Dad, How Much For A Hug? (Full Movie AI)
A little girl struggle at her house cause everything in house need to cost but her parents only love their adopt girl and give all free.
#ai #technology #dramaai #shortdrama #saddrama #happydrama #fruitai #sadstory #revengestory #aidrama #aigenerate #aivideo #fantasydrama #fantasystory #lovestory #alpha #princess
A little girl struggle at her house cause everything in house need to cost but her parents only love their adopt girl and give all free.
#ai #technology #dramaai #shortdrama #saddrama #happydrama #fruitai #sadstory #revengestory #aidrama #aigenerate #aivideo #fantasydrama #fantasystory #lovestory #alpha #princess
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KesenanganTranskrip
00:00In my house, everything has a price tag.
00:03Water costs money, food costs money, even sleeping costs money.
00:09Mum and dad call it elite independence training.
00:12Then, why does my adopted little sister get everything for free?
00:25To pay off my debt, I sold myself to human traffickers.
00:39So, why did my parents, who called it elite education, end up crying with regret?
00:47Stella! No! No! No, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
00:57Everything at home has a price.
01:00Juice is 50 cents.
01:03A shower is $1.
01:05On my birthday, I took out the dollar I'd earned collecting bottles.
01:11Um, excuse me?
01:13Mom, can I buy a little piece of cake?
01:15I don't need any fruit on it.
01:17Is $1 enough?
01:18It's my birthday, too.
01:20It's $2.
01:21No money, no cake.
01:22This is part of your training.
01:26So, I went hungry and spent my $1 on 10 minutes of cartoons on dad's phone.
01:32Then, a payment alert popped up on the screen.
01:35Family card top-up, $10,000.
01:38Note, spending money for my precious adopted daughter.
01:41So, mom and dad's elite education was only for me.
01:46But I was their real daughter.
01:48That morning, I walked out of the house alone.
01:52A man asked if I wanted some candy.
01:55How much is the candy?
01:57It's free.
02:03Sir, does the ride cost money?
02:06I made $1 collecting bottles, but I spent it on cartoons.
02:10No, it's all free.
02:12I'll take you somewhere you can eat and sleep for free.
02:14I finally relaxed.
02:19Sir, are you going to sell me to someone else to be their daughter?
02:23Something like that.
02:24We're finding you a new home.
02:25Then, does water cost money there?
02:28They charge you for water at home?
02:30Uh-huh.
02:35Mom, I have a fever.
02:37My head hurts so much.
02:38Can I have some water?
02:42You really do have a fever, but don't think that means it's free.
02:46If you want water, pay $2.
03:06I've been in this business for over a decade, and I've never seen parents this stilgy.
03:10Are your parents Scrooge reincarnated?
03:12I didn't know what Scrooge meant, but I knew Dad was the CEO of a public company.
03:18He was generous.
03:20He donated millions to charity at a time.
03:22So why was he so stingy with me, even over 50 cents?
03:27Uncle, once you sell me to my new family, will I have money?
03:32Yeah.
03:33You'll have a lot of money.
03:35You can eat whatever you want.
03:44No one at home cared that I was gone.
03:47They ate breakfast like always.
03:50Honey, Evelyn loves piano.
03:52I know a teacher.
03:53His private lessons are 50 cal dollar a month.
03:55What do you think?
03:56If Evelyn likes it, do it.
04:01There's 500,000 on this card.
04:03It's for Evelyn's extracurriculars.
04:04Thank you, Daddy.
04:05You're the best.
04:07She glanced at the empty seat beside her.
04:09That was my seat.
04:10I often sat there and watched them eat.
04:13But if I wanted food, I had to pay.
04:16Huh?
04:16Where's Stella?
04:18Evelyn asked, pretending to be surprised.
04:21We're almost late for school.
04:22Is she throwing a tantrum again?
04:24Why can't she ever stop worrying Mom and Dad?
04:26Usually by then, I'd already polished everyone's shoes
04:29and mopped the floor to earn money for breakfast.
04:32We only refused her cake and now she's giving me attitude?
04:36We've spoiled her.
04:37Let her go hungry for a couple meals.
04:39Doris, get her.
04:41Otherwise, breakfast costs double today.
04:45A little later, Doris came back holding a tablet, looking uneasy.
04:49Sir, ma'am, you should see this.
04:53Only then did Mom and Dad finally realize I was gone.
05:02She ran away?
05:03How dare she?
05:05Ma'am, should we go look for Miss Stella?
05:07She barely has any money.
05:08Where could she possibly go?
05:09Leave her.
05:10She can't survive on her own.
05:12One hungry day outside and she'll come crying back.
05:14Then we'll charge her $10,000 just to come through the door.
05:18But an entire day passed and I still didn't come back.
05:23Gone all day?
05:24She's defying me.
05:26Even a dog knows to wag for a bone.
05:28I worked so hard to make her independent and she treats me like the enemy.
05:32Doris, clear out her room.
05:34Clear it out?
05:35Then where will Miss Stella sleep when she comes back?
05:37Turn her room into a dance studio for Evelyn.
05:40That's for where she'll sleep when she comes back.
05:42There's a storage room in the basement.
05:43Cheap rent.
05:44Five dollars a day.
05:45She can afford that.
05:46Really, Daddy?
05:47I can have a big dance studio?
05:49Of course.
05:50When has Daddy ever lied to you?
05:52You're my precious girl.
05:54You deserve the best.
05:55Whatever you want, Evelyn.
05:56Mom and Dad will give it to you.
05:58They spoil the adopted girl and treat their own like an enemy.
06:01Poor Stella.
06:03How did she end up with parents like that?
06:07Meanwhile, I was blindfolded and taken to an abandoned factory.
06:14When the blindfold came off, several filthy men were playing pards.
06:18They crowded around when Scar returned.
06:20Hey, Scar.
06:21Nice catch this time.
06:22A yellow-toothed man reached out to touch my face.
06:24I instinctively pulled away.
06:30My cheek burned.
06:32The slap knocked me to the floor.
06:35Blood seeped from my mouth.
06:37What are you dodging for, you little brat?
06:39But I didn't cry.
06:41I just stared at him.
06:46Oh, look at that glare.
06:48Enough.
06:49Scar stopped him.
06:50Don't hit her.
06:51This one's healthy.
06:52She'll fetch a good price.
