- 3 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00transferir 15%
00:01of the company shares
00:02my husband Julian
00:03didn't know
00:04I decided to transfer
00:0515% of the company shares
00:07to him a gift
00:08for our 10th anniversary
00:10until the day
00:11of my son's health checkup
00:13the doctor smiled
00:14as he handed me the results
00:16my husband and I
00:18both type O
00:19our son?
00:21type A
00:22I looked at the boy
00:24sitting beside me
00:25a miniature version
00:26of Julian
00:26I didn't make a sound
00:28I simply
00:29calmly
00:30did two things
00:32first
00:32I pulled a strand of hair
00:34from my son's head
00:35when he wasn't looking
00:36second
00:37I tore up the
00:38share transfer agreement
00:39I'd prepared
00:39I watched my son
00:41walk through the school gates
00:42before turning the car around
00:44the DNA testing center
00:46was across town
00:46I need express results
00:48how fast can you do it?
00:50the technician glanced up
00:51from her paperwork
00:52standard processing
00:53is five business days
00:55rushes today by 4 p.m.
00:57triple the cost
00:58rush it
01:00my hands trembled
01:01slightly as I handed
01:02over the sample
01:03after they swabbed
01:04my cheek cells
01:05I sat in the waiting
01:06area staring at the
01:07clock on the wall
01:08every second
01:09felt like an hour
01:10I pulled out my phone
01:11and made another call
01:12I need you to investigate
01:14my husband
01:15Julian Robinson
01:16I want to know
01:17everywhere he's been
01:18especially in the last
01:20few months
01:21the private detective's
01:22voice was professional
01:23detached
01:25understood
01:25at 3 40 p.m.
01:28my phone buzzed
01:29I opened the electronic
01:31report
01:31skipped straight to the end
01:33DNA analysis indicates
01:36a 0.0001% probability
01:40of biological relationship
01:42between Vivian Hart
01:44and Alex Robinson
01:45based on genetic marker
01:47analysis
01:48evidence does not support
01:49Vivian Hart
01:50as the biological mother
01:51of Alex Robinson
01:52even though I'd
01:54prepared myself
01:55seeing those words
01:57made my vision
01:58blur for a moment
01:59I leaned against the wall
02:01and slid down
02:02to the floor
02:02not my child
02:04I'd raised a child
02:06who wasn't mine
02:07for nine years
02:09so where was my child
02:11I drove straight
02:12to St. Mary's
02:13private hospital
02:14the same place
02:15where I'd given birth
02:17nine years ago
02:18Dr. Susie was still there
02:20she'd been promoted
02:21to department head
02:23Dr. Susie
02:24I need to access
02:25my delivery records
02:26and hospitalization files
02:27from nine years ago
02:28her smile froze
02:30for a moment
02:31that was so long ago
02:33the files might already
02:35be archived
02:35it took some effort
02:36but eventually
02:38someone from the records room
02:39brought over a folder
02:40I flipped it open
02:42the documentation
02:43was shockingly sparse
02:45only basic informations
02:47admission time
02:48discharge time
02:50delivery method
02:51newborn wait
02:52no detailed labor notes
02:54no nurse handoff records
02:56no pediatric examination reports
02:59is this everything?
03:01she looked apologetic
03:02that's all we have in the system
03:05paper records are usually
03:06kept for ten years
03:07you're right at the edge
03:09of that window
03:10what about the newborn footprints?
03:12the blood samples?
03:14she shook her head
03:15those should be in the newborn records
03:18but
03:19we couldn't locate them
03:21it was obvious
03:22there was something wrong
03:23an abnormally simple medical file
03:26missing newborn records
03:28a child who wasn't mine
03:30but looked exactly like my husband
03:33the pieces
03:34were starting to form a picture
03:36I didn't want to see
03:38my phone rang
03:39it was Julian
03:40where are you?
03:42I already picked up Alex
03:43I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time
03:47at least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time
03:49I'm out running business
03:50I'll be home soon
03:52I hung up
03:54after dinner
03:55I claimed a headache
03:56and retreated to the bedroom early
03:58through the closed door
04:00I could hear Julian
04:02helping Alex
04:02with homework
04:03in the living room
04:04their voices
04:06drifting through the house
04:09dad
04:10is mom upset?
04:12mom's just tired
04:13finish your homework
04:14and get to bed early
04:15I waited until they were both asleep
04:18then I started searching
04:19the master bedroom
04:21the living room
04:23Alex's room
04:25I went through everything
04:26looking for
04:28I didn't even know what
04:30I found nothing
04:32finally I turned to the computer
04:33in the study
04:34the truth
04:35had to be in there
04:37footsteps in the hallway
04:40I quickly closed out
04:41of the files
04:42I'd been opening
04:43when Julian
04:44pushed the door open
04:46I was straightening papers
04:47on the desk
04:48he glanced at the computer screen
04:50it had returned
04:52to the desktop
04:52a photo
04:54of the three of us
04:55at the beach
04:55from three years ago
04:58still up?
