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00:00The bridge project I oversaw collapsed, leaving dozens dead.
00:03My parents didn't want any tie with a murderer, so they left me,
00:06and the victims' families drenched me in gasoline,
00:09roaring that they shall perish together with me.
00:11I spent the next ten years in prison.
00:14After my release, I changed my name, moved to a small town,
00:17and worked as a barista in a quiet cafe.
00:20Life seemed to go back to peace.
00:21Just when I thought my days would keep going on like a tranquil river,
00:25my ex-husband Julian Reed found me.
00:27His construction company had long gone public.
00:30Everyone could tell he stood at the very peak of success,
00:32with a bright future stretching out before him.
00:35Then reporters swarmed up to me, cameras thrust inches from my face.
00:39Miss Walker, Mr. Reed has been engaged for ten years but is still unmarried.
00:43What do you think about him waiting for you all these years?
00:46I let out a bitter laugh.
00:47No one knew that ten years ago, it was this Mr. Reed who allowed his mistress
00:51to slip into the construction team and skim kickbacks.
00:53And it was also Julian Reed who shoved me forward as the scapegoat after the disaster,
00:58while he and his mistress went out clean.
01:03Flashing lights lit up Julian's face, but not his expressions.
01:07He remained as cold and unreadable as ever.
01:09My boss was beside himself with excitement.
01:12He rushed over for Julian's autograph, then a photo.
01:14Seeing me standing there without reaction,
01:16my boss kindly turned back and called out to me,
01:18Irene, come take a picture with Mr. Reed.
01:21He's the youngest CEO in the world.
01:23One photo with him can definitely get our cafe buzzling.
01:26I might even give you a raise.
01:27My hands froze mid-wash.
01:30I didn't look up, but some reporters still saw my face instantly,
01:33and the next second, they swarmed toward me.
01:36So you've been here all along, Miss Walker.
01:37Once celebrated worldwide for your designs,
01:39and now stuck behind a cafe counter.
01:41How does that feel?
01:41We hear your ex-husband has waited ten years for you,
01:43postponing his wedding again and again.
01:45What do you make of that?
01:46I ignored them, ignored their questions and microphones
01:48that nearly poked my face, and just focused on my work.
01:51Still, I couldn't stop the tremble as I reached for the cup.
01:54I knew Julian too well.
01:56There was no way he could do that for me.
01:58I stayed on guard.
01:59The standoff dragged on until Julian stepped in front of me.
02:02He blocked the cameras.
02:03His expression was so stern.
02:05This is our private matter.
02:06We're not accepting interviews.
02:08We appreciate your understanding.
02:10Then he turned to me, his gaze deep and complicated.
02:13Irene.
02:13He paused, as if he had so much to say.
02:16And in the end, only said one thing.
02:18Long time no see.
02:19His voice seemed to come from the past,
02:21and my hand quivered beyond control.
02:23Clatter.
02:24A coffee cup hit the floor and shattered.
02:26Flying shards cut into my skin.
02:29Blood dripped from my fingertips.
02:31Julian grabbed my hand instinctively,
02:34frowned as if he cared.
02:35Are you alright?
02:36I pulled away at once and apologized to my boss in a rush.
02:38Alan, I'm so sorry.
02:40I'll clean it up.
02:41Just charge it to my pay.
02:42Before Alan could even respond,
02:45a bright, cheerful voice came from the doorway.
02:47Julian, what are you doing here?
02:53Julian, what are you doing here?
02:56You just left without a word.
02:58We're all worried.
02:58I followed the voice and saw her walking in with a gentle smile.
03:02She reached for Julian's hand naturally and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
03:06I remembered her too well.
03:08It was Chloe Bennett, the woman who caused the accident ten years ago.
03:12She had become Julian's fiancé.
03:14And behind her, I actually saw my biological parents, who had disowned me like a stranger.
03:20Chloe turned to me then, her gaze sweeping over me with a thin smile of contempt on her lips.
