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Short filmTranscript
00:00The night before my wedding, I walked in on my fiancé entangled with his savior's younger sister.
00:05The woman was wrapped in my wedding blanket, a lingering look of passion still in her eyes.
00:09I threw the pregnancy test result in his face and asked,
00:12Do you still want this child?
00:14He smoked half the night.
00:15At dawn, stubbing out his cigarette, he said,
00:18I have a duty to her, but I love you.
00:21Hearing that, I put on my wedding dress, deciding to give him one last chance.
00:26However, what I got was,
00:28Sorry, Mrs. Southwheel. Mr. Vox says the wedding is cancelled.
00:32Mrs. Woods has suffered a heart attack and is undergoing emergency resurgitation.
00:36My bouquet dropped to the ground, my dignity shattered.
00:39I ran outside just in time to see his car speeding away.
00:43Julian! If you dare to go to her today, I'll be at the hospital tomorrow.
00:47You'll lose your child!
00:49He was silent for a moment, and then hung up.
00:52Only the dial tone remained in my ear.
00:54I stood at the hotel entrance, still in my wedding dress.
00:58The guests around me whispered as they stared.
01:01The host froze on stage, unsure what to say.
01:04Julian's mother, Lydia Finch.
01:07Sophia, go inside first. Don't let them see it.
01:11The wedding is off.
01:13Nonsense. Julian just had a momentary merry lapse of judgment.
01:18Vivian's situation is critical. He couldn't ignore her.
01:22So he could ignore me?
01:24You're going to be his wife. Don't make a scene.
01:31I'm done being his wife.
01:34Leave today and forget being a Borg ever again!
01:42In the dressing room, I took off the wedding dress and changed into my own clothes.
01:47The makeup artist carefully removed all hair accessories.
01:50Mrs. Southweal, your makeup...
01:51Leave it.
01:53I picked up my bag and left.
01:55Outside the hotel, the sky was overcast.
01:58I hailed a taxi.
02:00Trinity Hospital, please.
02:02My phone vibrated in my bag.
02:04It was Julian's assistant, Daniel Bright.
02:06I didn't answer.
02:08I knew what he would say.
02:10Mr. Voight is handling an emergency.
02:12Mr. Voight didn't mean it.
02:14Mr. Voight will explain to you later.
02:17Such words sounded in my mind.
02:19I'd heard excuses like this for 10 years.
02:21Vivian had been Julian's responsibility ever since her brother, Leonard Woods,
02:26died saving him 5 years ago.
02:28This responsibility had weighed on Julian for 5 years.
02:32I used to think it was right for him to take care of Vivian.
02:35Today, I realized just how far he'd let that responsibility go.
02:39The taxi stopped at the hospital entrance.
02:41I paid and walked into the emergency building.
02:44Julian was sitting on the long bench outside the emergency room.
02:48Head down, elbows propped on his knees, hands dug into his hair.
02:52He sat there with his suit jacket tossed carelessly to one side.
02:55Hearing my footsteps, he looked up and stood up when he saw me.
02:59Oh, Sophia, why are you here?
03:02I'm sorry.
03:04How is she?
03:05The doctor said it was acute heart failure.
03:07They're still trying to stabilize her.
03:09She's in critical condition.
03:15I see.
03:17Sophia, please don't be like this.
03:21Leonard died because of me.
03:23I can't abandon Vivian.
03:26She has no family in this world.
03:31Julian, I'm not doing anything.
03:33I just feel our wedding doesn't seem as important as a girl you've known for 5 years.
03:38No!
03:38Sophia, you're the most important to me!
03:40The doctor didn't say she's dying.
03:43But she's dying!
03:45Just then, the emergency room door opened.
03:49Family of Vivian?
03:51I am.
03:53The patient's heart rate spiked due to excitement.
03:56It's stable now, no danger.
03:58She'll be transferred to a regular board for observation for two days.
04:03Julian heaved a sigh of relief.
04:06See?
04:08She's so pitiful.
04:10Can't you be a little understanding?
04:14I said nothing.
04:15The hospital bed was wheeled out.
04:18Vivian was lying on it, pale and with her eyes closed.
04:21As she passed me, her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes opened a slit.
04:25Seeing me, she soon got tears welling up.
04:28Julian immediately held her hand.
04:30Vivian, don't be afraid.
04:32I'm here.
04:35I turned and walked out of the hospital.
04:38The cold wind hit my face.
