- 4 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My husband sent our 5-year-old twins to hell, all because they dared to upset his precious first love.
00:07The men from the behavior correction camp burst into our home and dragged our sobbing girls away.
00:13Their tiny hands clung to the car door crying and screaming for their daddy.
00:18Kathleen and I found them the next day my girls lifeless and bruised their breaths still forever.
00:24Meanwhile my husband was on Instagram celebrating the pregnancy of his beloved.
00:28My eyes were vacant as I looked at Kathleen.
00:32My babies are gone, I have nothing left, please let me go, I don't want anything.
00:37By the time we reached the hospital there were no signs of life, they didn't even take the girls.
00:43They made straight for the emergency room.
00:46Kathleen's eyes were filled with pity but she still spoke softly trying to comfort me.
00:51It's going to be okay.
00:54Don't worry.
00:56Grandfather and I are on your side.
00:58James was wrong this time.
01:01I'll make sure he comes to apologize in the future, you too.
01:05Before Kathleen could finish I held my phone in front of her.
01:09It showed a post James Coleman had made on Instagram just two hours ago.
01:14Mommy and Daddy have loved you since before you arrived.
01:18The attached picture was a sonogram clearly showing Emily Green six weeks pregnant.
01:23Emily was James Coleman's beloved.
01:26Kathleen's voice cut off abruptly after a moment her face flushed with anger.
01:31I'm calling my brother right now.
01:34Don't worry.
01:36Our family will make this right.
01:38I gave a bitter laugh and directly dialed James' number.
01:42He answered irritation dripping from his voice.
01:45Are you calling to complain about the camp again?
01:48No one would dare lay a finger on a Coleman child.
01:51Stop with the drama.
01:53I just sent them there to learn some discipline.
01:55Do you have to keep calling me?
01:57Sophie, you disgust me.
01:59I didn't say a word James hung up on the other end.
02:03The phone was on speaker every word landed clearly in Kathleen's ears.
02:07Her face turned ashen her lips trembled for a long moment as if she no longer knew how to console
02:13me.
02:14I tried to force a smile but tears fell in heavy drops.
02:18Please.
02:19I have nothing.
02:21Let me go.
02:22I can't take this anymore.
02:24Just as Kathleen was about to speak two police officers approached us.
02:29Are you the family of the deceased?
02:31The individuals responsible for the camp have been detained.
02:35We need your cooperation with the investigation.
02:39At the police station I saw the men who had come to take my daughters.
02:43I lost all control screaming and sobbing I lunged at them.
02:48You monsters.
02:49You're all monsters.
02:51They were only five.
02:53How could you?
02:54How dare you?
02:55The officers quickly pulled me back.
02:57Kathleen wrapped her arms around my shaking body.
03:01Sophie don't.
03:02It's okay.
03:04The police will handle this fairly.
03:07With the Coleman name behind us, they won't get away with it.
03:12Perhaps frightened by my frenzy, the men shrank into a corner, one of them muttering.
03:17Should have taught your kids better yourself.
03:20That's just how we run the camp.
03:22No discipline, no results.
03:25Who knew your girls were so fragile?
03:27What bad luck.
03:29My hand trembled as I pointed at them.
03:31Rage threatened to tear me apart.
03:33I wanted to rip them to pieces.
03:36A metallic taste rose in my throat.
03:38I coughed violently, vomiting a mouthful of blood before darkness swallowed me.
03:43I woke up in the Coleman family estate.
03:45Kathleen sat by my bed, her eyes red-rimmed.
03:49Sophie, you're awake.
03:50Don't worry.
03:52We've handled things with the police.
03:54We won't let those monsters get away this time.
03:58I stared emptily at the ceiling.
04:00Please let me go.
04:02I have nothing.
04:03Deep down, I knew those monsters at the camp were guilty.
04:06But the root cause was James.
04:07He was the one who sent our daughters to that hell.
04:10The real culprit wasn't those men.
04:12It was their own father, James.
04:15Kathleen's shoulders shook then as if making a decision, she spoke softly.
04:19All right.
04:20I'll talk to grandfather.
04:22Watching her leave, I finally broke down sobbing as if to cry out all the grievances of these years.
04:28I came to the Coleman household when I was eight, the same age as James.
