- 5 hours ago
Their Regret, Her Redemption
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00The moment I jumped, I saw my family's panicked faces through the haze, but I didn't care.
00:04I could see them screaming, but I couldn't hear a single word over the wind in my ears.
00:08You made me this way. Isn't this exactly what you people wanted?
00:12Then, the world went pitch black.
00:15Three years ago, on my birthday, I made a wish under the glow of a dozen candles.
00:19I wished for my parents, my brother, and Maya to be happy together forever.
00:23But when I opened my eyes, a group of strangers was barging into my home.
00:27They snatched me up without a word.
00:30Who are you? Mom, help! Save me!
00:34I spun around, looking for my family, but they just stood there, watching me like I was a stranger.
00:41Vivian, honey, just be a good girl. I love you.
00:45Go learn some rules, then you can come back. It's for your own sake.
00:51See ya, your highnesses.
00:53Maya was cuddled up in their arms, acting like she was the daughter, not me.
00:57I had to watch them slice my birthday cake and give her the first piece.
01:00The car pulled away, and the tires finished off what was left of my birthday crown.
01:04I stared at the rearview mirror until they were gone.
01:07They looked like a perfect family of four, laughing and happy.
01:10If this is love, then why did you dump me like trash?
01:15Vivian, honey, what do you think about a sister?
01:18Mom asked, while she kneeled in front of me and fixed my jacket.
01:21A sister? Why do I need one? I want us to stay like this forever.
01:27Mom rubbed my head.
01:28Of course it is, sweetie. But you'd have a buddy. You're always saying your brother ignores you, right?
01:35Okay, I want a sister to play with!
01:37Mom looked at me and gave me this real tender smile.
01:40And that was it. Maya moved in. She was so shy at first.
01:44Her clothes were filthy, and she had these bruises on her face.
01:47Mom's heart broke for her.
01:49Vivian, Maya doesn't have anyone. Anyone. She's had it rough. You need to be kind to her, okay?
01:55Maya would jump to do chores and eat every scrap, acting like she was so grateful for everything.
01:59I wasn't like her. I was the spoiled one. I hated chores.
02:04And if I didn't like what was for dinner, I wouldn't eat.
02:06I really thought I could live that happy, pampered life forever.
02:10But then, I caught mom looking at me like I was a bad kid.
02:13They started picking on me for being spoiled.
02:15They compared me to Maya constantly. I was never good enough.
02:19After Maya took yet another accidental fall in front of me, mom finally reached her breaking point.
02:24She sent me away to some ladies finishing school. She threw me away.
02:29When I first got to that place, it was pure hell.
02:32Every time I cried out, the punishment just got worse.
02:35No food. No sleep.
02:37I spent so many nights shivering in those cold hallways, clinging to the hope that mom would come for me.
02:42Then came the day they locked me in the silence room.
02:45The warden found my hidden necklace.
02:47When the locket popped open, it showed our family photo.
02:50They tossed me into I was limp and locked me away in total darkness for three days straight.
02:54In this place, having feelings or memories was a crime.
02:57No water, no light.
02:59I spent the first day praying.
03:01By the second, I was losing my mind with rage.
03:04By the third, I was just empty.
03:06When I finally crawled out of that cell, I had become a puppet.
03:09A girl with no soul left.
03:11I ate whatever they put in front of me, even if it was literal slop dug out of a dog's
03:15bowl.
03:16I let them soak me in milk baths until my skin went raw and started to peel.
03:20The new me had learned how to be good.
03:22I finally learned how to be a quiet, perfect lady.
03:26The day I finally graduated, I watched the car I knew so well drive in.
03:30We were in the reception room.
03:32Mom looked at the headmaster, then turned to me.
03:34Look happy, Vivian.
03:36My eyes flickered to life.
03:37I rushed over, sobbing as I threw my arms around her.
03:41Mom, I missed you.
03:43I'm just so happy.
03:44Mom felt a bit stiff as she hugged me.
03:46Vivian?
03:48Are you doing okay?
03:52Mom, I missed you.
03:53I'm just so happy.
03:55Mom looked freaked out.
