🎬A Joke Destroyed My Child - When A Prank Goes Too Far | Full Movie HD | Free to Watch - video Dailymotion

The Rabbit Hole TV

😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/3Ad38e 🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/a-joke-destroyed-my-child-6aa8de7551a9de06c40dcb4b  🍁Notice: The Rabbit Hole TV is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.  💔What would you do if your husband's "April Fools' Prank" ruined your life? In "A Joke Destroyed My Child", Hayley's world shatters when a cruel joke leads to an annulment and a devastating heartbreak. Abandoned by the man she loved, she channels her deepest pain into power. Watch as she builds her own empire and proves that the best revenge is massive success! Will he regret his ultimate betrayal? Tune in to find out! 💅✨  ⭐GENRE: Female, Modern, Pregnancy, Love After Divorce

Transcript

00:00:04Every April Fool's Day, my husband Ryan Carter and his childhood friend Summer Brayan played a game of truth or

00:00:11dare.

00:00:11Remember, 8th grade, I asked if you dared to skip the math exam.

00:00:17You tore the answer sheet paper airplane straight into pieces.

00:00:24That was nothing.

00:00:25Playing truth or dare on April Fool's Day is basically our tradition.

00:00:31Then do you dare to go get a marriage license with me right now?

00:00:39Whistles erupted all around.

00:00:41I stood in the doorway, my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test.

00:00:46Ryan turned to look at me, then laughed.

00:00:48Why wouldn't I dare?

00:00:50He stood up, came over, grabbed my arm, and dragged me into the hallway outside.

00:00:57Hayley, it's just an April Fool's joke.

00:01:00Play along with me.

00:01:02Go handle the divorce paperwork first, and tomorrow morning we'll go to City Hall and get remarried.

00:01:07You know I can't back down in front of Summer.

00:01:10I stared at the man in front of me.

00:01:12For the sake of his so-called childhood game, I had compromised for five years.

00:01:16This time, I wasn't accepting it.

00:01:18I'm pregnant.

00:01:22Hayley, that's a brilliant move!

00:01:24Ryan froze for half a beat, then burst out laughing.

00:01:28You made up a pregnancy just without me from winning?

00:01:30Nice.

00:01:31You're better at April Fool's than I am.

00:01:33Summer walked over.

00:01:34Hearing our conversation, she laughed too.

00:01:38Please, Hayley, if you can't handle the game, just say so.

00:01:44Using pregnancy as an excuse?

00:01:47That's so low.

00:01:48Exactly.

00:01:51Let's go.

00:01:53Hurry up.

00:01:54If we're any later, City Hall will close.

00:01:56How am I supposed to get the license, then?

00:01:59He dragged me outside, his steps long and urgent.

00:02:02I glanced at the hand gripping my wrist.

00:02:04The Paddy Philippe on his wrist was the gift he had bought himself the day after the first volume of

00:02:09Dark Whispers hit number one on the bestseller list.

00:02:12And that April Fool's Day, the gift he gave me was kissing Summer in front of every executive in the

00:02:18company.

00:02:19On the way to City Hall, Ryan drove insanely fast.

00:02:24When we arrived at City Hall, what Ryan pulled from his briefcase was not a divorce agreement, but a thick

00:02:31stack of documents.

00:02:32The title read, Petition for Marriage Annulment and Waiver of All Rights.

00:02:38He slapped the documents in front of me and spoke quickly.

00:02:41Sign it.

00:02:43Declare that our marriage was fraudulent from the beginning because it was based on an April Falls joke.

00:02:49Once you sign this, our relationship will legally have never existed.

00:02:54Then I can register my marriage with Summer legally.

00:02:57I picked up the pen and let out a cold laugh.

00:03:00Fine.

00:03:02Then I'll give you both what you want.

00:03:06I signed my name without the slightest pause.

00:03:10The City Hall seal came down and five years of marriage ended in absurdity.

00:03:16After getting the judgment, Ryan turned around, took a brand new Armani suit from the car and changed into it.

00:03:22Summer pulled a white veil from the trunk and pinned it into her hair.

00:03:25The two of them stood on the steps of City Hall, drawing looks from passersby.

00:03:29I sat on a bench and watched it all.

00:03:32Five years ago, on the day Ryan and I registered our marriage at City Hall,

00:03:36he wore an old polo shirt, ripped jeans, and beat up sneakers with no socks.

00:03:41When I reminded him to change, he said true love didn't need all that superficial packaging.

00:03:47Being real was what mattered.

00:03:48Now, he stood in a crisp suit, his arm wrapped tightly around Summer's waist, smiling brightly at the camera.

00:03:55With a click, the image froze, looking just like a perfect couple from a reality show.

00:03:59Not long after, Ryan walked up to me holding two marriage certificates.

00:04:04Honey, see that?

00:04:05I won again this time.

00:04:07We'll get remarried first thing tomorrow morning.

00:04:11Don't be mad.

00:04:12It's just a keepsake.

00:04:13Early pregnancy nausea churned through me, and I was almost too weak to keep standing.

00:04:17Take me back.

00:04:19I need to pack my things.

00:04:22I opened the passenger door, but before I could sit down, Summer squeezed over.

00:04:27Haley, if we're acting, we should go all the way.

00:04:31Since Ryan and I are legally married now, of course I should sit in the passenger seat.

00:04:37She opened the door and sat down as if it was only natural.

00:04:40With one casual sweep of her hand, she knocked my yoga mat and lumbar pillows from the passenger seat onto

00:04:45the floor map.

00:04:47Ryan stood at the front of the car and gave me an apologetic gesture.

00:04:50I turned and walked toward the south line, ready to call a rideshare.

00:04:54Ryan caught up in a few steps, opened the back door, and shoved me inside.

00:04:58Stop throwing a tantrum.

00:04:59It's hard to get a car here.

00:05:01Sit down and behave.

00:05:10It's a beautiful night.

00:05:13We're looking for something dumb to do.

00:05:16Ryan took the next line in perfect sync.

00:05:19They looked at each other and burst out laughing, with a bottle of mineral water.

00:05:23The two of them were as intimate as newlyweds.

00:05:26Ryan, your collar is crooked.

00:05:28Summer turned sideways and reached out to fix Ryan's tie.

00:05:31Her fingertips brushed his Adam's belt, and most of her body leaned over him.

00:05:37Ryan didn't move away.

00:05:39Instead, he held the steering wheel with one hand and used the other to steady Summer's back.

00:05:44Stop messing around.

00:05:45I'm driving.

00:05:47That was what he said, but his tone was full of indulgence.

00:05:51I closed my eyes and placed my hand over my lower eboli.

00:05:56Today, this farce had to end.

00:05:59When we pushed open the front door, Catherine lifted Summer's hand and gently placed the antique diamond ring in her

00:06:05palm, her tone full of affection.

00:06:08This ring should have been on your hand five years ago, Summer.

00:06:12Before Ryan.

00:06:14Mistake.

00:06:15Then she turned her face toward me, and her eyes went cold.

00:06:18Hayley, you're still here.

00:06:20Ryan walked over and stood between them.

00:06:22Mom, we're joking.

00:06:24It's April Fool's Day.

00:06:26We're just playing around.

00:06:27Well, I wish it could stay that way forever.

00:06:30I didn't answer.

00:06:32I walked around them, went straight into the master bedroom, and pulled out a suitcase.

00:06:37I had barely taken out two pieces of clothings when Ryan followed me in.

00:06:41Hayley, everyone's here today.

00:06:43Don't ruin the mood.

00:06:45Let's have dinner together tonight.

00:06:47Think of it as a celebration.

00:06:49The final book in your Dark Whispers trilogy launches tomorrow.

00:06:52I've invited the whole publishing to.

00:06:54Consider it a celebration dinner.

00:06:56I stopped moving.

00:06:57That novel had taken three years of my blood and sweat.

00:07:01Countless sleepless nights fueled by coffee and revisions.

00:07:04If I burned everything down at this exact moment, tomorrow's pre-sales and launch would inevitably be affected.

00:07:10I closed the suitcase.

00:07:11Fine.

00:07:12After this dinner.

00:07:14Ryan beamed, turned, and went to the living room to make calls and arrange everything.

00:07:19I would treat it as a farewell dinner with the team I had built with my own hands.

00:07:23Not long after, in the dining room, Summer didn't even look at the menu.

00:07:26She gave the waiter several dish names directly.

00:07:29I saw that Hayley ordered only ordinary dishes.

00:07:33There's no way that can suit everyone's taste.

00:07:37I added a few dishes on my own.

00:07:39Anyway, I'm using my husband's card.

00:07:42The housekeeper took the day off.

00:07:45Hayley, help out for a bit.

00:07:48The staff will be here soon.

00:07:50I glanced at the editorial team, chatting happily in the living room, took a deep breath, and swallowed both my

00:07:56words and the acid rising in my stomach.

00:07:58Forget it.

00:07:59One last meal.

00:08:04I walked into the kitchen.

00:08:06The churning in my stomach hadn't settled, and waves of cramping started in my lower abdomen.

00:08:11Chop the vegetables.

00:08:13Turn on the stove.

00:08:15Heat the pan.

00:08:17Add olive oil.

00:08:18Summer stood to the side, every inch the lady of the house.

00:08:22Add more lemon juice to the salmon.

00:08:24Ryan has hated fishiness since he was a kid.

00:08:27And don't overcook the kale.

00:08:29The editors arrived one after another.

00:08:32Emily, the executive editor, couldn't stand watching anymore.

00:08:35She rolled up her sleeves and came into the kitchen to help wash vegetables.

00:08:39Emily, you're a guest.

00:08:41Just sit and wait for dinner.

00:08:43I'll worry about things in here.

00:08:45After all, tonight I'm the hostess.

00:08:48Emily flushed with embarrassment and retreated to the living room.

00:08:51I brought out the final dish of roasted ribs.

00:08:55Six dishes filled the table.

00:08:57Just as I untied my apron, the doorbell rang.

00:09:01Summer ran to open the door, and several delivery workers came in carrying large insulated bags.

00:09:06I saw that Haley only made home-style dishes.

00:09:10There's no way they'll satisfy everyone's appetite.

00:09:15So, I used my husband's credit card and ordered a few dishes myself.

00:09:24Maine lobster, Alaskan king crab legs, black truffle risotto, base on the table was limited.

00:09:31Summer picked up the roasted ribs I had just made and dumped them, meat and bones together,

00:09:35into the nearby trash can to make room for her seafood.

00:09:38Ryan didn't think anything of it.

00:09:40He handed her a napkin to wipe her hands.

00:09:42You're always so thoughtful.

00:09:45I could no longer bear it and was about to step forward, but someone grabbed my sleeve.

00:09:50Emily leaned close to me, pushed her phone screen towards me, and lowered her voice.

00:09:54Haley, look at this.

00:09:56On the screen was the new book poster the marketing department had sent her for approval.

00:09:59In the author field, one name had been added before Haley Hart, Summer Bryant.

00:10:04I snatched up the phone and put it right in front of Ryan.

00:10:08Why?

00:10:09I turned my head and looked straight into Ryan's eyes.

00:10:13Ryan walked over, smiling as he said,

00:10:16Haley, this one's on me.

00:10:17I forgot to loop you in.

00:10:20I want you to share half the byline with her.

00:10:23I already promised Summer in advance.

00:10:27You love me so much.

00:10:29You'll help with this tiny favor, right?

00:10:32I type this out word by word, three years over three years.

00:10:36What gives you the right?

00:10:39What gives me the right?

00:10:41Money.

00:10:43Without me pouring money into marketing, your manuscripts would still be sitting in a drawer.

00:10:48I made you a best-selling author, and I can turn you back into an ordinary nobody.

00:10:53Right now, the company needs to push Summer, and your book is the best springboard.

00:10:57It's that simple.

00:11:02The copyright is under my personal name.

00:11:05You have no right to add her name.

00:11:07If you dare do this, I'll see you in court.

00:11:15The food is getting cold.

00:11:18Do we really have to talk about this right now?

00:11:24Everyone is waiting.

00:11:28Let's eat first.

00:11:30Whatever it is, we'll talk tomorrow.

00:11:34I ignored the table full of people, grabbed my power keys, and rushed out the door.

00:11:39By the time I got to the publishing house, the giant poster had already been hung.

00:11:4680% of the entire layout was Summer, with a long personal introduction beside her,

00:11:50and even gossip about her and Ryan vacationing in the Hamptons.

