[EngSub] Heart's Etching

Top Short Drama

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Transcript

00:00:00At my old tattoo studio, several guys forced me onto the tattoo chair.

00:00:04Ethan took off his tie and bound my wrist tightly.

00:00:08It's Sadie's first time tattooing someone.

00:00:10Don't make this harder for her.

00:00:12Cooperate.

00:00:13Then he walked out and shut the door.

00:00:17Sadie pulled on a pair of gloves and stared at the small ring tattooed over my heart.

00:00:22Actually, let's start here.

00:00:25You don't need this old ring anymore, do you?

00:00:27She poured the tattoo removal section over me.

00:00:29Pain tore through my chest.

00:00:31My body arched as the restraint stuck into my wrist.

00:00:33Sadie smiled and drove the needle into the damaged skin.

00:00:36I bit down on the gag.

00:00:38Tears mixing with the blood beneath me.

00:00:40My body had barely made it through the DNC.

00:00:42It couldn't take much more.

00:00:43My vision kept going dark.

00:00:45This was the 27th girl my husband, Ethan Hayes, had brought into my tattoo studio.

00:00:50Ethan was one of football's biggest stars.

00:00:52The star striker and captain of his club.

00:00:54Several of his teammates were betting on whether I would finally lose it this time.

00:00:57Hayes, you're really letting your wife tattooing your new sweetheart?

00:01:01What if she gets pissed and scars her for life?

00:01:04I didn't.

00:01:05My hand stayed perfectly steady.

00:01:07As I lowered the needle to Sadie's skin, laughter exploded from the waiting room.

00:01:22Half an hour later, a blatantly sexual line was inked across Sadie's waist.

00:01:26Ethan gave it an approving look and slid one of his black cards across the counter.

00:01:29Sadie's been learning to tattoo.

00:01:32She wants a studio of her own.

00:01:33Starting tomorrow, she can have this one.

00:01:37You know I get attached.

00:01:39When she gets bored, I'll take you back.

00:01:41I didn't cry or make a scene.

00:01:42I took the card, grabbed my bag, and walked out.

00:01:45Ava Bennett!

00:01:46I pulled open the door, but a large hand slammed against it.

00:01:49Come on, don't leave yet.

00:01:51Ethan's got something else to say.

00:01:52I turned around.

00:01:53Ethan got up from the couch and ground his cigarette out beneath his shoe.

00:01:57His teammates went quiet, their eyes moving between us.

00:02:00Sadie instinctively grabbed his sleeve.

00:02:02Ethan?

00:02:04What?

00:02:04Something else?

00:02:06She's pregnant.

00:02:08It's mine.

00:02:09Okay.

00:02:10My flat answer killed every sound in the room.

00:02:13That's it?

00:02:14We've been married ten years?

00:02:15You've got nothing to say?

00:02:17No one dared say a word.

00:02:20Of course I have something to say.

00:02:22I knew you'd...

00:02:23Let's get divorced.

00:02:24The room went dead silent for three full seconds.

00:02:29Ethan's breathing hitched.

00:02:31Then he yanked Sadie against him and kissed her hard.

00:02:35His teammates immediately started cheering,

00:02:37but his eyes stayed on me over her shoulder,

00:02:39waiting for my reaction.

00:02:40I ignored him, pushed open the door, and left.

00:02:42I had barely gotten into the car when someone smashed a bat into the window.

00:02:48Cracks shot across the glass like a spider web.

00:02:50A shard grazed my forehead.

00:02:52Sorry, Ava.

00:02:53Ethan bought you this car.

00:02:55If you're dumping him, you don't get to keep it.

00:02:57Fine.

00:02:59Ethan walked out with an arm around Sadie.

00:03:01She leaned against him,

00:03:02then looked at the bag hanging from my arm.

00:03:04Ethan, that bag is gorgeous.

00:03:06Isn't it limited edition?

00:03:09Wanted.

00:03:09Then he looked at the guys standing by my car.

00:03:12They immediately started toward me.

00:03:13I ignored them and looked at Sadie.

00:03:15You really like taking my things, don't you?

00:03:17The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted,

00:03:19satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

00:03:21He thought I was finally jealous,

00:03:22finally willing to make a scene over him.

00:03:25Actually, it wasn't like I hadn't before.

00:03:27The first time I found lipstick on his shirt,

00:03:29I smashed his luxury car to pieces.

00:03:31He said he had been drunk

00:03:32and it was only a one-night stand.

00:03:35The second time I caught him

00:03:36walking out of a hotel with another girl.

00:03:38He said it meant nothing

00:03:39and told me not to make a big deal of it.

00:03:41I piled up the bag

00:03:42and watch he had given me in the garage

00:03:43and burned them.

00:03:44My fingers brushed the limited edition bag on my arm.

00:03:47Two weeks ago,

00:03:48Ethan had knelt before me

00:03:49and sworn he would change.

00:03:50The bag was his apology.

00:03:53If you like it, it's yours.

00:03:58Ava Bennett!

00:04:05Ava, I like your jacket too.

00:04:07Ethan pushed past the others

00:04:08and saw the board.

00:04:09He grabbed my jaw.

00:04:10Take it off.

00:04:13I looked at his reddening eyes.

00:04:15A memory surfaced.

00:04:17Years ago,

00:04:17my drunk stepfather

00:04:18cornered me outside our apartment.

00:04:20My top tour in the struggle

00:04:21buttons scattering across the ground.

00:04:23A young footballer

00:04:24in a club training jacket

00:04:25rushed over,

00:04:26yanked him off me

00:04:26and slammed him to the ground.

00:04:28The cops took my stepfather away.

00:04:29The boy took off his jacket

00:04:30and wrapped it around me.

00:04:31That was Ethan,

00:04:32back when he was still fighting

00:04:33for a place on the first team.

00:04:34The boy who once told me,

00:04:35Don't be scared.

00:04:37I'm here.

00:04:37Where had he gone?

00:04:39I pulled the zipper

00:04:40all the way down.

00:04:41Underneath was a black tank top

00:04:42and a black ring tattoo

00:04:43stood clearly over my heart.

00:04:45Ethan's pupils contracted.

00:04:47When I was 23,

00:04:48he had asked me,

00:04:49What kind of engagement ring

00:04:50do you want someday?

00:04:52I want one I can never take off.

00:04:54Like his promise to love me

00:04:55forever.

00:04:57Ethan stared at me,

00:04:58his eyes slowly turning red.

00:04:59One word scraped out of his throat.

00:05:01Get out.

00:05:02I put on my clothes

00:05:03and walked away alone.

00:05:05Back at our apartment,

00:05:06Ethan was half kneeling

00:05:07by the couch,

00:05:08dabbing ointment

00:05:08on Sadie's tattoo.

00:05:13Sadie's eyes were red.

00:05:14He lowered his head

00:05:15and blew on it gently.

00:05:16I suddenly remembered

00:05:17that three years ago,

00:05:18I cut my finger while cooking.

00:05:19He drove to seven drugstores

00:05:21that night

00:05:21just to find the bandages

00:05:22that wouldn't irritate my skin.

00:05:24He came back sweaty,

00:05:25held my finger

00:05:25and blew on it for ages.

00:05:27How are you this careless?

00:05:28He kept muttering.

00:05:29Now he gave that same tenderness

00:05:30to someone else.

00:05:31I looked away,

00:05:32went to the bedroom,

00:05:33packed my ID and a few clothes,

00:05:34then headed for the door.

00:05:36Stop.

00:05:37Ethan grabbed my shoulders

00:05:38and forced me around.

00:05:38I said stop.

00:05:40Are you deaf?

00:05:41Sadie limped over.

00:05:42Ava,

00:05:42I know you don't like me.

00:05:44I put up with the pain

00:05:45while you tattooed me,

00:05:46but you even used cheap ink.

00:05:48Look at this.

00:05:49What if it scars?

00:05:50Ethan looked at the rash,

00:05:51his face darkening.

00:05:52You did this on purpose.

00:05:54Forget it.

00:05:55Maybe I misunderstood her.

00:05:56I'm sure Ava didn't mean to.

00:05:57The more she defended me,

00:05:58the colder Ethan looked.

00:06:00Apologize.

00:06:00I didn't move.

00:06:02I said apologize.

00:06:04He grabbed my wrist hard enough

00:06:05to make my bones ache.

00:06:06You did this to her.

00:06:08Is saying sorry really that hard?

00:06:10I looked at the hand around my wrist.

00:06:12It used to ruffle my hair

00:06:13and pat my back after nightmares.

00:06:15Now it was forcing me

00:06:16to bow to his new girl.

00:06:17I use the same professional ink

00:06:18I use on every client.

00:06:20You're still arguing?

00:06:23Ava, when did you get this cruel?

00:06:25Ethan, don't force her.

00:06:26It barely hurts.

00:06:27I can deal with it.

00:06:28Don't make me say it again.

00:06:30I looked at him for a long moment,

00:06:31then turned to Sadie.

00:06:32I'm sorry.

00:06:34Ethan froze.

00:06:35He clearly hadn't expected me

00:06:37to apologize so easily.

00:06:38After all, in my entire life,

00:06:39I had never bowed my head to anyone.

00:06:41Now I apologized.

00:06:43Not because I was wrong.

00:06:44Because I didn't care anymore.

00:06:45I turned and left.

00:06:47A few days later,

00:06:48I found a small studio for rent.

00:06:49I was starting over

00:06:50with nothing but my own work

00:06:51and my own name.

00:06:52But when I tried to pay the deposit,

00:06:54Ethan's black card was declined.

00:06:55My phone showed one message.

00:06:57At the same time,

00:06:58a text from Ethan popped up.

00:07:00Done playing around.

00:07:01Come home.

00:07:06I blocked him without hesitation.

00:07:08To him,

00:07:08this time was no different

00:07:09from all our other fights.

00:07:10I had always forgiven him

00:07:11again and again,

00:07:13no matter what he did.

00:07:14He didn't know.

00:07:14This time was different.

00:07:15My friend Mason had just opened

00:07:17a small bar,

00:07:17so I started helping out there.

00:07:19One night,

00:07:19I was about to close

00:07:20when three guys from Ethan's entourage

00:07:22walked in and blocked the exit.

00:07:24Ethan followed with a cigarette

00:07:25between his lips.

00:07:26So this is where you've been hiding?

00:07:27He flicked ash onto the table

00:07:29I had just wiped clean.

00:07:30Come home.

00:07:31Sadie's pregnant.

00:07:33Her morning sickness is bad

00:07:35and she's picky about food.

00:07:37Make her something she can keep down

00:07:39and look after her.

00:07:40No.

00:07:41His face slowly darkened.

00:07:43One word came from his throat.

00:07:45Wreck it.

00:07:46The next second,

00:07:47one of the guys

00:07:47swung a chair into the liquid shell.

00:07:49Glass exploded everywhere.

00:07:50Mason rushed out

00:07:51only to be kicked to the floor,

00:07:52his head striking the counter.

00:07:54Blood ran down his temple

00:07:55as they kept kicking him in the wrist.

00:07:56I screamed at Ethan.

00:07:57Make them stop!

00:07:59Stop!

