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00:02On the third day after my daughter was born, I asked my husband, Adrian, the heir to a
00:07mafia family, for money to buy baby formula, but instead of giving me money, he had someone
00:11bring in a pile of mystery boxes.
00:13Pick one.
00:14For the three years we had been married, my living expenses had always depended on mystery
00:17boxes.
00:18The lowest amount I ever drew was $590, the highest was $108, all because on the day of
00:22our engagement, the premarital trust fund we had agreed on was suddenly replaced.
00:26In front of everyone, my father had someone bring out a box of mystery boxes.
00:30Don't make marriage feel like a transaction.
00:32Whatever you draw is what she gets.
00:35I froze on the spot.
00:36What I never expected was that Adrian would draw the $1.88 million card in one try.
00:41He paid every cent.
00:43Then he gave me a wedding that shook all of Grey Harbor.
00:46Everyone said he loved me to death, but on the second day after the wedding, he threw
00:49an entire box of mystery boxes in front of me.
00:52Your family likes playing this game, doesn't it?
00:55Then from now on, this box decides how much money you get each month.
00:58For the past three years, my monthly allowance had sometimes been as little as $990.
01:02Sometimes it was $108.
01:03After I got pregnant, I kept telling myself things would change once the baby was born.
01:06But now all I wanted was to buy my daughter a single can of formula, and the mystery boxes
01:10were still lined up in front of me just like they always were.
01:12I opened one.
01:13Inside was another $990.
01:16Then, my sister Lila, who had just given birth herself, posted a new update.
01:20It was a screenshot of a $990,000 bank transfer.
01:23The caption read,
01:24Thank you, Adrian, for the baby's welcome gift.
01:26I stared at that picture for a long time.
01:28Then, I made an international call.
01:31Didn't you once say you were willing to be the father of my child?
01:35Come get me in seven days.
01:37As I opened the mystery box, a nurse leaned over to see what was inside.
01:41Wow, a little gift from your husband?
01:42That's actually kind of sweet.
01:43She looked genuinely envious, until she saw what was written on the card.
01:47Monthly allowance, $990.
01:49The room fell silent.
01:51Adrian didn't even react.
01:52He told his assistant to take the remaining mystery boxes away.
01:56Rules don't change just because she had a baby.
01:58The nurse opened her mouth, then froze.
02:00She probably wanted to ask what kind of rule gave a woman who had just given birth only
02:04$990,000 and made her draw a mystery box just to get it.
02:08But how could I explain?
02:09How could I explain that on the day I got engaged, my parents had secretly replaced the
02:13trust fund they promised me with a mystery box, all so they could buy Leela an apartment?
02:16How could I explain that ever since then, no company in Grey Harbor had dared to hire
02:20me because they were afraid of the DeLucas?
02:21I lowered my head and looked at my daughter.
02:23She was sleeping peacefully.
02:25Adrian, can I buy her a newborn sleep sack?
02:27Newborns have a hard time regulating their bodies.
02:29You're using the baby to ask me for money?
02:31The hospital has blankets.
02:33The door slammed shut.
02:35This is what my life had become.
02:38The nurse turned and walked out.
02:40A little while later, she came back holding a small baby blanket.
02:43This is a spare from the nurse's station.
02:45It's clean.
02:46You can use it for the baby for now.
02:47She carefully wrapped the blanket around my daughter.
02:50A stranger cared more about her than her own father did.
02:52I thanked her.
02:54Your husband, maybe he just doesn't know how to show it.
02:56I smiled faintly and said nothing.
03:00That night, I saw Leela's new post.
03:02She was staying in a VIP suite.
03:04Beside her baby was a full set of imported maternity and baby products.
03:07The caption said,
03:08He said we can't cut corners when it comes to the baby.
03:10The post was flood with likes.
03:12Adrian's name was there.
03:13My mother's name was there.
03:14My father's name was there, too.
03:16I stared at the words, can't cut corners, for a long time.
03:18Then I suddenly remembered what Adrian had said years ago.
03:21Back then, there had been light in his eyes.
03:23If we ever have a daughter, I'll spoil her into the happiest little princess in Grey Harbor.
03:26Now, that light seemed to shine on someone else's child.
03:29I folded the 990's card and put it into my wallet.
03:32Inside, there was also last month's 6.60's card, and the month before that, 5.30.
03:36Adrian stood in the doorway.
03:37I didn't know when he had come back.
03:38When he saw me folding the cards, he paused.
03:40In the end, he only said one thing.
03:41Take care of the baby and stop trying to get money out of me.
03:43In the hallway, he made a phone call.
03:45Through the door, I heard him clearly.
03:46He let out a short laugh.
03:47You lost.
03:48She didn't make a scene.
03:48A woman like her would never walk away from the DeLuca name.
03:51Especially not now that she's had a kid.
03:52She let out a short laugh.
03:54I leaned against the head bait and closed my eyes.
03:56My phone rang.
03:57It was the same international number.
03:58The person on the other end was silent for a moment.
04:00The ticket is booked.
04:01Seven days.
04:02I'll be waiting.
04:03I looked at my daughter beside me.
04:04She was still asleep.
04:05Her tiny hand wrapped tightly around my finger.
04:08Okay.
04:10On the day I was discharged, I packed everything early.
04:12My daughter wore the only new outfit she had.
04:14It was a gift from my best friend.
04:16I held her and sat by the hospital bed, waiting for Adrian to pick us up.