04:40Only then did I realize my heart was pounding wildly.
04:49The next day, Julian didn't come home.
04:52The house was deathly silent.
04:54I called a real estate agent to list the house.
04:57Yes, we need to sell it right away.
04:59In the afternoon, Julian came back.
05:01Sophia, I apologize on Vivian's behalf.
05:05She didn't mean it yesterday.
05:08Can't she apologize herself?
05:12She's still very weak.
05:13Julian, don't talk about her.
05:15Let's talk about us.
05:17What about the wedding?
05:18How do we explain to our relatives and friends?
05:21He was silent for a while.
05:23Once things settle down, we can have the wedding again.
05:28Again?
05:30You think there's something that can be done again?
05:33Then what do you want me to do?
05:34It already happened.
05:37Sophia, I know you have endured a lot, but Vivian just came back from the brink of death.
05:42Can't we be a little more understanding?
05:47Again, understanding.
05:49I went into the bedroom, pulled out a suitcase, and started packing.
05:53What are you doing?
05:57His face darkened, folding my clothes neatly into the suitcase.
06:02I'm selling this house.
06:04Sophia, have you had enough of this scene?
06:06I'm not making a scene.
06:08I just don't want to live here anymore.
06:11Don't you dare sell it!
06:13This is our home!
06:15He is right.
06:17The moment you abandoned it for another woman, it stopped being our home.
06:22You're being utterly unreasonable!
06:26At this moment, his phone rang.
06:28He answered, and soon his tone shifted.
06:31What's wrong?
06:31Another nightmare?
06:33Don't be scared.
06:34I'm coming right now.
06:36After hanging up, he released me with impatience on his face.
06:39Sophia, stop this.
06:41Vivian's still shaking.
06:45I need to check on her.
06:46We'll talk when I get back.
06:47He thought I would compromise like before.
06:51If you leave, then don't come back.
06:59Sophia, my patience has limits.
07:01Then he left anyway.
07:03Listening to the door slam shut, I placed the last item in the suitcase and zipped it shut.
07:13I moved back to my studio.
07:15A small loft, design work downstairs, living space upstairs.
07:20Julian never contacted me again.
07:22I didn't contact him either.
07:24A week later, Lydia asked to meet me.
07:27In a coffee shop, she slid a check across the table.
07:3210 million.
07:34Leave Julian.
07:36Lydia, it's not about money between him and me.
07:40I know.
07:41You two have been gathered for 10 years, but you must understand.
07:44The Vogue family needs a wife who is understanding and can share Julian's burdens, not a troublemaker
07:49who only causes trouble.
07:52Vivian is understanding?
07:54Vivian is simple and kind.
07:56Her brother saved Julian's life.
07:59It's only right Julian protects her.
08:01As his fiancée, you should support him, not oppose him.
08:05I understood.
08:07In their eyes, all my grievances were causing trouble.
08:10I don't want the money.
08:12And I don't want Julian either.
08:15May he and Vivian have a lifetime of happiness.
08:20Stepping out of the coffee shop, I blocked all the Vogue's contacts.
08:24The world grew quiet.
08:29I began focusing on preparing for Milan Jewelry Design Competition three months later.
08:35That was my highest aspiration as a designer.
08:38My days were fulfilling and peaceful.
08:40Until that day, an uninvited guest showed up at my studio.
08:46Sofia, I came to apologize.
08:50On the wedding day, it was my fault.
08:53I shouldn't have get to the point.
08:56Julian has been in a terrible mood these past few days, drinking heavily.
08:59I know it's all because of me.
09:01Sofia, this is the card Julian gave me.
09:03I've saved all the money, never used it.
09:05I'm giving it back to you.
09:07Please don't be angry with him anymore, okay?
09:09Please?
09:10Vivian, do you think this is funny?
09:13I don't know what you're talking about.
09:15Vivian's still shaking.
09:17I'm coming right now.
09:18Every time you got sick or had an accident, it coincided with crucial moments for him and me.
09:24Vivian, you planned this, didn't you?
09:27I didn't.
09:29Take your card and get out of my place.
09:34Sofia, I know you hate me.
09:36But if the person who died five years ago was Julian instead of my brother, what would you have done?
09:41Believe it or not, I never meant to break you two up.
09:44I'm just so terribly lonely.
09:46She left.
09:47I threw the card in the trash.
09:49Sofia!
09:50What did you do to Vivian?
09:55Sofia!
09:55What did you do to Vivian?
