- 8 hours ago
The Son I Raised Was Never Mine ASR
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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
00:05Hayes 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.
00:38Expited. 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.
00:45Expited.
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
00:55the minutes and seconds ticked by.
00:57During that time, I contacted a private investigator.
01:01I want you to look into my husband, Frank, especially his whereabouts over the past few months.
01:07At 3.40pm, my phone rang.
01:09The results were in.
01:11I opened the electronic report and scrolled straight to the end.
01:14DNA analysis indicates that the probability of a parent-child relationship between Vivian Hayes and Ethan Miller is 0.0001%.
01:23Based on genetic marker analysis, Vivian Hayes is not supported as the biological mother of Ethan Miller.
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02:03It's been so long, the records may have already been archived.
02:06I 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 wait.
02:20There was no detailed labor and delivery process.
02:23No nursing handoff notes.
02:24No 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
02:35that period.
02:35What about the newborn's footprints?
02:37The blood test records?
02:39Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't find them.
02:41It couldn't be more obvious.
02:43Something was wrong here.
02:44An overly brief medical record.
02:46A 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.
02:57Where did you go?
02:58I picked up Ethan.
02:59I'm out taking care of something.
03:00I'll be right back.
03:01I only then remembered that school had already let out, but 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, and the sound of their conversation drifted over faintly.
03:21Dad, is mom upset?
03:25Mom 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.
03:36I searched everywhere and found nothing.
03:38Finally, I looked at the computer in the study, thinking the truth had to be in there.
03:44Footsteps sounded outside the door.
03:46I exited the document.
03:54When Frank pushed the door open and came in, I was tidying up the desk.
03:58He glanced at the computer screen, which had already returned to the desktop.
04:02A photo of the two of us taken three years ago at Santa Monica Beach.
04:05Not asleep yet?
04:06Organizing some old documents?
04:08I answered while casually turning off the monitor.
04:10He stood there for a moment, as if he wanted to say something.
04:14But in the end, he just nodded.
04:16Get some rest soon.
04:16I sat in the darkness, listening to the sound of his footsteps gradually fading away.
04:22That night, I didn't open the computer again and lay in bed with my thoughts in chaos.
04:27The next morning, I still let Frank take Ethan to school.
04:30He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:33Alright.
04:34Once they were out the door, I immediately went to the study.
04:38I turned on the computer and entered the password.
04:40Our wedding anniversary.
04:42Wrong.
04:43I tried his birthday.
04:44Wrong.
04:45Our son's birthday.
04:46Still wrong.
04:47I tried the date of our first date, his mother's birthday, the day the company was founded.
04:52All wrong.
04:53The system prompted me to try again in 15 minutes.
04:56I sat in the chair, staring at the login screen.
05:00This computer we had bought together was now locked to me.
05:08That evening, Frank came home from work and said while taking off his jacket.
05:11I have a business trip to Chicago tomorrow.
05:14Not sure how long it'll be yet.
05:15I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:17So sudden.
05:18Who are you going with?
05:19It was arranged last minute.
05:21Vivian, can you not be like this?
05:23I watched him in silence, not understanding why such a casual question from me would provoke such a big reaction.
05:28You question everything?
05:31You suspect everyone?
05:33I'm just going for work.
05:35I turned away to serve the rice, my hand trembling a little.
05:38It was just a casual question.
05:40He said nothing more and went straight into the bedroom.
05:42Dinner was eaten in silence.
05:44Ethan seemed to sense something and, surprisingly, didn't pick at his food.
05:48After his shower, Frank came out and picked up his coat from the sofa to hang it in the closet.
05:54A small receipt fell out of the pocket and landed at my feet.
06:00After he left, I picked it up and took a look.
06:03It was a perfume receipt, quite expensive, purchased yesterday afternoon.
06:07I had never heard of the perfume's name, but I knew it wasn't for me.
06:11In 10 years of marriage, Frank had never given me a gift again.
06:16Sorry, crazy day at the office.
06:18I used to explain it away for him.
06:20He wasn't romantic, he was busy with work, and was a practical man.
06:24Which one do you like?
06:27Buy whatever you want.
06:28I don't have time to shop.
06:29Now, it seemed that it wasn't that he wasn't capable of romance.
06:32It was just that his romance wasn't directed at me.
06:35I noted down the information on the receipt.
06:37Early the next morning, after Frank left for the airport, I called the Nordstrom counter.
06:43I'd like to look up this receipt.
06:44Yes, from yesterday afternoon.
06:45One moment.
06:47Found it.
06:48Purchaser was a Ms. Wendy Davis.
06:51Wendy Davis.
06:52That name rang a bell.
06:53Frank's secretary.
06:54Hired half a year ago.
06:56A divorced woman in her 30s.
06:58Driving to the airport, I didn't know what I wanted to confirm.
07:01Maybe the perfume was for a client.
07:03Maybe I was overthinking.
07:05I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour before I saw Frank and her.
07:14Wendy was wearing a Burberry trench coat, pulling a small suitcase, walking over together with Frank.
07:19Frank's face wore a relaxed smile I hadn't seen in a long time.
07:23Then, in front of the security checkpoint, Wendy stopped and very naturally reached out to straighten Frank's collar.
07:29Frank didn't dodge.
07:30He lowered his head and said something in her ear.
07:32Wendy laughed, then stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.
07:35Frank's hand rested on her waist.
07:37Staying there for a short moment before they parted, as if it had long been a habit.
07:41The last bit of self-deception I had been clinging to vanished completely.
07:45So, all those late nights working overtime, all those impatient looks directed at me, now I knew the reason for
07:51them.
07:52Watching their intimate figures, a suspicion gradually surfaced in my mind.
07:57Could the child who was not my biological child have something to do with this woman in front of me?
08:02On the drive back, I called the private investigator I had hired days ago.
08:07Look into one more person for me.
08:09Wendy Davis.
08:10I want to know everything about her, especially whether she has any children.
