- 2 minutes ago
Hot Drama 2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00After I started high school, my mom gave me $5,000 a month as pocket money.
00:04My bestie got so jealous that she tricked me into swapping souls with her.
00:08She ran excitedly toward that black escalade like,
00:11Oh my God, the rich mom is going to be mine from now on!
00:14I quietly picked up her old canvas backpack and climbed into her mom's used Honda Accord,
00:19secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
00:23God, finally, I got away from my mom.
00:25Just before school let out, Jessica handed me a Starbucks and said,
00:29This is the first time I'm treating you.
00:30I saved up my allowance all week to get you the biggest size.
00:33Hope you don't mind.
00:34I hesitated for a sec, then politely took it and had a couple of tiny sips just to be nice.
00:38Thanks, it's really good.
00:40Right after I said that, a white light flashed in front of my eyes.
00:45When I opened them again, I freaked out.
00:47I had swapped souls with Jessica.
00:51Jessica, what the?
00:52Shh.
00:54From now on, you're Jessica and I'm Sophia.
00:58Sophia, the rich mom is all mine now.
01:00The rich mom is all mine now!
01:02Looking at the excited Jessica, it suddenly dawned on me.
01:05Not long ago, she'd borrowed two bucks from me for lunch and accidentally saw my six-fidger
01:09bank balance.
01:10She was so shocked, she counted the digits over and over.
01:13Sophia, how the hell do you have so much money?
01:16My mom gives me five grand a month.
01:17It just piled up.
01:18Your mom is loaded.
01:20What does she do?
01:21She runs a few companies.
01:22Wow, that's insane.
01:23You're so lucky.
01:26Jessica sipped her Coke and grumbled.
01:28My mom's a stay-at-home mom and super stingy.
01:30She only gives me five bucks a day for lunch.
01:32That's the only reason I had to borrow money from you.
01:34I stayed quiet, staring at the cola in Jessica's hand and swallowing hard.
01:39Because ever since I was 10, I've never drunk any beverages again, nor have I ever tasted
01:43the flavor of happiness.
01:48After that day, Jessica kept telling me she was so done with her mom and wanted to be
01:52my mom's daughter.
01:53I thought she was just saying stuff.
01:55But I never expected she'd literally swap souls with me just to steal my mom.
01:59Sophia, just accept it.
02:01You and I are never swapping back in this life.
02:04While I was still spacing out, Jessica had already chugged the rest of that spiked drink
02:08and sprinted toward the black escalade that picked me up from school every day.
02:12Watching her bouncing silhouette, I slowly shouldered her old canvas bag, spotted her mom's gray
02:17Honda in the crowd, and secretly let out that sigh of relief inside.
02:22God, I've finally escaped my mom.
02:24Jess, something good happened today?
02:27Jessica's mom opened the car door for me.
02:29She had no makeup on, wore a pair of worn-out sneakers and a black hoodie.
02:33She looked kind of thin and pale, but the way she looked at me was crazy gentle.
02:37Yeah, I just suddenly figured out this problem I couldn't solve before.
02:39I answered while sliding into the back seat and accidentally caught my backpack strap on the door handle.
02:44Jessica's mom saw it, stopped the car right away, and helped me untangle the strap.
02:48She didn't scold me at all.
02:49Instead, she pinched my nose playfully and said,
02:52You're such a little kid. Now sit tight.
02:54I sat up straight like she said.
02:56The tip of my nose where she'd touched felt a sudden sting.
02:59Since I was 10, I've been living on my own.
03:00My mom's super busy, flying all over the world.
03:03She never picked me up from school or let me waste her time acting cute.
03:06We haven't touched each other in forever.
03:07Our conversations were like CEO to intern.
03:10She gave orders. I executed.
03:12If I did well, she'd wire money.
03:13If I messed up, there'd be punishment.
03:16Thinking about all the punishments I'd been through, I shivered.
03:18That bone-deep fear instantly spread through my whole body.
03:21I quickly calmed myself down inside.
03:23Don't be scared. You're Jessica now, not Sophia.
03:25You won't have to go through that anymore.
03:27Back at Jessica's place, it was even smaller than I'd imagined.
03:30The living room was kind of messy, with kids' picture books and Lego pieces all over the couch.
