- 6 hours ago
حين تنطق الوريثة بالحكم
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Short filmTranscript
00:03I was born with a curse.
00:05Whoever I do dies exactly as I say.
00:09When I was five, the trafficker who kidnapped me beat me half to death because I wouldn't
00:13stop crying.
00:14You'll be crushed into meat paste by a truck.
00:17The words barely left my lips when a runaway assembly barreled through the gate and flattened
00:22so thoroughly.
00:24Later, at the orphanage, the director embezzled our food and locked me in the punishment closet
00:28for days.
00:30You will choke to death on your own greed.
00:33That very noon, he died at the dinner table, a chunk of expensive steak lodged in his throat.
00:39After that, I became the monster everyone feared.
00:43So I learned to shut my mouth and play mute until the day the Sterling family found me
00:48and brought me home.
00:50You're doing very well.
00:51The past studies in your six months, you're going to start learning how to do business.
00:54In the future, you'll become an outstanding giz.
00:56Your younger sister you get would learn from you.
00:58By the way, our family is engaged in a marriage with the Blackstone family, and your fiance's
01:03name is Julian.
01:06But I'd only been there one day when I pushed open the front door and saw Lydia, the adopted
01:11sister, sobbing in my fiance's arms.
01:14Julian, does Everly hate me now?
01:17She whimpered.
01:19She's been spreading rumors at the office, claiming I slept with Mr. Harrington to secure
01:23the Westside Development deal, and that I caught syphilis from him.
01:27My mother stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
01:31Your sister is innocent!
01:32How dare you spread such vile lies about her!
01:35I knew it.
01:36You grew up poor and bitter, and now you're rotting from jealousy.
01:40Get to your room and don't come out until I say so.
01:43I covered my face, saw the smug look in Lydia's eyes, and sneered.
01:47You think I'm spreading rumors?
01:49Fine.
01:50Then you'd better be ready with the consequences when I open my mouth.
01:56Mom, Dad, look, Evelyn's laughing.
02:00My mother's chest heaved with fury, and she grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled
02:04the scalding liquid straight into my face.
02:06You cursed brat!
02:08I should never have brought you back!
02:10We gave you everything.
02:13Food, clothes, a home, and this is how you repay us?
02:17Slandering your own sister at the company.
02:19How can you be so vicious?
02:21I bit down hard on my tongue until I tasted iron.
02:24Evelyn, I told you from the start.
02:26You don't belong in the Sterling family, and you sure as hell don't deserve to be my fiancé.
02:30If Lydia hadn't begged me to give you a chance, I would have called off this engragement ages ago.
02:35Now get on your knees and apologize to her, or I'm ending this farce right now.
02:39I lowered my head, staring at the puddle of tea soaking into the marble floor, and said nothing.
02:44My curse has always been absolute.
02:46Once I speak, fate obeys without fail.
02:49In the six months since they brought me home, the Sterlings gave me something I'd never had before.
02:54Warmth.
02:55When I had a fever, my mother stayed up all night, changing cold compresses on my forehead.
02:59My father, who never cooked, clumsily made me pork chops and gave me the first piece.
03:04Even my brother, who swore he'd never accept me, started sneaking pastries into my bag.
03:10My mother would stroke my face with tears in her eyes, and whisper that she was sorry for the years
03:15I'd suffered alone.
03:16My father even drove me to the office himself, saying I needed to start building connections,
03:21because one day, the entire Sterling empire would be mine.
03:24To protect this fragile sliver of warmth, I'd finally found, I sealed my lips shut.
03:30Seeing my silence, Lydia's sobs grew louder.
03:35Does Evelyn think she can just play dumb and get away with this?
03:38She's been spreading those disgusting lies, it's about me all over the company.
03:42Everyone's looking at me like I'm dirty now.
03:44How am I supposed to show my face in this industry again?
03:47Julian's face twisted in rage, and he stormed over and grabbed the fine chain around my neck, yanking hard.
03:54Pain seared across my skin.
03:56Six months ago, my mother had recognized me because of this necklace.
03:59She said she'd put it on me the day I was born, a mark of my identity as the sole
04:04legitimate heir.
04:06I lunged forward, trying to grab me.
04:08Give it back!
04:09Julian sidestepped the stick, letting me crash to the floor.
04:12Don't touch me! If you come near me again, I'll call the cops and tell them you assaulted me!
04:15Right then, right in front of me, he placed the necklace around Lydia's neck.
04:22A treasure this priceless should only be worn by someone pure and kind like Lydia.
04:28A vicious, foul-mouthed nobody like you would only taint it.
04:33Before I could get back on my feet, my brother came charging down the stairs and grabbed me by the
04:38collar.
04:39I knew we shouldn't have brought you back, you filthy charity case!
04:45It was Lydia who begged to be kind to you.
04:48She even gave up her own bedroom to you!
04:51And for the past six months, she's handed you every good thing she's ever had!
04:56And this is how you repay her?
04:58You ungrateful snake!
05:01Butler!