08:13The investigator worked quickly.
08:15By the next afternoon, I had received the investigation report.
08:19Wendy Davis, 32 years old, divorced 5 years ago, had a 10-year-old son named Leo Davis, attending a
08:25charter school on the west side of town.
08:27That date suddenly leapt out at me.
08:29Wendy's son was only one week younger than Ethan.
08:32For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood surge upward.
08:39I sat on the sofa, holding the report the investigator had sent.
08:43Then a thought struck me, and I ran into the study.
08:49My fingers hovered over the keyboard, then slowly typed in Wendy's birthday.
08:54The desktop opened.
08:57There was only one folder named Work Backup.
09:00I clicked into it.
09:02It was full of subfolders, organized by year, starting from 11 years ago.
09:07The earliest folder contained scanned old photos.
09:10Frank and Wendy were wearing high school uniforms, standing under an oak tree.
09:1419-year-old Frank was smiling, his hand resting on Wendy's shoulder.
09:18Wendy had her hair in a ponytail and was looking up at him.
09:22The next photo was from college.
09:23They were in the library.
09:25The next was a graduation photo.
09:27The two of them in caps and gowns, holding hands.
09:30We have to cancel Napa.
09:31The company's in a rough patch.
09:33That year, Frank told me the company was having difficulties,
09:36and we canceled our wedding anniversary trip to Napa Valley.
09:39I closed the folder, a churning discomfort rising in my stomach.
09:43A decade of deception.
09:44I looked at the wallpaper on the screen, our wedding photo, and felt a wave of nausea.
09:55At 3 in the afternoon, I drove to the west side of town.
09:58That charter school was even more run down than the investigator had described.
10:02The dismissal bell rang, and children poured out of the school gate.
10:05I sat in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:09He walked out alone.
10:10No one was there to pick him up.
10:11He looked left and right, then slowly walked forward along the sidewalk.
10:15I held my breath.
10:16That child, Leo.
10:18No, that was my child.
10:19The way he walked slightly resembled me, with a mild inward turn of his feet.
10:24When he raised his hand to fix his hair, I saw a birthmark on his wrist, in the same spot
10:29as mine.
10:29I saw that there was dust on his eyelashes.
10:32His lips were a bit dry, and the edges of his sneakers had already started peeling.
10:36His eyes were empty, not like those of a 10-year-old child.
10:39I covered my mouth to keep myself from making a sound.
10:43He walked further away, and disappeared around the corner.
10:46I collapsed onto the steering wheel, and broke down sobbing.
10:49For that child walking home alone, for these 10 years of misplaced lives, and for myself,
10:55living like a fool in a play arranged by others.
10:58Then I wiped away my tears, and started the car.
11:14At the law firm, I placed the USB drive in front of attorney David Lee.
11:19In it were backups of all the photos, along with the DNA test report, scanned hospital records,
11:25the perfume receipt, and information on Wendy Chen and Leo.
11:28I want a divorce. I want him to leave with nothing.
11:31I want custody of the child. I want him to pay the price he deserves to pay.
11:37Walking out of the law firm, I remembered what Frank had said 10 years ago when he proposed in Central
11:42Park.
11:43Vivian, I'll give you a lifetime of stability.
11:47So his lifetime was only 10 years. No, maybe not even 10 years.
11:51I took out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder, also an old friend of my father's.
11:57Uncle Robert, regarding next week's board meeting, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you first.
12:01Frank had probably forgotten, this company's name is Lynn.
12:04He was able to become CEO, because I had persuaded my father to give him a chance back then.
12:09I could lift him up, and I could also make his fall very, very ugly.
12:19Two weeks after Frank left, I liquidated everything under my name that could be converted to cash.
12:25These days, every afternoon I went to the area near that charter school on the west side.
12:29Once when it rained, he didn't have an umbrella.
12:33He waited for half an hour under the awning of the convenience store by the school gate,
12:37and in the end ran home in the rain.
12:41I sat in the car, the rain blurring the car window.
12:44On Friday afternoon, I arrived near the school early.
12:48When I saw Leo come out, I got out of the car and pretended to be a passerby walking past.
12:54The folder in my hand fell in front of him.
12:57He paused for a moment, then bent down and picked it up for me.
13:05Thank you. Thank you, kiddo.
13:07Hello. Has your mom not arrived yet?
13:10He shook his head.
13:11Mom is working overtime today.
13:14Then how are you getting home?
13:16I took an unopened bottle of water from my bag and handed it to him.
13:20By bus.
13:20Have some water.
13:21He hesitated for a moment.
13:23Then took it and said thank you quietly.
13:25I noticed that when he spoke, he habitually pressed his lips together slightly, just like me.
13:30The shape of his eyes was also similar.
13:32Hooded lids, the outer corners slightly downturned.
13:35Does your mom often work overtime?
13:37He nodded, then shook his head.
13:40Sometimes.
13:42What about your dad?
13:43He didn't speak and looked down at his shoes.
13:45Those sneakers had already started peeling at the edges.
13:48And the left shoelace was broken.
13:50I didn't ask anymore.
13:51Go buy yourself a new pair of shoes.
13:53I took $40 from my wallet and pressed it into his hand.
13:57He stepped back.
13:58No, I can't take this.
14:00Just take it as thanks for helping me pick up the folder.
14:03I put the money into the side pocket of his backpack and turned to leave.
14:09I glanced back.
14:11There was a somewhat lost look in his eyes.
14:16That night, I stood at the doorway of Ethan's room.
14:20He was playing with the Lego set Frank had just bought him, a limited edition spaceship.
14:25Quite expensive.
14:26I walked in and ruffled his hair.
14:28Mom?
14:30What's wrong?
14:31Is your homework done?
14:32Finished it a long time ago.
14:34Dad said if I make the top ten in the midterms, he'll take me to Disney World.
14:39I smiled.
14:39That's great.
14:40The moment I turned around, my smile vanished.
14:46Frank's completely different treatment of the two children was like a thorn lodged in my heart.
