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00:01i hadn't spoken to my parents in 10 years not since the day they screamed at me to get lost
00:05and never come back so when my business partner told me the brit group my father's company had
00:10requested me personally as their wedding photographer i almost laughed then i saw
00:14the groom's name jeffrey beasley the boy who used to climb over my backyard fence with candy in his
00:20pocket the one who promised when we grow up i'll take you away from here we'll see the world
00:26he's marrying my sister at the reception my mother marched into my dressing room with tears in her
00:31eyes elon we raised you for 18 years how can you be so heartless i looked up at her calm
00:39as ice
00:39mrs brit please release me i have work to do her face went ghost white good let her feel a
00:45fraction
00:46of what i felt at 12 years old when they packed my bags and sent me to live alone in
00:49an old house
00:50while my sister took my bedroom my piano my parents love but what they don't know yet what none of
00:54them
00:55know is that i'm not adopted at all i'm their biological daughter and today i'm bringing the
00:59dna proof to destroy a wedding at a wedding shoot i ran into my parents i hadn't spoken to them
01:06for a
01:06decade they were mingling with other guests their smiles freezing the instant their eyes landed on me
01:12once the reception ended they marched straight into the backstage dressing room why haven't you come
01:18home for the past 10 years mom blurted out her accusation her eyes were rimmed red as she glared at
01:23me
01:23i didn't answer or look up i focused on cleaning my camera lens the next second she stepped forward
01:28and seized my wrist her voice rose to a raw pitch elon we're your parents we raised you for 18
01:35years
01:35how can you be so heartless i lifted my head with a frown i was confused by her outburst 10
01:40years ago
01:41they were the ones who told me to get lost and never come back i'd done exactly that so what
01:44were
01:44they upset about now dad stood behind mom his eyes darted between my face and my camera equipment
01:51he was clearly torn after a moment he spoke as if grasping for a neutral topic
01:56that's quite the camera eileen it must have cost a lot right it's a tough business for a young woman
02:03you must be struggling there was hesitation in his voice i remained silent i screwed the lens cap on
02:10firmly infuriated by my lack of response mom tightened her grip on my wrist her voice rose further
02:14eileen are you even listening 10 years not a single call or message what is wrong with you
02:24even a pet would show more gratitude i studied her contorted expression a sharp pain shot through my
02:29wrist a decade had passed yet their method of interrogation remained the same i lifted my gaze
02:37i spoke with deliberate calm mrs brit please release me i have work to do mrs brit she released
02:44my wrist as if burned she staggered back all color draining from her face i'm your mom how dare you
02:52that's enough dad stepped in he steadied her trembling shoulders he frowned at me exhaustion and reproach
02:59heavy in his tone eileen how can you speak to your mom like that we realize there may have been
03:07misunderstandings back then but she hasn't stopped missing you for the past 10 years she's there were
03:14no misunderstandings i cut him off my voice was soft as i placed the camera in its case i followed
03:21your instructions get lost and never come back i did exactly as you told me i fixed my eyes on
03:29them
03:29with cold indifference i stayed away for 10 years just as you demanded so what is this about they stood
03:39frozen their faces were ghastly pale mom's lips quivered but before she could speak dad tightened his hold
03:45on her arm dad drew a shaky breath he forced a strained conciliatory smile ely sorry we shouldn't
03:55have said that back then but we are family mel is getting married next month you'll be there right
04:03if you don't want to attend as her sister maybe you could photograph the wedding the last words were
04:08a hesitant hopeful whisper i stared at them i was struck by the sheer absurdity of it all
04:14my schedule is booked please give melanie my best wishes i won't be intruding with that i turned and
04:23pushed open the door the sound of mom's broken accusations and dad's frantic attempts to calm
04:28her faded behind me i walked straight to the elevator without looking back only when the doors closed did
04:33i breathe a sigh of relief i leaned against the cold metal wall a dull ache began to throb at
04:38the base of
04:39my skull it was a lingering after effect of a severe fever years ago it always flared up on rainy
04:44days
04:46back at my temporary apartment i finally unwound my phone vibrated it was kimberly cooley my business
04:53partner eily the final payment for today's wedding just came through oh about that couple who confronted
05:00you is everything okay they looked really upset it's fine i said keeping my voice level they're
05:07just my adoptive parents kimberly paused before replying all right listen we just got a very firm
05:14non-negotiable collaboration request from the brit group they're insisting you personally photograph
05:20a high-profile wedding the brit group was owned by my dad my heart sank a crushing sense of helplessness
05:26washed over me kimberly sounded worried i'm afraid we can't turn it down i gripped the phone until my
05:33knuckles turned white 10 years i had thought i'd gone far enough to escape their shadow yet with a