05:00just organizing
05:02some old documents
05:02I reached over
05:04and turned off the monitor
05:05he stood there
05:06for a moment
05:07like he wanted
05:08to say something
05:08in the end
05:10he just nodded
05:11get some rest
05:13I sat in the darkness
05:15listening to his footsteps
05:17fade down the hall
05:19that night
05:19I didn't touch
05:21the computer again
05:22I lay in bed
05:24thoughts racing
05:25unable to find sleep
05:28the next morning
05:29I still let Julian
05:31take Alex to school
05:32he looked at me
05:33picked up the car keys
05:36alright
05:36the moment they left
05:38I went straight
05:39to the study
05:39I turned on the computer
05:41and tried the password
05:43our wedding anniversary
05:45wrong
05:46his birthday
05:48wrong
05:49Alex's birthday
05:50still wrong
05:51I tried the date
05:52we first met
05:53his mother's birthday
05:54the day the company
05:55was founded
05:56all wrong
05:57the system locked me out
05:59please try again
06:00in 15 minutes
06:02I sat there
06:03staring at the login screen
06:04this computer
06:06we'd bought together
06:07now locked against me
06:10that evening
06:11Julian came home
06:12from work
06:12he was barely
06:13through the door
06:14when he said
06:16I'm going to Italy
06:17tomorrow
06:17business trip
06:18not sure how long
06:20I'll be gone
06:20I came out of the kitchen
06:21carrying a dish
06:24that's sudden
06:24who are you going with
06:26he set his briefcase
06:27on the table
06:28and turned to look at me
06:29just someone
06:29it was a last minute
06:31arrangement
06:31Vivian
06:32can you not do this
06:34I stared at him
06:35confused
06:37it was just a casual
06:38question
06:38why was he reacting
06:40like this
06:41you question everything
06:42you suspect everyone
06:45I'm just going to work
06:46I turned back
06:48to serve the rice
06:49my hands were shaking
06:50slightly
06:51I was just asking
06:53he said nothing more
06:55walked straight
06:56to the bedroom
06:57dinner was silent
06:59Alex must have sensed
07:00something was off
07:01for once
07:03he didn't complain
07:04about the food
07:05after his shower
07:06Julian grabbed his coat
07:08from the sofa
07:08to hang it up
07:09a receipt slipped
07:10from the pocket
07:11and fell near my feet
07:12after he left the room
07:14I picked it up
07:15a perfume purchase
07:16expensive
07:17bought yesterday afternoon
07:20a brand name
07:21I didn't recognize
07:22but I knew
07:23it wasn't for me
07:24I thought about
07:25our marriage
07:2610 years
07:28Julian hadn't bought me
07:29a gift in all that time
07:31not since our
07:32first anniversary
07:33a scarf
07:34I still had it somewhere
07:36after that
07:37nothing
07:38no birthday gifts
07:39no anniversary gifts
07:41no just because gifts
07:43I told myself
07:44he wasn't romantic
07:45he showed love
07:47in other ways
07:48he was practical
07:49and focused on providing
07:50on his career
07:51I'd made excuses
07:53for him
07:53but now
07:54holding this receipt
07:56I understood
07:57he wasn't unromantic
07:59he wasn't too busy
08:00he wasn't too practical
08:02his romance
08:03just wasn't for me
08:04it was for someone else
08:06someone who wore
08:07expensive French perfume
08:09I wrote down the information
08:11from the receipt
08:12the next morning
08:14after Julian left
08:15for the airport
08:15I called the boutique
08:19I need to verify
08:21a purchase
08:21a receipt from
08:23yesterday afternoon
08:24one moment
08:24yes I have it here
08:26the buyer was
08:27Chloe Williams
08:27Chloe Williams
08:29I knew that name
08:31Julian's secretary
08:32hired six months ago
08:34early thirties
08:35divorced
08:36I drove to the airport
08:38I didn't know
08:39what I was hoping
08:40to confirm
08:40maybe the perfume
08:42was for a client
08:43maybe I was
08:44overthinking this
08:45I waited outside
08:46the international
08:47departures hall
08:48for half an hour
08:49then I saw them
08:50Julian
08:51and her
08:53Chloe wore
08:54a beige trench coat
08:55pulling a small
08:56suitcase behind her
08:57she walked
08:58beside Julian
08:59laughing at
09:00something he'd said
09:02Julian's face
09:03carried an expression
09:04I hadn't seen
09:05in years
09:06relaxed
09:07genuinely happy
09:09at the security
09:10checkpoint
09:11Chloe stopped
09:12she reached up
09:13casual and familiar
09:15to straighten
09:16Julian's collar
09:17he didn't pull away
09:18he leaned down
09:20and whispered
09:20something in her ear
09:21she smiled
09:23then she stood
09:25on her toes
09:26and kissed him
09:27on the lips
09:27Julian's hand
09:29rested on her waist
09:31they stayed like that
09:32for a moment
09:33before separating
09:34like they'd done it
09:36a thousand times
09:37before
09:37the last shred
09:39of self-deception
09:40evaporated
09:41all those late nights
09:43working
09:45all those times
09:46he'd been irritable
09:47with me
09:47all of it
09:49finally made sense
09:50I watched
09:52their intimate silhouette
09:53disappear
09:54through security
09:55a new thought
09:57crystallized
09:57in my mind
09:58that child
09:59who wasn't mine
10:01and this woman
10:03could they be connected
10:05on the drive back
10:07I called the private
10:08detective I'd hired
10:10I need you to look
10:11into someone else
10:13Chloe Williams
10:14I want to know
10:16everything about her
10:16especially whether
10:18she has any children
10:19the detective
10:19worked fast
10:20by the next afternoon
10:22I had the report
10:24Chloe Williams
10:2532 years old
10:27divorced 5 years ago
10:29one son
10:309 years old
10:32name
