- 2 days ago
- #aidrama
- #shortdrama
- #viral
- #movies
- #drama
DISCLAIMER:
No copyright infringement intended. This video is shared for entertainment and appreciation purposes only. All rights, credits, and ownership belong to their respective creators, producers, and copyright holders. The content may include AI-generated elements and is not intended to claim ownership of any original work. If you are the rightful owner and have concerns regarding this content, please contact me for appropriate action or removal.
Thank you for understanding and respecting the creativity of the original creators.
#AIDrama #ShortDrama #viral #movies #drama
No copyright infringement intended. This video is shared for entertainment and appreciation purposes only. All rights, credits, and ownership belong to their respective creators, producers, and copyright holders. The content may include AI-generated elements and is not intended to claim ownership of any original work. If you are the rightful owner and have concerns regarding this content, please contact me for appropriate action or removal.
Thank you for understanding and respecting the creativity of the original creators.
#AIDrama #ShortDrama #viral #movies #drama
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:00I made more than $400,000 a year, but with my pregnant wife, I insisted on keeping everything
00:05strictly 50-50. In my mind, marriage meant two people handling their own. Just because she was
00:11carrying a baby didn't mean she got a free pass. Seven months along, and she still squeezed onto
00:17the subway every morning, commuting as if nothing had changed. Her lunch was a $2 cup of instant
00:22noodles, eaten at her desk. I didn't see the problem. We were independent. We both had our
00:28own money. If she were tired, she could cut back on spending somewhere else. She could figure it out
00:34herself. It all seemed perfectly reasonable to me. Hell, I was proud of how logical I was. Plenty of
00:40guys I knew got bled dry by marriage, but not me. I stuck to my guns. It wasn't until our
00:47baby was
00:47born that she handed me a document. I opened it, and my blood ran cold. Karina came home that night
00:54with heavy footsteps, like she was dragging something behind her. I was at the dining table,
01:00working on a steak I'd had delivered from that place downtown. Medium rare, still bleeding a
01:05little on the plate. It was $109. She glanced at me but didn't say anything. She walked into the
01:14kitchen and, with the kind of ease that comes from doing something a thousand times, tore open a packet
01:20of instant noodles. The kettle hummed, and pretty soon that fake, salty smell filled the apartment.
01:26I frowned. She mumbled, coming out with a disposable bowl. Her belly was huge now, round and tight as
01:33a balloon. You know there's a fan in there. Forgot. She sat down across from me and started eating.
01:41She was slurping loudly. I paused with my knife in the air. Karina, we've talked about this. She looked up.
01:49I'm hungry. She dropped her eyes back to the noodles. If you're hungry, eat something decent.
01:55Your money, your choice. I need to save it for the appointments.
02:02We're splitting the R-Kid. We share the responsibility equally. That's fair.
02:07Michael, I spend three hours on the subway every day, standing. I squeezed in like a sardine.
02:12I corrected her. That's your choice. Take a cab if you want. You can pay for yourself. It's in the
02:18prenup. Personal expenses are personal. I'm pregnant. I glanced at her belly. I know. But that doesn't
02:25mean one of us gets to drain the other dry. Marriage is a partnership, not a charity.
02:32That was my rule. It was also why I was making 400 grand by 30. I had rationality and precision.
02:38No
02:38unnecessary emotional cost. I'd seen too many guys get chewed up by marriage, destroyed by their own
02:44families. Not me. I stuck to my principles. I stayed true to myself. She didn't say another word.
02:52She finished her soup, drained the bowl, as if she was checking off box on a list.
03:00Printing little checkup tomorrow at 9, 787. You owe me $393.
03:05Send me the receipt. I want to see the breakdown.
03:08Okay.
03:12She nodded and headed for the bedroom. There was no anger or fight. Everything clicked along like a
03:18well-oiled machine. I was genuinely satisfied with this arraignment. This was marriage done right.
03:23Clean lines, full transparency. There were no blurred edges, no confusion about money. I cut my
03:30steak, feeling tent. My phone buzzed. It was a text from my mom.
03:42Here we go again. I typed back,
03:45Mom, this is how our marriage works. It's fair. It's modern.
03:49Mom replied immediately,
03:51Modern? You mean selfish.
03:53Turned off my phone. It was useless talking to her.
03:56People from her generation never understood boundaries.
03:59What they called love was emotional blackmail.
04:01And I'd never let myself be blackmailed.
04:03Not now. Not ever.
04:07The next morning I woke up half an hour early.
04:10I ran three miles on the treadmill and worked up a good sweat.
04:12That was my ritual. Self-discipline was the key to freedom.
04:17Karina was up too, leaning over the bathroom sink, dry heaving.
04:20The sound made me wince. Honestly, it was rough.
04:22When I got out of the shower, she was already at the table.
04:25Two slices of plain white toast were in front of her.
04:27Shouldn't you eat something with more nutrients?
04:29Toast is empty carbs.
04:31My breakfast was nutritionist approved.
04:33I had a vegetable salad, two boiled eggs, and black coffee.
04:35I'll throw it up anyway. It's a waste of money.
04:38It's your money waste. Who cares?
04:39Karina asked how they would get the hospital, changing the subject.
04:43So, how are we getting to hospital?
04:44I'll drive you.
04:45No, I'll take the subway.
04:46Why?
04:47Your car's yours. Pre-marriage property.
04:49Using it means gas, wear, and tear. I don't want to owe you anything.
04:52Her voice was flat. It was like she's talking about somebody else's business.
04:55Michael blinked. She'd said those exact words once before, right after they got married.
05:00They'd fought for something, and she'd thrown them at him.
05:02Back then, I'd been impressed.
05:04It said she was a reasonable, modern woman. But now, hearing it from her, seven months pregnant,
05:09hit different.
05:10Karina.
05:11You don't have to be so strict about it. It's one ride. I'm not going to charge you.
05:15No. Rules are rules. We agreed to go Dutch. I'm sticking to it.
05:18She grabbed her canvas bag from the couch and headed for the door.
05:21Watching her go, Michael felt a strange pang like he was looking at a stranger.
05:24She used to be different. She used to pout, complain, and find ways to show she was unhappy.
05:31Every time, Michael would win the argument with his logic and principles, leaving her
05:34speechless. But now, she stopped complaining. She started using his own rules against him.
05:39It was like throwing a punch and hitting air. Frustrating and powerless.
05:42Fine. Don't be late. She didn't turn around. The door clicked shut behind her.
05:46I finished breakfast and drove to work. There was no traffic jam, but my mood stayed sour.
05:51I kept replaying her words in my head. Rules are rules. Wasn't that what I always said?
05:56Shouldn't I be happy she was finally playing by the book? Then why'd it bother me so much?
06:01It must be her attitude in that calm, flat voice. Right. It was a silent protest.
06:06What good would protesting do? The rules were set. She had to follow them.
