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00:03My husband Julian didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company shares to him a gift for
00:08our 10th anniversary, until the day of my son's health checkup.
00:12The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
00:14My husband and I, both type O. Our son? Type A.
00:19I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian. I didn't make a sound.
00:24I simply, calmly, did two things. First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't
00:30looking.
00:30Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:33I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around. The DNA testing center was across
00:38town.
00:39I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:42The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:44Standard processing is five business days. Rushes today by 4 p.m. Triple the cost. Rush it.
00:49My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
00:52After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
00:56Every second felt like an hour. I pulled out my phone and made another call.
01:00I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson. I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last
01:05few months.
01:06The private detective's voice was professional. Detached.
01:09Understood.
01:11At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed. I opened the electronic report. Skipped straight to the end.
01:16DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:26Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as a biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:32Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:37I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor. Not my child. I'd raised a child who wasn't
01:43mine for nine years.
01:44So where was my child?
01:46I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
01:51Dr. Susie was still there. She'd been promoted to department head.
01:55Dr. Susie, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
02:00Her smile froze for a moment.
02:01That was so long ago. The files might already be archived.
02:05It took some effort. But eventually, someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:09I flipped it open. The documentation was shockingly sparse. Only basic informations.
02:14Admission time. Discharge time. Delivery method. Newborn wait. No detailed labor notes.
02:20No nurse handoff records. No pediatric examination reports.
02:24Is this everything?
02:25She looked apologetic.
02:27That's all we have in the system. Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
02:31You're right at the edge of that window.
02:33What about the newborn footprints? The blood samples?
02:35She shook her head.
02:37Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
02:42It was obvious there was something wrong. An abnormally simple medical file.
02:46Missing newborn records. A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
02:51The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
02:55My phone rang. It was Julie.
02:57Where are you? I already picked up Alex.
02:59Alex. I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time. At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:04I'm out running business. I'll be home soon.
03:07I hung up. After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:12Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
03:16Their voices drifting through the house.
03:20Dad, is Mom upset?
03:22Mom's just tired. Finish your homework and get to bed early.
03:25I waited until they were both asleep.
03:27Then I started searching.
03:29The master bedroom.
03:30The living room.
03:31Alex's room.
03:32I went through everything, looking for...
03:35I didn't even know what.
03:37I found nothing.
03:38Finally, I turned to the computer and the study.
03:40The truth had to be in there.
03:43Footsteps in the hallway.
03:45I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
03:47When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
03:52He glanced at the computer screen.
03:53It had returned to the desktop.
03:55A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
03:59Still up?
04:01Just organizing some old documents.
04:03I reached over and turned off the monitor.
04:05He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
04:08In the end, he just nodded.
04:10Get some rest.
04:12I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
04:16That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
04:19I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
04:22The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
04:26He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:28All right.
04:29The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
04:32I turned on the computer and tried the password.
04:34Our wedding anniversary.
04:36Wrong.
04:37His birthday?
04:38Wrong.
04:39Alex's birthday.
04:40Still wrong.
04:41I tried the date we first met.
04:42We'd bought together.
04:44Now locked against me.
04:45That evening, Julian came home from work.
04:48He was barely through the door when he said,
04:50I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
04:52Business trip.
04:53Not sure how long I'll be gone.
04:54I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
04:56That's sudden.
04:57Who are you going with?
04:59He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look.
05:01Just someone.
05:01It was a last minute arrangement.
05:03Vivian, can you not do this?
05:05I stared at him, confused.
05:07It was just a casual question.
05:09Why was he reacting like this?
05:11You question everything.
05:12You suspect every...
05:13...to the bedroom.
05:13Dinner was silent.
05:15Alex must have sensed something was off.
05:17For once, he didn't complain about the food.
05:20After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
05:23A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
05:26After he left the room, I picked it up.
05:28A perfume purchase.
05:29Expensive.
05:30Bought yesterday afternoon.
05:32A brand name I didn't recognize.
05:33But I knew it wasn't for me.
05:35I thought about our marriage.
05:37Ten years.
05:38Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
05:41Not since our first anniversary.
05:42A scarf.
05:43I still had it somewhere.
05:45After that, nothing.
05:46No birthday gifts.
05:47No anniversary gifts.
05:49No just-because gifts.
05:50I told myself he wasn't romantic.
05:52He showed love in other ways.
05:54He was practical and focused on providing.
