- 14 minutes ago
The Son I Raised Was Never Mine
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Frank, my trophy husband of 10 years, would never know that I had already decided to transfer 15% of
00:05Haze Group shares to him until the day of the physical exam.
00:08I discovered that the son born to my husband and me both with type O blood actually had type A
00:13blood.
00:14Looking at the son who was a miniature version of my husband, I said nothing and calmly did only two
00:20things.
00:21First, I secretly plucked a strand of my son's hair.
00:25Mom? Just tucking your hair. Keep playing.
00:29Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I had prepared.
00:33Watching Ethan walk into school, I turned and went to the DNA testing center.
00:38I spited. What's the soonest I can get the results?
00:41Standard is five business days. Expedited would be before 4pm today at three times the cost.
00:45I spited.
00:47When I handed over the sample, my hand trembled a little.
00:50After swabbing my own cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall as
00:56the minutes and seconds ticked by.
00:57During that time, I contacted a private investigator.
01:02I want you to look into my husband, Frank, especially his whereabouts over the past few months.
01:07At 3.40pm, my phone rang.
01:10The results were in.
01:11I opened the electronic report and scrolled straight to the end.
01:29Even though I had been prepared, the moment I saw those words, I still panicked for an instant, then leaned
01:35against the wall and sat down.
01:37Not my child.
01:38I had raised a child who was not my biological child for nine years.
01:42Then where was my child?
01:48I immediately went to Methodist Hospital, where I had given birth nine years ago, and met with the obstetrician from
01:54back then, who was now the department head.
01:56I got straight to the point and asked,
01:58Dr. Thompson, I'd like to pull my delivery records and Inchant files from that year.
02:03It's been so long, the records may have already been archived.
02:05I need to see them.
02:07Now.
02:07After some effort, someone from the records room finally brought out a folder.
02:12I opened it and found that the records were extremely sparse.
02:15Only the admission and discharge times, the method of delivery, and the newborn's weight.
02:20There was no detailed labor and delivery process, no nursing handoff notes, no pediatrician examination report.
02:27Is this all?
02:28This is all that's in the system.
02:30Paper records for standard optotactic cases are kept for 10 years, and yours is about to reach the end of
02:34that period.
02:35What about the newborn's footprints?
02:37The blood test records?
02:38Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't find them.
02:41It couldn't be more obvious.
02:42Something was wrong here.
02:44An overly brief medical record, a missing newborn file,
02:48and a son who was not my biological child, but looked just like my husband.
02:52My phone rang.
02:53It was Frank.
02:56Where did you go?
02:57I picked up Ethan.
02:59I'm out taking care of something.
03:00I'll be right back.
03:00I only then remembered that school had already let out,
03:03but fortunately I had informed the teacher earlier.
03:06I said this and hung up the phone.
03:08After dinner, I excused myself with a headache and went back to my room early.
03:12I have a headache.
03:13I'm going to bed early.
03:15Frank stayed in the living room helping Ethan with his homework.
03:18And the sound of their conversation drifted over faintly.
03:21Dad, is mom upset?
03:24Mom is just tired.
03:26Finish your homework and go to bed early.
03:28Once they were both asleep, I began quietly searching the entire house.
03:32The master bedroom, the living room, Ethan's room.
03:35I searched everywhere and found nothing.
03:38Finally, I looked at the computer in the study,
03:41thinking the truth had to be in there.
03:43Footsteps sounded outside the door.
03:45I exited the document.
03:53When Frank pushed the door open and came in,
03:55I was tidying up the desk.
03:57He glanced at the computer screen, which had already returned to the desktop.
04:01A photo of the two of us taken three years ago at Santa Monica Beach.
04:04Not asleep yet?
04:05Organizing some old documents?
04:06I answered while casually turning off the monitor.
04:10He stood there for a moment, as if he wanted to say something.
04:13But in the end, he just nodded.
04:15Get some rest soon.
04:16I sat in the darkness, listening to the sound of his footsteps gradually fading away.
04:21That night, I didn't open the computer again and lay in bed with my thoughts in chaos.
04:26The next morning, I still let Frank take Ethan to school.
04:29He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:32Alright.
04:33Once they were out the door, I immediately went to the study.
04:37I turned on the computer and entered the password.
04:40Our wedding anniversary.
04:41Wrong.
04:42I tried his birthday.
04:43Wrong.
04:44Our son's birthday.
04:45Still wrong.
04:46I tried the date of our first date, his mother's birthday, the day the company was founded.
04:51All wrong.
04:52The system prompted me to try again in 15 minutes.
04:56I sat in the chair, staring at the login screen.
04:59This computer we had bought together was now locked to me.
05:06That evening, Frank came home from work and said while taking off his jacket,
05:10I have a business trip to Chicago tomorrow.
05:12Not sure how long it'll be yet.
05:14I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:16So sudden.
05:17Who are you going with?
05:18It was arranged last minute.
05:20Vivian, can you not be like this?
05:21I watched him in silence, not understanding why such a casual question from me would provoke
05:26such a big reaction.
05:27You question everything?
05:29You suspect everyone?
05:31I'm just going for work.
05:33I turned away to serve the rice, my hand trembling a little.
05:37It was just a casual question.
05:38He said nothing more and went straight into the bedroom.
05:41Dinner was eaten in silence.
05:43Ethan seemed to sense something and, surprisingly, didn't pick at his food.
05:47After his shower, Frank came out and picked up his coat from the sofa
05:51to hang it in the closet.
05:52A small receipt fell out of the pocket and landed at my feet.
05:58After he left, I picked it up and took a look.
06:01It was a perfume receipt, quite expensive, purchased yesterday afternoon.
06:05I had never heard of the perfume's name, but I knew it wasn't for me.
06:09In ten years of marriage, Frank had never given me a gift again.
06:14Sorry, crazy day at the office.
06:16I used to explain it away for him.
06:18He wasn't romantic, he was busy with work, and was a practical man.
06:22Which one do you like?
06:25Buy whatever you want.
06:26I don't have time to shop.
06:27Now, it seemed that it wasn't that he wasn't capable of romance.
06:30It was just that his romance wasn't directed at me.
06:33I noted down the information on the receipt.
