- 18 hours ago
becoming perfect before the end
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Are you sure you want to transfer the $2 billion in shares?
00:03The doctor told me I had 72 hours left,
00:06unless I got access to the newest experimental treatment.
00:09Her kidney failure is more critical.
00:12I nodded and swallowed the white pills that would only speed up my death.
00:16In the time I had left, I got a lot done.
00:20Are you sure you want to transfer the $2 billion in shares?
00:23The lawyer's hand trembled as he passed me the documents.
00:28Yes.
00:30Give them to Yvonne.
00:31My daughter, Candice Lither, was giggling in Yvonne's arms.
00:35Mommy Yvonne bought me a new dress.
00:38It looks beautiful.
00:40Make sure you always listen to Mommy Yvonne, okay?
00:44The art gallery I built from the ground up now had Yvonne's name on the sign.
00:49You're too kind, Kathy.
00:52You'll run it even better than I ever did.
00:54I even signed all my parents' trust fund away.
00:57That was when Bowen finally gave me his first genuine smile in years.
01:02Kathleen, you've changed.
01:04You're not so aggressive anymore.
01:06You're beautiful like this.
01:09This dying version of me finally became the perfect Kathleen Sullivan in their eyes.
01:14Obedient, generous, and no longer argumented.
01:17The 72-hour countdown had already begun, and I couldn't help but wonder what they would remember when my heart
01:22stopped for good.
01:23The good wife who finally learned to let go, or the woman who completed her revenge by dying.
01:31But Yvonne needs it more, right?
01:34My husband, Bowen Lindell, said I was not gentle enough.
01:38My parents called me selfish, and my daughter said she loved Yvonne Lawson more.
01:43So, I decided to spend my last 72 hours giving everything I had, my life, my legacy, to this perfect
01:50woman.
01:51It's late-stage cancer.
01:53If you don't start the special treatment immediately, you have, at most, three days.
01:57I leaned back in the hospital bed and stared out the window.
01:59I had poured myself into this marriage for seven years as Bowen's wife until she appeared.
02:06You okay?
02:08I'm fine.
02:10The doctor said you need that experimental treatment, but...
02:13But Yvonne needs it more, right?
02:18Yvonne was the pitiful girl I convinced my parents to adopt from the orphanage when I was 12.
02:23I treated her like a real sister, never imagining she would take everything from me one day.
02:27You have to understand.
02:28Eve's condition is worse.
02:29Her kidneys are close to failing, and you...
02:31You still look fine.
02:32Yeah, I looked okay.
02:33No one knew I had been secretly taking fatal doses of painkillers just to numb the agony that the cancer
02:38was causing.
02:39I understand.
02:40Let her have the treatment.
02:41Relief washed over Bowen's face.
02:43I knew you'd understand.
02:44You've changed a lot these past few years.
02:46You're not so stubborn anymore.
02:47Stubborn?
02:49I laughed bitterly to myself.
02:51Ever since Yvonne came into our lives, every time I stood my ground, it was labeled as jealousy and pettity.
03:01What?
03:01Kathleen, that's your beloved gallery!
03:04That evening, I forced myself to go home.
03:08Mommy!
03:09My daughter, Candice Lintzer, saw me and immediately hid behind Yvonne.
03:13Hey, Candice.
03:14I managed to smile.
03:17Kathleen, you're back.
03:19Yvonne said, wearing the luxury suit I had given her.
03:23She was sitting in what used to be my spot.
03:25Yv, I have something for you.
03:28I walked to the study and returned with a folder.
03:31These are the transfer papers for my art gallery.
03:33I want to give it to you.
03:35What?
03:36Kathleen, that's your beloved gallery!
03:38Yes, it was the gallery I had built from the ground up.
03:40My life's work.
03:41However, at that point, none of that mattered anymore.
03:44I smiled.
03:45You're better suited to run it than I am.
03:46Consider it an early wedding gift.
03:48Yvonne's expression flickered, but she quickly resumed her innocent look.
03:51Kathleen, what are you talking about?
03:52I stepped closer and whispered,
03:54I know everything.
03:55It's okay.
03:56I wish you both well.
03:57Bowen walked in just then, looking tense when he saw us together.
04:00What are you two talking about?
04:01Kathleen wants to give me the gallery.
04:04Yvonne said with tears in her eyes.
04:07She's being so kind.
04:09Bowen looked at me, complex emotions flashing in his eyes.
04:13Kathleen Sullivan, you...
04:14I'm tired.
04:15I said, interrupting him.
04:17I'm going upstairs to rest.
04:19Candice, be good and listen to Aunt Ioana.
04:20Okay.
04:21Candice replied flatly.
04:23Then she turned to Ioana.
04:24Mommy Yvonne, let's keep playing our game.
04:27My heart clenched when I heard her addressing her as Mommy Yvonne.
04:30I knew they would regret it all, but I would already be gone by then.
04:34Back in the bedroom, I leaned against the door and finally collapsed.
04:37The cancer cells were devouring my life, and those drugs were accelerating the process.
04:42Later, I began sorting through my closet.
04:45Those expensive dresses, jewelry, and handbags would all belong to Yvonne soon.
04:49You have 72 hours left.
04:51Kathleen, for these last three days,
04:54let them remember a perfect version of you.
04:57I knew the truth would come out eventually.
04:59Everything after my death had already been arranged,
05:01and the evidence I collected would expose who Yvonne really was.
05:04I knew they would regret it all,
05:06but I would already be gone by then.
05:08That would be my revenge.
05:10The next morning, I woke up in excruciating pain.
05:12The can't cells burned through my body like flames,
05:14but the painkillers helped me maintain a calm facade.
05:17I forced myself out of bed.
05:18There was so much left to do.
05:19Walking down the stairs, I heard Candace's laughter coming from the living room.
05:23She was sitting on Yvonne's lap, reading a picture book together.
05:26Mommy Yvonne, this princess is so pretty!
05:29She is, just like you, Candace.
05:31Yvonne replied gently, kissing her oarhead.
05:34When Candan saw me, she only glanced up briefly,
05:36before returning to her book as if I were just an insignificant stranger.
05:40Good morning, Candace.
05:41Morning.
05:42She replied dismissively, then tugged on Yvonne's hand.
05:46Mommy Yvonne, can we go to the garden and look for butterflies?
05:50Just a second, sweetheart.
05:52Yvonne said, pretending to look concerned as she glanced at me.
05:56Your mommy might want to talk to you.
06:00It was not just the physical pain anymore, but my heart was breaking, too.
06:04I don't want to hear it.
06:06Mommy's always busy and never plays with me.
06:09Candace pouted.
06:10Her words sliced through me like a knife.
06:13She was right.
06:14I had spent less time with her over the years because of work,
06:17while Yvonne always had time for Candace.
06:19It's okay.
06:20Go ahead and have fun.
06:21I replied with a strained smile.
06:24As I watched them walk off hand in hand,
06:26I had to grip the wall just to stay upright.
06:28It was not just the physical pain anymore,
06:31but my heart was breaking, too.
06:34In the dining room,
06:35Bowen was watching the financial news.
06:37When he saw me come in,
06:38he only looked up briefly.
06:40He frowned and said,
06:41You look awful.
06:42Stop pushing yourself so hard.
06:45I'm fine.
06:47Anyway, I want to talk to you about something.
06:50What is it?
06:51He put down his iPad impatiently.
06:53I pulled out the documents I had prepared.
06:55It's about our prenup.
06:56I want to make some changes.
06:57Bowen took the papers and looked at them.
07:00Kathleen, you want to give up all your property rights?
07:02I replied calmly,
07:03Yes.
07:04If something happens to me.
07:06If there's an accident,
07:07I want all the assets to go to you,
07:08including the trust fund my parents left me.
07:10What?
07:11I also want to give my art collection to Eve.
07:13Even your mother's original Manet?