14:51My biological son was wearing peeling shoes and riding the bus alone, while this child was enjoying everything.
14:59Frank, who had been away on business for two weeks, finally came home.
15:04He set down his suitcase, and his first words were,
15:07Where's Ethan?
15:08Why is it so quiet?
15:10I signed him up for an after-school program, two hours in the evening.
15:14Why sign him up all of a sudden? He's only in fourth grade.
15:16I didn't answer.
15:18I smelled that perfume scent on him.
15:20He walked over to hug me.
15:22I turned aside to avoid him.
15:24Why do you smell like perfume?
15:26Who did you go to dinner with this time?
15:29Vivian, you're getting paranoid again.
15:30It rubbed off from dinner with a client.
15:32Can you stop being like this?
15:34I suddenly found it laughable.
15:36Only now could I see how bad his acting was.
15:39I took an envelope from the coffee table drawer and slowly pulled out the photos, laying them out on the
15:45table.
15:54Frank's face turned ugly.
15:55He picked up one of the photos and threw it back onto the table.
15:59You followed me?
16:02I smiled.
16:05Does it matter?
16:06What matters is, what would happen if these photos showed up at a board meeting or were sent to your
16:12clients?
16:12He collapsed onto the sofa across from me, his hands covering his face.
16:17What do you want?
16:18I stared at him, my voice somewhat cool.
16:20First, fire Wendy and guarantee you won't see her again.
16:22Second, tell me what happened at the hospital ten years ago.
16:25You're insane just based on a few photos.
16:27Frank, don't forget the company is named Hayes.
16:29My voice was icy.
16:30You are where you are today because of me.
16:31I can give and I can take away.
16:33I almost softened.
16:35But I remembered Leo's peeling shoes.
16:38Remembered how he looked waiting alone for the rain to stop.
16:40For the sake of our ten years of marriage and our child, as long as you do what I say,
16:44we can keep going.
16:46After all, we still have Ethan.
16:50I turned and went to the bedroom, brought out a document, and handed it over.
16:55It was a pregnancy test report showing I was five weeks pregnant.
16:59Frank looked at the pregnancy test report, paused for a second, then looked up and stared at me.
17:06You're pregnant?
17:07Five weeks.
17:08The doctor said this time it's very stable.
17:10His expression shifted again and again.
17:12So, as long as you cut ties with Wendy completely, make her leave the company and our lives, I can
17:17let the past go.
17:18I continued.
17:19We still have Ethan, and now there's this child too.
17:22Frank's gaze fell on my belly.
17:24There was an obvious struggle in his eyes.
17:26I need to think.
17:27That night, the light in his room was turned off very late.
17:34The next morning, as I was drinking coffee, I watched Frank walk out with dark circles under his eyes.
17:40I pushed a glass of water toward him.
17:42He silently took it, but didn't look at me.
17:45I've thought it over, Vivian.
17:48We-
17:49No need to say it.
17:50I cut him off and pulled the divorce agreement out of the folder, placing it on the table.
17:55His expression turned furious.
17:57What do you mean?
17:58Don't we have another child on the way?
18:00I said coldly.
18:02I told you I was pregnant, and you needed an entire night to consider whether to break up with her?
18:07We have a child on the way!
18:08Can't you think about the child, and about Ethan too?
18:11Child?
18:12I suddenly laughed.
18:13Are you talking about the child I raised for ten years?
18:16Who turned out to be yours and Wendy's?
18:19Frank's face instantly went pale.
18:22He stumbled backward into the table.
18:24How do you know?
18:26When did you find out?
18:28I held my phone up in front of him, the screen showing a photo of the DNA test report.
18:34The password was Wendy's birthday.
18:36You've been using it for ten years, right?
18:43His breathing quickened, tinged with panic.
18:47Let me explain.
18:48My voice was very calm, tinged with mockery.
18:53Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth.
18:56Explain how you got Wendy into the company.
18:59Or explain how the two of you have been laughing behind my back for ten years at how stupid I
19:04was.
19:05I took a step closer.
19:06The most ridiculous thing is that occasional guilt you showed when looking at that child.
19:11Was it guilt for deceiving me, or guilt for not treating your own son better?
19:15Leo.
19:15Frank suddenly seemed to remember something.
19:18Where is Leo?
19:18I want to see him!
19:20Too late.
19:21I turned and pulled open the door.
19:23Your son, no, our son, is now somewhere you can't find him.
19:27Your and Wendy's son is still upstairs sleeping, unaware of what choice his biological father is now facing.
19:33Frank rushed over and grabbed my arm, furious.
19:36Vivian, you can't do this!
19:37That's my child!
19:39I shook him off.
19:40From the day you switched the babies, you were no longer fit to be a father.
19:45Now please leave my home!
19:49After I closed the door, I heard the sound of him pounding on it.
19:55Then came the sound of a car driving away.
19:58I knew where he was going to find Wendy, and also to find the biological son he had lost for
20:03ten years.
20:04But he wouldn't be able to find Leo.
20:13Three days earlier, when the private investigator had given me the information on Wendy, I had already gone to see
20:19the child again.
20:20I told him the truth.
20:22He was unusually calm.
20:24In those eyes that resembled mine was a maturity beyond his years.
20:27I always felt like I wasn't my mom's child.
20:30Otherwise, why would she be willing to leave me here to fend for myself?
20:33I held his hand and said I would take him away, to start over.
20:37He was silent for a long time, then gently nodded.
20:41Yesterday afternoon's flight, my personal assistant accompanied him abroad.
20:46Over there was a good school, a house, new friends.
20:49Once I finished handling things on this end, I could go reunite with my son.
20:53The divorce agreement had been sitting on the table for three days.
20:58Frank finally came.
21:00He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes and unshaven.
21:04I hadn't seen him like this in a long time.
21:08Vivian, let's talk.
21:13I leaned against the doorframe in my loungewear, not letting him in.
