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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.
00:10The 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.
00:41The DNA testing center was across town.
00:44I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:47The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:50Standard processing is five business days.
00:53Rushes today by 4 p.m.
00:55Triple the cost.
00:56Rush it.
00:57My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
01:00After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
01:05Every 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.
01:22Understood.
01:24At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:27I opened the electronic report, skipped straight to the end.
01:30DNA 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.
01:49Even 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.
02:00Not my child.
02:02I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
02:06So where was my child?
02:07I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
02:14Dr. Soucy was still there.
02:16She'd been promoted to department head.
02:19Dr. Soucy, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
02:25Her smile froze for a moment.
02:27That was so long ago.
02:29The files might already be archived.
02:31It took some effort.
02:32But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:37I flipped it open.
02:38The documentation was shockingly sparse.
02:41Only basic informations.
02:44Admission time.
02:45Discharge time.
02:46Delivery method.
02:48Newborn wait.
02:49No detailed labor notes.
02:51No nurse handoff records.
02:53No pediatric examination reports.
02:55Is this everything?
02:57She looked apologetic.
02:59That's all we have in the system.
03:01Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
03:04You're right at the edge of that window.
03:06What about the newborn footprints?
03:08The blood samples?
03:10She shook her head.
03:12Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
03:17It was obvious there was something wrong.
03:20An abnormally simple medical file.
03:22Missing newborn records.
03:24A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
03:29The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
03:34My phone rang.
03:35It was Julian.
03:36Where are you?
03:37I already picked up Alex.
03:39I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
03:43At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:45I'm out running business.
03:46I'll be home soon.
03:48I hung up.
03:50After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:54Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
04:00Their voices drifting through the house.
04:05Dad, is mom upset?
04:07Mom's just tired.
04:09Finish your homework and get to bed early.
04:11I waited until they were both asleep.
04:14Then I started searching.
04:16The master bedroom.
04:17The living room.
04:19Alex's room.
04:20I went through everything, looking for I 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.
04:33Footsteps in the hallway.
04:35I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
04:39When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
04:44He glanced at the computer screen.
04:46It had returned to the desktop.
04:48A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
04:54Still up?
04:56Just organizing some old documents.
04:59I 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.
05:07Get some rest.
05:09I 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.
05:22The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
05:26He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
05:30All right.
05:31The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
05:34I turned on the computer and tried the password.
05:37Our wedding anniversary.
05:39Wrong.
05:40His birthday?
05:42Wrong.
05:43Alex's birthday.
05:44Still wrong.
05:45I tried the date we first met.
05:47His mother's birthday.
05:49The day the company was founded.
05:50All wrong.
05:51The system locked me out.
05:53Please try again in 15 minutes.
05:56I sat there, staring at the login screen.
05:59This computer we'd bought together, now locked against me.
06:04That evening, Julian came home from work.
06:07He was barely through the door when he said,
06:10I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
06:12Business trip.
06:13Not sure how long I'll be gone.
06:14I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
06:18That's sudden.
06:19Who are you going with?
06:20He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
06:23Just someone.
06:24It was a last minute arrangement.
06:25Vivian, can you not do this?
06:28I stared at him, confused.
06:31It was just a casual question.
06:33Why was he reacting like this?
06:35You question everything.
06:37You suspect everyone.
06:39I'm just going to work.
06:41I turned back to serve the rice.
06:43My hands were shaking slightly.
06:45I was just asking.
06:47He said nothing more.
06:49Walked straight to the bedroom.
06:51Dinner was silent.
06:53Alex must have sensed something was off.
06:55For once, he didn't complain about the food.
06:59After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
07:03A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
07:07After he left the room, I picked it up.
07:09A perfume purchase.
07:11Expensive.
07:12Bought yesterday afternoon.
07:14A brand name I didn't recognize.
07:16But I knew it wasn't for me.
07:18I thought about our marriage.
07:20Ten years.
07:22Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
07:25Not since our first anniversary.
07:27A scarf.
07:29I still had it somewhere.
07:30After that, nothing.