04:19But in the end, all I got was a message.
04:20The driver will pick you up.
04:21I'm with Leela.
04:22She's being discharged today, too.
04:24And no one is there to help her.
04:25Unexpected.
04:25And yet, completely expected.
04:27Ever since Leela became a widow, Adrian had been there for her more times than I could
04:29count.
04:30I stared at the message for a few seconds.
04:31Then I exited the chat without replying.
04:33The driver arrived right on time.
04:35The car was spotless.
04:37My daughter fussed softly in my arms.
04:39She was hungry.
04:40I took out her bottle.
04:41The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, clearly uncomfortable.
04:44Mrs. DeLuca, I'm sorry, but Mr. DeLuca specifically said no food in the car.
04:48I froze.
04:50I'm just feeding the baby.
04:51I won't make a mess.
04:52But Mr. DeLuca said, please don't make this hard for me.
04:55I stopped.
04:56Then I put the bottle away.
04:57My daughter started crying from hunger.
04:58All I could do was pat her gently the whole way home.
05:03Once we got home, I opened my phone.
05:06Leela had posted another short video.
05:07In the video, she was sitting in the passenger seat of Adrian's car.
05:10There was a box of grapes in front of her, and she was eating them one by one.
05:13Purple juice splattered all over the leather seat.
05:16Adrian glanced at her from time to time, his eyes full of affection.
05:19My parents were sitting in the back seat.
05:21My mother was holding a bottle and feeding Leela's baby.
05:23My dad held a small towel under the baby's chin to catch the milk.
05:25Smiling so hard, his eyes nearly disappeared.
05:28They looked like a real family.
05:29Perfect.
05:30Complete.
05:30All together.
05:31I swiped away from the video.
05:35That afternoon, the doorbell rang.
05:38Leela stood at the door with her baby in her arms.
05:40Her baby looked chubby, healthy, and well cared for.
05:43Vivian, this crab.
05:44Why does it look so old?
05:45Isn't Adrian rich?
05:46I didn't answer.
05:48These are clothes my baby outgrew.
05:49They're used, but they're still in great condition.
05:51Adrian bought all of them.
05:52Some of these cost thousands of dollars.
05:54Vivian, why is your baby so skinny?
05:59I took the bag.
06:00I forced out a quiet.
06:01The moment the door closed, I threw the bag straight into the trash.
06:06That night, Nina called me.
06:07I saw Leela's video.
06:09I'm so pissed.
06:10She did that on purpose.
06:11And Adrian, you nearly bled out giving birth to his child.
06:14How could he treat you like this?
06:15Don't suffer in silence.
06:16If the baby needs anything, tell me.
06:18I'll buy it.
06:19Nina, thank you.
06:20Why are you thanking me?
06:21You know you're always number one to me.
06:23My eyes welled up.
06:24At least one person was still on my side.
06:27After hanging up, I started packing.
06:29A few changes of clothes for me and my daughter.
06:32Our documents.
06:34A small bag.
06:36I hid everything at the very back of the closet.
06:40I didn't know when Adrian had come back.
06:41He was leaning against the bedroom door frame.
06:43Watching me.
06:44Then he suddenly let out a laugh.
06:46If you want money for clothes, just say that.
06:48Don't put on some tragic little show for me.
06:50I didn't turn around.
06:51He walked over and hugged me from behind.
06:53Resting his chin on the top of my head.
06:55The smell of alcohol hit me.
06:56Vivian, stop making a scene.
06:58For a moment, I was back in the past.
06:59Years ago, he had held me like this too.
07:00That time, I had gotten caught in the rain and developed a high fever.
07:03He rushed home overnight.
07:04Don't ever wait alone in the rain again.
07:05Now, it was the same embrace, but only because he was drunk.
07:08The man who once rushed home overnight for me could no longer even show up when our daughter and I
07:12were discharged from the hospital.
07:14I slowly peeled his hands away, one finger at a time.
07:17I'm not making a scene.
07:19At 3 in the morning, my daughter started crying.
07:21I picked her up and tried to feed her.
07:23She sucked a few times, then cried again.
07:26I didn't have enough milk.
07:27I searched every cabinet.
07:28There was no formula.
07:29I checked my phone.
07:30Account balance, $9.90.
07:323.10am.
07:333.30am.
07:34She kept crying.
07:36I held her and paced back and forth across the living room.
07:38Back and forth.
07:39Adrian's bedroom door stayed shut.
07:40He was sleeping soundly.
07:41I lowered my head and kissed my daughter's forehead.
07:44Baby, I'm sorry.
07:45Just wait a few more days.
07:47Mommy will take you away.
07:48I promise.
07:50My daughter's fever hit 103.6 Fahrenheit.
07:53I rushed into the emergency clinic with her in my arms.
07:56Registration.
07:56Waiting in line.
07:57My whole body was shaking.
07:58The doctor took off his stethoscope and frowned.
08:01She's malnourished, severely underweight, and her immune system is dangerously weak.
08:05What is going on with you as parents?
08:06I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
08:09What was going on?
08:10My daughter and I were supposed to live on $9.90 a month.
08:16I called Adrian.
08:17To my surprise, he actually came.
08:19For one moment, hope rose in my chest.
08:21In three years of marriage, this was the first time I had ever begged him.
08:25The baby needs special formula and nutritional supplements.
08:27Can we please stop doing the mystery boxes?
08:29Can you just give me a regular monthly allowance?
