- 7 hours ago
Real mother, fake mother - ShortMax
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My Real and Fake Mom
00:01His handwriting was crooked and uneven
00:04The fake mom takes care of me and dad
00:06She's like a free housekeeper
00:08The real mom works far away
00:10But she's the one who truly loves me and dad
00:12I couldn't continue the reading
00:13As my fingers failed to turn the page
00:15William Jones
00:17My dear husband
00:18Had just stepped out of the bathroom
00:20He was wrapped in a towel like usual
00:22And hugged me from behind
00:25And the next second
00:26His smile froze awkwardly when he saw the words
00:28His voice also tightened as he reached for the notebook
00:31I didn't let go
00:32You won't take a kid's word seriously, will you?
00:35The teacher's just overreacting
00:37I turned my head and looked at the man I had loved for 10 years
00:40Suddenly, he seemed completely unfamiliar to me
00:44I could hear Rob watching his cartoons in the living room
00:47If I was the fake mom in his essay
00:49Then who was the real one?
00:51And if Rob was not the one I gave birth to
00:53Then where had my real child been for all these years?
00:59Jennifer, what are you staring at?
01:02It's our 10th wedding anniversary today
01:04So, what's for this year?
01:07His tone went casual again
01:08His look was soft and easy
01:10And I'd rather not have noticed how skillfully he steered the conversation
01:13I stayed silent for a long moment
01:15Before taking the small box out from my bag and giving it to him
01:18He opened it with delight
01:19A limited edition watch he had been eyeing for months
01:22This is beautiful!
01:23You've got great taste, honey!
01:25He kissed my cheek
01:27Will you help me?
01:27He stretched out his arm
01:29I reached out and fastened the watch onto his wrist
01:3110 years of marriage
01:33I had never forgotten preparing gifts for him on special days
01:36And yet, he rarely did the same for me
01:39I found excuses for him that he wasn't expressive in nature
01:42But then there was Rob's essay
01:43Dad loves giving gifts to the real mom the most because, he says
01:47The process of preparing a gift is more meaningful than the gift itself
01:50The innocent word stabs straight into my heart like a knife
01:53Cutting my flesh into pieces
01:54So it wasn't that he couldn't express himself
01:57It was that all his care had never been for me
02:01William
02:01I struggled to speak, choosing my words carefully
02:04Is there anything you want to tell me?
02:09Rob is only 6, he doesn't even know what he's saying himself
02:12I wanted to say more, but he had already turned back toward the bedroom
02:15For the first time in 10 years, his indifferent look finally made me realize we had never truly been close
02:20to each other
02:21Late at night, he slept soundly beside me
02:24But the words in that essay, William's awkward smile
02:27All those images just kept replaying in my mind and taking away my sleep
02:30I rose quietly and stepped out of the bedroom
02:33I saw light at the end of the hallway
02:34Turned out the door to William's study was slightly ajar
02:37He hated it when I went in uninvited, and I respected that for all the time
02:41But tonight, something compelled me to open the door
02:44I searched every corner, hoping for a clue, but found nothing
02:48And my eyes eventually landed on the photo that was placed in the center of his desk
02:52It was three of us, a happy family that everyone envies
02:55William held Rob on his shoulders, and I leaned on his side
02:58Smiling as if I got everything I wanted for life
03:01Love seemed to have truly existed, and no one would doubt it
03:05I ran my fingers over the faces of my husband and kid
03:08Maybe I was overthinking
03:10Maybe I should not let a six-year-old's word shake my trust in the man that I had shared
03:1310 years with
03:14Guilt and self-reproach flooded me
03:16I sighed and was about to set the frame back in place
03:19Somehow I noticed that the frame space was slightly loose
03:21So I reached out but the whole frame just slipped away from my fingers
03:25Crash!
