- 1 day ago
Under the night sky, two broken souls find redemption and hope through love.
Category
š„
Short filmTranscript
00:00Julian didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company's shares to him a gift for our 10th
00:04anniversary, until the day of my son's health checkup.
00:08The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
00:10My husband and I, both type O. Our son? Type A.
00:15I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian. I didn't make a sound.
00:20I simply, calmly, did two things.
00:23First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't looking.
00:26Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:30I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around.
00:33The DNA testing center was across town.
00:35I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:37The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:40Standard processing is five business days. Rushes today by 4 p.m. Triple the cost. Rush it.
00:45My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
00:48After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
00:52Every second felt like an hour. I pulled out my phone and made another call.
00:56I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
00:58I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
01:02The private detective's voice was professional. Detached.
01:05Understood.
01:07At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:09I opened the electronic report. Skipped straight to the end.
01:12DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:22Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:28Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:33I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
01:36Not my child.
01:37I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
01:40So where was my child?
01:42My husband and I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years
01:47ago.
01:48Dr. Seussi was still there.
01:49She'd been promoted to department head.
01:52Dr. Seussi, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
01:56Her smile froze for a moment.
01:58That was so long ago.
02:00The files might already be archived.
02:01It took some effort, but eventually someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:06I flipped it open.
02:07The documentation was shockingly sparse.
02:09Only basic informations.
02:11Admission time, discharge time, delivery method, newborn wait, no detailed labor notes, no nurse handoff records, no pediatric examination reports.
02:21Is this everything?
02:22She looked apologetic.
02:23That's all we have in the system.
02:25Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
02:27You're right at the edge of that window.
02:29What about the newborn footprints?
02:30The blood samples.
02:32She shook her head.
02:34Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
02:38It was obvious there was something wrong.
02:40An abnormally simple medical file.
02:42Missing newborn records.
02:44A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
02:48The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
02:52I drove sh**.
02:52My phone rang.
02:53It was Julian.
02:54Where are you?
02:55I already picked up Alex.
02:56I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
02:59At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:01I'm out running business.
03:02I'll be home soon.
03:04I hung up.
03:05After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:09Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
03:14Their voices drifting through the house.
03:18Dad, is Mom upset?
03:20Mom's just tired.
03:21Finish your homework and get to bed early.
03:23I waited until they were both asleep.
03:24Then I started searching.
03:26The master bedroom.
03:27The living room.
03:29Alex's room.
03:30I went through everything, looking for...
03:32I didn't even know what.
03:34I found nothing.
03:36Finally, I turned to the computer in the study.
03:38The truth had to be in there.
03:40Footsteps in the hallway.
03:42I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
03:45When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
03:49He glanced at the computer screen.
03:51It had returned to the desktop.
03:52A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
03:57Still up?
03:58Just organizing some old documents.
04:01I reached over and turned off the monitor.
04:02He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
04:05In the end, he just nodded.
04:08Get some rest.
04:09I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
04:13That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
04:16I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
04:20My phone rang.
04:21The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
04:24He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:27Alright.
04:27The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
04:30I turned on the computer and tried the password.
04:33Our wedding anniversary.
04:34Wrong.
04:35His birthday.
04:36Wrong.
04:37Alex's birthday.
04:38Still wrong.
04:39I tried the date we first met.
04:40His mother's birthday.
04:42The day the company was founded.
04:43All wrong.
04:44The system locked me out.
04:45Please try again in 15 minutes.
04:47I sat there, staring at the login screen.
04:50This computer we'd bought together, now locked against me.
04:54That evening, Julian came home from work.
04:56He was barely through the door when he said,
04:58I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
05:00Business trip.
05:01Not sure how long I'll be gone.
05:02I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:05That's sudden.
05:06Who are you going with?
05:07He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
05:09Just someone.
05:09It was a last minute arrangement.
05:11Vivian, can you not do this?
05:13I stared at him, confused.
05:15It was just a casual question.
05:17Why was he reacting like this?
05:19You question everything.
05:20You suspect everyone.
05:22I'm just going to work.
05:23I turned back to serve the rice.
05:25My hands were shaking slightly.
05:27I was just asking.
05:29He said nothing more.
05:30Walked straight to the bedroom.
05:32Dinner was silent.
05:33Alex must have sensed something was off.
05:35For once, he didn't complain about the food.
