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Short dramas. Big emotions.
Captivating mini drama stories filled with romance, suspense, and unexpected twists - all in quick, binge-worthy episodes.
Captivating mini drama stories filled with romance, suspense, and unexpected twists - all in quick, binge-worthy episodes.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Sold my mom to the old farmer next door. My dad said that before he left for the army.
00:05The old farmer had a bad leg, but he was a savage man. People said he even killed his first
00:11wife.
00:11He was strong enough to knock out a bull with one punch. For my mom, marrying him was a death
00:17sentence. Three years later, the news came that my dad was dead. Right away, my grandma sold my mom
00:23to the monster for $2,000. The day we heard the news of dad's death, it was December, right after
00:30a
00:30blizzard. My mom was feeding the cattle barefoot. Grandmother never allowed her to wear shoes. She
00:36said a bitch like her didn't deserve them. I often went to the woods to gather branches for warmth,
00:42but my uncle would always snatch them away for his fireplace. No matter how we begged, it was useless.
00:48Grandmother would beat us and curse us for days. I felt sorry for mom and tried to help her feed
00:54the
00:54cows. Baby, go play over there. The sun is out. It's warmer there. My shoes were torn and falling apart.
01:01The sun was our only source of heat. After feeding the cows, we went back to the cabin. Grandmother was
01:07already waiting, fuming with rage. What took you so long? Were you out looking for other men again?
01:13She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. The army sent word. Jason is dead. Ever since he married
01:20you, my son was cursed by your bad luck. She didn't look sad about her son's death at all.
01:25There had to be a secret behind this. Now that he's gone, get out of this house. Don't stay here
01:31and ruin the Hudson family name. She looked at us with disgust and kept grumbling. Luckily, my son sold
01:37you to Rick before he left. Otherwise, we would have lost so much money feeding you two.
01:43My mom didn't fight back. She just picked up her coat and held my hand tight. Mom, at least
01:48let me take the child with me. Grandmother looked me up and down. She had a wicked look
02:05She's worth much more than you. My mom gripped my hand even harder. We both knew the truth.
02:12As soon as she marries Rick, grandmother will sell me away.
02:15It was the day we were driven to Rick's ranch. The legendary monster was there, chopping wood.
02:21Each swing of his axe was terrifying. One of his legs was broken and propped on a wooden stool.
02:27He looked strange and menacing. A huge scar ran from his left eye down to his mouth.
02:32It looked like his face was split in two. I hid behind my mom, trembling. Rick looked at us coldly.
02:39You're forcing this woman on me for $500? Now you want $2,000 more?
02:44He clearly didn't want my mom. And he definitely didn't want a burden like me.
02:48My son Jason saved your life in that blizzard. Now that he's gone, you should be grateful to
02:53take her. This girl will be your daughter. It's a blessing. $2,000 is a bargain for you.
02:58$2,000 was a lot of money. It could buy so many seeds. I knew I wasn't worth that much.
03:04Rick glanced at grandmother but said nothing. People said he was a man of few words,
03:09but one look from him could scare anyone to death. Grandmother shoved my mom forward.
03:14My mom's thin body almost hit the ground. She pulled me along and knelt down instantly.
03:20Rick, my child eats very little. She can feed the cows and collect firewood. Please give us a way
03:26to live. His eyes were sharp, judging me. Call him dad. I looked at Rick and that terrifying scar.
03:35Dad. Rick froze. His scar looked even more twisted. Grandmother kicked me hard in the back.
03:41Your father just died and you're already calling him dad. Just like your mother, a traitor to the...
03:48She kept kicking me over and over. I lay on the ground, motionless. I didn't fight back or scream.
03:54I knew if she had her fun, she would eventually stop. Mom crawled over to save me, but grandmother
04:00slapped her across the face. This was life in the Hudson house. Mom couldn't save me and she couldn't
04:06save herself. Suddenly, Rick threw a roll of cash at grandmother's feet.
04:11And enough!
04:13This girl belongs to my family now.
04:15Grandmother took the money and tried to leave, but Rick stopped her. He demanded she sign the
04:19guardianship transfer agreement. Grandmother refused. Rick snatched the money back instantly.
04:25No signature, no money.
04:27In the end, she gave in for the cash. Mom and I officially became part of Rick's family.
04:32Mom folded our two ragged coats by the cow shed. She started working right away. She wanted to be
04:38useful. She thought hard work would keep us from being beaten. Rick's cabin was simple. Three rooms
04:44and a living area. Only one bedroom had a bed. The other rooms were empty. Mom took me to the
04:50cow shed.
04:51It was kept very clean. Mom found some wooden boards to make me a bed. I will sleep here tonight.
