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00:00My mom called me a liar from the day I was born.
00:03Not because I actually lied, but because of this thing on my wrist, the Verity Band.
00:09Mom was obsessed with science-based parenting.
00:12So when my twin sister Emma and I were born, she strapped these bands on us.
00:17Green light means truth.
00:19Red light means you're manipulating reality.
00:22Emma's band? Always green.
00:24She could literally cut up mom's designer dress and blame the cat,
00:28and that little device would glow like a Christmas tree.
00:31Not me.
00:32She'd say, green light, believed.
00:35Me? I'd say, mom, I'm hungry.
00:39And flash, red light, instant punishment.
00:43And mom's punishment wasn't gentle.
00:46No food, locked in my room, digital blackout, no phone, no Wi-Fi, nothing.
00:53She'd say,
00:54The machine doesn't lie, Stella. Starve now, learn later.
00:58I'm doing this for your own good.
01:00After 10 years of this, I started believing it too.
01:04Maybe I really was born wrong.
01:07New Year's Eve, everything changed.
01:10New Year's Eve, everything changed.
01:13Mom was getting ready to take Emma to see the ball drop in Times Square.
01:17And that's when the pain hit, like a knife twisting in my gut.
01:22I collapsed on the floor, my skeletal frame curling into itself.
01:28Mom, please, it hurts.
01:30The band flashed red.
01:32She looked down at me, disgust in her eyes.
01:35Nice try, Stella.
01:36Faking sick to crash our night?
01:39Pathological.
01:40She grabbed Emma's hand and headed for the door.
01:43I wanted to scream.
01:45But part of me thought, maybe she's right.
01:48The band is red.
01:50So I must be lying.
01:52I must not actually be in pain.
01:54Sorry, Mom.
01:55I won't lie anymore.
01:56But the pain got worse.
01:59Way worse.
02:03The door handle turned.
02:05For one second, I thought,
02:06She's coming back.
02:08She's a doctor.
02:09She'll know something's wrong.
02:10Hurry up.
02:11The fireworks are starting.
02:12Emma's waiting.
02:14Please, something's really wrong.
02:17I feel like I'm dying.
02:19She glanced at my wrist.
02:21Red light flashing like crazy.
02:24She crouched down, grabbed my chin,
02:26forced me to look at her.
02:27How long are you going to keep this up?
02:29Can't you just be honest?
02:31Stay here and think about what you've done.
02:34Honey, should we at least leave her some food?
02:37Mom stood up.
02:39Food?
02:40She has a stash of snacks she bought with stolen money.
02:42She won't starve.
02:43Brushing off her hands like I was dirt.
02:46Lock the door.
02:46When that band turns green, we'll talk.
02:49But...
02:50But what?
02:52Soft parenting is why she's like this.
02:54Look at Emma.
02:55Her band is always green.
02:58Stella's just a compulsive liar.
03:00She needs discipline.
03:02But my closet was empty.
03:03Emma stole that money.
03:05Emma ate those snacks.
03:07I tried to defend myself once.
03:10I didn't take it either.
03:12Red light.
03:13Three days locked up with nothing but bread and water.
03:17Emma peeked through the door, made a face at me.
03:20That's us.
03:21We're gonna see the pretty fireworks.
03:24The door locked.
03:25The house went silent.
03:27Just me.
03:29Alone.
03:30The pain was unbearable.
03:33But I kept thinking.
03:35Mom's right.
03:36The machine doesn't lie.
03:38The band is red, so I must be lying.
03:42I'm not in pain.
03:43I'm not in pain.
03:46I'm not in pain.
03:48I crawled to my desk.
03:50I had to write.
03:51That was the rule.
03:53If the band glowed red, I had to pen a thousand-word apology essay, or Mom would never let me
03:59out.
03:59I am a liar.
04:02I opened my journal.
04:04Pages and pages of apologies I'd written over the years.
04:07But this time, I wanted to write the truth.
04:11My vision blurred.
04:12I could barely see.
04:14My hand shook as I wrote.
04:17Mom, I really love you.
04:19It really hurts.
04:21Why won't you believe me?
04:24Please believe me just once.
04:26The moment I finished the last word, the pain vanished.
04:31Just gone.
04:33I felt light.
04:34Weightless.
04:35I looked down.
04:37I was floating.
04:39And there, slumped over the desk, was my body.
04:43Motionless.
04:44The Verity band still flashing red on a dead girl's wrist.
04:49Oh.
04:50I'm dead.
04:51I heard laughter.
04:53Mom, Dad, Emma, coming through the front door.
04:57Tonight's fireworks were amazing, especially that smiley face one, just like our Emma.
05:04Mom's voice was so warm.
05:06I'd never heard her sound like that when she talked about me.
05:09I wanted to help them take off their coats.
05:12That's what I always did.
05:14Mom!
05:15I reached out to hug her.
05:17My arms passed right through her body, like wind.
05:21She shivered.
05:22Why is it so cold in here?
05:24Is the heat off?
05:25I stood there, staring at my transparent hands.
05:29Right.
05:30Dead people can't hug the living.
05:33Should we check on Stella?
05:34Dad said casually.
05:36She hasn't eaten.
05:37If she finds me dead, will she be sad?
05:40Will she regret it?
05:51Still putting on an act?
05:53Think I'll carry you to bed?
05:55Stella, you're ten years old, not five.
05:58I screamed at her, only two feet away.
06:01Mom, I'm not playing.
06:03I'm dead.
06:05Look at me.
06:06Touch me.
