- 10 hours ago
I Was Your Mother Once - Kalos
Category
馃帴
Short filmTranscript
00:02whoa lady stop stop you don't want to try panhandling here and no loitering
00:08neither do yourself a favor this is a high-end joint and you clearly don't
00:13belong here so get out before I drag you out wait stop hold on a second Miss
00:21Anderson Ashley mom can we talk over there
00:36what are you doing here I told you not to come look I every mother wants to see
00:43their little girl walk down the aisle I brought you some of your favorites from
00:48home this strawberry jam turkey jerky and I needed you this scarf are you serious
01:01right now what am I supposed to do with all of these do you have any idea who I'm
01:04marrying oh my god it smells like a barn
01:11Ashley I can see you don't want me here can I just watch no mom
01:18I told everyone that you were traveling abroad and you just couldn't make it now
01:23you just show up out of the blue I'm even gonna explain that I'm sorry I didn't
01:31know I thought it would be a nice price well you work too hard when I grow up I
01:40will take you to the fanciest restaurant and go on a beach vacation thank you
01:46sweetheart that you would be happy to see me
01:51Ashley
01:55who's this
02:01this this is my um my aunt Nancy she just dropped in
02:07got it welcome why don't you just invite your aunt in okay yeah yeah of course
02:14okay fine but don't embarrass me remember your aunt Nancy
02:34it's magnificent my little girl is marrying into a whole of their world I hear she has no family
02:42attending the wedding that's so sucks they say she comes from pores she's probably some country hick who's
02:50somehow clawed her way into the Anderson family
02:56well what are you talking about who else the bride of course
03:03you can tell by her posture alone that she comes from broke trash but she acts like she's a goddamn
03:09princess
03:09yeah yeah even her mother didn't show up either Ashley is ashamed or mom abandoned her
03:17either way it's alone plus shit
03:23none of what you're saying is true Ashley is kind and thoughtful and she may have a
03:30humble background but she's rich in character who are you anyway you know
03:36usually the janitors don't show up until after the wedding
03:41look at her clothes my socks cost more than all the clothes set
03:48wait wait don't tell me she's related to the bride that would be yikes
03:54as a matter of fact yes I'm here for Ashley
03:59ha I knew it
04:03I almost feel sorry for Ashley she worked so hard to hide people like you from us
04:12little princess must be mortified you're here
04:19mortified what am I doing to embarrass her and what would you know about my bank account
04:27oh my god lady do I really have to spell it out for you that sad little outfit of yours
04:31wouldn't even hit 50 bucks
04:33what the hell is going on in here
04:37you
04:39what the hell is going on in here
04:42you
04:43you just standing there get back to work setting tables or whatever it is that you people do
04:49you know having a word with your manager about hiring better staff look at you filthy
04:56ma'am I'm not part of the staff
04:58please you don't expect me to believe that you're on my list
05:03Lucy actually yes she's here to support Miss Ashley apparently
05:07I'm with you Lucy it doesn't look like she belongs here
05:14well someone's obviously mistaken
05:16because I went through the guest list myself and Ashley never mentioned somebody like her
05:23well maybe you missed it
05:25I don't think so
05:28who are you really
05:29I think you should leave before I call security
05:34I'm not leaving
05:36I'm here to see Ashley
05:39but Ashley didn't put you on the list did she
05:43or are you here hoping for a handout
05:46I mean these gifts of the bride and groom they're not for guests
05:55all I wanted was to be here for Ashley
05:58fine
05:58if you want to continue with this madness
06:01then you've just pulled this on yourself haven't you
06:10Lucy maybe just let it go
06:12it's your son's big day
06:13you shouldn't be getting your hands dirty
06:15no way
06:16that lady deserved it
06:18somebody had to teach her a lesson
06:20I'm not here to cause trouble
06:24I'm just here for the ceremony
06:26and to bring some gifts for the bride
06:30really
06:31let's see what delightful little treasures that you've dragged in here
06:39incredible
06:42preserves
06:48dried meat
06:52oh
06:53and a scarf that smells like the bottom of a stable
07:05Ashley's mother is vacationing in Switzerland
07:08although my daughter-in-law's family may not be at our level
07:13they are very respectable
07:15what the hell are you?
07:19did she really say that?