04:57Don't be afraid baby. I spread hay over the boards. I'm not scared mom. It was the same back at
05:04the Hudson
05:05ranch. When dad was home, he said I was in the way. He always kicked me out to the cow
05:09shed. The Hudson
05:11shed was much filthier. There were rats and snakes everywhere. Freezing in winter and boiling in summer.
05:16I survived all those years. Mom hugged me tightly.
05:23It's my fault I couldn't keep your father's heart.
05:26Dad was always talking to mom. I knew there was a secret behind all this.
05:31Mom, why did dad want you to marry Rick?
05:33Before, dad never let her leave the ranch. He never let her look at anyone in the eye.
05:38Grandmother always cursed her for flirting with outsiders. Why the sudden rush to marry her off?
05:44Mom's bitter laugh was muffled in her chest. Her voice was barely a whisper.
05:49Because only Rick had this much money. She didn't finish the sentence, but I knew.
05:55Dad sent mom here to die. Dad decided to sell mom for money before he even left. He wasn't coming
06:01back and he didn't want mom to survive. He wanted to cut off her every means of escape. Even as
06:06a child,
06:07I could see their plot. It was so obvious that all the neighbors were talking about it. A moment later,
06:12Rick came back. He ignored us. He carried a pile of wooden boards into the house. The sound of his
06:17heavy hammering echoed, hitting our hearts. Mom stood outside, hesitant. She wanted to ask where
06:23the flour and beef were so she could cook, but she didn't dare. After a while, Rick came out. He
06:28saw us
06:28standing there like statues and frowned. Something wrong?
06:31His voice was gruff. I wanted to shrink back, but it was just me and mom. If I backed down,
06:37she would be all alone. I stood my ground and held her hand tight. Rick noticed my move and his
06:43brow
06:43twitched. Mom asked hesitantly, I wanted to ask about dinner. Please give me the ingredients so I can
06:53cook. Rick frowned again, looking at us with confusion. He pointed toward the kitchen. In there. And
07:02the key? Rick's frown deepened. He walked over and kicked the door open. Then he looked back at us.
07:08I felt like he was asking if we were stupid. There was no lock, so why would there be a
07:11key?
07:12But things were different at the Hudson Ranch. The Hudson kitchen was always locked. Even the flour,
07:17beef, and butter were kept in locked cabinets. Mom cooked every meal, but grandmother decided every
07:22gram of food. She would put the exact amount on the counter and watch mom cook. If a single grain
07:28of flour was dropped, she would scream for hours. She called mom a money waster and called us starving
07:33ghosts. All you do is eat! You're useless! She was afraid we would steal food. Mom led me into the
07:40kitchen. Seeing the flour, beef, and butter sitting there made her hesitate. She looked at Rick, but he
07:45had already gone back outside. Mom didn't dare touch the food. She was afraid that if she messed up,
07:50Rick would beat her, just like grandmother did. She was afraid of being accused of stealing.
07:54Mom made dinner with trembling hands. She put the food on the table, but we stood in the yard,
08:00not daring to move. Rick came back carrying two large wooden crates. He put them into the empty,
08:06unused room. He saw the food and then saw us standing outside. His frown deepened. He sat down at the
08:13table and called us inside in a gravelly voice. While he ate, he grunted, Not enough. Make more tomorrow.
08:19He ate quickly, finishing half and leaving the rest for us. Then he stood there, chopping wood
08:25while watching us eat. We didn't dare to eat much, but I soon noticed something strange. When I took big
08:31bites, he focused on his work. The moment I put down my fork, he would stare at me and frown.
08:37Did he
08:37want us to eat more? We finished the meal in fear, waiting for the beatings to start. But Rick didn't
08:43yell
08:44or hit us. He just put away his axe and spoke. Wash up and go to sleep. It's been a
08:50long day.
08:52After Rick finished, Mom took me to wash up. We hadn't used hot water in three years. She kept
08:58muttering as she washed, her face full of nerves. I must get clean, then he won't hate me. The hot
09:04water hit my back and I felt warm instantly. I never knew a bath could feel this good. At the
09:10Hudson
09:10Ranch, this was a heaven I couldn't even imagine. After the bath, I headed to the cow shed to sleep.
09:16Mom pulled me aside. Cover your ears. No matter what you hear, don't come out. Just pretend you're
09:22asleep. Okay? I nodded hard. I understood. Back then, Dad would come home drunk and beat me in the
09:29shed. He called me a waste of money and a curse. He blamed me for his gambling losses. One time,
09:34he almost killed me. Mom had to grab an axe to fight him off just to save me. Now, looking
09:39at Rick,
09:40he was much stronger than Dad. He could probably kill me with one kick. But he wasn't drunk and
09:45he wasn't angry. He picked me up like a little chick and carried me into the empty room. Mom was
09:50already waiting there. The room wasn't empty anymore. There was a wide wooden bed inside.