00:08:02He gave a cold laugh,

00:08:05grabbed my chin,

00:08:06and blew smoke in my face.

00:08:08If you're begging,

00:08:09act like it.

00:08:10Another punch hit Mason.

00:08:11Ethan,

00:08:13please.

00:08:14My mind went blank.

00:08:15That's better.

00:08:17If you'd behaved sooner,

00:08:19you wouldn't have gotten

00:08:20hurt.

00:08:22He took my hand

00:08:23and led me after

00:08:24the broken glass and blood.

00:08:25In the car,

00:08:26his hand covered mine,

00:08:27our fingers locking together.

00:08:30Babe,

00:08:31how long has it been

00:08:32since we held hands like this?

00:08:33City lights swept past the window.

00:08:35He had forgotten.

00:08:36Years ago,

00:08:36when he was turned away

00:08:37by club.

00:08:39No one believed he would make it.

00:08:40That night,

00:08:41I found him sitting alone

00:08:42in the rain.

00:08:43I held him close

00:08:43and told him not to give up.

00:08:45He lifted my cold hand

00:08:46to his lips and whispered,

00:08:48Even if the whole world

00:08:49shuts me out,

00:08:51as long as I have you,

00:08:52it's enough.

00:08:55Babe,

00:08:55I'll hold your hand forever.

00:08:59Neither of us spoke again.

00:09:04When we got home,

00:09:05I went straight to the kitchen.

00:09:06Two hours later,

00:09:07I brought out the chicken

00:09:08and rice soup.

00:09:08Sadie turned around

00:09:09with a marker in her hand.

00:09:10Ava,

00:09:11look,

00:09:11isn't it pretty?

00:09:12My pupils shrank.

00:09:13I had spent 40 days

00:09:14in the Rockies

00:09:14studying alpine wildflowers

00:09:16for that tattoo design.

00:09:17Altitude sickness

00:09:18left me dehydrated

00:09:18and the sun peeled

00:09:19the skin off my neck.

00:09:20Then I spent weeks

00:09:21drawing every line by hand.

00:09:22I was sure the piece

00:09:23could win at next month's

00:09:24international tattoo expo.

00:09:25Now Sadie had covered

00:09:26the flower in black marker.

00:09:28Looks good.

00:09:29You've got talent.

00:09:31My head went blank.

00:09:32She had destroyed

00:09:32my weeks of work

00:09:33like it meant nothing.

00:09:34I lunged at her

00:09:35and slapped her.

00:09:35Ethan shoved me away

00:09:36with my head

00:09:36struck the corner of the table.

00:09:38A sharp cramp

00:09:38hit my stomach

00:09:39as warmth spread

00:09:40between my legs.

00:09:41Ethan's pupils shrank

00:09:42as he instinctively

00:09:43stepped toward me.

00:09:44Ethan,

00:09:45something was wrong

00:09:46with the soup.

00:09:47I only took one sip

00:09:48and now my stomach hurts.

00:09:49The concern in his eyes

00:09:50instantly turned cold.

00:09:51Sadie's lips curved.

00:09:52Ethan picked her up

00:09:53and headed for the door.

00:09:57You know I waited

00:09:5810 years for this child.

00:09:59If anything happens

00:10:01to Sadie,

00:10:02I'll never forgive you.

00:10:04Old football injury

00:10:05left Ethan

00:10:05with almost no chance

00:10:06of having a child.

00:10:07Ethan,

00:10:09take me to the hospital.

00:10:10I hadn't even known

00:10:11I was pregnant.

00:10:11I only knew

00:10:12I wanted to save my baby.

00:10:13Then everything went black.

00:10:17When I woke up again,

00:10:18the nurse told me

00:10:19I had lost the baby.

00:10:20I stared at the ceiling

00:10:21as a memory surface.

00:10:22If we ever have a kid,

00:10:22I'll give them everything.

00:10:23In the middle

00:10:24of our most passionate night,

00:10:25he whispered,

00:10:26you were bleeding heavily

00:10:27so we had to perform

00:10:28an emergency DNC.

00:10:29I just need you

00:10:29to sign these forms.

00:10:30I hesitated,

00:10:31then called Ethan.

00:10:32I wish we'd met sooner.

00:10:33Maybe we could have

00:10:34had this years ago.

00:10:35It's not too late.

00:10:36The doctor said

00:10:37I might never have kids

00:10:38and somehow

00:10:39you got pregnant.

00:10:40But Ava,

00:10:41a kiss cut her off.

00:10:42Don't mention her.

00:10:44She's bad luck.

00:10:46My fingers dug into my palm.

00:10:50I hung up

00:10:51and signed my name.

00:10:52My phone buzzed.

00:10:54Sadie had texted me,

00:10:55Ethan booked a luxury hotel

00:10:56for our wedding,

00:10:57your tattoo studio,

00:10:58and your husband.

00:10:59I'll take both.

00:11:00A photo came with it.

00:11:01Ethan had his head lowered,

00:11:02kissing the words

00:11:02I had tattooed

00:11:03around her waist.

00:11:04I stared at it

00:11:04for three seconds.

00:11:05Then I remembered

00:11:06our wedding day.

00:11:07No wedding dress,

00:11:07no grand venue,

00:11:09no guests.

00:11:10But that night,

00:11:11Ethan cooked dinner himself

00:11:12and made four dishes in a suit.

00:11:15He said it in front of me,

00:11:17his eyes read,

00:11:18When I succeed,

00:11:21I'll give you a real ring

00:11:23and the wedding you deserve.

00:11:24Years passed.

00:11:25He became one of the country's

00:11:27biggest football stars,

00:11:28worth over $100 million.

00:11:30But that wedding never came.

00:11:32With Ethan's card deactivated,

00:11:33and my savings running low,

00:11:36I left the hospital early.

00:11:38Outside,

00:11:39my legs barely held me up.

00:11:43Black SUV stopped for Kurt.

00:11:49Ethan got out carrying Sadie,

00:11:51but paused when he saw my pale face.

00:11:53This is my fault.

00:11:54Put me down.

00:11:55Go help Ava.

00:11:56I can walk.

00:11:57Ethan didn't.

00:11:59Ava's tougher than that.

00:12:01She worked 20-hour shifts

00:12:02to help pay for my career

00:12:03and never complained once.

00:12:05Now she gets a little hurt

00:12:06and suddenly she can barely stand.

00:12:08I've been too good to her

00:12:09all these years.

00:12:10Ethan,

00:12:11I think Ava's leaving.

00:12:12He set Sadie in the backseat

00:12:14and turned toward me.

00:12:15You did this to her.

00:12:17You're not leaving until you apologize.

00:12:19I pulled out my phone

00:12:20and called my lawyer.

00:12:22Draft the divorce papers.

00:12:23I don't want anything.

00:12:24I just want out.

00:12:25His face darkened.

00:12:26He snatched the phone from my hand,

00:12:28threw it down,

00:12:28and crushed it under his shoe.

00:12:30All this because I told you to apologize?

00:12:33You're marrying her anyway.

00:12:35I'm just getting out of your way!

00:12:37Ethan's chest rose sharply.

00:12:40Then he shoved his phone in front of me.

00:12:42My grandmother lay in a hospital bed,

00:12:44surrounded by tubes.

00:12:45My breath stopped.

00:12:48The hospital called yesterday.

00:12:50Her condition got worse

00:12:51and she needs surgery.

00:12:53But can you pay for it?

00:12:57I can earn the money!

00:12:59Maybe.

00:13:00But can she wait that long?

00:13:02The surgery has to happen today.

00:13:06Fine, I'll apologize.

00:13:09If you really mean it, Ava,

00:13:11be my model.

00:13:12I've been practicing a lot more

00:13:13since Ethan gave me the studio.

00:13:14You can tell me how I'm doing.

00:13:15Before I could refuse,

00:13:17Ethan pulled me into the SUV.

00:13:18At my old tattoo studio,

00:13:20several guys forced me onto the tattoo chair.

00:13:22Ethan took off his tie

00:13:23and bound my wrist tightly.

00:13:26It's Sadie's first time tattooing someone.

00:13:28Don't make this harder for her.

00:13:30Cooperate.

00:13:32Then he walked out

00:13:32out and shut the door.

00:13:35Sadie pulled on a pair of gloves

00:13:36and stared at the small ring tattoo

00:13:38over my heart.

00:13:40Actually,

00:13:41let's start here.

00:13:43You don't need this old ring anymore,

00:13:45do you?

00:13:45She poured the tattoo removal

00:13:46sensation over me.

00:13:47Pain poured through my chest.

00:13:49My body arched as the wrist strain

00:13:50stuck into my wrist.

00:13:52Sadie smiled and drove the needle

00:13:53into the damaged skin.

00:13:54I bit down on the gag.

00:13:56Tears mixing with the blood beneath me.

00:13:58My body had barely made it

00:13:59through the DNC.

00:14:00It couldn't take much more.

00:14:01My vision kept going dark.

00:14:03I didn't know how long it had been

00:14:04when a phone started ringing.

00:14:06Then a doctor's voice came through.

00:14:09I'm sorry.

00:14:10Your grandmother passed away

00:14:11suddenly in the early hours

00:14:12of the morning.

00:14:13Our condolences.

00:14:14The next morning,

00:14:15Ethan returned to the studio.

00:14:16From outside,

00:14:17he saw the shattered glass

00:14:18and quickened his pace.

00:14:19The white tattoo chair

00:14:20was soaked in blood.

00:14:21The hospital form lay on the floor,

00:14:23half covered in red.

00:14:25Ethan picked it up.

00:14:25Then his eyes froze

00:14:26on the bold words

00:14:27of the miscarriage medical report.

00:14:30Ethan froze in place

00:14:32as he stared at the words

00:14:33on the report,

00:14:34his pupils suddenly shrinking.

00:14:37When?

00:14:38When was she pregnant?

00:14:39He looked down

00:14:40at the blood on the tattoo chair.

00:14:42Bright red,

00:14:43painfully clear,

00:14:44already half-dried.

00:14:46Where did this blood come from?

00:14:48No one answered him.

00:14:49The air was filled

00:14:50with the metallic smell

00:14:51of blood and burnt skin.

00:14:52It was nauseating.

00:14:53His legs suddenly gave out.

00:14:55Ethan Hayes,

00:14:56the football star

00:14:57who always stood above everyone else,

00:14:58had never looked

00:14:59this broken before.

00:15:01Sadie rushed in from the doorway.

00:15:02Her face changed

00:15:03when she saw the blood everywhere.

00:15:05Ethan, what happened?

00:15:06Do you need to go

00:15:07to the hospital?

00:15:07Ethan stared at the report

00:15:08in his hands.

00:15:10The handwriting was crooked.

00:15:12Ava's handwriting

00:15:12had never looked like this.

00:15:14But these three words

00:15:15looked like they had been written

00:15:17by someone barely holding on.

00:15:19A memory suddenly flashed

00:15:20through Ethan's mind.

00:15:23That day,

00:15:24Ava had brought out the soup.

00:15:26Sadie accused her

00:15:27of doing something to it.

00:15:28And he had pushed Ava away

00:15:29while protecting Sadie.

00:15:32You told me the soup was wrong.