03:35Oh right, Jessica told me she has a little sister, who's not even three yet.
03:40Jess, you still mad at mom?
03:43Jessica's mom took out a shoe box and put it on the coffee table.
03:46Those shoes you wanted, I saved up and got them for you.
03:49Check and see if these are the ones.
03:51I opened the box.
03:52Inside was a knock-off pair of Golden Goose sneakers.
03:55I knew for sure it was fake, because just last week, my mom bought me the real ones,
04:00and ordered me to wear them to school on the 15th of every month.
04:03Even though I hated those shoes, I numbly followed her orders and wore the Golden Geist on the 15th.
04:08Back then, Jessica noticed my new shoes, looked up the price online, and sulked the whole day.
04:12Jess, did mom get the wrong ones?
04:14I looked at her hopeful eyes and felt a warmth rising in my chest.
04:18No, it's just, one of my classmates has the same pair.
04:22Could I pick out something else instead?
04:24Of course.
04:26Here's my phone.
04:27Add whatever you pick to the shopping chart.
04:29I gotta run to the neighbors to pick up your little sister first.
04:31She handed me her phone and headed out.
04:33So she had to leave her younger daughter with the neighbors every day just to have time to pick up
04:37her older one.
04:37But a 17 or 18 year old girl can totally take the bus to and from herself.
04:41She didn't really need to drive me every day.
04:43Was it to save a little on gas?
04:45I stared at her phone.
04:46It was an old iPhone from three years ago, with two cracks on the screen.
04:50The lock screen and wallpaper were both photos of Jess and her little sister.
04:53You could tell she was crazy frugal and loved her two kids to pieces.
04:57This is so nice.
04:58A mom this great is gonna be mine from now on.
05:00Because I picked out cheap shoes and patiently read picture books with little sis,
05:05Jessica's mom made a huge plate of spaghetti and meatballs to reward me.
05:09That night, for the first time ever, I ate dinner however I wanted.
05:13I grabbed whatever I liked, ate as much as I wanted,
05:16instead of sticking to those scheduled, portion-controlled meals my mom forced on me.
05:20All those nutritious diet meals that ran through my whole teenage eves,
05:23they were perfect, but ice cold.
05:25Organic ingredients delivered from Whole Foods had zero motherly warmth.
05:28They couldn't even compare to this plate of homemade meatball pasta, cooked with so much love.
05:32Jess, what's wrong?
05:33You feeling okay?
05:34No, it's just...
05:36Mom, your meatball pasta is so freaking good, I almost can't bring myself to eat it.
05:41Silly girl, have more if you like it, I'll make it again tomorrow.
05:47My eyes started stinging.
05:50Something broken inside me for a long, long time slowly began to heal.
05:54So this is what it feels like to be loved by a mom.
05:57Like a spring breeze in California.
05:59Like the California sun in winter.
06:01But just when I thought I could slowly pull myself out of hell in this cozy home,
06:06Jessica's mom got into a huge fight with her husband, because of me.
06:12Two in the morning, the sound of the front door lock turning came from the living room.
06:17Jessica's mom quietly slipped out of bed.
06:21A girl, five bucks isn't enough for lunch?
06:23Jess loves meat.
06:25A single meat dish in the school cafeteria is three or four bucks now.
06:29Sometimes she needs stationery too, it's really not enough.
06:32A girl, five bucks isn't enough for lunch?
06:34Why the hell does she need more food money?
06:35Jess loves meat.
06:37A single meat dish in the school cafeteria is three or four bucks now.
06:40Sometimes she needs stationery too, it's really not enough.
06:43I work hard all day, you know, I'm not made of money.
06:45That's not the point, Mike, she's a growing girl.
06:47If she's so damn good at spending money, forget school and go work as a cashier at Walmart!
06:52It went quiet outside.
06:53My heart was pounding like crazy.
06:56I couldn't believe a father could say something so vicious.
06:59Mike, three years ago you made me quit my job to have a second kid,
07:02promising me three grand a month for house expenses.
07:04Two years ago you said money was tight and cut it to $2,000.
07:07This year you only give me $12,000.
07:09So please make up the $2,000 and I'll add more for our daughter's lunch money.
07:12You three, nothing but a bunch of money grovers!
