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Watch full-length drama films featuring powerful business leaders, hidden identities, family secrets, impossible love stories, revenge, and inspiring personal journeys. Every movie delivers engaging storytelling and memorable characters.
Enjoy high-quality drama entertainment with English subtitles and discover new trending stories uploaded on a regular basis.
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FunTranscript
00:01I
00:02threw up all over my boss's most important guest at the banquet. That man was Cassian Morelli, the Mafia Don
00:08who owned Boston's underworld.
00:10The whole room went dead silent, but Cassian didn't even flinch. He just looked at my boss and said,
00:15She can't handle her liquor. Watch her.
00:17The second the banquet ended, my co-workers were all over me.
00:21That's the Don of the Morelli family. How do you know him?
00:24Cassian stopped in the crowd and looked at me. I looked away and let out a short laugh.
00:29I don't.
00:31After all, when Cassian and I split, he asked me for one thing. Never say his name again.
00:36Someone wasn't buying it. No way.
00:37Mr. Morelli's a total germaphobe. One drop of blood on his suit and he burns the whole thing.
00:43A guy walked into his study without shoe covers once. Cassian broke his leg.
00:48You puked on him and he told our boss to take care of you? And you don't know him?
00:52I'd had too much to drink. I barely caught what Cassian said. So I shook my head again.
00:56I don't know him. He probably let it slide out of respect for the boss.
01:02My boss, Stellan Tiberi, was the younger brother of the Tiberi Don.
01:05The Tiberis and the Morellis went way back. Their heirs grew up side by side.
01:09Stellan's brother took the throne and Stellan ran the family's clean businesses.
01:13Right?
01:13I held my co-worker's stare. Didn't blink.
01:17A few seconds later, she talked herself into it.
01:20Yeah. That makes sense.
01:23It was for Stellan. That's why Cassian let it go.
01:26If Iris actually knew someone like Cassian, why the hell would she be stuck here with us?
01:30And I heard Cassian's got an arranged marriage at the end of the month.
01:33Guy's probably just in a good mood.
01:34Once someone said it, everyone believed it. Everyone except Stellan.
01:39He rolled a cigarette between his fingers. One brow lifted. He wasn't buying a word of it.
01:46The party ended.
01:47Cassian walked out with Stellan. As he passed me, he turned his head.
01:50One long, deep look. I kept my face empty. Like he was a stranger.
01:55I didn't even look up. Only after they were gone did the room breathe again.
01:59And the gossip circled right back to Cassian.
02:01I'm so jealous of his fiancée, Vivian Castiano. Protected her whole life. Never suffered a single day.
02:09Born into the inner circle, everyone knew she'd marry into the Morellas.
02:14That ring alone is insane. Forget the truckload of gifts he sent her.
02:19I heard Caspian kept some outsider girl around for two years.
02:22She crossed Viviani once, and the next day he had her thrown out of Boston.
02:27Her family was dead broke too. And she was easy from what I heard.
02:32Probably just chasing his money.
02:33I dropped my eyes and stayed out of it. Some of it was true. Some of it wasn't.
02:38The true part, Cassian did leave me because of Vivian.
02:41But he never threatened me. He never ran me out of anywhere.
02:46The day we ended it, he didn't even look at me. He got on a plane to Italy.
02:50Two years. That's how it ended. I couldn't sit there anymore.
02:55I grabbed my bag and stood to go. Then I heard someone ask,
02:59Two years? And he didn't miss her at all?
03:03No, Cassian could be that cruel. When I first met him, I had no idea he was the Don everyone
03:09was terrified of.
03:10It seemed to amuse him. So he hid it. Chased me like an ordinary man.
03:15Back then, I was drowning in my mother's medical bills.
03:18After my day job, I worked nights at a convenience store. Off the clock at 3 in the morning.
03:23One night, walking home, a drunk homeless man cornered me. I couldn't get away.
03:28His filthy hands were almost on me. Then Cassian appeared behind me and kicked him off.
03:33He flicked two fingers. Bodyguards stepped out of the dark. They didn't hold back.
03:37Blood spread across the pavement. Cassian covered my eyes.
03:40Don't look. And don't feel sorry for him. He earned it.
03:45That night, he told me who he really was. I told him we should stop.
03:49The Don of the Morelli family. And me. We were never from the same world.
03:53Cassian didn't say a word. He pinned me to the wall and kissed me hard.
03:57Once his name was out, he stopped hiding the possessive side of him. He worked harder than he ever had.
04:02Even when I sobbed, Daddy, and begged him to stop, he didn't slow down. Until I couldn't stand.
04:07Then Cassian pulled me in tight and buried his face in my shoulder. His voice came out rough.
