- 9 hours ago
Return from the Cold
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:02It is Christmas Day, and my husband, Riss, just kicked our three-year-old daughter.
00:09Get out of the car!
00:10Current outside temperature is minus five degrees Celsius.
00:14All because his mistress's daughter didn't want to sit with a dirty kid.
00:18When the car stopped in the emergency lane on the highway, I thought Riss needed to use the restroom.
00:24Emma's asleep, don't wake her.
00:25Riss didn't turn around.
00:29Sarah, take Emma and get out of the car.
00:32What?
00:33Riss, forget it, we can squeeze in.
00:36I don't want to sit with that dirty kid, she was coughing just now!
00:41Riss turned around, his eyes cold in a way I had never seen before.
00:44Did you hear me?
00:45Get out!
00:46Tiffany is already on her way, she'll be here in half an hour.
00:49Wait here for a bit.
00:52Highway, minus five degrees Celsius.
00:54I held my three-year-old daughter and watched him start the car again.
00:58The taillights grew smaller and smaller in the wind and snow.
01:04Mommy, where's Daddy?
01:06I forced a smile.
01:07Daddy, Daddy went to Grandma's house ahead of us.
01:10Auntie will come pick us up in a little while.
01:12My phone was at 30% battery.
01:14I called Tiffany, Anse, twice, three times.
01:18Finally, it connected.
01:20Sarah?
01:21Tiffany!
01:21Your brother told you to come pick us up.
01:23Where are you?
01:25Huh?
01:25Pick you up?
01:28Oh, right, I remember now.
01:29My brother did tell me.
01:31But I'm at a party with friends right now.
01:33I can't get away.
01:35You guys wait a bit.
01:36I'll head over later.
01:37Tiffany, it's freezing out here on the highway.
01:40Emma can't handle this.
01:43Ugh, Sarah, you're so delicate.
01:44What's the big deal about waiting a little while?
01:46My brother said Sophia and Olivia can't be exposed to the cold wind.
01:50They need to get home quickly.
01:51The two of you, an adult and a kid waiting a bit longer, won't kill you.
01:55I called Riss again, turned off, called again, still off.
01:58Mommy, I want to go home.
02:00I kissed her forehead.
02:02Soon we'll be home, very soon.
02:04My eyes ached terribly.
02:06Four years of marriage, and this was the first time I truly understood how cruel Riss could be.
02:11For Sophia's daughter.
02:12He left his own wife and biological daughter on the highway.
02:15All because Olivia said she didn't want to sit with that dirty kid.
02:18Headlights appeared in the distance.
02:20I frantically waved my arms.
02:22A black SUV slowed down and stopped in front of us.
02:26The window rolled down.
02:28It was a young man.
02:29Do you need help?
02:30Can you give us a ride?
02:31Just to the next service area.
02:33The man looked at the child in my arms and frowned.
02:35Get in.
02:36I'm so grateful.
02:37I was just about to open the car door.
02:40Sarah?
02:42Sarah?
02:43It was Riss's cousin, Ethan.
02:45Sarah, why are you here?
02:47Where's my brother?
02:48I gave him a brief explanation of what had happened.
02:51Ethan's face turned ashen as he listened.
02:53Is he insane?
02:54He left you and Emma here?
02:56Sophia's daughter is a person, but his own daughter isn't?
02:59Let them get in first.
03:00We'll squeeze.
03:02There's no room.
03:03You all go.
03:04I'll wait here.
03:05That's not okay.
03:08Hurry up.
03:09Emma's face is purple.
03:10She can't keep freezing.
03:11I got into the back seat holding Emma, and the warm air washed over us.
03:15My frozen body began to sting painfully.
03:18Sarah, call me when you get to the service area.
03:20I'll have my brother.
03:21You'll come pick you up.
03:23Ethan, it's so cold out there.
03:25What will you do?
03:26I'm a grown man.
03:27What do I have to be afraid of?
03:28Take care of the kid first.
03:30Go now.
03:30The car started moving.
03:31I watched through the rear window as Ethan stood in the wind and snow.
03:36His figure growing smaller and smaller.
03:38My nose burned.
03:39My own husband had abandoned his wife and daughter on a highway.
03:42And in the end, the one who helped me was an outsider.
03:45Emma fell asleep in my arms.
03:46I felt her forehead.
03:48Can you go faster?
03:49My daughter has a fever.
03:51The driver nodded and sped up.
03:55I took out my phone, wanting to call Tiffany again.