10:32Alan
10:33attending a public
10:35school in the West End
10:36the date
10:37jumped out at me
10:39Chloe's son
10:40was only one week
10:40older than Alex
10:41for the first time
10:42in 10 years
10:43I felt my blood
10:44run hot
10:45I sat on the sofa
10:47holding the
10:48detective's report
10:49then
10:49a thought
10:51struck me
10:51I ran to study
10:52my fingers
10:53hovered over
10:54the keyboard
10:55then slowly
10:56I typed in
10:57Chloe's birth date
10:58the desktop
10:59opened
11:00there was only
11:01one folder
11:02named
11:03work backup
11:05I clicked it
11:06open
11:06inside were
11:07subfolders
11:08organized by year
11:09starting 11 years
11:11ago
11:11the earliest folder
11:12contained scanned
11:13photographs
11:14Julian and Chloe
11:16in high school
11:16uniforms
11:17standing under
11:18a locust tree
11:1919 year old
11:20Julian smiling
11:21his arm around
11:22Chloe's shoulders
11:23she had her hair
11:25in a ponytail
11:25looking up at him
11:26the next photo
11:28was from college
11:29the two of them
11:30in the library
11:31then their
11:32graduation photo
11:33both in cap
11:34and gown
11:35holding hands
11:36that was the year
11:37Julian told me
11:38the company
11:38was struggling
11:39financially
11:40we'd cancelled
11:41our anniversary
11:42trip
11:42instead
11:43he bought a
11:44scarf for me
11:45I closed the
11:46folder
11:46the screen
11:48behind the
11:49closed folder
11:49is our wedding
11:50photo
11:51I stared at
11:53our wedding
11:53photo
11:53and felt
11:54bile rise
11:55in my throat
11:55me
11:56in my
11:57white dress
11:57lace sleeves
11:59and long
11:59train
12:00holding a
12:01bouquet of
12:02white roses
12:02Julian in
12:03his black
12:04suit
12:04grey tie
12:05boutonniere
12:07both of us
12:08smiling at the
12:08camera
12:08the photographer
12:10had made us
12:10laugh
12:11said something
12:12stupid
12:12we'd both
12:13cracked up
12:14the photo
12:15captured that
12:15moment
12:16pure
12:17happy
12:18I stared
12:19at it
12:19at my
12:20face
12:21so happy
12:22so naive
12:23so trusting
12:24I didn't know
12:25who that woman
12:26was anymore
12:27that woman
12:28who'd believed
12:28her husband
12:29who'd made
12:30excuses for him
12:31who'd convinced
12:32herself everything
12:33was fine
12:34that woman
12:35was gone
12:36had to close
12:38my eyes
12:38put my hand
12:40over my mouth
12:41the perfect
12:42couple
12:42the perfect
12:43lie
12:44sick at the
12:45photos I'd
12:46just seen
12:47sick at the
12:48years of
12:48deception
12:49sick at
12:50myself for
12:51not seeing
12:51it sooner
12:52for believing
12:53him
12:54for trusting
12:55him
12:55for raising
12:56a child
12:57who wasn't
12:57even mine
12:58while my
12:58real son
12:59was somewhere
13:00else
13:00at 3pm
13:01I drove
13:03to the
13:03west end
13:04the elementary
13:05school looked
13:06even more
13:07run down
13:07than the
13:08detective
13:08had described
13:10the dismissal
13:11bell rang
13:11children
13:13poured out
13:13through the
13:14gates
13:14I sat
13:15in my
13:16car
13:16hands
13:17gripping
13:17the steering
13:18wheel
13:18he walked
13:19out alone
13:20no one
13:21there to
13:21pick him
13:22up
13:22he looked
13:23left
13:23then right
13:25then started
13:26walking slowly
13:27along the
13:27sidewalk
13:28I held
13:29my breath
13:30that child
13:32Alan
13:34the way he
13:35walked reminded
13:36me of myself
13:37a slight
13:38pigeon toe
13:39when he raised
13:40his hand to
13:40push hair out
13:41of his face
13:42I saw it
13:43a birthmark
13:44on his wrist
13:45the same
13:46place I
13:47had mine
13:49I could
13:50see dust
13:50on his
13:51eyelashes
13:51his lips
13:52were chapped
13:53his sneakers
13:54were coming
13:55apart at the
13:56seams
13:56his eyes
13:57looked empty
13:59not like a
14:00nine year old's
14:00eyes at all
14:01I covered
14:03my mouth
14:03to stop
14:04myself from
14:04making a
14:05sound
14:05he walked
14:06away
14:06disappearing
14:08around the
14:08corner
14:08I collapsed
14:10over the
14:10steering wheel
14:11and broke
14:11down
14:12completely
14:12for that
14:13child
14:14walking
14:15home
14:15alone
14:16for 10
14:17years
14:17of living
14:18in the
14:18wrong
14:19life
14:19for being
14:20such a
14:21fool
14:22dancing
14:22in a
14:23play
14:23someone
14:23else
14:24had
14:24written
14:24then I
14:25wiped
14:26my tears
14:26and started
14:27the car
14:27at the
14:28law office
14:29I placed
14:30a USB
14:30drive
14:31on
14:31attorney
14:32Morrison's
14:32desk
14:32inside
14:34backup
14:35copies
14:35of all
14:36the photos
14:36the DNA
14:37test
14:38results
14:38scanned
14:39hospital
14:40records
14:40the
14:41perfume
14:42receipt
14:42files
14:43on
14:43Chloe
14:44and
14:44Alan
14:44I
14:45want
14:45a
14:45divorce
14:46I
14:47want
14:47Julian
14:47to
14:47leave
14:48with
14:48nothing
14:48I
14:49want
14:49custody
14:50of
14:50my
14:50child
14:52I
14:53want
14:53him
14:53to
14:53pay
14:53for
14:54what
14:54he's
14:54done
14:54walking
14:55out
14:55of
14:55the
14:55attorney's
14:56office
14:56I
14:57remembered
14:58what
14:58Julian
14:58had
14:59said
14:59when
14:59he
14:59proposed
15:0010
15:00years
15:00ago
15:01Vivian
15:02I
15:03will
15:03give
15:03you
15:03a
15:03lifetime
15:04of
15:04stability
15:04turns
15:05out
15:06his
15:06lifetime
15:07was
15:07only
15:0710
15:08years
15:09no
15:09probably
15:11less
15:11than
15:11that
15:12I
15:12pulled
15:13out
15:13my
15:13phone
15:13and
15:14called
15:14the
15:14company's
15:15second
15:15largest
15:15shareholder
15:16my
15:17father's
15:17old
15:18colleague
15:19Mr.