00:11:57My name was squeezed into a corner, so small it was almost invisible.

00:12:05Derek, the head of the publishing house, was Ryan's fraternity brother from Yale.

00:12:11Hayley, there's nothing I can do.

00:12:14Personally.

00:12:16Ryan called personally and ordered us to print overnight.

00:12:20Besides, Carter Publishing belongs to you two as a couple.

00:12:26Does it really matter whose name is on it, as long as it makes money?

00:12:32He smoked a cigar in his office.

00:12:36A chill ran through me.

00:12:38Ryan's, we'll talk tomorrow.

00:12:40It was nothing but a delaying tactic.

00:12:43I turned and went downstairs, then speeded all the way back to the Carter house.

00:12:48When I pushed open the door, the dinner was already over.

00:12:52Ryan was sitting on the sofa watching a new Netflix show in Summer.

00:12:56What gives you the right to do this?

00:12:58That book is my life's work!

00:13:01I'll say it again.

00:13:02We're only borrowing your fame for a while.

00:13:05Once Summer gets popular, I'll have her name removed from the reprint.

00:13:10Don't take it out on him, Hayley.

00:13:12We made this decision together.

00:13:18I was only helping him share the pressure at work.

00:13:24Some things really have been hard for you to handle lately.

00:13:30This has nothing to do with you.

00:13:33But Ryan pulled her tightly into his arms and protected her completely.

00:13:38Pushing Summer forward is the company's established strategy.

00:13:44I hope you won't be jealous of her.

00:13:48I remember I just said it.

00:13:52Is your memory that bad?

00:13:56Oh, right.

00:13:57Tonight, Summer is Mrs. Carter.

00:14:01Maybe you should step out and cool off.

00:14:04I pulled the judgment from my bag and threw it straight in his face.

00:14:09I was already leaving tonight.

00:14:14Now, there's not even a final thread left between us.

00:14:21Fine.

00:14:22You've got backbone.

00:14:24Since you don't want to be Mrs. Carter,

00:14:26I'll freeze your joint account and supplemental credit cards right now.

00:14:31He called the security company directly.

00:14:34Two private security guards stood at the door, looking awkward.

00:14:36I'm already divorced from this woman.

00:14:38She has now trespassed into my private residence

00:14:41to harass me and my wife.

00:14:45Please remove her and make sure she leaves my private property.

00:14:49The guards had no choice but to forcefully drag me out.

00:14:53Haley Hart, without me, you can't even afford a motel.

00:14:58I'll be waiting for you to come crawling back tomorrow to remarry me.

00:15:01As for that book, consider it your wedding gift to Summer today.

00:15:07The security guards pushed me out the gate.

00:15:09I stumbled and fell into a muddy patch of lawn,

00:15:12freshly swept by the sprinkler system.

00:15:13I braced myself against the ground,

00:15:15climbed up, held my stomach,

00:15:16and walked to the roadside.

00:15:17But an out-of-control dodge pickup came bearing straight towards me around the corner.

00:15:21I avoided the collision,

00:15:22but the momentum threw me hard onto the asphalt.

00:15:24A sharp spasm shot through my abdomen,

00:15:26more violent than any pain before.

00:15:28The 911 dispatcher said the ambulance would take another 45 minutes.

00:15:31With no other choice,

00:15:32I leaned against a streetlamp and dialed my emergency contact.

00:15:36Ryan was close, so he arrived quickly.

00:15:38He opened the car door.

00:15:40When his gaze touched the blood on the hem of my skirt,

00:15:42his steps faltered.

00:15:44Haley, what happened to you?

00:15:46He bent down, ready to carry me into the car.

00:15:49But Summer's message popped up on his phone screen.

00:15:52It's almost midnight, husband.

00:15:53If you don't come now,

00:15:55this round counts as your loss.

00:15:57Ryan's hands stopped in miff air.

00:15:59He stared at the center display,

00:16:00then turned to look at me.

00:16:02Help me.

00:16:04I clutched his cuff with all my strength.

00:16:06Haley, do me a favor.

00:16:07Ryan plied my fingers open one by one.

00:16:09I've never lost at this stupid game in my entire life.

00:16:12I checked.

00:16:13You only sprained your ankle.

00:16:14I'll call emergency services for you right now.

00:16:18He pulled me out of the passenger seat,

00:16:20casually took two $20 bills from his wallet,

00:16:22and stuffed them into my hand.

00:16:24I'll come see you at the hospital in a bit.

00:16:29Exhaust from the tailpipe blasted into my face.

00:16:31I lay in the puddle and screamed at the receding taillights.

00:16:35Ryan!

00:16:37I'm pregnant with your child!

00:16:40You bastard!

00:16:41Only the sound of rain answered me.

00:16:43The car never even lit its brake lights again.

00:16:46My vision began to blur.

00:16:47A white Toyota Camry stopped by the road.

00:16:50The window rolled down,

00:16:52revealing Emily's exhausted face.

00:16:54Oh my god, Hayley!

00:16:56She rushed out of the car and half dragged,

00:16:58half carried me into the back seat.

00:17:01The hospital emergency department.

00:17:03When I woke up in the observation room,

00:17:05a social worker wearing an ID badge

00:17:07came over and handed me a stack of papers.

00:17:09Miss Hart,

00:17:10your emergency treatment has been completed,

00:17:12but transferring to a private room

00:17:14will require out-of-pocket payment.

00:17:16Also, when we tried to process your insurance,

00:17:18the system showed that your spouse's medical coverage

00:17:21has been frozen.

00:17:39Every April Fool's Day,

00:17:41my husband Ryan Carter and his childhood friend Summer Brayan

00:17:44played a game of truth or dare.

00:17:46Remember?

00:17:47Eighth grade?

00:17:48I asked if you dared to skip the math exam.

00:17:52You tore the answer sheet paper airplane

00:17:54straight into pieces.

00:17:58That was nothing.

00:18:00Playing truth or dare on April Fool's Day

00:18:02is basically our tradition.

00:18:06Then do you dare to

00:18:08go get a marriage license

00:18:10with me right now?

00:18:14Whistles erupted all around.

00:18:16I stood in the doorway,

00:18:18my fingertips pinching a pregnancy test.

00:18:20Ryan turned to look at me,

00:18:22then laughed.

00:18:23Why wouldn't I dare?

00:18:25He stood up, came over,

00:18:27grabbed my arm,

00:18:27and dragged me into the hallway outside.

00:18:31Haley, it's just an April Fool's joke.

00:18:34Play along with me.

00:18:36Go handle the divorce paperwork first,

00:18:38and tomorrow morning we'll go to City Hall

00:18:40and get remarried.

00:18:42You know I can't back down in front of Summer.

00:18:45I stared at the man in front of me.

00:18:46For the sake of his so-called childhood game,

00:18:49I had compromised for five years.

00:18:50This time, I wasn't accepting it.

00:18:53I'm pregnant.

00:18:57Haley, that's a brilliant move!

00:18:59Ryan froze for half a beat

00:19:01and burst out laughing.

00:19:02You made up a pregnancy

00:19:03just stopped me from winning?

00:19:05Nice.

00:19:06You're better at April Fool's than I am.

00:19:08Summer walked over.

00:19:09Hearing our conversation,

00:19:11she laughed too.

00:19:12Please, Haley,

00:19:14if you can't handle the game,

00:19:16just say so.

00:19:19Using pregnancy as an excuse?

00:19:21That's so low.

00:19:23Exactly.

00:19:26Let's go.

00:19:28Hurry up.

00:19:29If we're any later,

00:19:30City Hall will close.

00:19:31How am I supposed to get the license then?

00:19:33He dragged me outside,

00:19:34his steps long and urgent.

00:19:37I glanced at the hand gripping my wrist.

00:19:39The Patti Philippe on his wrist

00:19:41was the gift he had bought himself

00:19:42the day after the first volume

00:19:44of Dark Whispers

00:19:44hit number one on the bestseller list.

00:19:46And that April Fool's Day,

00:19:48the gift he gave me

00:19:50was kissing Summer

00:19:51in front of every executive in the company.

00:19:54On the way to City Hall,

00:19:56Ryan drove insanely fast.

00:19:58When we arrived at City Hall,

00:20:01what Ryan pulled from his briefcase

00:20:03was not a divorce agreement,

00:20:04but a thick stack of documents.

00:20:07The title read,

00:20:08Petition for Marriage Annulment

00:20:10and Waiver of All Rights.

00:20:13He slapped the documents in front of me

00:20:15and spoke quickly.

00:20:16Sign it.

00:20:18Declare that our marriage

00:20:19was fraudulent from the beginning

00:20:20because it was

00:20:21based on an April Falls joke.

00:20:24Once you sign this,

00:20:26our relationship

00:20:26will legally have never existed.

00:20:29Then I can register my marriage

00:20:30with Summer legally.

00:20:31I picked up the pen

00:20:33and let out a cold laugh.

00:20:35Fine.

00:20:36Then I'll give you both

00:20:37what you want.

00:20:41I signed my name

00:20:42without the slightest pause.

00:20:44The City Hall seal came down

00:20:46and five years of marriage

00:20:48ended in absurdity.

00:20:51After getting the judgment,

00:20:52Ryan turned around,

00:20:53took a brand new Armani suit

00:20:55from the car

00:20:55and changed into it.

00:20:57Summer pulled a white veil

00:20:58from the trunk

00:20:58and pinned it into her hair.

00:21:00The two of them stood

00:21:01on the steps of City Hall,

00:21:02drawing looks from passersby.

00:21:04I sat on a bench

00:21:05and watched it all.

00:21:07Five years ago,

00:21:08on the day Ryan and I

00:21:09registered our marriage

00:21:10at City Hall,

00:21:11he wore an old polo shirt,

00:21:12ripped jeans,

00:21:14and beat up sneakers

00:21:15with no socks.

00:21:16When I reminded him to change,

00:21:18he said true love

00:21:19didn't need all that

00:21:20superficial packaging.

00:21:21Being real

00:21:22was what mattered.

00:21:23Now,

00:21:23he stood in a crisp suit,

00:21:25his arm wrapped tightly

00:21:26around Summer's waist,

00:21:27smiling brightly at the camera.

00:21:29With a click,

00:21:30the image froze,

00:21:31looking just like

00:21:32a perfect couple

00:21:32from a reality show.

00:21:34Not long after,

00:21:35Ryan walked up to me

00:21:36holding two marriage certificates.

00:21:38Honey,

00:21:39see that?

00:21:40I won again this time.

00:21:42We'll get remarried

00:21:43first thing tomorrow morning.

00:21:45Don't be mad.

00:21:47It's just a keepsake.

00:21:48Early pregnancy nausea

00:21:49churned through me

00:21:50and I was almost too weak

00:21:51to keep standing.

00:21:52Take me back.

00:21:54I need to pack my things.

00:21:56I opened the passenger door,

00:21:58but before I could sit down,

00:22:00Summer squeezed over.

00:22:02Haley,

00:22:02if we're acting,

00:22:03we should go all the way.

00:22:06Since Ryan and I

00:22:07are legally married now,

00:22:09of course I should sit

00:22:10in the passenger seat.

00:22:12She opened the door

00:22:13and sat down

00:22:14as if it was only natural.

00:22:15With one casual sweep

00:22:16of her hand,

00:22:17she knocked my yoga mat

00:22:18and lumbar pillows

00:22:19from the passenger seat

00:22:20onto the floor map.

00:22:22Ryan stood at the front

00:22:23of the car

00:22:23and gave me

00:22:24an apologetic gesture.

00:22:25I turned and walked

00:22:26toward the south line,

00:22:27ready to call a rideshare.

00:22:28Ryan caught up

00:22:29in a few steps,

00:22:30opened the back door

00:22:31and shoved me inside.

00:22:32Stop throwing a tantrum.

00:22:34It's hard to get a car here.

00:22:36Sit down and behave.

00:22:38Bruno Maz's Mary Ude

00:22:39was playing in the car.

00:22:41Summer hummed along

00:22:41to the beat.

00:22:42When it reached

00:22:43the high note,

00:22:43she grabbed Ryan's sleeve

00:22:45and shook it.

00:22:45It's a beautiful night.

00:22:47We're looking for

00:22:48something dumb to do.

00:22:51Ryan took the next line

00:22:52in perfect sync.

00:22:54They looked at each other

00:22:55and burst out laughing

00:22:56with a bottle of mineral water.