07:21of course
07:22did you really think you could come waltzing in here and ruin my son's wedding?
07:30you're not the first freeloading fraud that I've encountered
07:36don't worry everyone
07:37this old bag lady
07:39she won't be troubling us much longer
07:42yeah kick her ass out
07:44I'm sick of her from the little face
07:53why are you crazy?
07:56are you gonna murder me in public?
07:58why not?
08:00who'd even notice if you were gone?
08:03mother?
08:07mother?
08:11mother
08:14Ashley do you know this woman?
08:17so why wasn't she on the guest list?
08:19that's my
08:21uh
08:22a distant relative
08:23Aunt Nancy
08:25um
08:26she dropped by last minute
08:27yes
08:28we
08:29met her at the entrance
08:31I'm
08:33I'm her Aunt Nancy
08:37your mother's in Switzerland
08:39that's right isn't it?
08:41yes
08:41of course
08:43lying's not going to get you very far in my world
08:46your niece
08:48my daughter-in-law
08:50isn't going to follow your tall tales
08:55okay?
08:56auntie?
09:07I
09:08I
09:09I never wanted any of this
09:11I just wanted
09:12to see Ashley happy
09:14happy?
09:16with you here?
09:20well
09:25maybe this will cheer everybody up
09:28maybe this will cheer everybody up
09:47she just
09:47she just really wanted to see me get married
09:49you're defending
09:51this
09:52marmalade woman
09:55you know
09:56I call you my daughter-in-law
09:58but
09:59it's not official yet
10:01do you still want to marry my son?
10:04yes of course mother
10:06good
10:07then I'll give you one more chance
10:09sure mother
10:10I'll
10:11I'll
10:11help her leave now
10:12Aunt Nancy I'm sorry but
10:14you have to
10:15oh no no no dear
10:17that's not enough
10:19go over
10:20and slap her
10:22in her ugly
10:23peasant face
10:25it's that or you can forget about joining our family
10:29come on Ashley
10:30everything's ready
10:31stop wasting time
10:33give her a quick slap
10:34and let's move on
10:36Ashley
10:38look at me
10:41what has happened to you?
10:44look
10:46look at who I am
10:48shut up
10:50that's enough
10:50I know who you are
10:54sorry mom
10:55this is my future
10:57you wanted me to have everything
11:00so
11:00you just have to forgive me
11:1410 years ago
11:15a cross river bridge project I oversaw collapsed
11:18leaving dozens dead
11:19my parents didn't want any tie with a murderer
11:21so they left me
11:22and the victim's families drenched me in gasoline
11:24roaring that they shall perish together with me
11:26I spent the next 10 years in prison
11:28after my release I changed my name
11:31moved to a small town
11:32and worked as a barista in a quiet cafe
11:34life seemed to go back to peace
11:36just when I thought my days would keep going on like a tranquil river
11:39my ex-husband Julian Reed found me
11:41his construction company had long gone public
11:43everyone could tell he stood at the very peak of success
11:46with a bright future stretching out before him
11:48then reporters swarmed up to me
11:50cameras thrust inches from my face
11:52Ms. Walker
11:53Mr. Reed has been engaged for 10 years
11:55but is still unmarried
11:56what do you think about him waiting for you all these years?
11:58I let out a bitter laugh
12:00no one knew that 10 years ago
12:01it was this Mr. Reed who allowed his mistress to slip into the construction team
12:05and skim kickbacks
12:05and it was also Julian Reed who shoved me forward as the scapegoat
12:09after the disaster
12:09while he and his mistress went out clean
12:14flashing lights lit up Julian's face
12:16but not his expressions
12:17he remained as cold and unreadable as ever
12:19my boss was beside himself with excitement
12:21he rushed over for Julian's autograph
12:23then a photo
12:24seeing me standing there without reaction
12:26my boss kindly turned back and called out to me
12:28Irene, come take a picture with Mr. Reed
12:31he's the youngest CEO in the world
12:32one photo with him
12:33can definitely get our cafe buzzing
12:35I might even give you a raise
12:36my hands froze mid-wash
12:38I didn't look up
12:39but some reporters still saw my face instantly
12:42and the next second they swarmed toward me
12:44so you've been here all along Ms. Walker
12:45once celebrated worldwide for your designs
12:47and now stuck behind a cafe counter
12:48how does that feel?