03:56Dad and my brother were sweating.
03:58They looked at the headmaster.
03:59You just have to give her a direct command.
04:04A perfect lady doesn't need to think.
04:07She only needs to follow orders.
04:10My brother got this sick, playful look and shoved his way to the front.
04:13Vivian, bark like a dog.
04:15Go on.
04:16I didn't hesitate.
04:17I hunched my shoulders, stuck my tongue out, and started barking like crazy.
04:22My brother was cracking up.
04:23She's actually doing it.
04:25Remember when she'd scream over chores?
04:27Now look at her, a total puppy.
04:32My parents nodded along.
04:34They finally looked satisfied with their daughter.
04:36On the way home,
04:37Vivian, honey, tell me about the last three years.
04:40I didn't say a word.
04:42Vivian?
04:43I kept silent.
04:46Vivian, I asked if you were happy.
04:48Yes, mother, I am incredibly happy.
04:53A dead silence fell over the car.
04:56It was nearly dark when the car crawled into the yard.
04:59Maya was standing on the porch, looking all concerned.
05:02Mom, you guys were out so late.
05:05I was so worried.
05:07Same old act.
05:08So sweet, so thoughtful.
05:10Just like she was three years ago.
05:12Oh, Vivian.
05:14Welcome back.
05:15She sounded so careful around me, like she was walking on eggshells.
05:19We all went inside.
05:21Dinner was already on the table, a huge feast.
05:23You're such a good girl, Maya.
05:25Our perfect daughter.
05:27We have Maya.
05:28Why did we bring this freak back?
05:30Dad stayed silent, just cutting my brother off with a look.
05:33You owe Maya a big thank you for all this.
05:35I fired back immediately.
05:37Thank you, Maya.
05:39This meal is incredible.
05:41I'm so grateful.
05:43My brother gave a satisfied grin.
05:45I just sat there like a statue.
05:47Go on, Vivian.
05:49Eat.
05:49I finally moved.
05:51One bite, one sip.
05:52Perfectly timed, perfectly robotic.
05:55But...
05:55Vivian, stop!
05:56You're deathly allergic to milk.
05:57What are you doing?
05:58I'm sorry.
05:59I had no idea she was allergic.
06:01I didn't prepare a back...
06:02It's not your fault she's picky.
06:04Besides, she's drinking it fine.
06:06Maybe that school finally fixed her.
06:08My parents just stood there, watching me finish every drop with doubt in their eyes.
06:12Then I slammed onto the floor.
06:15Vivian!
06:16Dad rushed for the allergy meds.
06:18My brother lost it too.
06:20Watching me struggle to breathe, he looked like he actually felt bad.
06:23No one saw her look of hate.
06:25The academy brushed off the allergic reaction as behavioral correction, and they bought it.
06:30Everyone at home just relaxed and moved on.
06:33I became their most useful slave.
06:36Mom made me do the dishes, and I did a better job than Maya ever did.
06:39Dad made me move the heavy pots, and I finished the whole yard by myself.
06:43My brother wanted his bag delivered, and I ran like my life depended on it.
06:47Vivian is actually more helpful than Maya these days.
06:51They all nodded in approval.
06:52Then came that night.
06:54Mom told me to clean up, but she wasn't specific.
06:57Everyone else went to bed.
06:59I stayed up all night, cleaning every single inch of that house.
07:02I kept going until I just passed out from pure exhaustion.
07:05Mom walked out in the morning and saw me collapsed in the garden.
07:08I was still holding the hose.
07:10She turned pale.
07:11The glass in her hand dropped and shattered instantly.
07:14A woman in a white coat arrived.
07:16She told us she was a shrink.
07:18She sounded so gentle.
07:20Hello, Vivian.
07:21I didn't say a word.
07:22You gotta command her.
07:23She won't talk unless you tell her to.
07:25The doctor looked at Mom and frowned.
07:27State your name.
07:28Vivian.
07:29Vivian.
07:30Define family for me.
07:32Family.
07:34Members of the household.
07:36Just members?
07:37Don't you love them?
07:38Love is useless.