03:26The frame fell to the floor
03:27I wanted to pick it up, but I just froze mid-motion
03:30As I found out the back of the frame was not some sort of blank board, but a photo
03:34In the picture, William was standing in the sunlight, his face young and enchanting
03:38In his arms, it was a girl in a white dress
03:41I held my breath but my body was still trembling
03:43I couldn't remember how I managed to turn the photo over
03:46And it took me no effort to recognize Williams' handwriting at a glance
03:50Dear Sarah, my dearest Sarah Anderson
03:53No matter who I marry, my heart will always belong to you
03:57How pathetic, what stunned my eyes the most was actually the day he left in the corner
04:01This was written on the very day before our wedding
04:06The next morning, after dropping Rob off at school, I didn't head to the office like I usually did
04:11Instead, I drove to the nearest mobile service hall
04:14I tried so hard to keep my voice as steady as possible when talking to the clerk
04:18Could you help me check my family phone bills over the past few months?
04:21He worked quickly and soon pulled up the call records from the last six months
04:25One number immediately stood out
04:27It appeared far too often and was always coming in from a neighboring town
04:31Most of the calls were made late at night
04:33Lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour
04:36I wrote down the number quietly and left
04:39That evening, William left his phone charging on the nightstand and went to shower
04:43The screen was locked
04:44So I entered the password we used to share
04:47Incorrect
04:48Then I tried his birthday
04:49Our anniversary
04:50A series of numbers tied to memories only we were supposed to know
04:54Every attempt failed
04:55And I couldn't tell how ironic it was when I laid my last hope on the eye-watering date written
04:59on the back of that photo
05:00Access granted
05:01My heart sank
05:02I searched through his call history
05:04The number wasn't saved in his contacts
05:07Instead, I found it on his blocked list
05:10A blocked number, with such frequent call records?
05:13There was only one explanation
05:15He would block the number from time to time after they contacted each other
05:19A chill crept up my spine
05:21I went through his social media, looking for more traces
05:24When I entered the number into the search bar, an account popped up
05:28I finally got it
05:29In the picture over the top, I saw three figures of sunset
05:33A couple with a kid, holding each other's hands so tightly
05:37And the man's silhouette looked hauntingly familiar
05:39Too familiar that I could straightforwardly call his name
05:43I put the phone back and called my assistant, Susan
05:46Susan, help me check a number, as soon as possible
05:53After hanging up, I walked silently into Rob's room
05:56He was sleeping soundly
05:58William used to say our son looked just like me
06:01But now, as I studied him carefully, his eyes, his nose, I couldn't find a single feature that resembled mine
06:07The pain dug deeper and deeper, never giving me a moment's relief
06:11A few days later, the school scheduled a full physical checkup for the students
06:15I went to the hospital with Rob myself
06:17After all the examinations were done, I plucked a few strands of his hair and sealed them carefully in a
06:22plastic bag
06:23That afternoon, I sent the sample, along with my own, to a testing agency
06:27The results would not be back until a week later
06:30And all I could do was anxiously wait while enduring William's more and more frequent late returns, which he claimed
06:34were made to see friends
06:35Before leaving, he'd linger in front of the mirror, fixing his hair with excessive care
06:40One night, after he left, I followed him
06:42My car trailed us across half the city until he finally stopped at a hot spring resort on the outskirts
06:47As William stepped out of the car, a woman in a long dress was already waiting for him
06:51I recognized her instantly
06:53She was the woman from the photo
06:55William took her handbag as if he had done it a thousand times before, and his arm wrapped around her
06:59waist with practiced ease
07:01He leaned down and whispered something into her ear
07:03Her face flushed instantly, red all the way to her ears
07:06After a few more murmured words, the two pressed close to each other and walked into the resort together
07:11I stayed in my car
07:12The heater was on full blast
07:14Yet I felt cold to the bone
07:16Just then, my phone buzzed
07:18An email from the testing agency
07:20My hands shook so badly that I could barely hold the phone
07:23I opened the attachment and flipped straight to the last page
07:28Based on DNA testing, Jennifer Jones is excluded as the biological mother of Rob Jones
07:34Before this, I had never imagined a short sentence to be a blade dipped in poison
07:38And at that moment, I could clearly feel how it sliced and tortured me again and again as my eyes
07:43fixed on the page
07:43The child I had raised for six years, loved with every fiber of my being, had no blood relation to
07:48me at all
07:49And then I could see the woman's face overlap with Rob's features
07:51The resemblance was terrifying, so strong it made my stomach churn
07:55But I remembered clearly, six years ago
07:57I had specifically arranged a DNA test after Rob's birth because the maternity hospital had gone through some chaotic situations
08:03And he was protected by tight security
08:05The results had been clear, the baby was ours
08:08So why?
