- 2 days ago
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00My husband, Julian, didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company shares to him a gift for
00:06our 10th anniversary, until the day of my son's health checkup.
00:11The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
00:14My husband and I, both type O. Our son? Type A.
00:20I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian. I didn't make a sound.
00:26I simply, calmly, did two things. First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't
00:33looking.
00:34Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:38I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around.
00:42The DNA testing center was across town.
00:45I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:48The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:50Standard processing is five business days. Rushes today by 4 p.m. Triple the cost.
00:56Rush it.
00:57My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
01:01After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
01:06Every second felt like an hour.
01:08I pulled out my phone and made another call.
01:10I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
01:14I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
01:19The private detective's voice was professional. Detached.
01:23Understood.
01:24At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:27I opened the electronic report.
01:29Skipped straight to the end.
01:31DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:43Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:50Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:57I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
02:01Not my child.
02:02I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
02:06So where was my child?
02:08I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
02:15Dr. Seussi was still there.
02:17She'd been promoted to department head.
02:20Dr. Seussi, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
02:25Her smile froze for a moment.
02:28That was so long ago.
02:30The files might already be archived.
02:32It took some effort.
02:33But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:37I flipped it open.
02:38The documentation was shockingly sparse.
02:42Only basic informations.
02:44Admission time.
02:45Discharge time.
02:47Delivery method.
02:48Newborn wait.
02:49No detailed labor notes.
02:51No nurse handoff records.
02:53No pediatric examination reports.
02:56Is this everything?
02:57She looked apologetic.
02:59That's all we have in the system.
03:01Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
03:04You're right at the edge of that window.
03:07What about the newborn footprints?
03:08The blood samples.
03:10She shook her head.
03:12Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
03:18It was obvious there was something wrong.
03:20An abnormally simple medical file.
03:23Missing newborn records.
03:25A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
03:30The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
03:35My phone rang.
03:36It was Julian.
03:37Where are you?
03:38I already picked up Alex.
03:40I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
03:43At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:46I'm out running business.
03:47I'll be home soon.
03:49I hung up.
03:51After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:54Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
04:01Their voices drifting through the house.
04:06Dad, is mom's just tired.
04:08Mom's just tired.
04:10Finish your homework and get to bed early.
04:11I waited until they were both asleep.
04:14I waited until they were both asleep.
04:15Then I started searching.
04:16The master bedroom.
04:18The living room.
04:19Alex's room.
04:20I went through everything.
04:23I went through everything, looking for… I didn't even know what.
04:26I found nothing.
04:28I found nothing.
04:28Finally, I turned to the computer and the study.
04:31The truth had to be in there.
04:34Footsteps in the hallway.
04:36I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
04:40When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
04:45He glanced at the computer screen.
04:47It had returned to the desktop.
04:49A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
04:54Still up?
04:57Just organizing some old documents.
04:59I reached over and turned off the monitor.
05:02He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
05:05In the end, he just nodded.
05:08Get some rest.
05:10I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
05:15That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
05:19I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
05:24The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
05:28He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
05:32All right.
06:02The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
06:02We'd bought together, now locked against me.
06:06That evening, Julian came home from work.
06:09He was barely through the door when he said,
06:12I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
06:14Business trip.
06:15Not sure how long I'll be gone.
06:16I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
06:20That's sudden.
06:21Who are you going with?
06:22He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
06:25Just someone.
06:25It was a last-minute arrangement.
06:27Vivian, can you not do this?
06:30I stared at him, confused.
06:33It was just a casual question.
06:35Why was he reacting like this?
06:37You question everything.
06:39You suspect everyone.
06:41I'm just going to work.
06:43I turned back to serve the rice.
06:45My hands were shaking slightly.
06:47I was just asking.
06:49He said nothing more.
06:51Walked straight to the bedroom.
06:53Dinner was silent.
06:55Alex must have sensed something was off.
06:58For once, he didn't complain about the food.
07:01After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
07:05A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
07:09After he left the room, I picked it up.
07:11A perfume purchase.
07:13Expensive.
07:14Bought yesterday afternoon.
07:16A brand name I didn't recognize.
07:18But I knew it wasn't for me.
07:20I thought about our marriage.
