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After the Quake, I Avenged Mom - Full
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00:00I pushed my father off the cliff.
00:03His body was impaled on a dead tree.
00:05I didn't leave until I made sure he was dead.
00:08I will never forget the earthquake.
00:10Years ago, he abandoned my mother and me to save his love.
00:15After the earthquake, Mommy fell asleep.
00:18I curled up in her arms.
00:20She was getting so cold.
00:22We were hiding under a giant rock.
00:25I sucked on Mommy's finger.
00:26She fed me warm brown sugar water.
00:30Daddy's voice came through the broken phone.
00:33Get Stella and the lightly injured first.
00:35Leave Irene for later.
00:36She's tough as nails.
00:38Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
00:39It was really Daddy.
00:41Mommy said he would rescue us soon.
00:44But why did he make Mommy wait?
00:46I whispered to the phone.
00:49Daddy, Mommy went to sleep.
00:53She gave me lots of brown sugar water.
00:56It tastes like iron.
00:58But I'm not scared.
01:01Mommy said you'll come and save me before it all runs out.
01:05The phone went totally silent.
01:07I kept drinking the warm brown sugar water.
01:11Then Daddy started screaming through the speaker.
01:14He ordered everyone to find me.
01:17Daddy was coming to me.
01:22Founder!
01:23Over here!
01:25There's a kid still alive!
01:28Mommy, it's morning.
01:31Can we go home now?
01:33I pushed against her chest.
01:34It wasn't soft like it used to be.
01:37A whole section of it was crushed inward,
01:40covered in something warm and sticky.
01:43Hurry!
01:43Grab the kid first!
01:45Huge, rough hands reached in and tore me away from her.
01:49No!
01:49Mommy's still sleeping!
01:51I want to wait for her!
01:53My fingers locked in a death grip on the hem of her shirt.
01:56Re...
01:56The fabric gave way.
01:58A man in an orange rescue vest hauled me against his chest.
02:02My mouth was crusted with dried, flaky red patches.
02:06It was the brown sugar water Mommy had been feeding me.
02:10Lucy!
02:12Oh God, Lucy!
02:13A figure came stumbling through the debris.
02:16It was Daddy.
02:18He was still wearing his expensive suit.
02:21It was dusted with concrete powder,
02:23making him look a little disheveled.
02:25He grabbed me from the rescue worker and crushed me against his chest.
02:30Thank God.
02:31You're alive.
02:32I thought I'd lost you.
02:34He was sobbing,
02:35his whole body trembling.
02:37Then a scent hit me.
02:39A sickeningly sweet,
02:41overpowering perfume.
02:42It was the smell Mommy hated most in the world.
02:46She always said it was the smell of a bad woman.
02:50I squirmed against him.
02:53Daddy, Mommy's still down there.
02:55She's asleep.
02:58Daddy froze.
02:59He didn't even glance at the rubble.
03:01Instead, he forced my face into his shoulder to block my view.
03:05Shh, sweetheart.
03:08Mommy.
03:10Mommy's gone to a better place.
03:13No, she didn't!
03:15She's right down there!
03:17I cried frantically,
03:19pointing at the pitch black gap in the concrete.
03:21Mommy gave me so much brown sugar water.
03:24She promised you'd come for us before it was all gone.
03:28All the color drained from Daddy's face.
03:30He stared at the dark, crusted blood around my mouth, gulping hard.
03:35A heavy silence fell over the medics around us.
03:39One of the nurses clamped a hand over her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks.
03:43But Daddy just looked away.
03:46He couldn't meet my eyes.
03:47What was he so scared of?
03:49Was it because of the broken phone?
03:51The one that played his voice earlier, growling like a monster?
03:55The voice that said Mommy was tough as nails and that leaving her behind wouldn't kill her.
04:01Daddy, why did you tell them to leave Mommy behind?
04:06I leaned close to his ear and whispered,
04:09Daddy recoiled, shoving me back like I had just burned him.
04:14There was no relief in his eyes anymore.
04:16Only pure, naked terror.
04:18The ambulance siren wailed as we sped down the road.
