- 2 days ago
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00:00Since Lily could talk, she saw me as her rival.
00:03She got between me and Victor Shaw, my husband.
00:07Don't seduce my dad.
00:09She even ran to the roof in tears and said,
00:12Stay away from mom, or I'll jump.
00:16She also mocked my makeup.
00:19You'll never be prettier than me, old lady.
00:22When Victor cheated, I was worried about her and fought for her custody.
00:27But she attacked me with sulfuric acid.
00:31You can't separate us.
00:33Dad is mine.
00:35Heaven took pity of me and let me transmigrate.
00:39This time I give up on Lily's custody.
00:42From now on, I want nothing to do with her.
00:45Victor is a little surprised.
00:48Lucy, why'd you change your mind?
00:50I thought you want Lily.
00:52Before I can answer, Lily barges in and starts hitting me.
00:57I don't want you.
00:59I know exactly what you're thinking.
01:02You're jealous.
01:03She dives into his arms and says cockily,
01:07No one can separate us.
01:09Dad loves me forever.
01:12Although Lily has always resented me,
01:14she's still my daughter at the end of the day.
01:18In the past life, when I knew Victor wants to remarry,
01:22I battled him for custody of Lily,
01:25even if it cost me some assets.
01:28Thinking about the sulfuric acid,
01:30I take the divorce agreement.
01:32I respect Lily's wishes.
01:34You can have her.
01:36Lily immediately freezes.
01:38I'm about to sign when she snatches the agreement away.
01:42You think you're getting Dad's money?
01:46Dad, you said you're buying me beautiful dresses.
01:49Don't leave her a thing.
01:52She grabs his leg and pouts,
01:54says a loser like me deserves nothing.
01:57She doesn't know that he cheated,
01:59and that I should be compensated.
02:01But he doesn't explain.
02:04Instead, he says,
02:06I'm too kind-hearted to leave Leia nothing.
02:09I know you're concerned for me.
02:12I'm lucky to have you.
02:14Watching their interaction, I smirk.
02:17Victor is the reason.
02:19Lily turned out this way.
02:20He's never corrected her.
02:22His unchecked indulgence merely twisted her more.
02:27Victor finally gets Lily to leave.
02:29He turns around and says softly,
02:32Don't tell her about my second marriage.
02:35She can't take it.
02:37I'll let them meet when the time is right.
02:41Meanwhile, Lily is celebrating her victory.
02:45She eagerly takes down my picture
02:47and steps on it with glee.
02:50I finally got rid of my rival.
02:53I am completely fed up with Lily.
02:55She's pathetic and absurd.
02:58Will she still smile when she knows a new rival is coming?
03:02Lily senses me and bursts into laughter.
03:06Are you jealous of me?
03:08Now, dad is all mine.
03:11I ignore her and pack my stuff in my room.
03:14I only took the compensation,
03:17and Victor was worried I might regret it.
03:19So, we decided I'd still stay here for now.
03:23It gives me time to find a place.
03:25Lily sees that I'm just moving to a smaller room,
03:28and she's upset.
03:30You won't keep staying here, right?
03:34I knew you wouldn't give up this easily.
03:37She throws my stuff into the trash can
03:39before complaining to Victor.
03:41Dad, why's she staying?
03:44I hate mom.
03:45Make her leave.
03:47Victor tries to explain,
03:49but she won't listen.
03:51I'm her daughter.
03:53I know her.
03:54This is just her way to win you back.
03:58She didn't really want to divorce.
04:01Don't fall for...
04:02her tricks.
04:04Surprisingly,
04:06Lily hates me more after the divorce.
04:08I lose it and slap her hard.
04:11Shut up, you lousy daughter.
04:14There'll be no ties between us soon.
04:16I won't tolerate you.
04:18I used to love Lily deeply.
04:21I was never harsh when I lectured her.
04:23She's never seen this side of me.
04:26Lily bursts into tears
04:27and burrows into Victor's arms.
04:30Dad, this is the way she treats me.
04:33When no one's around,
04:35she's always been jealous about us,
04:37and she abused me.
04:39Lily has always slandered me.
04:42She's been feeding Victor.
04:44With stories she made up since she was four.
04:48In her words,
04:49I'm a short-fused and violent lady.
04:51Meanwhile, Victor always takes her side.
04:56She's a kid.
04:57She can't lie.
04:59I didn't want to believe my own daughter would do this to me.
05:03It is too late by the time I accepted it.
05:06Seeing the helpless look on her face,
05:09I laughed.
05:10Lily,
05:11you're already a schemer at ten.
05:14Unbelievable.
05:15Fighting me won't help your case.
05:18You'll have...
05:19Victor cut me off.
05:21He covers my mouth and drags me away.
05:24What are you doing?
05:25It's a secret.
05:27Lily will fall apart if she knows about it.
05:31It's sickening how he pretends to care about her.
05:35You didn't think of that when you cheated.
05:37You don't care about Lily.
05:39You care about your image.
05:42It no longer matters.
05:43I can't be bothered anymore.
05:46Lily will find out one way or another.
05:48I'll be there when she does.
05:50I never see it coming.
05:52To stop us from getting back together,
05:54Lily seeks help from our neighbors.
05:59Mom's sleeping around.
06:01Dad's divorcing her.
06:02But she just won't leave him alone.
06:05Can you kick her out for me?
06:09Lily's tearful cries attract a lot of neighbors.
06:12They gather at the door and condemn me.
06:15Calling me a hypocrite who seduces men.
06:19Even her daughter hates her.
06:21What a terrible person.
06:23To all of them.
06:25I'm a loser with a shady character.
06:27Who's rejected by her husband and her daughter.
06:31My life is a mess.
06:33Victor gets worried.
06:35And stands up for me.
06:37It's just a kid's nonsense.
06:39Let us worry about ourselves.
06:42Lily is flustered.
06:44Dad, why are you doing this?
06:46I'm helping you.
06:47I tell her to stop calling me mom.
06:50And she has the nerve to call me by my name.
06:53Do you see it now, Lucy?
06:55This divorce is happening.
06:57I'll make sure of it.
06:58For the sake of himself?
07:00Victor finally shouted.
07:02Don't meddle in our affairs and make it worse.
07:05Go now.
07:06Lily's eyes immediately redden.
07:09She doesn't get mad at Victor, but she takes it out on me.
