- 36 minutes ago
- #fullmovie
🔥🔥🔥[Hot 2026] 🧡🧡The Son I Raised Was Never Mine🎾💎🔥 Full Movie#EnglishSub #FullMovie
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Frank, my trophy husband of 10 years, would never know that I had already decided to transfer 15% of
00:05Haze Group shares to him.
00:07Until the day of the physical exam, I discovered that the son born to my husband and me both with
00:11type O blood, actually had type A blood.
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.
00:26Mom? Just tucking your hair, keep playing.
00:30Second, 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 5 business days. Expedited would be before 4pm today at 3 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
00:56the minutes and seconds ticked by.
00:57During that time, I contacted a private investigator.
01:02I want you to look into my husband Frank, especially his whereabouts over the past few months.
01:07At 3.40pm, my phone rang.
01:10The results were in.
01:11I opened the electronic report and scrolled straight to the end.
01:15DNA 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
01:36against the wall and sat down.
01:37Not my child.
01:38I had raised a child who was not my biological child for 9 years.
01:42Then where was my child?
01:48I immediately went to Methodist Hospital, where I had given birth 9 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 InShent 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02:03It's been so long, the records may have already been archived.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?
02:38Those 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.
02:56Where 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?
03:24Mom is just tired.
03:26Finish your homework and go to bed early.
03:28Once they were both asleep, I began quietly searching the entire house.
03:32The master bedroom, the living room, Ethan's room.
03:35I searched everywhere and found nothing.
03:38Finally, I looked at the computer in the study, thinking the truth had to be in there.
03:43Footsteps sounded outside the door.
03:45I exited the document.
03:53When Frank pushed the door open and came in, I was tidying up the desk.
03:57He glanced at the computer screen, which had already returned to the desktop.
04:01A photo of the two of us taken three years ago at Santa Monica Beach.
04:04Not asleep yet?
04:05Organizing some old documents?
04:07I answered while casually turning off the monitor.
04:10He stood there for a moment, as if he wanted to say something.
04:13But in the end, he just nodded.
04:15Get some rest soon.
04:16I sat in the darkness, listening to the sound of his footsteps gradually fading away.
04:21That night, I didn't open the computer again and lay in bed with my thoughts in chaos.
04:27The next morning, I still let Frank take Ethan to school.
04:30He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:32Alright.
04:33Once they were out the door, I immediately went to the study.
04:37I turned on the computer and entered the password.
04:40Our wedding anniversary.
04:41Wrong.
04:42I tried his birthday.
04:43Wrong.
04:44Our son's birthday.
04:46Still wrong.
04:46I tried the date of our first date, his mother's birthday, the day the company was founded.
04:51All wrong.
04:53The system prompted me to try again in 15 minutes.
04:56I sat in the chair, staring at the login screen.
04:59This computer we had bought together was now locked to me.
05:06That evening, Frank came home from work and said while taking off his jacket.
05:10I have a business trip to Chicago tomorrow.
05:12Not sure how long it'll be yet.
05:14I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:16So sudden.
05:17Who are you going with?
05:18It was arranged last minute.
05:20Vivian, can you not be like this?
05:21I watched him in silence.
05:23Not understanding why such a casual question from me would provoke such a big reaction.
05:27You question everything?
05:29You suspect everyone?
05:32I'm just going for work.
05:34I turned away to serve the rice, my hand trembling a little.
05:37It was just a casual question.
05:39He said nothing more and went straight into the bedroom.
05:41Dinner was eaten in silence.
05:43Ethan seemed to sense something and, surprisingly, didn't pick at his food.
05:47After his shower, Frank came out and picked up his coat from the sofa to hang it in the closet.
05:52A small receipt fell out of the pocket and landed at my feet.
05:58After he left, I picked it up and took a look.
06:01It was a perfume receipt, quite expensive, purchased yesterday afternoon.
06:05I had never heard of the perfume's name, but I knew it wasn't for me.
06:09In 10 years of marriage, Frank had never given me a gift again.
06:14Sorry, crazy day at the office.
06:16I used to explain it away for him.
06:18He wasn't romantic, he was busy with work, and was a practical man.
06:22Which one do you like?
06:25Buy whatever you want. I don't have time to shop.
06:27Now, it seemed that it wasn't that he wasn't capable of romance.
06:30It was just that his romance wasn't directed at me.
06:33I noted down the information on the receipt.
06:36Early the next morning, after Frank left for the airport,
06:39I called the Nordstrom counter.
06:41I'd like to look up this receipt.
06:43Yes, from yesterday afternoon.
06:44One moment.
06:45Found it.
06:47Purchaser was a Ms. Wendy Davis.
06:49Wendy Davis.
06:50That name rang a bell.
06:52Frank's secretary.
06:53Hired half a year ago.
06:54A divorced woman in her 30s.
06:56Driving to the airport, I didn't know what I wanted to confirm.
06:59Maybe the perfume was for a client.
07:01Maybe I was overthinking.
07:03I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour before I saw Frank and her.
07:12Wendy was wearing a Burberry trench coat, pulling a small suitcase, walking over together with Frank.
07:17Frank's face wore a relaxed smile I hadn't seen in a long time.
07:21Then in front of the security checkpoint, Wendy stopped and very naturally reached out to straighten Frank's collar.
07:27Frank didn't dodge.
07:28He lowered his head and said something in her ear.
07:30Wendy laughed, then stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.
07:33Frank's hand rested on her waist.
07:35Staying there for a short moment before they parted, as if it had long been a habit.
07:39The last bit of self-deception I had been clinging to vanished completely.
07:43So all those late nights working overtime, all those impatient looks directed at me, now I knew the reason for
07:49them.
07:50Watching their intimate figures, a suspicion gradually surfaced in my mind.
07:55Could the child who was not my biological child have something to do with this woman in front of me?
08:00On the drive back, I called the private investigator I had hired days ago.
08:04Look into one more person for me.
08:07Wendy Davis.
08:08I want to know everything about her, especially whether she has any children.
08:11The investigator worked quickly.
08:13By the next afternoon, I had received the investigation report.
08:16Wendy Davis, 32 years old, divorced 5 years ago, had a 10-year-old son named Leo Davis, attending a
08:23charter school on the west side of town.
08:25That date suddenly leapt out at me.
08:27Wendy's son was only one week younger than Ethan.
08:30For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood surge upward.
08:37I sat on the sofa, holding the report the investigator had sent.
08:41Then a thought struck me, and I ran into the study.
08:47My fingers hovered over the keyboard, then slowly typed in Wendy's birthday.
08:52The desktop opened.
08:55There was only one folder named Work Backup.
08:58I clicked into it.
09:00It was full of subfolders, organized by year, starting from 11 years ago.
09:05The earliest folder contained scanned old photos.
09:07Frank and Wendy were wearing high school uniforms, standing under an oak tree.
09:1219-year-old Frank was smiling, his hand resting on Wendy's shoulder.
09:16Wendy had her hair in a ponytail and was looking up at him.
09:19The next photo was from college.
09:21They were in the library.
09:22The next was a graduation photo.