08:31He looked at me for a few seconds.
08:33There's $2,000 on it.
08:34That's enough.
08:35It's not enough.
08:35The doctor said she'll need follow-up tests.
08:37Vivian, $1.88 million wasn't enough to satisfy you, and now you're complaining about $2,000?
08:41When your family came up with that mystery box stunt, did any of you ever think this day would come?
08:45I had nothing to do with that mystery box!
08:48My parents did it behind my back.
08:50They used the money to buy Lilla an apartment.
08:52It had nothing to do with me!
08:53Adrian froze for a split second.
08:57Then he laughed.
09:00Vivian, you'll say anything for money, won't you?
09:02First you lie about the baby being sick.
09:04Now you're changing your story.
09:05He looked down at me, his eyes filled with disgust.
09:08Don't think having a baby gives you any power over me.
09:11Do you really think I don't know what game you're playing?
09:13Just then his phone rang.
09:14The name on the screen was Lilla.
09:17He answered, and his voice immediately softened.
09:19You're here?
09:20Which exam room?
09:21I'm coming.
09:22After hanging up, he didn't even look at me again.
09:24He turned and walked away.
09:25He was here for Lilla's baby's checkup.
09:27I stood in the hallway, holding my daughter against my chest.
09:30Her body was burning with fever.
09:32I watched Adrian's back disappear around the corner.
09:34At the hospital entrance.
09:37Vivian.
09:40Lilla's voice came from behind me.
09:42The baby in her arms was chubby and rosy-cheeked, dressed in a designer onesie.
09:46She glanced at my daughter's thin, yellowish face.
09:48Something flickered in her eyes.
09:50Then she reached into the diaper bag the nanny was carrying,
09:52pulled out a can of formula, and held it out to me.
09:55My baby can't finish this.
09:57You can have it.
10:01Adrian feels sorry for us.
10:03He bought us a hundred cases.
10:04I looked at that can of formula, $1,800 a can.
10:07My daughter's entire monthly allowance couldn't even buy one scoop of that formula.
10:11I clenched my hand.
10:13Then I accepted her charity.
10:15That night, I called my mother.
10:16Mom, the baby needs to be hospitalized.
10:18Can you lend me some money?
10:19The other end was silent for a few seconds.
10:21Your sister just gave birth too.
10:22She needs money as well.
10:23Ask your husband.
10:24Mom.
10:25That's enough.
10:26Stop bothering me.
10:27Your sister just had a baby.
10:28Don't bother her.
10:28Then she hung up.
10:29Late that night, I fell asleep on the sofa with my daughter in my arms.
10:32At some point, someone had placed a blanket over me.
10:35Half awake, I saw Adrian bending down.
10:36His movements were gentle, as if he were afraid he'd wake the baby.
10:39But the next morning, there was another mystery box on the dining table.
10:43He sat across from me, drinking coffee.
10:45Pick one.
10:45He lifted his chin toward the box.
10:47I looked at those boxes and suddenly felt completely exhausted.
10:50Adrian, I'm tired.
10:51I'm not picking anymore.
10:52His hand paused around his coffee cup.
10:54He simply raised his eyes and studied me.
10:56What is it this time?
10:56Another trick to get money out of me?
10:57Last time it was the baby being sick.
10:59So what's the Saw story this time?
11:00I didn't answer.
11:01I turned and went to make formula for my daughter using the can Leela had given me.
11:06My phone vibrated in my pocket.
11:08I took it out and glanced at the screen.
11:10Vivian, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.
11:12Nina had sent me a message.
11:14The next message was still being typed.
11:16In the living room, my daughter started crying again.
11:18The number on the thermometer jumped.
11:19104.2 Fahrenheit.
11:21I turned off my phone, picked up my daughter, and rushed out the door.
11:26Outside the emergency room, I crouched in the hallway and called Adrian.
11:31The first call went unanswered.
11:33The fifth.
11:34The tenth.
11:35My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold the phone.
11:37I didn't know how many times I had called when he finally picked up.
11:40What is it?
11:41The baby has a fever.
11:42She's in emergency care.
11:43The doctor says she needs surgery immediately.
11:44I don't have the money.
11:45Adrian, please, come pay the bill.
11:48There was silence on the other end.
11:49How much?
11:51The doctor said at least $8,000.
11:53He gave a cold laugh.
11:55Vivian, you really don't know when to stop.
11:57Last time $2,000 wasn't enough and now you're asking for four times that?
11:59I crouched on the floor, sobbing so hard I could barely speak.
12:03Adrian, I'm begging you.
12:04The baby is really in the ER.
12:05The doctor said if we don't pay soon, it'll be too late.
12:07Please, I'm begging you.
12:09Silence.
12:10I'm on my way.
12:13I leaned against the wall and waited for an hour.
12:17He never showed up.
12:19I called again.
12:21His phone was off.
12:22What I didn't know was that before he left, Leela had called him.
12:25Adrian, the baby keeps coughing.
12:26I'm so scared.
12:27He hesitated.
12:28Then he went to her first.
12:29When he arrived, he found out the baby had only choked on a little milk.
12:32Nothing was wrong.
12:33But Leela grabbed his sleeve and said she was scared.
12:36She asked him to stay with her a little longer.
12:37He walked to the door, then went back.
12:39Meanwhile, a nurse rushed out for the third time.
12:42The baby's condition is critical.
12:44We need payment now.
12:44If we wait any longer, we may run out of time.