09:58She slit her wrist after she went home.
10:00If the housekeeper hadn't found her in time, she'd be dead.
10:02Are you satisfied now?
10:03I did nothing to her.
10:04Still lying.
10:05She's so kind, even giving you all her savings to pay you back.
10:08Why did you still provoke her?
10:10Julian, do you believe her?
10:11Or me?
10:15I'm taking you to the hospital.
10:17Apologize to her.
10:18I'm not going.
10:19You have no choice.
10:21Julian, you're crazy!
10:23You're the crazy one!
10:24You weren't like this before!
10:25When did you become so vicious, so unreasonable?
10:28Yeah, I wasn't like this before.
10:31The old me believed his every word, understood his every difficulty, and took his responsibilities as my own.
10:37When did I change?
10:38Probably from the moment he kept choosing another woman over me.
10:42He dragged me all the way downstairs.
10:44His car was parked right at the door.
10:46He opened the door, trying to shove me inside.
10:50I used all my strength to break free.
10:53We're over.
10:55What did you say?
10:56I said we're breaking up.
10:57From now on, you and Vivian have nothing to do with me.
11:00Sophia, don't regret this!
11:02The thing I regret most is pulling you out of the mind ten years ago and spending another ten years
11:05watching you push me back in!
11:07I went upstairs, locked the door, and then leaned against it, listening to him pounding on the door.
11:14Then the car's engine started.
11:16He left.
11:17I slid to the floor, hugging my knees.
11:20A sharp pain stabbed through my lower abdomen.
11:22I looked down.
11:24Blood was trickling down my thigh.
11:29Seven weeks pregnant.
11:30Signs of threatened misnarriage.
11:32Your emotional state is too volatile.
11:34Can my baby be saved?
11:35You need to be hospitalized for observation.
11:38As for saving your baby, we need a family member's consent.
11:41Where is your husband?
11:42He's away on business?
11:43Then have another relative come.
11:45I had no relatives.
11:47My parents passed away when I was very young.
11:50I was raised by my grandfather, who had also passed away five years ago.
11:55In this world, I thought I still had Julian.
11:58Now, I had no one.
11:59I sat on a bench in the hallway for a long time.
12:02My phone lit up.
12:04It was a photo from Daniel.
12:06Miss Southwield, Mr. Vox says he will come find you once Ms. Wood's condition stabilizes.
12:11Then I stood up and walked back to the doctor's office.
12:14Doctor.
12:16Made a decision?
12:18I don't want this child.
12:20Then I lay on the operating table.
12:22The anesthesia coursed through my body.
12:24In the last second before my consciousness faded, I thought,
12:28Julian, we're even now.
12:33The day I was discharged, it was raining.
12:36I didn't return to the studio.
12:38Instead, I went to the airport.
12:40I bought a one-way ticket to Milan.
12:43Before leaving, I sent Julian a final text.
12:46My lawyer will send you the divorce papers.
12:48I don't want the house or the car.
12:50Just sign it.
12:52After sending it, I deactivated my phone number.
12:56As the plane took off, watching the city grow smaller beyond the window, I told myself,
13:01Sophia, you are reborn.
13:03Sophia, you are reborn.
13:05Life in Milan was harder than I had imagined.
13:07Language barrier, no friends, no money.
13:10I lived in the cheapest apartment, ate the simplest food.
13:13By day, I audited classes at a jewelry institute, and by night, I washed dishes in a small restaurant.
13:20It was tough.
13:22But my heart was at peace.
13:24I devoted all my energy into designs.
13:26I poured all the love and pain of those 10 years into the drawings.
13:30Three months later, I stood on the stage of the Milan jewelry design competition with my entry,
13:36Caged Bird.
13:37I got the gold medal.
13:38That day, under the spotlight, I smiled at the sea of flashbulbs below.
13:43I was no longer the Sophia who needed Julian to survive.
13:47Now I was a designer, Sophia Safla.
13:49Three years later, I returned to my country with my personal brand, Glimmer Snow.
13:54My first major show was set in Rivermore.
13:57The runway was star-studded.
13:59Backstage, I watched models wearing my jewelry creations step onto the stage.
14:04My assistant, Anna, approached and handed me a glass of champagne.
14:08Mrs. Southdale, Julian Voth, the president of Voth Group, is here too.
14:12I swirled the liquid in my glass without responding.
14:15He's in the front row.
14:16Hasn't taken his eyes off you.
14:19Is that so?
