WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.660 Henry, let her go. Stay out of this. You don't 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:08.000 have to do this. I try not to get too close. 00:00:08.580 --> 00:00:11.160 The way he looks right now. Like he could do 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:14.439 anything in an instant and put her at risk. So 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:16.899 far he isn't touching her, but there are bruises 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:22.219 on her arm. Fuck. This is between me and my fiance. 00:00:22.899 --> 00:00:26.460 He hisses. I step closer. Damn it, Elliot, leave. 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:31.269 I'm not leaving. Not until you free her. Juliana 00:00:31.269 --> 00:00:34.250 whimpers. I'm trying hard to stay calm to avoid 00:00:34.250 --> 00:00:38.630 this from escalating, but he's pushing me. Henry, 00:00:39.490 --> 00:00:43.950 is this even worth it, huh? I take another step. 00:00:44.689 --> 00:00:47.070 Doing drugs and getting yourself high to the 00:00:47.070 --> 00:00:50.130 point where you want to hurt someone? You're 00:00:50.130 --> 00:00:52.850 the reason I'm like this, he spits. Everything 00:00:52.850 --> 00:00:55.909 I do is always overshadowed by you, and now everything 00:00:55.909 --> 00:00:58.299 is falling apart because of you. Because you 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:00.439 couldn't keep your fucking hands off my fiance. 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:03.899 I am not. Henry reaches up and squeezes Juliana's 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:08.340 cheeks, silencing her. You are my fiance. You 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:10.079 think you're gonna embarrass me and just abandon 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:13.219 us like that? I am not leaving until we straighten 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:15.980 this fucking shit out. We are getting married 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:20.379 whether you want to or not. Anger flares in Juliana's 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:22.859 eyes, and before I can grab Henry, she knees 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:26.000 him in the crotch. He stumbles back, clutching 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:29.480 himself. You reckless piece of - I grab his hand, 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:32.480 stopping him from backhanding her. Henry shoves 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:35.939 me, then punches me in the face. I told you to 00:01:35.939 --> 00:01:39.239 stay out of this. He shoves me again and I realize 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:42.799 I'm just a distraction. His real target is Juliana. 00:01:44.379 --> 00:01:46.739 He lunges for her, but I grab him by the shoulder. 00:01:47.519 --> 00:01:51.040 He swings at me, but misses. I retaliate, punching 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.040 him in the face just enough to slow him down 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:56.980 and then drag him to the floor. Let me go. I'm 00:01:56.980 --> 00:01:59.200 not letting you go until you stop behaving like 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:03.359 this. Henry thrashes beneath me, fists pounding 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:07.780 into my arms, but I don't let up. I pin him down. 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:11.460 What is wrong with you? Why are you behaving 00:02:11.460 --> 00:02:15.039 like this? His dark sunken eyes glare back at 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:19.379 me. He's been through hell, and now I'm wondering 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:23.580 if it's more than just alcohol and cocaine. Why 00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:25.620 do you always have to ruin everything for me? 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:28.280 You've been a pain in my ass ever since my dad 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:31.139 brought you and you're fucking I slam my fist 00:02:31.139 --> 00:02:33.819 into his face before he can finish you will not 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:37.919 talk about our mother like that Our mother he 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:41.340 sees my mother is dead you and Carla are just 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:43.919 placeholders I never agreed with that shit, but 00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:46.479 who was I anyway? He didn't even wait a year 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:49.060 and suddenly you two fucking appear to ruin my 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:52.639 life We've done nothing, but love you and your 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:58.699 father Fuck you Let me go. I glance up. Juliana 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:00.960 is on the hotel phone. I have no idea who she's 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:05.840 calling. Not until you calm down. You stole everything 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:10.020 from me. And now you want Juliana? She is mine. 