- 13 minutes ago
Welcome to the official Khmer7HD Dailymotion. Here you can watch the latest movies in Khmer Dubbed and English Subtitles Movies and you can embed Movies On your website, watch for free, unlimited, free and watch
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:01My boyfriend Ryan Hale was deeply insecure and liked to play an amnesia game.
00:05Every year, he would pretend not to know me and have me pursue him all over again.
00:09Who are you?
00:09He said he needed constant proof that I loved him because he never felt secure in our relationship.
00:13I found it annoying, but he was beautiful and faithful, so I played along.
00:17In the third year of our relationship, he lost his memory again.
00:20Only this time, he brought another woman home with him.
00:22Right in front of me, Ryan Hale kissed her on the lips.
00:24I froze for a second and silently mourned the loss.
00:27Who are you? Why are you in my house?
00:28Don't tell me you're my mute brother's girlfriend.
00:30I looked at him quietly and remembered what I'd overheard him telling a friend the day before.
00:34Tess has been a little distant lately.
00:36Chloe said I should make her jealous this time.
00:38If she passes the test, I'll propose to her.
00:40This kind of relationship was exhausting.
00:42Exactly.
00:43That makes me your sister-in-law.
00:44The pained look on his face made my heart tighten.
00:46What a pretty boy.
00:47Too bad he'd already been sullied.
00:49After almost three years together, Ryan still didn't understand me.
00:52A man's two greatest virtues were beauty and fidelity.
00:55I could give into his good looks and play along whenever he pretended to have amnesia.
00:58But I had no intention of taking back a man who had crossed that line.
01:02It took me less than 30 seconds to learn my lesson and decide to break up with him.
01:05Hello, sister-in-law.
01:06She tilted her head, her voice syrupy-sweet.
01:08I paused.
01:09My gaze settled on their joined hands as she gently squeezed Ryan's palm.
01:13His lips tightened and a vein throbbed at his temple.
01:15Finally, through clenched teeth, he forced out the words.
01:18Hello, sister-in-law.
01:19How obedient I gave him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
01:21This is my girlfriend, Chloe Reed.
01:23So it was her.
01:25Chloe Reed, Ryan's childhood friend, had returned to Westbridge two years ago.
01:29If I remembered correctly, she was the one who had suggested the amnesia game in the first place.
01:33Her theory was that pain created loyalty.
01:35If Ryan kept making me feel as if I were about to lose him, I would learn to cherish him
01:39more.
01:40After the previous tests, Ryan had become completely convinced that this was true.
01:43He relaxed, and when he spoke again, he sounded much more confident.
01:46Are you really my brother's girlfriend?
01:48Why haven't I heard anything about you?
01:49I tugged at the corner of my lips.
01:51That counted as an answer.
01:53That doesn't make sense.
01:54Julian isn't even home today.
01:56What are you doing here?
01:57Ryan still wouldn't let it go and kept questioning me about who I was.
01:59He wanted to expose my lie, drag everything back onto the path he'd planned,
02:03and have me relive our past with him while helping him recover his memory, just like before.
02:07Unfortunately for him, even fate wasn't on his side this time.
02:10When the butler came in with the tea, he answered the question for me.
02:14You're back too, Ryan.
02:15What an unusual evening.
02:16Julian just texted to say he'll be coming back to the estate too.
02:19Ryan's expression turned so ugly that he probably wouldn't have noticed if someone had dropped dead beside him.
02:23I shrugged and spread my hands.
02:25See?
02:25I was definitely going to be his sister-in-law tonight.
02:29After a short silence, Chloe covered her mouth and laughed.
02:32Julian really should have told us he was dating someone.
02:34Then again, he shouldn't bring just anyone to the estate.
02:36Doesn't he know the Hale family's private residence is only open to family and serious partners?
02:41Oh, then I suppose Ryan must be serious about you.
02:44I knew the Hale family's rule.
02:46The Hales were one of Westbridge's oldest mafia families, with influence spanning legitimate business.
02:51That was why I'd assumed Ryan planned to propose when he asked me to meet him at the estate tonight.
02:55Even his assistant had secretly messaged me to say Ryan had bought a ring and that I should make sure
02:59I looked my best for the next few days.
03:00But now the ring was on another woman's hand.
03:03At my words, panic flashed in Ryan's eyes.
03:05He immediately shook off Chloe's hand.
03:07No.
03:07Baby, are you getting shy?
03:09Don't mind him, Tessa.
03:10Ryan can be a little macho.
03:12He doesn't like being affectionate in front of other people.
03:15Then he isn't worth keeping.
03:16He knew I hated macho men more than anything, but the act had already gone this far.
03:20So he could only force himself to pull it together.
03:22Not really.
03:23I just lost my memory.
03:24By the way, have we met before?
03:26No.
03:26I cut him off.
03:27Oh.
03:28Sorry.
03:29He looked pitiful, his newly dyed black hair falling over his forehead and hiding the emotion in his eyes.
03:33For a moment, I felt dazed.
03:34I asked myself, was Ryan really beyond forgiveness?
03:37No, he just loved me too much.