04:33The elder Mr. Coleman and my grandfather were comrades-in-arms.
04:37Grandfather had saved Mr. Coleman's life on the battlefield.
04:40Theirs was a bond forged in life and death.
04:43My parents died in an accident shortly after I was born.
04:46I was raised by my grandfather until he passed away when I was eight.
04:50Then Mr. Coleman took me in.
04:52Over the years, Mr. Coleman and Kathleen treated me exceptionally well.
04:56They truly saw me as family as one of their own.
04:59That's why for seven years of marriage, no matter how awful James was, I stayed I bore his children, managed
05:06his home.
05:07I thought even without love, having my two precious girls would give my life meaning.
05:11But now I had nothing.
05:13I don't know how much time passed before Kathleen returned.
05:18Grandfather wants to see you.
05:20The elder Mr. Coleman sat in a wooden chair by his bed.
05:24His eyes held deep sorrow when he looked at me.
05:26You're a good girl.
05:28I've heard everything from Kathleen.
05:31You've suffered all these years.
05:33The girls will be cremated tomorrow.
05:36After that, you can leave if you wish.
05:39That boy doesn't deserve you.
05:41He shouldn't hold you back any longer.
05:43I didn't speak.
05:45I simply bowed deeply to him.
05:48Tears fell onto the wooden floor as I bent over.
05:51I was grateful, grateful for over 20 years of care from the Coleman family.
05:57But I could never forgive James.
05:59Never forgive the executioner who killed my children.
06:03When I returned to my room, James was already there.
06:08He looked at me with scorn.
06:10What?
06:10Couldn't wait to run to Grandfather and Tattle?
06:13Sophie, do you really think pleasing my Grandfather and Sister will make me settle down with you?
06:19The sight of him flooded me with hatred.
06:22I wanted to kill him right then.
06:24Send him to hell.
06:26But then, I heard my daughter's soft, sweet voices in my mind.
06:31Mommy, I love Daddy so much.
06:35Daddy is the handsomest Daddy in our kindergarten.
06:38Mommy, we miss Daddy.
06:41Will Daddy come play with us today?
06:43We love Mommy the most in the whole world.
06:46And Daddy's second.
06:47Even when I rushed into the camp to save them, their last words before losing consciousness were,
06:54Mommy, please don't fight with Daddy because of us.
06:58It's our fault.
06:59We weren't good.
07:00I took a deep breath, ignored James, and walked straight to the bed to sit down.
07:07My silence seemed to anger him.
07:09He grabbed me, flung me onto the bed, and pinned my wrists above my head.
07:15What game are you playing now?
07:17Didn't you have Kathleen call me back?
07:20He leaned down, trying to kiss me.
07:23Unable to break free.
07:25I bit his lip hard.
07:27James recoiled in pain.
07:29Letting go and sitting up.
07:32Sophie, are you insane?
07:33You make me sick with this innocent act.
07:36Wait, is this how you've got grandfather wrapped around your finger?
07:39You force me back, then play hard to get.
07:43Pathetic.
07:43It's because of your phony attitude that the girls turned out.
07:47I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood.
07:50Then interrupted him softly.
07:52The girls are dead.
07:54James stiffened.
07:56Then let out a scoff.
07:57Sophie, you'll really say anything.
08:00Just because you found out about Emily's pregnancy today, you'd go this far with your lies.
08:05With that, he got up and headed for the door.
08:09He paused at the threshold.
08:12You're the one who pushed me away.
08:14Don't go crying to grandfather about me neglecting you.
08:17It only makes me despise you more.
08:20After James left, the room fell silent.
08:23I rushed to the bathroom and brushed my teeth violently, trying to erase any trace of him from my lips.
08:31James and I were once in love.
08:33On the day of my debutante ball, 18-year-old James stood before me, his ears bright red.
08:40Sophie, I want to be good to you.
08:42I don't want to just be your brother.
08:45His cheeks were flushed.
08:47But the determination in his eyes was captivating.
08:50My heart melted completely.
08:52For years after, James treated me like a treasure.
08:57And I gave him all my love in return.
09:00Then, when we were 22, the elder Mr. Coleman called us to him.
09:05You're both of marrying age now.