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:14.280 She is not something to have or possess, Henry. 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:20.080 The fuck is wrong with you? Get off of me. What 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:22.639 is the real reason behind all this? You were 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:26.039 never like this, brother. I am not your brother. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:30.240 You are. I need to speak with Julie. She doesn't 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:34.479 want to talk to you. She is my fiance. She is 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:38.659 not. It's over. How deep and delusional can he 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:42.520 really be? Is he mental? It's not over until 00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:46.400 I say it's over. Suddenly the door swings open. 00:03:46.919 --> 00:03:49.580 Two men burst in with hotel staff. One of them 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:52.259 yanks me off Henry. Without hesitation, Henry 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:55.300 darts toward Juliana. Juliana grabs the bedside 00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:04.139 lamp and smashes it against his head Fuck Sometimes 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:07.020 I try not to overthink things, but when I do 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:09.080 I wonder what would have happened if my mom had 00:04:09.080 --> 00:04:12.500 never met his dad It's foolish, but maybe life 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:14.560 would have been different or maybe his father 00:04:14.560 --> 00:04:17.220 would have found someone else and the outcome 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:20.259 would have been the same It's been three weeks 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:22.480 since that night at the hotel but the memory 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:26.160 is still fresh. Henry's now in rehab, nursing 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:29.600 24 stitches to his head. The nightmare didn't 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:32.560 end there. A week after being discharged from 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:35.100 the hospital and sent to rehab, Henry finally 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:38.800 opened up. The truth? He was drowning in debt. 00:04:39.800 --> 00:04:42.100 He'd gambled away his father's company on a deal 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:45.319 that fell through. On top of that, he'd borrowed 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:48.439 money from a loan shark. The drugs and alcohol 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:52.050 were a mask. Henry owed just over half a million, 00:04:52.449 --> 00:04:55.529 not including the company's losses. Marrying 00:04:55.529 --> 00:04:57.509 Juliana would have saved him since her family 00:04:57.509 --> 00:05:00.310 had set up a trust fund for her, one she'd never 00:05:00.310 --> 00:05:04.870 touched. Thankfully, Dad had a contingency fund, 00:05:05.829 --> 00:05:07.889 as if he knew Henry would one day burn everything 00:05:07.889 --> 00:05:11.250 down. But even after all of that, the loan sharks 00:05:11.250 --> 00:05:14.889 came knocking. Henry still owed them money. I 00:05:14.889 --> 00:05:17.670 dealt with it personally, and hopefully, that's 00:05:17.670 --> 00:05:20.660 the last of it. Mom and dad wasn't keen I'd spent 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:23.259 that large sum of money, but it was the easiest 00:05:23.259 --> 00:05:26.000 way to get rid of them. I just hope Henry never 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:29.439 gets himself in that kind of trouble again. Juliana 00:05:29.439 --> 00:05:32.360 filed a restraining order in both cities. She 00:05:32.360 --> 00:05:34.839 didn't press charges, but the whole thing traumatized 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:38.139 her. She didn't mean to hit Henry, but she believed 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:40.639 he would have hurt her, and I don't blame her. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:44.500 Now, I'm boarding a flight to go see her. She 00:05:44.500 --> 00:05:46.920 left the next day without a word, and it's been 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:50.029 eating at me. Mom's kept in touch with her, and 00:05:50.029 --> 00:05:53.189 we've exchanged a few texts, but it's not enough. 00:05:53.990 --> 00:05:56.889 I need to see her face. I need to know how she 00:05:56.889 --> 00:06:00.329 really feels. I've taken two weeks off work to 00:06:00.329 --> 00:06:02.990 clear my head. Her parents know I'm visiting, 00:06:03.449 --> 00:06:06.470 but they didn't tell her. According to her mom, 00:06:06.689 --> 00:06:08.589 she's staying at the family home while she looks 00:06:08.589 --> 00:06:12.709 for a new apartment. That gave me pause. She's 00:06:12.709 --> 00:06:15.329 not coming back to my city, and I don't blame 00:06:15.329 --> 00:06:18.870 her, not after everything. I walk out of the 00:06:18.870 --> 00:06:21.910 airport and head straight to my hotel. I unpack 00:06:21.910 --> 00:06:25.529 and call her, telling her I'm in town. She doesn't 00:06:25.529 --> 00:06:28.149 sound shocked. She doesn't sound disappointed 00:06:28.149 --> 00:06:33.310 either. She just sounds... normal? Either way, 00:06:33.310 --> 00:06:37.730 I'm gonna see her to patch things over. I settle 00:06:37.730 --> 00:06:40.490 into the hotel for a few hours, then take my 00:06:40.490 --> 00:06:43.910 rental car to Giuliana's parents' house. She 00:06:43.910 --> 00:06:46.290 answers the door with a smile. I don't know what 00:06:46.290 --> 00:06:50.529 it is. But she looks different. Less pale than 00:06:50.529 --> 00:06:54.670 I remembered. Less restrained. Less unhappy. 00:06:56.290 --> 00:06:58.410 She opens the door wider and reaches for a hug. 00:06:58.889 --> 00:07:01.529 I pull her into me tight. I don't want to let 00:07:01.529 --> 00:07:05.449 go. Nice to see you. She finally says, breaking 00:07:05.449 --> 00:07:10.089 the embrace. Same here. Well, don't just stand 00:07:10.089 --> 00:07:13.850 there. Come on in. I hand her a small brown bag. 00:07:14.189 --> 00:07:15.990 A tray of chocolate chip cookies and a bottle 00:07:15.990 --> 00:07:20.610 of red wine. She peeks inside and smiles. You 00:07:20.610 --> 00:07:25.870 remembered. Always. Well, thank you for this 00:07:25.870 --> 00:07:30.250 gift. Where's your mom and dad? Oh, they went 00:07:30.250 --> 00:07:33.769 out for a walk. They should be back soon. Oh. 00:07:34.529 --> 00:07:37.709 I rubbed the back of my neck. Speaking of walking, 00:07:38.649 --> 00:07:40.829 I was thinking we could go for a stroll ourselves 00:07:40.829 --> 00:07:45.110 in the park. Oh, yeah, sure. Let me just put 00:07:45.110 --> 00:07:46.790 these away and get into something a bit more 00:07:46.790 --> 00:07:50.930 park friendly, okay? Ten minutes later, we're 00:07:50.930 --> 00:07:54.810 at the park. Walking, catching up. And by catching 00:07:54.810 --> 00:07:57.769 up, I mean everything. University, her plans, 00:07:58.329 --> 00:08:01.069 what she wants next, how she really feels about 00:08:01.069 --> 00:08:04.790 what happened this past month. She seems hopeful. 00:08:05.689 --> 00:08:07.790 I don't want to ask about her job interview, 00:08:08.310 --> 00:08:13.029 but it's like she read my mind. Well, I passed 00:08:13.029 --> 00:08:16.730 the interviews. Both of them. She says casually. 00:08:18.029 --> 00:08:22.430 I see. And I think I'll take the job. She pauses. 00:08:23.329 --> 00:08:26.829 Well, I'm not sure yet. I'm still figuring out 00:08:26.829 --> 00:08:30.089 things. You know, I'm still in limbo about getting 00:08:30.089 --> 00:08:33.769 an apartment here. You spoke with them already? 00:08:34.409 --> 00:08:38.049 Concerning your thoughts? Yeah. With everything 00:08:38.049 --> 00:08:40.269 that happened, I asked for a month to think about 00:08:40.269 --> 00:08:44.649 it. And they agreed. I'm really shocked by that. 00:08:44.990 --> 00:08:48.950 She adds. I didn't expect them to wait, but if 00:08:48.950 --> 00:08:51.370 they're willing to wait, maybe it's a sign it's 00:08:51.370 --> 00:08:55.669 a good place to work. Don't you think? Yeah. 00:08:56.029 --> 00:08:59.850 Yeah, I do. Actually, up until a few minutes 00:08:59.850 --> 00:09:02.690 ago, I was unsure. But now that we've talked, 00:09:03.250 --> 00:09:06.570 I think I've made up my mind. She has no idea 00:09:06.570 --> 00:09:08.389 how much that means to me. She's not letting 00:09:08.389 --> 00:09:12.090 Henry dictate her future. And damn it. I'm proud 00:09:12.090 --> 00:09:16.169 of her. So, I'm gonna have to look for an apartment 00:09:16.169 --> 00:09:20.250 back in the city. Good. I reply a little too 00:09:20.250 --> 00:09:24.370 quickly. I can help you look for one. She smiles. 