07:22Ten years.
07:24Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
07:27Not since our first anniversary.
07:29A scarf.
07:30I still had it somewhere.
07:32After that, nothing.
07:34No birthday gifts.
07:36No anniversary gifts.
07:38No just-because gifts.
07:39I told myself he wasn't romantic.
07:42He showed love in other ways.
07:44He was practical and focused on providing.
07:47On his career.
07:48I'd made excuses for him.
07:49But now, holding this receipt, I understood.
07:53He wasn't unromantic.
07:55He wasn't too busy.
07:57He wasn't too practical.
07:58His romance just wasn't for me.
08:01It was for someone else.
08:02Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
08:06I wrote down the information from the receipt.
08:08The next morning, after Julian left for the airport, I called the boutique.
08:15I need to verify a purchase.
08:17A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
08:19One moment.
08:20Yes, I have it here.
08:22The buyer was Chloe Williams.
08:24Chloe Williams.
08:25I knew that name.
08:27Julian's secretary.
08:28Hired six months ago.
08:30Early thirties.
08:31Divorced.
08:32I drove to the airport.
08:34I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
08:36Maybe the perfume was for a client.
08:39Maybe I was overthinking this.
08:41I waited outside the international departures hall for half an hour.
08:45Then I saw them.
08:47Julian and her.
08:49Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
08:53She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
08:58Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
09:02Relaxed.
09:03Genuinely happy.
09:05At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
09:08She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
09:13He didn't pull away.
09:14He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
09:18She smiled.
09:19Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
09:24Julian's hand rested on her waist.
09:27They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
09:30Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
09:34The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
09:37All those late nights.
09:39Working.
09:40All those times he'd been irritable with me.
09:43All of it finally made sense.
09:46I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
09:51A new thought crystallized in my mind.
09:54That child who wasn't mine.
09:57And this woman.
09:59Could they be connected?
10:01On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
10:06I need you to look into someone else.
10:08Chloe Williams.
10:09I want to know everything about her.
10:12Especially whether she has any children.
10:14The detective worked fast.
10:16By the next afternoon, I had the report.
10:20Chloe Williams.
10:2132 years old.
10:23Divorced five years ago.
10:25One son.
10:26Nine years old.
10:28Name.
10:28Allen.
10:29Attending a public school in the West End.
10:32The date jumped out at me.
10:34Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
10:37For the first time in ten years, I felt my blood run hot.
10:41I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
10:44Then, a thought struck me.
10:47I ran to study.
10:48My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
10:50Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date.
10:54The desktop opened.
10:56There was only one folder.
10:58Named, Work Backup.
11:00I clicked it open.
11:01Inside were subfolders organized by year, starting 11 years ago.
11:06The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
11:10Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
11:15Nineteen-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
11:19She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
11:22The next photo was from college.
11:24The two of them in the library.
11:26Then, their graduation photo, both in cap and gown, holding hands.
11:31That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
11:35We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
11:38Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
11:40I closed the folder.
11:42The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
11:47I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
11:50Me, in my white dress, lace sleeves, and long train, holding a bouquet of white roses.
11:58Julian, in his black suit, gray tie.
12:01Boutonniere.
12:02Both of us smiling at the camera.
12:04The photographer had made us laugh.
12:06Said something stupid.
12:08We'd both cracked up.
12:09And the photo captured that moment.
12:11Pure.
12:13Happy.
12:13I stared at it.
12:15At my face.
12:16So happy.
12:17So naive.
12:18So trusting.
12:19I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
12:22That woman who'd believed her husband.
12:24Who'd made excuses for him.
12:26Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
12:29That woman was gone.
12:32Had to close my eyes.
12:34Put my hand over my mouth.
12:36The perfect couple.
12:38The perfect lie.
12:40Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
12:42Sick at the years of deception.
12:44Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
12:48For believing him.
12:49For trusting him.
12:50For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
12:55At 3 p.m., I drove to the West End.
12:59The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
13:05The dismissal bell rang.
13:07Children poured out through the gates.
13:10I sat in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel.
13:13He walked out alone.
13:16No one there to pick him up.
13:18He looked left.
13:19Then right.
13:20Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
13:24I held my breath.