06:07I'm freezing.
06:09Emma squeezed past her, held up her wrist with that smug little grin.
06:14Look, my band's green.
06:16Stella's is still red.
06:18She's lying even in her dreams.
06:20Mom patted Emma's head.
06:22That's my good girl.
06:24Ignore the liar.
06:25Let her stay there.
06:26Maybe she'll learn how to be honest.
06:28Dad peeked in.
06:30Should we at least put her in bed?
06:31It's freezing.
06:33Put her in bed?
06:34The parenting expert says cold treatment is the answer.
06:37Look at that red light.
06:38She's still in full defiance mode.
06:41Come on.
06:42We have to visit Grandma tomorrow.
06:43The door locked again.
06:45I floated next to my corpse, staring at that single point of red light in the darkness.
06:51Mom, if you'd just stepped closer, if you'd just touched my hand, you'd know I was ice cold.
06:58But you didn't.
06:59That night, a rat crawled out of my empty closet.
07:02I used to scream whenever I saw rats.
07:05But now, I just floated by the ceiling, watching it scurry across my dead body.
07:10It bit into my toe.
07:12It's okay.
07:13You can't feel it anymore.
07:15It'll be over soon.
07:17The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window.
07:20No warmth reached my body.
07:22In the kitchen, I could hear Mom making breakfast.
07:26The smell of bacon and eggs crept under my door.
07:29My favorite.
07:30But Mom always said liars don't deserve meat.
07:34So, I only ever got steamed broccoli.
07:36She was claying the pans extra loud on purpose.
07:40Trying to tempt me out.
07:42Trying to make me give in and apologize for things I never did.
07:46In the old days, I might have caved.
07:49But I don't need food anymore.
07:53Stella still hasn't come out?
07:56Stella still hasn't come out?
07:57Dad asked, reading his paper.
08:00She is so stubborn.
08:01She can eat or not.
08:03I don't care.
08:05Emma walked to my door and made a big show of sniffing the air.
08:08Then she screamed dramatically.
08:11Mom!
08:12Stella's room smells gross!
08:14Did she poop in there?
08:16Mom stormed over, pounding on the door.
08:19Stella!
08:19Are you an animal?
08:21The bathroom is right there!
08:23Did you seriously go on the floor just to spite me?
08:25I remembered being six.
08:28I had food poisoning.
08:29Couldn't make it to the bathroom in time.
08:31Soiled my pants.
08:33Mom didn't help me clean up.
08:34She made me stand in the yard.
08:37Pointed at me and told the neighbors.
08:39Look at this.
08:40She's such a mess she can't even use the toilet by herself.
08:43Now she thought I was dirty again.
08:46Leave her.
08:47Mom said, waving her hand like she was swatting a fly.
08:50Let her sit in her own stink.
08:52But Dad stood up, frowning.
08:55That smells really bad.
08:56I should check.
08:58Could be a dead mouse or something.
09:00Dad, please open the door.
09:03I'm right here.
09:04I waved my transparent arms frantically.
09:07Dad's hand touched the doorknob.
09:09His phone was ringing.
09:10Dad's face went pale.
09:12What?
09:13The server crashed?
09:15Okay, okay.
09:16I'm on my way.
09:17Honey, there's an emergency at work.
09:19I'll be gone for a few days.
09:21Wait, what about Stella?
09:23He was already out the door.
09:25If that call had come one second later, I would have been found.
09:29Maybe then, I wouldn't have rotted alone.
09:32That afternoon, Mom took Emma shopping.
09:35The house was empty except for my corpse.
09:38When they came back that night, loaded down with fancy lobster and gifts,
09:42the smell had gotten worse.
09:43Mom gagged the second she walked in.
09:47Stella, are you trying to turn this place into a dump?
09:50She didn't even open my door.
09:52She grabbed duct tape and sealed the gap at the bottom.
09:55You want to be disgusting?
09:57Fine.
09:57Stew in it.
09:58Don't stink up my house.
10:00She patted her hands together, satisfied.
10:03Then went to steam the lobster.
10:06I stared at that sealed door.
10:08My last shred of hope suffocated under that tape.
10:12By day three, even the duct tape couldn't contain the smell.
10:16Mom was arranging fresh flowers, trying to cover it up.
10:19But the stench of death is unmistakable.
10:23Sweet, rotten, oily.
10:26She cut a rose stem too hard.
10:28A thorn pierced her hand.
10:31She snapped.
10:32Stella!
10:33She grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen, stormed toward my room.
10:37I'm done with you, you disgusting little brat.
10:41Time you learned what real pain feels like.
10:44Don't come in, Mom.
10:45Please.
10:46I'm decomposed.
10:48You'll be scared.
10:49Even though she never loved me, I didn't want her to see me like that.
10:54But she ripped the tape off, jammed the spare key in the lock.
10:59Bang!
11:00The door flew open.
11:03The smell hit her like a wall.
11:05She stumbled back, dry heaving.
11:08Stella, what are you doing?
11:11She saw me.
11:12Still slumped over the desk.
11:14Back turned, not moving.
11:17To her, this was the ultimate rebellion.
11:21I'm talking to you.
11:22She marched over, raised the rolling pin, but stopped.
11:27She wanted to see my face first.
11:30Wanted to see my defiant expression.
11:33Get up.
11:34The moment she touched me, she froze.
11:37Through the thin fabric, her hand didn't feel warm flesh.
11:42What?
11:43But momentum carried her forward.
11:45She yanked.
11:47My body, stiff as a board, toppled backward, taking the chair with it.
