- 10 months ago
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00:00Hi, I'm Catalina Cortez, the only legitimate child of Richard Cortez, a billionaire with
00:11the emotional range of a potato.
00:13There was a time when we were a happy family, but after mom left when I was five, dad went
00:19on a world tour of girlfriends.
00:21Some standouts are a Spanish teacher, an Indian yoga influencer, a K-drama actress, and a Russian
00:27pop star.
00:28His most recent one had gotten pregnant, and since he'd recently announced he was running
00:33for mayor, he needed to keep everything hush-hush.
00:37And by hush-hush, I mean paying her enough to keep her quiet.
00:41So yeah, while dad was always busy throwing money at me and all of his other problems,
00:46I got all the attention I wanted at school.
00:49Catalina, we saved you a seat!
00:51Oh my god, girl, your outfit is everything!
00:53But I wasn't stupid.
00:56I knew people loved having me around for the perks.
00:59VIP party invites, entry to the best clubs, Instagram clout.
01:04But none of them were actually my friends.
01:07The only real friend I had was Mike.
01:09He was my neighbor, and since he was a couple of years older, he took it upon himself to be
01:14my life coach.
01:15If you know people are hanging out with you just to ask favors, why are you friends with
01:20them?
01:21Um, because I'm 18 and I need company.
01:23And you're one to talk.
01:25Remember how you straightened your hair every day just because Brittany liked it?
01:30You looked like a malnourished raccoon.
01:31And I don't want you making the same mistakes I did.
01:35Be better.
01:36But it was my last summer break of high school, and I did not want to spend it alone.
01:41So I impulsively invited my entire class to a Billie Eilish concert happening that weekend.
01:46But the tickets were all sold out.
01:48So, of course, I knew what I had to do.
01:51Dad?
01:52It's an emergency.
01:53Billie's having a concert, and I need-
01:55Catalina, we're in the middle of a meeting.
01:57You can wait outside, and I'll be right-
01:59But I'd already zoned out, because my eyes were glued to the most gorgeous boy ever.
02:05Dark, slightly messy hair, sleeves rolled up showing his veiny arms, jawline sharp enough
02:11to cut diamonds.
02:13Perfection.
02:14Mr. Cortez, if this isn't a good time-
02:17Oh, please, don't stop on my account.
02:20I'm Catalina, by the way.
02:21You know, the Cortez heiress.
02:23Vogue teen cover last month.
02:2512 million followers.
02:27You must have seen my TikTok series, Rich Girl Problems.
02:30It's been trending this past week.
02:32My bad.
02:33I must have missed it while reading something meaningful.
02:37Now, Mr. Cortez, if we could return to discussing the initiative for underprivileged schools.
02:42And he went back to his presentation, ignoring me like I was a housefly.
02:47Usually, I'd throw some kind of tantrum for attention.
02:49But for once, I sat my butt down and listened.
02:53His name was Adrian Carter.
02:56And he was pitching a tech-based education platform for low-income schools.
03:00Custom tablets, AI tutoring, skill-building modules.
03:03It all sounded pretty cool.
03:05The idea is impressive, Carter.
03:07As you may know, I'm running for mayor this year.
03:09And something like this could really benefit the campaign and the community.
03:13So, if you can give me a number, we can talk about ownership.
03:17Respectfully, sir, I'm not looking to sell.
03:19I worked hard to build this from the ground up.
03:21Now, I'm finally ready to scale it.
03:23So, I'm looking for an investor who believes in my mission, not a buyout.
03:27This means more to me than a few zeros in my account.
03:30That was the first time I'd ever heard somebody say no to dad and no to money.
03:36I was super curious about Adrian.
03:39So, I stalked him online that night.
03:41Orphaned at 12, MIT graduate on full scholarship, and the self-made tech CEO before 23.
03:48He was quite the guy.
03:50And super fit, too.
03:52So, early the next morning, I went straight to the park where he jogged every day.
03:57Oh, hi there.
