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00:01In my house everything has a price tag. Water costs money, food costs money, even sleeping
00:09costs money. Mum and dad call it elite independence training. Then why does my adopted little
00:16sister get everything for free? To pay off my debt I sold myself to human traffickers.
00:41So why did my parents, who called it elite education, end up crying with regret?
00:49Stella! No! No! No! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
00:59Everything at home has a price. Juice is 50 cents. A shower is one dollar. On my birthday I took
01:09out the dollar I'd earned collecting bottles.
01:13Um, excuse me? Mom, can I buy a little piece of cake? I don't need any fruit on it. Is
01:19one dollar enough? It's my birthday too.
01:21It's two dollars. No money, no cake. This is part of your training.
01:28So I went hungry and spent my one dollar on ten minutes of cartoons on dad's phone.
01:34Then a payment alert popped up on the screen. Family card top up, ten thousand dollars.
01:40Note, spending money for my precious adopted daughter.
01:44So, mom and dad's elite education was only for me. But I was their real daughter.
01:50That morning, I walked out of the house alone. A man asked if I wanted some candy.
01:57How much is the candy?
01:59It's free.
02:05Sir, does the ride cost money?
02:08I made one dollar collecting bottles, but I spent it on cartoons.
02:12No, it's all free. I'll take you somewhere you can eat and sleep for free.
02:16I finally relaxed.
02:22Sir, are you going to sell me to someone else to be their daughter?
02:25Something like that. We're finding you a new home.
02:27Then, does water cost money there?
02:30They charge you for water at home?
02:32Uh-huh.
02:37Mom, I have a fever. My head hurts so much. Can I have some water?
02:44You really do have a fever, but don't think that means it's free.
02:48If you want water, pay two dollars.
03:01Tap water is 50 cents. Warm water is one dollar. Juice is two dollars.
03:07Fuck!
03:08I've been in this business for over a decade, and I've never seen parents this stilgy.
03:12Are your parents Scrooge reincarnated?
03:14I didn't know what Scrooge meant, but I knew Dad was the CEO of a public company.
03:20He was generous. He donated millions to charity at a time.
03:24So why was he so stingy with me, even over 50 cents?
03:29Uncle, once you sell me to my new family, will I have money?
03:34Yeah, you'll have a lot of money. You can eat whatever you want.
03:47No one at home cared that I was gone. They ate breakfast like always.
03:52Honey, Evelyn loves piano. I know a teacher. His private lessons are 50 cal dollar a month.
03:57What do you think?
03:58If Evelyn likes it, do it.
04:03There's 500,000 on this card. It's for Evelyn's extracurriculars.
04:06Thank you, Daddy. You're the best.
04:08She glanced at the empty seat beside her. That was my seat. I often sat there and watched them eat.
04:15But if I wanted food, I had to pay.
04:18Huh? Where's Stella?
04:20Evelyn asked, pretending to be surprised.
04:23We're almost late for school. Is she throwing a tantrum again? Why can't she ever stop worrying Mom and Dad?
04:28Usually by then, I'd already polished everyone's shoes and mopped the floor to earn money for breakfast.
04:34We only refused her cake and now she's giving me attitude?
04:38We've spoiled her. Let her go hungry for a couple meals.
04:41Doris, get her. Otherwise, breakfast costs double today.
04:47A little later, Doris came back holding a tablet, looking uneasy.
04:51Sir, ma'am, you should see this.
04:55Only then did Mom and Dad finally realize I was gone.
05:04She ran away? How dare she?
05:07Ma'am, should we go look for Miss Stella?
05:09She barely has any money. Where could she possibly go?
05:11Leave her. She can't survive on her own.
05:14One hungry day outside and she'll come crying back.
05:16Then we'll charge her $10,000 just to come through the door.
05:20But an entire day passed and I still didn't come back.
05:25Gone all day?
05:26She's defying me.
05:28Even a dog knows to wag for a bone.
05:30I worked so hard to make her independent and she treats me like the enemy.
05:34Doris, clear out her room.
05:36Clear it out?
05:37Then where will Miss Stella sleep when she comes back?
05:39Turn her room into a dance studio for Evelyn.
05:42As for where she'll sleep when she comes back,
05:44There's a storage room in the basement. Cheap rent.
05:46Five dollars a day, she can afford that.
05:48Really, Daddy? I can have a big dance studio?
05:51Of course.
05:53When has Daddy ever lied to you?
05:54You're my precious girl. You deserve the best.
05:57Whatever you want, Evelyn. Mom and Dad will give it to you.
06:00They spoil the adopted girl and treat their own like an enemy.
06:04Poor Stella.
06:05How did she end up with parents like that?
06:09Meanwhile, I was blindfolded and taken to an abandoned factory.
06:16When the blindfold came off, several filthy men were playing pards.
06:20They crowded around when Scar returned.
06:22Hey Scar, nice catch this time.
06:24A yellow toothed man reached out to touch my face.
06:27I instinctively pulled away.
06:33My cheek burned.
06:34The slap knocked me to the floor.
06:37Blood seeped from my mouth.
06:39What are you dodging for, you little brat?
06:42But I didn't cry.
06:44I just stared at him.
06:48Aw, look at that glare.
06:50Enough!
06:51Scar stopped him.
06:52Don't hit her. This one's healthy.
06:54She'll fetch a good price.
06:59Kid, if you're here, you follow our rules.
07:02See that cage over there?
07:06Disobey, and you sleep with the dogs.
