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I Was Never Adopted HD ENGSUB
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00:00I hadn't spoken to my parents in 10 years. Not since the day they screamed at me to get lost
00:05and never come back. So when my business partner told me the Brit group, my father's company,
00:10had requested me. Personally as their wedding photographer, I almost laughed. Then I saw the
00:15groom's name, Jeffrey Beasley. The boy who used to climb over my backyard fence with candy in his
00:21pocket. The one who promised. When we grow up, I'll take you away from here. We'll see the world.
00:28He's marrying my sister. At the reception, my mother marched into my dressing room with tears
00:36in her eyes. Eileen! We raised you for 18 years! How can you be so heartless? I looked up at
00:44her,
00:44calm as ice. Mrs. Britt, please release me. I have work to do. Her face went ghost-white.good. Let
00:52her feel a fraction of what I felt at 12 years old. When they packed my bags and sent me
00:57to live alone
00:57in an old house. While my sister took my bedroom, my piano, my parents' love. But what they don't
01:03know yet, what none of them know, is that I'm not adopted at all. I'm their biological daughter.
01:08And today, I'm bringing the DNA proof to destroy a wedding. At a wedding shoot, I ran into my parents.
01:15I hadn't spoken to them for a decade. They were mingling with other guests. Their smiles freezing the
01:21instant their eyes landed on me. Once the reception ended, they marched straight into the backstage
01:25dressing room. Why haven't you come home for the past 10 years? Mom blurted out her
01:30accusation. Her eyes were rimmed red as she glared at me. I didn't answer or look up. I focused on
01:36cleaning my camera lens. The next second, she stepped forward and seized my wrist. Her voice
01:41rose to a raw pitch. Eileen! We're your parents! We've raised you for 18 years! How can you be
01:52so heartless? I lifted my head with a frown. I was confused by her outburst. 10 years ago,
01:58they were the ones who told me to get lost and never come back. I'd done exactly that. So what
02:03were they upset about now? Dad stood behind Mom. His eyes darted between my face and my camera
02:11equipment. He was clearly torn. After a moment, he spoke, as if grasping for a neutral topic.
02:18That's quite the camera, Eileen. It must have cost a lot, right? It's a tough business for a young
02:23woman. There was hesitation in his voice. You must be struggling. I remained silent. I screwed the lens
02:29cap on firmly. Infuriated by my lack of response, Mom tightened her grip on my wrist.
02:35Eileen! Are you even listening? 10 years! Not a single call or message! What is wrong with you?
02:47Even a pet would show more gratitude! I studied her contorted expression. A sharp pain shot through my
02:54wrist. A decade had passed, yet their method of interrogation remained the same. I lifted my gaze.
03:02I spoke with deliberate calm. Mrs. Britt, please release me. I have work to do.
03:09She released my wrist as if burned. Mrs. Britt? She staggered back, all color draining from her face.
03:17I'm your mom! How dare you! Dad stepped in. He steadied her trembling shoulders. That's enough.
03:25Exhaustion and reproach heavy in his tone. Eileen, how can you speak to your mom like that?
03:29We realize there may have been misunderstandings back then, but she hasn't stopped missing you for
03:35the past 10 years. She's... I cut him off. There were no misunderstandings. My voice was soft as I
03:43placed the camera in its case. I followed your instructions, get lost and never come back. I did
03:50exactly as you told me. I fixed my eyes on them with cold indifference. I stayed away for 10 years,
03:55just as you demanded. Their faces were ghastly pale. So what is this about? Mom's lips quivered.
04:02But before she could speak, Dad tightened his hold on her arm.
04:07Dad drew a shaky breath. He forced a strained, conciliatory smile.
04:12Eileen, sorry. We shouldn't have said that back then. But we are family.
04:20Mel is getting married next month. You'll be there, right? If you don't want to attend as her
04:25sister, maybe you could photograph the wedding? I stared at them. I was struck by the sheer
04:31absurdity of it all. My schedule is booked. Please give Melanie my best wishes. I won't be intruding.
04:39With that, I turned and pushed open the door. The sound of Mom's broken accusations and Dad's
04:44frantic attempts to calm her faded behind me. I walked straight to the elevator without looking
04:49back. Only when the doors closed did I breathe a sigh of relief. I leaned against the cold metal
04:54wall. A dull ache began to throb at the base of my skull. It was a lingering after effect of
04:59a
04:59severe fever years ago. It always flared up on rainy days. Back at my temporary apartment,
05:07I finally unwound. My phone vibrated. It was Kimberly Cooley, my business partner.
05:15Ellie, the final payment for today's wedding just came through. Oh, about that couple who
05:21confronted you, is everything okay? They looked really upset. It's fine, I said, keeping my voice
05:28level. They're just my adoptive parents. Kimberly paused before replying. All right. Listen.
05:37We just got a very firm, non-negotiable collaboration request. From the Brit group.
05:42They're insisting you personally photograph a high-profile wedding. The Brit group was owned
05:48by my dad. A crushing sense of helplessness washed over me. My heart sank. Kimberly sounded worried.
