- 4 hours ago
His Forever, My Son's Grave
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I called my husband Steven 36 times the night our son was dying.
00:09He picked up once.
00:11In the background, I heard champagne glasses clinking and a woman laughing.
00:15Stop using Dave as an excuse to fish for attention.
00:18Then he hung up.
00:20At the funeral, Steven didn't show up.
00:22He didn't call.
00:23He didn't even know what had happened.
00:25That night, I found his comment under her Instagram post.
00:32You are my forever.
00:34Our son's portrait was still in the funeral hall smiling.
00:38I picked up my phone and typed back the only words I had left.
00:42Let's get a divorce.
00:44But Steven Lopez doesn't believe his son is dead.
00:47And the woman standing behind him is going to make sure he never does.
00:51On New Year's Eve, my son, David Lopez, was abducted by my husband Steven Lopez's arch nemesis.
01:00They strapped explosives all over his small body and demanded a ransom.
01:04As they threatened to kill him, I completely fell apart, frantically dialing Steven and begging him to deliver the money.
01:16Lyanna, don't worry.
01:18I'm on my way.
01:19Just wait for me.
01:20But he never showed up.
01:22Watching David's tiny body collapse into a pool of blood, I dialed Steven again with trembling hands.
01:29My voice was desperate, humble to the point of humiliation.
01:34Please.
01:36Please come save our son.
01:38His tone was thick with irritation.
01:44Liana, I'm in the middle of a massive deal.
01:47Stop using Dave as an excuse to fish for attention.
01:50From the other end of the line came the crisp clink of glasses and the flirtatious laughter of a woman.
01:55The moment the line went dead, the detonator triggered.
01:59David's crying stopped abruptly.
02:01Just like that, my baby boy died on his own birthday.
02:09Where is Steven?
02:11Dave is his own flesh and blood.
02:13How can he not show up at Dave's funeral?
02:15At the funeral home, my dad was shaking with rage.
02:18His eyes bloodshot.
02:20If I wasn't mistaken, Steven was probably celebrating the birthday of Jacqueline Schneider.
02:26His recently returned old flame.
02:31I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
02:35After a long silence, I forced a bitter smile.
02:42Dad, maybe he got held up on the way.
02:44I'll call and check.
02:51I slipped into a corner and dialed the number I knew by heart.
02:55Again and again.
02:57We're sorry.
02:58The number you have dialed is currently busy.
03:01After hearing that mechanical voice repeat countless times, I finally lost the strength to keep trying.
03:08My hand slowly fell to my side.
03:10My gaze drifted to David's small black and white portrait at the center of the hall.
03:15He was smiling so sweetly, one of his little front teeth missing.
03:19His words still echoed in my ears.
03:21Mommy, once my new tooth grows in, I can eat way more of your buffalo wings.
03:28But that tooth would never grow in now.
03:33When the kidnappers took him, he had been trembling with terror.
03:37Yet he clenched his tiny fists and tried to comfort me.
03:40Don't cry, Mommy.
03:42Daddy's definitely coming to save me.
03:48But the superhero he believed in with all his heart never showed up.
03:52My tears finally spilled over.
03:56Even when the funeral ended and the last guest left, Stephen still hadn't appeared.
04:05Later, I saw an update from Jacqueline on Instagram.
04:09She posted nine photos.
04:12In the pictures, Stephen leaned in to light her birthday candles.
04:16The candlelight reflected across his handsome face.
04:19His eyes filled with tenderness.
04:21The caption read,
04:23May we always stay by each other's side.
04:26Below the post, Stephen's comments stabbed into my eyes.
04:30You are my forever.
04:34The irony was suffocating.
04:36Memories flooded back.
04:38For David's last birthday, the three of us had gone to an amusement park.
04:43Stephen had hoisted him high above his head while David grinned from ear to ear.
04:47That night, Stephen had held me close, whispering into my ear.
04:52Anna, I'm going to make you and Dave the happiest people in the world.
04:56We'll always be together.
04:58Looking back now, his promises felt like nothing but a cruel joke.
05:02I opened the comments section and, with every ounce of strength left in my body,
05:06typed out a single line.
05:09You two really disgust me.
05:11The second it was sent, my silent phone exploded with vibrations.
05:16Stephen bombarded me with messages.
05:18Liana, have you lost your mind?
05:20What the hell are you talking about on Jackie's feed?
05:23Delete it now.
05:24It's Jackie's birthday.
05:25Can't you be mature for once and stop causing trouble on her big day?
05:28I'm warning you, delete that comment immediately or you'll regret it.
05:32I stared at those furious, protective messages for a long time.
05:37The final, faint ember of love in my chest quietly burned out.
05:41I replied with composure.
05:43Let's get a divorce.
05:44Then, I blocked his number.
05:52The next day, I signed the papers my lawyer had drafted long ago.
05:56I arranged for a courier to deliver them straight to his office.
06:00After that, I went to the church to see the candle I had lit for David.
06:04But just as I reached the entrance, a familiar, honey-sweet voice drifted out.
06:09Steve, will Liana be angry that I moved Dave's candle and put Max's here instead?
06:14It was Jacqueline.
06:16Steven's impatient voice followed.
06:18It's just a spot.
06:20What's there for her to be upset about?
06:22My feet froze to the floor, my blood turning to ice.
06:25When David was two, he had fallen gravely ill.
06:28Steven had come to this very church and prayed for him for three days straight,
06:33filling the prayer room with candles.
06:38I'll light a candle for him every time I come here.
06:41That way, our Dave will always be safe.
06:43Every month after that, he would come with me to light one for David.
06:48And now, the once-loving father had moved David's candle away for Jacqueline's dog.
