- 23 minutes ago
Rebirth: Her Life Swap at the Adoption Day HD
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:28Abbey
00:30When everything went back to the very beginning, the adoption day, Abbey made the opposite choice.
00:35She ran toward the Rivers family, which was my family from our previous life.
00:39Bro.
00:41Anna, this time, you will have the old money suffering. That place eats people alive. I couldn't stand another second.
00:47I looked at Caleb Rivers, my husband from the previous life, expecting him to say something, only to find him
00:53pull Abbey behind and shield her from my sight.
00:56His gaze turned ice cold.
00:58Stay away from my sister.
01:00Eventually, under her victorious stare, I walked toward the black Cadillac Escalade ESV.
01:05Abbey's words told me everything I needed to know.
01:08The second time life chants, she had it just like I did.
01:11Reading her expression, I understood exactly what she thought she'd won.
01:15The Sterlings hadn't sent anyone except a chauffeur.
01:17Get in, miss.
01:18Crisp uniform, white gloves.
01:21Same as last life, when the director of St. Agnes Children's Home let us choose, Abbey moved first.
01:27Back then, she'd been so arrogant then too.
01:30I can't live poor, Anna. You can have that struggle.
01:33She went to the Sterling's chauffeur, got her Upper East Side mansion life, but her smile faded a little more
01:38each day.
01:39This time, she swapped the choice, and I was the one walking to the escalade.
01:43The chauffeur briefed me on house rules for the Sterling estate as we drove.
01:47Did you get all that?
01:48Yes, sir.
01:51We arrived quickly.
01:52I followed the chauffeur through.
01:53A Georgian revival mansion.
01:55That looked like a palace.
01:56Mrs. Sterling, she's here.
01:58A beautiful lady looked up from her earl grey in the sunroom.
02:01She looked me over, waved me closer.
02:03You.
02:04What's your name?
02:05Anna.
02:05Anna.
02:06The name the St. Agnes director gave me, hoping my life would be filled with grace and favour.
02:11Good.
02:11From now on, you're Anna Sterling.
02:16Albert, take her up.
02:17Yes, ma'am.
02:18I followed the house manager, Albert, step by step.
02:21Mahogany banisters.
02:23Calicata marble floors.
02:24Luxury everywhere.
02:26I'd earned all of this myself in my previous life.
02:29Nothing here impressed me.
02:30Albert glanced back.
02:32Something like surprise flickering across his face.
02:34He opened a door.
02:36A massive princess suite lay beyond.
02:38Miss, this is your room from now on.
02:40Rest a while, I'll return later.
02:42I entered, studying my surroundings.
02:45Excellent taste.
02:46The Sterling spared no expense for their adopted daughter.
02:49Old money refinement everywhere.
02:51Fret linens.
02:52Lalite crystal.
02:53A Monet sketch on the wall that most people would miss.
02:55A wave of exhilaration crashed through me.
02:58Last life.
02:59Without powerful family backing, I'd built a successful life with my own two hands.
03:03This life.
03:04With the Sterling name behind me, I'd forge a path entirely my own.
03:08While I was pondering, shouts erupted behind me and the door suddenly burst open.
03:19Hey country bumper, get my ball.
03:21If I remembered correctly, this was Ethan Sterling.
03:24The Sterling's only son.
03:26Street racing and base jumping lover.
03:28Classic trust fund kid.
03:30Couldn't care less about the family private equity firm.
03:33Last life.
03:34He crashed during an illegal street race at Wild Track, resulting in compression injuries
03:38to his lower body.
03:39After that, with no way escaping from being paralyzed for life, his temper turned explosive.
03:45Yo, you spacing out?
03:46You deaf or something?
03:47I snapped back, picked up the basketball, handed it over.
03:51Remembering the chauffeur's advice, I called out lightly.
03:54Bro, here you go.
03:55Pretty good at sucking up.
03:56You think that's gonna get you a piece of Sterling trust?
04:00He scoffed and walked out.
04:02The next few days, I barely saw Mrs. Sterling.
04:05Ethan was even more elusive.
04:07Albert showed me around the mansion.
04:09Massive place.
04:10When the tour finished, he handed me a schedule.
04:13This is your curriculum from tomorrow.
04:15One-on-one tutoring in corporate finance, investment strategy, and estate management.
04:21Mrs. Sterling arranged everything.
04:22Study hard, and there'll be unexpected benefits.
04:26Can you handle it?
04:27I'd learned all of this when I started my company last life.