07:12It's Lucy's fault.
07:14I wish I have a better mother.
07:16You're divorcing, but she just keeps getting between us.
07:20You've never shouted at me.
07:22I shake my head at Lily's genuine resentment.
07:26Victor, you made her this way.
07:29It'll be hell for you when your wife moves in.
07:33I don't go easy on Victor.
07:34Victor, I text in the group chat to clear things up.
07:38We got divorced because he has an affair.
07:41Anyone who buys Lily's story and spreads rumors will be sued.
07:47Frantically, Victor unsends the message for me.
07:51He stops me when he sees me heading to the hotel.
07:55Lucy, you can't leave.
07:57What if you refuse to divorce?
08:00I shake his hand off.
08:02Don't worry.
08:03I want it more than you do.
08:05No one wants to get rid of Lily more than I do.
08:09I've just left when I receive a text from Lily.
08:12Don't come back for dad.
08:13I'll be watching.
08:15Lily shows me a video of her burning my pictures.
08:20And I promptly block her.
08:22In the past life, I was drained by the custody battles.
08:28This time, I let go.
08:30And I feel much better.
08:31I take good care of myself.
08:34And even throw a party to celebrate my freedom.
08:37When I go to sign the divorce papers,
08:39I am glowing in even better shape than before.
08:44Lily sizes me up and says,
08:46Lucy, you really pulled out all the stops.
08:49To win dad back.
08:51But he'll never reconsider you.
08:54From now on, I'm the only one he loves.
08:57Lily holds onto Victor's arm.
08:59Like she won a battle.
09:01I kiss my divorce paper and leave.
09:04I buy a new place.
09:06And start a new life.
09:09A few days later,
09:11I'm surprised by the police at midnight.
09:15Miss Snow, how can you abandon your daughter?
09:18I'm so confused.
09:20When Lily darts into my place and looks around.
09:24Did dad come here?
09:26He's not home tonight.
09:28You must have hit him.
09:30Lily grumbles as she rummages everything.
09:33In an instant, it becomes a mess.
09:36I'm immediately ticked off.
09:38I grab her braid and push her up to the police.
09:42Not everyone loves Victor like you do.
09:45He's not at my place.
09:47Lily starts crying at once.
09:50This is how mom treats me every day, officers.
09:54The police lectures me.
09:57You can't treat her this way.
09:59I keep my cool and explain.
10:02My husband and I are divorced.
10:05He has her custody.
10:06There's no way she wandered off alone.
10:09She's just messing with me.
10:11Just call Victor Shaw.
10:14Here's his number.
10:16Lily doesn't trust me.
10:17She still thinks Victor is here.
10:19Only you can make dad stay out all night.
10:22I almost spill the beans.
10:25Even if I tell Lily,
10:27she wouldn't trust me.
10:29She might even get mad and lash out at me.
10:32I bite back my words
10:34and give the police her address
10:36so they can take her home.
10:38The next day, the police calls me.
10:41Lily said she couldn't reach her dad
10:43and she's alone at home.
10:45Apparently, you blocked her number.
10:48She only asks us for help
10:50because you might refuse to see her.
10:52The officer believes Lily would never lie.
10:55She just misses you too much.
10:58Patch things up and treat her right.
11:01I can't explain it.
11:03Even if I try,
11:04no one would believe what Lily has done.
11:08Out of options, I send Victor a text
11:11telling him to bring his wife home.
11:13After a few days of peace,
11:15Lily's teacher blows up my phone.
11:18Lily never comes out of the restroom.
11:21She says she won't go home without you.
11:24Miss Snow, I know you don't have the custody,
11:27but Lily is still your daughter.
11:29Moreover, Lily's like this thanks to the divorce.
11:33You must handle this.
11:34She guilt trips me and even threatens to
11:37post it online for everyone to judge.
11:40Worry did it affect my work?
11:42I have no choice but to pick Lily up.
11:45Lily is unusually well-behaved this time.
11:48She calls me mom sweetly
11:49and gives me a big hug.
11:52Seeing her teacher smile,
11:54I grin awkwardly and nervously sent Lily home.
11:58Her expression turns dark
12:00when she sets down her bag.
12:03Before I can react,
12:05Lily slams and locks the door.
12:07Dad's been away for days.
12:09It's your fault.
12:10You're divorced.
12:12Why do you have to seduce him?
12:14Why won't you quit?
12:16Her twisted expression
12:17looks just like the last life.
12:19I try to make a run for it.
12:22But Lily stands firm at the door
12:24and smiles as she pulls out a bottle.
12:27You're just coasting on your looks.
12:30Once I make you hideous,
12:32you can't steal Dad from me.
12:34The nightmarish memories
12:36left me frozen.
12:38Lily grips the bottle of acid
12:40as she advances.
12:42Then, Victor's voice came from outside.
12:45Lily, meet your new mother.
12:48Her hands shake violently.
12:50I give her a wry look.
12:52Lily, your new rival is outside.
12:55A few drops of acid splash out
12:57as she trembles.
12:58White smoke curls up from her sleeve.
13:01Accompanied by a chilling sizzle,
13:03but Lily seems completely unfazed
13:07by the pain.
13:08Her eyes are widened with disbelief.
13:11New mother?
13:12New rival?
13:14Lucy, that's bullcrap.
13:16That's not Dad.
13:17Must have been mistaken.
13:18I retreat to the corner
13:20and smile mockingly.
13:23I pity you, Lily.
13:25Do you have the guts to open the door?
13:28Lily actually hesitates.
13:32That's when Victor opens the door.
13:34Victor walks in with a young lady
13:36who is all smiles and charm.
13:39Lily, didn't I tell you to wait at home?
13:41You should have answered.
13:43He freezes and frowns when he sees me.
13:48Lucy, why are you here?
13:50I spread my arms.
13:52I didn't want to.
13:54Ask Lily.
13:56Victor finally notices Lily
13:59who is seething and trembling with rage.
14:03Dad, who is she?
14:05Why are you holding her hands?
14:08Tell me she's just a platonic friend.
14:11She can't be my new mother.
14:12I'm motherless after Lucy's gone.
14:15We only need each other, Dad.
14:18Lily can fool herself all she wants.
14:21But the lady hooks her arm around Victor's
14:24and asks sweetly,
14:26Honey, is she your daughter?
14:28She's as pretty as you are handsome.