07:08Behave, and you get food.
07:10How much does the cage cost?
07:15Scarred! Is this kid stupid or something?
07:17She thinks she has to pay for the cage?
07:20No money. It's free.
07:23What about food?
07:25That's free too.
07:31Then I'll stay in the cage, sir.
07:36If it was free, I didn't care where I stayed.
07:39At home, my room cost me $200 a month in rent.
07:43This place was dirty, and there were dogs, but it was free.
07:52Everyone laughed even harder.
07:54I knew they were laughing because they thought I was stupid.
07:58But I thought, anywhere you don't have to pay is heaven.
08:05That night, the Ashford's finally got a call from the police.
08:10Victoria was in a meeting and answered impatiently.
08:14Is this Mrs. Victoria Ashford? This is the police department?
08:17Yes. What is it?
08:18Your daughter Stella's backpack may have been found outside the city.
08:21We need you to come identify.
08:22I'm busy. I'm in an important meeting.
08:24I'll send someone after it ends.
08:26Ma'am, this is your biological daughter. She may be in danger. You-
08:30Officer.
08:32She only ran away from home.
08:35My time is worth hundreds of thousands a minute.
08:37I'm not wasting it over some old backpack.
08:39Besides, we live under the rule of law.
08:41What real danger could she possibly be in?
08:44At the police station, Claire was so angry, she nearly smashed the phone.
08:48What kind of mother is that?
08:50Her own daughter could be dead and she says it's a waste of time?
08:57Did you run a background check on Victoria?
08:59Yes. Julian Ashford's wife. He's the richest man in town.
09:03She's a famous philanthropist and education expert.
09:05She donates millions every year and her parenting guides are best sellers.
09:09Philanthropist? More like a hypocrite.
09:11She's cruel to her own daughter and generous to everyone else.
09:14Where was the backpack found?
09:16By a drainage bitch outside the city.
09:18There were some books inside and a ledger.
09:22Claire pulled out an evidence bag.
09:24Inside was a small notebook, warped from the water.
09:29Claire's eyes turned red as she read.
09:33What kind of life has this child been living?
09:38Open a case now. This isn't just a disappearance.
09:41We may be looking at child abuse.
09:42This is urgent. Move now.
09:46Victoria was trying on a newly delivered couture gown.
09:50She had a charity gala that night and planned to take Evelyn.
09:53Stella barely crossed her mind.
09:55Then the doorbell rang.
10:05Ma'am, your daughter Stella has been trafficked.
10:08Since you refused to cooperate, we also suspect possible child abuse.
10:11You need to come with us and assist the investigation.
10:15You need to come with us and assist the investigation.
10:18I don't have time for your pointless investigation.
10:21And as for Stella, I see nothing wrong with my approach to education.
10:25Ma'am, please cooperate. This is for your daughter's sake.
10:29If she really was kidnapped, that's because you police failed to do your jobs.
10:33Instead of questioning my parenting, you should worry about public safety.
10:38Claire finally snapped.
10:39She stepped past Frank and the police stopped arguing.
10:43What are you doing?
10:47This is unlawful detention! I'll sue every one of you!
10:51Frank and the others stopped arguing and hauled Victoria away.
10:57Evelyn called Julian in tears.
10:59Daddy, Mom! The police took Mom away!
11:03Don't cry, sweetheart. Stay home. I'll get your mother out right now.
11:10I'd been living in the cage for a day.
11:13All I got was leftovers.
11:15But I could eat my fill.
11:17And it was free.
11:19When Scar was in a good mood, he'd even give me a few pieces of meat.
11:23I behaved too.
11:25I didn't cry or make trouble.
11:27I even helped feed the dogs.
11:29Those vicious dogs wagged their tails whenever they saw me now.
11:34But before long, a strange woman arrived at the factory.
11:38This is the premium merchandise you told me about?
11:40Vera, look at her. Healthy, obedient too.
11:43You can hit her and she won't make a sound.
11:46How old?
11:48Ten.
11:50A little young.
11:53Fine. I'll take her.
11:54I knew I was going to my new home.
11:56Ma'am, can I eat for free at my new home too?
11:59Free? Sweetie, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
12:02I had to earn money again?
12:03Would I have to polish shoes, wash dishes, and collect bottles just like at home?
12:07My heart sank.
12:09But don't worry, you only have to sleep for a while.
12:11After that, you'll never go hungry again.
12:15At the police station, Julian stared at the waterlogged ledger with open contempt.
12:22What does this prove?
12:23That she has a head for money and keeps detailed records?
12:26We strongly suspect Stella allowed herself to be taken because of prolonged abuse at home.
12:30My daughter lives in a mansion, rides in luxury cars, and attend an elite school.
12:35How is that abuse?
12:37Don't you police have real criminals to catch?
12:39Why are you meddling in my family affairs?
12:41I'll sue you.
12:43Julian, look at this entry.
12:45Disturbed dad while mopping his office, owed dad $1,000, and you dare say that isn't abuse?
12:49That was from a day his stocks dipped and he was in a bad mood.
12:52He'd thrown out the number without thinking.
12:54He never expected me to actually write it down.
12:56No. My wife is a recognized education expert.
12:58There is nothing wrong with our methods and this is none of your business.
13:01As for those entries, they were jokes. The child takes things too literally.
13:04Jokes? Would a joke make a ten-year-old run away from home?
13:07I'm done wasting time arguing about parenting.
13:10I'm here to bail out my wife.