09:55It was piled with old but clean quilts and two sets of warm clothes. Rick set me down and turned
10:00to
10:00leave. He went back to his own room and closed the door. Soon, I heard him snoring. I never thought
10:06I'd get to sleep inside a house again. That night, we slept restlessly, but it was so warm.
10:11I curled up in my quilt and whispered, Mom, it's so warm. I had never felt this warm in winter
10:17before.
10:18My stomach was full and my heart felt safe. For the first time, I felt like I was actually alive.
10:24Mom stroked my hair. Baby, you called him Dad today. Call him that tomorrow and every day after.
10:32I nodded. Okay. Rick was already much better to me than my real father. After that, Mom slowly
10:38started making more food. She was careful, adding just a little more each time. It took days for her
10:44to figure out Rick's temper and appetite. He ate a lot, as much as Mom and me combined. But he
10:49never told
10:50us we couldn't eat. In fact, if we ate too little, he would frown. He went hunting in the mountains
10:55around the ranch. He sold the big one in town. But sometimes, he brought back rabbits or pheasants
10:59for Mom to stew. He only ate half and left the rest for us. In my whole life, I had
11:04only tasted meat
11:05three times. This was the fourth. The meat tasted so good. No wonder grandmother and my uncle loved it
11:10so much. Mom saw how happy I was and gave me extra. I ate so much that I didn't notice
11:15the pain until
11:16midnight. I was rolling on the bed in agony. Mom rubbed my stomach, but nothing worked.
11:21She gave me hot water, but I threw it up instantly. I felt like I was dying.
11:26Rick burst into the room. He wrapped me in a quilt and hoisted me onto his shoulder.
11:30He started running. Mom stumbled along behind him, too scared to say a word. He ran all the
11:36way to the town doctor's house. He kicked the door open. The doctor's family was terrified.
11:41They started to complain, but one look at Rick's face silenced them.
11:44The doctor checked me with a stethoscope. He asked what I had eaten.
11:48It's indigestion. She ate too much. She's been malnourished for years.
11:53Her body can't handle this much meat all at once. I'll give her something to throw it up.
11:57He poured something into my mouth. I vomited everything out. The room smelled awful.
12:02The doctor's wife grumbled in the corner. Clearly she's never had anything good in her life.
12:07She doesn't have the luck to enjoy good food. Rick looked up and gave her a death stare.
12:11She scurried back into her room, terrified. I felt so ashamed. I got sick just from eating meat.
12:18Maybe grandmother was right. Maybe I was just a starving ghost who didn't deserve anything.
12:23Rick carried me back home. On the way, he asked in a low voice.
12:27Have you never had meat before?
12:28I thought he was judging me. This was only my fourth time. Before, I only ever had a bite.
12:36At the Hudson's, they wouldn't even give us the leftover broth. I truly had never had anything good.
12:41He gave a low grunt. You'll get used to it if you eat it more often.
12:45I was sick and could only eat rice porridge for a few days. Rick bought some supplements from town.
12:51Those were expensive things I had never seen before. I ate rice porridge with nutrient powder
12:56every meal. It was even better than what my mom ate when I was born. Rick watched me eat every
13:02day.
13:03Once my face looked healthy again, he stopped worrying. He went to fix the doctor's fence.
13:08Then he dragged the doctor back to check my heartbeat. Only after the doctor said I was fine did he
13:13let him go.
13:13He said he was going deep into the mountains to hunt. He wanted to catch something big.
13:18He would be gone for days and asked mom to pack some food. Mom mixed butter and brown sugar into
13:23the dough.
13:23The flatbread smelled delicious as she baked it. She also gave him thick insoles and a winter hat she had
13:29made.
13:31Rick took the food and looked at the gifts. He looked at her and his eyes softened.
13:36Christmas is coming soon. I'll buy you gifts once I sell the big game. Think about what you want.
13:42Mom and I stood at the ranch gate to see him off. Watching his limping figure, I couldn't help but
13:47shout,
13:47Dad, come back soon! Rick's body stiffened for a second. He didn't look back, but he waved his hand.
13:53Go inside. It's cold out here. We waited for five days, but he didn't come back.
14:00That night, the weather turned even colder. On the fifth day, snow began to fall from the sky. Mom looked
14:08at the darkening sky, then at me. She pointed to the food in the kitchen. She told me to take
14:14care of myself and fix something to eat if I got hungry.
14:18I'm going to find him. I'll be back soon. She put on thick clothes, strapped a dagger to herself, and
14:27took a flashlight. I was too worried to stay, so I hid a small curved knife on myself. I followed
14:34closely behind her.