03:25Well, isn't this our greatest architect, Irene?
03:28Long time no see.
03:30Oh, by the way, your parents have made me their goddaughter.
03:35I suppose that I should call you sister now.
03:38I glanced past her and there stood my parents.
03:41They had aged so much.
03:43Their backs were hunched, their hair completely white.
03:46A sharp, quiet ache spread through my chest.
03:49I couldn't help but wonder how they'd feel if they ever found out their goddaughter was the one who made
03:54me fall like this.
03:55My father snorted coldly.
03:57We only have one daughter, and that is Chloe.
04:00A murderer blinded by greed would only make me sick.
04:04My mother clenched her jaw.
04:06Julian, why would you even bother with trash like her?
04:09Just let her rot away.
04:11Their words hit the cafe like a cold wind.
04:14Everyone, including Alan, looked at me strangely.
04:16I turned my face away, swallowing the pain, refusing to meet their eyes.
04:21Julian let out a soft sigh.
04:23Don't blame your parents.
04:24That thing hit them too hard.
04:25He gave a gold-embossed business card to me.
04:28I owe you far too much.
04:29If you ever need anything, call me.
04:35I didn't refuse Julian's card.
04:37Or rather, I accepted it politely like I would for any customer, but that's all.
04:41I didn't believe he just came for me.
04:43And I didn't expect to see him again.
04:45Then, three days later...
04:52Irene, I'm really sorry.
04:53I didn't know who you were.
04:55And people like you should never just stay in a small cafe.
04:58I'll mark you down for full appendix this month and send your paycheck shortly.
05:01And today's your last day.
05:02He hung up before I could say anything.
05:04I tried calling back, but I'd been blocked.
05:06At the same time, a message popped up.
05:09My salary arrived.
05:10$4,500.
05:12Alan had even added an extra thousand with a note.
05:15Consider this my compensation.
05:17My cafe is small, can't bear any trouble.
05:20Please, spare me another visit.
05:21My heart sank.
05:23I knew who was really behind this.
05:27Sure enough, Julian's call came through.
05:30Irene, I can't undo what happened back then.
05:31I hope you understand.
05:32But in every other way, I'll make it up to you.
05:35That cafe job was way too much for you, so I took care of it.
05:37And I bought you a villa in Portwell.
05:39I'll send you the key.
05:40And another thing is about Chloe.
05:42She's still inexperienced and needs someone who knows the drawings.
05:44Help her out.
05:45I'll pay you $200,000 a month.
05:46My fists clenched so hard, they ached.
05:50Why?
05:50Why could he so easily shove me into the abyss, where loneliness and hatred swallowed me alive?
05:56And why, after all this happened, could he still carelessly shatter my peaceful life as if he's some superior savior?
06:03Why did he think he could arrange everything for me?
06:06Help Chloe?
06:07He just wanted me to be her shadow, her tool.
06:10The thought of it made my stomach churn.
06:12I pressed my lips together and said through gritted teeth,
06:14Thanks for the offer, Mr. Reed, but I have my own life now.
06:18Please don't come to me again.
06:21Julian was silent for a long moment.
06:23Irene, don't be difficult.
06:25A genius like you only truly enjoys working as an architect.
06:29I'm taking care of your life and letting you shine.
06:32What else could you want?
06:34Don't push me, Irene.
06:36I've got my ways.
06:38And then he hung up.
06:39A faint unease settled in my chest.
06:44That very afternoon, I found out exactly what he meant.
06:48I needed to find another job as soon as possible.
06:50But no matter where I went, people only pretended to respect me.
06:54I decided to go back home for a rest.
06:56But at the door, I found the landlady waiting.
06:58She was a kind old lady.
07:00When I first came here with no money, she had waived a month's rent and always brought me her homemade
07:04treats.
07:05Now, her eyes were red, standing at my doorstep.
07:08Irene, you're back.
07:10I'm so sorry, but I can't rent the apartment to you anymore.
