- 10 hours ago
¿Dónde está mi hijo
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:12¡Gracias!
00:57¡Gracias!
01:09¡Gracias!
01:45¡Gracias!
02:02¡Gracias!
02:40¡Gracias!
03:00...¡Rush it!
03:01My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
03:04After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
03:09Every second felt like an hour.
03:11I pulled out my phone and made another call.
03:14I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
03:18I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
03:22The private detective's voice was professional, detached.
03:26Understood.
03:27A 3.40 pm, mi teléfono buzzed.
03:31Yo abrí el report electrónico.
03:33Escuché directamente al final.
03:35La análisis de DNA indica una probabilidad de probabilidad de la relación biológica entre Vivian Hart y Alex Robinson.
03:47Based en análisis genético, la evidencia no aporta Vivian Hart como la madre biológica de Alex Robinson.
03:54Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
04:01I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
04:04Not my child.
04:06I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
04:10So where was my child?
04:12I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
04:18Dr. Susie was still there.
04:20She'd been promoted to department head.
04:23Dr. Susie, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
04:29Her smile froze for a moment.
04:31That was so long ago.
04:33The files might already be archived.
04:35It took some effort.
04:37But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
04:41I flipped it open.
04:42The documentation was shockingly sparse.
04:46Only basic informations.
04:47Admission time.
04:49Discharge time.
04:50Delivery method.
04:52Newborn wait.
04:53No detailed labor notes.
04:55No nurse handoff records.
04:57No pediatric examination reports.
04:59Is this everything?
05:01She looked apologetic.
05:03That's all we have in the system.
05:05Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
05:08You're right at the edge of that window.
05:10What about the newborn footprints?
05:12The blood samples?
05:14She shook her head.
05:16Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
05:21It was obvious there was something wrong.
05:24An abnormally simple medical file.
05:26Missing newborn records.
05:28A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
05:33The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
05:38My phone rang.
05:39It was Julian.
05:40Where are you?
05:41I already picked up Alex.
05:43I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
05:47At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
05:49I'm out running business.
05:50I'll be home soon.
05:52I hung up.
05:54After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
05:58Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
06:04Their voices drifting through the house.
06:09Dad, is Mom upset?
06:11Mom's just tired.
06:13Finish your homework and get to bed early.
06:15I waited until they were both asleep.
06:18Then I started searching.
06:19The master bedroom.
06:21The living room.
06:23Alex's room.
06:24I went through everything.
06:26Looking for...
06:28I didn't even know what.
06:30I found nothing.
06:32Finally, I turned to the computer and the study.
06:34The truth had to be in there.
06:37Footsteps in the hallway.
06:39I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
06:43When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
06:48He glanced at the computer screen.
06:50It had returned to the desktop.
06:52A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
06:58Still up?
07:00Just organizing some old documents.
07:03I reached over and turned off the monitor.
07:05He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
07:09In the end, he just nodded.
07:11Get some rest.
07:13I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
07:19That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
07:22I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
07:27The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
07:31He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
07:35All right.
07:36The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
07:39I turned on the computer and tried the password.
07:43Our wedding anniversary.
07:45Wrong.
07:46His birthday?
07:47Wrong.
07:48Alex's birthday.
07:49Still wrong.
07:51I tried the date we first met.
07:52His mother's birthday.
07:54The day the company was founded.
07:56All wrong.
07:56The system locked me out.
07:58Please try again in 15 minutes.
08:01I sat there, staring at the login screen.
08:04This computer we'd bought together, now locked against me.
08:09That evening, Julian came home from work.
08:12He was barely through the door when he said,
08:15I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
08:17Business trip.
08:18Not sure how long I'll be gone.
08:19I came out of the kitchen, carrying a dish.
08:23That's sudden.
08:24Who are you going with?
08:25He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
08:28Just someone.
08:29It was a last-minute arrangement.
08:31Vivian, can you not do this?
08:33I stared at him, confused.
08:36It was just a casual question.
08:38Why was he reacting like this?
08:40You question everything.
08:42You suspect everyone.
08:44I'm just going to work.
08:46I turned back to serve the rice.
08:48My hands were shaking slightly.
08:51I was just asking.
08:53He said nothing more.