00:15:34You told me she put something in it

00:15:36and tried to hurt you.

00:15:40But she was pregnant.

00:15:43How is that possible?

00:15:46She must have been jealous

00:15:47that I was carrying your child.

00:15:48She must have planned this

00:15:49to make you feel guilty.

00:15:53Sadie rushed over,

00:15:55but Ethan pushed her away

00:15:56and called Ava.

00:15:59He called her over and over.

00:16:02Not a single call was answered.

00:16:04He stood there for two seconds.

00:16:11Then he remembered yesterday

00:16:13outside the hospital.

00:16:14Ava had been wearing

00:16:15a hospital gown,

00:16:16her face pale,

00:16:17her body swaying in the wind.

00:16:19He thought she was

00:16:20just like before.

00:16:21After every fight,

00:16:23she would wait for him

00:16:24to come back.

00:16:25But this time,

00:16:26she didn't.

00:16:27A wave of unease

00:16:28suddenly gripped Ethan.

00:16:30He rushed out,

00:16:31got into his car,

00:16:32and drove straight

00:16:33to the hospital.

00:16:36Ava Bennett,

00:16:37she was discharged yesterday.

00:16:38Why was she admitted?

00:16:39The nurse checked the records.

00:16:42Emergency DCAK

00:16:43after a miscarriage.

00:16:44Ethan froze.

00:16:46She called the ambulance

00:16:47herself.

00:16:48She was already bleeding

00:16:48heavily when they arrived.

00:16:51The nurse looked at him.

00:16:52If she had arrived

00:16:53any later,

00:16:54she could have died.

00:16:55Sadie followed behind him.

00:16:57She did it on purpose.

00:16:59She knew she was pregnant,

00:17:00but she didn't tell you

00:17:01because she wanted you

00:17:01to feel guilty.

00:17:03Ethan's heart tightened.

00:17:05No,

00:17:05Ava wasn't that kind of person.

00:17:07He knew how much

00:17:08she had wanted a child.

00:17:12The nurse looked at him

00:17:13differently,

00:17:13and her voice turned colder.

00:17:16She had never received

00:17:17any treatment.

00:17:18She didn't even know

00:17:19she was pregnant.

00:17:22Sadie wanted to say

00:17:23something else.

00:17:24Ethan turned around

00:17:25and stared at her.

00:17:26Ethan,

00:17:27I was only guessing.

00:17:28I'm just worried about you.

00:17:29I don't want to see you hurt.

00:17:30Ethan looked at

00:17:30Sadie's tears falling

00:17:31one by one,

00:17:32so fast,

00:17:34so familiar,

00:17:35but he suddenly couldn't

00:17:35remember the last time

00:17:36Ava had cried.

00:17:37It felt like he had never

00:17:38seen her cry before.

00:17:39Not when she worked

00:17:4020-hour shifts

00:17:41to support his football career.

00:17:42Not when she stayed

00:17:43beside him

00:17:44after clubs rejected him

00:17:45again and again.

00:17:47Not even when he left

00:17:48her tied to that

00:17:49tattoo chair.

00:17:50His chest tightened.

00:17:52Had she cried

00:17:53when she was lying alone

00:17:54on the operating table?

00:17:56His phone rang.

00:17:57Ethan immediately

00:17:58took it out,

00:17:59but the screen

00:17:59didn't show Ava's name.

00:18:02Mr. Hayes,

00:18:03I'm Ms. Bennett's attorney.

00:18:05The divorce agreement

00:18:06has been sent

00:18:06to your email.

00:18:07Ethan tightened his grip

00:18:08on the phone.

00:18:09What about her grandmother?

00:18:10Her surgery?

00:18:11Tell Ava I'll pay

00:18:12for everything.

00:18:13Mr. Hayes,

00:18:14you still don't know?

00:18:16What?

00:18:17Ms. Bennett's grandmother

00:18:18passed away

00:18:19early this morning.

00:18:22Ethan opened his mouth,

00:18:23but no words came out.

00:18:25The phone slipped

00:18:26from his ear,

00:18:27hit the floor,

00:18:27and the screen shattered.

00:18:33Ethan,

00:18:34people can't come back

00:18:36once they're gone.

00:18:37Don't be too sad.

00:18:38Try to let go.

00:18:39He suddenly pushed her away.

00:18:43Ethan?

00:18:44Ethan looked at her,

00:18:45but there was no longer

00:18:46the concern

00:18:46or tenderness

00:18:47he used to have,

00:18:48only a noisest.

00:18:50He grabbed his car keys

00:18:51and turned to leave,

00:18:52completely ignoring

00:18:53Sadie's cries behind him.

00:18:55Ethan drove straight

00:18:56to the law firm.

00:18:57The lawyer remained calm.

00:18:59Sorry,

00:19:00I can't reveal

00:19:00my client's whereabouts,

00:19:02but Ms. Bennett also said

00:19:03that if you agree

00:19:04to sign the papers,

00:19:05she will appear herself.

00:19:05A name flashed

00:19:07through Ethan's mind.

00:19:08Mason.

00:19:09He had taken Ava in

00:19:10when she had nowhere to go.

00:19:12So now,

00:19:13Ethan rushed to the bar.

00:19:19Where is my wife?

00:19:20Did you hide her?

00:19:22Mason took out his phone

00:19:24and dialed the police.

00:19:25Ethan Hayes,

00:19:27you have five minutes to leave.

00:19:29I really came here

00:19:30to find her.

00:19:31I didn't bring anyone with me.

00:19:37You still have the nerve

00:19:38to come looking for her?

00:19:40What do you mean?

00:19:45Look at this.

00:19:50Take it off.

00:19:51Ava pulled down her zipper.

00:19:54The fabric slipped down

00:19:55and fell at her feet.

00:19:56He watched himself

00:19:57rush forward,

00:19:58grab her chin,

00:19:59and force her

00:20:00to apologize to Sadie.

00:20:01The comments below the video

00:20:03had already reached

00:20:03tens of thousands.

00:20:13Who posted this?

00:20:15Wasn't it you?

00:20:17Then it must have been

00:20:18the woman beside you.

00:20:20Impossible.

00:20:21Sadie wouldn't...

00:20:22How wouldn't she?

00:20:24She was willing to sleep

00:20:25with a married man.

00:20:27Do you really think

00:20:27she has any bottom line left?

00:20:29Ethan stood there,

00:20:31unable to move.

00:20:32He remembered Ava

00:20:33standing in the wind,

00:20:34her hair covering her face.

00:20:36She must have thought

00:20:36of something.

00:20:37That was why she had

00:20:38taken off her clothes

00:20:39so decisively.

00:20:40His fingers brushed

00:20:41over the diamond ring tattoo

00:20:42on the screen,

00:20:43and his chest suddenly tightened.

00:20:45The same place.

00:20:47He had one, too.

00:20:48It was the night

00:20:49before their wedding.

00:20:50The needle pierced his skin,

00:20:52and a bead of blood appeared.

00:20:54Ava lowered her head

00:20:55and gently blew on it.

00:20:58Does it hurt?

00:21:00No.

00:21:03Liar.

00:21:04Really?

00:21:05It hurts less

00:21:06than what you went through.

00:21:09An hour later,

00:21:10a black ring tattoo

00:21:11appeared over his heart,

00:21:12exactly the same

00:21:13as the one over hers.

00:21:15This is a wedding ring

00:21:16you can never take off.

00:21:19What if we get divorced?

00:21:24How could I ever

00:21:25let that happen?

00:21:26But in their third year

00:21:27of marriage,

00:21:28he started getting tired.

00:21:30He had gotten married

00:21:31in his early 20s,

00:21:32while his friends

00:21:33were still changing

00:21:34girlfriends at nightclubs.

00:21:35And he had already

00:21:36been called

00:21:37Mrs. Hayes' husband

00:21:38for three years.

00:21:40He started finding

00:21:41that tattoo annoying.

00:21:43Every time he took

00:21:44off his clothes,

00:21:45the black ring

00:21:45on his chest

00:21:46reminded him

00:21:47that he was

00:21:47a married man.

00:21:48So later,

00:21:49he stopped

00:21:49taking his shirt off.

00:21:51He kept his shirt on,

00:21:53only undoing

00:21:53a few buttons.

00:21:54The women he dated

00:21:55after that changed

00:21:56faster and faster.

00:21:58The promises he made

00:21:59became as casual

00:21:59as everyday words.

00:22:01There were too many.

00:22:02He couldn't remember

00:22:03them anymore.

00:22:04He only remembered

00:22:05that whenever Ava

00:22:06got angry,

00:22:07he just needed

00:22:08to comfort her afterwards.

00:22:10But this time,

00:22:11it was different.

00:22:12When he returned home,

00:22:14he looked through

00:22:15Ava's tattoo draft.

00:22:17When he saw

00:22:18the blackened sketch

00:22:18of the alpine

00:22:19wildflower design,

00:22:20he suddenly remembered

00:22:22something.

00:22:23He took out his phone

00:22:24and booked

00:22:25the earliest flight.

00:22:29Tokyo.

00:22:30The venue was huge,

00:22:31packed with people.

00:22:31I didn't expect

00:22:32to see him here.

00:22:33Through the crowd,

00:22:34Ethan pushed his way

00:22:34toward me.

00:22:35I was crouching

00:22:36beside a model,

00:22:36my hair tied up,

00:22:37revealing a section

00:22:38of my pale neck.

00:22:39Soon,

00:22:39petals slowly appeared

00:22:40on the model's skin.

00:22:41He recognized it.

00:22:42It was the alpine

00:22:43wildflower design.

00:22:44The judges gathered

00:22:45around,

00:22:45discussing quietly.

00:22:46Some nodded.

00:22:47Others raised

00:22:48their cameras

00:22:48to take photos.

00:22:49My lips were

00:22:49slightly pressed together

00:22:50and my brows

00:22:51were faintly furrowed.

00:22:52It was the exact

00:22:53same expression

00:22:53I had when I

00:22:54tattooed him years ago.

00:22:55An hour later,

00:22:56I put down

00:22:57the tattoo machine

00:22:58and stood up.

00:22:59Then I explained

00:23:00the concept

00:23:00behind the piece

00:23:01to the judges.

00:23:02This flower represents

00:23:04the universe

00:23:04reincarnation and completion.

00:23:06But my design

00:23:07is not a perfect circle.

00:23:08It is missing a piece.

00:23:11Because true completeness

00:23:12is not about

00:23:13having no flaws.

00:23:15It is about

00:23:16accepting them.

00:23:17The venue fell silent

00:23:18for a moment.

00:23:19Then thunderous applause

00:23:20erupted.

00:23:21There was no surprise.

00:23:23I won first place.

00:23:24Ethan stood outside

00:23:25the crowd,

00:23:26a sharp pain

00:23:27spreading through

00:23:27his chest.

00:23:31After the awards

00:23:32ceremony ended,

00:23:33he pushed through

00:23:33the crowd

00:23:33and stopped

00:23:34in front of me.

00:23:36Ava.

00:23:39Mr. Hayes,

00:23:40what is it?

00:23:42Come home with me.

00:23:45Please.

00:23:46Those were the first

00:23:47three words

00:23:48he had begged me

00:23:48for in his entire life.

