😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/g5UIki
🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/i-flew-home-pregnant-only-to-see-his-secret-6aa0e4992d54042dab0172a6
🍁Notice: ReelShort All-in-One is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.
BREAKING NEWS: She didn't just leave him; she ruined him. 📉
Pregnant and ready to celebrate their 7th anniversary, Amelia flies home only to find her husband Trevor having a cozy dinner with someone else. Big mistake, Trevor. 🧊
In "I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret", Amelia sheds her housewife disguise and reclaims her true identity: Dr. Amelia Voss, the genius co-founder of Longmoor Labs. Watch the ultimate girl-boss take back her life, win sole custody, and leave her ex with absolutely nothing. 🥂
GENRE ➾ Female, Romance, Pregnancy, All-Too-Late
🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/i-flew-home-pregnant-only-to-see-his-secret-6aa0e4992d54042dab0172a6
🍁Notice: ReelShort All-in-One is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.
BREAKING NEWS: She didn't just leave him; she ruined him. 📉
Pregnant and ready to celebrate their 7th anniversary, Amelia flies home only to find her husband Trevor having a cozy dinner with someone else. Big mistake, Trevor. 🧊
In "I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret", Amelia sheds her housewife disguise and reclaims her true identity: Dr. Amelia Voss, the genius co-founder of Longmoor Labs. Watch the ultimate girl-boss take back her life, win sole custody, and leave her ex with absolutely nothing. 🥂
GENRE ➾ Female, Romance, Pregnancy, All-Too-Late
类别
🎥
微电影文字稿
00:00:04I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.
00:00:08Today was my 31st birthday. It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.
00:00:12The doctor told me not to fly. I flew anyway. Not because of love.
00:00:16Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.
00:00:21I told the baby's in my belly, this is the last time.
00:00:23After this, we stopped waiting for him.
00:00:25He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.
00:00:27Tomorrow morning at 9, he would find out what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.
00:00:33By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.
00:00:37I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.
00:00:41When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.
00:00:46There was nothing from Trevor.
00:00:50By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.
00:00:54Henry opened the door for me.
00:00:55Mrs. Hale, you... What brings you here?
00:00:58Where's Trevor and Adi?
00:01:00Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.
00:01:02This is upstairs, playing with that box of shells.
00:01:07I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.
00:01:11The hallway was very quiet.
00:01:12Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.
00:01:17I pushed the door open and went in.
00:01:18She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.
00:01:25My footsteps were light.
00:01:27She looked up, her eyes lighting up.
00:01:30Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.
00:01:33I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.
00:01:38Mom, don't bother me, I'm busy.
00:01:40I hadn't seen her in more than two months.
00:01:42No number of kisses would have been enough.
00:01:43But she had already wriggled out of my arms.
00:01:46Is Adi making a shell necklace?
00:01:48Mmm.
00:01:49In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.
00:01:52This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.
00:01:55Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.
00:01:57Aren't they pretty?
00:02:02She held the necklace up in front of me.
00:02:04That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on the beach at Big Sum last
00:02:08year.
00:02:08My throat tightened sharply.
00:02:10Before I could speak, she added happily,
00:02:12Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.
00:02:14Tomorrow, she didn't finish.
00:02:16I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.
00:02:18This time last year, it had been a night just like this.
00:02:21The charity gala for Children's Hospital.
00:02:23Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide
00:02:27I had given him for our sixth anniversary.
00:02:30One of only three out-of-print copies,
00:02:31the one I had found among my late father's belongings.
00:02:34The hammer price was $420,000.
00:02:37Donated to set up a trust for the child.
00:02:39Cassidy had left from cold.
00:02:40I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.
00:02:45I thought I could endure one more year.
00:02:48Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.
00:02:51She looked up.
00:02:54Do you remember Mommy's birthday?
00:02:56She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.
00:02:59For five seconds.
00:03:01Mommy's birthday?
00:03:02She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.
00:03:07Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?
00:03:12She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.
00:03:15Mom, don't talk to me.
00:03:16You're messing up the order.
00:03:18I didn't speak again.
00:03:20I let go of the arm I had around her.
00:03:26When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.
00:03:30Mrs. Hale.
00:03:31I called Mr. Hale just now.
00:03:33He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.
00:03:37I see.
00:03:37I answered softly.
00:03:39After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.
00:03:41The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
00:03:44His voice was faint.
00:03:45I'm busy.
00:03:46Tomorrow.
00:03:48From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.
00:03:51Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.
00:03:54Who is it this late?
00:03:55It was Cassidy.
00:03:56I tightened my grip on the phone.
00:03:58Trevor paused, then said to me,
00:04:00Nothing.
00:04:01Before I could speak, he hung up.
00:04:03I sat on the sofa for a long time.
00:04:06The two children in my belly moved.
00:04:08I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.
00:04:10I said to them,
00:04:12Mommy understands now.
00:04:14Mommy thought seven years was long enough.
00:04:16That one year, he would remember to come home.
00:04:21Tonight was the last time.
00:04:22Mommy won't wait for him anymore.
00:04:28At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.
00:04:32Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.
00:04:34I didn't go in.
00:04:35Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.
00:04:39She was talking to Henry.
00:04:41Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.
00:04:43She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.
00:04:45Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.
00:04:47Miss, why would you be unhappy?
00:04:49Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Kid Cod tomorrow.
00:04:53If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.
00:04:58Miss, Madam is your mother.
00:04:59You can't say things like that.
00:05:01It will hurt her heart.
00:05:02Understand?
00:05:03I know.
00:05:03But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.
00:05:06But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.
00:05:09Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?
00:05:11I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.
00:05:13My daughter was my own flesh and blood.
00:05:15I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.
00:05:18Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.
00:05:22Cole is gone.
00:05:23I have to go to Cassidy right away.
00:05:25Cole had died in a car accident the night before.
00:05:28Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.
00:05:30After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.
00:05:34Henry said nothing more.
00:05:35I walked back to my room and closed the door.
00:05:37I sat down by the bed.
00:05:39I didn't cry.
00:05:40I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.
00:05:42I opened my phone.
00:05:44I sent Trevor a text.
00:05:45Trevor, let's have lunch together today.
00:05:47Just the three of us.
00:05:48Ady wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.
00:05:50I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.
00:05:52He replied about 20 minutes later.
00:05:55Got it.
00:05:55You set the time.
00:05:56Looking at that, got it.
00:05:57I nearly laughed out loud.
00:06:00Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.
00:06:04Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.
00:06:07Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.
00:06:10I wrote back.
00:06:1312.30 Mistral.
00:06:14Got it.
00:06:15I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.
00:06:18I had picked it out myself last year.
00:06:20Trevor had never seen it once.
00:06:21At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.
00:06:23Halfway there, my phone buzzed.
00:06:24It was Trevor.
00:06:25Something urgent came up at noon.
00:06:27Lunch is canceled.
00:06:27Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text
00:06:31for a long time.
00:06:36If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?
00:06:39Or when you're done, should I wait for you?
00:06:41I would have waited.
00:06:43I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon
00:06:46water, then drive home.
00:06:48Dad is busy today.
00:06:49It isn't easy for him.
00:06:50But today, I didn't reply.
00:06:52I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.
00:06:55I wasn't acting out of spite.
00:06:57I just suddenly wanted to take a look.
00:06:59I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.
00:07:02I parked across the street from Mistral.
00:07:04I didn't go in right away.
00:07:06I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.
00:07:09Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.
00:07:13Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.
00:07:15Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
00:07:18Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.
00:07:22Adi opened her mouth and ate it.
00:07:24Trevor sat across from them.
00:07:25He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.
00:07:29He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.
00:07:32He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.
00:07:36His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was
00:07:40the only person left.
00:07:41I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.
00:07:45His wife, his childhood friend's widow, his daughter.
00:07:49Three people at one table.
00:07:50The seat that should have been across from him was empty.
00:07:52I didn't go in.
00:07:53I turned around and walked back to the car.
00:07:56I started the engine.
00:07:58The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.
00:08:01It wasn't rain.
00:08:03Even I didn't know when they had fallen.
00:08:05I smiled a little.
00:08:06I said to myself, Amelia, do you see it clearly now?
00:08:09I see it clearly.
00:08:10I drove away.
00:08:11I didn't look back at Mistral once.
00:08:13When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.
00:08:16Only Henry was in the old house.
00:08:17When he saw me, he froze.
00:08:19Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?
00:08:20Mr. Hale had something come up.
00:08:22Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.
00:08:24I went upstairs and entered the study.
00:08:26I opened the computer and connected to the home network.
00:08:28On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.
00:08:33Folder, AMV only.
00:08:34I opened it.
00:08:35There were four things inside.
00:08:37A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.
00:08:39The version I had personally scanned and archived.
00:08:45A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.
00:08:50I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.
00:08:54A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.
00:08:59A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago,
00:09:03showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.
00:09:13From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.
00:09:16It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.
00:09:20Sis, here.
00:09:21In case you need it someday.
00:09:23I won't need it.
00:09:24She wrote back,
00:09:26Sis, stop lying to yourself.
00:09:34Two o'clock this afternoon.
00:09:36I needed it.
00:09:37I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.
00:09:41I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.
00:09:48I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.
00:09:53I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.
00:09:57I looked at it for a long time.
00:09:59I wasn't reluctant to let go.
00:10:02I simply added one line of caption to that photo.
00:10:05Exhibit C.
00:10:07Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute,
00:10:11during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.
00:10:13This date was Plantis' birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.
00:10:18Print.
00:10:19Sign.
00:10:20Amelia M. Voss.
00:10:22Not Hale.
00:10:23Voss.
00:10:24I hadn't used that surname in 7 years.
00:10:27After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.
00:10:32On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.
00:10:35To Trevor Hale.
00:10:37I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.
00:10:40That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.
00:10:43I went downstairs.
00:10:46Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.
00:10:49When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.
00:10:54Mrs. Hale.
00:10:55Henry.
00:10:56I pointed to the envelope for him.
00:10:58When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.
00:11:01I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.
00:11:03Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.
00:11:05He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.
00:11:08He had seen everything.
00:11:11Seven years.
00:11:12Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who brought me
00:11:17soup.
00:11:19Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.
00:11:24At last, he spoke in a low voice.
00:11:27You won't be coming back this time.