11:52And there was my face.
11:54On my blackened wrist, the Verity band hung lifeless.
11:59My journal slid off the desk, fell open at Mom's feet.
12:03The last page stared up at her.
12:06Mom, my stomach really hurts.
12:08The band is broken.
12:10I'm not lying.
12:12Please don't punish me.
12:15Mom screamed.
12:16Not a human sound.
12:18A raw, guttural shriek that tore through her throat.
12:22She stumbled backward, slammed into the bookshelf.
12:25A vase shattered.
12:27But she didn't seem to feel the pain.
12:29She just stared at me, eyes wide, unblinking.
12:33No, no, no, no.
12:34This is makeup.
12:35Special effects.
12:37Stella, get up.
12:38I'm not mad anymore.
12:40Stop scaring me.
12:41Her hand reached out, trembling to touch my arm.
12:44The second her skin made contact with my corpse, she recoiled like she'd been burned.
12:50That cold was too real.
12:52Mrs. Lisa from next door called 911.
12:55911, I heard a scream.
12:55She'd heard the screaming.
12:57When she saw what was in my room, she collapsed in the hallway.
13:01Within minutes, sirens.
13:03Police.
13:03A medical examiner.
13:05They pulled up the crime scene tape.
13:07Cameras flashed over my body.
13:09Mom sat on the couch, a female officer's hand on her shoulder.
13:13She was babbling.
13:15She was faking.
13:16She always lies.
13:18The band was red.
13:19Machines don't lie.
13:21I was just teaching her.
13:23I was doing it for her own good.
13:24No one responded.
13:26They all looked at her like she was a monster.
13:29The medical examiner crouched next to my body.
13:32He muttered under his breath.
13:34Severe malnutrition.
13:35Organ failure.
13:37This kid was starved for at least a month.
13:39He carefully tried to remove the Verity band.
13:42But it had...
13:44fused.
13:45Damn.
13:46He cursed.
13:47He had to use tools to pry it off.
13:49Even dead, my soul flinched.
13:58A cop picked up my journal, put on gloves, started reading.
14:03Mom's eyes locked onto that book.
14:06Suddenly, she lunged for it.
14:08That's her confession.
14:09She admits she lied.
14:11Look, she wrote it herself.
14:13The officer pushed her back, slid the journal into an evidence bag.
14:17We'll determine what's true.
14:19That's when Dad got home.
14:21He saw the black body bag being wheeled out on a stretcher.
14:24Saw the long zipper that sealed away my entire life.
14:28His legs gave out.
14:30He collapsed.
14:32Wet himself.
14:33Emma stood nearby, sobbing in confusion.
14:37She pointed at the blood-stained Verity band on the evidence table.
14:41Why is Stella's band black?
14:43Mine's still green, see?
14:45She held up her wrist.
14:47The green light blinked cheerfully.
14:49It was grotesque.
14:51The cops started questioning Mom in the living room.
14:54She grabbed the Verity band off the table like it was a life raft.
14:58Test it.
14:59That band proved she was lying.
15:01Red light means lie.
15:03I never abused her.
15:04The machine told me.
15:06I was just educating her.
15:08The officer looked at her like she'd lost her mind.
15:11Ma'am, the victim shows signs of extreme malnutrition.
15:16That's discipline.
15:17That's teaching her to be honest.
15:19Mom was shrieking now.
15:21Then she did something insane.
15:24You don't believe me?
15:26Fine.
15:26I'll wear it.
15:27I'm not lying.
15:29Watch.
15:29It'll be green.
15:30She snatched the band.
15:32Still stained with my blood and bits of skin.
15:35And jammed it onto her own wrist.
15:38Click.
15:39Locked.
15:40The rubber pressed against her skin.
15:43Sticky.
15:44Cold.
15:46She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.
15:49She needed to prove she was innocent.
15:52Needed to prove her parenting was right.
15:55She held up her wrist, eyes wild.
15:58Watch.
15:59I'm Rachel.
16:00I'm Stella's mother.
16:01That's a fact.
16:03Absolute truth.
16:05The red light exploded.
16:07Bright.
16:08Violent.
16:09Like a fresh wound tearing open.
16:12Mom's confident expression shattered.
16:14She slapped the band like it was a broken TV.
16:18What?
16:19No.
16:19I said the truth.
16:21I am Rachel.
16:22She started talking faster, panic rising in her voice.
16:27It's broken.
16:28The examiner broke it.
16:29Let me try again.
16:30I never abused her.
16:32I did it for her own good.
16:34I love her.
16:35The red light flashed faster.
16:37And suddenly, she remembered.
16:40Me.
16:41Ten years old.
16:42Getting the maximum punishment.
16:44Curled on the floor.
16:46Biting my lip so I wouldn't scream.
16:48Is this what it felt like?
16:51Mom lost it completely.
16:53She started screaming at the band.
16:55Spit flying.
16:57Why is it red?
16:58I'm telling the truth.
17:00Turn green, you piece of junk.
17:02You're framing me.
17:03But the red light kept flashing.
17:06Like it was mocking her.
17:08You're a liar.
17:09You're a liar.
17:11You're a liar.
17:13No.
17:14Mom suddenly screamed.
17:15She clawed at the band.
17:17Get it off.
17:18Get it off.
17:18It's red.
17:19I'm not a liar.
17:20I'm not.
17:21But the clasp was jammed from her violent struggle.
17:24Wouldn't budge.
17:25I can't get it off.
17:27Stella, take it back.
17:28I'm sorry.
