- 2 days ago
- #backwithbaby
📖 Video Description
Headline Hook:
She was betrayed by the one person she trusted. But what happens when she returns years later, completely out of his reach? 💔✨
Plot Summary:
When her ex-boyfriend chose to cheat and shatter her world, she didn't stay to watch the pieces fall. Instead, she packed her bags, moved abroad, and left the past entirely behind. Destiny had bigger plans. In a completely new country, she met a loving billionaire who cherished her worth, married her, and gave her a life beyond her wildest dreams.
Now, she is a billionaire's wife and the proud mother of his heir. When a sudden twist of fate forces her cheating ex to cross paths with her again, the reality of what he threw away hits him all at once. Watch the ultimate story of heartbreak, healing, and undeniable revenge unfold.
What would you do if your ex begged for forgiveness after seeing your new life? Let me know in the comments below! 👇
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
Headline Hook:
She was betrayed by the one person she trusted. But what happens when she returns years later, completely out of his reach? 💔✨
Plot Summary:
When her ex-boyfriend chose to cheat and shatter her world, she didn't stay to watch the pieces fall. Instead, she packed her bags, moved abroad, and left the past entirely behind. Destiny had bigger plans. In a completely new country, she met a loving billionaire who cherished her worth, married her, and gave her a life beyond her wildest dreams.
Now, she is a billionaire's wife and the proud mother of his heir. When a sudden twist of fate forces her cheating ex to cross paths with her again, the reality of what he threw away hits him all at once. Watch the ultimate story of heartbreak, healing, and undeniable revenge unfold.
What would you do if your ex begged for forgiveness after seeing your new life? Let me know in the comments below! 👇
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
#Backwithbaby,myexregretsdeeply
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:00Vanessa, it's your birthday ceremony tonight. I'm running late. I'll be there later.
00:07Grayson!
00:08Grayson cut the line.
00:10Grayson!
00:12Go ahead. Scream louder. No one's coming.
00:16My hand reached for the phone. Seth slapped it away.
00:18This is what you owe me.
00:20He tore off my clothes and put his hand on my chest.
00:23So sensitive. Can that Grayson satisfy you, whore? Or did you marry him for the money?
00:29Seth! Seth! No! No! No!
00:33I tried to pick up my phone. He grabbed it and hid it in the wall.
00:36The phone cracked. The screen went black. Seth laughed.
00:41Useless.
00:44I was still pinned on the bed. Seth's hand moved down between my legs.
00:48Your body was still nice.
00:50His fingers pressed harder.
00:51You always knew how to move. How to shake it. God, I miss this.
00:56Did he ever make you feel this way? That rich bastard you married for his money?
01:01Tell me the truth, Vanessa. Who was better? Me? Or him?
01:06The light outside turned dark. My birthday dinner started in the hotel.
01:11Night in the hotel. Chloe walked in from a luxurious car.
01:15When Vanessa was in her old apartment, she stepped into the car that was supposed to drive her to the
01:20hotel.
01:20Her face, she had surgery to look exactly like Vanessa.
01:24Every angle. Every curve.
01:26She smiled and waved at the guests.
01:28Mrs. Vance was so glorious.
01:32Yes. She's the most admirable woman in the city.
01:35She took Vanessa's seat at the head table. A waiter poured her champagne.
01:40She lifted the glass to the room. The cameras flashed.
01:45Vanessa, from tonight on, I take everything you have.
01:49She looked toward the entrance.
01:52Grayson wasn't there yet.
01:53She had time.
01:54She smiled at the room.
01:56No one noticed the difference.
02:00After Seth released on me, he walked up and walked to the bathroom.
02:03I found a fire extinguisher in the kitchenette.
02:06Tucked under the sink behind a bottle of old dish soap.
02:09I flung it at Seth's head.
02:11He went down.
02:11I ran.
02:13You bitch!
02:14I flagged a taxi barefoot, bleeding, torn dress hanging off my shoulder.
02:19The driver stared but drove.
02:20The ballroom was chaos.
02:22Police outside.
02:23Guests crowded by the walls.
02:25The hotel was crawling with police.
02:27I pushed through them.
02:29Ma'am, you can't...
02:30I'm his wife.
02:31Let me through.
02:33Mrs. Vance.
02:34But Mrs. Vance is already inside.
02:36I pushed past him and ran into the ballroom.
02:39The chandeliers were still blazing.
02:41I looked like I'd crawled out of a disaster.
02:43Who is she?
02:45She looks like she's been through a war.
02:47Wait.
02:48She looks like Mrs. Vance.
02:51Chloe stepped forward.
02:53Her voice was warm.
02:55My voice, full of practiced concern.
02:57Oh my God.
02:58Whoever you are.
03:00You need help.
03:01You look terrible.
03:02Are you okay?
03:04Don't touch me.
03:06The crowd gasped.
