- 6 hours ago
- #asm
Starlight and Redemption - Short Drama Full HD 720p #ASM
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Short filmTranscript
00:00My husband, Julian, didn't know I'd decided to transfer 15% of the company shares to him a gift for
00:05our 10th anniversary, until the day of my son's health checkup.
00:08The doctor smiled as he handed me the results.
00:11My husband and I, both type O. Our son? Type A.
00:16I looked at the boy sitting beside me, a miniature version of Julian. I didn't make a sound.
00:21I simply, calmly, did two things.
00:24First, I pulled a strand of hair from my son's head when he wasn't looking.
00:26Second, I tore up the share transfer agreement I'd prepared.
00:30I watched my son walk through the school gates before turning the car around.
00:33The DNA testing center was across town.
00:35I need express results. How fast can you do it?
00:38The technician glanced up from her paperwork.
00:40Standard processing is five business days. Rushes today by 4 p.m. Triple the cost. Rush it.
00:46My hands trembled slightly as I handed over the sample.
00:48After they swabbed my cheek cells, I sat in the waiting area, staring at the clock on the wall.
00:52Every second felt like an hour.
00:54I pulled out my phone and made another call.
00:56I need you to investigate my husband, Julian Robinson.
00:59I want to know everywhere he's been, especially in the last few months.
01:03The private detective's voice was professional, detached.
01:06Understood.
01:07At 3.40 p.m., my phone buzzed.
01:09I opened the electronic report.
01:11Skipped straight to the end.
01:13DNA analysis indicates a 0.0001% probability of biological relationship
01:20between Vivian Hart and Alex Robinson.
01:22Based on genetic marker analysis, evidence does not support Vivian Hart as the biological mother of Alex Robinson.
01:28Even though I'd prepared myself, seeing those words made my vision blur for a moment.
01:33I leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor.
01:36Not my child.
01:37I'd raised a child who wasn't mine for nine years.
01:41So where was my child?
01:42I drove straight to St. Mary's Private Hospital, the same place where I'd given birth nine years ago.
01:48Dr. Seussi was still there.
01:49She'd been promoted to department head.
01:52Dr. Seussi, I need to access my delivery records and hospitalization files from nine years ago.
01:56Her smile froze for a moment.
01:58That was so long ago.
02:00The files might already be archived.
02:01It took some effort, but eventually someone from the records room brought over a folder.
02:06I flipped it open.
02:07The documentation was shockingly sparse.
02:09Only basic informations.
02:11Admission time.
02:12Discharge time.
02:13Delivery method.
02:14Newborn wait.
02:15No detailed labor notes.
02:17No nurse handoff records.
02:18No pediatric examination reports.
02:20Is this everything?
02:22She looked apologetic.
02:23That's all we have in the system.
02:25Paper records are usually kept for ten years.
02:27You're right at the edge of that window.
02:29What about the newborn footprints?
02:30The blood samples.
02:32She shook her head.
02:33Those should be in the newborn records, but we couldn't locate them.
02:38It was obvious there was something wrong.
02:40An abnormally simple medical file.
02:42Missing newborn records.
02:44A child who wasn't mine, but looked exactly like my husband.
02:48The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't want to see.
02:52My phone rang.
02:52It was Julian.
02:53Where are you?
02:54I already picked up Alex.
02:56I'd completely forgotten about school pickup time.
02:58At least I'd warned the teacher ahead of time.
03:00I'm out running business.
03:02I'll be home soon.
03:04I hung up.
03:05After dinner, I claimed a headache and retreated to the bedroom early.
03:08Through the closed door, I could hear Julian helping Alex with homework in the living room.
03:13Their voices drifting through the house.
03:17Dad, is Mom upset?
03:19Mom's just tired.
03:20Finish your homework and get to bed early.
03:22I waited until they were both asleep.
03:24Then I started searching.
03:25The master bedroom.
03:27The living room.
03:28Alex's room.
03:29I went through everything, looking for...
03:32I didn't even know what.
03:33I found nothing.
03:35Finally, I turned to the computer in the study.
03:37The truth had to be in there.
03:39Footsteps in the hallway.
03:41I quickly closed out of the files I'd been opening.
03:44When Julian pushed the door open, I was straightening papers on the desk.
03:48He glanced at the computer screen.
03:50It had returned to the desktop.
03:52A photo of the three of us at the beach from three years ago.
03:56Still up?
03:58Just organizing some old documents.
04:00I reached over and turned off the monitor.
04:02He stood there for a moment like he wanted to say something.
04:04In the end, he just nodded.
04:07Get some rest.
04:08I sat in the darkness, listening to his footsteps fade down the hall.
04:12That night, I didn't touch the computer again.
04:15I lay in bed, thoughts racing, unable to find sleep.
04:19The next morning, I still let Julian take Alex to school.
04:22He looked at me, picked up the car keys.
04:25Alright.
04:26The moment they left, I went straight to the study.
04:28I turned on the computer and tried the password.
04:31Our wedding anniversary.
04:32Wrong.
04:33His birthday.
04:35Wrong.