14:21He's lost a lot of weight.
14:24Looks haggard.
14:26I took a sip of champagne.
14:28Anna, go prepare the showstopper.
14:32Yes, Mrs. Southwell.
14:34Ladies and gentlemen, let's put our hands together for the jewelry designer of tonight's show, Sophia Southbury.
14:52Our gaze is locked for three seconds.
14:54I gave him a faint smile, then left the stage.
14:58Backstage, Anna told me Julian wanted to see me.
15:01Tell him I'm busy.
15:04He says he'll wait.
15:06Then let him wait.
15:08I changed out of the dress.
15:10I left through a side entrance and got into my car.
15:13Thanks, Mia.
15:15Hello, miss.
15:16Hi.
15:16As we drove away, I glanced back.
15:19He was still standing there.
15:21Anna was right.
15:22He was thinner and older, no longer the vibrant man I remembered.
15:26The car radio played an old song.
15:28I finally learned how to love, but sadly you, you had long vanished into the crowd.
15:38I turned off the radio.
15:43My brand became an overnight sensation domestically.
15:46Orders poured in like snowflakes.
15:49I was swamped with work.
15:51Julian tried many ways to see me.
15:53He bought the coffee shop downstairs from my studio and sat by the window every day.
15:58He purchased the billboard opposite my company, displaying my photos 24 hours a day.
16:02He bought every single one of my designs.
16:05I ignored him completely.
16:07The more he acted like this, the more ridiculous I found it.
16:11Hindsight was always 20-20.
16:13Thank you, everyone.
16:14One day, I had just finished a meeting when Anna came in.
16:18Miss Southwield?
16:19There's a lady downstairs asking to see you.
16:21She says her name is Vivian Woods.
16:23My pen paused.
16:25Let her come up.
16:26Years had changed Vivian a lot.
16:28She wore exquisite makeup and a designer suit, with a hint of malice in her eyes.
16:33No longer the delicate, pitiable girl she once was.
16:36Sophia.
16:37Long time no see.
16:39She sat down in my office.
16:41What do you want to say?
16:43I come to ask you to leave Rivermore.
16:48I laughed.
16:49Why?
16:51Julian loves you now.
16:53Ever since you came back, he changed.
16:56He wants to send me away and break up with me.
17:00Isn't that good?
17:02You two never should have been together.
17:04No.
17:08It's me who stayed by his side these past three years.
17:12I took care of him at his lowest.
17:15How dare you take him away from me?
17:17I looked at her, feeling ridiculous.
17:20Vivian, have you forgotten?
17:22He was originally mine.
17:23You gave up on him.
17:25He gave up on me first.
17:28She was speechless with her face flushed red.
17:31Finally, she pulled a stack of photos from her bag and slammed them onto my desk.
17:36Sophia, don't get cocky.
17:38You think he really loves you?
17:39It's just guilt.
17:40Look at this.
17:44I picked up a photo.
17:46It showed a tombstone.
17:48The name on it was Leonard Woods.
17:50Next to it stood a smaller tombstone, bearing no name.
17:54Only a date.
17:55The date of my surgery.
17:57Below it was engraved two words, my son.
18:00With the signature, father, Julian Voigt.
18:03My mind exploded.
18:05He had actually set up a tombstone for our unborn child.
18:07Seeing my deftly pale face, Vivian laughed triumphantly.
18:12He told me the child was his greatest regret, so he wanted to make amends.
18:15He wanted to get you back.
18:17Sophia, you're just a tool he's using to compensate for that child.
18:21My hands shook so badly that I couldn't hold the photos.
18:25They scattered all over the floor.
18:27Get out!
18:28Get out?
18:30Sophia, you can't win against me.
18:32As long as my brother's favor remains, Julian can never truly ignore me.
18:37I walked up to her and slapped her face.
18:39She covered her face, staring at me in disbelief.
18:42You dare slap me?
18:44This slap is for my unborn child.
18:48I picked up the phone.
18:49Security, throw this person out.
18:52Being held by two security guards.
18:55Sophia, just wait!
18:57I'll make you pay!
18:58Yeah.
18:59The office door closed.
19:01I crouched down, picking up the photos one by one.
19:04Looking at that small tombstone, my tears finally fell.
19:12I fell ill with a persistent high fever.
19:15Anna took me to the hospital.
19:17Lying in a hospital bed, I drifted in and out of consciousness.
19:21It felt like I was back in that cold operating room three years ago.
