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Short Film The Father's Sin 2
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My husband sent our five-year-old twins to hell, all because they dared to upset his precious first love.
00:07The men from the behavior correction camp burst into our home and dragged our sobbing girls away.
00:13Their tiny hands clung to the car door, crying and screaming for their daddy.
00:18Kathleen and I found them the next day.
00:20My girls, lifeless and bruised, their breaths stilled forever.
00:24Meanwhile, my husband was on Instagram celebrating the pregnancy of his beloved.
00:29My eyes were vacant as I looked at Kathleen.
00:32My babies are gone. I have nothing left. Please let me go. I don't want anything.
00:38By the time we reached the hospital, there were no signs of life.
00:41They didn't even take the girls.
00:43They made straight for the emergency room.
00:46Kathleen's eyes were filled with pity, but she still spoke softly, trying to comfort me.
00:51It's going to be okay.
00:54Don't worry. Grandfather and I are on your side.
00:58James was wrong this time.
01:01I'll make sure he comes to apologize.
01:04In the future, you two.
01:05Before Kathleen could finish, I held my phone in front of her.
01:09It showed a post James Coleman had made on Instagram just two hours ago.
01:14Mommy and Daddy have loved you since before you arrived.
01:17The attached picture was a sonogram, clearly showing Emily Green six weeks pregnant.
01:24Emily was James Coleman's beloved.
01:26Kathleen's voice cut off abruptly.
01:29After a moment, her face flushed with anger.
01:31I'm calling my brother right now.
01:34Don't worry.
01:36Our family will make this right.
01:38I gave a bitter laugh and directly dialed James' number.
01:41He answered, irritation dripping from his voice.
01:46Is this about the camp again?
01:48No one would dare lay a finger on a Coleman child.
01:51Stop with the drama.
01:53I sent them to learn some discipline.
01:56Do you have to keep calling me?
01:58Sophie, you disgust me.
01:59I didn't say a word.
02:00James hung up on the other end.
02:02The phone was on speaker.
02:04Every word landed clearly in Kathleen's ears.
02:07Her face turned ashen.
02:09Her lips trembled for a long moment as if she no longer knew how to console me.
02:14I tried to force a smile, but tears fell in heavy drops.
02:18Please, I have nothing.
02:21Let me go.
02:22I can't take this anymore.
02:24Just as Kathleen was about to speak, two police officers approached us.
02:27Are you the family of the deceased?
02:30The individuals responsible for the camp have been detained.
02:35We need your cooperation with the investigation.
02:39At the police station, I saw the men who had come to take my daughters.
02:43I lost all control, screaming and sobbing.
02:47I lunched at them.
02:48You monsters!
02:49You're all monsters!
02:51There were only five!
02:52How could you?
02:53How dare you?
02:55The officers quickly pulled me back.
02:57Kathleen wrapped her arms around my shaking body.
03:01Sophie, don't!
03:02It's okay!
03:04The police will handle this fairly!
03:07You see, with a Coleman name behind us, they won't get away with it!
03:12Perhaps frightened by my frenzy, the men shrank into a corner, one of them muttering.
03:17Should have taught your kids better.
03:19That's just how we run the camp.
03:21No discipline, no results.
03:25Who knew your girls were so fragile?
03:27What bad luck.
03:28My hand trembled as I pointed at them, rage threatened to tear me apart.
03:33I wanted to rip them to pieces.
03:35A metallic taste rose in my throat.
03:38I coughed violently, vomiting a mouthful of blood before darkness swallowed me.
03:43I woke up in the Coleman family estate.
03:45Kathleen sat by my bed.
03:47Her eyes red-rimmed.
03:49Sophie, you're awake.
03:51Don't worry.
03:53We've handled things with the police.
03:55We won't let those monsters get away this time.
03:58I stared emptily at the ceiling.
04:00Please, let me go.
04:02I have nothing.
04:03Deep down, I knew.
04:04Those monsters at the camp were guilty.
04:06But the root cause was James.
04:08He was the one who sent our daughters to that hell.
04:10The real culprit wasn't those men.
04:12It was their own father, James.
04:15Kathleen's shoulders shook.
04:16Then as if making a decision, she spoke softly.
04:19All right.
04:20I'll talk to Grandfather.
04:22Watching her leave, I finally broke down,
04:25sobbing as if to cry out all the grievances of these years.
04:28I came to the Coleman household when I was eight, the same age as James.
04:33The elder Mr. Coleman and my grandfather were comrades in arms.
04:37Grandfather had saved Mr. Coleman's life on the battlefield.
04:39Theirs was a bond forged in life and death.
04:43My parents died in an accident shortly after I was born.
04:47I was raised by my grandfather until he passed away when I was eight.
04:50Then, Mr. Coleman took me in.
04:52Over the years, Mr. Coleman and Kathleen treated me exceptionally well.
