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(2026) - FULL ENGSUB | Reelshort Hot HD
Full Chinese Movie EngSub
Chinese Drama English Sub Full HD
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(2026) - FULL ENGSUB | Reelshort Hot HD
Full Chinese Movie EngSub
Chinese Drama English Sub Full HD
#shortdrama #bestdrama #actionmovie #Drama #Film #Show #Anime #Movie #cdrama #Movies #BILLIONAIRE #shortdrama #dramashort #shortfilmdrama #minidrama #shortstorydrama #webdrama #indiedrama #shortfilmseries #shortdramaseries #dramashorts #englishmovie #cdrama #drama #movieshortfull
#BillionaireObsession #VirginAuction #MrDelaney #AlphaRomance #DarkDesire #SoldToHim #DailymotionDrama
#goodfilms romance #bestfilmromance #romance #filmromance #drama romance
#fullmovie2026 #Dramavideo #trending
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Short filmTranscript
00:01I pushed my father off the cliff.
00:04His body was impaled on a dead tree.
00:07I didn't leave until I made sure he was dead.
00:10I will never forget the earthquake.
00:12Years ago, he abandoned my mother and me to save his love.
00:17After the earthquake, Mommy fell asleep.
00:20I curled up in her arms.
00:21She was getting so cold.
00:23We were hiding under a giant rock.
00:27I sucked on Mommy's finger.
00:28She fed me warm brown sugar water.
00:32Daddy's voice came through the broken phone.
00:35Get Stella and the lightly injured first.
00:37Leave Irene for later.
00:38She's tough as nails.
00:40Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
00:41It was really Daddy.
00:43Mommy said he would rescue us soon.
00:46But why did he make Mommy wait?
00:48I whispered to the phone.
00:51Daddy, Mommy went to sleep.
00:55She gave me lots of brown sugar water.
00:58It tastes like iron.
01:01But I'm not scared.
01:03Mommy said you'll come and save me before it all runs out.
01:07The phone went totally silent.
01:10I kept drinking the warm brown sugar water.
01:13Then Daddy started screaming through the speaker.
01:17He ordered everyone to find me.
01:20Daddy was coming to me.
01:24Found her!
01:26Over here!
01:27There's a kid still alive!
01:31Mommy, it's morning.
01:33Can we go home now?
01:35I pushed against her chest.
01:37It wasn't soft like it used to be.
01:39A whole section of it was crushed inward, covered in something warm and sticky.
01:45Hurry!
01:46Grab the kid first!
01:47Huge, rough hands reached in and tore me away from her.
01:52No!
01:52Mommy's still sleeping!
01:54I want to wait for her!
01:56My fingers locked in a death grip on the hem of her shirt.
01:59Read.
02:00The fabric gave way.
02:01A man in an orange rescue vest hauled me against his chest.
02:05My mouth was crusted with dried, flaky red patches.
02:09It was the brown sugar water Mommy had been feeding me.
02:13Lucy!
02:15Oh God, Lucy!
02:16A figure came stumbling through the debris.
02:20It was Daddy.
02:21Daddy, he was still wearing his expensive suit.
02:24It was dusted with concrete powder, making him look a little disheveled.
02:29He grabbed me from the rescue worker and crushed me against his chest.
02:33Thank God, you're alive.
02:36I thought I'd lost you.
02:37He was sobbing, his whole body trembling.
02:41Then, a scent hit me.
02:42A sickeningly sweet, overpowering perfume.
02:46It was the smell Mommy hated most in the world.
02:50She always said it was the smell of a bad woman.
02:54I squirmed against him.
02:57Daddy, Mommy's still down there.
02:59She's asleep.
03:01Daddy froze.
03:03He didn't even glance at the rubble.
03:05Instead, he forced my face into his shoulder to block my view.
03:10Shh, sweetheart.
03:12Mommy.
03:14Mommy's gone to a better place.
03:17No, she didn't!
03:19She's right down there!
03:21I cried frantically, pointing at the pitch black gap in the concrete.
03:25Mommy gave me so much brown sugar water.
03:29She promised you'd come for us before it was all gone.
03:32All the color drained from Daddy's face.
