- 10 hours ago
Fled With His Eight Children
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Short filmTranscript
00:03One, two, three, four, five.
00:10I lay completely still, staring at the ceiling, my mind going blanker with every number.
00:15He finally set down the probe.
00:18Mrs. Shaw? Eight! Eight embryo sacs, all developing normally.
00:23My hand slowly drifted to my stomach, still flat, but somehow, eight lives were already there.
00:30The Shaw women had always been famously fertile.
00:32My mother delivered twins.
00:34My aunt had triplets in one go.
00:36But no one could have predicted that when it came to me, I'd skip straight to eight.
00:40The clinic was warm, but I felt only a cold gray settling over everything ahead of me.
00:46Would Lucian even want these children?
00:48He could barely stand to look at me on a normal day.
00:52And the Ford family?
00:53Would they ever acknowledge children I carried?
00:56Eight children.
00:58Formula, diapers, nannies, school fees.
01:02Every single item on that list was an astronomical figure.
01:07My own family was ordinary.
01:09I had no allies.
01:11What did I have to raise them with?
01:12The more I thought, the heavier it got.
01:15I walked back through the doors of the Ford estate.
01:18Then Leo appeared, Lucian's assistant.
01:20The CEO has spoken.
01:23Give you $200 million.
01:24Sign and never return.
01:32$200 million.
01:34I could raise eight children in luxury, send every one of them to private school, and still
01:40have plenty left over.
01:41What did I care about the title of Mrs. Ford?
01:44What did I care whether Lucian liked me?
01:47I had Leo arrange the transfer right then and there.
01:50And right in front of him, I signed the divorce papers, without a single moment of hesitation.
01:55I went back upstairs, packed only what was mine.
01:58The couture gowns, jewelry, and designer bags from the Fords.
02:02I left every piece untouched, right where it was in the dressing room.
02:07What wasn't mine, I didn't want.
02:09I collected the check and the divorce papers, wheeled my suitcase to the door, walked out
02:14of the Ford estate with my head held high.
02:17That wealthy world I once thought so far beyond my reach, looking back, it was all just a passing
02:23illusion.
02:24From this moment on, there was no more Mrs. Ford.
02:27There was only Aria Shaw and the eight little lives she was carrying.
02:32Later, word spread across the entire city.
02:35Lucian Ford, the man who never hesitated, never wavered, had suddenly lost his mind.
02:44Immediately mobilize all living and resources.
02:46Find her for me.
02:47You find her, don't expect any of you to be okay.
02:50He was hellbent on finding her, his ex-wife.
02:54The one who'd taken his money, run off carrying eight of his children, and never once looked
03:00back.
03:01I walked out of the Ford estate and flagged down a car straight to the private bank.
03:05I converted Lucian's check into a card I could access anytime.
03:09With that done, I booked a first class flight to Savannah.
03:12Then I stopped at a luxury car rental and got their best vehicle.
03:17Once I was in the car, I went straight to my parents' place.
03:22Then they noticed I was alone with a suitcase, and the smiles froze.
03:26They knew immediately that something was wrong.
03:29When I told them Lucian and I were divorced, Mother teared up at once.
03:32She took my hands and couldn't stop crying.
03:35Father slammed his hand on his knee, grabbed his cane by the door, and headed for the Ford
03:40estate, his whole body shaking with fury.
03:43That heartless man.
03:45Even if he didn't care for you, he had no right to treat you this way.
03:51I'm going over there right now.
03:53This is outrageous.
03:56Dad, Mom, don't.
03:58Leaving him is a relief for me, not a loss.
04:02He gave me 200 million dollars.
04:04That's more than enough for all of us.
04:06For the rest of our lives, I'm carrying eight children.
04:12I can't put them at risk.
04:15Besides, Lucian's been overseas on business.
04:19He's not even in the city.
04:21If we go over there now, we'll only make a scene for nothing.
04:25Hearing the octuplets, they stood there stunned for a long moment, not quite able to process
04:30it.
04:30But their love for me, and for the children I was carrying, won out over their anger.
04:35My parents had spent their whole lives running a small diner.
04:39They asked for nothing more than peace and quiet.
04:42Now I had money, and a family on the way.
04:44Leaving this city that had drained me so much was the best thing for all of us.
04:48We packed the few belongings, got into the rented car, and drove to the airport.
04:53The city's glitter and its games had nothing to do with me anymore.
04:57Back at the Ford estate, a very different scene was playing out.
05:01The divorce papers and the check had never come from Lucian.
05:05They had come from Camille Sutton.
05:08Camille shared no blood with Lucian.
05:11She had been taken in by Eleanor as a child and raised in their home.
05:14She had loved Lucian for as long as she could remember, and she had always seen me as a
05:20thorn in her side.
05:22She knew Lucian was away on an overseas project.
05:25She knew Eleanor was the one running the estate in his absence.
05:29She knew I was just a girl from an ordinary family.
05:32She convinced herself I'd clung to Lucian by any means necessary.
05:37To her, our marriage was nothing but a face-saving arrangement for both families, so she had made
05:44her move.
05:44She had someone mimic Lucian's tone and send me the message.
05:48She had paid off Leo to deliver the divorce papers.
05:52She was certain I had married into the Ford family only for money and status.
05:57She was sure that once I got divorce papers, I would fall apart, cry, beg, refuse to leave.
06:05Then she would step in and play the gracious peacemaker to show everyone how generous she
06:11was and turn the whole family against me for good.
06:15But she had calculated wrong.
06:17At that moment, she was drinking tea with Eleanor in the garden.
06:21Don't worry, Mrs. Ford.
06:22Aria fought so hard to marry into this family.
06:26She's probably in her room, throwing a fit, and refusing to leave.
06:32I'll go calm her down later.
06:35It'll show everyone how gracious the Fords are.
06:40A nobody from a nobody family, and she thought she deserved to be Mrs. Ford.
