- 12 hours ago
Raised on Lies HD
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My 18th Christmas Eve, mom and dad were busy with work, just like always.
00:05I pushed through the tree lighting ceremony entirely alone, only to run straight into them with another girl.
00:13Buying her a $10,000 Cartine bracelet and handing her the keys to a brand new Porsche.
00:22Vanessa, you're more of a daughter to us than Julia ever was.
00:26You're our favorite.
00:28Vanessa turned and locked eyes with me, a triumphant smirk curling her lip.
00:33Boom, boom. My hands trembled. The hot cocoa I was holding suddenly tasted bitter.
00:38I looked down at my thread-beared clothes. A suffocating lump formed in my throat.
00:45I ran all the way home, crawled under the covers and bowed.
00:50I grabbed my only teddy bear and hurled it violently across the room.
00:55It was my 8th birthday present, the only gift I had ever received in my entire 18 years of life.
01:01I cherished it. I fell asleep clutching it every single night because my mother made that bear from scratch.
01:07I remembered her staying up half the night. My heart ached for her.
01:12So, I learned to be the perfect daughter. I never asked for a single thing.
01:19Starting in the 3rd grade, I walked the neighbor's dogs after school.
01:24I raked leaves for the old lady next door, just to scrape together a few bucks.
01:29In high school, I survived on the cheapest food in the cafeteria.
01:33Sometimes, just a side salad and a free dinner roll.
01:37When my clothes ripped, I stitched them up and wore them anyway.
01:40I never cared how people looked at me, because my parents' words were burned into my brain.
01:45Money is tight, Julia. Save every penny you can.
01:48But on that Christmas Eve, the truth finally hit me.
01:52My parents weren't poor at all.
01:54They just spent every last dime on someone else.
01:57Buying her designer clothes.
01:59Letting her drive a Porsche.
02:00I stared at the ceiling all night, tears soaking my pillow.
02:04But I just couldn't understand.
02:06Why?
02:08It's Julia. Time to get up. Rise and shine.
02:15Seeing them back in their ratty clothes, it almost felt like a hallucination.
02:20Julia, we brought you some leftovers from work.
02:22Shrimp and crab cakes.
02:24Before last night, I would have been over the moan.
02:27I would have hugged her, kissed her cheek, and rushed to heat it up.
02:31But this time, I just stood there.
02:33My mind flashed to that fancy Seaf place they took Vanessa to.
02:36And then it hit me.
02:38Those special treats Mom brought home the day after Christmas every year?
02:41They were probably just Vanessa's leftovers.
02:43Who was the real daughter here?
02:45We brought cookies and chocolates, too.
02:47They're delicious.
02:48More trash Vanessa didn't want.
02:50And I was the idiot who cherished it every single year.
02:55Smiling like a fool, soaking up their fake love.
02:58Julia, sweetie.
03:00What's wrong?
03:01Why are your eyes so red?
03:03You don't look so well.
03:04Are you getting sick?
03:06I cried the entire night.
03:07No kidding, they're red.
03:09Come on, Julia.
03:09Let's get you to the doctor.
03:11They were always so gentle.
03:13So caring.
03:14I remembered a winter night years ago.
03:17I spiked a fever in the middle of a storm.
03:19Dad carried me on his back, running all the way to urgent care.
03:23I didn't get hit by a single drop of rain.
03:25He was soaked to the bone, shivering uncontrollably.
03:28But all he cared about was me.
03:30Yet this same father had lied to my face for 18 years.
03:33Pinching every penny with me.
03:35Sparing no expense for Vanessa.
03:37Julia, what is it?
03:38Is someone bullying you?
03:40I went to the tree lighting by myself last night.
03:45I saw this girl in expensive clothes.
03:49Her parents with her, buying her tons of presents.
03:53But I had no one.
03:55For years, it's always just been me.
04:01Oh, Julia.
04:03We're so sorry.
04:05We feel like such terrible parents.
04:08We wish we could give you a better life.
04:11But we're just so swapped with work, we barely get to see you.
04:16Before, the second she cried, I'd comfort her.
04:19Now, I realized she deserved a freaking Oscar.
04:22She played me for an absolute fool.
04:26Swamped with work?
04:27Try swamped with catering to Vanessa.
04:32Julia, we might be broke.
04:35But at least we have each other.