17:29It's all my fault.
17:31This little bit of pain.
17:32And she was breaking.
17:35Mom, I suffered for ten years.
17:38The cops needed evidence for charges.
17:40And you better stop.
17:41So they opened my journal in front of my parents.
17:44February 14th.
17:46Sunny.
17:47Mom put celery on my plate.
17:49I'm allergic.
17:50My throat swells.
17:51I can't breathe.
17:52I said I can't eat it.
17:53But because I was scared of making her angry, my heart raced.
17:57Red light.
17:59Mom said I was picky.
18:00Lying.
18:01Made me eat the whole plate.
18:04That night, I threw up blood.
18:06My throat felt like it was on fire.
18:08Mom saw it and said I'd snuck tomato juice.
18:11That I was faking.
18:12She punished me for ten more minutes.
18:15Mom's hand flew to her mouth.
18:17She was shaking violently.
18:19She remembered that night.
18:21The officer turned the page.
18:23June 1st.
18:24Children's Day.
18:26Emma cut up mom's dress.
18:28Emma's heart rate is always slow.
18:30Green light.
18:31I tried to explain, but I was scared of getting beaten.
18:34So my heart raced.
18:36Red light.
18:38Dad couldn't take it anymore.
18:40This man who'd been invisible for ten years,
18:43who always stayed out of it.
18:45He snapped.
18:55He lunged at mom and slapped her across the face.
18:58You monster.
19:00What did you do?
19:01That was your daughter.
19:03You treated her like an animal.
19:06Mom fell to the floor.
19:07Blood at the corner of her mouth.
19:09But she didn't fight back.
19:11Didn't cry.
19:12She just stared into space, muttering,
19:16Not my fault.
19:17Not my fault.
19:18Then her eyes landed on Emma, cowering in the corner.
19:22It's her.
19:23It's Emma.
19:24Emma's band was always green.
19:26Emma was the good one.
19:28If it wasn't for that green light making me trust her,
19:31I wouldn't have believed the red light so much.
19:33This is Emma's fault.
19:35All eyes turned to Emma.
19:37That little princess we'd all protected.
19:39The cop walked over, gently removed the green Verity band from her wrist,
19:45took out a screwdriver, pried it open right there.
19:49Crack.
19:50The plastic shell split.
19:52Inside, no sensors, no chips, no heart rate monitor,
19:57just two cheap LED lights and a watch battery.
20:01The circuit was hardwired.
20:03Power on, green light.
20:05That's it.
20:05This is a $2 toy.
20:08Your younger daughter's band was factory set to always be green.
20:12No matter what she said, did, or lied about,
20:16it would glow green.
20:17Your so-called science-based parenting was a joke.
20:22A sick, biased joke.
20:24I laughed, laughed until I cried.
20:28Turns out, ghosts can cry too.
20:31The officer turned to the last page of the journal.
20:35Her voice broke.
20:37The handwriting was a mess,
20:39clearly written while dying.
20:42Mom, if I die, will the band stop glowing red?
20:46Or if it turns green, will you hug me then?
20:50I'm not lying.
20:52My stomach hurts so much.
20:54Like knives.
20:56Next life, please don't make me wear the band.
20:59Please.
21:00Mom stared at the shattered pieces of plastic on the table.
21:04That green light she trusted without question?
21:07A cheap piece of junk.
21:09Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
21:11Mom started laughing,
21:13her voice cracking with every sound.
21:16But it was the laugh of someone breaking,
21:19worse than crying.
21:21Fake.
21:21All fake.
21:23I killed my honest daughter.
21:25And I worshipped a liar.
21:27She'd lost her mind.
21:29For real this time.
21:32My death became front page news.
21:35Mrs. Lisa, the neighborhood gossip,
21:37posted everything online.
21:40Title.
21:41Girls Starved to Death by Fake Science Band.
21:44She described my corpse in detail.
21:47The band fused to rotting flesh.
21:50The internet exploded.
21:53Monster.
21:54Murderer.
21:55She doesn't deserve to be a mother.
21:58Comments poured in like an avalanche.
22:00Someone doxed mom.
22:03Our address got leaked.
22:05People threw red paint on our door.
22:07Wrote death in huge letters.
22:11Dad got arrested too.
22:13Neglect.
22:14Failure to protect.
22:15He wasn't there when I died.
22:17So he got off light.
22:18But his company fired him immediately to avoid the PR nightmare.
22:23Our family went bankrupt.
22:25Sold the house, the car, everything to pay legal fees.
22:31Dad couldn't stand living with that psycho anymore.
22:34He took what little money was left, and Emma, and disappeared.
22:39Emma was a bad seed, sure.
22:42But she was still his blood.
22:44Before they left, Emma tried to take her green band.
22:48Dad stomped on it.
22:49Why the hell would you want that piece of trash?
22:52Emma cried as he dragged her away.
22:54Mom got out on bail.
22:56The psych eval said she had severe PTSD and psychosis.
23:01They left her alone in that rental apartment.
23:04The one that still smelled like death.
23:07Her mental state deteriorated fast.
23:09She started talking to me like I was still there.
23:12And she refused to take off the red light band.
23:15To punish herself, she'd added a shock device to it.
23:19One that delivered a jolt the second the light flashed red.
23:23She said the small shocks were the only thing that eased her guilt.
23:27She'd cook a whole table of food.
23:30Then talk to the empty air.
23:32She'd pick up a piece of meat.
23:34Her hands shook.
23:35The band flashed red.
23:37She was anxious.
