- 10 minutes ago
The Son I Raised Was Never Mine
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Short filmTranscript
00:00would never know that I had already decided to transfer 15% of Hayes group shares to him
00:08until the day of the physical exam. I discovered that the son born to my husband and me both with
00:13type O blood actually had type A blood. Looking at the son who was a miniature version of my
00:18husband, I said nothing and calmly did only two things. First, I secretly plucked a strand of my
00:26son's hair. Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I had prepared. Watching Ethan walk
00:35into school, I turned and went to the DNA testing center. When I handed over the sample, my hand
00:51trembled a little. After swabbing my own cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the
00:56clock on the wall as the minutes and seconds ticked by. During that time, I contacted a private
01:02investigator. I want you to look into my husband Frank, especially his whereabouts over the past
01:07few months. At 3.40pm, my phone rang. The results were in. I opened the electronic report and scrolled
01:15straight to the end. DNA analysis indicates that the probability of a parent-child relationship
01:21between Vivian Hayes and Ethan Miller is 0.0001%. Based on genetic marker analysis, Vivian Hayes is not
01:29supported as the biological mother of Ethan Miller. Even though I had been prepared, the moment I saw
01:34those words, I still panicked for an instant, then leaned against the wall and sat down. Not my child.
01:40I had raised a child who was not my biological child for nine years. Then where was my child?
01:50I immediately went to Methodist Hospital where I had given birth nine years ago and met with the
01:55obstetrician from back then, who was now the department head. I got straight to the point and
02:00asked, Dr. Thompson, I'd like to pull my delivery records and Inchant files from that year. It's been
02:05so long, the records may have already been archived. I need to see them now. After some effort, someone
02:11from the records room finally brought out a folder. I opened it and found that the records were extremely
02:16sparse. Only the admission and discharge times, the method of delivery, and the newborn's weight.
02:22There was no detailed labor and delivery process. No nursing handoff notes. No pediatrician
02:27examination report. Is this all? This is all that's in the system. Paper records for standard
02:33opter tactic cases are kept for 10 years, and yours is about to reach the end of that period.
02:37What about the newborn's footprints? The blood test records? Those should be in the newborn records,
02:42but we couldn't find them. It couldn't be more obvious. Something was wrong here. An overly brief
02:47medical record. A missing newborn file. And a son who was not my biological child, but looked just like
02:53my husband. My phone rang. It was Frank.
02:59Where did you go? I picked up Ethan. I'm out taking care of something. I'll be right back.
03:03I only then remembered that school had already let out, but fortunately I had informed the teacher
03:08earlier. I said this and hung up the phone. After dinner, I excused myself with a headache and went
03:13back to my room early. I have a headache. I'm going to bed early. Frank stayed in the living room
03:19helping Ethan with his homework, and the sound of their conversation drifted over faintly. Dad,
03:24is mom upset? Mom is just tired. Finish your homework and go to bed early. Once they were both
03:31asleep, I began quietly searching the entire house. The master bedroom, the living room,
03:37Ethan's room. I searched everywhere and found nothing. Finally, I looked at the computer in the
03:42study, thinking the truth had to be in there. Footsteps sounded outside the door. I exited the document.
03:55When Frank pushed the door open and came in, I was tidying up the desk. He glanced at the computer
04:01screen, which had already returned to the desktop. A photo of the two of us taken three years ago at
04:06Santa Monica Beach. Not asleep yet? Organizing some old documents? I answered while casually turning off
04:12the monitor. He stood there for a moment, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end,
04:17he just nodded. Get some rest soon. I sat in the darkness, listening to the sound of his footsteps
04:22gradually fading away. That night, I didn't open the computer again and lay in bed with my thoughts
04:28in chaos. The next morning, I still let Frank take Ethan to school. He looked at me, picked up the
04:34car
04:34keys. Alright. Once they were out the door, I immediately went to the study. I turned on the
04:40computer and entered the password, our wedding anniversary. Wrong. I tried his birthday. Wrong.
04:47Our son's birthday. Still wrong. I tried the date of our first date, his mother's birthday, the day the
04:53company was founded. All wrong. The system prompted me to try again in 15 minutes. I sat in the chair,
05:00staring at the login screen. This computer we had bought together was now locked to me.
05:09That evening, Frank came home from work and said while taking off his jacket,
05:13I have a business trip to Chicago tomorrow. Not sure how long it'll be yet.
05:17I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:19So sudden. Who are you going with?
05:21It was arranged last minute. Vivian, can you not be like this?
05:24I watched him in silence, not understanding why such a casual question from me would provoke such a big
05:30reaction. You question everything? You suspect everyone? I'm just going for work.
05:36I turned away to serve the rice, my hand trembling a little. It was just a casual question.
05:42He said nothing more and went straight into the bedroom. Dinner was eaten in silence. Ethan seemed
05:47to sense something and, surprisingly, didn't pick at his food. After his shower, Frank came out and
05:52picked up his coat from the sofa to hang it in the closet. A small receipt fell out of the
05:57pocket
05:57and landed at my feet. After he left, I picked it up and took a look. It was a perfume
06:05receipt,
06:06quite expensive, purchased yesterday afternoon. I had never heard of the perfume's name,
06:11but I knew it wasn't for me. In 10 years of marriage, Frank had never given me a gift again.
06:17Sorry, crazy day at the office.
06:20I used to explain it away for him. He wasn't romantic. He was busy with work and was a practical
06:25man. Which one do you like?
06:28Buy whatever you want. I don't have time to shop.
06:31Now, it seemed that it wasn't that he wasn't capable of romance. It was just that his romance
06:35wasn't directed at me. I noted down the information on the receipt. Early the next morning, after Frank
06:41left for the airport, I called the Nordstrom counter. I'd like to look up this receipt. Yes,
06:46from yesterday afternoon. One moment. Found it. Purchaser was a Ms. Wendy Davis. Wendy Davis.
06:53That name rang a bell. Frank's secretary. Hard half a year ago. A divorced woman in her 30s.
06:59Driving to the airport, I didn't know what I wanted to confirm. Maybe the perfume was for a client.