08:09Six years later, my son had become someone else's child
08:12And the baby I carried for ten months, the one I gave birth to
08:15Where was he then?
08:17I called my assistant again
08:18Two things
08:20First, find out the relationship between Sarah Anderson and Rob
08:24Second, no matter the cost, find my son
08:27There was a brief pause on the other end of the line
08:30Understood, I'll do it right away
08:32I went on with my life as usual
08:33Just like the whole thing had never happened
08:36I could even face William with a smile
08:38The only difference was that I no longer responded to his hugs
08:42And at night, I stopped staying in the bedroom with him
08:45When he asked, I told him my work had become overwhelming
08:48And that I didn't want to disturb his sleep in the middle of the night
08:50His gaze flickered for a moment, but he didn't press the issue
08:54A week later, Susan placed a sealed document envelope on my desk
08:58We obtained Sarah Anderson's DNA sample through special channels
09:04A week later, Susan placed a sealed document envelope on my desk
09:08Sarah Anderson's DNA sample through special channels
09:11We compared it with Rob's sample
09:13My fingers tightened
09:14The results show that the two are biologically related
09:17Mother and son
09:18Even though I had prepared myself for this, my legs still gave out
09:22I had to grip the edge of the desk to keep from collapsing
09:26Six years
09:26The child I had poured all my love into for six years
09:29Carried the blood of another woman
09:31We went through all the records of your delivery that year
09:33Sarah Anderson actually gave birth on the same day as you
09:37She checked in alone
09:39And under emergency contact, she wrote
09:41William Jones
09:44What about her baby?
09:45I demanded
09:46Susan looked down at the file
09:48According to the records, it seemed like there were complications during delivery
09:52Her newborn was declared deceased three days after birth
09:57It felt like a puzzle with only a few pieces left
09:59One final step before the truth was complete
10:02Keep digging
10:03I want every detail about that baby
10:05Yes
10:07Susan moved quickly
10:09Indeed, my assistant never let me down
10:11It didn't take her too long to track down an elderly nurse who had once worked in the obstetrics department
10:16back then
10:16Susan met the nurse quite soon
10:18This old lady was nervous and a bit afraid
10:21She would glance around every time before lowering her voice and speaking
10:24Those two women were sent into the delivery room almost back to back that night
10:29But Miss Anderson, she had bad luck
10:32She took an incredibly long time in labor
10:35And the child supposedly didn't make it
10:37She paused a while, taking the cash out from the envelope that Susan handed her
10:41She started counting while keeping on, as if it was the only way to suit her mind
10:45But that's just what we told outsliders
10:48Good enough to fool most people
10:50But I saw it with my own eyes
10:52Miss Anderson swapped the babies herself
10:59The child never died
11:00The whole thing was a lie
11:02With that, she stuffed the envelope into her bag and hurried away
11:06Susan and I stood there, frozen, as if the cold had seeped into our bones
11:10When I spoke again, my voice was hoarse beyond recognition
11:13No matter what it takes, find my son
11:17Days later, all the leads finally converged on a remote welfare institute in a neighboring town
11:22We got a name
11:23His admission date matched
11:24His age matched
11:25I couldn't wait any longer
11:27So I drove hundreds of miles alone
11:29Following the address Susan gave me
11:31The afternoon sun bathed the orphanage courtyard in warm light
11:34Children were running and laughing in small groups
11:37My eyes searched desperately, scanning every face
11:40Finally, I saw him
11:42I knew it was him
11:43In a corner far from the crowd
11:45A small figure sat curled up alone
11:47His little hands were bluish from the cold
11:49His clothes thin and worn
11:50A teacher noticed my gaze and sighed softly
11:53That's Charlie
11:54He was brought here six years ago
11:56Covered in injuries
11:57Hardly speaks
11:58He's afraid of people
12:00No one knows what he has been through
12:02My heartbeat stopped
12:04I recognized him
12:05Even though we were this far from each other
12:07I still recognized him
12:09That face, so unmistakably similar to mine
12:12He was my child
12:13What was I doing when he needed his mother the most?
