I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret ⚖️ Binge-Watch Full Episodes | Dailymotion #ReelShort─影片 Dailymotion

Toxic But Good

😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/QlprVp 🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/i-flew-home-pregnant-only-to-see-his-secret-6aa0e4992d54042dab0172a6  🍁Notice: Toxic But Good is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.  How to win a divorce in three easy steps: ☑️ Step 1: Catch him lying on your 7th anniversary. ☑️ Step 2: Use his own prenup against him. ☑️ Step 3: Reveal your hidden identity as a genius lab co-founder.  Watch Amelia execute this flawless plan in "I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret". She gets her daughter, 75% of the assets, and a fresh start. Trevor gets exactly what he deserves: an empty house and a whole lot of regret. 🗑️ Sometimes the best revenge is simply moving on and shining brighter! 🌟  [ GENRES ] Female, Romance, All-Too-Late, Pregnancy

Transcript

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.

00:01:02Mrs. 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.

00:01:45Is 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 I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:02:30One of only three out-of-print copies, the 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 Cape 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 skipped 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.

00:07:23Trevor 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.

00:09:342 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.

00:10:01I 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 Planta's 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.

00:11:07He 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.

00:12:19It 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.

00:12:33That 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.

00:14:45It 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.

00:15:03Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

00:15:05He had hardly protected me at all.

00:15:08But 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,

00:15:44Your 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.

00:17:14Henry opened the door for me.

00:17:16Mrs. Hale, you...

00:17:16What brings you here?

00:17:18Where's Trevor?

00:17:19And Adi?

00:17:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:17:22This is 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.

00:17:47She 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,

00:17:56Pulled 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 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 Sum 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,

00:18:51The 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,

00:19:02Smiling and applauding.

00:19:06I thought I could endure one more year.

00:19:08Lady,

00:19:09Mommy 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, natural,

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,

00:20:19then said to me,

00:20:20Nothing.

00:20:21Before I could speak,

00:20:22he 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,

00:20:38he 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.

00:20:52Henry 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.

00:21:34My 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.

00:22:04I 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

00:23:04until two 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, I 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.

00:23:19I wanted to see what his so-called

00:23:20urgent 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

00:23:27for about 10 seconds.

00:23:29Inside, at the old table by the window,

00:23:31the three of them were sitting there.

00:23:33Cassidy and Adi sat close together

00:23:34on 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

00:23:41before 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

00:23:51in a very long time.

00:23:52He placed a piece of fish

00:23:53on Cassidy's plate,

00:23:55then one for Adi.

00:23:56His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face

00:23:58the 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

00:24:04in 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

00:24:11across 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,

00:24:28do 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,

00:24:38he froze.

00:24:39Mrs. Hale,

00:24:39aren't you at Mistral?

00:24:40Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:24:42Henry opened in his mouth,

00:24:43then said nothing.

00:24:44I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:24:46I opened the computer

00:24:47and 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,

00:24:53AMV 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

00:25:08Trevor 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

00:25:16from the day Adeline was born proof

00:25:18that Trevor had been absent.

00:25:19A full set of evidence

00:25:21I had obtained two years ago

00:25:23showing Hale Trust's forged documents

00:25:25for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.

00:25:32From that folder,

00:25:34I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:25:36It was the version Zara had sent me

00:25:37half a year ago.

00:25:40Sis, here.

00:25:41In case you need it someday.

00:25:43I won't need it.

00:25:45She wrote back,

00:25:46Sis,

00:25:46stop lying to yourself.

00:25:54Two o'clock this afternoon.

00:25:56I needed it.

00:25:57I copied article eight of the postnip

00:25:59into the first page of the agreement,

00:26:00word for word.

00:26:01I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor

00:26:04about Adeline's psychological evaluation

00:26:06to the second page.

00:26:08I placed the photo of that table for three

00:26:10at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:26:13I had taken the photo outside the glass window

00:26:16with 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

00:26:29at Mistral 47 minute,

00:26:31during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:26:34This date was Plantis' birthday

00:26:35and seventh wedding anniversary.

00:26:38Print.

00:26:40Sign.

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,

00:26:48I folded the agreement

00:26:49and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:26:52On the front of the envelope,

00:26:53I wrote three words

00:26:54to Trevor Hale.