07:05Maybe I was overthinking. I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour
07:10before I saw Frank and her. Wendy was wearing a Burberry trench coat, pulling a small suitcase,
07:19walking over together with Frank. Frank's face wore a relaxed smile I hadn't seen in a long time.
07:24Then in front of the security checkpoint, Wendy stopped and very naturally reached out to straighten
07:29Frank's collar. Frank didn't dodge. He lowered his head and said something in her ear. Wendy laughed,
07:34then stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. Frank's hand rested on her waist. Staying there
07:39for a short moment before they parted, as if it had long been a habit. The last bit of self
07:44-deception
07:44I had been clinging to vanished completely. So all those late nights working overtime.
07:49All those impatient looks directed at me. Now I knew the reason for them.
07:54Watching their intimate figures. A suspicion gradually surfaced in my mind. Could the child
07:59who was not my biological child have something to do with this woman in front of me?
08:03On the drive back, I called the private investigator I had hired days ago.
08:08Look into one more person for me. Wendy Davis. I want to know everything about her,
08:13especially whether she has any children. The investigator worked quickly. By the next
08:17afternoon, I had received the investigation report. Wendy Davis, 32 years old, divorced five years ago,
08:24had a 10-year-old son named Leo Davis, attending a charter school on the west side of town.
08:28That date suddenly leapt out at me. Wendy's son was only one week younger than Ethan.
08:33For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood surge upward.
08:40I sat on the sofa, holding the report the investigator had sent.
08:45Then a thought struck me, and I ran into the study.
08:51My fingers hovered over the keyboard, then slowly typed in Wendy's birthday.
08:56The desktop opened.
08:59There was only one folder named Work Backup.
09:02I clicked into it.
09:04It was full of subfolders, organized by year, starting from 11 years ago.
09:08The earliest folder contained scanned old photos. Frank and Wendy were wearing high school uniforms,
09:14standing under an oak tree. 19-year-old Frank was smiling, his hand resting on Wendy's shoulder.
09:20Wendy had her hair in a ponytail and was looking up at him.
09:23The next photo was from college. They were in the library.
09:26The next was a graduation photo, the two of them in caps and gowns, holding hands.
09:31We have to cancel Napa. The company's in a rough patch.
09:34That year, Frank told me the company was having difficulties,
09:38and we canceled our wedding anniversary trip to Napa Valley.
09:41I closed the folder, a churning discomfort rising in my stomach.
09:45A decade of deception.
09:46I looked at the wallpaper on the screen, our wedding photo, and felt a wave of nausea.
09:56At 3 in the afternoon, I drove to the west side of town.
10:00That charter school was even more run down than the investigator had described.
10:03The dismissal bell rang, and children poured out of the school gate.
10:07I sat in the car, my hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:10He walked out alone. No one was there to pick him up.
10:13He looked left and right, then slowly walked forward along the sidewalk.
10:17I held my breath.
10:18That child, Leo. No, that was my child.
10:21The way he walked slightly resembled me, with a mild inward turn of his feet.
10:25When he raised his hand to fix his hair, I saw a birthmark on his wrist.
10:29In the same spot as mine.
10:31I saw that there was dust on his eyelashes.
10:33His lips were a bit dry.
10:35And the edges of his sneakers had already started peeling.
10:38His eyes were empty.
10:39Not like those of a 10-year-old child.
10:42I covered my mouth to keep myself from making a sound.
10:45He walked further away and disappeared around the corner.
10:48I collapsed onto the steering wheel and broke down sobbing.
10:51For that child walking home alone.
10:53For these 10 years of misplaced lives.
10:56And for myself.
10:57Living like a fool in a play arranged by others.
11:00Then I wiped away my tears and started the car.
11:15At the law firm.
11:17I placed the USB drive in front of attorney David Lee.
11:20In it were backups of all the photos.
11:23Along with the DNA test report.
11:25Scanned hospital records.
11:26The perfume receipt.
11:28And information on Wendy Chen and Leo.
11:30I want a divorce.
11:31I want him to leave with nothing.
11:33I want custody of the child.
11:35I want him to pay the price he deserves to pay.
11:39Walking out of the law firm.
11:40I remembered what Frank had said 10 years ago.
11:43When he proposed in Central Park.
11:45Vivian.
11:46I'll give you a lifetime of stability.
11:48So his lifetime was only 10 years.
11:51No.
11:52Maybe not even 10 years.
11:53I took out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
11:57Also an old friend of my father's.
11:59Uncle Robert.
11:59Regarding next week's board meeting.
12:01There are some things I'd like to discuss with you first.
12:03Frank had probably forgotten.
12:04This company's name is Lynn.
12:06He was able to become CEO.
12:08Because I had persuaded my father to give him a chance back then.
12:11I could lift him up.
12:12And I could also make his fall very, very ugly.
12:20Two weeks after Frank left.
12:22I liquidated everything under my name that could be converted to cash.
12:26These days.
12:27Every afternoon I went to the area near that charter school on the west side.
12:31Once when it rained.
12:32He didn't have an umbrella.
12:34He waited for half an hour under the awning of the convenience store by the school gate.
12:39And in the end ran home in the rain.
12:42I sat in the car.
12:44The rain blurring the car window.
12:46On Friday afternoon.
12:48I arrived near the school early.
12:50When I saw Leo come out.
12:51I got out of the car and pretended to be a passerby walking past.
12:56The folder in my hand fell in front of him.
12:59He paused for a moment.
13:01Then bent down and picked it up for me.
13:08Thank you kiddo.
13:10Has your mom not arrived yet?
13:12He shook his head.
13:13Mom is working overtime today.
13:16Then how are you getting home?
13:18I took an unopened bottle of water from my bag and handed it to him.
13:22By bus.
13:22Have some water.
13:23He hesitated for a moment.
13:25Then took it and said thank you quietly.
13:27I noticed that when he spoke.
13:28He habitually pressed his lips together slightly.
13:31Just like me.
13:32The shape of his eyes was also similar.
13:34Hooded lids.
13:35The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:37Does your mom often work overtime?