00:22:58The two of them

00:22:59were as intimate

00:22:59as newlyweds.

00:23:01Ryan,

00:23:01your collar is crooked.

00:23:03Summer turned sideways

00:23:04and reached out

00:23:04to fix Ryan's tie.

00:23:06Her fingertips brushed

00:23:07his atom's belt

00:23:08and most of her body

00:23:09leaned over him.

00:23:12Ryan didn't move away.

00:23:14Instead,

00:23:14he held the steering wheel

00:23:15with one hand

00:23:16and used the other

00:23:16to steady Summer's back.

00:23:18Stop messing around.

00:23:19I'm driving.

00:23:21That was what he said,

00:23:23but his tone

00:23:23was full of indulgence.

00:23:25I closed my eyes

00:23:27and placed my hand

00:23:28over my lower eboli.

00:23:30Today,

00:23:31this farce had to end.

00:23:34When we pushed open

00:23:35the front door,

00:23:36Catherine lifted Summer's hand

00:23:37and gently placed

00:23:38the antique diamond ring

00:23:40in her palm,

00:23:40her tone full of affection.

00:23:42This ring should have been

00:23:44on your hand

00:23:45five years ago, Summer.

00:23:47Before Ryan.

00:23:49Mistake.

00:23:50Then she turned her face

00:23:51toward me

00:23:51and her eyes went cold.

00:23:53Hayley,

00:23:53you're still here.

00:23:54Ryan walked over

00:23:55and stood between them.

00:23:57Mom,

00:23:58we're joking.

00:23:59It's April Fool's Day.

00:24:00We're just playing around.

00:24:02Well, I wish it could

00:24:02stay that way

00:24:03forever.

00:24:05I didn't answer.

00:24:06I walked around them,

00:24:08went straight into

00:24:09the master bedroom

00:24:09and pulled out a suitcase.

00:24:11I had barely taken out

00:24:13two pieces of clothings

00:24:14when Ryan followed me in.

00:24:15Hayley,

00:24:16everyone's here today.

00:24:17Don't ruin the mood.

00:24:20Let's have dinner

00:24:21together tonight.

00:24:22Think of it as a celebration.

00:24:23The final book

00:24:24in your Dark Whispers trilogy

00:24:25launches tomorrow.

00:24:27I've invited

00:24:27the whole publishing to.

00:24:29Consider it a celebration dinner.

00:24:31I stopped moving.

00:24:32That novel had taken

00:24:33three years of my blood and sweat,

00:24:35countless sleepless nights

00:24:37fueled by coffee and revisions.

00:24:38If I burned everything

00:24:39down at this exact moment,

00:24:41tomorrow's pre-sales

00:24:42and launch

00:24:43would inevitably be affected.

00:24:45I closed the suitcase.

00:24:46Fine.

00:24:47After this dinner.

00:24:49Ryan beamed,

00:24:50turned,

00:24:50and went to the living room

00:24:51to make calls

00:24:52and arrange everything.

00:24:53I would treat it

00:24:54as a farewell dinner

00:24:55with the team

00:24:56I had built

00:24:56with my own hands.

00:24:57Not long after,

00:24:58in the dining room,

00:24:59Summer didn't even

00:25:00look at the menu.

00:25:01She gave the waiter

00:25:02several dish names directly.

00:25:03I saw that Hayley

00:25:05ordered only ordinary dishes.

00:25:07There's no way

00:25:08that can suit

00:25:09everyone's taste.

00:25:11I added a few dishes

00:25:13on my own.

00:25:14Anyway,

00:25:15I'm using my husband's card.

00:25:17The housekeeper

00:25:18took the day off.

00:25:20Hayley,

00:25:21help out for a bit.

00:25:23The staff

00:25:23will be here soon.

00:25:25I glanced

00:25:26at the editorial team

00:25:27chatting happily

00:25:28in the living room,

00:25:29took a deep breath,

00:25:30and swallowed

00:25:31both my words

00:25:31and the acid

00:25:32rising in my stomach.

00:25:33Forget it.

00:25:34One last meal.

00:25:38I walked into the kitchen.

00:25:40The churning

00:25:41in my stomach

00:25:42hadn't settled

00:25:42and waves of cramping

00:25:44started in my lower abdomen.

00:25:46Chop the vegetables.

00:25:47Turn on the stove.

00:25:50Heat the pan.

00:25:51Add olive oil.

00:25:53Summer stood to the side.

00:25:54Every inch

00:25:55the lady of the house.

00:25:56Add more lemon juice

00:25:57to the salmon.

00:25:59Ryan has hated fishiness

00:26:00since he was a kid.

00:26:02And don't overcook the kale.

00:26:04The editors arrived

00:26:05one after another.

00:26:07Emily,

00:26:07the executive editor,

00:26:08couldn't stand

00:26:09watching anymore.

00:26:10She rolled up her sleeves

00:26:11and came into the kitchen

00:26:12to help wash vegetables.

00:26:14Emily,

00:26:14you're a guest.

00:26:15Just sit and wait

00:26:16for dinner.

00:26:17I'll worry about

00:26:18things in here.

00:26:20After all,

00:26:21tonight I'm the hostess.

00:26:23Emily flushed

00:26:24with embarrassment

00:26:24and retreated

00:26:25to the living room.

00:26:27I brought out

00:26:27the final dish

00:26:28of roasted ribs.

00:26:30Six dishes

00:26:31filled the table.

00:26:32Just as I untied

00:26:33my apron,

00:26:34the doorbell rang.

00:26:35Summer ran

00:26:36to open the door

00:26:37and several delivery workers

00:26:38came in carrying

00:26:39large insulated bags.

00:26:41I saw that Haley

00:26:41only made

00:26:42home-style dishes.

00:26:45There's no way

00:26:46they'll satisfy

00:26:46everyone's appetite.

00:26:49So,

00:26:50I used my husband's

00:26:52credit card

00:26:54and ordered

00:26:55a few dishes myself.

00:26:59Maine lobster,

00:27:00Alaskan king crab legs,

00:27:02black truffle risotto,

00:27:03base on the table

00:27:04was limited.

00:27:05Summer picked up

00:27:06the roasted ribs

00:27:07I had just made

00:27:07and dumped them,

00:27:08meat and bones together,

00:27:10into the nearby trash can

00:27:11to make room

00:27:12for her seafood.

00:27:13Ryan didn't think

00:27:14anything of it.

00:27:15He handed her a napkin

00:27:16to wipe her hands.

00:27:17You're always so thoughtful.

00:27:20I could no longer

00:27:21bear it

00:27:21and was about

00:27:21to step forward,

00:27:22but someone grabbed

00:27:23my sleeve.

00:27:24Emily leaned close to me,

00:27:26pushed her phone screen

00:27:27towards me,

00:27:27and lowered her voice.

00:27:29Haley,

00:27:30look at this.

00:27:30On the screen

00:27:31was the new book poster

00:27:32the marketing department

00:27:33had sent her for approval.

00:27:34In the author field,

00:27:35one name had been added

00:27:35before Haley Hart,

00:27:36Summer Bryant.

00:27:38I snatched up the phone

00:27:39and put it right

00:27:40in front of Ryan.

00:27:42Why?

00:27:44I turned my head

00:27:45and looked straight

00:27:45into Ryan's eyes.

00:27:47Ryan walked over,

00:27:49smiling as he said,

00:27:50Haley, this one's on me.

00:27:52I forgot to loop you in.

00:27:54I want you to share

00:27:56half the byline with her.

00:27:58I already promised

00:27:59Summer in advance.

00:28:01You love me so much.

00:28:04You'll help with this

00:28:05tiny favor, right?

00:28:06I type this out

00:28:08word by word,

00:28:09three years

00:28:10over three years.

00:28:11What gives you the right?

00:28:14What gives me the right?

00:28:16Money.

00:28:17Without me pouring money

00:28:18into marketing,

00:28:19your manuscripts

00:28:20would still be sitting

00:28:20in a drawer.

00:28:22I made you

00:28:23a best-selling author,

00:28:24and I can turn you back

00:28:26into an ordinary nobody.

00:28:27Right now,

00:28:28the company needs

00:28:29to push Summer,

00:28:30and your book

00:28:31is the best springboard.

00:28:32It's that simple.

00:28:37The copyright is

00:28:38under my personal name.

00:28:39You have no right

00:28:40to add her name.

00:28:41If you dare do this,

00:28:42I'll see you in court.

00:28:49The food is getting cold.

00:28:52Do we really have to talk

00:28:53about this right now?

00:28:58Everyone is waiting.

00:29:02Let's eat first.

00:29:05Whatever it is,

00:29:06we'll talk tomorrow.

00:29:08I ignored the table

00:29:09full of people,

00:29:10grabbed my power keys,

00:29:12and rushed out the door.

00:29:14By the time I got

00:29:15to the publishing house,

00:29:16the giant poster

00:29:18had already been hung.

00:29:2080% of the entire layout

00:29:21was Summer,

00:29:22with a long personal

00:29:23introduction beside her,

00:29:25and even gossiped

00:29:25about her and Ryan

00:29:26vacationing in the Hamptons.

00:29:31My name was squeezed

00:29:33into a corner,

00:29:34so small

00:29:35it was almost invisible.

00:29:39Derek,

00:29:40the head of the publishing house,

00:29:42was Ryan's fraternity brother

00:29:43from Yale.

00:29:45Hayley,

00:29:46there's nothing I can do.

00:29:49Personally.

00:29:51Ryan called personally

00:29:52and ordered us

00:29:53to print overnight.

00:29:55Besides,

00:29:55Carter Publishing

00:29:56belongs to you two

00:29:57as a couple.

00:30:01Does it really matter

00:30:02whose name is on it,

00:30:03as long as it makes money?

00:30:07He smoked a cigar

00:30:08in his office.

00:30:10A chill ran through me.

00:30:13Ryan's,

00:30:13we'll talk tomorrow.

00:30:15It was nothing

00:30:16but a delaying tactic.

00:30:17I turned

00:30:18and went downstairs,

00:30:19then speeded

00:30:20all the way back

00:30:21to the Carter house.

00:30:23When I pushed open the door,

00:30:25the dinner was already over.

00:30:27Ryan was sitting

00:30:28on the sofa

00:30:28watching a new Netflix show

00:30:29this summer.

00:30:30What gives you the right

00:30:31to do this?

00:30:32That book is my life's work!

00:30:36I'll say it again.

00:30:37We're only borrowing

00:30:38your fame for a while.

00:30:39Once summer gets popular,

00:30:41I'll have her name

00:30:42removed from the reprint.

00:30:45Don't take it out on him,

00:30:46we made this decision together.

00:30:53I was only helping him share

00:30:54the pressure at work.

00:30:58Some things really have been hard

00:31:00for you to handle lately.

00:31:05This has nothing to do with you.

00:31:07But Ryan pulled her tightly

00:31:09into his arms

00:31:10and protected her completely.

00:31:13Pushing Sommer forward

00:31:14is the company's

00:31:15established strategy.

00:31:18I hope you won't be jealous of her.

00:31:23I remember I just said it.

00:31:26Is your memory that bad?

00:31:30Oh, right.

00:31:32Tonight,

00:31:33summer is Mrs. Carter.

00:31:36Maybe you should step out

00:31:37and cool off.

00:31:39I pulled the judgment

00:31:40from my bag

00:31:40and threw it straight

00:31:41in his face.

00:31:44I was already leaving tonight.

00:31:48Now,

00:31:49there's not even

00:31:50a final thread

00:31:51left between us.

00:31:55Fine.

00:31:57You've got backbone.

00:31:58Since you don't want

00:31:59to be Mrs. Carter,

00:32:00I'll freeze your joint account

00:32:02and supplemental credit cards

00:32:04right now.

00:32:05He called the security

00:32:07company directly.

00:32:08Two private security guards

00:32:10stood at the door

00:32:10looking awkward.

00:32:11I'm already divorced

00:32:12from this woman.

00:32:13She has now trespassed

00:32:14into my private residence

00:32:16to harass me

00:32:17and my wife.

00:32:20Please remove her

00:32:21and make sure

00:32:21she leaves my private property.

00:32:23The guards had no choice

00:32:25but to forcefully drag me out.

00:32:27Haley Hart,

00:32:28without me,

00:32:29you can't even afford

00:32:30a motel.

00:32:32I'll be waiting for you

00:32:33to come crawling back

00:32:34tomorrow to remarry me.

