In Part 3 of this gripping family drama, long-buried secrets begin to unravel as past and present collide. A mysterious woman claims a deep connection that shakes the lives of everyone involved. As hidden truths surface, relationships are tested, and emotional wounds reopen. A powerful story about identity, forgiveness, and the meaning of family.
#FamilyDrama #EmotionalStory #MysteryDrama #HiddenSecrets #Motherhood #LifeTruths #DramaSeries #EmotionalJourney #RelationshipDrama #HumanConnections
#FamilyDrama #EmotionalStory #MysteryDrama #HiddenSecrets #Motherhood #LifeTruths #DramaSeries #EmotionalJourney #RelationshipDrama #HumanConnections
#FamilyDrama #EmotionalStory #MysteryDrama #HiddenSecrets #Motherhood #LifeTruths #DramaSeries #EmotionalJourney #RelationshipDrama #HumanConnections
#FamilyDrama #EmotionalStory #MysteryDrama #HiddenSecrets #Motherhood #LifeTruths #DramaSeries #EmotionalJourney #RelationshipDrama #HumanConnections
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:02whoa lady stop stop you don't want to try panhandling here and no noitering
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 well 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 are you serious right
01:01now 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 how are you even gonna explain that
01:29I'm sorry I didn't know I thought it would be a nice price
01:36mom you work too hard when I grow up I will take you to the fanciest restaurant and go on
01:43a beach vacation
01:45thank you sweetheart 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 the world I hear she has no family attending
02:43the wedding that's so sucks they say she comes from pores
02:47she's she's probably some country hick who somehow clawed her way into the Anderson family
02:54well
02:57what 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 even her mother didn't show up either Ashley is ashamed or mom abandoned her either way
03:18it's alone plus shit
03:23none of what you're saying is true
03:25Ashley is kind and thoughtful and she may have a humble background but she's rich in character
03:33who are you anyway you know usually the janitors don't show up until after the wedding
03:41look at her clothes my socks cost more than all the clothes set
03:49wait 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
03:59huh 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
04:54look at you
04:55filthy
04:56ma'am I'm not part of the staff
04:58please
04:59you don't expect me to believe that you're on my list
05:03Lucy actually yes
05:04she's here to support Miss Ashley apparently
05:07and with you Lucy it doesn't look like she belongs here
05:11shhhh
05:13well
05:14someone'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
05:34Ashley
05:35I'm not leaving
05:36I'm here to see Ashley
05:39but Ashley didn't put you on the list
05:41did she
05:43or are you here hoping for a handout
05:46I mean these gifts are for the bride and groom
05:49they'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
06:02then you 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
06:25and to bring some gifts for the bride
06:29really
06:30let'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
06:56smells like the bottom of the stable
07:05Ashley's mother is vacationing in Switzerland
07:09although my daughter-in-law's family may not be at our level
07:13they are very respectable
07:15and what the hell are you
07:19did she really say that?
07:21of course
07:22did you really think you could come waltzing in here
07:27and ruining 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
07:43yeah
07:43kick her ass out
07:44I'm sick of her frumby little face
07:54why 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?
08:14Ashley
08:15do you know this woman?
08:17so why wasn't she on the guest list?
08:20that'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
08:32I'm
08:33I'm her aunt Nancy
08:37your mother's in Switzerland
08:39that's right isn't it?
08:40yes
08:41yes
08:42of 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
08:56okay auntie?
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?