09:24The two of them in caps and gowns, holding hands.
09:27We have to cancel Napa.
09:29The company's in a rough patch.
09:30That year, Frank told me the company was having difficulties, and we canceled our wedding
09:35anniversary trip to Napa Valley.
09:37I closed the folder, a churning discomfort rising in my stomach.
09:41A decade of deception.
09:42I looked at the wallpaper on the screen, our wedding photo, and felt a wave of nausea.
09:52At 3 in the afternoon, I drove to the west side of town.
09:55That charter school was even more run down than the investigator had described.
09:59The dismissal bell rang, and children poured out of the school gate.
10:03I sat in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:06He walked out alone.
10:07No one was there to pick him up.
10:09He looked left and right, then slowly walked forward along the sidewalk.
10:12I held my breath.
10:14That child, Leo.
10:15No, that was my child.
10:17The way he walked slightly resembled me, with a mild inward turn of his feet.
10:21When he raised his hand to fix his hair, I saw a birthmark on his wrist, in the same
10:26spot as mine.
10:26I saw that there was dust on his eyelashes.
10:29His lips were a bit dry, and the edges of his sneakers had already started peeling.
10:33His eyes were empty, not like those of a 10-year-old child.
10:37I covered my mouth to keep myself from making a sound.
10:40He walked further away and disappeared around the corner.
10:43I collapsed onto the steering wheel and broke down sobbing.
10:47For that child walking home alone, for these 10 years of misplaced lives, and for myself,
10:53living like a fool in a play arranged by others.
10:55Then I wiped away my tears and started the car.
11:11At the law firm, I placed the USB drive in front of attorney David Lee.
11:15In it were backups of all the photos, along with the DNA test report, scanned hospital
11:21records, the perfume receipt, and information on Wendy Chen and Leo.
11:25I want a divorce.
11:26I want him to leave with nothing.
11:28I want custody of the child.
11:30I want him to pay the price he deserves to pay.
11:34Walking out of the law firm, I remembered what Frank had said 10 years ago when he proposed
11:39in Central Park.
11:40Vivian, I'll give you a lifetime of stability.
11:44So his lifetime was only 10 years.
11:46No, maybe not even 10 years.
11:48I took out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder, also an old friend
11:53of my father's.
11:54Uncle Robert, regarding next week's board meeting, there are some things I'd like to
11:57discuss with you first.
11:58Frank had probably forgotten this company's name is Lynn.
12:01He was able to become CEO because I had persuaded my father to give him a chance back then.
12:05I could lift him up, and I could also make his fall very, very ugly.
12:15Two weeks after Frank left, I liquidated everything under my name that could be converted to cash.
12:21These days, every afternoon I went to the area near that charter school on the west side.
12:26Once when it rained, he didn't have an umbrella.
12:29He waited for half an hour under the awning of the convenience store by the school gate,
12:33and in the end ran home in the rain.
12:37I sat in the car, the rain blurring the car window.
12:41On Friday afternoon, I arrived near the school early.
12:44When I saw Leo come out, I got out of the car and pretended to be a passerby walking past.
12:51The folder in my hand fell in front of him.
12:54He paused for a moment, then bent down and picked it up for me.
13:02Thank you, kiddo.
13:04Has your mom not arrived yet?
13:06He shook his head.
13:07Mom is working overtime today.
13:10Then how are you getting home?
13:12I took an unopened bottle of water from my bag and handed it to him.
13:16My bus.
13:16Have some water.
13:17He hesitated for a moment.
13:19Then took it and said thank you quietly.
13:21I noticed that when he spoke, he habitually pressed his lips together slightly.
13:25Just like me.
13:26The shape of his eyes was also similar.
13:28Hooded lids.
13:29The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:31Does your mom often work overtime?
13:33He nodded.
13:34Then shook his head.
13:36Sometimes.
13:38What about your dad?
13:39He didn't speak and looked down at his shoes.
13:41Those sneakers had already started peeling at the edges.
13:44And the left shoelace was broken.
13:46I didn't ask anymore.
13:47Go buy yourself a new pair of shoes.
13:49I took $40 from my wallet and pressed it into his hand.
13:53He stepped back.
13:54No, I can't take this.
13:56Just take it as thanks for helping me pick up the folder.
13:59I put the money into the side pocket of his backpack and turned to leave.
14:05I glanced back.
14:07There was a somewhat lost look in his eyes.
14:12That night, I stood at the doorway of Ethan's room.
14:16He was playing with the Lego set Frank had just bought him.
14:19A limited edition spaceship.
14:21Quite expensive.
14:22I walked in and ruffled his hair.
14:24Mom?
14:25What's wrong?
14:26Is your homework done?
14:28Finished it a long time ago.
14:30Dad said if I make the top ten in the midterms,
14:33he'll take me to Disney World.
14:34I smiled.
14:35That's great.
14:36The moment I turned around,
14:38my smile vanished.
14:41Frank's completely different treatment of the two children
14:44was like a thorn lodged in my heart.
14:46My biological son was wearing peeling shoes
14:49and riding the bus alone
14:50while this child was enjoying everything.
14:55Frank, who had been away on business for two weeks,
14:58finally came home.
14:59He set down his suitcase.
15:01And his first words were,
15:03Where's Ethan?
15:03Why is it so quiet?
15:05I signed him up for an after-school program
15:08two hours in the evening.
15:09Why sign him up all of a sudden?
15:10He's only in fourth grade.
15:12I didn't answer.
15:13I smelled that perfume scent on him.
15:16He walked over to hug me.
15:17I turned aside to avoid him.
15:19Why do you smell like perfume?
15:22Who did you go to dinner with this time?
15:24Vivian, you're getting paranoid again.
15:26It rubbed off from dinner with a client.
15:27Can you stop being like this?
15:29I suddenly found it laughable.
15:31Only now could I see how bad his acting was.
15:34I took an envelope from the coffee table drawer
15:37and slowly pulled out the photos,
15:39laying them out on the table.
15:49Frank's face turned ugly.
15:50He picked up one of the photos
15:52and threw it back onto the table.
15:54You followed me?
15:57I smiled.
16:00Does it matter?
16:01What matters is,
16:02what would happen
16:03if these photos showed up at a board meeting
16:06or were sent to your clients?
16:07He collapsed onto the sofa across from me,
16:10his hands covering his face.
16:12What do you want?
16:13I stared at him,
16:14my voice somewhat cool.
16:15First, fire Wendy
16:16and guarantee you won't see her again.
16:18Second, tell me what happened
16:19at the hospital 10 years ago.
16:20You're insane,
16:21just based on a few photos.
16:22Frank, don't forget,
16:23the company is named Hayes.
16:24My voice was icy.
16:25You are where you are today because of me.
16:27I can give and I can take away.
16:28I almost softened,
16:30but I remembered Leo's peeling shoes,
16:32remembered how he looked waiting alone
16:34for the rain to stop.
16:35For the sake of our 10 years of marriage
16:37and our child,
16:38as long as you do what I say,
16:39we can keep going.
16:41After all, we still have Ethan.
16:44I turned and went to the bedroom,
16:47brought out a document
16:48and handed it over.