03:39That was why someone else had been able to take advantage of him.
03:41I had enjoyed his beauty and passion, so I should also accept his sensitivity and low self-esteem.
03:46I'll give you one more chance.
03:48Did you really lose your memory?
03:49Think carefully before you answer.
03:51The air froze.
03:52Ryan clenched his fists until his palms were damp.
03:54Several times, he tried to speak.
03:56Each time, he swallowed the words.
03:57Then, Chloe complained that she was thirsty and coaxed him into going to the kitchen with her to get some
04:01water.
04:02Ryan fled the sitting room as if he'd been granted a reprieve.
04:05I checked my watch and stayed where I was.
04:07Three years together, I decided to give him three more minutes.
04:10There was only one wall between us, and their voices carried clearly through it.
04:13What do I do?
04:14Tessa looks really angry.
04:16That's good.
04:17It means the jealousy is working.
04:19Think about the other times.
04:20No matter how angry she got, didn't she always come back and coax you in the end?
04:24What, you don't trust me?
04:25Ryan, I'm putting my reputation on the line just to help you keep up this act.
04:29If you chicken out now, I'll never speak to you again.
04:31Of course I trust you. I just...
04:32Fine.
04:33I'll do it your way.
04:34After a few seconds of hesitation, Ryan gave in.
04:36He didn't trust my love, but he treated Chloe's bullshit like gospel.
04:39Since that was the case, there was nothing left for me to hold on to.
04:43The three minutes were up. I looked away and walked out. Goodbye, Ryan.
04:46The moment I stepped outside the estate, the wind drove the rain straight into me.
04:50By the time I got into my car, half my body was soaked. It only felt like laughing.
04:54See? Feeling sorry for a man always came back to punish you.
04:56If I hadn't waited those three minutes, I wouldn't be in this mess.
04:59Heavy drops pounded against the windows, turning the world outside in gray.
05:02I pulled out a couple of tissues, wiped my hair, and tried not to think about Ryan.
05:06It didn't matter. Just three years.
05:08I sat there for a while. When the rain showed no sign of stopping, I sighed and started the car.
05:14What rotten luck. But worse luck was still to come.
05:17I had barely driven 200 meters when one of the tires blew.
05:20Not only that, my phone died too.
05:23The little regret and tenderness I'd felt just moments beguere quickly vanished.
05:27I clenched my fist and slammed it hard against the steering wheel.
05:30Looks like Ryan really is a jinx to me.
05:34Suddenly, someone knocked on the car window.
05:36I frowned, then froze when I looked up.
05:39Ryan? No.
05:41This man looked colder than Ryan.
05:43He was tall and dressed in a sharply tapered charcoal suit, his shirt buttoned neatly to the collar.
05:47There was something restrained about him.
05:49They had the same face, but this one looked far more expensive.
05:52I stared at him in a D's, even forgetting to blink.
05:55He raised the umbrella slightly and pressed his phone screen against the car window.
05:58A few words were clearly displayed on it.
06:01I came back to my senses and immediately shoved my portable charger deeper into my bag.
06:05I curled my lips into a smile.
06:07Thank you. I really do.
06:09No wonder Ryan had kept his older brother hidden for three years.
06:12So they were twins.
06:14I really did still like that face.
06:17The windows were white with rain and mist.
06:20I asked Julian to drop me off at the nearest subway station.
06:23He glanced at me, looking as if he wanted to say something but held back.
06:26Then he handed me some tissues and gestured for me to dry my hair.
06:30Good.
06:31He understood boundaries.
06:33One point.
06:34I vaguely remembered Ryan saying that his brother had never dated anyone
06:37and was almost painfully well behaved.
06:40If that's true, he gets another 99 points.
06:44The car moved steadily through the rain.
06:46It was quiet the entire way.
06:47I didn't rush to start a conversation.
06:49First, I was looking for a handsome guy so I couldn't be too obvious about it.
06:53Second, I knew perfectly well he couldn't speak and he couldn't type right now either.
06:57If I started talking, it would only make things awkward for him.
07:00There was no point.
07:02We reached the destination.
07:03I thanked him and was about to get out of the car.
07:06Then I turned back, as if I'd suddenly remembered something.
07:09I gave him an apologetic smile.
07:11Um, my phone is dead.
07:12Could you lend me some money?
07:13I can leave my ID with you.
07:15Julian froze for a few seconds,
07:16then obediently opened his wallet and pulled out $200 for me.
07:20I was stunned.
07:21People still carried cash around these days?
07:24Oh, I don't need that much.
07:26$10 is enough.
07:27The ticket counter is already closed at this hour
07:29and the ticket machine can't make change for a large bill.
07:34Clearly.
07:35Julian didn't have a $10 bill.
07:37He pressed his lips together, gathered his courage,
07:40and typed a line on his phone.
07:41The rain is too heavy.
07:42Can I drive you home?
07:43I'm not a bad person.
07:44I can leave my ID with you too.
07:46All right, then let's exchange IDs.
07:49I smiled and continued.
07:51I'm kidding.
07:52You're so pretty, of course you're not a bad person.
07:54Julian's face suddenly turned red.