05:56On his career.
05:57I'd made excuses for him.
05:59But now, holding this receipt, I understood.
06:02He wasn't unromantic.
06:03He wasn't too busy.
06:04He wasn't too practical.
06:06His romance just wasn't for me.
06:07It was for someone else.
06:09Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
06:11I wrote down the information from the receipt.
06:13The next morning, after Julian left for the airport, I called the boutique.
06:19I need to verify a purchase.
06:21A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
06:22One moment.
06:23Yes, I have it here.
06:24The buyer was Chloe Williams.
06:26Chloe Williams.
06:27I knew that name.
06:28Julian's secretary.
06:30Hired six months ago.
06:31Early thirties.
06:32Divorced.
06:32I drove to the airport.
06:34I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
06:36Maybe the perfume was for a client.
06:38Maybe I was overthinking this.
06:40I waited outside the international departures hall for half an hour.
06:43Then I saw them.
06:44Julian and her.
06:46Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
06:49She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
06:53Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
06:56Relaxed.
06:57Genuinely happy.
06:59At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
07:01She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
07:05He didn't pull away.
07:06He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
07:09She smiled.
07:10Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
07:14Julian's hand rested on her waist.
07:16They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
07:19Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
07:22The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
07:25All those late nights.
07:26Working.
07:27All those times he'd been irritable with me.
07:30All of it finally made sense.
07:32I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
07:36A new thought crystallized in my mind.
07:38That child who wasn't mine.
07:41And this woman.
07:42Could they be connected?
07:44On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
07:47I need you to look into someone else.
07:49Chloe Williams.
07:51I want to know everything about her.
07:52Especially whether she has any children.
07:54The detective worked fast.
07:56By the next afternoon, I had the report.
07:58Chloe Williams.
08:0032 years old.
08:01Divorced 5 years ago.
08:03One son.
08:049 years old.
08:04Name.
08:05Alan.
08:06Attending a public school in the West End.
08:08The date jumped out at me.
08:10Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
08:12For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood run hot.
08:16I sat on the sofa.
08:17Holding the detective's report.
08:18Then.
08:19A thought struck me.
08:20I ran to study.
08:21My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
08:23Then, slowly.
08:24I typed in Chloe's birthday.
08:26The desktop opened.
08:27There was only one folder.
08:29Named.
08:30Work Backup.
08:31I clicked it open.
08:32Inside were subfolders organized by year.
08:34Starting 11 years ago, the earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
08:39Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
08:4219-year-old Julian smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
08:46She had her hair in a ponytail looking up at him.
08:48The next photo was from college.
08:50The two of them in the library.
08:52Then their graduation photo.
08:53Both in cap and gown holding hands.
08:56That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
08:59We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
09:01Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
09:03I closed the folder.
09:05The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
09:08I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
09:11Me in my white dress.
09:13Lace sleeves and long train.
09:15Holding a bouquet of white roses.
09:17Julian in his black suit.
09:19Gray tie.
09:20Book near.
09:21Both of us smiling at the camera.
09:22The photographer had made us laugh.
09:24Said something stupid.
09:25We'd both cracked up.
09:26The photo captured that moment.
09:28Pure.
09:29Happy.
09:30I stared at it.
09:31At my face.
09:32So happy.
09:33So naive.
09:33So trusting.
09:34I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
09:36That woman who believed her husband.
09:38Who'd made excuses for him.
09:40Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
09:42That woman was gone.
09:44Had to close my eyes.
09:46Put my hand over my mouth.
09:48The perfect couple.
09:49The perfect lie.
09:50Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
09:52Sick at the years of deception.
09:55Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
09:57For believing him.
09:58For trusting him.
09:59For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
10:03At 3 p.m.
10:04I drove to the West End.
10:06The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
10:11The dismissal bell rang.
10:13Children poured out through the gates.
10:15I sat in my car.
10:16Hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:18He walked out alone.
10:19No one there to pick him up.
10:21He looked left.
10:22Then right.
10:23Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
10:26I held my breath.
10:27That child.
10:28Alan.
10:29No.
10:29My child.
10:30The way he walked reminded me of myself.
10:32A slight pigeon toe.
10:33When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
10:37I saw it.
10:38A birthmark on his wrist.
10:39The same place I had mine.
10:42I could see dust on his eyelashes.
10:44His lips were chapped.
10:45His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
10:48His eyes looked empty.