00:11:29I didn't answer.
00:11:30I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.
00:11:38Henry.
00:11:39At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.
00:11:45I was originally scheduled to attend.
00:11:51The Plaintiff was not present.
00:11:53Please sign by hand later as a witness.
00:11:55Amelia M. Vosth after Henry finished reading it.
00:11:57His hand trembled.
00:11:58He looked up at me.
00:11:59Just sign your name.
00:12:00If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.
00:12:04If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.
00:12:06I won't force you.
00:12:07Henry was silent for five seconds.
00:12:08Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.
00:12:11He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.
00:12:13Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.
00:12:15I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.
00:12:18Mrs. Dr. Vosth.
00:12:20It was the first time he called me that.
00:12:21Thank you for these seven years.
00:12:23He lowered his head.
00:12:24I failed you.
00:12:25By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.
00:12:29I didn't look back at that house again.
00:12:30In the car, I sent Zara three messages.
00:12:32That post-nup can be used now.
00:12:34I am on my way to the airport.
00:12:36Five o'clock flight to SFO.
00:12:37Charles will pick me up.
00:12:38I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.
00:12:40She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.
00:12:42The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.
00:12:45I rested my hand on my belly.
00:12:47The two children moved.
00:12:48I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.
00:12:51Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.
00:12:54Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.
00:12:57There were 17 alarms in total.
00:12:59The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.
00:13:01The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time.
00:13:04Seven years.
00:13:04No, six years.
00:13:05Since Adi turned one.
00:13:07Every morning at six.
00:13:08Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup,
00:13:13in a meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.
00:13:16When the alarm rang, I called her.
00:13:18Mommy.
00:13:19She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.
00:13:21She answered the phone less and less.
00:13:23Finish breakfast?
00:13:24Go to school?
00:13:25Bye, mommy loves you.
00:13:26Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.
00:13:29She simply stopped answering.
00:13:31I had never deleted that alarm.
00:13:32I told myself what if one day she remembered mommy.
00:13:34What if one day she was willing to answer again?
00:13:36I had to be online at that moment.
00:13:38At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.
00:13:42That alarm rang too.
00:13:46At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.
00:13:51I stared at the phone screen.
00:13:53She was upstairs.
00:13:55She didn't hear it.
00:13:57Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.
00:13:59I stared at that alarm for a long time.
00:14:01I deleted it.
00:14:02The plane taxied down the runway.
00:14:04The engine noise grew louder and louder.
00:14:06I closed my eyes.
00:14:08I said one thing to myself.
00:14:10You've done everything you needed to do.
00:14:13I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.
00:14:17The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.
00:14:19If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,
00:14:24the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.
00:14:32Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.
00:14:35Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.
00:14:38See how much Trevor protects you?
00:14:41I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.
00:14:44It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.
00:14:48And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.
00:14:52I signed.
00:14:54Trevor signed too.
00:14:55He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.
00:14:57To keep my wife safe from my own family.
00:14:59To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.
00:15:02Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.
00:15:05He had hardly protected me at all, but he had indeed left me a gun.
00:15:10Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.
00:15:14Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.
00:15:18Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.
00:15:22The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.
00:15:25Clouds spread out beyond the wing.
00:15:27Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.
00:15:30I closed the forder.
00:15:31I told myself,
00:15:33Amelia, you don't love him anymore.
00:15:36It wasn't something that happened overnight.
00:15:38I'm in a meeting.
00:15:40Again and again, he said,
00:15:41She needs me.
00:15:42Again and again, he said,
00:15:43Your hormones are unstable.
00:15:46Again and again, he said,
00:15:47Cassidy has it hard.
00:15:48He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.
00:15:50Until it turned to ash.
00:15:52When the wind blew, nothing was left.
00:15:54I closed my eyes.
00:15:55One of the two children in my belly moved.
00:15:56And the other moved with them.
00:15:58I smiled.
00:15:59I said to them,
00:16:01Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.
00:16:03Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.
00:16:05Starting today.
00:16:24I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins.
00:16:26Just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.
00:16:29Today was my 31st birthday.
00:16:30It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.
00:16:32The doctor told me not to fly.
00:16:34I flew anyway.
00:16:35Not because of love.
00:16:36Because, after 7 years,
00:16:38I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.
00:16:41I told the babies in my belly,
00:16:42This is the last time.
00:16:43After this, we stopped waiting for him.
00:16:45He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.
00:16:48Tomorrow morning at 9,
00:16:49He would find out,
00:16:50What he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.
00:16:53By the time I landed at Logan Airport,
00:16:55It was already past 9 at night.
00:16:57I thought that,
00:16:58If only for the sake of these 7 years,
00:17:00He should come home tonight.
00:17:01When I walked out of the airport,
00:17:02My phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.
00:17:06There was nothing from Trevor.
00:17:10By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,
00:17:12It was almost 10.30.
00:17:13Henry opened the door for me.
00:17:16Mrs. Hale, you...
00:17:17What brings you here?
00:17:18Where's Trevor?
00:17:20And Adi?
00:17:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.
00:17:22Mrs. Upstairs,
00:17:23Playing with that box of shells.
00:17:27I nodded,
00:17:28Handed him my coat,
00:17:28And went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.
00:17:31The hallway was very quiet.
00:17:33Adi's bedroom door was half open,
00:17:35A warm little lamp glowing inside.
00:17:37I pushed the door open and went in.
00:17:39She was wearing pink pajamas,
00:17:41Sitting cross-legged on the carpet,
00:17:42Focused on stringing a shell necklace.
00:17:45My footsteps were light.
00:17:47Adi...
00:17:48She looked up,
00:17:48Her eyes lighting up.
00:17:50Then she lowered her head again,
00:17:51And went back to fiddling with the beads.
00:17:53I crouched down,
00:17:54Held my belly,
00:17:55Pulled her into my arms,
00:17:57And kissed her.
00:17:58Mom, don't bother me.
00:17:59I'm busy.
00:18:00I hadn't seen her in more than two months.
00:18:02No number of kisses would have been enough.
00:18:03But she had already wriggled out of my arms.
00:18:06Is Adi making a shell necklace?
00:18:08Mmm.
00:18:09In one week,
00:18:10It'll be Aunt Cassidy's birthday.
00:18:11This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.
00:18:15Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.
00:18:17Aren't they pretty?
00:18:22She held the necklace up in front of me.
00:18:24That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sun last year.
00:18:28My throat tightened sharply.
00:18:30Before I could speak,
00:18:31She added happily,
00:18:32Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.
00:18:34Tomorrow,
00:18:35She didn't finish.
00:18:36I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.
00:18:38This time last year,
00:18:39It had been a night just like this.
00:18:41The charity gala for Children's Hospital.
00:18:43Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our sixth anniversary.
00:18:50One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.
00:18:54The hammer price was $420,000.
00:18:57Donated to set up a trust for the child.
00:18:59Cassidy had left from cold.
00:19:01I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.
00:19:05I thought I could endure one more year.
00:19:08Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.
00:19:11She looked up.
00:19:14Do you remember Mommy's birthday?
00:19:16She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.
00:19:19For five seconds.
00:19:21Mommy's birthday?
00:19:22She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.
00:19:27Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?
00:19:32She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.
00:19:35Mom, don't talk to me.
00:19:37You're messing up the order.
00:19:38I didn't speak again.
00:19:40I let go of the arm I had around her.
00:19:46When I went downstairs,
00:19:48Henry was waiting in the living room.
00:19:50Mrs. Hale.
00:19:51I called Mr. Hale just now.
00:19:53He said he has something to do tonight
00:19:55and asked you to rest first.
00:19:57I see.
00:19:57I answered softly.
00:19:59After thinking for a moment,
00:20:00I still called Trevor.
00:20:01The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
00:20:04His voice was faint.
00:20:06I'm busy.
00:20:06Tomorrow.
00:20:08From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.
00:20:11Soft.
00:20:12Natural.
00:20:12As if she had been by his side all night.
00:20:14Who is it this late?
00:20:15It was Cassidy.
00:20:16I tightened my grip on the phone.
00:20:18Trevor paused, then said to me,
00:20:20Nothing.
00:20:21Before I could speak, he hung up.
00:20:23I sat on the sofa for a long time.
00:20:26The two children in my belly moved.
00:20:28I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.
00:20:31I said to them,
00:20:32Mommy understands now.
00:20:34Mommy thought seven years was long enough that
00:20:37one year, he would remember to come home.
00:20:41Tonight was the last time.
00:20:42Mommy won't wait for him anymore.
00:20:48At 6.30 the next morning,
00:20:50I went downstairs.
00:20:51Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.
00:20:54I didn't go in.
00:20:55Halfway there,
00:20:56I heard Adi's voice drifting over
00:20:58from the other side of the kitchen.
00:20:59She was talking to Henry.
00:21:01Her voice wasn't loud,
00:21:02but she was still little.
00:21:03She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.
00:21:05Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.
00:21:07Miss, why would you be unhappy?
00:21:09Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy
00:21:12to Cape Cod tomorrow.
00:21:13If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,
00:21:16Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.
00:21:18Miss, Madam is your mother.
00:21:20You can't say things like that.
00:21:21It will hurt her heart, understand?
00:21:23I know.
00:21:24But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.
00:21:26But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.
00:21:29Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?
00:21:31I stood at the foot of the stairs,
00:21:32unable to move even half a step.
00:21:33My daughter was my own flesh and blood.
00:21:35I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.
00:21:38Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.
00:21:42Cole is gone.
00:21:43I have to go to Cassidy right away.
00:21:45Cole had died in a car accident the night before.
00:21:48Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.
00:21:50After that night,
00:21:51the two of them were never truly apart again.
00:21:54Henry said nothing more.
00:21:55I walked back to my room and closed the door.
00:21:57I sat down by the bed.
00:21:59I didn't cry.
00:22:00I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.
00:22:02I opened my phone.
00:22:03I sent Trevor a text.
00:22:05Trevor, let's have lunch together today.
00:22:07Just the three of us.
00:22:0880 wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.
00:22:10I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.
00:22:12He replied about 20 minutes later.
00:22:15Got it.
00:22:15You set the time.
00:22:16Looking at that, got it.
00:22:17I nearly laughed out loud.