00:26:57I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:27:00That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift

00:27:02three 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,

00:27:11he 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,

00:27:20please hand this to him personally.

00:27:21I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:27:23Henry's lips moved,

00:27:24but no sound came out.

00:27:25He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:27:28He had seen everything.

00:27:31Seven years.

00:27:32Every time I waited until late at night

00:27:35and Trevor never came home,

00:27:36he was the one who brought me soup.

00:27:39Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house,

00:27:42he silently pulled me away.

00:27:44At last,

00:27:45he 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,

00:27:54wrote several lines,

00:27:55and handed it to him.

00:27:58Henry,

00:27:59at 2.40 this afternoon,

00:28:01Mr. Hale,

00:28:02Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

00:28:03and Adeline Hale

00:28:04had lunch together at Mistral.

00:28:05I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:28:12Plaintiff was not present.

00:28:13Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:28:15Amelia M. Voss,

00:28:16after Henry finished reading it,

00:28:17his hand trembled.

00:28:18He looked up at me.

00:28:19Just sign your name.

00:28:21If this matter goes to court,

00:28:22your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:28:24If you don't want a sign,

00:28:25you 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

00:28:29at the very bottom of the paper.

00:28:31He wrote slowly,

00:28:32each stroke heavy.

00:28:33Henry Coleman,

00:28:34the 14th of March.

00:28:35I took the paper,

00:28:36folded it,

00:28:36and put it into my Kelly bag,

00:28:38Henry.

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,

00:28:47it was already three in the afternoon.

00:28:48I didn't look back at that house again.

00:28:50In the car,

00:28:51I sent Zara three messages.

00:28:53That postnup 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,

00:29:02waiting for you, sis.

00:29:03The 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,

00:29:08Mommy is taking you home,

00:29:10to our real home.

00:29:11Before the plane took off,

00:29:12the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:29:14Before switching mine to airplane mode,

00:29:16I opened my alarm list.

00:29:17There were 17 alarms in total.

00:29:18The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:29:21The alarm title read,

00:29:22Call Addy.

00:29:23Boston time.

00:29:24Seven years.

00:29:24No, six years.

00:29:25Since Addy turned one.

00:29:27Every morning at six.

00:29:28Whether I was in California,

00:29:29Boston,

00:29:30New York,

00:29:31Tokyo,

00:29:31London,

00:29:32at a prenatal checkup,

00:29:33in a meeting,

00:29:33or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:29:36When the alarm rang,

00:29:37I 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,

00:29:46Mommy loves you.

00:29:46Starting this year,

00:29:47she 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,

00:29:53what if one day she remembered Mommy?

00:29:55What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:29:57I had to be online at that moment.

00:29:58At six this morning,

00:29:59I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:30:02That alarm rang too.

00:30:06At that moment,

00:30:07I was standing beside the foyer table,

00:30:09placing 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,

00:30:18she 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

00:30:34and 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,

00:30:42deprivation of parental rights,

00:30:43or economic coercion,

00:30:44the other spouse shall have the right

00:30:46to sole custody of minor children

00:30:47and 75% of marital assets.

00:30:52Back then,

00:30:53the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:30:55Mrs. Hale,

00:30:56this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:30:59See how much Trevor protects you?

00:31:01I was only 24 then,

00:31:03newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:31:05It was my first time stepping into a century-old family,

00:31:07like 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,

00:31:24I 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,

00:31:31he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:31:34Seven years ago,

00:31:35he wrote that clause

00:31:35because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:31:38Seven years later,

00:31:39the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:31:42The Hales,

00:31:42the cabin announcement,

00:31:43told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:31:45Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:31:47Sunlight poured in,

00:31:49harsh and blinding.

00:31:50I closed the forder.

00:31:51I told myself,

00:31:53Amelia,

00:31:53you 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,

00:32:01he said,

00:32:01she needs me.

00:32:02Again and again,

00:32:03he said,

00:32:04your hormones are unstable.

00:32:06Again and again,

00:32:06he said,

00:32:07Cassidy has it hard.

00:32:08I wore away what little love I had,

00:32:10bit by bit,

00:32:10until it turned to ash.

00:32:12When the wind blew,

00:32:13nothing 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,

00:32:46pregnant with twins,

00:32:47just 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,

00:32:57after 7 years,

00:32:58I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:33:01I told the babies in my belly,

00:33:02this is the last time.