06:46Getting thrown out is exactly what she brought on herself.
06:50Just then, the housekeeper Martha hurried across the garden.
06:54Mrs. Ford.
06:55Miss Camille.
06:56Miss Camille.
06:57Miss Shaw is gone.
06:58She packed only a few of her belongings.
07:01She didn't take a single piece of jewelry or designer clothing.
07:04She just left.
07:05Camille's hand paused on her teacup.
07:07Her lips curved into a faint smirk.
07:10She told herself I was playing hard to get.
07:13Running away to make Lucian chase.
07:15But Eleanor's face drained of color.
07:17The crystal teacup slipped from her hand.
07:20What did you say?
07:22She just left?
07:23All those valuables in this house, and she didn't take a single thing?
07:27It's true, Mrs. Ford.
07:29We all saw it clearly.
07:31Miss Aria only took her own luggage.
07:33She didn't touch a thing that belonged to the family.
07:36Eleanor stood up abruptly.
07:37She hurried straight to the master bedroom I'd been staying in.
07:41Camille followed close behind.
07:43Composed on the surface.
07:44Something uneasy stirring underneath.
07:47My room had always been simple and tidy.
07:50Now, it was just empty.
07:52Every item that belonged to the Fords was still hung in the walk-in closet.
07:57Only my few casual clothes and a small stack of old books were gone.
08:02Eleanor had the rest of the estate checked immediately.
08:05The staff came back with the same answer.
08:08Miss Aria had taken only what belonged to her.
08:10Not a single item from the Ford family had been touched.
08:15Eleanor stood in the middle of the empty room.
08:17Her face paled, then turned ashen.
08:20Rage and something unnameable churned inside her.
08:25Ungrateful girl.
08:26Fine!
08:27She left!
08:28What's she proving putting on such a holiest-than-though act?
08:32But she knew better than anyone what she thought of me.
08:35That I had stayed for the money.
08:37That I had clung to the Ford name because I had nowhere else to go.
08:41And now, I had walked away without taking a thing.
08:45It felt like a slap across the face.
08:48The household staff stood with their heads down, not daring to breathe.
08:52No one had expected that kind of dignity from me.
08:55They had all quietly looked down on.
08:58Camille moved quickly to Eleanor's side.
09:01Mrs. Ford, please don't upset yourself.
09:05Aria's leaving just shows she didn't belong in this family.
09:08I'm here.
09:09I'll always be here for you.
09:20You're the thoughtful one.
09:22A hundred times better than that Aria ever was.
09:25She made a pretty speech about not wanting anything from us.
09:28But didn't she walk out with two hundred million dollars of Lucian's money?
09:32Deep down, she's just as greedy as everyone else.
09:35Two hundred million dollars.
09:38She stood frozen where she was, the blood draining from her face.
09:42She had only paid off Leo.
09:45She had only mimicked Lucian's tone.
09:47Sent the message.
09:48Had the papers delivered.
09:50She had never had any access to Lucian's accounts.
09:53Two hundred million dollars was something she couldn't have touched if she'd tried.
09:59So who had sent that money?
10:01A terrible thought detonated somewhere deep in her chest.
10:05A wave of cold dread swept through her entire body.
10:09Her plan had been simple.
10:11Make me fall apart after the divorce.
10:14Make everyone despise me.
10:16Clear the path for herself.
10:18But instead, I had walked out clean and calm, carrying the money, and vanished completely.
10:25None of this was what she had planned.
10:28Camille kept the smile on her face.
10:30But her fingertips were ice cold, and her heart had dropped.
10:34By then, I had already arrived in Savannah with my parents.
10:38Warm.
10:39Unhurried.
10:40No pressure.
10:41No scheming.
10:42Nothing that seeped into New York's walls.
10:44It was exactly the kind of place I had been longing for.
10:48I bought a penthouse right in the heart of the city.
10:51Generous light.
10:52Open space.
10:54More than enough room for eight children to grow and run and make noise.
10:58The interiors were warm and comfortable.
11:01Heated floors.
11:02The whole place breathing ease.
11:10Outside, the city moved.
11:12Inside, my parents' voices were low and easy.
11:16No cold rules.
11:17No judgment.
11:18Just warmth and calm.
11:22My mind clear for the first time in ages.
11:26When the babies came, I would be here.
11:28I would watch them grow.
11:30I would take them everywhere and give them everything.
11:34I would never have to answer to anyone again.
11:37I would never have to shrink myself to survive in someone else's home.
11:42A life like this was worth more than the Ford name could ever have been.
11:47Six months passed.
11:49I settled quietly in Savannah, my belly growing rounder each week as all eight babies thrived.
11:55Every day, I walked, read, and picked out tiny outfits and little shoes.
12:00The days were simple yet full.
12:03Back in New York, Lucien had finally returned after six months abroad.
12:07Sharp eyes.
12:09Not a single wasted movement.
12:12Mr. Ford, welcome back.
12:14Lucien got into the car and spoke without looking up.
12:18Six months.
12:19Tell me what happened at home.
12:21Leo stiffened head to toe.
12:23Mr. Ford, your wife, she...
12:27Speak.
12:29She signed the divorce papers!
12:31Lucien's eyes went dark.
12:33He had never intended to divorce her.
12:37He had never sent any papers.
12:39Drive. Faster.
12:41He went straight to the study.
12:43On the desk, folded neatly, was the divorce agreement.
12:46Lucien looked down at it.
12:48At the bottom of the page, the signature was clean and certain.
12:51Aria Shaw.
12:53Someone explain to me what happened.
12:56Mr. Ford, it was Miss Kimiel.
12:59She used your name to send Mrs. Ford the message.
13:01She used your identity to trick her into leaving.
13:04I had no choice!
13:07The temperature in the room dropped another degree.
13:12Lucien hurled the divorce agreement to the floor.
13:15The pages landed at Leo's feet with a sharp crack.
13:20Get out.
