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Short filmTranscript
00:00I stayed in the hospital for three days, and for those three days, my phone stayed silent.
00:03I didn't receive a single call from my family.
00:06I didn't call anyone either.
00:07I didn't scroll through their Instagram reads like I used to, trying to keep up with every little update in
00:12their lives.
00:13Instead, I just quietly rested in my hospital bed and dragged my weak body around for checkups and payments.
00:18Even on the day I was discharged, I didn't tell a soul.
00:21I simply packed my own things, endured the pain in my abdomen, and slowly made my way home.
00:26When I pushed the door open, the laughter inside the house abruptly stopped.
00:30Everyone was gathered in the living room.
00:32My fiancé, Joel, was sitting beside Yaida with his arm casually draped around her shoulders.
00:37The moment he saw me, he pulled his hand back and gave me an awkward smile.
00:41Sophia, you're back. Where have you been these past few days?
00:44My brother, Joshua Norton, let out a cold snort.
00:47Where else would she have gone to? She just didn't want to show up to Ytet's birthday party.
00:51She always has to ruin things for her since she can't stand seeing Vivi happy.
00:56I didn't say a word. I just headed straight for my room.
01:00Joshua seemed surprised that I didn't argue with him.
01:03Wait, Sophia!
01:06Normally, whenever he accused me of being selfish, I would break down in tears and desperately defend myself.
01:12But this time, I'd kept quiet.
01:14My mom rushed over to me with a glass of juice.
01:17Sophia, we were so busy with Vivi's birthday the other day that we missed your calls.
01:21Don't be mad at us, okay?
01:23She placed a glass of mango juice in my hand.
01:26Although my heart had long since stopped expecting anything, it still arced faintly.
01:30I was allergic to mangoes, but Vivi loved them.
01:33There was always mango-flavored food and drinks in the house because of that.
01:37But no matter how many times I reminded them, no one ever remembered that I couldn't have mangoes.
01:41I handed the glass back to mom and quietly stepped back.
01:44I'm not mad. I'll just go to my room.
01:47Just as I turned around, a loud noise came from the living room.
01:50Dad abruptly stood up and slammed his hand on the table.
01:53Why have you been walking around with that sour face ever since you came in?
01:56Your mother already apologized and even gave you your favorite drink.
01:59What's with that attitude?
02:00It looks like we've spoiled you too much.
02:03My heart twisted and even breathing hurt.
02:06Tears blurred my vision, but I still lifted the glass from mom's hand and drank it all in one go.
02:12I then gently set the empty glass down and wiped away my tears.
02:16I calmly looked at dad.
02:17Yvette's the one who likes mangoes.
02:18I am not, I'm allergic to them.
02:20But it doesn't matter.
02:21I already drank it all.
02:22Can I go to my room now?
02:24Sophia!
02:25Why didn't you say something earlier if you were allergic to it?
02:27Who told you to drink it?
02:29You're so stubborn!
02:30Mom panicked and quickly patted my back.
02:32Dad looked embarrassed, but he still harshly replied.
02:35You could have just explained yourself.
02:37You've always had that unlikable attitude.
02:39You're nothing like Vivi.
02:41She knows how to communicate.
02:42Yvette's voice drifted over from the couch.
02:44Dad, don't say that about Sophia.
02:46You'll make her sad.
02:48She sounded gentle, but the smugness in her eyes was impossible to hide.
02:52Yvette had always used my dullness to highlight her perfection, no matter what it was.
02:57She loved comparing herself to me.
02:59She would only be satisfied when she got to trample me.
03:01I should have felt hurt, but my heart only felt numb.
03:04Even when faced with such humiliation, I felt no emotions anymore.
03:08I'm sorry.
03:09It won't happen again.
03:10The moment the words left my mouth, everyone in the room stared at me in shock.
03:19My obedience caught everyone off guard.
03:22After a brief silence, Dad finally said,
03:25That's more like it.
03:26We're family.
03:27There's nothing we can't talk about.
03:29I only say these things for your own good.
03:32Yeah, I know.
03:34I obediently nodded with a numb smile fixed on my face.
03:37Upon seeing that I wasn't upset, they relaxed and returned to the living room with Yvette.
03:41I paused for a moment, then continued up the stairs toward my room.
03:44But, just as I stepped onto the staircase, someone grabbed my wrist.
03:47Joel had come up beside me, without my noticing.
03:50He leaned in close and whispered,
03:52Are you really not angry?
03:55His gentle tone made my eyes sting all over again.
03:58I felt a rush of grievance rise in my chest, but I could only shake my head.
04:03My throat tightened, and I couldn't utter a single word.
04:05Joel, however, looked relieved.
04:07I knew you'd be the sensible one.
04:09You never get upset over the little things.
04:12Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about.
04:17He turned his head away, avoiding my eyes.
04:21We should postpone the wedding next week.
04:24I promised your sister that I'd take her to see the Northern Lights at Aurora Bay when she turns 18.
04:29Now that her birthday's over, she won't stop begging me to keep my promise.
04:34So, I thought, why not take the whole family along for a trip?
04:38What do you think?
04:42The invitations haven't gone out yet.
04:44It's just a wedding, so pushing it back a few days won't matter.
04:47He said with a faint smile and a hint of affection in his eyes.
04:50After being abandoned 99 times, why would I still expect any love them?
04:54When I didn't respond, Jolie impatiently scrapped his head.
04:57Come on, Seth.
04:58Evelde's never been abroad before.
05:00It's her first time going somewhere that far.
05:02As her family, we should be there for her.
05:04Besides, you've never seen the Northern Lights either.
05:06Think of it as an early honeymoon.
