00:18:15and pretended I was just a wife
00:18:17heading off on a romantic getaway
00:18:19with her devoted husband.
00:18:21By late afternoon,
00:18:22we were cutting across the water on his yacht,
00:18:24the coastline shrinking behind us.
00:18:29Alexio stood at the helm,
00:18:30one hand on the wheel,
00:18:32the wind tunsling his dark hair.
00:18:35Every so often,
00:18:36he would glance back at me
00:18:37with that half-smile of his.
00:18:40This is the beginning of our escape.
00:18:42Just the two of us.
00:18:43No business,
00:18:45no family,
00:18:46no distractions.
00:18:48I nodded,
00:18:50pretending I was really happy.
00:18:51The island soon emerged on the horizon.
00:18:55As the yacht glided toward the dock,
00:18:58I spotted something flickering on the beach,
00:19:01dozens of tiny flames,
00:19:03arranged in a semicircle
00:19:05around a table set for two.
00:19:08Alexio killed the engine
00:19:10and helped me onto the dock,
00:19:12his hand warm and steady in mine.
00:19:15Surprise.
00:19:17Surprise.
00:19:20He murmured
00:19:21and led me down to the sand.
00:19:23The table was draped in white linen.
00:19:27Every dish was my favorite.
00:19:30He pulled out my chair,
00:19:32his eyes reflecting the candlelight.
00:19:35I know things have been difficult.
00:19:38Your parents,
00:19:40the family pressures,
00:19:42all of it.
00:19:43But I want you to know something,
00:19:46Ivy.
00:19:47Even if your family doesn't see your worth,
00:19:49I do.
00:19:51I will always stand by you.
00:19:54I looked at him.
00:19:55His jaw was strong,
00:19:57his eyes earnest,
00:19:59his mouth shaped
00:20:00into the gentlest curver of sincerity.
00:20:03Every word he spoke felt like a vow,
00:20:05but every word was actually a lie.
00:20:11That means everything to me.
00:20:14He smiled,
00:20:16visibly relieved,
00:20:18and raised his glass.
00:20:20To us.
00:20:23To our second honeymoon.
00:20:25To us.
00:20:29He had just set his glass down
00:20:31and was reaching for the wine bottle
00:20:33to pour me another.
00:20:35When his phone buzzed
00:20:36against the tablecloth,
00:20:38the sound was sharp and intrusive.
00:20:40Alexio glanced at the screen
00:20:42and silenced it
00:20:43with a flick of his thumb.
00:20:45The phone buzzed again.
00:20:47He silenced it again.
00:20:49His jaw tightening
00:20:50almost imperceptibly.
00:20:53I swear.
00:20:56I told them.
00:20:58It buzzed a third time.
00:20:59Consistent.
00:21:00The kind of call
00:21:01that would not be ignored.
00:21:03I watched the flicker of indecision
00:21:05cross his features.
00:21:10You should get that.
00:21:11It might be your underboss.
00:21:14Something could be wrong.
00:21:16I already knew who was calling.
00:21:18He told his men to leave him alone.
00:21:21So there was only one person it could be.
00:21:24Hazel.
00:21:26Alexio shook his head.
00:21:28I made you a promise.
00:21:30Today is about us.
00:21:32No business.
00:21:34The buzzing suddenly stopped.
00:21:37Then his screen lit up
00:21:38with a notification.
00:21:40He picked up the phone,
00:21:42read the message,
00:21:43and furrowed his brows.
00:21:46What is it?
00:21:48I asked on purpose.
00:21:49He was already rising from his chair.
00:21:52There's a situation.
00:21:54One of our operations.
00:21:56It's bad.
00:21:58Ivy.
00:21:59I need to go handle it in person.
00:22:02He rounded the table
00:22:03and cuffed my face in both hands,
00:22:06his thumbs brushing my cheekbones.
00:22:08I'll be back before sunrise.
00:22:11I swear it.
00:22:13We'll watch the dawn together.
00:22:15I looked up into his eyes.
00:22:18You're sure you can't stay?
00:22:21Even just for dinner?
00:22:22Something flickered in his expression.
00:22:25Guilt, maybe.
00:22:27Or regret.
00:22:29I'll make it up to you.
00:22:31I promise.
00:22:33He kissed me.
00:22:35And then he was striding up the beach
00:22:37toward the dark.
00:22:41The yacht's engine rumbered to life.
00:22:44I watched the boat shrink
00:22:45until it was a speck.
00:22:47Then nothing at all.
00:22:50I turned back to the table.
00:22:53The candles were still burning.
00:22:56Everything was exactly as it had been.
00:22:59Except I was utterly alone.
00:23:02I didn't eat.
00:23:03I carried my wine glass
00:23:05down to the water's edge
00:23:06and sat in the cool sand.
00:23:09I hugged my knees to my chest
00:23:11and let the wind whip my hair
00:23:13across my face.
00:23:15Midnight came and went.
00:23:17The candles on the table
00:23:18guttered and died
00:23:19one by one.
00:23:21Still,
00:23:21the horizon remained empty.
00:23:24I pulled out my phone
00:23:26and opened Instagram.
00:23:28I pulled out my phone
00:23:28Hazel's most recent post
00:23:29was 45 minutes old.
00:23:31It was a picture of a man's hand
00:23:33resting tenderly on a woman's belly.
00:23:36On the cuff was a pair of silver cufflinks
00:23:38engraved with an intricate
00:23:40interlocking pattern of vines.
00:23:41I had designed those cufflinks myself.
00:23:45Two years ago,
00:23:46for Alessio's birthday,
00:23:47I had wanted him to carry something of me
00:23:50wherever he went.
00:23:51I stared at the screen
00:23:52until the letters blurred.
00:23:54My heart hurt a lot
00:23:57when I confirmed that my husband
00:23:59was really staying with my sister.
00:24:01My thumb hovered over Alessio's contact.
00:24:04I called him.
00:24:06The first time,
00:24:08it rang and rang
00:24:09and then went to voicemail.
00:24:11I hung up and called again.
00:24:14Same result.
00:24:15The third time.
00:24:18Someone picked up
00:24:19just as I was about to give up.
00:24:24Hello, Ivy.
00:24:26Hazel's voice was sweet.
00:24:28She sounded quite pleased.
00:24:30Put Alessio on.
00:24:31He's a little occupied at the moment.
00:24:34Our baby was giving me trouble.
00:24:37He's been so attentive.
00:24:39You'd be amazed
00:24:40at how quickly he dropped
00:24:42everything to come to us.
00:24:43A pause,
00:24:44filled with the soft rustle
00:24:46of what I imagined
00:24:47was her settling more comfortably
00:24:48into her pillows.
00:24:50You know, Ivy,
00:24:51I've always told you
00:24:53there isn't a man in this world
00:24:55I can't have
00:24:56if I want him.
00:24:58Alexio is no exception.
00:25:00And now that I'm carrying
00:25:02his child,
00:25:03she let the sentence trail off,
00:25:05pregnant with implication.
00:25:07Here's some advice.
00:25:08Be sensible.
00:25:09File the papers.
00:25:11Walk away with whatever
00:25:12shred of dignity
00:25:13you have left.
00:25:14You've lost.