09:08Sophie, your grandfather saved my life.
09:11I wouldn't feel at ease, seeing you marry into another family.
09:16What do you think of James here?
09:18From that day on, James' attitude toward me changed drastically.
09:23All that tender love seemed to vanish overnight.
09:27I didn't understand what happened.
09:29James never gave me a reason.
09:32A year into our marriage, I got pregnant.
09:36After that, James was almost never home, openly flaunting his relationship with his beloved.
09:43I confronted him, fought with him.
09:47But James would just look at me coldly, as if I were a madwoman.
09:51You got what you wanted.
09:53You're a Coleman wife.
09:54You've born Coleman children.
09:56What more are you fussing about?
09:59Stop pretending to be the victim in front of me.
10:01It's disgusting.
10:02So I stopped asking for reasons.
10:05I focused on raising my two girls.
10:08I accepted it.
10:10James didn't love me.
10:12And he didn't love our children.
10:14But luckily, my daughters were sweet and well-behaved.
10:18I always thought, watching them grow up would be enough happiness for me.
10:23Now, I'd lost them too.
10:26Early the next morning, after the cremation and burial,
10:30I stood outside the funeral home, holding two small urns.
10:35They were so tiny when they were born, lying quietly in my arms.
10:41How, after five years, could they be even smaller and lighter?
10:46My eyes stung, but I bit my lip, refusing to let the tears fall.
10:52Kathleen watched me with concern.
10:55If it hurts, just cry.
10:57Don't hold it in.
10:59I didn't answer her.
11:01Instead, I looked at the elder Mr. Coleman,
11:04who was about to get into the car for the cemetery.
11:08Grandfather, the girls won't be buried in the Coleman family plot.
11:12I'm changing their last names.
11:15They aren't Coleman children.
11:17They're my daughters.
11:19Sophie's daughters.
11:21The old man looked at me deeply, then erupted in fury.
11:24Where is that ungrateful son of mine?
11:27On a day like today, where has he disappeared to?
11:31Kathleen glanced at me nervously and whispered,
11:34His foal is off.
11:36We can't reach him.
11:38Mr. Coleman shut his eyes tightly.
11:41When he opened them, his gaze was clear.
11:43They are yours.
11:44Born from your pain.
11:46Do as you see fit.
11:47I fell to my knees before him and cowed out three times.
11:51The debt of raising me was immense.
11:53But that debt had nothing to do with my children.
11:56I couldn't let them suffer any more indignity.
11:59Even in death.
12:00After grandfather left by car,
12:02Kathleen gently helped me up.
12:04Sis.
12:07Sophie.
12:08I gave her a faint smile,
12:10hailed a taxi,
12:11and headed straight home.
12:12The two urns in my arms,
12:13I needed to pack the girls' things too.
12:16But that house wasn't a home.
12:17I wouldn't leave them in that cold place.
12:19But as soon as I opened the door,
12:21the sounds of passion reached my ears.
12:24Oh.
12:25Stop.
12:26I'm pregnant.
12:28The doctor said we shouldn't.
12:30A man's voice,
12:32rough with desire.
12:33I'll be gentle.
12:34It's fine.
12:36I'd never hurt our baby.
12:38Soon,
12:38the sounds of their intimacy filled the house.
12:41They were in the bedroom.
12:42I couldn't go in to pack.
12:43I just stood frozen by the door.
12:46Torturing myself by listening to the obscene noises.
12:49I don't know how long it was before they finally emerged.
12:52The moment Emily saw me,
12:54Triumph flashed in her eyes.
12:56Oh.
12:57Sophie.
12:58You're back?
13:00Why didn't you say anything?
13:02We had no idea.
13:04It's all James' fault.
13:05I told him not to.
13:07But he insisted.
13:09What could I do?
13:10James stood beside Emily,
13:13his arm around her waist.
13:14No need to explain to her.
13:16She's nobody.
13:18Come on,
13:18let's go.
13:19We have a doctor's appointment for the checkup.
13:22Our baby needs to be healthy and safe.
13:24From start to finish,
13:26James didn't look at me once.
13:28His eyes were only for Emily.
13:29I stepped aside,
13:31calmly making way for them.
13:32And as they passed,
13:33James finally noticed the urns in my arms.