04:56They truly saw me as family, as one of their own.
04:59That's why for seven years of marriage, no matter how awful James was, I stayed.
05:04I bore his children, managed his home.
05:06I thought even without love, having my two precious girls would give my life meaning.
05:11But now, I had nothing.
05:13I don't know how much time passed before Kathleen returned.
05:18Grandfather wants to see you.
05:20The elder Mr. Coleman sat in a wooden chair by his bed.
05:23His eyes held deep sorrow when he looked at me.
05:27You're a good girl.
05:29I've heard everything from Kathleen.
05:31You've suffered all these years.
05:34The girls will be cremated tomorrow.
05:36After that, you can leave if you wish.
05:38That boy doesn't deserve you.
05:41He shouldn't hold you back any longer.
05:43I didn't speak.
05:45I simply bowed deeply to him.
05:48Tears fell onto the wooden floor as I bent over.
05:51I was grateful for over 20 years of care from the Coleman family.
05:57But I could never forgive James.
05:59Never forgive the executioner who killed my children.
06:03When I returned to my room, James was already there.
06:07He looked at me with scorn.
06:10What?
06:10Couldn't wait to run to Grandfather and Tattle.
06:13Sophie, do you really think pleasing my Grandfather and Sister will make me settle down with you?
06:19The sight of him flooded me with hatred.
06:22I wanted to kill him right then.
06:24Send him to hell.
06:25But then, I heard my daughter's soft, sweet voices in my mind.
06:31Mommy!
06:32I love Daddy so much.
06:34Daddy is the handsomest Daddy in our kindergarten.
06:38Mommy!
06:39We miss Daddy.
06:41Will Daddy come play with us today?
06:43We love Mommy the most in the whole world.
06:46And Daddy's second.
06:48Even when I rushed into the camp to save them,
06:51their last words before losing consciousness were,
06:54Mommy, please don't fight Daddy because of us.
06:58It's our fault.
06:58We weren't good.
07:00I took a deep breath, ignored James, and walked straight to the bed to sit down.
07:06My silence seemed to anger him.
07:09He grabbed me, flung me onto the bed, and pinned my wrists above my head.
07:15What game are you playing?
07:18Didn't you have Kathleen called me back?
07:20He leaned down, trying to kiss me, unable to break free.
07:25I bit his lip hard.
07:27James recoiled in pain, letting go and sitting up.
07:31Sophie!
07:32Are you insane?
07:33You make me sick with this innocent act.
07:37Is this how you've got Grandfather wrapped around your finger?
07:40You force me back, then play hard to get?
07:43Pathetic!
07:44It's because of your phony attitude that the girls turned out!
07:47I bit my lower lip until I tasted blood, then interrupted him softly.
07:52The girls are dead.
07:54James stiffened, then let out a scoff.
07:57Sophie, you'll really say anything.
08:00Just because you found out about Emily's pregnancy today,
08:03you'd go this far with your lies.
08:05With that, he got up and headed for the door.
08:09He paused at the threshold.
08:11You're the one who pushed me away.
08:13Don't go crying to Grandfather about me neglecting you.
08:16It only makes me despise you more.
08:19After James left, the room fell silent.
08:23I rushed to the bathroom and brushed my teeth violently,
08:27trying to erase any trace of him from my lips.
08:31James and I were once in love.
08:33On the day of my Debbie Dot Ball,
08:3618-year-old James stood before me,
08:38his ears bright red.
08:40Sophie, I want to be good to you.
08:42I don't want to just be your brother.
08:44His cheeks were flushed,
08:47but the determination in his eyes were captivating.
08:50My heart melted completely.
08:53For years after,
08:55James treated me like a treasure,
08:57and I gave him all my love in return.
08:59Then, when we were 22,
09:02the elder Mr. Coleman called us to him.
09:05You're both of marrying age now, Sophie.
09:08Your grandfather saved my life.
09:12I wouldn't feel at ease,
09:14seeing you marry into another family.
09:17What do you think of James here?
09:18From that day on,
09:20James' attitude towards me changed drastically.
09:23All that tender love seemed to vanish overnight.
09:27I didn't understand what happened.
09:29James never gave me a reason.
09:32A year into our marriage,
09:34I got pregnant.
09:36After that,
09:37James was almost never home,
09:39openly flaunting his relationship with his beloved.
09:43I confronted him,
09:45fought with him.
09:46But James would just look at me coldly,
09:49as if I were a mad woman.
09:52You got what you wanted.
09:53Well, you're a Coleman wife.
09:55You've born Coleman children.
09:56What more are you fussing about?
09:58Stop pretending to be the victim in front of me.
10:01It's disgusting.
10:02So I stopped asking for reasons.
10:05I focused on raising my two girls.
10:09I accepted it.
10:10James didn't love me.
10:12And he didn't love our children.