13:39He nodded.
13:40Then shook his head.
13:42Sometimes.
13:44What about your dad?
13:46He didn't speak and look down at his shoes.
13:48Those sneakers had already started peeling at the edges.
13:51And the left shoelace was broken.
13:53I didn't ask anymore.
13:55Go buy yourself a new pair of shoes.
13:57I took $40 from my wallet and pressed it into his hand.
14:00He stepped back.
14:02No.
14:02I can't take this.
14:04Just take it as thanks for helping me pick up the folder.
14:08I put the money into the side pocket of his backpack and turned to leave.
14:14I glanced back.
14:16There was a somewhat lost look in his eyes.
14:22That night, I stood at the doorway of Ethan's room.
14:26He was playing with the Lego set Frank had just bought him.
14:29A limited edition spaceship.
14:31Quite expensive.
14:32I walked in and ruffled his hair.
14:35Mom?
14:36What's wrong?
14:38Is your homework done?
14:39Finished it a long time ago.
14:41Dad said if I make the top ten in the midterms, he'll take me to Disney World.
14:46I smiled.
14:47That's great.
14:48The moment I turned around, my smile vanished.
14:53Frank's completely different treatment of the two children was like a thorn lodged in my heart.
14:58My biological son was wearing peeling shoes and riding the bus alone,
15:02while this child was enjoying everything.
15:07Frank, who had been away on business for two weeks, finally came home.
15:12He set down his suitcase, and his first words were,
15:15Where's Ethan?
15:16Why is it so quiet?
15:18I signed him up for an after-school program, two hours in the evening.
15:22Why sign him up all of a sudden? He's only in fourth grade.
15:25I didn't answer.
15:27I smelled that perfume scent on him.
15:30He walked over to hug me.
15:32I turned aside to avoid him.
15:34Why do you smell like perfume?
15:36Who did you go to dinner with this time?
15:38Vivian, you're getting paranoid again.
15:40It rubbed off from dinner with a client.
15:42Can you stop being like this?
15:44I suddenly found it laughable.
15:47Only now could I see how bad his acting was.
15:49I took an envelope from the coffee table drawer and slowly pulled out the photos, laying them out on the
15:55table.
16:05Frank's face turned ugly.
16:07He picked up one of the photos and threw it back onto the table.
16:11You followed me?
16:14I smiled.
16:17Does it matter?
16:19What matters is, what would happen if these photos showed up at a board meeting or were sent to your
16:24clients?
16:25He collapsed onto the sofa across from me, his hands covering his face.
16:30What do you want?
16:30I stared at him, my voice somewhat cool.
16:33First, fire Wendy and guarantee you won't see her again.
16:35Second, tell me what happened at the hospital ten years ago.
16:38You're insane just based on a few photos.
16:40Frank, don't forget the company is named Hayes.
16:42My voice was icy.
16:43You are where you are today because of me. I can give and I can take away.
16:46I almost softened, but I remembered Leo's peeling shoes, remembered how he looked waiting alone for the rain to stop.
16:53For the sake of our ten years of marriage and our child, as long as you do what I say,
16:57we can keep going.
16:59After all, we still have Ethan.
17:03I turned and went to the bedroom, brought out a document, and handed it over.
17:08It was a pregnancy test report showing I was five weeks pregnant.
17:12Frank looked at the pregnancy test report, paused for a second, then looked up and stared at me.
17:18You're pregnant?
17:19Five weeks. The doctor said this time it's very stable.
17:22His expression shifted again and again.
17:25So, as long as you cut ties with Wendy completely, make her leave the company and our lives, I can
17:30let the past go.
17:31I continued.
17:32We still have Ethan, and now there's this child too.
17:35Frank's gaze fell on my belly. There was an obvious struggle in his eyes.
17:39I need to think.
17:40That night, the light in his room was turned off very late.
17:46The next morning, as I was drinking coffee, I watched Frank walk out with dark circles under his eyes.
17:52I pushed a glass of water toward him. He silently took it but didn't look at me.
17:58I've thought it over, Vivian.
18:01We...
18:01No need to say it.
18:02I cut him off and pulled the divorce agreement out of the folder, placing it on the table.
18:08His expression turned furious.
18:10What do you mean?
18:11Don't we have another child on the way?
18:13I said coldly.
18:15I told you I was pregnant, and you needed an entire night to consider whether to break up with her?
18:20We have a child on the way. Can't you think about the child and about Ethan too?
18:24Child?
18:25I suddenly laughed.
18:26Are you talking about the child I raised for ten years?
18:30Who turned out to be yours and Wendy's?
18:33Frank's face instantly went pale.
18:35He stumbled backward into the table.
18:37How do you know?
18:39When did you find out?
18:41I held my phone up in front of him, the screen showing a photo of the DNA test report.
18:47The password was Wendy's birthday. You've been using it for ten years, right?
18:56His breathing quickened, tinged with panic.
19:00Let me explain.
19:01My voice was very calm, tinged with mockery.
19:05Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth.
19:09Explain how you got Wendy into the company?
19:12Or explain how the two of you have been laughing behind my back for ten years at how stupid I
19:17was?
19:18I took a step closer.
19:20The most ridiculous thing is that occasional guilt you showed when looking at that child.
19:24Was it guilt for deceiving me or guilt for not treating your own son better?
19:28Leo.
19:29Frank suddenly seemed to remember something.
19:31Where is Leo? I want to see him!
19:33Too late.
19:34I turned and pulled open the door.
19:37Your son?
19:38No, our son is now somewhere you can't find him.
19:41Your and Wendy's son is still upstairs sleeping, unaware of what choices biological father is now facing.
19:46Frank rushed over and grabbed my arm, furious.
19:49Vivian, you can't do this! That's my child!
19:53I shook him off.
19:54From the day you switched the babies, you were no longer fit to be a father.
19:59Now please leave my home!
20:04After I closed the door, I heard the sound of him pounding on it.
20:10Then came the sound of a car driving away.
20:13I knew where he was going to find Wendy, and also to find the biological son he had lost for
20:19ten years.