03:58No signal.
03:59The highway passed through a mountainous area, and the signal came and went.
04:02How long until the service area?
04:0420 kilometers, but in this weather, at least half an hour.
04:07Half an hour?
04:08I held Emma tight, touching her forehead again and again, getting hotter and hotter.
04:13Baby, wake up.
04:15Don't sleep.
04:15Emma groggily opened her eyes.
04:17Mommy, I feel sick.
04:19I know.
04:20We're almost at the hospital.
04:21Just hold on a little longer.
04:22She suddenly started coughing.
04:24Coughing so hard, her little face turned purple.
04:26I patted her back, and my tears finally fell.
04:29Please, go faster!
04:31I've already gone as fast as I can.
04:33The road is slippery in the snow.
04:35I unbuttoned her coat and saw her chest heaving rapidly.
04:38These were the symptoms of acute pneumonia.
04:40She had it once last year.
04:42We almost lost her.
04:44Emma, look at Mommy.
04:45Don't close your eyes.
04:47Mommy, I'll tell you a story about little bite wraps.
04:51Her eyelashes fluttered, but her eyes never opened.
04:54Her breathing grew weaker and weaker.
04:56Help!
04:56My daughter is dying!
04:59But on the highway, there was nothing but wind and snow.
05:03The car finally pulled into the service area.
05:05I ran into the convenience store holding Emma.
05:08Is there a doctor?
05:09My daughter is sick.
05:10She needs emergency help.
05:12There's no doctor here.
05:14Call 911!
05:15Hurry!
05:17The cell tower is down.
05:19Calls aren't going through.
05:20My legs gave out.
05:21I nearly crumpled to the floor.
05:23Emma in my arms had gone silent.
05:25The owner rummaged around for a long time and turned up a box of fever reducers and anti-inflammatory
05:30medicine.
05:31Try giving the child these.
05:32My hands were shaking so badly I couldn't tear open the packaging.
05:35Emma lay on my lap.
05:36Her breathing so faint it seemed like it could stop at any moment.
05:39I got the medicine into her mouth.
05:42Emma, swallow it, please.
05:43The tablet slipped out from the corner of her mouth.
05:47How about I drive you to the county hospital?
05:50But with this much snow, the road might be closed.
05:53Go!
05:53Right now!
05:54I pulled out all my cash and pressed it into his hands.
05:57Please.
05:59The owner gritted his teeth.
06:00All right.
06:01I'll take the chance.
06:02The car crept forward on the snow-covered road.
06:04Every bump made Emma's body go a little limper.
06:07I held her small hand and kept talking.
06:11Emmy, didn't you say you wanted to go to Disneyland?
06:14Mommy will take you.
06:17We'll ride the biggest carousel.
06:20And you want to wear the Elsa princess dress, right?
06:24Mommy will also take you to Universal Studios.
06:27They have Transformers there.
06:30Want to go see your big heroes?
06:31Her eyelashes trembled slightly.
06:33My phone suddenly vibrated.
06:35There was signal!
06:35With trembling hands, I dialed Rissa's number.
06:38It rang for a long time.
06:39Finally, it connected.
06:41Hello?
06:42The background was quiet.
06:43Rice, like he was at home.
06:45Emma is sick.
06:46It's serious.
06:47Where are you?
06:48On the way to the county hospital.
06:50Come quickly.
06:51Sarah.
06:52He cut me off.
06:52Didn't Tiffany go to pick you up?
06:54She didn't come.
06:56She never came.
06:57That's impossible.
06:59She just posted on her mind say she was on her way.
07:01I froze.
07:02I opened WeChat and found Tiffany's profile.
07:05Her latest post ten minutes ago.
07:06A selfie with a highway in the background.
07:09Going to pick up my sister-in-law.
07:11My brother is so thoughtful.
07:12Still thinking of me.
07:13Her location showed she was a hundred kilometers away from us.
07:17She hadn't moved at all.
07:18You saw it, right?
07:19Tiffany will be there soon.
07:21Just wait a little longer.
07:22We can't wait.
07:23Emma is dying.
07:25Our daughter is dying, Russ.
07:27Sarah.
07:27It's the new year.
07:29Don't say things like that.
07:30Sophia and Olivia just arrived.
07:32My mom is happy right now.
07:33Don't ruin it.
07:35Once Tiffany picks you up, take Emma to a clinic.
07:37Kids get fevers.
07:38It's normal.
07:39She won't die.
07:40Stop being unreasonable.
