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Ten Years Of Marriage, Not My Child - Part 1 Asm
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00:00No idea. I was 10 years of marriage. My husband had no idea. I was about to transfer the company
00:07to him. Then came the medical checkup. I'm blood type O. My husband is O. Our daughter
00:13is type A. An impossible result. I looked at her, a little version of Michal. I didn't say a word,
00:21but I did two things. One, I secretly took a strand of her hair. Two, I tore up the company
00:27transfer papers. After watching her walk into school, I went straight to a DNA testing center.
00:33When's the fastest result if I pay extra? Regular takes five days. Rush, by 4 p.m. today, triple price.
00:41My hand shook giving the sample. After collecting my own cells, I sat staring at the clock. I also
00:47contacted a private investigator. I needed to know Michal's movements recently. At 3.40 p.m.,
00:54my phone rang. The results were in. I opened the report, scrolled to the end. The DNA analysis
01:01was clear. The chance I'm her biological mother? 0.0001%. Genetic markers don't support it. I had
01:09expected this, but reading those words, my legs gave out. She's not my child. I've raised a child
01:16that's not mine for nine years. So, where is my real child? I rushed to the hospital where I gave
01:22birth nine years ago. I met my old obstetrician. Now he's the head of the department. I didn't waste
01:29time. Dr. Lee, I want to check my delivery records from back then. His smile froze. It's been so long,
01:36the files may have been archived. After some effort, the records room brought me a folder.
01:41I opened it. The records were extremely brief. Only admission and discharge dates. Delivery method
01:47and baby's weight. No detailed delivery notes. No nurse handover records. No pediatrician reports.
01:54Is that all? He looked apologetic. This is all the system has. Delivery records are kept for 10 years.
02:03Yours is almost up. What about newborn footprints? Blood test records? They should be in the newborn files.
02:11But we couldn't find them. Too obvious. A file too simple. A missing newborn record.
02:18And a daughter who isn't mine, but looks just like Michal. Then my phone rang. Michal.
02:25Where are you? I picked up Lily. I suddenly realized school was already over. Luckily, I told the teacher
02:32earlier. I'm outside taking care of something. I'll be back soon. After dinner, I faked a headache and went to
02:39my room. Michal stayed in the living room with Lily, helping with homework. I could hear their quiet
02:45voices. Dad, is mom upset? Mom's just tired. Finish your homework and go to bed. Once they were asleep,
02:53I quietly searched the whole house. Master bedroom, living room, Lily's room. I found nothing.
02:59Finally, my eyes landed on the computer in the study. The truth had to be there.
03:05Footsteps approached. I quickly exited the document. Michal pushed the door open. I was
03:11straightening papers on the desk. He glanced at the screen. Just the desktop. Our photo from three
03:16years ago. Still not asleep? He asked. Just organizing some old files. He stood there a moment.
03:23Seemed like he wanted to speak. Then just nodded. Go rest early. I lay in the dark that night,
03:30hearing his footsteps fade away. I didn't touch the computer again. My mind was a mess.
03:36The next morning, I let Michal take Lily to school. He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
03:43As soon as they left, I rushed to the study. Opened the computer, typed the password. Our wedding
03:49anniversary? Wrong. Their birthdays? Wrong. Lily's birthday? Still wrong. I tried the day we first met,
03:56his mother's birthday. Even the company's founding date. Nothing worked. The system locked me out.
04:03Try again in 15 minutes. I sat there staring at the login screen. The computer we bought together
04:09now locked me out. That evening, Michal came home. Taking off his coat, he said,
04:15Tomorrow I have to go on a trip to City A. Not sure for how long.
04:20I came out from the kitchen, holding dishes. So suddenly, with who?
04:24He set his briefcase on the table. This is last minute, Vivian. Can you not do this?
04:28I just stared, confused. Why did a simple question make him react so strongly?
04:33Everything I notice, everyone's under up suspicion. I'm just going to work.
04:39I turned back to serve dinner, hands shaking.
04:42Just asking.
04:43I said. He said nothing, went straight to the bedroom. Dinner was quiet. Lily seemed to sense
04:49something. She didn't even pick at her food. Later, Michal came out of the shower.
04:54Picked up his coat. A receipt fell to the floor. After he left, I picked it up. A perfume.
05:00Expensive. Bought yesterday afternoon. Name unfamiliar. I knew it wasn't for me.