20:20But he wouldn't be able to find Leo.
20:29Three days earlier, when the private investigator had given me the information on Wendy, I had already gone to see
20:37the child again.
20:38I told him the truth.
20:40He was unusually calm.
20:42In those eyes that resembled mine was a maturity beyond his years.
20:45I always felt like I wasn't my mom's child.
20:49Otherwise, why would she be willing to leave me here to fend for myself?
20:52I held his hand and said I would take him away, to start over.
20:56He was silent for a long time, then gently nodded.
21:00Yesterday afternoon's flight, my personal assistant accompanied him abroad.
21:05Over there was a good school, a house, new friends.
21:08Once I finished handling things on this end, I could go reunite with my son.
21:13The divorce agreement had been sitting on the table for three days.
21:17Frank finally came.
21:19He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes and unshaven.
21:24I hadn't seen him like this in a long time.
21:29Vivian, let's talk.
21:35I leaned against the doorframe in my loungewear, not letting him in.
21:39The agreement is written very clearly, there's nothing to discuss.
21:41I can't divorce you, for the sake of our ten years as husband and wife, and our child.
21:47Which child?
21:47The one in the videos, or the one upstairs?
21:50Frank's face instantly went pale.
21:52A week earlier, Wendy had sent over a pile of files.
21:55When I opened them, they were videos, one after another.
21:59In the videos, Leah was crying, being beaten, locked in a dark room.
22:04There was another clip where the child was only five or six,
22:06and was whipped on the back with a clothes hanger for spilling milk.
22:09Look, the email had only one line.
22:11Thank you for raising my son for all these years for me.
22:15I watched them all night, and by dawn I had thrown up three times.
22:18He seemed to want to explain.
22:20Those videos, Wendy, she sometimes couldn't control herself.
22:22That's your son.
22:23You went to see her every week, and all you noticed was that she changed your perfume and got new
22:27nails?
22:28You never saw the wounds on your son's body?
22:30He couldn't say a word.
22:31I've already hired a lawyer.
22:32If you don't want to sign, we'll go to court.
22:34The evidence of switching babies, the photos of your affair, and those videos, they will all become evidence.
22:38Are you crazy?
22:39He said in a low voice.
22:40The company is about to go public, and at a time like this...
22:43Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
22:45So sign it, while I'm still leaving you some room.
22:52The door closed.
22:53He stood outside for a long time before leaving.
22:56Three days later, Frank signed.
22:59Four days after the divorce, Frank and Wendy's wedding photos appeared on Instagram.
23:04Wendy was wearing a white wedding dress.
23:06Frank had his arm around her, but his expression was a bit stiff.
23:09The caption read,
23:10Ten years of waiting.
23:12Finally together.
23:13I took a screenshot, then turned off my phone.
23:16In the afternoon, attorney David Lee called.
23:18Ms. Hayes?
23:19All the materials are complete.
23:21The transfer records from the baby switch back then, his and Wendy's communication logs,
23:25plus the abuse videos and medical records, it's enough to file a case.
23:28Thank you for your hard work.
23:29Understood.
23:30He paused for a moment.
23:31But are you really not going to see him one last time?
23:33He came to the office yesterday and wanted me to pass on a message he said he knows he was
23:36wrong.
23:37Too late.
23:38Early the next morning, the plane took off.
23:41My personal assistant came to pick me up at the airport.
23:44She said to me,
23:46Leo has been doing a bit better this week.
23:48He's starting to be willing to talk.
23:50Yesterday, he even asked when you would arrive.
23:52My heart beat faster for a few moments.
23:56The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:58In the garden, a thin little child was crouching on the ground watching ants.
24:08I walked over and crouched down in front of him.
24:11I'm your mom.
24:11He looked at me for a long time, then gave a small nod.
24:15I carefully embraced him.
24:17He didn't pull away.
24:19I'm sorry.
24:20Mommy came too late.
24:21He trembled a little in my arms.
24:23For the next two weeks, I didn't work and focused entirely on being with him.
24:27I took him to the park.
24:28The first time he rode the carousel, he gripped the railing tightly.
24:32I took him to the library and discovered he liked books about stars.
24:37At night, only after he had fallen asleep, would I dare to gently stroke his hair.
24:43He still didn't talk much, but occasionally he would smile at me.
24:47At three in the morning, the bedroom door was gently blown open a crack by the wind, and faint
24:53sobbing sounds pierced my ears like needles.
24:55I jolted awake and almost immediately guessed it was Leo.
24:58Pushing open his door, moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting mottled shadows on
25:03the floor and illuminating his small figure curled up on the bed.
25:06His hands were tightly clutching the blanket, knuckles white.
25:09His forehead was covered in cold sweat.
25:12His brows were furrowed into a deep frown.
25:14I walked over quickly, carefully sat on the edge of the bed, and gently wrapped my arms
25:18around his cold shoulders.
25:19His body stiffened for an instant.
25:21Then he threw himself into my arms like a startled fawn, his crying suppressed and desperate,
25:26his tears instantly soaking my pajamas.
25:28That storage room was so dark, I called out for so long and no one answered.
25:31Rats crawled onto my feet.
25:33My heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by a dull knife, a dense and relentless
25:37pain.
25:37Tears fell silently onto his hair.
25:39I thought of the videos Wendy had sent.
25:41Of that child locked in the dark, shivering.
25:43I thought of the old and new scars crisscrossing his body.
25:45I wished I could tear apart everyone who had hurt him.
25:52When he had cried himself tired and his breathing had gradually steadied, I picked up the small
25:57lamp by the bedside and gently lifted his sleeve.
26:00On his arm, light brown scars crawled like ugly centipedes, marks from being whipped with
26:06a clothes hanger.
26:07On his back, there was still a faint bruise, left from when he had bumped into the corner
26:13of the storage room wall as a child.
26:14I gently traced those scars with the pads of my fingers, with a touch as light as if
26:19I were afraid of shattering a treasure.
26:22Does it hurt?
26:23He shook his head, tears still clinging to his lashes.
26:26Biting his lip, he said quietly.