00:25:16Ivy.
00:25:17You want Alessio?
00:25:18Fine.
00:25:20He's yours.
00:25:21Hazel had expected tears.
00:25:24Or maybe a satisfying outburst.
00:25:27Wait, Ivy?
00:25:30I ignored her and continued.
00:25:33My entire life,
00:25:35I've let you take what you wanted
00:25:36and stepped aside.
00:25:38My parents' affection,
00:25:40my boyfriends,
00:25:41my husband.
00:25:42You've helped yourself
00:25:43to all of it.
00:25:45And I've let you.
00:25:47Because some part of me
00:25:49still believe that
00:25:49if I was good enough,
00:25:52I'd eventually have
00:25:53something to call my own.
00:25:55Ivy.
00:25:56But I'm done
00:25:57being patient.
00:25:59I'm not going to let you
00:26:00walk all over me
00:26:01without paying the price again.
00:26:03What is that supposed
00:26:05to mean?
00:26:07Hazel's voice sharpened,
00:26:09losing its honeyed edge.
00:26:11Instead of replying,
00:26:13I hung up.
00:26:15I didn't sleep
00:26:16and just watch the sky.
00:26:17I was still alone.
00:26:20Alexio was nowhere
00:26:20to be seen.
00:26:22You're walking around!
00:26:28Two hours later,
00:26:31Alexio finally arrived
00:26:32at the island.
00:26:34He stepped onto the planks,
00:26:36exhausted,
00:26:37his shirt wrinkled,
00:26:39his jaw shadowed
00:26:41with stubble.
00:26:42The hospital trip
00:26:43had really worn him out.
00:26:45Hazel had alternated
00:26:46between tears
00:26:47and demands.
00:26:48And by the time
00:26:49the doctor reassured
00:26:50them both
00:26:51that the baby was fine,
00:26:53it had been nearly dawn.
00:26:55He had broken
00:26:56every speed limit
00:26:57getting back here.
00:27:00The beach was empty.
00:27:02The table from the night before
00:27:04still stood on the sand.
00:27:06The food
00:27:07un-untouched
00:27:08and spoiled.
00:27:09Alessio's underboss,
00:27:11Marco,
00:27:11was waiting
00:27:12at the edge
00:27:12of the sand.
00:27:13His expression
00:27:15was tense.
00:27:21Where is my wife?
00:27:25Alessio asked,
00:27:27still scanning the beach.
00:27:29Is she in the villa?
00:27:30Marco stepped forward
00:27:31and held out
00:27:33a Manali envelope.
00:27:36She's gone, boss.
00:27:37Gone where?
00:27:40Gone for a walk?
00:27:42She took the motorboat
00:27:43about an hour ago.
00:27:46Left this in the villa.
00:27:48Alexio took the envelope
00:27:49and tore it open.
00:27:52Inside were the divorce papers.
00:27:54Signed and dated.
00:27:56Clipped to the top page
00:27:57was a small velvet pouch.
00:27:59He loosened the drawstring
00:28:00and tipped the contents
00:28:02and tipped the contents
00:28:02into his palm.
00:28:03A ring slipped out.
00:28:05The very emblem
00:28:06of the Donna.
00:28:07Alessio stood rooted
00:28:08to the spot
00:28:09and stared at the signatures
00:28:11at the bottom
00:28:11of the divorce papers.
00:28:13His name,
00:28:14scrolled in his own
00:28:15unmistakable hand,
00:28:16sat right next to hers.
00:28:19Ivy Morris.
00:28:20Her letters were neat
00:28:22and deliberate,
00:28:23each stroke
00:28:23carrying a finality
00:28:25that made his chest contract.
00:28:26His signature.
00:28:29He had signed
00:28:30the divorce papers himself.
00:28:32When?
00:28:33How?
00:28:35And then it hit him
00:28:36with the force
00:28:36of a physical blow.
00:28:38The utility bills.
00:28:40That night,
00:28:41she had come home early
00:28:42from her business trip.
00:28:43The night she had stood
00:28:44in the hallway
00:28:45with that strange,
00:28:46brittle smile
00:28:47and handed him
00:28:49a stack of papers.
00:28:50He had signed every page
00:28:51without a second glance,
00:28:53his mind already drifting
00:28:54to the shower.
00:28:56She had played him.
00:28:58She had stood
00:28:59right in front of him,
00:29:01looked him in the eye
00:29:02and handed him
00:29:03the document
00:29:04that would end
00:29:05their marriage.
00:29:06And he had signed it
00:29:07without hesitation.
00:29:09Because he trusted her.
00:29:11Because the thought
00:29:12of her deceiving him
00:29:13was so foreign
00:29:14it had never crossed
00:29:15his mind.
00:29:17Boss.
00:29:24I came by
00:29:25around seven
00:29:26this morning
00:29:27to bring your wife
00:29:27her breakfast
00:29:28like you asked.
00:29:29The villa was empty,
00:29:31bed wasn't slept in.
00:29:33These were
00:29:34on the nightstand.
00:29:35She just
00:29:36left.
00:29:38Alexio's fingers
00:29:39tightened around
00:29:40the papers,
00:29:41crunching the edges.
00:29:42Ivy had planned this.
00:29:44She had orchestrated
00:29:45her escape.
00:29:47Please get us back
00:29:48to the mainland.
00:29:49Now!
00:29:53The moment
00:29:54the yacht docked,
00:29:55Alessio was off
00:29:56the boat
00:29:56and into his car.
00:29:58He drove like
00:29:59a man possessed,
00:30:01weaving through traffic.
00:30:03Running lights
00:30:04he would normally
00:30:05have observed,
00:30:06the city blurred
00:30:07past his window,
00:30:08all noise and motion,
00:30:10and he registered
00:30:11none of it.
00:30:14He burst
00:30:15through the front door
00:30:16and the silence
00:30:17hit him like a wall.
00:30:19The house felt
00:30:20different,
00:30:21emptier,
00:30:22colder.
00:30:24Ivy.
00:30:25He strode
00:30:26through the foyer
00:30:26into the living room,
00:30:28empty,
00:30:30the kitchen,
00:30:32empty.
00:30:33He took the stairs
00:30:35two at a time
00:30:35and threw
00:30:36open the bedroom door.
00:30:38she was not there
00:30:39either.
00:30:42Found the housekeeper
00:30:43in the hallway.
00:30:44My wife.
00:30:45When did she get home?
00:30:49Don Vitale,
00:30:51your wife
00:30:51didn't come home
00:30:52at all.
00:30:54I've been here
00:30:55since seven
00:30:56this morning.
00:30:57She never
00:30:58walked through
00:30:59the door.
00:30:59Alexio pulled out
00:31:00his phone
00:31:01and called Ivy's number.
00:31:02The line
00:31:02didn't even ring.
00:31:03A robotic voice
00:31:04informed him
00:31:05that the number
00:31:05was no longer
00:31:06in service.
00:31:07He tried again.
00:31:08Same result.
00:31:09He hurled the phone
00:31:10against the wall
00:31:10and it shattered
00:31:11into a spray
00:31:11of glass and metal,
00:31:12the pieces skittering
00:31:13across the hardwood floor.
00:31:14She was gone.