13:25That child.
13:27Alan.
13:28No.
13:29My child.
13:30The way he walked reminded me of myself.
13:32A slight pigeon toe.
13:34When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
13:37I saw it.
13:38A birthmark on his wrist.
13:41The same place I had mine.
13:44I could see dust on his eyelashes.
13:47His lips were chapped.
13:48His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
13:51His eyes looked empty.
13:54Not like a 9-year-old's eyes at all.
13:56I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
14:00He walked away, disappearing around the corner.
14:04I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
14:08For that child.
14:09Walking home alone.
14:11For 10 years of living in the wrong life.
14:14For being such a fool dancing in a play someone else had written.
14:19Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
14:22At the law office, I placed a USB drive on attorney Morrison's desk.
14:28Inside, backup copies of all the photos.
14:31The DNA test results.
14:34Scanned hospital records.
14:36The perfume receipt.
14:38Files on Chloe and Alan.
14:40I want a divorce.
14:41I want Julian to leave with nothing.
14:43I want custody of my child.
14:47I want him to pay for what he's done.
14:49Walking out of the attorney's office.
14:52I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed 10 years ago.
14:56Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
15:00Turns out, his lifetime was only 10 years.
15:04No, probably less than that.
15:07I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
15:11My father's old colleague.
15:14Mr. Aaron, about next week's board meeting.
15:17I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
15:20Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
15:23This company's name is Hart.
15:25He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
15:29I put him in that position.
15:31I could take him down just as easily.
15:33Two weeks after Julian left, I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
15:39Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
15:44One day, it rained.
15:45Alan didn't have an umbrella.
15:48He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour, then finally ran home through the downpour.
15:54I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
15:58Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
16:02When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
16:07I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
16:11He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
16:15Thank you, sweetheart.
16:16Bart, is your mom not here yet?
16:19He shook his head.
16:21Mom's working late.
16:23How are you getting home?
16:25I'll take the bus.
16:27I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
16:31Have some water.
16:32He hesitated, then took it and said,
16:37I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
16:42Just like me.
16:44His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
16:46Inner double eyelids.
16:47The outer corners slightly downturned.
16:51Does your mom work late often?
16:54He nodded, then shook his head.
16:56Sometimes.
16:58What about your dad?
17:00He didn't answer.
17:01Just looked down at his shoes.
17:04Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
17:06The left shoelace was broken.
17:09I didn't ask anything more.
17:11I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
17:15Buy yourself some new shoes.
17:18He stepped back.
17:20No, I can't take this.
17:23Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
17:26I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
17:31After a few steps, I glanced back.
17:34He stood there looking lost.
17:36That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
17:40He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
17:43A limited edition space shuttle.
17:47Expensive.
17:47Mom?
17:49What's wrong?
17:50I walked in and touched his hair.
17:53Did you finish your homework?
17:55Finished ages ago.
17:57He held up his model.
17:58Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
18:06The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
18:11Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
18:15My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone while this child enjoyed everything.
18:21After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
18:25He sat down his suitcase.
18:39He sat down his suitcase.
18:55Where's Alex?
18:55He was sicker with irritation.
18:57Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
18:59I had a business dinner with a client.
