I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret ✈️ [Free to Watch] HD No Cut | Dailymotion #ReelShort─影片 Dailymotion

Guilty Sheets Hub

😊Click to download the app to watch all episodes for free: https://reelslink.com/marketing/0Kwkq7 🌎For FULL HD Episodes on ReelShort site:🔗 https://www.reelshort.com/movie/i-flew-home-pregnant-only-to-see-his-secret-6aa0e4992d54042dab0172a6  🍁Notice: Guilty Sheets Hub is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.  Imagine surprising your husband... and getting the worst surprise of your life! ☕  Amelia flew all the way back to Boston for their anniversary. The result? Catching him with another woman. But instead of crying, she pulls out the prenup HE wrote and files for divorce. 🧾  Get ready for "I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret"! This isn't a sad heartbreak story. It's the glorious comeback of a hidden billionaire doctor. Trevor thought he had all the power, but he is about to lose 75% of his assets. Too late to apologize now! 🚀  TAGS ➾ All-Too-Late, Romance, Pregnancy, Female

Transcript

00:00:04I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins, just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:00:09Today was my 31st birthday. It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:00:13The doctor told me not to fly. I flew anyway.

00:00:15Not because of love. Because, after 7 years, I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not

00:00:20to leave.

00:00:21I told the babies in my belly, this is the last time.

00:00:24After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:00:25He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:00:28Tomorrow morning at 9, he would find out what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:00:33By the time I landed at Logan Airport, it was already past 9 at night.

00:00:37I thought that, if only for the sake of these 7 years, he should come home tonight.

00:00:41When I walked out of the airport, my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:00:46There was nothing from Trevor.

00:00:50By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill, it was almost 10.30.

00:00:54Henry opened the door for me.

00:00:55Mrs. Hale, you... What brings you here?

00:00:58Where's Trevor? And Adi?

00:01:00Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:01:02Mrs. Upstairs, playing with that box of shells.

00:01:07I nodded, handed him my coat, and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:01:11The hallway was very quiet.

00:01:13Adi's bedroom door was half open, a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:01:17I pushed the door open and went in.

00:01:18She was wearing pink pajamas, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:01:25My footsteps were light.

00:01:27Adi...

00:01:28She looked up, her eyes lighting up.

00:01:30Then she lowered her head again, and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:01:33I crouched down, held my belly, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her.

00:01:38Mom, don't bother me. I'm busy.

00:01:40I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:01:42No number of kisses would have been enough.

00:01:44But she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:01:45Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:01:48Mmm.

00:01:49In one week, it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:01:52This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:01:55Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:01:57Aren't they pretty?

00:02:02She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:02:04That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on the beach at Big Sum last

00:02:08year.

00:02:08My throat tightened sharply.

00:02:10Before I could speak, she added happily,

00:02:12Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:02:14Tomorrow, she didn't finish.

00:02:16I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:02:18This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:02:21The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:02:23Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:02:30One of only three out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:02:34The hammer price was $420,000.

00:02:37Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:02:39Cassidy had left from cold.

00:02:41I sat in the third row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:02:46I thought I could endure one more year.

00:02:48Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:02:51She looked up.

00:02:54Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:02:56She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:02:59For five seconds...

00:03:01Mommy's birthday?

00:03:02She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:03:07Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:03:12She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:03:15Mom, don't talk to me.

00:03:17You're messing up the order.

00:03:18I didn't speak again.

00:03:20I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:03:26When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:03:30Mrs. Hale.

00:03:31I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:03:33He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:03:37I see.

00:03:37I answered softly.

00:03:39After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:03:41The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:03:44His voice was faint.

00:03:46I'm busy.

00:03:46Tomorrow.

00:03:49From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:03:51Soft, natural.

00:03:52As if she had been by his side all night.

00:03:54Who is it this late?

00:03:55It was Cassidy.

00:03:56I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:03:58Trevor paused, then said to me...

00:04:00Nothing.

00:04:01Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:04:04I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:04:06The two children in my belly moved.

00:04:08I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:04:11I said to them...

00:04:12Mommy understands now.

00:04:14Mommy thought seven years was long enough.

00:04:17That one year, he would remember to come home.

00:04:21Tonight was the last time.

00:04:23Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:04:28At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:04:32Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:04:34I didn't go in.

00:04:35Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

00:04:39She was talking to Henry.

00:04:41Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:04:43She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:04:45Henry, I'm not happy that mom came.

00:04:47Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:04:49Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:04:53If mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:04:58Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:04:59You can't say things like that.

00:05:01It will hurt her heart.

00:05:02Understand?

00:05:03I know.

00:05:04But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:05:06But dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:05:09Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:05:11I skipped the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:05:14My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:05:15I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:05:18Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:05:22Cole is gone.

00:05:23I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:05:25Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:05:28Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:05:30After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:05:34Henry said nothing more.

00:05:35I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:05:37I sat down by the bed.

00:05:39I didn't cry.

00:05:40I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:05:42I opened my phone.

00:05:44I sent Trevor a text.

00:05:45Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:05:47Just the three of us.

00:05:48A.D. wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:05:50I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:05:52He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:05:55Got it.

00:05:55You set the time.

00:05:56Looking at that, got it.

00:05:57I nearly laughed out loud.

00:06:00Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:06:04Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:06:07Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:06:10I wrote back.

00:06:1312.30 Mistral.

00:06:14Got it.

00:06:15I washed up, did my makeup and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:06:18I had picked it out myself last year.

00:06:20Trevor had never seen it once.

00:06:21At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.

00:06:23Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:06:25It was Trevor.

00:06:25Something urgent came up at noon.

00:06:27Lunch is canceled.

00:06:28Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text

00:06:31for a long time.

00:06:37If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

00:06:39Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

00:06:41I would have waited.

00:06:43I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon.

00:06:46Drink two glasses of lemon water.

00:06:47Then drive home.

00:06:48Dad is busy today.

00:06:49It isn't easy for him.

00:06:50But today, I didn't reply.

00:06:52I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

00:06:55I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:06:57I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:06:59I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:07:02I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:07:04I didn't go in right away.

00:07:06I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:07:09Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

00:07:13Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:07:15Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:07:18Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:07:22Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:07:24Trevor sat across from them.

00:07:26He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:07:29He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:07:32He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate.

00:07:35Then one for Adi.

00:07:36His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time.

00:07:39As if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person left.

00:07:41I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

00:07:45His wife.

00:07:46His childhood friend's widow.

00:07:47His daughter.

00:07:48Three people at one table.

00:07:50The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:07:52I didn't go in.

00:07:54I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:07:56I started the engine.

00:07:58The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

00:08:02It wasn't rain.

00:08:03Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:08:05I smiled a little.

00:08:06I said to myself,

00:08:07Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:08:09I see it clearly.

00:08:10I drove away.

00:08:11I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:08:13When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:08:16Only Henry was in the old house.

00:08:17When he saw me, he froze.

00:08:19Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:08:20Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:08:22Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

00:08:24I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:08:26I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:08:29On the desktop was a folder.

00:08:30Password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:08:33Folder?

00:08:33AMV only.

00:08:34I opened it.

00:08:35There were four things inside.

00:08:37A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.

00:08:39The version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:08:46A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:08:50I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

00:08:54A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:08:59A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

00:09:07Cole's widow.

00:09:13From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:09:16It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:09:20Sis, here.

00:09:22In case you need it someday.

00:09:23I won't need it.

00:09:24She wrote back,

00:09:26Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:09:342 o'clock this afternoon.

00:09:36I needed it.

00:09:37I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:09:41I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

00:09:48I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:09:53I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:09:57I looked at it for a long time.

00:09:59I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:10:02I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:10:05Exhibit C.

00:10:07Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:10:14This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.

00:10:17Print, sign, Amelia M. Voss, not Hale, Voss.

00:10:24I hadn't used that surname in seven years.

00:10:27After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:10:32On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words to Trevor Hale.

00:10:37I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:10:40That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:10:43I went downstairs.

00:10:46Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:10:49When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:10:54Mrs. Hale.

00:10:56Henry, I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:10:58When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:11:01I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:11:03Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:11:05He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:11:08He had seen everything.

00:11:11Seven years.

00:11:12Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home,

00:11:16he was the one who brought me soup.

00:11:19Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house,

00:11:22he silently pulled me away.

00:11:24At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:11:27You won't be coming back this time.

00:11:29I didn't answer.

00:11:31I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag,

00:11:33wrote several lines,

00:11:36and handed it to him.

00:11:38Henry,

00:11:39at 2.40 this afternoon,

00:11:41Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

00:11:43and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.

00:11:45I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:11:52Plaintiff was not present.

00:11:53Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:11:55Amelia M. Voss,

00:11:56after Henry finished reading it,

00:11:57his hand trembled.

00:11:58He looked up at me.

00:11:59Just sign your name.

00:12:01If this matter goes to court,

00:12:02your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:12:04If you don't want to sign,

00:12:05you can tear it up.

00:12:06I won't force you.

00:12:07Henry was silent for five seconds.

00:12:09Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:12:11He wrote slowly,

00:12:12each stroke heavy.

00:12:13Henry Coleman,

00:12:18Mrs. Dr. Voss.

00:12:20It was the first time he called me that.

00:12:22Thank you for these seven years.

00:12:23He lowered his head.

00:12:24I failed you.

00:12:25By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill,

00:12:27it was already three in the afternoon.

00:12:29I didn't look back at that house again.

00:12:30In the car,

00:12:31I sent Zara three messages.

00:12:33That post-nup can be used now.

00:12:34I am on my way to the airport.

00:12:36Five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:12:37Charles will pick me up.

00:12:38I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:12:40She replied instantly,

00:12:42waiting for you, sis.

00:12:42The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:12:45I rested my hand on my belly.

00:12:47The two children moved.

00:12:48I said to them,

00:12:48Mommy is taking you home,

00:12:50to our real home.

00:12:51Before the plane took off,

00:12:52the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:12:54Before switching mine to airplane mode,

00:12:56I opened my alarm list.

00:12:57There were 17 alarms in total.

00:12:59The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:13:01The alarm title read,

00:13:02Call Addy.

00:13:03Boston time.

00:13:04Seven years.

00:13:04No, six years.

00:13:05Since Addy turned one.

00:13:07Every morning at six.

00:13:08Whether I was in California,

00:13:09Boston,

00:13:10New York,

00:13:11Tokyo,

00:13:11London,

00:13:12at a prenatal checkup in a meeting,

00:13:13or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:13:16When the alarm rang,

00:13:17I called her.

00:13:18Mommy.

00:13:19She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:13:21She answered the phone less and less.

00:13:23Finish breakfast?

00:13:24Go to school?

00:13:25Bye,

00:13:26Mommy loves you.

00:13:26Starting this year,

00:13:27she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:13:29She simply stopped answering.

00:13:31I had never deleted that alarm.

00:13:32I told myself,

00:13:33what if one day she remembered Mommy?

00:13:35What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:13:36I had to be online at that moment.

00:13:38At six this morning,

00:13:39I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:13:42That alarm rang too.

00:13:46At that moment,

00:13:47I was standing beside the foyer table,

00:13:49placing the envelope there.

00:13:51I stared at the phone screen.

00:13:53She was upstairs.

00:13:55She didn't hear it.

00:13:57Before seven o'clock,

00:13:58she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:14:00I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:14:01I deleted it.

00:14:03The plane taxied down the runway.

00:14:04The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:14:06I closed my eyes.

00:14:08I said one thing to myself.

00:14:10You've done everything you needed to do.

00:14:13I opened my eyes

00:14:14and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

00:14:17The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:14:19If either spouse commits public humiliation,

00:14:22deprivation of parental rights,

00:14:23or economic coercion,

00:14:25the other spouse shall have the right

00:14:26to sole custody of minor children

00:14:27and 75% of marital assets.