00:31:15His wife was gone
00:31:16and he had no idea
00:31:18where to look.
00:31:18Why would she do this?
00:31:20It couldn't be
00:31:20about the sunrise.
00:31:22Ivy wasn't petty.
00:31:23She wouldn't dissolve
00:31:24a marriage
00:31:25because he'd missed
00:31:25a sunrise.
00:31:26There had to be
00:31:27something else.
00:31:28Something bigger.
00:31:29Something that had been
00:31:30eating at her
00:31:31long before last night.
00:31:32And then the obvious answer.
00:31:34The one he had been
00:31:34dodging slammed into him
00:31:36with sickening clarity.
00:31:37Hazel, the baby.
00:31:40Ivy knew.
00:31:41There was no other
00:31:41explanation for the
00:31:42divorce papers.
00:31:44The careful, quiet
00:31:45vanishing act.
00:31:46Alessia was in his car
00:31:47again before he could
00:31:48think, driving across
00:31:49town to the apartment
00:31:51building where Hazel
00:31:52lived.
00:31:52He didn't knock.
00:31:53He used the key Hazel
00:31:54had given him months ago
00:31:56and let himself in.
00:31:57Hazel was lounging on
00:31:58her sofa in a silk robe,
00:32:00a cup of coffee steaming
00:32:01on the coffee table.
00:32:03She looked up
00:32:03with a smile
00:32:04that faded the instant
00:32:05she saw his face.
00:32:08Alexio?
00:32:09What's wrong?
00:32:10You look terrible.
00:32:13Did you tell her?
00:32:15He crossed the room
00:32:16and stood over her,
00:32:17his shadow falling
00:32:18across her
00:32:19like a shroud.
00:32:20Did you tell Ivy
00:32:21about the baby?
00:32:22About us?
00:32:23Hazel set down
00:32:24her coffee.
00:32:25Of course not.
00:32:25You asked me not to
00:32:26and I've kept my word.
00:32:28Why would I tell her?
00:32:29But she knows.
00:32:31Ivy signed the divorce
00:32:32papers.
00:32:33She left her ring.
00:32:35She's just...
00:32:36gone.
00:32:37For a fraction
00:32:38of a second,
00:32:39something flickered
00:32:40in Hazel's eyes.
00:32:41Alessio was about
00:32:41to press her further.
00:32:45When hurried footsteps
00:32:46sounded in the hallway
00:32:47and Marco appeared
00:32:49in the doorway,
00:32:50his face ashen.
00:32:53Boss,
00:32:55you need to see this.
00:32:57Alexio snatched
00:32:58the phone Marco
00:32:59was holding out.
00:33:00The screen was open
00:33:01to Twitter,
00:33:02to Ivy's profile,
00:33:03to a video she had posted
00:33:04less than an hour ago.
00:33:05His thumb hovered
00:33:07over the play button
00:33:07for a heartbeat
00:33:09and then he pressed it.
00:33:13The video opened
00:33:15on Ivy's hand,
00:33:16her beautiful,
00:33:17graceful hand
00:33:18sketched with a colored
00:33:19pencil across cream paper.
00:33:20The camera was positioned
00:33:22above her drafting table,
00:33:23capturing every stroke
00:33:25as she brought a design
00:33:26to life.
00:33:27Two rings,
00:33:28interlocking.
00:33:29He watched her redrawing
00:33:30until the geometry
00:33:31was perfect.
00:33:32He watched her hold
00:33:33the finished rings
00:33:34up to the camera,
00:33:35turning them so the light
00:33:36caught the gem.
00:33:37Then the video cut to Ivy
00:33:39facing the camera directly.
00:33:40Her eyes sparkled
00:33:42with a joy
00:33:42that made his throat tighten.
00:33:44These rings are
00:33:45specially made for someone,
00:33:46her voice bright
00:33:47with affection.
00:33:48One for me
00:33:49and one for my husband.
00:33:51I designed them
00:33:52to represent
00:33:53what we have.
00:33:54She pressed the rings
00:33:55to her heart
00:33:56and grinned.
00:33:57I can't wait
00:33:58to give his to him.
00:33:59The screen went black.
00:34:02When it lit again,
00:34:04it was the present-day Ivy.
00:34:06Her hair was longer now,
00:34:08her face thinner.
00:34:10The sparkle in her eyes
00:34:12extinguished.
00:34:13She was sitting
00:34:14in what he recognized
00:34:15as the villa on the island,
00:34:16the morning light
00:34:17filtering through
00:34:18the windows behind her.
00:34:19I designed these rings
00:34:20three months ago.
00:34:21She said,
00:34:22her voice steady and hollow.
00:34:23I poured everything
00:34:24I had into them
00:34:25and then my design
00:34:26was stolen.
00:34:27My sister submitted it
00:34:28as her own work
00:34:28and won an award for it.
00:34:33Alexio's blood ran cold.
00:34:37But that's not the worst part.
00:34:38The worst part is that
00:34:40she didn't just steal my design.
00:34:41She stole my husband.
00:34:43Two.
00:34:44The man who was supposed
00:34:45to love me forever
00:34:46has been lying to my face.
00:34:47She paused.
00:34:49The camera caught
00:34:50the slight tremor
00:34:51in her chin
00:34:51before she steadied it.
00:34:54I loved you,
00:34:55honey.
00:34:56I loved you
00:34:57with everything I had
00:34:58and I thought
00:34:59that was enough.
00:34:59But I was wrong.
00:35:01So I'm letting you go.
00:35:03You can keep my sister.
00:35:04Her voice dropped
00:35:04to a whisper.
00:35:05Goodbye.
00:35:07The video ended.
00:35:08The screen froze
00:35:09on her face
00:35:09and Alessio felt
00:35:10something inside him
00:35:11splinter.
00:35:12The design.
00:35:13Hazel's award-winning
00:35:14collection.
00:35:15The one the whole family
00:35:16had celebrated,
00:35:17the one he had congratulated
00:35:19her for,
00:35:19it was Ivy's.
00:35:20Ivy had created it,
00:35:22nurtured it,
00:35:23poured her soul into it,
00:35:25and Hazel had stolen it.
00:35:27He turned to Hazel
00:35:28and the look on his face
00:35:30made her recoil.
00:35:31You told me
00:35:31that design was yours.
00:35:34Alexio,
00:35:34I can explain.
00:35:36It was hers.
00:35:39His voice was quiet,
00:35:41which made it worse.
00:35:42You took her work
00:35:43and you took her recognition.
00:35:46She was never enough for you.
00:35:48Alexio,
00:35:49you needed someone
00:35:50who could give you
00:35:51what she couldn't.
00:35:52Hazel slowly regains
00:35:53her composure.
00:35:55Don't you dare pretend
00:35:56this was about me.
00:35:58You've been trying to destroy her
00:35:59since the day she was born.
00:36:03Hazel opened her mouth
00:36:04to respond.
00:36:05But Alessio was already
00:36:06walking away,
00:36:08Marco falling into step
00:36:09behind him.
00:36:10Alexio felt so bad,
00:36:11he had signed the divorce papers
00:36:13without reading them.
00:36:14He had left her alone
00:36:15on the island
00:36:16while he rushed
00:36:17to another woman's bedside.