12:47I knelt at the billing desk and emptied my pockets.
12:50My phone, my wallet, $9.90.
12:54It was too late.
12:55The emergency room doors opened.
12:58The doctor took off his mask and looked at me.
13:00Your baby was malnourished.
13:01Her immune system was dangerously weak.
13:03The high fever caused complications.
13:05He shook his head.
13:06If we'd been able to operate in time, she might have had a chance.
13:08We did everything we could.
13:09The nurse carried my daughter out and placed her in my arms.
13:12So small.
13:13So light.
13:14Her little hand was still clenched.
13:16Just like that night, when she had wrapped her fingers around mine.
13:19Only this time, she would never let go again.
13:22Tears fell one by one.
13:24The nurse looked heartbroken.
13:25She patted my back and handed me a form to sign.
13:27I barely remember signing it.
13:29$8,000.
13:30For Leela's child, that was the price of one outfit.
13:33For my daughter, it cost her life.
13:36This time, I didn't call anyone.
13:37Adrian's message came later.
13:39Is the baby fine now?
13:40Stop blowing up my phone every time something happens.
13:41I'm busy.
13:42I didn't reply.
13:42A little while later, another message came in.
13:44Throwing another tantrum?
13:46Last time $2,000 wasn't enough?
13:47Now you're using the baby to get money out of me again.
13:49Vivian, can you at least come up with something new?
13:51I stared at those words.
13:52My tears kept falling.
13:53Then I laughed.
13:54Even now, he still thought I was acting.
13:58I closed the chat and made a phone call.
14:00Mr. Hall, I want a divorce.
14:01Mrs. DeLuca, I can't find any marriage registration for you and Mr. DeLuca in the system.
14:04After a moment, the typing on the other side stopped.
14:06What do you mean?
14:06According to the records, Mr. Adrian DeLuca is legally married to Lila Moride.
14:11I held the phone and said nothing.
14:13After a long silence, I finally said,
14:15I understand.
14:17Then I remembered the message from Nina that I hadn't finished reading.
14:19I opened it.
14:20There were several screenshots.
14:21A group chat.
14:22The group name was Family Only.
14:24The member list showed Dad, Mom, Lila, Nina.
14:27Everyone was there, except me.
14:29The latest message was a photo from Lila.
14:31A birth certificate.
14:32Under father, Adrian DeLuca.
14:33My mother replied,
14:34The baby's so cute.
14:35Looks just like Daddy.
14:35My dad replied, Lila, you did great.
14:37Nina replied, congratulations.
14:38Then I saw the screenshot of the 990,000 transfer.
14:41I opened another image.
14:43It was a private chat between Lila and Nina.
14:45Vivian cried to you again today, didn't she?
14:47Yeah.
14:48I comfort her like you told me to.
14:49She didn't suspect anything.
14:51Thanks, babe.
14:51Dinner on me next time.
14:53Don't worry about it.
14:54Vivian is too stubborn.
14:55If she finds out, it'll be a problem.
14:56A problem.
14:57I'm so pissed.
14:58She did that on purpose.
15:00You know you're always number one to me.
15:01All those times she said,
15:02I'm so pissed for you.
15:03You're always number one to me.
15:04Every word had been a lie.
15:06I turned off my phone and didn't let the tears fall anymore.
15:09I clutched the empty swaddle to my chest and stood outside the hospital.
15:12The sky was beginning to lighten.
15:13I pulled the mystery box cards I had saved for three years from my wallet.
15:189990,6660,5.30.
15:20I threw every one of them into the trash can by the road.
15:23Then I walked to the subway station and took the train to the airport.
15:26Adrian's last message was still on my screen.
15:28I didn't open it.
15:31He was probably still waiting for me to beg him.
15:33But he didn't know.
15:34There was nothing left for me to beg for.
15:39Three days later, Adrian called the hospital.
15:42Tell that gold digger she won't have to deal with those mystery boxes next month.
15:45I'll give her a regular allowance.
15:46Tell her to stop playing games.
15:47The nurse sounded confused.
15:49Miss Vivian completed her discharge paperwork three days ago.
15:52What about the baby?
15:53There was a long silence on the other end.
15:55Mr. DeLuca, the baby couldn't be saved.
15:57She passed away three days ago.
16:01Adrian's pupils shrunk.
16:02He stared at the disconnected call on his screen, his whole body frozen.
16:06The next second, he laughed.
16:08Then he called his assistant.
16:09Find out what really happened to the baby.
16:11He lit a cigarette and leaned back in his seat, his voice cold again.
16:15Probably another one of her schemes to get money out of me.
16:18She probably paid off a nurse to help her stage this and pressure me into giving her money.
16:22His assistant said nothing.
16:23Find out the truth.
16:24I want to know how much money she's trying to get out of me this time.
16:29Halfway through the cigarette, the call came back.
16:32Mr. DeLuca, the baby really did die.
16:35She passed away three days ago.
16:36The assistant's voice sounded different.
16:38What?
16:38Adrian's hand froze as he flicked the ash from his cigarette.
16:40She developed complications from a high fever.
16:42She needed emergency surgery, but the payment didn't go through.
16:45For a long time, there was silence.
16:47Inside the car, the only sound was the faint crackle of the cigarette burning down to the filter.
16:51He put it out.
16:53She's getting better at this.
16:54He laughed once.
16:56Now she can even fake a death certificate.
16:57A gold digger really will do anything for money.