09:25maybe this will cheer everybody up
09:28maybe this will cheer everybody up
09:45mother
09:45she
09:45she
09:46she
09:46she
09:46she
09:46she really didn't mean to cause a fuss
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
10:06mother
10:07then i'll give you one more chance
10:09sure mother
10:10i'll
10:11i'll
10:11probably 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
10:23ugly
10:23peasant
10:24face
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
10:47look at who i am
10:49shut up
10:50that's enough
10:51i 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
11:15ten years ago
11:16a 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 victims families drenched me in gasoline
11:24roaring that they shall perish together with me
11:26i spent the next ten 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
11:44everyone 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
11:52miss walker mr reed has been engaged for ten 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 ten years ago
12:01it was this mr reed who allowed his mistress to slip into the construction team
12:05and skim kickbacks
12:06and it was also julian reed who shoved me forward as the scapegoat after the disaster
12:09while he and his mistress went out clean
12:14flashing lights lit up julian's face but 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 can definitely get our cafe
12:35buzzing i might even give you a raise
12:36my hands froze midwash
12:38i didn't look up but some reporters still saw my face instantly
12:42and the next second they swarmed toward me
12:44so you've been here all along miss walker once celebrated worldwide for your designs
12:47and now stuck behind a cafe counter
12:49how does that feel
12:49we hear your ex-husband has waited ten 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 that nearly poked my face
12:57and just focused on my work
12:58still i couldn't stop the tremble as 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 until julian stepped in front of me
13:08he blocked the cameras
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
13:19he 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
13:42i'm so sorry
13:44i'll clean it up
13:45just charge it to my pay
13:46before alan could even respond
13:48a bright cheerful voice came from the doorway
13:50julian
13:51what 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
14:06and pressed a soft kiss to 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 fiance
14:14and behind her
14:16i actually saw my biological parent
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 of contempt on her lips
14:24well isn't this our greatest architect irene
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
14:53my father snorted coldly
14:54we only have one daughter
14:56and that is chloe
14:57a murderer blinded by greed
14:59would only make me sick
15:01my mother clenched her jaw
15:02julian
15:03why would you even bother with trash like her
15:05just 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
15:19that 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
15:44irene
15:44i'm really sorry
15:45i didn't know who you were
15:47and people like you should never just stay in a small cafe
15:50i'll mark you down for full appendance this month and send your paycheck shortly
15:53and today's your last day
15:54he 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 with a note
16:05consider this my compensation
16:07my cafe is small
16:08can't bear any trouble
16:10please spare 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 i can't undo what happened back then
16:21i 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
16:35my fists clenched so hard
16:37they ached
16:38why
16:38why could he so easily shove me into the abyss
16:40where loneliness and hatred swallowed me alive
16:43and why
16:44after all this happened
16:45could he still carelessly shatter my peaceful life
16:48as if he's some superior savior
16:50why did he think he could arrange everything for me
16:52help chloe
16:53he just wanted me to be her shadow
16:55her tool
16:56the thought of it made my stomach churn
16:58i pressed my lips together and said through gritted teeth
17:00thanks for the offer mr reed but i have my own life now
17:03please don't come to me again
17:06julian was silent for a long moment
17:09irene don't be difficult
17:10a genius like you who only truly enjoys working as an architect
17:14i'm taking care of your life and 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 as 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 you're back
17:51i'm so sorry but 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 my daughter she she
18:03her voice broke as tears ran down
18:06i didn't want to make things harder for her
18:08that night i packed my things and moved out
18:10this was julian's compensation
18:12destroying my life
18:13and then arrogantly offering compensation
18:15ridiculous
18:18the day i moved out
18:20julian showed up