00:32:36As for that book,

00:32:37consider it your wedding gift

00:32:38to Sommer today.

00:32:42The security guards

00:32:43pushed me out the gate.

00:32:44I stumbled and fell

00:32:45into a muddy patch of lawn

00:32:46freshly sweat

00:32:47by the sprinkler system.

00:32:48I braced myself

00:32:48against the ground,

00:32:49climbed up,

00:32:50held my stomach,

00:32:51and walked to the roadside.

00:32:52But an out-of-control

00:32:53dodge pickup came bearing

00:32:54straight towards me

00:32:54around the corner.

00:32:55I avoided the collision

00:32:56but the momentum

00:32:57threw me hard

00:32:57onto the asphalt.

00:32:58A sharp spasm

00:32:59shot through my abdomen,

00:33:00more violent

00:33:01than any pain before.

00:33:02The 911 dispatcher

00:33:03said the ambulance

00:33:04would take another 45 minutes.

00:33:06With no other choice,

00:33:06I leaned against a street lamp

00:33:07and dialed my emergency contact.

00:33:11Ryan was close,

00:33:12so he arrived quickly.

00:33:13He opened the car door.

00:33:14When his gaze touched the blood

00:33:16on the hem of my skirt,

00:33:17his steps faltered.

00:33:18Haley,

00:33:19what happened to you?

00:33:21He bent down,

00:33:22ready to carry me

00:33:23into the car.

00:33:24But Sommer's message

00:33:25popped up on his phone screen.

00:33:26It's almost midnight, husband.

00:33:28If you don't come now,

00:33:29this round counts as your loss.

00:33:31Ryan's hands stopped

00:33:32in miff air.

00:33:33He stared at the center display,

00:33:35then turned to look at me.

00:33:37Help me.

00:33:38I clutched his cuff

00:33:39with all my strength.

00:33:40Haley, do me a favor.

00:33:42Ryan plied my fingers open

00:33:43one by one.

00:33:44I've never lost at this stupid game

00:33:45in my entire life.

00:33:46I checked.

00:33:48You only sprained your ankle.

00:33:49I'll call Emerging Services

00:33:50for you right now.

00:33:52He pulled me out

00:33:53of the passenger seat,

00:33:54casually took two $20 bills

00:33:56from his wallet

00:33:56and stuffed them into my hand.

00:33:58I'll come see you

00:33:59at the hospital in a bit.

00:34:04Exhaust from the tailpipe

00:34:05blasted into my face.

00:34:06I lay in the puddle

00:34:07and screamed

00:34:08at the receding taillights.

00:34:09Ryan!

00:34:12I'm pregnant with your child!

00:34:14You bastard!

00:34:16Only the sound of rain

00:34:17answered me.

00:34:18The car never even lit

00:34:19its brake lights again.

00:34:20My vision began to blur.

00:34:22A white Toyota Camry

00:34:23stopped by the road.

00:34:25The window rolled down,

00:34:26revealing Emily's

00:34:27exhausted face.

00:34:28Oh my God!

00:34:29Haley!

00:34:30She rushed out of the car

00:34:32and half-dragged,

00:34:33half-carried me

00:34:34into the back seat.

00:34:36The hospital emergency department.

00:34:37When I woke up

00:34:38in the observation room,

00:34:39a social worker

00:34:40wearing an ID badge

00:34:41came over

00:34:42and handed me

00:34:42a stack of papers.

00:34:44Miss Hart,

00:34:45your emergency treatment

00:34:46has been completed,

00:34:47but transferring

00:34:48to a private room

00:34:49will require

00:34:49out-of-pocket payment.

00:34:51Also,

00:34:51when we tried

00:34:52to process your insurance,

00:34:53the system showed

00:34:54that your spouse's

00:34:54medical coverage

00:34:55has been frozen.

00:35:14Every April Fool's Day,

00:35:15my husband Ryan Carter

00:35:17and his childhood friend

00:35:18Summer Brayan

00:35:19played a game

00:35:19of truth or dare.

00:35:20Remember?

00:35:22Eighth grade?

00:35:22I asked if you dared

00:35:24to skip the math exam.

00:35:26You tore the answer sheet

00:35:27paper airplane

00:35:28straight into pieces.

00:35:33That was nothing.

00:35:35Playing truth or dare

00:35:36on April Fool's Day

00:35:37is basically

00:35:38our tradition.

00:35:41Then do you dare to

00:35:43go get a marriage license

00:35:45with me

00:35:46right now?

00:35:48Whistles erupted

00:35:49all around.

00:35:50I stood in the doorway

00:35:52my fingertips pinching

00:35:54a pregnancy test.

00:35:55Ryan turned to look at me

00:35:56then laughed.

00:35:58Why wouldn't I dare?

00:35:59He stood up,

00:36:00came over,

00:36:01grabbed my arm

00:36:02and dragged me

00:36:03into the hallway outside.

00:36:06Hayley,

00:36:07it's just an April Fool's joke.

00:36:09Play along with me.

00:36:11Go handle the divorce paperwork first

00:36:13and tomorrow morning

00:36:14we'll go to City Hall

00:36:15and get remarried.

00:36:16You know I can't back down

00:36:18in front of Summer.

00:36:19I stared at the man

00:36:20in front of me

00:36:21for the sake of his

00:36:22so-called childhood game

00:36:23I had compromised

00:36:24for five years.

00:36:25This time

00:36:26I wasn't accepting it.

00:36:28I'm pregnant.

00:36:31Hayley,

00:36:32that's a brilliant move!

00:36:34Ryan froze for half a beat

00:36:35then burst out laughing.

00:36:37You made up a pregnancy

00:36:38just without me from winning?

00:36:40Nice.

00:36:40You're better at April Fool's

00:36:42than I am.

00:36:42Summer walked over.

00:36:44Hearing our conversation,

00:36:45she laughed too.

00:36:47Please, Hayley.

00:36:49If you can't handle the game,

00:36:51just say so.

00:36:53Using pregnancy as an excuse?

00:36:56That's so low.

00:36:58Exactly.

00:37:00Let's go.

00:37:02Hurry up!

00:37:03If we're any later,

00:37:05City Hall will close.

00:37:06How am I supposed

00:37:06to get the license then?

00:37:08He dragged me outside,

00:37:09his steps long and urgent.

00:37:11I glanced at the hand

00:37:12gripping my wrist.

00:37:14The Patti Philippe

00:37:14on his wrist

00:37:15was the gift

00:37:16he had bought himself

00:37:17the day after

00:37:17the first volume

00:37:18of Dark Whispers

00:37:19hit number one

00:37:20on the bestseller list.

00:37:21And that April Fool's Day,

00:37:23the gift he gave me

00:37:24was kissing Summer

00:37:26in front of every executive

00:37:27in the company.

00:37:29On the way to City Hall,

00:37:31Ryan drove

00:37:31insanely fast.

00:37:33When we arrived

00:37:34at City Hall,

00:37:35what Ryan pulled

00:37:36from his briefcase

00:37:37was not a divorce agreement,

00:37:39but a thick stack

00:37:40of documents.

00:37:41The title read

00:37:43Petition for Marriage Annulment

00:37:45and Waiver of All Rights.

00:37:47He slapped the documents

00:37:49in front of me

00:37:49and spoke quickly.

00:37:51Sign it.

00:37:52Declare that our marriage

00:37:53was fraudulent

00:37:54from the beginning

00:37:55because it was

00:37:55based on an April Falls joke.

00:37:58Once you sign this,

00:38:00our relationship

00:38:01will legally

00:38:02have never existed.

00:38:03Then I can register

00:38:04my marriage

00:38:05with Summer legally.

00:38:06I picked up the pen

00:38:07and let out a cold laugh.

00:38:09Fine.

00:38:11Then I'll give you both

00:38:12what you want.

00:38:15I signed my name

00:38:16without the slightest pause.

00:38:19The City Hall seal

00:38:20came down

00:38:21and five years of marriage

00:38:22ended in absurdity.

00:38:25After getting the judgment,

00:38:27Ryan turned around,

00:38:28took a brand new Armani suit

00:38:29from the car

00:38:30and changed into it.

00:38:31Summer pulled a white veil

00:38:32from the trunk

00:38:33and pinned it into her hair.

00:38:34The two of them stood

00:38:35on the steps of City Hall,

00:38:37drawing looks from passersby.

00:38:38I sat on a bench

00:38:39and watched it all.

00:38:41Five years ago,

00:38:42on the day Ryan and I

00:38:44registered our marriage

00:38:44at City Hall,

00:38:45he wore an old polo shirt,

00:38:47ripped jeans,

00:38:48and beat up sneakers

00:38:49with no socks.

00:38:51When I reminded him to change,

00:38:52he said true love

00:38:54didn't need all that

00:38:54superficial packaging.

00:38:56Being real

00:38:56was what mattered.

00:38:57Now,

00:38:58he stood in a crisp suit,

00:38:59his arm wrapped tightly

00:39:01around Summer's waist,

00:39:02smiling brightly at the camera.

00:39:04With a click,

00:39:05the image froze,

00:39:05looking just like

00:39:06a perfect couple

00:39:07from a reality show.

00:39:08Not long after,

00:39:10Ryan walked up to me

00:39:11holding two marriage certificates.

00:39:13Honey,

00:39:13see that?

00:39:15I won again this time.

00:39:17We'll get remarried

00:39:18first thing tomorrow morning.

00:39:20Don't be mad.

00:39:21It's just a keepsake.

00:39:22Early pregnancy nausea

00:39:24churned through me

00:39:24and I was almost too weak

00:39:26to keep standing.

00:39:27Take me back.

00:39:28I need to pack my things.

00:39:30I opened the passenger door

00:39:32but before I could sit down,

00:39:35Summer squeezed over.

00:39:36Haley,

00:39:37if we're acting,

00:39:38we should go all the way.

00:39:41Since Ryan and I

00:39:42are legally married now,

00:39:44of course I should sit

00:39:45in the passenger seat.

00:39:46She opened the door

00:39:47and sat down

00:39:48as if it was only natural.

00:39:50With one casual sweep

00:39:51of her hand,

00:39:52she knocked my yoga mat

00:39:53and lumbar pillows

00:39:54from the passenger seat

00:39:54onto the floor map.

00:39:56Ryan stood at the front

00:39:57of the car

00:39:58and gave me

00:39:58an apologetic gesture.

00:39:59I turned

00:40:00and walked toward

00:40:01the south line,

00:40:01ready to call a rideshare.

00:40:03Ryan caught up

00:40:03in a few steps,

00:40:04opened the back door

00:40:05and shoved me inside.

00:40:07Stop throwing a tantrum.

00:40:08It's hard to get a car here.

00:40:10Sit down and behave.

00:40:13Bruno Maz's Mary Ud

00:40:14was playing in the car.

00:40:15Summer hummed

00:40:16along to the beat.

00:40:17When it reached

00:40:17the high note,

00:40:18she grabbed Ryan's sleeve

00:40:19and shook it.

00:40:20It's a beautiful night.

00:40:22We're looking for

00:40:23something dumb to do.

00:40:25Ryan took the next line

00:40:27in perfect sync.

00:40:28They looked at each other

00:40:29and burst out laughing

00:40:30with a bottle of mineral water.

00:40:33The two of them

00:40:33were as intimate

00:40:34as newlyweds.

00:40:35Ryan,

00:40:36your collar is crooked.

00:40:37Summer turned sideways

00:40:38and reached out

00:40:39to fix Ryan's tie.

00:40:40Her fingertips brushed

00:40:41his Adam's belt

00:40:42and most of her body

00:40:43leaned over him.

00:40:46Ryan didn't move away.

00:40:48Instead,

00:40:49he held the steering wheel

00:40:50with one hand

00:40:50and used the other

00:40:51to steady Summer's back.

00:40:53Stop messing around.

00:40:54I'm driving.

00:40:56That was what he said,

00:40:57but his tone

00:40:58was full of indulgence.

00:41:00I closed my eyes

00:41:01and placed my hand

00:41:02over my lower eboli.

00:41:05Today,

00:41:06this farce

00:41:07had to end.

00:41:08When we pushed

00:41:09open the front door,

00:41:11Catherine lifted

00:41:11Summer's hand

00:41:12and gently placed

00:41:13the antique diamond ring

00:41:14in her palm,

00:41:15her tone full of affection.

00:41:17This ring

00:41:18should have been

00:41:19on your hand

00:41:20five years ago,

00:41:21Summer,

00:41:22before Ryan.