05:39single move they could still disrupt the life i had fought so hard to build understood send me the
05:44details i said my throat tight okay kimberly replied softly after a pause the wedding itinerary arrived a few
05:51minutes later when my eyes landed on the groom's name jeffrey beasley the tears i'd held back all
05:56day finally fell jeffrey was the boy who had been my only comfort during the darkest years of my youth
06:01kimberly's message flashed again eily are you okay do you want me to come over i took a deep breath
06:08i wiped my face i typed back i'm fine please compile the client's specific requests we'll discuss tomorrow
06:16morning she replied quickly okay eily whatever you decide i'm with you i put the phone down and
06:23walked to the window the night air was cool against my skin it helped to clear the chaos in my
06:28mind
06:29jeffrey and i were so close once he lived next door we grew up together whenever i got scolded by
06:35my
06:35parents or pushed aside by melanie brit i'd hide in the backyard and cry he'd always climb over the low
06:40fence he'd pull a piece of candy from his pocket like a magician don't cry eily have this
06:48when we grow up i'll take you away from here we'll see the world we'll both get into new york
06:55university
06:56we'll always be together jeffrey was the only person who showed me kindness and care
07:00he was the only one who when the whole world made me feel worthless would look me in the eye
07:05and say
07:07you're good enough eily you always have been but now he was marrying melanie
07:14memories long held back came rushing in until i was seven i was the happiest child when i was five
07:21i got into a fight at preschool over a swing i bit the other kid's arm terrified of getting in
07:27trouble
07:27i hid under the slide in our complex after school dad found me he wasn't angry he actually whispered tips
07:34on how to win a fight next time that evening when mom found out she made us both stand in
07:38the corner
07:39dad winked at me when she wasn't looking i thought that warmth would last forever
07:44then when i was seven melanie came home
07:48i went from being their only child to being the adopted one melanie was three years older
07:53she'd been kidnapped when she was three with her return my world was never the same
07:58my parents had kept my adoption a secret but afraid melanie would feel insecure
08:02they told her the truth one afternoon she stood before me her voice was young but cold
08:09alene did you know you're not their real daughter they adopted you because i was gone
08:14they were so sad without me so they got you to take my place they're my mom and dad not
08:21yours
08:22for a moment i was too shocked to move then i ran i had to find my parents and hear
08:27them say it
08:27wasn't true i prayed they would hug me and say don't listen to her nonsense sweetheart you're our
08:33baby girl but mom looked away dad was silent for a long time before he confirmed it his voice was
08:39hoarse eily it's true we adopted you because we missed mel so much but we love you too i hated
08:47that
08:47word in that moment after that nothing was the same the carefree mischievous girl vanished i became
08:56quiet and cautious i stopped laughing loudly i stopped asking for things at meals i only took
09:03the food closest to me i studied relentlessly i brought home one award after another i believed
09:09good girls didn't get abandoned i learned to please them and melanie i gave her the new hair clip mom
09:16bought i handed over the cool toy dad brought back from a business trip but melanie's eyes held
09:21nothing but resentment no matter what i did she saw me as the one who had stolen her life and
09:28my
09:28parents attention and affection poured almost entirely into their returned biological daughter
09:32they worried she might feel insecure and neglected so i the adopted daughter naturally became the one who
09:39could be overlooked the atmosphere at home grew tense and heavy i never stood in the corner with dad again
09:45i was too afraid to make any mistake i lived like a frightened bird i was constantly terrified of
09:52being cast aside once more then when i was 12 my worst fear came true
10:02i got back from school that day to find melanie in my room she was holding my diary what are
10:07you doing
10:08i rushed to grab it back she easily sidestepped me a faint smirk played on her lips just seeing what
10:15my
10:15dear little sister writes about every day she began to read my diary i wish things were like before why
10:23why don't mom and dad love me anymore it's so unfair my voice trembled give it back that diary held
10:31all my
10:31secrets and my fragile side she stood up she held it above her head maybe mom and dad should see
10:39what
10:39their adopted daughter complains about every day with that she darted out of the room the diary was in
10:45her hand mel i chased after her in the rush she stumbled her foot caught she tumbled down the stair
10:56her scream echoed through the house
11:01my parents burst from the study at the same time
11:03mom reached her first when she saw melanie's leg bent at an unnatural angle
11:10her own shook melanie wept dramatically she pointed a shaky finger straight at me i was still standing
11:17at the top of the stairs she pushed me she blames me for everything in her diary and now this
11:27that's not true i didn't i rushed to explain enough dad's roar was louder than i'd ever heard
11:34mom's gaze was icy it frightened me i tried to explain