05:07I didn't answer immediately.
05:08I lifted my head and looked straight at my heart flutter,
05:11now filled with nothing but entitlement and carelessness.
05:13Joel, do you even remember what I'm allergic to or my favorite color?
05:17The dish I like the most?
05:18The song I hum when I'm happy?
05:19With every question I ask, Joel's gaze splintered away a little more.
05:23He instinctively wanted to say something, but I gently raised man to stop him.
05:26You don't know, do you?
05:27After all these years together, you don't know the first thing about me.
05:29Seth, what's the point of all this?
05:31We're talking about the wedding.
05:32You're right.
05:33There's no point.
05:34You want to take Evelde to see the Northern Lights?
05:36You want to postpone the wedding and you want me to be understanding and considerate?
05:39Fine.
05:40I've been sensible my whole life, but from now on, I never want to be that person again.
05:45Sure.
05:48What did you say?
05:51I said, I agree to cancel the wedding.
06:00He corrected me with a frown on his face.
06:03Cancel?
06:05No one's canceling anything.
06:06I said postpone.
06:07We can't just cancel the wedding.
06:09I lowered my head.
06:11A faint, bitter smile tugged at my lips.
06:13Was there really a difference?
06:15As long as Yvette was around, she would never let our wedding happen.
06:18Joel was still waiting for my answer, but I didn't want to say another word.
06:22I turned and walked toward the stairs.
06:27Seth, wait.
06:28He reached out to grab me.
06:29The moment his fingers touched my wrist, I shook him off.
06:32Don't touch me.
06:33My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the air like a blade.
06:37Joel froze, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face.
06:41You want to postpone the wedding?
06:42Fine.
06:43Take her to see the northern lights?
06:45Fine.
06:46I said yes to everything.
06:47What else do you need from me?
06:50I just thought you'd be more understanding.
06:57I understand.
06:59Perfectly.
07:00I understand that I will never come first.
07:02Not to you.
07:04Not to anyone in this house.
07:06I looked at him with no anger, no tears, just the calm of someone who had completely
07:11let go.
07:12Joel opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
07:15Are you upset because I'm going to Aurora Bay with Joel?
07:17Yvette's voice came from behind me, dripping with false innocence.
07:20I ignored her and kept walking.
07:21Yvette had always been that way.
07:23Even if I did nothing, all she had to do was cry or pout in front of our family, and
07:27everyone would rush to defend her.
07:28Joshua was the first to lose his temper.
07:30That's enough, Seth.
07:31Didn't you hear Vivi talking to you?
07:33One moment you say you're not angry, and at the next you're giving everyone an attitude.
07:37Is this how you treat your family?
07:38I didn't look back.
07:39I kept climbing.
07:40One step, two steps.
07:41My skin began to prinkle.
07:43A tightness spread at the back of my throat.
07:45I needed to get to my room and take my medication.
07:49Joshua clearly wasn't done with me.
07:51Where do you think you're going?
07:53We're not done talking.
07:57I need my medicine.
07:59The mango juice.
08:00Don't give me that.
08:02You're just trying to get attention, like always.
08:06His hand grabbed my hair and yanked backward.
08:09Pain exploded.
08:11I lost my balance and fell down the stairs.
08:20I fell to the floor, and pain shot through both my knees.
08:25Don't be mad at Sophia, Yvette said, wiping the corners of her eyes.
08:30It's all my fault.
08:31I shouldn't have turned 18 so soon.
08:34If I had waited a little longer, then the trip wouldn't have clashed with her wedding.
08:39I caught the tiny smirk tugging at her lips.
08:43You're being ridiculous.
08:44You can't decide when you grow up.
08:47This happened because she picked the wrong date for her wedding.
08:50It's not because of you.
08:51Joshua snapped.
08:53He stared at me, irritation written all over his face.
08:57You love sulking, right?
08:59Fine.
08:59Stay here and sulk.
09:01Joshua grabbed me and shoved me into the storage room next to the stairs.
09:05I started to panic and fumbled for the handle,
09:08but I heard the click of a lock from the other side before I could reach for it.
09:12But he had locked the door.
09:14Stay put.
09:16Joshua coldly said, you can come out when you've had the time to think about your actions.
09:22No!
09:22Please let me out!
09:23I'm allergic to mangoes!
09:25I need my medication!
09:28I screamed!
09:29But Joshua's voice was already fading as he pushed Yethryn out the main door.
09:35I made a reservation at a seafood restaurant.
09:40It's almost time for our reservation, so we should leave soon!
09:44He said.
09:48But, Sophia, she'll be fine.
09:51A few hours in there will teach her a lesson.
09:55Joshua replied.
09:57Yeah, she has such a bad temper.
10:00Locking her in there might be a good idea.
10:03I'll bring her some of her favorite shrimp later.
10:06Come on, Joel.
10:09She'll be fine in there for a few hours.
10:11Instantly, terror surged through me.
10:13I pounded on the door with all my strength and screamed,
10:16I'm not mad anymore!
10:17I'll apologize to you, Beth!
10:19I'll do anything!
10:20Just let me out!
10:21I can't breathe!
10:23I'll die if I don't take my medication!
10:27My voice cracked into a shrill plea,
10:30but no one answered.
10:32I crumpled to the floor.
10:34The itching spread from my back to my face.
10:38And soon, my throat began to close as well.
10:43Mom and Dad had seen me drink the mango juice.
10:45They knew I was allergic to it,
10:47but they forgot about me.
10:48They remembered Yvette's favorite seafood restaurant,
10:50but forgot that I had downed a glass of mango juice just five minutes ago.