13:21Go to HR and submit a written statement.
13:24Your annual bonus is gone.
13:26You're on warehouse duty until I say otherwise.
13:30Leo fled.
13:32The room went silent.
13:34Lucien stood alone, surrounded by the weight of it all.
13:38Camille scheming.
13:40Eleanor's blind favoritism.
13:43Leo's betrayal.
13:44All of it made his blood run cold.
13:46But none of it was what was pressing against his chest right now.
13:51That was Aria.
13:53The fact that she was gone.
13:57Three years ago, at a charity gala,
13:59he'd walked into the wrong hotel room.
14:02Spent the night with her.
14:08By morning, she stared at him.
14:11Panic in her eyes.
14:12But her chin held high.
14:15He'd been caught in a scandal at the time.
14:18A rival had paid someone to photograph him
14:20and spread rumors about his private life.
14:25Marrying her had put an end to it.
14:27After the wedding, she never demanded anything.
14:30Never competed for his attention.
14:32She simply took care of everything quietly.
14:35Never making him feel she wanted anything in return.
14:40Before every business trip,
14:42she packed his bags overnight,
14:44tucked his antacids,
14:45and reminded him to take care of himself.
14:50Her eyes always gave away more than her words.
14:55At the annual gala,
14:57he hadn't been drunk.
14:59He had used it as an excuse
15:00to do what he'd wanted to do for a long time.
15:05To get closer to her.
15:06To break through the wall between them.
15:12And now she was gone.
15:14Carrying his children.
15:15Taking the money he had set aside for her.
15:20That $200 million had been sitting
15:23in a private account for months.
15:25He had planned to transfer it to her name
15:27once things between them warmed up.
15:29Something to make her feel secure.
15:31Camille had turned it into a weapon.
15:34It had become the reason Arya left.
15:37Lucien pressed his hand to his chest.
15:39Something ached there.
15:41Heavy and hollow at the same time.
15:43He understood it now.
15:45What he felt for her
15:46hadn't been cold civility for a long time.
15:49He had fallen for her.
15:51Slowly.
15:52Without realizing it.
15:54And by the time he understood that,
15:56she was already gone.
15:58Camille.
15:59Dawn had barely broken
16:01when the mood inside the Ford estate
16:03hit rock bottom.
16:04Eleanor sat at the head of the main hall.
16:06Both hands wrapped around her string of pearls.
16:10Camille stood nearby.
16:12Fingers twisted in her skirt.
16:15Eyes full of panic.
16:17She was working hard to hide.
16:19Lucien sat across from them in a black suit.
16:22Cold-eyed.
16:24Still.
16:24Grandmother.
16:26She schemed against your grandson's wife.
16:29Against my children.
16:31This needs to be settled today.
16:34Eleanor looked at his face
16:35and said nothing.
16:36She had watched this boy grow up.
16:38He'd run Ford Group for years
16:40with precision.
16:41No room for sentiment.
16:43When he was angry,
16:45he didn't spare anyone.
16:46Not even family.
16:48Lucien, I know I was wrong.
16:50I lost my mind.
16:51I just...
16:55I love you so much.
16:57Watching Aria take the place
16:58that should have been mine,
16:59I couldn't stand it.
17:01Please.
17:03Just this once.
17:04I swear I'll never do it again.
17:06Lucien looked at her from his chair.
17:10You love me?
17:11Not a flicker of feeling in his eyes.
17:14Then why'd you impersonate me?
17:19You took the money I put aside
17:21for my wife
17:23just to trick her into leaving.
17:27Camille, that's not love.
17:29That's cheap.
17:30Vicious, even.
17:32You spent years
17:34throwing your weight around
17:35in this house
17:36because my grandmother dulled you.
17:38Belittling the staff.
17:40Making Aria's life difficult.
17:49Did you think I didn't notice?
17:52He paused.
17:53His voice dropped another degree.
17:56I let it go because you were raised here.
17:58I gave you that much.
18:00But you took it too far.
18:02You went after my wife.
18:04You went after my children.
18:06Camille's crying stopped.
18:08She thought Lucien was only
18:10playing around with Aria
18:11or putting up a front
18:13because of the rumors.
18:14But from his words,
18:16she heard something different.
18:17He'd actually fallen for her.
18:20For real.
18:21No!
18:23That's not possible!
18:26Lucien!
18:27How could you love someone
18:29so, so ordinary?
18:30She doesn't deserve you.
18:32She never did.
18:34Whether she deserves me
18:36is not your call to make.
18:38I am revoking every position
18:40you hold at Ford Group.
18:42Freezing every asset
18:43tied to this family.
18:45And sending you back
18:47to your hometown.
18:49You will not set foot
18:50in this house again.
18:51Not once.
18:53Not ever.
18:54Camille completely fell apart.
18:57I don't want to go back.
18:58I'll do anything.
18:59Please!
19:00Lucien shook her off.
19:02Hard.
19:02She hit the floor.
19:04Her forehead caught
19:05the edge of the table.
19:06A thin line of blood
19:07appeared at her hairline.
19:09Remove her.
19:10He didn't look at her again.
19:12The security moved in at once,
19:14lifted her off the floor,
19:15and dragged her out of the parlor.
19:17Her cries faded down the hallway
19:19and disappeared.
19:20Lucien.
19:22It was my fault.
19:24I should never have taken
19:26Camille's side.
19:28I should never have treated
19:29Aria the way I did.
19:31Grandmother,
19:32what's done is done.
19:33The frost in his expression
19:34eased,
19:35just barely.
19:36But the warmth
19:37didn't follow.
19:38There's no point
19:39in saying this now.
19:41Aria is gone.
19:42She took my children.
19:45What I need to do
19:46is find her
19:48and bring her home.
19:50Put out the word.
19:52Use every resource
19:53the Ford family has.
19:55Find Aria Shaw.
19:56Aria Shaw.
19:57Wherever she is,
19:59bring her back.
