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Welcome to Drama Royale 🎬
Enjoy addictive short dramas packed with romance, betrayal, revenge, emotional moments, and shocking plot twists.
From billionaire love stories to hidden identities and dramatic relationships, Drama Royale delivers nonstop entertainment with fast-paced storytelling and unforgettable characters.
🔥 Viral Shorts Drama
💔 Romance & Heartbreak
⚡ Unexpected Plot Twists
🎭 Emotional Drama Series
New episodes uploaded regularly. Subscribe and enjoy the world of short drama entertainment with Drama Royale
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Catégorie
🎥
Court Métrage
Enjoy addictive short dramas packed with romance, betrayal, revenge, emotional moments, and shocking plot twists.
From billionaire love stories to hidden identities and dramatic relationships, Drama Royale delivers nonstop entertainment with fast-paced storytelling and unforgettable characters.
🔥 Viral Shorts Drama
💔 Romance & Heartbreak
⚡ Unexpected Plot Twists
🎭 Emotional Drama Series
New episodes uploaded regularly. Subscribe and enjoy the world of short drama entertainment with Drama Royale
#ShortDrama #DramaSeries
Catégorie
🎥
Court Métrage
Catégorie
📺
TVTranscription
00:01My whole life, I believe my parents were poor.
00:04Then I found out my roommate's billionaire godmother was actually my mom.
00:09Chloe's godmother gave her the world.
00:10While I was working two or three jobs just to pay tuition,
00:13her godmother was taking her on vacations around the world.
00:15While I was coughing up blood but couldn't even afford a hospital visit,
00:21her godmother was taking her to sold-out concerts.
00:25Everyone in our dorm envied her.
00:26Me included.
00:28Then Chloe posted a video of her godmother celebrating her birthday.
00:31My breath caught.
00:32I just stared at the woman in the video.
00:34She looked exactly like my mother.
00:35Even the tiny mole by the corner of her mouth was in the exact same spot.
00:39The security guard stopped me at the hotel entrance.
00:41Only then did I realize I'd somehow walked all the way to Chloe's birthday party without even thinking.
00:46I looked at the luxury hotel, circled around to the service entrance, and searched for a way inside.
00:51I had to know.
00:52Was Chloe's godmother really my mom?
00:54As I wandered behind the building, a familiar voice stopped me cold.
00:57How much longer are we going to keep this from Claire?
01:01I looked up at the balcony.
01:03The man who always sat on our old couch in stained clothes.
01:06Beside him stood a woman in a dark green dress with a cashmere wrap over her shoulder.
01:09I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
01:10My fingers tightened around my phone.
01:12I was about to run upstairs and ask them why they'd lied to me my entire life.
01:15If Claire finds out the truth, what happens to Chloe?
01:20Her father died saving me on the earthquake.
01:23And all she has left.
01:25She's been protected her whole life.
01:26It's too fragile to share us with anyone.
01:28And don't forget what the psychic said.
01:29Claire isn't meant to have an easy life.
01:31If everything goes her way, Chloe will be the one who pays the price.
01:34That's why we spent all these years pretending to be poor.
01:37Why we even slipped something into Claire's drink before her SATs.
01:41It was all to protect her.
01:49But Claire is our daughter.
01:50This isn't fair to her.
01:52Enough.
01:52I know exactly what I'm doing.
01:54This is what's best for everyone.
01:56Hidden beneath the balcony, I shook so hard I could barely breathe.
02:00Back in high school, I was supposed to be valedictorian.
02:03The district had promised me a $500,000 scholarship,
02:06plus four years of full tuition and living expenses if I graduated at the top of my class.
02:11I wanted that scholarship more than anything.
02:14So I studied until my eyes burned.
02:17Waking up at five every morning and barely sleeping three hours a night.
02:21Then on the morning of the SAT, I overslept.
02:24I missed the first section.
02:26Just like that, everything was gone.
02:28The scholarship, the full ride, my future.
02:30For months, I blamed myself.
02:31I thought I wasn't smart enough.
02:33I thought my body had finally given out.
02:35I thought I'd let everyone down, especially my mom.
02:38So I worked harder, spent less, punished myself so my parents wouldn't have to.
02:42I never realized every dollar had been calculated.
02:45She made me feel grateful while using that guilt to keep me exactly where she wanted me.
02:50Stuck at the bottom with no way out.
02:51So I worked non-stop to pay for college myself.
02:54I collapsed on the job three different times.
02:56I kept going anyway.
02:58But now, I knew the truth.
02:59My own mother had planned it.
03:01All because of Chloe and some psychic's ridiculous prediction.
03:04If Claire ever finds out, aren't you afraid she'll hate us?
03:07She'll never figure it out.
03:09I send her tiny amounts every now and then.
03:11Just to not make her think that's all we can afford.
03:14Just then, my phone buzzed.
03:15Mom had sent me $23.56, along with a message.
03:19Sweetheart, I saw some college kids getting boba today.
03:22Go treat yourself to one.
03:23I can't give you much, but I still want you to have the little things everyone else does.
03:27She feels guilty taking my money, so she works herself to the bone instead.
03:30As long as she's too busy surviving, she'll never have time to question anything.
03:33I stared at the screen as my grip tightened around my phone.
