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00:00Brides trade bouquets.
00:01In Ethan's family, they trade brides.
00:03Our cars pulled up window to window.
00:05Cleo leaned out, kissed my fiancé on the cheek in front of everyone we knew.
00:10I'm borrowing your groom.
00:11The street erupted.
00:13Why stop there, Cleary?
00:14Might as well swap the wedding night too.
00:17Those two grew up together.
00:19Put him with anyone else and he wouldn't sleep.
00:21Everyone laughing.
00:22I sat in the bridal car, watching Ethan through the glass.
00:25Waiting.
00:26Just today.
00:27I thought.
00:27Just once.
00:28Pick me.
00:28He took my hand instead, the way he always did when he was smoothing me over.
00:32Nora, we don't break tradition.
00:34Something in me quit.
00:36The old me would have made a scene.
00:37I slid my hand out of his, turned, and took Grant's arm in the other car.
00:41Into a street full of open mouths, I said quietly,
00:44Let's go, fiancé.
00:45They all say it's tradition.
00:47Fine.
00:47Have your tradition before we pull away.
00:50Hold on!
00:51I turned.
00:51He'd remembered I was the bride.
00:53He reached past me and took the spare boutonniere off the seat.
00:56Cleo side a short one.
01:00The window and saw a bottle of grape juice on the seat.
01:04Still warm.
01:05Bought minutes ago.
01:07I stopped so somebody remembered.
01:09I don't drink bitter things and I don't like them cold.
01:12Three years.
01:13Ethan brought me only one thing.
01:15A black iced Americano.
01:17I told him a lot of times.
01:18He always said the right words back.
01:20Next time, same cup.
01:22My phone buzzed.
01:23Ethan.
01:23Don't overthink it.
01:24The switch is just tradition.
01:26You know nothing could ever happen with her.
01:29Years ago, Cleo mentioned offhand that she liked something.
01:33The job I'd already negotiated, the good one, became an opportunity to hand over to her.
01:38He'd said it the same way then.
01:40She needs it more than you do.
01:42Then the engagement ring.
01:44Cleo said it out loud I gave.
01:46The phone buzzed again.
01:47Cleo photo.
01:48Head tilted onto Ethan's shoulder.
01:50He hadn't moved away.
01:52Just tradition.
01:53You won't mind, right?
01:55I looked at it for a few seconds and felt nothing at all.
01:58Before I could answer, Ethan again.
02:00It's Cleo's first wedding.
02:02She's nervous.
02:02Don't hold it against her.
02:04Keep your distance from Grant at the ceremony.
02:06No vows, no rings, no kissing.
02:07If it comes to it, go hide and come out after.
02:10And you?
02:15Too many people here.
02:16I can't humiliate her.
02:18You've always been the reasonable one.
02:20Take the hit.
02:20Reasonable?
02:21I'd been hearing that word for years.
02:25I didn't answer.
02:26Shut off the screen.
02:27Cleo's last messages got through first.
02:30When Ethan fixed my veil, he almost knocked my earring out.
02:33Same as when we were kids.
02:34Clumsy hands.
02:35In case I'd somehow missed how much history they had,
02:37I looked down and blocked her too.
02:40Finally quiet.
02:41The car stopped.
02:42I looked up at the welcome sign outside the hotel.
02:45The photo on the easel wasn't me and Ethan.
02:47It was me and Grant.
02:49A beat.
02:50Then I understood.
02:51By the Lowell tradition, the portraits got swapped too.
02:54I'd made such an ugly scene that they'd grudgingly shot one set of each.
02:58All that.
02:59And this was the set they put out front.
03:01I'd pulled off the engagement ring that had never fit.
03:04Cleo's leftover.
03:06Time to give it back.
03:07I pushed the door open and got out.
03:09Grant stood to the side.
03:11He didn't rush me and he didn't ask if I regretted it.
03:14I put my hand in his.
03:16Let's go in.
03:17We'll miss the hour.
03:18I stepped down and my foot screamed.
03:20I almost went over.
03:21The bridal shoes were a size six.
03:23My feet are a size eight.
03:27The original pair was made for me.
03:29To my taste.
03:30By Ethan.
03:31A year of work.
03:32And then Cleo said she liked them.
03:34He left me these.
03:35Afterward, he'd comforted me.
03:36Cleo gave you hers too.
03:38Don't keep score.
03:40They're shoes.
03:41I'll buy you as many as you want later.
03:43I looked down at my feet and almost laughed.
03:46Noise outside.
03:47I went to the window.
03:48Cars parked below.