08:54Walked straight to the bedroom.
08:56Dinner was silent.
08:58Alex must have sensed something was off.
09:01For once, he didn't complain about the food.
09:04After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
09:08A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
09:12After he left the room, I picked it up.
09:14A perfume purchase.
09:16Expensive.
09:17Bought yesterday afternoon.
09:19A brand name I didn't recognize.
09:21But I knew it wasn't for me.
09:27Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
09:30Not since our first anniversary.
09:32A scarf.
09:34I still had it somewhere.
09:35After that, nothing.
09:37No birthday gifts.
09:39No anniversary gifts.
09:41No just-because gifts.
09:42I told myself he wasn't romantic.
09:45He showed love in other ways.
09:47He was practical and focused on providing.
09:50On his career.
09:51I'd made excuses for him.
09:53But now, holding this receipt, I understood.
09:56He wasn't unromantic.
09:58He wasn't too busy.
10:00He wasn't too practical.
10:01His romance just wasn't for me.
10:04It was for someone else.
10:05Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
10:09I wrote down the information from the receipt.
10:11The next morning, after Julian left for the airport,
10:14I called the boutique.
10:18I need to verify a purchase.
10:20A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
10:23One moment.
10:23Yes, I have it here.
10:25The buyer was Chloe Williams.
10:27Chloe Williams.
10:28I knew that name.
10:30Julian's secretary.
10:32Hired six months ago.
10:33Early 30s.
10:34Divorced.
10:35I drove to the airport.
10:37I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
10:40Maybe the perfume was for a client.
10:42Maybe I was overthinking this.
10:44I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
10:48Then I saw them.
10:49Julian and her.
10:52Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
10:56She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
11:01Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
11:05Relaxed.
11:06Genuinely happy.
11:08At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
11:11She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
11:15He didn't pull away.
11:17He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
11:21She smiled.
11:23Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
11:27Julian's hand rested on her waist.
11:29They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
11:34Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
11:37The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
11:40All those late nights.
11:42Working.
11:43All those times he'd been irritable with me.
11:46All of it finally made sense.
11:49I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
11:54A new thought crystallized in my mind.
11:57That child who wasn't mine.
12:00And this woman.
12:02Could they be connected?
12:04On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
12:09I need you to look into someone else.
12:11Chloe Williams.
12:13I want to know everything about her.
12:15Especially whether she has any children.
12:17The detective worked fast.
12:19By the next afternoon, I had the report.
12:23Chloe Williams.
12:2432 years old.
12:26Divorced five years ago.
12:27One son.
12:29Nine years old.
12:30Name.
12:31Alan.
12:32Attending a public school in the West End.
12:35The date jumped out at me.
12:37Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
12:40For the first time in ten years, I felt my blood run hot.
12:44I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
12:47Then, a thought struck me.
12:50I ran to study.
12:51My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
12:53Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date.
12:57The desktop opened.
12:59There was only one folder.
13:01Named, Work Backup.
13:03I clicked it open.
13:05Inside were subfolders organized by year.
13:07Starting 11 years ago.
13:09The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
13:13Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
13:1719-year-old Julian, smiling.
13:19His arm around Chloe's shoulders.
13:22She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
13:25The next photo was from college.
13:27The two of them in the library.
13:29Then, their graduation photo.
13:31Both in cap and gown, holding hands.
13:34That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
13:38We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
13:41Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
13:43I closed the folder.
13:45The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
13:49I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
13:54Me, in my white dress.
13:56Laced sleeves and long train.
13:58Holding a bouquet of white roses.
14:00Julian, in his black suit.
14:02Gray tie.
14:04Boutonniere.
14:05Both of us smiling at the camera.
14:07The photographer had made us laugh.
14:09Said something stupid.
14:11We'd both cracked up.
14:12And the photo captured that moment.
14:14Pure.
14:15Happy.
14:16I stared at it.
14:18At my face.
14:19So happy.
14:20So naive.
14:21So trusting.
14:22I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
14:25That woman who'd believed her husband.
14:27Who'd made excuses for him.
14:29Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
14:32That woman was gone.
14:35Had to close my eyes.
14:37Put my hand over my mouth.
14:39The perfect couple.
14:41The perfect lie.