07:16She loves art and will better manage it than I can.
07:18Consider it an early wedding gift.
07:20The air instantly grew thick with tension,
07:22and Bowen looked at me coldly.
07:23Kathleen, what exactly are you trying to pull?
07:26I remained calm.
07:27I'm not trying to pull anything.
07:28I'm just tired and ready to let go.
07:31That's two billion dollars worth of shares!
07:34His expression changed,
07:36and he muttered,
07:39You know, don't you?
07:40The hotel surveillance,
07:42credit card bills,
07:43and Candace calling her mommy Yvian?
07:48I smiled bitterly.
07:52Bowen, do you really think I don't know anything?
08:02I don't blame you.
08:04It's my fault.
08:05I was always arguing with you about company matters,
08:08always so controlling.
08:09Yvonne is gentle and considerate,
08:11and she never contradicts you.
08:13She's better suited for you.
08:14Kathleen!
08:20I stood up.
08:21This afternoon, I'll go to the office
08:23to announce that I'm transferring my shares to Yvonne.
08:26I'll make her an official member of the board.
08:30You've lost your mind!
08:33Bowen shot up from his chair.
08:36That's two billion dollars worth of shares!
08:40I haven't lost my mind.
08:46I said,
08:47looking out at Yvonne and Candace in the garden.
08:52I just want all of you to be happy.
08:58From today onward,
09:00Yvonne will represent me in all company decisions.
09:03At the company's headquarters,
09:04news spread quickly that I had brought Livon to the board meeting
09:07and announced that I was transferring my shares to her.
09:10One of the senior board members asked as he pulled me aside,
09:13Kathleen,
09:15are you serious?
09:17I'm completely serious.
09:19I replied as I signed my name on the documents.
09:25From today onward,
09:27Yvonne will represent me in all company decisions.
09:30Yvonne trembled with excitement,
09:32though she did her best to look mute-ute.
09:37Kathleen,
09:38I don't know what to say!
09:40I handed her the documents and said,
09:43you don't have to say anything.
09:44Just do a good job.
09:46On the way home,
09:47her mask finally slipped.
09:50Kathleen,
09:52why are you doing this?
09:55Because this is what you wanted,
09:57isn't it?
10:01I leaned my head against the car window.
10:05My husband,
10:06my daughter,
10:07my fortune,
10:09Yvonne,
10:09you've won.
10:13Kathleen,
10:14I...
10:15Promise me one thing!
10:17I said,
10:17cutting her off.
10:18At least keep pretending for Candace.
10:21She's still a child,
10:22and she needs a complete family.
10:28On the morning of my final day,
10:30I could barely get out of bed.
10:32That evening,
10:33I sat alone in the study,
10:36sorting my things.
10:39Just then,
10:41Annie Stewart,
10:42my attending nurse,
10:44came in.
10:45Her eyes welled up with tears
10:47when she saw me and mumbled,
10:49Mrs. Linden,
10:51burn all of it.
10:52I pointed to the pile of documents
10:54on the desk,
10:55everything I had gathered
10:57on Yvonne's crimes.
10:58But Mrs. Lindel,
11:00with this evidence,
11:01we could...
11:03I wiped my tears.
11:05Candace needs a mother.
11:08Even if that person isn't me.
11:14On the morning of my final day,
11:16I could barely get out of bed.
11:20The cancer had spread
11:21throughout my body,
11:22and every breath
11:24was agonizing.
11:30I looked at myself in the mirror,
11:32pale,
11:32gone,
11:33with sucking eyes,
11:3524 hours left.
11:39I told myself.
11:46Today was Bowen and Yvonne's
11:48engagement party.
11:51Yes,
11:52they could not wait
11:53any longer.
11:56No matter how accomplished I was,
11:59I could never measure up
12:00to sweet Yvonne in their eyes.
12:01I forced myself downstairs,
12:03where the living room
12:04had been completely redecorated.
12:06Yvonne wore a champagne-colored gown
12:08and directed the staff
12:09as they arranged flowers.
12:12Kathleen.
12:14I turned around
12:15to see my parents walking in.
12:20They were dressed
12:21in their finest clothes,
12:22and my mom even wore
12:24my grandmother's sapphire necklace,
12:26which I was supposed to inherit.
12:28Kathleen,
12:29well done!
12:30You've finally come
12:31to your senses!
12:32You've been competing
12:34with Yvonne all these years,
12:35and your dad and I
12:36have been so worried.
12:37My mom beamed
12:39with a kind smile.
12:40My dad nodded.
12:42That's right.
12:43Yvonne has been sweet
12:44and obedient
12:45since she was little,
12:46unlike you,
12:46always so headstrong.
12:47Now you've finally learned
12:48how to be a big sister.
12:50I watched their joyful expressions
12:51as my heart broke into pieces.
12:53No matter how accomplished I was,
12:55I could never measure up
12:56to sweet Yvonne in their eyes.
12:58I turned and walked away,
13:00unable to listen anymore.
13:01The party started
13:03at 7pm,
13:04packed with guests,
13:06all the elite
13:06of New Eraval society.
13:09They were all surprised
13:11to see me there.
13:12After all,
13:13attending one's husband's
13:15engagement party
13:16to another woman
13:17required quite a bit
13:18of grace.
13:20Kathleen,
13:21you actually came.
13:26I also want to thank
13:28my sister,
13:29Kathleen.
13:31Lohan approached me,
13:32his handsome face
13:33showing complex emotions.
13:39I told you I would.
13:41I raised a glass of champagne.
13:44Congratulations.
13:46Kathleen.
13:47He seemed like
13:48he wanted to say something,
13:49but Evian walked over
13:51with her arm
13:52linked through his.
13:54Kathleen,
13:55thank you for coming.
13:56She smiled sweetly,
13:58the diamond ring
13:59on her left hand
14:00sparkling.
14:01It was the little
14:03family heirloom,
14:04the one that was
14:05once mine.
14:09Bowen raised his glass.
14:11Ladies and gentlemen,
14:12thank you all
14:13for coming to celebrate
14:14Yves and my engagement party.
14:16I especially want to thank
14:18Kathleen.
14:19for her grace
14:20and blessing.
14:22Applause thundered
14:24through the room.
14:26I raised my glass
14:27and toasted from afar.
14:33I also want to thank
14:35my sister,
14:36Kathleen.
14:39Yvonne said
14:41with tears in her eyes.
14:42She gave me everything.
14:44Family,
14:45love,
14:46and now
14:47even the chance
14:47to have true love.
14:48I'm the luckiest
14:50woman in the world.
14:51I looked up
14:52at the couple
14:52on stage
14:53and felt nothing
14:54but coldness inside.
14:55I hate you!
15:00Mommy.
15:01I looked down
15:02to see Candace
15:03standing in front of me.
15:04She wore a pink dress
15:05that made her look
15:06like a little princess.
15:07Mommy,
15:08Ayana told me
15:09to tell you
15:09that it's time
15:09to cut the cake.
15:11She said coldly
15:12as if she were
15:12talking to a stranger.
15:13Thank you
15:14for letting me know.
15:15I knelt,
15:16hoping to get closer.
15:18However,
15:18she immediately
15:19took a step back.
15:20Mommy Yvonne said
15:21you must stand far away
15:22and not ruin
15:23today's mood.
15:24My heart ached
15:25at the fact
15:25that my five-year-old
15:26daughter was repeating
15:27another woman's venom
15:28as if it were gospel.
15:30Candace,
15:31I just want to tell you-
15:32I don't want to hear it!
15:34She said,
15:35interrupting me,
15:36her little face
15:36full of impatience.
15:38You always make
15:39Mommy Yvonne unhappy.
15:41I hate you!
15:43After saying that,
15:45she turned
15:45and ran away,
15:46shouting,
15:47Mommy Yvonne!
15:49Mommy Yvonne!
15:51Poor Kathleen.