06:11At 9.05, Michael was in the morning meeting when his message from Buzzard. It was a message
06:17Karina. Michael opened his banking app, typed in $393 and hit send. Perfect. Everything was
06:25running smoothly. Michael turned back to the meeting. Walking team through last quarter's
06:29financial. His colleagues watched him with something like respect. That feeling of being
06:32in control was deep satisfying. Marriage should be like a balance sheet. Income and expenses should
06:36all be transparent. Nobody got exploited. The meeting ended around 11. Michael made coffee and
06:42stood by the window. Traffic crawled below, watching the traffic below. His phone buzzed.
06:47It was Karina calling.
06:51Michael, the doctor wants to admit me.
06:54Admit you? Why?
06:55Something's off with the baby's heartbeat. They want to keep me for observation for two days.
07:01Is it serious?
07:02I don't know. That's why they want to watch me.
07:04I went quiet. Admission meant a whole new round of costs. Room fees, nursing, and tests. How were they
07:10supposed to split this? Go ahead and check in. We'll figure out the money when you're home.
07:13I need to pay now. The nurse is waiting. The deposit's $1,600.
07:18$1,600?
07:19I don't have enough in my account.
07:22Didn't you get paid last month?
07:23I paid the mortgage and my mom's last hospital bill. I've got about $300 left.
07:28It was her mom again. That family was a bottomless pole. That's your problem, Karina. We agreed.
07:34Your family's expenses are yours.
07:36I know, but I don't have a deposit right now.
07:39I'll transfer it. A loan. You can pay me back next paycheck. Should I write you in page?
07:43Should I write you a note?
07:46Karina, is that really how you want to talk to me?
07:49I'm following your rules.
07:50Fine. I'll send you $1,600.
07:54Interest at the bank rate.
07:56He hung up before she could say another word.
08:01I sent the money. I tossed my phone onto table. My chest felt tight like I couldn't draw a full
08:07breath. Did it actually do something wrong? I was holding my ground. I refused to end up like my father,
08:13bled dry by his family, left with nothing. Was that really so unreasonable?
08:18My assistant knocked on the door and poked his head in.
08:21Mr. Reid, everything's set for the Stellar group meeting this afternoon.
08:25Got it.
08:25Work was the only thing that kept me steady. I threw myself into pre-prepping for the afternoon, forcing the
08:31hospital calls out of my head. The meeting went well. I finally landed the contract I'd been chasing for months.
08:37The CEO of Stellar couldn't stop talking about how sharp I was.
08:42He called me young, driven, and decisive. Over dinner, he kept raising his glass to me. I drank more than
08:50I should have. By the time I got home, it was nearly 11. The apartment was dark. I flipped on
08:56the lights. The place was empty. It hit me then that Karina was still at the hospital.
09:01I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet and poured a glass. The liquor burned going down, made my
09:07head swim a little. I pulled out my phone. There were no messages from her, but my feed was buzzing.
09:15An old college buddy was posting about his newborn.
09:20There was a photo of his wife in a hospital bed, holding the baby, both of them glowing. He captioned
09:26it,
09:26Babe, you've been through so much. I'll take care of you and our little one. I snort. Responsibility. Easy to
09:32say now. Another guy drowning in hormones.
09:35Once the passion wore off, all that was left was the chaos of bills, chores, and everyday nonsense. That was
09:41when he would realize how laughable his promises really were.
09:44I was the only one thinking clearly here. I poured another drink. My phone lit up. It was a bank
09:50notification.
09:51My secondary card had been hit for 90 bucks at a baby store. It must have been Karina.
09:57That card I gave her only had a $150 limit for picking up household stuff now and then. She was
10:03in the hospital. Why would she need baby stuff?
10:05I called her immediately. The phone rang for a long time before she picked up. There was noise in the
10:10background.
10:11Hello. What did you buy? You spent $90. A maternity kit. A maternity kit? We agreed to split baby expenses.
10:20Why'd you use my card?
10:21I don't have any cash left. What about the $1,600 I sent you today? I paid the deposit and
10:28had some tests done. I've got less than $100 left.
10:31Then you should have called me first. Karina, you're breaking our agreement!
10:36She went quiet. All that was left was the muffled sound of her sobbing. Crying? I hated it. It was
10:43the oldest trick in the book.
10:44What are you crying for? Tell me, am I wrong? We set rules. We stick to them. Otherwise, how are
10:50we any different from those families that are always a mess?
10:52Michael, I wanted to buy something nice for the baby and me. The doctor said things aren't looking great. I
10:59might have to deliver early.
11:01So that's an excuse to blow money? It's not blowing money. It's stuff we actually need.
11:06Then we both pay for it. Who said you could decide on your own and stick me with the bill?
11:10You're seriously losing it over $90?
11:13It's not about the money. It's about the rules. Without ground rules, what kind of family are we even running?
11:18Fine. I understand. I'll pay you back for the maternity kit. $45.
11:22She hung up. I stared at the dark screen. The frustration didn't fade. It curdled into something worse.
11:29She hung up on me. She was the one in the wrong, and she was acting like the victim.
11:33I drained my glass. The whiskey slid down cold, but it didn't touch the heat in my chest.
11:42The next morning my phone wouldn't stop ringing. Dragged me out of a dead sleep. My head pounded from last
11:48night.
11:48The screen said, Karina's mom. I picked up, frowning.
11:51Michael, how's Karina? I heard she's in the hospital?
11:55Just a minor thing. They're keeping an eye on her.
11:58Minor? Nothing about pregnancy is minor. Are you even taking care of her?
12:02I told you, I told her, quit her job and rest at home, but you never listen, do you?
12:07That was the same old nagging and the same tired complaints.
12:11Melissa, if she quits, who's paying her bills? You?
12:15Karina's salary is hers. She used it to cover share. That's what we agreed on from day one.
12:19If she quits, she loses half her income. Who makes up for that?
12:23You make more than $4,000 a year. Can't you cover a little more? She's carrying your child.
12:28Our child. Since it's our responsibility should be equal. That's only fair.
12:33You're talking nonsense.
12:35It's nonsense. It's honoring our agreement. I have to get to work. We'll talk later.
12:39I hung up. Finally, some quiet. I got up and made coffee. My phone buzzed with a message from Karina.
12:45It was a screenshot of a bank transfer of $45. Note attached for the maternity kit.
12:51Good. At least she understood how things worked. I felt a little better. The rules were holding.
12:57I finished my coffee and headed to the office. I spent the whole day buried in work,
13:02shred sheets, market trends, and numbers. Numbers were easier than people. With numbers,
13:07what I saw was what I got. That evening, driving home, I passed that baby store.
13:12On impulse, I pulled over and went inside. I wanted to see what a $90 maturity kit actually looked like.
13:18Shopping for your wife, sir? How far along is she?
13:20Seven months.
13:21Then you might want to check out our...
13:23I'm here for the $90 kit. She paused. Her smile tightened a fraction. She led me to a corner
13:27shelf and pointed at a plain pink bag. The cheapest looking one there.
13:31Here you are, sir.
13:31I picked it up and checked inside. There was almost nothing in it. A handful of diapers,
13:35a flimpy set of baby clothes, and a small bottle of baby wash. All generic brands.
13:39What's your best maternity kit? Her eyes lit up. She hurried to the center display.
13:44There was a fancy gift box, beautifully wrapped.