05:54I'm afraid... we can't turn it down. I gripped the phone until my knuckles turned white.
06:02Ten years. I had thought I'd gone far enough to escape their shadow. Yet with a single move,
06:07they could still disrupt the life I had fought so hard to build.
06:12Understood. I said, my throat tight.
06:16Send me the details. Kimberly replied softly after a pause.
06:20Okay.
06:20The wedding itinerary arrived a few minutes later.
06:24When my eyes landed on the groom's name Jeffrey Beasley, the tears I'd held back all day finally
06:29fell.
06:32Jeffrey was the boy who had been my only comfort during the darkest years of my youth.
06:37Kimberly's message flashed again.
06:40Ellie, are you okay? Do you want me to come over?
06:43I took a deep breath. I wiped my face. I typed back.
06:48I'm fine. Please compile the client's specific requests. We'll discuss tomorrow morning.
06:53She replied quickly.
06:55Okay. Eileen, whatever you decide, I'm with you.
06:58I put the phone down and walked to the window. The night air was cool against my skin. It helped
07:03to clear the chaos in my mind. Jeffrey and I were so close once. He lived next door. We grew
07:09up
07:09together. Whenever I got scolded by my parents or pushed aside by Melanie Britt, I'd hide in the
07:15backyard and cry. He'd always climb over the low fence. Don't cry, Eileen. Have this. He'd pull
07:22a piece of candy from his pocket like a magician. When we grow up, I'll take you away from here.
07:27We'll see the world.
07:31We'll both get into New York University. We'll always be together.
07:36Jeffrey was the only person who showed me kindness and care. He was the only one who,
07:40when the whole world made me feel worthless, would look me in the eye and say,
07:44You're good enough, Eileen. You always have been.
07:48But now he was marrying Melanie. Memories, long held back, came rushing in. Until I was seven,
07:55I was the happiest child. When I was five, I got into a fight at preschool over a swing.
08:00I bit the other kid's arm. Terrified of getting in trouble, I hid under the slide in our complex
08:05after school. Dad found me. He wasn't angry. He actually whispered tips on how to win a fight
08:11next time. That evening, when mom found out, she made us both stand in the corner. Dad winked at
08:17me when she wasn't looking. I thought that warmth would last forever. Then, when I was seven,
08:23Melanie came home.
08:26I went from being their only child to being the adopted one. Melanie was three years older. She'd
08:32been kidnapped when she was three. With her return, my world was never the same. My parents had kept my
08:37adoption a secret. But, afraid Melanie would feel insecure, they told her the truth. One afternoon,
08:43she stood before me. Her voice was young but cold. Eileen, did you know? You're not their real daughter.
08:51They adopted you because I was gone. They were so sad without me, so they got you to take my
08:57place.
08:57They're my mom and dad, not yours. For a moment, I was too shocked to move. Then I ran. I
09:04had to find my
09:05parents and hear them say it wasn't true. I prayed they would hug me and say,
09:09Don't listen to her nonsense, sweetheart. You're our baby girl. But mom looked away.
09:13Dad was silent for a long time before he confirmed it. Eileen, it's true. We adopted you because we
09:19missed Mel so much, but we love you too. I hated that word in that moment. After that, nothing was
09:25the
09:25same. The carefree, mischievous girl vanished. I became quiet and cautious. I stopped laughing loudly.
09:34I stopped asking for things. At meals, I only took the food closest to me. I studied relentlessly.
09:41I brought home one award after another. I believed good girls didn't get abandoned. I learned to
09:46please them, and Melanie. I gave her the new hair clip mom bought. I handed over the cool toy dad
09:51brought back from a business trip. But Melanie's eyes held nothing but resentment. No matter what I did,
09:56she saw me as the one who had stolen her life. And my parents' attention and affection poured almost
10:01entirely into their returned biological daughter. They worried she might feel insecure and neglected.
10:07So I, the adopted daughter, naturally became the one who could be overlooked. The atmosphere at home
10:13grew tense and heavy. I never stood in the corner with dad again. I was too afraid to make any
10:18mistake.
10:19I lived like a frightened bird. I was constantly terrified of being cast aside once more. Then,
10:25when I was 12, my worst fear came true.
10:31I got back from school that day to find Melanie in my room. She was holding my diary.
10:37What are you doing?
10:38I rushed to grab it back. She easily sidestepped me. A faint smirk played on her lips.
10:44Just seeing what my dear little sister writes about every day.
10:49I wish things were like before. Why don't mom and dad love me anymore? It's so unfair.
10:59Give it back!
11:00My voice trembled. That diary held all my secrets and my fragile side. She stood up. She held it above
11:06her head. Maybe mom and dad should see what their adopted daughter complains about every day.
11:12With that, she darted out of the room. The diary was in her hand.
11:16Mel!
11:16I chased after her. In the rush, she stumbled. Her foot caught. She tumbled down the stairs.
