- 6 hours ago
Spring Never Comes for Lily New
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I collapsed at Malcolm's engagement party.
00:02Glass shards everywhere.
00:04Blood mixing with cake and champagne.
00:06When I woke up, I was in a hospital room.
00:09Malcolm stood over me with desperate eyes.
00:12The blood bank is empty, Lily.
00:16You're the only match.
00:19Please, save her.
00:20He wasn't talking about me.
00:22He meant Alicia, his fiancée.
00:24The woman whose wedding I had just destroyed.
00:26So I let them take my blood.
00:28Then the doctor looked at me, with a face you never want to see on a doctor.
00:33Mrs. Brooks, you have a brain tumor.
00:36It's getting worse.
00:37I didn't understand, so he made it simple.
00:40It means two months to live.
00:44When I was born, I was diagnosed with intellectual disability.
00:48When I was eight, Mom and Dad brought home an adorable little boy named Malcolm Harrington.
00:53He had a real mean streak.
00:55When I offered him candy, he sank his teeth into my finger and bit off half of it.
01:03When I tried to help him clean up, he shoved my head into the sink and held it there.
01:09One day, I went to my uncle's house to play games.
01:12I was hoping to win some fancy chocolate for Malcolm.
01:15Then, without warning, Malcolm charged in frantically and bit down hard on my uncle's leg, drawing blood.
01:23He told me his home was far away in Chicago.
01:26I didn't understand what that meant.
01:28But at night, he would turn away from me and cry until his pillow was soaked.
01:32I figured he missed his family, so I sneaked him out.
01:36I stuffed every piece of candy I'd saved into his pockets.
01:39I gave him a firm shove, urging him to run.
01:43When Mom and Dad caught me, they beat me with fists and sticks.
01:49As my blood mixed with the crushed candy, I just wanted to close my eyes and never wake up.
01:56But instead of leaving, Malcolm ran back and threw himself over me.
02:02His tears fell into my mouth, salty and bitter.
02:05He held a kitchen knife against his own throat.
02:10If you kill her, I die too!
02:12After that, he never mentioned going home again.
02:14Then, when we were 18, a line of shiny black cars pulled up in front of the house.
02:19Men wearing armbands took Mom and Dad away.
02:23A beautiful woman who smelled like perfume cried as she pulled Malcolm into one of the cars.
02:28I knew he was going home.
02:29I held out the chocolates I'd been saving for six months.
02:32But he knocked them out of my hands.
02:34He pulled me into a crushing hug, his voice shaking.
02:38Lily, come with me.
02:40I'm taking you to the city.
02:42You like birds, right?
02:44There are so many beautiful birds there.
02:47Chicago was beautiful.
02:49The buildings were taller than the mountains back home.
02:52I stared at everything with my mouth hanging open, trying to take it all in.
02:56Malcolm told me it all belonged to his family.
02:58But there were no birds.
03:00And the woman, Rachel Harrington, kept digging her long fingernails into my palm.
03:05Scared, I tugged at his sleeve.
03:08Malk, when can I go home?
03:10His expression darkened, though his voice stayed soft.
03:13My home is your home.
03:15We are never going back to that place.
03:18Rachel's voice rose to a shriek.
03:20Malk!
03:21Your father will never agree to adopt her!
03:25If it weren't for her human tracker parents, you wouldn't have suffered in that slum for ten years!
03:30Malcolm's face was cold.
03:31The couple was at fault.
03:33Not her.
03:34But she's retorted!
03:36Rachel waved a stack of papers in the air.
03:39Severe intellectual disability.
03:44She'll be a burden forever!
03:46Do you know how bad that looks for your father?
03:51I froze in fear, and then my pants felt warm and wet.
03:55A dark stain spread across the carpet.
03:57The servants covered their noses and stepped away, whispering to one another.
04:02I wanted to curl up and hide my shame.
04:05But then I noticed the white papers scattered on the floor.
04:08I dropped to my knees to pick them up.
04:10I carefully padded off the dust and handed them to Malcolm.
04:13He used to complain that his homework paper was too thin and tore easily.
04:18Now he finally had good paper.
04:20Malk!
04:21White paper!
04:22You can do your homework now.
04:24His eyes turned red.
04:26He took the stack of papers, gripped my hand, and led me into the guest room.
04:31A few maids came over to change my dress, clearly unhappy about it.
04:35I clutched my waistband tight, so they pinched my side hard.
04:40Ugh!
04:41Disgusting!
04:42Let go!
04:44Tears stung my eyes from the pain, but I remembered what Malcolm told me no one was allowed to touch
04:49my dress except him and me.
04:50The door was slightly ajar, and I heard Malcolm's icy voice coming from the hallway.
04:56Rachel, you know exactly how you got into my father's bed.
05:00And you know exactly why I went missing all those years ago.
05:05If you try to poison my father against Lily, I promise you and your precious son will be
05:10thrown out of the Harrington family.
05:13Rachel's face went pale, and she ran away crying.
05:18The hallway went quiet.
05:19When I came out in clean pants, Malcolm was slumped on the sofa.
05:24He looked at me and let out a long sigh.
05:26Malcolm was home now, so why wasn't he happy?
05:30Later, Malcolm's father came home.
05:32They stayed in the study for a long time.
05:35When Malcolm finally came out, he had a bright red handprint on his face.
05:39He locked himself in his room and refused to eat.
05:43I shook with fear.
05:44Back home, when mom and dad said I was bad and wouldn't feed me, Malcolm used to sneak
05:49his food to me.
05:50Once, he went hungry for a whole week until he passed out.