16:50It was a pregnancy test report
16:51showing I was five weeks pregnant.
16:54Frank looked at the pregnancy test report,
16:56paused for a second,
16:57then looked up and stared at me.
17:00You're pregnant?
17:01Five weeks.
17:02The doctor said this time it's very stable.
17:04His expression shifted again and again.
17:06So as long as you cut ties with Wendy completely,
17:09make her leave the company and our lives,
17:11I can let the past go.
17:13I continued.
17:14We still have Ethan
17:14and now there's this child too.
17:17Frank's gaze fell on my belly.
17:18There was an obvious struggle in his eyes.
17:21I need to think.
17:22That night,
17:23the light in his room was turned off very late.
17:28The next morning,
17:29as I was drinking coffee,
17:30I watched Frank walk out
17:32with dark circles under his eyes.
17:34I pushed a glass of water toward him.
17:36He silently took it,
17:38but didn't look at me.
17:39I've thought it over, Vivian.
17:43No need to say it.
17:44I cut him off
17:45and pulled the divorce agreement
17:46out of the folder,
17:47placing it on the table.
17:49His expression turned furious.
17:51What do you mean?
17:53Don't we have another child on the way?
17:55I said coldly,
17:56I told you I was pregnant
17:57and you needed an entire night
17:59to consider whether to break up with her?
18:01We have a child on the way.
18:03Can't you think about the child
18:04and about Ethan too?
18:05Child?
18:06I suddenly laughed.
18:07Are you talking about the child
18:08I raised for 10 years
18:11who turned out to be yours and Wendy's?
18:14Frank's face instantly went pale.
18:16He stumbled backward into the table.
18:18How do you know?
18:20When did you find out?
18:22I held my phone up in front of him,
18:24the screen showing a photo
18:26of the DNA test report.
18:28The password was Wendy's birthday.
18:30You've been using it for 10 years, right?
18:36His breathing quickened,
18:38tinged with panic.
18:40Let me explain.
18:42My voice was very calm,
18:44tinged with mockery.
18:46Explain how you switched the babies
18:48when I was giving birth.
18:50Explain how you got Wendy into the company.
18:52Or explain how the two of you
18:54have been laughing behind my back
18:55for 10 years at how stupid I was.
18:58I took a step closer.
19:00The most ridiculous thing is
19:01that occasional guilt you showed
19:03when looking at that child.
19:04Was it guilt for deceiving me
19:06or guilt for not treating
19:07your own son better?
19:09Leo.
19:09Frank suddenly seemed
19:10to remember something.
19:11Where is Leo?
19:12I want to see him.
19:13Too late.
19:15I turned and pulled open the door.
19:17Your son, no, our son,
19:19is now somewhere you can't find him.
19:21Your and Wendy's son
19:22is still upstairs sleeping,
19:23unaware of what choice
19:24his biological father is now facing.
19:26Frank rushed over
19:27and grabbed my arm, furious.
19:29Vivian, you can't do this!
19:31That's my child!
19:32I shook him off.
19:34From the day you switched the babies,
19:36you were no longer fit
19:37to be a father.
19:38Now please leave my home.
19:42After I closed the door,
19:44I heard the sound of him
19:45pounding on it.
19:49Then came the sound
19:50of a car driving away.
19:51I knew where he was going
19:53to find Wendy
19:54and also to find
19:55the biological son
19:56he had lost for 10 years.
19:58But he wouldn't be able
19:59to find Leo.
20:06Three days earlier,
20:08when the private investigator
20:09had given me the information
20:10on Wendy,
20:11I had already gone
20:12to see the child again.
20:13I told him the truth.
20:15He was unusually calm.
20:17In those eyes
20:17that resembled mine
20:18was a maturity
20:19beyond his years.
20:21I always felt like
20:21I wasn't my mom's child.
20:23Otherwise,
20:24why would she be willing
20:25to leave me here
20:25to fend for myself?
20:26I held his hand
20:28and said I would take him away
20:29to start over.
20:31He was silent
20:31for a long time,
20:33then gently nodded.
20:35Yesterday afternoon's flight,
20:36my personal assistant
20:37accompanied him abroad.
20:39Over there was a good school,
20:41a house,
20:41new friends.
20:42Once I finished
20:43handling things
20:44on this end,
20:44I could go reunite
20:46with my son.
20:46The divorce agreement
20:48had been sitting
20:48on the table
20:49for three days.
20:51Frank finally came.
20:53He stood outside the door,
20:54dark circles
20:55under his eyes
20:56and unshaven.
20:57I hadn't seen him
20:58like this in a long time.
21:01Vivian, let's talk.
21:05I leaned against
21:06the door frame
21:07in my loungewear,
21:08not letting him in.
21:09The agreement
21:10is written very clearly.
21:11There's nothing to discuss.
21:12I can't divorce you
21:13for the sake of our 10 years
21:14as husband and wife
21:15and our child.
21:16Which child?
21:17The one in the videos
21:18or the one upstairs?
21:19Frank's face
21:20instantly went pale.
21:21A week earlier,
21:23Wendy had sent over
21:24a pile of files.
21:25When I opened them,
21:26they were videos
21:27one after another.
21:28In the videos,
21:29Leah was crying,
21:30being beaten,
21:31locked in a dark room.
21:32There was another clip
21:33where the child
21:34was only five or six
21:35and was whipped on the back
21:36with a clothes hanger
21:37for spilling milk.
21:38The email had only one line.
21:40Thank you for raising my son
21:41for all these years for me.
21:42I watched them all night
21:43and by dawn,
21:44I had thrown up three times.
21:46He seemed to want to explain.
21:47Those videos,
21:48Wendy,
21:48she sometimes couldn't
21:49control herself.
21:50That's your son.
21:51You went to see her every week
21:52and all you noticed
21:52was that she changed
21:53your perfume
21:53and got new nails?
21:54You never saw the wounds
21:55on your son's body?
21:56He couldn't say a word.
21:58I've already hired a lawyer.
21:59If you don't want to sign,
21:59we'll go to court.
22:00The evidence of switching babies,
22:01the photos of your affair
22:02and those videos,
22:03they will all become evidence.
22:04Are you crazy?
22:05He said in a low voice.
22:06The company is about to go public
22:07and at a time like this.
22:09Before I closed the door,
22:10I said one last thing.
22:11So sign it
22:12while I'm still leaving you some room.
22:17The door closed.
22:18He stood outside
22:19for a long time
22:20before leaving.
22:21Three days later,
22:22Frank signed.
22:23Four days after the divorce,
22:25Frank and Wendy's wedding photos
22:27appeared on Instagram.
22:28Wendy was wearing
22:29a white wedding dress.
22:30Frank had his arm around her,
22:32but his expression
22:33was a bit stiff.
22:33The caption read,
22:3510 years of waiting.
22:36Finally together.
22:37I took a screenshot,
22:39then turned off my phone.
22:40In the afternoon,
22:41attorney David Lee called.
22:42Ms. Hayes?
22:43All the materials are complete.