10:54Desperation pushed me to my feet.
10:56I twisted the doorknob with all my might,
10:58but the door was locked from the outside and wouldn't budge.
11:03I frantically searched my pockets,
11:05but the foam I had been holding onto must have flown somewhere when Joshua had grabbed me.
11:09Soon, the rash spread all over my body.
11:11My face had swollen up from the reaction,
11:13and I could barely see through my eyes.
11:14Not to mention, breathing became difficult too.
11:16If I couldn't escape, I would die in the storage room.
11:19As I searched for something to break the lock,
11:21I finally spotted my phone that had been tossed to the corner.
11:24Overjoyed, I picked it up with trembling hands.
11:32However, neither my parents, my brother, nor Joel answered my calls.
11:45Suddenly, a message from Joshua popped up on the screen.
11:48Don't come to Aurora Bay with us.
11:50You'll make Yvette sad if you do.
11:53Tears spilled from the corners of my swollen eyes.
11:55I should have known better than to expect anything from them.
11:58In the end, I dialed for emergency services.
12:01My fingers trembled so violently that I nearly dropped the phone.
12:04The screen was swam before my eyes.
12:06Blurry, doubled, then blurry again.
12:08I forced myself to focus, pressing the phone against my...
12:11I opened my mouth.
12:13911, what's your emergency?
12:14My throat had swollen nearly shut.
12:25I wasn't even sure if the dispatcher heard me.
12:29Ma'am, I can't understand you.
12:31Are you having a medical emergency?
12:33Can you tell me your address?
12:35I could hear the voice, but it was growing distant, as if someone were slowly turning
12:40down the volume of the world.
12:43The light seeping through the crack under the door dim, or maybe my eyes were failing.
12:50Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision.
12:53I slid down the wall, my body too heavy to hold upright.
13:00The phone slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.
13:04At the seafood restaurant, Joshua had ordered enough expensive seafood to cover the table.
13:10It made Yvette's mouth water.
13:12There's way too much.
13:13I can't possibly finish all of this, Josh.
13:15Maybe we should cancel an order or two?
13:16It's fine.
13:16We got all the dishes you said you wanted to try.
13:18We can just ask for takeout if we can't finish them.
13:21Yvette's lips curled upward slightly, but she pretended to protest.
13:25Wouldn't letting Sophia eat our leftovers be a little rude?
13:30What's wrong with that?
13:31She's never had any of this before.
13:33At least you can finally get a taste of these dishes thanks to you.
13:35The moment Joshua said that, the table fell silent.
13:38Suddenly, it hit everyone that I really hadn't tasted any of these dishes before.
13:43Despite being five years older than Yvette, they had never once taken me out for a nice meal.
13:48Joshua's the first child and the pride of the family.
13:51My parents had poured all their time and attention into him.
13:54By the time I came along, they were too busy tutoring Joshua and expanding their business
13:58to pay much attention to me.
14:00They had simply left my care to a nanny.
14:02When Yvette arrived, their careers were flourishing.
14:05Every bit of the affection they felt guilty for not giving me went straight to her.
14:10Unaware of the silence around the table, Yvette kept up her innocent act.
14:15Maybe you should order a separate portion for Sophia.
14:18If she finds out she's eating my leftovers, she'll probably get upset again.
14:21Mom hesitated for a moment before saying,
14:24Don't serve the shrimp or the lobster just yet.
14:26We'll have them to go when we leave.
14:27Your sister loves those things, but she hasn't had them in a while.
14:31Yvette froze.
14:32She hadn't expected her performance to backfire.
14:35But Mom, I wanted some lobster too.
14:39Vivi, be good.
14:40We already have more than we can eat.
14:42Let those two dishes be for your sister.
14:44I'll bring you back here next time.
14:46Mom said Yvette was visibly unhappy.
14:50She had always gotten the first pick of everything, so she couldn't stand that I was being prioritized
14:54now.
14:55But I hadn't had lobster in months.
14:57Why does she get to have it all?
14:59Dad frowned.
15:00Vivi, there's already the king crab and prime beef on the table.
15:03Your mother's only saving the cheapest dish for your sister.
15:07Why are you making a fuss?
15:09Yvette's heart skipped a beat.
15:11She realized she had gone too far and had aroused Mom's and Dad's suspicion.
15:16I just wanted to save the best for Sophia.
15:19I'll take the cheaper dishes.
15:20She deserves the fancy ones.
15:21That's my good girl.
15:22Don't worry about it.
15:24Sophia doesn't understand much about these things.
15:26You don't need to give in to her.
15:27Exactly.
15:28Sophia can't handle expensive food anyway.
15:30She's allergic to mangoes.
15:31Who knows what seafood might do to her?
15:33Just then, there was a loud clang as the spoon slipped from Mom's hand.
15:36But she didn't notice the mess.
15:37Instead, her face went pale as she jumped to her feet.
15:40Didn't Sophia drink mango juice earlier?
15:42Joshua locked her in the storage room.
15:43Will she be okay?
15:44Dad's expression darkened as the realization hit him too.
15:46Meanwhile, Joshua was still confused.
15:48What are you talking about?
15:49What allergy?
15:50He had been on the phone when I'd drunk the mango juice earlier.
15:52He hadn't heard my conversation with Mom and Dad.
15:55Joel didn't waste another second.
15:57He grabbed the car keys and said,
15:59I'm going back.
16:00She has to be fine.
16:01We'll come with you.
16:02Yvette was in disbelief.
16:04What about dinner?
16:05Where are you guys going?
16:06But no one answered her.
16:07By the time they'd rushed back home,
16:09the front gate of the villa had already been broken open.