07:56His fingertips tripled as he typed a few words.
07:59After thinking for a moment, he pointed to his throat.
08:04I blinked in understanding and deliberately lend a little closer.
08:08When I felt his body stiffen, I smiled, scrolled up the screen,
08:12and placed my fingertip on the words,
08:14you're prettier, before saying softly.
08:16No.
08:16You really know what to say.
08:19This Julian was quite different from the one Ryan had described.
08:22There was none of the bad temper that came from being spoiled.
08:25On the contrary, he was very polite and knew his boundaries.
08:29Innocent and beautiful.
08:30The kind of man you couldn't take your eyes off.
08:32The rain had stopped by the time I said goodbye to Julian.
08:34I walked into my building carrying two orders of hot mozzarella bites,
08:38only for Ryan and Chloe to rush at me from nowhere.
08:42Where were you?
08:43Who drove you home?
08:45Who was the man holding the umbrella for you?
08:47You left your car on the road and turned off your phone.
08:49Do you have any idea how worried I was?
08:51Ryan was soaked through, and his eyes were alarmingly red.
08:54I walked around him with an indifferent expression.
08:57Who are you?
08:58And what does any of that have to do with you?
09:00The force went out of him at once.
09:01Right.
09:02He was now a stranger who had lost his memory.
09:05What right did he have to care what time I came home or who I came home with?
09:08He turned his face away and spoke hoarsely.
09:10You left my house.
09:12If something happened to you, people might blame me.
09:14I was the one worried about Tessa.
09:16Chloe added, smoothly covering for him.
09:18That's why I asked baby to come with me.
09:22She wound her arm through Ryan's and took his hand.
09:25Ryan let her, but his eyes stayed fixed on me, as if he were searching my face for a hint
09:30of jealousy.
09:31But I couldn't even be bothered to look up.
09:32As I stepped into the elevator, I said,
09:35Fair enough. We're practically family now.
09:38You and my future sister-in-law might as well learn where I live.
09:41Your older brother will probably be living with me most of the time anyway.
09:44Seeing that I wasn't angry, Ryan had a blank look on his face.
09:47Then he suddenly seemed a little panicked and instinctively tried to follow me into the elevator.
09:52But the moment he lifted his foot, Chloe wrapped her arms around him.
09:55The elevator doors slowly closed.
09:58Idiot. Anyone can tell that man was someone Tessa found to make you jealous.
10:02If you give in now, you lose.
10:05Ryan sounded uncertain.
10:09Really?
10:10Of course. Look at you. You're drenched like a little puppy.
10:13You idiot, Ryan. Without me, Tessa would have you running around in circles.
10:16Listen to me. You need to treat her a little worse.
10:18Only when she regrets it will she come back and coax you like she used to.
10:21Okay. As long as it makes her love me a little more, I'll do whatever you say.
10:24Two idiots. Didn't they know elevator doors weren't soundproof?
10:28I let out a cold laugh, pressed the button for the 16th floor,
10:31and the first thing I did when I got home was delete Ryan's fingerprint access.
10:36Stupid dog.
10:38Of course I came home late. I'd been busy fishing for a new dog.
10:41After my shower, I munched on some piping hot fries and lit up my phone screen.
10:46After ignoring Ryan's meaningless messages, I opened the new friend request.
10:53Julian replied quickly. I figured he probably hadn't left yet.
10:57I swiped right and opened his social feed. It was completely blank.
11:01There was nothing there. But when I refreshed the page again,
11:05a screenshot of a note suddenly popped up in his feed.
11:08It read, my heart suddenly skipped a beat.
11:11My mind uncontrollably returned to the face.
11:14I held my phone, thought about it, then tapped Ryan's profile picture.
11:18Once the message went through, I deleted him from my contacts without hesitation.
11:22Ryan was possessive. He also had a vicious mouth.
11:25Countless times, when I was utterly exhausted, I'd placed the same order with the universe.
11:29Could someone just poison him and make him mute?
11:33It was a little twisted, but I had to admit that the universe had granted my wish.
11:37Just not quite the way I'd imagined.
11:40The next day, at a coffee shop near Hale Group, I approached Julian with two flat whites and pretended to
11:46be surprised.
11:47What a coincidence.
11:48I didn't ask what he was doing there. That would have been a stupid question.
11:52Julian couldn't speak. He wasn't an idiot.
11:55Only a handful of families lived in the private residential englave surrounding the Hale estate.
12:00All he had to do was ask around to learn that I'd come from his family home the night before.
12:04Besides, I dated his dramatic little brother for almost three years.
12:08They had the same face.
12:09Pretending not to recognize as him would have been ridiculous.
12:12Julian paused, then nodded politely.
12:15The tips of his ears turned red as he pointed to the office building next door, indicating that he worked
12:19at Hale Group.
12:20I pushed one of the coffees into his hand and smiled.
12:23I know. I came here to see you.
12:26Julian went still.
12:29It's a thank you for last night.
12:30As soon as the words left my mouth, the light in Julian's eyes dimmed again.
12:34He smiled and silently shook his head.
12:36My heart suddenly tightened.