22:45The transfer records
22:45from the baby switch back then,
22:47his and Wendy's communication logs,
22:48plus the abuse videos
22:49and medical records,
22:50it's enough to file a case.
22:51Thank you for your hard work.
22:52Understood.
22:53He paused for a moment.
22:54But are you really not going
22:55to see him one last time?
22:57He came to the office yesterday
22:58and wanted me to pass on a message.
22:59He said he knows he was wrong.
23:00Too late.
23:02Early the next morning,
23:03the plane took off.
23:04My personal assistant
23:06came to pick me up
23:07at the airport.
23:08She said to me,
23:09Leo has been doing
23:10a bit better this week.
23:11He's starting to be willing to talk.
23:13Yesterday,
23:14he even asked
23:15when you would arrive.
23:16My heart beat faster
23:17for a few moments.
23:19The car stopped
23:20in front of a white house.
23:22In the garden,
23:23a thin little child
23:24was crouching on the ground
23:26watching ants.
23:30I walked over
23:31and crouched down
23:32in front of him.
23:33I'm your mom.
23:34He looked at me
23:34for a long time,
23:36then gave a small nod.
23:37I carefully embraced him.
23:39He didn't pull away.
23:41I'm sorry.
23:42Mommy came too late.
23:43He trembled a little
23:44in my arms.
23:45For the next two weeks,
23:46I didn't work
23:47and focused entirely
23:48on being with him.
23:49I took him to the park.
23:51The first time
23:52he rode the carousel,
23:53he gripped the railing tightly.
23:54I took him to the library
23:56and discovered
23:57he liked books about stars.
23:59At night,
24:00only after he had fallen asleep,
24:02would I dare
24:03to gently stroke his hair.
24:05He still didn't talk much,
24:07but occasionally
24:08he would smile at me.
24:10At three in the morning,
24:11the bedroom door
24:12was gently blown open
24:13a crack by the wind
24:14and faint sobbing sounds
24:16pierced my ears like needles.
24:17I jolted awake
24:18and almost immediately
24:19guessed it was Leo.
24:20Pushing open his door,
24:22moonlight filtered
24:23through the sheer curtains,
24:24casting mottled shadows
24:25on the floor
24:26and illuminating
24:27his small figure
24:27curled up on the bed.
24:29His hands were tightly
24:30clutching the blanket,
24:31knuckles white.
24:31His forehead was covered
24:33in cold sweat.
24:34His brows were furrowed
24:35into a deep frown.
24:36I walked over quickly,
24:38carefully sat on the edge
24:39of the bed
24:39and gently wrapped my arms
24:40around his cold shoulders.
24:42His body stiffened
24:43for an instant,
24:43then he threw himself
24:44into my arms
24:45like a startled fawn,
24:46his crying suppressed
24:47and desperate,
24:48his tears instantly
24:49soaking my pajamas.
24:50That storage room
24:51was so dark,
24:51I called out for so long
24:52and no one answered.
24:53Rats crawled onto my feet.
24:55My heart felt like
24:55it was being repeatedly
24:56cut by a dull knife,
24:58a dense and relentless pain.
24:59Tears fell silently
25:00onto his hair.
25:01I thought of the videos
25:02Wendy had sent.
25:03Of that child locked
25:04in the dark,
25:04shivering.
25:05I thought of the old
25:06and new scars
25:06crisscrossing his body.
25:07I wished I could tear apart
25:08everyone who had hurt him.
25:13When he had cried himself tired
25:15and his breathing
25:16had gradually steadied,
25:18I picked up the small lamp
25:19by the bedside
25:20and gently lifted his sleeve.
25:21On his arm,
25:23light brown scars
25:24crawled like ugly centipedes,
25:26marks from being whipped
25:27with a clothes hanger.
25:29On his back,
25:30there was still a faint bruise,
25:32left from when he had bumped
25:33into the corner
25:34of the storage room
25:35while as a child.
25:36I gently traced those scars
25:37with the pads of my fingers,
25:39with a touch's light
25:40as if I were afraid
25:41of shattering a treasure.
25:43Does it hurt?
25:44He shook his head,
25:45tears still clinging
25:46to his lashes.
25:47Biting his lip,
25:48he said quietly.
25:49It doesn't hurt now,
25:49it's just that sometimes
25:50I dream about it,
25:51dream that I'm locked inside again,
25:53calling for mom,
25:53but mom's not there.
25:54I'm sorry,
25:55mommy came too late.
25:57From now on,
25:57mommy will never let you
25:58suffer again.
25:59That night,
25:59I held him on the sofa
26:00and sat there until dawn.
26:02I told him about how
26:02when I was little
26:03and afraid of thunder,
26:04my dad would hold me
26:05in his arms,
26:05counting stars
26:06and singing nursery rhymes.
26:07I told him about how
26:08when I first took over
26:09the company,
26:09I was bullied by senior employees
26:10and hid in the stairwell to cry,
26:12then wiped my tears
26:13and went back to negotiate.
26:14I told him about
26:14the mischievous interns
26:15at the company
26:16who spilled coffee
26:17on important contracts
26:17and turned pale with fright.
26:19He listened very quietly,
26:20occasionally looking up at me
26:21with those eyes
26:22that looked so much like mine
26:23and asking,
26:24Weren't you scared then,
26:25mom?
26:25I was scared,
26:26but I knew that
26:27as long as I grit my teeth
26:28and push through,
26:29things would get better.
26:30And now,
26:31I have Leo,
26:32so I can't afford
26:33to be scared even more.
26:34He nodded,
26:35half understanding,
26:36and his little hand
26:37quietly gripped my finger.
26:38A few days later,
26:40I made a point
26:41of taking Leo
26:41to the Griffith Observatory
26:43on the outskirts of the city.
26:44We took a bus
26:45through stretches
26:46of wheat fields,
26:47the wind carrying
26:48the scent of grain.
26:49Leo leaned against the window,
26:51his eyes full of wonder.
26:53When night fell,
26:54the observatory dome
26:55slowly opened
26:55and the sky full
26:56of countless stars
26:57spread across
26:58the deep blue canopy
26:58like crushed diamonds,
27:00so dazzling one
27:00couldn't look away.
27:01The guide pointed
27:02at the constellation Orion
27:03and told the legend
27:04of the hunter Orion.
27:05Leo's eyes shone
27:06like stars
27:06and the corner of his mouth
27:08slowly curved
27:08into a faint smile.
27:10On the way home,
27:11the bus swayed gently.
27:12He leaned against my shoulder
27:13and said quietly,
27:14Mom,
27:15the stars so far away,
27:16but just being able
27:17to see them
27:18makes me feel at ease.
27:19I held his hand tightly,
27:21feeling the warmth
27:22of his palm.
27:22My heart filled
27:23with tenderness.
27:24I knew that the wounds
27:25buried deep in his heart
27:26wouldn't disappear completely
27:27because of one trip
27:28to the observatory,
27:29just like those old scars.
27:30No matter how much care
27:32you give them,
27:32they still leave faint marks.
27:34But as long as I stayed
27:35by his side,
27:36warming him bit by bit
27:37with love and patience,
27:38the starlight would eventually
27:39pierce through the darkness
27:40and illuminate the road
27:42ahead of him.