03:07Dot Chloe's face crumpled into perfect hurt.
03:09I'm just trying to help.
03:10Why are you being so aggressive?
03:12It's my birthday party.
03:14I won't hesitate to help those in need.
03:16She's the imposter.
03:18I'm Grayson Vance's wife.
03:19The real Mrs. Vance.
03:20She locked me in an apartment.
03:22She's Chloe.
03:23She had surgery to become me.
03:25She...
03:25Vanessa?
03:26Honey, I don't know who you are, but I'm right here.
03:29I've been here all night.
03:30Everyone saw me.
03:31The guests murmured.
03:32They looked at Chloe, flawless, elegant, composed.
03:35Then they looked at me, dirty, bleeding, barefoot, wild-eyed.
03:39Look at her dress.
03:41An imposter trying to imitate Mrs. Vance.
03:44How ridiculous.
03:46Who let her in?
03:47I looked at the faces in the crowd.
03:49All the people who had smiled at me over the years.
03:51Who had called me Mrs. Vance.
03:52Who had toasted my marriage.
03:54They didn't recognize me, because I didn't look like myself.
03:57I looked like a refugee.
04:01I stopped struggling.
04:02The guards still held my arm.
04:04Let me go.
04:05I can prove who I am.
04:06Bring my jewelry box.
04:08Now.
04:11The one Mr. Vance gave me for our first anniversary.
04:14The maid hesitated.
04:15She looked back and forth at my dusty clothes.
04:18It has a passcode.
04:20Only the real Mrs. Vance knows it.
04:26That's ridiculous.
04:28Anyone could guess a passcode.
04:29It has three attempts.
04:31Then it locks forever.
04:33You should not go.
04:35It's my birthday party.
04:37How could it be destroyed by a strange woman?
04:40You were afraid.
04:44I think it's a good idea.
04:48The old housekeeper stepped forward.
04:51He had served the Vance family for over 20 years.
04:54Everyone respected him.
04:55He was the only person in this room besides Grayson whose judgment the guests trusted implicitly.
05:00He looked at me.
05:01Then at Chloe.
05:02This jewelry box has always been treasured by Mrs. Vance.
05:07And no one else knows the password.
05:10If this woman can open it, then she is who she says she is.
05:15I don't agree.
05:16Then you have nothing to fear.
05:20Her mask was cracking.
05:22I could see the calculation behind her eyes.
05:24Chloe's hand moved to her purse.
05:26The maid returned.
05:26She stood between us, holding out the small velvet box.
05:31Chloe's hand came out of her purse.
05:32Her phone was in it, screen dark.
05:35I stepped toward the box.
05:38Seth, now.
05:39Suddenly, the lights went out.
05:41The ballroom plunged into darkness.
05:46Chloe slipped away in the chaos.
05:48She stepped into the car.
05:49The driver took her to the Vance family.
05:52The door opened.
05:53Grayson stumbled in.
05:54He was nearly drank.
05:55He mumbled, kicking off his shoes.
05:57Vanessa, how was your birthday party?
06:00Sorry for my late, but I had an important meeting.
06:04Chloe smiled.
06:05It's perfect.
06:06There was a little accident, but it doesn't matter.
06:12Couldn't sleep.
06:14I was waiting for you.
06:18Longest day of my life.
06:20I need something to take the edge off.
06:23Chloe reached for the bottle on the nightstand.
06:25Red wine.
06:26Opened.
06:27Breathing.
06:28Here.
06:29Drink this.
06:30It'll help you sleep.
06:31Grayson took the glass.
06:33He drank.
06:34She refilled it.
06:36He drank again.
06:37Grayson's eyes were glassy.
06:39The wine was working.
06:40He reached out and pulled her closer.
06:44I love you, Vanessa.
06:45I don't say it enough, but I love you.
06:49I love you, too.
06:51She poured another glass.
06:52Grayson finished the third glass.
06:54Then the fourth.
06:54His words were slurring now.
06:56His eyelids were heavy.
06:57He kept reaching for her hand, mumbling about Lily and Leo and how he couldn't sleep without
07:01her beside him.
07:05Chloe guided him down onto the pillows.
07:07She unbuttoned his shirt.
07:09She kissed his chest, his neck, his jaw.
07:12He was barely conscious.
07:15Do you want me?
07:16Always.
07:18Always want you.
07:20Then let me take care of you.
07:27You'll see, Vanessa.
07:28When I'm carrying his child, everyone will know my face better than yours.
07:33Outside, a car pulled into the driveway.
07:35Dot, I ran.
07:36Dot, I'd gotten a call from the nanny.
07:37She said Mrs. Vance had already come home.
07:39I said that was impossible.
07:40I was still at the estate.
07:42The nanny went quiet.
07:44Mrs. Vance, someone is here, in your house, wearing your robe.
07:49I hung up and drove.
07:51I burst through the front door.