12:38I had a nagging feeling that something was wrong, but my long-established social habits still made me quickly suppress
12:43that pang of bitterness.
12:44Do you like matcha?
12:46Julian had a coffee in one hand and his laptop in the other, so he couldn't type.
12:50I kept my questions simple enough for him to answer with a nod or a shake of his head.
12:54But after hearing that, a flicker of surprise crossed Julian's eyes, and he didn't answer right away.
12:59I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
13:01Don't worry. I'm not a bad person.
13:03Have you forgotten? We exchanged IDs.
13:06At the mention of the night before, Julian's cheeks warmed.
13:09He bit his lip, then nodded with great seriousness.
13:12Good. I'll see you later.
13:13I patted his shoulder and walked away.
13:16It seemed I'd guessed correctly. Julian liked everything Ryan hated.
13:19Whenever I ate anything flavored with matcha, Ryan used to complain that it tasted like grass and say only a
13:24mute person could enjoy it.
13:27Speak of the devil.
13:28I was carrying six desserts and couldn't reach the elevator button when a long, well-shamed hand appeared over my
13:34shoulder and pressed the up button.
13:35A familiar fresh, watery scent drifted around me. I knew it was Ryan without looking up. The moment he saw
13:40me, he relaxed. He couldn't suppress his smile.
13:43You came to see me? There are exactly six people on my project team. That was thoughtful of you.
13:48He reached for the desserts. I turned away before he could take them.
13:53What are you doing? These aren't for you.
13:55Keep pretending.
13:56He pressed his lips together, unhappy.
13:58The elevator arrived. I stepped inside and said, politely and distantly, 13th floor, please.
14:04Ryan said nothing and obediently pressed the button.
14:07Just as the doors were about to close, he suddenly shoved me back out. A guilty smile appeared on his
14:11face.
14:12If you're going to keep pretending, press it yourself. I'm not helping you.
14:15What a psycho.
14:18A vein throbbed at my temple. I turned a second too late and kicked the closed elevator doors.
14:23Damn it. When had Ryan become this obnoxious?
14:26Grinding my teeth, I waited for the next elevator.
14:28When I reached the 13th floor, Ryan was pacing anxiously. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up.
14:34He was more convinced than ever that Chloe was right. In the past, if he said one wrong thing, I
14:39would turn around and leave.
14:40But now he had pushed me out of an elevator, and instead of going home, I'd still brought everything upstairs
14:44to coax him.
14:45The thought delighted him. Smiling broadly, he held out his hand.
14:49I was teasing you. Give him to me.
14:51He looked so pleased with himself that I wanted to kick him.
14:55What exactly had Chloe been teaching him?
14:57I clenched my teeth and forced myself to calm down. Then I walked past him with a cold expression.
15:01My silence didn't bother Ryan. He followed me with smiling eyes.
15:04As soon as I entered the reception area, the young woman at the front desk took the boxes from me.
15:09Miss Morgan, I'll put these in the conference room for you.
15:12I smiled warmly.
15:15Ryan moved closer.
15:17When he saw me take an investment proposal out of my bag, delight and surprise filled his face.
15:23You're investing in my new project?
15:25Everyone in our circle knew that he was competing with his brother.
15:27The current evaluation would influence the Hale family's decision about the future leadership of Hale Group and the family's wider
15:34affairs.
15:35Ryan had never cared much about the company. When I met him, he was the front man of an underground
15:39band.
15:39He loved music, but he hated losing to Julian even more.
15:42So he had recently dissolved the band, thrown himself into Hale Group's project division, and sworn to prove himself to
15:48his family.
15:49More importantly, he wanted to prove that he was worthy of me.
15:52If they hand the company to a mute, our entire family will become a joke.
15:56I'd frowned but said nothing.
15:58I had no desire to act like his father.
16:00But Julian's reputation in the industry was too good for me to agree with Ryan either.
16:04In the end, I could only kiss him and say,
16:06You're doing great, baby.
16:08I'm not planning to invest in you.
16:10I said honestly.
16:11To be fair, I had read Ryan's proposal.
16:13It was good, but it was only good.
16:14Nothing about it made me want to invest.
16:16I wouldn't have minded spending money on a boyfriend.
16:18But this concerned the Hale family's choice of successor.
16:20I had no interest in getting involved.
16:25Now, however, I was perfectly willing to spend him some money pursuing Julian.
16:29If you aren't investing in me, who else would you invest in?
16:32Ryan looked relaxed, almost careless.
16:34Clearly, he hadn't listened to a word I'd said.
16:37I shook my head inwardly.
16:39Why would I invest in you?
16:40Just because you're Julian's brother?
16:42Why do you keep bringing him up?
16:44No reason.
16:45I smiled.
16:45I was only reminding you that I'm your sister-in-law.
16:48Ryan immediately deflated.
16:49He cleared his throat.
16:50I still think you look familiar.
16:52We must have known each other before.
16:54Otherwise, why did you say you didn't want my brother to miss him Dan when you deleted me last night?
16:56I almost laughed from sheer irritation.
16:59Unless you like me?
17:00He was still sticking to his script, waiting for me to throw myself at him.