07:15You can't even give me a son, why should I spend $1,200 keeping you?
07:17I could keep a dog outside for $1,200 and at least it would wag its tail at me!
07:21Another stretch of suffocating silence.
07:23I thought after being humiliated like that she'd definitely ask for a divorce.
07:26But she didn't say a word, she just walked back into the room, completely crushed.
07:32I squeezed my eyes shut immediately.
07:33She didn't notice I was pretending to be asleep.
07:36She tucked the blanket around me, sat down beside me, and silently started crying.
07:40In that moment, I suddenly understood why Jessica wanted a rich mom so badly.
07:44The next morning, Jessica's mom apologized and told me,
07:47The neighbor had something come up and couldn't watch Little Sis,
07:49so I'd have to take the bus to school yourself.
07:51Mom transferred $10 to your Apple Pay.
07:54$2.50 for the bus, the rest is for lunch.
07:55Wait, not $5?
07:57Last night, Jessica's dad had clearly refused to increase her lunch money.
08:02You're still growing.
08:03I can't skimp on your food.
08:04It's only an extra $2.50 a day, like $60 or $70 more a month.
08:08I'll cover it.
08:09Jess, don't hold back at school.
08:11Buy whatever you feel like eating.
08:13The rough callus on her fingertips gently froshed with Keefe.
08:16A little itchy.
08:17Little pain.
08:17I couldn't help it and hugged her.
08:19Thanks, Mom.
08:20She froze for a second, then patted my back and mumbled,
08:23You silly kid.
08:24You're acting like a completely different person.
08:26I snapped back to reality instantly.
08:28I couldn't believe she'd noticed so fast.
08:30I practically fled the house and pulled out my phone,
08:33which I hadn't taken out all day yesterday.
08:37Unlocking it with Face ID,
08:39Jessica's messages started popping up one after another.
08:41My etiquette teacher just praised me, said I've improved a ton.
08:44I got three A's in French oral class.
08:46If it were you, you probably wouldn't get a single one, right?
08:49The shrink is so cute, lol.
08:51She actually seriously told me to get more sun.
08:53My life is so happy.
08:54Even if it rained every day, it wouldn't touch me.
08:57Hey, hey.
08:57You know what?
08:58The butler just reported to my mom that I aced all my Tuesday targets.
09:01Mom was super satisfied and randomly ordered me a Chanel Haute Couture set.
09:06Chanel Haute Couture?
09:07What's so great about that?
09:08There are over a dozen Haute Couture pieces hanging in the walk-in closet.
09:12Those expensive, fancy clothes are less comfortable to me than a school uniform.
09:15Because the second I put on those couture pieces,
09:18my whole name just becomes Mrs. Walker's daughter.
09:20At those suffocating social events,
09:22I couldn't even own my own feelings or facial expressions.
09:26Jess, your mom couldn't drive you again today?
09:29Olivia from the next class called out to me.
09:31Her sympathetic voice pulled me out of those bad memories.
09:34I froze for a second, gave her a smile, and said,
09:37Yeah, my mom has to look after my little sister.
09:40How come you're not mad today?
09:42I thought you hated your little sister.
09:45Sister, read it.
09:47Hate my little sister?
09:48Jessica's little sister is like a squishy plush doll.
09:51When she blinked those big eyes and called me big sound her baby voice,
09:54my heart just melted.
09:56Why would Jessica hate her?
09:58Was it because of money again?
10:00On the bus, I kept reading G the messages from Jessica.
10:03Mom's coming back from Europe next week.
10:05When she does, I'll tell her I want to transfer back to private school,
10:08then go study in Switzerland.
10:10We've been besties for three years, so I guess we've got some kind of fate.
10:14As long as you keep everything about my high school years a secret,
10:17I can give you a chunk of hush money before I leave.
10:19Late at night, she sent a photo of the sparkling city view
10:22from her bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window.
10:24Jealous?
10:24This is the penthouse top floor you'll never, ever reach, Jessica.
10:28A life you'll never, ever have.
10:31The last two messages came five minutes ago.
10:34Princess has transferred $20 to you.
10:36Jessica, just saw you waiting for the bus.
10:38Your mom ditched you for your little sister again, right?
10:41So pathetic.
10:42Hurry up and Uber to school.