10:49Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
10:52I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
10:55He walked away.
10:56Disappearing around the corner.
10:57I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
11:01For that child.
11:02Walking home alone.
11:03For ten years of living in the wrong life.
11:06For being such a fool.
11:08Dancing in a play someone else had written.
11:10Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
11:13At the law office, I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
11:17Inside, backup copies of all the photos.
11:19The DNA test results.
11:21Scanned hospital records.
11:23The perfume receipt.
11:24Files on Chloe and Alan.
11:26I want a divorce.
11:27I want Julian to leave with nothing.
11:29I want custody of my child.
11:32I want him to pay for what he's done.
11:34Walking out of the attorney's office.
11:36I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed ten years ago.
11:40Vivian, I will give you a lifetime of stability.
11:42Turns out, his lifetime was only ten years.
11:45No, probably less than that.
11:48I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
11:51My father's old colleague.
11:54Mr. Aaron, about next week's board meeting, I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
11:58Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
12:01This company's name is Hart.
12:03He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
12:07I put him in that position.
12:09I could take him down just as easily.
12:12Two weeks after Julian left,
12:14I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
12:18Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
12:22One day, it rained.
12:25Alan didn't have an umbrella.
12:27He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour,
12:30then finally ran home through the downpour.
12:32I sat in my car, rain blurring the windshield.
12:37Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
12:40When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
12:46I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
12:49He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
12:53Thank you, sweetheart.
12:55Is your mom not here yet?
12:57He shook his head.
13:00Mom's working late.
13:01How are you getting home?
13:04I'll take the bus.
13:06I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
13:09Have some water.
13:11He hesitated, then took it and said,
13:15I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
13:21Just like me.
13:22His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
13:25Inner double eyelids.
13:26The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:29Does your mom work late often?
13:32He nodded, then shook his head.
13:35Sometimes.
13:37What about your dad?
13:38He didn't answer.
13:40Just looked down at his shoes.
13:42Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
13:45The left shoelace was broken.
13:47I didn't ask anything more.
13:49I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
13:54Buy yourself some new shoes.
13:56He stepped back.
13:58No, I can't take this.
14:01Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
14:05I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
14:09After a few steps, I glanced back.
14:13He stood there looking lost.
14:15That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
14:18He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
14:20A limited edition space shuttle.
14:23Expensive.
14:24Mom?
14:24What's wrong?
14:26I walked in and touched his hair.
14:28Did you finish your homework?
14:30Finished ages ago.
14:31He held up his model.
14:32Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
14:36I smiled.
14:38That's wonderful.
14:39The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
14:42Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
14:46My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone, while this child enjoyed everything.
14:51After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
14:54He set down his suitcase.
14:56Where's Alex?
14:58Why is it so quiet?
15:00I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
15:03Since when?
15:03He's only in fourth grade.
15:05I didn't answer.
15:07I could smell that perfume on him.
15:09He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
15:11I stepped aside.
15:13Why do you smell like perfume?
15:14Who were you having dinner with?
15:17His expression flickered with irritation.
15:19Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
15:21I had a business dinner with a client.
15:23Can you not be like this?
15:25It was almost funny.
15:26Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
15:30I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
15:34Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
15:38Julian's face turned ugly.
15:40He grabbed one photo and threw it back home.
15:41You had me followed?
15:44Does it matter?
15:45I smiled slightly.
15:46What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
15:51Or get sent to your clients?
15:53He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
15:57What do you want?
15:57I stared at him.
15:58My voice was flat.
15:59First, fire Chloe Williams.
16:01Guarantee you'll never see her again.
16:03Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
16:06He stood up angry now.
16:07You're crazy.
16:08For a couple of lousy photos?
16:10My voice turned cold.
16:12Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
16:17You have everything you have because of me.
16:19What I gave, I can take back.
16:21I almost wavered.
16:23Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
16:25I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
16:28For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child, if, if you do what
16:32I'm asking, we can move forward.
16:34After all, we still have Alex.
16:36I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
16:39A pregnancy test report.
16:41It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
16:44Julian stared at the report.
16:45Then he looked up at me.
16:47You're pregnant?
16:48I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
16:52Five weeks.
16:53The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
16:55His expression shifted constantly.
16:58His throat worked.
16:59His eyes moved between me and the report.
17:02I continued.
17:03So, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely, make her leave the company in our lives,
17:08I can let the past go.
17:10We still have Alex.
