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His Stupid Girl New englishsub fullepisode🌸
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00:00When I was eight, my parents brought home a boy named Malcolm Harrington.
00:04The first thing he did was sink his teeth into my finger and bite off half of it.
00:08The second thing he did was save my life.
00:11One night, my parents beat me with sticks until I lay motionless on the floor.
00:16Malcolm ran back. He threw himself over me.
00:19He held a kitchen knife against his own throat.
00:22If you kill her!
00:23His tears fell into my mouth.
00:26I'd die, too.
00:29From that night on, I gave him everything I had every piece of candy I saved.
00:34Every secret I kept.
00:35Each night he turned away to cry into his pillow until it soaked through.
00:39I stayed awake.
00:41Making sure he wasn't alone.
00:43When we were 18 men in black came to take him back to Chicago.
00:46He was the Harrington heir now.
00:48I was just the retarded girl.
00:50They'd taken in as charity.
00:52But before he left, he pulled me into a crushing hug.
00:56His voice breaking.
01:00Lily, come with me.
01:03You like birds, right?
01:04There are so many beautiful birds there.
01:07So I went.
01:08I thought we'd finally be happy together.
01:10Malcolm and me.
01:11I was wrong about so many things.
01:13But one thing I was right about.
01:15The only thing that ever mattered.
01:17Malcolm would always find his way back to me.
01:19The question was whether he'd find me in time.
01:22When I was born, I was diagnosed with intellectual disability.
01:26When I was 8, mom and dad brought home an adorable little boy named Malcolm Harrington.
01:31He had a real mean streak.
01:33When I offered him candy, he sank his teeth into my finger and bit off half of it.
01:37When I tried to help him clean up, he shoved my head into the sink and held it there.
01:42One day, I went to my uncle's house to play games.
01:45I was hoping to win some fancy chocolate for Malcolm.
01:49Then, without warning, Malcolm charged in frantically and bit down hard on my uncle's leg, drawing blood.
01:54He told me his home was far away in Chicago.
01:57I didn't understand what that meant.
01:59But at night, he would turn away from me and cry until his pillow was soaked.
02:03I figured he missed his family.
02:05So I sneaked him out.
02:07I stuffed every piece of candy I'd saved into his pockets.
02:10I gave him a firm shove, urging him to run.
02:14When mom and dad caught me, they beat me with fists and sticks.
02:17As my blood mixed with the crushed candy, I just wanted to close my eyes and never wake up.
02:25But instead of leaving, Malcolm ran back and threw himself over me.
02:28His tears fell into my mouth, salty and bitter.
02:31He held a kitchen knife against his own throat.
02:34If you kill her, I die too!
02:36After that, he never mentioned going home again.
02:39Then, when we were 18, a line of shiny black cars pulled up in front of the house.
02:45Men wearing armbands took mom and dad away.
02:49A beautiful woman who smelled like perfume cried as she pulled Malcolm into one of the cars.
02:56I knew he was going home.
02:58I held out the chocolates I'd been saving for six months.
03:00But he knocked them out of my hands.
03:02He pulled me into a crushing hug.
03:04His voice shaking.
03:07Lily, come with me.
03:15I'm taking you to the city.
03:18You like birds, right?
03:19There are so many beautiful birds there.
03:25Chicago was beautiful.
03:26The buildings were taller than the mountains back home.
03:29I stared at everything with my mouth hanging open, trying to take it all in.
03:33Malcolm told me it all belonged to his family, but there were no birds.
03:36And the woman, Rachel Harrington, kept digging her long fingernails into my palm.
03:42Scared, I tugged at his sleeve.
03:47Malk?
03:48When can I go home?
03:50His expression darkened, though his voice stayed soft.
03:55My home is your home.
03:58We are never going back to that place.
04:01Rachel's voice rose to a shriek.
04:03Malk!
04:03Your father will never agree to adopt her.
04:08If it weren't for her human tracker parents, you wouldn't have suffered in that slum for ten years.
04:14Malcolm's face was cold.
04:17The couple was at fault, not her.
04:19But she's retarded!
04:21Rachel waved a stack of papers in the air.
04:23Severe intellectual disability.
04:26She'll be a burden forever.
04:28Do you know how bad that looks for your father?
04:34I froze in fear, and then my pants felt warm and wet.
04:37A dark stain spread across the carpet.
04:40The servants covered their noses and stepped away, whispering to one another.
04:44I wanted to curl up and hide my shame.
04:46But then I noticed the white papers scattered on the floor.
04:49I dropped to my knees to pick them up.
04:51I carefully padded off the dust and handed them to Malcolm.
04:55He used to complain that his homework paper was too thin and tore easily.
04:58Now he finally had good paper.
05:01Malk!
05:02White paper!
05:04You can do your homework now!
05:06His eyes turned red.
05:08He took the stack of papers, gripped my hand, and led me into the guest room.
05:12A few maids came over to change my pants, clearly unhappy about it.
05:16I clutched my waistband tight, so they pinched my side hard.
05:21Ugh!
05:22Disgusting!
05:23Let go!
05:23Tears stung my eyes from the pain, but I remembered what Malcolm told me no one was
05:28allowed to touch my pants except him and me.
05:30The door was slightly ajar, and I heard Malcolm's icy voice coming from the hallway.
05:35Rachel, you know exactly how you got into my father's bed, and you know exactly why I
05:39went missing all those years ago.