21:17The agreement is written very clearly, there's nothing to discuss.
21:20I can't divorce you.
21:20For the sake of our ten years as husband and wife and our child.
21:24Which child?
21:25The one in the videos or the one upstairs?
21:27Frank's face instantly went pale.
21:29A week earlier, Wendy had sent over a pile of files.
21:32When I opened them, they were videos, one after another.
21:35In the videos, Leah was crying, being beaten, locked in a dark room.
21:40There was another clip where the child was only five or six
21:42and was whipped on the back with a clothes hanger for spilling milk.
21:45The email had only one line.
21:47Thank you for raising my son for all these years for me.
21:50I watched them all night, and by dawn I had thrown up three times.
21:53He seemed to want to explain.
21:55Those videos, Wendy, she sometimes couldn't control herself.
21:57That's your son.
21:58You went to see her every week and all you noticed was that she changed your perfume and got new
22:02nails?
22:02You never saw the wounds on your son's body?
22:04He couldn't say a word.
22:05I've already hired a lawyer.
22:06If you don't want to sign, we'll go to court.
22:08The evidence of switching babies, the photos of your affair, and those videos, they will all become evidence.
22:11Are you crazy?
22:13He said in a low voice.
22:14The company is about to go public, and at a time like this...
22:16Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
22:19So sign it, while I'm still leaving you some room.
22:25The door closed.
22:27He stood outside for a long time before leaving.
22:30Three days later, Frank signed.
22:32Four days after the divorce, Frank and Wendy's wedding photos appeared on Instagram.
22:37Wendy was wearing a white wedding dress.
22:39Frank had his arm around her, but his expression was a bit stiff.
22:42The caption read, 10 years of waiting, finally together.
22:46I took a screenshot, then turned off my phone.
22:49In the afternoon, attorney David Lee called.
22:51Ms. Hayes, all the materials are complete.
22:53The transfer records from the baby switch back then, his and Wendy's communication logs,
22:57plus the abuse videos and medical records, it's enough to file a case.
23:00Thank you for your hard work.
23:01Understood.
23:02He paused for a moment.
23:03But are you really not going to see him one last time?
23:05He came to the office yesterday and wanted me to pass on a message.
23:08He said he knows he was wrong.
23:09Too late.
23:10Early the next morning, the plane took off.
23:13My personal assistant came to pick me up at the airport.
23:16She said to me,
23:17Leo has been doing a bit better this week.
23:20He's starting to be willing to talk.
23:22Yesterday, he even asked when you would arrive.
23:24My heart beat faster for a few moments.
23:28The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:30In the garden, a thin little child was crouching on the ground watching ants.
23:40I walked over and crouched down in front of him.
23:42I'm your mom.
23:43He looked at me for a long time, then gave a small nod.
23:47I carefully embraced him.
23:49He didn't pull away.
23:50I'm sorry.
23:51Mommy came too late.
23:53He trembled a little in my arms.
23:55For the next two weeks, I didn't work and focused entirely on being with him.
23:59I took him to the park.
24:00The first time he rode the carousel, he gripped the railing tightly.
24:04I took him to the library and discovered he liked books about stars.
24:09At night, only after he had fallen asleep, would I dare to gently stroke his hair.
24:15He still didn't talk much, but occasionally he would smile at me.
24:19At three in the morning, the bedroom door was gently blown open a crack by the wind,
24:24and faint sobbing sounds pierced my ears like needles.
24:26I jolted awake and almost immediately guessed it was Leo.
24:30Pushing open his door, moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains,
24:33casting mottled shadows on the floor and illuminating his small figure curled up on the bed.
24:38His hands were tightly clutching the blanket, knuckles white.
24:41His forehead was covered in cold sweat.
24:43His brows were furrowed into a deep frown.
24:46I walked over quickly, carefully sat on the edge of the bed,
24:48and gently wrapped my arms around his cold shoulders.
24:51His body stiffened for an instant, then he threw himself into my arms like a startled fawn,
24:55his crying suppressed and desperate, his tears instantly soaking my pajamas.
24:59That storage room was so dark, I called out for so long and no one answered.
25:03Rats crawled onto my feet.
25:04My heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by a dull knife, a dense and relentless pain.
25:09Tears fell silently onto his hair.
25:10I thought of the videos Wendy had sent.
25:12Of that child locked in the dark, shivering.
25:14I thought of the old and new scars crisscrossing his body.
25:17I wished I could tear apart everyone who had hurt him.
25:23When he had cried himself tired and his breathing had gradually steadied,
25:27I picked up the small lamp by the bedside and gently lifted his sleeve.
25:31On his arm, light brown scars crawled like ugly centipedes,
25:36marks from being whipped with a clothes hanger.
25:39On his back, there was still a faint bruise,
25:42left from when he had bumped into the corner of the storage room wall as a child.
25:45I gently traced those scars with the pads of my fingers,
25:49with a touch as light as if I were afraid of shattering a treasure.
25:53Does it hurt?
25:54He shook his head, tears still clinging to his lashes.
25:57Biting his lip, he said quietly.
25:58It doesn't hurt now, it's just that sometimes I dream about it,
26:01dream that I'm locked inside again, calling for mom, but mom's not there.
26:04I'm sorry, mommy came too late.
26:06From now on, mommy will never let you suffer again.
26:09That night, I held him on the sofa and sat there until dawn.
26:11I told him about how when I was little and afraid of thunder,
26:13my dad would hold me in his arms, counting stars and singing nursery rhymes.
26:17I told him about how when I first took over the company,
26:19I was bullied by senior employees and hid in the stairwell to cry,
26:22then wiped my tears and went back to negotiate.
26:24I told him about the mischievous interns at the company
26:26who spilled coffee on important contracts and turned pale with fright.
26:29He listened very quietly,
26:30occasionally looking up at me with those eyes that looked so much like mine, and asking,
26:33Weren't you scared then, mom?
26:35I was scared, but I knew that as long as I grit my teeth and push through,
26:39things would get better.
