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Each movie brings exciting characters, surprising plot twists, touching relationships, and powerful stories that keep you watching until the final scene. From billionaire romances to inspiring life journeys, every film offers a unique experience.
Enjoy HD movies with English subtitles and stay tuned for regular uploads of the latest popular drama films.
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00:02The day my acceptance letter arrived at the estate, I found out I was the only one going to Chicago.
00:07When we were filling out college applications, Marco told me,
00:10Sophia applied to the same school. The three of us will go to Chicago together. We'll look out for each
00:14other.
00:15I believed him. Ever since I was little, my grades have been very good.
00:19My stepmother, Deborah, couldn't bear to see Sophia sad.
00:22So she said a few words in front of my father.
00:24From then on, the whole family started to side with Sophia.
00:27So even when I came first, my father, Don, would only say,
00:31Don't put too much pressure on Sophia.
00:33Only Marco stood by me whenever I was pushed aside. He said he always would.
00:37In the family group chat, Luca excitedly sent a voice message.
00:40Now Sophia and Marco can be together every day!
00:43I stared at the two screenshots of their acceptance letters from Manhattan University until my eyes burned inside the study.
00:49Sophia asked softly,
00:51Do you think Elena will be mad at you? Marco was quiet for a moment.
00:55She's strong. She'll figure it out. I'll stay here and take care of you first.
00:59Once you've settled into college, I'll explain everything to her.
01:01I tightened my grip on my acceptance letter to Chicago.
01:04Suddenly, leaving them didn't seem so bad. At least I wouldn't spend the rest of my life being overlooked.
01:09I didn't open the study door. Their voices continued on the other side.
01:12But what if Elena really gets angry? Marco sounded completely certain.
01:16She won't. Once I explain it to her, she won't stay mad. She never does.
01:19She never does. Right. She never does. Because I cared about them. I never dared to truly get angry.
01:25No matter how much they hurt me. Not when they forgot my birthday. Not when I was forced to give
01:29up my room.
01:30Not even when doing well in school somehow became my fault. Because it put pressure on Sophia.
01:35I had thought Marco would be different. That was why I treasured him even more.
01:38But in the end, they lied to me about changing their college applications.
01:42They chose the same university while leaving me to go to Chicago alone.
01:46I looked down at my acceptance letter and drifted into memory.
01:49During senior year, my advisor had handed me information about an independent special training program.
01:54Jointly run by the family and an international partner, the first phase involved closed training at a designated facility.
01:59After that, participants would take part in assignments, a training location, and personnel records would only be disclosed to program
02:05staff and authorized contacts.
02:07I hadn't planned to join.
02:08Marco had said he wanted to attend the same college as me, so I had willingly given up the opportunity.
02:12But I didn't have to anymore.
02:16When I returned to my room, Sophia was crouched in front of my closet, organizing clothes.
02:22She had hung her dresses in the section I used most.
02:24Her Manhattan University acceptance letter sat on my desk beside a checklist Marco had made for her.
02:29She glanced at me.
02:30Elena, you're back.
02:32Mother said you're leaving for Chicago soon, so the room will be empty anyway.
02:36Manhattan is close to home, and I thought it'd be easier to come back and study on weekends, so I
02:40brought a few things over.
02:41I said nothing. I just looked at her.
02:43My father had built that desk himself for my 10th birthday.
02:46He'd worked late into the night.
02:48A screw had cut his finger, but he'd still smiled and patted my head.
02:52Our Elena's going to college someday.
02:54She'll have lots of books, needs a big desk.
02:57After my mother died, the question I hated most was, where's your mom?
03:00In third grade, a classmate called me an unwanted kid and threw my backpack into the trash.
03:05I hid in a bathroom stall and cried because I was too scared to go back to class.
03:10Marco was the one who retrieved my backpack and chased them away.
03:12He was only 10.
03:14His hand had been scratched bloody, but he stood in front of me like a furious little wolf.
03:18Later, when my father picked me up, I cried and asked,
03:21Father, if I don't have a mother, does that mean nobody will ever love me?
03:25Who told you that?
03:26He stroked my hair.
03:27You have a father.
03:28Father will always love Elena.
03:30But eventually, both my father and Marco forgot what they had promised.
03:34One brought a stepmother into my life.
03:36The other started choosing my stepmother's daughter over me.
03:41Elena?
03:42Sofia called my name again, her eyes turning red.
03:45Are you upset?
03:48I can move everything out if you want.
03:49That was what she said.
03:51But her hand never left my closet.
03:52My father walked in carrying a plate of fruit.
03:54The moment he saw Sofia standing beside my closet, he frowned.
03:57Elena, are you giving Sofia attitude again?
04:00I looked at him.
04:01I haven't said anything.
04:03You don't have to.
04:04That look on your face is enough to scare anyone.
04:06Sofia's sensitive.
04:07Stop making her feel like an outsider.
04:08I laughed.
04:09Four years have passed, and somehow, I was the one who had become the outsider.
04:13Sofia had lived in our home for four years, yet she still called my father Don Vittorio.
04:18The more she treated herself like an outsider,
04:20the harder my father tried to prove that this family had never treated her like one.
04:23Katerina walked in to smooth things over.
04:26Vititio, don't talk to Elena like that.