23:39She smiled, but her eyes were empty.
23:42Mom's heart is racing.
23:44Mom's lying.
23:46Liars don't deserve food.
23:48She picked up a remote.
23:50One she'd rewired to trigger the shock on her wristband.
23:53And shocked herself.
23:55It hurts.
23:57It hurts.
23:58Is this what Stella felt?
24:00I'm sorry.
24:02Mom started reenacting my diary entries.
24:05I couldn't eat celery because of my allergy.
24:08So she forced herself to eat spoiled food until she vomited blood, then swallowed it back down.
24:15I was locked in isolation.
24:17So she locked herself in my old room, lights off, and bowed to my photo until her forehead bled.
24:24Over and over.
24:27Blood on the floor.
24:29Late at night, she'd see the red glow of the band reflected on the wall.
24:34To her, it looked like my bloody eyes watching.
24:38She scribbled in red pen on the back of my journal.
24:41I'm sorry.
24:42I was wrong.
24:43Red light means pain.
24:45Red light means love.
24:47Please come back and say it hurts one more time.
24:51I'll save you.
24:52I promise.
24:53Too bad I'm dead.
24:55Dead people can't cry for help.
24:58Eventually, the state intervened.
25:01Mom's self-harm got so extreme, she nearly killed herself, that they committed her.
25:07She ended up in a psychiatric facility.
25:10She was the strangest patient there.
25:13She'd found a red plastic ring somewhere and wore it around her neck like a collar.
25:18Her homemade band.
25:21If anyone tried to remove it, she'd bite them like a rabid dog.
25:25Don't touch my light.
25:27Stella's watching.
25:28She'll be mad if you take it.
25:31She developed a Pavlovian response.
25:33Rachel, time to eat.
25:35Mom would touch her neck, then start convulsing, screaming.
25:39Red light.
25:40Red light.
25:41Don't punish me.
25:42I'll eat.
25:42I'll eat.
25:43Even if the food was scalding hot, she'd gulp it down, burning her esophagus.
25:49Wouldn't spit it out.
25:51She was reenacting my final moments.
25:53Living my hell on repeat.
25:57Years later, Emma grew up.
25:59Without proper guidance and with a trail of infamy behind her, she ended up at the bottom of society.
26:05When she ran out of money, she remembered.
26:08Mom's still in that facility.
26:10She showed up one day.
26:12Not for love.
26:13For cash.
26:21Hey, crazy lady.
26:23Dad's dead.
26:24Give me your hidden stash.
26:27Disgusting.
26:28Just like your dead daughter.
26:30If you don't give me money, I'll pull your tubes and send you to join her.
26:35For a moment, Mom's cloudy eyes cleared.
26:38She looked at Emma and suddenly remembered.
26:42That band.
26:43That always green toy.
26:45That decade of deception.
26:48It was you.
26:50Mom's voice was gravel.
26:52You lied.
26:53You're the fake green light.
26:55You killed Stella.
26:58Give her back.
26:59Give her back.
27:01The last shred of maternal love twisted into vengeance.
27:05Mom lunged.
27:06Grabbed Emma by the throat.
27:08Die.
27:09You should have died.
27:11Not her.
27:12You.
27:13Help!
27:14Emma thrashed, but couldn't break free from a madwoman's grip.
27:18Orderlies rushed in.
27:20Sedated Mom.
27:21Pulled her off.
27:22Emma stumbled out of the room, terrified.
27:25They're all insane!
27:27She bolted for the exit.
27:31A truck plowed into her.
27:33She survived.
27:34Barely.
27:36Both legs shattered beyond repair.
27:39Wheelchair for life.
27:40A total wreck.
27:41Meanwhile, Mom was strapped to a bed, staring at the ceiling.
27:46Tears streaming.
27:48In her dreams, she finally saw me.
27:51I was ten again.
27:53No band.
27:54White dress.
27:55Smiling.
27:56Mom!
27:57She reached for me, crying with joy.
28:01Stella!
28:02But her hands sparked with electricity.
28:05The second she touched me, I burst into flames.
28:08Turned to ash.
28:10No!
28:11She woke up screaming.
28:13Heart rate through the roof.
28:15If she'd been wearing that band, it would have been blood red.
28:19Eternal torment.
28:21I stood in the void, watching it all.
28:24Mom in the facility.
28:27Emma in a wheelchair, begging on the streets.
28:30Dad, drunk and dead in some gutter.
28:33I felt...
28:34I felt...
28:35Nothing.
28:36No satisfaction.
28:38Just a flat, dead calm.
28:41Next to me was an old dog.
28:44Buddy, my childhood pet.
28:46Mom threw him out years ago.
28:48He'd been waiting for me at the boundary.
28:51Buddy nuzzled my leg.
28:53Barked twice.
28:54As if to say,
28:55Let's go.
28:56Don't look back.
28:59Yeah.
29:00Time to leave.
29:01This life was too bitter.
29:04Nothing worth holding onto.
29:06I floated to Mom's hospital room one final time.
29:10She looked ancient.
29:11Hair completely white.
29:13Frail as paper.
29:16She sensed something.
29:18Her cloudy eyes focused on a point in the air.
29:21Right where I stood.
29:23Stella?
29:24Is that you?
29:25Her trembling hand reached into the emptiness.
29:28Mom destroyed the band.
29:30I don't believe in it anymore.
29:32Come back, please.
29:33I'll cook for you.
29:34No celery.
29:35I'll buy you new dresses.
29:37Not Emma.
29:38Tears rolled down her face.