06:57Kid, if you're here, you follow our rules.
07:00See that cage over there?
07:04Disobey, and you sleep with the dogs.
07:06Behave, and you get food.
07:08How much does the cage cost?
07:12Scarred!
07:13Is this kid stupid or something?
07:15She thinks she has to pay for the cage?
07:18No money.
07:19It's free.
07:20What about food?
07:22That's free, too.
07:29Then I'll stay in the cage, sir.
07:34If it was free, I didn't care where I stayed.
07:37At home, my room cost me $200 a month in rent.
07:41This place was dirty, and there were dogs.
07:44But it was free.
07:50Everyone laughed even harder.
07:52I knew they were laughing because they thought I was stupid.
07:55But I thought, anywhere you don't have to pay is heaven.
08:03That night, the Ashfords finally got a call from the police.
08:07Victoria was in a meeting and answered impatiently.
08:12Is this Mrs. Victoria Ashford?
08:14This is the police department?
08:15Yes.
08:15What is it?
08:16Your daughter Stella's backpack may have been found outside the city.
08:19We need you to come identify.
08:20I'm busy.
08:21I'm in an important meeting.
08:22I'll send someone after it ends.
08:24Ma'am, this is your biological daughter.
08:27She may be in danger.
08:28Officer.
08:30She only ran away from home.
08:33My time is worth hundreds of thousands a minute.
08:35I'm not wasting it over some old backpack.
08:37Besides, we live under the rule of law.
08:39What real danger could she possibly be in?
08:42At the police station, Claire was so angry she nearly smashed the phone.
08:46What kind of mother is that?
08:48Her own daughter could be dead and she says it's a waste of time?
08:55Did you run a background check on Victoria?
08:57Yes.
08:58Julian Ashford's wife.
08:59He's the richest man in town.
09:01She's a famous philanthropist and education expert.
09:03She donates millions every year and her parenting guides are bestsellers.
09:06Fifth anthropist?
09:07More like a hypocrite.
09:08She's cruel to her own daughter and generous to everyone else.
09:12Where was the backpack found?
09:14By a drainage bitch outside the city.
09:16There were some books inside and a ledger.
09:20Claire pulled out an evidence bag.
09:22Inside was a small notebook, warped from the water.
09:27Claire's eyes turned red as she read.
09:31What kind of life has this child been living?
09:36Open a case now.
09:37This isn't just a disappearance.
09:39We may be looking at child abuse.
09:40This is urgent.
09:41Move now.
09:45Victoria was trying on a newly delivered couture gown.
09:48She had a charity gala that night and planned to take Evelyn.
09:51Stella barely crossed her mind.
09:53Then the doorbell rang.
10:03Ma'am, your daughter Stella has been trafficked.
10:05Since you refused to cooperate, we also suspect possible child abuse.
10:09You need to come with us and assist the investigation.
10:13You need to come with us and assist the investigation.
10:16I don't have time for your pointless investigation.
10:19And as for Stella, I see nothing wrong with my approach to education.
10:23Ma'am, please cooperate.
10:25This is for your daughter's sake.
10:26If she really was kidnapped, that's because you police failed to do your jobs.
10:31Instead of questioning my parenting, you should worry about public safety.
10:35Claire finally snapped.
10:37She stepped past Frank and the police stopped arguing.
10:48Frank and the others stopped arguing and hauled Victoria away.
10:55Evelyn called Julian in tears.
10:57Daddy, Mom, the police took Mom away.
11:01Don't cry, sweetheart.
11:02Stay home.
11:03I'll get your mother out right now.
11:07I'd been living in the cage for a day.
11:11All I got was leftovers.
11:13But I could eat my fill.
11:15And it was free.
11:16When Scar was in a good mood,
11:18he'd even give me a few pieces of meat.
11:21I behaved too.
11:22I didn't cry or make trouble.
11:25I even helped feed the dogs.
11:27Those vicious dogs wagged their tails whenever they saw me now.
11:32But before long, a strange woman arrived at the factory.
11:36This is the premium merchandise you told me about?
11:38Vera, look at her.
11:39Healthy, obedient too.
11:41You can hit her and she won't make a sound.
11:44How old?
11:46Ten.
11:48A little young.
11:50Fine.
11:51I'll take her.
11:52I knew I was going to my new home.
11:54Ma'am, can I eat for free at my new home too?
11:57Free?
11:58Sweetie, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
12:00I had to earn money again?
12:01Would I have to polish shoes, wash dishes, and collect bottles just like at home?
12:05My heart sank.
12:07But don't worry, you only have to sleep for a while.
12:09After that, you'll never go hungry again.
12:13At the police station,
12:15Julian stared at the waterlogged ledger with open contempt.
12:20What does this prove?
12:21That she has a head for money and keeps detailed records?
12:24We strongly suspect Stella allowed herself to be taken because of prolonged abuse at home.
12:28My daughter lives in a mansion, rides in luxury cars, and attends an elite school.
12:33How is that abuse?
12:35Don't you police have real criminals to catch?
12:37Why are you meddling in my family affairs?
12:39I'll sue you.
12:41Julian, look at this entry.
12:43Disturbed dad while mopping his office, owed dad $1,000, and you dare say that isn't abuse?
12:47That was from a day his stocks dipped and he was in a bad mood.
12:50He'd thrown out the number without thinking.
12:52He never expected me to actually write it down.
12:54No, my wife is a recognized education expert.
12:56There is nothing wrong with our methods and this is none of your business.
12:59As for those entries, they were jokes.
13:00The child takes things too literally.
13:02Jokes?
13:02Would a joke make a 10-year-old run away from home?
13:05I'm done wasting time arguing about parenting.
13:07I'm here to bail out my wife.
13:09Let me know when you find my daughter.
13:11He stood up to leave.
13:12Then the interrogation room door flew open.
13:14Frank, we found her.
13:16Where?
13:18At an illegal clinic on the west side.
13:20The group was preparing to operate on the child.
13:24What operation?
13:26Organ removal.
13:31What?
13:35Police sirens cut through the heavy overcast air.
13:38Faster!
13:42If anything happens to my daughter, I'm filing a complaint against all of you!
13:58Don't be afraid, little girl.
14:00You'll fall asleep and when you wake up, it'll all be over.
14:03It won't hurt at all.
14:05Uncle, how much are my eyes worth?
14:11How much do you want?