07:42Be good.
07:43Your husband?
07:45He muttered.
07:46So unreasonable.
07:47Hold on tight.
07:49I'm taking a shortcut.
07:50I won't let anything happen to this child.
07:52The car turned onto a mountain.
07:54The snow was falling even harder.
08:00Emma's breathing was almost inaudible.
08:02I felt for her heartbeat.
08:03So faint it felt like a hallucination.
08:05Emma, don't scare Mommy.
08:08Mommy was wrong.
08:09Mommy shouldn't have lost her head over love.
08:13Mommy was wrong.
08:15Mommy shouldn't have married him.
08:18Mommy shouldn't have made you suffer.
08:20I reached into my inner pocket and pulled out a small metal device the size of a button.
08:25My father had given it to me.
08:27Sarah.
08:28The Parkers favor sons over daughters.
08:32If one day they mistreat you and Emma because she's a girl, press this.
08:36I pressed it.
08:37No sound.
08:38But I knew the signal had been sent.
08:39Father had told me.
08:40Once pressed.
08:41His people would arrive within three hours without fail.
08:45But three hours.
08:46Could my Emma hold on for three hours?
08:50We finally arrived at the county hospital.
08:53I rushed into the emergency room holding Emma.
08:55The nurse took one look at Emma and immediately called for a doctor.
08:58Acute pneumonia.
08:59Heart rate dropping.
09:00Prepare for emergency recitation.
09:03I was stopped outside the resuscitation room.
09:05Through the glass.
09:06I watched the doctors intubate Emma and connect her to the monitors.
09:09That tiny body lying on the hospital bed looked like it could disappear at any moment.
09:14I crouched in the corner, trembling all over.
09:16My phone rang again.
09:17Reese.
09:18I answered but said nothing.
09:20Sarah, where are you two?
09:21My mom is waiting to eat dinner.
09:23His tone was impatient.
09:24I opened my mouth but couldn't make a sound.
09:27Say something.
09:28I forced out two words.
09:29Hospital.
09:31Emma is being resuscitated.
09:34What?
09:34He paused.
09:35Why did you go to the hospital?
09:36Where's Tiffany?
09:38She didn't come.
09:40Impossible.
09:41She just messaged me saying she picked you up.
09:43I opened the family group chat.
09:45Twenty minutes ago, she had sent a message.
09:47A woman's back was visible in the passenger seat, wearing what looked like my down jacket.
09:52She had taken that photo of me earlier.
09:54She's lying.
09:55Rice, come to the hospital.
09:56Come now.
09:57Sarah, is it that you don't want to come home for Christmas?
10:01Is it because Sophia is here and you feel uncomfortable so you made up this kind of lie?
10:04You think I'm lying to you?
10:06What else?
10:08Why would Tiffany need to lie to me?
10:10She's my own sister.
10:12What are you?
10:13A woman who's useless now that she's given birth to a daughter.
10:17I gripped my phone, my nails digging into my palm.
10:21Rice, if Emma dies today, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life.
10:26Whatever.
10:28Besides, my mom says Sophia can still give birth to a son.
10:32Since you can't produce a son, you'd better step aside soon.
10:35The call ended.
10:37I listened to the dial tone as I slowly slid down to the floor.
10:40The door to the resuscitation room opened.
10:42A doctor walked out.
10:44Mask pulled down to his chin.
10:47Who is Emma's family member?
10:48I scrambled to my feet.
10:51I'm her mother.
10:53We saved the child, but...
10:57But what?
10:59Due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, there is brain damage.
11:03It may affect her intelligence going forward and she could even be...
11:08permanently paralyzed.
11:11How is that possible?
11:12She's still so small.
11:14We did everything we could.
11:15The doctor sighed.
11:16Go handle the admission paperwork first.
11:18The follow-up treatment costs won't be cheap.
11:19I stumbled over to pay the fees in a daze.
11:23Insufficient balance in my account.
11:26Ruiz only gave me 3,000 yuan a month for living expenses.
11:29Saying it was enough to raise a daughter.
11:32I called him.
11:34What now?
11:35Emma needs money for surgery.
11:38Transfer 50,000.
11:39He raised his voice.
11:4050,000?
11:41Do you think I'm an ATM?
11:43Or a money printing machine?
11:45Rice, Emma is your daughter.
11:47A girl, even if she gets better, she's just a financial drain.
11:54Are you going to transfer the money or not?
11:56No.
11:57If you can manage it, earn it yourself.