00:14:32Back then,

00:14:33the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:14:35Mrs. Hale,

00:14:36this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:14:39See how much Trevor protects you?

00:14:41I was only 24 then,

00:14:43newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:14:45It was my first time stepping into a century-old family,

00:14:47like the Hales,

00:14:49and I was so nervous my hand shook when I signed.

00:14:52I signed.

00:14:54Trevor signed too.

00:14:55He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:14:57To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:14:59To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:15:03Reading that sentence again today,

00:15:04I nearly laughed out loud.

00:15:06He had hardly protected me at all.

00:15:08But he had indeed left me a gun.

00:15:11Seven years later,

00:15:11he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:15:14Seven years ago,

00:15:15he wrote that clause

00:15:16because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:15:18Seven years later,

00:15:19the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:15:22The Hales,

00:15:22the cabin announcement told us

00:15:23we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:15:25Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:15:27Sunlight poured in,

00:15:29harsh and blinding.

00:15:30I closed the forwarder.

00:15:31I told myself,

00:15:33Amelia,

00:15:33you don't love him anymore.

00:15:36It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:15:38I'm in a meeting.

00:15:40Again and again,

00:15:41he said,

00:15:41she needs me.

00:15:42Again and again,

00:15:43he said,

00:15:44your hormones are unstable.

00:15:46Again and again,

00:15:47he said,

00:15:47Cassidy has it hard.

00:15:48He wore away what little love I had,

00:15:50bit by bit,

00:15:50until it turned to ash.

00:15:52When the wind blew,

00:15:53nothing was left.

00:15:54I closed my eyes.

00:15:55One of the two children in my belly moved,

00:15:57and the other moved with them.

00:15:58I smiled.

00:16:00I said to them,

00:16:01your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:16:03Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:16:05Starting today.

00:16:24I flew back to Boston,

00:16:26pregnant with twins,

00:16:27just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:16:28Today was my 31st birthday.

00:16:30It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:16:33The doctor told me not to fly.

00:16:34I flew anyway.

00:16:35Not because of love.

00:16:36Because,

00:16:37after 7 years,

00:16:38I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:16:41I told the babies in my belly,

00:16:42this is the last time.

00:16:44After this,

00:16:44we stopped waiting for him.

00:16:45He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:16:48Tomorrow morning at 9,

00:16:49he would find out what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:16:53By the time I landed at Logan Airport,

00:16:55it was already past 9 at night.

00:16:57I thought that,

00:16:58if only for the sake of these 7 years,

00:17:00he should come home tonight.

00:17:01When I walked out of the airport,

00:17:02my phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:17:06There was nothing from Trevor.

00:17:10By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,

00:17:13it was almost 10.30.

00:17:14Henry opened the door for me.

00:17:16Mrs. Hale, you...

00:17:17What brings you here?

00:17:19Where's Trevor?

00:17:20And Adi?

00:17:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:17:22Misses upstairs,

00:17:23playing with that box of shells.

00:17:27I nodded,

00:17:28handed him my coat,

00:17:29and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:17:31The hallway was very quiet.

00:17:33Adi's bedroom door was half open,

00:17:35a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:17:37I pushed the door open and went in.

00:17:39She was wearing pink pajamas,

00:17:41sitting cross-legged on the carpet,

00:17:43focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:17:45My footsteps were light.

00:17:47Adi.

00:17:47She looked up,

00:17:48her eyes lighting up.

00:17:50Then she lowered her head again,

00:17:51and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:17:53I crouched down,

00:17:54held my belly,

00:17:55pulled her into my arms,

00:17:57and kissed her.

00:17:58Mom, don't bother me.

00:18:00I'm busy.

00:18:00I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:18:02No number of kisses would have been enough,

00:18:04but she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:18:06Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:18:08Mmm.

00:18:09In one week,

00:18:10it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:18:12This is the birthday present

00:18:13Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:18:15Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:18:17Aren't they pretty?

00:18:22She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:18:24That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.

00:18:28My throat tightened sharply.

00:18:30Before I could speak,

00:18:31she added happily,

00:18:32Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:18:34Tomorrow,

00:18:35she didn't finish.

00:18:36I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:18:38This time last year,

00:18:39it had been a night just like this.

00:18:41The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:18:43Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide

00:18:47I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:18:50One of only three out-of-print copies,

00:18:52the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:18:54The hammer price was $420,000.

00:18:57Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:18:59Cassidy had left from cold.

00:19:01I sat in the third row at the time,

00:19:02smiling and applauding.

00:19:06I thought I could endure one more year.

00:19:08Adi,

00:19:09Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:19:11She looked up.

00:19:14Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:19:16She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:19:19For five seconds.

00:19:21Mommy's birthday?

00:19:23She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:19:27Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:19:32She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:19:35Mom, don't talk to me.

00:19:37You're messing up the order.

00:19:38I didn't speak again.

00:19:40I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:19:46When I went downstairs,

00:19:48Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:19:50Mrs. Hale.

00:19:51I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:19:53He said he has something to do tonight

00:19:55and asked you to rest first.

00:19:57I see.

00:19:57I answered softly.

00:19:59After thinking for a moment,

00:20:00I still called Trevor.

00:20:02The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:20:04His voice was faint.

00:20:06I'm busy.

00:20:06Tomorrow.

00:20:09From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:20:11Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:20:14Who is it this late?

00:20:15It was Cassidy.

00:20:16I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:20:18Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:20:20Nothing.

00:20:21Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:20:23I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:20:26The two children in my belly moved.

00:20:28I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:20:31I said to them,

00:20:32Mommy understands now.

00:20:34Mommy thought seven years was long enough that

00:20:37one year he would remember to come home.

00:20:41Tonight was the last time.

00:20:43Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:20:48At 6.30 the next morning,

00:20:50I went downstairs.

00:20:52Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:20:54I didn't go in.

00:20:55Halfway there,

00:20:56I heard Adi's voice drifting over

00:20:58from the other side of the kitchen.

00:20:59She was talking to Henry.

00:21:01Her voice wasn't loud,

00:21:02but she was still little.

00:21:03She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:21:05Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:21:07Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:21:09Dad and I already promised we'd take

00:21:11Aunt Cassidy to Kid Cod tomorrow.

00:21:13If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us,

00:21:16Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:21:18Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:21:20You can't say things like that.

00:21:21It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:21:23I know.

00:21:24But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:21:26But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:21:29Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:21:31I stood at the foot of the stairs,

00:21:32unable to move even half a step.

00:21:34My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:21:35I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:21:38Trevor was in Europe that day

00:21:39negotiating an acquisition.

00:21:42Cole is gone.

00:21:43I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:21:45Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:21:48Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:21:51After that night,

00:21:51the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:21:54Henry said nothing more.

00:21:55I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:21:57I sat down by the bed.

00:21:59I didn't cry.

00:22:00I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:22:03I opened my phone.

00:22:04I sent Trevor a text.

00:22:05Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:22:07Just the three of us.

00:22:08Aidy wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:22:10I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:22:12He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:22:15Got it.

00:22:15You set the time.

00:22:16Looking at that, got it.

00:22:18I nearly laughed out loud.

00:22:20Seven years ago,

00:22:21when he was pursuing me,

00:22:22he wrote 15 love letters.

00:22:24Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:22:27Seven years later,

00:22:28his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:22:30I wrote back.

00:22:3312.30 Mistral.

00:22:34Got it.

00:22:35I washed up, did my makeup,

00:22:36and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:22:38I had picked it out myself last year.

00:22:40Trevor had never seen it once.

00:22:41At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.

00:22:43Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:22:45It was Trevor.

00:22:45Something urgent came up at noon.

00:22:47Lunch is canceled.

00:22:48Next time,

00:22:48I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive

00:22:51and stared at that text for a long time.

00:22:57If it had been before,

00:22:58I would have immediately replied,

00:22:59okay?

00:22:59Or when you're done,

00:23:00should I wait for you?

00:23:01I would have waited.

00:23:03I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon,

00:23:06drink two glasses of lemon water,

00:23:07then drive home.

00:23:08Dad is busy today.

00:23:09It isn't easy for him.

00:23:10But today,

00:23:11I didn't reply.

00:23:13I started the car again

00:23:14and drove toward Back Bay.

00:23:15I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:23:17I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:23:19I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:23:22I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:23:24I didn't go in right away.

00:23:26I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:23:29Inside,

00:23:30at the old table by the window,

00:23:31the three of them were sitting there.

00:23:33Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:23:35Adi tilted her head up,

00:23:36telling her jokes,

00:23:37her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:23:38Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,

00:23:40taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:23:42Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:23:44Trevor sat across from them.

00:23:46He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat

00:23:48I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:23:49He was smiling,

00:23:50the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:23:52He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate,

00:23:55then one for Adi.

00:23:56His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time,

00:23:59as if in the entire restaurant,

00:24:00she was the only person left.

00:24:01I stood outside the glass window,

00:24:03carrying two unborn children in my belly,

00:24:05his wife,

00:24:06his childhood friend's widow,

00:24:08his daughter,

00:24:09three people at one table.

00:24:10The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:24:12I didn't go in.

00:24:14I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:24:16I started the engine.

00:24:18The windshield wiper swept across the glass,

00:24:20wiping away two drops of water.

00:24:22It wasn't rain.

00:24:23Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:24:25I smiled a little.

00:24:26I said to myself,

00:24:27Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:24:29I see it clearly.

00:24:31I drove away.

00:24:32I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:24:33When I returned to Beacon Hill,

00:24:34it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:24:36Only Henry was in the old house.

00:24:37When he saw me, he froze.

00:24:39Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:24:40Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:24:42Henry opened in his mouth,

00:24:43then said nothing.

00:24:43I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:24:46I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:24:49On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:24:53Folder, AMV only.

00:24:54I opened it.

00:24:55There were four things inside.

00:24:57A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.

00:24:59The version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:25:06A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:25:10I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely,

00:25:13and he didn't know.

00:25:14A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:25:19A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago

00:25:23showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.

00:25:33From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:25:36It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:25:40Sis, here.

00:25:42In case you need it someday.

00:25:43I won't need it.

00:25:45She wrote back,

00:25:46Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:25:54Two o'clock this afternoon.

00:25:56I needed it.

00:25:57I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement,

00:26:00word for word.

00:26:02I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation

00:26:06to the second page.

00:26:08I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:26:13I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:26:17I looked at it for a long time.

00:26:20I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:26:22I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:26:25Exhibit C.

00:26:27Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute,

00:26:31during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:26:34This date was Plantis' birthday and seventh wedding anniversary.

00:26:38Print.

00:26:40Sign.

00:26:41Amelia M. Voss.

00:26:42Not Hale.

00:26:43Voss.

00:26:44I hadn't used that surname in seven years.

00:26:47After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:26:52On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

00:26:55To Trevor Hale.

00:26:57I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:27:00That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:27:03I went downstairs.

00:27:06Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:27:09When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:27:14Mrs. Hale.

00:27:16Henry.

00:27:16I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:27:18When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:27:21I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:27:23Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:27:25He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:27:28He had seen everything.

00:27:31Seven years.

00:27:32Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home, he was the one who

00:27:37brought me soup.

00:27:39Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house, he silently pulled me away.

00:27:44At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:27:47You won't be coming back this time.

00:27:49I didn't answer.

00:27:51I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag, wrote several lines, and handed it to him.

00:27:58Henry.

00:27:59At 2.40 this afternoon, Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert, and Adeline Hale had lunch together

00:28:05at Mistral.

00:28:05I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:28:12Plaintiff was not present.

00:28:13Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:28:15Amelia M. Vosth after Henry finished reading it.

00:28:17His hand trembled.