17:04No.
17:04That was my answer.
17:05No matter how Ryan tried to lead me, I gave him the same responses.
17:09We weren't close.
17:10We'd never met.
17:11I didn't know him.
17:12He ran out of ideas and filtered.
17:14Then he saw Chloe.
17:16He immediately came back to life and rushed over to her like a dog wagging its tail.
17:21The two of them threw their arms around each other in full view of the entire office.
17:25Everyone stared.
17:27The employees who knew about Ryan and I covered their mouths.
17:30They looked from one of us to the other, eager for gossip but terrified of getting involved.
17:35I watched with a blank face.
17:37At this rate, it would be hard for them not to get married.
17:41After a brief silence, another receptionist came to guide me to the conference room.
17:45Ryan and Chloe followed us inside.
17:47Ryan looked smug.
17:48Still pretending?
17:49You knew we had a project meeting today, didn't you?
17:51This time, I didn't need to answer.
17:53The receptionist spoke carefully.
17:55Mr. Hale, your conference room is next door.
17:57I shook my head and laughed.
17:59You heard her.
18:00Get out.
18:01Ryan froze.
18:02His gaze moved down and landed on the six dessert boxes.
18:05The logo of one of Westbrook's best-known matcha shops was printed across them.
18:09His mind seemed to go blank.
18:10His steps stopped and all the color drained from his face.
18:14Who liked matcha?
18:15Ryan didn't dare follow the thought.
18:16Then footsteps sounded behind him.
18:18I looked past him and smiled warmly.
18:21Julian, you're here.
18:22Ryan finally understood.
18:24His lips parted and trembled, but no words came out.
18:26He could only watch as the receptionist closed the conference room door, shutting him out completely.
18:32After the meeting, I invited Julian to dinner.
18:34He was distracted the entire time.
18:37What are you thinking about?
18:38I asked.
18:39He paused, gave me an apologetic smile, and typed in his notes app.
18:56Why did Ryan do something to hurt you?
18:59I said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
19:05Julian's face turned bright red.
19:07He pressed his lips together and typed with shaking fingers.
19:11Why did Ryan do something to hurt you?
19:14It was complicated.
19:15I frowned, considering how to keep the explanation short.
19:19As the silence stretched, Julian slowly lowered his head.
19:21He did hurt me, but that has nothing to do with you.
19:24I'm pursuing you because I like you.
19:25The light returned to Julian's eyes, little by little.
19:29Looking at him, I spoke from the heart without thinking.
19:32I can probably guess what you're worried about,
19:33but I promise I don't play with other people's feelings.
19:36I ended things with him before I met you.
19:40Julian watched me quietly.
19:42For some reason, he released a long breath,
19:44as if a weight had finally lifted.
19:46He lowered his head to type,
19:47but I reached out and held his face before he could.
19:50You can say it. I can read lips.
19:52His fingers curled.
19:54With his face still red, he silently formed the word.
19:57His soft red lips caught the light and left me dizzy.
19:59I had no idea what else he said.
20:01I wanted to kiss him.
20:04That evening, Ryan stopped me in the parking garage.
20:06His face was pale and his smile looked forced.
20:09Tessa, I remember everything now.
20:11How interesting.
20:13He forgot whenever he wanted and remembered whenever he wanted.
20:16Did he and Chloe think I was an idiot simply because I hadn't made a scene?
20:19I shook my head and kept walking.
20:21He hurried after me, sounding aggrieved.
20:24Come on, don't be angry.
20:26I know I shouldn't have mistaken someone else for my girlfriend,
20:28but you knew I had amnesia.
20:29Why didn't you explain?
20:30Why did you use Julian to make me jealous?
20:32Even now, he was still pretending.
20:34It was almost funny.
20:35If he wanted to keep acting, I could act too.
20:37I stopped and gave him a genuinely confused look.
20:40What girlfriend?
20:42Ryan, why do you keep saying things I don't understand?
20:44He froze.
20:45He hadn't expected that response.
20:47Baby, you...
20:48Stop.
20:49I frowned.
20:50What's wrong with you?
20:51I'm your sister-in-law.
20:52His eyes turned red the moment he heard those words.
20:55You're not my sister-in-law.
20:56You're mine.
20:57I pretended to consider this, then nod.
21:00You say I'm your girlfriend.
21:01Do you have proof?
21:02What?
21:03You say we were together for almost three years.
21:05Surely you have a photo of us.
21:07Ryan's face went white.
21:08His hands shook as he pulled out his phone,
21:11but he couldn't bring himself to unlock the photo library.
21:13He had deleted everything.
21:15To make things harder for me,
21:17before every amnesia game,
21:18Ryan reset his phone and erased every trace of my existence.
21:21That gave him an excuse to reject me
21:23and treat me like some obsessed stranger
21:24who merely claimed to be his girlfriend.
21:26Now he had no proof at all.
21:28Why are you pretending not to know me?
21:30He could only twist the hem of his shirt in frustration.
21:34How ironic.
21:36I had wanted to ask him the same question so many times.
21:39Who says I'm pretending?
21:41I really don't know you.
21:42What could he do about it?