04:30Getting it at 15, I couldn't be happier.
04:33Absolutely.
04:34To keep me from falling behind in middle school, Mrs. Sterling hired a tutor for that too.
04:39Now that I'd already mastered everything last life, this would be just child's play.
04:43Within a year, I'd absorbed it all and started applying it.
04:47This kid is amazing.
04:49Not only has she mastered all the middle and high school corculum,
04:53but she's actually absorbing those sophisticated corporate finance courses.
04:58At this rate, she won't even need high school.
05:00She could go straight to a gap year program abroad.
05:04But Mrs. Sterling had other plans.
05:06She wanted me to accompany Ethan through Hawthorne Preparatory Academy,
05:10then apply to Ivy's or European Prestigious Together.
05:13For mutual support, she would euphemia-ize it.
05:16Come here.
05:17She took my hand, sat me down, and handed me an acceptance letter.
05:21Ethan can't get his grades up.
05:23I need you help him.
05:24The bar is low.
05:26Just get him to pass.
05:27Once you graduate from Hawthorne, I'll send you both to Ivy's or abroad.
05:31How's that?
05:31I didn't hesitate and sealed the deal.
05:34Thank you, Mom.
05:35Good girl.
05:36As a reward, Mrs. Sterling gave me an Amex black card.
05:39For my one day hanging out, the chauffeur dropped me in bustling.
05:43Fifth Avenue and I stepped out alone.
05:45Abby, standing in the blazing sun, handing out flyers.
05:52The rivers were broke, barely scraping by, so that her working made no surprise for me.
05:58After all, I'd done the same in my previous life.
06:01Summer breaks.
06:02Three jobs daily.
06:03Dunkin' Donuts morning shift.
06:05Target stocking.
06:06Uber eats nights, while keeping up with schoolwork.
06:09Plus endless chores for my foster parents.
06:12They claimed to treat us equally.
06:13They never made Caleb lift a finger for the labor.
06:16I found out later that the rivers adopted me not.
06:19Because they wanted a daughter.
06:20But because they wanted free labor.
06:22More importantly, foster care stipend plus child tax credit.
06:26Would suffice the broke family a decent income?
06:29Hi, would you like to check it out?
06:30A flyer thrust toward me.
06:32Abby's voice died when she looked up.
06:39Anna?
06:41Noticing my low-row pin-on cashmere sweater and my well-maintained skin, jealousy flashed
06:46in her face.
06:47But smile replaced it very soon.
06:49You're living the good life now, huh?
06:50But don't blame I didn't warn you.
06:52The Sterlings are way more twisted than you think.
06:54Mrs. Sterling?
06:55She's a horrible dragon lady.
06:57You'll find out soon enough.
06:58Oh, the rivers are so good to me.
07:02I'm living a fulfilling life.
07:04Caleb even tutors me in math.
07:05Oh, and we got into Hawthorne Prep on full scholarship this year.
07:09Hawthorne Prep.
07:10The same acceptance letter Mrs. Sterling just gave me.
07:13Those admitted were legacy kids and donor families.
07:16Mostly.
07:16Of course, there were some exceptional vacancies.
07:19For merit scholarship students.
07:21In my previous life, Caleb and I were the exceptional admits.
07:25Our future is only going up.
07:27And you?
07:27You're going to be cut off by the Sterling and end up dead in the street.
07:30So certain she was.
07:32Abby!
07:32My lips parted to respond when a male voice interrupted.
07:37Bags in hand, I went back to the Sterlings.
07:40In fact, none of the bags was for me.
07:42And most were for Mrs. Sterling and Ethan.
07:45Yo, you've been here, what, five minutes?
07:47Already shopping on our dime?
07:49You think Sterling money is yours?
07:50Ethan!
07:51She's your sister.
07:52She's no sister of mine.
07:54I don't have some trailer park sister.
07:56I'd be embarrassed to be seen with her.
07:58Ethan and I never got along.
08:00So I didn't go looking for trouble to confront.
08:03Mom, this is for you.
08:05Oh, it's beautiful.
08:06I hope you like it.
08:08Please.
08:09You think some gifts buy loyalty?
08:11Who do you think?
08:14Bro, this is for you.
08:17I heard Mom said you're into street racing.
08:19Saw this at the mall and thought of you.
08:22Soon, it was the first day of school.
08:25I'd planned to call Uber.
08:26But when I stepped outside, I find the Sterling car still waiting.
08:30It was waiting for me.
08:32Bro.
