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00:00My husband Julian didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company shares to him a gift for
00:06our 10th anniversary, until the day of my son's health checkup.
00:11The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
00:14My husband and I, both type O. Our son? Type A.
00:20I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian. I didn't make a sound.
00:26I simply, calmly, did two things. First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't
00:33looking.
00:34Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:38I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around. The DNA testing center was across
00:44town.
00:45I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:48Standard processing is five business days. Rush is today by 4 p.m. Triple the cost.
00:56Do it.
00:57My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
01:01After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
01:06Every second felt like an hour. I pulled out my phone and made another call.
01:11I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson. I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last
01:17few months.
01:19The private detective's voice was professional, detached.
01:23Understood.
01:24At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:27I opened the electronic report, skipped straight to the end.
01:31DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:43Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:51Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:57I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
02:01Not my child.
02:02I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
02:06So where was my child?
02:08I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
02:15Dr. Seussi was still there.
02:17She'd been promoted to department head.
02:20Dr. Seussi, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
02:25Her smile froze for a moment.
02:28That was so long ago.
02:30The files might already be lost.
02:32It took some effort.
02:33But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:37I flipped it open.
02:39The documentation was shockingly sparse.
02:42Only basic informations.
02:44Admission time.
02:45Discharge time.
02:47Delivery method.
02:48Newborn wait.
02:49No detailed labor notes.
02:51No nurse handoff records.
02:53No pediatric examination reports.
02:56Is this everything?
02:57She looked apologetic.
03:00That's all we have in the system.
03:02Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
03:05You're right at the edge of that window.
03:07What about the newborn footprints?
03:08The blood samples?
03:10She shook her head.
03:12Those should be in the newborn records, but...
03:16We couldn't locate them.
03:18It was obvious there was something wrong.
03:20An abnormally simple medical file.
03:23Missing newborn records.
03:25A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
03:30The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
03:35My phone rang.
03:36It was Julian.
03:37Where are you?
03:38I already picked up Alex.
03:41I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
03:45At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:47I'm out running business.
03:48I'll be home soon.
03:49I hung up.
03:51After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:55Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
04:00They're voices drifting through the house.
04:06Dad, is mom upset?
04:08Mom's just tired.
04:10Finish your homework and get to bed early.
04:12I waited until they were both asleep.
04:14I waited until they were both asleep.
04:15Then I started searching.
04:16The master bedroom.
04:18The living room.
04:19Alex's room.
04:21I went through everything.
04:22Looking for...
04:23I didn't even know what.
04:26I found nothing.
04:27Finally, I turned to the computer in the study.
04:31The truth had to be in there.
04:34Footsteps in the hallway.
04:36I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
04:39When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
04:45He glanced at the computer screen.
04:47It had returned to the desktop.
04:49A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
04:54Still up?
04:55Just organizing some old documents.
04:58I reached over and turned off the monitor.
05:01He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
05:05In the end, he just nodded.
05:08Get some rest.
05:10I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
05:14That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
05:18I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
05:24The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
05:28He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
05:31Alright.
05:32The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
05:36I turned on the computer and tried the password.
05:39Our wedding anniversary.
05:41Wrong.
05:42His birthday?
05:44Wrong.
05:45Alex's birthday.
05:46Still wrong.
05:47I tried the date we first met.
05:49His mother's birthday.
05:50The day the company was founded.
05:52All wrong.
05:53The system locked me out.
05:55Please try again in 15 minutes.
05:58I sat there, staring at the login screen.
06:01This computer we'd bought together.
06:03Now locked against me.
06:05That evening, Julian came home from work.
06:08He was barely through the door when he said,
06:11I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
06:13Business trip.
06:14Not sure how long I'll be gone.
06:16I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
06:19That's sudden.
06:21Who are you going with?
06:22He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
06:25It was a last minute arrangement.
06:27Vivian, can you not do this?
06:30I stared at him, confused.
06:32It was just a casual question.
06:34Why was he reacting like this?
06:37You question everything.
06:39You suspect everyone.
06:40I'm just going to work.
06:42I turned back to serve the rice.