06:56Don't you dare touch it!
06:59I lunged inside, shielding the candle with my body.
07:03Steven's brow furrowed even deeper.
07:06Liana, what are you doing here?
07:08You haven't even apologized for that Twitter post and here you are looking for more trouble.
07:14Apologize?
07:15I let out a jagged laugh, pointing at the candle, my voice trembling with pure rage.
07:19Steven, tell me, what exactly do I need to apologize for?
07:24Is it that I spoke the truth on Jacqueline's post?
07:28Or is it that I don't let you move Dave's candle for a damn dog?
07:34Jacqueline shrank behind Stephen.
07:39Anna, I'm so sorry.
07:41I just thought this was a beautiful spot and I wanted Max to feel how much I miss him.
07:48I stepped toward her, a cold sneer on my face.
07:53And what about my son?
07:55What right do you have to let a dog take his place?
08:00Steven shoved Jacqueline protectively behind him and glared at me.
08:04Liana!
08:05Enough of this drama!
08:06It's just a candle.
08:08Is it really that important?
08:09Do you have to make such a scene here?
08:11Jacqueline immediately put on a performance, her eyes welling with tears.
08:17Anna, I know you're still angry because Steve stayed with me that day, and that's why you're losing your temper
08:23now.
08:25But no matter how angry you are, you shouldn't make up lines about Dave being kidnapped.
08:32Steve was worried sick that day.
08:35Steven looked at me with nothing but disdain and disappointment.
08:39Liana, Dave is your son!
08:41You'd actually invent a lie like that just because you're jealous?
08:44Do you even deserve to call yourself a mother?
08:47I stared at him, breathless with disbelief.
08:49I looked at the man I had loved for ten years and whom I thought was my rock.
08:54Now, he felt like a terrifying stranger.
08:57I wanted more than anyone in the world for David's death to be a lie.
09:03Steven's tone softened slightly.
09:06Dave is perfectly fine.
09:08He doesn't even need this candle anymore.
09:11Jackie's dog just died, and she's heartbroken.
09:14Can't you show a little compassion?
09:16So, she was using my son's light to comfort her dead pet.
09:19The copper taste of blood rose in my throat.
09:22My vision swam, and the final thread of my sanity snapped.
09:27I grabbed a nearby burning candelabra.
09:31Scorchingly hot wax dripped onto the back of my hand, but I felt nothing.
09:35Get out!
09:37I held the flames toward them.
09:39If you dare touch my sons of the Spakseers, I will kill you myself!
09:44The people around us began to stare in shock.
09:47Steven hissed under his breath.
09:48Liana, have you gone crazy?
09:51Jackie and I are just friends!
09:56She just returned to the country.
09:58What's wrong with me looking after her a little?
10:01Just friends.
10:03Since Jacqueline appeared, his late nights for work became more frequent.
10:07The perfume clinging to his clothes grew more unfamiliar,
10:10and his attitude toward me and our son grew colder by the day.
10:14For David's sake, for the sake of our little family, I had looked the other way.
10:19But now, there was no reason to keep pretending.
10:24Tears escaped my eyes uncontrollably.
10:27Steven blinked.
10:28Startled.
10:31I know you're just jealous.
10:35Look, once Jackie has settled in,
10:37I'll spend more time with you and Dave, okay?
10:40I promise.
10:42Just go home and talk to our son properly.
10:44Looking at Steven's nauseating face, I swung the canlobber at him.
10:50It's not necessary anymore!
10:52All I want is for you to get out!
10:55The scalding wax splashed onto Steven's arm.
10:58A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes then quickly twisted into deeper irritation and anger.
11:06Liana, don't push your luck!
11:08If you keep this up, we're going to get a dead...
11:10Every time we fought, Steven used divorce as a threat.
11:14In the past, I had loved him so blindly that I would apologize first every time.
11:20But this time, I stared him straight in the eye and cut him off with a sneer.
11:24I couldn't ask for anything more.
11:26And just so you know, about the text and the divorce papers, I've already sent them to you yesterday.
11:33Steven froze.
11:34A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes, his voice betraying a faint, involuntary tremor.
11:41What are you talking about?
11:43What texts?
11:44What divorce papers?
11:46A shadow of fear crossed Jacqueline's face.
11:49She clutched his sleeve with a practiced fragility.
11:54Steve, maybe she's just angry and saying things she doesn't mean.
11:59Don't take it seriously.
12:00Looking at that pitiful, doll-like face of hers, my stomach churned with violent revulsion.
12:06The image of David's horrific death and Steven's betrayal surged into my mind.
12:11Every ounce of agony and resentment I'd suppressed surged to a breaking point.
12:15As she was still murmuring something.
12:18I summoned every bit of strength left in my body and caught her across the face with a resounding slap.
12:24The sharp sound echoed through the hallowed hall.
12:28Jacqueline gasped, clutching her cheek, staring at me in pure disbelief.
12:34Who do you think you are?
12:37My voice was cold as a winter grave.
12:39If you're going to be a mistress, learn some goddamn discretion.
12:43As long as Steven and I are married, you are nothing but a homewrecker lurking in the shadows.
12:49Jacqueline collapsed into Steven's arms, weeping piteously.
12:53Steven was momentarily stunned by my outburst.
12:56But then, a sickening glimmer of smugness sparked in his eyes.
13:01I knew it.
13:02You only said you wanted a divorce because you're jealous.
13:05His tone softened, almost as if he were offering charity.
13:09Tell you what.
13:10Go tell Dave that I'll come home tonight and have dinner with you too.
13:13It was delusional.
13:15He actually believed my breakdown was some desperate ploy for his affection.