14:13What?
14:15What?
14:21I want to earn enough to pay mom and dad back.
14:24If I sell you my eye, can you give me $35,200?
14:30First kid I've seen come in here without crying or fighting.
14:33She must have been abused by her parents for so long that she's gone numb.
14:37All right.
14:37I'll give you $50,000.
14:55Mom, dad, when I wake up, I'll have the money.
14:59Then I won't owe you anything anymore.
15:04At the same time, Julian and the others reached the operating room.
15:09Hurry!
15:09Hurry!
15:24Freeze!
15:25Police!
15:26Frank kicked open the operating room door and Julian rushed in behind him.
15:32There was only a blood-stained operating table inside.
15:35The table was empty.
15:38Only a glaring pool of fresh blood remained.
15:41Where is she?
15:43Frank grabbed a doctor and pressed his gun to the man's forehead.
15:46Where?
15:47Where's the child?
15:50She ran.
15:52Ran?
15:53The anesthesia hadn't wound off, but she suddenly woke up, bit me, and jumped out the back window.
16:02Search!
16:03Follow the river!
16:07Julian finally panicked.
16:10She jumped into the river?
16:13The current's that strong.
16:14Could she even survive?
16:16Frank!
16:17We found this on a rock by the river.
16:19He was holding a plastic bag.
16:22Inside were a sheet of paper and a bank card.
16:28Mom, Dad, I'm leaving.
16:32I did the math.
16:33Over 10 years, I owe you a total of $35,200.
16:38The lady said one cornea is worth $50,000.
16:42I'm leaving it to you to pay off my debt.
16:44The rest can be the interest.
16:46From now on, I don't owe you anything.
16:49In this life or the next, I never want you to be my mom and dad again.
16:54Julian stared at the note and finally understood.
16:59I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
17:01I was settling the bill.
17:03I was using my eye to pay off the debt of being their daughter.
17:08No.
17:10Impossible.
17:13I drove my own daughter to this.
17:21Who did she give her cornea to?
17:23Who was the woman?
17:24Tell me!
17:24Where's her cornea?
17:25Do you have it?
17:26We didn't get it.
17:27She took the knife herself and cut her eye.
17:30What?
17:31Julian's mind went completely blank.
17:36She cut her own eye?
17:42Just then, Frank's radio crackled to life.
17:46Frank, we found her.
17:48A camera just caught her on video at the crematorium nearby.
17:51A little girl with blood all over her face.
17:52The description matches.
17:54Crematorium?
17:55What is she doing there?
17:57Julian shot to his feet, stunned.
17:59Hurry!
17:59To the crematorium!
18:01He bolted out like a madman, even faster than the police.
18:05He knew only one thing.
18:07If that debt had truly been settled, he might lose his daughter forever.
18:15Julian stumbled toward the crematorium.
18:19The sleepy old guard at the gate was startled by Julian.
18:22Just now.
18:24Did a little girl come through here?
18:26Yeah.
18:27There was a girl.
18:29Blood all over her face.
18:30Bandages around one eye.
18:32Looked pretty frightening.
18:35Where did she go?
18:37Toward the furnaces.
18:40Julian's heart lurched.
18:44The furnaces?
18:45He turned and ran, not even noticing when one of his shoes came off.
18:50All he could think about was that ledger.
18:53I don't owe you anymore.
18:54He reached the doors to the furnace room.
18:58Open the door!
18:59Open it!
19:00He pounded on the heavy metal door.
19:03No one answered.
19:05Only a thin trip of black smoke began rowing from the huge chimney.
19:08Am I too late?
19:10Am I only too late?
19:12He covered his face and broke down in despair.
19:15Then the old guard caught up.
19:17Hey, how'd you run so fast?
19:19The girl didn't go inside.
19:21She's in the cemetery out back.
19:25What?
19:27Cemetery.
19:28She wasn't cremated?
19:29What?
19:30She's alive.
19:31Who would cremate a living person?
19:33She said it was quiet there and didn't cost anything,
19:35so she wanted to sit for a while.
19:41Julian stared at the tiny, fragile back of a girl who looked like a stray kitten.
19:48His throat tightened.
19:54He reached out from a distance, as if he wanted to touch his daughter,
19:58but his hand stopped halfway.
20:00He suddenly realized he'd never truly held her, not even once.
20:10Stella.
20:11It was the first time in ten years he'd said her name with such care.
20:15His voice trembled, as if he'd never formed those sounds before.
20:20Dad, why are you here?
20:24The ledger says I've paid everything back.
20:29I did the math.
20:30I owed you $35,200 over ten years.
20:34The lady said one cornea was worth $50,000.
20:37After subtracting what I owe you, that leaves $14,800.
20:41You can keep the rest as interest.
20:43If that's still not enough,
20:47I still have another eye.
20:53Stop.
20:55Stop it.
21:00Tears streamed down Julian's face.
21:02He was in agony.
21:06Stella, come home with Daddy.
21:10He reached out for me.
21:12His voice held a humility and desperation I'd never heard from him before.
21:17I shrunk back.
21:19Dad.
21:22No, Mr. Ashford.
21:23That place is too expensive.
21:25I can't afford to live there.
21:28No more money.
21:30You won't pay for anything ever again.
21:36Daddy was wrong.
21:37I was really wrong.
21:38Eat whatever you want.
21:40Buy whatever you want from now on.
21:45Everything is free.
21:47Daddy will take care of you.
21:48Daddy has money.
21:49So much money.
21:51His words tumbled out incoherently,
21:53tears and snot covering his face.
21:59He had never looked so pathetic.
22:02The calm at board meetings,
22:04the control at the negotiating table,
22:06the elegance at charity galleys,
22:09all gone.
22:10All that remained was a man in his 50s
22:13begging his 10-year-old daughter for forgiveness.
22:20You have money?
22:23Then why would you pay $50,000 for Evelyn's piano lessons
22:27but make me sign an IIU for fever medicine?
22:33Why does she get new dresses every week
22:35while I have to pay a clothing depreciation fees
22:37to wear the old one she throws away?
22:42Why does she get a three-tier birthday cake
22:44while I couldn't even buy one piece on my own birthday?
22:50It's because...
22:51When I was cleaning your study,
22:54I heard you on the phone.
22:56You said my sister had another mother.
23:02You heard that?
23:05So I was right.
23:07She's your daughter too, isn't she?