08:33Who are you calling bro?
08:34Told you I'm not your bro.
08:35Hurry up.
08:36You're wasting my time.
08:37My time is valuable.
08:38Oh, okay.
08:39Who eats breakfast?
08:41Mom said one for each.
08:43Cool boy outside.
08:45Good boy indeed, apparently.
08:47Listen up.
08:48At school, you don't know me.
08:50We are not related.
08:51Got it?
08:51Or else, I'll make you regret it.
08:54Miss, please don't mind this.
08:56Master Ethan just acts like this, but he never means harm.
08:58I'm fine.
09:01What a coincidence.
09:02Immediately when I got off, I saw two familiar figures at the school gate.
09:07Oh my God.
09:08Isn't that the valedictorian from Jefferson Middle?
09:10I heard he's a National Merit Scholarship winner.
09:13And his sister too.
09:14She's in the top percentile.
09:16By placement test scores, I landed in AP track.
09:20Coincidentally, the same homeroom as Caleb and Abby.
09:23Ethan got dumped in the lowest standard track class.
09:26What a coincidence, sis.
09:28Didn't expect us to be in the same class.
09:30Then again, the Sterlings have enough pull to get anyone in.
09:33Unlike Caleb and me, we had to grind for our scores.
09:35Oh, where's that useful Sterling son?
09:37I knowing Mrs. Sterling, she must have bought his way in too.
09:40Told you to stay away from her.
09:42Bro, Anna's not a bad person.
09:44How do you know she's not?
09:46With the school-packed schedule all day, I had no time for their drama time.
09:51Pulled out investments theory.
09:52I threw myself into learning.
09:54Class ended.
09:55Ethan and I had agreed to meet at the school gate.
09:58Going home together, he'd refused initially.
10:01However, his mother, Mrs. Sterling, forced it.
10:03Days passed.
10:04He still looked reluctant, but started bringing me food from the campus food trucks.
10:09Seeing a cupcake from a local bakery appeared in front of me.
10:12I froze.
10:13I see other girls in class eating these.
10:15You don't like it?
10:16Like it?
10:17I love it.
10:19The next weekdays, there were different snacks daily.
10:22Philly cheesesteak, acai bowl, Korean corn dog.
10:25He was working through every food truck near campus.
10:28A semester passed and our relationship improved significantly.
10:32That day, I rushed to the school gate as usual, full of anticipation.
10:37No sign of him.
10:39I searched the entire campus, only to hear the voices reach.
10:42Yo, you heard?
10:43Ethan Sterling agreed to a race up at Wild Track.
10:47For real?
10:48Yeah.
10:48It should be starting right about now.
10:50My heart dropped as I remembered.
10:52In my previous life, Ethan got goaded into accepting a street racing challenge where his
10:57Mustang GT got sabotaged.
10:59At the complex canyon terrain, the crash was catastrophic.
11:03No timely rescue in Ethan was rendered paralyzed for life.
11:06No, it must not happen this time.
11:09I ran for Wild Track Canyon like a madwoman.
11:13When I arrived, the race had already started.
11:17Crowds everywhere.
11:18Screams and cheers deafening.
11:21Modified cars whipped past, kicking up dust.
11:24Then, a massive crash.
11:26The red Mustang GT lost control right in front of me, slamming into the guardrail.
11:31The crowd scattered like birds.
11:34Bro!
11:35I rushed forward, almost reached him.
11:38The very moment I almost pulled him out, a force grabbed me from behind and threw me down.
11:43That's your brother?
11:46Call 911!
11:47My brother's dying!
11:48I looked at Ethan, crushed in the driver's seat.
11:51Barely any space to survive.
11:55Your brother dissed me.
11:57You think I'm gonna let you save him?
11:58Keep dreaming.
11:59A massive hand slapped my face back and forth, mockingly.
12:03I shoved him off, slapped him hard, screamed.
12:09This is attempted murder!
12:11This is a felony!
12:13I won't let you get away with this!
12:15Trying to intimidate them, I fumbled for my iPhone.
12:19Phone snatched.
12:21Thrown away.
12:21A brutal slap sent me sprawling.
12:26Little girl, who do you think you are talking to?
12:29A foot pressed into my face.
12:32Agony exploded.
12:33Through the haze, I saw a familiar figure.
12:36Caleb.
12:37Bro, help me!
12:39Caleb started towards me.
12:41Then Abby grabbed his arm.
12:43Bro, what are you looking at?
