- 21 hours ago
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After a year of not seeing my husband due to our long-distance marriage, I stumble upon his
00:04sister-in-law's Instagram, my dear niece. In the photo, my husband Ethan holds a baby in one arm
00:09and wraps the other around a woman I do not know. I quietly notes down the address and close the
00:14post. On the weekend, I go to the address. The place is lively. A pretty woman stands at the
00:19entrance, holding a one-year-old girl as she greets guests. She smiles and says to me,
00:24You're Ethan's colleague, right? Come in. I glance at the little girl in her arms. I keep my face
00:30blank and ask, Where is Ethan? I do not see him anywhere, but I do see a few familiar faces
00:35from
00:35Ethan's family. Ethan went to pick up his parents. He'll be back soon. Two days ago, my in-laws told
00:41me they signed up for a two-week tour. I wanted to treat them, so I covered part of their
00:46trip and
00:46sent them a thousand dollars as a gift. She leads me into the banquet hall. As soon as I get
00:51closer,
00:52a middle-aged man says to Hannah with envy, I really envy Ethan. Not only is his wife beautiful,
00:57but his daughter is even more beautiful. Several people chime in, one after another. Hannah,
01:04when you left your career to return to the family, we worried about you. Now it looks like you made
01:08the right choice. More than six years have passed, and you and Ethan are still so happy. Now you even
01:14have a daughter. I'm really happy for you. My hand curls into a fist, my nails digging into my palm.
01:20Our marriage has lasted just seven years, and he has been cheating with Hannah for more than six
01:25of those years. What is even more ridiculous is that in these long seven years, I knew nothing.
01:31Even this morning, he sent me a good morning text like always. Honey, I miss you. For these seven
01:37years, his salary goes into our joint account. He only keeps a small allowance. The rest goes to
01:42household expenses and savings. Every year, he buys me a piece of Tiffany jewelry with his year-end bonus.
01:48I have collected quite a few of those little blue boxes at home. A year ago, he discussed it with
01:54me. The company wanted to transfer him to the Boston branch with a $5,000 monthly raise. He said it
02:01was
02:01for our son's future. He wanted to earn more to save for our son. After thinking it through,
02:09I agreed to let him go to Boston.
02:14One of Ethan's colleagues lifts his glass and sighs.
02:18Ethan is unreal. Three years in a row, top sales in the entire region. He works so hard and treats
02:25his wife so well. That kind of man is rare. Hannah's face glows with a bright smile.
02:30Time flies. I attended your wedding six years ago, and now you already have a child.
02:37So they even had a grand wedding!
02:40When I married Ethan, we only went back to his hometown and held a small party. Only his parents
02:46and a few relatives were there. He did not invite any friends or colleagues. I stand in the crowd,
02:52quietly listening to the secrets of my husband I never knew. A woman loops her arm through Hannah's
02:59and asks eagerly, Hannah, how do you do it? Ethan practically loves you. Teach me your secret.
03:05Her smile is full of happiness. It's just that Ethan is a great man. I'm lucky to have met him.
03:12A friend beside her shakes the bracelet on her wrist. It is a new Tiffany piece. Let me tell you
03:20how good
03:21Ethan is to her. Every year, he buys Hannah one as a gift. Hannah laughs and lightly taps her.
03:29Don't say everything out loud. Her friend shrugs. What's there to hide? Your husband's heart is
03:36completely with you. They chat enthusiastically, not noticing at all that I stand there like an outsider.
03:44Hannah's phone rings. Ethan is calling me. Hold her for a moment. As she speaks,
03:50she casually places the baby in my arms. The soft little girl lies quietly in my arms,
03:56not crying, not fussing. Hannah stands right beside me. Ethan's voice comes clearly through the phone.
04:01Baby, don't tire yourself out. I picked up my parents. There's some traffic. Don't worry.
04:07Hannah answers gently. I'm not tired. Take your time driving. Don't rush. As soon as she hangs up,
04:13a wave of envy rises around us. You two are so in love. At the office, he texts you every
04:19hour.
04:20Hannah, you really found a good man. Even if every man in the world cheats, Ethan never would.
04:27I used to think Ethan cared deeply about me. He calls me once a day and sends me a message,
04:33even though the calls are short, usually under a minute. I have never doubted him.
04:40I never thought he was sharing every detail of his life with another woman.
04:47I hold the baby and find an empty seat. By accident, I notice a custom cross necklace around her neck.