07:15Please don't blame me.
07:16I have no choice.
07:18Some great man came to town.
07:20He said if I let you stay, my daughter, she...
07:23Her voice broke as tears ran down.
07:26I didn't want to make things harder for her.
07:28That night, I packed my things and moved out.
07:30This was Julian's compensation.
07:33Destroying my life.
07:34And then arrogantly offering compensation.
07:37Ridiculous.
07:40The day I moved out, Julian showed up.
07:42He lost weight in just a few days.
07:44Dark shadows sat under his eyes like he hadn't slept at all.
07:48He came with a moving crew and directed them as if this was something he ought to do.
07:51His manner was so natural that anyone who didn't know us would consider him as a husband picking up his
07:56wife and taking her home.
07:58You've always been tense.
07:59This helps you relax.
08:02I took the glass in silence and had a small sip.
08:05It was sweet.
08:06So sweet it made my hands tremble.
08:09So this must be a part of his compensation.
08:11It tasted like heaven, but could drag me down to hell in the next second.
08:15I set the glass down.
08:17Mr. Reed, what happened before is over.
08:20If you really wanted to make up for it, you shouldn't have shown up uninvited.
08:24He froze for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes before he masked it.
08:29Don't keep pushing it.
08:30I know what you feel.
08:32This is just the first step.
08:33I'll soon find someone to claim the fall and clear your name.
08:37I know you don't like Chloe.
08:39I'll keep her out of sight.
08:41For now, just rest.
09:12His tone was gentle, but the message was clear.
09:15She pressed a card into my hand.
09:17This is just a small gesture.
09:19You're my senior and also my fiancé's ex-wife.
09:22Please take it.
09:23If life gets hard, just let us know.
09:26She played her role perfectly.
09:28By that afternoon, the news had spread all over Portwell.
09:31Disgraced engineer resurfaces after deadly collapse.
09:34Billionaire X shows mercy.
09:36Back among the elite, can the victims ever find peace?
09:39Suddenly, Julian became the devoted tycoon and Chloe became the gracious fiancé.
09:44And once again, I was only the one who got torn apart by public outrage.
09:48Whether on purpose or not, Chloe leaked my address.
09:51From then on, grieving families and angry crowds gathered outside my home every day.
09:57Three days later, my parents came.
09:59It was the first time in ten years that they had come to see me on their own.
10:02When I saw them standing at the door, the good old memories came back.
10:06A spark of hope rose in my chest.
10:08Mom, Dad, you're here.
10:11Come in, have some water.
10:12I stepped aside to welcome them.
10:14My father only snorted at me.
10:16We wouldn't dare drink a murderer's water.
10:20Irene, we can't forgive what you did back then.
10:22But don't keep making the same mistake.
10:24We're begging you.
10:25Chloe truly loves Julian.
10:27You're divorced now.
10:28Stop clinging to him.
10:29She's considerate.
10:30She doesn't want to say it out loud, so we will.
10:32Leave Portwell.
10:33If you insist, your father and I will find to make you leave.
10:38Her voice was still gentle.
10:40The same voice that once sang me to sleep.
10:43Now, every word felt like a blade, cutting into my heart until my blood ran out.
10:47I stared at them in disbelief.
10:50Dad.
10:51Mom.
10:53Did you ever believe me?
10:55Not even for a second?
10:58What if I told you that everything I went through was a setup by Chloe Bennet?
11:03You rascal.
11:04You dare smear Chloe's name?
11:06Julian had just arrived to drop something off and witnessed the scene.
11:10He rushed over, flustered, clearly about to explain.
11:13When his phone rang, it was his assistant.
11:15Mr. Reed.
11:16Miss Bennet is drunk.
11:18And she's getting an IV in the hospital to sober up.
11:20The moment those words fell, panic flooded Julian's face.
11:24My parents' expressions changed just as quickly.
11:27No one looked at me again.
11:28They turned, got into the car, and drove off without hesitation.