23:14You always give her the best things first
23:16because you owe that other lady, right?
23:23I was only born because you and Mom married for convenience.
23:27You never wanted me,
23:29so you charge me for everything I do.
23:35If you didn't like me,
23:37why did you have me in the first place?
23:43I even had to pay for food and water at home.
23:47I picked up bottles to pay my debts.
23:49I thought if I paid it all,
23:52you'd be nicer to me.
23:54But you never cared about me at all.
23:56No one spoke.
23:58Only the wind moved through the gravestones,
24:00like countless dead souls sighing.
24:04Julian couldn't say a word.
24:06The truth had been laid bare,
24:09raw and bloody.
24:11Yes.
24:13Evelyn was his illegitimate daughter.
24:17She was the child he had with his first love.
24:21And I was the product of his business marriage to Victoria.
24:28He didn't love Victoria.
24:30And he didn't love me.
24:32He gave Evelyn all the guilt and love
24:35he carried for his first love.
24:38And he poured all his resentment
24:40towards the marriage onto me.
24:44He thought he'd hidden it perfectly.
24:47He never imagined his ten-year-old daughter
24:50had already seen through him.
24:52So?
25:00Goodbye, Mr. Ashford.
25:05Stop!
25:07No!
25:08Don't go!
25:09You're my daughter!
25:11Let go!
25:13Julian!
25:13Let go of the child!
25:15Just then,
25:16Frank rushed over with several officers.
25:18The officers pulled Julian away by force.
25:21Don't take me away from her!
25:21He fought them, his suit ripping
25:23and his hair falling into disarray.
25:24Frank looked at my battered face
25:26and, for once,
25:27lost his professional composure.
25:30He'd worked for 20 years
25:32and seen countless horrific scenes.
25:34He thought he'd become numb.
25:36But then he saw the bandage over my eye,
25:39the scab at the corner of my mouth
25:41and the bruises peeking from my sleeves.
25:46He turned and punched Julian hard in the face.
25:50Fucking beast!
25:53Julian hit the ground,
25:55blood running from his mouth.
25:56Only after venting his anger
25:59did Frank turn back
26:00and force an awkward smile for me.
26:03I'm sorry.
26:04We came too late.
26:07Stella?
26:08We're the police.
26:10We're here to take you home.
26:12To a real home.
26:13I was taken to the hospital.
26:18Julian was temporarily held
26:20on suspicion of child abuse.
26:27A doctor treated the wound around my eye
26:29with a silver suture needle in hand.
26:40Thankfully, it's only the eyelid.
26:41The eye itself is fine.
26:43This kid was so hard on herself.
26:45One millimeter deeper
26:46and she'd have lost that eye.
26:48Not even God could have saved it.
26:51How desperate does a child
26:52have to be to do this to herself?
26:54Suddenly,
26:55the hospital room door burst open.
26:57Victoria stormed in.
26:59She'd just been released on bail.
27:00Her hair was a mess,
27:02her makeup was smeared,
27:03and her couture dress
27:04was wrinkled and dirty.
27:07Stella!
27:08You wretched child!
27:09The moment she walked in,
27:11she started yelling,
27:11how long are you going to keep this up?
27:15Do you have any idea
27:16I was detained because of you?
27:18The company stock hit limit down.
27:22The foundation board
27:23is demanding my resignation!
27:27You've destroyed
27:28the Ashford family's reputation.
27:30Decades of it!
27:31I sat on the hospital bed
27:33and looked at her.
27:35This was my mother.
27:38I was covered in blood,
27:39one eye wrapped in a bandage
27:41soaked red,
27:41and I'd nearly gone blind.
27:43But the first thing she said was,
27:45you've disgraced our family.
27:50Mrs. Victoria,
27:51this is a hospital.
27:53They fine people
27:54for making too much noise.
27:56What did you call me,
27:58Mrs. Victoria?
27:58I'm your mother!
28:00I don't think so.
28:02Other mothers
28:03don't let their daughters
28:04go hungry all day
28:05over two dollars.
28:07Other mothers don't say
28:08you're a disgrace
28:09the first thing
28:09after finding their lost daughter.
28:12Other mothers
28:13don't just favor one child,
28:14but my mother only knows
28:16what my sister likes.
28:19She doesn't know
28:20I'm waiting for just a hug.
28:24I don't want you
28:26to be my mother.
28:32Her lips moved soundlessly,
28:34like a fish thrown onto shore.
28:36I was training you!
28:38I was doing it
28:39for your own good!
28:41No.
28:42You just didn't want
28:43to spend money on me.
28:46You treated Evelyn so well
28:48because you wanted
28:48to make Dad happy, right?
28:51Dad didn't like me,
28:52so you were hard on me too.
28:54You charged me
28:55for everything.
28:58Whatever Evelyn wanted,
29:00you gave her.
29:01Only I had to keep a ledger
29:02and owe money
29:03for everything.
29:05You thought that would
29:06make Dad love you more.
29:12But Mom,
29:13you were wrong.
29:16Evelyn wasn't adopted
29:17from an orphanage.
29:18She's Dad's child
29:20with another woman.
29:23You spent so much money
29:25on her dresses
29:25and piano lessons,
29:27but you wouldn't even
29:28give me one free piece
29:29of birthday cake.
29:33You love someone else's child,
29:35but charge your own
29:36for everything.
29:38Victoria's eyes went wide,
29:39her peoples dilated,
29:40then tightened.
29:43What did you say?
29:44A child with another woman?
29:46She shook her head
29:47in panic,
29:48her brow tightly farrowed.
29:50Impossible!
29:51Absolutely impossible!
29:53Stop spreading lies!
29:55Evelyn is an orphan!
29:57We adopted her
29:57from an orphanage!
29:59Frank stepped between us
30:00and handed her a document.
30:02Mrs. Victoria,
30:03calm down.
30:04Take a look.
30:14We ran a DNA comparison
30:15while investigating Julian.
30:18Evelyn and Julian
30:19are biologically related.
30:21The match is 99.99%.
30:24She read it,
30:25word by word.
30:27Her hands shook
30:28when she saw that number.
30:29It hit her heart
30:30like a hammer.
30:31Her world collapsed.
30:35No.
30:37No, that's impossible.
30:40The hospital's machine
30:42must be wrong.
30:42Yes, the machine is wrong!