21:44Ryan's chest rose and fell violently.
21:46He looked furious.
21:47When I turned to leave,
21:48he drew a deep breath and shouted after me,
21:50his eyes red.
21:51I was wrong, okay?
21:52I know I shouldn't have lied about losing my memory,
21:55but Tessa, would it kill you to reassure me for once?
21:58I finally managed to feel a little confident around you today.
22:01Why couldn't you let me have that?
22:02Tears ran down his face.
22:04He looked pitiful.
22:05I rubbed my ear and walked away.
22:07Keep this up and I'll call security.
22:09I had never thought of myself as heartless.
22:12My other relationships and breakups
22:13had always ended respectfully.
22:15I never expected to meet a psycho like Ryan.
22:18Fine, Tessa Morgan.
22:19Do you think you're the only woman in the world?
22:22Ryan wiped his tears away and shouted at my back.
22:25I sighed, pressed a hand to my forehead,
22:27and turned around.
22:29Hope slowly brightened his eyes.
22:31I lifted a finger to my lips, annoyed.
22:34Keep it down.
22:35People live here.
22:37Over the next few days,
22:38Chloe kept sending me intimate pictures of herself and Ryan.
22:41Each one came with a message.
22:46I raised an eyebrow.
22:48Julian blinked at me and asked what was wrong.
22:50Baby, it looks like you'll have a new sister-in-law soon.
22:54Julian looked blank.
22:56Something stirred inside me.
22:57I leaned down and kissed him.
22:58He had to tilt his head back,
23:00his eyes narrowing slightly as he struggled to breathe.
23:03Before long, his breathing was completely unstady.
23:05Then someone knocked outside the office.
23:07That brought him back to his senses.
23:09He tried to push me away,
23:10but seemed unsure where to put his hands.
23:12In the end, he could only struggle weakly,
23:14lower his arms,
23:15and clutch the hem of his shirt.
23:17My poor baby.
23:18I had bullied him this much,
23:20and he couldn't even complain out loud.
23:21Is Mr. Hale not in his office?
23:23I think he's in a meeting with Mrs. Morgan.
23:26The two voices faded with the sound of footsteps.
23:29I released Julian and whispered near his ear,
23:32Baby, what would your employees think if they saw us?
23:34Would they assume you traded your body for my investment?
23:36He blinked, then silently formed the words.
23:39You would do my pleasure.
23:41Chloe stopped me in the parking garage as I was leaving.
23:44Tessa, please let Ryan go.
23:46What?
23:47I stared at her, baffled.
23:49She pressed her lips together, her expression stubborn.
23:52I know you don't want to accept it,
23:53but Ryan has decided to break up with you.
23:55Stop harassing him.
23:56He won't even come to the office because you're always here.
24:01I was speechless.
24:03Were these two obsessed with confronting me in parking garages?
24:06Did they really have to corner me here
24:07just to say things that made no sense?
24:09I'm here to see Julian.
24:11Ryan who?
24:11I didn't know him.
24:13Chloe paused.
24:14Once she understood, delight flashed in her eyes.
24:17She raised her voice.
24:18Ryan, you heard her, didn't you?
24:20She's been seeing that mute behind your back,
24:21and you still...
24:23Before she could finish,
24:24a man rushed out from behind her and knocked her aside.
24:27Ryan grabbed my shoulders, disbelief filling his eyes.
24:30You and that mute are serious?
24:32No.
24:32Tessa, how could you...
24:35Call him that again,
24:36and a slap will be the least of your problems.
24:40Ryan pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek
24:42and gave a bitter laugh.
24:44What's so great about that cripple?
24:45Why do my parents prefer him?
24:47Why do you prefer him too?
24:48This was annoying.
24:49I rubbed my ear and turned to leave.
24:52Ryan hurried after me again and clutched my wrist.
24:55Don't do this, Tessa.
24:56Why?
24:57At least give me a reason.
24:59Because he's faithful.
25:02Ryan froze.
25:03So am I.
25:04When we got together, I had never...
25:05He stopped when he followed my gaze to Chloe.
25:07I pulsed my lips mockingly,
25:09and his face instantly went pale.
25:11That was only an act.
25:12It doesn't count.
25:13Why wouldn't it count?
25:14Did you kiss her or not?
25:15Did you hold her or not?
25:16You said all of that was just an act you put on for me.
25:19What about these?
25:20I pulled up the pictures Chloe had sent
25:22and held the screen in front of him.
25:24No.
25:24Those were staged.
25:26She said we should take them to make you jealous.
25:27I never slept with her.
25:28I was still faithful to you.
25:30You have to believe me.
25:31I curved my lips but said nothing.
25:33The calmer I remained,
25:34the more incoherent Ryan became.
25:36All the color left his face.
25:37Under my calm gaze, he gradually lost control.
25:40Even if they were real, so what?
25:41What right do you have to demand anything from me?
25:43You had other men before me, didn't you?
25:45Ryan shouted through clenched teeth,
25:47finally showing me the ugliest part of himself.
25:50I smiled.
25:51So you finally said what you really think.
25:53It has always bothered you, hasn't it?
