- 21 hours ago
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My wife, Emma, told me our three-year-old son had gone missing.
00:05As I was searching frantically for him,
00:09I saw a post from Emma's ex on Instagram.
00:13My blood ran cold when I saw the photo.
00:17Ethan Cole was holding my son,
00:19and my wife was right there beside him like they were a family.
00:23Everyone in the comments was congratulating them.
00:26My comment was the only one out of place.
00:29My son back.
00:33Ten minutes later, the post was gone.
00:40After that, Emma called, already furious.
00:48What is wrong with you?
00:50It's just a child.
00:52We can have another one later.
00:54Ethan is never going to have kids of his own.
00:58Why not give him one?
01:01I could hear Ethan's voice in the background.
01:03He was right there with her as she yelled.
01:07Take some time to think about what you've done.
01:12An hour later, Ethan posted again.
01:15This time, he tagged me.
01:23I had bought it for Emma six months ago.
01:27I knew what Ethan was hinting at.
01:31Well, this time I just won't make it so easy.
01:35Emma didn't come home until after nine that night.
01:38I was packing.
01:40The bedroom was a mess.
01:48You knew.
01:49He just found out he can't have children.
01:51So why would you rub salt in the wound?
01:53Do you have any idea how cruel that was?
02:00I looked at her, my wife.
02:02She cared more about Ethan's feelings
02:04than what I went through when I thought my son was missing.
02:08I didn't answer.
02:10Just kept stuffing my son Liam's clothes into a suitcase.
02:16I thought back to two days ago.
02:18I had just gotten to work.
02:27Babe!
02:27Oh my god, I can't find Liam!
02:29I looked everywhere!
02:30She said he went missing at the mall.
02:33I panicked.
02:34I called everyone who could help.
02:41I drove straight there.
02:42I searched every floor, every parking lot, every exit.
02:46And I was still the one comforting her.
02:48But Emma?
02:50She was probably with Ethan the whole time.
02:52Because Ethan had just gotten the diagnosis that he was infertile.
02:57Emma took it harder than he did.
03:00She wouldn't leave his side.
03:04I kept calling her, trying to find out where Liam had gone.
03:07And she got annoyed.
03:09Like I was interrupting something more important.
03:12Eventually, she blocked my number
03:14and blocked me on all social media.
03:22I searched for my son for two straight days.
03:26I was so wrecked.
03:32Then I saw Ethan's post.
03:34He held my son like Liam was his.
03:36His arm was around Emma.
03:38In that photo, they looked like a real family.
03:41For the first time,
03:43I wondered what I even was to her.
03:49When she saw me standing there silent,
03:51her temper flared again.
03:53Why aren't you saying anything?
03:55Quit standing there like I did something wrong.
03:57I already explained this on the phone.
04:00Ethan can't have children.
04:02Giving Liam to him solves everything.
04:08He can ask for anything.
04:13But Liam is my son.
04:15And you're bringing him back.
04:23Jason, are you serious right now?
04:25Haven't you done enough?
04:27I've told you over and over,
04:29Ethan and I are not having an affair.
04:31We're just trying to help him.
04:33Every time I even spend time with Ethan,
04:35you get jealous.
04:36And now he is going through something devastating.
04:39This is not about you.
04:44She said the part Ethan had clearly fed her.
04:48He was right about you.
04:50You're one of those men who need to dominate everything
04:52just to satisfy your own ego.
04:54For a second, I couldn't even speak.
04:57The wound I got while out there searching for Liam
05:00started to throb.
05:03I was still shaking from the pain when the doorbell rang.
05:11Emma saw I wasn't getting up,
05:12so she went to answer it.
05:18Ma'am, we got a report about a missing child.
05:21No, our son has been found.
05:23Sorry for wasting your time.
05:27Then she slammed the door shut.
05:30When she turned back to me,
05:32she was furious.
05:33Are you insane?
05:34Why would you call the cops?
05:35This is exactly what you do.
05:37You try to scare me into falling in line.
05:39I didn't say a word.
05:39She was about to keep going,
05:41but she noticed how pale I looked.
05:43Oh, please, cut the act.
05:44You practically live at the office,
05:46and now you're falling apart after just two days?
05:48Let me guess.
05:49You're trying to act like Ethan.