00:23:50Before I could answer,

00:23:50hurried footsteps

00:23:51and high heels

00:23:52came from behind me.

00:23:53Ethan,

00:23:53what about our wedding?

00:23:56The hotel is booked.

00:23:58The invitations

00:23:59are already sent out.

00:24:00Ethan didn't look at her.

00:24:01His eyes stayed on me,

00:24:02as if he was afraid

00:24:03I would disappear

00:24:04the next second.

00:24:05I promised you.

00:24:07I promised I would

00:24:09give you the wedding

00:24:10you deserved.

00:24:11I smiled.

00:24:13So this wedding

00:24:14is for me?

00:24:16Yes.

00:24:17I lowered my head

00:24:17and opened my phone.

00:24:18Sadie's messages

00:24:19appeared one after another.

00:24:21The wedding is at

00:24:21the most luxurious

00:24:22hotel in the city.

00:24:23The cake has five tiers.

00:24:24The top tier

00:24:25has our names on it.

00:24:26We've even picked

00:24:26names for the baby.

00:24:27If it's a boy,

00:24:28Ethan Jr.,

00:24:28if it's a girl,

00:24:29Ella.

00:24:30Do you like them?

00:24:34Attached was a wedding plan.

00:24:35The names of the bride

00:24:36and groom

00:24:36were written clearly.

00:24:38Ethan,

00:24:38do you see it?

00:24:39I turned the screen

00:24:39toward him.

00:24:40His pupils suddenly shrank.

00:24:41This is the wedding

00:24:42you said you wanted

00:24:42to give me?

00:24:44Ethan,

00:24:44I'm embarrassed for you.

00:24:45Ethan immediately panicked.

00:24:47Ava,

00:24:48that was something

00:24:48she arranged herself.

00:24:49I didn't...

00:24:50I looked straight at him.

00:24:52Without your permission,

00:24:53would she dare do that?

00:24:56Don't tell me

00:24:56she had your child

00:24:57all by herself.

00:24:59I knew about

00:25:00your pregnancy.

00:25:01I'm sorry.

00:25:02I'm sorry about

00:25:03your grandmother, too.

00:25:04Those words suddenly

00:25:05came back to me,

00:25:06like someone tearing

00:25:07open a wound

00:25:07that had barely healed

00:25:08and asking,

00:25:09hey,

00:25:09are you okay?

00:25:11I said nothing.

00:25:13I turned and walked away.

00:25:15The car door

00:25:16opened behind me.

00:25:19Footsteps chased

00:25:19after me.

00:25:21He grabbed my wrist

00:25:22and pulled me

00:25:23into the car.

00:25:25Sadie ran over,

00:25:26breathing heavily

00:25:27and knocked on the window.

00:25:30Ethan,

00:25:31take me with you.

00:25:32Open the door.

00:25:37Ethan didn't even

00:25:38look at her.

00:25:39The headlights

00:25:39quickly disappeared

00:25:40into the end of the street

00:25:41and merged into the traffic.

00:25:42Ava,

00:25:43let's go on our honeymoon.

00:25:44For a moment,

00:25:44I thought I heard wrong.

00:25:45What did you say?

00:25:46Our honeymoon.

00:25:47His eyes were red.

00:25:49You told me

00:25:50you wanted to come

00:25:50to Tokyo Tower.

00:25:51I never brought you here.

00:25:53Now we're here.

00:25:56I know I owe you more

00:25:57than just Tokyo Tower.

00:26:00So this time,

00:26:02I'll make it all up to you.

00:26:04I didn't look at him

00:26:04after leaving Tokyo Tower.

00:26:06He took me around the world.

00:26:08By the Trevi Fountain in Rome,

00:26:09he threw in three coins.

00:26:11Every wish was the same.

00:26:13He wished I would never leave him.

00:26:16Under the Eiffel Tower in Paris,

00:26:17he played the guitar

00:26:18and sang love songs to me.

00:26:24On a gondola in Venice,

00:26:26he rode the boat alone

00:26:27and said he wished

00:26:28he could travel with me

00:26:29to the end of the world.

00:26:30I sat at the back of the boat

00:26:31watching the ripples

00:26:32spread across the water,

00:26:33one circle after another,

00:26:35like the days

00:26:35we could never get back.

00:26:39Every time we arrived

00:26:40in a new city,

00:26:41he booked the best hotels

00:26:42and the best restaurants.

00:26:43Every night before bed,

00:26:44he told me good night.

00:26:45Good night.

00:26:46A month later,

00:26:46his patience ran out.

00:26:48He asked why I was still angry.

00:26:49I'm not.

00:26:50He became anxious.

00:26:52What else do you want me to do?

00:26:54I thought it was time.

00:26:55I took the divorce agreement

00:26:56from my bag

00:26:56and handed it to him.

00:26:58Sign it.

00:26:58He stared at the paper,

00:26:59his eyes instantly turning red.

00:27:02Ava Bennett,

00:27:02are you just taking advantage

00:27:03of the fact that I love you?

00:27:05You love me?

00:27:06You love another woman

00:27:07at the same time.

00:27:08Like food,

00:27:09you want to try everything.

00:27:10But after tasting everything,

00:27:11you only think losing me

00:27:12would be a waste.

00:27:13His face flushed.

00:27:14The veins on his forehead bulged.

00:27:17The next day,

00:27:18he bought a castle

00:27:18and locked me in the attic.

00:27:20Fine.

00:27:21I'll give you what you want.

00:27:24I'll marry her.

00:27:26Sadie's message arrived soon after.

00:27:28Thank you,

00:27:29Ava,

00:27:29Ethan,

00:27:29and I are getting married

00:27:30at the castle.

00:27:31He already signed

00:27:32your divorce agreement.

00:27:33From now on,

00:27:33I'll be the lady of this castle

00:27:35and you'll be my servant.

00:27:36Their wedding was grand.

00:27:37The news was everywhere.

00:27:38Rumors spread that

00:27:38Ethan Hayes had bought

00:27:39an entire castle overseas

00:27:41for his lover.

00:27:42I was finally released

00:27:43from the attic,

00:27:44but an electronic ankle monitor

00:27:46was locked around my leg.

00:27:47Not because he wanted

00:27:48to set me free.

00:27:49Only because Sadie

00:27:50needed a servant.

00:27:51Her stomach

00:27:52was already showing.

00:28:04The next day,

00:28:05I took it back.

00:28:06I blew on it

00:28:07until it cooled

00:28:07then brought it to her again.

00:28:09She took one sip

00:28:09and spat it back into the bowl.

00:28:11It's cold now.

00:28:12Make it again.

00:28:13Ethan sat by the fireplace

00:28:14with a glass of whiskey

00:28:15in his hand.

00:28:15He didn't even look at me.

00:28:17When I brought the third bowl,

00:28:18Sadie took a sip

00:28:18and nodded in satisfaction.

00:28:21Kneel down and hand it to me.

00:28:22I want you to kneel.

00:28:23I didn't move.

00:28:25Ethan, look at her.

00:28:26She can't even do

00:28:27such a small thing.

00:28:28Ethan finally looked up

00:28:29and glanced at me.

00:28:30Do it.

00:28:31Three months later,

00:28:32Sadie was in the final stage

00:28:33of her pregnancy.

00:28:34Her whole body was swollen.

00:28:35She made me massage

00:28:37her day and night.

00:28:38One day,

00:28:38she suddenly asked,

00:28:40Ava, the baby you lost.

00:28:42Was it a boy or a girl?

00:28:43I instinctively looked at Ethan.

00:28:44He stood by the window

00:28:45with his back facing me.

00:28:47Ethan told me

00:28:48your body was too weak.

00:28:49That even if you got pregnant,

00:28:51you wouldn't be able to keep it.

00:28:52You should take good care of me.

00:28:54Later, I'll have more children

00:28:55for you to raise.

00:29:00Sadie became more and more arrogant.

00:29:01Breakfast had to be handed to her

00:29:03while I was kneeling.

00:29:04The water for her feet

00:29:05had to be tested three times.

00:29:06Even the way I folded her towels

00:29:08had to be redone five times.

00:29:10That day,

00:29:11she made me kneel on the floor

00:29:12and clean it.

00:29:12She walked over carrying

00:29:13a bowl of hot soup

00:29:14and suddenly said

00:29:15she lost her balance.

00:29:16The entire bowl of boiling soup

00:29:18poured onto the top

00:29:18of my left foot.

00:29:19She covered her mouth

00:29:20and smiled.

00:29:21Oops.

00:29:22Why weren't you more careful?

00:29:24The electronic ankle monitor

00:29:25tightened around

00:29:25my swollen ankle.

00:29:27The soup flowed down my foot,

00:29:28burning through my skin

00:29:29with unbearable pain.

00:29:30I didn't make a sound.

00:29:32Ethan sat on the couch

00:29:33reading documents.

00:29:34He only lifted his eyes

00:29:35and glanced at me.

00:29:36That night,

00:29:37the door to my attic opened.

00:29:38Ethan walked in,

00:29:39holding a tube of burn ointment.

00:29:41He crouched beside the bed

00:29:42and reached for my foot.

00:29:43Hold back.

00:29:45I'll apply it myself.

00:29:48Unlock the monitor on my ankle.

00:29:49He lowered his head

00:29:50and looked at the electronic restraint.

00:29:52The red light blinked.

00:29:53It was wrapped around

00:29:53my swollen ankle,

00:29:54leaving a dark purple mark.

00:29:58I looked at him.

00:29:59You don't want me

00:30:00to get infected, do you?

00:30:01His expression loosened

00:30:02for a moment.

00:30:03A flicker of struggle

00:30:04appeared in his eyes,

00:30:05but he still unlocked the monitor.

00:30:07Before dawn,

00:30:08Ethan was woken

00:30:08by urgent knocking.

00:30:09Ethan,

00:30:10my stomach hurts so much.

00:30:12I think the baby is coming.

00:30:14But the only thought

00:30:15that flashed through his mind

00:30:16was another person.

00:30:17He hurried to the attic,

00:30:18pushed open the door

00:30:19and found I was gone.

00:30:21The electronic ankle monitor

00:30:22was left on the pillow.

00:30:23Beside it was a note.

00:30:25Only four words.

00:30:26Don't look for me.

00:30:27Ethan's fingers

00:30:28tightened around the note

00:30:29until his knuckles turned white.

00:30:30Ethan,

00:30:31please take me to the hospital.

00:30:33It hurts so much.

00:30:34When Sadie was pushed

00:30:35into the delivery room,

00:30:36Ethan was still clutching

00:30:37that note tightly.

00:30:38He took out his phone,

00:30:39then put it away.

00:30:40He opened Abba's chat,

00:30:41then closed it again.

00:30:43That red line

00:30:43was still there.

00:30:44The words,

00:30:45don't look for me,

00:30:46pierced his eyes like needles.

00:30:47The delivery room door

00:30:49finally opened.

00:30:50The doctor removed his mask,

00:30:51his expression heavy.

00:30:52The mother had complications

00:30:53during delivery.

00:30:54We couldn't save the baby.

00:30:55We did everything we could.

00:30:57Ethan froze.

