- 12 hours ago
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00:00of working odd jobs, I finally paid off all my debts and gotten a cochlear implant.
00:04I hid the implant in my hair, and two weeks later, I could finally hear again.
00:08When I got home, Sebastian didn't say a word and took me to a bar for the first time.
00:13Sebastian's buddy Leo was singing on stage and pointed at me.
00:17Look, Seb's pet dog is here.
00:18Everyone burst out laughing, but Sebastian signed to me,
00:21they all really like you, they're welcoming you.
00:24A moment later, Charlotte walked in and kissed Sebastian deeply right in front of me.
00:31Sebastian, when are you going to dump her?
00:33She and I are fake, no need to dump.
00:35I felt ice cold, but Sebastian signed to me,
00:38sorry, it's a punishment from truth or dare.
00:40I sneered at the man who showed not a trace of panic, and my heart sank.
00:44So all his love for me had been an act, just a boring pastime.
00:50He wouldn't even leave me a shred of dignity.
00:53Since that was the case, I didn't want to waste any more time on him.
01:04I sat on the edge of the sofa in the bar,
01:07watching Sebastian and Charlotte sing love duets back and forth.
01:12I'm so hard to sweat.
01:14Please, God.
01:16I just didn't.
01:17From the gossip around me,
01:19I learned that Sebastian was the sole heir of the Cross family in New York,
01:22and Charlotte was his childhood sweetheart.
01:26Their families were well-matched in status and power,
01:29and they had been engaged since early on.
01:32So the debts that nearly crushed me,
01:34the expensive cohealer implant,
01:36he could handle them with a wave of his hand.
01:40Wait.
01:44Leo's lackey leaned over and asked Leo,
01:47Why doesn't Seb's girlfriend get angry?
01:49How does Seb train her?
01:50That's impressive.
01:53Leo didn't hold back and said into the mic,
01:55Because Leon is deaf.
01:57She can't even hear.
01:58How can she get angry?
02:02Hearing that, Sebastian stumbled on his lyric for a second,
02:05but he said nothing.
02:10My implant had just been successfully fitted,
02:12and I really couldn't stand the blaring music.
02:15I grabbed my coat and prepared to leave.
02:18Sebastian grabbed me and signed,
02:20asking what was wrong.
02:22I leaned close to his ear.
02:23I'm leaving.
02:24You guys keep singing.
02:27Seb, what's she fussing about now?
02:30By the way, her normal speaking voice sounds like a duck.
02:33Charlie, come listen.
02:36Sebastian frowned,
02:38seemingly displeased that I was leaving right then.
02:43Did he really want to watch me being humiliated?
02:49Of course, with his status,
02:50no one would dare unless he allowed it.
02:55Why can she speak but not hear?
02:58Can she really not hear?
03:00Is she really not faking it?
03:04No!
03:06Charlotte suddenly screamed right next to my ear.
03:10See?
03:11She's been lying to you.
03:12I frantically covered my ears,
03:14and nausea surged up instantly.
03:20Sebastian pulled me up and signed to me,
03:22why are you slandering her?
03:23Apologize to her.
03:24I shook my head, stood up, and said,
03:28Sebastian, I got a cochlear implant.
03:30I can hear everything you're saying.
03:33Sebastian frowned and said reproachfully,
03:35Why didn't you say so earlier?
03:36You made me sign for so long for nothing.
03:38He showed no guilt,
03:39no explanation,
03:40just impatience with me.
03:41I lowered my eyes,
03:43saw their tightly clasped hands.
03:44Sebastian, let's break up.
03:47Then I left without looking back.
03:49As soon as I stepped out of the VIP room,
03:52I heard Leo's snide voice.
03:53Better really break up,
03:54and never come crawling back to Seb like a dog again.
03:57Seb and Charlie's grand wedding is next week.
04:00Oh wait, the question is whether someone like her,
04:02a nobody, can even get in.
04:09Not anymore.
04:10I won't have anything to do with this fake life anymore.
04:13I checked my balance.
04:14The ticket home cost $50,
04:16but I only had $3.70 left.
04:23A few more days of work,
04:25and I could leave this cold city behind.
04:27With that,
04:28I immediately found a part-time waitress job.
04:30I'm not afraid of hard work or suffering,
04:32only of being broke.
04:34I was still able to hear then,
04:36but I was penniless,
04:37and even my school fees were covered by student loans.
04:40When my father got critically ill,
04:42I was only 18.
04:43Sorry, no, not possible.
04:44Hello, I'm calling about.
04:45I begged everyone around me
04:46and only scraped together $300.
04:49With nowhere else to turn,
04:50I went to Sebastian.
04:51Leah,
04:52I have my own difficulties too.
04:54I really can't come up with the money.
04:58So I had to take out a loan,
05:00a full $70,000.
05:02But after only two weeks in the ICU,
05:04my father still passed away.
05:07I'm sorry.
05:08He fought hard,
05:09but he couldn't make it.
05:13My mother couldn't bear the loss.
05:15She suffered heart failure
05:17and died in my arms.
