- 3 hours ago
Regret follows after letting true love slip away.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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.
00:17Our son? Type A.
00:20I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian.
00:24I didn't make a sound.
00:26I simply, calmly, did two things.
00:30First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't looking.
00:34Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:37I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around.
00:42The DNA testing center was across town.
00:45I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:48The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:50Standard processing is five business days.
00:53Rushes today by 4 p.m.
00:55Triple the cost. Rush it.
00:57My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
01:01After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
01:06Every second felt like an hour.
01:08I pulled out my phone and made another call.
01:10I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
01:14I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
01:19The private detective's voice was professional, detached.
01:23Understood.
01:23At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:27I opened the electronic report.
01:29Skipped straight to the end.
01:31DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:43Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:50Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:57I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
02:01Not my child.
02:02I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
02:06So where was my child?
02:08I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
02:15Dr. Susie was still there.
02:17She'd been promoted to department head.
02:20Dr. Susie, 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.
02:29The files might already be archived.
02:32It took some effort.
02:33But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:37I flipped it open.
02:39The 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.
03:01Paper 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.
03:34My phone rang.
03:36It was Julian.
03:37Where are you?
03:38I already picked up Alex.
03:40I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
03:43At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:46I'm out running business.
03:47I'll be home soon.
03:48I hung up.
03:50After 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.
04:01Their 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.
04:14Then I started searching.
04:16The master bedroom.
04:18The living room.
04:19Alex's room.
04:21I went through everything.
04:22Looking for...
04:24I didn't even know what.
04:26I found nothing.
04:28Finally, I turned to the computer and the study.
04:30The truth had to be in there.
04:34Footsteps in the hallway.
04:36I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
04:40When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
04:45He glanced at the computer screen.
04:47It had returned to the desktop.
04:49A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
04:54Still up?
04:56Just organizing some old documents.
04:59Once, I reached over and turned off the monitor.
05:02He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
05:05In the end, he just nodded.
05:08Get some rest.
05:10I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
05:15That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
05:18I 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.
05:32All right.
05:33The 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.
06:06That evening, Julian came home from work.
06:09He was barely through the door when he said,
06:12I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
06:13Business trip.
06:15Not sure how long I'll be gone.
06:16I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
06:20That's sudden.
06:21Who are you going with?
06:22He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
06:25Just someone.
06:25It was a last minute arrangement.
06:27Vivian, can you not do this?
06:30I stared at him, confused.
06:33It was just a casual question.
06:35Why was he reacting like this?
06:37You question everything.
06:39You suspect everyone.
06:41I'm just going to work.
06:43I turned back to serve the rice.
06:45My hands were shaking slightly.
06:47I was just asking.
06:49He said nothing more.
06:51Walked straight to the bedroom.
06:53Dinner was silent.
06:55Alex must have sensed something was off.
06:58For once, he didn't complain about the food.
07:01After his shower,
07:03Julian 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,
07:10I picked it up.
07:11A perfume purchase.
07:13Expensive.
07:14Bought yesterday afternoon.
07:16A brand name I didn't recognize.
07:18But I knew it wasn't for me.
07:20I thought about our marriage.
07:23Ten 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,
07:33nothing.
07:34No birthday gifts.
07:35No anniversary gifts.
07:37No just because gifts.
07:39I told myself he wasn't romantic.
07:42He showed love in other ways.
07:44He was practical and focused on providing.
07:46On his career.
07:48I'd made excuses for him.
07:49But now,
07:51holding this receipt,
07:52I understood.
07:53He wasn't unromantic.
07:55He wasn't too busy.
07:57He wasn't too practical.
07:58His romance just wasn't for me.
08:01It was for someone else.
08:02Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
08:05I wrote down the information from the receipt.
08:08The next morning,
08:09after Julian left for the airport,
08:11I 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.
08:24Chloe Williams.
08:25I knew that name.
08:27Julian's secretary.
08:28Hired six months ago.
08:30Early 30s.
08:31Divorced.
08:32I drove to the airport.
08:34I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
08:37Maybe the perfume was for a client.
08:39Maybe I was overthinking this.
08:41I waited outside the international departures hall for half an hour.
08:45Then I saw them.
08:46Julian.
08:47And her.
08:49Chloe wore a beige trench coat,
08:51pulling a small suitcase behind her.
08:53She walked beside Julian,
08:55laughing at something he'd said.
08:57Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
09:02Relaxed.
09:03Genuinely happy.
09:04At the security checkpoint,
09:07Chloe stopped.
09:08She reached up,
09:09casual and familiar,
09:11to straighten Julian's collar.
09:13He didn't pull away.
09:14He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
09:18She smiled.
09:19Then she stood on her toes
09:21and kissed him on the lips.
09:24Julian's hand rested on her waist.
09:27They stayed like that for a moment
09:29before separating.
09:30Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
09:34The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
09:37All those late nights.
09:39Working.
09:40All those times he'd been irritable with me.
09:43All of it finally made sense.
09:45I watched their intimate silhouette
09:48disappear through security.
09:51A new thought crystallized in my mind.
09:54That child who wasn't mine.
09:57And this woman.
09:59Could they be connected?
10:01On the drive back,
10:03I called the private detective I'd hired.
10:05I need you to look into someone else.
10:08Chloe Williams.
10:10I want to know everything about her.
10:12Especially whether she has any children.
10:14The detective worked fast.
10:16By the next afternoon,
10:18I had the report.
10:20Chloe Williams.
10:2132 years old.
10:23Divorced five years ago.
10:25One son.
