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Raised on Lies - COMPLETE drama englishsub 🔥🔥
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00:00My 18th Christmas Eve, mom and dad were busy with work, just like always.
00:05I pushed through the tree lighting ceremony entirely alone, only to run straight into them with another girl.
00:13Buying her a $10,000 Cartine bracelet and handing her the keys to a brand new Porsche.
00:22Vanessa, you're more of a daughter to us than Julia ever was.
00:26You're our favorite.
00:28Vanessa turned and locked eyes with me, a triumphant smirk curling her lip.
00:33Boom, boom. My hands trembled. The hot cocoa I was holding suddenly tasted bitter.
00:38I looked down at my thread-beared clothes. A suffocating lump formed in my throat.
00:45I ran all the way home, crawled under the covers and bowed.
00:50I grabbed my only teddy bear and hurled it violently across the room.
00:55It was my 8th birthday present, the only gift I had ever received in my entire 18 years of life.
01:01I cherished it. I fell asleep clutching it every single night, because my mother made that bear from scratch.
01:07I remembered her staying up half the night. My heart ached for her.
01:12So, I learned to be the perfect daughter. I never asked for a single thing.
01:19Starting in the 3rd grade, I walked the neighbor's dogs after school.
01:24I raked leaves for the old lady next door, just to scrape together a few bucks.
01:29In high school, I survived on the cheapest food in the cafeteria.
01:33Sometimes, just a side salad and a free dinner roll.
01:37When my clothes ripped, I stitched them up and wore them anyway.
01:40I never cared how people looked at me, because my parents' words were burned into my brain.
01:45Money is tight, Julia. Save every penny you can.
01:49But on that Christmas Eve, the truth finally hit me.
01:52My parents weren't poor at all.
01:54They just spent every last dime on someone else.
01:57Buying her designer clothes.
01:59Letting her drive a Porsche.
02:00I stared at the ceiling all night, tears soaking my pillow.
02:04But I just couldn't understand.
02:06Why?
02:08It's Julia. Time to get up. Rise and shine.
02:15Seeing them back in their ratty clothes, it almost felt like a hallucination.
02:20Julia, we brought you some leftovers from work.
02:23Shrimp and crab cakes.
02:24Before last night, I would have been over the moan.
02:27I would have hugged her, kissed her cheek, and rushed to heat it up.
02:31But this time, I just stood there.
02:33My mind flashed to that fancy Seaf place they took Vanessa to, and then it hit me.
02:38Those special treats Mom brought home the day after Christmas every year?
02:41They were probably just Vanessa's leftovers.
02:43Who was the real daughter here?
02:45We brought cookies and chocolates, too. They're delicious.
02:48More trash Vanessa didn't want.
02:50And I was the idiot who cherished it every single year.
02:55Smiling like a fool, soaking up their fake love.
02:58Julia, sweetie, what's wrong?
03:01Why are your eyes so red?
03:03You don't look so well. Are you getting sick?
03:05I cried the entire night. No kidding, they're red.
03:09Come on, Julia. Let's get you to the doctor.
03:11They were always so gentle.
03:13So caring.
03:14I remembered a winter night years ago.
03:17I spiked a fever in the middle of a storm.
03:19Dad carried me on his back, running all the way to urgent care.
03:23I didn't get hit by a single drop of rain.
03:25He was soaked to the bone, shivering uncontrollably.
03:28But all he cared about was me.
03:30Yet this same father had lied to my face for 18 years, pinching every penny with me, sparing no expense
03:36for Vanessa.
03:37Julia, what is it? Is someone bullying you?
03:40I went to the tree lighting by myself last night.
03:45I saw this girl in expensive clothes.
03:49Her parents with her, buying her tons of presents.
03:53But I had no one.
03:55For years, it's always just been me.
04:01Oh, Julia.
04:03We're so sorry.
04:05We feel like such terrible parents.
04:08We wish we could give you a better life.
04:11But we're just so swamped with work, we barely get to see you.
04:16Before, the second she cried, I'd comfort her.
04:19Now, I realized she deserved a freaking Oscar.
04:22She played me for an absolute fool.