03:59Miss Cortez, what are you doing here?
04:01Jogging, of course.
04:03And please, call me Catalina.
04:05Miss Cortez sounds like I'm about to sell you essential oils.
04:08Do you come here often?
04:10Yes, but I've never seen you here before.
04:12Oh, that's because I run really fast.
04:14Like, Lincoln, you miss it fast?
04:16I can show you.
04:18I started sprinting across the field.
04:21Only to trip over a route 10 seconds in.
04:24Adrian ran over to help me.
04:26Looks like you might have a sprained ankle.
04:28Can you walk?
04:29Depends.
04:30Would you carry me if I can't?
04:32What?
04:33I'm joking.
04:34Although, I think I am a bit dizzy.
04:37Would you mind grabbing some breakfast with me?
04:40Also, you know, I'm very persuasive.
04:44I bet I can convince Daddy to invest in your project.
04:47Thanks, but I don't need any favors.
04:50I'll book you a cab.
04:51I'm running late for something important.
04:53The more he ignored me, the more I wanted his attention.
04:57So I pulled a few strings and ended up crashing his charity gala.
05:01But he was so busy with the guests, he barely looked my way.
05:05And I casually showed up at his favorite coffee spot.
05:08But he just grabbed his latte and bolted before I could even say hi.
05:12I even went to his office once.
05:14But his secretary told me he wasn't around.
05:17Liar.
05:18He hates me, Mike.
05:21No.
05:22Worse.
05:23He's repelled by me.
05:25Yeah.
05:26Totally weird he doesn't like stalkers.
05:28Why are you so obsessed with this guy anyway?
05:31I wouldn't say obsessed.
05:33It's just that he doesn't care my name is Cortez.
05:38He's definitely not scared of my dad.
05:40And he wants to change the world.
05:43He's different, you know?
05:45Are you even listening to me?
05:46Who are you texting?
05:47Uh, sorry.
05:48Daddy issues.
05:49You're talking to your dad?
05:51What's going on?
05:52You've been really distracted lately.
05:54It's nothing.
05:55Look, Adrian is a self-made guy.
05:58And you need to show him that you're more than just daddy spoiled little princess.
06:03That's when it hit me like a pair of Louboutins in the face.
06:06Daddy!
06:07Daddy's turning 50 next weekend, Mike.
06:10Okay.
06:11And?
06:12Every year on his birthday, he picks up one passion project to fund.
06:16What if this year, I pitch an education foundation for kids who can't afford school?
06:23That'll impress Adrian.
06:25Fantastic idea.
06:26Except you know nothing about education or kids or foundations.
06:31Ugh, please.
06:32How hard can it be figuring that out?
06:34Turns out, a lot.
06:36I had to go through government policy websites, read reports, and understand things like grants.
06:42Mike helped, of course.
06:44And by the end of the week, I had a fully fleshed out plan.
06:48Which I presented on Dad's birthday.
06:51And everyone was impressed by how solid it looked.
06:54Including Adrian.
06:56That was impressive.
06:57I didn't think you'd be that passionate about children's education.
07:00What?
07:01Of course I love children.
07:03And education.
07:04Everyone needs school, right?
07:06You don't want to turn out stupid.
07:09Haha.
07:10Anyway.
07:11Wanna dance?
07:12But just as our hands touched, Dad's chauffeur walked in carrying a huge box.
07:17He gave it to me along with a note.
07:19To the elites, who take an act without thinking.
07:23Here's something you can't ignore.
07:25This child is your responsibility now.
07:28Huh?
07:29I lifted the lid and...
07:31Oh my god!
07:32It's a baby!
07:33The room exploded with gasps and camera flashes.
07:37Dad was immediately on the phone, talking furiously to someone.
07:41And I handed the baby to the nearest staff member and walked over to Adrian.
07:46Wow.
07:47That was unexpected.
07:49Anyway.
07:50Where were we?
07:51Uh...
07:52Aren't you gonna address the fact that there's an abandoned baby in the middle of the room?