11:59Oh, right.
11:59My mom says you don't need to come home for Christmas this year.
12:02Running to the hospital during Christmas, what terrible luck.
12:05After Christmas is over, we'll go file for divorce.
12:08The house is mine.
12:09You didn't contribute any money, so you get nothing.
12:11As for Emma...
12:12He paused.
12:13If you can't afford to raise her, send her to an orphanage.
12:16Either way, I don't want a financial drain.
12:19I hung up the phone.
12:20I stood in front of the payment window, looking at the person inside.
12:23Can the treatment start first?
12:25I'll pay it back slowly over time.
12:28I'm sorry.
12:29Hospital policy requires a deposit to be paid uprun.
12:31I walked out of the hospital and stood in the snow.
12:34My phone vibrated.
12:36Ethan was calling.
12:38Sarah, where are you?
12:39Rice said Tiffany picked you up.
12:41Ethan, do me a favor.
12:44Just say it!
12:45If I die, help me take care of Emma.
12:48What are you talking about?
12:50I have no money, and there's no saving Emma.
12:53Rest doesn't want her anymore, and I can't do it either.
12:56Take her to an orphanage.
12:58At least she'll survive.
12:58She won't die.
13:00Sister-in-law, don't do anything rash.
13:01Where are you?
13:02I'll come right now.
13:03No need.
13:04I hung up and turned off my phone.
13:07I walked back to the ward.
13:08Emma lay on the bed, tubes running all over her small body.
13:11Her little face was pale, as if she were simply asleep.
13:15Baby, Mommy, I'm sorry.
13:17In the next life, don't reborn as my guide.
13:20Find a good family, and be a child who is truly loved.
13:24I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
13:26Then I turned and walked out of the ward.
13:29On the hospital rooftop, the wind and snow were fierce.
13:32I stood at the edge, looking down below.
13:33The people coming and going looked so small.
13:35If I jumped, everything would be over.
13:37Emma would be sent to an orphanage.
13:39Everyone would be satisfied, except for me and my daughter.
13:42I closed my eyes and leaned forward, and yanked me back hard.
13:49I fell to the ground and looked up.
13:51Several men in black suits stood before me.
13:53The one in front was a middle-aged man in his fifties.
13:57Sarah.
13:59I froze.
14:01Dad!
14:02Emma was carried on as well, with an attending physician taking over immediately.
14:06Intracranial pressure is too high.
14:08Surgery must happen now.
14:12Westlank Medical Center, prepare a green channel.
14:16Father held my hand, which was trembling the entire time.
14:19I'm sorry, Dad came too late.
14:24I'm sorry.
14:26I looked at him as if in a dream.
14:28Dad, weren't you farming back in the hometown?
14:31Father froze, then smiled bitterly.
14:35Farming, that was a lie.
14:38You were determined to marry Ress,
14:40and I was afraid he'd find out our family had money
14:43and was only marrying you for it.
14:46So I pretended to be poor for four years.
14:50I thought as long as he treated you well, being poor was fine.
14:54But I never expected...
14:56He looked at the unconscious Emma, and tears fell.
15:01I never expected they could be so cruising my granddaughter like this.
15:07The helicopter landed on the rooftop of the Westlank Medical Center.
15:11Emma was taken directly into the operating room.
15:14The best specialists, the best equipment.
15:17Father stood outside the operating room and made a phone call.
15:21The Parkers, before the market opens tomorrow, I want to see it hit the limit down.
15:25Terminate all cooperation, every single one.
15:28The banks, you know what to do.
15:32After hanging up, he sat down beside me.
15:36Sarah, Dad is giving you two options.
15:40The first, divorce, take the money, bring Emma abroad, and never come back.
15:46The second...
15:47He looked at me.
15:48Stay, and watch the Parkers fall.
15:52Watch Rice kneel before you and beg for forgiveness.
15:56I thought about it.
15:58The second one.
15:59But I want to add one condition.
16:01Go ahead.
16:03Get me a corpse.
16:04One that looks exactly like me.
16:06With a child, frozen to death by the side of a highway.
16:10Father frowned.
16:11You want to...
16:13I want them to think I'm dead.
16:17And then I want to watch, with my own eyes, how they celebrate.
16:20How they rejoice while I and Emma are supposedly dead during the new year.
16:25Father was silent for a long time, then nodded.
16:30All right.
16:34The corpses were made to look very convincing.
16:37One adult, one child, lying in the snow by the side of the highway.