07:40The doctor froze.
07:41My family looked like they'd seen a ghost.
07:44They moved to the study, whispering words that didn't mean anything to me.
07:48PTSD.
07:49Severe emotional apathy.
07:51Distorted self-cognition.
07:52Long-term therapy.
07:54They came out and made a hard choice to send Maya away on my birthday.
07:57Balloons covered the ceiling.
07:59A massive two-tier cake sat on the table.
08:02Maya walked up to me, and her innocent look was gone.
08:04Happy birthday, sister dearest.
08:06I just stared at her.
08:09Oops.
08:09Forgot.
08:10You can't even talk without an order, can you?
08:14You're such a loser.
08:16Exactly how I used to be.
08:18Her face twisted.
08:20For a second, she looked like she was gonna cry.
08:23Then she went right back to being a bitch.
08:25At the orphanage, you're either an actor or you're dead.
08:28I had a shot at a real family once.
08:31But my so-called best friend framed me.
08:34She made it look like I shoved her.
08:36She got the rich life, and I got stuck there until I was 13.
08:40No one adopts kids over 10.
08:42You're just garbage at that point.
08:44Worth less than dirt.
08:46I swallowed my pride.
08:48I let the headmaster's son ride me like a pony.
08:51I cleaned shoes on my hands and knees.
08:53I ate scraps off the ground.
08:55They were gonna sell me to some sick old creeps.
08:57She screamed it, but then she caught herself and checked the door real quick.
09:01I'm not going anywhere.
09:03I'm never going back there.
09:05Never.
09:07Maya yanked my hand onto her shoulder and then threw herself to the floor.
09:10The door burst open.
09:11My brother was at the door, holding a plate of fruit.
09:14Vivian!
09:16What are you doing?
09:18The fruit tray hit the floor, and everything went rolling.
09:21Maya was on the floor, looking up with these big, teary eyes.
09:25Vivian, why did you push me?
09:27You hate me so much?
09:28I'm already going away.
09:30Why are you still hitting me?
09:31I didn't move.
09:33I knew it was an act.
09:34Mom charged in, her face turning from shock to utter fury in a heartbeat.
09:38What is wrong with you?
09:40Why would you push Maya?
09:42My brother crouched down to help Maya.
09:44He was being so careful, like she was gonna break.
09:48You're a lost cause.
09:50You acted so sweet and good behavior, just to trick us.
09:53But here you are, showing who you really are.
09:56Mom's eyes got all red, but she wasn't crying for me.
09:59She was just furious.
10:00And we were just saying we should be kinder to you.
10:03And to think we were actually feeling guilty.
10:06We were talking about how to make it up to you.
10:09But look at this.
10:11You're still that evil brat.
10:13You still can't stand Maya.
10:15You played us for fools for three years.
10:18I just stood there, silent.
10:20Maya was huddled in Mom's arms, sobbing.
10:23Go die.
10:23The room went dead quiet.
10:26What did you just say?
10:27I said, tell her to die.
10:31She's supposed to do whatever we say, right?
10:35Fine.
10:36Tell her to die.
10:37At least then we'd finally have some peace.
10:39Right after he said that, Maya just passed out.
10:42Maya!
10:43Maya, look at me!
10:44Mom was holding her.
10:45Dad tried to wake her.
10:46Maya, can you hear me?
10:46And my brother was calling 911.
10:48They were all huddled around her.
10:50Nobody even glanced at me.
10:52Okay.
10:53I'll go die then.
10:54Nobody even heard a word I said.
10:56They were all over Maya.
10:57I slowly turned away and started walking toward the balcony.
11:00My brother saw me first.
11:02Vivian!
11:03His phone dropped and hit the floor with a thud.
11:05Mom looked back, and her face went as white as a sheet.
11:08Vivian, no!
11:10What are you doing?
11:11I just smiled at her and did exactly what I was told to do.
11:15I woke up.
11:17The ceiling was a soft, dull white.
11:19Everything ached.
11:21Mom was right there, head down on the edge of my bed.
11:24The hospital room door inched open.
11:26Dad peeked in, holding a small insulated lunch bag.