04:22I sat in the back, still clutching the torn scrap of Mommy's shirt.
04:26Daddy sat across from me, wringing his hands nervously.
04:30His hands were perfectly clean, his nails neatly manicured.
04:34They looked nothing like Mommy's hands, which were caked in mud and dried blood.
04:38Lucy, while you were down there, did you hear anything?
04:41Daddy asked tentatively, unable to meet my eyes.
04:44I licked my lips.
04:46That rusty taste was still in my mouth.
04:49I did.
04:49A visible shudder ran through Daddy.
04:52What did you hear?
04:53I heard you tell them to save Stella first.
04:56The air inside the ambulance instantly froze.
04:59The paramedic who had been wiping dust off my face stopped, her hand hovering in midair.
05:04She shot Daddy a piercing, icy glare.
05:08Daddy forced an awkward smile that looked more like a grimace.
05:11You misheard, sweetie.
05:12Daddy, the signal was bad.
05:14Daddy was just panicking.
05:15Really?
05:16I tilted my head, studying him.
05:19But who is Stella?
05:21Why is she more important than Mommy?
05:23Daddy opened his mouth, but no words came out.
05:26He quickly turned to look out the window, pretending to wipe away a tear.
05:29When we arrived at the hospital, a massive crowd swarmed us.
05:34Camera flashes went off nonstop, so bright I couldn't open my eyes.
05:39Suddenly, Daddy acted like a completely different person.
05:42He scooped me into his arms and began sobbing hysterically for the cameras.
05:47Thank God.
05:48Thank God for bringing my daughter back to me.
05:51I'd trade anything in the world, as long as my Lucy is safe.
05:55The reporters wiped their eyes and praised Daddy for being such a good father.
05:59I rested my chin on his shoulder, watching the side of his face.
06:03He was wailing loudly, but his cheeks were completely dry.
06:07He looked just like a clown on TV.
06:10Once we got to the VIP ward, I finally saw his Stella.
06:14She was staying in a massive private hospital suite.
06:19She was wearing a frilly pink lace dress and happily eating a slice of strawberry cake.
06:25There wasn't a single scratch on her.
06:28Even her hair was perfectly brushed and shiny.
06:31A woman in a flowing white dress sat by her bedside.
06:34She was very pretty, and she radiated the exact same sickeningly sweet perfume I had smelled on Daddy.
06:42The woman stood up.
06:45Victor, you're here.
06:46Her eyes were rimmed with red, making her look incredibly fragile and pitiful.
06:51Daddy sat me down immediately and hurried over to her, taking her hands in his.
06:57Camille, how is Stella? She must have been terrified.
07:00I stood in the doorway, feeling like a piece of discarded trash.
07:05Stella noticed me.
07:06She wrinkled her nose and pointed right at me.
07:10Mommy, is she the feral girl who drinks blood?
07:14She's so gross.
07:15Drinking blood, feral girl.
07:18I stared at the smear of whipped cream on her lip.
07:20My empty stomach gave a low rumble.
07:23The woman, Camille, walked over and crouched down in front of me.
07:27You must be Lucy.
07:28Oh, you poor girl. Come let me give you a hug.
07:31She reached out to me.
07:33That's when I saw the gold bracelet gleaming on her wrist.
07:37It was the exact same bracelet Mommy had.
07:40Mommy told me Daddy had specially made it for her to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.
07:45So why was she wearing it?
07:46A sudden, blinding rage flared up in my chest.
07:49Like an enraged little animal, I lunged at her and bit down on her wrist.
07:54The bad woman shrieked, swinging her arm to violently shake me off.
07:58The sheer force sent me flying backward and my head slammed hard against the metal footboard of the hospital bed.
08:04A sharp, dizzying pain shot through me, but I didn't shed a single tear.
08:09I just sat on the floor, glaring at her with pure hatred.
08:13Lucy! Are you crazy?
08:15Daddy rushed over.
08:16He tenderly cradled the bad woman's injured arm.
08:19Camille, are you okay?
08:21Did she hurt you?