00:30:57His vision went dark

00:30:58for a moment

00:30:59and his legs weakened.

00:31:00From inside came

00:31:01Sadie's heartbreaking cries.

00:31:02My baby!

00:31:03The voice grew farther

00:31:05and farther away,

00:31:05like it was coming

00:31:06from underwater.

00:31:10He leaned against the wall

00:31:11and slowly slid down.

00:31:13The ring tattoo over his heart

00:31:14suddenly started to hurt.

00:31:15His vision went black,

00:31:16his body collapsed to the floor.

00:31:18The hallway instantly fell into chaos.

00:31:20I returned home.

00:31:21This was the first time

00:31:22I appeared in public

00:31:23after winning first place

00:31:24at the Tokyo Tattoo competition.

00:31:26The media rushed to interview me.

00:31:27Miss Bennett,

00:31:28where have you been

00:31:28for the past six months?

00:31:30No comment.

00:31:31It wasn't because

00:31:32I wanted to protect Ethan.

00:31:33I just didn't want to bring up

00:31:34that painful past again.

00:31:36Then is it true

00:31:37that you and Mr. Hayes

00:31:37are divorced?

00:31:38Yes, we are legally divorced.

00:31:40Miss Bennett,

00:31:41there are rumors

00:31:41that Mr. Hayes paid for your award.

00:31:42How do you respond?

00:31:45Before that,

00:31:46all my credit cards

00:31:47had already been frozen by him.

00:31:48I borrowed the entry fee

00:31:50from a friend.

00:31:50The flight ticket

00:31:51was paid with my last savings.

00:31:53My competition piece

00:31:54was created from the inspiration

00:31:55I found during my trip

00:31:56to the mountains.

00:32:00The entire venue

00:32:01fell silent for a few seconds.

00:32:02Then camera shutters exploded.

00:32:04The next day,

00:32:05the news exploded.

00:32:06Ethan freezing his ex-wife's credit cards,

00:32:08cheating during marriage,

00:32:09the video of him forcing his ex-wife

00:32:11to take off her clothes,

00:32:12and Sadie showing off

00:32:13their relationship online.

00:32:15Everything was exposed.

00:32:16People dug up the women

00:32:17Ethan had been involved with

00:32:18over the years.

00:32:19From models to influencers,

00:32:21from nightclubs to hotels,

00:32:23the timelines overlapped

00:32:24in a shocking way.

00:32:25Public opinion

00:32:26completely turned against him.

00:32:27My account gained millions

00:32:29of followers overnight.

00:32:30My messages were filled

00:32:31with support and encouragement.

00:32:32The day Ethan returned home,

00:32:34the media surrounded him

00:32:35at the airport.

00:32:36He wore a black baseball cap

00:32:38pulled low.

00:32:39His beard was unshaved.

00:32:40His eyes were sunken.

00:32:42Mr. Hayes,

00:32:42is it true that you froze

00:32:43your ex-wife's credit cards?

00:32:44Mr. Hayes,

00:32:45how do you respond

00:32:45to the cheating allegations?

00:32:47Mr. Hayes,

00:32:47is it true that you were removed

00:32:48from the family board?

00:32:49He didn't say a word.

00:32:50He lowered his head

00:32:51and walked forward,

00:32:52protected by his bodyguards,

00:32:54as he left the terminal.

00:32:55Semelow shouted behind him,

00:32:56Mr. Hayes,

00:32:57your ex-wife's tattoo commissions

00:32:58are now worth seven figures.

00:32:59Do you regret it?

00:33:04His footsteps stopped

00:33:05for a moment.

00:33:06Then he got into the car later.

00:33:07I heard that Ethan

00:33:08had been kicked out

00:33:09of the Hayes family.

00:33:10Most of his assets

00:33:11had been frozen.

00:33:12The reason they urgently

00:33:13called him back

00:33:14was only because

00:33:15they needed him

00:33:15to donate an organ

00:33:16to his half-brother.

00:33:17After they got

00:33:18what they needed from him,

00:33:19they sent him overseas.

00:33:21He was never allowed to return.

00:33:22Sadie didn't get

00:33:23a better ending either.

00:33:24After losing the baby,

00:33:25she broke down mentally.

00:33:26Every day,

00:33:27she held a pillow

00:33:27and called it her son.

00:33:29One night,

00:33:29while the nanny

00:33:30wasn't paying attention,

00:33:31she secretly ran outside.

00:33:32She fell off a cliff

00:33:33and I opened my new studio

00:33:35in the west side of the city.

00:33:37Many people came on opening day.

00:33:38The media lined up

00:33:39outside with cameras.

00:33:40I wore a white suit

00:33:41and smiled as I cut the ribbon

00:33:42and shook hands with everyone.

00:33:44My social media count

00:33:45surpassed 8 million followers.

00:33:46The sunlight outside

00:33:47was bright.

00:33:48The glass doors

00:33:49of the studio

00:33:49reflected my figure.

00:33:51The faded ring tattoo

00:33:52over my heart

00:33:52had already been covered

00:33:53by the alpine wildflower design.

00:33:55Layer upon layer

00:33:56of petals bloomed.

00:33:57At the center

00:33:58was a snow-covered mountain.

00:33:59The mountain I climbed alone.

00:34:01And now,

00:34:02flowers were blooming there.

00:34:06I didn't expect Ethan Hayes

00:34:07to walk back

00:34:08into my life like this.

00:34:09After years of rebuilding,

00:34:11I was now a top-tier

00:34:11tattoo artist in the city.

00:34:13My appointment book

00:34:14filled months in advance.

00:34:16Ava,

00:34:16a major football club

00:34:17just requested

00:34:18an urgent private session.

00:34:19The client is a newly signed

00:34:20Star Triker.

00:34:21His identity is confidential,

00:34:22but he agreed to your schedule.

00:34:23I barely looked up

00:34:24for my sketch.

00:34:25Cancel it.

00:34:25I don't take confidential walk-ins.

00:34:28The deposit they paid

00:34:29was ten times

00:34:30our usual rate.

00:34:34My studio had been expanding,

00:34:36and the extra funds

00:34:37would speed up

00:34:38my new equipment order.

00:34:40Fine.

00:34:41Clear the schedule

00:34:42for this afternoon.

00:34:43I had occasionally seen

00:34:45Ethan's name flash

00:34:45across sports headlines

00:34:46over the past two years,

00:34:48hearing rumors about his comeback

00:34:49and a massive upcoming transfer.

00:34:51I never clicked.

00:34:52I never cared where he ended up.

00:34:54On the day of the appointment,

00:34:55the private tattoo room

00:34:56was cleared out.

00:34:58No cameras.

00:34:59No buzzing entourage.

00:35:05The heavy oak door creaked open.

00:35:08A tall figure walked in,

00:35:09the brim of his black baseball cap

00:35:11pulled low,

00:35:11shadowing his face.

00:35:12I kept my eyes on my sketch pad,

00:35:14my voice neutral.

00:35:16Have a seat over there.

00:35:17What design are you thinking of?

00:35:18The man didn't answer.

00:35:20He just pulled out the chair

00:35:21and sat down,

00:35:22dead silent.

00:35:28It was Ethan Hayes.

00:35:33I didn't flinch.

00:35:39Let's get started.

00:35:40I went through the standard

00:35:41client consultation,

00:35:43my tone detached and professional.

00:35:45Ethan didn't take his eyes off me

00:35:46for a single second,

00:35:47but I treated him

00:35:48like transparent glass.

00:35:49When he finally stripped off his shirt,

00:35:53the first thing that caught my eye

00:35:55was the old black ring tattoo

00:35:56over his heart.

00:35:57Three years ago,

00:35:58the day I finally walked out of that hell,

00:35:59I had gone straight to another studio

00:36:01and covered my own ring

00:36:02with an alpine wildflower.

00:36:04His, however, was still there,

00:36:06untouched.

00:36:07Ethan noticed my gaze

00:36:08dropping to his chest.

00:36:09He looked down,

00:36:10then back up at me,

00:36:11a bitter, self-deprecating curve

00:36:13touching his lips.

00:36:15You covered it.

00:36:17I didn't blink.

00:36:19Years ago.

00:36:20I turned back to my tray,

00:36:22calmly mixing the sterile black ink

00:36:24and assembling the needles.

00:36:27As I reached for a wipe,

00:36:28my left hand caught the light.

00:36:29A real wedding band

00:36:30rested on my ring finger.

00:36:33Ethan's eyes locked onto my hand.

00:36:38You're married?

00:36:42Yes.

00:36:47To who?

00:36:51I didn't answer his question.

00:36:58That's not in your contract,

00:36:59Mr. Hayes.

00:37:00He didn't push further,

00:37:01but the silence between us

00:37:02grew suffocating.

00:37:03During the entire session,

00:37:05he sat like absolute stone,

00:37:06taking the bite of the needle

00:37:07without a single flinch.

00:37:10While wiping the fresh ink away,

00:37:12the truth finally came out in pieces.

00:37:14This wasn't a random visit.

00:37:17The club had ordered

00:37:18a core player's sleeve

00:37:19for their players

00:37:20ahead of the new season.

00:37:21Ethan was the centerpiece of it all.

00:37:23That was how I finally knew,

00:37:24he really was their new,

00:37:25Yoon announced star signing.

00:37:27Who brought a toxic,

00:37:28broken player back into the limelight?

00:37:29I didn't care.

00:37:30It had nothing to do with me.

00:37:37When the session finally ended,

00:37:40Ethan wiped his skin

00:37:41and stood up,

00:37:42towering over me.

00:37:44When are you free next?

00:37:46I packed my gear away,

00:37:47assuming he was talking

00:37:48about a standard touch-up.

00:37:49If it's for healing care,

00:37:51three weeks?

00:37:51Not for the tattoo.

00:37:57Then I don't have time.

00:38:02Ethan didn't leave.

00:38:03He just sat there,

00:38:04watching me quietly

00:38:05clean up my tools.

00:38:06A sudden memory hit me

00:38:07like a physical blow.

00:38:09Years ago,

00:38:09after his very first start,

00:38:11he came home battered

00:38:11and bruised all over.

00:38:12I had knelt on the floor,

00:38:14dabbing his cuts with ointment.

00:38:15He buried his face in my hair,

00:38:16swearing to give me the whole world.

00:38:22Now,

00:38:22he was covered in entirely new scars,

00:38:24but the boy who made that promise

00:38:26was long dead and buried.

00:38:31Ava.

00:38:35I played in the lower leagues,

00:38:37got a lot of more scars.

00:38:43I never touched it,

00:38:45never washed it off.

00:38:46I didn't look up.

00:38:47My hands stayed completely steady and cold.

00:38:49Mr. Hakes,

00:38:50I don't care about my clients' personal lives.

00:38:53My private life isn't yours either.

00:38:55Save your breath.

00:38:58I printed out a receipt

00:39:00and slid it across the wooden desk.

00:39:01The private biopsy for the studio

00:39:03was astronomical.

00:39:04Ethan didn't even glance at the number.

00:39:06Instead,

00:39:07he tapped his black card sharply

00:39:08against the wood.

00:39:11My appointment.

00:39:14Keep it booked

00:39:16until the end of the season.