15:53Even her own daughter
15:54doesn't want her.
15:55Someone nearby whispered,
15:57Well,
15:57she's always busy
15:58with work.
15:58Yvonne is so much better.
16:00She's always there
16:01for the child.
16:04My hand holding
16:05the champagne glass
16:06trembled slightly.
16:07It was not because
16:08of the gossip,
16:09but because of
16:10what Candace had said.
16:13I HATE YOU!
16:15I HATE YOU!
16:29That was my daughter,
16:30the daughter I carried
16:31for nine months
16:32and gave birth to,
16:33and she said
16:33she hated me.
16:35I stood in the crowd
16:36like an outsider,
16:37watching it all unfold.
16:39My husband,
16:39my daughter,
16:40and my family
16:41all revolved
16:42around Yvonne
16:43while I was the one
16:44who did not belong.
16:51My mom approached me
16:53and said,
16:53What a touching moment.
16:55Look how much
16:56Candace adores Yvonne.
16:57Kathleen,
16:58you should reflect
16:58on yourself.
16:59My dad joined us, too.
17:02That's right.
17:02Kids don't lie.
17:03If Candace chooses Yvonne,
17:05it means she really
17:05is the better mother.
17:08I did not say anything.
17:09What was there to say?
17:11In their eyes,
17:11I was always in the wrong.
17:13After the party ended,
17:14I left alone.
17:16No one noticed
17:17my departure
17:17as they were all busy
17:18congratulating
17:19the happy couple-to-be.
17:21I went straight
17:21to my studio.
17:22I called for the
17:23attending nurse
17:24who had been with me.
17:25Annie,
17:26I need a favor.
17:28Yes,
17:28Mrs. Lillen?
17:29I handed her
17:30a USB drive
17:30and said,
17:31This contains
17:32some videos
17:32and recordings.
17:33Send them to Bowen
17:34tomorrow morning
17:34at 8 o'clock sharp.
17:36What is this?
17:37Some truths.
17:38Someone should at least
17:39hear a dead woman's
17:40last words.
17:41I smiled weakly.
17:42One last thing.
17:43This is my mother's room.
17:48I took out
17:49several letters.
17:52This one is
17:53for my parents
17:54and this one
17:55is for Candace.
17:56Give it to her
17:56when she turns 18.
17:59Mrs. Lillen?
18:01Annie was already
18:02sobbing.
18:05I opened the safe
18:06and pulled out
18:07a small box.
18:09One last thing.
18:11This is my mother's ring.
18:12The real one.
18:13Keep it for Candace
18:14and tell her
18:15that I'll always love her.
18:18After arranging everything,
18:20I leaned back
18:21in my chair,
18:22completely drained
18:23of strength.
18:24Outside the window,
18:26fireworks lit up
18:27the sky,
18:28celebrating
18:28Bowen and Yvonne's
18:30engagement.
18:33How ironic
18:34that I would spend
18:35the last night
18:35of my life
18:36watching their
18:37happiness unfold.
18:38Just a few more
18:40hours, Kathleen.
18:42I told myself,
18:46hold on.
18:48I knew everything
18:50would change
18:50when the truth
18:51came to light
18:52the next day.
18:53But I would not
18:54be there to see it.
18:55Not in the flesh,
18:56at least.
18:57This was my revenge,
18:59betting my life
19:00to make them
19:00live in regret forever.
19:02I closed my eyes
19:03and whispered,
19:04Good night,
19:05my loved ones.
19:07May you remember
19:08for the rest
19:08of your lives
19:09that there was
19:09once a foolish woman
19:11who loved you
19:11like her life
19:12depended on it.
19:13Not as a woman
19:14of flesh and blood,
19:16but as a silent witness.
19:25At 6 a.m.,
19:27my heart stopped
19:28beating,
19:29but I was still there.
19:33Not as a woman
19:34of flesh and blood,
19:35but as a silent witness.
19:38A wisp of consciousness
19:39hovering near the ceiling,
19:41watching my own
19:42empty shell
19:43grow cold.
19:44Annie sat by the bed,
19:45tears streaming
19:46down her face.
19:48She held my hand,
19:49my cold,
19:50useless hand,
19:51and looked at
19:51what remained of me.
19:52That once proud woman,
19:54now lying there
19:55peacefully,
19:56a faint trace of relief
19:57forever etched
19:57on my lifeless face.
20:01At precisely 8 a.m.,
20:03she dialed Bowen's number.
20:09Hello?
20:10A tired voice
20:11from the other end said,
20:14Mr. Lindell,
20:15I'm Annie,
20:16Mrs. Lindell's
20:16attending nurse.
20:17Mrs. Lindell
20:18has passed away.
20:20The phone fell
20:21into a long silence.
20:23I watched the receiver
20:24tremble in Annie's hand,
20:26and I almost smiled.
20:28What did you say?
20:29His voice suddenly
20:30become sharp.
20:31That's impossible!
20:33She was at the party
20:33last night!
20:34Annie's voice was calm
20:35but firm as she said,
20:37Please come home
20:37immediately.
20:38What?
20:39Kathleen is giving up
20:41her inheritance
20:41from her trust fund?
20:44My soul
20:45drifted there next,
20:47unseen,
20:48unheard,
20:49as my mother,
20:51Jolene Atkins,
20:53stood by the phone,
20:55her face
20:56a mask
20:56of disbelief.
20:58What?
20:59Kathleen is giving up
21:00her inheritance
21:00from her trust fund?
21:02Mr. Foreman,
21:02are you sure about that?
21:03That's half a billion dollars!
21:07Mrs. Sutheran,
21:08the documents arrived
21:09yesterday afternoon,
21:10and Miss Sutheran
21:10signed them herself.
21:11She intended to transfer
21:12all her interest
21:13to Mrs. Lawson.
21:14I hovered
21:15in the corner
21:15of the room,
21:16watching my mother's
21:17hand shake,
21:18watching the color
21:19drain from her face.
21:20That's impossible!
21:22Even though Kathleen
21:23cares about Yves,
21:24she wouldn't have
21:24gone this far!
21:26Mr. Sullivan,
21:28it's not just
21:28the trust fund.
21:29Mr. Sullivan has also
21:30transferred her gallery,
21:31company shares,
21:32and even the collection
21:33of artwork you've given her.
21:34Ah!
21:35What?
21:36Even the original
21:37manet that I've given her?
21:40Ah!
21:43Yes,
21:44all legal procedures
21:45have been completed
21:45and notarized.
21:49Call her now!
21:55What on earth
21:56is she thinking?
21:57She seemed so calm
21:58at the party last night.
22:05This is too strange.
22:09Kathleen has never
22:09been impulsive.
22:10For her to give
22:11everything to Yves,
22:14this isn't like her.
22:16Perhaps Bowen
22:17and Yves' engagement
22:17triggered this?
22:19Call her now!
22:24I've tried,
22:25but her phone
22:26is turned off.
22:30After the party
22:31ended last night,
22:32she left by herself.
22:33I was planning
22:34to talk to her today
22:35to tell her
22:35not to be too upset.
22:38You have some nerve!
22:42You're always
22:43praising Yves
22:43for being sweet
22:44and obedient,
22:46saying Kathleen
22:46is too stubborn.
22:48Now look,
22:49Kathleen
22:49has given
22:50everything to Yves.
22:52Are you satisfied now?
22:53How was I supposed
22:54to know she'd do this?
22:55I do feel sorry for Yves,
22:57but Kathleen
22:58is my biological daughter.
22:59What's the point
23:00of saying this now?
23:01We need to find her.
23:02The two began
23:04frantically calling
23:05Kathleen's friends,
23:06people at her company,
23:08and even the gallery staff.
23:25They said that I had been
23:31acting strange
23:32those past two days,
23:34tying up all my loose ends,
23:36almost like I was preparing
23:37for my final affairs.
23:40preparing her final affairs.