06:44My hands were shaking slightly.
06:47I was just asking.
06:49He said nothing more.
06:51Walked straight to the bedroom.
06:53Dinner was silent.
06:55Alex must have sensed something was off.
06:57For once, he didn't complain about the food.
07:01After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
07:05A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
07:08After he left the room, I picked it up.
07:11A perfume purchase.
07:12Expensive.
07:13Bought yesterday afternoon.
07:16A brand name I didn't recognize.
07:18But I knew it wasn't for me.
07:20I thought about our marriage.
07:22Ten years.
07:24Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
07:27Not since our first anniversary.
07:29A scarf.
07:30I still had it somewhere.
07:32After that, nothing.
07:34No birthday gifts.
07:35No anniversary gifts.
07:37No just because gifts.
07:39I told myself he wasn't romantic.
07:41He showed love in other ways.
07:44He was practical and focused on providing.
07:46On his career.
07:47I'd made excuses for him.
07:49But now, holding this receipt, I understood.
07:53He wasn't unromantic.
07:55He wasn't too busy.
07:56He wasn't too practical.
07:58His romance just wasn't for me.
08:00It was for someone else.
08:02Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
08:05I wrote down the information from the receipt.
08:08The next morning, after Julian left for the airport, I called the boutique.
08:15I need to verify a purchase.
08:17A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
08:19One moment.
08:20Yes, I have it here.
08:21The buyer was Chloe Williams.
08:23Chloe Williams.
08:25I knew that name.
08:27Julian's secretary.
08:28Hired six months ago.
08:29Early thirties.
08:31Divorced.
08:31I drove to the airport.
08:33I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
08:36Maybe the perfume was for a client.
08:38Maybe I was overthinking this.
08:40I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
08:44Then I saw them.
08:46Julian and her.
08:48Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
08:53She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
08:56Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years, relaxed, genuinely happy.
09:04At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
09:07She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
09:12He didn't pull away.
09:14He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
09:17She smiled.
09:19Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
09:23Julian's hand rested on her waist.
09:26They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
09:30Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
09:33The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
09:37All those late nights.
09:38Working.
09:40All those times he'd been irritable with me.
09:43All of it finally made sense.
09:46I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
09:51A new thought crystallized in my mind.
09:54That child who wasn't mine.
09:57And this woman.
09:59Could they be connected?
10:00On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
10:04I need you to look into someone else.
10:07Chloe Williams.
10:08I want to know everything about her.
10:11Especially whether she has any children.
10:13The detective worked fast.
10:16By the next afternoon, I had the report.
10:19Chloe Williams.
10:2132 years old.
10:22Divorced 5 years ago.
10:24One son.
10:259 years old.
10:27Name.
10:28Alan.
10:28Attending a public school in the West End.
10:31The date jumped out at me.
10:34Chloe's son was only 1 week older than Alex.
10:36For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood run hot.
10:40I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
10:44Then, a thought struck me.
10:46I ran to study.
10:48My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
10:50Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date.
10:53The desktop opened.
10:55There was only one folder.
10:57Named, Work Backup.
10:59I clicked it open.
11:01Inside were subfolders organized by year, starting 11 years ago.
11:06The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
11:09Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
11:1419-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
11:18She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
11:21The next photo was from college.
11:23The two of them in the library.
11:25Then, their graduation photo.
11:28Both in cap and gown, holding hands.
11:30That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
11:35We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
11:37Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
11:40I closed the folder.
11:41The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
11:46I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
11:50Me in my white dress, lace sleeves, and long train.
11:54Holding a bouquet of white roses.
11:57Julian in his black suit.
11:59Gray tie.
12:00Boutonniere.
12:01Both of us smiling at the camera.
12:03The photographer had made us laugh.
12:05Said something stupid.
12:07We'd both cracked up.
12:08And the photo captured that moment.
12:11Pure.
12:12Happy.
12:13I stared at it.
12:14At my face.
12:15So happy.
12:16So naive.
12:18So trusting.
12:19I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
12:21That woman who'd believed her husband.
12:23Who'd made excuses for him.