00:28:18He looked up at me.

00:28:19Just sign your name.

00:28:21If this matter goes to court, your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:28:24If you don't want to sign, you can tear it up.

00:28:26I won't force you.

00:28:27Henry was silent for five seconds.

00:28:29Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:28:31He wrote slowly, each stroke heavy.

00:28:33Henry Coleman the 14th of March.

00:28:35I took the paper, folded it, and put it into my Kelly bag, Henry.

00:28:38Mrs. Dr. Vosth.

00:28:40It was the first time he called me that.

00:28:42Thank you for these seven years.

00:28:43He lowered his head.

00:28:44I failed you.

00:28:45By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill, it was already three in the afternoon.

00:28:49I didn't look back at that house again.

00:28:51In the car, I sent Zara three messages.

00:28:53That post-nup can be used now.

00:28:54I am on my way to the airport.

00:28:56Five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:28:57Charles will pick me up.

00:28:59I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:29:00She replied instantly, waiting for you, sis.

00:29:02The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:29:05I rested my hand on my belly.

00:29:07The two children moved.

00:29:08I said to them, mommy is taking you home, to our real home.

00:29:11Before the plane took off, the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:29:14Before switching mine to airplane mode, I opened my alarm list.

00:29:17There were 17 alarms in total.

00:29:19The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:29:21The alarm title read, call Adi, Boston time.

00:29:24Seven years.

00:29:24No, six years.

00:29:25Since Adi turned one.

00:29:27Every morning at six.

00:29:28Whether I was in California, Boston, New York, Tokyo, London, at a prenatal checkup,

00:29:33in a meeting, or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:29:36When the alarm rang, I called her.

00:29:39Mommy.

00:29:39She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:29:41She answered the phone less and less.

00:29:43Finish breakfast?

00:29:44Go to school?

00:29:45Bye, mommy loves you.

00:29:47Starting this year, she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:29:49She simply stopped answering.

00:29:51I had never deleted that alarm.

00:29:52I told myself what if one day she remembered mommy.

00:29:55What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:29:56I had to be online at that moment.

00:29:58At six this morning, I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:30:02That alarm rang too.

00:30:06At that moment, I was standing beside the foyer table, placing the envelope there.

00:30:11I stared at the phone screen.

00:30:13She was upstairs.

00:30:16She didn't hear it.

00:30:17Before seven o'clock, she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:30:20I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:30:21I deleted it.

00:30:23The plane taxied down the runway.

00:30:24The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:30:27I closed my eyes.

00:30:28I said one thing to myself.

00:30:30You've done everything you needed to do.

00:30:33I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

00:30:37The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:30:39If either spouse commits public humiliation, deprivation of parental rights, or economic coercion,

00:30:45the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children and 75% of marital assets.

00:30:52Back then, the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:30:55Mrs. Hale, this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:30:59See how much Trevor protects you?

00:31:01I was only 24 then, newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:31:05It was my first time stepping into a century-old family, like the Hales.

00:31:09And I was so nervous, my hand shook when I signed.

00:31:12I signed.

00:31:14Trevor signed too.

00:31:15He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:31:17To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:31:19To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:31:23Reading that sentence again today, I nearly laughed out loud.

00:31:25He had hardly protected me at all, but he had indeed left me a gun.

00:31:31Seven years later, he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:31:34Seven years ago, he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:31:38Seven years later, the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:31:42The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:31:45Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:31:47Sunlight poured in, harsh and blinding.

00:31:50I closed the forder.

00:31:51I told myself,

00:31:53Amelia, you don't love him anymore.

00:31:56It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:31:59I'm in a meeting.

00:32:00Again and again, he said,

00:32:01She needs me.

00:32:02Again and again, he said,

00:32:04Your hormones are unstable.

00:32:06Again and again, he said,

00:32:07Cassidy has it hard.

00:32:08He wore away what little love I had, bit by bit.

00:32:10Until it turned to ash.

00:32:12When the wind blew, nothing was left.

00:32:14I closed my eyes.

00:32:15One of the two children in my belly moved.

00:32:17And the other moved with them.

00:32:18I smiled.

00:32:20I said to them,

00:32:21Your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:32:23Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:32:25Starting today.

00:32:44I flew back to Boston, pregnant with twins.

00:32:47Just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:32:49Today was my 31st birthday.

00:32:50It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:32:52The doctor told me not to fly.

00:32:54I flew anyway.

00:32:55Not because of love.

00:32:56Because, after 7 years,

00:32:58I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:33:01I told the babies in my belly,

00:33:03This is the last time.

00:33:04After this, we stopped waiting for him.

00:33:05He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:33:08Tomorrow morning at 9,

00:33:09He would find out,

00:33:10What he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:33:13By the time I landed at Logan Airport,

00:33:15It was already past 9 at night.

00:33:17I thought that,

00:33:18If only for the sake of these 7 years,

00:33:20He should come home tonight.

00:33:21When I walked out of the airport,

00:33:22My phone was full of birthday wishes from colleagues and old classmates.

00:33:26There was nothing from Trevor.

00:33:30By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,

00:33:33It was almost 10.30.

00:33:34Henry opened the door for me.

00:33:36Mrs. Hale, you...

00:33:37What brings you here?

00:33:39Where's Trevor?

00:33:40And Adi?

00:33:40Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:33:42Mrs. Upstairs,

00:33:43Playing with that box of shells.

00:33:47I nodded,

00:33:48Handed him my coat,

00:33:49And went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:33:51The hallway was very quiet.

00:33:53Adi's bedroom door was half open,

00:33:55A warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:33:57I pushed the door open,

00:33:58And went in.

00:33:59She was wearing pink pajamas,

00:34:01Sitting cross-legged on the carpet,

00:34:03Focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:34:05My footsteps were light.

00:34:07Adi.

00:34:08She looked up,

00:34:08Her eyes lighting up.

00:34:10Then she lowered her head again,

00:34:11And went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:34:13I crouched down,

00:34:14Held my belly,

00:34:16Pulled her into my arms,

00:34:17And kissed her.

00:34:18Mom, don't bother me.

00:34:20I'm busy.

00:34:20I hadn't seen her in more than 2 months.

00:34:22No number of kisses would have been enough.

00:34:24But she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:34:26Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:34:28Mmm.

00:34:29In one week,

00:34:30It'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:34:32This is the birthday present Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:34:35Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:34:38Aren't they pretty?

00:34:42She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:34:44That box of shells was the one I had taken her to collect on beach at Big Sun last year.

00:34:48My throat tightened sharply.

00:34:50Before I could speak, she added happily.

00:34:52Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:34:55Tomorrow, she didn't finish.

00:34:56I looked at the necklace in her hands and remembered something.

00:34:59This time last year, it had been a night just like this.

00:35:01The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:35:03Trevor personally auctioned off the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide I had given him for our 6th anniversary.

00:35:10One of only 3 out-of-print copies, the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:35:14The hammer price was $420,000.

00:35:17Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:35:19Cassidy had left from cold.

00:35:21I sat in the 3rd row at the time, smiling and applauding.

00:35:26I thought I could endure one more year.

00:35:28Lady, Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:35:31She looked up.

00:35:34Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:35:36She furrowed her little brows and thought very seriously.

00:35:39For 5 seconds...

00:35:41Mommy's birthday?

00:35:43She looked up at me and blinked as if asking for help.

00:35:47Mom, is your birthday the one in summer?

00:35:52She lowered her head again and started counting the beads.

00:35:55Mom, don't talk to me.

00:35:57You're messing up the order.

00:35:58I didn't speak again.

00:36:00I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:36:06When I went downstairs, Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:36:10Mrs. Hale.

00:36:11I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:36:13He said he has something to do tonight and asked you to rest first.

00:36:17I see.

00:36:17I answered softly.

00:36:19After thinking for a moment, I still called Trevor.

00:36:22The phone rang for a long time before he answered.

00:36:24His voice was faint.

00:36:26I'm busy.

00:36:26Tomorrow.

00:36:29From the other end of the phone came another woman's voice.

00:36:31Soft, natural, as if she had been by his side all night.

00:36:34Who is it this late?

00:36:35It was Cassidy.

00:36:36I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:36:38Trevor paused, then said to me,

00:36:40Nothing.

00:36:41Before I could speak, he hung up.

00:36:44I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:36:46The two children in my belly moved.

00:36:48I lowered my head and gently patted my stomach.

00:36:51I said to them,

00:36:52Mommy understands now.

00:36:54Mommy thought seven years was long enough that one year he would remember to come home.

00:37:01Tonight was the last time.

00:37:03Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:37:08At 6.30 the next morning, I went downstairs.

00:37:12Henry was making breakfast in the kitchen.

00:37:14I didn't go in.

00:37:16Halfway there, I heard Adi's voice drifting over from the other side of the kitchen.

00:37:19She was talking to Henry.

00:37:21Her voice wasn't loud, but she was still little.

00:37:23She didn't understand what lower your voice meant.

00:37:25Henry, I'm not happy that Mom came.

00:37:27Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:37:29Daddy, Dad and I already promised we'd take Aunt Cassidy to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:37:33If Mom suddenly comes and insists on going with us, Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:37:38Miss, Madam is your mother.

00:37:40You can't say things like that.

00:37:41It will hurt her heart, understand?

00:37:43I know.

00:37:44But there wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice.

00:37:47But Dad and I both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:37:49Can I let Aunt Cassidy be my mommy?

00:37:51I stood at the foot of the stairs, unable to move even half a step.

00:37:54My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:37:55I had spent 22 hours in the delivery room alone.

00:37:58Trevor was in Europe that day negotiating an acquisition.

00:38:02Cole is gone.

00:38:03I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:38:05Cole had died in a car accident the night before.

00:38:08Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:38:11After that night, the two of them were never truly apart again.

00:38:14Henry said nothing more.

00:38:15I walked back to my room and closed the door.

00:38:18I sat down by the bed.

00:38:19I didn't cry.

00:38:20I only lowered the hand resting on my belly.

00:38:23I opened my phone.

00:38:24I sent Trevor a text.

00:38:25Trevor, let's have lunch together today.

00:38:27Just the three of us.

00:38:2880 wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:38:30I'll fly back to San Francisco this afternoon.

00:38:32He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:38:35Got it.

00:38:36You set the time.

00:38:36Looking at that, got it.

00:38:38I nearly laughed out loud.

00:38:40Seven years ago, when he was pursuing me, he wrote 15 love letters.

00:38:44Every one of them ended with yours, Trevor.

00:38:47Seven years later, his reply to me had fewer words than yours plus Trevor.

00:38:50I wrote back.

00:38:5312.30 Mistral.

00:38:54Got it.

00:38:55I washed up, did my makeup, and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:38:59I had picked it out myself last year.

00:39:00Trevor had never seen it once.

00:39:01At 11.40, I drove to Back Bay.

00:39:03Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

00:39:05It was Trevor.

00:39:06Something urgent came up at noon.

00:39:07Lunch is canceled.

00:39:08Next time, I pulled over onto a small road beside Starro Drive and stared at that text for a long

00:39:12time.

00:39:17If it had been before, I would have immediately replied, okay?

00:39:19Or when you're done, should I wait for you?

00:39:21I would have waited.

00:39:23I would have sat alone at Mistral until 2 in the afternoon, drink two glasses of lemon water, then drive

00:39:27home.

00:39:28Dad is busy today.

00:39:29It isn't easy for him.

00:39:30But today, I didn't reply.

00:39:33I started the car again and drove toward Back Bay.

00:39:35I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:39:37I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:39:39I wanted to see what his so-called urgent matter actually was.

00:39:42I parked across the street from Mistral.

00:39:44I didn't go in right away.

