- 1 week ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00:00Dad! Daddy! Let's leave her on the highway! Make her walk back home by herself!
00:00:06I had only been joking with my son, but the next second, my husband actually threw me out onto a
00:00:12deserted roadside, just as I was about to apologize.
00:00:15I saw my husband smiling brightly as he sent a message to a woman saved in his phone as sweetheart,
00:00:21and my son was calling that woman mom.
00:00:24With no other choice, I dialed the number I hadn't contacted in years.
00:00:28Later, my once arrogant ex-husband and my son cried and begged me not to leave.
00:00:33But standing in front of a magnificent, golden estate, I pushed their hands away without the slightest hesitation.
00:00:39Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the interstate was completely jammed with traffic.
00:00:44I glanced at my son Noah in the back seat. He was poking at his iPad and kicking the back
00:00:49of my seat.
00:00:50I thought I needed to do something to cheer him up.
00:00:53Hey Noah, did you know something? Actually, I'm not your real mom.
00:00:57Mom, I'm your stepmom.
00:00:59Just kidding. Mommy was lying to you.
00:01:02Really?
00:01:03Dad! Daddy! Let's leave her on the highway! Make her walk back home by herself!
00:01:09I thought I must have misheard him.
00:01:11But the next second, Julian Ashford turned on the right signal and smoothly pulled the car onto the emergency shoulder.
00:01:17Get out!
00:01:17His voice was terrifyingly calm. I turned to look at him, unable to believe my ears.
00:01:23What did you say?
00:01:24I said, get out.
00:01:26You make jokes like that with a five-year-old child, and you think it's funny?
00:01:32I was just...
00:01:33Get out! Don't make me say it a third time!
00:01:43Daddy, are we going to find Mommy Vivian now?
00:01:46The car emerged back into the traffic, and its red tail lights disappeared into the endless sea of vehicles.
00:01:52Vivian? What Vivian, Mommy?
00:02:04Hey, stepmom! I'm going to find my real Mommy now. You can walk back by yourself!
00:02:10I stared at the phone screen, my fingers trembling. What did he mean by going to find my real Mommy?
00:02:17Wasn't I his mother? Cars roared past me. The wind whipped my hair against my face, stinging like a slap.
00:02:24I dialed Julian's number. After three rings, he answered.
00:02:30Julian, what exactly are you doing? Let no one talk to me! I want to speak with him!
00:02:35You have no right to talk to him right now. He's only five years old, and you made that kind
00:02:39of joke with him?
00:02:40Did you ever think about his mental health?
00:02:43I was... I was only joking!
00:02:45Do you know Noah cried the entire way here? He thought you really weren't his biological mother.
00:02:50So you threw me onto the roadside?!
00:02:52He was the one who wanted you to get out. I was just respecting his feelings.
00:02:56If you don't want to be his mother, no one is forcing you.
00:02:59Think hurtfully. I'll wait for you at the next rest stop.
00:03:02I had raised him for five years.
00:03:04From the seven-pound three-ounce newborn I fed and changed diapers for,
00:03:08to teaching him how to ride a balance bike and recognize the alphabet.
00:03:12For five years, I wanted to laugh, but I couldn't.
00:03:16I took a deep breath and stood on the shoulder, raising my hand to flag down a car.
00:03:20One vehicle after another rushed past me, dragging wind behind them.
00:03:25No one slowed down.
00:03:26Fifteen minutes. Twenty minutes.
00:03:28My legs went numb.
00:03:30My toes turned purple from the cold.
00:03:32Not a single car stopped.
00:03:34I took out my phone and dialed 9-1-1.
00:03:379-1-1, what is your emergency?
00:03:39My husband left me on the highway shoulder. I need help.
00:03:42Ma'am, are you saying you were intentionally abandoned?
00:03:44Yes. Interstate 62, eastbound near exit 81.
00:03:47Alright, please stay where you are. Do not attempt to cross the highway.
00:03:50We're sending someone to you now.
00:03:51Twenty minutes later, a Black Highway Patrol SUV with flashing lights pulled over beside me.
00:03:57The officer stepped out and saw me standing barefoot in the wind.
00:04:00His expression clearly said, are you serious?
00:04:03Your husband left you here? Why?
00:04:07I joked with my child that I was his stepmother.
00:04:10My son told his father to throw me out of the car.
00:04:15Get in. I'll take you to the rest area.
00:04:18When I arrived at the rest area, I cleaned myself up.
00:04:21Then I immediately called Julian.
00:04:24No answer.
00:04:25I called again.
00:04:26This time, it went straight to voicemail.
00:04:29I called Noah, but the call was rejected.
00:04:32I stood in the lobby of the rest area,
00:04:34ripping my phone tightly as I stared through the glass windows
00:04:37at the endless stream of people and headlights outside.
00:04:40Everyone had somewhere to go.
00:04:42Everyone except me.
00:04:43I didn't even know where I was supposed to go next.
00:04:46My phone vibrated.
00:04:47A message from the family group checked.
00:04:50My sister-in-law Cynthia had sent a series of live photos.
00:04:54Noble Premium Steakhouse.
00:04:56In the photo, my mother-in-law has a relaxed, beaming smile,
00:04:59while Julian sits next to an unfamiliar woman.
00:05:02Right now, she's using a damp towel to wipe Noah's fingers.
00:05:06I swear I've seen that woman's face somewhere before Julian had her picture saved on his phone.
00:05:10When I was eight months pregnant,
00:05:12I had gotten up in the middle of the night to drink some water and saw his phone screen light
00:05:17up.
00:05:17The name displayed was Vivian.
00:05:20He said they were university classmates, and I didn't think much of it at the time.
00:05:24The caption was written by Cynthia.
00:05:27The best Thanksgiving ever.
00:05:29Then what about me?
00:05:30Did I count as part of your family?
00:05:32I called Cynthia, sister-in-law.
00:05:35Sister-in-law?
00:05:35Why aren't you here yet?