00:41:23Mistake.

00:41:24Then she turned

00:41:25her face toward me

00:41:26and her eyes went cold.

00:41:27Hayley,

00:41:28you're still here.

00:41:29Ryan walked over

00:41:30and stood between them.

00:41:32Mom,

00:41:32we're joking.

00:41:33It's April Fool's Day.

00:41:35We're just

00:41:35playing around.

00:41:36Well,

00:41:36I wish it could stay

00:41:37that way forever.

00:41:39I didn't answer.

00:41:41I walked around them,

00:41:43went straight

00:41:43into the master bedroom

00:41:44and pulled out

00:41:45a suitcase.

00:41:46I had barely

00:41:47taken out

00:41:47two pieces of clothing

00:41:48when Ryan followed me in.

00:41:50Hayley,

00:41:50everyone's here today.

00:41:52Don't ruin the mood.

00:41:54Let's have dinner

00:41:55together tonight.

00:41:56Think of it

00:41:57as a celebration.

00:41:58The final book

00:41:59in your Dark Whispers

00:42:00trilogy launches tomorrow.

00:42:01I've invited

00:42:02the whole publishing tomb.

00:42:04Consider it

00:42:04a celebration dinner.

00:42:05I stopped moving.

00:42:07That novel

00:42:08had taken three years

00:42:09of my blood and sweat,

00:42:10countless sleepless nights

00:42:11fueled by coffee

00:42:12and revisions.

00:42:13If I burned everything

00:42:14down at this exact moment,

00:42:16tomorrow's pre-sales

00:42:17and launch

00:42:17would inevitably

00:42:18be affected.

00:42:19I closed the suitcase.

00:42:20Fine.

00:42:21After this dinner.

00:42:23Ryan beamed,

00:42:25turned,

00:42:25and went to the living room

00:42:26to make calls

00:42:27and arrange everything.

00:42:28I would treat it

00:42:29as a farewell dinner

00:42:30with the team

00:42:30I had built

00:42:31with my own hands.

00:42:32Not long after,

00:42:33in the dining room,

00:42:34Summer didn't even

00:42:34look at the menu.

00:42:35She gave the waiter

00:42:36several dish names

00:42:37directly.

00:42:38I saw that Haley

00:42:39ordered only

00:42:40ordinary dishes.

00:42:42There's no way

00:42:43that can suit

00:42:43everyone's taste.

00:42:46I added a few dishes

00:42:47on my own.

00:42:48Anyway,

00:42:49I'm using

00:42:50my husband's card.

00:42:51The housekeeper

00:42:52took the day off.

00:42:54Haley,

00:42:55help out for a bit.

00:42:57The staff

00:42:58will be here soon.

00:42:59I glanced

00:43:00at the editorial team

00:43:02chatting happily

00:43:02in the living room,

00:43:03took a deep breath,

00:43:04and swallowed

00:43:05both my words

00:43:06and the acid

00:43:06rising in my stomach.

00:43:08Forget it.

00:43:09One last meal.

00:43:13I walked

00:43:14into the kitchen.

00:43:15The churning

00:43:16in my stomach

00:43:16hadn't settled

00:43:17and waves of cramping

00:43:18started in my lower abdomen.

00:43:20Chop the vegetables.

00:43:22Turn on the stove.

00:43:24Heat the pan.

00:43:26Add olive oil.

00:43:27Summer stood

00:43:28to the side,

00:43:29every inch

00:43:30the lady of the house.

00:43:31Add more lemon juice

00:43:32to the salmon.

00:43:33Ryan has hated

00:43:34fishiness

00:43:35since he was a kid.

00:43:36And don't overcook

00:43:37the kale.

00:43:38The editors arrived

00:43:40one after another.

00:43:41Emily,

00:43:42the executive editor,

00:43:43couldn't stand

00:43:43watching anymore.

00:43:44She rolled up

00:43:45her sleeves

00:43:46and came into the kitchen

00:43:47to help wash vegetables.

00:43:48Emily,

00:43:49you're a guest.

00:43:50Just sit and wait

00:43:51for dinner.

00:43:52I'll worry about

00:43:53things in here.

00:43:54After all,

00:43:55tonight I'm the hostess.

00:43:57Emily flushed

00:43:58with embarrassment

00:43:59and retreated

00:44:00to the living room.

00:44:01I brought out

00:44:02the final dish

00:44:03of roasted ribs.

00:44:04Six dishes

00:44:06filled the table.

00:44:07Just as I untied

00:44:07my apron,

00:44:08the doorbell rang.

00:44:10Summer ran

00:44:10to open the door

00:44:11and several delivery workers

00:44:13came in carrying

00:44:14large insulated bags.

00:44:15I saw that Haley

00:44:16only made

00:44:17home-style dishes.

00:44:19There's no way

00:44:20they'll satisfy

00:44:21everyone's appetite.

00:44:23So,

00:44:25I used my husband's

00:44:26credit card

00:44:29and ordered a few dishes

00:44:30myself.

00:44:33Maine lobster,

00:44:35Alaskan king crab legs,

00:44:37black truffle risotto,

00:44:38base on the table

00:44:39was limited.

00:44:40Summer picked up

00:44:40the roasted ribs

00:44:41I had just made

00:44:42and dumped them,

00:44:43meat and bones together,

00:44:44into the nearby trash can

00:44:45to make room

00:44:46for her seafood.

00:44:47Ryan didn't think

00:44:48anything of it.

00:44:49He handed her a napkin

00:44:50to wipe her hands.

00:44:52You're always so thoughtful.

00:44:54I could no longer

00:44:55bear it

00:44:56and was about

00:44:56to step forward,

00:44:57but someone grabbed

00:44:58my sleeve.

00:44:59Emily leaned close to me,

00:45:01pushed her phone screen

00:45:01towards me,

00:45:02and lowered her voice.

00:45:04Haley,

00:45:04look at this.

00:45:05On the screen

00:45:05was the new book poster

00:45:06the marketing department

00:45:07had sent her for approval.

00:45:08In the author field,

00:45:09one name had been added

00:45:10before Haley Hart,

00:45:11Summer Bryant.

00:45:13I snatched up the phone

00:45:14and put it right

00:45:15in front of Ryan.

00:45:17Why?

00:45:18I turned my head

00:45:19and looked straight

00:45:20into Ryan's eyes.

00:45:22Ryan walked over,

00:45:23smiling as he said,

00:45:25Haley,

00:45:25this one's on me.

00:45:26I forgot to loop you in.

00:45:29I want you to share

00:45:30half the byline with her.

00:45:33I already promised

00:45:34Summer in advance.

00:45:36You love me so much.

00:45:38You'll help with

00:45:39this tiny favor, right?

00:45:41I type this out

00:45:42word by word,

00:45:43three years

00:45:44over three years.

00:45:45What gives you the right?

00:45:48What gives me the right?

00:45:50Money.

00:45:52Without me pouring money

00:45:53into marketing,

00:45:53your manuscripts

00:45:54would still be sitting

00:45:55in a drawer.

00:45:57I made you

00:45:58a best-selling author

00:45:59and I can turn you back

00:46:00into an ordinary nobody.

00:46:02Right now,

00:46:03the company needs

00:46:04to push Summer

00:46:04and your book

00:46:05is the best springboard.

00:46:07It's that simple.

00:46:11The copyright

00:46:12is under my personal name.

00:46:14You have no right

00:46:15to add her name.

00:46:16If you dare do this,

00:46:17I'll see you in court.

00:46:24The food is getting cold.

00:46:27Do we really have to

00:46:28talk about this right now?

00:46:33Everyone is waiting.

00:46:37Let's eat first.

00:46:39Whatever it is,

00:46:40we'll talk tomorrow.

00:46:43I ignored the table

00:46:44full of people,

00:46:45grabbed my power keys

00:46:46and rushed out the door.

00:46:49By the time I got

00:46:50to the publishing house,

00:46:51the giant poster

00:46:52had already been hung.

00:46:5580% of the entire layout

00:46:56was Summer,

00:46:57with a long personal

00:46:58introduction beside her

00:46:59and even gossiped

00:47:00without her and Ryan

00:47:01vacationing in the Hamptons.

00:47:06What?

00:47:07What?

00:47:07It was squeezed into a corner

00:47:08so small

00:47:09it was almost invisible.

00:47:14Derek,

00:47:15the head of the publishing house,

00:47:16was Ryan's fraternity brother

00:47:18from Yale.

00:47:20Hayley,

00:47:21there's nothing I can do.

00:47:23Personally.

00:47:25Ryan called personally

00:47:27and ordered us

00:47:27to print overnight.

00:47:30Besides,

00:47:30Carter Publishing

00:47:31belongs to you two

00:47:32as a couple.

00:47:36Does it really matter

00:47:37whose name is on it

00:47:38as long as it makes money?

00:47:41He smoked a cigar

00:47:42in his office.

00:47:45A chill ran through me.

00:47:47Ryan's,

00:47:48we'll talk tomorrow.

00:47:50It was nothing

00:47:50but a delaying tactic.

00:47:52I turned

00:47:53and went downstairs

00:47:54then speeded

00:47:55all the way back

00:47:55to the Carter house.

00:47:58When I pushed open the door,

00:47:59the dinner was already over.

00:48:01Ryan was sitting

00:48:02on the sofa

00:48:03watching a new Netflix show

00:48:04in the summer.

00:48:05What gives you the right

00:48:06to do this?

00:48:07That book is my life's work!

00:48:10I'll say it again.

00:48:12We're only borrowing

00:48:13your fame for a while.

00:48:14Once summer gets popular,

00:48:15I'll have her name

00:48:16removed from the reprint.

00:48:19Don't take it out

00:48:20on him, Hayley.

00:48:22We made this decision together.

00:48:27I was only helping him share

00:48:29the pressure at work.

00:48:33Some things really have

00:48:34been hard for you

00:48:35to handle lately.

00:48:39This has nothing

00:48:40to do with you.

00:48:42But Ryan pulled her

00:48:43tightly into his arms

00:48:44and protected her

00:48:46completely.

00:48:47Pushing Sommer forward

00:48:49is the company's

00:48:50established strategy.

00:48:53I hope you won't be

00:48:54jealous of her.

00:48:58I remember I just

00:48:59said it.

00:49:01Is your memory

00:49:02that bad?

00:49:05Oh, right.

00:49:07Tonight,

00:49:08summer is Mrs.

00:49:09Carter.

00:49:10Maybe you should step out

00:49:11and cool off.

00:49:13I pulled the judgment

00:49:14from my bag

00:49:15and threw it

00:49:16straight in his face.

00:49:18I was already

00:49:20leaving tonight.

00:49:23Now,

00:49:24there's not even

00:49:24a final thread

00:49:25left between us.

00:49:30Fine.

00:49:31You've got backbone.

00:49:33Since you don't want

00:49:34to be Mrs.

00:49:34Carter,

00:49:35I'll freeze your

00:49:36joint account

00:49:37and supplemental

00:49:37credit cards

00:49:38right now.

00:49:40He called the

00:49:41security company

00:49:42directly.

00:49:43Two private

00:49:43security guards

00:49:44stood at the door

00:49:45looking awkward.

00:49:46I'm already

00:49:46divorced from this

00:49:47woman.

00:49:47She has now

00:49:48trespassed into

00:49:49my private residence

00:49:51to harass me

00:49:52and my wife.

00:49:54Please remove her

00:49:55and make sure

00:49:56she leaves my

00:49:56private property.

00:49:58The guards

00:49:58had no choice

00:49:59but to forcefully

00:50:00drag me out.

00:50:02Hayley Hart,

00:50:03without me,

00:50:04you can't even

00:50:04afford a motel.

00:50:07I'll be waiting

00:50:08for you to come

00:50:08crawling back

00:50:09tomorrow to

00:50:10remarry me.

00:50:10As for that book,

00:50:12consider it your

00:50:13wedding gift

00:50:13to Summer today.

00:50:16The security guards

00:50:17pushed me out the gate.

00:50:18I stumbled and fell

00:50:19into a muddy patch

00:50:20of lawn,

00:50:21freshly swept

00:50:21by the sprinkler system.

00:50:22I braced myself

00:50:23against the ground,

00:50:24climbed up,

00:50:25held my stomach,

00:50:25and walked to the roadside.

00:50:26But an out-of-control

00:50:27dodge pickup came

00:50:28bearing straight

00:50:29towards me around

00:50:29the corner.