14:35Where you go, I go, Mom. We're going to bring Dad home.
14:37In my heart, Rick was my father. He was a thousand times better than my real father. Mom sighed.
14:45If something really happened to him, you wouldn't survive alone. Let's go. Together.
14:49We held hands and walked deep into the mountains. Before, we only gathered firewood at the edge of the woods.
14:56People said there were wolves, wild boars, and man-eating black bears deep inside.
15:02But, as long as I was with Mom, and thinking that Dad was waiting for us, I wasn't scared at
15:08all.
15:09Heavy snow fell from the sky. It was only afternoon, but it was already completely dark. The path through the
15:16woods was extremely hard to walk.
15:19I stepped deep and shallow, sometimes falling into deep holes made of fallen leaves. Mom pulled me out and used
15:26a stick to check the path ahead.
15:28Before long, heavy footsteps came from ahead. Mom pulled out her dagger, and I gripped my curved knife tightly. We
15:37stared ahead, terrified and alert.
15:40In that moment, I thought, even if I die, I want to die with Mom. The footsteps grew closer.
15:47A tall, limping figure appeared. He was dragging a huge black bear, walking with difficulty with every step. We both
15:55froze.
15:57Dad! Dad!
15:58I let go of Mom's hand and rushed over suddenly. I hugged his leg tightly and looked up at him.
16:03The black bear fell heavily to the ground.
16:06What? What are you doing here?
16:07He looked at us, completely shocked. He reached out to pick me up, but he was clearly exhausted, trying several
16:15times but failing. I held tightly to his thigh.
16:18Dad, we came to take you home.
16:20Mom rushed over as well.
16:23Rick, you've been gone for five days, and it started snowing.
16:27She didn't dare say she was worried.
16:30Back then, when my biological father didn't come home for days, Mom went to look for him, too.
16:36I was afraid something happened to you.
16:39But my father just slapped her across the face.
16:42Something happened? What could happen to a man like me? It's because you cursed me all day that I'm so
16:47unlucky!
16:47After that, Mom never dared to show her worry again.
16:51He wasn't a good husband, a good father, or even a good person.
16:56But Rick just looked at Mom and quirked his lips.
16:59He tried to smile, but maybe he hadn't smiled in years and forgot how.
17:03He gave us an explanation.
17:05This game was too big. That's why I'm late.
17:09He hoisted the black bear back up and told us to go home.
17:13Go back and start the fire. I'll be home soon.
17:17That bear was massive.
17:19He must have dragged it for so long that he was completely exhausted.
17:23Yet, he didn't demand our help.
17:26He wanted to carry the burden himself.
17:29Mom saw how tired he was and hesitated.
17:32She didn't want to disobey, but she desperately wanted to help.
17:36I ran forward and grabbed the bear's leg.
17:40Dad, we're going back with you.
17:42I didn't have much strength, and the bear's fur felt terrifying.
17:46It was so huge that it looked fierce even in death.
17:50Mom found her courage and ran over, too.
17:53We'll help you.
17:55It took all our strength to drag the black bear home.
17:59The snow on the ground was thick now.
18:01The ranch was pitch black, and the trail was empty.
18:05We finally made it back.
18:07The giant bear lay in the snow, looking even more fierce.
18:11But I wasn't afraid.
18:12I circled it a few times and ran back to Rick.
18:16I leaned against his leg and looked up.
18:18Dad, you're amazing.
18:20You actually killed a black bear.
18:23Rick was too tired to move, but he reached out.
18:26He gently patted my head.
18:29Yeah.
18:30His hand was large, rough, and heavy.
18:33But when he touched me, it was light and warm.
18:36Jason's hands were big, too, but they weren't rough.
18:39He rarely did any real work.
18:42Jason wasn't even that strong.
18:44When he got into trouble in town, he would just curl up and take the hits.
18:49But when he hit me and Mom, he was very strong.
18:52His blows made my head ring every time.
18:55In this place, many men slapped their wives and children.
18:59I used to think all fathers and husbands were like that.
19:02I didn't know someone could be different.
19:05The next morning, before dawn, Rick borrowed a tractor.
19:10He woke us up to go to town and sell the bear.
19:13He knew exactly where to go.
19:15He stopped at a grand luxury house.
19:18A butler came out and greeted him warmly.
19:21They hugged and talked like old friends.
19:24I realized then that Dad could be so full of life.
19:27He could actually talk this much.
19:30Mom and I stayed back, staring at the fancy gates.
19:34We didn't dare step forward.
19:36Dad pointed at us.
19:38The butler looked us over and pulled out a small coin purse.