05:05Ten years of marriage, Michal hadn't given me gifts. I always excused him. Too busy.
05:10Not romantic. Practical. Now I realized, he knows romance. He just didn't give it to me.
05:16I noted the receipt carefully. Next morning, after Michal left for the airport, I called the store.
05:23I want to check this receipt. Yes, yesterday afternoon.
05:27Found it. Purchased by Mrs. Casey.
05:29Casey. The name rang a bell. Michal's secretary. Hired six months ago. In her 30s. Divorced.
05:36Driving to the airport, I didn't know what I wanted to confirm. Was the perfume for a client?
05:41Or was I imagining things? I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
05:48Finally, I saw Michal walking with her. At the airport, I finally saw them.
05:53Casey wore a beige coat. She pulled a small suitcase. She walked beside my husband, Michal.
05:58He was smiling. Relaxed. Happy. Like I hadn't seen in years.
06:02Right before the security gate, Casey stopped. She reached out, fixed his collar gently.
06:08Michal didn't move away. He leaned down, whispered something in her ear.
06:12Casey laughed softly. Then she stood on her toes and kissed him.
06:17Michal's hand rested on her waist. They stayed like that for a moment.
06:21Like it was natural. Like something they did all the time.
06:24At that moment, the last lie I told myself vanished.
06:27All those late nights at work. All those impatient looks he gave me. I finally knew why.
06:33Then a thought hit me. The child I raised for nine years. Who isn't mine.
06:38Could he be connected to this woman?
06:40On the drive home, I called the private investigator.
06:43Help me check one more per daughter. Her name is Casey.
06:47I want to know everything. Especially if she has a child.
06:53The next afternoon, the report arrived.
06:56Casey. 32 years old.
06:58Divorced five years ago.
06:59She has a 10-year-old daughter. Her name is Emma.
07:02And when I saw her birth date, my blood ran cold.
07:05She was born only one week apart from Lily.
07:0810 years.
07:09For the first time in 10 years.
07:11A terrifying thought formed in my mind.
07:14I ran into the study.
07:16My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
07:18Then I typed Casey's birthday.
07:20The computer unlocked.
07:21Only one folder.
07:22Work backup.
07:23Inside were dozens of folders.
07:25Organized by year, starting 11 years ago.
07:28I opened the oldest folder.
07:30Photos appeared on the screen.
07:31Michal and Casey in school uniforms.
07:34Standing under a tree.
07:35Young Michal had his arm around her.
07:37Casey looked up, smiling at him.
07:39Next photo.
07:40College library.
07:41They were sitting together.
07:43Then graduation photo.
07:44Caps and gowns.
07:45Holding hands.
07:46That year, Michal said his company struggled.
07:49We canceled our anniversary trip.
07:51My stomach turned.
07:5210 years of lies.
07:54At 3 p.m., I drove west.
07:56The elementary school bell rang.
07:58Children rushed out.
07:59Then I saw her.
08:00A girl walking alone.
08:02No one came for her.
08:03She looked around.
08:04Slowly walking down the sidewalk.
08:06I held my breath.
08:07That girl.
08:08Emma.
08:09No.
08:10That's my child.
08:12The way she walked.
08:13It was a little like me.
08:15A slight turn of her feet.
08:17She lifted her hand to fix her hair.
08:19I saw a birthmark on her wrist.
08:21In the exact same spot I have mine.
08:23Dust on her eyelashes.
08:25Chapped lips.
08:26Her shoes were falling apart.
08:28Her eyes are empty.
08:30Not like a 10-year-old child.
08:32I covered my mouth.
08:33She wouldn't hear me.
08:35She walked away.
08:36Disappeared around the corner.
08:37I collapsed on the steering wheel.
08:40Cried like I'd never cried before.
08:42For the child walking home alone.
08:44For 10 years of a life out of place.
08:47For living like a fool in a life someone else had scripted.
08:50I wiped my tears and started the car.
08:55At the law office, I placed a USB drive on the table.
08:59It had all the photos, the DNA report, hospital files, the perfume receipt, and Casey and Emma's records.
09:05I want a divorce.
09:07I want him to leave with nothing.
09:08I want full custody of my child.
09:10And I want him to pay.
09:11Walking out of the office, I remembered Michal's words 10 years ago.
09:15Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
09:20Turns out, his lifetime was only 10 years.