04:38You don't need to envy anyone.
04:42He was right.
04:46I didn't envy anyone else.
04:49I envied Vanessa.
04:51Not a drop of their blood in her veins.
04:54Yet she was more of a daughter to them than I ever was.
04:59Alright, enough gloomy talk.
05:00Let me heat this up.
05:04Even though it was seafood I had never tried before,
05:07I didn't warn a breakfast that my pants were the trished.
05:11I didn't touch it with my chopsticks
05:13and just focused on eating corn.
05:17Julia, why aren't you eating?
05:19You're a growing girl.
05:21You need your strength.
05:24I had zero appetite for Vanessa's Michelin star leftovers.
05:29All I could taste was their blatant favoritism,
05:32claiming I needed strength
05:34while blowing every dime they had on someone else.
05:37How ironic.
05:41I want a new laptop.
05:46This was the first time I had ever asked them for anything.
05:50My current laptop was a $200 piece of junk off Craigslist.
05:55It lagged just opening a Word document.
05:59I never dared to replace it.
06:02I was terrified of adding to their financial burden.
06:05I even handed over every dime from my part-time jobs to mom
06:09just to help pay off their so-called debt.
06:17Julia, can you just make do with the old one for now?
06:22Our credit card debt is still killing us.
06:27Yeah, sweetie.
06:29Just hold off a little longer.
06:32Wait until you get a real job and save up for it.
06:36Of course.
06:41My throat tightened bitterly as the memory of last night choked me.
06:48Vanessa's brand new Porsche.
06:51That Cartier bracelet.
06:54Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent without blinking.
06:59Yet the second I asked for a $1,000 laptop,
07:04they shut me down with a second thought.
07:10Sweetheart.
07:13Sweetheart, let's go see a movie tonight.
07:16Just the three of us.
07:17Yes, exactly.
07:19We'll go tonight.
07:19We'll even buy you a whole bucket of popcorn.
07:26Okay.
07:29Spending one actual Christmas with my parents,
07:32it was the only thing I had ever really wanted.
07:39Oh, an old friend wants to meet up to talk about some work stuff.
07:44Julia, you stay home for now.
07:46Don't go out.
07:46It's way too crowded out there for the holidays.
07:49Work stuff?
07:50Really?
07:51I was full of suspicion,
07:52so I secretly followed them outside.
07:54Then I saw that familiar Porsche.
07:58Mommy.
08:00That action is much more skilly than mine.
08:02Didn't we tell you to stay away from this neighborhood?
08:05Why did you sneak over here?
08:07They were still trying to protect their little secret.
08:10Too bad the jig was up.
08:12But I missed you guys.
08:15Mom, Dad, come see a movie with me tonight, please.
08:18The last time we went together was literally two months ago.
08:23Mom, Dad, aren't I your favorite daughter?
08:28Always.
08:29You are always our favorite.
08:31Is Julia making you spend time with her?
08:34If so, just go be with her.
08:37I'll be totally fine by myself.
08:40Her fake, pitiful tone made my skin crawl.
08:44No, no, nothing like that.
08:46We just have a client meeting today.
08:48You go on home first,
08:49and we'll see if we have time tonight.
08:52Right.
08:54If we're free tonight, I'll call you.
08:56Fine.
09:00The fury was blinding, but I didn't expose them.
09:04I just silently walked back home and pretended none of it happened.
09:09Because tonight, I wanted to see who they'd actually choose.
09:14I had no desire to get ready.
09:17Usually, for a night out with them,
09:20I'd wash my hair and do my makeup.
09:24Julia, work just called.
09:25Your mom and I have to go in for overtime.
09:30Tonight.
09:30Just go.
09:32All right, then.
09:33Stay home and get to bed early.
09:35There's pasta in the kitchen if you get hungry.
09:39In the end, they still chose Vanessa.
09:44Abandoning their actual daughter.
09:47All I wanted was one night with them.
09:50Was that really so hard?
09:53Why would they do this to me?
09:55These were my birthday presents.
09:57Every single year.
09:58I kept them all safe and cherished,
10:00thinking they were full of my parents' love.
10:03But it was all fake.
10:05I gave them everything.
10:07I practically lived in the library
10:09and rejected a top school to stay local.
10:12Just to be near them.
10:14To get a good job and help them out.
10:16But now, my devotion felt like a joke.