05:38After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
05:41A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
05:44After he left the room, I picked it up.
05:46A perfume purchase.
05:47Expensive.
05:48Bought yesterday afternoon.
05:50A brand name I didn't recognize.
05:52But I knew it wasn't for me.
05:54I thought about our marriage.
05:55Ten years.
05:56Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
05:59Not since our first anniversary.
06:01A scarf.
06:02I still had it somewhere.
06:03After that, nothing.
06:04No birthday gifts.
06:06No anniversary gifts.
06:07No just-because gifts.
06:09I told myself he wasn't romantic.
06:11He showed love in other ways.
06:12He was practical and focused on providing.
06:14On his career.
06:15I'd made excuses for him.
06:17But now, holding this receipt,
06:19I understood.
06:20He wasn't unromantic.
06:21He wasn't too busy.
06:22He wasn't too practical.
06:24His romance just wasn't for me.
06:26It was for someone else.
06:27Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
06:30I wrote down the information from the receipt.
06:32The next morning, after Julian left for the airport,
06:35I called the boutique.
06:38I need to verify a purchase.
06:40A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
06:42One moment.
06:42Yes, I have it here.
06:43The buyer was Chloe Williams.
06:45Chloe Williams.
06:46I knew that name.
06:48Julian's secretary.
06:49Hired six months ago.
06:50Early thirties.
06:51Divorced.
06:52I drove to the airport.
06:53I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
06:55Maybe the perfume was for a client.
06:57Maybe I was overthinking this.
06:59I waited outside the international departures hall for half an hour.
07:02Then I saw them.
07:04Julian and her.
07:05Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
07:09She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
07:12Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
07:16Relaxed.
07:17Genuinely happy.
07:18At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
07:20She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
07:25He didn't pull away.
07:26He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
07:29She smiled.
07:30Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
07:33Julian's hand rested on her waist.
07:36They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
07:39Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
07:41The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
07:44All those late nights.
07:46Working.
07:47All those times he'd been irritable with me.
07:49All of it finally made sense.
07:51I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
07:55A new thought crystallized in my mind.
07:58That child who wasn't mine.
08:00And this woman.
08:02Could they be connected?
08:03The next-
08:04On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
08:08I need you to look into someone else.
08:10Chloe Williams.
08:11I want to know everything about her.
08:13Especially whether she has any children.
08:15The detective worked fast.
08:16By the next afternoon, I had the report.
08:19Chloe Williams.
08:2032 years old.
08:22Divorced five years ago.
08:23One son.
08:24Nine years old.
08:25Name.
08:26Alan.
08:27Attending a public school in the West End.
08:29The date jumped out at me.
08:31Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
08:33For the first time in ten years, I felt my blood run hot.
08:36I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
08:39Then, a thought struck me.
08:41I ran to study.
08:42My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
08:44Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date.
08:47The desktop opened.
08:48There was only one folder.
08:50Named, Work Backup.
08:52On the desk, I clicked it open.
08:54Inside were subfolders organized by year.
08:56Starting eleven years ago.
08:58The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
09:00Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
09:04Nineteen-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
09:08She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
09:10The next photo was from college.
09:12The two of them in the library.
09:14Then, their graduation photo.
09:15Both in cap and gown, holding hands.
09:17That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
09:21We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
09:23Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
09:25I closed the folder.
09:26The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
09:30I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
09:33Me, in my white dress.
09:35Lace sleeves and long train.
09:37Holding a bouquet of white roses.
09:39Julian, in his black suit.
09:40Gray tie.
09:41Boutonniere.
09:42Both of us smiling at the camera.
09:44The photographer had made us laugh.
09:46Said something stupid.
09:47We'd both cracked up.
09:48And the photo captured that moment.
09:50Pure.
09:51Happy.
09:51I stared at it.
09:52At my face.
09:53So happy.
09:54So naive.
09:55So trusting.
09:56I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
09:58That woman who'd believed her husband.
10:00Who'd made excuses for him.
10:02Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
10:04That woman was gone.
10:06Had to close my eyes.
10:08Put my hand over my mouth.
10:09The perfect couple.
10:11The perfect lie.
10:12Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
10:14Sick at the years of deception.
10:16Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
10:19For believing him.
10:20For trusting him.
10:21For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
10:25At 3 p.m.
10:26I drove to the west end.
10:28The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
10:32The dismissal bell rang.
10:34Children poured out through the gates.