04:35Alex's birthday.
04:36Still wrong.
04:37I tried the date we first met.
04:39His mother's birthday.
04:40The day the company was founded.
04:41All wrong.
04:42The system locked me out.
04:44Please try again in 15 minutes.
04:46I sat there, staring at the login screen.
04:48This computer we'd bought together, now locked against me.
04:52That evening, Julian came home from work.
04:54He was barely through the door when he said,
04:57I'm going to Italy tomorrow.
04:58Business trip.
04:59Not sure how long I'll be gone.
05:00I came out of the kitchen carrying a dish.
05:03That's sudden.
05:04Who are you going with?
05:05He set his briefcase on the table and turned to look at me.
05:07Just someone.
05:08It was a last minute arrangement.
05:09Vivian, can you not do this?
05:12I stared at him, confused.
05:13It was just a casual question.
05:15Why was he reacting like this?
05:17You question everything.
05:18You suspect everyone.
05:20I'm just going to work.
05:21I turned back to serve the rice.
05:23My hands were shaking slightly.
05:25I was just asking.
05:27He said nothing more.
05:28Walked straight to the bedroom.
05:30Dinner was silent.
05:32Alex must have sensed something was off.
05:34For once, he didn't complain about the food.
05:37After his shower, Julian grabbed his coat from the sofa to hang it up.
05:40A receipt slipped from the pocket and fell near my feet.
05:42After he left the room, I picked it up.
05:44A perfume purchase.
05:46Expensive.
05:46Bought yesterday afternoon.
05:48A brand name I didn't recognize.
05:50But I knew it wasn't for me.
05:52I thought about our marriage.
05:53Ten years.
05:55Julian hadn't bought me a gift in all that time.
05:57Not since our first anniversary.
05:59A scarf.
06:00I still had it somewhere.
06:01After that, nothing.
06:03No birthday gifts.
06:04No anniversary gifts.
06:05No just-because gifts.
06:07I told myself he wasn't romantic.
06:09He showed love in other ways.
06:11He was practical and focused on providing.
06:13On his career.
06:13I'd made excuses for him.
06:15But now, holding this receipt,
06:17I understood.
06:18He wasn't unromantic.
06:20He wasn't too busy.
06:21He wasn't too practical.
06:22His romance just wasn't for me.
06:24It was for someone else.
06:25Someone who wore expensive French perfume.
06:28I wrote down the information from the receipt.
06:30The next morning, after Julian left for the airport,
06:32I called the boutique.
06:36I need to verify a purchase.
06:37A receipt from yesterday afternoon.
06:39One moment.
06:40Yes, I have it here.
06:41The buyer was Chloe Williams.
06:42Chloe Williams.
06:44I knew that name.
06:45Julian's secretary.
06:46Hired six months ago.
06:47Early thirties.
06:48Divorced.
06:49I drove to the airport.
06:50I didn't know what I was hoping to confirm.
06:53Maybe the perfume was for a client.
06:54Maybe I was overthinking this.
06:56I waited outside the International Departures Hall for half an hour.
06:59Then I saw them.
07:01Julian and her.
07:02Chloe wore a beige trench coat, pulling a small suitcase behind her.
07:06She walked beside Julian, laughing at something he'd said.
07:09Julian's face carried an expression I hadn't seen in years.
07:13Relaxed.
07:14Genuinely happy.
07:15At the security checkpoint, Chloe stopped.
07:17She reached up, casual and familiar, to straighten Julian's collar.
07:22He didn't pull away.
07:23He leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
07:25She smiled.
07:27Then she stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips.
07:30Julian's hand rested on her waist.
07:33They stayed like that for a moment before separating.
07:36Like they'd done it a thousand times before.
07:38The last shred of self-deception evaporated.
07:41All those late nights.
07:43Working.
07:44All those times he'd been irritable with me.
07:46All of it finally made sense.
07:48I watched their intimate silhouette disappear through security.
07:52A new thought crystallized in my mind.
07:55That child who wasn't mine.
07:57And this woman.
07:59Could they be connected?
08:00On the drive back, I called the private detective I'd hired.
08:04I need you to look into someone else.
08:06Chloe Williams.
08:07I want to know everything about her.
08:09Especially whether she has any children.
08:11The detective worked fast.
08:12By the next afternoon, I had the report.
08:15Chloe Williams.
08:1632 years old.
08:18Divorced 5 years ago.
08:19One son.
08:209 years old.
08:21Name.
08:22Alan.
08:23Attending a public school in the West End.
08:25The date jumped out at me.
08:27Chloe's son was only one week older than Alex.
08:29For the first time in 10 years, I felt my blood run hot.
08:32I sat on the sofa, holding the detective's report.
08:35Then, a thought struck me.
08:37I ran to study.
08:38My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
08:40Then, slowly, I typed in Chloe's birthday.
08:43The desktop opened.
08:44There was only one folder.
08:46Named, Work Backup.
08:47I clicked it open.
08:49Inside were subfolders organized by year.
08:51Starting 11 years ago.
08:52The earliest folder contained scanned photographs.