04:27She grew up without a mother.
04:29Of course she can be a little stubborn.
04:30Then she turned to me.
04:33Elena, Sofia's only putting a few things here temporarily.
04:36You've always been such a kind girl.
04:38Can you give her a little more room?
04:39She just got into college, and she's already nervous.
04:43We shouldn't let family problems affect her.
04:45It was always like this.
04:46She sounded as though she were defending me.
04:48Yet, with a few carefully chosen words, she made me look unreasonable.
04:52I was tired.
04:53Fine.
04:54She can put whatever she wants here.
04:56That's more like it.
04:57My father never asked about my acceptance letter.
04:59He didn't ask what Chicago was like.
05:01He didn't even ask whether I was scared to go so far away alone,
05:04because they had already decided the answers for me.
05:07Elena wasn't scared.
05:08Elena could handle it.
05:09Elena should give in.
05:11I opened my drawer and took out the confirmation form for this special training program.
05:15Once you confirm early enrollment, remain reachable for the next seven days,
05:19and await instructions regarding your designated assembly point.
05:22I opened the link on my phone and tapped Confirm.
05:25Elena, your early enrollment request has been submitted.
05:30Sophia was still discussing whether to put a new storage cabinet beside my desk.
05:34My father nodded.
05:35Sure.
05:36Alayda's going to Chicago anyway.
05:37She won't be home much anymore.
05:38I smiled faintly.
05:40Right.
05:40I wouldn't be home much anymore.
05:42Maybe I just wouldn't come back at all.
05:44At dinner, Luca came running in from the living room, clutching his toy truck.
05:47Sis!
05:50He ran straight past me and threw himself into Sophia's arms.
05:53Sis, Marco said he's taking you to see the university.
05:56Sophia smiled and pinched his cheek.
05:59Do you want to come too?
06:00Yes.
06:01Luca was five.
06:02He was my father and Katerina's son.
06:04When he first learned to talk, my father had taught him to call me Sis.
06:08But he always called Sophia Sis.
06:10I was just...
06:11Elena!
06:11My father would laugh it off.
06:13He's still little.
06:14Give him time.
06:14Years passed.
06:15He still called me by my name.
06:17Sis!
06:17I knew he had never really thought of me as his sister.
06:21My father cut a piece of roasted chicken breast and put it on Sophia's plate.
06:25Sophia, you've lost weight.
06:26Eat more.
06:27If your allowance isn't enough once you start at Manhattan, just tell me.
06:30Don Viterio, I don't need that much.
06:31I'll be careful with money.
06:33Katerina sighed.
06:34This girl.
06:35Always so considerate.
06:36I lowered my head and kept eating.
06:38I remembered freshman year.
06:40My father had displayed my medal in the most prominent spot in the living room and told everyone who visited.
06:45My daughter.
06:46Number one in the family.
06:47Then Sophia transferred to my school.
06:49She did badly on her first exam and cried in her room for hours.
06:53Katerina sighed in the living room.
06:54Sophia has always been sensitive.
06:56And Elena is so accomplished.
06:58With two girls living under the same roof, comparisons are inevitable.
07:01The next day, my father took my medal down.
07:03The day after that, he told me...
07:05Elena.
07:05Elena, doing well is a good thing, but you don't need to talk about it all the time.
07:09Don't put so much pressure on your sister.
07:11I hadn't said a word.
07:13Somehow, doing well had become something wrong.
07:15Elena.
07:16I looked up, thinking he was finally going to ask me about Chicago.
07:20Instead, he frowned.
07:21Sophia was talking to you.
07:23Didn't you hear her?
07:24Sophia hurriedly waved her hands.
07:26Elena was probably thinking about Chicago.
07:28She didn't notice.
07:30What's there to think about?
07:31My father's expression hardened.
07:33Aren't you supposed to be so capable?
07:34You applied to that university yourself, so go there yourself.
07:38Stop acting like this entire family owes you something.
07:40I had applied to the university in Chicago myself.
07:43Marco had been sitting right beside me.
07:44He had filled out the Chicago application, too, then turned his screen toward me.
07:48Elena, don't worry.
07:50The three of us will be together.
07:51We'll take care of each other.
07:53Later, I learned that screenshot had been taken before submission,
07:56when it was time to actually submit his application.
07:58He switched it back to Manhattan.
08:01Marco was having dinner with us that night.
08:03His voice was quiet.
08:05Elena, I'll take another look at the paperwork for Chicago.
08:07I asked.
08:08What exactly are you going to look at?
08:10He fell silent.
08:12Sophia lowered her head.
08:14Elena, I'm sorry.
08:15This is all because of me.
08:17I really couldn't adjust to the climate there,
08:19and I was scared I wouldn't be able to handle anything on my own.
08:21I looked at her.
08:22She had never applied to the university in Chicago in the first place.
08:25Sophia, this isn't your fault.
08:27But I feel terrible knowing Elena has to go alone.
08:30Her eyes reddened.
08:32Marco, maybe you should go with Elena after all.
08:34I'll be fine staying in Manhattan.
08:36Absolutely not.
08:37My father immediately put down his silverware.
08:39Katerina hurried to speak.
08:40Sophia isn't in great health.