00:39:19I stared down at the invoice

00:39:20where the date stretched

00:39:21infinitely forward into the future.

00:39:24My brow twitched in annoyance.

00:39:29The sun sank below the horizon.

00:39:31I locked the heavy glass doors.

00:39:33The cold night air

00:39:33instantly wiped away

00:39:34the reek of ink and antiseptic.

00:39:3620 minutes later,

00:39:37my car pulled into the driveway

00:39:38of a quiet, warm suburban house.

00:39:40The front door swung open.

00:39:41A pair of tiny arms

00:39:42wrapped tightly around my legs.

00:39:44Mommy!

00:39:44A little boy with messy curls

00:39:46looked up,

00:39:46grinning proudly with a missing

00:39:47tooth.

00:39:48Leo, did you miss mommy?

00:39:50Hmm.

00:39:51So much.

00:39:54Daddy and I made dinner,

00:39:55but we waited for you.

00:39:57From the kitchen,

00:39:58a tall man walked out,

00:40:00wiping his hands on a towel.

00:40:01He wore a simple gray sweater,

00:40:03looking nothing like

00:40:03the ruthless club owner

00:40:04he actually was.

00:40:05Adrian smiled softly,

00:40:07kissing my temple,

00:40:07and slid an arm around my waist.

00:40:09Welcome home, wife.

00:40:10You're 10 minutes late.

00:40:12Traffic was a nightmare,

00:40:13I numered,

00:40:13leaning into his chest.

00:40:15Dinner was filled

00:40:15with Leo's endless chatter

00:40:17and Adrian quietly putting

00:40:18the best pieces of food

00:40:19on my plate.

00:40:20This was my life now,

00:40:21safe,

00:40:22warm,

00:40:23completely untouched.

00:40:27The next evening,

00:40:28rain blurred the city lights

00:40:29into golden streaks.

00:40:30Inside our warm living room,

00:40:31the fireplace crackled softly.

00:40:33Leo had finally fallen asleep upstairs.

00:40:34I sat on the sofa,

00:40:35leaning against Adrian's

00:40:36solid chest

00:40:37as he idly stroked my hair.

00:40:38You seem distracted today, Ava.

00:40:39Adrian's deep voice

00:40:40rumbled against my teeth.

00:40:41Something on your mind?

00:40:42I hesitated,

00:40:42then turned slightly in his arms.

00:40:46Remember the private client

00:40:47I mentioned?

00:40:48The new star triker

00:40:49the club just signed?

00:40:50Adrian hung,

00:40:50tracing a lazy circle

00:40:51on my shoulder.

00:40:52My sporting director

00:40:53won't stop talking

00:40:53about his massive transfer fee.

00:40:57His name is Ethan Hayes.

00:40:58I said quietly,

00:40:59watching the dancing flames.

00:41:00He's my ex-husband.

00:41:01Adrian's hand froze instantly.

00:41:02He pulled back,

00:41:02looking down into my eyes,

00:41:03a dark amusement

00:41:04flashing in his gaze.

00:41:05The bastard

00:41:05who made you suffer?

00:41:07Adrian's voice dropped,

00:41:08blazed with ironclad irony.

00:41:09The star who treated you

00:41:10like dirt?

00:41:12The very same.

00:41:14I let out a dry,

00:41:14amused laugh.

00:41:15Small world, isn't it?

00:41:16Adrian's arms tightened around me,

00:41:18pulling me flush

00:41:18against his chest.

00:41:19Funny, isn't it?

00:41:21After everything he did to you,

00:41:24he ended up signing

00:41:25with my club.

00:41:30I kissed Adrian lightly

00:41:32on the jaw

00:41:32and relaxed

00:41:33against his chest.

00:41:34I wasn't worried

00:41:34about Ethan.

00:41:35If anything,

00:41:36the whole situation

00:41:37felt ridiculous.

00:41:38He had just signed

00:41:39with Adrian's club,

00:41:40yet he was

00:41:40still trying

00:41:41to get close to me.

00:41:42He didn't even know

00:41:42who my husband was.

00:41:43He had no idea

00:41:44that I was happily married now.

00:41:46And he definitely

00:41:46didn't know about Leo.

00:41:48Every night,

00:41:49I went home

00:41:49to my husband and son.

00:41:51It was the quiet family life

00:41:52Ethan had always wanted.

00:41:56Years ago,

00:41:57because of an old

00:41:57football injury,

00:41:58doctors had told him

00:41:59his chances of having

00:42:00a child were extremely low.

00:42:02That was why

00:42:02Sadie's pregnancy

00:42:03had once meant

00:42:04so much to him.

00:42:05But in the end,

00:42:05he lost that child.

00:42:07And he lost me too.

00:42:09Now I had already

00:42:10built a new life

00:42:10without him.

00:42:11No matter what

00:42:12Ethan wanted,

00:42:13there was nothing

00:42:13left for him

00:42:14to take back.

00:42:21What are you thinking about?

00:42:22I looked up at him.

00:42:24Just Ethan.

00:42:27His hand paused

00:42:27in my hair.

00:42:28I smiled faintly.

00:42:30He still doesn't know

00:42:31who you are.

00:42:34I'm guessing he'll

00:42:35find out soon enough.

00:42:36I laughed.

00:42:37That was true.

00:42:38Ethan probably thought

00:42:39Adrian was just some man

00:42:40I had married

00:42:40after the divorce.

00:42:41He had no idea

00:42:42that the club he had just

00:42:43signed with belonged

00:42:44to my husband.

00:42:44He keeps trying

00:42:45to talk to me.

00:42:46I said.

00:42:47Adrian's expression cooled.

00:42:49Has he bothered you?

00:42:51Nothing I can't handle.

00:42:53Adrian looked at me

00:42:54for a moment

00:42:55then pulled me closer.

00:42:56If he crosses the line,

00:42:58tell me.

00:42:59I nodded.

00:43:00I will.

00:43:02I had no intention

00:43:03of letting Ethan ruin

00:43:04the life I had now.

00:43:06Whatever he regretted,

00:43:07whatever he wanted from me,

00:43:09that was his problem.

00:43:10I had already moved on.

00:43:14Two days later,

00:43:15a courier showed up

00:43:16at my studio.

00:43:17He handed my assistant

00:43:18a black box with my name on it.

00:43:20There was no sender.

00:43:21Inside was a single black rose

00:43:22and a folded note.

00:43:23I recognized the handwriting

00:43:24immediately.

00:43:25Five minutes, Ava.

00:43:26That's all I'm asking.

00:43:27No apology.

00:43:28No explanation.

00:43:30Just another request

00:43:31for something he thought

00:43:31I should give him.

00:43:32I folded the note once

00:43:34and dropped it into the trash.

00:43:35My assistant looked at the rose.

00:43:37I want me to put that in water?

00:43:39No.

00:43:39I tossed it in too.

00:43:41My phone buzzed

00:43:42before I could return

00:43:43to my sketch.

00:43:44It was the club's

00:43:45project manager.

00:43:46They wanted me

00:43:47at the training center

00:43:47the next morning

00:43:48to finalize the tattoo campaign

00:43:49for the new season.

00:43:51Several first team players

00:43:52had already signed up,

00:43:53including Ethan.

00:43:54I almost laughed.

00:43:55Apparently,

00:43:55ignoring him

00:43:56wasn't going to keep him

00:43:56out of my schedule.

00:43:58That evening,

00:43:58I mentioned it to Adrian

00:43:59over dinner.

00:44:00He cut Leo's steak

00:44:01into smaller pieces

00:44:02before looking at me.

00:44:03Do you want to drop

00:44:04the project?

00:44:05No.

00:44:06It was my contract,

00:44:07my work.

00:44:07I wasn't giving either up

00:44:09because Ethan had suddenly

00:44:10decided he regretted

00:44:11losing me.

00:44:13Then don't.

00:44:14That was all.

00:44:15The next morning,

00:44:16I walked into the club

00:44:17with my portfolio

00:44:17under my arm.

00:44:18Ethan was already waiting

00:44:19outside the conference room.

00:44:24Ethan straightened

00:44:25when he saw me.

00:44:25You got the flowers?

00:44:27I threw them away.

00:44:28His face changed.

00:44:30I walked past him.

00:44:31Ava!

00:44:32I stopped.

00:44:34What?

00:44:35I only wanted five minutes.

00:44:36You already used up

00:44:37ten years of my life.

00:44:39He went silent

00:44:39before he could say

00:44:40anything else.

00:44:41The conference room doors

00:44:42opened and the project

00:44:43manager waved me inside.

00:44:45Several players were already

00:44:46seated around the table.

00:44:48I spent the next half hour

00:44:50going over the campaign

00:44:51designs,

00:44:51placement options,

00:44:52and shooting schedule.

00:44:53Ethan sat at the far end

00:44:54without saying much.

00:44:56When the meeting was

00:44:56almost over,

00:44:57the door opened again.

00:44:58I looked up.

00:45:00Adrian walked in

00:45:00with the sporting director

00:45:01and two members of the board.

00:45:02He had told me he had

00:45:03meetings at the club

00:45:04that morning,

00:45:04but I hadn't expected him

00:45:06to come into mine.

00:45:07Mr. Cole.

00:45:07The sporting director

00:45:08greeted him.

00:45:09The room immediately quieted.

00:45:10Adrian walked straight to me.

00:45:12His arm slipped around my waist

00:45:13and he leaned down

00:45:14to kiss my temple.

00:45:18Almost done.

00:45:18Only then did he look

00:45:19at the rest of the room.

00:45:20Almost.

00:45:20His gaze passed over Ethan.

00:45:22Ethan had gone completely still.

00:45:23He looked at Adrian's arm

00:45:25around my waist,

00:45:25then at me.

00:45:26He finally understood.

00:45:27Adrian Cole was my husband

00:45:29and he was also the owner

00:45:30of the club

00:45:30Ethan had just signed with.

00:45:35The meeting ended

00:45:36ten minutes later.

00:45:37I packed my sketches

00:45:38into my folder

00:45:39while the other players

00:45:39filed out.

00:45:40Ethan stayed behind.

00:45:42Adrian was still talking

00:45:42to the sporting director

00:45:43near the door.

00:45:44You married Adrian Cole?

00:45:46I looked up at Ethan.

00:45:48Yes.

00:45:49His eyes shifted toward Adrian,

00:45:51then back to me.

00:45:52Did you know I was

00:45:52signing with his club?

00:45:53Not until you walked

00:45:54into my studio.

00:45:56He stared at me

00:45:56for a few seconds.

00:45:58Did he know who I was?

00:46:00I don't know.

00:46:02That was the truth.

00:46:03Adrian and I had never

00:46:04discussed Ethan's transfer.

00:46:05If you want to know,

00:46:06ask him.

00:46:07Before Ethan could answer,

00:46:08Adrian finished his conversation

00:46:09and walked over.

00:46:10This time,

00:46:11there was no avoiding

00:46:12an introduction.

00:46:13Adrian, you already know Ethan.

00:46:14Adrian held out his hand.

00:46:16Hayes.

00:46:17Ethan looked at his hand

00:46:18for a moment

00:46:19before shaking it.

00:46:20Call.

00:46:20I expected the air

00:46:21between them to turn tense.