00:36:18He had done everything wrong
00:36:20and now Ivy had done
00:36:21the one thing
00:36:22he couldn't undo.
00:36:23She had stopped loving him.
00:36:25Once the video was live,
00:36:27I logged out
00:36:27and let go of everything
00:36:28that followed.
00:36:29I boarded a flight overseas
00:36:30and began a new life.
00:36:32I had chosen a small island
00:36:33in the Venetian Lagoon.
00:36:35It was the opposite
00:36:36of New York
00:36:36in every conceivable way
00:36:38and that was precisely
00:36:39why I had come.
00:36:40I started a bookstore.
00:36:42Nothing fancy,
00:36:43just a quiet little place.
00:36:45Inside,
00:36:46the space was small
00:36:47but warm
00:36:48with exposed wooden beams,
00:36:50a few well-loved armchairs
00:36:52and shelves
00:36:53I had built myself
00:36:54from reclaimed timber.
00:36:55I arranged the books
00:36:56by feeling
00:36:57rather than genre.
00:36:58Customers told me
00:36:58they loved
00:36:59the unpredictability of it,
00:37:00the sense that the shop
00:37:01had a personality
00:37:02rather than a system.
00:37:02Every Monday morning,
00:37:04I created a new book
00:37:05recommendation
00:37:05in the front windows.
00:37:06People started coming
00:37:07from neighboring islands
00:37:08just to see
00:37:09what I would choose next.
00:37:15Some of them took photos
00:37:16and posted them online.
00:37:18I didn't mind.
00:37:20I had stopped checking
00:37:21social media obsessively,
00:37:22but on a rainy Tuesday
00:37:24about two weeks
00:37:25after my arrival,
00:37:26curiosity got the batter of me.
00:37:29I opened Twitter
00:37:30and searched my own name,
00:37:31then Hazel's.
00:37:33The results were staggering.
00:37:35The video I had posted,
00:37:36the one showing
00:37:37my design process
00:37:38for the rings,
00:37:40the one ending
00:37:41with my quiet goodbye,
00:37:44had been shared
00:37:45hundreds of thousands
00:37:46of times.
00:37:51News outlets
00:37:52had picked it up.
00:37:53Design blogs
00:37:53had written lengthy analysis
00:37:55comparing my sketches
00:37:56to Hazel's award submission
00:37:57and the verdict
00:37:59was unanimous.
00:38:00Hazel had stolen my work.
00:38:02Hazel's social media accounts
00:38:04had been flooded
00:38:04with condemnation.
00:38:06Several brands
00:38:07she had collaborated with
00:38:08had released statements
00:38:09cutting ties.
00:38:10The design award
00:38:11she had won
00:38:12had been rescinded,
00:38:13the committee issuing
00:38:14a public apology
00:38:15for failing to verify
00:38:16the originality
00:38:17of her submission.
00:38:19She was finished.
00:38:21Her career,
00:38:23her reputation,
00:38:24the carefully constructed pedestal
00:38:26she had stood
00:38:26on her entire life,
00:38:28all of it had crumbled
00:38:29in the span
00:38:30of a single video.
00:38:31A few days later,
00:38:32I saw that Hazel
00:38:34had posted
00:38:34an apology video.
00:38:36I hesitated
00:38:37for a long moment
00:38:38before pressing play.
00:38:39I'm sorry, Ivy.
00:38:41I know saying that
00:38:43can't undo
00:38:43what I did to you.
00:38:45I don't expect you
00:38:46to forgive me right away.
00:38:47I just hope that
00:38:49someday
00:38:50you can find it
00:38:52in your heart
00:38:52to forgive me.
00:38:53I closed the video
00:38:54halfway through.
00:38:56I knew my sister.
00:38:57She wasn't sorry
00:38:58she had hurt me.
00:39:00She was sorry
00:39:00she had been caught.
00:39:02And forgiving her?
00:39:03That was out of the question.
00:39:05I made myself
00:39:06an espresso,
00:39:08straightened a stack
00:39:08of new arrivals,
00:39:09and settled behind
00:39:10the counter with a book.
00:39:12This was my life now.
00:39:14A quiet,
00:39:16uncomplicated,
00:39:17mine.
00:39:22The coffee shop
00:39:24next door
00:39:24was called
00:39:25Tasa Doro,
00:39:26and it was run
00:39:27by a man named Owen.
00:39:28He was tall
00:39:29and lean
00:39:30with sandy hair
00:39:31that fell across
00:39:31his forehead,
00:39:32and the kind
00:39:33of easy smile.
00:39:34I had met him
00:39:35on my second day
00:39:36in the city,
00:39:37when I had wandered in
00:39:38looking for caffeine,
00:39:40and found myself
00:39:41staying for an hour.
00:39:42Charmed by the warmth
00:39:43of the place
00:39:44and the unharried way
00:39:46he talked to his customers.
00:39:47Owen started coming
00:39:48by the bookshop regularly.
00:39:50At first,
00:39:51he had genuine questions.
00:39:53Did I have any books
00:39:54on coffee roasting techniques?
00:39:56Was there a guide
00:39:56to Italian espresso traditions?
00:39:58Could I recommend
00:39:59something about
00:40:00the history of
00:40:00Venetian cafes?
00:40:01I found him a volume
00:40:02on coffee cultivation
00:40:03and another on
00:40:05the social history
00:40:06of European coffee houses,
00:40:07and he returned
00:40:08a few days later
00:40:09with a frothy cappuccino
00:40:10and a slice of pistachio cake
00:40:12to thank me.
00:40:14After that,
00:40:14his visits became
00:40:15more frequent.
00:40:16He would stop by
00:40:17in the late mornings,
00:40:18when the shop was quiet,
00:40:19and linger over
00:40:20the new arrivals table.
00:40:22He asked me
00:40:22about my weekly displays.
00:40:24He listened to my answers
00:40:25with genuine attention.
00:40:27His head tilted slightly,
00:40:28his eyes never straying
00:40:29to his phone.
00:40:31I recognized the signs,
00:40:33the way he found reasons
00:40:34to talk to me,
00:40:35the slight flush
00:40:36that crept up his neck
00:40:37when I caught him
00:40:38looking at me.
00:40:42Owen liked me.
00:40:44It was flattering
00:40:45and terrifying
00:40:46in equal measure,
00:40:47and I had no idea
00:40:48what to do with it.
00:40:49I wasn't ready.
00:40:51The wound of Alessio's betrayal
00:40:53was still too raw.
00:40:54I had spent my entire adult life
00:40:56loving one man,
00:40:58and when that love
00:40:59had shattered,
00:40:59it had taken pieces
00:41:00of me with it.
00:41:01I needed time
00:41:02to gather those pieces back.
00:41:04The thought of starting again,
00:41:06of opening myself
00:41:07to the possibility
00:41:08of another heartbreak,
00:41:09made me feel uncomfortable,
00:41:10so I kept things friendly
00:41:12and nothing more.
00:41:13I accept his coffee samples
00:41:15and his pastry recommendations.
00:41:17I let him linger,
00:41:18but I didn't invite him to stay.
00:41:20I answered his questions
00:41:21about books
00:41:22and deflected his questions
00:41:23about my past.