10:26Nine years old.
10:28Name.
10:28Alan.
10:29Attending a public school in the West End.
10:32The date jumped out at me.
10:34Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
10:37For the first time in 10 years,
10:39I felt my blood run hot.
10:41I sat on the sofa,
10:43holding the detective's report.
10:44Then,
10:45a thought struck me.
10:47I ran to study.
10:48My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
10:51Then,
10:51slowly,
10:52I typed in Chloe's birth date.
10:54The desktop opened.
10:56There was only one folder,
10:58named
10:59Work Backup.
11:00I clicked it open.
11:02Inside were subfolders,
11:03organized by year,
11:05starting 11 years ago.
11:06The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
11:10Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms,
11:12standing under a locust tree.
11:1519-year-old Julian,
11:16smiling,
11:16his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
11:19She had her hair in a ponytail,
11:21looking up at him.
11:22The next photo was from college.
11:24The two of them in the library.
11:26Then,
11:27their graduation photo,
11:28both in cap and gown,
11:30holding hands.
11:31That was the year Julian told me
11:33the company was struggling financially.
11:35We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
11:38Instead,
11:38he bought a scarf for me.
11:40I closed the folder.
11:42The screen behind the closed folder
11:44is our wedding photo.
11:46I stared at our wedding photo
11:48and felt bile rise in my throat.
11:51Me,
11:51in my white dress,
11:53lace sleeves,
11:54and long train.
11:55Holding a bouquet of white roses,
11:58Julian,
11:58in his black suit,
12:00gray tie,
12:01boutonniere,
12:02both of us smiling at the camera.
12:04The photographer had made us laugh,
12:06said something stupid.
12:08We'd both cracked up.
12:09The photo captured that moment.
12:11Pure,
12:13happy,
12:13I stared at it,
12:15at my face,
12:16so happy,
12:17so naive,
12:18so trusting.
12:20I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
12:22That woman who'd believed her husband,
12:24who'd made excuses for him,
12:26who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
12:29That woman was gone.
12:32Had to close my eyes.
12:34Put my hand over my mouth.
12:36The perfect couple.
12:38The perfect lie.
12:40Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
12:42Sick at the years of deception.
12:44Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
12:47For believing him.
12:49For trusting him.
12:50For raising a child who wasn't even mine
12:53while my real son was somewhere else.
12:55At 3 p.m.,
12:57I drove to the West End.
12:59The elementary school looked even more run-down
13:02than the detective had described.
13:05The dismissal bell rang.
13:07Children poured out through the gates.
13:10I sat in my car,
13:11hands gripping the steering wheel.
13:14He walked out alone.
13:15No one there to pick him up.
13:17He looked left,
13:19then right,
13:20then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
13:23I held my breath.
13:25That child.
13:27Alan.
13:28No.
13:29My child.
13:29The way he walked reminded me of myself.
13:32A slight pigeon toe.
13:34When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face,
13:37I saw it.
13:38A birthmark on his wrist.
13:41The same place I had mine.
13:44I could see dust on his eyelashes.
13:46His lips were chapped.
13:48His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
13:51His eyes looked empty.
13:54Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
13:57I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
14:00He walked away,
14:02disappearing around the corner.
14:04I collapsed over the steering wheel
14:06and broke down completely.
14:08For that child.
14:09Walking home alone.
14:11For ten years of living in the wrong life.
14:15For being such a fool.
14:17Dancing in a play someone else had written.
14:19Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
14:23At the law office,
14:24I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
14:28Inside,
14:29backup copies of all the photos.
14:31The DNA test results.
14:34Scanned hospital records.
14:36The perfume receipt.
14:37Files on Chloe and Alan.
14:40I want a divorce.
14:41I want Julian to leave with nothing.
14:43I want custody of my child.
14:47I want him to pay for what he's done.
14:49Walking out of the attorney's office,
14:51I remembered what Julian had said
14:54when he proposed ten years ago.
14:56Vivian,
14:57I will give you a lifetime of stability.
15:00Turns out,
15:01his lifetime was only ten years.
15:04No,
15:05probably less than that.
15:07I pulled out my phone
15:08and called the company's
15:09second largest shareholder,
15:11my father's old colleague.
15:14Mr. Aaron,
15:15about next week's board meeting,
15:17I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
15:19Julian seemed to have forgotten
15:21something important.
15:23This company's name is Hart.
15:24He became general manager
15:26because I convinced my father
15:27to give him a chance.
15:29I put him in that position.
15:31I could take him down just as easily.
15:33Two weeks after Julian left,
15:35I liquidated every asset
15:38I could convert to cash.
15:39Every afternoon,
15:41I went to that elementary school
15:42in the West End.
15:44One day,
15:44it rained.
15:45Alan didn't have an umbrella.
15:48He waited under the awning
15:50of the corner store
15:50for half an hour,
15:51then finally ran home
15:53through the downpour.
15:54I sat in my car,
15:56rain blurring the windshield.
15:58Friday afternoon,
16:00I arrived at the school early.
16:02When I saw Alan coming out,
16:04I got out of the car
16:05and walked past like a stranger.
16:07I accidentally dropped my folder
16:09in front of him.
16:10He froze for a moment,
16:12then bent down
16:13to pick it up for me.
16:15Thank you, sweetheart.
16:17Is your mom not here yet?
16:19He shook his head.
16:21Mom's working late.
16:23How are you getting home?
16:25I'll take the bus.
16:27I pulled an unopened bottle
16:29of water from my bag.
16:31Have some water.