00:05:36We're almost finished eating.
00:05:38I'm at the rest area.
00:05:39Where's your brother?
00:05:40My brother has been waiting for you at the rest area the whole time.
00:05:43What exactly are you trying to pull?
00:05:45I stood in the rest area, clutching my phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
00:05:50I decided to find him first and deal with everything else later.
00:05:54The rest area wasn't that big.
00:05:56I walked around once.
00:05:58The coffee shop, nothing.
00:06:00The snack area, nothing.
00:06:01The parking lot, nothing.
00:06:03I even went to the entrance of the men's restroom and called out twice, making a crowd of people
00:06:08turn and stare.
00:06:09No one.
00:06:10There was absolutely no one.
00:06:12I reopened the photos in the family group chat and enlarged them one by one.
00:06:17I finally saw the restaurant's logo in the background.
00:06:20It was no boo.
00:06:21It was at least a 20-minute drive away from this rest area.
00:06:25I exited the photos and opened Julian's chat window.
00:06:29The last message he sent was 20 minutes ago.
00:06:32Have you figured it out yet?
00:06:34If you have, take a taxi here yourself.
00:06:36Don't waste time.
00:06:38I didn't reply.
00:06:39He sent another message.
00:06:41Noah is upset right now.
00:06:43When you get here, comfort him properly.
00:06:45Don't start arguing the moment you arrive.
00:06:48I stared at those words on the screen.
00:06:50I was the one who got abandoned on the highway.
00:06:53And I was still supposed to comfort him.
00:06:55My stomach suddenly growled.
00:06:57After all that chaos for three hours, I hadn't eaten a single thing.
00:07:01Never mind.
00:07:02I will get a cup of coffee first.
00:07:04I walked up to the counter at Starbucks and pulled out my black card.
00:07:08Your card has been frozen.
00:07:09The current available balance is zero.
00:07:13Impossible.
00:07:14I spent $40,000 on this unlimited card last month.
00:07:18When I checked the banking app, I found the primary card holder had cut my supplementary card's monthly limit to
00:07:23one cent.
00:07:24My chest tightened sharply.
00:07:25Right then, an unknown number called.
00:07:28Hello?
00:07:28Big sister, are you avoiding coming to see me?
00:07:31If you don't come, this steak won't taste as good.
00:07:33After all, Julian had someone fly it in especially for me.
00:07:36Who are you?
00:07:37My name is Vivian Laurent, Julian's college classmate.
00:07:40Oh, by the way, your son calls me mommy.
00:07:44Give the phone to Julian.
00:07:45Julian isn't convenient to talk right now.
00:07:48He's cutting steak for Noah.
00:07:50Sister, are you really not coming?
00:07:52This beef is really expensive.
00:07:54Julian said he prepared it especially for me and Noah.
00:07:57I was allergic to beef.
00:08:00Severely allergic.
00:08:01The kind of allergy that could cause my throat to swell shut.
00:08:05I had been married to Julian for six years.
00:08:08Had he forgotten?
00:08:09I'm allergic to beef.
00:08:10Uh-huh, really?
00:08:12That's such a shame.
00:08:13Standing outside Starbucks, I dialed Julian's number again.
00:08:17This time, he picked up.
00:08:18Where exactly are you?
00:08:19The rest area.
00:08:20Didn't I tell you?
00:08:21I've been waiting for you here.
00:08:22Where are you?
00:08:23I'm at the rest area, right in front of Starbucks.
00:08:26That's impossible.
00:08:27I've been in the parking lot the whole time.
00:08:29I never saw you.
00:08:31Julian, do you really think I'm stupid?
00:08:34You're clearly sitting in Noby with that woman named Viviana,
00:08:37eating dinner with my son,
00:08:38and you're telling me you're waiting for me at the rest area?
00:08:41What are you talking about?
00:08:42I've been-
00:08:43Stop pretending.
00:08:44Julian Ashboard, it wasn't our son who wanted me out of the car.
00:08:47It was you!
00:08:49You were afraid my existence would ruin your date with Viviana.
00:08:53You wanted me to die on the highway, didn't you?
00:08:55Didn't you?
00:08:56Baby, how much longer are we waiting?
00:08:58I don't want our son to keep calling that bitch Mommy.
00:09:02Julian, what did she just say?
00:09:04Nothing.
00:09:04You heard wrong.
00:09:05Come here first.
00:09:06We'll talk when you get here.
00:09:07The call ended.
00:09:09Five years ago, I gave birth to Noah.
00:09:12Three years ago, I resigned from my position as a partner at a law firm in San Francisco
00:09:17and came home to raise him.
00:09:19I thought I had a happy family, a husband who loved me, a sweet son.
00:09:24Now, everything I thought I had was cracking apart piece by piece,
00:09:28falling to the ground and shattering.
00:09:30Our son was Noah and not my son.
00:09:33Countless memories flashed through my mind.
00:09:36Noah's features, his eyes looked like Julian's.
00:09:40His hair looked like Julian's.
00:09:42But his face, his face really didn't resemble mine.
00:09:46I had never cared before.
00:09:47I thought it was normal for boys to take after their fathers.
00:09:51But that little face, the more I thought about it, the more it looked like Vivian Moran.
00:09:56I opened my contacts and scrolled down to a number I hadn't touched in five years.
00:10:01My finger hovered above the green call button.
00:10:04Hello?
00:10:04Hello?
00:10:05Dad?
00:10:06Elena!
00:10:07You finally called!
00:10:09Do you know your mother asks me every single day?
00:10:13Dad, I need your help.
00:10:16Where are you?
00:10:17Interstate 62, exit 81 rest area.
00:10:20Wait there.
00:10:21The call cut off.
00:10:2320 minutes later, dozens of black helicopters roared over the rest area, circling overhead
00:10:29like iron birds.
00:10:30Panic spread people screamed, filmed or hit under tables.
00:10:33I stepped outside as the crafts landed.
00:10:36Wind whipping my hair.
