- 18 hours ago
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00:01At my daughter's seventh birthday party, she was just about to call out for her dad to cut the cake.
00:06But Julian shoved her away in front of everyone.
00:09Don't call me that. I'm not your father.
00:13He slammed a DNA test report onto the table.
00:17I couldn't defend myself.
00:19My parents each slapped me across the face on the spot.
00:23Eleanor Wren, who had only just been reclaimed by the Wren family,
00:27nestled in my husband's arms, feigning innocence with red-rimmed eyes.
00:31I'm so sorry, Camellia.
00:33I just casually mentioned that Leela didn't like Julian.
00:36I never thought Julian would actually go and get a test done.
00:39From that day on, I was branded a slut.
00:41And my daughter became a bastard child, scorned by everyone.
00:46Later, Julian filed for divorce.
00:48For my daughter's sake, I wanted to beg him to do another DNA test.
00:53But I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his friend.
00:57You slandered Camellia a slut and Leela a bastard.
01:00All for Elena's sake.
01:01Are you afraid your wife and kid will actually leave?
01:05Afraid of what?
01:06Camellia's parents.
01:07I mean her adoptive parents.
01:09They know about the forged DNA test as well.
01:12Who told her to take up so many years of Elena's life?
01:15Once Elena feels better, I'll remarry her.
01:17Camille can't leave me.
01:19Even after the divorce, she'll keep waiting for me.
01:22I thought of my daughter, crying as she asked me whether her daddy really didn't want her anymore.
01:28I clenched my fists so tightly, and my nails dug into my palms.
01:32The next day, without crying or making a scene, I completed the divorce proceedings with him.
01:38But what he didn't know was that after walking out of the New York City clerk's office,
01:43I turned around and registered my marriage with another man.
01:49Outside the room, overhearing Julian's careless words, I could barely stay on my feet.
01:54His friend was about to say something more, but Julian cut him off with a light laugh.
01:59Alright, when the time comes, I'll just play dumb.
02:02I'll say it was a mix-up at the hospital.
02:04She'll come back on her own.
02:07I leaned against the wall, my chest aching sharply.
02:10Just hours earlier, Lila had come home from St. Helena's school in tears.
02:15Her precious school uniform was covered in mud, and her knees were scraped raw and bleeding.
02:21I called the teacher.
02:22The voice on the other end was cold and demanded that we transfer schools.
02:26Lila's mother, do you really want me to be blunt about it?
02:29Your personal life has been a mess, and the whole city knows that.
02:33Is there even one child here doesn't know she's a bastard?
02:37The other parents in the class have serious objections.
02:39Our school is also in a difficult position.
02:42I hung up and held my trembling daughter, my heart breaking.
02:47She looked up at me with her tear-stained face and asked,
02:51Mom, if I really am Dad's child, would he start to love me again?
02:56For Lila's words, I cast aside my dignity and went to find Julian again.
03:01I begged him to do the DNA test again.
03:06But I never imagined that I would end up here, overhearing these cruel words.
03:11In his eyes, it was an insignificant matter to publicly forge a DNA test and deface me.
03:17And every insult and humiliation that Lila and I had endured
03:20was nothing more than a performance he had staged to please another woman.
03:25Even my adoptive parents, who had always claimed to love me more than anything,
03:30were accomplices in this scheme.
03:32I closed my eyes in anguish.
03:35Inside the room, their laughter and chatter went on.
03:38With that child, Lila, I just saw her being called a bastard by a group of kids crying as she
03:43came out of school.
03:44You can really bear to let her suffer like that?
03:47If she finds out the truth, will she want you as her father?
03:50Julian's tone was full of arrogant certainty, as if he controlled everything.
03:54Kids have short memories. What's a little suffering?
03:58Besides, she's my own daughter.
04:00Do you really think she'd actually disown me?
04:03I clenched my fists, nails cutting into my palms, but felt no pain.
04:09In the past, I would have burst through the door and demanded loudly.
04:13But this time, I simply turned and walked away in silence.
04:16This time, I was definitely getting divorced.