11:32I watched their backs disappear and laughed.
11:34I laughed until tears streamed down my face.
11:37So this was it.
11:38Whether it was threatening me or pretending to care.
11:41Whether I was hurting or falling apart.
11:43None of it mattered as much as a word from Chloe Bennet.
11:46I thought that would be the end of it.
11:48After all, the past ten years had taught me one thing.
11:51I should never expect anything from my parents or from Julian Reed.
11:55I was wrong.
11:56I didn't expect my parents' solution to come this fast.
12:03One afternoon, I was out shopping for groceries when several victims' family members tracked me down.
12:07They clubbed me unconscious with iron rods and dragged me away.
12:11When I woke up, I was inside a sack.
12:13Through a tear in the fabric, I could make out a riverbank.
12:16The man in front kicked me hard in the stomach.
12:19We didn't even go looking for you, and you still dared to come back!
12:23His words ignited the crowd.
12:25Give me back my daughter!
12:27It's only 19 and just started college, you animal!
12:30You killed my mother!
12:31You'd pay for it!
12:33Fists and feet rained down on me.
12:35I tried to explain, but my mouth was stuffed shut.
12:38Only muffled sounds escaped my throat.
12:40You owe us so many lives.
12:41Even tearing you apart wouldn't be enough.
12:44You'll get what you deserve today.
12:46I heard the iron rod swing.
12:49The pain exploded through me.
12:5199 blows.
12:52I passed out.
12:53Then I got splashed awake.
12:54Again and again.
12:56I felt every bone break, one by one.
12:58At the end, as my consciousness faded, they tied stones to me and threw me into the river.
13:04The water was freezing.
13:05It rushed in from all sides, crushing my lungs, stealing every breath.
13:09Then, I closed my eyes.
13:11This was fine.
13:12My life had been nothing but pain.
13:14I was so tired.
13:16If this was the end, then let it end.
13:18Just as my awareness flipped away, strong arms caught hold of me, and fresh air flooded my lungs.
13:27Chloe told Irene's parents that several victims' families wanted to confront her, and they were kind of worried.
13:32After all, she was their daughter.
13:34Even though they were furious at her back then for her reckless greed, deep down, they could not completely wipe
13:39out their love and care for her.
13:41Don't worry.
13:42I've investigated.
13:43They're decent people.
13:45They won't hurt Irene.
13:46Maybe after this, she'll know how to lie low and protect herself.
13:50Chloe promised confidently and assured them.
13:53Reluctantly, Irene's parents shared her whereabouts with the families.
13:57Still, a heavy unease coursed through their veins and finally settled deep in their bones.
14:02And today...
14:03My heart keeps racing.
14:05Irene hasn't been in touch for days.
14:07Should we try to find her?
14:08Maybe call the police?
14:09Why bother?
14:10Calling the police for her is just a waste.
14:13No news is better.
14:15Someone like her, her death shall do a good thing to the society.
14:18Mrs. Walker frowned at her husband's words, but said nothing.
14:21The same unease gnawed at Julian Reed.
14:25For three days straight, Chloe kept stopping him from seeing Irene.
14:28Every time he insisted, Chloe would show her tears.
14:31I know it.
14:32You're still hung up on your ex.
14:34If you love her, then why are you looking for me?
14:38Julian had no choice but to stay and calm her down.
14:41But the anxiety grew too strong.
14:43Finally, one day, he rushed to the villa when Chloe was away.
14:47Not for anything else.
14:48He just needed to know Irene was safe.
14:50But when he arrived, the villa was empty.
14:52Only Irene's anxious parents welcomed him.
14:55The three exchanged a knowing glance and silently began searching for her.
15:04It must be Irene.
15:05But when she opened the door, it wasn't her daughter.
15:08You are.
15:11Seeing who was outside, Mr. Walker and Julian both came to a halt.
15:15Mr. Walker was the first to react.
15:17Officer!
15:18Is Irene causing trouble again?
