- 5 hours ago
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00:04My husband, who married into my family 10 years ago, had no idea I'd planned to transfer 15%
00:10of the company's shares to him. That all changed on the day of our physical exam.
00:14As two type O blood types, my husband and I should never have had a son with type A blood.
00:18Staring at the little boy who looked just like a mini version of my husband, I said nothing.
00:22Instead, I calmly did two things. First, I secretly pulled a strand of my son's hair.
00:27My husband, who married into my family 10 years ago, after watching Jack walk into school,
00:32I turned around and headed straight for a paternity testing center.
00:36How soon can I get the expedited results? Regular service takes five working days.
00:41For expedited, it'll be ready by 4 p.m. today, but the fee is triple.
00:45My hands trembled as I submitted the samples, swabbing the inside of my cheek before sitting
00:49in the waiting area. Staring at the clock is each minute dragged by. In the meantime,
00:53I contacted a private detective. I need to investigate my husband, Robert Carter especially
00:58his whereabouts over the past few months. At 3.40 p.m., my phone rang. The results were in.
01:04Based on DNA analysis, the probability of a parent-child relationship between Laura Mitchell
01:08and Jack Carter is 0.0001%. Genetic marker testing does not support Laura Mitchell as Jack Carter's
01:14biological mother. Even though I'd braced for it, panic washed over me for a split second.
01:19I leaned against the wall to study myself. He's not my child. I'd raised a boy who wasn't mine
01:24for nine years. So where was my real child? I rushed to the maternal and child hospital where
01:29I'd given birth nine years ago, and asked to see the obstetrician. Who'd delivered my baby,
01:34now the department director. I need to access my delivery records and hospital files.
01:38It's been so long, those files might have been archived. After some hassle, the archivist brought me
01:43a folder. I flipped through it to find barely any details, only admission and discharge dates,
01:48delivery method, and the newborn's weight. No detailed birth process, no nurse handover logs,
01:53no pediatrician checkup reports. That's all? That's everything in the system. Obstetric records
01:58are usually kept for 10 years, and yours is almost expiring. What about the newborn's footprints?
02:02The blood test records? Those should be in the newborn's file, but we can't find it.
02:06It was obvious something was wrong. An overly vague medical record, a missing newborn file,
02:12and a son who looked just like my husband but wasn't biologically mine.
02:15My phone rang. It was Robert. Where are you? I picked up Jack already.
02:20I'd completely lost track of time, school had ended hours ago. Luckily, I'd told the teacher I
02:25might be late. Have you eaten? I'm handling something outside. I'll be home soon.
02:30I replied before hanging up. After dinner, I excused myself to my room early, claiming a headache.
02:36Robert stayed in the living room helping Jack with homework, their voices drifting in faintly.
02:40Is mom mad? Mom's just tired. Finish your homework and go to bed early.
02:44Once everyone was asleep, I searched the entire house. Our bedroom, the living room,
02:49Jack's room, but found nothing. As soon as they were gone, I rushed to the study and turned on
02:54the computer. I heard footsteps outside. I quickly closed the document. When Robert pushed the door
03:00open, I was tidying the desk. He glanced at the screen, which had returned to our desktop wallpaper,
03:05a photo of us at the beach three years ago. Aren't you asleep yet? Just organizing some old files,
03:10I replied, shutting off the monitor. Rest early. I sat in the dark, listening to his footsteps fade
03:16away. That night, I didn't open the computer again. I lay in bed, my thoughts in chaos. The next morning,
03:22I still asked Robert to drop Jack off at school. He looked at me, grabbed his car keys, and left.
03:28As soon as they were gone, I rushed to the study and turned on the computer. I tried our wedding
03:32anniversary as the password, wrong. His birthday, wrong. Jack's birthday, still wrong. I tried the
03:39date we first met, his mother's birthday, the day the company was founded, all incorrect. The system
03:44prompted me to try again in Jack five minutes. I stared at the login screen. The computer we bought
03:49together was now locked against me. That evening, Robert came home from work. I'm going on a business
03:54trip to Philadelphia tomorrow. Not sure how long I'll be gone. I brought dishes out of the kitchen.
03:59So sudden? Who are you going with? He set his briefcase on the table and turned to me, annoyed.
04:04Laura, do you have to ask everything? Can't you just trust me? It's just work.