00:09:25.610 --> 00:09:27.710 Well, I've got about two and a half weeks to 00:09:27.710 --> 00:09:30.549 figure it out. Then I guess we better get to 00:09:30.549 --> 00:09:36.190 work. She chuckles. Then, after a beat. How's 00:09:36.190 --> 00:09:41.720 Henry? Henry's hanging in. You know how withdrawals 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:46.419 can be in rehab. Yeah, I know. Let's just hope 00:09:46.419 --> 00:09:49.799 he gets the help he needs. We stop at a food 00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:52.019 truck. The scent of grilled things and sugar 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:57.740 in the air. You want anything? Ice cream? Cotton 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:01.679 candy would be fine. I smile. You haven't changed 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:06.240 much, have you? I just love cotton candy. Fine. 00:10:06.870 --> 00:10:08.929 We spend the rest of the evening walking through 00:10:08.929 --> 00:10:11.429 the park, taking in the quiet, the fading sun, 00:10:11.870 --> 00:10:16.129 the stillness between us. It's perfect. No Henry, 00:10:16.570 --> 00:10:19.690 no tension. No one to pull her away, just us. 00:10:19.990 --> 00:10:22.570 And the park. As we make our way back to the 00:10:22.570 --> 00:10:26.629 car, she glances over. So, how long are you here 00:10:26.629 --> 00:10:33.909 for? Two weeks. Oh, that's long. She grins. So... 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:36.480 How exactly are you going to find me an apartment 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:39.919 in the two weeks you're here? I have my ways 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:44.200 and besides I Haven't taken a real vacation in 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:48.440 a while I'm going to enjoy every bit of it She 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:52.399 nudges me gently Maybe I should enjoy it with 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:55.639 you, too When we arrived back at her house, I 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:58.220 greet her parents with big hugs. It's been a 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.179 while since I've seen them, but they look exactly 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:04.210 the same They haven't aged a day They beg me 00:11:04.210 --> 00:11:06.909 to stay for dinner, of course they do. And I 00:11:06.909 --> 00:11:08.649 would have stayed if I didn't get an emergency 00:11:08.649 --> 00:11:11.429 call from a previous client. There's a major 00:11:11.429 --> 00:11:14.169 issue with one of the games I worked on. Something 00:11:14.169 --> 00:11:16.629 I'm directly responsible for, I can't ignore 00:11:16.629 --> 00:11:19.590 it. I know it's my vacation, but when something 00:11:19.590 --> 00:11:23.509 is mine to fix, I fix it. Juliana looks disappointed, 00:11:23.769 --> 00:11:26.570 sad even. But I tell her I'll make it up to her. 00:11:26.970 --> 00:11:30.009 And I mean it. Unfortunately, the problem with 00:11:30.009 --> 00:11:32.799 the game was bigger than I thought. I had to 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:34.860 pull out all my equipment and stay up all night. 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:38.320 Actually, two nights. I don't finish until two 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:43.879 days later, around 4pm. Exhausted? Yeah. But 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.460 relieved that I finally have time to make it 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:49.100 up to Jules. I kept in touch throughout, sending 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:51.639 her updates, letting her know I haven't disappeared. 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:54.740 And when I finally message her to say I'm done, 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:59.299 she calls me almost immediately. I want to cook 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:03.889 something for you, she says. I blink, surprised. 00:12:04.750 --> 00:12:07.470 She wants to cook for me? I feel like it should 00:12:07.470 --> 00:12:10.610 be the other way around. After everything, I 00:12:10.610 --> 00:12:13.429 should be doing something for her. But Juliana 00:12:13.429 --> 00:12:17.570 insists. And somehow, I can't tell that woman 00:12:17.570 --> 00:12:20.950 no. Later that evening, I show up at Juliana's 00:12:20.950 --> 00:12:23.830 doorstep, this time with two bags of cotton candy 00:12:23.830 --> 00:12:26.789 from the food truck. She opens the door with 00:12:26.789 --> 00:12:30.289 a grin the second she sees me holding them. You're 00:12:30.289 --> 00:12:33.570 unserious. She says, laughing as I hand one over. 00:12:34.389 --> 00:12:38.509 You said you loved it. I aim to please. As I 00:12:38.509 --> 00:12:42.950 step inside, I glance around. No parents? She 00:12:42.950 --> 00:12:45.990 shakes her head. It's my mom's birthday tomorrow. 