05:02Lock this trash in her room right now!
05:04No one gives her a single drop of water without my permission, understood?
05:08Two security guards rushed forward, dragged me upstairs.
05:12I was locked in that room for seven days straight.
05:16Every night, the maid would slide a single bowl under the door.
05:20Inside was nothing but cold leftovers and scraps.
05:22Outside, I could hear laughter echoing through the halls.
05:25Before, the perfect little family.
05:27Lydia made sure to parade Julian past my door every single day.
05:32Julian, this watch is too expensive.
05:34Why don't you give it to Evelyn instead?
05:36I know you love me, but Evelyn is their real daughter and she's the one you're technically engaged to.
05:41Maybe we should just end this.
05:43As long as I can see you happy from afar, I'd die a thousand deaths and it would still be
05:47worth it.
05:48Stop talking nonsense.
05:49That piece of trash they dragged back from the gullet isn't even worth carrying your shoes.
05:53Just looking at her pathetic face makes me sick.
05:55Why the hell would I give her something this expensive?
05:59Don't worry, Lydia.
06:00Even if I marry her, I'll never lay a fender on her.
06:03You're the only one I'll ever love.
06:05I leaned against the door.
06:07Wearing something that expensive to bed?
06:09Better be careful.
06:10You might wake up with a stiff neck.
06:13The next morning, Lydia's shrieks tore through the hallway.
06:16It hurts!
06:17My neck!
06:18I can't move it!
06:24Then came my sister's panicked voice, followed by the frantic footsteps of the household staff, scrambling to help.
06:30I sat in the dark, eyes closed, a slow smile spreading across my face.
06:35On the eighth day, the lock finally clicked open.
06:38Lydia stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
06:41Oh my god, Evelyn.
06:43You look like death.
06:44Did you really starve yourself just to guilt trip us?
06:47Come on, get up.
06:49Mom and dad want you at the company.
06:51All you have to do is stand in front of everyone and admit you lied, apologize to me, and we
06:55can all move on.
06:56I pushed myself to my feet and walked toward the door.
07:00The moment I reached the top of the stairs, Lydia leaned in close and whispered in my ear,
07:06You poor little bastard.
07:08Did you really think you could steal my parents and my man?
07:12I froze mid-step and turned to look at her.
07:15Lydia let out a blood-curdling scream.
07:18Evelyn, no!
07:19I swear I won't take the inheritance from you!
07:22Then she threw herself backward and tumbled down the stairs.
07:25Julian bolted toward the staircase.
07:27Lydia!
07:28And my parents and sister came running from every direction.
07:32Lydia lay crumpled at the bottom.
07:34Julian, don't blame Evelyn.
07:36Julian, I just lost my balance.
07:39You've lived in this house for over 20 years and never once fell down these stairs.
07:44There's no way this was an accident.
07:46My mother flew up the steps and landed two brutal slaps across my face.
07:50I was so weak from starvation that the force sent me crashing to the floor.
07:54How did we ever give birth to a monster like you?
07:57I pressed my hand to my burning cheek and stared back at them.
08:01I let out a cold, humorless laugh.
08:03If I really wanted to hurt her, I wouldn't need to lift a finger.
08:05My brother's entire body shook the brain and he kicked over a decorative paint stand.
08:10Mom!
08:11Do you hear this?
08:12Do you hear what she's saying?
08:14Lydia's lying there in pain and Evelyn has the audacity to double down on her threats!
08:21You're still refusing to admit what you've done?
08:23Stop pretending you have some kind of supernatural power, you delusional freak!
08:27My father turned his face away as if even looking at me disgusted him.
08:31Get her out of my sight.
08:32Lock her back in her room now.
08:34I struggled against the guard's grip and let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
08:38You're all playing your parts so well.
08:41Just make sure she doesn't actually break a bone and pass out from the pain.
08:44Lydia suddenly went rigid.
08:46Her head lolled forward and she slumped, unconscious.
08:49My mother screamed.
08:51Someone get her in the car!
08:52We need to get to the hospital now!
08:54The guard scooped Lydia up and sprinted out the door, with my parents and brother racing
08:59after them.
09:00The roar of engines filled the courtyard and within seconds they were gone.
09:04I was thrown back into my room like garbage.
09:07A few days later, Lydia was discharged from the hospital.
09:11My parents shoved me into the car and dragged me straight to the Sterling Group headquarters.
09:15The normally spacious lobby was packed wall-to-wall with employees.
09:19My parents had summoned the entire company to publicly clear Lydia's name.
09:23On the massive LED screen in the center of the room, a video played on loop.
09:27Footage of Lydia handing out backpacks to underprivileged children in remote villages.
09:31And late night shots of her working tirelessly on the West Side Development Project.
09:36My father stepped onto the platform, microphone in hand.
09:40His voice booming across the lobby.
09:43Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great misfortune to announce that we brought home a daughter
09:49of such rotten characters.
09:53Out of pure jealousy, she spread vicious, slanderous rumors about Lydia throughout this company.