08:41I don't feel comfortable letting her start college alone.
08:44Marco, this is her first time living away from home.
08:46Your schools are close.
08:47Please look after her, especially with the dorm and everything.
08:50Marco said nothing.
08:51He didn't object.
08:52I remembered my birthday last year.
08:54They had said everyone was busy,
08:55and promised they would celebrate it that weekend.
08:58Sophia claimed she had accidentally taken the cake I ordered.
09:01The strawberry cake had her name written across it.
09:04I sat alone in my dark bedroom.
09:05Then Marco climbed through my window carrying a tiny cream cake.
09:09Someone had awkwardly written one word across the top.
09:12Elena.
09:13He said,
09:14It doesn't matter if everyone else forgets.
09:16I remembered.
09:17I cried so hard.
09:20He wiped my tears and said,
09:21Elena, I'll always have your back.
09:24Apparently, always, was a word you should never believe.
09:28After dinner, Marco followed me onto the balcony.
09:32Elena, did you hear something?
09:33I leaned against the door without looking at him.
09:35What do you think?
09:37I didn't mean to lie to you.
09:39Then what did you mean to do?
09:40I just...
09:41He hesitated.
09:43Sophia needs someone to take care of her more than you do.
09:46I finally looked up.
09:48So?
09:50So I'm staying in Manhattan with her.
09:52That doesn't mean I'm giving up on you.
09:54You'll go to Chicago first, and once you graduate, we'll still...
09:56Still get married?
09:57I finished the sentence for him.
09:59Marco?
10:01What exactly are those four years of college supposed to mean to me?
10:05I looked at him straight in the eyes.
10:07You think I'll just keep waiting for you?
10:10Wait until you're done taking care of Sophia?
10:12Wait until you finally remember there's still an Elena standing behind you.
10:16Katarina's voice suddenly came from outside the balcony.
10:19Sophia, why are you standing here?
10:20You're so pale.
10:21Are you feeling sick again?
10:22Sophia stood in the doorway.
10:23Tears immediately spilled down her cheeks.
10:25Elena, I never meant to take Marco away from you.
10:28Marco turned around at once.
10:30Sophia, don't cry.
10:31Before Sophia could even wipe her tears, Katarina had already pulled her behind her.
10:35I hadn't done anything.
10:36But the second she cried, somehow I became the person who had made her cry.
10:41Elena, Sophia already feels guilty enough.
10:43Why do you have to keep pushing her?
10:44My father didn't even ask what had happened.
10:46His first question was for me.
10:48Elena, what exactly do you want?
10:50They were the ones who lied to me.
10:52Yet somehow, I was the one who had done something wrong.
10:54But I didn't want to ask anymore.
10:56No one in this house would ever give me an answer.
10:58I turned and went back to my room.
11:00Before I closed the door, Marco called after me.
11:03Elena, when I get back, I'll explain everything properly.
11:06I didn't turn around.
11:07I didn't need his explanation anymore.
11:11Early the next morning, my father knocked on my bedroom door.
11:14I was putting the last few books into my suitcase.
11:16He looked at it and frowned.
11:18What are you doing?
11:19Then he scoffed.
11:20You made a scene yesterday and now you're running away from home?
11:24I'm not running away.
11:25The school notified me that I have to report early.
11:28Don't use school as an excuse.
11:30He walked inside and nudged the edge of my suitcase with his foot.
11:33Elena, you're the oldest.
11:34Start acting like it.
11:36Sophia and Luca are both younger than you.
11:38What's so difficult about giving them a little more?
11:40Sophia's only two months younger than me.
11:42So what?
11:43She grew up struggling with her mother.
11:45She's more sensitive than you.
11:47What about me?
11:50You grew up with me providing for you.
11:52You never went without food or clothes.
11:54What could you possibly have to complain about?
11:56I stopped talking.
11:57My silence only seemed to make him angrier.
11:59Stop acting like you're some kind of victim.
12:02Your mother died young.
12:04I raised you myself and gave you a complete family.
12:06What more could you possibly want?
12:08A complete family?
12:09I finally spoke.
12:10Father, do you really think this is my home?
12:16My voice was quiet.
12:19If this counts as a home, then I guess I really don't understand what I'm supposed to be grateful for.
12:23Don Vitilio.
12:24Marco stepped between us.
12:25Reporting early is her choice.
12:26Please don't force her.
12:27For one hazy second, I almost thought he had become the previous Marco again.
12:31Marco, who used to protect me.
12:33Then Sophia suddenly cried out from the living room.
12:35Katerina panicked.
12:36Sophia can't breathe.
12:37She's having another anxiety attack.
12:39Marco's expression changed instantly.
12:40He rushed out.
12:42Sophia was curled up on the couch, pale and trembling.
12:45The moment she saw Marco, she grabbed his sleeve.
12:47Marco, am I useless?
12:48Am I causing trouble for everyone again?
12:51Don't think like that.
12:52Marco crouched beside her, his voice gentle.
12:55I'm taking you to the hospital.
12:56He picked her up.
12:57Before leaving, he glanced back at me.
12:59There was guilt in his eyes.
13:00And something else he didn't even seem aware of.
13:02The absolute certainty that I would understand.
13:05Elena, wait until I get back.
13:07The door closed.