05:54I ran to tell mom and dad, but they beat me and accused me of starving him to death.
05:59When he woke up, he kept his mouth shut tight, no matter how much I begged him to eat.
06:04He waited until mom and dad finally brought me a plate of food, too.
06:08Only then did he open his mouth and let me feed him.
06:13I took a bread roll I'd hidden during dinner and sneaked into Malcolm's room.
06:18I tried desperately to push it into his mouth, but his eyes were red.
06:22He pulled me close, his hot tears dripping onto my neck.
06:25Lily, he might be my biological father, but he stopped caring about me a long time ago.
06:33No one here cares.
06:39I only have you.
06:41If they can't accept you, they won't accept me either.
06:44I didn't understand his complicated words, so I just used my sleeve to wipe his face.
06:49Let's leave.
06:50His voice was sudden and firm.
06:53Isn't this our home?
06:57Lily, anywhere I am with you is home.
07:00He took me and ran away.
07:02We lived under an overpass for three days, huddled together for warmth.
07:07Finally, Malcolm's father gave in and agreed to let me stay.
07:11But Rachel complained I was covered in germs.
07:13She wouldn't let me touch anything and made me stay in my room.
07:17Every night, Malcolm came to hold me while we slept, whispering that he was sorry.
07:22I didn't understand why.
07:24Even though there were no birds here, I had Malcolm, and that made me happy.
07:30But then Malcolm went to college and got very busy.
07:34He stopped coming home for dinner.
07:36He stopped reading me stories before bed.
07:39A pretty girl named Alicia Quinn started following him around.
07:42She had long hair and always smelled like flowers.
07:45The servants told me she was Malcolm's fiancé.
07:48I didn't know what a fiancé was.
07:50They laughed and told me.
07:52It means she's his bride.
07:55They'll sleep together and eat together every day.
07:58I tilted my head.
08:00Does that mean I'm Malcolm's fiancé, too?
08:03Malcolm laughed and shook his head.
08:05That's different.
08:07When I asked him why, his face fell, and he looked at me with a strange expression.
08:12He didn't explain.
08:14After that, he stopped coming to hold me at night.
08:17I lay awake in the dark, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the door to open.
08:22It never did.
08:24I could only watch through the glass as Malcolm and Alicia sat on the garden swing.
08:29They were reading, feeding the fish by the pond, and walking that fluffy puppy of theirs.
08:35I wanted to be out there so bad it hurt.
08:38I missed Malcolm.
08:39But one time, Alicia had actually spotted me at the window.
08:44It startled her so bad she fell right to the ground, pointing at me and screaming that she'd seen a
08:49ghost.
08:50I panicked.
08:51I ran outside and almost got hit by a car.
08:54Malcolm was furious.
08:56He struck me hard with a clothes hanger.
09:00Why are you running around?
09:02Why won't you listen?
09:03After that, they covered the window with black cloth.
09:07I couldn't see anything anymore.
09:09The servants stopped bringing me food, and I started feeling dizzy from the hunger.
09:14They didn't let me out until the day of Malcolm's engagement party.
09:21Malcolm pulled me aside.
09:23When he saw how thin my face was, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes.
09:28But his voice stayed harsh and cold.
09:30Today is my engagement party with Alicia.
09:34You just watch quietly, understand?
09:37No eating with your hands.
09:40If you need the bathroom, tell a servant.
09:43Malcolm had forgotten again.
09:46The first time I ate with Alicia, I didn't know how to use a knife and fork.
09:50I remembered him saying we needed to make a good impression on her.
09:53I was starving.
09:55While I drank my juice, I secretly grabbed handfuls of food and stuffed them into my pocket to eat back
10:00in my room.
10:00Then, a sudden urge to pee hit me.
10:04I hurriedly told them I needed the bathroom.
10:07Rachel, who always had sharp eyes, grabbed me.
10:10What's that bulging in your pocket?
10:12Then she screamed.
10:13We feed and clothe you, and you still steal?
10:18She yanked at me, and the food spilled all over the floor.
10:22That's when I felt a sudden warmth between my legs.
10:26Urine dripped down my calf.
10:30The room went dead silent.
10:34Guests covered their mouths in shock and backed away, their eyes full of disgust.
10:38The smell filled the air.
10:41Alicia went totally pale.
10:43She retched, covered her nose, and ran out, forgetting all about being polite.
10:49Malcolm rushed after her.
10:52He didn't come back for a long time.
10:54When he finally returned, he stared at the mess on the floor with empty eyes.
11:00I'm begging you.
11:02His voice sounded exhausted.
11:04Just be normal, okay?
11:07Since that first incident, I had practiced using a knife and fork until my hands were covered in blood.
11:12I had learned to use the toilet by myself.
11:15I nodded obediently.
11:18He didn't look at me again.
11:21He turned to take Alicia's arm and chat with the guests.
11:24Malcolm looked tired, but his smile was bright.
11:28I was truly happy for him.
11:31Then Vincent Harrington, Malcolm's half-brother, whispered behind me.
11:35Malc hasn't eaten all day.
11:38If you bring him a piece of cake, he'll be even happier.
11:42My eyes lit up.
11:44I remembered when we were kids back in the village.
11:47A big boy named Brad told me to kneel and bark like a dog for a bite of cake.
11:51I had knelt until my knees bled, barking for a long time, just to present that cake to Malcolm like
11:57a treasure.
11:58Malcolm had stared at the cake and insisted I eat first.
12:01I wiped my mouth, smiling, and lied that I had already eaten.
12:05Only then did he open his mouth.