10:43I'll wait for you in the classroom.
10:44I hit receive and turned off the screen.
10:47It looked like Jessica had adapted to the Sophia identity perfectly.
10:50She could accept those tasteless custom health meals,
10:52those intense, suffocating three-on-one tutoring sessions,
10:56and that empty, lifeless home with no family or warmth at all.
11:00She was basically the perfect daughter Taylor made for my mom.
11:03My mom always wanted a daughter who obeyed her orders with AI-liked precision.
11:07After seeing Jessica's performance yesterday, she's finally satisfied, I guess.
11:14Wait.
11:15Something suddenly hit me.
11:16I gripped my phone, cold sweat still seeping from my palms out of pure fear.
11:20Jessica made re-three fatal mistakes.
11:23I made it to school just in time, dropped my canvas bag, panting.
11:27Jessica, who was scrolling through TikTok, glanced up at me.
11:30You took the money.
11:31Why didn't you take an Uber?
11:32I frowned, snatched her phone, and nervously closed the short video app.
11:36Stop scrolling.
11:37Something bad's gonna happen.
11:38What could possibly happen from scrolling TikTok?
11:40Jessica glared at me, annoyed.
11:43Give me back my phone.
11:44All your social accounts are monitored in real time.
11:46There are cameras all over the house.
11:48She knows every single thing you do.
11:49I took a deep breath, trying my best to sound calm.
11:52You know what?
11:52You made three fatal mistakes.
11:54Knowing her personality, we're both screwed.
11:56You're just a little girl to her.
11:57She can get rid of you anytime.
11:58Stakes?
11:59My performance last night was absolutely perfect.
12:01Even the butler didn't notice anything off.
12:03Who are you trying to scare?
12:03I'm not trying to scare you.
12:05Can you just listen and listen to-
12:05I don't want to hear it, Jessica.
12:06Give me my phone back right now, or I'll make you buy me a new one.
12:11I was speechless.
12:12Suddenly, a guy's arm reached out.
12:14Ryan, the football captain Jessica had been crushing war forever, snatched the phone from
12:17my hand and smoothly hand it to her.
12:18Sophia, got your phone back for you.
12:21Oh.
12:23Jessica took the phone lukewarmly and placed it on the table.
12:26Ryan had no intention of leaving, though.
12:28Blushing, he asked quietly,
12:29Sophia, I heard you're really good at chess.
12:32Want to play a game after lunch?
12:34Nope, I'm busy.
12:36Jessica flat-out rejected Ryan's invite.
12:38After putting her phone away, she flipped open her AP English tuxbook without even glancing
12:43up at her former crush.
12:44I didn't get Jessica's reaction either.
12:46Just the day before yesterday, she was deliberately creating coincidental meetings and hoping to
12:50be in the same group as Ryan in gym class.
12:53How could she change so fast?
12:54Why is she being like this?
12:56She was all over him yesterday, and now she's acting like he doesn't even exist.
13:00I'm going to take over Walker Group someday.
13:02Ryan's nowhere near good enough for me.
13:05Noticing me staring, Jessica smugly lifted her chin.
13:08In my eyes right now, he's just like you.
13:10Nothing but an insignificant grain of sand, not leaving a single trace in my life.
13:15I realized Jessica had completely bought into being Sophia, and right now, she was totally
13:20enjoying everything I used to hate.
13:22This was exactly what I'd hoped for.
13:24As long as she could keep fooling my mom, we could both live the lives we wanted.
13:29That day, I warned her over and over that Catherine was nothing like the model mother
13:33described in Forbes magazine, but a cold-blooded, ruthless monster.
13:38But Jessica kept thinking I was just trying to drive a wedge between them because she'd
13:41stolen my mom.
13:45In the end, I had to give up.
13:46I spent the whole afternoon writing down all 121 house rules in a notebook and gave it to
13:51her.
13:52But before she even looked closely, she tore those pages to shreds.
13:56I'm not falling for this.
13:57This is just your way of trying to steal your life back.
13:59Even if it is true, I don't need your reminders.
14:01I'm confident I can make mom accept me.
14:03Maybe mom will notice I'm a little different from before.
14:05But that's just me changing after realizing my past mistakes.
14:07From now on, be a well-behaved, sensible daughter.
