- 21 hours ago
فلذة كبدي الضائعة
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years
00:05ago. Dr. Soucy was still there. She'd been promoted to department head. Dr. Soucy, I need
00:12to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago. Her smile froze for a
00:18moment. That was so long ago. The files might already be archived. It took some effort, but
00:25eventually someone from the records room brought over a folder. I flipped it open. The documentation
00:31was shockingly sparse. Only basic informations. Admission time, discharge time, delivery method,
00:39newborn wait, no detailed labor notes, no nurse handoff records, no pediatric examination reports.
00:47Is this everything? She looked apologetic. That's all we have in the system. Paper records are usually
00:54kept for 10 years. You're right at the edge of that window. What about the newborn footprints?
01:00The blood samples? She shook her head. Those should be in the newborn records, but
01:07we couldn't locate them. It was obvious there was something wrong. An abnormally simple medical file.
01:14Missing newborn records. A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
01:20The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see. My phone rang. It was Julian.
01:28Where are you? I already picked up Alex. I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
01:34At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time. I'm out running business. I'll be home soon.
01:40I hung up. After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early. Through the closed
01:47door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room. Their voices drifting through
01:54the house. Dad, is mom upset? Mom's just tired. Finish your homework and get to bed early.
02:02I waited until they were both asleep. Then I started searching. The master bedroom. The living
02:10room. Alex's room. I went through everything, looking for... I didn't even know what. I found
02:18nothing. Finally, I turned to the computer in the study. The truth had to be in there. Footsteps in the
02:26hallway. I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening. When Julian pushed the door open,
02:33I was straightening papers on the desk. He glanced at the computer screen. It had returned to the
02:39desktop. A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago. Still up? Just organizing some
02:49old
02:49documents. I reached over and turned off the monitor. He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say
02:55something. In the end, he just nodded. Get some rest. I sat in the darkness, listening to his
03:04footsteps fade down the hall. That night, I didn't touch the computer again. I lay in bed, thoughts
03:12racing, unable to find sleep. The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school. He looked at
03:20me. Picked up the car keys. All right. The moment they left, I went straight to the study. I turned
03:28on the computer and tried the password. Our wedding anniversary. Wrong. His birthday. Wrong. Alex's
03:36birthday. Still wrong. I tried the date we first met. His mother's birthday. The day the company was
03:42found it. All wrong. The system locked me out. Please try again in 15 minutes. I sat there,
03:50staring at the login screen. This computer we'd bought together, now locked against me. That
03:57evening, Julian came home from work. He was barely through the door when he said,
04:03I'm going to Italy tomorrow. Business trip. Not sure how long I'll be gone. I came out of the kitchen
04:08carrying a dish. That's sudden. Who are you going with? He set his briefcase on the table
04:15and turned to look at me. Just someone. It was a last-minute arrangement. Vivian, can you not do
04:19this? I stared at him, confused. It was just a casual question. Why was he reacting like this?
04:28You question everything. You suspect everyone. I'm just going to work. I turned back to serve the rice.
04:35My hands were shaking slightly. I was just asking. He said nothing more. Walked straight to the
04:43bedroom. Dinner was silent. Alex must have sensed something was off. For once, he didn't complain
04:51about the food. After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up. A receipt slipped
04:57from the pocket and fell near my feet. After he left the room, I picked it up. A perfume purchase.
05:03Expensive. Expensive. Bought yesterday afternoon. A brand name I didn't recognize. But I knew it wasn't
05:10for me. I thought about our marriage. Ten years. Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
05:18Not since our first anniversary. A scarf. I still had it somewhere. After that, nothing.
05:25No birthday gifts. No anniversary gifts. No just because gifts. I told myself he wasn't romantic.
05:33He showed love in other ways. He was practical and focused on providing. On his career. I'd made
05:39excuses for him. But now, holding this receipt, I understood. He wasn't unromantic. He wasn't too busy.
05:47He wasn't too practical. His romance just wasn't for me. It was for someone else. Someone who wore
05:54expensive French perfume. I wrote down the information from the receipt. The next morning,
06:00after Julian left for the airport, I called the boutique.