16:32He hesitated,
16:34then took it and said,
16:36I noticed he had a habit
16:39of pressing his lips together
16:40when he spoke.
16:42Just like me.
16:44His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
16:46Inner double eyelids.
16:48The outer corners
16:49slightly downturned.
16:51Does your mom work late often?
16:53He nodded,
16:55then shook his head.
16:56Sometimes.
16:58What about your dad?
17:00He didn't answer.
17:01Just looked down at his shoes.
17:03Those sneakers,
17:05the soles were separating.
17:06The left shoelace,
17:08was broken.
17:09I didn't ask anything more.
17:11I pulled $200 from my wallet
17:13and tucked it into his hand.
17:15Buy yourself some new shoes.
17:18He stepped back.
17:20No, I can't take this.
17:23Consider it a thank you
17:24for helping me with my folder.
17:26I slipped the money
17:27into the side pocket
17:28of his backpack
17:29and walked away.
17:31After a few steps,
17:32I glanced back.
17:34He stood there looking lost.
17:36That evening,
17:37I stood in the doorway
17:39of Alex's room.
17:40He was playing with a new Lego set
17:42Julian had bought him.
17:43A limited edition space shuttle.
17:46Expensive.
17:48Mom?
17:49What's wrong?
17:50I walked in
17:51and touched his hair.
17:53Did you finish your homework?
17:55Finished ages ago.
17:56He held up his model.
17:58Dad said if I get A
18:00on my midterms,
18:01he'll take me to Disneyland.
18:03I smiled.
18:05That's wonderful.
18:06The moment I turned away,
18:08the smile vanished.
18:11Julian's different treatment
18:12of the two children
18:13stabbed at my heart
18:14like a thorn.
18:15My biological son
18:17wore torn shoes
18:18and rode the bus alone
18:19while this child
18:20enjoyed everything.
18:22After two weeks away,
18:23Julian finally came home.
18:25He set down his suitcase.
18:28Where's Alex?
18:31Why is it so quiet?
18:32I enrolled him
18:33in piano lessons,
18:34two hours every evening.
18:36Since when?
18:37He's only in fourth grade.
18:40I didn't answer.
18:42I could smell that perfume
18:43on him.
18:44He moved closer,
18:46trying to put his arms
18:46around me.
18:47I stepped aside.
18:49Why do you smell
18:50like perfume?
18:51Who were you having
18:52dinner with?
18:54His expression flickered
18:55with irritation.
18:57Vivian,
18:57here you go again
18:58with the suspicion.
18:59I had a business dinner
19:01with a client.
19:02Can you not be like this?
19:04It was almost funny.
19:06Only now could I see
19:07how terrible his acting
19:09had always been.
19:10I walked to the coffee table,
19:12opened the drawer,
19:13and pulled out an envelope.
19:16Slowly,
19:16I laid the photographs
19:18across the table,
19:19one by one.
19:21Julian's face turned ugly.
19:23He grabbed one photo
19:24and threw it back.
19:24You had me followed?
19:27Does it matter?
19:29I smiled slightly.
19:31What matters is
19:32what happens
19:34when these photos
19:34show up at the board meeting
19:37or get sent
19:38to your clients?
19:39He collapsed
19:40onto the opposite sofa,
19:41hands covering his face.
19:44What do you want?
19:45I stared at him.
19:45My voice was flat.
19:47First,
19:48fire Chloe Williams.
19:49Guarantee you'll
19:50never see her again.
19:52Second,
19:53tell me what happened
19:54at the hospital
19:54nine years ago.
19:55He stood up angry now.
19:57You're crazy.
19:58For a couple of
19:59lousy photos?
20:01My voice turned cold.
20:04Julian,
20:05don't forget
20:06my father built this company
20:07from the ground up.
20:08You have everything
20:09you have because of me.
20:11What I gave,
20:13I can take back.
20:15I almost wavered.
20:17Then I thought
20:18of Alan's torn shoes.
20:20I thought of him
20:21waiting alone in the rain.
20:23For the sake
20:24of our ten years together,
20:25and for the sake
20:26of our child,
20:27if,
20:28if you do
20:28what I'm asking,
20:30we can move forward.
20:31After all,
20:32we still have Alex.
20:34I turned toward
20:35the bedroom
20:35and returned
20:36with a document,
20:37a pregnancy test report.
20:39It showed
20:40I was five weeks pregnant.
20:43Julian stared
20:44at the report.
20:45Then he looked up
20:46at me.
20:47You're pregnant?
20:49I nodded,
20:50placing my hand
20:51on my stomach.
20:53Five weeks.
20:54The doctor says
20:55everything looks stable
20:56this time.
20:57His expression
20:58shifted constantly.
21:00His throat worked.
21:02His eyes moved
21:03between me
21:04and the report.
21:05I continued.
21:07So,
21:08as long as you
21:09cut things off
21:09with Chloe completely,
21:11make her leave
21:12the company
21:13and our lives,
21:14I can let the past go.
21:16We still have Alex.
21:17And now,
21:18we have this baby.
21:21Julian's gaze
21:22fell to my stomach.
21:23There was obvious
21:24conflict in his eye.
21:26I need,
21:27I need to think.
21:29His voice was hoarse.
21:31He turned
21:32and went into the bedroom.
21:33The next morning,
21:34I drank my coffee
21:35and watched Julian
21:36emerge with dark circles
21:38under his eyes.
21:39I pushed a glass
21:40of water toward him.
21:42He took it silently,
21:43but didn't look at me.
21:45I've thought it over,
21:46Vivian.