19:24I kept having nightmares.
19:26A tiny infant was crying out to me.
19:28Mommy, why didn't you want me?
19:31I woke up sobbing.
19:32The moment I opened my eyes, I saw Julian.
19:35He sat at my bedside, holding my hand, with his jaw shadowed by rough stubble and his bloodshot eyes.
19:42Sophia, you're awake.
19:44His voice was hoarse.
19:45I pulled my hand back and turned away, not wanting to see him.
19:49He said behind me,
19:50I'm sorry about the child.
19:53I'm sorry.
19:55Back then, I thought you ended the pregnancy because you hated me.
20:00I didn't dare ask, didn't dare look for you.
20:02I was afraid you'd hate me even more.
20:06I visit him every year.
20:08I named him Sasha Valk.
20:10My body stiffened.
20:12I looked for you for three years.
20:14Sophia, I know I was wrong.
20:16Give me another chance, please.
20:18I didn't turn around, nor did I speak.
20:21I'll handle things with Vivian.
20:22I swear, from now on, my world will only have you and the child.
20:26The child he spoke of was the one long gone.
20:29How laughable.
20:33Julian, leave.
20:39I won't.
20:40He came to face me and tried to hug me.
20:43I avoided him.
20:45Sophia.
20:46You're right.
20:48I ended the pregnancy because I hated you.
20:51I hated you for abandoning our wedding,
20:53for abandoning our ten years,
20:55for choosing her again and again,
20:57so I abandoned your child.
20:59No, that's not true.
21:00You're not that kind of person.
21:02I am that kind of person.
21:03So it's impossible between us now.
21:07The person you see now is not the fool who loved you enough to give up everything.
21:12That fool died on the operating clade three years ago.
21:16The hospital room door opened.
21:18Anna entered with medicine.
21:21Seeing Julian, she paused.
21:24Mrs. Southwin, time for your medication?
21:29I nodded and told Julian.
21:32I need to rest.
21:33Please leave.
21:34He stood there, lips trembling.
21:36Finally, he gave me one last deep look before walking out.
21:40His back was hunched, looking 10 years older.
21:46After I was discharged from the hospital,
21:49Julian didn't come to bother me again.
21:51He must have finally given up.
21:53I poured myself into work.
21:55My brand grew larger and larger, expanding worldwide.
21:58I spent most of my time abroad.
22:01My returns to Rivermore were brief and hurried.
22:04News of Julian came from financial reports, resulting in heavy losses.
22:08Vogue Group's investment failed and its stock fell.
22:11Several major investments failing.
22:12It seemed his luck ran out after I left.
22:15Anna once shared some gossip with me.
22:17I heard Julian kicked Vivian out, didn't give her a cent.
22:23Vivian isn't an easy person either.
22:25She's been telling the media Julian is ungrateful, even that he has a love child.
22:30But no one believes her.
22:32She's in a bad way now.
22:33I just listened, having no feelings.
22:36None of it concerned me anymore.
22:38A year later, my retrospective exhibition opened at Rivermore Art Museum.
22:42All my representative works from my debut until now were on display.
22:46Many people attended the opening ceremony.
22:49I was preparing my speech in the lounge.
22:52Anna suddenly rushed in.
22:53Miss Southfield, something's happened.
22:55What happened?
22:57Vivian is here.
22:58She's making a scene in the exhibition hall, saying your breakthrough work is a copy of hers.
23:02Is she mad?
23:03She showed the so-called original design draft, almost identical to yours, with just minor difference.
23:07Now the reporters are all gathered around.
23:10This piece was just designed in my brother Leonard Woods.
23:13It's his final work.
23:14Sophia was an assistant in my brother's studio.
23:16She stole my brother's draft.
23:20Mrs. Woods, do you have any evidence?
23:22The evidence is my manuscript.
23:24It has my brother's signature.
23:27Vivian.
23:29Sophia.
23:30You thief.
23:31How dare you show up?
23:33You say this work was designed by you and your brother together?
23:36Yes.
23:36When?
23:37Six years ago.
23:40Everyone.
23:41The inspiration for this work did come from one person.
23:44But it wasn't Leonard Woods.
23:45It was Julian Vaught.
23:46I created this work during the most painful period after our breakups.
23:48It symbolizes my trapped love and my longing for freedom.
23:51As for Mrs. Woods' evidence, if I'm not mistaken, it was drawn by Julian, right?
23:55You-
23:55You're lying!