04:08I turned back to serving rice, my hands trembling. I was just asking casually. He said nothing and went
04:14straight to the bedroom. Dinner was silent. Jack, sensing the tension, didn't complain about his food
04:20for once. After Robert finished showering, he picked up his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
04:25A receipt fell out of his pocket and landed at my feet. I picked it up. It was for an
04:29expensive
04:30bottle of perfume, purchased the afternoon before. I didn't recognize the brand, but I knew it wasn't
04:35for me. In ten years of marriage, Robert had never given me another gift. I'd always made excuses for
04:40him, he was unromantic, busy with work, just a down-to-earth guy. Now I realized, it wasn't that
04:46he couldn't be romantic. He just reserved that romance for someone else. Early the next morning,
04:51after Robert left for the airport. I called the perfume counter, I need to check a receipt,
04:56from yesterday afternoon. One moment. Found it. The purchaser was Ms. Chloe Miller. The name rang a
05:02bell. Chloe was Robert's secretary, hired six months ago, a divorced woman in her 30s. On my way to the
05:08airport, I wondered what I was hoping to confirm. Maybe the perfume was a gift for a client? Maybe I
05:14was overthinking. I waited outside the international departure hall for half an hour before spotting
05:18Robert Carter, with her. Chloe was wearing a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase as she walked
05:23beside Robert. He had a relaxed smile on his face, the kind I hadn't seen in years. At the security
05:28checkpoint, Chloe stopped and naturally adjusted Robert's collar. He didn't pull away. He leaned
05:34down and whispered something in her ear, making her laugh. She then tiptoed and kissed him on the lips,
05:39his hand resting on her waist for a long moment before they pulled apart. It was a gesture of long
05:43familiarity. My last shred of self-deception vanished. All those late nights working overtime,
05:49all those impatient looks, now I knew why. As I watched their intimate interaction, a suspicion
05:54crept into my mind. Could the child who wasn't mine be related to this woman? On my drive back,
05:59I called the private detective again. I need you to investigate someone else, Chloe Miller. I want to
06:04know everything about her, especially if she has any children. The detective worked fast. The next
06:10afternoon, I received his rapper, Chloe Miller, 32, divorced five years ago, with a Jack's zero-year-old
06:16son named Ethan Miller, who attended a primary school in the western part of the city. That date
06:21hit me like a punch. Chloe's son was only one week younger than Jack. Ten years. For the first time,
06:27I felt my blood boil. I sat on the sofa, clutching the detective's report, and a terrible thought took
06:33shape. I ran to the study, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Slowly, I typed in Chloe's birthday.
06:39The desktop unlocked. There was only one folder, labeled Work Backups. I opened it to find subfolders
06:46organized by year, starting from 10 years ago. In the oldest folder were scanned old photos.
06:51Robert and Chloe, in school uniforms, standing under a pagoda tree. 19-year-old Robert was smiling,
06:57his arm around Chloe's shoulders. She had a ponytail and was looking up at him. The next photo was from
07:02college, they were in the library. Then a graduation photo, both were in bachelor's gowns, holding hands.
07:08That was the same year Robert had told me the company was in trouble, and we canceled our wedding
07:12anniversary trip. I closed the folder, my stomach churning. Ten years of lies. Staring at our wedding
07:18photo on the desktop, I felt sick to my stomach. At 3 p.m., I drove to the western part
07:23of the city.
07:24The primary school was even older than the detective had described. When the school bell rang,
07:28children poured out of the gate. I sat in the car, gripping the steering wheel. He walked out alone,
07:34no one came to pick him up. He looked left and right, then walked slowly along the sidewalk.
07:38I held my breath. That child, Ethan Miller. No, that's my son. He walked just like me, with a slight
07:45pigeon toe. When he lifted his hand to brush his hair. I saw a birthmark on his wrist, in the
07:50exact
07:51same spot as mine. His eyelashes had dust on them. His lips were chapped. And his shoes were scuffed at
07:56the toes, the saws peeling. His eyes were empty, nothing like a 10-year-old's. I covered my mouth to
08:02muffle a sob. He walked farther away, disappearing around a corner. I laid my head on the steering
08:07wheel and cried, for the little boy walking home alone. For the 10 years of my life that had been
08:12a lie. For the fool I'd been, living in someone else's script. Then I wiped my tears and started
08:17the car. At the law firm, I placed a USB drive in front of Mr. Thompson. It has backups of
08:22all the
08:22photos, the paternity test report, scanned copies of the hospital records, the perfume receipt,
08:27and information on Chloe Miller and Ethan Miller. I want a divorce. I want him to leave
08:32with nothing. I want custody of my child, and I want him to pay for what he's done.
08:36As I walked out of the law firm, I remembered Robert's words when he proposed 10 years ago.
08:41Laura, I'll give you a lifetime of stability. Turns out his lifetime was only 10 years. No,
08:46maybe not even that. I took out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder,
08:50Mr. Peterson, an old colleague of my father. Robert had apparently forgotten, this company bore
08:55the Mitchell name. He'd become general manager only because I'd begged my father to give him a chance.
08:59I'd lifted him up, and I could just as easily tear him down. I liquidated all my assets that could
09:05be converted to cash. Every afternoon these days, I went to wait near Nisawa Primary School in the
09:10West. Once, it rained. He didn't have an umbrella, so he stood under the eaves of a small shop at
09:15the
09:15school gate for half an hour before running home in the rain. I sat in the car, watching as the
09:19rain
09:19blurred the windows. On Friday afternoon, I arrived early. When Ethan came out, I got out of the car and
09:25pretended to be a passerby. I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him. He froze for a moment,
09:31then bent down to pick it up. Thank you, little guy. Where's your mom? He shook his head. Mom's
09:37working overtime today. How are you getting home? Bye, boss. I pulled an unopened bottle of mineral
09:42water from my bag and handed it to him. Have some water. He hesitated, then took it and whispered.
09:48Thank you. I noticed he had a habit of pursing his lips when he spoke, just like me. His eyes
09:52were the
09:53same shape, too. He nodded, then shook his head. Does your mom work overtime often? Sometimes.
09:59What about your dad? He didn't answer, just stared at his shoes. The sneakers had peeling
10:04sols. I didn't ask more. I pulled 200 yuan from my wallet and stuffed it into his school bag.