00:22:20Seven years ago,
00:22:21when he was pursuing me,
00:22:22he wrote 15 love letters.
00:22:24Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.
00:22:27Seven years later,
00:22:28his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.
00:22:30I wrote back.
00:22:3312.30 Mistral.
00:22:34Got it.
00:22:35I washed up, did my makeup,
00:22:36and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.
00:22:38I had picked it out myself last year.
00:22:40Trevor had never seen it once.
00:22:41At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.
00:22:43Halfway there, my phone buzzed.
00:22:44It was Trevor.
00:22:45Something urgent came up at noon.
00:22:47Lunch is canceled.
00:22:48Next time,
00:22:48I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive
00:22:50and stared at that text for a long time.
00:22:56If it had been before,
00:22:58I would have immediately replied,
00:22:59okay?
00:22:59Or when you're done,
00:23:00should I wait for you?
00:23:01I would have waited.
00:23:03I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon,
00:23:06drink two glasses of lemon water,
00:23:07then drive home.
00:23:08Dad is busy today.
00:23:09It isn't easy for him.
00:23:10But today,
00:23:11I didn't reply.
00:23:12I started the car again
00:23:14and drove toward Back Bay.
00:23:15I wasn't acting out of spite.
00:23:17I just suddenly wanted to take a look.
00:23:18I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.
00:23:22I parked across the street from Mistral.
00:23:24I didn't go in right away.
00:23:26I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.
00:23:29Inside,
00:23:29at the old table by the window,
00:23:31the three of them were sitting there.
00:23:33Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.
00:23:35Adi tilted her head up,
00:23:36telling her jokes,
00:23:37her shoulders shaking with laughter.
00:23:38Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,
00:23:40taking a bite herself first before handing it over.
00:23:42Adi opened her mouth and ate it.
00:23:44Trevor sat across from them.
00:23:46He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat
00:23:48I had picked out for him last Christmas.
00:23:49He was smiling,
00:23:50the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.
00:23:52He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate,
00:23:55then one for Adi.
00:23:56His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time,
00:23:59as if in the entire restaurant,
00:24:00she was the only person left.
00:24:01I stood outside the glass window,
00:24:03carrying two unborn children in my belly,
00:24:05his wife,
00:24:06his childhood friend's widow,
00:24:08his daughter,
00:24:09three people at one table.
00:24:10The seat that should have been across from him was empty.
00:24:12I didn't go in.
00:24:13I turned around and walked back to the car.
00:24:16I started the engine.
00:24:18The windshield wiper swept across the glass,
00:24:20wiping away two drops of water.
00:24:22It wasn't rain.
00:24:23Even I didn't know when they had fallen.
00:24:25I smiled a little.
00:24:26I said to myself,
00:24:27Amelia, do you see it clearly now?
00:24:29I see it clearly.
00:24:30I drove away.
00:24:31I didn't look back at Mistral once.
00:24:33When I returned to Beacon Hill,
00:24:34it was 1.30 in the afternoon.
00:24:36Only Henry was in the old house.
00:24:37When he saw me, he froze.
00:24:39Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?
00:24:40Mr. Hale had something come up.
00:24:42Henry opened in his mouth,
00:24:43then said nothing.
00:24:43I went upstairs and entered the study.
00:24:46I opened the computer and connected to the home network.
00:24:48On the desktop was a folder,
00:24:50password locked and hidden for seven years.
00:24:53Folder, AMV only.
00:24:54I opened it.
00:24:55There were four things inside.
00:24:57A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.
00:24:59The version I had personally scanned and archived.
00:25:06A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.
00:25:10I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely,
00:25:13and he didn't know.
00:25:14A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.
00:25:19A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago,
00:25:23showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.
00:25:33From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.
00:25:36It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.
00:25:40Sis, here.
00:25:42In case you need it someday.
00:25:43I won't need it.
00:25:44She wrote back,
00:25:46Sis, stop lying to yourself.
00:25:54Two o'clock this afternoon.
00:25:56I needed it.
00:25:57I copied article eight of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.
00:26:01I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.
00:26:08I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.
00:26:13I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.
00:26:17I looked at it for a long time.
00:26:19I wasn't reluctant to let go.
00:26:22I simply added one line of caption to that photo.
00:26:25Exhibit C.
00:26:27Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute,
00:26:31during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.
00:26:33This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.
00:26:38Print.
00:26:39Sign.
00:26:40Amelia M. Voss.
00:26:42Not Hale.
00:26:43Voss.
00:26:44I hadn't used that surname in seven years.
00:26:47After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.
00:26:52On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.
00:26:55To Trevor Hale.
00:26:57I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.
00:27:00That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.
00:27:03I went downstairs.
00:27:06Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.
00:27:09When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.
00:27:14Mrs. Hale.
00:27:15Henry.
00:27:16I pointed to the envelope for him.
00:27:18When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.
00:27:21I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.
00:27:23Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.
00:27:25He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.
00:27:27He had seen everything.
00:27:31Seven years.
00:27:32Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who brought me
00:27:38soup.
00:27:39Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.
00:27:44At last, he spoke in a low voice.
00:27:47You won't be coming back this time.
00:27:49I didn't answer.
00:27:51I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.
00:27:58Henry.
00:27:59At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.
00:28:05I was originally scheduled to attend.
00:28:19Just sign your name.
00:28:20If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.
00:28:24If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.
00:28:26I won't force you.
00:28:27Henry was silent for five seconds.
00:28:28Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.
00:28:31He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.
00:28:33Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.
00:28:35I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.
00:28:38Mrs. Dr. Voss.
00:28:40It was the first time he called me that.
00:28:41Thank you for these seven years.
00:28:43He lowered his head.
00:28:44I failed you.
00:28:45By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.
00:28:49I didn't look back at that house again.
00:28:50In the car, I sent Zara three messages.
00:28:53That post-nup can be used now.
00:28:54I am on my way to the airport.
00:28:56Five o'clock flight to SFO.
00:28:57Charles will pick me up.
00:28:58I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.
00:29:00She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.
00:29:02The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.
00:29:05I rested my hand on my belly.
00:29:07The two children moved.
00:29:08I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.
00:29:11Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.
00:29:14Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.
00:29:17There were 17 alarms in total.
00:29:19The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.
00:29:21The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time.
00:29:24Seven years.
00:29:24No, six years.
00:29:25Since Adi turned one, every morning at six.
00:29:28Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup,
00:29:33in a meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.
00:29:36When the alarm rang, I called her.
00:29:38Mommy.
00:29:39She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.
00:29:41She answered the phone less and less.
00:29:43Finish breakfast?
00:29:44Go to school?
00:29:45Bye, mommy loves you.
00:29:46Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.
00:29:49She simply stopped answering.
00:29:51I had never deleted that alarm.
00:29:52I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?
00:29:55What if one day she was willing to answer again?
00:29:56I had to be online at that moment.
00:29:58At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.
00:30:02That alarm rang too.
00:30:06At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.
00:30:11I stared at the phone screen.
00:30:13She was upstairs.
00:30:15She didn't hear it.
00:30:17Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.
00:30:19I stared at that alarm for a long time.
00:30:21I deleted it.
00:30:22The plane taxied down the runway.
00:30:24The engine noise grew louder and louder.
00:30:26I closed my eyes.
00:30:28I said one thing to myself.
00:30:30You've done everything you needed to do.
00:30:33I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.
00:30:37The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.
00:30:39If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,
00:30:44the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.
00:30:52Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.
00:30:55Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.
00:30:59See how much Trevor protects you?
00:31:01I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.
00:31:05It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.
00:31:08And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.
00:31:12I signed.
00:31:14Trevor signed too.
00:31:15He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.
00:31:17To keep my wife safe from my own family.
00:31:19To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.
00:31:23Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.
00:31:25He had hardly protected me at all.
00:31:28But he had indeed left me a gun.
00:31:30Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.
00:31:34Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.
00:31:38Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.
00:31:42The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.
00:31:45Clouds spread out beyond the wing.
00:31:47Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.
00:31:50I closed the forder.
00:31:51I told myself,
00:31:53Amelia, you don't love him anymore.
00:31:56It wasn't something that happened overnight.
00:31:58I'm in a meeting.
00:32:00Again and again, he said,
00:32:01She needs me.
00:32:02Again and again, he said,
00:32:04Your hormones are unstable.
00:32:06Again and again, he said,
00:32:07Cassidy has it hard.
00:32:08I wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.
00:32:10Until it turned to ash.
00:32:12When the wind blew, nothing was left.
00:32:14I closed my eyes.
00:32:15One of the two children in my belly moved.
00:32:17And the other moved with them.
00:32:18I smiled.
00:32:20I said to them,
00:32:21Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.
00:32:23Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.
00:32:25Starting today.
00:32:44I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.
00:32:48Today was my 31st birthday.
00:32:50It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.
00:32:53The doctor told me not to fly.
00:32:54I flew anyway.
00:32:55Not because of love.
00:32:56Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.
00:33:01I told the babies in my belly, this is the last time.
00:33:04After this, we stopped waiting for him.
00:33:05He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.
00:33:08Tomorrow morning at 9, he would find out, what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.
00:33:13By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.
00:33:17I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.
00:33:21When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.
00:33:26There was nothing from Trevor.
00:33:30By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.
00:33:34Henry opened the door for me.
00:33:35Mrs. Hale, you...
00:33:37What brings you here?
00:33:39Where's Trevor?
00:33:40And Adi...
00:33:40Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.
00:33:41Mrs. Upstairs, playing with that box of shells.
00:33:47I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.
00:33:51The hallway was very quiet.
00:33:53Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.
00:33:57I pushed the door open and went in.
00:33:59She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.
00:34:05My footsteps were light.
00:34:07Adi...
00:34:07She looked up, her eyes lighting up.
00:34:10Then she lowered her head again.
00:34:11And went back to fiddling with the beads.
00:34:13I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.
00:34:18Mom, don't bother me.
00:34:20I'm busy.
00:34:20I hadn't seen her in more than two months.
00:34:22No number of kisses would have been enough.
00:34:23But she had already wriggled out of my arms.
00:34:26Is Adi making a shell necklace?
00:34:28Mmm.
00:34:29In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.
00:34:32This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.
00:34:35Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.
00:34:37Aren't they pretty?
00:34:42She held the necklace up in front of me.