07:56Oh!
07:57Don't worry about that.
07:58It's probably one of Dad's exes trying to get attention.
08:01The lawyers will take it away and handle it.
08:03It?
08:04Are you serious?
08:05You talk about helping kids and then a real child shows up and your first instinct is to hand
08:10him off like some lost package?
08:12What else am I supposed to do?
08:14Anything's better than dumping him on your lawyers who will eventually just dump him at
08:17an orphanage.
08:18You wouldn't know how it feels to grow up thinking no one wants you.
08:21But I've been that kid.
08:23Excuse me?
08:24I grew up without a mother too.
08:26Then how is it so easy for you to abandon a kid?
08:29Never develop something called empathy, I guess?
08:31I looked at the baby.
08:33Tiny.
08:34Helpless.
08:35And something inside me just...
08:37Snapped.
08:38Fine then.
08:39I'm going to look after the baby till we find his real mom.
08:42Are you trying to crack jokes now?
08:44No, I'm not.
08:45I will look after that child by myself.
08:48I know what it feels like to be left behind and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.
08:53Especially not a baby.
08:55But if I do this successfully, you'll publicly admit that you're just a judgmental butt face
09:00who was entirely wrong about me.
09:02Great.
09:03But when you fail, which you will, you'll admit how you're nothing but a shallow entitled princess.
09:08And you'll move to a developing country for a year.
09:11Without your money.
09:12Easy.
09:13Anything else?
09:14Yeah, I don't trust you to actually do the work.
09:17You'll probably hire someone and fake it so you're moving into my house.
09:21I'm not a liar.
09:22Then it shouldn't be a problem.
09:24Ugh, fine.
09:25But I'm bringing my own bedding.
09:27And that's how I ended up in Adrian's penthouse.
09:30Dad, of course, hated the idea.
09:32But I made him see how this could work in our favor.
09:35The press would see how the Cortez family was stepping up and caring about the baby until the mother was found.
09:41And once the mom reappeared, we could just pay her off quietly to make the whole thing go away.
09:46I packed up whatever I could and left for Adrian's place.
09:50He lived in a penthouse, which wasn't bad.
09:53And he gave me the biggest room in the house.
09:56Don't think I'm doing this for you.
09:57The baby needs more room.
09:59Now, I have a meeting tomorrow and I need to sleep.
10:02So zero noise and zero drama.
10:04Understood?
10:05Wait.
10:06You're not gonna help me?
10:07Why?
10:08You're the one who took up the challenge, so you deal with it.
10:10Bye-bye.
10:11And then he just turned around and left.
10:14Rude.
10:15I looked at the baby.
10:16Aww.
10:17The poor thing looked so innocent.
10:19But then he let out a fart bomb.
10:22Enough to take a city down.
10:24Oh no.
10:25Oh no.
10:26You smell nasty.
10:27Ugh.
10:28This is literally the worst.
10:30I couldn't stop gagging as I got rid of the dirty diaper.
10:34And just before I could fasten the new one on, he peed all over me.
10:39And then he just started wailing.
10:41I rocked him, made faces, did a silly dance.
10:45But nothing worked.
10:47So I ran to the kitchen for some milk and fed him.
10:50And he finally dozed off.
10:52I guess I dozed off too.
10:54Because when I woke up, it was morning and Mike was staring at my face.
10:59Good morning, Princess.
11:01Love the new hair.
11:02Mike, thank God you're here.
11:04Just hold on to him.
11:05I gotta pee.
11:06When I got back, Mike was on the phone with someone looking tense.
11:11But as soon as he saw me, he disconnected.
11:13Everything okay?
11:14Yeah, yeah, just college stuff.
11:17How are you doing?
11:18What does my zombie-like appearance suggest?
11:21Why don't you just let your dad handle this whole baby situation?
11:25And give up?
11:26No way.
11:27I need to show Adrian I'm more than some shallow princess writing on daddy's credit card.
11:32Besides, I've got you to help me.