05:41If you try to poison my father against Lily, I promise you and your precious son will be
05:45thrown out of the Harrington family.
05:52Rachel's face went pale, and she ran away crying.
05:55The hallway went quiet.
05:56When I came out in clean pants, Malcolm was slumped on the sofa.
06:00He looked at me and let out a long sigh.
06:03Malcolm was home now, so why wasn't he happy?
06:06Later, Malcolm's father came home.
06:08They stayed in the study for a long time.
06:10When Malcolm finally came out, he had a bright red handprint on his face.
06:14He locked himself in his room and refused to eat.
06:18I shook with fear.
06:19Back home, when mom and dad said I was bad and wouldn't feed me, Malcolm used to sneak
06:23his food to me.
06:24Once, he went hungry for a whole week until he passed out.
06:28I ran to tell mom and dad, but they beat me and accused me of starving him to death.
06:33When he woke up, he kept his mouth shut tight, no matter how much I begged him to eat.
06:38He waited until mom and dad finally brought me a plate of food, too.
06:41Only then did he open his mouth and let me feed him.
06:48I took a bread roll I'd hidden during dinner and sneaked into Malcolm's room.
06:53I tried desperately to push it into his mouth, but his eyes were red.
06:57He pulled me close, his hot tears dripping onto my neck.
07:02Lily, he might be my biological father, but he stopped caring about me a long time ago.
07:08No one here cares.
07:11I only have you.
07:17If they can't accept you, they won't accept me either.
07:20I didn't understand his complicated words, so I just used my sleeve to wipe his face.
07:25Let's leave.
07:26His voice was sudden and firm.
07:29Isn't this our home?
07:31Lily, anywhere I am with you is home.
07:34He took me and ran away.
07:36We lived under an overpass for three days huddled together for warmth.
07:40Finally, Malcolm's father gave in and agreed to let me stay.
07:43But Rachel complained I was covered in germs.
07:46She wouldn't let me touch anything and made me stay in my room.
07:49Every night, Malcolm came to hold me while we slept, whispering that he was sorry.
07:54I didn't understand why even though there were no birds here, I had Malcolm.
07:58And that made me happy.
08:03But then Malcolm went to college and got very busy.
08:06He stopped coming home for dinner.
08:07He stopped reading me stories before bed.
08:10A pretty girl named Alicia Quinn started following him around.
08:13She had long hair and always smelled like flowers.
08:16The servants told me she was Malcolm's fiancé.
08:19I didn't know what a fiancé was.
08:21They laughed and told me.
08:25It means she's his bride.
08:28They'll sleep together and eat together every day.
08:32I tilted my head.
08:40Does that mean I'm Malcolm's fiancé too?
08:44Malcolm laughed and shook his head.
08:51When I asked him why, his face fell.
08:54And he looked at me with a strange expression.
08:56He didn't explain.
08:58After that, he stopped coming to hold me at night.
09:00I lay awake in the dark, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the door to open.
09:04It never did.
09:08I could only watch through the glass as Malcolm and Alicia sat on the garden swing.
09:13They were reading, feeding the fish by the pond, and walking that fluffy puppy of theirs.
09:19I wanted to be out there so bad it hurt.
09:22I miss Malcolm.
09:23But one time, Alicia had actually spotted me at the window.
09:30It startled her so bad she fell right to the ground, pointing at me and screaming that she'd seen a
09:36ghost.
09:36I panicked.
09:38I ran outside and almost got hit by a car.
09:40Malcolm was furious.
09:41He struck me hard with a clothes hanger.
09:46Why are you running around?
09:48Why won't you listen?
09:50After that, they covered the window with black cloth.
09:53I couldn't see anything anymore.
09:55The servants stopped bringing me food, and I started feeling dizzy from the hunger.
10:00They didn't let me out until the day of Malcolm's engagement party.
10:09Malcolm pulled me aside.
10:11When he saw how thin my face was, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes.
10:15But his voice stayed harsh and cold.
10:19Today is my engagement party with Alicia.
10:22You just watch quietly, understand?
10:25No eating with your hands.
10:26If you need the bathroom, tell a servant.
10:30Malcolm had forgotten again.
10:32The first time I ate with Alicia, I didn't know how to use a knife and fork.
10:35I remembered him saying we needed to make a good impression on her.
10:38I was starving.
10:39While I drank my juice, I secretly grabbed handfuls of food and stuffed them into my pocket to eat back
10:44in my room.
10:45Then, a sudden urge to pee hit me.
10:47I hurriedly told them I needed the bathroom.
10:49Rachel, who always had sharp eyes, grabbed me.
10:52What's that bulging in your pocket?
10:55Then she screamed.
10:57We feed and clothe you!
10:59And you still steal?!
11:01She yanked at me, and the food spilled all over the floor.
11:05That's when I felt a sudden warmth between my legs.
11:08Urine dripped down my calf.
11:14The room went dead silent.
11:17Guests covered their mouths in shock and backed away, their eyes full of disgust.
11:22The smell filled the air.
11:24Alicia went totally pale.
11:26She retched.
11:28Covered her nose and ran out, forgetting all about being polite.
11:32Malcolm rushed after her.
11:34However, he didn't come back for a long time.
11:36When he finally returned, he stared at the mess on the floor with empty eyes.
11:49I'm begging you.
11:51His voice sounded exhausted.
11:56Just be normal.
11:59Okay?
11:59Since that first incident, I had practiced using a knife and fork until my hands were covered in blood.