12:07Cream stuck to the corner of his lips, and he squinted at the sweetness.
12:12But the next day, he came home from school in a rage.
12:15He cried and shoved me, calling me shameless, saying I had no self-respect.
12:20He said he didn't have a sister like me.
12:23But a second later, he ran out to the riverbank and dug up wet herbs.
12:27With red eyes, he applied the medicine to my knees.
12:30He glared at me.
12:31I hate cake!
12:34If you ever bring it to me again, I'll kill you!
12:37Watching his trembling hands, I couldn't help but smile.
12:40Malcolm was lying again.
12:42Happily, I went to cut the cake.
12:45Suddenly, my vision went black.
12:48I collapsed right into the cake, knocking over the champagne tower.
12:53It crashed down on me, and the shards pierced my skin.
13:00Alicia screamed and jumped back.
13:03She looked terrified.
13:04Her gorgeous red dress splattered with cream.
13:07Her eyes red.
13:08She looked at Malcolm.
13:10Malcolm!
13:13You said she would behave!
13:17Why did you let her ruin my engagement party?
13:20She covered her face and ran out.
13:24Malcolm's expression was terrifyingly cold.
13:27All I could think was that if Malcolm ate the cake, he would be happy.
13:31Fighting the intense pain of the glass shards in my body,
13:34I scooped the clean parts of the cake onto a plate.
13:37I had just lifted it up when Malcolm kicked the plate away.
13:41His eyes were bloodshot.
13:44Are you that obsessed with food?
13:46You couldn't wait a single moment!
13:49Are you not satisfied until you've ruined me and I'm stuck with you forever?
13:54I shook my head frantically, trying to grab his hand.
13:57But he shoved me away hard and stormed out without looking back.
14:01I fell onto the debris.
14:02Glass shards pierced my skin, and the pain made tears stream down my face.
14:07Moments later, someone rushed in, shouting,
14:11Mrs. Quinn has been in a car accident!
14:14The bodyguards hauled me into the hospital.
14:17Malcolm's voice was desperate.
14:19Lily, the blood bank is empty, and you're the only match.
14:24Please.
14:28Save her.
14:31Okay?
14:32I couldn't answer because I hurt too much.
14:34There was still glass from the accident stuck in my skin.
14:38Malcolm snapped.
14:41Alicia isn't me.
14:43You hurt her, so you have to pay for it!
14:46He shoved me toward the donation room.
14:48The doctor rolled up my sleeve, but when he saw my arm was covered in fresh blood, he froze.
14:54He looked like he wanted to stop.
14:56I remembered something I'd seen on TV once.
14:59I ducked my head and begged.
15:01I'll do it.
15:03I was wrong.
15:06I'm not scared of the pain.
15:08After a round of tests, the doctor looked grim.
15:13Miss, Miss.
15:14Brooks.
15:16You have a brain tumor.
15:17And it's getting worse.
15:20I didn't get it.
15:21He sighed.
15:23It means you have two months to live.
15:27That part, I understood.
15:30Malcolm had told me once that dying meant going somewhere very far away farther than birds could fly.
15:35But he also said the birds come back in the spring.
15:38When they finished taking my blood, I wanted to tell him.
15:41I wanted to say I was going on a long trip and that he should remember to come get me
15:45in the spring.
15:46But then Alicia woke up.
15:47Before I could get the words out, he shoved past me and ran to her.
15:52The room spun and I hit the floor.
15:55Through the crack in the door, I heard Alicia sobbing.
15:59I said I didn't mind her living with us after we got married, but I never agreed to risk my
16:03life for it!
16:05We've given her a luxury life for years.
16:07Whatever debt we owed is paid.
16:10Because you keep protecting her, your dad is about to give your inheritance to Vincent instead.
16:15I've compromised on everything for you.
16:17But do you ever think about how I feel?
16:25Do you know how people make fun of me?
16:30She's retarded!
16:32How much more do we have to accommodate her?
16:37Malcolm's voice sounded hoarse.
16:39She wasn't always like this.
16:41She got this way by saving me.
16:43No matter what I do, I can't give her a normal life back.
16:47Alicia went quiet for a second.
16:49Without you, her life would be way worse than this.
16:54She would have been sold off or tortured to death.
16:57Send her to a care facility.
16:59They have professionals there.
17:01She'll be treated well.
17:02Malcolm buried his face in his hands.
17:06Let me think about it.
17:09We only have two months, Malk.
17:13If Vincent becomes the heir,
17:17I won't be able to marry you.
17:22They held each other and cried, like some unlucky couple being tested by fate.
17:26My chest suddenly ached.
17:28It hurt worse than when Mom and Dad used to hit me.
17:31Turned out, Malcolm was suffering so much because of me.
17:34I decided I didn't want him to come get me after all.
17:39My headaches had been getting worse lately,
17:41and I usually ended up sleeping the entire day away.
17:44My nose wouldn't stop bleeding either,
17:46just these uncontrollable trickles of dark blood.
17:49It was a good thing Rachel hadn't let me leave my room.
17:52If Malcolm had seen me like that,
17:54he'd have just lost it again.
17:57Lying in bed,
17:58I reached under my pillow and dug out the little wooden bird he carved.
18:03Suddenly, the door swung open.
18:05I panicked and shoved it back out of sight.
18:09The last time Malcolm got mad at me for running around,
18:12he threw it into the fire.
18:14I was so desperate to save it that I reached right into the flames.
18:18The skin on my palm had peeled right off.
18:21That night, he held me and cried until morning,
18:24asking over and over,
18:27Why are you like this?