19:02can you not be like this it was almost funny only now could I see how terrible
19:08his acting had always been I walked to the coffee table opened the drawer and
19:14pulled out an envelope slowly I laid the photographs across the table one by one
19:21Julian's face turned ugly he grabbed one photo and threw it you had me followed
19:27does it matter I smiled slightly what matters is what happens when these photos show up at the
19:35board meeting or get sent to your clients he collapsed onto the opposite sofa hands covering
19:42his face what do you want I stared at him my voice was flat first fire Chloe Williams guarantee you'll
19:50never see her again second tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago he stood up angry now
19:57you're crazy for a couple of lousy photos my voice turned cold Julian don't forget my father built this
20:07company from the ground up you have everything you have because of me what I gave I can take back
20:15I almost wavered then I thought of Alan's torn shoes I thought of him waiting alone in the rain for
20:23the
20:23sake of our ten years together and for the sake of our child if if you do what I'm asking
20:29we can move
20:30forward after all we still have Alex I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document a
20:37pregnancy test report it showed I was five weeks pregnant Julian stared at the report then he looked
20:46up at me you're pregnant I nodded placing my hand on my stomach five weeks the doctor says everything
20:55looks stable this time his expression shifted constantly his throat worked his eyes moved between
21:03me and the report I continued so as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely make her leave
21:12the
21:12company in our lives I can let the past go we still have Alex and now we have this baby
21:20Julian's gaze fell
21:22to my stomach there was obvious conflict in his eye I need I need to think his voice was hoarse
21:31he
21:31turned and went into the bedroom the next morning I drank my coffee and watched Julian emerge with dark
21:38circles under his eyes I pushed a glass of water toward him he took it silently but didn't look at
21:44me
21:45I've thought it over Vivian we don't bother I cut him off pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing
21:54them on the table his expression turned furious what is this supposed to mean we're having another
22:00child I said coldly I told you I was pregnant and you needed an entire night to decide whether to
22:09break
22:09up with her Julian stood we have a child on the way won't you think about the baby think about
22:17Alex
22:19the child I suddenly laughed you mean the child I raised for nine years who turns out to be yours
22:25and Chloe's Julian's face went white he stumbled backward hitting the table how did you when did
22:33you find out I held up my phone the screen showed a photo of the DNA test results I should
22:42thank you for
22:42that folder on your computer password is Chloe's birthday you've been using that for three years
22:48haven't you his breathing quickened taking on a panicked edge let me explain my voice stayed calm
22:57edged with mockery explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth explain how you got Chloe
23:06hired at the company or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for
23:1210 years
23:12I stepped closer the funniest part the guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex
23:20were you feeling guilty for deceiving me or guilty for not treating your real son better
23:26Alan Julian suddenly remembered his voice dropped to a whisper where's Alan I need to see him too late
23:37I turned and opened the door your son no my son is somewhere you'll never find him
23:44Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep unaware of the choice his real father is facing
23:49Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm
23:53you can't do this that's my son I shook him off from the day you switched those babies you lost
23:59the
23:59right to be called a father now get out of my house after I closed the door I heard him
24:05pounding
24:05on it from outside then the sound of a car engine started driving away I knew where he was going
24:12to find
24:13Chloe to find Alan he'd lost for nine years but he wouldn't find Alan three days ago when the private
24:21detective gave me Chloe's file I'd already met with Alan again I told him the truth Alan was
24:28surprisingly calm those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years I always felt
24:36like I wasn't her child otherwise why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself
24:46I took his
24:47hand I told him I would take him away we could start over he was silent for a long time
24:53then he nodded just
24:55slightly yesterday afternoon he flew out of the country my assistant went with him there's a good
25:04school there a house new friends waiting once I finish dealing with things here I can join my son
25:12the divorce papers sat on the table for three days finally Julian came back he stood outside the door
25:19dark circles under his eyes unshaven I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time
25:28Vivian we need to talk I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear I didn't let him in
25:35the agreement is very clear there's nothing to talk about he looked defeated I can't get divorced
25:42for the sake of our 10 years together for the sake of our child which child I cut him off
25:50with a cold
25:51laugh the one in those videos or the one upstairs Julian's face went white a week ago Chloe had sent
25:59me a
25:59pile of files videos one after another Alan crying being beaten locked in a dark room in one clip he