06:35Early the next morning, after Frank left for the airport, I called the Nordstrom counter.
06:41I'd like to look up this receipt.
06:42Yes, from yesterday afternoon.
06:44One moment.
06:45Found it.
06:46Purchaser was a Ms. Wendy Davis.
06:49Wendy Davis.
06:50That name rang a bell.
06:51Frank's secretary.
06:53Hired half a year ago.
06:54A divorced woman in her 30s.
06:56Driving to the airport, I didn't know what I wanted to confirm.
06:59Maybe the perfume was for a client.
07:01Maybe I was overthinking.
07:03I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour before I saw Frank and her.
07:11Wendy was wearing a Burberry trench coat, pulling a small suitcase, walking over together with Frank.
07:17Frank's face wore a relaxed smile I hadn't seen in a long time.
07:21Then, in front of the security checkpoint, Wendy stopped and very naturally reached out to straighten Frank's collar.
07:26Frank didn't dodge.
07:27He lowered his head and said something in her ear.
07:30Wendy laughed, then stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.
07:33Frank's hand rested on her waist.
07:35Staying there for a short moment before they parted, as if it had long been a habit.
07:39The last bit of self-deception I had been clinging to vanished completely.
07:43So all those late nights working overtime.
07:45All those impatient looks directed at me.
07:47Now I knew the reason for them.
07:50Watching their intimate figures, a suspicion gradually surfaced in my mind.
07:55Could the child who was not my biological child have something to do with this woman in front of me?
07:59On the drive back, I called the private investigator I had hired days ago.
08:04Look into one more person for me.
08:06Wendy Davis.
08:07I want to know everything about her, especially whether she has any children.
08:11The investigator worked quickly.
08:13By the next afternoon, I had received the investigation report.
08:16Wendy Davis, 32 years old, divorced five years ago, had a 10-year-old son named Leo Davis,
08:22attending a charter school on the west side of town.
08:24That date suddenly leapt out at me.
08:27Wendy's son was only one week younger than Ethan.
08:29For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood surge upward.
08:36I sat on the sofa, holding the report the investigator had sent.
08:41Then a thought struck me, and I ran into the study.
08:47My fingers hovered over the keyboard, then slowly typed in Wendy's birthday.
08:52The desktop opened.
08:54There was only one folder named Work Backup.
08:58I clicked into it.
08:59It was full of subfolders, organized by year, starting from 11 years ago.
09:04The earliest folder contained scanned old photos.
09:07Frank and Wendy were wearing high school uniforms, standing under an oak tree.
09:1119-year-old Frank was smiling, his hand resting on Wendy's shoulder.
09:16Wendy had her hair in a ponytail and was looking up at him.
09:19The next photo was from college.
09:21They were in the library.
09:22The next was a graduation photo.
09:24The two of them in caps and gowns, holding hands.
09:27We have to cancel Napa.
09:28The company's in a rough patch.
09:30That year, Frank told me the company was having difficulties, and we canceled our wedding
09:35anniversary trip to Napa Valley.
09:37I closed the folder, a churning discomfort rising in my stomach.
09:40A decade of deception.
09:42I looked at the wallpaper on the screen, our wedding photo, and felt a wave of nausea.
09:52At 3 in the afternoon, I drove to the west side of town.
09:55That charter school was even more run down than the investigator had described.
09:59The dismissal bell rang, and children poured out of the school gate.
10:02I sat in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:06He walked out alone.
10:07No one was there to pick him up.
10:08He looked left and right, then slowly walked forward along the sidewalk.
10:12I held my breath.
10:13That child, Leo.
10:15No, that was my child.
10:16The way he walked slightly resembled me, with a mild inward turn of his feet.
10:21When he raised his hand to fix his hair, I saw a birthmark on his wrist.
10:25In the same spot as mine.
10:26I saw that there was dust on his eyelashes.
10:29His lips were a bit dry.
10:30And the edges of his sneakers had already started peeling.
10:33His eyes were empty.
10:35Not like those of a 10-year-old child.
10:37I covered my mouth to keep myself from making a sound.
10:40He walked further away and disappeared around the corner.
10:43I collapsed onto the steering wheel and broke down sobbing.
10:46For that child walking home alone, for these 10 years of misplaced lives, and for myself.
10:52Living like a fool in a play arranged by others.
10:55Then I wiped away my tears and started the car.
11:10At the law firm, I placed the USB drive in front of attorney David Lee.
11:15In it were backups of all the photos, along with the DNA test report, scanned hospital records,
11:21the perfume receipt, and information on Wendy Chen and Leo.
11:24I want a divorce.
11:26I want him to leave with nothing.
11:28I want custody of the child.
11:29I want him to pay the price he deserves to pay.
11:34Walking out of the law firm, I remembered what Frank had said 10 years ago when he proposed in Central
11:39Park.
11:40Vivian, I'll give you a lifetime of stability.
11:43So his lifetime was only 10 years.
11:46No, maybe not even 10 years.
11:48I took out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder, also an old friend of my father's.
11:54Uncle Robert, regarding next week's board meeting, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you first.
11:58Frank had probably forgotten this company's name is Lynn.
12:01He was able to become CEO because I had persuaded my father to give him a chance back then.
12:05I could lift him up, and I could also make his fall very, very ugly.
12:15Two weeks after Frank left, I liquidated everything under my name that could be converted to cash.
12:21These days, every afternoon I went to the area near that charter school on the west side.
12:25Once when it rained, he didn't have an umbrella.
12:29He waited for half an hour under the awning of the convenience store by the school gate, and in the
12:34end ran home in the rain.
12:37I sat in the car, the rain blurring the car window.
12:40On Friday afternoon, I arrived near the school early.
12:44When I saw Leo come out, I got out of the car and pretended to be a passerby walking past.
12:50The folder in my hand fell in front of him.
12:53He paused for a moment, then bent down and picked it up for me.
13:02Thank you, kiddo.
13:03Has your mom not arrived yet?
13:05He shook his head.
13:07Mom is working overtime today.
13:10Then how are you getting home?
13:12I took an unopened bottle of water from my bag and handed it to him.
13:15By bus.
13:16Have some water.
13:17He hesitated for a moment.
13:19Then took it and said thank you quietly.