04:21I packed a few changes of clothes and brought Lila back to the Wren house.
04:25Every time I had come back before, my adoptive parents, Richard Wren and Catherine Wren,
04:30would smile and come up to me before I even stepped inside.
04:34But this time, the contempt in Catherine's voice was unconcealed.
04:38Why are you coming back?
04:41Mom, I have nowhere else to go.
04:43I just want to bring Lila to stay for one night.
04:46Catherine let out a cold laugh.
04:48The Wren house isn't some kind of shelter.
04:50Don't bring your bad luck in here.
04:53My chest tightened.
04:55Lila peeked out from behind me, timid and careful.
04:59Grandpa. Grandma.
05:01Her voice was soft and gentle, as it had always been.
05:04Don't call us that.
05:05We don't have such shameless relatives like you.
05:10Waiting for them to take her into their arms, but their expressions were stone cold.
05:15It was as if someone had struck me over the head.
05:17I stood there, frozen.
05:20Just a few days apart, had we fallen from family to strangers who couldn't even be claimed as distant relatives?
05:26I still remembered Richard lifting me above his head,
05:29saying that Cammy was the pride and joy of the Wren family.
05:33I remembered Catherine used to tell everyone she met how wonderful I was,
05:37how proud she was of me.
05:39But ever since Elena came back, their love for me seemed to have been taken back overnight.
05:44The projects in my hands were stripped away, one by one.
05:48The connections and resources I had worked so hard to build were transferred to Elena's name, piece by piece.
05:55At the time, I had reassured myself.
05:58At the time, I had reassured myself.
05:59Elena was their biological daughter.
06:00It was only natural they made it up to her.
06:03But now, I finally understood the truth.
06:06They resented me.
06:09Julian's cruel words were still ringing in my ears.
06:12Just to vent Elena's anger, they had condoned that scheme to ruin my reputation,
06:16and had pressed me and Lila beneath their feet without a moment's hesitation.
06:21At this thought, I pushed down all the surging emotions and spoke carefully.
06:26What if there was something wrong with that DNA test?
06:29What if the results were incorrect?
06:32Catherine paused for a moment.
06:35The evidence is clear.
06:36Are you still trying to make excuses?
06:38Richard looked at me coldly as well.
06:40So many people witnessed it.
06:42You've brought shame upon the Wynne family.
06:45If a DNA test still isn't enough to convince you, what more do you want?
06:50Do we need to catch you in the act before you'll admit it?
06:54A bone-deep chill crept up inside me.
06:56They knew.
06:58They knew perfectly well that none of it was true.
07:01But in this very moment, they were still cursing me with such venom.
07:05Enough.
07:06If you really want to stay here, then you issue a statement tomorrow.
07:11You will publicly admit to misconduct during your marriage
07:14and acknowledge that Lila is not Julian's child.
07:17Then you step down from your core position at Rain Hardings
07:20and transfer your shares to Elena unconditionally.
07:23I could barely believe what I was hearing.
07:25Admit what?
07:27Lila is not a bastard child at all!
07:30What else could a fake give both to but another fake?
07:33A loud ringing hit my head.
07:35Something inside me shattered completely.
07:37Just then, footsteps sounded from upstairs.
07:41Elena came down.
07:42Mom, Dad, please don't be like this.
07:46She looked over at me, her voice soft and gentle.
07:49Camellia, I know you're hurting.
07:51But Mom and Dad are getting old and the Wynne family needs to protect its reputation.
07:56You can't drag everyone else down because of your personal choices.
07:59Just admit your mistake first.
08:01Once things blow over, we'll all still be family.
08:04She then looked down at Lila, her eyes full of fake sympathy.
08:08As for whether the child is Julian's biological daughter?
08:12Julian is such a good person.
08:13He won't hold it against you.
08:15Before I wanted to say something, Richard and Catherine had already run out of patience.
08:20They ordered the servants to throw my belongings at you.
08:23We raised you for 20 years.
08:25We were willing to leave you with some dignity.
08:28But since you refuse to admit your faults, don't come back to the Wynne house again.