12:49we hear your ex-husband has waited 10 years for you
12:51postponing his wedding again and again
12:53what do you make of that?
12:53I ignored them
12:54ignored their questions and microphones
12:56that nearly poked my face
12:57and just focused on my work
12:58still I couldn't stop the tremble
13:00as I reached for the cups
13:01I knew Julian too well
13:03there was no way he could do that for me
13:04I stayed on guard
13:06the standoff dragged on
13:07until Julian stepped in front of me
13:08he blocked the camera
13:09his expression was so stern
13:11this is our private matter
13:12we're not accepting interviews
13:14we appreciate your understanding
13:15then he turned to me
13:16his gaze deep and complicated
13:18Irene
13:18he paused
13:19as if he had so much to say
13:21and in the end
13:22only said one thing
13:23long time no see
13:24his voice seemed to come from the past
13:25and my hand quivered beyond control
13:28clatter
13:29a coffee cup hit the floor and shattered
13:30flying shards cut into my skin
13:33blood dripped from my fingertips
13:35Julian grabbed my hand instinctively
13:37frowned as if he cared
13:39are you alright?
13:39I pulled away at once
13:40and apologized to my boss in a rush
13:42Alan
13:43I'm so sorry
13:44I'll clean it up
13:44just charge it to my pay
13:46before Alan could even respond
13:47a bright cheerful voice
13:49came from the doorway
13:50Julian
13:50what are you doing here?
13:55Julian
13:56what are you doing here?
13:57you just left without a word
13:59we're all worried
14:00I followed the voice
14:01and saw her walking in
14:02with a gentle smile
14:03she reached for Julian's hand naturally
14:05and pressed a soft kiss
14:06to his lips
14:07I remembered her too well
14:09it was Chloe Bennett
14:10the woman who caused the accident
14:11ten years ago
14:12she had become Julian's fiancee
14:15and behind her
14:15I actually saw my biological parents
14:18who had disowned me like a stranger
14:20Chloe turned to me then
14:21her gaze sweeping over me
14:22with a thin smile
14:23of contempt on her lips
14:24well
14:25isn't this our greatest architect
14:27Irene?
14:28long time no see
14:29oh
14:30by the way
14:31your parents have made me their goddaughter
14:34I suppose that I should call you sister now
14:37I glanced past her
14:38and there stood my parents
14:39they had aged so much
14:41their backs were hunched
14:42their hair completely white
14:44a sharp quiet ache spread through my chest
14:47I couldn't help but wonder how they'd feel
14:49if they ever found out their goddaughter
14:50was the one who made me fall like this
14:52my father snorted coldly
14:54we only have one daughter
14:55and that is Chloe
14:56a murderer blinded by greed
14:59would only make me sick
15:00my mother clenched her jaw
15:02Julian
15:03why would you even bother with trash like her?
15:06just let her rot away
15:07their words hit the cafe like a cold wind
15:09everyone including Alan
15:11looked at me strangely
15:12I turned my face away
15:13swallowing the pain
15:14refusing to meet their eyes
15:16Julian let out a soft sigh
15:17don't blame your parents
15:18that thing hit them too hard
15:20he gave a gold embossed business card to me
15:22I owe you far too much
15:23if you ever need anything
15:25call me
15:29I didn't refuse Julian's card
15:31or rather
15:31I accepted it politely like I would for any customer
15:34but that's all
15:34I didn't believe he just came for me
15:36and I didn't expect to see him again
15:38then three days later
15:53he hung up before I could say anything
15:55I tried calling back
15:57but I'd been blocked
15:58at the same time
15:59a message popped up
16:00my salary arrived
16:01four thousand five hundred
16:02Alan had even added an extra thousand
16:04with a note
16:05consider this my compensation
16:07my cafe is small
16:08can't bear any trouble
16:10please
16:10spare me another visit
16:12my heart sank
16:13I knew who was really behind this
16:16sure enough
16:17Julian's call came through
16:19Irene
16:19I can't undo what happened back then
16:20I hope you understand
16:21but in every other way
16:22I'll make it up to you
16:24that cafe job was way too much for you
16:25so I took care of it
16:26and I bought you a villa in Portwell
16:28I'll send you the key
16:29and another thing is about Chloe
16:30she's still inexperienced
16:31and needs someone who knows the drawings
16:32help her out
16:33I'll pay you two hundred thousand a month
16:34my fists clenched so hard
16:37they ached
16:37why?