03:49The welcome sign.
03:50The florals.
03:51The aisle runner.
03:52The bouquets.
03:53Carried out piece by piece and loaded up.
03:55Someone downstairs couldn't take it.
03:58Mr. Lloyd says the reception here is canceled.
04:02Everything moves to the other venue.
04:03Dress, veil, jewelry go too.
04:06Tell the bride to change out of the gown.
04:08You don't think that's a little far?
04:09The man didn't blink.
04:10If it's a switch, switch it all the way.
04:12Mr. Lowey's exact words.
04:14My phone rang.
04:15Ethan already talking.
04:18N-O-R-A.
04:18Come over here.
04:19Cleo loves your veil.
04:21Bring the jewelry I bought you.
04:23All of it gets switched.
04:25Hurry.
04:26We're losing our slot.
04:26I watched them haul my wedding out the door.
04:29My slot doesn't count as a slot?
04:33He paused, recovered fast.
04:36Don't start.
04:37Today's special.
04:38Give a little.
04:39Someone beside him chimed in.
04:42Half an hour.
04:43It's not here by then.
04:44Forget about signing anything with Ethan.
04:46I gripped the phone.
04:48Ethan, I'm a bride today too.
04:51Two seconds of silence.
04:52Same entitled tone.
04:54You bring it yourself.
04:55Everybody saves face.
04:56Besides, there's no reason for you and Grant to have a ceremony at all.
04:59When I'm done here, we'll go sign.
05:01Cleo's message landed.
05:04Nora, I love your veil.
05:05Ethan came with me to pick mine and I fell for yours the second I saw it.
05:08Be careful with it.
05:09Don't damage it.
05:10I stared at it, hung up on him, blocked them both.
05:13Then I took off the veil.
05:14The jewelry.
05:15The dress came off too.
05:16They wanted it.
05:17They could have it.
05:19Noe's downstairs again.
05:21Someone rolled in a big screen and shouted up at the window.
05:25Miss Quinn, Mr. Lowe was worried you wouldn't make it over.
05:28He's having us stream the ceremony for you.
05:30He wants you to witness his wedding.
05:35Green lit up and I recognized it instantly.
05:37Every detail was mine.
05:39I chose all of it.
05:40They were still carrying things out of here and the other side was already set.
05:44Everyone downstairs knew their job.
05:46Clean assignments.
05:47No confusion.
05:47I stood there and laughed out loud.
05:49A last minute switch they'd had planned for weeks.
05:52Switch my groom.
05:52Switch everything that was mine.
05:54Including me.
05:55On the aisle, Ethan looked at Cleo like a man in love.
05:58I thought about the rehearsal.
05:59Same aisle.
06:00Same spot.
06:01I'd walked a little slow and he'd frowned and pushed me along.
06:04Faster.
06:05It's a rehearsal.
06:06Now he'd stand there and wait for a different bride.
06:08While I was staring, they'd started exchanging rings.
06:11I'd seen that ring once.
06:12Then Ethan took it away.
06:15I'll hold on to it.
06:16I'll bring it out on the day.
06:17I thought he was afraid I'd lose it.
06:19That he cared.
06:20It wasn't care.
06:20The ring was always going on someone else's hand.
06:25The side was loud.
06:27The guests were egging them on.
06:28Kiss her!
06:29Kiss her!
06:30Cleo ducked her head shy.
06:32Ethan lifted her chin and kissed her.
06:38I watched without a single tear.
06:40I picked up my phone and called Grant.
06:43Push the ceremony back a few minutes.
06:44Come up now.
06:45Okay.
06:46Grant came in with a new gown and new shoes.
06:48The dress I'd loved most.
06:49At the fitting, I'd picked that one.
06:51Ethan called it too showy and switched me to the plain white.
06:55All the way around.
06:56And it was in front of me again.
06:57I stood and took it.
07:01Let's start.
07:03Let's start.
07:05The other reception.
07:07Ethan worked the room with a champagne flute, barely there.
07:10He kept staring at the blocked number.
07:12Brows drawn.
07:13Eyelid twitching.
07:14Cleo had to say his name twice.
07:17Ethan.
07:19Ethan.
07:20What are you spacing out for?
07:22Your aunt's called you about five times.
07:24He's over the moon.
07:25He finally got to marry you.
07:26Then she let it slip.
07:28We all thought he was in love with Nora.
07:30He hid it so well.
07:33So you liked me this much all along?
07:35Some part of Ethan knew this wasn't how it should have gone.
07:38The noise around him put the thought down fast.