09:59She has not only damaged our family's reputation, she has committed an unforgivable moral crime.
10:05The employees, not knowing the full story, began whispering amongst themselves.
10:10Once trash, always trash. Doesn't matter if you put her in a mansion.
10:15I heard she grew up in some backwater foster home.
10:18People from places like that are all liars and thieves.
10:21If she's willing to slander her own sister, there's nothing she wouldn't do.
10:25Lydia, supported by Julian, walked up to me and held out a piece of paper.
10:29A printed confession titled, Statement of Guilt and Apology.
10:33Evelyn, I know why you did this.
10:35All you have to do is sign this, admit you lied, and apologize to me in front of everyone.
10:40Then I'll forgive you.
10:42I stared at her smug face, my chest heaving with barely restrained rage.
10:47I never said those things.
10:48But if I had said you slept with Mr. Harrington?
10:52Before I could finish, Julian's polished Oxford slammed into the back of my knee.
10:57I collapsed onto the marble floor with a sickening crack.
11:00The employees around me erupted in laughter.
11:04Some even pulled out their phones, snapping photos and recording videos of my humiliation.
11:09Karma's a bitch.
11:10Shane tore through me like this.
11:12Karma's a bitch?
11:13And then...
11:14Stop! Evelyn didn't lie! I can prove it!
11:16Everyone froze.
11:18A young woman shoved her way through the crowd.
11:19Stop! Evelyn didn't lie! I can prove it!
11:21She is the intern I'd comforted on my first day at the office, who'd been crying in the break room
11:26after getting chewed out by her supervisor.
11:29She planted herself in front of me, her voice shaking but firm as she pointed at Lydia.
11:34I saw it with my own eyes that night when we were working late!
11:37Lydia got into Mr. Harrington's car, and they were in the back seat together.
11:42The entire lobby went dead silent.
11:45Lydia's face drained of color.
11:46But she recovered quickly, throwing herself into Julian's arms and wailing at the top of her lungs.
11:52Julian! How much did Evelyn pay this girl to lie for her?
11:56First she makes up disgusting rumors, and now she's bribing people to back her up?
12:01What kind of month is anymore? I just want to die.
12:04The crowd's shock instantly morphed into contempt.
12:08Julian's expression darkened, glaring at the intern with pure hatred.
12:12He stepped forward and backhanded her across the face.
12:15The intern lost her balance and hit the floor hard, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
12:21You've gone too far!
12:23Throw this traitorous little bitch out of my building!
12:27Fire her immediately!
12:28Blacklist her from every company in the industry!
12:31I want her name ruined!
12:33Four security guards swarmed the intern,
12:36raining fists and kicks down on her fragile body.
12:38She curled into a ball on the floor.
12:41I knelt on the cold floor, watching the girl who'd been beaten half to death for telling the truth.
12:46I bit down on my lower lip so hard, that blood streamed down my chin, but I didn't even feel
12:51it.
12:52My trust in them shattered completely.
12:56Mom, Dad, Evelyn must be doing this because she's terrified I'll steal her inheritance.
13:02I know she hates me.
13:04She's always hated me for taking away the life that should have been hers all these years.
13:08She clutched my father's pant leg.
13:10As long as you let me stay by your side, I'll be happy even if it kills me.
13:14Julian strode over, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and yanked my head up.
13:18Everyone, take a good look at this vile excuse for a human being.
13:25Today, I, Julian Blackstone, am officially calling off my engagement to her.
13:30Next month, Lydia and I will be having the grandest wedding this city has ever seen.
13:36My father stood on the platform like a judge, passing sentence.
13:40If you don't confess and apologize right now, I will disown you in front of this entire company.
13:46You won't see a single share of Sterling Group stock. Not one.
13:50Julian's designer's shoe pressed down on the back of my hand, grinding my bones into the marble.
13:55The sickening crunch was followed by a wave of agony that shot straight to my skull.
14:00Around me, the crowd roared with laughter, camera flashes exploding in my face.
14:05My parents' disgusted voices echoed in my ears.
14:08I closed my eyes.
14:09The last fragile thread of affection I'd held for the Sterling Group was snapped.
14:13I opened my eyes slowly and spoke.
14:15I'm going to ask you one last time.
14:17Are you absolutely certain you want me to stand in front of all these people and confess that I spread
14:23those rumors?
14:24Of course, you did it. Now own up to it.
14:27My parents and Julian chimed in impatiently.
14:30Stop wasting our time. Apologize already.
14:34Fine. I confess.
14:37I looked at their eager, self-righteous faces.
14:39I said Lydia secured the West Side Development deal by sleeping with Mr. Harrington.
14:43And I said she contracted syphilis from him.
14:46Not only that, but Lydia is now pregnant.
14:48And the baby is Mr. Harrington's.
14:51The entire lobby fell deathly silent.
14:55Lydia froze for a split second.
14:57You all heard that, right?
14:59She finally admitted it!
15:01She made it all up!
15:03Julian let out a cold, mocking laugh.