12:26Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
12:29That woman was gone.
12:31Had to close my eyes.
12:33Put my hand over my mouth.
12:35The perfect couple.
12:37The perfect lie.
12:39Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
12:41Sick at the years of deception.
12:44Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
12:46For believing him.
12:48For trusting him.
12:50For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
12:54At 3 p.m.
12:56I drove to the west end.
12:59The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
13:04The dismissal bell rang.
13:07Children poured out through the gates.
13:09I sat in my car.
13:11Hands gripping the steering wheel.
13:13He walked out alone.
13:15No one there to pick him up.
13:17He looked left.
13:18Then right.
13:19Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
13:22I held my breath.
13:24That child.
13:26Alan.
13:27No.
13:28My child.
13:29The way he walked reminded me of myself.
13:31A slight pigeon toe.
13:33When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
13:36I saw it.
13:38A birthmark on his wrist.
13:40The same place I had mine.
13:43I could see dust on his eyelashes.
13:46His lips were chapped.
13:47His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
13:50His eyes looked empty.
13:53Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
13:56I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
13:59He walked away.
14:01Disappearing around the corner.
14:03I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
14:07For that child.
14:08Walking home alone.
14:10For ten years of living in the wrong life.
14:14For being such a fool.
14:16Dancing in a play someone else had written.
14:18Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
14:22At the law office.
14:23I placed a USB drive on attorney Morrison's desk.
14:27Inside.
14:28Backup copies of all the photos.
14:31The DNA test results.
14:33Scanned hospital records.
14:34The perfume receipt.
14:36Files on Chloe and Alan.
14:39I want a divorce.
14:40I want Julian to leave with nothing.
14:44I want custody of my child.
14:46I want him to pay for what he's done.
14:49Walking out of the attorney's office.
14:51I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed ten years ago.
14:55Vivian.
14:56I will give you a lifetime of stability.
14:59Turns out.
15:00His lifetime was only ten years.
15:03No.
15:04Probably less than that.
15:06I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
15:10My father's old colleague.
15:13Mr. Aaron.
15:14About next week's board meeting.
15:16I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
15:19Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
15:22This company's name is Hart.
15:23He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
15:28I put him in that position.
15:30I could take him down just as easily.
15:32Two weeks after Julian left, I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
15:39Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
15:43One day, it rained.
15:45Alan didn't have an umbrella.
15:47He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour.
15:50Then finally ran home through the downpour.
15:54I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
15:57Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
16:01When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
16:06I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
16:10He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
16:13Thank you, sweetheart.
16:15Is your mom not here yet?
16:18He shook his head.
16:20Mom's working late.
16:22How are you getting home?
16:24I'll take the bus.
16:26I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
16:30Have some water.
16:31He hesitated, then took it and said,
16:36I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
16:40Just like me.
16:43His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
16:45Inner double eyelids.
16:47The outer corners slightly downturned.
16:51Does your mom work late often?
16:53He nodded, then shook his head.
16:55Sometimes.
16:57What about your dad?
16:59He didn't answer.
17:00Just looked down at his shoes.
17:02Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
17:05The left shoelace, was broken.
17:08I didn't ask anything more.
17:10I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
17:15Buy yourself some new shoes.
17:17He stepped back.
17:19No.
17:19I can't take this.
17:21Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
17:25I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
17:30After a few steps, I glanced back.
17:33He stood there looking lost.
17:35That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
17:39He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
17:42A limited edition space shuttle.
17:45Expensive.
17:48Mom?
17:49What's wrong?
17:50I walked in and touched his hair.
17:52Did you finish your homework?
17:54Finished ages ago.
17:56Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
18:01I smiled.
18:02That's wonderful.
18:02The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
18:06Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
18:10My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone, while this child enjoyed everything.
18:16After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
18:20He set down his suitcase.
18:23Where's Alex?
18:24Why is it so quiet?
18:26I enrolled him in piano lessons.
18:29I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
18:31Uh, since when?
18:33He's only in fourth grade.
18:36I could smell that perfume on him.
18:38He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
18:41I stepped aside.