14:42Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
14:45Sick at the years of deception.
14:47Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
14:50For believing him.
14:52For trusting him.
14:53For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
14:58At 3 p.m.
15:00I drove to the West End.
15:02The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
15:08The dismissal bell rang.
15:10Children poured out through the gates.
15:13I sat in my car.
15:14Hands gripping the steering wheel.
15:16He walked out alone.
15:18No one there to pick him up.
15:20He looked left.
15:22Then right.
15:23Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
15:26I held my breath.
15:28That child.
15:30Alan.
15:31No.
15:32My child.
15:32The way he walked reminded me of myself.
15:35A slight pigeon toe.
15:37When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
15:40I saw it.
15:41A birthmark on his wrist.
15:44The same place I had mine.
15:46I could see dust on his eyelashes.
15:49His lips were chapped.
15:51His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
15:54His eyes looked empty.
15:56Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
15:59I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
16:03He walked away.
16:05Disappearing around the corner.
16:06I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
16:10For that child.
16:12Walking home alone.
16:14For ten years of living in the wrong life.
16:17For being such a fool.
16:19Dancing in a play someone else had written.
16:22Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
16:25At the law office.
16:26I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
16:31Inside.
16:31Backup copies of all the photos.
16:34The DNA test results.
16:36Scanned hospital records.
16:38The perfume receipt.
16:40Files on Chloe and Alan.
16:42I want a divorce.
16:44I want Julian to leave with nothing.
16:46I want custody of my child.
16:49I want him to pay for what he's done.
16:52Walking out of the attorney's office.
16:54I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed ten years ago.
16:59Vivian.
17:00I will give you a lifetime of stability.
17:03Turns out.
17:03His lifetime was only ten years.
17:06No.
17:08Probably less than that.
17:09I pulled out my phone.
17:11And called the company's second largest shareholder.
17:14My father's old colleague.
17:17Mr. Aaron.
17:17About next week's board meeting.
17:19I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
17:23Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
17:25This company's name is Hart.
17:27He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
17:31I put him in that position.
17:33I could take him down just as easily.
17:35Two weeks after Julian left.
17:38I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
17:42Every afternoon.
17:43I went to that elementary school in the West End.
17:46And one day, it rained.
17:48Alan didn't have an umbrella.
17:51He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour.
17:54Then finally ran home through the downpour.
17:57I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
18:01Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
18:05When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
18:09I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
18:13He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
18:17Thank you, sweetheart.
18:19Is your mom not here yet?
18:21He shook his head.
18:24Mom's working late.
18:26How are you getting home?
18:28I'll take the bus.
18:30I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
18:34Have some water.
18:35He hesitated, then took it and said,
18:38Thank you.
18:39I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
18:45Just like me.
18:46His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
18:49Inner double eyelids.
18:50The outer corners slightly downturned.
18:54Does your mom work late often?
18:56He nodded, then shook his head.
18:59Sometimes.
19:01What about your dad?
19:02He didn't answer.
19:04Just looked down at his shoes.
19:06Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
19:09The left shoelace was broken.
19:11I didn't ask anything more.
19:13I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
19:18Buy yourself some new shoes.
19:20He stepped back.
19:23No, I can't take this.
19:25Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
19:29I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
19:33After a few steps, I glanced back.
19:37He stood there looking lost.
19:39That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
19:42He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
19:46A limited edition space shuttle.
19:49Expensive.
19:50Mom?
19:51What's wrong?
19:53I walked in and touched his hair.
19:55Did you finish your homework?
19:57Finished ages ago.
19:59He held up his model.
20:01Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
20:05I smiled.
20:07That's wonderful.
20:09The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
20:13Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
20:17My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone while this child enjoyed everything.
20:24After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
20:28He sat down his suitcase.
20:33I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
20:58Since when?
20:59Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
21:02I had a business dinner with a client.
21:04Can you not be like this?
21:06It was almost funny.
21:08Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
21:13I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
21:18Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
21:23Julian's face turned ugly.
21:25He grabbed one photo and threw it back.
21:27You had me followed?
21:30Does it matter?
21:31I smiled slightly.
21:33What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
21:39Or get sent to your clients?
21:41He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
21:46What do you want?
21:47I stared at him.