13:08I stood there without moving.
13:10My father spoke coldly.
13:12You see what condition Sophia's in?
13:14And you still want to fight with her over this?
13:16I said nothing and walked back to the room.
13:19So that was how it worked.
13:20Marco only stood behind me when Sophia didn't need him.
13:23I opened the bottom drawer of my desk and took out a chipped metal box.
13:27Marco and I had buried it when we were ten.
13:29When my father found out, he had laughed at us before finding a proper metal box and helping
13:34us seal everything inside.
13:35There was a drawing I had made.
13:37Marco's broken toy dagger and a note.
13:39The yellowed paper was covered in Marco's crooked childhood handwriting.
13:42Marco will always protect Elena.
13:44He won't let anyone bully her.
13:45I stared at it.
13:46Then I put the note back and wrote another beneath it.
13:48You don't have to protect me anymore.
13:50I'll move forward on my own.
13:52I closed the box and packed it into my suitcase with the confirmation form.
13:56A notification appeared on my phone.
13:58Elena, your early enrollment has been confirmed.
14:00Please arrive at the designated airport assembly point before 7 a.m. tomorrow.
14:06I replied, received.
14:08This time, no one had made the decision for me.
14:10The morning I left, I didn't wake anyone.
14:13I am 18 now.
14:14For the first time, the final line of my confirmation form didn't require a guardian's signature.
14:18As my suitcase rolled across the living room floor, I stopped.
14:21The wall that had once been covered in my medals was now filled with Luca's crooked drawings of sons and
14:26cars.
14:27The medal that had once occupied the center was gone.
14:29Only a yellowed patch of adhesive remained.
14:31I remembered what my father had said when he put it there.
14:34Elena, daddy's saving the center spot for you.
14:38Apparently, even the center could be replaced easily.
14:40I dragged my suitcase to Marco's house.
14:42I put the medal box in his mailbox and stuck a note to it, returning this to its owner.
14:47Before meeting the group at the airport, I checked my phone one last time.
14:51There was another voice message from Luca in the family group chat.
14:54Sophia, Marco, now we can play together every day.
14:57I left the family group.
14:58Then I blocked their numbers one by one.
15:00My program advisor approached me.
15:02During training, all personal communication devices will be collected.
15:05You may not disclose the training location, assignment details, or personnel roster.
15:09I nodded and placed my phone into the sealed bag.
15:11The wind was strong there.
15:12Maybe it really could carry me so far away from these people that they would never see me again.
15:17By the time Marco returned from the hospital, dawn had already broken.
15:21Nothing serious was wrong with Sophia.
15:23Her emotions had simply overwhelmed her.
15:25But throughout the drive home, the calm look in Elena's eyes from the day before kept flashing through Marco's mind.
15:30It made him uneasy.
15:32He pushed open Elena's bedroom door.
15:34Half the room was empty.
15:35Her clothes were gone from the closet.
15:37The books were gone from her desk.
15:38Even the little nightlight she had used for years had disappeared.
15:41My father stood in the doorway and frowned impatiently.
15:45What is she pulling now?
15:46She's just going to college in Chicago.
15:48She's acting like she's cutting ties with the entire family.
15:51Something dropped in Marco's stomach.
15:53Don Vittorio, did she leave early?
15:55So what if she did?
15:56She's 18.
15:57It's not like she's going to get lost.
15:58Marco pulled out his phone and called Elena.
16:00The call wouldn't connect.
16:02He sent a message.
16:03A red exclamation mark appeared.
16:05Message not delivered.
16:06The recipient has blocked you.
16:08Marco's fingers froze.
16:09A housekeeper came over from next door carrying the metal box.
16:12Marco, Elena left this in your mailbox.
16:14She said it was for you.
16:16All the color drained from his face.
16:17He stared at the chipped metal box, his breath catching.
16:20It was the keepsake that belonged to them.
16:22Then father's phone suddenly rang.
16:24It was the special training center.
16:28Hello.
16:29Elena has completed early enrollment for the special training program and her records have
16:34been transferred.
16:34Due to confidenality requirements, we cannot disclose any further information.
16:38Where did she go?
16:39When is she coming back?
16:40The person on the other end only repeated the same answer.
16:43I'm sorry.
16:44That information cannot be disclosed.
16:46Marco tightened his grip on the box.
16:48He lifted the lid slightly.
16:49At the bottom was a new piece of paper, written in handwriting completely different from the
16:53childish note from ten years ago.
16:55There was only one sentence.
16:56You don't have to protect me anymore.
16:58I'll move forward on my own.
16:59Marco's hands trembled.
17:00Inside the box lay the broken toy dagger, two crayon drawings, a faded glass marble,
17:05and the yellowed note.
17:06Marco will always protect Elena.
17:07He won't let anyone bully her.
17:08He stared at the words as memories flooded back.
17:11He had retrieved Elena's backpack for him.
17:13He chased away the kids who mocked her.
17:14He had once climbed through her window just to bring her a birthday cake.
17:17He had once believed he was the most important person in Elena's life.
17:20Then, Sophia came along.
17:24She always followed quietly behind them.
17:26She was too timid to even open an umbrella on her own.
17:28She hid and cried when she got a bad grade.
17:31Her eyes reddened whenever someone teased her.