29:40I looked at the red marks on her neck from the homemade band.
29:45I sighed.
29:46Reached out.
29:48My cold, ghostly finger touched her forehead.
29:52Sleep, Mom.
29:53In sleep, there's no pain.
29:56A breeze blew through the room.
29:58The old journal on her nightstand flipped open.
30:01The last page, my dying words, stared up at the ceiling.
30:06But below it, in shaky handwriting, were new lines, written by Mom during a lucid moment.
30:13Next life, let me wear the band.
30:16Let me be the liar.
30:18Punish me however you want.
30:20Just don't leave me.
30:22I stared at those words.
30:24Felt nothing.
30:26Too late.
30:28Repentance means nothing to the dead.
30:31Mom, I don't hate you anymore.
30:34But I don't love you either.
30:37Let's not meet again.
30:38I turned away.
30:41Buddy wagged his tail.
30:43In the distance, a door of light appeared.
30:46The gateway to the next cycle.
30:49I looked at my wrist.
30:51The phantom Verity band.
30:54The phantom Verity band.
31:21Still there.
31:21A tear crystallized at the corner of her eye.
31:24On the heart monitor, the wavy line had gone flat.
31:27Passing through the light wasn't violent.
31:29No spinning.
31:30No chaos.
31:31Just warmth.
31:33Like sinking into a spring stream.
31:35Even the lingering ache in my soul, the phantom pains, started to fade.
31:40Buddy pressed into my palm.
31:42His fur wasn't translucent anymore.
31:44It was soft, warm, real.
31:47This was the living, breathing connection I'd craved as a kid.
31:51Come on, boy.
31:52I held his paw and walked toward the brightness.
31:54Behind me, the old life faded like a worn photograph.
31:58Mom's final tear.
32:00The red glow of the band.
32:01Blood on the diary pages.
32:03All of it blurred.
32:05Dissolved.
32:05I didn't look back.
32:07That ten-year nightmare was finally, truly, over.
32:11When I opened my eyes again, I was tiny.
32:15Wrapped in soft blankets.
32:17Someone was humming.
32:19A woman's voice.
32:20Gentle, off-key, but full of love.
32:24Her fingers brushed my cheek.
32:26The scent of gardenias.
32:28Not the sterile hospital smell of my old mom.
32:30Not the cold, clinical distance.
32:34I blinked up at her.
32:35She had kind eyes.
32:37A soft smile.
32:39She cradled me like I was made of glass.
32:42Grace is awake.
32:43She murmured.
32:45Honey, come quick.
32:46Our daughter just blinked.
32:47A man appeared.
32:49Tall, a little awkward, but his face lit up when he saw me.
32:54He touched my tiny hand with one finger.
32:56His voice was deep.
32:58Warm.
32:59Hey, Grace.
33:00I'm your dad.
33:02Grace.
33:03Not Stella.
33:04No weight.
33:05No chains.
33:06No lies.
33:07Just Grace Sterling.
33:09A name that meant something light.
33:11Something cherished.
33:14This house was small.
33:16But clean.
33:17Cozy.
33:18Cartoon stickers on the walls.
33:20Plants on the balcony.
33:22Sunlight pouring through the windows.
33:24Warm on the floor.
33:25I realized fast.
33:28This family was nothing like the last one.
33:31They never forced me to do anything.
33:33They never forced me to do anything.
33:34There were no Verity bands.
33:37I grew.
33:38I learned to crawl.
33:39To talk.
33:40And when I was three, Mom made sauteed celery.
33:44The green stalks on the plate triggered me.
33:46I flashed back to choking.
33:49Throat swelling.
33:50Vomiting blood.
33:52I stumbled backward.
33:54Shaking.
33:55Tears came without permission.
33:57Mom immediately put down the spatula.
34:00Crouched.
34:01Pulled me into a hug.
34:03Grace.
34:03What's wrong?
34:04You don't like celery?
34:06I couldn't speak.
34:07Just shook my head.
34:09Sobbing.
34:11Dad knelt too.
34:12Rubbed my back.
34:14Hey.
34:14It's okay.
34:16You don't have to eat it.
34:18Can you tell us why?
34:19Their eyes were patient.
34:21Gentle.
34:22Finally, I choked out.
34:24It hurts my throat.
34:26Makes me bleed.
34:28They didn't say, the machine doesn't lie.
34:31They didn't accuse me of faking.
34:34They took me to the doctor immediately.
34:36Turns out, I really do have a celery allergy.
34:40Mild, but it can flare up with stress.
34:43After that, celery never appeared in the house again.
34:47Mom even added it to her phone notes.
34:49Grace's allergies.
34:51Celery.
34:51Mango.
34:52She checked every time she shopped.
34:55I lay in her arms that night,
34:57smelling gardenias,
34:58and realized,
35:00this is what it feels like to be believed.
35:02Love isn't measured by a machine.
35:05It's listening.
35:06Even when the story sounds impossible.
35:09When I was four,
35:10preschool had a health screening.
35:11Blood draw.
35:13I saw the needle and lost it.
35:15Flashes of the band burning my wrist.
35:18Flashes of starvation.
35:20I screamed.
35:21Clung to dad's leg.
35:23The teacher sighed.
35:24Grace, it's just a little poke.
35:27All the other kids were brave.
35:29I couldn't stop shaking.
35:31Don't punish me.
35:33I'm not lying.
35:34Dad immediately scooped me up,
35:36shielding me from the nurse.
35:38Sorry.
35:39He said firmly.
35:41She's got trauma.