19:42Here, child. Take this.
19:44I was too scared to take it, but he pressed it into my hand.
19:48Dad nodded, so I finally accepted it.
19:53There was a silver coin inside.
19:55I immediately put the coin in Dad's hand.
20:00Dad, this is for you.
20:02The butler froze for a second, then burst out laughing.
20:06Rick, you have a sweet daughter. You're a lucky man.
20:10He handed me a big apple.
20:12The coin is for your dad, but this is for you.
20:17Keep it for yourself.
20:19Merry Christmas to your family.
20:20The butler bought the bear and invited Dad for a drink.
20:24Won't you come in for a drink?
20:26Rick waved him off and refused.
20:28No, thank you.
20:29We need to buy things for Christmas.
20:32The black bear sold for a lot of money.
20:35Dad took us to the streets.
20:37First, he bought a lot of candy.
20:39He put them into three red socks.
20:42I took one out and put it in my mouth, carefully.
20:45I peeled another one for Mom.
20:48Mom didn't dare to eat and looked at Dad.
20:51She wanted to save it for me, but Dad stopped her.
20:55Too much sugar makes kids sick.
20:58We don't want to see the doctor again.
21:00Mom remembered my stomach ache and didn't give me more.
21:04So, Mom finally opened her mouth and ate the candy.
21:09Dad then took us to buy meat, flour, and butter.
21:13He even bought spices for cooking.
21:16Finally, we went to a clothing store for new coats.
21:20Mom waved her hands and said no.
21:23Our old coats are still good.
21:26I said no, too.
21:28The old quilts and coats Dad gave us were already warm and clean.
21:32That was good enough for me.
21:34I had never worn such nice clothes in my life.
21:38But Dad insisted on buying new ones.
21:42I bought old ones because I was broke.
21:45Now we have money.
21:46In the end, we bought fabric and cotton instead of finished coats.
21:51I can sew quickly.
21:53They'll be ready before Christmas.
21:55She still didn't want to spend too much.
21:58She picked out a plaid fabric for Dad and held it up to him.
22:02Rick, this pattern looks good on you.
22:05It was the first time they were so close.
22:08I think I saw Dad's face turn red.
22:12Dad lifted me up and set me on his shoulders.
22:15I could see so far away.
22:18I laughed out loud.
22:20It was my first time being up this high.
22:22Mom was worried and kept checking Dad's leg.
22:26She was afraid he would get too tired.
22:29After a while, Dad bought me some toys.
22:31He also bought hair clips and brooches for me and Mom.
22:35Brother, your wife and daughter are beautiful.
22:38These brooches from the city suit them perfectly.
22:40Both Dad and Mom blushed at the same time.
22:43On the way back, we sat on the tractor.
22:46I hugged my red socks tightly.
22:48This was the happiest day of my life.
22:51As we passed the Hudson Ranch, I saw Grandmother.
22:54She was feeding the cows in the yard.
22:56My uncle was lounging under the eaves in the sun.
23:00He still had no job and no wife.
23:02He just ate, drank, and wasted his life.
23:05After selling us to Rick, he had that money.
23:07Now he worked even less.
23:09He said he was preparing for a blind date.
23:11Grandmother always called us lazy.
23:13But I never dared to say that my uncle was the laziest one.
23:17I gripped my red socks and stared at them.
23:20Grandmother and my uncle noticed us.
23:22Their eyes widened in disbelief.
23:24Then, their faces turned into a hateful scowl.
23:26You two, shrew!
23:29Grandmother was cursing at us.
23:31Dad stopped the tractor.
23:33He threw a stone and hit my uncle right on the head.
23:36My uncle jumped up in pain.
23:39Who did that?
23:40Dad threw another stone into Grandmother's water basin.
23:44They are my wife and daughter now.
23:46If you insult them again, you're dealing with me.
23:50He looked terrifying.
23:52Even with a limp, he stood like a mountain.
23:55Grandmother and my uncle were bullies who feared the strong.
23:58They were furious, but didn't dare say a word.
24:02Mom gripped my hand.
24:04Her eyes turned red.
24:06As we drove away, I looked back.
24:08I could still see their hateful glares.
24:11I suddenly felt brave.
24:13I waved my red socks and made a face at them.
24:17I had a real dad now.
24:19They could never bully us again.
24:21Back home, Mom started decorating the tree and making apple pie.
24:26Dad spent his time fixing everything in the house.
24:29He gathered wood and never stayed idle.
24:32He brought back more pheasants and rabbits.
24:35Eat more meat, then your stomach won't hurt anymore.
24:38I wanted to follow him into the mountains, but he refused.
24:42Kids stay home and play.
24:43I tried to help Mom, but she sent me away, too.