14:31That's enough to make Lily fall apart.
14:34She grips the bottle of acid
14:36and screams hysterically,
14:38Don't call him honey.
14:40You don't deserve him.
14:43Who are you?
14:44Did Lucy send you here to seduce Dad?
14:47Dad, I don't want a new mother.
14:49Make her leave.
14:50As the acid sloshes in the bottle,
14:54Lily's losing control as well.
14:56Victor fully expects Lily to react this way.
14:59And he gloats to the lady.
15:01It's Claire.
15:02I told you I'm a good dad.
15:04My daughter loves me deeply.
15:06Lily.
15:06She'll love you too if you two work on it.
15:11He pats Lily on the head like usual
15:14and says patiently,
15:15You hate Lucy, don't you?
15:17I know about it.
15:19So, I found you a new mother.
15:21I love you so much.
15:23I did all of this for you, Lily.
15:25You understand me, right?
15:27I'm shocked.
15:29This son of a bitch came up with this excuse to justify his affair.
15:34Lily freezes for a second before she accepts his explanation.
15:38Dad, I knew you care about me the most.
15:41She stared at Claire hatefully.
15:45But I don't like her.
15:47Make her leave, Dad.
15:49Victor says darkly.
15:51Lily, you should be on my side.
15:53I love Claire a lot.
15:55So, you should love her too.
15:57Okay?
15:59Lily bursts into tears.
16:01Claire steps forward with feigned concern.
16:05Lily, don't cry.
16:06Let's get some steak, okay?
16:08Don't worry.
16:10I'll be a better mother than Lucy.
16:12Lily gives a tearful nod.
16:15Seeing that, Claire shoots me a smug glance.
16:18As if saying,
16:19Look, Lucy.
16:20I took your husband away.
16:22And won your daughter over?
16:24I was surprised at Lily's reaction.
16:27Why is she so kind to Claire?
16:29Why is she suddenly so obedient?
16:31Does she only resent me?
16:33Her birth mother?
16:35Just as I'm feeling confused,
16:37Lily suddenly lifts the bottle
16:39and pours it over Claire.
16:41Claire can't dodge in time.
16:43The acid hit her chest
16:45and she collapses to the floor,
16:47letting out a frightened yelp.
16:49It hurts.
16:50What is this?
16:52Victor notices white smoke rising from Claire
16:55and immediately slaps Lily.
16:59Lily, are you crazy?
17:01How can you do this to Claire?
17:04Claire's clothes are burned off.
17:06And the remaining acid burned her skin,
17:09making her scream.
17:12Lily smashes the bottle and wails.
17:15Dad, you've never slapped me.
17:17How could you do this for her?
17:19For a moment, Lily's cries,
17:21Claire's screams,
17:23and Victor's yelling on the phone.
17:26Blend together.
17:27I stand in the corner and mused.
17:29It's a shame.
17:30Lily isn't tall enough
17:32to pour the acid on Claire's face
17:34and ruin her face.
17:36In the past life,
17:38I let my guard down around Lily
17:40and she poured the acid over my head.
17:43The pain was unbearable.
17:45My scalp and flesh burned away.
17:47All that was left was a skull.
17:49Even the heavens were shocked
17:51at the horrible way I died
17:53and gave me a second chance.
17:56Victor hangs up
17:57and realizes it is acid.
18:00Claire quickly takes her shirt off
18:02and shows him her wounds
18:04to win his sympathy.
18:06She was better at this
18:07than I have ever been.
18:10Immediately turning him
18:11against Lily.
18:13Lily, you're ten.
18:14Where'd you get this?
18:16I spoiled you too much
18:18and turned you this way.
18:21You knew I was getting remarried
18:23and you've been plotting
18:25to do this to Claire.
18:27Lily responded with a sharp glare.
18:32Victor pities Claire
18:33and takes it out on me.
18:35Lucy, this explains why you're here.
18:39It was all your scheme.
18:41I should have known.
18:43I didn't think you're this wicked.
18:45You must have told Lily stuff.
18:48That's why she did it.
18:50I'll make you pay
18:51for getting Claire hurt.
18:53I let out a snicker.
18:55Talk about absurd.
18:57If it weren't for her teacher
18:59and the police,
19:00I wouldn't want to see her.
19:03And the bottle of acid?
19:05She prepared it for me.
19:07She thought I'm the reason
19:09you were away
19:09and you just had to bring
19:11Claire back right now.
19:14You two deserve this.
19:16A wave of relief
19:17washed over me.
19:19At that moment,
19:21I'm relieved Victor divorced me
19:23and got remarried so soon.
19:26Otherwise, I might not survive today.
19:29Claire hears what I say and cries.
19:32Seeing the homewrecker
19:33getting her comeuppance.
19:35I can't help but feel satisfied.
19:38Victor is stumped.
19:39He has no choice but to target Lily.
19:42For the first time,
19:44Victor actually slaps her hard.
19:47Neil and apologize to Claire.
19:49Show me you're sorry.
19:51Fight me on this
19:53and I'll send you to the nuthouse
19:55for shock therapy.
19:57Lily is heartbroken.
19:59She shoves Victor aside
20:01and lunged at me angrily,
20:03hitting and kicking me.
20:04It's your fault for being so unappealing.
20:07If dad hadn't disliked you,
20:09he wouldn't have found Claire.
20:11This is all on you.
20:13As I look at Lily,
20:15who never stops crying,
20:16I finally understand
20:17how much she hates my guts.
20:20It seems she really sees me
20:22as her rival.
20:22My existence alone bothers her.
20:25Luckily,
20:26whatever she says
20:27can't hurt me anymore.
20:28I push Lily away
20:30and look at her with disgust.
20:32Freak out all you want.
20:33See if I care.
20:35Lily lies on the floor
20:37and cries,
20:37calling out to Victor.
20:39But Victor ignores her.
20:41He hears the ambulance
20:43and goes downstairs
20:44with Claire in his arms.
20:46The police arrives at the scene.
20:48When they see the acid,
20:50they hold Lily on the floor.
20:52Little girl,
20:53where did you get something
20:55this dangerous?
20:56You're coming with us.
20:59I go with them
21:00since I'm also involved.
21:02I tell the officers everything
21:03about the past few days.
21:05Even how Lily treated me
21:07like a rival for years.
21:08I say it all for the first time.