35:42We'll skip this for now
35:44and take her to a pediatric psychologist.
35:46On the drive home,
35:48dad didn't scold me for being weak.
35:51He just asked gently,
35:53Grace,
35:54did someone hurt you before?
35:56I buried my face in his shoulder,
35:59tears soaking his shirt.
36:01Mom!
36:03Band!
36:04Red light!
36:05I couldn't explain it clearly,
36:08but he listened,
36:09nodded.
36:11You've been through hell,
36:12haven't you?
36:13It's okay.
36:15Dad's here now.
36:16No one's ever hurting you again.
36:19From then on,
36:21they took me to a child therapist regularly.
36:24Severe PTSD,
36:25the doctor said.
36:27My parents never complained,
36:29never made me feel like a burden.
36:31They played honesty games with me,
36:33where I could say anything,
36:35true or false,
36:37and they'd just listen,
36:39guide me gently toward the truth.
36:41They bought me colorful bracelets,
36:43but never forced me to wear them.
36:45These are just accessories, Grace.
36:48Wear them if you want,
36:49take them off if you don't.
36:50We'll love you either way.
36:52Slowly, I started to heal.
36:54I could say,
36:55I don't like this,
36:57without fear.
36:58I could say,
37:00I'm scared.
37:01Am I staying scared?
37:02I could say,
37:03I want that.
37:03I want that.
37:04I didn't have to worry about my heart racing
37:07being evidence of a lie.
37:09I started sharing my preschool stories with them.
37:12I cried when I didn't get a toy.
37:15I laughed when I got praise.
37:17I was finally just a kid,
37:20a normal, loved kid.
37:22When I turned seven,
37:24I started elementary school.
37:25There was a girl in my class,
37:27Annie Sullivan.
37:29She looked exactly like Emma,
37:31same eyes,
37:32but her hair was shorter,
37:34and she was timid,
37:38scared,
37:39the first time I saw her,
37:41my heart clenched.
37:42Flashbacks.
37:44Emma's smug grin,
37:45the green light mocking me.
37:47I stepped back instinctively.
37:49Annie noticed.
37:51She looked down,
37:52voice barely a whisper.
37:54I'm Annie.
37:56Do you want to be friends?
37:58Her tone was so careful,
38:01so desperate to please,
38:02just like I used to be.
38:05I glanced at her wrist.
38:06She wore a cheap green cartoon bracelet.
38:09My stomach turned.
38:11Later,
38:12I found out,
38:12Annie's mom was strict too,
38:15demanded honesty,
38:17locked her in her room without food
38:19when she made mistakes.
38:20One day,
38:22Annie accidentally broke the teacher's mug.
38:24She was trembling,
38:25too scared to admit it.
38:26I saw her face,
38:28red-rimmed eyes,
38:30barely holding back tears.
38:32I remembered myself at that desk,
38:34writing,
38:35I'm a liar,
38:36a thousand times.
38:38I walked over,
38:40took her hand.
38:41Annie,
38:42it's okay.
38:43Accidents happen.
38:44Let's tell the teacher together.
38:46She won't be mad.
38:48Annie looked at me,
38:49shocked.
38:50But mom says liars are bad kids.
38:54Being honest isn't about never making mistakes.
38:57It's about owning up when you do.
38:59And even if you tell the truth,
39:01you shouldn't be punished for it.
39:02If the teacher yells,
39:04I'll protect you.
39:05If your mom yells,
39:06come to my house.
39:07My parents will help.
39:09I gave her the courage I never had.
39:12She confessed.
39:13The teacher forgave her,
39:15told her to be more careful next time.
39:17From that day on,
39:19we were best friends.
39:20I brought Annie home to meet my parents.
39:23She saw how warm they were,
39:25how they didn't yell,
39:28didn't punish over little things.
39:30I told her,
39:32You don't have to make everyone happy.
39:34You're allowed to feel things,
39:37say things.
39:39One day,
39:40Annie's mom came to pick her up from school.
39:43She saw us together,
39:45and her face twisted.
39:46She grabbed Annie's hand.
39:49Did you mess up again?
39:51Is Grace covering for you?
39:52Annie immediately looked down.
39:55I stepped in front of her.
39:58Ma'am,
39:59Annie didn't do anything wrong.
40:01She's a good kid.
40:03You shouldn't always assume the worst.
40:06She's scared of you.
40:07The mom froze,
40:10looked at me,
40:11then at Annie's tear-filled eyes.
40:15Her expression softened.
40:18That night,
40:19she called my mom,
40:21thanked her.
40:22You're welcome.
40:23Said I'd opened her eyes.
40:25Over time,
40:27Annie's mom got gentler,
40:29started listening instead of yelling.
40:31And Annie?
40:33She blossomed.
40:35We had a great day at school.
40:36Confident.
40:37We learned about the coaching.
40:37Happy.
40:38I watched her laugh freely one day,
40:41and felt this warmth in my chest.
40:45I didn't get saved in my last life.
40:48I suffered alone in the dark.
40:50But this time,
40:52I could save someone else.
40:54I could stop another Stella from happening.
40:58Maybe that's the gift my past life gave me.
41:01The ability to see pain.
41:04And to heal it.
41:07When I was ten,
41:08my parents took me to visit Grandma in the countryside.
41:11There was an old tree in her yard.
41:13Just like the one at my old Grandma's house.
41:16I sat under it,
41:18watching sunlight filter through the leaves.
41:20Buddy dozed next to me.
41:22Then I saw her.
41:24An old woman.
41:26White hair.