27:45That afternoon,
27:46we were making cookies
27:47in the kitchen
27:48when the doorbell rang.
27:49Claire went to answer the door.
27:51I heard her say,
27:52Mr. Miller?
27:53The flower sifter in my hand
27:55dropped onto the counter.
27:56He was dragging
27:57an old suitcase in his hand.
27:58Vivian,
27:59I've been searching
28:00for half a month.
28:01I wiped my hands,
28:02walked out of the kitchen,
28:03and pulled the door shut.
28:05Now you know.
28:06You can leave.
28:07He looked toward
28:08the thin little figure
28:09in the kitchen and said,
28:10I want to see the child.
28:12Our child.
28:14These days,
28:15I keep dreaming.
28:16Dreaming of him
28:16when he was little.
28:18Dreaming of Wendy
28:18hitting him.
28:19I never knew.
28:20You should have known.
28:21You just chose not to.
28:23He looked at my belly
28:24and asked,
28:24Is the child still there?
28:25Of course the child
28:26is still there.
28:27The doctor says
28:28everything is fine
28:29and the baby
28:29will be born next spring.
28:30His face darkened
28:31and his emotions
28:32suddenly became
28:33very agitated.
28:34He charged toward me.
28:35I sidestepped to dodge.
28:37He stumbled and crashed
28:38into the entryway cabinet.
28:39Vivian,
28:39I want to see my son.
28:41You can't do this.
28:42Frank,
28:42what you should be worried
28:44about right now
28:44isn't where my son is,
28:46but whether your son
28:47can be born safely.
28:49If you want your son
28:50to be born safely,
28:51deal with Wendy first.
28:53Settle the messy accounts
28:54between yourselves.
28:55After saying this,
28:56I threw him out.
28:57Now even looking at him
28:58disgusted me deeply.
28:59As I closed the door,
29:00I saw Frank collapse
29:02onto the ground,
29:02running his hands
29:03through his hair.
29:04He looked utterly pathetic.
29:06Fine.
29:07Let them put on
29:07their own dog eat dog show.
29:12Not long after,
29:14attorney David Lee called.
29:15Miss Lynn,
29:15it got very ugly,
29:16but the situation
29:17isn't as favorable
29:17as we'd hoped.
29:18It turned out that
29:19Frank and Wendy
29:19had already divorced
29:20and were now battling
29:21in court against each other.
29:23Wendy was shouting
29:23herself horse in court.
29:25Exposing how Frank
29:26had used his position
29:26to transfer money
29:27to her over the years,
29:28how he had promised
29:29to divorce and marry her,
29:30and how his attitude
29:31had abruptly changed
29:32after learning I was pregnant.
29:33I gripped my phone tightly,
29:35listening to the words
29:36on the other end,
29:37but my expression
29:38remained very calm.
29:39However,
29:39Frank shifted all the blame
29:40onto Wendy,
29:41saying she coerced him
29:43into switching the babies.
29:44The trial lasted
29:45a full two days.
29:46In the end,
29:47Wendy was sentenced
29:48to three years
29:48on multiple charges
29:49including child abduction,
29:51document forgery,
29:52and commercial fraud.
29:53Frank,
29:53on the other hand,
29:54got himself off
29:54completely clean.
29:55He wept in court,
29:57saying he was also a victim,
29:58manipulated by Wendy
29:59for ten years.
30:00That excuse
30:01sounded utterly absurd,
30:02but the jury bought it,
30:03or rather,
30:04the lawyer Frank hired
30:05was truly formidable.
30:06Before hanging up,
30:07attorney David Lee
30:08said quietly,
30:09Miss Hayes,
30:09I'm sorry,
30:10this result is far
30:11from ideal.
30:12If you're willing,
30:13we can plan the next step.
30:14It's enough.
30:14I cut him off.
30:15At least my child is back.
30:18Leo was doing his homework.
30:20I walked over
30:21and asked him,
30:22Liko,
30:23mommy made sure
30:24the bad people
30:24were punished
30:25but maybe not heavily enough.
30:26Do you blame me?
30:28He looked up.
30:29Mom,
30:29I know very well
30:30who has been good to me
30:31and who hasn't.
30:32I covered my mouth,
30:34unable to hold back tears.
30:35He lowered his head
30:36and continued writing,
30:37adding quietly,
30:38You look really ugly
30:39when you cry.
30:40I laughed out loud,
30:42crying and laughing
30:43at the same time.
30:47These days,
30:48I had been desperately
30:49trying to make up
30:50for 10 years
30:51of lost maternal love.
30:52I transferred my company shares
30:54into his name.
30:55Though he was still young,
30:56I knew what the security meant.
30:58The school I found
30:59was the best private
31:00international program
31:01in the area.
31:02The principal looked
31:03at his previous transcripts
31:05and frowned deeply.
31:06For the past 10 years,
31:08Wendy had barely paid
31:09any attention
31:09to his studies,
31:11essentially leaving him
31:12to sink or swim
31:13on his own.
31:13His schoolwork lagged
31:15far behind that
31:16of children his age.
31:17I hired three private tutors,
31:19rotating through English,
31:20math and science.
31:22Leah worked very hard,
31:24studying late into the night
31:25every day.
31:26One morning before dawn,
31:27I brought him milk
31:28and saw him slumped
31:30over his desk asleep,
31:31still clutching a pen
31:32in his hand.
31:33I didn't wake him.
31:35I just gently draped
31:36a blanket over him.
31:38On Friday afternoon,
31:39I want to pick up
31:40Leo from school.
31:41The school gate
31:41was crowded with parents.
31:43Leo ran out
31:44carrying his new backpack,
31:45his face flushed
31:46from exercise.
31:47Mom!
31:48I passed my math quiz today!
31:50Just as I was about
31:51to take the test paper,
31:52out of the corner of my eye,
31:54I caught a figure
31:55behind the glass window
31:56of the Starbucks
31:56across the street.
31:58Frank,
31:59sitting in the corner,
32:00with dark stubble
32:01on his chin,
32:02looking very haggard,
32:04not a trace left
32:04of the confidant,
32:06commanding presence
32:07he'd once had
32:07as the company's CEO.
32:09Leo followed my gaze.
32:11I took his hand and said,
32:12Come on,
32:13let's go home.
32:16Just as I turned around,
32:18hurried footsteps
32:19sounded from behind.
32:21Frank had already
32:22crossed the street
32:22and was blocking our way.
32:24Vivian,
32:25can we talk?
32:30I motioned for Leo
32:31to get in the car first,
32:32then looked at the man
32:33before me and said,
32:34There's nothing left
32:35to talk about between us.
32:36Wendy is already in prison.
32:37I've taken care of everything.
32:38I've cut ties with her completely.
32:39Frank,
32:40Wendy was sent to prison
32:41by the lawyer I hired.
32:42Does that have to do with you?
32:44Weren't you the pathetical victim
32:45crying the hardest in court?
32:46I know I was wrong, Vivian.
32:48For the sake of the child,
32:50please forgive me this once.