21:48My voice was flat.
21:49First, fire Chloe Williams.
21:52Guarantee you'll never see her again.
21:53Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
21:58He stood up angry now.
21:59You're crazy.
22:00For a couple of lousy photos?
22:03My voice turned cold.
22:06Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
22:11You have everything you have because of me.
22:14What I gave, I can take back.
22:17I almost wavered.
22:19Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
22:21I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
22:25For the sake of our ten years together,
22:27and for the sake of our child,
22:29if, if you do what I'm asking,
22:32we can move forward.
22:33After all, we still have Alex.
22:36I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
22:39A pregnancy test report.
22:41It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
22:45Julian stared at the report.
22:47Then he looked up at me.
22:49You're pregnant?
22:50I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
22:55Five weeks.
22:56The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
22:59His expression shifted constantly.
23:02His throat worked.
23:04His eyes moved between me and the report.
23:08I continued.
23:09So, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely,
23:13make her leave the company and our lives,
23:16I can let the past go.
23:18We still have Alex.
23:19And now, we have this baby.
23:23Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
23:25There was obvious conflict in his eye.
23:29I need, I need to think.
23:31His voice was hoarse.
23:33He turned and went into the bedroom.
23:35The next morning, I drank my coffee
23:37and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
23:41I pushed a glass of water toward him.
23:44He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
23:47I've thought it over, Vivian.
23:49We...
23:50Don't bother.
23:51I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder
23:55and placing them on the table.
23:57His expression turned furious.
24:00What is this supposed to mean?
24:01We're having another child!
24:04I said coldly.
24:06I told you I was pregnant.
24:08And you needed an entire night to decide
24:10whether to break up with her?
24:12Julian stood.
24:14We have a child on the way.
24:16Won't you think about the baby?
24:18Think about Alex?
24:20The child?
24:22I suddenly laughed.
24:23You mean the child I raised for nine years,
24:26who turns out to be yours and Chloe's.
24:29Julian's face went white.
24:30He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
24:33How did you...
24:34When did you find out?
24:36I held up my phone.
24:38The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
24:43I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
24:46Password is Chloe's birthday.
24:48You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
24:51His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
24:55Let me explain.
24:57My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
25:02Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
25:06Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
25:09Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
25:14I stepped closer.
25:17The funniest part?
25:18The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
25:22Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
25:25Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
25:29Alan.
25:30Julian suddenly remembered.
25:32His voice dropped to a whisper.
25:34Where's Alan?
25:35I need to see him.
25:37Too late.
25:39I turned and opened the door.
25:42Your son.
25:43No.
25:43My son is somewhere you'll never find him.
25:46Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
25:51Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
25:54Vivian, you can't do this.
25:56That's my son.
25:57I shook him off.
25:59From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
26:03Now get out of my house.
26:04After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
26:08Then the sound of a car engine started.
26:11Driving away, I knew where he was going.
26:14To find Chloe.
26:15To find Alan, he'd lost for nine years.
26:18But he wouldn't find Alan.
26:21Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
26:27I told him the truth.
26:29Alan was surprisingly calm.
26:31Alan, those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
26:37I always felt like I wasn't her child.
26:41Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
26:48I took his hand.
26:50I told him I would take him away.
26:52We could start over.
26:53He was silent for a long time.
26:55Then he nodded, just slightly.
26:59Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
27:03My assistant went with him.
27:05There's a good school there.
27:06A house.
27:08New friends waiting.
27:09Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
27:14The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
27:17Finally, Julian came back.
27:19He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes.
27:24Unshaven.
27:25I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
27:29Vivian.
27:30We need to talk.
27:32I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear.
27:34I didn't let him in.
27:36The agreement is very clear.
27:39There's nothing to talk about.
27:41He looked defeated.
27:43I can't get divorced.
27:44For the sake of our ten years together.
27:46For the sake of our child.
27:50Which child?
27:51I cut him off with a cold laugh.
27:53The one in those videos?
27:54Or the one upstairs?
27:57Julian's face went white.
27:59A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
28:02Videos.
28:03One after another.
28:04Alan crying.
28:06Being beaten.
28:07Locked in a dark room.
28:08In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
28:12He'd spilled milk.
28:14Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
28:16The email had only one line.