16:40By the time they were discovered, they had already frozen still.
16:44The one who found them was a nearby villager who called the police.
16:48Using the ID card found on the body, the police contacted Reese.
16:53When the call came in, the Parkers was sitting down to their New Year's Eve dinner.
16:57A full table of dishes, laughter filling the room.
17:01Sophia sat beside Reese, picking out food for him.
17:04Olivia sweetly called out,
17:06Grandma.
17:07Mrs. Parker smiled so wide, her mouth barely closed.
17:11Sophia is just so much better.
17:15Even the daughter she had is so well-behaved and obedient.
17:19Nothing like Sarah's girl.
17:21Always crying.
17:23Not cute at all.
17:24So annoying.
17:25Reese's phone rang.
17:27He glanced at it and frowned.
17:28The police?
17:30He answered.
17:31Hello?
17:32Is this Mr. Rice?
17:33Is your wife Sarah traveling on the highway with your daughter?
17:36Yes.
17:37Why?
17:38We found two bodies on the side of the highway.
17:41Preliminary determination is that they froze to death.
17:44The female victim had an ID card on her with the name Sarah.
17:49There was also a girl, approximately three years old.
17:52Please come and make an identification.
17:56What did you say?
17:59Your wife and daughter may have had an accident.
18:06Who is it?
18:07Such bad luck calling during the new year.
18:10Reese stood up, his face deathly pale.
18:13Sarah and Emma froze to death?
18:16When Reese arrived at the funeral home, his legs felt weak.
18:20The police led him into the morgue.
18:22The cold cabinet was opened, revealing two bodies, one large and one small.
18:28The larger one was wearing my down jacket, hair messy, face showing frostbite.
18:33The smaller one was curled up in the adult's arms, as if asleep.
18:40Is this them?
18:42Reese opened his mouth, but couldn't speak.
18:44He reached out, trying to touch my face.
18:47His hand trembled violently.
18:50No way.
18:51He shivered all over, murmuring.
18:53Tiffany clearly went to pick them up.
18:56We checked the surveillance.
18:57Your sister's car never got on the highway.
19:01Anyway, she just drove around the city and then went home.
19:06Also, the last phone call on the deceased phone was to you.
19:11The time was 7 p.m. last night.
19:13She said the child was sick and begged you for help.
19:16You said the police hesitated.
19:19A girl, even if cured, is just a money-losting burden.
19:24I thought, I thought she was lying to me.
19:27I didn't know she really...
19:31If you had known, would you have gone?
19:33The police looked at him.
19:41The morgue door was pushed open.
19:44Mrs. Parker rushed in.
19:46Oh, my granddaughter!
19:48My dear sweetie!
19:50How could you just leave like this?
19:53She suddenly stopped and grabbed Reese.
19:55Son, dead is good.
19:56This is a good thing!
19:58Sarah's dead.
19:59So now you can marry Sophia!
20:02Sophia is still young.
20:04Still can bear children.
20:05She'll definitely give the Parkers a son!
20:08Reese turned to look at her.
20:10His gaze vacant and unfamiliar.
20:13Mom, that's my daughter, your granddaughter.
20:16Dead is dead.
20:18Besides, it's not a boy anyway.
20:21This is perfect timing.
20:23No need to divorce and split assets.
20:26Hurry and tell them to cremate the bodies.
20:27Don't delay the new year!
20:29Come on, Sophia is waiting for us to eat!
20:31Reese was pulled along.
20:33He looked back once at the cold cabinet.
20:37Wait.
20:38He shook off Mrs. Parker's hand and went back.
20:40He crouched by the bodies, looking for a long time.
20:45Sarah, I'm sorry.
20:47I was wrong.
20:47I really...
20:48I didn't know it would be like this.
20:51What apology?
20:52It's her short life.
20:53She deserved to die.
20:55Shut up!
20:58Mrs. Parker was stunned.
21:00Reese stood up and told the police.
21:02I want to take the bodies away.
21:04To hold a funeral.
21:06To make it grand.
21:10The Parkers hung white streamers and lilies.
21:13A wake was held in the side parlor, right next to the room I had occupied in life.
21:18Sophia and Olivia moved into the master bedroom, and the whole family hovered around them.
21:23Reese stayed in the wake room, keeping vigil beside the caskets.
21:26Tiffany came once.
21:28Riths, I didn't mean to.
21:29I just got caught up having fun with my friends and forgot...
21:36Who knew they would actually die?