08:37By the time I left the Wynne house, it was very late into the night.
08:41Lila was curled up in my arms, her eyes red and swollen, not making a sound.
08:47I bent down and gently stroked the ends of her hair, assuming she was exhausted from crying,
08:53and hurried to find somewhere to stay.
08:55By the time I was standing in the lobby of the Aster Grand, I was completely messed.
08:59Excuse me, I'd like to book a suite, please.
09:01I handed over the supplementary card.
09:03The receptionist swiped it, then looked up at me.
09:06I'm sorry, madam. This card has been frozen.
09:09My heart plummeted.
09:10I pulled out my own bank card.
09:12But I found that the savings in my own account had been transferred out as well.
09:17My fingertips went cold.
09:18I felt sick.
09:20Julian had really gone this far.
09:22He didn't just want me to bow down.
09:24He wanted to cut off every last way out.
09:27The receptionist's voice was flat.
09:30Madam, will you still need to check in?
09:32My throat tightened.
09:34I quickly reached out to my closest friend for help.
09:37Can you lend me some money or book a room for me, just somewhere for me and Lila to stay
09:41tonight?
09:45There was a brief silence on the other end, and she lowered her voice.
09:50Cammie, it's not that I don't want to help.
09:53It's just that my company's currently in talks with Marino Group on a collaboration.
09:57You've stirred up too much problem.
09:58If I get the mayor's shed, the company could get dried into you.
10:01I hung up and stared at my own reflection in the marble floor, and suddenly felt like laughing.
10:06I had lived for over twenty years, and it turned out I had nothing.
10:11All I had left was my daughter in my arms, the only one who would stand by my side without
10:16hesitation.
10:17But in the very next moment she swayed and went limp, falling softly against me.
10:23I reached out and touched her forehead, and my heart dropped instantly.
10:27She was burning up.
10:29I had no choice but to scroll through my entire contact list, until my finger stopped on the name I
10:35had least wanted to trouble.
10:37Sebastian Bellini
10:38He was the godfather of the New York underworld, a man no one dared to cross, with influence over both
10:48sides of the law.
10:49But all most people knew him simply as the president of Bellini Global.
10:53After finally managing to get money, I lifted Lila in my arms and walked back to the front desk.
10:59Could you please book me a room? My daughter has a fever.
11:03But the receptionist suddenly rolled her eyes.
11:06No wonder your card was frozen.
11:08You're that Rick family adopted daughter? The one who cheated on her husband?
11:12I froze. She looked me up and down.
11:15You're already rotten to your core, but you still bring a bastard to shame everyone around you.
11:20This is a respectable hotel. I'll have to ask you to leave. Don't stain the place.
11:26The guests nearby all turned to stare at me.
11:29I wanted to explain myself, but there was nothing I could say.
11:32I had no choice but to hold Lila close and leave the hotel with my head down.
11:37Out on the street in the dead of night, the cold wind cut like a blade.
11:42Lila was feverish and barely conscious, her face buried in the crook of my neck.
11:48Daddy, don't leave me.
11:52Those few words tore my heart to pieces.
11:55I clenched my jaw and finally took out my phone and dialed Julian's number.
12:00Ten calls. No answer.
12:03My fingers trembling, I edited a message and sent it.
12:07Lila has a fever. Can you come?
12:09After a long time, he finally replied.
12:11The child isn't even mine. I'm not going to play along with your sob story.
12:16I stared at those cold words on the screen.
12:19The world around me was full of noise and movement, but I couldn't even bring myself to cry.
12:24In the end, I took Lila to the hospital alone.
12:27The emergency corridor was busy with people passing by.
12:31I had just finished registering when I heard a familiar voice.
12:36Julian supported Elena walking into the emergency room.
12:39The nurse handed Julian the examination report.
12:42Early pregnancy bleeding, this is the sign of a threatened miscarriage.
12:45The first few months are critical.
12:47As her husband, you need to be more careful.
12:50Don't put a pregnant woman through unnecessary stress.
12:53Are you still in pain?