16:38why could he so easily
16:39shove me into the abyss
16:40where loneliness and hatred
16:42swallowed me alive?
16:43and why
16:44after all this happened
16:45could he still carelessly
16:46shatter my peaceful life
16:48as if he's some superior savior?
16:50why did he think he could arrange
16:51everything for me?
16:52help Chloe?
16:53he just wanted me to be her shadow
16:55her tool
16:56the thought of it
16:57made my stomach churn
16:58I pressed my lips together
16:59and said through gritted teeth
17:00thanks for the offer Mr. Reed
17:02but I have my own life now
17:03please don't come to me again
17:06Julian was silent for a long moment
17:08Irene
17:09don't be difficult
17:10a genius like you
17:11who only truly enjoys working as an architect
17:13I'm taking care of your life
17:15and letting you shine
17:16what else could you want?
17:18don't push me Irene
17:20I've got my ways
17:22and then he hung up
17:23a faint unease settled in my chest
17:27that very afternoon
17:29I found out exactly what he meant
17:30I needed to find another job
17:32as soon as possible
17:33but no matter where I went
17:34people only pretended to respect me
17:36I decided to go back home for a rest
17:38but at the door
17:39I found the landlady waiting
17:40she was a kind old lady
17:41when I first came here with no money
17:43she had waived a month's rent
17:44and always brought me her homemade treats
17:46now her eyes were red
17:48standing at my doorstep
17:49Irene!
17:50you're back!
17:51I'm so sorry
17:52but I can't rent the apartment to you anymore
17:56please don't blame me
17:57I have no choice
17:58some great man came to town
18:00he said if I let you stay
18:02my daughter
18:03she... she...
18:03her voice broke as tears ran down
18:06I didn't want to make things harder for her
18:07that night I packed my things
18:09and moved out
18:10this was Julian's compensation
18:12destroying my life
18:13and then
18:14arrogantly offering compensation
18:16ridiculous
18:18the day I moved out Julian showed up
18:20he lost weight
18:21in just a few days
18:22dark shadows
18:23sat under his eyes
18:24like he hadn't slept at all
18:25he came with a moving crew
18:27and directed them
18:27as if this was something
18:28he ought to do
18:29his manner was so natural
18:30that anyone who didn't know us
18:32would consider him as a husband
18:33picking up his wife
18:33and taking her home
18:35you've always been tense
18:36this helps you relax
18:39I took the glass in silence
18:40and had a small sip
18:41it was sweet
18:42so sweet
18:44it made my hands tremble
18:45so this must be a part of his
18:46compensation
18:47it tasted like heaven
18:48but could drag me down to hell
18:50in the next second
18:51I set the glass down
18:52Mr. Reed
18:53what happened before is over
18:54if you really wanted to make up for it
18:57you shouldn't have shown up uninvited
18:59he froze for a moment
19:00a flicker of disappointment
19:01crossing his eyes
19:02before he masked it
19:03don't keep pushing it
19:04I know what you feel
19:06this is just the first step
19:07I'll soon find someone
19:09to claim the fall
19:10and clear your name
19:11I know you don't like Chloe
19:13I'll keep her out of sight
19:15for now
19:15just rest
19:17his tone was gentle
19:18but the message was clear
19:19I wasn't being offered a choice
19:21he wanted control
19:22absolute control
19:24and Chloe was never going to stay out of sight
19:26the very day I moved in
19:28Julian had barely arrived
19:29when she stormed in
19:30with a group of reporters
19:32Julian had barely arrived
19:33when she stormed in
19:34with a group of reporters
19:35Julian I heard Miss Walker was here
19:37why didn't you tell me
19:37she was wrong of course
19:39but everyone has to live on
19:41I hope Miss Walker has learned her lesson
19:43and will walk the right path
19:44from now on
19:45she pressed a card into my hand
19:47this is just a small gesture
19:49you're my senior
19:50and also my fiance's ex-wife
19:52please take it
19:53if life gets hard
19:54just let us know
19:56she played her role perfectly
19:57by that afternoon
19:59the news had spread
19:59all over Portwell
20:00disgraced engineer resurfaces
20:02after deadly collapse
20:03billionaire X shows mercy
20:04back among the elite