23:44Don't say such things!
23:46Mrs. Sutherland,
23:47I'm not making this up.
23:48Mrs. Sutherland came
23:49to the gallery
23:50the day before yesterday
23:51and inventoried
23:52all the pieces,
23:53even explaining
23:54the history of each painting.
23:55She said,
23:56she said she was going
23:58somewhere far away.
23:59Dear!
24:00Dear!
24:00What's wrong?
24:03Is,
24:04is Kathleen?
24:06She gave everything.
24:11Don't jump to conclusions!
24:17Let's head to the Littles' residence now.
24:19She was there last night,
24:20maybe.
24:23Kathleen!
24:23Why is she so cold?
24:27I had already slipped free from my cold,
24:30still body on the bed.
24:32I floated above it all,
24:34weightless and unseen,
24:36watching Bowen rush to my bedside,
24:38reaching for my forehead.
24:40Kathleen!
24:41Why is she so cold?
24:42Annie,
24:43call the doctor!
24:44Why are you shouting now?
24:46I thought,
24:47my voice echoing
24:48only inside this drifting soul.
24:51You never notice the cold
24:53that settled in me days ago.
24:54Yvonne followed him in,
24:56pretending to be concerned.
24:57Is she okay?
24:59Maybe she just got too tired
25:00after last night?
25:03Annie stood in the doorway,
25:05her voice calm.
25:06Late stage cancer.
25:08Mrs. Lindelin has passed away.
25:12What?
25:13Bowen frowned.
25:14Don't joke around like that!
25:16She was fine last night!
25:17He turned to call his private doctor,
25:19but Annie stopped him.
25:20Mr. Linder,
25:21she's been gone for two hours.
25:22That's impossible!
25:24She's always looking for sympathy.
25:25Eve told me she's been
25:26faking it lately.
25:27From my hovering place
25:28near the ceiling,
25:29I watched his face.
25:30Irritation,
25:31not sorrow.
25:31Faking it?
25:32I hid the pain for you,
25:34Bowen.
25:35Every day.
25:36Faking it?
25:40Annie let out a cold laugh.
25:46Then maybe you'd like to see this.
25:50I...
25:56These are lethal doses of painkillers.
25:59Mrs. Lintleton took them
26:00for three straight days
26:01just to hide how much
26:02she was suffering.
26:05She...
26:06Three days ago,
26:08the doctor said
26:09she only had 72 hours to live.
26:13You gave Ms. Lawson
26:14her only treatment option.
26:23I didn't know Kathleen
26:24was that sick.
26:25Why didn't she say anything?
26:27Would you have given
26:28the treatment back
26:29if she had?
26:31I...
26:33If I had known,
26:35I swear...
26:39Enough.
26:40She's gone.
26:41What's the point
26:42of going over this?
26:43He looked down
26:44at my still body
26:45and frowned.
26:46She was always too stubborn.
26:47She was obviously sick
26:48but wouldn't say anything
26:49and now look what happened.
26:50My soul drifted closer,
26:52hovering just above his shoulder.
26:54Unseen.
26:55Stubborn?
26:56I was protecting you
26:57from the truth, Bowen.
26:58And this is what you call it?
26:59I'm just being honest.
27:00She's been like this
27:02for years.
27:03Mr. Linden,
27:05your wife has just died
27:06and that's what
27:07you have to say?
27:11I'm just being honest.
27:13She's been like this
27:14for years.
27:15Always competing,
27:16always fighting
27:17for everything.
27:18Now look where it got her.
27:20She threw her life away.
27:27Eve,
27:27don't blame yourself.
27:29This isn't your fault.
27:31But...
27:32Don't say anything.
27:35She made the choice
27:37not to take treatment.
27:38No one else is to blame.
27:41No one else to blame,
27:43not even you,
27:44holding her
27:45while my body lies here.
27:51We need to handle
27:52the funeral arrangements.
27:54Have you notified
27:54her parents?
27:58Yes.
28:00Mrs. Linder said
28:01there's no need
28:02to notify them.
28:03No need?
28:04Bowen was caught
28:05off guard.
28:06Yes.
28:07Mrs. Lindell said
28:07Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan
28:08were so happy last night
28:10that she didn't want
28:10to ruin their good mood.
28:14Then we'll wait
28:15and tell them later.
28:17Eve,
28:17go rest.
28:18I'll handle things here.
28:21Bowen.
28:26Bowen.
28:29I'm scared.
28:30Don't be afraid.
28:31I'm here.
28:40Even now,
28:41you comfort her first.
28:42My parents' happiness
28:44mattered more to me
28:45than your grief
28:45ever did for me.
28:47Even in death,
28:48I meant less to Bowen
28:49than Yavin's crocodile tears.
28:51He had not even asked
28:52to see my final letter.
28:54Mr. Linton,
28:55over the past three days,
28:56Mrs. Linton
28:57had transferred
28:57all her assets
28:58to Ms. Lawson.
28:59The gallery,
29:00shares,
29:00mansion,
29:01trust fund,
29:02every last thing.
29:05That makes things simpler,
29:06less trouble down the line.
29:09She said,
29:09as she turned to leave,
29:11my soul trembled
29:12as it began to dissolve
29:13into scattered light.
29:15Simpler,
29:15I thought,
29:16the words fading with me.
29:18My entire life
29:19reduced to less trouble.
29:20Annie's heart shattered.
29:22It seemed that in his mind,
29:23my death mattered less
29:25than the transfer of assets.
29:30I'll go and prepare
29:31for the funeral arrangements.
29:34She said,
29:35as she turned to leave,
29:36behind her,
29:37she heard Yvonne crying
29:38and Bowen comforting her.
29:40Yet,
29:41no one cried
29:42for the woman
29:42who had actually died.
29:43That was my tragedy,
29:45unloved while alive
29:46and unmissed when gone.
29:47As my soul
29:48finally drifted away
29:49into nothing,
29:50I watched it all
29:50one last time
29:51and let the silence
29:52take me.
29:53In the car,
29:54I hovered weightlessly
29:55above the speeding vehicle,
29:56invisible and drifting
29:57like a fading mist.
29:58I watched Jolena
29:59keep dialing my number
30:01over and over.
30:02Looking anxiously
30:03at David,
30:03she said,
30:04It still turned off.
30:06Kathleen never goes this long
30:07without answering her phone.
30:08Mom,
30:09Dad,
30:10I am right here.
30:12Don't panic yet.
30:13Let me call Bowen.
30:14I whispered into the empty air
30:16only I could hear.
30:21David.
30:22Bowen's voice
30:23sounded strange,
30:24low and exhausted.
30:25Bowen,
30:26is Kathleen with you?
30:27Her phone is off
30:28and we can't find her.
30:29Mr. Foreman said
30:30she transferred
30:30all her assets to Eve.
30:32We're worried she might...
30:40There was silence
30:41on the other end
30:42for several seconds.
30:43Finally,
30:44Bowen asked,
30:47David,
30:48Jolene,
30:49where are you right now?
30:53We're on our way
30:54to your house.
30:55Bowen,
30:56is Kathleen there?
30:57Is she okay?
30:59You should come quickly.
31:04Jolene's heart
31:05was pounding.
31:06What's going on?
31:08Did something happen
31:09to Kathleen?
31:09Say something!
31:12Jolene,
31:12you'll understand
31:14when you get here.
31:15Drive safely.
31:17The phone went dead.
31:19Jolene looked over
31:20at David
31:20and both their faces
31:22had gone pale.
31:24Drive faster!
31:25Something's
31:26definitely happened!
31:27My baby girl!
31:29Ho-ho!
31:33I murmured
31:34as I floated
31:35alongside the car,
31:36already beginning
31:37to scatter.
31:39I'm sorry, Mom.
31:41I didn't want
31:41to ruin
31:42your happiness
31:42last night.