11:30Vivian, you're awake.
11:31Your mom, she wouldn't leave.
11:33She's been right there for three days.
11:35I didn't say anything.
11:36No one had told me to speak yet.
11:39Mom woke up and saw me, her voice trembling.
11:44Vivian, you're awake.
11:46Please give me my orders.
11:47I said it like a robot.
11:49It was like a reflex.
11:51Mom stopped crying.
11:52She grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin.
11:55Vivian, no more orders.
11:57Never again.
11:58I just need you to be okay.
12:01Just stay alive for me.
12:03I don't want anything else.
12:05Nothing.
12:06I looked at her.
12:07Her eyes were just drowning in tears.
12:11The last order was go die.
12:14I tried to do it, but I messed up.
12:18I'm just waiting for you to tell me what to do next.
12:21Mom's face just drained.
12:22Her lips went white.
12:24She looked like she'd aged a hundred years in a second.
12:28Vivian, that order doesn't count.
12:30He was just talking out of anger.
12:32Ignore it.
12:34The doctor said Maya was faking the whole thing.
12:37She's fine.
12:38I sent her back to the orphanage.
12:40Back to the orphanage?
12:41Maya, the girl who invaded my house when I was 14.
12:45The girl who took everything that was mine.
12:47She's just sent back?
12:49What's gonna happen to her now?
12:50My brother started crying.
12:52She admitted it all.
12:53The whole thing was a lie.
12:55She was just playing us.
12:57Every word out of her mouth, everything she let us see,
13:00it was all a setup.
13:01She played the victim to trick us.
13:03She set you up to push her just so she could ruin you.
13:06She told me she loved it.
13:07Seeing a high-class girl like you being destroyed by someone like her.
13:11She actually felt proud of it.
13:15We were so wrong.
13:17We were blind, Vivian.
13:18We should have had your back.
13:19You're my sister.
13:20Mom and Dad just buried their faces.
13:22The only sound in the room was there crying.
13:25I stayed quiet.
13:26She didn't mention a word about her hell at the orphanage.
13:29Why did she stop playing the victim?
13:31Was she feeling guilty?
13:38Is that an order?
13:39As soon as I said that, the room went dead quiet.
13:42Mom's hand just stayed there, stuck on my arm.
13:45She looked like a statue.
13:46Dad looked terrible.
13:48His lips were shaking, but he just couldn't speak.
13:50My brother's bloodshot eyes locked onto mine.
13:54I only know how to follow orders.
13:57Please provide clear instructions.
13:59Mom tried to pull me into a hug, but I didn't hug her back.
14:02I just sat there.
14:04Forget the standards.
14:06Forget the rules.
14:08Vivian, I was wrong.
14:10We were all wrong.
14:11We shouldn't have sent you away or demanded you be a robot.
14:14We shouldn't have hurt you for her.
14:15Please, can't you just be the old you again for me?
14:19Is that an order?
14:21Mom's body just went stiff.
14:22She slowly let go of me, her hands trembling.
14:25She looked at my empty face, and you could see her heart breaking right there.
14:29She just slumped back into the chair, white as a sheet.
14:36Dad came up to me, looking like he'd aged 20 years overnight.
14:42Vivian, forgive me.
14:45I thought you were a handful.
14:46I thought Maya was the good daughter.
14:49But seeing you like this, I finally realized that the girl who acted like a spoiled child
14:55and threw tantrums was the daughter we loved.
14:57I didn't say anything.
14:58He didn't give me an order, so there was nothing for me to say.
15:02My brother stood up, face a mess, and delivered a stinging slap to his own cheek.
15:06The sound was deafening in the quiet room.
15:09He kept going until his face swelled up.
15:13Dad had to hold him back.
15:17Vivian, I'm a scumbag.
15:18I never should have told you to die.
15:20I never should have picked Maya over my own sister.
15:24Scream at me, hit me, just come back to us, please.
15:29I looked at his face and a memory popped up.
15:32Three years ago, he'd steal my comic books just to get me to chase him.
15:36He'd always let me win.