14:10I've read your text history, and I seriously don't get it.
14:12How could you want a mom who's just there by your side?
14:15I'd only feel grateful and heartbroken for my mom working her ass off out there every
14:18day.
14:19If my mom gave herself up to housework and kids like some stay-at-home housewives, I'd
14:22just be living like a homeless person, not even having bus feet.
14:25Jessica wasn't lying.
14:26Once during a downpour, her mom forgot to send her bus feet, and she had to borrow two bucks
14:31from me.
14:32Right then, a message popped up on my phone.
14:34Honey, mom's helping the neighbor with some cleaning.
14:36Can you take the bus home by yourself?
14:37I made your favorite Italian dumplings today.
14:39If you're hungry when you get home, boil some first.
14:42Even though she'd forgotten the bus fare again, I held my phone.
14:44And I don't know why, but just thinking about how she'd wrapped dumplings specially for me
14:49made me feel all warm inside.
14:51After school, Jessica noticed I was about to take the bus.
14:54She stopped me, all high and mighty.
14:56Your mom ditched you for your sister again?
14:58So pathetic.
14:59This young lady will transfer you another 20 bucks.
15:01Take an Uber home.
15:02Without waiting for my reply, she bossily sent over 20 bucks, then ran off to that black
15:07Escalade without looking back.
15:08I took the money, but had zero plans to take an Uber.
15:11Jessica's family isn't well of.
15:13Her mom even cleans for neighbors to earn extra cash.
15:16I wanted to save the money and give it to her.
15:20It was peak rush hour after school and work.
15:23The bus was totally packed.
15:24A bunch of students got on and off, but it stayed crazy crowded.
15:28So much that I didn't notice some guy in a baseball cap had been standing next to me
15:32for several stops.
15:36Hey, it's you.
15:37Sorry, lost my balance.
15:40He acted like he knew Jessica, greeting me all casual.
15:43I pressed my lips together, said nothing, and turned my back to him.
15:48I thought that'd keep me safe, but his hand crawled onto my waist like an ant.
15:52Little girl, let your uncle just hold on, okay?
15:55Every hair on my body stood up.
15:57Instinctively, I grabbed that hand and held it tight.
15:59The Brazilian jujitsu I'd trained since I was a killed finally came in handy today.
16:02I finally got why Jessica never wanted me to take the bus.
16:05She'd definitely been harassed too, which was why she made her mom drive her every day.
16:08But the second her mom couldn't pick her up because of some small thing, she was back
16:12in danger.
16:12But why didn't she ever call the cops or tell her family about this?
16:15What's going on?
16:17Three hours later, I got my answer.
16:19Jess, go home and take a shower first.
16:21Mom's got to pick up your little sister.
16:23It was already 9 p.m. when Jessica's mom brought me home from the police station.
16:26Looking at her puffy, red eyes, I felt so guilty.
16:30Truth was, I didn't get the short end of the stick at all.
16:33I actually kicked out two of that guy's front teeth.
16:35But she kept blaming herself the whole time for not picking me up.
16:41I need to report a case of harassment.
16:43My daughter was followed home from school today.
16:45Honestly, she did amazing.
16:46She rushed to the station right away in a dirty apron, trying her best to keep it together
16:50and handle it rationally.
16:51This is already the third time, isn't it?
16:53No one can do anything to me anyway.
16:55She lunged at him, trying to hit him, but two cops immediately held her back.
16:59Struggling, she screamed,
17:00I looked at this tiny woman and I saw something I'd never seen before.
17:03During all this, she called Mike.
17:05The response she got was,
17:06You're an embarrassment.
17:07Get your ass back home now.
17:09Honestly, I wasn't surprised by her husband's insane reaction anymore.
17:12What I didn't expect was, the second I opened the front door,
17:15he flew into a rage, rushed over, and slapped me across the face.
17:18You stupid brat out there seducing men all day.
17:21I told you to go back to Texas and marry my friend's son.
17:23His family promised to buy me a pickup truck.
17:25And now it's all ruined.
17:26And you knocked out two of his teeth.
17:28I'm not paying to afford it.
17:28Go single cent for you.
17:30If you can't afford it, go sell yourself.
17:31I'm so damn unlucky.