08:55Julian and Chloe in high school uniforms, standing under a locust tree.
08:5919-year-old Julian, smiling, his arm around Chloe's shoulders.
09:02She had her hair in a ponytail, looking up at him.
09:05The next photo was from college.
09:07The two of them in the library.
09:09Then, their graduation photo.
09:10Both in cap and gown, holding hands.
09:12That was the year Julian told me the company was struggling financially.
09:16We'd canceled our anniversary trip.
09:18Instead, he bought a scarf for me.
09:20I closed the folder.
09:21The screen behind the closed folder is our wedding photo.
09:25I stared at our wedding photo and felt bile rise in my throat.
09:28Me, in my white dress.
09:30Lace sleeves and long train.
09:32Holding a bouquet of white roses.
09:34Julian, in his black suit.
09:35Gray tie.
09:36Boutonniere.
09:37Both of us smiling at the camera.
09:39The photographer had made us laugh.
09:40Said something stupid.
09:41We'd both cracked up.
09:43The photo captured that moment.
09:44Pure.
09:45Happy.
09:46I stared at it.
09:47At my face.
09:48So happy.
09:49So naive.
09:50So trusting.
09:51I didn't know who that woman was anymore.
09:53That woman who'd believed her husband.
09:55Who'd made excuses for him.
09:56Who'd convinced herself everything was fine.
09:59That woman was gone.
10:01Had to close my eyes.
10:02Put my hand over my mouth.
10:04The perfect couple.
10:06The perfect lie.
10:07Sick at the photos I'd just seen.
10:09Sick at the years of deception.
10:11Sick at myself for not seeing it sooner.
10:13For believing him.
10:15For trusting him.
10:16For raising a child who wasn't even mine while my real son was somewhere else.
10:20At 3 p.m.
10:21I drove to the West End.
10:23The elementary school looked even more run down than the detective had described.
10:27The dismissal bell rang.
10:29Children poured out through the gates.
10:31I sat in my car.
10:33Hands gripping the steering wheel.
10:34He walked out alone.
10:36No one there to pick him up.
10:37He looked left.
10:38Then right.
10:39Then started walking slowly along the sidewalk.
10:42I held my breath.
10:43That child.
10:45Alan.
10:45No.
10:46My child.
10:47The way he walked reminded me of myself.
10:49A slight pigeon toe.
10:50When he raised his hand to push hair out of his face.
10:53I saw it.
10:54A birthmark on his wrist.
10:56The same place I had mine.
10:58I could see dust on his eyelashes.
11:00His lips were chapped.
11:02His sneakers were coming apart at the seams.
11:04His eyes looked empty.
11:06Not like a nine-year-old's eyes at all.
11:08I covered my mouth to stop myself from making a sound.
11:11He walked away.
11:13Disappearing around the corner.
11:14I collapsed over the steering wheel and broke down completely.
11:17For that child.
11:18Walking home alone.
11:20For ten years of living in the wrong life.
11:23For being such a fool.
11:24Dancing in a play someone else had written.
11:27Then I wiped my tears and started the car.
11:29At the law office, I placed a USB drive on Attorney Morrison's desk.
11:33Inside, backup copies of all the photos.
11:36The DNA test results.
11:38Scanned hospital records.
11:40The perfume receipt.
11:41Files on Chloe and Alan.
11:43I want a divorce.
11:44I want Julian to leave with nothing.
11:46I want custody of my child.
11:48I want him to pay for what he's done.
11:51Walking out of the attorney's office.
11:52I remembered what Julian had said when he proposed ten years ago.
11:56Vivian.
11:57I will give you a lifetime of stability.
11:59Turns out, his lifetime was only ten years.
12:02No.
12:03Probably less than that.
12:04I pulled out my phone and called the company's second largest shareholder.
12:08My father's old colleague.
12:10Mr. Aaron.
12:11About next week's board meeting.
12:13I'd like to discuss a few things with you first.
12:15Julian seemed to have forgotten something important.
12:18This company's name is Hart.
12:20He became general manager because I convinced my father to give him a chance.
12:24I put him in that position.
12:26I could take him down just as easily.
12:27Two weeks after Julian left, I liquidated every asset I could convert to cash.
12:35Every afternoon, I went to that elementary school in the West End.
12:38One day, it rained.
12:41Alan didn't have an umbrella.
12:43He waited under the awning of the corner store for half an hour, then finally ran home through the downpour.
12:49I sat in my car, rain-blurring the windshield.
12:54Friday afternoon, I arrived at the school early.
12:57When I saw Alan coming out, I got out of the car and walked past like a stranger.
13:02I accidentally dropped my folder in front of him.
13:06He froze for a moment, then bent down to pick it up for me.
13:09Thank you, sweetheart.
13:12Is your mom not here yet?
13:14He shook his head.
13:16Mom's working late.
13:18How are you getting home?
13:20I'll take the bus.
13:22I pulled an unopened bottle of water from my bag.
13:26Have some water.
13:27He hesitated, then took it, and said,
13:32I noticed he had a habit of pressing his lips together when he spoke.