00:10:38White haired Sebastian Whitmore, my father, exited the first chopper with rows of black clad
00:10:43guards.
00:10:44He approached, scanning me from head to toe.
00:10:46You've lost weight.
00:10:48Enough.
00:10:50Who hurt my daughter?
00:10:52When the helicopter landed on the rooftop helipad of the Whitmore family estate, the sky was already
00:10:58completely dark.
00:10:59I followed my father into the study I had left five years ago.
00:11:03On the oak desk sat a cup of hot cocoa.
00:11:06Beside I wore a female doctor in a white coat and three lawyers dressed in tailored suits.
00:11:11Sit.
00:11:16I told them everything from beginning to end.
00:11:19I didn't cry.
00:11:21After listening to everything, my father's expression didn't change at all.
00:11:25What do you want to do?
00:11:27Come back home with me and live here or make them pay.
00:11:32The second one.
00:11:34Are you sure?
00:11:37I'm sure.
00:11:40Thomas, investigate two people.
00:11:42Julian Ashford and Vivian Laurent.
00:11:44I want every account under their names, their properties, call records and hotel records.
00:11:48Put everything on my desk before tomorrow morning.
00:11:57What are you planning to do?
00:12:00I need to confirm one thing first.
00:12:03What?
00:12:05Whether Noah is really my child.
00:12:11What if he isn't?
00:12:13Then find him.
00:12:16The child I gave birth to.
00:12:20Find out where he is.
00:12:26Add one more thing.
00:12:28Investigate everything from the hospital where Elena gave birth five years ago.
00:12:32Operating room surveillance footage.
00:12:34Duty schedules.
00:12:35Nurse lists.
00:12:36Everything.
00:12:38Mrs. Whitfield.
00:12:39Noah Ashfield has no biological relationship with you.
00:12:43There's something else.
00:12:44When you gave birth five years ago, the records from C.D.L. Sano show that you delivered a baby
00:12:48girl.
00:12:48She was born alive and weighed six pounds, two ounces.
00:12:51Where is that baby girl?
00:12:54The registered record says stillborn.
00:13:11I don't even know what she looked like.
00:13:14I didn't even have time to give her a name.
00:13:20He still smelled the same, like pine wood and cigars, exactly the same as five years ago.
00:13:27I didn't stop investigating the hospital records from that day and I found a problem.
00:13:32At three o'clock in the afternoon on the day you gave birth, the C.D. Sanoch maternity ward duty
00:13:36records were altered manually.
00:13:38The nurse who delivered your baby resigned the very next day.
00:13:40We currently have no way to locate her.
00:13:42On the same day, at the same hospital, at 11 in the morning, Mrs. Vivian Lawrence gave birth to a
00:13:47baby boy.
00:13:48The same day?
00:13:49Yes.
00:13:49The two births happened less than four hours apart.
00:13:52Did she have anyone accompanying her during delivery?
00:13:54No.
00:13:55Her hospital expenses totaled $48,000.
00:13:58Paid using a credit card belonged to someone named Julian Ashburn.
00:14:02So from beginning to end, this had all been planned.
00:14:06Five years ago, my daughter was registered as stillborn.
00:14:10Vivian's child was handed to me.
00:14:13Then what about Vivian?
00:14:15Where had she been these five years?
00:14:17Investigate Viviana Lawrence.
00:14:20Find out where she was these five years, who she was with, whether she had a permanent residence.
00:14:25I want everything.
00:14:28We're already looking into it.
00:14:30You'll have the results before sunrise.
00:14:32I sat on the sofa, staring at the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
00:14:37My mind kept replaying the past five years.
00:14:40I had been a full-time mother for five years.
00:14:42When my child had his first fever, I stayed by his bedside all night without sleeping.
00:14:48On his first day of kindergarten, when he cried, I stood outside the classroom crying with him.
00:14:54As dawn approached, Thomas brought back all of Vivian's records from the past five years.
00:15:00Vivian Laurent.
00:15:0228 years old.
00:15:03Julian's college classmate.
00:15:05She had dated Julian during college.
00:15:08After graduation, they broke up, and she went to Europe for three years.
00:15:12When she returned, she was pregnant.
00:15:15But she quickly rekindled her relationship with Julian.
00:15:18As her pregnancy became noticeable, she found Julian and told him the child was his.
00:15:23At that time, Julian had just become engaged to me.
00:15:27He didn't dare acknowledge the child, so he asked her to give birth and then give the baby to me.
00:15:32For the past five years, Vivian had been living in a house in Pasadena purchased by Julian.
00:15:38Every month, Julian transferred $3,000 from the company account to her as child support.
00:15:45Every other weekend, Noah would go to his godmother's house to play.
00:15:49For five years, I had been like a fool.
00:15:54Have you decided?
00:15:57No regrets?
00:15:59No regrets.
00:16:03You're even more ruthless than your mother.
00:16:06If mom were still alive, she would support me.
00:16:09She would.
00:16:11Then I figured out how I'm going to die.
00:16:14How?
00:16:16A car accident.
00:16:18It needs to be tragic.
00:16:20My face must be unrecognizable.
00:16:22It needs to make the news.
00:16:25Good.
00:16:26I'll arrange it.
00:16:28Thank you, dad.
00:16:31Thank me for what?
00:16:33You're my daughter.
00:16:34If I don't help you, who will?
00:16:38I stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.
00:16:41Outside, the eastern horizon was slowly changing from deep blue, to gray, to white, to pink.
00:16:48I took out my phone and opened Julian's chat window.
00:16:51He had sent more than 10 messages last night.
00:16:54I exited the chat window.
00:16:56No reply.
00:16:57I turned off my phone and threw it onto the sofa.
00:17:01Hmm?
00:17:02Let's begin.
00:17:05The next afternoon, on Interstate 62, Eastbound, the black sedan was rear-ended by an out-of-control
00:17:12truck and burst into flames on the spot.