13:19Oh, and Jackie's coming with us.
13:22She's craving clam chowder.
13:23Make sure you prepare a part for her.
13:26Consider the soup an apology for the slap.
13:28As long as you behave yourself from now on, I promise our family will go back to the way it
13:32used to be.
13:37I don't need it.
13:39My voice was flat.
13:41And Dave certainly doesn't.
13:44Now, take your woman and get the hell out of my sight!
13:48Steven's patience finally evaporated.
13:51His face turned livid as he spat out a final warning.
13:54Lyanna, I hope you won't regret this!
13:59He wrapped an arm around the whimpering Jacqueline and walked away without a single backward glance.
14:04I watched their retreating figures, my body swaying.
14:08I almost collapsed, but I forced my legs to hold.
14:14I returned to the spot where David's candle had been and lit a fresh one.
14:19This time, I lit it in my own name as David's mother.
14:27I had brought a small portion of David's ashes with me.
14:34I asked the church staff to help me seal them into a pendant, a small weight I could wear against
14:39my heart.
14:41I'll always be with you.
14:43I traced the warm metal of the pendant, sitting before the candle for hours.
14:48Only when the sun began to sink did I finally stand and head home.
14:52All I wanted now was to gather David's belongings.
14:55After that, I would leave this disgusting place forever.
15:01But when I reached the front door, the key wouldn't turn.
15:04The lock had been changed.
15:06I knew this was Stephen's petty retaliation for Jacqueline.
15:09But David's drawings, his favorite Superman figure, and every photograph of the two of us were still inside.
15:16I had to get them back.
15:18So I pounded on the door again and again stubborn, frantic, and desperate.
15:23After what felt like an eternity, the door finally swung open.
15:29Jacqueline stood there, draped in my silk robe, her eyes gleaming with naked provocation.
15:36Oh, you're back.
15:38Steve mentioned these old things were just taking up space, so he asked me to clear them out.
15:46Look, I was just about to toss them in the trash.
15:49Her foot was planted firmly on David's favorite Superman pillow.
15:52It was already filthy, crushed under her weight.
15:56The sight was like a blade through my heart.
15:58Stephen and I had spent an entire afternoon picking that out for David's birthday.
16:04How dare you touch my things!
16:07My voice cracked.
16:08I lunged forward to grab the pillow.
16:11Jacqueline dodged me with effortless grace, intentionally grinding her heel into the pillow again.
16:16She let out a giggle.
16:18Anna, you aren't the lady of this house anymore.
16:23Steve said the house, and everything in it, belongs to me now.
16:30Honestly, your son really missed out.
16:33If he'd held on just a few more days, he could have become my stepson.
16:37But it doesn't matter.
16:39Steve and I will have our own children soon enough.
16:44My eyes burned, the blood in my veins turning to fire.
16:49Shut up!
16:51Pushed beyond all endurance, I threw myself at her.
16:54We spiraled into a mess of limbs, scratching and tearing at one another.
17:00Jacqueline screamed, her nails raking across my skin.
17:03She suddenly shoved me away then took the opportunity to fall backward onto the floor.
17:09I stumbled, my bag hitting the hardwood.
17:12The contents spilled everywhere.
17:15Hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
17:18Stephen had returned.
17:19He burst in and immediately saw Jacqueline on the floor in tears.
17:23While I stood there like a lunatic.
17:26Liana!
17:27His face was a mask of fury.
17:30He stormed toward me then froze as his foot struck something.
17:34He looked down.
17:36It was David's death certificate.
17:41I lunged for it in a frenzy.
17:44But it was still too late.
17:50Stephen snatched the paper and snapped it open.
17:52The color drained from his face.
17:56His hand trembled around the paper.
18:01What?
18:02What is this?
18:04What's happened to Dave?
18:11I let out a hollow, jagged laugh.
18:16Don't you see it?
18:18Dave is dead.
18:20He was kidnapped by your rival, Ainsfra-
18:26Lies!
18:28Jacqueline streaked, cutting me off.
18:32I saw Anna taking Dave to the park just yesterday.
18:36He was perfectly fine.
18:37He looked so happy.
18:39Stephen chose to believe her.
18:41His shock curdled into a blinding, white-hot rage.
18:47He grabbed me by the collar, his eyes bloodshot.
18:51Liana!
18:53You are truly demonic!
18:57You'd forge something this sick?
18:59To curse your own son?
19:01Just to manipulate me into coming home?
19:07I told you I'd try to make it work.
19:09Why the hell would you sink this low?
19:17Go check for yourself!
19:20I let him shake me, my voice reaching a state of numb exhaustion.
19:25Call Ainsworth.
19:28Ask him yourself.
19:29Ask him what he did to our son on New Year's Eve!
19:33Jacqueline fanned the flames from the sidelines.
19:35Anna!
19:37How could you conspire with Steve's enemy?
19:40You may make Steve get hurt!
19:41Her words ignited Stephen's rage completely.
19:45Stephen flung me aside and kicked me viciously in the chest.
19:49Crazy woman!
19:51I crumpled to the floor, a sharp agony blooming in my lungs.
19:56The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
20:00The necklace snapped.
20:07The pendant containing David's ashes skittered across the floor.
20:12Ignoring the pain, I scrambled on my hands and knees to reach it.
20:18But a stiletto heel got there first,
20:22pinning the pendant to the floor.
20:24It was Jacqueline.
20:26She picked the pendant up,
20:28twirling it between her fingers with fake innocence.
20:33What's this?
20:35It's actually quite pretty.
20:39Give it back!
20:41I rushed forward to snatch it away,
20:44but Stephen grabbed my arm again.