13:11Let me know when you find my daughter.
13:12He stood up to leave. Then the interrogation room door flew open.
13:16Frank, we found her.
13:18Where?
13:19At an illegal clinic on the west side. The group was preparing to operate on the child.
13:26What operation?
13:29Organ removal.
13:33What?
13:37Police sirens cut through the heavy overcast air.
13:40Faster!
13:44If anything happens to my daughter, I'm filing a complaint against all of you!
14:00Don't be afraid, little girl. You'll fall asleep and when you wake up it'll all be over. It won't hurt
14:06at all.
14:07Uncle, how much are my eyes worth?
14:13How much do you want?
14:23I want to earn enough to pay mom and dad back.
14:26If I sell you my eye, can you give me $35,200?
14:32First kid I've seen come in here without crying or fighting.
14:35She must have been abused by her parents for so long that she's gone numb.
14:38All right, I'll give you $50,000.
14:54All right, I'll give you $50,000.
14:57Mom, Dad, when I wake up I'll have the money. Then I won't owe you anything anymore.
15:06At the same time, Julian and the others reached the operating room.
15:10Hurry! Hurry!
15:12Hurry!
15:26Freeze! Police!
15:28Frank kicked open the operating room door and Julian rushed in behind him.
15:34There was only a blood-stained operating table inside. The table was empty. Only a glaring pool of fresh blood
15:42remained.
15:43Where is she?
15:45Frank grabbed a doctor and pressed his gun to the man's forehead.
15:48Where? Where's the child?
15:52She ran.
15:54Ran?
15:56The anesthesia hadn't wound off, but she suddenly woke up, bit me, and jumped out the back window.
16:04Search! Follow the river!
16:09Julian finally panicked.
16:12She jumped into the river?
16:15The current's that strong. Could she even survive?
16:19Frank, we found this on a rock by the river.
16:21He was holding a plastic bag.
16:24Inside were a sheet of paper and a bank card.
16:30Mom, Dad, I'm leaving.
16:34I did the math.
16:35Over ten years, I owe you a total of $35,200.
16:40The lady said one cornea is worth $50,000.
16:44I'm leaving it to you to pay off my debt.
16:46The rest can be the interest.
16:48From now on, I don't owe you anything.
16:51In this life or the next, I never want you to be my mom and dad again.
16:56Julian stared at the note and finally understood.
17:01I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
17:03I was settling the bill.
17:05I was using my eye to pay off the debt of being their daughter.
17:10No.
17:12Impossible.
17:14I...
17:15I drove my own daughter to this.
17:23Who did she give her cornea to?
17:25Who was the woman?
17:26Tell me!
17:26Where's her cornea?
17:27Do you have it?
17:28We didn't get it.
17:29She took the knife herself and cut her eye.
17:32What?
17:33Julian's mind went completely blank.
17:38She cut her own eye?
17:44Just then, Frank's radio crackled to life.
17:48Frank!
17:49We found her!
17:50A camera just caught her on video.
17:51At the crematorium nearby.
17:53A little girl with blood all over her face.
17:54The description matches.
17:57Crematorium?
17:57What is she doing there?
17:59Julian shot to his feet, stunned.
18:01Hurry!
18:02To the crematorium!
18:03He bolted out like a madman, even faster than the police.
18:07He knew only one thing.
18:09If that debt had truly been settled, he might lose his daughter forever.
18:17Julian stumbled toward the crematorium.
18:21The sleepy old guard at the gate was startled by Julian.
18:24Just now.
18:26Did a little girl come through here?
18:28Yeah.
18:29There was a girl.
18:31Blood all over her face.
18:32Bandages around one eye.
18:34Looked pretty frightening.
18:37Where did she go?
18:39Toward the furnaces.
18:43Julian's heart lurched.
18:46The furnaces?
18:47He turned and ran, not even noticing when one of his shoes came off.
18:52All he could think about was that ledger.
18:55I don't owe you anymore.
18:56He reached the doors to the furnace room.
19:00Open the door!
19:01Open it!
19:02He pounded on the heavy metal door.
19:05No one answered.
19:07Only a thin trip of black smoke began rowing from the huge chimney.
19:11Am I too late?
19:12Am I only too late?
19:14He covered his face and broke down in despair.
19:17Then the old guard caught up.
19:20Hey, how'd you run so fast?
19:21The girl didn't go inside.
19:23She's in the cemetery out back.
19:27What?
19:29Cemetery.
19:30She wasn't cremated?
19:31What?
19:32She's alive!
19:33Who would cremate a living person?
19:35She said it was quiet there and didn't cost anything,
19:37so she wanted to sit for a while.
19:43Julian stared at the tiny, fragile back of a girl who looked like a stray kitten.
19:50His throat tightened.
19:56He reached out from a distance, as if he wanted to touch his daughter, but his hand stopped halfway.
20:02He suddenly realized he'd never truly held her.
20:06Not even once.
20:12Stella.
20:13It was the first time in ten years he'd said her name with such care.
20:17His voice trembled, as if he'd never formed those sounds before.
20:21Dad, why are you here?
20:26The ledger says I've paid everything back.
20:31I did the math.
20:32I owed you $35,200 over ten years.
20:36The lady said one cornea was worth $50,000.
20:39After subtracting what I owe you, that leaves $14,800.
20:43You can keep the rest as interest.
20:45If that's still not enough...
20:49I still have another eye.
20:54Stop!
20:57Stop it!