00:33:04After this,

00:33:04we stopped waiting for him.

00:33:05He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:33:08Tomorrow morning at 9,

00:33:09he would find out,

00:33:10what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:33:13By the time I landed at Logan Airport,

00:33:15it was already past 9 at night.

00:33:17I thought that,

00:33:18if only for the sake of these 7 years,

00:33:20he should come home tonight.

00:33:21When I walked out of the airport,

00:33:22my 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,

00:33:32it was almost 10.30.

00:33:34Henry opened the door for me.

00:33:35Mrs. Hale, you...

00:33:37What brings you here?

00:33:38Where's Trevor?

00:33:40And Adi?

00:33:40Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:33:42Mrs. Upstairs,

00:33:43playing with that box of shells.

00:33:47I nodded,

00:33:48handed him my coat,

00:33:49and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:33:51The hallway was very quiet.

00:33:53Adi's bedroom door was half open,

00:33:55a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:33:57I pushed the door open and went in.

00:33:59She was wearing pink pajamas,

00:34:01sitting cross-legged on the carpet,

00:34:02focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:34:05My footsteps were light.

00:34:07Adi.

00:34:07She looked up,

00:34:08her 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,

00:34:14held my belly,

00:34:15pulled her into my arms,

00:34:17and 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,

00:34:30it'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 Sun last year.

00:34:48My throat tightened sharply.

00:34:50Before I could speak,

00:34:51she 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,

00:34:59it 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

00:35:07I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:35:10One of only three out-of-print copies,

00:35:11the 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,

00:35:22smiling and applauding.

00:35:26I thought I could endure one more year.

00:35:28Lady,

00:35:29Mommy 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?

00:35:42She 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,

00:36:08Henry 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

00:36:15and asked you to rest first.

00:36:17I see.

00:36:17I answered softly.

00:36:19After thinking for a moment,

00:36:20I still called Trevor.

00:36:22The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:36:24His voice was faint.

00:36:26I'm busy tomorrow.

00:36:29From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:36:31Soft, natural,

00:36:32as 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,

00:36:39then said to me,

00:36:40Nothing.

00:36:41Before I could speak,

00:36:42he hung up.

00:36:43I 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

00:36:57one year,

00:36:59he 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,

00:37:10I went downstairs.

00:37:12Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:37:14I didn't go in.

00:37:15Halfway there,

00:37:16I heard Adi's voice drifting over

00:37:18from the other side of the kitchen.

00:37:19She was talking to Henry.

00:37:21Her voice wasn't loud,

00:37:22but 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

00:37:32to 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,

00:37:38Madam is your mother.

00:37:40You can't say things like that.

00:37:41It will hurt her heart,

00:37:42understand?

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,

00:37:52unable 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,

00:38:11the 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.

00:38:2880 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,

00:38:41when he was pursuing me,

00:38:42he wrote 15 love letters.

00:38:44Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:38:47Seven years later,

00:38:48his 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,

00:38:56and 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,

00:39:08I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive

00:39:10and stared at that text for a long time.

00:39:17If it had been before,

00:39:18I would have immediately replied,

00:39:19okay?

00:39:19Or when you're done,

00:39:20should I wait for you?

00:39:21I would have waited.

00:39:23I would have sat alone at Mistral until two in the afternoon,

00:39:26drink two glasses of lemon water,

00:39:27then drive home.

00:39:28Dad is busy today.

00:39:29It isn't easy for him.

00:39:30But today,

00:39:31I 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,

00:39:50at the old table by the window,

00:39:51the 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,

00:39:56telling her jokes,

00:39:57her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:39:58Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,

00:40:00taking 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

00:40:08I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:40:09He was smiling,

00:40:10the 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,

00:40:20she was the only person left.

00:40:21I stood outside the glass window,

00:40:23carrying 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,

00:40:40wiping 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,

00:40:47Amelia, 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,

00:40:54it 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.

00:41:02Henry opened in his mouth,

00:41:03then said nothing.

00:41:03I 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,

00:41:10password 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 postnup 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,

00:41:33and 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,

00:41:43showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as Cole'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.

00:42:04She 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 postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:42:21I 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,

00:42:51during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:42:53This date was Planta's birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

00:42:58Print.

00:43:00Sign.

00:43:00Amelia M. Voss.