17:00The assistant hesitated.
17:02Mr. DeLuca, I verified it. It's real.
17:04Enough!
17:05He started the car.
17:10When he got home, there was an empty spot on the shoe rack by the door.
17:14The flats she had worn for three years were gone.
17:17The living room lights were off.
17:19The curtains were drawn shut.
17:20He opened the bedroom closet.
17:22His suits and shirts were still neatly lined up on the left.
17:25The right side was empty.
17:26Those few old outfits.
17:28The little blanket the nurse had given her.
17:29The onesie her best friend had given her.
17:31All gone.
17:32All that was left at the back of the closet was an empty diaper bag.
17:35The zipper was open.
17:37There was nothing inside.
17:39He stared at the bag for a long moment.
17:42Then he suddenly remembered that night, when she had been crouching in front of the closet, packing things.
17:47He had accused her of putting on a sob story.
17:49She hadn't even turned around.
17:52He walked to the living room.
17:54The second-hand crib was still in the corner.
17:57A patch of paint had chipped off the railing, revealing the gray wood underneath.
18:01He didn't know where she had gotten it.
18:04She had assembled it herself.
18:06Even the screws were crooked.
18:08He stood in front of the crib, his hands in his pockets.
18:12Empty.
18:13The crib was empty.
18:14The house was empty, too.
18:17He took out his phone and sent Vivian a message.
18:20Come back when you're done acting.
18:22After sending it, he called her.
18:26No one answered.
18:27Her phone was off.
18:29He sent another message.
18:31How much do you want?
18:31Name your price.
18:32A gray message appeared beneath it.
18:34Not delivered.
18:37He gave a cold laugh.
18:39Tossed his phone onto the coffee table and sink into the sofa.
18:41The house was too quiet.
18:43At this hour, there should have been a baby crying in the middle of the night.
18:46She would have been holding the baby, walking back and forth through the living room.
18:49Back and forth.
18:49Even with his door closed, he used to hear it.
18:51He leaned back against the sofa.
18:53It felt like something inside his chest had been ripped out.
18:56He closed his eyes.
18:57Then he remembered.
18:58There had been a tiny sticker on the chipped part of the crib railing.
19:01A star.
19:02The sticker was still there.
19:04But the crib was empty.
19:07At the airport exit, I pushed my luggage cart out and was immediately hit by 30 degree heat.
19:12The sun was harsh, bright enough to make my eyes ache.
19:14A man stood at the arrivals area.
19:15He was tall, wearing a clean white shirt.
19:17The moment he saw me, he didn't smile.
19:18His eyes moved over my face before settling on the empty diaper bag clutched against my chest.
19:21I held the empty bag tighter and walked toward him.
19:23He reached out, took the bag from me, and said nothing.
19:25We drove in silence for a while.
19:28Julian.
19:28Yeah?
19:29I leaned against the window and suddenly spoke.
19:30My baby is gone.
19:32His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
19:34I know.
19:35After a long time, he said.
19:36I turned to look at him.
19:37He kept his eyes on the road.
19:39His atoms-pelled bobbed.
19:41I checked everything.
19:42Vivian, I almost got on a plane that day.
19:45But you told me to wait seven days.
19:47So I did.
19:50I didn't say anything after that.
19:54Outside the window, rows of palm trees slid past.
19:56A strange city.
19:58Strange streets.
19:59That same day, Adrian locked himself inside his office.
20:04His assistant stood outside and heard glass shattering.
20:07Again, and again, and again.
20:08The decorations on his desk.
20:10The trophies on the shelves.
20:11The coffee mugs on the table.
20:12All of them smashed.
20:12When everything finally went quiet, Adrian called Marco, the old house healer.
20:17I told you to transfer $10,000 to her card every month.
20:20Did you do it?
20:20The other end of the line went silent for a long time.
20:23Sir.
20:24Did you do it?
20:25Marco's voice began to shake.
20:27No.
20:28Adrian's grip tightened around the phone until his knuckles turned white.
20:32Three years.
20:33Not once.
20:34I saw the way you treated Mrs. Delica, sir.
20:37And Miss Leela was always coming over.
20:38I thought...
20:39You thought what?
20:42I thought she was going to be replaced sooner or later.
20:43Sending her that money would have been a waste.
20:45Sir, I was only trying to save you money!
20:48Adrian hurled the phone at the floor.
20:49The screen shattered into pieces, but it was still glowing.
20:52He crouched down and pressed a hand to his forehead.
20:54Three years.
20:55She had really survived for three years on those few dollars a month
20:57and whatever little savings she had left.
21:00He remembered that night before dawn.
21:02He had heard her walking back and forth in the living rooms.
21:04He had stayed behind his closed door, rolled over, and gone back to sleep.
21:08He remembered the dozen calls she had made,
21:09begging him to pay for the surgery.
21:11And he had gone to Lila first, because he thought Vivian was playing games.
21:14He remembered her crouching in front of the closet, packing.
21:16He had said she was putting on a sob story.
21:20I'm not making a scene.
21:21The assistant knocked and came in, holding a notebook.
21:25Sir.
21:27Housekeeping found this under the mattress.
21:33He opened to the first page.
21:34Her handwriting was tiny and crowded together, as if she had been trying to save paper.
21:38The formula is almost gone.
21:40It can last two more days.
21:41I'll skip my meals and soften some food for her.
21:43Only $9.90 today.
21:44The little money I saved before the wedding is almost gone, too.