18:43Why do you smell like perfume?
18:46Who were you having dinner with?
18:48His expression flickered with irritation.
18:51Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
18:53I had a business dinner with a client.
18:56Can you not be like this?
18:58Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
19:02I cannot believe this.
19:03I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
19:08Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
19:16Julian's face turned ugly.
19:18He grabbed one photo and threw it back.
19:19You had me followed?
19:21Does it matter?
19:21I smiled slightly.
19:23What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
19:29Or get sent to your clients?
19:31He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
19:37What do you want?
19:39I stared at him.
19:40First, fire Chloe Williams.
19:43Guarantee you'll never see her again.
19:45Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
19:49You're crazy.
19:51Over a few photos?
19:52Julian, don't forget this company is established by my father.
19:56You have everything you have because of me.
19:58What I gave, I can take back.
20:00I almost wavered.
20:03Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
20:05I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
20:08For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child,
20:12if you do what I'm asking, we can move forward.
20:16After all, we still have Alex.
20:18I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
20:21A pregnancy test report.
20:23It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
20:27Jesus.
20:28You're pregnant?
20:30Five weeks.
20:33The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
20:36His expression shifted constantly.
20:38His eyes moved between me and the report.
20:41So, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely,
20:44make her leave the company and our lives,
20:46I can let the past go.
20:47We still have Alex.
20:49And now we have this baby.
20:51Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
20:53There was obvious conflict in his eye.
20:56I need, I need to think.
20:59His voice was hoarse.
21:00He turned and went into the bedroom.
21:04The next morning, Julian emerged with dark circles under his eyes.
21:12I pushed a glass of water toward him.
21:15He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
21:19I've thought it over, Vivian.
21:20We-
21:20Don't bother.
21:21I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
21:27His expression turned furious.
21:30What is this supposed to mean?
21:31We're having another child.
21:33I told you I was pregnant.
21:36And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
21:40We have a child on the way.
21:41Won't you think about the baby?
21:43Think about Alex?
21:45The child?
21:46I suddenly laughed.
21:47You mean the child I raised for nine years?
21:50Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
21:52Julian's face went white.
21:54He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
21:57How did you-
21:58When did you find out?
21:59I held up my phone.
22:00I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
22:03Password is Chloe's birthday.
22:05You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
22:10His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
22:14Let me explain!
22:15Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth.
22:18Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company.
22:21Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years.
22:25The funniest part?
22:27The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex?
22:30Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
22:32Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
22:36Alan.
22:36Julian suddenly remembered.
22:38Where's Alan?
22:39I need to see him.
22:41Too late.
22:42I turned and opened the door.
22:44Your son?
22:45No.
22:46My son is somewhere you'll never find him.
22:49Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
22:53Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
22:55Vivian, you can't do this.
22:56That's my son!
22:57I shook him off.
22:58From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
23:01Now get out of my house!
23:03After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
23:07Then the sound of a car engine started, driving away.
23:11I knew where he was going.
23:13To find Chloe.
23:14To find Alan, he'd lost for nine years.
23:17But he wouldn't find Alan.
23:19Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
23:25I told him the truth.
23:26Alan was surprisingly calm.
23:28Well, those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
23:33I always felt like I wasn't her child.
23:37Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
23:43I took his hand.
23:44I told him I would take him away.
23:46We could start over.
23:48He was silent for a long time.
23:50Then he nodded, just slightly.
23:54Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
23:57My assistant went with him.
24:00There's a good school there.
24:01A house.
24:02New friends waiting.
24:04Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
24:08The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
24:12Finally, Julian came back.
24:13He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes.
24:18Unshaven.
24:19Vivian, we need to talk.
24:20I leaned against the door frame in my lounge wear.
24:23The agreement is very clear.
24:26There's nothing to talk about.
24:28He looked defeated.
24:29I can't get divorced.
24:30For the sake of our ten years together.
24:33For the sake of our child.
24:35Which child?
24:36I cut him off with a cold laugh.
24:37The one in those videos?
24:39Or the one upstairs?
24:43Julian's face went white.
24:44A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
24:48Videos.
24:49One after another.