03:36I lowered my eyes to our transfer history.
03:38It was weird little payments.
03:40Every single one used to make me feel loved and guilty.
03:43A wave of rage, heartbreak, and disbelief hit me all at once.
03:46It felt like my chest was being torn apart.
03:48But even then, I still couldn't believe it.
03:51I couldn't believe my mom could be this heartless.
03:53I took a deep breath, walked farther away from the balcony, and called her.
03:56She picked up almost instantly.
03:59Hey, sweetheart.
04:00What's wrong?
04:01Mom, my professor's been harassing me.
04:03He keeps threatening to fail me unless I meet him alone in his office.
04:06He sends me disgusting pictures every day.
04:09And says if I don't do what he wants, he'll make sure I never graduate.
04:12Mom, can you help me?
04:14Silence.
04:15I told myself, if she told me the truth right now, or if she just stood up for me this
04:18one time,
04:19I'd pretend I never came here tonight.
04:20I'd pretend I never heard any of it, but she made her choice.
04:24Claire, he's still your professor.
04:26Our family doesn't have money or connects.
04:28Can't you just put up with it until graduation?
04:30I felt my heart drop.
04:31But mom, he touched me.
04:33He kept putting his hand on my thigh.
04:35He even tried to drug me if I hadn't gotten away.
04:37I closed my eyes.
04:38The fear I'd buried for an entire semester,
04:40the fear I'd never told another soul,
04:42came rushing back until I could barely breathe.
04:45Then wear more clothes.
04:46Mom cut me off impatiently.
04:48She'd probably realized how cold she sounded.
04:50She coughed twice before speaking again.
04:52Her voice suddenly saw,
04:54I'm sorry, Claire.
04:55I'm a useless mother.
04:56I can't protect you.
04:57If you're really unhappy, then leave school.
04:59I'll support you.
05:00I've worked this hard my whole life for one reason only.
05:03I just want you to be happy.
05:05Listening to her cough, I finally realized
05:07she'd been doing this my whole life.
05:09Back in middle school,
05:11you made it to the state math competition finals.
05:13got invited to an elite summer program
05:14at one of the country's top universities.
05:17Every time something good happened to me,
05:18mom acted excited.
05:19She'd start taking more and more painkillers
05:22right in front of me.
05:23She'd let me watch creditors scream at her over money.
05:25And every single time, I gave it up myself.
05:27She'd make me believe every opportunity I got
05:30was another burden on the family.
05:31That's how she kept me exactly where she wanted me.
05:34But Chloe, Chloe got a completely different mother.
05:36Mom called her every night.
05:37She kept sending her spending money,
05:39afraid she'd run out.
05:40She was worried Chloe might have a hard time at school,
05:42so she donated $5 million to the university.
05:45She spent even more pulling strings
05:47to get Chloe into prestigious programs and internships.
05:50Everything was handed to her.
05:53I was your daughter.
05:55So why, why did you sacrifice me?
05:58Then I realized the call had already ended.
06:00A moment later, mom's voice drifted down
06:02from the balcony again.
06:03Tell Professor Vincent
06:04to keep making Claire's life miserable.
06:06I don't want her graduating.
06:07Professor Vincent,
06:09the man who'd been harassing me for the past year.
06:11And make sure she's too busy struggling
06:13to ever make any real money.
06:14No wonder no one listened when I reported him.
06:17Not the department,
06:17not the dean,
06:19not even the university's...
06:23My own mother had made sure of that.
06:25And I?
06:25I kept blaming myself,
06:26kept suffering in silence.
06:29Too scared to tell anyone.
06:30I slid down the wall
06:31and collapsed onto the ground.
06:33I cried so hard I could barely breathe.
06:36By the time every light in the hotel had gone dark,
06:39I'd finally accepted the truth.
06:40My parents had never failed to protect me.
06:42They had chosen not to.
06:45In my academic advisor's office,
06:47I handed over the application form.
06:49I want to sign up for the National Physics Challenges.
06:52She looked at me in surprise, then smiled.
06:54Claire, you finally changed your mind?
06:56I was actually hoping you would.
06:58I even held the registration open
07:00for two extra days just in case.
07:02She took the form and looked at me again.
07:04You're really doing this?
07:05I nodded.
07:07This was one of the biggest physics competitions
07:09in the country,
07:10jointly hosted by 10 top universities.
07:12A top finish meant a huge cash prize
07:14and a chance to study abroad
07:16at my dream university as an exchange student.
07:18I almost gave it up before
07:20because I was worried about mom,
07:21but not anymore.
07:22This time,
07:23I wasn't giving up my future for anyone,
07:25so I threw myself into preparing for the competition.
07:28I studied from morning until late at night,
07:30just like I had before the SAT.
07:31A few days later, mom called me.
07:33It had been a long time since I'd heard her voice.
07:36Claire, how have you been?
07:38I heard you're representing your school in a competition.
07:41Just do your best.
07:42Don't put too much pressure on yourself.
07:43Making it this far is already an incredible achievement.
07:46Do you have enough money?
07:46I'll send you some.
07:47You should get yourself something nice to wear.
07:49You represent your school now.
07:51Before I could answer,
07:52she broke into another violent coughing fit.
07:54It sounded so bad she could barely catch her breath.