11:35Right, about that.
11:37I actually have to leave for a college project in Korea for a week.
11:42Just then, the baby started screaming.
11:44I asked Mike to wait till I changed the diaper.
11:47But he said he had to meet someone and left abruptly.
11:50Weird.
11:51The next few days were the toughest of my life.
11:54Between non-stop diaper changes, feeding schedules, and round the clock crying,
11:59I could hardly eat, shower, or even breathe.
12:03Mike wasn't replying to any of my desperate calls or texts.
12:06So I had zero backup.
12:08Unless you count Adrian's insanely detailed instructions before heading to work.
12:13Formula temperature 98.6 degrees exactly.
12:17Not 99, not 98.
12:19Diapers change immediately after feeding.
12:22Tummy time three times daily and absolutely no screen time.
12:25Also, I've installed nanny cams to make sure you don't cheat.
12:28What?
12:29That's literally illegal.
12:30No cameras.
12:31But your face just confirmed you were planning to cheat.
12:34Does my face also confirm that I feel like hitting you with a bat?
12:38Really?
12:39I thought you liked me.
12:40Isn't that why you followed me to that park and to my favorite coffee place?
12:43So you did see me and didn't even say hi?
12:46That's rude.
12:47Well, in my defense, I was in a hurry and you talked too much.
12:50Or maybe you're just a bad listener.
12:52I don't agree.
12:53Didn't think you would.
12:54I turned to leave, but the door knob got jammed.
12:58Just then, Adrian came forward, curled his hands around mine, and gave the knob a quick tug.
13:04Thanks.
13:05Anytime.
13:06I hurried out the door, but I could feel his eyes digging me in my back.
13:10What was that?
13:11The entire day, I couldn't stop replaying Adrian's smug grin in my head.
13:17I needed a break.
13:18So I decided to take the baby for a walk that evening.
13:21And a few blocks away, I spotted this cute little cafe.
13:25Hello.
13:26Welcome to Latte Love.
13:27We are a small batch, ethically sourced, community supported espresso bar.
13:30Have you tried our single origin cold brew from the highlands of Ethiopia?
13:34I'll just have a regular coffee.
13:36Thanks.
13:37You mean drip brew?
13:38Or a pour over?
13:39We also have a honey lavender fusion.
13:41Just coffee.
13:42In a cup.
13:43Hot.
13:44Maybe with sugar.
13:45Oh, we only have organic coconut syrup harvested under the moonlight.
13:50Okay.
13:51Coconut syrup it is.
13:52Would you like to add our handcrafted oat foam?
13:54We grow the oats.
13:55Oh my god.
13:56Just give me the coffee you freak of nature.
13:59Give her a regular latte with oat milk.
14:01It's the best.
14:02I turned around and saw this really cute guy smiling at me.
14:06His name was Jack and he was the cafe owner.
14:09We chatted for a while and for the first time in weeks, I felt kinda normal.
14:15I was in a great mood when I returned and Adrian was waiting to ruin it.
14:21Where have you been?
14:22I was just at the cafe near the park.
14:24Drinking coffee.
14:25Talking to an actual human being who doesn't yell at me every 5 minutes.
14:29Why didn't you answer your phone?
14:30I called so many times.
14:31It was in my bag.
14:32I didn't notice.
14:33Typically careless.
14:34It's way past his bedtime and you're out wandering around town talking to strangers.
14:39Why are you overreacting?
14:41I just stepped out and had a normal conversation with a nice guy who was actually really helpful
14:46with Bet.
14:47Who's Bet?
14:48Wait.
14:49You named the baby Bet?
14:51Yeah.
14:52Short for bet you didn't see that coming.
14:54It's got a ring to it.
14:56You wouldn't get it.
14:57Anyway, I'm meeting my new friend Jack for lunch tomorrow too.
15:00You don't need Jack or his stupid help.
15:02I'll take you both out tomorrow.
15:03But Jack's a pro with kids.
15:06He has nieces and nephews.