24:51Alan crying.
24:52Being beaten.
24:54Locked in a dark room.
24:55In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
24:59He'd spilled milk.
25:01Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hand.
25:04The email had only one line.
25:07Thank you for raising my son all these years.
25:11I'd watched them all night.
25:13By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
25:17Those videos.
25:18Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
25:20Chloe, she sometimes couldn't control herself.
25:22Alan is your son.
25:24You went to see Chloe every week.
25:25You noticed her new perfume.
25:27Her fresh manicure.
25:28But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
25:31He had no answer.
25:32I said flatly.
25:33I've already retained a lawyer.
25:35If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
25:37The evidence of the baby switch.
25:39Photos of your affair.
25:40Those videos.
25:41All of it becomes part of the legal record.
25:43Are you insane?
25:44His voice dropped.
25:46The company is about to go public.
25:47Now is not the time.
25:49Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
25:52So sign while I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
25:54The door shut.
25:56He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
26:00Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
26:05Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
26:09Chloe in a white wedding dress.
26:12Julian with his arm around her, but his expression looked stiff.
26:16I took a screenshot.
26:18Then I turned off my phone.
26:20That afternoon, attorney Morrison called.
26:25Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
26:27The bank transfers from when they switch the babies.
26:29Communication records between him and Chloe.
26:31The abuse videos and medical records.
26:33It's enough to file charges.
26:35Thank you for your work.
26:37Of course.
26:38Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
26:41He came by the office yesterday.
26:43Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
26:45Too late.
26:46Early the next morning, my plane took off.
26:49My assistant met me at the airport.
26:52Alan's been doing better this week.
26:54He's starting to talk more.
26:56Yesterday, he even asked when you'd arrive.
26:59My heart beat faster.
27:01The car stopped in front of a white house.
27:04In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground, watching ants.
27:11Alan?
27:11He looked better than in the videos, but he was still too thin.
27:16Not enough meat on his bones.
27:18Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
27:23The thought cut through me like a knife.
27:26I walked over and knelt in front of him.
27:29I'm your mother.
27:30He looked at me for a long time, then nodded, just slightly.
27:34I carefully put my arms around him.
27:37He didn't pull away.
27:38I'm sorry.
27:39Mom came too late.
27:41He trembled slightly in my arms.
27:43For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
27:46I devoted all my time to him.
27:48I took him to the park.
27:50The first time on the carousel, he gripped the pole so tightly, his knuckles turned white.
27:55I took him to the library.
27:57He loved books about stars.
28:00At night, after he fell asleep, I gently stroke his hair.
28:05He still didn't talk much, but sometimes he'd smile at me.
28:10At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open, caught by the wind.
28:14The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
28:19I jolted awake.
28:21I knew immediately it was Alan.
28:23I pushed open his door.
28:26Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting shadows across the floor.
28:31His small figure was curled up on the bed.
28:34His hands clutched the blanket, knuckles white.
28:37Cold sweat covered his forehead.
28:40He kept murmuring.
28:41Mom, no, don't lock me in the dark room.
28:46There are rats.
28:48I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
28:51I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
28:55His body went rigid for a moment.
28:59His crying was suppressed, desperate.
29:01Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
29:04It's okay.
29:04Mom, I'm scared.
29:06That storage room was so dark.
29:08I begged again and again, but no one answered.
29:11The rats crawled on my feet.
29:13My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
29:17Alan, don't be afraid.
29:19Mom's here.
29:20No one can lock you up anymore.
29:22The rats won't come.
29:23Mom will protect you.
29:25I thought of the videos Chloe had sent, that child trembling in the darkness, the marks on his body.
29:31When his crying finally exhausted itself, his breathing gradually steadied, full, and gently lifted his sleeve.
29:39Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
29:43On his back, a faint bruise.
29:45I traced those scars with my fingertips, my touch as light as if I were afraid of breaking something precious.
29:51Does it hurt?
29:53It doesn't hurt now.
29:55But sometimes I dream about it.
29:57I dream I'm locked in there again, calling for mom.
30:01But mom isn't there.
30:03I'm sorry.