00:34:44That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.
00:34:48My throat tightened sharply.
00:34:50Before I could speak, she added happily.
00:34:52Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.
00:34:54Tomorrow.
00:34:55She didn't finish.
00:34:56I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.
00:34:58This time last year, it had been a night just like this.
00:35:01The charity gala for Children's Hospital.
00:35:03Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our sixth anniversary.
00:35:10One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.
00:35:14The hammer price was $420,000.
00:35:17Donated to set up a trust for the child.
00:35:19Cassidy had left from cold.
00:35:21I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.
00:35:26I thought I could endure one more year.
00:35:28Adi, Mommy wants to ask you something.
00:35:31She looked up.
00:35:34Do you remember Mommy's birthday?
00:35:36She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.
00:35:39For five seconds.
00:35:41Mommy's birthday?
00:35:43She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.
00:35:47Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?
00:35:52She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.
00:35:55Mom, don't talk to me.
00:35:57You're messing up the order.
00:35:58I didn't speak again.
00:36:00I let go of the arm I had around her.
00:36:06When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.
00:36:10Mrs. Hale.
00:36:11I called Mr. Hale just now.
00:36:13He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.
00:36:17I see.
00:36:17I answered softly.
00:36:19After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.
00:36:21The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
00:36:24His voice was faint.
00:36:25I'm busy tomorrow.
00:36:29From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.
00:36:31Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.
00:36:34Who is it this late?
00:36:35It was Cassidy.
00:36:36I tightened my grip on the phone.
00:36:38Trevor paused, then said to me,
00:36:40Nothing.
00:36:41Before I could speak, he hung up.
00:36:44I sat on the sofa for a long time.
00:36:46The two children in my belly moved.
00:36:48I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.
00:36:51I said to them,
00:36:52Mommy understands now.
00:36:54Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one year he would remember to come home.
00:37:01Tonight was the last time.
00:37:03Mommy won't wait for him anymore.
00:37:08At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.
00:37:12Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.
00:37:14I didn't go in.
00:37:15Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.
00:37:19She was talking to Henry.
00:37:21Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.
00:37:23She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.
00:37:25Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.
00:37:27Miss, why would you be unhappy?
00:37:29Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.
00:37:33If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,
00:37:36Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.
00:37:38Miss, Madam is your mother.
00:37:40You can't say things like that.
00:37:41It will hurt her heart, understand?
00:37:43I know.
00:37:44But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.
00:37:46But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.
00:37:49Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?
00:37:51I skipped the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.
00:37:54My daughter was my own flesh and blood.
00:37:55I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.
00:37:58Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.
00:38:02Cole is gone.
00:38:03I have to go to Cassidy right away.
00:38:05Cole had died in a car accident the night before.
00:38:08Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.
00:38:11After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.
00:38:14Henry said nothing more.
00:38:15I walked back to my room and closed the door.
00:38:17I sat down by the bed.
00:38:19I didn't cry.
00:38:20I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.
00:38:22I opened my phone.
00:38:24I sent Trevor a text.
00:38:25Trevor, let's have lunch together today.
00:38:27Just the three of us.
00:38:28A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.
00:38:30I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.
00:38:32He replied about 20 minutes later.
00:38:35Got it.
00:38:35You set the time.
00:38:36Looking at that, got it.
00:38:38I nearly laughed out loud.
00:38:40Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.
00:38:44Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.
00:38:47Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.
00:38:50I wrote back.
00:38:5312.30 Mistral.
00:38:54Got it.
00:38:55I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.
00:38:58I had picked it out myself last year.
00:39:00Trevor had never seen it once.
00:39:01At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.
00:39:03Halfway there, my phone buzzed.
00:39:05It was Trevor.
00:39:05Something urgent came up at noon.
00:39:07Lunch is canceled.
00:39:08Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long
00:39:12time.
00:39:17If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?
00:39:19Or when you're done, should I wait for you?
00:39:21I would have waited.
00:39:23I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive
00:39:27home.
00:39:28Dad is busy today.
00:39:29It isn't easy for him.
00:39:30But today, I didn't reply.
00:39:32I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.
00:39:35I wasn't acting out of spite.
00:39:37I just suddenly wanted to take a look.
00:39:39I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.
00:39:42I parked across the street from Mistral.
00:39:44I didn't go in right away.
00:39:46I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.
00:39:49Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.
00:39:53Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.
00:39:55Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.
00:39:58Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.
00:40:02Adi opened her mouth and ate it.
00:40:04Trevor sat across from them.
00:40:06He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.
00:40:09He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.
00:40:12He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate.
00:40:15Then one for Adi.
00:40:16His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time.
00:40:19As if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person left.
00:40:21I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.
00:40:25His wife.
00:40:26His childhood friend's widow.
00:40:28His daughter.
00:40:29Three people at one table.
00:40:30The seat that should have been across from him was empty.
00:40:32I didn't go in.
00:40:34I turned around and walked back to the car.
00:40:36I started the engine.
00:40:38The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.
00:40:42It wasn't rain.
00:40:43Even I didn't know when they had fallen.
00:40:45I smiled a little.
00:40:46I said to myself, Amelia, do you see it clearly now?
00:40:49I see it clearly.
00:40:51I drove away.
00:40:52I didn't look back at Mistral once.
00:40:53When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.
00:40:56Only Henry was in the old house.
00:40:57When he saw me, he froze.
00:40:59Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?
00:41:00Mr. Hale had something come up.
00:41:01Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.
00:41:04I went upstairs and entered the study.
00:41:06I opened the computer and connected to the home network.
00:41:09On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.
00:41:13Folder, AMV only.
00:41:14I opened it.
00:41:15There were four things inside.
00:41:17A PDF of the post-nup from seven years ago.
00:41:19The version I had personally scanned and archived.
00:41:26A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.
00:41:30I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.
00:41:34A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.
00:41:39A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as
00:41:47Cole's widow.
00:41:53From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.
00:41:56It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.
00:42:00Sis, here.
00:42:02In case you need it someday.
00:42:03I won't need it.
00:42:05She wrote back,
00:42:06Sis, stop lying to yourself.
00:42:14Two o'clock this afternoon.
00:42:16I needed it.
00:42:17I copied article eight of the post-nip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.
00:42:22I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.
00:42:28I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.
00:42:33I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.
00:42:37I looked at it for a long time.
00:42:39I wasn't reluctant to let go.
00:42:42I simply added one line of caption to that photo.
00:42:45Exhibit C.
00:42:47Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.
00:42:54This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.
00:42:58Print.
00:43:00Sign.
00:43:01Amelia M. Voss.
00:43:02Not Hale.
00:43:03Voss.
00:43:04I hadn't used that surname in seven years.
00:43:07After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.
00:43:12On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.
00:43:15To Trevor Hale.
00:43:17I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.
00:43:20That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.
00:43:23I went downstairs.
00:43:26Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.
00:43:29When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.
00:43:34Mrs. Hale.
00:43:36Henry.
00:43:36I pointed to the envelope for him.
00:43:38When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.
00:43:41I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.
00:43:43Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.
00:43:45He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.
00:43:48He had seen everything.
00:43:51Seven years.
00:43:52Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who
00:43:57brought me soup.
00:43:59Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.
00:44:04At last, he spoke in a low voice.
00:44:07You won't be coming back this time.
00:44:09I didn't answer.
00:44:11I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.
00:44:18Henry.
00:44:19At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together
00:44:24at Mistral.
00:44:25I was originally scheduled to attend.
00:44:32Plaintiff was not present.
00:44:33Please sign by hand later as a witness.
00:44:35Amelia M. Vosk, after Henry finished reading it, his hand trembled.
00:44:38He looked up at me.
00:44:39Just sign your name.
00:44:41If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.
00:44:44If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.
00:44:46I won't force you.
00:44:47Henry was silent for five seconds.
00:44:49Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.
00:44:51He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.
00:44:53Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.
00:44:55I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.
00:44:58Mrs. Dr. Vosk.
00:45:00It was the first time he called me that.
00:45:02Thank you for these seven years.
00:45:03He lowered his head.
00:45:04I failed you.
00:45:05By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.
00:45:09I didn't look back at that house again.
00:45:10In the car, I sent Zara three messages.
00:45:13That post-nup can be used now.
00:45:14I am on my way to the airport.
00:45:16Five o'clock flight to SFO.
00:45:17Charles will pick me up.
00:45:18I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.
00:45:20She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.
00:45:22The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.
00:45:25I rested my hand on my belly.
00:45:27The two children moved.
00:45:28I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.
00:45:31Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.
00:45:34Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.
00:45:37There were 17 alarms in total.
00:45:39The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.
00:45:41The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time, seven years, no, six years, since Adi turned
00:45:46one, every morning at six.
00:45:48Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup, in a
00:45:53meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.
00:45:56When the alarm rang, I called her.
00:45:59Mommy.
00:45:59She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.
00:46:01She answered the phone less and less.
00:46:03Finish breakfast?
00:46:04Go to school?
00:46:05Bye, mommy loves you.
00:46:07Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.
00:46:09She simply stopped answering.
00:46:10I had never deleted that alarm.
00:46:12I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?
00:46:15What if one day she was willing to answer again?
00:46:17I had to be online at that moment.
00:46:18At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.
00:46:22That alarm rang too.
00:46:26At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.
00:46:31I stared at the phone screen.
00:46:33She was upstairs.
00:46:35She didn't hear it.
00:46:37Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.
00:46:39I stared at that alarm for a long time.
00:46:42I deleted it.
00:46:43The plane taxied down the runway.
00:46:44The engine noise grew louder and louder.
00:46:46I closed my eyes.
00:46:48I said one thing to myself.
00:46:50You've done everything you needed to do.
00:46:53I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.
00:46:57The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.
00:46:59If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic
00:47:04coercion, the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and
00:47:0775% of marital assets.
00:47:12Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.
00:47:15Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.
00:47:19See how much Trevor protects you?
00:47:21I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.
00:47:25It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.
00:47:29And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.
00:47:32I signed.
00:47:34Trevor signed too.
00:47:35He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.
00:47:37To keep my wife safe from my own family.
00:47:39To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.
00:47:43Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.
00:47:46He had hardly protected me at all.
00:47:48But he had indeed left me a gun.
00:47:51Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.
00:47:54Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.
00:47:58Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.