32:51His gaze fell on my belly.
32:53Child?
32:54Yes, our child.
32:55I slowly smoothed
32:56the wrinkles from my jacket.
32:57Oh, that.
32:58It was fake.
32:59Frank froze.
33:00His eyes widened enormously.
33:02I took a step forward
33:04so he could see
33:04my flat stomach more clearly.
33:06It's been months.
33:07If I were really pregnant,
33:09I should be showing by now,
33:10shouldn't I?
33:14His gaze lingered on my belly
33:16for a very long time.
33:17It doesn't matter.
33:19It doesn't matter
33:19even without this child.
33:21We still have Leo.
33:22We still have 10 years of feelings.
33:24Frank, stop dreaming.
33:25Wake up.
33:25He acted as if he hadn't heard me
33:27and suddenly seemed
33:28to remember something.
33:29He pulled a Tiffany blue velvet box
33:31from the briefcase he was carrying.
33:33Then came the second.
33:34The third.
33:35He placed all the boxes
33:36on the ground.
33:37The small velvet boxes
33:39lined up on the ground in a row.
33:40It was somewhat laughable.
33:42I bought one every year.
33:43I just never gave them to you.
33:44Now I'm giving them all to you, okay?
33:45Please just give me one more chance.
33:46I crouched down
33:47and opened the nearest box.
33:48Inside was a diamond necklace.
33:50The pendant in the shape
33:51of an iris.
33:51My favorite flower.
33:52Once upon a time,
33:53I would have been ecstatic
33:54over such a gift.
33:55Now all I felt was disgust.
33:57A nauseating sensation.
33:58I stood up,
33:59put the necklace back in the box
34:00and said,
34:01Frank, the time when I loved you most
34:02was when I would be so worried
34:04I couldn't sleep
34:04if you didn't reply to my messages.
34:06When I would make soup
34:07and bring it to the office
34:08when you worked late.
34:09When everything felt worth it
34:10the moment you said
34:10you've worked hard, honey.
34:12That time when I loved you most
34:13is long gone.
34:14To me now,
34:14these are no different than trash.
34:16He seemed to want to say something
34:17but nothing came out.
34:19Quickly,
34:20his shoulders slumped.
34:21His whole body looked
34:22as if his spine
34:22had suddenly been ripped out.
34:24I didn't look at him again.
34:25I turned and walked toward the car.
34:27To me,
34:28none of it mattered anymore.
34:32Three years later,
34:33late autumn,
34:34Leo had grown much taller,
34:36his height reaching my shoulder.
34:38Mom,
34:39can you come to the
34:39parent-teacher conference next week?
34:41Of course.
34:42For my son's
34:43parent-teacher conference,
34:44I'd go even if the sky were falling.
34:45In these three years,
34:47Leo had become so mature
34:48and considerate
34:49it broke my heart.
34:50He would make his own pasta
34:51when I worked late
34:52and he remembered
34:53to bring two umbrellas
34:54on rainy days.
34:55His grades had climbed
34:56from the bottom
34:57to the middle of the class
34:58and he spoke English
34:59better than some local kids.
35:01Teachers said he had resilience.
35:03Neighbors praised him
35:04for being well-behaved.
35:05So polite.
35:06Thank you,
35:06he really is.
35:07Only I knew
35:08what lay behind this maturity.
35:10On weekend evenings,
35:11we made dumplings together.
35:13The dumplings Leo made
35:14were always excessively neat,
35:16every fold identical.
35:17Leo in front of mom,
35:18you don't have to be this obedient.
35:20The hand he was using
35:21to pinch the dumplings
35:21paused for a moment.
35:23I crouched down
35:23and looked into his eyes.
35:24You can throw tantrums.
35:26Be difficult.
35:27Say no like other children do.
35:29Mommy doesn't love you
35:29because you're well-behavedly.
35:30I love you simply
35:31because you're you.
35:32But if I do something wrong,
35:34will you not want me anymore?
35:35I pulled him into my arms.
35:37Never.
35:38The most right thing
35:38I've ever done in my life
35:39was finding.
35:40He didn't speak for a long time.
35:42Finally,
35:43he nodded gently.
35:46Leo's elementary school
35:47was holding an open house.
35:49I deliberately ended
35:50my company meeting early
35:51and drove to the school.
35:52The autumn sunshine
35:53was just right,
35:54filtering through the gaps
35:55in the leaves
35:55and spilling onto the playground.
35:57Warm and pleasant.
35:58Leo was participating
35:59in a relay race,
36:01running the last leg.
36:02His small figure
36:03was like a gust of wind,
36:04charging toward the finish line
36:05with everything he had.
36:07The moment he crossed
36:08the finish line,
36:09I couldn't help but stand up
36:10and applaud and cheer.
36:11He happened to look back
36:12right then
36:13and when he saw me,
36:14a radiant smile
36:15spread across his face,
36:16a smile so pure and bright
36:18that it made me feel
36:19all the sacrifices
36:20had been worth it.
36:21As the event was winding down
36:22and parents were leaving
36:23in twos and threes,
36:24I was holding Leo's hand,
36:25about to head to a nearby
36:26ice cream shop
36:27to make good on the promise
36:28of finish the race
36:29and you get a sundae.
36:30When a woman in a faded,
36:31cheap trench coat
36:32suddenly rushed over
36:33and blocked our path.
36:34It was Wendy.
36:35She was out of prison.
36:36Her hair was dry
36:37and brittle.
36:38Hastily tied
36:39at the back of her head,
36:40her face was sallow
36:41from prolonged malnutrition.
36:42Only her eyes,
36:43shot through with red veins
36:45and gleaming
36:45with venomous resentment,
36:47stared fixedly at me.
36:48Vivian,
36:49what gives you the right
36:50to take my son away?
36:51Her voice was shrill
36:53and grating,
36:53like fingernails
36:54scraping across glass,
36:56instantly drawing
36:57sidelong glances
36:58from many nearby parents.
37:00Some stopped in their tracks
37:02and eyed us curiously.
37:08I instinctively pulled Leo
37:09behind me,
37:10shielding him completely
37:11and looked coldly at Wendy.
37:12Leo was never your son.
37:14You gave him nothing
37:14but abuse and neglect,
37:15not a shred of maternal love.
37:17You are not fit to be his mother.
37:18I carried him for nine months
37:19and gave birth to him.
37:20My blood runs through his veins.
37:21Wendy was so agitated
37:22she tried to lunge at me,
37:23but fortunately the school security guards
37:25arrived just in time
37:26and stopped her.
37:26She struggled,
37:27her hair coming loose,
37:28looking somewhat deranged.
37:29Or the company is gone
37:30and now I'm not even allowed
37:32to see my own son.
37:33Leo peeked out from behind me.
37:35There wasn't a trace of fear
37:36on his small face.
37:38He looked at Wendy
37:39with eyes that were calm
37:40beyond his years.
37:41I don't have a mother like you.
37:42You hit me,
37:43locked me in a dark room,
37:45never once cooked me a meal
37:46and never once came
37:47to pick me up from school.