09:24No, maybe less than 10.
09:26I took out my phone.
09:27Called the company's second largest shareholder.
09:30Uncle James, about next week's board meeting, I need to discuss something first.
09:34Michal probably forgot.
09:36This company belongs to my family.
09:38The Lynn Group.
09:39He became CEO because of me.
09:42I convinced my father to give him a chance.
09:44I can make him rise.
09:46And I can make him fall hard.
09:48Two weeks after Michal left, I started liquidating everything I could.
09:52Every afternoon, I went near the elementary school in West City.
09:56One rainy day, she forgot her umbrella.
09:58I waited under the store awning.
10:00Half an hour passed.
10:02Finally, she ran back, soaked from the rain.
10:05On a Friday afternoon, I arrived early.
10:07When Emma came out, I got out of the car.
10:10Pretended to just pass by.
10:11I accidentally dropped the folder.
10:14She froze, then bent down.
10:17Thanks, little guy.
10:18Your mom isn't here?
10:20She shook her head.
10:21Mom's working late.
10:23I took out a sealed water bottle.
10:25Handed it to her.
10:26How do you get home?
10:28By bus.
10:28She hesitated, then whispered.
10:30Thanks.
10:31I noticed her habit of pressing lips together, just like me.
10:35Her eyes are like mine, too.
10:37Does your mom often work late?
10:39She nodded.
10:41Sometimes.
10:42What about your dad?
10:43She didn't answer, staring at her shoes.
10:46Her sneakers were falling apart.
10:48The left shoelace was broken.
10:49I didn't ask more.
10:51I pulled out $200, put it in her hand.
10:54Go buy new shoes.
11:00She stepped back.
11:01No, I can't take it.
11:03Just think of it as thanks for helping me pick up the folder.
11:07I slipped the money into her backpack.
11:09I walked away a few steps, then glanced back.
11:12Her eyes looked lost, but something inside me stirred.
11:17That night, I stood at Lily's bedroom door.
11:20She was playing with her new Barbie set.
11:22A limited edition dream castle.
11:24Very expensive.
11:27Mom, what's wrong?
11:28I walked in and patted her head.
11:31Finished your homework?
11:32Yeah, I finished it!
11:34She said, showing me Barbie.
11:36Happening!
11:37Dad said, if I get an A this year, he'll take me to Disney!
11:42That's nice.
11:44But as I turned away, the smile left my face.
11:48Michal treats these two kids differently.
11:50My real daughter wears broken shoes, rides the bus alone.
11:55This child gets everything.
11:57Two weeks later, Michal returned from his trip.
12:00He put down his suitcase.
12:02Where's Lily?
12:03Why is it so quiet?
12:06I signed her up for tutoring.
12:07Two hours a day.
12:09How suddenly?
12:09She's only in fourth grade.
12:11I didn't answer.
12:12I noticed the perfume on him.
12:14He stepped closer to hug me.
12:15I moved away.
12:17Why do you smell like perfume?
12:18Who did you have dinner with?
12:20He looked surprised, annoyed.
12:21Vivian, you're doubting again.
12:23It's from a client dinner.
12:24Can you stop?
12:25I laughed at his bad acting.
12:27Handing him the envelope containing photos of him and Casey.
12:32Michal's face turned dark.
12:34He grabbed a photo, then threw it back on the table.
12:37You've been following me?
12:38Does it matter?
12:39I smiled.
12:40What matters is, what happens if these photos show up in the board meeting?
12:45Or get sent to your clients?
12:47He slumped on the sofa, hands covering his face.
12:51What do you want?
12:52I stared at him, my voice calm.
12:55First, fire Casey.
12:56Never let her near us again.
12:58Second, tell me what happened at the hospital ten years ago.
13:00You're crazy!
13:01All because of a few photos?
13:03Michal, don't forget.
13:05This company belongs to the Lynn family.
13:07You're here today because of me.
13:09I can give, and I can take away.
13:11I almost softened, but then I remembered Emma, her broken shoes, waiting alone in the rain.
13:17For ten years of marriage and our child, do what I say, and we can keep going.
13:22I turned to the bedroom and handed him a file.
13:25A pregnancy report.
13:27Five weeks pregnant.
13:29Michal stared, stunned.
13:31You're pregnant?
13:34Five weeks.
13:36Doctor says it's stable.
13:38His expression kept changing.
13:39His throat moved nervously.