21:47We...
21:48Don't bother.
21:49I cut him off,
21:51pulling divorce papers
21:52from a folder
21:53and placing them
21:54on the table.
21:55His expression
21:56turned furious.
21:58What is this supposed
21:59to mean?
21:59We're having another child!
22:02I said coldly,
22:04I told you
22:05I was pregnant.
22:06And you needed
22:07an entire night
22:08to decide
22:09whether to break up
22:09with her?
22:10Julian stood.
22:12We have a child
22:14on the way.
22:14Won't you think
22:15about the baby?
22:16Think about Alex?
22:18The child?
22:20I suddenly laughed.
22:21You mean the child
22:22I raised for nine years.
22:24Who turns out
22:25to be yours
22:25and Chloe's?
22:27Julian's face
22:28went white.
22:28He stumbled backward,
22:30hitting the table.
22:31How did you...
22:32When did you find out?
22:34I held up my phone.
22:36The screen showed
22:38a photo
22:38of the DNA test results.
22:41I should thank you
22:42for that folder
22:43on your computer.
22:44Password is Chloe's birthday.
22:46You've been using that
22:47for three years,
22:48haven't you?
22:49His breathing quickened,
22:51taking on a panicked edge.
22:53Let me explain.
22:55My voice stayed calm,
22:57edged with mockery.
22:59Explain how you switched
23:01the babies
23:02when I was giving birth?
23:04Explain how you got Chloe
23:06hired at the company?
23:07Or explain how the two of you
23:09have been laughing at me
23:11behind my back
23:11for ten years?
23:12I stepped closer.
23:15The funniest part?
23:16The guilt I sometimes
23:18saw in your eyes
23:19when you looked at Alex.
23:20Were you feeling guilty
23:21for deceiving me?
23:23Or guilty for not treating
23:24your real son better?
23:27Alan.
23:28Julian suddenly remembered.
23:30His voice dropped
23:31to a whisper.
23:33Where's Alan?
23:34I need to see him.
23:35Too late.
23:37I turned and opened the door.
23:39Your son.
23:40No, my son is somewhere
23:42you'll never find him.
23:44Chloe's son is still
23:45upstairs asleep,
23:46unaware of the choice
23:47his real father is facing.
23:49Julian rushed forward
23:50and grabbed my arm.
23:53Vivian, you can't do this.
23:54That's my son.
23:55I shook him off.
23:57From the day you switched
23:58those babies,
23:59you lost the right
24:00to be called a father.
24:01Now get out of my house.
24:02After I closed the door,
24:04I heard him pounding
24:05on it from outside.
24:06Then the sound
24:07of a car engine started.
24:09Driving away,
24:11I knew where he was going.
24:12To find Chloe.
24:14To find Alan,
24:15he'd lost for nine years.
24:17But he wouldn't find Alan.
24:19Three days ago,
24:20when the private detective
24:21gave me Chloe's file,
24:23I'd already met
24:24with Alan again.
24:25I told him the truth.
24:27Alan was surprisingly calm.
24:29Those eyes that looked like mine
24:31held a maturity
24:32far beyond his years.
24:35I always felt like
24:36I wasn't her child.
24:39Otherwise,
24:40why would she be willing
24:42to just leave me here
24:44to fend for myself?
24:46I took his hand.
24:48I told him
24:49I would take him away.
24:50We could start over.
24:51He was silent
24:52for a long time.
24:54Then he nodded,
24:55just slightly.
24:57Yesterday afternoon,
24:59he flew out of the country.
25:01My assistant went with him.
25:03There's a good school there.
25:05A house.
25:06New friends waiting.
25:08Once I finish
25:09dealing with things here,
25:10I can join my son.
25:12The divorce papers
25:13sat on the table
25:14for three days.
25:16Finally,
25:16Julian came back.
25:17He stood outside the door,
25:19dark circles under his eyes,
25:22unshaven.
25:23I hadn't seen him
25:24look like this
25:25in a long time.
25:27Vivian,
25:29we need to talk.
25:30I leaned against
25:31the door frame
25:31in my loungewear.
25:33I didn't let him in.
25:35The agreement
25:35is very clear.
25:37There's nothing
25:38to talk about.
25:39He looked defeated.
25:41I can't get divorced.
25:42For the sake
25:43of our ten years together.
25:44For the sake
25:45of our child.
25:48Which child?
25:49I cut him off
25:50with a cold laugh.
25:51The one in those videos?
25:53Or the one upstairs?
25:55Julian's face
25:56face went white.
25:57A week ago,
25:58Chloe had sent me
25:59a pile of files.
26:00Videos.
26:01One after another.
26:03Alan crying.
26:04Being beaten.
26:05Locked in a dark room.
26:07In one clip,
26:08he was only
26:08five or six years old.
26:10He'd spilled milk.
26:12Chloe hit him
26:13across the back
26:13with a coat hanger.
26:15The email
26:15had only one line.
26:18Thank you for raising
26:19my son all these years.
26:21I'd watched them
26:22all night.
26:23By dawn,
26:24I'd thrown up
26:25three times.
26:26Julian seemed
26:27like he wanted
26:27to explain.
26:29Those videos,
26:31Chloe,
26:32she sometimes
26:33couldn't control herself.
26:34I laughed coldly.
26:36Alan is your son.
26:38You went to see
26:39Chloe every week.
26:40You noticed
26:41her new perfume.
26:42Her fresh manicure.
26:44But you never saw
26:45the bruises
26:46on your son's body?