15:08I spent half my life surrounded by kids.
15:11Trust me.
15:12If anyone knows how to handle kids, it's me.
15:13The next day, Adrian took me and Bet on a picnic.
15:17He'd made us snacks, got us drinks and even brought toys for Bet.
15:21Even the two of us were getting along really well.
15:24And when Adrian wiped some sauce off my face, his fingers lingered on a little longer and
15:29it made my stomach churn.
15:31But just then, Bet let out the most ear shattering scream.
15:35After 10 minutes of chaos, spit up and public humiliation, Adrian and I packed up everything
15:41and decided to head home.
15:43We were waiting for a cab when a city bus rolled up and stopped beside us.
15:47Let's take the bus.
15:48The cab's taking too much time.
15:50No, cabs are faster and safer, especially with a baby.
15:53Oh, unclench and chill out, will you?
15:55Saying that, I climbed onto the bus and Adrian followed with Bet.
15:59Sometime later, this girl walked up to us.
16:02Aw, such an adorable baby.
16:04And you guys make a great couple.
16:06We're not together.
16:07Oh, thank God.
16:09Excuse me?
16:10Do you think maybe we could get off at the next stop and grab some coffee?
16:14We totally would, but his boyfriend's waiting for him.
16:18It's their six month anniversary.
16:20What?
16:21I'm not gay.
16:22It's okay, sweetie.
16:23It's 2025.
16:24You know, they even adopted a baby to show how committed they are to each other.
16:29It's the most beautiful thing.
16:31Oh, look.
16:32Our stop is here.
16:33You have a very nice day.
16:35And saying that, I just hurried to the door and got off with Adrian right behind me.
16:40What was that?
16:41It was blowing her off for you.
16:43You're welcome.
16:44Wait.
16:45You didn't actually want to get coffee with her, did you?
16:48Maybe I did.
16:49She was a pretty girl.
16:50I am a pretty girl and you've never had coffee with me.
16:53Anyway, I'm tired.
16:55So let's just go home and...
16:57Wait.
16:58Where's that?
16:59You had him.
17:00No, I didn't.
17:01You were the one with the stroller.
17:03Oh my God.
17:04He's on the bus.
17:05Adrian and I sprinted after the bus, which obviously outran us.
17:09What do we do now?
17:11Should we go to the police?
17:13And tell them what?
17:14That we lost a baby who wasn't even ours?
17:16They booked us for kidnapping.
17:17This is all your fault.
17:19If you hadn't flirted with that stupid chick, I wouldn't have been so distracted.
17:23My fault?
17:24I didn't even get to talk to her while you were busy making up lies about me.
17:28Just then, I got this phone call from an unknown number.
17:31It was a woman from the bus and she said she'd found my contact info in the stroller and Bette was with her.
17:37She sent us the location and Adrian and I sprinted there like two lunatics.
17:42We thanked her a hundred times and headed straight home.
17:46After putting Bette to bed, Adrian and I collapsed on the couch, exhausted.
17:52When I woke, Bette was in Adrian's arms.
17:55Hey!
17:56Turns out Bette's a morning person.
17:58Turns out?
17:59I already knew that.
18:01Mhm.
18:02So I've been thinking, I owe you an apology.
18:05For which particular incident?
18:07Because if you're starting from day one, we might need coffee first.
18:10For all of it.
18:11I guess I had this idea of who you were and I never let you show me otherwise.
18:15But yesterday made me realize I've been judging you unfairly.
18:19You're amazing.
18:20Not because you do everything perfectly, but because you keep showing up.
18:24Well, thank you.
18:26It's been more exhausting trying to prove myself to you than taking care of Bette.
18:30Consider me fully convinced.
18:32That day, something shifted between us.
18:35He started staying home more often, helping without being asked.
18:39Sometimes he'd quietly take over bottle duty or sneak into the kitchen at 2am to warm up formula while I was dead asleep on the couch.
18:46He even suggested I take a break and go to a birthday party I'd committed two weeks ago.