10:36I sat in my car.
10:38Hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:40He walked out alone.
10:41No one there to pick him up.
10:43He looked left.
10:44Then right.
10:45Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
10:47I held my breath.
10:49That child.
10:50Alan.
10:51No.
10:51My child.
10:52My child.
10:52The way he walked reminded me of myself.
10:54A slight pigeon toe.
10:56When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
10:58I saw it.
10:59A birthmark on his wrist.
11:01The same place I had mine.
11:03I clicked it open.
11:05I could see dust on his eyelashes.
11:07His lips were chapped.
11:08His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
11:11His eyes looked empty.
11:12Not like a 9 year old's eyes at all.
11:14I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
11:18He walked away.
11:19Disappearing around the corner.
11:21I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
11:23For that child.
11:25Walking home alone.
11:26For 10 years of living in the wrong life.
11:29For being such a fool.
11:31Dancing in a play someone else had written.
11:33Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
11:35At the law office, I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
11:40Inside, backup copies of all the photos.
11:42The DNA test results.
11:44Scanned hospital records.
11:46The perfume receipt.
11:47Files on Chloe and Alan.
11:49I want a divorce.
11:50I want Julian to leave with nothing.
11:52I want custody of my child.
11:55I want him to pay for what he's done.
11:57Walking out of the Attorney's office.
11:59I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed 10 years ago.
12:03Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
12:05Turns out, his lifetime was only 10 years.
12:09No, probably less than that.
12:11I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
12:14My father's old colleague.
12:16Mr. Aaron, about next week's board meeting, I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
12:22Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
12:25This company's name is Hart.
12:27He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
12:31I put him in that position.
12:33I could take him down just as easily.
12:35Two weeks after Julian left, I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
12:42Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
12:46One day, it rained.
12:48Alan didn't have an umbrella.
12:50He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour, then finally ran home through the downpour.
12:56I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
13:01Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
13:04When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
13:10I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
13:13He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
13:17Thank you, sweetheart.
13:19Is your mom not here yet?
13:21He shook his head.
13:24Mom's working late.
13:25How are you getting home?
13:28I'll take the bus.
13:30I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
13:33Have some water.
13:35He hesitated, then took it and said,
13:39I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
13:44Just like me.
13:47His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
13:49Inner double eyelids.
13:50The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:54Does your mom work late often?
13:56He nodded, then shook his head.
13:59Sometimes.
14:01What about your dad?
14:02He didn't answer.
14:04Just looked down at his shoes.
14:06Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
14:09The left shoelace was broken.
14:11I didn't ask anything more.
14:13I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
14:18Buy yourself some new shoes.
14:20He stepped back.
14:22No, I can't take this.
14:25Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
14:29I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
14:33After a few steps, I glanced back.
14:37He stood there looking lost.
14:39Julian seemed to-
14:40That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
14:43He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
14:45A limited edition space shuttle.
14:48Expensive.
14:48Mom?
14:50What's wrong?
14:51I walked in and touched his hair.
14:53Did you finish your homework?
14:55Finished ages ago.
14:56He held up his model.
14:57Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
15:01I smiled.
15:03That's wonderful.
15:04The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
15:08Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
15:11My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone,
15:14while this child enjoyed everything.
15:25That evening, after two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
15:29He set down his suitcase.
15:31Where's Alex?
15:33Why is it so quiet?
15:35I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
15:38Since when?
15:38He's only in fourth grade.
15:41I didn't answer.
15:42I could smell that perfume on him.
15:44He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
15:47I stepped aside.
15:48Why do you smell like perfume?
15:50Who were you having dinner with?
15:52His expression flickered with irritation.
15:54Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
15:56I had a business dinner with a client.
15:58Can you not be like this?
16:00It was almost funny.
16:01Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
16:05I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
16:09Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table.
16:12One by one, Julian's face turned ugly.
16:15He grabbed one photo and threw it back home.
16:16You had me followed?
16:19Does it matter?
16:20I smiled slightly.
16:21What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
16:26Or get sent to your clients?
16:28He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
16:32What do you want?
16:33I stared at him.
16:33My voice was flat.
16:34First, fire Chloe Williams.
16:36Guarantee you'll never see her again.
16:38Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
16:41He stood up angry now.
16:42You're crazy.
16:43For a couple of lousy photos?
16:45My voice turned cold.
16:48Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
16:51You have everything you have because of me.