00:48:02The Hales the Cavan announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.
00:48:05Clouds spread out beyond the wing.
00:48:07Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.
00:48:10I closed the forder.
00:48:11I told myself,
00:48:13Amelia, you don't love him anymore.
00:48:16It wasn't something that happened overnight.
00:48:19I'm in a meeting.
00:48:20Again and again, he said,
00:48:21She needs me.
00:48:22Again and again, he said,
00:48:24Your hormones are unstable.
00:48:26Again and again, he said,
00:48:27Cassidy has it hard.
00:48:28He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit,
00:48:30until it turned to ash.
00:48:32When the wind blew, nothing was left.
00:48:34I closed my eyes.
00:48:35One of the two children in my belly moved,
00:48:37and the other moved with them.
00:48:38I smiled.
00:48:40I said to them,
00:48:41Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.
00:48:43Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.
00:48:45Starting today.
00:49:04I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins,
00:49:07just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.
00:49:08Today was my 31st birthday.
00:49:10It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.
00:49:13The doctor told me not to fly.
00:49:14I flew anyway.
00:49:15Not because of love.
00:49:16Because, after 7 years,
00:49:18I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.
00:49:21I told the babies in my belly,
00:49:22This is the last time.
00:49:24After this, we stopped waiting for him.
00:49:25He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.
00:49:28Tomorrow morning at 9,
00:49:29he would find out
00:49:30what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.
00:49:33By the time I landed at Logan Airport,
00:49:35it was already past 9 at night.
00:49:37I thought that,
00:49:38if only for the sake of these 7 years,
00:49:40he should come home tonight.
00:49:41When I walked out of the airport,
00:49:42my phone was full of birthday wishes
00:49:44from colleagues and old classmates.
00:49:46There was nothing from Trevor.
00:49:50By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,
00:49:53it was almost 10.30.
00:49:54Henry opened the door for me.
00:49:56Mrs. Hale, you...
00:49:57What brings you here?
00:49:59Where's Trevor and Adi?
00:50:00Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.
00:50:02Mrs. Upstairs, playing with that box of shells.
00:50:07I nodded, handed him my coat,
00:50:09and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.
00:50:11The hallway was very quiet.
00:50:13Adi's bedroom door was half open,
00:50:15a warm little lamp glowing inside.
00:50:17I pushed the door open and went in.
00:50:19She was wearing pink pajamas,
00:50:21sitting cross-legged on the carpet,
00:50:23focused on stringing a shell necklace.
00:50:25My footsteps were light,
00:50:27Adi.
00:50:27She looked up,
00:50:28her eyes lighting up.
00:50:30Then she lowered her head again,
00:50:31and went back to fiddling with the beads.
00:50:33I crouched down,
00:50:34held my belly,
00:50:36pulled her into my arms,
00:50:37and kissed her.
00:50:38Mom, don't bother me.
00:50:40I'm busy.
00:50:40I hadn't seen her in more than two months.
00:50:42No number of kisses would have been enough,
00:50:44but she had already wriggled out of my arms.
00:50:46Is Adi making a shell necklace?
00:50:48Mmm.
00:50:49In one week,
00:50:50it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.
00:50:52This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.
00:50:55Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.
00:50:57Aren't they pretty?
00:51:02She held the necklace up in front of me.
00:51:04That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sun last year.
00:51:08My throat tightened sharply.
00:51:10Before I could speak,
00:51:11she added happily.
00:51:12Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.
00:51:15Tomorrow,
00:51:15she didn't finish.
00:51:16I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.
00:51:18This time last year,
00:51:19it had been a night just like this.
00:51:21The charity gala for Children's Hospital.
00:51:23Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide
00:51:27I had given him for our sixth anniversary.
00:51:30One of only three out-of-print copies,
00:51:31the one I had found among my late father's belongings.
00:51:34The hammer price was $425,000.
00:51:37Donated to set up a trust for the child.
00:51:39Cassidy had left from cold.
00:51:41I sat in the third row at the time,
00:51:42smiling and applauding.
00:51:46I thought I could endure one more year.
00:51:48Adi,
00:51:49Mommy wants to ask you something.
00:51:51She looked up.
00:51:54Do you remember Mommy's birthday?
00:51:56She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.
00:51:59For five seconds.
00:52:01Mommy's birthday?
00:52:03She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.
00:52:07Mom,
00:52:08is your birthday the one in summer?
00:52:12She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.
00:52:15Mom,
00:52:16don't talk to me.
00:52:17You're messing up the order.
00:52:18I didn't speak again.
00:52:20I let go of the arm I had around her.
00:52:26When I went downstairs,
00:52:28Henry was waiting in the living room.
00:52:30Mrs. Hale,
00:52:31I called Mr. Hale just now.
00:52:33He said he has something to do tonight
00:52:35and asked you to rest first.
00:52:37I see.
00:52:38I answered softly.
00:52:39After thinking for a moment,
00:52:40I still called Trevor.
00:52:42The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
00:52:44His voice was faint.
00:52:46I'm busy.
00:52:46Tomorrow.
00:52:49From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.
00:52:51Soft,
00:52:52natural,
00:52:52as if she had been by his side all night.
00:52:54Who is it this late?
00:52:55It was Cassidy.
00:52:56I tightened my grip on the phone.
00:52:58Trevor paused,
00:52:59then said to me,
00:53:00Nothing.
00:53:01Before I could speak,
00:53:03he hung up.
00:53:03I sat on the sofa for a long time.
00:53:06The two children in my belly moved.
00:53:08I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.
00:53:11I said to them,
00:53:12Mommy understands now.
00:53:14Mommy thought seven years was long enough that
00:53:18one year he would remember to come home.
00:53:21Tonight was the last time.
00:53:23Mommy won't wait for him anymore.
00:53:28At 6.30 the next morning,
00:53:30I went downstairs.
00:53:32Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.
00:53:34I didn't go in.
00:53:36Halfway there,
00:53:36I heard Adi's voice drifting over
00:53:38from the other side of the kitchen.
00:53:39She was talking to Henry.
00:53:41Her voice wasn't loud,
00:53:42but she was still little.
00:53:43She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.
00:53:45Henry,
00:53:45I'm not happy that Mom came.
00:53:47Miss,
00:53:48why would you be unhappy?
00:53:49Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy
00:53:52to Cape Cod tomorrow.
00:53:53If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,
00:53:56Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.
00:53:58Miss,
00:53:59Madam is your mother.
00:54:00You can't say things like that.
00:54:01It will hurt her heart.
00:54:02Understand?
00:54:03I know.
00:54:04But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.
00:54:06But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.
00:54:09Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?
00:54:11I stood at the foot of the stairs,
00:54:12unable to move even half a step.
00:54:14My daughter was my own flesh and blood.
00:54:15I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.
00:54:18Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.
00:54:22Cole is gone.
00:54:23I have to go to Cassidy right away.
00:54:25Cole had died in a car accident the night before.
00:54:28Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.
00:54:31After that night,
00:54:32the two of them were never truly apart again.
00:54:34Henry said nothing more.
00:54:35I walked back to my room and closed the door.
00:54:37I sat down by the bed.
00:54:39I didn't cry.
00:54:40I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.
00:54:42I opened my phone.
00:54:44I sent Trevor a text.
00:54:45Trevor,
00:54:46let's have lunch together today.
00:54:47Just the three of us.
00:54:48A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.
00:54:50I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.
00:54:52He replied about 20 minutes later.
00:54:55Got it.
00:54:55You set the time.
00:54:56Looking at that,
00:54:57got it.
00:54:58I nearly laughed out loud.
00:55:00Seven years ago,
00:55:01when he was pursuing me,
00:55:02he wrote 15 love letters.
00:55:04Every one of them ended with yours,
00:55:06Trevor.
00:55:07Seven years later,
00:55:08his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.
00:55:10I wrote back.
00:55:131230 Mistral.
00:55:14Got it.
00:55:15I washed up,
00:55:16did my makeup,
00:55:16and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.
00:55:18I had picked it out myself last year.
00:55:20Trevor had never seen it once.
00:55:21At 1140,
00:55:22I drove to Back Bay.
00:55:23Halfway there,
00:55:24my phone buzzed.
00:55:25It was Trevor.
00:55:26Something urgent came up at noon.
00:55:27Lunch is canceled.
00:55:28Next time,
00:55:28I pulled over onto a small road beside Storrow Drive
00:55:31and stared at that text for a long time.
00:55:33I'm sorry.
00:55:37If it had been before,
00:55:38I would have immediately replied,
00:55:39okay?
00:55:39Or when you're done,
00:55:40should I wait for you?
00:55:41I would have waited.
00:55:43I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon,
00:55:46drink two glasses of lemon water,
00:55:47then drive home.
00:55:48Dad is busy today.
00:55:49It isn't easy for him.
00:55:50But today,
00:55:51I didn't reply.
00:55:53I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.
00:55:55I wasn't acting out of spite.
00:55:57I just suddenly wanted to take a look.
00:55:59I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.
00:56:02I parked across the street from Mistral.
00:56:04I didn't go in right away.
00:56:06I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.
00:56:09Inside,
00:56:10at the old table by the window,
00:56:11the three of them were sitting there.
00:56:13Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.
00:56:15Adi tilted her head up,
00:56:16telling her jokes,
00:56:17her shoulders shaking with laughter.
00:56:18Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,
00:56:20taking a bite herself first before handing it over.
00:56:22Adi opened her mouth and ate it.
00:56:24Trevor sat across from them.
00:56:26He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat
00:56:28I had picked out for him last Christmas.
00:56:29He was smiling,
00:56:30the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.
00:56:32He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate,
00:56:35then one for Adi.
00:56:36His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time,
00:56:39as if in the entire restaurant,
00:56:40she was the only person left.
00:56:41I stood outside the glass window,
00:56:43carrying two unborn children in my belly.
00:56:45His wife,
00:56:46his childhood friend's widow,
00:56:48his daughter,
00:56:49three people at one table.
00:56:50The seat that should have been across from him was empty.
00:56:52I didn't go in.
00:56:54I turned around and walked back to the car.
00:56:56I started the engine.
00:56:58The windshield wiper swept across the glass,
00:57:00wiping away two drops of water.
00:57:02It wasn't rain.