20:00Yes, Mr. Ford.
20:01The six months
20:03after I left New York
20:04were the most peaceful
20:05of my life.
20:07My father spent
20:08his free afternoons
20:09fishing by the lake.
20:11My mother tended
20:12to the flowers
20:13she'd planted
20:13around the house.
20:14The days were quiet
20:16and good.
20:17I thought it would
20:17stay that way forever.
20:18That I'd simply wait
20:20for the babies to arrive,
20:21watch them grow,
20:22and build a small,
20:24steady life.
20:25I wasn't expecting
20:26what came next.
20:27One afternoon,
20:28I took my parents
20:29to a fine restaurant
20:31by the waterfront.
20:32My mother's bracelet
20:33shifted as she reached
20:34for her glass.
20:35The restaurant owner
20:36stopped mid-sentence.
20:38Ma'am,
20:39that bracelet.
20:40Is that a Marley
20:41family heirloom?
20:42My mother's face
20:43changed instantly.
20:44She pulled her sleeve
20:46down and looked away.
20:47That bracelet had been
20:48with her as long
20:49as I could remember.
20:50She wore it every day,
20:52close to her skin.
20:53She had never once
20:54explained where it came from.
20:56I pressed her
20:57until she finally spoke,
20:59eyes red from years
21:00of held back tears.
21:02My mother was the only
21:03daughter of Charles Marlow.
21:05The Marlow family
21:06was old money in Savannah,
21:08deep roots,
21:09considerable wealth.
21:11Years ago,
21:12she had been visiting
21:13New York when she met
21:14my father.
21:15They fell in love
21:16immediately,
21:17but the Marlows refused.
21:19My father was ordinary.
21:21The gap between their families
21:23was too wide.
21:24They would not allow it.
21:25My mother chose
21:27my father anyway.
21:28She cut ties with her family,
21:30left Savannah,
21:31and spent the next decade
21:33living under a different name.
21:34She never went back.
21:36She never told anyone
21:38who she was.
21:39She had missed home
21:40every day,
21:41but she was afraid
21:42her family was still angry,
21:44afraid of walking back
21:45into the same walls
21:46of judgment,
21:47so she kept it buried.
21:48The restaurant owner
21:49was a distant relative
21:51of the Marlows.
21:52He had seen the heirloom
21:53years ago
21:54and recognized it immediately.
21:56He told us
21:57that Charles Marlowe
21:58had never stopped
21:59looking for his daughter.
22:00Every year,
22:01he sent people to search.
22:02He was nearly 70 now,
22:04his health declining,
22:05and his only wish
22:07was to find her,
22:08to make up
22:08for the time they'd lost.
22:09It's my fault.
22:11You gave up everything for me.
22:13Your family,
22:14your name,
22:15your home,
22:15all these years
22:16carrying it alone.
22:18I'm so sorry.
22:21Mom, Dad,
22:22let's go see him.
22:24Whatever he feels,
22:25he's still family.
22:26Blood is blood.
22:27You've both carried
22:28this too long.
22:29It's time to go home.
22:30They nodded.
22:31The restaurant owner
22:32guided us to the Marlowe estate.
22:34My grandpa was nearly 70,
22:37white-haired,
22:38but still sharp,
22:39still present.
22:40The moment he saw my mother,
22:42the man who'd held himself together
22:44for half his life,
22:45finally broke.
22:47My, my girl.
22:48Dad!
22:51My mother ran to him
22:53and cried like a child.
22:55My girl.
22:55I'm sorry all this time.
22:58I'm so sorry.
23:00He looked at my father.
23:01The resentment was there,
23:03but so was the evidence
23:04of 30 years of care.
23:06My mother was loved.
23:07The resentment softened,
23:08then faded.
23:10Eight!
23:11Eight babies!
23:12My granddaughter!
23:14You don't have to worry
23:15about a single thing.
23:17Your grandfather
23:18has more than enough.
23:19You and the babies
23:20will want for nothing.
23:22He bought the surrounding properties
23:24and merged them
23:25into his estate.
23:26He assigned the Marlowe's
23:28private doctor
23:29to check on me every day.
23:30He brought my father
23:32into the family business.
23:33My father had good instincts for it.
23:36With Grandpa's guidance,
23:37he found his footing quickly.
23:38He soon became
23:39one of the family's
23:40most trusted advisors.
23:42And I,
23:43as Charles Marlowe's
23:44only grandchild,
23:46his most treasured person,
23:48became the natural heir
23:49to the Marlowe name.
23:51Half the family's holdings
23:52passed into my hands.
23:54The girl who once lay awake
23:55worrying about raising
23:57eight children
23:57was now one of the wealthiest
23:59women in Savannah.
24:01A family at my back.
24:03My parents beside me.
24:05Eight lives
24:06growing inside me.
24:08I had everything.
24:10I thought I would simply
24:11stay here,
24:12grow old in this warm city
24:14with my children
24:15and my family.
24:16But this would be
24:17the end of the story.
24:19I didn't expect
24:20Lucian to find me.
24:21Savannah was softly raining
24:23the day Lucian found me.
24:24Nothing like the cold nights
24:25I remembered from New York.
24:27I was lying on the sofa.
24:28It was peaceful.
24:30Then,
24:30I heard noise
24:31from outside the gate.
24:32A familiar figure
24:34stood in the rain.
24:35Black suit,
24:36straight posture,
24:37the same sharp edges
24:39in his face.
24:40But his eyes
24:41held something different now.
24:43Exhaustion.
24:44Something I couldn't
24:45quite name.
24:46He stood in the rain
24:47with his hair wet
24:48against his forehead.
24:49Lucian.
24:50I felt nothing stir
24:52in my chest.
24:53Not even surprise.
24:54With the Ford's power
24:55and connections,
24:57finding someone
24:57wasn't a question of if.
24:59Only when.
25:01He walked toward me,
25:02each step a little too quick,
25:04a little too deliberate.