31:44About 20 minutes later,
31:45they pulled up
31:46in front of
31:46the Littles' residence.
31:49The front gate
31:50was wide open
31:51and a black van
31:54sat in the driveway.
31:56A vehicle
31:57from the funeral home.
31:58Where is she?
32:00Just tell us
32:01where she is!
32:03Jolene's knees
32:03buckled.
32:04No!
32:09No!
32:09This can't be happening!
32:11No!
32:13They stumbled
32:14into the house.
32:16In the living room,
32:18Yvonne sat
32:18on the couch,
32:19her eyes
32:20red and puffy.
32:22Bowen stood
32:23by the window
32:23with his back
32:24to them.
32:25Where's Kathleen?
32:29David.
32:31Jolene.
32:33Where is she?
32:35Just tell us
32:36where she is!
32:37Upstairs.
32:39Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan.
32:41I'm so sorry
32:42for your loss.
32:46For our
32:47our
32:47loss?
32:48What are you
32:49talking about?
32:50What do you
32:50mean by that?
32:51She bolted up
32:52the stairs
32:52like a woman
32:53possessed,
32:54with David
32:54following behind
32:55her.
32:57I lay
32:58peacefully there,
32:59wearing a
33:00simple dress
33:01with my hands
33:02folded a cry
33:02across my chest.
33:05My face
33:06was pale
33:06as paper,
33:07but my expression
33:09was serene
33:09with even
33:10a faint smile
33:11on my lips.
33:12Kathleen,
33:14how could
33:14this have
33:14happened?
33:18No!
33:23Kathleen!
33:24My baby!
33:26Please wake up!
33:27I'm here!
33:29David's tears
33:30poured out
33:30as he reached
33:31with trembling
33:32hands to touch
33:33my face.
33:33Kathleen,
33:34how could
33:35this have
33:35happened?
33:36You were
33:37fine last
33:37night.
33:37I was wrong.
33:39I shouldn't
33:39have said
33:40those things.
33:40Please wake
33:41up!
33:42I will
33:42never play
33:43favorites
33:43again!
33:45Dad?
33:46I drifted
33:47closer,
33:48but unable
33:48to touch
33:49them.
33:50It's too
33:50late now.
33:54What
33:54happened?
33:55How could
33:56she suddenly...
33:57Mrs. Linden
33:58had late
33:59stage cancer.
34:01She passed
34:01away this
34:02morning at
34:026 a.m.
34:03Cancer?
34:04How is that
34:05possible?
34:06She never
34:07said anything.
34:09Three days
34:09ago,
34:10the doctor
34:10said if
34:11she didn't
34:11receive
34:12treatment,
34:12she only
34:13had 72
34:13hours to
34:14live.
34:14But that
34:15treatment slot
34:16was given
34:17to Ms.
34:17Lawson.
34:22Kathleen!
34:23Kathleen,
34:24my poor
34:25daughter!
34:26All eyes
34:27turned to
34:27Yvonne,
34:28whose face
34:28instantly
34:29lost all
34:29color.
34:32These are
34:33Mrs. Liddled's
34:34final letters.
34:34No, it's
34:35not like
34:35that.
34:36I really
34:36was sick.
34:37My kitchen...
34:38She frantically
34:38defended herself,
34:39saying,
34:40the room was
34:41filled only
34:42with the
34:42sound of
34:43rustling
34:43paper and
34:44muffled
34:44sobs.
34:45I grew
34:46thinner,
34:47scattering
34:48like soft
34:49light through
34:49the window.
34:54Even if I
34:55couldn't tell
34:56you in the
34:56end, I'm
34:57sorry I had
34:58to leave
34:58like this.
34:59I watched
35:00their grief
35:00one last
35:00time as my
35:01soul dissolved
35:02completely into
35:02the quiet
35:03air, unseen
35:04and unheard,
35:05while the
35:05tears I could
35:06no longer
35:06shed fell
35:06only in my
35:07fading heart.
35:08As Bowen
35:08read the
35:09letter, I
35:09hovered silently
35:10in the corner
35:10of the living
35:11room, translucent
35:12and slowly
35:12scattering like
35:13mist under
35:13the morning
35:14light.
35:14I watched
35:15his hands
35:15tremble
35:15violently
35:16with each
35:16word.
35:17The letter
35:17detailed my
35:17condition,
35:18choices,
35:19and emotional
35:19journey during
35:20my final three
35:20days.
35:21Bowen, you
35:22finally read
35:22it, I
35:23whispered to
35:23the empty
35:24air only I
35:24could hear.
35:25But it's
35:25too late
35:26now.
35:26Kathleen!
35:27Kathleen,
35:28my poor
35:29daughter!
35:31Mom, my
35:33soul ached as
35:34I drifted
35:34closer to
35:35her, unable
35:36to touch her
35:37tear-struck
35:37face.
35:39At that
35:40moment, Annie
35:41turned on the
35:42TV and inserted
35:43a USB drive.
35:44No!
35:45That's fake!
35:48This is what
35:49Mrs. Linden
35:49asked me to
35:50play today.
35:51The surveillance
35:51footage clearly
35:52showed everything
35:53that had happened
35:54at the hospital
35:55three days ago.
35:56Bowen had given
35:57Ivana the
35:57treatment opportunity
35:58without hesitation,
36:00never even asking
36:01for my opinion.
36:02Everything's going
36:03smoothly.
36:04Kathleen's about
36:04to die.
36:05After pretending
36:06to be sick
36:06all these years,
36:07she never
36:08suspected a thing.
36:10A conversation
36:11between
36:12Nivan and her
36:13lover,
36:13Alfred Jacobs.
36:14Every word
36:15cut through
36:15everyone's hearts
36:16like a knife.
36:17No!
36:18That's fake!
36:21The living room
36:22fell into
36:22deathly silence.
36:24Ioana screamed
36:24hysterically.
36:26However,
36:27no one paid
36:27attention to
36:28her protests.
36:29Annie kept
36:30going,
36:31pulling out
36:32more evidence,
36:33falsified medical
36:34reports,
36:35suspicious bank
36:36transfers,
36:37and intimate
36:38photos of
36:38Ivana and
36:39Alfred.
36:39The truth
36:40hit like a
36:41lambslide,
36:42crushing every
36:43last shred of
36:44denial.
36:45It was
36:45you.
36:46You killed
36:47Kathleen!
36:49From above,
36:50I watched
36:51Bowen's eyes
36:51turn bloodshed
36:52as he
36:53griled.
36:54He
36:54launched at
36:55Yvonne and
36:55wrapped his
36:56hands around
36:56her throat.
36:58Dying because
36:59of you both,
37:01my fading soul
37:03murmured
37:03bitterly.
37:06And still,
37:07this is what
37:08it comes
37:08to.
37:13Candicey!
37:14What is it?
37:19Daddy!
37:25What's going on?
37:27Mommy,
37:27Yvonne,
37:28why are you
37:29sitting on the
37:29floor?
37:34where's
37:35Mommy?
37:36Did she
37:37leave again?
37:40Candice,
37:41my baby.
37:45Candicey.
37:46What is it?
37:47I want
37:48Mommy
37:48Yvonne!
37:49Mommy,
37:50Yvonne,
37:50aren't we
37:50supposed to
37:51go to the
37:51amusement park
37:52today?
37:53Okay?
38:04Sweetheart,
38:05your Mommy,
38:07she's gone
38:07somewhere really
38:08far away.
38:10Oh,
38:10when is she
38:11coming back?
38:13She's not
38:14coming back.
38:17That's good,
38:19then.
38:21She always
38:22made Mommy
38:23Yvonne upset
38:24anyway.
38:26Even now?
38:27You still
38:28hate me,
38:29my sweet
38:30girl.
38:31I loved
38:32you more
38:32than my
38:32own life.
38:35Mommy,
38:36Yvonne!
38:39Candice!
38:40What?