08:22He snapped his head back around, glaring at me with absolute fury.
08:27How could you behave like this?
08:29Apologize to her right now!
08:30I stayed slumped on the cold floor.
08:33A warm trickle of liquid began sliding down my forehead.
08:37It was red too, just like the brown sugar water mommy had fed me.
08:42Daddy, I'm bleeding too.
08:44Are you gonna make me wait a little longer too?
08:46The room went dead silent.
08:48Daddy's face turned beet red with rage.
08:51The bad woman's eyes darted around.
08:53Ignoring the bite marks on her wrist, she put on a sickeningly sweet face and tried to help me up.
08:59Victor, don't be mad at her.
09:01She just lost her mom.
09:03She can't handle the shock.
09:05She stroked my head, but her nails dug hard into my skin.
09:09Be good, Lucy.
09:10I don't mind.
09:12Let me buy you some candy later, alright?
09:15I slapped her hand away.
09:16I don't want candy!
09:18I have the brown sugar water mommy gave me.
09:21The bad woman's smile vanished.
09:23Daddy, kick this freak out!
09:26She stinks!
09:26Daddy took a deep breath and buzzed for a nurse.
09:29Take her next door and get her cleaned up.
09:31And have someone examine her head.
09:33She's clearly lost her mind.
09:34Examine my head?
09:36Daddy thought I was crazy.
09:37A young nurse led me away.
09:39As she cleaned my wound, she quietly wiped away her tears.
09:44Sweetie, it won't hurt.
09:47I promise to be gentle.
09:48I looked up at her.
09:50Miss, is my mommy really dead?
09:52Her hand trembled.
09:54She pulled me into a tight hug and finally broke down sobbing.
09:58Your mommy was a great mother.
10:01That evening, my grandparents arrived.
10:04The moment grandma saw me, she broke down and passed out from the shock.
10:09Grandpa leaned heavily on his cane, his hands shaking violently.
10:13He demanded to take me home with him.
10:16Dad, Lucy's been through a massive shock.
10:18She's talking nonsense right now.
10:20It's safer to keep her here for observation.
10:22But Daddy refused.
10:23But I knew the real reason.
10:25He was terrified I'd talk.
10:27Terrified I'd spill that secret.
10:29Late that night, the door to my room clicked open.
10:32It was Uncle Oscar, Daddy's personal assistant.
10:35Normally, he just trailed behind Daddy like a shadow, keeping his head down and his mouth shut.
10:40But tonight, the look in his eyes was completely different.
10:44He walked over to my bed and pulled something from his pocket.
10:48A phone with a badly shattered screen.
10:51Mommy's phone.
10:52Lucy, they dug this out of the rubble.
10:55It still works.
10:57I snatched the phone and hugged it tight against my chest.
11:00It smelled like mommy and there were patches of dry blood on the casing.
11:04Oscar gently stroked my hair.
11:06Lucy, do you want to help mommy get revenge?
11:08In a few days, it will be mommy's funeral.
11:11A lot of people will be there, and that bad woman will be there too.
11:16That day, if Daddy speaks up, Storn, press this triangle, okay?
11:20I stared at the little red play button and nodded hard.
11:24Okay, this was a game.
11:26A game only Oscar and I knew about.
11:29I was going to make sure everyone heard exactly what Daddy said that day.
11:33It rained on the day of mommy's funeral.
11:35The sky was gray.
11:37It looked like a dirty rag.
11:39I wore the black dress grandma bought me.
11:42A tiny white flower was pinned to my chest.
11:46The memorial hall was huge.
11:50It was packed with white flowers.
11:52Mommy's portrait hung right in the middle.
11:55She was smiling in the picture.
11:58Her eyes crinkled like little crescent moons.
12:01Daddy stood at the very front.
12:05He wore a crisp black suit.
12:08He looked terrible.
12:10His eyes were sunken.
12:12His face unshaven.
12:14People said he was a deeply devoted man.
12:17That he had grown so thin just after losing his wife.
12:23The bad woman didn't show up, but Stella did.
12:28She wore a black lace dress.