30:50Tell mommy.
30:52It's a mistake, right?
30:57To confirm,
30:58we ran tests
31:00at three different labs.
31:02I can give you
31:03all three reports
31:04if you need.
31:11Victoria collapsed to the floor,
31:14sobbing uncontrollably.
31:18She tore at her hair
31:20and slapped herself
31:21again and again.
31:24Julian!
31:26You bastard!
31:28You lied to me!
31:30You lied to me
31:32for ten years!
31:36I raised your mistress's child!
31:40I helped you abuse
31:42my own daughter!
31:46I'm a fucking idiot!
31:49A complete fucking idiot!
31:52She sobbed
31:53and slapped herself
31:54until her cheeks swelled.
31:56Tears cut two streaks
31:57through her perfect makeup.
32:00She remembered
32:01every morning
32:02she brushed Evelyn's hair
32:04more patiently
32:05than a real mother.
32:09She remembered
32:10every charity Allah
32:11walking the red carpet
32:13with Evelyn,
32:15beaming when reporters
32:16called her
32:17the most loving
32:18businesswoman's wife.
32:20She remembered
32:21every coin
32:22she'd spent
32:23on Evelyn
32:23over the years.
32:24Piano lessons,
32:26international summer camps,
32:29limited edition dresses,
32:31private tutors,
32:33while her biological daughter
32:35couldn't even afford
32:36a few pieces of bread.
32:41I'm so stupid.
32:44How could I be this stupid?
32:49Just then,
32:50Evelyn walked in.
32:51She wore an expensive dress
32:52and bugged a teddy bear
32:54Victoria had bought her
32:55for her birthday last month.
32:57Mom,
32:57why are you sitting
32:58on the floor?
32:59It's cold down there.
33:00She froze
33:01when she saw
33:01Victoria on the floor.
33:03She walked over
33:04to help Victoria...
33:05Get away from me!
33:06Don't call me mom!
33:07You little bastard!
33:08God knows which slut
33:09is your mom!
33:10Victoria shoved her hard.
33:12Evelyn fell to the floor,
33:13her teddy bear rolling away
33:15as tears instantly
33:16filled her eyes.
33:17Mom,
33:18what's wrong?
33:19It's me,
33:20Evelyn!
33:23I'll kill you,
33:24you little bastard!
33:25You've eaten my food,
33:26lived under my roof,
33:27and helped your father
33:28lie to me!
33:29Mom,
33:30no,
33:30please,
33:31don't!
33:34Hey!
33:35Hey!
33:35Grab, grab,
33:36grab, grab!
33:37In the end,
33:38the police had to
33:38pull them apart.
33:39That expensive dress
33:40was torn to shreds,
33:42her face scratched,
33:43and she sobbed loudly.
33:44Victoria panted,
33:46her hair wild,
33:47legs still kicking
33:48as officers held her up.
33:49I want a divorce!
33:51I'm taking everything
33:52Julian has,
33:53and the whole town
33:54is going to know
33:54what he's done.
33:55He raised his illegitimate
33:56daughter for ten years
33:57while abusing
33:58his own biological child!
34:00Frank frowned
34:01and had the officers
34:02take them outside
34:02to calm down.
34:03The room finally
34:05went quiet.
34:06Only the steady beeping
34:07of the heart monitor
34:08remained.
34:09Frank sat beside my bed
34:11and peeled an apple
34:12and peeled an apple
34:12for me.
34:14How much is this apple?
34:17It's free.
34:18Just eat it.
34:19I took the free apple
34:20and bit into it.
34:22It was sweet.
34:24So sweet,
34:24my nose stung.
34:28Kid,
34:29what do you want
34:30to do now?
34:31Can I go to an orphanage?
34:33Do orphanages
34:34cost money?
34:37Frank sighed
34:38and patted my head.
34:40His hand was rough,
34:41chaliced from years
34:42of holding a gun,
34:43but it was warm.
34:46Those people have
34:47messed with your head
34:48too much.
34:49You should know
34:50there is such a thing
34:50called priceless love.
34:52I looked at Frank.
34:53His eyes were bloodshot
34:54and his jaw
34:55was dark with stubble.
34:56His gaze was like
34:57winter sunlight,
34:58not hot,
34:59but warm.
35:00But I didn't dare
35:01get closer.
35:01When you're used
35:02to darkness,
35:03even warm sunlight
35:04can burn.
35:05Officer,
35:06can you lend me
35:06some money?
35:07What for?
35:08I want to hire
35:09a lawyer.
35:10I raised my head
35:11and looked straight
35:12at Frank.
35:13I want to sue
35:14Julian and Victoria.
35:16I want the child
35:17support they owed me
35:18and I want to cut
35:20all ties with them.
35:21Frank paused,
35:22then smiled.
35:23It was a genuine
35:24smile, touched
35:25with surprise and pride.
35:27Alright,
35:27I'll give you the money.
35:28You don't have
35:29to pay me back.
35:30No,
35:31I have to pay you back.
35:32With interest.
35:34Fine.
35:35With interest.
35:36Frank gave in
35:37with a helpless smile.
35:38He reached out
35:39to ruffle my hair,
35:40hesitated halfway,
35:42then lowered his hand.
35:43I looked into his eyes.
35:45The look in his eyes
35:46was different
35:47from the way
35:47Julian looked at Evelyn.
35:49Julian's gaze
35:50was favoritism,
35:51indulgence,
35:52a projection of guilt
35:53towards another woman.
35:55The light in Frank's eyes
35:56was simply pure,
35:57unconditional kindness,
35:58like the first winter sunlight
36:00through a window,
36:00asking for nothing
36:01and only bringing light.
36:03Maybe,
36:04only someone like him
36:05could truly hold up
36:06a family.
36:12When Julian returned home,
36:14he found the house
36:16in ruins.
36:17Victoria shredded
36:19all his suits,
36:20shirts,
36:20and ties.
36:22His patek fatigue
36:23lay in a corner,
36:25crystal shattered,
36:26hands bent.
36:30Huge words
36:31had been scrawled
36:32across the walls
36:32in lipstick.
36:36Mom,
36:37your hand is bleeding.
36:39You need a band-aid.
36:40Shut up!
36:41You're just like
36:42your slut mother!
36:45Mom?
36:47What did I do wrong?
36:49Don't call me mom.
36:50You're not even my child.