11:24Her scream echoed through the house.
11:29My parents burst from the study at the same time. Mom reached her first. When she saw Melanie's leg
11:35bent at an unnatural angle, she pointed a shaky finger straight at me. I was still standing at the top
11:40of the stairs. She pushed me! She blames me for everything in her diary and now this! That's not true!
11:48I rushed to explain. Enough!
11:52Dad's roar was louder than I'd ever heard. Mom's gaze was icy. It frightened me.
11:58Diary? She read my diary without... I tried to explain. So you pushed her? Mom cut me off.
12:05Eileen, how could you be so cruel? I didn't push her! The tears finally spilled over.
12:11She fell! Still lying? Mom's hand came up. She struck my face hard. The sting on my cheek was nothing
12:20compared to the ache in my chest. Dad stood behind her. Ellie, we always thought you were a sensible girl.
12:29His gaze was full of disappointment. Even though you're not our blood, we've never treated you poorly.
12:37But you... I said it wasn't me! My voice rose to a shout. Why won't you ever believe me?
12:47Believe you? A liar? Mom's laugh was cold. The ambulance arrived. As the paramedics carried Melanie
12:55down on a stretcher, she was still sobbing. Mom, I'm scared. Does Ellie hate me? Don't be afraid,
13:04sweetheart. I'm here. Mom held her hand tightly. She didn't once look back at me. My parents returned
13:11from the hospital late that night. I heard their footsteps stop outside my door. Mom pushed the
13:17door open. Pack your things. You're moving to the old house tomorrow. I stared, frozen. Then I
13:25dropped to my knees. No! Please, Mom, Dad, don't send me away. I'm sorry. I'll be good. I promise.
13:36Mel needs peace to recover. Mom looked down at me coldly. Seeing you will upset her.
13:41I won't bother her! I cried. I clutched at her legs. I can stay in the storage room. I can
13:48come home after
13:48you're all asleep. Please don't make me leave. Dad sighed. Eileen, this is for the best.
13:59For you and for this family. I won't go! This is my home! I was sobbing uncontrollably now. The
14:08housekeeper will bring meals each week. We'll transfer an allowance on time. I turned to Dad.
14:14I don't want money. I want you! I grasped his sleeve. Dad, you used to love me most. You said
14:22you'd
14:23always protect me. His voice was choked. Be reasonable, Eileen. Once Mel is feeling better...
14:30She'll never better! I screamed in despair. She's lying! Why won't you ever believe me?
14:36Eileen! If you make another scene, you can leave right now. I knelt on the floor. I looked at their
14:43distant looks. I finally understood what true hopelessness felt like. No matter how much I
14:48begged, they didn't want me anymore. The first night I moved into the old residence, I had a high
14:55fever. My forehead was burning. I shivered all over. I grabbed my phone and called my mom.
15:01Mom, I'm having a fever. I was so weak that my voice was hardly audible.
15:06There are fever reducers in the old house. Find them. Melanie has just undergone surgery. She needs
15:11a good rest. Knock it off! With that, Mom hung up. Listening to the hang-up beeps, I felt a
15:17chill
15:17all over. It started raining outside. The rain splattered the window as if weeping for me. For the
15:23next week, I was invalid on the bed alone. The fever went back and forth. The housekeeper found
15:28something was wrong with me when she came to cook. She took me to the hospital. I lived all alone
15:33since I
15:33was 12 till I was 18. For parent-teacher conferences, the seat with my name on it was
15:40always empty. Melanie went to the same school as I did. Yet my parents always showed up for her.
15:46Sometimes, I ran into them in the hallway. Mom would look away with embarrassment. Dad would
15:51pretend he didn't see me. In those six years, Jeffrey was the only light ray in my life. He would
15:57secretly
15:58climb over the short wall of the old house and bring me snacks. Don't worry. Everything will be okay.
16:04He had comforted me. Eileen, let's apply to New York University together. In New York,
16:11no one can separate us. I had believed him. I studied as hard as I could. After the set,
16:16I walked past a downtown hotel. I saw a large, striking banner. Congratulations on Melanie Britt's
16:22good grades. My parents were receiving guests at the entrance. They were beaming. Melanie stood between
16:28them like a real princess. Standing in a corner across the street, I watched this celebration that had
16:33nothing to do with me. I had thought I was dead inside. But why did it still hurt so much?
16:38It didn't matter though. I'd be gone soon anyway.
16:43The day I received the acceptance letter from the university, I opened it swiftly with excitement.
16:48But it was the badge of the USC that I saw. My blood turned cold instantly. I recalled my parents'
16:54odd behavior from several days ago. It dawned on me that they had altered my application form.
16:59I barged into the so-called home. It was the home from which I had been away for a long
17:03time. I slammed
17:04the letter on the coffee table. Why USC? I demanded. What's wrong with it? It's closed.
17:09Why did you change my application? Why? In a trembling voice, I snapped. Because we're your parents.
17:17Just then, Dad walked out of the study. He explained. Melanie also applied to New York University.