07:52The house was dark.
07:53The lights were off.
07:55The only sound was a muffled creak from the master bedroom.
07:57I didn't call out.
07:58I didn't wait, Dot.
08:00I walked.
08:00The bedroom door was cracked.
08:02Open.
08:02I pushed it.
08:03The lamp on the nightstand was on.
08:05Low.
08:05Amber light.
08:06Grayson was sprawled across the bed, completely unconscious.
08:09He'd been drugged or drunk.
08:10I could smell the wine from the doorway.
08:12And kneeling beside him, still wearing my silk robe, was Chloe.
08:16Vanessa.
08:18You're late.
08:19I stared at her.
08:20At the tangled sheets.
08:21At my husband's bare chest.
08:23At her smug, perfect face.
08:26I crossed the room and slapped her across the face.
08:29Her hand flew to her cheek.
08:30Who do you think you are?
08:31You think you can steal my face and become me?
08:34I already did.
08:35He kissed me.
08:36He touched me.
08:37He called me your name.
08:38He was drunk.
08:38So what?
08:40He still wanted me.
08:41You saw him.
08:42He pulled me close.
08:45I grabbed her wrist.
08:46Yanked her off the bed.
08:48She stumbled onto the floor.
08:50You think this face makes you me?
08:52You think one night in my bed makes you my husband's wife?
08:55You bitch.
08:56Chloe.
08:57You're one to talk.
08:57You and Seth.
08:59Alone.
08:59In that old apartment.
09:01You think I don't know what happens between you?
09:03Don't.
09:04Don't what?
09:05Don't tell him you were sleeping with your ex?
09:08He fucked you, didn't he?
09:10I know, Seth.
09:11I know what he does to women he thinks he owns.
09:13He was all over you.
09:14That's not...
09:15You should have seen his face when I kissed him.
09:17So hungry.
09:19So desperate.
09:20You must have really starved him.
09:24Think about it, Vanessa.
09:25If I'm pregnant, and I plan to be, then I'll always be part of your family.
09:29I'll be the mother of his child.
09:30You'll have to see me at birthdays, at holidays, at every school play.
09:34You're insane.
09:35Maybe.
09:35Maybe.
09:35But I'm also very patient.
09:37And I'm very good at being you.
09:40She walked past me toward the door.
09:45She paused at the Threshold.18 a moment.
09:48Grayson was awake.
09:50He saw two similar wives.
09:54Vanessa...
09:55What?
09:56Chloe was here.
09:58She was in our bed.
09:59She touched you.
10:01She wants...
10:02Want your child.
10:05Grayson looked at her.
10:06Then he looked at me.
10:08Bleeding.
10:09Barefoot.
10:10Crying.
10:10He walked straight to me.
10:12His hands cupped my face.
10:14Dirty.
10:15Bruised.
10:16Streaked with tears.
10:17I sobbed.
10:18Your ear.
10:19Moaned behind your left ear.
10:21She doesn't have it.
10:22You sleep with your hand under your pillow.
10:24You hum in the shower.
10:25You have a chip on your front tooth.
10:27She doesn't have that chip.
10:31Grayson...
10:31He pulled me into his arms.
10:33I know.
10:34I've always known.
10:36Grayson, look at me.
10:38I'm the real Vanessa.
10:39His fist slammed into her face.
10:41The crack was sickening.
10:43Chloe screamed.
10:44Her hand flew to her nose.
10:46When she pulled it away, her nose was bent.
10:49Wrong.
10:49The bridge had collapsed.
10:51The implant had broken.
10:53She looked like a broken doll.
10:55Half me.
10:56Half something grotesque.
10:57She ran out the front door and into the dark.
11:00Grayson turned back to me.
11:02He wrapped his arms around me.
11:07She took Lily.
11:08Lily.
11:09She walked into the school.
11:10She said she was me.
11:11Lily went with her.
11:14I looked up at him.
11:15His eyes were red.
11:17Jaw tight.
11:18Hands trembling.
11:19I should have killed them three years ago.
11:22I threw them in the sea and I didn't make sure.
11:25I didn't make sure they were dead.
11:27It's my fault.
11:30Never again.
11:31We will find Lily.
11:33I swear it.
11:34They will never touch our family again.
11:41You have me.
11:44That night, Grayson made dozens of calls.
11:47His voice was low and steady.
11:49I told the police head to let every police database in the city notice these two faces.
11:53If they breathe in public, I want to know.
11:58Grayson finished his calls and walked over.
12:00He crouched in front of me.
12:01I'll find them in three days.
12:04Seth's aunt.
12:05She sends him money every month.
12:06Old lady.
12:07Pension check.
12:07But her account's been drained for three months.
12:09She's been giving him cash.
12:10That night, Grayson and his men found Seth's aunt, who was frightened and confessed that
12:14Seth was hiding in a basement on the outskirts of the city.
