- il y a 7 minutes
Watch my billionaire ex wasn’t invited to my wedding on Dailymotion (2026).
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00:00C'est le jour que Julien s'arrêtait un autre voiture avec sa mistress beside lui.
00:04Un pamparazzi était juste derrière sa fenêtre.
00:06Il restait un bras sur la fenêtre et a smile à la caméra.
00:09Tu as vu votre scant shot ?
00:10Go voir ma femme.
00:11Elle aime la cuire de ce genre de mess.
00:16Quand les gens apportent à Mrs. Sterling, ils ont dit le même chose.
00:20Tu viens de rien.
00:22Tout ce que tu as aujourd'hui est parce que tu m'assoissé dans la famille de Sterling.
00:25C'est la famille.
00:27No one remembered how Julien introduced me seven years ago, when he married me.
00:32This is my wife.
00:34Nobody messes with her.
00:36Back then, he stood in front of me.
00:38Now he sends the pomparazs to my door.
00:40Everyone thought I'd do what I always did.
00:42Pay off the pomparazza, kill the story, and go back to pretending Julien and I were still happy.
00:48This time, I went straight to Julien's grandfather's study.
00:53It's been three years.
00:54It's time to let me go.
00:58New York tablets had an unspoken rule.
01:01If a paparaz was short on stories by month's end, they'd go stake out Julien.
01:06He changed women every month, never hid it, and made himself easy to photograph.
01:11In that world, a man's affairs barely registered.
01:13His wife was the one expected to keep things respectable.
01:16They'd catch her husband with another woman, bring her the photos, name a price, and she'd pay.
01:22That wife was me.
01:24This one was new.
01:25First time tailing him, and he already had the nerve to knock on Julien's window.
01:28The paparazzi sent the video just as I got home from work.
01:31Mrs. Sterling, it's only $200,000. That's what one bag cost you. For $200,000, your husband's scandal disappears. It's
01:37a steal. If you're interested, call this number.
01:39In the video, Julien rolled down the window. There was a barely-dressed woman in the passenger seat. Last month,
01:45that seat belonged to a young actress on the rise.
01:47Julien's cars were usually hard to track. He switched them constantly, and his garage was full. But these past few
01:52days, he kept driving the same one, like he wanted to get caught. He beckoned the paparazzo closer.
01:56You knew? Learn how this works. Shoot it, then go to my wife. Come to me, you get nothing. You
02:03don't have my wife's number?
02:04He scribbled down a number and shoved it at the paparazzo. Then he looked at the woman beside him.
02:11Get out.
02:13Mr. Sterling, you promised me three days. It's only been a few hours, and you're already throwing me out?
02:19Julien tossed her a black card.
02:20You got caught within hours. Get out before I throw you out.
02:25I shut off the video. I didn't cry. I didn't throw my phone. I'd seen too many like it over
02:30the last three years.
02:32I sat down at the dining table. Dinner was served, one dish at a time. The hall clock struck eight.
02:38I looked up at it.
02:40Julien brought it back from France for me seven years ago.
02:42Three years ago, I made a deal with Julien's grandfather. After three years, he'd let me leave.
02:50I got into Colombia at 17. I met Julien a year later.
02:53Back then, he passed himself off as a regular student. He knew the material cold, but he played dumb so
02:58I'd tutor him every day.
02:59I thought he was actually stupid. Later, I realized he just wanted to see me every day.
03:04One time, I explained the same problem three times, and he still said he didn't get it.
03:08Then I looked up. He wasn't looking at the book. He was looking at me.
03:11Less than two weeks later, someone quietly told me who he was. The sterling heir from one of the richest
03:15families in New York.
03:17After Julien graduated, he went to Wall Street. Every night after work, he'd drive back to campus just to see
03:22me.
03:23Back then, I really did love him. We fought all the time, and we always found our way back. I
03:27tried to break up with him once.
03:29You don't get to decide who you marry. Sooner or later, your family will pick someone they approve of, and
03:33you still have the nerve to date me?
03:36Says who? If I want to marry you, I'll make it happen. I was gone a few days, and you're
03:40already trying to marry me off? You think I'm helpless?
03:43I didn't believe him. With his whole family against it, what could he possibly do?
03:48He never brought it up again. He just took over Sterling Group, step by step, until his word carried Wade
03:54at home.
03:55After I graduated, I joined Sterling Group too. I started as an intern. I trained by day, and Julien coached
04:00me after hours.
04:01By the time he brought up marriage again, he was already in control. No one in the family dared object.
04:06I married him at 25. That wedding was in every paper. One tab lead wanted the spotlight, so it went
04:13with the nastiest headline.
04:14It was meant to humiliate me. The next morning, Julien read the paper, set his water glass on top of
04:20it, and said nothing.
04:20I found out later that was the tabloids' final issue. Back then, if anyone humiliated me, he shut them down.
04:27Back then, I thought he was the one. For life.