07:41Look at you.
07:42How could I hand you to anyone else?
07:43Better keep you.
07:45When Nara brings the veil and sees we've already done the ceremony, you think she'll be upset?
07:48I bet she'll be devastated.
07:50Everyone knows she's crazy about you.
07:52Ethan took her hand.
07:53Forget her.
07:54Today's about you.
07:56I was standing in front of Grant.
07:58Miss Quint, do you take Mr. Shaw to be your husband in sickness and in health?
08:02The world went quiet.
08:04Everyone waiting on me.
08:06I smiled.
08:07I do.
08:11Over there, Ethan's ceremony had wrapped.
08:13Guests gone.
08:15Nothing had arrived from me.
08:16He called the staff he'd sent over.
08:21Why hasn't the bride come?
08:22We moved everything, exactly as instructed.
08:24She should be changing out of the gown.
08:26We'll bring it shortly.
08:27She didn't make a scene?
08:28No.
08:29Very cooperative.
08:31The answer he wanted, and it didn't land right.
08:34Cleo saw the knot in his forehead.
08:36Ethan, don't worry.
08:38She'll bring it.
08:42Unless...
08:43Unless what?
08:45Unless she actually went through with a ceremony with Grant.
08:48Impossible.
08:49There's nothing between them.
08:51Even if they did, it's the tradition.
08:53Nora only wants to marry me.
08:54Where he couldn't see, Cleo smiled to herself.
08:57Then, careful.
08:59So she saw the stream.
09:00Think she's angry?
09:02He stroked her hair.
09:03Stop worrying.
09:04I'll smooth her over.
09:05She won't stay mad at you.
09:07Someone came toward them across the room.
09:09Ethan started in before he could see who.
09:11Why did that take so long?
09:12It's a wedding.
09:13Can you take it seriously?
09:14The man got close.
09:16Ethan stared.
09:18Where is she?
09:22Mrs. Quinn asked me to return these.
09:25Vial, gown, jewelry.
09:27The ring, Ethan's pupils shrank.
09:30Her ceremony is over.
09:32Mrs. Shaw went home with Mr. Shaw.
09:35You're lying!
09:36Those were her words, I swear.
09:38Don't panic.
09:40Call her.
09:42He had his phone out fast.
09:43Calls wouldn't connect.
09:44Messages wouldn't send.
09:46He texted me from a second number.
09:48Didn't you want to sign with me?
09:50Clerk's office tomorrow.
09:51I'll be there.
09:54Just finished a wedding.
09:56I was flat on my back in the hotel suite, staring at the ceiling.
09:59The door opened.
10:00Grant.
10:00He'd brought me comfortable clothes and a pair of flats.
10:03Get out of the gown.
10:04These will feel better.
10:06The dress was beautiful.
10:07It was also genuinely heavy and miserable.
10:09I reached for the clothes.
10:11He was still in his full suit.
10:12Thanks.
10:13You should change too.
10:16It's fine.
10:18I want to wear it a while longer.
10:21After I'd rested, I carried the gown bag out
10:23and waited at the entrance for Grant to bring the car.
10:26I looked up, Ethan and Cleo rushing toward me,
10:29both still in their wedding clothes.
10:30He saw I was alone and let out a breath he couldn't explain.
10:34Nora, you took this too far.
10:35I looked at him, lost.
10:36He saw the bag.
10:38You blocked me so I'd worry and drop Clee and come find you, right?
10:41Happy now?
10:42I looked at him coldly.
10:45Sure.
10:46Not my problem.
10:47He frowned and kept going.
10:49It's a veil.
10:51You wouldn't even bring it.
10:55You never used to be like this.
10:56No.
10:57All I ever did was take it.
10:58Cleo stepped up and snatched the bag out of my hand,
11:01took the skin off my knuckles,
11:05dug out my gown and complained to Ethan.
11:07Ethan, she never sent the veil or the jewelry.
11:09That box was a fake.
11:11She said all that so you'd worry.
11:13I bent to pick the gown up.
11:14It had to go back to the shop.
11:16His shoe came down on it and on my hand.
11:18Nora, since when do you lie?
11:20If you didn't want to bring it, say so.
11:22Don't go around the houses.
11:25I held on through it and looked at him, cold as ice.
11:29Get your foot off me.
11:31He saw my hand then, red and swelling,
11:33and pulled back fast, starting to apologize.
11:36I picked up the gown and bagged it.
11:37Then I pulled the veil out of Cleo's hands.
11:41Cleo!