20:06can the victims ever find peace
20:07suddenly Julian became
20:09the devoted tycoon
20:10and Chloe became
20:11the gracious fiance
20:12and once again
20:13I was only the one
20:14who got torn apart
20:15by public outrage
20:15whether on purpose or not
20:17Chloe leaked my address
20:18from then on
20:19grieving families
20:20and angry crowds
20:21gathered outside my home
20:22every day
20:24three days later
20:25my parents came
20:26it was the first time
20:27in ten years
20:27that they had come to see me
20:28on their own
20:29when I saw them standing
20:30at the door
20:30the good old memories came back
20:32a spark of hope
20:33rose in my chest
20:34mom dad
20:36you're here
20:36come in
20:37have some water
20:38I stepped aside
20:39to welcome them
20:39my father only snorted at me
20:41we wouldn't dare
20:43drink a murderer's water
20:45Irene we can't forgive
20:46what you did back then
20:47but don't keep making
20:48the same mistake
20:49we're begging you
20:50Chloe truly loves Julian
20:51you're divorced now
20:52stop clinging to him
20:53she's considerate
20:54she doesn't want to say it out loud
20:55so we will
20:56leave Portwell
20:57if you insist
20:58your father and I
20:59will find to make you leave
21:02her voice was still gentle
21:03the same voice
21:04that once sang me to sleep
21:05now every word
21:07felt like a blade
21:08cutting into my heart
21:09until my blood ran out
21:10I stared at them
21:11in disbelief
21:12dad
21:13mom
21:15did you ever believe me
21:17not even for a second
21:20what if I told you that
21:21everything I went through
21:22was a setup by
21:23Chloe Ben
21:23you rascal
21:25you dare smear
21:26Chloe's name
21:27Julian had just arrived
21:28to drop something off
21:29and witnessed the scene
21:30he rushed over
21:31flustered
21:32clearly about to explain
21:33when his phone rang
21:34it was his assistant
21:35Mr. Reed
21:36Ms. Bennett is drunk
21:38and she's getting an IV
21:39in the hospital to sober up
21:40the moment those words fell
21:42panic flooded Julian's face
21:43my parents expressions changed
21:45just as quickly
21:46no one looked at me again
21:47they turned
21:48got into the car
21:49and drove off without hesitation
21:51I watched their backs disappear
21:53and laughed
21:53I laughed until tears streamed
21:55down my face
21:55so this was it
21:57whether it was threatening me
21:58or pretending to care
21:59whether I was hurting
22:00or falling apart
22:01none of it mattered as much
22:02as a word from Chloe Bennett
22:03I thought that would be the end of it
22:05after all
22:06the past 10 years
22:07had taught me one thing
22:08I should never expect anything
22:10from my parents
22:11or from Julian Reed
22:12I was wrong
22:13I didn't expect my parents
22:15solution to come this fast
22:19one afternoon
22:20I was out shopping for groceries
22:21when several victims family members
22:23tracked me down
22:23they clubbed me unconscious
22:25with iron rods
22:25and dragged me away
22:26when I woke up
22:28I was inside a sack
22:29through a tear in the fabric
22:30I could make out a riverbank
22:31the man in front
22:32kicked me hard in the stomach
22:34we didn't even go looking for you
22:35and you still dared to come back
22:38his words ignited the crowd
22:40give me back my daughter
22:41it's only 19
22:42it just started college
22:43you animal
22:44you killed my mother
22:45you'd pay for it
22:47fists and feet
22:48rained down on me
22:49I tried to explain
22:50but my mouth was stuffed shut
22:52only muffled sounds
22:53escaped my throat
22:54you owe us so many lives
22:54even tearing you apart
22:56wouldn't be enough
22:57you'll get what you deserve today
22:59I heard the iron rod swing
23:01the pain exploded through me
23:0399 blows
23:04I passed out
23:05then I got splashed awake
23:06again and again
23:08I felt every bone break
23:09one by one
23:10at the end
23:11as my consciousness faded
23:12they tied stones to me
23:14and threw me into the river
23:15the water was freezing
23:17it rushed in from all sides
23:18crushing my lungs
23:19stealing every breath
23:20I closed my eyes
23:21this was fine
23:23my life had been nothing but pain
23:25I was so tired
23:26if this was the end
23:27then let it end
23:29just as my awareness flipped away