10:20Another night of crying.
10:22Then, clarity hit me.
10:25I had to start living for myself.
10:27I picked up my phone and called Professor Howard Morrison from my college.
10:32Professor Morrison?
10:34Is that spot for the exchange program still open?
10:38That's right.
10:39I've just been waiting for you to say it.
10:41You're the brightest student I've ever taught.
10:44Just spend a year at the top university in the world, Julia.
10:49When you come back, you can write your own ticket.
10:53Don't worry about tuition or living expenses.
10:55The school covers everything.
10:57Thank you, Professor.
10:59In that moment, I felt a little warmth.
11:02Julia!
11:03Come see what we brought you.
11:05It was cotton candy.
11:06My childhood favorite.
11:08Julia, we are so, so sorry about last night.
11:12Once we're back from this business trip,
11:14we promise we'll take you to the movies.
11:16We'll buy you two buckets of popcorn.
11:20Okay.
11:22They didn't even notice.
11:24They just assumed I was being their perfect, obedient little girl.
11:28They put on a show of packing their bags,
11:30left 50 bucks on the table-ibble,
11:32and hurried out the door again.
11:40Oh, by the way,
11:41if any packages get delivered these next few days,
11:44do not open them.
11:47The old me would have hated watching them pack.
11:49I would have actually cried as they walked out.
11:52But not this time.
11:53I was too busy filling out my exchange program application.
11:57By evening, the courier delivered a package.
12:00I signed for it on their behalf.
12:02Instead of putting it in their bedroom,
12:04I checked the sender's address carefully.
12:06Mom was too paranoid about me opening it.
12:09It was probably from Vanessa.
12:11After all,
12:12my parents banned her from showing up at our place.
12:15Before leaving this city,
12:16I needed to know one thing.
12:17What made this adopted Vanessa so damn special?
12:20What made her worthy of all their love?
12:23Following the address,
12:24I arrived at a massive mansion.
12:26Two security guards stood at the gate.
12:28The front doors stood wide open.
12:30Inside, Vanessa was playing the piano.
12:33She was draped in a designer gown,
12:35the absolute picture of elegance.
12:37A whole different world from me and my cheap thrift store jeans.
12:41Even the guards looked at me like I was a homeless beggar.
12:46Go beg somewhere else.
12:49You don't belong here.
12:51Get lost.
12:54The guards barked at me to leave.
12:58But I didn't grudge.
13:00I just stood there,
13:02staring straight into the mansion.
13:04Vanessa saw me.
13:06Let her in.
13:09I stepped inside.
13:11The place was lavish.
13:13Looking around,
13:14all I could think about
13:15was my own room back home.
13:17A glorified closet
13:18that barely fit a twin bed.
13:20A bitter sting washed over me.
13:23You always thought you had it so good,
13:25didn't you?
13:28Let me guess.
13:30Your teachers and classmates
13:32all say you have the most loving parents,
13:34right?
13:35Growing up,
13:36they did.
13:40If I hadn't stumbled on the truth,
13:42I'd still be playing the part
13:44of the luckiest girl in the world.
13:48But to me,
13:49your happiness is a pathetic joke.
13:52Look at this mansion.
13:53Look at this Steinway.
13:55The clothes,
13:56the jewelry,
13:57every single piece custom made.
13:59And what exactly did Mom and Dad give you?
14:02Rags.
14:02And my leftovers.
14:10Every time they told you
14:11they were working overtime,
14:14they were actually right here.
14:17With me.
14:22Every word slights through me like a knife.
14:25Hot tears threaten to spill.
14:28I worked so hard.
14:30I was so good.
14:35Why on Earth?
14:36Why?
14:38Because you're ugly and classless.
14:43Look at me.
14:44I'm beautiful.
14:46Elegant.
14:47Everywhere I go,
14:48I look like a princess.
14:49I'm the perfect trophy daughter.
14:52The only reason they even kept you around
14:54is pity.
14:58They just couldn't stomach the guilt.
15:05I still remember what Dad said.
15:07He told me you were born wrinkled and hideous.
15:15And you never grew out of it.
15:18An absolute lost cause.
15:22Mom said you're a socially awkward embarrassment.
15:28Too pathetic.
15:30Too weak.
15:37She was right.
15:38I am ordinary.
15:40Covered in freckles.