00:39:46I stood outside the glass window for about 10 seconds.

00:39:49Inside, at the old table by the window, the three of them were sitting there.

00:39:53Cassidy and Adi sat close together on the same side.

00:39:55Adi tilted her head up, telling her jokes, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:39:58Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake, taking a bite herself first before handing it over.

00:40:02Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

00:40:04Trevor sat across from them.

00:40:06He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat I had picked out for him last Christmas.

00:40:09He was smiling, the kind of smile I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:40:13He placed a piece of fish on Cassidy's plate, then one for Adi.

00:40:16His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face the whole time, as if in the entire restaurant, she was the only person

00:40:21left.

00:40:22I stood outside the glass window, carrying two unborn children in my belly.

00:40:25His wife, his childhood friend's widow, his daughter.

00:40:29Three people at one table.

00:40:30The seat that should have been across from him was empty.

00:40:32I didn't go in.

00:40:34I turned around and walked back to the car.

00:40:36I started the engine.

00:40:38The windshield wiper swept across the glass, wiping away two drops of water.

00:40:42It wasn't rain.

00:40:43Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

00:40:45I smiled a little.

00:40:46I said to myself,

00:40:48Amelia, do you see it clearly now?

00:40:49I see it clearly.

00:40:51I drove away.

00:40:52I didn't look back at Mistral once.

00:40:53When I returned to Beacon Hill, it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:40:56Only Henry was in the old house.

00:40:57When he saw me, he froze.

00:40:59Mrs. Hale, aren't you at Mistral?

00:41:00Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:41:02Henry opened in his mouth, then said nothing.

00:41:04I went upstairs and entered the study.

00:41:06I opened the computer and connected to the home network.

00:41:09On the desktop was a folder, password locked and hidden for seven years.

00:41:13Folder, AMV only.

00:41:14I opened it.

00:41:15There were four things inside.

00:41:17A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago.

00:41:19The version I had personally scanned and archived.

00:41:26A record of every major decision Trevor had made over the past seven years.

00:41:30I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely, and he didn't know.

00:41:34A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

00:41:39A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago, showing Hale Trust's forged documents for Cassidy's identity as

00:41:47Cole's widow.

00:41:53From that folder, I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

00:41:56It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

00:42:00Sis, here.

00:42:02In case you need it someday.

00:42:03I won't need it.

00:42:05She wrote back,

00:42:06Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:42:142 o'clock this afternoon.

00:42:16I needed it.

00:42:17I copied Article 8 of the postnip into the first page of the agreement, word for word.

00:42:22I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor about Adeline's psychological evaluation to the second page.

00:42:28I placed the photo of that table for three at Mistral this morning on the third page.

00:42:33I had taken the photo outside the glass window with my phone.

00:42:37I looked at it for a long time.

00:42:39I wasn't reluctant to let go.

00:42:42I simply added one line of caption to that photo.

00:42:45Exhibit C.

00:42:47Defendant dined with a third party and daughter at Mistral 47 minute, during which defendant did not contact Placeniff.

00:42:54This date was Planta's birthday and 7th wedding anniversary.

00:42:58Print.

00:43:00Sign.

00:43:01Amelia M. Voss.

00:43:02Not Hale.

00:43:03Voss.

00:43:04I hadn't used that surname in 7 years.

00:43:07After signing, I folded the agreement and placed it in a craft envelope.

00:43:12On the front of the envelope, I wrote three words.

00:43:15To Trevor Hale.

00:43:17I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

00:43:20That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift three years ago.

00:43:23I went downstairs.

00:43:26Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

00:43:29When he saw me carrying my suitcase, he froze completely.

00:43:34Mrs. Hale.

00:43:36Henry.

00:43:36I pointed to the envelope for him.

00:43:38When Mr. Hale comes back, please hand this to him personally.

00:43:41I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

00:43:43Henry's lips moved, but no sound came out.

00:43:45He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

00:43:48He had seen everything.

00:43:51Seven years.

00:43:53Every time I waited until late at night and Trevor never came home,

00:43:56he was the one who brought me soup.

00:43:59Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house,

00:44:02he silently pulled me away.

00:44:05At last, he spoke in a low voice.

00:44:07You won't be coming back this time.

00:44:09I didn't answer.

00:44:11I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag,

00:44:13wrote several lines,

00:44:16and handed it to him.

00:44:18Henry.

00:44:18At 2.40 this afternoon,

00:44:21Mr. Hale,

00:44:22Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

00:44:23and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.

00:44:25I was originally scheduled to attend.

00:44:32Plaintiff was not present.

00:44:33Please sign by hand later as a witness.

00:44:35Amelia M. Voss after Henry finished reading it.

00:44:37His hand trembled.

00:44:38He looked up at me.

00:44:40Just sign your name.

00:44:41If this matter goes to court,

00:44:42your name will appear on Exhibit C.

00:44:44If you don't want to sign,

00:44:45you can tear it up.

00:44:46I won't force you.

00:44:47Henry was silent for five seconds.

00:44:49Then he signed his name at the very bottom of the paper.

00:44:51He wrote slowly,

00:44:52each stroke heavy.

00:44:53Henry Coleman,

00:44:54the 14th of March.

00:44:55I took the paper,

00:44:56folded it,

00:44:57and put it into my Kelly bag,

00:44:58Henry.

00:44:58Mrs. Dr. Voss.

00:45:00It was the first time he called me that.

00:45:02Thank you for these seven years.

00:45:03He lowered his head.

00:45:04I failed you.

00:45:05By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill,

00:45:07it was already three in the afternoon.

00:45:09I didn't look back at that house again.

00:45:10In the car,

00:45:11I sent Zara three messages.

00:45:13That post-nup can be used now.

00:45:14I am on my way to the airport,

00:45:16five o'clock flight to SFO.

00:45:17Charles will pick me up.

00:45:19I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

00:45:21She replied instantly,

00:45:22waiting for you,

00:45:22sis.

00:45:23The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

00:45:25I rested my hand on my belly.

00:45:27The two children moved.

00:45:28I said to them,

00:45:29mommy is taking you home,

00:45:30to our real home.

00:45:31Before the plane took off,

00:45:32the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

00:45:34Before switching mine to airplane mode,

00:45:36I opened my alarm list.

00:45:37There were 17 alarms in total.

00:45:39The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

00:45:41The alarm title read,

00:45:42call Addy,

00:45:43Boston time,

00:45:44seven years,

00:45:44no,

00:45:45six years.

00:45:46Since Addy turned one,

00:45:47every morning at six,

00:45:48whether I was in California,

00:45:50Boston,

00:45:50New York,

00:45:51Tokyo,

00:45:51London,

00:45:52at a prenatal checkup in a meeting,

00:45:53or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

00:45:56When the alarm rang,

00:45:57I called her.

00:45:59Mommy.

00:45:59She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

00:46:01She answered the phone less and less.

00:46:03Finish breakfast?

00:46:04Go to school?

00:46:05Bye,

00:46:06mommy loves you.

00:46:07Starting this year,

00:46:08she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

00:46:09She simply stopped answering.

00:46:10I had never deleted that alarm.

00:46:12I told myself,

00:46:13what if one day she remembered mommy?

00:46:15What if one day she was willing to answer again?

00:46:17I had to be online at that moment.

00:46:19At six this morning,

00:46:20I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

00:46:22That alarm rang too.

00:46:26At that moment,

00:46:27I was standing beside the foyer table,

00:46:29placing the envelope there.

00:46:31I stared at the phone screen.

00:46:33She was upstairs.

00:46:36She didn't hear it.

00:46:37Before seven o'clock,

00:46:38she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

00:46:39I stared at that alarm for a long time.

00:46:42I deleted it.

00:46:43The plane taxied down the runway.

00:46:44The engine noise grew louder and louder.

00:46:47I closed my eyes.

00:46:48I said one thing to myself.

00:46:50You've done everything you needed to do.

00:46:53I opened my eyes and took article eight of the postnote from my handbag.

00:46:57The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

00:46:59If either spouse commits public humiliation,

00:47:02deprivation of parental rights,

00:47:03or economic coercion,

00:47:04the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children

00:47:07and 75% of marital assets.

00:47:12Back then,

00:47:13the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

00:47:15Mrs. Hale,

00:47:16this clause is absolutely in your favor.

00:47:19See how much Trevor protects you?

00:47:21I was only 24 then,

00:47:23newly pregnant with Adeline.

00:47:25It was my first time stepping into a century-old family,

00:47:27like the Hales,

00:47:29and I was so nervous my hand shook when I signed.

00:47:32I signed.

00:47:34Trevor signed too.

00:47:35He even wrote one sentence in his own hand.

00:47:37To keep my wife safe from my own family.

00:47:39To protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

00:47:43Reading that sentence again today,

00:47:44I nearly laughed out loud.

00:47:46He had hardly protected me at all.

00:47:48But he had indeed left me a gun.

00:47:51Seven years later,

00:47:52he walked himself right into the barrel.

00:47:54Seven years ago,

00:47:55he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

00:47:58Seven years later,

00:48:00the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

00:48:02The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

00:48:05Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

00:48:07Sunlight poured in,

00:48:09harsh and blinding.

00:48:10I closed the forder.

00:48:11I told myself,

00:48:13Amelia,

00:48:13you don't love him anymore.

00:48:17It wasn't something that happened overnight.

00:48:19I'm in a meeting.

00:48:20Again and again,

00:48:21he said,

00:48:21she needs me.

00:48:23Again and again,

00:48:23he said,

00:48:24your hormones are unstable.

00:48:26Again and again,

00:48:27he said,

00:48:27Cassidy has it hard.

00:48:28You wore away what little love I had,

00:48:30bit by bit,

00:48:30until it turned to ash.

00:48:32When the wind blew,

00:48:33nothing was left.

00:48:34I closed my eyes.

00:48:35One of the two children in my belly moved,

00:48:37and the other moved with them.

00:48:38I smiled.

00:48:40I said to them,

00:48:41your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

00:48:43Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

00:48:45Starting today.

00:49:05I flew back to Boston,

00:49:06pregnant with twins,

00:49:07just to confirm Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

00:49:09Today was my 31st birthday.

00:49:11It was also our 7th wedding anniversary.

00:49:13The doctor told me not to fly.

00:49:14I flew anyway.

00:49:15Not because of love.

00:49:17Because,

00:49:17after 7 years,

00:49:19I was still waiting for him to give me one reason not to leave.

00:49:21I told the babies in my belly,

00:49:23this is the last time.

00:49:24After this,

00:49:24we stopped waiting for him.

00:49:26He thought what he'd lost was a wife throwing a tantrum.

00:49:28Tomorrow morning at 9,

00:49:29he would find out,

00:49:30what he'd lost was someone he had never deserved in his life.

00:49:33By the time I landed at Logan Airport,

00:49:35it was already past 9 at night.

00:49:37I thought that,

00:49:38if only for the sake of these 7 years,

00:49:40he should come home tonight.

00:49:41When I walked out of the airport,

00:49:42my phone was full of birthday wishes

00:49:44from colleagues and old classmates.

00:49:46There was nothing from Trevor.

00:49:50By the time I reached the old house on Beacon Hill,

00:49:53it was almost 10.30.

00:49:54Henry opened the door for me.

00:49:56Mrs. Hale, you...

00:49:57What brings you here?

00:49:59Where's Trevor?

00:50:00And Adi...

00:50:00Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

00:50:02Mrs. Upstairs,

00:50:03playing with that box of shells.

00:50:07I nodded,

00:50:08handed him my coat,

00:50:09and went upstairs with one hand supporting my belly.

00:50:11The hallway was very quiet.

00:50:13Adi's bedroom door was half open,

00:50:15a warm little lamp glowing inside.