21:46Bought two packs of the cheapest diapers.
21:48The baby cried all night again.
21:49I couldn't calm her down.
21:50I was so scared she'd wake him.
21:51He hates crying.
21:52Adrian smiled today, at Lila's baby.
21:53I suddenly remembered he once said he'd spoil our daughter and make her the happiest little princess in Grey Harbor.
21:57He did keep that promise.
21:59Just not for our daughter.
22:01Adrian's hands trembled as he held the notebook.
22:03If she had really been a gold digger, how could she have endured a life like this for three whole
22:07years?
22:07The last page had only one line.
22:09The writing was faint, as if the pen had been running out of ink.
22:12Baby, I'm sorry.
22:13Mommy did everything she could.
22:16Adrian sat in the study with a stack of documents spread out in front of him.
22:19His assistant had pulled up the surveillance footage from the engagement party three years ago.
22:22The video paused on the moment the mystery boxes were carried onto the stage.
22:25The camera swept across Vivian's face.
22:27She froze.
22:28Then she turned to look at her parents.
22:29Her lips moved.
22:30It looked like she was asking them what the hell was going on.
22:32Her mother grabbed her wrist, smiling as she forced Vivian to stay seated.
22:36Adrian paused the footage and zoomed in.
22:38The panic on Vivian's face was impossible to hide.
22:40It wasn't an act.
22:42His assistant handed him a bank statement.
22:43The $1.88 million you drew that night was transferred out the same day it arrived.
22:47The recipient was Mr. Murray.
22:48The next day, it was split into two payments.
22:49One was used to pay for Lila's apartment in full.
22:51The other went into Mrs. Murray's investment account.
22:53Adrian's face darkened inch by inch.
22:54What about Vivian's account?
22:55Not a single cent went into it.
22:58He leaned back in his chair and didn't move for a long time.
23:02Three years ago, he had thought Vivian and her family had set him up together.
23:05For three years, he had used mystery boxes to humiliate Hainher over and over again.
23:09In the end, she hadn't received a single cent.
23:11Keep digging.
23:12Find out what happened that night.
23:14He had always believed he made a mistake after drinking too much.
23:16Until today, his assistant pulled up the club's receipts and surveillance footage.
23:20When the door to the private room opened, the person who walked in wasn't Vivian.
23:24It was Lila.
23:27She didn't hesitate at all.
23:30She was even holding a room key card.
23:33And 20 minutes before that, she had bribed a servant to spike Adrian's drink.
23:36He had mistaken her for Vivian.
23:39Later, she used the same trick again and got pregnant.
23:42Sir, there's one more thing.
23:43The registration number for you and Vivian is forged.
23:45There's no record of it in the city system.
23:46The record for you and Lila is the one that was officially filed.
23:49Adrian looked at the scanned record.
23:50His eyes turned colder and colder.
23:52He remembered the day of the registration.
23:54He had run into Lila outside the office.
23:56She said Vivian had something urgent come up and couldn't make it,
23:58so she'd take care of the paperwork for her.
23:59At the time, he had been drinking for a week straight.
24:02He was numb.
24:03He didn't think it through at all.
24:05He just signed.
24:06He thought he was signing the marriage papers for himself and Vivian.
24:09But the name written on them was Lila's.
24:15And Nina.
24:16Three years ago, Nina had defaulted on a loan and was about to be sued.
24:19Lila used your money to pay it off for her.
24:21In exchange, Nina kept tabs on Vivian and reported everything back to Lila.
24:24She reported back once a week.
24:26Every time Vivian confided in Nina, Nina told Lila everything the next day.
24:31Maybe now, he finally understood.
24:33For three years, everyone around Vivian had lied to her.
24:36And he was the cruelest lie of all.
24:38He suddenly stood and walked to the window.
24:40Then he pushed it open.
24:41The night outside was pitch black.
24:43Wind rushed in at once.
24:45The documents on the desk fluttered violently.
24:47He breathed hard, like something had wrapped around his throat.
24:50Where is she?
24:52Where did she go?
24:53Her flight records show she flew to Honolulu three days ago.
24:56The car that picked her up is registered to Julian Vale.
24:58Julian.
25:00Adrian had heard that name before.
25:02Years ago, during that accident, Vivian had rushed in and saved someone.
25:05That person was Julian.
25:07Find her.
25:07Sir, Julian is heavily guarded.
25:09I said find her.
25:11The assistant didn't dare say another word.
25:13Adrian stood in front of the open window, the wind tugging at the edges of his shirt.
25:17On the desk, the diary had flipped back to the last page.
25:20That line of writing was so faint.
25:22But it pressed down on him until he could barely breathe.
25:25Baby, I'm sorry.
25:26Mommy did everything she could.
25:30Honolulu was quiet at night.
25:32Adrian stood outside that white apartment building from midnight until dawn.
25:36The sea breeze tasted like salt.
25:38His shirt was wrinkled beyond recognition.
25:40At seven in the morning, the building door opened.
25:42I walked out with my hair tied back in a ponytail, no makeup on.
25:46When he saw me, his body went stiff.
25:49But mine didn't.
25:50I felt nothing.
25:51I just glanced at him like he was a stranger.
25:54Go home.
25:55Vivian.
25:55I walked around him and headed toward the convenience store across the street.
25:59He followed me.
26:03Vivian.
26:04I didn't stop.
26:05Vivian, I found out the truth about the mystery boxes.