26:08was only five or six years old he'd spilled milk Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger
26:14the email had only one line thank you for raising my son all these years I'd watched them all night
26:23by dawn I'd thrown up three times Julian seemed like he wanted to explain those videos Chloe she
26:32sometimes couldn't control herself I laughed coldly Alan is your son you went to see Chloe every week
26:40you noticed her new perfume her fresh manicure but you never saw the bruises on your son's body
26:47he had no answer I said flatly I've already retained a lawyer if you won't sign we'll go to court
26:55the
26:56evidence of the baby switch photos of your affair those videos all of it becomes part of the legal record
27:05his voice dropped are you insane the company's about to go public now is not the time
27:12before I closed the door I said one last thing so sign while I'm still leaving you with some dignity
27:19the door shut he stood outside for a long time before finally leaving three days later Julian signed
27:29the papers four days after the divorce I saw their wedding photo on Instagram Chloe in a white wedding
27:36dress Julian with his arm around her but his expression looked stiff the caption read 10 years of waiting
27:45finally together I took a screenshot then I turned off my phone that afternoon attorney Morrison called
27:56Mrs. Hart we have everything we need the bank transfers from when they switched the babies communication records
28:02between him and Chloe the abuse videos and medical records it's enough to file charges thank you for
28:11your work of course are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time he came by the
28:20office
28:20yesterday asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong too late early the next morning my plane took
28:28off
28:28my assistant met me at the airport Alan's been doing better this week he's starting to talk more
28:36yesterday he even asked when you'd arrive my heart beat faster the car stopped in front of a white house
28:44in the garden a thin child was crouched on the ground watching ants Alan he looked better than in the
28:52videos but he was still too thin not enough meat on his bones meanwhile Alex had grown healthy and strong
29:02under my careful care the thought cut through me like a knife I walked over and knelt in front of
29:09him
29:09I'm your mother he looked at me for a long time then nodded just slightly I carefully put my arms
29:18around him
29:18he didn't pull away I'm sorry mom came too late he trembled slightly in my arms for the next two
29:28weeks I didn't work I devoted all my time to him I took him to the park the first time
29:35on the carousel
29:36he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white I took him to the library he loved books about
29:43stars at night after he fell asleep I gently stroke his hair he still didn't talk much but sometimes
29:51he'd smile at me at 3 a.m. the bedroom door creaked open caught by the wind the sound of
29:59muffled sobbing
30:00pierced through me like needles I jolted awake I knew immediately it was Alan I pushed open his door
30:08moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains casting shadows across the floor his small figure
30:15was curled up on the bed his hands clutched the blanket knuckles white cold sweat covered his forehead
30:22his brow was furrowed deeply he kept murmuring mom no don't lock me in the dark room there are rats
30:33I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed I gently put my arms around
30:39his
30:39ice-cold shoulders his body went rigid for a moment then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened
30:45deer his crying was suppressed desperate tears instantly soaked through my pajamas mom I'm scared
30:53that storage room was so dark I begged again and again but no one answered the rats crawled on my
31:02feet
31:04my heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife Alan don't be afraid I patted his back
31:10again and
31:11again my voice trembling but trying to stay steady mom's here no one can lock you up anymore
31:16the rats won't come mama will protect you silent tears fell onto his hair I thought of the videos
31:23Chloe had sent that child trembling in the darkness the marks on his body old scars and new wounds
31:30layered together I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him when his crying finally exhausted
31:37itself his breathing gradually steadied well and gently lifted his sleeve brownish scars on his arm ugly as
31:46centipedes the marks from being hit with a coat hanger on his back a fake bruise
31:53from when he'd been shoved it's the corner of the storage room wall as a small child
31:57I traced those scars with my fingertips my touch is light as if I were afraid of breaking something
32:17I'm sorry I held him tighter mom came too late but from now on mom will never let anyone hurt
32:23you
32:24again I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed I gently put my arms
32:30around his
32:30ice-cold shoulders his body went rigid for a moment then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened
32:36deer his crying was suppressed desperate tears instantly soaked through my pajamas mom I'm scared
32:43that storage room was so dark I begged again and again but no one answered the rats crawled on my
32:53feet
32:54my heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife Alan don't be afraid I patted his back
33:01again
33:01and again my voice trembling but trying to stay steady mom's here no one can lock you up anymore
33:07the rats won't come mama will protect you silent tears fell onto his hair I thought of the videos