00:17:14The fire was so intense that by the time the fire trucks arrived, the vehicle had already
00:17:19been burned down into a twisted metal frame.
00:17:22The person inside had been burned beyond recognition.
00:17:25Through dental records and mitochondrial DNA comparison, the police confirmed that the
00:17:30deceased was Elena Whitmore, 29 years old.
00:17:35What?
00:17:41Who did you say?
00:17:43Your wife, Elena Whitmore.
00:17:45She was killed in a car accident on Highway 62.
00:17:49She died at the scene.
00:17:52Julian, don't-
00:17:53Let go of me!
00:17:58When he drove to the medical examiner's office, I was sitting across the street inside a black
00:18:03GMC with privacy-tinted windows.
00:18:06No, no, no!
00:18:17No!
00:18:19No!
00:18:20Oh, God!
00:18:25I watched his back through the car window.
00:18:27For some reason, I suddenly wanted to laugh.
00:18:31Fine yesterday?
00:18:33Yesterday you left me on the side of the highway.
00:18:36Did you forget?
00:18:38Drive.
00:18:40Three days later was the funeral.
00:18:43The Whitmore family had always held funerals that were low-key yet luxurious.
00:18:47At a private church in Santa Barbara, my father's assistant delivered the eulogy.
00:18:52My father himself sat in the front row and never stood up from beginning to end.
00:18:56Julian sat in the family section.
00:18:59She held Noah on her lap.
00:19:00The five-year-old boy was dressed in a black suit.
00:19:03At my funeral, my husband was holding his mistress.
00:19:07His mistress was holding my son.
00:19:09My mother-in-law and my sister-in-law sat in the third row, whispering to each other with
00:19:14smiles on their faces.
00:19:15My father never looked at them once.
00:19:18The day after the funeral, Julian was overwhelmed with chaos.
00:19:22First, the Whitmore family's holding fund announced.
00:19:25Due to the unexpected death of the heir, all external investment risks will be reassessed.
00:19:31All funding agreements with Ashford Technologies were terminated immediately.
00:19:35Then, his three largest corporate clients sent termination notices on the same day.
00:19:42Overnight, Julian Ashford went from being a rising star in Silicon Valley to having nothing
00:19:47left but the clothes on his back.
00:19:48He made countless phone calls, sent countless emails, and even flew to New York to meet with
00:19:54three investment firms.
00:19:56Everyone either refused to answer his calls or simply told him.
00:20:00Sorry, we can't help you.
00:20:02Because every answer he received came from the exact same source.
00:20:07Have all the clients been handled?
00:20:09All of them.
00:20:10Three companies have signed non-compete agreements.
00:20:13The compensation clauses have already been triggered.
00:20:16Ashford won't receive a single penny.
00:20:17What about the suppliers?
00:20:20They will collectively stop supplying this afternoon.
00:20:24The banks?
00:20:26They've already been notified to recall his loans.
00:20:29Good.
00:20:30His personal accounts were frozen early this morning.
00:20:33I put down my phone and leaned back against the chair, looking out at the ocean through the
00:20:37window.
00:20:38Back when Julian wanted to start his own company, I asked my father to invest his first round
00:20:43of funding through a shell company.
00:20:45I also used the Whitmore family's supply chain resources to help him establish his first
00:20:50downstream distribution channels.
00:20:52He thought his success came from his own talent and sharp business instincts.
00:20:56Now that I was gone, of course, all of those things had to be taken back.
00:21:01Things were no better for Vivian.
00:21:04Nowa was expelled from the private preschool in Pasadena.
00:21:07The reason given was...
00:21:09There are inconsistencies between the submitted birth certificate and guardian documentations.
00:21:14Vivian went to Julian and asked him to fix it.
00:21:17Julian didn't even answer her call.
00:21:30Vivian stood outside the Pasadena house that no longer belonged to her, holding Noah in
00:21:35her arms.
00:21:36The landlord had already given her a final warning.
00:21:39Julian's car could no longer cover the rent.
00:21:42She went looking for Julian.
00:21:44Julian stood at the entrance of his apartment.
00:21:48Vivian, tell me the truth.
00:21:50Is no one really mine?
00:21:54Of course he is!
00:21:58Is he?
00:22:01Yesterday, I checked your travel records from five years ago when you were in Europe.
00:22:05After we broke up, you slept with three different men one after another.
00:22:09Don't you know that yourself?
00:22:15How did you find that out?
00:22:17Elena is dead.
00:22:20Her father's lawyers sent it over.
00:22:28Read it yourself.
00:22:34Inside was an anonymous paternity test report.
00:22:37Noah Ashford and Julian Ashford have no biological relationship.
00:22:41I am going to sue you.
00:22:43I will sue you for fraud.
00:22:48The money I transferred to you over these five years.
00:22:53You are going to pay it all back.
00:22:56What about Noah?
00:22:58That is your problem.
00:23:00He is the child you had with another man.
00:23:03You raise him yourself.
00:23:11I am the doctor who was responsible for examining Noah's biological father, Marco Reyes, last time.
00:23:16There was an issue with his blood sample.
00:23:18We need you to come in as soon as possible for blood testing.
00:23:20What issue?
00:23:22Marco Reyes has been diagnosed with HIV.
00:23:25At the moment, we do not have records of his other contacts.
00:23:29As the child's biological mother, we recommend that you come in immediately for screening.
00:23:43Mommy, what is wrong with you?
00:23:47One month later, Vivian Loran was confirmed to be HIV positive.
00:23:52Thomas personally delivered the report to my desk.
00:23:57What was her reaction?
00:24:18It was the information my father's legal team had spent three weeks digging up.
00:24:23Noah's biological father was a Mexican man named Marco Reyes.
00:24:28Five years ago, at a nightclub in Ibiza, he had a brief vacation romance with Vivian.
00:24:33A few months later, Marco was arrested by the FBI for international drug trafficking.
00:24:39Four months ago, a routine prison medical examination revealed that he was HIV positive,
00:24:44which meant Noah had been exposed to the risk of infection from the moment he was born.