11:42She let herself drop and looked up at me,
11:44the picture of the rond.
11:46Nora, do you hate me that much?
11:51Ethan rushed to help her up,
11:52looked at me, disappointed.
11:54I never thought you could be this vicious.
11:56What has she ever done to you?
11:57Is any of this necessary?
11:59He saw the bag I'd just packed,
12:00tore it out of my hands,
12:02threw it on the ground.
12:03One cheap veil?
12:04Worth all this?
12:05Greedy.
12:06You've changed.
12:07You've gotten greedy.
12:08I barely recognize you.
12:09A whole day of it had turned my legs to water.
12:11The Force sent me sideways,
12:13too late to catch myself.
12:15Someone got there first.
12:17You okay?
12:18Grant.
12:19I'm fine.
12:21I'm sorry.
12:22I didn't know you'd fall.
12:23I laughed at myself.
12:25There's a lot you don't know.
12:27Once I was steady,
12:28Grant kicked Ethan down onto his knees
12:30and pinned his hand under his shoe.
12:34Sorry.
12:35Didn't know your hand was there.
12:39Signaled him to let up and looked at the gown,
12:42ruined now, on the ground.
12:43Grant took my hand and led me away,
12:45gentle.
12:48If you like it that much,
12:49we'll go buy another one right now.
12:52You walk out with him
12:53and I'll sign with Cleo tomorrow.
12:55You're my brother,
12:56but you don't have to play along with her
12:57on my account.
12:58Grant turned his head,
12:59contemptuous.
13:01This isn't on your account.
13:03Ethan started to ask something.
13:05The woman in his arms cut him off.
13:07Ethan,
13:08I twisted my ankle.
13:10He had to drop it.
13:11He carried her to the car.
13:16Early the next morning,
13:17Grant and I were ready
13:18and at the clerk's office.
13:20You bring everything?
13:21Relax.
13:22I've had it ready for ages.
13:24Signing took under half an hour.
13:26I looked at the certificate,
13:27still warm in my hands.
13:28A few seconds later,
13:29the man beside me took it
13:30and put it in his pocket.
13:32I'll hold on to it.
13:34Don't want you losing it.
13:36Grant and I walked out
13:37and there was Ethan.
13:43I didn't want to deal with him.
13:45I pulled Grant sideways to go around.
13:48Ethan watched us come out
13:49of the clerk's office
13:50and got a bad feeling.
13:51Then he remembered I loved him.
13:53Publicly,
13:54notoriously.
13:55The feeling went away.
13:57He sighed at me like I was a child.
13:59Stop playing hard to get.
14:01He glanced at Grant.
14:02You're my brother,
14:03Grant.
14:04You're going to help her wind me up?
14:05I'm not falling for it.
14:07The gall of him
14:08actually made me laugh.
14:10I just signed with Grant.
14:12Believe it or don't.
14:14Grant saw I was angry
14:15and put on a wounded voice.
14:17Nora,
14:18I don't have a brother like him.
14:19Ethan was livid.
14:21Then he cooled,
14:22looked us both over,
14:23and dismissed it.
14:25Stop lying to me.
14:27You're not even holding a certificate.
14:28I know you want to marry me.
14:30I brought my paperwork today.
14:31Come over here,
14:32apologize to clear for yesterday,
14:33and I'll sign with you right now.
14:37Cleo got out of a cab,
14:39walked to him,
14:40took his arm.
14:41Ethan,
14:41what are you doing
14:42at the clerk's office so early?
14:44Oh,
14:45Nora's here too.
14:46Her face changed.
14:47She started crying quietly.
14:49You can hate me.
14:50I won't hold it against you.
14:52Just don't guilt Ethan into things,
14:54please.
14:55I looked straight at him,
14:57curious what he'd say.
14:58He said nothing which said it.
15:00Cleo gasped and collapsed
15:02into his arms.
15:03Ethan,
15:04my leg still hurts.
15:06I think Nora twisted it
15:07when she pushed me yesterday.
15:09He caught her
15:09and turned on me,
15:10hard.
15:11Nora,
15:12apologize to her,
15:13now,
15:14or you can forget
15:14about marrying me at all.
15:16I took the thing
15:16out of Grant's bag
15:17and held it up.
15:19You think you still have a shot?
15:24Ethan looked at
15:25the marriage certificate
15:26and didn't believe
15:26a word of it.
15:27He scoffed.
15:29Nora,
15:29how many times
15:30are you going to run this?
15:32You think I'll believe
15:33a novelty certificate
15:34with your photos
15:35flewed on?