11:38diary she read my diary without so you pushed her mom cut me off alien how could you be so
11:45cruel
11:46i didn't push her the tears finally spilled over she fell mom's hand came up still lying
11:54she struck my face hard the sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the ache in my chest
12:00dad stood behind her his gaze was full of disappointment
12:03elie we always thought you were a sensible girl
12:09even though you're not our blood we never treated you poorly
12:14but you
12:19i said it wasn't me my voice rose to a shout
12:23why won't you ever believe me believe you mom's laugh was cold a liar the ambulance arrived
12:33as the paramedics carried melanie down on a stretcher she was still sobbing
12:38mom i'm scared does elie hate me
12:44don't be afraid sweetheart i'm here mom held her hand tightly she didn't once look back at me
12:51my parents returned from the hospital late that night i heard their footsteps stop outside my door
12:59pack your things mom pushed the door open her tone was frighteningly calm you're moving to the old
13:05house tomorrow i stared frozen then i dropped to my knees no please mom dad don't send me away
13:14i'm sorry i'm sorry i'll be good i promise mom looked down at me coldly mel needs peace to recover
13:22seeing you will upset her i won't bother her i cried i clutched at her legs
13:28i can stay in the storage room i can come home after you're all asleep
13:34i'm sorry please don't make me leave
13:43dad sighed
13:45elie this is for the best for you and for this family i won't go
13:51this is my home i was sobbing uncontrollably now
13:57mom pried my hands away the housekeeper will bring meals each week we'll transfer an allowance on time
14:05i don't want money
14:09i want you i turned to dad i grasped his sleeve
14:15dad you used to love me most you said you'd always protect me
14:20he turned his face away his voice was choked be reasonable eily
14:28once mel is feeling better she'll never better she's lying i screamed in despair why won't you
14:35believe me mom's voice cut through sharply elene if you make another scene you can leave right now
14:42i knelt on the floor i looked at their distant looks i finally understood what true hopelessness
14:50felt like no matter how much i begged they didn't want me anymore
14:57the first night i moved into the old residence i had a high fever my forehead was burning i shivered
15:03all over i grabbed my phone and called my mom mom i'm having a fever i was so weak that
15:09my voice
15:09was hardly audible the other end of the line was silent for a while then my mom replied there are
15:16fever reducers in the old house find them melanie has just undergone surgery she needs a good rest
15:23knock it off with that mom hung up listening to the hang-up beeps i felt a chill all over
15:29it started raining outside the rain splattered the window as if weeping for me for the next week
15:36i was invalid on the bed alone the fever went back and forth the housekeeper found something
15:41was wrong with me when she came to cook she took me to the hospital i lived all alone since
15:46i was 12
15:47till i was 18. for parent teacher conferences the seat with my name on it was always empty melanie
15:57went to the same school as i did yet my parents always showed up for her sometimes i ran into
16:02them
16:03in the hallway mom would look away with embarrassment dad would pretend he didn't see me in those six
16:09years jeffrey was the only light ray in my life he would secretly climb over the short wall of the
16:14old
16:14house and bring me snacks don't worry everything will be okay he had comforted me ely let's apply to
16:23new york university together in new york no one can separate us i had believed him i studied as hard
16:31as i
16:31could after the set i walked past a downtown hotel i saw a large striking banner congratulations on
16:39melanie britt's good grades nicely dressed my parents were receiving guests at the entrance
16:44they were beaming melanie stood between them like a real princess standing in a corner across the street
16:50i watched the celebration that had nothing to do with me i had thought i was dead inside but why
16:56did
16:56it still hurt so much it didn't matter though i'd be gone soon anyway the day i received the acceptance
17:12letter from the university i opened it swiftly with excitement but it was the badge of the usc that i
17:18saw my blood turned cold instantly i recalled my parents odd behavior from several days ago it dawned
17:24me that they had altered my application form without hesitation i barged into the so-called home
17:30it was the home from which i had been away for a long time i slammed the letter on the
17:35coffee table
17:36why usc i demanded what's wrong with it mom replied nonchalantly it's close in a trembling voice i snapped
17:44why did you change my application why because we're your parents just then dad walked out of the study he
17:52explained melanie also applied to new york university with you around she'll feel insecure
17:58it's because of her again the years of pent-up anger in my chest erupted her insecurity is the reason
18:06for
18:06everything you said she read my diary because she felt insecure she fell down the stairs because she felt
18:13insecure now i have to go to a different university because she feels insecure
18:23elan mind your tone mom sprang to her feet what about my tone what tone should i speak in tears
18:30streamed
18:30down my cheeks i tried to hold them back you kicked me out of the house when i was 12.