36:52Why did I raise you
36:54for ten years?
36:58I didn't know.
36:59Mom,
37:00what are you talking about?
37:09Victoria,
37:10calm down.
37:11We can talk about this.
37:14Talk?
37:16You lied to me
37:17for fucking ten years!
37:19You made me raise
37:20your first love's daughter
37:21and you let me abuse
37:23Stella!
37:27Those rules were your idea.
37:29What does that have to do
37:30with me?
37:36What does it have to do
37:37with you?
37:42I made them
37:43to please you.
37:46I thought you saw her
37:47as spoiled
37:48so I got stricter
37:49hoping you'd think
37:50more of me!
37:51I pushed my own daughter
37:53away
37:54just to please you
37:55and all the while
37:58you had me
37:59raising
37:59and spoiling
38:00your mistress'
38:02daughter!
38:05Dad, Mom,
38:07please stop fighting!
38:10When did I ever ask you
38:12to treat her like that?
38:25So?
38:26Everything I've done,
38:27who was it for?
38:28I did it for this family
38:29to make you happy.
38:30I was cruel to my own
38:32daughter for you
38:32and you made a fool
38:34of me from the start!
38:35These past ten years
38:36were all a show
38:37you staged for me!
38:39A show?
38:41Without me?
38:43Without me,
38:43you'd have nothing!
38:45This house,
38:46this status,
38:48who do you think
38:48gave them to you?
38:49Ha ha ha ha!
38:54Fine.
38:56Then I'll give it
38:56all back today.
38:59Mom, don't!
39:01Julian, I'll kill you!
39:09You've lost your mind.
39:11I've lost my mind?
39:13You're the one
39:14who drove me insane!
39:16Divorce me!
39:21I want half the assets
39:23and Stella.
39:24You take that bastard,
39:25Evelyn.
39:25I don't want to see her
39:26for another second.
39:27Fine.
39:27We can divorce.
39:30But you won't get
39:30a cent of the assets
39:32and you won't take
39:33Stella either.
39:34What do you mean?
39:36Every cent you've spent
39:37all these years,
39:38food, clothes,
39:39everything,
39:39I've kept records.
39:41The police already
39:42opened a child abuse
39:43case against you.
39:44Would a judge
39:45give custody
39:46to a mother
39:46who abused
39:47her own kid?
39:50Julian,
39:50you think I left
39:51myself no way out
39:52after all these years?
39:59You don't honestly think
40:01these are enough
40:01to bring me down,
40:02do you?
40:02Julian,
40:03don't think you are
40:04the winner.
40:05You think you can bury
40:06this the same way
40:07you bury everything else?
40:09You're wrong.
40:10If I'm going down,
40:11you're coming down
40:12with me.
40:16Mom!
40:17Julian stood alone
40:18in the wrecked living room.
40:19The lipstick words
40:21were still on the wall.
40:22The air smelled
40:23of alcohol and perfume.
40:24The old ledger
40:25was still on the coffee table,
40:27brittle and crumbling
40:28at the lightest touch.
40:30He picked it up.
40:31From now on,
40:32I don't owe you anything.
40:34Something inside him
40:35became completely hollow,
40:37like a building
40:38with every room gutted out,
40:39leaving only the frame
40:40while the wind
40:41howled through it.
40:42He was always the winner,
40:43but in a single day,
40:45he'd lost his wife
40:46and his daughter.
40:49He went upstairs
40:50and opened the door
40:51to my room,
40:52which had already
40:53been remodeled.
40:54It had polished
40:56dance floors,
40:57expensive equipment,
40:58and bright mirrors.
41:00Beautiful,
41:01but without a single trace
41:03that I'd ever lived there.
41:04That night,
41:05he sank to his knees
41:07outside the room
41:08and stayed there
41:08until dosk.
41:10When morning came,
41:11he realized
41:12he had been clutching
41:13the water-damaged notebook
41:14all night.
41:15On the first page
41:16was my handwriting.
41:18January 1,
41:19two strawberries,
41:20owe one dollar.
41:21The man began to cry
41:23without a sound.
41:26He came to see me
41:27that morning,
41:28but stopped at the door,
41:29too afraid to push it open.
41:32The book in my hands
41:33was one Frank had bought me.
41:37Uncle Frank taught me
41:38that I had to learn
41:39to use the law
41:39to protect myself.
41:41I was ten.
41:43Other children my age
41:45read fairy tales.
41:46I read law.
41:48Julian finally forced himself
41:50to open the door.
41:51He carried an elegant,
41:53inflated food jar.
41:54He'd had a top chef
41:55simmer it for four hours
41:57with rare herbs.
41:58One serving cost a month's
42:00groceries for most families.
42:02Stella,
42:03Daddy came to see you.
42:04I brought you soup.
42:05It'll help you recover.
42:10He smiled eagerly
42:12and set the soup
42:12on the table.
42:14But I kept reading
42:15without looking up.
42:16I don't want it.
42:19Stella,
42:20don't be like this.
42:21Daddy knows he was wrong.
42:22I'll change.
42:23I really will.
42:25I sent Evelyn away
42:26to boarding school.
42:27She'll never appear
42:27in front of you again.
42:32Your mother is gone too.
42:33It'll just be the two of us
42:35at home.
42:35I'll give you all my money.
42:36You can do anything you want.
42:38Okay?
42:40His eyes were full of pleading.
42:43Mr. Ashford,
42:44I told you.
42:46We have nothing to do
42:47with each other anymore.
42:50Sending Evelyn away
42:51is your business.
42:52What happens between you
42:53and Mom
42:54is your business.
42:55Your money is yours.
42:57Your soup is yours.
42:58None of it has anything
43:00to do with me.
43:01Please leave.
43:02I don't want to see you.
43:04He was the richest man
43:05in the city.
43:06When had anyone
43:07ever spoken to him
43:08like that?
43:09Even the mayor
43:10treated him politely.
43:11But facing his
43:12ten-year-old daughter
43:13on a hospital bed,
43:14one eye still bandaged,
43:16he couldn't scum
43:17in a shred of anger.
43:19Because he knew
43:20I truly didn't care
43:21about him anymore.
43:23I wasn't sulking.
43:25I wasn't throwing
43:26a tantrum.
43:27I simply did not care.
43:31All right.
43:32All right.
43:32I'll go.
43:36The soup.