37:49Mom Vivian is my real mom.
37:50She does homework with me,
37:52takes me to the park
37:53and makes me good food.
37:54Wendy froze
37:55as if she had never imagined
37:56that the child she had carried
37:57for nine months
37:58and given birth to
37:59would say such words to her.
38:00She stared blankly at Leo.
38:01A few seconds later,
38:02she suddenly broke down
38:03into a bitter, piercing whale.
38:05I was forced back then.
38:06Frank only cared about your money.
38:08Do you know how much pressure
38:09I was under?
38:10I had no choice but to hit him.
38:11Pressure is not an excuse
38:12for abusing a child.
38:13I took out my phone
38:14and opened a pre-safe folder.
38:15Inside were Leo's medical records
38:17from that time,
38:18photos of the scars on his body
38:19and backup copies of the videos
38:20of Wendy abusing him.
38:22These are all evidence.
38:23If you keep immediately
38:23have my lawyer file a motion
38:25and apply for a restraining order
38:26permitting you from coming
38:27within 10 meters of Leo.
38:28Just then,
38:28a familiar figure
38:29came running over in a hurry.
38:30It was Frank.
38:31He looked even more haggard
38:33than three years ago.
38:34More than half of his hair
38:34had turned gray.
38:35The wrinkles at the corners
38:36of his eyes
38:37were deep enough to trap dust.
38:38He was wearing
38:39an ill-fitting jacket
38:40and looked utterly disheveled.
38:45When he saw Wendy,
38:46his brow immediately furrowed
38:48and his tone
38:49was full of impatience.
38:50What are you doing here?
38:52Didn't I tell you
38:53to stay away from them?
38:54Frank's gaze fell on Leo,
38:56his eyes incredibly complicated.
38:58Guilt,
38:58reluctance to let go,
39:00and a hint of helplessness.
39:01Vivian, I'm sorry.
39:02He opened his mouth
39:03as if to say something,
39:04but in the end
39:05only turned to me
39:06and said quietly,
39:07I didn't speak.
39:08I just watched him coldly.
39:10This man,
39:10who back then,
39:11for personal gain
39:12and selfish desires,
39:13switched his own
39:14biological son.
39:15Leaving Leo to suffer
39:16for ten years,
39:17and then after the truth
39:18came out,
39:18shifted all the blame
39:19onto Wendy
39:20and got himself off scot-free.
39:22Now his repentance
39:22and apology were worth
39:24absolutely nothing
39:25in my eyes.
39:25Mom, let's go.
39:26I don't want to see them.
39:27I crouched down
39:28and smoothed his windmessed
39:29hair from his forehead,
39:31my voice gentle.
39:31Alright.
39:32Let's go have that sundae.
39:34I took Leo's hand
39:35and turned to leave.
39:36Not sparing a single glance
39:38back at Wendy
39:39and Frank behind us.
39:40From behind us
39:41came the sound
39:41of Wendy's wailing
39:42and Frank's attempts
39:43to calm her,
39:44along with the murmuring
39:46of the surrounding parents.
39:47But all of that
39:48no longer had anything
39:49to do with us.
39:50Leo held my hand tightly,
39:52his step steady,
39:53not looking back.
39:55That afternoon,
39:56I took Leo
39:56to eat his favorite
39:57chocolate sundae.
39:58He got it all over his face,
39:59like a little kitten.
40:00I took out a tissue
40:01and gently wiped
40:02the ice cream
40:03from the corners of his mouth.
40:04Mom,
40:04the sundae is really sweet.
40:07Every day from now on
40:08can be this sweet.
40:09I looked into his bright eyes,
40:11my heart completely clear
40:12and at peace.
40:13The dust of the past
40:14might occasionally
40:14be stirred up by the wind,
40:15but as long as Leo
40:16and I were together,
40:17walking forward side by side,
40:19we would surely move
40:20toward a brighter,
40:21warmer future.
40:22Those who had hurt us
40:23would ultimately
40:23be left behind
40:24in the dust,
40:25never able to affect
40:26our lives again.
40:29The late autumn rain
40:30came without warning.
40:31At dismissal time,
40:32heavy raindrops
40:33pelted noisily
40:34against the ground
40:35and the school gate
40:35was crowded with parents
40:36picking up their children.
40:38Holding an umbrella,
40:39I stood under the old oak tree
40:40we had agreed on
40:41and saw from a distance
40:42Leo walking out
40:43with his backpack,
40:43side by side
40:44with a classmate,
40:45a faint smile
40:45on his small face.
40:46This was the first time
40:47he had voluntarily
40:48walked out of school
40:49with a classmate.
40:50Just then,
40:50a woman in a red raincoat
40:52suddenly rushed over,
40:53grabbed Leo's arm,
40:54and said in a sharp voice,
40:55Leo, come with me.
40:56Your mother is suffering
40:57in there.
40:57How can you be here
40:58living the good life?
40:59Who are you?
41:00I don't know you.
41:00I'm your aunt.
41:01That woman, Vivian,
41:02is a liar.
41:03She snatched you away
41:03from your real mother.
41:04You can be dumb and bun.
41:05With me,
41:05I'll take you to see your mom.
41:06The surrounding parents
41:08turned to look.
41:09A few kind-hearted people
41:10wanted to step forward
41:11and ask what was going on,
41:13but were forced back
41:14by Kelly's fierce glare.
41:16Leo's classmate
41:17was so frightened
41:17he stood rooted to the spot,
41:19not knowing what to do.
41:24My heart clenched.
41:25I rushed over quickly,
41:27pried Kelly's hand off
41:28with one motion,
41:29and shielded Leo behind me,
41:30my voice cold as ice.
41:32Let go of him.
41:33You have no right
41:34to touch my child.
41:36Kelly stumbled a step.
41:38After studying herself,
41:39she looked me up and down,
41:41her eyes full of jealousy
41:42and venom.
41:43Thief!
41:44You stole my sister's man,
41:45stole her money,
41:46and now you've stolen her child!
41:48How can you live with yourself?
41:49Conscience?
41:50I gave a cold laugh.
41:51The videos of your sister
41:52abusing Leo back then,
41:53the transfer records
41:54her and Frank conspying
41:55to switch the babies,
41:56and the proof that you,
41:57who as in the know,
41:57accepted benefits from Frank.
41:58I have all of it right here.
41:59Tell me,
42:00if this really went
42:01to the police station,
42:02whose conscience would be
42:02the one that come and hold up?
42:04The murmuring around us
42:05grew louder and louder.
42:07Some parents took out their phones
42:08and started recording video,
42:09and someone had already
42:11quietly contacted
42:12the school security guards.
42:13Kelly's face flushed red
42:14and then turned pale.
42:15Looking at the crowd
42:16that had gathered,
42:17a hint of panic
42:18crept into her eyes.
42:22She was still putting up
42:24a brave front,
42:25but had unconsciously
42:26taken a step back.
42:27I just want the child
42:28to know his real family.
42:30Leo suddenly stepped out
42:31from behind me,
42:31his small body
42:32standing very straight,
42:33his eyes steady
42:34as he looked at Kelly.