13:20I noticed that when he spoke, he habitually pressed his lips together slightly.
13:25Just like me.
13:26The shape of his eyes was also similar.
13:28Hooded lids.
13:29The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:31Does your mom often work overtime?
13:33He nodded, then shook his head.
13:35Sometimes.
13:37What about your dad?
13:39He didn't speak and look down at his shoes.
13:40Those sneakers had already started peeling at the edges.
13:43And the left shoelace was broken.
13:45I didn't ask anymore.
13:47Go buy yourself a new pair of shoes.
13:49I took $40 from my wallet and pressed it into his hand.
13:52He stepped back.
13:53No, I can't take this.
13:56Just take it as thanks for helping me pick up the folder.
13:59I put the money into the side pocket of his backpack and turned to leave.
14:05I glanced back.
14:06There was a somewhat lost look in his eyes.
14:12That night, I stood at the doorway of Ethan's room.
14:15He was playing with the Lego set Frank had just bought him.
14:18A limited edition spaceship.
14:20Quite expensive.
14:22I walked in and ruffled his hair.
14:24Mom?
14:25What's wrong?
14:26Is your homework done?
14:27Finished it a long time ago.
14:29Dad said if I make the top ten in the midterms, he'll take me to Disney World.
14:34I smiled.
14:35That's great.
14:35The moment I turned around, my smile vanished.
14:41Frank's completely different treatment of the two children was like a thorn lodged in
14:45my heart.
14:46My biological son was wearing peeling shoes and riding the bus alone, while this child
14:51was enjoying everything.
14:54Frank, who had been away on business for two weeks, finally came home.
14:59He set down his suitcase, and his first words were,
15:02Where's Ethan?
15:03Why is it so quiet?
15:05I signed him up for an after-school program two hours in the evening.
15:09Why sign him up all of a sudden?
15:10He's only in fourth grade.
15:11I didn't answer.
15:13I smelled that perfume scent on him.
15:15He walked over to hug me.
15:17I turned aside to avoid him.
15:19Why do you smell like perfume?
15:21Who did you go to dinner with this time?
15:24Vivian, you're getting paranoid again.
15:25It rubbed off from dinner with a client.
15:27Can you stop being like this?
15:29I suddenly found it laughable.
15:31Only now could I see how bad his acting was.
15:34I took an envelope from the coffee table drawer and slowly pulled out the photos, laying them
15:39out on the table.
15:48Frank's face turned ugly.
15:50He picked up one of the photos and threw it back onto the table.
15:54You followed me?
15:56I smiled.
15:59Does it matter?
16:01What matters is, what would happen if these photos showed up at a board meeting or were
16:06sent to your clients?
16:07He collapsed onto the sofa across from me, his hands covering his face.
16:11What do you want?
16:12I stared at him, my voice somewhat cool.
16:14First, fire Wendy and guarantee you won't see her again.
16:17Second, tell me what happened at the hospital 10 years ago.
16:19You're insane just based on a few photos.
16:22Frank, don't forget the company is named Hayes.
16:24My voice was icy.
16:25You are where you are today because of me.
16:26I can give and I can take away.
16:28I almost softened.
16:29But I remembered Leo's peeling shoes, remembered how he looked waiting alone for the rain to stop.
16:35For the sake of our 10 years of marriage and our child, as long as you do what I say,
16:39we can keep going.
16:41After all, we still have Ethan.
16:45I turned and went to the bedroom, brought out a document, and handed it over.
16:49It was a pregnancy test report showing I was five weeks pregnant.
16:53Frank looked at the pregnancy test report, paused for a second, then looked up and stared at me.
17:00You're pregnant?
17:01Five weeks.
17:02The doctor said this time it's very stable.
17:04His expression shifted again and again.
17:06So, as long as you cut ties with Wendy completely, make her leave the company and our lives, I can
17:11let the past go.
17:12I continued.
17:13We still have Ethan, and now there's this child too.
17:16Frank's gaze fell on my belly.
17:18There was an obvious struggle in his eyes.
17:20I need to think.
17:21That night, the light in his room was turned off very late.
17:27The next morning, as I was drinking coffee, I watched Frank walk out with dark circles under his eyes.
17:33I pushed a glass of water toward him.
17:36He silently took it but didn't look at me.
17:39I've thought it over, Vivian.
17:42We...
17:42No need to say it.
17:43I cut him off and pulled the divorce agreement out of the folder, placing it on the table.
17:48His expression turned furious.
17:50What do you mean?
17:52Don't we have another child on the way?
17:54I said coldly.
17:56I told you I was pregnant, and you needed an entire night to consider whether to break up with her?
18:00We have a child on the way!
18:02Can't you think about the child, and about Ethan too?
18:05Child?
18:05I suddenly laughed.
18:06Are you talking about the child I raised for ten years?
18:10Who turned out to be yours and Wendy's?
18:13Frank's face instantly went pale.
18:15He stumbled backward into the table.
18:18How do you know?
18:19When did you find out?
18:22I held my phone up in front of him, the screen showing a photo of the DNA test report.
18:27The password was Wendy's birthday.
18:29You've been using it for ten years, right?
18:40My voice was very calm, tinged with mockery.
18:46Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth.
18:49Explain how you got Wendy into the company.
18:52Or explain how the two of you have been laughing behind my back for ten years at how stupid I
18:57was.
18:57I took a step closer.
18:59The most ridiculous thing is that occasional guilt you showed when looking at that child.
19:04Was it guilt for deceiving me, or guilt for not treating your own son better?
19:08Leo.
19:09Frank suddenly seemed to remember something.
19:11Where is Leo?
19:11I want to see him!
19:12Too late.
19:14I turned and pulled open the door.
19:17Your son...
19:17No, our son is now somewhere you can't find him.
19:20Your and Wendy's son is still upstairs sleeping, unaware of what choice his biological father is now facing.
19:26Frank rushed over and grabbed my arm, furious.
19:29Vivian, you can't do this!
19:30That's my child!
19:32I shook him off.
19:33From the day you switched the babies, you were no longer fit to be a father.
19:38Now please leave my home!
19:42After I closed the door, I heard the sound of him pounding on it.
19:48Then came the sound of a car driving away.