17:11And now, we have this baby.
17:14Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
17:16There was obvious conflict in his eye.
17:19I need, I need to think.
17:21His voice was hoarse.
17:22He turned and went into the bedroom.
17:24The next morning, I drank my coffee and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
17:29I pushed a glass of water toward him.
17:31He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
17:33I've thought it over, Vivian.
17:35We...
17:36Don't bother.
17:37I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
17:41His expression turned furious.
17:44What is this supposed to mean?
17:45We're having another child!
17:47I said coldly,
17:48I told you I was pregnant.
17:50And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
17:53Julian stood.
17:55We have a child on the way.
17:57Won't you think about the baby?
17:58Think about Alex?
18:00The child?
18:01I suddenly laughed.
18:02You mean the child I raised for nine years.
18:04Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
18:07Julian's face went white.
18:08He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
18:10How did you...
18:11When did you find out?
18:13I held up my phone.
18:14The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
18:18I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
18:20Password is Chloe's birthday.
18:22You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
18:25His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
18:28Let me explain.
18:30My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
18:33Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
18:37Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
18:39Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
18:43I stepped closer.
18:45The funniest part?
18:46The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
18:50Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
18:52Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
18:55The funniest part?
18:56Julian suddenly remembered.
18:57His voice dropped to a whisper.
18:59Where's Alan?
19:00I need to see him.
19:02Too late.
19:03I turned and opened the door.
19:05Your son.
19:06No.
19:06My son is somewhere you'll never find him.
19:09Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
19:13Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
19:15Vivian, you can't do this.
19:17That's my son.
19:17I shook him off.
19:19From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
19:22Now get out of my house.
19:23After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
19:27Then the sound of a car engine started.
19:29Driving away, I knew where he was going.
19:31To find Chloe.
19:32To find Alan, he'd lost for nine years.
19:35But he wouldn't find Alan.
19:36Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
19:41I told him the truth.
19:43Alan was surprisingly calm.
19:45Those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
19:49I always felt like I wasn't her child.
19:53Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
19:58I took his hand.
20:00I told him I would take him away.
20:01We could start over.
20:02He was silent for a long time.
20:04Then he nodded, just slightly.
20:07Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
20:10My assistant went with him.
20:12There's a good school there.
20:13A house.
20:14New friends waiting.
20:15Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
20:19The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
20:22Finally, Julian came back.
20:23He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven.
20:28I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
20:32Vivian, we need to talk.
20:33I leaned against the doorframe in my loungewear.
20:35I didn't let him in.
20:37The agreement is very clear.
20:39There's nothing to talk about.
20:40He looked defeated.
20:41I can't get divorced.
20:43For the sake of our ten years together.
20:45For the sake of our child.
20:47Which child?
20:49I cut him off with a cold laugh.
20:50The one in those videos?
20:51Or the one upstairs?
20:53Julian's face went white.
20:55A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
20:57Videos.
20:58One after another.
20:59Alan crying.
21:00Being beaten.
21:01Locked in a dark room.
21:03In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
21:06He'd spilled milk.
21:07Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
21:09The email had only one line.
21:11Thank you for raising my son all these years.
21:14I'd watched them all night.
21:16By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
21:18Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
21:20Those videos.
21:22Chloe.
21:23She sometimes couldn't control herself.
21:24I laughed coldly.
21:26Alan is your son.
21:27You went to see Chloe every week.
21:29You noticed her new perfume.
21:31Her fresh manicure.
21:33But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
21:35He had no answer.
21:36I said flatly.
21:37I've already retained a lawyer.
21:39If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
21:42The evidence of the baby switch.
21:44Photos of your affair.
21:45Those videos.
21:47All of it becomes part of the legal record.
21:49This voice dropped.
21:50Are you insane?
21:51The company's about to go public.
21:53Now is not the time.
21:55Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
21:58So sign.
21:59While I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
22:02The door shut.
22:03He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
22:06Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
22:09Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
22:13Chloe in a white wedding dress.
22:15Julian with his arm around her.
22:17But his expression looked stiff.
22:19The caption read,
22:20Ten years of waiting, finally together.
22:24I took a screenshot.
22:25Then I turned off my phone.
22:27That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
22:30Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
22:32The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
22:34Communication records between him and Chloe.
22:37The abuse videos.
22:38And medical records.
22:40It's enough to file charges.
22:42Thank you for your work.
22:44Of course.
22:46Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
22:48He came by the office yesterday.