04:30And that clock. He brought it back from France the year we got married, and it stayed in the hall
04:34ever since.
04:35Thinking through it all, piece by piece, I finally saw how deeply Julien and I had loved each other once.
04:41I just don't know how we ended up here. The elevator stopped on three. The doors opened, and Julien stepped
04:47out.
04:49Julien came in with his suit jacket over one arm. I looked up once, then went back to my dinner.
04:54A minute later, I heard his jacket hit the couch. His cologne and body heat closed in. He braced both
05:00hands on the table, boxing me in.
05:01Evening, Mrs. Sterling. Let's see what this one costs.
05:05My phone was on the table. He tapped it and opened the text.
05:10Two hundred thousand? That's one of your bags. People think my price is dropping.
05:15He was smiling. He smiled because he knew I wouldn't make a scene. I set down my fork and straightened
05:20up.
05:20I didn't lean back into him. I used to lean back when he held me like that. Now I kept
05:24a gap between us.
05:26I didn't answer him. I'm vetoing Chloe Bennett's appointment as head of PR. Just as I thought.
05:31The second he heard her name, Julien straightened up. He sat across from me, arms draped over the chair, staring
05:38out the window.
05:38You don't need to worry about her. Or do you just have a problem with her?
05:42I looked into his eyes, trying to find something of who he used to be. There was nothing.
05:46People knew Julien went through women. What they didn't know was it was all for show.
05:51Chloe was the only one he ever cared about.
05:53Three years ago, he sent her to study in Switzerland. Now she's back, and Chloe's about to walk straight into
05:58a department head job at Sterling Group.
06:00It wasn't personal. It was policy. Unless your bachelor's degree is from an Ivy League tier school, Sterling Group won't
06:06consider you.
06:06Chloe finished high school and worked at a department store cosmetics counter at 18.
06:10That school in Switzerland lets anyone in who can pay. This is business, not personal.
06:15Julien said nothing. After a long pause, a voice message played on his phone, soft and flirty.
06:22Julien, I left my panties in your car. When can I come get them?
06:26He cranked the volume so I'd hear it. It was deliberate. We were in our seventh year of marriage, and
06:32he made me listen to another woman's voice.
06:35Julien looked at me and raised the phone to his lips.
06:37You've got the wrong guy, miss.
06:39I looked at him, trying to remember what he looked like when he loved me.
06:43At first, Julien would at least admit when he was wrong.
06:46A store only holds pieces for a few on-time clients each year. Julien gave mine to Chloe.
06:52High society is a small world. I found out fast. Julien drove straight home. He laid everything out for me.
06:59His passcode, his schedule, every message.
07:02She did me a small favor. My assistant picked the gift. I'll set him straight later.
07:06That thin excuse was enough. I believed him. I had no reason not to.
07:11But that day, Chloe somehow heard that Julien and I had had a huge fight, and she knelt outside the
07:16townhouse in the rain.
07:18Mrs. Sterling! Julien and I really aren't involved! Please believe us!
07:21I was furious that day. I didn't see it then.
07:24Later, I remember Julien standing at the window, looking down at her with concern in his eyes.
07:28When a man can't bear to see a woman suffer, that can be the start of a romance.
07:32Add a wife to the picture, and it becomes dangerous.
07:34None of that was the worst of it. What came later was harder.
07:39That year, I landed in the hospital. Julien made it look like he'd sent Chloe away.
07:43In reality, he sent her to school in Switzerland.
07:46While I was in that hospital bed, he kept flying between New York and Zurich.
07:50When I found out, I was done.
07:52I went to see Julien's grandfather. He gave me three years.
07:55Today is November 27. Five days left on the three-year deadline.
08:00I looked at Julien. I was about to speak. His phone rang.
08:02I could faintly hear Chloe on the other end.
08:05My power's out. It's black, and I'm scared.
08:08Stay there. I'm coming.
08:10Julien stood up and looked at me. I swallowed the words.
08:14He walked out without looking back.
08:17Chloe was scared of the dark, so he went.
08:19Three years ago, while I was in the hospital, he flew overseas to be with her.
08:23I didn't stop him. Not three years ago, and not today.
08:28After Julien left, I drove out to the Sterling Estate.
08:31The Sterling Estate had been on Long Island for over a century.
08:34When I walked in, Julien's mother, Marian, was on the sofa, with a maid massaging her shoulders.
08:39She heard me, glanced over, then closed her eyes again.
08:43I didn't bother her. I went straight up to the study.
08:49Grandfather, the three years are up. I want to leave the Sterling family.
08:53Three years ago, the Sterling family was under pressure from every side.
08:57Julien's grandfather asked me to stay and keep both the company and the family together for three more years.
09:02If Julien still hadn't changed by then, he would let me leave.
09:05Three years ago, I cried in this room. Not today.
09:08The High Beckett chair rocked once. Then he opened his eyes and looked at me.