13:37Just like me.
13:39His eyes were shaped like mine, too.
13:41Inner double eyelids.
13:43The outer corners slightly downturned.
13:46Does your mom work late often?
13:49He nodded, then shook his head.
13:51Sometimes.
13:53What about your dad?
13:55He didn't answer.
13:56Just looked down at his shoes.
13:58Those sneakers, the soles were separating.
14:02The left shoelace was broken.
14:04I didn't ask anything more.
14:06I pulled $200 from my wallet and tucked it into his hand.
14:10Buy yourself some new shoes.
14:13He stepped back.
14:15No, I can't take this.
14:17Consider it a thank you for helping me with my folder.
14:21I slipped the money into the side pocket of his backpack and walked away.
14:26After a few steps, I glanced back.
14:29He stood there looking lost.
14:31That evening, I stood in the doorway of Alex's room.
14:34He was playing with a new Lego set Julian had bought him.
14:37A limited edition space shuttle.
14:39Expensive.
14:40Mom?
14:41What's wrong?
14:42I walked in and touched his hair.
14:45Did you finish your homework?
14:46Finished ages ago.
14:47He held up his model.
14:49Dad said if I get A on my midterms, he'll take me to Disneyland.
14:53I smiled.
14:54That's wonderful.
14:56The moment I turned away, the smile vanished.
14:59Julian's different treatment of the two children stabbed at my heart like a thorn.
15:02My biological son wore torn shoes and rode the bus alone, while this child enjoyed everything.
15:16After two weeks away, Julian finally came home.
15:20He set down his suitcase.
15:21Where's Alex?
15:24Why is it so quiet?
15:25I enrolled him in piano lessons, two hours every evening.
15:28Since when?
15:29He's only in fourth grade.
15:31I didn't answer.
15:32I could smell that perfume on him.
15:34He moved closer, trying to put his arms around me.
15:37I stepped aside.
15:38Why do you smell like perfume?
15:40Who were you having dinner with?
15:42His expression flickered with irritation.
15:45Vivian, here you go again with the suspicion.
15:47I had a business dinner with a client.
15:49Can you not be like this?
15:50It was almost funny.
15:52Only now could I see how terrible his acting had always been.
15:55I walked to the coffee table, opened the drawer, and pulled out an envelope.
16:00Slowly, I laid the photographs across the table, one by one.
16:04Julian's face turned ugly.
16:05He grabbed one photo and threw it back.
16:07You had me followed?
16:09Does it matter?
16:10I smiled slightly.
16:12What matters is, what happens when these photos show up at the board meeting?
16:17Or get sent to your clients?
16:18He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, hands covering his face.
16:22What do you want?
16:23I stared at him.
16:23My voice was flat.
16:25First, fire Chloe Williams.
16:27Guarantee you'll never see her again.
16:29Second, tell me what happened at the hospital nine years ago.
16:31He stood up angry now.
16:32You're crazy.
16:33For a couple of lousy photos?
16:36My voice turned cold.
16:39Julian, don't forget my father built this company from the ground up.
16:42You have everything you have because of me.
16:44What I gave, I can take back.
16:47I almost wavered.
16:49Then I thought of Alan's torn shoes.
16:51I thought of him waiting alone in the rain.
16:53For the sake of our ten years together, and for the sake of our child, if, if you do what
16:58I'm asking, we can move forward.
17:00After all, we still have Alex.
17:02I turned toward the bedroom and returned with a document.
17:05A pregnancy test report.
17:06It showed I was five weeks pregnant.
17:09Julian stared at the report.
17:11Then he looked up at me.
17:13You're pregnant?
17:14I nodded, placing my hand on my stomach.
17:17Five weeks.
17:18The doctor says everything looks stable this time.
17:21His expression shifted constantly.
17:23His throat worked.
17:24His eyes moved between me and the report.
17:28I continued, so, as long as you cut things off with Chloe completely, make her leave the
17:33company in our lives, I can let the past go.
17:36We still have Alex.
17:37And now, we have this baby.
17:40Julian's gaze fell to my stomach.
17:42There was obvious conflict in his eye.
17:44I need, I need to think.
17:46His voice was hoarse.
17:48He turned and went into the bedroom.
17:49The next morning, I drank my coffee and watched Julian emerge with dark circles under his eyes.
17:54I pushed a glass of water toward him.
17:56He took it silently, but didn't look at me.
17:59I've thought it over, Vivian.
18:01We...
18:01Don't bother.
18:03I cut him off, pulling divorce papers from a folder and placing them on the table.
18:07His expression turned furious.
18:09What is this supposed to mean?
18:10We're having another child!
18:12I said coldly, I told you I was pregnant.
18:16And you needed an entire night to decide whether to break up with her?
18:19Julian stood.
18:21We have a child on the way.
18:23Won't you think about the baby?
18:24Think about Alex?
18:26The child?
18:27I suddenly laughed.
18:28You mean the child I raised for nine years.
18:30Who turns out to be yours and Chloe's?
18:32Julian's face went white.
18:34He stumbled backward, hitting the table.