06:06I need to verify a purchase. A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
06:10One moment. Yes, I have it here. The buyer was Chloe Williams.
06:15Chloe Williams.
06:16I knew that name. Julian's secretary. Hired six months ago. Early thirties. Divorced.
06:23I drove to the airport. I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm. Maybe the perfume was for a
06:29client.
06:29Maybe I was overthinking this. I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
06:36Then I saw them. Julian and her. Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
06:44She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said. Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't
06:51seen in years. Relaxed. Genuinely happy. At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
06:58She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar. He didn't pull away. He leaned down and
07:06whispered something in her ear. She smiled. Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
07:15Julian's hand rested on her waist. They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
07:21Like they'd done it a thousand times before. The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
07:28All those late nights. Working. All those times he'd been irritable with me.
07:34All of it finally made sense.
07:37I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
07:42A new thought crystallized in my mind. That child who wasn't mine. And this woman. Could
07:51they be connected? On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
07:56I need you to look into someone else. Chloe Williams. I want to know everything about her.
08:03Especially whether she has any children.
08:05The detective worked fast. By the next afternoon, I had the report. Chloe Williams. 32 years old.
08:14Divorced five years ago. One son. Nine years old. Name. Alan. Attending a public school in the West End.
08:22The date jumped out at me. Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
08:27For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood run hot. I sat on the sofa, holding the
08:34detective's report.
08:35Then, a thought struck me. I ran to study. My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
08:41Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birth date. The desktop opened. There was only one folder, named work backup.
08:50I clicked it open. Inside were subfolders organized by year, starting 11 years ago. The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
09:00Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree. 19-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around
09:08Chloe's shoulders.
09:09She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him. The next photo was from college. The two of
09:16them in the library.
09:16Then, their graduation photo. Both in cap and gown, holding hands. That was the year Julian told me the company
09:24was struggling financially.
09:26We'd canceled our anniversary trip. Instead, he bought a scarf for me. I closed the folder.
09:33The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
09:37I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat. Me, in my white dress, lace sleeves,
09:45and long train.
09:46Holding a bouquet of white roses. Julian, in his black suit, gray tie.
09:52Boutonniere. Both of us smiling at the camera.
09:55The photographer had made us laugh. Said something stupid. We'd both cracked up.
10:00The photo captured that moment. Pure. Happy. I stared at it. At my face. So happy. So naive. So trusting.
10:10I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
10:13That woman who'd believed her husband. Who'd made excuses for him. Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
10:20That woman was gone. Had to close my eyes. Put my hand over my mouth. The perfect couple. The perfect
10:29lie.
10:30Sick at the photos I'd just seen. Sick at the years of deception. Sick at myself for not seeing it
10:37sooner.
10:38For believing him. For trusting him. For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere
10:45else.
10:46At 3 p.m., I drove to the West End. The elementary school looked even more run down than the
10:53detective had described.
10:55The dismissal bell rang. Children poured out through the gates. I sat in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel.
11:04He walked out alone. No one there to pick him up. He looked left, then right, then started walking slowly
11:13along the sidewalk.
11:14I held my breath. That child. Alan. No. My child.
11:20The way he walked reminded me of myself. A slight pigeon toe.
11:25When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face, I saw it. A birthmark on his wrist.
11:31The same place I had mine.
11:34I could see dust on his eyelashes. His lips were chapped. His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
11:42His eyes looked empty. Not like a 9-year-old's eyes at all.
11:47I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
11:51He walked away. Disappearing around the corner.
11:54I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
11:58For that child. Walking home alone.
12:02For 10 years of living in the wrong life.
12:05For being such a fool.
12:07Dancing in a play someone else had written.
12:10Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
12:13At the law office, I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
12:18Inside. Backup copies of all the photos.
12:22The DNA test results.
12:24Scanned hospital records.
12:26The perfume receipt.
12:28Files on Chloe and Alan.
12:30I want a divorce.
12:32I want Julian to leave with nothing.
12:34I want custody of my child.
12:37I want him to pay for what he's done.