04:26Swamped with work?
04:27Try swamped with catering to Vanessa.
04:33Julia, we might be broke.
04:36But at least we have each other.
04:38You don't need to envy anyone.
04:42He was right.
04:46I didn't envy anyone else.
04:49I envied Vanessa.
04:51Not a drop of their blood in her veins.
04:54Yet she was more of a daughter to them than I ever was.
04:59All right, enough gloomy talk.
05:00Let me heat this up.
05:04Even though it was seafood I had never tried before,
05:07I didn't warn a breakfast that my pants were the trished.
05:11I didn't touch it with my chopsticks and just focused on eating corn.
05:17Julia, why aren't you eating?
05:19You're a growing girl.
05:21You need your strength.
05:24I had zero appetite for Vanessa's Michelin star leftovers.
05:28All I could taste was their blatant favoritism, claiming I needed strength while blowing every dime they had on someone
05:36else.
05:37How ironic.
05:45This was the first time I had ever asked them for anything.
05:50My current laptop was a $200 piece of junk off Craigslist.
05:55It lagged just opening a Word document.
05:59I never dared to replace it.
06:02I was terrified of adding to their financial burden.
06:05I even handed over every dime from my part-time jobs to mom just to help pay off their so
06:11-called debt.
06:17Julia, can you just make do with the old one for now?
06:22Our credit card debt is still killing us.
06:27Yeah, sweetie.
06:29Just hold off a little longer.
06:32Wait until you get a real job and save up for it.
06:36Of course.
06:41My throat tightened bitterly as the memory of last night choked me.
06:48Vanessa's brand new Porsche.
06:51That Cartier bracelet.
06:54Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent without blinking.
06:59Yet the second I asked for a $1,000 laptop,
07:04they shut me down with a second thought.
07:10Sweetheart.
07:13Sweetheart, let's go see a movie tonight.
07:16Just the three of us.
07:17Yes, exactly.
07:19We'll go tonight.
07:19We'll even buy you a whole bucket of popcorn.
07:26Okay.
07:29Spending one actual Christmas with my parents,
07:32it was the only thing I had ever really wanted.
07:39Oh, an old friend wants to meet up to talk about some work stuff.
07:44Julia, you stay home for now.
07:46Don't go out.
07:46It's way too crowded out there for the holidays.
07:49Work stuff?
07:50Really?
07:51I was full of suspicion, so I secretly followed them outside.
07:54Then I saw that familiar Porsche.
07:58Mommy.
08:00That action is much more skilly than mine.
08:02Didn't we tell you to stay away from this neighborhood?
08:05Why did you sneak over here?
08:07They were still trying to protect their little secret.
08:10Too bad the jig was up.
08:12But I missed you guys.
08:15Mom, Dad, come see a movie with me tonight, please.
08:18The last time we went together was literally two months ago.
08:23Mom, Dad, aren't I your favorite daughter?
08:28Always.
08:29You are always our favorite.
08:31Is Julia making you spend time with her?
08:34If so, just go be with her.
08:37I'll be totally fine by myself.
08:40Her fake, pitiful tone made my skin crawl.
08:44No, no, nothing like that.
08:45We just have a client meeting today.
08:48You go on home first, and we'll see if we have time tonight.
08:52Right.
08:53If we're free tonight, I'll call you.
08:56Fine.
09:00The fury was blinding, but I didn't expose them.
09:04I just silently walked back home and pretended none of it happened.
09:09Because tonight, I wanted to see who they'd actually choose.
09:13I had no desire to get ready.
09:17Usually, for a night out with them, I'd wash my hair and do my makeup.
09:24Julia, work just called.
09:26Your mom and I have to go in for overtime.
09:30Tonight?
09:30Just go.
09:32All right, then.
09:33Stay home and get to bed early.
09:35There's pasta in the kitchen if you get hungry.
09:39In the end, they still chose Vanessa.
09:43Abandoning their actual daughter.
09:47All I wanted was one night with them.
09:50Was that really so hard?
09:53Why would they do this to me?
09:55These were my birthday presents every single year.