21:11At first,
21:12they don't believe me.
21:13They think Lily
21:14attacked Claire for my sake.
21:17But when they hear her yelling
21:19for me and Claire to die,
21:22they start having doubts.
21:24I don't say anything.
21:26Instead,
21:27I show them some CCTV footage
21:29from before the divorce.
21:32This will help you solve the case.
21:35The officers fall silent
21:37when they hear
21:38the insults Lily hurled at me
21:40in the footage.
21:43I say firmly,
21:44Lily is not in my custody.
21:46I'm not responsible.
21:48She also tried to attack me
21:50with acid.
21:51I won't handle her cases anymore.
21:55When I leave,
21:57Lily was still throwing a fit.
21:59Call my dad
22:00and make him come here.
22:03Don't let him stay with Claire.
22:05Find a way to separate them, please.
22:08When I walk away,
22:10Lily shouts at me to stop.
22:12Lucy,
22:13you can't let Claire
22:14steal dad away.
22:16Do something
22:17and get him back, okay?
22:19If you can split them up,
22:22you can be my mom again.
22:24She's still wild and reckless,
22:26waiting for me to forgive
22:27and indulge her.
22:28I just look at her coldly.
22:31Lily,
22:32I'm done with you.
22:34Enjoy your days
22:35with your new mother.
22:37I hope Claire
22:38will be as patient with you.
22:40Lily is utterly confused.
22:42Drop the act, Lucy.
22:44You fought for my custody.
22:46You can't let me go.
22:48Get me out of here
22:49and take me to dad.
22:50I say nothing
22:51as I turn around
22:53and leave.
22:54That night,
22:55Victor texts me
22:55to question me.
22:57He still thinks
22:58I told Lily
22:59about his remarriage
23:00and that's why
23:01she bought acid.
23:02I've had it with them.
23:04I post the proof
23:05of his cheating online
23:06and block him.
23:09Victor has no choice
23:10but to shut up.
23:11Lily is drowning
23:12in the pain
23:13of his remarriage
23:14and stops bothering me.
23:16Claire got lucky.
23:18Just a small burn
23:19on her chest.
23:20Her face is unharmed.
23:21I hear she forgave Lily
23:24and moved in with them
23:26shortly after.
23:27After that,
23:29I don't follow up on them.
23:30I'm too busy
23:31with my career.
23:32One day,
23:34one of the old neighbors
23:35suddenly contact me.
23:37Lucy.
23:38Victor never knew peace
23:39since he remarried.
23:40Look at this.
23:42His family is now
23:43the laughing stock.
23:45The message I posted
23:47to the group
23:47was quickly deleted
23:49by Victor
23:50but they already knew
23:52of his affair.
23:55Victor was already
23:57the talk of the complex.
23:59Lily's acid attack
24:01made an even bigger scene.
24:04Everyone watched,
24:06waiting for their next show.
24:09The day Claire moved in
24:11was a spectacle.
24:12It's as loud as a megaphone.
24:14She arrives
24:15with loads of stuff.
24:16Lily blocks the door
24:17refusing her entry.
24:21Victor hits her.
24:22She leaves
24:23and Claire moves in.
24:26It's hard to believe.
24:28Victor always looked away.
24:31Now he beats Lily
24:33for Claire's sake.
24:35Guess it must be true love.
24:36I wish them the best.
24:38Forever.
24:39A week after Claire
24:40moved in,
24:42Lily calls the police
24:43claiming Claire beat her.
24:45The cops show up.
24:47Lily's face
24:48was covered in slap marks.
24:50Two teeth
24:50were knocked out.
24:51They say
24:52the stepmother's cruel
24:53that she's already
24:55abusing the kid.
24:56I check the video closely.
24:58Lily was definitely
25:00covered in bruises
25:01but Claire didn't look
25:02much better.
25:03Her long, shiny hair
25:05had been hacked
25:07into a choppy mess.
25:09It's clearly Lily's work.
25:11Claire sobbed
25:12to the officers.
25:13Lily shredded
25:14all her clothes
25:15and put nails
25:16in her shoes
25:17leaving her limping
25:18for a week.
25:20Lily clings
25:20to an officer's leg
25:21crying about abuse.
25:23The neighbors
25:24already hated Claire
25:25and didn't know
25:26Lily often lied.
25:27They cornered
25:29and blamed Claire
25:30until she cried.
25:32Victor rushed home,
25:33apologized briefly,
25:35gave Claire
25:36a light scolding,
25:37case closed.
25:39After that,
25:40the apartment
25:41was filled
25:41with crashing
25:42and screaming
25:43every single day.
25:45In the video,
25:46Victor stood smoking
25:47at the door,
25:48miserable.
25:49Inside,
25:50Lily and Claire
25:50brawled.
25:53Lily screamed,
25:54I won't let you win.
25:56Any woman
25:57after my dad
25:58must die.
25:59Dad belongs to me.
26:01No one can take him.
26:03Claire's leg
26:04is bleeding badly.
26:05She grabs Lily
26:06by the hair
26:07and spanks her hard.
26:08No wonder Lucy
26:10runs away
26:10from you, brat.
26:11Not just Lucy,
26:13Victor does too.
26:15You think
26:15Victor loves you?
26:17I'm carrying
26:18his son.
26:20Once he's born,
26:21you'll go
26:22to your grandparents.
26:24Lily screams
26:25with all her might.
26:26You're lying.
26:27How dare you
26:28speak of my dad?
26:29I'm his only daughter.
26:31He'll never leave me.
26:34At the video's end,
26:36Victor stubs
26:36his cigarette,
26:37slams the door.
26:39Behind the door,
26:40I hear Victor shouting,
26:42I should have
26:43left you with Lucy.
26:44You irritate me.
26:46When my son is born,
26:48go back to grandma's.
26:49The neighbor
26:50shakes their head.
26:51Not only did he cheat,
26:53but he's abandoning
26:54his own daughter.
26:55That poor girl
26:57will have it rough.
26:58The neighbors
26:59seem sorry for Lily.
27:01I exited the chat
27:02expressionlessly.
27:04I think to myself,
27:05Lily brought this
27:07on herself.
27:08But from the video,
27:10Claire isn't doing
27:12well either.
27:13Victor can't just
27:14send Lily away
27:15that easily.
27:16She bought acid
27:17without flinching.
27:18She won't let
27:19this go.