15:20Aaron
15:20about
15:21next
15:21week's
15:21board
15:21meeting
15:22I'd
15:23like
15:23to
15:23discuss
15:23a few
15:23things
15:24with
15:24you
15:24first
15:25Julian
15:26seemed
15:26to have
15:26forgotten
15:27something
15:27important
15:28this
15:29company's
15:29name
15:29is
15:29Hart
15:30he
15:31became
15:31general
15:31manager
15:32because
15:32I
15:32convinced
15:32my
15:33father
15:33to
15:33give
15:33him
15:33a
15:33chance
15:34I
15:35put
15:35him
15:35in
15:35that
15:35position
15:36I
15:37could
15:37take
15:37him
15:37down
15:37just
15:37as
15:38easily
15:38two
15:39weeks
15:39after
15:40Julian
15:40left
15:41I
15:41liquidated
15:42every
15:42asset
15:43I
15:43could
15:43convert
15:44to
15:44cash
15:45every
15:45afternoon
15:46I
15:47went
15:47to
15:47that
15:47elementary
15:47school
15:48in
15:48the
15:48West
15:49End
15:49one
15:50day
15:50it
15:50rained
15:51Alan
15:52didn't
15:52have
15:53an
15:53umbrella
15:53he
15:54waited
15:54under
15:55the
15:55awning
15:55of
15:55the
15:55corner
15:56store
15:56for
15:56half
15:56an
15:57hour
15:57then
15:57finally
15:58ran
15:58home
15:58through
15:59the
15:59downpour
15:59I
16:00sat
16:01in
16:01my
16:01car
16:01rain
16:02blurring
16:02the
16:02windshield
16:04Friday
16:04afternoon
16:05I
16:05arrived
16:06at
16:06the
16:06school
16:06early
16:07when
16:08I
16:08saw
16:08Alan
16:09coming
16:09out
16:09I
16:10got
16:10out
16:10of
16:10the
16:11car
16:11and
16:11walked
16:11past
16:12like
16:12a
16:12stranger
16:12I
16:13accidentally
16:14dropped
16:14my
16:14folder
16:15in
16:15front
16:15of
16:15him
16:16he
16:17froze
16:17for
16:17a
16:17moment
16:17then
16:18bent
16:18down
16:19to
16:19pick
16:19it
16:19up
16:19for
16:19me
16:20thank
16:21you
16:21sweetheart
16:22is
16:23your
16:23mom
16:23not
16:23here
16:23yet
16:24he
16:25shook
16:25his
16:25head
16:27mom's
16:27working
16:28late
16:29how
16:29are
16:29you
16:29getting
16:30home
16:31I'll
16:31take
16:32the
16:32bus
16:33I
16:34pulled
16:34an
16:34unopened
16:35bottle
16:35of
16:35water
16:35from
16:36my
16:36bag
16:36have
16:37some
16:37water
16:38he
16:38hesitated
16:39then
16:40took
16:40it
16:40and
16:41said
16:41thank
16:42you
16:42I
16:43noticed
16:43he
16:44had
16:44a
16:44habit
16:44of
16:44pressing
16:45his
16:45lips
16:45together
16:46when
16:46he
16:46spoke
16:47just
16:48like
16:48me
16:49his
16:50eyes
16:50were
16:50shaped
16:50like
16:51mine
16:51too
16:51inner
16:52double
16:52eyelids
16:53the
16:54outer
16:54corners
16:55slightly
16:55downturned
16:57does
16:57your mom
16:58work
16:58late
16:58often
16:58he
17:00nodded
17:00then
17:00shook
17:00his
17:01head
17:02sometimes
17:04what
17:04about
17:04your
17:04dad
17:05he
17:06didn't
17:06answer
17:06just
17:07looked
17:08down
17:08at
17:08his
17:08shoes
17:09those
17:09sneakers
17:10the
17:10soles
17:11were
17:11separating
17:11the
17:12left
17:12shoelace
17:13was
17:14broken
17:14I
17:15didn't
17:15ask
17:15anything
17:16more
17:16I
17:17pulled
17:17two
17:17hundred
17:18dollars
17:18from
17:18my
17:19wallet
17:19and
17:19tucked
17:19it
17:20into
17:20his
17:20hand
17:20buy
17:21yourself
17:22some
17:22new
17:22shoes
17:23he
17:24stepped
17:24back
17:26house
17:28home
17:32I
17:32handed
17:32out
17:33into
17:33the
17:33side
17:34pocket
17:34of
17:34his
17:34backpack
17:34and
17:35walked
17:35away
17:35after
17:37a few
17:37steps
17:37I
17:38glanced
17:38back
17:40He stood there looking lost
17:41That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room
17:45He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him
17:49A limited edition space shuttle
17:52Expensive
17:53Mom? What's wrong?
17:56I walked in and touched his hair
17:59Did you finish your homework?
18:01Finished ages ago
18:02He held up his model
18:04Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland
18:08I smiled
18:10That's wonderful
18:12The moment I turned away
18:14The smile vanished
18:17Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn
18:21My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone
18:25While this child enjoyed everything
18:27After two weeks away
18:29Julian finally came home
18:31He set down his suitcase
18:33Where's Alex?
18:37Why is it so quiet?
18:38I enrolled him in piano lessons
18:40Two hours every evening
18:42Since when?