25:06His suit was soaked,
25:07fabric pressed against him
25:09by the rain.
25:10He stopped in front of me.
25:11His eyes dropped to my stomach,
25:13the visible swell of it.
25:15Eight lives inside.
25:17A flicker of tenderness,
25:19pain, and regret
25:20crossed his eyes
25:21before they went still.
25:22Aria.
25:23It was the first time
25:24he had ever said
25:25my name like that.
25:26I didn't answer.
25:28I signaled the housekeeper
25:29for a shawl.
25:30Mr. Ford,
25:31this is unexpected.
25:32What brings you
25:33all the way out here?
25:34Aria, I-
25:34He opened his mouth,
25:35closed it,
25:36opened it again.
25:37This man who'd run boardrooms
25:39and moved markets
25:40stood before me,
25:41speechless.
25:43I came to bring you home.
25:46Home.
25:46Mr. Ford,
25:47I think you're confused.
25:49I'm not Mrs. Ford anymore.
25:53We're divorced.
25:54We're nothing to each other.
25:55I'm doing well here.
25:56I don't need your concern.
25:59And I'd like you
25:59to stop coming here.
26:00The divorce wasn't real.
26:02Camille sent that message
26:03pretending to be me.
26:04She forged my signature
26:05on the papers.
26:06None of it came from me.
26:07I never wanted to divorce you.
26:08Not once.
26:08And the 200 million,
26:09that wasn't Camille's money to give.
26:11It was already yours.
26:12I had this set aside
26:13calmed down months ago.
26:14I was just waiting
26:14for things between us
26:15to calm down
26:15before putting it in your name.
26:16Camille told you
26:17it was a settlement.
26:17She used it to get rid of you.
26:18She's been dealt with.
26:19All her positions are gone.
26:20Her assets are frozen.
26:20She'll never set foot
26:21in New York again.
26:22The staff who made
26:23your life Marable
26:23are gone too.
26:25My grandmother
26:26knows she was wrong.
26:27She's been waiting
26:28to apologize to you in person.
26:30He reached toward my face.
26:32His hand stopped
26:33in the air between us.
26:35It has nothing to do with me.
26:37What Camille did,
26:39how she was punished,
26:40that's Ford family business.
26:43It stopped being mine
26:44the day I walked out.
26:46I didn't leave New York
26:47because of Camille.
26:48I didn't leave
26:50because of your grandmother
26:50or the staff.
26:53I left because of you,
26:54Lucien.
26:57It was your three years
26:59of coldness.
27:00It was the warmth
27:01you never gave me.
27:03It was you who made me feel
27:05like I wasn't in a home,
27:06but a cage.
27:07I could barely breathe
27:09inside it.
27:10I watched every word.
27:13I weighed every step.
27:15And now I'm out
27:17and you want me to go back?
27:21Arya, I know.
27:22I know I was wrong.
27:23For three years,
27:24I just refused to see
27:25what was right in front of me.
27:27I told myself
27:28I didn't know how to reach you,
27:29that I needed more time.
27:31At the gala that night,
27:32I wasn't even drunk.
27:36I used that as an excuse
27:37to get close to you.
27:39I thought I'd have more time.
27:40I thought you'd still be there
27:42when I finally worked up
27:43the courage to say it.
27:46The guilt in his eyes
27:47was real.
27:48I could see that.
27:49Had I ever felt
27:50something for him?
27:51Maybe.
27:52The time he stepped between me
27:54and the rude housekeeper.
27:55The morning he quietly
27:56took the antacids
27:57I'd left for his trip.
27:58The way he looked at me
28:00at the gala.
28:01Just a moment.
28:02Before things got complicated.
28:04Maybe there had been
28:05something there.
28:06But three years of cold
28:08had worn it down to nothing.
28:10Lucian,
28:11it's too late.
28:12I have everything
28:14I need right here.
28:15My parents,
28:16my grandfather,
28:17more money than I could
28:18ever spend.
28:21And eight children
28:22on the way.
28:23I'm not missing anything.
28:26Please leave.
28:28Don't come back.
28:30Don't disturb my life
28:32or my children's lives.
28:37On the other side of it,
28:39Lucian stood in the rain
28:40and looked at a closed door.
28:42He didn't leave.
28:44He just stood there,
28:45still,
28:46getting soaked.
28:47After that day,
28:49Lucian bought a house
28:50near mine.
28:50He didn't try to force
28:52his way back in.
28:53But he didn't disappear,
28:54either.
28:55He simply stayed close
28:56in his own quiet way.
29:01Every morning at dawn,
29:02fresh white peonies
29:04were delivered to my door.
29:05I'd once mentioned in passing
29:06that they were my favorite flower
29:08in New York,
29:09never thinking he'd heard.
29:10The dew-covered blooms
29:12filled the house
29:13with a soft,
29:14clean fragrance.
29:15Every afternoon,
29:16a prenatal tonic
29:18made by his own hands
29:19arrived.
29:20I heard he'd hired
29:21a nutritionist
29:22and spent days
29:23perfecting it.
29:24Temperature,
29:25taste,
29:25balance,
29:26all tailored just for me.
29:28Every bottle came
29:29with a short,
29:30handwritten note,
29:31firm yet gentle,
29:33always telling me
29:34to eat well,
29:35rest,
29:35and not overwork.
29:38Every evening,
29:39he stood outside my gate,
29:41staring at the window lights
29:42for hours.
29:43He only left
29:44once my bedroom lamp
29:45went out.
29:46He never entered,
29:48just watched quietly
29:49from afar,
29:50asking for nothing
29:51in return.
29:52Word spread
29:53through Savannah.
29:54The CEO of Ford Group
29:56had come all the way
29:57from New York
29:57to wait outside
29:58his ex-wife's house
30:00every night.
30:01The woman
30:01who had taken his money,
30:03run off with
30:04eight of his children,
30:05and shut the door
30:06in his face.