17:33At first, Marco had only taken extra care of Sophia because she reminded him of the little
17:38girl Elena had been after losing her mother.
17:40The girl who hadn't even dared to cry too loudly.
17:42But gradually, he started asking Sophia whether she was cold first.
17:45He remembered what frightened her at first.
17:47And whenever both girls fell silent, he always assumed Elena could handle her feelings on
17:51her own.
17:52My father sat on the couch, his expression dark.
17:54She's doing this to scare us.
17:56Secret training?
17:57Confidential information?
18:00She's just trying to make a point.
18:02Katerina nodded.
18:03Elena acted impulsively.
18:05When she has a hard time out there, she'll come home.
18:08Marco looked up.
18:09His voice was cold.
18:10She didn't leave because she wanted to suffer.
18:14And she didn't report early just to scare you.
18:17My father frowned.
18:18Marco.
18:20What are you trying to say?
18:23Marco didn't answer.
18:24He could only hear Elena's question again.
18:28What exactly are those four years of college supposed to mean to me?
18:31Apparently, he had treated them like a future he could simply pick back up after he finished
18:35taking care of Sophia.
18:36Like something he could fix with one sentence.
18:39I'll explain.
18:40What gave him the right to assume Elena would keep waiting in the same place?
18:43Over the next several days, Marco contacted Elena's advisor, classmates, the personnel office,
18:49and even tried to check the airport assembly roster.
18:52Every answer was the same.
18:53Elena has safely reported for training.
18:55Her specific location cannot be disclosed.
18:57Please respect her personal decision.
19:01The last time the personnel director answered his call, their tone was stern.
19:05Marco, Elena is 18, and she explicitly refused permission to disclose her whereabouts to untiderine contacts.
19:11Please stop trying to obtain this information.
19:13The call ended.
19:13Marco stood there holding his phone.
19:15For the first time, he understood.
19:18He was the one who had been left behind.
19:20Meanwhile, during my first week in Chicago,
19:23every day was filled with paperwork, training, and getting familiar with my coursework.
19:28Nobody knew about my past.
19:30Nobody asked why I had reported it earlier.
19:32During our final meeting, my advisor only asked one question.
19:36Elena, choosing independent training means things will be much harder from now on.
19:40Are you sure?
19:41I nodded.
19:42I'm sure.
19:43Does your family support you?
19:46I was quiet for a moment.
19:48Then I smiled.
19:49They don't matter.
19:51My advisor froze.
19:53I used to believe life was supposed to include my father's approval.
19:56Marco beside me.
19:57My family's blessing.
19:58It turned out I could keep moving without any of them.
20:00My father went to my school to see my advisor.
20:02The advisor took a photocopied file from a drawer.
20:05Elena left this with me before she went.
20:06She said if you ever came asking why she left, I could show you the non-confidential sections.
20:10The file contained three years of grades, interview records, and my personal statement.
20:15When my father reached the final page, his fingers stopped.
20:18It written, I want to go somewhere farther away and find out whether I can simply become
20:22myself without needing anyone else.
20:26My father stared at those words.
20:28The advisor sighed.
20:30Elena had been preparing for this program since senior year.
20:32She didn't go to Chicago out of spite.
20:34She had plans of her own.
20:37My father's voice was hoarse.
20:40Then why did she leave early?
20:42The advisor was quiet for a moment.
20:45That's a question you should ask yourself.
20:47When my father returned home that day, he stood outside Elena's empty bedroom until nightfall.
20:54Luca came running over with his toy car.
20:57Daddy, when is Elena coming back?
21:00My father didn't answer.
21:02Luca asked again.
21:03Does she not like me?
21:06My father swallowed hard.
21:08Elena is your sister.
21:10The next time you see her, you call her sis.
21:12Okay.
21:13Next time I see her, I'll call her sis.
21:15The little boy tilted his head.
21:16My father's eyes reddened.
21:18Seven days after I left, Marco walked past a bakery.
21:20A strawberry cream cake sat in the display window.
21:23He stopped outside before the realization hit him.
21:25The day Elena left was her 18th birthday.
21:27He had spent that day at the hospital with Sophia.
21:29All he could think about was Sophia's anxiety attack.
21:32He hadn't even remembered.
21:33It was Elena's birthday.
21:34Her family had forgotten the year before, too.
21:36Back then, he had climbed through her window carrying a little strawberry cake with Elena written on top.
21:41When Elena cried and asked him how he had remembered, he told her,
21:45It doesn't matter if everyone else forgets.
21:47I remembered.
21:48I remembered.
21:51Marco bought a cake exactly like the one from last year.
21:54The clerk asked whether he wanted a name written on it.
21:56He hesitated.
21:58Elena.
21:58He finally said.
21:59That evening, he brought the cake to Elena's house.
22:02He didn't ring the doorbell.
22:03He simply set the cake on the front steps and stared at the door.
22:06As if, if he waited long enough, Elena would eventually walk out.
22:09She would frown at him and ask,
22:12Marco, what are you doing sitting out here?
22:13Then he would hand her the cake and wish her happy birthday.
22:16Maybe she would still be angry.
22:17Maybe she would ignore him.
22:18But at least she would be standing in front of him.
22:22The sky slowly darkened.