00:41:24And Owen,
00:41:25perceptive enough
00:41:26to sense the boundary,
00:41:27never pressed.
00:41:28They spoke in turn.
00:41:29Their voice is thick
00:41:31with emotion,
00:41:31and they apologized.
00:41:33They apologized
00:41:34for years of neglect,
00:41:36for the favoritism
00:41:37they had shown Hazel,
00:41:38for the countless ways
00:41:39they had made me feel
00:41:40invisible in my own family.
00:41:42We failed you.
00:41:43We understand now
00:41:45why you left.
00:41:46Please come home.
00:41:48We'll do anything
00:41:49to make things right.
00:41:54I watched the video twice.
00:41:56Then I closed it
00:41:57and set my phone
00:41:59face down on the counter.
00:42:00The apology was probably sincere.
00:42:02I believe that my parents
00:42:03were genuinely sorry,
00:42:05but sorry didn't erase
00:42:06a childhood spent
00:42:07standing in the corner
00:42:07while everyone applauded
00:42:09my sister.
00:42:10Sorry didn't fill
00:42:10the hollow place inside me
00:42:12that had been carved out
00:42:13by years of being told
00:42:14that I was less.
00:42:16I couldn't forgive them.
00:42:17What I could do
00:42:18was release them.
00:42:20I didn't wish them harm.
00:42:21I just didn't wish
00:42:22to be anywhere near them.
00:42:24One Tuesday in late October,
00:42:26Owen arrived
00:42:26with a new coffee blend
00:42:27he wanted me to try.
00:42:28It was a single origin Ethiopian
00:42:30with notes of blueberry
00:42:31and dark chocolate,
00:42:33and he was visibly excited
00:42:34about it.
00:42:35What do you think?
00:42:36It's a single origin Ethiopian blend
00:42:39with notes of blueberry
00:42:40and dark chocolate.
00:42:41I took a sip.
00:42:45It's excellent.
00:42:46Really?
00:42:47I nodded,
00:42:48and he smiled
00:42:49from ear to ear.
00:42:50He glanced down
00:42:51at the counter
00:42:52while I was making notes
00:42:53in the margin
00:42:54of my sketchbook,
00:42:55and his eyes caught
00:42:56the drawing
00:42:56I had been working on.
00:42:58It was a delicate bracelet,
00:43:00a chain of four-leaf covers.
00:43:02I had been playing
00:43:03with the idea
00:43:04for a few days,
00:43:05refining the proportions,
00:43:07trying to capture
00:43:07a sense of luck
00:43:08and lightness
00:43:09in the design.
00:43:10Did you draw this?
00:43:15Ivy,
00:43:16this is beautiful.
00:43:17The detail
00:43:18on the clover leaves.
00:43:19How do you even do that
00:43:21with a pencil?
00:43:22I shrugged,
00:43:23suddenly self-conscious.
00:43:25It's just a sketch,
00:43:27a rough idea.
00:43:28This doesn't look rough to me.
00:43:31He studied the drawing
00:43:32with genuine admiration.
00:43:34Were you a jewelry designer
00:43:35before you opened the shop?
00:43:36I hesitated.
00:43:37I hadn't told Owen
00:43:39anything about my past,
00:43:40but the direct question
00:43:41left me with no graceful
00:43:43way to deflect.
00:43:44I was.
00:43:45His eyebrows rose.
00:43:46And you gave that up?
00:43:48Why?
00:43:49The question hung
00:43:49in the air between us.
00:43:51I wanted a different
00:43:52kind of life.
00:43:53Sometimes you have to
00:43:54leave things behind
00:43:55to move forward.
00:43:56Owen nodded slowly.
00:43:57He didn't push,
00:43:58didn't ask for details.
00:44:00He just looked at the sketch
00:44:01one more time
00:44:02and said,
00:44:04Well, for what it's worth,
00:44:05I think you still have
00:44:06the talent.
00:44:07That design would make
00:44:08a stunning piece.
00:44:10A month later,
00:44:11Owen came into the shop
00:44:12with his phone in his hand
00:44:13and an expression
00:44:14of barely contained
00:44:15consignment.
00:44:15Ivy, look at this.
00:44:21He turned the screen
00:44:22toward me.
00:44:23It was an announcement
00:44:25for an international
00:44:26jewelry design competition
00:44:27open to emerging
00:44:29and independent designers.
00:44:30The deadline was
00:44:32three weeks away.
00:44:34The theme was renewal.
00:44:37You should enter this.
00:44:38I stared at the screen
00:44:40for a long moment.
00:44:43I felt the old pull,
00:44:45the itch to create,
00:44:47the hunger to be seen,
00:44:48the part of me
00:44:50that had never stopped loving,
00:44:51the alchemy of turning
00:44:52an idea into something
00:44:54beautiful and tangible.
00:44:56Then the doubt crept in.
00:44:59I haven't designed
00:45:00professionally in months.
00:45:02My hands aren't
00:45:03what they used to be.
00:45:05I'd be competing against
00:45:06people who do this
00:45:07every day.
00:45:08So?
00:45:08Owen set the phone
00:45:09on the counter between us.
00:45:11Since when does that matter?
00:45:15If you have a passion
00:45:16for something,
00:45:17you don't abandon it
00:45:18just because you've been
00:45:19away from it for a while.
00:45:20You try.
00:45:21You put yourself out there.
00:45:24Even if you don't win,
00:45:26you'll know you didn't give up.
00:45:29I looked at the sketch pad
00:45:31still open on the counter.
00:45:32The four-leaf clover bracelet
00:45:34I had been refining for weeks.
00:45:36The design had grown
00:45:37more intricate
00:45:38since that first rough draft.
00:45:41I had added
00:45:42a hidden clasp
00:45:43shaped like a tiny star.
00:45:45Anonymous submissions
00:45:46are allowed.
00:45:51Owen added,
00:45:52clearly reading
00:45:53my hesitation.
00:45:55No one has to know
00:45:56it's you
00:45:57until you're ready.
00:45:59I submitted my entry
00:46:00three days before
00:46:01the deadline.
00:46:03The bracelet,
00:46:04which I had titled
00:46:05Second Spring,
00:46:06was accompanied
00:46:07by a brief
00:46:08artist statement.
00:46:09That said nothing
00:46:11about my past
00:46:12and everything
00:46:13about the design itself.
00:46:15The symbolism
00:46:16of the clover
00:46:17as resilience,
00:46:19the hidden star
00:46:20as the light
00:46:20that persists
00:46:21through darkness.
00:46:24Three weeks later,
00:46:25I received an email
00:46:27informing me
00:46:28that I had placed second
00:46:30out of over
00:46:31800 entries
00:46:32from designers
00:46:33around the world.
00:46:34I read the email
00:46:36five times
00:46:37before it sank in
00:46:38and then I sat
00:46:39at the counter
00:46:39and cried.
00:46:41I still had it.
00:46:43The part of me
00:46:44that created
00:46:44beautiful things
00:46:45had not been destroyed
00:46:47by everything
00:46:47that had happened.
00:46:48It had been waiting,
00:46:50patient and quiet,
00:46:51for me to return.
00:46:53I told Owen
00:46:54that afternoon.