12:40Walking out of the Attorney's office,
12:42I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed 10 years ago.
12:47Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
12:50Turns out, his lifetime was only 10 years.
12:55No, probably less than that.
12:57I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
13:02My father's old colleague.
13:04Mr. Aaron, about next week's board meeting,
13:07I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
13:10Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
13:13This company's name is Hart.
13:15He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
13:19I put him in that position.
13:21I could take him down just as easily.
13:24Two weeks after Julian left,
13:26I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
13:30Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
13:34One day, it rained.
13:36Alan didn't have an umbrella.
13:38He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour,
13:42then finally ran home through the downpour.
13:45I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
13:49Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
13:52When I saw Alan coming out,
13:54I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
13:57I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
14:01He froze for a moment,
14:03then bent down to pick it up for me.
14:05Thank you, sweetheart.
14:07Is your mom not here yet?
14:09He shook his head.
14:12Mom's working late.
14:14How are you getting home?
14:16I'll take the bus.
14:18I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
14:21Have some water.
14:23He hesitated, then took it and said,
14:27I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
14:33Just like me.
14:34His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
14:37Inner double eyelids.
14:38The outer corners slightly downturned.
14:42Does your mom work late often?
14:44He nodded, then shook his head.
14:47Sometimes.
14:49What about your dad?
14:50He didn't answer.
14:52Just looked down at his shoes.
14:54Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
14:57The left shoelace was broken.
14:59I didn't ask anything more.
15:01I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
15:06Buy yourself some new shoes.
15:08He stepped back.
15:10No, I can't take this.
15:13Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
15:17I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
15:21After a few steps, I glanced back.
15:25He stood there looking lost.
15:27That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
15:30He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
15:34A limited edition space shuttle.
15:37Expensive.
15:38Mom?
15:39What's wrong?
15:41I walked in and touched his hair.
15:43Did you finish your homework?
15:45Finished ages ago.
15:47He held up his model.
15:49Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
15:54I smiled.
15:55That's wonderful.
15:57The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
16:01Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
16:06My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone, while this child enjoyed everything.
16:12After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
16:16He set down his suitcase.
16:18Where's Alex?
16:21Why is it so quiet?
16:23I enrolled him in piano lessons.
16:25Two hours every evening.
16:26Since when?
16:27He's only in fourth grade.
16:30I didn't answer.
16:32I could smell that perfume on him.
16:34He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
16:37I stepped aside.
16:39Why do you smell like perfume?
16:41Who were you having dinner with?
16:44His expression flickered with irritation.
16:47Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
16:49I had a business dinner with a client.
16:52Can you not be like this?
16:54It was almost funny.
16:56Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
17:00I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
17:06Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
17:11Julian's face turned ugly.
17:13He grabbed one photo and threw it back.
17:15You had me followed?
17:18Does it matter?
17:19I smiled slightly.
17:21What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting, or get sent to your clients?
17:29He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
17:34What do you want?
17:35I stared at him.
17:36My voice was flat.
17:37First, fire Chloe Williams.
17:40Guarantee you'll never see her again.
17:42Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
17:45He stood up angry now.
17:47You're crazy.
17:48For a couple of lousy photos?
17:51My voice turned cold.
17:54Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
17:59You have everything you have because of me.
18:02What I gave, I can take back.
18:05I almost wavered.
18:07Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
18:10I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
18:13For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child, if, if you do what
18:19I'm asking, we can move forward.
18:21After all, we still have Alex.
18:24I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
18:27A pregnancy test report.
18:29It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
18:33Julian stared at the report.
18:35Then he looked up at me.
18:37You're pregnant?
18:39I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
18:42Five weeks.
18:44The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
18:47His expression shifted constantly.
18:50His throat worked.
18:52His eyes moved between me and the report.
18:56I continued, so, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely, make her leave the company and our
19:03lives, I can let the past go.
19:06We still have Alex.
19:07And now, we have this baby.
19:11Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
19:13There was obvious conflict in his eye.
19:16I need, I need to think.
19:19His voice was hoarse.
19:21He turned and went into the bedroom.