09:58I kept them all safe and cherished, thinking they were full of my parents' love.
10:03But it was all fake.
10:05I gave them everything.
10:07I practically lived in the library and rejected a top school to stay local.
10:12Just to be near them.
10:14To get a good job and help them out.
10:17But now, my devotion felt like a joke.
10:20Another night of crying.
10:22Then, clarity hit me.
10:25I had to start living for myself.
10:27I picked up my phone and called Professor Howard Morrison from my college.
10:32Professor Morrison?
10:34Is that spot for the exchange program still open?
10:38That's right.
10:39I've just been waiting for you to say it.
10:41You're the brightest student I've ever taught.
10:44Just spend a year at the top university in the world, Julia.
10:49When you come back, you can write your own ticket.
10:53Don't worry about tuition or living expenses.
10:56The school covers everything.
10:57Thank you, Professor.
10:59In that moment, I felt a little warmth.
11:02Julia!
11:03Come see what we brought you.
11:05It was cotton candy.
11:07My childhood favorite.
11:08Julia, we are so, so sorry about last night.
11:12Once we're back from this business trip, we promise we'll take you to the movies.
11:16We'll buy you two buckets of popcorn.
11:20Okay.
11:22They didn't even notice.
11:24They just assumed I was being their perfect, obedient little girl.
11:28They put on a show of packing their bags, left 50 bucks on the table-ibble, and hurried out the
11:33door again.
11:40Oh, by the way, if any packages get delivered these next few days, do not open them.
11:47The old me would have hated watching them pack.
11:49I would have actually cried as they walked out.
11:52But not this time.
11:53I was too busy filling out my exchange program application.
11:57By evening, the courier delivered a package.
12:00I signed for it on their behalf.
12:02Instead of putting it in their bedroom, I checked the sender's address carefully.
12:06Mom was too paranoid about me opening it.
12:09It was probably from Vanessa.
12:11After all, my parents banned her from showing up at our place.
12:15Before leaving this city, I needed to know one thing.
12:17What made this adopted Vanessa so damn special?
12:20What made her worthy of all their love?
12:23Following the address, I arrived at a massive mansion.
12:26Two security guards stood at the gate.
12:28The front doors stood wide open.
12:30Inside, Vanessa was playing the piano.
12:33She was draped in a designer gown.
12:35The absolute picture of elegance.
12:37A whole different world from me and my cheap thrift store jeans.
12:41Even the guards looked at me like I was a homeless beggar.
12:46Go beg somewhere else.
12:49You don't belong here.
12:51Get lost.
12:55The guards barked at me to leave.
12:58But I didn't brudge.
13:00I just stood there, staring straight into the mansion.
13:04Vanessa saw me.
13:06Let her in.
13:09I stepped inside.
13:11The place was lavish.
13:13Looking around, all I could think about was my own room back home.
13:17A glorified closet that barely fit a twin bed.
13:20A bitter sting washed over me.
13:23You always thought you had it so good, didn't you?
13:28Let me guess.
13:30Your teachers and classmates all say you have the most loving parents, right?
13:35Growing up, they did.
13:40If I hadn't stumbled on the truth,
13:42I'd still be playing the part of the luckiest girl in the world.
13:47But to me, your happiness is a pathetic joke.
13:52Look at this mansion.
13:54Look at this Steinway.
13:55The clothes, the jewelry, every single piece custom made.
13:59And what exactly did mom and dad give you?
14:02Rags and my leftovers.
14:10Every time they told you they were working overtime,
14:14they were actually right here.
14:17With me.
14:22Every word slights through me like a knife.
14:25Hot tears threaten to spill.
14:28I worked so hard.
14:30I was so good.
14:34Why on earth?
14:36Why?
14:38Because you're ugly and classless.
14:43Look at me.
14:44I'm beautiful.
14:46Elegant.
14:46Everywhere I go, I look like a princess.
14:50I'm the perfect trophy daughter.
14:52The only reason they even kept you around is pity.
14:58They just couldn't stomach the guilt.
15:05I still remember what dad said.
15:07He told me you were born wrinkled and hideous.
15:15And you never grew out of it.