04:58Seven years ago, right after I found out I was pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl,
05:04my mom had a pair of necklaces specially made. She even took them to church and asked a priest to
05:10bless.
05:11But fate had other plans. Something went wrong during delivery. Only my son survived.
05:20The one meant for my daughter, I have kept carefully in the safe at home. Every time I think of
05:26the child
05:27who never got to be born, I hold that necklace and cry until I can't breathe.
05:34My hands bowl as I touch this necklace and gently turn it over.
05:41A name is clearly engraved on the back. Joy Shaw.
05:47Hannah walks over with a smile and sits beside me. My daughter's name is Joy Shaw.
05:52Ethan picked it. This necklace was also custom made by Ethan. You have no idea how much he loves
05:59his daughter. He treats you really well. You must be pretty new at the company, right? I know all the
06:04old employees. Some left later. Ethan said there are quite a few new hires now. Yeah.
06:14The company benefits are good, but there's always business trips. Ethan only stopped traveling this
06:19past year. Before that, he was always on the road. Sometimes we wouldn't see each other for a whole
06:24month. Good thing we got through it. Yeah. Hannah makes no move to take the baby back.
06:32From time to time, she gets up to greet new guests. My daughter really likes you. When my
06:38friends hold her, she cries right away. But you've been holding her for so long and she hasn't cried
06:45at all. That's amazing. I reply lightly. Maybe it's because I have a child too. I'm used to it.
06:54And Shu leaned. Then I'll trouble you to hold her longer. I need to greet her over some new guests.
07:00She walks off without worry. I look at the large banner hanging in the middle of the hall.
07:06Happy first birthday, Joy. Daddy and Mommy love you. My son never had a birthday party.
07:13Now he can throw a joyful birthday party. Only I still remember the daughter who never got to be born.
07:20Suddenly, my mother-in-law calls me.
07:24Claire, I sent you a text. Did you see it? No.
07:28Are you at the grocery store? It's so loud on your end. Check the text I sent you.
07:33I can barely hear you. Just text me back. I open my phone and see to see the message she
07:39sent 20 minutes ago.
07:41Claire, one of Ethan's cousins just had a baby. I need to send a gift. Can you trance me $500?
07:49You know how it is. It's family. My fingers tighten around the phone, turning pale as anger surges
07:57through me. I do not reply. Another message comes in. Did you transfer it, Claire? It's urgent.
08:03I still do not respond. Soon, another message pops up.
08:10She starts blaming me. I always thought you were sensible. I didn't expect you to be this kind of
08:17person. Fine. Forget it. I'll figure it out myself. When Hannah comes back, she is on the phone. I
08:25clearly hear Ethan's voice through the receiver. Baby, my mom got another piece of jewelry for our
08:31little girl. You don't need to buy more. Our baby already has plenty. Ethan adds,
08:38This one is different. It was blessed by a priest at church.
08:42Two days ago, my son left for summer camp. Before he left, my mother-in-law told him to take
08:49off his
08:50necklace so he would not lose it. After he took it off, he casually handed it to her for safekeeping.
08:56I never thought she would use my son's necklace as a gift for Ethan's illegitimate daughter.
09:03Hannah smiles sweetly. Then thank mom for me. She's so thoughtful.
09:08My mother-in-law's voice comes through the phone. What's there to thank? This is what I should do as
09:13a
09:13grandmother. You gave me such a precious granddaughter. I should be thanking you. We'll be there soon.
09:21As soon as the call ends, Hannah reaches out to take the baby. But then she notices new guests
09:27arriving not far away. She turns to greet them again. I keep holding their illegitimate daughter.
09:35Your birthday party will be unforgettable for everyone. Finally, I hear Ethan's family arriving
09:41late, their voices carrying through the crowd. Holding his illegitimate daughter, I walk up to the
09:47stage, just as he asks Hannah. Baby, where's our girl? Dear, your bastard child is in my arms.
09:56All eyes turn to me on the stage. Then chaos erupts. Hannah runs to me, holding back her emotions,
10:04and speaks gently. I don't even know how to address you. I thought you were Ethan's colleague.