27:20At work that day,
27:23the police
27:24calls again.
27:25Ms. Snow,
27:27Lily's in trouble.
27:28Come now.
27:29I'm about to refuse,
27:31but the police
27:32added,
27:33her guardian
27:33is fighting
27:34for his life.
27:35His parents
27:36can't arrive in time.
27:38You're our only
27:38contact.
27:40Victor's fighting
27:41for his life.
27:42Now,
27:43I'm interested.
27:44I tell my boss
27:45and take a half
27:46day to go.
27:48At the hospital,
27:49an officer pulls
27:50me aside.
27:51Victor is still
27:52in surgery.
27:53He may not survive.
27:55Claire is already
27:56dead.
27:58As for Lily,
27:59she's only 10.
28:00The situation
28:01is complicated.
28:03After learning
28:04that Claire
28:04was pregnant,
28:05Lily was pushed
28:06too far.
28:07She snapped.
28:08She secretly
28:09got rat poison
28:10and pretended
28:11to make up
28:12with Victor.
28:13Then she waited
28:14and poisoned
28:15Claire's water.
28:16She only meant
28:17to kill Claire
28:18and the baby,
28:20but Victor drank
28:21from the same glass.
28:23They were poisoned
28:25in their sleep.
28:26By the time Lily
28:27saw Victor foaming
28:28and called 911,
28:30the poison
28:31was fully absorbed.
28:32His gastric lavage
28:34failed.
28:34Surgery was the only
28:35hope for organ failure.
28:38Claire,
28:39weakened by her
28:39pregnancy,
28:40died on the way
28:41to the hospital.
28:43When Lily learns
28:44that Claire is dead,
28:46she laughs.
28:47Serves you right,
28:48thief.
28:50Think a son
28:50could beat me?
28:51Pathetic.
28:53Her face looked
28:54nothing like a child's.
28:57Then Lily learns
28:59Victor is dying too.
29:00She panics.
29:02She breaks down
29:03at the OR door.
29:04Dad,
29:05I didn't mean it.
29:06I just wanted her gone.
29:09Dad,
29:09you'll wake up,
29:10right?
29:11You said you love
29:12me forever.
29:13I'm stunned.
29:15I figured Claire
29:16would get what she deserved.
29:18I never thought
29:19Lily would take him down.
29:22Karma got him too.
29:23The police are stuck.
29:25Lily is a miner,
29:27but what she did
29:27caused serious harm.
29:30She'll go to Juvie.
29:31Can you help
29:33with everything else?
29:35I cut him off.
29:37Sorry,
29:38I won't do anything
29:39for her.
29:40Custody is with my ex.
29:42His family will handle it.
29:44I'm being posted abroad soon.
29:46This isn't my problem.
29:48Besides,
29:49you've seen the footage.
29:51If Victor hadn't cheated,
29:52I could be the one
29:53in the morgue.
29:56The officer sighs
29:57and understands.
29:59Lily turns
30:00and sees me.
30:01Pure hatred
30:02fills her eyes.
30:04Lucy,
30:05you did this.
30:06If you'd kept Dad,
30:08Dad would never
30:09have strayed.
30:10He never would have
30:11drunk poison.
30:13I hate you.
30:14I always have.
30:15Why did you take my dad?
30:17Why'd you hurt him?
30:19Lily turns
30:20all her rage on me.
30:22I feel nothing.
30:24She can't touch me
30:25nor hurt me.
30:28Instead of hating me,
30:29think about how it'll be like
30:31if your dad dies.
30:33Remember,
30:33you did this.
30:35Live with it forever.
30:37My words send Lily
30:39over the edge.
30:40As police drag Lily away,
30:43her bloodshot eyes
30:45lock onto me.
30:46She burns my face
30:47into her memory.
30:48I walk out.
30:50The sun is bright.
30:51A week later,
30:53I see the story
30:54in the news.
30:55Headlines,
30:56morbid obsession,
30:57patricide.
30:58A blurred photo
30:59of Lily is shown.
31:01The comments
31:02are divided.
31:04Some pity
31:04her upbringing.
31:06Most demand
31:07punishment.
31:08I don't read further
31:10and set the tablet down.
31:12A lawyer calls.
31:13Victor's parents
31:14want to handle
31:15the aftermath.
31:16They want to meet.
31:18I decline.
31:20Through the lawyer,
31:21they ask me to cover
31:23Lily's detention costs.
31:25My lawyer replies,
31:26per divorce,
31:27I gave up
31:28all rights and duties.
31:30Lily was never
31:31my responsibility.
31:33On the weekend,
31:34I visit a church
31:35just to find
31:36some peace.
31:38As I prayed,
31:39I think of the acid
31:41attack in my last life.
31:42The reapers
31:43shake their heads
31:44in sorrow.
31:45The scent of the candles
31:47fill the air.
31:47I bow slowly.
31:49This time,
31:50I survived.
31:51As I leave the church,
31:53I pass a priest
31:54sweeping leaves.
31:55He glances up at me.
31:57The resentment
31:58on you has faded,
32:00but it's unresolved.
32:01I stop.
32:04It's not hatred,
32:05it's confusion.
32:07Why did kin turn to foe?
32:09Until then,
32:10you won't be free.
32:11I pause,
32:13then ask,
32:13and if I don't?
32:15He smiles.
32:16You know it already.
32:19Not every question
32:20needs to be answered.
32:22He goes back to sweeping.
32:24I stand there a long moment,
32:26then leave.
32:27Maybe he's right.
32:29I don't need to know
32:30why Lily hates me.
32:31I just accept it.
32:33Some people,
32:34even flesh and blood,
32:35are just meant to be a trial.
32:37My firm throws a farewell dinner.
32:41Colleagues toast my promotion,
32:42and new life abroad.
32:44I smile and take it all in.
32:46I feel at peace.
32:48Someone carefully brings up
32:50the recent news.
32:51I shake my head.
32:53That's all in the past.
32:55The apartment is ready.
32:57Boxes are packed and shipped.
32:59I take only what matters.
33:01Late one night,
33:03as I sort through old things,
33:05I find Lily's ultrasound photo.
33:07On the back,
33:09my baby,
33:10my love.
33:11I stare at it for a long time
33:13and tear it up.
33:15Before I leave,
33:16I get an unknown call.
33:18It's a counselor
33:19from juvenile detention.