12:17Grayson sent his men to the basement.
12:19But Seth had gone.
12:20At 2 a.m., my phone lit up again.
12:23I opened it.
12:24It was an audio file.
12:25I pressed play.
12:27A woman's voice filled the dark room.
12:29Chloe.
12:29My Grayson.
12:31Tell me you love me.
12:33Say it.
12:34Love.
12:35Then Grayson's voice slurred, barely conscious, a mumbled response.
12:39She'd positioned him, staged the sounds, edited the breaths.
12:43She made it sound like a whispered confession between lovers.
12:46She made it sound like he'd said it to her.
12:48He took it.
12:49Pressed play.
12:50His face went white.
12:52The recording played.
12:53His own voice came through, distant, drugged, meaningless.
12:57Love.
13:00He closed his eyes.
13:01When he opened them, his eyes were dark.
13:03I was unconscious.
13:05I don't remember any of this.
13:08I know.
13:11But if she sends this to the media...
13:13Then the media will think you said, I love you, to another woman.
13:17I was drunk!
13:21I know.
13:22Grayson.
13:23I know you won't betray me.
13:25But the world doesn't know what I know.
13:27If she sends that recording, they'll hear your voice.
13:30And they'll believe whatever she tells them.
13:34Chloe stood in front of the cracked bathroom mirror.
13:37She stared at her own face.
13:39The one she'd been born with.
13:40The one she hadn't seen in three years.
13:42Ordinary.
13:43Unfamiliar.
13:44She touched her cheek, her nose, her jaw.
13:47Her fingers trembled.
13:48She barely recognized herself.
13:50Seth appeared in the doorway.
13:52You're gonna stand there all night?
13:54He walked up behind her, hands landing on her shoulders.
13:57It's not that bad.
13:59Plain, sure.
14:00But at least it's yours.
14:04Chloe shrugged him off.
14:06You don't get it.
14:07I spent years becoming her and now it's all gone.
14:10What's the use?
14:11Seth said coldly.
14:15He still recognized the real one in two seconds.
14:20Chloe spun around, her eyes burning with fury.
14:24Say that again.
14:25What, the truth?
14:27He laughed.
14:29He looked right at your face, her face, and saw through it.
14:34You were never good enough.
14:37She shut him hard.
14:38His ass hit the doorframe.
14:40He grunted but didn't fight back.
14:42You think this is easy for me?
14:44Seth straightened up, rubbing his shoulder.
14:46I think you wasted years pretending to be someone else.
14:48What did it get you?
14:50A broken nose and a warrant?
14:53Chloe turned away from him.
14:54Her eyes fell on her phone on the sink.
14:57She picked it up, scrolling through files.
14:59Her fingers moving faster now.
15:01She stopped.
15:02Found the recording.
15:04I have something.
15:06What?
15:09She pressed play.
15:11Her voice came through the speaker, her imitation of Vanessa, warm and soft.
15:15Do you love me?
15:16A pause.
15:17Love.
15:22Seth's face changed.
15:24He stepped closer.
15:25Is that...
15:28His voice?
15:30I recorded it that night.
15:31He was drunk.
15:33Barely conscious.
15:36He didn't know what he was saying.
15:38Seth stared at the phone.
15:39Then at her.
15:40A slow grin spread across his face.
15:44We can use this.
15:45We send it to every media outlet.
15:47His voice saying he loves me.
15:49My voice asking.
15:50No one will ask if he was drunk.
15:52Seth nodded.
15:53That's good.
15:54That's really good.
15:56Chloe smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
15:59I lost the face.
16:02But I never lost the proof.
16:07The recording exploded online at 6 a.m.
16:11By 7, Grayson Vance cheating scandal was trending number 1.
16:14By 8, the stock had dropped 12%.
16:17By 9, the board was calling every 5 minutes.
16:20I read the comment.
16:22It's unbelievable.
16:23I already thought they were a perfect couple.
16:25Poor Mrs. Vance.
16:27The phone buzzed in my other hand.
16:29Unknown number.
16:30I stared at it.
16:31Who is it?
16:32I didn't answer.
16:33I swiped to accept.
16:35Hello?
16:37Morning, Vanessa.
16:40Chloe's voice.
16:40Calm.
16:41Almost cheerful.
16:42Did you hear the news?
16:44Your husband's voice is everywhere.
16:46He sounds so sweet when he says love, doesn't he?
16:49My grip tightened on the phone.
16:51What do you want?
16:52Straight to business.
16:54I like that.
16:55I want money.
16:575 million.
16:59Cash.
17:00Unmarked.
17:01You have 24 hours.
17:04I don't have that kind of cash lying around.
17:07Then get it!
17:09And if you don't...
17:12Your daughter is still in my hand.
17:16My hand started shaking.
17:18You have 24 hours.
17:20Wire the money to the account I'm texting you.