12:54Julian reached out and took the report, instinctively drawing Elena closer under his arm.
12:59Elena shook her head gently, her eyes rimmed red.
13:03Julian's brow furrowed.
13:04Don't go back tonight.
13:06I'll take care of my place. I'll take care of you.
13:09Yes.
13:09Elena bit her lip and murmured a quiet yes, leaning into his embrace.
13:14I stood on the spot, feeling my blood turn to ice, inch by inch.
13:19Many years ago, when I was pregnant with Lila, he had held me the same way.
13:24The morning sickness had been so severe back then, and I couldn't even keep water down.
13:29He had dropped everything on the spot and stayed by my side for all ten months without complaint.
13:35He had said to me,
13:40But now, it was he who called Lila a bastard.
13:43It was he who had pushed Lila and me into the abyss with his own hands.
13:48I suddenly felt like laughing.
13:50So this was how genuine a person could be when they love you,
13:53and this was how cruel they could be when they didn't.
13:56Lila was still burning up in my arms.
13:58Then my phone buzzed.
14:00I looked down and saw a message from Julian.
14:04Camellia, I'm done waiting.
14:05Three days later, meet at New York City clerk's office.
14:08I pushed down the pain inside me and typed back,
14:11Fine.
14:13If he doesn't love our child, I will find a strong father who truly loves her for my kid.
14:20Once Lila had recovered, I brought her back to Julian's place to collect my documents.
14:24Before I went in, I turned on the voice recorder on my phone and slipped it into my pocket.
14:30I thought I was ready.
14:31But when I opened the door and saw Elena wearing my nightgown and sitting in the sofa,
14:36something in my chest still twisted.
14:38She tilted her head and smiled at me.
14:41All innocence.
14:42Camellia, you two are getting divorced soon anyway.
14:45You're not the lady of the Merino anymore.
14:47You don't mind me borrowing your clothes, do you?
14:50I didn't respond.
14:51I simply looked around.
14:52In just two short days,
14:54the home I had lived in for eight years was already filled with traces of Elena everywhere.
14:59I kept my emotions in check and took Lila's hand, heading toward the bedroom.
15:04But Elena bent down and took a cake out of the refrigerator.
15:09Lila, you didn't have any on your birthday.
15:11I made this specially to make it up to you.
15:13I've been waiting for you to come back.
15:14The birthday party was a wound of humiliation for Lila.
15:17But Elena kept finding ways to pour salt into it, again and again.
15:21Even though you're not Julia's child, you're still an innocent girl.
15:25Come on, have a taste.
15:26Lila's face went pale.
15:28She looked up at me, eyes brimming with tears, as if she had done something wrong.
15:33I swallowed my fury.
15:34We don't need it.
15:35Elena paused for a moment.
15:37Are you waiting for Julian to come cut the cake with you?
15:40I'll call him right now, okay?
15:45Lila, don't worry.
15:46I've already talked to him about it.
15:47Even after your mom and dad divorce, he'll still look after you.
15:49For my sake.
15:51Lila went even paler.
15:52Her fingers clutched the hem of my clothes.
15:54I stared at that disgusting cake, my stomach turning.
15:58The next second, I raised my hand, swept the cake to the floor,
16:01and slapped her heart across the face.
16:03The cream burst open and splattered in sticky streaks across the carpet.
16:08Elena let out a shriek and pressed her hands to her face, tears spilling down instantly.
16:13Camille, I was only trying to be kind to you.
16:15How could you do that?
16:17At that moment, Julian came out.
16:19The fury in his eyes ignited on the spot.
16:21In the next second, he slapped me so hard that my head whipped to the side.
16:29Camille, haven't you had enough?
16:31Making a scene like this, aren't you embarrassed?
16:34I suddenly laughed.
16:35You forged a DNA test on Lila's birthday.
16:37Weren't you embarrassed then?
16:39You brought Elena to the emergency room for an obstetrics appointment.
16:43Weren't you embarrassed about that either?
16:45Julian's brow flicker.
16:46What are you talking about?