18:36How did you...
18:37When did you find out?
18:38I held up my phone.
18:40The screen showed a photo of the DNA test results.
18:44I should thank you for that folder on your computer.
18:46Password is Chloe's birthday.
18:48You've been using that for three years, haven't you?
18:50His breathing quickened, taking on a panicked edge.
18:53Let me explain.
18:55My voice stayed calm, edged with mockery.
18:58Explain how you switched the babies when I was giving birth?
19:02Explain how you got Chloe hired at the company?
19:05Or explain how the two of you have been laughing at me behind my back for ten years?
19:09I stepped closer.
19:10The funniest part?
19:12The guilt I sometimes saw in your eyes when you looked at Alex.
19:15Were you feeling guilty for deceiving me?
19:17Or guilty for not treating your real son better?
19:20The funniest part?
19:21Julian suddenly remembered.
19:23His voice dropped to a whisper.
19:25Where's Alan?
19:26I need to see him.
19:27Too late.
19:29I turned and opened the door.
19:31Your son.
19:31No, my son is somewhere you'll never find him.
19:34Chloe's son is still upstairs asleep, unaware of the choice his real father is facing.
19:38Julian rushed forward and grabbed my arm.
19:41Vivian, you can't do this.
19:42That's my son.
19:43I shook him off.
19:44From the day you switched those babies, you lost the right to be called a father.
19:48Now get out of my house.
19:49After I closed the door, I heard him pounding on it from outside.
19:52Then the sound of a car engine started.
19:54Driving away, I knew where he was going.
19:57To find Chloe.
19:58To find Alan, he'd lost for nine years.
20:00But he wouldn't find Alan.
20:02Three days ago, when the private detective gave me Chloe's file, I'd already met with Alan again.
20:07I told him the truth.
20:08Alan was surprisingly calm.
20:10Those eyes that looked like mine held a maturity far beyond his years.
20:15I always felt like I wasn't her child.
20:18Otherwise, why would she be willing to just leave me here to fend for myself?
20:24I took his hand.
20:25I told him I would take him away.
20:27We could start over.
20:28He was silent for a long time.
20:30Then he nodded.
20:31Just slightly.
20:33Yesterday afternoon, he flew out of the country.
20:35My assistant went with him.
20:37There's a good school there.
20:39A house.
20:40New friends waiting.
20:41Once I finish dealing with things here, I can join my son.
20:44The divorce papers sat on the table for three days.
20:47Finally, Julian came back.
20:49He stood outside the door, dark circles under his eyes, unshaven.
20:54I hadn't seen him look like this in a long time.
20:57Vivian, we need to talk.
20:59I leaned against the door frame in my loungewear.
21:01I didn't let him in.
21:03The agreement is very clear.
21:04There's nothing to talk about.
21:06He looked defeated.
21:08I can't get divorced.
21:09For the sake of our ten years together.
21:10For the sake of our child.
21:13Which child?
21:14I cut him off with a cold laugh.
21:16The one in those videos?
21:17Or the one upstairs?
21:19Julian's face went white.
21:20A week ago, Chloe had sent me a pile of files.
21:23Videos.
21:24One after another.
21:25Alan crying.
21:26Being beaten.
21:27Locked in a dark room.
21:28In one clip, he was only five or six years old.
21:31He'd spilled milk.
21:33Chloe hit him across the back with a coat hanger.
21:35The email had only one line.
21:37Thank you for raising my son all these years.
21:40I'd watched them all night.
21:41By dawn, I'd thrown up three times.
21:44Julian seemed like he wanted to explain.
21:46Those videos.
21:47Chloe.
21:48She sometimes couldn't control herself.
21:50I laughed coldly.
21:51Alan is your son.
21:53You went to see Chloe every week.
21:55You noticed her new perfume.
21:57Her fresh manicure.
21:58But you never saw the bruises on your son's body?
22:01He had no answer.
22:02I said flatly.
22:03I've already retained a lawyer.
22:05If you won't sign, we'll go to court.
22:07The evidence of the baby switch.
22:09Photos of your affair.
22:11Those videos.
22:12All of it becomes part of the legal record.
22:14His voice dropped.
22:16Are you insane?
22:17The company's about to go public.
22:18Now is not the time.
22:20Before I closed the door, I said one last thing.
22:23So sign.
22:25While I'm still leaving you with some dignity.
22:27The door shut.
22:28He stood outside for a long time before finally leaving.
22:32Three days later, Julian signed the papers.
22:35Four days after the divorce, I saw their wedding photo on Instagram.
22:38Chloe in a white wedding dress.
22:40Julian with his arm around her.
22:42But his expression looked stiff.
22:44The caption read,
22:46Ten years of waiting, finally together.
22:49I took a screenshot.
22:51Then I turned off my phone.
22:52That afternoon, Attorney Morrison called.
22:56Mrs. Hart, we have everything we need.
22:58The bank transfers from when they switched the babies.
23:00Communication records between him and Chloe.
23:02The abuse videos.
23:04And medical records.
23:05It's enough to file charges.