19:51I knew where he was going to find Wendy, and also to find the biological son he had lost for
19:57ten years.
19:57But he wouldn't be able to find Leo.
20:06Three days earlier, when the private investigator had given me the information on Wendy, I had already gone to see
20:12the child again.
20:13I told him the truth.
20:14He was unusually calm.
20:16In those eyes that resembled mine was a maturity beyond his years.
20:20I always felt like I wasn't my mom's child.
20:22Otherwise, why would she be willing to leave me here to fend for myself?
20:25I held his hand and said I would take him away, to start over.
20:30He was silent for a long time, then gently nodded.
20:34Yesterday afternoon's flight, my personal assistant accompanied him abroad.
20:38Over there was a good school, a house, new friends.
20:41Once I finished handling things on this end, I could go reunite with my son.
20:46The divorce agreement had been sitting on the table for three days.
20:50Frank finally came.
20:52He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes and unshaven.
20:57I hadn't seen him like this in a long time.
21:00Vivian, let's talk.
21:05I leaned against the doorframe in my loungewear, not letting him in.
21:08The agreement is written very clearly. There's nothing to discuss.
21:11I can't divorce you.
21:12For the sake of our ten years as husband and wife, and our child.
21:15Which child?
21:16The one in the videos, or the one upstairs?
21:19Frank's face instantly went pale.
21:21A week earlier, Wendy had sent over a pile of files.
21:24When I opened them, they were videos, one after another.
21:27In the videos, Leah was crying, being beaten, locked in a dark room.
21:32There was another clip where the child was only five or six,
21:34and was whipped on the back with a clothes hanger for spilling milk.
21:37The email had only one line.
21:39Thank you for raising my son for all these years for me.
21:42I watched them all night, and by dawn I had thrown up three times.
21:45He seemed to want to explain.
21:47Those videos, Wendy, she sometimes couldn't control herself.
21:49That's your son. You went to see her every week,
21:51and all you noticed was that she changed your perfume and got new nails?
21:54You never saw the wounds on your son's body?
21:56He couldn't say a word.
21:57I've already hired a lawyer. If you don't want to sign, we'll go to court.
21:59The evidence of switching babies, the photos of your affair, and those videos,
22:02they will all become evidence.
22:03Are you crazy?
22:04He said in a low voice.
22:05The company is about to go public, and at a time like this...
22:08Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
22:11So sign it, while I'm still leaving you some room.
22:16The door closed.
22:18He stood outside for a long time before leaving.
22:21Three days later, Frank signed.
22:23Four days after the divorce, Frank and Wendy's wedding photos appeared on Instagram.
22:27Wendy was wearing a white wedding dress.
22:30Frank had his arm around her, but his expression was a bit stiff.
22:33The caption read,
22:34Ten years of waiting.
22:36Finally together.
22:37I took a screenshot, then turned off my phone.
22:39In the afternoon, attorney David Lee called.
22:42Ms. Hayes? All the materials are complete.
22:44The transfer records from the baby switch back then,
22:46his and Wendy's communication logs,
22:48plus the abuse videos and medical records, it's enough to file a case.
22:51Thank you for your hard work.
22:52Understood.
22:53He paused for a moment.
22:54But are you really not going to see him one last time?
22:56He came to the office yesterday and wanted me to pass on a message.
22:59He said he knows he was wrong.
23:00Too late.
23:01Early the next morning, the plane took off.
23:04My personal assistant came to pick me up at the airport.
23:07She said to me,
23:08Leo has been doing a bit better this week.
23:11He's starting to be willing to talk.
23:13Yesterday, he even asked when you would arrive.
23:15My heart beat faster for a few moments.
23:19The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:21In the garden, a thin little child was crouching on the ground watching ants.
23:30I walked over and crouched down in front of him.
23:32I'm your mom.
23:33He looked at me for a long time, then gave a small nod.
23:37I carefully embraced him.
23:39He didn't pull away.
23:40I'm sorry.
23:41Mommy came too late.
23:43He trembled a little in my arms.
23:45For the next two weeks, I didn't work and focused entirely on being with him.
23:49I took him to the park.
23:50The first time he rode the carousel, he gripped the railing tightly.
23:54I took him to the library and discovered he liked books about stars.
23:59At night, only after he had fallen asleep, would I dare to gently stroke his hair.
24:05He still didn't talk much, but occasionally he would smile at me.
24:09At three in the morning, the bedroom door was gently blown open a crack by the wind,
24:14and faint sobbing sounds pierced my ears like needles.
24:16I jolted awake and almost immediately guessed it was Leo.
24:19Pushing open his door, moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains,
24:23casting mottled shadows on the floor and illuminating his small figure curled up on the bed.
24:28His hands were tightly clutching the blanket, knuckles white.
24:31His forehead was covered in cold sweat.
24:33His brows were furrowed into a deep frown.
24:36I walked over quickly, carefully sat on the edge of the bed,
24:38and gently wrapped my arms around his cold shoulders.
24:41His body stiffened for an instant, then he threw himself into my arms like a startled fawn,
24:45his crying suppressed and desperate, his tears instantly soaking my pajamas.
24:49That storage room was so dark, I called out for so long and no one answered.
24:53Rats crawled onto my feet.
24:54My heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by a dull knife, a dense and relentless pain.
24:59Tears fell silently onto his hair.
25:00I thought of the videos Wendy had sent.
25:02Of that child locked in the dark, shivering.
25:04I thought of the old and new scars crisscrossing his body.
25:07I wished I could tear apart everyone who had hurt him.
25:13When he had cried himself tired and his breathing had gradually steadied,
25:17I picked up the small lamp by the bedside and gently lifted his sleeve.
25:21On his arm, light brown scars crawled like ugly centipedes,
25:25marks from being whipped with a clothes hanger.
25:28On his back, there was still a faint bruise,
25:31left from when he had bumped into the corner of the storage room wall as a child.
25:35I gently traced those scars with the pads of my fingers.
25:39With a touch's light as if I were afraid of shattering a treasure.
25:43Does it hurt?
25:43He shook his head, tears still clinging to his lashes.
25:46Biting his lip, he said quietly.
25:48It doesn't hurt now, it's just that sometimes I dream about it,
25:51dream that I'm locked inside again, calling for mom, but mom's not there.