33:14Chloe had sent that child trembling in the darkness the marks on his body old scars and new wounds
33:21layered together I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him when his crying finally exhausted
33:28itself his breathing gradually steadied well and gently lifted his sleeve brownish scars on his arm
33:36ugly as centipedes the marks from being hit with a coat hanger on his back a faint bruise from when
33:44he'd
33:45been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child I traced those scars with my
33:51fingertips my touch as light as if I were afraid of breaking something precious
33:55does it hurt Alan shook his head tears still clung to his lashes he bit his lip and said quietly
34:00it doesn't hurt now but sometimes I dream about it I dream I'm locked in there again calling for mom
34:07but mom isn't there I'm sorry I held him tighter mom came too late but from now on mom will
34:13never let
34:14anyone hurt you again that night I held him on the sofa until dawn I told him stories about how
34:22I used to be
34:23afraid of thunder when I was little how my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery
34:30rhymes
34:30I told him about when I first took over the company how the old employees gave me a hard time
34:36how I cried in the
34:37stairwell then dried my tears and went back to negotiate I told him about the clumsy intern who
34:45spilled coffee all over an important contract and turned poor out of fear he listened quietly
34:52occasionally he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask
34:59were you scared mom terrified touching his hair but I knew that if I just held on things would get
35:06better and now I have you Alan I can't afford to be afraid anymore he nodded slowly seeming to
35:12understand his small hand quietly gripped my finger a few days later I took Alan to the observatory on
35:20the outskirts of the city we rode a bus through fields of wheat the wind carried the scent of grain
35:26Alan pressed his face against the window his eyes full of wonder when night fell the observatory dome
35:33slowly opened the sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet so
35:40brilliant you couldn't look away the guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter Alan's eyes
35:48lit up like stars themselves the corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile on the bus ride
35:55home
35:56the vehicle swayed gently he leaned against my shoulder and said quietly mom the stars are so
36:03far away but being able to see them it makes me feel safe mm-hmm my heart felt soft I
36:10knew the trauma
36:11buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory like those old scars no
36:18matter how much care they received they'd always leave faint marks but as long as I stayed with him
36:24warming him bit by bit with love and patience the starlight would eventually pierce through the
36:30darkness and illuminate the road ahead that afternoon we were making cookies in the kitchen
36:36when the doorbell rang Jenny went to answer it I heard her say mr. Robinson the flower sifter slipped
36:43from my hands and clattered onto the table through the glass door I saw Julian standing at the entrance
36:49his hair was disheveled his eyes were sunken he was dragging an old suitcase Vivian I've been searching
36:56for half a month I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen closing the door behind me now
37:01you
37:02know where we are you can leave I want to see the child our child he looked toward the thin
37:08figure in
37:08the kitchen I keep having dreams dreams of when he was small dreams of Chloe hitting him I never knew
37:13you should have known I cut him off you just chose not to know his gaze dropped to my stomach
37:17is the baby still I smiled for the first time in days I felt genuinely light the baby of course
37:23I placed
37:24my hand on my lower abdomen the doctor says everything's fine due next spring his face turned ugly his
37:31emotions suddenly became agitated he lunged toward me I stepped aside he stumbled and crashed into the
37:37entryway cabinet Vivian I need to see my son you can't do this I looked at him and laughed coldly
37:43Julian what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is it's whether your son can even be born
37:50safely if you want your son born safely deal with Chloe first settle your mess yourselves I shoved him
37:57out the door just looking at him now made me feel sick as I closed the door I saw Julian
38:02slumped on the
38:03ground hands pulling at his hair he looked truly pathetic fine let them tear each other apart let
38:10the dogs fight it out themselves soon after attorney Morrison called Mrs Hart it's gotten ugly the result
38:17isn't ideal apparently Julian and Chloe had already divorced and now they were facing each other in
38:23court Chloe was hysterical on the stand exposing everything how Julian had used his position to transfer
38:30money to her over the years how he'd promised to divorce me and marry her how his attitude had changed
38:37the moment he learned I was pregnant I gripped my phone listening my expression stayed calm however Julian
38:44managed to pin all the blame on Chloe he claimed she coerced him into switching the babies the trial lasted
38:51two full
38:51days in the end Chloe was convicted of child abduction document forgery and corporate fraud multiple
38:59charges sentenced to three years Julian meanwhile came out clean he cried in court claiming he too was a
39:07victim that Chloe had manipulated him for 10 years it sounded absurd but the judge believed it or rather
39:15Julian's lawyer Julian's lawyer was that good before hanging up attorney Morrison said softly