00:43:02Not Hale.

00:43:03Voss.

00:43:04I hadn't used that surname in 7 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.

00:43:47He 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 brought me

00:43:58soup.

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.

00:44:18At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together at 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. Voss after Henry finished reading it.

00:44:37His 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.

00:44:48Then 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. Voss.

00:45:00It was the first time he called me that.

00:45:01Thank 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.

00:45:23The 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.

00:45:30To 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.

00:45:38The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:45:41The alarm title read, call Addy.

00:45:43Boston time.

00:45:44Seven years.

00:45:44No.

00:45:45Six years.

00:45:45Since Addy turned one.

00:45:47Every morning at six.

00:45:48Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup in a meeting.

00:45:53Or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:45:56When the alarm rang, I called her.

00:45:58Mommy.

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.

00:46:06Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:46:09She simply stopped answering.

00:46:11I 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.

00:46:29Placing 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.

00:46:47I 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 cabin 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.

00:49:12The 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,

00:49:23This 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 from 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?

00:50:00And Adi...

00:50:00Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:50:02Mrs. Upstairs,

00:50:03playing with that box of shells.

00:50:07I nodded,

00:50:08handed 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...

00:50:28She 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

00:50:53Dad 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.

00:52:37I 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.

00:53:04I 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.

00:53:10I said to them,

00:53:12Mommy understands now.

00:53:14Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one 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 from 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 to 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,

00:53:58Madam 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, got 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, Trevor.

00:55:07Seven years later,

00:55:08his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:55:10I wrote back.

00:55:1312.30 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 11.40,

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 Starro Drive

00:55:31and stared at that text for a long time.

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,

00:58:41word 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 to 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, I 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.

01:00:12Seven 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.

01:00:29I 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.

01:00:59Just 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, to our real home.

01:01:51Before 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, Boston time.

01:02:04Seven years.

01:02:04No, six years.

01:02:05Since Adi turned one, every 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?

01:02:36I had to be online at that moment.

01:02:38At 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, placing 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.

01:04:36It 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.

01:04:59I 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, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

01:05:28Today 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.

01:05:37Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

01:05:41I told the baby that was in my belly, this 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, he would find out, what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

01:05:53By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.

01:05:57I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.

01:06:01When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

01:06:06There was nothing from Trevor.

01:06:10By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it 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 Adi?

01:06:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

01:06:22Mrs. Upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

01:06:27I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

01:06:31The hallway was very quiet.

01:06:33Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

01:06:37I pushed the door open, and went in.

01:06:39She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

01:06:45My footsteps were light.

01:06:47She looked up, her eyes lighting up.

01:06:50Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

01:06:53I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

01:06:58Mom, don't bother me, I'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, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

01:07:12This is the birthday present Dad 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.

01:07:24That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.

01:07:28My throat tightened sharply.

01:07:30Before I could speak, she 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 and remembered something.

01:07:39This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

01:07:41The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

01:07:43Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given

01:07:48him for our sixth anniversary.

01:07:50One of only three out-of-print copies, the 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, smiling and applauding.

01:08:06I thought I could endure one more year.

01:08:08Lady, Mommy 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 and thought very seriously.

01:08:19For five seconds.

01:08:21Mommy's birthday?

01:08:23She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

01:08:27Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

01:08:32She lowered her head again and 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, Henry was waiting in the living room.

01:08:50Mrs. Hale, I called Mr. Hale just now.

01:08:53He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

01:08:57I see.

01:08:57I answered softly.

01:08:59After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

01:09:02The phone rang for a long time before 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 came another woman's voice.

01:09:11Soft, natural, as 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, then said to me,

01:09:20Nothing.

01:09:21Before I could speak, he 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 and gently patted my stomach.

01:09:31I said to them,

01:09:32Mommy understands now.

01:09:34Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one year he would remember to come home.

01:09:41Tonight was the last time.

01:09:43Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

01:09:49At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

01:09:52Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

01:09:54I didn't go in.

01:09:56Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

01:09:59She was talking to Henry.

01:10:01Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

01:10:03She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

01:10:05Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

01:10:07Miss, why would you be unhappy?

01:10:09Daddy, Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

01:10:13If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt 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 the slightest hesitation in her voice.

01:10:26But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

01:10:29Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

01:10:31I skipped the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

01:10:34My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

01:10:35I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

01:10:38Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating 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 the night before.