12:07I had learned to use the toilet by myself.
12:09I nodded obediently.
12:11He didn't look at me again.
12:13He turned to take Alicia's arm and chat with the guests.
12:17Malcolm looked tired, but his smile was bright.
12:20I was truly happy for him.
12:24Then Vincent Harrington, Malcolm's half-brother, whispered behind me.
12:30Malcolm hasn't eaten all day.
12:32If you bring him a piece of cake,
12:38he'll be even happier.
12:43My eyes lit up.
12:44I remembered when we were kids back in the village.
12:46A big boy named Brad told me to kneel and bark like a dog for a bite of cake.
12:50I had knelt until my knees bled,
12:52barking for a long time just to present that cake to Malcolm like a treasure.
12:56Malcolm had stared at the cake and insisted I eat first.
12:59I wiped my mouth, smiling, and lied that I had already eaten.
13:03Only then did he open his mouth.
13:05Cream stuck to the corner of his lips and he squinted at the sweetness.
13:08But the next day, he came home from school in a rage.
13:12He cried and shoved me, calling me shameless, saying I had no self-respect.
13:15He said he didn't have a sister like me.
13:18But a second later, he ran out to the riverbank and dug up wet herbs.
13:22With red eyes, he applied the medicine to my knees.
13:25He glared at me.
13:28I hate cake.
13:32If you ever bring it to me again, I'll kill you.
13:34Watching his trembling hands, I couldn't help but smile.
13:37Malcolm was lying again.
13:39Happily, I went to cut the cake.
13:40Suddenly, my vision went black.
13:42I collapsed right into the cake, knocking over the champagne tower.
13:45It crashed down on me and the shards pierced my skin.
13:51Alicia screamed and jumped back.
13:53She looked terrified.
13:54Her gorgeous red dress splattered with cream.
13:57Her eyes red.
13:58She looked at Malcolm.
13:59Malcolm!
14:00You said she would behave!
14:05Why did you let her ruin my engagement party?
14:08She covered her face and ran out.
14:10Malcolm's expression was terrifyingly cold.
14:13All I could think was that if Malcolm ate the cake, he would be happy.
14:16Fighting the intense pain of the glass shards in my body, I scooped the clean parts of the cake onto
14:20a plate.
14:23I had just lifted it up when Malcolm kicked the plate away.
14:26His eyes were bloodshot.
14:30Are you that obsessed with food?
14:32You couldn't wait a single moment?
14:38Are you not satisfied until you've ruined me and I'm stuck with you forever?
14:42I shook my head frantically, trying to grab his hand.
14:45But he shoved me away hard and stormed out without looking back.
14:48I fell onto the debris.
14:50Glass shards pierced my skin and the pain made tears stream down my face.
14:54Moments later, someone rushed in, shouting,
14:57Miss Queen has been in a car accident!
15:02The bodyguards hauled me into the hospital.
15:04Lily, the blood bank is empty and you're the only match.
15:08Malcolm's voice was desperate.
15:11Please, save her, okay?
15:14I couldn't answer because I hurt too much.
15:16There was still glass from the accident stuck in my skin.
15:19Malcolm snapped.
15:21Alicia isn't me.
15:22She doesn't owe you a thing!
15:27You hurt her.
15:29So you have to pay for it!
15:30He shoved me toward the donation room.
15:32The doctor rolled up my sleeve, but when he saw my arm was covered in fresh blood,
15:36he froze.
15:37He looked like he wanted to stop.
15:39I remembered something I'd seen on TV once.
15:42I ducked my head and begged.
15:44I'll do it!
15:45I was wrong!
15:46I'm not scared of the pain!
15:48After a round of tests, the doctor looked grim.
15:54Mrs. Brooks,
15:55you have a brain tumor,
15:56and it's getting worse.
15:58I didn't get it.
15:59He sighed.
16:02It means you have two months to live.
16:07That part, I understood.
16:09Malcolm had told me once that dying meant going somewhere very far away farther than birds could fly.
16:14But he also said the birds come back in the spring.
16:17When they finished taking my blood,
16:18I wanted to tell him.
16:20I wanted to say I was going on a long trip and that he should remember to come get me
16:23in the spring.
16:24But then Alicia woke up before I could get the words out.
16:27He shoved past me and ran to her.
16:29The room spun,
16:30and I hit the floor through the crack in the door I heard Alicia sobbing.
16:34I said I didn't mind her living with us after we got married.
16:38But I never agreed to risk my life for it.
16:41We've given her a luxury life for years.
16:44Whatever debt we owe is paid.
16:47Because you keep protecting her.
16:49Your dad is about to give your inheritance to Vincent instead.
16:53I've compromised on everything for you,
16:55but do you ever think about how I feel?
16:58Do you know how people make fun of me?
17:03She's retarded.
17:05How much more do we have to accommodate her?
17:10Malcolm's voice sounded hoarse.
17:15She wasn't always like this.
17:17She got this way by saving me.
17:20No matter what I do,
17:22I can't give her a normal life back.
17:24Alicia went quiet for a second.
17:27Without you,
17:28her life would be way worse than this.
17:30She would have been sold off or tortured to death.
17:33Send her to a care facility.
17:35They have professionals there.
17:36She'll be treated well.
17:38Malcolm buried his face in his hands.
17:40Let me think about it.
17:43We only have two months, Malc.