30:07Some people called it
30:08devotion.
30:09Some people said
30:10he had it coming.
30:11He didn't seem to care
30:12what anyone thought.
30:14My parents noticed,
30:16and slowly,
30:17without saying much
30:18about it,
30:19they began to soften.
30:22Aria,
30:23he means it.
30:24Just look at
30:25what he's doing.
30:26He dropped everything
30:27to be here,
30:28and he shows up
30:30every single day
30:31without missing once.
30:33Effort like that
30:33isn't nothing.
30:35Those babies
30:36need their father.
30:37You can't keep him
30:38away forever.
30:40He was cold before,
30:41I know,
30:42but he's trying
30:43to change now.
30:44At least give him
30:45a chance.
30:46Give the kids
30:47a chance, too.
30:50He's a man
30:50who's taking
30:51responsibility.
30:52He's not perfect,
30:53but he's here,
30:54and he's trying.
30:56Raising eight kids
30:57alone is hard
30:57for anyone.
30:58It'd be nice
30:59to have someone
31:00by your side.
31:02Aria,
31:03I've watched
31:03that young man,
31:04a man who'll
31:05give up his position,
31:06leave his company,
31:07and stand outside
31:08your door every night.
31:09He's someone
31:10worth trusting.
31:11You don't have to
31:12give him an answer
31:13today,
31:14but don't
31:15shut him out
31:15forever.
31:18Grandfather Charles
31:19was the most
31:20direct of all.
31:21He had always
31:22had an eye
31:22for talent.
31:24Lucian Ford
31:24was exactly
31:25the kind of man
31:26he respected.
31:28Sharp,
31:28decisive,
31:29capable,
31:30and legendary
31:31wherever he went.
31:33I heard everything
31:34they said.
31:35I still wasn't
31:36ready to move.
31:37I could see
31:38what Lucian
31:38was doing.
31:39I could feel it,
31:40even when I
31:41didn't want to.
31:42But seeing it,
31:43and being healed
31:44by it,
31:45were different things.
31:46The hurt
31:46hadn't gone anywhere.
31:48It was just
31:49quieter now.
31:50Then,
31:50one morning,
31:51I went to the
31:52small chapel
31:53near the Marlow
31:54estate to light
31:54a candle
31:55and pray quietly
31:56for the babies.
31:57On the way back,
31:59three men
31:59blocked our path.
32:00They saw I was
32:01heavily pregnant,
32:02with only a few
32:03servants beside me.
32:04Their intentions
32:05were obvious.
32:06I had no time
32:07to react.
32:08The staff
32:09tried to intervene
32:10and couldn't.
32:11Then,
32:12Lucian was there.
32:13He moved
32:13fast.
32:23He dealt
32:23with them
32:24in under
32:24a minute.
32:25When it was
32:26over,
32:26he smelled
32:27faintly of
32:28blood.
32:30Anyone who
32:30touches my
32:31wife,
32:31anyone who
32:32comes near
32:32my children,
32:33they will
32:33pay for it.
32:35The men
32:35were gone
32:36before he
32:36finished the
32:37sentence.
32:39The hardness
32:40in his face
32:40fell away
32:41immediately.
32:42What replaced
32:43it was concern,
32:44pure and
32:45unguarded.
32:51Aria,
32:52are you
32:53alright?
32:55Did I
32:56frighten you?
32:56I looked at
32:58him.
32:58I felt
32:59something
32:59shift,
33:00just slightly,
33:01a hairline
33:02crack in
33:03something I
33:03had kept
33:03sealed for
33:04a long
33:04time.
33:05That day,
33:06I didn't
33:07tell him
33:07to go.
33:08He walked
33:08behind me
33:09to the
33:09chapel,
33:10walked
33:10behind me
33:11back to
33:11the house.
33:12He didn't
33:12say much,
33:13he just
33:14stayed close,
33:15like a guard
33:16who had chosen
33:17his post
33:17and wasn't
33:18leaving it.
33:19Weeks later,
33:20the babies
33:20shifted abruptly
33:21one night,
33:22jolting me
33:23awake with
33:23a sharp
33:24pain.
33:24The doctor
33:25said it was
33:26probably just
33:26pressure,
33:27but someone
33:27had to stay
33:28and keep
33:28watch.
33:29Lucian
33:30arrived within
33:30the hour.
33:31He sat
33:32beside my
33:32bed through
33:33the whole
33:33night without
33:34sleeping.
33:35He held
33:35my hand,
33:36careful,
33:37unhurried,
33:38like nothing
33:39else existed.
33:41Don't be
33:42afraid,
33:42I'm here.
33:44The babies
33:45will be
33:45fine.
33:46You'll
33:47be fine.
33:48He held
33:48my hand
33:49through the
33:49entire
33:50night,
33:50never once
33:51let go.
33:52In the
33:52morning,
33:53I looked
33:53at his
33:53face,
33:54the red
33:54in his
33:55eyes,
33:55the exhaustion
33:56he hadn't
33:57hidden.
33:58Something in
33:58the wall
33:59around me
33:59cracked a
34:00little more.
34:02The days
34:03kept moving
34:04and my
34:04stomach kept
34:05growing,
34:06round and
34:07heavy,
34:07like I was
34:08carrying a
34:09small world.
34:10Walking had
34:11become slow
34:11work,
34:12possible only
34:13with help.
34:14Rolling over
34:15in bed
34:15needed assistance.
34:16Every little
34:17movement
34:18ached.
34:19Grandfather
34:19had brought
34:20in the
34:20best obstetric
34:21team in
34:22Savannah.
34:22They stayed
34:23at the
34:23estate around
34:24the clock,
34:25ready for
34:26whenever the
34:26time came.
34:27Everything that
34:28could be prepared
34:29had been
34:29prepared.
34:31Lucian kept
34:31his post
34:32nearby,
34:32daily deliveries
34:33of supplements
34:34and whatever
34:35the doctors
34:36recommended.