07:32No birthday gifts.
07:34No anniversary gifts.
07:36No just-because gifts.
07:37I told myself he wasn't romantic.
07:40He showed love in other ways.
07:42He was practical and focused on providing.
07:45On his career.
07:45I'd made excuses for him.
07:48But now, holding this receipt, I understood.
07:51He wasn't unromantic.
07:53He wasn't too busy.
07:55He wasn't too practical.
07:56His romance just wasn't for me.
07:59It was for someone else.
08:00Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
08:04I wrote down the information from the receipt.
08:06The next morning, after Julian left for the airport, I called the boutique.
08:13I need to verify a purchase.
08:15A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
08:17One moment.
08:18Yes, I have it here.
08:20The buyer was Chloe Williams.
08:22Chloe Williams.
08:23I knew that name.
08:25Julian's secretary.
08:26Hired six months ago.
08:28Early thirties.
08:29Divorced.
08:30I drove to the airport.
08:32I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
08:35Maybe the perfume was for a client.
08:37Maybe I was overthinking this.
08:39I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
08:43Then I saw them.
08:44Julian and her.
08:47Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
08:51She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
08:55Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
09:00Relaxed.
09:01Genuinely happy.
09:03At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
09:05She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
09:11He didn't pull away.
09:12He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
09:16She smiled.
09:17Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
09:22Julian's hand rested on her waist.
09:25They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
09:28Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
09:31The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
09:35All those late nights.
09:37Working.
09:38All those times he'd been irritable with me.
09:41All of it finally made sense.
09:44I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
09:49A new thought crystallized in my mind.
09:52That child who wasn't mine.
09:55And this woman.
09:57Could they be connected?
09:59On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
10:03I need you to look into someone else.
10:06Chloe Williams.
10:08I want to know everything about her.
10:10Especially whether she has any children.
10:12The detective worked fast.
10:14By the next afternoon, I had the report.
10:18Chloe Williams.
10:1932 years old.
10:21Divorced five years ago.
10:23One son.
10:24Nine years old.
10:25Name.
10:26Alan.
10:27Attending a public school in the West End.
10:30The date jumped out at me.
10:32Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
10:35For the first time in ten years, I felt my blood run hot.
10:39I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
10:42Then, a thought struck me.
10:45I ran to study.
10:46My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
10:48Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date.
10:52The desktop opened.
10:54There was only one folder.
10:56Named, Work Backup.
10:58I clicked it open.
10:59Then, inside were subfolders organized by year, starting 11 years ago.
11:04The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
11:07Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
11:1219-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
11:17She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
11:20The next photo was from college.
11:22The two of them in the library.
11:24Then, their graduation photo.
11:26Both in cap and gown, holding hands.
11:29That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
11:33We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
11:36Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
11:38I closed the folder.
11:40The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
11:44I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
11:48Me, in my white dress, lace sleeves, and long train.
11:53Holding a bouquet of white roses.
11:56Julian, in his black suit.
11:58Gray tie.
11:59Boutonniere.
12:00Both of us smiling at the camera.
12:02The photographer had made us laugh.
12:04Said something stupid.
12:06We'd both cracked up.
12:07The photo captured that moment.
12:09Pure.
12:10Happy.
12:11I stared at it.
12:12At my face.
12:14So happy.
12:15So naive.
12:16So trusting.
12:17I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
12:20That woman who'd believed her husband.
12:22Who'd made excuses for him.
12:24Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
12:27That woman was gone.
12:30Had to close my eyes.
12:32Put my hand over my mouth.
12:34The perfect couple.
12:35The perfect lie.
12:37Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
12:40Sick at the years of deception.
12:43Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
12:45For believing him.
12:47For trusting him.
12:48For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
12:53At 3 p.m., I drove to the West End.
12:57The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
13:02The dismissal bell rang.
13:04Children poured out through the gates.
13:07I sat in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel.
13:11He walked out alone.
13:13No one there to pick him up.
13:15He looked left.
13:17Then right.
13:18Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
13:21I held my breath.
13:23I held my breath.