22:24The frosting began to collapse around the edges.
22:26The strawberries lost their shine.
22:28When my father came home, he found Marco sitting on the steps with the misshapen cake box beside his feet.
22:33What are you still waiting for?
22:34Marco looked up.
22:35I used to buy her cake and it made her so happy.
22:37My father said nothing.
22:39Marco lowered his eyes to the cake.
22:40His voice was hoarse.
22:42But now I understand.
22:44It was never the cake that made her happy.
22:47She was happy because back then I still put her first.
22:49My father stood there.
22:50In the end, he said nothing.
22:52The next day, half of Elena's bedroom was still empty.
22:54But a new white storage cabinet had appeared beside her desk.
22:57Katerina had ordered someone to put it there.
22:58She said Elena wouldn't be coming home often anyway.
23:00So Sophia might as well use it.
23:02My father walked over and opened a drawer.
23:03On the side were Sophia's notes, skin care products, and her Manhattan move-in checklist.
23:07He stared at them for a moment.
23:09Then he closed the drawer.
23:10Get all of this out.
23:11Katerina froze in the doorway.
23:15Fatigio, it's only a few things.
23:18Elena's gone.
23:19The room is empty anyway.
23:20I said get it out.
23:21Katerina's expression hardened.
23:23What is this supposed to mean?
23:25Because of Elena, Sophia isn't welcome here anymore?
23:27My father didn't look at her.
23:29His hand rested on the edge of Elena's desk.
23:31He had built that desk himself.
23:32His eyes shifted toward the yellow patch on the wall.
23:35Elena's first-place metal used to hang there.
23:37No one touches anything in this room again.
23:39Sophia stood in the doorway.
23:40I'll pack everything myself.
23:42Don Vittorio looked at her.
23:43Make sure you get all of it.
23:47That night, Sophia packed everything from the storage cabinet into cardboard boxes,
23:51books, makeup, clothes.
23:53As she finished, she noticed one of Elena's old pens still lying in the desk drawer.
23:56She reached out and touched it, then quickly pulled her hand away.
23:59When she carried the box back to her bedroom, Katerina was sitting on the edge of the bed,
24:02waiting for her.
24:03Why are you moving everything?
24:06The Don just feels guilty right now.
24:08You really think Elena's never coming home again?
24:10The box in Sophia's arms shifted.
24:12A book fell onto the floor with a heavy thud.
24:14She stared down at it.
24:15Katerina bent over and picked it up for her.
24:17Don't let the Don scare you.
24:18He thinks he failed Elena right now.
24:20He'll get over it.
24:21Sophia didn't take the book.
24:23Katerina put it back into the box and softened her voice.
24:25You know what Elise is like.
24:27She's stubborn and has a temper.
24:30Once college gets difficult, she'll calm down and realize she overreacted.
24:33Sophia suddenly looked up.
24:36She's not coming back.
24:38Katerina paused.
24:39How do you know?
24:39Sophia's voice was barely above a whisper.
24:41She blocked all of us.
24:43Katerina fell silent before her expression hardened.
24:46So what if she blocked us?
24:47Elena has always been terrified of being abandoned.
24:49She's angry right now.
24:51When she calms down, she'll come back.
24:52Sophia looked at her and she spoke almost to herself.
24:54Don't fight her head on.
24:56The weaker you act, the more Don Vittorio will protect you.
25:00Marco has a soft heart, so if you're hurting, tell him.
25:08Isn't that what you taught me?
25:12Katerina's expression changed.
25:14What exactly did I teach you?
25:16I only told you not to let yourself get hurt.
25:21You told me to tell Marco I couldn't sleep.
25:23Sophia's voice began to tremble.
25:26You told me to say I was scared of going to Chicago.
25:29You said if I told him I was struggling, he wouldn't leave me.
25:34You said Elena could handle more than I could, and she'd never stay angry for long.
25:38Katerina shot to her feet.
25:40Sophia, watch what you're saying.
25:42I only told you to be honest about your feelings.
25:45But I never applied to the university in Chicago.
25:48Sophia cut her off.
25:49Her fingers curled tightly, her knuckles turning white.
25:51I never planned to go there.
25:53I knew Marco would change his application and stay in Manhattan.
25:55When he asked if I was scared, I could have told him I hadn't even applied to Chicago.
25:59Katerina slowly went pale.
26:01But I didn't.
26:03Sophia lowered her head as tears fell.
26:05I knew if I cried, Don Vittorio would assume Elena had bullied me.
26:08I knew if I said I was upset, Marco would comfort me first.
26:14I knew.
26:17But I thought she'd just ignore me for a few days.
26:21She hesitated.
26:22I never thought she'd actually give up on this family.
26:25A voice suddenly came from outside the room.
26:27Go on.
26:28Sophia and Katerina both froze.
26:31My father stood in the doorway, holding a glass of milk that had already gone cold.
26:34He had originally come upstairs to call Sophia down for dinner.
26:37The door hadn't been fully closed.
26:39He had heard everything.
26:40Katerina's face changed.
26:42Vittorio, let me explain.
26:43I never meant to hurt Elena.
26:45I only wanted Sophia to have a better life.
26:47She suffered so much when it was just the two of us.
26:52I'm her mother.