25:54I'm sorry, mommy came too late.
25:56From now on, mommy will never let you suffer again.
25:58That night, I held him on the sofa and sat there until dawn.
26:01I told him about how when I was little and afraid of thunder,
26:03my dad would hold me in his arms, counting stars and singing nursery rhymes.
26:06I told him about how when I first took over the company,
26:08I was bullied by senior employees and hid in the stairwell to cry,
26:11then wiped my tears and went back to negotiate.
26:13I told him about the mischievous interns at the company,
26:15who spilled coffee on important contracts, and turned pale with fright.
26:18He listened very quietly, occasionally looking up at me with those eyes that looked so much like mine,
26:22and asking,
26:23Weren't you scared then, mom?
26:25I was scared.
26:26But I knew that as long as I grit my teeth and push through, things would get better.
26:30And now, I have Leo, so I can't afford to be scared even more.
26:33He nodded, half understanding, and his little hand quietly gripped my finger.
26:38A few days later, I made a point of taking Leo to the Griffith Observatory on the outskirts of the
26:43city.
26:43We took a bus through stretches of wheat fields, the wind carrying the scent of grain.
26:48Leo leaned against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
26:52When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened,
26:55and the sky full of countless stars spread across the deep blue canopy like crushed diamonds,
26:59so dazzling one couldn't look away.
27:00The guide pointed at the constellation Orion, and told the legend of the hunter Orion.
27:05Leo's eyes shone like stars, and the corner of his mouth slowly curved into a faint smile.
27:09On the way home, the bus swayed gently.
27:11He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
27:13Mom, the stars so far away, but just being able to see them makes me feel at ease.
27:18I held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm.
27:22My heart filled with tenderness.
27:24I knew that the wounds buried deep in his heart wouldn't disappear completely because of one trip to the observatory,
27:28just like those old scars. No matter how much care you give them, they still leave faint marks.
27:33But as long as I stayed by his side, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
27:38the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead of him.
27:45That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
27:49Claire went to answer the door.
27:50I heard her say,
27:52Mr. Miller?
27:53The flower sifter in my hand dropped onto the counter.
27:55He was dragging an old suitcase in his hand.
27:58Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
28:00I wiped my hands, walked out of the kitchen, and pulled the door shut.
28:04Now you know.
28:05You can leave.
28:06He looked toward the thin little figure in the kitchen and said,
28:10I want to see the child.
28:12Our child.
28:13These days I keep dreaming.
28:15Dreaming of him when he was little.
28:17Dreaming of Wendy hitting him.
28:18I never knew.
28:20You should have known.
28:21You just chose not to.
28:22He looked at my belly and asked,
28:23Is the child still there?
28:25Of course the child is still there.
28:26The doctor says everything is fine, and the baby will be born next spring.
28:30His face darkened, and his emotions suddenly became very agitated.
28:33He charged toward me.
28:34I sidestepped to dodge.
28:36He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
28:38Vivian, I want to see my son.
28:40You can't do this.
28:41Frank, what you should be worried about right now isn't where my son is,
28:45but whether your son can be born safely.
28:48If you want your son to be born safely, deal with Wendy first.
28:52Settle the messy accounts between yourselves.
28:54After saying this, I threw him out.
28:56Now even looking at him disgusted me deeply.
28:59As I closed the door, I saw Frank collapse onto the ground,
29:02running his hands through his hair.
29:03He looked utterly pathetic.
29:05Fine.
29:06Let them put on their own dog-eat-dog show.
29:12Not long after, attorney David Lee called.
29:14Miss Lynn, it got very ugly, but the situation isn't as favorable as we'd hoped.
29:17It turned out that Frank and Wendy had already divorced,
29:20and were now battling in court against each other.
29:22Wendy was shouting herself hoarse in court,
29:24exposing how Frank had used his position to transfer money to her over the years,
29:28how he had promised to divorce and marry her,
29:30and how his attitude had abruptly changed after learning I was pregnant.
29:33I gripped my phone tightly, listening to the words on the other end,
29:36but my expression remained very calm.
29:38However, Frank shifted all the blame onto Wendy,
29:41saying she coerced him into switching the babies.
29:43The trial lasted a full two days.
29:45In the end, Wendy was sentenced to three years on multiple charges,
29:49including child abduction, document forgery, and commercial fraud.
29:52Frank, on the other hand, got himself off completely clean.
29:55He wept in court, saying he was also a victim, manipulated by Wendy for 10 years.
29:59That excuse sounded utterly absurd, but the jury bought it, or rather,
30:03the lawyer Frank hired was truly formidable.
30:06Before hanging up, attorney David Lee said quietly,
30:08Miss Hayes, I'm sorry, this result is far from ideal.
30:11If you're willing, we can plan the next step.
30:13It's enough.
30:14I cut him off.
30:15At least my child is back.
30:18Leo was doing his homework.
30:19I walked over and asked him,
30:22Liko, mommy made sure the bad people were punished, but maybe not heavily enough.
30:26Do you blame me?
30:27He looked up.
30:28Mom, I know very well who has been good to me and who hasn't.
30:31I covered my mouth, unable to hold back tears.
30:34He lowered his head and continued writing, adding quietly,
30:37You look really ugly when you cry.
30:39I laughed out loud, crying and laughing at the same time.
30:46These days, I had been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of lost maternal love.
30:51I transferred my company shares into his name.
30:54Though he was still young, I knew what this security meant.
30:58The school I found was the best private international program in the area.
31:01The principal looked at his previous transcripts and frowned deeply.
31:05For the past 10 years, Wendy had barely paid any attention to his studies, essentially leaving him to sink or
31:12swim on his own.
31:13His schoolwork lagged far behind that of children his age.
31:16I hired three private tutors, rotating through English, math and science.
31:21Leo worked very hard, studying late into the night every day.
31:25One morning before dawn, I brought him milk and saw him slumped over his desk asleep, still clutching a pen
31:31in his hand.
31:32I didn't wake him.
31:34I just gently draped a blanket over him.
31:37On Friday afternoon, I want to pick up Leo from school.
31:40The school gate was crowded with parents.
31:42Leo ran out carrying his new backpack, his face flushed from exercise.