13:41His eyes kept flicking between me and the report.
13:44I continued, calm but firm.
13:46You cut ties with Casey.
13:48She leaves the company, our lives.
13:50Do that, I won't bring up the past.
13:52We still have Lily, and now this baby.
13:55Michal's gaze fell on my belly.
13:57I saw the struggle in his eyes.
13:59I, I, I need to think.
14:01His voice hoarse.
14:02He turned and went into the bedroom.
14:05That night, his light stayed on late.
14:07The next morning, I sipped coffee as Michal came out, dark circles under his eyes.
14:13I pushed a glass of water toward him.
14:15He took it silently without looking at me.
14:17I've made my decision, Vivian, we...
14:19No need.
14:20I interrupted.
14:21Pulling the divorce papers from the folder and placing them on the table.
14:26What do you mean?
14:27We have a child now!
14:29I said coldly.
14:34I told you I was pregnant, so you'd spend the night thinking about leaving her.
14:38What about the baby?
14:40What about Lily?
14:41I laughed, sharp.
14:42You mean the child I raised for ten years was actually yours and Casey's?
14:46How, how did you know?
14:48When did you find out?
14:49Thanks to your file.
14:51Password was Casey's birthday.
14:53Ten years.
14:54You've used it all along, right?
14:56His breathing quickened.
14:57Let me explain.
14:59I stayed calm, mocking.
15:00Explain how you switched my baby.
15:02How you let Casey into the company.
15:03How you laughed at me for ten years.
15:05The funniest part?
15:06The guilt you show around that child.
15:08Is it guilt for tricking me?
15:09Or guilt for not treating your daughter right?
15:12Emma?
15:14Where's Emma?
15:15I want to see her!
15:17It's too late!
15:18You can't do this.
15:20Your daughter, no, our daughter, is now somewhere you can't find her.
15:25The girl you and Casey had is upstairs.
15:28She's asleep, unaware of what's happening.
15:31Vivian, you can't do this!
15:33That's my child!
15:35Mikhail rushed, grabbed my arm.
15:37I pulled away.
15:39From the day you switched our baby, you stopped being a father.
15:43Now leave my house.
15:45I closed the door.
15:46He pounded on it.
15:47Then the sound of a car leaving.
15:49I knew where he went.
15:50To find Casey.
15:52To find the daughter he lost ten years ago.
15:55Three days ago, my investigator gave me Casey's info.
15:58I met the girl again.
15:59I told her the truth.
16:00She stayed calm.
16:02Those eyes, like mine, had wisdom beyond her years.
16:05I held her hand.
16:06I'll take you away.
16:07We'll start over.
16:09She was silent, then nodded.
16:11Yesterday afternoon, her assistant took her abroad.
16:14Good schools, a home, new friends.
16:16Once I finish here, I can finally be with my daughter again.
16:20Divorce papers sat there.
16:22Three full days.
16:24Then Mikhail finally showed up.
16:26He stood at the door.
16:27Dark circles under his eyes, stubble on his face.
16:30I hadn't seen him this broken.
16:32Vivian, we need to talk.
16:35I leaned on the door frame, still in my pajamas.
16:38I didn't let him in.
16:39The agreement is clear.
16:41There's nothing to talk about.
16:43I can't divorce you.
16:46Ten years of marriage.
16:50And we have a child.
16:54That child?
16:55Which one?
16:56The one in the videos?
16:58Or the one upstairs?
17:00His face went pale.
17:02One week ago, Casey sent me files.
17:04I opened them.
17:06Video after video.
17:07Emma crying.
17:08Emma getting beaten.
17:09Locked in a dark room.
17:11The email had one line.
17:12Thanks for raising my daughter for ten years.
17:15I watched it all night.
17:17By morning, I threw up three times.
17:19Mikhail tried to explain.
17:21Casey...
17:22Sometimes she loses control.
17:24That's your daughter.
17:26You visit every week.
17:28You notice her perfume.
17:31Her new nails.
17:34But you never notice the bruises on your child.
17:38Mikhail said nothing.
17:40Dad lifted me up and set me on his shoulders.
17:43I could see so far away.
17:45I laughed out loud.
17:47It was my first time being up this high.
17:50Mom was worried and kept checking Dad's leg.
17:53She was afraid he would get too tired.
17:55After a while, Dad bought me some toys.