26:53Of course I wanted to look out for her.
26:56My father stood there without speaking when he finally looked up.
26:59His eyes were red.
27:00There's nothing wrong with wanting the best for your own daughter.
27:03Katerina froze.
27:07I'm the one who was wrong.
27:09You were wrong to teach Sophia to make herself look helpless.
27:13Sophia knew what she was doing and went along with it.
27:15She was wrong too.
27:18But every time Elena was falsely blamed,
27:21every time she stood there without saying anything,
27:23every time I told her to give in to Sophia or Luca...
27:29His voice grew hoarse.
27:30I could have asked Elena what happened.
27:33I could have chosen not to take sides.
27:37But I didn't.
27:39Katerina opened her mouth.
27:41Darling, stop saying you were the one who drove her away.
27:44My father cut her off.
27:46It wasn't just you.
27:48It was all of us.
27:50Every single one of us decided that making Elamina put up with it was the easiest solution.
27:55Sophia cried even harder.
27:57She wanted to apologize.
27:57But Elena wasn't there anymore.
28:00Tomorrow, take everything you left in Elena's room and move it out.
28:08And you're not moving it because we're waiting for her to come home.
28:14Even when she isn't here, none of us has the right to make decisions for her anymore.
28:20After that night, Katerina took Luca and went to stay with her family.
28:23My father didn't stop her.
28:25Marco came by once.
28:26He only stood outside Elena's bedroom for a while, clutching the keepsake in his hand.
28:30Another month passed.
28:31Following the emergency contact information on file, the special training center sent Elena's
28:36designated contact.
28:37A routine status update.
28:39My father's phone vibrated.
28:40The message contained only one sentence.
28:42I'm fine.
28:43Don't look for me.
28:44My father stared at it.
28:45He opened the reply box and typed,
28:47Elena, Daddy knows he was wrong.
28:48Then he deleted it one letter at a time.
28:50Three years later, the first phase of the program ended.
28:53I received seven days off.
28:55The day I returned home happened to be the anniversary of my mother's death.
28:58Over those three years, I had only sent the required safety updates to my emergency contact
29:02a few times.
29:03Safe.
29:04Don't worry.
29:04Don't look for me.
29:05I didn't tell anyone I was coming back.
29:07The wind outside the cemetery wasn't nearly as strong as the wind in Chicago, but it still
29:12felt cold against my skin.
29:13My father stood at the bottom of the steps, holding a bouquet of white roses.
29:17He had lost a lot of weight.
29:18His temples had gone gray.
29:21When he saw me, he froze.
29:23After a moment, he quietly said my name.
29:25Elena.
29:27I stopped walking.
29:28His fingers tightened around the flowers.
29:31Today is the anniversary of your mother's death.
29:33His voice hoarse.
29:34I come every year.
29:36He paused.
29:38I didn't think I'd see you here today.
29:39I said nothing.
29:40My father lowered his head and watched the dead leaves blowing across the cemetery entrance.
29:44I've thought about a lot of things these past three years.
29:48The day you left, you asked me whether that house was really your home.
29:53I was angry.
29:54I thought you were being ungrateful.
29:57I thought I'd raised you all those years.
29:59So how could you possibly ask me something like that?
30:02I looked at him.
30:03His eyes were red, but for once, he didn't rush to defend himself.
30:06Wind swept through the cemetery.
30:08His fingers crumpled the paper wrapped around the bouquet.
30:10Elena, father was wrong.
30:12I always thought that because you were my daughter, you'd never really leave me.
30:17His voice grew quieter.
30:19Once, I had imagined this moment.
30:20I thought that if he ever apologized...
30:23Father, I would ask him why he had stopped loving me.
30:26Why did he push me behind everyone else?
30:28But now that the moment had finally arrived...
30:30You really did love me once.
30:32His eyes immediately reddened.
30:34And later, you really did disappoint me.
30:37I felt strangely calm.
30:38My father opened his mouth.
30:39I continued...
30:40I don't hate you, but I can't go back to who I was before.
30:43His tears finally fell.
30:45He wiped them away.
30:46My father lowered his head.
30:47After a long silence, he whispered...
30:49I know.
30:51I just want you to know that wherever you go from now on...
30:54I'll never make decisions for you again.
30:56I nodded.
30:57Okay.
30:58We visited my mother together.
31:00She looked young and gentle in the photograph.
31:02Her eyes curved in a warm smile.
31:04My father stood beside me without saying anything else.
31:07I placed the flowers I had brought beside her grave...
31:09And stood there for a while.
31:10Then I turned to leave.
31:15When I walked out of the cemetery...
31:16Marco was standing a short distance away.
31:21He held the chipped metal box in his hands.
31:24He didn't come too close.
31:25Don Viterio didn't tell me you were coming back.
31:27When he saw me...
31:28I knew today was the anniversary of your mother's death.
31:30He paused.
31:31I thought if you came back, you might come here.
31:33He simply stayed where he was.
31:35Another pause.
31:36I was going to give this to Don Viterio.
31:39If you don't want to see me, I'll leave right now.
31:41I looked at him.
31:42Three years have passed.
31:43He seemed steadier now.
31:45More tired, too.
31:47Long time no see.
31:48I said.