22:50Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
22:52Too late.
22:53Early the next morning, my plane took off.
22:56My assistant met me at the airport.
22:58Alan's been doing better this week.
23:00He's starting to talk more.
23:02Yesterday, he's starting to talk more.
23:04My heart beat faster.
23:06The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:08In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground,
23:11watching ants.
23:13Alan.
23:14He looked better than in the videos.
23:16But he was still too thin.
23:18Not enough meat on his bones.
23:20Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
23:24The thought cut through me like a knife.
23:26I walked over and knelt in front of him.
23:29I'm your mother.
23:30He looked at me for a long time.
23:32Then nodded, just slightly.
23:34I carefully put my arms around him.
23:36He didn't pull away.
23:38I'm sorry.
23:39Mom came too late.
23:41He trembled slightly in my arms.
23:43For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
23:45I devoted all my time to him.
23:47I took him to the park.
23:48The first time on the carousel,
23:50he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white.
23:53I took him to the library.
23:54He loved books about stars.
23:56At night, after he fell asleep,
23:58I gently stroked his hair.
24:00He still didn't talk much.
24:02But sometimes, he'd smile at me.
24:04At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open,
24:06caught by the wind.
24:07The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
24:11I jolted awake.
24:12I knew immediately it was Alan.
24:14I pushed open his door.
24:16Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains,
24:18casting shadows across the floor.
24:20His small figure was curled up on the bed.
24:22His hands clutched the blanket,
24:24knuckles white.
24:25Cold sweat covered his forehead.
24:27His brow was furrowed deeply.
24:29He kept murmuring.
24:31Mom, no.
24:33Don't lock me in the dark room.
24:35There are rats.
24:36I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
24:39I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
24:42His body went rigid for a moment.
24:43Then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened deer.
24:46His crying was suppressed, desperate.
24:47Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
24:49Mom, I'm scared.
24:51That storage room was so dark.
24:54I begged again and again, but no one answered.
24:57The rats crawled on my feet.
25:00My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
25:03Alan, don't be afraid.
25:04I patted his back again and again,
25:06my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
25:08Mom's here.
25:09No one can lock you up anymore.
25:10The rats won't come.
25:12Mama will protect you.
25:13Silent tears fell onto his hair.
25:15I thought of the videos Chloe had sent,
25:16that child trembling in the darkness,
25:18the marks on his body,
25:20old scars and new wounds layered together.
25:22I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
25:25When his crying finally exhausted itself,
25:27his breathing gradually steady,
25:29will and gently lifted his sleeve.
25:31Brownish scars on his arm,
25:33ugly as centipedes.
25:35The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
25:37On his back, a faint bruise.
25:39From when he'd been shoved against the corner
25:41of the storage room wall as a small child.
25:43I traced those scars with my fingertips.
25:46My touch is light as if I were afraid
25:47of breaking something fresh.
25:48Doesn't it hurt?
25:49Alan shook his head.
25:50Tears still clung to his lashes.
25:51He bit his lip and said quietly,
25:53It doesn't hurt now,
25:54but sometimes I dream about it.
25:56I dream I'm locked in there again.
25:57I'm calling for Mom,
25:58but Mom isn't there.
25:59I'm sorry.
26:00I held him tighter.
26:01Mom came too late,
26:02but from now on,
26:03Mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
26:05That night,
26:05I held him on the sofa until dawn.
26:08I told him stories
26:10about how I used to be afraid of thunder
26:12when I was little,
26:13how my father would hold me
26:14and count the stars
26:15while singing nursery rhymes.
26:17I told him about
26:18when I first took over the company,
26:20how the old employees
26:21gave me a hard time,
26:22how I cried in the stairwell,
26:24then dried my tears
26:25and went back to negotiate.
26:27I told him about
26:28the cosy interns
26:29who spilled coffee
26:30all over an important contract
26:32and turned power to fear.
26:34He listened quietly.
26:36Occasionally,
26:36he'd lift his head
26:37and look at me
26:38with those eyes
26:38so much like mine
26:39and ask,
26:41Were you scared, Mom?
26:42Terrified.
26:43Touching his hair.
26:44But I knew that
26:45if I just held on,
26:46things would get better.
26:47And now I have you, Alan.
26:49I can't afford
26:50to be afraid anymore.
26:51He nodded slowly,
26:52seeming to understand.