26:40And now, I have Leo, so I can't afford to be scared even more.
26:44He nodded, half understanding, and his little hand quietly gripped my finger.
26:48A few days later, I made a point of taking Leo to the Griffith Observatory on the outskirts of the
26:53city.
26:54We took a bus through stretches of wheat fields, the wind carrying the scent of grain.
26:58Leo leaned against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
27:02When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened,
27:05and the sky full of countless stars spread across the deep blue canopy like crushed diamonds,
27:09so dazzling one couldn't look away.
27:11The guide pointed at the constellation Orion, and told the legend of the hunter Orion.
27:15Leo's eyes shone like stars, and the corner of his mouth slowly curved into a faint smile.
27:19On the way home, the bus swayed gently.
27:22He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
27:24Mom, the stars so far away, but just being able to see them makes me feel at ease.
27:29I held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm.
27:32My heart filled with tenderness.
27:34I knew that the wounds buried deep in his heart wouldn't disappear completely because of one trip to the observatory,
27:39just like those old scars.
27:40No matter how much care you give them, they still leave faint marks.
27:44But as long as I stayed by his side, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
27:48the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead of him.
27:55That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
28:00Claire went to answer the door.
28:01I heard her say,
28:03Mr. Miller?
28:04The flower sifter in my hand dropped onto the counter.
28:06He was dragging an old suitcase in his hand.
28:09Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
28:11I wiped my hands, walked out of the kitchen, and pulled the door shut.
28:15Now you know.
28:16You can leave.
28:17He looked toward the thin little figure in the kitchen and said,
28:21I want to see the child.
28:22Our child.
28:24These days I keep dreaming.
28:26Dreaming of him when he was little.
28:28Dreaming of Wendy hitting him.
28:29I never knew.
28:30You should have known.
28:32You just chose not to.
28:33He looked at my belly and asked,
28:34Is the child still there?
28:36Of course the child is still there.
28:37The doctor says everything is fine, and the baby will be born next spring.
28:41His face darkened, and his emotions suddenly became very agitated.
28:44He charged toward me.
28:46I sidesteped to dodge.
28:47He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
28:49Vivian, I want to see my son.
28:51You can't do this.
28:52Frank, what you should be worried about right now isn't where my son is,
28:56but whether your son can be born safely.
28:59If you want your son to be born safely, deal with Wendy first.
29:03Settle the messy accounts between yourselves.
29:05After saying this, I threw him out.
29:07Now even looking at him disgusted me deeply.
29:10As I closed the door, I saw Frank collapse onto the ground,
29:13running his hands through his hair.
29:14He looked utterly pathetic.
29:16Fine, let them put on their own dog-eat-dog show.
29:23Not long after, attorney David Lee called.
29:26Miss Lynn, it got very ugly, but the situation isn't as favorable as we'd hoped.
29:29It turned out that Frank and Wendy had already divorced,
29:31and were now battling in court against each other.
29:33Wendy was shouting herself hoarse in court,
29:36exposing how Frank had used his position to transfer money to her over the years,
29:39how he had promised to divorce and marry her,
29:41and how his attitude had abruptly changed after learning I was pregnant.
29:44I gripped my phone tightly, listening to the words on the other end,
29:48but my expression remained very calm.
29:49However, Frank shifted all the blame onto Wendy,
29:52saying she coerced him into switching the babies.
29:55The trial lasted a full two days.
29:57In the end, Wendy was sentenced to three years on multiple charges including child abduction,
30:01document forgery, and commercial fraud.
30:03Frank, on the other hand, got himself off completely clean.
30:06He wept in court, saying he was also a victim,
30:09manipulated by Wendy for ten years.
30:11That excuse sounded utterly absurd,
30:13but the jury bought it, or rather,
30:15the lawyer Frank hired was truly formidable.
30:17Before hanging up, attorney David Lee said quietly,
30:19Miss Hayes, I'm sorry, this result is far from ideal.
30:23If you're willing, we can plan the next step.
30:24It's enough.
30:25I cut him off.
30:26At least my child is back.
30:29Leo was doing his homework.
30:31I walked over and asked him,
30:33Liko, mommy made sure the bad people were punished,
30:36but maybe not heavily enough.
30:37Do you blame me?
30:38He looked up.
30:39Mom, I know very well who has been good to me and who hasn't.
30:43I covered my mouth, unable to hold back tears.
30:46He lowered his head and continued writing, adding quietly,
30:49You look really ugly when you cry.
30:51I laughed out loud, crying and laughing at the same time.
30:58These days, I had been desperately trying to make up for ten years of lost maternal love.
31:03I transferred my company shares into his name.
31:06Though he was still young, I knew what the security meant.
31:09The school I found was the best private international program in the area.
31:13The principal looked at his previous transcripts and frowned deeply.
31:17For the past ten years, Wendy had barely paid any attention to his studies,
31:21essentially leaving him to sink or swim on his own.
31:25His schoolwork lagged far behind that of children his age.
31:28I hired three private tutors, rotating through English, math, and science.
31:33Leo worked very hard, studying late into the night every day.
31:37One morning before dawn, I brought him milk and saw him slumped over his desk asleep,
31:42still clutching a pen in his hand.
31:44I didn't wake him.
31:46I just gently draped a blanket over him.
31:49On Friday afternoon, I want to pick up Leo from school.
31:52The school gate was crowded with parents.
31:54Leo ran out carrying his new backpack, his face flushed from exercise.
31:58Mom!
31:59I passed my math quiz today!
32:01Just as I was about to take the test paper,
32:04out of the corner of my eye, I caught a figure behind the glass window of the Starbucks across
32:08the street.
32:09Frank, sitting in the corner, with dark stubble on his chin, looking very haggard.
32:15Not a trace left of the confident.
32:16Commanding presence he'd once had as the company's CEO.
32:20Leo followed my gaze.
32:22I took his hand and said,
32:24Come on, let's go home.