43:37Drink it while it's warm.
43:38I don't dare drink it.
43:41I don't have any money.
43:56It was raining lightly
43:58on the day of the trial.
44:00A fine, dense rain.
44:02Frank's wife had bought
44:03me a new blouse,
44:04a sky-blue one
44:06with a tiny flower brooch
44:07at the collar.
44:08I sat at the plaintiff's table.
44:11Julian sat at the defense table.
44:14He wore no tie
44:15and no watch.
44:18A third of his hair
44:19had gone gray
44:20in just one month.
44:22Plaintiff Stella Ashford,
44:24what relief are you seeking?
44:28Your Honor,
44:30the plaintiff asks
44:31that her parents' custody rights
44:32be terminated
44:33and that Mr. Frank
44:34be appointed
44:34her temporary guardian.
44:36She also seeks
44:37ten years
44:38of unpaid child support
44:39along with damages
44:40for the psychological harm
44:42caused by the abuse.
44:52The courtroom erupted.
44:54Reporters packed the gallery,
44:56cameras flashing nonstop.
45:02A ten-year-old child
45:03standing in a solemn courtroom
45:05to sue her own
45:06biological parents?
45:09No one in the city
45:10had seen anything like it.
45:13Objection!
45:15Mr. Ashford's
45:16educational methods
45:17may have been inappropriate,
45:18but he did not commit
45:19substantial abuse.
45:26He provided
45:27excellent material conditions.
45:29A mansion,
45:30an elite school,
45:31and more.
45:32The plaintiff's
45:33so-called pricing system
45:34can reasonably be understood
45:35as an unconventional method
45:37of family education.
45:39The gallery buzzed.
45:40Some people nodded.
45:42The richest man's daughter
45:43had food,
45:44clothes,
45:44and an elite education.
45:46How could that be abuse?
45:51Before the attorney
45:52could continue,
45:53I raised the water-damaged
45:55ledger high above my head.
45:59The cover had faded.
46:00The wrinkled pages
46:01were hard to turn,
46:02crumbling with every flip.
46:05Sir, you say I grew up
46:06with everything I needed,
46:07but please look at this first.
46:08March 5, 2026,
46:10fell and scraped my knee,
46:11used one band-aid from home,
46:12owe two dollars.
46:13April 12, 2026,
46:15dropped one place on an exam,
46:16punishment five,
46:17owe two hundred dollars.
46:18May 2026,
46:19Evelyn's birthday,
46:20couldn't afford a gift,
46:20owe twenty dollars
46:21as a thoughtfulness fee.
46:22June 11, 2026,
46:24my birthday,
46:25asked mom for one piece of cake,
46:26didn't have enough money,
46:27didn't get any.
46:28At home,
46:28even water cost fifty cents,
46:29puts me two dollars in debt.
46:31It's all written here.
46:31Is this really how you teach
46:32a child to grow up?
46:33The courtroom was silent
46:34for three full seconds.
46:35Then murmurs broke out.
46:37Gasps, head wakes,
46:38hands over mouth.
46:39People started cursing aloud.
46:41Animals?
46:41This is monstrous.
46:43Are they even human?
46:44The judge struck the gavel twice
46:46before the courtroom
46:47finally quieted down.
46:48The judge took the ledger
46:50and turned through it
46:50page by page.
46:51His frown deepened
46:52with every entry.
46:55The courtroom was silent
46:56except for the sound
46:57of turning pages.
46:58With every page,
46:59Julian lowered his head
46:59a little more.
47:00He didn't defend himself,
47:01he just sat there.
47:02Then Julian suddenly stood.
47:03He stared straight at me
47:04across the courtroom.
47:04Bella?
47:05Daddy knows he was wrong.
47:07Defend it.
47:07Maintain order in the courtroom.
47:09Your Honor,
47:09just a few words.
47:10I remember every entry
47:11in that ledger.
47:12I've read it every day
47:13this past month.
47:13The more I read,
47:14the more I realized
47:15I wasn't even human.
47:16Stella, it's not that
47:17Daddy didn't love you.
47:18I just didn't know how.
47:20I've spent half my life
47:21knowing how to calculate money
47:22but never how to be a father.
47:24Let me start over, okay?
47:25I want to buy you
47:26a piece of cake
47:26with my own hands.
47:27I want to hear you
47:28call me Dad.
47:29Just once.
47:30The bailiff held him back
47:31as he reached for me.
47:32But between us
47:32wasn't just the rail.
47:34It was ten years of debt
47:35he built himself.
47:36Please, just once.
47:38Will this piece of cake
47:40cost two dollars too?
47:43Julian's hand
47:44froze in midair
47:45then slowly fell.
47:46He dropped to his knees
47:48and buried his face
47:49in his hands.
47:49My fingers tightened
47:50around the edge
47:51of the ledger
47:52until my knuckles
47:52came white.
47:53But I didn't look back.
47:54I looked at the judge.
47:55Your Honor,
47:57does cake at your house
47:58cost two dollars
47:59a slice too?
48:06Mr. Ashford,
48:07do you have anything
48:08else to say?
48:12Julian slowly stood up.
48:14He looked at me
48:15on the plaintiff's side.
48:17The daughter he'd never
48:18held or told he loved.
48:20Now wearing beautiful
48:21new clothes.
48:22He realized he'd never
48:24bought me new clothes.
48:25I always wore
48:26Evelyn's hand-me-downs,
48:27though price tags
48:28never mattered for her.
48:30His daughter stood in court,
48:32tearing open her own wounds
48:33and laying ten years
48:34of her life before everyone
48:36just to sever all ties
48:37with him.
48:39Ignoring his lawyer's
48:40frantic signals,
48:42Julian shook his head.
48:44I have no objection.
48:46Mr. Ashford,
48:47what are you doing?
48:50I agree to every request
48:51made by the plaintiff.
48:54What I owe her
48:55can never be repaid.
48:56If it makes her happy,
48:58she can have anything
48:58she wants.
49:01Even cutting ties
49:04is fine.
49:05His voice broke
49:06on the last two words.
49:11This court rules
49:12in favor of all
49:13the plaintiff's requests.
49:15Julian Ashford's
49:16custody rights
49:16are terminated.
49:17Frank is appointed
49:18temporary guardian.
49:20Julian Ashford shall pay
49:22two million dollars
49:24in child support
49:25and damages for abuse.