17:45If Vincent becomes the heir,
17:50I won't be able to marry you.
17:52They held each other and cried like some unlucky couple being tested by fate.
17:57My chest suddenly ached.
17:59It hurt worse than when mom and dad used to hit me.
18:01Turned out, Malcolm was suffering so much because of me.
18:04I decided I didn't want him to come get me after all.
18:10My headaches had been getting worse lately,
18:12and I usually ended up sleeping the entire day away.
18:15My nose wouldn't stop bleeding either just these uncontrollable trickles of dark blood.
18:20It was a good thing Rachel hadn't let me leave my room.
18:23If Malcolm had seen me like that,
18:25he'd have just lost it again.
18:27Lying in bed,
18:28I reached under my pillow and dug out the little wooden bird he carved.
18:31Suddenly, the door swung open.
18:33I panicked and shoved it back out of sight.
18:36The last time Malcolm got mad at me for running around,
18:39he threw it into the fire.
18:40I was so desperate to save it that I reached right into the flames.
18:44The skin on my palm had peeled right off.
18:48That night,
18:49he held me and cried until morning asking over and over,
18:52Why are you like this?
18:54Why?
19:00Terrified he was about to lose his temper again,
19:03I started to tremble.
19:04Instead,
19:05he crawled under the covers and pulled me close.
19:07His voice was raspy.
19:09Hiding snacks again?
19:10I didn't want him to think I was greedy,
19:12so I shook my head fast.
19:15It's not food.
19:16I pulled out the wooden bird to show him.
19:18He froze for a second,
19:20then gave a bitter smile.
19:24It's just that...
19:25He paused,
19:26his voice catching in his throat.
19:29The wings are burned off.
19:32I can't fly away now.
19:34He buried his face in my shoulder.
19:39It has to stay right by my side for the rest of its life, doesn't it?
19:42I wanted so badly to tell him he was wrong.
19:44I was going on a long trip soon.
19:46I had secretly asked Alicia where the birds went.
19:49She said they flew south,
19:50to the village where mom and dad were.
19:52I wanted to go back there.
19:53I wanted to see if the bird had made it back to its nest.
19:56Alicia booked the ticket for me.
19:58She said I could finally go home.
20:02On Malcolm's birthday,
20:03I was allowed out of my room again.
20:05I filled a glass jar with all his favorite colorful candies
20:08and quietly left it in his bedroom.
20:10At the party,
20:11Alicia whispered to me,
20:12Do you want to make milk happy?
20:14I nodded eagerly.
20:16She handed me a glass of juice,
20:17a flicker of guilt in her eyes.
20:20Drink this,
20:21and Malcolm will get exactly what he wants.
20:24I didn't even think about it.
20:25I drank it all in one go.
20:26Not long after,
20:27I felt dizzy and passed out.
20:29I was jolted out of my daze by a hard slap.
20:32My face stung with burning pain.
20:33I opened my eyes.
20:36Disgusting!
20:39The room was full of people pointing at me.
20:42She couldn't get Malcolm,
20:43so she went after Vincent instead.
20:49I thought she was supposed to be retarded.
20:52She looked sharp enough to me.
20:54My head was swimming.
20:55I couldn't understand what they were saying.
20:57I only saw Malcolm,
20:58his eyes bloodshot,
20:59clutching a torn dress.
21:00His voice trembled.
21:01Is this the birthday present you prepared for me?
21:07No, that wasn't it.
21:09Malcolm had it wrong.
21:10The present was in his room.
21:12I tried to get up to pull him there,
21:13only to realize I wasn't wearing any clothes.
21:15Beside me,
21:16Vincent was naked too.
21:18His face was flush, crimson.
21:20He slapped me across the face,
21:21hard enough that I tasted copper in the back of my throat.
21:26Have you no shame?
21:28You dared to drug me?
21:31I swallowed the blood in my mouth
21:32and watched him struggle to reach his trousers.
21:34I remembered Rachel saying Malcolm's brother,
21:36Vincent,
21:37had poor health
21:38and that I should always be helpful to him.
21:40So,
21:41I reached out,
21:42grabbed his pants
21:42and tried to help him put them on.
21:44Malcolm yanked my hair back violently,
21:46his eyes glaring red.
21:49How the hell did you get this cheap?
21:54Huh?
21:56The pain made tears stream down my face.
21:58Vincent spat on me.
22:00Slut?
22:03Malcolm roared and lunged at him,
22:05punching him over and over
22:06until Vincent's face was covered in blood.
22:08The whole room erupted into chaos.
22:11Eventually,
22:11Vincent was taken away in a large white van.
22:17I was dragged into a small dark room outside the door.
22:20I heard a man's cold voice.
22:22Last chance.
22:25Get rid of that woman.
22:27She has the mind of an eight-year-old.
22:29How could she possibly drug Vincent?
22:33It had to be him.
22:41He raped her.
22:42A heavy slap landed on Malcolm's face.
22:44You've lost your mind over her!
22:46Today, you broke your brother's nose.
22:48Tomorrow, are you going to kill someone to mation for her?
22:54If you don't send her away,
22:57I have my ways of making her disappear.
22:59Suddenly, it went quiet outside.
23:01The next day, Malcolm came for me,
23:03his eyes swollen.
23:05He stuffed me into a car
23:06and shoved a key and a bank card into my hand.
23:09His voice was incredibly hoarse.
23:14I bought you a house on the south side.
23:16Don't ever come back.