15:37He'd slow down, let me tackle him, and then hand me the book with a smile.
15:41But that memory was like a reflection in a puddle.
15:44It flickered for a second, and then it was gone.
15:47Please, state your command.
15:50He went white.
15:51He looked like a dead man walking.
15:53He slid down the wall and broke down, sobbing into his hands.
15:56I watched in silence.
15:58My family was finally drowning in their own guilt.
16:01It was a beautiful sunny day when I got discharged.
16:04Mom brought me a new dress.
16:06It was that specific pink I loved when I was 14, with tiny rabbits on it.
16:10She was so careful helping me get dressed.
16:13Her hands shaking every time she touched my skin.
16:16Vivian, honey, do you like it?
16:18I didn't say a word.
16:20Her face fell, but she masked it with a smile and took my hand.
16:23My hand was dead weight.
16:25No reaction.
16:26No resistance.
16:28I just followed her out like a robot.
16:30We got home, and everything was different.
16:32All of Maya's stuff was gone.
16:34My room looked exactly like it did before I left.
16:37My comics were on the desk where I left them.
16:39My favorite clothes were in the closet.
16:41My old posters were on the wall.
16:44Mom walked me into the room.
16:45Look, Vivian, we fixed it all.
16:47This is your room, sweetie.
16:48It's always been yours.
16:51I looked at all that stuff I used to love.
16:55I didn't feel a thing.
16:57In that place, they killed everything I liked.
17:00They called it cleansing emotional residue.
17:03My favorite pink clothes, my comics, my snacks.
17:06I threw it all away with my own hands because of the punishment.
17:09Dinner was a feast of everything I loved before I turned 14.
17:12Pizza, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and jam sandwiches.
17:16No milk this time.
17:18Vivian, honey, try some.
17:20I made it exactly how you used to like it.
17:22I just sat there.
17:23I hadn't been told to eat yet.
17:25My brother looked at me, his eyes getting all red.
17:29Eat, Vivian.
17:31I grabbed my fork instantly.
17:33Chewing.
17:34Swallowing.
17:35Like a machine.
17:37Mom watched my robotic movements.
17:39Her fork clattered onto the table.
17:41She covered her mouth and ran.
17:43I could hear her sobbing in the kitchen.
17:48Vivian, no more orders.
17:50Just do what you want to do, okay?
17:52I finished chewing and looked at him.
17:54I need you to tell me exactly how you want me to act.
17:56One day turned into the next.
17:58They were careful not to give me orders.
18:00But without a direct order, I had no reason to move.
18:03I'd just sit there all day, like a computer on sleep mode.
18:06Mom sat by my side daily, retelling my childhood.
18:11She told me about when I was three.
18:13My first word was mom.
18:15She said she held me and spun around in circles.
18:17She was so happy.
18:18When I was five, I ruined the walls with her lipstick.
18:21She said she couldn't even get mad.
18:23She just spent the whole night scrubbing it off herself.
18:26At 10, I had that 104 degree fever.
18:29Dad crashed the car while racing to the hospital.
18:32He was bleeding from the crash, but all he did was hold me and beg for help.
18:36Screaming that he couldn't let his little girl die.
18:38She was sobbing while she told me this.
18:41But I just sat there and didn't feel a thing.
18:44My brother hunted down every top specialist.
18:47He didn't miss a single expert.
18:49But every one of them just shook their heads.
18:51The damage was done.
18:53My recovery was up to me.
18:55He went to that lockdown academy and raised hell until they handed over a thick file.
18:59Inside was the record of everything they did to me for three years.
19:02They spent the whole night in the study, reading.
19:05The sound of them crying never stopped.
19:07The logs showed every time I resisted, and every time I was punished.
19:11They threw me in a silence room for 48 hours just because I wouldn't eat vegetables.
19:16Forced treatments every time I had a breakdown.
19:19Every time I almost went into shock during the seven days of milk desensitization training.
19:25The teachers just wrote, etiquette training, on track.
19:29Emotional baggage, currently being purged.
19:33He sued them.
19:34He thought a judge could make up for the fact that he failed me.