15:18An absolute lost cause.
15:22Mom said you're a socially awkward embarrassment.
15:28Too pathetic.
15:30Too weak.
15:37She was right.
15:38I am ordinary.
15:40Covered in freckles.
15:42Invisible in a crowd.
15:43I don't have a way with words and I have zero elegance.
15:46But Professor Morrison told me once,
15:49the harder life hits, the calmer you have to become.
15:53Fine.
15:54If they love you that much,
15:57you can keep them.
15:58I don't need this family anymore.
16:02Her laughter followed me,
16:04but it couldn't hurt me anymore.
16:06While my parents were out,
16:08I finized my exchange program.
16:11Before I left,
16:13I wrote them a letter.
16:17My final act of being their perfect,
16:19obedient daughter.
16:23Two weeks later,
16:24my parents returned from their trip.
16:26They slipped back into their ratty clothes
16:29and plastered on their usual warm smiles.
16:32Julia!
16:33Mommy's home, sweetie.
16:40Daddy brought you some snacks.
16:42We know our little girl has a sweet tooth.
16:46Dead silence.
16:48No one ran up to hug them.
16:55By the time you read this, I'll be gone.
16:59Vanessa is beautiful.
17:01She is elegant,
17:02and she makes you look like the perfect family.
17:05Because of that,
17:06you gave her everything.
17:07The very best life money could buy.
17:10But honestly,
17:11I don't feel inferior to her.
17:13Not anymore.
17:14So,
17:15I'm going to chase my own dreams now.
17:17Don't come looking for me.
17:19Oh my god.
17:21Julia.
17:22Julia is gone.
17:27She knows.
17:29She knows about Vanessa.
17:32What?
17:35How could Julia possibly know about Vanessa?
17:37It must have been Vanessa.
17:39She must have come over here again.
17:40That disobedient, spoiled brat.
17:42Let's go to the mansion.
17:43I'm calling Julia right now.
17:45Dad's fists were clenched tightly,
17:47making a clicking sound
17:48as he pulled mom outside.
17:53Let's see if we can reach her.
17:54What if she doesn't pick up?
17:56The number,
17:57it's gone.
17:58Did she block us?
18:01What do we do now?
18:04We need to go to the mansion.
18:06Now.
18:10They walked into the villa
18:11with dark, stern faces.
18:13Vanessa!
18:14Mom, Dad,
18:15you're finally back.
18:15I missed you guys so much.
18:17Julia is gone.
18:18Mom, what's wrong?
18:19Are you in a bad mood today?
18:20Huh.
18:21She left without even saying goodbye.
18:22How rude.
18:23No wonder you're in a bad mood.
18:25She just made you worry.
18:26Mom,
18:26if she wants to leave,
18:27just let her leave.
18:28She was just dead weight anyway.
18:29Shut up!
18:30How many times did we warn you?
18:33We told you not to go looking for Julia.
18:36Why couldn't you just listen?
18:37But Julia came looking for me.
18:40The guards at the gate can prove it.
18:42And why do you think Julia came looking for you?
18:44Because you've been parading yourself around town.
18:47Well,
18:47it's not like I forced her to leave.
18:50Vanessa couldn't help but talk back.
18:52She's always been to the eldest in family,
18:54so no one dares to stand up to her.
18:57Hmm.
18:59You two better tell me the truth right now.
19:01What exactly did she say to Julia?
19:03The two security guards locked eyes.
19:05If you hide a single word from me,
19:08I will end you both!
19:10It,
19:11it went like this.
19:14We're going sorry.
19:14We got it down to surgery.
19:16Mom trembled all over with rage after hearing this.
19:19Vanessa Drake,
19:20who the hell gave you the right to speak to Julia like that?
19:23She is my own flesh and blood.
19:24Do you really think you have the right to insult her?
19:29She hit the floor,
19:30blood seeping from the corner of her mouth,
19:32a red handbrink burning across her face.
19:35I have truly spoiled you,
19:37rotten.
19:39What did I say that was wrong?
19:42Dad,
19:42Mom,
19:43those were your exact words.
19:46I was just repeating what you said.