13:36What's that garbage?
13:38It looks filthy.
13:39Throw it out.
13:40With that,
13:41he walked out with Emily arm in arm.
13:43I looked down blankly at the urns.
13:46Daddy wasn't talking about you.
13:48Don't be sad.
13:50You're mommy's treasures.
13:53You're not garbage.
13:54After carefully setting down the urns,
13:57I began packing the girls' belongings,
13:59dot clothes,
14:00dot toys,
14:00dot dishes,
14:01dot crayons,
14:02say to the small desk in their room.
14:04I found a family photo,
14:05but it only showed me and the girls.
14:07Not James' dem why hand shook
14:09as I took the picture out of its frame.
14:11The girls had drawn a man beside us in crayon,
14:14I and their clumsy handwriting.
14:16They had written three words,
14:18Daddy loves mommy.
14:19Followed by a tiny heart,
14:21I couldn't hold back any longer.
14:23Clutching the photo,
14:24I wept bitterly,
14:25I and the five years I raised them alone,
14:27no matter what happened between James and me.
14:30I never spoke ill of him to our daughters.
14:32But children are perceptive.
14:34They could see clearly
14:35that Daddy didn't love mommy at B.Y. Nightfall.
14:38I had finally packed everything.
14:40I watched the movers load the boxes onto the truck.
14:44Anything else,
14:46Mrs. Dodd-Koman?
14:46I shook my head,
14:48then went back inside
14:50and placed the signed divorce papers
14:52on the coffee table.
14:53Leaving the house,
14:55I held the two urns tightly.
14:57A strange sense of peace settled over me.
15:00After a moment of silence,
15:03I took out my phone's SIM card,
15:06snapped it in half,
15:07and tossed it out the car window.
15:10Meanwhile,
15:11at St. Mary's Hospital,
15:14the elder Mr. Coleman and Kathleen,
15:16having gotten word,
15:19arrived and intercepted James and Emily
15:21during their checkup.
15:23Seeing them,
15:24James' face instantly darkened.
15:27Can't Sophie be any more disgusting?
15:29Playing the quiet.
15:31Forgiving wife at home.
15:33Then calling you to chase us down at the hospital.
15:35Before he could finish,
15:37the old man slapped him hard across the face.
15:41You heartless wretch.
15:43You killed your own children,
15:45and you have the nerve
15:46to bring your mistress here for a checkup.
15:49How did our family produce such a monster?
15:52James staggered,
15:54almost losing his balance.
15:56What?
15:57What are you talking about?
15:58Emily had shrunk behind James
16:00the moment she saw them.
16:02But Kathleen was faster.
16:03She grabbed a handful of Emily's hair.
16:06You shameless bitch.
16:08How dare you hide?
16:10Do you know how old my nieces were?
16:14Five.
16:15What terrible crime did they commit
16:17that you couldn't tolerate them?
16:19How could you be so cruel?
16:21Are you even human?
16:23Emily cried out in pain
16:25as she felt James helped her up,
16:27glaring at his sister.
16:30What are you doing?
16:31She's pregnant.
16:32What if something happens to the baby?
16:34Fine.
16:35You want to know what happened?
16:36I just took Emily home that day,
16:39and the girls started screaming for her to get out.
16:42Is that any way for children to treat a guest?
16:45I'm their father.
16:46What's wrong with sending them somewhere more suitable?
16:49Can't I discipline my own children?
16:51All right?
16:52Fine.
16:53If you're so against it,
16:55I'll bring them back from the camp.
16:57You don't have to help Sophie lie to me,
17:00saying the girls are dead.
17:01How can you even say that?
17:03The old man couldn't take it anymore.
17:06He began slapping James relentlessly.
17:08She's a mistress.
17:10What kind of guest is that?
17:12You fool.
17:14You brought your mistress home,
17:16and the girls were protecting their mother.
17:19What's wrong with that?
17:20That's true Coleman spirit.
17:22James,
17:24not daring to hit back against his elderly grandfather,
17:28could only duck and dodge.
17:30Stop it.
17:31People are watching.
17:32Have some respect.
17:33The old man looked at James with heartbreak,
17:36as if he didn't recognize his own grandson.