33:22Miss Snow,
33:23you're not obligated.
33:24But Lily's case is unusual.
33:26She won't talk to anyone,
33:28but she asks for you.
33:30Jamie Parker's voice is gentle.
33:32If you're willing,
33:34maybe write her a letter.
33:35It may help her evaluation.
33:38After hanging up,
33:40I sit by the window.
33:41Finally,
33:42I pick up a pen
33:43and write a short letter.
33:45Not to Lily,
33:46but to the child
33:47I tried so hard to protect.
33:50I seal it when I'm done.
33:52I don't send it.
33:54I lock it in a drawer.
33:56The airport is crowded
33:57when I leave.
33:58I check my bags
34:00and buy a coffee.
34:02My phone lights up.
34:03It's from my realtor.
34:05My old apartment
34:06has been sold.
34:08Every last tie
34:09to the past
34:10is now cut.
34:12The boarding call sounds.
34:14I stand.
34:15I take one last look
34:16at the city sky.
34:17Six months later,
34:18a package arrives.
34:20It's sent by a law firm.
34:22Inside are documents
34:23and a letter.
34:25Victor's parents died
34:26three months ago.
34:28Lily's behavior
34:29was severely unstable.
34:31She's moved
34:32to a youth psychiatric facility.
34:35I'm her only living
34:36next of kin by law.
34:38These documents
34:39need my signature.
34:40I read everything carefully.
34:42Then call my lawyer.
34:44I sign over Lily's guardianship
34:46to the state.
34:49The lawyer goes quiet
34:51then asks,
34:52Are you sure?
34:53This means giving up
34:55being her mother.
34:56I watch seabirds
34:58outside the window.
34:59I stopped being her mother
35:01long ago.
35:02I hang up
35:03and step onto the balcony.
35:04The sunset turns
35:06the sea gold
35:07looking almost unreal.
35:08My phone buzzes.
35:10It's the diving club.
35:11They ask about
35:12next week's night dive.
35:14I confirm.
35:15Then I block
35:16my lawyer's number.
35:19That night
35:20I dream
35:21of holding Lily
35:22as a baby.
35:23She laughs
35:24and reaches
35:25for my face.
35:26Then the image
35:27shifts.
35:28She's grown,
35:29face twisted
35:29and holding
35:30a bottle of acid.
35:31I wake up
35:32drenched in sweat.
35:34The next day
35:35I book a therapy session.
35:36Not out of weakness.
35:39But I know
35:40I can't over it
35:41if I'm still under it.
35:42My therapist
35:43is calm,
35:44middle-aged.
35:45She never interrupts
35:46when I talk.
35:47By the fourth session
35:48she says,
35:50Ms. Snow,
35:51have you considered
35:51some of what you feel
35:54toward Lily
35:54is self-blame
35:55for not being
35:57a normal mother
35:58to her,
35:58for the bond
35:59you never had?
36:01I go silent.
36:03It's late
36:03when I leave the office.
36:05I sit by the sea
36:07till the stars
36:07come out.
36:09Maybe she's right.
36:11I've been running
36:11from the idea
36:13that I failed
36:14as a mother.
36:15But sitting here
36:16the sea breeze
36:17hits me.
36:18Admitting my faults
36:19takes courage too.
36:21A year later
36:21I'm a regional director.
36:23The party is held
36:24on a yacht.
36:26Champagne,
36:27music,
36:28genuine good wishes.
36:29Midway through
36:30I slip out
36:32to the railing alone.
36:33A senior colleague
36:34follows me out.
36:35She hands me water.
36:38It sneaks up.
36:39We stand side by side
36:41watching the city lights.
36:43She says,
36:44You always seem
36:45so resilient.
36:46But the strongest
36:48break the easiest.
36:50I look at her.
36:51She smiles.
36:53When I first came here
36:54I had a hard time too.
36:57I realized
36:58owning our weaknesses
36:59is strength.
37:01She pats my shoulder.
37:03We go back inside.
37:04I dream of the Reapers again.
37:06Their faces blur
37:08but their voices are sharp.
37:11You chose differently now.
37:12Karma remains.
37:14I ask them why.
37:16They only shake their heads
37:17and fade away.
37:19I wake and sit up in bed
37:21turning those words
37:22over in my mind.
37:24Days later
37:25the answer comes
37:26in an unexpected way.
37:28The company sends me back home
37:29for two weeks of work.
37:31When I hear the news
37:33my hands tremble.
37:35I steady myself.
37:37I'm not the same Lucy.
37:39And that city
37:40is no longer my nightmare.
37:42I land at the familiar airport.
37:44I take a deep breath
37:46as I step off.
37:47No suffocation
37:48just air.
37:49At the hotel
37:50I check work emails first.
37:52The team is professional.
37:54Meetings run on time.
37:56On the third afternoon
37:58I finish early.
38:00On impulse
38:01I open the map
38:02and search for the youth facility.
38:06It's in the suburbs
38:07about 40 minutes away.
38:09I stand at the hotel window
38:11for a long time.
38:13Then
38:13I grab my bag
38:14and go downstairs.
38:16The city thins.
38:17Fewer buildings
38:18more trees.
38:20The driver glances at me.
38:22It's pretty remote.
38:23You sure?
38:24I nod and say nothing.
38:27A white building
38:28with low fence.
38:29Its gate shut.
38:31I wait outside briefly.
38:33Just as I turn to leave
38:34a staff member comes out.
38:37She pauses.
38:38Here for who?
38:40I give Lily's name.
38:42Her expression shifts.
38:44She leads me inside
38:46to a waiting room.
38:48It is clean and simple.
38:50There's children's drawings
38:51on the walls.
38:52One catches my eye.
38:54A red figure
38:55stood in the center
38:56of darkness.
38:58Twisted lines surround it.
39:00No name is below it.
39:01But I know that's Lily's.
39:04Minutes later
39:05a doctor in a white coat enters.
39:08She's Casey Bennett
39:09Lily's doctor.
39:11She's in her 40s
39:13with warm eyes
39:14and a sharp gaze.
39:15She sits.
39:16Hello Mrs. Snow.
39:18Your info is in Lily's file.
39:21I know you've given up custody.
39:24I cut in.
39:25How is she?
39:26Dr. Bennett pauses.
39:28It's complicated.
39:29Severe paranoid
39:30personality tendencies.