20:46Give my son's ashes back to me!
20:50My voice was a raw, primordial wail.
20:53Ashes?
20:55Stephen let out a dark, mocking laugh.
20:59He snatched the pendant from Jacqueline
21:01and held it between his fingers.
21:04Liana, you are getting better at acting.
21:08Just to make me believe you, you even prepared something like this?
21:12Mockery burned in his glaze.
21:14Then he gripped my jaw, forcing my mouth open.
21:17This is what you get for cursing our son.
21:21I shook my head desperately,
21:23clenching my teeth so hard my draw hurt.
21:25My nails dug deep into my palms.
21:28That pendant carried David's last warmth.
21:31It was the only thing left keeping me alive.
21:34How dare he?
21:36How could he?
21:38The words scraped painfully from my throat
21:40as tears of despair rolled down my face.
21:43I had loved this man for a decade and borne him a son.
21:49And now, he was trying to force me to swallow our son's ashes.
21:56Stephen, you will regret this.
21:59I squeezed the words through my teeth with the last of my strength.
22:03He paused for a heartbeat,
22:04but then a fresh wave of fury took him.
22:08He tore the death certificate into shreds.
22:17Where is my son?
22:19Lyanna, I'm asking you,
22:21where did you hide Dave?
22:23He glared down at me, eyes promising violence.
22:26I looked back at him and said nothing.
22:28The deepest sorrow in the world is not grief.
22:31It's the moment hope finally dies.
22:34My silence pushed him over the edge.
22:42He grabbed me roughly,
22:44dragging me like a sack of trash.
22:46and threw me out the front door.
22:49Lyanna!
22:50Do you have any idea what you've done?
22:52So get out!
22:53Don't come back until you come to your senses
22:55and are ready to bring my son back!
23:01The door slammed shut in my face.
23:05The world went silent.
23:08Then,
23:10Stephen's ringtone
23:11pints the quiet from inside the house.
23:14I heard him answer.
23:17Who is this?
23:19I could never forget.
23:20The voice of a demon
23:22came clearly through the door.
23:28Stephen,
23:29why was I not invited
23:30to your son's funeral?
23:32I went through so much trouble
23:34to rig those explosives, you know.
23:36Only because of me,
23:37your little boy,
23:38got to enjoy that big bang!
23:48inside the room,
23:49the silence was deathly.
23:51Then came the dumb thud
23:53of a phone hitting the floor.
23:55Ainsherd's voice slithered
23:56through the crack in the door.
23:59It's a real shame
24:00you didn't see the grand blast.
24:03The little brat cried his eyes out.
24:06He kept screaming for his daddy,
24:09begging you to save him.
24:11His poor little face
24:12was a complete mess of tears.
24:15I leaned against the icy wooden panel,
24:17blood in my veins,
24:18turning to ice.
24:20I could hear the hurr,
24:21the hollow echo
24:22of my own pulse
24:23drumming in my chest.
24:27Every word he spoke
24:29dragged me back to that night.
24:31David's tiny voice
24:32calling for help.
24:34His small body trembling.
24:38The memory hit me
24:39like a blade
24:40twisting in an open wound.
24:42That was when I learned
24:43that when a heart
24:44broke completely,
24:46one couldn't even
24:47let out a cry.
24:50Stop it!
24:52Shut up!
24:55Jacqueline's terrified shriek
24:57erupted from inside.
24:58On the other end of the line,
25:01Ainsworth let out
25:02a dry chuckle,
25:03curdled with pure malice.
25:07What's the matter, Jacqueline?
25:09Can't handle it now?
25:13You weren't so squeamish
25:15when you called me, were you?
25:17My mind went completely blank.
25:21Jacqueline had called Ainsworth?
25:29The air inside the room
25:31seemed to queneal.
25:32Even the sound of breathing vanished.
25:37After a long while,
25:39Stephen's voice
25:40finally broke the silence.
25:42Trembling,
25:44lost,
25:45edged with raw despair.
25:48You,
25:49you called him?
25:50Jacqueline's composure
25:51shattered into a violent sob.
25:59retreating into her usual refuge
26:01of fragile victimism-ism.
26:06Steve, no.
26:07Please, let me explain.
26:09I just...
26:11I only did it because
26:13I love you so much.
26:17I was jealous!
26:18I was so jealous of Liana!
26:27Her voice was rising to a jacky, piercing pitch.
26:31Why does she get to have a son with you?
26:34Why does she get to be your wife?
26:37I'm the one who belongs by your side.
26:40I just didn't want you to go save that little brat.
26:46I wanted him dead
26:48as long as he's gone.
26:50You're mine.
26:52All mine.
26:53I lied about seeing him in the park.
26:55Just so you'd believe
26:57she was making a scene over nothing.
27:00I wanted you to hate her.
27:04I wanted you to think
27:05she was some desperate, manipulative psycho
27:08who'd do anything for attention.
27:13Every word she spit
27:15was a poisoned blade
27:16slicing deeper emper into my flesh.
27:19So that was it.
27:23My son's agonizing screams
27:25and my own desperate pleas for mercy.
27:29All of it had been dismissed
27:31as petty domestic drama
27:32by this woman.
27:35And Stephen, my husband,
27:37the father of my child,
27:39he had simply believed her.
27:42I pulled myself upright
27:44away from the door.
27:49The last drop of strength
27:51had been drained from my body.
27:53I couldn't even summon
27:55the moisture for tears.
28:01I turned and began to walk.
28:04My movements were mechanical.
28:07Hollow.
28:08Behind me,
28:09the door burst open
28:10with a violent crash.
28:12Anna!
28:15Stephen's roar
28:16tore through the hallway.