00:46:23Instead, Adrian only said

00:46:24Good match last weekend.

00:46:25Ethan seemed caught off guard.

00:46:26Thanks.

00:46:27We signed you to score goals.

00:46:29Keep doing that.

00:46:30Then Adrian took my bag

00:46:31from my hand.

00:46:32Ready to go?

00:46:33I nodded.

00:46:34As we walked toward the door,

00:46:35Ethan called my name.

00:46:38Ava!

00:46:39I turned back.

00:46:46I'm married, Ethan.

00:46:48And I'm happy.

00:46:52The next afternoon,

00:46:53I went back to the club.

00:46:54Training was still going on

00:46:55when I arrived.

00:46:56I stood near the sideline

00:46:57with the project manager

00:46:58going through the schedule.

00:46:59Ethan was on the field.

00:47:00I tried not to pay attention to him,

00:47:02but even I could tell

00:47:02something was wrong.

00:47:03He missed an easy pass.

00:47:05Then another.

00:47:06His coach shouted his name

00:47:07from the sideline.

00:47:08A few minutes later,

00:47:09Ethan chased a loose ball

00:47:10and planted his foot badly.

00:47:11He went down hard.

00:47:12The team medic ran onto the field.

00:47:14I looked over without thinking.

00:47:16Ethan was sitting on the grass,

00:47:17one hand around his ankle,

00:47:18his face pale.

00:47:19Hayes, don't move.

00:47:21I'm fine.

00:47:23You're not fine.

00:47:24Two medics helped him up.

00:47:26As they brought him

00:47:27toward the tunnel,

00:47:28his eyes found me.

00:47:29I looked away first.

00:47:30His injury had nothing

00:47:31to do with me.

00:47:32I finished my work

00:47:33and left before training ended.

00:47:35That evening,

00:47:35I picked Leo up

00:47:36on my way home.

00:47:37He had lost another

00:47:38baby tooth that week

00:47:38and spent the whole drive

00:47:39flashing me a huge grin

00:47:41in the mirror.

00:47:41Mom, look!

00:47:47I can whistle through it now.

00:47:48When we got home,

00:47:49Leo hopped out of the car

00:47:50and grabbed my hand.

00:47:52Mom, hurry!

00:47:53He tugged me

00:47:53toward the front door

00:47:54and I laughed

00:47:55as I let him pull me along.

00:47:56I didn't notice

00:47:57the car parked

00:47:58across the street.

00:47:59Not until someone

00:48:00called my name.

00:48:01Ava.

00:48:02I froze.

00:48:03I turned around

00:48:03with Leo still in my arms.

00:48:05Ethan stood across the street.

00:48:07He was limping badly.

00:48:08For a second,

00:48:09I couldn't understand

00:48:10why he was there.

00:48:10Then I realized

00:48:11he had followed me home.

00:48:13What are you doing here?

00:48:15Ethan didn't answer.

00:48:16He was staring at Leo.

00:48:17Leo wrapped his arms

00:48:18around my neck

00:48:18and looked at him curiously.

00:48:21Mommy, who's that?

00:48:23No one.

00:48:24Ethan flinched.

00:48:25His eyes moved over

00:48:26Leo's face again.

00:48:27How old is he?

00:48:28I immediately stepped back.

00:48:29That's none of your business.

00:48:34Ava.

00:48:35Leave.

00:48:37He crossed the street

00:48:37toward us.

00:48:38I put Leo down

00:48:39and moved him behind me.

00:48:41Don't come any closer.

00:48:42Headlight swept

00:48:43across the driveway.

00:48:44Adrian's car pulled in.

00:48:45He got out,

00:48:45saw Ethan,

00:48:46and his expression

00:48:47changed immediately.

00:48:48Leo ran for him.

00:48:48Dad!

00:48:48Adrian caught him

00:48:49with one arm.

00:48:50Ethan went completely still.

00:48:52Leo happily showed him

00:48:53the gap where his tooth

00:48:53had fallen out.

00:48:54Adrian laughed

00:48:55and ruffled his hair

00:48:55before looking at me.

00:48:56I nodded.

00:48:57Then Ethan said behind me,

00:48:58How old is he, Ava?

00:48:59I handed Leo to Adrian.

00:49:03Take him inside.

00:49:05Adrian looked at me

00:49:05for a second,

00:49:06then carried Leo

00:49:07toward the house.

00:49:07I waited until

00:49:08the door closed.

00:49:09Then I walked

00:49:09toward Ethan.

00:49:12What exactly do you want?

00:49:14Ethan was still

00:49:14staring at the house.

00:49:16How old is he?

00:49:18I frowned.

00:49:18It's none of your business.

00:49:20Ava.

00:49:21Your voice sounded strange.

00:49:22Too quiet.

00:49:23Too certain.

00:49:24He's mine, isn't he?

00:49:27What?

00:49:32Leo is my son, Ava.

00:49:34I couldn't believe

00:49:35what I was hearing.

00:49:37You've completely

00:49:38lost your mind.

00:49:39I lost that baby

00:49:40three years ago.

00:49:42I don't believe

00:49:43that anymore.

00:49:44I froze.

00:49:45What are you talking about?

00:49:52That miscarriage report

00:49:53was fake.

00:49:54For a second,

00:49:55I could only stare at him.

00:49:56You held that report

00:49:57in your own hands.

00:49:58I saw a piece of paper

00:49:59with your name on it.

00:50:01That doesn't make it real.

00:50:03My stomach twisted

00:50:04as I finally realized

00:50:05what he was saying.

00:50:07You think I lied

00:50:08about losing my baby?

00:50:09You were pregnant

00:50:10when you left me.

00:50:11And now you have a son

00:50:12about the right age.

00:50:14His eyes shifted

00:50:15toward the house again.

00:50:18He has your eyes, Ava.

00:50:20He even looks like you.

00:50:21He is my son.

00:50:23Of course he looks like me.

00:50:29Cole had the money

00:50:30to fake a medical report.

00:50:31He could have paid off

00:50:33the hospital,

00:50:33changed the dates,

00:50:35hidden the birth records.

00:50:36He could have done all of it.

00:50:37The certainty in his voice

00:50:39made my skin crawl.

00:50:40You seriously think

00:50:41Adrian faked my miscarriage?

00:50:43He wanted you.

00:50:44And he knew the only thing

00:50:46tying you to me

00:50:46was our child.

00:50:48So he made you believe

00:50:50the baby was gone,

00:50:51married you,

00:50:52and raised my son

00:50:53as his own.

00:50:54I stared at him

00:50:55in disbelief.

00:50:56That is the craziest thing

00:50:58you've ever said.

00:51:00No, it finally makes sense.

00:51:02Ethan took another step

00:51:02toward me,

00:51:03but the guards

00:51:04immediately blocked his way.

00:51:05You disappeared from my life,

00:51:07and a few years later

00:51:08you suddenly have a boy

00:51:09who looks exactly like you.

00:51:10You expect me to believe

00:51:11that's a coincidence?

00:51:12There is no coincidence.

00:51:15Leo is Adrian's son.

00:51:16Ethan shook his head again.

00:51:17No.

00:51:18That boy should be

00:51:19calling me dad.

00:51:20I slapped him

00:51:21across the face.

00:51:25The sound cracked

00:51:26through the driveway,

00:51:27and Ethan's head

00:51:28snapped to the side.

00:51:31Don't ever say that again.

00:51:32He slowly turned back to me,

00:51:33but there was something wrong

00:51:34with the smile

00:51:35spreading across his face.

00:51:39You can deny it

00:51:40all you want, Ava.

00:51:42I know what I saw.

00:51:44You saw a child

00:51:45and invented

00:51:46an entire life around him.

00:51:51He's mine,

00:51:52and I'm going to prove it.

00:51:54I pointed toward the gate.

00:51:55Get him off my property.

00:51:57The guards grabbed Ethan

00:51:57by both arms

00:51:58and started dragging him away.

00:52:00He didn't fight them this time.

00:52:01He only kept his eyes

00:52:02on the house behind me.

00:52:05Then he called out

00:52:05one last time.

00:52:07Tell Cole

00:52:07I'm taking my son back.

00:52:08A chill ran down my spine.

00:52:10For the first time

00:52:11since Ethan came back,

00:52:12I wasn't angry.

00:52:12I was genuinely afraid

00:52:14of what he might do next.

00:52:18The next morning,

00:52:19my lawyer called

00:52:19before I reached the studio.

00:52:25Ethan Hayes

00:52:26filed a request

00:52:26for a paternity test.

00:52:28I stopped beside my car.

00:52:29On what grounds?

00:52:30He claims Leah

00:52:31may have been conceived

00:52:32during your marriage.

00:52:33For a few seconds,

00:52:34I said nothing.

00:52:35He knows I miscarried.

00:52:37I know.

00:52:38His attorney included

00:52:39a statement

00:52:40questioning the medical record.

00:52:41My grip tightened around my phone.

00:52:42He's claiming

00:52:43the miscarriage report

00:52:44was falsified.

00:52:44My lawyer continued.

00:52:45And that your husband

00:52:46may have helped

00:52:47conceal the pregnancy.

00:52:48I laughed once,

00:52:49but there was nothing funny about it.

00:52:51Can he actually force a test?

00:52:53Not without more evidence.

00:52:54We'll challenge it.

00:52:56Do that.

00:52:57When I ended the call,

00:52:59Adrian was standing

00:52:59a few feet away.

00:53:00He had heard enough.

00:53:04He filed something?

00:53:07I handed him the email

00:53:08my lawyer had just forwarded.

00:53:09Adrian read it in silence.

00:53:11Then he actually laughed.

00:53:15He thinks I faked

00:53:16your miscarriage?

00:53:17I rubbed my forehead.

00:53:21Apparently.

00:53:22Adrian looked down

00:53:23at the email again.

00:53:25And somehow stole

00:53:25your child from him?

00:53:27That seems to be the story

00:53:28he's telling himself.

00:53:29He gave me back the phone.

00:53:31That's insane.

00:53:32I couldn't argue with that.

00:53:33The worst part was that

00:53:34Leo had nothing to do

00:53:35with Ethan.

00:53:38By the time Adrian

00:53:39and I got together,

00:53:40my marriage had already

00:53:41been over for more

00:53:42than a year.

00:53:46We met at an art event

00:53:48in Paris.

00:53:48I had been invited

00:53:49to design a small

00:53:50tattoo collection

00:53:51for a charity auction,

00:53:52and Adrian was

00:53:52one of the sponsors.

00:53:54At first,

00:53:55I barely spoke to him.

00:53:55I was still rebuilding

00:53:56my life then,

00:53:57and dating was the

00:53:58last thing on my mind.

00:54:00But Adrian kept showing up.

00:54:05He brought me coffee

00:54:06when I worked late.

00:54:08He remembered

00:54:09what food I hated.

00:54:12And when I spent

00:54:1312 hours finishing a piece,

00:54:15he sat quietly nearby

00:54:16instead of asking me

00:54:17to stop.

00:54:19We dated slowly,

00:54:20almost painfully slowly.

00:54:22A year later,

00:54:23we got married.

00:54:24Leo came after that.

00:54:25He was planned.