25:55The moment he realized what he'd said, he panicked.
25:58Of course it doesn't bother me.
26:00It's just unfair.
26:01Why were you allowed to be with other men before me
26:03when I'm not even allowed to touch another woman?
26:04I tilted my head, my smile calm.
26:07Because you're the one in the lower position.
26:10Because beauty and fidelity
26:11were the only things you brought to the table.
26:13Because you needed me more than I needed you.
26:16Do you understand now?
26:18Ryan closed his eyes.
26:20His voice was weak.
26:22You know I love you more.
26:23That's why you think you can do anything you want to me.
26:26Fine.
26:27I'm sorry.
26:28I shouldn't have lied to you
26:30and I shouldn't have crossed the line with her.
26:31But you have to believe me.
26:32I only did it because I felt so insecure.
26:34I couldn't see any proof that you loved me
26:36so this was the only way I knew to get a reaction from you.
26:39I felt a dull sadness.
26:40Sure enough,
26:41expecting Ryan to admit he was wrong
26:43was absolutely impossible.
26:45I let out a long sigh.
26:48Ryan, lie to other people if you want
26:50but don't lie to yourself.
26:51Ask yourself honestly,
26:52did you really pretend to forget me
26:54just to make sure I loved you?
26:55Maybe that was true in the beginning
26:57but what about later?
26:58You watched me lower myself to coax you
27:00and put you on a pedestal.
27:01Are you really saying you never took advantage of that?
27:04Admit it.
27:05Every time you did this,
27:06you were testing my limits.
27:07If I forgave you this time too,
27:09then every year you could cheat on me
27:10and call it another test.
27:12Isn't that right?
27:13The truth was never flattering
27:14once it was dragged into the light.
27:16Neither of us wanted to admit
27:17that his grand test of true love
27:19had become something so ordinary,
27:21selfish, and ugly.
27:22Ryan refused to admit it
27:24and I had no desire to accept it either.
27:26That's not true.
27:27Tears streamed down his face.
27:29In his panic,
27:30he grabbed Chloe and pulled her forward.
27:32It's all her fault.
27:33The whole thing was her idea.
27:34She deliberately tried to ruin us.
27:36I was tricked.
27:37Tessa, please.
27:38Give me one more chance.
27:40I'll never listen to her again.
27:41Ryan,
27:43my voice was light.
27:45Are you honestly going to pretend
27:46you never understood
27:47how she felt about you?
27:49See?
27:50He had known all along.
27:52I shook my head
27:53and walked away without looking back.
27:56When I got home,
27:57I gathered the things
27:58Ryan had given me
27:59and prepared to throw them away.
28:00Then I remembered
28:01the Hell Family Heirloom signet ring
28:03he'd given me
28:04when we first started dating.
28:05Ugh, what a hassle.
28:06I couldn't simply throw that away.
28:09Sighing,
28:09I opened the storage room
28:11and found the Hell Family Heirloom signet ring.
28:13I was about to leave
28:14when I noticed a faded paper cup
28:16in the corner of a display case.
28:18I walked over without thinking
28:19and picked it up.
28:20Written across the side
28:21were the words.
28:24I stopped.
28:25A memory buried for eight years
28:27rose without warning.
28:28It had happened in Larkhoven.
28:30The rain had been endless
28:31and the damp air
28:32had clung to my coat,
28:33cold enough to make me shiver.
28:35I had walked mechanically
28:37into an ordinary coffee shop
28:38and spent a few dollars
28:39on the cheapest egg sandwich
28:40they sold.
28:41After swallowing it
28:42as quickly as I could,
28:43I spent a long time
28:44gathering the courage
28:45to call my father.
28:47As expected,
28:48he refused to give me any money.
28:50It didn't matter
28:51that he was worth billion.
28:53I still remembered
28:54the mockery in his voice.
28:56Weren't you so tough?
28:57Didn't you think
28:57you were all grown up
28:59and ready to cut ties with me
29:00over that mother of yours
29:01who died?
29:03And weren't you always
29:04calling your stepmother's son
29:05a bastard?
29:08What's wrong?
29:08Can't take it anymore.
29:10My condition hasn't changed.
29:12As long as you apologize
29:13properly to your stepmother,
29:14I'll reactivate your card.
29:16Otherwise, go sell yourself.
29:17A girl like you
29:18should be worth a pretty penny.
29:21Tears slid down my face
29:24in your dreams.
29:26One day,
29:27I'll make both of you
29:28answer for what you did
29:29to my mother.
29:30I hung up and went
29:31to the restroom
29:32where I cried
29:33until I had nothing left.
29:35When I returned,
29:36there was a cup of hot coffee
29:37on my table.
29:38An envelope lay underneath it.
29:39Inside were $500.
29:40I ran outside,
29:41but all I saw
29:42was the blurred profile
29:43of a young man.
29:44Pale, clean cut.
29:45There was a gentle smile
29:46on his lips.
29:46He waved to me
29:47through the rain,
29:48then turned
29:49and boarded a bus.
29:51Through the fogged window,
29:53I couldn't make out his face.