05:20The next day,
05:27I looked at my mother's still body in my arms,
05:29grief-stricken.
05:30After calling emergency services,
05:32I realized I could no longer hear anything.
05:34I could only repeat the address
05:36and my mother's condition over and over.
05:38People looked at me,
05:39pointed at me,
05:40moved their mouths,
05:41but I had no idea what they were saying.
05:47Wasn't until two weeks
05:48after I had handled the funeral arrangements
05:50that Sebastian finally came.
05:52He saw my condition at a glance,
05:54held me,
05:54and comforted me.
05:55I'm here.
05:56It's okay.
05:57We spent half a year
05:58learning sign language together
06:00before I could barely reconnect
06:01with the outside world.
06:02Watch my hands.
06:04Back then,
06:04Sebastian signed to me,
06:06from now on,
06:07I'll be your ears
06:08and fight back against
06:08all the malicious slander for you.
06:11I'll be your ears.
06:12But now he had broken his promise.
06:14All he brought me
06:15was humiliation and pain.
06:17I stopped dwelling on it,
06:19put on my black apron uniform,
06:20and started serving.
06:21Excuse me, coming through.
06:24As luck would have it,
06:25I ran into Sebastian and his group.
06:27I quickly lowered my head.
06:28Leo spotted me at once
06:30and said to the manager
06:31with malicious amusement,
06:32That serve over there,
06:33have her take care of our private room.
06:36It's already booked.
06:36Same private room.
06:38Go attend to it.
06:41I want to quit.
06:43I'll give you a $30 bonus
06:45plus your daily wage,
06:45$50 total.
06:48$150.
06:49Bonus of $150.
06:50I sighed,
06:51put on a mask,
06:52and went to serve the dishes.
06:53After I finally finished serving,
06:55Leo called out to me,
06:56Lindia, wearing a mask,
06:58do you think we wouldn't recognize you?
06:59If you leave,
07:00I'll report you.
07:05Leo scoffed
07:06and patted Sebastian
07:07on the shoulder.
07:09I told you she's only after your money,
07:11but you wouldn't believe me.
07:13Sebastian said nothing,
07:14just stared at me coldly.
07:20Be too harsh.
07:21Sebastian has plenty of money.
07:23Only a fool wouldn't go after it.
07:24Look at this necklace.
07:26Guess how much it costs.
07:28Isn't that the one from the Sootheby's auction
07:29a few days ago?
07:30$3 million.
07:31Serb's generous.
07:32$3 million spent like $3,000
07:34just to make a beauty smile.
07:36Sebastian finally spoke.
07:38Charlotte likes it.
07:40She likes it,
07:41so no matter the price,
07:42it's hers.
07:43I'm a riddeness.
07:44She's still being so vain.
07:46But no matter how I begged,
07:48he wouldn't even lend me money
07:49to save a life.
07:52I'm a bit thirsty.
07:54Can't you read the room?
07:55Aren't you not deaf anymore?
07:59I picked up the wine bottle
08:00and carefully poured,
08:01but under the table,
08:03Charlotte was grinding
08:03her high heel into my foot.
08:10Charlotte shrieked
08:11and slapped me across the face.
08:12She stood up abruptly.
08:14Seb, look at her!
08:15Is she deliberately
08:16getting back at me?
08:18Apologize to Charlotte.
08:19Sebastian's face turned cold.
08:22She was stepping on my foot
08:24under the table.
08:24I grew up with Charlotte.
08:25But she wouldn't do such a thing.
08:27His certain words
08:28pierced my heart like arrows.
08:30Seeing that I wouldn't apologize,
08:32he picked up Charlotte and left.
08:34Before leaving, he said,
08:36I'll make you pay.
08:48Pay?
08:51I really couldn't think
08:53of anything left for me to lose.
08:54In 24 years of life,
08:56I lost my parents,
08:57gave up my education,
08:58and now I couldn't even
08:59find a stable job.
09:01Even Sebastian,
09:02whom I once clung to
09:03as my lifeline,
09:04was nothing but a scam.
09:06After Sebastian left,
09:08Leo's lecherous eyes
09:09roamed over me.
09:11Seb said you two are fake.
09:12So do you kiss?
09:13Do you sleep together?
09:14Answer me honestly.
09:16Seb is about to get engaged
09:17to Charlie.
09:18You've got some looks.
09:20Why not come with me?
09:22Seb said before
09:23that you're in poor health
09:24and can't get pregnant,
09:25so you don't need protection.
09:27Really?
09:28I tried to slip out
09:30of the private room
09:30while he wasn't paying attention,
09:32but his two lackeys
09:33stood behind me,
09:34blocking my escape.
09:35Leo grinned wickedly
09:36and stepped closer,
09:37one step at a time.
09:38I'm willing to pay.
09:40How about $1,500 a night?
09:44Sir?
09:45The appetizers are...
09:46The manager came in
09:47obsequiously,
09:48saw the scene,
09:49and backed out.
09:51I pulled out my phone
09:52from my pocket.
09:53Just one call.
09:54Please.
09:55But Leo snatched it
09:56and threw it out the window.