15:05What are you waiting for? Get on your knees and apologize now!
15:08But just as she reached the peak of her victory,
15:11Lydia let out a blood-curdling scream and collapsed to the ground, clutching her groin.
15:16Blood began pouring down her legs.
15:18Lydia!
15:19Julian's face went white as a sheet, and he rushed to her side.
15:23The company's front doors exploded in them, glass and wood splintering everywhere.
15:28Mr. Harrington's wife, a massive and muscular woman with a crew of bodyguards, stormed into the lobby.
15:34Where the hell is that home-wrecking whore, Lydia Sterling?
15:38He charged forward, grabbed her by the collar, and ripped her out of Julian's arms.
15:42Then he started throwing punches, one after another.
15:47You disgusting slut!
15:49You seduced my husband!
15:51He pulled a stack of medical reports from his jacket, and slammed them onto the floor.
15:55Everyone, look at this!
15:57My husband caught syphids from this filthy parasite!
16:00The lab results scattered across the marble.
16:03The words, stage two syphilis, glaring up at the crowd in red ink.
16:07Julian's face turned ashen, and he staggered backward, staring at the papers in disbelief.
16:11Lydia was already barely conscious from the beating, blood streaming from her mouth.
16:17Julian, it's not true.
16:19I don't have any disease.
16:21This is all Evelyn's doing.
16:23She hired actors to destroy me.
16:25She even faked these medical records.
16:28She's a monster.
16:29She'll do anything to frame me.
16:31She sobbed hysterically.
16:32He looked at the medical reports, melted into pure rage.
16:36Then at Lydia's tear-streaked face, and his doubt vanished entirely.
16:39Get the hell off her!
16:40Julian kicked Mr. Harrington's wife through the chest, and a swarm of security guards surrounded him.
16:46If you touch my fiancé again, you're a dead man.
16:50Then Julian spun around, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at me.
16:55Evelyn, do you ever stop?
16:58You went so far as to hire actors and forge medical documents just to prove your disgusting lives?
17:05Lydia is clean.
17:07There's no way she'd ever catch something that vile.
17:10My father's voice shook with rage.
17:12This is unforgivable!
17:15How did we ever raise such a venomous snake?
17:19You thought of something this despicable?
17:22Something this evil?
17:24My mother was on her knees beside Lydia, stroking her bloodied face.
17:28My poor baby.
17:29How did you end up with such a cool sister?
17:31This is all my fault.
17:35It hurts so much.
17:36Suddenly, Lydia lay out another agonized scream and went low, collapsing in a pool of her own blood.
17:44The puddle beneath her was growing larger by the second.
17:47Julian's face made white.
17:48Lydia!
17:49And he barked orders at the guards.
17:51Get the car!
17:52We're going to the hospital!
17:53Now!
17:54My parents stumbled after them, their faces twisted in panic.
17:58The lobby descended into chaos.
18:00My brother appeared out of nowhere, grabbed me by the collar, and started dragging me toward the exit.
18:06You're coming with us.
18:08If anything happens to Lydia, you're going to pay for it with your life.
18:12He shoved me into the back seat of the car, and my head slammed against the window.
18:17Through the glass, I watched Julian's car speed away, running red lights, and swerving through traffic like a scene from
18:24a disaster movie.
18:25A cold smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
18:28The hospital emergency room hallway was silent.
18:31The only sound was my mother's muffled sobbing.
18:33Finally, the red light above the door went dark, and the doctor stepped out, his expression grim.
18:38Julian and my family immediately swarmed him.
18:41Doctor, how is she?
18:43The doctor sighed.
18:47The patient experienced severe rectal bleeding due to acute ternal hemorrhahalride rupture.
18:52Additionally, there are visible signs of blunt force trauma to the genital area.
18:56She'll need to remain on bed rest.
18:59What?
19:00Hemorrhide bleeding?
19:01And trauma?
19:02Julian's face went slack with shock, and my parents and brother looked equally stunned.
19:07A nurse wheeled Lydia into a VIP room, and we followed.
19:10Lydia's eyes fluttered open, and when she heard the nurse repeating the doctor's instructions,
19:14even she looked genuinely shocked.
19:17But within a second, her brain recalibrated.
19:19She grabbed Julian's hand, tears welling up in her eyes.
19:23Julian, you're not gonna think less of me because I have hemorrhings, are you?
19:29But I swear, I'm innocent.
19:32The injuries down there are because I fought back when Mr. Harrington tried to force himself
19:37on me, and his people beat me up.
19:39This is proof that I stayed loyal to you, that I resisted with everything I had.
19:44Julian's entire body went rigid.
19:46Lydia, you really went through all that for me?
19:49Lydia nodded pitifully.
19:50Of course it was for you.
19:53I didn't want to use this to guilt you into marrying me.
19:56I was going to wait until you'd completely ended things with Evelyn.
19:59Julian was utterly convinced.
20:01He grabbed her hand tightly, his earlier doubts completely erased.
20:04He turned to look at me, his expression twisted with disgust.