21:02Tears streamed down Julian's face.
21:04He was in agony.
21:07Stella.
21:08Come home with Daddy.
21:12He reached out for me.
21:14His voice held a humility and desperation I'd never heard from him before.
21:19I shrunk back.
21:21Dad.
21:23No, Mr. Ashford.
21:25That place is too expensive.
21:27I can't afford to live there.
21:30No more money!
21:32You won't pay for anything ever again!
21:37Daddy was wrong.
21:39I was really wrong.
21:41Eat whatever you want.
21:42Buy whatever you want from now on.
21:47Everything is free.
21:49Daddy will take care of you.
21:50Daddy has money.
21:51So much money!
21:53His words tumbled out incoherently, tears and snot covering his face.
22:01He had never looked so pathetic.
22:04The calm at board meetings, the control at the negotiating table, the elegance at charity galleys, all gone.
22:12All that remained was a man in his 50s begging his 10-year-old daughter for forgiveness.
22:22You have money?
22:25Then why would you pay $50,000 for Evelyn's piano lessons but make me sign an IIU for fever medicine?
22:35Why does she get new dresses every week while I have to pay a clothing depreciation fees to wear the
22:40old one she throws away?
22:44Why does she get a three-tier birthday cake while I couldn't even buy one piece on my own birthday?
22:52It's because...
22:53When I was cleaning your study, I heard you on the phone.
22:58You said my sister had another mother.
23:04You heard that?
23:07So I was right.
23:09She's your daughter too, isn't she?
23:16You always give her the best things first because you owe that other lady, right?
23:25I was only born because you and mom married for convenience.
23:29You never wanted me.
23:31So you charge me for everything I do.
23:37If you didn't like me, why did you have me in the first place?
23:45I even had to pay for food and water at home.
23:48I picked up bottles to pay my debts.
23:51I thought, if I paid it all, you'd be nicer to me.
23:56But you never cared about me at all.
23:58No one spoke.
24:00Only the wind moved through the gravestones, like countless dead souls sighing.
24:06Julian couldn't say a word.
24:08The truth had been laid bare, raw and bloody.
24:13Yes.
24:15Evelyn was his illegitimate daughter.
24:19She was the child he had with his first love.
24:23And I was the product of his business marriage to Victoria.
24:30He didn't love Victoria.
24:32And he didn't love me.
24:34He gave Evelyn all the guilt and love he carried for his first love.
24:40And he poured all his resentment towards the marriage onto me.
24:46He thought he'd hidden it perfectly.
24:49He never imagined his ten-year-old daughter had already seen through him.
24:55So...
25:02Goodbye, Mr. Ashford.
25:06Stop!
25:09No!
25:10Don't go!
25:11You're my daughter!
25:13Let go!
25:15Julian!
25:15Let go of the child!
25:17Just then, Frank rushed over with several officers.
25:20The officers pulled Julian away by force.
25:23He fought them, his suit ripping and his hair falling into disarray.
25:26Frank looked at my battered face and, for once, lost his professional composure.
25:32He'd worked for twenty years and seen countless horrific scenes.
25:36He thought he'd become numb.
25:38But then he saw the bandage over my eye,
25:41the scab at the corner of my mouth,
25:43and the bruises peeking from my sleeves.
25:48He turned and punched Julian hard in the face.
25:52Fucking beast!
25:55Julian hit the ground, blood running from his mouth.
25:59Only after venting his anger did Frank turn back and force an awkward smile for me.
26:05I'm sorry.
26:06We came too late.
26:09Stella?
26:11We're the police.
26:12We're here to take you home.
26:14To a real home.
26:18I was taken to the hospital.
26:20Julian was temporarily held on suspicion of child abuse.
26:29A doctor treated the wound around my eye with a silver suture needle in hand.
26:42Thankfully, it's only the eyelid. The eye itself is fine.
26:45This kid was so hard on herself.
26:47One millimeter deeper and she'd have lost that eye.
26:50Not even God could have saved it.
26:53How desperate does a child have to be to do this to herself?
26:56Suddenly, the hospital room door burst open.
26:59Victoria stormed in.
27:01She'd just been released on bail.
27:03Her hair was a mess, her makeup was smeared, and her couture dress was wrinkled and dirty.
27:09Stella, you wretched child!
27:11The moment she walked in, she started yelling.
27:14How long are you going to keep this up?
27:17Do you have any idea I was detained because of you?
27:21The company stock hit limit down.
27:24The foundation board is demanding my resignation!
27:29You've destroyed the Ashford family's reputation!
27:32Decades of it!
27:33I sat on the hospital bed and looked at her.
27:37This was my mother.
27:40I was covered in blood, one eye wrapped in a bandage soaked red, and I'd nearly gone blind.
27:45But the first thing she said was,
27:48You've disgraced our family.
27:52Mrs. Victoria, this is a hospital.
27:55They fine people for making too much noise.
27:58What did you call me, Mrs. Victoria?
28:00I'm your mother!
28:02I don't think so.
28:04Other mothers don't let their daughters go hungry all day over two dollars.
28:09Other mothers don't say you're a disgrace the first thing after finding their lost daughter.
28:14Other mothers don't just favor one child.
28:16But my mother only knows what my sister likes.
28:21She doesn't know I'm waiting for just a hug.
28:26I don't want you to be my mother.
28:34Her lips moved soundlessly, like a fish thrown onto shore.
28:38I was training you!
28:40I was doing it for your own good!
28:43No.