34:37He still
34:37didn't come
34:38inside.
34:39He checked
34:39in through
34:40the staff,
34:40made sure I
34:41was alright,
34:42then kept
34:43his distance.
34:44Then,
34:44one morning,
34:45the pain
34:46came.
34:47Wave after
34:48wave,
34:49harder each
34:50time.
34:51Within an
34:51hour,
34:52I was shaking
34:52all over,
34:54drenched in
34:54sweat,
34:55hair stuck to
34:56my face,
34:57my vision fading
34:58at the edges.
34:59The medical team
35:00moved immediately.
35:01The estate shifted
35:02into a different
35:03gear.
35:04Everyone at
35:05their station,
35:06no hesitation.
35:12Mrs. Shaw,
35:13push!
35:14Keep pushing!
35:15Almost there!
35:16Mrs. Shaw,
35:17hold on.
35:17The babies are
35:18coming.
35:18Stay with us.
35:19I lay there
35:20and used
35:20everything I
35:21had,
35:22over and
35:23over,
35:23until there
35:24was nothing
35:25left to
35:25use.
35:26Eight babies,
35:27one by one.
35:29Each birth
35:29drained me
35:30more than I
35:31thought I had
35:31left to give.
35:32Then the first
35:33cry cut through
35:34the room,
35:35sharp,
35:36clear,
35:36breaking all
35:37the tension.
35:38It's a boy.
35:39Then the second,
35:40the third,
35:41the fourth.
35:42Each cry
35:43joined the last,
35:44layering together,
35:45filling the house
35:46with sound.
35:47But there were
35:48still two left,
35:49and I had
35:50nothing.
35:51My eyelids
35:52were stone.
35:53My arms
35:53wouldn't respond.
35:55Every part of
35:56me wanted
35:56to simply
35:57stop.
35:59Mrs. Shaw,
36:00stay awake.
36:02Two more.
36:04Your babies
36:05need you.
36:06Stay with us.
36:07Then the door
36:08burst open.
36:13Arya,
36:14look at me.
36:16Stay awake.
36:17I'm here.
36:18The children
36:19need you.
36:19I need you.
36:21Just a little
36:22longer.
36:22His hand was
36:23warm.
36:24I looked at him.
36:25I saw it all
36:26at once on his
36:27face.
36:28Fear.
36:29Agony.
36:30None of his
36:30usual composure.
36:31He didn't care
36:32what anyone
36:33thought.
36:34About rules
36:35or how he
36:35looked.
36:36Something in me
36:37that had been
36:38holding tight
36:38for a very
36:39long time
36:40finally let go.
36:42I used what
36:43was left.
36:43The last two
36:44babies were born.
36:46Four boys,
36:47four girls.
36:48Every one of them
36:49crying strong
36:50and clear.
36:51Every one of them
36:53healthy.
36:54Tiny and
36:55perfect
36:56and overwhelming.
37:00The head nurse
37:01cleaned them,
37:02wrapped them
37:03gently.
37:05Congratulations
37:06Mrs. Shaw.
37:07Congratulations
37:08Mr. Ford.
37:09Four boys,
37:09four girls.
37:10All healthy.
37:12Quite a blessing.
37:13I looked at
37:14the eight of them.
37:16Arya.
37:17Then the room
37:17went dark.
37:18In the moment
37:19before it did,
37:20I saw Lucian's
37:21eyes fill.
37:22Arya,
37:23thank you.
37:25Thank you for
37:25all eight of them.
37:26Thank you for
37:27giving me a family.
37:28His tears
37:29landed on the
37:29back of my hand,
37:31warm and real.
37:32I had never
37:32seen him cry
37:33before.
37:34This man who
37:35had never
37:35seemed to
37:35need anything,
37:36who had run
37:37a corporation
37:38with ice in
37:39his veins,
37:39was crying
37:40for me,
37:41for our
37:42children.
37:43Outside the
37:43room,
37:44my parents
37:44and grandfather
37:45watched through
37:46the window,
37:47eyes glistening.
37:49When I came
37:50around,
37:51Lucian was
37:51still there.
37:52He hadn't
37:53left my
37:54side.
37:55He wiped
37:56my face,
37:58helped me
37:59drink,
37:59and stayed
38:00by my
38:00side all
38:01night with
38:02a clumsy,
38:02focused tenderness.
38:04It was
38:05nothing like
38:06the detached
38:06man I had
38:07spent three
38:08years waiting
38:08on.
38:10He stood
38:11over the
38:11bassinet and
38:12looked at
38:12the eight
38:13of them.
38:13There was
38:14something in
38:14his eyes I
38:15had no
38:15word for
38:16except
38:17completely
38:18undone.
38:18He held
38:19each of
38:20them as
38:20if they
38:20were made
38:21of something
38:21that could
38:22break with
38:22a breath.
38:23They had
38:23his sharpness
38:24in their
38:25features and
38:26something of
38:26mine in the
38:27softness around
38:28it.
38:28He gave
38:29them names.
38:30For the
38:30boys,
38:31Liam Aria-Ford,
38:33Noah Aria-Ford,
38:35Eli Aria-Ford,
38:36and Cole Aria-Ford.
38:39For the
38:39girls,
38:40Stella Aria-Ford,
38:42Luna Aria-Ford,
38:44Lily Aria-Ford,
38:45and Ivy Aria-Ford.
38:48Every name
38:49held mine
38:49inside it.
38:50Every name
38:51was a quiet
38:52promise.
38:53After the
38:53birth,
38:54my recovery
38:55began,
38:55and Lucien
38:56took over.
38:57He canceled
38:57everything he
38:58had in New
38:59York.
38:59Every meeting,
39:01every obligation,
39:02everything.
39:03He stayed in
39:04Savannah and
39:04didn't leave.
39:05He followed
39:06the postpartum
39:07nurse around
39:08and learned
39:09to make
39:09recovery
39:09broths.