20:09Evelyn, what do you have to say for yourself now?
20:13Lydia fought them off to stay faithful to me.
20:15She's devoted her entire heart to me.
20:17How could she possibly be sleeping with Mr. Harrington?
20:21Those people who barged in here were obviously hired by you.
20:25My father let out a long sigh of relief.
20:28He called his assistant.
20:30Send out an internal memo immediately.
20:32Announce that Lydia and the Blackstone family will be moving forward with the engagement.
20:36As for that ridiculous slander my daughter spread.
20:38It's been completely debunked.
20:39And send those thugs who stormed the building to the police.
20:41My mother clutched her chest dramatically.
20:44Tears of joy streaming down her face.
20:46Do you hear that?
20:46Lydia is devoted to Julian.
20:49You tried to curse your own sister with lies?
20:53You're not even human!
20:54Julian helped Lydia settle into the hospital bed.
20:57Then strode over to me, his gaze ice cold.
21:02Evelyn, I gave you a chance.
21:04And you threw it away.
21:06Once Lydia recovers and is discharged,
21:10I'm personally escorting you to prison.
21:12Faced with their accusations,
21:14I started laughing, unsettling them.
21:16I shook off the guard's grip and locked eyes with Lydia.
21:19My voice sharp and cold.
21:21Whether or not she stayed faithful to you,
21:24the syphilis rash on her body will tell you the truth soon enough.
21:28A flicker of panic flashed across Lydia's face.
21:30But she quickly massed...
21:31You're lying!
21:32You psychopath!
21:34You're just jealous that I won Julian's heart!
21:36You couldn't get mom and dad to love you!
21:39You couldn't get Julian to want you!
21:41So now you're cursing me with some disgusting disease!
21:43Julian was about to slap me again.
21:45When the hospital room door swung open,
21:48the attending physician walked in,
21:49holding a stack of blood work results.
21:51His face, grave.
21:52His eyes swept over everyone in the room,
21:54and he took a deep breath.
21:56Who here is the patient's family?
21:58Julian stepped forward immediately.
22:00I'm her fiancé.
22:01Doctor, she's gonna be okay, right?
22:03The doctor glanced at him,
22:05his expression complicated.
22:07During the routine blood draw,
22:09we ran a full infectious disease palette,
22:12as per protocol.
22:14He handed the lab results to Julian.
22:20The patient, Lydia Sterling,
22:22has tested positive for stage 2 syphilis.
22:25The titer levels are extremely high,
22:27indicating she's in a highly contagious stage.
22:30The room plunged into complete silence.
22:33Julian staggered backward,
22:34his legs giving out beneath him
22:36as he collapsed onto the floor.
22:38He stared at Lydia,
22:39who just moments ago had seemed so pure and innocent,
22:43with a look of absolute horror.
22:46No, that's impossible!
22:48You're lab made a mistake!
22:50I know what happened!
22:52The needle you used to draw my blood
22:54must have been contaminated!
22:55You infected me!
22:57Julian, you have to believe me!
23:00Miss Sterling, that's medically impossible.
23:02The infection didn't occur from the blood draw.
23:05He glanced down at his clipboard and continued.
23:07Your tiler levels indicate you've been infected
23:10for at least two months.
23:11Additionally, regarding the fetus...
23:13My stomach! Doctor, it hurts so much!
23:16Please help me! Something's wrong!
23:18The doctor was interrupted
23:20and was not able to mention Lydia's pregnancy.
23:22I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed,
23:25watching the whole scene unfold with detached amusement.
23:29Mr. Blackstone,
23:30if you want to know the truth,
23:32why don't you call your ojeng?
23:35How'd him look into whether Mr. Harrington
23:36has also been diagnosed of syphilis?
23:38Julian's hands shook as he pulled out his phone
23:41and dialed his assistant.
23:42The moment the call connected...
23:44Mr. Blackstone, it's confirmed!
23:46Mr. Harrington has been diagnosed with stage 2 syphilis!
23:48And sir, there's more!
23:49Miss Sterling is pregnant!
23:51The whole industry is saying the child is Mr. Harrington's.
23:53The entire Westside Development Project has been shut down.
23:55Saying the child is Mr. Harrington's!
23:56The phone slipped from Julian's hands and
23:57the entire Westside Development Project has been shut down!
24:00Julian's face went from shock
24:02to confusion
24:03to realization
24:04and finally
24:05to pure, murderous rage.
24:08You're pregnant?
24:09Lydia's face turned deathly pale.
24:12Yes.
24:13The patient is approximately 8 weeks pregnant,
24:15as I was trying to mention earlier.
24:17You lying piece of shit!
24:20Julian's eyes were bloodshot
24:22and he lunged at the hospital bed.
24:24He grabbed Lydia by the shoulders,
24:26shaking her violently.
24:27We haven't even slept together!
24:29You said you wanted to wait until the wedding night!
24:31Whose child is it?
24:32How many men have you been with?
24:34Lydia gasped for air,
24:36tears streaming down her face.