13:47This one's imported from abroad. Everything inside is organic and of premium quality.
13:51It was perfect for mother and baby. A lot of celebrities use this brand.
13:56I checked the price tag. It said $900. Ten times what Karina had spent.
14:01I put it back on the shelf and walked out without a word.
14:06Back in the car, I lit a cigarette. I didn't know what I was feeling exactly.
14:10Something stuck in my throat. I told myself it was her choice.
14:14If she wanted the expensive one, she could afford it.
14:16She bought the cheap one to save her own money. That was her business, not mine.
14:23I crushed the cigarette in the ash drain and started the engine.
14:27My phone rang. It was hello?
14:29They're discharging me tomorrow.
14:32Okay.
14:32The doctor said I'm a little undernourished. I need to eat better and take some pregnancy supplements.
14:37Oh.
14:38I checked the prices. They're over $300 a month. Does this count as something for the baby?
14:43She finally hit the nail on the head. I smiled to myself.
14:46Karina, those supplements are for your health. The baby takes what it needs from you.
14:51So that would come out of your budget, right? What do you think?
14:53There was a long pause on Karina's end. I could hear her faint, steady breathing through the phone.
14:58I knew what I'd said was cold. Maybe even harsh. But it was true. My logic was solid.
15:04I understand.
15:06Then she hung up. She acted like always. No protest. No fuss. Just acceptance.
15:12It made me feel like the villain somehow. But I wasn't wrong. I was defending the rules and protecting our
15:18agreement.
15:18I'm making sure neither of us took advantage.
15:22The next day was Saturday. I actually had the day off. I went to the hospital around noon to pick
15:28her up.
15:28At the dearcharge desk, I went through every bill carefully. I checked each charge down to the last cent.
15:34Any fees, tests, or medications related to the baby, I marked those, totaled them, and split them in half.
15:40These are your personal expenses.
15:43Karina took the bill without even looking.
15:46Karina took the bill with $2,440. The baby's share is $1,600, so we split that for $800 each.
15:56I held the phone out so she could see the numbers. Remaining $840 is your own expenses.
16:01I lent you $1,600. After taking off your $840 and your $800, you still owe me $40.
16:07She glanced at it.
16:09Okay.
16:10I didn't even calculate the interest. For three days, it's probably pennies. Forget it.
16:13I waved a hand like I was doing her a favor. She didn't respond.
16:16She started gathering her things in silence. A small bag was all she'd brought for her hospital stay.
16:20We drove home in silence. The air in the car was thick.
16:24I turned on the radio and played some classical music, hoping to break the ice.
16:28But it was useless. The silence got heavier.
16:32The moment we walked in, Karina went straight to the bedroom.
16:35When she came back, she was holding an envelope.
16:41You're $40.
16:42I took it and opened it.
16:46Inside were two crisp $20 bills. Where'd you get this?
16:50I borrowed it from my mom.
16:51I felt another wave of irritation. Of course, it was Lyssa Hart again.
16:55She'd rather go to her mom for help than ever come to me.
16:59Karina, what's that supposed to mean?
17:02Nothing. I don't want to owe you anything.
17:05We're married!
17:06Even married couples should settle accounts. You taught me that.
17:10I stared at her. Her face was pale, almost ghostly. But her eyes were calm, flat, and still as a
17:16frozen lake.
17:17It hit me then, like a punch to the chest. I didn't know her at all.
17:21Fine. Hope you can stay this strong-willed.
17:24She stayed in the bedroom all afternoon. When I called her for dinner, she said she wasn't hungry.
17:29That night, I heard her on the phone in the other room. Her voice was low, careful, as if she
17:34were discussing something serious.
17:38I moved closer to the door and caught fragments.
17:42Yes, I've documented everything. Chain of custody matters. Thank you, Ms. Bennett.
17:47Was she talking to a lawyer? My heart skipped a beat. But why?
17:51Was through lines? Was she planning a divorce?
17:54The thought flashed through my mind, but I pushed it away.
17:56No way. She was pregnant. She didn't work. How could she divorce me?
18:00Would she walk away with nothing? She was not, not stupid.
18:03I was overthinking. She was probably consulting for a friend.
18:07That night, I lay beside her in bed. She was stiff as a board.
18:11There was a wall between us, invisible, but solid.
18:14I turned away from her. She would get better after the baby came.
18:18Pregnant women were emotional. It was okay.
18:20I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.
18:23In the middle of the night, something woke me. I opened my eyes.
18:27Karina was sitting on the edge of the bed. Moonlight spilled through the window.
18:31She was holding her phone, the screen casting a pale glow on her face.
18:35She was looking at a photo from our wedding. In it, she was smiling, pressed close against me.
18:40She looked radiant. I watched a tear slide down her cheek.
18:44It landed on the screen, leaving a small wet mark.
18:47Something twisted in my chest. The feeling caught me off guard, but I pushed it down.
18:53Emotions were messy. They clouded judgment.
18:55She looked at the photo for a long time. Then she put the phone down and lay back down,
19:00her back to me. I could tell she wasn't asleep. I could feel the tension in her body like a
19:05wire
19:05pulled too tight. We lay there like strangers sharing a bed.
19:11The next day was Monday. I got up early as usual, went for a run, and had my usual healthy
19:16breakfast.
19:17Karina got up too. She made herself a bowl of oats with nothing else.
19:21That's all you're eating? The doctor said you need more nutrition.
19:24I'm not hungry.
19:26You need to eat even if you're not hungry. It's for the baby.
19:29Michael, are you actually worried about me or your investment?
19:32I was stunned at Karina's words. What kind of investment are you talking about?
19:36Her mouth twisted into something that wasn't quite a smile.
19:40The baby. Isn't that what this is? Your long-term investment?
19:43You put in half the effort now and hope for a full return later.
19:47You want someone to take care of you when you're old.
19:49My chest tanned. Is that really what you think of me?
19:51Isn't it? You track every dollar between us. Every single one.
19:56You treat marriage like a business deal and our child like a project.
20:00You never give anything without expecting something back.
20:03Michael, have you ever actually loved me?
20:05She held my eyes as she asked, waiting.
20:08I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
20:10Love? That word felt foreigner and abstract, like something from another language.
20:15I believed in fair exchange.
20:16I gave her stability. I provided her with a good life and a solid marriage.
20:21In return, she gave me companionship, children, and a family.
20:24Wasn't that fair?
20:26See? A tear slipped down her cheek. She laughed.
20:29You can't even say it.
20:31Because in your heart, there's no such thing as love.
20:33Only cost and benefit.
20:35I hated the tears.
20:36They made me uncomfortable. Made me feel like the bad guy.
20:39I'm not having this conversation.
20:40I stood up, grabbed my jacket.
20:42I've done my part for this family. That's what matters.
20:45Your half.
20:46Yes, my half.
20:47I've stuck to my rules.
20:49I stormed out, slamming the door.
20:52In the elevator, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
20:55Sharp suit, good looks, the picture of success.
20:58My life was a system I'd built from the ground up.
21:01It was carefully engineered. There were no errors allowed.