28:18It was a sound of raw panic
28:19and total collapse.
28:21A voice I had never heard
28:22from him before.
28:23But I didn't look back.
28:25Behind me,
28:26Stephen's bellers,
28:27Jacqueline's hysterical weeping
28:29and Ainsworth's mocking laughter
28:31still bleeding from the phone
28:32blurred into a cacophony
28:33of white noise.
28:34I couldn't process any of it anymore.
28:37All I could think about
28:38was David.
28:40My David.
28:42I used to think David's death
28:44was the penicicle of my pain.
28:46But now I realized
28:48the world held even
28:49foul or truths
28:50and even more sadistic agonies.
28:54I spent the next few days
28:56curled up in a corner
28:57of a dingy motel room.
28:59My phone had died long ago
29:01and I had no desire
29:02to revive it.
29:04Eventually,
29:05my lawyer tracked me down.
29:08Mrs. Barrett,
29:10Stephen has lost his mind.
29:15My lawyer's voice
29:16sounded weary
29:17with a tinge of horror in it.
29:20He's pulled every string he has.
29:22He went through
29:23the police records
29:23and the hospital files
29:24and even went to the scene himself.
29:26He saw Dave's death certificate
29:28in those horrible crime scene photos.
29:32Now he finally accepted
29:33that Dave is gone.
29:35My fingertips were ice
29:36but my breath felt like fire.
29:42I knew.
29:44I had known all along.
29:46On New Year's Eve,
29:47Jacqueline called him
29:47claiming she was ill
29:48to lure him over.
29:51She intentionally got him drunk
29:54and turned off his phone.
29:58She made sure he missed
29:59every single one of your calls.
30:02I closed my eyes
30:03and the memory of David's voice
30:06exploded in my ears again.
30:10Don't cry, Mommy.
30:12Daddy is definitely coming to save me.
30:18I opened my eyes
30:20and stared out the window.
30:22The night was heavy and still
30:24with not even a whisper of wind
30:26stirring the darkness.
30:30My lawyer continued to told me.
30:36Steven has locked himself
30:38in Dave's room.
30:42He won't let anyone in.
30:45He's lined up all of Dave's toys.
30:49Under the bed,
30:50he found a box
30:51that had been hidden away by Dave.
30:58Inside was a drawing Dave made.
31:02In the picture,
31:04a little stick figure
31:05had a big word,
31:06Superman,
31:07written over its head.
31:09Next to it were a few
31:10cookie, childish words.
31:11My superhero, Daddy.
31:18My throat tightened,
31:19a sharp ache blocking my breath.
31:22That was the gift
31:23David had been preparing
31:24for Father's Day.
31:26He had drawn it in secret,
31:28hiding it away like a treasure,
31:30waiting for the perfect moment
31:32to surprise his dad.
31:34He had always said
31:35his daddy was his superhero.
31:38But his superhero never showed up
31:40when the monsters actually came.
31:42Tears finally slid down my face.
31:45I wasn't weeping for Steven's breakdown
31:47or Jacqueline's cruelty.
31:53My heart was breaking
31:55only for my David.
31:57I wept for the little boy
31:58who would never eat
31:59another buffalo wing.
32:04Who would never get
32:05his new grown-up teeth.
32:07And who would never see
32:08the man he thought
32:09was his hero
32:11again.
32:14Steven,
32:15you finally know the truth.
32:27I lay in that motel bed
32:29for three days
32:30and three nights.
32:35On the fourth day,
32:37my door was kicked open
32:38with a violent crack.
32:39My best friend,
32:41Phoebe Walsh,
32:42stormed in.
32:43Her eyes were bloodshot
32:44as she hauled me upright
32:45and delivered a stinging slap
32:47across my face.
32:50Liana,
32:51snap out of it right now!
32:56If you let yourself
32:58die like this,
32:58what happens to Dave?
33:00Do you want him
33:01to be all alone
33:02and terrified
33:03in that cold world beyond?
33:07Don't forget
33:08that venomous bitch
33:09who killed him
33:10is still out there
33:11enjoying her life!
33:18She was right.
33:19I couldn't die yet.
33:21I had to get justice
33:22for my son.
33:31Phoebe put me in touch
33:32with the city's
33:33top private investigator
33:34and a ruthless attorney.
33:37I drained every cent
33:39of my savings
33:39to fund this legal war.
33:43I had only one demand
33:44for the detective.
33:47I want all the call logs
33:48between Jacqueline
33:49and Ainsfield.
33:55The detective
33:56was efficient.
33:59Three days later,
34:01a comprehensive report
34:02and a batch
34:03of audio files
34:04landed in my inbox.
34:06I clicked play
34:07on the recording.
34:08Jacqueline's voice
34:09came through,
34:10sickeningly sweet.
34:17Anx?
34:19You have to keep
34:20Steve away.
34:22Don't let him go
34:23save that little prat.
34:25Ansbraith laughed,
34:27his tone casual
34:29and cruel.
34:31Relax, sweetheart.
34:33Pay me enough
34:34and I promise
34:35he won't even
34:35get to say goodbye.
34:37Every word
34:37they uttered
34:38felt like a poisoned
34:39needle stitching
34:40itself into my flesh.
34:43I obtained
34:44the surveillance footage
34:45from the restaurant.
34:46It was the restaurant
34:47where Stephen
34:48and Jacqueline
34:48celebrated her birthday.
34:50The same day
34:51as David's funeral.
34:53And the tapes
34:54from the church
34:54showing how Jacqueline
34:56deliberately moved
34:57David's memorial candle.
35:04How she provoked
35:05my breakdown.
35:11The evidence
35:12was damning.