00:12:46.529 --> 00:12:49.250 My dad rented a boat to take her on a tour. Left 00:12:49.250 --> 00:12:51.649 yesterday. They'll be back in about three or 00:12:51.649 --> 00:12:55.889 four days. Nice. That sounds like something your 00:12:55.889 --> 00:13:00.200 dad would do. She smiles. He's always had a thing 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:05.059 for charming surprises So I guess it's just the 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:10.220 two of us Yep, it is Wait, is that a bad thing? 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:18.899 No, it's not What nothing Juliana opens one of 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:21.879 the cotton candy and stuffs it in her mouth You're 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:28.210 gonna get me fat you fat never And even if you 00:13:28.210 --> 00:13:32.090 did gain some, you would still be perfect. She 00:13:32.090 --> 00:13:35.549 scoffs. She walks toward the kitchen, barefoot 00:13:35.549 --> 00:13:39.649 and comfortable, and I follow. So, what's for 00:13:39.649 --> 00:13:43.389 dinner? Chicken Alfredo. She says over her shoulder, 00:13:43.990 --> 00:13:47.009 already moving like she's in her element. Well, 00:13:47.649 --> 00:13:51.149 you certainly didn't wait. I didn't want you 00:13:51.149 --> 00:13:54.690 to help. She teases. This is my thing tonight. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:57.059 The only thing you're going to help me with is 00:13:57.059 --> 00:14:02.820 tasting. Tasting, huh? Yeah. She grabs a wooden 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:05.679 spoon and dips it into the creamy sauce. She 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:08.120 gives it a small taste, then offers it to me. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:13.299 I take a taste. Mmm. That's actually really good. 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:20.139 You're such a bad liar. No, really, Master Chef. 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:22.820 Or maybe it's just better because you tasted 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:26.759 it first. She squints, eyes narrowing playfully. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:31.480 Wait a minute. What does that mean? I shrug, 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:36.080 setting the spoon down. Nothing. Elliot. What? 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:41.080 She shakes her head. I thought so. She smiles. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:44.519 Juliana reaches up into the cupboard, and I step 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:47.820 in to help her take out two plates. You know, 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:51.379 you've always been a cryptic person. Really? 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:55.399 Yeah. I remember from the very first time we 00:14:55.399 --> 00:15:00.759 met. You were always like this. Like how? You 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:04.059 say or do things. And then you just dismiss them. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:07.240 Like they don't matter. Like they shouldn't happen 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:12.580 or shouldn't be said or... I don't know. I shake 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:16.120 my head, smiling. I have no idea what you're 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:20.360 talking about, Jule. She gives me a look. Like 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:24.129 that day we first met. After the boat trip, just 00:15:24.129 --> 00:15:27.490 before we all went our separate ways, you picked 00:15:27.490 --> 00:15:31.549 a flower. It was small, yellow, with white at 00:15:31.549 --> 00:15:34.309 the tips. You stuck it in my hair and said it 00:15:34.309 --> 00:15:37.429 matched my essence, and that I should always 00:15:37.429 --> 00:15:41.809 wear it. Her voice softens. And then you just 00:15:41.809 --> 00:15:46.350 walked off, like it meant nothing. I stay quiet 00:15:46.350 --> 00:15:49.049 for a moment too long, because I remember that 00:15:49.049 --> 00:15:51.860 flower. I remember everything about that day. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:55.139 What she doesn't know is, I think I fell in love 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:58.600 with her that day, but I was the older one. And 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:02.360 she was Henry's age. And Henry? He had liked 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:06.019 her too. He'd said it out loud, claimed it first. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:08.779 They started talking more during the boat ride, 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:12.159 and I let it happen. I didn't want Henry thinking 00:16:12.159 --> 00:16:15.019 I had feelings for her, especially after he made 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:19.370 his interest known. So I stepped back. But when 00:16:19.370 --> 00:16:22.730 I saw that flower, small, soft, yellow with white 00:16:22.730 --> 00:16:26.970 tips, it reminded me of her. Sweet, yet simple. 00:16:27.570 --> 00:16:31.090 A rare, quiet sunshine. So I gave it to her. 00:16:31.629 --> 00:16:35.129 And that was that. Because in my mind, she already 00:16:35.129 --> 00:16:38.909 belonged to him. I shrug, unsure how to answer. 00:16:39.570 --> 00:16:43.669 But she keeps going. And that time, when you 00:16:43.669 --> 00:16:46.649 were leaving for college... I glance at her. 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:50.820 I was at your house. You were packing. You passed 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:53.879 me in the hallway and said, if only our timelines 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:58.279 were different. Her voice dips. I wasn't sure 00:16:58.279 --> 00:17:02.620 if you meant me. And when I asked what that meant, 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:06.640 you ignored me completely. She lets out a soft 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:10.059 breath. I didn't know if you were talking to 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:14.240 me or just thinking out loud, but it sounded 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:18.859 like You were trying to tell me something. Juliana. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:22.880 She moves before I can finish. Forget about it. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:26.140 She then gathers the plates, shares out the food, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:29.799 and walks toward the dining table. I just feel 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:32.640 like... She adds, setting the plates down. You've 00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:34.640 been hiding in the shadows because of Henry. 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:39.579 She sits, but her eyes are steady on mine. And 00:17:39.579 --> 00:17:43.000 I hate it. I hate how you had to walk on egg 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:46.069 shells because of his insecurities. I liked you, 00:17:46.210 --> 00:17:48.769 Elliot. I liked you from the first day we met. 00:17:49.289 --> 00:17:53.230 And I've never stopped liking you. My chest tightens. 00:17:54.190 --> 00:17:56.250 It was only because Henry had the balls to say 00:17:56.250 --> 00:17:58.630 something. And you didn't have the mind to tell 00:17:58.630 --> 00:18:03.730 me how you felt that I went with him. And now... 00:18:03.730 --> 00:18:06.890 She looks away, swallowing hard. Now I'm paying 00:18:06.890 --> 00:18:10.670 for it. I'm alone. And I've got the mental scars 00:18:10.670 --> 00:18:14.220 and regret. Because I chose someone else just 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:19.500 to spite you I stand slowly Juliana Don't blame 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:22.700 yourself because of what Henry did You chose 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:26.000 what felt right at the time But you're not alone 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:30.779 I'm here. I'm right here with you She stares 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:33.440 at me eyes glinting with something sharper than 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:37.740 hurt You're here, but I feel like I'm with a 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:41.769 ghost because you can never be real with me What 00:18:41.769 --> 00:18:45.109 do you want me to say? She slams her fist against 00:18:45.109 --> 00:18:50.730 the table. Hard. Damn it, Elliot. Be real. Be 00:18:50.730 --> 00:18:54.009 fucking real with me. Henry and I are over, so 00:18:54.009 --> 00:18:56.390 what's the real reason you're here? And don't 00:18:56.390 --> 00:19:00.349 tell me to check in. Tell me the truth. Her voice 00:19:00.349 --> 00:19:03.650 echoes in the silence between us. So does the 00:19:03.650 --> 00:19:07.849 truth. I stare at her, jaw clenched, heart pounding. 