10:10Buy yourself a new pair of shoes. He stepped back. No, I can't take this. It's a thank you for
10:15helping
10:15me pick up my folder. I tucked the money into the side pocket and walked away. After a few steps,
10:20I glanced back. He was staring at the money, looking confused. That night, I stood at Jack's
10:26bedroom door. He was playing with a new Lego set Robert had bought him, a limited edition space
10:30shuttle, expensive. Mom, what's wrong? I walked in and touched his hair. Finished your homework?
10:36Yep, ages ago. He showed me the model. Dad said if I get top 10 in the midterm exam,
10:41he'll take me to Disneyland. I forced a smile. That's nice. As I turned to leave, my smile faded.
10:47Robert's double standards for the two boys felt like a knife twisting in my heart.
10:51My biological son was wearing peeling shoes and taking the bus alone. While this child had
10:55everything. Two weeks later, Robert finally came home from his business trip. He dropped
11:00his suitcase and asked immediately. Where's Jack? Why is it so quiet? I signed him up for
11:04tutoring, two hours a day. Why suddenly? He's only in fourth grade. I didn't answer. I could
11:10smell the perfume on him. He reached out to hug me, but I stepped aside. Why do you smell
11:15like perfume? Who were you dining with? He froze, then looked annoyed. Laura, are you
11:20being paranoid again? It's just from sitting next to a client at dinner. Can't you start
11:24with this? I suddenly found it hilarious. How had I never seen through his terrible acting?
11:30I pulled an envelope from the coffee table drawer and slowly took out the photos. Robert's
11:34face darkened. He picked up one photo and threw it back on the table. You followed me?
11:38Does it matter? I smiled. What matters is what would happen if these photos ended up with
11:43the board of directors or your clients? He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, covering
11:47his face with his hands. What do you want? I stared at him, my voice cold. First, fire
11:53Chloe Miller. Promise never to see her again. Second, tell me what happened at the hospital
11:5810 years ago. He stood up and raged. You're crazy. Just because of some photos. My voice
12:03turned icy. Robert, don't forget this company is Mitchell property. You have everything because
12:08of me. I can give it to you, and I can take it all away. I almost softened until I
12:13remembered
12:13Ethan's peeling shoes, the way he'd waited alone in the rain. For the sake of 10 years
12:17of marriage and the child, if you do what I ask, we can keep going. I turned and fetched
12:21a document from the bedroom, handing it to him. It was a pregnancy test report showing
12:25I was five weeks pregnant. Robert stared at the report, then looked up at me, shocked.
12:30You are pregnant. I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach. Five weeks. The doctor says
12:36this one is stable. His expression shifted back and forth, his throat bobbing as he looked
12:40between me and the report. So, I continued. As long as you cut ties with Chloe make her
12:45leave the company and our lives I can let the past go. We still have Jack. And now this
12:50baby. Robert's gaze lingered on my stomach. There was obvious conflict in his eyes.
12:55I need to think. He said hoarsely, turning to the bedroom. That night, the light in his room
13:00stayed on until late. The next morning, I was drinking coffee when Robert walked out, dark circles
13:05under his eyes. I pushed a glass of water toward him. He took it silently, avoiding my gas.
13:10I've made up my mind, Laura. We. I don't need to hear it. I cut him off, pulling a divorce
13:16agreement from the folder and slamming it on the table. He looked furious. What are you
13:20doing? We're having another baby. I said coldly. I told you I was pregnant, and you needed an
13:25entire night to decide if you'd break up with her. He stood up. We have a child on the way.
13:29Don't you care about the baby? Or Jack? Baby. I laughed bitterly. Are you referring
13:35to the child I raised for 10 years who turns out to be yours and Chloe's? Robert's face
13:39turned ashen. He stumbled backward, hitting the table. How did you find out? When? I held
13:45up my phone, showing him a photo of the paternity test report. Thanks to the files on your computer
13:49password, Chloe's birthday. You've been using that for 10 years, haven't you? His breathing
13:54quickened, panic setting in. Let me explain. My voice was calm, laced with mockery. Explain
14:00how you swapped our babies at the hospital? Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
14:04Or explain how you and her laughed at me behind my back all these years? I took a step closer.
14:09The funniest part is those moments of guilt you'd sometimes show when looking at Jack.
14:12Were you feeling guilty for lying to me? Or for neglecting your own son?
14:15Ethan. Robert suddenly whispered, as if remembering something.
14:19Where is Ethan? He looked furious. It's too late.
14:22What? I said, opening the door. Your son, no, our son, is somewhere you'll never find him.
14:28You and Chloe's son is still upstairs sleeping, unaware of the choices father is facing.
14:32Robert rushed over and grabbed my arm, yelling.
14:34Laura, you can't do this. That's my child.
14:37I pulled away. You lost the right to be a father the day you swapped our babies.
14:41Now get out of my house. After closing the door, I heard him pounding on it,
14:45then the sound of a car driving away. I knew where he was going, to find Chloe,
14:49and the son he'd abandoned for 10 years. Three days earlier, when the private detective
14:54had given me Chloe's file, I'd gone to see Ethan again. I told him the truth. He'd been
14:58surprisingly calm, his eyes, so like mine, holding a maturity beyond his years. I'd taken his hand
15:04and said, I'll take you away. We'll start over. He'd been silent for a long time, then nodded softly.