01:10:48Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

01:10:51After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

01:10:54Henry said nothing more.

01:10:56I walked back to my room and closed the door.

01:10:58I sat down by the bed.

01:10:59I didn't cry.

01:11:00I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

01:11:03I opened my phone.

01:11:04I sent Trevor a text.

01:11:05Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

01:11:07Just the three of us.

01:11:08A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

01:11:10I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

01:11:12He replied about 20 minutes later.

01:11:15Got 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, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

01:11:24Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

01:11:27Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

01:11:30I wrote back.

01:11:3312.30 Mistral.

01:11:35Got it.

01:11:35I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

01:11:39I had picked it out myself 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, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long

01:11:52time.

01:11:56If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

01:11:59Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

01:12:01I would have waited.

01:12:03I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive

01:12:07home.

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 and drove toward Back Bay.

01:12:15I wasn't acting out of spite.

01:12:17I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

01:12:19I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

01:12:22I parked across the street from Mistral.

01:12:24I didn't go in right away.

01:12:26I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

01:12:29Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

01:12:33Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

01:12:35Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

01:12:38Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

01:12:42Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

01:12:44Trevor sat across from them.

01:12:46He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

01:12:49He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

01:12:53He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

01:12:56His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person

01:13:01left.

01:13:02I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

01:13:05His wife, his childhood friend's widow, his daughter.

01:13:09Three people at one table.

01:13:10The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

01:13:12I didn't go in.

01:13:14I turned around and walked back to the car.

01:13:16I started the engine.

01:13:18The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

01:13:22It wasn't rain.

01:13:23Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

01:13:25I smiled a little.

01:13:26I said to myself,

01:13:28Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

01:13:29I see it clearly.

01:13:31I drove away.

01:13:32I didn't look back at Mistral once.

01:13:33When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

01:13:36Only Henry was in the old house.

01:13:38When he saw me, he froze.

01:13:39Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

01:13:40Mr. Hale had something come up.

01:13:42Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

01:13:44I went upstairs and entered the study.

01:13:46I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

01:13:49On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

01:13:53Folder, AMV only.

01:13:54I opened it.

01:13:55There were four things inside.

01:13:57A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.

01:13:59The version I had personally scanned and archived.

01:14:06A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

01:14:10I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

01:14:14A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

01:14:19A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

01:14:27Cole's widow.

01:14:33From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

01:14:36It was the version Zara had sent me half 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, stop lying to yourself.

01:14:542 o'clock this afternoon.

01:14:56I needed it.

01:14:57I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

01:15:02I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

01:15:08I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

01:15:13I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

01:15:17I looked at it for a long time.

01:15:19I wasn't reluctant to let go.

01:15:22I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

01:15:25Exhibit C.

01:15:27Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

01:15:34This date was Planta's birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

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 in 7 years.

01:15:47After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

01:15:52On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

01:15:55To Trevor Hale.

01:15:57I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

01:16:00That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

01:16:04I went downstairs.

01:16:06Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

01:16:09When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

01:16:14Mrs. Hale.

01:16:16Henry.

01:16:16I pointed to the envelope for him.

01:16:18When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

01:16:21I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

01:16:23Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

01:16:25He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

01:16:28He had seen everything.

01:16:31Seven years.

01:16:33Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home,

01:16:36he was the one who brought me soup.

01:16:39Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house,

01:16:42he silently pulled me away.

01:16:45At last, he spoke in a low voice.

01:16:47You won't be coming back this time.

01:16:49I didn't answer.

01:16:51I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag,

01:16:53wrote several lines,

01:16:56and handed it to him.

01:16:58Henry.

01:16:58At 2.40 this afternoon,

01:17:01Mr. Hale,

01:17:02Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

01:17:03and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.

01:17:05I was originally scheduled to attend.

01:17:12Plaintiff was not present.

01:17:13Please sign by hand later as a witness.

01:17:15Amelia M. Vosk,

01:17:16after Henry finished reading 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 on 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 for five seconds.

01:17:29Then he signed his name

01:17:30at the very bottom of 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 my Kelly bag,

01:17:38Henry.

01:17:38Mrs. Dr. Vosk.

01:17:40It was the first time he called me that.

01:17:42Thank you for these seven years.

01:17:43He lowered his head.

01:17:44I failed you.

01:17:45By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill,

01:17:47it was already three in the afternoon.