24:38But she had nowhere left to run.
24:40Realizing there was no way out,
24:42she gave up the act entirely
24:44and started playing the victim card.
24:46Julian, please!
24:48I was forced!
24:49I only did it to help you secure
24:51the Westside Investment!
24:52Mr. Harrington got me drunk
24:54and took advantage of me!
24:55But the baby...
24:56The baby is yours!
24:58I swear it's yours!
25:00I know you never wanted
25:01the burden of fatherhood.
25:04So...
25:04I made arrangements
25:06to carry your child myself,
25:08using your frozen samples!
25:10Julian's hand flew across her face,
25:12slapping her so hard
25:14she slammed back into the pillows.
25:16Then he climbed onto the bed
25:17and started beating her,
25:19slap after slap,
25:20over and over,
25:22until her face was unrecognizable.
25:24My parents and brother
25:26stood frozen in place.
25:27They looked at Lydia,
25:29bruised,
25:29bloodied,
25:30pregnant,
25:31carrying of the nereal disease,
25:32and then turned to look at me,
25:35leaning calmly
25:35against the doorway.
25:37In that moment,
25:38they finally understood
25:39one thing.
25:40I hadn't lied.
25:42Every single word
25:43I'd said was true.
25:45My brother stared down
25:46at his own trembling hands.
25:48He remembered how he'd used
25:49those same hands to beat me,
25:51to call me ungrateful.
25:53All for this disease-ridden liar.
25:56The weight of his guilt
25:57nearly crushed him.
25:58His legs buckled,
25:59and he had to grab the wall
26:01to keep from collapsing.
26:02Julian finally stopped
26:04his assault on Lydia.
26:06You said the bastard
26:07in your belly is mine?
26:08Fine.
26:09Since she claims
26:10she's carrying my child,
26:11we'd better make sure
26:12the baby gets proper
26:13prenatal care.
26:14Watch them both.
26:15I don't care how much it costs.
26:17Make sure that thing
26:18gets born alive
26:19so we can run a paternity test.
26:20Both Lydia and Mr. Harrington
26:22were placed under house arrest.
26:23Julian stationed bodyguards
26:25and private nurses
26:26in the hospital room
26:27on rotating 24-hour shifts.
26:29During her confinement,
26:31Lydia tried multiple times
26:32to push herself down the stairs
26:34to induce a miscarriage,
26:35but every single time,
26:36the nurses caught her
26:37before she could succeed.
26:39Meanwhile,
26:39my father and brother
26:40finally started digging
26:42into Lydia's past.
26:43She hadn't just slept
26:44with Mr. Harrington.
26:45Her private life
26:46was a disaster
26:47of entanglements
26:48and scandals.
26:49The truth slapped them
26:50across the face,
26:51one revelation after another,
26:53until they were dizzy
26:54with shame.
26:56Three days after I moved
26:58out of the Sterling Mansion,
26:59my brother cornered me
27:00outside my new apartment.
27:01He was holding a bakery box
27:03from an upscale patisserie.
27:04The moment he saw me,
27:06his eyes turned red
27:07and he rushed forward.
27:08Evelyn,
27:10I brought you those
27:11French mac maroons
27:12from that place
27:12you used to love.
27:13I waited in line
27:15for two hours.
27:15They're still fresh.
27:17Please,
27:17just have one.
27:18Please?
27:19I took the box
27:20from his hands
27:20and for a split second,
27:22hope flared in his eyes.
27:23Then I flipped my wrist.
27:25The delicate macarons
27:26tumbled out
27:26onto the dirty pavement,
27:28their pastel shells
27:29cracking against the concrete.
27:31I don't like macaroons.
27:33I like pancakes.
27:35But no one in this family
27:36ever bothered
27:37to make me a single stack.
27:38My brother stood frozen
27:40in place
27:40as tears streamed
27:42down his haggard face.
27:43My father,
27:44desperate to make amends,
27:45reinstated me
27:46at the company.
27:47The employees
27:47who had once mocked me
27:49now fell silent
27:50whenever I passed,
27:51heads bowed,
27:52eyes averted.
27:53Everyone assumed
27:54I,
27:55a girl dragged back
27:56from poverty,
27:57would crumble
27:57under the pressure
27:58of salvaging
27:59the disastrous
28:00West Side Development Project.
28:02But it only took me
28:03one week.
28:04I scheduled meetings
28:05with every single landowner
28:06involved in the West Side Zone
28:08and sat across from them
28:10at the negotiation table.
28:11Gone was the silent,
28:13cowering girl
28:13they thought they knew.
28:15I was sharp,
28:16ruthless,
28:16and surgically precise
28:18in dismantling
28:19their objections.
28:20When I walked back
28:21into Sterling Group Headquarters
28:22with signed contracts
28:24in hand,
28:24my father's hands
28:25trembled
28:26as he took them from me.
28:27Tears rolled down
28:28his weathered face.
28:30Evelyn,
28:31your father was blind.
28:33I was so,
28:35so blind.
28:35The company is yours now.