26:27It doesn't hurt now, it's just that sometimes I dream about it, dream that I'm locked inside
26:31again, calling for mom, but mom's not there.
26:33I'm sorry, mommy came too late.
26:35From now on, mommy will never let you suffer again.
26:38That night, I held him on the sofa and sat there until dawn.
26:40I told him about how when I was little and afraid of thunder, my dad would hold me in
26:43his arms, counting stars and singing nursery rhymes.
26:46I told him about how when I first took over the company, I was bullied by senior employees
26:49and hid in the stairwell to cry, then wiped my tears and went back to negotiate.
26:53I told him about the mischievous interns at the company who spilled coffee on important
26:56contracts and turned pale with fright.
26:58He listened very quietly, occasionally looking up at me with those eyes that looked so much
27:01like mine, and asking.
27:02Weren't you scared then, mom?
27:04I was scared, but I knew that as long as I grit my teeth and push through, things would
27:08get better.
27:09And now, I have Leo, so I can't afford to be scared even more.
27:12He nodded, half understanding, and his little hand quietly gripped my finger.
27:17A few days later, I made a point of taking Leo to the Griffith Observatory on the outskirts
27:22of the city.
27:23We took a bus through stretches of wheat fields, the wind carrying the scent of grain.
27:28Leo leaned against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
27:31When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened, and the sky full of countless stars
27:36spread across the deep blue canopy like crushed diamonds, so Dazzling One couldn't look away.
27:40The guide pointed at the constellation Orion, and told the legend of the hunter Orion.
27:44Leo's eyes shone like stars, and the corner of his mouth slowly curved into a faint smile.
27:48On the way home, the bus swayed gently.
27:51He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
27:53Mom, the stars so far away, but just being able to see them makes me feel at ease.
27:58I held his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm.
28:01My heart filled with tenderness.
28:03I knew that the wounds buried deep in his heart wouldn't disappear completely because
28:06of one trip to the observatory, just like those old scars.
28:09No matter how much care you give them, they still leave faint marks.
28:13But as long as I stayed by his side, warming him bit by bit with love and patience, the starlight
28:18would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead of him.
28:25That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
28:29Claire went to answer the door.
28:30I heard her say,
28:32Mr. Miller?
28:33The flower sifter in my hand dropped onto the counter.
28:35He was dragging an old suitcase in his hand.
28:38Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
28:40I wiped my hands, walked out of the kitchen, and pulled the door shut.
28:44Now you know.
28:46You can leave.
28:47He looked toward the thin little figure in the kitchen and said,
28:50I want to see the child.
28:52Our child.
28:53These days I keep dreaming.
28:55Dreaming of him when he was little.
28:57Dreaming of Wendy hitting him.
28:58I never knew.
29:00You should have known.
29:01You just chose not to.
29:02He looked at my belly and asked,
29:03Is the child still there?
29:05Of course the child is still there.
29:06The doctor says everything is fine, and the baby will be born next spring.
29:10His face darkened, and his emotions suddenly became very agitated.
29:13He charged toward me.
29:15I sidesteped to dodge.
29:16He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
29:18Vivian, I want to see myself.
29:20My son, you can't do this.
29:21Frank, what you should be worried about right now isn't where my son is.
29:25But whether your son can be born safely.
29:28If you want your son to be born safely, deal with Wendy first.
29:32Settle the messy accounts between yourselves.
29:35After saying this, I threw him out.
29:36Now even looking at him disgusted me deeply.
29:39As I closed the door, I saw Frank collapse onto the ground,
29:42running his hands through his hair.
29:44He looked utterly pathetic.
29:45Fine.
29:46Let them put on their own dog-eat-dog show.
29:52Not long after, attorney David Lee called.
29:55Miss Lynn, it got very ugly, but the situation isn't as favorable as we'd hoped.
29:58It turned out that Frank and Wendy had already divorced,
30:00and were now battling in court against each other.
30:03Wendy was shouting herself horse in court,
30:05exposing how Frank had used his position to transfer money to her over the years,
30:08how he had promised to divorce and marry her,
30:10and how his attitude had abruptly changed after learning I was pregnant.
30:13I gripped my phone tightly, listening to the words on the other end,
30:17but my expression remained very calm.
30:19However, Frank shifted all the blame onto Wendy,
30:21saying she coerced him into switching the babies.
30:24The trial lasted a full two days.
30:26In the end, Wendy was sentenced to three years on multiple charges,
30:29including child abduction, document forgery, and commercial fraud.
30:33Frank, on the other hand, got himself off completely clean.
30:36He wept in court, saying he was also a victim,
30:38manipulated by Wendy for 10 years.
30:40That excuse sounded utterly absurd,
30:42but the jury bought it, or rather,
30:44the lawyer Frank hired was truly formidable.
30:47Before hanging up, attorney David Lee said quietly,
30:49Miss Hayes, I'm sorry, this result is far from ideal.
30:52If you're willing, we can plan the next step.
30:54It's enough.
30:55I cut him off.
30:56At least my child is back.
30:59Leo was doing his homework.
31:01I walked over and asked him,
31:03Liko, mommy made sure the bad people were punished,
31:05but maybe not heavily enough.
31:07Do you blame me?
31:08He looked up.
31:09Mom, I know very well who has been good to me and who hasn't.
31:12I covered my mouth, unable to hold back tears.
31:15He lowered his head and continued writing, adding quietly,
31:18You look really ugly when you cry.
31:21I laughed out loud, crying and laughing at the same time.
31:28These days, I had been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of lost maternal love.
31:33I transferred my company shares into his name.
31:36Though he was still young, I knew what the security meant.
31:39The school I found was the best private international program in the area.
31:43The principal looked at his previous transcripts and frowned deeply.
31:47For the past 10 years, Wendy had barely paid any attention to his studies,
31:52essentially leaving him to sink or swim on his own.
31:54His schoolwork lagged far behind that of children his age.
31:58I hired three private tutors, rotating through English, math, and science.
32:03Leo worked very hard, studying late into the night every day.