30:04I held him tighter.
30:05Mom came too late.
30:07But from now on, mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
30:11That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
30:14I told him stories.
30:16About how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
30:20How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
30:26I wonder what you are.
30:27I told him about when I first took over the company.
30:31How the old employees gave me a hard time.
30:33How I cried in the stairwell, then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
30:38I told him about the clumsy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract.
30:44He listened quietly.
30:47Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask,
30:53Were you scared, mom?
30:55Terrified.
30:57But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
31:00And now I have you, Alan.
31:02I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
31:05He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
31:07His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
31:11A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
31:16We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
31:18The wind carried the scent of grain.
31:20Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
31:25When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
31:28The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet.
31:33The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
31:37Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
31:40The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
31:44On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
31:47He leaned against my shoulder.
31:49Mom, the stars are so far away.
31:52But being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
31:57My heart felt soft.
31:59I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
32:04But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
32:10the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
32:15That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
32:20Jenny went to answer it.
32:21I heard her say,
32:23Mr. Robinson?
32:24The flower sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
32:27Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
32:31His hair was disheveled.
32:33His eyes were sunken.
32:35He was dragging an old suitcase.
32:37Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
32:39I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
32:43Now you know where we are.
32:45You can leave.
32:46I want to see the child.
32:47Our child.
32:48He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
32:50I keep having dreams.
32:52Dreams of when he was small.
32:53Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
32:55I never knew.
32:56You should have known.
32:56I cut him off.
32:57You just chose not to know.
32:58His gaze dropped to my stomach.
33:00The baby's still.
33:01I smiled.
33:02For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
33:04The baby?
33:05Of course.
33:06I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
33:08The doctor says everything's fine.
33:10Do next spring.
33:11His face turned ugly.
33:12His emotions suddenly became agitated.
33:15He lunged toward me.
33:16I stepped aside.
33:18He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
33:21Vivian, I need to see my son.
33:23You can't do this.
33:24I looked at him and laughed coldly.
33:26Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
33:30It's whether your son can even be born safely.
33:33If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
33:37Settle your mess yourselves.
33:39I shoved him out the door.
33:40Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
33:42As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
33:48He looked truly pathetic.
33:50Fine.
33:51Let them tear each other apart.
33:53Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
33:55Soon after, Attorney Morrison called.
33:57Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
34:00The result isn't ideal.
34:01Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
34:07Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
34:10How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
34:15How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
34:18How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
34:22I gripped my phone, listening.
34:24My expression stayed calm.
34:26However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
34:30He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
34:33The trial lasted two full days.
34:35In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
34:42Multiple charges, sentenced to three years.
34:45Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
34:47He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
34:51That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
34:53It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
34:57Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
35:01Before hanging up, Attorney Morrison said softly,
35:04Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
35:08If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
35:12I cut him off.
35:13It's enough.
35:14At least I have my child back.
35:15Alan was doing homework.
35:16I walked over to him.
35:18Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
35:22But maybe not enough.
35:24Are you angry with me?
35:26He looked up.
35:27Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
35:30I keep track.
35:32I covered my mouth.
35:34Tears spilled over.
35:36He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
35:39Then added quietly,
35:41You look ugly when you cry.
35:43I laughed through my tears.
35:52I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
35:56He was still young, but I knew what that security meant.
36:00I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
36:03The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
36:07For ten years, Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
36:12She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
36:15His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
36:18I hired three private tutors.
36:20Math, language arts, technology.
36:24Rotating in shifts.
36:26Alan worked hard.
36:27Studying late into the night.
36:29Every night.
36:30One night past midnight,
36:32I brought him warm milk.
36:34I found him asleep at his desk.
36:36Pen still clutched in his hand.
36:39I didn't wake him.
36:40I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
36:43Friday afternoon,
36:45I went to pick up Alan from school.
36:47Parents crowded the school gates.
36:50Alan ran out with his new backpack.
36:53His face flushed from exercise.
36:55Mom!
36:56I passed my math quiz today!
36:58I was reaching for his test paper
37:00when I caught a glimpse of a figure
37:02through the cafe window across the street.