23:07Thank you for your work.
23:10Of course.
23:11Are you sure you don't want to see Julian one last time?
23:14He came by the office yesterday.
23:16Asked me to tell you he knows he was wrong.
23:18Too late.
23:19Early the next morning, my plane took off.
23:21My assistant met me at the airport.
23:24Alan's been doing better this week.
23:26He's starting to talk more.
23:27Yesterday, he's starting to talk more.
23:30My heart beat faster.
23:32The car stopped in front of a white house.
23:34In the garden, a thin child was crouched on the ground, watching ants.
23:39Alan.
23:39He looked better than in the videos.
23:41But he was still too thin.
23:43Not enough meat on his bones.
23:46Meanwhile, Alex had grown healthy and strong under my careful care.
23:50The thought cut through me like a knife.
23:52I walked over and knelt in front of him.
23:54I'm your mother.
23:55He looked at me for a long time.
23:58Then nodded, just slightly.
24:00I carefully put my arms around him.
24:02He didn't pull away.
24:03I'm sorry.
24:05Mom came too late.
24:06He trembled slightly in my arms.
24:08For the next two weeks, I didn't work.
24:11I devoted all my time to him.
24:13I took him to the park.
24:14The first time on the carousel, he gripped the pole so tightly his knuckles turned white.
24:19I took him to the library.
24:20He loved books about stars.
24:22At night, after he fell asleep, I gently stroke his hair.
24:25He still didn't talk much.
24:27But sometimes, he'd smile at me.
24:29At 3 a.m., the bedroom door creaked open, caught by the wind.
24:33The sound of muffled sobbing pierced through me like needles.
24:36I jolted awake.
24:38I knew immediately it was Alan.
24:40I pushed open his door.
24:41Moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting shadows across the floor.
24:46His small figure was curled up on the bed.
24:48His hands clutched the blanket.
24:50Knuckles white.
24:51Cold sweat covered his forehead.
24:53His brow was furrowed deeply.
24:55He kept murmuring.
24:56Mom, no.
24:58Don't lock me in the dark room.
25:00There are rats.
25:02I crossed the room quickly and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
25:05I gently put my arms around his ice-cold shoulders.
25:07His body went rigid for a moment.
25:09Then he threw himself into my arms like a frightened deer.
25:11His crying was suppressed, desperate.
25:13Tears instantly soaked through my pajamas.
25:15Mom, I'm scared.
25:17That storage room was so dark.
25:19I begged again and again, but no one answered.
25:23The rats crawled on my feet.
25:26My heart felt like it was being cut with a dull knife.
25:28Alan, don't be afraid.
25:30I patted his back again and again, my voice trembling but trying to stay steady.
25:34Mom's here.
25:34No one can lock you up anymore.
25:36The rats won't come.
25:38Mama will protect you.
25:39Silent tears fell onto his hair.
25:40I thought of the videos Chloe had sent.
25:42That child trembling in the darkness.
25:44The marks on his body.
25:45Old scars and new wounds layered together.
25:48I wanted to tear apart everyone who'd ever hurt him.
25:51When his crying finally exhausted itself,
25:53his breathing gradually steadied and gently lifted his sleeve.
25:57Brownish scars on his arm, ugly as centipedes.
26:00The marks from being hit with a coat hanger.
26:02On his back, a faint bruise.
26:05From when he'd been shoved against the corner of the storage room wall as a small child.
26:09I traced those scars with my fingertips.
26:11My touch as light as if I were afraid of breaking something.
26:14Does it hurt?
26:15Alan shook his head.
26:16Tears still clung to his lashes.
26:17He bit his lip and said quietly.
26:19It doesn't hurt now, but sometimes I dream about it.
26:21I dream I'm locked in there again.
26:23Calling for mom, but mom isn't there.
26:25I'm sorry.
26:25I held him tighter.
26:26Mom came too late.
26:27But from now on, mom will never let anyone hurt you again.
26:30That night, I held him on the sofa until dawn.
26:33I told him stories.
26:35About how I used to be afraid of thunder when I was little.
26:38How my father would hold me and count the stars while singing nursery rhymes.
26:43I told him about when I first took over the company.
26:45How the old employees gave me a hard time.
26:48How I cried in the stairwell.
26:49Then dried my tears and went back to negotiate.
26:53I told him about a cosy intern who spilled coffee all over an important contract and turned power with fear.
26:59He listened quietly.
27:01Occasionally, he'd lift his head and look at me with those eyes so much like mine and ask,
27:07Were you scared, mom?
27:08Terrified.
27:09Touching his hair.
27:10But I knew that if I just held on, things would get better.
27:13And now I have you, Alan.
27:14I can't afford to be afraid anymore.
27:16He nodded slowly, seeming to understand.
27:19His small hand quietly gripped my finger.
27:21A few days later, I took Alan to the observatory on the outskirts of the city.
27:25We rode a bus through fields of wheat.
27:27The wind carried the scent of grain.
27:29Alan pressed his face against the window, his eyes full of wonder.
27:32When night fell, the observatory dome slowly opened.