10:14But luckily,
10:16my daughters were sweet and well-behaved.
10:18I always thought,
10:20watching them grow up
10:21would be enough happiness for me.
10:24Now,
10:24I lost them too.
10:26Early the next morning,
10:28after the cremation and burial,
10:31I stood outside the funeral hall
10:32holding two small urns.
10:35They were so tiny when they were born,
10:38lying quietly in my arms.
10:41How,
10:42after five years,
10:43could they be even smaller and lighter?
10:46My eyes stung,
10:48but I bit my lip,
10:49refusing to let the tears fall.
10:52Kathleen watched me with concern.
10:54If it hurts,
10:56just cry.
10:57Don't hold it in.
10:59I didn't answer her.
11:01Instead,
11:02I looked at the elder,
11:03Mr. Coleman,
11:04who was about to get into the car
11:06for the cemetery.
11:08Grandfather,
11:09the girls won't be buried
11:10in the Coleman family plot.
11:12I'm changing their last names.
11:14They aren't Coleman children.
11:17They're my daughters.
11:20Sophie's daughters.
11:21The old man looked at me deeply,
11:23then erupted in fury.
11:24Where is that ungrateful grandson of mine?
11:27On a day like today,
11:28where has he disappeared to?
11:31Kathleen glanced at me nervously
11:33and whispered,
11:34His phone is off.
11:35We can't reach him.
11:38Mr. Coleman shut his eyes tightly.
11:40When he opened them,
11:42his gaze was clear.
11:43They are yours.
11:45Born from your pain.
11:46Do as you see fit.
11:48I fell to my knees before him
11:50and kowtowed three times.
11:51The debt of raising me was immense,
11:53but that debt
11:54had nothing to do with my children.
11:56I couldn't let them suffer
11:58any more indignity,
11:59even in death.
12:00After grandfather left by car,
12:02Kathleen gently helped me up.
12:04Sis!
12:07Sophie!
12:07I gave her a faint smile,
12:09hailed a taxi,
12:10and headed straight home.
12:12The two urns in my arms.
12:14I needed to pack the girls' things, too.
12:16That house wasn't a home.
12:17I wouldn't leave them
12:18in that cold place.
12:19But as soon as I opened the door,
12:21the sounds of passion
12:23reached my ears.
12:24Oh, stop it!
12:26I'm pregnant!
12:28The doctor said we shouldn't.
12:30A man's voice,
12:31rough with desire.
12:33I'll be gentle.
12:34It's fine.
12:35I'd never hurt our baby.
12:37Soon,
12:38the sounds of their intimacy
12:39filled the house.
12:41They were in the bedroom.
12:42I couldn't go into pack.
12:44I just stood frozen by the door,
12:46torturing myself
12:47by listening to the obscene noises.
12:49I don't know how long it was
12:50before they finally emerged.
12:52The moment Emily saw me,
12:54triumph flashed in her eyes.
12:56Oh!
12:57Sophie!
12:58You're back!
13:00Why didn't you say anything?
13:02We had no idea.
13:04It's all James' fault.
13:05I told him not to,
13:07but he insisted.
13:09What could I do?
13:10James stood beside Emily,
13:12his arm around her waist.
13:14No need to explain to her.
13:16She's nobody.
13:18Come on, let's go.
13:20We have a doctor's appointment
13:21for the checkup.
13:22Our baby needs to be
13:23healthy and safe.
13:25From start to finish,
13:26James didn't look at me once.
13:28His eyes were only for Emily.
13:29I stepped aside,
13:31calmly making way for them.
13:32As they passed,
13:33James finally noticed
13:35the urns in my arms.
13:36What's that garbage?
13:37It looks filthy.
13:38Throw it out!
13:40With that,
13:41he walked out with Emily,
13:43arm in arm.
13:43I looked down blankly
13:44at the urns.
13:45Daddy wasn't talking about you.
13:48Don't be sad.
13:50You're mommy's treasures.
13:52You're not garbage.
13:54After carefully setting down
13:56the urns,
13:56I began packing
13:57the girls' belongings.
13:59Clothes,
14:00toys,
14:00dishes,
14:01crayons.
14:02At the small desk in the room,
14:03I found a family photo,
14:05but it only showed me
14:06and the girls.
14:07Not James.
14:08My hands shook
14:09as I tug the picture
14:10out of its frame.
14:11The girls had drawn a man
14:13beside us in crayon.
14:14In their clumsy handwriting,
14:16they had written three words,
14:18Daddy loves mommy.
14:19Followed by a tiny heart.
14:20I couldn't hold back
14:22any longer.
14:22Clutching the photo,
14:24I wept bitterly.
14:25In the five years
14:26I raised them alone,
14:27no matter what happened
14:28between James and me,
14:29I never spoke ill of him
14:31to our daughters.