31:46Mom! I passed my math quiz today!
31:49Just as I was about to take the test paper, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a
31:54figure behind the glass window of the Starbucks across the street.
31:57Frank, sitting in the corner, with dark stubble on his chin, looking very haggard.
32:03Not a trace left of the confident, commanding presence he'd once had as the company's CEO.
32:08Leo followed my gaze.
32:10I took his hand and said,
32:12Come on, let's go home.
32:16Just as I turned around, hurried footsteps sounded from behind.
32:20Frank had already crossed the street and was blocking our way.
32:23Vivian, can we talk?
32:30I motioned for Leo to get in the car first, then looked at the man before me and said,
32:33There's nothing left to talk about between us.
32:35Wendy is already in prison. I've taken care of everything. I've cut ties with her completely.
32:39Frank, Wendy was sent to prison by the lawyer I hired. Does that have to do with you?
32:43Weren't you the pathetical victim crying the hardest in court?
32:46I know I was wrong, Vivian. For the sake of the child, please forgive me this once.
32:50His gaze fell on my belly.
32:52Child. Yes, our child.
32:54I slowly smoothed the wrinkles from my jacket.
32:56Oh, that. It was fake.
32:58Frank froze. His eyes widened enormously.
33:02I took a step forward so he could see my flat stomach more clearly.
33:05It's been months. If I were really pregnant, I should be showing by now, shouldn't I?
33:13His gaze lingered on my belly for a very long time.
33:16It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter even without this child.
33:20We still have Leo. We still have ten years of feelings.
33:23Frank, stop dreaming. Wake up.
33:25He acted as if he hadn't heard me and suddenly seemed to remember something.
33:28He pulled a Tiffany blue velvet box from the briefcase he was carrying.
33:31Then came the second. The third. He placed all the boxes on the ground.
33:37The small velvet boxes lined up on the ground in a row. It was somewhat laughable.
33:41I bought one every year. I just never gave them to you. Now I'm giving them all to you, okay?
33:44Please, just give me one more chance.
33:46I crouched down and opened the nearest box. Inside was a diamond necklace.
33:49The pendant in the shape of an iris. My favorite flower.
33:52Once upon a time, I would have been ecstatic over such a gift.
33:55Now, all I felt was disgust. A nauseating sensation.
33:57I stood up, put the necklace back in the box, and said,
34:00Frank, the time when I loved you most was when I would be so worried I couldn't sleep if you
34:04didn't reply to my messages.
34:05When I would make soup and bring it to the office when you worked late.
34:08When everything felt worth it the moment you said you've worked hard, honey.
34:11That time when I loved you most is long gone.
34:13To me now, these are no different than trash.
34:15He seemed to want to say something, but nothing came out.
34:18Quickly, his shoulders slumped.
34:20His whole body looked as if his spine had suddenly been ripped out.
34:23I didn't look at him again.
34:24I turned and walked toward the car. To me, none of it mattered anymore.
34:31Three years later, late autumn, Leo had grown much taller, his height reaching my shoulder.
34:37Mom, can you come to the parent-teacher conference next week?
34:40Of course. For my son's parent-teacher conference, I'd go even if the sky were falling.
34:44In these three years, Leo had become so mature and considerate it broke my heart.
34:49He would make his own pasta when I worked late, and he remembered to bring two umbrellas on rainy days.
34:54His grades had climbed from the bottom to the middle of the class, and he spoke English better than some
34:59local kids.
35:00Teachers said he had resilience.
35:02Neighbors praised him for being well-behaved.
35:04So polite. Thank you, he really is.
35:06Only I knew what lay behind this maturity.
35:09On weekend evenings, we made dumplings together.
35:12The dumplings Leo made were always excessively neat, every fold identical.
35:16Leo, in front of Mom, you don't have to be this obedient.
35:19The hand he was using to pinch the dumplings paused for a moment.
35:22I crouched down and looked into his eyes.
35:24You can throw tantrums. Be difficult.
35:26Say no like other children do.
35:28Mommy doesn't love you because you're well-behavedly.
35:30I love you simply because you're you.
35:31But, if I do something wrong, will you not want me anymore?
35:34I pulled him into my arms.
35:36Never. The most right thing I've ever done in my life was finding me.
35:39He didn't speak for a long time.
35:41Finally, he nodded gently.
35:45Leo's elementary school was holding an open house.
35:48I deliberately ended my company meeting early and drove to the school.
35:51The autumn sunshine was just right, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and spilling onto the playground.
35:56Warm and pleasant.
35:57Leo was participating in a relay race, running the last lick.
36:01His small figure was like a gust of wind, charging toward the finish line with everything he had.
36:06The moment he crossed the finish line, I couldn't help but stand up and applaud and cheer.
36:10He happened to look back right then and when he saw me, a radiant smile spread across his face.
36:15A smile so pure and bright that it made me feel all the sacrifices had been worth it.
36:20As the event was winding down and parents were leaving in twos and threes, I was holding Leo's hand,
36:25about to head to a nearby ice cream shop to make good on the promise of finish the race and
36:28you get a Sunday.
36:29When a woman in a faded, cheap trench coat suddenly rushed over and blocked our path.
36:33It was Wendy.
36:34She was out of prison.
36:35Her hair was dry and brittle, hastily tied at the back of her head.
36:39Her face was sallow from prolonged malnutrition.
36:41Only her eyes, shot through with red veins and gleaming with venomous resentment, stared fixedly at me.
36:48Vivian, what gives you the right to take my son away?
36:50Her voice was shrill and grating, like fingernails scraping across glass,
36:55instantly drawing sidelong glances from many nearby parents.
36:59Some stopped in their tracks and eyed us curiously.
37:07I instinctively pulled Leo behind me, shielding him completely, and looked coldly at Wendy.
37:12Leo was never your son.
37:13You gave him nothing but abuse and neglect, not a shred of maternal love.
37:16You are not fit to be his mother.
37:17I carried him for nine months and gave birth to him!
37:19My blood runs through his veins!
37:20Wendy was so agitated she tried to lunge at me,
37:22but fortunately the school security guards arrived just in time and stalked her.
37:25She struggled, her hair coming loose, looking somewhat deranged.
37:28The company is gone, and now I'm not even allowed to see my own son!