19:49The other day,
19:50at the movies,
19:51you guys literally said Julia was...
19:53was...
19:55Shut your mouth!
19:56I said shut your damn mouth!
19:58We can say those things.
20:00You cannot.
20:02You have absolutely zero right.
20:04If it weren't for you,
20:05why would Julia have ever left?
20:07She is my actual daughter.
20:10How is Julia supposed to survive out there,
20:13all by herself?
20:14Mom couldn't hold back her tears either.
20:17Seeing this,
20:18Vanessa was completely stunned.
20:19Mom!
20:20Mom!
20:21But you said it yourself!
20:22You said I was your favorite daughter!
20:24So what if Julia's gone?
20:26I can be the face of this family!
20:30Besides,
20:31hardly anyone outside even knows Julia exists.
20:34Just the three of us,
20:36living a great life together.
20:38Isn't that perfect?
20:42The moment those words came out,
20:44Mom flew into a rage
20:46and kicked Vanessa away.
20:47Who the hell is a family of three
20:49with you?
20:54I can't compare to Julia.
20:56Me?
20:56Vanessa's face instantly drained of color.
20:59She had always been so arrogant,
21:01always so convinced of her own superiority.
21:03If I'm so much worse than Julia,
21:05then why did you give me this incredible life?
21:08Being told she was inferior to me?
21:10She couldn't stomach it.
21:12Why did you suppress her at every turn
21:14and force her to live in squalor?
21:18I am better than her!
21:19I am!
21:20You're just too afraid to admit it!
21:22I get it now.
21:23Even a stray dog builds an attachment.
21:26You just aren't used to Julia being gone yet.
21:28Give it some time.
21:29It'll pass.
21:31Right, Mom?
21:32Dad?
21:35Her logic was spiraling.
21:37She was having a complete and utter breakdown.
21:40Bullshit!
21:41You drove Julia away.
21:43And now,
21:44you are done in the Drake household.
21:46As of today,
21:48you are no longer the adopted daughter of this family.
21:50Don't kick me out, please!
21:54Guards!
21:55Drag her out of here!
21:56The guards did not dare hesitate.
21:59They grabbed Vanessa and dragged her toward the door.
22:01You...
22:01You can't do this to me!
22:03I am vastly superior to Julia!
22:05I have class!
22:06I am the face of this family!
22:08But none of it mattered.
22:09She was thrown out onto the street.
22:15Unable to reach me,
22:17my parents tracked down Dean Margaret Doyle at my college.
22:20Julia is your daughter?
22:22Yes.
22:23Then why on earth
22:25was she walking around starving half the time,
22:27wearing thread-bought clothes?
22:29You treated her abysmally.
22:31It's entirely our fault.
22:32Dean Doyle,
22:34could you please tell us where Julia went?
22:36I haven't slept a wink these past few days
22:37not knowing where my baby is.
22:39Professor Morrison was in the room,
22:40watching in silence.
22:45Let me contact Julia first.
22:52Professor Morrison held the phone in his hands
22:55and sent me a message.
23:03When I got the text,
23:04I made it crystal clear
23:05I didn't want to see them.
23:08I begged Professor Morrison
23:10not to tell them where I was.
23:12It seems you've truly broken Julia's heart.
23:15She doesn't want to see you.
23:16Just go home for now
23:17and give it some time.
23:19No, please!
23:20Can't you just tell us secretly?
23:22We'll pay you whatever you want!
23:24Next to it,
23:25Dad quickly wrote a check.
23:28Do not insult me with your money!
23:31No wonder Julia wants nothing to do with you.
23:34I adapt quickly to new environments.
23:37With Professor Morrison's glowing recommendation,
23:39I fit right in within a week.
23:41The university arranged for me to work in the lab
23:43as an assistant to several senior researchers.
23:45I was soaking up new knowledge,
23:47getting paid,
23:48and finally had time to grab a coffee
23:49and soak in the sun.
23:54Day by day,
23:55my life was simple,
23:55but incredibly fulfilling.
23:57As for my parents,
23:58they crossed my mind occasionally,
23:59but all I could do
24:00was shake my head and smile.