21:04Karina was the one trying to introduce errors. I couldn't let her.
21:07When I got the office, my mom called again.
21:09Michael, I've got some news. I'm retiring next month.
21:13Congratulations.
21:14Your father and I talked. Once I'm retired, I'll come help with Karina.
21:18That's not necessary.
21:20Not necessary? She's pregnant. There's no one there to help her. How is that okay?
21:24She has me.
21:25You? You can't even make your own dinner. She has to cook for you.
21:29My mom didn't mince words. She knew what I was like.
21:32Mom, this is between Karina and me. Stay out of it.
21:37I'm worried about my grandchild.
21:39Where would you stay? What about meals? Expenses? Have you thought about any of that?
21:44I'd stay in your guest room. You think I'd charge you?
21:48If you move in, you'd be using our utilities and eating our food. Those are costs.
21:53In this house, if someone else joins the household, the budget needs adjusting.
21:57So who covers those extra costs? You? Me? Karina?
22:02My mom went silent for a moment.
22:04Michael, have you lost your mind? I'm your mother.
22:08I hung up before she could respond.
22:10Exactly. This is the best way.
22:12Boundaries keep relationships clean. That's why I don't want money to come between us.
22:16I leaned back in my chair and exhaled. Another problem solved.
22:21That afternoon, I got a delivery notification. There was a package for me from Karina. I found
22:26it a bit odd. She was at home, so why would she send me something through a courier?
22:30After work, I picked it up. It was a small cardboard box. It felt light. Back in my car,
22:35I opened it. Inside was, the ring. My wedding ring. Underneath the ring was a note. Her handwriting
22:41was neat and clear. This ring was bought by you when we got married. It's your pre-mariled property.
22:46I was having it temporarily. Now I'm returning it to its owner. Also, about your mother coming to
22:52take care of me, I agree. But I'll pay her full salary as a purse care caker. We'll sign a
22:56formal
22:56employment contract.
22:59I gripped the cold ring, my palm slick with sweat. The words on the note stung like needles,
23:04returning it to its owner, signing a formal employment contract. What was her game? Was
23:09she trying to rub my nose in it? I fired up the engine and tore down the road toward home,
23:15tires scratching. I needed to settle this. She had to understand who calls the shots in this house.
23:19I shoved the door open. She was curled up on the couch, wrapped in a thin blanket,
23:24reading a parenty book. She was so absorbed as if nothing had happened. I slammed the ring box onto
23:30the coffee table. It hit hard. She jumped, startled, and looked up. What the hell is this supposed to
23:36mean? Exactly what it says. You bought the ring. It's yours. I've got no right to keep it. I'm your
23:42husband. Legally, yes. Then you should be wearing my ring. Why? A ring stands for loyalty, for love.
23:49Is there any up left between us? Save the drama. What's this about my mom? A work cart you want
23:54to
23:54turn her into your nanny now? A post-porter caretaker. Market rate is $4,000 a month,
23:59room and bell included. I think that's fair. Fair? That's my mother we're talking about.
24:04She's the baby's grandmother. You want to pay her like some hired hand? How's she supposed to face
24:07anyone after that? The same would go for my mom, too. I thought playing the family card would make
24:14her back her down, but she didn't even blink. If your mom's not comfortable with it, I can always
24:19hire assertive post-terdinarity from outside. That'll run $6,000 a month. She had a backup plan
24:25ready. I felt like I was punching a pillow, completely useless. All my anger, all my arguments
24:30dissolved in front of her, because she was using the very logic I'd taught her. No emotions. Stick
24:36to the deal. Karina, do we really have to be this calculating? Do we really need to keep score?
24:41Michael, you're the one who taught me. In marriage, keeping clear is the only way to make it work.
24:47Feelings are the most unreliable world thing. Only the money in your pocket and the words on paper
24:51are real. With that, Karina turned and walked into the home office. She came back with a printed
24:57contract and handed over. This is the home child tricare care agreement. Take a look. If your mom's
25:02okay with it, you can go ahead and sign. I stared at the document. The title was bolded. Everything
25:07was laid out. Services, hours, pay, responsibilities, and breach of contract terms. As professional as any
25:13corporate deal. My hands trembled, not from anger, but from fear. For the first time, I realized things
25:21were slipping out of my control. My phone rang. It was my mom. I hit the speaker. Michael, I've made
25:27up my mind. I'm coming over. Karina told me everything and she's even paying me. She's so
25:32considerate. She don't want me to overwork or pay out of pocket. Mom, don't listen to her. I don't care.
25:37I'm coming next month. Salary or no salary. I want to take care of my grandchild. Oh, and about that
25:43contract. Karina's I should sign it with you. Get it ready so nobody can say I'm taking advantage of
25:50you two. The call ended and I stood there stunned. The contract in my hand felt like it might burn
25:55through my skin. The days slipped past and suddenly Karina's due date was a week away and my mom had
26:01arrived in town early. A few days later, Karina's belly had grown more prominent. Her movements
26:08increasingly labored. One evening, stepping out of the shower, her feet slipped on the wet tile
26:14and she crashed to the floor. I heard the thud and rushed from my study. She lay crumpled on the
26:22ground,
26:23grained of all color. Karina! Then I saw the fluid spreading beneath her. Her water had broken.
26:30Call an ambulance! I grabbed my phone, fingers fumbling over the screen, but Karina caught my
26:37wrist. Breath racked, but eyes startlingly clear. She fixed me with that unwagering gaze.
26:42Michael, don't tall. You drive me. Why? Because ambulances cost extra. Your car is premarited
26:51property. That's what we agreed. If I used premarital asset, I should compensate you for gas and depreciation.
26:59Fair is fair. My mind went totally blank. Ambulance fees, gas money, detrecration. She wanted
27:07everything to be settled, no loose ends. Her words sliced into my brain like poisoned blades.
27:16Don't touch her! Karina, stop this! Why are you saying such crazy things right now?
27:23I stared at Karina's pale face, sweat beating on on her forehead. Her body trembled violently,
27:29but her eyes never wavered. Michael, promise me I won't owe you anything. Fine! I promise!
27:37Whatever you want!
27:45When we reached the emergency entrance, I burst through the doors with Karina in my arms.
27:49Doc! My wife's in labor!
27:52Nurses and doctors materialized instantly. Within moments, Karina was on a gurney being wheeled
27:56through the swinging doors.
27:58Sir, you need to register and pay the deposit.
28:02Here we go again. Another deposit. My mother fumbled for a wallet.
28:07How much? I have cash.
28:11Mom, it's okay. Use this.
28:14Michael, you...
28:15Just go.
28:16I stood alone outside the emergency room, drenched in sweat. When I'd carried her,
28:20her amulic fluid had soaked through my shirt, warm, sticky, with a faint metallo scent. My legs
28:26gave way, and I slumped against the wall, realizing I'd been trembling the whole time.
28:32I paid $3,000.
28:34I shoved them into my pocket without looking. The emergency doors swung open, and a doctor emerged.
28:39Family of Karina? I'm her husband.
28:42She's not doing well. Signs of pre-entural labor. Cervix already dited to two centimeters.