12:16I was giving all my love to someone else's child
12:18The pain swallowed me whole
12:20I bit down hard
12:21My nails digging deep into my palms
12:23William Jones
12:24Sarah Anderson
12:25You stole my life and took away my kid
12:28I heard a voice screaming in my head
12:30I will make you pay for everything you took from me over these six years
12:33A hundredfold
12:34A thousandfold
12:38After returning from the orphanage
12:40I locked myself in my office
12:42My son got abandoned by his own father
12:44Being left outside to suffer for six years
12:46How should that debt be settled?
12:48I've come up with the perfect plan
12:50Rob's sixth birthday was approaching
12:52William suddenly became unusually enthusiastic
12:54Insisting on throwing his son the grandest birthday party
12:57Rob has never celebrated his birthday formally
13:00We should invite all the relatives and friends
13:03Let's make it a rousing and lively one
13:06His eyes flicked toward me
13:08Seemed like he really wanted to know how I feel about it
13:11I knew exactly what he was doing
13:13He wanted me to say yes
13:14So that he could bring someone who never should have appeared on the guest list
13:17Then why not take this chance to add some catalyst for them?
13:20I nodded
13:22William, I think it's time for me to return to the family
13:25I want to give you a big gift at Rob's birthday party
13:28I booked the most expensive high-end restaurant in the city
13:32Time flew by so fast
13:33And Rob's birthday arrived
13:35He was in his tailored little suit
13:36And running excitedly in the room
13:38Looking at his rosy cheeks
13:39My chest tightened
13:41Even knowing the truth
13:42The love I had given to him in the past six years
13:44Couldn't just be erased overnight
13:46He ran over to the dessert table
13:47And reached for his fifth slice of chocolate cake
13:50I walked over and gently stopped him
13:52Too much cake will make your tummy hurt
13:54He looked up at me
13:55Pouted and suddenly shoved my hand away
13:57Don't tell me what to do
13:59He shouted
14:00Daddy said my real mom mom is coming to my birthday today
14:03I only want my real mom to tell me what to do
14:10The laughter around us died instantly
14:12And all eyes turned to me
14:14William hurried over and pulled Rob to his side
14:18Jennifer, he's kidding
14:19Don't take it to heart
14:20Rob's lips trembled
14:22Almost on the verge of tears
14:23At that moment
14:24The door opened
14:25And Sarah Anderson walked in
14:27Rob immediately shook off William's grip
14:29And threw himself into her arms
14:31Mommy
14:32Daddy and the fake mom
14:35Are bullying me
14:39Sarah bent down and lifted him up
14:41Her smile faint as her gaze swept over me
14:43William stood frozen
14:44His face draining of color
14:46Jennifer, it's a mistake
14:48She's just
14:49Rob's after-school tutor
14:51Thankfully, or perhaps truly
14:53The birthday song began at that exact moment
14:55The staff pushed in the cake cart
14:57Candles glowing softly
14:59William took a deep breath
15:01Walked over to Rob and Sarah
15:02And forced his voice to steady
15:04Alright sweetheart, it's time to make a wish
15:06Under everyone's gaze
15:07Rob leaned quietly beside Sarah
15:09He closed his eyes
15:11Clasped his little hands together
15:12Thanks everyone for coming to my son's birthday party
15:15I'd like to make an announcement
15:17Starting today
15:18All my shares will be transferred to my husband and son
15:21William stares at me in shock
15:23Sarah looks at me with the greedy eyes of a starved wolf
15:27The moment I signed the share transfer agreement
15:29The real show began even more spectacular than I'd imagined
15:32Wait, I have something to announce too
15:38Rob is my son
15:40She holds up a DNA test report and shows it to everyone
15:43Sarah turns to me
15:45Thank you for raising my son for eight years
15:48Now give him back to me
15:51Right now
15:55Sorry babe
15:59Honey, what did you wish for just now?