15:10We'd flown abroad the afternoon before, with my assistant accompanying him. There was a good school
15:15there, a house, new friends. Once I wrapped up things here, I joined my son. The divorce agreement
15:20sat on the table for three days before Robert finally showed up. He stood at the door, unshaven
15:25with dark circles under his eyes. I hadn't seen him this disheveled in years.
15:29Laura, can we talk?
15:31I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear, not letting him in.
15:35The agreement is clear. There's nothing to talk about.
15:38He looked desperate.
15:39I can't get divorced. For the sake of 10 years of marriage and the children.
15:43Which children? I cut him off with a sneer. The one on video, or the one upstairs?
15:49Robert's face paled. A week earlier, Chloe had sent me a bunch of files,
15:53videos of Ethan crying, being beaten, locked in a dark room. The email had only one line,
15:59thank you for raising my son for so many years. I'd watched them all night. By dawn,
16:04I'd thrown up three times. He seemed to want to explain.
16:07Those videos, Chloe, she just, loses control sometimes.
16:12I laughed coldly.
16:13That's your son. You saw him every week. You notice her new perfume and manicure,
16:18but never the bruises on your own child? If you don't sign, we'll go to court.
16:23I said.
16:24The evidence of the baby swap, your affair photos, they'll all become part of the record.
16:28He yelled.
16:29You're crazy. The company is about to go public.
16:31Before closing the door, I said one last thing.
16:34So sign. Well, I'm still giving you a way out.
16:37He stood outside for a long time before leaving. Three days later, Robert signed the divorce
16:42agreement. On the fourth day after the divorce, photos of Robert and Chloe's wedding popped up
16:46on my social media feed. Chloe was wearing a white wedding dress, Robert's arm around her,
16:50but his smile looked forced. The caption read,
16:5310 years of waiting, finally united. I took a screenshot, then turned off my phone.
16:58That afternoon, Mr. Thompson called.
17:01Ms. Mitchell, we have all the evidence. The transfer records of the baby swap,
17:04their communication logs, the abuse videos and medical records. It's enough to press charges.
17:09One more thing.
17:10He added softly.
17:11Do you really not want to see him one last time?
17:13He came to the phone yesterday, asking me to pass along that is sorry.
17:16It's too late.
17:17Early the next morning, my plane took off.
17:20My assistant met me at the airport.
17:22She said,
17:23Ethan's doing better this week. He's starting to talk more. Yesterday he asked when you'd arrive.
17:28My heart raced. The car pulled up in front of a white house. In the garden, a thin little boy
17:33was
17:34squatting on the ground, watching ants. Ethan. He looked better than in the videos, but still too
17:39skinny. I walked over and knelt down in front of him. I'm mom. He stared at me for a long
17:44time,
17:44then nodded slightly. I gently hugged him. He didn't pull away. I'm sorry I'm late.
17:49I whispered. He trembled in my arms. For the next two weeks, I put work aside to focus on him.
17:55I took him to the park. He clung tightly to the railing on the carousel for the first time.
18:00I took him to the library and discovered he loved books about stars. At night, after he fell asleep,
18:05I'd gently brush his hair. He still didn't talk much, but he'd smile at me occasionally.
18:10At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open slightly. Faint sobs pierced the silence like needles.
18:15I jolted awake, immediately knowing it was Ethan. I pushed open his door.
18:19Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor and illuminating
18:23his small, curled-up figure in bed. His hands were clenched tightly around the quilt,
18:27cold sweat on his forehead. He kept muttering.
18:30Mommy, no, don't lock me in the dark room, there are mice.
18:33I rushed over, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed and wrapping my arms around his cold shoulders.
18:38His body stiffened for a moment, then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened fawn,
18:42sobbing quietly but despairingly. His tears soaked through my pajamas instantly.
18:46Mommy, I'm scared of that storage room, it's so dark.
18:50My heart felt like it was being torn apart with a blunt knife, a dull, lingering pain.
18:54I patted his back repeatedly, my voice trembling but steady.
18:57Ethan, it's okay. Mommy's here. No one can hurt you now. Mommy will protect you.
19:03Tears fell silently onto his hair. I thought of the videos Chloe had sent,
19:07of this little boy huddled in the dark, trembling, of the old and new scars covering his body.
19:11I wanted to tear apart everyone who had hurt him.
19:14That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn. I told him about how I'd been afraid of thunder
19:19as
19:19a child, how my dad would hold me, count stars, and sing lullabies. I told him about my first days
19:24running the company, how I'd been bullied by senior employees, cried in the stairwell,
19:28then wiped my tears and went back to negotiate. I told him about the clumsy intern at the company
19:33who'd spill coffee on an important contract and turned white with fear. He listened quietly,
19:37occasionally looking up at me with his eyes, so like mine, and asking,
19:41Mommy, weren't you scared? I was. I am touching his hair. But I knew that if I kept going,
19:47things would get better. And now that I have you, Ethan, I can't be scared anymore.
19:51He nodded, seemingly understanding, and quietly squeezed my fingers.
19:55A few days later, I took Ethan to an observatory in the suburbs.
19:58We took a bus through endless wheat fields, the air filled with the scent of grain.