24:48Your dad wants you to play.
24:50Go on, you haven't had a chance to be a kid yet.
24:53At the Hudson Ranch, I never had time to play.
24:56Now that I could, I didn't know how.
24:59I walked along the path with some candy.
25:01I saved them carefully, not wanting to eat them.
25:04But then, I ran into some mean kids from a nearby farm.
25:08They swarmed me and grabbed my candy.
25:11You're a brat born from that limp farmer.
25:13Your grandmother said so.
25:15It must be true.
25:16A bitch and her brat.
25:18No wonder her husband just died and she remarried already.
25:21I fought back with all my might.
25:23That's not true!
25:25Grandmother kicked us out!
25:26My mom isn't a bitch and I'm not a brat!
25:30But I was too small.
25:32I couldn't beat them.
25:34My clothes were torn.
25:36My candy was gone.
25:38Even my new hair clip was missing.
25:40They laughed and ran off with my sweets.
25:43I sat in the mud and cried.
25:46Grandmother and my uncle stood nearby, watching with wicked smiles.
25:51You deserve this!
25:52We should have sold them to the town tavern back then!
25:55I screamed at them.
25:57I am not a brat!
25:59You are the bad people!
26:01You are evil!
26:02I was so small back then.
26:04My mom had already had a child.
26:06The tavern would never pay that much for us.
26:09They thought I was too young to understand.
26:11But I had overheard their conversation.
26:13They were the truly wicked ones.
26:15They wanted to leave us at the ranch.
26:17They wanted to watch Rick beat us to death.
26:20But they never expected this.
26:22Dad never hit us.
26:24He never tortured us, even for a second.
26:27He treated us so well.
26:29They couldn't stand it.
26:31So they spread rumors behind our backs.
26:33They framed us everywhere.
26:35Clearly, they are the real monsters.
26:38I lost the hair clip and candy Dad bought me.
26:41I was too ashamed to go home.
26:43I lingered near the gate, hesitating.
26:45Dad came down from the mountain.
26:46He saw me covered in mud and blood.
26:49He dropped his pheasants in shock.
26:51I had never seen him so angry.
26:54Who did this?
26:55I trembled in fear.
26:57I'm sorry.
26:58I'm so sorry.
26:59He panicked, trying to wipe the mud off my face.
27:03Tell Dad.
27:04Who hit you?
27:06His hands were rough, but they calmed my racing heart.
27:09I stuttered through the whole story.
27:11The more I spoke, the darker his face became.
27:15He took me back and left me with Mom.
27:18Then he grabbed his axe to head out.
27:20Rick.
27:21Mom pulled him back and shook her head.
27:24Dad thought for a moment.
27:26He dropped the axe and grabbed a wooden club instead.
27:30That day, the parents of those bullies all got a beating.
27:34If you can't teach your kids, I won't hit them.
27:36I'll hit you instead.
27:38Those grown men were chased like rabbits.
27:43By a man with a limp.
27:46Dad moved slowly but steadily.
27:48He caught up to them and struck them down.
27:51The men wailed in pain.
27:54I'll break your leg.
27:54Everyone in the ranch came out to watch.
27:57Then Dad went to the Hudson ranch.
27:59He gave my uncle a brutal beating.
28:01My uncle screamed and begged for mercy.
28:04He promised he would never do it again.
28:06I won't do it again.
28:08I promise.
28:08Dad turned to the crowd of onlookers.
28:11If you have something to say, say it to my face.
28:13No one dared to speak.
28:14They all waved their hands and shook their heads.
28:17We all know what the Hudsons are like.
28:18Just go live your life.
28:20Look at how happy your family is now.
28:22Dad dropped the club.
28:23He patted my head and led me home.
28:29Have you lived this long without a name?
28:33I shook my head.
28:34Grandmother called me a brat.
28:36Mom only called me baby.
28:38Dad pulled me close and looked at the stars.
28:41From now on, your name is Stella.
28:44Shine like a star and have a bright future ahead.
28:49For the first time, I had a real name.
28:51Stella Cooper, I have my own name now.
28:55I smiled at Mom.
28:56Dad smiled too and patted my head.
28:59I finally have a daughter of my own.
29:03That night, Mom talked to me.
29:05Stella, you're a big girl now.
29:09Starting tomorrow, you sleep on your own, okay?
29:12If I sleep alone, where will Mom sleep?
29:15I thought about it and nodded hard.
29:17Okay, Mom.
29:18You and Dad have a baby brother or sister soon.
29:21I'll play with them.
29:22This time, I really wanted a sibling.
29:25A sibling just like Dad would be wonderful.
29:29The next morning, Dad woke me up early.
29:32Stella, was I cool when I handled those bad guys yesterday?