12:31She mouthed the words,
12:33You don't have a mom anymore.
12:35She made mean faces at me.
12:37Yeah.
12:38I just stared blankly at her.
12:41I slipped my hand into my pocket.
12:44My fingers brushed the cold, shattered phone.
12:47The ceremony began.
12:49The somber music made my chest feel tight.
12:52Daddy walked up to the podium.
12:55He clutched a few sheets of paper.
12:58He started reading his eulogy.
13:01Irene, my beloved wife.
13:03He choked up on the very first line.
13:06The crowd wiped away their tears.
13:08They were moved by his heartbreaking true love.
13:12We've known each other for ten years
13:14and loved each other for ten years.
13:16You knew me better than anyone
13:18and you were the person I loved most.
13:21The moment the earthquake struck,
13:23I wished I could have died in your place.
13:26If time could turn back,
13:27I would be by your side,
13:29holding your hand,
13:31and I would never let you face the darkness alone.
13:34He swayed, looking like he might collapse.
13:38A few relatives rushed up to hold him.
13:42They whispered words of comfort.
13:45Irene, how could you be so cruel?
13:48How could you leave Lucy and me behind?
13:51He beat his chest,
13:53wailing at Mommy's back.
13:55I stood in the front row.
13:58Oscar was right beside me.
14:00He knelt down to fix my collar.
14:02He gave my hand a tight squeeze.
14:05His palm was slick with sweat.
14:07Are you ready, Lucy?
14:08He whispered.
14:09Only I could hear him.
14:11I looked up at Daddy on stage.
14:14He was giving the performance of a lifetime.
14:17I watched his fake tears and trembling shoulders.
14:22I remembered her slicing open her own fingers.
14:26She fed me her blood,
14:29smiling through the pain.
14:31I thought about the dark, cold rubble.
14:33I thought of Mommy's body growing cold.
14:36I remembered those cruel words.
14:39Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
14:42A massive wave of anger exploded inside me.
14:45I didn't fully understand hatred yet,
14:50but I knew I had to ruin his end.
14:53Clutching the shattered phone,
14:55I walked on stage.
14:56A hush fell over the crowd.
15:00They thought,
15:01I just wanted to comfort Daddy.
15:03Daddy saw me approaching.
15:06Panic flashed in his eyes,
15:08but he hid it.
15:09He dropped to one knee
15:10and opened his arms.
15:12Lucy, come here, sweetie.
15:14Daddy misses her, too.
15:16He wanted to pull me into a hug.
15:18He wanted to end his show with fake love.
15:23I stopped right in front of him.
15:26I didn't hug him.
15:27I raised the shattered phone instead.
15:31It was still stained with Mommy's dried blood.
15:35Daddy's pupils shrank in pure terror.
15:38He recognized the phone immediately.
15:41He lunged forward to snatch it.
15:45Lucy, that's dirty.
15:46Give it to Daddy right now.
15:48Right as his fingertips grazed the screen,
15:52my thumb slammed down on the red triangle.
15:55The Bluetooth is already synced to the giant speakers.
15:59The audio kicked in instantly.
16:01A harsh burst of static pierced the silence.
16:05Then, that familiar, cold voice boomed like thunder.
16:09Get Stella and the lightly injured first!
16:13The entire hall went dead silent.
16:15Every single eye locked onto Daddy.
16:19His hand froze in the air.
16:21The color completely drained from his face.
16:25The recording kept playing crystal clear.
16:29Leave Irene for later.
16:30She's tough as nails.
16:32Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
16:35Every word was a vicious slap across his face.
16:38Guests' jaws dropped in pure shock.
16:41They stared at this devoted husband.
16:46Furious whispers quickly filled the room.
16:49Is that Victor's voice?
16:50Oh my God, did he actually say that?
16:52Get Stella first?
16:53Who is Stella?
16:54Daddy collapsed to the floor like a ragdoll.
16:58He scrambled up in a total panic.
17:02He tried to shut off the speakers.
17:04No, it's not real!
17:06It's a fake!
17:08It's just a sick prank!