32:28Just as I turned around, hurried footsteps sounded from behind.
32:32Frank had already crossed the street and was blocking our way.
32:35Vivian, can we talk?
32:42I motioned for Leo to get in the car first, then looked at the man before me and said,
32:46There's nothing left to talk about between us.
32:48Wendy is already in prison.
32:49I've taken care of everything.
32:50I've cut ties with her completely.
32:52Frank, Wendy was sent to prison by the lawyer I hired.
32:54Does that have to do with you?
32:55Weren't you the pathetical victim crying the hardest in court?
32:58I know I was wrong, Vivian.
33:00For the sake of the child, please forgive me this once.
33:03His gaze fell on my belly.
33:05Child. Yes, our child.
33:07I slowly smoothed the wrinkles from my jacket.
33:08Oh, that. It was fake.
33:11Frank froze.
33:12His eyes widened enormously.
33:14I took a step forward so he could see my flat stomach more clearly.
33:18It's been months.
33:19If I were really pregnant, I should be showing by now, shouldn't I?
33:26His gaze lingered on my belly for a very long time.
33:29It doesn't matter.
33:31It doesn't matter even without this child.
33:33We still have Leo.
33:34We still have ten years of feelings.
33:36Frank, stop dreaming.
33:37Wake up.
33:37He acted as if he hadn't heard me and suddenly seemed to remember something.
33:41He pulled a Tiffany blue velvet box from the briefcase he was carrying.
33:45Then came the second.
33:46The third.
33:47He placed all the boxes on the ground.
33:49The small velvet boxes lined up on the ground in a row.
33:52It was somewhat laughable.
33:54I bought one every year.
33:55I just never gave them to you.
33:56Now I'm giving them all to you, okay?
33:57Please, just give me one more chance.
33:59I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
34:00Inside was a diamond necklace.
34:02The pendant in the shape of an iris.
34:03My favorite flower.
34:05Once upon a time, I would have been ecstatic over such a gift.
34:07Now all I felt was disgust.
34:09A nauseating sensation.
34:10I stood up, put the necklace back in the box, and said,
34:13Frank, the time when I loved you most was when I would be so worried I couldn't sleep
34:16if you didn't reply to my messages.
34:17When I would make soup and bring it to the office when you worked late.
34:21When everything felt worth it the moment you said you've worked hard, honey.
34:24That time when I loved you most is long gone.
34:26To me now, these are no different than trash.
34:28He seemed to want to say something, but nothing came out.
34:31Quickly, his shoulders slumped.
34:33His whole body looked as if his spine had suddenly been ripped out.
34:36I didn't look at him again.
34:37I turned and walked toward the car.
34:39To me, none of it mattered anymore.
34:44Three years later, late autumn, Leo had grown much taller, his height reaching my shoulder.
34:51Mom, can you come to the parent-teacher conference next week?
34:53Of course.
34:54For my son's parent-teacher conference, I'd go even if the sky were falling.
34:58In these three years, Leo had become so mature and considerate it broke my heart.
35:02He would make his own pasta when I worked late, and he remembered to bring two umbrellas on rainy days.
35:07His grades had climbed from the bottom to the middle of the class,
35:10and he spoke English better than some local kids.
35:13Teachers said he had resilience.
35:15Neighbors praised him for being well-behaved.
35:17So polite.
35:18Thank you, he really is.
35:19Only I knew what lay behind this maturity.
35:22On weekend evenings, we made dumplings together.
35:25The dumplings Leo made were always excessively neat, every fold identical.
35:30Leo, in front of mom, you don't have to be this obedient.
35:32The hand he was using to pinch the dumplings paused for a moment.
35:35I crouched down and looked into his eyes.
35:37You can throw tantrums.
35:38Be difficult.
35:39Say no like other children do.
35:41Mommy doesn't love you because you're well-behavedly.
35:43I love you simply because you're you.
35:45But, if I do something wrong, will you not want me anymore?
35:48I pulled him into my arms.
35:49Never.
35:50The most right thing I've ever done in my life was finding...
35:53He didn't speak for a long time.
35:55Finally, he nodded gently.
35:59Leo's elementary school was holding an open house.
36:01I deliberately ended my company meeting early and drove to the school.
36:05The autumn sunshine was just right, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and spilling
36:09onto the playground.
36:10Warm and pleasant.
36:11Leo was participating in a relay race, running the last leg.
36:15His small figure was like a gust of wind, charging toward the finish line with everything
36:19he had.
36:20The moment he crossed the finish line, I couldn't help but stand up and applaud and cheer.
36:24He happened to look back right then and when he saw me, a radiant smile spread across his
36:29face.
36:29A smile so pure and bright that it made me feel all the sacrifices had been worth it.
36:34As the event was winding down and parents were leaving in twos and threes, I was holding
36:37Leo's hand, about to head to a nearby ice cream shop to make good on the promise of
36:41finish the race and you get a sundae.
36:43When a woman in a faded, cheap trench coat suddenly rushed over and blocked our path.
36:47It was Wendy.
36:48She was out of prison.
36:49Her hair was dry and brittle, hastily tied at the back of her head.
36:52Her face was sallow from prolonged malnutrition.
36:55Only her eyes, shot through with red veins and gleaming with venomous resentment, stared
37:00fixedly at me.
37:01Vivian, what gives you the right to take my son away?
37:04Her voice was shrill and grating, like fingernails scraping across glass, instantly drawing sidelong
37:11glances from many nearby parents.
37:13Some stopped in their tracks and eyed us curiously.
37:21I instinctively pulled Leo behind me, shielding him completely, and looked coldly at Wendy.
37:26Leo was never your son.
37:27You gave him nothing but abuse and neglect, not a shred of maternal love.
37:30You are not fit to be his mother.
37:32I carried him for nine months and gave birth to him!
37:33My blood runs through his veins!
37:35Wendy was so agitated she tried to lunge at me, but fortunately the school security guards
37:38arrived just in time and stopped her.