39:32Distorted emotions.
39:34Progress has been slow.
39:35But there's been a shift.
39:37She pauses
39:39then continues.
39:40Three months ago
39:40she started art therapy.
39:43It's always one figure.
39:45Casey pulls out
39:46several sketches.
39:48They're pencil drawings.
39:50Of a woman
39:50with familiar features.
39:52It looks like me
39:53but not quite.
39:54In some I'm smiling.
39:56In some I'm crying.
39:58One shows me on the ground.
39:59Surrounded by black waves.
40:02Dr. Bennett says
40:03she calls them all mom.
40:05I look at the drawings.
40:08My chest tightening.
40:09No admission she misses you.
40:11But the mind doesn't lie.
40:12This doesn't mean she's well.
40:15But buried feelings
40:17may be surfacing.
40:19If you're willing to
40:20leave her a letter.
40:22I'll give it to her
40:23in due time.
40:24I pause for a long time.
40:26Then ask for paper.
40:29In the end
40:30I write three lines.
40:31I made it.
40:32I hope you find your way too.
40:35Goodbye.
40:36I didn't leave a name.
40:38I fold it
40:38and pass it to her.
40:39She takes it.
40:41I'll handle it with care.
40:43A quiet year passes.
40:45After my promotion
40:46work picks up.
40:47I'm sent to Uriel
40:48for three months.
40:50Winter here is cold
40:51but the office
40:52is always warm.
40:54Colleagues keep
40:55a polite distance.
40:57I like that.
40:58On Christmas Eve
40:59the team holds
41:00a small party.
41:01I leave early
41:03walking home on streets
41:04strung with lights.
41:06My phone rings.
41:08It's an unknown number
41:09from home.
41:10I hesitate
41:11then answer.
41:13It's Dr. Bennett.
41:14Her voice sounds tired.
41:16Ms. Snow
41:16sorry to bother you.
41:18I shouldn't be calling
41:19but Lily has changed.
41:22I stop walking.
41:24My breath fades
41:24into the cold air.
41:26Go on.
41:27Casey pauses.
41:29She talks about
41:29the past in fragments.
41:32She wants to see you.
41:34It's not a demand
41:35but a request.
41:36I told her no.
41:37She asked me
41:38to let you know.
41:40Christmas music
41:41drifts by
41:41oddly out of place.
41:43I won't see her.
41:46Casey goes quiet.
41:48Understood.
41:50I hang up
41:51and keep walking.
41:52In the mailbox
41:54downstairs
41:54there's a card
41:55from my diving club
41:56friends.
41:58There's fish and coral
41:59on the cover.
42:00I go upstairs
42:01turn on the heat
42:02and make a cup of tea.
42:04Outside
42:05snow falls quietly.
42:07I sit by the window
42:09and watch it come down.
42:11Lily is facing her past.
42:13Maybe that's good
42:14but her road
42:15is hers to walk.
42:17By the time
42:18my drink runs out
42:19I decide.
42:20I open my laptop
42:21and send Casey
42:22an email.
42:24This is my last word
42:25on the matter.
42:26I wish Lily
42:27a real recovery.
42:29I hit send
42:30and close the laptop.
42:32Snow keeps falling
42:33covering the street.
42:35The night is so quiet
42:36I can hear
42:37my own heartbeat.
42:39When the project ends
42:40I transfer to Ellendor.
42:43New place
42:44fresh start.
42:45The tropics
42:46are always hot
42:47but the sea breezes
42:48keep it bearable.
42:50I rent a flat
42:51with an ocean view.
42:52On weekends
42:53I hike or dive.
42:54Three months in
42:56I find a book
42:57in a store
42:59on childhood
43:00emotional disorders.
43:02I pick it up
43:03set it down
43:04and walk away.
43:06Some knowledge
43:06is just
43:07unwanted baggage.
43:08A colleague
43:09shows interest in me.
43:11We go on a few dates.
43:13He's gentle
43:14divorced
43:14with no kids.
43:15He runs a small
43:16consulting firm.
43:18On our third date
43:18he asks about my past.
43:20I tell him
43:21I'm divorced
43:22with no children
43:23focused on work.
43:25He lets it go.
43:26That night
43:27I watched
43:28the harbor lights.
43:30It's strange
43:31that I lied.
43:32Not out of guilt
43:34but out of self-protection.
43:36My past is a scar.
43:38It's not something
43:39to show a passerby.
43:40Six months later
43:41Casey emails again.
43:44Lily's treatment
43:44has reached a milestone.
43:46She's in structured therapy.
43:49And is more stable now.
43:51If progress continues
43:53she may move
43:54to a normal center
43:55in two years.
43:56At the email's end
43:58Casey adds that
43:59Lily drew a woman
44:00standing by the sea.
44:02When asked who it was
44:04she said
44:04a stranger.
44:06On the back
44:06I hope she sees
44:08the sunrise.
44:10I close the email
44:11and step outside.
44:12The horizon
44:13is still a deep blue
44:15but I know the sun
44:16will rise in a few hours.
44:19Karma is still unfinished
44:20but it no longer
44:21binds my life.
44:23My phone buzzes.
44:24A colleague asks me
44:25to breakfast.
44:26I say yes
44:27and get dressed.
44:29The morning air
44:30is fresh.
44:31Joggers are out
44:32on the street.
44:33Life moves forward.
44:35I no longer look back.
44:37In my second year here
44:38I buy a small apartment.
44:41Colleagues come
44:42to help me move.
44:43It's a full noisy day.
44:44That evening
44:45as I sort my books
44:46I find an old photo album.
44:48It's my mother's
44:49from when she died.
44:50It slipped into my thing
44:51somehow.
44:52She was young
44:53and beautiful
44:54holding me as a baby
44:55smiling.
44:57She passed away
44:58when I was 15.
44:59Dad remarried fast.
45:00I stood on my own early.
45:02On the last page
45:03her handwriting says
45:05whatever comes
45:06love yourself.
45:08I stare at it
45:09a long time
45:10then take it out
45:11carefully.
45:12I frame it
45:12and put it on my desk.
45:14If she knew
45:15what I'd been through
45:16what would she say?
45:18Maybe she'd understand
45:19my choices
45:19just as I now
45:21understand her strength.
45:23Work is still busy
45:24but I've found balance.
45:26Gym three times a week.