16:48If you throw any more filth at us, don't blame me for what comes next.
16:52He shoved me and my daughter into the bedroom.
16:55Get in there and think about what you've done.
16:58Tomorrow morning, you're going to the New York City clerk's office to finalize the divorce.
17:02You were the one at fault.
17:04Don't even think about taking a single cent from the Marino family.
17:07You'll leave with nothing.
17:10The door was locked from the outside.
17:13I fell apart completely, tears pouring out of me like a dam breaking.
17:17But Lila raised her little hand and gently wiped the corners of my eyes, like a little adult.
17:23Don't cry, Mom.
17:25Mom, if Daddy doesn't want us anymore, then we don't want him either.
17:29That night, looking into my daughter's steady gaze, I finally made up my mind.
17:33The next day, at the New York City clerk's office, the moment the paperwork was done and I got the
17:39divorce documents, Julian still wore that same smug certainty.
17:42Camille, if you lower your head and admit your mistakes right now, it's not too late.
17:46No need.
17:47I'm in a hurry to get a marriage license.
17:49I'm...
17:51I looked up and met his gaze.
17:52At my words, he paused, as if he had just heard something absurd.
17:56A marriage license?
17:57What are you registering for?
17:59At that moment, a black sports car came to a smooth stop at the foot of the steps.
18:04Right in front of Julian, I took Sebastian's hand without hesitation and walked back inside.
18:08With Julian's gaze chasing after us, I handed our documents to the clerk.
18:13Hello.
18:13We're here to register our marriage.
18:16The clerk took our documents and began verifying the information as usual.
18:20I didn't turn around, but I could clearly feel the stare at my back, sharp as a nail being driven
18:25in.
18:26Julian had clearly not yet processed what was happening.
18:29He stood frozen for two seconds, then let out a cold laugh.
18:33Camille, are you done with your performance?
18:37Just to spite me, you'll really put on any show.
18:41He stormed up the steps, trying to barge in, but a clerk moved to block him.
18:45Sir, please do not disrupt other people's business.
18:48Julian's expression darkened considerably.
18:50His gaze cut past the clerk and locked onto my hand clasped with Sebastian Bellini's.
18:56Madam, please confirm your information.
18:58I took the form and read it over carefully, then nodded.
19:01Yes.
19:02Sebastian stood at my side, his expression unhurried and composed.
19:06When he raised his hand to sign his name, he didn't even blink.
19:10A few steps away, Julian's breathing grew heavier and heavier.
19:14Camille, how dare you?
19:16If you go through with this today, you'll regret it.
19:21I turned my head and gave him an indifferent look.
19:23The one who'll regret this won't be me.
19:26Just over ten minutes.
19:28Under the clerk's guidance, Sebastian and I were photographed, had our fingerprints taken, and completed all the formalities.
19:35The official seal came down.
19:37When two marriage certificates were placed in our hands, Julian went completely rigid.
19:42Until now, his gaze truly landed on Sebastian.
19:45Sebastian Bellini?
19:46He practically ground the name out between his teeth.
19:49What, Bellini Global loses one small project to me, and you have so much free time to come play house
19:53with my ex-wife?
19:54Julian, we're already divorced.
20:00His expression hardened.
20:01Divorced or not, you're still mine.
20:04You were before, and you will be.
20:08What gives you the right?
20:10Am I supposed to sit here being defamed as a cheater while raising our daughter and waiting for you to
20:14change your mind?
20:16Or should I do what you planned?
20:18Wait until Elena feels better?
20:22And then accept it when you graciously dave to remarry me?
20:27You heard that?
20:30So this is just you acting out?
20:32Dragging my worst enemy into a little performance to get back at me?
20:36Since you heard everything, you should understand my intentions.
20:40Do you know how much Elena suffered out there all those years?
20:42You took her place for so long?
20:44Isn't it only fair that you endure a little hardship now?
20:48Besides, I never truly intended to let you go.
20:52Once she's at peace with everything, I'll remarry you.
20:56Lila will still be a child of Marino.
20:59He'll still be Mrs. Marino.