01:17:49I didn't look back at that house again.

01:17:51In the car,

01:17:51I sent Zara three messages.

01:17:53That post-nup can be used now.

01:17:54I am on my way to the airport,

01:17:56five o'clock flight to SFO.

01:17:57Charles will pick me up.

01:17:59I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

01:18:01She replied instantly,

01:18:02waiting for you,

01:18:02sis.

01:18:03The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

01:18:05I rested my hand on my belly.

01:18:07The two children moved.

01:18:08I said to them,

01:18:09mommy is taking you home,

01:18:10to our real home.

01:18:11Before the plane took off,

01:18:12the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

01:18:14Before switching mine to airplane mode,

01:18:16I opened my alarm list.

01:18:17There were 17 alarms in total.

01:18:19The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

01:18:21The alarm title read,

01:18:22call Adi,

01:18:23Boston time,

01:18:24seven years,

01:18:24no,

01:18:25six years.

01:18:26Since Adi turned one,

01:18:27every morning at six.

01:18:28Whether I was in California,

01:18:30Boston,

01:18:30New York,

01:18:31Tokyo,

01:18:31London,

01:18:32at a prenatal checkup in a meeting,

01:18:33or just finishing overtime in 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 in Boston with Trevor.

01:18:41She answered the phone less and less.

01:18:43Finish breakfast?

01:18:44Go to school?

01:18:45Bye,

01:18:46Mommy loves you.

01:18:47Starting this year,

01:18:47she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

01:18:49She simply stopped answering.

01:18:51I had never deleted that alarm.

01:18:52I told myself,

01:18:53what if one day she remembered Mommy?

01:18:55What if one day she was willing to answer again?

01:18:57I had to be online at that moment.

01:18:59At six this morning,

01:19:00I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

01:19:02That alarm rang too.

01:19:06At that moment,

01:19:07I was standing beside the 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 all of that in the kitchen.

01:19:20I stared at that alarm for a long time.

01:19:22I deleted it.

01:19:23The plane taxied down the runway.

01:19:24The engine noise grew louder and louder.

01:19:27I closed my eyes.

01:19:28I said one thing to myself.

01:19:30You've done everything you needed to do.

01:19:33I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

01:19:37The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

01:19:40If either spouse commits public humiliation,

01:19:42deprivation of parental rights,

01:19:43or economic coercion,

01:19:45the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children

01:19:47and 75% of marital assets.

01:19:52Back then,

01:19:53the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

01:19:55Mrs. Hale,

01:19:56this clause is absolutely in your favor.

01:19:59See how much Trevor protects you?

01:20:01I was only 24 then,

01:20:03newly pregnant with Adeline.

01:20:05It was my first time stepping into a century-old family,

01:20:07like the Hales.

01:20:09And I was so nervous,

01:20:10my hand shook when I signed.

01:20:12I signed.

01:20:14Trevor signed too.

01:20:15He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

01:20:17To keep my wife safe from my own family.

01:20:19To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

01:20:23Reading that sentence again today,

01:20:24I nearly laughed out loud.

01:20:26He had hardly protected me at all.

01:20:28But he had indeed left me a gun.

01:20:31Seven years later,

01:20:32he walked himself right into the barrel.

01:20:34Seven years ago,

01:20:35he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

01:20:38Seven years later,

01:20:40the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

01:20:42The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

01:20:45Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

01:20:48Sunlight 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.

01:20:57It wasn't something that happened overnight.

01:20:59I'm in a meeting.

01:21:00Again and again,

01:21:01he said,

01:21:01she needs me.

01:21:03Again and again,

01:21:03he said,

01:21:04your hormones are unstable.

01:21:06Again and again,

01:21:07he said,

01:21:07Cassidy has it hard.

01:21:08He wore away what little love I 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 in my belly moved,

01:21:17and the other moved with them.

01:21:18I smiled.

01:21:20I said to them,

01:21:21your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

01:21:23Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:21:26Starting today.

01:21:28Siphoning.

01:21:29I'll see you soon.

01:21:31Siphoning.

01:21:32Siphoning.ераțion.

01:21:33Siphoning.

01:21:37Siphoning.

01:21:38Siphoning.

01:21:38You

I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret ⚖️ Binge-Watch Full Episodes | Dailymotion #ReelShort

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