15:42Invisible in a crowd.
15:43I don't have a way with words
15:44and I have zero elegance.
15:46But Professor Morrison told me once,
15:49the harder life hits,
15:50the calmer you have to become.
15:53Fine.
15:54If they love you that much,
15:57you can keep them.
15:58I don't need this family anymore.
16:02Her laughter followed me,
16:04but it couldn't hurt me anymore.
16:06While my parents were out,
16:08I finized my exchange program.
16:11Before I left,
16:12I wrote them a letter.
16:17My final act of being their perfect,
16:19obedient daughter.
16:23Two weeks later,
16:24my parents returned from their trip.
16:26They slipped back into their ratty clothes
16:29and plastered on their usual warm smiles.
16:32Julia!
16:33Mommy's home, sweetie.
16:40Daddy brought you some snacks.
16:42We know our little girl has a sweet tooth.
16:46Dead silence.
16:48No one ran up to hug them.
16:55By the time you read this,
16:57I'll be gone.
16:59Vanessa is beautiful.
17:01She is elegant.
17:02And she makes you look like
17:04the perfect family.
17:05Because of that,
17:06you gave her everything.
17:07The very best life money could buy.
17:10But honestly,
17:11I don't feel inferior to her.
17:13Not anymore.
17:14So,
17:15I'm going to chase my own dreams now.
17:17Don't come looking for me.
17:19Oh, my God.
17:21Julia.
17:22Julia is gone.
17:27She knows.
17:29She knows about Vanessa.
17:32What?
17:34How could Julia possibly know about Vanessa?
17:37It must have been Vanessa.
17:39She must have come over here again.
17:40That disobedient, spoiled brat.
17:42Let's go to the mansion.
17:43I'm calling Julia right now.
17:45Dad's fists were clenched tightly,
17:47making a clicking sound
17:48as he pulled Mom outside.
17:53Let's see if we can reach her.
17:54What if she doesn't pick up?
17:56The number,
17:57it's gone.
17:58Did she block us?
18:01What do we do now?
18:04We need to go to the mansion.
18:06Now.
18:10They walked into the villa
18:11with dark, stern faces.
18:13Vanessa!
18:14Mom, Dad,
18:15you're finally back.
18:15I missed you guys so much.
18:17Julia is gone.
18:18Mom, what's wrong?
18:19Are you in a bad mood today?
18:20Huh.
18:20She left without even saying goodbye.
18:22How rude.
18:23No wonder you're in a bad mood.
18:24She just made you worry.
18:26Mom,
18:26if she wants to leave,
18:27just let her leave.
18:28She was just dead weight anyway.
18:29Shut up!
18:30How many times did we warn you?
18:33We told you not to go looking for Julia.
18:36Why couldn't you just listen?
18:37But Julia came looking for me.
18:40The guards at the gate can prove it.
18:42And why do you think Julia came looking for you?
18:44Because you've been parading yourself around town.
18:47Well, it's not like I forced her to leave.
18:50Vanessa couldn't help but talk back.
18:52She's always been to the eldest in family,
18:54so no one dares to stand up to her.
18:59You two better tell me the truth right now.
19:01What exactly did she say to Julia?
19:03The two security guards locked eyes.
19:05If you hide a single word from me,
19:07I will end you both!
19:11It went like this.
19:14We're going to be sorry.
19:14We got it down to surgery.
19:16Mom trembled all over with rage after hearing this.
19:19Vanessa Drake,
19:20who the hell gave you the right to speak to Julia like that?
19:23She is my own flesh and blood.
19:24Do you really think you have the right to insult her?
19:29She hit the floor,
19:30blood seeping from the corner of her mouth,
19:32a red handbrake burning across her face.
19:35I have truly spoiled you, rotten.
19:39What did I say that was wrong?
19:42Dad, Mom,
19:43those were your exact words.
19:46I was just repeating what you said.
19:49The other day at the movies,
19:51you guys literally said Julia was...
19:55Shut your mouth!
19:56I said shut your damn mouth!
19:59We can say those things.
20:00You cannot.
20:02You have absolutely zero right.
20:04If it weren't for you,
20:05why would Julia have ever left?
20:07She is my actual daughter.
20:10How is Julia supposed to survive out there,
20:13all by herself?
20:14Mom couldn't hold back her tears either.