18:20he lost weight in just a few days
18:22dark shadows sat under his eyes
18:24like he hadn't slept at all
18:25he came with a moving crew
18:27and directed them as if this was something he 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 and taking her home
18:35you've always been tense
18:36this helps you relax
18:39i took the glass in silence
18:41and had a small sip
18:41it was sweet
18:42so sweet it made my hands tremble
18:45so this must be a part of his compensation
18:47it tasted like heaven
18:48but could drag me down to hell in the next second
18:51i set the glass down
18:52mr reed
18:53what happened before is over
18:55if 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 crossing his eyes
19:02before he masked it
19:03don't keep pushing in
19:04i know what you feel
19:06this is just the first step
19:07i'll soon find someone to 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
19:16just 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 with a group of reporters
19:32julian had barely arrived
19:33when she stormed in with 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 from now on
19:45she pressed a card into my hand
19:47this is just a small gesture
19:49you're my senior and also my fiance's ex-wife
19:52please take it
19:53if life gets hard just let us know
19:56she played her role perfectly
19:57by that afternoon the news had spread all over portwell
20:00disgraced engineer resurfaces after deadly collapse
20:03billionaire x shows mercy
20:05back among the elite
20:06can the victims ever find peace
20:07suddenly julian became the devoted tycoon
20:10and chloe became the gracious fiance
20:12and once again i was only the one
20:14who got torn apart by public outrage
20:16whether on purpose or not chloe leaked my address
20:18from then on grieving families and angry crowds
20:21gathered outside my home every day
20:24three days later my parents came
20:26it was the first time in ten years
20:27that they had come to see me on their own
20:29when i saw them standing at the door
20:30the good old memories came back
20:32a spark of hope rose in my chest
20:34mom dad you're here come in have some water
20:38i stepped aside to welcome them
20:39my father only snorted at me
20:41we wouldn't dare drink a murderer's water
20:45irene we can't forgive what you did back then
20:47but don't keep making the 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 will find to make you leave
21:02her voice was still gentle
21:03the same voice that once sang me to sleep
21:05now every word felt like a blade
21:08cutting into my heart until my blood ran out
21:10i stared at them in disbelief
21:12dad
21:14mom
21:15did you ever believe me
21:17not even for a second
21:20what if i told you that everything i went through
21:22was a setup by chloe bennett
21:24you rascal
21:25you dare smear chloe's name
21:27julian had just arrived to drop something off
21:29and witnessed the scene
21:30he rushed over flustered clearly about to explain
21:33when his phone rang
21:34it was his assistant
21:35mr reed
21:36miss bennett is drunk
21:38and she's getting an iv in the hospital to sober up
21:40the moment those words fell
21:42panic flooded julian's face
21:44my parents expressions changed just as quickly
21:46no one looked at me again
21:48they 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 down my face
21:55so this was it
21:57whether it was threatening me
21:58or pretending to care
21:59whether i was hurting or falling apart
22:01none of it mattered as much as a word from chloe bennett
22:03i thought that would be the end of it
22:05after all
22:06the past ten years had taught me one thing
22:08i should never expect anything from my parents
22:11or from julian reed
22:12i was wrong
22:13i didn't expect my parents solution to come this fast
22:19one afternoon i was out shopping for groceries
22:21when several victims family members tracked me down
22:23they clubbed me unconscious with iron rods
22:26and dragged me away
22:27when i woke up i was inside a sack
22:29through a tear in the fabric
22:30i could make out a riverbank
22:31the man in front kicked 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 and just started college
22:43you animal
22:44you killed my mother
22:45you pay for it
22:47fists and feet rained down on me
22:49i tried to explain
22:50but my mouth was stuffed shut
22:52only muffled sounds escaped my throat
22:54you owe us so many lives
22:54even tearing you apart wouldn'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
23:22this 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 flooded my lungs
23:36chloe told irene's parents that several victims' families wanted to confront her
23:40and they were kind of worried
23:41after all
23:42she was their daughter
23:42even though they were furious at her back then for her reckless greed
23:45deep down they could not completely wipe out their love and care for her
23:49don't worry
23:50i've investigated
23:51they're decent people
23:52they won't hurt irene
23:54maybe after this