26:07Your parents did it behind your back.
26:08I know now.
26:09I really know.
26:10I took a carton of milk from the fridge and got in line at the counter.
26:13I found out what Leela did too.
26:14The marriage papers that night.
26:16She planned all of it.
26:18I paid for the milk and walked out.
26:19Vivian, look at me.
26:22Finally, I stopped.
26:25I turned around and looked at him calmly.
26:29And?
26:31His mouth opened.
26:35I was wrong.
26:37Yeah, you were.
26:39I noted.
26:42Then I turned and kept walking.
26:44He stood there as the sunlight burned bright around him.
26:47I never looked back.
26:48The next day, he transferred one million dollars into my-
26:50I sent it back.
26:51On the third day, five million.
26:52I sent that back too.
26:54On the fourth day, he had his assistant send a whole truckload of gifts to the front
26:57of my apartment building.
26:59Flowers.
27:01Jewelry.
27:02Clothes.
27:03Supplements.
27:04They took up half the hallway.
27:05That night, building management cleared all of it away.
27:10Julian's assistant only passed along one message for me.
27:13Miss Vivian said Mr. DeLuca should stop bothering her.
27:19But he didn't leave.
27:23He got a room at the hotel across from my apartment.
27:26Every morning, he stood downstairs waiting for me.
27:29That day, it rained.
27:31Rain in Honolulu came fast.
27:33It poured down without warning.
27:38When I came out of the convenience store with an umbrella, he was still standing in the
27:42same spot.
27:44Completely soaked.
27:46Vivian.
27:47As I walked past him, he suddenly spoke.
27:49Vivian, I sued Lila.
27:50The petition to Imel the marriage has already been filed.
27:52She's suspected of forging documents and the police have opened investigation.
27:55My steps slowed.
27:56Your parents too.
27:56I've had my lawyers go after the 1.88 million and all the interest from the past three years.
28:00And Nina, I found out everything she did.
28:01I stopped.
28:02My back was still to him.
28:03That has nothing to do with me anymore.
28:06It does.
28:10Vivian, give me one chance.
28:12I didn't move.
28:13He dropped straight to his knees.
28:15His knees hit the wet pavement with a dull sun.
28:20Rainwater ran down his forehead.
28:22It was impossible to tell what was rain and what wasn't.
28:26Please.
28:27I turned around.
28:29I lowered my head and looked at him.
28:30He knelt on the ground and looked up at me.
28:34I didn't tilt the umbrella toward him.
28:36Not even a little.
28:37I looked at him for a long time.
28:40Adrian, that night, I called you more than ten times.
28:44She had a fever of 104.2 ferrite and was in the ER.
28:47The nurse came out three times asking for payment.
28:50$8,000.
28:51My voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.
28:53You were at Lila's house, watching her baby cough after choking on milk.
28:57I was kneeling at the billing desk with only $9.90 on me.
29:02His shoulders began to shake.
29:04If you had come even an hour earlier, she might still be alive.
29:09I crouched down so we were eye to eye.
29:12Rain hit both our faces.
29:15Adrian, how are you going to make that right?
29:22His lips trembled.
29:23He wanted to say he was sorry.
29:25He couldn't say a single word.
29:26But those three words were too light.
29:28So light that even he couldn't bring himself to say them.
29:31He had no answer.
29:32I stood up and walked away under my umbrella.
29:34In the rain, he was left kneeling there alone for a very, very long time.
29:40Adrian came again.
29:41This time, he didn't stand downstairs.
29:44He came straight to my door and knocked.
29:48Julian's bodyguard stopped him.
29:50I walked out from inside.
29:52Let him in.
29:52I stood in the middle of the living room.
29:55On the coffee table sat a box of mystery boxes.
29:57You want a chance, right?
29:58Adrian looked at the box and froze.
30:00There's a box of mystery boxes here.
30:01Inside each one is either forgiven or not forgiven.
30:04I pushed the box toward him.
30:05If you draw forgiven, I'll go back with you.
30:08Adrian reached in almost immediately.
30:10He opened the first one.
30:14Not forgiven.
30:15The second.
30:17Not for forgiven.
30:18The third.
30:19The fourth.
30:22The fifth.
30:23All not forgiven.
30:24He opened them faster and faster.
30:26The edges of the paper cut his fingers.
30:29Blood smeared across the cards.
30:30But he didn't stop.
30:32The tenth.
30:33The twentieth.
30:33Opened mystery boxes and torn straps of paper scattered across the floor.
30:37Every card had the same two words written on it.
30:40Not forgiven.
30:42By the time only a few were left, his hands were shaking.
30:46He opened the final mystery box.
30:48Still not forgiven.
30:49The box was empty.
30:51He knelt in the middle of the torn paper, his hands covered in blood, and looked up at me.
30:56I stood in front of him, looking down.
30:59This is what the last three years felt like for me.
31:02Every month, I opened one.
31:04Every time, I thought maybe this time it would be a little more.
31:08Enough to buy one can of formula.
31:11Enough to take her to the doctor once.
31:16But every time I opened one, I got nothing.
31:19I didn't smash anything.
31:21I didn't wreck an office.
31:24I didn't collapse.
31:26I just folded those cards one by one, put them in my wallet, and kept going.
31:31I kept thinking maybe one day, you would understand.
31:35Adrian lowered his head until his forehead was almost touching the floor.
31:38You can leave now.
31:41I turned and closed the door.