05:51I looked at her and almost laughed.
05:53Ethan looks fragile,
05:55but I'm the one faking it?
05:56I said nothing.
05:57I just wrapped the bandage tighter around my leg
06:00and sat there until the pain eased a little.
06:03Then Emma pulled a box of chocolates out of her purse
06:05and dropped it on the table.
06:07Here, eat something.
06:08Ethan told me to bring you this.
06:10He said Liam's fine, so you can stop worrying.
06:12Consider it compensation.
06:14We're doing what's best for him.
06:15If you can just accept that,
06:16we can still be civil.
06:17And if you miss Liam,
06:19you can always go visit him.
06:20I looked at the box on the table.
06:21It had already been opened.
06:22The almond chocolates were melted.
06:24I'm severely allergic to almonds.
06:27Emma used to know that.
06:29But ever since Ethan came back,
06:31it was like none of that mattered anymore.
06:33Oh, I don't want it.
06:39Enough, Jason!
06:40Don't push me!
06:42If you keep acting like this,
06:43you'll never see Liam again!
06:45Don't forget, I'm his mother.
06:47I gave birth to him!
06:48I had never imagined my wife
06:50would one day use our son to threaten me.
06:53I want to see Liam.
06:54He was so little.
06:55What if he was crying for me?
06:57Emma saw she had leverage.
06:58She picked up her phone.
07:00Fine.
07:01But first,
07:02you call Ethan and apologize.
07:05You stole my son?
07:07Gave him to your lover?
07:08And now I need to apologize
07:10to see my own child?
07:11Your child?
07:12Don't forget,
07:13I'm the one who gave birth to him.
07:15He's my kid too.
07:16And if I want someone else to raise him,
07:18that's my choice.
07:24If you won't apologize over the phone,
07:26you go say it to his face.
07:30Then she grabbed my hair
07:32and tried to drag me toward the door.
07:34The pain in my leg made me think of Liam.
07:37He was such a good kid.
07:38He had to be scared.
07:41Ever since Emma picked Ethan up
07:43from the airport,
07:43she'd changed.
07:45She stopped caring.
07:48About a week ago,
07:50she suddenly came home early
07:51and cooked dinner.
07:52She apologized for neglecting me
07:54and our son because of work.
07:56Liam was so happy that night.
07:58He was too young to know
07:59that no job makes a mother disappear
08:01for three months.
08:02It was a terrible excuse.
08:04But I chose to believe her.
08:07One call from Ethan
08:09and she abandoned our son.
08:11That's when everything made sense.
08:13Now I finally understood.
08:14All the things she chose to ignore
08:16were because of another man.
08:20The blood dripping onto the floor
08:22finally caught Emma's attention.
08:24You're actually hurt?
08:25I laughed.
08:26When we first got married,
08:27she used to notice everything about me.
08:29If I lost a couple pounds,
08:30she would be home early
08:31to make me a big meal.
08:32If I got a small paper cut,
08:34she insisted on doing all the chores.
08:36Now I was bleeding through bandages
08:38and she hadn't even noticed.
08:43Fine.
08:44If you're hurt,
08:45we're going to the hospital.
08:46I didn't argue.
08:48I let her pull me to the car.
08:54When I got in,
08:55I realized even her car had changed.
08:57Their photo was taped to the rearview mirror,
09:00Emma and Ethan.
09:00And when she saw where I was looking,
09:03she stiffened.
09:04Don't get the wrong idea.
09:05It was just a random picture.
09:06He thought it was funny
09:07and stuck it there.
09:08If you want,
09:08I can take it down.
09:11It's fine.
09:12Just drive.
09:20I knew exactly what Ethan was doing.
09:22He was marking his territory.
09:25The old me would have taken the bait.
09:35Now,
09:36I didn't care.
09:41We had only been on the road a few minutes
09:43when Ethan called.
09:45I could hear him panicking.
09:49Napster,
09:50not Ian,
09:51don't want to sell to your crying.
09:54What happened to Liam?
09:55Why is he crying?
09:56She didn't answer me.
09:57She just pulled over,
09:59unlocked the door,
10:00and shoved me out of the car.
10:01Ethan is not in a good place right now.
10:03I'm going to see him.
10:04You can get to the hospital yourself.
10:06And then she drove off.