04:13I don't want you gone. Do you really want to walk away?
04:18My heart was slamming against my ribs. And I realized, helplessly, I'd already fallen for him.
04:25So we didn't break up. After that, I started turning down everything he sent me.
04:29A man like Cassian never gave gifts for nothing. And I couldn't afford to owe him.
04:33Then Vivian came back to the country. Cassian brought me to meet his friends.
04:38The private room was full of the people he'd grown up with in the circle.
04:41I greeted each of them. Only Vivian said nothing.
04:44She looked me over, head to toe. That was the first time I saw her. Beautiful. Untouchable.
04:50We didn't say a word to each other all night. Not until the end. Then she finally spoke to me.
04:55What a coincidence. I heard your mother got sick and needed money. Right around the time you met Cassian.
05:03I froze. Cassian had covered my mother's bills once. But I'd paid every cent back.
05:08Before I could answer, Vivian's smile shifted.
05:11But that's nothing. Just pocket change.
05:14I heard she's gotten worse lately. You should focus on her treatment. That comes first.
05:18Just saying. Don't take it the wrong way.
05:21I stood there while she finished. Cassian dropped his eyes and gave her a light glance.
05:26She looked up at him and smiled. Neither of them said anything.
05:29But somehow, it felt like they'd said everything.
05:32Afterward, Cassian drove me home. At my door, he spoke like nothing had happened.
05:36Your mother needs money again. Why didn't you tell me?
05:38I didn't answer. He pressed something into my palm. A black card.
05:43Anything you need? Just say it.
05:45My mother was on the couch. She heard every word. My whole body locked up.
05:49I didn't dare turn around and look at her face. All I could get out was,
05:53I don't need it. Please go.
05:54I pushed the black card back into his hand. It ended badly.
06:00Cassian stopped handing me black cards. But the gifts kept coming. Through other people now.
06:04One night, I came home and my front door was wide open. A neighbor was walking out.
06:09Your daughter's so young and she's already got herself a sugar daddy? This stuff looks expensive.
06:14She always said she'd give you a better life. Didn't realize this was how.
06:17I froze. Slowly, I looked into the living room. The table was buried in black boxes.
06:23All stamped with the Morelli crest. The apartment was horribly quiet.
06:27My mother sat on the couch. She didn't question me. She didn't say a thing.
06:31She just stared at those boxes. After a long time, she closed her eyes.
06:37Iris, sometimes I think it would have been better if I hadn't survived that crash.
06:41My eyes went red instantly. My mother had been in a car accident.
06:45On her way to buy me a birthday cake. It left her disabled for life.
06:49That same year, my father filed for divorce. Started a new family. Cut us off for good.
06:56After that, wherever I went, my mother came with me. But she never wanted it.
07:01She thought she'd become my burden. In high school, she thought my classmates laughed at me because of her.
07:07And now she thought she was the reason people looked at me like this, whispered about me like this.
07:12I looked up at her. The tears wouldn't stop. After I cried it out, I blocked Cassian everywhere.
07:17Sent back every single thing he'd delivered. He'd been gone for days.
07:22That same night, he showed up. Cold rain coming down hard. He looked soaked to the bone.
07:28He stood there under an umbrella staring at me, worn out.
07:32Why did you block me out of nowhere? What did I do this time? Was it the style? You didn't
07:36like what I sent?
07:37His voice was low, almost humble. But in this thing between us, the arrogant one was never me.
07:43Do you have any idea what people say about me when you keep sending all that?
07:47I looked down. And finally, I couldn't hold it in.
07:52Cassian, I don't get it. Two years. Did you really never know me at all?
07:56Why was it so easy for Vivian to get in your head? Do you really think I was with you
08:00for your money?
08:02Thunder cracked overhead. I waited for him to explain. Instead, he laughed.
08:07And when he looked at me again, everything he'd been holding back was right there on his face.
08:12Contempt, impatience, disappointment, and that untouchable arrogance.
08:16You really don't get it, or are you just not done acting?
08:21Cassian rubbed his brow.
08:23Iris, isn't this exactly what you wanted from the start?
08:26You think I didn't know your mother was faking it at first?
08:30You said you needed money for bills.
08:32I didn't ask a single question. I had someone pay the hospital straight.
08:36You like jewelry? I could hand it to you without blinking.
08:39I gave you a black card. Was I not clear enough?
08:42I don't care if you were with me for my name, Iris. So why couldn't you just be honest with
08:46me?
08:47By the end, he was louder than the rain. I looked at him for a few quiet seconds. Then I
08:52said it, very softly.
08:55I didn't know who you were when we met. My mother was never faking anything.
09:00And I never tried to take a thing from you. Cassian, I already told you the truth.