09:12I thought three years would be enough for you to learn to live with this.
09:15Why do you still want to leave?
09:17I said nothing. He let out a sigh.
09:19When you married into the Sterling family, you knew what came with it.
09:22Look at Marian. She had a worse temper than you, yet she held on to the title of Mrs. Sterling.
09:27Her husband fathered plenty of children outside their wearage, but none of them ever threatened her position.
09:32Julien is still the family's only heir.
09:35Do you know what protected her position?
09:38What?
09:39Because I said so. As long as I say you're Mrs. Sterling, no one can take that from you.
09:45With me behind you, those women can't touch you.
09:49I'm not talking about love. I'm talking business.
09:52You've held this family and the company together for years.
09:55Replacing you would take time and effort.
09:58Is leaving worth it? Do the math.
10:01If this were only about money, staying was the smartest choice.
10:05He was right about all of it. He just didn't know what those three years had cost me.
10:10Grandpa, if love didn't matter to me, I wouldn't be here asking you to let me go.
10:14I thought about that too. As long as I stayed Mrs. Sterling, none of those women could take my place.
10:19But I married Julian, not the title of Mrs. Sterling.
10:23I gave the two of you my blessing. And now, just a few years later, you're asking for a divorce?
10:30Let me be clear. If you leave the Sterling family, you're not coming back.
10:34Think it through before you decide.
10:39I lowered my head and went back over all seven years.
10:41I've waited three years to leave this family. He waved me off.
10:45Wrap things up. Someone will contact you when it's time.
10:48When I came downstairs, Marian was still on the sofa.
10:52I got to the door, then turned back.
10:54I won't be able to visit during the holidays anymore. I hope you stay well.
11:00Then I turned and left.
11:02First, I dealt with the story.
11:05That night, I told the Pomparasi to pick up a check the next morning.
11:08I paid to bury every part of Julian's latest scandal.
11:13A few days later, Julian texted. He was at the private club.
11:17Remembering my deal with Grandpa Sterling, I had the driver detour to pick him up.
11:21When I got there, the door was open. A crowd was playing cards.
11:25Chloe was there, too. She'd just won a hand.
11:27The man across from her started fawning over her.
11:29Mrs. Sterling, you're on a lucky streak tonight. You've been winning all night.
11:34At this rate, I'll lose the shirt off my back. Go easy on us.
11:37Mrs. Sterling. He'd called Chloe Mrs. Sterling.
11:41Chloe smiled and was just about to speak.
11:43Julian looked up and saw me in the doorway. Then he took a drag.
11:49The real Mrs. Sterling is in the doorway. Can't tell them apart? No wonder you've lost all night.
11:54The second he saw me, he shot to his feet.
11:56Mrs. Sterling!
11:59The second Chloe saw me, all the color drained from her face. Not one person in that room dared look
12:05at me.
12:06The second I saw it, I knew Julian had done it on purpose.
12:09Everything he did was meant to force me to ask for a divorce and give Chloe my place.
12:14But he'd never say the word himself.
12:16His reason was simple.
12:17She's young, naive. Fine for a fling, sure, but who'd seriously marry her?
12:22Mrs. Sterling, you're enough.
12:23I looked around the room, left the driver behind, and told him to take Julian home later.
12:28Then I gave a polite nod and walked out.
12:32I had just reached the door when Chloe stopped me.
12:35Three years ago, she was 18. Now she was only 21.
12:39She was a little out of breath, her voice thin and soft.
12:42Mrs. Sterling, I'm sorry. I never meant to break up your family.
12:46I tried to leave. I tried to forget him. I couldn't.
12:49I can't forget Julian! I love him! Please believe me! I never meant to destroy your marriage!
12:55Julian and I, we just met too late. If he'd met me back then, I'd be Mrs. Sterling now.
12:59I really am sorry. I know I owe you. I could never repay it in this lifetime.
13:04But I can't give Julian back to you. I'm sorry.
13:07She said a lot. I said nothing. I looked her over from head to toe.
13:11Three years ago, she wore $30 clothes. Now she was dressed in quiet luxury.
13:15Those shoes cost more than three years of her old salary.
13:18A poor girl marrying into money was nothing new in our circle. I used to be that girl.
13:22Now Chloe wanted her turn. I said nothing. She wasn't worth an answer.
13:26I wasn't about to preach morals to a mistress. If she had any conscience, she wouldn't be so happy being
13:30one.
13:31Divorce Julian! Just let him go!
13:33She shouted it after me. I didn't look back.
13:37Julian, you're not going after Renk? Once a woman's mad enough, she'll ask for a divorce.
13:41Would divorce be so bad, I'd be free.
13:45Julian was the last person in the Sterling family to hear that Ren wanted a divorce.
13:49Tessa was the one who told him.
13:51When is divorcing you? Grandfather has already agreed to let her leave the family.
13:56In seven years, Julian had never imagined Wett would be the first to walk away.
14:01You've got to be kidding me.