10:09Then the car disappeared into traffic.
10:14My wound split open again
10:15when I hit a fire hydrant.
10:22By the time a stranger got me to the hospital,
10:25I was covered in blood.
10:27When I got home from the hospital,
10:29Emma confronted me,
10:30furious.
10:31Who is she?
10:33The woman pushing my wheelchair
10:34was a college classmate.
10:36She was on shift at the hospital
10:37and offered to bring me home.
10:39Seriously?
10:40Since when have you known
10:41some random woman from college?
10:43Funny.
10:43I didn't know your business trips
10:45were really flights to France
10:46to see Ethan.
10:47I almost laughed.
10:49That shut her up for a minute.
10:52Jason, are you still mad about last night?
10:54I was worried about Ethan.
10:55He just got back,
10:56and he's not doing well.
10:58I was going to pick you up,
10:59but I thought maybe you'd already gone home,
11:00and you weren't answering my calls.
11:02And after I was this worried about you,
11:03you come home with another woman?
11:05Bye.
11:05My classmate clearly caught the vibe.
11:07She said goodbye and left.
11:09I watched her walk away,
11:10then turned my wheelchair
11:11toward the bedroom.
11:12Behind me,
11:13Emma called out,
11:14Jason,
11:15are you seriously not going
11:16to explain yourself?
11:17Explain what?
11:19You left me on the street
11:20to go see him.
11:22If you really cared,
11:23you would have gone to the hospital.
11:25Then no one else
11:26would have had to bring me home.
11:28I opened the bedroom door.
11:31At that point,
11:32I only wanted two things.
11:35To get Liam back
11:37and to end this marriage.
11:42The next morning,
11:44Emma left early.
11:45I packed everything
11:46that belonged to me and Liam
11:47and moved out.
11:49My lawyer moved fast.
11:50The divorce papers
11:52were ready that same day.
11:53But he told me
11:54not to serve her yet.
11:56Not while she still had my son.
11:58When Emma got home
11:59and saw half the house emptied out,
12:01she assumed I was still angry
12:03about what happened with Liam.
12:06She called me over and over.
12:12I ignored every call.
12:16She started flooding
12:18her social media
12:19with photos of Liam and Ethan.
12:21She still thought
12:22this was a game.
12:28She had no idea
12:29what I were to do next.
12:34Two months later,
12:37I saw Emma and Ethan again.
12:40They showed up
12:41at a charity gala
12:42in Hartwield,
12:43hand in hand.
12:45I was there too.
12:47My company had sponsored
12:48part of the event.
12:49Before the auction
12:50even started,
12:51Emma stayed wrapped
12:52around Ethan
12:52like she belonged on his arm,
12:54showing him off
12:55in front of everyone.
12:56And even while she was playing
12:57the perfect date,
12:58she kept glancing at me.
13:01Ethan noticed.
13:02There was malice in his eyes.
13:04The charity auction
13:05is about to begin.
13:07I'd like to add
13:08one more item
13:09for a good cause.
13:11Then he pulled a ring
13:12from his pocket.
13:14My mother's ring.
13:16I froze.
13:17That ring was
13:18my family heirloom.
13:20My mother had protected
13:22her whole life.
13:23Before she died,
13:24she placed it
13:25in Emma's hands.
13:26She wanted it passed down
13:28through the family.
13:29Emma had promised her
13:30that she would treasure it.
13:32And now,
13:32she had handed it
13:33to Ethan.
13:35And he was putting
13:35it up for auction.
13:36I barely made it
13:37through the rest of the night.
13:38By the time the event ended,
13:40I just wanted to leave.
13:42Jason,
13:43how long are you going
13:44to keep this up?
13:45I've been more than
13:46patient with you.
13:47I looked at her.
13:48I used to know
13:48that face by heart.
13:50Now,
13:50I barely recognized her.
13:52Jason,
13:52are you and Emma
13:53fighting because of me?
13:54Emma and I are just friends.
13:55She's only nice to me
13:56out of pity.
13:56There is seriously
13:57something wrong with you.
13:59Ethan has done
13:59nothing wrong.
14:01Everything I did,
14:02I stand by.
14:03I did it because
14:03I wanted to.
14:04He sounded hurt.
14:05She said it so easily.
14:07Then headlights
14:07cut across the lot.