23:18Big tears started rolling down my face.
23:20He yanked his hand back as if I'd burned him.
23:23Enough!
23:27Alicia was right.
23:29I paid back everything I owed you long ago!
23:34I shook my head and tried to give the key and card back.
23:40Malcolm, I'm going home.
23:42He froze for a long time,
23:43then suddenly started screaming hysterically.
23:49Fine!
23:51Go home then!
23:53Don't you ever come back!
23:55He slammed the car door shut,
23:57sealing me off from him completely.
23:58From inside the car,
24:00I watched his figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance.
24:03The buildings of Chicago blurred past the window,
24:05but I didn't see any of them.
24:07All I saw was the spot where Malcolm had been standing,
24:09getting tinier and tinier until it was gone.
24:12My chest felt hollow,
24:13like someone had scooped everything out of it.
24:15I reached into my pocket
24:16and touched the ticket Alicia had secretly tucked in there.
24:19The edges were crisp and new.
24:21Home, I thought.
24:22I'm going home.
24:23I whispered to the driver in the front seat.
24:26Sir?
24:27Sir, please take me to this station.
24:32The driver met my eyes in the rearview mirror,
24:34shaking his head.
24:35His expression gave nothing away.
24:37No.
24:38His voice was flat.
24:39Mr. Harrington gave specific orders
24:41to drop you safely at the house.
24:44That's it.
24:45No matter how much I begged,
24:47he wouldn't listen.
24:48The yard was average-sized,
24:50and a middle-aged woman greeted me warmly at the door.
24:52At first,
24:53she treated me well and made me meals,
24:55though she wouldn't let me leave.
24:57But as time passed and no one came to visit,
24:59her attitude cooled.
25:00Eventually,
25:01she started just tossing bread into the room,
25:03glaring at me with disdain.
25:05You aren't some wealthy heiress.
25:07If you want to eat,
25:08cook for yourself.
25:09She sneered.
25:10The hunger became unbearable,
25:12so I gathered my courage and went into the kitchen.
25:14I didn't know what I knocked over,
25:16but flames suddenly flared up,
25:17instantly catching the curtains.
25:19Malcolm had told me that if there was ever a fire,
25:21I had to run.
25:25I grabbed the wooden bird carving from under my pillow
25:28and rushed toward the door.
25:29It was locked from the outside.
25:31I cried and pounded on the wood,
25:33but no one answered.
25:35The thick smoke forced me to the floor,
25:37the fire burned my heels sizzling against my skin.
25:40Malcolm would be angry to see me like this.
25:42I slapped my face hard and forced myself
25:44to crawl toward the window.
25:46I smashed the glass with my head
25:48and blacked out when I woke up.
25:49Everything was white.
25:51Malcolm sat by the bed in a tuxedo.
25:53I couldn't help smiling when I saw him.
25:55I had finally found him again.
25:57A police officer stood nearby,
25:59reprimanding him sternly.
26:00You are Mrs. Brooks' guardian, correct?
26:05How could you lock a person
26:06with an intellectual disability alone in a house?
26:09I froze,
26:10then shook my head hard,
26:11trying to explain.
26:17Malcolm looked drained of all energy,
26:19his red-rimmed eyes fixed on me,
26:21his voice sounding exhausted.
26:23What do you want me to do
26:24before you leave me alone?
26:29Do I have to obey you completely?
26:31Lillian, you have always hated me, haven't you?
26:35You regret helping me.
26:38I regret it too.
26:43I should have died back then.
26:45Malcolm always said things I didn't understand.
26:48If he died,
26:49who would pick him up in the spring?
26:51I wanted to correct him,
26:52but my throat hurt terribly.
26:54A doctor nearby explained.
26:58The patient inhaled too much smoke during the fire.
27:02Her vocal cords are moderately burned.
27:05Malcolm turned his head sharply.
27:07She can't speak?
27:11She might recover with rest,
27:13but her voice will likely remain permanently horny.
27:17I looked at him,
27:18questioning him with my eyes.
27:19He glanced at me and understood immediately.
27:22You won't be able to speak or sing anymore.
27:24I stared blankly for a long time,
27:26then opened my mouth,
27:27trying to make a sound.
27:28He immediately covered my mouth,
27:30shouting in a panic.
27:31The doctor said you need total silence
27:33for the next two months.
27:36Do you want to be mute forever?
27:40Stop causing trouble for me.
27:46Warm tears dropped onto my face.
27:48I reached up with a trembling hand
27:50to wipe Malcolm's eyes.
27:52He caught my wrist and gave a sad, bitter smile.
27:56Since you cannot speak,
27:58my world is finally quiet.
28:00I don't have to answer meaningless questions
28:02or hear your bad singing.
28:04My chest ached.
28:06Malcolm used to love my singing.
28:07I remembered when he first came to our home.
28:10He broke things during the day
28:11and cried all night.
28:13I wiped his tears,
28:14but he swatted my hand away.
28:16I patted his back,
28:17and he told me to leave him alone.
28:20Then I sang the song Grandma taught me.
28:21The little bird sings
28:26Coming here every spring
28:29He stopped crying.
28:31The next night,
28:32he hid his face in my arms and whispered,
28:37Sing it again, and I won't cry.
28:39Malcolm was only this sad
28:41because I couldn't sing anymore.
28:42The doctor looked at the report and frowned.
28:45About to speak,
28:45when Alicia rushed in wearing her wedding dress,
28:48she pointed at me crying.