19:23The next morning, I drank my coffee and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
19:29I pushed a glass of water toward him.
19:32He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
19:35I've thought it over, Vivian.
19:37We...
19:38Don't bother.
19:39I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
19:45His expression turned furious.
19:48What is this supposed to mean?
19:49We're having another child!
19:52I said coldly,
19:54I told you I was pregnant.
19:56And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
20:00Julian stood.
20:02We have a child on the way.
20:04Won't you think about the baby?
20:06Think about Alex?
20:08The child?
20:10I suddenly laughed.
20:11You mean the child I raised for nine years.
20:14Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
20:17Julian's face went white.
20:18He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
20:21How did you...
20:22When did you find out?
20:24I held up my phone.
20:26The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
20:31I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
20:34Password is Chloe's birthday.
20:36You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
20:39His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
20:43Let me explain.
20:45My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
20:49Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
20:54Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
20:57Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
21:02I stepped closer.
21:04The funniest part?
21:06The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
21:10Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
21:13Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
21:16Alan.
21:18Julian suddenly remembered.
21:20His voice dropped to a whisper.
21:23Where's Alan?
21:24I need to see him.
21:25Too late.
21:27I turned and opened the door.
21:29Your son.
21:31No.
21:31My son is somewhere you'll never find him.
21:34Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
21:39Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
21:42Vivian.
21:43You can't do this.
21:44That's my son.
21:45I shook him off.
21:47From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
21:51Now get out of my house.
21:52After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
21:56Then the sound of a car engine started.
21:59Driving away, I knew where he was going.
22:02To find Chloe.
22:04To find Alan.
22:05He'd lost for nine years.
22:06But he wouldn't find Alan.
22:09Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file,
22:13I'd already met with Alan again.
22:15I told him the truth.
22:17Alan was surprisingly calm.
22:19Those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
22:25I always felt like I wasn't her child.
22:29Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
22:36I took his hand.
22:38I told him I would take him away.
22:40We could start over.
22:41He was silent for a long time.
22:44Then he nodded, just slightly.
22:47Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
22:51My assistant went with him.
22:53There's a good school there.
22:54A house.
22:56New friends waiting.
22:58Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
23:02The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
23:05Finally, Julian came back.
23:07He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven.
23:13I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
23:18Vivian, we need to talk.
23:20I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear.
23:23I didn't let him in.
23:25The agreement is very clear.
23:27There's nothing to talk about.
23:29He looked defeated.
23:31I can't get divorced.
23:32For the sake of our ten years together.
23:34For the sake of our child.
23:38Which child?
23:39I cut him off with a cold laugh.
23:41The one in those videos?
23:43Or the one upstairs?
23:45Julian's face went white.
23:46A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
23:50Videos.
23:51One after another.
23:53Alan crying.
23:54Being beaten.
23:55Locked in a dark room.
23:57In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
24:00He'd spilled milk.
24:02Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
24:05The email had only one line.
24:08Thank you for raising my son all these years.
24:11I'd watched them all night.
24:13By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
24:16Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
24:19Those videos.
24:21Chloe.
24:22She sometimes couldn't control herself.
24:24I laughed coldly.
24:26Alan is your son.
24:28You went to see Chloe every week.
24:30You noticed her new perfume.
24:32Her fresh manicure.
24:34But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
24:37He had no answer.
24:39I said flatly.
24:40I've already retained a lawyer.
24:42If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
24:46The evidence of the baby switch.
24:48Photos of your affair.
24:50Those videos.
24:52All of it becomes part of the legal record.
24:54His voice dropped.
24:56Are you insane?
24:57The company's about to go public.
24:59Now is not the time.
25:02Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
25:06So sign, while I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
25:10The door shut.
25:12He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
25:16Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
25:20Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
25:24Chloe in a white wedding dress.
25:27Julian with his arm around her.
25:29But his expression looked stiff.
25:32The caption read,
25:33Ten years of waiting, finally together.
25:38I took a screenshot.
25:40Then I turned off my phone.
25:42That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
25:46Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
25:48The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
25:51Communication records between him and Chloe.
25:54The abuse videos and medical records.
25:58It's enough to file charges.