00:57:03Even I didn't know when they had fallen.
00:57:05I smiled a little.
00:57:06I said to myself,
00:57:08Amelia, do you see it clearly now?
00:57:09I see it clearly.
00:57:11I drove away.
00:57:12I didn't look back at Mistral once.
00:57:13When I returned to Beacon Hill,
00:57:14it was 1.30 in the afternoon.
00:57:16Only Henry was in the old house.
00:57:17When he saw me, he froze.
00:57:19Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?
00:57:20Mr. Hale had something come up.
00:57:21Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.
00:57:24I went upstairs and entered the study.
00:57:26I opened the computer and connected to the home network.
00:57:29On the desktop was a folder,
00:57:30password locked and hidden for seven years.
00:57:33Folder, AMV only.
00:57:34I opened it.
00:57:35There were four things inside.
00:57:37A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.
00:57:39The version I had personally scanned and archived.
00:57:46A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.
00:57:50I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely,
00:57:53and he didn't know.
00:57:54A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.
00:57:59A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago,
00:58:03showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.
00:58:13From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.
00:58:16It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.
00:58:20Sis, here.
00:58:22In case you need it someday.
00:58:23I won't need it.
00:58:25She wrote back,
00:58:26Sis, stop lying to yourself.
00:58:34Two o'clock this afternoon.
00:58:36I needed it.
00:58:37I copied article eight of the postnip into the first page of the agreement,
00:58:40word for word.
00:58:42I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation
00:58:46to the second page.
00:58:48I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.
00:58:53I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.
00:58:57I looked at it for a long time.
00:58:59I wasn't reluctant to let go.
00:59:02I simply added one line of caption to that photo.
00:59:05Exhibit C.
00:59:07Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute,
00:59:11during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.
00:59:14This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.
00:59:18Print.
00:59:20Sign.
00:59:21Amelia M. Voss.
00:59:22Not Hale.
00:59:23Voss.
00:59:24I hadn't used that surname in seven years.
00:59:27After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.
00:59:32On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.
00:59:35To Trevor Hale.
00:59:37I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.
00:59:40That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.
00:59:43I went downstairs.
00:59:46Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.
00:59:49When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.
00:59:54Mrs. Hale.
00:59:56Henry.
00:59:56I pointed to the envelope for him.
00:59:58When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.
01:00:01I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.
01:00:03Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.
01:00:05He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.
01:00:08He had seen everything.
01:00:11Seven years.
01:00:13Seven years.
01:00:13Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who
01:00:17brought me soup.
01:00:19Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.
01:00:25At last, he spoke in a low voice.
01:00:27You won't be coming back this time.
01:00:28I didn't answer.
01:00:31I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.
01:00:38Henry.
01:00:39At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together
01:00:45at Mistral.
01:00:45I was originally scheduled to attend.
01:00:52Plaintiff was not present.
01:00:53Please sign by hand later as a witness.
01:00:55Amelia M. Vosk after Henry finished reading it.
01:00:57His hand trembled.
01:00:58He looked up at me.
01:01:00Just sign your name.
01:01:01If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.
01:01:04If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.
01:01:06I won't force you.
01:01:07Henry was silent for five seconds.
01:01:09Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.
01:01:11He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.
01:01:13Henry Coleman, the 14th of March.
01:01:15I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.
01:01:18Mrs. Dr. Vosk.
01:01:20It was the first time he called me that.
01:01:22Thank you for these seven years.
01:01:23He lowered his head.
01:01:24I failed you.
01:01:25By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.
01:01:29I didn't look back at that house again.
01:01:31In the car, I sent Zara three messages.
01:01:33That post-nup can be used now.
01:01:34I am on my way to the airport.
01:01:36Five o'clock flight to SFO.
01:01:37Charles will pick me up.
01:01:38I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.
01:01:41She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.
01:01:43The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.
01:01:45I rested my hand on my belly.
01:01:47The two children moved.
01:01:48I said to them, mommy is taking you home.
01:01:50To our real home.
01:01:50Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.
01:01:54Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.
01:01:57There were 17 alarms in total.
01:01:59The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.
01:02:01The alarm title read, call Adi.
01:02:03Boston time.
01:02:04Seven years.
01:02:04No, six years.
01:02:05Since Adi turned one.
01:02:07Every morning at six.
01:02:08Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup, in a meeting.
01:02:13Or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.
01:02:16When the alarm rang, I called her.
01:02:19Mommy.
01:02:19She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.
01:02:21She answered the phone less and less.
01:02:23Finish breakfast?
01:02:24Go to school?
01:02:25Bye, mommy loves you.
01:02:27Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.
01:02:29She simply stopped answering.
01:02:31I had never deleted that alarm.
01:02:32I told myself, what if one day she remembered mommy?
01:02:35What if one day she was willing to answer again?
01:02:37I had to be online at that moment.
01:02:39At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.
01:02:42That alarm rang too.
01:02:46At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table.
01:02:49Placing the envelope there.
01:02:51I stared at the phone screen.
01:02:53She was upstairs.
01:02:56She didn't hear it.
01:02:57Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.
01:03:00I stared at that alarm for a long time.
01:03:02I deleted it.
01:03:03The plane taxied down the runway.
01:03:04The engine noise grew louder and louder.
01:03:07I closed my eyes.
01:03:08I said one thing to myself.
01:03:10You've done everything you needed to do.
01:03:13I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.
01:03:17The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.
01:03:19If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,
01:03:25the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.
01:03:32Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.
01:03:35Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.
01:03:39See how much Trevor protects you?
01:03:41I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.
01:03:45It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.
01:03:49And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.
01:03:52I signed.
01:03:54Trevor signed too.
01:03:55He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.
01:03:57To keep my wife safe from my own family.
01:03:59To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.
01:04:03Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.
01:04:06He had hardly protected me at all.
01:04:08But he had indeed left me a gun.
01:04:11Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.
01:04:14Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.
01:04:18Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.
01:04:22The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.
01:04:25Clouds spread out beyond the wing.
01:04:27Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.
01:04:30I closed the forder.
01:04:31I told myself,
01:04:33Amelia, you don't love him anymore.
01:04:37It wasn't something that happened overnight.
01:04:39I'm in a meeting.
01:04:40Again and again, he said,
01:04:41She needs me.
01:04:42Again and again, he said,
01:04:44Your hormones are unstable.
01:04:46Again and again, he said,
01:04:47Cassidy has it hard.
01:04:48He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.
01:04:50Until it turned to ash.
01:04:52When the wind blew, nothing was left.
01:04:54I closed my eyes.
01:04:55One of the two children in my belly moved.
01:04:57And the other moved with them.
01:04:58I smiled.
01:05:00I said to them,
01:05:01Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.
01:05:03Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.
01:05:05Starting today.
01:05:25I flew back to Boston,
01:05:26pregnant with twins,
01:05:27just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.
01:05:29Today was my 31st birthday.
01:05:30It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.
01:05:33The doctor told me not to fly.
01:05:34I flew anyway.
01:05:35Not because of love.
01:05:36Because, after 7 years,
01:05:38I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.
01:05:41I told the baby that was in my belly,
01:05:43This is the last time.
01:05:44After this, we stopped waiting for him.
01:05:45He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.
01:05:48Tomorrow morning at 9,
01:05:49he would find out,
01:05:50what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.
01:05:53By the time I landed at Logan Airport,
01:05:55it was already past 9 at night.
01:05:57I thought that,
01:05:58if only for the sake of these 7 years,
01:06:00he should come home tonight.
01:06:01When I walked out of the airport,
01:06:02my phone was full of birthday wishes
01:06:04from colleagues and old classmates.
01:06:06There was nothing from Trevor.
01:06:10By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,
01:06:13it was almost 10.30.
01:06:14Henry opened the door for me.
01:06:16Mrs. Hale, you...
01:06:17What brings you here?
01:06:19Where's Trevor?
01:06:20And Oddie?
01:06:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.
01:06:22This is upstairs,
01:06:23playing with that box of shells.
01:06:27I nodded,
01:06:28handed him my coat,
01:06:29and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.
01:06:31The hallway was very quiet.
01:06:33Adi's bedroom door was half open,
01:06:35a warm little lamp glowing inside.
01:06:37I pushed the door open and went in.
01:06:39She was wearing pink pajamas,
01:06:41sitting cross-legged on the carpet,
01:06:43focused on stringing a shell necklace.
01:06:45My footsteps were light.
01:06:47Adi...
01:06:48She looked up,
01:06:48her eyes lighting up.
01:06:50Then she lowered her head again
01:06:51and went back to fiddling with the beads.
01:06:53I crouched down,
01:06:54held my belly,
01:06:56pulled her into my arms,
01:06:57and kissed her.
01:06:58Mom, don't bother me.
01:07:00I'm busy.
01:07:00I hadn't seen her in more than two months.
01:07:02No number of kisses would have been enough,
01:07:04but she had already wriggled out of my arms.
01:07:06Is Adi making a shell necklace?
01:07:08Mmm.
01:07:09In one week,
01:07:10it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.
01:07:12This is the birthday present
01:07:13Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.
01:07:15Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.
01:07:18Aren't they pretty?
01:07:23She held the necklace up in front of me.
01:07:25That box of shells was the one I had taken her
01:07:26to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.
01:07:28My throat tightened sharply.
01:07:30Before I could speak,
01:07:31she added happily.
01:07:32Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.
01:07:35Tomorrow,
01:07:35she didn't finish.
01:07:36I looked at the necklace in her hands
01:07:37and remembered something.
01:07:39This time last year,
01:07:39it had been a night just like this.
01:07:41The charity gala for Children's Hospital.
01:07:43Trevor personally auctioned off the copy
01:07:45of California Rare Birds Field Guide
01:07:47I had given him for our sixth anniversary.
01:07:50One of only three out-of-print copies,
01:07:52the one I had found among my late father's belongings.
01:07:54The hammer price was $420,000.
01:07:57Donated to set up a trust for the child.
01:07:59Cassidy had left from cold.
01:08:01I sat in the third row at the time,
01:08:02smiling and applauding.
01:08:06I thought I could endure one more year.
01:08:08Lady,
01:08:09Mommy wants to ask you something.
01:08:11She looked up.
01:08:14Do you remember Mommy's birthday?