28:49I never realized you were so manipulative.
28:54You did this on our wedding day
28:56to make him feel guilty
28:57so he would stay with you.
28:59Alicia had said that
29:00as long as I was in Chicago,
29:01Malcolm would never be happy.
29:03I didn't want Malcolm to be unhappy.
29:05I looked at her and Malcolm,
29:06and I smiled.
29:07I forced the words out
29:09through the searing pain in my throat,
29:10repeating what she had taught me.
29:24Malcolm gripped my wrist so hard
29:26the pain bowed me over,
29:27sharp and crushing.
29:28Still,
29:29I forced a smile,
29:30grinding the words out.
29:33You are only good enough
29:36to stay right here
29:39and do as you were told.
29:42That broke him.
29:43His voice cracked,
29:44raw and shouting.
29:51I've degraded myself
29:52for you for ten years!
29:58I don't owe you a damn thing anymore!
30:02Get out!
30:03I never want to see you again!
30:05He bunched a fistful of my hair
30:06and hauled me roughly toward the exit.
30:08The doctor chased after us, yelling,
30:11Mrs. Brooks has severe burns,
30:13but she also has...
30:14The heavy thud of the door
30:15severed the rest of his sentence.
30:17Alicia fell in to step beside him,
30:19her voice soft and persuasive.
30:22Let's send her to my family's nursing home.
30:26I know you care about her,
30:28but please,
30:29stop thinking about bringing her home with us.
30:33Okay?
30:34Malcolm's shoulders dropped
30:35and he let out a heavy sigh of surrender.
30:38He shoved me into the car,
30:40refusing to look me.
30:45At the moment Malcolm turned
30:46to lead Alicia away,
30:47a swarm of reporters descended.
30:49Mr. Harrington,
30:50did you leave your own wedding
30:51for your adopted sister?
30:57Are the rumors of a romance true?
30:59Does Miss Quinn know?
31:01Malcolm pressed his lips
31:02into a thin line,
31:03saying nothing.
31:04Alicia took his arm
31:05with practice poise,
31:06flashing a smile for the cameras.
31:10You must be joking.
31:12My husband is a man of integrity.
31:15He certainly wouldn't have an affair
31:17with a mentally disable woman.
31:20He was simply repaying
31:21a past debt of gratitude.
31:24Bodyguards cleared a path
31:25back to the venue.
31:26Inside,
31:27the officiant's voice
31:28filled the grand hall.
31:29Mr. Harrington,
31:31do you take Miss Quinn
31:33to be your wedded wife?
31:35To love and cherish her
31:37in sickness and in health?
31:39For richer or poorer,
31:41as long as you both shall live?
31:43Alicia looked up at him,
31:44but the tenderness in his eyes
31:46wasn't meant for her.
31:52Mr. Harrington?
31:53The officiant's voice rose,
31:55pressing him again.
31:56Her hand trembled
31:57as she dug her nails
31:58into Miss Palm.
31:59The sharp pain snapped him
32:00back to the present.
32:01He finally spoke,
32:03the words dragging.
32:04I do.
32:06The hall erupted in cheers.
32:08The ceremony was flawless,
32:10burying the negative rumors
32:11already trending online.
32:19Malcolm's father nodded
32:20with satisfaction.
32:22It's about time.
32:23Follow the path
32:24I've laid out.
32:26Build your family
32:27and career.
32:30And let the past
32:31stay dead.
32:33Don't disappoint me again.
32:35That night,
32:36Malcolm sat on the edge
32:38of the bed,
32:38his expression blank.
32:41Alicia tried her best
32:42to seduce him,
32:43but when he remained cold,
32:44she finally gave up.
32:47You won't admit it,
32:49but you love her,
32:50don't you?
32:51She sounded resigned.
32:56People like us
32:57don't get to live
32:57how we want.
32:59Just forget her.
33:01Live the life
33:02we're supposed to live.
33:04Even if it's just a duty,
33:06it's the best outcome
33:07for you,
33:07for me,
33:08and for her.
33:12He didn't answer.
33:13He just retreated
33:14into the bathroom
33:15chain-smoking.
33:19In the haze,
33:21his mind drifted back
33:22to when he was 15.
33:23He used to mimic
33:24the adults smoking
33:25raw tobacco
33:26at the village entrance.
33:28Whenever I smelled it
33:29on him,
33:30I'd wrinkle my nose
33:31assuming he was dirty.
33:32I'd shove him
33:33toward a washbasin
33:34and scrub his back
33:35without hesitation,
33:36just like when
33:37they were kids.
33:39My clear gaze
33:40would wander over him,
33:41making his face burn.
33:45Don't you know?
33:46If you look
33:48at a man's body,
33:49no one will want
33:50to marry you.
33:51That wasn't actually true.
33:53I was beautiful.
33:54Even with my disability,
33:56plenty of men
33:57were willing to pay
33:57to make my their wife.
33:59But Malcolm had chased
34:00every suitor away
34:01with a stick.
34:02Then he lowered his head,
34:03his voice so quiet,
34:04he wasn't sure
34:05who he was talking to.
34:07It doesn't matter
34:08if no one else wants you.
34:12I'll marry you myself.
34:17They put me in a white room
34:18with padded walls.
34:19The window was sealed shut,
34:21leaving just a few
34:22little holes drilled in
34:23for air.
34:24They let me out
34:25for a few hours a day,
34:26though.