16:54What I gave, I can take back.
16:57I almost wavered.
16:59Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
17:01I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
17:03For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child,
17:07if, if you do what I'm asking, we can move forward.
17:10After all, we still have Alex.
17:12I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
17:15A pregnancy test report.
17:16It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
17:19Julian stared at the report.
17:20Then he looked up at me.
17:22After two weeks, you're pregnant?
17:25I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
17:28Five weeks.
17:29The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
17:31His expression shifted constantly.
17:34His throat worked.
17:35His eyes moved between me and the report.
17:38I continued.
17:39So, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely,
17:42make her leave the company in our lives,
17:45I can let the past go.
17:46We still have Alex.
17:47And now, we have this baby.
17:50Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
17:52There was obvious conflict in his eye.
17:55I need, I need to think.
17:57His voice was hoarse.
17:58He turned and went into the bedroom.
18:00The next morning, I drank my coffee
18:02and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
18:05I pushed a glass of water toward him.
18:07He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
18:10I've thought it over, Vivian.
18:11We...
18:12Don't bother.
18:13I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
18:18His expression turned furious.
18:20What is this supposed to mean?
18:21We're having another child!
18:23I said coldly.
18:24I told you I was pregnant.
18:26And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
18:30Julian stood.
18:32We have a child on the way.
18:33Won't you think about the baby?
18:35Think about Alex?
18:36The child?
18:37I suddenly laughed.
18:39You mean the child I raised for nine years,
18:40who turns out to be yours and Chloe's.
18:43Julian's face went white.
18:44He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
18:46How did you...
18:47When did you find out?
18:49I held up my phone.
18:51The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
18:54I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
18:57Password is Chloe's birthday.
18:58You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
19:01His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
19:04Let me explain.
19:06My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
19:09Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
19:13Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
19:16Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
19:20I stepped closer.
19:21The funniest part?
19:22The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
19:26Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
19:28Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
19:31The funniest part?
19:32Julian suddenly remembered.
19:34His voice dropped to a whisper.
19:35Where's Alan?
19:36I need to see him.
19:38Too late.
19:39I turned and opened the door.
19:41Your son?
19:42No, my son is somewhere you'll never find him.
19:44Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
19:49Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
19:52Vivian, you can't do this.
19:53That's my son.
19:54I shook him off.
19:55From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
19:58Now get out of my house.
20:00After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
20:04Then the sound of a car engine started.
20:06Driving away, I knew where he was going.
20:08To find Chloe.
20:09To find Alan, he'd lost for nine years.
20:12But he wouldn't find Alan.
20:14Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
20:18I told him the truth.
20:20Alan was surprisingly calm.
20:22Those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
20:26I always felt like I wasn't her child.
20:30Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
20:36I took his hand.
20:37I told him I would take him away.
20:38We could start over.
20:40He was silent for a long time.
20:41Then he nodded, just slightly.
20:44Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
20:47My assistant went with him.
20:49There's a good school there.
20:50A house.
20:51New friends waiting.
20:53Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
20:56The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
20:59Finally, Julian came back.
21:01He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven.
21:05I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
21:09Vivian, we need to talk.
21:10I leaned against the doorframe in my loungewear.
21:13I didn't let him in.
21:14The agreement is very clear.
21:16There's nothing to talk about.
21:18He looked defeated.
21:19I can't get divorced.
21:20For the sake of our ten years together.
21:22For the sake of our child.
21:25Which child?
21:26I cut him off with a cold laugh.
21:28The one in those videos?
21:29Or the one upstairs?
21:31Julian's face went white.
21:32A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
21:35Videos.
21:35One after another.
21:37Alan crying.
21:38Being beaten.
21:39Locked in a dark room.
21:40In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
21:43He'd spilled milk.
21:44Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
21:46The email had only one line.
21:49Thank you for raising my son all these years.
21:51I'd watched them all night.
21:53By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
21:55Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
21:58Those videos.
21:59Chloe, she sometimes couldn't control herself.
22:02I laughed coldly.
22:03Alan is your son.
22:05You went to see Chloe every week.
22:07You noticed her new perfume.
22:08Her fresh manicure.
22:10But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
22:12He had no answer.
22:14I said flatly.
22:15I've already retained a lawyer.
22:17If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
22:19The evidence of the baby switch.
22:21Photos of your affair.
22:23Those videos.
22:24All of it becomes part of the legal record.