17:40If I'd known you'd become this kind of cold-hearted beast,
17:44I never would have let Sophie marry you.
17:46Then she wouldn't have suffered all these years,
17:49and my granddaughters wouldn't be dead.
17:51Tears streamed down the old man's wrinkled face.
17:55How you've treated Sophie.
17:57How will I ever face her grandfather in the afterlife?
18:01She was his only treasure.
18:02His mind flashed to the image of Sophie earlier that day.
18:07Kneeling before him,
18:08she had cradled the two small urns.
18:10Her frail body trembling.
18:13But her voice was steel.
18:15Maybe it's for the best.
18:16Leaving is for the best.
18:18Then she won't have to suffer this humiliation anymore.
18:20I'm the one who held her back.
18:22The old man couldn't bear to look at James any longer.
18:26He turned to leave.
18:27Don't bother coming home.
18:29The Coleman family has no room for an ungrateful beast like you.
18:34Seeing his grandfather's serious expression,
18:37James began to shake uncontrollably,
18:39clinging to a sliver of hope.
18:41He looked at Kathleen.
18:44Tell me.
18:44What is grandfather saying?
18:46Are you all lying to me?
18:48Is this some conspiracy?
18:50Kathleen took a deep breath,
18:53remembering the nearly broken woman at the police station
18:56and tears fell from her eyes.
18:58James, you sent them to that place.
19:00That camp only knows punishment.
19:03They tied the girls to chairs,
19:06beat them with belts,
19:09electrocuted them with batons,
19:12starved them,
19:13denied them water.
19:15By the time we got there,
19:18it was too late.
19:20James,
19:21the girls are gone.
19:24Sophie is gone.
19:26The freedom and happiness you wanted to chase.
19:29No one is standing in your way now.
19:32Without another glance at James,
19:34she turned and followed their grandfather.
19:37James' mind buzzed instinctively.
19:40He moved to chase after them,
19:42but Emily grabbed his arm.
19:45James,
19:46where are you going?
19:49James turned.
19:50Extreme panic had stripped him of reason.
19:53I need to find my girls.
19:54I need to find Sophie.
19:56Didn't you hear?
19:57Gone.
19:58They're gone.
20:00Emily was startled by his outburst,
20:02but instinct told her not to let him leave.
20:05James,
20:07I'm pregnant.
20:09Remember?
20:09We're going to have our own baby soon.
20:13You didn't love them.
20:15You didn't love them.
20:17Isn't this perfect now?
20:19We can finally be together openly.
20:23We...
20:24Before she could finish,
20:26James violently shook off her hand.
20:28Who do you think you are?
20:30You're not fit to even mention them.
20:32Caught off guard.
20:34Emily was thrown to the ground.
20:36James didn't spare her a glance that he turned to leave.
20:39Emily clutched her stomach,
20:41crying out in pain.
20:44James.
20:45My tummy.
20:46It hurts so much.
20:49But through her blurry vision,
20:51she only saw James' figure growing smaller and smaller.
20:55The man who used to fret over her slightest frown now walked away,
20:59ignoring her desperate calls.
21:02James drove straight home,
21:03stepping inside.
21:05He froze.
21:06The house was empty.
21:08Devoid of all life.
21:09I end that moment.
21:10It hit him.
21:12Sophie was really gone.
21:14Stumbling.
21:15James opened every door.
21:17Master bedroom.
21:18Guest room.
21:19Study.
21:19Walk-in closet.
21:20Finally.
21:21The children's room.
21:23There.
21:24His legs gave way.
21:25And he collapsed to the floor.
21:28Now he understood.
21:29Now he knew.
21:30That's why Sophie's eyes last night were filled with such disappointment and hatred.
21:35Suddenly.
21:36He remembered.
21:38When he left the house today.
21:40Sophie was holding two dull colored boxes.
21:43Those were.
21:44Those were the girl's ashes.
21:46And what had he said?
21:47What's that garbage?
21:49It looks filthy.
21:50Throw it out.
21:51An invisible hand seemed to tighten around James' throat that he couldn't breathe.
21:56A memory surfaced.
21:58The girl's fifth birthday.
22:00Under grandfather's pressure.
22:02He had.
22:03For once.
22:05Taken them to the amusement park with Sophie.