09:04The disgust in his eyes was impossible to hide now.
09:07Fine.
09:08A short laugh.
09:09If you say so.
09:10The rain came down harder. Cassian turned and walked away. He didn't look back.
09:15Three days later, everything fell apart. My mother had a heart attack. She needed surgery. Now.
09:21I called every relative I hadn't spoken to in years. No one would lend me a cent.
09:26In the end, I thought of Cassian. I didn't hesitate long. Next to my mother's life, my pride was nothing.
09:35I rushed to his estate. He wouldn't see me. The gates stayed shut. The guards kept their eyes down, like
09:40they couldn't hear me at all.
09:42I kept pounding on the gate.
09:45Cassian! Cassian, I need to talk to you. Please come out!
09:49Cassian! Can you not be angry right now? Can you just see me?
09:53I really need the money! Cassian, I'm begging you!
10:00I waited until the sky went pale. My voice was gone. The gate never opened. I only found out later.
10:07Cassian had been home the whole night. He just didn't want to see me.
10:11After that day, we never crossed paths again. The only message he ever sent me after it was over was
10:17this.
10:18From now on, he never wanted to hear his name leave my mouth again. The cold wind snapped me out
10:25of it. Someone gasped.
10:27Boss? You're still here?
10:29The gossip cut off in an instant. The whole room went silent. I looked up. Stellan was standing by the
10:35door.
10:35He'd been there a while. Quietly taking in every word. And in the shadow beside him, someone else stood too.
10:42He leaned against the door frame. A burned out cigarette between his fingers.
10:46At the sound, he lifted his head. Our eyes met. For one second, he was exactly the man from my
10:53memory. I looked away and walked out like I hadn't seen him.
10:57But this time, as I passed him, Cassian caught my wrist. It's raining. I'll take you home.
11:05Behind me, people sucked in their breath. Even Stellan straightened up, staring at Cassian like he couldn't believe it. Ever
11:12since word spread about the Castellano marriage, Cassian had even swapped out his female assistant for Vivian's sake.
11:20So what was this? I looked down at the hand around my wrist. A custom engagement ring sat on his
11:27middle finger. My brow tightened. I pulled free.
11:31No thank you, Mr. Morelli. I already called a car. Cassian didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on me. The
11:39second he heard Mr. Morelli, they narrowed. The standoff lasted two seconds. I took a step.
11:46Cassian stepped in front of me again. So I turned to Stellan. Boss? Could you ask your guest to stop
11:54blocking my way?
11:55Stellan looked at Cassian, helpless.
11:57Don Cassian, do me a favor. Don't give my employee a hard time.
12:02Cassian still didn't budge. His voice stayed level.
12:05Your employee's drunk. If something happens to her on the way home, are you taking the blame?
12:10He clearly wasn't backing off. The air froze. More and more heads peeked out to watch.
12:18Stellan looked at me, then at Cassian. Finally, he sighed.
12:22Then I'll drive her home myself. That work for you?
12:27With every co-worker watching, I got into Stellan's car.
12:30As it pulled out, the wind through the window cleared some of the fog in my head.
12:35Boss, you can just drop me at the subway.
12:38Stellan raised a brow. Didn't answer. He just glanced behind us.
12:42I followed his eyes and looked back. A black armored SUV was trailing us, steady through the rain.
12:48Stellan checked it again, then looked back at me. The car was so quiet I could hear us both breathing.
12:54After a long moment, he finally spoke. So Cassian's girlfriend of two years was...
13:01Me.
13:02Stellan lifted his brow again. He didn't say a word. The rest of the drive was silent.
13:08The second I stepped out, the black SUV stopped too. The window rolled down, Cassian's face blank as stone.
13:18But this time, he didn't get out to stop me. He just looked at me and said quietly...
13:23I heard that right after you dumped me three years ago, you pulled the same trick. Borrowed money off Stylin.
13:31Iris, don't you think you owe me an explanation?
13:36I almost laughed. What I did back then, who I borrowed from, none of it was Cassian's business anymore.
13:42I ignored him and walked off under my umbrella. He didn't follow. But I felt his eyes on my back
13:48the whole way.
13:49The next morning, the office blew up the second I walked in.
13:54Iris, did you really date Mr. Morelli?
13:57About last night. We were just repeating rumors. We weren't trying to come at you, we swear. Please don't take
14:02it to heart.
14:04Yeah, Iris. Please don't be mad.
14:07They had me boxed in.
14:10Finally, I had to say it. It's all in the past. Let's not bring it up again.
14:15Once I got clear of them, my supervisor called me into his office.
14:19The conversation was short. I got promoted.
14:23The moment I walked out, eyes swung toward me from every corner of the floor.