34:27The place was packed
34:28with people wearing
34:28the same blue and white
34:29striped clothes I was.
34:31There was a middle-aged
34:32woman with two braids
34:33who'd stand on tables
34:34reciting poetry,
34:35and an old man
34:36who liked to smear his dinner
34:37on the walls
34:38like finger paint.
34:39But the one I saw
34:40the most was a little boy
34:41who didn't know
34:42how to use a fork.
34:43He always grabbed
34:44his spaghetti
34:45with his bare hands
34:46smearing sauce
34:46all over his face.
34:48I crouched down
34:49next to him
34:49and took his small hand,
34:51prying his fingers open
34:52one by one
34:52to press the fork
34:53into his palm.
34:56You gotta hold it
34:57like this.
34:58I rasped,
34:59showing him.
35:05My brother taught me that.
35:07But while I was
35:08trying to teach him,
35:09tears slipped out
35:10and fell right
35:10into his plate.
35:13Spooked.
35:14He flipped the plate over
35:15and scrambled
35:15under the table,
35:16screaming.
35:22I reached underneath
35:23and pulled him out,
35:24rubbing his back gently.
35:27He bit my wrist,
35:29sinking his teeth deep.
35:31I hissed.
35:32But I kept humming
35:33that old nursery rhyme
35:34with my scratchy voice.
35:43His jaw slowly relaxed.
35:46He leaned back
35:47against my chest
35:48and picked up
35:48the fork as I asked.
35:55The nurses there
35:57were gentle.
35:57They'd slip fruit candies
35:59under my pillow.
36:02But my stomach
36:03felt hard
36:03and blocked up
36:04and I threw up
36:05everything I ate.
36:08I saved the colorful
36:10wrappers anyway,
36:11hiding them
36:11under my mattress.
36:15The day the first snow fell,
36:17the little boy
36:18dragged me out
36:18to the courtyard.
36:19All excited.
36:21Snowflakes landed
36:22on his open palms.
36:23He tipped his head back
36:24and opened his mouth
36:25to catch them,
36:26eyes crinkling with joy.
36:30Lily!
36:32It's sweet!
36:33I did the same,
36:34tasting it myself.
36:36It was cold
36:36and tasted like nothing.
36:38Silly kid.
36:39I fished the last
36:40two candies
36:41out of my pocket,
36:42unwrapped one
36:43and fed it to him.
36:44I wrapped the other
36:45one back up carefully,
36:46I had to save that one
36:47for Malcolm.
36:48He's loved sweets
36:49since he was little.
36:50Alicia came to visit
36:51while I was drifting
36:52in and out.
36:53She sat by my bed,
36:55faint dark circles
36:56shadowing her eyes.
36:57Lillian,
36:57just blame this on me.
36:59Her voice was soft.
37:01Leave Chicago
37:02and go back home,
37:03okay?
37:03I didn't have the strength
37:05to speak,
37:05so I just nodded.
37:07I still wanted to go back
37:08and check if the little bird
37:09had returned to its nest
37:10in this cold.
37:12The car pulled away
37:13slowly in the snow.
37:16I leaned against the window
37:17watching the flakes
37:18dance outside.
37:19My eyelids got heavier
37:21and heavier
37:21until I didn't want
37:22to open them anymore.
37:28I lost track of time
37:29before the car
37:30finally jerked
37:31to a stop.
37:32The driver,
37:33a middle-aged woman
37:34who'd clearly
37:34lost her patience,
37:35practically kicked me out
37:37onto the shoulder
37:37of the road.
37:38Clutching the heavy
37:39bags of bread
37:40the nurses had secretly
37:41shoved into my hands,
37:43I started the slow walk
37:44into the village.
37:45The dirt road
37:46hadn't changed,
37:47a few locals
37:47squatting in the sun
37:48and craned their necks
37:49as I passed.
37:50Hey, isn't that Lillian?
37:52The Brooks slow girl?
37:54Didn't that city boy
37:56take her off
37:56to live the good life?
37:57Why's she back
37:58looking like such a wreck?
38:00The gossip made
38:01my ears ring.
38:02I covered them
38:03with my hands
38:04and ran the rest
38:04of the way,
38:05shouldering open
38:06the creaky wooden door
38:07of my house.
38:08My eyes went straight
38:09to the bird's nest
38:10tucked under the eaves,
38:11panic set in.
38:12I dragged the ladder
38:13over and climbed,
38:14my leg shaking
38:15to look inside.
38:16It was completely empty,
38:17I burst into tears,
38:19sobbing uncontrollably.
38:20Why hadn't the bird
38:21come back?
38:22Did it get lost?
38:26The ladder wobbled
38:27and I tipped backward.
38:29A heavy pain slammed
38:30into my chest
38:31when I hit the ground
38:32and I coughed up
38:33a mouthful of blood.
38:34Through the haze
38:35of confusion,
38:35I heard clear,
38:37bright laughter.
38:38Lily!
38:39You dummy!
38:40You have to wedge
38:41the ladder
38:41into the groove!
38:43A teenage Malcolm
38:44was sitting on the roof
38:45swinging his legs.
38:47When the birds
38:48lay eggs next year,
38:49I'll get them for you.
38:51We can raise
38:52a whole nest of them,
38:53okay?
38:53Okay.
38:54I swallowed
38:55the metallic taste
38:55of blood,
38:56my voice horse.
38:57I struggled to sit up.