21:03I looked at him, and nearly laughed out loud in disbelief.
21:07Julian, you were the one who filed for divorce and dragged me here.
21:10What's done is done.
21:12Who I'm with now is my own business.
21:14His eyes darkened.
21:16Your own business?
21:18Camellia, don't forget.
21:20You just left my side.
21:22He reached out to grab my arm,
21:24but Sebastian stepped smoothly in front of me, blocking him.
21:27Mr. Marino, I'll ask you to show some respect.
21:31She is my wife now.
21:33Julian looked as though he had just been told something utterly ridiculous.
21:36What did you just say?
21:39You think two pieces of fake paper count for anything?
21:44But even as the words left his mouth,
21:46his voice was already trembling at the end.
21:50Sebastian couldn't be bothered to repeat himself.
21:52He simply reached into his inner jacket pocket,
21:55drew out the red certificate,
21:57flipped it open with one hand,
21:59and held it up toward Julian.
22:01Julian snatched it away.
22:03His fingers were shaking.
22:05A moment later, his face drained of color.
22:09Camellia, how dare you actually marry someone else?
22:11I said nothing.
22:13But then he suddenly erupted.
22:15I really underestimated you.
22:20The moment the divorce is done,
22:22you can't wait to move on to the next one.
22:25That DNA test wasn't wrong about you after all.
22:31And you, Balloonie,
22:33you can't stand being bested by me
22:35so you come to pick up this kind of loose and worthless woman.
22:39Julian,
22:41watch your mouth.
22:44You're not in a position to judge who she is.
22:48From the moment she married me,
22:50everything about her stopped being any of your concern,
22:52including her daughter.
22:53Julian's breath caught.
22:55His expression turned utterly ugly.
22:57Lila,
22:58come here.
23:00Daddy will take you home.
23:04You're not my dad.
23:09Julian's face went white in an instant.
23:12His hand froze in midair,
23:14as though every drop of color had been drained from it.
23:17What are you talking about?
23:19I was just joking before.
23:21I'm your dad.
23:22Why are you pulling away?
23:24Lila bit her lip,
23:26her eyes reddening.
23:27But in the next moment,
23:29she reached out and grabbed Sebastian's hand.
23:31Daddy, let's go.
23:33Sebastian responded with a quiet,
23:35sound and took two of us toward the car.
23:38Julian stood frozen on the spot.
23:40I sat in the back seat.
23:42The scenery outside the window slid away,
23:45frame by frame.
23:46My heart was still hammering.
23:48My phone screen kept lighting up.
23:51A message from my best friend appeared.
23:53No way?
23:54You actually married Sebastian Bellini of Bellini Global?
24:01I stared at those words,
24:03then looked toward the familiar but somehow unfamiliar profile in the driver's seat.
24:09Even I felt a little dazed.
24:11Right up until last night,
24:13I had never imagined things would come to this.
24:16If I hadn't been completely out of options,
24:19I would never have scrolled through my entire contact list and stopped on his number.
24:24Sebastian Bellini.
24:26Sebastian Bellini.
24:26Something like a story from my youth that never had an ending.
24:30We were inseparable as kids,
24:32and we almost ended up together.
24:34But then I married Julian,
24:36and he went abroad.
24:38Whatever faint connections had existed between us
24:41were severed cleanly after that.
24:43I had only meant to borrow some money from him,
24:46lean on some of his connections.
24:55Just that one sentence.
24:57I nearly fell apart on the spot.
25:00I came back to myself and looked down,
25:02gripping my bag more tightly.
25:05Sebastian.
25:06He made a sound of acknowledgement.
25:10If you hadn't let me that money,
25:11I honestly don't know what Lila and I would have done.
25:13Even saying it,
25:14my throat tightened.
25:15But I don't want you getting dragged into this mess because of me.
25:19Once things settle down,
25:20whenever you want a divorce,
25:22I'll sign the papers anytime.
25:24The words fell,
25:25and the car went suddenly quiet.
25:27A moment later,
25:28the car pulled over at the side of the road.