13:23That child.
13:24Alan.
13:26No.
13:26My child.
13:27The way he walked reminded me of myself.
13:30A slight pigeon toe.
13:32When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face, I saw it.
13:36A birthmark on his wrist.
13:38The same place I had mine.
13:41I could see dust on his eyelashes.
13:44His lips were chapped.
13:46His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
13:49His eyes looked empty.
13:51Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
13:54I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
13:58He walked away.
14:00Disappearing around the corner.
14:01I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
14:05For that child.
14:07Walking home alone.
14:09For ten years of living in the wrong life.
14:12For being such a fool.
14:14Dancing in a play someone else had written.
14:17Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
14:20At the law office, I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
14:25Inside, backup copies of all the photos.
14:29The DNA test results.
14:31Scanned hospital records.
14:33The perfume receipt.
14:35Files on Chloe and Alan.
14:37I want a divorce.
14:39I want Julian to leave with nothing.
14:41I want custody of my child.
14:44I want him to pay for what he's done.
14:47Walking out of the attorney's office,
14:49I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed ten years ago.
14:54Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
14:57Turns out, his lifetime was only ten years.
15:01No.
15:02Probably less than that.
15:04I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
15:09My father's old colleague.
15:12Mr. Aaron, about next week's board meeting, I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
15:17Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
15:20This company's name is Hart.
15:22He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
15:26I put him in that position.
15:28I could take him down just as easily.
15:31Two weeks after Julian left, I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
15:37Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
15:41One day, it rained.
15:43Alan didn't have an umbrella.
15:45He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour, then finally ran home through the downpour.
15:51I sat in my car, rain-blurring the windshield.
15:56Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
15:59When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
16:04I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
16:08He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
16:12Thank you, sweetheart.
16:14Is your mom not here yet?
16:16He shook his head.
16:19Mom's working late.
16:21How are you getting home?
16:23I'll take the bus.
16:25I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
16:28Have some water.
16:30He hesitated, then took it and said,
16:34I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
16:39Just like me.
16:41His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
16:44Inner double eyelids.
16:46The outer corners slightly downturned.
16:49Does your mom work late often?
16:51He nodded, then shook his head.
16:54Sometimes.
16:55What about your dad?
16:57He didn't answer.
16:59Just looked down at his shoes.
17:01Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
17:03The left shoelace, was broken.
17:06I didn't ask anything more.
17:08I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
17:13Buy yourself some new shoes.
17:15He stepped back.
17:17No.
17:18I can't take this.
17:20Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
17:24I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
17:28After a few steps, I glanced back.
17:32He stood there looking lost.
17:34That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
17:37He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
17:40A limited edition space shuttle.
17:44Expensive.
17:45Mom?
17:46What's wrong?
17:47I walked in and touched his hair.
17:50Did you finish your homework?
17:52Finished ages ago.
17:54He held up his model.
17:55Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
18:01I smiled.
18:02That's wonderful.
18:04The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
18:08Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
18:13My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone, while this child enjoyed everything.
18:19After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
18:23He set down his suitcase.
18:25Where's Alex?
18:28Why is it so quiet?
18:29I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
18:33Since when?
18:34He's only in fourth grade.
18:37I didn't answer.
18:39I could smell that perfume on him.
18:41He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
18:44I stepped aside.
18:46Why do you smell like perfume?
18:48Who were you having dinner with?
18:51His expression flickered with irritation.
18:54Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
18:56I had a business dinner with a client.
18:59Can you not be like this?
19:01It was almost funny.
19:03Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
19:07I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
19:13Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
19:18Julian's face turned ugly.
19:20He grabbed one photo and threw it back.
19:22You had me followed?
19:23You had me followed?
19:24Does it matter?
19:26I smiled slightly.
19:28What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
19:34Or get sent to your clients?
19:36He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
19:41What do you want?
19:42I stared at him.
19:43My voice was flat.
19:44First, fire Chloe Williams.
19:47Guarantee you'll never see her again.
19:49Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
19:52He stood up angry now.
19:54You're crazy.