26:53His small hand
26:54quietly gripped my finger.
26:56A few days later,
26:57I took Alan to the observatory
26:58on the outskirts of the city.
27:00We rode a bus
27:01through fields of wheat.
27:02The wind carried
27:03the scent of grain.
27:04Alan pressed his face
27:04against the window,
27:05his eyes full of wonder.
27:07When night fell,
27:08the observatory dome
27:09slowly opened.
27:10The sky filled with stars
27:11like scattered diamonds
27:12across deep blue velvet,
27:14so brilliant
27:15you couldn't look away.
27:16The guide pointed at Orion
27:17and told the legend
27:19of the hunter.
27:20Alan's eyes lit up
27:21like stars themselves.
27:22The corner of his mouth
27:24slowly curved
27:25into a shallow smile.
27:26On the bus ride home,
27:27the vehicle swayed gently.
27:29He leaned against my shoulder
27:30and said quietly,
27:32Mom,
27:32the stars are so far away,
27:34but being able to see them,
27:35it makes me feel safe.
27:36Mm-hmm.
27:37My heart felt soft.
27:39I knew the trauma
27:39buried deep inside him
27:41wouldn't disappear
27:41after one trip
27:42to an observatory,
27:43like those old scars.
27:44No matter how much care
27:46they received,
27:46they'd always leave
27:47faint marks.
27:48But as long as I stayed
27:49with him,
27:50warming him bit by bit
27:51with love and patience,
27:52the starlight would eventually
27:54pierce through the darkness
27:55and illuminate the road ahead.
27:57That afternoon,
27:58we were making cookies
27:59in the kitchen
27:59when the doorbell rang.
28:01Jenny went to answer it.
28:02I heard her say,
28:03Mr. Robinson?
28:03The flower sifter slipped
28:04from my hands
28:05and clattered onto the table.
28:06Through the glass door,
28:08I saw Julian standing
28:09at the entrance.
28:10His hair was disheveled,
28:11his eyes were sunken,
28:13he was dragging
28:13an old suitcase.
28:14Vivian,
28:15I've been searching
28:15for half a month.
28:16I wiped my hands
28:17and walked out of the kitchen,
28:19closing the door behind me.
28:20Now you know where we are.
28:21You can leave.
28:22I want to see the child,
28:23our child.
28:24He looked toward
28:25the thin figure in the kitchen.
28:26I keep having dreams,
28:27dreams of when he was small,
28:28dreams of Chloe hitting him.
28:29I never knew.
28:30You should have known.
28:30I cut him off.
28:31You just chose not to know.
28:32His gaze dropped to my stomach.
28:33Is the baby still?
28:34I smiled.
28:35For the first time in days,
28:36I felt genuinely light.
28:37The baby?
28:37Of course.
28:38I placed my hand
28:39on my lower abdomen.
28:40The doctor says
28:40everything's fine.
28:42Due next spring.
28:43His face turned ugly.
28:44His emotions
28:44suddenly became agitated.
28:46He lunged toward me.
28:47I stepped aside.
28:48He stumbled and crashed
28:49into the entryway cabinet.
28:50Vivian,
28:51I need to see my son.
28:52You can't do this.
28:53I looked at him
28:54and laughed coldly.
28:55Julian,
28:55what you should be worrying about
28:57isn't where Alan is.
28:58It's whether your son
28:59can even be born safely.
29:00If you want your son born safely,
29:02deal with Chloe first.
29:04Settle your mess yourselves.
29:05I shoved him out the door.
29:06Just looking at him now
29:07made me feel sick.
29:08As I closed the door,
29:09I saw Julian slumped on the ground,
29:11hands pulling at his hair.
29:13He looked truly pathetic.
29:14Fine.
29:15Let them tear each other apart.
29:16Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
29:18Soon after,
29:19Attorney Morrison called.
29:20Mrs. Hart,
29:21it's gotten ugly.
29:21The result isn't ideal.
29:22Apparently,
29:23Julian and Chloe
29:24had already divorced
29:25and now they were facing
29:26each other in court.
29:27Chloe was hysterical on the stand,
29:29exposing everything.
29:30How Julian had used his position
29:32to transfer money to her
29:33over the years.
29:34How he promised
29:34to divorce me
29:35and marry her.
29:36How his attitude had changed
29:38the moment he learned
29:39I was pregnant.
29:39I gripped my phone,
29:40listening.