29:35I nodded vigorously.
29:36So cool!
29:37If you want to protect yourself, you want to rely on more forever.
29:42You have to rely on yourself.
29:44Do you want like me strong?
29:46I nodded again.
29:47Yes.
29:48I wanted to be strong like him.
29:50I wanted to protect my parents and my future siblings.
29:53I wanted to hunt bears and earn lots of money.
29:57Dad looked proud.
29:58He made me run 50 laps around our ranch cabin.
30:02By the end, I could barely stand.
30:04He gritted his teeth and wouldn't let me stop.
30:07Mom looked pained, but she didn't say a word.
30:11She just made extra food and added two fried eggs for me.
30:14After running, there was weight training.
30:17Dad brought sandbags from the ranch warehouse.
30:20They felt like a thousand pounds on my arms.
30:24After a day of training, my hands and feet were covered in blisters.
30:28Mom washed my feet and popped the blisters for me.
30:31Stella, train hard.
30:34Your dad is doing this for your own good.
30:38I know, Mom.
30:39Most ranch families only teach girls to gather wood, wash clothes, and cook.
30:44Who would ever teach a girl how to be strong?
30:47I understood how much Dad cared for me.
30:49That night, Mom moved into Dad's room.
30:52I heard them talking for a bit before the lights went out.
30:55My body ached all over, but I slept peacefully.
30:58The next morning, Dad woke up late.
31:01I had already finished 30 laps when he came out.
31:04His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.
31:07All day long, Dad and Mom were blushing.
31:10They kept stealing glances at each other.
31:12Why hide it?
31:14Just look if you want to.
31:16Grown-ups are so strange.
31:17We had a perfect Christmas.
31:19Dad used the bear money to expand the ranch.
31:22He bought two dairy cows and a few beef cattle.
31:25When we weren't farming, we were managing the ranch.
31:27During the off-season, we went hunting.
31:30Dad started taking me into the mountains.
31:32He taught me how to track animals and read their droppings.
31:35He showed me how to avoid bears and wolves.
31:38He taught me to set traps and use a hunting rifle.
31:41He even showed me how to knock someone out with minimal force
31:44and how to spot poisonous plants in the woods.
31:47I was weak, so my progress was slow.
31:50But Dad was always patient.
31:51Our family was happy.
31:53But the rumors never truly stopped.
31:55Most of them came from the Hudsons.
31:58Rick's fault he's a cripple.
32:00That person pretends to be arrogant and married a cripple.
32:04So what if Jason was handsome?
32:06His only talents were hitting us, gambling and drinking.
32:10I started staring at Dad's leg.
32:13Dad noticed and tried to walk slower to hide his limp.
32:16Sometimes he would lean on the ranch fence for support.
32:21Your dad is so good to you, Stella.
32:25Don't be heartless.
32:27Don't look down on him like others.
32:29Mom thought I was becoming ungrateful.
32:31Her eyes turned red with anger.
32:33But she couldn't bring herself to hit me.
32:35I quickly grabbed her hand to explain.
32:37Mom, I don't look down on Dad.
32:39I feel bad for him.
32:41I want to study medicine.
32:43I want to fix his leg.
32:44I didn't care that he limped.
32:46I didn't care about the scar on his face.
32:48I just hated seeing him unable to sleep when it rained.
32:52I hated that hunting was harder for him than others.
32:56Mom understood my thoughts, but she was worried.
32:59There were no medical schools in town.
33:01Besides, I was only a six-year-old girl.
33:04Dad overheard us from outside the cabin.
33:06He stayed silent for two days.
33:08He just sat on the porch, staring at the mountains.
33:12Two days later, he took me back to the city.
33:14We found the butler who bought the black bear.
33:17Dad asked him for a favor.
33:18The man looked at me carefully.
33:20He patted Dad's shoulder and agreed happily.
33:23If she wants to learn,
33:25she can start as an assistant in the pharmacy.
33:29Stella, studying medicine is very hard.
33:32You have to memorize names, mix medicine, and care for the sick.
33:37People might yell at you or even hit you.
33:41Can you handle it?
33:42I slapped my chest and spoke loudly.
33:44I can.
33:45I'll fix my dad's leg and earn lots of money.
33:49I'll take care of my parents and my future siblings.
33:53The man burst out laughing and nudged Dad's arm.
33:56Rick, your daughter is so sweet.
33:59Is the next one already on the way?
34:02Dad's face turned bright red instantly.
34:04He waved his hands quickly.
34:06It's still too early for that!
34:08I lived at the pharmacy in town, doing odd jobs.
34:11I tried my best to learn everything about medicine.
34:14I only went home to the ranch once every two weeks.