25:32Camelia.
25:34I don't have to play along with your act.
25:39When I signed that certificate,
25:40I was serious.
25:44My fingertips curled inward sharply.
25:47Lila had woken up without my noticing.
25:50She leaned against my side,
25:52her little face still slightly pale,
25:54but her eyes were bright.
25:56Mom didn't do anything wrong,
25:57and neither did I.
26:00The people who should be afraid
26:01are the ones who actually did wrong.
26:06Lila.
26:07She tightened her grip on my hand.
26:09Wherever Mom goes,
26:11I'll be right there with you.
26:12Then she glanced carefully toward Sebastian,
26:15as if she were afraid of saying the wrong thing.
26:18Sebastian's expression finally softened.
26:21He turned slightly toward her,
26:23lowering his voice.
26:24It's okay, Lila.
26:26Go home with Daddy.
26:30Soon, the car pulled into the suburb.
26:33I had always assumed that a family like the Bellini family
26:37would live in some extravagantly opulent estate.
26:40But when the car stopped,
26:42I found that Sebastian's home was simply a quiet,
26:45detached house with a small yard.
26:47Sir, the doctor has arrived.
26:49Sebastian gave a small nod and opened the car door for me.
26:53Lila had just stepped out,
26:54still a little overwhelmed.
26:56I'm fine already.
26:58The fever's gone.
26:59Easy now.
27:00The doctor is just here to take a look at you.
27:03Lila was gently taken inside.
27:05It was only then that I learned Sebastian
27:07had already heard the rumors outside.
27:10He hadn't called the doctor on a whim.
27:12And his worry hadn't only been about Lila's fever.
27:15What he had truly been concerned about
27:18was whether the cruel words people said
27:20might leave psychological wounds on a seven-year-old child.
27:23She's very young.
27:26There are a lot of feelings she won't know how to put into words,
27:28so she'll just hold them inside.
27:32It's better to have her checked.
27:34Then we can stop worrying.
27:36My throat tightened,
27:37and I couldn't speak for a moment.
27:39Even her own biological father
27:41hadn't thought this carefully.
27:47Honey, you can skip the formalities.
27:52If you really want to thank me,
27:53I don't mind other ways.
27:55His breath moved closer.
27:57The tips of my ears went hot immediately.
27:59I...
28:00A low laugh sounded near my ear.
28:04No rush.
28:06We have all the time in the world.
28:08The days after moving into Sebastian's home,
28:11I felt unexpectedly easy.
28:13He didn't push me to immediately settle
28:16into the identity of Mrs. Bellini.
28:19He didn't use the marriage certificate
28:21as leverage to ask anything of me in return.
28:24Most of the time,
28:26he was simply there,
28:27quietly accompanying the two of us.
28:30Under his care,
28:32Lila slowly began to recover
28:33and even started asking me
28:35when she could go back to St. Helena's school.
28:38To keep me from staying stuck in the past,
28:40Sebastian encouraged me to return to work.
28:43What I didn't anticipate
28:44was how quickly things would shift.
28:50When I had just secured
28:51the Westside Cultural and Tourism Development Project,
28:55the Wren family called
28:56and demand an explanation.
28:58This project was the biggest chance
29:00for Wren Holdings at a comeback
29:02in the past two years.
29:04I had worked day and night for this project,
29:07pulling every connection I had.
29:09When they pushed me out of the company,
29:12the role of Project Lead
29:13passed naturally to Elena.
29:15Elena had her methods
29:17when it came to appearing innocent.
29:19But when it came to actually managing a project,
29:22she was completely lost.
29:24At a private Bellini family dinner,
29:26I reconnected with the other party.
29:29When they found out
29:30that the Project Lead
29:31had been swapped out without warning,
29:33they announced on the spot
29:34that they were suspending
29:36their collaboration with Wren Holdings.
29:38Because of this,
29:39the Wren family hated me even more.
29:42They dug up the birthday party incident again,
29:45rehashing it all online.
29:47They didn't forget to drag Sebastian
29:49through the mud while they were at it.