41:27Hunched over a cane.
41:29Wearing a faded blue shirt.
41:31The second I saw her face,
41:33I froze.
41:35She looked exactly like Rachel.
41:37My old mom.
41:39Grandma noticed me too.
41:41Walked over slowly.
41:43Her eyes were hazy,
41:44but there was something familiar in them.
41:47What's your name, child?
41:48Grace Sterling.
41:50She repeated it softly.
41:52Grace.
41:53That's a beautiful name.
41:54She reached out like she wanted to touch my hair.
41:57Then hesitated.
41:59Pulled back.
42:00Like she was afraid of disturbing something sacred.
42:03My mom came over, studied her.
42:06Mom, this is our daughter.
42:08Grace.
42:09So she was my Grandma in this life.
42:12Over the next few days, Grandma watched me constantly.
42:16Her expression unreadable.
42:19One day, she brought me a bowl of steakburger.
42:21Grace, eat up.
42:23This used to be your favorite.
42:24I stared at the bowl.
42:25In my last life, I wrote in my dying breath.
42:29I want to eat mom's steakburger.
42:32And here was Grandma, saying those exact words.
42:36Tears blurred my vision.
42:39This wasn't some distant wish anymore.
42:41It was real.
42:42Right in front of me.
42:45I picked up a piece.
42:46Bit into it.
42:48Tender.
42:49Sweet.
42:50Perfect.
42:51Grandma smiled.
42:53A tired, guilty smile.
42:55That night, lying in bed with Buddy curled at my feet,
42:59I thought about Rachel's last words.
43:01Next life, let me be the one punished.
43:05Just don't leave me.
43:06I thought about her final tear.
43:08The torn journal.
43:11Honestly, I didn't hate her anymore.
43:14Hating someone is like locking yourself in the past.
43:17Chewing on pain forever.
43:20This life's happiness had already washed away the bitterness.
43:23I just felt sad.
43:26Grandma stayed for a month, then went back home.
43:29Before she left, she held my hand.
43:32Grace, live well.
43:34Be happy.
43:36Her voice was soft, but heavy with meaning.
43:39I nodded.
43:40You too, Grandma.
43:42I watched her walk away, and I felt nothing.
43:47No anger.
43:48No grief.
43:49The grudges of my past life were like fallen leaves, blown away by the wind.
43:55I wasn't Stella anymore, the girl trapped by a red light.
43:59I was Grace Sterling, surrounded by love, free.
44:04At 13, I graduated elementary school.
44:07Got into the best middle school in the city.
44:10My parents took me to the beach to celebrate.
44:12I stood at the edge of the ocean, wind in my hair, salt on my lips.
44:17I stretched out my arms, feeling the freedom.
44:21For a moment, I saw her.
44:23My ghost self.
44:25Floating.
44:26Desperate to hug someone, but passing right through.
44:29Grace, what are you thinking?
44:32Dad handed me a soda.
44:34I smiled.
44:36Just, I'm grateful.
44:38To be alive, to be with you guys.
44:42Mom hugged me.
44:43Silly girl, we're the lucky ones.
44:46Buddy chased the waves, barking joyfully.
44:49I looked at my parents.
44:51My dog.
44:52My future.
44:53I finally understood.
44:55The suffering of my past life taught me to treasure this one.
45:00The pain taught me what love really means.
45:03I didn't need to prove I wasn't a liar anymore.
45:06I didn't need to fear red lights.
45:08I could laugh, cry, speak freely.
45:13I had parents who loved me.
45:15A best friend, a healthy body, a bright future.
45:20This was the life I died wishing for.
45:23That night, I wrote in my journal.
45:25Not the blood-stained confessions of my old life.
45:29This one was full of happiness.
45:31Growth.
45:32Love.
45:34I wrote,
45:36Today I saw the ocean.
45:38It's huge.
45:40Blue.
45:42Free.
45:43I thought about my past self.
45:45That little girl locked in a room, desperate to be loved.
45:49She'd never believe that I could be this happy.
45:53Mom and dad love me.
45:55They taught me honesty and bravery.
45:59Annie is my best friend now.
46:01She's confident and bright.
46:04Grandma's healthy.
46:05She calls me often.
46:07Buddy's still a goofball, always nudging my hand.
46:11I don't hate anyone anymore.
46:13I don't cling to the past.
46:16Those painful memories are like footprints in the sand, washed away by waves.
46:22But they taught me to cherish every step forward.
46:26I know my old mom, sister, and dad got what they deserved.
46:31And I finally broke free.
46:33I found real freedom.
46:35I don't want to see them again.
46:38I don't want to relive that life.
46:40I just want to be Grace Sterling.
46:43Simple.
46:45Happy.
46:47Loved.
46:48The ocean was beautiful.
46:50Life was beautiful.
46:52I closed my journal.
46:54Looked out the hotel window.
46:57Moonlight shimmered on the water like a thousand stars.
47:01Buddy's breathing was soft and steady beside me.
47:05I smiled.
47:06This life, I finally became who I wanted to be.
47:11No red lights.
47:13No starvation.
47:14No lies.
47:16Just love.
47:18Freedom.
47:19Happiness.
47:21And those scars from my past?
47:23They became badges of survival.
47:27Reminders that no matter how much darkness you face,
47:30if you don't give up on the light,
47:32you'll find your way to warmth.
47:35To freedom.
47:36The road ahead is long.
47:38But I'll walk it with courage.
47:41With joy.
47:43Towards something even brighter.
47:45To be continued.
47:46To be continued.
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