17:23With you around, she'll feel insecure. It's because of her again!
17:30The years of pent-up anger in my chest erupted. Her insecurity is the reason for everything!
17:36You said she read my diary because she felt insecure! She fell down the stairs because she felt insecure!
17:54Eileen, mind your tone! What about my tone? What tone should I speak in?
18:03Tears streamed down my cheeks. I tried to hold them back.
18:07You kicked me out of the house when I was 12! You've neglected me for the past six years!
18:16Now, you're trying to destroy my future! What kind of parents are you?
18:22We've raised you for 18 years!
18:24Raise? It was more like charity!
18:28In your eyes, only Melanie is your daughter. I'm only an unwanted substitute! I wish you'd never adopted me!
18:38Get out! Since you hate us so much, don't ever come back again!
18:44I ran out. I sobbed in the rain until I was soaking wet. Why didn't they love me? Why was
18:49I adopted?
18:50Where were my biological parents? I cried and cried. At midnight, I snuck back for my ID.
18:56I happened to overhear my parents' conversation outside their bedroom.
19:02We shouldn't have told Mel that Eileen was adopted.
19:06But what's the point of being regretful now?
19:08I was too sad after Mel got lost. I didn't find out I was pregnant with Ellie.
19:15Mel was so sensitive when she returned. We could only lie that Eileen was adopted.
19:22At least Eileen was loved and happy before she was seven.
19:26But Mel couldn't be. She owes Mel.
19:30Stunned, I had to press my hands against the wall for support. My back slid down along the wall.
19:35It turned out I was their biological daughter. It turned out I had never stolen anybody's happy
19:40childhood. It was mine. Then, why did I have to suffer these years? That day, I left home and never
19:46came back. After I reached USC, I changed my phone number. I put my parents' contact information on
19:52the block list. Jeffrey and I went to different universities. Due to the distance, our relationship
19:57was nipped in the bud. Afterward, I heard that he had a girlfriend. Now, it seemed he was dating
20:02Melanie back then. I opened my eyes. I wiped my tearful face. The sight of the message stung. I wondered
20:09if Melanie knew the truth. But it didn't matter. I went to the drawer. I took the DNA test report
20:14done
20:15many years ago. Since they'd invited me, I'd go to the wedding. They destroyed my life for
20:20Melanie's happiness. I'd see how happy she was. The light from the glaring chandelier on the ceiling
20:28of the hotel hall spilled on the lens of my camera. It reflected my tense side face. My employee
20:34Fiona Blevins was crouching to open the device case. This was Melanie's wedding. Of course, the whole team
20:40should be here. I should have known better. Aline? Came a female voice, as sharp as a needle.
20:46My hands paused while holding the camera. When Melanie turned around, the skirt of her wedding
20:50dress swept across my feet. The pearls on the decoration hurt. Lifting her skirt with pale hands,
20:56she stared at me in disbelief, as if I were something filthy that had barged into her life.
21:00Jeffrey stood behind her. One of the buttons on the cuff of his sleeve was loose. Upon seeing me,
21:05he swiftly shifted his gaze to the dessert table far away. Who asked you to come? Melanie raised her
21:12voice and took a step forward. The guests all turned their heads to watch. You don't even have
21:17a decent job. You think you're good enough to be the photographer of my wedding?
21:26Frowning, Fiona attempted to step forward and make a retort. I pulled at her blouse gently. The
21:32coolness calmed me down a bit. My fingertip touched the camera belt. The host invited me. Melanie scoffed.
21:39The host? You mean my parents? Why would they invite an ingrate who refused to come home in the past
21:4610 years? Her remarks hammered my heart. They caused a dull pain. The past flashed across my mind. One day,
21:53when I was 12, I had begged her on my knees not to tell on me. She had also smirked
21:58like that and said,
22:00You're unwelcome in this family anyway. Familiar footsteps came from the door. My parents walked
22:06over. Mom was in a crimson dress. She was oblivious to the fact that her pearl necklace was askew.
22:11Dad wore his tie loosely. At the sight of me, Mom stopped in her tracks. She had a complicated look
22:17in her eyes. Your dad and I invited Eilie. She's a good photographer and her price is fair.
22:23Mom! Are you out of your minds? She's-
22:30She's your younger sister. Dad interrupted Melanie. His tone was lukewarm. He didn't spare a look at me.
22:37It was as if I were just an insignificant stranger. The wedding is about to begin. Knock it off!
22:44With a livid face, Melanie stared at me malevolently.
22:48She's a good photographer. She barely gets by with a camera. Mom and Dad raised you for 18 years,
22:57and you were away for 10 years. Now that you have a little money, you think you're better than us?
23:05Who bought dresses for you when you were a child? Who took you to kindergarten? Did you forget?
23:13The guests talked with each other as she spoke louder and louder. I tightened my grip on the
23:18camera. The blood drained from my knuckles. How I wish Mom and Dad could interfere, even if it was as
23:24simple as stop it. To my dismay, Mom just turned her head to look at the McCarens on the dessert
23:30table.