17:23If I don't see it by tomorrow morning, the next recording goes out.
17:27And this one?
17:28This one has your daughter's name in it.
17:31The line went dead.
17:33I lowered the phone.
17:34My eyes met Grissand's.
17:37What did she say?
17:38He sat down next to me, took my shaking hands in his.
17:41Vanessa.
17:42What did she say?
17:44She wants 5 million in 24 hours.
17:48And she mentions Lily.
17:50Grayson's face went still.
17:52That particular stillness I knew too well.
17:54The one before he did something he wouldn't regret.
17:58Give it to me.
18:00Grayson.
18:01Give me the phone.
18:04I handed it over.
18:05He scrolled through the messages.
18:07Found the account number Chloe had sent.
18:09And cope-headed.
18:1024 hours.
18:12That's all we need.
18:15What are you going to do?
18:17I'm going to make sure that when she tries to collect that money...
18:20He stood up.
18:22Walked toward the door.
18:23Stopped.
18:23And turned back.
18:25She walks straight into my hands.
18:29Grayson didn't transfer the money.
18:31He broke it into hundreds of tiny transactions, each with a tracking code.
18:35At 2 a.m., an alert came through.
18:38$800 pulled from an ATM on the outskirts.
18:40He was already grabbing his jacket.
18:42That's her.
18:43I'm coming.
18:45I followed him to the door.
18:47You're staying.
18:49Grayson, she threatened my daughter.
18:53Stay behind me.
18:55Don't move until I tell you.
18:56We drove fast.
18:58His men were already in position.
19:00He kicked the door open.
19:02I stayed behind him.
19:04Chloe sat on a mattress in the tiny room, counting cash in her lap.
19:08She looked up.
19:09The recognition that she had lost.
19:11Grayson stepped forward.
19:13Did you enjoy the money?
19:15Hmm.
19:16You came to watch?
19:18I came to see it end.
19:22I came to see it end.
19:24You think this is the end?
19:28Grayson grabbed her wrist.
19:31Where's Seth?
19:35Gone.
19:36I let him take half and run.
19:38He was always useless anyway.
19:41Two men moved in.
19:42They pulled her to her feet.
19:44She didn't fight.
19:45You always get what you want, don't you?
19:48I never wanted you to become this.
19:51She was pushed through the broken door.
19:53Gone.
19:53Grayson turned to me.
19:55His hand cupped my face.
19:58You're shaking.
19:59I looked down at my trembling hands.
20:01I'm fine.
20:02I know.
20:03He pulled me into his chest.
20:05I listened to his heart.
20:07Let's go home.
20:08In the car.
20:09His hand rested on my knee.
20:11What else did she say in the phone?
20:14She said you win one battle.
20:17But you won't win the war.
20:18There is no war.
20:20We will still find Lily.
20:21And you and I are still here.
20:23Together.
20:27Together.
20:28We drove home in silence.
20:30He didn't let go of my hand.
20:32I didn't let go of his.
20:35Chloe sat in the metal chair.
20:37Wrists cuffed to the table.
20:38No makeup.
20:39Just her face.
20:41The one she was born with.
20:42Pale.
20:43Hollow.
20:44The detective asked where Seth was.
20:46I don't know.
20:47He left.
20:47He took half the money and left.
20:50He was never loyal to anyone.
20:53I stood behind the one-way glass.
20:55Watching her.
20:55I turned to Grayson.
20:57Do you believe her?
20:59She doesn't know where Seth is.
21:02That part's true.
21:05Chloe looked up at the mirror.
21:07Straight at me.
21:08She knew I was there.
21:10She smiled.
21:11A thin, broken thing.
21:13Vanessa.
21:14I know you're watching.
21:16I spent years trying to be you.
21:19I cut my face open.
21:20I practiced your laugh.
21:22Your walk.
21:22The way you breathe.
21:24And you know what I learned?
21:26You're not special.
21:28You're just lucky.
21:29Her boyfriend.
21:30She smoothed it over.
21:31You ever wonder why I hated you?
21:33It wasn't because you took Seth.
21:35It was because you never even saw me.
21:37I was standing right there behind your face.
21:40And you never looked at me like I was a person.
21:42I was your shadow, Vanessa.
21:45And you never turned around.
21:50Every time you look in the mirror now,
21:52you'll wonder if you're looking at yourself or at me.
21:55And you'll never be sure.
21:56She laughed.
21:58Small.
21:59Broken.
22:00Because I was that good.
22:05She's baiting you.
22:06Let's go.
22:07I didn't move.
22:08I looked at her through the glass.
22:10Her face.
22:11Not mine.
22:11I know who I am.
22:13And I know who you are.
22:16That's the difference.
22:17Her voice followed me through the speaker.
22:20You just got lucky, Vanessa.
22:22And luck runs out.
22:24It always runs out.