24:02After all,
24:02once they got used to my absence,
24:03they go right back
24:04to playing fake happy family
24:05with Vanessa now.
24:06But what I never expected
24:07was that two months later,
24:08my parents actually tracked me down.
24:10I initially refused to see them,
24:13but Professor Morrison convinced me
24:15to just get it over with.
24:17He told me my parents
24:18went to hell and back
24:19to get my address,
24:20taking turns waiting
24:22at the campus gates,
24:23day and night.
24:24Through wind and pouring rain,
24:26they refused to leave.
24:27Mom even collapsed
24:28in the rain once.
24:30If campus security
24:31hadn't found her in time,
24:32who knows what would have happened.
24:34So,
24:35I finally agreed to name them.
24:37Not out of pity.
24:38Not because I was moved.
24:39I just genuinely
24:41couldn't understand.
24:42They intentionally raised me
24:43in manufactured poverty
24:44while lavishing Vanessa
24:45with wealth.
24:46They gave her all their love
24:48and even bad-mouthed me
24:49behind my back.
24:50So why the hell
24:51were they looking for me now?
24:53I met them
24:53at a local coffee shop.
24:55They looked awful.
24:57Their eyes
24:58were completely bloodshot.
24:59Fresh gray hairs
25:01laced their temples
25:02and their clothes
25:03were thrown on
25:04haphazardly.
25:07Probably just another costume
25:08to get my sympathy,
25:09I guessed.
25:10After all,
25:11they had been
25:12continuously acting
25:13for 18 years.
25:15At least you haven't
25:16lost weight.
25:19Julia,
25:20do you have any idea
25:21how worried we were?
25:22We were so terrified
25:23you were being bullied
25:24out there.
25:24The old me
25:25would have caved instantly.
25:26Seeing them like this
25:27used to physically
25:27hurt my heart,
25:28but now,
25:28I felt absolutely nothing.
25:30In fact,
25:30I kind of wanted to laugh.
25:31To me,
25:31this was just another
25:32master class in acting.
25:34Julia,
25:36I brought you a gift.
25:39I had an international
25:40master joealer
25:42custom make this.
25:44Your name is engraved
25:45on the back.
25:47Living in a dorm
25:48must be so inconvenient,
25:50right?
25:50We bought a mansion
25:51right off campus for you
25:53and we'll hire
25:53a few maids.
25:55Oh,
25:56and you simply
25:56must have a sports car.
25:58Just tell us
25:59what model you like.
25:59We'll get you
26:00anything you want.
26:01They were so enthusiastic,
26:02but I stayed ice cold,
26:03only giving the necklace
26:04a faint glance.
26:05I have everything I need.
26:07Don't buy me anything.
26:08Save it all for Vanessa.
26:09She's the daughter
26:10you actually love.
26:13We're so sorry,
26:14Julia.
26:15Everything we did
26:16in the past
26:17was a mistake.
26:19We shouldn't have
26:20lied to you,
26:21and we certainly
26:22shouldn't have subjected
26:23you to that kind
26:23of poverty.
26:32Why did you do it?
26:35Because,
26:35well, because...
26:36We're already
26:37at this point.
26:38There's no use
26:39hiding it.
26:40When you were born,
26:41the Nancy and the
26:42chauffeur both said
26:42you weren't
26:43a pretty baby.
26:45A nanny named Ruth
26:46suggested we hide
26:47you away,
26:49keep you a secret
26:50from where social
26:51scurled until we
26:52could have another
26:52child.
26:58But we tried
26:59for two years,
27:00and I couldn't
27:01get pregnant.
27:01We tried every
27:03medical option,
27:03but nothing worked.
27:08so Ruth suggested
27:09we just adopt
27:10one.
27:12She initially
27:13told us to just
27:14drop you off
27:14at an orphanage.
27:18But we couldn't
27:19bear to be that
27:20cruel.
27:23Later,
27:23as you grew up,
27:24we realized
27:25how incredibly
27:26bright and
27:27hardworking you
27:28were.
27:30And you were
27:31becoming beautiful.