17:32Stuck with you three jinxes.
17:33He didn't give a damn about what his daughter had been through.
17:35He actually thought her being harassed was just an embarrassment for him.
17:38Mike, have you lost your mind?
17:40This isn't her fault at all.
17:41It's that pervert who hurt our daughter.
17:43You said, Leia's son, it's all your fault for insisting she go to high school.
17:45What's the point of girls studying?
17:46It's being treated like...
17:50Mike, that's enough.
17:51What, Emily, you want a divorce?
17:53You can't bear to leave these two little Brits?
17:55Don't forget, you've got zero income right now.
17:58How the hell are you going to survive with two kids?
17:59That half-hearted resistance just brought an even more vicious beating from Mike.
18:04I'll teach you to fucking talk back to me!
18:10Jess, murder is against the law!
18:12Pete, please stop fighting!
18:15Big sis hug!
18:17Don't be afraid, Mom's here.
18:19The room fell silent.
18:20Mom soothed little sis and went to check on Mike.
18:22Frustrated, I grabbed her.
18:23Mom, can you just divorce him?
18:25Jess, just focus on your studies.
18:26Kids shouldn't meddle in grown-up stuff.
18:28In that moment, I felt so disappointed.
18:30But soon, I figured out what was holding her back.
18:32I took out my phone and texted Jessica.
18:34Lend me 500 bucks.
18:36Dad's violent.
18:36We have nowhere to go.
18:38Wednesday night at 9.30, she should have just finished her business management class.
18:41Knowing her, she'd start scrolling her phone the second class ended.
18:44Sure enough, within a minute, she replied.
18:50I snapped a photo of Mike lying unconscious and sent it.
18:58It's okay, Emma.
19:02I calmly locked the screen.
19:04Years of harsh training had taught me to quickly steady my emotions in most situations.
19:08But this time, I was scared.
19:09Mom, if I stay here any longer, I'm scared I won't be able to stop myself from killing Dad.
19:15Can you come with me and stay somewhere else just for one night?
19:19Let's go.
19:19We're leaving right now.
19:26We spent the night at a Hampton Inn near school.
19:29The next day, I got to school even earlier than Jessica.
19:33You're not hurt?
19:34No.
19:34I suddenly remembered all the bruises that randomly showed up on Jessica over the past three years.
19:40I lowered my gaze a little.
19:42What?
19:42Can't believe parents like that exist?
19:44Then let me tell you, your hard days are just beginning.
19:47And don't you dare dream of saving your mom.
19:49She's long used to this life, and she's convinced she's staying for the kid's sake.
19:53Mom agreed to a divorce.
19:54Impossible.
19:55She doesn't have the guts to divorce.
19:57If you don't get a divorce, I will stop going to school.
19:59A daughter is Emily's weakness, but she can also be her armor.
20:03Emily really does love Jessica.
20:05Do you want your daughter to go to the magnet school?
20:07Fine.
20:07Resign and have a second child, and I'll sign the papers.
20:10I only found out when I threatened to drop out to pressure her into a divorce.
20:14Three years ago, she'd agreed to quit her job and have a second child just so her husband would let
20:18Jessica go to this highly ranked magnet school.
20:20Jess, you can't drop out.
20:21Getting into college is your...
20:22She was afraid of losing custody, but she was even more afraid of her daughter marrying young like she did
20:27and going through the same painful life.
20:29I bet right. Even though she wasn't ready at all, she still promised me. As long as I kept studying,
20:34she'd get divorced.
20:36Loving your kids more than yourself, maybe that's a trait of most stay-at-home moms, unlike Catherine, who only
20:41cares about herself.
20:42I gripped my pen, wanting to write something to calm down.
20:45Jessica, you must really want to swap back. That's why you're telling me all this? Don't waste your energy.
20:50My mom comes back in four days, and then I'm off to an elite private school.
20:53Congrats to you then.
20:55I didn't tell her what was waiting for her in four days.
20:57On the very first day of the swap, Jessica made three fatal mistakes.
21:01First, she got three A's in French oral class.
21:03The reason I never got A's in my other courses was that the second I did, Catherine would raise the
21:08bar, except for oral class.
21:10Even if I wanted an A, I couldn't get one.
21:12Because I'm not good at expressing myself.