23:30strong arms caught hold of me
23:32and fresh air
23:33flooded my lungs
23:36Chloe told Irene's parents
23:37that several victims' families
23:39wanted to confront her
23:39and they were kind of worried
23:41after all
23:41she was their daughter
23:42even though they were furious
23:44at her back then
23:44for her reckless greed
23:45deep down
23:46they could not completely
23:47wipe out their love
23:48and care for her
23:49don't worry
23:50I've investigated
23:51they're decent people
23:52they won't hurt Irene
23:53maybe after this
23:55she'll know how to lie low
23:56and protect herself
23:57Chloe promised confidently
23:59and assured them
23:59reluctantly
24:00Irene's parents shared her
24:01whereabouts
24:02with the families
24:04still
24:05a heavy unease
24:06coursed through their veins
24:07and finally settled
24:08deep in their bones
24:09and today
24:09my heart keeps racing
24:11Irene hasn't been in touch
24:12for days
24:13should we try to find her
24:14maybe call the police
24:15why bother
24:16calling the police for her
24:18is just a waste
24:18no news is better
24:20someone like her
24:21her death shall do
24:22a good thing
24:23to the society
24:23Mrs. Walker frowned
24:25at her husband's words
24:26but said nothing
24:26the same unease
24:28gnawed at Julian Reed
24:29for three days straight
24:30Chloe kept stopping him
24:31from seeing Irene
24:32every time he insisted
24:34Chloe would show her tears
24:35I know it
24:36you're still hung up
24:36on your ex
24:38if you love her
24:40then why are you
24:41looking for me
24:42Julian had no choice
24:43but to stay
24:44and calm her down
24:45but the anxiety
24:46grew too strong
24:46finally one day
24:48he rushed to the villa
24:49when Chloe was away
24:50not for anything else
24:51he just needed to know
24:52Irene was safe
24:53but when he arrived
24:54the villa was empty
24:55only Irene's anxious
24:56parents welcomed him
24:57the three exchanged
24:58a knowing glance
24:59and silently began
25:00searching for her
25:05it must be Irene
25:06but when she opened the door
25:08it wasn't her daughter
25:09you are
25:12seeing who was outside
25:13Mr. Walker and Julian
25:14both came to a halt
25:15Mr. Walker was the first
25:16to react
25:17officer
25:18is Irene causing trouble again
25:20if she hurts anyone again
25:22just sentence her to death
25:23I don't have such a daughter
25:24please calm down
25:26we're here to speak to
25:27Ms. Irene Walker's parents
25:28and ex-husband
25:29evidence suggests that
25:30Ms. Irene is likely murdered
25:32the suspect has been apprehended
25:33and efforts are ongoing
25:34to recover her remains
25:35we're sorry for your loss
25:38Irene
25:40Julian stared at the officer
25:42in disbelief
25:42tears streaming down his face
25:44he tried to step forward
25:46to confirm
25:46but his legs betrayed him
25:48in the end
25:48two officers had to support him
25:50our loved ones were all killed
25:51by your daughter
25:52this is what is called justice
25:53you two gave us her whereabouts
25:55isn't that what you wanted
25:55her parents even told us
25:57exactly where she was
25:57they didn't stop us
25:58so why are you stopping us
25:59you have your grievances
26:00but the law decides justice
26:02private revenge is never allowed
26:03murder is a crime
26:05Irene is your daughter
26:06how could you do this to her
26:07how could you be this cruel
26:08and heartless
26:10we didn't know it would end like this
26:12it was Chloe
26:13Chloe said these people
26:15would only scare Irene a little
26:17so she would leave here
26:18she must have planned all of this
26:19from the start
26:20no wonder she stopped him back then
26:23Julian's face darkened with rage
26:24the walkers were stunned too
26:26realizing Chloe's manipulations
26:29just then
26:30Chloe Bennett walked in
26:31calm and confident
26:32you're so worried about that murderer
26:34weren't you the ones who hated her the most
26:36and yet here you are
26:37scared
26:37good that she's gone right
26:39now I can be your daughter
26:40and Julian
26:41I'm your fiance
26:42you can only love me
26:43someone like her
26:44who killed so many people
26:46ten years ago
26:46this is her karma
26:49Julian snapped
26:50grabbing Chloe by the throat
26:53how can you do this