17:10A heavy wooden cane slammed into Daddy's back.
17:14It was Grandpa.
17:16He beat Daddy over and over again.
17:20You bastard!
17:21You heartless bastard!
17:23Placed my daughter in your hands, and this is how you treated her!
17:27She's tough!
17:28You made her wait!
17:29Do you know she bled to death down there?
17:32Tears streamed down Grandpa's face.
17:35Every strike was fueled by pure rage.
17:39Daddy cowered, shielding his head.
17:42Blood dripped from a nasty cut on his forehead.
17:45Nobody tried to stop it.
17:47They just watched with sheer disgust.
17:50The reporters finally snapped out of it.
17:53Camera flashes erupted like crazy.
17:56The tragic love story was dead.
18:01It was now a massive cheating scandal.
18:04Is Stella your legitimate daughter?
18:06Did you let your wife die for your mistress?
18:08Did you let your die for your mistress?
18:10Microphones were shoved right into his bloody face.
18:13He covered his face, refusing to look up.
18:17I stood in the dead center of the chaos.
18:20I still gripped the phone tightly.
18:23Oscar rushed up and scooped me up.
18:26He shielded me and backed away.
18:29Good job, Lucy.
18:30He whispered softly.
18:33I looked over Oscar's shoulder.
18:35I stared at Daddy on the floor.
18:37He looked so small and pathetic.
18:40Like a rat crushed under a boot.
18:43Stella burst into tears from the noise.
18:46She screamed from behind the marble pillar.
18:51Daddy, help me!
18:52The reporters finally snapped out of it.
18:57Is that Stella?
18:59She actually looks a bit like Victor.
19:01What?
19:02He let his wife die for a bastard!
19:04They threw them right at Stella.
19:06The scene completely spiraled out of control.
19:10The police showed up after someone called 911.
19:14Grandma pulled me close, sobbing uncontrollably.
19:19Let's go home, Lucy.
19:21He's dead to us now.
19:22I didn't cry or throw a tantrum.
19:28I just watched everything in dead silence.
19:32Before we left, I looked back.
19:35Daddy was kneeling before Mommy's portrait.
19:38He reached out to touch her picture.
19:41Grandpa kicked him away.
19:43Don't touch her with your filthy hands!
19:46Daddy collapsed onto the floor.
19:49He looked at me with pure desperation.
19:53Lucy, Daddy was wrong.
19:56I completely ignored him.
20:00I turned my head to Mommy's portrait.
20:03Did you hear that, Mommy?
20:04Everyone finally knows he's the bad guy.
20:07After that massive funeral scene, I got sick.
20:11The doctor said I had severe PTSD.
20:14I stopped talking entirely.
20:17I just hugged Mommy's old clothes.
20:22I wouldn't eat.
20:23I only drank brown sugar water.
20:27If I ate anything else, I threw up.
20:31Everything tasted like rusty iron to me.
20:35Grandma cooked different meals every single day,
20:39but I couldn't take a single bite.
20:42I lost so much weight.
20:45I looked like a terrifying little skeleton.
20:49Daddy came by our house a few times.
20:52He was suspended from his company.
20:55His reputation was completely destroyed.
20:59People threw rotten eggs at his door daily.
21:03He wanted to see me.
21:04He begged my grandparents for forgiveness.
21:08Grandpa chased him off with a heavy broom.
21:12He kneeled outside our front door.
21:14I watched him through a crack in the curtains.
21:19He stayed on his knees all night long.
21:22It was pouring rain that night.
21:25Just like the day of Mommy's funeral.
21:28He was totally soaked to the bone.
21:30His wet hair plastered to his face.
21:33He looked like a pathetic drowned rat.
21:36Lucy!
21:37I know I messed up!
21:39Please, just look at me!
21:40You're all I have left!
21:42He screamed through the pouring rain.
21:44His voice was totally hoarse.
21:47I thought it was hilarious.
21:49I'm all he has left?
21:51What about Stella?
21:53What about the bad woman?
21:55Did they abandon him already?
21:58Grandma walked into my bedroom.