14:32But children are perceptive.
14:34They could see clearly
14:35that Daddy didn't love mommy.
14:37By nightfall,
14:38I had finally packed everything.
14:39I watched the movers
14:41load the boxes
14:41onto the truck.
14:44Anything else,
14:45Mrs. Coleman?
14:46I shook my head,
14:48then went back inside
14:49and placed the signed
14:51divorce papers
14:51on the coffee table.
14:53Leaving the house,
14:55I held the two urns tightly.
14:57A strange sense of peace
14:59settled over me.
15:00After a moment of silence,
15:03I took out my phone's SIM card,
15:05snapped it in half,
15:07and tossed it out
15:08the car window.
15:10Meanwhile,
15:11at St. Mary's Hospital,
15:13the elder Mr. Coleman
15:15and Kathleen,
15:16having gotten word,
15:17arrived and intercepted
15:20James and Emily
15:20during their checkup.
15:22Seeing them,
15:24James' face
15:25instantly darkened.
15:27Sophie called you
15:28to chase us down
15:29at the hospital?
15:30Can she be
15:31any more disgusting,
15:33playing the quiet,
15:34forgiving wife at home?
15:36Before he could finish,
15:37the old man slapped him
15:39hard across the face.
15:41You heartless wretch!
15:43You killed your own children!
15:45And you have the nerve
15:46to bring your mistress
15:47here for a checkup?
15:49How did our family
15:50produce such a monster?
15:52James staggered,
15:53almost losing his balance.
15:56What?
15:56What are you talking about?
15:58Emily had shrunk
15:59behind James
16:00the moment she saw them.
16:01But Kathleen was faster.
16:03She grabbed a handful
16:04of Emily's hair.
16:06You shameless bitch!
16:09How dare you
16:10hide from us!
16:11Do you know
16:12how old my nieces were?
16:13Five!
16:14What terrible crime
16:15did they commit?
16:17That you couldn't
16:18tolerate them!
16:19How could you
16:20be so cruel?
16:22Are you even human?
16:23Emily cried out
16:24in pain as she fell.
16:26James helped her up,
16:27glaring at his sister.
16:29What are you doing?
16:31She's pregnant!
16:32What if something
16:33happens to the baby?
16:34Fine!
16:36You wanna know
16:37what happened?
16:37I just took Emily
16:38home that day
16:39and the girls
16:40started screaming
16:41for her to get out.
16:42Is that any way
16:43for children
16:44to treat a guest?
16:45I'm their father.
16:46What's wrong
16:46with sending them
16:47somewhere more suitable?
16:48Can't I discipline
16:49my own children?
16:51Alright, fine.
16:53If you're so against it,
16:55I'm going to bring
16:56them back from the camp.
16:57You don't have to
16:58help Sophie lie to me.
16:59Saying the girls
17:00are dead?
17:01How can you even
17:01say that?
17:03The old man
17:04couldn't take it
17:05anymore.
17:05He began slapping
17:07James relentlessly.
17:08She's a mistress!
17:10What kind of guest
17:11is that?
17:12You fool!
17:14You brought
17:14your mistress home
17:16and the girls
17:17were protecting
17:19their mother!
17:20What's wrong
17:20with that?
17:21That's true
17:21Coleman's spirit!
17:23James, not daring
17:24to hit back
17:25against his elderly
17:26grandfather,
17:27could only duck
17:29and dodge.
17:30Just stop it!
17:31People are watching!
17:32Have some respect!
17:33The old man
17:34looked at James
17:35with heartbreak
17:36as if he didn't
17:37recognize his own
17:38grandson.
17:40If I'd known
17:40you'd become
17:41this kind of
17:42cold-hearted beast,
17:43I never would have
17:44let Sophie marry you.
17:46Then she wouldn't
17:47have suffered
17:47all these years
17:48and my granddaughters
17:50wouldn't be dead!
17:52Tears streamed
17:53down the old man's
17:54wrinkled face.
17:55How you've treated
17:56Sophie!
17:57How will I ever
17:57face her grandfather
17:58in the afterlife?
18:00She was his
18:01only treasure!
18:03His mind
18:03flashed to the
18:04image of Sophie
18:05earlier that day.
18:06Kneeling before him,
18:08she had cradled
18:09the two small urns,
18:11her frail body
18:12trembling,
18:12but her voice
18:14was steel.
18:15Maybe it's
18:15for the best.
18:16Leaving is
18:17for the best.
18:18Then she won't
18:18have to suffer
18:19this humiliation
18:20anymore.
18:20I'm the one
18:21who held her back.
18:22The old man
18:23couldn't bear
18:24to look at James
18:25any longer.
18:26He turned
18:26to leave.
18:27Don't bother
18:28coming home.
18:29The Coleman
18:30family has no
18:31room for an
18:31ungrateful beast
18:32like you.