14:09A black sedan
14:10was coming fast.
14:13Before I could react,
14:15someone shoved me.
14:21The last thing I saw
14:23before everything
14:24went black
14:24was her raised hand
14:26as she leaned
14:26into Ethan.
14:37Then the scream started.
14:42Oh my god!
14:44Someone got hit!
14:45There's so much blood!
14:47Call an ambulance now!
14:54When I woke up,
14:55I was already in the hospital.
14:57Voices were coming
14:58from outside my room.
15:01Emma's was the easiest
15:02to recognize.
15:03What do you mean
15:04I can't go in?
15:05He's my husband.
15:07You're awake.
15:09Don't tell me
15:10you're still sorry for her.
15:11That woman nearly killed you.
15:12Then she glanced
15:13at the door and scoffed.
15:20Babe, you're awake.
15:22Are you still in pain?
15:23Oh, now you care?
15:24Funny.
15:25You didn't look this concerned
15:26when you shoved him
15:27toward a moving car.
15:29Emma froze.
15:30Do you even understand
15:31how bad this is?
15:32His leg was already injured.
15:33Now it's worse
15:34because of you.
15:35I didn't mean to.
15:37I didn't know
15:37he was hurt that badly.
15:38Of course.
15:39You were too busy
15:40with another man to notice.
15:41I can't believe
15:42you had the nerve
15:43to show up here.
15:44Emma looked like
15:44she wanted to defend herself
15:45but the words wouldn't come.
15:47I just thought...
15:48You thought what?
15:49That getting hit by a car
15:50wasn't a big deal?
15:51If it's so harmless,
15:52why don't you try it yourself?
15:53Emma didn't say a word.
15:55She just held onto my hand
15:57tighter.
15:57Jason,
15:58I know this is my fault.
16:00I'll do better.
16:02Just forgive me
16:03this once, okay?
16:04Are you sorry?
16:05No.
16:06There's no fixing this.
16:09And I want a divorce.
16:13She saw I meant it.
16:15She looked like
16:16she wanted to say more.
16:19Then her phone rang.
16:20She stepped out,
16:22took the call,
16:24and came back
16:25with that fake soft look.
16:27Jason,
16:28I know you're upset.
16:29I'm going home
16:30to make you some soup.
16:31I'll come back tomorrow
16:32after you've had time
16:32to calm down.
16:34I almost laughed.
16:38She rushed out.
16:41Did she really think
16:42like I wouldn't know
16:43who she was running to?
16:45Ethan had texted me
16:46minutes earlier.
16:49I didn't even react.
16:55People are strange.
16:58Now that I'm done,
16:59she suddenly wants
17:00to act loyal.
17:09While I was in the hospital,
17:11Emma showed up every day.
17:13But at that point,
17:14I only said two things to her.
17:17I want a divorce.
17:19And I want my son back.
17:22She refused to answer.
17:24The longer she stayed,
17:26the more desperate Ethan got.
17:28I could tell by the marks
17:29on her neck.
17:31He was trying to claim her.
17:36Jason,
17:37I bought back your mom's ring.
17:39I ran my thumb over the gift box
17:41and almost laughed.
17:43Do you want me to thank you
17:44for returning my own
17:45family heirloom?
17:47No.
17:47I know you're still angry.
17:49I just wanted to help Ethan.
17:51That's all.
17:52You missed Liam, right?
17:53I brought you something.
17:55I took it and opened it
17:56without saying a word.
17:58They had taken him everywhere.
18:01Anyone else might have thought
18:03he looked happy.
18:04But I knew my son.
18:06He wasn't.
18:07His eyes were dull.
18:09Jason,
18:10I know you love kids.
18:13We can have another baby.
18:15I'm willing to have
18:16more children with you.
18:17Ethan and I made this album together.
18:19We need you to see it,
18:20Lee and her family.
18:21We wanted you to see
18:22that Liam's doing well with him.
18:25It was a photo of the three of them together.
18:27Ethan was grinning.
18:28Emma was holding Liam
18:28and kissing his cheek.
18:30And underneath the picture,
18:31written across the bottom,
18:32were the words,
18:32Our first family trip.
18:34Here's to many more.
18:37Since when did my son
18:37become part of your little family?
18:39No, no.