22:25I stopped at the door.
22:27She's wrong.
22:30I know.
22:31I walked out.
22:32She hates me.
22:34Because she wanted to be you.
22:35And she couldn't.
22:36He pulled back onto the road.
22:38I sat in the passenger seat, his hand in mine.
22:44We could still not find Seth.
22:46And Lily must be with him.
22:48So Grayson and Elle made a decision to lead him out.
22:51Grayson made the announcement on Monday.
22:57Vanessa's is pregnant with our third child.
23:01We're having a small celebration at the estate this weekend.
23:03We've also received news that our daughter Lily, who was taken from us, has gone.
23:08May God bless her soul.
23:11Grayson said this can lead out Seth.
23:13We held the celebration on Saturday night.
23:16The estate was lit up.
23:17Strings of warm lights draped across the garden.
23:20Tables of food.
23:21Music playing low.
23:23People in suits and dresses.
23:25Laughing.
23:25I wore a loose green dress.
23:27I kept my hand on my stomach.
23:29My bump was real.
23:30But that wasn't why we were here.
23:32I excused myself and walked into the garden.
23:35The night air was cool.
23:36The music faded behind me.
23:38I walked past the rose bushes.
23:40Past the fountain.
23:41The garden was quiet.
23:43I stopped near the old oak tree.
23:45I heard footsteps.
23:47Vanessa.
23:50Vanessa.
23:53You really do not care about your daughter Lily?
23:56Seth stepped out from the shadows.
23:58His face was thinner.
23:59Seth grabbed my arm in the garden.
24:01I didn't pull away.
24:03You came.
24:04That's all we needed.
24:08You faked your daughter's death to trap me?
24:12Where is she?
24:18You think I'm going to tell you that?
24:20Yes.
24:21Because I'm not letting you go until you do.
24:24His grip tightened.
24:25Where is my daughter?
24:27His eyes searched my face for something.
24:29A lie.
24:30A crack.
24:31He didn't find it.
24:33I'll take you to her.
24:34But I'm not giving you an address.
24:36You'll come with me, or you won't see her at all.
24:39I looked at him for a long moment.
24:41He was cornered.
24:42Desperate.
24:43That was when he was most dangerous.
24:45But he was also the only one who knew where she was.
24:50I got into Seth's car.
24:51The seat was cracked.
24:53The smell of old cigarettes and dust clung to everything.
24:56He slid into the driver's seat beside me,
24:58started the engine without a word,
25:00and pulled out of the gas station lot.
25:03I watched the rearview mirror.
25:05A dark gray car sat three vehicles behind us.
25:07I couldn't see who was driving.
25:09But I knew.
25:11Grayson was in that car.
25:12I looked away.
25:13I didn't want Seth to see me watching.
25:17Seth drove fast.
25:19The road narrowed, then turned to dirt.
25:21Trees pressed in on both sides.
25:23The sun was starting to drop behind the hills.
25:25Four hours.
25:26That's how long we'd been driving when he finally pulled over.
25:29Out.
25:32I looked around.
25:33A gas station.
25:34I stepped out of the car.
25:36My legs were stiff.
25:37The air smelled like dust and rust.
25:40Seth got out too.
25:41He walked around the car and stopped in front of me.
25:43His eyes moved down my body, scanning.
25:46Then they stopped at my collar.
25:48You have a tracker on you.
25:52I went cold.
25:54His hand shot forward.
25:56His fingers hooked into the fabric of my shirt,
25:58right at the collar.
25:59I felt his nails scrape against my skin.
26:02Then he pulled.
26:03Something small and hard came away with his hand.
26:05A tiny silver disc.
26:07My tracker.
26:09I watched him hold it up to the light.
26:12He turned it over once, twice.
26:14Then he dropped it on the ground and crushed it under his heel.
26:17The plastic cracked.
26:18The metal bent.
26:19It was nothing now.
26:22Seth smiled.
26:24Your husband has no idea where you are now.
26:26He walked past me to the passenger door and opened it.
26:29Get in.
26:30My heart was hammering.
26:31I stood there for half a second too long.
26:33Now.
26:39Scared?
26:41You should be.
26:43You're in the middle of nowhere.
26:45No phone.
26:46No tracker.
26:47No husband.
26:49I kept my eyes forward.
26:51He laughed and pressed the gas harder.
26:53Trees blurred past the window.
26:55The road got narrower.
26:57Dirtier.
26:58Darker.
26:59I thought about the gray car.
27:00I thought about Grayson.
27:02He didn't know I had a second tracker.
27:04He didn't know where I was going.
27:06But he was out there.
27:07I held the tracker through the fabric of my pocket.
27:10I held it like it was a piece of his hand.
27:12The sky was turning orange through the trees.
27:14I had no idea where we were going.
27:16But I knew one thing.
27:18I knew I'd get out.
27:19I always did.