07:57A second later, someone grabbed the phone.
07:59It was our neighbor.
08:00Claire, your mom's getting worse.
08:01She's coughing up blood now.
08:03You need to come home and take her to a doctor.
08:05Stop scaring her.
08:06I'm fine.
08:07Don't listen to her, sweetheart.
08:09I'm doing just fine.
08:10You focus on your competition.
08:11And don't worry about me.
08:14But her coughing wouldn't stop.
08:16It only grew heavier.
08:17Like she was trying her hardest
08:18to make sure I heard every painful breath.
08:20I knew exactly what she was doing.
08:22She wanted me to feel guilty.
08:24She wanted me to give up the competition
08:25and rush home to take care of her.
08:27But mom, for Chloe, did you really decide
08:29I wasn't worth protecting anymore?
08:30I forced back the burning in my throat.
08:32Mom, I'm not giving up this opportunity.
08:34There was a long silence before she finally spoke again
08:37in that same gentle voice.
08:38I know you'll do great.
08:40Claire, I believe you can win.
08:42Over the next few days,
08:44I threw myself into preparing for the competition.
08:46When the results of the mock exam came out,
08:48my advisor ran over holding last year's test paper
08:51with a huge smile.
08:52Claire, do you know what you scored?
08:53An 89.
08:54That's 10 points higher than last year's national champion.
08:57If you keep this up,
08:58you've got a real chance to win.
09:00I stared at the bright red 89 on the paper,
09:03my heart pounding with excitement.
09:04On the morning of the competition,
09:05I arrived at school early
09:07and headed to the bus that would take us to the venue.
09:09But the moment I saw Chloe standing by the door
09:11with a knowing smile,
09:13an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.
09:15Before I could figure out why,
09:17my advisor stepped off the bus
09:18and walked straight toward me.
09:19She hesitated for a moment before saying quietly,
09:21Claire, I'm sorry, but you won't be competing today.
09:26Why?
09:27My advisor didn't answer.
09:28She just looked past me.
09:29I turned around and saw several men in black jackets
09:32walking straight toward me.
09:34Claire?
09:34Without thinking, I nodded.
09:36The man in front grabbed my wrist.
09:37You're coming with us.
09:38What are you doing?
09:39Who are you?
09:40Let go of me!
09:41He tightened his grip.
09:42Relax.
09:43We're not here to hurt you,
09:44but you've got an unpaid loan
09:46and the payment's overdue.
09:47Until it's settled,
09:48you're not going anywhere.
09:49Claire, I can't believe you took out payday loans.
09:51Now the collectors have shown up on campus
09:53and there's nothing the school can do.
09:55I didn't borrow any money.
09:56Please, you have to believe me.
09:58I never took out any loan.
10:00Take Claire and these men to this
10:02don't let anyone leave until her family gets here.
10:04Hold on.
10:05Claire, stop dreaming.
10:06You'll never beat me.
10:07It doesn't matter how smart you are.
10:09If I want your spot, it's mine.
10:11Claire, we'll all be rooting for you.
10:13She gave me a smug smile,
10:14turned around and climbed onto the bus.
10:16Let me go!
10:17I never borrowed any money!
10:19I struggled with everything I had.
10:20Please, just let me go.
10:23This competition means everything to me!
10:26We were only hired to keep you from competing.
10:28Once it's over,
10:30you'll be free to leave.
10:31And don't bother calling the cops.
10:33Every document is legitimate.
10:34The loan's in your name,
10:35the money was deposited into your account,
10:37and all the paperwork checks out.
10:39Even if the police show up,
10:41they won't find anything wrong.
10:42In that instant, everything clicked.
10:43There was only one person
10:45who could have signed those documents
10:46without me ever knowing.
10:47My mother.
10:48But why?
10:48Why did she have to destroy my future?
10:50Our client left one more instruction.
10:52You're going to watch the entire competition.
10:56The live stream started,
10:58and there was Chloe,
10:59standing exactly where I should have been.
11:00As the camera zoomed in on the test paper,
11:03I recognized every question immediately.
11:05They were all problems I could have solved with ease.
11:07But instead of writing a single answer,
11:09Chloe looked straight into the camera with a smug smile,
11:12casually tossed her pen onto the desk,
11:14leaned back in her chair,
11:15and slept through the entire competition.
11:18I sat there and watched until it was over.
11:20Just like that,
11:21my last chance was gone.
11:22Tears blurred my vision
11:23as my phone suddenly began vibrating nonstop.
11:26Message after message from mom filled the screen.
11:29Claire, what happened?
11:30Why aren't you at the competition?
11:31Looking at those messages,
11:32I couldn't help laughing.
11:34Even now,
11:34she was still pretending she knew nothing.
11:36Can I leave now?
11:37He glanced at the live stream,
11:39nodded and said,
11:39Yeah, our job's done.
11:41I slowly got to my feet and walked away.
11:43When I passed a trash can,
11:44I took out my phone and tossed it inside
11:46without a second thought.
11:47After several unanswered calls,
11:49mom grabbed her coat
11:50and was about to head to my school.
11:52Just then,
11:52the front door opened
11:53and Chloe came running in,
11:55wrapping her arms around mom
11:56as she excitedly talked about everything
11:58that had happened that day.