16:11Neighbors had gathered outside too,
16:13whispering and pointing towards the house.
16:14As they approached the crowd,
16:15Mrs. Watson next hit as raised her voice over the noise.
16:18The police came about two hours ago and broke your door down.
16:20They carried someone out under a white sheet.
16:25Mrs. Watson's words hit like a thunderbolt.
16:28Mom let out a sharp, broken cry
16:30and staggered backward until she hit the garden fence.
16:33Her hands flew to her mouth,
16:35but a scream still escaped through her fingers.
16:38Sophia, my baby!
16:39No, no, no!
16:40She clawed at the air as if trying to grab her daughter back from death.
16:44Dad didn't speak.
16:45He just turned and lynched toward the house,
16:47his polished shoes slipping on the gravel.
16:49He fell once,
16:50got up,
16:51and crashed through the broken front door.
16:53Inside, he saw the storage room,
16:54door splintered,
16:55floor scuffed,
16:56an empty syringe wrapper left behind by the paramedics.
16:58He dropped to his knees right there
16:59and pressed his forehead to the cold tiles,
17:01his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
17:03Joel pulled out his phone with trembling hands
17:04and dialed Sophia again.
17:06The call went straight to voicemail.
17:07He tried three more times,
17:08then threw the phone against the car.
17:09It shattered.
17:10He didn't care.
17:11He slid down the side of the car,
17:12buried his face in his hands,
17:13and whispered,
17:14I was going to take her sister to see the lights.
17:16I postponed our wedding.
17:17God, I'm a monster!
17:18Behind them,
17:19Yvelt watched it all.
17:20She bit her lower lip,
17:21not to hold back tears,
17:22but to suppress a smile.
17:23Then she walked over to Joel,
17:24crouched down,
17:25and gently placed a hand on his back.
17:26Joel, don't blame yourself.
17:28Sophia would have wanted you to be happy.
17:30Her voice was soft,
17:31soothing,
17:31and utterly fake.
17:32As she spoke,
17:33she had the broken door of the villa
17:34and allowed herself one satisfied.
17:36She's really gone.
17:38Mom's eyes rolled back,
17:39and she collapsed.
17:40Joshua caught her just in time.
17:42Dad's face went pale
17:43as he stumbled into the house.
17:45When he saw the storage room door
17:46that had been forced open,
17:48he fell to the floor.
17:49My daughter!
17:50Sophia!
17:51Panic flooded Joel's face.
17:53His voice trembled as he said,
17:55No, that can't be.
17:56Soph was just fine just now.
17:58She has to be fine now, too.
17:59When he finally snapped out
18:00of his panicked state,
18:02he turned to rush outside,
18:03but Yavit stopped him.
18:04Joel, don't go.
18:05Mom fainted.
18:05You have to get her to the hospital.
18:07Joshua was holding Mom upright
18:08as he helplessly looked at Joel.
18:10Joel gritted his teeth.
18:11Get her in the car.
18:13We'll go to the hospital
18:14and see Soph, too.
18:16By the end of his sentence,
18:18his voice was already breaking.
18:19With that, they hurried
18:21to the hospital.
18:22The moment they arrived,
18:23Mom woke up.
18:24Sophia!
18:25She cried out,
18:26tightly grabbing Joshua's hand.
18:28She's fine, right?
18:29She's still in the storage room.
18:30Go let her out already.
18:32Joshua looked away.
18:33He couldn't meet Mom's gaze.
18:34Soph isn't in the storage room anymore.
18:36We're going to see her now.
18:38Joshua said guiltily.
18:39See her?
18:40What do you mean, see her?
18:41Mom blankly murmured.
18:42When the nurse led them
18:43to the morgue up,
18:44she nearly fainted again.
18:46The only patient brought in today
18:48could not be saved,
18:49the nurse said.
18:50Please come in and take a look,
18:52opening the door with pity in her eyes.
18:53This is your fault!
18:55Why did you lock her in there?
18:57You killed her!
18:59Give me back my daughter!
19:01No, that's impossible.
19:02It was just an allergy.
19:05How could she be dead?
19:07It's my fault!
19:09Why did I make her drink that juice?
19:12Why didn't I remember she was allergic?
19:15In the center of the room
19:16stood a single bed
19:17covered with a white sheet.
19:18Mom suddenly broke down
19:19and pounded on Joshua's chest.
19:20Joshua stumbled back from her blows,
19:22but all he could do
19:23was numbly fix his eyes
19:25on the body before him.
19:26He was filled with disbelief.
19:28Dad fell to his knees.
19:29He tore at his hair in anger.
19:31Joel staggered toward the bed.
19:32His hands shook
19:33as he tried to lift the sheet,
19:35but he failed multiple times.
19:37Everyone was drowning in grief,
19:39but only Yoren stared at the body
19:41with cold eyes.
19:42Her lips were curled outward.
19:44She was clearly in a good mood.
19:46Now that I was dead,
19:47she was probably the happiest of them all.
19:51No one would compete with her
19:53for mom's and dad's love anymore.
19:56Everyone, including Joel,
19:58would belong to her alone.
20:01Mom, Dad, Joshua, Joel,
20:04Yvette said with false sympathy.
20:07Sophia wouldn't want to see you like this.
20:09It was just an accident.
20:11None of this is anyone's fault.
20:13Please, don't blame yourselves.
20:15She lowered her gaze,
20:17trying her best to hide her smirk.
20:19As she stepped closer to the bed,
20:21she turned to Joel with feigned curiosity.
20:23I heard that sudden deaths
20:24can distort the face,
20:25but Sophia loved looking pretty.