21:38Reese looked at her, his eyes bloodshot.
21:41Got caught up having fun?
21:45Two lives.
21:46And you think I got caught up is enough?
21:48Tiffany cried.
21:50Then what do you want from me?
21:51To pay with my life for hers?
21:53Does she even deserve that?
21:58A woman who couldn't give birth to a son, and a little money-losing rest hand!
22:03They died!
22:04So what?
22:07Tiffany was stunned.
22:11Get out.
22:15Sophia came over, holding Olivia, her voice soft and consoling.
22:19Riths, Sarah's spirit in heaven wouldn't want to see you like this.
22:23Reese looked up at her.
22:26Do you know what they were doing when the accident happened?
22:29Sophia was startled.
22:31I was at your place having dinner.
22:33They were waiting in the snow to die.
22:37Waiting for someone who was never going to come for them.
22:42Sophia's face went pale.
22:43That was your sister's fault.
22:44What does it have to do with me?
22:46It was your mother who insisted I come back with you, throw the right with you to celebrate the new
22:50year.
22:50I wouldn't have gone through all the trouble of coming back with you.
22:54Besides, you're the one who threw them out.
22:57Yes, you went through a lot of trouble.
22:59Reese cut her off.
23:00But they froze to death.
23:02Literally froze to death.
23:04Two lives lost.
23:06Just because Emma was a girl, did they deserve to die?
23:10Sophia fell silent.
23:11These past few days, I keep thinking, what if I had answered the phone?
23:17What if I had gone to pick them up?
23:19What if I hadn't said those things?
23:25His voice broke.
23:27Sophia bit her lip and turned to leave.
23:30Before walking out the door, she tossed back one last remark.
23:34Rice, don't forget.
23:37I'm the one who can give the Parkers a son now.
23:41The door to the wake room closed.
23:44Reese slid down against the casket and sank to the floor.
23:47In the security footage, I watched his shoulders tremble.
23:51How laughable.
23:52When someone is alive, you don't cherish them.
23:55Only after they're dead do you come to mourn.
23:58I sent my father a message.
24:00Can we begin?
24:02Father replied,
24:03Whenever you're ready.
24:10The Parkers' business began to collapse.
24:12First, their biggest client suddenly terminated their contract
24:15and signed a 10-year deal with a competitor.
24:18Then, the bank called in its loans and the cash flow dried up.
24:22Reese was overwhelmed, sleeping at the office every day.
24:25Mrs. Parker called and scolded him.
24:28You never come home.
24:30What if Sophia gets upset?
24:32The company is finished.
24:33Do you understand?
24:36Finished is finished.
24:37We still have money anyway.
24:40Money?
24:41Mom, we're about to go bankrupt.
24:44The house, the cars, the savings,
24:47all of it is going towards paying off debt.
24:50You might not even be able to afford food from now on.
24:53How is that possible?
24:55How is it not?
24:57He sat in his office, staring out the window.
25:00This city, he had spent 10 years building something here.
25:03Now, overnight, it was all gone.
25:06His phone rang.
25:07An unknown number.
25:08A man's voice.
25:10Mr. Parker, did you receive the gift?
25:13Who are you?
25:15You don't need to know who I am.
25:17You only need to know that this is just the beginning.
25:19The debt you owe must be repaid with the entire Parker family.
25:23The call ended.
25:25Reese called back.
25:26The number was already disconnected.
25:28He held the phone, his hands beginning to shake.
25:33The Perikers officially entered bankruptcy liquidation.
25:36The house, the cars, all assets, everything was auctioned off.
25:42Mrs. Parker moved out of the villa and into a rental apartment.
25:46Reese arranged for the cremation.
25:48After everything was over, he kept the ashes in two urns and took them back with him.
25:53He lived alone with the urns.
25:57He placed them on the floor beside him when he slept.
26:00Sophia took Olivia and left, taking the last of the cash with her before she walked out the door.
26:06I can't suffer along with you.
26:08Olivia still has school.
26:10Reese didn't stop her.
26:12Tiffany came to find him once and called him insane.
26:17You've ruined the whole family fortune over a dead woman!
26:21How can you face Mom?
26:22Reese looked at her.
26:23Then who faced Sarah?
26:26Who faced Emma?
26:29Tiffany never came back.
26:33Reese started looking for work.
26:36But in this city, the reputation of a bankrupt CEO spreads faster than a virus.
26:42No one would hire him.
26:43He ended up at a construction site in the old district.