21:15Most of the time, I just quietly listened to the teacher and avoided talking as much as possible.
21:20Second, she opened the curtains.
21:22After mom and dad divorced, she made an enemy out of the Morgan family.
21:26All these years, the Morgans have been spying on us.
21:29So my curtains have never been opened, and they're not allowed to be opened.
21:33That night, when Catherine saw on the surveillance footage that Jessica had opened the curtains and was standing by the
21:38window taking photos, she definitely got suspicious.
21:41Third, she took out her phone at home.
21:43Every corner of that house has cameras, including the bedroom.
21:47So I never take my phone out after I get home, because the punishment for wasting time is beyond terrifying.
21:52I never want to go through that again.
21:54And Jessica sent me all those messages that night.
21:56She's about to face my mom's harshest punishment.
21:59That's Catherine's style.
22:00Cold, with clear rewards and punishments.
22:03You can eat.
22:04She allows you to mess up, and she won't correct you right away.
22:07But she'll use other methods to make you remember that mistake forever, making you submit to her completely in despair.
22:13I told you, junk food is forbidden.
22:15Since you ate it, swim for two hours and burn that junk off.
22:19Half an hour later, I collapsed from exhaustion and nearly drowned.
22:23If the doctor and assistant hadn't been watching, I'd probably be dead.
22:28This went on from age 10 all the way to senior year.
22:31Eight whole years.
22:32I'd reached my breaking point long ago.
22:33I never imagined I'd accidentally swap souls with Jessica.
22:36Since she likes Catherine so much, let Catherine be her mom forever.
22:40The next day, halfway through class, I spotted Laura, the assistant, outside the classroom.
22:45Sophia, your mom called in a leave for you.
22:47Like the fading at the school gate, you can head out first.
22:50Jessica was too excited to notice.
22:51She thought her rich mom was taking her to a private school.
22:54She looked to cut me smugly.
22:55We won't be seeing each other again.
22:57I didn't respond.
22:58Every muscle in my body tensed up.
23:00My mind replaying over and over whether I'd done anything wrong.
23:05Even though I was Jessica now, my fear of Catherine was like a nightmare I just couldn't shake.
23:09The second I hear her name, I get physically sick.
23:12The moment I see her, I'm like a drowning fish, gasping for air.
23:16I can only breathe again once she's gone.
23:19Same this time.
23:20It wasn't until I watched Jessica get into Catherine's Maybach and saw that car drive away
23:25that my tense nerves finally started to relax.
23:28But deep down, I silently prayed, I hope Jessica really can do what she said.
23:33Get Catherine's approval and those two can be locked together forever as mother and daughter.
23:37The next day, Jessica didn't show up for class.
23:41The day after that, she still didn't come.
23:45I tentatively asked the counselor if Sophia had transferred schools.
23:49No, Sophia's mom said she's sick and needs to rest up at home for a few days.
23:52But the counselor said, sick?
23:54Rest up for a few days?
23:56When I ran away from home in eighth grade and got caught, Catherine used the exact same
23:59excuse with my counselor.
24:01Then I got thrown into the reflection room.
24:03The reflection room was a converted first floor guest bedroom.
24:06No windows, just a chair, a desk, and a bedpan.
24:09Once locked in, I had to write self-criticism letters every day, exactly as Catherine demanded.
24:14And I wouldn't be let out until she was satisfied.
24:17There's a huge chance Jessica's been locked in that reflection room right now.
24:21I hope she just repents like a good girl.
24:23If she stubbornly refuses to admit fault, the butler and other staff will all be sent in turns
24:28into the reflection room to persuade her, eating, drinking, and doing their business
24:32right there with her.
24:33It's as terrifying as it gets.
24:34But the butler and staff all volunteer for it.
24:37They get a $500 bonus for each day they spend in there.
24:40Only I got breakdowns and despair out of it.
24:42The more I thought about it, the more freaked out I got.
24:45The second school let out, I bolted back to the rental.
24:48Jess, your dad and I went to the courthouse to file for divorce today, and Walker Group
24:52sent me a job interview invitation.
24:53I really didn't expect them to give me a shot at 37.
24:57Mom, 37 is nothing.
24:59Walker's a woman-friendly company.