34:17I brought the sandbags Dad gave me to the pharmacy.
34:20No matter how busy I was, I found time to train.
34:23Mom hated leaving me alone in town.
34:26She held my hand and wouldn't let go when she dropped me off.
34:29With red eyes, she told me to eat well and not overwork.
34:33Come home if anyone treats you badly, she said.
34:36I waved and smiled to comfort her.
34:39Don't worry, Mom.
34:40I can take care of myself.
34:42When I learn everything, I'll fix Dad's leg.
34:45Mom laughed through her tears and wiped them away.
34:48All right, I'll be waiting.
34:50I'll make your favorite snacks for when you come home.
34:53The doctor at the pharmacy was an old friend of the butler's.
34:56He was kind to patients, but very strict with apprentices.
34:59If we forgot a drug's name, he yelled.
35:02If we missed a detail in a patient's record, he yelled.
35:05If we took blood pressure incorrectly, he yelled.
35:08Sometimes he made us copy drug names as punishment for being slow.
35:12The other students felt mistreated.
35:14Before long, they all went home crying and never came back.
35:18But I wasn't afraid.
35:19What was this little bit of hardship?
35:21Compared to Grandmother's beatings or Jason's violence, this was nothing.
35:25I was already used to it.
35:27Besides, I knew the doctor wanted me to grow fast.
35:30Just like Dad wanted me to be strong.
35:32The doctor was strict, but he never treated us poorly.
35:35He made plenty of food for us every day.
35:38Sometimes he even gave us nutrient powder.
35:40I might not be the smartest, but I know who was truly kind.
35:43I kept training the way Dad taught me.
35:45I ran 5 kilometers with weights every morning and night.
35:48I grew stronger, and my movements became faster.
35:51The doctor started teaching me massage techniques.
35:54At first, I practiced on him.
35:56Slowly, I began helping the elderly patients ease their pain.
36:00The doctor worked so hard with his patients in medicine.
36:02I massaged him to help him relax.
36:04He started smiling at me more.
36:06He even taught me about heat and cold therapy.
36:09He said these skills would really help my dad.
36:11When I went home every two weeks, the first thing I did was massage Dad's leg.
36:16I rubbed the stiff muscles from his knee to his ankle.
36:19Then I used the heat therapy the doctor taught me.
36:22At first, Dad refused.
36:24He thought it was awkward for a man to have his legs rubbed.
36:27I had to beg him for a long time before he finally agreed.
36:30After the massage, he stood up and took a few steps.
36:33His eyes lit up and turned a bit red.
36:36Stella is so smart.
36:38My leg feels much better now.
36:41Mom saw this and asked me to teach her, too.
36:43When you're away, I can do it for him.
36:46He worked so hard on the ranch and in the mountains.
36:49I taught them both step by step.
36:51I laughed and said,
36:53When I'm not here, you two can massage each other.
36:55That way, you'll both feel better.
36:57Both their faces turned bright red instantly.
36:59They glanced at each other and quickly looked down.
37:02Mom gave me a little pinch for talking nonsense.
37:04They are so strange.
37:06What is there to be embarrassed about?
37:07I studied in the city for five years.
37:10My medical knowledge and physical strength grew fast.
37:13I went from a skinny little girl to a strong, healthy teenager.
37:18The fear in my eyes was gone, replaced by confidence.
37:21During this time, mom and dad never had another child.
37:25Rumors started spreading around the ranch.
37:27Most of them came from the Hudson's.
37:29They claimed dad couldn't have children.
37:31It must be Rick's fault.
37:33He's disabled.
37:34He probably doesn't even have the strength to father a child.
37:36Maybe that's why his first first wife fought with him before she died.
37:39I overheard some workers gossiping when I returned home.
37:42I clenched my fists, ready to fight them.
37:44But mom grabbed my hand and stepped forward.
37:46She raised her voice so everyone could hear.
37:48It's my fault!
37:50I was abused at the Hudson's and it ruined my health!
37:53It has nothing to do with my husband, Rick!
37:55Stop your lies!
37:56Dad was healthy, but mom was right.
37:59Years of hunger, heavy labor, and beatings had left her scarred.
38:03She had been taking medicine for five years, but nothing happened.
38:06Mom was anxious and often sat by the creek staring into space.
38:11Sometimes I caught her wiping away tears.
38:13Dad was always there to comfort her.
38:15Raising Stella is enough.
38:18She's smart and capable.
38:20She's worth more than ten sons.
38:24With her around, we have nothing to worry about.
38:32But right then, my biological father, Jason, suddenly returned.
38:36Do you ever me know what I'm indy una why I'm living here?
38:36I don't know my husband and me.
38:36I don't really have a choice.
38:37The
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