11:59It didn't take long for mom to forget all about me.
12:02She smiled.
12:03As long as you're happy.
12:04I promised I'd take you on a trip
12:06after the competition,
12:07didn't I?
12:10I'll give Claire's dad a call
12:12and see if he wants to come along.
12:13They spent the next week traveling overseas,
12:15eating at nice restaurants,
12:17shopping,
12:17taking pictures
12:18and filling their social media
12:19with happy memories.
12:21It wasn't until they came home
12:22that mom suddenly realized something.
12:24I hadn't called her once.
12:25The uneasy feeling returned almost instantly.
12:28She called my number,
12:29but my phone was off.
12:30She tried again from dad's phone
12:31with the same result.
12:32The more she thought about it,
12:33the more unsettled she became.
12:35Finally,
12:35she found my advisor's number and called.
12:39Hello,
12:39this is Claire's mother.
12:41I was wondering how Claire's been doing.
12:43She hasn't answered any of my calls.
12:46Claire?
12:47She withdrew from school weeks ago.
12:54Mom froze for a moment
12:55before her voice suddenly rose.
12:58Dropped out?
12:59Who said she could drop out?
13:01How could the school let her withdraw
13:02without a parent's signature?
13:03And why wasn't I notified?
13:04What kind of school are you people running?
13:06Sorry,
13:07but according to our records,
13:08you're Chloe's guardian.
13:09This is the number you gave us
13:10when you donated the new edemic building.
13:11Why are you calling about Claire?
13:14Mom went silent.
13:15I'm Claire's mother too.
13:16It took her several seconds
13:17before she finally answered.
13:18The school still had my old number
13:20from Claire's enrollment paperwork.
13:21I changed it later
13:22and forgot to update it.
13:24Before my advisor could respond,
13:25she hurriedly asked,
13:27When did Claire withdraw?
13:28The day of the physics competition.
13:30The paperwork was processed that morning
13:32and she cleared out her dorm that afternoon.
13:34She didn't leave a single thing behind.
13:36A chill ran through mom.
13:37Without another word,
13:38she hung up,
13:39got in the car
13:40and drove straight to the old neighborhood.
13:42She stopped in front of the small house
13:44with its rusted iron gate and peeling paint,
13:46pulled her keys from her purse
13:47and unlocked the door,
13:49silently hoping I'd be inside.
13:51The moment the door swung open,
13:53a stale cloud of dust drifted into her face.
13:55The furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust.
13:58Mom stood there in a daze
13:59before a memory suddenly hit her.
14:01Ever since I left for college,
14:02I had never come home.
14:03At first,
14:04she kept pretending to be poor
14:05whenever I visited.
14:06She started cutting my living expenses
14:08and pushing me to work more part-time jobs instead.
14:11I spent every waking hour
14:12trying to earn enough money to survive.
14:14I never had the time
14:15or the money to come back.
14:17Realizing that,
14:18mom hurried down the hallway,
14:19threw open the door to my bedroom
14:20and froze where she stood.
14:22Just like the living room,
14:23my bedroom was buried under a thick layer of dust.
14:26There was only one explanation.
14:28I had never come back after dropping out.
14:31Mom grabbed his sleeve so tightly,
14:33her hands started shaking.
14:34Dad walked in behind her
14:35and frowned when he saw the look on her face.
14:37Why did you suddenly come back here?
14:39Claire's gone.
14:40She dropped out of school
14:41and she never told us.
14:42She's just a young girl.
14:43Where could she possibly go by herself?
14:44Did someone lure her away?
14:45What if something happened to her?
14:46What if someone kidnapped her?
14:48This is all my fault.
14:49Why do we leave on that trip?
14:51Why do we leave her here all alone?
14:53I didn't even call her once the entire time.
14:55Dad steadied her by the shoulders,
14:56although his own face had gone pale.
15:00Don't panic.
15:01I'll find her.
15:04Trace my daughter's last known location.
15:06Contact the police.
15:07Pull nearby surveillance footage.
15:09Mr. Sebastian,
15:10while searching your records,
15:11we found an audio file in the company inbox.
15:12It was sent by someone named Claire.
15:13Claire?
15:14How does she even know our company email?
15:15Play it right now.
15:17If Claire finds out the truth,
15:18what happens to Chloe?
15:19Claire isn't supposed to have an easy life.
15:21If everything goes her way,
15:22Chloe will be the one who pays the price.
15:23The recording ended.
15:24Mom stood there frozen,
15:26still clutching the phone.
15:27Slowly, she turned to look at Dad.
15:29She knew.
15:30She knew everything.
15:31The next second,
15:32the phone slipped from Mom's hand
15:33and hit the floor with a dull thud.
15:35So she left?
15:36She knows everything
15:37and she doesn't want me anymore.
15:39Mom slumped to the ground,
15:40sobbing.
15:41Dad knelt beside her,
15:43pulled her into his arms
15:44and gently rubbed her back.
15:46He took out his phone.
15:47Find Claire immediately.
15:48Call the police.
15:49Pull every security camera you can.
15:50File a missing persons report
15:51and send everyone we have out to look for her.
15:53A week passed,
15:54then two,
15:55then half a month.