12:44Let's not get involved.
12:45Those guys are bad news.
12:46I watched Caleb's expression shift from struggle to compliance.
12:49He looked at me deeply.
12:52Okay.
12:54Finally turned and left.
12:57The man pulled a tire iron from his car.
13:03Nobody's ever slapped me.
13:04Today, you'll learn the price of that slap.
13:06He raised the iron, brought it down.
13:09I squeezed my eyes shut at impact.
13:12A grunt sounded beside me.
13:14I snapped my eyes open.
13:16Ethan shielded me.
13:17Blood dripped from his mouth.
13:18Splashed onto my face.
13:20Panic seized my heart.
13:22Bro, bro!
13:23Ethan, don't scare me!
13:25I watched Ethan collapse before me.
13:27Heart dropping.
13:30Bro, don't scare me!
13:32Wake up!
13:33So noisy!
13:34The man grabbed my hair, yanked me up.
13:36Keep screaming.
13:37I'll sew your mouth shut and make you mute for life.
13:41Urgency overwhelmed fear.
13:43I grabbed his hand.
13:46This is attempted murder.
13:48I've already called 911.
13:50You better let us go now or else.
13:52Neck seized.
13:53Choking.
13:53No air.
13:54I couldn't speak.
13:56911?
13:57You think that scares me?
13:59Even if they come, I ain't scared.
14:02I'll show you what happens to people who cross me.
14:07Watched his face twist.
14:09Threw me aside.
14:10I crashed down.
14:11Before I recovered, he strode to Ethan.
14:14Kicked him.
14:15Ethan curled on the ground.
14:17Struggling in pain.
14:19Bro!
14:20Don't hit my bro!
14:22Screamed with all my strength.
14:24Still couldn't stop his kick.
14:26I went flying.
14:29You say don't hit, then I don't?
14:31Where's my rule, then?
14:33The man waved and his crew swarmed.
14:35Surrounding Ethan.
14:37Fists and feet rained down.
14:38Blood sprayed dirt.
14:41I spotted a crowbar on the ground, lunging for it.
14:45Get away from him!
14:47Hit one.
14:47Hit two.
14:48They scattered from my frenzy.
14:53Once they backed off, I grabbed Ethan, pulled him up.
14:57Blood poured from his mouth.
14:58My hands shook.
15:00Bro, you okay?
15:01Hold on.
15:02Please don't die.
15:03Let me get you out of here.
15:05I lifted him, dragged toward the exit.
15:08Down the canyon, I gritted my teeth, step by step.
15:17Where are you going?
15:19You really think you two are getting out of here today?
15:24Yeah, you hit our boss and think you can walk away?
15:27Ask us first.
15:29A muscle-bound thug stepped forward,
15:30even with Mrs. Sterling's professional MMA coach,
15:33facing this monster in more than one no confidence.
15:37Don't mind me.
15:38Just go.
15:41Weak voice in my ear, Ethan tried to push me away.
15:44His strength nothing compared to mine now.
15:48No.
15:49We leave together.
15:50I'm not leaving you behind.
15:52My first defiance of him since I came to the Sterling's.
15:55Applause.
15:58How touching.
15:58Then the man's eyes turned vicious.
16:01But it's over.
16:02Unprepared.
16:03I went down.
16:05Ethan were all with me.
16:06They closed in slowly.
16:08Guys, get her.
16:09Whoever hits hardest gets the biggest cut.
16:12They surged like floodwaters.
16:14Bro!
16:15Instinctively, I shielded Ethan first.
16:18Can't let him get hurt.
16:20Absolutely cannot.
16:21Gunshot.
16:23No pain came.
16:26Freeze!
16:27Hands up!
16:28NYCPD.
16:29The cavalry.
16:31Finally.
16:34The triumphant crew scattered in panic.
16:37I grabbed an officer's sleeve, begged them to get Ethan to the hospital.
16:41Stretcher arrived.
16:42Watching Ethan loaded into the ambulance, my heart finally settled.
16:46I blacked out.
16:49When I woke up the next afternoon, Mrs. Sterling at my bedside.
16:55Anna, you're awake.
16:57Red-rimmed eyes.
16:59Anxious face.
17:00Yeah.
17:01Where's Ethan?
17:02How is he?
17:03At Ethan's name, Mrs. Sterling wiped tears.
17:07Ethan, he's out of surgery.
17:10Still in post-observation.
17:13The doctor told us.
17:15Rest assured, we saved his legs.