22:08His younger daughter had stood shyly before him.
22:11Looking up.
22:12Daddy.
22:13You're not busy with work today?
22:16I'm so happy.
22:18Thank you for spending my birthday with me.
22:21His older daughter had cautiously taken his hand.
22:24Daddy.
22:26Thank you for being with us.
22:28Mommy was right.
22:30Daddy is the best daddy in the whole world.
22:34James fell forward.
22:36Clutching his chest.
22:38Gasping for air.
22:39They.
22:39They were so good.
22:41Yet on the day he put them in the car for the camp.
22:44What had he said?
22:46Disgusting brats.
22:47Is this how your mother taught you to treat guests?
22:50Just as classless as her.
22:52Tears streamed down James' face.
22:55Hitting the floor through his blurred vision.
22:58He saw a photograph on the floor that he scrambled over on hands and knees.
23:03Picking it up with trembling fingers.
23:05James' IT was, a photo of Sophie and the girls, next to them.
23:10Drawn in crayon.
23:11Was a stick figure, above it.
23:14In wobbly letters.
23:16Daddy.
23:16All his emotions finally found an outlet.
23:19James sobbed uncontrollably.
23:21Except for this one photo.
23:23Sophie had left nothing behind.
23:25She hated him.
23:26She left him no memento.
23:27James pulled out his phone.
23:30Frantically dialing Sophie's number, over and over.
23:33But no matter how many times he called.
23:35All he heard was the automated message.
23:38The subscriber you have dialed is power off.
23:41His heart felt like it was plummeting into a bottomless abyss.
23:45Sinking deeper until all sound ceased.
23:47Only then did James realize, all these years.
23:51Sophie had always been within his sight.
23:53Whenever he looked up.
23:55She was there with their daughters.
23:57She had never.
23:58For a moment.
24:00Been truly lost to him.
24:02But now.
24:03She was done waiting as so she left.
24:06And he would never find her again.
24:08From their first meeting at 8 to now.
24:1121 years.
24:12It was always Sophie who accommodated him.
24:15The IT was him.
24:16He was the one who kept failing her.
24:18Who ultimately killed their children.
24:20James couldn't bear to think further.
24:22He wiped his tears harshly.
24:25Staggered to his feet.
24:26Left the house.
24:28And drove straight to the family estate.
24:30The ATV estate.
24:32Kathleen and the old man sat silently in the vast living room.
24:36Holding the girls baby photos.
24:39Tears in their eyes.
24:40Seeing James.
24:42Kathleen's voice was sharp.
24:44Weren't you told not to come back?
24:47What are you doing here?
24:49Get out.
24:50James ignored her dot.
24:52He knelt directly before his grandfather.
24:54His voice hoarse.
24:56Grandfather.
24:57Please.
24:58Tell me where Sophie is.
24:59The old man acted as if he hadn't heard.
25:03Continuing to gently wipe the photo frame.
25:06A tender smile on his face.
25:08Kathleen couldn't stand it.
25:10She slapped James hard.
25:11What right do you have to ask about Sophie?
25:15How many times have I tried to talk to you over the years?
25:19If I were Sophie, I'd want to kill you.
25:23James was her brother.
25:25Seeing him like this pained her, but for seven years.
25:28She had pleaded with James to treat Sophie better.
25:32Not he never listened.
25:34Instead blaming everything on Sophie.
25:36Blaming her for tatling.
25:38For using the family to pressure him.
25:41She had even confronted Emily.
25:42But Emily would just run to James.
25:45She still remembered the time James exploded.
25:48If you bother Emily again, I'll never come home.
25:51You all adore Sophie so much.
25:54Fine.
25:55I'll let her live like a widow forever.
25:58Kathleen's tears fell.
25:59She couldn't forgive James.
26:01And she couldn't forgive herself.
26:03Those girls were so sweet.
26:05Always following her.
26:07Calling.
26:08Auntie Kathleen.
26:10Auntie Kathleen.
26:12Always saving treats or toys for her.
26:15James endured the slap.
26:17Scrambling to explain.
26:19I didn't mean to.
26:20I really didn't.
26:22I just thought the girls were being bad.
26:24I wanted to teach them a lesson.