28:37All of it.
28:38Please,
28:40forgive me
28:41just this once.
28:42I didn't even look at him
28:43as I walked past
28:44toward my new office.
28:46That's when Julian appeared.
28:48The once arrogant heir
28:49of the Blackstone Empire
28:50now looked hollowed out,
28:52his eyes red-rimmed
28:53and exhausted.
28:54He stared at me
28:55and his expression
28:56twisted with regret.
28:58Evelyn,
28:59I broke off
29:01the engagement
29:01with Lydia.
29:02I was an idiot.
29:04I was blind.
29:05She manipulated me
29:06and I fell for it.
29:07His voice cracked.
29:08Give me one more chance.
29:10A marriage between
29:11Sterling Group
29:12and Blackstone Holdings.
29:13I'll have my family
29:14transfer 30%
29:14of Blackstone's shares
29:15as a wedding gift.
29:16Just say yes.
29:17I sank into the chair
29:18that had once belonged
29:19to my father.
29:20Casually twirling a pen
29:21between my fingers,
29:22I looked up
29:23and met his desperate gaze.
29:27Wait for the baby.
29:29Julian's face
29:30turned ashen.
29:31In the days that followed,
29:33my mother appeared
29:34at the office,
29:35carrying a container
29:36of homemade beef stew.
29:38Evelyn,
29:38please.
29:39I failed you.
29:41I'm your mother
29:42and I failed you.
29:44I think about it
29:46every single day.
29:47Save the stew
29:48for your beloved Lydia.
29:49After all,
29:50with her condition,
29:51she's the one
29:52who needs the nutrition.
29:53My mother's sobs
29:54cut off abruptly.
29:56She crumpled to the floor,
29:57staring at my
29:58retreating figure.
29:59The day Lydia
30:00went into labor,
30:01the hospital waiting room
30:02was thick with dread.
30:04My parents,
30:05my brother,
30:06and Julian,
30:06all of them
30:07sat in tense silence,
30:08waiting for the final verdict.
30:10The delivery room doors
30:11swung open,
30:12and a nurse emerged
30:13carrying a sickly,
30:14underweight infant.
30:15Julian didn't even glance
30:17at the child.
30:18He merely gestured
30:19toward the DNA lab director
30:20who'd been waiting
30:21on standby.
30:23Rush it.
30:24I want results
30:25in three hours.
30:26Those three hours
30:27were Lydia's last
30:28desperate scramble
30:29for survival,
30:30and my family's
30:31eternal humiliation.
30:32For me,
30:34it was just
30:34another afternoon.
30:36I leaned against
30:36the window,
30:37calmly running
30:38the sapphire necklace,
30:39now returned to me
30:40through my fingers.
30:41When the lab director
30:42finally emerged
30:43with the report,
30:44the entire hallway
30:45went deathly quiet.
30:47Mr. Blackstone,
30:49paternity has been excluded.
30:51Additionally,
30:51the infant shows signs
30:52of congenital abnormalities,
30:54likely caused by
30:55in vitro syphilis exposure.
30:57Julian's face
30:57went blank.
30:58Then he turned
30:59and stormed
31:00into Lydia's recovery room,
31:01ripping the blanket
31:02off her bed.
31:04Congratulations.
31:05You played me
31:06for a fool long enough
31:07to become the laughingstock
31:08of the entire city.
31:10He raised his hand
31:11and delivered
31:11one final vicious slap.
31:14Enjoy the rest
31:14of your life in prison.
31:16With a snap
31:17of his fingers,
31:18his security team
31:19swarmed Lydia,
31:20dragging her out
31:21of the bed
31:21and beating her
31:22as she screamed.
31:23My parents didn't
31:24even try to stop them.
31:25They stood there,
31:26staring at the
31:27damning paternity report,
31:28and then slowly
31:30turned to look at me.
31:31The regret
31:31in their eyes
31:32was bottomless.
31:34Evelyn...
31:35My mother stumbled
31:35toward me
31:36and collapsed
31:37at my feet,
31:38her knees hitting
31:38the tile
31:39with a painful crack.
31:40She clutched
31:41the hem of my coat,
31:42sobbing uncontrollably.
31:44I was so blind.
31:46How could I have
31:47treated you that way?
31:51Hit me.
31:52Please, hit me.
31:53I deserve it.
31:55I'm the one
31:56who made you suffer.
31:57She raised her own hand
31:58and began slapping
31:59herself across the face
32:00over and over.
32:02Mrs. Sterling,
32:03the floor is cold.
32:04You're getting older.
32:06Save the performance.
32:07My father stepped forward,
32:09his hands shaking
32:10as he pulled a document
32:11from his briefcase.
32:12Evelyn,
32:13I know I was wrong.
32:14This is the share transfer
32:16agreement for Sterling Group.
32:17I've already signed it.
32:19Everything,
32:20all of it,
32:21goes to you.
32:23Just,
32:25please come home.
32:27Let me spend the rest
32:29of my life
32:29making this up to you.