03:35He stared at the dark, crusted blood around my mouth, gulping hard.
03:40A heavy silence fell over the medics around us.
03:43One of the nurses clamped a hand over her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks.
03:48But Daddy just looked away.
03:50He couldn't meet my eyes.
03:52What was he so scared of?
03:54Was it because of the broken phone?
03:56The one that played his voice earlier, growling like a monster.
04:00The voice that said Mommy was tough as nails and that leaving her behind wouldn't kill her.
04:06Daddy, why did you tell them to leave Mommy behind?
04:11I leaned close to his ear and whispered,
04:14Daddy recoiled, shoving me back like I had just burned him.
04:19There was no relief in his eyes anymore.
04:21Only pure, naked terror.
04:23The ambulance siren wailed as we sped down the road.
04:27I sat in the back, still clutching the torn scrap of Mommy's shirt.
04:31Daddy sat across from me, wringing his hands nervously.
04:35His hands were perfectly clean, his nails neatly manicured.
04:39They looked nothing like Mommy's hands, which were caked in mud and dried blood.
04:44Lucy, while you were down there, did you hear anything?
04:46Daddy asked tentatively, unable to meet my eyes.
04:50I licked my lips.
04:52That rusty taste was still in my mouth.
04:54I did.
04:55A visible shudder ran through Daddy.
04:57What did you hear?
04:59I heard you tell them to save Stella first.
05:01The air inside the ambulance instantly froze.
05:04The paramedic who had been wiping dust off my face stopped.
05:08Her hand hovering in midair.
05:10She shot Daddy a piercing, icy glare.
05:14Daddy forced an awkward smile that looked more like a grimace.
05:17You misheard, sweetie.
05:19The signal was bad.
05:20Daddy was just panicking.
05:21Really?
05:22I tilted my head, studying him.
05:25But who is Stella?
05:27Why is she more important than Mommy?
05:29Daddy opened his mouth, but no words came out.
05:32He quickly turned to look out the window, pretending to wipe away a tear.
05:35When we arrived at the hospital, a massive crowd swarmed us.
05:40Camera flashes went off non-stop, so bright I couldn't open my eyes.
05:45Suddenly, Daddy acted like a completely different person.
05:49He scooped me into his arms and began sobbing hysterically for the cameras.
05:53Thank God, thank God for bringing my daughter back to me.
05:57I'd trade anything in the world, as long as my Lucy is safe.
06:02The reporters wiped their eyes and praised Daddy for being such a good father.
06:06I rested my chin on his shoulder, watching the side of his face.
06:10He was wailing loudly, but his cheeks were completely dry.
06:14He looked just like a clown on TV.
06:17Once we got to the VIP ward, I finally saw his Stella.
06:21She was staying in a massive private hospital suite.
06:26She was wearing a frilly pink lace dress and happily eating a slice of strawberry cake.
06:32There wasn't a single scratch on her.
06:35Even her hair was perfectly brushed and shiny.
06:38A woman in a flowing white dress sat by her bedside.
06:41She was very pretty, and she radiated the exact same, sickeningly sweet perfume I had smelled on Daddy.
06:50The woman stood up.
06:52Victor, you're here.
06:53Her eyes were rimmed with red, making her look incredibly fragile and pitiful.
06:59Daddy sat me down immediately and hurried over to her, taking her hands in his.
07:05Camille, how is Stella? She must have been terrified.
07:08I stood in the doorway, feeling like a piece of discarded trash.
07:13Stella noticed me.
07:14She wrinkled her nose and pointed right at me.
07:18Mommy, is she the feral girl who drinks blood?
07:21She's so gross.
07:23Drinking blood.
07:24Feral girl.
07:25I stared at the smear of whipped cream on her lip.
07:28My empty stomach gave a low rumble.
07:31The woman, Camille, walked over and crouched down in front of me.
07:35You must be Lucy.
07:36Oh, you poor girl.
07:38Come, let me give you a hug.
07:39She reached out to me.
07:41That's when I saw the gold bracelet gleaming on her wrist.
07:45It was the exact same bracelet Mommy had.
07:48Mommy told me Daddy had specially made it for her to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.
07:53So why was she wearing it?