00:46:57he showed up
00:46:58at the bookshop
00:46:59ten minutes later
00:47:00with a slice
00:47:01of tiramisu
00:47:02on a ceramic plate,
00:47:03a single candle
00:47:04stuck in the top.
00:47:06It's not a birthday,
00:47:08I said,
00:47:09laughing.
00:47:10It's a rebirth day,
00:47:12he corrected
00:47:14and set the plate
00:47:15in front of me.
00:47:17Make a wish.
00:47:19I closed my eyes
00:47:20and wished
00:47:22for nothing.
00:47:23I already had
00:47:24what I needed.
00:47:26You know...
00:47:30Owen said,
00:47:32leaning against
00:47:33the counter
00:47:33as I ate
00:47:34the tiramisu.
00:47:35You have something
00:47:36special.
00:47:37Not just skill,
00:47:39a lot of people
00:47:40have skill.
00:47:41You have a vision,
00:47:43a way of seeing
00:47:45the world
00:47:45that comes through
00:47:46in your work.
00:47:47Don't ever
00:47:48let anyone
00:47:49make you think
00:47:50you should give that up.
00:47:52I swallowed
00:47:53the last bite
00:47:54of cake
00:47:54and met
00:47:55his eyes.
00:47:57Thank you
00:47:58for pushing me,
00:48:00for believing
00:48:01in me
00:48:01when I didn't
00:48:02believe in myself.
00:48:03He smiled,
00:48:05a little shyly.
00:48:08One afternoon,
00:48:10I was sitting
00:48:11behind the counter
00:48:12of my bookshop,
00:48:14bent over
00:48:14a fresh sketch box
00:48:15with a pencil
00:48:17tucked behind
00:48:18my ear.
00:48:19When the bell
00:48:20above the door
00:48:21chimed
00:48:22and a familiar
00:48:23voice called out
00:48:24my name,
00:48:25I looked up
00:48:26and found Hazel
00:48:27standing in the entrance.
00:48:29She was visibly
00:48:30pregnant now,
00:48:31her belly round
00:48:33beneath a loose coat,
00:48:34her hair,
00:48:35which I had only
00:48:35ever seen
00:48:36in glossy,
00:48:37immaculate waves,
00:48:39hung limp
00:48:39and unwashed
00:48:40around her shoulders.
00:48:41Her face was bare
00:48:42of the meticulous
00:48:43makeup she had
00:48:44once applied
00:48:44and without it,
00:48:45she looked older.
00:48:47The fine lines
00:48:47around her mouth
00:48:48were deeper,
00:48:49the shadows
00:48:49beneath her eyes
00:48:50darker.
00:48:51Ivy.
00:48:56She spit my name
00:48:57like it was a curse.
00:48:58Her expression
00:48:59was a storm front
00:49:00of fury
00:49:01barely contained.
00:49:03Hazel,
00:49:04what are you doing here?
00:49:06Hazel stepped
00:49:07further into the shop,
00:49:08her gaze sweeping
00:49:09over the shelves,
00:49:10the armchairs,
00:49:11the window display
00:49:12I had spent
00:49:13the morning arranging.
00:49:15Is this where
00:49:15you've been hiding?
00:49:17In this little store
00:49:18in the middle of nowhere?
00:49:19You destroyed my life
00:49:21and then you just
00:49:22disappeared.
00:49:23Destroy your life?
00:49:24I rose from my stool
00:49:26behind the counter.
00:49:27You destroyed
00:49:28your own life.
00:49:29I just told the truth
00:49:30about what you did.
00:49:31You posted that video
00:49:33and turned the whole
00:49:33world against me.
00:49:34I lost everything.
00:49:36My contracts,
00:49:37my award,
00:49:38my reputation,
00:49:39everything I worked for
00:49:40gone because of you.
00:49:41You stole my design.
00:49:43You slept with my husband.
00:49:44You got pregnant
00:49:45with his child
00:49:46and flaunted it
00:49:48in my face
00:49:48at a family dinner.
00:49:49And you're angry at me
00:49:51for telling people
00:49:52what you did?
00:49:53How dare you?
00:49:58Hazel's face contorted.
00:50:00She grabbed a stack of books
00:50:02from the nearest display
00:50:03and hurled them to the floor.
00:50:05The carefully arranged tower
00:50:06I had built that morning
00:50:08toppled with a crash
00:50:09that sent books
00:50:10skidding across the tiles.
00:50:12The other customers browsing
00:50:13looked up with alarm.
00:50:15I met their eyes
00:50:16with an apologetic look
00:50:17and gestured toward the door.
00:50:19I'm so sorry.
00:50:20I need to close up.
00:50:22Something personal.
00:50:23They slipped out,
00:50:24leaving me alone
00:50:25with Hazel.
00:50:27You don't get to ruin me
00:50:29and just walk away!
00:50:30She screamed,
00:50:31sweeping her arm
00:50:32across a shelf.
00:50:33Paperbacks flew,
00:50:34pages fluttering.
00:50:35You were always the victim,
00:50:37weren't you, Ivy?
00:50:38Poor little Ivy,
00:50:40always in my shadow,
00:50:41always so hard done by.
00:50:43Well, congratulations!
00:50:44You finally won!
00:50:46Are you happy now?
00:50:47I stepped around the counter,
00:50:49my hands shaking.
00:50:51Get out of my shop.
00:50:52Now.
00:50:53Not until you fix this.
00:50:56Hazel advanced on me,
00:50:57her belly leading,
00:50:59her finger jatting the air.
00:51:04You're going to post
00:51:05another video.
00:51:07You're going to tell
00:51:08everyone
00:51:08that we collaborated
00:51:10on that design,
00:51:11that you were jealous
00:51:13of my success
00:51:14and omitted the truth
00:51:16to make me look bad.
00:51:17You're going to give me
00:51:18my life back!
00:51:20No.
00:51:21I am never going
00:51:22to lie for you.
00:51:23Not ever again.
00:51:25Hazel's hand flew up
00:51:27and I saw the wild hatred
00:51:28in her eyes.
00:51:29Before the blow landed,
00:51:31Owen's hand closed
00:51:32beyond her wrist.
00:51:33He had appeared
00:51:34in the doorway
00:51:35without a sound
00:51:36and his face
00:51:37was harder
00:51:38than I had ever seen it.
00:51:40He said sternly
00:51:41to Hazel,
00:51:42I think Ivy
00:51:43asked you to leave.
00:51:46Hazel yanked her arm
00:51:47free and stumbled back,
00:51:48her eyes darting
00:51:49between Owen and me.
00:51:51A bitter,
00:51:52ugly laugh
00:51:53tore from her throat.
00:51:58Oh, I see.
00:51:59You've already
00:52:00found yourself
00:52:00a new man.
00:52:01That didn't take long,
00:52:03did it?
00:52:03I always knew
00:52:04you were a hypocrite,
00:52:05Ivy.
00:52:06Judging for Alessio
00:52:08while you've got
00:52:08this boy warming
00:52:09your bed?
00:52:10You're one to talk.
00:52:11I said,
00:52:12stepping forward,
00:52:14the difference is
00:52:14that I'm not married
00:52:15anymore.