26:00Thank you for your work.
26:03Of course.
26:05Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
26:08He came by the office yesterday.
26:11Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
26:14Too late.
26:15Early the next morning, my plane took off.
26:18My assistant met me at the airport.
26:21Alan's been doing better this week.
26:23He's starting to talk more.
26:26Yesterday, he even asked when you'd arrive.
26:29My heart beat faster.
26:31The car stopped in front of a white house.
26:34In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground,
26:37watching ants.
26:39Alan.
26:40He looked better than in the videos.
26:43But he was still too thin.
26:45Not enough meat on his bones.
26:48Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong
26:52under my careful care.
26:54The thought cut through me like a knife.
26:56I walked over and knelt in front of him.
26:59I'm your mother.
27:01He looked at me for a long time.
27:03Then nodded, just slightly.
27:06I carefully put my arms around him.
27:08He didn't pull away.
27:10I'm sorry.
27:12Mom came too late.
27:14He trembled slightly in my arms.
27:16For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
27:20I devoted all my time to him.
27:22I took him to the park.
27:24The first time on the carousel,
27:26he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white.
27:29I took him to the library.
27:31He loved books about stars.
27:34At night, after he fell asleep,
27:36I gently stroke his hair.
27:38He still didn't talk much,
27:40but sometimes he'd smile at me.
27:42At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open,
27:46caught by the wind.
27:47The sound of muffled sobbing
27:49pierced through me like needles.
27:52I jolted awake.
27:53I knew immediately it was Alan.
27:56I pushed open his door.
27:58Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains,
28:01casting shadows across the floor.
28:03His small figure was curled up on the bed.
28:06His hands clutched the blanket,
28:09knuckles white.
28:10Cold sweat covered his forehead.
28:12His brow was furrowed deeply.
28:15He kept murmuring.
28:17Mom, no.
28:19Don't lock me in the dark room.
28:22There are rats.
28:23I crossed the room quickly
28:24and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
28:27I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
28:30His body went rigid for a moment.
28:32Then he threw himself into my arms
28:34like a frightened deer.
28:35His crying was suppressed, desperate.
28:37Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
28:40Mom, I'm scared.
28:42That storage room was so dark.
28:46I begged again and again, but no one answered.
28:50The rats crawled on my feet.
28:53My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
28:57Alan, don't be afraid.
28:58I patted his back again and again,
29:01my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
29:03Mom's here.
29:04No one can lock you up anymore.
29:06The rats won't come.
29:08Mama will protect you.
29:10Silent tears fell onto his hair.
29:11I thought of the videos Chloe had sent.
29:14That child trembling in the darkness.
29:16The marks on his body.
29:18Old scars and new wounds layered together.
29:21I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
29:24When his crying finally exhausted itself,
29:28his breathing gradually steadied,
29:30bulletin gently lifted his sleeve.
29:32Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
29:36The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
29:39On his back, a faint bruise.
29:42From when he'd been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child.
29:47I traced those scars with my fingertips.
29:50My touch as light as if I were afraid of breaking something precious.
29:55Alan shook his head.
29:56Tears still clung to his lashes.
29:58He bit his lip and said quietly,
29:59It doesn't hurt now, but sometimes I dream about it.
30:03I dream I'm locked in there again.
30:05I'm calling for mom, but mom isn't there.
30:07I'm sorry.
30:08I held him tighter.
30:09Mom came too late.
30:10But from now on, mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
30:14That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
30:18I told him stories.
30:20About how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
30:24How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
30:29I told him about when I first took over the company.
30:32How the old employees gave me a hard time.
30:35How I cried in the stairwell.
30:37Then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
30:41I told him about the clumsy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract and turned poor with fear.
30:49He listened quietly.
30:51Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask,
30:58Were you scared, mom?
30:59Terrified.
31:00Touching his hair.
31:02But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
31:05And now I have you, Alan.
31:07I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
31:09He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
31:12His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
31:15A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
31:20We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
31:23The wind carried the scent of grain.
31:25Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
31:29When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
31:33The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet.
31:38So brilliant you couldn't look away.