18:43He's only in fourth grade
18:46I didn't answer
18:48I could smell that perfume on him
18:50He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me
18:53I stepped aside
18:55Why do you smell like perfume?
18:57Who were you having dinner with?
19:00His expression flickered with irritation
19:03Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion
19:05I had a business dinner with a client
19:08Can you not be like this?
19:10It was almost funny
19:12Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been
19:16I walked to the coffee table
19:18Opened the drawer
19:19And pulled out an envelope
19:22Slowly
19:22I laid the photographs across the table
19:25One by one
19:26Julian's face turned ugly
19:29He grabbed one photo and threw it back
19:30You had me followed?
19:33Does it matter?
19:35I smiled slightly
19:36What matters is
19:38What happens when these photos show up at the board meeting
19:42Or get sent to your clients?
19:45He collapsed onto the opposite sofa
19:47Hands covering his face
19:50What do you want?
19:51I stared at him
19:51My voice was flat
19:52First
19:53Fire Chloe Williams
19:55Guarantee you'll never see her again
19:58Second
19:58Tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago
20:01He stood up angry now
20:02You're crazy
20:03For a couple of lousy photos?
20:07My voice turned cold
20:09Julian
20:11Don't forget my father built this company from the ground up
20:14You have everything you have because of me
20:17What I gave
20:19I can take back
20:21I almost wavered
20:24Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes
20:26I thought of him waiting alone in the rain
20:29For the sake of our ten years together
20:31And for the sake of our child
20:33If
20:34If you do what I'm asking
20:36We can move forward
20:37After all
20:38We still have Alex
20:40I turned toward the bedroom
20:42And returned with a document
20:43A pregnancy test report
20:45It showed I was five weeks pregnant
20:48Julian stared at the report
20:51Then he looked up at me
20:53You're pregnant?
20:55I nodded
20:56Placing my hand on my stomach
20:58Five weeks
21:00The doctor says everything looks stable this time
21:03His expression shifted constantly
21:06His throat worked
21:08His eyes moved between me
21:10And the report
21:12I continued
21:13So
21:14As long as you cut things off with Chloe completely
21:17Make her leave the company and our lives
21:20I can let the past go
21:22We still have Alex
21:23And now
21:24We have this baby
21:27Julian's gaze fell to my stomach
21:29There was obvious conflict in his eye
21:32I need
21:33I need to think
21:36His voice was hoarse
21:37He turned and went into the bedroom
21:39The next morning
21:41I drank my coffee
21:42And watched Julian emerge
21:43With dark circles under his eyes
21:45I pushed a glass of water toward him
21:48He took it silently
21:49But didn't look at me
21:52I've thought it over Vivian
21:53We
21:54Don't bother
21:56I cut him off
21:57Pulling divorce papers from a folder
22:00And placing them on the table
22:01His expression turned furious
22:04What is this supposed to mean?
22:06We're having another child
22:08I said coldly
22:10I told you I was pregnant
22:13And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
22:17Julian stood
22:19We have a child on the way
22:21Won't you think about the baby?
22:23Think about Alex?
22:25The child?
22:26I suddenly laughed
22:27You mean the child I raised for nine years
22:30Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
22:33Julian's face went white
22:35He stumbled backward
22:36Hitting the table
22:38How did you
22:39When did you find out?
22:41I held up my phone
22:42The screen showed a photo
22:45Of the DNA test results
22:48I should thank you for that folder
22:49On your computer
22:50Password is Chloe's birthday
22:52You've been using that for three years
22:55Haven't you?
22:56His breathing quickened
22:57Taking on a panicked edge
22:59Let me explain
23:02My voice stayed calm
23:03Edged with mockery
23:06Explain how you switched the babies
23:08When I was giving birth
23:11Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company
23:14Or explain how the two of you
23:16Have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years
23:19I stepped closer
23:20The funniest part?
23:23The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes
23:25When you looked at Alex
23:26Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
23:29Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
23:33Alan
23:35Julian suddenly remembered
23:36His voice dropped to a whisper
23:38Where's Alan?
23:40I need to see him
23:41Too late
23:44I turned and opened the door
23:45Your son
23:47No
23:48My son is somewhere
23:49You'll never find him
23:50Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep
23:52Unaware of the choice
23:53His real father is facing
23:55Julian rushed forward
23:57And grabbed my arm
23:59Vivian
23:59You can't do this
24:01That's my son
24:01I shook him off
24:03From the day you switched those babies
24:05You lost the right to be called a father
24:07Now get out of my house
24:09After I closed the door
24:11I heard him pounding on it from outside
24:13Then the sound of a car engine started
24:15Driving away
24:17I knew where he was going
24:19To find Chloe
24:20To find Alan
24:21He'd lost for nine years
24:23But he wouldn't find Alan
24:25Three days ago
24:27When the private detective gave me Chloe's file
24:29I'd already met with Alan again
24:31I told him the truth
24:34Alan was surprisingly calm
24:36Those eyes that looked like mine
24:38Held a maturity far beyond his years
24:42I always felt like I wasn't her child
24:46Otherwise why would she be willing to just
24:50Leave me here to fend for myself
24:53I took his hand
24:54I told him I would take him away
24:56We could start over
24:58He was silent for a long time
25:00Then he nodded
25:01Just slightly
25:04Yesterday afternoon
25:05He flew out of the country
25:07My assistant went with him
25:09There's a good school there
25:11A house
25:12New friends waiting
25:14Once I finish dealing with things here
25:17I can join my son
25:19The divorce papers sat on the table
25:21For three days
25:22Finally Julian came back
25:24He stood outside the door
25:26Dark circles under his eyes
25:28Unshaven
25:30I hadn't seen him look like this
25:32In a long time
25:34Vivian
25:35We need to talk
25:36I leaned against the door frame
25:38In my lounge wear
25:39I didn't let him in
25:41The agreement is very clear
25:43There's nothing to talk about
25:46He looked defeated
25:48I can't get divorced
25:49For the sake of our ten years together
25:51For the sake of our child
25:55Which child?