23:56Whether I'm lying or not, a handwriting expert can verify it.
23:59Julian has been painting for ten years.
24:01I can recognize his brush strokes even with my eyes closed.
24:04I don't know what you're talking about!
24:05This is my brother's!
24:06Is this?
24:06A deep voice came from behind the crowd.
24:09Julian walked in.
24:10He wore a black suit, looking more gone than the last time I saw him.
24:14It was drawn by me, not by Leonard.
24:15I drew it to atone to Sophia.
24:17I gave it to you to pass to her, not for you to frame her with.
24:22I didn't- I really was-
24:24Enough!
24:25I come here to tell you a thing.
24:27Leonard did not die saving me.
24:32The entire exhibition hall was deathly silent.
24:36Everyone was stunned into speechlessness.
24:38What- what did you say?
24:40I've been investigating the car crash from five years ago.
24:44I found several people to recover the dashcam footage at that time.
24:48A car was driving along a winding mountain road.
24:51Julian was the driver, and Leonard was sitting in the passenger seat.
24:55Suddenly, a large truck feared toward them.
24:58A second before impact, Leonard unbuckled his seatbelt and killed at Julian with his own body.
25:05See it clearly?
25:06That truck had brake failure.
25:08It wasn't a premeditated murder.
25:10As for Leonard, he was drowning in 30 million in gambling debt.
25:15He couldn't go on living anyway.
25:18He didn't die saving me.
25:19He just wanted to use his life to give you a secure future.
25:23He wrote it all clearly in his will, asking you to live well with my guilt.
25:27Not to use that guilt to hurt the one I love the most.
25:30I was held hostage by this so-called kindness for five years.
25:34I lost my love, my child.
25:36I've become a laughing doc.
25:38Vivian, if your brother could see you now, would he get peace?
25:47No! It's not true! It's not!
25:55The farce finally came to an end.
25:57Julian turned to look at me.
25:59Sophia, the truth is finally out. I no longer owe anyone anything. Can we start over?
26:10Julian, it's too late.
26:15With that, I walked back to the lounge, leaving everything behind me.
26:22After that day, Julian vanished. Voight Group announced bankruptcy liquidation. He dismissed
26:28all employees, liquidated all assets, and paid off all debts. Then he left Rivermore alone.
26:34No one knew where he went. My life finally returned to calm. My brand went public in Paris,
26:41becoming truly international. I lived mostly in Paris. Occasionally, Anna mentioned Julian.
26:47She said someone saw him doing volunteer work, and someone saw him teaching in a mountain village.
26:53He seemed to be punishing himself like an ascetic. While listening, I felt nothing.
26:58We ultimately took different paths in life. Five years later, I returned to my country and
27:04settled down. I bought a house with a garden in Rivermore. I adopted a little girl named Ava.
27:10She was adorable, with two dimples when she smiled. I loved her dearly. We lived happily together.
27:16One winter afternoon, I took Ava to a park. It was snowing heavily. Ava was building a snowman.
27:24I sat on a bench, watching her. Not far away, a man in a janitorial uniform was sweeping snow
27:30slowly and laboriously. He wore a hat and mask, his face obscured. He seemed to have a leg issue.
27:37A slight limp. Ava's snowball rolled to his feet. She ran over to retrieve it. The man stopped sweeping,
27:44bent down, and picked it up for her. When he looked up, his mask slipped down slightly. I saw his
27:51face.
27:54It was Julian. His hair was much grayer, his face weathered. Seeing me, he froze. The snowball fell
28:02from his hand and was shattered. Ava looked up, asking in a babbish voice,
28:06Sir, what's wrong? He didn't answer, and just looked at me with so many emotions in his eyes.
28:12I stood up and walked toward them while waving to Ava. Ava, come here, we're going home.
28:18Ava ran to me, taking my hand. Mom, he's crying. I glanced back. Julian remained motionless where he
28:26stood. His tears rolled down his face, mingled with snowflakes, and fell to the ground. A man
28:33nearing 40 cried like a child. Holding Ava's hand, I didn't look back. We walked into the snow,
28:39getting further and further away. I knew he was watching, until we vanished from sight.
28:44Just like many years ago, I watched him leave without hesitation. We both had stood at life's
28:49crossroads. He chose his so-called responsibility, and I chose myself. Now, the dust had settled.
28:57We keep moving forward. Ava's laughter filled the way. The sun was shining, and the breeze was
29:02gentle.
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