22:01She held a warm cup of brown sugar water.
22:05Grandma asked me so carefully.
22:08What?
22:09I shook my head at Grandma.
22:12I walked right up to the rubble.
22:15I had screamed for him just like that.
22:19I screamed until my voice went hoarse.
22:23But he only cared about other people.
22:26Now it was his turn to scream.
22:29I was going to let him wait too.
22:32He could wait until he died.
22:35I sat in my room drawing pictures.
22:38I only used black and red crayons.
22:43I drew a pitch black box.
22:46A monster was trapped inside it.
22:49The monster was crying endlessly.
22:53But nobody paid any attention to it.
22:56Grandpa said Daddy's company was going bankrupt.
23:01Everyone was boycotting his business.
23:04Nobody wanted to work with a murderer.
23:07Oscar dug up his fake accounting books.
23:10Turns out he wasn't just a terrible dad.
23:13He was a completely corrupt boss too.
23:17He embezzled tons of company money.
23:21He bought the bad woman a house and a car.
23:25I listened to my grandparents talking about it.
23:28I felt absolutely nothing inside.
23:31I just kept sipping my warm brown sugar water.
23:36Cup after cup.
23:38I drank until my stomach physically ached.
23:42Until the rusty iron taste finally faded.
23:46The bad woman got arrested.
23:48She was caught at the airport trying to flee.
23:51Dad's company was completely ruined.
23:54She drained his remaining bank accounts.
23:58She tried to take Stella out of the country.
24:02But Oscar was one step ahead of her.
24:06His police buddies caught her red-handed.
24:09Grandpa took me to the police station.
24:14I had to give a statement about my custody.
24:18I saw the bad woman in the hallway.
24:22She was wearing shiny silver handcuffs.
24:25Her hair was a complete rat's nest.
24:29Her makeup was totally smeared.
24:32Stella was crying so hard she couldn't breathe.
24:35And snot was running all down her face.
24:38Mommy, I want to go home.
24:40I don't want to be here.
24:41Shut up.
24:42Shut up.
24:43Stop your crying.
24:44When she saw me, her eyes went bloodshot.
24:48She lunged at me like a total mad woman.
24:51It's all your fault, you little bastard.
24:53If it wasn't for your bitch mother,
24:55Victor wouldn't be completely bankrupt.
24:56I wouldn't be in this total mess.
24:59A police officer grabbed her instantly.
25:02He pinned her hard against the wall.
25:05Stay still.
25:07I hid behind Grandpa and peeked out.
25:11Her face was completely twisted with rage.
25:15She looked like an ugly old witch.
25:17Daddy was there too.
25:19He was there as a witness.
25:22And as a victim, seeing her, Daddy charged forward.
25:28He tried to punch her right there.
25:31Camille, you vicious bitch!
25:33After everything I did for you,
25:35you cleaned out my accounts and ran?
25:36That's enough!
25:37Did right by me?
25:40Give me a break.
25:41If you really cared about me,
25:43you would have divorced Irina a long time ago.
25:46And you wanted me to give you a son.
25:49And what did you end up with?
25:51No son.
25:52So, that was the real truth.
25:55They tore into each other like rabid dogs.
25:59The cops couldn't watch it anymore.
26:02They forcibly dragged them apart.
26:04I looked at Daddy's pathetic face.
26:06It was covered in spit and blood.
26:10Camille looked completely ruined too.
26:13Suddenly, I felt something shift inside me.
26:17The heavy boulder in my chest lifted.
26:20I let go of Grandpa's hand.
26:22I walked right up to the bad woman.
26:25You are so ugly!
26:28I finally spoke my first words in weeks.
26:31Even uglier than the rats in the ruins.
26:34Then, I turned around.
26:36Grandpa, I want to go home.
26:38I want my warm brown sugar water.
26:40Later, Grandpa sorted through Mommy's belongings.
26:45He found an old diary.
26:47It had a light pink cover.
26:52It was Mommy's favorite notebook.
26:55Grandpa put on his reading glasses.
26:58He read it and cried hysterically.