26:47He had no answer.
26:49I said flatly.
26:50I've already
26:51retained a lawyer.
26:53If you won't sign,
26:54we'll go to court.
26:56The evidence
26:57of the baby switch.
26:58Photos of your affair.
27:00Those videos.
27:02All of it becomes
27:03part of the legal record.
27:04His voice dropped.
27:06Are you insane?
27:07The company's
27:08about to go public.
27:09Now is not the time.
27:12Before I closed the door,
27:13I said one last thing.
27:16So sign.
27:17While I'm still
27:18leaving you
27:19with some dignity.
27:20The door shut.
27:22He stood outside
27:23for a long time
27:24before finally leaving.
27:26Three days later,
27:28Julian signed the papers.
27:30Four days after the divorce,
27:32I saw their wedding photo
27:33on Instagram.
27:34Chloe in a white wedding dress.
27:37Julian with his arm around her.
27:39But his expression
27:40looked stiff.
27:41The caption read,
27:4310 years of waiting
27:45finally together.
27:48I took a screenshot.
27:50Then I turned off my phone.
27:52That afternoon,
27:53attorney Morrison called.
27:56Mrs. Hart,
27:58we have everything we need.
27:59The bank transfers
27:59from when they switched
28:00the babies,
28:01communication records
28:02between him and Chloe,
28:04the abuse videos,
28:06and medical records.
28:08It's enough to file charges.
28:10Thank you for your work.
28:14Of course.
28:16Are you sure you don't want
28:17to see Julian one last time?
28:19He came by the office yesterday.
28:21Asked me to tell you
28:22he knows he was wrong.
28:24Too late.
28:25Early the next morning,
28:27my plane took off.
28:28My assistant met me
28:30at the airport.
28:31Alan's been doing better
28:33this week.
28:33He's starting to talk more.
28:36Yesterday,
28:36he even asked
28:37when you'd arrive.
28:39My heart beat faster.
28:41The car stopped
28:42in front of a white house.
28:44In the garden,
28:45a thin child
28:46was crouched on the ground,
28:47watching ants.
28:50Alan.
28:51He looked better
28:52than in the videos.
28:53But he was still too thin.
28:56Not enough meat
28:57on his bones.
28:59Meanwhile,
28:59Alex had grown healthy
29:01and strong
29:02under my careful care.
29:04The thought cut through me
29:05like a knife.
29:06I walked over
29:07and knelt in front of him.
29:09I'm your mother.
29:11He looked at me
29:12for a long time.
29:14Then nodded,
29:15just slightly.
29:16I carefully put my arms
29:17around him.
29:18He didn't pull away.
29:21I'm sorry.
29:22Mom came too late.
29:24He trembled slightly
29:26in my arms.
29:27For the next two weeks,
29:28I didn't work.
29:30I devoted all my time
29:32to him.
29:32I took him to the park.
29:34The first time
29:35on the carousel,
29:36he gripped the pole
29:37so tightly
29:38his knuckles turned white.
29:40I took him to the library.
29:41He loved books
29:43about stars.
29:44At night,
29:45after he fell asleep,
29:46I gently stroke his hair.
29:48He still didn't talk much,
29:50but sometimes,
29:52he'd smile at me.
29:53At 3 a.m.,
29:54the bedroom door
29:55creaked open,
29:56caught by the wind.
29:57The sound of muffled sobbing
30:00pierced through me
30:01like needles.
30:02I jolted awake.
30:04I knew immediately
30:05it was Alan.
30:06I pushed open his door.
30:09Moonlight filtered
30:10through the sheer curtains,
30:11casting shadows
30:12across the floor.
30:14His small figure
30:15was curled up
30:16on the bed.
30:16His hands clutched
30:18the blanket,
30:19knuckles white.
30:20Cold sweat
30:21covered his forehead.
30:23His brow was furrowed
30:24deeply.
30:25He kept murmuring.
30:27Mom,
30:28no.
30:29Don't lock me
30:30in the dark room.
30:32There are rats.
30:33I crossed the room
30:34quickly and sat
30:35carefully on the edge
30:36of the bed.
30:37I gently put my arms
30:39around his ice-cold shoulders.
30:41His body went rigid
30:42for a moment.
30:43Then he threw himself
30:43into my arms
30:44like a frightened deer.
30:45His crying was suppressed,
30:47desperate.
30:48Tears instantly soaked
30:49through my pajamas.
30:50Mom,
30:51I'm scared.
30:53That storage room
30:54was so dark.
30:56I begged again
30:57and again
30:58but no one answered.
31:00The rats
31:01crawled on my feet.
31:04My heart felt like
31:05it was being cut
31:06with a dull knife.
31:07Alan,
31:08don't be afraid.
31:09I patted his back
31:10again and again,
31:11my voice trembling
31:12but trying to stay steady.
31:14Mom's here.
31:14No one can lock
31:15you up anymore.
31:17The rats won't come.
31:19Mama will protect you.
31:20Silent tears
31:21fell onto his hair.
31:22I thought of the videos
31:23Chloe had sent.
31:24That child trembling
31:25in the darkness.
31:26The marks on his body.
31:28Old scars
31:29and new wounds
31:30layered together.
31:31I wanted to tear apart
31:33everyone
31:33who'd ever hurt him.
31:35When his crying
31:36finally exhausted itself,
31:38his breathing
31:39gradually steadied
31:40and gently lifted
31:41his sleeve.
31:43Brownish scars
31:44on his arm,
31:45ugly as centipedes.
31:47The marks from being
31:48hit with a coat hanger.