28:46We're moving her to maternity now, straight to delivery. Be prepared for complications.
28:50There are a lot of variables.
28:52Soon, they wheeled Karina out. She lay on the gurney with her eyes squeezed shut.
28:56Her brow furrowed in pain. Her face was pale. I followed right beside the gurney,
29:01wanting so badly to take her hand, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.
29:05I noticed her lips moving and leaned closer. Her voice came out in a thread,
29:09so faint I had to strain to hear.
29:11The deposit added to the bill.
29:16My blood ran cold in that instant. I watched them roll her down the corridor,
29:21deeper into the maternity ward. The doors swung shut behind her, sealing her off from me as
29:28as if we existed in different dimensions.
29:31Family of Karina Hart!
29:35Doctor, how is she?
29:37During surgery, Karina began hemorrhating severely. His words hit me like a physical blow.
29:44What? And the baby?
29:45My mother screamed, her legs buckling.
29:48The baby's out. It's a boy, almost eight pounds, and he is perfectly healthy.
29:52He's been taken to the neon ulcer observation unit.
29:55But Karina's condition is critical.
29:57We're doing everything we can, but she needs an immediate blood infusion.
30:00The blood bank is critically low on her type, RH negative.
30:02I'm type O. Take mine!
30:04That won't help. Does anyone in her immediate family share her blood type?
30:08I froze. I had no idea. Two years of marriage, and I'd never once asked about her family's blood type.
30:17Quick! Caller's voice cut through the chaos. My hands were shaking so badly I couldn't even unlock my phone.
30:22My mom was sobbing beside me.
30:24What should I do?
30:26I looked at the doctor's urgent face, then at my mom's desperate eyes, and my brain stopped.
30:31It's too late! Her parents are all the way back home. It'd take them three or four hours by plane.
30:36Then, out of nowhere, the guy who'd been celebrating his twins walked over.
30:40He put a hand on my shoulder.
30:42Hey man, take a breath.
30:43I'm Ari Nagich. You can use mine.
30:44I stared at him. He looked so ordinary. A husband about to become a father, same as me.
30:49But right now, in my eyes, he was nothing short of a saint.
30:54I... I...
30:55Nurse, get him screened! Now!
30:57Everything blurred into motion.
30:59Someone hit fast forward on the world.
31:01The man was gone before I could even process what had happened.
31:04My mom rushed after him, nearly collapsing.
31:07Thank you. God bless you.
31:10You're saving our family.
31:12Please, don't. No need for that.
31:14We're both husbands. I get it.
31:18He said he understood, but I didn't.
31:20Not even close.
31:21There were no strings attached.
31:23No payment.
31:24Why would anyone do that for a stranger?
31:26He was risking his own body for someone he'd never even met.
31:29It didn't make sense.
31:31It broke every rule I lived by.
31:33Every principle of fair exchange.
31:35Every transaction I'd ever made.
31:37I sank into a chair, feeling like the ground was shifting beneath me.
31:41Thirty years of building my world dild, and it was crumbling into dust.
31:45My mom sat down beside me.
31:47For once, she didn't yell.
31:48She let out a long, heavy sigh.
31:50That sigh was full of disappointment and pity.
31:53It was as if she was looking at someone beyond saving.
31:55A total lost cause.
31:57So we waited.
31:58The minutes crawled by, but everything had changed.
32:01Before, I'd been waiting for news on a project.
32:03Now I was waiting for a verdict on life itself.
32:06Life was so fragile that it needed the blood of a total stranger to survive.
32:11There really was a bond between people that ignored all costs.
32:14Everything I'd mocked, everything I'd called stupid and impulsive, was now my only hope.
32:19Another hour dragged past.
32:20Then finally, the delivery room lights went out.
32:23My heart stopped.
32:24The door swung open.
32:25A doctor stepped out, pulling off his mask.
32:27He looked exhausted, but his eyes held something softer.
32:30Family of Karina?
32:34Right here!
32:36She's out of danger.
32:37The sweetest words I'd ever heard.
32:39My knees nearly gave out.
32:40My mom pressed her hands together, whispering prayers under her breath.
32:44We stopped the bleeding, managed to save her uterus.
32:47Mother and baby are both stable.
32:48Both stable.
32:49The words echoed in my head.
32:51Nothing, not closing a million dollar deal, not any victory in my life,
32:55had ever brought me this kind of a relief.
32:58Thank you, doctor.
33:01She'll need 24 hours in the ICU.
33:03The baby's in the neonatal unit.
33:05You can see him now.
33:06And that gentleman who donated blood needs rest, too.
33:08Make sure you thank him properly.
33:10I nodded, still in a baze.
33:12I followed the nurse to the N.E.
33:13Sue.
33:14Behind a thick plane of glass, there he was.
33:16My son.
33:17He was asleep and in his incubator, eyes closed, peaceful.
33:20His skin was all wrinkled.
33:21He looked like a little old man.
33:23This was my kid with my DNA.
33:24I'd thought of him as an investment once.
33:27Standing there, looking at him, all that talk of profit and loss evaporated.
33:31All I could think was how small he was.
33:33How fragile.
33:34How completely helpless.
33:35It hurt to look at him.
33:37My grandson.
33:38My beautiful grandson.
33:41I stood there a moment longer, then turned to leave.
33:44Morning light filtered through the hallway windows.
33:47Karana Hart is awake.
33:48Her vitals are stable.
33:50She can be transferred to a regular room today.
33:52Is she okay?
33:53She's recovering well, but still weak.
33:56One family member can visit for ten minutes.
33:58Mom, you go.
33:59You go.
34:00She's your wife.
34:01You should be the first one in.
34:02Fear twisted in my stomach.
34:04I didn't know how to face her.
34:05What could I possibly say?
34:07I'm sorry felt like a joke.
34:09It was too small, too cheap for everything I'd put her through.
34:12She lay there, staring at the ceiling, eyes empty and distant.
34:16Her lips were dry, cracked.
34:18When she heard my footsteps, her gaze shifted slowly towards me.
34:22Our eyes met.
34:23There was no anger, no resentment, not even a trace of emotion in her gaze.
34:30You're awake.
34:31She looked at me, saying nothing.
34:33How are you feeling?
34:34The words stumbled out.
34:35The silence between us felt endless.
34:37The only sound was the steady beep of machines.
34:39Each one landed like a hammer on my chest.
34:41I lost all track of time.
34:43Those ten minutes felt like a lifetime.
34:45The nurse walked in, letting me know visiting hours were over.
34:48I stood up to leave.
34:49As I reached the door, Karina spoke.
34:51Her voice was barely a whisper, raspy, like sandpaper on wood.
34:55Where's my baby?
34:56Karina asked.
34:57My baby, not our baby.
34:59Those two words cut deeper than anything.
35:01It felt like I didn't exist to her anymore.
35:03My heart felt like it had been stabbed all over again.
35:05He's doing well.
35:06It's a healthy boy.
35:06He's in the Nephinal unit, in an incubator.
35:09She murmured.
35:10Then she closed her eyes and didn't look at me again.
35:12It was as if she'd only woken up to check on her baby.