27:24The car stopped in front of a wooden cabin.
27:26Trees surrounded it on all sides.
27:28Seth pulled the keys out and got out.
27:31He came around to my door and yanked it open.
27:34I stepped out.
27:36My legs were shaking, but I forced them to hold me.
27:46Inside.
27:47She's upstairs.
27:48At the top, a single room.
27:50A small bed in the corner.
27:51And on it, Lily.
27:52She was curled up, asleep, covered by an old man's jacket too big for her.
27:56Her hair was messy.
27:58Lily.
27:59Lily, wake up.
28:00Her face was peaceful.
28:02Mommy?
28:07Mommy.
28:08She burst into tears and threw her arms around my neck.
28:11It's okay.
28:12I'm here.
28:14Mommy's here.
28:15You're safe.
28:16Behind me, footsteps on the stairs.
28:19You've seen her.
28:20Now come with me.
28:23Where?
28:25Downstairs.
28:26Now.
28:28Let go of her!
28:29No!
28:32He yanked.
28:33Lily's arms slipped off my neck.
28:34She fell back onto the bed.
28:36Seth dragged me out of the room.
28:37I reached back, fingers stretching toward my daughter's crying face.
28:40Let me go!
28:41I screamed!
28:42Don't touch her, Usher!
28:43I swear, I swear!
28:45You're what?
28:46You're what, Vanessa?
28:50Don't hurt her.
28:51Please.
28:52Don't hurt my daughter.
28:54Seth didn't answer.
28:55He stood up and walked to the door.
28:57I heard it then.
28:58An engine.
28:59Not Brayson's car.
29:00Seth opened the door.
29:01A man stepped in.
29:02Tall.
29:03Broad.
29:03The man lifted his head.
29:05He pulled his hat off.
29:06I stared at him.
29:07I didn't know that face.
29:08Yeah.
29:09She looks fine.
29:11She is.
29:11She looked mad there.
29:14Of sure as Taffik, Tamir.
29:15Memory maze before, then on the smine down.
29:17What is this?
29:19Seth.
29:20What is this?
29:22Come on, Vanessa.
29:24You didn't think I let you come all the way here just to pick her up and go home, did
29:27you?
29:28You'll do.
29:29She'll be fine.
29:31Someone will come for her.
29:32But you?
29:33You're leaving with him.
29:37You're selling me?
29:40I swung the chair leg.
29:42The man staggered back, clutching his knee.
29:45I didn't wait.
29:46I was already running.
29:47Up the stairs.
29:49Down the hallway.
29:53Mommy!
29:56Hold on to me.
29:58Don't let go.
30:01I threw the window open.
30:02I climbed out, barefoot.
30:04My arms locked around her.
30:08The ground was cold.
30:10Pine needles cut into my skull.
30:12I ran.
30:13Trees flew past.
30:14Branches scratched my arms.
30:16She went out the back!
30:18Mommy, I'm scared.
30:19Don't look back.
30:21Look at me.
30:22Only at me.
30:23I pushed deeper into the trees.
30:25My lungs burned.
30:27My feet bled.
30:28But I kept going.
30:29I slid my hand down to my waistband.
30:31The tracker was still there.
30:33I pressed it.
30:34The trees thinned.
30:35I stumbled into a clearing.
30:41The tracker was still there.
30:43I pressed it.
30:44The trees thinned.
30:46I stumbled into a clearing.
30:49Nowhere left to run.
30:51Give me the kid.
30:53Vanessa!
30:54Vanessa!
30:55I heard it.
30:55An engine.
30:57Fast.
30:58Coming up the mountain.
30:59I knew that sound.
31:00The car burst through the tree lean.
31:02Grayson's car.
31:03Blood on my feet.
31:05And I didn't feel any of it.
31:06Because he was there.
31:08And I knew I was going home.
31:12Grayson's car crashed through the tree lean.
31:14The wheels skidded on gravel.
31:16The door flew open before the car fully stopped.
31:18He was out.
31:19Moving.
31:20His face a mask I'd never seen before.
31:22Seth turned.
31:23He saw Grayson coming.
31:25He stepped back.
31:26It didn't matter.
31:28Grayson reached him in four strides.
31:30No words.
31:31His fist connected with Seth's jaw.
31:33The crack echoed off the tree.
31:35Seth went down.
31:36Grayson grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up.
31:39Another punch.
31:40Seth's head snapped to the side.
31:44Blood sprayed across his cheek.
31:46Grayson hit him again.
31:48Seth tried to raise his arms to block.
31:50Grayson knocked them aside and hit him again.
31:52Seth's eyes rolled back.
31:54He was barely conscious.
31:56You touched my daughter.
31:59Seth's body went limp.
32:00His head lolled.
32:02Grayson hit him one more time.
32:04Then he let go.
32:05Seth dropped to the ground.
32:07He didn't move.