28:44You just didn't want to spend money on me.
28:48You treated Evelyn so well because you wanted to make Dad happy, right?
28:53Dad didn't like me, so you were hard on me too.
28:56You charged me for everything.
29:00Whatever Evelyn wanted, you gave her.
29:03Only I had to keep a ledger and owe money for everything.
29:07You thought that would make Dad love you more.
29:14But Mom, you were wrong.
29:18Evelyn wasn't adopted from an orphanage.
29:20She's Dad's child with another woman.
29:25You spent so much money on her dresses and piano lessons, but you wouldn't even give me one free piece
29:31of birthday cake.
29:35You love someone else's child, but charge your own for everything.
29:40Victoria's eyes went wide, her peoples dilated, then tightened.
29:45What did you say?
29:46A child with another woman?
29:48She shook her head in panic, her brow tightly farrowed.
29:52Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
29:55Stop spreading lies!
29:57Evelyn is an orphan!
29:59We adopted her from an orphanage!
30:01Frank stepped between us and handed her a document.
30:03Mrs. Victoria, calm down. Take a look.
30:16We ran a DNA comparison while investigating Julian.
30:20Evelyn and Julian are biologically related.
30:23The match is 99.99%.
30:26She read it, word by word.
30:29Her hands shook when she saw that number.
30:31It hit her heart like a hammer.
30:33Her world collapsed.
30:37No.
30:39No, that's impossible.
30:42The hospital's machine must be wrong.
30:44Yes, the machine is wrong!
30:52Tell Mommy.
30:54It's a mistake, right?
30:59To confirm, we ran tests at three different labs.
31:04I can give you all three reports if you need.
31:14Victoria collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
31:20She tore at her hair and slapped herself again and again.
31:26Julian!
31:28You bastard!
31:30You lied to me!
31:32You lied to me for ten years!
31:38I raised your mistress's child!
31:42I helped you abuse my own daughter!
31:48I'm a fucking idiot!
31:51I'm a fucking idiot!
31:52A complete fucking idiot!
31:54She sobbed and slapped herself until her cheeks swelled.
31:58Tears cut two streaks through her perfect makeup.
32:02She remembered every morning she brushed Evelyn's hair, more patiently than a real mother.
32:11She remembered every charity Allah walking the red carpet with Evelyn.
32:17Beaming when reporters called her the most loving businesswoman's wife.
32:22She remembered every coin she'd spent on Evelyn over the years.
32:26Piano lessons.
32:28International summer camps.
32:31Limited edition dresses.
32:33Private tutors.
32:35While her biological daughter couldn't even afford a few pieces of bread.
32:44I'm so stupid.
32:46How could I be this stupid?
32:50Just then, Evelyn walked in.
32:53She wore an expensive dress and bugged a teddy bear Victoria had bought her for her birthday last month.
32:58Mom, why are you sitting on the floor? It's cold down there.
33:02She froze when she saw Victoria on the floor.
33:05She walked over to help Victoria-
33:07Get away from me! Don't call me mom!
33:09You little bastard! God knows which slut is your mom!
33:12Victoria shoved her hard.
33:14Evelyn fell to the floor, her teddy bear rolling away as tears instantly filled her eyes.
33:19Mom, what's wrong? It's me, Evelyn!
33:24I'll kill you, you little bastard! You've eaten my food, lived under my roof, and helped your father lie to
33:31me!
33:31Mom, no, please, don't!
33:33Mom!
33:36Hey! Hey! Grab, grab, grab!
33:38In the end, the police had to pull them apart.
33:41That expensive dress was torn to shreds, her face scratched, and she sobbed loudly.
33:46Victoria panted, her hair wild, legs still kicking as officers held her up.
33:51I want a divorce!
33:53I'm taking everything Julian has, and the whole town is going to know what he's done.
33:57He raised his illegitimate daughter for ten years while abusing his own biological child!
34:02Frank frowned and had the officers take them outside to calm down.
34:05The room finally went quiet.
34:07Only the steady beeping of the heart monitor remained.
34:11Frank sat beside my bed and peeled an apple for me.
34:16How much is this apple?
34:19It's free, just eat it.
34:21I took the free apple and bit into it.
34:24It was sweet, so sweet my nose stung.
34:30Kid, what do you want to do now?
34:33Can I go to an orphanage?
34:35Do orphanages cost money?
34:38Frank sighed and patted my head.
34:41His hand was rough, chaliced from years of holding a gun, but it was warm.
34:48Those people have messed with your head too much.
34:51You should know there is such a thing called priceless love.
34:54I looked at Frank. His eyes were bloodshot and his jaw was dark with stubble.
34:58His gaze was like winter sunlight. Not hot, but warm.
35:02But I didn't dare get closer.
35:03When you're used to darkness, even warm sunlight can burn.
35:07Officer, can you lend me some money?
35:09What for?
35:10I want to hire a lawyer.
35:12I raised my head and looked straight at Frank.
35:15I want to sue Julian and Victoria.
35:17I want the child support they owed me and I want to cut all ties with them.
35:23Frank paused, then smiled.
35:25It was a genuine smile, touched with surprise and pride.
35:28Alright, I'll give you the money. You don't have to pay me back.
35:31No. I have to pay you back. With interest.
35:36Fine. With interest.
35:38Frank gave in with a helpless smile.
35:40He reached out to ruffle my hair, hesitated halfway, then lowered his hand.
35:44I looked into his eyes.