32:07One morning before dawn, I brought him milk and saw him slumped over his desk asleep,
32:12still clutching a pen in his hand.
32:14But I didn't wake him.
32:16I just gently draped a blanket over him.
32:19On Friday afternoon, I want to pick up Leo from school.
32:22The school gate was crowded with parents.
32:24Leo ran out carrying his new backpack, his face flushed from exercise.
32:28Mom! I passed my math quiz today!
32:31Just as I was about to take the test paper,
32:33out of the corner of my eye, I caught a figure behind the glass window of the Starbucks across the
32:38street.
32:39Frank, sitting in the corner, with dark stubble on his chin,
32:43looking very haggard, not a trace left of the confident,
32:47commanding presence he'd once had as the company's CEO.
32:50Leo followed my gaze.
32:52I took his hand and said,
32:54Come on, let's go home.
32:57Just as I turned around, hurried footsteps sounded from behind.
33:02Frank had already crossed the street and was blocking our way.
33:05Vivian, can we talk?
33:12I motioned for Leo to get in the car first, then looked at the man before me and said,
33:16There's nothing left to talk about between us.
33:17Wendy is already in prison. I've taken care of everything. I've cut ties with her completely.
33:22Frank, Wendy was sent to prison by the lawyer I hired. Does that have to do with you?
33:25Weren't you the pathetical victim crying the hardest in court?
33:28I know I was wrong, Vivian. For the sake of the child, please forgive me this once.
33:33His gaze fell on my belly.
33:35Child. Yes, our child.
33:37I slowly smoothed the wrinkles from my jacket.
33:38Oh, that. It was fake.
33:41Frank froze. His eyes widened enormously.
33:44I took a step forward so he could see my flat stomach more clearly.
33:48It's been months. If I were really pregnant, I should be showing by now, shouldn't I?
33:56His gaze lingered on my belly for a very long time.
33:59It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter even without this child.
34:03We still have Leo. We still have ten years of feelings.
34:06Frank, stop dreaming. Wake up.
34:07He acted as if he hadn't heard me and suddenly seemed to remember something.
34:11He pulled a Tiffany blue velvet box from the briefcase he was carrying.
34:15Then came the second. The third.
34:17He placed all the boxes on the ground.
34:19The small velvet boxes lined up on the ground in a row.
34:22It was somewhat laughable.
34:24I bought one every year. I just never gave them to you.
34:26Now I'm giving them all to you, okay?
34:27Please, just give me one more chance.
34:28I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
34:30Inside was a diamond necklace.
34:32The pendant in the shape of an iris.
34:33My favorite flower.
34:35Once upon a time, I would have been ecstatic over such a gift.
34:37Now, all I felt was disgust.
34:39A nauseating sensation.
34:40I stood up, put the necklace back in the box, and said,
34:43Frank, the time when I loved you most was when I would be so worried I couldn't sleep
34:46if you didn't reply to my messages.
34:47When I would make soup and bring it to the office when you worked late.
34:51When everything felt worth it the moment you said you've worked hard, honey.
34:54That time when I loved you most is long gone.
34:56To me now, these are no different than trash.
34:58He seemed to want to say something, but nothing came out.
35:01Quickly, his shoulders slumped.
35:03His whole body looked as if his spine had suddenly been ripped out.
35:06I didn't look at him again.
35:07I turned and walked toward the car.
35:09To me, none of it mattered anymore.
35:14Three years later, late autumn, Leo had grown much taller, his height reaching my shoulder.
35:21Mom, can you come to the parent-teacher conference next week?
35:23Of course.
35:24For my son's parent-teacher conference, I'd go even if the sky were falling.
35:28In these three years, Leo had become so mature and considerate it broke my heart.
35:32He would make his own pasta when I worked late, and he remembered to bring two umbrellas on rainy days.
35:38His grades had climbed from the bottom to the middle of the class, and he spoke English better than some
35:42local kids.
35:43Teachers said he had resilience.
35:45Neighbors praised him for being well-behaved.
35:47So polite.
35:48Thank you, he really is.
35:50Only I knew what lay behind this maturity.
35:52On weekend evenings, we made dumplings together.
35:55The dumplings Leo made were always excessively neat, every fold identical.
35:59Leo, in front of mom, you don't have to be disobedient.
36:02The hand he was using to pinch the dumplings paused for a moment.
36:05I crouched down and looked into his eyes.
36:07You can throw tantrums.
36:08Be difficult.
36:09Say no like other children do.
36:11Mommy doesn't love you because you're well-behavedly.
36:13I love you simply because you're you.
36:15But, if I do something wrong, will you not want me anymore?
36:18I pulled him into my arms.
36:19Never.
36:20The most right thing I've ever done in my life was finding-
36:23He didn't speak for a long time.
36:25Finally, he nodded gently.
36:29Leo's elementary school was holding an open house.
36:32I deliberately ended my company meeting early and drove to the school.
36:35The autumn sunshine was just right, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and spilling
36:39onto the playground.
36:40Warm and pleasant.
36:41Leo was participating in a relay race, running the last leg.
36:45His small figure was like a gust of wind, charging toward the finish line with everything
36:49he had.
36:50The moment he crossed the finish line, I couldn't help but stand up and applaud and cheer.
36:54He happened to look back right then and when he saw me, a radiant smile spread across his
36:59face.
36:59A smile so pure and bright that it made me feel all the sacrifices had been worth it.
37:04As the event was winding down and parents were leaving in twos and threes, I was holding
37:08Leo's hand, about to head to a nearby ice cream shop to make good on the promise of
37:11finish the race and you get a sundae.
37:13When a woman in a faded, cheap trench coat suddenly rushed over and blocked our path.
37:17It was Wendy.
37:18She was out of prison.
37:19Her hair was dry and brittle, hastily tied at the back of her head.
37:23Her face was sallow from prolonged malnutrition.
37:25Only her eyes, shot through with red veins and gleaming with venomous resentment, stared
37:30fixedly at me.
37:31Vivian, what gives you the right to take my son away?
37:34Her voice was shrill and grating, like fingernails scraping across glass, instantly drawing sidelong
37:41glances from many nearby parents.