28:20Thank you for raising my son all these years.
28:23I'd watched them all night.
28:25By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
28:28Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
28:31Those videos.
28:32Chloe.
28:33She sometimes couldn't control herself.
28:36I laughed coldly.
28:38Alan is your son.
28:39You went to see Chloe every week.
28:42You noticed her new perfume.
28:44Her fresh manicure.
28:46But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
28:49He had no answer.
28:51I said flatly.
28:52I've already retained a lawyer.
28:54If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
28:57The evidence of the baby switch.
29:00Photos of your affair.
29:02Those videos.
29:03All of it becomes part of the legal record.
29:06His voice dropped.
29:08Are you insane?
29:09The company's about to go public.
29:11Now is not the time.
29:14Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
29:17So sign, while I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
29:21The door shut.
29:24He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
29:28Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
29:32Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
29:36Chloe in a white wedding dress.
29:39Julian with his arm around her.
29:40But his expression looked stiff.
29:43The caption read,
29:45Ten years of waiting, finally together.
29:49I took a screenshot.
29:52Then I turned off my phone.
29:53That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
29:58Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
30:00The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
30:03Communication records between him and Chloe.
30:06The abuse videos.
30:08And medical records.
30:10It's enough to file charges.
30:12Thank you for your work.
30:15Of course.
30:17Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
30:20He came by the office yesterday.
30:23Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
30:26Too late.
30:27Early the next morning, my plane took off.
30:30My assistant met me at the airport.
30:33Alan's been doing better this week.
30:35He's starting to talk more.
30:37Yesterday, he even asked when you'd arrive.
30:40My heart beat faster.
30:43The car stopped in front of a white house.
30:46In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground, watching ants.
30:51Alan, he looked better than in the videos.
30:55But he was still too thin.
30:57Not enough meat on his bones.
31:00Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
31:05The thought cut through me like a knife.
31:08I walked over and knelt in front of him.
31:11I'm your mother.
31:12He looked at me for a long time.
31:15Then nodded, just slightly.
31:18I carefully put my arms around him.
31:20He didn't pull away.
31:22I'm sorry.
31:24Mom came too late.
31:26He trembled slightly in my arms.
31:29For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
31:31I devoted all my time to him.
31:34I took him to the park.
31:36The first time on the carousel, he gripped the pole so tightly, his knuckles turned white.
31:41I took him to the library.
31:43He loved books about stars.
31:45At night, after he fell asleep, I gently stroke his hair.
31:50He still didn't talk much.
31:52But sometimes, he'd smile at me.
31:54At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open, caught by the wind.
31:59The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
32:04I jolted awake.
32:05I knew immediately it was Alan.
32:08I pushed open his door.
32:10Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting shadows across the floor.
32:15His small figure was curled up on the bed.
32:18His hands clutched the blanket, knuckles white.
32:22Cold sweat covered his forehead.
32:24His brow was furrowed deeply.
32:27He kept murmuring.
32:29Mom, no.
32:31Don't lock me in the dark room.
32:33There are rats.
32:35I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
32:38I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
32:42His body went rigid for a moment.
32:44Then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened deer.
32:47His crying was suppressed, desperate.
32:49Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
32:52Mom, I'm scared.
32:54That storage room was so dark.
32:57I begged again and again, but no one answered.
33:01The rats crawled on my feet.
33:05My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
33:08Alan, don't be afraid.
33:10I patted his back again and again, my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
33:15Mom's here.
33:16No one can lock you up anymore.
33:18The rats won't come.
33:20Mama will protect you.
33:21Silent tears fell onto his hair.
33:23I thought of the videos Chloe had sent, that child trembling in the darkness, the marks on his body, old
33:30scars, and new wounds layer together.
33:32I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
33:36When his crying finally exhausted itself, his breathing gradually steadied, bulletin gently lifted his sleeve.
33:44Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
33:48The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
33:51On his back, a faint bruise.
33:54From when he'd been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child.
33:59I traced those scars with my fingertips.
34:02My touch is light as if I were afraid of breaking something precious.
34:06Alan shook his head.
34:08Tears still clung to his lashes.
34:09He bit his lip and said quietly,
34:11It doesn't hurt now.