18:39That was from a day trip with Liam.
18:40It must have gotten in there by accident.
18:45Get out.
18:52And don't come back.
18:56On the day I was discharged,
18:58Emma still showed up.
19:02I stood there,
19:03looking at that eager smile on her face.
19:06Babe,
19:07I already talked to the doctor.
19:08You need rest at home.
19:10Let me take care of you.
19:12I already brought Liam home.
19:14He misses you.
19:15Don't you want to see your son?
19:26I got in the car and sat down.
19:29Then I noticed it.
19:30All of Ethan's stuff was still there.
19:32She followed my eyes immediately.
19:37I know you hate these.
19:39In a couple of days,
19:39we can take new pictures with Liam
19:41and put ours up instead.
19:42I'll replace everything.
19:43Whatever you like.
19:45No need.
19:45It's fine.
19:46You don't need to waste your energy
19:47on any of this.
19:49Just sign the divorce papers,
19:51then go be with Ethan.
19:52You won't ever have to worry about me
19:53standing in the way again.
19:56When we got home,
19:58she was trying to take care of everything.
20:01Then I heard little footsteps.
20:03Daddy!
20:04Daddy!
20:05Daddy, where did you go?
20:06I missed you so much.
20:08Hey, buddy.
20:09Have you been okay?
20:11Daddy missed you too.
20:12I knew I had failed him.
20:13He was still so little,
20:14and I hadn't been there to protect him.
20:17Emma saw me soften around Liam.
20:19She thought I was softening toward her too.
20:21She came over and wrapped her arms around both of us.
20:25Babe, I swear Liam's been okay.
20:27Ethan really likes him too.
20:28Tell Daddy, sweetheart.
20:29You had fun these past few weeks, right?
20:31I shifted Liam in my arms and pulled away from her hand.
20:34My face stayed cold.
20:35She opened her mouth, about to explain again,
20:37but her phone rang.
20:38We both knew who it was.
20:40She glanced at the screen,
20:41then walked out to the balcony to answer.
20:44I could hear pieces of it through the wind.
20:46Jason was in a car accident.
20:49I'm his wife.
20:50Of course I had to take care of him.
20:51Liam is Jason's son too.
20:53If he says no, what am I supposed to do?
20:55No, that's not what I meant.
20:57I'm coming now.
20:58She hung up and walked back in.
21:04Babe, something just came up at work.
21:06I have to go in.
21:07I didn't even look at her.
21:08I just sat on the floor and played with Liam.
21:11Once a relationship is dead to me,
21:13it stays dead.
21:17No matter what she did after that,
21:19there was no bringing it back.
21:22This time, Emma disappeared for three straight days.
21:25Ethan really knew how to keep her hooked.
21:29While she was gone,
21:30a college friend Vugshund helped me move into an apartment.
21:32A few days later,
21:34when I was dropping Liam off at preschool,
21:36Emma stopped me outside.
21:38Jason, I know I let you down.
21:39I know that's why you moved out with Liam.
21:41But I swear I didn't do it on purpose.
21:45Ethan got depressed.
21:46His therapist said he shouldn't be left alone right now.
21:48But nothing happened between us.
21:50Nothing!
21:51You don't need to explain anything to me.
21:53Just sign them.
21:54Once we're divorced, you'll be free.
21:59She was crying,
22:00and her whole body was shaking.
22:02You can keep the house.
22:03I don't want any of it.
22:05I just want Liam.
22:06She kept shaking her head,
22:07tears everywhere.
22:08Jason, please.
22:09Please don't do this.
22:10I'm not divorcing you.
22:11I love you.
22:11I swear there's nothing going on between me and Ethan.
22:14And if it really bothers you that much,
22:15I won't see him again.
22:16We can still be a family.
22:17Liam is still so little.
22:18Can you really do this to him?
22:19Can you really let him grow up without a mother?
22:21That actually made me laugh.
22:23Emma, I gave you so many chances.
22:24I was still giving you a chance last week.
22:26And what did you do with them?
22:27You lied to me.
22:28Every time you said you were going to work,
22:29I already knew who you were really going to see.
22:31In this marriage,
22:32I was never the one who was unfaithful.
22:33If you still refuse to sign,
22:35I'll file and settle it in court.
22:36Then I turned and walked away.