18:33Seeing his
18:34grandfather's
18:35serious expression,
18:36James began
18:37to shake
18:38uncontrollably,
18:39clinging to a
18:40sliver of hope.
18:41He looked at
18:42Kathleen.
18:43Tell me,
18:44what is
18:45grandfather saying?
18:46Are you all
18:47lying to me?
18:48Is this some
18:49conspiracy?
18:50Kathleen took
18:51a deep breath,
18:53remembering the
18:54nearly broken
18:54woman at the
18:55police station.
18:56Tears fell
18:57from her eyes.
18:58You sent
18:59the girls
18:59to that place.
19:00That camp
19:01only knows
19:02punishment.
19:03They tied
19:04the girls
19:05to chairs,
19:06beat them
19:06with belts,
19:08electrocuted
19:09them with
19:09batons,
19:12starved
19:12them,
19:13denied them
19:14water.
19:15By the time
19:16we got there,
19:18it was too
19:19late.
19:20James!
19:23The girls
19:23are gone
19:24and Sophie
19:25is gone!
19:26The freedom
19:27and happiness
19:28you wanted
19:28to chase,
19:29no one
19:29is standing
19:30in your way
19:31now!
19:31Without
19:32another glance
19:33at James,
19:34she turned
19:35and followed
19:35their grandfather.
19:37James' mind
19:38buzzed,
19:39instinctively.
19:40He moved
19:41to chase
19:41after them,
19:43but Emily
19:43grabbed his
19:44arm.
19:45James!
19:46Where are you
19:47going?
19:48James turned,
19:50extreme panic
19:51had stripped
19:51him of reason.
19:53I need to find
19:54my girls!
19:54I need to find
19:55Sophie!
19:55Didn't you hear?
19:57Gone!
19:58They're all gone!
19:59Emily was startled
20:01by his outburst,
20:02but instinct
20:03told her not
20:04to let him leave.
20:05Hey, James,
20:06I'm pregnant.
20:07Don't you remember?
20:08We are going
20:09to have our own
20:10baby soon.
20:11You didn't love them!
20:13You didn't love them!
20:14Isn't this perfect now?
20:18Look at us!
20:19We can finally
20:20be together openly!
20:22We can finally
20:23be complete!
20:24Before she could
20:25finish,
20:26James finally
20:27shook off her hand.
20:28Who do you
20:29think you are?
20:30You're not fit
20:31to even mention
20:32them!
20:32Caught off guard,
20:34Emily was thrown
20:35to the ground.
20:36James didn't
20:36spare her a glance.
20:38He turned
20:38to leave.
20:39Emily clutched
20:40her stomach,
20:41crying out in pain.
20:44James!
20:45My tummy!
20:47It hurts so much!
20:49But through
20:50her blurry vision,
20:51she only saw
20:52James' figure
20:53growing smaller
20:54and smaller.
20:55The man who used
20:56to fret over
20:56her slightest frown
20:57now walked away,
20:59ignoring her
21:00desperate calls.
21:02James drove
21:02straight home,
21:04stepping inside.
21:05He froze.
21:06The house
21:06was empty,
21:08devoid of all life.
21:09In that moment,
21:11it hit him.
21:12Sophie was
21:12really gone,
21:14stumbling,
21:15James opened
21:16every door.
21:17Master bedroom,
21:18guest room,
21:19study,
21:19walk-in closet.
21:21Finally,
21:21the children's room.
21:23There,
21:24his lights
21:24gave way,
21:25and he collapsed
21:26to the floor.
21:27Now he understood.
21:29Now he knew.
21:30That's why
21:31Sophie's eyes
21:31last night
21:32were filled
21:32with such
21:33disappointment
21:34and hatred.
21:35Suddenly,
21:36he remembered.
21:38When he left
21:38the house today,
21:40Sophie was holding
21:41two doll-colored boxes.
21:42Those were,
21:43those were
21:44the girls' ashes.
21:45And what had he said?
21:47What's that garbage?
21:49It looks filthy.
21:50Throw it out.
21:51An invisible hand
21:52seemed to tighten
21:54around James' throat.
21:55He couldn't breathe.
21:56A memory surfaced.
21:58The girls'
21:59fifth birthday
21:59under grandfather's pressure.
22:02He had,
22:03for once,
22:04taken them
22:05to the amusement park
22:06with Sophie.
22:07His younger daughter
22:08had stood shyly
22:09before him,
22:10looking up.
22:11Daddy,
22:12you're not busy
22:13with work today?
22:15I'm so happy!
22:17Thank you for
22:18spending my birthday
22:20with me!
22:21His older daughter
22:22had cautiously
22:23taken his hand.
22:24Daddy,
22:25thank you for
22:26being with us.
22:28Mommy was right.
22:30Daddy is the best
22:32daddy in the
22:33whole world!