07:54A sudden, blinding rage flared up in my chest.
07:57Like an enraged little animal, I lunged at her and bit down on her wrist.
08:02The bad woman shrieked, swinging her arm to violently shake me off.
08:06The sheer force sent me flying backward, and my head slammed hard against the metal footboard
08:12of the hospital bed.
08:13A sharp, dizzying pain shot through me, but I didn't shed a single tear.
08:18I just sat on the floor, glaring at her with pure hatred.
08:21Lucy!
08:22Are you crazy?
08:23Daddy rushed over.
08:25He tenderly cradled the bad woman's injured arm.
08:28Camille, are you okay?
08:30Did she hurt you?
08:31He snapped his head back around, glaring at me with absolute fury.
08:36How could you behave like this?
08:38Apologize to her right now!
08:40I stayed slumped on the cold floor.
08:42A warm trickle of liquid began sliding down my forehead.
08:47It was red too, just like the brown sugar water Mommy had fed me.
08:51Daddy, I'm bleeding too.
08:53Are you gonna make me wait a little longer too?
08:56The room went dead silent.
08:57Daddy's face turned beet red with rage.
09:00The bad woman's eyes darted around.
09:03Ignoring the bite marks on her wrist, she put on a sickeningly sweet face and tried to help me up.
09:09Victor, don't be mad at her.
09:11She just lost her mom.
09:12She can't handle the shock.
09:14She stroked my head, but her nails dug hard into my skin.
09:19Be good, Lucy.
09:20I don't mind.
09:22Let me buy you some candy later, alright?
09:24I slapped her hand away.
09:26I don't want candy.
09:28I have the brown sugar water Mommy gave me.
09:31The bad woman's smile vanished.
09:33Daddy, kick this freak out!
09:36She stinks!
09:37Daddy took a deep breath and buzzed for a nurse.
09:39Take her next door and get her cleaned up.
09:41And have someone examine her head.
09:43She's clearly lost her mind.
09:44Examine my head?
09:46Daddy thought I was crazy.
09:47A young nurse led me away.
09:49As she cleaned my wound, she quietly wiped away her tears.
09:53Sweetie, it won't hurt.
09:57I promise to be gentle.
09:59I looked up at her.
10:00Miss, is my mommy really dead?
10:03Her hand trembled.
10:04She pulled me into a tight hug and finally broke down sobbing.
10:08Your mommy was a great mother.
10:11That evening, my grandparents arrived.
10:14The moment Grandma saw me, she broke down and passed out from the shock.
10:19Grandpa leaned heavily on his cane, his hands shaking violently.
10:23He demanded to take me home with him.
10:26Dad, Lucy's been through a massive shock.
10:29She's talking nonsense right now.
10:30It's safer to keep her here for observation.
10:32But Daddy refused.
10:34But I knew the real reason.
10:35He was terrified I'd talk.
10:38Terrified I'd spill that secret.
10:39Late that night, the door to my room clicked open.
10:42It was Uncle Oscar, Daddy's personal assistant.
10:46Normally, he just trailed behind Daddy like a shadow, keeping his head down and his mouth shut.
10:51But tonight, the look in his eyes was completely different.
10:55He walked over to my bed and pulled something from his pocket.
10:59A phone with a badly shattered screen.
11:02Mommy's phone.
11:03Lucy, they dug this out of the rubble.
11:06It still works.
11:08I snatched the phone and hugged it tight against my chest.
11:11It smelled like Mommy, and there were patches of dried blood on the casing.
11:15Oscar gently stroked my hair.
11:18Lucy, do you want to help Mommy get revenge?
11:20In a few days, it will be Mommy's funeral.
11:22A lot of people will be there, and that bad woman will be there too.
11:28That day, if Daddy speaks up, Storn, press this triangle, okay?
11:32I stared at the little red play button and nodded hard.
11:35Okay, this was a game.
11:38A game only Oscar and I knew about.
11:41I was going to make sure everyone heard exactly what Daddy said that day.
11:45It rained on the day of Mommy's funeral.
11:47The sky was gray.
11:48It looked like a dirty rag.
11:50I wore the black dress Grandma bought me.
11:53A tiny white flower was pinned to my chest.