09:57Just as I was on the verge
09:58of despair,
09:59the owner's wife walked in.
10:00Don't hurt the staff.
10:02I've called the police.
10:03Leo froze,
10:04turned,
10:04and looked at her.
10:05A moment later,
10:06he threw a thread at me
10:07and left.
10:07I'll see how long
10:08he can stay proud.
10:14Thank you so much, ma'am.
10:15I really appreciate it.
10:18Customer complaint,
10:19bonus deducted,
10:20disturb the boss,
10:21wage ducted.
10:22Who filed the complaint?
10:23It was Mr. Cross.
10:24So, what can you do
10:25even if you know?
10:29So this was what he meant
10:30by making me pay.
10:34I found my phone
10:35in the bushes downstairs.
10:36Thankfully,
10:37only the screen
10:38had a few cracks.
10:39Everything else worked.
10:47Two hours later,
10:48I dragged my exhausted body
10:49back to my tiny studio apartment.
10:52What are you doing here?
10:54I was just putting on
10:55an act during the day.
10:56Charlotte has a bad temper.
10:57If I don't indulge her,
10:58she'll tattle again.
11:00Why do you look unhappy?
11:02I told him directly,
11:03Your buddy Leo
11:04just tried to rape me.
11:06He frowned.
11:08I know what he said today
11:09was a bit over the line,
11:10but you can't be so petty
11:11as to slander him.
11:12I grew up with him.
11:13I know his character best.
11:15Again, that same line.
11:18Can you explain
11:19to the restaurant manager?
11:20I need-
11:20Since when did you care
11:21so much about money?
11:24His accusatory words
11:25choked the rest of my sentence
11:26in my throat.
11:28I pressed my lips together
11:29and went back to my room.
11:32The recent heat
11:33had been relentless,
11:34and the ceiling fan
11:35next to me
11:35wobbled precariously
11:36as if it might fall apart
11:37any moment.
11:38I stayed with you
11:39through all those years
11:40of hard times
11:41because I thought
11:41you were simple and kind.
11:43But now,
11:43you're actually asking me
11:45for money.
11:46You've finally shown
11:46your true colors.
11:52I turned away,
11:53not looking at him.
11:55I kept scrolling
11:56job board on my phone
11:57for odd jobs.
12:00He forgot that
12:01I had never known
12:02his identity.
12:03All my genuine feelings
12:04were treated by him
12:05as a means to get money.
12:07After another
12:08two or three days of work,
12:09I would leave
12:10this city for good.
12:15Are you that desperate
12:16for money?
12:17Fine.
12:17I'll transfer you
12:18$1,500 as breakup money
12:20for all these years.
12:22We had been together
12:23for seven years,
12:24living together for four,
12:25and the breakup money
12:27was a pathetic $1,500.
12:30Sebastian turned and left,
12:32but before going,
12:32he scoffed.
12:33You really shouldn't
12:34have slandered Leo.
12:36Was what he said wrong?
12:37Aren't you just after money?
12:39Do you really love me
12:40at all, Liana?
12:42Sebastian's questions
12:43pierced my heart
12:43like rusted arrows.
12:45You weren't free
12:45and so have a stir.
12:48He forgot that in all
12:49our years together,
12:50I had only asked
12:50to borrow money once.
12:52That was when my father
12:53was critically ill,
12:54but he clearly lacked
12:55nothing in terms of money.
12:57Such a hypocrite,
12:58and he still questioned
12:59whether my love was pure.
13:01At least I can say
13:02that before today,
13:03my heart was full of him,
13:05but never again.
13:07I blocked Sebastian
13:08on all contacts.
13:10After packing all my things,
13:11I headed to the bus station.
13:13I bought a Greyhound bus ticket home
13:15and set off on the road home.
13:27After Sebastian returned
13:28to the Cross Family estate,
13:30Leo called him.
13:52Sebastian hung up
13:54and immediately called Liana.
13:55As he was hesitating
13:56whether to apologize,
13:58he found that Liana
13:58had blocked him.
14:00The number you dialed
14:01is busy now.
14:05Sebastian rushed
14:06to the downstairs
14:06of the apartment
14:07and entered the password
14:08on the door lock.
14:09The screen glowed red.
14:10The password had been changed.
14:18He tried three times in a row
14:19and all three attempts failed.
14:29He went downstairs
14:30to find the apartment manager.
14:33Where is the tenant
14:34of room 401?
14:35The administrator flipped
14:36through the register
14:37without looking up.
14:38Checked out this morning
14:39and left without
14:39claiming the deposit.
14:48Sebastian called again
14:49and again,
14:50but the result
14:50was always the same.
14:52He curled up on the sofa,
14:53but the air conditioning
14:54gave him a headache.
14:55Call failed.
14:58He didn't realize
14:59that he had already
15:00grown accustomed
15:01to his previous life
15:02in that tiny studio,
15:03the hard life
15:04he had once scorned.
15:07Charlotte walked in
15:08wearing a red
15:08strapless dress.
15:12Why are you at my house?
15:14Charlotte laughed giddily.
15:15Good question.