20:28I'm sure she still looks beautiful now.
20:30With that,
20:30she eagerly lifted the white sheet.
20:32She wanted to expose me
20:33at my ugliest moment
20:34so that they would be horrified
20:35by how I look.
20:36Joel!
20:37Joel shouted.
20:39He squeezed his eyes shut.
20:40He couldn't bring himself
20:41to look at the body.
20:42Just then,
20:43Alanda's scream pierced the air.
20:44No!
20:44That's not Sophia!
20:46Joel's eyes flow open.
20:48Beneath the sheet
20:48was the body of a man
20:50in his 50s or 60s.
20:51What's going on?
20:52If that's not Sophia,
20:53then where is she?
20:53Mom and Dad hurried forward.
20:55The moment they saw the body,
20:56their eyes wowed in.
20:58It's not Sophia!
20:59Thank goodness!
21:00Wait!
21:00Where's Sophia?
21:02If she isn't here,
21:03where could she have gone?
21:03It's weird on her lips.
21:04She's probably hiding somewhere.
21:06Laugh at us.
21:06She knows how worried
21:07everyone gets,
21:08so she's pretending to be dead
21:10just to see all of you
21:11cry for her!
21:13Dad's face flushed red.
21:14He let out a snort.
21:15Ridiculous!
21:16Sophia's gone too far this time.
21:18Doesn't she know
21:18how worried we'd be?
21:19Joshua's and Joel's
21:20faces darkened as well.
21:21Their early embarrassment
21:22now mixed with
21:23a renewed resentment toward me.
21:25Joel immediately pulled out
21:26his phone to call me.
21:27When the line wouldn't connect,
21:28he tapped the screen in anger.
21:29That's enough, Sophia!
21:31Do you think this is funny?
21:32How could you play
21:34such a cruel prank on us?
21:36You better come back
21:37and apologize right now
21:38or I'll cancel the wedding.
21:39At the same time,
21:40Joshua sent me his own
21:42in the storage room
21:42doesn't mean you can take
21:43revenge on me message.
21:45If you have any decency,
21:46don't...
21:47Having calmed down
21:47from the shock,
21:48Mom and Dad were now
21:49more embarrassed
21:50than heartbroken too.
21:51None of them wanted
21:52to see me anymore.
21:53Mr. Jones served our family
21:55for over 20 years.
21:56He was one of us.
21:58We'll give him
21:58a proper burial.
22:00Now they turned
22:00their attention fully
22:01to our butler,
22:02Alfred Jones' funeral.
22:04No one bothered
22:05to ask where I went.
22:07Yvette was the only one
22:08happy about my disappearance.
22:12Even during the funeral,
22:14she couldn't stop
22:15humming to herself.
22:19When they got home,
22:20she was the first
22:21to speak up.
22:22Even though Sophia's gone,
22:23we shouldn't break off
22:24the engagement
22:25with the Graham family.
22:26I'm willing to marry
22:28Joel in her place.
22:29She shyly lowered her head,
22:30but everyone stared
22:32at her in shock.
22:33Vivi,
22:33what are you saying?
22:35Your sister's just upset.
22:36Your sister's just upset.
22:37She'll come back
22:38sooner or later.
22:39Joel is her fiancé.
22:41Whether or not
22:41the engagement goes on
22:42has nothing to do with you.
22:43Dad said,
22:44disagreeing without hesitation.
22:46Even Joel looked uncomfortable.
22:48Vivi,
22:49I've always thought
22:49of you as a sister.
22:51The only woman I love
22:53is Sophia.
22:54I could never marry you.
22:56Yvette's face
22:57was filled with disbelief.
22:59Why?
23:02You all say
23:03you love me more,
23:04so why does that bitch
23:05always get what's best?
23:06Yvette!
23:08Watch your mouth!
23:09She's your sister!
23:11Mom snapped,
23:12her tone harder
23:13than Yvette
23:13had ever heard before.
23:14It's not my sister!
23:17I wish you could die!
23:20Yvette screamed
23:21and bolted upstairs
23:22to her room.
23:23Everyone exchanged glances
23:25as they silently stood
23:26in the living room.
23:29Then,
23:30Mom's eyes fell
23:30on the takeout boxes
23:31of seafood on the table.
23:33She asked,
23:33Sophia's never had
23:34any of this,
23:35has she?
23:35They began to realize
23:37how little I had mattered
23:38in the household.
23:39Mom and Bad always asked
23:40about Joshua's grades
23:41and checked on Yvette's routines,
23:43pampering her
23:43in every way.
23:44Yet,
23:44they didn't even know
23:45what I liked
23:46or what I was allergic to.
23:47They didn't even know
23:48how my studies were going.
23:49I was like a
23:50dispensable presence to them.
23:51And now that I was gone,
23:53they'd finally realized
23:54how much they'd neglected me.
23:55We can't really blame Sophia
23:57for what she did.
23:58If she comes back,
23:59I'll forgive her for everything.
24:00By the time the paramedics
24:02broke down the door,
24:03I had already passed out
24:04in the storage room.
24:05Fortunately,
24:06they were professionals.
24:07One of them
24:08immediately administered
24:09an epinephrine shot,
24:10dragging me back
24:11from the edge of death.
24:12Your throat swelled up
24:14due to a severe allergic reaction.
24:15The doctor said
24:16as he helped me
24:16onto a stretcher.
24:17The swelling's gone down now,
24:18but you should still go
24:19to the hospital
24:19for a full checker.
24:21Just then,
24:21Alfred the butler
24:22came running in
24:22from the backyard.
24:23The sight of the paramedics
24:24crowding the house
24:25made him freeze.