20:02Ethan leaned against the bus window, his eyes full of wonder. As night fell,
20:06the observatory's dome slowly opened. The sky was filled with stars, like scattered diamonds
20:11across a deep blue canvas, too bright to look away from. The guide pointed to Orion and told
20:15the story of the hunter Orion. Ethan's eyes lit up like stars, a faint smile spreading across his
20:19face. On the way back, the bus rocked gently. He leaned his head on my shoulder and whispered,
20:25Mommy, the stars are so far away, but it feels safe to see them.
20:28I squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm. My heart felt soft and full. I knew the
20:34wounds buried deep in his heart wouldn't disappear overnight, certainly not from one trip to the
20:38observatory. Like old scars. No matter how carefully you tend to them, faint marks remain.
20:43But as long as I was with him, warming him with love and patience, the starlight would eventually
20:47pierce the darkness and light up his future. That afternoon, we were baking cookies in the
20:51kitchen when the doorbell rang. My assistant, Emily, went to answer it. I heard him say,
20:57Mr. Carter. The flower sifter slipped from my hand, spilling onto the table. Through the glass door,
21:03I saw Robert standing at the entrance. His hair was messy, his eyes sunken, and he was holding a
21:07small suitcase. Laura, I've been looking for you for half a month. I wiped my hands and walked out
21:12of the kitchen, closing the door behind me. Now you've found me. You can leave. He glanced at the
21:17thin figure in the kitchen. I want to see the child. Our child. He paused, his voice trembling.
21:23I've been having nightmares these days, about him as a baby, about Chloe hitting him. I never knew.
21:28I cut him off. You knew, you just chose not to see it. He looked at my stomach. Is the
21:33baby still
21:33there? I smiled, the first genuine smile in a long time. Of course. The doctor says it's doing well.
21:40It'll be born next spring. His face turned ugly, and he suddenly grew agitated, lunging toward me.
21:45I stepped aside, and he stumbled, hitting the hallway cabinet. Laura, I want to see my son.
21:51I looked at him coldly and say, what you should be worried about, Robert, isn't seeing my son,
21:55it's whether your own son will be born safely. If you want that to happen, clean up your mess
21:59with Chloe first. Settle your own debts. With that, I kicked him out. Now, just looking at him
22:05made me sick. As I closed the door, I saw Robert collapse to the floor, running his hands through
22:10his hair, desperate and pathetic. Soon after, Mr. Thompson called.
22:14Ms. Mitchell, it's gotten ugly, but the outcome isn't ideal.
22:17It turned out Robert and Chloe had already divorced and were suing each other. In court,
22:22Chloe had screamed, exposing how Robert had embezzled company funds to give her money over
22:25the years, how he'd promised to divorce me and marry her. I gripped the phone, listening calmly.
22:30But Robert had shifted all the blame to Chloe, claiming she coerced him into swapping the babies.
22:34In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, forgery of documents, and commercial fraud.
22:39She was sentenced to three years in prison. Robert, however, had gotten off scot-free.
22:44He cried bitterly in court, claiming he was also a victim, manipulated by Chloe for ten years.
22:50It sounded absurd, but the judge had believed it. Or perhaps Robert's lawyer was just that good.
22:56Before hanging up, Mr. Thompson said softly,
22:58I'm sorry, Ms. Mitchell, the outcome isn't what we hoped for. If you want, we can plan the next step.
23:03I said, that's enough, at least I have my child back. Ethan was doing his homework at the table.
23:09I walked over to him. Ethan, mommy made the bad people pay for what they did, but maybe not enough.
23:15Do you blame me? He looked up.
23:17Mommy, I know who's good to me and who's not.
23:20I covered my mouth, tears spilling out. He lowered his head and kept writing, adding quietly.
23:25You look ugly when you cry.
23:26I laughed through my tears. These days, I've been trying to make up for ten years of lost motherly love.
23:32I transferred all my company shares to Ethan's name, he's still young, but I know what the security means.
23:36I enrolled him in the best international department of a local school.
23:40After seeing his previous report cards, the principal praised him highly,
23:44Chloe had barely cared about his studies, leaving him to fend for himself.
23:47I hired three tutors. For Chinese, math, and English.
23:51Ethan was diligent, studying late into the night every day.
23:55One morning, I brought him a glass of milk and found him asleep at his desk, a pen still clutched
23:59in his hand.
24:00I didn't wake him, just gently covered him with a blanket.
24:03On Friday afternoon, I went to pick him up from school.
24:06The entrance was crowded with parents. Ethan ran out with a new school bag, his face flushed from playing sports.
24:12Mom! I passed my math quiz today!
24:14I reached for the paper, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure in the window
24:18of the coffee across the street.
24:20Robert was sitting in the corner, a five o'clock shadow on his chin.
24:23He looked haggard, nothing like the confident company executive he'd once been.
24:27Ethan followed my gaze. I squeezed his hand.
24:30Let's go home.
24:31We just turned around when we heard hurried footsteps. Robert had crossed the street and stood in front of us.
24:37Laura, can we talk?
24:38I signaled for Ethan to get in the car first, then faced the man in front of me.
24:42There's nothing left to say.
24:43Chloe is in prison.
24:45He rushed to explain, as if trying to prove something.
24:48I've taken care of everything. I've cut ties with her completely.
24:51I laughed.
24:52Robert, I'm the one who hired the lawyer to put Chloe in jail.
24:55What does that have to do with you? Weren't you the one sobbing in court? Playing the victim?