15:16You're broken up.
15:17I'm your fiancee,
15:18a man and a woman
15:19alone in a room.
15:20What happens next?
15:21I don't need to teach you,
15:22do I?
15:22You go back first.
15:23Sebastian rubbed his temples.
15:25Charlotte froze.
15:27As if she had made up
15:28her mind,
15:28she said,
15:30I heard you don't like
15:31using protection.
15:32I don't mind.
15:33We'll definitely have kids
15:34in the future anyway.
15:35Sebastian remained unmoved.
15:39The private detective
15:40told him that Liana
15:41had first taken a bus south,
15:42then transferred
15:43to a local shuttle.
15:44After getting off that,
15:46she boarded a bus,
15:47but they could never
15:47figure out which stop
15:48she got off at.
15:49Sebastian closed
15:50his eyes in frustration.
15:54He remembered that
15:55Liana often told him
15:56her hometown
15:57was very remote.
15:58My hometown
15:59is really remote?
16:00You can't even find it
16:01on the map.
16:02Even Maps
16:03couldn't find it.
16:04At the time,
16:05he thought it was
16:06just a pitiful sob story.
16:07He never expected
16:08she would actually leave.
16:11If only I had
16:12installed a tracker
16:12so she could never
16:13get away.
16:16Sebastian was startled
16:17by his own thoughts.
16:18By then,
16:19Charlotte's hand
16:20had reached for his belt.
16:25Sebastian placed
16:25his right hand
16:26over hers.
16:27Just as Charlotte
16:28felt delighted,
16:29the man's words
16:29struck her like a blow.
16:31I'm not interested
16:32in you,
16:33Charlotte.
16:36Charlotte ignored him
16:37and kept trying
16:38to undo his belt.
16:39How is that possible?
16:41I don't believe it.
16:43What kind of spell
16:43did that bitch
16:44put on you?
16:45Sebastian stopped
16:46indulging her
16:47and pushed her away.
16:49Find another woman
16:50to test him.
16:50If he gets jealous,
16:52that means he truly cares.
16:53A woman's tears
16:55and tantrums
16:55are the tangible
16:56manifestation of love.
16:58That auction necklace
16:59was Charlotte's
17:00payment for acting.
17:01There was nothing else.
17:04Charlotte,
17:05you should watch
17:05your mouth.
17:06You know better
17:07than I do
17:07what should be said
17:08and what's nonsense.
17:11I'll go see your father
17:12tomorrow to cancel
17:13the engagement.
17:16Charlotte's face
17:17turned pale.
17:19Why?
17:20Didn't you say
17:21you and Liana
17:21were fake?
17:23Sebastian didn't reply.
17:25He went back
17:25to pressing
17:26the private detective
17:27for leads on Liana.
17:28I don't care
17:29what it takes.
17:30Find her.
17:31Michael, please.
17:32After countless
17:33failed inquiries,
17:34he drove back
17:35to that studio apartment.
17:36There was no trace
17:37of Liana's life
17:38left in the room.
17:39He couldn't help
17:40searching for any clue.
17:42In an old chest
17:43of drawers,
17:44he found a hospital bill.
17:45The name on it
17:46was Marcus Marsh,
17:47Liana's father.
17:48It was an itemized
17:50hospital charge list.
17:51Marcus Marsh,
17:52advanced liver cancer,
17:53age 45.
17:55One day's medication
17:56alone cost $5,000.
17:58Sebastian froze.
17:59So her father's
18:00critical illness
18:01really hadn't been a lie.
18:02Please,
18:03lend me some money.
18:04Liana had truly
18:05been desperate
18:06at that time,
18:06but he had been bewitched
18:08and believed
18:08Leo's nonsense.
18:09Family illness stories
18:10are all gold digger scams.
18:15If she shuts up
18:16after one refusal,
18:17it's acting out
18:18of guilt.
18:24Back then,
18:25when Liana came
18:25begging to him,
18:26he was about
18:27to reveal his identity.
18:31Wait for her
18:32to ask a second time.
18:33Poor kids love
18:34playing the victim.
18:40Sebastian anxiously
18:41waited for the second time,
18:42but on the third day,
18:43when he saw the tear tracks
18:44on Liana's face,
18:46he couldn't hold back
18:47anymore.
18:47He thought,
18:49It's only $70,000.
18:50If I get scammed,
18:51so be it.
18:53But just as he was
18:54about to transfer the money,
18:56his trust fund account
18:56was frozen.
18:59Leo had told the Cross family
19:00that the air
19:01had fallen for a poor girl.
19:02Uncle Richard dragged him
19:03back to the estate
19:04and confined him
19:05for a month.
19:07It's only a month.
19:08She's been living just fine
19:10without you,
19:10hasn't she?
19:11Besides,
19:12it's a good chance
19:12to test whether she
19:13really needs the money.
19:21But when I got back,
19:23everything had changed.
19:27He tucked the hospital bill
19:28into his coat
19:29and drove to Leo's house.
19:30Leo and Sebastian
19:31had grown up together
19:32as close buddies.