00:24:49Four or five years, Vivian had never taken him for a single medical checkup.
00:24:54I closed the report and handed it to Thomas.
00:24:58Send an anonymous copy to Julian.
00:25:02It's already been sent.
00:25:03Following your instructions, we used next day delivery.
00:25:06It was sent to his current company address.
00:25:09While Julian begged for funds over the phone, the documents arrived.
00:25:13He tore open the envelope and pulled out the paternity test report and the public health department's related report.
00:25:20The moment he looked at them.
00:25:22HIV?
00:25:27He remembered three months ago, when Vivian had come to his apartment and they had slept together.
00:25:33That same afternoon, he went to a clinic for a blood test.
00:25:37The results would take 72 hours.
00:25:39During those 72 hours, Julian Ashford lived like a fish thrown onto a chopping board.
00:25:44He couldn't sleep.
00:25:46Every time he closed his eyes, he dreamed that purple spots were beginning to appear all over his body.
00:25:52During the day, sitting in the shared office, if someone nearby coughed once, his entire body would tense up.
00:25:58He started researching post-exposure prophylaxis medication.
00:26:02But the window period had already passed.
00:26:05At 9 a.m. on the 72nd hour, the doctor called him.
00:26:10Julian, your results are negative.
00:26:13You are not infected.
00:26:18Thank God.
00:26:24Before he could even wipe his tears away, his phone rang again.
00:26:28It was Vivian.
00:26:30Julian, I'm pregnant.
00:26:33Three months ago, the time they had been together in his apartment.
00:26:39That child?
00:26:40It's yours.
00:26:42This time, I haven't been with anyone else.
00:26:45I swear.
00:26:46I know I was wrong.
00:26:48Please come back, okay?
00:26:49We can bring Noah back together.
00:26:51You know that child was at risk of exposure, and you still don't know?
00:26:56I checked.
00:26:57Noah's test results were negative.
00:26:59He doesn't have...
00:27:01I'm talking about you!
00:27:03You're fucking HIV positive, and you didn't even know it?
00:27:08I didn't know.
00:27:10I really didn't know.
00:27:12You didn't know?
00:27:14You didn't know, and you couldn't even use protection?
00:27:18I thought it was you.
00:27:21We had been together for so many years.
00:27:24I just wanted our family back.
00:27:28Our family?
00:27:33You ruined my wife's life.
00:27:36Made my son someone else's child.
00:27:40And now you're talking to me about our family?
00:27:45Let me tell you, Vivian.
00:27:47Go get that child aborted.
00:27:50And disappear from my life completely.
00:27:54Otherwise, I'll have my lawyers make sure you end up in prison.
00:28:00I won't!
00:28:01This is your child!
00:28:03I'm going to have it!
00:28:05I want you to owe me!
00:28:08For the rest of your life!
00:28:10Ah!
00:28:17Two weeks later, Vivian was admitted to the infectious disease ward of a medical center.
00:28:22Noah was temporarily placed in a county government temporary guardianship center.
00:28:27Julian never went to see her.
00:28:29He didn't even ask about her.
00:28:31But someone did go see her.
00:28:33Me!
00:28:44Surprise!
00:28:46You're not dead!
00:28:48How could you not be dead?
00:28:51My father has money.
00:28:53Was it really that difficult to find a replacement?
00:28:57Viviana, you don't have much time left.
00:28:59The child in your womb probably won't survive either.
00:29:03If you want to hear what I have to say, blink once.
00:29:06If you don't, I'll leave.
00:29:08And you can die here alone.
00:29:13You received Noah's paternity test results, didn't you?
00:29:17Marco Reyes.
00:29:18Federal prison.
00:29:2018-year sentence.
00:29:22H.I.H. positive.
00:29:24You knew five years ago, didn't you?
00:29:28Viviana, you handed me a baby with exposure risks and let me raise him for five years.
00:29:34But my daughter wasn't actually registered as stillborn.
00:29:37Is she still alive?
00:29:40Your daughter?
00:29:42Yes.
00:29:42My daughter.
00:29:46I'll ask you one last time.
00:29:49Where is my daughter now?
00:29:54She didn't die.
00:29:57She was born healthy.
00:29:59Six pounds, two ounces.
00:30:02When the nurse held her up to show her to us, she cried so loudly.
00:30:05Julian was the one who told the nurse to alter the records.
00:30:10He didn't want the child I gave birth to to stay with him.
00:30:15But I also didn't want to raise a mixed-race child because I thought Noah was his.
00:30:19So you threw my daughter away?
00:30:21We didn't throw her away.
00:30:26She was taken away by a nurse.
00:30:29That nurse said she would find someone to adopt her.
00:30:32I truly don't know where she went.
00:30:35I had just given birth.
00:30:37I couldn't think clearly.
00:30:41Viviana, you will die here.
00:30:43No one will come to see you in your final moments.
00:30:47Remember this.
00:30:50This was the choice you made.
00:30:52Elena, I'm sorry.
00:30:59The nurse was found by Thomas' people the very next day.
00:31:03She had retired and was living in the countryside.
00:31:06The moment she saw the Whitmore family lawyer's business card, she confessed everything.
00:31:11Back then, Julian had paid her $20,000 in cash and asked her to take the baby girl out of
00:31:17the hospital and find any family willing to adopt her.
00:31:20The nurse said she remembered handing the child over to a couple who couldn't have children.
00:31:25Their last name was Garcia.
00:31:27That very night, my father sent people to bring the child back.
00:31:3124 hours later, Thomas called me on a video call.
00:31:35On the screen appeared a 5-year-old little girl with brown hair, wearing a floral dress and sitting on
00:31:39a swing, laughing happily.
00:31:41When she smiled, there was a tiny dimple on the left side of her cheek, just like mine.
00:31:47Bring her back.
00:31:48It's already being arranged.
00:31:50Her adoptive parents...
00:31:52They have no objections.