38:43Mommy,
38:43Yvonne,
38:44are we
38:45still going
38:45to the
38:45amusement park?
38:50Mommy,
38:51Yvonne?
38:52Where are you
38:53going?
38:57Sweetheart,
38:58sweetheart.
39:00Mommy,
39:01Yvonne!
39:04Don't go!
39:05Mommy,
39:06Yvonne!
39:09Mommy,
39:10Yvonne!
39:13Why are they
39:14taking Mommy
39:15Yvonne away?
39:20Was it Mommy?
39:22Did she do it?
39:24She always does
39:25this.
39:26She always wants
39:27to take Mommy
39:27Yvonne away.
39:29No,
39:29Candice!
39:30That's not it!
39:33Yes,
39:34it is!
39:35I hate her!
39:37I hate
39:38Mommy!
39:39Yay!
39:39Even though
39:41I was already
39:42gone,
39:42my daughter
39:43was still
39:44shouting those
39:44words.
39:45I watched
39:46Bowen sit
39:47beside my
39:47body like
39:48a man
39:48stripped of
39:49his soul.
39:50Hate me,
39:50then.
39:51At least I
39:52loved you
39:52enough for
39:53both of us.
40:02Maybe one
40:03day,
40:03when she
40:04grew up
40:04and finally
40:05learned the
40:05truth,
40:06she would
40:06realize that
40:07the woman
40:07she claimed
40:08to hated
40:08had been
40:09the one
40:10who loved
40:10her more
40:10than anything,
40:11and she
40:12would regret
40:12it.
40:13However,
40:14by then,
40:14it would
40:15be too
40:15late.
40:16Just as
40:16I had
40:17predicted,
40:17I left
40:18behind a
40:18lifetime of
40:19sorrow for
40:19everyone,
40:20using my
40:20life as
40:21the price.
40:22The most
40:22tragic part
40:23was that
40:23my five
40:24year old
40:24daughter was
40:24still crying
40:25above losing
40:26Jan,
40:26not knowing
40:27that what
40:27she had
40:27truly lost
40:28was a
40:28mother who
40:29had loved
40:29her more
40:29than her
40:30own life.
40:30As my
40:31soul finally
40:32drifted away
40:32into nothingness,
40:33I watched
40:34them all one
40:34final time,
40:35my unspoken
40:36love dissolving
40:37with me into
40:37silence.
40:38After Yvonne was
40:39taken away,
40:40the Sullivan
40:40residents fell
40:41into a
40:41suffocating
40:42silence.
40:42I lingered
40:43above it all,
40:44growing fainter
40:45and more
40:45scattered,
40:46like the
40:46last rays of
40:46sunlight dissolving
40:47into dusk.
40:48I watched
40:49Bowen sit
40:50beside my
40:50body like a
40:51man stripped
40:51of his soul.
40:52His phone
40:53kept ringing,
40:54calls from
40:54board members,
40:55business partners,
40:56and news reporters.
40:58Everyone was
40:58desperate to
40:59know what
40:59had happened.
41:00However,
41:01he did not
41:02answer a
41:02single one.
41:05Now you
41:06feel it,
41:06Bowen?
41:07The emptiness
41:08I lived with
41:09for so long.
41:12Don't blame
41:13yourselves.
41:15Mr. Linder,
41:16the funeral
41:16home staff is
41:17here.
41:22No!
41:23Don't take
41:24her away!
41:27Nonetheless,
41:28he knew
41:28there was
41:29no stopping
41:29it.
41:30I was
41:30gone for
41:31good.
41:32Downstairs,
41:32my parents
41:33were still
41:34going through
41:34the evidence.
41:35Each document
41:37and recording
41:37felt like a
41:38blade slicing
41:39into their
41:39hearts.
41:43This date,
41:46it says
41:47Kathleen was
41:48diagnosed with
41:48cancer last
41:49Christmas.
41:49But she
41:50never told
41:50us.
41:55That day,
41:56Yvonne had
41:57a sudden
41:57health scare.
42:00You were
42:00all at the
42:01hospital with
42:01her.
42:02Mrs. Linnon
42:03didn't want
42:03to worry
42:04anyone.
42:04What have
42:05we done?
42:07What did
42:07we do to
42:08her?
42:10Mom,
42:11Dad,
42:13don't blame
42:14yourselves.
42:15I chose
42:16this path
42:17so you
42:17wouldn't have
42:18to carry
42:18my pain.
42:24just then,
42:25Bowen's
42:26lawyer,
42:27Isaac,
42:28arrived with
42:28more shocking
42:29news.
42:33Ms. Sutherland
42:34updated her
42:34will three
42:35days ago.
42:36She transferred
42:36everything she
42:37owned to
42:37Mrs. Lawson,
42:38but...
42:38But what?
42:39There's a
42:40special clause.
42:41If the
42:41beneficiary is
42:42found to be
42:43involved in
42:43any criminal
42:44activity,
42:44all assets
42:45automatically go
42:46to the
42:46Kathleen Sutherland
42:47Cancer Foundation.
42:48A foundation?
42:50Yes.
42:50She set it up
42:51to support
42:51cancer patients.
42:52So, in short,
42:53Ms. Lawson
42:54gets nothing.
42:55It turned out
42:55I had anticipated
42:56everything.
42:57I had used
42:57my own life
42:58to set a trap
42:59exposing
42:59Livion's crimes
43:00while ensuring
43:01she gained
43:01nothing.
43:02At least I
43:02protected
43:03what was
43:03left.
43:03There's also
43:04this.
43:06It's a letter
43:07Mrs. Savary
43:08wrote for
43:08Ms. Lelted.
43:09It's to be
43:09given to her
43:10on her
43:1018th birthday
43:11along with
43:12a trust fund
43:12of $50 million
43:13which she can't
43:14touch until
43:15she's of age.
43:23I want
43:24Mommy Ivana!
43:26I want
43:27Mommy Ivana!
43:37My precious
43:38girl.
43:42One day
43:43you'll read
43:44my letter
43:44and know
43:45how much
43:45I loved
43:46you.
43:47Graceful
43:48to the
43:48very end.
43:50Media quickly
43:51got wind
43:51of the story.
43:52Business tycoon
43:53Kathleen Sullivan
43:53dies of cancer
43:54at age 29.
43:56Sullivan adopted
43:57daughter
43:58suspected of
43:59final days.
43:59Exclusive
44:00the truth
44:00behind Kathleen's
44:01flastle day.
44:02The hospital
44:03investigation results
44:04came out as well.
44:05The painkillers
44:06I had taken
44:06would indeed
44:07accelerate organ
44:08failure and I
44:09had chosen them
44:10while fully conscious.
44:11In other words,
44:12my death was a
44:13calculated act of
44:14revenge.
44:15police found
44:16more evidence
44:16at Yvonne's
44:17home.
44:18She had been
44:18slowly poisoning
44:19me and secretly
44:20recorded the family's
44:21criticisms of me
44:22to flaunt them
44:22in front of her.
44:24What a vicious
44:25woman.
44:26She'd been
44:26planning this
44:27since her teens.
44:30The funeral was
44:31held three days
44:32later and the
44:33entire elite
44:34circle of
44:34New Era Vale
44:35attended.
44:36Everyone remembered
44:37the brilliant
44:37proud Kathleen,
44:38the woman who
44:39built her art
44:40gallery from
44:40nothing and
44:41stayed graceful
44:42even in her
44:42final days.
44:46I floated
44:47above the
44:47crowd,
44:49barely visible
44:49now,
44:52watching Bowen
44:53in his black
44:54suit looking
44:54like he had
44:55aged a decade.
44:57I breathe
44:58one last
44:59aching farewell
45:00as my soul
45:01beat.
45:01He held
45:02Candlene in his
45:03arms as they
45:04stood in front
45:04of my casket.
45:05The little girl
45:06still asked,
45:08When is
45:09Mommy Yen
45:10coming back?