35:16I formally
35:17fired for divorce.
35:19I filed a lawsuit
35:20against Jacqueline.
35:21The lawsuit
35:22accused her
35:22of intentional
35:23withholding
35:24of kidnapping
35:25information
35:26and indirect homicide.
35:33Just as I finished
35:34signing the final documents
35:36and prepared
35:36to leave the law firm,
35:38a disheveled figure
35:39burst through the door.
35:41It was Stephen.
35:42In just a few days,
35:43he seemed to have
35:44aged a decade.
35:45This once polished,
35:47commanding man
35:48was now gaunt
35:49and unshaven.
35:50His eyes were bloodshot
35:52and the smell
35:53of alcohol
35:53clung to him.
35:55When he saw me,
35:56he lunged forward
35:57like a drowning man
35:58catching a lifeline.
36:00Anna.
36:02I took a cold step back,
36:04recoiling from his touch.
36:07Stephen dropped to his knees
36:08right there in front of me.
36:10This man,
36:11who had always been
36:12so full of himself,
36:14was now sobbing
36:15like a broken child.
36:17Anna,
36:18I'm so sorry.
36:21It's all my fault.
36:23I know I'm a bastard.
36:25I'm so sorry.
36:27I failed to protect Dave
36:29and didn't believe you.
36:31He slapped himself
36:32again and again
36:33across the face.
36:37Please,
36:38just forgive me.
36:39We can start over.
36:41We can have another child.
36:42Watched him quietly.
36:43My eyes held
36:44no emotion at all.
36:48Stephen,
36:49your repentance
36:50won't bring Dave
36:51back from the grave.
36:52And your tears?
36:55They're worthless.
36:59Disbelief was written
37:00across his tear-streaked face.
37:05I reached into my bag
37:07and pulled out
37:08a thick stack of papers.
37:11Copies of every piece
37:12of evidence
37:13I had gathered.
37:15Then I threw them
37:16straight at his face.
37:20The papers scattered
37:21across the floor.
37:22I only want one thing
37:24from you, Stephen.
37:25I want you to make
37:26the people who did this
37:28pay.
37:28My voice was low
37:29and cold.
37:30Make a choice.
37:32Will you keep protecting
37:33your mistress
37:33who got Dave killed?
37:36Or will you do
37:37one final thing
37:38for your son?
37:44Stephen's eyes
37:45traveled from the
37:46scattered papers
37:47back to my face.
37:48The color drained
37:50from his skin
37:50until he looked
37:52like a ghost.
37:53After a long silence,
37:54a single word
37:55forced its way
37:56out of his throat.
37:57Fine.
37:59What?
38:00What do I have to do?
38:03Looking at his
38:04pathetic face,
38:05I felt no pity.
38:08In fact,
38:09I felt nothing at all.
38:14I want you to go home.
38:16Go back to Jacqueline.
38:21My voice carried
38:22no warmth.
38:26I want you to
38:27treat her
38:28exactly like
38:29you used to.
38:32You must make her
38:33believe you've
38:34forgiven her
38:34and make her
38:35drop her guard
38:35completely.
38:37Stephen flinched,
38:38his eyes clouding
38:39with agony
38:39and physical
38:40revulsion.
38:44Then,
38:45you are going to
38:46get her to tell you
38:48in her own words
38:50how she and
38:50Ainsworth
38:51planned everything
38:52and killed
38:54our son.
38:58I slid a miniature
38:59recording device
39:00across the table
39:01toward him.
39:04I want the
39:05whole truth.
39:07Don't miss
39:08a single syllable.
39:13Stephen picked it up,
39:14clenching it
39:15in his palm.
39:19Over the following
39:21days,
39:22Stephen played
39:22the part.
39:23He bought
39:24Jacqueline
39:24her favorite
39:25jewelry.
39:25He took her
39:26to the most
39:26exclusive restaurants.
39:32He was tender,
39:33attentive,
39:34the perfect lover
39:35from a storybook.
39:37Jacqueline
39:37quickly fell
39:38completely under
39:39his spell.
39:43Late one night,
39:45nestled in
39:45Stephen's arms.
39:47Jacqueline finally
39:48let the truth slip.
39:51I just hated
39:53how arrogant
39:54Liana was.
39:56Why should she
39:57get to have
39:57your child?
39:59That idiot
39:59Ainsworth
40:00actually thought
40:01I loved him.
40:02I was just
40:03using him.
40:04Steve,
40:05everything's
40:06perfect now.
40:08Now that
40:09the little brat
40:10is dead,
40:10nothing can ever
40:12come between
40:12us again.
40:18when Stephen
40:19handed me
40:19the recording,
40:22his hand
40:23shook so violently
40:24that he could
40:24barely hold the phone.
40:28I listened to it
40:29with a calm heart,
40:31saved the file,
40:32and dialed the police.
40:34Almost simultaneously,
40:36a call came in
40:37from Ainsworth.
40:43Stephen,
40:45I'll give you
40:46one five million dollars
40:47for whatever your ex
40:48has on me,
40:49and for my freedom.
40:52If you don't agree,
40:55I'll happily leak
40:56a few interesting
40:57recordings to the press.
40:58Following my instructions,
41:00Stephen agreed.
41:01Absolutely.
41:02The exchange was set
41:03at a defilate pier.
41:06The police moved in
41:08silently,
41:09forming a tight
41:10perimeter.
41:10I sat in the back
41:12of a surveillance van,
41:13watching the man
41:14on the screen
41:14who felt like
41:15a stranger now.
41:19Answorthen appeared
41:20with a briefcase.
41:21A victor's smur
41:22slaped on his face.
41:28The moment the money
41:29changed Handez,
41:30the police swarmed.