24:59I know I was wrong, Laura. Forgive me, for the child's sake.
25:02His eyes drifted to my stomach.
25:04Our child.
25:05Oh, that one? It's fake.
25:08Smoothing the wrinkles in my coat slowly.
25:10Robert froze, his eyes widening in shock. I met his gaze calmly.
25:14The pregnancy test report was fake. I just wanted to see what choice you'd make.
25:18I stepped closer, letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
25:22If I really was pregnant, wouldn't I be showing by now?
25:24His eyes lingered on my stomach for a long time.
25:27It doesn't matter, even without this baby, we still have Jack.
25:30We still have 10 years of shared memories.
25:32I cut him off sharply.
25:33Robert, wake up from your dream. Get a grip on reality.
25:36He acted as if he hadn't heard me.
25:39Suddenly, as if remembering something, he pulled a velvet box out of his briefcase.
25:43Look, this is the gift I bought you for your 30th birthday, his voice trembling.
25:47The company was facing cash flow problems that year, so I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
25:51Then came a second box, a third. He laid them all out on the ground in a row.
25:55This one's for our 7th wedding anniversary. This one's from the year we moved into this house.
26:00This one's for...
26:01The little velvet boxes lined up on the pavement looked almost absurd.
26:04I just never gave them to you. Now I'll give you all of them, okay?
26:07Please, just give me one more chance.
26:09He's lifting his head.
26:11His eyes red-rimmed.
26:12I knelt down and opened a nearby box.
26:14Inside was a diamond necklace, the pendant shaped like an iris, my favorite flower.
26:19Once, I would have been overjoyed by such a gift.
26:21I would have worn it, holding his arm at every dinner party, showing off my happiness.
26:26Now, it just made me feel sick.
26:28I stood up and put the necklace back in the box.
26:31Robert, the time I loved you most was when I'd stay up worrying if you didn't text back
26:34when I'd cook soup and bring it to the office while you worked overtime.
26:37When you'd say thank you for your hard work, wife, and I'd think everything was worth it.
26:41I set the box at his feet.
26:43That version of me, who loved you so much, died a long time ago.
26:46Now, this necklace is just garbage to me.
26:48He opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
26:52His shoulders slumped, as if all the strength had been drained from his body.
26:55I didn't look back.
26:57I walked toward the car.
26:59For me, none of it mattered anymore.
27:01Three years later, in late autumn, Ethan had grown much taller, now reaching my shoulders.
27:06Mom, can you come to the parent-teacher meeting next week?
27:08I put my hand on his shoulder.
27:10Of course, son.
27:11Nothing could keep me away from your parent-teacher meeting.
27:14He turned to me and smiled.
27:15These three years, Ethan had been so sensible it hurt.
27:18He'd cook his own noodles when I worked late, raised his grades from the bottom to the middle
27:22of the class, and spoke English better than some local kids.
27:25His teachers praised his resilience, the neighbors called him well-behaved.
27:28But only I knew what lay behind that maturity.
27:31On a weekend evening, we were making dumplings together.
27:34Ethan's dumplings were always overly neat, each pleat identical.
27:37Ethan, you don't have to be so good for me.
27:40I knelt down and looked into his eyes.
27:42You can throw tantrums, be stubborn, say no like other kids.
27:46I don't love you because you're obedient.
27:49I love you just because you're you.
27:51He blinked.
27:52But what if I do something wrong?
27:54Will you stop loving me?
27:55I pulled him into my arms.
27:57Never.
27:58The best thing I've ever done in my life is find you.
28:00He stayed quiet for a long time, then nodded softly.
28:04Ethan's primary school was holding an open house.
28:06I left work early and drove to the school.
28:09The autumn sun was warm, filtering through the leaves and casting soft light on the playground.
28:13Ethan was in a relay race, running the final leg.
28:16His small figure darted forward like the wind, giving it his all as he sprinted toward the
28:20finish line.
28:21When he crossed it, I stood up and cheered.
28:23He looked back just then, saw me, and broke into a bright, clean smile.
28:28In that moment, I knew all my efforts had been worth it.
28:31After the race, parents started to leave.
28:34I took Ethan's hand, planning to keep my promise, ice cream at the dessert shop nearby for finishing
28:38the race.
28:39Suddenly, a woman rushed over and blocked our way.
28:42It was Chloe.
28:43She'd been released from prison.
28:45Her hair was dry and yellow, tied messily at the back of her head.
28:49She stared at me with a venomous glare.
28:51Laura!
28:52How dare you steal my son from me?
28:54Her voice was shrill and grating, like nails scraping across glass.
28:58Instantly, the surrounding parents turned to stare, curiosity written all over their faces.
29:03Some stopped in their tracks, watching us.
29:06I instinctively pulled Ethan behind me, shielding him protectively, and stared back at Chloe
29:11coldly.
29:12I said sharply, Ethan was never your son.
29:15You only ever abused and neglected him.
29:17You never gave him an ounce of motherly love.
29:19You don't deserve to be called his mom.
29:21I carried him for 10 months.
29:23I gave birth to him.
29:25He has my blood running through his veins.
29:27Thankfully, the school security guards rushed over just in time and restrained her.
29:31She struggled violently, her hair falling loose around her face, making her look almost deranged.
29:36She shrieked.
29:37You've taken everything from me.
29:39Robert doesn't want me anymore.