16:01I wish I could change my mom
16:05I want to be with my real mom forever
16:09Your son, your husband, your fortune
16:12They're all mine now
16:14William pulls a divorce agreement out of his pocket
16:17Sign this and get out of our lives right now
16:21Wait a minute
16:22Since you've given me such a big surprise
16:24It's only fair I return the favor
16:29Bring it up
16:44I was pulled back to reality
16:46Everything just now was nothing but my fantasy
16:48Rob closed his eyes clasped his little hands together
16:52I wish I could change my mom
16:54I want to be with my real mom forever
16:57The words fell like rocks
16:59The entire room plunged into dead silence
17:01Everyone was looking at each other with an embarrassed and stunned face
17:05Trying to figure out what happened
17:06I had never seen William's face turn that pale, ghostly pale
17:10He laughed awkwardly, trying to smooth things over
17:13Rob, what are you saying?
17:15Jen, don't be angry
17:17He's just too excited about this birthday party
17:19But he because starting to know chap that they never get for bus to city class
17:22I replied with composure
17:24I'm not angry
17:25Then I took out the document bag I had prepared long ago
17:28I slowly took out the documents inside
17:30I walked up to Rob and smiled softly
17:33Rob, mommy will make your wish come true, alright?
17:36The room fell into a deathly silence
17:38All eyes shifted back and forth between William and me
17:41No one can even make a sound
17:43Sarah was still holding Rob's hand
17:45But I could see a hint of panic on her face
17:48Rob couldn't understand what was happening
17:50Only his instinct made him curl closer into Sarah's arms
17:53William was the first to react
17:56His voice rose sharply with anger
17:58Jennifer!
17:59What are you talking about?
18:01Rob is our son!
18:02He's just a kid!
18:03Do you really believe in what he said?
18:06People immediately chimed in
18:07As if I was the crazy one who needed to calm down
18:10He's right
18:11Children always say what they like
18:13Exactly
18:13You're his mom
18:15How can you be mad at your own son?
18:17That's too petty
18:18Is that so?
18:22I turned toward the crowd
18:24Then let me show you something interesting
18:26The DNA report began circulating through the room
18:30No one was foolish enough to miss the meaning of the cold words
18:33Muted murmurs broke out
18:35Some of our closest relatives already got embarrassed
18:38And even our business partners also started to exchange uneasy looks
18:42William lunged into the crowd
18:44Snatched the report
18:45And tore it to shreds
18:46Jennifer!
18:47Have you had enough?
18:49What exactly are you trying to do with these forged things?
18:52I looked at the man panting in front of me
18:54And I had never felt so calm in my entire life
18:56Would you like me to invite the director of the testing center here?
19:00So he can read the results out loud for everyone?
19:03Sarah's expression shifted
19:04But she quickly regained her composure
19:06Mrs. Jones
19:08I don't know where you got these things
19:10But today is a child's birthday
19:12Do you really need to put everyone in such an awkward position?
19:15A perfectly polished statement
19:17She cleaned herself of blame and made me sound like the troublemaker
19:20But I don't care
19:22Then I took out the second report
19:27I believe Ms. Anderson knows better than anyone
19:30Whether this is a misunderstanding or the truth
19:32I looked straight at her
19:34Sarah Anderson
19:35Or should I call you Rob's biological mother?
19:39That's nonsense!
19:40William suddenly rushed at me
19:42Trying to snatch the document
19:44I stepped aside
19:45So he lost his grip and almost fell
19:47I looked at him
19:48The man I had loved for 10 years
19:50His hopeless desperation no longer stirred pain in me
19:53But only disgust
19:55I raised the report high and turned to everyone present
19:58Especially the elders
19:59Uncle Matthew
20:00You've known me since I was little
20:02And you also saw Rob's birth
20:05But you can see
20:06This report clearly shows that
20:08Rob's biological mother is Mrs. Sarah Anderson
20:11The elders' faces turned ashen
20:14Several were so furious that they could barely speak
20:16Fingers trembling as they pointed at William
20:19William!