19:34Upon arriving,
19:35he first greeted
19:35Mr. and Mrs. Price.
19:37Mr. Price,
19:37Mrs. Price.
19:38Sebastian,
19:39come in.
19:40Then he went
19:41straight upstairs.
19:42As he climbed
19:43the last step,
19:43he heard Leo on the phone.
19:45I know it's a lot,
19:47but we have to do this.
19:48How do we keep this up?
19:50Can't you see?
19:51Leonda genuinely
19:52loves Sebastian.
19:53She's not after his money.
19:55Make Sebastian
19:56fall for you?
19:57Charlie Princess,
19:58I've lied to my best friend
19:59so many times for you
20:00and you still can't
20:01make it happen.
20:03Shouldn't you
20:04consider me instead?
20:06Sebastian clenched
20:07his fists.
20:07So all his
20:08misunderstandings
20:09about Liana
20:10had been caused
20:10by Charlotte
20:11manipulating Leo
20:12to whisper in his ear
20:13and he had believed
20:14their flimsy lies
20:15time and again.
20:17Sebastian walked in,
20:18tossing his suit jacket
20:19on the floor.
20:20Without a word,
20:20he grabbed Leo
20:21by the collar
20:22and yanked him
20:22off the sofa.
20:23A punch landed
20:24and Leo staggered.
20:26Sebastian,
20:27what the hell?
20:28The call hadn't ended.
20:30Charlotte's panicked voice
20:31came through the speaker.
20:32Leo?
20:33What's happening?
20:36Sebastian bent down,
20:38picked up the phone,
20:38his eyes bloodshot
20:40and terrifying.
20:44Charlotte?
20:44The other end
20:45went abruptly silent.
20:47What a scheme
20:47you've cooked up.
20:48He hung up
20:49and kicked Leo,
20:49who was trying to get up.
20:51Leo had never been
20:52so humiliated.
20:53He roared.
20:54You're hitting me
20:55for a woman
20:56you've thrown away?
20:58Sebastian,
20:58don't forget.
20:59It was you
21:00who didn't believe her.
21:01You drove her away!
21:03Sebastian,
21:04we're the same age,
21:05same social standing.
21:06Why do you get
21:07everyone's favor?
21:08Leo laughed like a madman.
21:10Those you love
21:11and those you don't,
21:12they all fall hopelessly
21:13in love with you.
21:15He wiped the blood
21:16from the corner
21:16of his mouth.
21:18Even Charlotte,
21:19we grew up together
21:20yet she only ever
21:21talks about you
21:21in public.
21:22Now taste the bitterness
21:23of loving someone
21:24who won't have you.
21:25Sebastian was silent
21:26for a moment.
21:27Leo told me
21:28you tried to rape her
21:28in the private room.
21:31Leo denied it flatly.
21:32How could I ever fancy
21:34such a country girl?
21:36Not everyone
21:37has your tastes,
21:38Mr. Cross.
21:41Sebastian's voice
21:42was cold.
21:43I've already submitted
21:44the evidence
21:44to my Uncle Richard.
21:46You can explain it
21:47to the police.
21:52When Sebastian
21:53walked out,
21:53his head was splitting.
21:55Seeing the 24-hour
21:56convenience store ahead,
21:58he wanted to go in
21:59and ask if they sold
22:00regret pills.
22:00If only there were
22:02a pill to undo regret.
22:04He wished he could
22:05go back six years,
22:06bring Marcus to New York
22:07and find the best doctors.
22:08Where's Karen?
22:09He should have been there
22:10for Liana
22:10through her hardest times.
22:12At the very least,
22:13he should have paid
22:13for her cochlear implant
22:15instead of watching her
22:16live as a disabled person.
22:21There is no such thing
22:22as a regret medicine
22:23in the world.
22:24She doesn't want me either.
22:26He watched the surveillance
22:27footage from that
22:28private room
22:29like self-torture.
22:30It was Charlotte
22:31stepping on Liana's foot
22:32that caused the wine
22:33to spill.
22:36Get out!
22:37And don't even think
22:38about getting paid
22:38this month.
22:39Yet he had sided
22:40with Charlotte
22:40and bullied her.
22:41He had even reported
22:42her to the manager.
22:43I actually helped
22:44others bully her.
22:45He didn't have the courage
22:47to watch the second
22:47half of the video.
22:48He locked his phone.
22:50The dim streetlights
22:51blurredly took him
22:52back six years.
22:53Back then,
22:54Liana hadn't yet
22:55lost her parents.
22:56I wrote this by hand.
22:57Only open it
22:58if you're sure
22:58you'll marry me.
22:59If you read it
23:00and don't marry me,
23:00may you die
23:01without descendants.
23:02He put the envelope
23:02in his study drawer.
23:04He never read it.
23:06My family
23:06will never accept her.
23:09But now,
23:10he drove home.
23:11Entering the study,
23:12he found the envelope
23:13at the bottom
23:14of the drawer.
23:15He opened it reverently.
23:16Liana had written
23:17three full pages,
23:18every word sincere.
23:27In it,
23:27she wrote many good
23:28things about Sebastian.