31:50On his back,
31:51a faint bruise.
31:53From when he'd been
31:54shoved
31:54against the corner
31:55of the storage room
31:56wall as a small child.
31:58I traced those scars
31:59with my fingertips.
32:01My touch is light
32:02as if I were afraid
32:03of breaking something
32:04to pressure.
32:05Alan shook his head.
32:06Tears still clung
32:07to his lashes.
32:08He bit his lip
32:09and said quietly,
32:10It doesn't hurt now.
32:11Sometimes I dream about it.
32:13I dream I walked
32:14in there again.
32:15I'm calling for mom,
32:16but mom isn't there.
32:17I'm sorry.
32:18I held him tighter.
32:19Mom came too late.
32:21But from now on,
32:22mom will never let
32:23anyone hurt you again.
32:24I crossed the room
32:25quickly and sat
32:26carefully on the edge
32:27of the bed.
32:28I gently put my arms
32:30around his ice-cold shoulders.
32:31His body went rigid
32:32for a moment.
32:33Then he threw himself
32:34into my arms
32:35like a frightened deer.
32:36His crying
32:37was suppressed,
32:38desperate.
32:39Tears instantly soaked
32:40through my pajamas.
32:41Mom,
32:42I'm scared.
32:44That storage room
32:45was so dark.
32:47I begged again
32:48and again,
32:49but no one answered.
32:51The rats crawled
32:52on my feet.
32:54My heart felt like
32:56it was being cut
32:57with a dull knife.
32:58Alan,
32:59don't be afraid.
33:00I patted his back
33:01again and again,
33:02my voice trembling,
33:03but trying to stay steady.
33:04Mom's here.
33:05No one can lock you
33:06up anymore.
33:07The rats won't come.
33:09Mama will protect you.
33:11Silent tears
33:11fell onto his hair.
33:13I thought of the videos
33:14Chloe had sent,
33:15that child trembling
33:16in the darkness,
33:17the marks on his body,
33:19old scars,
33:20and new wounds
33:21layered together.
33:22I wanted to tear apart
33:23everyone who'd ever hurt him.
33:26When his crying
33:27finally exhausted itself,
33:29his breathing gradually
33:30steadied,
33:31full and gently
33:32lifted his sleeve.
33:34Brownish scars
33:35on his arm,
33:36ugly as centipedes.
33:37The marks from being hit
33:39with a coat hanger.
33:40On his back,
33:41a faint bruise.
33:43From when he'd been shoved
33:45against the corner
33:46of the storage room wall
33:47as a small child,
33:48I traced those scars
33:50with my fingertips,
33:51my touch as light
33:52as if I were afraid
33:53of breaking something precious.
33:55Doesn't hurt.
33:56Alan shook his head.
33:57Tears still clung
33:58to his lashes.
33:59He bit his lip
33:59and said quietly,
34:01It doesn't hurt now,
34:02but sometimes I dream about it.
34:04I dream I'm locked
34:05in there again,
34:06calling for Mom,
34:07but Mom isn't there.
34:08I'm sorry.
34:09I held him tighter.
34:10Mom came too late,
34:11but from now on,
34:13Mom will never let
34:13anyone hurt you again.
34:15That night,
34:16I held him on the sofa
34:18until dawn.
34:19I told him stories
34:21about how I used to be
34:23afraid of thunder
34:24when I was little,
34:25how my father would hold me
34:27and count the stars
34:28while singing nursery rhymes.
34:31I told him about
34:31when I first took over
34:32the company,
34:33how the old employees
34:35gave me a hard time,
34:36how I cried in the stairwell,
34:39then dried my tears
34:40and went back to negotiate.
34:42I told him about
34:43the clumsy intern
34:44who spilled coffee
34:46all over an important contract
34:48and turned pale in fear.
34:50He listened quietly.
34:53Occasionally,
34:53he'd lift his head
34:54and look at me
34:55with those eyes
34:56so much like mine
34:57and ask,
34:59Were you scared, Mom?
35:01Terrified.
35:01Touching his hair.
35:03But I knew that
35:04if I just held on,
35:05things would get better.
35:06And now I have you, Alan.
35:08I can't afford
35:09to be afraid anymore.
35:11He nodded slowly,
35:12seeming to understand.
35:13His small hand
35:15quietly gripped my finger.
35:17A few days later,
35:18I took Alan to the observatory
35:20on the outskirts of the city.
35:22We rode a bus
35:23through fields of wheat.
35:24The wind carried
35:25the scent of grain.
35:26Alan pressed his face
35:28against the window,
35:29his eyes full of wonder.
35:30When night fell,
35:32the observatory dome
35:33slowly opened.
35:34The sky filled with stars
35:36like scattered diamonds
35:37across deep blue velvet.
35:39so brilliant
35:41you couldn't look away.
35:42The guide pointed at Orion
35:44and told the legend
35:45of the hunter.
35:47Alan's eyes lit up
35:48like stars themselves.
35:50The corner of his mouth
35:52slowly curved
35:53into a shallow smile.
35:54On the bus ride home,
35:56the vehicle swayed gently.
35:58He leaned against my shoulder
36:00and said quietly,
36:01Mom, the stars are so far away,
36:04but being able to see them,
36:05it makes me feel safe.
36:07Mm-hmm.
36:09My heart felt soft.
36:10I knew the trauma
36:11buried deep inside him
36:13wouldn't disappear
36:14after one trip
36:15to an observatory.