14:27In the meeting, the project everyone had been clawing over landed in my lap too.
14:32By the time I got back to my desk, it was buried in snacks from co-workers.
14:36In under a day, the whole office was drowning in rumors.
14:39In the restroom, I heard the whispering.
14:42Iris is something else. Promotion and that project on the same day?
14:47You still don't know? She's Don Castian's secret girl.
14:52She's gorgeous. Even if he has to marry into another family, being his mistress isn't a bad gig.
14:59Ms. Castellano's no pusser. If she finds out, oh, this is gonna get good.
15:03All day long, people kept sneaking looks at me.
15:06Back at my desk, a co-worker I was close with leaned in.
15:11Iris, the whole office is talking.
15:13You're not actually getting back with Mr. Morello, are you?
15:16Guy's about to be married.
15:18I took a sip of my iced a manico and gave a small shake of my head.
15:22It's not true.
15:26It was still drizzling when I clocked out.
15:28I hated the rain, and I was done seeing Cassian.
15:32He was leaning against his car.
15:34The second he spotted me, his eyes came up.
15:37For a moment, it dragged me straight back three years.
15:40Back then, Cassian always waited for me like this, so he could take me home.
15:45And when I buried my face in his arms, I'd let myself picture a future with him.
15:50Looking back now, I saw how naive that was.
15:53We were never equal, not from day one.
15:57There was never going to be any ending for us but a bad one.
16:00Cassian couldn't accept me back then.
16:02So why was he here now, wrecking my life all over again?
16:06He opened the car door and looked at me.
16:09Let's talk.
16:10The only thing I have to say to you is this.
16:12Stay out of my life.
16:14I made myself clear.
16:16Cassian acted like he hadn't heard a word.
16:18He looked at me like he wasn't leaving until I got in that car.
16:21I didn't need to turn around to know how many coworkers were behind me, watching, whispering.
16:25Cassian never cared what anyone thought.
16:27He'd never had to.
16:29What do you actually want to say?
16:31Just say it, Cassian.
16:32Fine.
16:32Then he looked at me and said it, word by word.
16:35Iris, get back together with me.
16:39For a second, I genuinely thought I was hallucinating.
16:42But Cassia didn't look like he was joking.
16:44Not even a little.
16:45He went on, slow.
16:47Back then, the second you dumped me, you set your sights on Styler.
16:52But from whatever this is between you two now, I'd say that didn't pan out.
16:56Why Stalen?
16:57What can he give you?
16:59Iris, what I told you back then still stands.
17:01Whatever you wanted from Stalen, I can give it to you now.
17:04That familiar, looking down on me tone yanked me right back three years.
17:10What's that supposed to mean?
17:13If I remember right, you and Vivian are getting married.
17:16For your families.
17:17Does she know you're doing this?
17:18So what?
17:19So what?
17:20What?
17:20I repeated it in my head.
17:22Then I remembered what those two women said in the restroom.
17:25Mistress.
17:26So they weren't wrong.
17:27Cassius really did want me as his mistress.
17:30Three years ago.
17:31And now, in his eyes, I was still that cheap.
17:34The insults kept coming.
17:35Iris, I can give you more than anyone alive ever could.
17:39Money, connections, whatever you want to do, I'll make it happen.
17:42I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.
17:45Hard.
17:45Get lost.
17:47Cassian, you make me sick.
17:49The crack rang out and his face turned slightly to the side, but his eyes came right back
17:54to me.
17:55Any other day, anyone who dared do that to the Don of the Morelli family wouldn't keep
17:59their head on their shoulders.
18:00Cassian didn't hit back.
18:02He just said, calm as ever.
18:05Iris, still as dishonest as you were back then.
18:07He was about to say more.
18:09Then a voice cut in behind him.
18:10Cassian.
18:11Stalen had arrived.
18:12He stepped in front of me.
18:13That's enough.
18:14With Stalen there, Cassian couldn't hold me anymore.
18:17I rubbed my still numb fingers.
18:19Under his stare, I walked away.
18:21Didn't look back.
18:23Even after Iris was gone, Cassian kept staring in the direction she'd left.
18:28Stalen let go of him, looking like his head hurt.
18:31Cassian.
18:32What the hell is wrong with you?
18:33I'm gone on a work trip for one day and you show up at my company causing scenes.
18:39You're my brother, but I'm not backing you on this.
18:43What you said back there was out of line.
18:45I don't care how ugly the breakup was.
18:48You don't talk to her like that.
18:51Stalen shoved Cassian into the passenger seat.
18:55Cassian's face was ice.
18:58What, you're defending her now?
18:59She already climbed into your bed?
19:02Don't let her play you, Stalen.
19:03I know her better than you do.