00:50:17I pushed the door open and went in.

00:50:19She was wearing pink pajamas,

00:50:21sitting cross-legged on the carpet,

00:50:23focused on stringing a shell necklace.

00:50:25My footsteps were light.

00:50:27Adi...

00:50:28She looked up,

00:50:28her eyes lighting up.

00:50:30Then she lowered her head again

00:50:31and went back to fiddling with the beads.

00:50:33I crouched down,

00:50:35held my belly,

00:50:35pulled her into my arms,

00:50:37and kissed her.

00:50:38Mom, don't bother me.

00:50:40I'm busy.

00:50:40I hadn't seen her in more than two months.

00:50:42No number of kisses would have been enough,

00:50:44but she had already wriggled out of my arms.

00:50:46Is Adi making a shell necklace?

00:50:48Mmm.

00:50:49In one week,

00:50:50it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

00:50:52This is the birthday present

00:50:53Dad and I are making for Aunt Cassidy.

00:50:55Dad and I polished every one of these shells with tools.

00:50:58Aren't they pretty?

00:51:03She held the necklace up in front of me.

00:51:04That box of shells was the one I had taken her

00:51:06to collect on beach at Big Sum last year.

00:51:08My throat tightened sharply.

00:51:10Before I could speak,

00:51:11she added happily.

00:51:12Dad also ordered other custom gifts for Aunt Cassidy.

00:51:15Tomorrow,

00:51:15she didn't finish.

00:51:16I looked at the necklace in her hands

00:51:18and remembered something.

00:51:19This time last year,

00:51:19it had been a night just like this.

00:51:21The charity gala for Children's Hospital.

00:51:23Trevor personally auctioned off

00:51:25the copy of California Rare Birds Field Guide

00:51:27I had given him for our sixth anniversary.

00:51:30One of only three out-of-print copies,

00:51:32the one I had found among my late father's belongings.

00:51:34The hammer price was $420,000.

00:51:37Donated to set up a trust for the child.

00:51:39Cassidy had left from cold.

00:51:41I sat in the third row at the time,

00:51:42smiling and applauding.

00:51:46I thought I could endure one more year.

00:51:48Lady,

00:51:49Mommy wants to ask you something.

00:51:51She looked up.

00:51:54Do you remember Mommy's birthday?

00:51:56She furrowed her little brows

00:51:57and thought very seriously.

00:51:59For five seconds,

00:52:01Mommy's birthday?

00:52:03She looked up at me

00:52:04and blinked as if asking for help.

00:52:07Mom,

00:52:08is your birthday the one in summer?

00:52:12She lowered her head again

00:52:13and started counting the beads.

00:52:15Mom,

00:52:16don't talk to me.

00:52:17You're messing up the order.

00:52:18I didn't speak again.

00:52:20I let go of the arm I had around her.

00:52:26When I went downstairs,

00:52:28Henry was waiting in the living room.

00:52:30Mrs. Hale,

00:52:31I called Mr. Hale just now.

00:52:33He said he has something to do tonight

00:52:35and asked you to rest first.

00:52:37I see.

00:52:38I answered softly.

00:52:39After thinking for a moment,

00:52:40I still called Trevor.

00:52:42The phone rang for a long time

00:52:43before he answered.

00:52:44His voice was faint.

00:52:46I'm busy.

00:52:47Tomorrow.

00:52:49From the other end of the phone

00:52:50came another woman's voice.

00:52:51Soft,

00:52:52natural,

00:52:52as if she had been by his side all night.

00:52:54Who is it this late?

00:52:55It was Cassidy.

00:52:56I tightened my grip on the phone.

00:52:58Trevor paused,

00:52:59then said to me,

00:53:00Nothing.

00:53:01Before I could speak,

00:53:03he hung up.

00:53:04I sat on the sofa for a long time.

00:53:06The two children in my belly moved.

00:53:08I lowered my head

00:53:09and gently patted my stomach.

00:53:11I said to them,

00:53:12Mommy understands now.

00:53:14Mommy thought seven years

00:53:16was long enough that

00:53:18one year

00:53:19he would remember to come home.

00:53:21Tonight was the last time.

00:53:23Mommy won't wait for him anymore.

00:53:29At 6.30 the next morning,

00:53:30I went downstairs.

00:53:32Henry was making breakfast

00:53:33in the kitchen.

00:53:34I didn't go in.

00:53:36Halfway there,

00:53:36I heard Adi's voice drifting over

00:53:38from the other side of the kitchen.

00:53:39She was talking to Henry.

00:53:41Her voice wasn't loud,

00:53:42but she was still little.

00:53:43She didn't understand

00:53:44what lower your voice meant.

00:53:45Henry, I'm not happy

00:53:46that Mom came.

00:53:47Miss, why would you be unhappy?

00:53:50Dad and I already promised

00:53:51we'd take Aunt Cassidy

00:53:52to Cape Cod tomorrow.

00:53:53If Mom suddenly comes

00:53:55and insists on going with us,

00:53:56Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

00:53:58Miss,

00:53:59Madam is your mother.

00:54:00You can't say things like that.

00:54:01It will hurt her heart.

00:54:02Understand?

00:54:03I know.

00:54:04But there wasn't

00:54:05the slightest hesitation

00:54:05in her voice.

00:54:07But Dad and I

00:54:07both like Aunt Cassidy better.

00:54:09Can I let Aunt Cassidy

00:54:10be my mommy?

00:54:11I stood at the foot of the stairs

00:54:12unable to move even half a step.

00:54:14My daughter was my own flesh and blood.

00:54:16I had spent 22 hours

00:54:17in the delivery room alone.

00:54:18Trevor was in Europe that day

00:54:19negotiating an acquisition.

00:54:22Cole is gone.

00:54:23I have to go to Cassidy right away.

00:54:25Cole had died in a car accident

00:54:26the night before.

00:54:28Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet at the time.

00:54:31After that night,

00:54:32the two of them

00:54:32were never truly apart again.

00:54:34Henry said nothing more.

00:54:36I walked back to my room

00:54:37and closed the door.

00:54:38I sat down by the bed.

00:54:39I didn't cry.

00:54:41I only lowered the hand

00:54:41resting on my belly.

00:54:43I opened my phone.

00:54:44I sent Trevor a text.

00:54:45Trevor,

00:54:46let's have lunch together today.

00:54:47Just the three of us.

00:54:4880 wants Mistral's lobster ravioli.

00:54:50I'll fly back to San Francisco

00:54:51this afternoon.

00:54:52He replied about 20 minutes later.

00:54:55Got it.

00:54:56You set the time.

00:54:56Looking at that,

00:54:57got it.

00:54:58I nearly laughed out loud.

00:55:00Seven years ago,

00:55:01when he was pursuing me,

00:55:03he wrote 15 love letters.

00:55:04Every one of them

00:55:05ended with yours,

00:55:06Trevor.

00:55:07Seven years later,

00:55:08his reply to me

00:55:09had fewer words than yours

00:55:10plus Trevor.

00:55:11I wrote back.

00:55:141230 Mistral.

00:55:15Got it.

00:55:15I washed up,

00:55:16did my makeup

00:55:16and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

00:55:19I had picked it out myself last year.

00:55:20Trevor had never seen it once.

00:55:21At 1140,

00:55:22I drove to Back Bay.

00:55:23Halfway there,

00:55:24my phone buzzed.

00:55:25It was Trevor.

00:55:26Something urgent came up at noon.

00:55:27Lunch is canceled.

00:55:28Next time,

00:55:28I pulled over onto a small road

00:55:30beside Starro Drive

00:55:31and stared at that text

00:55:32for a long time.

00:55:37If it had been before,

00:55:38I would have immediately replied,

00:55:39okay?

00:55:40Or when you're done,

00:55:40should I wait for you?

00:55:41I would have waited.

00:55:43I would have sat alone at Mistral

00:55:44until two in the afternoon,

00:55:46drink two glasses of lemon water,

00:55:47then drive home.

00:55:48Dad is busy today.

00:55:49It isn't easy for him.

00:55:50But today,

00:55:51I didn't reply.

00:55:53I started the car again

00:55:54and drove toward Back Bay.

00:55:55I wasn't acting out of spite.

00:55:57I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

00:55:59I wanted to see

00:56:00what his so-called urgent matter

00:56:01actually was.

00:56:02I parked across the street

00:56:03from Mistral.

00:56:04I didn't go in right away.

00:56:06I stood outside the glass window

00:56:08for about 10 seconds.

00:56:09Inside,

00:56:10at the old table by the window,

00:56:11the three of them were sitting there.

00:56:13Cassidy and Adi

00:56:14sat close together

00:56:14on the same side.

00:56:15Adi tilted her head up,

00:56:16telling her jokes,

00:56:17her shoulders shaking with laughter.

00:56:19Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,

00:56:20taking a bite herself first

00:56:21before handing it over.

00:56:22Adi opened her mouth

00:56:23and ate it.

00:56:24Trevor sat across from them.

00:56:26He was wearing

00:56:26the dark gray cashmere coat

00:56:28I had picked out

00:56:28for him last Christmas.

00:56:29He was smiling,

00:56:30the kind of smile

00:56:31I hadn't seen in a very long time.

00:56:33He placed a piece of fish

00:56:33on Cassidy's plate,

00:56:35then one for Adi.

00:56:37His eyes stayed

00:56:37on Cassidy's face

00:56:38the whole time,

00:56:39as if in the entire restaurant,

00:56:40she was the only person left.

00:56:42I stood outside the glass window,

00:56:43carrying two unborn children

00:56:44in my belly,

00:56:45his wife,

00:56:46his childhood friend's widow,

00:56:48his daughter,

00:56:49three people at one table.

00:56:50The seat that should have been

00:56:51across from him was empty.

00:56:52I didn't go in.

00:56:54I turned around

00:56:55and walked back to the car.

00:56:56I started the engine.

00:56:58The windshield wiper

00:56:59swept across the glass,

00:57:00wiping away two drops of water.

00:57:02It wasn't rain.

00:57:03Even I didn't know

00:57:04when they had fallen.

00:57:05I smiled a little.

00:57:06I said to myself,

00:57:08Amelia,

00:57:08do you see it clearly now?

00:57:09I see it clearly.

00:57:11I drove away.

00:57:12I didn't look back

00:57:12at Mistral once.

00:57:13When I returned to Beacon Hill,

00:57:15it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

00:57:16Only Henry was in the old house.

00:57:18When he saw me,

00:57:18he froze.

00:57:19Mrs. Hale,

00:57:19aren't you at Mistral?

00:57:20Mr. Hale had something come up.

00:57:22Henry opened it his mouth,

00:57:23then said nothing.

00:57:24I went upstairs

00:57:25and entered the study.

00:57:26I opened the computer

00:57:27and connected to the home network.

00:57:29On the desktop was a folder,

00:57:30password locked,

00:57:31and hidden for seven years.

00:57:33Folder?

00:57:34AMV only.

00:57:34I opened it.

00:57:35There were four things inside.

00:57:37A PDF of the postnup

00:57:38from seven years ago,

00:57:40the version I had personally

00:57:41scanned and archived.

00:57:46A record of every major decision

00:57:48Trevor had made

00:57:49over the past seven years.

00:57:50I had attended

00:57:51every Viridian Labs

00:57:52board meeting remotely,

00:57:53and he didn't know.

00:57:54A copy of delivery room footage

00:57:56from the day Adeline

00:57:57was born proof

00:57:58that Trevor had been absent.

00:57:59A full set of evidence

00:58:01I had obtained

00:58:02two years ago

00:58:03showing Hale Trust's

00:58:04forged documents

00:58:05for Cassidy's identity

00:58:07as Cole's widow.