24:26What's going on here?
24:27How did you get in?
24:28He turned and saw me
24:29lying on the stretcher
24:31with a swollen face.
24:33Immediately,
24:33his breathing stopped
24:34and he clutched his chest
24:36before collapsing
24:37to the floor.
24:38The doctor was shocked.
24:40Quick!
24:41Get him into the ambulance!
24:42After a moment of chaos,
24:44the doctor turned to me
24:45and said,
24:45Hang on!
24:45I'm sorry.
24:46That man just went
24:47into cardiac arrest.
24:48We have to rush him
24:49to the hospital right now.
24:50The ambulance can't fit
24:51another patient.
24:51I summoned the last
24:53of my strength
24:53and said,
24:54Save him first.
24:55I'm fine now.
24:57I'll go to the hospital later.
24:58I'll transfer you the money,
25:00but just make sure
25:01he survives.
25:06After the ambulance
25:07took Alfred away,
25:08I weakly returned
25:09to my bedroom.
25:10There was barely
25:11anything in there.
25:12There were just
25:13a few sets of clothes,
25:15an old diary,
25:16and a nearly empty
25:17bottle of facial cleanser.
25:18There weren't any jewelry
25:20or bags in there.
25:21Upon thinking of Yvette's
25:22huge walk-in closet
25:23and her vanity
25:24full of accessories,
25:25I couldn't help
25:26but let out
25:26a bitter smile.
25:27This closet is perfect.
25:29I had never
25:30mattered and mattered
25:31in this family.
25:32So,
25:33I should leave.
25:34There was no place
25:35for me here anymore.
25:36I casually packed
25:37my clothes
25:37into an old suitcase
25:38and looked at the diary
25:39filled with 99 entries
25:41of hurt and disappointment.
25:43I didn't take it with me
25:44and left it
25:44in the corner of the room.
25:48When I was little,
25:49I wrote an entry
25:50every time I felt ignored.
25:51I had believed
25:52that if I were obedient enough,
25:54my parents and brother
25:55would one day notice me
25:56and love me a little more.
25:57But I was wrong.
25:58No matter how good I was,
26:00no matter how much I tried,
26:01I could never compete
26:02with Yvette's slightest frown.
26:03I should have left earlier,
26:05I said to myself,
26:05nodding as I lifted
26:06the heavy leather Sokus.
26:08But it's not too late now.
26:09I took the little money
26:10I had saved to buy them gifts
26:11and kept it all for myself.
26:13When the plane took off,
26:14all the pain
26:14from being left behind
26:15and all the love
26:16I'd never received
26:17stayed behind in that house.
26:18After studying vocal music,
26:20I had always dreamed
26:20of going to Vendonia
26:21to continue my studies,
26:22but I never dared
26:23to leave home.
26:24I had saved up some money
26:25to buy gifts for my family
26:26and to get Joel
26:26an expensive watch,
26:27but I'd never thought
26:28of saving even a little
26:29for myself.
26:30Now I would take back
26:30all the love I'd given them.
26:32If no one loved me,
26:33then I'd love myself.
26:34Vendonia truly was
26:35the city of music.
26:36Everything I had dreamed
26:37of learning was here.
26:38So I threw myself
26:39into my studies
26:40day and night.
26:41When I'd first arrived
26:42in this foreign country,
26:43everything had felt strange,
26:45but I filled my time
26:46by practicing music,
26:47absorbing knowledge
26:48like a sponge.
26:50Even the strictest professor
26:51eventually sighed
26:53and said,
26:55Relax a little, Sophia.
26:56At this rate,
26:57you'll collapse in class.
26:59Don't worry, professor.
27:00I still have plenty of energy.
27:02I replied with a smile.
27:04In one year,
27:05I completed all my
27:06vocal performance credits.
27:08During my second year,
27:09I took up music composition
27:10and dance.
27:12By my third year,
27:14my mentor invited me
27:15to perform at his concert.
27:19Me?
27:20No way.
27:21I've never performed
27:23on stage before.
27:24But my mentor
27:25simply patted my shoulder
27:26and confidently smiled.
27:27Don't underestimate yourself.
27:29He said.
27:30You're my most gifted student.
27:33Your tone is pure
27:35and has a rare quality to it.
27:37He looked at me
27:38with a deep gaze.
27:39There's also something
27:40in your music
27:41that tells stories,
27:42something that moves
27:43people to tears.
27:45I don't know
27:45what you've been through.
27:46to write songs
27:47filled with such sorrow.
27:49But let me tell you,
27:50every bit of suffering
27:51you've endured
27:51will become part of the path
27:53that leads you to success.
27:55Believe in yourself, Sophia.
27:57Show them what you can do.
28:00You deserve to shine.
28:03Instantly,
28:04my tears fell.
28:09So someone really could hear
28:11my pain through my music.
28:12They could feel my story
28:13just by listening to it.
28:14That was the power of music
28:16and that was the reason
28:17I was willing to dedicate
28:18my life to it.
28:20The concert was a huge success.
28:23I performed an original piece of mine
28:25and stunned the audience.
28:27Everyone remembered
28:27my distinct tone
28:28and the emotion
28:29behind my pieces.
28:31As my mentor had said,
28:33my past didn't break me.
28:34It lifted me higher.
28:36Inspiration flowed endlessly.
28:38My pieces evolved
28:39from raging at fate
28:40to forgiving my past
28:42to celebrating life's brief beauty.
28:45I poured my journey
28:47into every note,
28:48letting people witness
28:49my transformation.
28:51Soon,
28:52my name spread everywhere.