22:34James fell forward,
22:35clutching his chest,
22:38gasping for air.
22:39They,
22:39they were so good!
22:41Yet on the day
22:42he put them
22:42in the car
22:43for the camp,
22:44what had he said?
22:46Disgusting brats!
22:47Is this how
22:48your mother
22:48taught you
22:49to treat guests?
22:50Just as classless
22:51as her!
22:52Tears streamed
22:53down James' face,
22:55hitting the floor.
22:56Through his
22:57blurred vision,
22:58he saw a photograph
22:59on the floor
23:00he scrambled over
23:01on hands and knees,
23:03picking it up
23:04with trembling fingers.
23:05It was
23:06a photo of Sophie
23:08and the girls.
23:09Next to them,
23:10drawn in crayon,
23:11was a stick figure
23:13above it.
23:14In wobbly letters,
23:16Daddy.
23:17All his emotions
23:17finally found an outlet.
23:19James sobbed
23:20uncontrollably,
23:21except for this one photo.
23:23Sophie had left
23:24nothing behind.
23:25She hated him.
23:26She left him
23:26no memento.
23:27James pulled out
23:28his phone,
23:30frantically dialing
23:31Sophie's number
23:31over and over.
23:33But no matter
23:34how many times
23:34he called,
23:35all he heard
23:36was the automated message.
23:38The subscriber
23:38you have dialed
23:39is powered off.
23:40His heart felt like
23:41it was plummeting
23:42into a bottomless abyss,
23:44sinking deeper
23:45until all sounds ceased.
23:47Only then
23:48did James realize
23:49all these years,
23:50Sophie had always
23:52been within his sight.
23:53Whenever he looked up,
23:55she was there
23:55with their daughters.
23:57She had never,
23:58for a moment,
24:00been truly lost to him.
24:02But now,
24:03she was done waiting,
24:05so she left,
24:06and he would never
24:07find her again.
24:08from their first meeting
24:09at 8 to now.
24:1121 years.
24:12It was always Sophie
24:13who accommodated him.
24:15It was him.
24:16He was the one
24:16who kept failing her,
24:18who ultimately
24:19killed their children.
24:20James couldn't bear
24:21to think further.
24:22He wiped his tears
24:23harshly,
24:24staggered to his feet,
24:26left the house,
24:28and drove straight
24:29to the family estate.
24:30At the estate,
24:32Kathleen and the old man
24:33sat silently
24:34in the vast living room,
24:36holding the girl's
24:37baby photos.
24:39Tears in their eyes.
24:40Seeing James,
24:42Kathleen's voice
24:43was sharp.
24:45You!
24:46What are you doing here?
24:48Weren't you told
24:49not to come back?
24:50Get out!
24:50James ignored her.
24:52He knelt directly
24:52before his grandfather,
24:54his voice hoarse.
24:56Grandfather,
24:57please,
24:58tell me where Sophie is.
25:00The old man acted
25:01as if he hadn't heard,
25:03continuing to gently
25:04wipe the photo frame.
25:06A tender smile
25:07on his face,
25:08Kathleen couldn't stand it.
25:10She slapped James hard.
25:12What right do you have
25:13to ask about Sophie?
25:16How many times
25:17have I tried
25:18to talk to you?
25:20If I were Sophie,
25:22I'd want to kill you!
25:24James was her brother.
25:25Seeing him like this
25:26pained her.
25:27But for seven years,
25:28she had pleaded with James
25:30to treat Sophie better.
25:32He never listened.
25:33Instead,
25:34blaming everything on Sophie.
25:36Blaming her for tattling.
25:38For using the family
25:39to pressure him.
25:40She had even
25:41confronted Emily.
25:42But Emily would just
25:44run to James.
25:45She still remembered
25:46the time James exploded.
25:48If you bother Emily again,
25:50I'll never come home!
25:51You all adore Sophie so much!
25:53Fine!
25:54I'll let her live
25:55like a widow forever!
25:57Kathleen's tears fell.
25:59She couldn't forgive James.
26:01And she couldn't
26:02forgive herself.
26:03Those girls were so sweet.
26:04Always following her.
26:06Calling.
26:08Auntie Kathleen!
26:09Auntie Kathleen!
26:12Always saving treats
26:13or toys for her.
26:15James endured the slap.
26:17Scrambling to explain.
26:18I didn't mean to!
26:20I really didn't!
26:22I just thought the girls
26:23were being bad.
26:24I wanted to teach them
26:25a lesson!
26:26Kathleen grabbed a cup
26:28from the side table
26:29and hurled it.
26:30It struck James' forehead,
26:32opening a gash.
26:33Blood dripped down.
26:35You didn't mean to?
26:37How dare you say that!
26:39Slush your heart!
26:41Were those girls
26:42really bad?
26:44For five years?
26:47Sophie raised them alone.