15:36He glanced at it again.
15:38I'll give you this one.
15:39It's more convincing
15:40than last time.
15:42Nora,
15:43why bother?
15:44All this staging
15:45just to lie to Ethan?
15:47Grant laced his fingers
15:48through mine,
15:49lifted our hands
15:50in front of them,
15:51smug.
15:52You two are blind.
15:53Look at the rings.
15:58Last night,
15:59back home,
15:59Grant told me
16:00he was in love with me.
16:01He'd had that ring
16:02for three years.
16:03Every year,
16:04he found a new excuse
16:05to size my finger.
16:06I'd once said offhand
16:08to Ethan
16:08that I wanted a ring
16:09engraved forever.
16:11Grant filed it away.
16:12I'd be lying
16:13if I said it didn't get to me.
16:14Ethan's face dropped.
16:16He started to speak.
16:17Cleo cut in.
16:18Grant,
16:18honestly,
16:19you're his best friend.
16:21How can you humor her
16:22like this?
16:23You really didn't need
16:24to buy plastic rings
16:25for the bit.
16:27Ethan's expression
16:28went darker.
16:30Look at the two of you.
16:32My fiancé
16:33and my brother
16:34teaming up
16:34to lie to my face.
16:36Grant had had enough
16:37and moved to handle him.
16:38I squeezed his hand.
16:39I haven't lied to anyone.
16:41Next to Cleo's technique,
16:42I'm an amateur.
16:46Ethan started to push.
16:48Cleo's voice
16:49cracked over him.
16:50Don't you dare
16:51smear me.
16:52I know you're jealous
16:54that Ethan favors me.
16:55That's not a reason.
16:56Ethan's first instinct
16:57was to defend her.
17:00Nora,
17:00you've disappointed me.
17:01I'm not signing
17:02with you today.
17:03Go home and think
17:04about what you've done.
17:05I said it flatly.
17:06Who wants leftovers?
17:08You.
17:09Ethan glared at me,
17:10took Cleo,
17:11and left.
17:11Grant wrapped his arms
17:12around me,
17:13aggrieved.
17:14Hey.
17:15Nora,
17:16why'd you stop me?
17:17Do you still like him?
17:19The guy who makes
17:20every woman in the room
17:20feel special?
17:21You promised me a chance
17:22last night.
17:24Since the confession
17:25I'd learned the aloof act
17:26was all fake,
17:27and he'd gotten clingy
17:28on top of it,
17:29I reassured him.
17:34He got his phone out
17:40and took a photo
17:41with his cheek
17:41against mine.
17:44Nora,
17:45I want to post this.
17:46I smacked his shoulder.
17:48You already took it,
17:49now you ask?
17:50He took that as a yes
17:51and posted it.
17:52Thrilled,
17:52cap it.
17:53Married the girl
17:53I've been in love with
17:54for three years.
17:58That night he drank
17:59too much,
17:59held me,
18:00and sobbed.
18:01I should've taken you
18:02sooner.
18:03If it weren't for him,
18:04our kid would be
18:05in elementary school
18:06by now.
18:06I didn't know
18:07whether to laugh.
18:08It's not too late.
18:10We packed the next morning
18:12and left for our honeymoon.
18:13Meanwhile,
18:14Shaw Holdings
18:15was squeezing
18:15Ethan's company.
18:16He was in his corner office,
18:18buried.
18:19Then some impulse
18:20made him open his phone
18:21and check web.
18:22He saw us go public.
18:23He couldn't believe it.
18:25Holding on to a thread of hope,
18:27hands shaking,
18:28he texted me first.
18:29Did you two actually get married?
18:31Are you lying to me again?
18:33No answer.
18:34He panicked
18:35and sent another.
18:36Fine,
18:36fine,
18:37I forgive you.
18:38We'll go sign tomorrow.
18:39I promise.
18:41He never spoke to me
18:42without sounding like
18:43he was doing me a favor.
18:44Like marrying him
18:45was an achievement.
18:46I didn't answer.
18:48I turned off my phone
18:49and boarded the plane
18:50with Grant.
18:51Nothing came back.
18:52He kicked the office door.
18:59Cleo had just come in.
19:00She heard it
19:01and went to settle him.
19:03Ethan,
19:03don't be upset.
19:05Maybe Nara's just the type
19:06who gets around.
19:07She read his face
19:08and pushed further.
19:10I saw ages ago
19:11that she and your brother
19:12were involved.
19:13I didn't say anything
19:14because I didn't want to hurt you.
19:15This time,
19:16he didn't believe her first.