39:10He practiced
39:11changing diapers.
39:12He learned
39:13how to feed
39:14the babies,
39:14how to settle
39:15them,
39:16how to get
39:16them back
39:17to sleep.
39:18His technique
39:18was rough
39:19at first.
39:19He fumbled.
39:21He looked
39:21completely out
39:22of his depth.
39:23But he never
39:23complained,
39:24and he never
39:25showed the
39:25slightest
39:26impatience.
39:28Eight babies
39:28crying at once
39:29is not a
39:30quiet experience.
39:32I couldn't
39:32get real sleep,
39:33so Lucien
39:34took the nights.
39:36Every time
39:36a baby cried,
39:38he was up.
39:39He handled
39:39them with
39:40the utmost care,
39:41holding them
39:42until they
39:42settled,
39:43then returned
39:44to sit beside
39:44me.
39:45My body
39:46recovered faster
39:46than anyone
39:47expected.
39:48When I was
39:49ready to move
39:49again,
39:50the Savannah
39:50Business Association
39:51held its annual
39:52gala.
39:53I was invited
39:55as the Marlow
39:56heir.
39:56Lucien came
39:57with me.
39:58Most of the room
39:59treated us well.
40:00Word had spread
40:00about the octuplets,
40:02and people were
40:03respectful.
40:03The vice president
40:04of the business
40:05association,
40:06Douglas Price,
40:07had never liked
40:08the Marlow family's
40:10standing.
40:10Mrs. Shaw,
40:11congratulations on
40:12the octuplets,
40:13truly a miracle.
40:14So young,
40:15already the Marlow
40:16ear,
40:17mother to eight
40:17children with Mr. Ford
40:19by your side.
40:20You're the envy of
40:20this entire room,
40:21though I do wonder
40:23how long can luck
40:24like this last.
40:25I felt my expression
40:26shift.
40:27I opened my mouth.
40:29Lucien moved first.
40:30He pulled me to his
40:32side and stared at
40:33Douglas Price.
40:34Mr. Price,
40:36Aria's my wife,
40:37the mother of my
40:38eight children.
40:40Ah,
40:42she endured more
40:43than you'll ever know
40:44to bring them
40:44into this world.
40:51My protection,
40:52my love,
40:53none of it is remarkable.
40:55It's the least
40:56she deserved,
40:56and you just insulted
40:58her in front of
40:59everyone here!
41:02Was that a calculated
41:03move,
41:04or just a careless
41:05mistake?
41:06Douglas Price went
41:07pale.
41:08Then his knees
41:09buckled.
41:10He dropped to the
41:11floor before the
41:12entire gala,
41:13voice trembling.
41:16Mr. Ford,
41:17I'm so sorry.
41:19I misspoke.
41:20I wasn't thinking.
41:21Please,
41:22I never meant-
41:23Association membership
41:23frees all his
41:25business interests
41:26in Savannah.
41:27He is never to set
41:28foot in this city
41:29again.
41:30The security team
41:31moved before Price
41:32finished his sentence.
41:34His voice echoed
41:34down the corridor
41:35and then disappeared.
41:39Lucien turned to me.
41:40The cold was gone
41:42from his face
41:42the moment his eyes
41:43met mine.
41:45He reached up
41:46and touched
41:47the corner of my eye
41:48gently.
41:49Are you alright?
41:51Did that upset you?
41:53I stood there,
41:54held against his side,
41:55and felt the last
41:56threat of resistance
41:57inside me
41:58finally break.
42:00Yes.
42:06Arya,
42:07thank you.
42:09Thank you for giving me.
42:11Thank you for giving me
42:12one more chance.
42:13Thank you for giving me
42:14a home again.
42:15Lucien held my hand
42:16as we walked along the path
42:17through the Marlow estate.
42:19The breeze off the water
42:20moved through the trees.
42:21The low, golden light
42:22of Savannah's sunset
42:24surrounded us.
42:25Arya,
42:26from now on,
42:27I'll never make you
42:28feel unimportant.
42:30I'll never let you
42:30leave my side.
42:32I'll never overlook
42:33what you need.
42:35Every bit of warmth
42:35I have
42:36belongs to you
42:37and our children.
42:38The New York estate
42:39has been renovated
42:40just how you'd like it.
42:42White panties
42:43in the garden,
42:44a full playroom
42:44for the kids
42:45and that library
42:46you always wanted
42:46with shelves full
42:47of books
42:48you'd actually pick.
42:51And if you don't
42:52want to go back
42:52to New York,
42:53we won't.
42:55Savannah can be home.
42:56I'll stay here with you,
42:57with all of them,
42:58for as long
42:58as you'll have me.
43:02Anywhere is fine
43:03as long as you're there.
43:04As long as they're there.
43:07That's all home
43:08has ever meant to me.
43:09He bent forward
43:10and pressed his lips
43:11to my forehead.
43:12Slow.
43:13Careful.
43:15We stayed in Savannah
43:16a long time after that.
43:18Long enough for the babies
43:20to walk and talk.
43:21To call us mom and dad
43:23in eight different voices.
43:25Each unique,
43:26yet somehow the same.
43:28It's our cream to all.
43:29We went back to New York
43:30sometimes.
43:31Eleanor would see
43:32the children
43:33and light up
43:34in a way
43:34I had never seen
43:35from her before.
43:36The Ford estate,
43:37once heavy
43:38with quiet unease,
43:40filled with noise,
43:41warmth,
43:42and the wonderful mess
43:43only eight children
43:45could make.
43:45Lucian returned
43:46to running the Ford group
43:47on his own terms.
43:49Not consumed by it,
43:50but present in it.
43:52He made real time
43:54every day for us.
43:55From a cold estate
43:56in New York
43:57to the warm
43:58for the rest of my life.
44:00Every year.
44:01Every season.
44:03All of it with him.
44:06All of it warm.
44:08All of it ours.
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