35:15Once she got her answer, I was nothing but empty air to her.
35:17I walked out of the icy suit, stripped off the visitor gown, and felt cold all over.
35:22Her attitude toward me was worse than anything I'd ever pictured in my head.
35:28Yelling, cursing, and blaming, I was ready for all of that.
35:31But this total indifference was like a dull blade, slowly cutting.
35:34That night, my mom stayed at the hospital.
35:36She told me to go home, pack some things, and get some rest.
35:39I drove home and walked through the door.
35:41The house felt dead.
35:43It was too quiet.
35:44There wasn't a hint of anyone's presence.
35:46I stepped into our bedroom.
35:47Her scent still lingered faintly in the air.
35:49Her pregnancy pillow sat on the bed.
35:51Exactly she did left it when she rushed out.
35:53I opened the nightstand drawer, looking for her bank card.
35:56That was when I spotted a file.
35:58There was no label.
35:59There was nothing special about it.
36:01But something pulled me to pick it up.
36:02It was thick and heavy.
36:03I hesitated, then opened it.
36:06Inside was a detailed screenshot.
36:08The title read, Marriage.
36:10It started from the day we got married.
36:12Every single expense was listed in meticulous detail.
36:14Date, item, amount, who paid, and the 50% I was supposed to cover.
36:19From the mortgage down to the groceries, it was all there.
36:21Dozens of pages, filled to the brim with expenses.
36:24At the very end of the spreadsheet was the final total.
36:27A number in bold, bright red.
36:28Next to it was a note, the unpaid share Mike's supposed to cover.
36:32I stared at that number.
36:33My mind went blank.
36:35But that wasn't even the worst part.
36:38I kept flipping through the pages.
36:40After the spreadsheet, there was a fat stack of copies of every single receipt and invoice,
36:44all lined up exactly with the entries in the spreadsheet.
36:47What came next sent chills down my spine.
36:49There were receipts for digital voice recorders and mini spy cameras.
36:54And then there was a thick stack of printed out chat loogues.
36:56Every conversation between her and me.
36:58Every discussion about money.
37:00Every time I pushed for splitting everything 50 equal 50.
37:02Every bit of evidence showing I refused to spend on her.
37:05She'd highlight each one with red lines, one after another.
37:08Buried under the pile, at the very bottom, was a document with her signatures already on it.
37:13The title screamed at me in bold black letters.
37:16Divorce papers.
37:17I held that envelope as if it were on fire.
37:20My hands shook.
37:21My heart quivered.
37:23My whole world reeled.
37:24Divorce papers.
37:26Bills.
37:27Recordings.
37:27Chat logs.
37:28When did she start putting this together?
37:30The day we got married?
37:32The first time I made her split the grocery bill?
37:34I always thought I was the one in control.
37:37The chess player.
37:38She was another piece on my board.
37:40But I was dead wrong.
37:41I was the idiot.
37:43The one left in the dark.
37:44She wasn't some doxal sheep.
37:47She was a wolf, patient, cunning, and disguised.
37:49All that submission, all that composure she showed me was all leading up to today.
37:54The final fatal strike.
37:57My heart slammed against my ribs as rage surged through my veins like wildfire.
38:02It was rage at being played for a fool, at being someone's puppet.
38:05I grabbed the folder and my car keys and stormed out of the house, not bothering to change out of
38:10my slippers.
38:11I flooded the gas.
38:12The engine roared through the empty midnight streets like a wounded animal.
38:16There was only one thought in my head.
38:18I had to see her.
38:19I needed the truth.
38:20I needed to shatter that mask she wore so well.
38:23I burst into the hospital and made a beeline for her private room.
38:27My mother was donzing in the chair by the bed.
38:29She jolted awake the commotion.
38:31Michael, what are you doing here?
38:33I didn't answer.
38:34My eyes were locked on Karina.
38:36She was awake, staring right at me.
38:38Her gaze was eerily calm, as if she'd been expecting me all along.
38:43You're here.
38:43I walked to the bed and threw the folder onto the blanket in front of her.
38:47The papers spilled out, covered the white sheets like a black flower blooming with a spare.
38:51What are these?
38:52Explain to me, Karina.
38:53What the hell are these?
38:57Michael, stop.
38:58She had surgery.
39:00She reached for my arm, but I shrugged her off.
39:03Karina glanced at the papers, then back at me.
39:06A ghost of a smile touched her lips.
39:08It was not a question.
39:09It was a statement.
39:11You found them.
39:12I grabbed an apple from the night can and hurled it to the floor.
39:15It exploded into pulp.
39:17My voice echoed off the sterile walls, sharp and unharnged.
39:20Was this your plan all along?
39:22Marry me?
39:23Play the loving wife?
39:25Wait for the right moments to take everything?
39:27Karina looked at me, and for a moment, something shifted in her eyes.
39:30Michael, you're wrong.
39:32I wasn't playing you.
39:33I was playing by your rules.
39:35My rules?
39:36Since when do my rules entaping me without my knowledge?
39:39Printing private conversations?
39:41Lawyering up behind my back?
39:43Every time we argued about mun money, you demanded receipts and proof.
39:47You always said, no evidence, no right to speak.
39:50I'm following what you taught me.
39:54The words caught in my throat.
39:56My face burned.
39:57You.
39:58You're insane.
40:00No, I'm done being naive.
40:01Do you really think I went through all this for money?
40:04My mother had picked up the divorce papers from the floor.
40:06Her hands shook as she scanned them.
40:09Karina, are you really divorcing him?
40:12Karina gnawed completely.
40:14Her eyes never left mine.
40:15Look again, Michael.
40:16Turn to the last page.
40:18That's what this is really about.
40:19The last page?
40:20I froze.
40:21I'd been so blinded by rage.
40:23I never made it that far.
40:24My mother gathered the scattered papers with trembling hands.
40:26She reached the final page and went still like stone.
40:29This is...
40:30She stared at the paper, her lips twizzling, unable to say a word.
40:33I grabbed the paper from her.
40:35It wasn't part of the divorce agreement.
40:36It was something else entirely.
40:38Personal statement on custody and custody and guardianship of our unborn child.
40:42My eyes locked onto the headline.
40:44And then I saw what was written underneath.
40:46It wasn't long, but every word like a blade twisting in my chest.
40:52Michael and I agreed to a strict 50-50 split.
40:55After we got married, separate finances, separate responsibilities.
40:59I, Karina Hart, shouldered all the physical costs.
41:02Health risks, loss of earnings, and the countless emotional and physical pain that came with this
41:09pregnancy, see?
41:10And childbirth, every bit of it alone.
41:12Pregnancy takes a toll on mother's body alone.
41:15Childbirth is a life-or-death battle fought by one person.
41:18During the whole process, Michael didn't face any comparable physical risks or burdens.
41:24So, by the principle of fairness, since I owe all the costs myself,
41:29the child born from this marriage should belong entirely to me,
41:33with full custody and guardianship.
41:36Michael only contributed biologically at the start.
41:39He didn't precipitate in the actual process of bringing the child into the world.
41:44Therefore, he has no ownership over the final product.