00:58:13From that folder,

00:58:14I pulled up

00:58:15the divorce agreement template.

00:58:16It was the version

00:58:17Zara had sent me

00:58:18half a year ago.

00:58:21Sis, here.

00:58:22In case you need it someday.

00:58:23I won't need it.

00:58:25She wrote back,

00:58:26Sis, stop lying to yourself.

00:58:34Two o'clock this afternoon.

00:58:36I needed it.

00:58:37I copied article 8

00:58:38of the postnip

00:58:39into the first page

00:58:40of the agreement,

00:58:41word for word.

00:58:42I attached the email

00:58:43Dr. Masson had sent Trevor

00:58:44about Adeline's

00:58:45psychological evaluation

00:58:46to the second page.

00:58:48I placed the photo

00:58:49of that table for three

00:58:50at Mistral this morning

00:58:51on the third page.

00:58:53I had taken the photo

00:58:55outside the glass window

00:58:56with my phone.

00:58:57I looked at it

00:58:58for a long time.

00:59:00I wasn't reluctant

00:59:01to let go.

00:59:02I simply added

00:59:03one line of caption

00:59:04to that photo.

00:59:05Exhibit C.

00:59:07Defendant dined

00:59:08with a third party

00:59:09and daughter

00:59:09at Mistral 47 minute,

00:59:11during which defendant

00:59:12did not contact

00:59:13Placeniff.

00:59:14This date was

00:59:15Plantis' birthday

00:59:16and seventh wedding

00:59:17anniversary.

00:59:18Print.

00:59:20Sign.

00:59:21Amelia M. Voss.

00:59:23Not Hale.

00:59:23Voss.

00:59:24I hadn't used that surname

00:59:26in seven years.

00:59:27After signing,

00:59:29I folded the agreement

00:59:30and placed it

00:59:31in a craft envelope.

00:59:32On the front

00:59:32of the envelope,

00:59:33I wrote three words

00:59:35to Trevor Hale.

00:59:37I placed it on the

00:59:38mahogany table

00:59:39in the foyer.

00:59:40That table was

00:59:41Cassidy's housewarming gift

00:59:42three years ago.

00:59:44I went downstairs.

00:59:46Henry was arranging

00:59:47a bouquet

00:59:48in the living room.

00:59:49When he saw me

00:59:50carrying my suitcase,

00:59:52he froze completely.

00:59:54Mrs. Hale.

00:59:56Henry,

00:59:56I pointed to the envelope

00:59:58for him.

00:59:59When Mr. Hale comes back,

01:00:00please hand this

01:00:00to him personally.

01:00:01I'll be returning

01:00:02to San Francisco shortly.

01:00:03Henry's lips moved,

01:00:04but no sound came out.

01:00:05He had been the Hale family's

01:00:07butler for 20 years.

01:00:08He had seen everything.

01:00:11Seven years.

01:00:13Every time I waited

01:00:14until late at night

01:00:15and Trevor never came home,

01:00:16he was the one

01:00:17who brought me soup.

01:00:19Every time Cassidy

01:00:20unintentionally stabbed me

01:00:22in this house,

01:00:22he silently pulled me away.

01:00:25At last,

01:00:25he spoke in a low voice.

01:00:27You won't be coming back

01:00:28this time.

01:00:29I didn't answer.

01:00:31I took a white sheet

01:00:32of paper from my handbag,

01:00:34wrote several lines,

01:00:36and handed it to him.

01:00:38Henry,

01:00:39at 2.40 this afternoon,

01:00:41Mr. Hale,

01:00:42Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

01:00:43and Adeline Hale

01:00:44had lunch together

01:00:45at Mistral.

01:00:46I was originally

01:00:46scheduled to attend.

01:00:52Plaintiff was not present.

01:00:53Please sign by hand

01:00:54later as a witness.

01:00:55Amelia M. Vosk

01:00:56after Henry finished

01:00:57reading it,

01:00:58his hand trembled.

01:00:59He looked up at me.

01:01:00Just sign your name.

01:01:01If this matter goes to court,

01:01:02your name will appear

01:01:03on Exhibit C.

01:01:04If you don't want a sign,

01:01:05you can tear it up.

01:01:06I won't force you.

01:01:07Henry was silent

01:01:08for five seconds.

01:01:09Then he signed his name

01:01:10at the very bottom

01:01:10of the paper.

01:01:11He wrote slowly,

01:01:12each stroke heavy.

01:01:13Henry Coleman,

01:01:14the 14th of March.

01:01:15I took the paper,

01:01:16folded it,

01:01:17and put it into

01:01:17my Kelly bag,

01:01:18Henry.

01:01:19Mrs. Dr. Vosk.

01:01:20It was the first time

01:01:21he called me that.

01:01:22Thank you for these

01:01:22seven years.

01:01:23He lowered his head.

01:01:24I failed you.

01:01:25By the time the car

01:01:26pulled out of Beacon Hill,

01:01:27it was already

01:01:28three in the afternoon.

01:01:28I didn't look back

01:01:30at that house again.

01:01:30In the car,

01:01:31I sent Zara three messages.

01:01:33That postnup can be used now.

01:01:34I am on my way

01:01:35to the airport,

01:01:36five o'clock flight to SFO.

01:01:38Charles will pick me up.

01:01:39I'll go straight to

01:01:39Bishop and Cole

01:01:40after landing.

01:01:41She replied instantly,

01:01:42waiting for you, sis.

01:01:43The car entered

01:01:44the approach ramp

01:01:44to Logan Airport.

01:01:45I rested my hand

01:01:46on my belly.

01:01:47The two children moved.

01:01:48I said to them,

01:01:49Mommy is taking you home,

01:01:50to our real home.

01:01:51Before the plane took off,

01:01:52the cabin announcement

01:01:53told us to turn off

01:01:53our phones.

01:01:54Before switching mine

01:01:55to airplane mode,

01:01:56I opened my alarm list.

01:01:57There were 17 alarms in total.

01:01:59The one at the top

01:02:00was set for 6 o'clock

01:02:01every morning.

01:02:01The alarm title read,

01:02:02Call Addy,

01:02:03Boston time.

01:02:047 years.

01:02:05No, 6 years.

01:02:06Since Addy turned 1,

01:02:07every morning at 6.

01:02:08Whether I was in California,

01:02:10Boston,

01:02:10New York,

01:02:11Tokyo,

01:02:11London,

01:02:12at a prenatal checkup

01:02:13in a meeting,

01:02:13or just finishing overtime

01:02:15in the middle of the night.

01:02:16When the alarm rang,

01:02:17I called her.

01:02:19Mommy.

01:02:19She spent more and more time

01:02:20in Boston with Trevor.

01:02:22She answered the phone

01:02:22less and less.

01:02:23Finish breakfast?

01:02:24Go to school?

01:02:25Bye,

01:02:26Mommy loves you.

01:02:27Starting this year,

01:02:28she stopped letting

01:02:28Henry answer for her.

01:02:29She simply stopped answering.

01:02:31I had never deleted

01:02:32that alarm.

01:02:32I told myself,

01:02:33what if one day

01:02:34she remembered Mommy?

01:02:35What if one day

01:02:35she was willing

01:02:36to answer again?

01:02:37I had to be online

01:02:38at that moment.

01:02:39At 6 this morning,

01:02:40I was on the first floor

01:02:41of the old Beacon Hill house.

01:02:42That alarm rang too.

01:02:46At that moment,

01:02:47I was standing beside

01:02:48the foyer table,

01:02:49placing the envelope there.

01:02:51I stared at the phone screen.

01:02:53She was upstairs.

01:02:56She didn't hear it.

01:02:57Before 7 o'clock,

01:02:58she and Henry said

01:02:59all of that in the kitchen.

01:03:00I stared at that alarm

01:03:01for a long time.

01:03:02I deleted it.

01:03:03The plane taxied

01:03:04down the runway.

01:03:04The engine noise

01:03:05grew louder and louder.

01:03:07I closed my eyes.

01:03:08I said one thing to myself.

01:03:10You've done everything

01:03:11you needed to do.

01:03:14I opened my eyes

01:03:14and took Article 8

01:03:15of the postnote

01:03:16from my handbag.

01:03:17The clause Trevor

01:03:18had personally added

01:03:19seven years ago.

01:03:19If either spouse

01:03:20commits public humiliation,

01:03:22deprivation of parental rights,

01:03:23or economic coercion,

01:03:25the other spouse

01:03:26shall have the right

01:03:26to sole custody

01:03:27of minor children

01:03:27and 75% of marital assets.

01:03:32Back then,

01:03:33the Hale family's

01:03:34chief attorney

01:03:34smiled at me.

01:03:35Mrs. Hale,

01:03:36this clause

01:03:37is absolutely in your favor.

01:03:39See how much

01:03:40Trevor protects you?

01:03:41I was only 24 then,

01:03:43newly pregnant with Adeline.

01:03:45It was my first time

01:03:46stepping into

01:03:46a century-old family,

01:03:47like the Hales.

01:03:49And I was so nervous

01:03:50my hand shook

01:03:51when I signed.

01:03:52I signed.

01:03:54Trevor signed too.

01:03:55He even wrote

01:03:56one sentence

01:03:56in his own hand.

01:03:57To keep my wife safe

01:03:58from my own family.

01:04:00To protect my wife

01:04:01from being hurt

01:04:01by my own family.

01:04:03Reading that sentence

01:04:04again today,

01:04:04I nearly laughed out loud.

01:04:06He had hardly

01:04:07protected me at all.

01:04:08But he had indeed

01:04:09left me a gun.

01:04:11Seven years later,

01:04:12he walked himself

01:04:13right into the barrel.

01:04:14Seven years ago,

01:04:15he wrote that clause

01:04:16because he feared

01:04:16the Hale family

01:04:17would hurt me.

01:04:18Seven years later,

01:04:19the person who hurt me

01:04:20the deepest was himself.

01:04:22The Hales,

01:04:22the cabin announcement

01:04:23told us we could

01:04:24unbuckle our seatbelts.

01:04:25Clouds spread out

01:04:26beyond the wing.

01:04:28Sunlight poured in,

01:04:29harsh and blinding.

01:04:30I closed the forder.

01:04:31I told myself,

01:04:33Amelia,

01:04:33you don't love him anymore.

01:04:37It wasn't something

01:04:38that happened overnight.

01:04:39I'm in a meeting.

01:04:40Again and again,

01:04:41he said,

01:04:41she needs me.

01:04:43Again and again,

01:04:43he said,

01:04:44your hormones are unstable.

01:04:46Again and again,

01:04:47he said,

01:04:47Cassidy has it hard.

01:04:48He wore away

01:04:49what little love I had

01:04:50bit by bit

01:04:50until it turned to ash.

01:04:52When the wind blew,

01:04:53nothing was left.

01:04:54I closed my eyes.

01:04:55One of the two children

01:04:56in my belly moved

01:04:57and the other moved with them.

01:04:59I smiled.

01:05:00I said to them,

01:05:01your mother is not

01:05:02Mrs. Hale.

01:05:03Your mother's name

01:05:04is Amelia M. Voss.

01:05:06Starting today.

01:05:25I flew back to Boston

01:05:26pregnant with twins

01:05:27just to confirm

01:05:27Trevor wouldn't be home tonight.

01:05:29Today was my 31st birthday.

01:05:31It was also

01:05:31our seventh wedding anniversary.

01:05:33The doctor told me not to fly.

01:05:34I flew anyway.

01:05:35Not because of love.

01:05:37Because,

01:05:37after seven years,

01:05:39I was still waiting for him

01:05:40to give me one reason

01:05:40not to leave.