45:11Bowen tried
45:12to explain
45:12to her,
45:13saying,
45:14Candice,
45:15the person
45:15lying here
45:16is your
45:16mom.
45:18I know,
45:20Candice said
45:21impatiently,
45:22But I want
45:23Mommy Yvonne.
45:24Everyone watching
45:25felt a sting
45:26in their hearts.
45:27The child
45:27had been
45:28brainwashed
45:28far too
45:29deeply.
45:29My baby,
45:30I breathe
45:31one last
45:31aching farewell
45:32as my soul
45:33began to
45:34scatter
45:34completely.
45:35I hope
45:35someday you
45:36understand
45:36that the
45:37mother you
45:37rejected
45:38loved you
45:38with every
45:39fragile breath
45:39I had left.
45:40Forgive me
45:41for not being
45:42enough in your
45:42eyes.
45:43My baby girl.
45:45Jolene sobbed,
45:47collapsing onto
45:48the coughkit.
45:50I was wrong.
45:51I'm so sorry,
45:53Kathleen.
45:55Sadly,
45:56no amount
45:57of tears
45:58could bring
45:58the dead
45:59back to life.
46:00After the
46:00service,
46:01Annie fulfilled
46:02my last wish
46:03and buried me
46:04in a peaceful
46:05seaside
46:05cemetery.
46:06My tombstone
46:08bore only
46:08a few simple
46:09words.
46:10Kathleen Sullivan,
46:121995,
46:132024,
46:14a woman who
46:15once loved
46:16deeply.
46:16That was the
46:17year after
46:18Candace was
46:18born.
46:20Time seemed
46:20to fly,
46:21and before
46:22long,
46:22it had been
46:23a month
46:23since Kathleen's
46:24passing.
46:25Visited Kathleen's
46:25grave every
46:26single day.
46:27He always
46:28brought Candace,
46:29though the
46:29little girl
46:29was always
46:30reluctant.
46:30Daddy,
46:31why do we
46:31have to
46:31come here?
46:36Because
46:37someone who
46:37loves you
46:38is resting
46:38here.
46:39Bowen answered
46:40gently.
46:41Candace pouted.
46:42But she
46:43never played
46:44with me.
46:44Mommy
46:45Yavona said
46:46the people
46:46who love me
46:47would always
46:48stay and
46:48play with me.
46:49Bowen's
46:49heart shattered
46:50all over again.
46:50He had no
46:51idea how to
46:51explain to a
46:52five-year-old
46:52that the
46:53one who
46:53stayed was
46:53a liar,
46:54and the
46:54one who
46:55did not
46:55play with
46:55her was
46:56a mother
46:56who had
46:56loved her
46:56with every
46:57breath.
46:57Yvayan was
46:58sentenced to
46:58life in
46:59prison.
46:59Even in
46:59court,
47:00she insisted
47:00Kathleen had
47:01framed her.
47:01Yet the
47:02evidence was
47:02overwhelming.
47:03No one
47:03believed her
47:03words.
47:04Kathleen's
47:04parents sold
47:05their home
47:05and moved
47:06to Floripia.
47:06They said
47:07everything in
47:07New Eravod
47:08reminded them
47:08too much of
47:09the daughter
47:09they lost.
47:10Before they
47:11left,
47:11Jolene knelt
47:11by Kathleen's
47:12grave for a
47:13long time.
47:13Through her
47:14tears,
47:15she said,
47:16following
47:17Kathleen's
47:17wishes,
47:18her gallery was
47:19donated to
47:19the Museum of
47:20Art.
47:20On opening
47:21day,
47:21a special
47:22memorial exhibit
47:23featuring pieces
47:23from her private
47:24collection was
47:25held in her
47:25name.
47:26One painting
47:27stood out,
47:27a little girl
47:28running barefoot
47:29along the
47:29beach,
47:30painted by
47:30Kathleen herself.
47:32There were
47:32some words on
47:33the back,
47:33in small
47:34handwriting,
47:35to my
47:35precious
47:36Candace,
47:37I will love
47:38you forever.
47:39Painted in
47:402019.
47:42That was the
47:43year after
47:43Candace was
47:44born.
47:46I love you
47:47always and
47:49forever.
47:53five years
47:54later,
47:55ten-year-old
47:56Candace was
47:57flipping through
47:57an old
47:58photo album
47:58when she
47:59suddenly asked,
48:01Daddy,
48:02why are there
48:03so few
48:03pictures of
48:04me and
48:04Mommy?
48:05Bowen froze
48:06for a moment.
48:16Because
48:17Mommy was
48:18always really
48:19busy.
48:20Oh.
48:21Candace kept
48:22turning the
48:23pages.
48:31Then why is
48:32Mommy always
48:32smiling at me
48:33in every
48:34photo?
48:35Bowen said
48:35quietly.
48:36Because she
48:37loved you.
48:39But
48:40Mommy Yvonne
48:41used to
48:41say.
48:43Candace's
48:43voice trailed
48:44off.
48:45She no longer
48:45liked to
48:46mention Yvonne,
48:47the woman in
48:47prison who
48:48had once
48:48claimed to
48:49love her.
48:50That night,
48:51Candace had
48:52a dream.
48:54A woman
48:55appeared in
48:56it,
48:57smiling gently
48:58as she
48:58said,
49:01I love you
49:03always and
49:04forever.
49:06When she
49:07woke up,
49:11her pillow
49:12was soaked
49:13was soaked
49:13with tears.
49:18On her
49:1818th birthday,
49:20Candace finally
49:20read Kathleen's
49:21letter.
49:22Kathleen had
49:23recorded every
49:24precious detail
49:25of Candace's
49:25life, from
49:26her birth to
49:27the heartwarming
49:27moments Candace
49:29might have
49:29forgotten.
49:31At the end
49:32of the letter,
49:33it read,
49:34My dearest
49:35Candace, I will
49:36have been gone
49:37for a long time
49:38when you read
49:38this letter.
49:40I don't know
49:41if you'll still
49:42remember me or
49:43if you still
49:44hate me,
49:45but I want you
49:46to know that
49:47I'll never stop
49:47loving you,
49:48not even for a
49:49moment.
50:00forgive me for
50:01being selfish and
50:02choosing to leave
50:03this way.
50:03Please believe
50:04that if I had
50:05a choice, I
50:06would trade
50:06everything for
50:07the chance to
50:08watch you grow
50:08up.
50:09Love,
50:10Mommy,
50:11Candace cried
50:11all night long.
50:15The next day,
50:16she went to
50:17Kathleen's grave
50:17and, with
50:18genuine sincerity
50:19for the first
50:20time, said,
50:22Mom, I'm
50:24sorry.
50:25However, some
50:26words came too
50:27late, and some
50:28love was understood
50:29far too late.
50:30Just like Kathleen
50:31had once predicted,
50:32everyone got what
50:33they wanted, a
50:34perfect and well-behaved
50:35Kathleen.
50:37However, the
50:38price they had to
50:39pay was to lose
50:40her forever.
50:50In the blink of an
50:51eye, twenty years
50:52had passed.
50:55Candace stood by
50:56the gallery's
50:57floor-to-clearing
50:58windows, gazing at
51:00the busy streets
51:00of New Eraville.
51:05She had inherited
51:06Kathleen's beauty
51:07and her natural gift
51:08for business.
51:13At 25, she was
51:15already a rising star
51:16in the art world.
51:20Candace, it's time
51:21for the interview.
51:29It was a feature
51:30for the Moments magazine,
51:32A Legacy Reborn,
51:33the art empire of
51:34Kathleen Sullivan's
51:35daughter, the
51:35journalist asked,
51:38Candace, many people
51:39say you're just like
51:40your mother.
51:40What do you think?
51:47Candace paused
51:48for a moment.
51:52I'll never be her.
51:56Why do you say
51:57that?