23:29She said maybe
23:30Sebastian was her
23:31destined lover.
23:32There was one line,
23:33a chance at forgiveness
23:34she had voluntarily
23:35given Sebastian
23:36in her youth.
23:40The next day,
23:41he brought
23:41reconciliation gifts,
23:43three large boxes full,
23:44and came to Maple Ridge.
23:46The town there
23:47had a warmth
23:47that the cold city
23:48could never match.
23:49As soon as he got
23:50off the car,
23:51Charlotte suddenly
23:51appeared and blocked him.
23:55Sebastian narrowed
23:56his eyes dangerously.
23:58Are you following me?
24:00Seb,
24:02you can't do this to me.
24:05You canceled our engagement
24:06and had Leo sent away.
24:08What about me?
24:11Coming to a place like this
24:12still can't let go
24:13of your lady's dignity?
24:14You treated Leo
24:15as a backup,
24:16so now that he's locked up,
24:17you're this anxious?
24:18Charlotte,
24:19will you die without a man?
24:21Charlotte stood frozen.
24:28Sebastian then sent
24:29a message and said,
24:31Since you can't live
24:32without one,
24:32I've already proposed
24:33to Mr. Kingsley
24:34to reinstate your engagement
24:35with Wayne Duncan.
24:36Go home and wait
24:36to marry him.
24:40Wayne Duncan was a
24:41nouveau riche hedge fund
24:42tycoon.
24:43A few years ago,
24:45the Kingsley family
24:45went to Wayne Duncan
24:46begging for investment.
24:49That one.
24:50The girl in the white dress.
24:52Of course I'd be willing.
24:53It is her good fortune.
24:55So Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley agreed.
24:59Charlotte cried to Sebastian,
25:00and he couldn't bear
25:01to see a girl
25:02he'd grown up with
25:03be ruined by a man
25:04in his 50s.
25:05He formally proposed
25:06to the Kingsley family
25:07and set the engagement.
25:08I got it.
25:09I'll handle this.
25:10That naturally brushed
25:11off Wayne Duncan.
25:12The Kingsleys used that
25:14as their fallback.
25:15I fell in love
25:16with Miss Charlotte
25:16at first sight
25:17and am willing
25:18to wait for her.
25:25When Charlotte heard
25:27Wayne Duncan's name again,
25:28she trembled all over.
25:30Sebastian,
25:31you're treating me
25:31like this for Liana!
25:35If you dare,
25:36neither Leo
25:37or I will ever
25:37forgive you.
25:43Sebastian found it
25:44bitterly ironic.
25:45She and Leo
25:46had turned his love life
25:47upside down,
25:48and now they claimed
25:49it was his fault.
25:50It was they
25:51who messed everything up.
25:58How dare you
25:59mention Liana.
26:05Fine.
26:06You don't have to
26:07marry Wayne Duncan.
26:08Turns out you missed Leo,
26:10then go keep him
26:10company in there.
26:15That surveillance video
26:17shattered Sebastian's
26:18perception of Charlotte.
26:19In his mind,
26:21Charlotte was kind
26:22and brave,
26:23just a little
26:24hot-tempered.
26:24Rice!
26:31She had once
26:32deliberately run down
26:33another student
26:34over a scholarship slot.
26:35That student came
26:36from a poor family.
26:37When her family
26:38saw the $200,000
26:39out-of-court settlement,
26:40they even said,
26:41good hit.
26:46Do you think
26:47taking revenge
26:47on me and Leo
26:48will win Liania back?
26:51Stop dreaming!
26:52Liania will never
26:53forgive you,
26:54because the one
26:55who hurt her
26:55is you!
26:56It's your endless
26:56tests that broke
26:57her heart!
27:01Sebastian shoved
27:02Charlotte into the car
27:03and the driver
27:04quickly locked it.
27:05Take her to the station
27:06and give my regards
27:07to Uncle Richard.
27:09Freeze, Sally!
27:12Ignoring Charlotte's
27:13pleas,
27:14Sebastian headed
27:15straight for Maple Ridge
27:16with his gifts.
27:20In the days
27:21after I came back,
27:22Grandpa and Nana
27:23were overjoyed
27:23and made all kinds
27:24of different meals
27:25every day.
27:26Leah, come and try
27:26the pie your grandma
27:27made.
27:28Here I come.
27:29One day, Grandpa
27:30pushed the door open.
27:32Leah, there's a young
27:33man outside
27:34who says he's your friend.
27:37I spotted Sebastian
27:39at a glass,
27:39pulled Grandpa back
27:40inside,
27:40and shut the door.
27:41How could you
27:42shut the guest out,
27:43kid?
27:49Grandpa, don't we need
27:50to keep an eye
27:50on the road construction
27:51at the village entrance?
27:52Please go and check it out.
27:53Oh, I almost forgot.
27:55I'll go right now.
27:56Wait.
28:02Stalking me?
28:03Finding me in such
28:04a remote place,
28:04you've really gone
28:05out of your way.
28:12Hey, I...
28:13He lowered his eyes
28:15and took out
28:15that pink envelope.