10:11Ma'am, do you have some conflict with Ethan? We can talk this through. Can you give me the baby
10:18first? I do not give the baby back. Instead, I tell her, I am his wife of seven years. We
10:26have a six-year-old
10:27son. Tell me, do we have a conflict? Hannah's face turns pale. She staggers back a step. Shock fills her
10:36eyes, and tears stream down her face. How is that possible? Darling, tell me, how many years have we
10:43been married? All eyes burn toward him. Voices rise from the crowd. I always thought Ethan was on his
10:51second marriage. Turns out, he never divorced. So who is his real wife? Why are there suddenly two
10:57wives? No wonder the woman on stage was so quiet earlier. I knew something was off. I look at my
11:03in-laws, just as humiliated, and say on purpose, Dad, Mom, tell them, who is your daughter-in-law?
11:11My in-laws lower their heads and say nothing. Ethan looks like a knife is pressed to his throat
11:16as he slowly walks onto the stage. Hannah grabs his arm, crying. Say something! What is going on?
11:28Which one of us is the other woman? Don't get worked up. I'll explain everything to you slowly.
11:36Hannah refuses to back down. No. I want you to say it now. She showed up at our baby's birthday
11:45party and
11:46made a scene. This has to be made clear in front of everyone. Whether I'm the other woman or she
11:51is,
11:52we were both deceived. We're both victims. I recognized that ring. When I married Ethan,
11:59I fell in love with that exact design at first sight. But it was too expensive,
12:04so I chose a simpler one. Back then, Ethan's eyes turned red with guilt, as he promised me that one
12:12day,
12:12when he could afford it, he would buy me that ring. Now he can afford it, but the ring is
12:18on another
12:18woman's hand. Ethan looks at me. His eyes are filled with tangled emotions, shame weighing on him. His lips
12:26move with difficulty. I'm sorry, please stop making a scene. Can we talk? At home? Dear, what did you say?
12:35Go home? Which home? Do you mean the home we share or the one you share with Hannah? He looks
12:44even more
12:45ashamed, unable to face me. He steps forward and reaches for my microphone. I'm begging you. Stop this.
12:53I take a step back and pull my arm away. I do not let him take the microphone. Answer me.
13:00Who is your wife?
13:02What are you doing here today? Hannah rushes forward, grabbing his arm, her voice shaking.
13:09Say it! Ethan is forced into a corner. He has no choice but to answer.
13:16You are my wife. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have cheated. The crowd explodes.
13:27Hannah breaks down, crying as she hits him over and over. Then what am I? How could you do this
13:34to me, Ethan?
13:39She suddenly remembers something and clutches his arm tightly. No. No, that's not right. We have a
13:44marriage certificate. I'm your legal wife. The certificate is fake.
13:53Hannah's legs give out. She collapses to the floor, her sobs tearing through the room.
14:00Fake!
14:01She cries out, her voice breaking.
14:05You gave me a ring. You gave me a wedding. You stood in a church and made vows in front
14:13of everyone.
14:17Now we even have a child and you're telling me it was all fake? Ethan, how could you do this
14:24to me?
14:26He treats you better than he treats me. He buys you real Tiffany every year. The ones he gives me
14:33are fake.
14:36He told me he was transferred to Boston for work. That was a lie too. He's been living with you
14:44openly as your husband.
14:47I lift the necklace from her daughter's neck. Do you know where this necklace came from?
14:54Seven years ago, I was pregnant with twins for Ethan.
15:00My mom specially had a pair of necklaces made. She even had the names engraved on the back
15:07and took them to church for a priest blessing. And the name your daughter has now
15:12was the name I chose for my unborn daughter. I never thought he would give my daughter's things
15:19to your daughter. I turned to my in-laws, standing in the middle of the crowd. My dear mother-in
15:26-law even
15:27planned to give the necklace my son is wearing now to this illegitimate child. Seven years of marriage.
15:35How have I treated you? You always said we're family. Is this what you call love?
15:45In these seven years, you Charles in and out hospital. I was the one taking care of you.
15:53Even your nycrop day and wad egg mom, I soshed them by hand for seven years.
15:58Since I married Ethan, you have not cooked a single meal. Two days ago, you said you were going on
16:05a trip.
16:06I even gave you a thousand dollars. I treated you like my own parents.
16:12And you? How did you treat me? How did you treat your only grandson?
16:17My mother-in-law is called out in front of everyone.
16:22She is so ashamed, she cannot even lift her head. The whispers from the crowd strips away
16:28every last bit of their dignity. Unbelievable. Ethan cheats? And his parents were in on it the
16:35whole time? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? That poor woman gave seven years to this
16:42family. What a waste. Ethan walks toward me again. He pulls me into a tight embrace.