51:58Because she taught
51:59the world what real
52:00love was in 29
52:01years, yet it took
52:03me 18 just to
52:04understand regret.
52:08Candace whispered
52:09as she sat by the
52:10headstone, just
52:11as always.
52:17The journalist,
52:18clearly familiar
52:19with the family's
52:20past, did not push
52:21any further.
52:22After the interview,
52:23Candace drove to
52:25the cemetery.
52:25It was the
52:26anniversary of
52:27Kathleen's death,
52:28and just like every
52:29year, she came
52:30without fail.
52:30The grave was
52:31surrounded by fresh
52:32flowers, from Bowen,
52:34Kathleen's friends,
52:36and some from
52:36strangers.
52:38Over the years,
52:39the Kathleen Sullivan
52:40Cancer Foundation
52:41had helped
52:41thousands of
52:42cancer patients.
52:43Many would go
52:44there once a year
52:45to leave a bouquet
52:46and offer thanks.
52:48Hey, Mom.
52:49Candace whispered
52:50as she sat by the
52:50headstone, just as
52:52always.
52:54I'm here again.
52:55The breeze swept
52:56gently through the
52:57cemetery as if
52:58answering her.
52:59She said,
52:59The gallery made
53:00$200 million this
53:01year.
53:02You'd be proud.
53:02I remember you
53:03once wrote in your
53:04journal that you
53:05dreamed of making it
53:05the best in New Eraval.
53:07Well, it is now.
53:08Dad's still the same.
53:09After everything, he
53:10never dated again.
53:11He said hurting you
53:12once was already
53:13unforgivable, and he
53:14didn't want to make
53:14the same mistake
53:15twice.
53:16Grandma and Grandpa
53:17passed away last
53:18year.
53:19Before they left,
53:20they told me to tell
53:21you that they loved
53:22you.
53:22They always did.
53:23They just realized it
53:24too late.
53:25Candace's voice dropped
53:26to a whisper.
53:28And Javonne, she
53:30lost her mind in
53:30prison.
53:32The doctor said it
53:33was a full mental
53:33breakdown.
53:35Maybe that's karma.
53:38However, life had
53:39no what-uts.
53:41The cemetery was
53:42quiet, with only the
53:43sound of wind and
53:44distant birdsong.
53:53Mom, you know what
53:54I regret the most?
53:55It's those words.
53:57I hate you.
54:00I've spent 20 years
54:01trying to take them
54:02back.
54:03Every time I remember
54:04the way you looked at
54:05me that day, I wish I
54:06could turn back time.
54:08Annie told me you
54:08tried to send me a
54:09message before you
54:10died.
54:11I wonder what it was.
54:13Was it an I love
54:15you?
54:16Or maybe a take care
54:19of yourself?
54:20I'll never know.
54:22She pulled a picture
54:23frame from her bag.
54:24A yellowed photo from
54:25when she was born, with
54:26Kathleen holding her.
54:28Kathleen looked so happy
54:29in the photo, her eyes
54:30full of maternal love.
54:31This is the most
54:32precious thing I own.
54:37Candace placed the frame
54:38gently in front of the
54:39grave.
54:40Every time I look at it,
54:41I wonder, what if?
54:43What if she had not been
54:44blinded by Yvonne?
54:48What if she had seen
54:49who truly loved her?
54:51What if she had told her
54:53mom just once, I love you?
54:56However, life had no
54:58what-uts.
55:02Every night, he dreamed
55:04that Kathleen was still
55:05alive.
55:06Bowen's car was parked
55:07not far away.
55:09He had aged considerably,
55:10his temples already gray.
55:14The once-ambitious
55:16business elite looked
55:17like just an ordinary
55:18middle-aged man.
55:20She's been there for a
55:21while.
55:23Annie said from the
55:24passenger seat.
55:26Over the years, she had
55:28stayed by their side,
55:30caring for both father
55:32and daughter.
55:33Let her stay a little
55:35longer.
55:36Bowen replied as he
55:37watched his daughter's
55:38silhouette.
55:41This is her time with
55:43Kathleen.
55:45Let her stay a little
55:47longer.
55:48Bowen replied as he
55:50watched his daughter's
55:51silhouette.
55:52This is...
55:53This is her time with
55:55Kathleen.
55:56Aren't you going over?
56:00No.
56:02He said with a bitter
56:03smile.
56:08I don't deserve to
56:09stand in front of her.
56:14Even after 20 years,
56:17he could not forgive
56:18himself.
56:19Every night, he dreamed
56:21that Kathleen was still
56:22alive and nothing had
56:24happened.
56:25Then, he would wake up
56:27every morning to the
56:29cruel reality.
56:33Tracy laid her bouquet
56:34down.
56:35As evening approached,
56:37a young woman came to
56:38the grave.
56:44Hello.
56:45Can I help you?
56:47Candacy looked at her
56:48with confusion.
56:50The woman's eyes were
56:51brimming with tears.
56:53I'm Tracy Summers,
56:55a pancreatic cancer
56:56patient.
56:57Five years ago,
56:58the Kathleen Sullivan
56:59Cancer Foundation
57:00saved my life.
57:02I came here today
57:04to thank her.
57:05I'm sure she can
57:06hear you.
57:08Tracy laid her bouquet
57:10down and bowed
57:11deeply.
57:13Mrs. Sullivan,
57:15thank you.
57:16Because of you,
57:17I'm alive today and
57:19can watch my children
57:19grow up.
57:20Candace had witnessed
57:22scenes like this
57:23countless times.
57:26Every person the
57:27Foundation had helped
57:28remembered Kathleen's
57:30name.
57:30What her mother had
57:32exchanged her life for
57:33was not only her
57:34family's regret,
57:35but also new life
57:37and hope for thousands
57:38of strangers.
57:40As night fell,
57:41Candacy finally rose
57:43to her feet,
57:44ready to leave.
57:45She glanced at the
57:47headstone one last
57:48time and whispered
57:49softly,
57:49Mom,
57:51you once asked if
57:52we would remember
57:53you.
57:54The answer is,
57:55every single day
57:56and every moment
57:58for the rest of our
58:00lives.
58:02And the love.
58:04On her way home,
58:05Candace opened the
58:06journal Kathleen had
58:07left behind.
58:08She had received it
58:09on her 18th birthday.
58:10It recorded every
58:11precious detail,
58:12from the day Kathleen
58:13found out she was
58:14pregnant,
58:15to Candace's fifth
58:16birthday.
58:16The last entry was
58:17written one week
58:18before Kathleen's
58:19death.
58:19Kathleen's journal,
58:21my sweet Candace.
58:22You called Yvonne
58:24Mommy Yvonne again
58:25today.
58:26It broke my heart,
58:27but I don't blame you.
58:31You're still too young
58:33to tell truth from lies.
58:34I only hope that one
58:35day, when you grow up
58:37and understand,
58:38you won't hate
58:39yourself too much.
58:41I've never blamed you.
58:43And I never will.
58:44Because loving you
58:46has been the happiest
58:46thing in Mommy's life.
58:48On the very last page,
58:50there was a line of
58:51hurried handwriting.
58:53If there's a next life,
58:54I still want to be your
58:55mom.
58:56Candace hugged the
58:57journal tightly,
58:58to her chest,
59:00and wept uncontrollably.
59:02Outside the window,
59:03New Erevald remained
59:04bustling with lights and
59:06life.
59:06However,
59:07there would always be a
59:07void in that city,
59:08a missing piece named
59:09Kathleen Sullivan,
59:11a woman who defined
59:11motherhood with her own
59:13life, a woman who
59:14finally became the
59:15perfect, well-behaved
59:16daughter they all once
59:17wanted, a woman who
59:18would forever live in
59:19their hearts.
59:21That was the end.
59:23That was the end of the
59:25story.
59:26But the grief and the
59:28love would never truly end.
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