31:41The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
31:45Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
31:48The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
31:53On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
31:57He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
32:00Mom, the stars are so far away.
32:02But being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
32:07My heart felt soft.
32:09I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
32:14Like those old scars, no matter how much care they received, they'd always leave faint marks.
32:21But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
32:26the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
32:31That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
32:36Jenny went to answer it.
32:37I heard her say,
32:39Mr. Robinson?
32:40The flour sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
32:43Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
32:48His hair was disheveled.
32:49His eyes were sunken.
32:51He was dragging an old suitcase.
32:53Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
32:55I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
32:59Now you know where we are.
33:01You can leave.
33:02I want to see the child.
33:03Our child.
33:05He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
33:07I keep having dreams.
33:08Dreams of when he was small.
33:10Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
33:11I never knew-
33:11You should have known.
33:12I cut him off.
33:13You just chose not to know.
33:14His gaze dropped to my stomach.
33:16Is the baby still?
33:17I smiled.
33:18For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
33:20The baby?
33:21Of course.
33:22I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
33:24The doctor says everything's fine.
33:26Due next spring.
33:27His face turned ugly.
33:28His emotions suddenly became agitated.
33:31He lunged toward me.
33:32I stepped aside.
33:34He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
33:37Vivian, I need to see my son.
33:39You can't do this.
33:40I looked at him and laughed coldly.
33:42Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
33:46It's whether your son can even be born safely.
33:49If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
33:53Settle your mess yourselves.
33:54I shoved him out the door.
33:56Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
33:59As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
34:04He looked truly pathetic.
34:06Fine.
34:06Let them tear each other apart.
34:08Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
34:10Soon after, attorney Morrison called.
34:13Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
34:15The result isn't ideal.
34:16Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
34:22Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
34:25How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
34:30How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
34:33How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
34:37I gripped my phone, listening.
34:39My expression stayed calm.
34:41However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
34:45He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
34:48The trial lasted two full days.
34:50In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
34:57Multiple charges?
34:58Sentenced to three years.
35:00Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
35:02He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
35:06That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
35:08It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
35:12Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
35:16Before hanging up, Attorney Morrison said softly,
35:19Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
35:24Let's get honeycomb retimesed.
35:25If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
35:28I cut him off.
35:29It's enough.
35:30At least I have my child back.
35:31Alan was doing homework.
35:33I walked over to him.
35:34Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
35:39But maybe not enough.
35:40Are you angry with me?
35:42He looked up.
35:43Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
35:46I keep track.
35:48I keep track.
35:49I covered my mouth.
35:51Tears spilled over.
35:52He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
35:55Then added quietly,
35:57You look ugly when you cry.
35:59I laughed through my tears.
36:01These past days, I'd been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of missing maternal love.
36:08I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
36:12He was still young, but I knew what that security meant.
36:16I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
36:19The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
36:23For 10 years, Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
36:28She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
36:31His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
36:35I hired three private tutors.
36:37Math, language arts, technology.
36:40Rotating in shifts.
36:42Alan worked hard.
36:43Studying late into the night.
36:45Every night.
36:46One night past midnight, I brought him warm milk.
36:50I found him asleep at his desk.
36:52Pen still clutched in his hand.
36:55I didn't wake him.
36:56I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
36:59Friday afternoon, I went to pick up Alan from school.
37:03Parents crowded the school gates.
37:06Alan ran out with his new backpack.
37:08His face flushed from exercise.
37:11Mom!
37:12I passed my math quiz today!
37:14I was reaching for his test paper when I caught a glimpse of a figure through the cafe window across
37:19the street.
37:20Julian, sitting in the corner.
37:22His chin covered in dark stubble.
37:23Haggard, nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
37:27Alan followed my gaze.
37:28I squeezed his hand.
37:31Let's go home.
37:32We'd barely turned around when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
37:36Julian had crossed the street and now stood blocking our path.
37:41Vivian, can we talk?
37:42I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
37:45Then I looked at the man in front of me.
37:47We have nothing to talk about.
37:49I've dealt with everything.
37:51He spoke urgently, like he was trying to prove something.
37:54I've dealt with everything.