26:47He earned $200 a day, working until his back felt like it would snap.
26:52At night, he'd return to his rented apartment and eat cheap bread from a convenience store.
26:56Then he'd sit on the floor holding the urns and talk to himself.
27:00Sarah, the foreman yelled at me today.
27:03Said I was weak.
27:04Said I didn't work like a real man.
27:06I remembered how you used to tell me to slow down.
27:09Your health is more important.
27:11I thought you were just nagging back then.
27:13Now I realize you were the only one who actually cared about me.
27:16He pulled out a crumpled cigarette and lit it.
27:20If Emma were still here, she'd be starting preschool about now.
27:25The cigarette burned down to his fingers.
27:28But he didn't even feel it.
27:30In the surveillance room, my father looked at me.
27:33Have you seen enough?
27:37No, I've seen enough.
27:38Get everything ready?
27:41I'm going back to the company next week.
27:43You're taking over.
27:45The Parkers has fallen.
27:46My debt is settled.
27:48It's time to start my own life now.
27:50My father nodded.
27:51Fine.
27:52But there's one thing you should know.
27:55What is it?
27:56I asked.
27:57Rice is looking for you.
27:58It looks like he figured out Double was a fake.
28:03While going through my remains, he found something that didn't add up.
28:08Tucked inside the pocket of my old winter coat was a crumpled store retit.
28:12The date on it was three days after I had supposedly died.
28:16It was for a strawberry shortcake, Emma's favorite.
28:20Dead people don't buy cake.
28:22Reese stared at the receipt, his hands trembling violently.
28:26I was the one who made sure he found it.
28:31He went straight to that bakery to check the security footage.
28:34On the screen, a woman in a mask was holding a little girl's hand.
28:39Even with her face covered, that silhouette, that walk.
28:43It was Sarah and Emma.
28:46Reese sprinted out of the store like a madman.
28:48He visited every place we used to go.
28:51The parks, the malls, the playgrounds.
28:54Finally, outside a private preschool, he spotted Emma.
28:59She was wearing a pink dress with her hair and pigtails.
29:03A man in a suit held her hand, leading her toward a car.
29:08Emma!
29:09Emma froze, then quickly hid behind the man in the suit.
29:14Sir, what are you doing?
29:17That's my daughter.
29:19Where's Sarah?
29:20Where's her mother?
29:22Where's her mother?
29:23I don't know anyone named Sarah.
29:25This is my employer's daughter.
29:27Move aside.
29:28Reese did not believe him.
29:29He reached out to pull Emma toward him.
29:32Suddenly, Emma burst into tears.
29:33Bad man!
29:34You're a bad man!
29:36You made mommy cry!
29:39Reese went stiff.
29:42Emma, I'm your daddy.
29:43No, you're not!
29:44My daddy is dead!
29:45Mommy said so!
29:46She said he didn't want us!
29:48And now he's dead!
29:51Reese looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
29:54Just then, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the car.
29:57The window rolled down slowly.
29:59I sat in the back seat, watching them.
30:02Long time no see, Rice.
30:04Reese turned.
30:05When he saw me, his pupils blew wide with shock.
30:08You really...
30:09You're not dead!
30:11I stepped out of the car, walked over to Emma, and swept her into my arms.
30:16No thanks to you, I'm still breathing.
30:18Mommy, that scary man tried to grab me!
30:20It's okay, baby.
30:21Mommy's here.
30:22You played me.
30:24You lied to me this whole time.
30:26I did.
30:28The double was a fake.
30:30My death was a setup.
30:31How else was I supposed to make you feel what it's like to lose everything?
30:35How could you be so cruel?
30:37Cruel, Rice?
30:39Were you cruel when you kicked your wife and daughter out onto the highway in a blizzard?
30:43Were you cruel when you refused to pay for her medical bills?
30:47Reese opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
30:54The black sedan's engine hummed softly.
30:57Holding Emma in my arms, I turned to get into the car.
31:01Reese suddenly lunged at us like a madman.
31:04Please!
31:05I know I was wrong!
31:06I really know I was wrong!
31:08Just give me one more chance!
31:10I'll make it up to you.
31:12I'll be a good father.
31:13A good husband.
31:17A chance?
31:20When you abandoned us on the highway in minus five degrees weather?
31:24Did you give us a chance?
31:26Did you?
31:28Drive the car.
31:29I raised my hand and signaled the driver.
31:32The driver stepped on the gas immediately.
31:36Reese was dragged forward two steps.