14:05Who's joking? Everyone knows but you.
14:09And come on, you've spent the last two years tearing this family apart just to get divorced.
14:13If you ask me good, get divorced.
14:17Men always end up thinking their wives are too old anyway.
14:20Julian rubbed his fray and told her to get out.
14:23Tessa grabbed her bag and nearly ran straight into Chloe on the way out.
14:27Chloe must have heard.
14:29She hadn't wiped off her smile yet.
14:32Wow.
14:33You really can't stop smiling.
14:35Keep dreaming.
14:36Grin could divorce him a hundred times and you'd still never be Mrs. Sterling.
14:40Then who does?
14:41Whoever it is, it won't be a mystess.
14:43Have some shame.
14:46Chloe watched her walk away.
14:48Julian sent her abroad to study, bought her an apartment and gave her a taste of high society.
14:52He was even divorcing Wen for her.
14:54It used to be Wen.
14:55Now it was her.
14:57If Wen could be Mrs. Sterling, why couldn't she?
15:00Three years ago, Chloe knelt at the foot of the townhouse steps and looked up at the house.
15:06Back then, she thought the Sterling's doors would open for her one day.
15:14The day the three years were up, Julian's grandfather had his attorney call me.
15:18I had all of Julian's things cleared out.
15:20Anything valuable went to his Hamptons house.
15:22I left the clock in the hall.
15:24It had hung there for seven years.
15:26I couldn't take it with me and I didn't want to.
15:28Once Julian's grandfather agreed to let me leave the family, I never got a chance to discuss the divorce with
15:34Julian.
15:35I knew he'd heard.
15:36I thought he'd come straight to me to negotiate.
15:38But days passed and he stayed in Las Vegas.
15:42Still, the Sterlings wouldn't let this drag on.
15:44Sooner or later, he'd have to come back.
15:47So I waited.
15:49Then one day, the elevator stopped on the third floor.
15:52He was finally back.
15:53Small talk was pointless.
15:55He got straight to it.
15:56If we divorce, you won't get a dime from the Sterling family.
15:58Is this just your way of getting back at me?
16:03He was right.
16:04After the divorce, I wouldn't get a cent from the Sterling family.
16:08Before we got married, Julian's grandfather had one condition.
16:12I had to sign a prenuptial agreement.
16:13If we ever divorced, I would have no claim to the Sterling family fortune.
16:17Julian refused.
16:18His grandfather wouldn't budge either.
16:20His grandfather didn't trust Julian.
16:22He would never risk tying Sterling Group's vast interest to Julian's personal life.
16:26In the end, Julian gave ground.
16:28He set up a trust for me with his own money.
16:30The trust had been created before the marriage and remained my separate property.
16:34It held cash, stocks, and real estate.
16:36Over the years, it grew to nearly $1 billion.
16:38This townhouse was part of it too.
16:41Against the Sterling family fortune, $1 billion was nothing.
16:44But back then, that was all the cash Julian could access.
16:47He gave me every cent.
16:48I wouldn't take it.
16:50He just smiled and said,
16:51A woman's real security isn't a man.
16:53It's money.
16:54Maybe I'll betray you.
16:55Money won't.
16:57Back then, I thought he was joking.
17:00Now I know every word was true.
17:03I looked at Julian and remembered how insane I used to be.
17:07That first year, I said the cruelest things.
17:10I wanted him dead.
17:11I wanted him to get run over the next time he stepped outside.
17:15He destroyed everything I believed about love.
17:18Why should he get to live like nothing happened?
17:20At my worst, I thought about driving us both off the road.
17:23If we both went to hell, at least it would end.
17:28When I came to my senses, I had one thought.
17:32Thank God we never had children.
17:34Thank God that child from three years ago was never born.
17:38I'd already screamed.
17:39I'd already gone mad.
17:40All that was left was calm.
17:43You should thank me.
17:45At least now you won't have to cheat in secret.
17:48He lit a cigarette and looked at me through the smoke.
17:51Fair enough.
17:52Thanks on Chloe's behalf.
17:54So generous making room for her.
17:55I ignored the sarcasm.
17:57The lawyers are drafting the divorce settlement.
17:59We sign in three days.
18:01I hope you...
18:01He picked up his coat and headed for the door.
18:04Whatever.
18:05The elevator doors opened.
18:07He paused and looked back at me.
18:09Went, you'll regret this.
18:10If you do, come beg me.
18:12You know I'll give in.
18:13We're still married.
18:15With me, no one comes before you.
18:16He still thought I was cellaring.
18:18He'd seen me throw a fight.
18:19He'd never seen me this quiet.
18:22Julian hadn't call in two days.
18:24On the day we were scheduled to sign the settlement, Julian didn't show.
18:28The lawyer brought the settlement Julian had already signed.
18:30An hour later, I had the divorce papers.
18:33The lawyer asked if I wanted to review the settlement one more time.
18:36I said no.