15:55They reviewed countless hours of surveillance footage,
15:58filed reports with the police,
15:59covered half the city with missing person flyers.
16:02None of them was me.
16:03Six months later,
16:04the bell above a neighborhood bakery door chimed.
16:06I was behind the counter sorting receipts
16:08when I heard someone come in.
16:09I looked up and greeted the customer
16:11with the same smile I gave everyone.
16:13Hi.
16:13What can I get for you today?
16:15The woman standing across from me didn't answer.
16:17She just stared at my face
16:18as tears silently rolled down her cheeks
16:20and landed on the counter.
16:22She covered her mouth.
16:23Claire.
16:25It really is you.
16:29Do you have any idea
16:30how long we've been looking for you?
16:32She pointed at the faded missing person poster
16:34taped to the bakery window.
16:36You knew we were looking for you, didn't you?
16:38Then why didn't you come home?
16:39Do you have any idea how worried I was?
16:42I looked at her quietly
16:43and kept boxing up the cake in my hands
16:45without saying a word.
16:47Ma'am, your order is ready.
16:48There are customers waiting behind you
16:49so I'd appreciate it if you could step aside.
16:51She stood there in a daze
16:52for a couple of seconds
16:53before suddenly turning to the line behind her.
16:56I'm buying everything in the store today.
16:58Order whatever you want
16:58then please take it to go.
16:59Can we talk now?
17:00I finished ringing up the last cake
17:02before finally looking at her.
17:03About what?
17:04You got exactly what you wanted.
17:05Dropped out of school.
17:06I gave up my future.
17:07I'll never be a threat to Chloe again.
17:08So why are you still looking for me?
17:09Isn't my life miserable enough already?
17:11Mom's whole body trembled.
17:12No, Claire.
17:14That's not what this was.
17:16Really?
17:17Then are you going to tell me
17:18you didn't drug me before my ACE-AT?
17:20That you didn't have Professor Vincent harass me
17:22so I couldn't graduate?
17:23Or that you didn't take out
17:24five million dollars in loans using my name?
17:26Claire, I can explain.
17:28You don't have to.
17:29I took a step back before she could touch me.
17:34Your total is $750,000.
17:36Card or cash?
17:37Claire.
17:39Card or cash?
17:42Card.
17:43I carried the shopping bags to her car,
17:45carefully placed them in the trunk,
17:47then closed it,
17:48and gave her the same polite smile
17:49I'd give any customer.
17:50Thank you for your purchase.
17:51Have a wonderful day.
17:54Over the next few days,
17:55they followed me everywhere.
17:56On the first day,
17:57Mom bought a coffee,
17:58sat on the bench across from the bakery,
18:00and spent the entire afternoon
18:02watching me through the front window.
18:03And I never looked her way.
18:05The next day,
18:05Dad came with her.
18:06The two of them sat there
18:07from morning to evening,
18:08quietly waiting outside
18:09like they had nowhere else to be.
18:11When I got off work and walked home,
18:13they followed a few steps behind me the whole way,
18:15never trying to catch up
18:16but never falling behind either.
18:17I didn't acknowledge them once,
18:19I simply walked home,
18:20unlocked my door,
18:21and stepped inside.
18:23Behind me was a cramped studio apartment,
18:25barely 500 square feet.
18:26It held nothing more than a narrow bed
18:28and a cheap plastic wardrobe.
18:30Paint was peeling from the walls,
18:31and the old windows didn't even shut all the way.
18:33Mom stood frozen at the doorway,
18:35silently taking in every corner of the room.
18:37Her eyes reddened almost immediately.
18:38She turned away,
18:40buried her face against Dad's shoulder,
18:41and broke down crying.
18:43Dad wasn't much better.
18:44His eyes were bloodshot.
18:45Claire,
18:46you shouldn't be living like this.
18:47I'll rent you a better place
18:49or buy you a condo if you'd rather.
18:50Whatever you want,
18:51we'll make it happen.
18:52Just please talk to us.
18:55I've lived in places like this my entire life.
18:57Mom's sob stopped instantly.
18:59Dad opened his mouth,
18:59but no words came out.
19:00I walked inside
19:01and quietly closed the door.
19:03The next morning,
19:03I found a hot latte,
19:04a bagel,
19:05and a brand new fan
19:06waiting outside my door.
19:07I left them where they were.
19:10When I came home that evening,
19:11they were gone.
19:12In their place were my favorite fruit,
19:14and someone had installed
19:15central air conditioning
19:16throughout the building.
19:17I ignored that too.
19:18A few days later,
19:19they rented the apartment next to mine.
19:21They never knocked on my door
19:22or forced me to talk.
19:23Every day,
19:24they simply left food
19:25and daily necessities outside,
19:26and if we happened to run into each other
19:28in the hallway,
19:29they'd only smile cautiously
19:30as if they were afraid
19:31one wrong move
19:32would make me disappear again.
19:33But every time I saw those careful smiles,
19:35all I felt was irritation.
19:36Finally,
19:37when they showed up
19:37another pile of things,
19:39I yanked it open.
19:40What exactly do you want from me?
19:43Claire, no.
19:47Nothing you're doing
19:48makes anything better.
19:49It just makes me hate this even more.
19:50You already chose Chloe over me.
19:52You should have stayed with that choice.