17:58He also bought hair clips and brooches for me and Mom.
18:02Brother, your wife and daughter are beautiful.
18:05These brooches from the city suit them perfectly.
18:07Both Dad and Mom blushed at the same time.
18:10On the way back, we sat on the tractor.
18:13I hugged my red socks tightly.
18:15This was the happiest day of my life.
18:18As we passed the Hudson Ranch, I saw Grandmother.
18:21She was feeding the cows in the yard.
18:24My uncle was lounging under the eaves in the sun.
18:27He still had no job and no wife.
18:29He just ate, drank, and wasted his life.
18:32After selling us to Rick, he had that money.
18:35Now he worked even less.
18:36He said he was preparing for a blind date.
18:39Grandmother always called us lazy.
18:40But I never dared to say that my uncle was the laziest one.
18:44I gripped my red socks and stared at them.
18:47Grandmother and my uncle noticed us.
18:49Their eyes widened in disbelief.
18:51Then, their faces turned into a hateful scowl.
18:54You two!
18:55True!
18:57Early morning, my plane took off.
18:59My assistant met me at the airport.
19:01She whispered,
19:02Emma is doing better this week.
19:04She started talking again.
19:06Yesterday, she even asked when you'd arrive.
19:09My heart raced.
19:10The car stopped in front of a white house.
19:13In the garden, a thin little girl crouched, watching ants.
19:17Emma!
19:18She looked better than in the videos, but still too thin.
19:21I walked closer and knelt down.
19:23I'm your mom.
19:25She stared at me for a long moment.
19:27Then she nodded slowly.
19:28I held her gently.
19:29She didn't pull away.
19:31I'm sorry.
19:32Mom came too late.
19:34Her body trembled in my arms.
19:36After that, I stopped working.
19:38I stayed with her every single day.
19:40I took her to the park.
19:41Her first carousel ride, she held the rail tight.
19:44At the library, I learned she loves books about stars.
19:48At night, after she slept, I would gently touch her hair.
19:51She still spoke little, but sometimes, she smiled at me.
19:55Then one night, at 3 a.m., my bedroom door opened slowly.
19:59A quiet, sobbing sound filled the hall.
20:02It pierced my ears like a needle.
20:04I woke instantly, and I knew...
20:06It was Emma.
20:08I opened her bedroom door.
20:10Moonlight came through thin curtains.
20:12Shadows danced on the floor.
20:14She was curled up, tiny and scared.
20:17Her hands gripped the blanket tight.
20:19Cold sweat on her forehead.
20:21Mom, no.
20:22Don't lock the dark room.
20:24There are rats.
20:26I rushed over, sat carefully on the bed.
20:28Held her icy shoulders gently.
20:30Her body stiffened, then jumped in my arms.
20:33She cried quietly, desperate.
20:35Tears soaked my pajamas fast.
20:37Mom, I'm scared.
20:39That storage room is so dark.
20:42My heart ached like it was cut.
20:44I patted her back again and again, shaky, but trying to be steady.
20:49Emma, it's okay.
20:52Mom's here.
20:54I'll protect you.
20:56Tears fell silently on her hair.
20:58I remembered the videos Casey sent.
21:00The little girl shaking in the dark.
21:02The old and new bruises.
21:04I wished I could tear apart everyone who hurt her.
21:08That night, I held her on the sofa.
21:10We stayed there until morning.
21:12I told her stories from my childhood.
21:14How I was scared of thunder.
21:16Dad held me, counting stars, singing wallabies.
21:19How I cried in the stairwell when old employees were mean.
21:22Then I wiped my tears and went back to negotiate.
21:25How silly interns spilled coffee on important contracts.
21:29She listened quietly.
21:30Sometimes she looked up, eyes like mine, and asked,
21:33Mom, weren't you scared?
21:35Yes, I was scared.
21:37But I knew if I held on, things would get better.
21:41And now I have you, Emma.
21:44I can't be scared anymore.
21:46She nodded slowly.
21:47Her tiny hand held my finger.
21:49A few days later, I took her to a countryside observatory.
21:53We drove past fields of wheat, wind carrying the sweet smell.
21:58Emma pressed her face against the car window.
22:01Her eyes were wide, full of wonder.
22:03Night fell.
22:04The observatory dome slowly opened.
22:06The sky filled with stars like tiny diamonds on deep blue.
22:10The guide pointed at Orion.