18:38Seven years of marriage.
18:40One hour to sign it away.
18:41My hand never shook.
18:43Sterling Group was handling a major deal,
18:45so we kept the divorce out of the public eye for the time being.
18:49I drove back to the Manhattan townhouse.
18:53There was an uninvited guest in my living room.
18:58I called security.
18:59He explained.
19:00She has Mr. Sterling's key card.
19:02Chloe looked at me like she belonged there.
19:04I'm here for the enamel jewelry set Julian bought at that auction.
19:07She ran a hand over the leather sofa.
19:09He said it was for me.
19:11You're hogging it.
19:12I didn't waste words on her.
19:14Get out.
19:16Wren?
19:17She didn't call me Mrs. Sterling anymore.
19:19The signed settlement had barely reached me,
19:22and she'd already dropped the title.
19:24We're both women.
19:25I know exactly what you're doing.
19:27You refused to divorce him for years,
19:30and now you suddenly ask for one?
19:33You want Julian to come crawling back.
19:36Push him away, then wait for him to chase you.
19:40That act won't fool anyone.
19:44I turned and called for Wanda.
19:46A moment later, someone came out of the kitchen.
19:49Wanda and Lydia had been with the Sterling family for years.
19:51Marion brought them from her own household.
19:54Lydia was calm and sharp.
19:56Wanda knew how to handle herself in a fight.
19:58They were Marion's two most trusted people.
20:02Back when Marion dealt with her husband's mistresses,
20:04Wanda scratched up more than a few faces.
20:07After I joined the Sterling family,
20:09Marion put Wanda at my side.
20:11Too bad I could never be bothered to make a scene.
20:13All those years, Wanda had nothing to do.
20:17Today, I let her relive her glory days.
20:20Wanda looked at me, lit up, dropped the rag, and dragged Chloe out.
20:23Ah, you psycho!
20:29Shameless little bitch.
20:30Desperate for a man already?
20:32Plenty of men in this city keep sides deuces,
20:34but none of them show up at the wife's door.
20:36Even the dump wouldn't take trash like you.
20:41I thought Chloe was just shameless.
20:43Then I saw who she was online.
20:45Chloe had a following online.
20:47She'd built herself a whole persona.
20:48In her posts, she was the poor girl chosen by some rich, powerful man.
20:52He spoiled her, taught her, and helped her climb the social ladder.
20:56People who didn't know the truth envied her.
21:01She ate it up.
21:03He showed me the world, and taught me how to navigate it.
21:06That way, even if we didn't last, I'd still know how to live well.
21:10She cast herself as Cinderella.
21:13When I came to New York at 18, I thought my future was here.
21:17I wanted to build a life here.
21:20After all those years, I found myself missing home.
21:24Once everything was settled, I went home to Ohio.
21:28Back then, it wasn't just the Sterling family against the marriage.
21:30My parents were too.
21:32Julian was the one who kept flying out, season after season,
21:35asking them to trust him with their daughter.
21:37They gave him their daughter.
21:38He made that trip for a year before my parents finally said yes.
21:41They gave him their daughter.
21:42Seven years later, she came home alone.
21:45After seeing my parents, I decided to start over in Chicago.
21:49I couldn't just sit still.
21:50After everything I'd learned and lived through, I wasn't about to waste the rest of my life.
21:57In my early years with the Sterling family, I couldn't even pick the right glass at a formal dinner.
22:03Back then, Julian stood behind me.
22:06His name carried enough weight that no one dared laugh.
22:09Back then, I thought as long as he was behind me, I had nothing to fear.
22:13But I refused to be left behind.
22:16Before long, I could hold my own among the society wives.
22:18When I was starting my company in Chicago, I still used the Sterling name, and Julian's, to open doors.
22:25It got a lot done.
22:27After seven years, I didn't owe him a thing.
22:30I used that name without apology.
22:32I had money.
22:33I had connections.
22:34In one month, I locked down every detail.
22:37And outside of work, I focused on myself.
22:41I have to admit, as terrible as that marriage was, the divorce still hurt for a long time.
22:46One night, I woke up and reached for the other side of the bed.
22:50Then I remembered he hadn't slept beside me in a long time.
22:55Seven years of marriage.
22:57The last three, I was an empty shell.
23:00Now I'm putting myself back together, piece by piece.
23:04Reading, traveling, socializing, becoming myself again.
23:09One day, my phone rang.
23:11When I answered, I heard a familiar voice.
23:13Carter, Mrs. Sterling, it's me, Carter.
23:16Mr. Sterling's drunk, and he made me call you.
23:18On the other end, I could hear faint mumbling.
23:20Tell her to come back.
23:22I glanced at the number.
23:24Carter?
23:25Yeah, Mrs. Sterling?
23:26Oh, right.
23:27Mr. Sterling wants you back in New York.
23:29When are you coming back?
23:31I didn't react.
23:32I've been busy, Carter.