01:08:16She furrowed her little brows
01:08:17and thought very seriously.
01:08:19For five seconds,
01:08:21Mommy's birthday?
01:08:23She looked up at me
01:08:24and blinked as if asking for help.
01:08:27Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?
01:08:32She lowered her head again
01:08:33and started counting the beads.
01:08:35Mom, don't talk to me.
01:08:37You're messing up the order.
01:08:38I didn't speak again.
01:08:40I let go of the arm I had around her.
01:08:46When I went downstairs,
01:08:48Henry was waiting in the living room.
01:08:50Mrs. Hale,
01:08:51I called Mr. Hale just now.
01:08:53He said he has something to do tonight
01:08:55and asked you to rest first.
01:08:57I see.
01:08:58I answered softly.
01:08:59After thinking for a moment,
01:09:00I still called Trevor.
01:09:02The phone rang for a long time
01:09:03before he answered.
01:09:04His voice was faint.
01:09:06I'm busy.
01:09:06Tomorrow.
01:09:09From the other end of the phone
01:09:10came another woman's voice.
01:09:11Soft, natural,
01:09:12as if she had been by his side all night.
01:09:14Who is it this late?
01:09:15It was Cassidy.
01:09:16I tightened my grip on the phone.
01:09:18Trevor paused,
01:09:19then said to me,
01:09:20Nothing.
01:09:21Before I could speak,
01:09:23he hung up.
01:09:24I sat on the sofa for a long time.
01:09:26The two children in my belly moved.
01:09:28I lowered my head
01:09:29and gently patted my stomach.
01:09:31I said to them,
01:09:32Mommy understands now.
01:09:34Mommy thought seven years
01:09:36was long enough that
01:09:38one year,
01:09:39he would remember to come home.
01:09:41Tonight was the last time.
01:09:43Mommy won't wait for him anymore.
01:09:48At 6.30 the next morning,
01:09:50I went downstairs.
01:09:52Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.
01:09:54I didn't go in.
01:09:56Halfway there,
01:09:56I heard Adi's voice drifting over
01:09:58from the other side of the kitchen.
01:09:59She was talking to Henry.
01:10:01Her voice wasn't loud,
01:10:02but she was still little.
01:10:03She didn't understand
01:10:04what lower your voice meant.
01:10:05Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.
01:10:07Miss, why would you be unhappy?
01:10:09Dad and I already promised
01:10:11we'd take Aunt Cassidy
01:10:12to Kid Cod tomorrow.
01:10:13If Mom suddenly comes
01:10:14and insists on going with us,
01:10:16Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.
01:10:18Miss, Madam is your mother.
01:10:20You can't say things like that.
01:10:21It will hurt her heart, understand?
01:10:23I know.
01:10:24But there wasn't
01:10:25the slightest hesitation
01:10:25in her voice.
01:10:27But Dad and I
01:10:27both like Aunt Cassidy better.
01:10:29Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?
01:10:31I stepped at the foot of the stairs,
01:10:32unable to move even half a step.
01:10:34My daughter was my own flesh and blood.
01:10:35I had spent 22 hours
01:10:37in the delivery room alone.
01:10:38Trevor was in Europe that day
01:10:39negotiating an acquisition.
01:10:42Cole is gone.
01:10:43I have to go to Cassidy right away.
01:10:45Cole had died in a car accident
01:10:46the night before.
01:10:48Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet
01:10:49at the time.
01:10:51After that night,
01:10:52the two of them
01:10:52were never truly apart again.
01:10:54Henry said nothing more.
01:10:56I walked back to my room
01:10:57and closed the door.
01:10:58I sat down by the bed.
01:10:59I didn't cry.
01:11:00I only lowered the hand
01:11:01resting on my belly.
01:11:03I opened my phone.
01:11:04I sent Trevor a text.
01:11:05Trevor, let's have lunch
01:11:06together today.
01:11:07Just the three of us.
01:11:08A.D. wants Mistral's
01:11:09lobster ravioli.
01:11:10I'll fly back to San Francisco
01:11:11this afternoon.
01:11:12He replied about 20 minutes later.
01:11:15Trevor, got it.
01:11:16You set the time.
01:11:17Looking at that, got it.
01:11:18I nearly laughed out loud.
01:11:20Seven years ago,
01:11:21when he was pursuing me,
01:11:22he wrote 15 love letters.
01:11:24Every one of them
01:11:25ended with yours, Trevor.
01:11:27Seven years later,
01:11:28his reply to me
01:11:29had fewer words
01:11:29than yours plus Trevor.
01:11:31I wrote back.
01:11:3312.30 Mistral, got it.
01:11:35I washed up, did my makeup
01:11:36and changed into
01:11:37a pale beige maternity dress.
01:11:39I had picked it out
01:11:39myself last year.
01:11:40Trevor had never seen it once.
01:11:41At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.
01:11:43Halfway there, my phone buzzed.
01:11:45It was Trevor.
01:11:46Something urgent came up at noon.
01:11:47Lunch is canceled.
01:11:48Next time,
01:11:48I pulled over onto a small road
01:11:50beside Starro Drive
01:11:51and stared at that text
01:11:52for a long time.
01:11:57If it had been before,
01:11:58I would have immediately replied,
01:11:59okay?
01:11:59Or when you're done,
01:12:00should I wait for you?
01:12:01I would have waited.
01:12:03I would have sat alone
01:12:04at Mistral until
01:12:05two in the afternoon,
01:12:06drink two glasses of lemon water,
01:12:07then drive home.
01:12:08Dad is busy today.
01:12:09It isn't easy for him.
01:12:10But today, I didn't reply.
01:12:13I started the car again
01:12:14and drove toward Back Bay.
01:12:15I wasn't acting out of spite.
01:12:17I just suddenly wanted
01:12:18to take a look.
01:12:19I wanted to see what his
01:12:20so-called urgent matter
01:12:21actually was.
01:12:22I parked across the street
01:12:23from Mistral.
01:12:24I didn't go in right away.
01:12:26I stood outside the glass window
01:12:27for about 10 seconds.
01:12:29Inside,
01:12:30at the old table by the window,
01:12:31the three of them
01:12:32were sitting there.
01:12:33Cassidy and Adi
01:12:34sat close together
01:12:34on the same side.
01:12:35Adi tilted her head up,
01:12:36telling her jokes,
01:12:37her shoulders shaking
01:12:38with laughter.
01:12:38Cassidy fed her a piece
01:12:39of little cake,
01:12:40taking a bite herself first
01:12:41before handing it over.
01:12:42Adi opened her mouth
01:12:43and ate it.
01:12:44Trevor sat across from them.
01:12:46He was wearing
01:12:46the dark gray cashmere coat
01:12:48I had picked out
01:12:48for him last Christmas.
01:12:49He was smiling,
01:12:50the kind of smile
01:12:51I hadn't seen
01:12:51in a very long time.
01:12:53He placed a piece of fish
01:12:53on Cassidy's plate,
01:12:55then one for Adi.
01:12:56His eyes stayed
01:12:57on Cassidy's face
01:12:58the whole time,
01:12:59as if in the entire restaurant,
01:13:00she was the only person left.
01:13:02I stood outside
01:13:02the glass window,
01:13:03carrying two unborn children
01:13:04in my belly.
01:13:05His wife,
01:13:06his childhood friend's widow,
01:13:07his daughter,
01:13:09three people at one table.
01:13:10The seat that should have
01:13:11been across from him
01:13:12was empty.
01:13:12I didn't go in.
01:13:14I turned around
01:13:14and walked back to the car.
01:13:16I started the engine.
01:13:18The windshield wiper
01:13:19swept across the glass,
01:13:20wiping away
01:13:21two drops of water.
01:13:22It wasn't rain.
01:13:23Even I didn't know
01:13:24when they had fallen.
01:13:25I smiled a little.
01:13:26I said to myself,
01:13:28Amelia,
01:13:28do you see it clearly now?
01:13:29I see it clearly.
01:13:31I drove away.
01:13:32I didn't look back
01:13:32at Mistral once.
01:13:33When I returned to Beacon Hill,
01:13:35it was 1.30 in the afternoon.
01:13:36Only Henry was
01:13:37in the old house.
01:13:37When he saw me,
01:13:38he froze.
01:13:39Mrs. Hale,
01:13:39aren't you at Mistral?
01:13:40Mr. Hale had something come up.
01:13:42Henry opened in his mouth,
01:13:43then said nothing.
01:13:44I went upstairs
01:13:45and entered the study.
01:13:46I opened the computer
01:13:47and connected to the home network.
01:13:49On the desktop
01:13:50was a folder,
01:13:50password locked
01:13:51and hidden for seven years.
01:13:53Folder,
01:13:53AMV only.
01:13:54I opened it.
01:13:55There were four things inside.
01:13:57A PDF of the postnup
01:13:58from seven years ago.
01:14:00The version I had
01:14:00personally scanned
01:14:01and archived.
01:14:06A record of every
01:14:07major decision
01:14:08Trevor had made
01:14:09over the past seven years.
01:14:10I had attended
01:14:11every Viridian Labs
01:14:12board meeting remotely
01:14:13and he didn't know.
01:14:14A copy of delivery room footage
01:14:16from the day Adeline
01:14:17was born proof
01:14:18that Trevor had been absent.
01:14:19A full set of evidence
01:14:21I had obtained
01:14:22two years ago
01:14:23showing Hale Trust's
01:14:24forged documents
01:14:25for Cassidy's identity
01:14:27as Cole's widow.
01:14:33From that folder
01:14:34I pulled up
01:14:35the divorce agreement template.
01:14:36It was the version
01:14:37Zara had sent me
01:14:38half a year ago.
01:14:40Sis, here.
01:14:42In case you need it someday.
01:14:43I won't need it.
01:14:45She wrote back,
01:14:46Sis,
01:14:46stop lying to yourself.
01:14:54Two o'clock this afternoon.
01:14:56I needed it.
01:14:57I copied Article 8
01:14:58of the post-snip
01:14:59into the first page
01:15:00of the agreement
01:15:00word for word.
01:15:02I attached the email
01:15:03Dr. Masson had sent Trevor
01:15:04about Adeline's
01:15:05psychological evaluation
01:15:06to the second page.