26:26Kathleen grabbed a cup from the side table.
26:29And hurled IT.
26:30IT struck James's forehead.
26:32Opening a gash.
26:34Blood dripped down.
26:35You didn't mean to?
26:37How dare you say that?
26:39Search your heart.
26:41Were those girls really bad?
26:44For five years.
26:46Sophie raised them alone.
26:48Can you honestly say she didn't raise them well?
26:53Were you punishing the girls?
26:55Or were you punishing Sophie?
26:58What did Sophie ever do wrong?
27:00Blood covered his face.
27:02But James seemed not to feel it.
27:05I didn't mean to treat her badly.
27:07I just.
27:08I just didn't want to live a life controlled by all of you.
27:12I'm the only man in the Coleman family.
27:14Since I was a child, you've managed everything.
27:17I need permission for every little thing.
27:20Even my marriage.
27:21Even my marriage was arranged.
27:24Sophie's grandfather saved grandfather.
27:26So I became the repayment token.
27:29I had to marry Sophie.
27:31By the end.
27:32James was sobbing too hard to speak.
27:35The old man let out a cold laugh.
27:38Looking at James as if at a stranger.
27:40We arranged it.
27:42We forced you to repay a debt?
27:44In my eyes.
27:45You were never good enough for Sophie.
27:48It was you who confessed to her.
27:50You who pursued her first.
27:52I merely agreed to the marriage.
27:54It was your own choice.
27:56How did it become our arrangement?
27:59James.
28:00You are no true Coleman.
28:02You have no backbone.
28:04Even now.
28:05You're still trying to shift blame.
28:08James froze.
28:09Then, slowly, he crumpled to the floor.
28:14Weeping bitterly.
28:15He was right.
28:17He had fallen for Sophie first.
28:19He had pursued her.
28:22So why did everything change once grandfather and Kathleen got involved?
28:26It was true.
28:27He resented it.
28:28He hated his controlled life.
28:31He hated that even his marriage felt like a transaction for his grandfather's debt.
28:36But there were so many ways he could have rebelled.
28:39Why did he choose to rebel through his marriage?
28:43James crawled on hands and knees to his grandfather's feet.
28:47Kowtowing between sobs.
28:49I was wrong.
28:50I know I was wrong.
28:52Please.
28:53Grandfather.
28:54I'm begging you.
28:55Tell me where Sophie is.
28:57Please.
28:59The old man didn't look at him.
29:01He stood.
29:02Swaying slightly and headed upstairs.
29:05Sophie doesn't want to see you.
29:07James stopped mid-kowtow.
29:09No one knew what he was thinking.
29:12After a long while, James stumbled to his feet, mumbling,
29:17I'll find her myself.
29:19I will find her.
29:20I knew nothing of the chaos in the Coleman family.
29:24After leaving, I took my girls to Florida.
29:28They hated the cold.
29:30So I chose Florida.
29:32A place where it never snows.
29:34The month since leaving had brought me an unprecedented peace today.
29:39As I was cleaning the girls' photos,
29:41a frantic knocking came at the door.
29:44I opened it to find a familiar figure kneeling.
29:48Sophie, I've come to take you and our babies home.
29:51I didn't want to engage.
29:53I tried to shut the door.
29:54But James shoved his hand against the frame, stopping it.
29:59Please, Sophie.
30:00Just let me talk to you.
30:02I paused.
30:03James, go away.
30:06I have nothing to say to you.
30:09Seeing me respond, James straightened up on his knees.
30:13I'm not leaving.
30:14Not unless you come with me.
30:16I haven't signed the divorce papers.
30:19You're still my wife.
30:20Let's go home together.
30:22I looked down at the man kneeling before me.
30:25Go home for what?
30:27To watch you and Emily in our bed?
30:30To see you sweat over her?
30:32Or should I go back to be Emily's maid?
30:36Help her through her pregnancy?
30:38Isn't she pregnant?
30:40James flinched, rushing to deny it.
30:43No, it's not like that.
30:45I made Emily terminate the pregnancy.
30:47I ended things with her.
30:49I'll be good to you from now on.
30:51I...
30:52I let out a scornful laugh.
30:55So what?
30:56She got rid of a fetus?