22:26His voice dropped.
22:27Are you insane?
22:29The company's about to go public.
22:30Now is not the time.
22:32Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
22:35So sign.
22:36While I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
22:39The door shut.
22:40He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
22:44After I closed the door.
22:45Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
22:47Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
22:51Chloe in a white wedding dress.
22:53Julian with his arm around her.
22:55But his expression looked stiff.
22:57The caption read,
22:58Ten years of waiting, finally together.
23:02I took a screenshot.
23:04Then I turned off my phone.
23:06That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
23:09Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
23:11The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
23:12Communication records between him and Chloe.
23:15The abuse videos.
23:17And medical records.
23:18It's enough to file charges.
23:20Thank you for your work.
23:23Of course.
23:24Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
23:27He came by the office yesterday.
23:29Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
23:31Too late.
23:32Early the next morning, my plane took off.
23:34My assistant met me at the airport.
23:37Alan's been doing better this week.
23:39He's starting to talk more.
23:41Yesterday, he's starting to talk more.
23:43My heart beat faster.
23:45The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:47In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground, watching ants.
23:52Alan.
23:52He looked better than in the videos.
23:54But he was still too thin.
23:56Not enough meat on his bones.
23:59Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
24:03The thought cut through me like a knife.
24:05I walked over and knelt in front of him.
24:07I'm your mother.
24:08He looked at me for a long time.
24:11Then nodded.
24:12Just slightly.
24:13I carefully put my arms around him.
24:15He didn't pull away.
24:16I'm sorry.
24:18Mom came too late.
24:19He trembled slightly in my arms.
24:21Three days.
24:22For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
24:24I devoted all my time to him.
24:26I took him to the park.
24:28The first time on the carousel, he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white.
24:32I took him to the library.
24:34He loved books about stars.
24:36At night, after he fell asleep, I gently stroke his hair.
24:39He still didn't talk much.
24:41But sometimes, he'd smile at me.
24:43At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open, caught by the wind.
24:47The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
24:50I jolted awake.
24:51I knew immediately it was Alan.
24:53I pushed open his door.
24:55Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting shadows across the floor.
25:00His small figure was curled up on the bed.
25:02His hands clutched the blanket, knuckles white.
25:05Cold sweat covered his forehead.
25:07His brow was furrowed deeply.
25:09He kept murmuring.
25:10Mom, no.
25:12Don't lock me in the dark room.
25:14There are rats.
25:15For the next two-
25:16I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
25:19I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
25:22His body went rigid for a moment.
25:23Then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened deer.
25:25His crying was suppressed, desperate.
25:27Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
25:29Mom, I'm scared.
25:31That storage room was so dark.
25:34I begged again and again, but no one answered.
25:37The rats crawled on my feet.
25:40My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
25:43Alan, don't be afraid.
25:44I patted his back again and again, my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
25:48Mom's here.
25:49No one can lock you up anymore.
25:51The rats won't come.
25:52Mama will protect you.
25:53Silent tears fell onto his hair.
25:55I thought of the videos Chloe had sent.
25:56That child trembling in the darkness.
25:58The marks on his body.
26:00Old scars and new wounds layered together.
26:02I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
26:05When his crying finally exhausted itself, his breathing gradually steadied and gently lifted
26:10his sleeve.
26:11Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
26:15The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
26:17On his back, a faint bruise.
26:19From when he'd been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child.
26:23I traced those scars with my fingertips.
26:26My touch is light as if I were afraid of breaking something fresh.
26:28Doesn't it hurt?
26:29Alan shook his head.
26:30Tears still clung to his lashes.
26:32He bit his lip and said quietly.
26:33It doesn't hurt now, but sometimes I dream about it.
26:36I dream I'm locked in there again.
26:37I'm calling for mom, but mom isn't there.
26:39I'm sorry.
26:40I held him tighter.
26:41Mom came too late.
26:42But from now on, mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
26:45I crossed.
26:46That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
26:49I told him stories.
26:51About how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
26:54How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
26:58I told him about when I first took over the company.
27:01How the old employees gave me a hard time.
27:03How I cried in the stairwell.
27:05Then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
27:08I told him about the clumsy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract and turned
27:13power with fear.
27:15He listened quietly.
27:17Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes.
27:19So much like mine.
27:21And ask.
27:22Were you scared, mom?
27:23Terrified.