18:38you've neglected me
18:39for the past six years now you're trying to destroy my future what kind of parents are you we've raised
18:49you for 18 years dad said his face livid raised it was more like charity my voice became hoarse from
18:58anger in your eyes only melanie is your daughter i'm only an unwanted substitute i wish you never adopted me
19:08out of the blue dad slapped me hard across the face get out mom hissed with red eyes she pointed
19:17at
19:17the door since you hate us so much don't ever come back again i ran out i sobbed in the
19:23rain until i was
19:24soaking wet why didn't they love me why was i adopted where were my biological parents i cried and cried
19:34at midnight i snuck back for my id i happened to overhear my parents conversation outside their bedroom
19:48we shouldn't have told mel that eily was adopted mom cried but what's the point of being regretful now
19:53i was too sad after mel got lost i didn't find out i was pregnant with eily dad sighed
20:00mel was so sensitive when she returned we could only lie i that ellie was adopted at least eily was
20:09loved and happy before she was seven but mel couldn't be she owes mel stunned i had to press my
20:20hands
20:20against the wall for support my back slid down along the wall it turned out i was their biological daughter
20:26it turned out i had never stolen anybody's happy childhood it was mine then why did i have to
20:33suffer these years that day i left home and never came back after i reached usc i changed my phone
20:39number i put my parents contact information on the block list jeffrey and i went to different
20:44universities due to the distance our relationship was nipped in the bud afterward i heard that he had a
20:51girlfriend now it seemed he was dating melanie back then i opened my eyes i wiped my tearful face
20:59the side of the message stung i wondered if melanie knew the truth but it didn't matter
21:05i went to the drawer i took the dna test report done many years ago since they'd invited me i'd
21:11go to
21:11the wedding they destroyed my life for melanie's happiness i'd see how happy she was
21:22the light from the glaring chandelier on the ceiling of the hotel hall spilled on the lens of my camera
21:28it reflected my tense side face my employee fiona blevens was crouching to open the device case
21:35the clear clicking of the plastic clip couldn't ease my fidget this was melanie's wedding of course
21:41the whole team should be here i should have known better elen came a female voice as sharp as a
21:49needle my hands paused while holding the camera when melanie turned around the skirt of her wedding
21:56dress swept across my feet the pearls on the decoration hurt lifting her skirt with pale hands she stared at
22:03me in disbelief as if i were something filthy that had barged into her life jeffrey stood behind her
22:13one of the buttons on the cuff of his sleeve was loose upon seeing me he swiftly shifted his
22:19gaze to the dessert table far away who asked you to come melanie raised her voice and took a step
22:27forward
22:29the guests all turned their heads to watch you don't even have a decent job you think you're good enough
22:36to be the photographer of my wedding
22:43frowning fiona attempted to step forward and make a retort
22:49i pulled at her blouse gently the coolness calmed me down a bit my fingertip touched the camera belt
22:58the host invited me the host melanie scoffed you mean my parents why would they invite an ingrate
23:05who refused to come home in the past 10 years her remarks hammered my heart they caused a dull pain
23:12the past flashed across my mind one day when i was 12 i had begged her on my knees not
23:17to tell on me
23:19she had also smirked like that and said
23:23you're unwelcome in this family anyway familiar footsteps came from the door
23:30my parents walked over mom was in a crimson dress she was oblivious to the fact that her pearl necklace
23:36was
23:37askew dad wore his tie loosely at the sight of me mom stopped in her tracks she had a complicated
23:46look
23:46in her eyes your dad and i invited ellie she's a good photographer and her price is fair she said
23:54to
23:54melanie melanie melanie turned around abruptly and glared at mom mom are you out of your minds she's
24:08she's your younger sister dad interrupted melanie his tone was lukewarm he didn't spare a look at me
24:16it was as if i were just an insignificant stranger
24:21the wedding is about to begin knock it off with a livid face melanie stared at me malevolently
24:30she's a good photographer she barely gets by with a camera mom and dad raised you for 18 years
24:38and you were away for 10 years now that you have a little money you think you're better than us
24:43who bought dresses for you when you were a child who took you to kindergarten did you forget the guests
24:50talked with each other as she spoke louder and louder i tightened my grip on the camera
24:56the blood drained from my knuckles how i wish mom and dad could interfere even if it was as simple
25:04as stop
25:04it to my dismay mom just turned her head to look at the mccarrens on the dessert table
25:12dad took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket then he tucked it back in restlessly mel
25:19the wedding first he urged there was no explanation neither of them defended me
25:25nor did they display a tinge of guilt i looked down at my reflection in the mirror
25:31i realized how pathetic i was 10 years had passed and i was still expecting them to be fair
25:38fiona handed a cloth to me i took it and wiped the lens slowly with it i tried to repress
25:44the surging
25:45sadness i'd come to work not to settle accounts with them i told myself
25:57after shooting the first section of the wedding i drank water in a corner of the lounge the warm
26:04water in the plastic bottle was bland like the meager concern my parents showed at this time mom walked
26:11over with a glass of orange juice beads of juice clung to the body of the glass
26:19she handed it to me the beads fell onto my pants they left wet marks on them
26:28eilie don't take what mel said to heart she was nervous about the wedding
26:36instead of taking the glass of orange juice i took out my phone to transfer money
26:42i'd calculated the amount countless times
26:45eighty thousand dollars
26:49including tuition from primary school to high school
26:53monthly allowances
26:56occasional meals the housekeeper made for me in the six years