23:30Dad took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Then he tucked it back in restlessly.
23:35Mel, the wedding first. He urged. There was no explanation. Neither of them defended me,
23:41nor did they display a tinge of guilt. I looked down at my reflection in the mirror. I realized how
23:47pathetic I was. 10 years had passed, and I was still expecting them to be fair. Fiona handed a
23:54cloth to me. I took it and wiped the lens slowly with it. I tried to repress the surging sadness.
24:00I'd come to work, not to settle accounts with them, I told myself.
24:06After shooting the first section of the wedding, I drank water in a corner of the lounge. The warm
24:12water in the plastic bottle was bland, like the meager concern my parents showed at this time.
24:18Mom walked over with a glass of orange juice. Beads of juice clung to the body of the glass.
24:24She handed it to me. The beads fell onto my pants. They left wet marks on them.
24:30Ely, don't take what Mel said to heart. She was nervous about the wedding.
24:35Instead of taking the glass of orange juice, I took out my phone to transfer money. I'd calculated the
24:41amount countless times. $80,000. Including tuition from primary school to high school.
24:47Monthly allowances. Occasional meals the housekeeper made for me in the six years.
24:53Money couldn't buy back my youth. It couldn't make my altered application for university right.
24:58But at least, the accounts between us were even now. The notification for the successful
25:04transfer sounded particularly loud in the quiet lounge. Mom's face colored as she read the notification.
25:10Her hand shook. The juice stained her dress. But she paid no heed to it. Staring at me, she asked,
25:18Eileen, what do you mean? We raised you for 18 years!
25:24You think we're even now?
25:28What else?
25:29I put my phone back into my pocket.
25:31You raised me for 18 years, and I repaid you with $80,000.
25:37The extra is the interest.
25:41With the account settled, now we're square.
25:43Mom said in a choking voice,
25:46Square?!
25:46Her eyes read. She attempted to touch my arm. I took a step back to move away.
25:51Her hand froze in midter. Tears ran down her face. They dropped on the floor.
25:56Do you hate us so much?
25:59Is there no familial affection for us at all in your heart?
26:03You had a fever when you were five. Your dad carried you on his back for three
26:07kilometers to take you to the hospital.
26:09The first time you won a prize, I took you out to buy you a new dress.
26:13Did you forget all about this?!
26:15Scenes from the past flashed across my mind like an old movie,
26:18carrying me on his back. Dad ran in the rain, but his back felt extremely warm.
26:24There were floral patterns on the rim of the pink dress mom bought me.
26:27Sadly, these warm memories had waned after Melanie returned.
26:31Looking her in the eye, I declared slowly,
26:34I hate you for driving me into the old house when I was 12. I hate you for altering my
26:41application
26:41when I was 18. I hate you for asking me to knock it off when I had a fever of
26:4639 degrees!
26:50Mom stopped crying. Her face was as pasty as death. Dad took her arm to support her.
26:57He looked at me. His eyes dripped with disappointment.
27:00Ely, we were wrong. But what you're doing is ruthless.
27:06Suddenly, Melanie marched over.
27:08Dad and Mom raised you for 18 years! First, you left without saying goodbye!
27:15Now, you want to cut ties with them? As an adopted daughter, you should be grateful
27:22that they didn't let you starve! How dare you talk about fairness with them?!
27:29What an ingrate! I turned to my parents. My heart was racing. Finally, the right time had come.
27:35An adopted daughter? Is that what I am in your eyes? Mom's lips moved, but no words came out.
27:43Dad nodded with a sigh. Ely, we were wrong, but you're indeed adopted. Don't fixate on it.
27:49Laughing snidely, I took a step forward. In which children's home did you find me? Where are the
27:54adoption formalities? Can I have a look? A deathly silence ensued. The blood drained from Mom's face.
28:00Dad clenched his fists tightly. His knuckles went pale. Mom, tell her where you adopted her!
28:06Show her the formalities! Dumbfounded, Melanie shook Mom's arm.
28:11Neither Mom nor Dad spoke. They just stared at me. Panic was plain in their eyes. The last tad of
28:17hope in
28:17my heart was shattered as I met their gaze. They couldn't even come up with a good lie. But they'd
28:22fooled me for 10 years. My fingers trembled as I fumbled the laminated DNA test report in my purse.
28:31I'd kept it for 5 years. I cried in bed every time I read the result.
28:36The possibility of paternity is in excess of 99.999%. I wasn't a substitute for Melanie. I was their
28:45biological daughter. That was the truth. However, they wouldn't admit it. You can't say it?
28:52I will. I handed the report to my parents. Under the light, the plastic cover glared. They couldn't
28:59open their eyes. Mom was breathing rapidly. Dad wanted to take the report. But he withdrew his hand on
29:06second thought. You claim I'm adopted. I continued in a flat voice. It expressed my 10 years of sadness.