00:31:53They always knew the child wasn't biologically theirs.
00:31:55They completed the legal adoption process back then.
00:31:58The Whitwield family's lawyers have already negotiated the terms and compensation with them.
00:32:03What if she doesn't want to come back?
00:32:05She will.
00:32:06That child is like you.
00:32:07I can tell.
00:32:08I turned off the screen.
00:32:10Then I walked outside and stood on the second floor balcony.
00:32:14I lowered my head and glanced at my phone.
00:32:16The top news notification read,
00:32:18Former tech prodigy Julian Ashford dies suddenly in rental apartment.
00:32:23On his bedside table, investigators found a silver hair clip.
00:32:27The forensic examiner said it appeared that the object had been tightly held for a long time.
00:32:32That hair clip was the one I lost five years ago.
00:32:35Last week, I had someone place it under his pillow.
00:32:39Preliminary cause of death determined to be heart failure.
00:32:42Noah's DNA test results also came back.
00:32:45Negative.
00:32:46He was not infected.
00:32:49I had Thomas take him out of the county guardianship center and enroll him in a private boarding school.
00:32:55He didn't recognize me.
00:32:56To him, I was just the auntie from daddy's company.
00:32:59He asked once,
00:33:01Where is daddy?
00:33:02I told him daddy had gone somewhere very far away.
00:33:05I stood in the hallway of the estate.
00:33:07Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows,
00:33:10falling diagonally onto the carpet and breaking into pieces of golden light.
00:33:17Is it over?
00:33:20Yes.
00:33:22What are you going to do next?
00:33:23Go to Dallas to bring her home, then figure out how to be a mother.
00:33:27You have always been a good mother.
00:33:29This time, I was the one who got to choose.
00:33:33Two days later, my father and I boated a private jet bound for Dallas.
00:33:42Nervous?
00:33:46A little.
00:33:48I don't know how to talk to a three-year-old.
00:33:52The last time I saw her was on a video call.
00:33:56She doesn't even know my name.
00:33:58You don't need to try too hard.
00:34:01You're her mother.
00:34:03That's enough.
00:34:05Children are smarter than adults.
00:34:09They can sense who genuinely cares about them.
00:34:13She might not accept me.
00:34:17As for three years,
00:34:19the person she called mommy was Mrs. Garcia, not me.
00:34:22She will.
00:34:24Your blood runs in her veins.
00:34:25No one can change that.
00:34:27The Garcias have been very cooperative.
00:34:29The child's things are packed.
00:34:31They named her Lily.
00:34:34We verified the birth certificate information.
00:34:36It matches the swap records from back then perfectly.
00:34:41Lily.
00:34:48Does she like the name?
00:34:49Mrs. Garcia said she chose it herself.
00:34:52At two years old,
00:34:54she pointed at a Lily in a picture book
00:34:56and said that's what she wanted to be called.
00:35:02Does sound like something she'd do.
00:35:06These are the Garcias foster care records
00:35:08for the past few years.
00:35:10Lily's health is good,
00:35:11no allergies,
00:35:12and her three-year checkup was completely normal.
00:35:15She's been attending a community preschool.
00:35:17Her teacher says she's quiet,
00:35:18but very observant.
00:35:29You're already being a mother.
00:35:31By the time the plane landed at Dallas airport,
00:35:34it was already three in the afternoon.
00:35:36The Texas sky was high and blue,
00:35:38the sun scorching hot.
00:35:43Mrs. Wilford,
00:35:44do you need me to go in with you?
00:35:46No.
00:35:48I'll go alone.
00:35:50Go.
00:35:50I'll be waiting here.
00:36:03Mrs. Wilford,
00:36:04please come in.
00:36:20Hi, Lily.
00:36:21I'm,
00:36:22I'm your mommy.
00:36:28Lily,
00:36:29remember what mommy told you?
00:36:31You have a real mommy.
00:36:32She lives far away.
00:36:35She's the one who came to see you.
00:36:43Are you really my mommy?
00:36:46Really.
00:36:48I'm sorry.
00:36:50Mommy is late.
00:36:54Then will you tell me stories from now on?
00:36:57Mama Maria tells me one every night.
00:37:03Every single day.
00:37:05As many as you want.
00:37:13This is Mr. Rabbit.
00:37:15He wants to hear stories, too.
00:37:23Hello, Mr. Rabbit.
00:37:24How about we listen to stories together from now on?
00:37:33He said yes.
00:37:49Mr. Garcia,
00:37:50thank you for taking care of her all these years.
00:37:55Whatever you need,
00:37:57just ask.
00:37:58Education,
00:37:59medical,
00:37:59living expenses,
00:38:00anything.
00:38:04We don't want money,
00:38:05Mrs. Whitbridge.
00:38:07We raised her for three years.
00:38:09Not for money.
00:38:11She's our daughter.
00:38:17I know.
00:38:19That's why I won't cut off your contact.
00:38:22Lily can always call you mom and dad.
00:38:25She can visit you anytime.
00:38:27I promise you that.
00:38:29Really?
00:38:33We thought,
00:38:33we thought once she's taken away,
00:38:36we'd never see her again.
00:38:38No.
00:38:39She loves you.
00:38:41I won't take away the people she loves.
00:38:49Her favorite books are inside,
00:38:51and Mr. Rabbit's spare clothes.
00:38:54She can't sleep without that rabbit.
00:38:58And this.
00:39:03Her first steps,
00:39:05first time saying mama,
00:39:07first time putting on shoes by herself.
00:39:10I wrote it all down.
00:39:11You should have these.
00:39:28Mommy,
00:39:29don't cry.
00:39:33When Mr. Rabbit cries,
00:39:35I give him a hug.
00:39:42Mommy,
00:39:43does anyone live above the clouds?
00:39:45Some people used to think so.
00:39:47Angels and such.
00:39:48Wouldn't they fall down?
00:39:49No.
00:39:50They can fly.
00:39:52Can I fly too when I grow up?