26:54I did nothing wrong
26:56she was a murderer
26:57and now she still is
27:00ten years ago
27:01her sentence cut off abruptly
27:03her face paled
27:04as if a memory
27:05had suddenly taken her breath
27:06Julian laughed bitterly
27:08through his anger
27:08I've woken
27:09from countless nightmares
27:10regretting ever protecting
27:11someone like you
27:12at the cost of hurting
27:13the one I loved most
27:14we both know I protected you
27:16just because you're my
27:16teacher's child
27:17my teacher helped me once
27:18so I sacrificed my own
27:19wife to shield you
27:20other people maybe
27:21may be fooled
27:21but you the real Surmerer
27:23you know the truth better
27:24than anyone
27:24his words dropped like a bomb
27:27shattering the hearts
27:28of everyone present
27:29the police were the first
27:31to react
27:31stepping forward to stop
27:32Julian from tightening
27:33his grip on Chloe
27:34Julian
27:37you just said
27:39the murderer wasn't Irene
27:42we wronged her
27:44and we even took the real
27:46culprit as our daughter
27:48Julian lowered his gaze
27:50silently confirming
27:51Mr. Walker staggered back
27:52and couldn't help
27:53falling into a chair
27:54Mrs. Walker rushed forward
27:55raising her hand
27:56and striking Julian across
27:57the face
27:59the sharp sound echoed
28:00Julian's head turned
28:02but he stayed upright
28:03silently taking the blow
28:05I'm sorry
28:08my daughter
28:10my Irene
28:13the victim's families
28:14exchanged
28:15stunned glances
28:16their voices shaky
28:17we
28:17we took revenge
28:18on the wrong one
28:19but all that answered them
28:21were the anguished cries
28:23of Irene's parents
28:24in an endless suffocating silence
28:27I woke up on a soft bed
28:29I tried to sit up
28:30but a sharp pain
28:30shot through my body
28:31making my sweat break out
28:32don't move
28:34just lie down
28:35a gentle male voice
28:36came from the doorway
28:38thank goodness
28:39the doctor said
28:40you'd probably wake up
28:41in a few days
28:42and I've been making this porridge
28:43every day just in case
28:44you'll wake up hungry
28:45he carefully placed the porridge
28:47on the bedside table
28:48then with practiced ease
28:49he adjusted the bed
28:50that's when I finally got
28:51a good look at him
28:52sharp brows
28:53almond shaped eyes
28:54and a perfectly placed
28:55little mole by his nose
28:57for some reason
28:58he felt strangely familiar
28:59because of that
29:00I couldn't let my guard down
29:01around him
29:02when the porridge reached my lips
29:03I instinctively took a sip
29:05it tasted exactly like the porridge
29:07my grandmother used to make
29:08when I was a child
29:09I stared at him
29:10shocked
29:10and finally managed to say
29:12who...
29:13who are you?
29:16dummy
29:17only two of us
29:18and grandma
29:19stuff I offend
29:19do you really remember?
29:20suddenly, memories flooded back
29:22when I was a child
29:23there had been a boy
29:24who often played with me
29:25since my grandmother
29:26was always busy
29:27he would come by
29:28from time to time
29:28to take care of me
29:29there was a period
29:30I struggled with
29:31my weak stomach
29:31and I could only eat porridge
29:32so that boy learned
29:34from my grandma
29:34how to make my favorite
29:35sweet potato porridge
29:36I hesitated
29:37then whispered
29:38Evan?
29:39his eyes cheered
29:41finally, my darling
29:43then, he began to explain everything
29:45after my parents took me
29:46to the city years ago
29:47his biological parents
29:49also found him
29:49his real identity
29:50was the long lost heir
29:51of the Sterling family
29:52the wealthiest family
29:54in the Northgate
29:54but he had never forgotten me
29:56and had been searching
29:56for me all along
29:57seeing me become
29:58a renowned architect
29:59brought him genuine happiness
30:00yet, because I had married Julian
30:03he could only stay away
30:04afraid to disturb my life
30:06as for the accident
30:07ten years ago
30:08he told me
30:08he had never believed
30:09I was the one responsible
30:10he had quietly investigated
30:12and gathered evidence
30:13all these years
30:13but had found nothing
30:14even until I was released
30:16even though I saved you this time
30:18I still crossed your privacy
30:19and...