30:59And suddenly, your betrayal never happened.
31:02The harm you did to our girls never happened.
31:06She destroys an unborn embryo, and that brings my children back?
31:12If you felt even a shred of guilt for me and the girls, you wouldn't be here bothering me today.
31:18James' face went deathly pale.
31:20His lips moved, but no sound came out.
31:23My tears fell heavily.
31:26James, you killed my children.
31:29What makes you think I'd ever go back with you?
31:32My tears landed on his hand.
31:35He jerked back as if burned.
31:37No, Zophie, listen to me.
31:39I really didn't mean it.
31:41They were my daughters.
31:42How could I ever want to hurt them?
31:44What happened was an accident.
31:46I swear, I didn't mean.
31:48I'd heard enough.
31:50Enough.
31:51They were not your children.
31:54James, every word out of your mouth makes me sick.
31:58You didn't know.
32:00You didn't mean to.
32:02Will those words bring my babies back?
32:05How dare you come here asking for forgiveness?
32:09James' eyes were bloodshot.
32:11After a long silence, he whispered,
32:15I'm sorry.
32:16His apology made me laugh bitterly.
32:20And?
32:21James looked up.
32:22A flicker of hope in his eyes.
32:25Zophie, I was confused before.
32:28I was stubborn.
32:29Felt like I was just a tool for repaying a debt.
32:33That's why I did those terrible things.
32:35I know I was wrong now.
32:37I'll treat you right.
32:39I promise.
32:40Please.
32:41Zophie, forgive me once.
32:44Give me one chance.
32:45We're still young.
32:47We can have more children.
32:49I couldn't take it anymore.
32:51I slapped him hard across the face.
32:54Even now, you're trampling on my feelings.
32:57James, you resented the family's control.
33:01There were so many things you could have rebelled against.
33:05Why choose our marriage?
33:07James, did you think I was just that easy to bully?
33:13Tears streamed down James' face.
33:15He was speechless.
33:17I tried to smile, but tears fell anyway.
33:22James, if you're truly sorry, then let me go.
33:27Let our children go.
33:29Without another look at him, I slammed the door shut.
33:33I don't know when James left.
33:35The next morning, when I opened the door, no one was there.
33:40Only the divorce papers lay on the doorstep.
33:44In the end, James had signed them.
33:48Once the divorce was finalized, I returned to handle the formalities.
33:53After getting the certificate, Kathleen and I sat in a cafe.
33:58An awkward silence between us.
34:01From Kathleen, I learned what had happened since.
34:05The behavior correction camp had been shut down by authorities.
34:09Hundreds of students were rescued.
34:12Those responsible were convicted.
34:15After returning from Florida, James stopped going to work.
34:20He stayed home, drowning himself in alcohol.
34:23He was found passed out at home.
34:26Kathleen forced him to the hospital.
34:28The doctors said he had severe psychological issues requiring long-term treatment.
34:34Emily, after terminating the pregnancy,
34:37had caused a scene at the estate.
34:40But the elder Mr. Coleman, a decisive man all his life,
34:46wasn't one to be manipulated.
34:48Emily had benefited greatly from her connection to James over the years.
34:53The old man produced evidence of embezzlement from the company and
34:57had Emily sent to prison.
34:59After sharing this, Kathleen looked at me carefully.
35:04My brother, his mental state is very poor now.
35:09Would you consider?
35:10Before she could finish, I shook my head.
35:14Know that he and I, we can't meet peacefully anymore.
35:20Kathleen sighed deeply.
35:22Grandfather actually told me not to come today.
35:26He said not seeing you might be better for you now.
35:29I insisted.
35:31No matter what.
35:33I want you to know that grandfather and I still see you as family.
35:38I just hope you don't hate my brother.
35:41I smiled but didn't answer.
35:44My thoughts drifted back to James at 18.
35:47The young man standing before me.
35:50Cheeks flushed, saying,
35:53Sophie, I want to be good to you.
35:56I don't want to just be your brother.
35:59I don't know if James meant it that day.
36:02I only know that I did.
36:04I didn't answer Kathleen's question.
36:06I lifted my coffee cup, drained it, picked up my bag, and left the cafe.
36:13I couldn't promise her that.
36:15Because I would never forgive James.
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