27:00He cried until he almost passed out.
27:04I leaned in to look too.
27:07I couldn't read all those big words.
27:09But, I recognized Mommy's drawings.
27:13Tucked inside the pages was a photo.
27:17It was a black and white ultrasound picture.
27:21It showed a blurry little shadow.
27:24He looked at me with tearful eyes.
27:27Lucy, this is your little brother.
27:31I was completely stunned.
27:34Or little sister.
27:35It turned out that on the day of the earthquake,
27:38Mommy still had a baby in her belly.
27:40Grandpa read Mom's diary out loud to me.
27:44Went in for a checkup today.
27:46The doctor said the baby looks perfect.
27:49I want to surprise Victor.
27:52I'll tell him on his birthday.
27:53I hope it's a boy.
27:55When he grows up, he can protect Lucy.
27:58Victor's been coming home later and later.
28:00He always smells like perfume.
28:02But, I trust him.
28:04He promised he'd change.
28:06For my two children, I can endure anything.
28:10My tears came flooding out.
28:12I thought about the earthquake again.
28:14When that huge slab came crashing down,
28:18Mom didn't lie flat.
28:20She curled herself into a bridge.
28:24Mom, what's that?
28:25She used her back to block the rocks.
28:28She shielded me and the baby underneath her.
28:32In the dark, she kept encouraging me.
28:35She fed me her blood.
28:37She never once said she was hurting.
28:40So that was the truth.
28:42She was protecting both of us.
28:46Me and the baby.
28:49But, what did Dad say?
28:51He said Mom was tough.
28:53He said save Stella first.
28:56He killed his own wife.
28:58And his unborn child too.
29:01Somehow, Dad found out.
29:03That night, he started wailing downstairs.
29:07He rolled around on the ground.
29:10He slammed his head into the wall.
29:13His forehead split open.
29:15God, just kill me!
29:16I'm guilty!
29:17I'm a bastard!
29:19He was confessing.
29:20But, it was too late.
29:22Mom couldn't hear him anymore.
29:24The baby couldn't hear him either.
29:26And, neither could I.
29:29I held the diary tight against my chest.
29:31Grandpa, I don't hate him anymore.
29:34Grandpa stared at me in shock.
29:36Hating someone takes strength.
29:39Because he's not worth it.
29:41He deserved to rot like garbage.
29:43Dad was going to prison.
29:45For financial crimes and, uh, embezzlement.
29:51The amount was massive.
29:54Before sentencing, he begged Grandpa countless times.
29:59He wanted to see me once more.
30:04Grandpa didn't want to agree.
30:07But, I nodded.
30:09We met on a park bench.
30:12It was autumn.
30:14The leaves had all turned yellow.
30:16The wind felt sharp and cold.
30:19Dad was wearing the detention center vest.
30:23Handcuffs hung from his wrists.
30:25Only, a few months had passed.
30:28But, he looked 60.
30:30His back was bent, too.
30:32When he saw me, his eyes lit up.
30:35He tried to reach for me.
30:37He wanted to hug me.
30:39But, I stepped back.
30:41His hand froze in midair.
30:43Then, he pulled it back awkwardly.
30:46Lucy, you've gotten taller.
30:48His voice came out rough and broken.
30:53Dad's going somewhere far away.
30:57I may not back come for a long time.
30:59I said nothing.
31:00I just looked at him quietly.
31:02He was crying hard now.
31:04I failed you.
31:05I failed your mom.
31:07And, I failed that unborn baby, too.
31:10I'll never repay that debt.
31:12Tears and snot covered his face.
31:14I watched him sob uncontrollably.
31:17And, strangely, I felt calm.
31:22It was strawberry hard candy.
31:25Mom used to give me those with medicine.
31:29Mom used to say, candy makes the bitterness go away.
31:34Dad looked at the candy.
31:36Then, he broke down even harder.
31:38His shoulders shook violently.
31:41But, for the rest of your life, all you'll know is bitterness.
31:45I looked him straight in the eye.
31:47Because, you deserve it.
31:49Then, I turned and walked away.