42:35Know his real family?
42:36I don't have an aunt like you,
42:37and I don't have a mother like that.
42:38Mom, Vivian's my real mom.
42:39She doesn't hit me,
42:40doesn't lock me up,
42:40cheats with meals,
42:41take me to school,
42:41and protects me.
42:42Go away.
42:43I don't want to see you
42:43ever again.
42:44Kelly stood stunned,
42:45looking at the clear
42:46yet distant expression
42:47in Leo's eyes.
42:48She opened her mouth
42:49but couldn't say a single word.
42:50At that moment,
42:51the school security guards
42:52and the homeroom teacher
42:53hurried over.
42:53Seeing the scene,
42:54the homeroom teacher
42:55immediately stepped
42:56in front of us.
42:57I must ask you
42:57to leave the school
42:58entrance immediately
42:58or we will call the police.
43:00Kelly saw more and more
43:01people gathering around
43:01and knew that continuing
43:02to make a scene
43:03wouldn't end well for her.
43:04She shot me a vicious glare,
43:05muttered,
43:06just you wait,
43:07turned and rushed
43:08into the rain,
43:08quickly disappearing
43:09around the street corner.
43:10The rain was still falling.
43:11A few strands of Leo's hair
43:13were damp from the splashing
43:14rainwater,
43:15plastered against his forehead.
43:16Did that scare you?
43:16Mom,
43:17I'm not scared
43:18because I knew
43:19you would come to save me.
43:20Silly child,
43:21Mommy will always
43:22be by your side.
43:23No matter what happens,
43:24I won't let anyone hurt you.
43:25Mrs. Hayes,
43:26I really didn't expect
43:27something like this to happen.
43:29Leo has had quite a fright today.
43:31Would you like to take him
43:31to the office first
43:32for some hot cocoa?
43:33Thank you, Mrs. Wong.
43:34I nodded and,
43:35holding Leo's hand,
43:36walked into the school building.
43:40In the office,
43:41the warmth of the hot cocoa
43:42traveled through the cup
43:43to his palms.
43:44Leo held the cup
43:45and said quietly,
43:45Mom,
43:46was what that aunt said
43:48true?
43:49Was I really born from Wendy?
43:51I crouched down,
43:52looked into his eyes,
43:53and said seriously,
43:54Leo,
43:55you are mom's biological son.
43:56As for who gave birth to you,
43:57that's not what's important.
43:59What's important is
44:00who raised you with love,
44:01who's willing to go
44:02to any lengths
44:02to protect you.
44:03In mom's heart,
44:04you are my treasure,
44:05the person I most want
44:06to protect in this lifetime.
44:07He blinked,
44:08his eyes reddening a little,
44:09but he nodded firmly.
44:10I understand, Mom.
44:12I only recognize you as my mom.
44:14That night,
44:14for the first time,
44:15Leo voluntarily told me
44:16about how Wendy
44:17would occasionally bring
44:18Kelly to the house.
44:19Aunt Kelly always cursed
44:20at me for being stupid,
44:21said I wasn't as well-behaved
44:23as Ethan,
44:23and would secretly
44:24take my things.
44:25Back then I used to thought,
44:26if only I had a mom
44:27who truly loved me.
44:28I pulled him into my arms
44:29and gently patted his back.
44:31That will never happen again.
44:33Mommy will give you
44:34all her love
44:34and make sure you're happy
44:35every single day.
44:36The rain outside the window
44:37gradually stopped,
44:39and moonlight filtered
44:40through the clouds,
44:41illuminating a corner
44:42of the room.
44:43I met Daniel
44:44at a community book club.
44:46I had accompanied Leo
44:47to borrow books,
44:48and was drawn in
44:49by a sharing session
44:50on women's autobiographies.
44:51Daniel was the host,
44:53in his early 40s,
44:54and spoke with a gentle
44:55yet compelling voice.
44:57After the session ended,
44:58he stopped me at the door
44:59and said,
44:59Your perspective just now
45:00was very unique.
45:01Could I get to know you?
45:02That was how
45:03our conversation began.
45:05Daniel was a locally born
45:06Chinese American,
45:08his family originally
45:09from San Francisco.
45:10Divorced for five years,
45:12his daughter lived
45:13with her mother.
45:14He was a middle school
45:15history teacher
45:16and volunteered
45:17at the community center
45:18in his spare time.
45:19For our first official date,
45:21we went to the
45:21California Science Center,
45:23and of course,
45:24Leo came along too.
45:26Daniel didn't try too hard
45:27to win the child over.
45:29In the space exhibition area,
45:31he naturally started
45:32talking about the Apollo program.
45:34You know why astronauts
45:35bring a knife to space?
45:36Leo shook his head.
45:37To fix equipment.
45:39The most dangerous thing
45:40in space is a loose screw.
45:41Leo's laugh was very relaxed.
45:50Another spring had passed
45:51when Daniel came over
45:53for dinner at our home.
45:54After the meal,
45:55Leo did his homework
45:56and Daniel and I
45:57had tea on the patio.
45:58The night was cool.
46:00He draped his jacket
46:01over my shoulders.
46:03Leo has made
46:04some new friends recently.
46:05I saw him playing basketball
46:07with classmates.
46:08I was a bit surprised.
46:10The child had always
46:11been alone before.
46:12Children need time.
46:13And so do you.
46:15He paused for a moment.
46:16That night,
46:17I told him about
46:18what happened 10 years ago.
46:19Daniel listened quietly.
46:21Only after I had finished
46:22did he gently take my hand.
46:24Walking through all of that alone,
46:25it must have been so hard.
46:27Those words made my eyes redden.
46:29So what I had needed
46:30was someone to see
46:31the weight behind the strength.
46:33Mom, if you like Uncle Daniel,
46:35you can be with him.
46:36When he said this,
46:37Leo was assembling
46:38a model airplane.
46:39Why are you suddenly saying this?
46:40I stared at him stunned.
46:41Because when you look at him,
46:43you smile.
46:43A real smile.
46:44Not the fake kind.
46:46I sat down beside him.
46:47And what do you think about it?
46:48I hope someone loves you
46:50the way you love me.
46:51You deserve that.
46:52I hugged him.
46:53He had grown up
46:54without my noticing.
46:56Falling in love with Daniel
46:57was different from
46:58how it was when I was 20.
46:59No wild passion.
47:00No anxiety.
47:01It was a steady
47:01kind of intimacy.
47:03After dinner,
47:03we would take walks together.
47:04Listening to me talk about
47:06the trivial things at work
47:07and things about Leo's school.
47:08Even the sale items
47:09at Whole Foods.
47:09Leo gradually accepted
47:11this rhythm.
47:12One day when I came home
47:13from working late,
47:14I saw them playing chess
47:15in the living room
47:15and soup was simmering
47:16in the kitchen.
47:17The aroma filling the house.
47:18In that moment,
47:19I realized that the happiness
47:21I'd thought was out of reach
47:22had long since landed gently
47:23in the palm of my hand.
47:24placed in the house.
47:25Within the home
47:25and the other
47:27are very clear.
47:28The heart of myymys
Comments