00:52:16I'm not betraying anyone.
00:52:17And whoever I choose
00:52:19to spend my time with
00:52:19is none of your business.
00:52:21I tilted my head,
00:52:22letting the next words
00:52:23land with deliberate
00:52:24precision.
00:52:26You wanted my husband.
00:52:28You can have him.
00:52:29You can have our parents,
00:52:31too.
00:52:32All that love and attention
00:52:33you've been hoarding
00:52:34your entire life.
00:52:35Keep it.
00:52:36I don't want any of it
00:52:37anymore.
00:52:38I'm done fighting you
00:52:39for things that were
00:52:39never mine to begin with.
00:52:41Hazel's face went red.
00:52:42She opened her mouth
00:52:43to speak,
00:52:44but whatever venom
00:52:45she had prepared
00:52:46was cut off
00:52:47by a new voice.
00:52:48Hazel,
00:52:49shut up.
00:52:54The words cut through
00:52:55the shop like a blade.
00:52:57I knew that voice.
00:52:59I had heard it
00:53:00whisper love in my ear.
00:53:02I looked past Hazel
00:53:03and saw Alexo
00:53:04standing in the doorway,
00:53:05his broad shoulders
00:53:06filling the frame,
00:53:08his dark eyes
00:53:09sweeping the scene.
00:53:10He had changed.
00:53:11He was thinner,
00:53:12the angles of his face
00:53:14sharper,
00:53:14the hollows beneath
00:53:15his cheekbones
00:53:16deeper than I remembered.
00:53:17There were shadows
00:53:18under his eyes
00:53:19that spoke of
00:53:20sleepless nights.
00:53:21The impexably tailored
00:53:23suits he had always worn
00:53:24were replaced
00:53:25by something simpler,
00:53:27darker.
00:53:28He looked like a man
00:53:29who had been hollowed out.
00:53:31His gaze found Hazel
00:53:32and his expression
00:53:33turned to stone.
00:53:35Get out.
00:53:36Right now.
00:53:37If you ever come
00:53:38near Ivy again,
00:53:40I will personally ensure
00:53:42that you regret it
00:53:43for the rest of your lives.
00:53:45Hazel's bravado crumpled.
00:53:47I watched the color
00:53:48drain of her face
00:53:49as she registered
00:53:50the threat.
00:53:51Alexio did not make
00:53:52Unal promises.
00:53:53She backed toward the door,
00:53:55her movements jerky
00:53:56and uncoordinated.
00:53:58And then she was gone,
00:53:59the bell above the door
00:54:00chiming in her wake.
00:54:03Then it was just
00:54:04the three of us.
00:54:09Alexio's eyes moved
00:54:10to the man
00:54:11still standing
00:54:12protectively beside me,
00:54:13and something flickered
00:54:14in his expression.
00:54:17Is this your new partner,
00:54:19Ivy?
00:54:19His voice was choir now,
00:54:22stripped of its command.
00:54:22I didn't correct him.
00:54:24I didn't owe him
00:54:25explanations.
00:54:26What are you doing here,
00:54:27Alessio?
00:54:28He took a step towards me
00:54:29and stopped
00:54:30when I instinctively retreated.
00:54:32The hurt that crossed
00:54:33his face was raw
00:54:34and unguarded,
00:54:36and it twisted something
00:54:37inside me,
00:54:38despite everything.
00:54:39I need to talk to you.
00:54:40He murmured softly.
00:54:41Please,
00:54:42just a few minutes alone,
00:54:44that's all I'm asking.
00:54:45I hesitated.
00:54:46Part of me wanted
00:54:47to refuse,
00:54:48to send him away,
00:54:49to protect the fragile
00:54:50peace I had built.
00:54:51But another part,
00:54:53the part that had
00:54:54loved him for years,
00:54:55knew that this conversation
00:54:56was inevitable.
00:54:57If I didn't have it now,
00:54:59he would come back.
00:55:00We needed to end
00:55:01this properly,
00:55:02with words
00:55:03instead of silence.
00:55:04I turned to Owen.
00:55:10Can you give us a moment?
00:55:12Owen's brow
00:55:13fertile-folded with concern.
00:55:15Are you sure?
00:55:16I can stay?
00:55:19I'll be fine.
00:55:20I touched his arm briefly,
00:55:22a gesture of reassurance.
00:55:25I promise.
00:55:26I'll come find you
00:55:27when we're done.
00:55:29Owen hesitated,
00:55:30then nodded.
00:55:33He gave Alessio
00:55:34a long, hard look
00:55:35and walked out,
00:55:36the door clicking
00:55:37shut behind him.
00:55:38The silence that followed
00:55:40was suffocating.
00:55:41Alexio stood
00:55:42in the wreckage
00:55:43of my bookshop,
00:55:44surrounded by the scattered
00:55:45books Hazel had thrown,
00:55:47and looked at me.
00:55:49Ivy.
00:55:51He moved toward me,
00:55:52his arms lifting
00:55:53as if to pull me
00:55:54into an embrace,
00:55:55and I stepped back
00:55:56so sharply
00:55:57I bumped into the counter.
00:55:59Don't touch me.
00:56:02Say what you came
00:56:03to say,
00:56:04and then go.
00:56:05He stopped,
00:56:07his hands falling
00:56:08to his sides.
00:56:09The divorce papers.
00:56:10I didn't know
00:56:11what I was signing.
00:56:12You handed them to me
00:56:13and I trusted you
00:56:14and I signed away
00:56:15my marriage
00:56:15without even reading
00:56:16the words.
00:56:21That's exactly
00:56:22the problem,
00:56:23Alessio.
00:56:24I wrapped my arms
00:56:25around myself,
00:56:26a barrier between us.
00:56:28I handed you papers
00:56:29and you signed
00:56:30without looking.
00:56:32That's how much
00:56:33you paid attention
00:56:34to me.
00:56:34That's how little
00:56:35you noticed
00:56:36what was happening
00:56:37right in front
00:56:37of your face.
00:56:39I know I failed you.
00:56:43His voice was harky,
00:56:44scraped raw.
00:56:46I know I lied.
00:56:48I know I kept
00:56:49things from you
00:56:50that I should have
00:56:51told you
00:56:51the moment they happened.
00:56:53But please, Ivy,
00:56:55please understand.
00:56:56I was terrified.
00:56:58I was terrified.
00:56:59I was terrified
00:57:00of losing you
00:57:00and I handled
00:57:02it all wrong.
00:57:03I hurt you
00:57:04and I will spend
00:57:05the rest of my life
00:57:06regretting it.
00:57:08Regret doesn't
00:57:09change anything.
00:57:11I shook my head.
00:57:13You slept with my sister
00:57:14and got her pregnant.
00:57:16You stood beside me
00:57:18at dinner
00:57:18and told me
00:57:19you loved me
00:57:19while she was
00:57:21carrying your child.
00:57:22You left me alone
00:57:23on an island
00:57:24to rush to her side.
00:57:26Every single choice
00:57:27you made
00:57:28was a choice
00:57:29against me,
00:57:30against us.
00:57:31I know.
00:57:37His voice cracked.
00:57:39I know what I did
00:57:40and I will never
00:57:43forgive myself for it
00:57:44but I need you to know
00:57:45I will never marry her.