17:17It was a close call any later, and we might not have been able to.
17:20He needs rest now.
17:21His bast.
17:22His back took a severe hit, but luckily, no spinal cord damage.
17:26Ethan woke two days later.
17:30His eyes found me.
17:33Sis, you okay?
17:35First time since I'd arrived.
17:37First time he'd called me sister.
17:40What did you call her?
17:43Sister.
17:45Mrs. Sterling patted my shoulder.
17:48I knew what it meant.
17:49They accepted me.
17:51Good girl.
17:52No more street racing.
17:53You behave.
17:54Study hard with Anna.
17:55Once you graduate from Hawthorne, I'll arrange your uni path.
18:00Okay.
18:01With sis.
18:02Mrs. Sterling held my hand tight.
18:04Warmth flowed from her palm.
18:06At that moment, I knew I had family.
18:08I will protect you and never let this happen again.
18:10Ethan, don't be so stupid next time, rushing in alone like that.
18:14You got me?
18:15I agreed.
18:16Oh, what?
18:17Inside, I knew next time.
18:19Every time, same situation, same choice.
18:23Three months in the hospital.
18:25I applied for homeschooling and independent study, taking care of Ethan for three months.
18:30Meanwhile, I start tutoring him through junior year material.
18:34Ethan's first month after recovery, we returned to school, and we caught the first midterm exam.
18:40Leaving the exam hall, I ran into two long unseen faces.
18:43Caleb and Abby.
18:44Abby paused.
18:46Fane surprised.
18:47Anna, when did you come back to school?
18:49I heard you got hurt.
18:49Was it serious?
18:50I thought you dropped out.
18:52I read the schadenfreude in her exaggerated expression.
18:55Ignored her.
18:56Walked past.
18:58Anna.
18:59Caleb stopped me.
19:00Rarely, no disgust on his face.
19:03You okay?
19:05Remembering that day, my helplessness up his decisive abandonment, which was unacceptable
19:09because even a stranger would do better.
19:11I held not any slice of former affection toward Caleb, my foster brother and later husband
19:15in my former life.
19:16I'm fine.
19:17I turned to leave.
19:18He blocked me again.
19:19Grabbed my hand.
19:22What do you think you're doing?
19:23When I was about to break free, a backpack whistled through the air, hitting Caleb squarely.
19:29What are you doing grabbing my sister like that?
19:32Bro, don't mind them.
19:33Let's go.
19:35What's his problem?
19:37Next time he touches you, you tell me.
19:38I'm fine.
19:39Let's go home.
19:40Sis, I'm telling you, my midterm grades are going to be insane.
19:42I'm definitely making it into AP track, sitting next to you.
19:45Believe it?
19:45I believe you.
19:47So dismissive.
19:48I'm not.
19:49I'm serious.
19:50I'd never doubted Ethan's intelligence.
19:52He was smart, just unwilling to learn in the past days.
19:56After three months of tutoring, I'd felt him progressing.
19:59My instincts were right.
20:00A week later, midterm results were released.
20:03Ethan shot from remedial track to honors track.
20:05Met AP track requirements.
20:07My GPA stayed steady at 4.0 unweighted.
20:10What shocked me?
20:11Caleb and Abby, formerly top 5%, had fallen out of top 30%.
20:15They were demoted to standard track.
20:17How is this possible?
20:19How?
20:21Anna, you must have cheated!
20:24Bro, what are you doing here?
20:26Abby lit up, threw herself into Caleb Rivers' arms.
20:30Mom asked me to bring you lunch.
20:31It's scorching out here.
20:32Why don't I take over for a bit?
20:34Nah, bro.
20:34I got this.
20:35The Rivers' parents would grit their teeth, paying for Caleb's expensive Kaplan SAT prep,
20:40thanks to which Abby had to run busy over part-time jobs.
20:43Last life.
20:44They'd squeeze all my spare time, too.
20:46You're working too hard.
20:48Bro, this is my sister Anna.
20:49You saw her at St. Agnes.
20:51Stay away from people like that.
20:53Let's go.
20:54Bro, why so harsh?
20:55You'll scare others.
20:56Silly sis, that girl looks trouble.
20:57You stay away from her or she'll take advantage of you someday.
21:00Their voices faded.
21:01My heart rippled, but barely.
21:03Seeing me coming out with bags, Abby's face turned green.
21:06Whatever.
21:07You're gonna die soon.
21:08Unlike me and Caleb, we're gonna build a unicorn stead-up someday.
Comments