32:31I took the document
32:31and signed my name
32:32at the bottom.
32:33Fine.
32:35From today forward,
32:36Sterling Group
32:37becomes Hale Enterprises.
32:39My mother grabbed my bag,
32:40trying to carry it
32:41for me like a servant.
32:42Evelyn,
32:43please stay at the house
32:44tonight.
32:45I'll cook for you myself.
32:46I walked past her
32:47without a word.
32:48From that day on,
32:49my brother resigned
32:50from his VP position
32:51and became the hardest
32:52working project manager
32:54in the company.
32:55Two weeks later,
32:56he collapsed at his desk
32:57from exhaustion.
32:58When the medics revived him,
33:00Is Evelyn,
33:01is she still angry at me?
33:03Julian, meanwhile,
33:04threw Blackstone Holdings
33:05into chaos
33:06by forcibly diverting
33:08billions in company resources
33:10to support my projects,
33:11ignoring protests
33:13from his own board of directors.
33:15At the celebratory banquet
33:16after my latest acquisition,
33:18he approached me
33:19with a glass of wine.
33:20Evelyn,
33:21I was arrogant and stupid.
33:23If you can forgive me,
33:25I'll spend the rest
33:26of my life working for you.
33:27Whatever you need.
33:29Let's move forward
33:30with the merger.
33:31Please.
33:32I swirled the wine
33:33in my glass,
33:35looking at the man
33:36who once stood above me.
33:37Mr. Blackstone,
33:39I'm open to business partnerships.
33:42But marriage?
33:45You should probably get tested
33:47for syphilis first.
33:49One year later,
33:50under my leadership,
33:51Sterling Group,
33:52now Hale Enterprises,
33:54didn't just recover.
33:55It devoured several
33:57of Blackstone Holdings'
33:58key projects
33:58and became the most feared name
34:01in the industry.
34:02I was no longer
34:03the scared, silent girl
34:05they'd dragged back
34:06from the gutter.
34:07I was Evelyn Hale,
34:08and people crossed the street
34:10when they saw me coming.
34:11I used part of my fortune
34:13to buy the entire block
34:14across from the company headquarters
34:16and opened a flower shop.
34:18I tracked down the intern
34:20who'd been beaten
34:21and blacklisted
34:22for defending me,
34:22and I brought her back.
34:24Starting today,
34:25you're the store manager.
34:26Your salary is ten times
34:27what you made before.
34:28You saved my life.
34:31She'd stand among the flowers,
34:33eyes bright,
34:35and ask me questions like,
34:37Miss Hale,
34:38are you sure you don't want
34:39to move back into the estate?
34:41My brother,
34:43determined to atone,
34:44had requested a transfer
34:46to the harshest project site
34:47in the Northwest.
34:49He spent his days
34:50in sandstorms
34:51and brutal heat,
34:52the spoiled air
34:53finally stripped
34:54of his privilege.
34:56Every single day,
34:57he sent me a photo
34:58of the barren landscape
35:00with the same caption.
35:01I never replied.
35:03Not once.
35:06One quiet afternoon,
35:08I sat by the shop window,
35:09trimming flowers.
35:10The freedom felt better
35:12than any amount of power.
35:13A group of kids
35:14ran past the shop,
35:16laughing and shoving each other.
35:17One little girl tripped
35:18and scraped her knee,
35:20bursting into tears.
35:22I walked over and gently
35:24patted her head.
35:25Don't cry.
35:26Something wonderful
35:27is about to happen to you.
35:29She sniffled
35:30and looked up at me.
35:31A second later,
35:33she spotted her lost kitten
35:34hiding behind a planter box.
35:36She squealed with joy
35:37and threw her arms
35:39around the cat
35:39and turned
35:40and gave me
35:41the brightest smile.
35:43My curse
35:44had finally transformed.
35:47The bell above the door
35:48chimed softly.
35:49A tall,
35:50striking woman
35:51in a crisp police uniform
35:53stepped inside.
35:54She walked toward me,
35:56her face flushed pink,
35:58looking almost shy.
36:00Evelyn,
36:00do you remember me?
36:02I froze.
36:03She was the girl
36:04from the orphanage,
36:05the only one
36:06who ever shared
36:07her food with me,
36:08the one who got
36:08her leg broken
36:09by the director
36:10for protecting me.
36:12I'd like to buy
36:13a bouquet of roses
36:14for someone I've loved
36:15for 20 years.
36:16I selected
36:17the most beautiful roses
36:19in the shop
36:20and handed them to her.
36:23She took the bouquet
36:24and then held it out to me.
36:27These are for you.
36:28I want the rest of your life
36:29to be full of flowers
36:30and endless spring.
36:33She took my hand
36:34and led me to her car.
36:36We drove to the highest peak
36:38overlooking the city
36:39where the lights below
36:40sparkled like fallen stars.
36:42I closed my eyes.
36:44From today forward,
36:45may everyone I love
36:46live in peace and joy
36:47and may everyone I hate
36:49never get what they desire.
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