26:49Can you honestly say
26:50she didn't raise them well?
26:53Were you punishing the girls?
26:55Or were you punishing Sophie?
26:57What did Sophie ever do wrong?
27:00Blood covered his face.
27:02But James seemed
27:03not to feel it.
27:05I didn't mean
27:06to treat her badly!
27:07I just...
27:07I just didn't want
27:08a life controlled
27:09by all of you!
27:11I'm the only man
27:13in the Coleman family.
27:15Since I was a child,
27:16you've managed everything.
27:17I need permission
27:18for every little thing.
27:20Even my marriage...
27:21Even my marriage
27:22was arranged!
27:23Sophie's grandfather
27:25saves grandfather.
27:26So I became
27:27the repayment token.
27:28I had to marry Sophie!
27:30By the end,
27:32James was sobbing
27:33too hard to speak.
27:35The old man
27:36let out a cold laugh,
27:37looking at James
27:39as if at a stranger.
27:40We arranged it.
27:42We forced you
27:43to repay your debt.
27:44In my eyes,
27:45you were never good enough
27:46for Sophie.
27:47It was you
27:48who confessed to her.
27:50You who pursued her first!
27:52I merely agreed
27:53to the marriage.
27:55It was your own choice!
27:57How did it become
27:57our arrangement?
27:59James,
27:59you are no true Coleman.
28:01You have no backbone!
28:04Even now,
28:05you're still trying
28:06to shift blame!
28:08James froze.
28:09Then,
28:10slowly,
28:11he crumpled
28:12to the floor,
28:13weeping bitterly.
28:15He was right.
28:17He had fallen
28:18for Sophie first.
28:19He had pursued her.
28:21So why did
28:22everything change
28:23once Grandfather
28:24and Kathleen
28:25got involved?
28:26It was true.
28:27He resented it.
28:29He hated
28:29his controlled life.
28:30He hated
28:31that even his marriage
28:33felt like a transaction
28:34for his grandfather's debt.
28:36But there were
28:37so many ways
28:38he could have rebelled.
28:39Why did he choose
28:41to rebel
28:41through his marriage?
28:43James crawled
28:44on hands and knees
28:45to his grandfather's feet,
28:47kowtowing
28:47between sobs.
28:49I was wrong.
28:50I know
28:51I was wrong.
28:52Please,
28:53Grandfather,
28:54I'm begging you.
28:55Tell me where Sophie is.
28:57Please!
28:58The old man
28:59didn't look at him.
29:01He stood,
29:02swaying slightly,
29:03and headed upstairs.
29:05Sophie doesn't
29:06want to see you.
29:07James stopped
29:08mid-kowtow.
29:09No one knew
29:10what he was thinking.
29:12After a long while,
29:13James stumbled
29:15to his feet,
29:16mumbling.
29:16I'll find her myself.
29:19I will find her.
29:20I knew nothing
29:21of the chaos
29:22in the Coleman family.
29:23After leaving,
29:25I took my girls
29:26to Florida.
29:28They hated the cold,
29:29so I chose Florida.
29:32A place
29:33where it never snows.
29:34The month
29:35since leaving
29:36had brought me
29:36an unprecedented piece.
29:38Today,
29:39as I was cleaning
29:40the girls' photos,
29:41a frantic knocking
29:43came at the door.
29:44I opened it
29:45to find a familiar
29:46figure kneeling.
29:47Sophie,
29:48I've come to take you
29:50at our baby's home.
29:51I didn't want to engage.
29:53I tried to shut the door,
29:54but James shoved his hand
29:56against the frame,
29:57stopping it.
29:58Please,
29:59Sophie,
30:00just let me talk to you.
30:02I paused.
30:03James,
30:05go away.
30:06I have nothing
30:07to say to you.
30:09Seeing me respond,
30:11James streamed up
30:12on his knees.
30:13I'm not leaving!
30:14Not unless you come with me.
30:16I haven't signed
30:17the divorce papers.
30:19You're still my wife.
30:20Let's go home together.
30:22I looked down
30:22at the man
30:23kneeling before me.
30:24Go home?
30:26Go home for what?
30:28To watch you
30:29and Emily in our bed?
30:31To see you honor her?
30:32Or should I go back
30:34to be Emily's maid?
30:35Help her through
30:36her pregnancy.
30:37Isn't she pregnant?
30:38James flinched,
30:39rushing to deny it.
30:41No,
30:41it's not like that.
30:45I made Emily
30:46terminate the pregnancy.
30:48I ended things
30:49with her.
30:50I'll be good to you
30:51from now on.
30:52I...
30:52I let out a scornful laugh.
30:54So what?
30:55She got rid of a fetus
30:57and suddenly
30:58your betrayal
30:59never happened?
31:00The harm you did
31:02to our girls,
31:03you think that
31:03it never happened,
31:04didn't you?