39:21Mrs Hart I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for let's get anything retimesed if you'd like we can
39:28proceed to the next phase of planning I cut him off it's enough at least I have my child back
39:33Alan was doing
39:34homework I walked over to him Alan mom made the bad people pay for what they did but maybe not
39:42enough
39:42are you angry with me he looked up mom I know who treated me well and who didn't I keep
39:49track I keep
39:50track I covered my mouth tears spilled over he lowered his head and went back to his writing then added
39:58quietly you look ugly when you cry I laughed through my tears these past days I'd been desperately trying
40:07to make up for 10 years of missing maternal love I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his
40:13name he was still young but I knew what that security meant I enrolled him in the best international
40:20academy in the city the principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards for 10 years
40:27Chloe had barely supervised his studies she'd practically left him to fend for himself his
40:34coursework had fallen far behind his peers I hired three private tutors math language arts technology
40:41rotating in shifts Alan worked hard studying late into the night every night one night past midnight I
40:50brought him warm milk I found him asleep at his desk pen still clutched in his hand
40:56I didn't wake him I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders Friday afternoon I went to pick
41:03up Alan from school parents crowded the school gates Alan ran out with his new backpack his face flushed
41:11from exercise mom I passed my math quiz today I was reaching for his test paper when I caught a
41:19glimpse
41:19of a figure through the cafe window across the street Julian sitting in the corner his chin covered in dark
41:25stubble haggard nothing like the confident company executive he used to be Alan followed my gaze
41:30I squeezed his hand let's go home we'd barely turned around when I heard rushed footsteps behind us
41:38Julian had crossed the street and now stood blocking our path Vivian can we talk I gestured for Alan to
41:45get
41:45in the car first then I looked at the man in front of me we have nothing to talk about
41:50I've dealt with
41:52everything he spoke urgently like he was trying to prove something I fault with everything I've cut ties
41:59with her completely I couldn't help but laugh Julian Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there
42:08what does that have to do with you a cantulous man of anacolt weren't you the one crying on the
42:16witness
42:16stand playing the victim his face darkened I know I was wrong Vivian for the sake of our child
42:24please forgive me this once our child his gaze fell to my stomach yes our child I smoothed the wrinkles
42:37in my coat taking my time oh that that was fake Julian froze his eyes went wide I met his
42:47stare calmly
42:48pregnancy report report was forward I just wanted to see what choice you did make I stepped forward
42:54letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen it's been months if I were really pregnant I'd be
43:03showing by now wouldn't I his gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time it doesn't matter we don't
43:10need that baby we still have Alan we still have 10 years of history between us I cut him off
43:15wake up
43:15stop dreaming he acted like he hadn't heard me suddenly he seemed to remember something he pulled
43:21a velvet box from his briefcase look this is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday the company was
43:29struggling financially that year I couldn't bring myself to give it to you then a second box a third
43:35he laid them all on the ground this one's from our seventh anniversary this one's from when we first
43:42moved into the house this one this one the small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement I bought
43:51one every year I just never gave them to you now I'm giving them I'm them all to you he
43:56looked up
43:57eyes red please give me one more chance I crouched down and opened the nearest box inside was a diamond
44:04necklace the pendant shaped like an iris my favorite flower once upon a time I would have been overjoyed
44:13by a gift like this I would have worn it proudly holding his arm at every gala showing off my
44:18happiness now I just felt sick I stood up and placed the necklace back in the box Julian I loved
44:27you once
44:28when I didn't hear from you I would lie awake all night when I cooked soup and delivered it to
44:33your
44:33office when you were working late when you said baby thank you for everything you do for me at that
44:38moment I felt it was all worth it I set the box at his feet that one who loved you
44:43most she's long gone
44:45these gifts are no different from garbage to me now something in his expression shifted the
44:50desperation vanished replaced by something darker you think you've won his voice turned sharp bitter do you
44:56know how hard I've worked to get where I am and leavened but that's you know hard I've worked to
45:01get
45:01where I am I came from talks your skull to me he and you'll with this love me I came
45:07from nothing
45:07Vivian nothing I didn't say anything the man who pretended to be a devoted husband finally revealed
45:14his true colors I married into your family do you know what that's like being called the man who married
45:20up having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife his hands clenched into fists I worked myself
45:26to the bone for that company for you for this family are you finished my voice stayed flat
Comments