23:34Forgot to block your number, too.
23:35What?
23:37Then I hung up.
23:43Call blocked.
23:44Mr. Sterling was first.
23:45I was last.
23:46Very thorough.
23:51A few days later, the office started getting strange deliveries.
23:54I opened them.
23:55Every piece was expensive.
23:56A Harry Winston diamond necklace,
23:58a Hermes lizard skin berlet,
24:00and more designer jewelry.
24:02I knew this routine.
24:04I'd seen it plenty of times before.
24:06Back then, Julian would coax me a little,
24:08and we'd make up.
24:10We were both happy.
24:12Now the act just made me sick.
24:14I checked the company books, sold the whole pile,
24:16and put the cash into the company.
24:19The deliveries kept coming for more than ten days.
24:22Then Julian showed up.
24:23At an investor's dinner,
24:25he showed up uninvited and stood in the doorway like a statue.
24:28One by one, the room rose to greet him.
24:30The wine in my glass trembled.
24:31Just once.
24:32Their eyes moved between Julian and I.
24:34No one said the word divorce.
24:38A few days earlier,
24:39Mrs. Whitmore filled me in on plenty of New York gossip.
24:42The Sterling family meant to call it an amicable divorce.
24:45Then some girl came out of nowhere and blew that up.
24:48The second Chloe heard about the divorce,
24:50she rushed online and posted a photo with Julian.
24:53It was just half his back, blurred.
24:55People still knew it was Julian.
24:57People matched years of her posts to Julian's schedule,
25:00made a chart, and it spread all over the internet.
25:03She used a burner account to fight back in the comments.
25:06People exposed that too.
25:09He doesn't even love his wife.
25:11If she couldn't keep him, whose fault is that?
25:14That's rich.
25:15He doesn't love his wife, but he loves you?
25:18That necklace you flaunted in March was made from leftover stones
25:21from the set his wife wore on their anniversary last year.
25:24Touching.
25:25Follow the money.
25:26That's where his heart is.
25:27Last year, Julian Sterling donated three million to a church in his wife's name.
25:33It just went on and on.
25:35Eventually, I couldn't be bothered to listen.
25:37Then I looked at Julian.
25:39Divorce.
25:40Cheating.
25:41None of it seemed to touch him.
25:43When a man like Julian cheats, people call him a playboy.
25:46Somehow, it only makes him more attractive.
25:48And Chloe, guilty of the same thing, had already been torn apart.
25:52The same thing makes a man a playboy and a woman shameless.
25:55Like Julian now, smiling like nothing had happened.
25:59The footsteps kept coming behind me, slow and steady.
26:02I stopped.
26:04What do you want?
26:05I don't have time for games.
26:09Julian set down his glass, unhurried as ever.
26:13You have no idea how much the press loves you.
26:16They call you strong and say the Sterling family had a woman with real backbone.
26:20They praise you while tearing me down.
26:23The day you left, Wanda stood on the third floor and screamed at me for half an hour.
26:28I figured you'd made your point.
26:30The divorce, walking out, everyone taking your side after all these years.
26:35I thought you'd be over it by now.
26:38So I came to bring you home.
26:42I knew I was angry.
26:44But standing in front of him, I felt numb.
26:47That divorce cost me three years.
26:49To him, it was just me throwing a fit.
26:52Once I cooled off, it was like none of it had happened.
26:57For one brief moment, I understood.
27:00All those years with Julian.
27:02The love.
27:02The marriage.
27:04Maybe I was the only one who ever treated it like faith.
27:07Like everything.
27:09From beginning to end, I was the only one left devastated.
27:14Julian made vows at the altar too.
27:16But I don't think he ever believed marriage meant loving only one person.
27:22Once I saw it clearly, I turned away and wiped away my tears.
27:27After the divorce, this was the first time I'd cried in front of him.
27:33Divorcing you means this, Julian.
27:35From now on, we're nothing to each other.
27:36You think divorce is a game?
27:38I never used our marriage to play games.
27:40And I don't regret this.
27:41Not now.
27:42Not ever.
27:44He grabbed my wrist like my anger meant nothing.
27:46Fine.
27:47I'm the one who regrets it, okay?
27:49I brought up divorce too soon.
27:51These last two months without you, I'm not used to it.
27:54Not used to it.
27:55After seven years, that was all he had.
27:57I'd had enough.
27:59I slapped him hard.
28:00The crack echoed down the path.
28:02Julian's face snapped to the side.
28:04He touched the spot I'd hit.
28:06Feel better now?
28:07If not, hit me again.
28:08When you're done being mad, come back to New York with me.
28:12I always cooled off before.
28:14He thought this time would be the same.
28:16He was still waiting for me to cool off.
28:18I didn't hit him again.
28:19I left.
28:21Who knows what got into Julian.
28:23Every few days he'd fly to Chicago.
28:25No more women.
28:26Not even Chloe.