28:21I was so foolish
28:22back then
28:23for writing down
28:23the address.
28:29You said that
28:29with this letter
28:30I could be forgiven once.
28:31I didn't marry Charlotte
28:33and I've made everyone
28:34who hurt you pay.
28:36Give me one more chance, Leah.
28:42I beg you.
28:46That was fake.
28:47And I also said
28:47if you read it
28:48and didn't marry me
28:49you'd die without descendants
28:49yet you still fooled around anyway.
28:52This letter only counts
28:53when there's love.
28:58Sebastian,
29:00I don't love you anymore.
29:05This was the first time
29:06I saw Sebastian cry.
29:07His voice was choked.
29:08I'm sorry.
29:09I trusted Leo and Charlotte
29:10too much
29:10and hurt you
29:11without meaning to.
29:12But when your father
29:12passed away
29:13my trust fund account
29:14was frozen.
29:14I really couldn't get the money.
29:15I didn't lie to you.
29:19Just go.
29:21Don't run into my grandpa.
29:25Take the West Path.
29:30I won't leave.
29:32If you force me out
29:33I'll die right here.
29:34My grandpa walked in
29:35just in time to hear that
29:36and I happened to break free
29:37from his embrace.
29:46Leah, you're driving people
29:47away again.
29:48What will the neighbors
29:49think of our family?
29:50The marshes never neglect guests.
29:52Sebastian seemed to realize
29:53that grandpa's concern
29:54for the town's opinion
29:55was his strong backing.
29:57He wiped his face
29:58and pulled out a bottle
29:58of fine whiskey
29:59from his box.
30:02Grandpa,
30:03this is a little something
30:03for you
30:04as a token of my respect.
30:05You're too polite, kid.
30:07There is an empty house
30:08in town.
30:08You can stay there first
30:09and come to our home
30:10for meals every day
30:11from now on.
30:11Thank you, Grandpa.
30:12By evening
30:13I couldn't stand
30:14Sebastian's presence anymore
30:15and was about to confess
30:16to Grandpa
30:16but I overheard Grandpa
30:18complaining to Sebastian.
30:23I just don't know
30:24what to do
30:24with that girl anymore.
30:28The community church roof
30:30has been leaking
30:31for three years.
30:34everyone chipped in
30:35for repairs
30:36and gave the money
30:36to the contractor
30:37but those people
30:38took the money
30:39and never started work.
30:41I'm the committee chair
30:42but I can't even
30:43get this done.
30:44How can I face the town?
30:45I promise to get them started
30:46as soon as possible.
30:47Don't worry.
30:48Really?
30:49That's wonderful.
31:00What exactly
31:01are you trying to do?
31:06If your grandpa's unhappy
31:07you're unhappy.
31:08I don't want to make you unhappy.
31:10I was stunned.
31:11I turned and left
31:12leaving only one sentence.
31:15Don't waste your effort.
31:18I'm sorry.
31:21The next day
31:22the contractor's workers
31:23finally started unloading materials
31:25to repair the church roof.
31:27Passing by the site
31:27I overheard the workers talking.
31:29Last time
31:30our boss said
31:31we didn't need to bother
31:32with Maple Ridge
31:32said the committee chair
31:33was just an old man
31:34who couldn't make waves.
31:35That's what he said
31:36but I heard some sucker
31:37paid the full amount again
31:37as an expedite fee.
31:38Haven't you seen the notice?
31:39Our overtime pay is now
31:40$15 more per hour.
31:44I walked to the house
31:45where Sebastian was staying.
31:50You didn't have to do this.
31:52I just wanted to make you happy.
31:54When grandpa saw the contractor
31:56actually start work
31:57he almost wanted to adopt
31:59Sebastian as his own grandson.
32:01Nice one.
32:02You really did it.
32:06Two weeks later
32:07when the Cross family
32:09came to take Sebastian back
32:10grandpa immediately
32:11stood in front of him.
32:15What are you doing?
32:17Who gave you permission
32:18to touch him?
32:21I'll be back in a few days.
32:25Go ask how that
32:26Sebastian boy is doing now.
32:30This boy
32:30why isn't there any movement
32:32from him?
32:40He's my ex-boyfriend.
32:41It's better if he doesn't come back.
32:44Another month passed
32:46and the church roof
32:47was finally fixed.
32:49Children were chasing each other
32:50on the newly paved sidewalks
32:52playing tag.
32:54I suddenly remembered
32:56when I was little
32:57my parents playing
32:58with me in the yard.
32:59Dad would always run slowly
33:01on purpose
33:01so I could catch him.
33:05Suddenly the phone rang.
33:07It was an unfamiliar number
33:09with a New York area code.
33:13I answered.
33:14It was a woman's voice.
33:18You're Leah, right?
33:20Sebastian says
33:21he wants to live with you.
33:22Very familiar.
33:23Six years ago
33:24she was the one
33:25who called and threatened me
33:26to get out of her son's world.
33:27Get out of my son's life.
33:29She still treated me
33:30with the same contempt as before.