25:56I cut him off with a cold laugh
25:58The one in those videos?
25:59Or the one upstairs?
26:02Julian's face went white
26:03A week ago
26:04Chloe had sent me a pile of files
26:06Videos
26:07One after another
26:09Alan crying
26:10Being beaten
26:11Locked in a dark room
26:13In one clip
26:14He was only five or six years old
26:17He'd spilled milk
26:18Chloe hit him across the back
26:20With a coat hanger
26:21The email had only one line
26:24Thank you for raising my son
26:26All these years
26:28I'd watched them all night
26:30By dawn
26:31I'd thrown up three times
26:32Julian seemed like he wanted to explain
26:35Those videos
26:37Chloe
26:38She sometimes couldn't control herself
26:40I laughed coldly
26:42Alan is your son
26:44You went to see Chloe every week
26:46You noticed her new perfume
26:49Her fresh manicure
26:51But you never saw the bruises
26:53On your son's body
26:54He had no answer
26:55I said flatly
26:57I've already retained a lawyer
26:59If you won't sign
27:01We'll go to court
27:03The evidence of the baby switch
27:05Photos of your affair
27:07Those videos
27:08All of it becomes part of the legal record
27:11His voice dropped
27:12Are you insane?
27:14The company's about to go public
27:16Now is not the time
27:18Before I closed the door
27:20I said one last thing
27:22So sign
27:24While I'm still leaving you
27:25With some dignity
27:26The door shut
27:28He stood outside
27:30For a long time
27:31Before finally leaving
27:32Three days later
27:34Julian signed the papers
27:36Four days after the divorce
27:39I saw their wedding photo
27:40On Instagram
27:41Chloe
27:42In a white wedding dress
27:44Julian with his arm around her
27:46But his expression looked stiff
27:48The caption read
27:50Ten years of waiting
27:52Finally together
27:55I took a screenshot
27:56Then I turned off my phone
27:59That afternoon
28:00Attorney Morrison called
28:03Mrs. Hart
28:04We have everything we need
28:06The bank transfers
28:06From when they switched the babies
28:08Communication records
28:09Between him and Chloe
28:11The abuse videos
28:13And medical records
28:15It's enough to file charges
28:17Thank you for your work
28:21Of course
28:22Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
28:26He came by the office yesterday
28:28Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong
28:30Too late
28:32Early the next morning
28:34My plane took off
28:35My assistant met me at the airport
28:38Alan's been doing better this week
28:40He's starting to talk more
28:43Yesterday he even asked when you'd arrive
28:46My heart beat faster
28:48The car stopped in front of a white house
28:51In the garden
28:52A thin child was crouched on the ground
28:54Watching ants
28:57Alan
28:57He looked better than in the videos
29:00But he was still too thin
29:03Not enough meat on his bones
29:05Meanwhile
29:06Alex had grown healthy and strong
29:09Under my careful care
29:10The thought cut through me like a knife
29:13I walked over and knelt in front of him
29:16I'm your mother
29:17He looked at me for a long time
29:21Then nodded
29:22Just slightly
29:23I carefully put my arms around him
29:25He didn't pull away
29:28I'm sorry
29:29Mom came too late
29:31He trembled slightly
29:33In my arms
29:34For the next two weeks
29:36I didn't work
29:37I devoted all my time to him
29:40I took him to the park
29:41The first time on the carousel
29:43He gripped the pole so tightly
29:45His knuckles turned white
29:47I took him to the library
29:48He loved books about stars
29:51At night
29:52After he fell asleep
29:53I'd gently stroke his hair
29:55He still didn't talk much
29:57But sometimes
29:59He'd smile at me
30:00At 3am
30:01The bedroom door creaked open
30:03Caught by the wind
30:05The sound of muffled sobbing
30:07Pierced through me
30:08Like needles
30:09I jolted awake
30:11I knew immediately
30:12It was Alan
30:13I pushed open his door
30:15Moonlight filtered through
30:17The sheer curtains
30:18Casting shadows across the floor
30:21His small figure
30:22Was curled up on the bed
30:24His hands clutched the blanket
30:26Knuckles white
30:27Cold sweat covered his forehead
30:29His brow was furrowed deeply
30:32He kept murmuring
30:34Mom
30:35No
30:37Don't lock me in the dark room
30:39There are rats
30:40I crossed the room quickly
30:42And sat carefully
30:43On the edge of the bed
30:45I gently put my arms
30:46Around his ice cold shoulders
30:48His body went rigid for a moment
30:50Then he threw himself
30:51Into my arms
30:52Like a frightened deer
30:53His crying was suppressed
30:54Desperate
30:55Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas
30:57Mom
30:58I'm scared
30:59That storage room was so dark
31:03I begged again and again
31:06But no one answered
31:07The rats crawled on my feet
31:11My heart felt like it was being cut
31:13With a dull knife
31:15Alan
31:15Don't be afraid
31:16I patted his back again and again
31:18My voice trembling
31:19But trying to stay steady
31:21Mom's here
31:22No one can lock you up anymore
31:24The rats won't come
31:26Mama will protect you
31:27Silent tears fell onto his hair
31:29I thought of the videos
31:31Chloe had sent
31:31That child trembling in the darkness
31:34The marks on his body
31:35Old scars and new wounds
31:38Layer together
31:39I wanted to tear apart everyone
31:41Who'd ever hurt him
31:42When his crying finally exhausted itself
31:45His breathing gradually steadied
31:47Full and gently lifted his sleeve
31:50Brownish scars on his arm
31:52Ugly as centipedes
31:54The marks from being hit
31:56With a coat hanger
31:57On his back
31:58A faint bruise
32:00From when he'd been shoved
32:02Against the corner of the storage room
32:04As a small child
32:05I traced those scars
32:07With my fingertips
32:08My touch as light
32:09As if I were afraid
32:10Of breaking something fresh
32:11Alan shook his head
32:14Tears still clung to his lashes
32:15He bit his lip
32:16And said quietly
32:17It doesn't hurt now
32:19Sometimes I dream about it
32:20I dream I walked in there again
32:22Calling for Mom
32:24But Mom isn't there
32:25I'm sorry
32:26I held him tighter
32:27Mom came too late
32:28But from now on
32:29Mom will never let anyone
32:31Hurt you again
32:32That night
32:33I held him on the sofa
32:35Until dawn
32:36I told him stories
32:38About how I used to be
32:40Afraid of thunder
32:41When I was little
32:42How my father would hold me
32:44And count the stars
32:45While singing nursery rhymes
32:47I told him about
32:49When I first took over the company
32:50How the old employees
32:52Gave me a hard time
32:53How I cried in the stairwell
32:55Then dried my tears
32:57And went back to negotiate
32:59I told him about
33:00The clumsy intern
33:01Who spilled coffee
33:03All over an important contract
33:05And turned poor
33:06With fear
33:07He listened quietly
33:10Occasionally he'd lift his head
33:11And look at me
33:12With those eyes
33:13So much like mine
33:14And ask
33:16Were you scared Mom?