45:27Cooking on weekends.
45:29Movies with the guy
45:30I'm seeing.
45:31Life is quiet
45:32and full.
45:33No big waves.
45:35That's what I need.
45:36One Sunday
45:37a letter arrives
45:39signed only Casey.
45:41Inside
45:42two printed copies
45:43of drawings.
45:44The first
45:45is the woman
45:45by the sea.
45:47The second is new.
45:48It's a woman
45:49at a window
45:50with trees outside
45:51and tea on the table.
45:52The style feels
45:53calmer now.
45:54The color's softer.
45:56No note
45:57just the two drawings.
45:59I studied
46:00the second drawing.
46:01The tree shadows
46:02the steam
46:03from the cup.
46:04Her face
46:04every detail
46:05is precise.
46:06Lily sees deeply.
46:07On the right path
46:09she may have
46:10real talent
46:10but I don't write back.
46:12I don't act.
46:14I file the drawings
46:16with other important
46:18but non-urgent things.
46:20Some things
46:21only need witnessing
46:22not answering.
46:24That night
46:24I dream of my mother.
46:26She's silent.
46:28She just strokes my hair
46:29like when I was small.
46:31I wake to a damp pillow
46:33but feel at peace.
46:35I understand now.
46:36Letting go
46:37isn't forgetting.
46:38It's to let the memory
46:39stop hurting me.
46:40The sky slowly brightens.
46:42I make breakfast.
46:44A new day begins
46:45and I'm ready for it.
46:47In the third year
46:48my project wins
46:50an industry award.
46:51At the ceremony
46:52I walk up
46:53in a simple black dress.
46:55The spotlight is bright
46:57but I stand calmly
46:58and give my thanks.
47:00As the applause rises
47:01I think of Lily's
47:03kindergarten show.
47:05I was clapping
47:07just like this.
47:08Time is a strange thing.
47:09It takes some.
47:11It keeps others.
47:12At the reception
47:13a colleague
47:14congratulates me.
47:16We talk about careers.
47:17She asks about family.
47:19I smile.
47:20Focused on work for now.
47:21She nods.
47:23Sometimes going alone
47:24gets you further.
47:25She's right.
47:27These years on my own
47:28built something inside me.
47:30I don't need approval.
47:32No ties to hold me down.
47:34Just existing as myself.
47:36Only caged birds
47:37know what freedom is worth.
47:40In the summer
47:41I go home
47:41to handle some tax matters.
47:44Landing feels like nothing now.
47:46The city has changed.
47:48Everything looks new.
47:50I stay downtown.
47:52Handle things by day.
47:54Gym at night.
47:55On my last evening
47:56I ride past
47:57my old neighborhood.
48:00The building still stands
48:02freshly repainted.
48:04I let it pass.
48:06I just watch it
48:07pass by the window.
48:10On the way back
48:11I spot an old bookstore
48:12that's still open.
48:14I stop and go in.
48:16I pause at the
48:17psychology shelf
48:18and pick up a
48:20trauma healing book.
48:21The young cashier
48:23smiles and asks
48:25If I study psychology
48:27I shake my head.
48:28I am just curious.
48:30At the hotel
48:31I flip through it.
48:33One chapter
48:33covers generational trauma.
48:35The author says
48:37ending isn't erasing.
48:38You're just not
48:39passing it on.
48:40I close the book
48:41and go to the window.
48:43City lights
48:43spread like a galaxy.
48:45Every light
48:46a story.
48:47Mine has turned past
48:49its heaviest pages.
48:51Lily's story
48:52is hers to finish.
48:54The day I leave
48:55the airport is bright.
48:57I check in
48:58clear security
48:59walk to the gate.
49:00Each step
49:01light and steady.
49:03I know I won't
49:04look back this time.
49:07Back home
49:08life keeps its rhythm.
49:10Work
49:11gym
49:11reading
49:12the occasional date.
49:13When he proposes
49:15I say no gently.
49:17He's hurt
49:17but understands
49:18we stay friends.
49:20I'm not
49:21against marriage.
49:22I just know
49:23where I am right now.
49:24I'm whole on my own.
49:26I need no one
49:26to complete me.
49:28Another year passes.
49:29On my 36th birthday
49:31I go to Rosvera alone.
49:33At a retreat there
49:35I take a week long
49:36meditation course.
49:38I'm up at 4 each morning
49:39in silence
49:40watching the breath
49:42letting thoughts
49:43pass by.
49:44On the 4th morning
49:46while deep in meditation
49:47Lily's face appears.
49:49In the meditation
49:51Lily's face appears.
49:52But this time
49:53it's different.
49:54She's sleeping quietly.
49:56The image
49:57comes and goes.
49:58No emotion
49:59follows
49:59like clouds
50:00drifting past.
50:01On the last day
50:02everyone is asked
50:04to share.
50:05When it's my turn
50:06I say
50:07I learn to let
50:08memories be memories
50:09not a weight.
50:11The instructor
50:11smiles.
50:12That's hard to reach.
50:14On the flight back
50:15I sit next to a mother
50:17with two kids.
50:18A girl of 4 or 5
50:20is calm
50:21sweet
50:22and leaning on her mom.
50:23I watch them.
50:25No envy
50:25no regret
50:26just quiet observation.
50:29Everyone has their own path.
50:30A different scenery.
50:33At the year's end
50:34a final email
50:35arrives from Casey.
50:37Lily transferred
50:38to a regular center.
50:41She's stable
50:41and in vocational
50:42training.
50:43She chose art
50:44and design.
50:45The teachers say
50:46she has potential.
50:47I write a short reply.
50:49I wish her well.
50:51Then
50:51I delete Casey's contact.
50:53A clean goodbye.
50:55I gave what I could.
50:56I kept what I should.
50:58On New Year's Eve
51:00fireworks explode
51:01by the sea.
51:02As the sky
51:03lights up
51:03I close my eyes.
51:05I'm grateful
51:06for this second chance.
51:07For every choice
51:08every loss
51:09every gain
51:10I open my eyes
51:11as the show peaks.
51:13They're as bright as stars.
51:15A friend hands me champagne.
51:17Our glasses clink.
51:18The sea breeze
51:18reeks of ocean
51:19and freedom.
51:21Right now
51:22I'm truly here
51:22in this moment.
51:24Free of the past.
51:26No fear of the future.
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