29:41The company's gone.
29:43You won't even let me see my own son.
29:45Why do you get to live such a good life?
29:47Ethan peeked out from behind me, his small face showing no fear.
29:51He looked at Chloe, his eyes calm beyond his years.
29:54He said clearly and firmly,
29:56You're not my mom.
29:57You hit me, locked me in the dark room, never cooked me a meal, never came to pick me up
30:02from school.
30:03Miss Mitchell is my mom.
30:04Chloe froze, seemingly shocked that the child she'd given birth to could say such things.
30:08She stared at him for a few seconds, then burst into hysterical tears.
30:12She screamed.
30:14I had no choice.
30:15Robert only cared about your money.
30:17He never cared about us.
30:19Raising a child alone, do you know how much pressure I was under?
30:22I only hit him because I had no other way.
30:25Pressure is no excuse for abusing a child.
30:28I said, pulling out my phone and opening a folder I'd prepared in advance.
30:32It contained Ethan's old medical records, photos of his injuries, and backups of the
30:36abuse videos.
30:37These are all evidence.
30:38If you keep harassing us, I'll have my lawyer file charges immediately.
30:42Just then, a familiar figure rushed over, it was Robert.
30:46He looked even more haggard than he had three years ago.
30:48When he saw Chloe, his brows furrowed in annoyance.
30:51He snapped.
30:53What are you doing here?
30:54I told you not to bother them.
30:55Chloe shouted, pointing at Ethan.
30:58Robert, look at your son.
30:59He's living so well now, new clothes, good food, a mom who loves him.
31:04What about us?
31:05Robert's gaze fell on Ethan, his eyes filled with guilt and longing.
31:08In the end, he turned to me.
31:11Laura, I'm sorry.
31:12I'll take her away.
31:13You won't hear from us again.
31:15I said nothing, just stared at him coldly.
31:17Mommy, let's go.
31:19I don't want to see them.
31:48Okay.
31:51Mommy, the ice cream is so sweet.
31:53Every day will be sweet from now on.
31:55I told him, looking into his bright eyes.
31:57My heart felt clear and light.
31:59The dust of the past might occasionally be stirred up by the wind, but as long as Ethan
32:03and I were together, moving forward side by side, we would surely embrace a sunnier, warmer future.
32:08Those who had hurt us would be left behind in the dust, never able to affect our lives again.
32:13The late autumn rain came suddenly.
32:15By school let out, large raindrops were pounding the ground.
32:18The school gate was crowded with parents picking up their children.
32:21I held an umbrella, standing under the old pagoda tree where we'd agreed to meet.
32:25In the distance, I saw Ethan walking out of the school with a classmate, a faint smile on his face.
32:30It was the first time he'd voluntarily walked home with a friend.
32:33Just then, a woman in a red raincoat suddenly rushed over and grabbed Ethan's arm.
32:37Ethan Miller, come with me.
32:39Your mom is suffering in jail.
32:41How can you be so happy here?
32:43It was Chloe Miller's younger sister, Sarah Miller.
32:46The detective's report had mentioned her, she was close to Chloe Miller, had helped her with
32:50various things, and was one of the people who'd known about the baby swap.
32:54Who are you?
32:55I don't know you.
32:56I'm your aunt.
32:57Sarah said, gripping his arm so tightly her nails dug into his skin.
33:01Laura is a liar.
33:02She stole you from your real mom.
33:04How can you be so stupid?
33:06Come with me, I'll take you to see your mom.
33:08Other parents stared, some reaching out as if to intervene, but Sarah's fierce glare scared
33:12them off.
33:13Ethan's classmate froze, unsure what to do.
33:16My heart raced.
33:17I ran over as fast as I could.
33:20I pried Sarah's hand off Ethan's arm and pulled him behind me, my voice cold as ice.
33:24Let him go.
33:25You have no right to touch my child.
33:27Sarah stumbled backward, then looked me up and down, her eyes filled with jealousy and
33:31resentment.
33:32Laura, you thief.
33:33You stole my sister's man, her money, and now her child.
33:36How can you live with yourself?
33:38Conscience?
33:39I laughed coldly, pulling out my phone and opening the recordings and files I'd prepared
33:43in advance.
33:44I have videos of your sister abusing Ethan, transfer records of her and Robert plotting
33:47to swap the babies, and proof that you took bribes from Robert to keep her quiet.
33:51Do you really think it's my conscience that would bother me if we went to the police?
33:54Sarah's face turned pale, her eyes darting nervously.
33:57You're lying!
33:58Those are all fake!
33:59Fake?
34:00I took a step forward, my voice sharp.
34:03All this evidence is on file with the court.
34:05You're only here making a scene because you want to extort money from me, aren't you?
34:08The whispers around us grew louder.
34:10Some parents pulled out their phones to record, others quietly called the school security guards.
34:15Sarah's face turned red and then white, panic creeping into her eyes as she looked at
34:18the crowd.
34:19I'm not extorting money!
34:21She insisted, but she took a step back instinctively.
34:24I just want the child to recognize his real family!
34:27Recognize his real family?
34:28Ethan suddenly stepped out from behind me, his small body straight with determination.
34:32He looked at Sarah firmly.
34:34I don't have an aunt like you, and I don't have a mom like her.
34:37Miss Mitchell is my mom.