22:12He told the story of the hunter.
22:14Emma's eyes sparkled like stars.
22:16A small smile appeared on her lips.
22:18On the way home, the bus rocked.
22:20She leaned on my shoulder.
22:22Mom, the stars are so far.
22:25But seeing them makes me feel safe.
22:28I held her hand tight, feeling her warmth.
22:30I knew her deep scars wouldn't vanish with one visit.
22:33Old wounds leave marks.
22:35But as long as I'm here, loving her, the starlight will pierce the darkness and light the path ahead.
22:43That afternoon, we baked cookies.
22:45The doorbell rang.
22:46The nanny went to open it.
22:47I heard her say,
22:51Mikhail?
22:51Flour spilled from my hands.
22:54Through the glass door, I saw Mikhail standing there.
22:56His hair was messy, eyes sunken.
22:59He dragged an old suitcase.
23:02Vivian, I've been looking for you for two weeks.
23:05I wiped my hands, walked out, closed the door behind me.
23:11Now you know.
23:12You can leave.
23:13I want to see the child.
23:15He looked at the small figure in the kitchen.
23:17I've been dreaming.
23:19Dreaming of her as a baby.
23:21Dreaming of Casey hurting her.
23:23I didn't know.
23:24You knew.
23:24You just chose to ignore it.
23:26I cut him.
23:27The baby, still there?
23:29He looked at my belly.
23:31Of course.
23:32The baby is here.
23:33I smiled, feeling light for the first time.
23:36The doctor says everything's fine.
23:38She'll be born next spring.
23:40His face darkened.
23:42Suddenly, he rushed toward me.
23:44I sidestepped.
23:46He stumbled into the cabinet, shouting,
23:49Vivian!
23:50I want to see my daughter!
23:52You can't do this!
23:57I looked at him and laughed coldly.
24:00Mial, the thing you should worry about isn't my daughter.
24:04It's your son.
24:06Will he be born safely?
24:07To keep your son safe, you need to deal with Casey first.
24:13Settle your mess with her yourself.
24:15After saying that, I kicked him out.
24:17Even now, thinking of him makes me sick.
24:20When I closed the door, I saw Michal sitting on the floor, messing with his hair.
24:25He looked pathetic.
24:27Soon, my lawyer called.
24:28Ms. Vivian, it's messy, but things aren't going well.
24:33Michal and Casey had divorced and sued each other.
24:35In court, Casey yelled, revealing how Michal used his power to transfer money
24:40and promised to divorce her to marry her.
24:43I gripped my phone, listening calmly.
24:46Michal blamed everything on Casey.
24:48Said she forced him to switch the baby.
24:51In the end, Casey was sentenced.
24:53Three years in prison.
24:54Charges, child kidnapping, fraud, multiple crimes.
25:00Michal, he walked free.
25:03Cried in court.
25:04Claimed he was a victim too.
25:06Controlled by Casey for ten years.
25:08It sounded ridiculous.
25:10But the judge believed him.
25:11Or maybe his lawyer was just that good.
25:14Before hanging up, my lawyer whispered,
25:18Miss Lynn, I'm sorry.
25:19This result isn't ideal.
25:21If you want, we can plan the next step.
25:24Enough.
25:25At least my child is back.
25:28Emma was doing homework.
25:29Emma, I made the bad people face justice.
25:33But maybe not enough.
25:34Do you blame me?
25:36Mom, I know who treated me well, who didn't.
25:40I covered my mouth, tears falling.
25:43You cry so ugly.
25:46I laughed through my tears.
25:49These days, I tried my best to make up for ten lost years of love.
25:53I transferred all my company shares to her name.
25:56She's still little, but this is her security.
25:58Her school?
25:59The best local international program.
26:01The principal frowned at her old report cards.
26:04Casey barely cared about her studies.
26:06Let her struggle alone.
26:08I hired several tutors.
26:09Emma worked hard every day, catching up on ten years of knowledge.
26:13One night, I brought her milk and found her asleep at her desk,
26:16hands still holding a pen.
26:18I didn't wake her, just covered her with a blanket.
26:20On Friday afternoon, I went to pick her up from school.
26:23The gate was crowded with parents.
26:25Emma ran out with her new backpack, face flushed from activity.
26:29Mom, I got an A on today's math test.
26:32I hugged her tightly.
26:33Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure in the coffee shop across the street.
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