37:56I've cut ties with her completely.
37:59I couldn't help but laugh.
38:02Julian, Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there.
38:05What does that have to do with you?
38:09A cantulous man of anacolt.
38:12Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand?
38:15Playing the victim?
38:16His face darkened.
38:17I know I was wrong, Vivian.
38:20For the sake of our child.
38:22For his sake.
38:23Please forgive me this once.
38:27Our child?
38:29His gaze fell to my stomach.
38:32Yes, our child.
38:34I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat, taking my time.
38:37Oh, that?
38:38That was fake.
38:41Julian froze.
38:42His eyes went wide.
38:43I met his stare calmly.
38:45Pregnancy report report was forward.
38:47I just wanted to see what choice you did make.
38:49I stepped forward, letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
38:53It's been months.
38:55If I were really pregnant, I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
38:58His gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time.
39:01It doesn't matter.
39:02We don't need that baby.
39:03We still have Alan.
39:04We still have ten years of history between us.
39:05I cut him off.
39:06Wake up.
39:07Stop dreaming.
39:07He acted like he hadn't heard me.
39:09Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
39:11He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
39:13Look, this is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday.
39:16The company was struggling financially that year.
39:18I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
39:20Then a second box.
39:21A third.
39:22He laid them all on the ground.
39:25This one's from our seventh anniversary.
39:27This one's from when we first moved into the house.
39:30This one.
39:30This one?
39:32The small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement.
39:35I bought one every year.
39:36I just never gave them to you.
39:38Now I'm giving them all to you.
39:39He looked eyes red.
39:40Please, give me one more chance.
39:41I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
39:44Inside was a diamond necklace.
39:46The pendant shaped like an iris.
39:48My favorite flower.
39:50Once upon a time, I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this.
39:54I would have worn it proudly, holding his arm at every gala, showing off my happiness.
39:58Now, I just felt sick.
40:00I stood up and placed the necklace back in the box.
40:04Julian, I loved you once.
40:06When I didn't hear from you, I would lie awake all night.
40:09When I cooked soup and delivered it to your office when you were working late.
40:13When you said, baby, thank you for everything you do for me.
40:16At that moment, I felt it was all worth it.
40:18I set the box at his feet.
40:19That one who loved you most?
40:21She's long gone.
40:23These gifts are no different from garbage to me now.
40:26Something in his expression shifted.
40:28The desperation vanished, replaced by something darker.
40:32You think you've won?
40:33His voice turned sharp, bitter.
40:34Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
40:36Enlavened?
40:37Love, that's you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
40:40I came from Toxer Skalv Tumihi and Nobeth Pes Lovman.
40:44I came from nothing, Vivian.
40:46Nothing.
40:47I didn't say anything.
40:48The man who pretended to be a devoted husband finally revealed his true colors.
40:54I married into your family.
40:55Do you know what that's like?
40:57Being called the man who married up?
40:59Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
41:01His hands clenched into fists.
41:03I worked myself to the bone for that company.
41:06For you.
41:07For this family.
41:08Are you finished?
41:10My voice stayed flat.
41:11My husband, Julian, didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company shares
41:16to him a gift for our 10th anniversary.
41:19Until the day of my son's health checkup.
41:22The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
41:25My husband and I, both type O.
41:28Our son?
41:30Type A.
41:31I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian.
41:36I didn't make a sound.
41:37I simply, calmly, did two things.
41:41First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't looking.
41:44Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
41:49I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around.
41:53The DNA testing center was across town.
41:55I need express results.
41:57How fast can you do it?
41:59The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
42:02Standard processing is five business days.
42:04Rushes today by 4 p.m.
42:06Triple the cost.
42:07Rush it.
42:09My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
42:12After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
42:17Every second felt like an hour.
42:19I pulled out my phone and made another call.
42:21I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
42:25I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
42:30The private detective's voice was professional, detached.
42:34Understood.
42:35At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
42:38I opened the electronic report, skipped straight to the end.
42:43DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
42:55Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
43:02Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
43:08I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
43:12Not my child.
43:13I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
43:17So where was my child?
Comments