29:12Then, why is the possibility of paternity 99.999%? Why does the DNA test report say you're my biological
29:19parents? Melanie dashed over and snatched the report away. This can't be true. This report must be a
29:25forgery. You're using it to take everything away from me! A forgery? I looked at my parents. Ask your parents.
29:34Tears streamed down mom's cheeks. They stained the report. Dad's face was as pale as paper.
29:41His lips were trembling. He was too emotionally overwhelmed to speak. Afraid to hurt Melanie's
29:47feelings, you told her I was adopted. I believed you. I thought you'd love me all the same,
29:56as long as I was obedient and humored her. However, you turned my bedroom into a sunroom for her. You
30:03moved my piano into the storage room. You changed my application for university to USC behind my back.
30:09When I was feverish, you couldn't be bothered to check on me. You asked me to find the medicine
30:14on my own. More and more guests gathered around us. They whispered to each other. Some of them took
30:20photos of this scene. They're playing favorites! How could they treat their own daughter so horribly?
30:27For 10 years, she didn't know her adoptive parents were her biological parents. Suddenly,
30:34mom dropped to her knees. Ely, I was wrong. We all were. Your dad and I were confused. We felt
30:43sorry for
30:43Mel and neglected you. Will you forgive us? We'll give you the house, the company, anything you want.
30:53I brushed mom's hands away. I took a step back. Her hands were cold and calloused. However,
30:59the touch failed to invoke the familial affection inside me. My heart could never be warm again.
31:03I don't want your house or company. I want the truth! I announced in a hoarse voice.
31:09Why did you lie to me?
31:13I'm also your daughter. Why do you only love her? Dad also knelt tearfully.
31:22Ely, I'm sorry I let you down. When Mel just came back, she cried every day. She was afraid that
31:31we
31:31wouldn't like her. Out of options, we told her you were adopted. Sadly, that didn't happen. We never
31:38meant to put you through all this. I laughed aught, but tears streamed down my face. At 12,
31:43I had to live alone in the old house. And I was too terrified to sleep. I could have been
31:50admitted to
31:50NYU, but I had to go to UCLA. You know why I was away for a decade? Because you told
31:59me to never come
32:00back. Not because I didn't want to return home. You think you can undo all this by your simple apology?
32:09Nice try.
32:13Suddenly, Melanie tore the DNA test report. She tore it once. Then again, shreds of paper scattered
32:19across the floor like snow. I don't believe it! I'm your daughter! She's not! The wedding is off!
32:26Her face was twisted with rage and terror. For 18 years, she had been the real daughter,
32:32the cherished one. The one they sacrificed everything for, and now, in one moment,
32:36she had become the lie. She pulled off the veil. She tossed it onto the floor. She ran off.
32:41After a dazed moment, Jeffrey went after her. The director of the wedding ran to my dad in a fluster.
32:47Mr. Britt, the wedding...
32:50It's cancelled.
32:51Holding the camera, I said to Fiona,
32:53Put away the devices. We're done here.
32:56When I walked out of the lounge, Mom's sobs came from behind me. The guests were whispering.
33:01But I didn't look back. The years of agony were finally off my chest today. It might have.
33:06Happened too late. But at least I was no longer the adopted daughter.
33:11At the entrance to the hotel, the cold autumn wind blew in my face. It brought a sense of desolation.
33:17Fiona carried the devices for me. She walked briskly.
33:19Afraid to bother me, as soon as I reached the roadside, urgent footsteps came from behind me.
33:24Aline, wait!
33:25Someone called. I turned around. It was Jeffrey. He had his suit jacket hanging from his arm.
33:31His hair was a mess. His forehead was sweaty. He ran to me. He was huffing and puffing. His chest
33:37was heaving violently. His eyes were full of guilt. He apologized in a husky voice.
33:42I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't go to find you back then. I'm sorry I got together with Melanie.
33:49I gazed at him under the sunshine. The fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were obvious.
33:54When we were little, he was always saying I had big doe eyes. Now, the glitter in his eyes was
33:58gone.
33:59One day, in my senior year in high school, he climbed over the tall wall with a candy in his
34:03hand.
34:03He said to me,
34:04Ely, after we're both admitted to New York University, I'll take you to the sea.
34:09The sweetness of the candy was vivid in my mind for many years.
34:15Why were you with her?
34:17My low voice faded in the wind.
34:19When I was in college, she found me one day. She told me you'd forgotten me.
34:23She said you'd gone to Los Angeles and would never come back.
34:26Jeffrey clutched his jacket. His knuckles were pale.
34:29She said you hated me for not putting in a good word for you. I panicked. I looked for you,
34:37but you changed your phone number and the old house was empty. I thought you didn't want to see
34:42me anymore. An unbearable pang ran through my heart the day I enrolled at USC. I came to New York
34:49University. I assumed he'd be waiting for me at the entrance. To my disappointment, I waited there
34:55all day. He never showed up afterward. I learned that he was already with Melanie back then.
35:01I wanted to be with you. Jeffrey's eyes reddened. They brimmed with tears.
