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