01:15:08I placed the photo
01:15:09of that table for three
01:15:10at Mistral this morning
01:15:11on the third page.
01:15:13I had taken the photo
01:15:15outside the glass window
01:15:16with my phone.
01:15:17I looked at it
01:15:18for a long time.
01:15:20I wasn't reluctant
01:15:21to let go.
01:15:22I simply added
01:15:23one line of caption
01:15:24to that photo.
01:15:25Exhibit C.
01:15:27Defendant dined
01:15:28with a third party
01:15:29and daughter
01:15:29at Mistral 47 minute
01:15:31during which Defendant
01:15:32did not contact
01:15:33Placeniff.
01:15:34This date was
01:15:35Plantis' birthday
01:15:36and seventh wedding
01:15:37anniversary.
01:15:38Print.
01:15:40Sign.
01:15:41Amelia M. Voss.
01:15:42Not Hale.
01:15:43Voss.
01:15:44I hadn't used that surname
01:15:46in seven years.
01:15:47After signing
01:15:48I folded the agreement
01:15:50and placed it
01:15:51in a craft envelope.
01:15:52On the front
01:15:52of the envelope
01:15:53I wrote three words
01:15:55to Trevor Hale.
01:15:57I placed it
01:15:58on the mahogany table
01:15:59in the foyer.
01:16:00That table was
01:16:01Cassidy's housewarming gift
01:16:02three years ago.
01:16:04I went downstairs.
01:16:06Henry was arranging
01:16:07a bouquet
01:16:08in the living room.
01:16:09When he saw me
01:16:10carrying my suitcase
01:16:11he froze completely.
01:16:14Mrs. Hale.
01:16:16Henry.
01:16:16I pointed to the envelope
01:16:18for him.
01:16:19When Mr. Hale comes back
01:16:20please hand this
01:16:20to him personally.
01:16:21I'll be returning
01:16:22to San Francisco shortly.
01:16:23Henry's lips moved
01:16:24but no sound came out.
01:16:25He had been
01:16:26the Hale family's butler
01:16:27for 20 years.
01:16:28He had seen everything.
01:16:31Seven years.
01:16:33Every time I waited
01:16:34until late at night
01:16:35and Trevor never came home
01:16:36he was the one
01:16:37who brought me soup.
01:16:39Every time Cassidy
01:16:40unintentionally stabbed me
01:16:41in this house
01:16:42he silently pulled me away.
01:16:45At last he spoke
01:16:46in a low voice.
01:16:47You won't be coming
01:16:48back this time.
01:16:49I didn't answer.
01:16:51I took a white sheet
01:16:52of paper from my handbag
01:16:53wrote several lines
01:16:56and handed it to him.
01:16:58Henry.
01:16:59At 2.40 this afternoon
01:17:01Mr. Hale
01:17:02Ms. Cassidy Lambert
01:17:03and Adeline Hale
01:17:04had lunch together
01:17:05at Mistral.
01:17:05I was originally
01:17:06scheduled to attend.
01:17:12Plaintiff was not present.
01:17:13Please sign by hand
01:17:14later as a witness.
01:17:15Amelia M. Voskth
01:17:16after Henry finished
01:17:17reading it.
01:17:18His hand trembled.
01:17:18He looked up at me.
01:17:20Just sign your name.
01:17:21If this matter goes to court
01:17:22your name will appear
01:17:23on exhibit C.
01:17:24If you don't want to sign
01:17:25you can tear it up.
01:17:26I won't force you.
01:17:27Henry was silent
01:17:28for five seconds.
01:17:29Then he signed his name
01:17:30at the very bottom
01:17:30of the paper.
01:17:31He wrote slowly
01:17:32each stroke heavy.
01:17:33Henry Coleman
01:17:34the 14th of March.
01:17:35I took the paper
01:17:36folded it
01:17:37and put it into
01:17:37my Kelly bag Henry.
01:17:38Mrs. Dr. Voskth
01:17:40It was the first time
01:17:41he called me that.
01:17:42Thank you for these
01:17:42seven years.
01:17:43He lowered his head.
01:17:44I failed you.
01:17:45By the time the car
01:17:46pulled out of Beacon Hill
01:17:47it was already
01:17:48three in the afternoon.
01:17:49I didn't look back
01:17:50at that house again.
01:17:51In the car
01:17:51I sent Zara three messages
01:17:52that postnup
01:17:53can be used now.
01:17:54I am on my way
01:17:55to the airport
01:17:56five o'clock flight
01:17:57to SFO.
01:17:58Charles will pick me up.
01:17:59I'll go straight to
01:17:59Bishop and Cole
01:18:00after landing.
01:18:01She replied instantly
01:18:02waiting for you sis.
01:18:03The car entered
01:18:04the approach ramp
01:18:04to Logan Airport.
01:18:05I rested my hand
01:18:06on my belly.
01:18:07The two children moved.
01:18:08I said to them
01:18:08Mommy is taking you home
01:18:10to our real home.
01:18:11Before the plane took off
01:18:12the cabin announcement
01:18:12told us to turn off
01:18:13our phones.
01:18:14Before switching mine
01:18:15to airplane mode
01:18:16I opened my alarm list.
01:18:17There were 17 alarms
01:18:18in total.
01:18:19The one at the top
01:18:20was set for six o'clock
01:18:21every morning.
01:18:21The alarm title read
01:18:22Call Addy
01:18:23Boston time
01:18:24Seven years
01:18:24No
01:18:25Six years
01:18:25Since Addy turned one
01:18:27every morning at six
01:18:28Whether I was in California
01:18:29Boston
01:18:30New York
01:18:31Tokyo
01:18:31London
01:18:31at a prenatal checkup
01:18:33in a meeting
01:18:33or just finishing overtime
01:18:35in the middle of the night
01:18:36When the alarm rang
01:18:37I called her
01:18:39Mommy
01:18:39She spent more and more time
01:18:40in Boston with Trevor
01:18:41She answered the phone
01:18:42less and less
01:18:43Finish breakfast
01:18:44Go to school
01:18:45Bye
01:18:46Mommy loves you
01:18:46Starting this year
01:18:47she stopped letting
01:18:48Henry answer for her
01:18:49She simply stopped answering
01:18:51I had never deleted
01:18:52that alarm
01:18:52I told myself
01:18:53what if one day
01:18:54she remembered Mommy
01:18:54What if one day
01:18:55she was willing
01:18:56to answer again
01:18:57I had to be online
01:18:58at that moment
01:18:58At six this morning
01:18:59I was on the first floor
01:19:01of the old Beacon Hill house
01:19:02That alarm rang too
01:19:06At that moment
01:19:07I was standing beside
01:19:08the foyer table
01:19:09placing the envelope there
01:19:11I stared at the phone screen
01:19:13She was upstairs
01:19:16She didn't hear it
01:19:17Before seven o'clock
01:19:18she and Henry said
01:19:19all of that in the kitchen
01:19:19I stared at that alarm
01:19:21for a long time
01:19:21I deleted it
01:19:22The plane taxied
01:19:24down the runway
01:19:24The engine noise
01:19:25grew louder and louder
01:19:27I closed my eyes
01:19:28I said one thing
01:19:29to myself
01:19:30You've done everything
01:19:31you needed to do
01:19:34I opened my eyes
01:19:34and took Article 8
01:19:35of the postnote
01:19:36from my handbag
01:19:37The clause Trevor
01:19:38had personally added
01:19:38seven years ago
01:19:40If either spouse
01:19:40commits public humiliation
01:19:42deprivation of parental rights
01:19:43or economic coercion
01:19:44the other spouse
01:19:46shall have the right
01:19:46to sole custody
01:19:47of minor children
01:19:47and 75% of marital assets
01:19:52Back then
01:19:53the Hale family's
01:19:54chief attorney
01:19:54smiled at me
01:19:55Mrs. Hale
01:19:56This clause
01:19:57is absolutely
01:19:58in your favor
01:19:58See how much
01:19:59Trevor protects you
01:20:01I was only 24 then
01:20:03newly pregnant
01:20:04with Adeline
01:20:05It was my first time
01:20:06stepping into
01:20:06a century old family
01:20:07like the Hales
01:20:09and I was so nervous
01:20:10my hand shook
01:20:11when I signed
01:20:12I signed
01:20:14Trevor signed too
01:20:15He even wrote
01:20:16one sentence
01:20:16in his own hand
01:20:17To keep my wife
01:20:18safe from my own family
01:20:19To protect my wife
01:20:21from being hurt
01:20:21by my own family
01:20:23Reading that sentence
01:20:24Once again today
01:20:24I nearly laughed out loud
01:20:25He had hardly protected me at all
01:20:28But he had indeed
01:20:29left me a gun
01:20:30Seven years later
01:20:31he walked himself
01:20:32right into the barrel
01:20:34Seven years ago
01:20:35he wrote that clause
01:20:36because he feared
01:20:36the Hale family
01:20:37would hurt me
01:20:38Seven years later
01:20:39the person who hurt me
01:20:40the deepest
01:20:41was himself
01:20:41The Hales the cabin
01:20:43announcement told us
01:20:43we could unbuckle
01:20:44our seatbelts
01:20:45Clouds spread out
01:20:46beyond the wing
01:20:47Sunlight poured in
01:20:49harsh and blinding
01:20:50I closed the forder
01:20:51I told myself
01:20:53Amelia
01:20:53you don't love him anymore
01:20:56It wasn't something
01:20:57that happened overnight
01:20:58I'm in a meeting
01:21:00Again and again
01:21:01he said
01:21:01she needs me
01:21:02Again and again
01:21:03he said
01:21:04your hormones
01:21:04are unstable
01:21:06Again and again
01:21:07he said
01:21:07Cassidy has it hard
01:21:08He wore away
01:21:09what little love
01:21:09I had
01:21:10bit by bit
01:21:10until it turned to ash
01:21:12When the wind blew
01:21:13nothing was left
01:21:14I closed my eyes
01:21:15One of the two children
01:21:16in my belly moved
01:21:17and the other moved
01:21:17with them
01:21:18I smiled
01:21:19I said to them
01:21:21your mother is not
01:21:22Mrs. Hale
01:21:23Your mother's name
01:21:24is Amelia M. Voss
01:21:25Starting today
评论