00:39:54You can.
00:39:55On an airplane.
00:40:00Can Mama Maria and Papa Carlos
00:40:02fly to see me?
00:40:04Anytime they want.
00:40:17Bye.
00:40:19Bye.
00:40:20Bye.
00:40:23Bye.
00:40:25Bye.
00:40:37Is this my room?
00:40:42It's yours.
00:40:43You can decorate it however you want.
00:40:47Can I put my drawings on the wall?
00:40:50As many as you want.
00:40:59Mommy, can you help me put them up?
00:41:02I can't reach.
00:41:11Who's this?
00:41:13This is Mama Maria.
00:41:15This is Papa Carlos.
00:41:16And this is Mr. Rabbit.
00:41:23And Mommy, the new Mommy.
00:41:29And so, the little rabbit set off on his journey into the big, wide world.
00:41:38I didn't know how long it would take to make up for the five years I owed her.
00:41:46But at least, starting today, I wasn't going anywhere.
00:42:04Noah, sit down.
00:42:06I need to talk to you.
00:42:16You probably know about your father by now.
00:42:21He's dead.
00:42:23Heart gave out.
00:42:24The school teacher told me.
00:42:30Are you sad?
00:42:36I don't know.
00:42:37He never really cared about me.
00:42:39He only cared about his own things.
00:42:41And Vivian.
00:42:45What about your mother?
00:42:49She doesn't want me either.
00:42:51She never wanted me.
00:42:54I was just her tool.
00:42:56It's money.
00:42:58Noah, I can't undo what your father and mother failed to do.
00:43:03Those things they should have done but didn't.
00:43:06That's their fault, not yours.
00:43:10But if you're willing, I'll come visit you once a month.
00:43:13If you need anything, just tell me.
00:43:21Why?
00:43:22I'm not your son.
00:43:23Because you're a child.
00:43:25A child shouldn't have no one visiting.
00:43:38Then, can you bring snacks next time?
00:43:41The cafeteria food is awful.
00:43:44What kind of snacks?
00:43:47The chocolate ones.
00:43:49Anything.
00:43:50As long as it's chocolate.
00:43:53Deal.
00:44:05Thomas.
00:44:07Yes.
00:44:08Look into the food supplier for Noah's school cafeteria.
00:44:11If there's really a problem, replace it.
00:44:18Understood.
00:44:22Two months later, news of Vivian's death came from the prison.
00:44:30The prison said she passed at three in the morning.
00:44:33No one came to claim the body.
00:44:45Mommy, does it look pretty?
00:44:48Very pretty.
00:44:50I didn't tell anyone that Vivian had died.
00:44:55Thomas handled the body arrangements and chose an unmarked grave.
00:45:00Some things, once ended, are simply ended.
00:45:04No extra morning needed.
00:45:06On a weekend, half a year later, I took Lily to the beach.
00:45:12Mommy, look!
00:45:14It's pink!
00:45:16It's beautiful.
00:45:17Let's put it on your desk when we get home.
00:45:31Any regrets?
00:45:33Regrets about what?
00:45:35Taking such a long detour to get to today.
00:45:37You suffered a lot along the way.
00:45:46No regrets.
00:45:47Every step was worth it.
00:45:50Without those detours, I wouldn't be who I am now, and Lily wouldn't be here with me.
00:45:55You've changed a lot.
00:45:58Your eyes used to be full of fire.
00:46:00You had to win everything, fight for everything.
00:46:02It's different now.
00:46:03Has the fire gone out?
00:46:04No.
00:46:05It just doesn't burn others anymore.
00:46:08Burning for yourself is enough.
00:46:14Mommy!
00:46:15Mommy-a!
00:46:16There are so many little fish in the sea, they swim really fast!
00:46:22How about I take you on a boat to see even bigger fish tomorrow?
00:46:27Okay!
00:46:28Mr. Rabbit is coming too!
00:46:38I once faced the same sea and exhaled a breath I'd held for two months.
00:46:43Back then, I thought the end was the finish line.
00:46:47Now I finally understood, the end was just another beginning.
00:46:52Not for revenge, not to prove anything.
00:46:55Just living for myself.
00:46:57Mommy, what are you smiling at?
00:47:00Nothing.
00:47:00Just thinking the weather is really nice today.
00:47:08This time, I could finally choose for myself.
00:47:12And I chose to live well.
00:47:29Mommy, is there a peanut butter sandwich?
00:47:32No, but I can have someone make one.
00:47:35You like peanut butter sandwiches?
00:47:39Mama Maria makes one for me every day.
00:47:42She says peanut butter makes me smart.
00:47:45Then we'll have one ready for you every day.
00:47:48Add a peanut butter sandwich to the daily menu from now on.
00:47:52Unsweeted peanut butter, whole wheat bread.
00:48:02This child is like you.
00:48:07She knows what she wants.
00:48:15What's wrong?
00:48:17Did you have a nightmare?
00:48:20I miss Mama Maria.
00:48:23I want to go home.
00:48:25I know.
00:48:27Mommy knows you miss them.
00:48:30I want Mama Maria to come here, too.
00:48:34In a few days, Mommy will take you to see them, okay?
00:48:37We can eat together and play together.
00:48:44Mommy, you won't send me away, will you?
00:48:47No.
00:48:48Never.
00:48:50You're Mommy's daughter.
00:48:51This is your home.
00:48:53You're not going anywhere.
00:49:10Two weeks later, I flew back to Dallas with Lily.
00:49:14Mrs. Garcia heard the doorbell and opened the door.
00:49:18Lily threw herself at her.
00:49:27Mama Maria.
00:49:39My baby, you've grown taller.
00:49:52Mama Maria, look.
00:49:55I drew this myself.
00:49:58Mommy helped me put it on the wall.
00:50:18This is so heartwarming.
00:50:20Everything looks amazing.
00:50:25Hmm.
00:50:30There are so many rooms.
00:50:32And a big dog.
00:50:35There are butterflies in the garden.