23:55she'll know how to lie low and protect herself
23:57chloe promised confidently and assured them
23:59reluctantly irene's parents shared her whereabouts with the families
24:04still a heavy unease coursed through their veins
24:07and finally settled deep in their bones
24:09and today
24:09my heart keeps racing
24:11irene hasn't been in touch for days
24:13should we try to find her maybe call the police
24:15why bother
24:16calling the police for her is just a waste
24:18no news is better
24:20someone like her her death shall do a good thing to the society
24:23mrs walker frowned at her husband's words but said nothing
24:26the same unease gnawed at julian reed
24:29for three days straight chloe kept stopping him from seeing irene
24:32every time he insisted chloe would show her tears
24:35i know it you're still hung up on your ex
24:37if you love her
24:40then why are you looking for me
24:42julian had no choice but to stay and calm her down
24:45but the anxiety grew too strong
24:46finally one day he rushed to the villa when chloe was away
24:50not for anything else he just needed to know irene was safe
24:53but when he arrived the villa was empty
24:55only irene's anxious parents welcomed him
24:57the three exchanged a knowing glance and silently began searching for her
25:05it must be irene
25:07but when she opened the door it wasn't her daughter
25:09you are
25:12seeing who was outside mr walker and julian both came to a halt
25:15mr walker was the first to react
25:17officer is irene causing trouble again
25:20if she hurts anyone again just sentence her to death
25:23i don't have such a daughter
25:25please calm down
25:26we're here to speak to ms irene walker's parents and ex-husband
25:29evidence suggests that ms irene is likely murdered
25:32the suspect has been apprehended and efforts are ongoing to recover her remains
25:35we're sorry for your loss
25:38irene
25:40julian stared at the officer in disbelief tears streaming down his face
25:44he tried to step forward to confirm but his legs betrayed him
25:48in the end two officers had to support him
25:50our loved ones were all killed by your daughter
25:52this is what is called justice
25:53you two gave us her whereabouts isn't that what you wanted
25:56her parents even told us exactly where she was
25:58they didn't stop us so why are you stopping us
25:59you have your grievances but the law decides justice
26:02private revenge is never allowed murder is a crime
26:05irene is your daughter how could you do this to her
26:07how could you be this cruel and heartless
26:10we didn't know it would end like this
26:12it was chloe
26:14chloe said these people would only scare irene a little
26:17so she would leave here
26:18she must have planned all of this from 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 chloe bennett walked in calm 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 scared
26:37good that she's gone right
26:39now i can be your daughter
26:40and julian i'm your fiancee
26:42you can only love me
26:43someone like her who killed so many people ten years ago
26:46this is her karma
26:50julian snapped grabbing chloe by the throat
26:53how can you do this
26:54i did nothing wrong
26:56she was a murderer
26:58and now she still is
27:00ten years ago
27:02her sentence cut off abruptly
27:03her face paled as if a memory had suddenly taken her breath
27:06julian laughed bitterly through his anger
27:08i've woken from countless nightmares
27:10regretting ever protecting someone like you
27:12at the cost of hurting the one i loved most
27:14we both know i protected you just because you're my teacher's child
27:17my teacher helped me once
27:18so i sacrificed my own wife to shield you
27:20other people maybe may be fooled
27:22but you the real sermerer
27:23you know the truth better than anyone
27:24his words dropped like a bomb
27:27shattering the hearts of everyone present
27:29the police were the first to react
27:31stepping forward to stop julian from tightening his 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 culprit as our daughter
27:48julian lowered his gaze
27:50silently confirming
27:51mr walker staggered back and couldn't help falling into a chair
27:54mrs walker rushed forward raising her hand
27:56and striking julian across the face
27:59the sharp sound echoed
28:00julian's head turned but he stayed upright
28:03silently taking the blow
28:05i'm i'm sorry
28:08my daughter
28:11my irene
28:13the victims families exchanged stunned glances
28:16their voices shaky
28:17we we took revenge on the wrong one
28:19but all that answered them were the anguished cries of irene's parents
28:24and an endless suffocating silence
28:27i woke up on a soft bed
28:29i tried to sit up but a sharp pain shot through my body
28:31making my sweat break out
28:33don't move
28:34just lie down
28:35a gentle male voice came from the doorway
28:38thank goodness
28:39the doctor said you'd probably wake up in a few days
28:42and i've been making this porridge every day