37:40She struggled, her hair coming loose, looking somewhat deranged.
37:43Or the company is gone, and now I'm not even allowed to see my own son!
37:47Leo peeked out from behind me.
37:49There wasn't a trace of fear on his small face.
37:51He looked at Wendy with eyes that were calm beyond his years.
37:54I don't have a mother like you.
37:56You hit me, locked me in a dark room, never once cooked me a meal, and never once came
38:01to pick me up from school.
38:02Mom Vivian is my real mom.
38:04She does homework with me, takes me to the park, and makes me good food.
38:08Wendy froze, as if she had never imagined that the child she had carried for nine months
38:11and given birth to would say such words to her.
38:13She stared blankly at Leo.
38:15A few seconds later, she suddenly broke down into a bitter, piercing whale.
38:18I was forced back then!
38:20Frank only cared about your money!
38:21Do you know how much pressure I was under?
38:23I had no choice but to hit him!
38:25Pressure is not an excuse for abusing a child.
38:27I took out my phone and opened a pre-saved folder.
38:29Inside were Leo's medical records from that time, photos of the scars on his body, and
38:33backup copies of the videos of Wendy abusing him.
38:35These are all evidence.
38:36If you keep immediately have my lawyer file a motion and apply for a restraining order permitting
38:40you from coming within 10 meters of Leo, just then, a familiar figure came running over
38:43in a hurry.
38:44It was Frank.
38:45He looked even more haggard than three years ago.
38:47More than half of his hair had turned gray.
38:49The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deep enough to trap dust.
38:52He was wearing an ill-fitting jacket and looked utterly disheveled.
38:59When he saw Wendy, his brow immediately furrowed, and his tone was full of impatience.
39:04What are you doing here?
39:06Didn't I tell you to stay away from them?
39:08Frank's gaze fell on Leo, his eyes incredibly complicated.
39:12Guilt, reluctance to let go, and a hint of helplessness.
39:15Vivian, I'm sorry.
39:16He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end only turned to me and said quietly,
39:21I didn't speak.
39:22I just watched him coldly.
39:24This man, who back then, for personal gain and selfish desires, switched his own biological
39:28son.
39:29Leaving Leo to suffer for 10 years, and then after the truth came out, shifted all the
39:33blame onto Wendy and got himself off scot-free.
39:35Now his repentance and apology were worth absolutely nothing in my eyes.
39:39Mom, let's go.
39:41I don't want to see them.
39:42I crouched down and smoothed his windmessed hair from his forehead, my voice gentle.
39:46All right.
39:47Let's go have that sundae.
39:48I took Leo's hand and turned to leave, not sparing a single glance back at Wendy and Frank
39:53behind us.
39:54From behind us came the sound of Wendy's wailing and Frank's attempts to calm her, along with
39:59the murmuring of the surrounding parents.
40:01But all of that no longer had anything to do with us.
40:04Leo held my hand tightly, his step steady, not looking back.
40:09That afternoon, I took Leo to eat his favorite chocolate sundae.
40:12He got it all over his face, like a little kitten.
40:15I took out a tissue and gently wiped the ice cream from the corners of his mouth.
40:18Mom, the sundae is really sweet.
40:21Every day from now on can be this sweet.
40:23I looked into his bright eyes, my heart completely clear and at peace.
40:27The dust of the past might occasionally be stirred up by the wind, but as long as Leo
40:31and I were together, walking forward side by side, we would surely move toward a brighter,
40:35warmer future.
40:36Those who had hurt us would ultimately be left behind in the dust, never able to affect our
40:40lives again.
40:44The late autumn rain came without warning.
40:46At dismissal time, heavy raindrops pelted noisily against the ground, and the school gate
40:50was crowded with parents picking up their children.
40:52Holding an umbrella, I stood under the old oak tree we had agreed on, and saw from a distance
40:57Leo walking out with his backpack, side by side with a classmate, a faint smile on his
41:00small face.
41:01This was the first time he had voluntarily walked out of school with a classmate.
41:04Just then, a woman in a red raincoat suddenly rushed over, grabbed Leo's arm, and said in
41:09a sharp voice,
41:10Leo, come with me!
41:11Your mother is suffering in there!
41:12How can you be here living the good life?
41:14Who are you?
41:14I don't know you!
41:15I'm your aunt!
41:16That woman, Vivian, is a liar!
41:17She snatched you away from your real mother!
41:19You can be dumb and fun!
41:20With me, I'll take you to see your mom!
41:21The surrounding parents turned to look.
41:23A few kind-hearted people wanted to step forward and ask what was going on, but were forced
41:28back by Kelly's fierce glare.
41:30Leo's classmate was so frightened he stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do.
41:39My heart clenched.
41:40I rushed over quickly, pried Kelly's hand off with one motion, and shielded Leo behind
41:45me, my voice cold as ice.
41:47Let go of him!
41:48You have no right to touch my child!
41:52Kelly stumbled a step.
41:53After studying herself, she looked me up and down, her eyes full of jealousy and venom.
41:58Thief!
41:59You stole my sister's man, stole her money, and now you've stolen her child!
42:03How can you live with yourself?
42:05Conscience?
42:05I gave a cold laugh.
42:06The videos of your sister abusing Leo back then, the transfer records her and Frank conspying
42:10to switch the babies, and the proof that you, who as in the know, accepted benefits
42:13from Frank, I have all of it right here.
42:14Tell me, if this really went to the police station, whose conscience would be the one that
42:18come and hold up?
42:19The murmuring around us grew louder and louder.
42:22Some parents took out their phones and started recording video, and someone had already quietly
42:26contacted the school security guards.
42:28Kelly's face flushed red and then turned pale.
42:30Looking at the crowd that had gathered, a hint of panic crept into her eyes.
42:38She was still putting up a brave front, but had unconsciously taken a step back.
42:43I just want the child to know his real family.