31:52Behind me, Dad screamed himself hoarse.
31:56Lucy!
31:57Lucy!
31:58I didn't turn around.
32:01The wind lifted the fallen leaves.
32:03They spun into the sky.
32:06Ten years passed.
32:07That's long enough for broken bones to heal.
32:10And, long enough for a little girl to grow up.
32:13Grandma passed two years ago.
32:15She died peacefully in her sleep.
32:18Grandpa said she finally went to talk to Mom.
32:20Now, it's just Grandpa and me.
32:23On my 15th birthday, I woke up early.
32:26It was also Mom's death anniversary.
32:31Just like every year.
32:32But, at the door, I kicked something hard.
32:35It was a package.
32:37The return address looked familiar.
32:39Blackridge Prison.
32:40I carried it inside.
32:42Grandpa was coming out of the kitchen.
32:44He was holding a bowl of birthday noodles.
32:47Your noodles are ready.
32:49Who sent that?
32:51An old friend.
32:55A bank book and a letter.
32:58The bank book had a few thousand dollars.
33:01It was exactly the most a prisoner could save in ten years behind bars.
33:07The letter was written on cheap paper.
33:10The handwriting was shaky and crooked.
33:13Several spots were smeared with ink.
33:15Lucy, by the time you read this, I'll be gone.
33:17I'm going to your mother to beg her figness.
33:19For ten years, every time I close my eyes, I see the rubbles.
33:22I see your mother covered in blood.
33:25I hear her asking me again and again,
33:27Victor, why didn't you save me?
33:29And I hear that unborn child crying too.
33:31I kept the candy you left for me.
33:34The money in the bank book is clean.
33:36Live well, Lucy.
33:37The letter was short.
33:39I read it word by word.
33:42Then I folded it neatly.
33:44I placed it beside the bank book on the table.
33:49Grandpa watched me quietly.
33:51He looked like he wanted to speak.
33:54But in the end, he only sighed.
33:57Then he shoved the chopsticks into my hand.
34:00Eat before the noodles get sogry.
34:03Unknown number.
34:05The area code was from the prison.
34:08I answered,
34:09Is this Lucy Cole?
34:10Yes.
34:11This is Black Ridge Prison.
34:13Your father, Victor Cole, died by suicide in prison at 5.43 this morning.
34:19The body, a family member, needs to come handle the arrangements.
34:23He didn't leave much behind.
34:25Just one final message.
34:27What was it?
34:28He said,
34:29Save Irene first.
34:31Irene.
34:32My mother's name,
34:33he finally remembered to save mom first.
34:36Got it.
34:37I hung up.
34:38Then I kept eating.
34:40Grandpa's cooking hadn't changed in 10 years.
34:43It was still perfect.
34:45After I finished,
34:46I took the bowl and chopsticks away.
34:49I washed them clean in the kitchen.
34:52Then I boiled a kettle of water.
34:56From the top shelf,
34:57I took down the old metal candy tin.
34:59Inside was a single dark lump of brown sugar.
35:03I dropped it into mom's favorite glass.
35:06Then I poured in the boiling water,
35:10slowly melting away.
35:12A deep red drink.
35:13I carried the glass to the balcony.
35:16The autumn sunlight hit my skin.
35:18It warmed me all the way through.
35:20Mom, look.
35:23He said the brown sugar water was bitter.
35:25He couldn't drink it.
35:26But what did he know about bitterness?
35:28The pain you took for him?
35:30That was real bitter.
35:31I looked down and took a small sip.
35:33It was sweet.
35:34The clean scent of sugar cane spread across my tongue.
35:38That sickening taste of blood was gone.
35:40I took out the letter and a lighter from my pocket.
35:43The flame jumped up fast.
35:45It swallowed the thin paper hole.
35:48It swallowed 10 years of late remorse with it.
35:52The black ashes lifted in the wind.
35:55I drank the last sip of brown sugar water.
35:57So sweet.
35:59I looked into the distance.
36:01The sky was clear.
36:02Not a single cloud.
36:04So would my life.
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