15:20If she hurts anyone again, just sentence her to death!
15:23I don't have such a daughter!
15:24Please calm down.
15:26We're here to speak to Ms. Irene Walker's parents and ex-husband.
15:30Evidence suggests that Ms. Irene is likely murdered.
15:32The suspect has been apprehended and efforts are ongoing to recover her remains.
15:36We're sorry for your loss.
15:40Irene.
15:42Julian stared at the officer in disbelief, tears streaming down his face.
15:46He tried to step forward to confirm, but his legs betrayed him.
15:50In the end, two officers had to support him.
15:52Our loved ones were all killed by your daughter.
15:55This is what is called justice!
15:56You two gave us her whereabouts.
15:58Isn't that what you wanted?
15:59Her parents even told us exactly where she was.
16:01They didn't stop us, so why are you stopping us?
16:02You have your grievances, but the law decides justice.
16:05Private revenge is never allowed.
16:07Murder is a crime.
16:09Irene is your daughter.
16:10How could you do this to her?
16:11How could you be this cruel and heartless?
16:14We didn't know it would end like this!
16:16It was Chloe!
16:18Chloe said these people would only scare Irene a little.
16:21So she would leave here.
16:23She must have planned all of this from the start.
16:25No wonder she stopped him back then.
16:28Julian's face darkened with rage.
16:30The walkers were stunned too, realizing Chloe's manipulations.
16:34Just then, Chloe Bennett walked in, calm and confident.
16:38You're so worried about that murderer.
16:40Weren't you the ones who hated her the most?
16:42And yet here you are, scared?
16:44Good that she's gone, right?
16:45Now I can be your daughter.
16:47And Julian, I'm your fiancé.
16:49You can only love me.
16:51Someone like her, who killed so many people ten years ago?
16:54This is her karma.
16:57Julian snapped, grabbing Chloe by the throat.
17:01How can you do this?
17:03I did nothing wrong.
17:05She was a murderer, and now she still is.
17:08Ten years ago.
17:10Her sentence cut off abruptly.
17:12Her face paled, as if a memory had suddenly taken her breath.
17:16Julian laughed bitterly through his anger.
17:18I've woken from countless nightmares, regretting ever protecting someone like you at the cost of hurting the one I loved
17:23most.
17:24We both know I protected you just because you're my teacher's child.
17:27My teacher helped me once, so I sacrificed my own wife to shield you.
17:31Other people maybe may be fooled.
17:32But you, the real Surmerer, you know the truth better than anyone.
17:35His words dropped like a bomb, shattering the hearts of everyone present.
17:40The police were the first to react, stepping forward to stop Julian from tightening his grip on Chloe.
17:46Julian, you just said the murderer wasn't Irene?
17:54We wronged her.
17:57And we even took the real culprit as our daughter?
18:01Julian lowered his gaze, silently confirming.
18:04Mr. Walker staggered back and couldn't help falling into a chair.
18:07Mrs. Walker rushed forward, raising her hand and striking Julian across the face.
18:12The sharp sound echoed.
18:14Julian's head turned, but he stayed upright, silently taking the blow.
18:19I'm sorry.
18:23My daughter!
18:25My Irene!
18:27The victim's families exchanged stunned glances, their voices shaky.
18:32We took revenge on the wrong one?
18:35But all that answered them were the anguished cries of Irene's parents and an endless, suffocating silence.
18:43I woke up on a soft bed.
18:45I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my body, making my sweat break out.
18:50Don't move.
18:51Just lie down.
18:52A gentle male voice came from the doorway.
18:55Thank goodness.
18:57The doctor said you'd probably wake up in a few days, and I've been making this porridge every day, just
19:02in case you'll wake up hungry.
19:03He carefully placed the porridge on the bedside table.
19:06Then, with practiced ease, he adjusted the bed.
19:09That's when I finally got a good look at him.
19:11Sharp brows, almond-shaped eyes, and a perfectly placed little mole by his nose.