20:20This...
20:21This is absurd!
20:22You'd better explain this!
20:24It's not true
20:26Uncle Matthew, listen to me
20:28Jennifer makes up all of these
20:29So she can leave me and make me the one to blame
20:32You have to believe me
20:33I could never do something like this
20:35Rob is Jennifer's child
20:37If that's the case
20:38Then let's take a look at this
20:48What I showed them was the transfer records that they made in the six years
20:51All these years
20:52You gave over 20 million of our fund to Sarah Anderson in the name of maternal educational expenses
20:58The colossal sums made gasps ripple through the room
21:01Then the screen changed
21:03Photos of a suburban hot spring resort appeared
21:06What kind of baby supplies or tutoring cost 20 million?
21:09And why would two of you need to discuss Rob's education in a hot spring resort?
21:14The image of William holding Sarah and leaning into whispering her ear was painfully clear
21:18The murmurs exploded
21:20Rob finally sensed something was wrong
21:22He stood baffled, eyes wide
21:24Confusion and fear written across his small face
21:27He called for his dad
21:28But William had no time for him
21:31Then he turned toward me, eyes reddening
21:33He cried
21:34I didn't look at him
21:36Mom
21:36Sarah's expression finally darkened
21:38She set Rob down and stepped forward
21:40Her voice was calm and steady
21:42Jennifer Jones
21:43Forging evidence and debaming others carries legal consequences
21:47William and I are just friends and we meet occasionally to chat
21:51Hatred spilled out from her eyes
21:53But all she showed was a forced smile
21:55I don't know where you obtain these absurd materials
21:57Nor why you're so determined to slander our reputations
22:01But today is your child's birthday
22:03This is disgraceful
22:04If there's a misunderstanding
22:06We can settle it privately
22:10Her pretty and hypocritical look really made me laugh out loud
22:13Let's talk privately
22:15Privately?
22:16Fine
22:17And then let's talk about how the two of us gave birth on the same day at the same hospital
22:21six years ago
22:23The baby who was declared dead shortly after birth
22:25Sarah Anderson's pupils shrank abruptly when I mentioned that child
22:28The color also drained from William's face
22:30And now he could only stare at me in pure terror
22:33I asked Susan to go on
22:34Then she played the recording of the nurse's testimony
22:37Followed by archived hospital records
22:39Including the admission form Sarah had filled out years ago
22:42Williams Jones's name was still clearly presented on the emergency contact list
22:46According to the nurse who was on duty that night and the limited records that still exist
22:51Mrs. Anderson gave birth to a baby boy that evening
22:55The official note stated
22:57Congenital weakness
22:58Resuscitation failed
23:00Deceased
23:01But what's strange is that there are no detailed medical explanations for this so-called death
23:06No cremation certificate
23:08No formal death documentation
23:11A newborn baby boy just disappeared from a hospital without a trace
23:17And almost at the same time my son Rob was born healthy
23:21William, after Rob was born I personally arranged an expedited DNA test and had people watch over the process
23:27The result clearly showed Rob was my child
23:30So tell me, why did the same testing center produce a completely opposite collusion six years later?
23:36William stood frozen, couldn't find his voice
23:39Unless
23:40I took a step forward, stopping right in front of him
23:43Unless you switched the babies from the very beginning
23:47You and Sarah were already involved back then
23:50And together, you collide with the hospital to carry out a carefully planned swap
23:55Nonsense! I didn't do it! I would never do that to my own child!
24:01I sneered at him and gestured to Susan
24:03The final image appeared on the screen
24:05A photograph of a small boy crouched in the corner of an orphanage courtyard
24:09Wearing his worn-out clothes
24:10My little Charlie
24:11William Jones
24:12If Rob is your son, then who is he?