19:17He turned it back on her.
19:20She said you were lying?
19:21What have you been hiding from me?
19:23Cleo forced herself steady.
19:25Her eyes wandered.
19:26I never lie.
19:28And why would I bother
19:29lying to you?
19:30Now he believed me instead
19:32and pressed her.
19:33You don't tell me
19:33I'll find out myself.
19:34With his resources,
19:36he could.
19:36Cleo saw the bluff collapsing
19:38and gave up a piece of it.
19:40It was one job.
19:42I wasn't unemployed.
19:43I just wanted to mess with her.
19:44I didn't expect you
19:45to hand me her job.
19:46I was scared you'd be angry
19:47so I never told you.
19:51Ethan went white.
19:52He knew how hard
19:53I'd fought for that job.
19:55For weeks,
19:55I was up every night,
19:56too anxious to sleep.
19:58He'd watched it happen.
19:59And what did he do?
20:01Believed Cleo
20:02and took it from me.
20:03He swayed and caught
20:04the edge of the desk.
20:05Regret in his eyes
20:06and the fury of a man
20:08who'd been played.
20:09Why would you do that?
20:10Do you know what
20:11that job meant to her?
20:12Cleo didn't see the problem.
20:14It's a job.
20:15She can get another one.
20:18Ethan's voice tore,
20:19his eyes rimmed red.
20:22No.
20:23You don't get it.
20:25You don't know how long
20:26she worked for it.
20:27Cleo still hadn't understood
20:28how bad this was.
20:29Come on,
20:30it's over and done.
20:31I said I'm sorry.
20:32Ethan pointed at the door.
20:34Get out.
20:37A month later,
20:38Grant and I came home.
20:39That month gave me
20:40back to myself.
20:41Every day was good.
20:42We got to the door
20:43and found somebody waiting.
20:45A month,
20:45and Ethan had gotten thin.
20:47There was nothing left of him.
20:48He looked at me,
20:49full of feeling.
20:50Nora,
20:51I know everything now.
20:53He moved to hold me.
20:54Grant blocked him.
20:55Grant glared at him,
20:56bristling.
20:57She's my wife.
20:59You want to hold someone?
21:00Go hold Cleoley.
21:02First day back
21:03and we run into you.
21:04Great luck.
21:05Seeing him made Ethan angrier.
21:08You don't get to talk
21:09to me like that.
21:11You were my brother
21:12and you turned her against me
21:13and took her.
21:14I laughed,
21:15cold,
21:15and took Grant's hand
21:17to settle him.
21:18The words were for Ethan.
21:20Still shameless?
21:22Still never your fault?
21:23Ethan stared at our locked hands
21:25and explained himself,
21:26wounded.
21:27Nora,
21:28I know Cleo lied to me.
21:29The job was me
21:30misreading her.
21:31I trusted her too easily.
21:32I promise I'll believe you
21:33from now on.
21:34I'll never let you suffer again.
21:35Everything I suffered
21:36came from you.
21:37I ignored the collapse
21:38spreading over his face
21:39and laid it all out.
21:41That's all Cleo told you?
21:43The job,
21:44the ring,
21:45the shoes,
21:46and the switch.
21:47Which one of those
21:47didn't have you in it?
21:48You led most of them.
21:53Ethan's eyes went red.
21:54He waved a hand,
21:56trying to explain,
21:56and nothing came out.
21:58Let me do it for you.
21:59Remembering it still hurt.
22:01I ached for who I'd been.
22:03Grant held my shoulder tight.
22:04His hand around mine
22:05was dry and warm.
22:06I took a breath.
22:08You want to say
22:09it was tradition?
22:10That you had no choice?
22:11He grabbed it.
22:12Yes.
22:13That was never
22:14what I wanted.
22:15If I'd known
22:16it would cost me you,
22:17I never would have done it.
22:18I looked at him
22:19with disgust
22:19and pulled Grant
22:20back a step.
22:21Wrong.
22:22You were the one
22:23pushing me away
22:24the whole time.
22:26If you'd looked
22:26into any of it,
22:27even a little,
22:28you'd have believed me.
22:29Ethan looked stunned,
22:30like he was coming apart.
22:32What does that mean?
22:33I played with Grant's fingers,
22:34idle.
22:36At the engagement,
22:37when we put the rings on,
22:40you didn't notice
22:41how hard mine was
22:42to get on?
22:42I thought you were nervous.
22:44Up all night,
22:45retaining water.
22:46I listened to that
22:47and shook my head.
22:48You gave them
22:49Cleo's ring size.