19:15For some reason, he felt strangely familiar.
19:18Because of that, I couldn't let my guard down around him.
19:21When the porridge reached my lips, I instinctively took a sip.
19:24It tasted exactly like the porridge my grandmother used to make when I was a child.
19:28I stared at him, shocked, and finally managed to say,
19:32Who... who are you?
19:37Dummy.
19:38Only two of us and Grandma Stafari-Fan would just really remember.
19:41Suddenly, memories flooded back.
19:43When I was a child, there had been a boy who often played with me.
19:46Since my grandmother was always busy, he would come by from time to time to take care of me.
19:51There was a period I struggled with my weak stomach, and I could only eat porridge.
19:54So that boy learned from my grandma how to make my favorite sweet potato porridge.
19:59I hesitated, then whispered,
20:01Evan?
20:02His eyes cheered.
20:04Finally, my darling!
20:06Then, he began to explain everything.
20:08After my parents took me to the city years ago, his biological parents also found him.
20:13His real identity was the long-lost heir of the Sterling family, the wealthiest family in the Northgate.
20:18But he had never forgotten me and had been searching for me all along.
20:21Seeing me become a renowned architect brought him genuine happiness.
20:25Yet, because I had married Julian, he could only stay away, afraid to disturb my life.
20:31As for the accident ten years ago, he told me he had never believed I was the one responsible.
20:36He had quietly investigated and gathered evidence all these years, but had found nothing, even until I was released.
20:42Even though I saved you this time, I still crossed your privacy, and yes, I've been following your movements for
20:49so many years.
20:50I'm sorry.
20:52I smiled and shook my head.
20:57Thank you, Evan.
21:00When I saw Chloe being led away by the police on television, I thought I was in a dream.
21:05Evan and I exchanged a look.
21:07We had spent ten years struggling to uncover the truth, laid bare before the public.
21:12Julian looked deathly pale.
21:14There was no trace left of his former confidence.
21:16As for my parents, who had trusted outsiders over their own daughter, they were just so tired and aged.
21:21My father was slumped in a chair.
21:23My mother sat beside him, covering her face, her sobs breaking through despite her efforts to suppress them.
21:28Lying in bed, watching these scenes, I felt none of the imagined dissatisfaction of justice served.
21:33There was only desolation and a weariness I couldn't quite put into words.
21:37Everything seemed to have settled.
21:38My name was finally cleared.
21:40The company I once worked for released a public statement restoring my reputation.
21:44Online, waves of apologies followed.
21:46Countless people went to my empty grave, laying flowers in mourning.
21:49After all of this, Evan frowned slightly and asked one day,
21:52What shall we do now?
21:54Show up in front of everyone again?
21:55As soon as he said it, my parents' faces, and also Julian's, flashed through my mind.
22:00I could already imagine how desperately they would try to make it up to me.
22:03I shook my head and smiled at Evan.
22:06Let this be my rebirth.
22:07I decided to go along with it.
22:09I stayed at the Sterlings' house to recover.
22:13For half a year, Evan took meticulous care of me.
22:16Though he was already busy working as the powerful head of the Sterlings,
22:18he still looked after me the same way he did before.
22:21Once I could eat normally again, he insisted on cooking himself,
22:24constantly coming up with new nutritious meals for me.
22:27Six months later, not only had I recovered, but I had also gained ten pounds.
22:31Another spring arrived.
22:33Jacaranda blossoms were in full bloom outside my window.
22:35I stared at them for a long while, then turned to Evan.
22:39Let's go out and see the world.
22:41We left the city behind.
22:42He arranged all his company affairs, switched to remote work,
22:45and accompanied me on a journey around the world.
22:47We reached every corner of the world,
22:50tracing all the romance that had ever been depicted in poems and literature.
22:53I had never expected that after so many years apart,
22:56Evan and I would share such similar interests and views on life.
23:00At last, we arrived in England.