37:33Leo peeked out from behind me.
37:34There wasn't a trace of fear on his small face.
37:37He looked at Wendy with eyes that were calm beyond his years.
37:40I don't have a mother like you.
37:41You hit me, locked me in a dark room, never once cooked me a meal,
37:45and never once came to pick me up from school.
37:48Mom Vivian is my real mom.
37:49She does homework with me, takes me to the park, and makes me good food.
37:54Wendy froze, as if she had never imagined that the child she had carried for nine months
37:57and given birth to would say such words to her.
37:59She stared blankly at Leo.
38:00A few seconds later, she suddenly broke down into a bitter, piercing wail.
38:04I was forced back then!
38:05Frank only cared about your money!
38:07Do you know how much pressure I was under?
38:09I had no choice but to hit him!
38:10Pressure is not an excuse for abusing a child.
38:12I took out my phone and opened a pre-safe folder.
38:15Inside were Leo's medical records from that time,
38:17photos of the scars on his body,
38:18and backup copies of the videos of Wendy abusing him.
38:21These are all evidence.
38:22If you keep immediately have my lawyer file a motion
38:24and apply for a restraining order permitting you from coming within 10 meters of Leo,
38:27just then, a familiar figure came running over in a hurry.
38:30It was Frank.
38:31He looked even more haggard than three years ago.
38:33More than half of his hair had turned gray.
38:35The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deep enough to trap dust.
38:37He was wearing an ill-fitting jacket and looked utterly disheveled.
38:44When he saw Wendy, his brow immediately furrowed,
38:47and his tone was full of impatience.
38:49What are you doing here?
38:51Didn't I tell you to stay away from them?
38:53Frank's gaze fell on Leo, his eyes incredibly complicated,
38:56guilt, reluctance to let go, and a hint of helplessness.
39:00Vivian, I'm sorry.
39:01He opened his mouth as if to say something,
39:03but in the end only turned to me and said quietly,
39:06I didn't speak.
39:07I just watched him coldly.
39:09This man, who back then, for personal gain and selfish desires,
39:12switched his own biological son.
39:14Leaving Leo to suffer for 10 years,
39:16and then after the truth came out,
39:18shifted all the blame onto Wendy and got himself off scot-free.
39:20Now his repentance and apology were worth absolutely nothing in my eyes.
39:24Mom, let's go.
39:25I don't want to see them.
39:27I crouched down and smoothed his wind-messed hair from his forehead,
39:30my voice gentle.
39:31All right.
39:32Let's go have that sundae.
39:33I took Leo's hand and turned to leave,
39:36not sparing a single glance back at Wendy and Frank behind us.
39:39From behind us came the sound of Wendy's wailing and Frank's attempts to calm her,
39:44along with the murmuring of the surrounding parents.
39:46But all of that no longer had anything to do with us.
39:49Leo held my hand tightly,
39:51his step steady,
39:53not looking back.
39:54That afternoon,
39:55I took Leo to eat his favorite chocolate sundae.
39:57He got it all over his face,
39:59like a little kitten.
40:00I took out a tissue and gently wiped the ice cream from the corners of his mouth.
40:03Mom,
40:03the sundae is really sweet.
40:06Every day from now on can be this sweet.
40:08I looked into his bright eyes,
40:10my heart completely clear and at peace.
40:12The dust of the past might occasionally be stirred up by the wind,
40:14but as long as Leo and I were together,
40:17walking forward side by side,
40:18we would surely move toward a brighter, warmer future.
40:21Those who had hurt us would ultimately be left behind in the dust,
40:24never able to affect our lives again.
40:28The late autumn rain came without warning.
40:30At dismissal time,
40:32heavy raindrops pelted noisily against the ground,
40:34and the school gate was crowded with parents picking up their children.
40:37Holding an umbrella,
40:38I stood under the old oak tree we had agreed on,
40:40and saw from a distance Leo walking out with his backpack,
40:43side by side with a classmate.
40:44A faint smile on his small face.
40:46This was the first time he had voluntarily walked out of school with a classmate.
40:49Just then,
40:50a woman in a red raincoat suddenly rushed over,
40:52grabbed Leo's arm,
40:53and said in a sharp voice,
40:54Leo,
40:55come with me!
40:55Your mother is suffering in there!
40:57How can you be here living the good life?
40:58Who are you?
40:59I don't know you!
40:59I'm your aunt!
41:00That woman Vivian is a liar!
41:02She snatched you away from your real mother!
41:03You give me jump on bun!
41:04With me,
41:05I'll take you to see your mom!
41:06The surrounding parents turned to look.
41:08A few kind-hearted people wanted to step forward and ask what was going on,
41:12but were forced back by Kelly's fierce glare.
41:15Leo's classmate was so frightened he stood rooted to the spot,
41:18not knowing what to do.
41:23My heart clenched.
41:24I rushed over quickly,
41:26cried Kelly's hand off with one motion,
41:28and shielded Leo behind me,
41:29my voice cold as ice.
41:31Let go of him!
41:32You have no right to touch my child!
41:36Kelly stumbled a step.
41:37After studying herself,
41:39she looked me up and down,
41:40her eyes full of jealousy and venom.
41:42Thief!
41:43You stole my sister's man,
41:44stole her money,
41:45and now you've stolen her child!
41:47How can you live with yourself?
41:49Conscience?
41:49I gave a cold laugh.
41:50The videos of your sister abusing Leo back then,
41:52the transfer records her and Frank conspying to switch the babies,
41:55and the proof that you,
41:56who as in the know,
41:56accepted benefits from Frank,
41:57I have all of it right here.
41:58Tell me,
41:59if this really went to the police station,
42:01whose conscience would be the one that come and hold up?
42:03The murmuring around us grew louder and louder.
42:06Some parents took out their phones and started recording video,
42:09and someone had already quietly contacted the school security guards.
42:12Kelly's face flushed red and then turned pale.
42:14Looking at the crowd that had gathered,
42:16a hint of panic crept into her eyes.
42:22She was still putting up a brave front,
42:24but had unconsciously taken a step back.
42:26I just want the child to know his real family.
42:29Leo suddenly stepped out from behind me,
42:30his small body standing very straight,
42:32his eyes steady as he looked at Kelly.