28:28It was like without me, none of it excited him anymore.
28:31Even the affair lost its thrill.
28:33I ignored him.
28:35When I got some time off, I took the Montana trip I'd planned.
28:38I was tired of the city.
28:40Tired of the non-stop messages.
28:42Sometimes you need open country.
28:44I chose a ranch.
28:45Wind.
28:46Sunlight.
28:47Prairie.
28:47A lake.
28:48Life moved slowly there.
28:50To my surprise, I ran into Tessa there.
28:53She clearly wasn't expecting me either.
28:55She got awkward, then said hello anyway.
28:57It wasn't exactly charming.
28:59You look a lot better without my cousin.
29:01My hat was over my face, so my voice came out muffled.
29:05Thanks.
29:06She dropped into a chair and never shut up.
29:08She told me everything the Stirlers had been up to lately.
29:12For the next two days, Tessa followed me everywhere.
29:16I thought she was there to make Julian's case.
29:18Oh, please.
29:20You're giving me too little credit.
29:21If he can't get you back, that's his problem.
29:25I'm not getting involved.
29:29A few days later, Julian turned up in Montana too.
29:32He just wouldn't stay gone.
29:34There he was in a suit outside the cattle pen, completely out of place.
29:38With Tessa right there, I didn't bother being polite.
29:40I let him have it and walked away.
29:43He didn't leave.
29:44Tessa told me later he stood outside that fence until dark.
29:49Julian.
29:51What?
29:52If you're sick, see a doctor.
29:54Don't come all the way to Montana just to stare at cows.
30:00I never planned to spend the rest of my life alone.
30:03When work gets to be too much, I look for a pretty young man to keep me company.
30:08Leo was a new face at an entertainment company I invested in.
30:12Sweet, beautiful.
30:13I made an exception and kept him close.
30:16The minute Julian heard I was seeing someone, he took a red eye to Chicago.
30:20He looked calm.
30:22Then he gave his verdict.
30:23Pretty boy.
30:24Smooth talker.
30:25Then he flew straight back to New York.
30:26Leo wasn't rattled.
30:27He leaned against my shoulder, all innocence.
30:29He called me pretty.
30:30And smooth.
30:36On the phone, Julian had that tone like he was the only one who saw things clearly.
30:41Use your head.
30:42He's 20.
30:43He's after your money and connections.
30:45You really think it's love?
30:46How was I supposed to tell him that was the best case scenario?
30:49I stopped believing in love a long time ago.
30:52All I have now is money.
30:53These days, I'd rather a man talk to me about money and connections than love.
30:58The next time Julian flew to Chicago, he saw a different man beside me.
31:02His brow twitched.
31:04New one already?
31:05Leo had everything going for him.
31:07He just wasn't honest.
31:09At first, I thought he was a nobody.
31:11A rookie.
31:12I felt sorry for him, so I backed him.
31:15Then I found out he was in Ashford.
31:18Old Chicago money.
31:19A rich kid playing at show business, and he thought I'd be stupid enough to buy it.
31:24Why would I let that slide?
31:26The day I ended it, he looked so wounded, standing there soaked.
31:30If I'd told you I came from money, you wouldn't have looked at me twice.
31:33That's not the point.
31:35Whatever the reason, nothing between two people should start with a lie.
31:39I'd already misjudged one man for seven years.
31:42That was enough.
31:43He was upset, hurt.
31:44I was calm like I'd passed on some minor investment.
31:47There was no shortage of pretty, obedient men.
31:49Lose one, and there were plenty more.
31:53I gave Julian a gracious nod.
31:55The last one didn't know how to behave, so I found one who does.
31:59Somehow, we could talk this calmly, like the divorce and everything that shattered had happened.
32:03In another life.
32:04Julian's brow eased.
32:06He stayed perfectly calm as he gave his verdict.
32:08He's good looking.
32:09That's all.
32:10He looked smug.
32:11Like he was thinking, go ahead, Win.
32:13Have your fun.
32:14You don't mean it.
32:15After me, you'd really settle for that?
32:18This one lasted a while.
32:20Long enough for Julian to keep pushing me to end it.
32:23Why are you still with him?
32:25Still so sure of himself.
32:27So far above it all.
32:29Like this was just me acting out, and it'd pass.
32:31What the hell is wrong with you?
32:33Yeah.
32:34Love sick.
32:35I ignored it.
32:36Hounding your ex-wife after the divorce is just embarrassing.
32:41Sometimes he'd call from a new number in the middle of the night, just to ask when I was
32:45coming back to New York.
32:47Maybe people are less guarded at night.
32:49His late night apologies sounded a little more sincere.
32:52Not like the hollow ones during the day.
32:54A few times, his voice shook.
32:56Wren, I regret it.
32:58I didn't hang up.
32:59I let him finish, then put the phone down.
33:02If he'd said that three years ago, I would have cried.
33:05Now I felt nothing.
33:07By morning, he was acting like nothing had happened.