33:18Terrified
33:18Touching his hair
33:19But I knew that if I just held on
33:22Things would get better
33:23And now I have you Alan
33:25I can't afford to be afraid anymore
33:28He nodded slowly
33:29Seeming to understand
33:30His small hand
33:32Quietly gripped my finger
33:33A few days later
33:35I took Alan to the observatory
33:37On the outskirts of the city
33:39We rode a bus
33:40Through fields of wheat
33:41The wind carried the scent of grain
33:43Alan pressed his face
33:45Against the window
33:46His eyes full of wonder
33:48When night fell
33:49The observatory dome slowly opened
33:51The sky filled with stars
33:53Like scattered diamonds
33:55Across deep blue velvet
33:57So brilliant
33:58You couldn't look away
33:59The guide pointed at Orion
34:01And told the legend of the hunter
34:04Alan's eyes lit up
34:05Like stars themselves
34:07The corner of his mouth
34:09Slowly curved into a shallow smile
34:11On the bus ride home
34:13The vehicle swayed gently
34:15He leaned against my shoulder
34:17And said quietly
34:18Mom
34:19The stars are so far away
34:21But being able to see them
34:23It makes me feel safe
34:24Mm-hmm
34:25My heart felt soft
34:27I knew the trauma buried deep inside him
34:30Wouldn't disappear after one trip
34:32To an observatory
34:33Like those old scars
34:34No matter how much care they received
34:37They'd always leave faint marks
34:39But as long as I stayed with him
34:41Warming him bit by bit
34:43With love and patience
34:45The starlight would eventually
34:46Pierce through the darkness
34:48And illuminate the road ahead
34:50That afternoon
34:51We were making cookies in the kitchen
34:53When the doorbell rang
34:55Jenny went to answer it
34:56I heard her say
34:57Mr. Robinson?
34:59The flower sifter slipped from my hands
35:01And clattered onto the table
35:02Through the glass door
35:04I saw Julian standing at the entrance
35:07His hair was disheveled
35:08His eyes were sunken
35:10He was dragging an old suitcase
35:12Vivian, I've been searching for half a month
35:14I wiped my hands
35:16And walked out of the kitchen
35:17Closing the door behind me
35:18Now you know where we are
35:20You can leave
35:21I want to see the child
35:22Our child
35:23He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen
35:26I keep having dreams
35:27Dreams of when he was small
35:28Dreams of Chloe hitting him
35:30I never knew
35:30You should have known
35:31I cut him off
35:32You just chose not to know
35:33His gaze dropped to my stomach
35:35Is the baby still?
35:36I smiled
35:37For the first time in days
35:38I felt genuinely light
35:39The baby?
35:40Of course
35:41I placed my hand on my lower abdomen
35:43The doctor says everything's fine
35:45Due next spring
35:46His face turned ugly
35:47His emotions suddenly became agitated
35:50He lunged toward me
35:51I stepped aside
35:52He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet
35:56Vivian, I need to see my son
35:58You can't do this
35:59I looked at him and laughed coldly
36:01Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is
36:05It's whether your son can even be born safely
36:08If you want your son born safely
36:10Deal with Chloe first
36:12Settle your mess yourselves
36:14I shoved him out the door
36:15Just looking at him now made me feel sick
36:18As I closed the door
36:19I saw Julian slumped on the ground
36:21Hands pulling at his hair
36:23He looked truly pathetic
36:25Fine
36:25Let them tear each other apart
36:27Let the dogs fight it out themselves
36:30Soon after, Attorney Morrison called
36:32Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly
36:34The result isn't ideal
36:35Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced
36:38And now they were facing each other in court
36:41Chloe was hysterical on the stand
36:43Exposing everything
36:45How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years
36:49How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her
36:53How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant
36:57I gripped my phone, listening
36:58My expression stayed calm
37:01However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe
37:04He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies
37:07The trial lasted two full days
37:09In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction
37:13Document forgery
37:14And corporate fraud
37:16Multiple charges
37:17Sentenced to three years
37:19Julian, meanwhile, came out clean
37:21He cried in court
37:23Claiming he too was a victim
37:25That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years
37:28It sounded absurd
37:30But the judge believed it
37:32Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good
37:35Before hanging up
37:37Attorney Morrison said softly
37:39Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry
37:41This wasn't the result we hoped for
37:43Let's get honeycomb retimesed
37:45If you'd like
37:46We can proceed to the next phase of planning
37:48I cut him off
37:49It's enough
37:49At least I have my child back
37:50Alan was doing homework
37:52I walked over to him
37:54Alan
37:55Mom made the bad people pay for what they did
37:59But maybe not enough
38:00Are you angry with me?