19:55For a couple of lousy photos?
19:58My voice turned cold.
20:01Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
20:05You have everything you have because of me.
20:09What I gave, I can take back.
20:12I almost wavered.
20:14Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
20:17I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
20:20For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child,
20:24if, if you do what I'm asking, we can move forward.
20:28After all, we still have Alex.
20:31I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
20:34A pregnancy test report.
20:36It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
20:40Julian stared at the report.
20:42Then he looked up at me.
20:44You're pregnant?
20:46I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
20:49Five weeks.
20:51The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
20:54His expression shifted constantly.
20:57His throat worked.
20:59His eyes moved between me and the report.
21:03I continued.
21:04So, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely,
21:08make her leave the company and our lives,
21:11I can let the past go.
21:13We still have Alex.
21:14And now, we have this baby.
21:18Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
21:20There was obvious conflict in his eye.
21:23I need, I need to think.
21:26His voice was hoarse.
21:28He turned and went into the bedroom.
21:30The next morning, I drank my coffee and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
21:36I pushed a glass of water toward him.
21:38He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
21:42I've thought it over, Vivian.
21:44We...
21:45Don't bother.
21:46I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
21:52His expression turned furious.
21:55What is this supposed to mean?
21:56We're having another child!
21:59I said coldly.
22:01I told you I was pregnant.
22:03And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
22:07Julian stood.
22:09We have a child on the way.
22:11Won't you think about the baby?
22:13Think about Alex?
22:15The child, I suddenly laughed.
22:18You mean the child I raised for nine years.
22:21Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
22:24Julian's face went white.
22:25He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
22:28How did you...
22:29When did you find out?
22:31I held up my phone.
22:33The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
22:38I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
22:41Password is Chloe's birthday.
22:43You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
22:46His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
22:50Let me explain.
22:52My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
22:56Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
23:01Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
23:04Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
23:10I stepped closer.
23:11The funniest part?
23:13The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
23:17Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
23:20Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
23:23Alan.
23:25Julian suddenly remembered.
23:27His voice dropped to a whisper.
23:29Where's Alan?
23:31I need to see him.
23:32Too late.
23:34I turned and opened the door.
23:36Your son.
23:38No.
23:38My son is somewhere you'll never find him.
23:41Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
23:46Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
23:49Vivian.
23:50You can't do this.
23:51That's my son.
23:52I shook him off.
23:54From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
23:58Now get out of my house.
23:59After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
24:03Then the sound of a car engine started.
24:06Driving away.
24:07I knew where he was going.
24:09To find Chloe.
24:10To find Alan.
24:11He'd lost for nine years.
24:13But he wouldn't find Alan.
24:16Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
24:22I told him the truth.
24:24Alan was surprisingly calm.
24:26Those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
24:32I always felt like I wasn't her child.
24:36Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
24:43I took his hand.
24:45I told him I would take him away.
24:47We could start over.
24:48He was silent for a long time.
24:50Then he nodded, just slightly.
24:54Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
24:57My assistant went with him.
25:00There's a good school there.
25:01A house.
25:03New friends waiting.
25:04Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
25:08The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
25:12Finally, Julian came back.
25:14He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven.
25:20I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
25:25Vivian, we need to talk.
25:27I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear.
25:29I didn't let him in.
25:31The agreement is very clear.
25:34There's nothing to talk about.
25:38I can't get divorced for the sake of our 10 years together.
25:41For the sake of our child.
25:44Which child?
25:46I cut him off with a cold laugh.
25:48The one in those videos?
25:49Or the one upstairs?
25:52Julian's face went white.
25:53A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
25:57Videos.
25:58One after another.
25:59Alan crying.
26:01Being beaten.
26:02Locked in a dark room.
26:03In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
26:07He'd spilled milk.
26:09Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
26:11The email had only one line.
26:15Thank you for raising my son all these years.
26:18I'd watched them all night.
26:20By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
26:23Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
26:25Those videos.
26:27Chloe.
26:28She sometimes couldn't control herself.
26:31I laughed coldly.
26:33Alan is your son.