00:50:30I avoided the collision

00:50:31but the momentum

00:50:31threw me hard

00:50:32onto the asphalt.

00:50:33A sharp spasm

00:50:34shot through my abdomen,

00:50:35more violent

00:50:36than any pain before.

00:50:37The 911 dispatcher

00:50:38said the ambulance

00:50:38would take another

00:50:3945 minutes.

00:50:40With no other choice,

00:50:41I leaned against

00:50:41a street lamp

00:50:42and dialed my

00:50:43emergency contact.

00:50:45Ryan was close,

00:50:46so he arrived quickly.

00:50:48He opened the car door.

00:50:49When his gaze

00:50:50touched the blood

00:50:50on the hem of my skirt,

00:50:51his steps faltered.

00:50:53Haley,

00:50:53what happened to you?

00:50:56He bent down,

00:50:57ready to carry me

00:50:58into the car,

00:50:58but Summer's message

00:50:59popped up on his phone screen.

00:51:01It's almost midnight,

00:51:02husband.

00:51:02If you don't come now,

00:51:04this round counts

00:51:05as your loss.

00:51:06Ryan's hands

00:51:06stopped in miff air.

00:51:08He stared at the

00:51:09center display,

00:51:10then turned to look at me.

00:51:11Help me.

00:51:13I clutched his cuff

00:51:14with all my strength.

00:51:15Haley,

00:51:15do me a favor.

00:51:16Ryan plied my fingers

00:51:17open one by one.

00:51:18I've never lost

00:51:19at this stupid game

00:51:20in my entire life.

00:51:21I checked.

00:51:22You only sprained your ankle.

00:51:24I'll call

00:51:24Emerging Services

00:51:25for you right now.

00:51:27He pulled me

00:51:28out of the passenger seat,

00:51:29casually took

00:51:29two $20 bills

00:51:30from his wallet

00:51:31and stuffed them

00:51:32into my hand.

00:51:32I'll come see you

00:51:33at the hospital

00:51:34in a bit.

00:51:38Exhaust from the tailpipe

00:51:39blasted into my face.

00:51:41I lay in the puddle

00:51:42and screamed

00:51:42at the receding taillights.

00:51:44Ryan!

00:51:46I'm pregnant

00:51:47with your child!

00:51:49You bastard!

00:51:50Only the sound

00:51:51of rain answered me.

00:51:52The car never even

00:51:53lit its brake lights again.

00:51:55My vision began

00:51:56to blur.

00:51:56A white Toyota Camry

00:51:58stopped by the road.

00:51:59The window rolled down,

00:52:01revealing Emily's

00:52:02exhausted face.

00:52:03Oh my God!

00:52:03Haley!

00:52:05She rushed out

00:52:06of the car

00:52:06and half dragged,

00:52:08half carried me

00:52:08into the back seat.

00:52:10The hospital

00:52:11emergency department.

00:52:12When I woke up

00:52:13in the observation room,

00:52:14a social worker

00:52:15wearing an ID badge

00:52:16came over

00:52:17and handed me

00:52:17a stack of papers.

00:52:18Miss Hart,

00:52:19your emergency treatment

00:52:20has been completed,

00:52:21but transferring

00:52:22to a private room

00:52:23will require

00:52:24out-of-pocket payment.

00:52:25Also,

00:52:26when we tried

00:52:26to process your insurance,

00:52:27the system showed

00:52:28that your spouse's

00:52:29medical coverage

00:52:30has been frozen.

00:52:48Every April Fool's Day,

00:52:50my husband Ryan Carter

00:52:51and his childhood friend

00:52:53Summer Brayan

00:52:53played a game

00:52:54of truth or dare.

00:52:55Remember?

00:52:56Eighth grade?

00:52:57I asked if you dared

00:52:59to skip

00:53:00the math exam.

00:53:01You tore the answer sheet

00:53:02paper airplane

00:53:03straight into pieces.

00:53:07That was nothing.

00:53:09Playing truth or dare

00:53:11on April Fool's Day

00:53:12is basically

00:53:13our tradition.

00:53:15Then do you dare to

00:53:17go get a marriage license

00:53:19with me

00:53:21right now?

00:53:23Whistles erupted

00:53:24all around.

00:53:25I stood in the doorway,

00:53:27my fingertips

00:53:28pinching a pregnancy test.

00:53:30Ryan turned

00:53:30to look at me,

00:53:31then laughed.

00:53:32Why wouldn't I dare?

00:53:34He stood up,

00:53:35came over,

00:53:36grabbed my arm,

00:53:37and dragged me

00:53:38into the hallway outside.

00:53:41Hayley,

00:53:41it's just an April Fool's joke.

00:53:43Play along with me.

00:53:45Go handle

00:53:46the divorce paperwork first,

00:53:48and tomorrow morning

00:53:49we'll go to City Hall

00:53:50and get remarried.

00:53:51You know I can't back down

00:53:52in front of Summer.

00:53:54I stared at the man

00:53:55in front of me.

00:53:55For the sake of his

00:53:56so-called childhood game,

00:53:58I had compromised

00:53:58for five years.

00:53:59This time,

00:54:00I wasn't accepting it.

00:54:02I'm pregnant.

00:54:06Hayley,

00:54:06that's a brilliant move!

00:54:08Ryan froze for half a beat,

00:54:10then burst out laughing.

00:54:12You made up a pregnancy

00:54:13to stop me from winning?

00:54:14Nice.

00:54:15You're better at April Fool's

00:54:16than I am.

00:54:17Summer walked over.

00:54:18Hearing our conversation,

00:54:19she laughed, too.

00:54:22Please, Hayley,

00:54:24if you can't handle the game,

00:54:26just say so.

00:54:28Using pregnancy as an excuse?

00:54:31That's so low.

00:54:32Exactly.

00:54:35Let's go.

00:54:37Hurry up!

00:54:38If we're any later,

00:54:39City Hall will close.

00:54:40How am I supposed

00:54:41to get the license, then?

00:54:42He dragged me outside,

00:54:44his steps long and urgent.

00:54:46I glanced at the hand

00:54:47gripping my wrist.

00:54:48The Paddy Philippe

00:54:49on his wrist

00:54:50was the gift

00:54:50he had bought himself

00:54:51the day after the first volume

00:54:53of Dark Whispers

00:54:54hit number one

00:54:54on the bestseller list.

00:54:56And that April Fool's Day,

00:54:57the gift he gave me

00:54:59was kissing Summer

00:55:00in front of every executive

00:55:02in the company.

00:55:03On the way to City Hall,

00:55:05Ryan drove

00:55:06insanely fast.

00:55:07When we arrived

00:55:08at City Hall,

00:55:10what Ryan pulled

00:55:11from his briefcase

00:55:12was not a divorce agreement,

00:55:13but a thick stack

00:55:15of documents.

00:55:16The title read

00:55:17Petition for Marriage Annulment

00:55:19and Waiver of All Rights.

00:55:22He slapped the documents

00:55:23in front of me

00:55:24and spoke quickly.

00:55:25Sign it.

00:55:27Declare that our marriage

00:55:28was fraudulent

00:55:29from the beginning

00:55:29because it was

00:55:30based on an April Falls joke.

00:55:33Once you sign this,

00:55:35our relationship

00:55:36will legally

00:55:37have never existed.

00:55:38Then I can register

00:55:39my marriage

00:55:40with Summer legally.

00:55:41I picked up the pen

00:55:42and let out a cold laugh.

00:55:44Fine.

00:55:45Then I'll give you both

00:55:46what you want.

00:55:50I signed my name

00:55:51without the slightest pause.

00:55:54The City Hall seal

00:55:55came down

00:55:55and five years of marriage

00:55:57ended in absurdity.

00:56:00After getting the judgment,

00:56:01Ryan turned around,

00:56:02took a brand new Armani suit

00:56:04from the car

00:56:04and changed into it.

00:56:06Summer pulled a white veil

00:56:07from the trunk

00:56:08and pinned it into her hair.

00:56:09The two of them

00:56:10stood on the steps

00:56:10of City Hall

00:56:11drawing looks

00:56:12from passersby.

00:56:13I sat on a bench

00:56:15and watched it all.

00:56:16Five years ago,

00:56:17on the day Ryan and I

00:56:18registered our marriage

00:56:19at City Hall,

00:56:20he wore an old polo shirt,

00:56:22ripped jeans,

00:56:23and beat up sneakers

00:56:24with no socks.

00:56:25When I reminded him

00:56:26to change,

00:56:27he said true love

00:56:28didn't need all that

00:56:29superficial packaging.

00:56:31Being real

00:56:31was what mattered.

00:56:32Now,

00:56:33he stood in a crisp suit,

00:56:34his arm wrapped tightly

00:56:35around Summer's waist,

00:56:36smiling brightly at the camera.

00:56:38With a click,

00:56:39the image froze,

00:56:40looking just like a perfect couple

00:56:41from a reality show.

00:56:43Not long after,

00:56:45Ryan walked up to me

00:56:45holding two marriage certificates.

00:56:47Honey,

00:56:48see that?

00:56:49I won again this time.

00:56:51We'll get remarried

00:56:52first thing tomorrow morning.

00:56:54Don't be mad.

00:56:56It's just a keepsake.

00:56:57Early pregnancy nausea

00:56:58churned through me,

00:56:59and I was almost too weak

00:57:00to keep standing.

00:57:01Take me back.

00:57:03I need to pack my things.

00:57:05I opened the passenger door,

00:57:07but before I could sit down,

00:57:09Summer squeezed over.

00:57:11Haley,

00:57:11if we're acting,

00:57:13we should go all the way.

00:57:15Since Ryan and I

00:57:16are legally married now,

00:57:18of course I should sit

00:57:20in the passenger seat.

00:57:21She opened the door

00:57:22and sat down

00:57:23as if it was only natural.

00:57:24With one casual sweep

00:57:26of her hand,

00:57:26she knocked my yoga mat

00:57:27and lumbar pillows

00:57:28from the passenger seat

00:57:29onto the floor map.

00:57:31Ryan stood at the front

00:57:32of the car

00:57:32and gave me

00:57:33an apologetic gesture.

00:57:34I turned and walked

00:57:35toward the south line,

00:57:36ready to call a rideshare.

00:57:37Ryan caught up

00:57:38in a few steps,

00:57:39opened the back door,

00:57:40and shoved me inside.

00:57:41Stop throwing a tantrum.

00:57:43It's hard to get a car here.

00:57:45Sit down and behave.

00:57:47Bruno Maz's Mary Ud

00:57:48was playing in the car.

00:57:50Summer hummed along

00:57:50to the beat.

00:57:51When it reached the high note,

00:57:53she grabbed Ryan's sleeve

00:57:54and shook it.

00:57:55It's a beautiful night.

00:57:56We're looking for

00:57:58something dumb to do.

00:58:00Ryan took the next line

00:58:01in perfect sync.

00:58:03They looked at each other

00:58:04and burst out laughing

00:58:05with a bottle of mineral water.

00:58:07The two of them

00:58:08were as intimate

00:58:08as newlyweds.

00:58:10Ryan,

00:58:10your collar is crooked.

00:58:12Summer turned sideways

00:58:13and reached out

00:58:13to fix Ryan's tie.

00:58:15Her fingertips brushed

00:58:16his Adam's belt

00:58:17and most of her body

00:58:18leaned over him.

00:58:21Ryan didn't move away.

00:58:22Instead,

00:58:23he held the steering wheel

00:58:24with one hand

00:58:25and used the other

00:58:26to steady Summer's back.

00:58:27Stop messing around.

00:58:29I'm driving.

00:58:30That was what he said,

00:58:32but his tone

00:58:33was full of indulgence.

00:58:34I closed my eyes

00:58:36and placed my hand

00:58:37over my lower eboli.

00:58:39Today,

00:58:40this farce had to end.

00:58:43When we pushed open

00:58:44the front door,

00:58:45Catherine lifted Summer's hand

00:58:47and gently placed

00:58:48the antique diamond ring

00:58:49in her palm,

00:58:50her tone full of affection.

00:58:52This ring should have been

00:58:53on your hand

00:58:54five years ago, Summer.

00:58:56Before Ryan.

00:58:58Mistake.

00:58:59Then she turned her face

00:59:00toward me

00:59:00and her eyes went cold.

00:59:02Hayley,

00:59:03you're still here.

00:59:04Ryan walked over

00:59:04and stood between them.