27:01money couldn't buy back my youth it couldn't make my altered application for university right
27:09but at least the accounts between us were even now
27:13the notification for the successful transfer sounded particularly loud in the quiet lounge
27:20mom's face colored as she read the notification her hands shook the juice stained her dress
27:27but she paid no heed to it staring at me she asked aline what do you mean
27:35we raised you for 18 years you think we're even now
27:43what else i put my phone back into my pocket in a calm yet cold voice i continued
27:52you raised me for 18 years and i repaid you with 80 000 the extra is the interest
28:01with the account settled now we're square
28:08square mom said in a choking voice
28:12her eyes red she attempted to touch my arm
28:15i took a step back to move away her hand froze in midter tears ran down her face they dropped
28:23on the floor
28:25do you hate us so much
28:30is there no familial finishing for us at all in your heart you had a fever when you were five
28:38your dad carried you on his or electors three can take you to the hospital
28:45the first time you won a prize eyes i took you out to buy you a new dress
28:51did you forget all about this
28:54scenes from the past flashed across my mind like an old movie
28:58carrying me on his back dad ran in the rain
29:02but his back felt extremely warm there were floral patterns on the rim of the pink dress mom bought me
29:10sadly these warm memories had waned after melanie returned
29:16yes looking her in the eye i declared slowly i hate you for driving me into the old house when
29:23i was 12
29:26i hate you for altering my application when i was 18
29:30i hate you for asking me to knock it off when i had a fever of 39 degrees
29:42mom stopped crying her face was as pasty as death
29:48dad took her arm to support her he looked at me his eyes dripped with disappointment
29:55elie we were wrong but what you're doing is ruthless suddenly melanie marched over
30:04she pointed at me and yelped dad and mom raised you for 18 years
30:09first you left without saying goodbye now you want to cut ties with them as an adopted daughter
30:18you should be grateful that they didn't let you starve how dare you talk about fairness with them
30:27what in great an adopted daughter i turned to my parents
30:35my heart was racing finally the right time had come is that what i am in your eyes mom's lips
30:43moved
30:43but no words came out dad nodded with a sigh
30:48elie we were wrong but you're indeed adopted don't fixate on it laughing snidely i took a step forward
30:57i looked them in the eye in which children's home did you find me
31:02where are the adoption formalities can i have a look a deathly silence ensued the blood drained
31:11from mom's face dad clenched his fists tightly his knuckles went pale
31:20dumbfounded melanie shook mom's arm
31:25mom tell her where you adopted her show her the formalities
31:30neither mom nor dad spoke they just stared at me panic was plain in their eyes
31:37the last tad of hope in my heart was shattered as i met their gaze
31:42they couldn't even come up with a good lie
31:45but they'd fooled me for 10 years
31:54my fingers trembled as i fumbled the laminated dna test report in my purse
32:00i'd kept it for five years i cried in bed every time i read the result
32:08the possibility of paternity is in excess of 99.999 percent
32:17i wasn't a substitute for melanie i was their biological daughter that was the truth
32:24however they wouldn't admit it you can't say it i will
32:31i handed the report to my parents under the light the plastic cover glared
32:37they couldn't open their eyes mom was breathing rapidly
32:42dad wanted to take the report
32:46but he withdrew his hand on second thought
32:53you claim i'm i'm adopted i continued in a flat voice it expressed my 10 years of sadness
33:01then why is the possibility of paternity 99.999%
33:06why does the dna test report say you're my biological parents
33:11Melanie dashed over and snatched the report away
33:15Her fingers trembled violently as she read it.
33:20No!
33:24This can't be true!
33:26This can't be true!
33:27This report must be a forgery!
33:30You're using it to take everything away from me!
33:33A forgery?
33:36I looked at my parents.
33:39Ask your parents.
33:45Tears streamed down mom's cheeks.
33:47They stained the report.
33:49Dad's face was as pale as paper.
33:52His lips were trembling.
33:54He was too emotionally overwhelmed to speak.
33:58Afraid to hurt Melanie's feelings, you told her I was adopted.
34:02I believed you.
34:05I thought you'd love me all the same as long as I was obedient and humored her.
34:12However, you turned my bedroom into a sunroom for her.
34:16You moved my piano into the storage room.
34:21You changed my application in university to U.S. behind my back.
34:26When I was furious, you couldn't be bothered to check on me.
34:30You asked me to find the medicine on my own.
34:34More and more guests gathered around us.
34:37They whispered to each other.
34:39Some of them took photos of this scene.
34:42Others pointed at my parents.
34:44They're playing favorites.
34:47How could they treat their own daughter so horribly?
34:51Poor girl.
34:52For ten years, she didn't know her adoptive parents were her biological parents.
34:56Suddenly, mom dropped to her knees.
35:00She clutched the leg of my pants.
35:04Ely, I was wrong.
35:06We all were.
35:09Your dad and I were confused.
35:13We felt sorry for Mel and neglected you.
35:19Will you forgive us?
35:23We'll give you the house, the company, anything you want.
35:31I brushed mom's hands away.
35:33I took a step back.
35:35Her hands were cold and calloused.
35:39However, the touch failed to invoke the familial affection inside me.
35:43My heart could never be warm again.
35:47I don't want your house or company, I announced in a hoarse voice.
35:53I want the truth.
35:55Why did you lie to me?
35:57I'm also your daughter.
36:00Why do you only love her?
36:05Dad also knelt tearfully.
36:08Ely, I'm sorry I let you down.
36:11When Mel just came back, she cried every day.
36:16She was afraid that we wouldn't like her.
36:21Out of options, we told her you were adopted.
36:28We thinking things would turn around when she grew up.
36:31Sadly, that didn't happen.
36:36We never meant to put you through all this.
36:39You never meant to?
36:41I laughed.
36:43But tears streamed down my face.
36:46At 12, I had to live alone in the old house.