29:41My expression stayed calm.
29:43However,
29:44Julian managed to pin
29:44all the blame on Chloe.
29:46He claimed she coerced him
29:47into switching the babies.
29:48The trial lasted two full days.
29:50In the end,
29:51Chloe was convicted
29:52of child abduction,
29:53document forgery,
29:54and corporate fraud.
29:55Multiple charges,
29:56sentenced to three years.
29:57Julian,
29:58meanwhile,
29:58came out clean.
29:59He cried in court,
30:01claiming he too
30:01was a victim.
30:02That Chloe had manipulated
30:04him for ten years.
30:05It sounded absurd,
30:06but the judge believed it.
30:07Or rather,
30:09Julian's lawyer
30:09was that good.
30:10Before hanging up,
30:12Attorney Morrison
30:12said softly,
30:13Mrs. Hart,
30:14I'm sorry,
30:15this wasn't the result
30:16we hoped for.
30:17Let's get any good retirement.
30:18If you'd like,
30:19we can proceed
30:19to the next phase of planning.
30:20I cut him off.
30:21It's enough.
30:21At least I have my child back.
30:22Alan was doing homework.
30:24I walked over to him.
30:25Alan,
30:26Mom made the bad people
30:27pay for what they did.
30:29But maybe not enough.
30:30Are you angry with me?
30:31He looked up.
30:32Mom,
30:32I know who treated me well
30:34and who didn't.
30:35I keep track.
30:36I keep track.
30:37I covered my mouth.
30:38Tears spilled over.
30:40He lowered his head
30:41and went back to his writing.
30:42Then added quietly,
30:44I keep track.
30:45I laughed through my tears.
30:47These past days,
30:48I've been desperately
30:49trying to make up
30:50for 10 years
30:51of missing maternal love.
30:52I transferred company shares
30:54into a trust fund
30:54in his name.
30:55He was still young,
30:56but I knew
30:57what that security meant.
30:58I enrolled him
30:59in the best international academy
31:01in the city.
31:01The principal frowned
31:02when he looked at Alan's
31:03previous report cards.
31:05For 10 years,
31:06Chloe had barely
31:07supervised his studies.
31:08She'd practically
31:09left him to fend for himself.
31:11His coursework
31:11had fallen far behind his peers.
31:13I hired three private tutors,
31:15math,
31:16language arts,
31:17technology,
31:18rotating and shifts.
31:19Alan worked
31:20hard,
31:20studying late
31:21into the night,
31:22every night.
31:23One night
31:23past midnight,
31:24I brought him
31:25warm milk.
31:26I found him
31:26asleep at his desk,
31:28pens still clutched
31:29in his hand.
31:29I didn't wake him.
31:31I just gently
31:31draped a blanket
31:32over his shoulders.
31:33Friday afternoon,
31:34I went to pick up
31:35Alan from school.
31:36Parents crowded
31:37the school gates.
31:38Alan ran out
31:39with his new backpack,
31:40his face flushed
31:41from exercise.
31:43Mom!
31:43I passed my math quiz today!
31:45I was reaching
31:46for his test paper
31:46when I caught a glimpse
31:47of a figure
31:48through the cafe window
31:49across the street.
31:50Julian,
31:50sitting in the corner,
31:51his chin covered
31:52in dark stubble,
31:53haggard,
31:53nothing like the confident
31:54company executive
31:55he used to be.
31:55Alan followed my gaze.
31:57I squeezed his hand.
31:59Let's go home.
31:59We'd barely turned around
32:00when I heard rushed footsteps
32:01behind us.
32:03Julian had crossed the street
32:04and now stood
32:05blocking our path.
32:06Vivian,
32:07can we talk?
32:07I gestured for Alan
32:08to get in the car first.
32:09Then I looked at the man
32:10in front of me.
32:11We have nothing to talk about.
32:13I've dealt with everything.
32:14He spoke urgently,
32:16like he was trying
32:16to prove something.
32:17I've fought with everything.
32:18I've cut ties
32:19with her completely.
32:21I couldn't help
32:22but laugh.
32:23Julian,
32:24Chloe's in prison
32:24because my lawyer
32:25put her there.
32:26What does that
32:27have to do with you?
32:29Can she respond
32:30to cannibals?
32:31Weren't you the one
32:32crying on the witness stand,
32:33playing the victim?
32:34His face darkened.