20:17Seeing this,
20:18Vanessa was completely stunned.
20:19Mom!
20:20Mom!
20:21But you said it yourself!
20:22You said I was your favorite daughter!
20:24So what if Julia's gone?
20:26I can be the face of this family!
20:30Besides,
20:31hardly anyone outside even knows Julia exists.
20:34Just the three of us,
20:36living a great life together.
20:38Isn't that perfect?
20:42The moment those words came out,
20:44Mom flew into a rage
20:46and kicked Vanessa away.
20:47Who the hell is a family of three with you?
20:54I can't compare to Julia, me?
20:56Vanessa's face instantly drained of color.
20:59She had always been so arrogant,
21:01always so convinced of her own superiority.
21:04If I'm so much worse than Julia,
21:05then why did you give me this incredible life?
21:08Being told she was inferior to me,
21:10she couldn't stomach it.
21:12Why did you suppress her at every turn
21:14and force her to live in squalor?
21:17I am better than her!
21:19I am!
21:20You're just too afraid to admit it!
21:22I get it now.
21:23Even a stray dog builds an attachment.
21:26You just aren't used to Julia being gone yet.
21:28Give it some time, it'll pass.
21:31Right, Mom?
21:32Dad?
21:35Her logic was spiraling.
21:37She was having a complete and utter breakdown.
21:40Bullshit!
21:41You drove Julia away.
21:43And now,
21:44you are done in the Drake household.
21:46As of today,
21:48you are no longer the adopted daughter of this family.
21:50Don't kick me out, please!
21:54Guards!
21:55Drag her out of here!
21:56The guards did not dare hesitate.
21:59They grabbed Vanessa and dragged her toward the door.
22:01You...
22:01You can't do this to me!
22:03I am vastly superior to Julia!
22:05I have class!
22:06I am the face of this family!
22:08But none of it mattered.
22:09She was thrown out onto the street.
22:15Unable to reach me,
22:17my parents tracked down Dean Margaret Doyle at my college.
22:20Julia is your daughter?
22:22Yes.
22:23Then why on earth
22:25was she walking around starving half the time,
22:27wearing thread-bored clothes?
22:28You treated her abysmally.
22:31It's entirely our fault.
22:33Dean Doyle,
22:33could you please tell us where Julia went?
22:36I haven't slept a wink these past few days,
22:37not knowing where my baby is.
22:39Professor Morrison was in the room,
22:40watching in silence.
22:45Let me contact Julia first.
22:52Professor Morrison held the phone in his hands
22:55and sent me a message.
23:03When I got the text,
23:04I made it crystal clear
23:05I didn't want to see them.
23:08I begged Professor Morrison
23:10not to tell them where I was.
23:12It seems you've truly broken Julia's heart.
23:15She doesn't want to see you.
23:16Just go home for now
23:17and give it some time.
23:19No, please!
23:20Can't you just tell us secretly?
23:22We'll pay you whatever you want!
23:24Next to it,
23:25Dad quickly wrote a check.
23:28Do not insult me with your money!
23:31No wonder Julia wants nothing to do with you.
23:34I adapt quickly to new environments.
23:37With Professor Morrison's glowing recommendation,
23:39I fit right in within a week.
23:41The university arranged for me to work in the lab
23:43as an assistant to several senior researchers.
23:45I was soaking up new knowledge,
23:47getting paid,
23:48and finally had time to grab a coffee
23:49and soak in the sun.
23:54Day by day,
23:55my life was simple,
23:56but incredibly fulfilling.
23:57As for my parents,
23:58they crossed my mind occasionally,
23:59but all I could do was shake my head and smile.
24:01After all,
24:02we figured once they got used to my absence,
24:03they go right back to playing
24:05fake happy family with Vanessa now.
24:06But what I never expected
24:07was that two months later,
24:08my parents actually tracked me down.
24:10I initially refused to see them,
24:13but Professor Morrison convinced me
24:15to just get it over with.
24:17He told me my parents went to hell and back
24:19to get my address,
24:21taking turns waiting at the campus gates,
24:23day and night.
24:24Through wind and pouring rain,
24:26they refused to leave.
24:27Mom even collapsed in the rain once.
24:29If campus security hadn't found her in time,
24:32who knows what would have happened.
24:34So,
24:35I finally agreed to name them.
