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