34:13Sometimes I dream about it.
34:14I dream I'm locked in there again.
34:16I'm calling for Mom, but Mom isn't there.
34:19I'm sorry.
34:20I held him tighter.
34:21Mom came too late.
34:22But from now on, Mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
34:25That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
34:29I told him stories.
34:31About how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
34:35How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
34:41I told him about when I first took over the company.
34:44How the old employees gave me a hard time.
34:46How I cried in the stairwell.
34:49Then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
34:52I told him about the clumsy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract
34:58and turned poor out of fear.
35:01He listened quietly.
35:03Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask,
35:09Were you scared, Mom?
35:11Terrified.
35:12Touching his hair.
35:13But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
35:17And now I have you, Alan.
35:19I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
35:21He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
35:24His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
35:27A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
35:32We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
35:34The wind carried the scent of grain.
35:37Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
35:41When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
35:44The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet, so brilliant you couldn't
35:52look away.
35:52The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
35:57Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
36:00The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
36:05On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
36:08He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
36:12Mom, the stars are so far away, but being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
36:18My heart felt soft.
36:20I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
36:26Like those old scars, no matter how much care they received, they'd always leave faint marks.
36:32But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
36:38the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
36:43That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
36:48Jenny went to answer it.
36:49I heard her say,
36:51Mr. Robinson?
36:51The flour sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
36:55Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
36:59His hair was disheveled.
37:01His eyes were sunken.
37:03He was dragging an old suitcase.
37:05Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
37:07I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
37:11Now you know where we are.
37:13You can leave.
37:14I want to see the child.
37:15Our child.
37:16He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
37:19I keep having dreams.
37:20Dreams of when he was small.
37:21Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
37:22I never knew.
37:23You should have known.
37:24I cut him off.
37:25You just chose not to know.
37:26His gaze dropped to my stomach.
37:27Is the baby still?
37:28I smiled.
37:29For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
37:32The baby?
37:33Of course.
37:34I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
37:36The doctor says everything's fine.
37:38Due next spring.
37:39His face turned ugly.
37:40His emotions suddenly became agitated.
37:43He lunged toward me.
37:44I stepped aside.
37:45He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
37:48Vivian, I need to see my son.
37:50You can't do this.
37:52I looked at him and laughed coldly.
37:54Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
37:58It's whether your son can even be born safely.
38:01If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
38:04Settle your mess yourselves.
38:06I shoved him out the door.
38:08Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
38:10As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
38:15He looked truly pathetic.
38:18Fine.
38:18Let them tear each other apart.
38:20Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
38:22Soon after, Attorney Morrison called.
38:25Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
38:26The result isn't ideal.
38:27Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
38:33Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
38:37How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
38:41How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
38:45How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
38:49I gripped my phone, listening.
38:51My expression stayed calm.
38:53However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
38:56He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
38:59The trial lasted two full days.
39:02In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
39:08Multiple charges, sentenced to three years.
39:11Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
39:13He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
39:17That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
39:20It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
39:23Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
39:27Before hanging up, Attorney Morrison said softly,
39:31Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
39:35Let's get Anakin retimesed.
39:37If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
39:40I cut him off.
39:41It's enough.
39:41At least I have my child back.
39:42Alan was doing homework.
39:44I walked over to him.
39:45Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
39:50But maybe not enough.
39:52Are you angry with me?
39:53He looked up.
39:54Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
39:58I keep track.
39:59I keep track.
40:00I covered my mouth.
40:02Tears spilled over.
40:04He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
40:07Then added quietly,
40:09You look ugly when you cry.
40:11I laughed through my tears.
40:13These past days, I'd been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of missing maternal love.
40:19I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
40:23He was still young, but I knew what that security meant.
40:27I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
40:31The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
40:35For 10 years, Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
40:39She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
40:43His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
40:46I hired three private tutors.
40:48Math, language arts, technology.
40:51Rotating in shifts.
40:53Alan worked hard.
40:55Studying late into the night.
40:57Every night.
40:58One night past midnight, I brought him warm milk.
41:01I found him asleep at his desk.
41:04Pens still clutched in his hand.
41:06I didn't wake him.
41:07I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
41:11Friday afternoon, I went to pick up Alan from school.
41:14Parents crowded the school gates.