25:01A lot of employees are women over 40, including plenty of stay-at-home moms returning to work.
25:04You'll see when you get there.
25:06I haven't worked in three years.
25:07I don't know if I can do it.
25:09Mom, relax 100%.
25:11Walker has onboarding training.
25:13HR will decide based on that whether you start work or keep training.
25:17If you really can't handle the current position, they'll reassign you based on your here strengths.
25:21Really?
25:23Jess, with all the school stress you're under, you still specially help mom look into work stuff.
25:27Mom really feels so bad for you.
25:30Mom, you were always too scared to divorce before, but now that you've actually done it,
25:33don't you see divorcing's not that scary and going back to work's not that scary either?
25:37Once you take that first step, the way ahead clears up.
25:39You're right.
25:39If I really want what's best for you and Emma, I need to set a good example for you both.
25:43A bad marriage isn't worth hanging onto or missing.
25:45Even if I'm almost 40, I still have a chance to fix my mistakes.
25:49For my daughters, there's nothing I'm not willing to risk.
25:51Just for her daughters?
25:52I actually wanted to tell her she could make these changes for herself, too.
25:56But in that moment, I thought of Catherine again.
25:58I can understand the perseverance and pressure of a working mom,
26:01and I can understand the hard work and sacrifice of a stay-at-home mom.
26:04But I'll never, ever understand Catherine.
26:07She wouldn't spend time with me, yet controlled me every second.
26:10She was like a truly pathological extreme.
26:14After dinner, I pulled out my phone and casually opened Instagram.
26:18Right then, I scrolled onto a live stream of the Walker Group's Lakeside Charity Auction,
26:22and I was shocked speechless.
26:24Not because this event, usually fixed in winter,
26:26had suddenly been moved up by over half a year,
26:29but because Catherine had not only brought Jessica to the event,
26:32but also allowed her to answer reporters' questions freely.
26:35Jessica was wearing that new Chanel haute couture Catherine brought back from Paris,
26:39looking like a proud white swan.
26:41It seemed like she and Catherine were getting along pretty well.
26:44This can't be, just as I thought.
26:46Jessica, who'd been elegantly answering questions,
26:48suddenly snatched the microphone from the host.
26:51Catherine Walker, you're a goddamn through-and-through psycho!
26:54Sophia, why are you calling Mrs. Walker a psycho?
26:56She's your mother.
26:57She's not my mom. She's insane.
26:58Look at this, and you'll see just how crazy she is.
27:01Even blood sugar has to be monitored in real time.
27:04No wonder it's pushed her to this state.
27:07For three days straight, Catherine locked me in a windowless reflection room
27:10and played videos of my life after age 10 from morning to night.
27:13I wasn't allowed to eat or sleep until I finished them,
27:15but those videos add up to over 3,000 hours.
27:17How could I possibly finish that?
27:18She wants to drive me insane.
27:20She just wants to push me to death.
27:22Mrs. Walker, is what Sophia said true?
27:24Our group always claims to be a woman-friendly company.
27:26Doesn't this behavior smack of abusing a minor?
27:31First, my daughter was born on January 31, 2007, so she's already an adult.
27:35Second, teen girls can be a bit rebellious, and my daughter is no exception.
27:40Catherine, this isn't rebellion.
27:42In just three days, I'm already on the verge of a breakdown.
27:44What normal mother installs this many cameras at home to spy on her daughter?
27:47What normal mother enforces 121 house rules on her daughter?
27:50What mother uses a lie detector on her daughter, forces her to undergo hypnosis?
27:54And what normal mother edits together a combination of her daughter's failures,
27:57mistakes, moments of fear and tears,
27:58and plays it over and over to torture her whenever she misbehaves?
28:02Catherine, you're not normal.
28:03You're a monster.
28:03You need to see a psychiatrist.
28:06Sophia, the one who needs to seriously see a shank is you.
28:09Dr. Nelson's psychological evaluation report shows you're currently severely suicidal.
28:20Truth is, I'd done this before too, exposed Catherine as a control freak in public.
28:25It was totally useless.
28:26My mom's an expert at mental torture.
28:28I had no physical evidence to accuse her of abuse.
28:31And most people didn't buy it either that Catherine, who championed women supporting women,
28:35could treat her own daughter in such a sick way.
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