11:58The memorial hall was huge.
12:01It was packed with white flowers.
12:04Mommy's portrait hung right in the middle.
12:07She was smiling in the picture.
12:10Her eyes crinkled like little crescent moons.
12:14Daddy stood at the very front.
12:17He wore a crisp black suit.
12:20He looked terrible.
12:22His eyes were sunken.
12:24His face unshaven.
12:26People said he was a deeply devoted man.
12:29That he had grown so thin just after losing his wife.
12:36The bad woman didn't show up, but Stella did.
12:40She wore a black lace dress.
12:43She mouthed the words,
12:46You don't have a mom anymore.
12:48She made mean faces at me.
12:50I just stared blankly at her.
12:53I slipped my hand into my pocket.
12:57My fingers brushed the cold, shattered phone.
13:00The ceremony began.
13:01The somber music made my chest feel tight.
13:05Daddy walked up to the podium.
13:08He clutched a few sheets of paper.
13:11He started reading his eulogy.
13:14Irene, my beloved wife.
13:16He choked up on the very first line.
13:18The crowd wiped away their tears.
13:21They were moved by his heart-breaking true love.
13:25We've known each other for ten years and loved each other for ten years.
13:30You knew me better than anyone, and you were the person I loved most.
13:34The moment the earthquake struck, I wished I could have died in your place.
13:39If time could turn back, I would be by your side, holding your hand, and I would never let you
13:46face the darkness alone.
13:48He swayed, looking like he might collapse.
13:51A few relatives rushed up to hold him.
13:56They whispered words of comfort.
13:59Irene, how could you be so cruel?
14:02How could you leave Lucy and me behind?
14:04He beat his chest, wailing at Mom's back.
14:09I stood in the front row.
14:12Oscar was right beside me.
14:14He knelt down to fix my collar.
14:16He gave my hand a tight squeeze.
14:18His palm was slick with sweat.
14:21Are you ready, Lucy?
14:22He whispered.
14:23Only I could hear him.
14:25I looked up at Daddy on stage.
14:28He was giving the performance of a lifetime.
14:30I watched his fake tears and trembling shoulders.
14:37I remembered her slicing open her own fingers.
14:41She fed me her blood, smiling through the pain.
14:45I thought about the dark, cold rubble.
14:48I thought of Mommy's body growing cold.
14:51I remembered those cruel words.
14:54Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
14:56A massive wave of anger exploded inside me.
15:00I didn't fully understand hatred yet, but I knew I had to ruin his act.
15:07Clutching the shattered phone, I walked on stage.
15:11A hush fell over the crowd.
15:15They thought, I just wanted to comfort Daddy.
15:18Daddy saw me approaching.
15:20Panic flashed in his eyes, but he hid it.
15:23He dropped to one knee and opened his arms.
15:27Lucy, come here, sweetie.
15:29Daddy misses her too.
15:31He wanted to pull me into a hug.
15:34He wanted to end his show with fake love.
15:38I stopped right in front of him.
15:41I didn't hug him.
15:42I raised the shattered phone instead.
15:47It was still stained with Mommy's dried blood.
15:50Daddy's pupils shrank in pure terror.
15:54He recognized the phone immediately.
15:57He lunged forward to snatch it.
16:00Lucy, that's dirty.
16:01Give it to Daddy right now.
16:03Right as his fingertips grazed the screen,
16:08my thumb slammed down on the red triangle.
16:11The Bluetooth is already synced to the giant speakers.
16:14The audio kicked in instantly.
16:17A harsh burst of static pierced the silence.
16:21Then, that familiar, cold voice boomed like thunder.
16:25Get Stella and the lightly injured first.
16:28The entire hall went dead silent.
16:31Every single eye locked onto Daddy.
16:35His hand froze in the air.
16:37The color completely drained from his face.
16:41The recording kept playing crystal clear.
16:45Leave Irene for later.
16:46She's tough as nails.
16:48Waiting a little longer won't kill her.
16:51Every word was a vicious slap across his face.
16:55Guests' jaws dropped in pure shock.
16:58They stared at this devoted husband.
17:02Furious whispers quickly filled the room.
17:05Is that Victor's voice?