19:53Don't spend years destroying my life
19:55and then suddenly show up
19:56pretending to care
19:56because I'm finally gone.
19:57No, Claire.
19:58Your father and I
19:59were always going to tell you the truth
20:00after Chloe graduated from college.
20:01We thought once she was settled,
20:02you could go back to school,
20:03get your master's,
20:03or do whatever you wanted.
20:05We would have paid for everything.
20:06We never thought you'd find out like this
20:07and we never imagined you'd leave us.
20:09Please, just believe me.
20:10Enough.
20:12What are you really trying to say?
20:13What do you want from me?
20:14Come home with us, Claire.
20:16I couldn't help laughing.
20:17Home?
20:18So what?
20:19Go back to living in fear
20:20that I'll somehow bring Chloe bad luck
20:21while you keep sacrificing me for her?
20:23No.
20:24Chloe's gone.
20:25Three months after you disappeared,
20:27she left too.
20:28We found out she hired that psychic herself.
20:29Everything he told us
20:30that you'd bring Chloe bad luck,
20:31that you couldn't be allowed
20:32to have a good life.
20:33Every bit of it was a lie.
20:34I threw her out, Claire.
20:35She used our guilt over her father's death
20:37to drive us apart.
20:37Let's go home and be a family.
20:39I'm not asking you to forgive me.
20:41I'm only asking for one chance.
20:42You're still so young.
20:43You shouldn't have to face everything alone.
20:45She reached for my hand through her tears.
20:48I quietly pulled it away.
20:50You don't have to.
20:51I already found myself a new family.
20:55Before I could say another word,
20:56someone stepped in front of me
20:57and pulled me behind them.
20:59Mrs. Cole stood protectively between us,
21:01watching my parents with obvious suspicion.
21:04What do you want with my daughter?
21:06Mom and dad both froze.
21:09What do you mean your daughter?
21:11Claire is my daughter.
21:12She's my biological daughter.
21:15She rushed toward me,
21:16trying to grab my hand,
21:17but Mr. Cole immediately stepped in
21:19and blocked her.
21:19What do you think you're doing?
21:21Trying to drag someone away in broad daylight?
21:24The raised voices drew the neighbors into the hallway.
21:27One door after another opened
21:28as people came out to see what was happening.
21:30Aren't those the couple
21:31who've been hanging around
21:32this girl's apartment all week?
21:33I knew something wasn't right.
21:36Don't worry, sweetheart.
21:37I already called the police.
21:38Get out of here!
21:39Nobody's taking that girl anywhere!
21:41No, you've got it all wrong.
21:42I'm...
21:43Before she could finish,
21:44an older woman picked up an egg
21:45from her grocery bag
21:46and threw it straight at my mom.
21:49Get out of here,
21:50you child traffickers!
21:52The hallway erupted.
21:53People started grabbing
21:54whatever they had within reach
21:55and throwing it at my parents,
21:57shouting for them to leave
21:58until the two of them
21:59had no choice but to retreat
22:00under a storm of insult.
22:02Only after they disappeared downstairs
22:03did everything finally quiet down.
22:05Mrs. Cole turned back to me,
22:07held my arm,
22:08and carefully looked me over
22:09from head to toe.
22:10You stubborn girl.
22:13If you were struggling,
22:15why didn't you come to us sooner?
22:17Didn't Mr. Cole and I
22:18already tell you
22:19that you never have to worry
22:20about tuition or money again?
22:22She gently smoothed
22:23my hair back and smiled.
22:25The day we adopted you,
22:27you became our daughter.
22:29And that's exactly
22:30how we'll always treat you.
22:37Mrs. Cole,
22:38don't be mad anymore.
22:39Look what I got you.
22:40I pulled two small gift boxes
22:42out of my bag.
22:43I picked these out for you
22:44and Mr. Cole.
22:45Do you like them?
22:46Please don't be mad.
22:47I promise I won't keep
22:48things from you again.
22:49Mrs. Cole looked at the brooch
22:50in my hand
22:51and immediately realized
22:52I'd been secretly working
22:53just to save up enough
22:54to buy them gifts.
22:56With a helpless,
22:57she nudged me
22:57toward Mr. Cole.
23:01She's your daughter too.
23:02You deal with her.
23:03Mr. Cole and I
23:04exchanged a look.
23:05Then the two of us
23:06wrapped our arms
23:06around Mrs. Cole
23:07at the same time
23:08until she finally...
23:09Meeting the Lucases
23:10had been pure chance.
23:12After I dropped out of school,
23:13I had nowhere to go.
23:14One afternoon,
23:15I was sitting alone
23:15by the river
23:16trying to sort out my thoughts
23:17when Mr. Cole,
23:18who happened to be out
23:19for a walk,
23:20saw me sitting on the railing
23:21and immediately pulled me back.
23:23He thought I was about to jump.
23:24Mrs. Cole showed up
23:25a few minutes later
23:26and scolded me so fiercely
23:27that I couldn't get
23:28a word in.
23:29Even after calming down,
23:30they were still worried
23:31about leaving me alone.
23:32So they took me out
23:33for dinner while waiting
23:34for the police to arrive.
23:35Maybe it was the hot meal
23:36sitting in front of me.