24:36Not out of pity.
24:38Not because I was moved.
24:40I just genuinely couldn't understand.
24:42They intentionally raised me
24:43in manufactured poverty
24:44while lavishing Vanessa with wealth.
24:46They gave her all their love
24:48and even bad-mouthed me behind my back.
24:50So why the hell were they looking for me now?
24:52I met them at a local coffee shop.
24:55They looked awful.
24:56Their eyes were completely bloodshot.
24:59Fresh gray hairs laced their temples.
25:02And their clothes were thrown on haphazardly.
25:06Probably just another costume
25:08to get my sympathy, I guessed.
25:10After all,
25:11they had been continuously acting
25:13for 18 years.
25:15At least you haven't lost weight.
25:19Julia, do you have any idea
25:21how worried we were?
25:22We were so terrified
25:23you were being bullied out there.
25:24The old me would have caved instantly.
25:26Seeing them like this
25:27used to physically hurt my heart.
25:28But now,
25:28I felt absolutely nothing.
25:30In fact,
25:30I kind of wanted to laugh.
25:31To me,
25:31this was just another master class in acting.
25:34Julia,
25:36I brought you a gift.
25:39I had an international master joeanler
25:42custom make this.
25:44Your name is engraved on the back.
25:47Living in a dorm
25:48must be so inconvenient, right?
25:50We bought a mansion
25:51right off campus for you
25:53and we'll hire a few maids.
25:55Oh, and you simply
25:56must have a sports car.
25:58Just tell us what model you like.
25:59We'll get you anything you want.
26:01They were so enthusiastic,
26:02but I stayed ice cold,
26:04only giving the necklace
26:04a faint glance.
26:05I have everything I need.
26:07Don't buy me anything.
26:08Save it all for Vanessa.
26:09She's the daughter
26:10you actually love.
26:13We're so sorry, Julia.
26:15Everything we did in the past
26:17was a mistake.
26:46We shouldn't have lied to you
26:47keep you away.
26:49Keep you a secret
26:50from our social skirled
26:51until we could have another child.
26:58But we tried for two years
27:00and I couldn't get pregnant.
27:01We tried every medical option,
27:03but nothing worked.
27:07So,
27:08Ruth suggested
27:09we just adopt one.
27:12She initially told us
27:13to just drop you off
27:14at an orphanage.
27:18But we couldn't bear
27:20to be that cruel.
27:23Later, as you grew up,
27:24we realized how incredibly bright
27:27and hardworking you were.
27:30And you were becoming beautiful.
27:33But by then,
27:34we just didn't know
27:35how to tell you the truth.
27:39Dad took over
27:40and continued.
27:41We were actually planning
27:42to concoct a story
27:43telling you that we did it
27:44on purpose
27:44to build character
27:45and teach you resilience
27:46while quietly sending
27:48Vanessa out of the country.
27:49But we never expected
27:50you to figure it out first.
27:51Hearing this,
27:52I couldn't help
27:53but let out a cold laugh.
27:56Even street animals
27:57know how to protect
27:58their own young.
27:59You put me through hell
28:00just because some random
28:01employee said I was
28:02an ugly baby
28:03and then you just hired
28:04a stranger to replace me?
28:05What kind of parents are you?
28:07Faced with my question,
28:08mom and dad
28:08lowered their heads in shame.
28:10It's entirely our fault.
28:11We promise
28:11it will never happen again.
28:13We've already kicked
28:13Vanessa out to the streets.
28:15From now on,
28:16you are the sole heir
28:17to this family.
28:18Whatever you want,
28:18it's yours.
28:19You hold all the power.
28:20If anyone ever dares to bully you,
28:21I will ruin them.
28:22Yes, exactly.
28:23With us around,
28:24no one will ever touch you.
28:26I don't need you.
28:27I can take care of myself.
28:28After all,
28:29since middle school,
28:29I've been working part-time
28:30to earn my own keep.
28:31I even gave you
28:32all my savings.
28:33And you two,
28:34you took my hard-earned money
28:35without an ounce of guilt,
28:37fed me Vanessa's leftovers,
28:38and demanded
28:38I be grateful for it.
28:41It's my fault.
28:43It's all my fault!
28:44You could have told me sooner,
28:47but you didn't.
28:48Was it because I wasn't pretty enough yet?