26:34You went to see Chloe every week.
26:37You noticed her new perfume.
26:39Her fresh manicure.
26:41But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
26:44He had no answer.
26:46I said flatly.
26:47I've already retained a lawyer.
26:49If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
26:52The evidence of the baby switch.
26:55Photos of your affair.
26:57Those videos.
26:58All of it becomes part of the legal record.
27:01His voice dropped.
27:02Are you insane?
27:04The company's about to go public.
27:06Now is not the time.
27:09Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
27:12So sign.
27:14While I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
27:17The door shut.
27:19He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
27:23Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
27:26Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
27:30Khloe in a white wedding dress.
27:34Julian with his arm around her.
27:36But his expression looked stiff.
27:38The caption read,
27:40Ten years of waiting, finally together.
27:45I took a screenshot.
27:46Then I turned off my phone.
27:49That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
27:53Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
27:55The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
27:57Communication records between him and Khloe.
28:01The abuse videos.
28:02And medical records.
28:05It's enough to file charges.
28:07Thank you for your work.
28:10Of course.
28:12Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
28:15He came by the office yesterday.
28:18Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
28:20Too late.
28:22Early the next morning, my plane took off.
28:24My assistant met me at the airport.
28:28Alan's been doing better this week.
28:30He's starting to talk more.
28:32Yesterday, he even asked when you'd arrive.
28:35My heart beat faster.
28:38The car stopped in front of a white house.
28:41In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground, watching ants.
28:46Alan.
28:47He looked better than in the videos.
28:50But he was still too thin.
28:52Not enough meat on his bones.
28:55Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
29:00The thought cut through me like a knife.
29:03I walked over and knelt in front of him.
29:06I'm your mother.
29:07He looked at me for a long time.
29:10Then nodded, just slightly.
29:12I carefully put my arms around him.
29:15He didn't pull away.
29:17I'm sorry.
29:19Mom came too late.
29:21He trembled slightly in my arms.
29:23For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
29:26I devoted all my time to him.
29:29I took him to the park.
29:31The first time on the carousel, he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white.
29:36I took him to the library.
29:38He loved books about stars.
29:40At night, after he fell asleep, I gently stroke his hair.
29:44He still didn't talk much.
29:47But sometimes, he'd smile at me.
29:49At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open, caught by the wind.
29:54The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
29:58I jolted awake.
30:00I knew immediately it was Alan.
30:03I pushed open his door.
30:05Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting shadows across the floor.
30:10His small figure was curled up on the bed.
30:13His hands clutched the blanket, knuckles white.
30:17Cold sweat covered his forehead.
30:19His brow was furrowed deeply.
30:22He kept murmuring.
30:23Mom, no.
30:26Don't lock me in the dark room.
30:28There are rats.
30:30I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
30:33I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
30:37His body went rigid for a moment.
30:39Then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened deer.
30:42His crying was suppressed, desperate.
30:44Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
30:47Mom, I'm scared.
30:49That storage room was so dark.
30:52I begged again and again, but no one answered.
30:56The rats crawled on my feet.
31:00My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
31:03Alan, don't be afraid.
31:05I patted his back again and again, my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
31:10Mom's here.
31:11No one can lock you up anymore.
31:13The rats won't come.
31:15Mama will protect you.
31:16Silent tears fell onto his hair.
31:18I thought of the videos Chloe had sent.
31:20That child trembling in the darkness.
31:23The marks on his body.
31:24Old scars and new wounds layered together.
31:28I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
31:31When his crying finally exhausted itself,
31:34his breathing gradually steadied,
31:36full and gently lifted his sleeve.
31:39Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
31:42The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
31:46On his back, a fake bruise.
31:49From when he'd been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child.
31:54I traced those scars with my fingertips.
31:57My touch as light as if I were afraid of breaking something to crash.
32:00It's so rude too.
32:01Alan shook his head.
32:02Tears still clung to his lashes.
32:04He bit his lip and said quietly,
32:06It doesn't hurt now, but sometimes I dream about it.
32:09I dream I'm locked in there again.