00:57:47I will never be with her
00:57:49the way I was with you.
00:57:50She is carrying my child
00:57:52and I will provide
00:57:53for that child
00:57:54but she will never
00:57:56be my wife.
00:57:57The only woman
00:57:58I have ever loved
00:57:59is standing in front of me
00:58:00right now
00:58:02and I am begging her
00:58:03to look at me
00:58:04and see that I am
00:58:06still hers.
00:58:07I closed my eyes.
00:58:09The weight of his words
00:58:10pressed against my chest
00:58:12heavy and suffocating.
00:58:15I let out a sigh.
00:58:18I can't trust you
00:58:19Alessio
00:58:20Alessio
00:58:20you can apologize
00:58:21a thousand times
00:58:23and I can believe
00:58:24you mean every word
00:58:26but the trust is gone.
00:58:28It's broken in a way
00:58:29that can't be repaired.
00:58:31I don't know how
00:58:31to come back from that.
00:58:34I don't think I want to.
00:58:38Alexio shook his head
00:58:39and pleaded
00:58:40Please Ivy
00:58:41don't do this to me.
00:58:43Do you remember
00:58:44our wedding vows?
00:58:47his face crumbled.
00:58:52I promised I would
00:58:54never betray you.
00:58:55Never lie to you.
00:58:58You did betray me.
00:58:59You did lie to me.
00:59:01The man who made those vows
00:59:03doesn't exist anymore.
00:59:05And neither does the woman
00:59:06who believed them.
00:59:08Alexio's shoulders sagged.
00:59:10He looked defeated
00:59:11in a way I had never seen before.
00:59:13Not the powerful Don
00:59:15not the charming husband
00:59:17but a man who had lost
00:59:18the only thing
00:59:19he had ever truly valued
00:59:21and knew he had no one
00:59:23to blame but himself.
00:59:24After a long while
00:59:25he raised his head
00:59:26with a sad smile.
00:59:28Can I hold you?
00:59:31Just once.
00:59:32Just for a moment.
00:59:33As a goodbye.
00:59:34I should have said no.
00:59:38But something in his face
00:59:39the raw unguarded grief of it
00:59:42made me nod.
00:59:44He stepped forward slowly
00:59:46giving me time
00:59:47to change my mind
00:59:48and then his arms
00:59:49were around me.
00:59:51He held me the way
00:59:52he used to hold me
00:59:53in the quiet hours
00:59:54of the night
00:59:55his hand cradling
00:59:56the back of my head
00:59:57his face varied
00:59:58in my hair.
01:00:00I felt his body shake
01:00:02and then I felt
01:00:04the wetness
01:00:04of his tears
01:00:05against my temple.
01:00:07I'm sorry.
01:00:13I'm so sorry Ivy.
01:00:15I reached up
01:00:16and wiped the tears
01:00:17from his cheek
01:00:18with my thumb.
01:00:19The gesture
01:00:20so familiar
01:00:21it made my chest ache.
01:00:23I hope you find peace
01:00:24Alessio.
01:00:25I hope your child
01:00:26is healthy
01:00:26and happy.
01:00:28I hope you live
01:00:30a good life.
01:00:31I will never marry
01:00:32your sister.
01:00:33His voice muffled.
01:00:35You are my wife.
01:00:36There will never
01:00:37be anyone else.
01:00:38He pulled back slowly
01:00:40his hands lingering
01:00:41on my shoulders
01:00:42as if he couldn't
01:00:43bear to let go.
01:00:44He looked at me
01:00:45for a long moment
01:00:46memorizing my face
01:00:47and then he turned
01:00:49and walked out
01:00:49of the shop.
01:00:51I watched him
01:00:52through the window
01:00:52as he'd appeared
01:00:53down the street
01:00:54his silhouette
01:00:55swallowed by the
01:00:56golden afternoon light.
01:00:58I didn't move
01:00:59until he was gone
01:01:00and then I lowered
01:01:01myself onto the stool
01:01:02behind the counter
01:01:04and let the tears
01:01:05fall freely
01:01:06mourning not just
01:01:07the man I had loved
01:01:08but the girl I had been
01:01:10when I loved him.
01:01:12Two months later
01:01:13the news reached me
01:01:15filtered through
01:01:16the grapevine
01:01:16of mutual acquaintances
01:01:17I hadn't entirely
01:01:18managed to severed.
01:01:20Hazel had been
01:01:21arrested for fraud.
01:01:22She had been
01:01:23running a scheme
01:01:24that promised
01:01:25investment returns
01:01:26on a jewelry venture
01:01:27and she had built
01:01:28dozens of people
01:01:29out of their savings.
01:01:31One of her victims
01:01:32had confronted her
01:01:33outside her apartment
01:01:34building
01:01:34and in the altercation
01:01:36that followed
01:01:36Hazel had been pushed
01:01:38down a flight of stairs.
01:01:41She had lost the baby.
01:01:47After her release
01:01:48from the hospital
01:01:49she had been transferred
01:01:50to a detention facility
01:01:51to await trial.
01:01:53Our parents had tried
01:01:54everything to get her out.
01:01:55lawyers, bribes,
01:01:58pleas to anyone
01:01:58who would listen
01:01:59but Alessio had blocked
01:02:01every attempt.
01:02:02I knew it was his way
01:02:03of avenging me.
01:02:04A final act of loyalty
01:02:06from a husband
01:02:06I no longer had.
01:02:08I read the news
01:02:09and felt very little.
01:02:10That was the strangest part.
01:02:12The woman who had
01:02:13tormented me
01:02:14my entire life
01:02:15who had taken
01:02:15everything I had ever valued
01:02:17had finally faced consequences
01:02:18and I felt
01:02:19nothing.
01:02:20Not satisfaction.
01:02:22Not pity.
01:02:23Just a quiet
01:02:24distant acknowledgement
01:02:25that the universe
01:02:25had finally balanced
01:02:27its scales.
01:02:28I looked up
01:02:29from my phone
01:02:29and gazed out
01:02:30the window
01:02:31of my book house.
01:02:32The afternoon sun
01:02:33was pouring through
01:02:34the glass
01:02:34warm and golden.
01:02:36The shelves
01:02:37were neat again.
01:02:38The scattered books
01:02:39long since reshelved.
01:02:41The four leaf clover bracelet
01:02:42sat in its display case
01:02:43on the counter.
01:02:44A small card beside it
01:02:46announcing the competition award.
01:02:48Owen was next door
01:02:49probably pulling espresso shots
01:02:51and chatting
01:02:51with the regulars
01:02:52and in a little while
01:02:54I would close the shop
01:02:55and walk over
01:02:55for my afternoon coffee.
01:02:57This was my life.
01:02:58It was small
01:02:59and simple
01:03:00but I had built it
01:03:01with my own hands
01:03:03piece by piece
01:03:04out of the wreckage
01:03:05of everything
01:03:06I had lost.
01:03:08I had finally arrived
01:03:09at the place
01:03:10I had been searching
01:03:11for my entire life.
01:03:13And before the film
01:03:15he also claimed
01:03:15I had planned
01:03:15because I have to
01:03:16look at the
01:03:16station
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