27:32But by then,
27:34we just didn't
27:35know how to
27:36tell you the
27:36truth.
27:39Dad took over
27:40and continued.
27:41We were actually
27:41planning to concoct
27:42a story,
27:43telling you that
27:43we did it on
27:44purpose to build
27:45character and
27:45teach you resilience
27:47while quietly
27:47sending Vanessa
27:48out of the country.
27:49But we never
27:50expected you to
27:50figure it out
27:51first.
27:51Hearing this,
27:52I couldn't help
27:53but let out
27:53a cold laugh.
27:56Even street
27:57animals know
27:57how to protect
27:58their own young.
27:59You put me
28:00through hell
28:00just because
28:01some random
28:01employee said
28:02I was an
28:02ugly baby,
28:03and then you
28:03just hired a
28:04stranger to
28:04replace me.
28:05What kind
28:05of parents
28:06are you?
28:07Faced with
28:07my question,
28:08mom and dad
28:08lowered their
28:09heads in shame.
28:10It's entirely
28:10our fault.
28:11We promise
28:11it will never
28:12happen again.
28:13We've already
28:13kicked Vanessa
28:14out to the
28:14streets.
28:16From now on,
28:16you are the
28:17sole heir to
28:17this family.
28:18Whatever you
28:18want,
28:18it's yours.
28:19You hold
28:19all the power.
28:20If anyone
28:20ever dares to
28:21bully you,
28:21I will ruin
28:22them.
28:22Yes,
28:23exactly.
28:23With us
28:24around,
28:24no one will
28:24ever touch
28:24you.
28:26I don't need
28:26you.
28:27I can take
28:27care of myself.
28:28After all,
28:29since middle
28:29school,
28:29I've been
28:30working part
28:30time to
28:30earn my
28:31own keep.
28:31I even
28:31gave you
28:32all my
28:32savings.
28:33And you
28:34two,
28:34you took
28:35my hard
28:35earned money
28:35without an
28:36ounce of
28:36guilt,
28:37fed me
28:37Vanessa's
28:38leftovers,
28:38and demanded
28:39I be
28:39grateful for
28:39it.
28:41It's my
28:42fault.
28:43It's all
28:44my fault!
28:45You could
28:45have told me
28:46sooner,
28:47but you
28:47didn't.
28:48Was it
28:48because I
28:49wasn't pretty
28:49enough yet?
28:50Or did
28:51you honestly
28:51think Vanessa
28:52was a
28:52perfectly
28:53acceptable
28:53replacement?
28:56Mom and
28:56dad were
28:57speechless,
28:58with no
28:58idea how
28:59to answer.
29:00Their
29:01silence
29:01told Julia
29:02everything
29:03she needed
29:03to know.
29:05Go home.
29:10But before
29:10I could
29:11leave,
29:11mom and
29:12dad each
29:12grabbed one
29:13of my
29:13arms.
29:13Julia,
29:14we lived
29:14together for
29:15so many
29:15years,
29:16there has
29:16to be
29:16some
29:16love left.
29:17Please,
29:18can't we
29:18just make
29:18amends?
29:19We will
29:19do absolutely
29:20everything in
29:21our power
29:21to make
29:22it up to
29:22you.
29:23Please
29:23forgive us,
29:24we know
29:24we were
29:24wrong.
29:25Their
29:26scene made
29:26people turn
29:27around and
29:27stare.
29:29Look around
29:29you.
29:30If you
29:31keep making
29:31a scene,
29:31how am I
29:32supposed to
29:32stay at
29:32this school?
29:34Are you
29:34trying to
29:35ruin my
29:35life again?
29:38Just let
29:39me go.
29:43Julia.
29:45Maybe one
29:45day I'll
29:46forgive you,
29:46but right
29:47now,
29:47absolutely not.
29:49Their
29:50crying grew
29:50louder behind
29:51me.
29:51My heart
29:52clamped for
29:52a second,
29:53but I didn't
29:53turn back.
29:54I walked
29:55quickly into
29:55the crowd.
29:56I thought
29:56my parents
29:57would give
29:57up,
29:57but they
29:58didn't.