23:02By the Thames, Evan looked at me, his eyes full of nervous anticipation.
23:06I knew what he was about to say.
23:08Smiling softly, I spoke first.
23:09Evan, I think I've fallen in love with you.
23:16His face flushed instantly.
23:18Then he leaned forward, and a kiss gently landed on my lips.
23:23In the end, Evan and I opened a small bookstore in a town far from our past.
23:27Life passed quietly.
23:29Now and then, news from back home would drift across my screen.
23:33Julian seemed to become a different person.
23:35He overhauled his company with ruthless efficiency,
23:37cutting away every force connected to Chloe.
23:39And he never stopped looking for me.
23:42The crushing weight of guilt made him obsessively believe
23:44that I was still alive somewhere in the world.
23:47On a snowy Christmas Eve, streets were blanketed in heavy snowfall.
23:50I closed the shop early,
23:51planning to go home and cook a Christmas dinner with Evan.
23:53But just as I reached the building downstairs,
23:55I saw a familiar figure.
23:59Standing in the snow, he looked as though he might freeze into a sculpture.
24:02When he saw me, the deadness in his eyes shattered into sudden light.
24:06He rushed over and grabbed my hand,
24:08his voice trembling.
24:09Irene.
24:13I knew you weren't dead.
24:14Thank God.
24:15You're alive.
24:16I was wrong.
24:17So wrong.
24:18I've set everything back on the trail.
24:20Come back with me.
24:21Let's start over, all right?
24:22I looked at the man I had once loved.
24:24My heart has never been this calm.
24:26I said quietly,
24:27Mr. Reed, I'm not the one you're looking for.
24:30I said quietly, Irene Walker is dead.
24:35No.
24:37Please.
24:38I'm begging you.
24:39Let me make it up to you, all right?
24:41Make it up to me?
24:42You destroyed my life.
24:43You turned everyone against me and sent me to prison for ten years.
24:47When I finally clawed my way back to some kind of peace,
24:49your compensation pushed me into a corner again and nearly killed me.
24:53Julian Reed, what exactly do you think you can still make up to me?
24:56With that, I turned away decisively and saw Evan standing behind me, smiling gently.
25:01Without hesitation, I walked to him and took his hand,
25:03ignoring the sound of Julian's breakdown behind me.
25:08A week later, my parents came as well.
25:10They looked much older.
25:11My mother carried a thermal container,
25:12saying it held lotus pastries I had loved as a child.
25:15When she saw me, her mouth opened,
25:16but before any words could come out,
25:18tears spilled down her face first.
25:20Looking at them, a fine, aching pain still rose in my chest.
25:25Come up and have some coffee.
25:29Evan respected my choice and helped me brew coffee for them.
25:32My father spoke first.
25:36Irene, we were wrong.
25:38Come home with us.
25:40I finished the coffee in silence before replying.
25:42Just pretend I'm dead.
25:44This is my home now.
25:45Turn back.
25:45I don't hate you anymore,
25:47but I can't go back to how things were.
25:49Between us lies ten years of wrongful imprisonment
25:51and a life that almost ended.
25:52Keeping our distance is the best ending we can have.
25:55I didn't take the lotus pastries.
25:57They cried for a long time,
25:58but in the end, they left, unsteady on their feet.
26:01In the snow, glowing red beneath the setting sun,
26:03their shadows stretched long and thin.
26:05I still cried.
26:06After that, Julian and my parents never came again,
26:09though money would regularly be transferred into my account.
26:12Life returned to calm.
26:14Occasionally, postcards would arrive from home.
26:16I knew they were from Julian.
26:17I tossed them straight into the fireplace
26:19and watched the flames consume them.
26:21The wind chime rang as a customer stepped into the shop.
26:24After selling another book,
26:25I lay back in the rocking chair in the courtyard.
26:28Evan handed me a cup of coffee and asked softly,
26:30Any regrets?
26:33I shook my head.
26:35This bookstore and Evan are my rebirth.
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