27:24Touching his hair.
27:25But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
27:28And now I have you, Alan.
27:30I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
27:32He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
27:34His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
27:37That.
27:37A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
27:42We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
27:44The wind carried the scent of grain.
27:46Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
27:49When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
27:52The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet.
27:56So brilliant you couldn't look away.
27:58The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
28:02Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
28:04The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
28:08On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
28:11He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly.
28:13Mom, the stars are so far away.
28:16But being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
28:18Mm-hmm.
28:19My heart felt soft.
28:21I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
28:25Like those old scars.
28:26No matter how much care they received, they'd always leave faint marks.
28:30But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
28:34the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
28:39A few days later, that afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
28:43Jenny went to answer it.
28:44I heard her say,
28:45Mr. Robinson?
28:46The flower sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
28:49Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
28:53His hair was disheveled.
28:54His eyes were sunken.
28:56He was dragging an old suitcase.
28:57Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
28:59I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
29:03Now you know where we are.
29:04You can leave.
29:05I want to see the child.
29:06Our child.
29:07He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
29:09I keep having dreams.
29:10Dreams of when he was small.
29:11Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
29:12I never knew-
29:12You should have known.
29:13I cut him off.
29:14You just chose not to know.
29:15His gaze dropped to my stomach.
29:16Is the baby still?
29:17I smiled.
29:17For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
29:20The baby?
29:20Of course.
29:21I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
29:23The doctor says everything's fine.
29:24Due next spring.
29:25His face turned ugly.
29:26His emotions suddenly became agitated.
29:29He lunged toward me.
29:30I stepped aside.
29:30He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
29:33Vivian, I need to see my son.
29:35You can't do this.
29:36I looked at him and laughed coldly.
29:37Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
29:41It's whether your son can even be born safely.
29:43If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
29:47Settle your mess yourselves.
29:48I shoved him out the door.
29:49Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
29:51As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
29:55He looked truly pathetic.
29:57Fine.
29:58Let them tear each other apart.
29:59Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
30:01That a-
30:02Soon after, attorney Morrison called.
30:04Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
30:05The result isn't ideal.
30:06Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
30:11Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
30:14How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
30:17How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
30:20How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
30:23I gripped my phone, listening.
30:25My expression stayed calm.
30:26However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
30:29He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
30:32The trial lasted two full days.
30:33In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
30:39Multiple charges?
30:40Sentenced to three years.
30:41Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
30:43He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
30:46That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
30:48It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
30:51Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
30:54Before hanging up, attorney Morrison said softly,
30:57Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
31:00Ms. K. Hennigan, retirement.
31:01If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
31:04I cut him off.
31:05It's enough.
31:05At least I have my child back.
31:06Soon, Alan was doing homework.
31:08I walked over to him.
31:09Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
31:13But maybe not enough.
31:15Are you angry with me?
31:16He looked up.
31:17Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
31:19I keep track.
31:20I keep track.
31:21I covered my mouth.
31:23Tears spilled over.
31:24He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
31:27Then added quietly,
31:28I keep track.
31:30I laughed through my tears.
31:31These past days,
31:33I'd been desperately trying to make up
31:34for 10 years of missing maternal love.
31:37I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
31:40He was still young,
31:41but I knew what that security meant.
31:43I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
31:46The principal frowned
31:47when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
31:49For 10 years,
31:50Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
31:53She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
31:55His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
31:58I hired three private tutors,
32:00math,
32:00language arts,
32:01technology,
32:02rotating in shifts.
32:04Alan worked hard,
32:05studying late into the night,
32:06every night.
32:07One night past midnight,
32:09I brought him warm milk.
32:10I found him asleep at his desk,
32:12pen still clutched in his hand.
32:14I didn't wake him.
32:15I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
32:18Alan
32:18Friday afternoon,
32:19I went to pick up Alan from school.
32:21Parents crowded the school gates.
32:24Alan ran out with his new backpack,
32:25his face flushed from exercise.
32:28Mom!
32:29I passed my math quiz today!
32:30I was reaching for his test paper
32:32when I caught a glimpse of a figure
32:33through the cafe window across the street.
32:35Julian,
32:36sitting in the corner,
32:36his chin covered in dark stubble,
32:38haggard,
32:38nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
32:41Alan followed my gaze.
32:42I squeezed his hand.
32:44Let's go home.
32:45We'd barely turned around
32:46when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
32:48Julian had crossed the street
32:49and now stood blocking our path.