24:15Jennifer, this child
24:17His name is Charlie
24:18Six years ago, he was abandoned at the gate of a remote welfare institute in a neighboring town
24:24He was covered in injuries, severely malnourished, and still unable to speak
24:28I took out the third DNA report
24:30But this time, there was no need to pass it around
24:33Anyone with eyes could see the truth
24:36Charlie was my son
24:37We looked far too alike
24:39No
24:40William's legs finally gave out
24:42He collapsed onto the floor
24:44Every mask he had worn, every excuse he had clung to, shattered in front of the photo
24:48He could deny reports
24:50He could accuse me of forging evidence
24:52But he could not deny that face
24:55A face uncannily similar to mine, and even to his own
24:58Blood calling to blood
24:59This was the ironclad truth
25:01No one could fabricate it
25:03Sarah could no longer hold her gentle and kind demeanor
25:06She no longer looked at William
25:08Her sharp and venomous gaze fixed on me
25:11Jennifer Jones
25:12What exactly do you want?
25:14I looked around the silent room
25:15I saw shock, anger, and pity in all those eyes
25:18Then I spoke, each word deliberate and clear
25:21I want you to pay, for every ounce of suffering my son has endured
25:25Blood for blood
25:27I picked up my phone and called the police
25:29The room erupted instantly
25:31Some rushed forward, trying to talk me out of it
25:35Some shook their heads and sighed
25:37Others just couldn't wait to escape this place of scandal and ruin
25:40Sarah lunged toward me, attempting to stop the call, but failed to get past my bodyguards
25:45William lay collapsed on the floor, his eyes unfocused
25:48But still he muttered to himself
25:50No, that's not how it should be
25:53Sarah, you said it
25:54You said that as long as we switched the babies
25:57As long as I raised Rob for you
25:59Then we could be together forever
26:01You promised you'd love me for the rest of my life
26:04His broken rambling, uncontrolled, desperate, unwittingly tore open the final layer of truth
26:10Sarah could not maintain her gesture anymore
26:12Her voice turned shrill
26:14William Jones! Are you crazy? What are you talking about?
26:17But William was already beyond fear
26:19He slowly lifted his head and looked at her, at that unfamiliar, twisted face
26:24After all these years, it was as if he were seeing her clearly for the first time
26:28His terror and despair that had been buried for years were finally exposed all at once
26:32He burst out laughing and his tears streaming down
26:40I'm crazy
26:43Yes, I am!
26:44Pointing at her with a shaking hand
26:46Sarah Anderson
26:48You were the one who may abandon my own child
26:52You contact that doctor
26:54You convinced me to pay off the nurses and the DNA testing center
26:59You said that once Rob became the heir of Jennifer Smith's family
27:03We could use her connections to climb our way up
27:07And when the time was right, we'd leave together
27:11It's you!
27:14William was on the verge of a breakdown
27:16Quivering violently as if foreseeing the impending judgment
27:19The room filled with gasps
27:21Sarah's composed mask shattered completely
27:24Her eyes burned with savage hatred
27:26As if she wanted to tear William apart on the spot
27:29She smashed the wine glass beside her
27:31Grabbed a shard
27:32And charged at him
27:35You idiot!
27:36You think you can frame me?
27:39William staggered back
27:40As though he'd just heard the cruelest joke in the world
27:42Regret streamed down his face
27:45Sarah, you were the one who said you wanted the Smith family's power
27:49You begged me to give your son the chance to be raised in the Smith family
27:55She completely lost control
27:56Lunging forward and slashing the shard toward his neck
27:59Just as it was about to reach his artery
28:01The bodyguards rushed in and pinned her down
28:03William coughed violently
28:05Blood foaming at the corner of his mouth
28:07His face turned deathly pale as he tried to scream something at Sarah
28:11But his vocal cords were damaged
28:13No one could understand him anymore
28:15He turned toward me
28:17Tears rolling down his face
28:18And the part of my heart that once beat for him was utterly still
28:22Sarah continued raging
28:23Her eyes bloodshot as she glared at me
28:26Jennifer Smith, you win!
28:28But your son suffered
28:29Who do you think is to blame for that?