30:21yes
30:21I've been following your movements
30:23for so many years
30:24I'm sorry
30:25I smiled and shook my head
30:30thank you Evan
30:33when I saw Chloe
30:34being led away by the police
30:35on television
30:35I thought I was in a dream
30:37Evan and I exchanged a look
30:39we had spent ten years
30:40struggling to uncover the truth
30:41laid bare before the public
30:43Julian looked deathly pale
30:45there was no trace left
30:46of his former confidence
30:47as for my parents
30:48who had trusted outsiders
30:49over their own daughter
30:50they were just so tired
30:52and aged
30:52my father was slumped
30:54in a chair
30:54my mother sat beside him
30:55covering her face
30:56her sobs breaking through
30:57despite her efforts
30:58to suppress them
30:59lying in bed
31:00watching these scenes
31:01I felt none of the imagined
31:02dissatisfaction of justice served
31:03there was only desolation
31:05and a weariness
31:05I couldn't quite put into words
31:06everything seemed to have settled
31:08my name was finally cleared
31:09the company I once worked for
31:11released a public statement
31:12restoring my reputation
31:13online
31:14waves of apologies followed
31:15countless people went to
31:16my empty grave
31:17laying flowers in mourning
31:18after all of this
31:19Evan frowned slightly
31:20and asked one day
31:21what shall we do now?
31:22show up in front of everyone again?
31:23as soon as he said it
31:24my parents faces
31:25and also Julian's
31:27flashed through my mind
31:28I could already imagine
31:29how desperately
31:29they would try to make it up to me
31:31I shook my head
31:32and smiled at Evan
31:33let this be my rebirth
31:34I decided to go along with it
31:36I stayed at the Sterling's house
31:37to recover
31:39for half a year
31:40Evan took meticulous care of me
31:42though he was already busy
31:43working as the powerful head
31:44of the Sterling's
31:45he still looked after me
31:46the same way he did before
31:47once I could eat normally again
31:48he insisted on cooking himself
31:50constantly coming up
31:51with new nutritious meals for me
31:52six months later
31:53not only had I recovered
31:54but I had also gained ten pounds
31:56another spring arrived
31:58jacaranda blossoms were in full bloom
31:59outside my window
32:00I stared at them for a long while
32:02then turned to Evan
32:03let's go out and see the world
32:05we left the city behind
32:07he arranged all his company affairs
32:08switched to remote work
32:09and accompanied me on a journey
32:11around the world
32:11we reached every corner of the world
32:13tracing all the romance
32:14that had ever been depicted
32:15in poems and literature
32:16I had never expected that
32:18after so many years apart
32:19Evan and I would share such similar interests
32:22and views on life
32:23at last
32:23we arrived in England
32:24by the Thames
32:25Evan looked at me
32:26his eyes full of nervous anticipation
32:28I knew what he was about to say
32:30smiling softly
32:31I spoke first
32:32Evan
32:35I think I've fallen in love with you
32:38his face flushed instantly
32:39then he leaned forward
32:40and a kiss gently landed on my lips
32:44in the end
32:44Evan and I opened a small bookstore
32:46in a town far from our past
32:47life passed quietly
32:49now and then
32:50news from back home
32:51would drift across my screen
32:52Julian seemed to
32:53become a different person
32:54he overhauled his company
32:56with ruthless efficiency
32:57cutting away every force
32:58connected to Chloe
32:59and he never stopped
33:00looking for me
33:01the crushing weight of guilt
33:02made him obsessively believe
33:04that I was still alive
33:05somewhere in the world
33:05on a snowy Christmas Eve
33:07streets were blanketed
33:07in heavy snowfall
33:08I closed the shop early
33:10planning to go home
33:10and cook a Christmas dinner
33:11with Evan
33:12but just as I reached
33:13the building downstairs
33:13I saw a familiar figure
33:15and for the last topic
33:15being hooked,
33:16I
33:16remember
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