19:05She ran the same borrowing money act on me.
19:07That's how she got close.
19:09She's not as innocent as you think.
19:13Stalen let out a laugh.
19:15So that's what you're hung up on?
19:16The money?
19:20I brought it up once last night.
19:22Don't tell me you've been chewing on it all night.
19:24Cassian looked out the window and said nothing.
19:28Cassian, I've known you a long time.
19:30I don't know what went down between you two back then.
19:33But I'll tell you one thing for sure.
19:35Iris is not the person you're painting her as.
19:38Honestly, I never would have guessed she was your ex.
19:41Stalen tapped his fingers against the wheel.
19:43If she was really after something,
19:45you think she'd have ended up the way she did after leaving you?
19:48You have any idea how far gone she was when I found her?
19:52To clear that debt, she took on three jobs on top of her day work.
19:56She drank with clients for a $50 tip,
19:58kept it up until her stomach was bleeding.
20:00She ran food deliveries in freezing weather.
20:02Her hands went so numb she couldn't feel them for half the day.
20:05I only found out later,
20:06she'd taken a loan-sherf debt to pay for her mother's surgery.
20:10All that grinding just to keep her head above water.
20:15And the money she borrowed off me?
20:16I offered it.
20:17She didn't ask.
20:19It was nothing to me.
20:20But for her,
20:21it could have buried her before her life even started.
20:25Cassian,
20:28if she was really as shallow and greedy as you say,
20:31why not just find another rich man?
20:35Why put herself through all that?
20:36The car went dead quiet.
20:38From the second Stelen started talking,
20:40Cassian hadn't said a word.
20:41At first,
20:42that usual dismissive smirk was still there.
20:44Bit by bit,
20:45it slid off his face.
20:46He sat frozen,
20:47like every word hit too hard to take in.
20:50He'd never imagined Iris had lived like that after the breakup.
20:54Memory after memory flashed through his mind,
20:56and all at once,
20:57Cassian felt it.
20:58Maybe he'd been wrong from the very start.
21:00Stelen didn't say anything more.
21:02He clapped him on the shoulder.
21:04Cassian,
21:04I know,
21:05with who you are now,
21:06if you really wanted to drag Iris back to your side,
21:09it'd be easy.
21:10But you're about to get married.
21:12Whatever you got wrong about her before,
21:14stop making her life harder.
21:19After I left Cassian,
21:20I crouched by a trash can and dry heaved for a long time.
21:24The nausea wouldn't let go.
21:25Then mom called.
21:28Iris,
21:28are you off work?
21:30Nothing's wrong.
21:32I just wanted to remind you,
21:34today's your birthday.
21:36I ordered you a cake from the bakery.
21:38Don't forget to grab it on your way home.
21:41Her voice came through,
21:42gentle and familiar.
21:44The knot in my chest loosened a little.
21:46Back then,
21:47I almost lost her for good.
21:49Even now,
21:49late at night,
21:50the fear still washes over me when I think about it.
21:53But I got the money in time.
21:54The surgery went well.
21:56And little by little,
21:57mom got better.
21:58I pulled myself together.
21:59But when I carried the cake home,
22:01the door was open.
22:02There were people standing in my living room.
22:04The scene dragged me straight back into the memory I hated most.
22:07Three years ago,
22:08after I felt Vivian's hostility at that party,
22:11I never went to another one of their gatherings.
22:14So Vivian came to me.
22:16Cassian wanted me to bring you the new Chanel.
22:20Then she looked at my mother and smiled.
22:23So this is Mrs. Jones.
22:25You're the excuse Iris uses, right?
22:28Play sick,
22:29so your daughter can play broke
22:30and squeeze money out of Cassian?
22:32What's the story going to be next time?
22:35Another illness?
22:36Getting a little stale, don't you think?
22:38Maybe the two of you should compare notes.
22:40I'm sure mom's got more practice than you.
22:42Every word landed in my mother's ears.
22:44And with every word,
22:45her face went a shade paler.
22:47Before Vivian could finish,
22:49I shoved her.
22:50What the hell are you talking about?
22:52Vivian hit the floor.
22:54Her wrists split open,
22:55and the tears sprang up instantly from the pain.
22:59That night, her mafia friends showed up.
23:01One familiar face after another crowded my doorway,
23:04demanding I apologize.
23:05One of them leaned against the hallway wall,
23:07fingers grazing the holster at his hip.
23:09My breath caught.
23:11Vivian insulted us first.
23:13Why should I apologize?
23:15Fine.
23:16No apology?
23:17Then pay.
23:18The one against the wall looked me up and down.
23:20Then he laughed at his own line.
23:22But can you even afford it?
23:24Not like the first time we met.