23:37Or maybe it was because
23:38Mrs. Cole looked so much
23:40like the kind of mother
23:40I'd always wished for.
23:42For the first time,
23:43I told someone everything.
23:44I told them about my family,
23:46about Chloe,
23:47about everything I'd been through.
23:48Mrs. Cole cried harder
23:49than I did.
23:50While Mr. Cole comforted his wife,
23:52he quietly asked me
23:53what I planned to do next.
23:54I could only shake my head.
23:56I'd left home on impulse.
23:57I hadn't planned anything.
23:58The only thing I knew for certain
24:00was that I would never go back.
24:01The two of them
24:02looked at each other
24:02before Mr. Cole asked,
24:04Would you
24:05like to be our daughter?
24:11Mrs. Cole had lost the chance
24:13to have children
24:13because of health problems
24:15when she was younger.
24:17No!
24:18By then,
24:19they were both getting older
24:20and they'd long since
24:21given up on becoming parents.
24:22Seeing that I hesitated,
24:24they didn't try to pressure me.
24:26Instead,
24:27they emptied an entire folder
24:28onto the table.
24:29Their IDs,
24:30the deed to their house,
24:31credit reports,
24:32background checks,
24:33medical records,
24:34even psychological evaluations.
24:36It was their way of telling me
24:38they had nothing to hide.
24:39The moment I finally said yes,
24:40they couldn't wait
24:41to start the adoption paperwork
24:43and add my name to their family.
24:45There had been one last document
24:46they needed from their hometown,
24:47so they'd gone back to pick it up.
24:49While they were away,
24:50I secretly bought them gifts
24:51to celebrate our new beginning.
24:53I just never expected
24:54my biological parents
24:56to find me before they came back.
24:58Mrs. Cole looked down
24:59at the brooch I'd given her
25:00before asking quietly,
25:03Were those two
25:04your biological parents?
25:05I nodded.
25:07She was silent for a moment
25:08before asking the question
25:09she was really afraid of.
25:14Do you want to go back with them?
25:15Seeing the worry in her eyes,
25:17I reached over,
25:18took her hand,
25:18and answered without hesitation.
25:20Home is wherever you
25:21and Mr. Cole are.
25:23Her eyes instantly filled with joy.
25:25She pulled me into a hug
25:26and kissed my cheek
25:27while Mr. Cole turned away,
25:29pretending to adjust his glasses
25:31as he quickly wiped
25:32the corner of his eye.
25:34Just as we packed up
25:35and got ready to leave,
25:37my parents appeared at the door again
25:38like they refused to let go.
25:40Claire,
25:41I got your academic records
25:42transferred back.
25:43If you come home,
25:44you can re-enroll
25:45at your old university immediately.
25:46I also talked to the competition committee.
25:49They've agreed to let you compete again
25:50and all your previous scores
25:52will still count.
25:53Whatever you want to do after this,
25:55your father and I will support you.
25:57We won't interfere anymore.
26:04Will you come home?
26:08Dad glanced at Mr. and Mrs. Cole
26:09before speaking,
26:11his tone carrying
26:12barely concealed contempt.
26:14Claire,
26:14what kind of future
26:15can they give you?
26:16Living in a place like this
26:17with people like them
26:18will only make your life harder.
26:19Come back with us
26:20and you'll never have to worry
26:21about money again.
26:24Hmm.
26:26Without saying a word,
26:28he took out his phone
26:28and made a call.
26:30Principal Lee,
26:31it's Lucas.
26:32I'd like you to bring
26:33an early admission package
26:34to my house tomorrow morning
26:35at 10.
26:35My daughter will be transferring
26:37to your university.
26:39After hanging up,
26:41he looked at my parents
26:41with a polite smile.
26:43I suppose we never formally
26:44introduced ourselves.
26:45My wife is from
26:46the Sterling family,
26:47the family that owns Sterling Group,
26:48and I'm the Lucas Cole
26:50behind Cole Industrial Park.
26:51He slipped his phone
26:52back into his pocket.
26:53If you think money
26:54is what decides
26:55who gets to be her family,
26:56I'm afraid you're not
26:57in our league.
26:59The hallway fell
27:00completely silent.
27:02Mrs. Cole smiled,
27:03reached out her hand,
27:03and said,
27:04It's time to go home.
27:05I looked at her outstretched hand,
27:07then placed mine in it.
27:08Mr. Cole stepped over
27:09to my other side
27:10and took my free hand.
27:13Hand in hand,
27:13the three of us
27:14walked downstairs
27:15through the narrow alley
27:16and out of the old neighborhood
27:18beneath the soft glow
27:19of the moon.
27:21I looked back one last time
27:23at the apartment building
27:24with its lonely hallway light
27:25still burning.
27:27Then I turned away
27:28and walked,
27:29one step at a time,
27:30toward my new home.
27:32The next morning,
27:33Principal Lee
27:34personally delivered
27:35the early admission package
27:36to the Cole estate.
27:38Not only was I admitted
27:39to the top academic institution
27:41in the country,
27:42but I was also offered
27:43a full scholarship
27:44and a spot
27:45in the prestigious
27:46Ivy Exchange program.
27:50Thank you,
27:51Mr. and Mrs. Cole.
27:52I don't even know
27:53how to repay you.
27:55Silly girl.