28:31Blame yourself for marrying a fool
28:33Blame your oath in the blindness
28:35I only took advantage of the situation
28:37And sent my son into a wealthy family
28:39So he could get the best education
28:41What did I do wrong?
28:42Isn't that what any mother would do for her child?
28:45So, you think this gives you the right to switch babies
28:48And abandon mine?
28:50Sarah Anderson, your love is revolting
28:53At that moment, the piercing wail of sirens stopped downstairs
28:57Heavy footsteps echoed rapidly toward the door
28:59I stood there, watching a lie that had been carefully crafted for ten years collapse before my eyes
29:04The police took William and Sarah away for further investigation
29:07Rob's birthday banquet ended in chaos
29:10The scandal spread through the city like wildfire
29:12I left Susan to handle the aftermath
29:15As for me, I got back into my car and drove straight to the orphanage
29:19With the DNA test results, I could formally complete the adoption procedures
29:24When I finally got to approach the corner where Charlie had long stayed
29:27I saw him curled into himself
29:29His small body shaking uncontrollably
29:31I didn't touch him but slowly crouched down in front of him
29:34Charlie, don't be afraid
29:38I'm your mom
29:40I'm here to take you home
29:43He didn't respond but trembled even worse
29:45I knew that six years of absence and harm couldn't be undone overnight
29:49Healing would take patience and time
29:51I let the childcare specialist who came with me approach him gradually
29:55After a long while of gentle coaxing, he finally allowed himself to be held
29:59One of the orphanage teachers told me that Charlie loved to draw
30:02Especially the sea
30:04His paintings were all about different oceans
30:06Endless oceans
30:08So I brought him back to the city and bought an apartment by the coast just for him
30:12Just for him
30:13He loved painting, so I designed a studio for him
30:16Which had floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea
30:19There, I arranged for childcare specialists and psychologists to rotate around the clock
30:23Staying with him at all times
30:25Meanwhile, Susan's investigation made a decisive breakthrough
30:28Under overwhelming psychological pressure and irrefutable evidence
30:32Sarah Anderson's defenses collapsed
30:34She confessed to everything
30:36After a lengthy trial, the court delivered its final verdict
30:40Sarah Anderson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraud, child abandonment, and multiple related crimes
30:46William Jones received the same sentence
30:4810 years for fraud and abandonment
30:50What awaited them was a future without light or end
30:54After that, I gave most of my time to Charlie
30:57Following the psychologist's advice, I slowed everything down
31:00Offering nothing but steady, consistent companionship
31:03A few months later, after settling all remaining affairs in the city
31:07I took Charlie to a warm, coastal country far away
31:11There were no acquaintances there
31:13No memories of the past
31:14I gave him a new name
31:16Charles Smith
31:18I hoped only one thing for him, that his life would be safe and peaceful
31:22I sold most of my shares in the company and established a family trust fund
31:25Ensuring Charles would never have to worry about his future and that I would have the time to be there
31:29as he grew up
31:30In the new environment, Charles slowly began to lay his guard down
31:34He started receiving early education from a private tutor
31:37Progress was slow, but he was finally willing to try
31:41And one day, he began to call me mom
31:43One evening, I took him for a walk by the sea
31:46The setting sun dyed the ocean golden red
31:49The sea breeze brushed gently against Charles's cheeks
31:52He shook off my hand and ran ahead, leaving a trail of small footprints in the sand
31:56Suddenly, he stopped and bent down, picking something up
32:00He turned around and ran back toward me, holding a seashell in his hand, the sunset glowing behind him
32:06His eyes reflected the golden light and my silhouette
32:08I crouched down and gently touched his cheek
32:11I could not tell how happy I was
32:14He blinked, then smiled
32:15In that moment, I realized that the wounds of the past might never fully fade
32:20But a new life had already begun
32:22The past ten years have been a carefully woven nightmare
32:25But the future is promising, and I would use all my strength to give Charles a perfect life
32:30The sea breeze continued to glow, and the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon
32:34I took Charles's hand, and together, we walked along the shore toward our home
32:38This river was pleasure, and he enjoyed how happy I could various cultures
32:40So, I don't touch the sky
Comments