23:26They dropped the manners now.
23:28Besides, you were after Cassian's money anyway, weren't you?
23:32So was Vivian wrong?
23:34Why not just be honest?
23:36How much do you and your mom want?
23:38We'll pay it.
23:40Just stop hanging off Cassian.
23:42I was shaking with rage.
23:44I opened my mouth.
23:45Then Cassian arrived.
23:48The second he showed up, they all cleared out.
23:51Their footsteps faded and the hallway went quiet.
23:53I was sure Vivian had called him too.
23:55I thought he came for the same reason they did.
23:58To make me apologize.
23:59Or to rub it in.
24:00But Cassian never mentioned Vivian.
24:02He didn't come at me.
24:03He wasn't angry.
24:04He just acted like nothing happened and kept sending the expensive gifts.
24:07And not long after, we were over for good.
24:10I shook my head, forcing myself out of it.
24:13When I looked up, my eyes met Vivian's across the living room.
24:16She stood dead center, beside her.
24:18The same people who'd tried to force me to apologize back then.
24:21I didn't have to guess.
24:23This was about Cassian.
24:24The first thing I did was look at mom.
24:26She sat on the couch, calm and quiet.
24:28I let out a breath.
24:30Vivian looked just as bright and untouchable as she had years ago.
24:33She looked down at me.
24:35I didn't say a word.
24:37Iris, long time no see.
24:38I heard you left Boston years ago.
24:40I grabbed her by the arm and hauled her toward the door.
24:43What are you doing?
24:44I didn't say a word.
24:46I grabbed her by the arm and hauled her toward the door.
24:48You wanna talk?
24:49Wait downstairs.
24:51You don't?
24:51Get out.
24:53Vivian stumbled as I dragged her out.
24:55The rest scrambled after her.
24:57Once the last one was outside, I shut the door.
25:00Then I turned to mom.
25:02I was scared Vivian had already said something to her.
25:04Mom.
25:05I'm going down to settle this with them.
25:07Don't read into anything.
25:09More scared mom would start blaming herself again, like she used to.
25:13But compared to three years ago, mom had come so far.
25:16She didn't ask a single question.
25:18She just smiled.
25:19I won't read into it.
25:20I know my daughter better than anyone.
25:22Go on, Iris.
25:24I'll wait for you to come back for dinner.
25:26Okay.
25:27I nodded hard.
25:28Then I turned and headed downstairs.
25:30I knew exactly why Vivian and her people were here.
25:33And I wanted this cleared up too.
25:34But when I got down, Vivian wasn't the only one there.
25:37Cassian was there.
25:38And so was Stellan.
25:42Vivian clearly hadn't seen this coming.
25:44Shock all over her face.
25:45Cassian?
25:47Why are you here?
25:49But Cassian acted like he hadn't heard her.
25:51Over the whole crowd, his eyes came to rest on me.
25:53I had a breath trapped in my chest.
25:56Since everyone's here, let's make it clear.
25:59There's nothing between Caspian and me.
26:01There never will be.
26:02And I won't stand in the way of your family's marriage.
26:04I don't care what any of you think.
26:06But from now on, don't come to my home.
26:11Don't touch my life.
26:14I want nothing to do with any of you.
26:16Clear enough?
26:17For some reason, Vivian's face had looked wrong from the very start.
26:20But the second I said that, she was the first to jump in.
26:24Good.
26:24Keep your distance and we won't bother you again.
26:27She let it go shockingly fast.
26:29Then she reached for Cassian.
26:32Cassian, I know those rumors aren't true.
26:34I won't believe them.
26:36We're getting married soon.
26:38Don't let this sour your mood.
26:39Let's go.
26:40Cassian didn't move.
26:42His eyes stayed on me.
26:43When he spoke, his voice was low.
26:45The money you borrowed off Stalin back then, was it for the surgery?
26:49I didn't get why Cassian was asking something he already knew.
26:53But beside him, Vivian's face suddenly shifted.
26:55She tugged his sleeve.
26:57Cassian, that was years ago.
26:58No point dragging it up now.
27:00Cassian ignored her.
27:01He looked straight at me.
27:03When your mother had that emergency,
27:05why would you rather borrow money than come to me?
27:11Iris, did you want to get away from me that badly?
27:15I thought I'd almost forgotten what happened three years ago.
27:18In that moment, I knew I hadn't.
27:20Slowly, I lifted my eyes to him.
27:23Cassian, you're saying I didn't come to you?
27:26The night mom collapsed, I stood outside your gate for three straight hours.
27:30I begged you hundreds of times.
27:31I called you until I lost count.
27:33You never opened the gate.
27:35You never came out.