00:19:09.230 --> 00:19:13.380 The real reason I'm here. is because I love you. 00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:18.000 Her eyes widen slightly, but I don't stop. I've 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:21.119 loved you since that first day on the dock. When 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:24.319 you smiled without trying. When you laughed like 00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:27.380 a kid dancing in endless bubbles. I move around 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:30.460 the table, closing the space between us. I buried 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:34.299 it. I buried everything I felt, because Henry 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:37.200 wanted you. And I thought stepping back was the 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:40.200 right thing to do. I thought I was protecting 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:44.230 him. I thought I was doing the mature thing But 00:19:44.230 --> 00:19:47.769 the truth is Every moment I've spent pretending 00:19:47.769 --> 00:19:51.509 I didn't feel anything for you It's been hell 00:19:51.509 --> 00:19:55.569 She doesn't say anything Her breathing is shallow 00:19:55.569 --> 00:19:59.490 Her fingers are trembling I came here thinking 00:19:59.490 --> 00:20:03.950 I could just check on you Be a friend Do the 00:20:03.950 --> 00:20:07.349 right thing again But the second I saw you open 00:20:07.349 --> 00:20:14.430 that door I take one more step forward. I'm still 00:20:14.430 --> 00:20:19.029 in love with you, Juliana. I never stopped. Juliana 00:20:19.029 --> 00:20:21.029 shoots up from her seat and crosses the space 00:20:21.029 --> 00:20:24.470 between us in two swift steps. She grabs my face, 00:20:24.730 --> 00:20:28.390 firm, desperate, and kisses me. It's not soft. 00:20:28.910 --> 00:20:32.710 It's not shy. It's every unsaid word, every missed 00:20:32.710 --> 00:20:35.730 moment, every buried feeling, crashing into me 00:20:35.730 --> 00:20:40.789 all at once. Her lips are warm, urgent. tasting 00:20:40.789 --> 00:20:44.730 like frustration and longing. I freeze for a 00:20:44.730 --> 00:20:48.109 second, startled by the force of it, and then 00:20:48.109 --> 00:20:52.589 I melt into her. My hands find her waist, pulling 00:20:52.589 --> 00:20:56.289 her closer. I feel her fingers slip into my hair, 00:20:56.769 --> 00:21:00.190 her breath stuttering against my mouth. We kiss 00:21:00.190 --> 00:21:03.269 like time owes us, like we're owed every second 00:21:03.269 --> 00:21:06.750 we lost pretending. When we finally pull back, 00:21:06.809 --> 00:21:09.900 we're both breathless. Her forehead rests against 00:21:09.900 --> 00:21:14.960 mine. I've waited so long to do that. She whispers. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:21.019 I close my eyes. So have I. We both glance at 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:23.680 the food sitting on the table, and then burst 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:28.359 into laughter. Because honestly, that's the last 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:31.240 thing on our minds right now. I don't want to 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:36.819 rush things, but yet I actually do. Still, somewhere 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:40.900 deep down, I fear that holding back, again, might 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:43.960 cost me more than I'm willing to lose. So I lean 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:47.079 in and press another kiss to her lips. Slower 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:51.400 this time. Intentional. She lets out a soft moan 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:53.500 against my mouth and it sends a wave of heat 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:58.539 straight through me. Maybe. I whisper. We should 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:02.480 finish eating first. She smiles, breathless. 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:06.819 Then I'll eat fast. I laugh, shaking my head. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:38.420 She sighs with defeat. And for the first time 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:42.900 in forever, I feel at peace. Eventually we start 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:47.299 kissing again. Slowly at first. Then with more 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:51.180 urgency. Juliana kisses me like I might disappear. 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:55.259 Like I might change my mind. So I pull back just 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:58.619 enough to look her in the eyes. I'm not going 00:22:58.619 --> 00:23:02.640 anywhere. She blinks searching my face. I want 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:06.960 this. Whatever this is between us. I want it 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:10.519 to be real. I want a relationship with you, Juliana. 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:14.660 I want to be with you. As long as you'll have 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:19.680 me. She exhales a sharp breath. I want you too, 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:24.059 Elliot. But then her brows knit. How are we going 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:29.140 to explain this? They know. Her eyes widen. What? 