22:50He rejected it outright.
22:52Impossible.
22:52I would never
22:53get that wrong.
22:57He's smart.
22:58He'd work it out
22:59soon enough.
23:00I moved on.
23:02And the shoes.
23:03You knew I can't
23:04fit a size six
23:05and you agreed
23:05to Cleo's request anyway
23:06and swapped her sixes
23:07onto me.
23:08Here's the thing.
23:09Cleo wears an eight.
23:10I didn't need to finish.
23:11He got there.
23:12Ethan couldn't speak.
23:13It was a long time
23:14before anything came out.
23:15I'm sorry.
23:16I didn't know.
23:17It's fine.
23:18Hope flickered in his eyes
23:19when he heard it.
23:20Then it died.
23:21I kept going.
23:23I gave you so many chances.
23:24You didn't take one of them.
23:26The switch was just
23:27the last straw.
23:28I was already done with you.
23:29And I gave everything back.
23:32I did resent you.
23:33I hated you.
23:35Now you're not worth
23:35the energy.
23:37I looked at the man
23:38who'd been quietly
23:39standing guard over me
23:40this whole time.
23:41I found the right one.
23:43I looked back at Ethan
23:45cold, disgusted.
23:47So stop showing up
23:48in front of us.
23:49You're a mistake
23:50that should never
23:51have happened.
23:52I went inside,
23:53got the ring
23:54that never fit
23:55and threw it on the ground
23:56in front of him.
23:58I don't want this either.
24:02Grant brought me in
24:03and shut the door
24:04behind us.
24:05Outside,
24:06Ethan stared at the ring
24:07on the ground
24:07for a long time
24:08before he bent
24:09to pick it up.
24:10Our initials
24:10were still engraved on it.
24:12The person wasn't.
24:13He drifted back
24:14to the house
24:14we used to share.
24:15He opened the door
24:16and saw the pot
24:17of bluebells
24:18by the step.
24:18Dead.
24:19I'd grown them myself.
24:21I'd held that pot
24:22once and told him,
24:23Ethan,
24:25bluebolts mean constancy.
24:27Whatever happens,
24:28I'll keep loving you.
24:29The flowers were dead now.
24:31So was the house,
24:32kitchen,
24:32closet,
24:33vanity.
24:33No trace of me anywhere.
24:35I'd taken everything
24:36of mine.
24:37I hadn't left him
24:38one thing to hold.
24:39Ethan finally understood
24:40that I was really
24:41not coming back.
24:42He sat down hard
24:43on the floor
24:44and didn't move.
24:45A long time later,
24:46he tore through the place
24:48like a madman
24:49looking for plant food,
24:51crouched over
24:51the dead bluebells,
24:53watering and feeding them,
24:54stubborn.
24:56Nora,
24:57if the flowers come back,
24:58will you?
24:58Dead is dead.
25:00The harder he worked,
25:01the faster the stems snapped.
25:03Cleo's message popped up
25:04and he finally remembered
25:05that without her interfering,
25:07over and over,
25:08none of this
25:09would have happened.
25:10He had someone
25:11investigate her that day.
25:12The findings came back fast,
25:14the ring size switched.
25:15The shoes tampered with
25:16every word I'd said was true.
25:18At the bottom of the report,
25:20his face changed completely.
25:22Cleo's fiancé was never Grant,
25:24and Grant from the beginning
25:25only ever wanted me.
25:31Ethan called,
25:32his voice vicious.
25:34Grant,
25:35you played me?
25:36The other end was quiet,
25:37then my voice came through.
25:38Ethan,
25:39sore loser?
25:40He told me everything
25:41a long time ago.
25:42And you?
25:43I gave you up
25:44a long time ago.
25:45I hung up and blocked him.
25:47Ethan stood in the empty house
25:48holding the phone,
25:49perfectly still.
25:51After that,
25:52Cleo was thrown out
25:52of the Lowell family,
25:54penniless.
25:55She slunk out of the city.
25:57Ethan didn't do much better.
25:58Loss after loss,
26:00and the Lowell group
26:01folded before long.
26:02People said he wasn't
26:03right anymore.
26:04That he sat with
26:05a flower pot all day,
26:07planting bluebells
26:08over and over.
26:09By the time
26:09all this reached me,
26:10I was pregnant.
26:12Grant sat beside me,
26:13one hand carefully
26:14at my back.
26:15I looked down
26:16and touched my stomach.
26:17And all those absurd people
26:19and things felt like
26:20a dream I'd had
26:21a long time ago.