18:31Why?
18:33Terrified he was about to lose his temper again,
18:36I started to tremble.
18:39Instead, he crawled under the covers and pulled me close.
18:43His voice was raspy.
18:45Hiding snacks again.
18:46I didn't want him to think I was greedy,
18:48so I shook my head fast.
18:50It's not food!
18:52I pulled out the wooden bird to show him.
18:54He froze for a second,
18:55then gave a bitter smile.
18:57It's just that...
18:59He paused,
19:00his voice catching in his throat.
19:03The wings are burned off.
19:06It can't fly away now.
19:09He buried his face in my shoulder.
19:12It has to stay right by my side for the rest of its life, doesn't it?
19:16I wanted so badly to tell him he was wrong.
19:19I was going on a long trip soon.
19:22I had secretly asked Alicia where the birds went.
19:25She said they flew south,
19:27to the village where Mom and Dad were.
19:29I wanted to go back there.
19:31I wanted to see if the bird had made it back to its nest.
19:35Alicia booked the ticket for me.
19:37She said I could finally go home.
19:41On Malcolm's birthday,
19:43I was allowed out of my room again.
19:45I filled a glass jar with all his favorite colorful candies
19:48and quietly left it in his bedroom.
19:52At the party,
19:53Alicia whispered to me,
19:55Do you want to make milk happy?
19:56I nodded eagerly.
19:58She handed me a glass of juice,
20:00a flicker of guilt in her eyes.
20:02Drink this,
20:03and Malcolm will get exactly what he wants.
20:06I didn't even think about it.
20:07I drank it all in one go.
20:10Not long after,
20:11I felt dizzy and passed out.
20:14I was jolted out of my daze by a hard slap.
20:17My face stung with burning pain.
20:19I opened my eyes.
20:21The room was full of people pointing at me.
20:24Disgusting!
20:25She couldn't get Malcolm,
20:27so she went off to Vincent instead.
20:29I thought she was supposed to be retarded?
20:32She looks sharp enough to me.
20:35My head was swimming.
20:36I couldn't understand what they were saying.
20:39I only saw Malcolm,
20:41his eyes bloodshot,
20:42clutching a torn dress.
20:44His voice trembled.
20:46Is this the birthday present you prepared for me?
20:51No, that wasn't it.
20:53Malcolm had it wrong.
20:54The present was in his room.
20:56I tried to get up to pull him there,
20:58only to realize I wasn't wearing any clothes.
21:01Beside me,
21:02Vincent was naked, too.
21:04His face was flushed crimson.
21:07He slapped me across the face,
21:09hard enough that I tasted copper in the back of my throat.
21:13Have you no shame?
21:16You dare to drug me?
21:18I swallowed the blood in my mouth
21:20and watched him struggle to reach his trousers.
21:22I remembered Rachel saying Malcolm's brother,
21:25Vincent,
21:25had poor health
21:26and that I should always be helpful to him.
21:29So,
21:29I reached out,
21:30grabbed his pants,
21:32and tried to help him put them on.
21:34Malcolm yanked my hair back violently,
21:36his eyes glaring red.
21:38How the hell did you get this cheat?
21:40Huh?
21:41The pain made tears stream down my face.
21:44Vincent spat on me.
21:46Slut!
21:47Malcolm roared and lunged at him,
21:49punching him over and over
21:50until Vincent's face was covered in blood.
21:52The whole room erupted into chaos.
21:55Eventually,
21:56Vincent was taken away in a large white van.
22:04I was dragged into a small dark room.
22:07Outside the door,
22:09I heard a man's cold voice.
22:11Last chance.
22:13Get rid of that woman.
22:15She has the mind of an eight-year-old.
22:17How could she possibly drug Vincent?
22:19It had to be him.
22:22He raped her.
22:24A heavy slap landed on Malcolm's face.
22:28You've lost your mind over her!
22:31Today,
22:32you broke your brother's nose.
22:35Tomorrow,
22:36are you going to kill someone for her?
22:38If you don't send her away,
22:39I have my ways of making her disappear.
22:43Suddenly,
22:44it went quiet outside.
22:46The next day,
22:48Malcolm came for me,
22:49his eyes swollen.
22:52He stuffed me into a car
22:54and shoved a key
22:55and a bank card into my hand.
22:57His voice was incredibly hoarse.
22:59I bought you a house on the south side.
23:00Don't ever come back.
23:02Big tears started rolling down my face.
23:04He yanked his hand back
23:06as if I'd burned him.
23:07Enough!
23:09Alicia was right!
23:11I paid back
23:12everything I owed you long ago!
23:16I shook my head
23:17and tried to give the key and card back.
23:22Malcolm,
23:22I'm going home!
23:23He froze for a long time,
23:25then suddenly started screaming hysterically.
23:27Fine!
23:28Go home then!
23:30Don't you ever come back!
23:33He slammed the car door shut,
23:36sealing me off from him completely.
23:39From inside the car,
23:41I watched his figure grow smaller
23:43and smaller in the distance.
23:44The buildings of Chicago blurred past the window,
23:47but I didn't see any of them.
23:49All I saw was the spot
23:50where Malcolm had been standing,
23:52getting tinier and tinier
23:54until it was gone.
23:55My chest felt hollow,
23:57like someone had scooped
23:58everything out of it.
24:00I reached into my pocket
24:02and touched the ticket
24:02Alicia had secretly tucked in there.
24:05The edges were crisp and new.
24:07Home, I thought.
24:09I'm going home.
24:10I whispered to the driver
24:12in the front seat.
24:13Sir, please take me to the station.