27:36Even while she was in surgery, all I got was a message you sent through someone else.
27:41You told me your name should never leave my mouth again.
27:45Cassian, did I not come to you?
27:47Or have you just been lying to yourself?
27:49The sky had gone black.
27:50Cassian stood there, his whole body rigid.
27:52He hadn't known any of it.
27:54Then one of the men beside Vivian stammered,
27:56Iris did come that night.
27:58But Cassian was drunk, and we...
28:02We turned her away.
28:04Cassian slowly lifted his head and looked at him.
28:07And after?
28:08Why did no one tell me?
28:10The man didn't answer.
28:12He looked at Vivian instead.
28:13After a long silence, he forced it out.
28:15Vivian, she said you two had already split.
28:18That none of it mattered anymore.
28:22None of it mattered.
28:23That night nearly destroyed me.
28:25To them, it was just something that didn't matter.
28:27I tugged at the corner of my mouth.
28:29I couldn't even name what I felt.
28:31Cassian turned to Vivian.
28:32His calm was terrifying.
28:34Is that true?
28:35Every bit of color drained from her face.
28:37She grabbed for his sleeve, voice shaking.
28:40I...
28:41Cassian, I didn't know she came for surgery money.
28:44If I'd known, I would have told you.
28:48No matter what, I'd never go that far.
28:51Cassian, I know I was wrong to hide it.
28:53But I swear I didn't do it on purpose.
28:56Cassian pulled his arm away.
28:58When she finished, he said...
28:59So it's true.
29:00He laughed.
29:01Then the second we're back today, we call out the marriage between our families.
29:04What?
29:06Vivian looked up, wrecked, unable to string a sentence together.
29:10I stood there and watched her come apart.
29:13She choked.
29:13She cried.
29:14Then she stared him dead in the eye.
29:16You're only doing this because you need someone to pin it on.
29:20But what about you?
29:22You think you did nothing wrong?
29:25If you trusted Iris even a little back then, would any of this have happened?
29:30Vivian kept pushing until she and Cassian had shredded the last shred of civility between them.
29:36Before she left, she stared at him and spat it out.
29:39Cassian, everything I first knew about Iris, I got from you.
29:43Maybe I meddled.
29:44But the one who looked down on her the most, who judged her the hardest, that was always you.
29:52Cassian took the hit.
29:54For one second, his whole frame swayed.
29:56Vivian walked off without looking back.
29:59Once she was gone, the others glanced around, uneasy.
30:03Then they cleared out too.
30:04Before the man who'd spoken first walked off, he looked at Cassian and left him one last piece of the
30:09truth.
30:10Cassian, that money Iris borrowed off you for her mother's bills back then, it really was a loan.
30:15She paid it back later, but you weren't around when she did.
30:18Someone close to you pocketed it.
30:20Iris never lied to you.
30:22I only found out after the fact.
30:23The words hit Cassian like a hammer to the chest.
30:26After the man left, the whole complex fell dead silent.
30:29Stellan had taken in every word.
30:31He didn't say anything, but it felt like he'd said it all.
30:34After Stellan left, Cassian just stood there, stunned.
30:37His head hung low, like he'd been nailed to the ground.
30:40The second I turned to go, he finally spoke.
30:42Low.
30:43Hoarse.
30:44Iris, I'm sorry.
30:46I didn't know...
30:47Iris.
30:49Do you hate me?
30:50The lights outside the building flickered on and off.
30:52I stopped.
30:53Then I said it.
30:54Calm.
30:54Don't say things like that.
30:56It makes me sick.
30:58And don't come near me again.
31:04The next day at work, everyone looked at me differently.
31:07Later, I found out Stellan had put in a word for me.
31:09I'd told him I didn't want to see Cassian.
31:12And after that day, Cassian really didn't show.
31:15But when I got back to my apartment, it was suddenly full of new appliances, furniture, food.
31:20The kitchen was packed.
31:21Mom said a man named Stellan had scented all over.
31:24Some kind of perk for outstanding employees, apparently.
31:27Stellan.
31:28It wasn't just the kitchen.
31:30Even the fridge was stocked to the brim.
31:31I opened it.
31:32Rows of fresh produce and food.
31:35And down one side, lined up perfectly.
31:37A whole row of carrot juice.
31:39The only person who knew I liked that flavor, besides mom, was one man.
31:44I stared at it for two seconds.
31:45Then I shut the fridge without a word.
31:47After that day, it was like someone had flipped a luck switch.
31:50I went out to eat and somehow won a free meal.
31:53I went shopping and hit the grand prize in a mall raffle.
31:56Even the difficult clients at work turned polite and easy overnight.
32:00Then I went to pay rent, and my landlady smiled and told me the place had been bought, at a
32:05steep price.