35:07After the SET, I went to the old house to find you. Your parents told me you'd left and would
35:13never come back. I waited at the gate to the old house all night. The candy in my hand melted.
35:19Melted Dot like our terminated, long gone relationship.
35:23Melanie and I have broken up. The wedding is off.
35:25He took a step forward to hold my hand. I retreated and moved away.
35:30Ellie, can we start over? I was wrong. I'll cherish you all the more.
35:37I looked at Jeffrey calmly. My youth adoration for him and expectations of our future had elapsed
35:42with time. They had worn out in lies. Jeffrey, we're not meant to be. He stiffened to hear my words.
35:47His face gradually went pale. All the color drained away, like a photograph left too long in the sun.
35:51His lips parted slightly, but no words came out of his mouth. He just stood there. He looked at me.
35:55Despair was plain in his eyes. The boy who used to climb over my fence with candy in his pocket.
36:00The teenager who waited all night at the gate of the old house with a melting sweet in his hand.
36:04The man who was about to marry my sister. They were all the same person,
36:07and none of them were the person I needed anymore.
36:09I didn't eat the candy. I turned around. I said to Fiona.
36:13Let's go. I left resolutely without looking back.
36:17Ely, I regret it. He said softly in the wind. I knew that. But what difference did it make?
36:22Some things were lost forever. Like New York University. Like the teenager himself.
36:28Over the next few days, my phone kept ringing nonstop. All calls were from my parents. I set
36:32my phone to silent. I put it in the drawer. I didn't want to hear their apologies. It was too
36:36late.
36:36I didn't need them anymore. Kimberly would tell me about their situation every day.
36:39This morning, your mom was crying downstairs at the studio. She was holding a photo of you as a child.
36:47Your dad came too. He was leaning on a cane. He looked much older. I just nodded. I asked her
36:54to
36:54keep them outside. I didn't let them in to disturb my work. On Friday night, after working overtime,
36:58I left the studio as soon as I turned into the alley. I heard familiar sounds of arguing. It was
37:02Melanie and
37:03my parents. Why do you get to apologize to her? Why do you give her the house? I'm your daughter.
37:09She was the one who pushed me down the stairs. She wrote in her diary to insult me. Have you
37:15forgotten?
37:17How can you take her side?
37:22She didn't push you. Dad's voice was louder than ever. It was filled with exhaustion and anger.
37:27You fell on your own. You admitted it just yesterday. You even lied to us,
37:33saying she changed your homework, saying she stole your necklace.
37:39How many things have you kept from us? I hid around the corner of the alley. I felt
37:44nothing in particular, just a sense of irony after all these years. They finally learned
37:48the truth, but I stopped caring long ago. So what if I admitted it? Melanie screamed.
37:52She took my place for seven years. If not for her, all your love would have been mine.
38:02I wanted her to suffer. Changing her college choices, driving her away. It was all me who
38:08made you do it. Why blame me now? You spoiled me. You said you'd love me forever. Mom's sobs
38:16came through. Mel, how could you say that? We thought you were just sensitive.
38:22We never imagined you'd be so cruel. Eileen has suffered so much over the years,
38:28and we never knew. Suffered? What did she suffer? She lived in the old house,
38:35but I was kidnapped by traffickers. I've had it much harder than her. You should make it up to me.
38:41Dad sighed. His voice was hoarse. We were wrong. Wrong to always favor you. Wrong not to trust Eileen.
38:49We owe her an apology. I didn't listen to the rest. I turned and went back to my apartment.
38:54I took out the severance agreement. I had prepared long ago from the drawer.
39:00I had spent a long time writing that agreement. It clearly stated, from now on, I have no familial
39:05relationship with Patrick Britt, Lella Valdez, or Melanie Britt. We will not interfere in each
39:10other's lives, nor bear any obligation of support or care. The Britt family's assets have nothing to
39:15do with me. The next day, I had my lawyer deliver the agreement to dad's company. When the lawyer
39:20returned, he told me. Mr. Britt's hands were shaking as he read the agreement. Mrs. Britt cried and tore
39:27it up. Then she picked up the pieces and carefully glued them back together before signing. Melanie
39:34didn't sign and cursed you a few times. I nodded without saying anything. Whether she signed or not
39:40didn't matter. My parents' signatures were enough. Kimberly brought me a cup of hot coffee. She said it in
39:44front of me. Ely, do you really not regret it? After all, they're your parents. I looked out at
39:51the trees beyond the window. Their leaves were scattered all over the ground, bleak and desolate.
39:55No. I picked up the coffee and took a sip. It was bitter. I'm no longer the little girl who
39:59longed
40:00for their love. Cutting ties is better for all of us. All those years of grievances were like a cup
40:04of bitter coffee. Once swallowed, you can never spit it out. From now on, I only want to live for
40:09myself.
40:12Three months after signing the severance agreement, I packed my bags and left Los Angeles. This city
40:17carried too many memories for me. Some good. Some bad. And now it was time to let them go.