31:41Sarah!
31:42I'll find you!
31:43I swear!
31:44I'll find you both!
31:51Three days later, my father and I were in the study.
31:55The entire wall was lined with holographic screens, broadcasting breaking news from across
32:00the city.
32:01My father sat in his leather chair, tapping his fingers on the desk.
32:06He's still looking for you.
32:08I set down my glass and slid a legal document across the desk toward him.
32:13A custody lawsuit.
32:15Plaintiff, Sarah Swift.
32:17Defendant, Reese Parker.
32:20I'm going to force him to confess.
32:22Every single one of his crimes in open court.
32:25I'll make sure he legally loses the right to ever come near Emma again.
32:30I want the whole world to see what a piece of trash he truly is.
32:34My girl, you've finally grown up.
32:38Suddenly, my smart band flashed a bright red emergency alert.
32:42It was security guard.
32:44I answered the call, my heart sinking.
32:48His voice trembled, filled with sheer panic.
32:52Rice has lost his mind.
32:54He's found where you live.
32:57Outside the villa gates, Reese clutched a paper with an address on it in his hands.
33:02I want to see my daughter.
33:03My daughter. She's my daughter.
33:05Sir, this is private property. No one enters without permission.
33:09Get out of my way!
33:10That's my child!
33:12I have the right to see her!
33:15Sarah! Open the door!
33:17I know you're in there!
33:19Emma! Daddy's here!
33:21I signaled the security to let him through.
33:23The door slowly opened.
33:25Reese strode into the main hall.
33:27I stood holding Emma by the hand, with my father beside me.
33:31Sunlight spilled across my body.
33:34Warm, bright, untouchable.
33:37The moment he saw me, he froze.
33:40Emma, remember this.
33:43This man is not your father.
33:45He's just a stranger who tried to hurt you and mommy.
33:51Stranger, bad man.
33:53Reese tried to lunge forward, but was pinned down by the security guards.
34:00One week later, the Supreme Court convened.
34:03Reese stands in the defendant's box.
34:04His hair has gone gray.
34:06He looks like he aged ten years overnight.
34:08At the plaintiff's table, I sit calmly in a simple tailored suit, composed and unshaken.
34:14My lawyer presents all the evidence, piece by piece.
34:18Highway security footage proved that he kicked his own wife and daughter out of the car.
34:24Phone records proved that he blocked my calls and refused to pay for emergency medical bills.
34:30Emma, she is your daughter.
34:32Are you going to transfer the money or not?
34:35No.
34:36The judge bangs the gavel.
34:39Defendant Rice Parker, how do you plea to these charges?
34:42Reese looks up at me.
34:45I plead guilty.
34:48I ruined my own family.
34:50I'm so sorry.
34:52Rice Parker is permanently stripped of all custody and visitation rights for Emma Swift.
34:58A lifetime restraining order is issued.
35:01Rice Parker must pay full child support until Emma is an adult,
35:04along with massive emotional damages and medical bills.
35:08For child abandonment and endangering a minor,
35:11Rice Parker is sentenced to community service and will be permanently blacklisted on all financial and social credits.
35:20The final gavel falls.
35:22I stand up and turn my back on him.
35:25We walk out of the courtroom, and the sunlight covers us both.
35:33Three months later, I'm sitting by the window of a small cake shop.
35:37Emma is sitting beside me.
35:39Warm sunlight pours through the glass, falling gently over the table, filled with pastries and cream cakes.
35:45The world outside feels calm, almost distant.
35:49Mommy, look!
35:50The cakes are so pretty!
35:52Yeah, baby.
35:53Mommy, mommy brought you here to eat them.
35:57And we're going to every day.
36:01Mommy, will that badmigman ever come back?
36:04Never again.
36:05From today on, nobody can ever hurt you.
36:08Mommy will protect you forever.
36:09My smart band lights up with a soft chime, a message from my dad.
36:14All remaining Parker assets have been transferred and consolidated under the Swift family.
36:20Reese is now working at a construction site to repay his debts.
36:23He is completely finished.
36:25Tiffany, Sophia, and Mrs. Parker have all gone broke and turned on each other.
36:31Welcome home, my little princess.
36:33I turn off the screen.
36:35I look out into the distance and whisper softly,
36:40Rice, look at us now.
36:42Everything you destroyed, I rebuilt.
36:45Everything you owed us, you will spend the rest of your life paying for it.
36:49And Emma and I, we will be happy forever.
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