27:36The sky filled with stars like scattered diamonds across deep blue velvet.
27:40So brilliant you couldn't look away.
27:42The guide pointed at Orion and told the legend of the hunter.
27:45Alan's eyes lit up like stars themselves.
27:48The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a shallow smile.
27:52On the bus ride home, the vehicle swayed gently.
27:55He leaned against my shoulder and said quietly,
27:57Mom, the stars are so far away.
27:59But being able to see them, it makes me feel safe.
28:03My heart felt soft.
28:04I knew the trauma buried deep inside him wouldn't disappear after one trip to an observatory.
28:09Like those old scars.
28:10No matter how much care they received, they'd always leave faint marks.
28:14But as long as I stayed with him, warming him bit by bit with love and patience,
28:18the starlight would eventually pierce through the darkness and illuminate the road ahead.
28:23That afternoon, we were making cookies in the kitchen when the doorbell rang.
28:26Jenny went to answer it.
28:27I heard her say,
28:28Mr. Robinson?
28:29The flower sifter slipped from my hands and clattered onto the table.
28:32Through the glass door, I saw Julian standing at the entrance.
28:36His hair was disheveled.
28:37His eyes were sunken.
28:39He was dragging an old suitcase.
28:40Vivian, I've been searching for half a month.
28:42I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen, closing the door behind me.
28:45Now you know where we are.
28:47You can leave.
28:48I want to see the child.
28:49Our child.
28:50He looked toward the thin figure in the kitchen.
28:52I keep having dreams.
28:53Dreams of when he was small.
28:54Dreams of Chloe hitting him.
28:55I never knew.
28:55You should have known.
28:56I cut him off.
28:57You just chose not to know.
28:58His gaze dropped to my stomach.
28:59Is the baby still?
29:00I smiled.
29:00For the first time in days, I felt genuinely light.
29:03The baby?
29:03Of course.
29:04I placed my hand on my lower abdomen.
29:05The doctor says everything's fine.
29:07Due next spring.
29:08His face turned ugly.
29:09His emotions suddenly became agitated.
29:12He lunged toward me.
29:13I stepped aside.
29:14He stumbled and crashed into the entryway cabinet.
29:16Vivian, I need to see my son.
29:18You can't do this.
29:19I looked at him and laughed coldly.
29:20Julian, what you should be worrying about isn't where Alan is.
29:24It's whether your son can even be born safely.
29:26If you want your son born safely, deal with Chloe first.
29:29Settle your mess yourselves.
29:31I shoved him out the door.
29:32Just looking at him now made me feel sick.
29:34As I closed the door, I saw Julian slumped on the ground, hands pulling at his hair.
29:38He looked truly pathetic.
29:40Fine.
29:40Let them tear each other apart.
29:42Let the dogs fight it out themselves.
29:44Soon after, attorney Morrison called.
29:46Mrs. Hart, it's gotten ugly.
29:47The result isn't ideal.
29:48Apparently, Julian and Chloe had already divorced, and now they were facing each other in court.
29:53Chloe was hysterical on the stand, exposing everything.
29:56How Julian had used his position to transfer money to her over the years.
29:59How he'd promised to divorce me and marry her.
30:02How his attitude had changed the moment he learned I was pregnant.
30:05I gripped my phone, listening.
30:07My expression stayed calm.
30:08However, Julian managed to pin all the blame on Chloe.
30:11He claimed she coerced him into switching the babies.
30:13The trial lasted two full days.
30:16In the end, Chloe was convicted of child abduction, document forgery, and corporate fraud.
30:21Multiple charges, sentenced to three years.
30:23Julian, meanwhile, came out clean.
30:25He cried in court, claiming he too was a victim.
30:28That Chloe had manipulated him for ten years.
30:30It sounded absurd, but the judge believed it.
30:33Or rather, Julian's lawyer was that good.
30:36Before hanging up, attorney Morrison said softly,
30:39Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry this wasn't the result we hoped for.
30:42Okay, I'm going to retire.
30:43If you'd like, we can proceed to the next phase of planning.
30:46I cut him off.
30:47It's enough.
30:47At least I have my child back.
30:48Alan was doing homework.
30:50I walked over to him.
30:51Alan, Mom made the bad people pay for what they did.
30:54But maybe not enough.
30:56Are you angry with me?
30:57He looked up.
30:58Mom, I know who treated me well and who didn't.
31:00I keep track.
31:02I keep track.
31:03I covered my mouth.
31:04Tears spilled over.
31:05He lowered his head and went back to his writing.
31:08Then added quietly,
31:09I keep track.
31:11I laughed through my tears.
31:12These past days,
31:14I'd been desperately trying to make up for 10 years of missing maternal love.
31:18I transferred company shares into a trust fund in his name.
31:21He was still young,
31:22but I knew what that security meant.
31:24I enrolled him in the best international academy in the city.
31:27The principal frowned when he looked at Alan's previous report cards.
31:30For 10 years,
31:32Chloe had barely supervised his studies.
31:34She'd practically left him to fend for himself.