36:50And I was too terrified to sleep.
36:54I could have been admitted to NYU, but I had to go to UCLA.
37:01You know why I was away for a decade?
37:04Because you told me to never come back!
37:08Not because I didn't want to return home!
37:14You think you can undo all this by your simple apology?
37:19Nice try.
37:27Suddenly, Melanie tore the DNA test report.
37:32She tore it once.
37:33Then again.
37:35Shreds of paper scattered across the floor like snow.
37:40She shrieked.
37:43I don't believe it!
37:44I'm your daughter!
37:46She's not!
37:47The wedding is off!
37:50Her face was twisted with rage and terror.
37:53For 18 years, she had been the real daughter.
37:57The cherished one.
37:59The one they sacrificed everything for.
38:02And now, in one moment, she had become the lie.
38:07She pulled off the veil.
38:08She tossed it onto the floor.
38:11She ran off.
38:12After a dazed moment, Jeffrey went after her.
38:16The director of the wedding ran to my dad in a fluster.
38:21Mr. Britt, the wedding...
38:25It's cancelled.
38:26Holding the camera, I said to Fiona,
38:29Put away the devices.
38:31We're done here.
38:33When I walked out of the lounge, mom's sobs came from behind me.
38:38The guests were whispering, but I didn't look back.
38:43The years of agony were finally off my chest today.
38:47It might have happened too late.
38:50But at least I was no longer the adopted daughter.
38:57At the entrance to the hotel, the cold autumn wind blew in my face.
39:02It brought a sense of desolation.
39:06Fiona carried the devices for me.
39:09She walked briskly, afraid to bother me.
39:13As soon as I reached the roadside, urgent footsteps came from behind me.
39:18Aline, wait!
39:20Someone called.
39:21I turned around.
39:22It was Jeffrey.
39:24He had his suit jacket hanging from his arm.
39:27His hair was a mess.
39:29His forehead was sweaty.
39:31He ran to me.
39:32He was huffing and puffing.
39:34His chest was heaving violently.
39:37His eyes were full of guilt.
39:39I'm sorry.
39:40He apologized in a husky voice.
39:44I'm sorry I didn't go to find you back then.
39:48I'm sorry.
39:49I got together with Melanie.
39:51I gazed at him.
39:54Under the sunshine, the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were obvious.
40:01When we were little, he was always saying I had big doe eyes.
40:06Now the glitter in his eyes was gone.
40:09One day in my senior year in high school, he climbed over the tall wall with a candy in his
40:14hand.
40:15He said to me,
40:17Ely, after we're both admitted to New York University, I'll take you to the sea.
40:22The sweetness of the candy was vivid in my mind for many years.
40:33Why were you with her?
40:35My low voice faded in the wind.
40:38When I was in college, she found me one day.
40:40She told me you'd forgotten me.
40:42She said you'd gone to Los Angeles and would never come back.
40:46Jeffrey clutched his jacket.
40:48His knuckles were pale.
40:53She said you hated me for not putting in a good word for you.
40:56I panicked.
40:59I looked for you, but you'd changed your phone number.
41:02And the old house was empty.
41:11An unbearable pang ran through my heart.
41:16The day I enrolled at USC, I came to New York University.
41:21I assumed he'd be waiting for me at the entrance.
41:25To my disappointment, I waited there all day.
41:28He never showed up.
41:30Afterward, I learned that he was already with Melanie back then.
41:39I wanted to be with you.
41:42Jeffrey's eyes reddened.
41:44They brimmed with tears.
41:46After the SST, I went to the old house to find you.
41:52Your parents told me you'd left and would never come back.
41:56I waited at the gate to the old house all night.
42:01The candy in my hand melted.
42:07Melted.
42:08Like our terminated, long-gone relationship.
42:13Melanie and I have broken up.
42:15The wedding is off.
42:16He took a step forward to hold my hand.
42:19I retreated and moved away.
42:22Ely, can we start over?
42:25I was wrong.
42:27I'll cherish you all the more.
42:35I looked at Jeffrey calmly.
42:38My youth adoration for him and expectations of our future had elapsed with time.
42:44They had worn out in lies.
42:49Jeffrey were not meant to be.
42:51He stiffened to hear my words.
42:54His face gradually went pale.
42:56All the color drained away, like a photograph left too long in the sun.
43:01His lips parted slightly.
43:03But no words came out of his mouth.
43:06He just stood there.
43:08He looked at me.
43:09Despair was plain in his eyes.
43:12The boy who used to climb over my fence with candy in his pocket.
43:18The teenager who waited all night at the gate of the old house with a melting sweet in his hand.
43:25The man who was about to marry my sister.
43:28They were all the same person.
43:32And none of them were the person I needed anymore.
43:36I didn't eat the candy.
43:39I turned around.
43:40I said to Fiona.
43:42Let's go.
43:43I left resolutely without looking back.
43:49Ely, I regret it.
43:50He said softly in the wind.
43:52I knew that.
43:54But what difference did it make?
43:55Some things were lost forever.
43:57Like New York University.
43:59Like the teenager himself.