22:43After helping me move,
22:45Sophie grew really attached to Liam.
22:49You're really going through with the divorce?
22:51Back in college,
22:52I heard about your love story.
22:54Everyone was jealous.
22:57Emma and I got together our junior year.
23:02After graduation,
23:03we got married.
23:04We didn't have much money.
23:06I couldn't give her a huge wedding.
23:08I couldn't afford a real diamond ring.
23:10Even her dress was rented.
23:12When we first got married,
23:13I used to hate myself
23:15for not being able to give her more.
23:17And every time,
23:18she would tell me the same thing.
23:20Having me was enough
23:21and that she didn't care about flashy things.
23:24When I think about it now,
23:25I do believe she loved me once.
23:27Even so,
23:28I made myself a promise.
23:30One day,
23:31I'd buy her the best ring I could.
23:33And eventually,
23:34I did.
23:35But in the end,
23:36that ring became just another symbol
23:39of her life with Ethan.
23:42This wasn't the first time
23:44she had chosen him over me.
23:46There had been plenty before.
23:48We used to fight about him all the time.
23:51And every time,
23:52she defended him.
23:53Can you not be so petty?
23:55We've known each other for years.
23:56We're just friends.
23:58We're married.
23:59Do I really have to explain this to you every time?
24:01Those words used to hurt.
24:04But not anymore.
24:07I looked over at Liam,
24:08still laughing on the rug.
24:11Yeah.
24:11I'm done.
24:13Now I have Liam.
24:14That's enough for me.
24:15All I want is a simple life with my son.
24:20I thought that was the end of me and Emma.
24:24Turns out,
24:25she had one more nasty surprise waiting for me.
24:28Sunday morning,
24:29I opened my apartment door.
24:31Emma stood there in a white wedding dress.
24:33A phone set up on a tripod behind her,
24:36holding the ring I had used to propose to her.
24:39Jason,
24:40I know everything that happened was my fault.
24:41I know I hurt you
24:42and I know I hurt Liam.
24:43I'll accept whatever punishment you think I deserve,
24:45but I love you.
24:46I really do.
24:47I can't lose you.
24:48Three years ago,
24:49you proposed to me at school.
24:50I didn't cherish the marriage we had,
24:52so this time,
24:53let me do it.
24:53Let me ask you now.
24:54Give me one more chance.
24:56Let me take care of Liam with you.
24:57She looked beautiful.
24:59Everything was set up perfectly.
25:01All that was left was for me to play my part
25:03and say yes.
25:05This is an apartment building.
25:06Stop causing a scene.
25:08And we're getting divorced.
25:09Sign the papers
25:10or I'll have my lawyer handle it in court.
25:20What I didn't expect was for that live stream
25:21to blow up overnight.
25:22Within hours,
25:23it was everywhere.
25:24The comments were a mess.
25:25Some people defended me.
25:26Some people mocked the whole thing.
25:27Most of it,
25:28I didn't care about.
25:29Then someone online dug up
25:30what had happened between Emma and me.
25:31After that,
25:32public opinion flipped hard.
25:33The backlash got worse by the day.
25:35I never responded.
25:39Move forward with the divorce.
25:42I had my lawyer move forward with the divorce.
25:45By the time we got to court,
25:46I was ready.
25:47I had everything.
25:48Proof that the marriage
25:49had completely broken down.
25:50Proof of her affair.
25:52Proof of what she'd done with Liam.
25:53Proof that my son would be safer
25:55and more stable with me.
25:56In the end,
25:57the judge granted the divorce.
25:58I got full custody of Liam too.
26:00When I walked out of the courthouse,
26:02Emma was standing outside.
26:07Jason,
26:08do you really hate me that much?
26:10I know I was wrong.
26:11I wanted to make it right.
26:13Why couldn't you just give me one more chance?
26:15I didn't even look at her.
26:18Maybe I do keep score.
26:21But I will never stay with a woman
26:22who could betray me.
26:25And I would never let my son grow up
26:27depending on a mother
26:28who could throw him away.
26:34After that,
26:35Emma disappeared from my life.
26:37And I didn't care enough
26:39to ask where she went.
26:40She didn't matter anymore.
26:43These days,
26:44my life is full.
26:53And for the first time in a long time,
26:55that's enough.
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