00:59:06Mom,

00:59:07we're joking.

00:59:08It's April Fool's Day.

00:59:09We're just playing around.

00:59:10Well, I wish it could

00:59:12stay that way forever.

00:59:14I didn't answer.

00:59:15I walked around them,

00:59:17went straight into

00:59:18the master bedroom

00:59:19and pulled out a suitcase.

00:59:21I had barely taken out

00:59:22two pieces of clothing

00:59:23when Ryan followed me in.

00:59:24Hayley,

00:59:25everyone's here today.

00:59:27Don't ruin the mood.

00:59:29Let's have dinner

00:59:30together tonight.

00:59:31Think of it as a celebration.

00:59:32The final book

00:59:33in your Dark Whispers trilogy

00:59:34launches tomorrow.

00:59:36I've invited

00:59:37the whole publishing to.

00:59:38Consider it a celebration dinner.

00:59:40I stopped moving.

00:59:41That novel had taken

00:59:43three years of my blood and sweat.

00:59:45Countless sleepless nights

00:59:46fueled by coffee and revisions.

00:59:48If I burned everything down

00:59:49at this exact moment,

00:59:50tomorrow's pre-sales and launch

00:59:52would inevitably be affected.

00:59:53I closed the suitcase.

00:59:55Fine.

00:59:56After this dinner.

00:59:58Ryan beamed,

00:59:59turned,

01:00:00and went to the living room

01:00:01to make calls

01:00:01and arrange everything.

01:00:02I would treat it

01:00:03as a farewell dinner

01:00:04with the team

01:00:05I had built

01:00:05with my own hands.

01:00:06Not long after,

01:00:07in the dining room,

01:00:08Summer didn't even

01:00:09look at the menu.

01:00:10She gave the waiter

01:00:11several dish names directly.

01:00:13I saw that Haley ordered

01:00:14only ordinary dishes.

01:00:16There's no way

01:00:17that can suit

01:00:18everyone's taste.

01:00:20I added a few dishes

01:00:22on my own.

01:00:23Anyway,

01:00:24I'm using my husband's card.

01:00:26The housekeeper

01:00:27took the day off.

01:00:29Haley,

01:00:30help out for a bit.

01:00:32The staff will be here soon.

01:00:34I glanced at the editorial team,

01:00:36chatting happily

01:00:37in the living room.

01:00:38Took a deep breath

01:00:39and swallowed both my words

01:00:40and the acid rising

01:00:41in my stomach.

01:00:42Forget it.

01:00:43One last meal.

01:00:47I walked into the kitchen.

01:00:49The churning in my stomach

01:00:51hadn't settled

01:00:51and waves of cramping

01:00:53started in my lower abdomen.

01:00:55Chop the vegetables.

01:00:56Turn on the stove.

01:00:59Heat the pan.

01:01:01Add olive oil.

01:01:02Summer stood to the side,

01:01:04every inch

01:01:04the lady of the house.

01:01:05Add more lemon juice

01:01:07to the salmon.

01:01:08Ryan has hated fishiness

01:01:09since he was a kid.

01:01:11And don't overcook the kale.

01:01:13The editors arrived

01:01:14one after another.

01:01:16Emily,

01:01:16the executive editor,

01:01:17couldn't stand

01:01:18watching anymore.

01:01:19She rolled up her sleeves

01:01:20and came into the kitchen

01:01:21to help wash vegetables.

01:01:23Emily,

01:01:23you're a guest.

01:01:24Just sit and wait for dinner.

01:01:27I'll worry about things in here.

01:01:29After all,

01:01:30tonight I'm the hostess.

01:01:32Emily flushed with embarrassment

01:01:34and retreated to the living room.

01:01:36I brought out the final dish

01:01:37of roasted ribs.

01:01:39Six dishes filled the table.

01:01:41Just as I untied my apron,

01:01:43the doorbell rang.

01:01:45Summer ran to open the door

01:01:46and several delivery workers

01:01:47came in carrying

01:01:48large insulated bags.

01:01:50I saw that Haley only made

01:01:51home-style dishes.

01:01:54There's no way they'll satisfy

01:01:56everyone's appetite.

01:01:58So,

01:02:00I used my husband's credit card

01:02:03and ordered a few dishes myself.

01:02:08Maine lobster,

01:02:09Alaskan king crab legs,

01:02:11black truffle risotto,

01:02:12face on the table

01:02:13was limited.

01:02:14Summer picked up

01:02:15the roasted ribs

01:02:16I had just made

01:02:16and dumped them,

01:02:17meat and bones together,

01:02:19into the nearby trash can

01:02:20to make room

01:02:21for her seafood.

01:02:22Ryan didn't think

01:02:23anything of it.

01:02:24He handed her a napkin

01:02:25to wipe her hands.

01:02:26You're always so thoughtful.

01:02:29I could no longer bear it

01:02:30and was about to step forward,

01:02:32but someone grabbed my sleeve.

01:02:34Emily leaned close to me,

01:02:35pushed her phone screen

01:02:36towards me,

01:02:37and lowered her voice.

01:02:38Haley,

01:02:39look at this.

01:02:39On the screen

01:02:40was the new book poster

01:02:41the marketing department

01:02:42had sent her for approval.

01:02:43In the author field,

01:02:44one name had been added

01:02:45before Haley Hart,

01:02:46Summer Bryant.

01:02:47I snatched up the phone

01:02:49and put it right

01:02:49in front of Ryan.

01:02:51Why?

01:02:53I turned my head

01:02:54and looked straight

01:02:55into Ryan's eyes.

01:02:57Ryan walked over,

01:02:58smiling as he said,

01:02:59Haley, this one's on me.

01:03:01I forgot to loop you in.

01:03:04I want you to share half

01:03:05the byline with her.

01:03:07I already promised

01:03:08Summer in advance.

01:03:11You love me so much.

01:03:13You'll help with this

01:03:14tiny favor, right?

01:03:16I typed this out

01:03:17word by word,

01:03:18three years

01:03:19over three years.

01:03:20What gives you the right?

01:03:23What gives me the right?

01:03:25Money.

01:03:26Without me pouring money

01:03:27into marketing,

01:03:28your manuscripts

01:03:29would still be sitting

01:03:30in a drawer.

01:03:31I made you

01:03:32a best-selling author,

01:03:33and I can turn you back

01:03:35into an ordinary nobody.

01:03:37Right now,

01:03:37the company needs

01:03:38to push Summer,

01:03:39and your book

01:03:40is the best springboard.

01:03:42It's that simple.

01:03:46The copyright is

01:03:47under my personal name.

01:03:48You have no right

01:03:49to add her name.

01:03:50If you dare do this,

01:03:52I'll see you in court.

01:03:58The food is getting cold.

01:04:01Do we really have to talk

01:04:03about this right now?

01:04:07Everyone is waiting.

01:04:11Let's eat first.

01:04:14Whatever it is,

01:04:15we'll talk tomorrow.

01:04:17I ignored the table

01:04:19full of people,

01:04:19grabbed my power keys,

01:04:21and rushed out the door.

01:04:23By the time I got

01:04:24to the publishing house,

01:04:26the giant poster

01:04:27had already been hung.

01:04:2980% of the entire layout

01:04:31was Summer,

01:04:31with a long personal

01:04:33introduction beside her,

01:04:34and even gossiped

01:04:35about her and Ryan

01:04:36vacationing in the Hamptons.

01:04:41My name was squeezed

01:04:42into a corner,

01:04:43so small it was

01:04:44almost invisible.

01:04:49Derek,

01:04:49the head of the publishing house,

01:04:51was Ryan's fraternity

01:04:52brother from Yale.

01:04:55Hayley,

01:04:55there's nothing I can do.

01:04:58Personally.

01:05:00Ryan called personally

01:05:01and ordered us

01:05:02to print overnight.

01:05:04Besides,

01:05:05Carter Publishing

01:05:05belongs to you two

01:05:06as a couple.

01:05:10does it really matter

01:05:11whose name is on it

01:05:12as long as it makes money?

01:05:16He smoked a cigar

01:05:17in his office.

01:05:19A chill ran through me.

01:05:22Ryan's,

01:05:22we'll talk tomorrow.

01:05:24It was nothing

01:05:25but a delaying tactic.

01:05:27I turned and went downstairs,

01:05:29then speeded all the way

01:05:30back to the Carter house.

01:05:32When I pushed open the door,

01:05:34the dinner was already over.

01:05:36Ryan was sitting on the sofa

01:05:37watching a new Netflix show

01:05:39in the summer.

01:05:40What gives you the right

01:05:40to do this?

01:05:41That book is my life's work!

01:05:45I'll say it again.

01:05:46We're only borrowing

01:05:47your fame for a while.

01:05:49Once Summer gets popular,

01:05:50I'll have her name

01:05:51removed from the reprint.

01:05:54Don't take it out

01:05:55on him, Hayley.

01:05:56We made this decision together.

01:06:02I was only helping him share

01:06:04the pressure at work.

01:06:07Some things really have been hard

01:06:09for you to handle lately.

01:06:14This has nothing to do with you.

01:06:17But Ryan pulled her tightly

01:06:18into his arms

01:06:19and protected her completely.

01:06:22Pushing Summer forward

01:06:23is the company's

01:06:25established strategy.

01:06:28I hope you won't be

01:06:29jealous of her.

01:06:32I remember I just said it.

01:06:35Is your memory that bad?

01:06:40Oh, right.

01:06:41Tonight,

01:06:42Summer is Mrs. Carter.

01:06:45Maybe you should step out

01:06:46and cool off.

01:06:48I pulled the judgment

01:06:49from my bag

01:06:50and threw it

01:06:50straight in his face.

01:06:53I was already

01:06:54leaving tonight.

01:06:58Now,

01:06:58there's not even

01:06:59a final thread

01:07:00left between us.

01:07:04Fine.

01:07:06You've got backbone.

01:07:07Since you don't want

01:07:08to be Mrs. Carter,

01:07:10I'll freeze your joint account

01:07:11and supplemental credit cards

01:07:13right now.

01:07:15He called the security

01:07:16company directly.

01:07:17Two private security guards

01:07:19stood at the door

01:07:19looking awkward.

01:07:20I'm already divorced

01:07:21from this woman.

01:07:22She has now trespassed

01:07:23into my private residence

01:07:25to harass me

01:07:26and my wife.

01:07:29Please remove her

01:07:30and make sure

01:07:30she leaves my private property.

01:07:32The guards had no choice

01:07:34but to forcefully

01:07:35drag me out.

01:07:36Haley Hart,

01:07:37without me,

01:07:38you can't even afford

01:07:39a motel.

01:07:41I'll be waiting for you

01:07:42to come crawling back

01:07:44tomorrow to remarry me.

01:07:45As for that book,

01:07:46consider it your wedding gift

01:07:48to Summer today.

01:07:51The security guards

01:07:52pushed me out the gate.

01:07:53I stumbled and fell

01:07:54into a muddy patch of lawn

01:07:55freshly swept

01:07:56by the sprinkler system.

01:07:57I braced myself

01:07:58against the ground,

01:07:59climbed up,

01:07:59held my stomach,

01:08:00and walked to the roadside.

01:08:01But an out-of-control

01:08:02dodge pickup came

01:08:03bearing straight towards me

01:08:04around the corner.

01:08:04I avoided the collision

01:08:05but the momentum

01:08:06threw me hard

01:08:07onto the asphalt.

01:08:08A sharp spasm

01:08:09shot through my abdomen,

01:08:10more violent

01:08:10than any pain before.

01:08:11The 911 dispatcher

01:08:13said the ambulance

01:08:13would take another

01:08:1445 minutes.

01:08:15With no other choice,

01:08:16I leaned against

01:08:16a street lamp

01:08:17and dialed my

01:08:17emergency contact.

01:08:20Ryan was close,

01:08:21so he arrived quickly.

01:08:22He opened the car door.

01:08:24When his gaze touched

01:08:24the blood on the hem

01:08:25of my skirt,

01:08:26his steps faltered.

01:08:28Haley,

01:08:28what happened to you?

01:08:30He bent down,

01:08:32ready to carry me

01:08:32into the car.

01:08:33But Summer's message

01:08:34popped up on his

01:08:35phone screen.

01:08:35It's almost midnight,

01:08:36husband.

01:08:37If you don't come now,

01:08:38this round counts

01:08:39as your loss.

01:08:40Ryan's hands

01:08:41stopped in miff air.