29:51But this time,
29:52I was done being patient.
29:56I reached out directly
29:58to every media contact I had
30:00and released everything in one go.
30:03The forged DNA test,
30:06the video of Julian accompanying Elena
30:08to the obstetrics emergency room.
30:10The court of public opinion
30:12flipped immediately.
30:13My phone rang soon after.
30:15I picked up.
30:17Catherine's sharp voice
30:18came crashing down on me.
30:20Was it you who put all of that out there?
30:23Are you trying to destroy my daughter?
30:25Destroy the Wink family?
30:26You did shameful things yourself
30:28and now you have the nerve
30:29to squirr Alina and Julian?
30:30You delete all those posts right now
30:32and post a public apology.
30:34Do you really think
30:35you can go up against the Wink family
30:37just because you've got
30:37Sebastian Bellini on your side?
30:38Let me tell you,
30:39the Bellini family
30:40may not want a divorced woman
30:41with a ruined reputation,
30:42already divorced,
30:43dragging another man's child.
30:44The words had barely landed
30:46when Sebastian reached over
30:47and took the phone out of my hand.
30:52He put the call on speaker
30:54and spoke coldly.
30:55Mr. Weck,
30:56I respect you as an elder,
30:58but the Bellini family's things
30:59are none of your concern.
31:01After the call ended,
31:02my heart couldn't settle
31:03for a long time.
31:04I would never forget
31:05the first time I met
31:06Richard and Catherine.
31:08I had been like a stray cat back then.
31:10It was Catherine who crouched down.
31:12This is your home from now on.
31:14All right?
31:15I had always known
31:16how much I owed them,
31:18more than anyone.
31:19So I had always told myself
31:21I needed to be better behaved,
31:23work harder,
31:24and give back everything
31:25they had given me.
31:26The first time Richard
31:28brought me to the company,
31:29he held my hand
31:30and introduced me to everyone.
31:32This is my daughter,
31:34Camillia.
31:38I carried that moment
31:40with me for years.
31:41Whenever Renhold
31:42faced a crisis,
31:44I was always the first
31:45to step up.
31:47Even after Elena came back,
31:49I never once thought
31:50about competing with her.
31:52As long as she had simply
31:53asked me openly and honestly.
31:56The Ren family's love,
31:58the share of Renholdings,
32:00the connections
32:01I had spent years building,
32:03I would have given all of it.
32:05I hadn't fought for any of it.
32:07But she chose this way
32:09to smear me and my daughter,
32:11to destroy my life.
32:13All Lila had wanted
32:15was to wait for her father
32:16show up on her birthday
32:17and cut a slice of cake with her.
32:20She had only wanted
32:21what every child had,
32:23to be loved by her mom and dad.
32:25I closed my eyes.
32:28When I spoke,
32:29my voice came out so hoarse
32:31it barely sounded like my own.
32:33This time I will not back down.
32:39Because I needed to protect
32:40everything I wanted.
32:41I presented the evidence directly.
32:45Elena was not
32:46their biological daughter.
32:47And there was no child
32:49in Elena's belly at all.
32:51My daughter was
32:52the true bloodline of Julian.
32:54All of this devastated them.
32:56They even knelt before me
32:58and apologized.
32:59They begged me to come back
33:00and start over with them.
33:02Watching this farce unfold,
33:04I smiled coldly.
33:06Now I have my own career
33:08and a partner
33:09who truly loves me
33:11and my child.
33:13Everything from the past
33:14has long since
33:15drifted away from me.
33:17I no longer need to care.
33:19And I will never let them
33:20disturb my life again.
33:22Three years later,
33:24my career achieved
33:24tremendous success.
33:26My engagement also grew
33:28happier and happier.
33:30My daughter grew up
33:32in a healthy environment,
33:33becoming more and more cheerful.
33:36Although the first half
33:37of my life was filled
33:38with thorns,
33:39it is all in the past now.
33:41The three of us
33:43began traveling the world together
33:44with endless wealth,
33:47boundless love,
33:48and a life that was
33:49perfect in every way.
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