00:50:41Mommy tells me stories every single day.
00:50:53Mrs. Whitfield, thank you for bringing her back.
00:51:00We thought we might never see her again in this lifetime.
00:51:06I meant what I said.
00:51:08She will always be your daughter, and she's my daughter, too.
00:51:15There's no conflict.
00:51:33Thanks.
00:51:36The shoes are for soccer.
00:51:38Your laces were untied last time, and those looked worn out.
00:51:46Noah, how have things been?
00:51:48Keeping up with your schoolwork?
00:51:52Not bad.
00:51:54Math is a bit hard, but the teacher gives extra help.
00:52:00You don't have to come every month.
00:52:03You don't have to come every month.
00:52:03You're busy.
00:52:05I promised.
00:52:07Whether I'm busy is my business.
00:52:09Whether I come is also my business.
00:52:12That the little one at your house?
00:52:15What's her name?
00:52:22How old is she?
00:52:23Three and a half.
00:52:28At Christmas, I brought Lily and Noah together.
00:52:33Are you Noah, Gega?
00:52:35Mommy said you'd come.
00:52:44This is for you.
00:52:46I picked it myself.
00:52:48I picked it myself.
00:52:58Thanks, little one.
00:52:59You're welcome.
00:53:02Mommy says people who like chocolate are all good people.
00:53:10Noah, I told you about the snowman we built yesterday, right?
00:53:14It had a carrot nose and a scarf just like yours.
00:53:19It sounds fun.
00:53:21Maybe we can build one together sometime.
00:53:25You've done something remarkable.
00:53:29I just did what I should have done.
00:53:32On New Year's Day, Lily received a package from the Garcias containing a hand-knitted sweater and a new picture
00:53:38book.
00:53:39To our little Lily, love you forever.
00:53:43Mama Maria and Papa Carlos.
00:53:57Mommy, does it look pretty?
00:53:59Absolutely beautiful.
00:54:09I want to call them.
00:54:13Okay, we'll call after breakfast.
00:54:19Is Lily asleep?
00:54:21Yeah.
00:54:22Fell asleep after two stories.
00:54:28I want to talk about the future.
00:54:30Go ahead.
00:54:32The Whitmore Family Fund.
00:54:34I'm planning to gradually hand it over to you.
00:54:39Not because you're mature enough now,
00:54:42but because you already know what to fight for and what to let go.
00:54:45I'm still learning.
00:54:47Who isn't?
00:54:49But at being a mother, you're learning faster than I did.
00:54:54When I raised you alone back then,
00:54:56it took me three months of chaos to figure out how to make formula.
00:55:01Then Lily is luckier than I was.
00:55:03She's had two mothers loving her since she was born.
00:55:10If your mother were still here, she'd be so proud.
00:55:29Mommy, can I not go?
00:55:32You don't want to go?
00:55:35What if they don't like me?
00:55:41If someone doesn't like you, that's not your problem.
00:55:46But Mommy promises, there will be people who like you.
00:55:53You just need to be yourself.
00:56:05Then Mr. Rabbit can keep me company, right?
00:56:09Of course.
00:56:16I'm here!
00:56:17Hi, sweetie!
00:56:21Mommy!
00:56:22I made a friend.
00:56:24Her name is Sophie.
00:56:25She said my drawings are the prettiest.
00:56:31That's wonderful!
00:56:33Do you want to bring some chocolate for her tomorrow?
00:56:37Yes!
00:56:46Mommy, Sophie asked if I have a stepmom.
00:56:51I said no, I have two mommies.
00:56:55One here and one in Dallas.
00:57:03What did Sophie say?
00:57:07She said that's so cool.
00:57:10She wants two mommies, too.
00:57:25What happened?
00:57:29Someone said I was a piece of trash nobody wanted.
00:57:33So I hid him.
00:57:41The other party started with verbal abuse
00:57:46I understand the school has rules
00:57:48But verbal bullying should also be addressed
00:57:53Miss Whitmore is right
00:57:54We will handle it
00:58:00Does your hand hurt?
00:58:08No
00:58:09Next time someone says that
00:58:11You don't need to use your fists
00:58:14You tell me and I will handle it
00:58:18Fighting doesn't solve problems
00:58:20It only makes you the one in the wrong too
00:58:27And you are not unwanted
00:58:38I am here
00:58:39I am not going anywhere
00:58:48The chocolate snacks are in the car
00:58:50Go get them yourself
00:59:11How is she adjusting?
00:59:16Very well
00:59:17She made friends
00:59:19Loves drawing
00:59:20And makes me tell her three stories
00:59:23Every night before she will sleep
00:59:25That's good
00:59:26I was so worried she wouldn't be happy
00:59:30She's very happy
00:59:31And she hasn't forgotten you
00:59:35She mentions Mama Maria and Papa Carlos
00:59:38Every night in her prayers
00:59:48This journey had taken such a long detour
00:59:51But everyone had ended up where they belonged
01:00:02The balloons need to go higher
01:00:05Don't cut the cake yet
01:00:07Wait for Sophie before we cut it
01:00:20Noah, come cut the cake
01:00:22You're the biggest
01:00:23You cut it
01:00:31The first piece goes to Mr. Rabbit
01:00:42Dad, thank you
01:00:47For what?
01:00:48For answering that call back then
01:00:51If it weren't for you
01:00:52I might still be trapped in that marriage
01:00:54You don't need to thank me
01:00:56You got to where you are today on your own
01:00:59I just answered the phone
01:01:03Answering the phone matters too
01:01:08Mommy, it's time to make a wish
01:01:11You come too
01:01:15Mommy, you have to make a wish too
01:01:25Mommy, what did you wish for?
01:01:27I can't say
01:01:28If I say it, it won't come true
01:01:34Actually, my wish was very simple
01:01:37I wish that everyone in the yard
01:01:38Could keep laughing, laughing like this
01:01:41That would be enough
01:01:46Melody, your kids
Comments