41:17Alan ran out with his new backpack.
41:20His face flushed from exercise.
41:22Mom!
41:23I passed my math quiz today!
41:26I was reaching for his test paper
41:27when I caught a glimpse of a figure through the cafe window across the street.
41:31Julian, sitting in the corner.
41:33His chin covered in dark stubble.
41:35Haggard.
41:36Nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
41:38Alan followed my gaze.
41:40I squeezed his hand.
41:43Let's go home.
41:44We'd barely turned around when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
41:47Julian had crossed the street and now stood blocking our path.
41:52Vivian, can we talk?
41:53I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
41:56Then I looked at the man in front of me.
41:58We have nothing to talk about.
42:00I've dealt with everything.
42:02He spoke urgently, like he was trying to prove something.
42:06I've fault with everything.
42:07I've cut ties with her completely.
42:10I couldn't help but laugh.
42:12Julian,
42:14Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there.
42:17What does that have to do with you?
42:20A canchulisman of anicolt.
42:23Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand?
42:26Playing the victim?
42:27His face darkened.
42:28I know I was wrong, Vivian.
42:31For the sake of our child.
42:33For his sake.
42:35Please forgive me this once.
42:38Our child?
42:40His gaze fell to my stomach.
42:43Yes, our child.
42:45I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat,
42:47taking my time.
42:48Oh, that?
42:50That was fake.
42:53Julian froze.
42:54His eyes went wide.
42:55I met his stare calmly.
42:56The pregnancy report report was forward.
42:58I just wanted to see what choice you did make.
43:01I stepped forward,
43:02letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
43:05It's been months.
43:06If I were really pregnant,
43:08I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
43:09His gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time.
43:12It doesn't matter.
43:13We don't need that baby.
43:14We still have Alan.
43:15We still have ten years of history between us.
43:17I cut him off.
43:18Wake up.
43:18Stop dreaming.
43:19He acted like he hadn't heard me.
43:21Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
43:22He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
43:24Look, this is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday.
43:28The company was struggling financially that year.
43:30I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
43:31Then a second box.
43:32A third.
43:34He laid them all on the ground.
43:36This one's from our seventh anniversary.
43:38This one's from when we first moved into the house.
43:41This one.
43:42This one?
43:43The small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement.
43:46I bought one every year.
43:47I just never gave them to you.
43:49Now I'm giving them all to you.
43:50He looked eyes red.
43:51Please, give me one more chance.
43:53I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
43:55Inside was a diamond necklace.
43:57The pendant shaped like an iris.
43:59My favorite flower.
44:01Once upon a time,
44:02I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this.
44:05I would have worn it proudly,
44:07holding his arm at every gala,
44:08showing off my happiness.
44:09Now, I just felt sick.
44:11I stood up,
44:12and placed the necklace back in the box.
44:15Julian, I loved you once.
44:17When I didn't hear from you,
44:19I would lie awake all night.
44:21When I cooked soup and delivered it to your office
44:23when you were working late.
44:24When you said,
44:25Baby, thank you for everything you do for me.
44:27At that moment, I felt it was all worth it.
44:29I set the box at his feet.
44:31That one who loved you most?
44:33She's long gone.
44:35These gifts are no different from garbage to me now.
44:37Something in his expression shifted.
44:40The desperation vanished,
44:41replaced by something darker.
44:43You think you've won?
44:44His voice turned sharp, bitter.
44:46Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
44:47And lavened?
44:48Love, that's you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
44:51I came from talks your skull to me,
44:53he,
44:53and you're with this love me.
44:55I came from nothing, Vivian.
44:57Nothing.
44:58I didn't say anything.
44:59The man who pretended to be a devoted husband
45:02finally revealed his true colors.
45:05I'm married into your family.
45:07Do you know what that's like?
45:08Being called the man who married up?
45:10Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
45:13His hands clenched into fists.
45:15I worked myself to the bone for that company.
45:17For you.
45:18For this family.
45:20Are you finished?
45:21My voice stayed flat.
45:22I'm finished.
45:22I'm finished.
45:22I'm finished.
45:22I'm finished.
45:23I'm finished.
45:23I'm finished.
45:24I'm finished.
45:24I'm finished.
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