37:05Julian, sitting in the corner.
37:06His chin covered in dark stubble.
37:08Haggard.
37:09Nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
37:11Alan followed my gaze.
37:13I squeezed his hand.
37:16Let's go home.
37:17We'd barely turned around
37:18when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
37:20Julian had crossed the street
37:22and now stood blocking our path.
37:25Vivian, can we talk?
37:27I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
37:29Then I looked at the man in front of me.
37:32We have nothing to talk about.
37:33Chloe's in prison!
37:34He spoke urgently,
37:36like he was trying to prove something.
37:38I've dealt with everything.
37:39I've cut ties with her completely.
37:41I couldn't help but laugh.
37:43Julian?
37:44Chloe's in prison
37:45because my lawyer put her there.
37:49What does that have to do with you?
37:51You were the one crying on the witness stand,
37:53playing victim, weren't you?
37:57His face darkened.
37:59I know I was wrong, Vivian.
38:06For the sake of our child,
38:08please forgive me this once.
38:10Our child?
38:12His gaze fell to my stomach.
38:14Yes.
38:16Our child.
38:17I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat,
38:19taking my time.
38:20Oh, that...
38:22That was fake.
38:26Julian froze.
38:28His eyes went wide.
38:29I met his stare calmly.
38:30The pregnancy report was forged.
38:34I just wanted to see what choice you'd make.
38:36I stepped forward,
38:38letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
38:41It's been months.
38:42If I were really pregnant,
38:43I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
38:46His gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time.
38:50It doesn't matter.
38:51We don't need that baby.
38:53We still have Alan.
38:54We still have ten years of history between us.
38:57I cut him off.
38:58Julian, wake up.
38:59Stop dreaming.
39:00He acted like he hadn't heard me.
39:02Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
39:04He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
39:09Look, this is the give I might for your 30th birthday.
39:12The company was struggling financially that year.
39:15I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
39:16Then a second box.
39:18A third.
39:19He laid them all on the ground.
39:22This one's from our seventh anniversary.
39:27This one's from when we first moved into the house.
39:30This one's...
39:31Small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement.
39:34I bought one every year.
39:36I just never gave them to you.
39:37He looked up, eyes red.
39:39Now I'm giving them all to you.
39:41Please, give me one more chance.
39:44I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
39:48Inside was a diamond necklace.
39:49The pendant shaped like an iris.
39:52My favorite flower.
39:55Once upon a time, I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this.
39:59I would have worn it proudly, holding his arm at every gala, showing off my happiness.
40:04Now, I just felt sick.
40:07I stood up and placed the necklace back in the box.
40:10Julian, I loved you before.
40:13When I did not getting a message back from you, it kept me up at night.
40:17When I'd make soup and bought it to your office when you worked late.
40:21When you said, thank you for everything, honey, and it made me feel like everything was worth it.
40:25I set the box at his feet.
40:28That one who loved you most, she's long gone.
40:34These gifts are no different from garbage to me now.
40:37Something in his expression shifted.
40:39The desperation vanished, replaced by something darker.
40:42You think you've won?
40:44His voice turned sharp.
40:45Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
40:49I came from nothing, Vivian!
40:51Nothing!
40:52I didn't say anything.
40:53The man who pretended to be a devoted husband finally revealed his true colors.
40:59I married into your family.
41:00Do you know what that's like?
41:02Being called the man who married up?
41:05Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
41:08His hands clenched into fists.
41:09I worked myself to the bone for that company!
41:11For you!
41:12For this family!
41:14Are you finished?
41:15My voice stayed flat.
41:16You destroyed everything.
41:18His tone went cold.
41:20The company forced me out.
41:22The board voted me off.
41:24Chloe's in prison and she hates me.
41:26I've lost everything because of you.
41:28You lost everything because of your own choices.
41:31He stepped closer.
41:32The look in his eyes made Alan shrink back against the car.
41:37You'll regret this, Vivian.
41:39His voice dropped to a whisper.
41:41I promise you that.
41:43You think you're safe now?
41:45You think this is O's over?
41:48You'll see.