29:54The money wasn't a fortune,
29:56but it was enough
29:56to keep me going
29:57until my scholarship arrived.
29:58I tried to find him afterward,
30:00but searching for a stranger
30:01in a city that size
30:02was nearly impossible.
30:03In the end,
30:04all he left me
30:05was the neat, gentle handwriting
30:06on the cup
30:07and the cool, green,
30:08faintly bitter scent
30:09that had come to the envelope.
30:11It was Julian.
30:14I closed my eyes.
30:16Suddenly,
30:17I desperately wanted
30:18to see him.
30:19The clock pointed
30:19to one in the morning
30:20and cold rain
30:21was still falling
30:22beyond the windows.
30:23I sent him a message anyway.
30:25As if he could sense
30:26everything behind
30:26those three words,
30:28Julian caught
30:29every unspoken emotion
30:30and answered
30:30without hesitation.
30:32He didn't need
30:32to ask where I was.
30:34Wherever I might be,
30:35he would come.
30:37I walked to the window
30:38and watched Julian
30:39get out of his car.
30:40Fine rain drifted
30:42through the air.
30:42He hadn't brought
30:43an umbrella.
30:44A dark patch spread
30:45across the shoulder
30:46of his suit
30:47where the rain
30:47had soaked into it.
30:48Even through the rain,
30:49I could almost smell
30:51that quiet,
30:51green bitterness again.
30:53People are supposed
30:54to be sensitive to smells.
30:55And yet I'd forgotten
30:56that Julian wore
30:57the same fragrance
30:58that had linkered
30:59on the envelope
30:59eight years ago.
31:00No,
31:01I had forgotten
31:02far more than that.
31:04Ashamed,
31:04I lowered my head.
31:05When I opened the door,
31:06the damp air
31:07entered first.
31:08Droplets clung
31:09to Julian's hair
31:10and his gentle gaze
31:11settled directly on me.
31:12My voice broke.
31:13You should have told me.
31:14He looked surprised.
31:16Then understanding
31:16dawned
31:17and his eyes
31:18curved in a smile.
31:19He mouthed the words.
31:20It doesn't matter.
31:21It matters.
31:21I bit my lip
31:22and couldn't look at him.
31:23I'm sorry.
31:24How could I forget you?
31:27Julian crated my face
31:28and gently kissed
31:29my eyelid.
31:31Don't apologize.
31:32If you forgot,
31:33it means you found
31:33happiness afterward.
31:35Slowly,
31:36he explained everything.
31:37Helping me that day
31:38had been a small thing.
31:39He would have done
31:40the same for anyone.
31:42So I'm the one
31:42who should apologize,
31:43Tessa.
31:44I never expected
31:44anything in return,
31:45but after I met you again,
31:46I selfishly started hoping
31:48you would remember me
31:48and fall in love with me.
31:50I even felt a little wistful
31:51knowing that you and I
31:52had met first.
31:53It's a pity.
31:55He lowered his eyes,
31:57the curve of his lips bitter.
31:59I reached out
32:00and pulled Julian,
32:02rain and all,
32:03into my world.
32:04Beautiful day today.
32:07A perfect day to meet.
32:09And a perfect day
32:10to meet again.
32:12A few days later,
32:13Julian went with me
32:14to the Hale estate
32:15so I could return
32:16the Hale family
32:16heirloom signet ring
32:17Ryan had given me.
32:19Ryan was there.
32:20As I handed
32:21the Hale family
32:22heirloom signet ring
32:22to Ryan's father,
32:23his expression changed.
32:25His manner became
32:26far more formal
32:27than it had ever been
32:28when he thought
32:28I was merely
32:29a private investor.
32:31Ms. Morgan,
32:32I wasn't told
32:33the Morgan heir
32:33would be visiting us tonight.
32:35Ryan went completely still.
32:36The tone of his father's voice
32:38told him what I had
32:38never bothered to explain.
32:40Morgan was not
32:40an ordinary name
32:41in Westbridge.
32:42I wasn't merely
32:43a successful investor.
32:44I was the heir
32:45to the Morgan family,
32:46an older mafia family
32:47whose influence
32:48exceeded even that
32:49of the Hales.
32:49Ryan had spent months
32:50trying to prove
32:51he could become worthy of me
32:52without ever knowing
32:53who I truly was.
32:54I didn't explain,
32:55boast,
32:55or wait for his reaction.
32:56I returned
32:57the Hale family heirloom
32:58signet ring
32:58and left with Julian.
33:00After that night,
33:02Ryan stopped harassing me.
33:03He and Chloe
33:04had a vicious fight
33:05and whatever relationship
33:06remained between them
33:07fell apart.
33:09Ryan resigned
33:10from Hale group
33:10and returned
33:11to the underground
33:11music scene.
33:12He said he would
33:13make a name for himself
33:14in the field
33:14he truly loved,
33:15then come back
33:16and pursue me again.
33:17Unfortunately,
33:18he spent his days
33:18in a haze
33:19and sank deeper
33:20into alcohol.
33:21Before long,
33:22his family sent him away
33:23to rest and recover.
33:24As for Julian and me,
33:26we're happy.