17:06Oh my God, did he actually say that?
17:08Get Stella first?
17:10Who is Stella?
17:11Daddy collapsed to the floor like a rag doll.
17:15He scrambled up in a total panic.
17:18He tried to shut off the speakers.
17:21No!
17:22It's not real!
17:23It's a fake!
17:25It's just a sick prank!
17:27A heavy wooden cane slammed into Daddy's back.
17:31It was Grandpa.
17:33He beat Daddy over and over again.
17:36You bastard!
17:38You bastard!
17:39You heartless bastard!
17:40Placed my daughter in your hands and this is how you treated her!
17:44She's tough!
17:45You made her wait!
17:46Do you know she bled to death down there?
17:49Tears streamed down Grandpa's face.
17:52Every strike was fueled by pure rage.
17:57Daddy cowered, shielding his head.
17:59Blood dripped from a nasty cut on his forehead.
18:03Nobody tried to stop it.
18:05They just watched with sheer disgust.
18:08The reporters finally snapped out of it.
18:11Camera flashes erupted like crazy.
18:14The tragic love story was dead.
18:18It was now a massive cheating scandal.
18:22Is Stella your legitimate daughter?
18:23Did you let your wife die for your mistress?
18:25Did you let your die for your mistress?
18:28Microphones were shoved right into his bloody face.
18:31He covered his face, refusing to look up.
18:35I stood in the dead center of the chaos.
18:38I still gripped the phone tightly.
18:41Oscar rushed up and scooped me up.
18:44He shielded me and backed away.
18:47Good job, Lucy.
18:48He whispered softly.
18:50I looked over Oscar's shoulder.
18:53I stared at Daddy on the floor.
18:55He looked so small and pathetic.
18:59Like a rat crushed under a boot.
19:02Stella burst into tears from the noise.
19:05She screamed from behind the marble pillar.
19:09Daddy, help me!
19:11The reporters finally snapped out of it.
19:15Is that Stella?
19:17She actually looks a bit like Victor.
19:19What?
19:20He let his wife die for a bastard!
19:23They threw them right at Stella.
19:25The scene completely spiraled out of control.
19:28The police showed up after someone called 911.
19:34Grandma pulled me close, sobbing uncontrollably.
19:38Let's go home, Lucy.
19:40He's dead to us now.
19:41I didn't cry or throw a tantrum.
19:47I just watched everything in dead silence.
19:51Before we left, I looked back.
19:54Daddy was kneeling before Mommy's portrait.
19:57He reached out to touch her picture.
20:00Grandpa kicked him away.
20:02Don't touch her with your filthy hands!
20:05Daddy collapsed onto the floor.
20:08He looked at me with pure desperation.
20:13Lucy, Daddy was wrong.
20:16I completely ignored him.
20:19I turned my head to Mommy's portrait.
20:22Did you hear that, Mommy?
20:23Everyone finally knows he's the bad guy.
20:26After that massive funeral scene, I got sick.
20:30The doctor said I had severe PTSD.
20:33I stopped talking entirely.
20:36I just hugged Mommy's old clothes.
20:41I wouldn't eat.
20:43I only drank brown sugar water.
20:46If I ate anything else, I threw up.
20:51Everything tasted like rusty iron to me.
20:55Grandma cooked different meals every single day.
20:59But I couldn't take a single bite.
21:02I lost so much weight.
21:05I looked like a terrifying little skeleton.
21:09Daddy came by our house a few times.
21:12He was suspended from his company.
21:15His reputation was completely destroyed.
21:20People threw rotten eggs at his door daily.
21:23He wanted to see me.
21:25He begged my grandparents for forgiveness.
21:28Grandpa chased him off with a heavy broom.
21:32He kneeled outside our front door.
21:35I watched him through a crack in the curtains.
21:40He stayed on his knees all night long.
21:42It was pouring rain that night.
21:45Just like the day of Mommy's funeral.
21:48He was totally soaked to the bone.
21:51His wet hair plastered to his face.
21:53He looked like a pathetic drowned rat.
21:57Lucy!
21:58I know I messed up!
22:00Please just look at me!
22:01You're all I have left!