37:43Some stopped in their tracks and eyed us curiously.
37:51I instinctively pulled Leo behind me, shielding him completely, and looked coldly at Wendy.
37:56Leo was never your son.
37:57You gave him nothing but abuse and neglect, not a shred of maternal love.
38:00You are not fit to be his mother.
38:01I carried him for nine months and gave birth to him!
38:03My blood runs through his veins!
38:05Wendy was so agitated she tried to lunge at me, but fortunately the school security guards
38:08arrived just in time and stopped her.
38:10She struggled, her hair coming loose, looking somewhat deranged.
38:12The company is gone, and now I'm not even allowed to see my own son!
38:17Leo peeked out from behind me.
38:19There wasn't a trace of fear on his small face.
38:21He looked at Wendy with eyes that were calm beyond his years.
38:24I don't have a mother like you.
38:26You hit me, locked me in a dark room, never once cooked me a meal, and never once came
38:30to pick me up from school.
38:32Mom Vivian is my real mom.
38:34She does homework with me, takes me to the park, and makes me good food.
38:38Wendy froze, as if she had never imagined that the child she had carried for nine months
38:41and given birth to would say such words to her.
38:43She stared blankly at Leo.
38:44A few seconds later, she suddenly broke down into a bitter, piercing whale.
38:48I was forced back then!
38:50Frank only cared about your money!
38:51Do you know how much pressure I was under?
38:53I had no choice but to hit him!
38:54Pressure is not an excuse for abusing a child.
38:57I took out my phone and opened a pre-safe folder.
38:59Inside were Leo's medical records from that time, photos of the scars on his body, and
39:03backup copies of the videos of Wendy abusing him.
39:05These are all evidence.
39:06If you keep immediately have my lawyer file a motion and apply for a restraining order permitting
39:10you from coming within ten meters of Leo, just then, a familiar figure came running over
39:13in a hurry.
39:14It was Frank.
39:15He looked even more haggard than three years ago.
39:17More than half of his hair had turned gray.
39:19The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were deep enough to trap dust.
39:22He was wearing an ill-fitting jacket and looked utterly disheveled.
39:29When he saw Wendy, his brow immediately furrowed, and his tone was full of impatience.
39:34What are you doing here?
39:36Didn't I tell you to stay away from them?
39:38Frank's gaze fell on Leo, his eyes incredibly complicated.
39:41Guilt, reluctance to let go, and a hint of helplessness.
39:45Vivian, I'm sorry.
39:46He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end only turned to me and said quietly,
39:51I didn't speak.
39:52I just watched him coldly.
39:53This man, who back then, for personal gain and selfish desires, switched his own biological
39:58son.
39:59Leaving Leo to suffer for ten years, and then after the truth came out, shifted all the
40:03blame onto Wendy and got himself off scot-free.
40:05Now his repentance and apology were worth absolutely nothing in my eyes.
40:09Mom, let's go.
40:10I don't want to see them.
40:11I crouched down and smoothed his windmessed hair from his forehead, my voice gentle.
40:15Alright, let's go have that sundae.
40:18I took Leo's hand and turned to leave, not sparing a single glance back at Wendy and
40:23Frank behind us.
40:24From behind us came the sound of Wendy's wailing and Frank's attempts to calm her, along with
40:29the murmuring of the surrounding parents.
40:31But all of that no longer had anything to do with us.
40:34Leo held my hand tightly, his step steady, not looking back.
40:39That afternoon, I took Leo to eat his favorite chocolate sundae.
40:42He got it all over his face, like a little kitten.
40:44I took out a tissue and gently wiped the ice cream from the corners of his mouth.
40:47Mom, the sundae is really sweet.
40:50Every day from now on can be this sweet.
40:53I looked into his bright eyes, my heart completely clear and at peace.
40:56The dust of the past might occasionally be stirred up by the wind, but as long as Leo
41:00and I were together, walking forward side by side, we would surely move toward a brighter,
41:05warmer future.
41:05Those who had hurt us would ultimately be left behind in the dust, never able to affect our
41:10lives again.
41:13The late autumn rain came without warning.
41:15At dismissal time, heavy raindrops pelted noisily against the ground, and the school gate
41:20was crowded with parents picking up their children.
41:22Holding an umbrella, I stood under the old oak tree we had agreed on, and saw from a distance
41:26Leo walking out with his backpack, side by side with a classmate, a faint smile on his
41:30small face.
41:31This was the first time he had voluntarily walked out of school with a classmate.
41:34Just then, a woman in a red raincoat suddenly rushed over, grabbed Leo's arm, and said in
41:39a sharp voice,
41:39Leo, come with me!
41:41Your mother is suffering in there!
41:42How can you be here living the good life?
41:43Who are you?
41:44I don't know you!
41:45I'm your aunt!
41:45That woman, Vivian, is a liar!
41:47She snatched you away from your real mother!
41:48You can be dumb and fun!
41:49With me, I'll take you to see your mom!
41:51The surrounding parents turned to look.
41:53A few kind-hearted people wanted to step forward and ask what was going on, but were forced
41:58back by Kelly's fierce glare.
42:00Leo's classmate was so frightened he stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to do.
42:09My heart clenched.
42:10I rushed over quickly, pried Kelly's hand off with one motion, and shielded Leo behind
42:15me, my voice cold as ice.
42:17Let go of him!
42:18You have no right to touch my child!
42:21Kelly stumbled a step.
42:23After studying herself, she looked me up and down, her eyes full of jealousy and venom.
42:28Thief!
42:28You stole my sister's man, stole her money, and now you've stolen her child!
42:32How can you live with yourself?
42:34Conscience?
42:35I gave a cold laugh.
42:36The videos of your sister abusing Leo back then, the transfer records her and Frank conspying
42:39to switch the babies, and the proof that you, who as in the know, accepted benefits
42:43from Frank, I have all of it right here.
42:44Tell me, if this really went to the police station, whose conscience would be the one that
42:47come and hold up?
42:49The murmuring around us grew louder and louder.