41:48This is my official statement.
41:50Enclosed is a legal memandader from Bennett and Associates in support of this claim.
42:00I stared at the statement.
42:02My blood ran cold.
42:04What kind of twisted logic was this?
42:06A child wasn't a product.
42:07We shouldn't claim ownership like this.
42:09You're insane!
42:11Did childbirth break your brain?
42:13That kid is ours.
42:14Is it?
42:15Was there ever an ours between us, Michael?
42:17Your paycheck was yours.
42:19Mine was mine.
42:20Your car, your money, your choices, always separate, always divided.
42:25So why should this be any different?
42:27Why now do you get to claim the baby ours?
42:29That's not fair, Michael.
42:31That's not how your rules work.
42:32You don't get to invoke 50 for 50 when it suits you, then cry we when it doesn't.
42:38My mind turned.
42:39She was twisting everything.
42:40That's not the same.
42:41It's totally different.
42:43The law says the child is legally both of ours.
42:46Right.
42:47The law says spouses have a duty to help each other.
42:50When I was seven months pregnant, crammed into the subway every morning, where were you?
42:55When I couldn't keep down anything but dry toast, where were you?
42:58When my water broke, and I begged you to drive me to the hospital, and you argued, you about
43:04gasp and ink, you care about me?
43:06When I was bleeding out on the operating table, and needed someone to sign, and you were still
43:12negotiating a surgery cost, do you think you deserve to be my husband?
43:19This is a tragedy.
43:21So legally and morally, you abandon your role as a husband first.
43:25Why should you get the rights of a father now?
43:28My lawyer will show the court how you manipulate me financially, and tormented me emotionally.
43:33You don't to call yourself a parent.
43:35Bennett and Associates.
43:37I'd heard of Pierce Bennett before.
43:39She was the city's most ruthless divorce lawyer.
43:42A fortune burner.
43:44She carved up fortunes, and left men like me in pieces.
43:48I always thought she was a legend in the news.
43:50Never X Pierce would ever be tied to my name.
43:53When did you get a lawyer?
43:54The first time you made me split, the cost of a prenatal checkup, I went straight to
43:59their office that same day.
44:00I felt the air leave my lungs.
44:02My legs gave out, and I slid down the wall to the cold floor.
44:05It was over.
44:06It had been over for months.
44:07She wasn't acting on impulse.
44:09She wasn't bluffing.
44:10She'd been plotting, laying out this trap for seven months.
44:13From the day I made her split the prenatal checkup costs, I'd already walked right into
44:18the trap she'd dug for me.
44:20No, this isn't real.
44:22I won't agree to a divorce.
44:23I won't sign.
44:24You can't leave me.
44:25Not if I refuse.
44:29Michael.
44:30Karina looked at me like a parent watching a child throw a tantrum.
44:34Really?
44:34Are you still thinking like this?
44:36Two years of separation is talks to Borsford to go through, and I have more than enough
44:41evidence this marriage died a long time ago.
44:43I can even document every way you failed during our marriage.
44:45So tell me, do you really think a job leave will view over all this?
44:48She gentrioned at the paper scattered across the floor.
44:50Those receipts and insuice I'd always dismissed as trivial were now the nooth tightening around
44:54my neck.
44:55Why?
44:56I gripped my hair, pain twisting through me.
44:58Why are you doing this to me?
45:00Did it really have to end like this?
45:03You want to know why?
45:05Michael, that's a question you should ask yourself.
45:08You're the one who pushed me here, step by step.
45:11I gave you chance to chance, more times than I can count.
45:14When I was in my first trimester and told you I felt miserable and craved something sour,
45:19you told me to order my own takeout and not your monies.
45:22Later, when my feet swelled so badly I couldn't fit into my shoes, and then I asked you to
45:27pick me up from work just once, you complained about wear and tears on your car and told me
45:32to call a cab.
45:33On my birthday, when my mother brought over homemade cookies, pulled actually a calculator
45:37in front of her and started calculating how much water electricity she'd used in our
45:42kitchen.
45:42When I was being wheeled into the delivery room, not knowing if I'd make it out alive,
45:47your first question was how we'd split the surgical costs.
45:50Her voice turned to ice.
45:51That was when I realized the man I married had no heart.
45:54And a man without a heart doesn't deserve a wife.
45:57And he certainly doesn't deserve a child.
46:02No, that's not true.
46:03I was wrong, Karina.
46:05I really was.
46:06I messed up.
46:07Please forgive me this once.
46:08We'll forget the 50-50 arrangement.
46:10You can control all our money from now on.
46:13My salary, my credit cards, even the secondary ones.
46:15Everything I have is yours.
46:16Can we start over?
46:17Please?
46:18I cried.
46:19I, a guy who hadn't shed a single tear in 30 years, was now bawling like a kid.
46:23I thought my begging, my surrender would finally soften her.
46:27But I was wrong again.
46:28She stared at me, her eyes empty of any emotion.
46:32Michael, you still don't understand.
46:33This was never about money.
46:35What I wanted was love, care.
46:37Someone who would show up for me without being asked, without calculating the cost.
46:42Not someone who weighs every option and hands me an itemized bill.
46:46You can't give me love, because to you, everything is a transaction.
46:50As she spoke, she pressed the call button beside her bed.
46:54A nurse appeared immediately.
46:56Is everything okay, ma'am?
46:57Please escort this man out.
46:59I don't want to see him anymore.
47:00He's disturbing my recovery.
47:02Her voice was calm, cold, and absolute, like a judge delivering a verdict.
47:09Sir, you need to leave.
47:11No, I'm not going anywhere!
47:13Karina, give me one more chance.
47:16One last chance.
47:17Please!
47:18Get him out.
47:20Two nurses appeared, grabbing my arms and pulling me back.
47:25My mother took my arm, her face wet with tears.
47:28Michael, let's go.
47:29Don't humiliate self here.
47:30Let her rest.
47:31They dragged me out, my feet barely touching the floor.
47:34The door slammed shut behind me.
47:36I collapsed onto the cold lulling of the hallway, feeling like my entire life had ended the moment that door
47:41closed.
47:42Just then, my phone buzzed with a new email.
47:45My hands trembled as I opened it.
47:47With sender and associates, the email contained only one attachment.
47:51It was an image.
47:54It was a copy of the pre-troll asset freezing application filed with the court.
47:59Every single one of my bank accounts, stocks, funds, properties, and vehicles, everything in my name, would be frozen within
48:0624 hours.
48:07I sat slumped on the cold hallway floor.
48:09Nothing but an empty shell with my soul sucked out.
48:13The light from my screen cast a harsh glow over my deathly pale face.
48:17Asset freezes.
48:19Account lockdowns.
48:20These were tools I knew intimately.
48:22In my line of work, they were the weapons I used against clients who defaulted.
48:25Now that same weapon had been turned on me, aimed directly at my own heart.
48:29I refused to believe it.
48:31With shaking hands, I opened my banking app.
48:33I typed in my password.
48:35I stared at my account balance.
48:36The numbers I used to flaunt now faded to gray, lifeless, and unreachable.