22:02He screamed through the pouring rain.
22:05His voice was totally hoarse.
22:07I thought it was hilarious.
22:10I'm all he has left.
22:12What about Stella?
22:14What about the bad woman?
22:17Did they abandon him already?
22:19Grandma walked into my bedroom.
22:22She held a warm cup of brown sugar water.
22:27Grandma asked me so carefully,
22:29Lucy, he's still out there.
22:32Do you want to see him?
22:34I took the cup from her hands.
22:37I took a tiny little sip.
22:40It was warm and sweet.
22:42But I still tasted a hint of blood.
22:46I shook my head at Grandma.
22:48I walked right up to the window.
22:53I pulled the curtains tightly shut in his face.
22:57I remembered being trapped under the rubble.
23:01I had screamed for him just like that.
23:06I screamed until my voice went hoarse.
23:08But he only cared about other people.
23:12Now it was his turn to scream.
23:15I was going to let him wait too.
23:18He could wait until he died.
23:21I sat in my room drawing pictures.
23:24I only used black and red crayons.
23:29I drew a pitch black box.
23:32A monster was trapped inside it.
23:35The monster was crying endlessly.
23:39But nobody paid any attention to it.
23:43Grandpa said Daddy's company was going bankrupt.
23:47Everyone was boycotting his business.
23:50Nobody wanted to work with a murderer.
23:54Oscar dug up his fake accounting books.
23:57Turns out he wasn't just a terrible dad.
24:00He was a completely corrupt boss too.
24:05He embezzled tons of company money.
24:08He bought the bad woman a house and a car.
24:12I listened to my grandparents talking about it.
24:15I felt absolutely nothing inside.
24:18I just kept sipping my warm brown sugar water.
24:23Cup after cup.
24:25I drank until my stomach physically ached.
24:29Until the rusty iron taste finally faded.
24:33The bad woman got arrested.
24:35She was caught at the airport trying to flee.
24:38Dad's company was completely ruined.
24:41She drained his remaining bank accounts.
24:45She tried to take Stella out of the country.
24:49But Oscar was one step ahead of her.
24:53His police buddies caught her red-handed.
24:57Grandpa took me to the police station.
25:01I had to give a statement about my custody.
25:06I saw the bad woman in the hallway.
25:10She was wearing shiny silver handcuffs.
25:13Her hair was a complete rat's nest.
25:17Her makeup was totally smeared.
25:20Stella was crying so hard she couldn't breathe.
25:23Snot was running all down her face.
25:26Mommy, I want to go home.
25:28I don't want to be here.
25:29Shut up! Shut up!
25:31Stop your crying!
25:33When she saw me, her eyes went bloodshot.
25:36She lunged at me like a total madwoman.
25:39It's all your fault, you little bastard!
25:41If it wasn't for your bitch mother,
25:43Victor wouldn't be completely bankrupt.
25:44I wouldn't be in this total mess!
25:47A police officer grabbed her instantly.
25:50He pinned her heart against the wall.
25:54Stay still.
25:55I hid behind Grandpa and peeked out.
25:59Her face was completely twisted with rage.
26:03She looked like an ugly old witch.
26:06Daddy was there too.
26:07He was there as a witness.
26:10And as a victim, seeing her, Daddy charged forward.
26:16He tried to punch her right there.
26:19Camille, you vicious bitch!
26:21After everything I did for you,
26:23you cleaned out my accounts and ran?
26:25That's enough!
26:26Did right by me?
26:28Give me a break.
26:30If you really cared about me,
26:32you would have divorced Irina a long time ago.
26:35And you wanted me to give you a son.
26:38And what did you end up with?
26:40No son.
26:41So, that was the real truth.
26:44They tore into each other like rabid dogs.
26:48The cops couldn't watch it anymore.
26:50They forcibly dragged them apart.
26:53I looked at Daddy's pathetic face.
26:55It was covered in spit and blood.
26:59Camille looked completely ruined too.
27:02Suddenly, I felt something shift inside me.
27:06The heavy boulder in my chest lifted.
27:08I let go of Grandpa's hand.
27:11I walked right up to the bad woman.
27:15You are so ugly.
27:17I finally spoke my first words in weeks.