27:56Call us mom and dad
27:57and you don't need
27:58to repay us.
27:59Just promise to shine
28:01as bright as you
28:01were always meant to.
28:03Meanwhile,
28:03my biological parents
28:04were unraveling.
28:06Dad's company lost
28:07three major municipal contracts
28:09in a single afternoon.
28:13Termination business
28:14from the park!
28:15It wasn't until
28:15his secretary frantically
28:17ran into his office
28:18that he realized why.
28:19Cole Industrial Park
28:20and the Sterling Group
28:21had cut all ties
28:22with their business.
28:23We didn't just lose
28:23our daughter.
28:24We destroyed ourselves.
28:26A month later,
28:28the International Physics
28:29Symposium was held
28:30at the grandest
28:30convention center
28:31in the city.
28:32I walked onto the main stage
28:34as the student keynote speaker,
28:35wearing a tailored cream suit
28:37Mrs. Cole had picked for me.
28:38Among the crowd
28:39of reporters,
28:40investors,
28:41and academics,
28:42two disheveled figures
28:43stood at the back
28:44of the auditorium.
28:45It was mom and dad.
28:46They looked exhausted,
28:48their clothes rumpled
28:49and their faces gaunt.
28:51Without the backing
28:52of their business partners,
28:53their fortune was dissolving.
28:55As I delivered
28:56my presentation flawlessly,
28:58the audience erupted
28:59into applause.
29:00That's our daughter.
29:02She was always meant
29:03to fly high.
29:04We clipped her wings
29:05for 20 years
29:06just to feed a lie.
29:08Just as I was walking
29:09off the stage,
29:09a sudden disturbance
29:10broke out at the front entrance.
29:13A young woman
29:14in torn clothes
29:15and messy hair
29:15was being shoved away
29:16by security officers.
29:20Let me in!
29:21I know the Sebastians
29:22are here!
29:22They owe me!
29:25It was Chloe.
29:27Chloe looked nothing
29:28like the spoiled,
29:29pristine girl
29:29who used to flaunt
29:30her luxury lifestyle
29:31in our dorm.
29:32When she saw mom
29:33and dad in the crowd,
29:34she rushed toward them.
29:35Auntie!
29:35You promised my dad
29:37you'd protect me.
29:38My father died for you.
29:47Don't mention
29:48your father ever again.
29:57He was a brave man
30:00who sacrificed his life
30:01in the earthquake.
30:03But you used his legacy
30:05to poison our minds
30:07and turn us against
30:08our own flesh and blood.
30:12We gave you millions,
30:14gave you the best education
30:15and ruined our real daughter
30:17for your selfish lies.
30:23You didn't just deceive us,
30:25Chloe.
30:25You made us monsters.
30:31Mom called the police
30:32on the spot,
30:33turning in all the evidence
30:34of the fraudulent loan
30:35and the fake psychic scam
30:37Chloe had orchestrated
30:38years ago.
30:39Chloe was dragged away,
30:41screaming and cursing,
30:43while the press caught
30:44every single moment
30:45on camera.
30:50The scandal destroyed
30:51what was left
30:52of the Sebastian family's
30:53reputation.
30:54The next afternoon,
30:55as I was leaving
30:56the university laboratory,
30:57Mom was waiting for me
30:58near the campus gates.
31:00She didn't try
31:00to come close this time.
31:02Is there something else?
31:04Holding a dusty velvet box.
31:07Claire,
31:08this was your grandmother's heirloom.
31:10I saved it for your wedding day.
31:12I know I don't deserve
31:13to be your mother.
31:14I know no amount of apologies
31:16will ever undo the SATs,
31:18Professor Vincent,
31:19or the loans.
31:19I just want you to have
31:22what's rightfully yours.
31:24I looked at the velvet box,
31:25then at her tear-stained face.
31:27I didn't reach out to take it.
31:28Keep it, Mrs. Sebastian.
31:31The girl who used to cry
31:33in the dark waiting
31:33for your dollar transfers
31:34is dead.
31:51Two years later,
31:53at the International Airport's
31:54departure hall,
31:55flashbulbs were popping everywhere.
31:57I was about to board a flight
31:58to head the overseas research division
32:00for Kohl Industrial Park.
32:01Mr. and Mrs. Kohl stood beside me,
32:03adjusting my coat
32:04and helping me check my passport
32:05for the third time.
32:06Make sure you call us
32:07as soon as you land,
32:09and don't stay up late working.
32:14If anyone gives you trouble
32:16over there,
32:17just tell them you're a Kohl.
32:28I will, Mom.
32:29I will, Dad.
32:31Across the airport-crowded balcony,
32:33two familiar figures
32:34stood far in the distance,
32:35silently watching me
32:36pass through security.
32:38Mom and Dad didn't dare approach.
32:40Seeing me smile so brightly
32:41beside my real family,
32:42Mom squeezed a small tear
32:44from her eyes
32:44and smiled through her heartbreak.
32:46I took a deep breath,
32:47stepped past the gate,
32:48and looked forward
32:49to the vast sky.
32:50My future was finally mine.
32:52Mom and Dad
32:56what happened
32:56That's pretty stupid
32:57and bland as youQual
32:59to the entire field.
33:00So,
33:00she sensed as his
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