31:49His eyes immediately turned red.
31:51Long time no see.
31:52He took two steps closer and held out the keepsake.
31:55This belongs to you.
31:56I accepted the metal box.
31:57The note I had stuck to three years ago had faded.
32:00Returning this to its owner, Marco stared at those words.
32:03His voice was low.
32:05I used to tell myself I was only taking a little extra care of Sophia.
32:09I thought once she settled down, once she stopped being scared,
32:11I could come back to you and there would still be time.
32:14He looked at me.
32:15Elena, I'm not asking you to forgive me.
32:19I just want to ask you once.
32:24Can I try to win you back?
32:26The wind moved through the trees outside the cemetery, rustling the leaves.
32:30I was silent for a long time.
32:32Marco.
32:33Then I shook my head.
32:33The color slowly drained from his face, holding the keepsake against me.
32:38I walked around him and kept going.
32:39I had already gone quite a distance when I heard him call my name behind me.
32:43Elena!
32:44I paused, but I didn't turn around.
32:46The wind scattered his voice.
32:48I'm sorry.
32:49I didn't answer.
32:51A cab was waiting outside the cemetery.
32:54The driver asked where I was headed.
32:56I placed the keepsake on my lap and looked out the window.
33:00The airport.
33:02The car slowly pulled away.
33:04In the rearview mirror, my father and Marco grew smaller and smaller until both disappeared
33:08outside the cemetery gates.
33:11The day I returned to school, my program advisor picked me up at the airport.
33:15Once we left the city, there were fewer and fewer people outside the windows.
33:21How was home?
33:22I thought about it.
33:23Not much has changed.
33:25She smiled.
33:26Are you going back again?
33:27I looked out the window.
33:28After a moment, I said,
33:31Yes, but not because I want to go back to the past.
33:34She didn't ask anything else.
33:36When we drove into the special training center, she took a document from the passenger seat
33:40and handed it to me.
33:41Special training program.
33:42Phase two.
33:43Placement application.
33:44After phase one, we had two choices.
33:46We could return to the main university and finish our regular coursework.
33:49Staying will be harder.
33:51Field work, data processing, research reports.
33:54None of it will be easier than regular quorum work.
33:57She paused.
33:59Elena, you don't have to decide right now.
34:02I looked down at the application.
34:03One option read,
34:04Remain in program.
34:07Over those three years, I worked at field stations,
34:10organized sample data,
34:11and rewritten reports over and over in the laboratory,
34:15long after midnight.
34:16The first time I saw my own name printed on official project materials,
34:19I stared at it for a long time.
34:22I looked up and handed the application back to my advisor.
34:24I want to stay.
34:26She studied me.
34:28You're sure?
34:30I'm sure.
34:31She smiled.
34:33Good.
34:34Starting next week, you'll join the research team in the field.
34:36I nodded.
34:37Wind rushed past the car windows.
34:39This time, it wasn't carrying me away from anyone.
34:41It was simply taking me where I wanted to go.
34:44After my application was approved,
34:46I moved into the research team's new dormitory.
34:48Another year passed.
34:50On my birthday,
34:51the center's mailroom delivered a letter
34:52that had passed security review.
34:54It was from my father.
34:57He said Luca finally called me his sister now.
35:00Luca had drawn a family portrait.
35:02Daddy, why doesn't sis come home?
35:04Because Elena has her own things to do.
35:06The letter also said Sophia had gone to graduate school before she left.
35:10She removed everything she had once kept in Elena's room.
35:13She also wrote an apology letter.
35:15It had been mailed together with my father's.
35:17I didn't open it.
35:18At the end of his letter,
35:19my father wrote,
35:19Elena, father won't ask you to come home anymore.
35:22Do what you need to do.
35:23Father, only hope you stay safe.
35:29I stared at the letter for a long time.
35:31Then I folded it and put it in my drawer.
35:34Marco never wrote to me.
35:35He only left a message through the system page
35:37that allowed approved holiday greetings.
35:39Happy birthday.
35:40May you always keep moving forward.
35:41I didn't reply.
35:42Luca's drawing had been tucked inside my father's letter.
35:45A huge red umbrella.
35:46Under it stood my father,
35:47Katerina,
35:48Sophia,
35:49Luca,
35:49and Marco to a child.
35:51Putting everyone beneath the same umbrella
35:52was enough to make them a family.
35:54But in the farthest corner of the paper,
35:56a few crooked letters had been written.
35:57Elena.
35:58I looked at them for a long time.
36:00Then I slipped the drawing into a new notebook.
36:02Early the next morning,
36:03our research team was scheduled to head to a field station.
36:06Elena.
36:07Elena, did you finish checking the equipment list?
36:10My advisor called me from the end of the hallway.
36:12I closed the notebook
36:13and picked up the documents and ID badge from my desk.
36:17All done.
36:18After I finished my degree,
36:19I would stay here
36:20and continue doing research with the team.
36:22This was no longer just the place I had escaped to.
36:25It was the road I had chosen for myself.
36:27A road I would keep walking,
36:28one step at a time.
36:29For years to come,
36:30I stood and walked toward the teammates waiting for me.
36:33This time,
36:33I didn't look back.
36:34I did.
36:35I did.
36:37I did.
36:37I did.