27:21Even uglier than the rats in the ruins.
27:23Then, I turned around.
27:26Grandpa, I want to go home.
27:27I want my warm brown sugar water.
27:30Later, Grandpa sorted through Mommy's belongings.
27:34He found an old diary.
27:37It had a light pink cover.
27:42It was Mommy's favorite notebook.
27:45Grandpa put on his reading glasses.
27:48He read it and cried hysterically.
27:50He cried until he almost passed out.
27:54I leaned in to look too.
27:57I couldn't read all those big words.
27:59But, I recognized Mommy's drawings.
28:03Tucked inside the pages was a photo.
28:07It was a black and white ultrasound picture.
28:11It showed a blurry little shadow.
28:14He looked at me with tearful eyes.
28:17Lucy, this is your little brother.
28:21I was completely stunned.
28:24Or little sister.
28:26It turned out that on the day of the earthquake, Mommy still had a baby in her belly.
28:31Grandpa read Mom's diary out loud to me.
28:35Went in for a checkup today.
28:37The doctor said the baby looks perfect.
28:40I want to surprise Victor.
28:42I'll tell him on his birthday.
28:44I hope it's a boy.
28:45When he grows up, he can protect Lucy.
28:48Victor's been coming home later and later.
28:51He always smells like perfume.
28:53But I trust him.
28:55He promised he'd change.
28:57For my two children, I can endure anything.
29:00My tears came flooding out.
29:02I thought about the earthquake again.
29:05When that huge slab came crashing down, Mom didn't lie flat.
29:12She curled herself into a bridge.
29:15She used her back to block the rocks.
29:20She shielded me and the baby underneath her.
29:23In the dark, she kept encouraging me.
29:27She fed me her blood.
29:29She never once said she was hurting.
29:32So that was the truth.
29:34She was protecting both of us.
29:37Me and the baby.
29:40But what did Dad say?
29:43He said Mom was tough.
29:45He said save Stella first.
29:47He killed his own wife.
29:50And his unborn child too.
29:53Somehow, Dad found out.
29:55That night, he started wailing downstairs.
29:59He rolled around on the ground.
30:02He slammed his head into the wall.
30:04His forehead split open.
30:06God, just kill me!
30:08I'm guilty!
30:09I'm a bastard!
30:10He was confessing.
30:12But it was too late.
30:14Mom couldn't hear him anymore.
30:16The baby couldn't hear him either.
30:18And neither could I.
30:20I held the diary tight against my chest.
30:24Grandpa, I don't hate him anymore.
30:26Grandpa stared at me in shock.
30:29Hating someone takes strength.
30:31Because he's not worth it.
30:33He deserved to rot like garbage.
30:35Dad was going to prison for financial crimes and embezzlement.
30:43The amount was massive.
30:47Before sentencing, he begged Grandpa countless times.
30:52He wanted to see me once more.
30:56Grandpa didn't want to agree.
30:59But I nodded.
31:02We met on a park bench.
31:05It was autumn.
31:06The leaves had all turned yellow.
31:09The wind felt sharp and cold.
31:12Dad was wearing the detention center vest.
31:15Handcuffs hung from his wrists.
31:18Only a few months had passed.
31:21But he looked 60.
31:23His back was bent, too.
31:25When he saw me, his eyes lit up.
31:28He tried to reach for me.
31:30He wanted to hug me.
31:32But I stepped back.
31:34His hand froze in midair.
31:36Then he pulled it back awkwardly.
31:39Lucy, you've gotten taller.
31:42His voice came out rough and broken.
31:46Dad's going somewhere far away.
31:50I may not back come for a long time.
31:52I said nothing.
31:53I just looked at him quietly.
31:55He was crying hard now.
31:57I failed you.
31:59I failed your mom.
32:01And I failed that unborn baby, too.
32:03I'll never repay that debt.
32:05Tears and snot covered his face.
32:08I watched him sob uncontrollably.
32:11And strangely, I felt calm.
32:15It was strawberry hard candy.
32:19Mom used to give me those with medicine.
32:23Mom used to say, candy makes the bitterness go away.
32:28Dad looked at the candy.
32:30Then he broke down even harder.