31:43He sat outside all night.
31:45At dawn, Julian's car came to pick me up.
31:47I walked past Adrian without looking at him.
31:50That same day, the news back home exploded.
31:52The case against Lila for forging marriage registration documents was officially opened.
31:58Family cut off all financial ties with the Marais family.
32:01All of Lila's bank accounts were frozen.
32:03The hospital kicked her out of the VIP maternity suite.
32:07The hundred cases of imported formula, the chauffeured rides, the black card membership.
32:12Overnight, all of it was gone.
32:18She called Adrian.
32:20Over a hundred times.
32:22Finally, he picked up.
32:24Adrian, you can't do this to me.
32:26That's your daughter too.
32:27Are you just going to abandon her?
32:29Adrian's voice was ice cold.
32:31My daughter died because of you.
32:34There was silence on the other end.
32:36That child you keep talking about had a VIP suite, wore designer onesies worth thousands,
32:40and never went without anything.
32:41But what about my daughter?
32:43He paused.
32:46Lila, my daughter died because of you.
32:48How dare you talk to me about children.
32:52The call ended.
32:55Lila collapsed onto the floor.
32:57That same day, my parents received a demand letter from Adrian's lawyers.
33:00It demanded repayment of the 1.88 million plus three years of interest.
33:05They flew to Honolulu and knelt outside my apartment building.
33:12Vivian, mom and dad were wrong.
33:14Please, talk to Adrian for us.
33:16Julian's assistant came down and delivered my message.
33:20Miss Vivian said she has no parents.
33:22My mother clutched her chest and pretended to collapse.
33:26This time, no one helped her.
33:31Five years later.
33:34Spring came early in Hololulu.
33:36Bujalania was in full bloom along the balcony wall.
33:38I sat in a wicker chair with a book open on my lap.
33:41I hadn't turned many pages.
33:42The wind blew softly.
33:43I closed my eyes, peaceful and quiet.
33:45Behind me came the sound of tiny footsteps.
33:47Mommy, look!
33:47A little boy, just over three years old, came running towards me holding up a drawing.
33:51The crayon lines were messy and all over the place.
33:54What is it?
33:55It's mommy.
33:56I smiled and took the drawing.
33:58Next to the crooked circle was an even smaller one.
34:01And who's this little one?
34:03It's my sister.
34:05I froze.
34:07Julian came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of fruit.
34:09When he heard that, he stopped too.
34:12The little boy looked up at me seriously.
34:14Daddy said I have a sister who lives in the sky.
34:17When mommy misses her, she can look at the stars.
34:20I lowered my head and kissed his forehead.
34:22That's right. She lives in the sky.
34:24My eyes stung a little, but I was smiling.
34:27Julian walked over. He didn't say anything.
34:29He simply set the fruit plate beside me and sat down next to me.
34:31There was more money in my account than I could spend in several lifetimes.
34:35My closet was full of dresses Julian had bought for me.
34:38There were so many shoes by the door, I could never wear them all.
34:42Once I told him it was too much.
34:43Still not enough.
34:44He only said one thing.
34:48You deserve every good thing.
34:50That weekend, at the mall, I took my son to buy shoes.
34:54He was only three and a half, but he insisted on choosing them himself.
34:59He crouched in front of the shelves and took his time picking them out.
35:04Julian went to pay.
35:07I stood nearby and waited.
35:10Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone stop.
35:15I turned my head. It was Adrian.
35:19A few yards away, Adrian stood frozen.
35:22He had lost a lot of weight.
35:23His suit hung loosely from his thinner frame.
35:25Dark circles had formed under his eyes.
35:28When his eyes met mine, he froze.
35:30Then his gaze fell on the little boy beside me.
35:33My son caught the stranger staring at him and instinctively hid behind me, clutching the hem of my dress.
35:37Mommy?
35:38That one word hit Adrian like a blow.
35:40His atoms bob it hard.
35:42Julian walked over carrying the shopping bag.
35:44He saw Adrian immediately. His expression didn't change.
35:47He bent down, picked up our son, and naturally placed his other hand on my shoulder.
35:51Adrian stared at that hand.
35:53That place had once been his.
35:54He opened his mouth, but he couldn't get a single word out.
35:58He clenched his fist.
35:59Then he turned and walked away.
36:01Slowly.
36:04In the car, he started the engine, but didn't drive away.
36:08Instead, he pulled a piece of paper from his suit pocket.
36:10It was crumpled. The edges were worn soft.
36:13$9.90.
36:15Five years ago, he had picked it out of the trash can after I threw it away.
36:18One card after another, the others had been too badly damaged.
36:21Only this one had survived mostly intact.
36:23He unfolded the paper across the steering wheel.
36:25His thumb traced the two numbers again and again.
36:28Outside the window, the sunlight was beautiful.
36:29Julian and I walked out of the mall with our son.
36:31Our little boy sat on Julian's shoulders, laughing loudly.
36:34Adrian watched us walk farther and farther away.
36:36He held that piece of paper tightly in his hand.
36:39$9.90.
36:40The most expensive thing of his life.
36:41And he could no longer afford it.
36:43Go.
36:44If it was not wrong.
36:45He takes a bottle of glass at once and what happened.
36:45But he fell apart so he never lost his seat.
36:46This is another bad guy Let's say you would have decided to stand too poorly in a duck.
36:46It's going to refuse to shoot a sound review from others.
36:46The Celine Takeout of the off�co office,