32:35I know I was wrong,
32:36Vivian.
32:38For the sake
32:38of our child,
32:40please forgive me
32:42this once.
32:43Our child?
32:45His gaze fell
32:46to my stomach.
32:47Yes,
32:48our child.
32:49I smoothed the wrinkles
32:49in my coat,
32:50taking my time.
32:51Oh, that?
32:52That was fake.
32:55Julian froze.
32:56His eyes went wide.
32:57I met his stare calmly.
32:58The pregnancy report
32:59report was forward.
33:00I just wanted to see
33:01what choice you did make.
33:03I stepped forward,
33:04letting him get a clear look
33:05at my flat abdomen.
33:07It's been months.
33:08If I were really pregnant,
33:10I'd be showing by now,
33:11wouldn't I?
33:11His gaze lingered
33:12on my stomach
33:13for a long time.
33:14It doesn't matter.
33:15We don't need that baby.
33:16We still have Alan.
33:17We still have ten years
33:18of history between us.
33:19I cut him off.
33:20Wake up.
33:20Stop dreaming.
33:21He acted like
33:22he hadn't heard me.
33:23Suddenly,
33:24he seemed to remember something.
33:25He pulled a velvet box
33:26from his briefcase.
33:27Look,
33:27this is the gift I bought
33:28for your 30th birthday.
33:30The company was struggling
33:31financially that year.
33:32I couldn't bring myself
33:33to give it to you.
33:34Then a second box.
33:35A third.
33:36He laid them all
33:37on the ground.
33:38This one's from
33:39our seventh anniversary.
33:41This one's from
33:41when we first moved
33:42into the house.
33:43This one.
33:44This one?
33:45The small velvet boxes
33:47formed a line
33:48on the pavement.
33:49I bought one every year.
33:50I just never gave them to you.
33:51Now I'm giving them
33:52all to you.
33:53He looked up,
33:53eyes red.
33:54Please,
33:54give me one more chance.
33:55I crouched down
33:56and opened the nearest box.
33:58Inside was a diamond necklace.
34:00The pendant
34:00shaped like an iris.
34:02My favorite flower.
34:03Once upon a time,
34:05I would have been overjoyed
34:06by a gift like this.
34:07I would have worn it proudly,
34:09holding his arm
34:10at every gala,
34:10showing off my happiness.
34:11Now,
34:12I just felt sick.
34:13I stood up
34:14and placed the necklace
34:15back in the box.
34:16Julian,
34:17I loved you once.
34:18When I didn't hear from you,
34:19I would lie awake all night.
34:21When I cooked soup
34:22and delivered it to your office
34:23when you were working late.
34:24When you said,
34:25baby,
34:25thank you for everything
34:25you do for me.
34:26At that moment,
34:27I felt it was all worth it.
34:28I set the box at his feet.
34:29That one who loved you most,
34:30she's long gone.
34:32These gifts are no different
34:33from garbage to me now.
34:34Something in his expression shifted.
34:36The desperation vanished,
34:37replaced by something darker.
34:39You think you've won?
34:40His voice turned sharp, bitter.
34:41Do you know how hard
34:41I've worked to get where I am?
34:42Enlated.
34:43But that's,
34:44you know how hard
34:44I've worked to get where I am?
34:45I came from
34:46Toxtra Skal Tumihi
34:47and Noah Tess Lovman.
34:48I came from nothing, Vivian.
34:50Nothing.
34:51I didn't say anything.
34:52The man who pretended
34:53to be a devoted husband
34:54finally revealed his true colors.
34:56I married into your family.
34:58Do you know what that's like?
34:59Being called the man
35:00who married up?
35:01Having everyone whisper
35:02that I'm living off my wife?
35:03His hands clenched into fists.
35:04I worked myself to the bone
35:05for that company.
35:06For you.
35:07For this family.
35:08Are you finished?
35:09My voice stayed flat.
35:11My voice stayed flat.
35:13My voice stayed flat.
35:13I tried to find my wife.
35:13hadn't thought before me
35:13I didn't speak to a team of
35:13I went to hut.
35:13Give me some of the smх
35:14and hook to the believed
35:14that I piece with you
35:14to come to your hand
35:14I don't want to know
35:14what was going to work.
35:15I don't want to go too far.
35:15no morgen I ever
35:15myself up a hedge
35:15on his wife's side
35:15on my head.
35:15I take a pent
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