18:50Except, I didn't want to go.
18:52Why not?
18:53You're 18.
18:54Go have some fun.
18:55In that case, come with me.
18:57You deserve a break too.
18:59And I'd like you to meet my friends.
19:01Plus, the invite explicitly says we need a plus one.
19:05He didn't look thrilled.
19:07But after some dramatic pleading, he caved.
19:10We left Bette with one of his older maids and headed to the party.
19:13I thought it would be a fun night.
19:15But ten minutes into the party, I had people swarming over to me for favors.
19:20Hey, Kat.
19:21Is your dad still on that hotel board?
19:23Think he could pull a few strings for a friend's destination wedding?
19:27You're still tight with that influencer girl, right?
19:30You have to get her to tag my vintage page.
19:33I heard you're babysitting full time now or something.
19:36That's wild.
19:37Anyway, do you still have your stylus number?
19:39I smiled.
19:40I nodded.
19:41I said I'll see what I can do so many times.
19:44I lost track.
19:45And it made me wonder if it had always been this bad.
19:49I decided I wanted to leave the party.
19:52I was trying to find Adrian when I overheard some of my classmates talking.
19:56Honestly, I thought Katarina was pregnant or in rehab.
19:59Her skin looks kinda dull, right?
20:01And she's barely said anything.
20:02Didn't even apologize for not answering my texts for the concert tickets I wanted.
20:06Daddy said her father is dealing with some scandal.
20:09Let's hope he doesn't ruin his chances to become mayor.
20:12She could be a lot more useful to us as the mayor's daughter.
20:15I wanted to slap their faces.
20:18But just then, I saw Adrian trip right into them, making them spill their drinks all over their dresses.
20:24Oops, I'm so sorry. That was a total accident.
20:27Oh my god, you klutz. Where are your eyes?
20:30Right here.
20:31Are you trying to be funny? My dress is Persian silk.
20:34I have no idea what that means, but guessing by the way you're shrieking, I'm sure it was expensive.
20:39You can afford a good dry cleaner though, yeah?
20:41In case you can't, here's my number. I'll take care of the bill.
20:44And then he just turned around and walked away, leaving the girls fuming.
20:50That was awesome. Also hilarious to see you tripping so dramatically.
20:55Yes, I sacrificed my usual grace and poise for you. But seriously, these people are selfish leeches. You already knew that, right?
21:02Yeah, but most of the people I know are like this. And I figured early on that getting people things they wanted made me popular.
21:10I sound like a really pathetic attention seeker, right?
21:15No, I get where you're coming from, but you deserve better. And you're in much better company now. Let's get out of here and grab some pizza.
21:23Sounds like a plan. Over the next few days, Adrian and I got closer. The more time we spent together, the more I liked and respected him.
21:31And I genuinely liked our quiet little life together. I certainly didn't miss my fake friends and didn't even need as much retail therapy.
21:40But what scared me was that summer break was almost over and Dad still hadn't located Bet's mom.
21:46I was beginning to feel really worried about what would happen to him if we never found her.
21:51Then suddenly, one evening I got a phone call. It was from a hospital, saying that Mike had been in an accident and since his parents weren't answering, they'd contacted me.
22:01But he's in Korea. Are you sure you have the right person?
22:05Yes, ma'am. You're listed on his emergency contact list.
22:09When did he get back? And why didn't he tell me?
22:12I called Adrian, but he was stuck in a meeting. So I left Bet with one of the mates and rushed to the hospital to see Mike.
22:18I found him in the reception area, arguing with someone on the phone.
22:22Please, no, you can't tell them. Let me handle this my own way.
22:26What's going on? Mike looked startled, hung up and hugged me.
22:30What's happening, Mike? When did you get back? Or you never left and you've just been avoiding me?
22:36No, I came back last night. I was on my way to see you when I got hit by that stupid delivery bike.
22:42But I'm fine and there's something I need to tell you.
22:45But before Mike could finish, I got a call from Adrian's maid.