38:59The back of my head
38:59throbbed with a dull numbness.
39:01When I reached up
39:02to touch it,
39:03a clump of dry,
39:04yellowing hair
39:04came away in my hand.
39:06On the first day,
39:07I tried to clean the house
39:08but my nose
39:09wouldn't stop bleeding.
39:10As the drops
39:11hit the dirt floor,
39:12I had to scratch away
39:13the dark red spots
39:14with my fingernails.
39:18On the second day,
39:19I found Malcolm's
39:20old textbook
39:21at the bottom
39:21of a trunk.
39:22He had spent
39:23a whole year
39:23teaching me
39:24one specific page
39:25that featured
39:26a drawing of a teacher
39:27with glasses.
39:28I remembered
39:29how he used to
39:29rub my hair
39:30and praise me.
39:32Lily,
39:33you're so smart.
39:35Brad couldn't
39:35recite this at school
39:36and his palms
39:38got swollen
39:38from the ruler.
39:39We used to laugh
39:40about that.
39:41But now,
39:42staring at the dense
39:43rows of text,
39:44I couldn't recognize
39:45a single word.
39:48On the third day,
39:49the pain in my head
39:51was unbearable.
39:52I tried to roll over
39:53but tumbled
39:53right off the bed.
39:56I crawled
39:57across the cold floor,
39:58grabbed a piece
39:58of stale bread
39:59from the table
40:00and shoved it
40:01into my mouth.
40:03The door
40:04was kicked open,
40:05a tall figure
40:05stood silhouetted
40:06against the light.
40:07He looked down
40:08at me lying
40:09on the ground
40:09my face drained
40:10of color,
40:11my scalp showing
40:11through my thinning hair
40:12and blood staining
40:13the bread I was eating.
40:15His legs gave out
40:16and he dropped
40:17to his knees
40:18in the doorway
40:18weeping loudly.
40:23Squinting through
40:23my failing eyes,
40:24I asked softly,
40:27Is that...
40:29milk?
40:30He rushed over
40:31and hugged me tight,
40:32his whole body trembling.
40:39Why didn't you tell me
40:40you had a brain tumor?
40:43Is that how you
40:43want me to live?
40:45Carrying that guilt
40:46until I die?
40:49How could you
40:50be so cruel?
40:52Come on,
40:52I'm taking you
40:53to a doctor
40:53in Chicago right now.
40:54He tried to pull me up
40:56but froze
40:56when he realized
40:57how light
40:57and frail I was.
41:01I shook my head.
41:02I don't want
41:03to go anywhere.
41:05I'm just tired.
41:07Malcolm ignored me
41:08and lifted me
41:08into his arms.
41:09his hot tears
41:10fell onto my face.
41:13As we passed
41:14under the eaves,
41:15I tugged at his shirt.
41:20Malk,
41:21please look for me.
41:23Did the bird
41:24come back to the nest?
41:28He froze.
41:30With red eyes,
41:31he gently set me down
41:33on the bench
41:33in the yard
41:33and climbed the ladder.
41:39He stayed there
41:40for a long time
41:41before looking back
41:41with a forced smile.
41:46They're back.
41:48The birds are all back.
41:50Relief finally washed over me
41:52and I slowly closed my eyes.
41:57Really?
41:58His voice shook
41:59as he tucked
42:00my cold feet
42:01against his chest
42:01to warm them.
42:04The birds really are back.
42:07Open your eyes
42:08and look.
42:14If you don't want to leave,
42:15I'll stay here with you.
42:18We can look for bird eggs
42:19together again next year,
42:21okay?
42:24I suddenly thought
42:25of that text
42:25from Malcolm's book
42:26and asked him
42:27to help me read it
42:27one last time.
42:30He stroked my head,
42:32his hand coming away
42:33with more loose hair.
42:37Choking back sobs,
42:39he began to read.
42:44Birds may fly away,
42:46yet they find their way back.
42:48Trees may drop.
42:51Yet their branches
42:52reach for the sun.
42:57Flowers may vanish,
42:59yet they rise
43:01and bloom
43:02again.
43:03I followed along,
43:05my voice breaking.
43:08But,
43:10Malk,
43:11you're the smart one.
43:14tell me,
43:16why do our days
43:19never return
43:20once they're gone?
43:21I smiled after I said it.
43:23Turned out I remembered
43:24the words after all.
43:25He continued reciting,
43:27laughing,
43:27and crying
43:28at the same time.
43:29But his voice
43:30sounded increasingly distant,
43:32like it was coming
43:33from far away.
43:34As he reached
43:35the final sentence,
43:36warm sunlight
43:36filled the courtyard
43:37and a sudden fluttering
43:38sound came from the eaves.
43:40He looked up
43:41and saw two birds
43:42circling the old nest,
43:43busy building their home.
43:44He suddenly realized
43:45the body in his arms
43:47was cold,
43:47and her chest
43:48had stopped rising.
43:49He didn't speak.
43:51He just tightened
43:52his hold
43:52and stared blankly
43:53at the busy birds,
43:54remembering a song.
43:57The little bird sings,
43:59coming here every spring.
44:03I asked the bird
44:05why it comes,
44:07and the bird says,
44:09because the spring
44:11here is the most beautiful.
44:14The old bird says,
44:18But instead of standing
44:18selling
44:18the fuckinлен
44:19the moon
44:19the moon
44:20may be
44:20how talvez
44:20arrived
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