49:30after court adjourned.
49:33Julian pushed through
49:34the crowd
49:35and came to me.
49:37He took a bank card
49:39from inside his suit
49:40and held it out.
49:41There's ten million dollars
49:43on this card.
49:44Two million is the
49:45court-ordered amount.
49:46The remaining eight million
49:47is for your education.
49:48It's enough from
49:49elementary school
49:50all the way through
49:50graduate school.
49:52The pin is your birthday,
49:53June 12.
49:54Daddy actually remembered.
49:56I only want
49:57what I'm owed.
49:59All right.
50:01Whatever you want.
50:02But Stella,
50:02could you
50:03call me Dad
50:04one more time?
50:05He didn't finish
50:06because he saw
50:07the wariness
50:08and caution
50:08in my eyes.
50:22Outside the courthouse,
50:24the rain had stopped.
50:27Someone was selling
50:28balloons near the entrance.
50:35This is for you.
50:36It's free.
50:38It's free.
50:39I looked at the balloon
50:41floating above my head.
50:42It was the first gift
50:44I'd ever received
50:45in my life.
50:49I lived well
50:49with Frank's family.
50:51My eye healed nicely.
50:52It left a scar,
50:53but thankfully,
50:54my vision wasn't affected.
50:55Later,
50:56Victoria went to prison
50:57for abuse
50:57after Julian reported her.
50:59Then Julian's stock clashed
51:00and he was hit
51:00with a huge fine.
51:01He was no longer
51:02the richest man in town.
51:04One year later,
51:07outside the school gate,
51:08I saw a familiar luxury car.
51:10Someone was standing
51:11beside it.
51:12Julian.
51:14He had aged a lot
51:15that year.
51:16He was holding
51:17an elegant cake.
51:18When he saw me,
51:19he forced an eager smile
51:20and came over.
51:21Stella,
51:22school's out?
51:23He looked nervous
51:24and awkward.
51:24He took one step
51:25towards me,
51:26then backed away,
51:27as if afraid
51:28that getting too close
51:29would scare me off.
51:30I stepped back
51:31half a post
51:31and looked at him coldly.
51:33Mr. Ashford,
51:34why are you here?
51:36It's your birthday today.
51:38He held the cake out to me.
51:39I had this made
51:40for your 11th birthday.
51:41A tiny girl stood
51:43on top of the cake,
51:44wearing a blue dress
51:45and smiling.
51:46She looked a lot like me.
51:48Daddy never celebrated
51:48your birthday before.
51:50Let me make it up
51:50to you today,
51:51okay?
51:53I don't want it.
51:54I don't think
51:55I'll ever want cake again.
51:56And I don't celebrate
51:57my birthday anymore.
51:59Why?
52:00All kids like birthdays.
52:01Because my birth
52:02was a mistake.
52:03What's there to celebrate
52:04about the beginning
52:05of a mistake?
52:10Stella,
52:12don't say that.
52:13Daddy really knows
52:14he was wrong.
52:15You're daddy's precious girl.
52:16Forgive me.
52:17I'll treat you well
52:18from now on.
52:19He was older,
52:20whitehead,
52:21deeply lined.
52:22A year had worn
52:23his pride down
52:24to wariness.
52:25Maybe he truly
52:26regretted it.
52:28Maybe he didn't.
52:29It didn't matter anymore.
52:30I have a new dad
52:31and mom now.
52:33Stella,
52:34we've got a huge
52:35birthday dinner
52:35waiting tonight.
52:36I gave Julian
52:37one last look
52:38and said nothing.
52:39Then I turned,
52:40smiled,
52:41and walked to Frank.
52:42Dad, let's go.
52:43Let's go home.
52:45Come on, Stella.
52:46Let's go home
52:46for your birthday dinner.
52:48Okay.
52:49Under the setting sun,
52:51the three figures
52:51stretched long
52:52across the ground,
52:53warm and close together.
52:55No, Stella!
52:56don't leave me!
52:57When he saw me leaving,
52:59Julian scrambled up
53:00and hurried after us.
53:01Mr. Ashford,
53:02please control yourself.
53:03No, no.
53:05Stella is my daughter.
53:06I'm rich.
53:07I have so much money.
53:09I can give her
53:09the best life possible.
53:11It's been a year.
53:12You should have forgiven
53:13your father by now, right?
53:15Right, Stella?
53:16You're right.
53:17I'm not a real father,
53:18not as rich,
53:19maybe not great,
53:20but I'd never make her
53:21afraid on her birthday.
53:22Julian, remember this.
53:23you were the one
53:24who buried Stella's smile.
53:26You don't deserve
53:26to call yourself her father.
53:28No, that's not true.
53:30Dad, there couldn't be
53:32a better father than you.
53:33Let's go home,
53:34to our home.
53:35No, that can't be.
53:36I'm Stella's father.
53:37She won't leave.
53:37Please, please come back.
53:39Don't go.
53:39Daddy can't live without you.
53:41Julian wailed
53:41and reached for my shrinking figure,
53:43but he couldn't catch me.
53:44He could only watch
53:45as I disappeared from sight.
53:46From the moment I ran away,
53:48he'd already lost me forever.
53:54When we got home,
53:55Frank's wife welcomed us.
53:57She was a gentle woman
53:58with a round face
53:59and a soft voice.
54:00Stella's home.
54:01Go wash your hands.
54:02Dinner's ready.
54:02Knowing it was my birthday,
54:03she'd cooked an entire table
54:05full of food herself.
54:06Stella's home.
54:06Still in her apron,
54:07she set the table.
54:08Three place settings,
54:09the same size
54:10and the same color.
54:11No seat fee,
54:12no price tags,
54:13no prices at all.
54:14Only steaming food
54:15and warm smiles.
54:19What's wrong?
54:20Does dinner not taste good today?
54:23No.
54:25It's delicious today, too.
54:26The bread was soft.
54:28The food was hot.
54:29My favorite tomatoes
54:30were in the soup.
54:31And the red braising sauce
54:33glistened on the beef.
54:35This is the most expensive meal
54:36I've ever had.
54:38Expensive?
54:40Sweetheart,
54:40why are you talking
54:41about money again today?
54:42Food is free in our house.
54:43Eat as much as you want.
54:44That's exactly why
54:45it's expensive.
54:47Because it's filled
54:48with something priceless.
54:50Love.