35:47The look in his eyes was different from the way Julian looked at Evelyn.
35:51Julian's gaze was favoritism, indulgence.
35:54A projection of guilt towards another woman.
35:56The light in Frank's eyes was simply pure, unconditional kindness.
36:00Like the first winter sunlight through a window, asking for nothing and only bringing light.
36:05Maybe, only someone like him could truly hold up a family.
36:14When Julian returned home, he found the house in ruins.
36:19Victoria shredded all his suits, shirts, and ties.
36:23His patek fatigue lay in a corner, crystal shattered, hands bent.
36:31Huge words had been scrawled across the walls in lipstick.
36:38Mom, your hand is bleeding. You need a band-aid.
36:42Shut up!
36:43You're just like your slut mother!
36:47Mom?
36:48What did I do wrong?
36:50Don't call me mom.
36:52You're not even my child.
36:54Why did I raise you for ten years?
36:59I didn't know.
37:01Mom, what are you talking about?
37:11Victoria, calm down.
37:13We can talk about this.
37:16Talk?
37:17You lied to me for fucking ten years!
37:20You made me raise your first love's daughter, and you let me abuse Stella!
37:29Those rules were your idea. What does that have to do with me?
37:37What does it have to do with you?
37:44I made them to please you!
37:47I thought you saw her as spoiled, so I got stricter, hoping you'd think more of me!
37:53I pushed my own daughter away, just to please you!
37:58And all the while, you had me raising and spoiling your mistress' daughter!
38:07Dad, Mom, please stop fighting!
38:12When did I ever ask you to treat her like that?
38:27So?
38:28Everything I've done, who was it for?
38:30I did it for this family, to make you happy!
38:32I was cruel to my own daughter for you, and you made a fool of me from the start!
38:37These past ten years were all a show you staged for me!
38:40A show?
38:43Without me?
38:44Without me, you'd have nothing!
38:47This house, this status, who do you think gave them to you?
38:56Fine.
38:57Then I'll give it all back today.
39:01Mom, don't!
39:03Julian, I'll kill you!
39:11You've lost your mind.
39:13I've lost my mind?
39:15You're the one who drove me insane!
39:18Divorce me!
39:23I want half the assets and Stella.
39:25You take that bastard Evelyn, I don't want to see her for another second.
39:28Fine. We can divorce.
39:31But you won't get a cent of the assets, and you won't take Stella either.
39:35What do you mean?
39:37Every cent you've spent all these years, food, clothes, everything, I've kept records.
39:43The police already opened a child abuse case against you.
39:46Would a judge give custody to a mother who abused her own kid?
39:51Julian, you think I left myself no way out after all these years?
40:01You don't honestly think these are enough to bring me down, do you?
40:04Julian, don't think you are the winner.
40:07You think you can bury this the same way you bury everything else?
40:10You're wrong.
40:12If I'm going down, you're coming down with me.
40:17Mom!
40:19Julian stood alone in the wrecked living room.
40:21The lipstick words were still on the wall.
40:23The air smelled of alcohol and perfume.
40:26The old ledger was still on the coffee table,
40:29brittle and crumbling at the lightest touch.
40:31He picked it up.
40:33From now on, I don't owe you anything.
40:36Something inside him became completely hollow.
40:38Like a building with every room gutted out,
40:41leaving only the frame while the wind howled through it.
40:43He was always the winner.
40:45But in a single day, he'd lost his wife and his daughter.
40:50He went upstairs and opened the door to my room,
40:53which had already been remodeled.
40:56It had polished dance floors, expensive equipment, and bright mirrors.
41:01Beautiful, but without a single trace that I'd ever lived there.
41:06That night, he sank to his knees outside the room and stayed there until dosk.
41:11When morning came, he realized he had been clutching the water-damaged notebook all night.
41:16On the first page was my handwriting.
41:19January 1, two strawberries, $01.
41:23The man began to cry without a sound.
41:27He came to see me that morning, but stopped at the door, too afraid to push it open.
41:33The book in my hands was one Frank had bought me.
41:38Uncle Frank taught me that I had to learn to use the law to protect myself.
41:43I was ten.
41:45Other children my age read fairy tales.
41:48I read law.
41:50Julian finally forced himself to open the door.
41:52He carried an elegant, inflated food jar.
41:55He'd had a top chef simmer it for four hours with rare herbs.
42:00One serving cost a month's groceries for most families.
42:03Stella, Daddy came to see you.
42:06I brought you soup.
42:07It'll help you recover.
42:12He smiled eagerly and set the soup on the table.
42:15But I kept reading without looking up.
42:17I don't want it.
42:21Stella, don't be like this. Daddy knows he was wrong.
42:24I'll change.
42:25I really will.
42:26I sent Evelyn away to boarding school.
42:28She'll never appear in front of you again.
42:33Your mother is gone, too.
42:35It'll just be the two of us at home.
42:36I'll give you all my money.
42:38You can do anything you want.
42:39Okay?
42:42His eyes were full of pleading.
42:44Mr. Ashford.
42:46I told you.
42:47We have nothing to do with each other anymore.
42:51Sending Evelyn away is your business.
42:53What happens between you and Mom is your business.
42:57Your money is yours.
42:58Your soup is yours.
43:00None of it has anything to do with me.
43:03Please leave.
43:04I don't want to see you.
43:05He was the richest man in the city.
43:08When had anyone ever spoken to him like that?
43:10Even the mayor treated him politely.