24:16The driver met my eyes
24:18in the rearview mirror,
24:19shaking his head.
24:21His expression gave nothing away.
24:23No.
24:24His voice was flat.
24:25Mr. Harrington gave specific orders
24:27to drop you safely at the house.
24:31That's it.
24:33No matter how much I begged,
24:34he wouldn't listen.
24:36The yard was average-sized,
24:38and a middle-aged woman
24:39greeted me warmly at the door.
24:41At first,
24:42she treated me well
24:43and made me meals,
24:44though she wouldn't let me leave.
24:46But as time passed
24:47and no one came to visit,
24:49her attitude cooled.
24:50Eventually,
24:51she started just tossing bread
24:53into the room,
24:54glaring at me with disdain.
24:56You aren't some wealthy heiress,
24:58she sneered.
25:00If you want to eat,
25:01cook for yourself.
25:02The hunger became unbearable,
25:04so I gathered my courage
25:06and went into the kitchen.
25:07I didn't know what I knocked over,
25:09but flames suddenly flared up,
25:11instantly catching the curtains.
25:13Malcolm had told me
25:14that if there was ever a fire,
25:16I had to run.
25:19I grabbed the wooden bird carving
25:21from under my pillow
25:22and rushed toward the door.
25:24It was locked from the outside.
25:27I cried and pounded on the wood,
25:29but no one answered.
25:31The thick smoke forced me to the floor.
25:34The fire burned my heels,
25:36sizzling against my skin.
25:39Malcolm would be angry
25:40to see me like this.
25:43I slapped my face hard
25:44and forced myself
25:45to crawl toward the window.
25:47I smashed the glass
25:48with my head and blacked out.
25:54When I woke up,
25:56everything was white.
25:57Malcolm sat by the bed
25:59in a tuxedo.
26:00I couldn't help smiling
26:02when I saw him.
26:02I had finally found him again.
26:05A police officer stood nearby,
26:07reprimanding him sternly.
26:09You are Mrs. Brooks' guardian,
26:12correct?
26:12How could you lock a person
26:14with an indetitual disability
26:15alone in a house?
26:17Do you realize she nearly died?
26:19I froze,
26:21then shook my head hard,
26:22trying to explain.
26:25Malcolm looked drained
26:27of all energy.
26:28His red-rimmed eyes
26:30fixed on me,
26:31his voice sounding exhausting.
26:33What do you want me to do
26:34before you leave me alone?
26:37Do I have to obey you completely?
26:39Lillian,
26:40you have always hated me,
26:41haven't you?
26:45You regret helping me.
26:47I regret it too.
26:51I should have died back then.
26:55Malcolm always said things
26:57I didn't understand.
26:59If he died,
27:00who would pick him up
27:01in the spring?
27:02I wanted to correct him,
27:04but my throat hurt terribly.
27:06A doctor nearby explained.
27:08The patient inhaled
27:09too much smoke
27:10during the fire.
27:11Her vocal cords
27:12are moderately burned.
27:14Malcolm turned
27:15his head sharply.
27:16She can't speak?
27:20She might recover
27:21with rest,
27:21but her voice
27:22will likely remain
27:23permanently hark.
27:25I looked at him,
27:26questioning him
27:27with my eyes.
27:28He glanced at me
27:29and understood immediately.
27:34You won't be able
27:35to speak or sing anymore.
27:40I stared blankly
27:41for a long time,
27:42then opened my mouth,
27:44trying to make a sound.
27:45He immediately
27:46covered my mouth,
27:48shouting in a panic.
27:49The doctor said
27:50you need total silence
27:51for the next two months.
27:53Do you want
27:54to be mute forever?
27:59Stop causing trouble
28:00for me.
28:02Warm tears
28:03dropped onto my face.
28:05I reached up
28:06with a trembling hand
28:07to wipe Malcolm's eyes.
28:08He caught my wrist
28:09and gave a sad,
28:10bitter smile.
28:11Since you cannot speak,
28:14my world is finally quiet.
28:17I don't have to answer
28:18meaningless questions
28:20or hear your bad singing.
28:22My chest ached.
28:23Malcolm used to love
28:24my singing.
28:26I remembered
28:27when he first came
28:28to our home.
28:29He broke things
28:30during the day
28:30and cried all night.
28:34I wiped his tears,
28:35but he swatted
28:36my hand away.
28:37I patted his back,
28:39and he told me
28:40to leave him alone.
28:41Then I sang
28:42the song Grandma
28:42taught me.
28:43The little bird sings
28:45coming here
28:46every single day.
28:47He stopped crying.
28:48The next night,
28:49he hid his face
28:50in my arms
28:51and whispered,
28:54Sing it again
28:55and I won't cry.
28:57Malcolm was only this sad
28:59because I couldn't
28:59sing anymore.
29:04The doctor looked
29:05at the report
29:05and frowned,
29:06about to speak,
29:07when Alicia rushed
29:08in wearing
29:09her wedding dress.
29:12She pointed
29:12at me crying.
29:14I never realized
29:15you were so manipulative!
29:17You did this
29:18on our wedding day
29:19to make him feel guilty
29:20so he would stay
29:21with you.
29:22Alicia had said that
29:23as long as I was
29:24in Chicago.
29:25Malcolm would never
29:26be happy.
29:27I didn't want Malcolm
29:28to be unhappy.
29:31I looked at her
29:32and Malcolm
29:32and I smiled.
29:33I forced the words
29:35out through the searing
29:35pain in my throat,
29:37repeating what she
29:37had taught me.