44:04Over the next few days, my phone kept ringing non-stop.
44:09All calls were from my parents.
44:12I set my phone to silent.
44:15I put it in the drawer.
44:17I didn't want to hear their apologies.
44:20It was too late.
44:21I didn't need them anymore.
44:24Kimberly would tell me about their situation every day.
44:27This morning, your mom was crying downstairs at the studio.
44:32She was holding a photo of you as a child.
44:36Your dad came too.
44:38He was leaning on a cane.
44:40He looked much older.
44:42I just nodded.
44:44I asked her to keep them outside.
44:45I didn't let them in to disturb my work.
44:48On Friday night, after working overtime, I left the studio.
44:53As soon as I turned into the alley, I heard familiar sounds of arguing.
44:57It was Melanie and my parents.
45:00Why do you get to apologize to her?
45:02Why do you give her the house?
45:04I'm your daughter.
45:05Melanie's voice was choked with tears.
45:08It was sharp as nail scraping glass.
45:11She was the one who pushed me down the stairs.
45:13She wrote in her diary to insult me.
45:15Have you forgotten?
45:16How can you take her side?
45:21Dad's voice was louder than ever.
45:24It was filled with exhaustion and anger.
45:27You fell on your own.
45:29You admitted it just yesterday.
45:31You even lied to us, saying she changed your homework.
45:35Saying she stole your necklace.
45:37How many things have you kept from us?
45:39I hid around the corner of the alley.
45:41I felt nothing in particular.
45:44Just a sense of irony.
45:46After all these years, they finally learned the truth.
45:49But I stopped caring long ago.
45:52So what if I admit it?
45:54Melanie screamed.
45:56She took my place for seven years.
45:59If not for her, all your love would have been mine.
46:01I wanted her to suffer.
46:03Changing her college choices, driving her away.
46:05It was all me who made you do it.
46:07Why blame me now?
46:08You spoiled me.
46:10You said you'd love me forever.
46:14Mom's sobs came through.
46:16They were suppressed.
46:18Mel, how could you say that?
46:20We thought you were just sensitive.
46:22We never imagined you'd be so cruel.
46:26Ely has suffered so much over the years.
46:28And we never knew.
46:30Suffered?
46:30What did she suffer?
46:34Melanie sneered.
46:35She lived in the old house.
46:38But I was kidnapped by traffickers.
46:40I've had it much harder than her.
46:43You should make it up to me.
46:45Dad sighed.
46:46His voice was hoarse.
46:48We were wrong.
46:50Wrong to always favor you.
46:52Wrong not to trust Ely.
46:54We owe her an apology.
46:56I didn't listen to the rest.
47:01I turned and went back to my apartment.
47:04I took out the severance agreement I had prepared long ago from the drawer.
47:11I had spent a long time writing that agreement.
47:15It clearly stated.
47:17From now on, I have no familial relationship with Patrick Britt, Lella Valdez, or Melanie Britt.
47:23We will not interfere in each other's lives, nor bear any obligation of support or care.
47:30The Britt family's assets have nothing to do with me.
47:36The next day I had my lawyer deliver the agreement to Dad's company.
47:41When the lawyer returned, he told me.
47:46Mr. Britt's hands were shaking as he read the agreement.
47:49Mrs. Britt cried and tore it up.
47:51Then she picked up the pieces and carefully glued them back together before signing.
47:55Maloney didn't sign and cursed you a few times.
47:57I nodded without saying anything.
47:59Whether she signed or not didn't matter.
48:02My parents' signatures were enough.
48:05Kimberly brought me a cup of hot coffee.
48:08She said it in front of me.
48:10Ely, do you really not regret it?
48:12After all, they're your parents.
48:14I looked out at the trees beyond the window.
48:17Their leaves were scattered all over the ground.
48:19Bleak and desolate.
48:22No.
48:23I picked up the coffee and took a sip.
48:26It was bitter.
48:27I'm no longer the little girl who longed for their love.
48:31Cutting ties is better for all of us.
48:33All those years of grievance were like a cup of bitter coffee.
48:37Once swallowed, you can never spit it out.
48:39From now on, I only want to live for myself.
48:42Three months after signing the severance agreement, I packed my bags and left Los Angeles.
48:49This city carried too many memories for me.
48:53Some good, some bad.
48:55And now it was time to let them go.
48:58I went to a small town in the south.
49:02I rented an apartment with a balcony.
49:05Outside the balcony stood an old locust tree.
49:09It bloomed with many fragrant white flowers in summer.
49:14Every morning, I took photos of the street.
49:20In the evenings, I sat on the balcony reading.
49:27Occasionally, I accepted a few photography jobs from out of town.
49:33Life was very peaceful.
49:39Kimberly would regularly send me messages about Los Angeles.
49:44Melanie was kicked out by your parents because she secretly took the family's money to gamble.
49:50She racked up a lot of debt.
49:55Later, she went to find Jeffrey and the two of them still got married.
50:01But they argue every day.
50:06Jeffrey messed up his job, too.
50:09He got fired by the company.
50:12Now he spends every day drinking at home.