32:11I'm calling for mom, but mom isn't there.
32:14I'm sorry.
32:14I held him tighter.
32:16Mom came too late.
32:17But from now on, mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
32:21That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
32:24I told him stories about how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
32:30How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
32:36I told him about when I first took over the company.
32:39How the old employees gave me a hard time.
32:41How I cried in the stairwell.
32:44Then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
32:47I told him about the clumsy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract
32:53and turned poor with fear.
32:55He listened quietly.
32:58Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask,
33:04Were you scared, mom?
33:06Terrified.
33:07Touching his hair.
33:08But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
33:12And now I have you, Alan.
33:14I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
33:16He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
33:19His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
33:22A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
33:27We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
33:29The wind carried the scent of grain.
33:31Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
33:36When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
33:39The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet.
33:45So brilliant you couldn't look away.
33:47The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
33:52Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
33:55The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
33:59On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
34:03He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
34:06Mom, the stars are so far away.
34:09But being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
34:12Mm-hmm.
34:14My heart felt soft.
34:15I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
34:21Like those old scars.
34:22No matter how much care they received, they'd always leave faint marks.
34:27But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
34:32the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
34:38That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
34:43Jenny went to answer it.
34:44I heard her say,
34:46Mr. Robinson?
34:46The flower sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
34:50Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
34:54His hair was disheveled.
34:56His eyes were sunken.
34:58He was dragging an old suitcase.
34:59Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
35:02I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
35:06Now you know where we are.
35:07You can leave.
35:09I want to see the child.
35:10Our child.
35:11He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
35:14I keep having dreams.
35:15Dreams of when he was small.
35:16Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
35:17I never knew.
35:18You should have known.
35:19I cut him off.
35:20You just chose not to know.
35:21His gaze dropped to my stomach.
35:22Is the baby still?
35:23I smiled.
35:24For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
35:27The baby?
35:28Of course.
35:28I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
35:30The doctor says everything's fine.
35:32Due next spring.
35:34His face turned ugly.
35:35His emotions suddenly became agitated.
35:38He lunged toward me.
35:39I stepped aside.
35:40He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
35:43Vivian, I need to see my son.
35:45You can't do this.
35:46I looked at him and laughed coldly.
35:48Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
35:52It's whether your son can even be born safely.
35:56If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
36:00Settle your mess yourselves.
36:01I shoved him out the door.
36:02Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
36:05As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
36:10He looked truly pathetic.
36:12Fine.
36:13Let them tear each other apart.
36:15Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
36:17Soon after, attorney Morrison called.
36:20Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
36:21The result isn't ideal.
36:22Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
36:28Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
36:32How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
36:36How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
36:40How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
36:44I gripped my phone, listening.
36:46My expression stayed calm.
36:48However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
36:51He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
36:54The trial lasted two full days.
36:57In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
37:03Multiple charges, sentenced to three years.
37:06Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
37:09He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
37:12That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
37:15It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
37:19Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
37:22Before hanging up, Attorney Morrison said softly,
37:26Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
37:30Let's get any good retimesed.
37:32If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
37:35I cut him off.
37:36It's enough.
37:36At least I have my child back.
37:38Alan was doing homework.
37:39I walked over to him.
37:40Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
37:45But maybe not enough.
37:47Are you angry with me?
37:49He looked up.
37:50Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
37:53I keep track.
37:54I keep track.
37:56I covered my mouth.
37:57Tears spilled over.
37:59He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
38:02Then added quietly,
38:04You look ugly when you cry.
38:06I laughed through my tears.
38:08These past days, I'd been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of missing maternal love.
38:15I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
38:18He was still young, but I knew what that security meant.
38:22I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
38:26The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
38:30For 10 years, Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
38:34She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
38:38His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
38:41I hired three private tutors.
38:43Math, language arts, technology.
38:46Rotating in shifts.
38:48Alan worked hard.
38:50Studying late into the night.
38:52Every night.
38:53One night past midnight, I brought him warm milk.
38:57I found him asleep at his desk.
38:59Pens still clutched in his hand.