28:53They called me
28:54the generation's
28:55most legendary musician.
28:56My mentor took me on tour
28:57and my fifth year away from home,
28:59I finally returned to my home.
29:00Performed my new song.
29:03When the last note faded,
29:05the applause didn't stop
29:06for a long time.
29:07On my way backstage,
29:08I suddenly saw faces
29:09I hadn't seen in five years.
29:11Mom, Dad, Joshua, and Joel.
29:14They all looked emotional.
29:16Sophia, it's really you.
29:17We finally found you.
29:19Mom cried
29:20as she stepped forward
29:20with trembling hands.
29:22Why did you block all of us?
29:23It's been five years
29:24with no word from you.
29:25We thought something
29:25had happened to you.
29:26Before I could answer,
29:27Joel rushed towards me.
29:28He looked worn out,
29:29his eyes red and hollow.
29:31He had an air of sadness
29:32I'd never seen in him before.
29:33Sif, are you okay?
29:35I've missed you so much.
29:37His voice was heavy with longing.
29:39Back then,
29:39I might have felt my heart stir.
29:41But now,
29:42I simply stepped back
29:43and calmly said,
29:44I told you I was calling off
29:46the engagement five years ago.
29:47We're over.
29:50When I boarded the plane back then,
29:52I had blocked them all.
29:54Before blocking Joel specifically,
29:56I'd sent him a breakup message.
29:58That was my way
29:59of giving our failed relationship
30:00a decent goodbye.
30:02But he clearly
30:02didn't see it that way.
30:04His eyes grew ready.
30:05I never agreed to call it off.
30:07We didn't break up.
30:08We were just fighting.
30:09Breakups don't need
30:10mutual consent.
30:12And wasn't it better
30:13that I'd walked away?
30:15You're free to be with Yvonne now,
30:18I said.
30:19Joel's face tightened.
30:21That's not true.
30:23I've only ever loved you.
30:25Yvonne is just a sister to me.
30:28I nodded.
30:29Right.
30:29And to protect your sister,
30:31you canceled our wedding.
30:32You left me again
30:33and again for her.
30:35She's your sister too.
30:36Can't you just be more understanding?
30:38He reflectively said.
30:39But the moment those words
30:40left his mouth,
30:41regret flashed across his face.
30:43I stared at Joel
30:44until he looked away in guilt.
30:45Only then did I nod and said,
30:47You're right.
30:47I should make room for her.
30:49That's why I decided
30:49to give you to her.
30:51Isn't that the perfect outcome?
30:52Joel opened his mouth to respond,
30:53but I waved him off.
30:54My feelings for you faded
30:55a long time ago
30:56when you repeatedly told me
30:57to step aside.
30:58I don't love you anymore
30:58and I'm done sacrificing myself for you.
31:00No one cherished me,
31:01but I learned to cherish myself.
31:02I didn't spare him another glance
31:04and started walking
31:04towards the backstage exit.
31:06But before I could leave,
31:08the others blocked my way.
31:10Joshua looked at me
31:11with a conflicted expression.
31:12You've really made something
31:13of yourself
31:14over these past few years.
31:16Sophia, we read your diary.
31:18We had no idea
31:18you had gone through
31:19so much pain.
31:20He said,
31:21sighing deeply.
31:22I remember tossing that diary
31:24into a corner
31:24before I left.
31:25I didn't think
31:26they would dig it up
31:27and read it.
31:28Dad's voice grew heavy,
31:29like he was carrying
31:30the weight of a great misunderstanding
31:32that hadn't been resolved
31:33for years.
31:34He explained how they had poured
31:35everything into their careers
31:37to give us a better life.
31:38And in the process,
31:39they had neglected me.
31:41Yvette's birth made them feel guilty
31:42about the childhood I had missed.
31:44And to make up for that,
31:46they'd showered her blood.
31:47He said that they had ignored me
31:50for so long
31:51that they didn't know
31:52how to connect with me anymore.
31:54They had simply forgotten
31:55how to love me anymore.
31:57I listened quietly,
31:59coughing no response.
32:01Mom's eyes shimmering and whipped.
32:03You were wrong to forget
32:04about your allergy that day.
32:06You must have been
32:06in so much pain.
32:08She said in a trembling voice,
32:10his tears welled up in my eyes.
32:11You must have felt so awful.
32:13It was all our fault.
32:15Your father and I are sorry, Sophia.
32:18We can make it up to you.
32:20Will you forgive us?
32:22Those were the words
32:23I had wanted to hear so badly
32:25when I was a teenager.
32:26Every time they abandoned me,
32:28I dreamed that one day
32:29they would finally realize
32:30how much they had hurt me
32:32and apologize for it.
32:33But now, it was too late.
32:35I wasn't the little girl
32:36who was waiting for them
32:37to love her anymore.
32:38Noticing my silence,
32:40their faces turned even sadder.
32:41Mom and Dad wanted to keep talking,
32:43but I had already lost my patience.
32:45All right.
32:46Are you done?
32:47You can leave if you are.
32:49I have another show to prepare for.
32:50Don't waste my time.
32:51I coolly said,
32:52How can you call this
32:53a waste of time apologizing to you?
32:55Joshua said,
32:57raising his voice.
32:58He couldn't understand
32:59why I was so cold to them.
33:00He thought it was
33:01just a misunderstanding.
33:02I had once loved them,
33:04so he wondered
33:04how I had ended up
33:05the way I was now.
33:06Does an apology
33:07always have to be accepted?
33:09I flatly asked.
33:10Joshua went silent.
33:11We were standing backstage
33:12at the concert hall,
33:14so people were passing by.