29:58Instead,
29:59they launched
29:59an overwhelming
30:00campaign of
30:00bribery.
30:01Every single
30:01day,
30:02they sent
30:02me food
30:02and
30:02electronics.
30:03Tablets,
30:03phones,
30:04laptops,
30:04all the
30:05absolute
30:05latest,
30:05most expensive
30:06models.
30:06Then piece
30:07after
30:07piece,
30:07every single
30:08item was
30:08worth a
30:08fortune.
30:09The result?
30:10It put a
30:10massive target
30:11on my back.
30:12Thugs
30:12started threatening
30:13me,
30:14demanding I
30:14hand over
30:15my things.
30:17Pickpock
30:18started tailing
30:19me.
30:22I was
30:22living in
30:23a constant
30:23state of
30:24paranoia.
30:25So,
30:26I took
30:26every single
30:27thing my
30:27parents gave
30:28me and
30:28donated it
30:29all to
30:29a local
30:30charity.
30:31At the
30:31same time,
30:32I made
30:32up my
30:33mind to
30:33cut contact
30:34completely.
30:34I reported
30:35my situation
30:36to the
30:36university and
30:37called
30:37Professor
30:37Morrison for
30:38help.
30:39Professor
30:39Morrison
30:39offered a
30:40perfect
30:40solution.
30:41Join a
30:42classified
30:42research
30:43project.
30:43That way,
30:44even if my
30:45parents came
30:45sniffing around
30:46campus,
30:47no one would
30:47be legally
30:48permitted to
30:48disclose my
30:49location.
30:51I agreed
30:51instantly.
30:53The day
30:54before I
30:55entered the
30:55secure
30:55facility,
30:57I received
30:57one last
30:58card from
30:59them.
31:02We're so
31:03sorry,
31:04Julia.
31:04We never
31:04thought the
31:05gifts would
31:05attract
31:06dangerous
31:06people.
31:06We were
31:07incredibly
31:07foolish,
31:08and we
31:09won't stop
31:09until you're
31:10no longer
31:10angry.
31:12I didn't
31:13reply.
31:14Once I
31:15joined the
31:16classified
31:16project,
31:16my life
31:17became much
31:18more
31:18monotonous.
31:18But it
31:19was completely
31:20blissfully
31:21peaceful.
31:22No parents
31:23bothering me.
31:23I just
31:24focused entirely
31:25on my
31:25research and
31:26outdoing
31:26myself.
31:27I genuinely
31:28love this
31:29life.
31:30George,
31:31the lab
31:31director,
31:32told me I
31:32was a
31:33born
31:33researcher,
31:34because I
31:35possessed an
31:35absolute
31:36tolerance for
31:36solitude.
31:38About two
31:38months later,
31:39I finally
31:40earned a
31:40two-day
31:41leave.
31:42I was
31:43allowed to
31:43call Professor
31:44Moranson.
31:48He told
31:48me my
31:49parents had
31:49flown back
31:50home.
31:51He also
31:51gave me a
31:52massive piece
31:53of news.
31:54That Nami
31:55Ruth, the
31:56one who
31:56initially started
31:57the rumor that
31:57I was ugly,
31:58had planned it
32:00all from the
32:00very beginning.
32:02Vanessa was
32:02Ruth's biological
32:03granddaughter.
32:04It was a
32:05long con.
32:06She wanted
32:07Vanessa to
32:07replace me,
32:08live a life of
32:09extreme luxury,
32:10and eventually
32:10steal the entire
32:11family fortune once
32:12my parents passed
32:13away.
32:16But Vanessa was
32:17far too arrogant.
32:18She drastically
32:19overestimated her
32:20place in my
32:20parents' hearts,
32:21and the whole
32:21plan blew up in
32:22her faith.
32:23My parents flew
32:24back and
32:24investigated
32:25everything.
32:26They hunted
32:26down Ruth,
32:27held a press
32:28conference,
32:29and forced her
32:29to publicly
32:30confess her
32:30crimes.
32:32But Vanessa
32:32was nowhere to
32:33be found.
32:35It was like she
32:36had vanished off
32:37the face of the
32:37earth.
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