42:34Know his real family?
42:35I don't have an aunt like you,
42:36and I don't have a mother like that.
42:37Mom, Vivian's my real mom.
42:38She doesn't hit me,
42:39doesn't lock me up,
42:39cheats with meals,
42:40take me to school and protects me.
42:41Go away!
42:42I don't want to see you ever again!
42:43Kelly stood stunned,
42:44looking at the clear yet distant expression in Leo's eyes.
42:47She opened her mouth but couldn't say a single word.
42:49At that moment,
42:50the school security guards and the homeroom teacher hurried over.
42:52Seeing the scene,
42:53the homeroom teacher immediately stepped in front of us.
42:56I must ask you to leave the school entrance immediately or we will call the police.
42:59Kelly saw more and more people gathering around
43:00and knew that continuing to make a scene wouldn't end well for her.
43:03She shot me a vicious glare,
43:04muttered,
43:05just you wait,
43:06turned,
43:06and rushed into the rain,
43:07quickly disappearing around the street corner.
43:09The rain was still falling.
43:11A few strands of Leo's hair were damp from the splashing rainwater,
43:14plastered against his forehead.
43:15Did that scare you?
43:16Mom,
43:16I'm not scared,
43:17because I knew you would come to save me.
43:19Silly child,
43:20mommy will always be by your side.
43:22No matter what happens,
43:23I won't let anyone hurt you.
43:24Mrs. Hayes,
43:25I really didn't expect something like this to happen.
43:28Leo has had quite a fright today.
43:30Would you like to take him to the office first for some hot cocoa?
43:32Thank you,
43:32Mrs. Wong.
43:33I nodded and,
43:34holding Leo's hand,
43:35walked into the school building.
43:39In the office,
43:40the warmth of the hot cocoa traveled through the cup to his palms.
43:43Leo held the cup and said quietly,
43:45Mom,
43:46was what that aunt said true?
43:48Was I really born from Wendy?
43:50I crouched down,
43:51looked into his eyes,
43:52and said seriously,
43:53Leo,
43:54you are mom's biological son.
43:55As for who gave birth to you,
43:56that's not what's important.
43:58What's important is who raised you with love,
44:00who's willing to go to any lengths to protect you.
44:02In mom's heart,
44:03you are my treasure,
44:04the person I most want to protect in this lifetime.
44:06He blinked,
44:07his eyes reddening a little,
44:08but he nodded firmly.
44:09I understand,
44:10mom.
44:11I only recognize you as my mom.
44:13That night,
44:13for the first time,
44:14Leo voluntarily told me about how Wendy would occasionally bring Kelly to the house.
44:18Aunt Kelly always cursed at me for being stupid,
44:20said I wasn't as well behaved as Ethan,
44:22and would secretly take my things.
44:24Back then I used to thought,
44:25if only I had a mom who truly loved me.
44:27I pulled him into my arms and gently patted his back.
44:30That will never happen again.
44:32Mommy will give you all her love and make sure you're happy every single day.
44:35The rain outside the window gradually stopped,
44:38and moonlight filtered through the clouds,
44:40illuminating a corner of the room.
44:42I met Daniel at a community book club.
44:45I had accompanied Leo to borrow books,
44:47and was drawn in by a sharing session on women's autobiographies.
44:50Daniel was the host,
44:52in his early 40s,
44:53and spoke with a gentle yet compelling voice.
44:55After the session ended,
44:57he stopped me at the door and said,
44:58Your perspective just now was very unique.
45:00Could I get to know you?
45:01That was how our conversation began.
45:04Daniel was a locally born Chinese American,
45:07his family originally from San Francisco.
45:09Divorced for five years,
45:11his daughter lived with her mother.
45:13He was a middle school history teacher,
45:15and volunteered at the community center in his spare time.
45:18For our first official date,
45:20we went to the California Science Center,
45:22and of course Leo came along too.
45:25Daniel didn't try too hard to win the child over.
45:28In the space exhibition area,
45:30he naturally started talking about the Apollo program.
45:33Do you know why astronauts bring a knife to space?
45:35Leo shook his head.
45:36To fix equipment,
45:38the most dangerous thing in space is a loose screw.
45:41Leo's laugh was very relaxed.
45:49Another spring had passed when Daniel came over for dinner at our home.
45:53After the meal,
45:54Leo did his homework,
45:55and Daniel and I had tea on the patio.
45:57The night was cool.
45:59He draped his jacket over my shoulders.
46:02Leo has made some new friends recently.
46:04I saw him playing basketball with classmates.
46:07I was a bit surprised.
46:09The child had always been alone before.
46:11Children need time.
46:12And so do you.
46:14He paused for a moment.
46:15That night,
46:16I told him about what happened ten years ago.
46:18Daniel listened quietly.
46:20Only after I had finished,
46:21did he gently take my hand.
46:23Walking through all of that alone,
46:24it must have been so hard.
46:26Those words made my eyes redden.
46:28So what I had needed was someone to see the weight behind the strength.
46:32Mom, if you like Uncle Daniel,
46:34you can be with him.
46:34When he said this,
46:36Leo was assembling a model airplane.
46:38Why are you suddenly saying this?
46:39I stared at him stunned.
46:40Because when you look at him,
46:42you smile.
46:42A real smile.
46:43Not the fake kind.
46:44I sat down beside him.
46:46And what do you think about it?
46:47I hope someone loves you the way you love me.
46:50You deserve that.
46:51I hugged him.
46:52He had grown up without my noticing.
46:55Falling in love with Daniel was different from how it was when I was 20.
46:58No wild passion.
46:59No anxiety.
47:00It was a steady kind of intimacy.
47:02After dinner,
47:02we would take walks together.
47:03Listening to me talk about the trivial things at work and things about Leo's school,
47:07even the sale items at Whole Foods.
47:08Leo gradually accepted this rhythm.
47:11One day when I came home from working late,
47:13I saw them playing chess in the living room,
47:14and soup was simmering in the kitchen.
47:16The aroma filling the house.
47:17In that moment,
47:18I realized that the happiness I'd thought was out of reach
47:21had long since landed gently in the palm of my hand.
47:23All right.
47:25All right.
47:27All right.
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