32:32His shoulders shook violently.
32:34But for the rest of your life, all you'll know is bitterness.
32:39I looked him straight in the eye.
32:41Because you deserve it.
32:43Then I turned and walked away.
32:46Behind me, Dad screamed himself hoarse.
32:50Lucy!
32:52Lucy!
32:52I didn't turn around.
32:55The wind lifted the fallen leaves.
32:58They spun into the sky.
33:01Ten years passed.
33:02That's long enough for broken bones to heal.
33:05And long enough for a little girl to grow up.
33:07Grandma passed two years ago.
33:10She died peacefully in her sleep.
33:13Grandpa said she finally went to talk to Mom.
33:15Now it's just Grandpa and me.
33:17On my 15th birthday, I woke up early.
33:22It was also Mom's death anniversary.
33:25Just like every year.
33:27But at the door, I kicked something hard.
33:30It was a package.
33:32The return address looked familiar.
33:34Blackridge Prison.
33:35I carried it inside.
33:37Grandpa was coming out of the kitchen.
33:39He was holding a bowl of birthday noodles.
33:42Your noodles are ready.
33:44Who sent that?
33:46An old friend.
33:51A bank book and a letter.
33:53The bank book had a few thousand dollars.
33:57It was exactly the most a prisoner could save in ten years behind bars.
34:02The letter was written on cheap paper.
34:05The handwriting was shaky and crooked.
34:08Several spots were smeared with ink.
34:10Lucy, by the time you read this, I'll be gone.
34:12I'm going to your mother to beg her figness.
34:15For ten years, every time I close my eyes, I see the rubbles.
34:18I see your mother covered in blood.
34:20I hear her asking me again and again,
34:23Victor, why didn't you save me?
34:24And I hear that unborn child crying too.
34:27I kept the candy you left for me.
34:29The money in the bank book is clean.
34:32Live well, Lucy.
34:33The letter was short.
34:35I read it word by word.
34:37Then I folded it neatly.
34:40I placed it beside the bank book on the table.
34:45Grandpa watched me quietly.
34:47He looked like he wanted to speak.
34:50But in the end, he only sighed.
34:53Then he shoved the chopsticks into my hand.
34:56Eat before the noodles get sogry.
34:59Unknown number.
35:01The area code was from the prison.
35:04I answered,
35:05Is this Lucy Cole?
35:06Yes.
35:07This is Black Ridge Prison.
35:09Your father, Victor Cole, died by suicide in prison at 543 this morning.
35:16The body, a family member needs to come handle the arrangements.
35:20He didn't leave much behind.
35:21Just one final message.
35:23What was it?
35:24He said, save Irene first.
35:27Irene.
35:28My mother's name, he finally remembered to save mom first.
35:33Got it.
35:34I hung up.
35:35Then I kept eating.
35:37Grandpa's cooking hadn't changed in 10 years.
35:40It was still perfect.
35:42After I finished, I took the bowl and chopsticks away.
35:46I washed them clean in the kitchen.
35:49Then I boiled a kettle of water.
35:53From the top shelf, I took down the old metal candy tin.
35:56Inside was a single dark lump of brown sugar.
36:00I dropped it into mom's favorite glass.
36:04Then I poured in the boiling water, slowly melting away.
36:09A deep red drink.
36:10I carried the glass to the balcony.
36:13The autumn sunlight hit my skin.
36:16It warmed me all the way through.
36:18Mom, look.
36:20He said the brown sugar water was bitter.
36:22He couldn't drink it.
36:24But what did he know about bitterness?
36:26The pain you took for him?
36:27That was real bitter.
36:28I looked down and took a small sip.
36:31It was sweet.
36:32The clean scent of sugar cane spread across my tongue.
36:35That sickening taste of blood was gone.
36:38I took out the letter and a lighter from my pocket.
36:40The flame jumped up fast.
36:42It swallowed the thin paper hole.
36:46It swallowed 10 years of late remorse with it.
36:49The black ashes lifted in the wind.
36:52I drank the last sip of brown sugar water.
36:56So sweet.
36:57I looked into the distance.
36:59The sky was clear.
37:00Not a single cloud.
37:02So sweet.
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