36:16Like those old scars,
36:17no matter how much care
36:19they received,
36:20they'd always leave
36:21faint marks.
36:22But as long as I stayed with him,
36:24warming him bit by bit
36:26with love and patience,
36:28the starlight would eventually
36:29pierce through the darkness
36:30and illuminate the road ahead.
36:33That afternoon,
36:34we were making cookies
36:35in the kitchen
36:36when the doorbell rang.
36:38Jenny went to answer it.
36:39I heard her say,
36:40Mr. Robinson?
36:41The flower sifter slipped
36:42from my hands
36:43and clattered onto the table.
36:45Through the glass door,
36:46I saw Julian standing
36:48at the entrance.
36:49His hair was disheveled.
36:51His eyes were sunken.
36:53He was dragging an old suitcase.
36:55Vivian, I've been searching
36:56for half a month.
36:57I wiped my hands
36:58and walked out of the kitchen,
36:59closing the door behind me.
37:01Now you know where we are.
37:02You can leave.
37:04I want to see the child.
37:05Our child.
37:06He looked toward
37:07the thin figure in the kitchen.
37:09I keep having dreams.
37:10Dreams of when he was small.
37:11Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
37:12I never knew.
37:13You should have known.
37:14I cut him off.
37:15You just chose not to know.
37:16His gaze dropped to my stomach.
37:17Is the baby still?
37:18I smiled.
37:19For the first time in days,
37:21I felt genuinely light.
37:22The baby?
37:23Of course.
37:24I placed my hand
37:24on my lower abdomen.
37:26The doctor says everything's fine.
37:28Due next spring.
37:29His face turned ugly.
37:30His emotions suddenly became agitated.
37:33He lunged toward me.
37:34I stepped aside.
37:35He stumbled and crashed
37:37into the entryway cabinet.
37:38Vivian, I need to see my son.
37:40You can't do this.
37:42I looked at him
37:42and laughed coldly.
37:44Julian,
37:44what you should be worrying about
37:46isn't where Alan is.
37:48It's whether your son
37:49can even be born safely.
37:51If you want your son born safely,
37:53deal with Chloe first.
37:55Settle your mess yourselves.
37:56I shoved him out the door.
37:58Just looking at him now
37:59made me feel sick.
38:00As I closed the door,
38:02I saw Julian slumped on the ground,
38:04hands pulling at his hair.
38:05He looked truly pathetic.
38:08Fine.
38:08Let them tear each other apart.
38:10Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
38:13Soon after,
38:13Attorney Morrison called.
38:15Mrs. Hart,
38:15it's gotten ugly.
38:16The result isn't ideal.
38:18Apparently,
38:18Julian and Chloe
38:19had already divorced,
38:20and now they were facing
38:22each other in court.
38:23Chloe was hysterical on the stand,
38:25exposing everything.
38:27How Julian had used his position
38:29to transfer money to her
38:31over the years.
38:31How he'd promised
38:33to divorce me
38:34and marry her.
38:35How his attitude had changed
38:37the moment he learned
38:38I was pregnant.
38:39I gripped my phone,
38:40listening.
38:41My expression
38:42stayed calm.
38:43However,
38:44Julian managed to pin
38:45all the blame on Chloe.
38:47He claimed she coerced him
38:48into switching the babies.
38:50The trial lasted
38:50two full days.
38:52In the end,
38:53Chloe was convicted
38:54of child abduction,
38:56document forgery,
38:57and corporate fraud.
38:58Multiple charges,
38:59sentenced to three years.
39:02Julian, meanwhile,
39:03came out clean.
39:04He cried in court,
39:05claiming he, too,
39:07was a victim.
39:08That Chloe had manipulated him
39:09for ten years.
39:11It sounded absurd,
39:12but the judge believed it.
39:14Or rather,
39:15Julian's lawyer
39:16was that good.
39:17Before hanging up,
39:19Attorney Morrison
39:20said softly,
39:21Mrs. Hart,
39:22I'm sorry,
39:23this wasn't the result
39:24we hoped for.
39:26Let's get Anakin retimed.
39:27If you'd like,
39:28we can proceed
39:29to the next phase of planning.
39:30I cut him off.
39:31It's enough.
39:31At least I have my child back.
39:33Alan was doing homework.
39:35I walked over to him.
39:36Alan,
39:37Mom made the bad people
39:39pay for what they did.
39:41But maybe not enough.
39:42Are you angry with me?
39:44He looked up.
39:45Mom,
39:45I know who treated me well
39:47and who didn't.
39:48I keep track.
39:50I keep track.
39:51I covered my mouth.
39:53Tears spilled over.
39:54He lowered his head
39:56and went back to his writing.
39:58Then added quietly,
39:59You look ugly when you cry.
40:01I laughed through my tears.
40:04These past days,
40:05I'd been desperately trying
40:06to make up for ten years
40:08of missing maternal love.
40:10I transferred company shares
40:12into a trust fund
40:13in his name.
40:14He was still young,
40:15but I knew what that security meant.
40:18I enrolled him
40:19in the best international academy
40:20in the city.
40:21The principal frowned
40:23when he looked at Alan's
40:24previous report cards.
40:25For ten years,
40:27Chloe had barely supervised
40:29his studies.
40:30She'd practically left him
40:32to fend for himself.
40:33His coursework had fallen
40:35far behind his peers.
40:36I hired three private tutors,
40:39math,
40:39language arts,
40:41technology,
40:42rotating in shifts.
40:43Alan worked hard.
40:45Studying late into the night.
40:47Every night.
40:48One night past midnight,
40:50I brought him warm milk.