32:06So the rent wasn't hers to collect anymore.
32:08My rent money got refunded.
32:10I stared at my phone for two seconds.
32:12Then I turned off the screen.
32:14The closer Christmas got, the busier work got.
32:17The night it snowed, I stayed late.
32:20Heading back to my complex, I felt like someone was following me.
32:24At the corner, I spun around, and there stood Cassian.
32:27He hadn't had time to hide.
32:28Black coat under the streetlight, watching me from a distance.
32:34The first snow landed on my face.
32:36I stared at him.
32:37Cassian, I told you.
32:38I don't want to be bothered.
32:40Cassian stayed put.
32:41Too far for me to read his face.
32:43I could only hear his voice.
32:44I know you don't want to see me.
32:46I just...
32:49I just wanted to look at you.
32:50You know that's not what I mean.
32:52Disgust rose in my chest.
32:54Stop using excuses to send things to my place.
32:57They're not even good excuses.
32:59Stop pulling strings for me everywhere.
33:02And stay out of my life.
33:03Cassian froze.
33:05After a long silence, he spoke.
33:06His voice strained.
33:07Are you really set on cutting me out for good?
33:10I never actually wanted to break up back then.
33:12And I never said you couldn't talk about our past.
33:14I was just angry.
33:16After that day, I had to leave the country for something.
33:18By the time I got back, you'd blocked me everywhere.
33:20I didn't know something had happened to your family.
33:23Vivian and I were never together.
33:25It was just a temporary family arrangement.
33:27I know I got you wrong.
33:28I was wrong.
33:30I know I was wrong.
33:31I shouldn't have thought of you that way.
33:33I shouldn't have doubted you.
33:34I know you don't want to forgive me.
33:35I just want to make it right, even a little.
33:40Iris, don't be this cruel.
33:43Don't push me away.
33:46When it snows, even the air bites when you breathe it in.
33:49I pulled in a breath of freezing air.
33:52And for some reason, I suddenly remembered exactly how it felt
33:56right after Cassian and I ended.
33:58I did hate him.
34:00Hated how cruel he was.
34:02Hated that he didn't trust me.
34:03Most of all, I hated myself for truly loving someone like him.
34:08Maybe back then, I'd let Cassian matter too much.
34:10At night, those feelings used to swallow me whole.
34:14I was trapped inside that pain.
34:16And I really thought I'd never crawl out.
34:18But time passed and the feelings slowly faded.
34:21Now all that was left was nothing.
34:22I looked at Cassian, my face blank.
34:25Are you done?
34:27If you are, go.
34:29Cassian's face went pale.
34:31He looked at me, wounded.
34:33If none of it had happened back then, would we still be together?
34:36If.
34:37Such a useless word.
34:39I tugged at the corner of my mouth.
34:41I told you the truth back then.
34:43You didn't believe me.
34:43If you'd trusted me even a little, that prejudice wouldn't have lasted two years.
34:50People who aren't equal don't get happy endings.
34:53Not then.
34:55Not now.
34:57Cassian spoke again, his voice even lower.
35:00He said he could change.
35:02I let out a long breath.
35:04Do you really have to keep making me sick, Cassian?
35:06In an instant, his eyes went red.
35:09The words climbed to his throat, but he couldn't get them out.
35:12He looked at me for a long moment.
35:14In the end, he closed his eyes and nodded.
35:17I'm sorry.
35:19I won't show up again.
35:22After that night, Cassian never appeared in front of me again.
35:25But I knew he still hadn't left.
35:27Somewhere I couldn't see.
35:28He was still quietly clearing problems out of my path.
35:31Cassian really does seem different this time.
35:35You're really not going to give him another shot?
35:37Snow drifted past the window.
35:39I watched it and thought back over everything I'd lived through.
35:42From high school until now.
35:43Because I was scared mom would blame herself.
35:46I almost never told her when things got hard.
35:48Only looking back did I see it.
35:50Every worst moment of my life, I got through alone.
35:53Alone when my classmates mocked me.
35:55Alone when I worked the part-time jobs.
35:58Alone when I took mom from one appointment to the next.
36:01Then I met Cassian.
36:02And I thought I'd finally found somewhere safe.
36:05But in the end, when life got hard, the only one I could lean on was still me.
36:09Leaning on someone comes with a price.
36:11And that price can cut so deep it keeps you up night after night.
36:15It took everything I had to get here.
36:17I won't go back.
36:18I won't drop myself back into that helpless dark.
36:21And I won't betray the girl who suffered three years ago.
36:24I'll keep moving forward.
36:25I'll keep moving forward.
36:27At the end of the night matrices I learned over 325 degrees, my brain and skin usually