38:02He looked up
38:03Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't
38:06I keep track
38:07I keep track
38:08I covered my mouth
38:10Tears spilled over
38:12He lowered his head and went back to his writing
38:15Then added quietly
38:17You look ugly when you cry
38:19I laughed through my tears
38:21These past days, I'd been desperately trying to make up for ten years of missing maternal love
38:28I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name
38:32He was still young, but I knew what that security meant
38:35I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city
38:39The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards
38:43For ten years, Chloe had barely supervised his studies
38:47She'd practically left him to fend for himself
38:51His coursework had fallen far behind his peers
38:54I hired three private tutors
38:56Math, language arts, technology
38:59Rotating in shifts
39:01Alan worked hard
39:03Studying late into the night
39:05Every night
39:06One night past midnight
39:08I brought him warm milk
39:10I found him asleep at his desk
39:12Pens still clutched in his hand
39:14I didn't wake him
39:16I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders
39:19Friday afternoon
39:20I went to pick up Alan from school
39:23Parents crowded the school gates
39:26Alan ran out with his new backpack
39:28His face flushed from exercise
39:31Mom!
39:32I passed my math quiz today!
39:35I was reaching for his test paper
39:36When I caught a glimpse of a figure through the cafe window across the street
39:40Julian, sitting in the corner
39:42His chin covered in dark stubble
39:44Haggard, nothing like the confident company executive he used to be
39:47Alan followed my gaze
39:48I squeezed his hand
39:51Let's go home
39:52We'd barely turned around when I heard rushed footsteps behind us
39:56Julian had crossed the street
39:58And now stood blocking our path
40:01Vivian, can we talk?
40:02I gestured for Alan to get in the car first
40:05Then I looked at the man in front of me
40:07We have nothing to talk about
40:09I've dealt with everything
40:11He spoke urgently
40:12Like he was trying to prove something
40:14I've dealt with everything
40:16I've cut ties with her completely
40:19I couldn't help but laugh
40:21Julian
40:23Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there
40:25What does that have to do with you?
40:29A cantulous man of the Anacolt
40:32Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand?
40:35Playing the victim?
40:36His face darkened
40:37I know I was wrong, Vivian
40:40For the sake of our child
40:42May his sake
40:43Please forgive me this once
40:47Our child?
40:49His gaze fell to my stomach
40:52Yes, our child
40:54I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat
40:56Taking my time
40:57Oh, that
40:59That was fake
41:02Julian froze
41:03His eyes went wide
41:04I met his stare calmly
41:05The pregnancy report report was forward
41:07I just wanted to see
41:08What choice you did make
41:10I stepped forward
41:11Letting him get a clear look
41:13At my flat abdomen
41:14It's been months
41:15If I were really pregnant
41:17I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
41:19His gaze lingered on my stomach
41:20For a long time
41:21It doesn't matter
41:22We don't need that baby
41:23We still have Alan
41:24We still have ten years of history between us
41:26I cut him off
41:27Wake up, stop dreaming
41:28He acted like he hadn't heard me
41:29Suddenly, he seemed to remember something
41:31He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase
41:33Look, this is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday
41:37The company was struggling financially that year
41:39I couldn't bring myself to give it to you
41:40Then a second box
41:41A third
41:43He laid them all on the ground
41:45This one's from our 7th anniversary
41:48This one's from when we first moved into the house
41:50This one
41:51This one?
41:53The small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement
41:55I bought one every year
41:57I just never gave them to you
41:58Now I'm giving them all to you
42:00He looked up, eyes red
42:01Please, give me one more chance
42:02I crouched down and opened the nearest box
42:04Inside was a diamond necklace
42:06The pendant shaped like an iris
42:08My favorite flower
42:10Once upon a time
42:11I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this
42:14I would have worn it proudly
42:15Holding his arm at every gala
42:17Showing off my happiness
42:18Now, I just felt sick
42:21I stood up
42:22And placed the necklace back in the box
42:24Julian, I loved you once
42:27When I didn't hear from you
42:28I would lie awake all night
42:30When I cooked soup
42:31And delivered it to your office
42:32When you were working late
42:34When you said
42:35Baby, thank you for everything you do for me
42:37At that moment
42:38I felt it was all worth it
42:39I set the box at his feet
42:41That one who loved you most
42:42She's long gone
42:44These gifts are no different from garbage to me now
42:47Something in his expression shifted
42:49The desperation vanished
42:51Replaced by something darker
42:52You think you've won?
42:54His voice turned sharp
42:55Bitter
42:55Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
42:57Enlavened?
42:58Love, that's you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
43:01I came from
43:02Talks your skull to me
43:03And know what this love me
43:05I came from nothing, Vivian
43:07Nothing
43:07I didn't say anything
43:08The man who pretended to be a devoted husband
43:12Finally revealed his true colors
43:15I married into your family
43:16Do you know what that's like?
43:18Being called the man who married up?
43:20Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
43:22His hands clenched into fists
43:24I worked myself to the bone for that company
43:26For you
43:28For this family
43:29Are you finished?
43:31My voice stayed flat
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