31:07she destroys
31:08an unborn embryo
31:09and that brings
31:11my children back?
31:12If you felt
31:13even a shred
31:14of guilt for me
31:14and the girls,
31:15you wouldn't be here
31:16bothering me today.
31:18James' face
31:19went deathly pale.
31:20His lips moved,
31:22but no sound
31:23came out.
31:24My tears
31:25fell heavily.
31:26James,
31:27you killed
31:28my children.
31:30What makes you think
31:31I'd ever go back
31:32with you?
31:33My tears
31:33landed on his hand.
31:35He jerked back
31:36as if burned.
31:37No.
31:38Sophie,
31:38listen to me.
31:39I really didn't mean it.
31:41They were my daughters.
31:43How could I ever
31:43want to hurt them?
31:45What happened
31:46was an accident.
31:46I swear,
31:47I didn't mean...
31:49I'd heard enough.
31:50Enough!
31:51They were not
31:52your children.
31:55James,
31:56every word
31:57out of your mouth
31:57makes me sick!
31:59You didn't know?
32:01You didn't mean to?
32:02Will those words
32:03bring my babies back?
32:05How dare you come here
32:08asking for forgiveness?
32:10James' eyes
32:10were bloodshot.
32:12After a long silence,
32:14he whispered.
32:15I'm sorry.
32:16His apology
32:17made me laugh bitterly.
32:19And now,
32:21James looked up,
32:22a flicker of hope
32:23in his eyes.
32:25Sophie,
32:25I was confused before.
32:28I was stubborn.
32:29I felt like I was just a tool
32:31for repaying a debt.
32:32That's why I did
32:33those terrible things.
32:34I know I was wrong now.
32:36I'll treat you right.
32:38I promise.
32:39Please,
32:40Sophie,
32:40I beg you.
32:41Forgive me
32:42just once.
32:44Give me one chance.
32:46We're still young.
32:47We can have more children.
32:49I couldn't take it anymore.
32:50I slapped him hard
32:52across the face.
32:54Even now,
32:55you're trampling on my feelings.
32:58You resented the family's control.
33:01There were so many things
33:02you could have rebelled against.
33:05Why choose our marriage?
33:08James,
33:09did you think
33:10I was just that easy to bully?
33:13Tears streamed down James' face.
33:15He was speechless.
33:17I tried to smile,
33:18but tears fell anyway.
33:20James,
33:21if you're truly sorry,
33:23then let me go.
33:26Let our children go.
33:29Without another look at him,
33:31I slammed the door shut.
33:33I don't know when James left.
33:35The next morning,
33:37when I opened the door,
33:39no one was there.
33:41Only the divorce papers
33:42lay on the doorstep.
33:44In the end,
33:46James had signed them.
33:47Once the divorce was finalized,
33:50I returned to handle
33:51the formalities.
33:53After getting the certificate,
33:55Kathleen and I
33:56sat in a cafe,
33:58an awkward silence between us.
34:01From Kathleen,
34:03I learned what had happened since.
34:05The behavior correction camp
34:07had been shut down by authorities.
34:10Hundreds of students were rescued.
34:12Those responsible were convicted.
34:15After returning from Florida,
34:17James stopped going to work.
34:19He stayed home,
34:21drowning himself in alcohol.
34:23He was found passed out at home.
34:25Kathleen forced him to the hospital.
34:28The doctor said he had severe psychological issues,
34:32requiring long-term treatment.
34:34Emily,
34:35after terminating the pregnancy,
34:38had caused a scene at the estate.
34:47Emily had benefited from her connection to James over the years.
34:52The old man produced evidence of embezzlement from the company
34:56and had Emily sent to prison.
34:59After sharing this,
35:02Kathleen looked at me carefully.
35:06My brother,
35:07his mental state is very poor now.
35:09Would you consider...
35:11Before she could finish,
35:12I shook my head.
35:14No,
35:15he and I...
35:17We can't meet peacefully anymore.
35:20Kathleen sighed deeply.
35:22Grandfather actually told me not to come today.
35:26He said not seeing you might be better for you now.
35:29I insisted.
35:31No matter what happens,
35:33I want you to know
35:34grandfather and I still see you as family.
35:38I just hope
35:39you don't hate my brother.
35:42I smiled,
35:43but didn't answer.
35:44My thoughts drifted back to James at 18.
35:47The young man standing before me,
35:50cheeks flushed,
35:52saying,
35:53Sophie,
35:54I want to be good to you.
35:56I don't want to just be your brother.
35:59I don't know if James meant it that day.
36:02I only know that I did.
36:04I didn't answer Kathleen's question.
36:06I lifted my coffee cup,
36:09drained it,
36:10picked up my bag,
36:11and left the cafe.
36:13I couldn't promise her that,
36:15because I would never forgive James.
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