32:10Grayson stood over him.
32:12His chest heaved.
32:13His knuckles were split.
32:15Blood dripped from his hand onto the dirt.
32:17Behind him.
32:18The buyer tried to slip away into the tree.
32:20Two men appeared from nowhere and grabbed him.
32:23He was on the ground before he could scream.
32:25Grayson didn't look back.
32:27He turned away from Seth's body and walked toward me.
32:30I was still standing at the edge of the cliff.
32:32Lily was in my arms.
32:34My feet were bleeding.
32:35The wind was in my hair.
32:37I couldn't move.
32:38Grayson walked past the wrecked car.
32:41Past the broken fence.
32:43Past the blood on the ground.
32:44He stopped in front of me.
32:46One step away.
32:47His hand reached out.
32:49He took Lily from me gently.
32:50Like she was made of glass.
32:52Her eyes were closed.
32:53She had fallen asleep against my chest.
32:55You were standing on the edge.
32:57I felt my own legs give way.
32:59I held onto him.
33:00My void was thin.
33:03There was nowhere else to go.
33:06There is now.
33:08I closed my eyes.
33:09I could feel his heart slamming against my cheek.
33:12The heat of him.
33:13The blood on his hands.
33:14Sticky against my back.
33:18One year later.
33:19I sat on the back porch steps watching Lily chase a butterfly.
33:23Leo was helping Grayson build a tree house.
33:26The hammer kept missing.
33:27Hold it steady.
33:28The wood kept falling off.
33:31Lily ran over and cupped her hands in front of me.
33:34Mommy look.
33:35It's blue.
33:37The butterfly flew off.
33:38She chased it again.
33:41Grayson sat down the hammer and sat beside me.
33:44He reached over and drank the rest of my coffee in one sip.
33:48That was mine.
33:49I needed it more.
33:51He leaned in and kissed me.
33:52You look happy.
33:54I am happy.
33:56Ethan crawled out the screen door and fell onto Grayson's lap.
33:59Two years old.
34:01All chubby cheeks.
34:02Grayson held him with one arm and found my hand with the other.
34:05We should help him.
34:07Nodding at Leo.
34:08Nah.
34:09He'll figure it out.
34:11He's been missing that same nail for 20 minutes.
34:14He's learning persistence.
34:15I laughed.
34:16The sun was warm.
34:18The garden was full of flowers.
34:22He's been missing that same nail for 20 minutes.
34:25He's learning persistence.
34:27I laughed.
34:28The sun was warm.
34:29The garden was full of flowers.
34:31Mommy, can we have ice cream?
34:33Please?
34:34Please, please, please.
34:36Okay.
34:37Daddy's paying.
34:38Grayson looked up.
34:39I am?
34:40You're building a tree house.
34:41You can afford ice cream.
34:46We walked to the car.
34:48The gate swung open easily.
34:50Lily sang about frogs.
34:52Leo argued that frogs don't sing.
34:54Grayson said something ridiculous.
34:56Lily shouted.
34:57Ice cream!
34:57Leo joined in.
34:59Ethan snored.
35:00Grayson looked at me.
35:01Ice cream?
35:02I smiled.
35:03Ice cream.
35:04He pulled out of the driveway.
35:06I rolled down the window.
35:08The wind hit my face.
35:10Warm.
35:11Soft.
35:13I thought about running barefoot through the woods.
35:17Standing on the edge of a cliff.
35:18I thought about all of it.
35:20But none of it was here anymore.
35:22Not today.
35:23We drove toward the ice cream shop with the blue awning.
35:26The flavor Vanessa's favorite was still on the board.
35:29Lily ordered it.
35:30Leo rolled his eyes.
35:32Grayson paid.
35:32I watched them eat.
35:34Lily had blue on her nose.
35:36Leo had it on his shirt.
35:38Grayson looked at me.
35:39He smiled.
35:40I smiled back.
35:41We walked home when the sun dipped low.
35:46Lily had blue on her nose.
35:48Leo had it on his shirt.
35:49Grayson looked at me.
35:51He smiled.
35:51I smiled.
35:52I smiled back.
35:53We walked home when the sun dipped low.
35:55The kids were tired.
35:57Leo leaned on Grayson.
35:59Lily was on my back.
36:00Ethan slept in his stroller.
36:02We reached the gate.
36:03Grayson pushed it open.
36:04I stepped inside.
36:06The house was warm.
36:08The lights were on.
36:09I closed the gate behind us.
36:11It didn't creak.
36:12It didn't lock.
36:15The house was warm.
36:17The lights were on.
36:19I closed the gate behind us.
36:21It didn't creak.
36:22It didn't lock.
36:23It just stood there, open and quiet.
36:25I turned and walked inside.
36:28The door closed.
36:29Softly.
36:30Like it always did now.
36:32And that was it.
36:34That was everything.
36:35That was everything.
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