26:22I used to think
26:23there were people
26:24you could never let go of.
26:25It wasn't until
26:26I was actually out
26:27that I understood.
26:28The wrong ones
26:29end up in the past
26:30where they belong.
26:31And the happiness
26:32that's yours arrives.
26:34After you turn around.
26:35I looked up at Grant
26:36and my mouth curved.
26:37Lucky me.
26:38This time,
26:39I didn't miss it.
26:43When I was
26:44eight months pregnant,
26:45the company that had
26:46once offered me
26:47the job called.
26:48The position Cleo
26:49had taken from me
26:50three years earlier
26:50was open to me again.
26:52An internal review
26:53had confirmed
26:54that someone had tampered
26:55with the original materials.
26:57On the day I went to sign,
26:59reporters blocked the entrance.
27:01Mrs. Quinn,
27:02the Shaws just crushed
27:03Lowell Group
27:03and now you suddenly
27:04have your old job back.
27:05Did Grant pressure
27:06them for you?
27:08Every camera turned toward me.
27:10Grant started to get
27:11out of the car.
27:12I lifted a hand
27:14and stopped him.
27:15Inside the conference room,
27:16the executive slid my proposal
27:18from three years ago
27:19across the table.
27:20We reviewed it again.
27:22This position should have
27:23been yours from the beginning.
27:25I looked at the document
27:26that had arrived
27:27three years late
27:28and signed my name.
27:29This time,
27:30no one gave it to me.
27:32And no one fought for it
27:33in my place.
27:34The moment I set down the pen,
27:35pain seized my abdomen.
27:37Then my skirt went wet.
27:39The executive panicked.
27:42Should I call an ambulance?
27:44I gripped the table
27:46and looked at Grant
27:46rushing through the door.
27:49Looks like she couldn't wait.
27:53At the hospital,
27:54the contractions came
27:55faster and faster.
27:57Grant held my hand
27:58the whole way in.
27:59He had even buttoned
28:00his shirt wrong.
28:01Then the doctor frowned.
28:03The baby's heart rate
28:04is dropping.
28:05We may need
28:06an emergency delivery.
28:07Grant went white,
28:08but he still bent down
28:09and asked me,
28:10What do you want to do?
28:11He did not decide for me.
28:13He asked me.
28:14I tightened my hand
28:15around his.
28:16Listen to the doctor.
28:18Before they wheeled me
28:19into the operating room,
28:21our lawyer forwarded
28:22Ethan's final letter.
28:23It had only one sentence.
28:25I'm sorry.
28:26I won't bother you again.
28:28I did not reply.
28:30Minutes later,
28:31a baby's cry
28:31cut through the room.
28:33The nurse placed
28:34our daughter beside me.
28:35Grant kissed my forehead.
28:37His tears landed on his mask.
28:39Thank you for choosing me.
28:40I smiled weakly.
28:43No.
28:43You're the reason
28:44I finally learned
28:45to choose myself.
28:46Dawn was breaking outside.
28:48We named our daughter June.
28:50This time,
28:51nothing was switched.
28:52Nothing was surrendered.
28:53And no one else
28:54got to decide my life.
28:59A year later,
29:00I went back to work,
29:01not to prove anything.
29:02Only because I had
29:03always deserved that place.
29:05On my first morning,
29:07Grant carried June
29:08to the door with me.
29:09Someone joked,
29:11Aren't you afraid
29:11your wife's career
29:12will outgrow yours?
29:13He adjusted
29:13our daughter's hat.
29:15If she's doing well,
29:15I'm doing well.
29:18That afternoon,
29:20I came home
29:20and found a young
29:21magnolia tree
29:22in the backyard
29:23with bluebells
29:24planted beneath it.
29:25I stopped.
29:26I had once told Ethan
29:27that bluebells
29:28meant constancy.
29:29Back then,
29:30I thought loving someone
29:31meant holding on forever.
29:33Grant saw my silence.
29:35If you don't like him,
29:36I'll pull him out.
29:36I shook my head
29:37and touched a petal.
29:38No.
29:39Now they're just flowers.
29:40I looked up at the tree.
29:43And a tree is just a tree.
29:45They don't have to prove
29:46anything for anyone.
29:47June laughed
29:48in Grant's arms.
29:49I took his hand.
29:50The past finally stayed
29:51where it belonged.
29:52The flowers were blooming.
29:54The tree was growing.
29:55So was I.
29:57Come here.
29:57What?
30:12What?
30:13What?
30:14What?
30:15Can I have you?
30:15What?