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:33.299 My mom's known for a long time. And your parents 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:36.630 too. I don't think they ever really wanted Henry 00:23:36.630 --> 00:23:42.309 for you. It was just... easier that way. Simpler. 00:23:43.670 --> 00:23:45.869 Juliana sits up a little straighter, the weight 00:23:45.869 --> 00:23:49.730 of those words sinking in. I'm going to do right 00:23:49.730 --> 00:23:54.109 by you, Julie. I say softly. I'm not going to 00:23:54.109 --> 00:23:58.369 be another Henry. I know you're not Henry. You've 00:23:58.369 --> 00:24:03.029 never been like him. She pauses. It's just... 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:06.720 I wish you'd spoken up when you had the chance. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.920 I reach up and gently brush away the tear sliding 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:14.980 down her cheek. Then I kiss her, slow and sweetly. 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:21.980 I love you. I whisper. And I'm here now. I love 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:26.319 you too. Juliana stands slowly, her eyes never 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:28.940 leaving mine, and slides her cotton pants down 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:32.519 her legs. She steps out of them, then moves toward 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:35.980 me. Unbuckling my belt with long, tender fingers. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:40.799 I want to feel you inside me. I take a deep breath 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:43.359 trying to stay in control, but the moment is 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:47.059 already claiming me. I run my palm down her waist, 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:50.640 along her warm, soft skin, and stop at her thighs. 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:54.140 I lift my hips as she slips the rest of my pants 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:58.559 off, and exhale. Juliana climbs into my lap, 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.920 straddling me, her thighs firm against my sides. 00:25:02.910 --> 00:25:05.670 She moans softly as she tugs her panties to the 00:25:05.670 --> 00:25:09.230 side and sinks down onto me slow and tantalizing 00:25:09.230 --> 00:25:12.190 deep Her breath catching in my ear as her body 00:25:12.190 --> 00:25:15.650 wraps around mine She buries her face into my 00:25:15.650 --> 00:25:19.250 neck gasping and I can feel the heat of her breath 00:25:19.250 --> 00:25:22.470 the tension in her spine as she moves grinding 00:25:22.470 --> 00:25:25.289 into me like she knows exactly how to undo me 00:25:25.289 --> 00:25:28.390 I Reach for her top and pull it over her head 00:25:28.390 --> 00:25:32.829 in one fluid motion bearing her completely One 00:25:32.829 --> 00:25:35.809 of her bra straps slips down her arm and I undo 00:25:35.809 --> 00:25:39.509 the rest She's all curves and shadows and want 00:25:39.509 --> 00:25:42.549 She leans back just enough to watch me watching 00:25:42.549 --> 00:25:47.309 her The way she moves its art. It's pure emotion 00:25:47.309 --> 00:25:52.430 Everything melts away the room the past the pain 00:25:52.430 --> 00:25:58.089 there's only her and me and this She presses 00:25:58.089 --> 00:26:00.109 her hips down harder and I groaned beneath her 00:26:00.109 --> 00:27:01.500 tugging on her ponytail Fuck. Ah. Fuck. smoothing 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:03.740 it back from her face as I press a soft kiss 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:08.019 to her temple. We don't speak, just skin on skin, 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:10.420 heartbeats and the warmth of two people who finally 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:14.339 stop pretending. Juliana sighs with contentment. 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:18.839 I close my eyes, breathing her in. And for the 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:22.380 first time since all this began, I feel at home. 00:27:30.109 --> 00:27:33.329 My Brother's Girlfriend, Part 3. This is the 00:27:33.329 --> 00:27:36.410 final installment. So stay tuned for a new episode. 00:27:37.069 --> 00:27:39.369 Don't forget that Kamiya's Closet is on TikTok 00:27:39.369 --> 00:27:42.349 and YouTube. You can search Kamiya Sloan on both 00:27:42.349 --> 00:27:45.150 apps. Your follow would mean a lot to me and 00:27:45.150 --> 00:27:48.009 help grow my community. Thanks for being awesome. 00:27:48.809 --> 00:27:50.750 See you in the next episode. Bye.