01:05:41I told the baby

01:05:42it was in my belly.

01:05:43This is the last time.

01:05:44After this,

01:05:44we stopped waiting for him.

01:05:46He thought what he'd lost

01:05:46was a wife throwing a tantrum.

01:05:48Tomorrow morning at nine,

01:05:49he would find out

01:05:50what he'd lost

01:05:51was someone he had

01:05:51never deserved in his life.

01:05:53By the time I landed

01:05:54at Logan Airport,

01:05:55it was already past nine at night.

01:05:57I thought that,

01:05:58if only for the sake

01:05:59of these seven years,

01:06:00he should come home tonight.

01:06:01When I walked out of the airport,

01:06:02my phone was full of birthday wishes

01:06:04from colleagues

01:06:04and old classmates.

01:06:06There was nothing from Trevor.

01:06:11By the time I reached

01:06:11the old house on Beacon Hill,

01:06:13it was almost 10.30.

01:06:14Henry opened the door for me.

01:06:16Mrs. Hale, you...

01:06:17What brings you here?

01:06:19Where's Trevor?

01:06:20And Adi?

01:06:20Mr. Hale hasn't returned yet.

01:06:22Mrs. Upstairs,

01:06:23playing with that box of shells.

01:06:27I nodded,

01:06:28handed him my coat,

01:06:29and went upstairs

01:06:29with one hand supporting my belly.

01:06:31The hallway was very quiet.

01:06:33Adi's bedroom door

01:06:34was half open,

01:06:35a warm little lamp

01:06:36glowing inside.

01:06:37I pushed the door open

01:06:38and went in.

01:06:39She was wearing pink pajamas,

01:06:41sitting cross-legged

01:06:42on the carpet,

01:06:43focused on stringing

01:06:44a shell necklace.

01:06:45My footsteps were light.

01:06:47Adi...

01:06:48She looked up,

01:06:48her eyes lighting up.

01:06:50Then she lowered her head again

01:06:51and went back

01:06:52to fiddling with the beads.

01:06:53I crouched down,

01:06:55held my belly,

01:06:56pulled her into my arms,

01:06:57and kissed her.

01:06:58Mom, don't bother me.

01:07:00I'm busy.

01:07:00I hadn't seen her

01:07:01in more than two months.

01:07:02No number of kisses

01:07:03would have been enough,

01:07:04but she had already

01:07:05wriggled out of my arms.

01:07:06Is Adi making

01:07:07a shell necklace?

01:07:08Mmm.

01:07:09In one week,

01:07:10it'll be Aunt Cassidy birthday.

01:07:12This is the birthday present

01:07:13Dad and I are making

01:07:14for Aunt Cassidy.

01:07:15Dad and I polished

01:07:16every one of these shells

01:07:17with tools.

01:07:18Aren't they pretty?

01:07:23She held the necklace

01:07:24up in front of me.

01:07:25That box of shells

01:07:25was the one I had taken her

01:07:27to collect on beach

01:07:27at Big Sun last year.

01:07:28My throat tightened sharply.

01:07:30Before I could speak,

01:07:31she added happily.

01:07:32Dad also ordered

01:07:33other custom gifts

01:07:34for Aunt Cassidy.

01:07:35Tomorrow,

01:07:35she didn't finish.

01:07:36I looked at the necklace

01:07:37in her hands

01:07:38and remembered something.

01:07:39This time last year,

01:07:40it had been a night

01:07:40just like this.

01:07:41The charity gala

01:07:42for Children's Hospital.

01:07:43Trevor personally auctioned off

01:07:45the copy of

01:07:46California Rare Birds

01:07:47Field Guide

01:07:48I had given him

01:07:49for our sixth anniversary.

01:07:50One of only three

01:07:51out-of-print copies,

01:07:52the one I had found

01:07:52among my late father's belongings.

01:07:54The hammer price

01:07:55was $420,000.

01:07:57Donated to set up

01:07:58a trust for the child.

01:07:59Cassidy had left

01:08:00from cold.

01:08:01I sat in the third row

01:08:02at the time,

01:08:03smiling and applauding.

01:08:06I thought I could endure

01:08:07one more year.

01:08:08Lady,

01:08:09Mommy wants to ask you something.

01:08:11She looked up.

01:08:14Do you remember

01:08:15Mommy's birthday?

01:08:16She furrowed her little brows

01:08:18and thought very seriously.

01:08:19For five seconds,

01:08:21Mommy's birthday?

01:08:23She looked up at me

01:08:24and blinked

01:08:24as if asking for help.

01:08:27Mom,

01:08:28is your birthday

01:08:29the one in summer?

01:08:32She lowered her head again

01:08:33and started

01:08:34counting the beads.

01:08:35Mom,

01:08:36don't talk to me.

01:08:37You're messing up the order.

01:08:38I didn't speak again.

01:08:40I let go of the arm

01:08:41I had around her.

01:08:46When I went downstairs,

01:08:48Henry was waiting

01:08:49in the living room.

01:08:50Mrs. Hale,

01:08:51I called Mr. Hale

01:08:52just now.

01:08:53He said he has

01:08:54something to do tonight

01:08:55and asked you

01:08:56to rest first.

01:08:57I see.

01:08:57I answered softly.

01:08:59After thinking for a moment,

01:09:00I still called Trevor.

01:09:02The phone rang

01:09:03for a long time

01:09:03before he answered.

01:09:04His voice was faint.

01:09:06I'm busy tomorrow.

01:09:09From the other end

01:09:10of the phone

01:09:10came another woman's voice.

01:09:12Soft, natural,

01:09:12as if she had been

01:09:13by his side all night.

01:09:14Who is it this late?

01:09:15It was Cassidy.

01:09:16I tightened my grip

01:09:17on the phone.

01:09:18Trevor paused

01:09:19then said to me,

01:09:20Nothing.

01:09:21Before I could speak,

01:09:23he hung up.

01:09:24I sat on the sofa

01:09:25for a long time.

01:09:26The two children

01:09:27in my belly moved.

01:09:28I lowered my head

01:09:29and gently patted my stomach.

01:09:31I said to them,

01:09:32Mommy understands now.

01:09:34Mommy thought seven years

01:09:36was long enough

01:09:37that one year

01:09:39he would remember

01:09:40to come home.

01:09:41Tonight was the last time.

01:09:43Mommy won't wait

01:09:43for him anymore.

01:09:49At 6.30 the next morning,

01:09:50I went downstairs.

01:09:52Henry was making breakfast

01:09:53in the kitchen.

01:09:54I didn't go in.

01:09:56Halfway there,

01:09:57I heard Adi's voice

01:09:57drifting over

01:09:58from the other side

01:09:58of the kitchen.

01:09:59She was talking to Henry.

01:10:01Her voice wasn't loud,

01:10:02but she was still little.

01:10:03She didn't understand

01:10:04what lower your voice meant.

01:10:05Henry, I'm not happy

01:10:06that Mom came.

01:10:07Miss, why would you be unhappy?

01:10:10Dad and I already promised

01:10:11we'd take Aunt Cassidy

01:10:12to Cape Cod tomorrow.

01:10:13If Mom suddenly comes

01:10:15and insists on going with us,

01:10:16Aunt Cassidy will feel so awkward.

01:10:18Miss, Madam is your mother.

01:10:20You can't say things like that.

01:10:21It will hurt her heart.

01:10:22Understand?

01:10:23I know.

01:10:24But there wasn't

01:10:25the slightest hesitation

01:10:25in her voice.

01:10:27But Dad and I

01:10:27both like Aunt Cassidy better.

01:10:29Can I let Aunt Cassidy

01:10:30be my mommy?

01:10:31I stood at the foot of the stairs

01:10:32unable to move

01:10:33even half a step.

01:10:34My daughter was my own

01:10:35flesh and blood.

01:10:36I had spent 22 hours

01:10:37in the delivery room alone.

01:10:38Trevor was in Europe that day

01:10:39negotiating an acquisition.

01:10:42Cole is gone.

01:10:44I have to go to Cassidy right away.

01:10:45Cole had died in a car accident

01:10:46the night before.

01:10:48Cassidy wasn't pregnant yet

01:10:49at the time.

01:10:51After that night,

01:10:52the two of them

01:10:52were never truly apart again.

01:10:54Henry said nothing more.

01:10:56I walked back to my room

01:10:57and closed the door.

01:10:58I sat down by the bed.

01:10:59I didn't cry.

01:11:01I only lowered the hand

01:11:02resting on my belly.

01:11:03I opened my phone.

01:11:04I sent Trevor a text.

01:11:06Trevor, let's have lunch

01:11:06together today.

01:11:07Just the three of us.

01:11:08A.D. wants Mistral's

01:11:09lobster ravioli.

01:11:10I'll fly back to San Francisco

01:11:11this afternoon.

01:11:12He replied about 20 minutes later.

01:11:15Got it.

01:11:16You set the time.

01:11:17Looking at that, got it.

01:11:18I nearly laughed out loud.

01:11:20Seven years ago,

01:11:21when he was pursuing me,

01:11:23he wrote 15 love letters.

01:11:24Every one of them

01:11:25ended with yours, Trevor.

01:11:27Seven years later,

01:11:28his reply to me had fewer words

01:11:29than yours plus Trevor.

01:11:31I wrote back.

01:11:341230 Mistral.

01:11:35Got it.

01:11:35I washed up, did my makeup

01:11:36and changed into a pale beige maternity dress.

01:11:39I had picked it out myself last year.

01:11:40Trevor had never seen it once.

01:11:42At 1140, I drove to Back Bay.

01:11:43Halfway there, my phone buzzed.

01:11:45It was Trevor.

01:11:46Something urgent came up at noon.

01:11:47Lunch is canceled.

01:11:48Next time, I pulled over onto a small road

01:11:50beside Starro Drive

01:11:51and stared at that text for a long time.

01:11:57If it had been before,

01:11:58I would have immediately replied,

01:11:59okay?

01:12:00Or when you're done,

01:12:00should I wait for you?

01:12:01I would have waited.

01:12:03I would have sat alone at Mistral

01:12:05until two in the afternoon,

01:12:06drink two glasses of lemon water,

01:12:07then drive home.

01:12:08Dad is busy today.

01:12:09It isn't easy for him.

01:12:10But today, I didn't reply.

01:12:13I started the car again

01:12:14and drove toward Back Bay.

01:12:15I wasn't acting out of spite.

01:12:17I just suddenly wanted to take a look.

01:12:19I wanted to see what his so-called

01:12:21urgent matter actually was.

01:12:22I parked across the street from Mistral.

01:12:24I didn't go in right away.

01:12:26I stood outside the glass window

01:12:28for about 10 seconds.

01:12:29Inside, at the old table by the window,

01:12:31the three of them were sitting there.

01:12:33Cassidy and Adi sat close together

01:12:34on the same side.

01:12:35Adi tilted her head up,

01:12:36telling her jokes,

01:12:37her shoulders shaking with laughter.

01:12:39Cassidy fed her a piece of little cake,

01:12:40taking a bite herself first

01:12:41before handing it over.

01:12:42Adi opened her mouth and ate it.

01:12:44Trevor sat across from them.

01:12:46He was wearing the dark gray cashmere coat

01:12:48I had picked out for him last Christmas.

01:12:49He was smiling,

01:12:50the kind of smile I hadn't seen

01:12:52in a very long time.

01:12:53He placed a piece of fish

01:12:54on Cassidy's plate,

01:12:55then one for Adi.

01:12:56His eyes stayed on Cassidy's face

01:12:58the whole time,

01:12:59as if in the entire restaurant,

01:13:00she was the only person left.