31:36His coursework had fallen far behind his peers.
31:39I hired three private tutors.
31:41Math,
31:41language arts,
31:42technology,
31:43rotating in shifts.
31:45Alan worked hard,
31:46studying late into the night,
31:48every night.
31:49One night past midnight,
31:50I brought him warm milk.
31:51I found him asleep at his desk,
31:53pens still clutched in his hand.
31:55I didn't wake him.
31:56I just gently draped a blanket over his shoulders.
31:59Friday afternoon,
32:00I went to pick up Alan from school.
32:02Parents crowded the school gates.
32:04Alan ran out with his new backpack,
32:06his face flushed from exercise.
32:08Mom!
32:09I passed my math quiz today!
32:11I was reaching for his test paper
32:12when I caught a glimpse of a figure
32:14through the cafe window across the street.
32:15Julian,
32:16sitting in the corner,
32:17his chin covered in dark stubble,
32:18haggard,
32:19nothing like the confident company executive he used to be.
32:21Alan followed my gaze.
32:22I squeezed his hand.
32:24Let's go home.
32:25We'd barely turned around
32:26when I heard rushed footsteps behind us.
32:28Julian had crossed the street
32:30and now stood blocking our path.
32:32Vivian, can we talk?
32:33I gestured for Alan to get in the car first.
32:35Then I looked at the man in front of me.
32:37We have nothing to talk about.
32:38I've dealt with everything.
32:40He spoke urgently,
32:41like he was trying to prove something.
32:43I've fought with everything.
32:44I've cut ties with her completely.
32:47I couldn't help but laugh.
32:48Julian,
32:49Chloe's in prison because my lawyer put her there.
32:51What does that have to do with you?
32:55A canchulisman of anacolt.
32:57Weren't you the one crying on the witness stand,
32:59playing the victim?
33:00His face darkened.
33:01I know I was wrong, Vivian.
33:03For the sake of our child.
33:05For the sake.
33:06Please forgive me this once.
33:09Our child?
33:10His gaze fell to my stomach.
33:13Yes, our child.
33:14I smoothed the wrinkles in my coat,
33:16taking my time.
33:17Oh, that?
33:18That was fake.
33:20Julian froze.
33:21His eyes went wide.
33:23I met his stare calmly.
33:24Pregnancy report report was forward.
33:26I just wanted to see what choice you did make.
33:29I stepped forward,
33:30letting him get a clear look at my flat abdomen.
33:33It's been months.
33:34If I were really pregnant,
33:36I'd be showing by now, wouldn't I?
33:37His gaze lingered on my stomach for a long time.
33:40It doesn't matter.
33:41We don't need that baby.
33:42We still have Alan.
33:43We still have 10 years of history between us.
33:45I cut him off.
33:46Wake up.
33:46Stop dreaming.
33:47He acted like he hadn't heard me.
33:49Suddenly, he seemed to remember something.
33:50He pulled a velvet box from his briefcase.
33:53Look, this is the gift I bought for your 30th birthday.
33:56The company was struggling financially that year.
33:58I couldn't bring myself to give it to you.
34:00Then a second box.
34:01A third.
34:02He laid them all on the ground.
34:04This one's from our seventh anniversary.
34:07This one's from when we first moved into the house.
34:09This one.
34:10This one?
34:11The small velvet boxes formed a line on the pavement.
34:14I bought one every year.
34:15I just never gave them to you.
34:17Now I'm giving them I'm all to you.
34:19He looked up, eyes red.
34:20Please, give me one more chance.
34:21I crouched down and opened the nearest box.
34:24Inside was a diamond necklace.
34:25The pendant shaped like an iris.
34:28My favorite flower.
34:29Once upon a time, I would have been overjoyed by a gift like this.
34:33I would have worn it proudly, holding his arm at every gala, showing off my happiness.
34:37Now, I just felt sick.
34:39I stood up and placed the necklace back in the box.
34:42Julian, I loved you once.
34:44When I didn't hear from you, I would lie awake all night.
34:47When I cooked soup and delivered it to your office when you were working late.
34:50When you said, baby, thank you for everything you do for me.
34:52At that moment, I felt it was all worth it.
34:54I set the box at his feet.
34:55That one who loved you most?
34:56She's long gone.
34:58These gifts are no different from garbage to me now.
35:00Something in his expression shifted.
35:02The desperation vanished, replaced by something darker.
35:05You think you've won?
35:05His voice turned sharp, bitter.
35:07Do you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
35:08And Leivant, the best, you know how hard I've worked to get where I am?
35:11I came from Toxher Skalv Tumihi and Nohweth Peslovman.
35:14I came from nothing, Vivian, nothing.
35:16I didn't say anything.
35:17The man who pretended to be a devoted husband finally revealed his true colors.
35:22I married into your family.
35:23Do you know what that's like?
35:25Being called the man who married up?
35:26Having everyone whisper that I'm living off my wife?
35:28His hands clenched into fists.
35:30I worked myself to the bone for that company.
35:32For you.
35:33For this family.
35:34Are you finished?
35:35My voice stayed flat.
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