01:08:43He stared at the

01:08:43center display,

01:08:44then turned to look at me.

01:08:46Help me.

01:08:47I clutched his cuff

01:08:48with all my strength.

01:08:50Haley,

01:08:50do me a favor.

01:08:51Ryan plied my fingers

01:08:52open one by one.

01:08:53I've never lost

01:08:54at this stupid game

01:08:54in my entire life.

01:08:55I checked.

01:08:57You only sprained

01:08:58your ankle.

01:08:58I'll call

01:08:59emerging services

01:08:59for you right now.

01:09:01He pulled me out

01:09:02of the passenger seat,

01:09:03casually took

01:09:04two $20 bills

01:09:05from his wallet

01:09:06and stuffed them

01:09:06into my hand.

01:09:07I'll come see you

01:09:08at the hospital

01:09:09in a bit.

01:09:13Exhaust from the tailpipe

01:09:14blasted into my face.

01:09:15I lay in the puddle

01:09:16and screamed

01:09:17at the receding

01:09:18taillights.

01:09:19Ryan!

01:09:20Ryan!

01:09:21I'm pregnant

01:09:22with your child!

01:09:23You bastard!

01:09:25Only the sound

01:09:26of rain answered me.

01:09:27The car never even

01:09:28lit its brake lights again.

01:09:29My vision began

01:09:30to blur.

01:09:31A white Toyota Camry

01:09:32stopped by the road.

01:09:34The window rolled down,

01:09:35revealing Emily's

01:09:36exhausted face.

01:09:37Oh my God!

01:09:38Haley!

01:09:40She rushed out

01:09:40of the car

01:09:41and half dragged,

01:09:42half carried me

01:09:43into the back seat.

01:09:45The hospital

01:09:46emergency department.

01:09:47When I woke up

01:09:48in the observation room,

01:09:49a social worker

01:09:50wearing an ID badge

01:09:51came over and handed

01:09:51me a stack of papers.

01:09:53Miss Hart,

01:09:54your emergency

01:09:55treatment has been

01:09:55completed,

01:09:56but transferring

01:09:57to a private room

01:09:58will require

01:09:59out-of-pocket payment.

01:10:00Also, when we tried

01:10:01to process your insurance,

01:10:02the system showed

01:10:03that your spouse's

01:10:04medical coverage

01:10:04has been frozen.

01:10:23Every April Fool's Day,

01:10:25my husband Ryan Carter

01:10:26and his childhood friend

01:10:27Summer Brayan

01:10:28played a game

01:10:28of truth or dare.

01:10:30Remember?

01:10:30Eighth grade?

01:10:32I asked if you dared

01:10:34to skip the math exam.

01:10:36You tore the answer sheet

01:10:37paper airplane

01:10:37straight into pieces.

01:10:40Hooray!

01:10:42That was nothing.

01:10:44Playing truth or dare

01:10:45on April Fool's Day

01:10:46is basically

01:10:47our tradition.

01:10:50Then do you dare to

01:10:52go get a marriage license

01:10:54with me

01:10:55right now?

01:10:58Whistles erupted

01:10:59all around.

01:11:00I stood in the doorway,

01:11:02my fingertips pinching

01:11:03a pregnancy test.

01:11:04Ryan turned to look at me,

01:11:06then laughed.

01:11:07Why wouldn't I dare?

01:11:09He stood up,

01:11:10came over,

01:11:10grabbed my arm,

01:11:11and dragged me

01:11:12into the hallway outside.

01:11:15Hayley,

01:11:16it's just an April Fool's

01:11:17joke.

01:11:18Play along with me.

01:11:20Go handle the divorce

01:11:21paperwork first,

01:11:22and tomorrow morning

01:11:23we'll go to City Hall

01:11:24and get remarried.

01:11:26You know I can't back

01:11:27down in front of Summer.

01:11:28I stared at the man

01:11:29in front of me.

01:11:30For the sake of his

01:11:31so-called childhood game,

01:11:32I had compromised

01:11:33for five years.

01:11:34This time,

01:11:35I wasn't accepting it.

01:11:37I'm pregnant.

01:11:41Hayley,

01:11:41that's a brilliant move!

01:11:43Ryan froze for half a beat

01:11:45and burst out laughing.

01:11:46You made up a pregnancy

01:11:47you just got me

01:11:48from winning?

01:11:49Nice.

01:11:50You're better at April Fool's

01:11:51than I am.

01:11:52Summer walked over.

01:11:53Hearing our conversation,

01:11:54she laughed too.

01:11:56Please, Hayley,

01:11:58if you can't handle the game,

01:12:00just say so.

01:12:02Using pregnancy as an excuse?

01:12:05That's so low.

01:12:07Exactly.

01:12:09Let's go.

01:12:11Hurry up.

01:12:13If we're any later,

01:12:14City Hall will close.

01:12:15How am I supposed

01:12:16to get the license then?

01:12:17He dragged me outside,

01:12:19his steps long and urgent.

01:12:20I glanced at the hand

01:12:22gripping my wrist.

01:12:23The Pate Philippe on his wrist

01:12:24was the gift

01:12:25he had bought himself

01:12:26the day after the first volume

01:12:27of Dark Whispers

01:12:28hit number one

01:12:29on the bestseller list.

01:12:30And that April Fool's Day,

01:12:32the gift he gave me

01:12:33was kissing Summer

01:12:35in front of every executive

01:12:36in the company.

01:12:38On the way to City Hall,

01:12:40Ryan drove insanely fast.

01:12:42When we arrived at City Hall,

01:12:44what Ryan pulled from his briefcase

01:12:47was not a divorce agreement,

01:12:48but a thick stack of documents.

01:12:50The title read,

01:12:52Petition for Marriage Annulment

01:12:54and Waiver of All Rights.

01:12:56He slapped the documents

01:12:58in front of me

01:12:58and spoke quickly.

01:13:00Sign it.

01:13:01Declare that our marriage

01:13:02was fraudulent

01:13:03from the beginning

01:13:04because it was

01:13:05based on an April Falls joke.

01:13:07Once you sign this,

01:13:09our relationship

01:13:10will legally

01:13:11have never existed.

01:13:13Then I can register

01:13:14my marriage

01:13:14with Summer legally.

01:13:15I picked up the pen

01:13:16and let out a cold laugh.

01:13:18Fine.

01:13:20Then I'll give you both

01:13:21what you want.

01:13:24I signed my name

01:13:26without the slightest pause.

01:13:28The City Hall seal came down

01:13:30and five years of marriage

01:13:31ended in absurdity.

01:13:34After getting the judgment,

01:13:36Ryan turned around,

01:13:37took a brand new Armani suit

01:13:39from the car

01:13:39and changed into it.

01:13:40Summer pulled a white veil

01:13:42from the trunk

01:13:42and pinned it into her hair.

01:13:44The two of them

01:13:44stood on the steps

01:13:45of City Hall,

01:13:46drawing looks from passersby.

01:13:48I sat on a bench

01:13:49and watched it all.

01:13:51Five years ago,

01:13:51on the day Ryan and I

01:13:53registered our marriage

01:13:54at City Hall,

01:13:54he wore an old polo shirt,

01:13:56ripped jeans,

01:13:57and beat up sneakers

01:13:58with no socks.

01:14:00When I reminded him

01:14:01to change,

01:14:02he said true love

01:14:03didn't need all that

01:14:04superficial packaging.

01:14:05Being real

01:14:06was what mattered.

01:14:07Now,

01:14:07he stood in a crisp suit,

01:14:09his arm wrapped tightly

01:14:10around Summer's waist,

01:14:11smiling brightly

01:14:12at the camera.

01:14:13With a click,

01:14:14the image froze,

01:14:15looking just like

01:14:15a perfect couple

01:14:16from a reality show.

01:14:18Not long after,

01:14:19Ryan walked up to me

01:14:20holding two marriage

01:14:21certificates.

01:14:22Honey,

01:14:23see that?

01:14:24I won again this time.

01:14:26We'll get remarried

01:14:27first thing tomorrow morning.

01:14:29Don't be mad.

01:14:30It's just a keepsake.

01:14:32Early pregnancy nausea

01:14:33churned through me

01:14:34and I was almost

01:14:34too weak to keep standing.

01:14:36Take me back.

01:14:38I need to pack my things.

01:14:40I opened the passenger door,

01:14:42but before I could sit down,

01:14:44Summer squeezed over.

01:14:45Hayley,

01:14:46if we're acting,

01:14:47we should go all the way.

01:14:50Since Ryan and I

01:14:51are legally married now,

01:14:53of course I should sit

01:14:54in the passenger seat.

01:14:56She opened the door

01:14:57and sat down

01:14:57as if it was only natural.

01:14:59With one casual

01:15:00sweep of her hand,

01:15:01she knocked my yoga mat

01:15:02and lumbar pillows

01:15:03from the passenger seat

01:15:04onto the floor map.

01:15:05Ryan stood at the front

01:15:07of the car

01:15:07and gave me

01:15:07an apologetic gesture.

01:15:09I turned and walked

01:15:10toward the south line,

01:15:11ready to call a rideshare.

01:15:12Ryan caught up

01:15:13in a few steps,

01:15:14opened the back door

01:15:14and shoved me inside.

01:15:16Stop throwing a tantrum.

01:15:18It's hard to get a car here.

01:15:19Sit down and behave.

01:15:22Bruno Maz's Mary Ude

01:15:23was playing in the car.

01:15:24Summer hummed

01:15:25along to the beat.

01:15:26When it reached

01:15:26the high note,

01:15:27she grabbed Ryan's sleeve

01:15:28and shook it.

01:15:29It's a beautiful night.

01:15:31We're looking for

01:15:32something dumb to do.

01:15:35Ryan took the next line

01:15:36in perfect sync.

01:15:37They looked at each other

01:15:39and burst out laughing

01:15:40with a bottle of mineral water.

01:15:41The two of them

01:15:42were as intimate

01:15:43as newlyweds.

01:15:44Ryan,

01:15:45your collar is crooked.

01:15:46Summer turned sideways

01:15:47and reached out

01:15:48to fix Ryan's tie.

01:15:50Her fingertips brushed

01:15:51his Adam's belt

01:15:51and most of her body

01:15:53leaned over him.

01:15:56Ryan didn't move away.

01:15:58Instead,

01:15:58he held the steering wheel

01:15:59with one hand

01:15:59and used the other

01:16:00to steady Summer's back.

01:16:02Stop messing around.

01:16:04I'm driving.

01:16:05That was what he said,

01:16:06but his tone

01:16:07was full of indulgence.

01:16:09I closed my eyes

01:16:10and placed my hand

01:16:11over my lower eboli.

01:16:14Today,

01:16:15this farce had to end.

01:16:18When we pushed open

01:16:19the front door,

01:16:20Catherine lifted Summer's hand

01:16:21and gently placed

01:16:22the antique diamond ring

01:16:23in her palm,

01:16:24her tone full of affection.

01:16:26This ring should have been

01:16:28on your hand

01:16:29five years ago, Summer,

01:16:31before Ryan.

01:16:33Mistake.

01:16:33Then she turned her face

01:16:35toward me

01:16:35and her eyes went cold.

01:16:36Haley,

01:16:37you're still here.

01:16:38Ryan walked over

01:16:39and stood between them.

01:16:41Mom,

01:16:42we're joking.

01:16:42It's April Fool's Day.

01:16:44We're just

01:16:44playing around.

01:16:45Well,

01:16:46I wish it could stay

01:16:47that way forever.

01:16:48I didn't answer.

01:16:50I walked around them,

01:16:52went straight

01:16:52into the master bedroom

01:16:53and pulled out

01:16:54a suitcase.

01:16:55I had barely taken out

01:16:56two pieces of clothing

01:16:57when Ryan followed me in.

01:16:59Haley,

01:17:00everyone's here today.

01:17:01Don't ruin the mood.

01:17:03Let's have dinner

01:17:04together tonight.

01:17:05Think of it as a celebration.

01:17:07The final book

01:17:08in your Dark Whispers trilogy

01:17:09launches tomorrow.

01:17:11I've invited the whole

01:17:11publishing to.

01:17:13Consider it a celebration dinner.

01:17:14I stopped moving.

01:17:16That novel had taken

01:17:17three years of my blood

01:17:18and sweat.

01:17:19Countless sleepless nights

01:17:20fueled by...

🎬A Joke Destroyed My Child - When A Prank Goes Too Far | Full Movie HD | Free to Watch

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