34:38She doesn't hit me, doesn't lock me up, cooks for me, takes me to school, protects
34:42me.
34:43Please leave!
34:44I never want to see you again!
34:45Sarah froze, unable to say a word.
34:48Just then, Ethan's homeroom teacher rushed over.
34:50When she saw what was happening, she immediately stood in front of us.
34:54Ma'am, please leave the school gate immediately.
34:56Otherwise, we'll call the police.
34:59Sarah saw that more and more people were gathering, and realized she wouldn't get anything
35:02out of this.
35:03She glared at me angrily, muttering, you haven't seen the last of me, before rushing into
35:07the rain and disappearing around the corner.
35:09The rain was still falling.
35:11Ethan's hair was damp from the splashing water, sticking to his forehead.
35:14I quickly held the umbrella over him, pulled out a tissue, and wiped his face gently.
35:19Did that scare you?
35:20He shook his head, throwing his arms around my waist.
35:23His voice was a little shaky but determined.
35:25No, mommy!
35:27I knew you'd come to save me!
35:28Silly boy!
35:29Mommy will always be here for you.
35:31No matter what happens, I'll never let anyone hurt you.
35:34Miss Mitchell, I never expected this to happen.
35:36Ethan must be frightened.
35:37Shall we take him to the office for some hot water?
35:39Thank you, Ms. Davis.
35:41I nodded, taking Ethan's hand and walking into the teaching building.
35:45The warmth of the hot water spread from the cup to my palm.
35:49Ethan held the cup and whispered.
35:51Mommy, was what that aunt said true?
35:52Am I really Chloe's son?
35:54I knelt down and looked him in the eyes, serious.
35:57Ethan, you are my biological son.
35:59That will never change.
36:01You are my precious baby, the person I want to protect most in this world.
36:05He blinked, his eyes a little red, then nodded firmly.
36:09I know, mommy.
36:10You're the only mom I'll ever have.
36:12That night, Ethan told me about the times Chloe had brought Sarah to their house.
36:17Auntie always called me stupid, said I wasn't as good as Jack.
36:20She'd steal my things when no one was looking.
36:22He curled up next to me, his voice soft.
36:25Back then, I wished I had a mom who really loved me.
36:28I held him in my arms, patting his back gently.
36:31It won't be like that anymore.
36:33The rain outside gradually stopped.
36:36Moonlight broke through the clouds, illuminating a corner of the room.
36:40I looked at Ethan as he drifted off to sleep and made a silent vow,
36:43I would give this child a stable, warm future.
36:46That determination gave me the courage to accept a new relationship when I met David Anderson not long after.
36:51I wanted to give Ethan a complete family, and give myself a second chance at happiness.
36:57I met David at a community book club.
36:59I'd taken Ethan to borrow books and been drawn to a talk about a woman's memoir.
37:04David was the host, his voice was gentle yet powerful.
37:07After the talk, he stopped me at the door.
37:10Your perspective was really interesting.
37:12Would you like to get to know each other?
37:14That's how we started talking.
37:16David was from Philadelphia, divorced for five years, with a daughter who lived with her mother.
37:21He was a middle school history teacher and volunteered at the community center in his spare time.
37:26Our first official date was at the Science Museum, with Ethan.
37:30Of course, David didn't try to curry favor with Ethan.
37:33In the space exhibition, he naturally started talking about the Apollo program.
37:38Do you know why astronauts bring wrenches to space?
37:40Ethan shook his head.
37:42To fix equipment, the most dangerous thing in space is a loose screw.
37:45Ethan laughed, a relaxed, genuine laugh.
37:48A year later, in spring, David came to our house for dinner.
37:52Afterward, Ethan did his homework while David Anderson and I drank tea on the balcony the night was cool, so
37:57he draped his coat over my shoulders.
37:59Ethan's made new friends I saw him playing basketball with his classmates.
38:03I was surprised, my son had always been alone before.
38:07David said gently.
38:08He needs time, so do you.
38:10That night, I told him everything about the past few years.
38:13David listened quietly, and when I finished, he took my hand softly.
38:18You must have been so tired.
38:19Going through all that alone, you must have been exhausted.
38:22Those words made my eyes fill with tears.
38:25For so long, all I'd needed was someone to see the weight behind my strength.
38:29Mommy, if you like Uncle David, you can be with him.
38:32Ethan said one day, as he assembled a model airplane.
38:35I stared at him, shocked.
38:38Why would you say that?
38:39Because when you look at him, you smile, a real smile, not a fake one.
38:44I sat down next to him.
38:46What do you think about it?
38:47I want someone to love you, just like you love me, you deserve that.
38:51I hugged him tightly.
38:53He'd grown up without me noticing.
38:55Dating David was nothing like dating in my 20s, no passion, no anxiety, just a steady, comfortable intimacy.
39:02After dinner, we'd take walks, chatting about my work, Ethan's school, even the supermarket's special offers.
39:10He'd say, holding my hand.
39:13Life is made of these little moments, and I want to be part of yours.
39:16Ethan gradually grew used to this new rhythm.
39:19When David helped him with history homework, they'd argue about historical events, then laugh it off together.
39:25One night, I came home late from work to find them playing chess in the living room.
39:29With soup simmering in the kitchen, filling the house with warmth.
39:33In that moment, I realized the happiness I'd once thought was out of reach was already in my hands.
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