28:44just in case you'll wake up hungry
28:45he carefully placed the porridge on the bedside table
28:48then with practice ease
28:49he adjusted the bed
28:50that's when i finally got a good look at him
28:53sharp brows
28:53with his almond shaped eyes
28:54and a perfectly placed little mole by his nose
28:57for some reason he felt strangely familiar
28:59because of that
29:00i couldn't let my guard down around him
29:02when the porridge reached my lips
29:03i instinctively took a sip
29:05it tasted exactly like the porridge my grandmother used to make when i was a child
29:09i stared at him
29:10shocked
29:10and finally managed to say
29:12who
29:12who are you
29:16dummy
29:17only two of us and 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 was always busy
29:27he would come by from time to time to take care of me
29:29there was a period i struggled with my weak stomach
29:31and i could only eat porridge
29:32so that boy learned from my grandma
29:34how to make my favorite sweet potato porridge
29:36i hesitated
29:37then whispered
29:38heaven
29:39his eyes cheered
29:41finally my darling
29:43then he began to explain everything
29:45after my parents took me to the city years ago
29:47his biological parents also found him
29:49his real identity was the long lost heir of the sterling family
29:52the wealthiest family in the north gate
29:54but he had never forgotten me
29:56and had been searching for me all along
29:57seeing me become a renowned architect brought him genuine happiness
30:01yet because i had married julian
30:03he could only stay away
30:04afraid to disturb my life
30:06as for the accident ten years ago
30:08he told me he had never believed i was the one responsible
30:10he had quietly investigated and gathered evidence all these years
30:13but had found nothing even until i was released
30:17even though i saved you this time
30:18i still crossed your privacy and
30:21yes
30:21i've been following your movements for so many years
30:24i'm sorry
30:25i smiled and shook my head
30:30thank you evan
30:33when i saw chloe being led away by the police on television
30:35i thought i was in a dream
30:37evan and i exchanged a look
30:39we had spent ten years struggling to uncover the truth
30:41laid bare before the public
30:44julian looked deathly pale
30:45there was no trace left of his former confidence
30:48as for my parents who had trusted outsiders over their own daughter
30:50they were just so tired and aged
30:52my father was slumped in a chair
30:54my mother sat beside him covering her face
30:56her sobs breaking through despite her efforts to suppress them
30:59lying in bed watching these scenes
31:01i felt none of the imagined dissatisfaction of justice served
31:03there was only desolation and a weariness i couldn't quite put into words
31:07everything seemed to have settled
31:08my name was finally cleared
31:10the company i once worked for released a public statement restoring my reputation
31:13online waves of apologies followed
31:15countless people went to my empty grave
31:17laying flowers in mourning
31:18after all of this evan frowned slightly and asked one day
31:21what shall we do now show up in front of everyone again
31:23as soon as he said it
31:25my parents faces and also julian's flashed through my mind
31:28i could already imagine how desperately they would try to make it up to me
31:31i shook my head and 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 to recover
31:40for half a year
31:41evan took meticulous care of me
31:42though he was already busy working as the powerful head of the sterling's
31:45he still looked after me the same way he did before
31:47once i could eat normally again
31:48he insisted on cooking himself
31:50constantly coming up with 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 outside 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
32:10and accompanied me on a journey around the world
32:11we reached every corner of the world
32:13tracing all the romance that had ever been depicted in poems and literature
32:16i had never expected that after so many years apart
32:19evan and i would share such similar interests and 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
32:41and a kiss gently landed on my lips
32:44in the end evan and i opened a small bookstore in a town far from our past
32:47life passed quietly
32:49now and then
32:50news from back home would drift across my screen
32:52julian seemed to become a different person
32:54he overhauled his company with ruthless efficiency
32:57cutting away every force connected to chloe
32:59and he never stopped looking for me
33:01the crushing weight of guilt made him obsessively believe that i was still alive somewhere in the world
33:05on a snowy christmas eve
33:07streets were blanketed in heavy snowfall
33:08i closed the shop early
33:10planning to go home and cook a christmas dinner with evan
33:12but just as i reached the building downstairs
33:14i saw a familiar figure
33:15save me
33:15no
33:16here
33:16are
Comments