00:54:26Wanted.

00:54:27Loved from the moment

00:54:28we knew he existed.

00:54:29Adrian had been there

00:54:30for every appointment,

00:54:31every scan,

00:54:32every sleepless night

00:54:32after Leo was born.

00:54:33There had never been

00:54:34any secret.

00:54:35No hidden pregnancy.

00:54:36No stolen child.

00:54:38Nothing Ethan was

00:54:38imagining had ever happened.

00:54:47So he wants a paternity test.

00:54:49Yes.

00:54:53Good.

00:54:54Good?

00:54:56If he wants to humiliate

00:54:57himself that badly,

00:54:58let him.

00:54:59I stared at him.

00:55:00Adrian picked up his phone.

00:55:02But we're not going to sit here

00:55:04while he drags Leo

00:55:04into his delusion.

00:55:06What are you going to do?

00:55:07Nothing illegal.

00:55:08That answer alone

00:55:09made me narrow my eyes.

00:55:10He smiled.

00:55:10I'm calling our lawyer.

00:55:12Our lawyer?

00:55:12And the club's.

00:55:13I immediately understood.

00:55:14Ethan had accused

00:55:15the owner of his own club

00:55:16of falsifying medical records

00:55:17and hiding a child.

00:55:18If those accusations

00:55:19reached the press,

00:55:20they would not just damage me.

00:55:21They would damage Adrian,

00:55:22the club,

00:55:22and every sponsor

00:55:23attached to it.

00:55:24Adrian's expression

00:55:24turned serious.

00:55:25If Hayes wants to make

00:55:26this official,

00:55:27then we answer officially.

00:55:28He held out his hand to me.

00:55:30Come with me.

00:55:33Where?

00:55:34To the club.

00:55:35I looked at him.

00:55:36Adrian's smile returned.

00:55:38Let's give your ridiculous

00:55:39ex-husband

00:55:39exactly what he asked for.

00:55:41This time,

00:55:41I laughed too.

00:55:42Then I took his hand.

00:55:46By noon,

00:55:47Ethan had already made

00:55:48the whole thing public.

00:55:49His lawyer released

00:55:50a statement claiming

00:55:51that Leo might be

00:55:52Ethan's biological son

00:55:53and that Ethan intended

00:55:54to fight for custody.

00:55:55Within an hour,

00:55:56reporters were outside

00:55:57my studio.

00:55:58By the afternoon,

00:55:59several had even shown up

00:56:00near Leo's school.

00:56:02That was the moment

00:56:03Adrian stopped smiling

00:56:04about it.

00:56:06The club arranged

00:56:07a press conference

00:56:07for the next morning.

00:56:08Our lawyer would release

00:56:09the paternity result

00:56:10as soon as it arrived

00:56:10and Adrian's legal team

00:56:11would answer Ethan's accusations

00:56:12at the same time.

00:56:14I hated the idea of Leo

00:56:15being anywhere near the cameras,

00:56:16but the rumors

00:56:17were already spreading everywhere.

00:56:18Some people were even

00:56:19posting old photos of me

00:56:20from my marriage to Ethan

00:56:21and comparing Leo's face to his.

00:56:23Leo noticed that something

00:56:24was wrong.

00:56:25That night,

00:56:26he climbed into my lap

00:56:27and wrapped both arms

00:56:28around my neck.

00:56:29Mommy,

00:56:30why are there people outside?

00:56:34They're being nosy.

00:56:35Are they bad people?

00:56:37No,

00:56:39just annoying people.

00:56:41He thought about that

00:56:41seriously,

00:56:42then nodded.

00:56:44The next morning,

00:56:45Adrian held Leo's hand

00:56:46as we walked

00:56:46into the conference room.

00:56:48Ethan was already sitting

00:56:49in front of the cameras.

00:56:50The second he saw Leo,

00:56:51he stood up.

00:56:52That's my son.

00:56:53Camera shutters exploded

00:56:55across the room.

00:56:55I pulled Leo closer.

00:56:57Ethan stepped around the table.

00:56:59Ava, give him to me.

00:56:59Leo immediately grabbed my coat

00:57:01with both hands.

00:57:04Ethan crouched several feet

00:57:06in front of Leo.

00:57:08Liko, come here.

00:57:14I'm your real dad.

00:57:18No, you're not.

00:57:20The room went silent.

00:57:21Ethan's smile disappeared.

00:57:22Leo pointed toward Adrian.

00:57:23My daddy is right there.

00:57:24Then he ran straight to Adrian

00:57:25and wrapped both arms

00:57:26around his leg.

00:57:27Adrian immediately picked him up.

00:57:29Leo buried his face

00:57:30against Adrian's shoulder.

00:57:31Liko, listen to me.

00:57:32Don't touch me!

00:57:35You're the bad uncle

00:57:36who made mommy cry.

00:57:38Several reporters gasped.

00:57:39I walked over

00:57:40and took Leo into my arms.

00:57:42He doesn't understand

00:57:43what's happening.

00:57:44I'm his father!

00:57:46Ethan stepped forward again.

00:57:47Security immediately

00:57:47moved closer.

00:57:48Before he could say anything else,

00:57:49our lawyer entered

00:57:50through the side door

00:57:50carrying a sealed envelope.

00:57:51She handed it to me.

00:57:52The result just came in.

00:57:54Every camera turned toward us.

00:57:55I opened the envelope.

00:57:56My eyes went straight

00:57:57to the final line.

00:57:57Probability of paternity.

00:57:590.0, 0%.

00:58:00I looked up at Ethan.

00:58:01Now are you done?

00:58:06Ethan snatched the report

00:58:07from my hand.

00:58:08His fingers began to shake.

00:58:09You paid someone

00:58:10to change it.

00:58:11This result is fake!

00:58:13Adrian actually laughed.

00:58:14You picked the lab.

00:58:15Your lawyer approved

00:58:16the process

00:58:17and your people

00:58:18handled the samples.

00:58:19Ethan crushed the report

00:58:20in his fist.

00:58:21You could still

00:58:22have changed it.

00:58:23A murmur spread

00:58:24through the reporters.

00:58:25I finally realized

00:58:26Ethan was no longer

00:58:27thinking clearly.

00:58:28No result would convince him

00:58:29because he had already

00:58:30decided Leo was his.

00:58:32He was losing touch

00:58:32with reality.

00:58:33You said my miscarriage

00:58:34report was fake?

00:58:35I said.

00:58:36Now this test is fake too?

00:58:39What happens

00:58:40when the next one

00:58:41says the same thing?

00:58:44You stole my wife.

00:58:48And now you stole my son!

00:58:50I stared at him.

00:58:51Nobody stole us from you.

00:58:52Ethan's face twisted.

00:58:53Then his eyes moved past me

00:58:55straight toward Leo.

00:58:56Before anyone could react

00:58:57he shoved the chair aside

00:58:58and rushed forward.

00:59:00Leo!

00:59:01I turned immediately.

00:59:02Ethan reached for my son

00:59:03and Leo screamed.

00:59:09Back off.

00:59:10He's my son.

00:59:12Ethan tried to push past him.

00:59:13Security rushed in

00:59:14from both sides.

00:59:15Ethan fought them

00:59:16like he had completely

00:59:17forgotten where he was.

00:59:18Let go of me!

00:59:20Two guards caught his arms.

00:59:21He twisted hard

00:59:22and nearly broke a freak.

00:59:24Give me my son!

00:59:26Leo started crying

00:59:27against my shoulder.

00:59:28Mommy, I don't want him!

00:59:30That finally made Ethan stop.

00:59:31For one second

00:59:32the entire room

00:59:33seemed to freeze.

00:59:37No.

00:59:38Camera flashes

00:59:39went off everywhere.

00:59:40Every reporter in the room

00:59:41was recording him.

00:59:42The famous football star

00:59:43who had once walked

00:59:44into every room

00:59:44like he owned it

00:59:45was now being dragged backward

00:59:46while screaming

00:59:47at a terrified child.

00:59:48He's mine!

00:59:49Security pulled him

00:59:50toward the exit.

00:59:51Ethan kept shouting

00:59:52until the doors

00:59:52finally closed behind him.

00:59:54Leo lifted his wet face

00:59:55from my shoulder.

00:59:56Mommy,

00:59:57is the bad uncle gone?

00:59:58I kissed his forehead.

00:59:59Yes, baby.

01:00:02Adrian wrapped one arm

01:00:03around both of us.

01:00:04He's gone.

01:00:05This time,

01:00:06I believed it.

01:00:09Three months later,

01:00:10Ethan was no longer

01:00:11playing for Adrian's club.

01:00:13A court order

01:00:14kept him away from me,

01:00:15Adrian,

01:00:16and Leo.

01:00:16The reporters

01:00:17eventually moved on too.

01:00:18Life became quiet again.

01:00:19My second studio

01:00:20opened on a Saturday morning.

01:00:21Leo arrived

01:00:22wearing a tiny black apron

01:00:23because he had decided

01:00:24he was officially

01:00:24part of the staff.

01:00:25By lunch,

01:00:26he had already used

01:00:27half a pack of printer paper

01:00:28drawing tattoos.

01:00:29He ran across the studio

01:00:30with one of them

01:00:30held above his head.

01:00:31Daddy!

01:00:32Adrian turned around

01:00:33just in time for Leo

01:00:34to shove the paper

01:00:35against his check.

01:00:36I made this for you.

01:00:37Adrian looked down.

01:00:38A strange animal

01:00:39with five legs,

01:00:40one huge eye,

01:00:41and a crooked tail

01:00:42covered the page.

01:00:43What is this?

01:00:44Leo looked offended.

01:00:46A lion.

01:00:47Adrian studied it again.

01:00:50Why does your lion

01:00:51have five legs?

01:00:52Leo lowered the paper

01:00:52and counted carefully.

01:00:53One,

01:00:54two,

01:00:54three,

01:00:55four.

01:01:00Because he runs faster!

01:01:01I burst out laughing.

01:01:02Leo immediately

01:01:02grabbed Adrian's sleeve.

01:01:03Daddy,

01:01:04Mommy can tattoo it on you!

01:01:05Absolutely not.

01:01:06I said.

01:01:07Leo gasped.

01:01:09Mom!

01:01:10Adrian picked him up.

01:01:13You heard the boss?

01:01:14Leo leaned close to his ear.

01:01:16Don't worry, Daddy.

01:01:17I'll draw a better one tomorrow.

01:01:19That night,

01:01:20Leo insisted on

01:01:20sleeping between us.

01:01:22Adrian barely made it

01:01:23halfway through the bedtime story

01:01:24before Leo fell asleep.

01:01:25with one hand wrapped around my finger.

01:01:26A few minutes later,

01:01:28Leo kicked Adrian directly

01:01:29in the stomach.

01:01:30He pulled Leo back

01:01:31under the blanket

01:01:31and reached across him

01:01:32for my hand.

01:01:33I looked at my husband

01:01:34and my little boy beside me.

01:01:36For the first time

01:01:36in a very long time,

01:01:37there was nothing left

01:01:38to fight for.

01:01:39I already had everything

01:01:40I wanted.

01:01:40I was so happy about it.

01:01:42go crazy.coin

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