41:32On the other side
41:33of town,
41:34Jacqueline was taken
41:34into custody.
41:39In the precinct
41:40interrogation room,
41:42I saw her again.
41:43She had been stripped
41:45of her designer labels
41:46and her meticulous makeup.
41:48She looked small
41:49and feral
41:51like a cornered animal.
41:55When she saw me,
41:57she tried to lunge
41:58forward like a mad woman,
42:00but the handcuffs
42:01locked her firmly
42:02to the chair.
42:04Her eyes were blood red.
42:08Liana!
42:10Your son
42:11isn't coming back!
42:13He's gone forever!
42:17And she burst
42:18into maniacal laughter.
42:20I stared at her,
42:21my expression
42:22perfectly still.
42:23I waited until
42:24she was gasping
42:25for air
42:26from her hysterical
42:27outburst.
42:28You will spend
42:29the rest of your life
42:30in prison.
42:33But I will go on living
42:34and my love for him
42:36will accompany me
42:37through every day
42:37of my life to come.
42:44On the day of the trial,
42:45I stood in the witness box.
42:52My gaze sweat
42:53over the gallery
42:54of faces,
42:55some familiar,
42:56some strangers.
42:58No one knew
42:59the sheer force
43:00of hatred
43:00and resolve
43:01that had kept me
43:02standing here
43:03these past months.
43:04As I recounted
43:06David's death,
43:07my voice was
43:08unnervingly calm,
43:09without a single tremor.
43:11Every detail
43:12of that explosion,
43:13every roar
43:14of the blast,
43:18every jagged shard
43:20that tore
43:20through the air.
43:24It was all etched
43:26into my mind
43:27like a blade.
43:28Ainswithin's arrogance
43:29had evaporated,
43:30replaced by the
43:31ashen gray
43:32of utter despair.
43:34Jacqueline had to be
43:35restrained by the bailiff
43:36several times.
43:39She tried to deny it,
43:42tried to crawl
43:43for excuses,
43:44her voice rising
43:45in a strill,
43:47piercing noise.
43:49The courtroom doors
43:50creaked open,
43:53and Stephen walked in.
43:56Clad in a black suit,
43:59his frame gone
44:00and diminished.
44:04His eyes sought mine,
44:06brimming with agony
44:07and guilt,
44:08but I looked away
44:09with cold indifference.
44:15Taking the stand
44:16as a witness,
44:18Stephen offered
44:18a public confession.
44:22His voice was raspy,
44:25every word breaking
44:26with a sob.
44:28He was wrong,
44:30devastatingly,
44:31irrevidably wrong.
44:37He had failed me,
44:38and more unforgivingly
44:39he had failed David.
44:42I listened to his words
44:44without a flicker
44:45of emotion,
44:46as if none of it
44:47had anything to do
44:48with me.
44:50The judge delivered
44:52the verdict.
44:55Ansfield,
44:55convicted of
44:56intentional homicide
44:57and kidnapping,
44:58was sentenced
44:59to death.
45:02Jacqueline,
45:03charged with
45:04intentional assault
45:05and obstruction
45:06of justice,
45:09was sentenced
45:10to 15 years
45:11in prison.
45:16Only when I heard
45:18the ruling
45:18did the iron cords
45:20of tension
45:21in my chest
45:21began to slacken.
45:30The divorce decree
45:32also took effect.
45:34My marriage
45:35to Stephen
45:35came to an end.
45:37I was awarded
45:38all of the marital
45:39assets.
45:45But that wealth
45:46was nothing more
45:47than a string
45:48of cold digits.
45:52I donated
45:53the vast majority
45:54of it
45:54to a foundation
45:55for child protection.
46:03A few days later,
46:05I went alone
46:06to David's grave.
46:14In the photograph
46:15on the headstone,
46:16David was still
46:17wearing that sweet
46:18smile.
46:23His little
46:24dimples were
46:25just as they
46:26had always been.
46:30I gently
46:31laid down
46:32the drawing
46:32David had made
46:33with his own
46:34hands.
46:39I'm so sorry,
46:41baby.
46:42I let you
46:43down.
46:45I couldn't
46:46give you
46:47a real hero.
46:52But I will
46:52be my own
46:53hero now.
46:54And I will
46:55be yours.
46:55I reached out,
46:57my fingertips
46:58tracing the
46:58carved letters
46:59of David's name.
47:01Heavy footsteps
47:01approached from
47:02behind.
47:02I didn't
47:04need to
47:04turn around
47:05to know
47:05who it was.
47:07Stephen collapsed
47:08at David's grave,
47:09weeping in a state
47:10of total
47:10wretched collapse.
47:13I didn't
47:14give him
47:14a single glance.
47:16I simply
47:17turned
47:17and walked
47:18away,
47:19my steps
47:20heavy but
47:21resolute.
47:23Step by step,
47:25I walked
47:25toward a future
47:26without him.
47:28A future
47:28that belonged
47:29only to me
47:30and David.
47:38I fled
47:39that city
47:40and sought
47:40refuge
47:41in a remote
47:41village
47:42to work
47:42as a teacher.
47:45The air
47:46here carried
47:46the scent
47:47of soil
47:47and wild
47:48grass.
47:50And for a
47:51while,
47:51it helped
47:52me forget
47:52the blood-stained
47:53past.
47:55In the
47:55classroom,
47:56the children's
47:57clear.
48:02eager voices
48:04reciting
48:04lessons
48:05were the
48:05sweetest
48:06sound I
48:06had ever
48:07known.
48:07One day,
48:09while handing
48:10out workbooks,
48:11a slight figure
48:12darted
48:12into my
48:13line of
48:13sight.