39:01I didn't wake him.
39:02I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
39:06Friday afternoon, I went to pick up Alan from school.
39:10Parents crowded the school gates.
39:12Alan ran out with his new backpack.
39:15His face flushed from exercise.
39:17Mom!
39:19I passed my math quiz today!
39:21I was reaching for his test paper when I caught a glimpse of a figure through the cafe window across
39:26the street.
39:27Julian, sitting in the corner.
39:28His chin covered in dark stubble.
39:30Haggard.
39:31Nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
39:34Alan followed my gaze.
39:35I squeezed his hand.
39:38Let's go home.
39:39We'd barely turned around when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
39:43Julian had crossed the street and now stood blocking our path.
39:47Vivian, can we talk?
39:48I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
39:51Then I looked at the man in front of me.
39:54We have nothing to talk about.
39:55I've dealt with everything.
39:57He spoke urgently, like he was trying to prove something.
40:01I've fault with everything.
40:02I've cut ties with her completely.
40:05I couldn't help but laugh.
40:08Julian, Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there.
40:12What does that have to do with you?
40:16A cantulisman of anicult.
40:19Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand?
40:21Playing the victim?
40:22His face darkened.
40:24I know I was wrong, Vivian.
40:27For the sake of our child.
40:29For his sake.
40:30Please forgive me this once.
40:33Our child?
40:35His gaze fell to my stomach.
40:39Yes, our child.
40:40I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat, taking my time.
40:43Oh, that?
40:45That was fake.
40:48I stood up and placed the necklace back in the box.
40:52Julian, I loved you once.
40:54When I didn't hear from you, I would lie awake all night.
40:57When I cooked soup and delivered it to your office when you were working late.
41:01When you said, baby, thank you for everything you do for me.
41:04At that moment, I felt it was all worth it.
41:06I set the box at his feet.
41:07That one who loved you most, she's long gone.
41:11These gifts are no different from garbage to me now.
41:14Something in his expression shifted.
41:16The desperation vanished.
41:18Replaced by something darker.
41:20You think you've won?
41:21His voice turned sharp, bitter.
41:22Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
41:24Enlavened?
41:25Love, that's you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
41:28I came from talks your skull to me, he, and you're with this, love me.
41:32I came from nothing, Vivian.
41:34Nothing.
41:34I didn't say anything.
41:36The man who pretended to be a devoted husband finally revealed his true colors.
41:41I married into your family.
41:43Do you know what that's like?
41:45Being called the man who married up?
41:47Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
41:49His hands clenched into fists.
41:51I worked myself to the bone for that company.
41:54For you.
41:55For this family.
41:56Are you finished?
41:58My voice stayed flat.
41:59Julian froze.
42:00His eyes went wide.
42:01I met his stare calmly.
42:02Pregnancy report report was forward.
42:04I just wanted to see what choice you did make.
42:07I stepped forward, letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
42:11It's been months.
42:12If I were really pregnant, I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
42:16His gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time.
42:19It doesn't matter.
42:20We don't need that baby.
42:21We still have Alan.
42:22We still have 10 years of history between us.
42:23I cut him off.
42:24Wake up.
42:24Stop dreaming.
42:25He acted like he hadn't heard me.
42:27Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
42:29He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
42:31Look.
42:31This is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday.
42:34The company was struggling financially that year.
42:36I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
42:38Then a second box.
42:39A third.
42:40He laid them all on the ground.
42:42This one's from our 7th anniversary.
42:45This one's from when we first moved into the house.
42:47This one.
42:48This one?
42:49The small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement.
42:52I bought one every year.
42:54I just never gave them to you.
42:55Now I'm giving them I'm all to you.
42:57He looked eyes red.
42:58Please.
42:58Give me one more chance.
42:59I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
43:02Inside was a diamond necklace.
43:03The pendant shaped like an iris.
43:06My favorite flower.
43:07Once upon a time, I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this.
43:11I would have worn it proudly.
43:13Holding his arm at every gala.
43:14Showing off my happiness.
43:15Now, I just felt sick.
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