33:33Bring your family to New York
33:34and I'll buy you an apartment.
33:40I'm not going.
33:43Mrs. Cross
33:44I remember when we were together
33:45you said I would only
33:46drag your son down.
33:50Now I beg you
33:52don't let your proudest son
33:53come bother me anymore.
33:55Leah, to be honest
33:56since Sebastian came back
33:57his health has been getting worse.
34:02Is this another one
34:03of his tricks?
34:05My family had grown up
34:06on this land.
34:07Why should I adapt
34:08to a new life
34:08for someone else's sake?
34:09That was pure daydreaming.
34:17In winter
34:18I saw Sebastian again.
34:19He walked unsteadily
34:21no longer the smug
34:22triumphant man
34:22he used to be.
34:23He brought many merchants
34:24even operating at a loss
34:26to set up businesses here.
34:27Grocery stores
34:28small restaurants
34:29and even funded
34:30a community school.
34:34But I still didn't give him
34:35an extra glance.
34:38In the afternoon
34:40Nana came to me
34:41hesitating.
34:46I sighed.
34:48Just say what you want to say.
34:51Leah, I think that Sebastian
34:52boy treats you pretty well.
34:54Why did you break up
34:55back then?
34:57I was silent for a moment.
34:59Nana didn't press further
35:00and just said
35:02Sebastian doesn't look
35:03as spirited as before
35:04he must be heart sickness.
35:06A few days ago
35:08I saw him coughing badly.
35:10His handkerchief
35:10was full of blood.
35:13You need to go see him, Leah.
35:15He's our town's
35:15great benefactor.
35:17With Nana's urging
35:18I had no choice
35:19but to step into
35:20Sebastian's room.
35:31What about now?
35:32Can the letter be used now?
35:34No, I told you
35:35this letter only counts
35:36when there's love.
35:37I said the same words
35:38as before
35:39but this time
35:40he accepted it calmly.
35:43It's okay.
35:44Even without any promise
35:45just staying by your side
35:47is fine.
35:48I looked at his pale face
35:49and felt suddenly calm inside.
35:50Not softness
35:50not complete clarity.
35:52Sebastian
35:52I have something to say to you.
35:54He looked up
35:54a faint spark of hope
35:55in his eyes.
36:00I thank you for everything
36:02you've done for Maple Ridge.
36:03The church
36:03the school
36:04the grocery store
36:05these mean a lot
36:05to the town
36:06but they can't be the reason
36:07for you to stay by my side.
36:13You're using your kindness
36:14to hold my guilt hostage.
36:15It's no different
36:16from when you use lies
36:17to hold my genuine feelings hostage.
36:20Leah, I didn't mean that-
36:20I know
36:21but the outcome is the same.
36:23Nana asked me to see you
36:24because you're the town's benefactor.
36:26See?
36:27Once again
36:28I'm standing before you
36:29because of someone else's expectations
36:31not because of myself.
36:34You should go back to New York
36:36find the best doctors
36:37and get treatment
36:38instead of wasting away here.
36:41Maple Ridge doesn't need you
36:42to atone with your life
36:44and neither do I.
36:50If I leave
36:51will you still think of me?
36:54No.
36:55I, Liana
36:57never look back.
36:59The next morning
37:00Sebastian left Maple Ridge.
37:03He didn't posture me again
37:04and he never came back.
37:08Before leaving
37:09he put that pink envelope
37:10in the mailbox
37:11by my front door.
37:12On the back of the envelope
37:15I return this letter to you.
37:19I threw it into the trash
37:21without even turning it over.
37:22What was written
37:23no longer mattered.
37:27One year later
37:28in spring
37:30Maple Ridge
37:31was completely different
37:32from before.
37:33Those merchants stayed.
37:35Their businesses thrived
37:37and even spurred development
37:38in nearby towns.
37:39I took over
37:40managing the community school
37:41and used the investment shares
37:43Sebastian left behind
37:44to set up a scholarship
37:45specifically for children in town
37:47who couldn't afford hearing aids.
37:49I named the scholarship
37:50the Marsh Family Fund.
37:51Not after Sebastian's name
37:53but after my own family name.
38:00This is my town.
38:02My life.
38:03On a sunny afternoon
38:05Nana sat in her rocking chair
38:06on the porch
38:07soaking up the sun.
38:09Leah, do you regret
38:10sending him away?
38:16No regrets.
38:18Those who should leave
38:19have left.
38:19Those who should stay
38:20are still here.
38:22Nana smiled,
38:23patted my hand
38:24and said nothing more.
38:33The school bell rang
38:34and children ran out of the classroom laughing.
38:36The crisp sounds of laughter
38:37came through my coheria insight.
38:39The wind blew through the porch
38:41carrying the scent
38:42of spring soil and grass.
38:45Once,
38:45I thought Sebastian
38:47was my ears.
38:50Later, I realized
38:51I myself am my own ears.
38:54I don't need anyone
38:55to hear this world for me.
38:57I stood up
38:58and walked toward the school
38:59facing the sunlight.
39:07My own wonderful life
39:09has just begun.
39:12My own wonderful life