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