48:17He looked
48:18up at me.
48:20Those eyes,
48:23clear as
48:24spring water,
48:25looked so
48:26much like
48:27my
48:27Davids.
48:28My breath
48:29stalled.
48:31The books
48:32in my
48:32hands
48:33scattered
48:34across the
48:34floor.
48:36He
48:37scrambled
48:37down to
48:38help me,
48:38his small
48:39hands,
48:40clumsy
48:40and frantic.
48:44Miss
48:45Barrett,
48:46I'm so
48:46sorry.
48:50I knelt
48:50down,
48:52looking at
48:53his small
48:53face smudged
48:54with a bit
48:54of dust.
48:57What?
48:58What is
48:59your name?
49:01My name
49:02is Xander
49:03Wild.
49:04I don't
49:05have a
49:06mommy or
49:06a daddy
49:07anymore.
49:08My heart
49:08was wrenched
49:09by a
49:10sudden,
49:11violent
49:11ache.
49:14I later
49:15learned
49:15that Xander's
49:17parents had
49:17both died
49:18in a
49:18landslide
49:19while trying
49:19to save
49:20him.
49:20From that
49:21day on,
49:22I found
49:22myself
49:23instinctively
49:24watching over
49:24him.
49:26I would
49:27bring him
49:27treats
49:28and tell
49:29him stories.
49:30And when
49:31his handwriting
49:32wavered,
49:32I would wrap
49:33my hand
49:34around his,
49:35teaching him
49:36stroke by
49:37stroke.
49:37He was
49:38gentle and
49:39sensitive
49:40beyond his
49:40years.
49:42He always
49:43stayed close
49:43to me,
49:45watching me
49:46cautiously
49:47with those
49:48eyes that
49:48looked so
49:49much like
49:50David's.
49:51Sometimes,
49:53I would
49:54tell him
49:54about David,
49:56about the
49:57little boy
49:57who loved
49:58Superman and
49:59Buffalo
49:59Winks.
50:01One day
50:01after class,
50:04he tugged
50:05at my sleeve.
50:08His eyes
50:09were brimming
50:10with longing
50:10and unease.
50:12Miss Barrett,
50:14will you
50:15love me
50:15like a
50:16mommy does?
50:19My eyes
50:19blurred
50:20instantly,
50:21the world
50:22dissolving
50:22into a
50:23watery haze.
50:27There were
50:28so many
50:28words I
50:29wanted to
50:29say to
50:30him,
50:31but I
50:31couldn't
50:32force a
50:32single one
50:33out.
50:33I could
50:34only nod,
50:35fiercely,
50:36again and
50:37again.
50:43as the
50:44sun
50:44dipped
50:45low.
50:50I
50:50walked
50:51with
50:51Zandon
50:51along the
50:52narrow
50:52country
50:53path,
50:53the
50:54evening
50:54breeze
50:54playing
50:55with
50:55my
50:55hair.
50:57His
50:58hand
50:58was
50:58warm,
50:59gripping
50:59my fingers
51:00tightly.
51:09Mrs. Barrett,
51:10do people
51:11become stars
51:12in the
51:12sky when
51:12they
51:13die?
51:13My
51:14footsteps
51:14faltered.
51:20I
51:20looked up
51:21at the
51:21vast,
51:22shimmering
51:23canopy
51:23above,
51:25and in
51:26that
51:26endless
51:27sea of
51:27light.
51:30I
51:30thought
51:31I
51:31saw
51:31David,
51:32standing
51:32beside
51:33his
51:33favorite
51:33star,
51:34smiling
51:35and
51:35winking
51:35at
51:36me.
51:37I
51:38smiled,
51:39my
51:40voice
51:40soft
51:40but
51:41certain.
51:42They
51:43do,
51:44be
51:45Kim
51:45and
51:45accurately.
51:47They
51:47would
51:48become
51:48the
51:49brightest
51:49star
51:50in
51:50the
51:50night,
51:51always
51:51watching
51:52over
51:52the
51:52people
51:52they
51:53love.
51:54Xander
51:55nodded
51:55solemnly,
51:56as if
51:57committing
51:57the promise
51:58to
51:58memory,
51:59then
51:59leaned
52:00his
52:00head
52:00against
52:01my
52:01arm.
52:02Then
52:03my
52:03mommy
52:04and
52:04daddy
52:05and
52:05Dave,
52:06they're
52:07all
52:07up
52:07there
52:07watching
52:08me,
52:08right?
52:10Warmth
52:11bloomed
52:11in my
52:11chest,
52:13steady
52:13and
52:13real.
52:16I
52:17squeezed
52:17his
52:17hand.
52:18Yes,
52:20they're
52:20all
52:20there.
52:21They
52:22are
52:22watching
52:22us
52:23and
52:23they
52:24are
52:24keeping
52:24us
52:24safe.
52:26I
52:27leaned
52:27down
52:27and
52:28kissed
52:28Zayn's
52:29forehead,
52:32feeling
52:32a sense
52:33of peace
52:33and strength
52:34I hadn't
52:34known in a
52:35lifetime.
52:38The
52:38stars above
52:39us shimmered
52:40like a
52:40thousand
52:41candles,
52:42each one
52:43burning
52:44with the
52:44quiet
52:45promise of
52:46someone who
52:47had loved
52:48and been
52:48loved.
52:51Xander and
52:51I and
52:52David up
52:52there among
52:53the stars
52:53would always
52:55be together.
53:00We would
53:01watch over
53:01one another
53:02and guard
53:03this hard-won
53:04warmth
53:04with
53:05everything
53:05we had.
53:07We
53:07had
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