01:13:02I stood outside the glass window,

01:13:03carrying two unborn children in my belly,

01:13:05his wife,

01:13:06his childhood friend's widow,

01:13:08his daughter,

01:13:09three people at one table.

01:13:10The seat that should have been

01:13:11across from him was empty.

01:13:13I didn't go in.

01:13:14I turned around

01:13:15and walked back to the car.

01:13:16I started the engine.

01:13:18The windshield wiper swept across the glass,

01:13:20wiping away two drops of water.

01:13:22It wasn't rain.

01:13:23Even I didn't know when they had fallen.

01:13:25I smiled a little.

01:13:26I said to myself,

01:13:28Amelia,

01:13:28do you see it clearly now?

01:13:29I see it clearly.

01:13:31I drove away.

01:13:32I didn't look back at Mistral once.

01:13:33When I returned to Beacon Hill,

01:13:35it was 1.30 in the afternoon.

01:13:36Only Henry was in the old house.

01:13:38When he saw me,

01:13:38he froze.

01:13:39Mrs. Hale,

01:13:39aren't you at Mistral?

01:13:40Mr. Hale had something come up.

01:13:42Henry opened it his mouth,

01:13:43then said nothing.

01:13:44I went upstairs and entered the study.

01:13:46I opened the computer

01:13:47and connected to the home network.

01:13:49On the desktop was a folder,

01:13:51password locked and hidden for seven years.

01:13:53Folder,

01:13:54AMV only.

01:13:55I opened it.

01:13:55There were four things inside.

01:13:57A PDF of the postnup from seven years ago,

01:14:00the version I had personally scanned and archived.

01:14:06A record of every major decision Trevor had made

01:14:09over the past seven years.

01:14:10I had attended every Viridian Labs board meeting remotely,

01:14:13and he didn't know.

01:14:14A copy of delivery room footage from the day Adeline

01:14:17was born proof that Trevor had been absent.

01:14:19A full set of evidence I had obtained two years ago

01:14:23showing Hale Trust's forged documents

01:14:25for Cassidy's identity as Cole's widow.

01:14:33From that folder,

01:14:34I pulled up the divorce agreement template.

01:14:36It was the version Zara had sent me half a year ago.

01:14:41Sis, here.

01:14:42In case you need it someday.

01:14:43I won't need it.

01:14:45She wrote back,

01:14:46Sis, stop lying to yourself.

01:14:54Two o'clock this afternoon.

01:14:56I needed it.

01:14:57I copied Article 8 of the postnip

01:14:59into the first page of the agreement,

01:15:01word for word.

01:15:02I attached the email Dr. Masson had sent Trevor

01:15:04about Adeline's psychological evaluation

01:15:06to the second page.

01:15:08I placed the photo of that table for three

01:15:10at Mistral this morning on the third page.

01:15:14I had taken the photo outside the glass window

01:15:16with my phone.

01:15:17I looked at it for a long time.

01:15:20I wasn't reluctant to let go.

01:15:22I simply added one line of caption to that photo,

01:15:25Exhibit C.

01:15:27Defendant dined with a third party and daughter

01:15:29at Mistral 47 minute,

01:15:31during which Defendant did not contact Placeniff.

01:15:34This date was Plantis' birthday

01:15:36and seventh wedding anniversary.

01:15:38Print.

01:15:40Sign.

01:15:41Amelia M. Voss.

01:15:43Not Hale.

01:15:43Voss.

01:15:44I hadn't used that surname in seven years.

01:15:47After signing,

01:15:49I folded the agreement

01:15:50and placed it in a craft envelope.

01:15:52On the front of the envelope,

01:15:53I wrote three words

01:15:55to Trevor Hale.

01:15:57I placed it on the mahogany table in the foyer.

01:16:00That table was Cassidy's housewarming gift

01:16:02three years ago.

01:16:04I went downstairs.

01:16:06Henry was arranging a bouquet in the living room.

01:16:09When he saw me carrying my suitcase,

01:16:12he froze completely.

01:16:15Mrs. Hale.

01:16:16Henry.

01:16:17I pointed to the envelope for him.

01:16:19When Mr. Hale comes back,

01:16:20please hand this to him personally.

01:16:21I'll be returning to San Francisco shortly.

01:16:23Henry's lips moved,

01:16:24but no sound came out.

01:16:25He had been the Hale family's butler for 20 years.

01:16:28He had seen everything.

01:16:31Seven years.

01:16:33Every time I waited until late at night

01:16:35and Trevor never came home,

01:16:37he was the one who brought me soup.

01:16:39Every time Cassidy unintentionally stabbed me in this house,

01:16:42he silently pulled me away.

01:16:45At last, he spoke in a low voice.

01:16:47You won't be coming back this time.

01:16:49I didn't answer.

01:16:51I took a white sheet of paper from my handbag,

01:16:54wrote several lines,

01:16:56and handed it to him.

01:16:58Henry.

01:16:59At 2.40 this afternoon,

01:17:01Mr. Hale, Ms. Cassidy Lambert,

01:17:03and Adeline Hale had lunch together at Mistral.

01:17:06I was originally scheduled to attend.

01:17:12Plaintiff was not present.

01:17:13Please sign by hand later as a witness.

01:17:15Amelia M. Vosk after Henry finished reading it,

01:17:18his hand trembled.

01:17:19He looked up at me.

01:17:20Just sign your name.

01:17:21If this matter goes to court,

01:17:22your name will appear on Exhibit C.

01:17:24If you don't want to sign,

01:17:26you can tear it up.

01:17:26I won't force you.

01:17:27Henry was silent for five seconds.

01:17:29Then he signed his name

01:17:30at the very bottom of the paper.

01:17:31He wrote slowly,

01:17:32each stroke heavy.

01:17:34Henry Coleman,

01:17:34the 14th of March.

01:17:35I took the paper,

01:17:36folded it,

01:17:37and put it into my Kelly bag,

01:17:38Henry.

01:17:39Mrs. Dr. Vosk.

01:17:40It was the first time he called me that.

01:17:42Thank you for these seven years.

01:17:43He lowered his head.

01:17:44I failed you.

01:17:45By the time the car pulled out of Beacon Hill,

01:17:47it was already three in the afternoon.

01:17:49I didn't look back at that house again.

01:17:51In the car,

01:17:51I sent Zara three messages.

01:17:53That post-nup can be used now.

01:17:54I am on my way to the airport.

01:17:56Five o'clock flight to SFO.

01:17:57Charles will pick me up.

01:17:59I'll go straight to Bishop and Cole after landing.

01:18:01She replied instantly,

01:18:02waiting for you,

01:18:03sis.

01:18:03The car entered the approach ramp to Logan Airport.

01:18:05I rested my hand on my belly.

01:18:07The two children moved.

01:18:08I said to them,

01:18:09Mommy is taking you home,

01:18:10to our real home.

01:18:11Before the plane took off,

01:18:12the cabin announcement told us to turn off our phones.

01:18:14Before switching mine to airplane mode,

01:18:16I opened my alarm list.

01:18:17There were 17 alarms in total.

01:18:19The one at the top was set for six o'clock every morning.

01:18:21The alarm title read,

01:18:22Call Addy,

01:18:23Boston time.

01:18:24Seven years.

01:18:25No,

01:18:25six years since Addy turned one every morning at six.

01:18:28Whether I was in California,

01:18:30Boston,

01:18:30New York,

01:18:31Tokyo,

01:18:31London,

01:18:32at a prenatal checkup in a meeting,

01:18:33or just finishing overtime in the middle of the night.

01:18:36When the alarm rang,

01:18:37I called her.

01:18:39Mommy.

01:18:39She spent more and more time in Boston with Trevor.

01:18:42She answered the phone less and less.

01:18:43Finish breakfast?

01:18:44Go to school?

01:18:45Bye,

01:18:46Mommy loves you.

01:18:47Starting this year,

01:18:48she stopped letting Henry answer for her.

01:18:49She simply stopped answering.

01:18:51I had never deleted that alarm.

01:18:52I told myself what if one day she remembered Mommy?

01:18:55What if one day she was willing to answer again?

01:18:57I had to be online at that moment.

01:18:59At six this morning,

01:19:00I was on the first floor of the old Beacon Hill house.

01:19:02That alarm rang too.

01:19:06At that moment,

01:19:07I was standing beside the foyer table,

01:19:09placing the envelope there.

01:19:11I stared at the phone screen.

01:19:13She was upstairs.

01:19:16She didn't hear it.

01:19:17Before seven o'clock,

01:19:18she and Henry said all of that in the kitchen.

01:19:20I stared at that alarm for a long time.

01:19:22I deleted it.

01:19:23The plane taxied down the runway.

01:19:24The engine noise grew louder and louder.

01:19:27I closed my eyes.

01:19:28I said one thing to myself.

01:19:30You've done everything you needed to do.

01:19:34I opened my eyes and took Article 8 of the postnote from my handbag.

01:19:37The clause Trevor had personally added seven years ago.

01:19:40If either spouse commits public humiliation,

01:19:42deprivation of parental rights,

01:19:43or economic coercion,

01:19:45the other spouse shall have the right to sole custody of minor children

01:19:47and 75% of marital assets.

01:19:52Back then,

01:19:53the Hale family's chief attorney smiled at me.

01:19:56Mrs. Hale,

01:19:57this clause is absolutely in your favor.

01:19:59See how much Trevor protects you?

01:20:01I was only 24 then,

01:20:03newly pregnant with Adeline.

01:20:05It was my first time stepping into a century-old family,

01:20:07like the Hales.

01:20:09And I was so nervous,

01:20:10my hand shook when I signed.

01:20:12I signed.

01:20:14Trevor signed too.

01:20:15He even wrote one sentence in his own hand

01:20:17to keep my wife safe from my own family,

01:20:20to protect my wife from being hurt by my own family.

01:20:23Reading that sentence again today,

01:20:24I nearly laughed out loud.

01:20:26He had hardly protected me at all,

01:20:28but he had indeed left me a gun.

01:20:31Seven years later,

01:20:32he walked himself right into the barrel.

01:20:34Seven years ago,

01:20:35he wrote that clause because he feared the Hale family would hurt me.

01:20:38Seven years later,

01:20:40the person who hurt me the deepest was himself.

01:20:42The Hales the cabin announcement told us we could unbuckle our seatbelts.

01:20:45Clouds spread out beyond the wing.

01:20:48Sunlight poured in,

01:20:49harsh and blinding.

01:20:50I closed the forder.

01:20:51I told myself,

01:20:53Amelia,

01:20:53you don't love him anymore.

01:20:57It wasn't something that happened overnight.

01:20:59I'm in a meeting.

01:21:00Again and again,

01:21:01he said,

01:21:01she needs me.

01:21:03Again and again,

01:21:03he said,

01:21:04your hormones are unstable.

01:21:06Again and again,

01:21:07he said,

01:21:07Cassidy has it hard.

01:21:08He wore away what little love I had,

01:21:10bit by bit,

01:21:11until it turned to ash.

01:21:12When the wind blew,

01:21:13nothing was left.

01:21:14I closed my eyes.

01:21:15One of the two children in my belly moved,

01:21:17and the other moved with them.

01:21:19I smiled.

01:21:20I said to them,

01:21:21your mother is not Mrs. Hale.

01:21:23Your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:21:26Starting today.

01:21:35I said to them,

01:21:37your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:21:38I said to them,

01:21:38your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:21:39I said to them,

01:21:39your mother's name is Amelia M. Voss.

01:21:40I said to them,

I Flew Home Pregnant Only To See His Secret ✈️ [Free to Watch] HD No Cut | Dailymotion #ReelShort

类别

文字稿

评论

推荐视频