22:49She said she was watching Bet when someone attacked her and took Bet away.
22:54I tried asking her more, but the maid was so shaken up she could barely speak.
22:58Mike and I rushed home and I crashed through the door to find Adrian already there.
23:02We watched the security footage in horror.
23:05A woman in her forties had walked in, pushed the maid and left with Bet.
23:10Oh my God, this is my fault. I... I shouldn't have left Bet alone. What was I thinking?
23:16None of this is your fault. If anything, I should have tightened security around here.
23:20How could she just walk in like that? I'm going to the police. We'll sort this out.
23:24You don't need to do that. I... I know where Bet is.
23:29What? How could you possibly know that?
23:31Because... he's my son. Excuse me?
23:36That's when Mike finally came clean. Bet's real name was Leo and he was Mike's son with his college girlfriend Amara.
23:44And the woman on the camera feed was Amara's mom.
23:47Amara and I dated a while ago. Then one day she told me she was pregnant. I knew if Dad found out, he'd lose it. So I told her I couldn't be part of the baby's life. She dropped out of college and left. But I did find out I'd had a son.
24:02So you knew all along that baby is your son? Watched me uproot my life and said nothing?
24:09I'm sorry. I didn't want you to hate me.
24:12And yet somehow I want to punch your face.
24:16Catalina, I know you're angry but let him finish. So tell me, why did Amara think it was a good idea to leave Leo at Catalina's place?
24:24That was her mom. Amara got a job overseas and left Leo in her care. But that woman is crazy. She kept calling, yelling at me, saying I was a terrible person. So I stopped picking up. I guess she wanted to teach me a lesson and decided to drop Leo at my place. But she messed up.
24:41But she messed up the address since Kat and I are neighbors.
24:44But why didn't she come talk to us instead of taking Ben away like some kidnapper?
24:49She's been stalking me on social media because she found out I was in Korea and screamed at me on the phone, asking what I'd done with Leo. So I told her he was safe with you. Maybe she went to your place and found out you're currently staying with Adrian.
25:03I can't believe all this. I thought you were smart and wise. But I am so disappointed in you.
25:11Kat, I know you're angry but right now we need to see if Leo's okay. Do you know where Amara's mom lives?
25:17Mike nodded and fifteen minutes later we were standing outside a crammed apartment. We knocked and the woman who opened the door looked at us with the most disgusted expression ever.
25:27What do you want princess? I thought you'd be happy to be rid of the baby your friend dumped on you. And you probably dumped him on your maids. I thought I could teach Mike some responsibility. But if he can't take care of his own child, then fine. He doesn't deserve to be a part of Leo's life.
25:47I didn't dump Leo on anyone. And I care about him a lot. You certainly taught me something about being responsible and less selfish for a change. And I'm grateful for it.
25:56And we're here to let you know that starting today, Mike will be stepping up. Financial support, parenting classes, regular visits, all of it. And if it's okay with you, I would like to pitch in too.
26:09What's the catch?
26:10No catch. We genuinely want to help. Leo deserves a family, not an absent mother and an irresponsible father.
26:18But I have college and placements, and my parents will kill me.
26:22Well, you should have thought about that before bringing a child into the world, Mike. I know this is really big, but we can do it together. A child needs a village to raise it anyway, right?
26:33Mike did step up and came clean to his parents about Leo. And let's just say, it was dramatic. But he and Amara's mom worked out a custody agreement between them. And of course, Leo's favorite auntie Catalina had exclusive visiting rights.
26:49Also, my dad agreed to invest in Adrian's idea to help underprivileged kids. And a month later, we had a party to celebrate the launch of his project.
26:59So, I guess you officially won the bet.
27:04Aw, are you sad?
27:06Nope. If anything, I'm proud of you. I spent years thinking that letting people in was a weakness. But seeing how brave you were, standing up for Leo, it made me want to take a chance.
27:16What kind of chance?
27:18The kind that scares me, but also feels exactly right. Like this.