29:38Yes,
29:39he owes me.
29:41He will never
29:41have a good life.
29:45Malcolm gripped my wrist
29:46so hard the pain
29:47bowed me over,
29:48sharp and crushing.
29:50Still,
29:51I forced a smile,
29:52grinding the words out.
29:54You
29:55are only
29:56good enough
29:58to stay
29:59right here
30:00and do
30:01as you're told.
30:03That broke him.
30:04His voice cracked,
30:06raw and shouting.
30:08I've degraded
30:09myself.
30:11Malcolm.
30:12For you
30:13for 10 years.
30:15I don't owe you
30:16a damn thing
30:17anymore.
30:19Get out.
30:21I never want
30:22to see you again.
30:24He bunched a fistful
30:25of my hair
30:25and hauled me
30:26roughly toward the exit.
30:28The doctor chased
30:29after us,
30:30yelling.
30:31His Brooks
30:31has severe burns,
30:32but she also has a...
30:33The heavy thud
30:34of the door
30:34severed the rest
30:35of his sentence.
30:36Alicia fell into
30:37step beside him,
30:38her voice soft
30:39and persuasive.
30:42Let's send her
30:43to my family's
30:43nursing home.
30:44I know you care
30:45about her,
30:47but please
30:48stop thinking
30:49about bringing
30:50her home with us.
30:51Okay?
30:53Malcolm's shoulders
30:53dropped,
30:54and he let out
30:55a heavy sigh
30:55of surrender.
30:57He shoved me
30:58into the car,
30:59refusing to look me.
31:04At the moment
31:05Malcolm turned
31:06to lead Alicia away,
31:07a swarm of reporters
31:09descended.
31:10Mr. Harrington,
31:11did you leave
31:11your own wedding
31:12for your adopted sister?
31:15Are the rumors
31:15of a romance true?
31:17Does Miss Quinn know?
31:19Malcolm pressed his lips
31:20into a thin line,
31:21saying nothing.
31:23Alicia took his arm
31:24with practice poise,
31:25flashing a smile
31:26for the cameras.
31:27You must be joking.
31:28My husband is a man
31:29of integrity.
31:30He certainly wouldn't
31:31have an affair
31:31with a mentally
31:31disabled woman.
31:34He was simply
31:35repaying a past
31:36debt of gratitude.
31:37Bodyguards cleared
31:38a path back
31:39to the venue.
31:43Inside,
31:44the officiant's voice
31:45filled the grand hall.
31:46Mr. Harrington,
31:49do you take Mrs. Quinn
31:50to be your wedded wife?
31:52To love and cherish her,
31:54in sickness and in health,
31:55for richer or poorer,
31:56as long as you both
31:57shall live?
31:58Alicia looked up at him,
31:59but the tenderness
32:00in his eyes
32:01wasn't meant for her.
32:03Mr. Harrington?
32:04The officiant's voice rose,
32:06pressing him again.
32:08Her hand trembled
32:10as she dug her nails
32:10into his palm.
32:12The sharp pain
32:13snapped him back
32:13to the present.
32:15He finally spoke,
32:16the words dragging.
32:19I do.
32:20The hall erupted
32:22in cheers.
32:24The ceremony
32:25was flawless,
32:26burying the negative
32:27rumors already
32:27trending online.
32:31Malcolm's father
32:32nodded with satisfaction.
32:34It's about time.
32:36Follow the path
32:36I've laid out,
32:37build your family
32:38and career,
32:38and let the past
32:39stay dead.
32:41Don't disappoint me again.
32:44That night,
32:45Malcolm sat on the edge
32:46of the bed,
32:47his expression blank.
32:51Alicia tried her best
32:52to seduce him,
32:53but when he remained cold,
32:55she finally gave up.
32:58You won't admit it,
32:59but you love her,
32:59don't you?
33:00She sounded resigned.
33:02People like us
33:03don't get to live
33:04how we want.
33:04Just forget her.
33:06Live the life
33:07we're supposed to live,
33:08even if it's just a duty.
33:10It's the best outcome
33:11for you,
33:12for me,
33:13and for her.
33:14He didn't answer.
33:15He just retreated
33:17into the bathroom,
33:18chain-smoking.
33:19In the haze,
33:20his mind drifted back
33:22to when he was 15.
33:24He used to mimic
33:25the adult smoking
33:26raw tobacco
33:27at the village entrance.
33:30Whenever I smelled it
33:31on him,
33:31I'd wrinkle my nose,
33:33assuming he was dirty.
33:35I'd shove him
33:36toward a washbasin
33:37and scrub his back
33:38without hesitation,
33:39just like when
33:40they were kids.
33:42My clear gaze
33:43would wander over him,
33:44making his face burn.
33:46Don't you know?
33:47If you look at a man's body,
33:49no one will want
33:49to marry you.
33:50That wasn't actually true.
33:53I was beautiful.
33:54Even with my disability,
33:56plenty of men
33:57were willing to pay
33:58to make my their wife.
34:00But Malcolm had chased
34:01every suitor away
34:02with a stick.
34:04Then he lowered his head,
34:05his voice so quiet
34:06he wasn't sure
34:07who he was talking to.
34:09It doesn't matter
34:10if no one else wants you.
34:12I'll marry you myself.
34:16They put me in a white room
34:18with padded walls.
34:20The window was sealed shut,
34:22leaving just a few little holes
34:23drilled in for air.
34:25They let me out
34:26for a few hours a day, though.
34:27The place was packed
34:29with people wearing
34:29the same blue and white
34:30striped clothes I was.