28:50Or did you honestly think
28:51Vanessa was a perfectly acceptable replacement?
28:56Mom and Dad were speechless,
28:58with no idea how to answer.
29:00Their silence told Julia
29:02everything she needed to know.
29:05Go home.
29:10But before I could leave,
29:11Mom and Dad
29:12each grabbed one of my arms.
29:13Julia,
29:14we lived together
29:15for so many years,
29:16there has to be some love left.
29:17Please,
29:18can't we just make amends?
29:19We will do absolutely everything
29:21in our power
29:21to make it up to you.
29:23Please forgive us,
29:24we know we were wrong.
29:25Their scene made people
29:26turn around and stare.
29:29Look around you.
29:30If you keep making a scene,
29:31how am I supposed
29:32to stay at this school?
29:34Are you trying to ruin
29:35my life again?
29:38Just let me go.
29:43Julia.
29:45Maybe one day
29:45I'll forgive you,
29:46but right now,
29:47absolutely not.
29:49Their crying
29:50grew louder behind me.
29:51My heart clamped
29:52for a second,
29:53but I didn't turn back.
29:54I walked quickly
29:55into the crowd.
29:56I thought my parents
29:57would give up,
29:57but they didn't.
29:58Instead,
29:59they launched
29:59an overwhelming campaign
30:00of bribery.
30:01Every single day,
30:02they sent me food
30:02and electronics.
30:03Tablets,
30:03phones,
30:04laptops,
30:04all the absolute latest,
30:05most expensive models.
30:06Then piece after chairpiece,
30:07every single item
30:08was worth a fortune.
30:09The result?
30:10It put a massive target
30:11on my back.
30:12Thugs started threatening me,
30:14demanding I hand over
30:15my things.
30:17Pickpock started tailing me.
30:22I was living
30:23in a constant state
30:24of paranoia.
30:25So,
30:26I took every single thing
30:27my parents gave me
30:28and donated it all
30:29to a local charity.
30:31At the same time,
30:32I made up my mind
30:33to cut contact completely.
30:34I reported my situation
30:36to the university
30:36and called Professor Morrison
30:38for help.
30:39Professor Morrison
30:39offered a perfect solution.
30:41Join a classified research project.
30:43That way,
30:44even if my parents
30:45came sniffing around campus,
30:47no one would be legally permitted
30:48to disclose my location.
30:51I agreed instantly.
30:53The day before I entered
30:55the secure facility,
30:56I received one last card
30:59from them.
31:02We're so sorry, Julia.
31:04We never thought
31:05that the gifts
31:05would attract dangerous people.
31:06We were incredibly foolish
31:08and we won't stop
31:09until you're no longer angry.
31:12I didn't reply.
31:14Once I joined
31:15the classified project,
31:17my life became
31:17much more monotonous.
31:18But it was completely,
31:20blissfully peaceful.
31:22No parents bothering me.
31:23I just focused entirely
31:25on my research
31:26and outdoing myself.
31:27I genuinely loved this life.
31:30George, the lab director,
31:32told me I was a born researcher
31:33because I possessed
31:35an absolute tolerance
31:36for solitude.
31:38About two months later,
31:39I finally earned
31:40a two-day leave.
31:42I was allowed to call
31:43Professor Morrison.
31:48He told me
31:49my parents
31:49had flown back home.
31:51He also gave me
31:52a massive piece of news.
31:54That Nami Ruth,
31:55the one who initially
31:56started the rumor
31:57that I was ugly,
31:58had planned it all
32:00from the very beginning.
32:02Vanessa was Ruth's
32:03biological granddaughter.
32:04It was a long con.
32:06She wanted Vanessa
32:07to replace me,
32:08live a life
32:09of extreme luxury,
32:10and eventually steal
32:11the entire family fortune
32:12once my parents
32:13passed away.
32:16But Vanessa was
32:17far too arrogant.
32:18She drastically
32:19overestimated her place
32:20in my parents' hearts,
32:21and the whole plan
32:22blew up in her faith.
32:23My parents flew back
32:24and investigated everything.
32:26They hunted down Ruth,
32:27held a press conference,
32:29and forced her
32:29to publicly confess
32:30her crimes.
32:32But Vanessa
32:32was nowhere to be found.
32:35It was like she had
32:36vanished off
32:37the face of the earth.
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