19:37Every news channel was talking about those deep behavioral adjustment stories.
19:41My boy came back three years ago.
19:43He hasn't laughed a single time.
19:45The neighbor's kid was so energetic.
19:47Then he committed suicide.
19:51Education? You call a silence room schooling?
19:54That's abuse!
19:56I wouldn't do that to a stray dog!
19:58I was a janitor there.
19:59I saw their fingers.
20:01The kids, their nails were full of wall dust from scratch.
20:05Every face and every word felt like a needle to my eyes.
20:07I watched the parents of kids like me on the news, just sobbing.
20:11Journalists were at our door.
20:12We were drowning in a sea of phones and cameras.
20:15This is systematic.
20:17It's bigger than just one girl.
20:19We need a solid chain of evidence.
20:22And the media will be key.
20:24The media was grilling my parents.
20:26Mom was on camera.
20:27We messed up.
20:28It's our fault.
20:30I stood by, voice flat and steady.
20:32I'm going to testify.
20:34The summons finally showed up.
20:36The judge wanted me to talk at the hearing.
20:38But then, some creep emailed my brother.
20:40Drop the case.
20:41Or you'll regret it.
20:43The scandal exploded.
20:45Between social media and the news, it got millions of shares.
20:48The people threatening my brother couldn't bury it anymore.
20:51The investigation uncovered a whole paper trail of more dirt.
20:55The academy was shut down forever.
20:57They're selling everything to pay for our psych bills.
20:59The day the verdict hit, mom cried her eyes out in the living room.
21:03Next morning, mom's eyes were puffy and red from all the crying.
21:07She walked right up to me and hit the floor, on her knees.
21:11Dad and my brother tried to get her up, but she pushed them back.
21:16Vivian, honey, I'm so sorry.
21:20I failed you.
21:22I shouldn't have put an outsider before my own child.
21:26I wanted a doll.
21:27I forgot you were a human.
21:29A child who deserved to cry, to scream, and to be loved.
21:33I shouldn't have sent you to that hellhole.
21:35I shouldn't have let you suffer for three years.
21:38I don't want you to be perfect anymore.
21:40I don't need you to be good.
21:44I just want my little girl back.
21:46I just want Vivian.
21:48Her words felt like a hammer, chipping away at the thick wall I'd built inside my head.
21:52In three years, this was the first time I didn't hear a command.
21:55It was permission.
21:57To exist.
21:58To be me.
21:59My head was spinning with all these broken memories.
22:02The happy times before I was 14 and the hell of the last three years collided.
22:05Mom hugging me, dad letting me ride on his shoulders, my brother sneaking me candy.
22:10Then that hard slap across the face, the darkness of the silence room,
22:13the blisters on my arms that never healed.
22:15Go die.
22:17All the pain I'd bottled up for three years just exploded.
22:20The perfectly obedient wall finally broke.
22:22I started shaking uncontrollably.
22:24Tears just started pouring down my face.
22:27Mom lunged for me, crying as hard as I was.
22:30I'm sorry.
22:31I'm sorry.
22:32I'm here.
22:33No.
22:33Dad stood there and turned his back, but you could see his shoulders shaking.
22:36My brother leaned against the wall, sobbing into his sleeve, but he couldn't stop the tears.
22:42I cried until my throat was raw and I couldn't make a sound.
22:44I finally just passed out from exhaustion, curled up in mom's arms.
22:49After that, I slowly started to feel human again.
22:52The habit of waiting for order stayed, but the commands never came.
22:56Vivian, wanna go to the park with me?
22:59Vivian, you wanna try this Lego set?
23:02Like old times?
23:07I used to just stare.
23:09Choices were a foreign language to me.
23:12They never lost their cool.
23:14They just waited and kept talking to me, very slowly.
23:18Eventually, I started nodding, or shaking my head no.
23:21Would you like to eat some strawberries?
23:24Okay.
23:25It took a full year, but piece by piece, they put Vivian back together.
23:29I'm not a fan of the way.
23:29I'm not a fan of the way.
23:29I'm not a fan of the way.
23:30I'm not a fan of the way.
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