34:32There was a middle-aged woman
34:33with two braids
34:34who'd stand on tables
34:35reciting poetry,
34:36and an old man
34:37who liked to smear his dinner
34:39on the walls
34:39like finger paint.
34:41But the one I saw the most
34:42was a little boy
34:43who didn't know
34:43how to use a fork.
34:45He always grabbed
34:46his spaghetti
34:47with his bare hands,
34:48smearing sauce
34:49all over his face.
34:51I crouched down next to him
34:53and took his small hand,
34:54prying his fingers open
34:55one by one
34:56to press the fork
34:57into his palm.
34:59You gotta hold it like this.
35:01I rasped,
35:02showing him.
35:03My brother told me that.
35:05But while I was trying
35:06to teach him,
35:07tears slipped out
35:08and fell right into his plate.
35:13Spooked,
35:14he flipped the plate over
35:15and scrambled under the table,
35:16screaming.
35:18I reached underneath
35:19and pulled him out,
35:20rubbing his back gently.
35:23He bit my wrist,
35:24sinking his teeth deep.
35:26I hissed,
35:27but I kept humming
35:28that old nursery rhyme
35:29with my scratchy voice.
35:32The little bird sings,
35:36coming here,
35:38every spring.
35:41His jaw slowly relaxed.
35:44He leaned back
35:45against my chest
35:46and picked up the fork
35:46as I asked.
35:49The nurses there were gentle.
35:51They'd slip fruit candies
35:52under my pillow.
35:54But my stomach felt hard
35:55and blocked up,
35:56and I threw up
35:57everything I ate.
35:59I saved the colorful wrappers anyway,
36:02hiding them under my mattress.
36:04The day the first snow fell,
36:06the little boy dragged me out
36:08to the courtyard,
36:09all excited.
36:11Snowflakes landed
36:12on his open palms.
36:14He tipped his head back
36:16and opened his mouth
36:16to catch them,
36:17eyes crinkling with joy.
36:19Lily!
36:21It's sweet!
36:23I did the same,
36:24tasting it myself.
36:26It was cold
36:27and tasted like nothing.
36:28Silly kid.
36:29I fished the last
36:30two candies
36:31out of my pocket,
36:32unwrapped one,
36:33and fed it to him.
36:36I wrapped the other one
36:37back up carefully.
36:39I had to save that one
36:40for Malcolm.
36:41He's loved sweets
36:43since he was little.
36:45Alicia came to visit
36:46while I was drifting
36:47in and out.
36:49She sat by my bed,
36:50faint dark circles
36:51shadowing her eyes.
36:54Lillian,
36:55her voice was soft.
36:57Just blame this on me.
36:59Leave Chicago
37:00and go back home.
37:03Okay?
37:04I didn't have the strength
37:05to speak,
37:06so I just nodded.
37:07I still wanted
37:08to go back and check
37:09if the little bird
37:10had returned to its nest
37:11in this cold.
37:13The car pulled away
37:14slowly in the snow.
37:16I leaned against the window,
37:18watching the flakes
37:19dance outside.
37:21My eyelids got heavier
37:23and heavier
37:23until I didn't want
37:24to open them anymore.
37:28I lost track of time
37:29before the car
37:30finally jerked to a stop.
37:32The driver,
37:33a middle-aged woman
37:34who'd clearly lost
37:35her patience,
37:36practically kicked me out
37:37onto the shoulder
37:38of the road.
37:39Clutching the heavy bags
37:40of bread the nurses
37:41had secretly shoved
37:42into my hands,
37:43I started the slow walk
37:44into the village.
37:46The dirt road
37:47hadn't changed.
37:49A few locals
37:50squatting in the sun
37:51craned their necks
37:51as I passed.
37:53Hey, isn't that Lillian?
37:55The Brooke's slow girl?
37:57Didn't that city boy
37:58take her off
37:59to live the good life?
38:01Why is she back
38:02looking like such a wreck?
38:04The gossip
38:05made my ears ring.
38:07I covered them
38:08with my hands
38:09and ran the rest
38:09of the way,
38:10shouldering open
38:11the creaky wooden door
38:12of my house.
38:14My eyes went straight
38:15to the bird's nest
38:16tucked under the eaves.
38:19Panic set in.
38:21I dragged the ladder
38:23over and climbed,
38:24my legs shaking,
38:25to look inside.
38:28It was completely empty.
38:32I burst into tears,
38:34sobbing uncontrollably.
38:38Why hadn't the bird
38:39come back?
38:40Did it get lost?
38:44The ladder wobbled,
38:45and I tipped backward.
38:47A heavy pain
38:48slammed into my chest
38:49when I hit the ground,
38:51and I coughed up
38:51a mouthful of blood.
38:54Through the haze
38:55of confusion,
38:56I heard clear,
38:57bright laughter.
39:00Lily, you dummy!
39:02You have to wedge
39:03the ladder into the groove!
39:04A teenage Malcolm
39:05was sitting on the roof,
39:06swinging his legs.
39:08When the birds
39:08lay eggs next year,
39:09I'll get them for you.
39:13We can raise
39:13a whole nest of them,
39:14okay?
39:15Okay.
39:16I swallowed
39:17the metallic taste
39:18of blood,
39:18my voice hoarse.
39:20I struggled to sit up.
39:22The back of my head
39:23throbbed with a dull numbness.
39:25When I reached up
39:26to touch it,
39:27a clump of dry,
39:28yellowing hair
39:29came away in my hand.
39:31On the first day,
39:32I tried to clean the house,
39:34but my nose
39:35wouldn't stop bleeding.