40:52I found him asleep at his desk.
40:54Pen still clutched in his hand.
40:57I didn't wake him.
40:58I just gently draped a blanket
41:00over his shoulders.
41:01Friday afternoon,
41:02I went to pick up Alan from school.
41:05Parents crowded the school gates.
41:08Alan ran out with his new backpack.
41:10His face flushed from exercise.
41:13Mom!
41:14I passed my math quiz today!
41:16I was reaching for his test paper
41:18when I caught a glimpse of a figure
41:20through the cafe window
41:21across the street.
41:22Julian,
41:23sitting in the corner,
41:24his chin covered in dark stubble.
41:26Haggard.
41:26Nothing like the confident company
41:28executive he used to be.
41:29Alan followed my gaze.
41:30I squeezed his hand.
41:33Let's go home.
41:34We'd barely turned around
41:35when I heard rushed footsteps
41:37behind us.
41:38Julian had crossed the street
41:40and now stood blocking our path.
41:42Vivian, can we talk?
41:44I gestured for Alan
41:45to get in the car first.
41:47Then I looked at the man
41:48in front of me.
41:49We have nothing to talk about.
41:51I've dealt with everything.
41:53He spoke urgently,
41:54like he was trying
41:55to prove something.
41:56I've dealt with everything.
41:58I've cut ties with her completely.
42:01I couldn't help but laugh.
42:03Julian,
42:05Chloe's in prison
42:05because my lawyer
42:06put her there.
42:07What does that have to do with you?
42:11A canchulisman of Banagolt.
42:14Weren't you the one crying
42:15on the witness stand?
42:16Playing the victim?
42:18His face darkened.
42:19I know I was wrong, Vivian.
42:22For the sake of our child,
42:24for his sake,
42:25please forgive me this once.
42:29Our child?
42:31His gaze fell to my stomach.
42:34Yes, our child.
42:36I smoothed the wrinkles
42:37in my coat,
42:38taking my time.
42:39Oh, that?
42:40That was fake.
42:43Julian froze.
42:45His eyes went wide.
42:46I met his stare calmly.
42:48Pregnancy report report
42:49was forward.
42:50I just wanted to see
42:51what choice you did make.
42:53I stepped forward,
42:55letting him get a clear look
42:57at my flat abdomen.
42:59It's been months.
43:00If I were really pregnant,
43:02I'd be showing by now,
43:04wouldn't I?
43:04His gaze lingered
43:06on my stomach
43:06for a long time.
43:08It doesn't matter.
43:09We don't need that baby.
43:10We still have Alan.
43:12We still have 10 years
43:13of history between us.
43:14I cut him off.
43:15Wake up.
43:16Stop dreaming.
43:17He acted like
43:17he hadn't heard me.
43:19Suddenly,
43:19he seemed to remember something.
43:21He pulled a velvet box
43:22from his briefcase.
43:23Look,
43:24this is the gift I bought
43:26for your 30th birthday.
43:28The company was struggling
43:29financially that year.
43:30I couldn't bring myself
43:31to give it to you.
43:32Then a second box.
43:33A third.
43:35He laid them all
43:36on the ground.
43:38This one's from
43:39our seventh anniversary.
43:41This one's from
43:42when we first moved
43:43into the house.
43:44This one.
43:45This one?
43:47The small velvet boxes
43:49formed a line
43:50on the pavement.
43:51I bought one every year.
43:52I just never gave them to you.
43:54Now I'm giving them
43:55my mom all to you.
43:56He looked up.
43:57Eyes read.
43:57Please,
43:58give me one more chance.
43:59I crouched down
44:00and opened the nearest box.
44:02Inside was a diamond necklace.
44:04The pendant
44:05shaped like an iris.
44:07My favorite flower.
44:09Once upon a time,
44:11I would have been overjoyed
44:13by a gift like this.
44:14I would have worn it proudly,
44:16holding his arm
44:17at every gala,
44:18showing off my happiness.
44:19Now,
44:20I just felt sick.
44:22I stood up
44:23and placed the necklace
44:24back in the box.
44:26Julian,
44:27I loved you once.
44:28When I didn't hear from you,
44:29I would lie awake all night.
44:31When I cooked soup
44:32and delivered it to your office
44:33when you were working late.
44:35When you said,
44:36baby,
44:36thank you for everything
44:37you do for me.
44:38At that moment,
44:39I felt it was all worth it.
44:40I set the box at his feet.
44:41That one who loved you most,
44:43she's long gone.
44:45These gifts are no different
44:47from garbage to me now.
44:48Something in his expression shifted.
44:50The desperation vanished,
44:52replaced by something darker.
44:54You think you've won?
44:55His voice turned sharp, bitter.
44:56Do you know how hard I've worked
44:57to get where I am?
44:58And lavened?
44:59Love, that's,
45:00you know,
45:00hard I've worked to get where I am?
45:02I came from
45:03talks your skull to me,
45:04he,
45:04and know with this lovement.
45:06I came from nothing,
45:07Vivian,
45:08nothing.
45:08I didn't say anything.
45:10The man who pretended
45:11to be a devoted husband
45:13finally revealed
45:14his true colors.
45:16I married into your family.
45:17Do you know what that's like?
45:19Being called the man
45:20who married up?
45:21Having everyone whisper
45:22that I'm living off my wife?
45:23His hands clenched into fists.
45:25I worked myself to the bone
45:27for that company.
45:28For you.
45:29For this family.
45:30Are you finished?
45:32My voice stayed flat.
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