32:52Vivian,
32:52can we talk?
32:52I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
32:55Then I looked at the man in front of me.
32:57We have nothing to talk about.
32:58I've dealt with everything.
33:00He spoke urgently,
33:01like he was trying to prove something.
33:03I've fault with everything.
33:04I've cut ties with her completely.
33:06I couldn't help but laugh.
33:08Julian,
33:09Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there.
33:12What does that have to do with you?
33:14The Cantulous Monofanigault.
33:17Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand,
33:19playing the victim?
33:20His face darkened.
33:21I know I was wrong, Vivian.
33:23For the sake of our child.
33:25For the sake.
33:26Please forgive me this once.
33:29Our child?
33:30His gaze fell to my stomach.
33:33Yes, our child.
33:34I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat,
33:36taking my time.
33:36Oh, that?
33:38That was fake.
33:40Friday afternoon, Julian froze.
33:42His eyes went wide.
33:43I met his stare calmly.
33:45The pregnancy report report was forward.
33:46I just wanted to see
33:48what choice you did make.
33:49I stepped forward,
33:50letting him get a clear look
33:52at my flat abdomen.
33:53It's been months.
33:55If I were really pregnant,
33:56I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
33:58His gaze lingered on my stomach
33:59for a long time.
34:01It doesn't matter.
34:02We don't need that baby.
34:03We still have Alan.
34:04We still have 10 years of history between us.
34:06I cut him off.
34:06Wake up.
34:07Stop dreaming.
34:08He acted like he hadn't heard me.
34:09Suddenly,
34:10he seemed to remember something.
34:11He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
34:13Look,
34:14this is the gift I bought
34:15for your 30th birthday.
34:17The company was struggling
34:18financially that year.
34:19I couldn't bring myself
34:19to give it to you.
34:20Then a second box.
34:21A third.
34:22He laid them all on the ground.
34:25This one's from our 7th anniversary.
34:27This one's from when we first
34:28moved into the house.
34:30This one.
34:31This one?
34:32The small velvet boxes
34:34formed a line on the pavement.
34:35I bought one every year.
34:36I just never gave them to you.
34:38Now I'm giving them
34:39I'm all to you.
34:39He looked up,
34:40eyes red.
34:40Please,
34:41give me one more chance.
34:42I crouched down
34:43and opened the nearest box.
34:44Inside was a diamond necklace.
34:46The pendant shaped like an iris.
34:48My favorite flower.
34:50Once upon a time,
34:51I would have been overjoyed
34:53by a gift like this.
34:54I would have worn it proudly,
34:55holding his arm at every gala,
34:57showing off my happiness.
34:58Now,
34:58I just felt sick.
35:00Julian,
35:00I stood up
35:01and placed the necklace
35:02back in the box.
35:04Julian,
35:04I loved you once.
35:05When I didn't hear from you,
35:06I would lie awake all night.
35:08When I cooked soup
35:09and delivered it to your office
35:10when you were working late.
35:11When you said,
35:12baby,
35:12thank you for everything
35:12you do for me.
35:13At that moment,
35:14I felt it was all worth it.
35:15I set the box at his feet.
35:16That one who loved you most,
35:18she's long gone.
35:19These gifts are no different
35:20from garbage to me now.
35:22Something in his expression shifted.
35:23The desperation vanished,
35:25replaced by something darker.
35:26You think you've won?
35:27His voice turned sharp,
35:28bitter.
35:28Do you know how hard
35:29I've worked to get where I am?
35:29And Levant,
35:30but that's,
35:31you know how hard
35:31I've worked to get where I am?
35:32I came from
35:33Toxtra Skalv Tmihi
35:34and Nobethes Lovman.
35:36I came from nothing,
35:37Vivian,
35:37nothing.
35:38I didn't say anything.
35:39The man who pretended
35:40to be a devoted husband
35:41finally revealed
35:42his true colors.
35:43I married into your family.
35:45Do you know what that's like?
35:46Being called the man
35:47who married up?
35:48Having everyone whisper
35:49that I'm living off my wife?
35:50His hands clenched into fists.
35:51I worked myself to the bone
35:52for that company.
35:53For you.
35:54For this family.
35:55Are you finished?
35:56My voice stayed flat.
35:57I stood up.
35:58I stood up.
35:58I stood up.
Comments