40:22I went to a small town in the south. I rented an apartment with a balcony. Outside the balcony
40:27stood an old locust tree. It bloomed with many fragrant white flowers in summer. Every morning,
40:32I took photos of the street. In the evenings, I sat on the balcony reading. Occasionally,
40:36I accepted a few photography jobs from out of town. Life was very peaceful. Kimberly would
40:41regularly send me messages about Los Angeles. Melanie was kicked out by your parents because
40:46she secretly took the family's money to gamble. She racked up a lot of debt. Later, she went to
40:51find Jeffrey and the two of them still got married. But they argue every day. Jeffrey messed up his job
40:58too. He got fired by the company. Now, he spends every day drinking at home. When he's drunk,
41:03he yells at Melanie. And Melanie cries. Their life is a complete mess. I looked at the messages. I felt
41:10nothing inside. Whether their days were good or bad, it no longer had anything to do with me. I only
41:15occasionally thought of my childhood. Dad teaching me to ride a bike. Mom braiding my hair. Those warm
41:20scenes flashed through my mind like old movies, but quickly faded away.
41:25Two years later, I held a solo photography exhibition in the small town. Most of the photos on display were
41:32seen elderly people sitting at their doorsteps basking in the sun. They held palm fans. Children
41:37running through the alleys. They clutched ice cream in their hands. Some featured couples. Holding hands
41:42and smiling sweetly under the old locust tree. None of the Brit family appeared in these photos.
41:47Nor was there any trace of Los Angeles. Only my life as it is now. On the day the exhibition
41:51opened,
41:52many people came. I was signing my name in a corner of the gallery when someone gently tapped my arm.
41:56I looked up. I was stunned it was my parents. Mom's hair had turned much grayer. It was neatly combed.
42:02She was still wearing that dark red dress from years ago. Though it had faded from many washes.
42:07Dad leaned on a cane. His back was hunched. Deep wrinkles were etched into his face.
42:11He looked much older. They stood in front of one of my photos. It showed an old house. It was
42:15very
42:16much like the one I used to live in. Dad's fingers gently brushed the photo. His eyes were full of
42:21nostalgia. I said nothing. I continued signing my name. My heart was beating a little fast. But I felt
42:27very calm inside. I no longer hated them. Nor did I love them. They just felt a little unfamiliar.
42:34Dad slowly walked over. He held a brown envelope. He handed it to me. His hand was cold. It was
42:40covered in calluses. The result of years of holding a pen. Ely, this is an apology letter.
42:46We know you won't forgive us. But we still wanted to write it for you. I took the envelope. It
42:52was
42:52thick. When my fingertips touched his hand, he quickly pulled away like a child who had done
42:56something wrong. We're leaving now. Take good care of yourself here. When it gets cold, remember to
43:02wear more clothes. Mom looked at me. Her eyes were red but not crying. Her voice trembled a little.
43:07Don't catch colds all the time like you did when you were little. I nodded. I said nothing. They walked
43:13out slowly. Dad moved very slowly. Mom supported him, step by step, without looking back. The
43:17gallery lights were warm. I opened the envelope. I found several sheets of yellowed letter paper.
43:22The handwriting was crooked. It was Dad's writing. He wrote a lot. About the year.
43:27Melanie came back when I was 7, and how panicked they were about when I was 12 and got kicked
43:31out.
43:32How. He secretly went to the old house at night. How he saw me crying into my blanket, and how
43:37much it
43:37hurt him. About changing my college application when I was 18, and how much he regretted it, about how.
43:43Over the past 10 years, they tried to find me. And thought about me. The last line read,
43:48Ely, we're sorry. You must live well, better than us.
43:55Tears fell onto the letter. They blurred the ink. I read it again. And again, Dad's handwriting was
44:00crooked. Unsteady. The hand of an old man who had lost his fine motor skills. He wrote about the night
44:06they told Melanie I was adopted. How Mom had cried herself to sleep for a week afterward. How Dad had
44:11driven to the old house in the rain. Just to check if the light was still on in my window.
44:15He wrote about the day he changed my college application. I knew it was wrong the moment I
44:19signed it. But Melanie was crying. She said she'd run away if I didn't. I was a coward,
44:24Ely. I chose the easy path, and you paid the price. He wrote about the 10 years of silence.
44:30How Mom saved every photo of me she could find in a shoebox under her bed. How Dad drove past
44:34my old
44:35apartment building once a month. I pressed the letter against my chest. The paper was warm from
44:39my tears. All these years. I thought they had forgotten me. They hadn't. They were just too weak.
44:44Too guilty. Too broken to come find me. I folded the letter. I put it in my bag. I walked
44:49to the
44:49window. I watched my parents' figures slowly disappear around the corner. Dad leaned heavily
44:54on his cane. Mom's arm was linked through his they. Walked like to people carrying a weight they knew
44:59they could never put down. The wind was gentle. It brushed my face. It carried the scent of the old
45:03locust tree. I knew I would. But I would not hate them anymore either.
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