39:36As the drops
39:37hit the dirt floor,
39:38I had to scratch away
39:39the dark red spots
39:40with my fingernails.
39:44On the second day,
39:45I found Malcolm's
39:46old textbook
39:47at the bottom
39:47of a trunk.
39:49He had spent
39:49a whole year
39:50teaching me
39:50one specific page
39:52that featured
39:52a drawing of a teacher
39:53with glasses.
39:56I remembered
39:57how he used to
39:58rub my hair
39:58and praise me.
40:00Lily,
40:02you're so smart.
40:03Brad couldn't
40:04recite this
40:04at school
40:05and his palms
40:05got swollen
40:06from the ruler.
40:08We used to laugh
40:09about that.
40:11But now,
40:12staring at the
40:13dense rows of text,
40:14I couldn't recognize
40:15a single word.
40:17On the third day,
40:18the pain in my head
40:19was unbearable.
40:21I tried to roll over
40:22but tumbled
40:23right off the bed.
40:25I crawled
40:26across the cold floor,
40:27grabbed a piece
40:28of stale bread
40:29from the table
40:29and shoved it
40:30into my mouth.
40:32The door
40:32was kicked open.
40:34A tall figure
40:35stood silhouetted
40:36against the light.
40:37He looked down
40:38at me lying
40:39on the ground
40:39my face drained
40:40of color,
40:41my scalp showing
40:42through my thinning hair
40:43and blood staining
40:44the bread I was eating.
40:45His legs gave out
40:47and he dropped
40:47to his knees
40:48in the doorway,
40:49weeping loudly.
40:51Squinting through
40:51my failing eyes,
40:53I asked softly,
40:54Is that...
40:55No.
40:57He rushed over
40:58and hugged me tight,
40:59his whole body trembling.
41:02Why didn't you tell me
41:03you had a brain tumor?
41:07Is that how you
41:08want me to live?
41:10Carrying that guilt
41:11until I die?
41:16How could you
41:17be so cruel?
41:21Come on,
41:22I'm taking you
41:22to a doctor
41:22in Chicago
41:23right now.
41:24He tried to pull me up
41:25but froze
41:26when he realized
41:27how light and frail
41:28I was.
41:31I shook my head.
41:34I don't want
41:35to go anywhere.
41:36I'm just tired.
41:38Malcolm ignored me
41:39and lifted me
41:40into his arms.
41:41His hot tears
41:42fell onto my face.
41:45As we passed
41:46under the eaves,
41:47I tugged
41:47at his shirt.
41:49Malcolm,
41:51please look for me.
41:54Did the bird
41:54come back
41:55to the nest?
41:56He froze.
41:58With red eyes,
42:00he gently
42:00set me down
42:01on the bench
42:01in the yard
42:02and climbed
42:02the ladder.
42:04He stayed there
42:05for a long time
42:05before looking back
42:06with a forced smile.
42:10They're back.
42:12The birds
42:13are all back.
42:14Relief finally
42:15washed over me
42:16and I slowly
42:17closed my eyes.
42:19Lily?
42:19His voice shook
42:21as he tucked
42:21my cold feet
42:22against his chest
42:22to warm them.
42:28Ah!
42:29The birds
42:29really are back!
42:31Open your eyes
42:32and look!
42:33If you don't
42:34want to leave,
42:34I'll stay here
42:35with you.
42:41We can look
42:41for bird eggs
42:42together again
42:42next year,
42:43okay?
42:46I suddenly
42:47thought of that
42:47text from
42:48Malcolm's book
42:48and asked him
42:49to help me
42:49read it
42:50one last time.
42:51He stroked
42:52my head,
42:53his hand
42:53coming away
42:54with more
42:54loose hair.
42:56Choking back
42:56sobs,
42:57he began
42:58to read.
43:01Birds
43:01may fly away,
43:03yet they
43:04find their
43:04way back.
43:06Trees
43:07may droop,
43:08yet their
43:09branches reach
43:09for the sun.
43:11Flowers
43:12may vanish,
43:13yet they
43:14rise and
43:15bloom again.
43:16I followed
43:17along,
43:17my voice
43:18breaking.
43:20But,
43:21Malk,
43:22you're the
43:22smart one.
43:23Tell me,
43:24why do our
43:24days never
43:26return once
43:26they're gone?
43:29I smiled
43:30after I said
43:30it.
43:32Turned out
43:32I remembered
43:32the words
43:33after all.
43:35He continued
43:37reciting,
43:37laughing,
43:38and crying
43:39at the same
43:39time,
43:40but his voice
43:41sounded increasingly
43:42distant,
43:42like it
43:43was coming
43:44from far
43:44away.
43:47As he
43:48reached the
43:48final sentence,
43:49warm sunlight
43:50filled the
43:51courtyard,
43:51and a sudden
43:52fluttering sound
43:53came from the
43:53eaves.
43:56He looked up
43:57and saw two
43:58birds circling
43:58the old nest,
43:59busy building
44:00their home.
44:01He suddenly
44:02realized the
44:03body in his
44:03arms was cold,
44:04and her chest
44:05had stopped
44:05rising.
44:08He didn't
44:09speak.
44:10He just
44:11tightened his
44:11hold and
44:12stared blankly
44:12at the
44:13busy birds,
44:14remembering a
44:14song.
44:16The little
44:17bird sings
44:18coming here
44:18every spring.
44:22I asked
44:23the bird
44:23why it
44:24comes,
44:24and the
44:25bird says,
44:27because the
44:28spring here
44:29is the
44:29most beautiful.
44:30beautiful.
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