33:09Every now and then, his mother would call.
33:12Her tone was always flat.
33:14Julian's hurt.
33:15Are you coming to New York to see him?
33:17Before I could answer, she kept going.
33:20Or not.
33:21He won't die.
33:22His life was no longer my concern.
33:25My life was back on track.
33:27The company was growing.
33:28I had close friends and a man I enjoyed being with.
33:31No more sleepless nights.
33:34For a long time after that, Julian and I stayed in something neither of us could quite name.
33:40If he wanted to fly to Chicago or back to New York, that was his business.
33:44I didn't interfere.
33:46I knew what he was waiting for.
33:48He was waiting for me to come to my senses one day, turn around and go back to him.
33:54But Julian, I'm never going back.
34:00After Sterling Group's year-end gala, Julian drove out to the Sterling Estate on Long Island.
34:05He walked into the main hall.
34:07It was still dim and damp, as if sunlight had never reached it.
34:14He never liked the estate.
34:16The place he loved was the Manhattan townhouse they lived in after the wedding.
34:20When Rec left, she sold the townhouse.
34:22He bought it back, but it never felt the same.
34:26The clock was still hanging in the hall.
34:27It had already stopped by the time he bought the house back, and he never had it fixed.
34:33For two years, he flew between New York and Chicago, shamelessly keeping tabs on Rec.
34:38She was completely free now.
34:41Sometimes she'd disappear without warning, and he couldn't find her anywhere.
34:44They had been together since Rec was 18.
34:46Back then, she was sweet, all wide eyes and earnest affection.
34:51Even when she got upset, she was easy to plainst.
34:54Sometimes he didn't even have to try.
34:57She'd talk herself around, wrap her arms around his waist, and warn him, trying to sound fierce but not convincing
35:03anyone.
35:05If you do this again, I won't forgive you so easily.
35:08That was all it took for him to do it again, and again.
35:11He was never afraid when she got mad.
35:14If she fought, she still cared.
35:16What scared him was when she didn't.
35:19He had never imagined Wen could leave him so completely.
35:23For two years, she'd avoided him.
35:25Yet on holidays, she called his mother.
35:28When he couldn't find Wen, he went to see Marion.
35:31He lounged against the sofa, head bound, absolutely rolling Marion's rosary through his fingers.
35:36It was Marion's rosary, worn smooth by her hands.
35:40He didn't believe in God.
35:41In his hands, it was just a toy.
35:44Whenever Marion caught him doing that, she frowned.
35:47Ever since Wen left, she'd been looking at him that way a lot.
35:50But this time, Marion sat down and said nothing.
35:53She set an invitation on the table.
35:55Not the plain white kind their crowd favored.
35:57This one was covered in glitter and tied with ribbon.
36:01Gorgie.
36:01Julian glanced at the invitation and casually used it to start a conversation.
36:05Whose invitation is that?
36:07Marion looked at him, surprised.
36:09Reitz.
36:09She's getting married.
36:11You didn't know?
36:13Julian froze.
36:14Then he bent down and touched it.
36:15It was just a thin card.
36:17He didn't open it.
36:18Marion read his face and took the invitation from his hand.
36:21I see.
36:22You weren't invited.
36:23As she pulled it away, one corner lifted.
36:26Wen's name flashed before his eyes.
36:28Marion went to the stairs and Lydia helped her up.
36:31From the upstairs hall, they looked down.
36:33Julian still hadn't moved, sunk in the half light.
36:37How did it get this bad?
36:39Two days ago, he told me Wen had finally softened toward him.
36:42Said Lydia, she still has feelings for me.
36:45Grown man, happy as a kid.
36:47Don't waste your sympathy on him.
36:49Wen's in Chicago, she doesn't know.
36:52But you do.
36:53When she was dating, you think he was alone?
36:56Julian didn't move for a long time.
36:58He sat there, numb.
37:00He thought there was an understanding between him and Wen.
37:03No matter how bad it got, neither of them would ever really love anyone else.
37:07So when they divorced, he didn't think it meant much.
37:10Couples split and make up all the time.
37:12So when she dated other men, he looked down on every one of them.
37:16They were just distractions.
37:18Sooner or later, she'd get tired of it and come back.
37:21Divorced or remarried, he thought he'd be tied to Wen for life.
37:26He thought Wreck would always be his.
37:28Today, he finally understood she hadn't been for a long time.
37:31At some point, Ween had already moved on from that marriage.
37:35He was the only one who still thought Wren loved him.
37:38Marian took the invitation upstairs.
37:40He had nothing left in his hand.
37:41Seven years ago, he shut down a tabloid over one headline that humiliated her.
37:47Today, his name wasn't on her invitation.
37:50He started to hate her.
37:53He had no one but himself to blame.
37:55And he still couldn't let her go.
37:57and he had no one.
37:57He was the only one.
37:57Can't wait, don't you?
37:57I ran into a car.
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