42:51Some parents took out their phones and started recording video, and someone had already quietly
42:56contacted the school security guards.
42:57Kelly's face flushed red and then turned pale.
43:00Looking at the crowd that had gathered, a hint of panic crept into her eyes.
43:07She was still putting up a brave front, but had unconsciously taken a step back.
43:12I just want the child to know his real family.
43:15Leo suddenly stepped out from behind me, his small body standing very straight, his eyes
43:18steady as he looked at Kelly.
43:20Know his real family?
43:21I don't have an aunt like you, and I don't have a mother like that.
43:23Mom Vivian's my real mom.
43:24She doesn't hit me, doesn't lock me up, cheats with meals, take me to school and protect
43:27me.
43:27Go away!
43:28I don't want to see you ever again.
43:29Kelly stood stunned.
43:30Looking at the clear yet distant expression in Leo's eyes, she opened her mouth but couldn't
43:34say a single word.
43:35At that moment, the school security guards and the homeroom teacher hurried over.
43:38Seeing the scene, the homeroom teacher immediately stepped in front of us.
43:42I must ask you to leave the school entrance immediately or we will call the police.
43:45Kelly saw more and more people gathering around and knew that continuing to make a scene wouldn't
43:48end well for her.
43:49She shot me a vicious glare, muttered.
43:51Just you wait, turned and rushed into the rain, quickly disappearing around the street
43:55corner.
43:55The rain was still falling.
43:57A few strands of Leo's hair were damp from the splashing rainwater, plastered against
44:00his forehead.
44:01Did that scare you?
44:02Mom, I'm not scared because I knew you would come to save me.
44:05Silly child.
44:06Mommy will always be by your side.
44:08No matter what happens, I won't let anyone hurt you.
44:10Mrs. Hayes, I really didn't expect something like this to happen.
44:14Leo has had quite a fright today.
44:16Would you like to take him to the office first for some hot cocoa?
44:18Thank you, Mrs. Wong.
44:19I nodded and, holding Leo's hand, walked into the school building.
44:25In the office, the warmth of the hot cocoa traveled through the cup to his palms.
44:29Leo held the cup and said quietly,
44:31Mom, was what that aunt said true?
44:34Was I really born from Wendy?
44:36I crouched down, looked into his eyes, and said seriously, Leo, you are mom's biological
44:41son.
44:41As for who gave birth to you, that's not what's important.
44:44What's important is who raised you with love, who's willing to go to any lengths to protect
44:48you.
44:48In mom's heart, you are my treasure, the person I most want to protect in this lifetime.
44:52He blinked, his eyes reddening a little, but he nodded firmly.
44:56I understand, mom.
44:57I only recognize you as my mom.
44:59That night, for the first time, Leo voluntarily told me about how Wendy would occasionally bring
45:03Kelly to the house.
45:04Aunt Kelly always cursed at me for being stupid, said I wasn't as well-behaved as Ethan, and
45:09would secretly take my things.
45:10Back then I used to thought, if only I had a mom who truly loved me.
45:13I pulled him into my arms and gently patted his back.
45:17That will never happen again.
45:18Mommy will give you all her love and make sure you're happy every single day.
45:22The rain outside the window gradually stopped, and moonlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating
45:27a corner of the room.
45:29I met Daniel at a community book club.
45:31I had accompanied Leo to borrow books, and was drawn in by a sharing session on women's
45:36autobiographies.
45:37Daniel was the host, in his early 40s, and spoke with a gentle yet compelling voice.
45:42After the session ended, he stopped me at the door and said,
45:45Your perspective just now was very unique.
45:47Could I get to know you?
45:48That was how our conversation began.
45:51Daniel was a locally born Chinese American, his family originally from San Francisco.
45:56Divorced for five years, his daughter lived with her mother.
46:00He was a middle school history teacher, and volunteered at the community center in his spare
46:04time.
46:05For our first official date, we went to the California Science Center, and of course Leo came
46:10along too.
46:12Daniel didn't try too hard to win the child over.
46:15In the space exhibition area, he naturally started talking about the Apollo program.
46:20You know why astronauts bring a knife to space?
46:22Leo shook his head.
46:23To fix equipment.
46:24The most dangerous thing in space is a loose screw.
46:27Leo's laugh was very relaxed.
46:36Another spring had passed when Daniel came over for dinner at our home.
46:40After the meal, Leo did his homework, and Daniel and I had tea on the patio.
46:45The night was cool.
46:46He draped his jacket over my shoulders.
46:49Leo has made some new friends recently.
46:52I saw him playing basketball with classmates.
46:54I was a bit surprised.
46:56The child had always been alone before.
46:58Children need time.
46:59And so do you.
47:01He paused for a moment.
47:02That night, I told him about what happened ten years ago.
47:06Daniel listened quietly.
47:07Only after I had finished, did he gently take my hand.
47:10Walking through all of that alone, it must have been so hard.
47:13Those words made my eyes redden.
47:15So what I had needed was someone to see the weight behind the strength.
47:19Mom, if you like Uncle Daniel, you can be with him.
47:22When he said this, Leo was assembling a model airplane.
47:25Why are you suddenly saying this?
47:27I stared at him stunned.
47:28Because when you look at him, you smile.
47:30A real smile.
47:31Not the fake kind.
47:32I sat down beside him.
47:33And what do you think about it?
47:34I hope someone loves you the way you love me.
47:37You deserve that.
47:39I hugged him.
47:40He had grown up without my noticing.
47:42Falling in love with Daniel was different from how it was when I was 20.
47:45No wild passion.
47:46No anxiety.
47:47It was a steady kind of intimacy.
47:49After dinner, we would take walks together.
47:51Listening to me talk about the trivial things at work and things about Leo's school.
47:54Even the sale items at Whole Foods.
47:56Leo gradually accepted this rhythm.
47:58One day when I came home from working late,
48:00I saw them playing chess in the living room,
48:02and soup was simmering in the kitchen.
48:03The aroma filling the house.
48:05In that moment,
48:06I realized that the happiness I'd thought was out of reach
48:08had long since landed gently in the palm of my hand.
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