41:49You'll regret the day you crossed me.
41:51I didn't flinch.
41:52The only thing I regret, Julian, is wasting 10 years on you.
41:55I opened the car door and got in.
41:57Through the window, I saw him standing there.
42:00A broken man making empty threats.
42:03Let him threaten.
42:04He had nothing left to hurt me.
42:06I never saw Julian again after that day.
42:10Alan and I settled into a quiet life.
42:13Three years later, late autumn, Alan had grown so much.
42:18He reached my shoulder now.
42:21Mom, can you come to parent-teacher night next week?
42:24I rested my hand on his shoulder.
42:26Of course.
42:28Even if the sky were falling, I'd be there for my son's parent-teacher night.
42:33He turned and smiled at me.
42:35These past three years, Alan had been so mature it broke my heart.
42:40When I worked late, he'd cook noodles for himself.
42:45On rainy days, he remembered to bring an umbrella.
42:48His grades had climbed from the bottom of his class to the middle.
42:52He goods at sports.
42:54He played football better than his peers.
42:57His teachers said he was resilient.
43:00The neighbors praised how well-behaved he was.
43:03Only I knew what lay behind that obedience.
43:06One weekend evening, we made cookie together.
43:08Alan's cookies were always perfectly uniform.
43:12Alan, you don't have to be so well-behaved around me.
43:16His hands paused.
43:17I crouched down to meet his eyes.
43:19You can throw tantrums.
43:21You can be stubborn.
43:22You can say no like other kids.
43:24Mom doesn't love you because you're good.
43:27Mom loves you because you're you.
43:29He blinked.
43:30But if I do something wrong, will you stop wanting me?
43:34I pulled him into my arms.
43:36Never.
43:36Never.
43:37Finding you was the best thing I ever did in my life.
43:40He didn't speak for a long time.
43:43Finally, he nodded slightly.
43:45Alan's school held an open house day.
43:48I left the company meeting early and drove straight there.
43:51The autumn sun was perfect, filtering through the leaves onto the playground, warm and golden.
43:58Alan was running the final leg of a relay race.
44:01His small figure flew like the wind, giving everything he had as he sprinted toward the finish line.
44:08The moment he crossed it, I couldn't help but stand up and cheer.
44:12He turned back just then, and when he saw me, his face broke into a brilliant smile, clean and bright.
44:19It made every sacrifice worth it.
44:22As people started leaving, parents drifting away in twos and threes, I took Alan's hand.
44:28We were heading to the nearby dessert shop to fulfill my promise.
44:32Ice cream for finishing the race.
44:35Then, a woman in a faded, cheap trench coat suddenly rushed forward and blocked our path.
44:41It was Chloe.
44:42She'd been released from prison.
44:44Her hair was dull and dry, carelessly tied back.
44:48Her face had the sallow tint of long-term malnutrition.
44:52Only her eyes stood out, burning with malice as they fixed on me.
44:56Vivian!
44:58Who gives you the right to steal my son?
45:00Her voice was shrill and grating, like nails on glass.
45:05It immediately drew stares from parents nearby.
45:08Some stopped to watch us curiously.
45:11I instinctively pulled Alan behind me, shielding him completely.
45:15I looked at Chloe coldly.
45:17Alan was never your son.
45:19You stole him from the hospital.
45:20All you ever gave him was abuse and neglect, not a shred of maternal love.
45:25You don't deserve to be called his mother.
45:26I raised him for nine years.
45:29I fed him, clothed him.
45:30He's my child.
45:32What have you ever done for him?
45:33What have you done?
45:34Chloe lunged forward, trying to grab me.
45:37Fortunately, the school security guards arrived just in time and held her back.
45:42She struggled against them, her hair falling loose around her face.
45:46She looked half mad.
45:49You took everything from me.
45:51Julian doesn't want me anymore.
45:52The company's gone.
45:53And now you won't even let me see my own son.
45:55Why do you get to live so well?
45:57Alan stepped out from behind me.
45:59His small face showed no fear.
46:01He looked at Chloe with eyes far too calm for a child.
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