50:16When he's drunk, he yells at Melanie.
50:18And Melanie cries.
50:21Their life is a complete mess.
50:23I looked at the messages.
50:25I felt nothing inside.
50:28Whether their days were good or bad, it no longer had anything to do with me.
50:33I only occasionally thought of my childhood.
50:38Dad teaching me to ride a bike.
50:43Mom braiding my hair.
50:45Those warm scenes flashed through my mind like old movies.
50:49But quickly faded away.
50:54Two years later, I held a solo photography exhibition in the small town.
50:58Most of the photos on display were street scenes.
51:02Elderly people sitting at their doorsteps, basking in the sun.
51:06They held palm fans.
51:08Children running through the alleys.
51:10They clutched ice cream in their hands.
51:13Some featured couples holding hands and smiling sweetly under the old locust tree.
51:19None of the Brit family appeared in these photos.
51:23Nor was there any trace of Los Angeles.
51:26Only my life as it is now.
51:29On the day the exhibition opened, many people came.
51:34I was signing my name in a corner of the gallery when someone gently tapped my arm.
51:41I looked up.
51:42I was stunned it was my parents.
51:46Mom's hair had turned much grayer.
51:49It was neatly combed.
51:51She was still wearing that dark red dress from years ago.
51:55Though it had faded from many washes.
52:00Dad leaned on a cane.
52:02His back was hunched.
52:04Deep wrinkles were etched into his face.
52:07He looked much older.
52:09They stood in front of one of my photos.
52:11It showed an old house.
52:14It was very much like the one I used to live in.
52:17Dad's fingers gently brushed the photo.
52:20His eyes were full of nostalgia.
52:23I said nothing.
52:25I continued signing my name.
52:27My heart was beating a little fast.
52:30But I felt very calm inside.
52:33I no longer hated them.
52:35Nor did I love them.
52:36They just felt a little unfamiliar.
52:39Dad slowly walked over.
52:42He held a brown envelope.
52:44He handed it to me.
52:45His hand was cold.
52:47It was covered in calluses.
52:49The result of years of holding a pen.
52:54Ely, this is an apology letter.
52:57We know you won't forgive us.
52:59But we still wanted to write it for you.
53:03I took the envelope.
53:04It was thick.
53:06When my fingertips touched his hand, he quickly pulled away.
53:10Like a child who had done something wrong.
53:16We're leaving now.
53:18Mom looked at me.
53:19Her eyes were red but not crying.
53:21Her voice trembled a little.
53:23Take good care of yourself here.
53:25When it gets cold, remember to wear more clothes.
53:31Don't catch colds all the time like you did when you were little.
53:33I nodded.
53:35I said nothing.
53:36They walked out slowly.
53:38Dad moved very slowly.
53:40Mom supported him, step by step, without looking back.
53:45The gallery lights were warm.
53:47I opened the envelope.
53:49I found several sheets of yellowed letter paper.
53:53The handwriting was crooked.
53:55It was Dad's writing.
53:57He wrote a lot.
53:59About the year Melanie came back when I was seven.
54:03And how panicked they were.
54:05About when I was 12 and got kicked out.
54:08How he secretly went to the old house at night.
54:11How he saw me crying into my blanket.
54:15And how much it hurt him.
54:17About changing my college application when I was 18.
54:20And how much he regretted it.
54:24About how over the past 10 years they tried to find me.
54:28And thought about me.
54:30The last line read.
54:32Ely, we're sorry.
54:34You must live well, better than us.
54:41Tears fell onto the letter.
54:43They blurred the ink.
54:44I read it again.
54:46And again.
54:49Dad's handwriting was crooked.
54:50Unsteady.
54:52The hand of an old man who had lost his fine motor skills.
54:56He wrote about the night they told Melanie I was adopted.
55:00How Mom had cried herself to sleep for a week afterward.
55:04How Dad had driven to the old house in the rain just to check if the light was still on
55:08in my window.
55:09He wrote about the day he changed my college application.
55:13I knew it was wrong the moment I signed it.
55:16But Melanie was crying.
55:18She said she'd run away if I didn't.
55:20I was a coward, Ely.
55:22I chose the easy path and you paid the price.
55:24He wrote about the ten years of silence.
55:28How Mom saved every photo of me she could find in a shoebox under her bed.
55:34How Dad drove past my old apartment building once a month, hoping to catch a glimpse of me.
55:39I pressed the letter against my chest.
55:43The paper was warm from my tears.
55:46All these years I thought they had forgotten me.
55:49They hadn't.
55:52They were just too weak, too guilty, too broken to come find me.
55:56I folded the letter.
55:57I put it in my bag.
55:59I walked to the window.
56:01I watched my parents' figures slowly disappear around the corner.
56:06Dad leaned heavily on his cane.
56:10Mom's arm was linked through his.
56:12They walked like to people carrying a weight they knew they could never put down.
56:17The wind was gentle.
56:19It brushed my face.
56:20It carried the scent of the old locust tree.
56:24I knew I would never forgive them.
56:26But I would not hate them anymore, either.
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