43:13But facing his ten-year-old daughter on a hospital bed,
43:16one eye still bandaged,
43:18he couldn't scum in a shred of anger.
43:20Because he knew I truly didn't care about him anymore.
43:24I wasn't sulking.
43:26I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
43:28I simply did not care.
43:32All right.
43:33All right.
43:34I'll go.
43:37The soup.
43:38Drink it while it's warm.
43:39I don't dare drink it.
43:43I don't have any money.
43:58It was raining lightly on the day of the trial.
44:01A fine, dense rain.
44:03Frank's wife had bought me a new blouse.
44:06A sky-blue one with a tiny flower brooch at the collar.
44:09I sat at the plaintiff's table.
44:12Julian sat at the defense table.
44:15He wore no tie and no watch.
44:19A third of his hair had gone gray in just one month.
44:24Plaintiff Stella Ashford,
44:26what relief are you seeking?
44:30Your Honor, the plaintiff asks that her parents' custody rights be terminated
44:34and that Mr. Frank be appointed her temporary guardian.
44:37She also seeks ten years of unpaid child support,
44:40along with damages for the psychological harm caused by the abuse.
44:53The courtroom erupted.
44:55Reporters packed the gallery, cameras flashing non-stop.
45:03A ten-year-old child standing in a solemn courtroom to sue her own biological parents?
45:10No one in the city had seen anything like it.
45:14Objection!
45:16Mr. Ashford's educational methods may have been inappropriate, but he did not commit substantial abuse.
45:27He provided excellent material conditions, a mansion, an elite school, and more.
45:33The plaintiff's so-called pricing system can reasonably be understood as an unconventional method of family education.
45:39The gallery buzzed. Some people nodded.
45:43The richest man's daughter had food, clothes, and an elite education.
45:47How could that be abuse?
45:52Before the attorney could continue, I raised the water-damaged ledger high above my head.
46:00The cover had faded. The wrinkled pages were hard to turn, crumbling with every flip.
46:06Sir, you say I grew up with everything I needed, but please look at this first.
46:10March 5, 2026.
46:11Fell and scraped my knee.
46:12Used one band-aid from home.
46:13Owe $2.
46:14April 12, 2026.
46:16Dropped one place on an exam.
46:17Punishment 5.
46:18Owe $200.
46:19May 2026.
46:20Evelyn's birthday.
46:21Couldn't afford a gift.
46:22Owe $20 as a thoughtful misfeed.
46:24June 11, 2026.
46:25My birthday.
46:26Asked mom for one piece of cake.
46:27Didn't have enough money.
46:28Didn't get any.
46:29At home, even water cost 50 cents.
46:31Picked me $2 in debt.
46:32It's all written here.
46:32Is this really how you teach a child to grow up?
46:35The courtroom was silent for three full seconds.
46:37Then murmurs broke out.
46:38Gasps, head wakes, hands over mouth.
46:40People started cursing aloud.
46:42Animals?
46:43This is monstrous.
46:44Are they even human?
46:46The judge struck the gavel twice before the courtroom finally quieted down.
46:50The judge took the ledger and turned through it page by page.
46:52His frown deepened with every entry.
46:56The courtroom was silent except for the sound of turning pages.
46:59With every page, Julian lowered his head a little more.
47:01He didn't defend himself.
47:02He just sat there.
47:03Then Julian suddenly stood.
47:04He stared straight at me across the courtroom.
47:06Stella?
47:07Daddy knows he was wrong.
47:08Defend it.
47:09Maintain order in the courtroom.
47:10Your honor, just a few words.
47:11I remember every entry in that ledger.
47:13I've read it every day this past month.
47:15The more I read, the more I realized I wasn't even human.
47:18Stella, it's not that daddy didn't love you.
47:19I just didn't know how.
47:21I've spent half my life knowing how to calculate money, but never how to be a father.
47:25Let me start over, okay?
47:26I want to buy you a piece of cake with my own hands.
47:29I want to hear you call me dad.
47:30Just once.
47:31The bailiff held him back as he reached for me.
47:33But between us wasn't just the rail.
47:35It was ten years of debt he'd built himself.
47:37Please, just once.
47:40Will this piece of cake cost two dollars too?
47:44Julian's hand froze in mid-air, then slowly fell.
47:48He dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands.
47:51My fingers tightened around the edge of the ledger until my knuckles came white.
47:54But I didn't look back.
47:55I looked at the judge.
47:57Your honor, this cake at your house cost two dollars a slice too?
48:07Mr. Ashford, do you have anything else to say?
48:13Julian slowly stood up.
48:15He looked at me on the plaintiff's side.
48:18The daughter he'd never held or told he loved.
48:21Now wearing beautiful new clothes.
48:24He realized he'd never bought me new clothes.
48:26I always wore Evelyn's hand-me-downs,
48:29though price tags never mattered for her.
48:31His daughter stood in court,
48:33tearing open her own wounds
48:35and laying ten years of her life before everyone
48:37just to sever all ties with him.
48:40Ignoring his lawyer's frantic signals,
48:43Julian shook his head.
48:45I have no objection.
48:47Mr. Ashford?
48:49What are you doing?
48:51I agree to every request made by the plaintiff.
48:56What I owe her can never be repaid.
48:57If it makes her happy, she can have anything she wants.
49:03Even cutting ties is fine.
49:06His voice broke on the last two words.
49:12This court rules in favor of all the plaintiff's requests.
49:16Julian Ashford's custody rights are terminated.