42:45Leo suddenly stepped out from behind me, his small body standing very straight, his eyes
42:49steady as he looked at Kelly.
42:50Know his real family?
42:51I don't have an aunt like you, and I don't have a mother like that.
42:53Mom, Vivian's my real mom.
42:55She doesn't hit me, doesn't lock me up, cheats with meals, take me to school and protects
42:57me.
42:58Go away!
42:58I don't want to see you ever again.
43:00Kelly stood stunned.
43:01Looking at the clear yet distant expression in Leo's eyes, she opened her mouth but couldn't
43:05say a single word.
43:05At that moment, the school security guards and the homeroom teacher hurried over.
43:09Seeing the scene, the homeroom teacher immediately stepped in front of us.
43:12I must ask you to leave the school entrance immediately or we will call the police.
43:15Kelly saw more and more people gathering around and knew that continuing to make a scene wouldn't
43:19end well for her.
43:19She shot me a vicious glare, muttered, just you wait, turned and rushed into the rain, quickly
43:24disappearing around the street corner.
43:26The rain was still falling.
43:27A few strands of Leo's hair were damp from the splashing rainwater, plastered against
43:31his forehead.
43:31Did that scare you?
43:32Mom, I'm not scared because I knew you would come to save me.
43:36Silly child.
43:37Mommy will always be by your side.
43:39No matter what happens, I won't let anyone hurt you.
43:41Mrs. Hayes, I really didn't expect something like this to happen.
43:44Leo has had quite a fright today.
43:46Would you like to take him to the office first for some hot cocoa?
43:49Thank you, Mrs. Wong.
43:50I nodded and, holding Leo's hand, walked into the school building.
43:56In the office, the warmth of the hot cocoa traveled through the cup to his palms.
44:00Leo held the cup and said quietly,
44:02Mom, was what that aunt said, true?
44:05Was I really born from Wendy?
44:07I crouched down, looked into his eyes, and said seriously, Leo, you are mom's biological
44:12son.
44:12As for who gave birth to you, that's not what's important.
44:15What's important is who raised you with love, who is willing to go to any lengths to protect
44:19you.
44:19In mom's heart, you are my treasure, the person I most want to protect in this lifetime.
44:22He blinked, his eyes reddening a little, but he nodded firmly.
44:26I understand, mom.
44:28I only recognize you as my mom.
44:30That night, for the first time, Leo voluntarily told me about how Wendy would occasionally bring
44:34Kelly to the house.
44:35Aunt Kelly always cursed at me for being stupid, said I wasn't as well-behaved as Ethan, and
44:40would secretly take my things.
44:41Back then I used to thought, if only I had a mom who truly loved me.
44:44I pulled him into my arms and gently patted his back.
44:47That will never happen again.
44:49Mommy will give you all her love and make sure you're happy every single day.
44:53The rain outside the window gradually stopped, and moonlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating
44:57a corner of the room.
45:00I met Daniel at a community book club.
45:02I had accompanied Leo to borrow books, and was drawn in by a sharing session on women's
45:07autobiographies.
45:08Daniel was the host, in his early 40s, and spoke with a gentle yet compelling voice.
45:13After the session ended, he stopped me at the door and said,
45:16Your perspective just now was very unique.
45:17Could I get to know you?
45:19That was how our conversation began.
45:21Daniel was a locally born Chinese-American, his family originally from San Francisco.
45:26Leo, divorced for five years, his daughter lived with her mother.
45:30He was a middle school history teacher, and volunteered at the community center in his
45:35spare time.
45:36For our first official date, we went to the California Science Center, and of course Leo
45:40came along too.
45:42Daniel didn't try too hard to win the child over.
45:45In the space exhibition area, he naturally started talking about the Apollo program.
45:50You know why astronauts bring a knife to space?
45:52Leo shook his head.
45:53To fix equipment, the most dangerous thing in space is a loose screw.
45:58Leo's laugh was very relaxed.
46:07Another spring had passed when Daniel came over for dinner at our home.
46:11After the meal, Leo did his homework, and Daniel and I had tea on the patio.
46:15The night was cool.
46:17He draped his jacket over my shoulders.
46:20Leo has made some new friends recently.
46:22I saw him playing basketball with classmates.
46:25I was a bit surprised.
46:27The child had always been alone before.
46:29Children need time.
46:30And so do you.
46:32He paused for a moment.
46:33That night, I told him about what happened ten years ago.
46:36Daniel listened quietly.
46:38Only after I had finished did he gently take my hand.
46:41Walking through all of that alone, it must have been so hard.
46:44Those words made my eyes redden.
46:45So what I had needed was someone to see the weight behind the strength.
46:50Mom, if you like Uncle Daniel, you can be with him.
46:53When he said this, Leo was assembling a model airplane.
46:56Why are you suddenly saying this?
46:57I stared at him stunned.
46:58Because when you look at him, you smile.
47:00A real smile.
47:01Not the fake kind.
47:02I sat down beside him.
47:04And what do you think about it?
47:05I hope someone loves you the way you love me.
47:08You deserve that.
47:09I hugged him.
47:10He had grown up without my noticing.
47:13Falling in love with Daniel was different from how it was when I was 20.
47:16No wild passion.
47:17No anxiety.
47:18It was a steady kind of intimacy.
47:20After dinner, we would take walks together.
47:22Listening to me talk about the trivial things at work and things about Leo's school.
47:25Even the sale items at Whole Foods.
47:27Leo gradually accepted this rhythm.
47:29One day when I came home from working late, I saw them playing chess in the living room.
47:32And soup was simmering in the kitchen.
47:34The aroma filling the house.
47:35In that moment.
47:36I realized that the happiness I'd thought was out of reach had long since landed gently in the palm of
47:41my hand.
47:41I'm so happy to see you tomorrow look to this trick of म't though who's only come to live withАwala.
47:41And listen to the fact I miss, go ahead and look with you off why my dreams.
47:42So what I'm going to do with time freeze it for?
47:42the guy who has always been around.
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