16:50Claire, I'm sorry. I'm a piece of shit. His voice breaks, thick with tears. I'll never do it again.
16:59Forgive me, just this once. Please. Held in his arms, I start crying.
17:06Hannah watches him hold me and apologize. She cries, then lets out a bitter laugh, too.
17:16She gets up from the floor, grabs Ethan's arm, pulls us apart.
17:21What about me? How are you going to answer to me? You bastard!
17:27She almost falls again. Her whole body trembles. She sways, her makeup ruined by tears.
17:33I'm sorry. I lied to you and I wasted your time. You'll meet someone better. Not someone like me.
17:44Hannah bursts into hysterical laughter.
17:48Ethan does not spare her another glance.
17:51Honey, can we go home?
17:56What about her? What are you going to do?
17:58I know you've always wanted a daughter. If you're willing to raise her, we can keep her with us.
18:05Hannah stumbles toward me and drops to her knees.
18:13Claire. Claire, I'm begging you. Give me my child.
18:19I won't fight you for Ethan. I'll give him back to you.
18:24She cries so hard she can barely breathe.
18:30My child can't go with you. I didn't mean to be the other woman. I truly didn't know he had
18:35a family.
18:37Please give my baby back to me.
18:42I reach out and take off the necklace from the baby's neck.
18:45Don't worry. I won't hurt her.
18:49If I wanted to, I wouldn't have waited until now.
18:53As I speak, I remove the necklace. The baby whimmers, probably hungry.
18:58Hannah pleads.
18:59She's hungry. Please, let me feed her. Can I have her back?
19:03I need you to answer a few questions. Don't worry. I won't take your child. I have my own.
19:10She nods. It seems she will answer anything she knows.
19:14Since you've been together, how much money has Ethan give you?
19:18The wedding cost about $50,000.
19:21After we got married, he gave me $10,000 a month and every year he buys me jewelry.
19:27In these six years, it's about $800,000.
19:32After I married him, I stopped working.
19:36I really didn't know he was already married.
19:39I really didn't know he was already married.
19:44I know you'll sue to get back every dollar he spent on me.
19:52So I won't lie to you.
19:54I calm down a little and ask her.
19:57If I ask you to return the money, will you?
20:00She nods without hesitation.
20:02Yes. I'll write you a check. Right now.
20:11Hannah takes out her checkbook without a second thought.
20:15She lowers her head, writes quickly.
20:17I've returned the money.
20:19I'm giving the man back to you too.
20:23I only want my child.
20:25Can you give her back to me?
20:34This is your child. No one can take her from you.
20:40I'll take the money.
20:42I don't want the man.
20:44As soon as I finish speaking, I walk out without looking back.
20:48Ethan does not hesitate.
20:50He immediately runs after me.
20:55We return to the home we have lived in for seven years.
20:59Ethan comes closer, reaching out to hold me, apologizing sincerely.
21:03There won't be a next time. Just this once.
21:08I shove his arm away.
21:09Don't touch me!
21:11Ethan does not dare to come for closer. He keeps begging for forgiveness.
21:15Honey, I'm sorry. I really lost my head for a moment.
21:22I promise I'll cut her off. From now on, our family will live a good life together. Okay?
21:28My in-laws come back. My mother-in-law speaks with a trace of guilt, her tone heavy.
21:34Claire, I know this has hurt you deeply.
21:37But there's nothing I can do.
21:39That child out there is still Ethan's.
21:43I hope you don't dwell on this. Just live your life as usual.
21:49My father-in-law adds,
21:50This is already blown up today. Let's not bring it up again. Just live your life properly.
22:02This marriage is over. Ethan, you disgust me.
22:10My eyes re-reddens despite myself. He looks at me helplessly.
22:15Then tell me. What will it take for you to forgive me? As long as I can do it, I'll
22:23do anything for you.
22:25Hatred surges up from deep inside me. The words spill out.
22:29Then, go die.
22:32Just go die!
22:36I go back to the bedroom and lock the door.
22:40Still in my shoes, I step onto the bed.
22:46I take the photo down and stab Ethan's face over and over with scissors.
22:53The deeper I once loved, the deeper I now hate.
22:57It tears my heart apart.
23:01Outside the door, Ethan keeps trying to coax me.
23:04Claire, please, open.
23:15After I calm down, I start packing my personal belongings.
23:21I send a message to my lawyer that I want a divorce.
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