49:19Frank is appointed temporary guardian.
49:22Julian Ashford shall pay two million dollars in child support
49:26and damages for abuse.
49:31After court adjourned,
49:34Julian pushed through the crowd and came to me.
49:39He took a bank card from inside his suit and held it out.
49:42There's ten million dollars on this card.
49:45Two million is the court ordered amount.
49:47The remaining eight million is for your education.
49:49It's enough from elementary school all the way through graduate school.
49:53The pin is your birthday.
49:54June 12.
49:55Daddy actually remembered.
49:57I only want what I'm owed.
50:01All right, whatever you want.
50:03But Stella, could you call me dad one more time?
50:06He didn't finish.
50:08Because he saw the wariness and caution in my eyes.
50:23Outside the courthouse, the rain had stopped.
50:28Someone was selling balloons near the entrance.
50:36This is for you. It's free.
50:40I looked at the balloon floating above my head.
50:44It was the first gift I'd ever received in my life.
50:50I lived well with Frank's family.
50:52My eye healed nicely.
50:53It left a scar, but thankfully my vision wasn't affected.
50:57Later, Victoria went to prison for abuse after Julian reported her.
51:00Then Julian's stock clashed and he was hit with a huge fine.
51:02He was no longer the richest man in town.
51:05One year later.
51:08Outside the school gate, I saw a familiar luxury car.
51:11Someone was standing beside it.
51:13Julian.
51:15He had aged a lot that year.
51:17He was holding an elegant cake.
51:19When he saw me, he forced an eager smile and came over.
51:22Stella, school's out?
51:24He looked nervous and awkward.
51:26He took one step towards me, then backed away, as if afraid that getting too close would scare me off.
51:31I stepped back half a post and looked at him coldly.
51:34Mr. Ashford, why are you here?
51:37It's your birthday today.
51:39He held the cake out to me.
51:40I had this made for your 11th birthday.
51:43A tiny girl stood on top of the cake, wearing a blue dress and smiling.
51:47She looked a lot like me.
51:49Daddy never celebrated your birthday before.
51:51Let me make it up to you today, okay?
51:54I don't want it.
51:55I don't think I'll ever want cake again.
51:57And I don't celebrate my birthday anymore.
52:00Why?
52:01All kids like birthdays!
52:02Because my birth was a mistake.
52:05What's there to celebrate about the beginning of a mistake?
52:12Stella, don't say that.
52:14Daddy really knows he was wrong.
52:16You're daddy's precious girl.
52:18Forgive me.
52:18I'll treat you well from now on.
52:20He was older, whitehead, deeply lined.
52:23A year had worn his pride down to wariness.
52:26Maybe he truly regretted it.
52:29Maybe he didn't.
52:30It didn't matter anymore.
52:32I have a new dad and mom now.
52:34Stella, we've got a huge birthday dinner waiting for you.
52:37I gave Julian one last look and said nothing.
52:40Then I turned, smiled, and walked to Frank.
52:43Dad, let's go.
52:44Let's go home.
52:46Come on, Stella.
52:47Let's go home for your birthday dinner.
52:49Okay.
52:50Under the setting sun,
52:52the three figures stretched long across the ground,
52:55warm and close together.
52:56No, Stella!
52:57Don't leave me!
52:58When he saw me leaving,
53:00Julian scrambled up and hurried after us.
53:03Mr. Ashford, please control yourself.
53:04No, no.
53:06Stella is my daughter.
53:08I'm rich.
53:09I have so much money.
53:10I can give her the best life possible.
53:12It's been a year.
53:14You should have forgiven your father by now, right?
53:16Right, Stella?
53:17You're right.
53:18I'm not a real father.
53:19Not as rich.
53:20Maybe not great.
53:21But I'd never make her afraid on her birthday.
53:24Julian, remember this.
53:25You were the one who buried Stella's smile.
53:27You don't deserve to call yourself her father.
53:29No.
53:30That's not true.
53:32Dad, there couldn't be a better father than you.
53:34Let's go home.
53:35To our home.
53:36No, that can't be.
53:37I'm Stella's father.
53:38She won't leave.
53:39Please, please come back!
53:40Don't go!
53:40Daddy can't live without you!
53:42Julian wailed and reached for my shrinking figure,
53:44but he couldn't catch me.
53:45He could only watch as I disappeared from sight.
53:48From the moment I ran away,
53:49he'd already lost me forever.
53:55When we got home, Frank's wife welcomed us.
53:58She was a gentle woman with a round face and a soft voice.
54:01Stella's home.
54:02Go wash your hands.
54:03Dinner's ready.
54:03Knowing it was my birthday,
54:05she'd cooked an entire table full of food herself.
54:07Stella's home.
54:08Still in her apron, she set the table.
54:09Three place settings.
54:10The same size and the same color.
54:12No seat fee.
54:13No price tags.
54:14No prices at all.
54:15Only steaming food and warm smiles.
54:20What's wrong?
54:21Does dinner not taste good today?
54:25No.
54:26It's delicious today, too.
54:28The bread was soft.
54:29The food was hot.
54:30My favorite tomatoes were in the soup.
54:32And the red braising sauce glistened on the beef.
54:36This is the most expensive meal I've ever had.
54:40Expensive?
54:41Sweetheart, why are you talking about money again today?
54:43Food is free in our house.
54:44Eat as much as you want.
54:46That's exactly why it's expensive.
54:47Because it's filled with something priceless.
54:51Love.
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