48:44Below the balance, in tiny red letters, it read,
48:47This account had been frozen by court order.
48:49I switched to my stock account.
48:51There was the same message.
48:53My investment portfolio was the same story.
48:56All my liquided assets, everything I could have cashed out, had turned into mirazes overnight.
49:01She'd gutted me, pulled the floor out from under me before I even had time to react.
49:05She'd check mad at me.
49:06Plain and simple.
49:07The very next day, while I was still scrambling to find a lawyer, my name was already trending online.
49:12High-powered executive makes pregnant wife split every bill.
49:15The post went viral almost instantly.
49:17The comment section exploded.
49:19I scrolled through the comments, feeling like I'd been stripped naked and dropped in the middle of a crowded plaza,
49:24everyone staring, pointing fingers.
49:26The call from the company came almost immediately.
49:28It was HR.
49:29Michael, get to the office.
49:30Now.
49:30I threw on some clothes and rushed over.
49:33The second I walked in, every single person turned to look.
49:37I saw it all in their eyes.
49:38Contempt, pity, and more than a few barely concealed smirks.
49:41I used to be the golden boy, the one they looked up to.
49:44I was the guy who had it all figured out.
49:46Now, I was a punchline.
49:50I walked into the HR director's office.
49:52The CEO was waiting.
49:54Neither of them looked happy.
49:55You've seen what's happening online, right?
49:57I, no need to, this is your personal life.
49:59And normally, we'd stay out of it.
50:01But this isn't normal.
50:02You've done real damage to the company across the desk.
50:05The screen showed our stock price.
50:07A sea of red.
50:08One hour in, and we'd already hit the daily limit.
50:10Major clients are calling.
50:12Our PR team keep up.
50:14You're a smart guy, Michael.
50:15You know what has to happen.
50:17But I'd like to resign.
50:18You must.
50:19We'll give you a severance package.
50:21The condition is, you disappear from the public eye completely.
50:24We'll say you left for personal reasons.
50:27That's the best we can do for you now.
50:28I walked out of the CEO's office and returned to my own.
50:31I started packing up my things.
50:33There wasn't much.
50:34Just a few books, a mug, and a photo of Karina and me.
50:38It was taken right after we got married.
50:40She was smiling so sweetly in the picture.
50:42I stared at it until my chest felt like it was caving in.
50:45Then I turned it face down on the desk.
50:49Clutching my box of belongings, I walked out of the office building I'd fought for eight
50:54years to climb.
50:55I felt like a dog kicked out of the only home it ever knew.
50:58My career was gone.
50:59I'd lost my wife, my child, everything I owned.
51:03And now this.
51:04I had nothing left.
51:06Just then, my phone rang.
51:08It was an unknown number.
51:09I picked up.
51:10Hello, is this Mr. Michael Reed?
51:13Yes.
51:14This is Ms. Bennett from Bennett & Associates.
51:17I'm calling on behalf of my client, Ms. Karina Hart, to formally notify you.
51:21Your divorce case has been scheduled for a pre-trial mediation hearing next Wednesday
51:26at 9 a.m.
51:28It will be held at the Mushrupal Court, 1st Division.
51:31Please ensure your presence.
51:32On Wednesday morning, my mom found me a clean suit.
51:35I put it on.
51:36It hung loose on me now, like I was wearing someone else's skin.
51:39Go, whatever happens.
51:41Show up looking like yourself.
51:45I took a cab to the courthouse.
51:47At the door to the mediation room, I saw Karina.
51:49She wore a tailored beige suit with a touch of makeup.
51:52Her hair was pulled back tight, sleek, and professional.
51:55She looked like she'd bounced back completely.
51:57Her skin was glowing, and I'd never guess she'd had a baby.
52:00Beside her stood a woman in a black suit.
52:02That had to be Pierce Bennett, the fortune burner.
52:05Pierce looked younger than I'd expected, but her eyes were razor sharp, like she could see
52:09right through me.
52:10Karina's gaze was completely different when she saw me.
52:13No emotion at all.
52:14She nodded to my lawyer, as if that was the only greeting need.
52:17We walked into the mediation room.
52:19The judge sat in the center, and we took our seats on opposite sides.
52:24My lawyer told the judge where we stood.
52:26We were okay with the divorce, and we'd split the assets as Karina wanted.
52:29The only thing we asked for was joint custody.
52:33Pierce gave a slight smile, then pulled out a document and handed it to the judge.
52:37Your Honor, this is the complete medical report for the child, conducted post-born.
52:42And this is an evaluation from a certified psychological assessment agency.
52:50The reports show that due to prolonged malnutrition and significant emotional distress during
52:55pregnancy, both mother and child have sustained lasting health issues.
53:00The child's immune system is noticeably weaker than that of a normal infant.
53:03My client is showing serious signs of postpartum depression.
53:07The assessment links these conditions directly to the husband's financial control and emotional
53:12neglect during the marriage.
53:13A man capable of treating his pregnant wife with such indistifference raises serious questions
53:18about his ability to care for a vulnerable infant.
53:22So we're sticking to our demand.
53:23Full custody to the mother.
53:25The father may keep the minimum visitation rights the law allows.
53:28Twice a month.
53:29My lawyer went pale.
53:30He glanced at me and shook his head, telling me that we were crushed.
53:33I looked at Karina.
53:34Her face was calm, in an almost cruel way.
53:37I finally understood.
53:38She never wanted my money.
53:42What she really wanted was for me to feel the same pain I'd put her through.
53:46The pain of being stripped away, ignored, and completely shut out.
53:49And she'd done it.
53:50The mediation was over.
53:51I signed the agreement that stripped me of everything.
53:54Walking out of the courthouse, the sunlight felt violent.
53:57I saw a black luxury SUV parked outside the courthouse.
54:00Karina and her lawyer were getting ready to climb in.
54:02I don't know what made me do it.
54:04I walked over.
54:05Karina!
54:05She paused and turned around.
54:07I asked almost pleading.
54:09Can I see the baby one more time?
54:11Pierce frowned, looking like she wanted to say something.
54:13But Karina shook her head and quietly opened the car door.
54:16There he was nestled in the baby car seat inside the SUV.
54:19I'd only glimpsed him once, through the glass of the incubator.
54:22He was awake.
54:23His eyes were bright and curious, taking in the world.
54:26And then they found me.
54:26His eyes were a mirror of Karina's.
54:28Beautiful.
54:29I couldn't hold it in anymore.
54:31Tears streamed down my face.
54:32I asked, my voice breaking.
54:34What's his name?
54:35Karina looked at me, holding my gaze in silence for a long moment.
54:39Then she spoke slowly, each word deliberate.
54:41His name is Ethan Hart.
54:43She closed the door.
54:44The SUV pulled away.
54:45I stood there alone, standing in the blinding sun.
54:48I felt myself falling into that abyss.
54:50She wanted me to face it as she had.
54:52I finally understood.
54:53Her final judgment wasn't about taking everything from me.
54:56It was about making me spend the rest of my life living with regret and pain,
54:59forced to face the abyss I created with my own hands,
55:02and never able to turn back.