33:15Most of them were visitors
33:16from abroad
33:17who didn't understand
33:18our language,
33:19but they still slowed down
33:20to watch the scene unfold.
33:22I'd never liked being a spectacle,
33:23especially now,
33:24as a public figure.
33:26I had to be careful
33:26with every move I made,
33:28but right then,
33:28anger consumed me,
33:29and I let everything
33:30I had held inside spill out.
33:32You always said you gave
33:32Yavelle the love
33:33that was meant for me,
33:34but why?
33:35I was the one you wronged,
33:36so why was she the one
33:37who got all the love?
33:38My eyes stung
33:39as memories of being
33:40invisible for years
33:41resurfaced.
33:43I thought I had already
33:44made peace with it,
33:45but my chest ached
33:46just as much as it used to.
33:47You had expectations
33:48for Joshua
33:49and affection for Yvelt,
33:50but what about me?
33:51I was just there.
33:53Joshua was your pride,
33:54and Yvelt,
33:55your precious darling.
33:56I said,
33:57pausing to take
33:58a shaky breath,
33:59If you never wanted me,
34:00why did you bring me
34:01into this world at all?
34:03My voice softened
34:04to a whisper as I said,
34:05I left you.
34:06I'm far away
34:07from all of you now.
34:09Isn't it better this way?
34:11By then,
34:12Mom's tears
34:12were streaming down her face.
34:14Sophia,
34:15we were wrong.
34:15We all were.
34:16You're our daughter too.
34:18Blood ties can't be
34:19December just like this.
34:20I'd rather not be
34:21your daughter at all.
34:22With that,
34:23I turned and walked backstage
34:24without looking back
34:25at the family
34:25now sobbing behind me.
34:27Maybe my words
34:28had cut too deep
34:28because the Nortons
34:29never appeared before me again
34:30for a long time after that.
34:32But somehow,
34:33my past got dug up.
34:34The incident of me
34:35getting locked
34:35in that storage room
34:36and the wedding
34:36Joel had postponed
34:37to take Yvite on a vacation
34:39became known to my fans.
34:40The people who loved my songs
34:41now cried for the girl behind them.
34:43They condemned
34:43the heartless Norton family
34:44and my ex-fiancé
34:45for betraying me.
34:46A housekeeper
34:47who had always pitied me
34:48also spread word
34:49that Yvette once said
34:50she'd take my place
34:50in marrying Joel
34:51and wanted me to die online.
34:52My fans get personally,
34:53so they stormed
34:54the Norton residence
34:54and pelsled Yvite
34:55with rotten vegetables and eggs.
34:57Joel's company
34:58was hit hard.
34:59His products
35:00were bullicotted
35:00and the company's market value
35:02dropped by a billion overnight.
35:04None of them dared
35:04to appear before me anymore.
35:06As for Yvette,
35:07she was silently sent abroad.
35:09Before leaving,
35:10she had sneered.
35:11You think Sophia's
35:12the only one
35:13with musical talent?
35:14I'm even better
35:15than she is!
35:16Just wait until I come back.
35:18I'll make sure
35:18the first thing I do
35:19is crush her under my feet.
35:20She demanded to study
35:21in Vendonia too.
35:22She even went out of her way
35:23to find out
35:23what major and courses
35:24I had taken back then,
35:25hoping to replicate
35:26my path to success.
35:27But Yvette never cared
35:28about music.
35:28She refused to take
35:29her lessons seriously.
35:30During her three years abroad,
35:31she learned nothing.
35:32She partied every night,
35:33drifting from one man
35:33to the next.
35:34When she ran out of money,
35:36she resorted to various excuses
35:37to get money
35:38from mom and dad.
35:39She even nearly depleted
35:40their entire savings.
35:42Joshua sensed
35:43something was wrong,
35:44so he flew to Vendonia
35:45himself to check on her.
35:47Soon,
35:47he uncovered
35:48all her lies.
35:49I wouldn't have had to lie!
35:51Aren't I the one
35:51you love the most?
35:52Or are you saving
35:53all your money
35:54for that bitch,
35:55Sophia?
35:57Joshua tried to talk
35:59some sense into her,
36:01but Eileen grabbed a knife
36:03and stabbed him
36:05during the argument.
36:10Joshua survived,
36:11but the injury left him
36:12with lasting complications.
36:13His body would never
36:15fully recover.
36:16My parents called it
36:17a family curse,
36:18and they cut off
36:19Erette completely.
36:20Without money,
36:21Erette spiraled
36:21even further,
36:22and one day,
36:23she simply disappeared.
36:24The shock hit
36:25my parents hard.
36:26They had worked
36:27all their lives
36:28only to spend
36:29their old age
36:30drowning in worry
36:30for their children.
36:32They wanted to visit me,
36:33but I was already
36:34a well-known musician
36:35with years of bookings.
36:37They couldn't reach me
36:38even if they tried.
36:39As for Joel,
36:41once he realized
36:42I would never
36:42go back to him,
36:43he fell apart.
36:45He stopped caring
36:46about work
36:47and spent his days
36:48drinking,
36:49sending me endless
36:50messages
36:51trying to win back
36:51my love.
36:56But I never
36:57read any of them.
36:58I blocked every
36:58new number
36:59he texted me from.
37:00After my career
37:00took off,
37:01I changed my number
37:02for good,
37:03severing the last thread
37:04that tied me
37:04to the past.
37:05My music would
37:06carry my name
37:06to greater heights
37:07and forge me
37:08a brilliant future.
37:09Those people
37:10no longer
37:10deserved a place
37:11in my thoughts.
37:12One, two, three,
37:12and three.
37:14One, two.
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